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HISTORY
OF
Genesee County
MICHIGAN
HER PEOPLE. INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
By
EDWIN O. WOOD, LL. D.
President Michigan Historical Ci
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
VOLUME 1
ILLUSTRATED
1916
FEDERAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
Indianapolis. Indiana
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DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to two of Flint's foremost citizens. Rev. T, J.
Murphy and William Crapo Durant, whose friendship, covering a period
of a third of a century, has been a constant inspiration and encouragement
to the editor.
The activities of these two men reach into many angles in the develop-
ment and progress of Fhnt and Genesee county; their greatest pleasure has
been to advance the best interests of the community and to bring happiness
and prosperily to all of their associates.
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EDITOR'S PREFACE
The history of Genesee county is moat interesting and instructive, and
to hope, and to believe, that this volume may help to preserve for our gen-
eration, and for generations to come, its priceless lessons, has been to the
editor a source of great pleasure and satisfaction. The long occupation of
our forests by the romantic, war-loving red man is proHfic of traditionary
lore; the comparatively recent development of our county's resources by the
white settlers abounds with instruction and interest; but the records of this
history, while abundant, are not easily accessible to the general reader.
From time to time, our citizens have written about the incidents of
pioneer life among the white settlers who came to these iands in an early
day. Each and all of these, men and women prominent in every walk of
life — clergymen, teachers, physicians, attorneys, busy men and women of
literary taste — have thus indirectly contributed to the present work. Books
have been published on the history of the county, some of them works of
high merit. One of these, of special excellence, has been largely used in
this work. It was among the first to aj^ear — the "History of Genesee
County," published in 1879 by the Philadelphia firm of Everts &
Abbott, On the whole, it has been found to be, as it claimed, a reliable
and, for its time, exhaustive history of the county in all its phases— pioneer,
agricultural, manufacturing, civil, military, educational and religious.
To make this old material more generally and pleasurably accessible, it
has been here entirely rearranged and systematized, and largely rewritten.
The present task has been to correct, eliminate and supplement. Portions
of it have been excluded, owing to differences in historical perspective between
1879 and 1916. Many new facts relating to our early history have been
added. Its chapters X to XVII contained such an excellent military record
of the county, so complete and well written, and the events have still such
great interest for all, that these chapters have been gathered into one and
allowed to stand, with corrections and additions. All that was interesting
and essential in the history of the townships has been retained and supple-
mented, with special reference to the pioneer period.
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EDITOR S PREFACE.
Another mass of material largely used in the present work is that in
"The Book of the Golden Jubilee of Fhnt." The method has been mainly
that of quotation, partly to preserve the individuality of the writers, as well
as to make proper acknowledgment for each portion -used.
In chapter I, much use has been made of the excellent work entitled
"Michigan as a Province, Territory and State." Besides the various other
histories of Michigan, such as those by Farmer, Lanman, Cooley, Mrs.*
Sheldon, and special works like those of Rev. T. J. Campbell, S. J., on
"Pioneer Laynjen of North iVmerica" and "Pioneer Priests of North
America," use has been freely made of the general sketches in other county
histories.
All of chapters II and III, and portions of several other chapters, have
been written by Mr. William V. Smith, of Flint, who, as secretary of the
Genesee County Historical Society since its organization, and a life-long
student of the Indians, particularly of this region, is an authority of emi-
nence on the subjects to which he has made contributions. A large part
of the material used in connection with the local history of Genesee county
and the city of Flint was prepared by Mrs. Kate E. Buckham, to whom, as
associate editor, especial acknowledgment is due. Invaluable information
has been contributed by many of our citizens, whom to name individnallv
would be impracticable, but to each and all of these the editor wishes to
express sincere thanks.
As Byron says: "Critics all are ready made," This volume cannot
expect to escape a generous fusilade of their feathered shafts. Those whose
opinions are of value will at least read it with that care which the real critic
vouchsafes to every book; and as they read, they will remember that the
editor has sought to make, not an encj^clopedia, but a record of our history
whose perusal will be a pleasure, as well as a profit.
Edwin O. Wood.
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PUBLISHERS' FOREWORD
All life and achievement is evolution; present wisfloni conies from past
experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer-
tion and sacrifice. The deeds and motives of the men who have gone before
have been instrumental in shajMng the destinies of later communities and
states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privi-
lege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the pres-
ent conditions of the people of Genesee county, Michigan, with what they
were but a little less than a century ago. From a trackless wilderness and
virgin land, it has come to be a center of prosperity and'civilization, with
milhons of wealth, systems of railways, educational and religious institu-
tions, varied industries and iminense agricultural and dairj' interests. Can
any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which dis-
closes the aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who so stronglj' laid
the foundation uixjn which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of
later days? To periietuate the story of these people and to trace and record
the social, religious, educational, political and industrial progress of the com-
munity from its first inception, is the function of the local historian. A
sincere purpose to preserve facts and persona! memoirs that are deserving
of [jerpetuation, and which unite the present to the past, is the motive for
the present publication. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to
those who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also due to
the citizens of Genesee county for the uniform kindness with which they
hare regarded this undertaking, and for their many services rendered in the
gaining of necessary information.
In placing the "History of Genesee County. Michigan," before the citi-
zens, the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the
plan as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has
been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any
error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch
was prepared. Confident that our effort to please will fully meet the appro-
liation of the public, we are,
Respectfully,
THE PUBLISHERS.
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CONTENTS
VOLUME I
CHAPTER I— HISTORY OF MICHIGAN..
Explorers in Great Lakes Region— Samuel de Champlain —
His Victories Over the Indians and Their Consequent Unrelenting Hos-
tility lo the Whites— The Missionary Spirit— The Franciscan Order— The
Jesuits and Their Work in the Northwest— Jean Nicolet— Fr, Rene Me-
nard— First Map of Michigan— First Accounts of Copper in Northern
Michigan- Oldest Settl-ement in Michigan— Formal Possession of Mich-
igan by France — Jacques Marquette — Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
and His Explorations — Michilimackinac and Detroit, Rival Centers of In-
fluence— M. de La Motte Cadillac— Michigan Under the British — Pontiac's
Conspiracy — Siege of Detroit — End of the War and Signing of Peace
Treaty— Activity in the Fur Trade— Mackinac— The Northwest Territory
—Governor Arthur St. Clair— Indian Treaty of Greenville— British With-
draw from Northwest — Wayne County Formed — Indiana Territory — Michi-
gan Territory— War of 1812— Hull's Surrender— Indian Massacres and
Depredations— End of the War— Governor Lewis Cass and His Success-
ful Handling of the Tremendous Probletns Which Confronted Him — Sur-
vey of Soldier Bounty Lands — Misleading Reports as to Their Character
— Treaty of Saginaw — New Surveys by Cass and Establishment of a Land
Office — Steam Transportation on Land and Water — Beginning of Great
Immigration from the Eastern States — Demand for Roads — Steady Ad-
vance in Local and Territorial Self-government — General Cass a Firm Advo-
cate of Popular Education— A Period of Rapid Growth— The "Toledo
War"— Admission of Michigan into the Union and First State Officials-
Detroit in 1837— Centers of Population— Pioneer Life— An Era of Specula-
tion— "Wild-eat" Banks — Internal Improvements — Removal of State Capital
from Detroit to Lansing — Adoption of a New Constitutlon^A New Regime
— Civil War Days^Michigan's Splendid Military Record — Zaehariah Chand-
ler— Governor Henry H. Crapo^Immigration Agents — Swamp Lands — Ag-
ricultural Education — Governor Crapo and the Pardoning Power — Public
Aid to Railroad Enterprises^Constitutional Convention of 1867^Governor
Henry P. Baldwin— Governor John J. Bagley— The Greenback Movement-
Governors Josiah W. Begole, Russell A. Alger, Cyrus W. Luce, Edwin B.
Winans, John T. Rich and Hazen S. Pingree— The Spanish-American War-
Governors Aaron T. Bliss. Fred M, Warner, Chase S. Osborne and Wood-
bridge N. Ferris— Natural Resources of the State— Transportation— Edu-
cational Advancement.
CHAPTER II— THE INDIANS OF GENESEE COUNTY 1(
Fragmentary Character of Indian History— Seldom Written Without Bias
—Indian Attitude Towards White Man's Curiosity— Contradictory Writers
—Character of the Red Men— Indians at the Time of the Discovery— The
Story of Ay-oun-a-wa-ta— The Five Nations— Cla.ssification of the Various
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CONTENTS.
Tribes — Hothelaga— Unsanitary Conditions Among the Indians — Cham-
plain— Steiihen Brule — Conflict Between the Canadian French and Their In-
dian Allies and the Five Nations, Aided by the Dutch and English — Disper-
sal of the Eastern Tribes and Their Coming to the Michigan Country — Story
of The-People-who-went-out-of-the-land^Early Maps Showing Indian Oc-
cupancy—Former Possessors of Genesee County— Only One Tribal Identity,
the Sacs, Preserved — The Mound Builders — Genesee County Under Huron
Iroquois Occupancy— An Indian Home and Occupations — Agriculture —
The Ottawas— Variant Accounts of the Occupancy at Genesee County by
the Indians— The Chippewas— The Pontiac War— The Indians and the War
of 1812— Romantic Traditions— The Battle of Long Lake— The Captives of
the Saginaw.
CHAPTER in— INDIAN TREATIES AND RESERVATIONS - 1
The Treaty of 1807 — Indian Occupancy of Genesee County — Treaty of Sagi-
naw^Lewis Cass. Joseph Campau and Jacob Smith — Interesting Features
of the Council with the Indians— Louis Campau's Account of the Council
—Pertinent Provisions of the Treaty— The Tribal Reservation— Ne-o-me
— Treaties of 1837 and Subsequently — Reservations to Individuals and
Later Contests Over Them.
CHAPTER IV— SETTLEMENT OF FLINT BEFORE 1837 1:
Flint, an Early Prominent Center of Settlement- Governor Cass's Tour of
Observation and Discovery — The Grand Traverse — Origin of the Name,
"Flint" — ^Indian Occupation — An Ignominious Whipping — First White Set-
tler at Flint— Grand Blanc, a Rival Settlement— John Todd— Early Perma-
nent Settlers— Organized Government— First Officers— Early Real Estate
Prices— First Village Plats— First Postoffice Established— Land Office-
Road Building— Mills— Influx of Settlers— First Schools— Early Religious
Interest— Social Amusements— The Professions— Flint in 1837.
CHAPTF.R V— PIONEER DAYS IN THE TOWNSHIPS 11
Original Area of Genesee County— Organization of the Townships— Flint
Township — Land Entries — Early Neighborhood Settlements — Earliest
Schools— Township Records— Stock Marks— Libraries— School Districts-
Grand Blanc Township— Land Entries and First Settlers— A Pioneer's
Description of His Experiences — Village of Grand Blanc — Fenton Town-
ship— Settlers and Land Entries — Beginning of the Village of Fenton —
Reminiscences of Dr. S. W. Pattison and William M. Fenton— Platting
and Settlement of the Village— Professional Men— Linden Village— Plat-
ting of — Schools and Religions Societies— Mt. Pleasant Village — First Elec-
tion of Township Officers— Atlas Township— Settlement— Village of Good-
rich—First Township Meeting— Flushing Township— First Settlers— Pio-
neer Conditions— The "English Settlement"— Flushing Village— Mundy
Township— Land Entries, First Settlement and Other Early Events— Ar-
gentine Township— Settlement— Village of Booton (Argentine)— Mt. Morris
Township — Pioneers — Schools and Churches— ^"X^old water Settlement"—
First Township Officers— Genesee Township— Settlement— First Religious
Services— Timber and Saw-mills — First Township Officials — Gaines Town-
ship— Settlement — First Township Meeting — Burton Township — The First
Settlers— Religious Interests and Schools— First Township Meeting— Clay-
ton Township— Original Natural Features— The Pioneers— The Miller,
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CONTENTS.
Lyons and Donahoo Settlements — Organization of the Township — Vienna
Township— First Settlers— Organization and First Officers of the Town-
ship— Early Schools and Churches — Thetford Township — The Pioneers —
Early Events — Organization and First Officials— Davison Townsliip — Settle-
ment— Organization — An Early Game Law — Richfield Township — Original
Area — First Settlement— Pioneer DifficuUies— First Events — Village Cen-
ters— First Township Officials — Forest Township — Its Namc^Early Set-
tlers—First Township Officials— Montrose Township— Its Name— First Of-
ficials—Early Prominent Citizens— Mills— The Winter of Want.
CHAPTER VI— FIRST COUNTY COURT _ 25!
Various Judicial Districts in Which Genesee Has Been Placed^First
County Officers — First Board of Supervisors Meeting — Tax Assessments —
First Session of the Circuit Court— First Case Tried— Early Actions of the
Board of Supervisors and County Commissioners.
CHAPTER VII— INDIAN TRAILS AND PUBLIC HIGHWAYS- 254
A Nation's Civilization Gauged by Her Transportation Facilities — ^Indian
Trails, the First Roads— Chief Trails in Genesee County — Beginning of
Good Roads Movement — Record of Roads Laid Out by the Commissioners
of Highways— Adoption of the County Good-roads System in 1909 — Plank
Road Companies— A Reminiscence of the Old Stage Coach— The Flint
River as a Highway.
CHAPTER Vlli— GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS OF SETTLEMENT 283
The Bed Rock and Glacial Drift— Original Drainage Beds— Pre-glacial Val-
leys— Movements of the Glaciers — Present Peculiar Drainage System— The
Shiawassee River and Its Tributaries — Cement Industry — ^Salt Industry —
Clay Mining— Brick Clays— Artesian Wells— Attempts to Develop Coal
Mines— Altitudes— Topography and Natural Fea'tnres of the Townships.
CHAPTER IX— PIONEER AGRICULTURE _ 307
Husbandry, the Earliest Industry of the White Settlers— Character of the
Soil — Timber — Early Crops — Early Interest in Live Stock — Wool-growing
and Sheep-shearing — Cattle Breeding.— The Crapo Farm — Genesee County
-Agricultural Society — Fair Grounds.
CHAPTpR X— FLINT RIVER VILLAGE, I837-5S 314
Progress of Flint Typical of the Cotmty's Progress— A Period of Advance-
ment—Mills—Roads and Railroads— First Brick Buildings— A Hidden Ro-
mance—Early Industries— The Old Brick Court House— Early Lawyers—
Doctors- Village Schools— The First Newspaper— Early Religious Interests
—The First Library— Ladies Library Association of Flint— The Old Flint
Band.
CHAPTER XI— MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS 334
Genesee County Men in the War of 1812— The Civil War— Governor Blair's
Patriotic Message— Other Public Utterances in 1862— Triumphant Return of
the Soldiers at the Close of the Conflict— Michigan Battle Flags Presented
to the State — Historical Sketches and Rosters of the Various Commands in
Which Genesee County Men Were Enlisted— "The Heroic."
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII— RAILROADS 4
Eacliest. Attempts at. Railroad BuiJAiiie;— Fiirst. M*ckig»n Compiany ItKior-
porated— Railroad Building Under Difficulties— First Railroad into Flint-
Congressional Land Grants as Aids to Railroad Building— Later Lines
Which Have Contributed to the Development of Genesee County.
CHAPTER XIII— EARLY YEARS OF FLINT CITY 4
Incorporation— The Tax Roll of 1855— First City Officers- Regarding Some
of the Early Officers — Roster of City Officials — Financial Stringency in the
Early Years of the City— Elements Which Gave Impulse to the City's
Growth— A Wholesome Progress Along All Lines.
CHAPTER XIV— LUMBERING AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES 5
Pioneer Beginning of the Lumber Industry — A Typical Lumter Camp and
Methods of Getting Out the Timber — Wonderful Development of Lumber
Business During and After the War— The Crapo Mills and Others Which
Followed — A Summary of the Lumber Situation — Flint's Manufacturing
Development, a Normal and Legitimate Growth^Manufacturing Interests
at Fenton and Flushing,
CHAPTER XV— BANKS AND BANKING 5
Michigan's First General Banking Law — "Wildcat" Banks and Unstable
Currency — Low Real Estate Values — Later Splendid Results of Earlier Ex-
periences—Legitimate Banking Houses in Flint and Brief Personal Mention
of Some of tiie Men Interested in Their Success— Present Banks of Flint
^Wond«rful .Growth in Bank Clearings^ 1'915 a Phenomenal Year — Banks
at Fenton. Otisville, Flushing, Clio, Davison, Gaines, Goodrich, Swartz
Creek, Grand Blanc, Linden and Mt. Morris.
CHAPTER XVI— THE PRESS 5
The Press, a Potent Agency in the Development of a New Country — An
Account of the Various Newspapers Which Have Existed and are Now
Being Published in Genesee County.
CHAPTER XVIi— BENCH AND BAR ._ S
Genesee First Attached to Oakland County for Judicial Purposes —
First Practitioners Here— First Court Held in Genesee County— The First
Resident Attorney— Edward H. Thomson and Others of the Early Attor-
neys—Lawyers Here in 1850 — William M. Fenton and Contemporaries^
Judges of the Court— Judge Mark W. Stevens— The Genesee County Bar
■ Association — Present Bar of the County — Genesee Civil List — State Offi-
cers from This County — Circuit Judges — State Senators — State Representa-
tives— Judges of Probate— Prosecuting Attorneys— Sheriffs — County Clerks
—Registers of Deeds— County Treasurers.
CHAPTER XVni— EARLY PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SOCIETIES. 5(
Comparison Between Early and Present Conditions of Medical Practice
—Cyrus Baldwin, the First Doctor in Genesee County— Others Who Fol-
lowed— The Genesee County Medical Association — Flint Academy of Med-
icine—Physicians Here During the Seventies and Eighties— Genesee
County Medical Society — Present Physicians of the County,
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIX— SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Early Interest in Educational Matters— Records Meager— The Little School
in Flint River in 1834— Gradual, but Steady, Development of the Flint
School System— School Districts— Superintendents of the City Schools—,
Parochial Schools— Officers and Teachers of the FKnt Schools, 1916— Miss
Hicok's School— State School for the Deaf— Schools at Fenton— Other
Schools and Educational Institutions— Flint-Bliss Business College— Hur-
ley Hospital Training School for Nurses— County Normal School,
CHAPTER XX— BOOKS AND LIBRARIES 60!
High Intellectuality of Early Settlers of Genesee County— Books in De-
mand—List of Library Books, 1843— Flint Scientific Institute— Ladies* Li-
brary Association— Free Public Library— The Present Library— Burton
Ladies' Library.
CHAPTER XXI— RES LITERARIA — 614
Genesee County's Contributions to the World of Letters— "The Aeolian
Harp"— "Evening Prayer"— ■'T3ps"—"A California Flovi-er Calendar"— A
Thanksgiving Poem.
CHAPTER XXII— SOCIAL LIFE __ 626
Some Interesting Reminiscences of Social Customs and Events of the Pio-
neer Days in Genesee County— Forms of Amusement— A Pioneer Menu—
A Change in Customs— Indian Callers on New Year's Day— The Old Har-
monia Club— The Fuguenoids and the Flint Choral Society— Bands— Gen-
esee County Pioneer Association and Its Eearly Reunions and Picnics-
County Historical Society— A Poetic Tribute to the Brave Men and Women
of Pioneer Days.
CHAPTER XXIII— CLUES OF TODAY 649
The Club, a Natural Growth in Organized Society — American History
Class — The Art Class — Mrs. Fobe's Reading Class^The Shakespeare Club
—The Bangs Shakespeare Club^Columblan Club — The Twentieth Century
Club— The Garland Street Literary Club— The Research Club— St. Cecelia
Society— The Choral Union— The Flint Dramatic Club— The Rotary Club-
Flint Golf Club— Woman's Council.
CHAPTER XXIV— FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES 661
Independent Order of Odd Fellows— Daughters of Rebekah— Masonic Or-
der, with Appendant Orders— Order of the Eastern Star — Royal Arcanum
—Knights of the Maccabees— Knights of the Maccabees of the World-
Degree of Honor — Grand Army of the Republic^National League of Vet-
erans and Sons— Woman's Relief Corps— Daughters of the American Revo-
lution—Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks— Knights of the Loyal
Guard— Knights and Ladies of Security— Knights of Pythias— Tribe of
Ben-Hur— Independent Order of Foresters— Modern Brotherhood of Amer-
ica—Home Mutual Benefit Association— Ladies' Catholic Benevolent As-
sociation— Knights of Columbus — Fraternal Order of Eagles — Modern
Woodmen of America — Ancient Order of Hibernians— Brotherhood of
American Yeomen — Royal Neighbors of America— National Union — Loyal
Order of Moose— The Vehicle Club— Young Men's Christian Association-
Young Women's Christian Association— The King's Daughters— The
t:hild's Welfare Society— St. .Michael's Benevolent Society- St. Paul's
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CONTENTS.
Men's Club— Trades Unions— Flint Factories Mutual
—Lodges at Fenton, Linden, Flushing, Clio, Otisville
Creek and Davison.
CHAPTER XXV— PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES ISA
Daughters of the American Revolution — Order of the Stars and Stripes-
Soldiers and Sailors of Genesee County— Grand Army of the Republic-
Woman's Relief Corps — National League of Veterans and Sons— Regi-
mental Reunions— Flint Union Blues — Spanish War Veterans.
CHAPTER XXVI— VILLAGES OF GENESEE COUNTY 713
Brief Historical Description of Fenton, Flushing, Clio, Davison, Grand
Blanc, Linden, Montrose, Gaines, Mt. Morris, Swarti Creek, Goodrich,
Otisville, Atlas, Geneseeville, Thetford Center, Pine Run, Argentine, Whig-
ville. Crapo Farm, Brent Creek, Rankin Postoffice, Otterbitrn, Belsay and
Richfield Center.
CHAPTER XXVII— RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 729
Methodist Episcopal Churches — Free Methodist Church— Methodist Prot-
estant Church — Evangelical Churches — Presbyterian Churches — Baptist
Churches— Catholic Churches— Episcopal Church— Christ's Mission— Advent
Church — Congregational Church — Church of Christ, Scientist— Salvation
Army— Flint Ministerial Association — Churches in the County Outside of
Flint.
CHAPTER XXVIII— THE GOLDEN JUBILEE 748
The City's Fiftieth Anniversary— Account of the Celebration, by Rev. Theo-
dore D. Bacon— Illumination of the City—Laying of the Cornerstone of the
Federal Building— Dedication of Memorial Tablets— Dedication of the
Public Library — Dedication of the County Court House.
CHAPTER XXIX— GREATER FLINT 771
A Wonderful Transformation— Phenomenal Increase in Population and In-
dustries— Early History of the Place — First Industries^Lumbering Inter-
ests—Advent of William Crapo Durant and the Vehicle Business— Rise of
the Automobile Industry in Flint and the Impetus It Gave to the Growth
of the City— Population— City Officials. 1916— Flint City Plats, Additions
and Subdivisions — Assessed Valuation, ■ Tax Rate and Amount Raised by
Taxes for the Past Five Years— A City of Homes— Civic Building Asso-
ciation— Board of Commerce — Parks and Boulevards — Park Board — Water-
vforks — Sewers — Paving and Sidewalks — Fire Department — Police Depart-
ment— General Motors Emergency Hospital Michigan State Telephone
Company — Steam and Electric Railroad Conditions — Flint Industries, 1916—
The Postoffice— Hurley Hospital— Oak Grove Hospital— Condensed Data
Concerning Flint — Conclusion.
APPENDIX A— STATISTICS 815
United States Census of 1910, Relating to Genesee County— Population
Statistics — Mortality Statistics — Occupation Statistics — Agriculture-
Wealth, Debt and Taxation— Ownership of Homes— Manufactures.
APPENDIX B— TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 1916 — 831
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HISTORICAL INDEX
VOLUME I
Academy of Medicine '.
Advent Church I
African Methodist Church ;
Agricuhural Societies ^
Agricultural Statistics f
Agriculture, Pioneer j
Aitkcn, David D. 540, 566, 659, t
Alger, Governor Russell A. „ _
Altitudes 2
Amuscmehts, Early t
Ancient Order of Hibernians t
Ancient Order of United Workmen t
Argentine — 229, /
Argentine Township — -
Lakes 2
Land Entries 2
Mills 2
Natural Features 2
Officials 8
Organization 1
Population 8
Soil 2
Streams 2
Artesian Wells 2
Atherton Settlement 2
Atlas 290, 7
Atlas Township —
Glacial Remains 2
Gravel __ 2
Lakes 2
Natural Features _
Officials, First ...
Officials, Present .
Organization
Settlement
Streams
Automobile Industry 774
Axford, Dr. S. M. S73
Ay-oun-a-wa-ta, Story of 104
B
Bagley, Governor John J. 85
Baldwin, Governor Henry P. 84
Bank Clearings 540
Banking Law, First General 68
Banks and Banking 519
Baptist Churches ..327. 715. 718, 737, 745
Bar Association 563
Bates, William R. 563
Begole, Governor Josiah W.
86, 530, 566, 568
Belsay 728
Bench and Bar 551
Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks — 675
Benevolent Societies 661
Ben-Hur, Tribe of 677
Bishop. Russell 536
Bliss. Governor Aaron T. 94
Books and Libraries 605
Booton Postoffice 229, 726
Bounty Lands 58
Brent Creek 727
Brick Clays 289
Brotherhood of American Yeomen. 680
Burton Ladies' Library 612
Burton Township —
Atherton Settlement 235
Gravel 287
Indian Trails 254
Natural Features 299
Officials, First 236
Officials, Present 831
Organization 198
Population 815
Religious Interests 236
dbyGooi^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Burton Township — Cot
Timber 299
Cadillac, M. de la Motte
Campau, Joseph 152,
Campau, Louis 152, 158,
Care for the Poor ,
Carriage-making !
Cartier, Jacques
Carton, John J. 527, 565, 56?, '
Cass, Lewis 55, 63, 151, 1S4.
Catholic Churches
194, 329, 715, 718. 721, 738, ;
Cattle Raising '.
Cayugas
Cement Industry '.
Census Reports i
Champlain, Samuel de 33, 113.
Chandler, Zachariah
Child's Welfare Society (
Chippewas
59, 118, 128, 133, 149, 151, 162, 165, :
Church of Christ, Scientist '.
Churches -
Cigar Manufacturing — '.
Circuit Judges 253, i
Civil List ;
Civil War ;
Civil War Days in the State
Clay Mining '.
Clayton Township —
Donahoo Settlement ■
Lyons Settlement i
Miller Settlement - ^
Natural Features 237, ',
Officials, First '.
Officials, Present )
Organization '■
Population i
Religious Interests i
Schools ;
Settlement ^
Taxpayers, 1844 :
Timber, Original i
Board of Commerce /
Brick Induatl-y 2
Churches 717, /
Location /
Lodges 692, /
Officials ;
Physicians — ^
Population i
Schools .■
Clubs of Today t
Coal Strata 2
"Coldwater Settlement"
187, 194, 230, 7
Colleges in the State 1
Congregational Church 7
Congressmen from Genesee County 5
Constitution, State, Adopted
Constitutional Convention. 1867
Copper in Michigan, First Account
of
County Clerks 5
County Court, First 251, 5
County Normal School 6
County Officers, First 2
County Seat Located 2
Court Calendar, First 2
Court, First County 251, 5
Court House Dedication 7
Court House History 252, 3
Crapo Farm 311, 7
Crapo, Henry H. — 76, 77. t
290, 311. 4S8, 507, 522, 565, 566. 7
Crapo Mills 502, 5
Crapo. W. W. 5
Crosswell, Governor Charles M
Customs of Indiarts 1
Daughters of Rebekah 663
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion 674, 694
Altitude 291
Artesian Well 29!
Banks 542
Churches 718
dbyGoot^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Lodges 693, 701, 718
Officials ^18
Physicians ^^1. 581
Population ?18, 815
Fostoffice, Early ^1^
Schools 598
Davison Township —
Drainage 302
Game Law 243
Gravel 287
Lakes 302
Natural Features 302
Officials, First 243
Officials, Present 831
Organization 198, 241
Population 815
Settlement 241
Soil
Streams
Swamps
Deaf, State School for the
Deeds, Registers of
Degree of Honor
_ 302
. 302
. 672
_ 109
Detroit 42, 47, 50, 53, 66, 149
Dibbleville (Fcnton) 210
Doctors 569
Domestic Animals 824, 826
Donahoo Settlement 238
Dort, J. D.
. 513, 658, 659, 685. 773, 786, 805
Drainage Beds 283
"Drummer Boy of the Eighth" 371
Duffield 290, 29!
Durand, George H. 562, 564, 566
Durant. William C. 513, 773
Eagles, Fraternal Order of 679
Early Days in Flint 626
Early Families 192
Early Permanent Settlers 186
Early Physicians 197, 322, 569
Early Years of Flint City 494
Eastern Star, Order of the .„_669, 690
Education 582
Educational Advancement in Statc__ 98
Elks 675
English Settlement 226
Episcopal Churches 328, 715, 740, 745
Evangelical Churches 734
"Evening Prayer" 614
Explorations of Michigan 36
Factories' Mutual Benefit Ass'n..- 690
Fair Grounds 313
Farm Property, Value of - 824
Fayville 241
Altitude 291
Banks 541, 542
Beginning of 713
Campaign of 1840 219
Cement Industry 715
Churches 715, 745
Early Days 213
Growth 714
Immigration 213
Industries 514
Interesting Events 214
Lawyers, Early 196, 22ft
Location 713
Lodges 690, 703, 715
Mai! Routes — 218
Manufacturing Developments 514
Mills 514, 517
Newspapers 550
Officials --— 715
Physicians 570, 581
Platted : 220
Population 815
Schools 596
Setticraent 220
Streets 217
Tavern, First 220
Woman's Civic Society „- 715
Fenton Light Guard 355
Fenton Township —
Glacial Remains 286
Gravel _ 287
Indian Burial Place 293
Lakes - 292
Land Entries 207
Long Lake 293
Natural Features 292
dbyGooi^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Fenton Township — Cotit.
Officials, First 222
Officials, Present 831
Organization 198
Physician, First ^.. 209
Population 815
Settlement 207
Str*
. 292
Fenton, William M. 76, 211, 215, 220, 372,
495, 522, 528, 529, 531, 556, 558, 565,
566, 573
Ferris, Woodbridge N. 94
First County Court 251, 552
First Court Calendar 252
Five Nations, the 106
Flint-
Additions 781
Altitude 291
American History Class 649
Area 784
Art Class 649
Assessed Valuation 782
Automobile Industry 774
Bands 332, 638
Banks 520
Blacksmith, First 187
Board of Commerce 785
Board of Education 590
Board of Health ._— 791
Brick Buildings, First 316
Brick Clay 290
Business College 600
Cemetery 329
Choral Society 638, 658
Churches 729
Cigar Manufacturing 512
City Charter 494
Civic Building Association ^ 784
Clerks, City -
Clubs of Today _.
Columbian Club -.
County Scat, Cho;
Dramatic Club ^_
Earliest Days
Early Industries .
Early Social Life _
_ 649
. 653
. 319
_ 626
Education 193, 323, 502
Election First City 497
Federal Building 754
Fire Department 790
Flint— Cont.
First Settlers 183
First Store 191
Fraternities 661, 694
Fuguenoids, the 638
General Motors Hospital 791
Golden Jubilee 748
Golf Club 659
Greater Flint 771
Harmonia Club 636
Homes, a City of 784
Hospitals 791, 795, 810
Hotels, Early 194
Hurley Hospital
In 1837
In 1838
. 795
_ 197
. 772
In 1886 773
Incorporation 494
Indian Occupancy 181
Industries. Early 319, 502
Industries, 1916 777, 793
Ladies Library Association — 331, 607
Land Office 189, 772
Latitude 291
Lawyers, Early 196, 321, 553
Libraries 330, 601, 611, 762
Lodges 329, 661
Longitude 291
Lumber Industry 501, 504, 772
Mail Routes, Early 278
Mayors 497
Memorial Tablets 758
Mills 190, 315, 502, 507, 772
Ministerial Association 744
Miscellaneous Facts 812
Newspapers 325, 544
Oak Grove Hospital 810
Officials. First 497
Officials. 1916 780
Official Roster 498
Old Flint Band — 332
Park Board 788
Parks — 786
Parochial Schools
Pavi
. 789
Physicians, Early 197, 322, 571
Physicians, Present 580
Plats 188, 781
Police Department - 790
Population 779, 815, 816
dbyGoot^lc
HISTOSICAL INDEX.
Flint— Cont.
Population, Wonderful Growth in ',
Postoffice History 189, ',
Public Schools — ;
Railroad, First I
Railroads '
Real Estate Prices, 1833 1
Recorders, City "1
Religious Interest, Early 193, ;
Research Club (
Roster of City Officials -:- A
Rotary Club (
St. Cecelia Society (
Schools 193, 328. f
Secret Orders t
Settlement Before 183? 1
Settlers 183, i
Sewers - ?
Shakespeare Clubs C
Social Amusements, Early 1
Subdivisions '
Surveys 1
Stage Lines 1
Tax Rate — ?
Tax Roll, 1855 A
Telephones /
Trades Unions t
Transportation ?
Treasurers, City A
Trading Post 7
Twentieth Century Club 6
Union Blues 7
Vehicle Club f
Vehicle Industry 'i
Village Plats 1
Village Schools 3
Waterworks 7
"Wildcat" Banks 5
Woman's Council 6
Y. M. C. A. Building 6
Flint Academy of Medicine S
Flint-Bliss Business College -, 6
Flint River 188, Z19, 3
Flint Scientific Institute 6
Flint Township —
Education 2
Gravel 2
Land Entries 1
Libraries 2
Flint Township — Cont.
Officials 831
Organization 198
Population 815
Records, Early 300
Religious Interest 200
Roads, Eariy 257
School, First 199
Settlement 187, 199
Soil 292
Stock Marks 200
Streams 292
Flint Union Grays 340
Flushing-
Banks 227, 542
Beginning of 226
Chamber of Commerce 716
Churches 717, 745
Clay Industry 289
Clubs 717
Improvement Club lit
Industries 289. S18
Location , 715, 717
Lodges 69!, 702
Mills 518
Officials 717
Physicians 572, 581
Population 815
Schools 598
Settlers, First 716
"Wildcat" Banks 237
Flusliing Township—
"English Settlement" 226
Grave! 287
Natural Features 295
Officials - 831
Organization 198, 227
Population 815
Religious Interests 227
Schools 227
Settlement 224
Soil 295
Streams 295
Foreign-born Population 815
Forest Township —
Lakes 304
I-and Entries 245 ■
Names 246
Natural Features 304
dbyGoot^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Forest Township— Con t.
Officials. Present 831
Organization 198
Population 815
Religious Interests ^ 246
Settlement 246
Soil 304
Streams 305
Timber 304
Franciscan Order
35
Fraternal Order of Eagles 579
Fraternal Orders 661
Free and Accepted Masons
. 329, 664, 690, 691, 715, 717
Free Methodist Churches 734
Fruits — 828
Fur Trade Activity 49
G
Altitude 292
Banks 542
Brick Industry 290
Churches* 721
Early Conditions 721
Incorporation 721
Lodges 701
Officials ... 721
Physicians 572
Plat 234
Population 721., 815
Schools 599
Settlement 234
Gaines Township —
Crapo Farm 311
Gravel 287
Mapie Groves 298
Natural Features 298
Officials. First — 234
Officials. Present 832
Organization 198
Population 815
Schools 234
Settlement 234
Soil .
Gent
County Agricultural So-
ciety .
_ 312
Genesee County Bar Association — 5
Genesee County in the Civil War 3
Genesee County Medfcal Associa-
- 380
Genesee County Sheep-breeders a
Wool-growers Association
Genesee Light Guard
Genesee Rangers
Genesee Township —
Gravel 287
Indian Trails 255
Mills 233
Name 233, 297
Natural Features 297
Officials, First 233
Officials, Present 832
Organization 198
Population 815
Keligious Interests 232
Soil 297
Streams 298
Timber 233, 297
Geneseeville 725
Geologic Conditions 283
Glacial Drift 283
AUiti
, 292
Banks ; 520. 542
Churches 723
Founding of 223. 723
Hospital 724
Physicians 572, 581
Population - - 724
Postoffice 723
Schools 599
Settlement _ 223, 723
"Wildcat" Banks v 520
Governors from Genesee County 565
Governors of Michigan 65, 71, 72
Grand Army of the Republic 672, 699
Grand Bianc—
Altitude 292
.nks -
Beginning of
Brick Industry .
First Events —
Mills
Physi
„.- 542
..__ 719
- 190
_ 581
Population 720
Postoffice 207
Religious Interests 193, 207
Schools 207, 599
Settlement 185, 187, 719
yGoo-^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX,
Grand Blanc Township —
Indian Trails 254
Lakes 293
Land Entries 203
Natural Features 293
Officials, First i97, 206
Officials, Present 832
Organization -198, 206
Peat Beds 293
Population 815
Settlement 18?, 203
Soil 293
Streams 293
Tax Assessments, First 251
Grand Traverse 181, 781
Greenback Movement 86
Greenville, Treaty of 52
H
Hard Rock Formations 284
Hay Production 308
History of Michigan 33
Hochelaga 112
Home Mutual Benefit Asociation — 678
Homes, Ownership of 829
Horton, Dexter, Address by 208
Howard, Sumner 558, 565, 566, 567
Hull, Gen. William 53, 149
Hurley Hospital Training School -- 600
Hurons 47, 115, 117, 120, 124, 131
"Hymn to the Sea" — 618
I
Immigration Agents 78
Immigration to Michigan 60
Independent Order of Foresters 677
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
329, 661, 690, 691, 717
Indian Customs 126
Indian House, Description of 125
Indian Occupancy of Genesee
County 150
Indian Reservation 149, 161, 162, 167
Indian Traditions 141
Indian Trails 181, 254
Indian Treaties 149
Indiana Territory .
Iroquois 106, 111, 118, 120, 124
J
Jai! History 252
Jesuits, The — 36
Judges, Circuit 566
Judges of Circuit Court 253
Judges of Probate 567
Kearsley Township 198
King's Daughters 687
Knights and Ladies of Security 676
Knights of Columbus 679
Knights of Honor 691
Knights of the Loyal Guard 676
Knights of the Maccabees 670
Knights of Pythias 676
Ladies' Catholic
;volent Asso-
678
Ladies' Library Association 331, 607
Lakes 292, 295, 296, 302, 314, 502
Land Office 1 189
La Salle, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de- 40
Lawyers _— 196, 321, 551
Libraries 601
Attitude 292
Bank 543
Beginning of 720
Churches 720
720
Incorporation 720
Industries 720
Lodges 691, 70i, 720
Mills 221
Officials 720
Physicians 581
Platted 22!
Population 720, 815
Religious Interests 221
School, First 22i
Schools — 599
Settlement —221, 720
Indians of Genesee County
Internal Improvements, State ,
- 101
Live Stock
Live Stock, Early Interest i
Logging, Methods
Long Lake :
dbyGooi^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Loyal Guard, Knights of the 6?6
Loyal Order of Moose 681
Luce, Governor Cyrus G 88
Lumbering 97. 501, S04, 510. 772
Lyons Settlement 239
Mc
M
- 670
M^aceabeean Orders
Mail Routes. Early. 278
Manufactures, Comparative Sum-
mary 830
Map of Michigan, First 38
Maps, Early Michigan 131
Marl Deposits 287
Marquette, Jacques 39
Masonic Order_329, 664, 690, 691, 715. 717
Medical Practice 197, 322, 569
Memorial Tablets ._ 758
Menard. Father Rene 37
Methodist Episcopal Churches. 200,
221, 227, 228, 240, 245. 327, 715.
717, 718, 720, 721, TK, 745
Methodist Protestant Church 734
Mexican War 334
Michigan. History of 33
Michigan, First Map of 38
Michigan Territory 53
Michigan Troops in Mexican War. 334
Michigan Under the British 44
Michilimackinac —42, 46, 49, 54, 119, 128
Military Record of Genesee County 334
Millard, Orson 524, 576
Miller Settlement 237
Mills 190, 229, 248. 315, 502, 507, 772
Missionary Spirit : 35
Modern Brotherhood of America 678
Modern Woodmen of America 680
Mohawks 105
Montrose —
Banks 542
Churches 721
Incorporation 721
Lodges 692
Officials 721
Physicians 581
Population — 721, 815
Ml
. 721
Indian Reservation 306
Mills 248
Name 247
Natural Features 305
Officials, First 247
Officials, Present 832
Organization 198, 247
Settlement 247
Soil 305
Population 815
Mortality Statistics 818
Mott, Charles S 659. 685
Mound Builders _ 122
Mt. Morris-
Banks 543
Beginning of 722
Churches 722, 746
''Cold water Settlement"
187, 194, 230, 722
Physicians
Population
Schools
Mt. Morris Township
Name
. 701
297
231
Natural Features 297
Officials 832
Organization 198, 232
Population 815
Religious interests 230
School. First 230
Settlement 230
Soil 297
Stre
. 297
Mt. Pleasant 221
Mundy Township —
Births, First 227
Artesian Wells 291
'el
Land Entrii
Name
. 287
_ 227
Natural Features .
Officials, First .„.
Officials, Present .
Organi
dbyGoot^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Mutidy Township — Gent.
Population - 815
School Districts __ 228
Settlement 227
Soil — 296
"My Harp" 619
N
Nalional League of Veterans and
Sons 673, 704
National Union - 681
Natural Resources of State 96
Xayigation Companies 280
Ne-o-me, Chief 152, 165
New England Influence 192
Newspaper, First in State 64
Newspapers 325, 544
Newton, William 557
Nicolet, Jean 36
Normal School, County 600
Northwest Territory 51
O
, 819
Occupation Statistics
Odd Fellows 329, 661, 690. 691, 717
Officials, State, First 65
Ojibways 45, 60, 128, 131, 133
Old Settlers' Reunions 642
Oldest Settlement in Michigan 38
Oneidas 104
Order of the Eastern Star .669, 690
Order of the Stars and Stripes 698
Osborne, Governor Chase S 94
Otisville —
Beginning of 246
Brick Industry 290
Banks 541
Churches 724
Lodges 692
Mills 724
Platted 724
Population — 724, 815
Schools 599
Settlement 724
Ottawas-45, 59, 60, 115, 128, 131, 149, 181
Oiterburn 292, 728
>cicties 694
■. S. W., Address by 209
Pewaiiagawink Township 198
Physicians 569
Pine Run 726
Pingrce, Governor Hazen S 89
Pioneer Agriculture 307
Pioneer Days 198
Pioneer Social Amusements - 194
Pioneer Society 642
Plank Roads 275, 315
Poets of Genesee County 614
Pontiac, Chief 45. 49, 136
Pontiac's Conspiracy, 45, 136
Poor, Care for the 253
Population of State, Early 62
Population Statistics 815
Pottawatoniies 45. 60, 131, 149
Prc-glacial Valleys 283
Presbyterian Churches
228, 327, 715. 717, 720. 735. 745
Press, The 325, 544
Probate. Judges of 567
Professions, The 196
Prosecuting Attorneys 567
R
Railroads 97, 482, :
Real Estate Prices. 1833
Regimental Reunions '.
Registers of Deeds :
Religious Interest, Early
Religious Societies '.
Reminiscences, Early I
Representatives !
Res Literaria I
Reservations, Tribal
Rich, Governor John T.
Richfield 245, 728, ;
Richfield Township-
First Things ;
Indian Relics '.
Marriages, First ;
Natural Features '.
Officials. First ;
Officials, Present )
Organization 198, '.
Religious Interest \
Population )
dbyGoo<^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX,
Richfield Township — Cont.
Schools
Settlement -
Streams
Road Building, Early
Road Commissioners, Work of..
Roads, Early
Roads, Early, in the State
Rosters of Enlistments
Royal Arcanum
Royal Xeighbors of America
51
St. Michael's Benevolent Society.- 688
St. Paul's Men's Club 688
Salt-bearing Strata 289
Salvation Army 744
Sauks 131, 181
Sault Ste Marie 38
School for the Deaf 592
School System of the State 99
Schools 582
Scientific Institute, Flint 604
Secret Orders 661
Senators, State 566
Senecas 106, 119
Settlement of Flint Before 1837 180
Settlers, Permanent 186
Shakespeare Clubs : 651
Sha\
110
Sheep Premiums 310
Sheep-shearing Festivals 309
Sheriffs 567
Shiawassee River 286
Sidney (Flint) 188
Smith, Fhnt P. 539
Smith, Jacob 152, 156, 171, 183, 771
Social Amusements of Pioneers 194
Social Life in Early Flint 626
Soldiers and Sailors of Genesee Co.- 699
Soldiers from Genesee County 334
South Mundy 290
Spanish- American War —
Spanish War Veterans
Speculation, Era of 68
Stage-coach Days 277
Stage Routes 190
State Capital, Removal of 71
State Constitution Adopted 65
State Educational Advancement 98
State History 33
State Officials, First 65
State Representatives 566
State School for Deaf 592
State School System 99
State Senators 566
State's Natural Resources 96
Statistics 815
Stevens, Jacob, Letter frorn 204
Stewart, Capt. Damon 317, 437
Stock Marks 200
Stockton, Col. T. B. W
175, 396, 398, 415, 699
Superintendents of the Poor 253
Supervisors, First Meeting of 251
Swamp Lands 79
Swart z Creek-
Altitude 292
Banks 542
Business interests 723
Lodges 693, 701
Physicians 581
Schools 599
Settlement 723
"Taps" 620
Tax Assessment, First 251
"The Aeohan Harp" 616
"The Heroic"— An Oration 477
Thetford Center 725
Thetford Postoffice 24!
Thetford Township-
Citizens of 1840 241
Indians 301
240
- 240, 300
241
. 90
. 71?
Land Speculators .-
Natural Features
Officials, First
Ofticials, Present 832
Organization __198, 241
Population 815
Schools 241
Settlements 240
Trails - 301
dbyGoot^lc
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Thomson, Col. Edward H 192,
417, 497, 553, 555, 566, 567, 627, 699
Thomson Light Guard 417
Todd, John 186
Todd's Ferry 186, 187
Todd's Tavern 186, 193
Toledo War 65
Topography 284
Trades Unions 689
Trails, Indian 254
Transportation _-, 97, 432, 792
Treaties of 1837 .._ 166
Treaty of 1807
Treaty of Greenville 52
Treaty of Saginaw 60
Tribal Reservations 162
Tribe of Ben-Hur 677
Turner, Josiah 561
Turnpikes 276
U
Union Blues 705
V
Value of Farm Property 824
Vehicle Club 681
Vehicle Industry 513, 773
Vienna Township —
First Events 239
Gravel 287
Indian Trails 255
Natural Features 300
Officials, First 239
Officials, Present 832
Vieima Township — Cont.
Organization 198, 239
Population 815
Religious Interest 240
Schools 240
Settlement 239
Soil : 300
Streams 300
Villages of Genesee County 713
Vital Statistics 818
W
Wagon-making 773
Walker, James B. 534
Walker, Levi 557, 587
War of 1812 S3
War of the Rebellion 334
Warner, Governor Fred M 94
Whigville 192, 727
-Wild-cat" Banks 227, 520
Willson, Dr. James C 573
Winans, Governor Edwin B 88
Winter of Want 248
Wisner, Governor Moses 556
Wixom, Dr. Isaac 570
Wolverine Guard 417
Woman's Relief Corps 674, 703
Wool Growing 309
Writers of Genesee County 614
Wyandots 149
Young Women's
Young Men's Ch
yGooi^lc
dbyGoo<^lc
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
VOLUME II
Aitken, Hon. David D 37
Aldrich, Fred A 62
Alexander, Eugene H. ?99
Alger, Floyd P 703
Allen, Floyd A. 79
Andrews, George 108
Anthony, Ray N. 210
Arms, George W. 56S
Atherton. Fred D. ^- 394
Atwood, William A. 784
Austin, B. J. 434
Averill, David M. 553
Averill, James W. 412
B
Bachmann, George J 630
Bacon. Samuel M. 162
Bailey, Ernest L. 313
Bailey, Walter C. ^_ 278
Baker, Charles, Jr. 734
Baker, James D. 775
Baker, John F. 154
Bariset, Ferdinand 502
Bariset, Louis 502
Barker, Frank A. _ 361
Bassett, Harry H. .._ ^- 229
Bates, Noah, M. D. 130
Baxter, James H. 496
Beach, S. F 191
Beacraft, William E. 555
Beebe, Walter W. 772
Beecher, Calvin D. 204
Beeman, Edward L. 458
Bendle, John R. 440
Benjamin, Lewis J. 220
Berridge, Joseph W, 350
Berry, Duncan 542
Billings, Joseph F. 419
Billings, Watson W. 417
Bishop, Arthur G. 67
Bishop, Clifford A. ._ 85
Blackiuton, Charles A. 767
Blackmore, Fred E. 593
Blackncy, William W. 759
Bliss, Chester H. 274
Bloss, Frank D. 180
Bodine, Ambrose 830
Bonbright, Charles H. 264
Boomer, Clement H. „. 40+
Borley, Rev. Howard D. 47
Brabazon, Albert J. 674
Brady, Samuel 664
Bradley, Robert 200
Branch, Edmund A. 91
Bray, Everett L. 170
Bridgman, Charles T 64
Brooks, William 382
Brown. Daniel 411
Brown, Grant J. 45
Brown, W. J. - „ 802
Browne, Robert B. 443
Brownell, Roy E. 110
Buckingham, Lewis 69
Bump, Hiram W. 539
Bunnell, Calvin 697
Burleson, Fred G. 797
Burr. C. B., M. D. 72
Burrough, Edward 212
Buzzard, George M. 694
Buzzard, Matthias 733
C
Callahan, Pairick H. 778
Callow, Francis H., M. D 444
Cameron, Clarence A. 184
Campbell, Charles J.. 711
Campbell, George M. 641
Carey, John H. 1 ^ 631
Carmichael, Malcolm W. 387
dbyGoot^lc
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX,
Carmichael, Robert 381
Carpenter, William, Jr. 698
Carrier, Adelbert W. 23«
Carrier, Arthur G. 367
Carton, Hon. John J 216
Cartwright, Hon. John F, 112
Chambers, Charles 592
Chapin, F. A. 528
Chase, George W. 834
Chase, John 175
Chase, Robert J 435
Childs, Archie B. 781
Chisholm, Mrs. Jane 53?
Chrysler, Walter P. 152
Cimmer, Arthur W 702
Clark, Cranson 808
Clark, J. R .__ 247
Clark, John 508
Clarke, Charles 708
Clifford, Rev. Howard J, 136
Cody, Alvin N. 86
Coggins, George M. 690
Cole, Ira W. 670
Cole, James P, 347
Coles, John J. 398
Colwell, John B, 839
Comerford, Rev. Michael J. 121
Cook, Henry, M. D. 335
Cook, Wilford P. 728
Coon, George H. Til
Covert, Alonzo J. 448
Cox, Charles E. 785
Crapscr, Hon. Bert F. 371
Crego, Aaron B. 773
Grossman, Merritt A. 198
Curtis, S, E. 576
D
Dake, Cash H. 819
Dake, Nelson G. 457
Daly, Martin 331
Dauner, .Anthony J. 753
Davie, William H. 461
Davis, J. Frank 851
Davis, Walter S., V. S. 276
Davison, Matthew 80
Davison, Robert C. 305
DeLand, Albert M. 329
Delbridge, Grant 298
Dibble, Joel _ 680
Dickinson, Guy V. 564
Dieck, Ernest W. 377
Doane, Clinton D. 720
Dodge, Perry R. 525
Dolan, Frank _ 321
Dort, Josiah D S2
Douglas, Dexter 499
Downer, Menno F. 600
Duff, William ..___ 572
Dullani, Frank 770
Dumanois, Charles W. 146
Dunton, Lucius A. 712
DuranI, William C. .13
Dye, Marion 399
Dynes, John L- 418
E
Eamcs, Charles H. 682
Eaton. William F. 510
Eckles, Charles M. 289
Eckley, Ear! 295
Eddy, George H. 311
Edson, Ara G 303
Egglestoii, Jasper 206
Eggleston, Lyman 206
Elwood, Ernest T. 635
Embury, Philip O. 292
Enders, Harry H. 714
Ennis, James 826
Ensign, Ebern E. 736
Erwin, William J, 226
F
Fairbank, Hon. M'erton W 451
Fairchild, Alfred 598
Farmers Exchange Bank of Grand
Blanc 583
Fenton, Joseph B , 192
Fleming, Eugene 812
Fletcher, Albert 655
Fowler, William S. 427
Frappier, Era M., Sr. 701
Frawley, William M. 853
Freeman, Arthur M. 552
Freeman, Horace B. 149
French, James B. 422
dbyGoot^lc
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Frisbie, Marshall M 103
Frost, Joe 392
Frutchey, Herbert 364
Fuller, Lewis B. 518
G
Galbraith, Arthur E. 421
Gale, Adrian P. 587
Gale, Perry W. 599
Gale, Will A. _. 638
Gallaway, Frank A. 844
Gaylord, George M. (ill
George, Victor E. 172
Gibson. Stanford S. 732
Gifford, Lewis 643
Gilbert, Horace W. 188
Gilbert. Ira N. 687
Gillett. Leslie D. 357
Gillett. Ralph C. 447
Gillett, Ralph N. 633
Gillett, William H. 495
Gillies, Andrew H, 544
Gleruni. Frank F 743
Goldstine. William H. 786
Good. Elias F. 436
Goodes, William 756
Goodrich, Mrs. Emily 400
Goodrich, William P. _ 603
Goss, Rev. Joel B. Sl6
Graff, Otto P. 75
Graham, Hugh W., M. D. 805
Grant, William 817
Green, Frank A, 763
Green, Patrick J. 533
Green, Warrcii O, 646
Greenfield, James M. 4ftS
H
Haas, Herbert 159
Hackney, George W. 790
Halliwill, Milo B. 665
Hardy, Fred _ 821
Harris, Myron 676
Hart, Robert O. 813
Haskell, Frank H. 126
Haskell, Frank P. 342
Hathaway, Orlando K. 504
Hawley, Berton J. 430
Henderson, Thomas J. 764
Herman, William G. 478
Herrick, Edwin _ 827
Hetchler, Clarence O. 750
Hibbard, Otis G. 202
Hill, Frank H. 269
Hill, George W. 328
Hill, Harry C. 302
Hill, Israel 480
Hill. Philip P. 488
Hiller, James P. 501
Hills, Harley L. 777
Hinkley, D. Eugene 742
Hinkley. Warren J. 164
Hiscock, Alfred V. 841
Hitchcock, Frank C 280
Hitchcock, Frederick H. 705
Hobart, Joseph 652
Holden, Claude 285
Holser, F>ank 316
Horrigan. John 568
Horton, William H. _,- 232
Hosie, William A. 182
Houghton, Fred M. 524
Houghton, Hon. George E. 362
Houton. John H., M. D. 236
Hovey, Fred 672
Howe, William H. 312
Howes, Seth W 369
Huggins, George 843
Hughes, Herman 92
Hughes, John 469
Hughes, Peter 405
Hunt, George S. 471
Hurd, John W. 560
Hyncs. William P. 403
Hyiics, William T. _. 141
J
Jameson, Charles S. 717
Jennings, Byron S. 531
Jennings, John H. 304
Jennings, Leroy M. 492
Johnson, Abner M. 415
Johnson, Earl F. 40
Johnson, Walter I,. 828
Johnston, Daniel J. 306
Johnston, John M. 570
Jones, Frank E. 156
Jones, James A, _ ],8
dbyGoo«^lc
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Jones, James J. 453
Judson, Fred 550
Judson, George 793
K
Kahl, Bismark 463
Kahl, Henry H. 299
Keddy, Wilbert H. 320
Kellar, George C. 558
Kendrick, Augustus C. 788
Kerr, Henry H. 835
Knapp, Fred W. 262
Knickerbocker, Walter D. 260
Knight, A. B 829
Knight, Morris A. 115
Kountz, John E. 390
Kurtz, Daniel 656
Kurtz. J. J., M. D 189
L
Lahring, William H _.. 234
Laing, Paul L. _ ^ 151
Lake, William A. 199
Lauderbaugh, William 748
Leach, Clarence E. 601
Leach, Frank B. 645
Leach, William J. _._ 668
Leal, Charles H. 729
Lefurgey, Marshall C 406
Leiand, Fred D. 557
Leonard, Charles E. 765
Lillie, Charles E. 228
Linabury, Edwin B. 101
Lobban, Alexander S20
Long, John H. 43
Love, George E 845
Lowell, Fred H. 1S6
Luby, Rev. Thomas F. 441
Luce, Charles C. 277
Luce, Clarence _ 282
Luce, Ira D. 818
McAllister, William T. 391
McBride, Homer J, __ 83
McCandlish, John 578
McCandlish, John E, .590
McCandlish, Stephen D. 6IS
McCann, Fred W. 607
McCaughna. Daniel 571
McCloud, William H. 117
McCreery, Fenton R. 104
McDonald, A. E. 663
McKeighan, William H. 144
McKeon, Paul B. 823
McKinlcy, George E. 168
McVanncI, George H. 758
M
MacNeai, George -,._ 846
Macomber, John R. 464
Macomber, Elmore J. 345
Macpherson, Herbert A. 287
Martin, Horace P. 746
Martin, Thomas 413
Mason, Henry G. 723
Mathews, Charles F. 744
Maxwell, Thomas R. 776
Mears, Thomas 792
Millard, Orson, M. D, 42
Miller, Charles H, 353
Miller, John A. 251
Miller, Wilbert L. 379
Minto, Charles W. 286
Misuer, James W. 201
Mitchell, George A. 344
Monroe, William N. 595
Montgomery, S. C. 407
Moon, Charles 837
Moore, Edward C 322
Moran, Coleman P. 824
Morris, Charles S. 315
Morrish, Oscar W. _.. 245
Morrish, Samuel 393
Morrish, Wilbert E. 25(1
Morrison, Walter 235
Moss, Charles T. 649
Mott, Charles S 208
Mountain, William W, 248
Mundy, Charles E 780
Mundy, George E. 283
Mundy, Thomas 332
Murphy, John J. 738
Murphy, Nicholas, Jr. 619
Murphy, Rev. Timothy J. 48
Myers, Hon, George C. 456
dbyGoo<^lc
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX,
N
Newcombe. Dclos E. 243
Niles, Frank A. 7Hi
Nimphie, Henry G. 796
Nimpiiie, John 431
O
O'Hare, Peter F. 485
Oiiff, Thomas 5S9
01k, Joseph P. 852
Ottaway, Fred R. 308
P
Packard, George, Sr 529
Page, Thomas 333
Paine, Mrs. Ruey Ann 516
Parker, G. Russell ?39
Parker, Col. James S. 160
Parker, Ward H. — i 849
Parsons, Edward D, 323
Partridge, Elvah V. 310
Partridge, Fred W. - 822
Partridge, Thomas D. 575
Paterson, William A. 138
Patterson, Frank 158
Petigelly, Rev. John B., A. M., D. B. 326
Penoyer, Elmer H. 662
Perkins, Frank D. 636
Perry, Frank M. 685
Perry, George E. 730
Peterson, Ole 548
Phillips, Andrew J. 725
Phillips, Clifford J. 722
Phillips, Elmer N. 358
Phipps, L. E. _- 803
Pierce, Franklin H 128
Pierce, John L. 832
Pierson, Harry C. 368
Pierson, Herman H, 215
Post, Earl G. 706
Pound, Sylvester J. 487
Price, James E. 439
Prosser, Arthur 406
Prosser, Hon. Hal H. 546
Prowant, David 420
Putnam, George F. 384
Pnlnam. William J. 254
Q
Quick, John F. 187
R
Raab, Arthur E. 133
Rankin, Francis H. 472
Ransom, Albert E, 804
Ransom, John P. 178
Ransom, Mark B. 563
Ransom, Randolph H. 173
Raiibinger, Phihp A. 624
Reed, Rev. Seth, D. D. 424
Reese, Andrew 704
Reese, Loron A. 688
Reynolds, Arthur J., M. D. 148
Richmond, Lemuel 311
Riker, Aral A. 176
Riley, John W, 360
Ripley, Warren G. 296
Robb. George W. 574
Roberts, Clinton 256
Rockafellow, Emrie W. 579
Rogers, Frank G. 268
Rogers, James 291
Rogers, Warren A. ._— 257
Rolland, Charles E, 71S
Root, Earl B. 850
Root, William 494
Roska, Albert F. 446
Russell, John B. 491
Russell, John H. 428
Russell, Mrs. Mary .__ ,,, 482
S
Sanford, Mrs. Jennie E. W 460
Sargent, William H 514
Sawyer. Frank J. 583
Sayre, Frank P. 455
Sayre, Ira T. 318
Schmier, Edward A 745
Schram, J. Fred 395
Seelcy, E. A. 213
Seelye, Nathan A. ^ 612
Selleck, Charles B. 658
Selleck, Robert W. 272
Shanahan, James 522
Shaw, William H. 388
Shumaii, Gustav F. 190
Sicgel. Charles B. 237
dbyGoot^lc
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Simmons, George L, 800
Skinner, Bert 22i
Skinner, J. D. 225
Skinner, Jeptha 231
Slattery, Patrick — ^7A
Sleeman, John J. — 22<1
Slocum, A. C. 338
Sluyter, Dr. Elden R. 132
Smith, Darwin P. 355
Smith, Matthew B., M. D 716
Smith. Philip wa
Smith, Samuel E. 22/
Smith, William V. 240
Smithson, Thomas W. 135
Soper, O. Eugene 567
Sparks, T. Albert 700
Spenser, James L 693
Sprague, Wesson G. 621
Stafford, Charles M, 37^
Stehle, George F. 679
Steindam, August C. - 239
Stemmetz, Frank J-, Jr 703
Stewart, Capt. Damon 88
Stewart, Herbert A. 628
Stewart, Samuel S. 60
Stewart, William C. lH
Stiles, Dennis R. 222
Stiles, E. B. 312
Stiles, W. B. 416
Stine. Martin C. 605
Stoddard, Claude M. ?91
Stoddard, Frederick E, 854
Strecter, Chancy N. 660
Sutherland, L. C. 218
Sutton, Charles E. 617
Swart, Edgar J. 483
Swayze, Judge Colonel O, 77
Sweers, Milo 625
Taylor, Charles E. 100
Taylor, George E. 244
Taylor, George E. 848
Taylor, J. Herman 506
Thomas, Clarence 253
Thompson, James A. 288
Thomson, Col. Edward H. 94
Thomson, Mrs. Sarah T. 95
Thompson, Edmund M. 782
Tice, George W. 336
Tinker, William 271
Todd, Fred
Topham, John L.
Topping, Charles M.
Trumblc, Abram M.
Turner, John
Upton, Charles O. 476
Uticy, Frank H. 294
V
Van Buskirk, J. M. 166
Van DeWalker, Edward C. 46S
Van Fleet, Jared 761
Van Slykc, Frank M. 211
Van Slyke, Martin B. 205
Van VIeet, John C. 640
Veit, Jacob 348
Vernon, Patrick E. 142
Vickery, Levant A, 120
Vincent, William -- 536
Volz, Jacob 541
W
Wadley, Will N, 820
Walker, Hon. Levi 195
Walker, William T 125
Warner, Charles K. 396
Watson. Harry W. 123
Webber, George A. 754
Whaley, Robert J, 96
Wheeler, Elmer G. 795
Wheelock, Dr. Amos S. 596
Whitehead, James B. 549
Whitman, Grant W. _ 737
Whitniore, Francis 301
Wildman, Frank P. 373
Williams, Glenn 855
Wirth, John F. 437
Wisner, Leslie 838
Wolcott, Robert H. 622
Wood, Edwin O., LL, D. 56
Wood, John H. 534
Wood, William N. 352
Woolfitt, Burtis E. 340
Woolfitt, William E. 266
Wright, William T. 666
Y
York, Jerry F. 609
Youells, Harry P 432
dbyGoot^lc
HISTORICAL
History of Michigan.
Tlie lirst wliitt' men to \enture into ihc region of the Great Lakes were
the French, who, early in the seventeenth century, extended their discoveries
from the regions lying; around the Gulf of St. Lawrence, inland along the
great valley of the St. Lawrence river. As early as 1615, Chaniplain, in
company witli the Franciscan friar, Joseph !e Caron, and other Frenchmen,
discovered the Georgian Imy of Lake Huron. Samuel de Champlain, horn
in 1570 at Brouage on the bay of Biscay, a poor boy, the son of a fisherman,
had received his early education from the parish priest. From these influ-
ences he had come to young manhood with a hunger for knowledge, a love
for the sea, and devotion to his Catholic friends and to his sovereign.
Before coming to Canada he had served in the French army and navy and
conducted a successful exploring expedition to the West Indies. When, in
1603, merchants of Rouen, France, formed a great colonizing and fur-
trading company to the New World, the command of the expedition was
given to the experienced and energetic Champlain.
In 1608 Champlain founded Quebec, and in the following year dis-
covered the beautiful lake which bears his name. Unfortunately in that
year he won, through the superiority of European methods of warfare, a
great victory over one of the tribes of the powerful Iroquois, which, gain-
ing for all the French explorers and settlers to come after him the imre-
lenting hostility of these tribes through a period of a hundred and fifty
years, must be counted as one of the principal causes of the failure of
France in America. In 161 1 Champlain established a trading post on the
site of Montreal, and in 1612 he went to France. On his return to the
St. Lawrence he displaved his zeal for the faith, bringing with him four
(3)
dbyGoQl^ic
34 GENEPEr, COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
Recoilect friars, of the order of St. Francis, who might bear the knowledge
of the Cross to the benighted savages of the western wilderness.
In 1615 Champlain, accompanied by an interpreter, Etienne Bru5^,
one other Frenchman and ten Tnchans, made an expedition to the Huron
region of Lake ManatouHne. In two canoes the group ascended the Ottawa
river, crossed the portage to Lake Nipissing, and thence paddled their way
down the French river to the waters of Georgian bay, along whose eastern
shore they coasted for a hundred miles, landing finally at Thunder bay.
It was only a little distance from there that they foimd I,e Caron, one of
Champlain's four Franciscan friends, who, on August 12, 1615, surrounded
by hordes of wondering savages at the Indian village of Carhagouha, had
the honor of saying the first mass celebrated in this portion of the New
World.
Champiain exercised his noble influence as governor of New France
for a quarter of a century, until his death at Quebec in 1635. The historian
Dionne, in his "Samue! Champlain." ]>ays the following tribute to the mem-
ory of "The Father of New France" :
"In his conduct, as in his writings, Champlain was always a truly
Christian man, zealous in the ?er\'ice of God and actuated by a child-like
piety. He was wont to say, as we read in his 'Memoirs,' that 'the salvation
of a single soul is worth more than the conquest of an empire, and that
kings should never extend their dominion over idolatrous countries except
to subject them to Jesus Christ'."
The Kev. T. J. Campbell, S. J., from whose "Pioneer Laymen of North
America" the above translation is quoted, says in the same volume, in
substance :
"One scarcely knows what to admire most in the multitude of splendid
qualities which gave him such a distinctive place among the world's heroes.
There was, for example, his amazing courage: nor was he an explorer or a
discoverer of the ordinary kind. He went among the people, lived with
them, shared in their filthy meals with as much grace and dignity as if he
were at the table of Richelieu, adjusting their difficulties, .settling their dis-
putes, remonstrating with them for their barbarous practices and always
endeavoring to instill into their hearts some idea of God, of religion and
morality. The purity of his morals was marvelous. His country, its great-
ness and its glory, were ever in his mind. His amazing serenity of soul in
the midst of multiplied disasters was almost preternatural. He is the real-
ization of the old Roman poet's dream of
yGoo-^lc
GENESEE COXJNTY, MICHIGAN. 35
'The upright man, intent upon Iiis resolve,
Were nil the world to crash about his head,
Would stand amid its ruin undismayed.'
He was more than that. He was what he insisted even a captain on the
high seas should ahvaj's he to his crew: a man of God."
Lanman, in his "History of Michigan," says : "With a mind warmed
into enthusiasm hy the vast domain of wilderness which was stretched
around him, and the glorious visions of future grandeur which its resources
opened, a man of extraordinary hardihood and the clearest judgment, a
brave officer and a scientific seaman, his keen forecast discerned, in the
magnificent prospect of the country which he occupied, the elements of a
mighty empire, of which he had hoped to be the founder. With a stout
heart and ardent zeal, he had entered upon the prospect of civilization; he
had disseminated valuable knowledge of its resources hy his explorations,
and had cut the way through hordes for the subsequent successful progress
of the French toward the lakes."
THE MTSSIONARY SPIRIT.
It is a noteworthy fact that in the history of the advance of civiHzation
towards the Great Lakes, the spirit of the missionary went before the spirit
of the colonizer. That spirit was introduced into these wilds when, in
1615, Champlain arrived at Quebec with four members of the Franciscan
order — Denis Jamet, Jean Dolbeau, Joseph le Caron and Pacifique du Plessis.
These men were the first pioneers in that great and noble undertaking, so
laboriously and persistently carried on, of bringing to the savage peoples of
New France the light of the Gospel.
The Franciscan order was founded in the thirteenth century by St.
Francis of Assisi. The four members who came with Champlain belonged
to the RecoUets, a reformed branch of the Franciscans. In 1618 Pope
Paul IV gave into the hands of the Recollets entire charge of the mission
work in New France. Many of these noble sons lived and died in Christian
service among the native red men. Their headquarters were at Quebec,
where a convent was built. Of the first four, Joseph !e Caron was appointed
to labor among the Hurons along the upper Ottawa river. At Montreal he
studied the Indian languages and by the time Champlain was readv to make
his expedition to the Hurons, Le Caron was ready to go with him. This
was typical of these early exploring and trading expeditions. Explorer,
dbyGoot^lc
36 gi-:nk-See county, Michigan.
trader, soldier and priest went hand in hand. Wherever waved the golden
liUes of France, there the Cross was planted. The rude bark chapel took
its place with the stockade and the trading house. Not infrequently the
awe-inspiring ceremonies of the church preceded the pomp and pageantry
of the military, so characteristic of the old regime in the forests of Canada.
While the adventurous soldiers of New France dreamed of the "Great South
Sea," to be reached by an inland waterway they should find, and in imagina-
tion saw the lilies of France waving dominion for the "Great Kmg" over
vast regions yet to be discovered, the soldiers of the Cross had a vision of
that glorious time when the Indian nations of the "forest continent" should
be gathered to the bosom of the Christian church.
It was needful, however, that a more powerful order than the Rccollets
shouki aid in carrying forward this pioneer work of the church to the region
of the Great I-akes. This task fell to the Jesuits, members of the Society
of Jesus, a powerful and aggressive order founded in the 13th century by
the great Ignatius Loyola, a soldier, who gave from his rich and varied
experience as a mihtary leader those qualities to his order which made it the
most successful agency that ever worked among the almost insurmountable
obstacles of Christian missions to savage peoples. A few Jesuits came to
Canada as early as 1611, but not until 1625 did the work of this order there
really begin. In that year there came to Canada, among others. Fathers
Charles Laiement, Jean de Brebeuf and Enemond Masse, who were the first
great pioneers of the Jesuit order in America. Brebeuf, the story of whose
martyrdom for a great cause thrills us even at this far reach of time,
worked among the Hurons of the Georgian bay where Le Carori had labored
before him. Within a few years of their arrival in Canada, the Jesuits
were officially chosen as spiritual managers, under the patronage of the
powerful Cardinal Richefieu, of that colony the destinies of which Champlain
controlled as governor unli! his death in 1635.
The year before Champlain died he sent out Jean Nicolet, a friend of
the Jesuits, a master of the Algonquin dialects, and a man of great tact and
influence with the Indians, to discover and explore the great waterway sup-
posed to empty into the "Great South Sea," which should open a way to
trading operations with China or Cathay. In that year Jean Nicolet, in a
canoe paddled by Indian escorts, passed through the straits of Mackinac,
probably the first white man to set foot upon the shores of what is now
Michigan. A memorial tablet, afiixed to the rocks of Mackinac island, was
recently unveiled, marking the site of Nicolet Watch Tower, and inscribed,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 37
"In honor of John Nicolet, who in 1634 passed through the straits of Mack-
inac in a birch bark canoe and was the first white man to enter Michigan and
the Okl Northwest." The character and qualities of this early pioneer of
the Great Lakes are worthily set forth in words used on that occasion by
a gifted scholar of our own time, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Frank A. O'Brien,
LL. D., president of the Michigan Historical Commission in 1915, who
said of him: "Nature had endowed Nicolet with wondrous gifts. Grace
had super naturalized his ambition into a burning fidelity to God and country.
Others were blessed with great Joyalty ; others enjoyed a greater rank ; but
none possessed a nobler nature, a stronger arm, or a more devoted heart.
He had the soldier's aspirations, without the soldier's love of greed. He
bad the love of victory, without the love of honors which it gave. He
yearned for something great, yet he felt that the Old World would give
him little to do. France had not been able to call his greatness into action.
He sought other fields to increase his country's glory by discovery. He
sought to spread God's kingdom. Under the banner of the Cross he went
forward. He led his chosen bands through wilds unknown. He was as
swift as lightning to resolve and as firm as a rock in execution. Where
others hesitated, he tjiiailed not. He was majestic, animated, resistless and
persistent. He did better than he knew."
The earliest recorded visit to the shores of Michigan after Nicolet,
was made in 1641 by two Jesuit missionaries, Charles Raymbault and Isaac
Jogues, who in that year reached and named the Sault de Ste. Marie, and
there preached the Gospel to two thousand hospitable Ojibways. Father
Raymbault died shortly afterward, a victim of consumption brought on by
exposures. Father Jogues, a short time after Raymbault's death, attempt-
ing to return to the Sault, was captured by a marauding band of Mohawks,
the beginning of that remarkable series of captivities and persecutions which
ended in his being burned at the stake.
In 1660 Father Rene Menard, another Jesuit missionary, was the first
white man to coast along the northern shore of the Upper Peninsula, explor-
ing the mysteries of Gitchi Gomee, the "Shining Big Sea Water," He said,
"i trust in that Providence which feeds the little birds of the air and clothes
the wild flowers of the desert," and in this simple faith of a little child he
tried to found a mission among the Indians on Chaquamegon bay. In the
following year, while on a mission of mercy, he became lost in the forest
and perished.
dbyGoot^lc
38 GENESRX COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FIRST MAP OF MICHIGAN.
The first map of any part of Michigan was one made of the Lake
Superior region, and the northernmcst parts of the T^kes Huron and Michr
i^n, a few years later, by the Jesuit Fathers Allouez and Marquette. Father
Qaude Allouez came there in 1666, naming the great northern lake "Lac
Tracy ou Superieur," in honor of the viceroy of Canada — a name which
it bears on his map. This map was remarkably accurate for this early day.
"When it is considered," says a well known report of the region, "that these
men were not engineers, and that to note the geographical features of the
country formed no part of their requirements, this map may, for that age.
be regarded as a remarkable production; although, occasionally, points are
laid down half a degree from their true position. The whole coast, sixteen
himdred miles in extent, as weli as the islands, were explored."
The first accounts of copper in upper Michigan we have, are from the
pen of Allouez. He writes : "It frequently happens that pieces of copper
are found, weighing from ten to twenty pounds. I have seen several such
pieces in the hands of the savages; and, since they are very superstitious,
they regard them as divinities, or as presents given to them to promote their
happiness, by the gods who dwell beneath the water. For this reason, they
preserve these pieces of copper, wrapped up with their most precious articles.
In some families they have been kept for more than fifty years; in others
they have descended from time out of mind, being cherished as domestic
gods."
Our first description of the great copper mass now in the Smithsonian
Institute at Washington, is also from Allouez. "For some time," he says,
"there was seen near the shore a large rock of copper, with its top rising
above the water, which gave opportunities to those passing by to cut pieces
from it ; but when I passed that vicinity it had disappeared. I believe that
the gales, which are frequent, like those of the sea, had covered it with sand.
One savage tried to persuade me that it was a divinity, who had disap-
peared, but for what cause he was unwilling to tell."
The oldest settlement in Michigan is undoubtedly Sault Ste. Marie.
Fathers Jogues, Raymlxiult, Menard and Allouez had tarried there; its actual
permanent occupation by white men began as early as 1668, with the arrival
of Fathers Claude Dablon and Jacques Marquette, who founded there the
first permanent mission in Michigan.
Formal possession of Michigan, and of all the Great Lakes region, in
dbyGoot^lc
Genesee: coun'ty, Michigan. 39
the name of Kraiice, was taken in 1671 at Sault Ste. Marie, accompanied
by one of the most imposing ceremonies ever witnessed in that region. Here
was gathered a motley array, representing all the types of New France :
soldier, priest, trader and trapper, the picturesque coureur de bois, and the
native red man. Church and state stood side by side. It was Father
Alloiiez, mindful of his temporal as well as his spiritual master, who pro-
nounced upon T.ouis XIV a panegyric the like of which was seldom heard
by the sons of the forest. In large measure, it was this loyalty of the church
that made possible the extension of trade, commerce and the temporal
domain of the French crown over the magnificent reaches of the Great
Lakes.
JACQUFS MARQI-ETTE.
The first permanent Michigan settlement on waters tributary to the
lower lakes was made by Father Jacques Marquette in 1671 at St. Ignace.
He had spent the winter before on Mackinac island, with a band of Hurons,
but in the summer they moved to the mainland. Here he built a chapel,
where he ministered to the Indians until his great voyage of discovery with
Louis Joliet in 1673. It was from this point in Michigan that this great
soul set forth on a quest which was to give to the world its first real knowl-
edge of the "Father of Waters." It was at this point, a few years later,
that his bones were interred by the red natives whom he loved and who had
learned to love him. It was in Michigan that he made the last great sacri-
fice. The story of Marquette's death is thus told by the historian Ban-
croft: "In sailing from Chicago to Mackinac during the following spring
(1675), he entered a little river in Michigan. Erecting an altar, he said
mass after the rites of the Catholic church; then begging the men who con-
ducted Jiis ranoe to leave him alone for half an hour —
'In the darkling wood.
Amid the cool and silence, he knelt down,
And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks
And supplication.'
"At the end of half an hour they went to seek him, and he was no
more. The good missionary, discoverer of a world, had fallen asleep on
the margin of a stream that bears his name."
On September i. 1909, the memory of Father Jacques Marquette was
signally honored, by loving hands, in the unveiling of the Marquette statue
on Mackinac island. On that occasion, Mr. Justice William R. Day, of the
dbyGoot^lc
40 GENESO; COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
supreme court of the United States, paid this fitting eulogy: "Upon the
statue which marks Wisconsin's tribute, in the oM Hall of the House at
Washington, are these words : 'Jacques Marquette, who with Louis Joliet
discovered the Mississippi river at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, July 17,
1673.' Were we to write his epitaph today, we might take the simple words,
which at his own request mark the last resting place of a great American,
and write upon this enduring granite the summary of Marquette's life and
character— 'He was faithful.' "
In the words of Rev. T. J. Campbell: "The name of Marquette will
ever be venerated in America, You meet it everywhere. There is a city
named after him, and a county, and a township, and a river, and several
viiJages, in Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas and Nebraska. His Jesuit breth-
ren of the twentieth century have built a Marquette University in Milwau-
kee, which rejoices in the possession of some of the reUcs that were given
to it when the grave was opened at Pointe St. Ignace." It would be well
for the youth of today to ponder well the fact that with all his great achieve-
ments. Marquette, at the time of bis death, was only thirty-eight years old.
After Marquette, the greatest name among the explorers of the Great
Lakes region is that of Robert Cavelier, Sieur tie la Salle. He was a native
of that Normandy which in early days bore William the Conqueror. Born
at Rouen in 1643, he came to Canada about the time Marquette first visited
Lake Superior. He had been educated by the Jesuits, with the intention-
of becoming a priest in that order. But his tastes led him into business, and
the discoveries of Marquette and Joliet filled his mind with visions of wealth
to be acquired in the regions of the West. La Salle, like the rest, was
deluded with the idea of reaching China and the South Sea by way of the
Great Lakes. The point on the St. Lawrence where he held lands, named
by him La Chine, commemorates this infatuation. La Chine was to be his
base of operations. While making great plans for the immediate future in
the prosecution of the fur trade, he studied the Indian languages and made
journeys into the wilderness. In 1669 he sold out his interests at La Chine
and made the first of his great expeditions westward.
Just ten years from that time occurred an event that is si^ecially note-
worthy in the career of La Salle — the voyage of the "Griffin," a boat built
under orders of La Salle by Henri de Tonti, and the first that ever sailed
the waters of the Great Lakes. On August 7, 1679, this little vessel, of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4I
forty-five tons burden, set sail from the mouth of Cayuga creek, just above
Niagara Falls, and after a stormy voyage of alxjut a month, during which it
encountered heavy storms on I-^ake Huron, anchored in a sheltered bay at
Pointe St. Ignace. A glimpse of the scene on her arrival is thus given by
the historian Parkman : "And now her port was won, and she found her
rest behind the point of St. Ignace of Michiliniackinac, floating in that tran-
quil cove where crystal waters cover, but cannot hide, the pebbly depths
beneath. Before her rose the house and chaiiel of the Jesuits, enclosed with
pahsades ; on the right the Huron village, with its bark caWns and its fence
of tall pickets; on the left the square, compact houses of the French traders;
and, not far off, the clustered wigwams of an Ottawa village."
Presently La Salle proceeded to Green bay, Wisconsin, where an
advance party of his m.en had collected a large store of furs. The "floating
fort," as the Mackinac Indians called the "Griffin," was here loaded with
furs, and on September i8 she set out, homeward bound, with her cargo.
Whether she again encountered storms, hke those she had met on Saginaw
bay coming north, or whether she met her fate through some foul play of
her crew, or of the Indians, no one knows. She was never heard of more.
Thus perished the pioneer of the unnumbered thousands of gallant barks
that, ere two centuries should roll away, were to whiten with the sails of a
peaceful commerce all these mighty inland seas.
Varied and interesting were the adventures of La Salle after he left
the "Griffin." The one that concerns ns most is his famous "cross country"
trip through southern Michigan, the first time, so far as the records show,
that the southern peninsula of Michigan was ever crossed by Europeans.
La Salle had gone south from Green bay, exploring the Wisconsin
shore of Lake Michigan around past the site of Chicago to the mouth of the
St. Joseph river, in what is now Berrien county. There he and his men
built a fort, which was the first post to be established within the limits of
the lower iieninsula. From there they ascended the St. Joseph river, to the
present site of the city of South Bend, Indiana. They visited the present
La Salle county, in Illinois, then the principal center of the Illinois Indians.
La Salle then proposed to navigate the Mississippi, and it was to fit out his
vessel, which he built near the site of the present Peoria, that he made the
overland trip to Canada which took him across Michigan. This was in the
spring of 1680.
We have the account from La Salle's "Journal." He speaks of passing
through great meadows covered with rank grass, which they burned in order
to deceive the hostile savages who followed them, as to their route. No
dbyGoot^lc
42 GKNESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN.
doubt these meadows were the patches of lieautiful prairie land so attractive
to the early settlers of southwestern Michigan. Setting- out from the mouth
of the St. Joseph river, and taking a direct line for the Detroit river.
La Salle and his men followed, as near as can be determined, the dividing
ridge between the St. Joseph and Kalamazoo rivers, passing through the
southern parts of Kalamazoo and Calhoun cotmties, across Prairie Ronde
and Climax prairies, and thence through Jackson and Washtenaw counties,
to the Huron river. Down this stream they floated to the borders of Wayne
county, when, finding their way barred by fallen trees, they left their canoes
and struck across the country directly to the Detroit river. In due time
La Salle reached the point from which the "Griffin" had first set sail. For
sixty-five days he had plodded laboriously through a wilderness which today
can be crossed in a few hours; but at that time, this first trip across southern
Michigan was one of the most remarkable experiences in the history of the
peninsula.
The story is well known how La Salle, amid the gloomy forebodings of
his men, the treachery of the savages, innumerable personal losses and
humiliations, triumphed over almost insurmountable difficulties, explored the
great valley of the Mississippi and at length reached its mouth on the gulf
nf Mexico. On April 9. 1682, amid great ]}omp and ceremony, the iiiies of
France were unfurled to the southern breezes beside the cross of the church,
and in the name of his mighty sovereign, Louis XIV, La Salle took possession
of the vast lands watered by the great river; to them, in honor of his royal
master, he gave the name Louisiana. The pathetic story of the faithful
Tonti, who clung to La Salle in atl his wanderings, is one of the most
stirring romances of any age or country; and the tragic story of La Salle's
ending, l>asely done to death by friends whom he trusted, forms one of tlie
saddest tales in the pioneer annals of the continent. Only forty-four years
old at the time of his death in 1687, La Salle was one of the greatest men of
his day. Michigan may well be proud to number him among the great
souls connected with her early discovery and settlement.
RTVAI. CENTERS OF INFLUENCE.
The two greatest centers of French influence in Michigan were Michili-
mackinac and Detroit. Indeed, a strong rivalry existed between fhem for
control of the fur trade. Michilimackinac, being the older, and situated at
a point where the Indians had been wont for ages to congregate for himt-
ing and fishing and celebrating their religious rites, had the initial advan-
dbyGoot^lc
ge;n£see county, Michigan. 43
tage. From the time Marquette founded the mission at St. Tgnace, in 1671,
this point became a mart of trade. A fort was built about 16S0, to protect
and foster this trade. One of its first commandants was the famous coureur
de bois, Daniel Greysolon Du IJiut, whose meritorious services as a soldier
and explorer-the name of the city of Diiluth, in Minnesota, commemorates.
It was he who built old Fort St. Joseph on or near the site of Fort Gratiot,
where is now the city of Port Huron. Another famous coinmandant in
the earliest annals of Michilimackinac was Nicolas Perot, who succeeded
Du Lhut. But better known to modern readers than either of these, is the
great Cadillac, the founder of the "City of the Straits."
M. de la Motte Cadillac became commandant at Mackinac in 1694,
In his time he declares the place to have been "one of the largest villages
in all Canada," with a strong fort, and a garrison of two hundred soldiers.
In some way, Cadillac had become convinced of the need of an equally
strong ■ fort on the Detroit river. He went to France, and succeeded in
winning over to his view Count Ponchartrain, minister for the colonies.
Almost immediately after his return to Canada, armed with the royal com-
mission, he fitted out an exi>edition to Detroit, where he arrived on July
24, 1701. A fort was built and appropriately named in honor of the French
minister, "Fort Ponchartrain," In a little volume entitled "Cadillac's Vil-
lage," Mr. C. M. Btirton, of Detroit, historiographer of that city, has written
a comprehensive, accurate and very interesting account of this event.
Cadillac was not mi.staken in choosing this site for a trading post. It
was the site of an Indian village, Teuchsagrondie, a place much frequented
by the neighboring tribes. Nor were Cadillac and his followers the first
white men there. We have seen La Salle there in the spring of 1680. Still
earlier, Father Hennepin, historian of the famous voyage of the "Griffin,"
and one of its passengers, wrote, as he passed this site: "Those who will
one <iay have the happiness to possess this fertile and pleasant strait will be
very much obliged to those who have shown them the way." Missionaries
and cotirciirs dc bois had been there before. Fathers DoUiers and Gahnee,
two Sulpitian priests, had passed through the strait in the spring of 1670.
They record that they found on the future site of Detroit what they sup-
posed was an Indian god, roughly carved in stone, which they piously broke
in pieces with their axes and threw into the river. It is even probable that
there was a French fort of very primitive sort at Detroit some years previous
to 1701, a ix)st of the conreurs de bois not recognized by the government.
From statements in the New York colonial documents, it seems to have
dbyGoot^lc
44 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
existed there as early as 1679. The place was probably never garrisoned
by a regular military force until Cadillac came.
The importance of the post from a military point of view — while this
was of some moment- — ^was subordinate to its commercial consequence. The
principal cause of establishing the post was to control the fur trade of the
upper Great Lakes. This trade was placed at the outset under the control
of a company of merchants and traders formed in 1701, known as tlie
"Company of the Colony of Canada." A contract was drawn up which
excluded all private individuals from trading in the country. In return,
the company was to pay six thousand Iivres every year to the French king.
The heart of Cadillac was in his new venture at Detroit, and he became
alienated from his old post at Michilimackinac. Trade rivalries led to some
bitterness. The establishment of a mission at Detroit was a part of Cadillac's
general plan. He aimed to gather all the Indians of the Great Lakes region
around his new post and mission at Detroit. But Father Marest, one of
the greatest of the successors of Marquette at St. Ignace, was determined
that Michihmackinac should not lose its prestige and influence with the red
men. Cadillac, notwithstanding, succeeded in persuading a great number of
the Michigan Indians to come to Detroit. For many years the fur trade
largely centered there. So desperate did the situation become at Mackinac
that the mission was temporarily abandoned.
From that time until the close of the French regime in 1763, the history
of Michigan was comparatively uneventful. The post at Mackinac was
restored, but it was built on the south side of the straits, near the site of
the present Mackinaw City. The restored mission was established some
miles along the shore to the west, at L'Arbre Croche among the Ottawas.
Many of the Indians who had gone with Cadillac returned to the straits of
Mackinac after his departure from Detroit, in 171 1. Yet Detroit continued
to be the important center of the fur trade for the lower peninsula of Mich-
igan. The first settlements in the present states south of the Great Lakes
were made from Detroit. It was destined to be for many years the chief
center of the fur trade for all the country now occupied by the states of
Indiana and Illinois and portions of Ohio and Wisconsin.
MICIIKIAN UNDER THE BRITISH.
In 1760, Michigan and the whole country which is now known as
British America was lost to the F>ench and came under the dominion of
Great Britain. War broke out between the French and British colonies in
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 45
North America in 1754, but the change did not seriously disturb the posts
in the Great Lakes region until the year 1763. Detroit and Mackinac had
received Enf^lish garrisons in 1760, without resistance either from the
French or the Indians. It was fondly beheved by the EngHsh government,
as well as bv tlie American colonists in these parts, that this meant an era
of peace and prosperity for the region of the Great Lakes. But the calm
was of short duration. A storm was brewing in the breast of the great
chief, Pontiac.
The treatment accorded the Indians by the British was very dift'erent
from what they had been accustomed to receive from the French. The
French alwavs paid the Indians proper respect and deference. The British,
on the contrary, began almost immediately to thrust them aside and to treat
them as dependents and vagabonds. The British continually encroached
on the Indian hunting grounds. Complaints began to be heard, which grew
louder, stimulated no doubt by the active sympathy of the French traders
on the borders of Michigan.
PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY.
Tlie year of the treaty of Paris, 176,3, was fixed upon by Pontiac for
a supreme attempt to hurl back the tide of English conquest and settlement.
"Pontiac," says Cooley, "was one of those rare characters among the Indians
whose merits are so transcendent that, without the aid of adventitious cir-
cumstances, they take by common consent the headship in peace and the
leadership in war. In battle he had shown his courage; in council, his
eloquence and his wisdom; he was wary in planning and indefatigable in
execution; his patriotism was ardent and his ambition boimdless and he
was at this time in all the region between the headwaters of the Ohio and
the distant Mississippi, the most conspicuous figure among the savage tribes,
and the predestined leader in any undertaking which should enlist the gen-
eral interest. Of the Ottawas he was the principal chief, and he made his
home at their village opposite and a little above Detroit, with a summer
residence In I.-ake St. Clair. But he was also chief of a loose confederacy
of the Ottawas, Ojibways and Pottawatomies, and his influence extended far
beyond those tribes, and placed him above rivalry in all the lake region and
the valley of the Ohio." With the fires of discontent smouldering every-
where, nothing was needed but the breath of his bold and daring spirit to
blow them into flames.
Pontiac carefully laid his plans, A "Prophet" arose, who, like Peter
dbyGoot^lc
46 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the Hermit, preached a crusade against the enemies of his people and
wrought up the savages to the highest pitch of excitement and enthusiasm.
By every means, Pontiac worked upon the credulity of the Indians a? to
the weakness of the English and the power of the great French king, who,
said Pontiac, liad been asleep, but was now awaking for a terrible vengeance
upon their common foes. With the savages banded together from the mouth
of the Mississippi to the northern wilds of the Ottawas (for a war of
extermination), Pontiac planned to strike at the same moment every English
post from the Niagara to the straits of Mackinac.
Upon the unsuspecting garrison at Mackinac, the premeditated b!ow
fell Hke a bolt of thunder from a clear sky. The capture of this indis-
pensable post was entrusted by Pontiac to the Ojibway chieftain, Mih-neh-
weh-na. The date set was June 4, the birthday of King George of Eng-
land. The stratagem was worthy of Ulysses — a game of ball called by tJie
Indians bagattiway, by means of which the Indians were enabled to assemble
in the immediate vicinity of the fort to celebrate the King's birthday.
According to the Ojibway historian, Warren, this game is played with a
bat about four feet long, and a wooden ball. The bat terminates at one
end in a circular curve, which is netted with leather strings, and forms a
cavity where the ball is caught, carried and, if necessary, thrown with great
force to treble the distance that it can be thrown by hand. Two posts are
planted at the distance of about half a mile. Each party had its particular
post, and the game consisted in carrying, or throwing, the ball in the bat to
the post of the adversary. At the commencement of the game the two
parties collected midway between the two posts. The ball was thrown up
into the air and the competition for its possession began in earnest. It was
the wildest game known among the Indians, played in full feathers and
ornaments, and with the greatest excitement and vehemence. The great
object was to get the ball. During the heat of the excitement no obstacle
was allowed to stand in the way of getting at it. Should it fall over a high
inclosure, the wall would he immediately surmounted, or torn down if need-
ful, and the ball recovered. The game was well adapted to carry out the
scheme of the Indians, During its progress they managed to send the hall
over the stockade and into the fort. The soldiers were mostly off duty, it
being a holiday, and were watching the game, when suddenly the fort was
tilled with savages, the war-whoop resounded, and grasping from under
the blankets of the Indian women the shortened guns, tomahawks and knives
which they had concealed, the massacre commenced. Tn an incredibly short
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 47
lime the garrison were butchered, nearly to a man, and the post was in
possession of the Indians.
Had not an Ojibway maiden's love for Major Gladwin, who commanded
the fort at Detroit, led her to reveal to him Pontiac's secret plan, that post
would probably have shared the fate that befell Mackinac. Pontiac's plan
was to get all his warriors in readiness and have them distributed around
the fort, while he, with sixty of his chiefs should enter the fort all armed
with sawed-ofF rifles which could be concealed under their blankets. They
were to come upon pretense of holding a council with Major Gladwin and
to smoke the pipe of peace with the English. Gladwin was ready. When
the chiefs were at length seated on the mats, Pontiac rose and, holding in
his hand the belt of wampum with which he was to have given the signal of
massacre, commenced a speech cunningly devised and full of flattery. He
professed the most profound friendship for the Enghsh and declared he
had come for the express purpose of smoking the pipe of peace. Once he
seemed about to give the signal, when Gladwin made a sign with his hand
and instantly there was the clash of arms without, the drums rolled a charge,
and every man's hand was on his weapons. Pontiac was astounded. He
caught the firm, unflinching look on Gladwin's face, and at length sat down
in great perplexity.
Major Gladwin made a brief and pointed reply. He assured the chief
that he should be treated as a friend so long as he deserved it, but the first
atteni]>t at treachery would be paid for in blood. The council broke up.
The gates were opened and the baffled and disconcerted savage and his fol-
lowers were suffered to depart. Pontiac plainly saw tliat his treachery was
anticipated, but bore himself with most consummate tact. Withdrawing to
his village, lie took counsel with his chiefs.
Once more Pontiac tried diplomacy. On the morning of May 9, the
common about the fort was thronged with a great concourse of Ojibways,
Ottawas, Pottawatomies and Hurons. Soon the stately form of Pontiac
was seen approaching the gate. The gate was closed. He demanded
entrance. Gladwin replied that he could enter, but his followers must remain
without. In a rage, Pontiac withdrew to where his swarming followers
were lying flat on the ground just beyond gunshot range. Instantly the
whole plain became dark with savages, running, whooping, screeching, and
soon the scalp halloo told the bloody fate of the settlers outside the fort
whom their fury could reach. Pontiac took no part personally in these out-
rages, but rapidly completed plans for a protracted siege of the fort.
A direct attack on the fort, made shortly afterwards, was repulsed.
dbyGoot^lc
4^ GENliSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
niui Gladwin seems to have felt that this would be the end. He was in need
of provisions and thought that he could at least safely try negotiations.
Pontiac instantly saw his op|X)rttinity ; he assumed such an honest counten-
ance and played the game with such tact that, while planning the deepest
treachery, he succeeded in getting to his camp the person of Major Camp-
bell, who, before Major Gladwin, had held command at the fort since the
country had passed into the hands of the Rritish. His life was to be made
an equivalent for the surrender of the fort; from that lion's den Major
Campbell never returned. In spite of Pontiac's efforts to protect him, he
was a few days later treacherously murdered.
For weeks the siege continued. Both sides were in sore straits for
provisions and both were looking for reinforcements, A force sent from
Niagara to relieve the fort was cut to pieces on the way by the Indians, and
the supplies captured. News was received of the massacre at Sandusky.
A schooner sent out by Major Gladwin for supplies made a successful return,
and heartened the little garrison with a welcome supply of men, arms and
munitions, and with news of the treaty of peace between France and Eng-
land, by which the Canadian possessions, including Detroit, were ceded to
the latter. Pontiac refused to Ijelieve the news of the peace and persuaded
his followers that it was a mere invention of the English in the fort to
defeat them. He renewed the siege with vigor. But passage of time with-
out achievement began to tell on the spirit of the savages, A portion of
them began to grow weary. The siege began to drag.
In the meantime, a strong reinforcement under command of Captain
Dalzell, was on the way from Niagara to aid the fort, and with him a detach-
ment of rangers under the famous Major Robert Rogers. On his arrival.
Captain Dalzell and Major Gladwin held a conference, in which the Major
was reluctantly persuaded by the impetuous Dalzell to try to surprise the
Indians by a night sally. Pontiac was a past-master, however, in strategems.
At a small stream, called then Parent's creek, but since that fatal night
named "Bloody Rim," the two hundred and fifty men of the fort's detach-
ment were ambushed by Pontiac with a band of five hundred chosen war-
riors, and ail but annihilated. Among the slain was Captain Dalzell. The
immediate result was to inspirit the Indians, who were joined by large rein-
forcements. Elsewhere on the frontier a greater degree of success had
attended the plans of Pontiac. Fort St. Joseph, on the St. Joseph river,
had been taken in May. Mackinac had fallen an easy prey to the northern
dbyGoot^lc
GENFSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 49
Ojilnva,ys in June. The forts at Green bay, on the Mauniee river, on the
Wabash and at Presqnc Isle, had been captured. The Indians, under the
genius of Pontiac, had concerted their actions in a well-nigh universal
crusade against the English, which bade fair to be successful. They yet
lacked complete success at Forts Pitt, Niagara and Detroit.
A gleam of hope shot through the darkness when the gallant Col. Henry
Bouquet, defeating the Indians in a desperate and bloody battle, relieved
Fort Pitt. The Indians about Detroit heard of great preparations to send
a strong force against them; notwithstanding their successes, they now began
to waver and to despair of taking the fort. The Indians were glad for a
truce, and under its cover Major Gladwin laid in a supply of provisions for
the winter. Only the Ottawas continued to prosecute the siege, with petty
skirmishing. The final blow to the hopes of Pontiac was the receipt of
advice from M. Neyon, the French commander at Fort Chartres, in the
Illinois country, that the Indians had better abandon the war and go home.
Pontiac had cherished the forlorn hope that the French would yet recover
the country from the English. In great rage he now withdrew to the
Maumee, determined on a renewal of hostilities in the spring. But in the
spring a great council was held by Sir William Johnson at Niagara, attended
by an immense concourse of Indians from all the western country. A
treaty was concluded, presents were lavishly distributed, especially among
the leaders, and the war virtually ended. On July 23, 1766, Pontiac met
Sir Wiiiiam Johnson at Oswego and signed a definite treaty of peace, along
with deputies from most of the western nations then living east of the
Mississippi. A few years later, in 1769, the great Ottawa chieftain was
treacherously assassinated by a member of one of the tribes of the IlHnois
Indians,
ACTIVITY IN THE FUR TRADE.
After the failure of Pontiac's schemes, until the War of 1812, things
were comparatively quiet on the Michigan frontier. The English sought to
conciliate both the Indians and the French. The fur-trade was prosecuted
with new vigor. The Hudson's Bay Company, formed in 1700, now
extended its sway towards the Great Lakes. Mackinac island became a
center of this trade on the upper lakes, the fort having been removed thither
from the south side of the straits during the Revolution. Mackinac was
one of the main posts of the Northwest Company, where the peltries were
(4)
dbyGoc^lc
50 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
received which had been collected from the forests and streams of the north,
and were packed and shipped to England by way of Montreal. The story
of the fur trade on the Michigan frontier in this period is the story of
bitter rivairy between these companies for supremacy, which continued even
after the Northwest Company transferred a large part of its Michigan trade
to the American Fur Company, organized by John Jacob Astor. The Mich-
igan fur trade, centering at Mackinac and Detroit, was destined to thrive
rmder Aster's company for many years after the Great Lakes region had
passed forever from the control of Great Britain. The historian, Lanman,
has given a picturesque view of scenes at Mackinac as they were just before
the War of 1812:
"Even as late as 1812," he says, "the island of Mackinac, the most
romantic point on the lakes, which rises from the watery realm like an
altar of a river god, was the central mart of the traffic, as old Michilimack-
inac had been for a century before. At certain seasons of the year it was
made a rendezvous for the numerous classes connected with the traffic. At
those seasons, the transparent waters around this beautiful island were
studded with the canoes of the Indians and traders. Here might be found
the merry Canadian voyagcw, with his muscular figure strengthened by the
hardships of the wilderness, bartering for trinkets at the various booths
scattered along its banks. The Indian warrior, bedecked with the most fan-
tastic ornaments, embroidered moccasins and silver armlets; the North-
westers, armed with dirks^the iron men who had grappled with the grizzly
bear and endured the hard fare of the north; and the Southwester also put
in his claims to deference. It was a trade abounding in the severest hard-
ships and the most hazardous enterprises. This was the most glorious epoch
of mercantile enterprise in the forest of the Northwest, when its half-savage
dominion stretched upon the lakes for a hundred years over regions large
enough for empires, making barbarism contribute to civilization."
During the Revolution. Detroit was the military headquarters of the
British in Michigan. Sir Henry Hamilton was in command there from
1774 to 1779, when he was captured at Vincennes by George Rogers Clark.
In 1780, Mackinac island was fortified, and strongly garrisoned, through
fear that .Detroit might now be captured by the American patriots and the
Indians be tempted to repeat the tragedy that befell Old Mackinac in 1763.
The fort, built on a high cliff that overlooked the village, occupied a position
which protected it from surprise and assault by the Indians. Reminiscent
of the glory of this historic island region, Mrs. Stewart writes:
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5 1
"Like Detroit, Michilimackinac has been the theater of many a bloody-
tragedy. Its posses-sion has been disputed by powerful nations, and its
internal peace has continually been made the sport of Indian treachery and
of the white man's dnphcity. Today, chanting Te Deums beneath the ample
folds of the fleur-de-lis, tomorrow yielding to the power of the British lion,
and, a few years later, listening to the exultant screams of the American
eagle, as the stars and stripes float over the battlements on the 'isle of the
dancing spirits.' As a military post in time of war, the possession of
Michilimackinac is invaluable; but as a commercial mart, now that the
aboriginal tribes have passed away, the location is of Httle consequence.
"In these later days, to the invalid and the pleasure-seeker, the salubrity
of the pure atmosphere, the beauty of the scenery, the historical reminiscences
which render it classic groimd, and the many wild traditions, peopling each
rock and glen with spectra! habitants, combine to throw, around Michili-
mackinac an interest and attractiveness unequalled by any other spot on the
Western Continent."
THE NORTHWKST TERRITOSY.
By the treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain In
1783, Michigan became a part of the United States; but for various reasons
the British forces did not evacuate Mackinac and Detroit. However, on the
theory that the transfer of territory would prove permanent, the American
congress organized a government for a vast western territory, including
Michigan, imder the famous Ordinance of 1787. This area was called the
Northwest Territory, out of which have been carved the states of Ohio,
Indiana. Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin; its first governor was General
Arthur St. Clair, a veteran officer of the American Revolution. The Ordin-
ance of 1787 gave to Governor St. Clair wide powers. Settlers would
want assurance that they would be adequately protected in the western
country, before they would leave their homes in the Eastern states. His
government was strongly centralized, and he was able to act vigorously
under the supervision of the national government. Of Governor St. Clair,
an able lawyer of that time has left the following estimate:
"During the continuance of the first grade of that imperfect govern-
ment, he enjoyed the respect and confidence of every class of the [jeople.
He was plain and simple in his dress and equipage, oi>en and frank in his
manners, and accessible to jjiersons of every rank. * * * fhe governor
dbyGoot^lc
52 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
was unquestionably a man of superior talents, of extensive information,
and of great uprightness of purpose, as well as suavity of manners. His
general course, though in the main correct, was in some respects injurious
to his own popularity; but it was the result of an honest exercise of his
judgment. He not only believed that the power he claimed belonged legiti-
mately to the executive, but was convinced that the manner in which he
exercised it was imposed upon him as a duty, by the ordinance, and was
calculated to advance the best interests of the territory."
One of the most important events of Michigan history while St. Clair
was governor, was the Indian treaty of Greenville, in 1795. In 1790-91
the confederated triljes south of Michigan inflicted defeats upon Generals
Harmer and St. Clair, but, in 1794, Gen. Anthony Wayne, at the "Fallen
Timbers," or Maumee Rapids, gave the combined Indian tribes of the
Northwest a bloody defeat. This brought the savages to terms, and in
August, 1795, General Wayne executed a treaty with them, at Greenville,
Ohio, in which, among other sections, certain lands about the posts at De-
troit and Mackinac were ceded to the United States.
In the meantime, John Jay had negotiated a treaty with England, in
which it was stipulated that on or before June i, 1796, the British garrisons
should be withdrawn from all the northwestern posts; and it was done.
The American flag floated over Detroit for the first time July li, 1796. In
September the county of Wayne was organized, including within its limits
portions of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Detroit, which contained
at that time about three hundred houses, was the capital.
In 1800 the Northwest Territory was divided, by a north and south
line, a part of which is now the boundary between Ohio and Indiana, and
which, extending north to the boundary of the United States, cut Michigan
in two halves. The western half was included In the new Indiana Terri-
tory, and when, in 1803, Ohio became a state, the whole of the lower penin-
sula of Michigan became a part of the new territory. Of William Henry
Harrison, its governor, it is said: "He was a product of the West, and
was thoroughly in sympathy with western ideas and institutions. He had
served with distinction under St. Clair and Wayne, and was well trained in
the methods of Indian warfare. As secretary of the Northwest Territory
toward the latter part of St. Clair's administration, and as delegate to Con-
gress from that territory, Harrison had gained much valuable experience in
the management of territorial affairs. Energetic and courageous and at the
same time prudent in his undertakings, he resembled St, Clair in the strict
honestv with which be administered the duties of his office."
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
MICHIGAN TERRITORY.
On June 30, 1S05, Michigan became a separate territory. Gen. Will-
iam HuH, a veteran officer of the Revolution, was appointed governor, and
it was during his term that the War of 1812 broke out. From the very
beginning, the period of his rule was filled with trouble. In the very year
of his arrival in Detroit a great fire completely destroyed the village and
post. This had its good side, for subsequently the town was laid out on a
greatly enlarged and improved plan; but temporarily the people suffered
great hardships. 7'he governor was also hampered by interminable bick-
erings among the territorial officials. From 1807 on, it was evident that
the Indians meant mischief. They complained that they had signed treaties
without understanding them. In 1807 Governor Hull negotiated a treaty
with them, by which they ceded lands as far west as the principal meridian
running through the present counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Ingham and
Shiawassee, to a point near Owosso, and thence northeast to White Rock,
on Lake Huron. But fear of the Indians kept the lands from being sur-
veyed, and settlers were not disposed to go inland out of easy hailing dis-
tance from the fort at Detroit. The Indians were doubtless influenced
somewhat by the fur traders of the Northwest Company, whose interests
required that the country should remain a wilderness, and the British dis-
tributed guns and ammunition and other presents with a lavish hand.
It came about that gradually a union of the Indians was effected, some-
what after the model of that of the famous Pontiac. Its moving spirit was
Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, whose home was on the upper Wabash. In
l8ri. Gen. Wiliiani Henry Harrison checked the movement temporarily by
a disastrous defeat of Tecumseh at Tippecanoe. But when, on June 18,
1812, war was declared by the United States against Great Britain, the
western Indians rallied to the cause of the British.
Governor Hull was appointed commander-in-chief of the forces on the
Michigan frontier. His troops were eager that he should at once make a
bold offensive and capture Maiden, but he would not, and in July General
Proctor, commander of the British advance, reached Maiden and imme-
diately began operations to cut off Hull's communications and isolate his
dbyGoot^lc
54 GENtSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
army. In August, Genera! Brock, the British commander-in-chief, a most
efficient and daring officer, arrived, and prei>ared to take Detroit.
In the meantime, on July 17, Lieut. Porter Hanks, commanding at
Mackinac, having received no word of the declaration of war, was sur-
prised and was compelled to surrender at discretion the fort and his whole
garrison. This was a disheartening blow to Hull and doubtless influenced
his subsequent course. Moreover, General Dearborn, who commanded the
American forces at Niagara, had concluded an armistice, enabling the Brit-
ish forces there to concentrate against Detroit. Believing that Detroit could
not be held, and that it would be a wanton sacrifice of his men to attempt
to hold it, Hull surrendered, August 16, to Brock. Almost at the same time
the garrison at Fort Dearborn, where is now Chicago, commanded by Cap-
tain Heald, in acting on orders from Hull to evacuate that fort, was waylaid '
and massacred by the Indians. Disaster on the Michigan frontier seemed
complete. General Hull was afterwards court-mai^ialed and sentenced to
be shot, but, in view of his advanced age and his distinguished services
during the Revolution, the President pardoned him. Since then Hull has
had vigorous defenders. It is not too much to say that today, viewed in the
sober light of all the facts, there are a few historians who are inclined to
regard his action as wise, but the majority do not share this view.
Regarding Hull's government of Michigan Territory, Cooley writes :
"He had all his life lived in the smiles of public favor and his domestic and
social relations were agreeable; and had he been made the executive of a
staid and orderly commonwealth, with associates in government of similar
characteristics, his administration might have been altogether popular and
successful. But in Michigan he found uncongenial people all about him,
and it soon appeared that he was somewhat lacking in the persistent self-
assertion necessary to make the rough characters of a backwoods settlement
recognize and accept the fact that within the proper limits of his authority
he proposed to be and would be ruler and master." In private life his
record was honorable and withovit a stain.
One of the most lamentable events on Michigan soil during this war
occurred in 1813, in Frenchtown, now Monroe, At that place, on January
22, General Winchester was attacked by a consolidated force of British and
Indians under General Proctor. Overwhelmed by the onset, Winchester
was induced to surrender by promises of honorable treatment; but in spite
of Proctor's promises, the Indians committed, on the following day, a most
inhuman massacre of prisoners. Barely forty men survived out of a com-
dbyGoot^lc
CKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 55
mand of about eight hundred. A large part of the force were Kentuckians.
Following their fall, there ensued scenes of plundering, murdering and bar-
barities too horrible to mention. The confusion, misery and fear caused
by the massacre of settlers in the Raisin valley continued long after the
war.
With Commodore Perrj''s victory on Lake Erie, September lo, 1813,
and the complete route of the British and Indians under Proctor and
Tecumseh by Harrison, on October 5, the war, so far as Michigan was
concerned, came to an end. On October 13, 1813, Lewis Cass was apijointed
governor of Michigan territory, under whose able administration Michigan
began a new career.
LEWIS CAS-S.
Gen. Lewis Ca.ss was a native of Exeter, Xew Hampshire. His father
fought in the War of the Revolution. Lewis was educated in Exeter Aca-
demy and was eariy schooled in the principles and traditions of New Eng-
land. In early life his i>arents moved with him to Marietta, Ohio, where
he grew up and became a lawyer, and a memljer of the Ohio Legislature.
President Jefferson appointed him United States marshal for the district of
Ohio, in 1807, a position he held until he sought service in the War of 1812.
In 1S13 he was made a brigadier-general under Harrison, and at the close
of the war the qualities he had displayed marked him out as the Ijest choice
for governor of Michigan territory.
From 1813 to 1831, when he became a member of President Jackson's
cabinet, Cass devoted his great energies to promoting the settlement of
Michigan. According to one historian: "The number of white inhabitants
of the territory when Cass became governor of it, was scarcely six thou-
sand. No land had Ijeen sold by the United States and the interior was a
vast wilderness, the abode, it was estimated, of forty thousand savages.
Settlers could not obtain sure titles to their locations. No surveys had lieen
made. No roads had been opened inland. The savages were relentless in
their hostility to the whites. Under these circumstances, Cass assumed the
responsibilities of governor and ex-officio superintendent of Indian affairs.
For eighteen years his management of Indian affairs was governed by re-
markable wisdom and prudence. He negotiated twenty-two distinct treaties,
securing the cession to the United States by the various tribes of the im-
mense regions of the Northwest, instituted surveys, constructed roads, estab-
lished military works, buih hght-hotises. organized counties and townships.
dbyGoot^lc
56 GRNESr.E COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and, in short, created and set in motion all the machinery of civiSized gov-
ernment."
Professor McLaughlin writes, in his "Life of Lewis Cass" : "The great
factor of his successful administration was honesty. But fair, honorable
dealings with the Indians was a rare virtue, and in this he never faltered.
He was wont to say in after years that he never broke his word to an
Indian and never exj>ected to find that the red man had broken his. Every
exertion was made to have the funds and the allowances ready on the day
they had been promised. Promptness and boldness in action, a firm self-
reliance, a presumption that the power of the United States was mighty and
would be obeyed, appealed to the Indian sense of awe and reverence. The
respect, and even affection, which the Indian had for the Great Father at
Detroit, was often manifest, and once felt, was not forgotten. Twelve
years after his appointment as governor, while on a trip through southern
Wisconsin and Minnesota, with gentle reproof he took from the necks of
Indian chieftains their British medals, and placed in their stead a miniature
of their great and mighty 'Father at Washington'." In concluding. Profes-
sor McLaughlin says: "The name of Lewis Cass will not be written in the
future with those of the few men whose inHuence is everywhere discernible,
and who perpetuate themselves in institutions and in national tendencies.
He was not a Washington, nor a Lincoln, nor a John Quincy Adams. But
he was a great American statesman, building up and Americanizing an im-
portant section of his country, struggling in places of trust for the recogni-
tion of American dignity and for the development of generous nationalism.
With the great slavery contest his name is inseparably connected. He stood
with Webster and Clay for union, for conciliation, for the Constitution as
it seemed to be established. He was one of those men whose broad love of
country and pride in her greatness, however exaggerated, however absurd
it may seem in these days of cynical self-restraint, lifted her from colonial-
ism to national dignity and imjxied the people with a sense of their power."
No greater 'testimony could be given of the merits of Lewis Cass than
that, after almost a century of the test of time, the people of Michigan
should erect in honor of his work, and in tribute to the man, a memorial
such as was recently placed to his memory on Mackinac island. On this
beautiful column of bronze, accompanying a life-like portrait of Cass, is
this inscription:
dbyGoot^lc
GFNESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 57
Cass Cliff
NiNiietl by the
Mk'liigiui Hislorical CoiimitsKfou
and
JliK-kiUiic IsliiiKl Stiite I'nrk Comniission
ill Lonoi- of
LEWIS CASS,
Teacber, lawyei-, explorer,
Soldier, diplomat, statesiiDiu .
Bom, October 9tli, 1782.
Died, June 17th, ISCC.
Appointed by President Tboniiis JefEerson
U. S. Mnrshal for the District of Ohio, 1807-1811.
Brigadier-General, 1813.
Governor of Michigan Territoi-j*. 1813-1831.
Secretary of War in President
Andrew Jackson's Cabinet. 1831-1836.
Minister to France, 1836-1842.
United States Senator from Michigan. 1845-1818; 1S40-1857.
Secretary of State, 1SC7-1860.
He explored the countiy from the Great
Lakes to the Mlsslsslpiil Rlvei' and
jSTegotiated with the Indian tribes jnst
Treaties. His fair and generous treatment
Accorded to the Indians of the Northwest
Secured to the Peninsular State its
Peaceful settlement and continued prosperity.
Erected 1015 by
The Citizens of Sliclilgan
In grateful appreciation of
His distinguished and patriotic services
To his Country and State.
It would be hard to exaggerate the greatness of the task which con-
fronted Cass at the beginning of his long career as governor of Michigan
territory. For at least two years after the close of the War of 1812, Michi-
gan was prostrate from its effects. The French on the River Raisin were
destitute. Near Detroit the settlers were almost as badly off. Cass worked
with untiring vigilance to relieve their distress, calling in the national aid.
Added to his other troubles, the Indians pillaged and murdered where force
was not present to restrain them.
One of his greatest problems was to convert the French settlements,
destitute, defenseless, foreign and slow, into prosperous and progressive
American communities. Their material distress was first attended to. In
1813 Cass secured one thousand five hundred dollars from the government
dbyGoot^lc
5o <;kneki-:e county, michican.
to distribute among them, which he spent mainly in flour for the River
Raisin settlers. But he saw clearly the need of American enterprise and
skill to mix with these colonists, from which they might learn something
of that providence and energy needed to push back the frontier which
hemmed the French in to the river banks. To attract Eastern settlers, lands
must be surveyed and offered for sale on easy terms ; and here he was ham-
pered by no small difficulty.
In 1812 Congress had provided that two million acres of government
lands should be surveyed in Michigan, to be set apart as bounty lands for
the soldiers of the war. On an alleged examination, the surveyors reported
that there were scarcely any lands in Michigan fit for cultivation. Accord-
ing to the official report of Juhvard Tiffin, surveyor-general for the North-
west :
"The country on the Indiana boundary line from the mouth of the
Great Auglaize river, and running thence north for about fifty miles, is
(with some few exceptions) low, wet land, with a very thick growth of
underbrush, intermixed with very bad marshes, but generally very heavily
tim1}ered with beech, cottonwood, oak, etc.; thence contimiing north, and
extending from the Indian boundary eastward, the number and extent of
the swamps increases, with the addition of numbers of lakes, from twenty
chains to two and three miles across.
"Many of the lakes have extensive margins, sometimes thickly covered
with a species of pine called 'Tamarack,' and in other places covered with a
coarse, high grass, and uniformly covered from six inches to three feet (and
more at times) with water. The margins of these lakes are not the only
places where swamps are found, for they are interspersed throughout the
whole country, and filled with water, as above stated, and varying in extent.
"The intermediate space between these swamps and lakes— which is
probably near one-half of the country— is, with very few exceptions, a poor,
barren, sandy land, on which .scarcely any vegetation grows, except very
small, scrubby oaks.
"In many places that part which may be called dry land is composed of
little, short sand-hills, forming a kind of deep basin, the bottoms of many
of which are composed of marsh similar to the above described. The streams
are generally narrow and very deep compared with their width, the shores
and bottoms of which are (with very few exceptions) swampy beyond
description; and it is with the utmost difficulty that a place can be found
over which horses can be conveyed in safety.
"A circumstance peculiar to that country is exhibited in many of the
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 59
marshes, by their being' thinly covered with a sward of grass, by walking
on which evinces the existence of water, or a very thin mud, immediately
under their covering, which sinks from six to eighteen inches under the
pressure of the foot at every step, and at the same time rises Ijefore and
behind the person passing over it. The margins of many of the lakes and
streams are in a similar condition and in many places are literally afloat.
On approaching the eastern part of the military lands, towards the private
claims on the straits and lake, the -country does not contain so many swamps
and lakes, but the extreme sterility and barrenness of the soil continue the
same.
"Taking the country altogether, so far as has l>een explored, and to all
appearances, together with information received concerning the balance, it
is so bad there would not be more than one acre out of a hundred, if there
would be one out of a thousand, that would in any case admit of cultiva-
tion,"
Of course Congress had no reason to believe that the conditions were
other than as reported. In i8i6.a new law was passed, which provided
for locating the two million acres of bounty lands partly in Illinois and
partly in Missouri, This, apparently, was an official condemnation of Michi-
gan lands by the national government, an action which became widely
known in the East, through the newspapers. The common belief grew up
that the interior of ^Michigan was a vast swamp that might well be aban-
doned to fur-bearing animals and the trappers and hunters. School geo-
graphies based on Tiffin's report contained maps of Michigan with "Inter-
minable swamps" printed across the interior of Michigan territory. The
effect was to deter many from seeking homes in Michigan who under a
more fai'orable report would have filled up the country rapidly. Instead of
Michigan, the rival state of Illinois and the lands south of Michigan re-
ceived the first great immigrations from the Eastern states.
Besides this gross ignorance of Michigan lands in the East, due to
misrepresentations, Cass had to contend with the natural distrust and dread
of the Indians, who had so lately been allies of the British, and stories of
whose horrible atrocities, with no lack of fanciful coloring, had reached
Eastern ears. Not only was the presence of the Indians a deterrent to
immigration and disquieting to the settlers, but they still held title to most
of the Michigan lands. To deal with this problem, C*iss was made superin-
tendent of Indian affairs for the Northwest, and gave early attention to
extinguishing the Indian titles, as a first step to the removal of the Indians
from the Great Lakes region. A grand council of the Chippewas and Otta-
dbyGoot^lc
60 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
was was held in 1819 at the site of Saginaw, where a treaty was signed, by
which one hundred and fourteen chiefs and principal sachems ceded to the
United States a tract of country estimated to include about six million
acres. According to the words of the treaty, the boundaries were as fol-
lows:
"Beginning' at a point in the present Indian boundary line (identical
with the principal meridian of Michigan), which runs due north from the
mouth of the Great Auglaize river, six miles south of the place where the
base line, so-called, intersects the same; thence west sixty miles; thence in a
direct line to the head of Thunder Bay river; thence down the same, follow-
ing the course thereof, to the mouth, thence northeast to the boundar}^ line
between the United States and the British province of Upper Canada; thence
with the same to the line established by the treaty of Detroit, in the year
1807; and thence with the said line to the place of beginning."
This treaty is Imown as the Treaty of Saginaw. In 1821 Governor
Cass and Hon. Solomon Sibley, who was associated with him as United
States Indian commissioner, concluded a treaty with the Ojibways, Ottawas
and Pottawatomies on the site'of Chicago, which has since been known as
the Treaty of Chicago. The boundaries of the lands ceded by this treaty
included between seven and eight thousand square miles in southwestern
Michigan.
The year before a cession of land was secured at Sault Ste. Marie.
Cass was on his way to explore the northern and western portions of the
territory, and with him \\as a considerable party, including Henry R. School-
craft, as geoiogist. He had determined to inquire into the condition of the
Indians; to explain to them that their visits to the British in Canada for
presents must be discontinued, and, among other things, to investigate the
copper region and make himself familiar with the facts concerning the fur
trade. An incident occurred in the council at the Sault that was thoroughly
characteristic of the personal coolness and courage of Governor Cass in his
dealings with the Indians. In a disagreement that arose, the Indians be-
came threatening. At the close of an animated discussion, one of the chiefs,
a brigadier in the British service, drew his war lance and struck it furiously
in the ground. He kicked away the American presents and in that spirit
the council was dispersed. In a few moments the British flag was flying
over the Indian camp. Cass at once ordered his men under arms. Pro-
ceeding to the lodge of the chief who had raised the flag, he took it down,
telling him that no such insult could be permitted on American soil. He
said he was the Indians' friend, but that the flag was a symbol of national
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSJCE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 6l
power, and that only the American flag could float above the soil of his and
their country. If they attempted to raise any other "the United States
would set a strong foot upon their necks and crush them to the earth."
The boldness of the governor had the intended effect; soon after this, a
treaty of cession was peaceably concluded. The expedition continued along
the south shore of Lake Superior, whence they crossed southward to the
Mississippi river and thence up the \Visconsin to Green bay. The return
to Detroit was made by way of Chicago and the Indian trail through south-
ern Michigan, thus giving to men dose to the national government a first-
hand knowledge of the country misrepresented by the early surveyors.
Cass now pushed forward the new surveys, which he had already in-
duced the government to undertake as early as 1816. By 1818 they had
progressed so far that a land office was established at Detroit and sales were
begun. In 1820 the best of Michigan's lands then on sale could be bought
for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and the way was open for any
prudent and industrious man to make a moderate home for his family.
Immigration gradually scattered settlers through the Michigan forests. The
plow began the task of achieving the victories of peace. The settlers found,
instead of "innumerable swamps,'' a fertile, dry and undulating soil, clothed
with richest verdure, crossed by clear and rapid streams and studded with
lakes abounding with fish. In the clearings of the forest, the cosy log hut
of the pioneer soon curled its smoke to the heavens from the banks of lake
and stream, where children played and men and women toiled, and rested
after toil; and among the stumps and felled trunks of the trees, little patches
of new wheat basked in the sun like green islands amid the vast and magni-
ficent ocean of wilderness.
STEAM TH.\NSrOUT.\TION ON LAND AND WATP:R.
Immigration to .Michigan was much helped at this time by the beginning
of steam transportation on the Great Lakes. The da\' of the steamboat was
dawning. In the same year with the first land sales at Detroit, "Walk-in-
the- Water," named after a Wyandot chief, made her first appearance (1S18)
and was hailed as the harbinger of a new era. In 1819 she made a trip to
Mackinac Island, a voyage if not so famous as that of the "Griffin" more
than a hundred years before, was yet one looked upon generally with much
curio.sity, and associated in the Eastern newspapers with reference to the
"Argosy'' and the search for the golden fleece. She ran with some regular-
it\' between Buffalo and Detroit, until she went ashore in a storm on Lake
dbyGoot^lc
62 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Erie in 1821. A number of boats quickly succeeded her, and by the end of
the territorial period a thousand passengers daily were landing from lake
steamers at the port of Detroit,
Contributory to the strength of this immigration to Michigan was the
Erie canal. In 1825 this great "ditch" opened an all-water route from the
Great I..akes to the Atlantic seaboard. Combined with the steamboats on the
lakes the canal gave cheap and easy transportation for settlers and their
merchandise from the great commercial metropolis of the Union to the doors
of the new territory.
This fresh impetus to immigration made a demand for roads to the
interior. At the close of the War of 1812 there were no good roads any-
where in the territory. While the war had taught the need of roads to
connect Detroit with the Ohio valley and with Chicago, it was now seen
that immigration would also be greatly helped by a road around the west
end of Lake Erie, Cass appealed to the general government for aid and
his call was liberally responded to. Congress provided for the construction
of a road from Detroit to Chicago to Fort Gratiot, and to Saginaw bay. A
road was also projected from Detroit to the mouth of Grand river. Before
the close of the territorial period, these roads were well advanced.
With better roads, a bountiful soil and an increasing poixilation, little
centers of interior settlement began to crystalize. Villages sprang up at
Pontiac, Romeo, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Tecumseh, Adrian, Jackson, Battle
Creek, Kalamazoo, White Pigeon, St. Joseph, Grand Rapids, Flint and
Saginaw. All of these settlements were on important roads and rivers of
Michigan.
In 1S30 the population of Michigan was 31,6,^0. In the four years
following it had more than doubled, reaching 87,273. From then to the
end of the decade it went forward by leaps and bounds, mounting in 1840
to 212,267. The prime secret of this great immigration was the improved
means of transportation. In the words of one historian:
"Michigan as well as the other Western states owe in fact their unex-
ampled growth more to mechanical philosophy acting on interna! improve-
ment, than to any other cause. What stupendous consequences does Ameri-
can mechanical philosophy, the characterizing feature of the present age,
exhibit throughout the country? The railroad, the canal, the steamboat, the
thousand modes and powers by which machinery is proijelled, how vastly
has it augmented the sum of human strength and human happiness. What
glorious prospects does it open before us ? It has bound together the wealth
of the north and the south, the east and the west, the ocean and the lakes.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 63
as a sheaf uf wheat; and urged forward the progress of improvement in
mighty strides. Pouring its milhons into the wilderness, it has sent forth,
not serfs, but hardy, practical, enterprising men, the founders of empires,
who have finished the work of erecting states hefore the wolf and the
panther have fled from their dens. Bestriding the lakes and the streams
which discharge their waters through the Mississippi, it has studded them
with hundreds of floating palaces, to conquer winds, waves and tides. In a
single day it lives almost a century. More powerful than Xerxes when he
threw manacles into the Hellespont, it has claimed the current of rivers by
the dam, the millrace and the water wheel, and made them its slave. It has
almost nullified S]>ace, by enabling us to rush across its surface like the
wind, and prolonged time, by the speed with which we can accomplish our
ends. It can do the work of innumerable armies and navies in war and in
peace. It has constructed railroads across the mountains and, in the sublime
language of another, 'the backs of the AUeghanies have bowed down like
camels'."
Under the administration of Governor Cass, a steady advance was
made in local and territorial self-government. Cass was a democrat, in
the broadest sense of the word, iDelieving thoroughly in the rule of the peo-
ple, by the people and for the people. Even at the exi>ense of curtailing his
own powers, he consistently advocated a larger measure of government by
the people. Population had so increased by 1S19 that Michigan was allowed
a delegate in Congress. William Woodbridge, the first delegate, was suc-
ceeded by Solomon Sibley and he. in turn, by the beloved Father Richard.
Under the influence of Cass, Michigan advanced a step in popular govern-
ment by the transfer of legislative power from the governor and judges
to the governor and a council of nine, to be selected from eighteen chosen
by the people. In 1827 the people were given exclusive power to choose the
councilmen.
Governor Cass was a firm Miever in jiopular education. "Of all pur-
poses," he declared, "to which a revenue derived from the people can be
applied under a government emanating from the people, there is none more
interesting in itself, nor more important in its effects, than the maintenance
of a public and general course of moral and mental discipline. Many repub-
lics have preceded us in the progress of human society; but they have dis-
appeared, leaving liehind them little besides the history of their follies and
dissensions to serve as a warning to their successors in the career of self-
government. Unless the foundation of such governments is laid in the
virtue and intelligence of the community, they must be swept away by the
dbyGoot^lc
64 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
first commotion to which poJitical circumstances may give birth. Whenever
education is dilYused among the people generally, they will appreciate the
value of free institutions; and as they have the power, so must they have
the will to maintain them. It appears to me that a plan may be devised
which will not press too heavily upon the means of the country, and which
will insure a competent portion of education to all youth in the territory."
These views seem commonplace enough today, hut at the time they were
uttered, they M'ere on the frontier of educational thinking. Under his
influence legi.'^lation was secured to enforce these practical propositions.
One of Cass's strongest supporters in educating the people was Father
Richard, who, in 1809, brought to Michigan from Baltimore the first print-
ing press used west of the AUeghanies. One of the first things published
was the "Cass Code," as it was popularly called, a sort of abstract of the laws
then in force in the territory. In 1817 was founded the Detroit Gazette,
and the day of the newspaper in Michigan had dawned. Other papers fol-
lowed, in Ann Arbor, Monroe and Pontiac.
Throughout his administration Governor Cass sought by every means
in his power to strengthen the foundation of Michigan's prosperity. He
found it weak from the throes of war and left it strong. His was a solid
and discriminating judgment, of which the young commonwealth stood most
in need. Discreet, sagacious, prudent, politic, he sought always the good of
Michigan. A soldier, educator and statesman, he gave freely the best that
was in him. A contemporary has said, "It can he affirmed safely that the
present prosperity of Michigan is now more indebted to Governor Cass than
to any other man, living or dead." The verdict of the passing years is re-
flected in the language of judge Cooley, in his "Michigan," in which he
says, "Permanent American settlement may be said to have begun with him,
and it was a great and lasting boon to Michigan when it was given a gov-
ernor at once so able, so patriotic, so attentive to his duties, and so worthy
in his public and private life of respect and esteem."
A PERIOD OF RAPID GROWTH.
The six remaining years of the territorial period, after Cass's entrance
into Jackson's cabinet, were years of unprecedented growth in Michigan's
population and general development. In 1832 the question of statehood
began to be agitated, but untoward events drew away attention for the
moment. The western Indians had risen under Black Hawk, and spread
terror even into Michigan. The same year an epidemic of Asiatic cholera
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 65
broke out, the ravages of which were so severe as nearly to paralyze all
activities. A second attack occurred in 1834, which carried away Governor
Porter, the successor of Cass. Meanwhile a negro riot in Detroit, due to
an attempt to return two fugitive slaves to their Southern masters, broke
out in 183,3 'infl threatened to assume alarming proportions.
In 1835, with the tremendous impulse given to immigration by the re-
newed interest in Michigan lands, a decisive step in advance was taken. The
territorial census of the preceding year showed a population of 87,278,
nearly thirty thousand more people than were required under the Ordinance
of 1787 for admission to the Union. In April of that year members to a
constitutional convention were elected, who, in May, met at Detroit and
adopted a constitution, which was approved by the people at an election in
October.
THE "TOLEDO WAR."
The people conceived tJiat they had a right, under the Ordinance of
1787, to have the southern boundary of Michigan fixed at a line drawn due
east from the southernmost bend of Lake Michigan. This right was dis-
puted by Ohio, which had Ijeen a state since 1803. Indiana and Illinois were
also interested adversely to Michigan's claim, since this would cut off a
northern strip of territory which they had come to look upon as belonging
to them. Toledo was the real object of the controversy which ensued, and
it is often therefore called the "Toledo War." Toledo, then as now an im-
portant post on Lake Erie, was in the disputed strip of land claimed by
Ohio and Michigan. The dispute grew so bitter that both Governor Lucas,
of Ohio, and Acting-Governor Stevens T. Mason, of Michigan, called out
the militia on each side to enforce the respective claims. The question had
also a i>ractical national aspect. Tlie President, Andrew Jackson, who saw
on one side Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, with votes in the electoral college,
and a Territory with no vote at all on the other, was between duty and a
strong temptation. As John Quincy Adams said, "Never in the course of
my life have I known a controversy of which all the right was so clearly on
one side, and all the power so overwhelmingly on the other; never a case
where the temptation was so intense to take the strongest side, and the duty
of taking the weakest was so thankless."
In October, 1835, the same month in which the state constitution was
adopted, the people of Michigan elected a complete set of officials for the
new state government. Stevens T. Mason was elected governor. Isaac E.
(5)
dbyGoc^lc
66 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Crary was elected to Congress. The Legislature met and elected Lucius
Lyon and John Norvell United States senators. Michigan now had two
governments. The territorial government was recognized by the President
and Congress: the state government was recogriized by the people of Michi-
gan. Ultimately, Michigan's view prevailed, except in relation to the south-
ern boundary. The President and Congress would not yield on that point.
The people of Michigan did not, in fact, yield, until they were com-
mitted by a convention falsely purporting to represent them. This convention,
which met at Ann Arbor, December 6, 1836, accepted the proposition of
Congress that Michigan should lie admitted to the Union if it would relin-
quish all claim to the disputed strip of land on the south, and accept instead
certain lands bordering on Lake Superior — lands now known as the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan. Michigan technically became a state in the Union
on January 26, 1837. It is very significant, however, that the constitution
adopted in 1835 was tacitly accepted by Congress without a change, and
without being re-adopted ; that the officers then chosen continued in office
without re-election and th.it the representative elected to Congress was seated
without re-election.
DETKOIT IN 1837.
At the time Michigan was admitted to the Union, conditions of life in
the new state were still very primitive. The French-Canadians were still
an appreciable element in the population. French farms still clustered about
the mouths of the rivers and along the shore north and south of Detroit.
One of the strongest centers was still Detroit. "Detroit in this year 1S37,"
says Cooley, "had become a considerable town, having now perhaps eight
thousand people. Old wind-mills, upon which the people formerly relied for
the grinding of cereals, were coming now to be disused, though some were
still standing. The noble river in front of the town offered, at all seasons
of the year, many inducements to sports and festivities, of which all classes
of the people were eager to avail themselves. In the winter, when frozen
over, it became the principal highway and was gay with the swift-going
vehicles. A narrow box upon runners, wide apart, made the common sleigh,
and the ponies, sometimes driven tandem, seemed to enter into the spirit of
racing almost as much as their masters. When there was no snow, the little
cart was the common vehicle of land carriage for all classes of the people;
ladies went in it to church and to parties, and made fashionable calls, being
seated on a buffalo robe spread on the bottom, and they were backed up to
the door at which they wished to alight and stepped upon the threshold from
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 6/
it. Now and then there was a family which had a caleche, a single carriage
with the body hung upon heavy leathern straps, with a small, low seat in
front for the driver, and with a folding top to be raised in sun or rain.
But the cart was a convenience which all classes could enjoy and appreciate,
and it was especially adapted to a town like Detroit, which was built upon a
clay bank and had as yet neither sidewalk nor pavement.
"Many Scotch, with a fondness for making money, were among the
business men of Detroit, and they had a shrewd knack at doing so. There
were also some Irish and some English, but the major part of the people
who were not French were of American birth. Among those were. now
being established — what in fact had existed before, though not in much
strength — societies for literary culture and enjoyment. One of them was
the Detroit Young Men's Society, which for twenty years was to be an im-
portant institution in the town and the training school of governors, sena-
tors and judges. At the barracks, though there was none now, there would
shortly be a small military force to preserve peace on the frontier, and the
officers and their famiHes would constitute an important and valuable addi-
tion to the society of the place at all times."
Such was Detroit when Michigan was admitted to the Union. These
conditions throw some light upon what may be expected for other parts of
the new state. Outside of Detroit, the largest centers of population were
Monroe, Ann Arlior, Marshall, Tecumseh, Pontiac and Adrian, all in the
eastern part of the state and all mere villages of very primitive life. Most
of the people were small farmers, of New England descent, but immediately
from New York and Ohio. Life was hard. Rude cabins, hard labor and
chills and fever were the common lot of all. Of meats, salt pork was the
staple, but all had wheat or corn bread and potatoes. Wild fruits and wild
game were abundant and wild honey and maple sugar were much prized.
Clothing was made of coarse home-made cloth. One of the great incon-
veniences was the lack of mills. Primitive grist-mills and saw-mills began
to make their appearance about this time. The saw-mills contributed to the
clearing of the forests and to better homes. Framed houses gradually super-
seded the log cabins. Among the people the domestic virtues were strong,
and churches and schools were among the first institutions. The churches
were of all denominations. In southeastern Michigan there were many
Quakers, a sober, industrious, steady and thrifty people. Of this sect was
one of Michigan's first poets, Elizabeth Margaret Chandler, whose anti-
slavery poems were once widely read. Of lawyers, Michigan had its full
share, and doctors were plentiful, who rode the country on horseback, with
dbyGoot^lc
DO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
medicines in saddle bags. Roads were few and postal facilities were meager.
The railroad was gaining groimd. The pioneers were not without their
amusements, thongh the sports and pastimes were crude enough. Among
these, the hunt, the husking-bee, the raising-bee, sleighing parties, dancing
and the spelling-bee held first place. On the whole, the pioneers of this
period, while suffering many privations, were contented, happy and free
from many of the ills that a more advanced civilization has brought to the
people of our own day.
AN ERA OF SPECULATION.
Up to the summer of 1837 prosperity in Michigan, considering pioneer
conditions, was quite general. The recent immigrations were unparalleled
in the history of the West. Michigan was the land of promise. All were
producers. The newly elected Legislature reflected the new impulse. From
1835 to 1837, fifty-seven new townships were provided for and sixty-six
state roads ; eleven railroads and nine banks were chartered. Speculation was
rife. To the imagination, nothing seemed impossible. The wildest schemes
found ready backers. Land was bought in great quantities, at inflated
prices, without even being seen. Fortunes were expected to be made by
rise in prices. Everybody seemed about to grow rich.
A most interesting phase of this mania was the condition of the cur-
rency. The first bank established in Michigan, at Detroit in 1806, had not
been successful. Various devices for currency were subsequently resorted
to. In 1817 another Detroit bank was founded; fifteen banks were in exist-
ence within the limits of the state when Michigan was formally admitted
to the Union. A disastrous step was taken when, on March 15, 1837, the
Legislature passed a general banking law, by which any association of per-
sons might by voluntary action assume banking powers. This law was a
response to the popular cry against "special privileges," enjoyed apparently
by a few corporations who desired a monopoly of this profitable line of
business. It was supposed that proper safeguards were made, in the various
provisions in the law, protecting the public. Along in the spring, it happened
that owing to financial pressure, business houses in leading Eastern cities
failed, which, starting a panic, resulted in a run upon the banks of New
York. Banks began to fail in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Balti-
more. To add to the embarrassment in Michigan, the same legislature
which had authorized the general banking law, had authorized Governor
Mason to borrow five millions of dolkirs for the building of railroads, canals
dbyGoot^lc
r.ENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 69
and other improvements. The Legislature now authorized Michigan banks
to susijend specie payments, with the general banking law still in force;
which, of course, left to the people authority to organize banks and issue
bills while in a state of suspension. As a result, the state was soon flooded
with an irredeemable currency. Issues were secured on wild land at values
limited only by the consciences of the owners, and on city lots which sur-
veyors afterwards located well out in Lake Michigan. Banks were located
with a special design not to be found. In 1838 the bank commissioners
reported: "The singular spectacle was presented of the officers of the state
seeking for banks in situations the most inaccessible and remote from trade,
and finding at even,^ step an increase of labor by the discovery of new and
unknown organizations. Before they could be arrested, the mischief was
done ; large issues were in circulation and no adequate remedy for the evil."
It was said that every village plat, if it had a hollow stump to serve as a
vault, was the site of a bank. The bank inspectors were deceived in many
ways. It is said that in some cases what appeared to the inspectors to be
kegs of specie were in reality kegs of nails, with a few coins on top. Adja-
cent banks kept each other informed of the movements of the inspectors; as
soon as the inspectors got through at one place, the specie inspected would
be sent on by special messenger to the next bank, to be there again inspected.
New banks were formed faster than the inspectors could close up the "rotten"
ones. When a bank failed it was, of course, the lalx>rers and the small
farmers who suffered mo.st, for they had no means of keeping informed as
to what banks were unsound, nor of getting nd of doubtful bills. By 1840
only about a half dozen of this brood of "wild cat" banks were still con-
sidered sound. The paper of the others was, of course, absolutely worth-
less. It is reported of one of the Campaus at Grand Rapids, that in grim
irony he papered the walls of his room with them, saying, "If you will not
circulate, you shall stay still." Land was a drug on the market. Distrust
in business was universal. This situation was not peculiar to Michigan,
TDther states had similar experiences and it was natural that these results
should be followed by a [xilitical revolution; the Whigs swept into power,
making William Henry Harrison, President of the United States, and Will-
iam Woodbridge, governor of Michigan.
INTEKNAI. IMPROVEMENTS.
During the period of rapid growth under the great immigration of
1835-37, Michigan had undertaken a great system of public improvements.
dbyGoot^lc
70 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
especially in roads and canals. So impressed were the people with the ap-
parent magic of the Erie canal upon the growth of New York, that in the
constitution of 1835 it was provided, that "Internal improvements shall he
encouraged by the government of this state: and it shall be the duty of the
Legislature as soon as may be. to make provision by law for ascertaining
the proper objects of improvements, in relation to roads, canals and navig-
able waters; and it shall also be their duty to provide by law for an equal,
systematic and economical application of the funds which may be appro-
priated to these objects."
Governor Mason acted promptly upon this mandate from the people,
recommending to the Legislature an extensive prograin of roads, railroads
and canals. The Legislature as promptly responded, authorizing the gov-
ernor to borrow on the state's credit five million dollars to carry out the
proper improvements. Three lines of railroads were to be built; one from
Detroit to the mouth of the St. Joseph river; one from Monroe to New
Buffalo, and one from the mouth of the Black river to the navigable waters
of the Grand river. A canal was to be built from Mt. Clemens to the mouth
of the Kalamazoo river, and another around the falls of the St. Mary's river.
By facts and figures it was demonstrated that the railroad from Detroit to
the mouth of the St. Joseph must pay thirty per cent annually upon the cost.
In vain. Governor Mason cjuestioned whether the sum the state had under-
taken to borrow would build the works undertaken; in vain, he suggested
leaving the minor works to individual enterprise. When a state enters upon
a system of pubHc improvements, sections and locaUties will not submit to
waive their claims, in favor even of the general welfare, as opposed to their
local advantage.
In 1839 there began a series of misfortunes which were to lead ulti-
mately to the total abandonment of the internal improvement scheme. The
two banks which had possession of all the state bonds for the five-million-
dollar loan — the Morris Canal and Banking Company and the Pennsylvania
United States Bank, which had hypothecated the major portion of the bonds
for their own debts — had failed. About one-half the face value of the loan
had been received by the state, but the whole amount of the bonds was in
the hands of parties who would insist on having full payment. Should the
state refuse to pay, it would be stamped in the money market with the dis-
grace of repudiation, to which the people of Michigan would be extremely
sensitive. The general bank crash of the time added to the startling condi-
tion. Work on the state railroads was dragged along with the greatest diffi-
culty. . Ordinary state expenses could be met only by borrowing. To raise
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. y\
the money by taxes would have been intolerable to a people already in dire
distress. Happily, the state was able to reach an agreement with the bond-
holders. In the end all the l>onds were retired, and the state's good name
was saved.
It finally began to dawn n[X)n the comprehension of even the dullest,
that most of the projects which the state had undertaken were wild and
chimerical. The Central and Southern railroads were an exception ; these
were now well under way. But the idea began to mature that the building
and managing of railroads is essentially a private business. The Legislature
invited proposals from state creditors for the purchase of the railroads. In
1846. both these roads, so far as then built, were sold to corporations chart-
ered for the purpose of purchasing. Under the new management they went
rapidly forward to completion, soon becoming great national highways, quite
as useful to Michigan as it ever was dreamed they could be. In the con-
stitution of 1850 the people of the state expressly prohibited the state "to
subscribe to or be interested in the stock o£ any company, association, or
corporation," or "to be a party to or interested in any work of internal
improvement, nor engaged in carrying on any such work, except in the
expenditure of grants to the state of land or other property."
In 1841, with John S. Barry as govenior, the Democratic party came
back to power in Michigan. Governor Woodbridge had been elected to the
United States Senate. Barry was the man for the times — a man of hard
sense, ecoliomy and frugality; a man of experience in public life, scrupulously
honest there as in his business as a merchant. The story is told that he
mowed the state-house yard, sold the grass and put the money in the state
treasury. The farmers of Michigan gave him two terms in succession, and
elected him again in 1850; between his second and third terms came Alpheus
Felch, William L, Greenley and Epaphroditus Ransom.
During the term of Governor Ransom the state capital was removed
from Detroit to Lansing, a more central place for the rapidly growing state.
In the same year, 1847, came two notable immigrations. The first was that
of a group of Hollanders, to western Michigan, who, under their leader,
Re\'. Van Raalte of the Dutch Reformed church, founded the city of Hol-
land, and, later, Hope College. This was the vanguard of a large influx of
Hollanders to this .section, which has built on a permanent foundation the
interests of Grand Rapids and the neighboring country. Quite different
was the other immigration, that of James Jesse Strang and his followers, to
Beaver Island, in northern Lake Michigan. Strang had been a Alormon
elder at Nauvoo, Illinois, and, upon the death of Joseph Smith, claimed to
dbyGoot^lc
72 GENKSEE COUNTY^ MICHIGAN.
have been divinely sanctioned as his successor. He was defeated, however,
by Brigham Young', who drove him away. First, he went to Wisconsin;
but presently he removed to Beaver Island, where he founded a kingdom
whose capital he named after himself, St. James. Here he made laws, enforced
them, and gained a considerable following. Not the least of his achieve-
ments was getting himself elected to the state I-egislature, for two successive
terms, where he is said to have performed his dudes ably and to have won
many friends. But his introduction of polygamy into his colony at Beaver
island led to his assassination; shortly after his death, the colony dispersed.
The experience of the people during the fifteen years since 1835 had
revealed many defects in the first state constitution. In 1850 a new con-
stitution was adopted ; among other provisions, the governor's power of
appointment was restricted, and restrictions were imposed upon the legis-
lative power of the state Legislature, esi>ecially in relation to finances. In
general, it favored greater liberty, more privileges to individuals and less
to the governing bodies.
A NEW REGIME.
With the exception of the brief Whig ascendency under Governor
Woodbridge, the state was continuously under control of Democratic
power until 1854. In that year, at Jackson, was formed the first state
organization of the Republican party in the United States, which elected as
governor of Michigan, Kinsley S. Bingham, re-elected him in 1856, and
maintained an ascendency unbroken for twenty-eight years. In i860 the
Republicans elected as grwernor, Austin Blair, the "war governor," whose
statue stands today in front of the capital in Lansing, a witness to the love
and respect of the people.
During the quarter of a century of statehood prior to the Civil War,
Michigan made substantia! advance in education. The schools at the time
Michigan became a state were very primitive. There were no professional
teachers. The best to be had were promising sons, or daughters, who took
what the people could afford, "boarded around," and kept the children busy
with the "three R's" in a log shanty. Of school conveniences as we know
them, there were few or none. Two names stand out at the beginning of
the new regime of statehood destined to be long remembered in the edu-
cational history of Michigan: Isaac E.' Crary and John D. Pierce. The
former was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835; the latter
was the first superintendent of public instruction under the new constitution.
These men were neighbors, in Marshall, and had often discussed together
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 73
the subject of state education. Pierce was a graduate of Brown, who, in
1S31, bad been sent out to the West by the Cong;regationalists as a home
missionary. Through Crary, who had great influence with Governor Mason,
he now became superintendent of pubhc instruction, to whose charge was
given the whole subject of state education and the management of a million
acres of land transferred by Congress to the state as trustee of the sixteenth
section in every township in Michigan. In response to a request from the
Legislature, Pierce reported a system of common school and university edu-
cation which in its essential features forms the foundation of the educational
system in operation in Michigan today.
CIVIL WAR DAYS.
In i860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States,
by the Republican party, on a platform hostile to slavery. Some Southern
states thereupon announced that, rather than submit to this, they would
secede from the Union. They called popular conventions, formally adopted
ordinances of secession, and formed among themselves the Confederate
States of America. The Northern states held that these states were stili in
the Union, since, by assent to the Constitution, all the states had made an
indissohtble bond. Certain border states sympathized with the South as to
slavery and secession, but they would not go so far as to join them in main-
taining a new republic by force. The border states tried to be peacemakers,
and proposed compromises. One of these is known as the Crittenden Com-
promise, proposed by Senator Crittenden of Kentucky. It satisfied neither
side, and a similar fate met all the compromises proposed, even those of the
peace conference called in 1861. Michigan refused to take part in this con-
ference. It seemed to her that no conference could be called a peace con-
ference worthy the dignity of the state, when held under a threat of war,
unless the North should surrender principles upon which Abraham Lincoln
had been elected. Nor did Michigan sympathize with President Buchanan's
view, that the federal government could not constitutionally use force to
keep the states in the Union.
Governor Austin Blair took a strong stand upon the platform of an
indestructible Union, "Safety lies in this path alone," he said. "The Union
must be preserved, and the Iflws must be enforced in all parts of it, at what-
ever cost. Secession is revolution, and revolution in the overt act is treason,
and must be treated as such." Michigan was at i>eace without a peace con-
ference. Hostile action bv the Southern states would be in the nature of
dbyGoot^lc
74 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
insurrection and, if need be, tlie aniiy of die federal government must be
called upon to suppress insurrection. In case the regular army could not do
it, the state militia must be called out.
This sentiment was echoed by Senator Chandler, who in 1854 had suc-
ceeded Senator Cass. "The people of Michigan are opposed to ail com-
promises," he said. "They do not l>elieve that any compromise is necessary;
nor do I. They are prepared to stand by the Constitution of the United
States as it is; to stand by the government as it is; to stand by it to blood if
necessary,"
War was inevitable. On April 12. 1861, Fort Sumter, in Charleston
harbor, was attacked, and a few days later surrendered. Michigan was
roused as one man. From the University of Michigan to the humblest red
school house, students listened to professors and teachers on the great issue
of preservingthe Union. Si)eakers in every center of population from city
to hamlet spoke to thoughtful and earnest audiences of people on the duty
of every citizen to rise to the defense of the Union, even to his last drop
of blood, if necessary. In Detroit the citizens listened to the now aged
General Cass, who affirmed : "It is the duty of all zealously to support the
government in its efforts to bring this unhappy civil war to a speedy and
satisfactory conclusion, by the restoration in its integrity of that great charter
of freedom beciueathed to us by Washington and his compatriots."
When the call to arms came from President Lincoln, Michigan was
among the first to send I'olunteers to seal the Union with their blood. Dur-
ing the great struggle that followed, Michigan put into the field nearly a
hundred thousand men. When the war was over, no state in the Union had
greater cause to rejoice over the record made by her sons, many thousands
of whom were left in sokliers' graves on Southern battlefields.
ZACn.\KI\H CHANDLER.
rjuring the war, and in the year immediately preceding, Michigan had
in the Senate of the United States a man who, of all her sons, can alone
dispute rank with Lewis Cass as the greatest figure in her political history —
Zachariah Chandler. Chandler was fortunate in the time of his advent on
the poHtical stage, succee<!ing Cass in 1857, when large ouestions were before
Congress and the American i>eopie. Where Cass had been conservative.
Chandler was the most radical of radicals; he was an anti-slavery nian, with
the courage of his convictions.
Zachariah Chandler was born in Bedford, New Hampshire, December
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 75
10, 1813. He was educated for business and in early life taught school.
In 1833 he caught the "Michigan fever," emigrated to the new territory
and settled in Detroit, where, under the name of Moore & Chandler, he and
his hrother-in-iaw opened a general store on Jefferson avenue near Randolph
street. Chandler showed his husiness acumen in jpving all the speculative
schemes of this period a wide berth, and hence was in a way to become rela-
tively prosperous notwithstanding the genera! financial crash of 1837. He
was also public-spirited and when, after 1850, he began to give considerable
thought to political matters, his wide acquaintance throughout the state due
to numerous business trips which had brought him into personal contact with
men in every locality prominent and influential in business and public con-
cerns, he was equipped to turn his great talents to the public service. In
1850 he was elected a deleg'iite to the Whig state convention. In 1851 he
was elected by the Whigs mayor of Detroit, as against John*R. Williams,
who had held the office for six years and was one of Detroit's most con-
spicuous and popular citizens. Three years later the Republican party was
organized "under the oaks" at Jackson and developed strength enough to
elect its candidate for governor. In the Republican campaign of 1856 Mr.
Chandler gave full rein to all his wonderful energy. Michigan Republicans
gained an overwhelming victory. Fremont, the Republican candidate, car-
ried Michigan by nearly twenty thousand majority. The Republican state
ticket was elected, and the Legislature was Republican by a majority on
joint ballot of seventy-two. It was this Legislature which chose Mr.
Chandler United States senator to succeed Lewis Cass.
The Kansas troubles were in the front when Chandler entered the
Senate, His plan of action was characteristic of the man : he met the threats
of the opposition with open defiance. His first speech struck straight from
the shoulder. He said, "The old women of the North who have been in the
habit of crying out, 'the Union is in danger !' have passed off the stage. They
are dead. Their places will never be supplied, but in their stead we have a
race of men who are devoted to this Union and devoted to it as Jefferson
and the fathers who made it and bequeathed it to us. Any aggression has
been submitted to by the race who have gone off the stage. They were ready
to compromise any principle, anything. The men of the present day are a
different race. They will compromise nothing. They are Union-loving
men; they love all portions of the Union; they will sacrifice anything, hut
principle, to save it. They will, however, make no sacrifice of principle.
Never! Never! No more compromises will ever be submitted to save the
Union, If it is worth saving, it will be saved. The only way that we shall
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76 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
save it and make it permanent as the everlasting hills will be by restoring
it to the original foundations upon which the fathers placed it. I trust in
God civil war will never come; but if it should come, upon their heads, and
theirs alone, will rest the responsibility for every drop of blood that may
flow." Of the Dred Scott decision he said: "\\1iat did General Jackson
do when the sjipreme court declared the United States bank constitutional?
Did he bow to it? No! He said he would construe the constitution for
himself. I shall do the same thing. I have sworn to support the consti-
tution of the United States, and I have sworn to support it as the fathers
made it, and not as the supreme court has altered it." Speaking upon the
John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry, he said : "John Brown has been exe-
cuted as a traitor to the state of Virginia, and I want it to go upon the
records of the Senate in the most solemn manner to be held up as a warning
to traitors, itorth, south, east, west. Dare to raise your impious hands
against this government, its constitution and its laws, and you hang. Threats
have been made year after year for the last thirty years, that if certain events
happen this Union will be dissolved. It is no small matter to dissolve this
Union. It means a bloody revolution or it means a halter."
Senator Chandler bore his part nobly in the exciting issues of the war
and reconstruction. Only once, in 1875, when there was a small Republican
majority in the state Senate coincident with recalcitrancy of some members,
was Chandler defeated for re-election to the United States Senate. But he
was timlier too valuable to lie idle; Grant called him into his cabinet as
secretary of the interior, where he served until the end of Grant's term. In
1879, on the resignation oi Isaac P. Christiancy, Chandler's senatorial
opponent in 1875. the Michigan Legislature promptly elected Chandler to fill
the vacancy. In February of that year he took his seat in the Senate, and
a few flays afterward made what was probably the most memorable speech
of his senatorial career— the famous phillippic against the participation of
Jefferson Davis in the benefits of an act pensioning veterans of the Mexican
War. On the evening of the last day of October of that year, after a
powerful campaign speech in Chicago, he had retired late to his room in the
Grand Pacific hotel; the next morning he was foimd dead in his bed, from a
stroke of apoplexy which had cut him off without warning. His body was
laid to rest in Elmwood cemetery, Detroit, amid the grief of a nation.
While Mr. Chandler was in the Senate of the United States, Michigan
had had seven governors, all but one having served two terms. In 1864
Henry H. Crapo, of Genesee county, was elected to succeed Governor Austin
Blair. Mr. Crapo's opponent was William M. Fenton, also of Genesee,
who went to the front as colonel of the Eighth Michigan Infantry and sen.-ed
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 77
with distinction in several campaigns. Despite the fact that Colonel Fcn-
ton's military record and his standing as a citizen were unimpeachable, the
strong party spirit and Republican strength in the state elected Mr. Crapo
by a majority of over seventeen thousand.
GOVERNOR HENRV Tl. CRAPO.
Governor Crapo was born at Dartmouth, near New Bedford, Massa-
cliusetts. May 24, 1804.* His father was of French descent and cultivated
a farm for a livelihood. The land was not very productive and the life
of a farmer at that time and place meant incessant toil and many privations.
The lad was early inured to these. The opportunities for education were
scant. But with an active mind, energy and a determination to learn, he
took advantage of the near-by town of New Bedford to pick up some knowl-
edge of books. There being an opening for a land surveyor, he quickly
made himself familiar with its duties and requirements, and with his own
hands, through the kindness of a neighboring blacksmith, made a compass
and began life off the farm as a surveyor. In 1832 he took up his residence
in New Bedford and followed his occupation as a surveyor and occasionally
acted as auctioneer. He was elected town clerk, treasurer and collector of
taxes, in which positions he served for about fifteen years. When New
Bedford was incoqrarated as a city he was elected an alderman. He was
appointed chairman of the committee on education and as such prepared a
report upon which was based the estahhshment of the free public library of
that city, the hrst of its kind in this country, ante-dating that of Boston by
several years. He was a member of the first board of trustees. While a
resident of New Bedford he became greatly interested in horticulture. He
acquired a quite unpromising piece of land, which he subdued and improved.
Upon this he planted and successfully raised a great variety of fruits, flowers
and shrubbery and ornamental trees. He soon became widely known for
his efforts in horticulture, was a noted exhibitor at fairs and a valued con-
tributor to publications on that subject. The chief business of New Bed-
ford at that period was whaling vessels and the fitting out of vessels with
supplies, and the receipt and marketing of the return cargoes was the lead-
ing industry. It was very profitable. Mr. Crapo became interested in this
enterprise and was part owner of a vessel which bore his name and which
made successful voyages. He was also interested in fire insurance and was
an officer of two companies.
.po is quoted substantially from the excellent work entitled,
dbyGoot^lc
78 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Having invested in pine lands in Michigan, he removed to the state in
1856 and settled at Flint. Here he engaged extensively in the manufacture
and sale of pine lumber. Branch establishments were set up by him at
Holly, Fentonville and Detroit. Engaging in this business with his char-
acteristic energy and slirewdues,'!, it was not long before he was recognized
as one of the most successful lumbermen in a state noted for successful lum-
bermen. He was mainly instrumental in the construction of a railroad
from Flint to Holly, where it connected with the Detroit & Milwaukee.
This road was afterward expanded to the Flint & Pere Marquette and
stretched across the state to the Lake Michigan shore. From this small
nucleus has grown what is now an elalxirate railroad system ^liich gridirons
the state in every direction. He was active in public affairs in his home city,
of which he was elected mayor, after a residence of only a few years. In
1862 he was elected a state senator and proved himself to be a very prac-
tical and useful memljer. In 1866 he was elected to a second term as gov-
ernor. This term expired on the ist of January, 1869. His death fol-
lowed about six months later from a disease which attacked him l>efore
the close of his official hfe and which seriously hampered him for many
months previous.
The inaugural message of Governor Crapo to the Legislature of 1865
is characterized by his hard-headed good "sense. He advocated the prompt
payment of the state debt and the adoption of the permanent policy, "Pay
as you go." This policy led to a close scrutiny of all appropriations and
prevented the incurring of any indebtedness for schemes and enterprises of
doubtful expediency. He urgently advocated measures to Induce immigra-
tion to the state. After calling attention to the vast and varied resources
of Michigan and its ^Xipulation so meager in proportion to its capabihties
for sustaining many times more, he says, "We want settlers. Five-sixths
of our entire territory remains still a wilderness. The vast tracts of wood-
land, however rich and fertile they may be, are of no use to us until cleared
and improved; and nothing but labor can do it. Our rich mines of copper,
iron, coal, gypsum, our springs of salt, our fisheries, and our forests of valu-
able tim'ber, are all calling for men; we want settlers." The I.^gislatiire
heeded his advice and a bill was introduced and favorably reported in the
Senate, creating an immigration commission, providing for the ap]X)intment
of an agent and for the systematic circulation of literature, to be distrilxited
in Europe, inviting the attention of intending emigrants to the advantages of
Michigan. This bill was not acted on at that session, but a few years later
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 79
the subject was taken u|) iiersistently. It appears that other Western states,
notably Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, were already in the field and had
agents in New York and in Europe in their own interests. It is said that
these agents, not content with picturing in glowing colors the advantages of
the states which they represented, sometimes went out of their way to dis-
parage Michigan. It was cliarged that immigrants who were under contract
and whose expenses to this country had been paid by Michigan manufac-
turers, were tampered with on their arrival in New "i^ork by agents of rival
states, and induced by representations of doubtful veracity to violate their
contracts. It was this sharp practice at which one feature of the pro[K>sed
legislation was aimed. Probably it was wi.se to avoid friction with our
neighbors, and in this liew the bill was allowed to die. The governor called
special attention to the natural resources and the situation of the state with
reference to manufactures. With so many and so varied advantages, he
argued that the state should be no longer dependent on Eastern manufac-
turers, but should make its own supply of needful articles and also meet
the demands of the western market. To this end he encouraged all measures
having a tendency to invite capita! and labor in any and all branches of
manufacture.
Another important subject of the time was the disposition of swamp
lands. Tbe general government had given to the state six million acres of
what were described as swamp lands. Not that all, nor really any consider-
able portion, of such lands were actually in swamps. In some localities they
were overflowed at certain seasons; in others, beaver dams had given them
the ai^pearance of swamps, and in almost all cases they could be drained
and sulxlued at small cost, and possessed a very rich alluvial soil. The
question was how to dispose of these lands for the best interests of the
state. In 1859 the Legislature adopted the ixilicy of appropriating such lands
for the building of roads. The purpose of the general government in donat-
ing the lands to the state, as set forth in the act of Congress making the
cession, was to provide for their reclamation by means of levees, drains, etc.
Nominally a road might Ire considered a levee and practically, in many
instances, the building of a road was as good a way as any of reclaiming
the lands and o]Jening them up to settlement. The policy had been pursued
with satisfactory results on the start, but gradually degenerated into the
grabbing of valuable tracts by contractors for the building of roads which
l)egan nowhere and ended nowhere, and for roads begun but never finished,
and by combinations of greedy persons who were robbing the state. The
dbyGoot^lc
8o GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
governor calleil an emphatic halt to the practice and urged the Legislature
to take steps to rescue the remaining acres. The Legislature responded by
passing an act for the appointment of a swamp land commissioner to
examine all roads, inquire into the facts and circumstances of the letting of
contracts, and requiring his aj>|)roval of all unfinished contracts before pay-
ment should be made.
There was considerable popular prejudice against the agricultural col-
lege. Even the farmers themselves, who had decided views on the question
of economy when taxpaying time came around, felt that it was an expensive
luxury which had very little to show as justification for its existence. In
1862 the general government made an appropriation of two hundred and
forty thousand acres of public lands for the maintenance and support of
such an institution, which grant had been accepted by the state. Governor
Crapo, in his message, says regarding the college: "I am aware that in
consequence of the very unfavorable circumstances surrounding this institu-
ti6n during the first tew years of its existence, and which to a very great
extent controlled its operation.^, many of the people of the state, who should
have been deeply interested in its prosperity and success, imbibed strong
prejudices against it, and were even disposed to abandon it altogether." But
the governor counsels suspension of judgment and giving the institution an
opportunity to do justice to itself and its friends. Of a!i classes, the farmer
is most deeply interested, and the farmer should regard it with pride. While
its demands have seemed to be large, the fact should be borne in mind that
it is laying the foimdations and that, large as the expenditures seem, they
are really small in comparison with the magnitude of the interests involved.
"Agriculture is no longer what it was once regarded by a majority of other
professions, and partially admitted bj'' the farmers themselves to be — a low,
menial employment, a mere drudgery, delving in the soil—but is becoming
recognized as a noble science. Formerly any man who had merely suffi-
cient sense to do just as bis father did before him and to follow his example
and imitate his practice, was regarded as fully competent to become a
farmer. The idea of applying science to the business was sneered at and
denounced by many of the farmers themselves as 'book farming.' But the
cultivation of the soil has now justly come to be regarded as one of the
most noble and dignified callings in which an educated man can engage,"
The Legislature heeded his advice and made a liberal appropriation to set
the college upon its feet. This was the critical time in the infancy of the
institution, when it might have been easily smothered. The earnest words
dbyGoot^lc
GTi:Nl:SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 8l
of the governor, backed by his lEifluence, encouraged the friends of the col-
lege and today the people of the state will rejoice that the strong support
of Governor Crapo resulted in saving it for a noble and beneficient career.
CSovernor Crapo exercised the pardoning power with extreme caution.
He held the view that the executi\'e had no right to annul or make \'oid the
acts and decisions of judicial tribunals in the trial, conviction and sentence
of any person unless in the contingency of the discovery of new facts which
would, if proved upon the trial, have established the innocence of the ac-
cused, or so mitigated the offense that a less iienalty would have been
imposed. While he admitted that extreme cases might arise under circum-
stances which would make an exception to the rule desirable, he held to it
quite rigidly. He did not admit the influence of mere i)ersonal sympathy
for the victims of the criminal law, or their families or friends. In reply
to the claims that a convict having suffered for a time and the public excite-
ment and notoriety of his offense having passed away, no possible good can
l>e gained by keeping him longer in prison, he insisted that the principle of
justice and the claims of society for self-protection must not jje lost sight
of. The guilty are not punished because society wishes to inflict pain and
suffering, but liecause its own safety requires it and because the onlv re-
paration the criminal can make is the example afforded by his endurance of
the penalty. To effectually meet these ends, punishment must be made cer-
tain. There have been governors, both before and since, who seemed to
regard the executive prerogative as a matter of mere sentiment. There
have l>een cases where sympathy went too far. There have l>een instaiices
which were little less than unfortimate. In modern times the business of
getting convicts out of our prisons and relieving them from the conse-
quences of their crimes through the aid of a sympathetic governor has been
carried to such an extent that it is refreshing to contemplate a man who,
while he was not lacking the kindness of a gentle nature, still had the firm-
ness to stand for justice and right, as he clearly saw them.
At the biennial election of 1866 Governor Crapo was elected for a
second term by a majorit}' of upwards of twenty-nine thousand. Governor
Crapo entered ujx>n his new term of office in January, 1867. somewhat
broken in health, but with mind as vigorous and active as ever. In spite of
his impaired physical condition, he insisted upon personally looking after
his extensive private interests, and kept in close touch with all public affairs.
His second regular message to the Legislature was a full and lucid discus-
(6)
dbyGoc^lc
82 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
sion of all the problems then before the state authorities. He again dwelt
on the immigration question, but the Legislature adjourned without making
effective his sensible recommendations.
Governor Crapo was very sparing with vetoes and it is notable that they
were for the most part sustained. The most exciting event during his entire
gubernatorial career grew out of bis vetoes in the matter of municipal aid
to railroads. That was the day of feverish railroad building schemes. Rural
communities were exceedingly anxious for railroads, and many villages
were induced to support projects which would make them railroad centers.
In several instances the people did not wait for legislative authority, but
went ahead and \'Dted aid, issued and put bonds on the market and then
came and asked the Legislature to validate them. With a veto message.
Governor tJrapo called a halt to this practice. It is interesting to observe
with what neatness he riddles the sophistical arguments of those who said
the thing being done should be legalized to save investors in the bonds. The
schemes expanded insidiously. At first the aid voted by municipalities was
limited by law to five per cent of the assessed valuation of the municipality;
shortly this was increased to ten per cent, with a tendency to further in-
crease the rate, .^.t first the district included in the liability on the bonds
was the municipality: shortly this was extended to include the entire county
in which the municipality was situated.
But most important of all, he vetoed the acts passed to permit localities
to vote aid to railroad enterprises. The thing having previously l)een done
and lieing considered so much a matter of course, he did at the outset ap-
prove such bills. But he soon saw the tendency of such legislation and
when the bills came pouring in on him he wailed until some fourteen had
accumulated and then sent them back with a message which settled the case
for all time, so far as he was concerned. He called attention to the pro-
vision of the constitution that "the credit of the state shail not Ije granted
to or in aid of any person, association or corporation; the state shall not
subscribe to or be interested in the stock of any company, association or
corporation; shall not be a party to or interested in any work of internal
improvement." He argued that the principle considered by the framers of
the constitution so essential for the protection of the state should by im-
plication, at least, apply to towns and counties. Clearly the policy of the
state, as expressed in its constitution, was opposed to all this legislation. While
refraining from discussing the judicial aspects of the question, he Ijelieved
that all would agree with him that it was of doubtful constitutionality.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. OJ
He went to great length in discussing the economic i>earings of the
question. He beheved the i>ermanent welfare of the state would be injured.
While railroads were desirable and greatly lieneficial to a community, if they
were secured at the cost of an accumulation of municipal debt and enormous
taxation we should destroy the value of property and retard settlement. Then,
instead of increased growth and resources, we should drive away population
and wealth. At a time when other states were trying to extricate themselves
from the burden of taxation caused by the war, and were deferring public
improvements, the ^jeople of Michigan, by municipal action, were competing
with each other in the creation of vast amounts of indebtedness. He
showed how insidiously the idea of municipal aid had expanded. At the
outset the rate was limited to five per cent and the liability was confined to
a few localities. Within four years the restrictions had been swept away
and there were towns which were in danger of accumulating forty per cent
of such bonded indebtedness. Such a course could have but one ending —
bankruptcy and repudiation.
The aggregate length of the railroads already proposed, which relied
for their completion upon aid from taxes, was not less than two thousand
miles. The amount of capital necessary to construct, complete and effi-
ciently equip this extent of railroad could not l>e less than sixty million
dollars. It was claimed that if about one-third of the cost could be obtained
by taxation the balance could be procured of capitalists by the issue of stocks
and mortgages. It would then be necessary for the people of the state to
create an indebtedness of twenty millions in city, township and county bonds.
Could such bonds be sold for casli either at home or abroad? It was not
likely they could be sold outside the state. There was not surplus capital
enough in the state to take them; certainly not unless they could be bought
at a very small percentage of their face value. Thus the actual aid to rail-
roads would be very small indeed, compared with the amount of municipal
indebtedness. As the Jx>nds continued to be depreciated in value, additional
taxes would be called for and urged to make up the deficit, and thereby
prevent the total loss of what had been already appropriated, until repudia-
tion woidd inevitably follow.
The gloomy picture which the governor thus drew of the results Hkelv
to end the course which the state was pursuing in this matter, was both
timely and truthful. It was clear to level-headed and unprejudiced men,
Init such was the p0|njia.r furor that many minds were dulled to its appre-
ciation. The bills lay on the table for a month while great excitement -pre-
dbyGoot^lc
84 CKNESKK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
vailed in the popular discussion of the subject. When the matter was
finally brought to a vote, the veto of the governor was sustained by the
narrow margin of a single vote. It is not often that a governor has the
delicate task of saving the people from themselves, but saneness and firm-
ness are admirable in any emergency.
.^fter the war, an important event in Michigan's history was the move-
ment for a revision of the constitution of 1850. In his inaugural mes-
sage in 1865, Governor Crapo called the attention of the Legislature to the
constitutional provision for submission of this question to the people in the
general election of 1866. The necessary steps were accordingly taken, and
in due course delegates were elected to the convention. This convention
was held at Lansing from May 15 to August 22, 1867, It proved har-
monious and industrious. But at the election in 1868 the new constitution
which was there drawn up ■was not adopted by the people,
GOVERNOR fIENt:Y P, BALDWIN,
Governor Crapo's successor was Henry P, Baldwin, of Detroit, who
served from iS6g to 1873. Governor Baldwin was a native of Coventry,
Rhode Island, where he was bom, February 22, 1814. He had been elected
to the state Senate in i860. During his administration as governor, several
matters of importance developed. One of these was the resumption of the
st:ite geological survey. He was deeply interested in philanthropic work
and used his influence to ameliorate the condition of the unfortunate and
the neglected. In 1871 was organized the state board of charities and cor-
rections. The eastern insane asylum was established at Pontiac. One of
the most notable events of this period was the great destruction of life and
property by forest fires, which swept across the state in 1871. When this
great calamity became known, Governor Baldwin took prompt and energetic
measures for relief of the distressed and suffering people. In 1881, almost
exactly ten years later, a second visitation of fire swept through Tuscola.
Lapeer, Huron and Sanilac counties, covering a considerable part of tJie
region which suffered so severely before.
Tn 1871 Governor Baldwin, in his message to the Legislature, expressed
the belief that the time had come for the erection of a permanent capitol,
and recommended that the necessary steps be taken to that end. The old
building erected in 1847 was a piatn frame structure, intended only as a
temporary capitol. (jovernor Baldwin appointed the building commission
authorized by the T-egislature and work on the new capitol was begun on
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 85
January i, 1879. The day of the formal dedication of the building; the com-
mission rej^xirted that every obhgation had been fully paid and that there
remained in the state treasury upwards of $4,000 to the credit of the build-
ing fund.
GOVERNOR JOHN J. EAGI.EY.
John J. Bagley was governor from 1S73 to 1877. He was a native
of New York, born in Medina, Orleans county, July 24, 1832. One of the
first important events of his administration was the participation of Michi-
gan in the centennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence at
Philadelphia, July 4, 1S76. In Michigan commemorative exercises were
held in all the principal cities and villages. The international exposition at
Philadelphia was held from May 10 to November 10. An attractive Michi-
gan building was erected on the grounds, wholly by voluntary contributions
from Michigan's citizens. The rt^ister kept at this building showed thirty-
two thousand signatures of Michigan visitors. Very much of the success
of Michigan's part in the exposition was due to the generosity, energy and
activity of Governor Bagley, who was cx-officio a member of the board of
managers.
During the first term of Governor Bagley there was much important
legislation. Chief among the acts was that which created a state board of
health. Tn 1873 was created the office of railroad commissioner. The office
of commissioner of insurance was established. The subject of banking
was thoroughly overhauled; old laws were repealed, and a general law was
adopted for the regulation and control of ail banks organized imder it. The
artificial propagation of fish had been found practicable, and it seemed to be
quite feasible to restock the lakes with more vaiuabie varieties so as to
prolong indefinitely the life of the fishing industry; with this in view, the
Legislature, acting upon the governor's suggestion, created a fish commis-
sion. Governor Bagley's administration was a business administration,
characteristic of the plain, unassuming, shrewd and well-!jalanced citizen at
its head.
In 1873 the question came up again of revising the state constitution.
The Legislature appointed a commission, which formulated a new one, but
when it was submitted to the people at the spring election of 1874, they
rejected it.
The successor of Governor Bagley was Charles M. Croswell, of
Adrian, who served from 1877 to 1881. It was early in his administration
dbyGoot^lc
86 GENESEE COUNTY; MICHIGAN.
that the reform school for girls was established at Adrian. In 1879 Thomas
A. Edison, who, though not a native of Michigan, spent much of his early
life in St. Qair county and made his first successful inventions in the state,
established the success of his incandescent electric lamp, which revolution-
ized the lighting of interiors not only in this state bvit throughout the world.
In 1880 David H. Jerome, of Saginaw, was chosen governor. During
his one term the St. Mary's Falls ship canal was transferred to the general
government. About this time Judge Andrew Howell, acting under the
auspices of the state, compiled the state laws of Michigan. An epoch in the
commercial development of the state was marked by the connecting of the
railway systems of the two ijeninsulas of Michigan.
THE GREENr..\CK MOVEMENT.
At the election of 1882 a long-established political precedent was over-
turned. Since the founding of the Republican party in 1854, that party had
been successful in electing its candidates to state offices. This year the
opposition ticket won, electing as governor Josiah W. Begole, of Flint. The
victory was the effect by a fusion of the Democrats with the "Greenbackers,"
a party which had lieen steadily gaining strength since 1876. At the election
of 1876 the Greenback party gave a total of 8,207 votes for William Sparks,
the Greenback candidate for governor, and about this many were cast for
the presidential candidate, Peter Cooper, out of a total nation-wide vote of
81,000. In 1878 their candidate for governor in Michigan receiveil 75,000
votes. The purpose of the Greenl>ack party was to defeat the alleged
machinations of the monied interests and save the "greenback," the people's
money. This money had come into existence during the Civil War, great
quantities of treasury notes, or greenbacks (from the color of the notes),
having been authorized by Congress. A total of $450,000,000 of these notes
had been issued, legal tender for all debts, except customs duties and inter-
est on the public debt. This policy helped to stamp in the popular mind the
idea that the government could create money, if only the monied interests
were not selfishly opposed to it. Along with the demand for more "fiat"
money went the "grange movement" among the farmers, who organized to
cut out the middle man and to compel the railroads to exact less toll to take
their crops to market. In the minds of the "Greenbackers," the Republican
party, as the dominant party, was playing into the liands of the rich. Their
natural allies, regardless of other con.siderations, would 1)e the opposition
party, and the result was the defeat of the Republicans,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 87
Governor Begote was born in Livingston county, New York, January
20, 1815. Wheii he became of age, in 1836, he came to Michigan and settled
in Genesee county, where, with his own hands, he aided in building some of
the early residences in Flint. Perseverance and energy won him a compe-
tency, and at the end of eighteen years he was the owner of a five-hnndred-
acre farm. He was an ardent anti-slavery man, his grandparents having
emigrated from Maryland to New York about the l>eginning of the century
because of their dissatisfaction with the institution of slavery. He joined
the Republican party at its organization in 1854 and was early elected to
various local nfhces. During the Civil War he did active work in recruit-
ing and furnishing supplies for the army; his eldest son was killed near
Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864. In 1870 he was elected state senator, and in
1S72 was a delegate to the Republican national convention at Philadelphia.
As a memljer of the forty-third Congress he took great interest in legisla-
tion to better the conditions of the farmers, being a member of the commit-
tee of agriculture. His activities along those lines was largely influenced
by the fact that he was a practical farmer. The transition from a Republi-
can to a Greenbacker was easy. The high esteem in which Mr. Begole was
held by his fellow townsmen despite bis defection from the Republican party
is well shown in the following extract from the Flint Globe, the leading
Repiiblican paper at that time in Genesee county:
"So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the ticket, is concerned,
there is nothing detrimental to his character that can be alleged against him.
He has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but of the .sincerity of his
]>eliefs and the earnestness of his [purpose, nobody who knows him enter-
tains a doubt. He is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bitterest
political enemies. He has a warm, generous nature, and a larger, kinder
heart does not beat in the lx>som of any man in Michigan. He is not much
givai to making sj^eeches, but deeds are more significant of a man's charac-
ter than words. There are many scores of men in all parts of the state
where Mr. Begole is acquainted who have had practical demonstrations of
these facts. ;md who are liable to step outside of party lines to show that
they do not forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he was a
leader in what would not necessarily prove a forlorn hope. But the Repiili-
lican party in Michigan is too strong to be beaten by a combination of
Democrats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so good a man as
Mr. Begole."
Among the important legislation of Governor Begole's administration
dbyGoot^lc
88 GENESEE COL'NTY, MICHIGAN.
was the establishment of the northern insane asylum at Traverse City. A
bureau of labor statistics was created. A stringent law was passed to pre-
vent insurance companies combining to fix a rate. The labor element showed
its increasing strength in a law forbidding the employment of children
under fourteen years of age. A compulsory school law required the at-
tendance of children under this age for at least six months every year.
Returning Republican strength, combined with other causes, resulted
in the election of Russell A. Alger in 1884 by a small majority to succeed
Governor Eegole. ?Ie was a native of Medina county, Ohio. During the
Civil War he was proinoted rapidly in the army, becoming, after a year of
service, colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry in Custer's famous brigade.
During Governor Alger's administration the Portage Lake and Lake
Superior ship canal was transferred to the general goi'ernment. The sol-
diers' home was established at Grand Rapids, The state mining school was
established in the copper coimtry at Houghton. A pardon board was created.
Tn 1885 the Legislature made provision for the semi-centennial anniversary
of the admission of Michigan as a state in the union, to lie held at Lansing,
June 15, 1886. On the occasion of this celebration notable addresses were
made by many prominent citizens and officials, which were printed and pub-
lished by the state. This volume, including the ftdl proceedings, comprised
over five hundred pages and is a ^'ahiable and highly interesting collection
of historical data.
Governor Alger declined to be a candidate for re-election in 1886, and
Cyrus G. Luce, of Coidwater, I:)ecame his successor. He was a native of
Windsor, Ashtabula county, Ohio. The Legislature of 1889 gave consider-
able attention to the subject of woman suffrage ; the ballot was not given to
women generally, but a law was passed permitting women in Detroit to
vote for members of the school board of the city, which at the time was
considered an entering wedge to lead to woman suffrage for all officers.
Among other legislation was an act giving counties local option in the mat-
ter of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors.
A CHANGE IN REGIME.
In the election of iSqo came the first real Democratic triumph since
tiie Republican party was organized. Edwin B. Winans was a Democrat.
The causes operating in Michigan in favor of the Democrats were part of a
tidal wave which in that year swept the whoie country. One of the most
spectacular events in the nation's history occurred in Governor Winans'
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 8g
administration, the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, to cele-
brate the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by
Columbus. Governor Winans appointed a board of managers, of which he
was ex-officio chairman, whose service did great credit to the state in dis-
playing her arts and industries. It is estimated that nearly half the adult
Ijopulation of the lower peninsula saw the exposition at some stage of its
progress, many spen<ling sometimes a week or more and making sul>sequent
visits. The formal opening of the Michigan building took place on April
29, iSg.-^. This commodious and elegantly furnished structure cost upwards
of forty thousand dollars. September 13 and 14 were set apart as Michigan
days at the fair and were well observed. Most striking was the exhibit
made by Michigan in the agricultural building. The hortiailtural exhibit
hardly did justice to the state, l)ecause of the failure of the apple crop the
season before, and the inadequate appropriation for collecting and shipping
and the lack of interest on the part of fruit growers. The forestry exhibit
was adequate, befitting the most celebrated of the timber states. The min-
eral exhibit led all others in copper and iron and received more awards than
that of any other state. The educational exhibit was fairl_v creditable. Mark
W. Stevens, of Flint, later circuit judge, was secretary of the Michigan
World's Fair commission.
The administration of Governor Winans was followed by that of John
T. Rich, of Elba, Lai^eer county, Republican candidate in 1892. Among
the subjects of legislation considered in Governor Rich's administration
were charters and charter amendments for municipalities, the borrowing
power of the state, taxation of church property, the contract labor system
in the state prisons, and the fusion of political parties.
GOVERNOR HAZEN S. PINGREE.
Hazen S. Pingree was elected governor in 1894. His career was sliort,
but strenuous. He was a native of Denmark, Maine. Mr. Pingree's most
marked characteristics were dislike of conventional ways of doing things
and a determination to be his own "Iwss" while governor. He was a vet-
eran of the Civil War, having seen service in the battles of second Bull Run,
Fredericksburg, S pott sylvan i a. Cold Harbor, Petersburg and other desider-
ate and bloody engagements. After the war he became a shoe dealer in
Detroit and made wealth by hard work, good business judgment and ener-
getic management. His business ability and freedom from pohtcal antago-
nisms made him mayor of Detroit. His political shrewdness during the street
dbyGoot^lc
90 GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
car strike in 1890, while he was mayor, secured his re-election three times
afterwards, and his genuine sympathy with working men, ampiy demon-
strated, made possible his election as governor.
The keynote of Governor Pingree's policy was primary election and
railroad taxation. He also in his characteristic manner |>aid his respect to a
class of persons who frequented the capitol during sessions of the Legisla-
ture. He had decided views upon the question of public franchises, gained
through his experience with the Detroit street railways. The great weak-
ness of his administration was lack of tact in dealing with members of the
Legislature. During his administration provision was made for agricul-
tural institutes in the several counties. The beet sugar industry was bo-
nused; and another law in the interest of the farmer made it a penal offense
to color oleomargarine in imitation of butter.
■niE SI'ANISH-AMERIC.AN WAR.
It was while Mr. Pingree was governor, in 1898, that war brolte out
with Spain, war being formally declared on April 25. The following ac-
comit of Michigan's part in this war is taken from the excellent work en-
titled "Michigan as a Province, State and Territory:"
"The state cut something of a figure in the war, aside from the regi-
ments which it put into the field. Russell A. Alger, who was secretary of
war, was a former governor of Michigan. Upon his shoulders fell the
responsibility of equipping, transporting across the sea and maintaining in
the field the troops required in the campaigns in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the
Philippines. After more than thirty years of peace, it may well be sup-
posed that the .sudden call to active military operations found the country
all unprepared for such an emergency. In response to the President's call
the country arose almost en masse. Tenders of service came from every
direction. It is safe to say that ten men offered their services where one
was required. These overwhelming offers were embarrassing. Meanwhile
the war dei>artment was trying its utmost to get things in shape for equip-
ping and hauling the recruits to the regular army and the volunteers gath-
ered by the states. To transport the army and its equipment and supplies
to Culm required many ships. In this emergency Secretary AFger called
to his assi-stance Col. Frank _T. Hecker, of Detroit, of whose fitness for the
task the secretary had personal knowledge, and assigned to him the duty of
procuring the ships. They were promptly forthcoming. The command of
the Fifth Corps, whicii was the army which invaded Cuba and fought lie-
dbyGoot^lc
gent:see county, Michigan. 91
/ore Santiago, was assigned to Major-Gen. William R. Shafter, a native of
Michigan, who had served efficiently in the Civil War, which he entered as
a Heutenant of the Seventh Michigan Infantry. After the close of the
Civil War he joined the regular army, in which he had risen to the rank
of brigadier-general, nix)n merit and length of service. Coi. Henry M.
Duffield, of Detroit, was made a brigadier-general of vokinteers and was
assigned to the command in Culja of a brigade composed of the Ninth Mas-
sachusetts and the Thirty-third and Thirty-four Michigan Regiments of
Volunteers. Major George H. Hopkins, of Detroit, was appointed a per-
sonal aid to the secretary of war and was assigned to the duty of selecting
camps and inspecting the sanitary and other conditions surrounding them.
Only a small fraction of the regiments raised were called to the front. Others
were gathered in camps at Tampa, Mobile, Washington and ChJckamauga,
Besides these thus gathered in army camps, there were others in regimental
camps in their se\'eral states, which nevei- left them, but were disbanded
after it became e\-ident that their services in the field would not ]>e required.
It was the duty of Major Hopkhis to familiarize himself with the conditions
of these various camps and suggest methods of remedying defects. After
the engagement at Santiago, which practically ended the war, the health of
the troops in Cuba required that the men be sent north at the earliest possi-
ble moment. Accordingly a convalescent camp was established at Montauk
Point, Long Island, to which the whole of Shafter's army was brought. In
this camp Major C. B. Nancrede, of the medical department of the State
University, was chief surgeon. He had served from the l.)eginning of the
war as surgeon of the Thirty-third Michigan, and upon his promotion was
succeeded by Major \'ictor C. Vaughan, also of the State University.
'"It happened that the Legislature was in session when the war broke
out. It promptly passed an act for a war loan of a half million dollars.
Governor Pingree threw himself with all his wonderfn! energy into the task
of raising, etjuiiiping and sending into the field at the earliest possible
moment the state's quota. On the day following the call of the President
an order was issued for the mobilization of the entire Michigan National
Guard at Island Lake within three days. Gen. F., M. Irish was placed in
command and the work of completing the roster of the several regiments
was earnestly prosecuted. The regiments thus organized were designated
Thirty-first. Thirty-second, Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Michigan Vol-
unteer Infantry, following in numerical order the infantry regiments of the
Civil War, The Thirty-first was mustered May loth and left on the 15th,
dbyGoot^lc
92 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
under command of Col. Cornelius Gardner, for Cliicbamauga Park, Geor-
gia. The Thirty-second was mustered May 4 and left on the 19th, under
command of Col. William T, McGurrin, for Tampa, Florida. The Thirty-
third was mustered May 20 and left on the 28th, under command of Col.
Charles L. Boynton, for Camp Alger, near Washington. The Thirty-fourth
was mustered May 25 and left June 6, under command of Col. John P.
Petermann, for Camp Aiger. Under the second call of the President the
Thirty-fifth Regiment was organized under Col. E. M. Irish, July li, and
left for Camp Meade, Pennsylvania, Septemljer 15. In organizing, equip-
ping and training these regiments while in camp at Island Lake, Captain
Irvine, of the Eleventh United States Infantry, and Lieutenant Winans, of
the Fifth United States Cavalry, rendered efficient service.
"The men gathered in the southern camps, particularly at Chicka-
nmuga and at Camp A\ger, suffered severly from sickness. At the former
camp there was an epidemic of typhoid fever and the Thirty-first" Michigan
was removed to Macon, Georgia, where it remained in camp until Jajiuary,
1899, when it was sent to Cuba. It was landed at Genfugas and was thence
distributed in the towns of Santa Clara province to preserve order and pro-
tect property. The regiment was engaged on this service until the following
April, when it was returned to this country and mustered out. It lost four-
teen men who died from sickness in southern camps and hospitals.
"The Thirty-second was one of the earliest regiments moved to Fer-
nandina, Florida, where it remained in camp for some time. It was not
among those assigned to service in Cuba, and after a little delay it was
transferred to Fort McPherson, Georgia, where it remained until Septem-
ber, when it was returned to Michigan, and mustered out of service. While
in the service twenty men died of disease.
"The Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth went to Tampa, whence they
were embarked for Cuba on the transports 'Paris' and 'Harvard.' They
were in General Duffield's brigade, which formed a part of General Shaffer's
army which fought and defeated the Spaniards at Santiago. They did not
participate in the fight at San Juan Hill, but were engaged in the attack at
Aguadores. which was planned to divert the enemy from the plan of battle
of the main army and prevent their reinforcing it. In this engagement three
of the Thirty-third were killed or died of wounds. Yeilow fever broke out
in the camp at .Siboney and fifty died there or at Montauk Point or on the
transport bound for the latter camp. The Thirty-fourth suffered even more
severeK', for eighty-eight deaths in that regiment are recorded, a very large
dbyGoot^lc
GENESKE COUNTY, MICHTGAN. 93
lJro)»rtion of these Ijeing from_ yellow fever while in camp near Santiago
or in hospital on Loii^ Island. These regiments were returned from Culm
in AngTist and reached Michigan in Septemljer. They were mustered out at
various times Isetween September 3, 1898, and January- 2, 1899. Of those
who survived the hardships of the campaign, many returned broken in
health. The Thirty-fifth was mustered out at Augusta, Georgia, March.
iSyt), Of its meml)ers, twenty-three died of disease in camp.
"The whole number of men mustered was six thousand six iumdred
and seventy-seven, and the total number of deaths alx)Ut two hundred and
fifty. Through the efforts of Go\'emor Pingree, the men were permitted to
draw thirty to ninety days pay upon furlough prior to discharge. Those
who were in Cuba were also allowed pay for the fever-infected uniforms
they were compelled to destroy.
"Besides the infantry regiments furnished to the volunteer service,
Michigan was represented in the naval arm. Being encouraged thereto by
the general government, a naval brigade was organized in Michigan in 1897.
I.'he navy department assigned for the use of such naval brigade the United
States ship, 'Yantic,' which was at the time in the Boston navy yard under-
going repairs. The delicate international question of getting this war ves-
sel through Canadian waters was successfully disposed of. The governor
of Michigan, on behalf of the state receipted for the 'Yantic' to Ije delivered
to her commanding officer, Lieut.-Com, Gilbert Wilkes, at Montreal, From
that point she was taken and handled by the officers and men of the state
naval reserves, and arrived at Detroit, December 8, 1897. The men had
some opportunity to drill and familiarize themselves with naval discipline.
Before the call for volunteers, Governor Pingree received a telegram from
the navy department asking for men for service on the United States ship
'Yo.^emite.' The call was promptly responded to and two hundred and
sevenly men and eleven officers of the Naval Militia of Michigan enlisted
in the navy. The 'Yosemite' was wholly manned by Michigan men and,
imder the conunand of I.ieut.-Com. W. H. Eniory, convoyed the transport
'Panther' to Guantanamo and covered the first successful landing of Ameri-
can troops on Cuban soil. Afterward it maintained, single-handed, the
blockade of San Juan, Puerto Pico, and proved the efficiency of the ship
and her crew by the capture of prizes and the destruction of blockade run-
ners. The governor in his annual message congratulated the state on the
showing made in the war by its naval militia, and also congratulated the
men upon the records they made."
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SINCE THE WAR ^
At the election of 1900 Aaron T. Bliss, of Saginaw, was eiected gov-
ernor. He was a native of Smithfield, Madison covinty. New York, and,
like Governor Pingree, was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in
the Tenth New York Cavalry. In 1882 he was elected from Saginaw
county to the state Senate; he also served one term in Congress. In 1897
he was elected department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The main subjects of legislation while he was governor were primary re-
form and railroad taxatiiMi. The Western State Norma! School was estab-
lished at Kalamazoo. At Saginaw was established the Michigan Employ-
ment Jnstittition for the Blind.
Governor Bliss was succeeded in 1905 by Fred M. Warner, of b'ann-
ington, Oakland county. Previous to this time Mr. Warner had served in
the state Senate and as secretary of state. He has the distinction of l>eing
among the very few governors of Michigan who have ser\'ed three terms
in succession, being re-elected in 1906 and 1908. During his first term the
semi-centennial of the [lassage of the first boat through the Sault Ste, Marie
canal was celebrated {1905V At the election in 1908 the revised constitu-
tion, as drawn up hy tlie constitutional convention held at Lansing in 1907-8,
was adopted. This constitution, while following closely that of 1850, cur-
tailed the ix)wc'r of the Legislature and extended that of home rule in the
municipalities. Among the acts of legislation while Mr. Warner was gov-
ernor were provision for direct nomination of candidates for state offices,
provision for a popular advisory vote for United States senator, and pro-
vision for the present state railroad commission.
The first governor elected under the constitution of 1908 was Chase
S. Osborn, Republican, who served one term, beginning in 1911. He was
a native of Huntington county, Indiana, and in early life engaged in news-
paper work. In 1887 he purchased the Sautt Ste. Marie Nczcs. and since
then has lived mainly at the "Soo." The principal laws enacted during his
administration were a general revision of the primary election law, a city
home rule bill authorizing the use of the initiative, referendum and recatl,
provision for a state fire marshal, and a law allowing women to \ote at
school primaries.
Since January i, 1913, Woodbridge N. Ferris, of Big Rapids, has been
governor. His second term will exfwre December 31. of this year (1916).
Mr. Ferris was horn in 1853 in a log cabin four miles from Spencer, Tioga
dbyGoot^lc
GKNESEE COUNTY, MICirKJAN, 95
county. New York. In this neighlwrhcxK.! and in neiglilwring; academies he
received his early education, and later tanght school and earned his way
through the Oswego Normal and Training School. In 1873 he entered
upon tJie medicaJ course in the University of Michigan. In 1875 he or-
ganized a business college at Freeport, Illinois, and later l>ecame principal
of the normal department in the Rock River University. In 1877 he or-
ganized a business college in Dixon, llJiiiois, and in 1884 the Ferris Indus-
trial School at Big Rapids, The latter school was started with fifteen stu-
dents; the enrollment for the current year ( 1916) is about two thousand
students. Through his extensive educational work, Mr. Ferris became one
of the best known citizens of Midiigan. He is the first Democratic gov-
ernor since the election of Governor Winans in 1890, and received at his
second election nearly forty thousand more votes than the Republican candi-
date. Chase S. Os1x>rn.
One of the bitterly contested bills while Mr. Ferris has l>een governor
is the "Sliding Scale"' biJ!, to increase passenger fares on Michigan rail-
roails, which was defeated in the house by a \'ote of forty-five to fifty-four.
A new primary election law has been passerl, pro\'i(ling for a separate Mllot
for each party ; no person who is the regular candidate on the ballot of one
party can have his name written in on the ballot of another parly; and in
order to gain a place on the ticket a candidate must receive in the primary
a ten per cent vote of his party. A teachers' retirement fund has been
secured ; the Michigan Historical Commission created ; also an annual ap-
propriation of one hundred thousand dollars for the use of the state board
of health for the study and prevention of tul^erculosis. In 1913 occurred
one of the most .^erious crises in the recent industrial history of Michigan,
when the Western l'"ederation of Miners, attempting to get a foothold in the
Michigan copper country, fomented a strike of the miners, which lasted
from July, 1913, to April, 1914. Throughout this controversy the course
of Governor Ferris was such as to secure the hearty approval of the miners,
the mine owners and of the people of the state generally. The mine owners
were induced to offer re-employment to all men who had not been guilty of
violence, on condition of renoimcing membership in the Western Federation
of Miners, which was agreed to by the striking memljers of the federation
through a referendum vote. In addition, the main demands of the miners
were granted, which included a minimum wage of three dollars, an eight-
hour day and better working conditions.
iGoo-^lc
GENTZSEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
XATUKAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE.
l-'rom the point to wliich we have now come, the aiitmiin of 1916, it
iriity I)e wei! to glance at the natural resources of the state, its industrial
an<t commercial interests, its development of land and water transportation,
its progress in education, and its social elements.
AlM3ve the rocks of the Michigan peninsulas lies one of the most fertile
soils of the Union. It has furnished the Imckhone of industry in Michigan;
as niFiny persons are engaged in agriculture as in all other indiistries com-
bined. The climate also is favorable for the growing of all crops profitable
in any part of the United States, eNcept cotton, sugar cane and rice. Wheat
and corn have ahva3'S been staple and reliable cro^js, but a striking charac-
teristic of Michigan's agricultural products is their great variety. The latest
to be cultivated extensively is the sugar beet.
Tn the earlier days of the lower peninsula one of the most prominent
industries was lumliering. Practically the whole of the peninsula was cov-
ered with den.se forest. The removal of the forest went hand in hand with
the advance of agriculture. Great quantities of pine were taken from the
Saginaw country, Ijeginning in earnest about i860. It was estimated that in
1872 two and a half billion feet of pine lumber was sawed there by fifteen
hundred saw-mills, employing twenty thousand persons and representing a
capital of twenty-five million dollars. The entire amount cut in the state in
1883 was estimated at four billion feet. The industry still thrives on a
large scale in the upper peninsida.
The lumber industry naturally gave rise to the manufacture of furni-
ture. r,rand Rapids and Hetroit became world-renowned centers of furni-
ture making. The manufacture of agricultural implements was a natural
accf)mpaniment of the clearing of the forests and the growth of agriculture.
The same is true of the manufacture of vehicles. In Detroit, Flint and
Lansing the manufacture of automobiles has grown to large proportions.
Detroit, among other cities, is also the home of a large industry in stoves,
ranges and furnaces and all varieties of heating devices. Other large De-
troit industries arc the manufacture of cigars and tobacco goods, lx>ot& and
shoes, and drugs. Chemical laboratories have l>een an important item in the
aggregate industries of the state. The cities along the shores of the Great
Lakes have engaged largely in the fresh water fisheries, the most productive
in the United States. I.alwr conditions in all these industries have been
excellent in Michigan, evidence for which is the attitude of organized labor
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COaNTY, MICHIGAN. 9/
and the absence of aiiy strikes of conseqvience in any of them. The farmer,
the manufacturer, the irierchant and the laborers have recognized that labor
disturbances are wasteful for all concerned and, by mutual concessions, all
differences have been harmonized in the interest of the general progress.
The first minerals mined in Michigan were copper and iron. Actual
operations in copper mining were iDegun in 1843, in the vicinity of Kewee-
naw Point, by Boston capitalists. In 1866 the discovery of the CaUimet and
Hecla conglomerate lode marked a new era in copper mining. Until the
development of copper mining in the Rocky Mountain states in the early
eighties, the Michigan mines produced almost the whole domestic supjjly and
nearly twenty per cent of the world's supply. In the production of iron,
Michigan leads all the states, her principal iron districts being the Mar-
quette, Menominee and Gogebic ranges in the Lake Superior region. The
first ore was taken out in 1854 from Marquette district.
In 1835 coal mining in Michigan began at Jackson; but the extensive
operations have been since i860. Michigan coal has not been able to com-
pete in price with the coal from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
About i860 lx:gan the development of the salt industry. It has been mainly
confined to the Saginaw country. Michigan is still a leading state in the
production of salt. Another important mineral industry is the manufacture
of Portland cement. It began in 1872, when a plant was built near Kala-
mazoo. Upwards of a million barrels are now produced annually. The
manufacture of land fertilizers from the gj-psum deposits has become an
important industry in several localities. The largest gjpsum mills are at
Grand Rapids, where the first was built in 1S41. Clay for brick making
has furnished materia? for about three hundred brick kilns in the state.
Building materials aljound in the fine sandstones, slates and other stones.
Grindstone quarries have been oi>ened in Huron county, and graphite mines
have been worked to some extent in Baraga county in the upper peninsula.
TR.\NSPORTATION", ! " 'i
The building of cars has from early days been an important industry
in Michigan. Since 1852, when the Michigan Central railway was ccan-
pleted Ijetween Detroit and Chicago, railroad building has developed rapidly.
This was sul>stantial!y aided by grants of land for the purpose, given to the
state by the national government. The Michigan Central now has branches
to all parts of the state feeding the great trunk line from every direction
(7)
dbyGoc^lc
9o GENIiSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, the second eariiest Hne, has h'kewise
acquired numerous tributary hnes. The Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwau-
kee railroad, the Pere Marquette system, the Ann Arbor railroad, the Grand
Rapids & Indiana, and the extensions of the Grand Trunk system of Can-
ada, afford abundant means of trans-peiiinsu]ar communication and trans-
portation. Similar facilities are afforded in the upper peninsula by the
Diiluth, South Shore & Atlantic, the Chicago & Northwestern, the Minne-
apolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie, and numerous branch lines. The
development of the automobile had its inception in Michigan, and in the
marvelous advance made in the motor car industry Michigan stands first in
number of cars manufactured and volume of business in that Hne. The
motor car industry is third in money value in the United States, only steel
and cotton exceeding it. Electric roads extend into nearly every section of
lower Michigan and in addition to passengers, do a large freight and express
business.
Water transportation, on the Great Lakes, has kept pace with the rail-
roads and has given rise to the industry of ship- building. Michigan forests
have furnished the finest ship timber in the world. In the days of wooden
ships the principal centers of this industry were at Detroit, Bay City and
points on the St. Clair river. With the coming of the steel ship, the works
at these places were expanded to meet the demand and are now rivalled
only by those near Cleveland. Of late years the growth in lake tonnage has
been verj' rapid and the size and num'ber of water craft have increased in
proportion. Great leviathans carry coal, iron, copper and grain from the
far end of Lake Superior to lower Lake Erie and to Cliicago and Milwaukee,
and smaller craft carry full loads into all harbors. Each year witnesses a
substantial increase of investment in great plants to meet the demands of
the Great Lakes carrying trade.
EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT.
With the material advancement of the state has gone hand in hand the
expansion of Michigan's educational system. Rural schools, primary schools,
grammar schools, high schools, academies, colleges and the State University
—all have advanced together. Over the state are thousands of school dis-
tricts, with a school population of near a million. In the cities, manual
training has gained headway in recent years, and industrial schools, of the
type of the Ferris Institute, have multiplied, where the talents and inclina-
tions of boys and girls, in any given direction, are developed and that train-
ing of hand and eye given, which In after life is useful in a thousand ways
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 99
r^ardless of vocation. These schools have a sociological as weli as an edu-
cational aspect, for through their training, genius may be discovered, to the
manifest advantage of humanity. Another feature of recent progress is
the kindergarten, starting the very youngest children along lines of health-
ful instruction to education in the schools. Teachers' institutes mark a
notable advance in improving the quality of the teaching force in all the
schools, and the training of teachers in normal schools has enlisted the
service of some of the best trained educators of the state. The oldest of
the normal schools is that at Ypsilanti, opened in 1852. Others are the Cen-
tra! State Normal School, at Mount Pleasant; the Northern State Normal
School, at Marquette, and the Western State Normal School, at Kalamazoo;
in their names the word "College" has now been substituted for "School."
The crown of this system of schools is tlie University of Michigan.
From the kindergarten to the university, the Michigan boy or girl will find
the successive studies carefully graded to each stage of development and
to the general needs of a great variety of vocational and cultural attain-
ments. Since the Civil War the university has had three presidents, includ-
ing Erastns O. Haven, who was president at the close of the war; the others
have been, the well-beloved and late lamented Dr. James B. Angell, and the
present incum'bent, Dr. Harry B. Hutchins. Dr. Henry S. Frieze was act-
ing-president for one year, between President Haven and President Angell.
Doctor Angell served from 1871 to 1909, and during this long period under
his wise guidance the university gained recognition world-wide as ranking
among the first of the leading universities of the United States. In 1870
women were admitted on an equal basis with men, a courageous step, in view
of the fact that no institution of similar rank had yet taken it. Women
are now to l:>e found in all its departments — in literature, science and the
arts, engineering, medicine and surgery, law, pharmacy and dentistr)'. These
departments are housed in over twenty-five principal buildings at Ann Arlxir,
on tracts of land containing over one hundred and fifty acres, valued at
nearly six miUion dollars. During the current college year over seven thou-
sand students have there received instruction. Since its organization over
thirty thousand graduates have gone out from its walls into ei'ery leading
profession, into public life, into educational work, and are to be found today
in every state of the Union and in nearly every foreign country helping in
every good work of the world.
Two other state colleges, each in its line doing a great work for the
honor of Michigan, are the Agricultural College, at East Lansing, and the
Mining College, at Houghton, in the upper peninsula. The former, estat>-
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lOO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
lished in 1857, and endowed by the national government with two hundred
and forty thousand acres of pubHc lands, is the oldest institution of its kind
and standing in the United States. Besides being a professional school in
the sciences upon which agriculture depends, it aims to prepare its students
for the duties of social and civil life. In connection is an agricultural farm
for purposes of experimentation. Women are now admitted to all its classes.
Like the state university, it receives part of its financial support through
the Legislature. The Michigan College of Mines is in the heart of the
great "copper country" of Lake Superior. It was first opened in 1886. It
is al.so supported by the state.
In addition to these state institutions of higher and special learning are
the denominational colleges. Of these, the most important are at Albion,
Olivet, Kalamazoo. Hillsdale, Holland, Detroit, Adrian, Alma and Battle
Creek. Albion was founded by the Methodists in 1861; Olivet in 1859, by
the Congregationalists; Kalamazoo in 1855, by the Baptists; Hillsdale was
founded in 1855, and Hope College, at Holland, in 1866. The latter was
contemplated from the establishment of the Dutch colony at Holland in
1847, and was preceded by the Holland Academy in 1851. Detroit University,
organized in 1881, was established by Roman Catholics of the diocese of
Detroit, and is in charge of the Jesuits, an order of the church devoted to
education. Adrian College was founded in 1859. Alma College was
founded by the Presbyterians in 1887. Battle Creek College was estab-
lished in 1874 by the Seventh-Day Adventists. Besides these there are many
denominational academies, seminaries and schools.
Michigan's unparalleled advantages for agriculture, her unequaled
inducements to lalwr in a great variety of factories and mines, and her unex-
celled system of common schools and higher education, have brought to her
farms, cities and mines, a diverse population of all nationalities— Scotch,
Irish, English, Dutch, German, Scandinavian, Hungarian, Polish and Italian
— to make homes for themselves in her two peninsulas. At an early day
the French came in from Canada and settled along the shore above and
below Detroit and to the Mackinac country; and, later, the pine htmbering
brought numljers of French-Canadians to Saginaw and farther north to the
lands above the bay. Direct immigration from France has never occurred
to anv extent. During the period of the British occupation of the North-
west, English settlers came in considerable numbers, mainly to the vicinitv
of Detroit, and also some persons of Scotch and Irish descent. The great
immigration of the Irish came with the troubles in the homeland in the first
half of the nineteenth century.
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CHAPTER II.
The Indians of Genesee County,
It is unfortunate for the memory of any race to have its history written
by its enemies. This is the sad fate of the Indians. Their place in history
has been determined by those who belong to an ahen and antag;onistic people
with whom relentless warfare was waged almost from the period of their
first contact. The result of these wars was the defeat of the red man, the
spoliation of his territory, and the loss of his pristine freedom and with
these went all those virtues and peculiarly interesting habits of mind that
characterized him in his native wilds. In writing the history of those ene-
mies and so justify in the eyes of posterity his own conduct, there is a
grievous temptation to the conqueror, who may have many acts of oppression
to palliate, to exaggerate the offenses of his enemy, even to construe into
offenses acts which were meant to be friendly.
The history of the Indian is at best fragmentary and often written to
subserve some ulterior purpose ; and, paradoxical as it may seem, in addition
to the incertitude of the white man's incomplete and often prejudiced record,
the information we get from the Indian about himself is often less reliable
than that given us by the white man. This grows out of certain inherent
ethical concepts of the Indian, coupled with an inability to understand the
white man's motive, whose insatiable desire for knowledge is quite beyond
the ken of the less tutored or rather differently tutored red man.
The Indian was taught from his childhood that curiosity was a vice
leading to gossip, which soon developed into the detestable habit of mis-
chief-making. There was not a more contemptible character, from the
view point of the red man, than that of the mischief-maker, and any tend-
ency toward idie curiosity which developed among the youth of the forest
folk, and which naturally led to mischief- making, was sternly rebuked, not
by any corporal chastisement, but by the sharp shafts of ridicule and scorji
which seldom failed to correct the incipient habit. Had the Indian's feel-
ing toward corporal punishment been different, the ducking-stool might have
been invoked to put down the habit of gossip or mischief-making; but corp-
oral punishment was so utterly irreconcilable with his conception of personal
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102 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
liberty, as to be inadmissible as a corrective. Among the Iroquois a visit to
the offender by a delegation of the tribe eacb wearing a husk nose four or
five inches long, suggesting that the wearer had to so elongate his natural
nose in order to associate with one who had the habit of putting his nose
into other folk's affairs, was generally a sufficient hint to correct the mis-
chief-making propensities of the offender.
Such was the result of this trait of Indian character and his ideas of
social ethics, that when a white man came among them asking questions as
to the affairs of the red man, which from their angle could not in any con-
ceivable manner concern the white man, he was placed in the category of
the mischief-maker, and as such regarded as a legitimate butt for his ridi-
cule. This found its exercise in some versatile Indian of imagination, who,
with the air of a Roman senator and a face immobile and inexpressive of
any humor, would impro\'ise legends, folk lore, history, tradition, or what-
ever seemed to appease the prurient desire of the white man ; thus many a
faked tale has come into the literature of the white man as veritable Indian
lore.
We might aiso add to the difficulties above specified the contradictory
accounts of various writers, who so much differ even in those matters that
palpably came within their own observation and which were the very sub-
ject matter of their investigation; these further impress one with the need
of critical examination of all the records. A prominent example is the
estimate of the Indian by the Recollects, who brand the red men as gross,
stupid and rustic persons, incapable of thought or reflection, with less knowl-
edge than the brutes, and utterly unworthy of any missionary effort for
their redemption. Over against this opinion is the Judgment of the Jesuits,
who attribute to these same men good sense, tenacious memory, quick appre-
hension, solid judgment, and add that they take pleasure in hearing the word
of God.
By some whose observation has been obviously superficial, the Indian
has been described as taciturn and stoical. Such a characterization is per-
haps excusable in one who has seen the Indian in the presence of strangers,
standing like a statue, immobile for hours, with no word but a grunted
exclamation of negation or assent, betraying neither emotion not interest
in his environment. But let the observer follow the apparently stolid Indian
into his home, where he is unrestrained by the presence of strangers, and
he would have found him the rustic humorist, rollicking, given to the exer-
cise of practical joking, quick in repartee, ready to give and to take and
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GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. IO3
with that philosophy that enables hini to laugh at the joke upon himself,
however rough, as heartily as when another is the victim. Ail of these
suggestions would seem to emphasize the need of presenting, if possible,
the Indian as he was, carefully eliminating those matters of incertitude, and
attempting to present him as a man, a father, husband, to introduce him
to his 'fellow men as a provider— so we may see him in his family; in fine,
to accentuate the human interest element in writing this account of the
forest men whom our early writers properly called "silviages," or forest
folk, but whose epithet has been corrupted into "savages," even as our con-
ception of them has Ijeen corrupted. As Genesee county has an Iroquois
Indian name, sonorous and beautiful in its suggestiveness, so let us do, at
least, justice to these men and women from whom we have adopted the
name, for these i>eople have a closer connection with the history of our
locality than has generally been known.
In considering the Indians of this county and vicinage, it is plainly
necessary to go beyond the narrow confines of our county and take a com-
prehensive view of the Indians of Canada and the United States. It is
quite obvious that the American Indians, or Amerinds, to use the new word
coined by the ethnologists, with their inborn wanderlust and frequent
enforced migrations resultant from the exigencies of their status and hostile
environment, could not have any distinctive history in any locality, where
they may have for a time lived, which would form anything like a com-
pleted narrative, or have any particular historic value if treated without
reference to antecedent conditions.
The discoverers of North America found north of Mexico a land
whose extent baffled the imagination, whose inhabitants were so few that
the greater portion of the coimtrywas entirely unoccupied — so few that
every conception of territorial dominion, possession or occupancy, based on
European standards, is fallacious and misleading when applied to the new
world. Here and there regions were held by some tribe or nation, under a
title which the other tribes conceded, but it was all based on force, the good
old rule of Rob Roy that they .should take who have the power, and they
should keep who can. Here and there were villages of a few families,
located by some streatn or lake, with an indefinite hinterland forming the
hunting grounds of the people who wandered over them in summer and
returned to winter in the village. The intertribal lx)undary lines were gen-
erally tlie watersheds that separated one drainage basin from another.
A great pfjrtion of these Indians still depended on the chase and the
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I04 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Spontaneous gifts of nature in the way of fruits, nuts and edible roots for
sustenance, and these naturally had less claim on the soil of any region
wh«-e they roamed; some, however, had developed a crnde agriculture and,
as tillers of the land, had a more ethical basis for their claims of ownership.
Not only had they become more stable in their haibitations, but, by reason of
a more dei>endable supply of food, they had become more numerous and,
what then, as now, is more important, more able to defend their claims
regardless of any ethical basis or abstract right. It was the variant stand-
ards of the whites and Indians as to land tenures that caused most of the
wars, and it is to the credit of the whites that they generally recognized
the claims of the Indians, howe-ver worthless from European standards, and
extinguished the same by purchase, although it must be acknowledged that
in the bargaining for such titles the Indians were often overreached by their
better informed purchasers.
THE STORY OF AV-OUN-A-WA-TA.
Many, many years ago, as the Indians say to designate time iong past,
there was born among the people of the hills, Ono-nun-da, a boy who grew
to manhood among the warriors of his tribe, but, unlike them, averse
to war and oppressed by a consciousness of its wickedness and inutility. He
saw around him the results of this wrong. He saw that his people were
victims of the wrongs inflicted by other tribes and that in retaliation they
gloried in returning wrong with wrong; that consequently they were feeble
in numbers and slept insecure, for with the dawn might come a war cry of
an enemy. The war lust had seized upon his people. He looked to the
east and there saw the people of the stone, the 0-ney-yote-car-ono, whom
we call the Oneidas, and in them a people of the same language as his own,
but they were his enemies; he looked farther toward the rising sun and
there were the Ga-ne-gao-ono (Mohawks), also of his own language, but
they, too, were enemies; when he looked toward the setting sun he Ijeheld
the men of the Gwe-no-cweh-ono, the Oneidas, of his own blood and lan-
guage, and beyond them the Nun-da-wa-ono, the people of the big hill, and
they, too, were of his own speech and blood, biit all were enemies. It
grieved him that he was to go out some day to kill these people whose
fathers' fathers had been his fathers' fathers, and who were his brothers.
He often sat with bowed head and brooded over these things that were
in his mind, while other youths exercised with the bow and the club. The
old men said of him that he would be greater than these warriors, for his
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I05
words burned, and that it would come to pass that he would lead the men
who make war, and they would follow.
And when it came for him to dream his dream, he went out into the
deep forest and there he lay for days, fasting, and when he came to be like
one dead, his dream came to him, and he saw a beautiful vision of a world
at peace. After he saw the wonder river, the O-hee-o, and upon its bank
grew the great trees and their branches hung over its waters, filled with
fruits and nuts ; and he saw the canoes on the river, those on the right side
floating down stream, and on the left side, they floated up the stream, and
the paddles were idle, for they needed no propulsion. And when the people
in the canoes were hungry they held up their hands toward the trees, and
the boughs bent down and gave their fruit into the hands of the hungry.
And there were no thorns on the briers, nor on the trees, no beasts of prey,
and no wrong, for such was the world before the pride and ambition of the
Indian had challenged the power of Rawennyo, who made the world, and
wars had not come, nor hunger and pestilence, to curse the people of the
world.
And when he had dreamed his dream, he arose and, weak with fasting,
but with a vision of the peace that was once the heritage of the world, he
came to the village of the hili people, and there he Sifted his hands to the
east, the south, the west and the north, and said : "Oh, Rawennyo, I have
seen the world at peace in my dream, and I understand what you have set
for me to do; f accept the task and will perform what you have appointed
for me to do. I am content."
Then Ay-oun-a-wa-ta went out among the men of his tribe and told
them of his dream, and besought them to make peace forever with their
brothers to the east and to the west, for they were of one blood and flesh.
And he told them that it was the will of Him-who-made-the-world that they
should form an alliance to last forever with these, their brothers; and the
men said that his words were good, but in the council that was called the
people rejected the words of Ay-oun-a-wa-ta because they feared A-ho-
tar-o, the war cliief. who carried serpents about his neck, so he was called
A-ho-tar-o of the Snaky Locks.
Then Ay-oun-a-wa-ta, rejected by his own people, went to the east,
fill he came to tiie land of the Mohawks, bearing the white wampum which
means peace, and he told them of his mission from Him-who-made-the-
world, to unite the people to the east and the west in one league so that the
people of the race would be forever at peace and become numerous so they
dbyGoot^lc
I06 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
would fear no other tribe, and the Mohawks said that this was good, and
they adopted Ay-oun-a-wa-ta to be one of them, for his own people had
rejected his words, which were the words of Rawennyo. Then they sent
him with others of the Mohawks to the Oneidas, the Cayngas and the Seiie-
cas, bearing the white wampum, and all of these people said likewise that
his words were good. And when they had taken council all together, they
went to the people of the hill, bearing the white wampum, and told them
that they had entered into an alliance forever, and that they wanted the
people of the hill to join them, as they were the fathers of all, and that
A-ho-tar-o should be the great chief of all the tribes, in war. So it was
agreed that they should l)ecome the great league, and this was the great
peace, Kayanerenh-Kowa, and all the five tribes took an oath to be forever
at peace with each other. So became the Wis-nyeh-goin-sa-geh, or the five
peoples bound together by an oath, and it became in the history of the land of
America what the Romans were in the early history of Europe.
Ay-oun-a-wa-ta, adopted by the Mohawks, became the great man of
that tribe and honored as the founder of the confederacy of the Iroquois,
called by the whites the "Five Nations." To this day the Mohawks in
their new home in Ontario, whither they moved after the War of the Rev-
olution, still have their Ay-cun-a-wa-ta, the successor in a line of chiefs,
"raised up" to perpetuate the name and place of the great dreamer, who
brought about the league.
This poetic account of the formation of the great league is given here
because it marks one of the most important events of Indian history, and
in the opinion of the writer a far-reaching event in determining not only
the subsequent trend of Indian history, but that of the whites in America.
THE FIVE NATIONS.
At the time of the discovery of America the league of the Iroquois
had grown to such a status that it formed the most important political
entity in North America, north of Mexico. Its territory was the state of
New York except the valley of the Hudson, a small part in the northeast,
and another in the western end of the state. This territory was poetically
named by the Indi;iiis the Ho-den-o-sau-nee, or long house. This term,
however, fails to express adequately the figurative meaning of the Indian.
The Indian home was rather stibstantially built, of a frame work of tim-
bers covered with bark. The house was orientated, and in case a daughter
grew to marriageable age and married, an addition was built on the east
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 10^
end for the new fire, and the marriage of a second daughter resulted in a
similar addition to the western end; a third daughter's marriage caused
another addition to the east of the first daughter's home, and a fourth
daughter's home was built on the western end. This resulted 'n a house of
five fires, or a long house, and this growth of the home from the original
fire to the five fires, is figuratively expressed by the Indians' terms, Ho-den-
o-sau-nee, which they poetically applied to their home land, with its five
tribes. It is also to be noted that this log-house had no other doors than
to the east and west, so we find at the time the league first came to the
knowledge of the whites, that their central fire was that of the Onondagas,
the fathers of the league, the first to the east was that of the Oneidas, next
the Mohawks, who were the keepers of the eastern door, west of the Onon-
dagas was the fire of the Cayugas, and west of it, that of the Senecas, the
keepers of the west door. As in case of the actual home, it was the reverse
of etiquette to approach any fire except by the proper door, and the duty of
protection owed by the youth to age is exemplified by the keepers of the two
doors, who owed the duty of protecting all the fires of the interior tribes
from assault from either direction. We hear of the Mohawks informing
the emissaries of the whites who had come on a diplomatic errand to the
Onondagas and had gone direct to that trilw, avoiding the Mohawks, that
it was very improper to gain admission to the long-house through the chim-
ney, instead of entering at the doorway.
The tenn Iroquois, the exact meaning of which is In doubt, is racial in
its suggestion rather than political, and included the various detached
branches of the people of similar language and habits, as well as the consti-
tuent memljers of the Five Nations.
These outlying members of the Iroquois race were clustered about the
western end of the long-house. Those to the sotith were properly called
the Southern Iroquois. Professor Gass, in the "Historical Register." gives
a considerable number of bands or tribes of Iroquoisan stock; these, he says,
melted away from disease and ceased to have any place in history, their
remnants toeing absorbed in other surviving tribes. Of them all, two tribes
were prominent, the Andastes and the Tuscaroras. The Andastes, also
known as the Susquehannocks. Connestogas, and other unpronounceable
names, were later destroyed by the members of the league, while the Tus-
caroras, in 1714, returned northward from their southern home and formed
an alliance with the league, and are now perhaps the most progressive of
all the remaining of the Iroquois stock.
The western Iroquois consisted of the Eries, Cats or Gahquahs, livmg
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I08 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in the western end of New York and extending into Pennsylvania and Ohio.
They were subdued by the Seagiie and their name is preserved as the name
of the lake that formed the northern bounds of their territory. The Neutral
Nation lived on both sides of the Niagara river, but mostly on the Ontario
side. The Senecas called them the Attiowandaronks, or the people whose
language is a little different. Further west and toward the lake of the
Hurons, was the Tionnontates, or people over the mountain, also called the
Petuns, or Tobacco Nation. These Canadian tribes and other outlying
branches whose names are lost to the historian of the present day, were
sometimes called the Hurors, and the ethnologists of today, following' the
very apposite suggestion of the Canadians, use the term Huron-Iroquois, as
embracing the entire family of tribes above named.
The Tuscaroras, coming from the south in the year of 1714, asked
for admission to the league, and a council of the five tribes was held at the
central fire, at the rock which marked the place of these great meetings.
After due deliberation, it was decided that the sanctity of the league was
such that it could not be enlarged by admitting another tribe on equal foot-
ing with its five constituent members. It was, however, determined that as
the Tuscaroras were of their own blood and of similar language, to whom
the right of hospitality was due, it would be cruel to ignore the petition of
their own kindred by an utter refusal of protection, so it was in the figura-
tive words of the Indians, decided that the Tuscaroras might come to the
west door of the long-house to the tree which by a fiction of the Indians
grew at the door, and there, holding onto the tree under its branches, remain
under the protection of the league, and especially under care of the Senecas,
the keepers of the west door; an officer was "raised up," who was called the
ho!der-onto-the-tree, and his duty was forever to keep in the minds of the
Tuscaroras their subordinate position in the league. To this day this condi-
tion exists, and in the councils of the league this subordinate position of the
Tuscarora is still insisted on by the other members; no Tuscaroras has any
voice in the general council, except on the favor of the others, and a lifted
finger by any of the other councilors brings him to his seat.
After the formation of the league it is said that the members offered
to each of the other tribes of like blood membership in the league; but they
refused or rather ignored the invitation, and their failure to avail themselves
of the offer resulted in their being regarded as enemies of the confederacy
and treated as such. =■
North and south, east and west of this Huron-Iroquois race were lo-
cated an alien race divided into many tn'bes, which in later vears came to
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GENESHE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. IO9
l>e called by the name of Algonquins. This name it seems was that of a
small and rather insignificant tribe of this stock, also called the Adirondacks.
Of these Aigonquins, those at the south had early been brought into some-
thing like subjugation to the league. The principal of these, the Delawares,
who called themselves the Lenni Lenape, deserve especial attention. If the
league of the Iroquois may be called the Romans of the new world, the
Delawares may be called the Greeks. They were a subjugated people, but
their conquerors always held them in highest esteem for their superior intel-
ligence. They were in habits and character, as well as intelligence, superior
to the other Aigonquins, and their name rather tlian the other should have
been applied to the races now called .Algonquin, as they were regarded as the
fathers of their race. From their traditionary history we get the key that
unlocks the mystery of that vanished people called the Mound Builders.
The Indians were great visitors and the Iroquois often visited the Dela-
wares and from them learned many things. They were to the various other
Algonquin peoples, grandfathers: and this is a term of great respect and
suggests the highest honor, as ancient lineage and old age were to the In-
dians proof of great wisdom.
The Delaware tradition tells of their migration from the west, in
which, coming to a river across which was a people numerous and powerful,
their advance was stayed. These people were advanced in status, had fixed
alxxles, and were of a i>eaceful dis^x^sition ; however, they objected to the
advance of the Delawares through their territories, and thus matters stood
when another tide of emigration of the race, called by the Delawares the
Mengwe — that Ijeing their name for the Iroquois — also came to the same
river with intent of seeking a homeland beyond the river. These two races,
being thus barred from further progress by the Tailegewi, or trans-river
people, planned to force a way through the ojiposing people. Negotiations
followed, and the Tallegewi apparently acquiesced in their crossing, but the
good faith of the Tallegewi was doubtful and when a portion of the forces
had crossed, it was attacked by the Tallegewi and roughly handled; but
the others, coming to the assistance of their people, soon routed the enemy
and in the war that follovjed drove them out of their territory to the south-
w^ard: the T,enni Lenaije and Mengwe passed on to their future homeland.
The alliance between these two. however, did not continue for a long period,
and when the whites came they found the Delawares or Lenni a subject
race to the Iroquois, or descendants of the ancient Mengwe of the story,
who, to make use of the idiom of the Indians, had made women of them
and deprived them of the right to carry warlike weapons.
dbyGoot^lc
no GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The seats of the Delawares at this time was the state of Pennsylvania
and westward, while the cognate tribes, or grandcliildren of the Delawares,
were to Ije found in the Hudson valley, on Long Island, and in the New
England states. Closely allied with the Delawares were the Shawanoes,
who, if tradition may be rehed on, were driven from their early home in
New York by the Iroquois, and who became the Gypsies of the new world;
their habits were nomadic, even more than those of the other Indians, most
of whom were given to wanderlust.
The Indians to the south of the Delawares were the Povvhatans of
Virginia, the small tribes, the Corees, Pamlicos, Mattamskeets, Pasquotanks,
along the North Carolina coast, all of Algonquin stock, and it is even claimed
that the Sioiix, or Dakotas, were represented near Cape Fear, by name the
Catawbas, Waxaws, Waterees, Tntelos, Soponis and Manahoaes. Wedged
in among these Sioux, if they were Sioux, were the Tuscaroras, ^roquois
emigrants from the northland. South were various tribes consisting of the
meml^ers of the Mobilian family, but of these southem Indians, the Chero-
kees, whose ancestors are supposed to have been the once numerous Talle-
gewi, of the Delaware tradition, driven from their former country along
the Tallegewi Sipi], as the Delawares called the Ohio river and Allegheny
river from the headwaters of the latter, to the entry into the Mississippi.
These are probably the present representatives of the ancient Mound Build-
ers, so called, whose remains are found along this river of the Tallegewi,
especially at Marietta, Ohio, Moundsville, West Virginia, and other places
along that river.
The more southem Indians are for the most part known only his-
torically. Their tribes have ceased to have any political existence, and their
names are preserved only by the chronicler and in various geographic names
that commemorate their former localities and suggest their former power.
Two exceptions to this rule are worthy of mention. The Tuscaroras
and Cherokees, who were of northern origin, showed exceptional vitality
and to this day have their own reservations and to some extent keep up
their tribal traditions.
Along the valley of the Hudson river were bands of Algonquins, the
most notable being the Mohicans and the less known Wappingers, Warana-
waukongs, Tappans, Tachami, Sintsinks, Kitchawauks, Makimanes and, on
Long Island, the Matonwaks. In New England were the Naragansetts, the
Pequods, the Wampangoags and the Micamacs. In the extreme north of
the New England states were the Wabenaki. All these were of Algonquin
stock.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Ill
To the north of the Huron-Troquois were the Adirondacks and the
Ottawas, and the far northern forests sheltered the men of the puckered
blankets, the Ojibways. destined to break through the barrier and, like the
Goths of old, to find a more congenial homeland toward the south. These
northern people were not closely united by any political bond and many of
them belonged to a lower stratum in the scale of advancement toward civ-
ilization; they had not learned the art of making pottery, and in derision
the people of the confederated Iroquois referred to them as the men-who-
boi led- stones, referring to their habit in cooking meat by placing it in a
skin sunk into a hole in the ground, and after pouring; in water to drop hot
stones on it.
For the sake of classification it is well here to divide the Indians into
three classes: the first, the confederated Iroquois of New York, calling them-
selves Wis-nyeh-goin-sa-geh, or the five peoples bound together by an oath,
whose territory was poetically called the Ho-den-o-sau-nee, or the house
that has grown out to form a home for more than one family; the second,
the various members of the Huron-Iroquois races, forming a fringe about
the western end of the long-house, with some branches in the far south, all
of similar language to the Five Nations, but who failed to attach themselves
to the league when the opportunity offered, and who may l^e called the un-
confederated Huron-Iroquois; the third, the Algonquins, north, south, east
and west of the Huron-Iroquois, confederated and un con federated, whose
principal and typical member was the Delaware nation, and whose lowest
type were probably the men- who-boil- stones, in the far north. Of the sec-
ond division, most were conquered by the confederated Iroquois, within the
historical period, losing their tribal identity, except the Tuscaroras, who
came back north and took the subordinate position in the confederacy. The
loss of tribal identity in the history- of the redmen, however, does not mean
the loss of all its members. The habit of adoption, which prevailed among
the Iroquois especially, suggests that the members of a subjugated tribe
were largely incorporated into the tribe of the conquerors, so increasing its
numbers and adding to its prestige and power. This custom of adoption
was an ancient one and had its ritual sanctified by ancient usage, which car-
ried with it a sacred obligation on the part of the person adopted and the
tribe adopting. These ancient ceremonies meant much to the Indian, who
by nature was given to formalities, especially when those rites were sanc-
tioned by ancient usage. To illustrate, a few years ago there was still living
on the Mohawk reservation near Brantford, Ontario, one John Key, who
was the last survivor of the progeny of the Tutelos, who had, before the
dbyGoot^lc
112 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
War of the Revolution, fled from their home on the Rapahannock river and
became incorporated into the trj!>e of the Mohawks; hkely many others of
various other tribes had in the same manner found refuge in adoption and
incoqxiration into the various other members of the confederacy. The wife
of King Tandy, a Seneca friend of the writer, admitted herself to be an
Abenaki, and when she was bantered for her alliance with the enemies of her
race, she suggested that it was to get e\'en with one of them that she married
him — this with a twinkle in her expressive black eyes.
When the white man came, the confederated Iroquois had established
their military superiority over the Algonquins to the south and east, so that
all fear of invasion from either of these points had ceased. Nor did they
have any fear of the uncon federated Huron-Iroquois. To them they were
boimd by ties of blood and a common language. Among them there was no
power that could stand before the warriors of the league. Traffic was carried
on between these various peoples; an aged Seneca informed the writer that,
according to the traditions of his forefathers, the trail to Canada, whither
they went for materials for arrow points, led under the falls of Niagara;
that one could then walk dry shod from the American side down under the
falling waters and come up again on the Canadian side, but that falling
rocks in later times had obliterated and destroyed the old trail and forced
them to resort to the canoe in crossing.
HOCIIELAGA.
When Jaques Cartier, in September, 1535, reached the Indian town of
Hochelaga on the site of the present city of Montreal, he found a village
containing about fifty houses. Jlis description of these houses is a descrip-
tion of the Iroquois long-house. The name of the village also suggests
Iroquois people as its inhabitants. The iinal syllable of the name is the Iro-
quois locative, and it means "the place of." Similar to it is the same ending
of the Iroquois name Onondaga. Here and at the village of Stadcona,
farther down the river, the whites first came into communication with the
people of that great and dominant race. The reports these people gave to
Cartier were to the effect that up the Ottawa river there were fierce people
continually waging war with each other. How far up, the Hochelagans did
not ^now. The Hochelagans were very friendly and hospitable, and the
method of extending their hospitality also is distinctively Iroquoisan. The
glimpse we get of Indian character from Carder's account is one of the first
and best, unfortunately a momentary one; but there appears to have been
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GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. II3
about fifty houses and a palisaded fort. There seems, too, a suggestion that
the town was within a pahsaded enclosure, but in some portions the record
seems to be at variance with that fact; if, in accordance with the usual cus-
tom of the Iroquois who bnilded on a frontier, the village would be outside
of the fort, but adjacent, and the fort of palisades would be kept up as a
place of refuge in case of invasion. That there was a fort of palisades at
Hochelaga also suggests the nearness of the frontier, and this supposition is
borne out by all the facts that come down to us as to the dispersion of the
Indian tribes.
Much speculation has l>een in<!ulged in by later writers as to the popu-
lation of Hochelaga, and in an article read by the celebrated Horatio Hale,
before the Congress of Anthropology at Chicago, at the World's Fair, in
1S93, he estimated the i^opulafion as from two to three thousand. This esti-
mate is i^robably extremely exaggerated. If the town had as many hundreds
as he estimates thousands, it would have been remarkable among the villages
of that race, considering the status of the Indians of that day. The Indians
were not prolific.
The coming and going of Cartier gives us a glimpse of the Indians of
the St. I..awrence. but the intercourse lietween the whites and red men soon
ceased and a period of oblivion succeeded, continuing until the coming of
Champlain, of renowned memory, in the year ifio.'?. In the meantime Stand-
cone and Hochelaga had disappeared, and in the place of these villages of
Cartier's time, Champlain found a few wandering Algonquins along the
river. The people up the Ottawa were no longer an alien and inimical race.
This disappearance of Hochelaga has been the subject of much conjecture;
the historians and romancers have found in it the source of much conjec-
tural writing, some of which is put forth as history and some purely as
6ction. From the fact that an alien and enemy race was found to hold the
territory of the former villagers, it has been generally supposed that the
former and numerous inhal>itants, with their palisaded forts, had been driven
out in war waged against them by the Algonquins who were found to
have succeeded to the occupancy of the territories of the former Iroquois
inhabitants. This supposition seems unfounded and carries evidences of its
own fallacy. Assuming that the villages of Hochelaga and Staiidcone were
of the size and importance of the assumed figures of Hale, and palisaded as
reported by Cartier, it is difficult to concede that they would have fallen
victims to their northern Algonquin enemies, especially as Champlain found
these latter few in numlwr and living in mortal fear of the Iroquois; more-
(8)
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114 ■ GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
over, in all subsequent encounters the Iroquois proved themselves to be far
superior to the Algontiuins. Probably the exaggerated idea of the size and
importance of these towns, or hamlets, are responsible for these fallacies
a^: to the fate of the two towns, and when we more properly come to con-
sider them as of very httle importance, and of very small size, the his-
toric value of their subsequent fate becomes proportionately diminished. Mr.
Hale finds in the habits and traditions of the Wyandots evidence that they
were the descendants of the remnant of the Hochelagaais, who fled west and
south when their village was attacked and destroyed by the Algonquins.
Mr. Lightall, in his most interesting romance, "The Master of Life," has
made the disaster to the Hochelagans the starting point for the emigration
of the Iroquois from Canada into New York and the formation of the great
league.
It is, however, quite unnecessary to appeal to warfare as the cause of
the fall of Hochelaga, and it seems to be more probable that war had
nothing to do with it. There was among the Iroquois a traditional myth
of a great serpent whose breath was the pestilence which buried itself under
the village of the red man and, by the emanations of its body and the pesti-
lence of its breath, brought sickness and death to the people of the fated
village. The first knowledge of the visitation of the sequent came from the
appearance of these dire results and, to escape the ser|jent, the people, with
adroit skill would gather together the few needed utensils and silently de-
nart, in a stealthy manner so as to avoid giving their hidden enemy any
alarm. They then sought in some remote locality a new place of habitation,
where they might live free from the poisonous presence of the serpent, un-
less that enemy, after long seeking again, should find them out and again
bring the pestilence upon them.
It is quite easy in the light of motlern sanitary science to see the cause
of this serpent myth of the pestilence in the unsanhary conditions that
would accumulate around a village of these primitive men. The strongest
palisades were of no avail against its insidious approach. No remedy known
to the medicine men of the forest folk availed to stay its ravage. This myth
furnishes a more probable hypothesis of the di.sappearance of the two vil-
lages of the Iroquois of Cartier's day than any forced suggestion of war
against them successfully waged by an enemy who from every other sug-
gestion was utterly inferior. All these attempts to explain the matter, how-
ever, belong rather to the domain of fiction than history: suffice it to say
that the coming of Champlain found an entirely different race possessing the
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. II5
valley of the St. Lawrence; and here turns the fate of nations. The events
that foHowed, in which he was the prime mover and principal actor, were
of greatest import to the generations that were to inhabit the vast country
of northern America. If we were to apply the canons of historical criti-
cism, it would not be difficult to see in his career and in his administration
of the affairs of France in the new world, events that have determined the
course of all its subsequent history; which gave tiie new world over to free-
dom of religion, freedom of thought and democracy, and which may leaven
the old world models and mould their tendencies, until the entire world
shall have become democratic.
Champlain had brought a numiier of young men, or rather boys, who
were to learn the languages of the Indians and become interpreters. Among
them probalily the most celebrated was Stephen Brule, who was the first
white to come up the Ottawa river aiid the first to behold our Lake Huron.
Wisdom would have suggested that Champlain should have waited for these
young men to qualify for their ofifice, and to obtain the knowledge they
could impart before entering into any alliance which might prove entang-
ling. Champlain was ignorant of the affairs of the Indians beyond the
valley of the St. Lawrence. The little knowle<;lge he could derive from the
imperfect communications with the Algonquins that he came in contact with,
ajjprised him that they were at enmity with a race to the southward, against
which they sought his active aid. He had no means of determining the jus-
tice of that quarrel. Who were the aggressors, what questions of right or
wrong were involved, he knew not. Especially was he utterly imadvised as
to the numlier or power of that southern race, or the possible results of his
alliance with the Adirondacks. He was a dashing soldier, hut not a diplo-
mat. Under these circumstances he listened to their siren appeals and
formed an alliance with the enemies of the great league, an alliance cemented
and sanctified by those ceremonies that meant so much to the Indians, but
were lightly entered into by the French.
He soon joined an expedition of his allies against their enemies. His
allies included the Ottawas, who dwelt up the river that now preserves their
name, the same warlike people to whom the Hochelagans referred in their
taie to Cartier and the "Mantagnais," a rather indefinite term, referring to
some highland band of the Algonquins, and some of the Hurons, who be-
cause of territorial location had become joined to the Algonquins in the war
against the league.
It M'as June, 1609, when the fateful expedition of sixty red men,
dbyGoot^lc
Il6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
armed with their native weaixms. and three whites — Champlain and two
others— paddled up the Sorel river out on the placid waters of the lake now
named for ChaiTipIain. There the little flotilla of canoes sighted a similar
flotilla of the enemy. Fighting on the waters is not to the taste of the Indian.
The narrow confines of a canoe forbid the room for the strategy of the red
man. Both parties took to the shore. There a few discharges of the
guns of the Frenclimen decided the battle, and ChampJain and his red allies
saw their enemies flee from this new and terrible instrument of destruction.
They regarded their victory as complete and from the standpoint of the
Indian it was. The Algonquins saw an enemy before whom they had often
fled, and whom they had always feared, flee before the new alliance. They
returned to the St, Lawrence and soon afterward another battle was fought
by the French and Indian aUies against some Iroquois who held a palisaded
fort; even this advantage was of no avail against the weapons of the white
men. Champlain was jubilant, for he had now earned the gratitude of his
red allies, who promised him aid in exploring the great west and northwest.
The effect of these two conflicts on the league was the 0{4)osite. There
was no jubilation. They saw the French in alliance with their enemies and
with a new weapon against which their crude ones were useless. This did
not bring them to despair, but the seeds of implacable hatred toward the
French were sown in the breasts of the people of the long-house, and never
afterwards could the diplomacy of the French quench that hatred.
Not far from this same time when Champlain's canoes came up the
Sorel from the north, Hendrick Hudson came up the Hudson from the
south. He came in friendship and in him the leaguemen saw a different
race of white men. He came to open up trade. The Indians had furs and
wanted the new weapon of the white man. The Dutch were astute traders
and they wanted the furs of the red men. They sailed up the river and met
the Iroquois, smarting under their defeat from the French, and they soon
supplied the new weapon to the men of the league and taught its use, and
so commenced the traffic which was destined to make New York City the
first emporium of the New World, as the Iroquois of the league had made it
from the time of Ay-oun-a-wa-ta, the Empire state.
So there began the conflict between the French of Canada and their
Indian allies on the one hand, and the Five Nations aided by the Dutch,
and later by the English, on the south — the French representing despotism;
the league, Dutch and English representing the ideals of democracy. Who
can say that it was not the power of the league that decided the fate of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. II7
America by turning the tide in favor of the democratic principle, which
was the vitai principle of their own polity.
This brings the general view of Indian history down to the early years
of the seventeenth century, and this century saw the attainment of the great-
est power of the league. Ay-oun-a-wa-ta had dreaniefi of universal peace,
an entire world without war, as men today dream. The fruition of this dream
was the great peace between the five peoples; as today, their ethics were
tribal and, l">eing at jjeace with each other, they had more oi>p;>ortunity to
make war against those outside the league. All their history during this
period and their activity in war were motived by their liatred for the French
and their allies. Beginning about 1638, after their harvest of furs for a
score of years had been great, and nearly all of which had been traded with
the Dutch into guns and munitions, they began systematically to destroy
the outlying bands of uncon federated Huron-Iroquois and such of the AI-
gonquins as had joined the French. It is needless to say that this warfare
was carried on ruthlessly, and that opposition was punished by extermina-
tion, especially since they were located far from the home of the league,
which made ado|>tion into the tribe less practicable.
The superior equipment and morale of the men of the league triumphed
over the numliers. however great, of their enemies. The Huron country
was completely overrun. The missions shared the same fate. The Jesuit
fathers, busied on errands of mercy and endeavoring to relieve the dreadful
suffering, fjeing French, fell under the club of the invading force. Some
died at the stake and so sealed a life of devotion with a martyr's death.
But, regardless of the general cataclysm that came upon the Huron country,
there still remained bands of this people, who came over into Michigan, or
remnants of the Huron-Iroquois of an earlier day, who, even as late as
1800, still lived in our peninsula and to some extent retained their tribal
customs. According to Copway, the Hurons were divided into five distinct
tril;es who, in imitation of the confederated five nations, had formed some-
thing like an alliance. On their dif^ersal the first nation fled to the south
of Lake Huron, about Saginaw ; subsequently it moved further south on the
St. Clair. A part of the Huron ijeople fled to the isle of St. Joseph in the
Georgian bay. A remnant of the Tobacco Nation, the Petuns, fled to Mack-
inac island, and were joined by Ottaiwas. Here they failed to find the
safety sought, for even in these hidden places the warriors of the league
sought them out, and they started to the islands of Lake Michigan near
Green bay; some went northward to Chequamegon bay, of Lake Superior,
dbyGoot^lc
Il8 GEN^ESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
where Father Allouez found them. These fugitives, fleeing from one enemy,
came info the sphere of the dreaded Sioux; driven back again they sought
asylum on the island of the Turtle, Mackinac, where in 1671 they received
the ministrations of the gentle Father Marquette. During these troublous
times, in the milder parts of the Canadian northland there hung like a
threatening cloud, a hardy race of Indians, the Ojibways— or the Chippe-
was of later times — whose history is inseparably connected with the history
of Michigan and of our county. The year iSoo found a village of them
within the present bounds of the fifth ward of the city of Flint.
Of the early habitations of the various Indians in Michigan and vicin-
ity during the years both following and preceding the disi>ersal of the
Hurons, we get only a kaleidoscopic view. So rapidly did one tribe appear
in a particular locality, and so suddenly vanish; so frequent were the forays
of the ever-active Iroquois of the league, that only certain salient points can
here he shown. The sahent points, or landmarks, leading up to the eigh-
teenth century appear to be, first, the formation of the Iroquois league by
Ay-oun-a-wa-ta ; second, the coming of Cartier in 1535, and the glimpse we
get of the condition at that date, followed by a period of oblivion during
which we find that great changes occurred; third, the coming of Champlain
up the St. Lawrence, his ill-advised alliance with the Algonquins and Huron
enemies of the league, causing the French to be placed by the Iroquois
league in the category of its enemies; fourth, the coming of Hendrick Hud-
son up the Hudson river at practically the same time as Champlain, and the
consequent opening of trade by the Dutch, resulting in arming the warriors
of the league: and fifth, the successful wars of the league against the allies
of the French, resulting in their dispersal.
Their dispersal was the beginning of what may appropriately be called
the volkwandenmg of the native races in and about Michigan, similar to the
period of Eurcpean history which followed the breaking up of the Roman
power and the irruption of the northern races. In our local volkwanderung
we have another parallel ; there was a northern nation, which, profiting by
the disintegiation of the more southern tribes, was to pour down into more
congenial because more southern homes. This was the Chippewa nation,
which was destined for a time to hold in dominion a greater extent of terri-
tory perhaps than any other Indian tribe, not excepting the great league.
Around these historical nuclei we may group many facts derived from
the oral history of the various races. There are stories told by the "Keepers
of the faith," and to these we may add the deductions of the ethnologists.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. tig
who under governniental sanction and at governmental expense, have gar-
nered the field, sifted out the chaff and built up a splendid monument to the
memory of our Indian brothers.
There is a beautiful story told of a little people who once dwelt on the
island of the Turtle, or Mackinac. They were peaceful and happy, they
were simple in their habits, temperate in their desires, and found upon and
about the i.sland that was theirs and on the adjacent shores of its encir-
cling lake all that their hearts could desire. They grew numerous, and the
lesson they impressed upon their children was that of contentment and
thankfulness. But even in their retreat they did not escape the baleful ac-
tivity of the Iroquois, who came upon them and destroyed their villages,
killed their men and women. But a few esc^ed by the direct aid of their
manitou, and these few, transformed by their manitou into ethereal beings,
for many years haunted the forests of the state. When some belated
hunter, lost in the depths of the woods, heard peals of merry laughter, he
knew it was from the little fairy folk, who had been so miraculously saved
from the hands of the hated Iroquois, to wander in the forest far from the
island of the Turtle, but always happy as in the day of their glory.
SW.\G-0-NO— TIIE-PEOPI.E- WHO- WENT -01;T-0F-THE-LAND.
There lingers in the traditions of the Senecas a storj' of a band of
their own race who once lived on the St. Lawrence, but who in very early
times became dissatisfied with their own country and determined upon a ,
general exodus in hopes of finding the Utopia of their desires. They gath-
ered together their meager holdings and, like a stream, went out of the land.
It should be remeniljered that the Indians had no domestic animals except
the dog, consequently no beast of burden. They were their own means of
transportation, except when their route followed a waterway, when the
canoe furnished a means of transportation, but this also required hard labor.
The name of these emigrants was a compound built up of Indian words:
"Swageh; pronounced gvitturaliy, meant flowage, or flowing, like the waters
of a stream, and it takes Ixit little imagination to see in this word the
imitation of the noise of swirling waters of a swift stream like our word
"swash," a name that Southey might have used in his description of the
waters at Ladore had .he been acquainted with the dialect of the leagiiemen.
Akin to this is the Chippewa word "See-be," which, according to Copway,
means a stream and is also an imitation of flowing waters. If we add to
this word the Indian word "0-no," meaning people, we have "Swageh-o-
dbyGoot^lc
I20 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
no," meaning the-people-who-went-out-of-the-land. If the Indian referred
to the place, or country of this ]>eople, he appended the location, "Ga," and
the word became Swageh-o-no-ga, hterally translated as the place-of-the-
people-who-went-out-of-the-Iand. This Iroquois name is now preserved in
the geographic "Saginaw" and the "Saguenay" of Cartier's record; while
the first part is the name of the "Sauks," "Saukies," or "Sacs," an Indian
tribe which in more recent historic times lived in Wisconsin, but whose tra-
ditional homeland was the Saginaw country. Here we come into touch with
our own locality, for our county of Genesee was part of this Saginaw
country, and so the-people-who-went-out-of-the-land were our predecessors
in occupancy of this our present homeland.
Of the maps of the eighteenth century, the English maps generally in-
clude this portion of Michigan as territory of the Iroquois of the league.
On maps of Hudson's Ixty, etc., in 1755, and on later editions in 1772, we
see the eastern portion of this peninsula as belonging to the "Six Nations,"
but they place a village of the Ottawas on our river not far from Taymouth,
Saginaw county. These maps also place a viiJage of the Messisauges on the
east bank of the St. Clair river jnst above the lake of St. Clair. "Accurate
Map of North America," by Ewan Bowen, Geographer to His Majesty, and
John Gibson, Engineer, 1763, gives the eastern portion of lower Michigan
as occupied by the Iroquois, and also marks the Ottawa village and that of
the Messisauges the same as in the Hudson's Bay map above. It is to be
noted that the Senex Map (English) of 17 10, shows no name of occupants
of this region, and the folding map in Colden's "History of the Five Na-
tions," published in 1747, shows no name of the Indian inJiaWtants of this
portion of Michigan except a village of the Ouwaes down toward Detroit.
The French maps of this period do not give to the Iroquois the possession
of this region. The map of 1746, auspices of Monsigneur Le Due D'Or-
leans, shows the Ottawas in the lower Saginaw valley, but no Iroquois. The
French map of Sr. Robert DeVangondy fils, dedicated to Le Conte D'Ar-
genson, secretary of state, in 1753, shows a village of "Ouontonnais" at
the head of Saginaw bay.
Were there no such story as given aitx)ve of the people-who-went-out-
of-the-land, were all the evidences given by the writers and map-makers and
all history from the Indians themselves utterly lost, there would .still be
indisputable proof that the Saginaw country, or the valley of the present
Saginaw river, with the Flint, Shiawassee, Cass, Tittabawassee and their
afiluents, was once and for a long period occupied by a branch of the great
Huron-Iroquois family of tribes.
dbyGoot^lc
GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The written record may be uncertain, the traditional one vague, but
the evidence furnished by the stone implements and other relics tdl a taie
that convinces. In the careful exploration under the supervision of Mr.
Doyle, of Toronto, of the educational department of the province, we have
data as to the kind and character of the things made of stone, and some-
times less endurable materials, that once entered into the domestic economy
of the former inhabitants. Many of these are of ethnic value, that is, they
are of form or function pecuHar to some trite, used perhaps in some rite
or ceremony which was not observed hy any other tribe. All over the por-
tion of Ontario, from J.^e Huron eastward to Toronto, and even farther,
which was the ancient home of the Huron -Iroquois, are found these stone
implements of peace and of war, ornaments, and things used in the rites of
squilture, and these are ahnost monotonous in their similarity. North,
south and east we find a different condition. The testimony of these stone
witnesses from the ancient days bears witness of a different people, whose
habits differed, who had a different religion. There we fail to find the
butterfly amulet of banded slate, common throughout the Huron country.
The little stone effigy of a bird, also of the Huronian slate, which the women
of the early day wore in their hair to announce pregnancy and claim its
privileges, is not to be found; but in the most of this Canadian land and
extending over into Michigan, we find the same conditions. The tell-tale
stone bird, with the Ixise drilled at each end to receive the thong that tied
it upon the head of the squaw, the butterfly stone, and even the etched pic-
ture of the clan totem — all these have l>een found in profusion here in Gen-
esee county, thus proclaiming that the same [wople who occupied the parts
of Ontario a}x3ve referred to also occupied the eastern part of Michigan,
including Genesee county. Were these relics found but rarely, or in iso-
lated in.stances, the deduction would not be justified; hut such is not the case.
They are found all over this and adjacent counties, scattered here and there
in great numbers, especially along the streams where the Indians naturally
built their hamlets.
It is probable that the Iroquois people-who-went-out-of-the-land, and
who gave us the name Saginaw, were not limited to a single migration, but
that^many such streams of migrants, following one after another, for many
years, came to Michigan and that the ties that bound the Hurons of Michigan
to those of Canada were close and intimate.
Of these former possessors of Genesee county, one alone has survived
and preserved its tribal identity — the Sacs — and from their traditions we
have the fact that they came from Canada to the Saginaw country, thence
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122 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
were driven out and went on to Wisconsin, where they settled and became
closely connected with the Foxes, or, to use the Indian name, "Outagamies."
So closely united were these two in country and policy that, in history, the
Sacs and Foxes are generally mentioned together as forming one political
entity.
This occupancy of our county by the Huron-Iroquois people is the
earliest of which we have any knowledge either from the traditions of the
Indians or from the deductions of the ethonologists. All the remains —
whether in the form of mounds, places of sepulchre, arrow points, stone
implements — point to these people as the earliest occupants, and also show
that their occupancy was one of long duration. Probably they were a hun-
dred years or more l)efore Columbus came, and continued until the disper-
sion of the Hurons in Canada about 1638, or until what may be termed the
volkwanderung of the Algonquins and the un con federated Huron-Iroquois
of this region.
THE MOUND BUILDERS.
The earliest explorers of America came illusioned with certain theolo-
gical conceptions, which dominated ali their conclusions as to America and
its people. Among these was the belief that the Hebrews were the original
people, and that any other people must of necessity be an offishoot of that
race. They made no exception in the case of the Indians and attempted to
trace this entirely distinct people living in another continent, of a distinct
language, of a different and inferior status, without flocks, back to the
Hebrews. To do so called for the exercise of great ingenuity. The lost
tribes of Israel furnished the basis of many fantastic hypotheses put forth
with perfect assurance as to the origin of the Indians. The Indians being of
an inferior status, this must be accoimted for, and it was assumed that their
predecessors in America had been of higher civilization. With these basic
assumptions, the investigations, as is wont to be the case, resulted in corroba-
tory evidence of preconceived theories. Linguistic afllinities, mostly imagin-
ary, were pointed out. Flood myths were discovered which of course must
refer to the story of Noah. And to cap the sheaf, did not the very name of
the progenitor of the Hebrew, race, Adam, mean red? What caviler could
ask for more cogent evidence of the fact that the Indians were merely
Hebrews transformed into Americans in some manner and fallen from their
earlier and higher status of civilization.
The result was that in the larger mounds of the Ohio valley and vicinity
they saw the remains of the earher civilization. The men who built those
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GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 123
mounds became the "Mound Builders." and they were endowed with the arts
and customs of the civihzed status. The illusion did not stop at pseudo-
scientific statement. It had a basis of theological misconception and it became
the basis of a new theological system. A romancer seized on the explanation
of the theological scientific explorers of the mounds, and wove it into a
romance of a people who by the command of Yaveh, before the Babylonian
captivity, left their home in Judea and, with their flocks, household goods,
families and servants, and under guidance of deity, traveled by land to the
sea, where, after building a ship, they set sail and after many days and the
hardships of Aeneas, they landed in a new country. Then followed, in
archaic language and poor orthography, a tale o£ the spreading of these
favored people of Israel over America, who were thus led to a new world and
saved from the impending captivity in Babylon. They separated into two
branches, one of which, by departing from the precepts of their God, sank into
barbarism. The wars between these two i>eople resulted in the extermination
of the more enlightened nation, so America reverted to barbarism, and the
ancient civilization of these Hebrews, thus miraculously led to a new world,
ceased; and when Columbus came he found the darkness of savagery where
once flourished a civilized and advanced race.
Kipling, in his inimitable tale of "Griffin's Debts." tells of the drunken
and broken soldier who went among the natives and by a heroic death became
to them a god, and who "may in time become a solar myth." The realization
of this suggestion could be no more astounding than the fact that this fiction
of the romancer, whimsied by the common conception of the Indian's origin,
has become a sacred Irook to a great religious sect, as the Mormon bible.
For riiany years this mythical people were believed to have held sway
over the eastern portion of the United States, and for want of any more
definite name were called the "Mound Builders." The school books of earlier
days had chapters about them, describing them as a people superior to the
Indians; but later investigations, and the credence now given to the Delaware
tradition, have relegated them to the category of the hyperboreans and cen-
taurs of the more ancient fables.
As an epithet, the name Mound Builders might be properly apphed to a
number of the tribes, many of which were mound builders to some extent.
The moimd builders par excellence were probably the Tallegewi of the Ohio
valley, supposed to be represented in more recent historic times by the Chero-
kee s, their descendants.
Of the four-kinds of moimds, viz. : The "Effigy mound," made in imi-
tation of some animal, the burial mound, made as a place of sepulture, the
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124 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fortification inmiiid, and the plain tumulus, containing no remains of human
beings, only two are found within the region of Michigan — the fortification
mound and the burial mound. The first of these is generally a circular or
eliptical mound, enclosing, with the exception of a gateway, a piece of level
ground. The mounds were made by setting up on end a row of small logs
as palisades, the lower end being set upon the surface of the ground, and
these banked up with a buttress of earth piled up against the palisades inside
and out. The fort was completed by binding the palisades together with
withes or rawhide, and by erecting platforms on the inside to accommodate
the warriors, who from this elevated place could throw stones or shoot their
arrows down upon an attacking host. It was this kind of fort that Cartier
found at Hochelaga. When this fort fell into disuse and the pahsades rotted
and fell away, the circular ridge of earth remained for many years to tell of
the preparedness of some band of forest folk, and the location of such forts
marks a frontier; only the fear of attack brought them into being. Their
presence helps us accordingly to locate the frontier line separating the hostile
tribes and determining the boundaries of their occupancy. The burial mound
were made by laying the remains of the dead and piHng upon them sufficient
earth to cover them, and to raise a mound which became the marker for the
place of burial. These two kinds of mounds, both of which are found in the
Saginaw country, are distinctively Huron-Iroquois in form, and give added
proof of the occupancy of this region by that race. In this limited sense the
Iroquois are entitled to fje called the Mound Builders of the Saginaw country.
CENESEE COUNTY UNDER IIURON-IROQUOIS OCCUPANCY.
From the analogy of Huron- Iroquois customs, domestic and social, we
may reproduce the life and customs of our Huron predecessors who held
and tilled the fields of our county where now we reap and gather into our
bams. We must not picture a large population. We must not talk of vil-
lages, much less cities, according to our conception of such political units.
When we speak of villages the word must be used in a quaHfied sense. Among
the Indians it was no more than hamlets, where a few families of two or
three score of people spent the winters, and these were located along the
streams and lakes.
The houses of these early people of Genesee county were, we may
assume, the framed buildings of large poles or small logs, say eighteen or
twenty feet wide and slightly longer. The frames were bound together by
strips of rawhide, and when completed, covered by the bark of elm or birch.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I25
SO joined together as to be impervious to rain, snow or wind. The four sides
of the house faced the cardinal points of the compass, and the doors were
toward the east and the west. The orientation of the homes was significant.
Toward the four i»ints of the c<1mi>ass, the Indian turned reverently when
he offered his prayers, and from each point he invoked the blessing of his
Maker.
In the niiddle of the house was a fireplace, conveniently located on the
ground in the center of the room, and a hole in the roof over the fire gave an
outlet for the smoke, which from an Indian fire made of dry wood of the
approved kind was not so thick or offensive as the smoke from the white
man's fire; besides, was not the smoke the medium of communication with the
Master of Life and did it not in its forms give to the red man visions of the
unseen things of the mystery world. Along the sides of the room were plat-
forms for seats by day, for beds by night. These were covered with skins,
and beneath were receptacles for the edible things gathered from the woods or
garnered from the fields — the nuts, the roots, the com, the beans and the
squashes. The husk bags, hung from the rafters, held the maple sugar or
the meal ground from the parched com. Flere was the pottery ware, the
mortar of wood, and the pestle of stone. Here the bag of skins in which
the housewife kept her needles of bone and thread of sinews. Here were
the bowls of wood and the ladles of horn or wood, and there the gourd or
drinking cup, the heavy club, the big stone with a rawhide thong which was
to break the ice in winter. Here were the fish hooks made of bone, and the
spear, with its bone point. Here the deer horn, made into a spade to dig
around the soil where the "three sisters" grew.
The fire was kept alive by banking the coals in ashes throughout the
winter, for fire-making was lalMrious; besides, fire was sacred and the making
of the fire in a new home, and the making of a new fire in the old home each
year, was a matter of ceremony sanctioned by ancient rites and sanctified by
ancient custom.
In winter, the period of relaxation, the men passed their time largely
in inactivity. The women made or mended the clothing for the family. They
wove the husk bottle for use and husk masks for rnerry-making ; the husk
nose to wear as a rebuke to the gossip or mischief-maker. They all, men,
women and children, rollicked and romped with each other and played various
games. The men made bows, spears, arrows and shaped the stone by chipping
off the fiakes of chert until the spear point or arrow was achieved. They
polished the stone for a chisel to cut away the charred wood where the coals
were piled on to make the wooden bowl, or the trough for the sap of the
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126 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
maple. This work was the school for manual training of the young, who
dilligentiy helped the older folk. In the evening there gathered around the
middle fire, the men and women, the youth and the children, and there some
old man whose life had l>een given to keep aiive the unwritten history of the
people, some "Keeper-of -the- faith," perhaps, stated the things of the olden
days, as their fathers had told them, of the deeds of their heroes, of the migra-
tion of the tribe, of their glory in war and, above all, of their duty to give
thanks, "to our mother, the earth, which sustains us, to the rivers and streams,
which supply us with water, to all herbs, which furnish us medicine for the
cure of our diseases, to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and squashes,
which give us life; to the bushes and trees which provides us with fruits;
to the wind, which, moving the air, has banished diseases; to the moon and
stars which have given to us their lights when the sun was gone; to our
grandfather He-no, who has protected his grandchildren from witches and
reptiles, and has given us the rain; to the sun, who has looked upon the earth
with a beneficent eye, and lastly we return thanks to the Master of Life,
Rawennyo, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for
the good of his children.'"
And so the children and the young men and girls of the Hurons of
Genesee county were taught reverence for the Creator, ;md obedience to their
elders, and respect for the aged, who because of their long life knew all that
the younger people knew and much besides; and if the speaker hesitated, the
young people said, "I listen ;" and if any one by reason of drowsiness or inat-
tention failed to so respond, he was disgraced, so attention to the words of
the wise was also taught to the youth of that age.
In early February, the month of the new year when the pleiades, which
the Indians called "the Guides," were directly over head when the stars came
out at nightfall, came the new year, for the Creator of the world made the
world with these stars hanging directly over it. Then the people gathered
together to give thanks for the preservation of their lives; smoke was sent
up from the sacred tobacco to bear the messages of reverence and supplica-
tion, and a white dog, pure in color and without blemish, was killed, for so
their father had done before them.
In March, the month of the maple sap, they gathered again, and again
rendered thanks for the earth, and the medical plants, and the "three sisters,"
and the winds, and the trees, and the Master of Life; but especially did they
give thanks to Rawennyo, who gave them the maple trees, and to the tree
itself, for its sweet water from which to make the maple sugar.
Again in May, the planting month, they gathered to recognize the aid
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 12/
of the Creator in their labor of planting the seeds, and to ask for an abund-
ant harvest. And when the strawberry, the berry-that-gro\vs-on-the-hillside,
ripened, this too was an evidence of the goodness of Hini-who-made-us, and
this, too, called for recognition by a gathering together of the people, followed
by solemn and devout worship according to the customs and ritual of their
fathers.
But of all the religious festivals of these Huron-Iroquois, the greatest
was the green-corn festival, that occurred in the fall when the roasting ears
were (it. With many of the Indians, this month was called the "Month of
roasting ears." The corn was the most important food product of the In-
dians. The ease of its production, and the variety of forms in which it was
used made it the principal food of the red man, although its two sisters, the
bean and the squash, came next and were almost universally referred to
together as the three sisters. The feast in honor of this gift of the Creator
was elaborate in its ceremonies; it covered four days, each of which was
devoted to some particular religious service or social enjoyment.
They had an exaggerated idea of personal liberty. The death penalty
was inflicted for crime. But imprisonment, never— they had no jails. In
war an honorable captivity was recognized and hostages given, but captivity
as a punishment for crime was not sanctioned. Enslavement of an enemy
was just, but the distinction l>etween master and slave was not broad, as
among civilized persons.
Those people had a rude but efl^icient system of agriculture. In summer
the women went out into the woods and, if new fields were to be chosen for
their planting the next year, built a tire about the trees in order to kill them
and let in the sun. The next spring, at proper intervals between the trees so
killed, they built small fires of the dead branches of these trees, which killed
the vegetation, and the ashes formed' a fertilizer. On the sites of these fires,
a little later in the planting month, after digging up the soil with a sharpened
stick or deer's horn, the women planted the three sisters — com, beans and
squash — all in one hill. The corn growing up made a pole for the beans to
grow upon; the squash sent its vines out over the adjacent ground. In this
way, with little tillage, probably as great results in the way of food supplies
were obtained as would seem possible from any other method conceivable.
No fences were required, as they had no domestic animal to stray or trespass.
The crows were watched, and if the witches came, appeal was made to the
Ga-go-sa, or cult of the false face, to exorcise them. These same medicine
men ministere<l to the sick, especially when the disease was accompanied by
delirium; for this symptom suggested the seeing of the flying faces in the
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I2S GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
sky, and the Ga-go-sa of the red face was in all the traditions of the Huron a
symbol of blessings to come. We may believe that the visible presence of
these florid faces at the bedside of the delirious patint may have diverted his
visions from the black and distorted features of the vicious faces of his delir-
ium and soothed his spirits.
About the beginning of the eighteenth century the site of our county was
unoccupied by any resident Indian tribe. The Hurons, who had for a long
time held it, were gone. The Sauks had gone on to Wisconsin, and others of
the Huron race had, with the dispersal of that people, broken up into bands
who had sunk back into the interior, always away from the terrible men of
the league.
Lahontan's book published in 1703 has a map which shows our covint\'
to have been at that date a trapping ground "for the friends of the French,"
and abounding in beaver. In the early part of 1688 Lahontan, in going to
the country of the Ojibways and Outanos near Michillimackinac, found a
large band of these Outauos, numbering three or four hundred, who had
spent the winter trapping on our river and were then returning to their
northern home. The same map shows that the Ottawas at that time had
villages farther south and near Detroit. In 1710 there was a village of Otta-
was between our county and Saginaw, and Colden in 1745 gives the location
of another village of the same people between us and Detroit ; we may assume
that they held this region for many years. The power of the league having
declined, the Ottawas lived in comparative peace, and when the Chippewas
came in they fraternized with them as friends and allies. The Ottawas were,
according to Lahontan, of great agility, but were inferior to the Huron-
Iroquois in bravery. They were, hke their Huron predecessors, agriculturists.
Lahontan says that they had very pleasant fields, in which they sowed Indian
corn, peas and beans, besides a sort of "citruls" (summer squash) and
"melons" which differed much from ours.
The ancient seat of the Ottawas was in the Manitoulin island, and the
French called them "Cheveux releves," from their custom of wearing the
hair erect, as appears from the account of the Jesuits. They were referred
to in 1796 in grand council of the Indians of lower Canada as the "Courte
Oreilles," or cut-eared Indians. They traced their own origin and that of
the Ojibways and Pottawatomies, to a common ancestral people in the north
land, and the relationship between these three branches of Algonquins was
always close and friendly.
dbyGoot^lc
GEKESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I29
The first white men that the Ottawas ever saw were the French at the
time of Champlain, and they were of those who alUed themselves with him
and went with him up the Sorel against the Mohawks of the league. The
alHance was ever sacred to them; they fought with the French in the war
against the F,ng]ish and when the British arms prevailed they were reluctant
to believe it possible and slow in transforming allegiance to the English.
The French character, with its buoyancy and love of adornment, ingrat-
iated them with the Ottawas, who were more given to gaudiness than the
Hurons ; during their occupancy of Genesee county there were among them
many French and half-breeds, as traders and habitues, with whom they
fraternized. A French patois became a medium of common communication.
To this period we may refer the French names of our locality, of which
"Grand Blanc," and "Grand Traverse" as applied to the place where the old
trail crossed the Flint river, are prominent examples.
Their allegiance, once transferred from the French to the English, was
faithfully fulfilled, and even after the close of the Revolution they continued
to adhere to the English, whose equivocal action in holding the military posts
in the United States, if not the direct incitment of the Enghsh, caused them
to refuse recognition of the American claims. The punishment they received
from Wayne forced the treaty of Ft. Greenville, in 1795, by which they gave
up a large and valuable part of their Michigan territory. This division did
not include any part of Genesee county, which continued to be Indian lands
down to the treaty of 1807.
The foregoing account of the occupation of our county, first by the
Hurons and, after a period of non-occupancy, by the Ottawas, and later by
the Ojibways, materially differs from the accoimt given by Franklin Ellis
in chapter II of the excellent Abbott history of our county. Mr. Ellis gives
a detailed account of defeat and expulsion of the Sauks by a combined attack
of the Ottawas and Ojibways. He tells of the occupation of the Saginaw
valley and its tributary streams by the Sauks, except the valley of the Cass
river, which was occupied by a kindred people, the "Onottoways ;" how the
invaders entered the country in two columns — one, the southern Ottawas,
through our woods from the south, the other, composed of Ojibways and
Ottawas from the Mackinac country, coasting in their canoes along the west-
ern shore of Lake Michigan by night, and hiding by day; how they readred
the bay near the mouth of the Saginaw river — that half of one force was
landed west of that point, and the other half proceeding to a point on the
other side of the river, when both parties moved up, one on each side the
(9)
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130 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN^
river, in the darkness. The party on the west side attacked the village of the
Sauks and drove them across the river where they were met and again defeated
with great slaughter by the band on the east side. He goes on to tell that
the remnant of the Sauk villagers then fled to an island in the river, hoping
for safety in the middle of the river that was denied them on either bank:
That night ice formed on the river, of sufficient thickness to enable the victor-
ious Ojibways to cross over, where they massacred all, except twelve women.
The invaders then separated into bands and attacked and destroyed the out-
lying villages of the Sauks and also the Onottoways in the Cass valley. One
deadly struggle took place on the Flint river a little north of the Saginaw
county line, and destruction was carried to the villages of the Shiawassee,
Cass and Tillabawasee rivers. All of this was accomplished by the invaders
from the north, while the Ottawas from the south fell upon the Sauks just
below the present city of Flint, defeating and driving them down the river
to Flushing, where again they fought and again defeated the fleeing Sauks in
a bloody battle. Out of this series of battles "a miserable remnant made their
escape and finally, by some means, succeeded in eluding their relentless foes,
and gained the shelter of the dense wilderness west of Lake Michigan." A
note to the Ellis account says, "One of the Indian accounts of this sanguin-
ary campaign was to the effect that no Sauk or Onottoway warrior escaped,
that of all the people of the Saginaw valley not one was spared except the
twelve women before mentioned, and that they were sent westward and
placed among the tribes beyond the Mississippi. This, however, was unques-
tionably an exaggeration, made by the boastful Chippewas, for it is certain
that a part of the Sauks escaped "beyond the lake." Mr. ElHs says that the
conquerers did not at once take possession of this conquered territory, but
that it became a common hunting ground, and was believed to l>e haunted by
the spirits of the murdered Sauks; that finally they overcame this supersti-
tious terror, and the Chippewas built their lodges in the land which their
bloody hands had wrenched from its rightful possessors. As evidence of the
battles described, Mr. Ellis refers to the large number of skulls and bones
found on the island and other points on the Saginaw river.
Mr. Ellis's account is entirely at variance with many known facts, and
bears many internal evidences of general error. In the first place, we have an
occupancy of the Saginaw country, including Genesee coimty, by a people of
Huron race, from an early period, presumably down to the time when the
Hurons were driven out of Ontario, or soon after 1638. Of this Huron peo-
ple a branch acquired the name^ "Sauks," from an abbreviated form of
Swageh-o-no, meaning the-people-who-went-out-of-the-!and. From this
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I3I
people the name, "Saginaw," as applied to the river and coimty, arose.
Whether the name "Sauks" was originally applied to all, or a portion of the
Huron inhabitants, is uncertain ; but the Saginaw country in time came to be
called by the name of the Sauks, or, to use the correct form, the Osaugies.
The name is Huron. In 1638 began a general stampede of the Indians of
Ontario because of the inroads of the confederated Iroquois of New York,
whose expeditions went up the Ottawa river and even to the straits of Macki-
nac and into the Saginaw country. All the tribes within the reach of these
terrible enemies fled from their power. The Sauks disappeared from the
Saginaw country. Their country became a hunting ground for the friends of
the French. A French map of about 1680, "Carte Generale de Canada,"
marks it "Chassee de Castor des Amis des Frant^ois"' — a hunting ground of
beaver for the friends of the French. Lahontan's map (1703) also marks it
as a common hunting ground for the friends of the French. In Charlevoix's
"History of New France" we find the following: "During the summer
(1686) information arrived that the Iroquois had made an irruption into the
Saguinam, a very deep bay in the western shore of Lake Huron, and had
attacked the Ottawas of Michilimackinac, whose ordinary hunting ground it
was." Lahontan tells us that in the spring of 1688 he met three or four
hundred Ottawas returning from a winter spent here trapping. In early
part of 1667 about one hundred and twenty Ontogamis (Foxes), two hun-
dred Sauks and eighty Hurons came to Chagonamigon (St. Michaels Isle) in
western Lake Superior, to hear Father Ajlouez; and in 1669 Father Allouez
went up the Fox river to Lake Winnebago from Green bay and began his
labors among the Sacs, Foxes and other tribes.
Next we have the maps showing a village of the Ottawas in our valley.
The French map and Colden's map of practically the same date (1745-6)
show the Ottawas to be the only settled inhabitants of this region.
In August, 1 701, when a treaty of peace was made between the Six
Nations of New York and the French and their Indian allies at the grand
council at Montreal, we find "the Hurons and Ottawas from Michilimackinac,
Ojibways from Lake Superior, Crees from the remote north, Pottawatomies
from Lake Michigan, Mascoutins, Sacs, Foxes, Winnebagoes, and Menomi-
nees from Wisconsin, Miamis from the St. Joseph, Illinois from the river Illi-
nois, Abenakis from Acadie, and many allied hordes of less account," gath-
ered to make peace, for which all were anxious — the Hurons, Sauks and
Algonquins, because they had been driven out from their homeland by the
invasion of the Iroquois league; the leagtie itself, because it had, by incessant
and wasting warfare, felt its powers waning.
dbyGoot^lc
132 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
From the above authorities we find the Sauks settled in Wisconsin as
early as 1667. It is quite reasonable to assume that when they fled from this
country, which had for many generations been their home, which was hal-
lowed by the associations of many, many years, they fled away from their
enemies whom they feared, and not into closer proximity to that enemy.
They fled from the Saginaw country and from Genesee county to Wiscon-
sin, or away from the power of the Five Nations, just as the Ottawas, the
Hurons of Ontario, the Petuns, and others fled from that powerful enemy,
in one general exodus to the west and northwest, always away from the land
of the league.
In the light of these basic facts, can we imagine any such thing as a
junction of the Chippewas and Ottawas in a war of extermination against a
considerable tribe of their allies. If it took place at all, the expedition must
have happened between 163S and 1667, at a time when both Ottawas and
Chippewas were fighting in alliance with the Sauks for their very existence
against a common enemy.
Mr. Ellis gained his account from a tradition of the "boastful Chip-
pewas." The story of the Chippewas, as stated in the note above quoted,
sometimes claimed utter extermination of the Sauks, except twelve women.
In another form as quoted by Albert Miller, on page 377, Vol. 13, "Michigan
Historical Collections," the story is that a council was held by the Chippewas,
Pottawatomies, Ottawas and Six Nations of New York, as a result of which
"they all met at the island of Mackinac and fitted out a large army and started
in bark canoes down the west shore of Lake Huron." Then follows a detailed
account of various battles, each of which was disastrous to the Sauks; a
burial of the slain in a common grave, and final extermination of the Sauks,
except twelve women who were sent to the Sioux. This story was told by an
old Indian, Put-ta-gua-si-mine.
The main objection to this tale is that the Sauks were not exterminated,
but were in Wisconsin before 1668; while the Six Nations of New York, so-
called, did not exist until after 1714.
It might also be said of Mr. Ellis's account that the name Onottoways,
which he gives to the people living in the vicinity of the Sauks, and who
suffered a like fate, is no more nor less than one of the names of the Otta-
was, variously spelled Ottaways, Ouwaes, Ouatonais, and a dozen other ways.
The particular form used by Mr. Ellis seems to be made by prefixing the
Huron "Ono" (people) to "Ottaways," making "Ono-Ottaways," contracted
to "Onottoways" (the Ottawa folk). As there was a village of the Ottawas
here after the departure of the Sauks somewhere near the place assigned as
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I33
the location of the "Onottoways," a tradition of which probably lingered in
the minds of the Chippewas, their boastful story of the expedition could well
include this "other people," although the Sauks and Onottoways were never
synchronous residents in the Saginaw country.
The most serious objection to the tale, however, is the fact that the
Sauks never suffered any such crushing calamity as related. They fled to
Wisconsin, where they were so numerous that in 1787 Joseph Aisne found
a single village of them containing seven hundred men, and in 1763 so close
was the bond of friendship between them that no other tribe except the
"Osaugees" was admitted to the secret councils of the Chipjiewas in which
were perfected the plans for taking the fort at MicbJlimackinac; the two
alone carried the plan into effect.
The various stories told by the Chippewas as to this war against the
Sauks seem to have been given in explanation of various places of burial
along the Saginaw river and its tributaries, where the remains of consid-
erable numbers of humans were found. From first-hand evidence obtained
by the writer of this chapter from various Chippewas of Minnesota and from
excavations of mounds in that state, it was found invariably that the Chip-
pewas explain a place of common burial as a "big battle." Communal inter-
ment was the custom among the Hurons, but not among the Chippewas ; con-
sequently a battle seemed to them to be the natural explanation of such com-
mon burials.
From all the facts it seems that the story referred to of the expedition
of the Chippewas and Ottawas must be put in the category of myths, grow-
ing out of the boastful tales of the Chippewas who invented a battle for each
place of common burial of their Huron predecessors.
THE CHIPPEWAS.
The Chippewas, or Ojibways, were a hardy northern race, generally of
fine physique and great powers of endurance. Their ancient seats were
around the western end of Lake Superior, and north of the lake. They
were of Algonquin race, closely related to the Ottawas, and became allies
of the French together with that tribe. The rigors of their climate pre-
vented the development of agriculture to the same extent that it prevailed
among the Hurons and other more southern tribes, and drove them to the
chase as a means of sustenance, making life more precarious. This also had
its effect on their social conceptions. Among the Huron-Iroquois, age
brought honor. The old men were recognized as the receptacles of wisdom
dbyGoot^lc
134 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
garnered through the many summers. The old women were the arbiters in
all matters of genealogy, and whenever anything depended upon birth or
descent, whether office, heritage or honors, the decision of the oldest woman
was the final decision, as she was the ultimate register of vital statistics.
With the Chippewas, with a less dependable source of food supply, with
famines occurring with almost periodica! regularity, the aged became a bur-
den upon the band, lessening its social vitality; consequently they were to
be eliminated in the interest of the safety of the tribe. Among all the In-
dians of the extreme north, of the lower social status, those of feeble age
and who were unable to earn their own living, who thus became a burden
upon the tribe, were to be done away.
There was a myth of the river of sacred waters, of such magical proper-
ties that when anyone was drowned in its floods he was immediately trans-
ported to the regions of the blessed in the hunting grounds of the Indian para-
dise. This adhered in the belief of the Chippewas, and when any old person
who felt himself a burden upon the community expressed a desire to go to the
river of sacred waters, his wish was obeyed and the pilgrimages that went to
this fabled river took with them these feeble ones who went down into its
sacred waters, and through them to the reward of the next world, and so was
preserved the race.
The Chippewas were subject to frightful visitations of the pestilence,
in the many forms of filth disease. So great had been its ravages among
them that in the common sign language of the more western Indians, the
sign that meant a Chippewa was made by picking with the thumb and
finger of the right hand on- the body, in imitation of the picking of the scab
from this disease. Their medical knowledge was much inferior to that of
the Hurons, and far inferior to that of their "grandfathers," the Dela-
wares, who excelled all the other Indians in this branch of knowledge, so
much so, that, as Heckwelder states, it was common for white women who
lived in contact with them to call the Indian doctor for their diseases in pre-
ference to the white practitioner.
The Chippevvas in earliest times were associated closely with tlie Ot-
tawas, and in the language of the early French writers the term Ottawa is
often used in a generic sense to include all the Algonquin tribes about the
lakes who came down the river of the Ottawas to trade. Parkman, in his
"Frontenac and New France," page 151, descril^es them as "a perilous
crew, who changed their minds every day, and whose dancing, singing and
yelping might turn at any time into war whoops against one another, or
against their hosts, the French. The Hurons, he adds, were more stable.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, , I35
The later years of the seventeenth century brought about something
like a respite for these Indians. The wasting wars had weakened the con-
federated Iroquois, and their forays had become less frequent and less
fierce. In 1690 the Qiippevvas and their allies came down the river of the
Ottawas with beaver skins of the value of about one hundred thousand
crowns, and an era of prosi>erity dawned upon them. Some of these furs
were probably taken from the Flint river, for we have seen that in the
spring of 1688 Lahontan found something like three or four hundred of the
Ottawas from the north leaving the valley of our rivers, where they had
wintered, trapping beaver.
It was not long after the coming of the Ottawas, and probably soon
after the peace of T7oi,that the Chippewas of the north came into our val-
ley- They came peacefully and were welcomed by the Ottawas, their allies,
who had preceded them in settling in the valley of the Saginaw, which had
been the common hunting grounds after the departure of the Sauks. There
was room for all; for, as Parkman states, referring to the Indians of fifty
years later, the greater part of Michigan was tenanted by wild beasts alone;
the Indians were "so thin and scattered," he says, "that even in those parts
which were thought well peopled, one might sometimes journey for days
together through the twilight forest and meet no human form." Such was
the paucity of the Ottawa and the Chippewa inhabitants of our county that
it is quite probable that, all told, they may never have exceeded five or six
himdred.
The branch of the Chippewas that settled here in our region came to.
be known as the Chit>pewas of the Saginaw, and by the year of 1761, as we
team from the journal of Lieutenant Gorrell, commandant at Green Bay,
the Chippewas and Ottawas had partitioned the state of Michigan, the Ot-
tawas taking the west portion and the Chippewas taking the east, the divid-
ing line being drawn south from the post at Michiiimackinac, It may be a
question as to vvliether this partition applied to the two tribes in lower Mich-
igan, but it is quite certain that we soon find the Ottawas of the lower por-
ions of the state, including those who were on the Flint river, settled west-
ward; but all did not go, as appears from the fact that at the treaty of
Saginaw some Ottawas participated and became signatory parties to the
In the meantime, French traders and many half-breeds had become resi-
dents for trade or otherwise among the Indians of our county, and they
to a considerable extent adopted the dress and conformed to the customs
dbyGoot^lc
136 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and manners of the natives. They painted themselves for the feast or fight
according to the usages of the Indians, and the people of the county of
Genesee became a mixed race, Ottawa, Chippewa and French, among whom
were the half-breeds; the language became a mixed one, with many French
terms, a jargon of the three languages. The testimony of many writers
makes these Chippewas of the Saginaw a depraved people. Under their
dominion our county was less moral, less law-abiding, less productive, and
in every way of a s.tatus inferior to what it was under the Huron Sauks.
In place of the grave religious festivals of that people, the practices of the
Chippewas were irreligious and irreverent. The Hurons had lived here
many generations, and each place was doubtless the subject of some tradi-
tion; sacred associations chistered about them, and here and there along the
rivers were the common graves of their ancestors. The Chippewas were
new comers, who had been corrupted by association with the worst element
of the whites, and they seem to have left behind many of the sterner virtues
of their rugged ancestors of the north. Among the more settled and devel-
oped tribes there existed an intricate clan system, each clan being repre-
sented by some animal. The members of each clan were of blood relation-
ship to each other, and such consanguinity brought duties of hospitality.
The Hurons had four of these clans, the Bear, the Wolf, the Hawk and the
Heron. The Chippewas had only partially developed this clan system, as
the ties of blood were less strong and relationship less certain.
The event of greatest historical importance that happened to these
Indians was the war of Pontiac. If we could have the history of that
momentous event in its entirety, of the men who went out from Mus-cat-a-
wing to fight for the mistaken cause of the conspirator who was led to his
destruction by his faith in the French and hatred of the English; if we
could tell the deeds of daring, the eloquence of the chiefs, the devotion of
the men, we might have something of greatest interest as local history.
Unfortnnatly, we only know a few of these facts, and can state them only
in such genera! terms as quite eliminate the human interest so inseparably
connected with personal adventure.
The chiefs of the Saginaw Chippewas attended the council held at
Ecorse on April 27, 1763. "There were the tall naked figures of the wild
Ojibways, with quivers slung at their backs, and with light war-clubs resting
in the hollow of their arms; Ottawas, wrapped close in their gaudy blankets;
Wyatidottes, fluttering in painted shirts, their heads adorned with feathers,
and their leggings garnished with bells. All were soon seated in a wide
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I37
circle upon the grass, row within row, a grave and a silent assembly. Each
savage countenance seemed car\'ed in wood and none could have detected
the ferocious passions hidden beneath that immobile mask. Pipes, with
ornamented stems, were lighted and passed from hand to hand." So Park-
man described the council of our Indians, including those who came from
Mus-cat-a-wing, on the Pewonigowinsee-be, where is now the fifth ward.
Tliey listened to the burning eloquence of Fontiac, who played upon
their hatred for the English and their traditional friendship for the French,
to his appeals to their superstitions to his interpretation of the dream of
the Delawaire of the Wolf clan, who by fasting, dreaming and incantations
was permitted to approach the Master of Life, and of the message that the
Delaware brought back to the Indians, of the wishes of the Master of Life
to extirpate the dogs in red coats and restore the primitive conditions of the
Indians when they were masters of the land. The decision of the council
was for war, and in this decision the men of the Saginaw country joined.
Wasso, chief of the Saginaws, led two hundred men from our valleys
to the camp of Pontiac in May and they took an active part in most of the
fighting that followed. The invitation from Pontiac to the Chippewas of
this region to join him against the EngHsh is shown in the following speech,
as reiMrted in the "Journal of Pontiac:" "I have sent wampum belts and
messages to our brothers the Chippewas of Saginaw and to our brothers
the Ottawas of Michilimackinac and to those of the Thames river to join
us." This speech was delivered at the Pottawatomie village on May 5, 1763.
Not only did the Chippewas of our region receive the belts and wam-
pum, with the messages, but they also sent a delegation to the Chippewas
at Michilimackinac, as appears from the report of Alexander Henry, quoted
by Warren in his "History of the Chippewas," page 213, that there arrived
at MicJiilimackinac a band of Indians from the bay of Sag-n-en-auw, who
had assisted at the siege of Detroit, and came to muster as many recruits
for that service as they could. These emissaries also wanted to kill Henry,
who was found by them to be English, but they were prevented in their
designs by M. Cadotte, who had acquired great influence with the northern
Chippewas: he also advised against the participation of the northern branch
in the war.
Our Chippewas returned from their northern trip with little encour-
agement, and soon afterwards there happened a most disgraceful episode
in which our Indians were the principal actors and in which our chief,
Wasson, lead the perpetrators. In the "Jonrnal of Pontiac," page 208, we
dbyGoot^lc
l^S GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
find the account of this occurrence as follows: "About four o'clock in the
afternoon an officer who had commanded the fort at Sandusky and had been
taken prisoner by the Indians, escaped from the camp, or rather, from a
French farmhouse where his Indian wife had sent him for safe-keeping.
It was learned from him that the Indian who had been shot and scalped was
a chief and nephew of VVasson, chief of the Saginaw Chippewas, and that
Wasson, enraged that his nephew h^id been killed in the skirmish of the morn-
ing, went to Pontiac's camp, said abusive things, and demanded Mr. Camp-
bell for revenge, saying: 'My Brother, I am fond of this carrion flesh which
thou guardest; I wish some in my turn; give it to me.'" The story con-
tinues: "Pontiac gave him up and Wasson brought him to his camp where
he had his young men strip him of his clothes. Then he killed him with a
blow of his tomahawk and afterwards cast him into the river; the Ixxly
floated down stream to the place where the Frenchmen had taken him when
he left the fort, in front of M. CuUiero's house, and it was buried."
This act of chief Wasson brought a stain on the fame of Pontiac, who
had many excellent and chivalrous qualities. One version of the affair is
that Wasson took the prisoner from the camp of Pontiac in the absence of
that chief, and that on his learning of the fate of Campbell, he was so
enraged that Wasson fled to Saginaw to escape the fury of the chief. News
of peace between the French and English had already reached the Indians
before this act of Wasson, and they were informed that their Great Father,
as they were pleased to call the French king, had given up all claim to the
land they were fighting for; but renegade Frenchmen, who wanted to keep
alive the hatred against the English, whom they hated, to this end informed
the Indians that the pretended peace was an invention of the English and
that even then two French armies were coming to aid them. In their
credulity the Indians of our region were thus stimulated to hold on, even
after the Wyandots and Pottawatomies had entered into agreement for peace:
and they with their allies, the Ottawas, made up the ambush at the bridge
in the battle of Bloody Bridge, where they inflicted great loss upon the
British.
The deferred fulfillment of these promises of aid and, more cogent than
this, the approach of winter, cooled the ardor of the Indians and in the fall
they graduaJiy deserted the great chief and returned to their homes. The
men of the Saginaw country returned to their friends at the various villages
along the Saginaw and the Flint.
In the council that was held between General Bradstreet, on behalf of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I39
the British government, and various tribes of Indians who had favored the
conspiracy and fought in the war the year before, Wasson represented a
considerable number of the tribes and was the principal orator of the
occasion. In his opening speech he said ; "My Brother, last year God for-
sook us. God has now opened our eyes and we desire to l>e heard. It is
God's will our hearts are altered. It was God's will you had such fine
weather to come to us. It is God's will also there should be peace and
tranquillity over the face of the earth and of the waters."
After this pious exordium, he frankly admitted that his Indians had
been responsible for the war against the fort at Detroit, and, in direct contra-
diction of the custom of the Indians to lay on the young men all initiative
in a war, he said it was the misguided chiefs and old men who planned the
same-. He promised to receive the English king as the father of the Indians
in place of the French king, and so the men of Mus-cat-a-wing transferred
their allegiance from the French to the English. This must have been a
hard task for these people, who had steadfastly adhered to the cause of the
French from the time of Champlain, who were bound to them by so many
ties and associations, and whose hatred for the English had Ijeen fostered
by every wile that French diplomacy could suggest.
Chief Wasson, who represented the various tribes at the council alx)ve,
was [lerhaps the most prominent chief of ail the Indians of our valley and,
from a historical standpoint, the l>est known. We now have no knowledge
of his Hfe here, but as the principal chief of all the Chippewas of this
region, he was no doubt a frequent visitor to our locality and especially to
Mus-cat-a-wing on the Flint.
In the War of the Revolution, which followed soon afterwards, the
Indians of this locality were not .so partisan in favor of their new masters:
but that they joined the British in the various battles can well lie accepted.
The activity of the Five Nations under the influence of the great Johnson
could not have failed to influence these Indians, who were so warlike in their
nature.
As the Indians in 1763 had refused to transfer allegiance from the
French to the English, so in the years following the War of the Revolution
they refused to acknowledge the supremacy of the American government.
They were situated at a point so accessible to the Canadian side of the
border, and were so much in contact with them, that their influence still
continued to be felt, and the intrigues of the British in Canada, who hoped
for the further prosecution of war, which would restore the lost colonies,
aide{I in keeping up this equivocal relationship l^etween the Indians of the
dbyGoot^lc
I40 GKNESKF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Saginaw region and the territorial government established in 1787. The
Indians of Mus-cat-a-wing must have been especially effected. Among them
were many French and half-breeds, who were very poor advisers in matters
of tribal safety. They were also in close touch with their Chippewa brothers
at the north, all of whom were very well disposed toward the English.
About the close of the year 181 1 there was a noticeable unrest among
the Indians of the lake regions generally, and this was accompanied by an
abundance of arms, of a kind and character quite beyond the ordinary reach
of the Indians. The source of this supply was apparent. The English of
Canada, anticipating the coming war. had in advance armed the Indians upon
whom they could rely, and this policy of preparedness also extended to the
Chippewas of our region; they were one of the tribes easiest to reach and
easiest to persuade and, in accordance with the general policy of securing the
aid of the Indians, which is patent in the correspondence of the various
English officials, these Indians had been approached before actual warfare
started and their alliance sought. M. Lothier, agent for the Michilimackinac
Company, writes January 13, i8iz, thait the Indians throughout the country
where his company traded were all dissatisfied with the American govern-
ment, and expresed opinion that in event of war between the British and
Americans "every Indian that can liear arms would gladly commence hos-
tilities against the Americans." John Askin, from Michilimackinac, in June,
1813, tells of the activity of the Indians recruiting at that point, of which
he ai>parently had charge. He pledges the active aid of all Indians capable
of engaging in war to aid the British, including all the Indians along the
Michigan side of Lake Huron and taking in the Indians of this region.
According to communications from Wisconsin, it would seem that the
Indians generally had been persuaded that the "lives of their children"
depended on the success of the British in the war.
In 1814 they were actively engaged as fighting men and as spies for the
British. In a letter from W. Claus, from York (Toronto), dated the 14th
of May, 1814, is the following:
"The Indians, who arrived at Burlington on the 6th inst. from Sandv
Creek, Saguina Bay, report that Mr. Dickson was at Green Bay during the
whole of the winter, and that the Winnebagoes, Folavoines, Chippewas, and
ail the Nations of the north side of Lake Michigan, met with him in sugar
making season, and that he was collecting a great many cattle in the Green
Bay settlement.
"Thirteen Indians of Naywash's band arrived at Burlington on the gth
dbyGoot^lc
GKNFSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I4I
Inst, from Flint river, and say they were informed that two vessels and six
gunboats, with about 300 men, had passed the river at St. Clair about 22
or 23 April, for Michilimackinac, and that about 250 men remained at
Detroit. These Indians report that there are about 500 men at Saguina
Bay, who are ready to show their attachment to their great father, when-
ever his troops shal! return."
This Naywash was perhaps that chief of the Chippewas who in 1786
joined in a deed of certain lands near Detroit to Alexander McKee, in con-
sideration of good will, etc, and who states that the grantee had fought
with them in the iate war against the enemy.
They had listened to another "Prophet", and again they had been sadly
misled to their defeat. At the close of the War of 1812 it may be believed
that the Indians of our valleys had-become bewildered by the various tempt-
ing promises of the British and, earlier, those of the French; by the dreams
of Pontiac; by the visions of this later prophet; all this had lured them to
defeat and destruction, and when Cass and his comrades met them at Sag-
inaw to treat with them for their lands, and reminded them that as a con-
quered people they could not make demands but must take what their con-
querors dealt out to them, the grim logic of this suggestion must have come
home to these deluded people — losers in every war they had undertaken —
with a crushing force, which, found its sequel in their giving up to such a
large extent the territories they claimed.
ROM.ANTIC TRADITIONS.
Flavius J. Littlejohn, of Allegan, whose experiences as a surveyor
began about the time of the admission of Michigan as a state, was brought
into close relations with many bands of Indians then inhabiting the various
parts of this peninsula. From this contact he gleaned many stories, which
were in part published in 1875. The edition, however, was mostly lost by
fire and the work, "Legends of Michigan and the Old Northwest," is now
very scarce.
The writings of this author are ultra romantic, and in giving verbatim
the dialogues of his very interesting characters, he places a rather grievous
burden upon our credulity. But his stories have an apparent basis of fact,
and most certainly a historic value. It seems proper to give in brief out-
line some of them that deal with our locality; it would be unwise to reject
them entirely while we treat as historically valuable the tales Herodotus
brought out of Egypt.
dbyGoot^lc
142 GENESEE COUNTY, MICIlir.AN.
Alxint the year 1804 there was a village of the Chippevvas, known as
Mus-cat-a-wing, located along the river within the present bounds of the
fifth ward of Flint. The Indians name of the river was Pewonigo-win-se-be,
or the river-of-the-flints, and from this name the band of Chippewas was
called I'ewonigos. Up the river from Mus-cat-a-wing, and about a mile
aljove Geneseevilie, was Kish-Kaw-bee, another village of the Pewonigos.
At this time Ne-o-me, a name that occurs in the early accounts of our city,
was chief of the Pewonigos and resided at Mus-cat-a-wing, his territory
including the entire basin of the river to the headwaters of its affluents.
At this same time a remnant of the Hurons lived on the Shiawassee
river, their territory also extending up to the head of the tributary streams,
and their chief lieing Chessaning, a young man who had recently become
chief.
Ne-o-me's lirolher, Mix-e-ne-ne, was stib-chief and a relative, Ton-e-
do-ganee, was war chief of the Pewonigos. A sister of Ne-o-me, by name
of Men-a-cum-seqna, lived with her brothers at Mus-cat-a-wing.
Chessaning also had a sister, Ou-wan-a-ma-che, and as the relations
between these two hands, Huron and Chippewa, were especially friendly, it
came shout that Chessaning paid his suit to the sister of Ne-o-me, while
that chief became interested in the sister of Chessaning. Ton-e-do-ganee
had been rejected by Men-a-cum-sequa, and later, seeing Chessaning's sister,
became violentlj' in love with her, but slie rejected him.
She had also turned a deaf ear to the suit of, Ne-o-me, whose sister,
Men-a-cuni-sequa, instead of favoring Chessaning, had fallen in love with
a French trader whom the Indians called Kassegans. Of this love Ne-o-me
was ignorant, but it had come to the knowledge of the war chief, who was
determined to profit by it in .some way to the injury of Ne-o-me, whom he
wished to succeed as chief.
Chessaning, being rejected by Men-a-cum-sequa, determined to appeal
to Ne-o-me to exercise his power as a chief and coerce his sister into the
marriage.
Ne-o-me at this time had ambitions and was planning to bring under
his rule an independent band of Chippewas to the north on the Cass river.
To this end he was plotting an invasion of that country, and when Chessaning
asked for his interference in his behalf with the sister, he made the same
conditional on Chessaning's joining the proposed, expedition. Ches^saning,
with true chivalry, said that he, a chief, could not barter for a wife, how-
ever fair, and the diplomatic Ne-o-me then appeased him by promising the
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 143
hand of Men-a-cum-seqiia, imconditionaliy, after which he asked Chessan-
ing's aid as a favor to his prospective brother-in-law ; this diplomacy secured
the promise of Chessaning's forces.
Ton-e-do-ganee, the war chief, thought this the moment to interfere
and he dramatically informed Xe-o-me, in presence of Chessaning, that the
chief's sister was in love with the trader and that even then they had fled
down the river; this fact was corroborated by Se-go-giien, the mnte foster-
brotlier of Chessaning, who had seen the canoe and elopers on the river.
The effect of this announcement was the opposite of the war chief's expecta-
tions. Chessaning's chivalrous nature again asserted itself and he assured
Ne-o-me that this fact of the elopement would not affect his promise of
aid, as it had plainly l^een beyond Ne-o-me's knowledge, and, turning upon
the war chief, he accused him of bad faith that merited puni,shment, which
he promised to inflict.
Ne-o-me during the negotiations had visited Chessaning's home and
so ingratiated himself with Ou-wan-a-ma-che, that she relented her former
decision and they became engaged.
There were at Mus-cat-a-wing two renegades, outlaws from the east,
who ]iad taken advantage of the hospitality of the Pewonigos. and loitered
alx5Ut Mus-cat-a-wing, leading a vagabond life. One was a white man and
the other a half-breed. To them Ton-e-do-ganee went with a plan of
revenge upon Chessaning and Ne-o-me.
The intended bride of Chessaning had fled, and the war chief planned
a similar disappointment to Ne-o-me, by inducing the two outlaws to abduct
the sister of Chessaning. ft was planned that they, taking advantage of
the disorder of the expedition, should seize Ou-wan-a-ma-che, and take her in
their canoe up the river to Kish-Kaw-bee, where she was to be hidden in
the lodge of a relative of the war chief. The two were also to take informa-
tion to the chief of the Wakisos against whom the invasion was planned,
of the plans of Ne-o-me.
The outlaws undertook the execution of the war chief's plan for revenge.
Thev. however, failed in part, for, after reaching Om-a-gan-see, Chessan-
ing's village on the Shiawassee, and seizing his sister, they paddled down the
■Shiawassee to the Flint and on attempting to go up that river to Kish-Kaw-
bee, thev were cut off by Ne-o-me's sentinels and had to turn down stream.
Passing the mouth of the Shiawassee, they hrqjed to reach the Tittabawassee,
but, here again they were obliged to turn back, because the camp fires of a
large number of warriors apprised them of the gathering of Chessaning's
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144 GENESEE. COUNTY,, MICHIGAN.
forces. They were driven to ascend the Cass river, called by the Indians
Wakishegan, on the headwaters of which they knew of a grotto where they
hoped to be safe until they could communicate with the war chief.
The trader, fleeing with Men-a-cum-sequa, had preceded them up this
river and, after visiting the village of the Wakisos, had also sought refuge
in this same cavern.
The aged chief of the Wakisos, because of his infirmities, had dele-
gated the rule to his daughter, Mo-KJsh-e-no-qua, and she hastened to meet
the invading forces of Ne-o-me. So successfully did she prepare her defense,
which included an ambush, that Ne-o-me's forces were severely handled and
his advance guard nearly annihilated. Then only did Ne-o-me know that
he was making war against a woman. Turning back, he joined Chessan-
ing's forces, and for the first time they were informed of the abduction of
Ou-wan-a-ma-che, This information came from the foster-mother of Chessan-
ing, who had pursued the abductors in her canoe and had traced their flight
up the Cass. Ne-o-me and Chessaning, with a few picked men, and the
mute Se-go-guen, paddled up the hostile river, their objective being the
cavern, and on their way found that the Wakisos had abandoned the river
and retreated to some inland refuge. Keeping on, they reached the cave
and there found the elopers, renegades and the captive. The eloping sister
of Ne-o-me was forgiven and the captive sister of Chessaning rescued.
Three marriages followed. Men-a-cum-sequa and the trader; Ne-o-me and
Ou-wan-a-ma-che, and Chessaning and the Amazon leader of the Wakisos,
for peace was happily achieved through the office of the chivalrous Chessan-
ing. The renegades were forced to run the gauntlet and were banished.
THE BATTLE OF LONG LAKE.
Perhaps the most interesting of these stories is that of the battle of
Long Lake, the hero of which was the mute boy, Se-go-guen, the foster-
brother of chief Chessaning, of whom we have heard in the above tale.
It appears that this part of Michigan was, not long after the occurrences
related above, cursed by a large number of renegades, mostly outlaws from
the older settled portion of the east, whose crimes had driven them from
their former homes and who had imposed on the well-known hospitality of
the-IndifmsibyiseftHng-afnong them and there leading'lives of vicious indo-
lence. They had formed themselves into organized bands, having their secret
words and signs and places of rendezvous, and were bound by oath to aid
each other. They levied a tribute upon the traders who came among the
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. . I45
Indians, burdening tliat traffic with a tax that fell heavily upon both the
traders and the Indians. In case tribute was not paid, robbery, arson, and
even murder, were the penalties.
Okemos, chief of the Ottawas, whose principal village was at Al-i-
Kou-ma (Grand Rapids) on the Grand river, was an ally of Chessaning
and Ne-o-me, and, because of an exceptionally atrocious murder of a trader
located among the Ottawas, he called for a conference of the three chiefs to
devise some plan for suppressing these depredations, by driving out the out-
laws. The meeting was appointed at Owosso, some miles up the Shiawassee
river from Om-a-gan-see, the residence village of Chessaning, that being
handiest for the conference.
In accordance with the arrangement, the three chiefs met, but the rene-
gades, being apprised of the meeting and apprehensive of its object, had one
of their number spy on the meeting. This one, lying on the ground behind
the lodge, overheard all the plans of the three. Se-go-^ien, who had accom-
panied Ghessaning, with an intuitive feeling of danger investigated and
found the spying outlaw and informed Chessaning of his discovery. The
spy esca^ied down the river to Om-a-gan-see. Chessaning, returning to
Om-a-gan-see, soon identified the spy through the woodcraft of the mute.
On being charged, the man at first denied, but finally admitted his guilt,
defied Chessaning and even made an attempt with his tomahawk upon the
life of the boy, Se-go-gxien, for his part in the capture. Chessaning, stand-
ing by, stabbetl the renegade, but not fatally. He was then put in confine-
ment under guard, but in the meantime it appeared that, by the secret means
of communication of the renegades, he had made known the plan of the
chiefs to the leaders of the outlaws.
The plan of the three chiefs was to gather a cordon of warriors in the
upper valleys of the rivers and like a drawn net, to close in, driving the out-
laws down the streams and finally out of the country.
The warning sent out by the spy, however, gave notice to the outlaws,
who decided on a counter-stroke; this was to simultaneously attack the
several traders, looting their warehouses, and join at a place of meeting
known only to the initiated.
The wounded spy, feigning complete exhaustion from his wound,
caused his guards to relax their watchfulness, and so escaped. When his
escape had been discovered, the mute Se-go-guen asketl the privilege of track-
ing him, and, with his trained dog, which to some extent supplied the sense
of hearing, set out in pursuit. Following unerringly, he traced the spy to a
(10)
dbyGoo<^lc
146 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
point near Long Lake, and thence saw him take a hidden canoe, cross the
lake and disappear in a ravine on the opposite shore. Circling the lake,
Se-go-guen discovered the place of rendezvous of the renegades, where their
bands had already gathered with the loot of several traders and with the two
captive daughters of one of them. Eluding the sentinels, he went back over
his track and found the forces of the three chiefs, whom he led to the place
of hiding. There the renegades were surrounded and killed, to a man,
about eighty in all. This battle of Long I^ke cleared this region of out-
laws and a few years iater, when the first settlers came, they found the
region undisturbed by lawlessness. To these three chiefs, Ne-o-me of the
Chippewas of the Flint river. Chcssaning of the Hurons of the Shiawassee,
and Okemos of the Ottawas, of the Grand river, three different races, is due
the credit for this delivery; but chiefly is the honor due to Se-go-guen, the
mute boy of the Shiawassee.
A sequel to these tales of romance that cluster about our present homes
built on the site of the ancient Mus-cat-a-wing, is foimd in the unpublished
manuscript of this same writer. It is the tale of
THE CAPTIVES OF THE SAGINAW,
The two renegades who were caught after their abduction of Ou-wan-
a-ma-che, sister of Chessaning, chief of the Shiawassos, and punished by
expulsion from the country after running the gauntlet, had retired to a
remote and little visited region. They had suffered through the orders of
Mo-Kish-e-no-qua, queen of the Wakisos, who afterward became the wife
of Chessaning. They left with unuttered vows of vengeance, fleeing down
stream to the mouth of the Tittabawassee, and up that stream to its remote
headwaters, where they found the unvisited region referred to. Here they
lived in seclusion and so escaped the fate of the other renegades of the
battle of Long Lake. I-eaming of this, the two postponed the day of
revenge because of the turn of that battle. But they never gave over the
plan.
Their region was swampy and the favorite haunt of many fur-bearing
animals. They trapped diligently, finding a market for their furs at Otasse-
bewing, midway between the rivers, and gaining from time to time news of
Chessaning and Mo-Kish-e-no-qua, who were now the happy parents of two
children, a boy and a girl.
Facts froiTi the outside world came in to the two renegades from tiie
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 147
visits to the trading' point and from their intercourse with a band living not
far from their trading place. Their swampy region was full of animal life.
The muskrat, mink, otter, beaver and, in the higher regions, the lynx, bear,
coon and marten, all of which fnriiished a tempting prize for the trappers.
Six years of this life brought them to the year 1810, and then the time
seemed propitious for carrying into effect their plans.
At this time there were other Indians of Huron origin inhabiting the
region of the territory of Chessaning, whose allegiance was given to another
chief, then of middle age and of great energy, by the name of "Gray Eagle";
these Indians, more numerous than the Shiawassos, were called the Wassen-
ings. The border line separating the regions of these two independent
peoples was rather indefinitely drawn along the watershed between the Shia-
wassee and the Tittabawassee, and along this watershed frequent quarrels
took place between the hunters of tlie two bands, growing out of uncer-
tainty about the boundary line. Generally the good sense of the two chiefs
brought about an amicable adjustment of the differences and averted open
hostilities, but friction continued and anything that could be construed into
acts of aggression was magnified into undue importance.
In the spring of 1810 our two outlaws following a band of the Wassen-
ings into this border region with a hope of embroiling the two chiefs in war,
found an opportunity to precipitate hostilities. Meeting a band of the Shia-
wassos on the disputed border, a wordy dispute ensued, which would prob-
ably have ended in words, had not one of the renegades who had furtively
crept up to a point where he was unseen, shot an arrow that stmck and
killed a Shiawasso brave. This precipitated a figbt that resulted in several
deaths, but finally the Wassenings were . forced to retreat. Both l)ands dis-
claimed the initiative in the fight, and the usual diplomacy of the two chiefs
gave way to violent and challenging notes: preparations were made for war.
Chessaning had offered to arbitrate, by leaving it to Ne-o-me, of the
Pewonigos: but the Gray Eagle, whose military power was supposed to be
superior, refused anything but war.
The old alhance between Chessaning, Okemos and Ne-o-me was again
appealed to. and Okemos promised aid, as did Ne-o-me. Ne-o-me at once
repaired to Om-a-gan-see, Chessaning's capitol, and proposed a plan to con-
fine the war area to the territory of the enemy — the Tittabawassee region —
by a blockading fleet of canoes, which was to close the mouth of the river.
Okemos was to march from Ak-mon-shee (Lansing) overland and
strike the enemy on the head waters of the river, driving them down toward
dbyGoot^lc
I4» GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Gray Eagle's village, Wassebewing, where Midland now stands, and by a
quick campaign from the east, south and we&t to roll up the enemy to his
destruction or retreat northward. The two renegades who had fraternized
with the Wassenings, were summoned by Gray Eagle, who had detected
their part in the first fight, and who, knowing their familiarity with both
Chessaning's and Ne-o-me's country, placed upon them the alternative of
getting information as to the intended movements of the three chiefs, or
death, telling them of his knowledge of their part in bringing on the war.
The two renegades accordingly set out to the village of Chessaning, where
they not only succeeded in getting the outline of the three chiefs' plans, but
also succeeded in abducting Red Cloud and Dew Drop, the children of
Chessaning and Men-a-cum-sequa, together with the young woman who had
them in charge.
On their disappearance it was thought they were dead, but the wood-
craft of the mute discovered the true fact, and, with the half-breed lover
of the young woman, they started in pursuit,
The outlaws returned to Gray Eagle with the news, but he gave them
strict injunction to keep the captives safely, and subject to his further orders.
The outlaws retreated to their hiding place up the river, but as the Ottawas
closed in from the west, the forces of Chessaning and Ne-o-me from the east
and south soon forced Gray Eagle to sue for peace. Se-go-guen and the
half-breed pursued the outlaws and, after shooting both, rescued the cap-
tives, who returned to their home. This was the last foray of the men of
Mus-cat-a-wing, and only a few years passed when the village of Pewonigos
ceased to be exclusively the home of the Indian; for Jacob Smith, a trader.
built a home there and he and Ne-o-me established a friendship which lasted
until Smith's death in 1825,
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER III.
Indian Treaties and Reservations.
the treaty of 1807.
Governor William Hull, who, as governor of the territory of Michigan,
was ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs, on the above date concluded
a treaty at Detroit with the Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots and Potta-
watomies, by which these several Indian tribes ceded to the United States
that portion of Michigan east of a hne drawn north from the mouth of
the Auglaize river in Ohio, to a point due west from the outlet of Lake
Huron, and from that point running northeasterly on a direct line to the
White Rock on the western shore of Lake Huron; from that place, which
was a place well known to the Indians and a landmark in their map making,
the line followed along the shore of the lake, and southward to the Maumee
(Miami) river, which formed the southern boundary of the ceded lands.
This western boundary ran north between the present counties of Lenawee
and Hillsdale, through Jackson and Ingham, between Chnton and Shiawassee,
to a point near the middle of the same; the direct line from thence termi-
nated near where is now the southeast corner of Huron county.
This grant, as a matter of fact, included nearly all of Genesee county,
excepting a small corner off the northwest, in Montrose township. A
considerable portion of this ceded territory had been previously ceded by
the treaties of Fort Mcintosh, Muskingum and Greenville, so that the title
of the United States had been four times conceded by the Indians.
The stipulation of the government was for the payment to the Chippe-
was of the sum of three thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars
and thirty-three cents, either in cash or implements or goods, at the option
of the government, to be in the discretion of the superintendent of Indian
affairs ; the same payment to the Ottawas, and a similar payment to the
Wyandots and Pottawatomies together, making the sum of ten thousand dol-
lars in all to the four tribes. It was also stipulated that the sum of six
thousand dollars should be paid annually to the four tribes, to be divided the
same as the former payment. These were payable at Detroit. The Chippewas
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150 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
at Saginaw and the Ottawas at Miami were each to have a government
blacksmith furnished them, who was to aid them in their attempts at agri-
culture.
Accompanying the article of Governor Felch on the Indian treaties,
in Vol. 26 of the "Michigan Historical Collections," page 275 and following,
is a map of the lands covered by this treaty, and containing practically all
of Genesee county. The Indians, however, continued to occupy Genesee
county; they did not understand that they had ceded these lands here, and
a dispute arose as to this fact. The diagonal line from the White Rock,
squthwestwardly, was beyond the knowledge of the Indians to locate accu-
rately. It is, however, significant that Ne-o-me, during the interval between
this treaty of 1807 and the Saginaw treaty of 1819, had moved from Mus-
cat-a-wing (the Grand Traverse of the Flint) down the river into what
is now Montrose township, and onto lands that were not included in the
treaty of 1807. Whether this removal was because of the knowledge of the
true line of the treaty is not known, but the fact remains. It was, however,
the pohcy of Cass at the later treaty to practically concede the Indian
claims to Genesee county, as he well knew that his careful preparations
for the cession of the lands that he expected to secure at the later treaty
could not fail of success; the Indian claim might better be conceded than
to make the friction that would result if he asserted the rights of his
government under the old treaty.
Not only did the Indians continue to occupy this ceded territory after
the treaty of 1807, but they even engaged in the War of 1812 against
the Americans. A complete forfeiture of all their rights to the territories
which they had at any time held might very properly have been claimed
by the Americans, had it not been waived by the treaty of Spritigwells, a
place near Detroit, which was held in September, 1815. This was essen-
tially a treaty of peace. The cession of lands did not enter into it, unless
the relinquishment of its right of conquest by the American government
might be called such. The Indians had been continually at war with the
Americans from the time of the Revolution, and their recent experiences
in the War of 1812 inclined them to peace; so by the council of 1815 a peace
was declared between the United States of America and the ChippewaSj
Ottawas and Pottawatomies. The United States also agreed to restore
to these Indians ail their possessions, rights and privileges which they
enjoyed in the year 181 1, or previous to their engaging, in the War of 1812;
the tribes in question agreed to place themselves under the protection of the
United States government, and of no power whatever other than that gov-
d by G OO"^ I c
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 151
ernment. The treating parties also reaffirmed the treaties of Greenville
and of 1807, and any other treaty between the contracting parties. By
this last provision the Indians lost any claim that they had to Genesee
county growing out of an error in the boundary line or misnuderstanding of
its location. The object of this treaty of 1815- was to restore the status
quo ante, and to absolve the Indians from any taint of treason in engaging
in the War of 181 2 as allies of the British; also to secure their further
allegiance to the United States of America.
TREATY OF SAGINAW.
Lewis Cass, who became territorial governor after the War of 1812,
was instructed to be active in securing the cession of Indian titles. The
war had brought many soldiers of the Americans to Michigan. These sol-
diers knew more about the lands and their possibilities for agriculture than
did the survyor-general, who reported that not more than one acre in one
hundred, probabh' not one in a thousand, of the lands in Michigan would
ever be usable for agricultural purposes. A number of these soldiers were
mustered out of service at Detroit after the war. Among them was John
Hamilton, afterwards a resident of Flint. The demand for land by set-
tlers was insistent. Cass was young, ambitious and resourceful. In 1817
he treated with the Indians and got the northwestern part of Ohio and the
northeastern jjart of Illinois. In 1818 he obtained the cession from the
Pottawatomies of the rich valleys of the Wabash and Tippecanoe rivers.
A treaty a year seems to have been the pace he set for himself, and so in
1819 he begun the preparations for the treaty with the Chippewas for the
region about Saginaw bay.
The Chippewas had not received all the pay due them under previous
treaties and Cass, realizing the difficulties tliat would arise if he atternpteii
to create further obligations while previously incurred ones remained unfui-
fiiled, secured on his own personal responsibility from the banks at Detroit
the funds and paid the Indians what was due them. The prize was over six
million acres of land, situated around the bay of the Saginaw, accessible
and promising great future development. This tract was known to be rich
in timber and salt. Its fisheries were attractive and its agricultural wealth
untold. The position of the Indians was equivocal. They had fought
against the Americans during the war just closed. They could expect no
considerations of friendship to protect them. Their title was by conquest
and the\' were now conquered, and the right of the United States had the
dbyGoot^lc
152 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
same sanction as their own. The treaty of Springvvells had formally for-
given them their transgressions in the war, but there was nothing of good
will behind it and the power of the Americans had been demonstrated. They
came into the treaty with a consciousness of the weakness of their own
position and of the strength of the government against them.
Cass did not neglect any precautions. He had at his command a staff
of the ablest men of the army, men who had great experience with the
Indians. His interpreters were men who had passed a life among the
Indians and who knew the Indian language as well, in some instances
better, than their native tongue. Cass brought into his councils the men
who of all were best equipped to estimate and know the wants and weak-
nesses of the Indians, namely, the traders. These men had been brought
into touch with the Indians not as enemies, but as friends, and the friend-
ships that had grown up between these traders and the Indians were assets
that Cass did not fail to see and enlist. These men could go as the friends,
ostensibly, of the Indians, in reality as the paid agents of the whites; while
acting in these dual relations, they could, and, as the sequel shows, did,
help themselves by reserves, and the knowledge they had made the location
of these reserves very desirable.
Joseph Campau was then a trader of great experience, located at
Detroit, from which point he traded with the Indians in every direction. A
nephew, Louis Cami>au, had been a trader in the interior of the state, but
in 1815 had settled at Saginaw, Jacob Smith, of Detroit, located among
the Indians on the Flint river at Ne-o-me's town, where Montrose now is,
and at Mus-cat-a-wing, the present location of the fifth ward of Flint. He
was called Wahbesins, by the Indians. He was a great friend of Ne-o-me,
the principal of the four chiefs of the Pewanigos of the Flint river. Smith
had fraternized with these Indians; he had an Indian family and was thus
more than a disinterested adviser. He went to the council as the friend
of Ne-o-me and his activity and influence were perhaps the most effective
factors in determining the trend of the treaty. He afterwards received five
hundred dollars from Governor Cass for his services, and the interest that
he received from the reserves that his family managed to secure was much
more.
■ Many other white men attended the council. Whitmore Knaggs, an
interpreter, whose name is frequently seen on the pages of the early history
of Michigan; Henry Connor, Wabeskendip, companion of Cass, and a son
of Richard Conner, captive among the Indians; Louis Beaufait, an edu-
cated Frenchman and a colonel, who in the early fall of iSi8 had followed
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1 53
the old trail out into the vicinity of Genesee county and explored the adjacent
country; Col. Louis Godfroy, a trader of experience and an officer of
ability; John G. Leib, afterwards judge; Andrew G. Whitney, a young
lawyer, who afterwards became the attorney-general of the territory; Archi-
bald Lyons, an Indian trader, with his half-breed wife; Henry Riley, the
"old man," with two of his three half-breed children, John and James,
both of whom received reserves, as did their absent brother Peter; Major
John Whipple, of the United States army, who in 1816 kept one of Detroit's
five taverns ; Capt. Jacob Visger, who with three others had secured from
some Indian chief, purporting to represent the Indian owners, the grant of
thirteen counties at the rate of about nine dollars a county ; William Tucker,
called "Tucky" in the Abbott history, an interpreter, the son of the cele-
brated William Tucker, Sr. ; John Hersey, called "Hursen" in the Abbo^:
history, who made the second entry of lands in Oakland county; Ms^jor
Robert A, Forsythe, private secretary to Governor Cass, who afterward
drafted the treaty.
The Indians of Genesee were represented by their four chiefs, Ne-o-me,
who came from his town in Montrose, with four members of his family;
Mix-e-ne-ne, and his squaw and two girls, Taw-cum-e-go-qua and Nah-tun-e-
ge-zhic; Ton-e-do-gan-ee, war chief and second to Ne-o-me, and Kaw-ga-
ge-zhic, the fourth chief, a younger brother of Ne-o-me and who lived far
up the river above Mus-cat-a-wing. These four represented the Pe-wan-i-gos
of the Flint river. These Indians had not become so far democratic as to
have "head men," but "they all moved together in a mass as their chiefs
directed," as was afterwards related by one of them. The government
of these four was a family matter, three of the chiefs being brothers and
the other a near relative.
The most interesting personage there, the one who in after years caused
the greatest litigation and whose identity was a matter for determining
the title of a great tract of the city of Flint, was the half grown daughter
of the chief, Mix-e-ne-ne, Taw-cum-e-go-qua, then about "three feet high"
as related by the witnesses in the canse of Dewey vs. Campau, and dressed
in a calico skirt, a iong dress, pantalets and smoked skin moccasins. She
was there with her father's family, and probably "hung on the outskirts
of the crowd, timidly," with the women and children, for the most part,
except when she was taken by Smith and presented to Cass, as one of
the children of his Indian friends for whom he was desirous of providing
with a reserve at Mus-cat-a-wing. She did not live at this place, but down
the river at Pe-won-i-go-wink, as the reservation came to be known, and
was there married.
dbyGoot^lc
154 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The place of the treaty was on the bank of the Saginaw river just
below where the present court house of Saginaw county now stands. Louis
Campau had, under directions of General Cass, built a council house of some
considerable capacity, and also had built a small house, or both, nearer the
river for the governor and staff. A dining room and office were also prepared
in the trading house of Campau.
In the middle of the council house was a platform of hewn logs raised
about a foot from the floor, for the use of the governor and his staff of
ofl^icials who attended him. Around this platform were left spaces for the
Indians, into which logs had been rolled to form seats.
General Cass arrived on September lo, 1819. Very few Indians had
come although many had camped in the immediate vicinity. Two vessels,
a schooner and a sloop, had come up from Detroit with supplies and goods,
and a company of the Third United States Infantry, under Capt. C. L.
Cass, brother of the governor, had come along as military escort. They
. anchored in the river opposite the council house. The uncertain attitude
of the Indians made this precautionary measure advisable. Campau's trad-
ing house was at the service of the governor. Here was a dining room and
office. Here in the dining room the private council was held, at a short dis-
tance from the grand council house. The various conferences at this place
determined the treaty. It was a few days after Cass's arrival before the real
sessions of the council commenced. They lasted many days and not until
the third day did all the Indians attend. The entire numi>er of Indians
of all kinds has been estimated as high as four thousand and as low as
fifteen hundred. Of the real councilors of the Indians, who finally signed
the treaty, the number was one hundred and fourteen — chiefs, head men,
braves and warriors. These favored ones were the only ones admitted
to the council, the women and children remaining in timid groups around the
building awaiting the outcome.
General Cass, knowing the Indian love of ceremony, opened the coun-
cil with due formality, and then proceeded to inform the Indians of the
object of the assembly — that is, the object of his government in calling
them together. As stated by him, the desire for the welfare of his red chil-
dren was the motive of the Great Father at Washington; to promote and
perpetuate the friendly relations which had Iieen formally declared at the
treaty of Springwells in 1815. He pictured the irresistible advance of the
white settler; the pressure they would exercise upon the lands of the red
children; the driving out of the game, necessitating a different mode of hfe;
that it was the part of wisdom for the chiefs to lead their people into newer
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 1 55
and better ways of living; that they should abandon the old things and
should adopt the new ; that less dependence should be placed on the pre-
carious hunting and fishing, which often failed to bring sustenance, and
that more dependence should be placed on the fruits of the earth, to be
developed by agriculture on the fertile fields to be reserved for the Indians
sufficient to meet their needs, and to be selected by the Indians themselves;
and that the government was willing to buy their lands at a fair, even a
generous price, for the use of the white emigrants who would come among
them and live as neighbors and friends.
The Indians heard this in sullen silence. Plainly the agriculture of
the white man did not appeal to them. The suggested pressure of the
settlers aroused antagonism.
After Knaggs and Connor, the interpreters, had ceased, and an inter-
val of silence had elapsed, O-ge-maw-kete arose and spoke with gravity,
hut decision. He opposed the proi>osition of Cass. He was barely tweniy-
one in years, but eloquent and a mode! of Indian beauty. He was the
principal speaker and acknowledged leader of the Indians. Addressing the
governor, he said :
"You do not know our wishes. Our people wonder what has brought
you so far from your homes. Your young men have invited us to come
and light the council fire. We are here to smoke the pipe of peace, but
not to sell our lands. Our American Father wants them. Our English
Father treats us better; he has never asked for them. Your people tres-
pass upon our hunting grounds. You flock to our shores. Our waters
grow warm; our land melts like a cake of ice; our possessions grow smaller
and smaller; the warm wave of the white man rolls in u^ron us and melts
us away. Our women reproach us. Our children want homes ; shall we
sell from under them the spot where they spread their blankets? We have
not called you here. We smoke with you the pipe of peace."
Others of the chiefs spoke, among them Mishenenanonequet and Kish-
kawko— the latter a wily, troublesome person who had come from Canada
among the Chippewas of the Saginaw. Here he had, by his ability, attained
some considerable influence and, although an interloper, was allowed partici-
pation in the council, where by right he had no voice. His vehemence of
expression so irritated Cass that he answered with earnestness, reproving
the speaker for his arrogance and reminding the Indians that their Great
Father at Washington had just terminated a war in which he not only
defeated the Enghsh king, whom they called their English Father, but also
the Indians themselves; that by their hostilities against the Great Father
dbyGoot^lc
156 GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
at Washington they had forfeited their lands by all the rules of warfare,
and that he might rightfully take them without payment of anything, but
that he preferred to act magnanimously and pay them for their lands, and at
the same time secure to them ample reserves where their women and chil-
dren could live in security and spread their blankets, receive aid from their
Great Father and 1^ taught to make the soil productive.
With this the council closed for the day, followed by a period of con-
ferences-— the Indians among themselves, the traders with the Indians, and
the traders with the commissioners. Intrigues, threats and advices, all
governed by the interests of the parties, filled the interim between the meet-
ings of the council. A day, two, three, passed, during which the Indians
smoked and counselled together, as told by the governor, but from all their
dehberations there resulted nothing definite. One baleful influence was
removed, however; Kish-kaw-ko, the vehement Indian from Canada, con-
soled himself by drink, and after the first day's council became too besotted to
participate.
If left to the Indians themselves, the council would have been barren
of results for Cass. They continued to be sullenly opposed to any cession
of lands. But here the power of the traders was felt. Smith in particular
influenced Ne-o-me, who is described by Campau as an ignorant, but kind
and well-meaning man. Not only was he powerful with the Pewanigo
chief, but he was i:)ersonally acquainted with about every chief present, each
of whom had some act of kindness on his part to remember. He had
entertained them and in their need had given them something to aid them.
With Ne-o-me it was more. It was a brotherhood in which the Indian
recognized his brother Wahbesins as his wiser counsellor. Smith had a
tent and Ne-o-me was with him daily. Smith, seeing that the cause of
the Indians was desperate, was determined to help his friends and set about
securing such reservations as he could for those in whom he was especially
interested, Ne-o-me candidly said, as related by Nau-gun-nee, "I know not
what to do in the case," and put it into Smith's hands to secure for his
family such benefits as he could. Smith accepted the commission and thence-
forth used his good offices for the benefit of his friends. So the council
seemed to be dead-locked, until word came to Ne-o-me, through Whitmore
Knaggs, the interpreter, that the wishes of Wahbesins should be acceded to.
Then did Ne-o-me oppose the purpose of the Indians, as expressed by
Ogemawkete in council. The dominant influence of Ne-o-me soon brought
about a change in the attitude of the Indians. Beaufait and Campau had
dbyGoot^lc
GFNi;SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I37
also been working along lines similar with Smith's. Thej', too. had friends
to be provided for, and they too received promises.
The second assembly of the council found a more receptive represen-
tation of Indians. Cass, also, had waived the matter of removing the Indians
beyond the Mississippi. At this council there was a great deal of dis-
cussion, but it referred to matters of detail, rather than main issues. These
had been disposed of by the negotiations in the interval between the two
grand councils. Among these it had been agreed that eleven reserves of
six hundred and forty acres each should be made at the Grand Traverse of
the Flint, to be given to as many Indians by name, such names to be handed
in by Smith. At this second council all was adjusted, and its adjournment
was only to give time for drafting the treaty preparatory to signing, which
was reserved for the last grand council.
It is said in the Abbott history that tlie talents and powers of Smith
would seem to have suggested to Cass his employment as interpreter and
negotiator for the government, and that the fact that Cass did not so employ
him implied a distrust of Smith. It would, however, seem that some arrange-
ment existed between Cass and Smith, and that the course was evidence of
Cass's astuteness. Smith as an open employee of the United States would
have lost much of his influence with the Indians, which bore such good
results. It is very significant that Cass paid Smith afterwards five hun-
dred dollars for his services at the council. The conclusion is quite justified
that he was there from the first as the paid agent of Cass, while ostensibly
wholly on the side of the Indians.
The last day of the grand council, on which the treaty was to be
signed, was the greatest of all. The council house was crowded with
Indians, all being admitted, to the full capacity of the building. While
the treaty purports to be between the United States of America and the
Chippewa Nation of Indians, there were present, and participating, a num-
ber of Ottawas, some of whom signed the treaty. Military pomp and
ceremony attended the signing. First, Lewis Cass, as commissioner of
Indian affairs, signed the document. Next, one hundred and fourteen
Indians, being the chief's head men and warriors of the Chippewas of the
Saginaw, signed the same. The name of Ne-o-me, signed by another,
appears as Reaune. The totem sign of the Indian generally appears accom-
panied by the name written by the secretary. The subscribing witnesses
were Secretaries Lieb and Whitney; Forsyth, private secretary of Governor
Cass; Captains Cass and Root; Lieutenant Peacock; Godfrey, Knags, Tucker,
Beaufait, Hersey, interpreters; John Hill, army contractors; Barny Campeau,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
V. S. RyJey, J, Whipple, Henry I. Hunt, William Keith, A. E. Lacock,
Richard Smythe, John Smythe, B. Head, Conrad Ten-eyck and Louis Deqiiin-
dre. This last grand council at which the treaty was signed as above was
September 3, 1819, a memorable day whose centennial anniversary ought
to be observed fittingly, as it was one of the most dramatic events of our
history.
The testimony of Louis Campau, the trader, given at the trial of the
Dewey-Campau case at Saginaw in i860, is worthy of preservation as the
sworn account of the treaty in question, and as bearing upon the family
of Ne-o-me and the Indians of Mus-cat-a-wing. He said, "1 live at Grand
Rapids; am sixty-eight years old last August. I remember the treaty of
1819. I then resided here. I had then resided here four years before the
treaty. I was then trading with the Indians. Joseph, one of the defendants,
is my uncle. I had a trading house; this was opposite the lower end of
the bayou; the house now there I built in 1822; it was farther up that
my store was, I was here at the treaty. There was old Mr, Riley, Con-
nor, Eeaufait, Knaggs, Godfrey, Whipple, Visger, Forsyth, Tucker, Hersey,
and a halfbreed named Walker, brought from Mon-a-qua-gon. I have
seen the treaty and know the witnesses without looking at the treaty book.
If any of those are alive it must be Mr. Hersey; I heard this summer
that he was alive; I saw him in 1836 in Chicago; we traded then together;
think he is the only one living. I was requested by Cass to come on ahead
and make suitable provision for a store house and dining room and council
room, etc. The most of the business was at General Cass's office, going in
and going out. There was a long table in the dining room, and the private
council was held there. The office and the dining room were separated
only by a storehouse. There were four log buildings all together, end t{i
end. These were six to eight rods from the room where the grand council
room was, I think Cass arrived in the afternoon, and sent his agents for
the Indians to gather next morning at ten o'clock. This was after all the
departments got here^all the principal officers had got here. The next
morning the)- met at the council house. The first council was to let them
know that he was sent by the Great Father to make a treaty with them,
that he wanted to buy their lands, stating the points, and for them to go
back and smoke and think about it; they then worked at private business
for three or four days, when he called them together again. After he
got the will of the principal chiefs, there was much trouble to get the consent
of all. At the second council there was great difficulty; hard words; they
threatened General Cass among the rest. The object of the council after
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 150
they consented to treat, was to state the terms on which he was authorized
to treat. From the second to the third council was five or six days. They
stayed nine or ten in all. The last council was to read the treaty to them ;
it was read and interpreted to them. Harry Connor was the interpreter. 1
was present at the last council; went in the morning, and did not leave
until they all left. I cannot tell everything that was done there, for it is
impossible to recollect them all. Tribal reservations were first made. Gen-
eral Cass sat at the northeast corner of the shanty; the table was next to
him, then a row of logs, and beyond that the Indians — women, children
and all. Then after the reservations for the tribes were made, the reserva-
tions were made for the half-breeds — first the Riley's, then a Campau, and
then mentioned Mrs. Coutant; she was right opposite General Cass, and
Connors when reading the treaty pointed her to the Indians as their rela-
tive, and when her name was said they resfxinded as though pleased. After
the treaty was read and approved by the Indians and signed by them,
which was as soon as read, Genera! Cass ordered the money to be brought
to the table — it was all in half dollars — for the i>ayment After the treaty
was made, it was sundown, and the Indians all got drunk and nothing could
be said by anyone, and General Cass gave the order to be off. The Crow
was a good looking young fellow^ooked like a half-breed; he had a little
log house and a store house and a hen house, and tried to imitate the whites
as much as he could in cooking, etc. He had a tent he made himself. I
knew Ne-o-me and his band after the treaty; knew him well; he traded
with me as long as I sold here. Knew Ne-o-me before the treaty from
the time I came here in the spring of 1815; knew his hunters; he never
had any children that I know of; I paid no attention to any of them unless
they were able to trade with me. Ne-o-me was very ignorant, but he was
very good, honest and kind. I knew Ton-dog-a-ne well, as well as I
knew Ne-o-me; he was the second chief of Ne-o-me at the time, and after-
wards head chief. I knew all the head men of the band who was a hunter;
heard them after the treaty converse about the treaty, and Mix-e-ne-ne; also
he used to trouble me. I understood the Chippewa language at that time;
I was brought up with them from the time I was seven years old. I was
sixty-eight last August. I was never in the office; I was in the council
room from four in the morning till the evening, and this is a statement of
the facts as they took place before my eyes, as I was there after the treaty
was signed, and the goods and money distributed, and the Indians were all
drunk. Cass and his party left before daylight next morning; the troops
before ten o'clock. At the time of the treaty there was no Flint village where
dbyGoot^lc
l60 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Flint now is. Where Ne-o-me lived was called Ne-o-me"s village. Where
Flint now is was called Musca-da-win. The English called it Grand Traverse,
Ne-o-nie was a short, thick-set man, a little stooped at the time of the treaty;
he must have been forty-five to fifty-five years old."
According to Kaw-ga-ge-zhic, brother of Ne-o-me, also a chief of a
band about six miles up the river from the village of h'lint, at "Tobosh's"
trading house, Ne-o-me was the principal orator at the treaty.
Ne-o-me lived at his village, Ne-o-me town, on the reservation in the
present town of Montrose until his death, in 1827. He was the last to exer-
cise the real powers and prerogatives of a chief over the Chippewas of our
county. His territories had diminished, his i>eop!e had decreased in num-
bers, and their old customs had been lost. He outlived his good friend
Smith by about two years. In his earlier years he had all the fierceness and
blood lust of the wild Chippewa, and extorted a large ransom for a white
captive that he had taken, James Hardin, in the war, whom his brother,
Mix-e-ne-ne, was determined on torturing. Like the Chippewas in general,
he was a believer in evil spirits, Munesous, the spirits of the departed Sauks,
who still haimted the valleys of the Saginaw and Pewanigowink. The
law of retaliation was recognized by the Chippewas, and what could Ije
more natural than that the ghosts of these murdered Sauks should come
back to retaliate upon the Chippewas. Ne-o-me, if we credit Campeau's
estimate of his age at the time of the treaty of Saginaw, was not much over
sixty at the time of his death. He left children and grandchildren. A
brother was alive to testify in the Dewey suit in i860. His name was ICaw-
ga-ge-zhic. Ne-o-me's daughter, Sa-gos-a-qua, also testified in that suit, and
identified Taw-cnm-e-go-qua as the daughter of Mix-e-ne-ne. This daughter
of Ne-o-me was the same for whom one of the si x-hundred-and- forty -acre
reservations was made at Flint.
Ephraim S. Williams, of Flint, many years after the treaty of Saginaw,
told the following story: The Indians of the Saginaw had become indebted
to Louis Campau, who had traded among them for four years prior to the
treaty in the sum of about fifteen hundred dollars, and there was an under-
standing between him and the chiefs that he should receive this money
from the funds that might become due to the Indians on account of the
treaty. General Cass was also informed of this agreement, and at the time
when the money was brought in he called the attention of the chiefs to the
matter, and asked if he might pay Campeau the sum due him in accordance
with the understanding. They told him that they were his children, under
his protection, and that he should pay the money to them directly, which
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. l6l
Cass accordingly did. This attitude of the Indians was by Campau charged
to the influence of the other traders. Smith in particular, who, anticipating
a harvest of traffic when the Indians came into their money, were averse
to seeing so much of it go to Cami>au. Smith had, through Kishkawko
and other chiefs of the Indians, very easily persuaded the Indians that their
present needs were more imperative than the payment of old debts. Cara-
peau, seeing his money lost, hopped from the piatfomi and struck Smith
twice in the face; but further fighting between him and Smith, who was
quite willing to fight it out, was stopped by the interpreters, Beaufait and
Connor, who interposed and separated the belligerents.
The traders, interpreters and others pacified the Indians finally and
they returned to sleep off the effects of their debauch. After they had
entirely recovered from the same, they were both tractable and amiable— so
much so that after the governor and his staff had left, they sent the orator,
Mishenenanonequet, to overtake and convey to the governor their complete
satisfaction and pleasure at the council and resulting treaty.
The pertinent provisions of the treaty were as follows :
iiticle'i of n treit( iinile imd miKluded it Siginin lu tUe Territui-y of ■vriLhlgnn
hetiipeti the United States of -inieiici in their (^nimlsMimei lenis Ca-w nnd the
Chippewi Nation of ludlnus
*rt 1 Ihe Chlppenn Nation of Indians In i^jub) deration of the stipulations
lieiein mide on the paiTr of the Lulted 'States do herein foreier cede to the Iiitted
States the land comprehended nithm the foUonme lines ind boundaries Beginning
flt ii point lu the ]>reseiit Indian boundai\ line which non rung due north from the
mouth ot the gieat Yuglalze rliei six miles south of the place where the base Hue
so tailed intersects the same thente nest sixti miles thence in a dliect line to the
head of Thunder Bl1^ liier thence down the same following the courses thereof to
the mouth thence northeast to the bound'>r\ line between the United States ind the
Bilttsh Proiinoe of tipper Caiiada thence with the same to the line established b\
the tieitj of Detroit iu the \eor oue thousand eight hundied and seicn thence with
said line to the place of be^liminf;
\rt 2 From the cession aforesaid the follonliig ti ids, .)f imd shill be res^r^el
for the use of the Chippewa Nation of Indians
One tract of fiie thousand and seien hundred and si^ty acies up< n Flint rher to
include Keaumes tillage and a place called kishknwbawee
\it 3 There sLiH le reser\ed for the use (f each of the persona herpuiafter
meiiti >ned nnd then hen-, nhich persons ire all Indnn b^ descent the filloning ti itts
ff land
For the use of Nowoke^ik, MetawMiene, Mokltchenoqua. Nondaahemau, Petabona-
qu!i, Messiiwakut, Chehalk, KItchegeequa, Sagosequa, Annekeitogua and Tawcumego-
Qim, each si.-c hundred and forty acres of land, to be located at or near the Grand
(II)
dbyGoc^lc
152 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ImeisB of tiie Hiut liiei lit p.u ii lii mii« iH thi. lie \nn of tlje liiltel vt tps
may direct
4.rt 4 In conaideiatluii of the ceiwkii nforesaltl the lulled statea tigiee t ! ■>
to tlie Chltpewu Niition it ludi iiis iiiiiiiiilU foreier the sum of one thousand il II ih
111 slUer and do alao agree that all aimxiities due h^ am foiuiei tieatv to the mII
tribe shall be hereafter paid In silvei
4rf "i The Sptlpwlation (.outjiiiied iii the tiettj of (.leemiDe lehithe to the light
of the ludlawB to huut upon the laud ceded while it continues the piopem of the
Lutted Stitea shall apylj to this tieitv and the Indians shall f*i the Raiue teim euj )y
the privilege if luiklHj, aiigii ujitii the aiiiie 1 nd couinilttin^ «j unneieh'<ar\ \\ iste
tipon the trees
Art 7 The T nited Stiiteh lesene the light to the ti t ei itl ilti t ii il i 1
thiough any pait of the Imd lesened h\ this tie. tj
Art s The 1 nlted Istates eii^it.e to pio\ide nil Miiii«it hlitksmith f i the
Indians it Suglnan so long as the Pie'ildent of the T nited Stiites luny think pri per
imd to furnish tlie Chippen i Indiims nith snch ruiinluL uteuHiN imd cuttle and to
eniplo\ suih pefjoiis ti. aid them in tlieli ivntnltuie is the Irwident m ii deem
expedient
The names <f the Inch in v.h signed this treats in liuled the n-imt
Reaume meint lar \e i me ind the viHige referreil tj ts Reinme s
village, was the village of Ne-o-me. Mix-e-ne-ne, brother of Ne-o-me, also
signed the treaty, his name appearing as "Meckseonne." Ton-e-do-gaunee
appears on the treaty as "Fonegawne," and Kaw-ga-ge-zhic appears as "Kog-
kakeshik.".
Of the eleven reserves made for persons named, "all Indian by descent,"
six are names of women, as the ending, "qua," the Chijjpewa word meaning
woman, denotes. The other five are masculine names in the same language.
THE TRIBAL RESERVATION.
Of the tribal reservation <jf five thousand seven hundred and sixty
acres of land, to include the village of Ne-o-me, and the place called Kish-
kawbawee, there could be no dispute. No caviler could suggest that the
tribe was any other than the Chippewas of the Saginaw, and so the United
States on the next season after the treaty was made surveyed the same
and set off for the tribe the reservation, partly in the present county of
Genesee and party in Saginaw, to include the two villages named.
In Genesee county, the reservation contained all of section 4, the east
half of section 5, the west half of section 3, the north half of section 9, the
northeast quarter of section 8, and the northwest quarter of section 10, all
in the town of Montrose. This reserve in Genesee county was a rectangular
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 163
piece of land, containing one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres, with
the FHnt river running approximateiy through the center of it.
This reservation was known by the Chippewa name for the Fhnt
river, Pewonigowink, and afterwards the town containing it, was given the
name of the town of Pewonigowink ; but this was later changed to Montrose.
Upon this same land afterwards the Flint River Agricultural Society estab-
lished its fair grounds and held its fairs, and in later times it had been
known as the Taymouth fair.
A celebrated place is known as the Old Indian field, where travelers up
and down the river were accustomed to camp. This was on the Pewonigo-
wink reservation in Saginaw county. It is said that the Indians planted
their own corn on this field for years ; but finally the grub worms destroyed
their crop for two or three years in succession, when they abandoned the
field, believing that the Manitou had cursed it. These Indians were extremely
superstitious and believed in evil spirits, especially the ghosts of the Sauks,
who in their traditions were murdered by their ancestors under circumstances
of great cruelty. Ephraim S. Williams, the Indian trader of Saginaw and
Flint, tells of their fears as follows:
"It has been mentioned that the ancient Chiiipewas imagined the coun-
try which they had wrested from the conquered Sauks to be haunted by
the spirits of those whom they had slain, and that it was only after the
lapse of years that their terrors were sufficiently allayed to permit them to
occupy the 'haunted grounds." But the superstition still remained, and in
fact it was never entirely dispelled. Long after the Saginaw valley was
studded with white settlements, the simple Indians still believed that myste-
rious Sauks were lingering in their forests and along the margins of the
streams for the purposes of vengeance; that 'Manesous,' or bad spirits in
the fonn of Sauk warriors, were hovering around their villages and camps
and the flank of their hunting grounds, preventing them from being suc-
cessful in the chase and bringing ill-fortune and discomfiture in a hundred
ways. So great was their dread that when (as was frequently the case)
they became possessed with the idea that the 'Manesous' were in their imme-
diate vicinity, they would fly as for their lives, abandoning everything —
wigwams, fish, game and all their camp equipment — and no amount of
ridicule by the whites could induce them to stay and face the imaginary
danger. Some of the Indians whose country joined that of the Saginaws
played upon their weakness and superstition and derived profit from it
by lurking around their villages or camps, frightening them into flight and
then appropriating the property which they abandoned. There was a time
dbyGoot^lc
164 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
every spring when the Indians from Saginaw and the interior would con-
gregate in large numbers for the purpose of putting up dried sturgeon,
which made a very delicate dish when properly cooked, and was much used
in those days in the first families of Detroit. We used to purchase con-
siderable of it for our use. The Indians would select the best, flay them,
hang them across poles in rows, about four feet from the ground and two
feet apart, then a gentle smoke was kept under them until they were per-
fectly dry, then packed up in bales of perhaps fifty pounds each. When
their bales were put up for summer use, then the poor lazy, worthless Indians
from a distance who had an eye to supplying themselves with provisions
which they never labored to obtain, would commence in different ways to
excite their fears that the 'Manesous' were about the camp, until at last
they would take to their canoes and flee, often leaving almost everything
they possessed. Then the 'Manesous' — thieving Indians from the bands who
had cunningly brought about the stampede for the sake of plunder— would
rob the camps of what they wanted and escape to their homes with, per-
haps, their supplies of fish for the summer, and often of sugar and dried
venison. I have met them fleeing as above; sometimes twenty or more
canoes; have stopped them and tried to induce them to return, and we
would go with them; but no, it was the 'Manesous,' they said, and nothing
could convince them differently; away they would go, frightened nearly
to death. I have visited their camps at such times and secured their effects
that were left in camp from destruction from wild animals. After a while
they would return and save what was left. During these times they were
perfectly miserable, actually afraid of their own shadows.
"Similar scenes were enacted by their hunting parties in the forests
of the Shiawassee and the Flint, and at their summer camps, the beauti-
ful inland lakes of their southern border. I have had them come to me
from places miles distant, bringing their rifles to me and asking me to
examine and re-sight them, declaring that the sights had been moved; and
in some cases they had, but by themselves in their fright. I always did,
when applied to. re-sight and try them until they would shoot accurately
then they would go away cheerfully. I would tell them they must keep
their rifles where the 'Manesous' could not find them. At other times
when they had a little bad luck hunting or trapping, they became excited
and would say that the game had been over and in their traps, and they
could not catch anything. I have known them to go so far as to" insist
that a beaver or otter had been in their traps and had gotten out; that
their traps were bewitched or spellbound, and their rifles charmed by the
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 165
'Manesous,' so they could not catch or kill anything. They then got up a
great feast, and the medicine man, or conjurers, through their wise and
dark performances, removed the charm and all was well; traps and rifles
did their duty again."
Ne-o-me continued to live at his village on the reservation after the
treaty of Saginaw was made. The pictures of Indian life given above will
aid in understanding the life he led. He continued to be a close friend
of the trader, Jacob Smith, until Smith died in 1825, Ne-o-me died in
1827, and was succeeded by Ton-e-do-ganee, the war chief, who had become
second chief to Ne-o-me. As the name of the new chief in his language
means a furious dog, perhaps he was better adapted to ruhng these super-
stitious people of Pewonigowink than was the amiable Ne-o-me. In this
succession of the new chief, we may see the fulfillment of the long deferred
ambition of the war chief, of which the romantic tale tells when he dra-
matically annoimced to Ne-o-me and Chessaning the fact of the sister's
elopement with the French trader.
At the treaty of Saginaw, Cass was obliged to give up his attempt to
provide for the removal of the Chippewas to some point west of Lake
Michigan, The reservations for the Indians at that treaty were small and
insignificant as compared to the great extent of the ceded territory of over
six milUon acres. But even these insignificant and relatively unimportant
tracts were envied by the settlers, and Cass never gave up his intention of
removing the Indians. In pursuance of the general policy of his govern-
ment, various treaties were made with the different tribes by which they
were induced to move to the westward, on lands given them in lieu of their
Michigan reserves.
The Chippewas of our locality had become divided into three bands,
the Swan Creek band, the Black River band and the Saginaw band. These
were regarded as separate and distinct from the northern Chippewas. In
March, 1836, a treaty was made by the United States, on the one hand,
and the Chippewa nation and Ottawa nation on the other, by which cession
of their lands were made. The benefits of this treaty, however, were con-
fined to the Chippewas of the upper peninsula and the region between the
Grand river and the "Cheboigan." It was not intended that the affairs
of the three bands above named should be involved in this treaty. On
May 9, 1836, a treaty was made by the United States, through Henry R.
Schoolcraft, commissioner, and the Swan Creek and Black River bands
of the Chippewas, by which they gave up their reservations and in return
were to receive thirteen sections of land west of the Mississippi river, or
dbyGoot^lc
l66 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
northwest of St. Anthony falls. Among the chiefs who signed this treaty
was Kay-way-ge-zhig (imentling day), the father of David Fisher, who
hved many years in Gaines near the Crapo farm ; he died, respected by all
who knew him, on April 26, 1884, and is now buried on the Crapo farm.
Of all the Chipiiewas who once held title to this county, his family were
prol>abIy the last residents. His Indian name was Wah-e-lenessah and he was
]>rol)aWy the last chief within this county. A great-great-grandtlaughter of
his is now living in the city of Flint.
On Januar)' 14, 1837, at Detroit, was consummated the treaty between
the Saginaw band of the Chippewas and the United States. This treaty
was also negotiated by Schoolcraft, as commissioner for the United States.
Among the provisions of this treaty, the Saginaw l>and ceded to the United
States all the reservation on the Flint river, or the Pewonigowink reserva-
tion. Ey this cession the last vestige of tribal lands within the county of
Genesee was surrendered. The Indians had the right to Hve on certain
reservations further north, for five years, and were then to remove to a
western location to be selected for the purpose by a delegation of the Indians,
who were to make a personal examination of the same. The place was to
be in proximity to kindred tribes who had already moved there. It was
contemplated thai if such location could be satisfactorily made, the ("liiiv
pewas should then form a "re-union'' with such kindred tribes and move
thereto.
The lands ceded were to Ije sold by the United States government and
the moneys received for them were to be used for the benefit of the Indians.
Tonedogaunee. successor of Ne-o-me, signed this treaty, with twenty-six
other chiefs of the Saginaw band, of the Chippewas. It is also significant
that ten of the chiefs who signed it w^ere to receive each the sum of five hun-
dred and one dollars, and Tonedogaunee was one of these.
On Deceml)er 20, 1837, a further treaty was made between this band
and the United States, with Schoolcraft acting as commissioner. The coun-
cil was held "on the Flint River," and this was the only instance of a treaty
being made here; it was at the present site of our city of Flint, or the Grand
Traverse of the Flint, that the Indians gathered for council and made the
treaty. The delegation of Indians who had. under the stipulations of the
earlier treaty of January, visited the western location and selected a place
for their future home, had reported, and this council wasi to give tribal sanc-
tion to the re|X>rt nf the delegation. The reservation selected was "on the
headwaters of the Osage river, in the country visited by the delegation of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 167
the triJie during the present year, to be of proper extent, agreeably to their
numbers, embracing a due proportion of wood and water, and lying con-
tiguous to tribes of kindred languages." To this treaty were signed the
names of Tonedogaunee and Kau-gay-ge-zhig, the latter as having been a
party to the treaty of the Swan Creek Indians, whose son was David Fisher
of Genesee county. John Garland, major of the United States army; Henry
Connor, the interpretei- and sub-agent, T. B. W. Stockton ; G. D. Williams,
commissioner of internal improvements, South Michigan; Jonathan Beach,
Charles C. Hascall, receiver.-i of public moneys; Ailwrt J. Smith, Robert J.
S. Page. Wait Beach, l^ev. I,utl'er D. Whitney and T. R. Cimimings signed
as witnesses.
Another treaty was made by the government of the United States and
the representatives of the several bands of Indians within the Saginaw dis-
trict, at Saginaw, on the 23rd day of January, 1838. By its provisions,
which were in the nature of additional safeguards to the Indians in securing
the proper sums for the sale of the lands ceded, the United States agreed
that the sales should be conducted the same as other sales of public lands;
that the lands slionki be ]>nt up for sale by the register and receiver of the
land office at five dollars per acre, and should not go at less than that price
for two years: after that the price of lands unsold should be two and a half
dollars uer acre. The object of this agreement was to quiet the fears of the
Indians that a combination might be made to get the lands for a small sum.
This treatv seems to have lx:en the last that in any way affected Genesee
count}'.
Kl!SF.RV.\TIONS TO INDIVIDU.ALS.
The difficulties of carrying into effect the provisions of the treaty of
Saginaw, 1819. so far as they effected Genesee county, arose from disputes
as to the identity of the persons for whose use the reservations "at or near
the Grand Traverse of the Flint," were made.
There were eleven of these. They were surveyed by the government
in the early part of i8::>0, and the survey showed each reservation with the
name of the person for whom it was reserved. Six of these were located
along the north side of the river, each of six hundred and forty acres.
^~hey were irregularly tonnded. by the river on the south, the other three
Ijounds l>eing right lines, hut not parallel. They were numbered from east
to west: Niiml)er one, for Taw-cum-e-go-qua : number two, for Meta-wa-
ne-ne; number three, for Annoketoqua; numl>er four, for Sagosequa; num-
dbyGoot^lc
l68 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ber five, for Nondasheniau ; number six, for Messawawkut. The five
reserves south of the river were similarly surveyed, with the river for their
northern boundary, and numbered from east to west: Number seven, for
Nowokezhik; number eight, for Mokitchenoqiia ; number nine, for Che-I>alk;
number ten for Petabonequa; and number eleven, for Kitchigeequa. These
are all Indian names; those ending in "qua" are feminine, the others mascu-
line. All the persons named were, by the treaty, to 1« "Indians by descent,"
words which would seem to be unequivocal and quite incapable of misappli-
cation.
To treat these various reserves seriatim: Number one, for the use of
Taw-cum-e-go-qua, was the subject of long and strenuous litigation, the
issue of the dispute de[x:nding on the identity of the Indian woman. Taw-
cum-e-go-qua, Two Indian women were brought forward, each as the per-
son so named in the treaty. One of these was a girl, of tender age at the
time of the treaty of 1819. She was the daughter of sub-chief Mixenene
and was present at the treaty with her father and his family. She was also
a niece of Ne-o-me, the head chief. Being a full-blooded Indian, she came
within the treaty provision. She lived with her parents on the reservation
af Pewonigowink until she grew to maturity and married an Indian by the
name of Kahzheauzungh. They had three children. In 1841, she sold her
interest in the reservation to John Barlow and Addison Stewart and later
their rights passed by certain conveyances to George H. Dewey and Rufus
J. Hamilton. Of all the claims put forth by various persons to the Indian
reserves, theirs seemed the best. They had acquired by purchase the title
from an Indian woman who it was conceded bore the name for which the
reserve was made. She was an Indian by descent. Her relationship was
such with the ruhng chiefs who made the treaty, that she was the logical
person for whom such provision would naturally be made.
Even with all these equities, the title of Dewey and Hamilton was con-
tested. A trader bv the name of Bolieu, the same who was called Kasseqaus
bv the Indians, and who figures in one of the romantic tales, had married an
Indian wife, and their daughter, Angelique Bolieu, whose Indian name was
said to be Tawcumegoqua, was claimed to be the true beneficiary of the first
reserve. .She had been sent to a school and educated, and afterwards mar-
ried a man named Coutant, by whom she had two children, a son and
daughter. Her husband dying, she married Jean Baptiste St. Aubin. She
was of middle age, and married, when the treaty was made in 1819, and she
died about eight years after that date, leaving her two children. She had
dbyGoot^lc
GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 169
never had possession o£ the reserve, although it was said she had claimed it
as her property. After her death, her two children, Simon Coutant and
Angchque Coutant Chauvin, conveyed the reser\'ation to Joseph Campau of
Detroit. This was in October, 1833. In 1839 other deeds were made in
confirmation of these deeds of 1833, and Joseph Campau, claiming the
reserve, took possession by placing tenants on the same. A patent was
issued to Campau by the United States government.
These two conflicting claims to the reserve came into court on a suit
by Dewey and Hamilton against Campau. At the first trial, Campau was
successful. The case then went to the supreme court, where it was affirmed.
This case was determined on a technical defect in the deed and the merits
involved were not decided. Dewey and Hamilton then secured other deeds
that obviated the technical defects and another suit was begun, which was
transferred to Saginaw county for trial because of the influences that might
operate in Genesee county to prejudice the jury. The growth of population
in Flint, which had become a city before the suit was instituted, made the
reserve a tempting prize. The best legal talent of the state appeared for
the litigants. Moses Wisner, (at one time governor of Michigan, the father
of the late Judge Wisner of Flints, M. E. Crowfoot and J. Moore, repre-
sented Dewey and Hamilton. S. T. Douglass, W. M. Fenton, J. G. Suther-
land and Chauncey P. Avery were attorneys for Campau. The trial of
this suit at Saginaw in i860 resulted in a verdict to the effect that Tawcume-
goqua, daughter of Mixenene, was the person of that name for which resei-ve
number one was intended, and that Dewey and Hamilton, who had acquired
her rights in the same, were the owners of it and entitled to its possession.
This suit went to the supreme court and the decision of that court, in
the Ninth Michigan Report at page 381, et seq., contains a great deal of
historical interest. "Evidence was adduced," says the Reporter, "tending
to prove that at the time of the treaty of Saginaw, and for many years prior
and subsequent thereto, a band of Chippewa Indians resided at the village
of Pewonigowink. on the Flint river, and alxiut ten miles below the Grand
Traverse of that river, in the place where the present city of Flint is located;
that during all the time referred to, Neome was the chief of this band ; that
Tonedogane was the principal warrior, or second chief of the band, and
succeeded Neome in the chieftianship on his decease; that one Mixenene was
also a member of this band, and a brother of Neome, and that Mixenene
had a daughter named Tawcumegoqua, who was about six years of age at
the time of the treaty, and was a member of Neome's family; that Neome
dbyGoot^lc
I/O GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
also had three children — -two females, Segosaqua and Owanonaquatoqna,
the former ai>out ten or twelve years old at the time of the treaty, the latter
a woman grown, and one boy, Ogibwak, who was aliout fifteen years of
age, and a grandson, Metawanene ; that all tlie children named were full
blood Indian children ; that at the time referred to, Jacob Smith had a store
near the Grand Traverse of the Flint river, in which he carried on trade
with the Indians of that vicinity, and was a man of considerable influence
among them; that Neome. his children and said grandchild, and his l>and,
including Tonedogane and also Mixenene and his little daughter Taw-
cumegoqua, were present at the treaty ; that on the night prior to the last
council, at which the treaty was read over, agreed to and signed, Jacob
Smith came to Neonie's tent and advised him to get special reservation of
land for his children and ])romised to assist bim in doing so: that at the
grand council held the next day between the Indians and General Cass,
Neonie came forward before General Cass, with his three children, Owan-
onaqnatoqua, Sagosaqua and Ojibwak, and said grandchild Metaquanene
lieing with him, and Jacob Smith standing by his side, and asked for reserva-
tions of land for these children ; that General Cass assented, and that the
names of the children were written down, and that it was talked of and
understood at the treaty that these children got special reservations of land;
* * * that for thirty years or more, subsequent to the treaty, N'eome's
liand continued to reside at Pewonigowink. uixin the reservation described
in article 2 of the treaty as 'one tract of five thousan<l seven hundred and
sixty acres upon the Flint river, to include Rheaume's (Neonie's) village,
and a place called Kishkawbee'; and that during a portion of this time the
Indian children above named, including Tawcumegoqua, resided with the
band upon this tribal reservation, and a portion of the time 'J'awcumegoqua,
with her family, and another family of said Imnd resided on the premises
in question." The court affirmed the judgment of the court lielow. and so
the verdict of the jury giving the land to Dewey and Hamilton stood. The
result appears to have been eminently just.
Reservations numbers two, three, four, five and six, which were reserved
for the following persons, "all Indian by descent," respectively, Metawan-
ene, Annoketoqua, Sagosequa, Nondasheman and Messaw-wakut, were the
subject of litigation. The names Metawanene, Nondasheman and Messaw-
wakut are masculine, and the names Sagooequa and Annoketoqua are
feminine names, so it might very reasonably be assumed that numbers two,
five and six were for males and numbers three and four for females. At
dbyGoot^lc
GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I "I
least to the lay mind, to use the language of a Connecticut judge, "in the
absence of judicial construction the writing would !>e held to mean what it
says." In the case of these reservations, unfortunately, litigation arose,
leading to judicial construction, with the following results :
Jacob Smith, the trader, who had so actively aided Cass in bringing
about the treaty of Saginaw, soon after the treaty built a log storehouse for
his trade. The site of this trading post was in the fifth ward near the comer
of Lyon street and First avenue, and not far from the present situation of
the office of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company. Smith had Iieen here at
the Grand Traverse of the Flint for some years previously to the treaty.
In 1806 his home was in Detroit at the corner of Woodward avenue and
Wnodbridge street, and his white family continued to live in Detroit until
after his death. He, like other traders, doubtless had his trading post at the
most convenient place for communication with the Indians with whom he
traded — that is, on the Fhnt river where the grand trail crossed it. His
residence there can only lie i^egarded as temporary, go\-erned by the exi;'-
encies of his traffic with the Indians. He had during his stay there formed
a strong friendship with the chief Neome, who lived at the Mus-cat-a-wing,
or the Grand Traverse of the Flint, in the early years of the nineteenth
century, l>ut who had moved down the river to "Neome's town," in the
present town of Montrose, .some time before the treaty of iSiQ. The usual
reference made by writers of local history to Smith's settlement at FHnt,
places the date immediately after the treaty. The fact is that he had a
trading post there liefore that date. proUabiy as early as 1810, and that he
never settled there in the sense of l>ecoming a permanent resident. He kept
his family in Detroit and sojourned on the Flint for the puqxise of traffic
with the Indians; in 1819, he built a log trading store, of a more substantial
character than his previous store of which we have no record except the
deduction that during several years trading he must have had some place
suitable for his business. His log store was built before the reservations
there were surveyed, and when surveyed, the one numbered two. for Meta-
wanene, included the site of his btulding. His store was built at the fork
of the trail where the grand trail from Detroit after its Grand Traverse
of the Flint separated into two trails, one going down the right bank of the
river to Saginaw and the other following the more direct route north to Mt.
Morris, Pine Run, Birch Run and Saginaw. It was a central point and
esi)ecially favorable for trade with the surrounding Indians. There Smith
continued to remain and trade with the Indians, his family lieing in Detroit.
In 1822 his mother and sister were with him, for a time at least. Fie con-
dbyGoot^lc
172 GENESEE COUNTY, MICTIIGAN.
tinned to have friendly relations with Ne-o-me and the Indians generally.
At the time Smith built his log: house in 1819, another trader, a Frenchman
by the name of Baptiste Cochios was also located there in trade. The
friendly relations between him and Smith continued until Smith's death.
An Indian boy, An-ne-me-kins, called "Jack" by the whites, also Hved with
Smith a considerable part of the time. Ephraim S. Williams, of Flint,
whose knowledge of the matter makes his statement of high authority, says;
"He [Smith] lived there [at Flint] during the trading season, making occa-
sional visits to his family in Detroit. In 1825 he died, from neglect as
much as from disease, at his trading post, after a lingering and pitiable
sickness. A good-hearted Frenchman, by the name of Baptiste Cochios,
who was with him upon the trading ground in 1819 and was himself an
Indian trader, having his posts upon the Flint and on the Saginaw, per-
formed for the brave but unfortunate man the last sad rites of humanity.
An Indian lad who had lived with Smith for several years and who attended
him in his sickness, was the only household mourner — a few Indians gath-
ered in mournful groups about the grave as the remains of the unfortunate
man were committed to the earth. Ne-o-me was there, his trusty and reli-
able friend, mute with grief. With that feeling of gratitude which belongs
to the Indian character, and which takes rank as a cardinal virtue in their
untutored minds, the Indians proved true and faithful throughout his sick-
ness to the last. The brave, warm-hearted, generous Indian trader, Jacob
Smith, the earliest white pioneer upon the Saginaw and the Flint, lingered
and died in a sad condition and, but for the good Cochios and his Indian
assistants, would have gone to his grave uncoffined. Within a few days
after his decease, his son-in-law, C. S. Paine, came from Detroit to the trad-
ing house, which had so recently been the scene of such long, unrelieved
suffering, and gathered up most carefully and carried away the few poor
remnants of the earthly store left by the noble-hearted Indian trader. Sa-gos-
e-wa-qua, the daughter of Ne-o-me, in recounting this history, expressed
herself with a sententious brevity peculiar to the Indian, which is worth
recording; it points to a moral if it does not adorn a tale: 'When Wah-
be-sins [Smith] sick, nolxidy come; him sicker and sicker, nobody come.
Wah-be-sins die, little tinker come and take all him blankets, all him cattle,
all him things.' Neome soon followed his friend Wah~be-sins, to the spirit-
land. He died in 1827, at the tribal home, a few miles above Saginaw city,
faithfully attended through a long and severe sickness by his children and
relatives, enthroned in patriarchal simplicity in the hearts of his people,
beloved and mourned."
dbyGoot^lc
GFNKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I73
At the time of his death Smith had a family in Detroit, consisting of
a son, Albert J. Smith, and four daughters, Harriet M. Smith, Caroline
Smith, Louise L. Smith and Maria G. Smith. Soon after the death of
Smith, Major Garland, the husband of one of these daughters, took posses-
sion of the place where Smith had had his post, and made claim in behalf
of the heirs to the title of the five reservations from 2 to 6 inclusive, his
claim Ijeing that the Indian names of the persons for whom these reservations
were made were the names of these children of the trader; that Metawanene,
the owner of the second reserve, did not mean the grandson of chief Neome,
an "Indian by descent," but it meant Albert J. Smith, the white son of
Jacob Smith the trader; that Annoketoqua did not mean the daughter of
Ne-o-me by that name, an Indian by descent, but it meant the daughter of
Smith, of Detroit, a white woman; that Sagosaqua, the daughter of Ne-o-me,
an Indian by descent, was not intended as the beneficiary of reserve numljer
four, but that the real Sagosaqua was another white daughter of the trader
in Detroit; that Nondashenian, a man's name, did not mean any man at all,
but it meant the white daughter of Smith at Detroit; the sixth reser\'e, for
Messaw-wakut, a male Indian by descent, also meant another white daughter
of Smith. It was claimed that the Indians who had visited Detroit had
given these names to the children. Such occurrences were not uncommon,
but this casual use of such names by individual members of a tribe was not
equivalent to adoption, which was a matter of ceremony and an act of the
tribe. Only formal adoption by act of the tribe in its collective capacity
could give any tribal rights and, in the language of the whites, such adopted
member probably could not be called an "Indian by descent."
The great demand for lands in the vicinity beginning in the early thirties
gave the five square miles involved a prospective value to which the claim-
ants were fully alive. In 1839, Albert J. Smith came on and took actual
possession of the lands in question for himself as reserve in number two,
and for his three sisters then living and for the heirs of the one who had
died. They ciaimed, and asserted, ownership of the same, and at the next
session of congress they brought the matter before that body, asking its
authority for grants of the five reserves to the children of Smith, Their
claim was based upon the services of the trader at the treaty of Saginaw,
the successful termination of the same being attributed largely to these
services. The following is an excerpt from their petition to congress:
"Although the reservations intended for your memorialists under the
treaty of .Saginaw have been partially occupied under them, and always
known and acknowledged as being intended for them, yet they never have
yGoo-^lc
1/4 CENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
received or obtained such a title from government as would authorize them
to sell or convey any portion of the said lands, in consequence of their hav-
ing been embraced — -unintentionally, as your memoriabsts believe — among
the numlier uf reservations intended for ])ersons l>eing 'Indians by descent' ;
owing to which the general land office has not felt authorized to issue pat-
ents for the said land in the name of your memorialists."
The claimants had, in January, 1835, procured a certificate signed by
ten of the one hundred and fourteen Indian signers of the treaty. Of the
obtaining of this certificate Ephraim S. Williams, of Flint, gives the fol-
lowing account :
"This docimient being an important one, it is given here entire. With-
out it the heirs of Smith could never have obtained titles to their lands,
for the go\-emment had refused for years to grant them; and many, even
members of Congress, in those days doubted the right of Congress to pass
an act to set aside the treaty of 1S19 and grant these lands to others than
persons of Indian descent. Many persons have thought that Congress might
as well pass an act to grant one man's farm to another. All those acts
were a violation of the granted rights of the treaty of 1819.
M VII MPM
Ilic HiibsinlieiH (.liiefs mil liuid men of ttie ( hipiie^v 1 11 itiuna uid subscribm-s of
the tieiiti of Sii.iliuiw do heieln tertifj tliiit the fiie lesetvations iit and neai tbe
(.1 iiid Ji nei'-e of the Unit ihti uimle bi the tieiitj of 181'> were made aud
]iit<(HRil f 1 the rtie f"ll Hill.: iioiied iieiwais 1!? Mehnvaueiie ill m Ubert J <?inith
Mi's" m « ikiit I I III HI s iMiiK I ilijii Hnrrlet M Smitli Sagomiqiwi ilias Csrolliie
Miittli Mill Mi H|iii 111 s I iiis.i [ Smith Noudasho-iuin (mans name) alias inrlii
I siiiitli ictih --K liimtlied aiitl tmU uiAen) kuown to ui tiud diHtiuguished b^ the
afoie«iiil iiiiiies is tbi, thiltlieii of the lute Jatob Smith and furthei <*rtif\ that the
Hfores.iId (liiintiuis to the ihildieu iifoiewild neie made iu coiiKideratlon of seniLfS
leurteied b^ siUl Taiob Smith (deteawed) to the Chliipewa natlou and the frleiidii
lUteitoui-Be tliiit wubeilHted between the yarties foi niniij \eais ftp further certifj thit
Metawaiiene alias Albert J Suiith now pieseiit at the evetutlon of this oertiflcate H
the turn of Jacob Smith deceased mid we lecogiiiae hiui us oue of the foui i.hlldien
to >\houi the before mentioned donations were made and intended
Signed
I S niLLI\MS NoNONIIlhVMt,
(5. n. WltLUMS. \\'.\Rr,KT01JHCE.
Ch,*s. H. Rodd, Sabwarbon,
Witnesses present. Chunetosh,
SnAsoE,
Wash WIN,
Wayshonono,
MOMEMEO,
"Saginaw, .Tanniiry 22. 1S35. ToteiiiH.
dbyGoot^lc
GENFSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
"Territory of Miehigiiii, ^
'■Oakland County, r^^"
"Personally iiiiiienretl before me tbo sutist-ribpr, :i jiiKlk-e i
for the f(iiiiit.v of OiikliUKl. Kiiliniiiii S. Williainw, Eaiiiire,
iitcoiilluj;; to Jaw, (le]irisctl] and Kailli tliHt lie was present i
withiu certifii^iite anil kuw tlii' nitliiii iiameil chiefs luul liend men uinke their uiiirks
to the said i-ertiflcate. Deiioiient lurtlier aiiith that the subscribers, chiefs, and hetiil
men -m aforewiiil, i-esiile In the vicinity of Saginaw, Oaklsuii Pounty, Territory of
Mk-liii;an. I)e(nnifnt fni-ther siiitli tliiit the contents of the certificate aforesaid were
by him fnlly exiitained and wei-e i-heerfnily assented to by the iiforesald chiefs find
"This statement of the Chippewa chiefs was made at a council that
had been called for the purpose at the place and date tnentioned, chiefly
through the influence and instrumentality of the brothers, G. D. and E. S.
Williains, who were then traders at Saginaw.'"
The conncil was attended by Albert J. Smith and Col T. B. W. Stockton,
rep resell ta ting the Smith heirs. At the first meeting the "chief speaker."
O-ge-maw-ka-ke-to, spoke, claiming that the reserves were made for Indians
by descent and not for the white children of the trader. At the second
meeting after "certain influences brought to bear upon the chiefs," to quote
from William's account, the chief sjwaker and the other nine chiefs signed
the certiflcate. Similar certificates were procured from other signers of
the treaties, one at Big Rock village on the Shiawassee, one at Flint River,
and another at Grand Saline, We again quote Ephraim Williams, who
Iwd probably as great knowledge of these transactions as any disinterested
witness :
"All the above documents were laid before Congress in support of the
petition of the Smith claimants; also a tnemorial from persons residing at
Flint and vicinity. Here follow the names of fifty persons, not one in
twenty of whom knew anything of the treaty besides what they had heard
talked by others.
"How inconsistent and ridiculous to suppose for a moment that Jacob
Smith would have done so inconsistent a thing as to have presented, at the
treaty of 1819, the names of three Indians for the names of three of his
daughters as given in the treaty; not at all probable. I knew Mr. Smith
and I never believed he did any such thing.
"The result of the laying of all these things before Congress was the
passage of an act, 'To authorize the President of the United States to cause
dbyGoot^lc
176 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
to be issued to Albert J. Smith and others, patents for certain reservations
of land in Michigan Territory.'
"In accordance with the provisions of this act, five patents were issued
June 2, 1836.
"This was, at that time, considered a final settlement of the question
of title to those reservations, but it was not very long before the opinion
began to be entertained by some (an opinion that was afterwards sustained
by the courts) that these patents did not and could not convey a title as
against any person or persons who could prove themselves to be the right-
ful reservees in the true intent and meaning of the treaty. It would seem
that the proofs adduced by the Smith heirs had been ample for the estab-
lishment of their claims, but there were still doubts whether they could
hold under the article of the treaty which provided that the lands granted
should be for the use of persons of Indian descent only.
"About this time it was discovered that a young Chippewa whose
name was Jack, and who had been brought up and protected by Jacob
Smith, claimed to be the real Metawanene, and consequently, the owner of
the reservation numbered two on the land plat, and that some Indian women
made the same claim to sections that had been patented to the daughters of
Jacob Smith.
"In March. 1S41, the Indian claimant to reservation numbered two
deeded this tract to Gardner D. Williams, of Saginaw, who, in June, 1845,
conveyed one moiety of the same to Daniel D. Dewey, of Genesee, and by
these persons a suit was commenced in the circuit court for the establish-
ment of the claim of the true Metawanene and the possession of the lands.
"After many years of delay, this cause came to a final trial in 1856,
at the March term, held by Judge Sanford M. Green, in the city of Flint.
Plaintiff, Messrs. Williams and Dewey; defendant, Chauncey S. Payne."
"Albert J. Smith had, in 1S36, deeded to Mr. Payne an undivided three-
fourths, and to T. B. W. Stockton, an undivided one-fourth of the reserva-
tion. In 18^0 Mr. Stockton conveyed his interest to Mr. Payne, who thus
became the sole owner. Attorneys for the plaintiffs were Hon, Moses Wis-
ner and James C. Blades ; for the defendants, Messrs, E. C. and C. I. Walker,
of Detroit, John Moore, of Saginaw city, and Charles P. Avery, of Flint,
which last named gentleman had then recently purchased an undivided half
of Mr. Payne's interest in the property thus becoming equally interested
with him in the result of the suit. Many witnesses, both white and Indian,
were produced on both sides and, after an expensive and lengthy trial, it was
decided in favor of the defendant, thus deciding a case which during years
dbyGoot^lc
GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1/7
of litigation had caused much excitement and some bitter feeling, and which
is a matter of general historic interest in the annals of the county of Genesee.
"The trial Of a similar suit, involving the title to reservations numbers
three and four, was also had before Judge Green, at Flint, in the December
term in the same year, resulting, as in the case of section two, adversely to
the Indian title. The suit was brouglit in the names of two of the Indian
women before mentioned, who claimed to be the real Annoketoqua and
Sagosequa, and consequently owners of the tracts that had lieen patented
respectively to Louisa L. Smith and the heirs of Caroline Smith, deceased.
For the plaintiff there appeared several Indians who were, or claimed to
have been, at the treaty of 1819, and whose testimony was given to show
that the reservations were not intended for the children of Jacob Smith, but
for the daughters of Nc-o-me, and that the Indian claimants in this case
were the daughters of that chief. There were other claims made, under the
treaty, to those reservations, by persons of Indian descent, but they were
defeated by the claims and influence of the white Smith children and the
treaty set aside and violated.
"The violation of sacred treaties by the government, made with the
Indians, has been one great cause of so much trouble with the western
tribes of Indians, T think."
The above resume of the htigation over the hve reserves by Mr, Will-
iams seems very just in its conclusions. That the Indians, in parting with
their title to their lands, reluctantly giving to the whites, whom they hated,
the territories that bad been their homes, should in making reserves from
the grant consider the children of any white man in preference to their own
children is quite unlielievable, and the final determination of the claim to
these reservations adversely to the Indians must stand as an example of
fraud, legalized by the white man's courts, and a justification of the distrust
that the Indians have of the white man's justice.
From the contents of a letter written by General Cass in 1S31, it would
he implied that Smith had a flock of half-breed children, as well as a legiti-
mate family at Detroit; from this letter it would appear that the provision
as to reserving the lands for Indians by descent was inserted in the treaty
to prevent the fraud afterwards legalized by Congress and the courts, which
Cass had reason to believe Smith anticipated. The letter is as follows;
Detroit, Juue 22, 1831.
I ([iiv(! (»eeii i-eijiieKted fi) stiilii the fiu-ts ciiniiected with the reservation of eleven
KfH-tioiin of liiiid at Flint ri\ef, innrte nndev the treaty of Siiglnaw, bo far as respects
(12)
dbyGoc^lc
178 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
aiij interests held thetem by the (.hildrpii of Ji<.>b Smith \.t thp time this resen 1
tUn was mnde I understord thjit the Indinns intencled that a nmnlipr of the spl
tlons — I belieie Ave or 3i\ — should be gtanted to the children of Smith iiid tlie names
given by them to the grantees of these sections were sjid to be his childien
Fiom Urtumstiinces not necessjrv to detail here I was led to suspect thit Sinitii
designed the land for bis white ihlldieii and thit most ot the names purioitiu^ to he
those of his Indttn children were in fiiet the names if his white childien nhlcli
the Indians who were in the Jiahlt of freqoentlug his, house had gUen to them To
gniid ngiiiist the consequent e^ of theii ittenipt I tlierefoie mserted in the iiti le
lio\ldlng for these reseriatious a cHuse confining them to iiersons of Indian descent
I hiie an indistmct recollection tliat one voung tirl was Mpoken of is in Iiidlnn
daughter of Smith but cannot rememhei the name I Itnow I ewis Be.iufuit and Henry
Connof well they were both at the treitv of Saglinw and thev are veiy honest men
in whose htatements full confldence mav be placed
(Msned) lEwis Cass
Of resen'C number seven, on the south side of the river, the l>eneficiary
was plainly one Edward Campaii, the half-breed son of the trader. His
Indian name was Nowokezhic, and he was here in the possession of his
reserve when John Hamilton, Ephraim S. Williams, Harvey Williams and
Schuyler Hodges came through Flint, in the winter of 1822-3, en route for
Saginaw with supplies for the garrison there. His title was conveyed to
John Todd, the tavern keeper, and there is no reason to suggest that the
intent of the treaty was not fully carried out so far as this one reserve was
concerned. As to reservation number eight, to Mokitchenaqua, there were
two claimants, one a half-breed daughter of Archie Lyons, who married a
squaw by the name of Ka-zhe-o-ije-oii-no-qua. This woman outlived him
and was a witness on the trial of Dewey and Campau at Saginaw in i8fio.
The Mokitchenqua, daughter of above, was Elizabeth Lyons by her white
name. Another claimant was Marie Lavoy, and stili another was Nancy
Crane. All of these were halfbreeds, and so answered the requirements of
the treaty that they should Ix; of Indian descent; all were Mokitchenaquas.
As the Indians had no surname, the reservation to Mokitchenaqua was quite
like a reservation for "Mary" in a white man's deed. The determination
of identity naturally depended on evidence of facts and circtimstances out-
side the document itself. Each of these three claimants had applied for
and obtained certificates of identity from the authorities of the land office
at Detroit. The Lyons woman received hers, August 2, 1824; the Lavoy
woman received hers, February 37, 1827, and the Crane woman, claimed
to be the half-breed daughter of Jacob Smith, by name Nancy Smith,
received hers July 22, 1831. This certificate to Nancy Smith Crane as the
Mokitchenaqua entitled to reservation number eight received sanction from
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, lIICHIfiAN. 179
the general land office, whose commissioner, on August 5, 1835, approved
the same, and a patent was granted to her on March 7, 1840. Major John
Garland appears to have l>een the real party in interest in urging the claim
of his wife's half-breed sister, for her rights had been transferred to him
before patent issued. The interest of the Lyons claimant had been trans-
ferred to Gardner Williams and ICintzing Pritchette. Garland's title had
been transferred to Payne and Stockton, and the litigation was between
Williams and Pritchette, on the one hand, and Payne, Stockton and others,
on the other hand, involving the question as to whether EHzaljeth Lyons or
Nancy Smith was the Mokitchenaqua for whom the reserve was made.
On trial, the court determined that Elizabeth Lyons was the true owner of
the reserve and that Williams and Pritchette were entitled to it under their
deeds. In this case, Payne, who was the husband of one of Smith's white
daughters and whose title had come through John Garland, the husband of
another of Smith's white dai^;hters, was confronted by a certificate of cer-
tain Chippewa chiefs similar to those upon which their wives predicated
their claims to the reserves north of the river, to the effect that Elizabeth
I^yons was the person entitled to the reserve and not the Nancy Smith from
whom they claimed title. This case is reported in Walker's Chancery
Report, page 120, and in Douglass's report at page 546 and the following
pages, and forms an interesting chapter in our !oca! historj'.
Reserves mimliers nine, ten and eleven, from their location, had little
value as compared to the other reserves, and consequently were not so allur-
ing to the white men and did not become the object of their cupidity and
iitigation. They went to the half-breeds, Jean Visgar, son of the trader who
was at the treaty, and who had been in the attempt to acquire lands in Mich-
igan at nine dollars a county (this reservation was probably intended for
the son of Ne-o-me) ; to Phillis Beaufait, half-breed daughter of the French
trader, and to Catherine Mene, half-breed. It is to be noticed that in each
case the reservations south of the river were given to persons of the gender
suggested by the Indian name of the reservee, contrary to the case of the
claim of the children of Smith to certain of the reserves north of the river.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER IV.
Settlement of Flint Before 1837.
Flint was the first prominent center of settlement planted beyond Pontiac
on the old Saginaw Indian trail, and the second settlement planted bej'ond
that cordon of tangled forest and dread morass surrounding Detroit, which
was popularly supposed to be the vestibule of a vast uninhabited wilderness
whose lands were barren and where nothing but wild beasts, migratory birds
and venomous reptiles were ever destined to find an alxxle. Only a little
time before, the great interior of the lower peninsula of Michigan was an
unexplored and unknown country. The story has already been told, how,
after the War of 1812, the United States surveyor-general, Edward Tiffin,
declared to the national government that "the intermediate space between tliese
swamps and lakes — which is probably near one-half of the country — is, with
very few exceptions, a poor, barren, sandy land, on which scarcely any vege-
tation grows except very small, scrubby oaks," and concluded with his opin-
ion that "there would not be more than one acre out of a hundred, if there
would be one out of a thousand, that would in any case admit of cultivation."
Thanks to Lewis Cass, governor of Michigan territory, and others whom he
was able to influence, this judgment was soon proved to be false. In 1818 he
set out from Detroit, accompanied by Hon. Austin E. Wing and two or
three other friends, on a tour of observation and discovery. Through the
first stage of their northwestern journey after leaving Detroit the as^iect was
by no means reassuring. At times their horses sank knee-deep in the sloughs
or wallowed through the marshy places along the trail. It really seemed as
if the dismal tales of the surveyors and Indian traders would prove true. At
last, after floundering over a distance which seemed a hundred miles, but
which in reality was little over a dozen, they came to higher ground and
more open country, which is now the southeastern part of the county of
Oakland. From that point they continued their journey with comparative
ease northwestward over a dry roiling country through beautiful open groves
of oak and along the margins of pure and limpid waters. During their jour-
ney, which lasted about a week, they penetrated nearly to the southern bound-
ary of Genesee. When they returned they carried back with them the knowl-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. l8l
edge and proof that Michigan was not a worthless desert, as represented,
but a beautiful and fertile land awaiting only the touch of the settler's axe
and plow to yield an abundant increase to reward his toil.
The broad Indian trail taken by this i)arty of explorers, which ran from
Detroit to Saginaw, and along which for many years the northern tribes of
Indians came down in large numbers to barter their furs for supplies and to
receive their annuities from the English and United States governments,
crossed the Flint river at a point called by the I'Vench traders the Grand
Traverse, and it was a favorite resting place and camping ground for them
and the neighlxjrJng tribes, as game and fish were there especially abundant.
It is owing to this circumstance that Flint became a center of settlement.
Its name, however, is not so easily accounted for. According to some,
the Chii>pewa Indians called the region now occupied by the city Mus-cu~ta-
wa-ningh, or "open plain, burned over," and the stream which flows through
it Pe-won-nuk-cnmg, or "the river of the flint." Just why they should have
named the river so is unexpiainable, for, though its bed is rocky, there is
nothing about it suggestive of flint. Judge Albert Miller, who worked for
John Todd in the early thirties, records in the "Michigan Historical Collec-
tions" the name of the settlement as Pe-won-a-go-seeba. William R. McCor-
mick, who as a Ixjy lived with his parents at this site in 1832, gives the name
of the settlement as Sco-ta-wa-ing, or "burnt opening," and tliat of the river
as Pe-won-a-go-wing-see>ba, or "flint stones in the river." It is clear that
whichever name in the Indian language was correct for the river, it meant
"flint," in some form. Col. E. H. Thomson concludes the matter by saying:
"After wrestling for several years with these Chippewa jawbreakers, the
early settlers ended the struggle by calling both river and settlement 'Flint,' "
and Flint they are.
INDIAN OCCUPATION.
The story of the Indian occupation of Flint as sketched in tlie Abbott
history, may be here briefly retold. The Sauks and Onotawas held in peace
the Flint river and the country of its neighboring streams. I^ng ago the
Chi[>pewas and Ottawas of Mackinac formed an alliance with the Qttawas
about Detroit and by preconcerted agreement met near the mouth of the Sagi-
naw and proceeded to destroy the Indian villages along its banks. They suc-
ceeded there and turned to destroy the remainder of the Sauks. One of the
most imiwrtant of these battles was fought on the high bluff that overlooks
the Flint a half mile below the present city, almost directly across the river
from the school for the deaf, .\nother battle was fought down the river a
dbyGoot^lc
l82 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
mile above Flushing, and a third sixteen miles beiow Flushing on the Flint
The allied forces mastered this territory, and eventually joined the British
troops with a view to exterminating the Americans who had settled on the
St. Ciair, the Clinton and the Detroit rivers. This alliance continued to the
close of the War of 1812. But with the success of the Americans the spirit
of the Indians was broken, and when the first white settlers came to the banks
of the Flint, the Chippewas were inclined to be very friendly. Indeed, traffic
with the red man was the potent incentive that attracted the first white men
to the depths of the wilderness about Flint, The furs secured by the bullets
and arrows of the Indians were of great value. The Indians often exhibited
traits of character in transactions with their pale-faced neighbors quite as
commendable as the copies set for them by their white invaders. There were
several villages of Indians in the vicinity of Flint. They were glad to bring
to traders and merchants not only their furs, but their baskets and maple
sugar, in exchange for the white man's wares. Too often the red man wanted
"firewater," and while under its influence he needed to be met with firmness
and caution. We are toid of but few collisions between settlers and natives
which could not be amicably adjusted. Many interesting and thrilling experi-
ences have been told by some of the pioneers who had won the confidence of
the Indians.
AN IGNOMINIOT'S WTTIPPING.
A story is told of a fight between one of the chiefs and "Aunt Polly"
Todd, who kept the first tavern at Flint. She was of the stuff of which the
wives of pioneers are made. One day the old Chippewa chief Ton-a-da-
ga-na called through the door for whiskey. Mrs. Todd, who was alone,
refused him, whereupon the chief forced his way into the room, drew a long
knife and was about to attack her when she struck him across the face with
a heavy splint broom, knocking him down. She then jumped on him, placed
her knees on his chest and held his wrists until help came in response to her
screams. The next day the old chief came back to the tavern and, baring
his breast, invited death at her hands, saying, "Old chief no good. Whipped
by white squaw."
Aunt Polly's son, Edward A. Todd, says that he saw the sub-chief Pero,
who was of a very jealous disposition, shoot his wife to death. The shooting,
he says, occurred near where now is Genesee Mill. She was buried on the
north side of the river in an orchard of plum trees about half way between
Garland street Methodist Episcopal church and Saginaw street bridge; a
kettle, tobacco, beads, etc., were buried with her and, adds Mr. Todd, "noth-
ing was ever done about it."
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER AT FLINT.
The distinction of being the first white settler on the site of Flint prop-
erly belongs to Jacob Smith, a man closely associated with the Indians of
Flint and Genesee county throughout a long life. He was descended from a
German family, but was born in the French city of Quebec. From early boy-
hood he was intimately connected with the English, the French and the
Indians, and naturally he grew up able to speak their languages fluently. He
became a resident of Detroit and after the War of 1812 engaged in trading
with the Indians in the region which includes Genesee county. After Cass's
treaty with the Indians in 1819 at Saginaw, he made the Grand Traverse of
the Flint his permanent trading post. By making himself one with his Indian
friends, and by his habits of fair dealing, he inspired their confidence and his
sound judgment and sagacity were their unfailing resource in time of need.
This bond of friendship between Smith and the Indian chiefs of the region
was strongly cemented as time passed, until his relations with them were those
of a brother. Down to a very late day the remnants of these once powerful
tribes cherished his memory with sincere affection.
The conditions at the site of Flint were most favorable for Smith's pur-
pose. The Indian trail leading from Detroit to Saginaw crossed the Flint
river just above the bridge on Saginaw street, where there was a fording
place, long known to the early French traders as the Grand Traverse, or
"great crossing." Here, on the site of the first Baptist church in Fhnt, Jacob
Smith built a log trading post in 1819, where he lived until his death in 1825.
Without doubt this log house was the first building erected for a white man's
occupancy in the county of Genesee.
There can be no question that Smith's principal object in locating at
this place was to take possession of the reservations which he had caused to
be granted in the treaty of Saginaw, and to hold them for himself and chil-
dren. It seems to be quite generally believed among those who have not
examined into the facts, that Smith was entirely engrossed in the Indian
trade and made no agricultural improvements at all. But there are papers to
show that a part of his lands were cleared and cultivated by him, or imder
his direction. One of these papers is a sealed instrument which is self-
explanatory, and of which the following is a ctpy
Wliei'tiiM, I, David ^ W Lnibin hue this div cmfeled iniS gneu up to Jacob
Smith 11 certain leiise foi 11 SPttiou of land on Flint rher in the county oC OakUnd
dated the 'Jlst day of DeLembei In the yeir of our li<iid one thou-wind eight hnndred
and twenty-one (18211 is 1\ lofereice tr said lei'se mil miie fulU appeii and
dbyGoc^lc
l84 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Wliereua the sa'iil Jui/iib >Smltli hiitli heretofore commeui.-eil a (.-erlaiii suit mi i\ l""il;
account agftinst nie before Jolm lIcDoiiiild, Esq.. a justice of tlie peace iu aud for the
county of Wayne. Now, (herefove, in conalderiitlon of the wild Jacob Smith hnving
discontinued said suit, aiul having given me a general release of all debts and demauas
whatsoever, I do hei'eby ghe. arant, sell, and convey Into the said Jacob Smith all
my right, title, interest, anil claim wiiatSoever to all the wheat, com, potatoes, barlej-.
peas, beans, and oiita, and all other crops whatsoever, now growing on said section of
land, or elsewhete in the county oC OaiilHnd, and likewise all other property of every
kind and description which I now own hi the comity of (lakhinil. In witiicw-! «lieri"if
I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fifth diiy ut \iimi^t, in tlic jeiu' cf our
Lord one thousand eight hundreil and twenty-two.
Witness: Geobgf, A. Gage. I>i\m \i. W. Cobuin. (Seali
From this it clearly appears that a part of the reservation had been
cleared and that crops were growing upon it at least as early as 1822; that
in 1822 it was occupied as a farm by Mr. Corbin under lease from Jacob
Smith, and that Mr. Corbin, who for some reason was unable to meet his
payments, relinquished the lease to Mr. Smith in that year. That the farm,
after being given up by Corbin, was carried on by Mr. Smith until his death,
seems clear from another paper, which is as follows:
Detroit, April -i, 1S25.
To all wliiim 11 m.ii riiuri-ni : Mr. (Jeorifp Lyons is hereby authorized to take
possession, in the )i;mie of -Metaw.nieiie, I'V Albert J. Wmitli. a minor, of the house
and faian, situated on T'liiit rii'er, lately <nni[)ied liy .Tiicob Smith, deceased, until some
further definite arrangement. The horses, cattle, hogs, one wapin. three plows, and
four sets of hariiew belonir to ine. ami Jlr. Lyon is liereiiy authorized to recelie thein
In my naaie from any person now at tlie farni.
(Signed) JouH Gakland.
P. S. — All other iiroiierty on tlic premises beloiiis' to the estate of Jacob Smith.
It is my wish tliat an Inventory be taken of them by Mr. Lyons and Mr. IC. Canu.au,
ami left with Mr. Caiiipiiii,
ISit;nein .Ioiin (;.\ki..vmi.
Mr. Smith's death, at the age of forty-live years, was the tirst death of
a white person which occurred within the present limits of Genesee county.
It left a name which runs through all of the litigation over title to the lands
now occupied by the city of Flint and which dragged its slow length along
down even to the time of the Civil War, retarding the development of the
north side of the river and causing family and neighlxDrhood heart-burnings
for many a year.
Mr. Corbin, to whom reference is made in the Smith papers, had been a
soldier in the War of 1812, and died at Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mr, E.
Campau (Fran^;ois Edouard Campau) was a half-breed, who owned reserva-
tion No. 7. There he lived in a cabin built by himself, and was frequently
employed by Mr. Smith. On Jtme 12, 1825, he obtained a patent for this
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 185
land and. as he removed from it soon afterwards permanently, it is probable
that the motive of his residence was to help him get the patent; in that case
he could hardly be classed as a settler. George Lyons lived on the Flint river
five years, but exactly where is not known. Neither can the exact date of his
residence be given; probably he lived near the Grand Traverse at the time of
Smith's death.
IJIVAl, setti,!-:ments.
The earliest rival of Flint as a center of settlement was Grand Blanc.
Previous to the death of Jacob Smith, Grand Blanc received settlers in the
persons of Jacob Stevens and his sons. Rufvis and Sherman. This was in
1823. They came from western New York, whence came so many of the
early pioneers of this county; indeed, it is probable that the county was named
for Genesee county, in New York, and appropriately, for another reason — ■
the word Je-nis-he-yuh signified in the Seneca tongue "the beautiful valley."
The name of one of the tribes belonging to the Six Nations in western New
York was Chennussie, probably from the same root as Genesee. In 1826
there were added to this settlement Edmond Perry, Sr., and Rowland B.
Perry, from Livingston, county, New York. In 1827-29 came Edward H.
Spencer, from Vermont, William Roberts, George E. Perry (Connecticut),
Joseph McFarlan, Ezekiel R. Ewing, Jeremiah Riggs and family and a num-
ber of others. Most of these were from western New York; a few were
from New England. By 1830 Flint had quite a respectable rival in village
beginnings in the southeasteni part of the county, which would tend to inter-
cept settlers moving towards Flint.
In that year, 1830, John Todd, then living at Pontiac in Oakland count}-,
during a prospecting tour visited the Grand Traverse of the Flint and, being
pleased with the location, purchased from Edouard Campau a section com-
prising seven hundred and eighty-five acres for eight hundred dollars. The
deed was dated April i, 1830. Returning to Pontiac, he took his wife Polly
and two young children, Edward and Mary (later Mrs. David Gould, of
Owosso), and, cutting the road through the woods from Grand Blanc to
Flint, returned to his new purcliase. The journey took three days. In the
emigrant train were stock, farm implements and household goods enough to
begin pioneer life. To them belongs the distinction of being the first per-
manent residents on the site of Flint. Mr. Todd at once repaired the Campau
cabin, sixteen by eighteen feet in dimensions, and his wife, known then and
for years afterward as "Aimt Polly Todd," soon made things comfortable
within. In the neighboring Grand Blanc settlement Rufus W. Stevens was
dbyGoot^lc
l86 CKNESBE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
just completing a sawmill on the Thread river, and from there Mr. Todd got
lumber with which he enlarged these humble quarters and opened, in 1S21,
the famous inn known as "Todd's Tavern." The hospitahty of the host and
the good management and energetic lalx»rs of "Aunt Polly" made it a popular
public resort. It was situated on the site of the Wolverine Citizen office, and
some time after its removal was destroyed by fire.
From the time of Mr. Todd's arrival, the Grand Traverse was known
as Todd's ferry. He kept a canoe at the crossing for the accommodation of
travelers. Usually he did duty as ferryman himself, but in the absence of
himself or the men, the women lent a helping hand. The ferry was almost
directly back of the Wolverine Citizen office. The canoe was hollowed from
a tree and was about six feet wide and large enough to carry over wagons
and sleighs. There was no charge for crossing, but the fame of this conveni-
ence doubtless brought a good revenue to the tavern.
Mr. Todd later sold a part of his land to John Clifford and Wait Beach
and removed to the present site of the First National Bank, on Saginaw
street. He afterwards bought a farm on the I-lushing road, where he and his
wife lived for many years. Later they moved to Owosso, where "Aunt
I'oily," honored with years, died at the home of her eldest son, ex-Mayor
E, A. Todd, in 1868. "Uncle John Todd" died in that city on May 15, 1882,
having lived to the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. He was born in
Pennsylvania, in the valley of the Susquehanna, March 5, 1784, whence he
removed early in life to Palmyra, New York. He was a soldier in the War
of ]Si2 and was in the battle of Fort Erie. He came to Michigan in iSni.
crossing Lake Erie on the second trip of the "Walk- in -the- Water," and later,
in 1825. was married to Polly Smith, who lived near Pontiac.
EARLY PERMANENT SETTLERS.
The same spring that Mr. Todd came to the Grand Traverse, came also
Benajah Tupper and his brother-in-law, Archikdd Green, and a cousin of
Tupper's, named Preston. They came from Rush, Monroe county. New
York, and for a time occupied the deserted cabin built by Jacob Smith. Mr.
Green intended to buy land and become a permanent settler, but his wife
died soon after his arrival and he returned to New York. Tupper and
Preston stayed for a couple of years, hunting and trading. Finally a violent
quarrel broke out between Preston and the Indians, who made it so uncom-
fortable for the two that they returned to the East. They are, therefore, not
in the same class of i>ennanent settlers as Mr. Todd and his family.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 187
In the summer of 1S31, Nathaniel Ladd and his wife arrived from Utica,
JVew York, and hved for a short time in the Smith cabin with Tupper and
Preston. The same year came Col. James W. Cronk and family ; Mr. Cronk
died while serving in the Mexican War in 1847. Mr. Ladd and his family
remained until 1832, when they removed to Grand Blanc. r..yman Stow, to
whom Mr, Ladd sold his property on the Flint river, was the first blacksmith
on the site of Fiint, and had his shop just across the street from the Cttisen
office. In 1832 George Oliver, an Englishman, joined the little settlement;
also Elijah N. Davenport, who occupied a small log house which stood near
the site of the later Hamilton's mill, and who soon afterward moved to Bay
City, where he died. He was one of the first highway commissioners in the
old town of Grand Blanc, in 1833. He kept a tavern at the Grand Traverse
in 1834. Another settler of 1832 was James McCormick, but he moved away
in 1835.
Neighboring parts of the county were slowly receiving settlers by 1833.
In that year Asa Farrar had made his appearance in what is now Atlas.
Benjamin Pearson and .Addison Stewart had built their cabins near the north
line of the present township of I'lint. In that year, too, came Lewis Buck-
ingham, later the first sheriff of the county. With him came several associates
from western New York who formed a settlement on the line between the
present townships of ]\'Ioimt Morris and Genesee. By reason of their opposi-
tion to the use of intoxicating liquors their place was by a few derisively
called "the Cold \A'^atcr Settlement."
OKGANIZED GOVERN MKNT.
In the same year of 1833 occurre<! the firsl election of officers for the
new township of Grand Blanc, which included the settlement at the site of
Flint. The following citizens received official honors: Lyman Stow, justice
of peace and assessor; John Todd, highway commissioner; Elijah N. Daven-
port, constable ; James W. Cronk, trustee of school lands ; George Oliver,
overseer of highways.
One of the first decisions of the new town government was to dispense
with Todd's ferry and build a good bridge over the Flint river at the foot of
Saginaw street. The contract to build the bridge was sublet to a Mr. Davis,
and with its completion and the erection of the Thread grist-mill the settle-
ment began to wear the aspect of a village. Augustus C. Stevens, a man of
considerable means, came on from Buffalo, New York, and bought two hun-
<lred acres on the east side of the Saginaw road from James Cronk, while his
dbyGoot^lc
l88 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
brother, Kufus W. Stevens, established a small store similar to the one he
had in Grand Blanc. It was their money that built the grist-mill. At this
time, too, came Daniel O'SulIivan, the first school teacher in Flint.
Pioneer conditions are reflected in the prices of real estate at this time.
In 1833 James W. Cronk purchased the Todd domain for seven hundred
and fifty-one dollars, Mr. Todd reserving his house and one and a half acres
of land. In August, 1834, Augustus C. Stevens purchased of Cronk and wife
aii the section lying on the east side of Saginaw street for eight hundred
dollars, and on January 31, 1835, James W. Cronk and wife sold the
remainder, or that ixjrtion lying on the west side of the same street, to
William Morri,son and J. C. Dubois for one thousand dollars. Six montl's
later, however, Messrs. Morrison an'd Dubois reconveyed to Cronk for the
s:ime amount. Colonel Cronk and wife then sold to John Todd the Morrison
and Dubois purchase, or the lands west of Saginaw street for two thousand
twii hiKKlred and fifty dollars.
Fr[(ST VILLAGE PLATS.
The village was first platted as early as 1830, the plat being filed by A. E.
\\ iithares. who called it the village of Sidney. His plat embraced four
blocks, from Saginaw street to Clifford, east and west, and from the river
to First street, north and south. In 1833 the site was resurveyed, a new plat
\\u^ made, and the name of Flint River was substituted for Sidney. The
new plat covered the Sidney plat and more, extending to the present Fourth
street on the east to Harri,son street. On October 9, 1835, J'^hn Clifford had
registered in Oakland county a plat bounded as follows : commencing at the
bridge, thence along Saginaw street to Fourth, Fourth to Harrison, Harri-
son to Kearsley, Kearsley to Clifford, and along Clififord to the river. Wait
Beach platted the west side of Saginaw street, July 13, 1836; his plat covered
the land bounded by the Flint river, Saginaw, Eleventh and Church streets.
September 6, 1836, John Clifford and others platted that portion of the
village bounded by the Flint river, thence along East street to Court, Court
to Saginaw, Saginaw to Fourth, I'-ourth to Harrison, Harrison to Kearsle\-,
Kearsley to Clifford, and Clififord to the river. September 22, Elisha Beach
platted the tract bounded by Eleventh, Pine, Fifteenth and West streets.
January 12, 1837, Chaimcey S. Payne platted and offered for sale lots in
the village of Grand Traverse. This plat lay upon the east side of Saginaw
street and was bounded by the river, Saginaw and North streets. Four days
later he made an addition on the west side of Saginaw street, which was
dbyGoot^lc
GENFlSEE county, HICIIiCAN. 189
Ixtuiided by the latter street, North and West streets, and the FHnt river.
This was the extent of the settiement on the Flmt at the time when Michigan
l>ecame a state in the Union. Except the first ones, these plats were all sur-
veyed hy Capt. Harvey Parke, of Pontiac.
FIRST POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED.
Before that event the first postoffice had been established there. The
name of the office was Flint River. The first po.'^tmaster was Lyman Stowe.
appointed August 5, 1834. Tt is said that, like many another ohliging public
servant under similar circumstances, he at times carried the ix)stoffice about
the streets in his silk hat. When the office was at home it was situated on
the north west corner of the pre.sent Saginaw and Kearsley streets, on the
site of the First National Bank. Mr. Stowe was reappointed, Septemlier.
1836, but was succeeded by John Todd the following year, whose commis-
sion was dated October 2, 1837. While Flint was still a village the fol-
lowing postmasters succeeded Mr. Todd: William P. Crandall, l)eceml)er
28, 1839; William Moon, June 16, 184 1 ; William P. Crandall, Octolwr 12.
1844; Alvin T. Crosman, April 28, 1849: Ephraim S. Williams, Mav 7,
1853-
LAND OS'TICE.
An event of much significance for the increase of settlement in Fhnt
was the establishment of the United States land office there August 23.
1836. This institution was a center of interest wherever established, as the
place where title to lands was secured. There all sales of United States
lands were recorded, and reports of these were made to the commissioner of
the general land office at ^Va?hington, D. C : anri in due course a patent for
the land purchased, signed bv the president, was sent to the local office and
delivered to the purchaser. This office was continued at Flint until January
14, 1857, when it was removed to East Saginaw. Following are the officials
who served at Fhnt: Registered: Michael Hoffman. July 5, 1836; John
Earston, August 10, 183*^; Comehus Roosevelt. May 21, 1849; William M.
Fenton, March 25, 1853. Receivers: Charles C. Hascall, July 5, 1836;
Elijah E. Witherhee. February 23, 1843; Rol>ert J. S. Page, October T2.
1844; Charles C. Hascall. March 21. 1845; George M. Dewey, March r8,
1849: Russell Bishop, March 18. 1853.
From East Saginaw the office was remo\-ed to Grayling, where the
maps, field notes and all the records were destroyed by fire. The office was
then moved to Marquette in the upper peninsula.
dbyGoot^lc
GENICSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ROAD BUILniNG.
Another impulse to the settlement of Flint was the road from Detroit,
which was first improved by the national government. It followed very
nearly the old Indian trail, its piir[X)se being originally to connect the forts
at Detroit and Saginaw. It was first cut out in the winter of 1822-1823
from Saginaw to Flint by detachments of the Third United States Infantry,
sufficiently to allow the passage of horses to and from Saginaw. Previous
to this a road southward from l-'lint had been cut and partially corduroyed
through the swampy lands between Royal Oak and Detroit, by soldiers under
command of Colonel Leavenworth. In 1824, the territorial government
authorized the appointment of a commissioner to lay out and establish a
territoriaf road from Detroit to Saginaw. Though this was surveyed in
1826. it was four years before the construction of the road reached Genesee
county and 1833 when it had reached as far as the present Kearsley street.
In 1834 the swamp was filled in between Kearsley street and the Flint river,
the bridge was started, and in the same year, or in the spring of 1835, the
road was finished to a point aix;nt five miles north of the river, which was
the end of the work done upon it by the national government. Judged by
standards of today, this road was scarcely deser\'ing of the name, but for
those days it was serviceable and over it came a large [xirtion of the early
settlers to their homes in Genesee county.
With the improvement of this road and the establishment of the post-
office and the land office at Flint, a line of stages from Flint to Pontiac was
begun by William Clifford. As early as 1833 Joshua Terry carried tlie
mails over the route l:>etween Pontiac and Saginaw, making weekly trips,
with limited accommotiations for passengers. The Clifford stage-line was
a much needed improvement and was continued under variotis managements
imtil the completion of a railway.
Not least among the attractions for settlers in the neighborhood of
Flint were the Thread river mills. The saw-mill started at Grand Blanc
in 1828 has the honor of l^eing the first effort in a line of industry that gave
Flint its initial prominence as a manufacturing city. It provided lumber
for the first homes in the county. The proprietors were Rowland Perry
and Harvey Silencer. According to some accounts the first saw-mill near
Flint was built by George Oliver as early as 1830, but in 1833 or 1834 one
was built nearer Fhnt by Rufus W, Stevens. In 1836 another was begim by
Stage, \\''right & C'ompany. AIx>ut the same time the Ste\'ens Iwothers buiit
dbyGoot^lc
GENTiSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I9I
the first grist-mill in Flint, at the intersection of Thread river and the Sag-
inaiw road. This greatly promoted imniigratioii, by furnishing means of
making flour or meal without having to make the long trips to Pontiac or
to Detroit, and drew to Flint the trade for many miles around. A season's
crop of grain would sometimes come from Saginaw by canoe to be ground
in Flint, The grist-mill occupied the place of first imiwrtance in this budd-
ing industrial community, but along in the fifties the saw-mill finally came
into its own with the development of lumbering as a commercia! enterprise.
In 1836 was started the first mercantile enterprise of importance in the
growing village, when Messrs. Robert F. Stage and Ira D. Wright built
the first store, an adjunct to their milling enteq>rise. It was situated on
Mill and Saginaw streets not far from the bridge. The stock was valued
at twenty thousand dollars, a large sum for that time. The store was a
substantial frame building, the upper story of which was used as a public
hall. In it were convened all the religious meetings of the day and the
fir.st court was held within its walls.
These impulses to the early settlement of Flint are reflected in the
marked increase oi settlers from 1835 to 1838. Among others who came
in 1835 were Oliver A, Wesson and John M. Cumings, men of much im-
portance t(i the early growth of Flint. Among those who settled here
during the years 1836-1838 were the following: Samuel Alport, Asa An-
drews. John Bartow. Chauncey Barber, Rev. John Beach, Wait Beach,
Lewis G. Bickford, James Birdsall, Giles Bishop, Sn, Giles Bishop, Russell
Bishop, Rev. Daniel R. Brown, I>e\vis Buckingham, Wilham Clifford, Thomas
R. Cumings, (irant Decker, George M. Dewey, Dr. Elijah Drake, Thomas J.
Drake, W'illard Eddy. William Eddy, George W. Fish, David Foote, Daniel S.
Freeman, Miles Gazlay, Ward Gazlaj', J. C. Griswold, George H. Hazelton,
Charles Heale, Henry M. Henderson, James Henderson, George J. W. Hill,
Waldo Howard, Dr. John A. Hoyes, W. Lake, Robert D. Lamond, Daniel
B, Lyon. James McAlester, R, McCreery, Edmond Miles, William Moon,
William A. Morrison, Roliert J. S. Rage, William Patterson, Chauncey S.
Payne, Benjamin Pearson, Nicholas Russell, Orrin Safford, D. S. Seeley,
Charles Seymour, Robert F. Stage, Addison Stewart, Col. Thomas B. W.
Stockton. Artemas Thayer, Edward H. Thomson, John Townsend, Eugene
X'anilevcnter, James B. Walker, Henry C. Walker, Ephraim S. Williams,
Elijah B. Witherbee and Ira D. -Wright.
dbyGoot^lc
192 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Thomas P. Wood, later a resident of Goodrich for more than sixty
years, came to VVhigville, Genesee comity, in 1834, when only twelve years
of age. He returned to New York state later, finishing his education, and
removing again to Genesee coimty after his marriage to Pauliita M. Hulbert,
of West Bloomfield, New York, residing at Goodrich more than sixty years.
Particulars about some of these families may be of interest, Benjamin
Cotharin was engaged in boot and shoemaking, in a shop just north of the city
hall. Messrs. Seeley and Howard conducted a tailor shop over Stage &
Wright's store. Beyond the Thread river was a brick yard owned by Reuben
Ttipper and Silas Pierce. William A. Morrison was engaged in the primi-
tive lumbering industry. The Bishop brothers, Russeil and Giles, were em-
barked in commercial pursuits. Daniel B. Lyon was also engaged in business.
The year 1836 witnessed the advent of a small colony from Batavia and the
adjacent parts of Genesee count)-. New York. Among them was Willard
Eddy, who was instrumental in establishing the first bank in Flint. He was
the father of Hon. Jerome Eddy, later mayor of the city of Flint and one of
the representatiA-e business men of the city. Robert Patrick assisted in the
construction of the first grist-mill. Orrin Safford was one of the first justices
of the peace in Flint township. One of the first lawyers was Col. E. H.
Thomson. Ephraim S. Williams and George M. Dewey were early mer-
chants and were largely engaged in land operations. Among those whose
names apjiear conspicuously as givers of liberal gifts to encourage the growth
of the city is Chaimcey S, Payne, a large landowner and one of the i>arties
in the litigation involving the Smith reservation. Henry M. and James Hen-
derson contributed much to the growth of early Flint, building later a block
of stores and conducting a large mercantile bu.siness. Few early citizens were
Ijetter Iieloved than Rev. James McAlester, who for many years was engaged
in ministerial labor, helping to organize .several Methodist churches in the
county. By trade he was a wagon maker, devoting his Sabbaths to clerical
work. Another local preacher was Daniel S. Freeman, who in early years
in Flint, followed blacksmithing. Hon. James B. Walker was for manv
years engaged in commercial pursuits, but afterwards identified himself with
the state charitable institutions and wa.'; active in promoting enterprises for the
welfare of the city.
The great majority of the early pioneers of Flint and Genesee countv
brought with them from the East the staunch old New England equipment
of mind and morals — intelligence, education, the qualities that make for a
wholesome society, and the sweet remembrance of family ties; for this rea-
son Flint has won fame among her sister cities as a community of honor-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I93
able, hospitable and law-respecting people. Churches and schools were early
built in the clearings. And though education was often dispensed in the
cramped cabin of the settler, and never in any edifice more pretentious than
the single-roomed log school house built in a day by the combined labors of
a few earnest heads of families, yet in these rude institutions of learning
there have been laid the foundations of many an honorable and useful career.
FIRST SCHOOI-S.
.According to Edward A. Todd, the first school teacher in Flint was a
man by the name of Billings, whom he describes as a "tall, raw-boned, red-
headed fellow," whose school was across the road from Todd's tavern. But
Col. E. H. Thomson gives the generally received opinion that the first school
was kept by Daniel O'Sullivan. This was in 1834, in a shanty on the river's
bank, near Hamilton's dam, or upon the site of the present Genesee mills.
His terms were ten cents per week for each pupil. There were about a
dozen pupils, sons and daughters of John Todd, James McCormick, R. W.
Stevens, James W. Cronk, I,yman Stowe, and his own. He thus netted
for his labors less than one dollar and twenty cents per week.
In 18,^5 a man by the name of Aaron Hoyes taught a school in the
same place and during his illness a young woman by the name of Lucy Riggs
temporarily filled his place. At that time the pupils were the three Stevens
children, Leander, Albert and Zobedia: the Cronk children, Corydon, Wal-
ter and Abagail; Edward Todd; Adeline and Emeiine Stowe, and the Mc-
Cormick children, William, Ann and Sarah. In 1836 a small school house
was put up on the comer now occupied by the Fenton block, in which the
first school was kept by a Miss Overton. She received a dollar a week.
E.MSLY RELIGIOUS INTEREST.
As with education, so with regard to religious observance. The pio-
neers recognized it as being among the necessities of life, equally with food,
raiment and shelter. As soon as they had secured these in the most primi-
tive form, they embraced every op]^K>rtunity to enjoy the privilege of divine
worship. It is told of a lady living in Flint in the seventies, that when she
first came to the place with her husband their first inquiries were concerning
religious services, and when informed that such were to be held in a barn at
the Grand Blanc settlement on the following Sabbath, they prepared to at-
(■31
dbyGoc^lc
194 GENESEE COUNTY^ MICHIGAN.
tend. They learned that the distance of the place of meeting was fully seven
miles, ovei* bad roads, with streams to \x forded, requiring more than a day
of difficult, slow and unpleasant travel, but, with others, they set out in an
ox-wagon on Saturday, reached their destination the same night, attended
seivice on Sunday, and arrived back in p-Hnt Monday afternoon. So intense
was their longing for religious companionship that they had taken three
days of difficult travel and precious time before a tree had been felled or
other step had been taken towards building them a roof to shelter their
heads.
Among the earliest of the pioneer preachers in Genesee county were the
Rev. W. H. Brockway, a Methodist missionary to the Indians; Elders Fra-
zee and Oscar North, Methodists; Benedict and Gambell, both Baptists;
Rev. Isaac W. Ruggles. a Congreg;ationalist. and others. The first religious
meetings were held at Grand Blanc, whence they extended northward to
Flint and other points. The first services at Flint were held by the Rev.
Oscar North. The ncighlxjring "Coldwater settlement" was a favorite |X)int
for traveling preachers who passed through the county. One feature that
specially distinguished the spirit of these early services was the small atten-
tion paid to denominational differences. Any Christian service was eagerly
welcomed by the pioneers, who fully appreciated the value of the church
privileges they h;id left behind when they emigrated from their old homes
in the East.
Among the first Catholic clergymen to visit the field were Rev. Law-
rence Kilroy and Rev. Martin Kindig, afterward vicar-general of Milwau-
kee, Wisconsin, who figured so conspicuously in the cholera epidemic which
decimatet! Detroit in 1S34. The reverend father was indefatigable in his
efforts to alleviate distress among all sects and classes and used his private
means so liberally as to impoverish himself and contract an indebtedness
which it required years to liquidate. After a long life of ceaseless toil and
benevolence, he died at the ripe age of seventy-two years,
SOCr.M. AMUSEMENTS.
The pioneers were not averse to the lighter and gayer side of life. The
craving for social enjoyment comes from one of the deepest instincts of
human nature. The outsider is lonesome. Good cheer has always been an
important element in normal human life. Feasting and making merry went
along with the more serious things, and of all the places to feast and make
merry in early Flint, the chief was Todd's tavern. "Aunt Polly" Todd, if
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, I95
we may l>e!ieve half that is told of her, was abnndantiy able to shine in the
social sphei'e of white traders, half-breed and full-blooded Indians and
thrifty pioneers. And the landlord of Todd's tavern could easily set a good
table with venison, with turke}' and fish, abundantly supplied by the Indians,
Talking was not one of the lost arts at the Ixiard of "Uncle John" Todd,
and good stories never failed.
One of the first social events of Flint took place in this old tavern. In
the winter of 1831 Mr, and Mrs. Todd gave a wedding reception in honor
of George Oliver and Miss Keziah Toby, lx>th of whom had been in the
employ of my lord and lady of the inn. That same winter Mr. and Mrs.
Todd gave a "house warming." An adequate idea of this grand occasion
was given years afterwards by "Aunt Polly" Todd herself:
"in February, Mr, Todd had the frame addition to his house all fin-
ished, and as Sam Russell— -the only violinist in the county — was procurable,
Mr. and Mrs. Todd determined to give a housewarming. For this purpose
all the settlers in Flint and Grand Blanc — about thirty in number— were
invited to the 'Flint Tavern,' to pass the following evening. Meantime all
the ladies put their best garments in readiness, and Mrs. Todd — who had
better facilities for importing new articles into the settlement than many of
the others- — had a full new suit and a splendid new dress cap. ready for that
special occa,sion, all purchased some weeks previously by Mr. Todd in De-
troit. As the evening advanced, the guests commenced arriving, and 'Aunt
Polly' concluded to dress up. As she appeared among the ladies they ail
expatiated on her becoming dress and 'perfect love of a cap.' Mrs. Todd,
ha^'ing a light in her hand at the time, stood opposite a looking-glass and,
casting an admiring glance at herself therein, mentally agreed that she did
look well, and that it ivas 'a love of a cap.' While elevating the light to get
a more correct view of the Isanti ful piece of finery, it caught in some of the
delicate Ijorders or riblx>ns, and a fire ensued which reduced the gay head-
dress to a few burned rags in less than three minutes. However, the tuning
of the fiddle previous to the dance set the gentlemen to looking up their
partner, and Mrs. Todd, who loved dancing, was on the floor one of the
first, looking just as well and as happy in another cap of less pretentions
than her lost beauty. In those times a dance was the only amusement
lookerl for at any gathering, and when an invitation was given, it was sure
to be accepted."
Other centers of hospitality and social life in early Flint were the
Northern Hotel and the Genesee House. The Northern Hotel, which was
built and kept for a short time by Captain Crane, was conducted by William
dbyGoot^lc
196 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Clifford, who founded the River House, which he had taken over from John
Todd- in' 1838, too small for his increasing business. The Northern Hotel
then became headquarters for the Flint-Pontiac stage-line. The Genesee
House was built in 1S37 by Thomas j. Drake, and stood at the angle formed
by Detroit and Saginaw streets. Mr. Drake's successors were Cornelius
Roosevelt, S. W. Gil>son, W. R. Scoville. Mr. Allen. Mr. Pettee and Jared
Mason. Mr. Mason subsequently built the Carlton House, which stood upon
the site of the present Bryant Hotel, and was first opened January i. 1836.
This hotel was afterwards changed to the Irving; House, and was destroyed
by fire.
THE PROFESSIONS.
The professions of law and medicine were not represented in early
Flint. The first residetit attorney in the county, however, lived in Fenton-
ville. He was Philip H. McOmber. About 1832 he came to Michigan from
Saratoga county. New York, practicing first in the Oakland county courts,
but removing in 1834 to Fenton township. Hon. William M. Fenton, who
knew him very well, says of him^ that his talents as a lawyer were of a
superior quality. He not only stood high as a lawyer, Ijut was most highly
esteemed as an honest and public-spirited citizen and a hospitable gentleman.
He was the first prosecuting attorney of Genesee county. His death oc-
curred about 1844. The first resident attorney in Flint, who settled here
in 1836, had also previously practiced law in Oakland, to which, after a
few years, he returned: this was Thomas J. Drake. According to Judge
Baldwin, Mr. Drake was connected as counsel with most of the leading-
cases in northern Michigan during a long term of years, and was always
happy and in his element when advocating the interests of the people. He
was senator from Genesee county from 1S39 to 1842. The same year Mr.
Drake settled in Flint, 1836, came John Bartow, who was soon after ap-
pointed register in the land office. He was elected state senator in 1837.
In partnership with Mr. Bartow was Edward H. Thomson, who had been a
student in the office of Millard Fillmore, afterwards President of the United
States. He had practiced in New York. He caime to Flint in 1838. In
1845-6 he was prosecuting attorney for Genesee county and was state sena-
tor from Genesee for the years 1848 and 1849. He also served in the lower
house and filled many other important offices.
As with the lawyers so with the doctors — the first physicians who
served the settlers of Genesee county came from the neighboring Oakland.
Among these pioneers of the profession were David L. Porter, J. B. Rich-
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 197
ardsoii and Olnistead Chamberlain. The one most frequently employed was
Doctor Chamberlain, although he was not compelled to rely on his pro-
fession for a iivelibood and did not follow it as a regular business. He
was present with Colonel Cronk in the fatal sickness of the latter at Flint
in 1832. The first physician to locate and practice in the county was Dr.
Cyrus Baldwin, who settled at Grand Blanc in the spring of 1833, where
he became a deacon in the Presbyterian church. In the following year Dr.
John W. King located in the same settlement and for many years was a
mighty influence for moral and spiritual, as well as the physical, health of
Genesee county. l"he first resident physician in Flint was Dr. John A.
fioyes, who settled here in 1835. He was a graduate of the medical school
at I'"airfield, Herkimer county. New York. About 1847 his health began to
fail and two years later ,on December 20, he died at Flint, aged forty-three
years. Another of the earliest physicians in Flint was Doctor Richardson,
who came about 1837, but removed west soon after 1840. Thus in the
professional as well as in the business and social life of Flint there has been
considerable progress by the time Michigan was formally admitted to state-
hood.
The rapid growth of Flint, and its condition at the time Michigan
became a state, is fairly reflected in Blois' "Gazetteer of Michigan" :
"Flint: A village, postoffice and seat of justice for Genesee county,
situated on Flint river. It has a banking association, an edge tool factory-,
saw-mi!l, two dry goods stores, two groceries, two physicians, a lawyer and
the land office for the Saginaw land district. The United States road passes
through it. There is a good supply of water-power in and around it. The
emigration to this place has been very great the past two years, and still
continues. The village is flourishing and the country around it is excellent.
It is estimated to contain three hundred families."
dbyGoot^lc
Pioneer Days in the Townships.
The county of Genesee ;is laid out by the act of 1835 embraced all of
its presait area except the eastern range of townships, which then belonged
to I-.apeer. The oldest township in the county is Grand Blanc, organized
March 9, 1833. It was larger than now, including its present area and all
of the present townships of Fenton, Mundy, Flint, Mount Morris, Genesee,
Burton, Atlas and Davison. The second township was Flint, erected March
2, 1836. It, too, was larger than now, embracing not only its present area
and that of the city of Flint, but also the present townships of Burton, Clay-
ton, Flushing, Mount Morris, Genesee, Thetford, Vienna and Montrose.
Argentine was organized July 26. 1836, which included the township of
Fenton besides its present area. On March 11, 1837, was organized the town-
ship of Mundy, which then included also the present township of Gaines. By
the same act Vienna was organized from the northern part of f'lint, to include
also the lands now in Montrose and Thetford, Thus, in 1837, all of Genesee
county was included in five townships. Grand Blanc, Flint, Argentine, Mundy
and Vienna, the latter having been added only a few weeks after the state
was admitted to the Union.
The remaining townships of the county were organized in the following
order :
1838, March 6, Genesee, fenton and Flushing.
1839, April 19, Kearsley, covering territory absorbed later by Genesee
and Burton.
1842, February 16, Thetford and Gaines.
1S43, March 9, Forest, Richfield, Davison and Atlas were added from
Lapeer county.
1846, March 25, Clayton and Montrose; the latter was first called
"Pewanagawink ;" changed to "Montrose"' by act of January 15,
1848.
1855, February 12, Mount Morris.
1855, October 12, Burton.
dbyGoot^lc
OUTLINE .\!AP OP GENESEE COUNTY.
dbyGoot^lc
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Much that is of interest to the early settlement of the township has been
given in the history of Flint, with which the township is very closely allied.
The earliest land entries were made in 1833, by Nathan M. Miles, Levi Gilkey
and Nathaniel Nelson. Most of the lands of the county were taken up in
the year 1836 and i^carcely an acre was left in the hands of the government
after that year. To the families of Jilijah Carmen and Jesse Torrey belongs
the honor of first breaking the forests of the township. Mr. Carmen, who
was slightly earlier than Mr. Torrey, settled in 1835 on section 25. He died
there in 1840. Mr. Torrey settled in 1836 on section 24, with his wife,
daughter and four sons, and their neighborhood became known as the Torrey
settlement. At this settlement were ait the first logs ever floated down the
IHint river, about one thousand, for which a compensation of fifty cents a log
was received.
Other early neighborhood settlements in the township were the Dye,
Utley, Cronk, Bristol, Stanard, Carter and Crocker settlements, all originally
founded by the gentlemen whose names they bear, who were leading spirits in
these localities. One of the earliest of these was the Stanard settlement, on
section 35, founded in 1836 by William N. Stanard and sons, of Genesee
county, New York. The Cronk settlement, originally on sections 7 and 8,
was founded by James W. Cronk in 1837. The I>ye settlement was founded
by James W. Cronk in 1837. The Eh-e settlement was founded by Ruben
Dye, who located in 1843 on section 20: his sons established themselves
around him and populated the settlement — hence the name.
Among other leading .settlers of the township in the earliest period were
Lysander Phillips, Daniel O'Sullivan, Andrew Hyslop, George Crocker,
Jeremiah Kelsey, Dewitt C. Curtis, Capt. Benjamin Boomer, Horace Bristol,
Marvin E. Persons, Wilham Van Slyke. Philip Beltsworth, J. D. Eggleston,
John Thome. Jabez Blackinton. F. A. Begole, Anson Gilbert, Edward Tup-
per, A. Herrick, Robert, P. Aitkin, Morgan Chapman, Alfred Gifford, Cor-
nelius I.-ane. Thomas Daly, Stephen Crocker, Robert Dultam and others.
The first school house in the township was built in 1838, on the bank
of Swartz creek, on the corner of .section 23. The teacher who disciplined
the youth of this early period was Miss Louisa Kimball, who afterwards
became Mrs. Joseph Freeman and, later, Mrs. Horace Bristol. The second
teacher was Miss Jane Watkins, whose brief career there was terminated by
the burning of the log school house. Thereupon Mrs. Alonzo Torrey opened
her own house for the school and for three months the pupils were taught
dbyGoot^lc
200 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
by her, while a frame building of more extended proportions was being con-
structed. The new building was opposite the old site on section 24.
It was in this building that the early religious services of the township
were held. Previous to this, however, in 1836, Rev. James McAlestcr, of
the Methodist denomination, formed a class and held service at the house of
Alonzo Torrey. The class embraced members of the Torrey, Kelsey and
Bristol families. The first circuit preacher who ministered to the spiritual
wants of the little flock was Rev. Luther D. Whitney, who held services there
during the years 1838 and 1839.
We are happy to say that by the aid of Ernest Nefif, clerk of FUnt town-
ship, the early records of the township have been found and their valuable
contents are now accessible to the historian. These records consist of various
books: Book of Road Records; Book of Estrays and Marks; Record of the
School Inspectors; Record of Town Libraries; Minutes of Surveys of Roads
of Town of Flint. These books probably contain the earliest records in the
county, except the records of the town of Grand Blanc, which are earUer by
two or three years.
Among the curios of these records are the records of marks, by which
each owner of stock identified his property, and which suggests the time
before fences were in order among the settlers. The first entry was made on
the 4th day of April, 1836, as follow :
"Lyman Stow's mark, A slit in the right Ear. Recorded this 4th day of
April, 1836."
Then follow ; "Alanson Dickinson's Mark, A Square Crop off the left
ear. Apr. 8. 1836."
"Ezekiel R. Ewing's Mark, A Swallow tail in the end of the right ear.
May 2, 1836."
"Lewis Buckingham's Mark, A hole in the right ear, square left, Aug.
25. 1836."
"John Patton's Mark, A square crop off the right ear. Oct. 11, 1836."
"Grover Vinton's Mark, A Half Crop off the under side of the Right
Ear and a Half crop off the upper side of the left Ear. Oct. loth, 1836."
"Sherman Stanley's, Mark A Crop off the right ear and half penny
under the Left. January 25th, 1837."
"Ephraim S. Walker's Mark a crop off the left ear and a slit in the
right. April 12, 1837."
"Asa Torrey's Mark, A Crop and a slit off the Right Ear. April 17,
■837."
dbyGoc^lc
GENI'SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 20I
"James W. Cronk's Mark, A Swallow tail in the end of the left ear.
April 20th. 1837."
"Jeremiah Kelley's Mark, A slit in the left ear. May 5, 1837."
"John P. Kelley's Mark, A slit in the end of both ears. June 2, 1837,''
"Alonzo Torry's Mark, A hole in the right ear. Jnne 12, 1837.''
"Lysander Phillips' Mark. A Crop ofi the right Ear and A SHt in
the Left. July ist, 1837."
"Jessee Torrey's Mark. A Crop and a Slit olT the Left Ear. Julv 6,
1837"
An interlineation says "deceased 1865.'"
"Rufus W. Stevens' Mark. A crop and a half Cn^p of the right ear.
July 8, 1837."
"Philo Fairchild's Mark. A Half crop uf the underside of the right ear.
Jany. 14, 1839."
"Plinny A. Skinner's Mark A Swallow tail in the left ear and a slit in
the right. May 22, 1839."
"Eben Storer's Mark A Slit in the end of the rig'ht car and a slit on the
under side of the same. Oct. 26, 1839."
"Shuhal Atherton's Mark A Square crop off the left ear. April 17.
1840."
"Adonijah Athcrton, Mark \ Swallow tail in the end of the left ear.
April 17, 1S40."
"Perus Atherton Mark a hole through the left ear. May 2, 1840."
"James Ingalls Mark a srjuare crop off the left Ear and a hajipennv
under the right."
"Albert Storer's Mark -\ Slit in the end of the right Ear and a slit on
the upper side of the same. January 22, 1842."
"Nathan J. Rublee's Mark a Square Crop of the Wright ear.
"Flint, January 29, 1S42."
"Stewart H. Webster's Mark a Slit in the Point of each ear.
"Flint. Oct. 27, 1842. ■■
h'rom this time on the entries of marks are less fre(]uent. as probably
the fences were Jieginning to hold the stock and make the car-mark record
of less utility.
Charles C. Curtis. A.sahel Curtis, Asahel Robinson, O. Parker, Lewis
Colby, Jesse Whitcomb, George R. Sprague and William Barnhart had
entered their respective marks before 1850, and on January 21. 1851, the firm
dbyGoot^lc
202 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of Hazleton & McFarlan recorded their mark for logs, it being the letters,
"H. M. T. B." This was the only mark for logs entered.
The first entry of strays was in the month of December, 1839, and is as
follow; "Came into the enclosure of the subscriber one j-earling heifer on
or about the fourth of December, 1839. Said heifer is red, with one white
star in her forehead and the end of her tail white; also said heifer is very
small in size. Flint Dec. 17, 1839." Another similar finding of estray is
entered in December of same year by John P. Kellogg, and thereafter from
time to time strays were so reported by those who took them up.
In the middle fifties the stock evidently had become more numerous
and many entries are made of strays in 1855 and 1856. Later on they were
less proportionately and the last is entered on November 21, 1896.
The record of libraries is a valuable index to the literary tastes of the
earliest settlers of the county. From it we have taken. some interesting data
in "Res Literaria." After the formation of the Ladies' Library Association,
in 1851, the activity of the school district libraries was not so pronounced.
It was, however, kept up for many years more and the high standing of the
books bought was maintained to the last. Many of the older ]^>eople of the
county can remember of school libraries and the educational work they did
among the hungry minds of the patrons. The entries of the old book come
down to 1859, among the last entries being a list of books bought in 1858.
The record of school inspectors opens with the records of a meeting
of the board of school inspectors held at the town clerk's office. April ti,
1837, at which Ephraim Walker was elected chairman, Orrin Stafford,
town clerk, signed the minutes of the meeting. At this meeting the inspectors
divided the town into ten school districts, number one of which covered
the territory of the present city south of the river and number two, that
north of the river. The growth of the region rendered it necessary to create
three more districts during the year. For the year ending with September,
1838, the report from district number one shows the attendance of pupils
between five and seventeen years of age to have been thirty-nine in a!!; over
seventeen, twenty-one; making the total number of scholars, sixty. The
term of school was nine months. Most of the districts made no report. The
amount of money raised in the first school district was ninety dollars for a
school building and four hundred ninety-nine dollars for current school
expenses. School district number five had School for six months, and raised
seventy dollars for school purposes. School in the sixth district was kept
seven months, and one hundred and ninety dollars was raised for exi>enses.
yGoo-^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 20^
After paying therefrom one hundred dollars for a school house. No other
district made report of any school supported in the districts.
It appears that Lyman Stow, E. S. Walker and J. L. Gage were insiiect-
ors of schools for Flint township, and Josiah Alger, W. D. Morton and
Dudley Brainerd, of Mundy township, in 1839. In 1839 districts numljers
one, three, four and five reported schools, and an attendance in all of the four
reporting, one hundred forty-seven pupils. The text books were Kirkham's
Grammar, Blake's Philosophy, Webster's Spelling-book, Hale's United States
History, Cobb's I^eader, as standards; while in some, the report shows a
number of text-books, including Peter Parley's Geography, Olney's Granmiar,
Emerson's Arithmetic, Smith's Arithmetic, Botham's Arithmetic, Adams'
Arithmetic, ail in the same school.
In 1840 the inspectors of the county, E. Drake and L. Stow, reported
district number one as having the same number of pupils as in 1838, namely,
sixty; district number two, however, reported thirty-three, making the num-
ber within the territory of the present city of Flint, ninety-three. District
number four had twenty-nine pupils ; 'district five had twenty-five : number six
had forty-two, and number eight, thirty-six.
The record shows the reports of 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, and so on. down
to the organization of the city, and then continues until t!ie year i86q. This
old volume contains a mass of information as to the early schools of the
county, and as such is invaluable.
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHU'.
The oldest land entries in the jiresent Grand Blanc township were made,
July 17, 1824, by parties from Livingston and Ontario counties. New York.
From Livingston were William Thompson and Charles Little; from Ontario,
Samuel B. Perkins. The purchases were made on sections 9, 10 and 15,
amounting in all to five hundred acres. Section 15 was the first section to be
entirely bought up, the last purchase being made prior to July 4, 1829. The
lands of the entire township had been taken up by 1836, excepting, of course,
section 16, which was school land.
The first white settlers in Grand Blanc were Jacob Stevens and his famiKl
who came to the township in the spring of 1823. Besides Mr. Stevens and
hi.s wife, the family consisted of two sons and five daughters. They had
arrived in Detroit from New York in August, 1822, and first settled in Oak-
land county, on the Saginaw trail, where they made some improvements ; but
finding their land title defective, they sold out and removed to Grand Blanc.
dbyGoot^lc
204 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
A letter written by Mr. Stevens in 1825 may be given as typical of the experi-
ences of a settler removing with his family from "York State" to Genesee
county in these early days :
(iriiuliliiw. July, A. D. lS2j
Honored Psireiita — Tlie iieriod since I wrote yon 1 iicEiuowletlge Is a long one.
iiiMl I lirue not sufficient reasons to offer to Justify so shiiiiieful 11 neglect. Vnrions.
indeed, huve been tLe cliaujfea and vk-lssltiwles of my life since tbnt time. An ntteniiit
to describe tlieiu in a single letter would be unLivalllng. ^^o ftimily, jjerlniits. the siae
of mine can have enjoyed better heiilth, say for twenty yeiirs past Our doctors' bills
lin^e scarcely exceeded that uunibev of dollars.
I sold my fiirui in Ijinia. soon after the close at the war, for four thousand
dollars. I whs some In debt, and my Intention was to have naited a few years to see
what the tuiTi of the times might be, and then luiivhase somewhere quite within the
bounds of my capital , but fate or fortune determined otherwise. The family soon
became uneasy lit having no permanent home of their own. ludeeil, I disliked a statp
so inactive myself, and determineil to purchase, ami did. to nearly the amount of uiy
money. It was well laid out, but at a bad time.
1 was sensible a depreciation on property nmst take place, but put it off till by and
by, and souie way or other was blind to Its approach. The farm admitted of gi'eat
improvements being made, and a good house among the rest would be vei'y convenient,
and, accordingly, the best me.ms we had were taken to procure materials, viz; stone,
brick, lumber, etc. About this time the amazing fall in the value of real estate, as
well as of all other iiroperty, and the many complaints from other people, whom 1
thouglit forehanded, but in debt to me. whs alarming. I told Rufus (who seemed the
boy destined to live at home) my fears, and I thought we had better sell off our
Inniber, etc., and eiideaior to back out. Naturally ambitious, this ide.i he could not
bi-ook. He Tircferr^l to drhe the buildiiis and risk the consequences. We finally did,
and it Is only necessary to observe that It tlung us completely in the background in
bad times. Since that we tiave had many shifts and but few shirts. Too proud to
be iioor among my old friends, 1 determined to try a new country again. Michigan
seemed tlie most proper, being nbont (he same latitude and easiest of access. We
arrned in Detroit the latter part of August. lR2a, with about eight hundred in cnsn
and some other jiroperty. Sllsfortune, however, seemed unwilling to Quit us at this
point. Itufus had been in the counfiy one year previous to this and had contracted
for a piece of land, second-handed, and had done considerable labor on the same. I
did not altogether like the land, but omctiided to niake » stand and go to work. We
built a good log house, dug a well, and made some other Improvements, but before
one year had jHissert we found we could get no title to the land. This place was
about twenty-five miles northwest of Detroit Tprobably in the (iclnity of Pontlac], and
what to do in this case was n material question. Our e^vitenses drew hard upon our
little capitJil, and to siiend more money and more time there was preposterous.
Kventnally. we agi-eed to try another venture. At this time there were troops stationed
at Saginaw, a place about seventy-five miles northwest of Detroit, and on our route.
A settlement had been commenced there and the siiirit of settlement seemed bent for
the northwest. We sold our i 111 proi emeu ts to Mr. Oilier Williams, and took his note
for thirty-five dollars a year, for five years, reseriing the use of the honse for one
year. In Mui-ch, 182:-{, Rufus and I started to explore to the northwest. We were
much pletsed with the country nud prosjiects at this place. The road thus far had
no obstacles to impede n tejim with n reasonable load for any country, and at this
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 205
time was considerably tnueied liy oftt<!eva, IndiaoM, traders nnd settlers nt Siigiiiaw.
We believed that an establiahnient hero nilglit not only be beneflcial for ourselves, hut
coiiveoient for travelers uud emigriints.
It Is an old Iiidiiin settlement, situated about twenty miles from our fli'st place,
and about the same distance from the fartliest wlilte settlement northwest of Detroit.
There are some French families seven miles northwest of us [Flint], and no more
iititll we reach Saj^maw. Bufus and 1 flung up a siuall log house, and on the 23d
of May, 1823, Eunice, mywelf, two youngest childi-en, Ruftis and Sherman, with a good
team, and as many goods ris would make us comfortable, arrived here. We cleared,
plowed and sowed with wheat and oats about ten acres, completing the same June lOtL.
Sirs. SteveuH and the <'hifdren then returned, and one of the girls liept house, and
BO through the season. At this time we felt morally certain of hailnj; neighbors the
nest spring; but here, sir, I must inform yon that the government saw fit the winter
following to evacuate the post at Saginaw, which measure has, so far. completely
paralyzetl all settlemewts to the northwest, turning the tide of emigration, which has
been lei-y great, to the s<)uth and we^t. This was, indeed, very discourasiing, Imt for
ns tiiere was no fair retreat. • » •
After Speaking of hi* Indian neig;hhors, who wei'e very friendi}, he
concludes as follow :
^eieril purchases hn I iteh 1 een mile it iieini«es idJoinni„ us iiid we
hase little doubt will bt settled ne\.t spiiii^, Jind pieiioiations seem to be making ;>uce
more foi a settlement it '^uiniw 'ne ha^e this jeii one huudied ind seieutj shocks
of wheat and about mne ities of com the stoutest growth of coin I e^er loiaed If
nothing befalls, I lutiLipite fifty bushels to the icre TVe haie two voke of oxen, two
hoises iiie cows plentv of hogs and a number of voung cattle and such is the
(ountij that thej keep fat snmmei and wiutei The winteis are surpriaingh mild
last winter in fact nan no wlntei at nil l\e did not spend three tons of hay with
ill om stock V liigt iwition of the covintn is openings and the cittle get their
iliing in old fog and has-jwood spioiits in tlie swale*" The greatest countij foi wild
feed and hay I eiei saw ^\e can summei ind winter my numbei of cattle if ne had
them Blue joint is the jrincipal ^iss in tlie low meadons On the higher parts is
fomid consideitble led top lud foul meadow glass Jemima has a faniil> and Hies
m the state of New Toik Horatio niid Augustus ire merdiints In thnt stite Horatio
I undeistand is quite foielianded lugustua is ilso domg well Eunice and Charlotte
lie theie it present on » iisit I'ntt* leeis •- ho>l this snmmei In the teiitt r\ Ihe
list if tlir fnniilj aie m tin wooils
Jacob Stevens was then a man of hne proportions, about sixty years of
age. As is said by one who knew, "He was a true type of the gentiemen of
the old school, to whose moral and physical courage as a pioneer was united
a rare intelligence marked by a Uterary taste, showing itself conspicuously
even in the few scattered remnants of his correspondence which have come
down to this day." About 1831 he returned to New York, with the majority
of his family, where he passed the remaining portion of his hfe.
Rufus W. Stevens, his son, traded with the Indians in a log house situ-
ated on the site of the later Grand Blanc Hotel. He became the first post-
dbyGoot^lc
206 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
master of Grand Blanc. In 1830 he commenced a saw-mill, and soon after a
grist-miil, on what became known as the Thread Mill property. These mills
performed a most important function, for years supplying all the people
living between Pontiac and Saginaw, In the early thirties Stevens moved
to Flint and became identified with the milling interests there.
In October, 1825, Edmund and Rowland B, Perry entered lands situ-
ated upon sections 11 and 14. In the following February, Edmund removed
some of his family here from Avon, Livingston county, New York, and the
rest of the family in 1826. He was a native of Rhode Island, an educated
Quaker, possessed of great energy and force of character, a respected citizen
and a kind friend who believed in doing good without ostentation. His
granddaughter, Isabella, was the first white child born in Genesee county.
Other settlers of Grand Blanc prior to the winter of 1830-31 were,
Edward H. Spencer, William Roberts, George \L. Perry, Judge Jeremiah
Riggs and sons, Joseph Mci'arlen, Jeremiah Ketchum, Caleb S. Thompson,
Jonathan Dayton, Caleb Embury, Ezekiel R. Ewing, Washington Thompson,
I'hineas Thompson, Judge Jeremiah R. Smith, Silas Smith, R. T. Winchell,
Clark Dibble, Jonathan Davison and Pearson Farrar.
Caleb S. Thompson relates that at the time of his arrival in 1829 there
were about forty-five persons in Grand Blanc, all of whom, with one or two
exceptions, were Avon, Livingston county. New York. Edward PI. Spencer
ha<] a rough log house, and about one acre cleared aud planted to corn, pota-
toes, etc. The Stevenses had some forty acres under cultivation and there
were some fifty or sixty acres in cultivation in the Perry settlement. Judge
Riggs and his sons had also made a good beginning. Thirteen lots lying
along the Saginaw road and seven lots on Perry street had already been pur-
chased and ten more eighty-acre lots were entered during the remaining part
of the year 1829. The Saginaw road was laid out and staked so that it was
easy to find it. but no work had been done upon it. The traveled highway,
which followed the Indian trail, went rambling around through the woods,
avoiding hills and swamps, and was quite a comfortable wagon road. The
streams and low places had been bridged some time previous by the Unitc<l
States soldiers stationed in garrison at Saginaw.
After 1830 settlers began to come in rapidly, mainly from western New
York. In 1833 the township was organized, and the first election, which was
held at the hou=e of Rufus W. Stevens resulted in the choice of the following '
officers: Supervisor, Norman Davison; clerk, Jeremiah R. Smith; assessors,
Rufus W. Stevens, Lyman Stow and Charles Buder; justices of the peace,
Norman Davison, Lyman Stow and Jeremiah R. Smith; constable and col-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 207
lector, Augustus C Rjggs; highway commissioners, John Todd, Edmund
I'erry and Jonathan Dayton; constable, Elijaii N. Daveii]^x)rt ; trustees of
school lands, Loren P. Riggs, Clark Dibble and James W. Cronk; commis-
sioners of schools, Jeremiah Riggs, Jeremiah R. Smith and Norman Davison ;
school inspectors, David Mather, Paul G. Davison and Caleb S. Thompson;
director of tlie poor, Edmund Perry; overseers of highways, District i,
George Oliver; District 2, Jonathan Davison; District 3, Norman Davison;
District 4, Ira Dayton.
The village of Grand Blanc was one of the earliest village centers in the
county. As early as 1826 a postoffice was established, with Kufus W.
Stevens as postmaster. His house was also the first public tavern in the
place. The first regular store was opened by Robert r~. Stage and Ira D.
Wright in 1835, with a stock valued at twenty thousand dollars, though
this was moved to Flint in 1836. The first school was a small frame build-
ing built by Edmund Perry, Sr., about 1830, and Miss Sarah Dayton taught
the first school there. The earliest church societies were the Baptist, Congre-
gational and Alethodist, all organized by 1835, with goodly congregations.
fentoin; town.'^hip.
'i"he lirst land entered in the township of Fenton was taicen in March,
1834, by Clark Dibble, on section 34. In April of that year Dustin Chene>
and family came from Grand Blanc township and settled where now is the
village of Fenton, The years immediately following witnessed the growth
of a considerable settlement in the southern part of the township, settlers
coming in from neighlxtring counties and from New York. A settlement
was made at the site of Linden in 1836. Very little land of the township
remained in the hands of the government by the end of that year and bj' the
following year settlement was reached up into the northern sections.
In 1834 came R. A. Carman and A. S. Donaldson; in 1835, Jonathan
Shepard, Joseph Thorp, William Remington and Elisha Larned. Mr. Earned
was from Yates county. New York, and settled on section 32, but in 1837
moved to Fenton. William Remington, a native of Rhode Island, and later
a resident of New Bedford. Massachusetts, and of Dutchess and Ulster
counties, New York, came with Mr. Larned in 1835, settling near him.
Joseph Thorp came from Genesee county. New York, and settled finally on
section 36, at the site of Fenton.
■The Chapin brothers, Alonzo and Murzah, were two of the first settlers
in Fenton township. Originally they were from Irondequoit, Monroe county,
dbyGoot^lc
208 r.E>;E5EE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
New York, but had come tu Wayne county, Michigan, in 1833, where they
located in the township of Dearborn. Murzah Chapin and his family moved
into Fenton township in 1836, and Alonzo and wife, the year after. They
settled first near Mud lake, and later near Linden. During the years of his
early residence in the township, Alonzo engaged in teaming in various parts
of the state, transporting goods for settlers and making trips as far west as
Lake Michigan, becoming widely acquainted with pioneer families and the
conditions of settlement over a wide area. He became one of the most pros-
perous farmers in the county and was for many years a strong influence in
the growth of the Fenton neighlxirhood.
Prominent among others who came to the township before 1840 were
Oliver Warren, Theophilus Stone, Waiter Sluyter, A. Kirby, H. M. ThoTUp
son, H. Lee, M, Walton, J. Van Winkle and S. I'. Thompson.
Very early in the settlement of the township, population began to con-
centrate about a site of great natural beauty on the Shiawassee river, in the
extreme southeast, which was destined to develop into the present flourishing
village of Fenton. The story of the discovery of this site and of its first
settlers, cannot be better told than in the words of Hon. Dexter Horton in
an address made in the centennial year of 1876:
Eiirl.v In the yeiii' 1S3J, Clark Dibble iviis threiulhig liis wtiy tiirougli ;i trackJess
wildemesMs from Slilinviiasee to Ui'uuiliin- (noir (iriuid Bliiuc), ana by some mlstaKe
lie got on the White Lube trnil. lieiit-liiiig what is uon- llillniiin'a, he started to make
farther iiortii imtl fli'st discovered this beiiutlfiil iiluce wlUc-h la now our village. Me
wjia su fiji'cibly strucit with ItM locutlou that he st'nnied for a day and examined thor-
oughly the lay of the land. So takeu uii was he with the place that ou his arrival
at "(iraiiilaw" he luduced Duatln Cheney, Jjoren Higgs and Jobu Gallowiiy, with their
faiidlles to couie with him to thia spot: (theuey and faniiiy came firKt, then Clitrb Dibble,
then Oalloway and Uiggs — all iu April, 1834.
Mrs. Dtistiu Chenej' was the first while woni:iu that steppe<l ou the spot where
OTir flouriahing viiliige now shimlB. Toiliiy ahe is slowly [laaaiug itway. She realdeit
withiu oue mile of wliei'e I uow stand, liiiviiig acted well her part In the great draniit
of life— the mother of eight cliildven. For the last fifteen years ahe can truly say,
"I'm blind, oh, I'm blind.'' Go and visit her, as I Lave done, and Jlsten to her words
of wisdom and her tale of pioneer life, and then say, if you can. If she has not per-
formed well ber iinrt in life. Though blind to the world, though dnrbneas obsti'ucts
her vision, she wees arross the river with a vision aa bright as the dazzling raya of the
ooonday sun. What a chapter, what a hlstoi-y nilght be written of this truly good
Harrison Cheney waa tlie flrat while cliild Imu'u beve, and both mother and child
are living. Cheney's family built the first honse, i>u the ground where Jlrs. E. Btrd-
aall now i-esldes, the next where Mllery Aniiers<ni uow lives; Galloway the next, near
the gate to the fair ground.
Many weeks had not passed before the cry came from the little band in the wlldei'-
neaa, "Lost I Lost!" Ixmlse Cheney, a little prattling, sweet cherub of seven years.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SOg
liiid Htniyed uwiiy. Hei- motJier, with sonif of tlie older childreu, hiid goUB iifouiiii ii
little Mwale, where Clioudler's house now Btuiids, to see if there would uot be a good
lilnce to plant com. She told the little girl to go back, but somehow she strayed
jiway. and Oie cry ot "I-ost! Lost" reacheil (irand Btaiic, Oi'oveland, Holly uiid White
liiike, and the ploueers citnie to assist.
On the thii-d dnj. 11. Wliichell, who lind been lit work on Dibble's mill, aud who
had been hiuitlug fur the chil<1. came hi iiejrly exhausted and threw himself on the
lied at ahout twelve o'clock. At iibont two o'clock he awoke, having dreauieil where
tJie child was. He luHiiedliitely iiut on his hat and went iind found tlie child iu the
exact spot where, but a few nionieiits befoi-e, hf saw her In his dream. Hhe hud been
lost three days and was found jnst over beyond the hill where the Baptist seminary
uow stands, uear a little pool of water. She wan In nearly an exhausted condition.
The little thing would crawl down and tiike a drink of water, and then crawl back on
dry ground to die. She afterwards l>ecame the tirst wife of Galen Johnson.
Dibble built the first saw-inill, in 1S34, and got It running in the fail. Due by one
the pioneers came: It. H. JlcOmber and faniilj-, Uncle Dick Doniitdson and family,
it. LeRoy, W. 31. Fenton, K, Ijiriied. W. Remington, Walter Dibble, E. Pratt. A.
Bailey, etc.
The lirat hotel was built, in ISIT, by It. J^Koy and \V. M. Fenton, where the
Kvei'ett House now stands, and Mr. bVuton opened it with a dunce. July 4th of the
same year, Uncle Dick Doualdson'B band did the fiddling aud EUsha I.anied grace-
fiilly mode music with the tumblers aud decanters behind the bar
11. LeKoy opened the tirst store, where Richardson's wagon-shop uow stands, in
1«37, and in 1838 was appointed tirst postmastei-, and held that office for thirteen years.
A Mr. Taylor succeeded him, aud after his death a part of the poatolfice was found
iu his pocket.
This year (ISas) tlie tirst school house was built and a Mr. Nottingham was the
first teacher. At that time the right of the schoolmaster to whip was not questioned,
and II deei>er and more lasting Impi-ession wan often uiade with the gad thnn witli
the blackboard.
At this time, and in tills old log school house, a ploneei" and geutleiuan, now
Ihlng H short distance from here, was cnlled, us be thought, to preach, and In an
hour of work and religi<tnK excitement be had what was called In those days the
■"imwer." He rolled over and over on the floor. Scott McOmber played that the young
man had fainted, seized a pall of water, and immediately the "power" left him and
the would-be preacher revived.
The first physician was Doctor Pattlaou; the first blacksmith was Elisha Holmes,
and tlie first bricklayer, John Harmon. The fir.-<t church organization was that of the
First Presbytevian church, which took place February 28. 1810. In the third story of the
uow Krlttou stoi-e, and the following constituted its membei-ship: Silas Newell, Sarah
Newell, George H. Newell, John Hadlej, Jr.. Sophia Hadley, Benjamin Rockwell, Louisa
Rockwell, Daniel I,eRoy, Blra. T*Roy, I,ucy Thorp, John Fenwick, Jane Fenwlck, JameK
K. Wortmaii. John G. Gallup, Mrs, Gallup, Eliza McOmber and I-ucy LeRoy. The giant
oaks were felled, migration continued to How 111. and God was in the wilderness.
Another interesting reminiscence of early days in Fenton is found in
an address made in 1878 by Dr. S. W. Pattison, who was the first resident
physician in Fenton. Following is an extract from this address :
(14)
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2IO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Dl^bleville, now Fentonille, wns ii centi-iil point wheve several Iiidlun trnils came
together, about sixty inilea from Detroit and twenty-el Klit miles from Pontiae, liaving
Holly on the east, Kose on the south, Byron on the west iinil Mundy on tiie north.
I was satisfied that eventually it would become n |ilHce of soine importance, and time
nas justified my expectation.
At this time the IrniiaiLti were in tlie neighborhood In large numbers, oiittvating
Bome land near by. I will relate a little circumstance to Illustrate the state of society
in Dibbievilie in 1836. While I was exploring as already stated, leaving my family
In the building where the Indians hjid for a long time iirocured whlsliy, they could
not realize the change and still visited the houwe In eeai-ch nf their poison — whlnkj.
One day a very fierce and «Kly-l<M>l'ing Indian came in and insisted u|)ou being fur-
nlslied whislty. Peeltina; ai'ound, he discovered a small trunlt and, shalting It. produced
quite a Jingling, as It contained one or two hundred dollars In silver. His conduct quite
alarmed my wife, who feiired siie would receive another visit from this ugiy-lool;ing
salvage. Her fears were fully realized, for about one or two o'clock at night he i-oui-
menced a violent knocking at the door, which was well barricaded, saying he wanted
scoter (fire). He continued his knocking until it was evident he would break Auvm
the door. Wife calling for a gun to shoot the Indian, my sou (editor of the Ypnilaiiti
Commercial), then twelve years of age, found his way out from a chamber eiilrunce
and alarmed Mr. Dibble, who scared the nini'awder off, imd the next day scared lilin
from the vicinity.
It soon became knowni tiiat n physician lind settled at Dibbievilie. and I had pro-
fessional calls quite a distance — ^to Highland, White Lake, Grand Blanc. l>eerfield. Hart-
land, etc I was guided to many of these places through timbered o[ieniugs by nmrkwl
trees, often following ludian trails. At this time government lands were being rapidly
taken up, and while some lands were t.'ikea by si)eculator8, the country was being
dotted all Oier by real residents, aud the greater number were enterprising, thrifty
and Intelligent, making good societj-. Highland, generally known as "Tlimey Settle-
ment," and White Lake are samples, building sciicM)l honse-; .tnd chuivheH lUmn^r tmiu
the first aettlemeut.
Mariy of the first settlers, however, were poor, and when tbey liad tiiki>ii up tlicir
homes had but little left to live on, and provisions were very liigh. I well remember
paying fifteen dollars for a barrel of flour and every kind of eatables in proiioi-tlon.
Much of coru. oats, etc., came fi-om Ohio, but Ttnney settlement wns our Egyi't. There
was coiTi there. The second year I made several meals among the farmers on boiled
wheat for bread, and it was no sucriflce This scarcity was of short duration. Siion
there was a surplus of provisions, and Detroit, sixty miles away, was our market, and
money was as scarce as provisions had been. During the months of August and Sep-
■ tember the intermittent and remittent fevers — diseases peculiar to low or flat countries —
prevailed to a large extent. The well were the exception; whole families were down;
many became discouraged, and some fled back to New York; but It was remarkable
that most of these retnrneit again to Michigan. But here and there an old pioneer
can realize the prii'ations and hardships of the first settlers of this part of Michigan.
They were generally Industrious, and the axe and the plow soon converted the forests,
oak-openings and prairies into fruitful fields.
The first Sabbath si-hool at Dibbievilie was begun in my house and conducted by
my wife, assisted by Norris Thorp, then a young man. It was soon after removed to
a log school house on the east side, and strengthened by a Mr. Warren's family and
others moving in, it became a permanent institution."
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 211
William M, Fenton, once lieutenant-governor of Michigan, after whom
the town and village were named, writes interestingly about this time of the
early days in Fenton; especially appropriate here is the following:
Dlbbleville— so cnlled from Clai'k Dibble— In 1836 compriaea n sjniill saw-mill, situ-
ated wliere tbe flim ring-mill in tile lillage now stands, a small frame shell of a house,
uear Clark's houae (a shell also), and another occ-upled by Dr. S. W. Patterson.
The road from Springfield passed the bouse of James Thurp, east of the village,
and crossed near the present bridge. Dibble's liouse was near the west end of the
bridge. Tiience the road to the "Grand River country" passed on to the west, striking
the present road near the piibllc square; tlience by L. P. Riggs' and Bailey's farms
and on by "'Sadler's Taiem" west. Anotliei' road branched off to "Warner's Mills,"
now I,inden, passing John Wiilbur's and Duatin Pbeney's forms. Wallace Dibble occu-
pied the farm snutli and Ebenezer Pratt, that north of the village, and a road ran
uortli passing McOmber's and so on to William Gage's and thence to Grand Blanc.
The above names comprise ttie nearest settlements at that time, and tlie above all
the roads, which were simply tracits mnrktug the first passage of teams througii the
county. This point was early noticed by business men of Pontlac, which was the
market for flour at that time fi'oiu Scott's Mills at DeWitt: the flour bemg drawn
down this roud. crosseil the stream here, tlience to Springfield and to Pontiac. Scott's
gray team was familiar with its load to all on this line, walking at the rate of four
miles an hour day after day, and fed only nights and mornings.
In tlie year 1830. Robert LeRoy and William JI. Feutou were seillns goods in
I'lintiac. Their attention was tnnied in this direction. Judge Daniel LeRoy (father of
Robert) predicted that tbis iioint would be on the gi'e.it and principal thorouglifare
and line of railroad to the westera portion of the state, and LeRoy and Fenton, liaving
the clioice of buying liere or tluit jwirt of Flint west of Saginaw street and soutli of
the river, chose by Judge T^Hoy's advice tlils point, estiiblished tliemselves here In
December. 183ti, and, at tlie judge's suggestion, [>latted and named tbe village Fenton-
lille io tbe spring of 1837. The work of starting a village was commenced by putting
the little uncovered saw-mill, with Its single saw, in motion; a road to Flint (present
plank road), another to Wiiite Ijike, etc., were projected, and a new saw-mill, a grist-
mill, tavern, store and dwellings begun, lienjamln Rockwell purchased a third intei-est
and added by his means to the enterprise. The first building tliey erected was the
house, corner Adelaide street and Shiawassee avenue (southwest corner), built of plank,
sawed wltliiu the week in which it was erected, and at once occupied by Mr. and
Mrs. Fenton as residence and boardmg-house for fifteen to thirty mechanics until the
hotel was built.
The household goods were brought on lumber- wagons from Pontiac and the stream
was crossed on a bridge of logs. 1 well remember driving sucii a load, reaching the
stream after dark, finding it swollen by rains, hailing "Clark," who cume down to
the river-Bide with a lantern, and tlien, with its light as my "guiding stiir," cracking
my whip and driving across, every log afloat and sinking a foot or more undei' the
horses' feet; but we were sitfely across, and that little pioneer experience only added
zest to our enjoyment of npw scenes and primitive modes of life, which must be seen
to be appreciated.
In tlie siiring of 1M3T a townBlii|> meeting was held at the house called "Sadler's
Tavern," four miles west of Fentoiiville. The towns of Fenton and Argentine were then
one and called Argentine. About tno o'clock p. m. of town meeting day, a load of
working mciL (a« were .ill the ]>ii>iipert.) from Fentonvillf drove U|i to the iHillt. and
dbyGoot^lc
212 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
offeied their lotts Jumes H Mumij iiiid Di S tt P itterson were on the bojiid
and lefused to accept the lotes atnting thev had ^oted foi supei\isor in the inoiuine,
and (iecliiretl off Ihe bt-cret was the^ hiid detlared off fm i XVhig and the load
were Democrats Ihej fenred the result An argnnient enwoeiH thej Laniassed md
counted up, md hiiding the \ute uttered would not change the lesutt received theui
Doctor Patterson stating thetr win of decl tring off w is the law becauw thej did so
iu Yoik State We coH)dt see It lud the lesult o£ this trifling affair was that appll
(iitlon wai made at the ne\t session of the Ijesiiilnture and through the Influence "t
Daniel B Wakefield tlieu senatoi froui this district the township of lenton was set
off and hencefortli niaiiated its onn buHlueHM In Michigan and not in loik i>tatc
fishion » « * « *
Prudence and foretlH uglit an seldom the cliaiacteristlcs of the iiioneei lo iliii«
trite On itsltiug this place In the wiutei of lH3(y37 Clark Dibbles hjuse furnished
the onlj eutertaninient He nas a pioneer pioper He had a wife and plenty of
smali children his hunte nab a shell onh sided up rooms It had none but a blanket
tieparated the bonideis from the famll} the lattei occu|>ieil the stove-ioom In wht<n
were i bed i fe« chaiis and h table Heie were the family and what few clothes
belonged to them with some sets of croikeri kni\es and foiks and heie we must
eat oi starve ( laik nuutd iilse with the Ink go to a log be hid diawn up befoie
the door chop off enough to make i hie then take bis gun and go to the woods ind
in a little time bring in a deei \enlson wan the staple meat ind bucknhe^t cake^
the bread Tea could be had at lntei\'(ls nnd whtskv occasionally butter wheit flour
and pork were scarce commodities
Many a cuiious scene has tiansplred in that shanty Old Nate I('ille\ was one
of the characters John Wllbm mother md the traveler stopiiiig to wirm would le
regaled by a coniersatlon and see the peculiai leer of the eje md shrug of the shoni
ders of those half ragged ai'd bandit loiiking men and feel as he left them he h id
escaped a dangei I'eace to (.lark Dibbles ashes' He has gone from among us killed
b^ the fall of a tiee on his own place to which lie had lemoved f\er the hills soutn
But his hoiisekeeijer nniat come tu foi a note hi histoiicnl incidents
At dinner one dav the boiled lenlsoi and buckwheat cakes weie being rapldiv
boltetl bi hungn men lloie venison was called foi She put hei fork Into the kettle
foi anotbei piece and latsed to the i.onstemation of his guests what' "Vot a piece
of venison as was anticipated but one of Clarks cistoff stockings no doubt ucl
dentally Inserted in the boiling lessel b^ one of the little imps cutting capers arouiul
bed and stoie It can be better imagined than described how hungry men seized a
buckwheat eiike and dec] t red themselves perfectly content to go tbeti wavs md eat no
more of that particular mess of pott-i|:e
One of Wilburs fmilliar lllustiatlcns when he wished to be cousideied is saying
something shrewd was lliere is a wheel within i wheel Mi LeRoj for manj
years the settlers were amused bj his saving while thev recollected and recounted then
earliest impressions of Uncle Tnhn ind old ^ate Biilev the lattei pecnllatlj looking
the brigand although m fact is harmless is a doie
One of the ina'^inis of that day was that n barrel of whisky was better In i fainih
(especially to bring up a fimilv) than i fairnw cow This m ly be so — It is not neces
Sary to argue the point — but there seemed reason to believe that \rj,entlne Mideli i
as whisky from Murraj s was called had t good deil to do with the brlgandi their
queer looks and mi sterlous saj Inffs and shrugs
Let not old Nate be confounded with one of the earliest settlers Plislia Bailey
He was a welKliggei md ilth ueh adi im ed m yenrs jt one time received ui w his
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2X3
buL'li, 111 tiie Ijotlom of riie \vell. ;l falling tub filled with stoite. Most men would have
been killed by the blow. Bailey survived rind, while much Injured, still i-ei'overed and
dug luoi-e wells. * * •
The imiiiigrution of lUSti wiis continued, but with some rtbiitemeut, in 1.S37. The
Influx ot settlers in and uround Ifeiitoiiville was hirge; farmers settled ybout the vll-
l.ige .iiid for several miles in each direction, uiid eiicli iiiiide hia bee and summoned
nil to liis iild; mechanics and men of all eniptoymeiit sought this i>oIut and soon after
the opeulug of the spring, ii stoif and hotel, saw-mill. grM-mlll, blacksmith shop, car-
lienter'B and iMilnter's stioiis and houses wei'e under way and In rapid progress of con-
struction. The hotel firnt bnllt was what is now known as the Rli^s House; it was the
flrst store on the opt>osite comer of the street, since changed to face south, and is the
building now standing on the northwest comer of Shiawassee avenue and LeRoy street.
Xi> better store or taveni was known north of Detroit in those days. The house on
the north side of the iiubllc square {occuiiieil by Sheldon) whs erected also by William
JI. teuton, ami theti considered a big house. Houses on both aides of the river were
erected: Judge I>eIioy built the house now constituting part of LeRoy Hotel and
Benjamin Itockwell, one on the north side of the river now occupied by Nathaniel Hodge
These, in iny I'ecol lection, not to forget Ullsha Holmes' blackAunltb shop, were among
the first buildings and mostly finished in lsa7-3S. The lumber was auwed principally
at the old mill, and the new, after It was up. Including some jilne logs from Long Lake.
Whitewood and basswood were used to a considerable extent, but the better quality of
pine required. Including sash- and door-Stuff and shingles, were hanled from Flint.
This spot showed in that year all the bustle, activity and enterprise of a village
soon to gi-ow into large proportions, and Iiere let me remark, as a well-known fact, that
but for the pecuniary embarrassment and want of capital of the early proprietors,
Feutonvllle in Its first thi-ee years growth would have Increiiseil in popnlatlon at least
fourfold beyond what, with its limited means at hand, it was destined to reach. But
there was no lack of perseverance and unity of feelini; then among its iKipulntion : all
labored late and early, and when any public occasion caileii them out, none remained
behind.
The Fourth of July was celebrated that year in iierhaps as gay and festive style
as it eier has been since. The hotel was nnflnisheil. bnt its roof was on. sides Inclosed
and doors laid, and Esquirp JleOmbec was Invited to deliver the usual address. JIarshal
Ilamlltoii, as he was called U cai-penter. since renio\Gd to Tuscola), in the red sash of
one of Ills ancestors, directed the procession, and an extensive one, rest assured, it
was; not a pioneer-wagon for ten miles ai'ound had dejiosited its load in the forest but
it was here that day. with all its former living freight, and the newborn Infants to
boot. Fifes and drums, too — the remainders, perhaps, of some ¥ork state milltia-
tralning — were in requisition, and gnns were fired from Holmes' iinvil. Shiawassee,
r.lvlngston and Oakland tiinied out In numbers large for the time and seats of rough
boards were placed for the assemblage as they gathered to that promising building —
the hotel. Esquire McOnilier delivered one of his finest siieeches, a free lunch was
zealously partaken, the toasts were jiatrlotlc to the coi-e, and, to crown .ill. we had. as
usnal, not only grest heat, but a liolent thunder-storm just at the close of our feast,
which shook the earth and heavens, and made the building tremble and dishes rattle,
whereat Esqnire McOinber, being in his happiest mood, turning his eyes upward, poured
forth a stream of fervid eloquence and made use of some tremendous expletives which
it becomes not a veracious writer of history — to be read by ail the human family here-
abouts— to relate. The old settlers, if any read this, will remember and supply the
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214 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Philip H. llcOmbei. the father of the McOmbera ui.w Lmnvn m Feiitoii, w;i8 ii
lawyer from Savafoga county, New York. At an early diiy (say 1835) he settled in
Genesee couQty. I>Dug Ijabe was the spot he selected nnd uiioii its banks, where now
stands the Ixmg Lake Hotel, he erected a dwelling. Enteiiiri^ilng and talented as a
lawyer, he soon became widely and favorably known • • * aud It is due to Philip
H. McOmher, as well as to bis sons, that honorable mention in this sketch of our
eiirly history should l)e made of one who, with Others, made the wilderness "to bud
and blossom as the rose" For many years, on the banks of Ixing Lake, a hospitable
mansion welcomed all who came, and the delicious peaches raised by him for many
years on the l)anks of the Jake were freely bestowed and gratified the palates of all who
ranked among his friends or who made his house their home for the time being. He,
with many other pioneers of this region, has gone to his last resting-place, and to
him, with others, we who sui'Tive Hhonid not hesitate to award the meed of praise
for their untirmg energy in bringing into notice this region of country, now teeming
with its busy population and its Industrious citizens.
Among the many incidents of interest In the early settlement of this town, let
me not forget to name the fact that the first piano, the tones of which were heard
in Fentoiivllle, was brought hfre m 1837 by Mrs. Benjautln Rockwell, a Ulster <jf
W, M, FMiton. It was placed lu the hotel (now Eiggs House), in the large room, sonth-
east corner, second story. Mrs. Rockwell and Mrs. Fentou were both good players At
a place north of Long Lake resided a band of Indians; many of them were well known,
but more 6si)ecially the one called "King I'jsher." He was the chief of the tribe and
from year to year received the presents of his tribe, not only from the T'nlted Stafe-i.
but from Canada, traveling annually for that purpose to Detroit and Maiden. The
band was large. Fiwher, the chief, was, on occasions of his visits, dressed in a frock
coat of navy bine, a tall hat of furs, ornamented with ^Iver bauds and medals, rluss
pendent from his ears, gaiters and legfilngs of deerskin and strings of wampum and
heads appended Take him all in alt, he was worthy of his name. iJmall in stature.
but with a bold, manly bearing, erect and dignified, he trod the earth as one of nature's
noblemen, which he certainly was. His house (of logs* was always open to welcome
and cherish the weary traveler, and no more hospitable board or convenient lodging
was found in all the countiy round. The traveler was furnished with the skins and
fars of the wild beasts of the forest for his bed, and as by magic, when he retired to
repose around him fell, in gentle folds, the light gauae protection from the enemy of
sleep (mosquitoes), in those days so little known to ordinary inhabitants, bnt care-
fully provided for his quiet by "King Fisher." Would you know how in those
days he looked, find the portrait of Aaron Burr, or one who has been him
MS he trod Wall street in his failing days, and the one is a counterpart of the
other. Fisher, with some of his family (now living and known to most of the readersi.
came down to hear tile music of which he had been told. He, in his full dress,
was, with some of bis tribe, ushered up and In his klngij majesty took the chair
offered him and sat, but without uncovering; his attendants stood respectfully about
him and a little retired. Petowauokuet, an Indian and a good deal of a Joker,
familiar to the pioneers aud usually full of fun, awed by the presence of majesty,
stood back in resjiectfui silence. Mrs. Kockwell struck the keys. The Indians gen-
erally seemed enchanted; King Fisher's muscles were rigid, not a movement or sound
of surprise from him ; he was all dignity and bore himself as a king. The piece
pla.ved, the song sung, and he turned to Mrs. Fenton and. through Dan Runyan, who
was present as his interpreter— for he disdained to speak English, although he fully
understood it, as in his squiby (drunken) moods was readily seen — asked her to
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2I5
Uaui-e! Ot toiiip* tliis niis too niut-li and wiis respectfully declined, but it was about
as uiucli as kingly dignity could do to prevent all the little Indians from trijjiilng
it on the liglit, fantastic toe, to tbe music of the [liano as played by Mrs. Bockwell.
Arising witli the flignlty peculiar to his race, Fisher exclaimed, as he gazed at the
piano, "Man could not uiake it ; Maiiltou made It !"
lu frout of the Itiggs Hotel, and near the sidewttlk, stood then two or three
oak trees of medium size and fine shade. In preparing for building, these were
carefully preserved tititil after the hotel was completed, and traielers and others
b^au to hitcli their horses near, when the constant stamping of horses and cattle
iibout their roots cnuaed their decay. I have often thought it would have been money
well Invested to have inclosed those trees with a anbstuntial fence, far enough from
their roots to have preserved tlieui. Like the one which still remains at the houne
of Ben. llird'4n]l, those ti'ees would now hn^e towered up in the grandeur of the
"tall oak of the forest," and spread their branches wide, and shaded and sheltered
and protected from storm and smi not only the hotel, but many buildings near, and
the traveler and pedestrian as th^' passed along I^elioy street. But they have gone;
the doom of decay was upon them, and, like all things terrestrial, they were soon
passing away.
My i-etoUectiou is that the first pre-.icliing we had in Fentouiille was from Elder
Jones (late of Holly, and whose sons are settled there, or near), a Baptist mmister.
and that he held forth at the house of Doctor Patterson,
On the north side of the river, about whei-e David Smith's house Is, was a log
school house. Ministers of other denominations made occasional visits and preached
there. The want of istrnie convenient place for church and public meetings was soon
seen and a house for that puriioBe was built by William M. Fentou on the southwest
corner of KliKubeth and Ix'ltoy streets. It was a one-story building of fair length
and width, fitted up with seats and a plain desk, and auswei'ed the purpose, not only
for i-ellgfons. hut public ineetingg for some years, and was free of rent. The first
Presbytei'lau minister was Mr. VaniS'ess, who was succeeded by Mr. Burghardt, and
all seemetl *ery glad to have a place for worship. Several political meetings were
held there also and a debating school was started with headquarters In the same
building. It may be that the numerous young men of Fentonvllle who have become
soinenhat eminent in the legal profession gained their first ideas of oratory in that
same first cliurch edifice, which, after the building of the First Presbyterian church,
wa& «old to Kobert I.eKoy, who removed It to where Roberts' hotel is, and it
now constitutes his bar-i-oom. Among the young men, graduates from Mr. Fenton's
law ofllce, which stoinl adjolnhig. may be named Thomas Steere, Jr., now of Woon-
socket, Rhode Island., and late United Stiites consul at Dundee, Scotland : Thomas A-
Touug, late a soldier in the Tlilrteenth Michigan Infantry, killed and burled on the
battlefield of ShHoli; J. (!. Sutherland, of ijaglnaw, now Judge of that circuit: and
Hciir.! Clag Itiggs, Esq.. well knomi among us, now journeying to tlie far West,
seekliiK perhajis a new home and more rooD) for his ambition to soar in. They have
all done themselves credit in their lU'ofession. and we need not be ashamed tliat
their (Irst training constitutes part of our early history. Among the merchants of
reiitonvllle may he named Samuel N. Warren and William M. Thurber, now of Flint,
and David ,^nw. of the same iilace. Physicians of an early day were Doctor Pat-
terson, before named; Dr. Tltranae Steere, long and favorably known, whose reiualns.
with those of his wife, now repose In the cemetery ; Doctor Gallup, now principal
of a female seminary In Clinton, New York; all Intelligent and highly respectable as
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2l6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
priLtitioners and as citizui^ nud doiig tLLinaehes lurt the leaidente of tLi ii iil i
tion credit while among us.
The log htuse wib sooii found h sniill for the rising geneiation (for be it Itnjwn
that pioneers are geneiaiii lomi? miriied Tieopie Bhc^e offspring come fi'it ui jii
the stage and require schooling) and a school house of fall dimensions and toleriblu
aipeannte wis eietted near the site of tliB rirst PreHb\teilm church The I )t fii
this as well as the chnich were donations— so was the cenieterv — to tlie public but
church and school house ha^e disnpi>eired Ike title to the lots is seated in pili ite
leisons but the cemetery renums i monument to thtw who hine iiassed awm and
there ire none among us who visit Its Scenes i\itliout l)eing reminded of the fimiliai
ind beioied faces }f fiiends lelatlons and companions wlio once trod the stage of
life and mmgled in the buey scenes of the little village in its incipient enteiprise
md giadual de^eitpment
\mong the eailier mechanics weie one S ijje i \eii ue.it Jotiiei 5-nipi a mill
wright iiimg new I belieie ind one if tlie flr&t who heliied to stait Fast 'gagman
in building its tlrst mill David Smitli was prominent imong them and could then
dc more work hi a di^ than an^ man I eier kne^ perhips he can now — at all
events, he is reliable every waj Ed Fi mbs was another he is father in law of
Kusaell Bishop of Flint, and keeps hotel at Macklnic Mis Bishop vyis bom in Fen
tonville (I believe in the second sfoi\ of the store coiner IjcRov imd fehiawnssee ave
nue where Franks kept house) Let me not forget Seth Rhodes who was a timber
hewer ind one of the best ever Inonu It was said after a stick wis toleriblj stoied
and Rhodes had struck his line each blow of his broad nxe {and it was a vei\ briid
one) would carrj the keen edge throut,h the «tick leaving a surfite as stiaight md
smooth IS If r-ountershiv cd Rhodes had forty acies of land adjoining Wilburs,
enough to have made him comfortable could he have kept it Hut alas' like mam
ctheiK his lunnlng e\ienses outrin his lucime and aftei he had ^M out md hewed
the timbei for the fiist gristmill and settled his accounts, he found it necessary to
sell out to pay his debts it was fimliinrly stid of him that he with his family (ill
huge eaters and provisions, high) had eaten up his veai s vioik ind foity attes of
Imd He too has gone from among us— peace to his ashes— vet histoi-y would be
imperfect v^ithout mention of his name
The first re|L,ulai hotel keeper was Thomas Iiish inri tit that hotel the fiist town
meeting was held after the orKaniiiition Irish was a cirpenter ilso — in fact there
was no man amoug us who could not turn his hand to bulldtng fences putting on
sidintr lajlng floor painting etc and this ill who particii ited m the earliei settle-
ment of our place will remember well In the earh part of March 1S3S (sav 5tb)
the giound between Ben Blidsalls house and the west line of the village e"£teiiding
from 'ihliwas&ee avenue down north to the mirsh hid been plowed and was sowed
with oats It was protected bj a rail fence During the month there was nr i lin
m the dajtime hut like the period In the building of King Solomons temple gentle
showers watered the earth at night The air was balmv and warm as in the months
of June and July ind vi^etatlon vms well advanced until befou tin dose of the
month (say 25th) there could be seen where now stand several fine dwellings i
beautiful green field — oats springing up iuxuiiantly and the oak opeiunss nil around
presented to the eye the beauties of siiring lu the early history of the country it
was not unusual to plow in Febru irv but in this year (l'*38) crops were generally
sown In March The variation of the seasons then was remarkable ftr the pieeedmg
jear ice was upon the giound up to April
Some one who has preceded me in relating the histoiiial incidents of this town
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 21/
!iiis suUl tluit tlie cijiiiif.'ea in streets lijive created some coiiCusloii anil that the record,
tbei-eof eonld iiiit be found. For the eoiivenlence of reference to Inquiring minds in
tliiit iTgard. I hai'e caiiaed exiiiiiinntlon to be made, iind find that the record exists
among the aivhivea of the cli'C'ilit court for tlie county of Genesee, in the first volume,
on iiage 75. It is an order vacating certain streets, and was made the 7tii of March,
1S42, Hefore that time that highway commissioners (In 1839) had nltered Shiuwassee
nvenue and the Jwelllng house of Judge T^eltoy liiid changed liiiuds. Its front, once
noi-tli, hud lieen revei'aed to face the new sti'eet, and in n sliort time after, by the
iild of the lirst eburcL moved to ils new front, was converted Into the "IjeRoy House,''
and keiit for a while liy liobert Leltoy It is a little curious to exaudne that old
i-eiiffd. It was made at a time wlien the court had wliat the lawyers called
ejHiulettes^that Is. associate judges. At that time the counties kept in otBce Ity
election tiio judges, who sat ujiou the bench with the cii'cult judge (who was also
11 justice i)f the au|ireme court, as then formed), and tiiat is about all tiiey did, viz.
to sit ou the bent-li with the [ireBiding judge. True, the two could, being the ma-
jority of the bench, oveiTule the iiresidhig judge, but tliey seldom did It. Sometimes
their ^uiijutliles for their neighbors Involved In litigation. iMrhaps under indictment,
would lead tlieni to act and In such case, if they hapiieued to differ with the learned
circuit judge, he would, after consultntion, give the judgment of the eourt .iccord-
Ingly, but with n frown and a distinct announcement that It was not his opinion,
but he was overnded by his learned (71 asaociatea.
In the court where the order referred to was made sat only one, as the records
show — I.ynutn Stow, formerly of Flint, now sleeping that long sleep that knows no
wjiklng. Xo one accused Judge Stow of nnj- remarkable legal acumen, but he was
one of the earliest of the pioneers of our county, and as such deserves honorable
mention. When the red man waw almost the only human being in all the country
round. Judge Stow penetrated the forest and preceded at first, but ultimately lived
to see developed, the march of civilization which levels the forest and brlt^s in train
t'utenir'sing vlllagew, mills and ma nnf actor iei, and con*erts the wilderness Into pro-
iluctlve farniK May he be as liajiiiy in the home to which he has gone as his honest
worth in this world seemed to entitle him !
One of the earlier settlors of the town was Josiqdi A Ityram, who lived on a lake
beai-ing his name (Byram lake). He was from Flushnig, Ix)ng Island, and with his
family had lived m luxury. The quiet of his grounds was seldom disturbed by the
white man's tread until Augustus St. Amand— then a young Frenchman, just from
I'arls, who, by the way ot New Orleans and the Mississippi, hud reached Michigan — -
made Byrani's aciiu.ilutance. The result was he came out with Byram from Detroit
and purchased near liim. His fowling-piece and flshlug-rod brought with him afforded
him nuiuaement. and In the bachelor's hall which he erected out of logs were all the
various articles of luxury he had beeu able to bring with him. He was hospitable
and glad to entertain any friend who udght visit him— Indeed, we found in the first
experience of pioneer life a real treat and pleasure is visiting the beautiful openings
and clear lakes, as well as the hospitable dwellings of both Byram and St Amand.
Not the least romantic of the earlier scenes of pioneer life was what befel St. Amand.
In one »f his journeys to Detroit for provisions (for be it known what little money
a man brougiit here was soon used up in that way), on his return, when on the
Saginaw turnjiike. near Springfield, he found a carriage broken down. A gentleman
and ladj were there — father and daughter; the lady appeared to be in distress, the
gentleman takiug things easy, as was his wont. But the cblvalrlc feelings of St.
Amand could not he restrained, esiieclally as he gazed ou the young form and saw
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2I» GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the youth iiud beruitj. with the lutelligeiice auJ sparklltij; eje of ii drmisel lu distress,
iiinl q\iick as thought he was upon his feet, rendering such iisststauce as was required
to repiiir damages aud see the travelers on tbeir way to Pouttac. St. Amand (.■ould
at that time speak but few words of Englisli, but a look of gratitude and admiration
beamed in tender eyes, aud St. Amand felt the dart of love iiiercliig his heart, ai,
moving his hand, he hade the damsel adieu, and exclaimed. "Au revolr." It was
Indeed with them "Au revolr," for the attachment foinied on that then roniautie and
forest road eoou culmluuted, and Augustus St. Amand became the husband of c'ai'oline
I*Roy. Sweet girl she was, and became the mother of suu«, one of whom has laid
down his life in the cause of hia country, falling a sacrltice In the war to resti>r<'
the Union.
In times gone by there was an excitement known as "Antl-Masoni-y," in western
New York, aud there was a place called Stafford, near Batniia. At the first-named
place dwelt, among others, a man named Blisha Holmes, who removed to aud became
one of the pioneers of FwitouvUle. In the days of our early settlement, after Holmes
had flnlslied htS' labor in his shop (he was a blacksmith), he would regale his listeneri^
with racy anecdotes and with many a tale of how Morgan was supposed to pass
through Stafford, inside the stagecoach of the "Swlftsure Llue," gagged and uiainieleil.
on his way to "that bourne from which no traveler returns," Just before the dan-u
of day: and, as he was iiostmaster, he would say, "If there was anything of the kiml,
wouldn't I have known it!'' Aud so he would defend those who had been acijused
of the big crime of abduction, and wind up by saying that "Weed, the whisker-
clipper, circulated the stoi'j-, and boasteil that the body he found was a good enough
Morgan uutli after elwtion."
Eilsha Holmes was a wan of strong memory, and esiiecialiy in the political his-
tory of the country unequaled. From his postofflce of Stafford he brought barrels of
news|iai>ers, and if e^cr at a loss for facts (which seldom happened), would ransack
the barrel", until he found the dociinicnt— and he was alwajn right, his memory
lufalliblc.
The first mail obtaineil in the new village was by a mail-route, procured after a
long effort, running from Poutiac vm White Lake twice a week. I well remember, in
those days of flow malls, the anxiety we experienced on the eve of an ImiMirtant
event. One with which Holmes was connected is illustrative of many ■
The national convention of Democrats was assembled for nomination of a lYesi-
dent in 1844. and anxiety to hear the result was general. Cass was a candidate, and
others. A crowd had assembled, waiting for the e\pected mall, which was sare to
bring the news, and after nmch speculation. Holmes, In his dry way, said, "Gentlemen,
you are all mistaken. The nominee will be a iie\v man; guess who." At last Holmes
said, "Gentlemen, I have got the history of tills coimtry, and its statesmen in and
out of Congress. In my head, and the nominee will be James K. Polk." "Polk — -Polk
—who is he!" "Why," said Holmes, "you don't read the newspapers ; It is James K.
Polk, of Tennessee." Yet the bystanders were not satlsfled; indeed, they ai! agreed
that for once Holmes was ndstaken. But the mail came and Holmes was right. The
old anvil was brought out, the nomination saluted in ancient style, amid sliouts of
"James K. Polk, of Tennessee,
The very man I thought 'twould he."
Latourette, Esq, now an enterprising citizen and banker among u
! early day David :
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 219
home. He was tbe first tu eiieonriijrt' tlie ^rowtli of tl-.is. iiiiil eutei-etl iiit<) the uiiiiiii
fai;tu!-e of linseed oil. IJke many other pioneers, thia aida't make him rich. Ijut his
enterprise in another sphere of iiction did (so said); nud now, wltli new life iiud
energy, he Is putting hia slioulder to the wheel to oi)en another iron mail to our
pleasant village. Maj' his elfovts meet the success they deseri-e '.
Among the men of Pontine who came here at an etirly daj was Judge Diinlel
I-eRoy, of whom mention hixf before been mniie. He was sliigiilfli- in ninuy thiu^
not the least of whicli was thjit he became pious. Joined the church and thereupon
became one of the nbollttonists of the old stamp, who, though In a veiy small minority,
thought they were right, and went ahead, believing that time would, witli patience
and perseverance. accom|iliah all things, and like Wellington at the buttle of Waterloo.
that they could pound the longest— and so they have. • ♦ • This is a (ligi'esslon,
jierhaps, but lllusti'ative of the times when the Judge took the only abolition )>aper
circulated in Fentouvllle — ThP Star of the East — pubtlshtil In the state of Maine.
While on this subject let me call to mind some of the scenes of 1S4I>— -Tippecanoe
and Tyler, too." There was an immense gathering and great excitement in our
usually quiet village. Tom Drakp and others were here, and the frame of the new
flourlng-niill was uji and tbe roof on There the people began to assemble, I>rake
walked to and fro in front of the hotel — hands In his pockets, eyes on the ground-
digesting the matter for the coming speech and preparing, as well .ts he could, to
digest the pork and beans and hard cider with which the ci'owd was to be regaled.
Wagons with hard elder were diawn up In front, the kettles were on the fire, the
pork and beans were boiling, and one team had arrived from Flint with a load of
shingles to be used In dealing out the refreshments, for be it known that kulvea,
forks and spoons were alike interdicted; pork and beans were her\e<l on shingles
iitid from a split shingle spoons were formed. The sjieeches went on in the usual
way. The iieople were told that In the White House gold spoons were used, that
Vnu Bnren contemplated a standing army of at least twenty thousand uieiu .ind
insisted on that odious scheme called the "sub-treasury." whereby the money of the
jieople was to be locked up and we were all to be reduced to lieji^'ary^ NhllllnK a
djiy and a sheeii's pluck for wages and meat— and "that same old coim," dead but
stuffed, was run up on a iiole, and all the people shouted and roared, and drank hard
cider, and pulled out their "latch- strings," and ate pork and beans off .t shingle with
a split shingle for a aimon, while Ellsha Holmes, quietly hammering away at his anvil,
looked down the ilsta of time, ransacked hia memory (or a parallel, and with pro-
phetic vision, exclaimed, "Go it while you're young, boys; feel good while you may;
but if my name is Klisha Holmes, your 'Tyler, too,' wiil be a tartar; for my history
tells me Tyler Is a life-long Democrat, and you will find his policy stamped on the
uext administration, or I am not Ellsha Holmes."
And history has recorded the ti'uth of his jirophecy. Would thai thei-e were mrup
among us who looked to the lessons of the past, nnd so performed their duties as
good citizens to bring about the greatest possible good In the future 1
Another of our early settlers deserves mention here. Hon. Jeremiah RIggs. who
settled In Michigan when It was a territory, was a member of the territorial council
(as was Judge Lelioy), and at tbe formation of the state government took part as
one of the framera of the first and best constitution— for surely Innovations have not
Improved our flrat constitution. He was a man of kind and genial disposition, beloved
by all, and for many years after he came to this village might be seen at the RIggs
hotel, his mind treasured with memories of the past and his conversation instructive
and amusing beyond what Is often found. He has left behind him sons, some of
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220 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
wbom lire jiiihdi;; iik. mid ;i iiieiiiory wlilcli will hu cherlKlied with reB|>ect by :i]l to
wliiHii he \i-iiK kniiwii,
Dustiii Cheney, the tirst settler in the township as well as in the village
of I'enton, was a veteran of the War of 1812. Mr. Cheney's son, Harrison
Cheney, was the first white child born in the township (1835). Imtnediately
following the arrival of Dustin Cheney at the site of Fenton, came Ciark
Dibble, George Dibble, Lauren P. Riggs, John Galloway and Robert Win-
cheil. With them at the early "raisings" were John Alexander Galloway,
William Gage and Hannibal Vickery. One of the early "characters" in Fen-
ton was "Johnny" Wilber, also a veteran of the War of t8i2, noted for his
jovially, qiiaintness and honesty. "Uncle Dick" Donaldson was another
favorite among the pioneers of Fenton. Robert LeRoy, the partner of William
yi. I'^enton in laying out and building up the village, came with his father,
Daniel LeRoy, from New York to Detroit in 1818 and, after a residence in
Pontiac from 1830, came with Mr. Fenton, in the winter of 1836-1837, to
the site of the latter village. They oi^ened the fir.st store in the place. Others
came in rapidly and in a short time the settlement began to take on the aspects
of a promising viHage.
The village of Fentonville was platted in 1837 and included the portion
which extends from Robert street, on the north, to South street, on the south,
and from East street to West street. These remained the hmits until 1859.
Previous to the first platting, the place was called Dibbleville, from one of its
early settlers, Clark Dibljle.
Fenton and LeRoy built the first tavern in the village, named later the
Riggs House, from Judge Jeremiah Riggs, who occupied it from 1843. Thev
also purchased and greatly improved the saw-mill which the Dibbles had built
previous to 1837, and built a grist-mill. Robert I^Roy liecame, in 1838, the
first postmaster of the village and held the office for thirteen years. Mail
was first brought here on horseback over the Grand River road.
'["he first law office in the village was opened by William M. Fenton,
and several who afterwards became able practitioners received the rudi-
ments of their legal education in his office. Another pioneer lawyer of
Fenton was Alexander P. Davis, a native of Aurelius, Cayuga county, New
York, who later became state senator.' The first physician to practice here was
Dr. Samuel W. Pattison, who came in 1836. The second was Dr. Thomas
Steerc, who came about 1838. from Norwich, Chenango county, New York.
With him for a short time was Dr. John C. Gallup. Very promineiit among
the early physicians who came later to the township was Dr. Lsaac Wixom,
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 221
who, previous to his residence in the township, practiced in jVrgentine and
was a state senator in 1841.
Fentonville had an early rival for village honors in what has heconie
the village of Linden. The first settlers here were Richard and Perry I^nib,
who settled in 1835, on section 20. For a long time the house of Perry
Lamh furnished accommodations for travelers and Mrs. Lamb was known
far and wide as an excellent housewise, a courteous entertainer and a most
exemplary pioneer lady. Mrs. Lamb's father, Zenas Fairbank, came to the
neighborhood in 1836 and began the practice of medicine. Other early
settlers in the vicinity of Linden were Asahel Ticknor, Charles and Joseph
Byram, Seth C. Sadler, Consider Warner, Eben Harris, Jonathan Shephard
and Beniah Sanborn.
The village was first platted in February, 1840. Consider Warner and
Kl)en Harris were among the ori^nal proprietors. Mr. Warner built a
saw-mill here in 1837, and in 1838 began the erection of a grist-mill. In
1839 Warner and Harris opened a store and. in 1840, a drug store. Be-
tween 1836 and 1840 a log bridge was built across the Shiawassee at Lin-
den, and soon after it was carried away by the raising of the riam a frame
bridge was thrown across, the first of many others to follow.
The first school in Linden was taught in 1839, by a daughter of Al>el
]'). Hunt, in a shantj- which stood in front of the grist-miil. Walter Brown
taught at the same place the following winter; he had taught earlier a school
about three-fourths of a mile east. The first building erected purposely for
a school house within what are now the corporate limits of the village, was
a log structure put up in 1840 on the street running south from the Union
Block. Louisa Hillman and John Morris were among its early teachers; it
was used only about two years, when a frame building was completed.
The first religious society in the village was organized previous to 1838
by the Free-Wiil Baptists; its first minister was Rev. Mr. Jones, from
Holly, Oakland county, who is said to have preached his first sermon here
the previous year from a pile of saw-logs in the mill-yard. Rev. Hiram
Madison was also early, having preached a funeral sermon in August, 1836.
The second religious organization was formed by the Metliodists, who or-
ganized a class about 1838-39. An early minister was Rev. Daniel Miller.
In 1840 a village was laid out at Mount Pleasant, by John Cook, who
with his l^rotber, Solomon, had settled there. On the eastern shore of Long
lake, below the "narrows." Pliilip H. McOml>er settled in 1834 and long
kept a tavern known as the I-ong T-ake House. The vicinity of this pleasant
dbyGoot^lc
222 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
lake was destined to l>ecome a favorite summering; place and picnicking
ground for the surrounding region.
The first meeting in the township for election of officers was held
April 2, 1838, at the Fentonville hotel, with results as follows: Supervisor,
Walter Dibble; town clerk, I-auren P. Riggs; justices of the peace, Asahel
Ticknor, Tliomas Irish, John Cook and Elisha Lamed; school inspectors,
Asahe! Ticknor, Charles J. Birdsall and R. J. Gage; assessors, P. H. Mc-
Omber, Herman Lamb and Jacob Knapp: commissioners of highways,
James Thorp, Seth C. Sadler and H. Garfield; coHector, Ehsha W. Postal;
directors of the jxior, James Thorp and E, A. Byram; constables, John
Nichols and Morris Thorp; pathmasters, William Nichols, Seth C. Sadler,
Elisha Bailey. Perry Lamb, Charles Tupper. William Remington, Philip H.
McOmher, John Cook and Hiram Lamb.
ATLAS TOWNSHIP.
Atlas township was originally a part of Lapeer county, being detached
from Lapeer and added to (^nesee county in 1843. ^^ was organized in
1S36 and was one of the earliest townships in this region to receive settlers.
The first settler was Asa Farrar, who, in September, 1830, purchased land
on section 1 8 and buih a log house upon it the same year. He was a brother
of Pearson l'~arrar, who settled the same year in Grand Blanc upon an
adjacent section. They came from Monroe county, New York. The first
birth and the first marriage in Atlas township occurred in Asa Farrar's fam-
ily, respectively, in, 1833 and 1831I.
The second settlement, as well as land purchase, was made by Judge
Norman Davison in 1831 on the banks of Kearsley creek in section 8. Mr.
Davison and family were from Avon, Livingston county, New York, Soon
after his settlement he buih a two-story frame house from lumber obtained
from Rowland B. Perry's mill. This was the nucleus of Davisonville, orig-
inally known as Atias Postoffice. Here were situated the first postoffice,
merchants, mills, workshops and schools. The saw-mill was built in 1833
and the grist-mill in 1836, Mr. Davison was the first postmaster. Elias
Rockafellow established here the first blacksmith shop in 1837, and in 1838
Fitch R. Track opened the first store. In 1840 William Thomas opened a
tavern, and in the next year Oliver Palmer first began wool-carding and
stock-dressing. The first school in the township was taught here by Sarah
Barnes, in a lean-to adjoining Davison's house, as early as 1836, the earhest
religious services in the township. Judge Davison was a meml>er of the first
dbyGoot^lc
GENF.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN". 22T,
constitutional convention of 1835, the first supervisor of the old town of
Grand Blanc in 1833, and while Atlas was still attached to Lapeer county
he was one of the judges of that county. He held various other offices and
in the discharge of his official duties gave genera! satisfaction, securing the
respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends.
In 1833 also came John and Aaron Brigham, brothers, from Lewis
county. New York, settling ujMn section 5 ; but in 1836 they removed to
Hadley. Nehemiah S. ?>urpee and Samuel Lason settled in 1834. In 1835
came Alexander and James Lobban, James McCraith and two sons, Ezra
K. Paschall, Noah and William Owen, Joseph R. Johnson and son, James
(;. Horton, Talford and Daniel Poweil and Lewis Mentor.
In Septeraijer, 1835, was founded the nucleus of the village of Good-
rich. In that month Moses and Enos Goodrich, brothers, from Clarence.
Erie county, New York, purchased more than one thousand acres on sec-
tions near the center of liie township. After building a log house on sec-
tion JO. they returne{i to Clarence, and in the following year brought out a
numljer of relatives to the new home. The father. Levi H. Goodrich, a
native r)f Hampshire county, Massachusetts, joined the family here in the
fall of the same year. From this time the name of Goodrich has Ijeen inti-
mately connected with all the social, commercial and political history of
.\tlas township. Shortly after the father's arrival a frame house was built
on the corner of what were later Main and Clarence streets, directly east
from the later Bushaw Hotel. Here was kept a general store and the
"Goodrich Bank." A saw-mill was put in operation in April, 1837. The
Goodrich mill, built and equipi>ed by the Goodrich brothers at a cost of eight
thousand five hundred dollars, l)egan merchant work in 1845. The first
frame dwelling was built in 1838 by Enos Goodrich, which later became part
of the home of William H. Putnam. Hon. E. H. Thomson, the first attor-
ney and later a prominent lawyer in Flint, first settled here in 1837. For
many years Moses Goodrich continued to reside upon the fine farm, which
was included in the purchase of 1835, surrounded by an affectionate family
and all the comforts which are the reward of an honorable and industrious
life.
During the year 1836 many families took up their residence in Atlas
township. Among these were Daniel and Manley Swears (brothers), Hiram
Fillmore (a cousin of President Fillmore), Albert Demaree and his sons.
David, Cornelius, Jacob and Garrett, Daniel Swears, Sn. James Black. James
Kipp, Peter Lane, John Mancour, James Burden, Jacob and Thomas Van-
tine. John Hosier. William Carpenter, Joseph Russell, Hiram Husted, John
dbyGoot^lc
224 (iENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
L, McNiel, Jacob Thomas, Levi Preston and Lewis Cumniings. In 1837
Dr. Cyrus Baldwin, the first resident physician, Lewis Van Cleve, his son,
Lewis, Jr., Samuel Winship, Eiias Rockafellow, the first blacksmith and
iron founder in the township; Fitch R. Tracy, the first merchant; Samuel
Walker, John K. Pearsons, William (loodrich, Moses Wisner and Michael
Bowers. Other settlers who became residents in the early period were Brad-
le}' Cartwright, Freeman Coolage, John V'antine, Julius Barnes, Amos H.
Fisk, Stephen Horton, William Surryhiie, Moses Frost, William Roberts,
Joseph Tyler, Fdward Fortune, Albert V'antine, Cliarles \^antine Jonathan
Frost, E[Jiraim S. Frost, Ralph C. Atkins, Albert J. Bates, Ira G. Hootnn.
Peter Vantine, Paul Liscomb, James Vantine, John Perritt, Matliew P.
Thomas, Jacob H. Howe, Isaac Carmer, Elijah Carmer, Oliver Palmer,
Nathaniel Fairchild, Clark Hutchins, Hiram Maxfield, Marlin Davison and
Thomas P. Wood.
The first town-meeting was held in Atlas on April 4, 1836, at "Davi-
son's Mills." Twenty-two voters were present, and the result of the elec-
tion of officers was as follows: Sui^ervisor, Ezra K. Parshall; township
clerk, Nonnan Davison; assessors, John Brigham, Asa Farrar and James G.
Horton; collector. Tames Lobban; directors of the poor, Moses Goodrich
and Aaron Brigham; commissioners of highways, Moses Goodrich, Paul G.
Davison and Asa Farrar; constable, James Lobban; school commissioners
for three years, Oliver P. Davison, I^vi W. Goodrich and Ezra K. Parshall;
justices of the peace, Norman Davison, l-'zra K. Parshall, Moses Goodrich
and Alexander Lobban ; fence-viewers, Moses Goodrich, Oliver P. Davison,
Alexander Lobban and Samuel Lason; jwund keeper, Xorman Davison;
overseer, road district No. i, Oliver P. Davison, road district No. 2, John
Brigham, road district No. 3, Samuel I-ason, road district No, 4, Moses
Goodrich; school insjiectors. Ezra K. Parshall, Oliver P. Davison, James
G. Horton. Paul G. Davison and Levi W. Goodrich,
FLUSHING TOWNSHIP.
Rufus llarrison has the honor of l)eing the first white settler of Flush-
ing township. He settled on the north side of the river near the south-
east comer in the fall of 1835. The second permanent settler in the town-
ship was Henry French, who located on section 36 in the same fall. His
brother, Eljenezer, came the next year. Probably the only other permanent
settler of 1835 was John Evans, of Manchester, England, who came to
Michigan after a brief residence in New York. Others who came Ijefore
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 225
1840 were Thomas L. Brent, David and James Penoyer, Ezra Smith, Origin
Packard and Alexander Barlx:r.
Thomas Brent was one of the most prominent of the earlier settlers,
having acquired, before his coming, a national reputation and a large for-
tune. At one time he paid taxes on about seventy thousand acres of land
in Michigan. He was a Virginian by birth and married a noble Spaiiish iady
with whom he had Income acquainted while on a mission to that country
in the employ of the United States government. His married life is said
to have been unhappy. Before his death he sank his fortune and became
"land poor." In 1836 he built a saw-mill near his place on section 3, but a
freshet in the following spring destroyed it. This part of the township con-
tained a large acreage of pine and a second mill was soon built, up from the
river out of reach of freshets. It is said that nearly every man who settled
early in the township worked at some time or other for Mr. Brent, clearing
up land and earning enough money to pay for homes of their own. The
"Brent farm" was widely known throughout the region.
John Paton, a native of Blackford, Perthshire, Scotland, and later a
resident of Paterson, New Jersey, purchased lands on section 22 and 27 as
early as 1834, but did not settle until 1837. He had come to America in the
spring of 1827. In 1843 Mrs. Paton wrote a letter to a friend in England,
which is worth repeating as typical of pioneer conditions in Flushing town-
ship at that time, being written during the closing days of the famous "hard
H mter
Flushing Near Flint River 4prII 6 1&43
I «ill n t itten pt tr jij)olt^i7t foi not wilting eiilier but let tlie simple truth
suttue I line ind four lettois I nn\ mj wrlttai (one entlielv finished) but litked
funds to pet tlieni It Is eTsler to lelease n dozen letters than to prepay one For
tile one tbev will take produce for the otbei tbey eiact cfieh ind that is a very
Ht iroe article heie foi oui hnsluei-s Is carried on mosth by barter We sold about
two bundled dolliii<i uoitti of stock in the last ^eiii and it was with gie-it difflculti
we Kot sill dolliirs in cash limes lin\e been veri hard and I feir not yet it the
worst Vccortliug to accounts tlint fin be relied on we hiie liad the hirdest winter
that Ltf. occuired for fifty foin yens It commenced in October and Is now snow
lug the snon m the wood*! is from two to thiee feet deep But we don t suffer on
the timbered land anything like those on the 01k openings, as regirds our stock
nlthou^li we jire destitute of anithmg In the shape of fodder In our barns for we
luiie the woods to resort to where tiiere is plenty of maple and basswood and we
lilt them down and tlie cattle feed on the tops ind loik pretty well where thev are well
attended t» But w« liear of cattle dyinE in all diiections and of some farmers knock
ing the whoie of their cattle on the bead to 8a\e them from 1 lingering stanation iiftei
feeding out all their stoie others austainlng them tn flour ytctmls all othei being
exhausted last winter (! e 1S4142) we had an unusually open season and ■\ ^ery
(IS)
dbyGoo<^lc
22b GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
early spring Our fleld'^ neiet looked so well— fruit tiees lii full bloom— imd ail seemed
cheering in tlie month of Aijril but oui hopes were soon blighted We had ^eveie fio^
in Mn wLitii LUt (S oui liloisiimH and whfit was still norse oui i.oin the" ii tedious
drought succeeded whifh almost burnt up the nheat— nt least stunted it so the stnw
wta worth little then to finish when it wiis lu the milk there weie t>unitt sbuweis
tiiat stiuck it with rust— the late sown suffereO most • * • I am Lappj to saj 1
hate enjoyed bettei heilth thif, wmter than I haie wils I came lu the m >oOs (oier
six ^ears) and if the tormeiitiuK ague ttdl keeii awai I will es-titse It It Is i siu
gular thing to find one put of the day a person wiil feel able to go about and do u
little work and anothei pait not Lble to ilse from the pillow and is ciazj as lhi be
&uih has been hanging on me foui \eai8 New settleis Reneiallj hate it but aftei
they get Hctlimated it is very he.ilth\ Cousiderlng the haid times our count> is set
tling very fist Ihere are six families froiu Stockiioit settled near to ua and there
ire spieral moie coming out fiom there this spring We hme let a biiek ground to
two of these 1 must tell ^ou ne Ua\e had the good lU(.k to find a co^imlue on oui
farm but we ha\e not been ible to aacertiin its e\tent it Is of e\.celleiit quality
We sold seien dollirs worth of it last fall when we found it iliings ^neially pmspei
with us since I last wiote loii
About 1840 there began to form in the northwestern part of the town-
ship the "EngHsh settiement." In that fali came John Reed and James
BaiJey, soon followed by Samuel and James Wood, of Lancashire, and
Mary Vernon, who became the wife of Samuel Wood, and her father, John
Bailey, who was the father also of James Bailey- Later there settled
Thomas Hough, Sr. and J,, Richard Bowden, William Bailey and Thomas
Newell, ail of the same nativity. Most of them had been farmers in the
old country, but their newness to pioneering in a western wilderness led to
some amusing exj>eriences.
A good story is told by John Reed, who had a fierj' temper which was
not always under control. On one occasion he became angry with his cow
and drove her away into the woods to the north, kicking her at every stqi,
until finally both were tired out. He had tried to turn her !mck at first, but
she was obstinate and that roused his ire. His boot came up at the same
time with his ire and when at last he stoi>ped to rest he found himself in a
strange neighborhood, lost in the forest. He finally pulled off one of his
boots, milked the cow in it. drank the milk and lay down on a log, where he
was found the next day by the neighbors, who had instituted a search for
him. He had fought mosquitoes ail night and looked somewhat the worse
for wear.
The beginnings of Flushing village are marked by the purchase of the
water power there by Horace Jerome, from St. Qair, Michigan, in 1836.
Jerome was working in co-operation with Charles Seymour, of Litchfield
county, Connecticut. The frame of the mill was put up in the summer of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 22/
1837 and in 1838 one saw was in operation. In 1840 Seymour, in company
with Benjamin Bowers, built the first grist-mill in the place, on the site
of the later Flushing mills. In the same year Seymour platted the village,
on lx)th sides of the river.
Horace Jerome is connected in Flushing's history with the ill-fated
"wild-cat" institution, "The IHint J^apids Bank."' of 1838. The experiment
resulted in such ill repute for its sponsors that soon after failure Jerome left
the region and did not return.
Flushing township was organized in 1838; the early records being lost,
no account can be given of the earliest official history of the township.
The first religious society in the township was formed in the English
settlement, where the pioneers were mainly Methodists, A class was formed
soon after the first arrivals and the first meetings were held in James
Wood's Ic^ house. Their first preacher was a Mr. Whitwam and their first
class leader James Wood. A church was not built, however, until 1864.
Marshall Talbot taught the first school in the township as it was then,
ju.st across the present boundary in Mount Morris. At the English settle-
ment a school house was built about 1845,
MUNDY TOWNSHIP.
The earliest land entries in Mundy township were made in 1833 on
sections 13, 14, 11 and 12, respectively, by Daniel Williams, of Lapeer
county, Michigan, John Richards, of Niagara county. New York, and Brad-
bury Eastman, of Tompkins county. New York. The only lands of the
township in the hands of the government at the end of 1836 were forty
acres in section 28, which were taken up in 1S37.
The first permanent settlements effected in this township were by Dan-
iel Williams, Eli Gilbert and Jason L. Austin in 1833 on section 13. Volney
tSiles settled soon afterward on section 11. In the following year came
Morgan Baldwin and George Judson. All of the settlers were from the
state of New York.
Among those who had made their homes in Mundy township before
Michigan was admitted to the Union are the following: Thomas Glover,
David Gibson, Seth Kitchen, Ebenezer Bishop, Josiah Alger and family of
ten children, Mr. Barnum, Asa Pierce, William Odell, Jeshurum Leach, Jon-
athan G, Firman and others.
The first white male child born in the township of Mundy was Thomas
dbyGoot^lc
228 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CJlover's son, Henry Glover, and the first white female child was Hannah
Baldwin, daughter of Morgan Baldwin, her birth occurring March 30, 1835.
The township was named in honor of Edward S. Mundy, who was
lieutenant-governor of Michigan when the township was organized, March
II, 1837. On April 3 the first township meeting was held at the house of
Josiah Alger, when eighteen votes were cast, of which only three were from
the west half of the township. The following officers were chosen: Super-
visor, John Alger ; town clerk, Morgan Baldwin ; assessors, Jonathan G.
Firman, Morgan Baldwin, Benjamin Simmons and Seth Kitchen; collector,
George Judson; commissioners of highways, J. G. Firman, George Judson
and Jeshurum Leach; school inspectors, Jonathan G. Firman, Ira Dunning
and Dudley Brainard; justices of the peace, Benjamin Simmons, one year,
JoSiah Alger, two years, Morgan Baldwin, three years and Henry M.
Thompson, four years: constables, George Judson and Volney Stiles.
The condition of settlement in 1840 is reflected in the vote at the
general NovemJjer election, whose interest was sufficient to bring out the
total voting strength of the township. Eighty-nine votes were cast.
The first school district organized in the town.ship was in the Baldwin
neighborhooil, in the spring of 1837. A school was taught the summer fol-
lowing by Miss Mary Gazley in a log school house which .stood on the cor-
ner of the farm later owned by LaFayette Odell. Mrs. Conant kept school
temporarily in her own house in the summer of 1836 before the school
house was built. The first winter term was taught by a Scotchman named
McClergan, or McClagan, DeWitt C, Leach taught a number of terms
afterwards.
In 1837 the Methodists formed a class at or near the Odell school
house, but it is was not of long duration there. A Presbyterian society
was formed in 1844. The first sei*vices were held by Rev. P. H. Burghardt.
This church was for many years a mission, receiving aid from the Home
Missionary Society. In 1845 a Baptist society was organized near Mundy
Center.
ARGENTINE TOWNSHIP.
-By far the larger portion of the lands of. Argentine township were
taken up in the year 1836, and very little was entered before then. As
early as 1825 Samuel Dexter, of New York, entered lands in sections 19
and 27, but for speculation rather than for settlement. Two years later
Elijah Crane, of Wayne county, entered eighty acres in section 26. In
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 22g
1835 James fl. Murray and Sa% Murray, of Washtenaw county, made
entries in lands entered before 1836,
The first white men who became residents of what is now Ai^entine
township were James H. Murray and Wiiiiani Lobdell, in 1836. Mr. Mur-
ray, who formerly hved near Rochester, New York, came from Cayuga
county, in that state, with his family, and first settled in Washtenaw county.
His purchase of land in section 35 of Argentine township, was made to
secure a water privilege, and as soon as he moved his family -thither, in
March, 1836, he built the dam now standing at the village and erected a
saw-mill. Two or three years later he built a fram.e grist-mill, from whicb
flour was drawn to Detroit in wagons. Mr. Murray also built the first store
in the village, opposite the grist-mill. He also built the second hotel in the
place, the first having been built by Abram Middlesworth. Argentine soon
became a village center of considerable importance.
Among the earliest settlers who contributed to the growth of the-town-
s!iip may be njentioned William Ix>bdell, William Alger, William Jennings,
William and Iienr>' Pratt, Ira Murray, Israel Crow, Calvin W. Ellis, Benja-
min Taylor, Amos Sturgis, David Brooks, Solomon Sutherland, Halsey
Whitehead, Asa Atherton, David Brooks and others.
A postoflice was established at the village at an early day and called
Booton; but, owing to the fact that there was another office in the state
with a similar name, it was finally changed to Argentine. James H. Mur-
ray was the first postmaster and to him is given the credit for naming the
township. Mail was carried on horseback over a route which extended from
Pontiac to Ionia. William Hubbard and Brown Hyatt were among the
earliest mail carriers.
A village plat for Argentine was laid out in 1844, but the building of
the Detroit & Milwaukee railway through Fenton left Argentine so far to
one side as to destroy its prospects of growth as a village.
As in the case of IHint township, the earliest records of Argentine
township can not be foimd. No records exist earlier than 1850,
MOUNT MORRIS TOWNSHIP.
Mount Morris, while being one of the earliest townships to receive
settlers, was one of the latest to be separately organized, its lands having
formed a part of Flushing and Genesee until 1855. From 1833 to ^^3^
its territory was. a. part of Grand Blanc township. It was under the juri^-
dbyGoot^lc
230 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
diction of IHiiit township from 1836 to 1838, when it was divided between
Fhishing and Genesee,
The first ripples of the oncoming tide of immigration readied the iands
of Mount Morris in May, 1833. In that month "Uncle Ben" Pearson, of
Avon, Livingston county. New York, purchased lands on sections 25 and 36.
Shortly afterwards there arrived at Todd's tavern on Flint river, which
was Mr. Pearson's headquarters, four men^Lewis Buckingham, John Pratt,
Isaac N. Robinson and Richard Marvin, from Mount Morris, Livingston
county. New York, — who were also in search of lands. Happy in the
prospect of securing neighbors, Mr. Pearson guided them to the neighbor-
hood of his claims, about four miles north of Flint on the Saginaw road,
where all except Marvin entered lands and later settled. This was the be-
ginning of the "Cold Water settlement." The first dwelling erected in this
settlement on lands in Mount Morris was that of Mr. Pearson, upon the
northeast corner of section 36.
In this settlement was kept the first .-chool in the township. It was
tanght in the house of I^wis Buckingham by Miss Sarah Curtis as early
as the winter of 1835-36. There were some eight or ten pupils. In 1836
or 1837 the children of the settlement went to a log school house built on
section 31 in Genesee township, in which the first teacher was Miss Flarriet
Hoyes. Soon afterivard another log school house was built on Moses
Camp's farm, on section 19 in Genesee township, in which it is claimed
Newton Robinson taught the first school. The first school house in Mount
Morris township was not built until alxiut 1848.
At this settlement also was formed the earliest religious association of
the township, in 1834. Among the prominent Mount Morris members were
John Pratt and Charles N, Beecher. The society was Presbyterian, but any-
one was counted a member who helped to pay the preacher. A church was
built here as early as 1836, where .services were held for twenty years. The
first pastor was Elder Cobb.
During 1834, 1835 and 1836 the "Cold Water settlement" was con-
siderably increased by new arrivalsj among whom were Lyman G. Bucking-
ham, Alanson and Luther Dickinson, Ashael Beach, Daniel Curtis, Ezekiel R.
Ewing, Charles N. Beecher, Edwin Cornwell, Frederick Walker and Henry
Parker. Previous to 1840 there had arrived in the east half of the town-
ship Rodman W. Albro, Manley Miles, Lyman G, Buckingham, Alanson
Dickinson, William Pierson, John Rusco, near Devil's Lake, Jesse Clark,
Porter Flemings, John Pratt, Daniel Curtis and his father-in-law Bacon,
Luther Trickey, who had been here two or three years, Juha Barrows, Elder
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COIINTY, MICHIGAN. 23I
Cobb, of the Presbyterian church, Daniel Andrews, Pratt's brother-in-iaw,
Humphrey Hunt, Charles N. Beecher, who owned a large tract of land,
Edwin Cornwell, Linus Atkins, - — — Twogood, William Woolfitt, Frederick
Walker, Henry Barber, George Schoiield, with a large family of sons, Will-
iam Bodine and Richard Johnson. In the west half of the township were
James Armstrong, Abial C. Bliss, Sylvester Beebe, William Chase, Jacob
Dehn, Ezekiel R. Ewing, Nathaniel Hopson, William H. Hughes, Dominick
Kelly, Vincent Runyoii, l^ussell Welch and Alvin Wright, who were all
there prior to 1840.
The settlement made in October, 1836, by Frederick Walker on section
12, was the first made on the site of the later village of Mount Morris. Mr.
Walker was an Englishman, who had lived for some time in EKitchess county.
New York. When the postoffice was established he became the first post-
master, the office being kept at his house. In the beginning there was little
to indicate this as the place for a village, but its destiny was decided when
in 1857 it was designated as a station on the Flint & Pere Marquette rail-
road.
The township takes its name from Mount Morris, Livingston county,
New York. When it was erected into a separate township in 1855 the
meeting for the election of officers was held in an old abandoned log house
which stood on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 34. The
whole number of votes polled at this election was seventy-four, and the
following officers were chosen: Supervisor, Ezekiel R. Ewing; township
clerk, Bradford P. Foster; treasurer, Samuel R. Farnham; justices of the
peace, P'reclerick Walker, H. S. Root and Daniel Pettengill; highway com-
missioners, Alanson Payson. Rodman W. Albro and H. S. Root; school
inspectors, G. L, Ewing and J. L. Deland; overseers of the poor, Alanson
Payson and William S. Pierson; constable. E. L. Johnson.
GENESEE TOWNSHIP.
Until 1833 no white person resided in the township of Genesee. Then
came Luman Beach and Addison Stewart, between whom lies the honor of
being the first settler. Beach settled in section 30 and Stewart on section
31. This was the nucleus of the "Cold Water settlement." The name,
jokingly conferred by their neighbors, in reality was a tribute to the exemp-
lary habits and irreproachable character of these settlers, who were all
total abstainers. Good health gave them good appetites, for which their
settlement received the ambiguous compliment of "Hungry Hill," Other
dbyGoot^lc
232 GENHSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
than Beach and Stewart, the earHest members of this settlement were Lewis
Buckingham, Isaac N. Robinson, John Pratt and Benjamin Pearson.
The intelhgence and progressiveness of the pioneers of the "Cold Water
settlement" insured the prompt establishment of a school for the education
of their children. The first school in the township was kept here at the
house of Lewis Buckingham, by Sarah Curtis, as early as 1835-36, with
some eight or ten pupils. In 1836-37 a school house was built on section
31, in which the first school was taught by Harl-iet Hoyes.
Here also was organized tlie first religious society in the township. The
Methodists held meetings in 1836 at the house of Lewis Buckingham, which
were addressed by Rev. William Brockway, a missionary and Indian agent,
who afterwards stopped there on his way between Detroit and Saginaw.
Previous to this, in 1834-35, Elder Gambell, of Grand Blanc, a Baptist
minister, held occasional services at the house of John Pratt. A Presbyter-
ian society was organized in May, 1834, by Rev. Mr. McEwin, of Detroit,
either at the house of John Pratt or Isaac N. Robinson, The society built
a frame church in 1834 or 1835. One article of faith adopted reflects the
strong sentiment which gave the settlement its name :
"Article 3. We believe that the manufacture and vending and use of
all intoxicating liquors, except for medical and manufacturing purposes, is
morally wrong, and consequently do agree to abstain therefrom,"
From this beginning settlement extended into other parts of the town-
ship. A settlement almost as well known as "Cold Water settlement" was
the "Stanley settlement." This was begun in 1835, at the comers of sections
8, 9, 16 and 17, and was named from its first settler, Sherman Stanley.
Mr. Stanley was a very thorough, energetic farmer, a man of the strictest
integrity and a conscientious member of the Baptist church. He came from
Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, With him came Albert T.
Stevens. Both men brought their wives and children, who later married-
and settled about the old homes. The same year came Cyrenus Lake, with
his wife and five children, and Joseph Simons, with his mother, two sisters
and three brothers. In 1837 Ezra Stevens and numerous relatives added
their fortunes to the colony. The next year came Peter Snyder, Henry D,
Hunt, Charles R. Cooley and an Irishman named Patrick Daly. The whole
settlement except three Stevenses and Daly were from Mount Morris, New
York. Daly was from Ireland and Cooley from Wayne county, New York.
The lands of the township were rapidly taken up, in 1833, a httle more
than one thousand two hundred acres; in 1834, a little more than one thou-
sand five hundred acres; in 1S35, almost four thousand acres, and in 1836,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 233
when the grand rush came and the tide of immigration was at its flood,
over fifteen thousand acres were entered.
At this time about a quarter of the township was covered with pine,
following generally the course of the river and lying principally on its south
bank. The rest was mainly white oak. A number of saw-mills were early
built, the first by Mr. Harger, probably in 1834. The power was furnished
by Kearsley creek. A second mill was built on the Kearsley in 1836 by the
Joneses about a mile above the Harger mill. Another was built there in
1837 by Ogden Clark.
Probably the first white child born in Genesee township was Damon
Stewart, a son of Addison and Lucy Stewart, in 1834; this honor is dis-
puted between Mr. Stewart and Edward Beach, son of Luman Beach, who
was Ixjm in the same month, the exact birthdays l>eing uncertain. Henry
Cadwell and Ann M, Stanley were the first persons to \x united in the bonds
of matrimony, in the fall of 1838. During the same fal! occurred the first
death among the settlers, that of Abigail Stevens, the little daughter of
Weed H. Stevens. The first death of an adult was that of Eliza Bucking-
ham, wife of Isaac N. Robinson, in February, 1839. In 1840, or 1841, the
first burial ground was opened in Genesee, on land purchased by John E.
Upton.
Genesee township takes its name from the "Genesee country," New
York, from which came many of its early pioneers. It was organized in
1838. The first meeting was held in the "Cold Water settlement" at the
house of Juba Barrows. The following officers were chosen : Supervisor,
John Pratt; town clerk, Charles N. Beecher; assessors, Addison Stewart,
Daniel Curtis and A. H. Hart; school inspectors, Addison Stewart, Juba
Barrows and I. N. Robinson; commissioner of highways, Sherman Stanley,
Bushnell Andrews and Alanson Dickinson; justices of the peace, A. H. Hart,
Jeremy Hitchcock, C. N. Beecher and Asa Spencer; collector, L. G. Buck-
ingham ; constables, L. G. Buckingham, Frederick Walker, Albert T.
Stevens and G. I.. Jones; directors of the poor, John Martin and Peabody
Pratt; overseers of highways, road district No. i, B. Piersons, road district
No. 2, N. Cone; road district No. 3, William Thayer; road district No. 4.
Sherman Stanley; road district No. 5, J. Hitchcock; road district No. 6.
William Tillori; road district No. 7, Samuel Clark, Jr.
GAINES TOWNSHIP.
The history of Gaines township began later and developed perhaps Jess
rapidly than most of the other townships of the county. This was due
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234 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
partly to the large acreage of dense and heavy timber, the lack of streams
large enough for mill purposes and the situation of the township on the
western border of the county. Philander McLain, who moved his famil;-
from Oakfend county to this township in December. 1838, has stated that
the only settlers in the town of that time were Hartford Cargili, the Fletch-
ers and the Darts — probably the Darts had not yet come in.
Hartford CargiU, the first settler o£ the township, moved in from
Bloomfield, Oakland county, in 1836, and settled on section 36. liphraim
Fletcher, from "York state," settled in the same year in the locality known
as "Fletcher's Comers." Joshua Dart settled a little to the east of the
"Corners" in 1839. As the oldest man in the township at the time of its
separate organization, he was given the privilege of naming it, which he did,
after an acquaintance of his, General Gaines.
The first township meeting for the election of officers was held in 1842
at the house of Ephraim Fletcher, at which twenty-one votes were polled.
The following officers were elected : Supervisor, William B. Young ; town-
.ship clerk, Martin Dart; treasurer, Ephraim Fletcher; school inspectors.
Martin Dart, Marvin Williams and Walter B. Beers; directors of the poor,
Martin Dart and Ephraim Fletcher; commissioners of highways, James P.
Allen, Lyman Perkins and William Gazlay; justices of the peace, James P.
Alien. Philander McLain, Walter B. Beers and Frederick Wilcox; constables,
Elisha Martin and Lanman Davis : overseers of highways, William B. Young,
Jonathan Yerkes, Marvin Williams, William Gazlay, Walter B. Beers, John
Rood, Hartford Cargili, Fred Wilcox and Ehjah Lyman.
Owing to the relatively slpw development of Gaines township, it was
not until 1842 that the number of children warranted the formation of a
school district. About 1845 the settlers living in the Van Fleet and CargiU
neighborhood hired a teacher and had a school kept in the Cargili place. It
is probable that a daughter of Mr. Cargili was the teacher.
It was 1856 before the first settlement was made on the site of the vil-
lage of Gaines. On the Fourth of July in that year the first passenger train
over this portion of the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad passed over the site
of the village, then in the midst of heavy forest. In that year the first
dwelling house was built there by Thurston Simmons, who came in from
Livingston county. In the same year came George B. Runyan, who was
appointed postmaster at the new "Gaines Station Postoffice." The village
was platted in 1859.
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
nUKTON TOWNSHIP.
A majority of the early settlers of Burton township carne from the
towns of Adams and Henderson, in Jefferson county. New York, and their
location was known for many years as the "Atherton settlement." In 1835,
two brothers, Shulxiei and Perus Atherton, settled on the Thread river.
With them was Pliny A. Skinner. They came in from Oakland county.
These three families passed the winter alone in the wilderness, but before
the lapse of twelve months there was destined to be here a thriving settie-
ment of some thirty families.
Previous to the coming of the Athcrtoiis, Levi Gilkev, one of the very
earliest pioneers in the vicinity of f^Iint, came from Genesee county. New
York, and for a few years lived on or near the mouth of the small stream
which still bears his name. The date of his purcliase, which was all that
part of section 7 remaining outside the reservation, was May 11, 1831.
Very little is known about this first settler. But in 1834 Reuben^ Tupper
came in from Grand Blanc and located on the Saginaw road near the site
of the later Atherton settlement. Mr. Tupper was thus the first permanent
white settler in the township. Among those who settled, mainly at the
"Atherton settlement," previous to 1840 were Henry Schram, Capt. Nathan-
iel Curtis, Adonijah Atherton, Ashael Robinson, Elisha Salisbury, all with
their families, and Harmon Clark, Barnabus Norton, James Ingalls, Joseph
Chamliers and sons, John Hiller, William Tilton, Thomas Bownes, William
Bendle, Benjamin Boomer, Horace iioomer, Clark Boomer, Cephas Car-
penter, Tunis Cole, Adonirani Dan, Daniel Kstes. Col. T. Gorton, John T.
Gage, Ovid Hemphill, Harris Hiblrard. Charles Johnson, John McCormick.
Samuel McCormick. Benjamin F. Olmstetl, Walter Rail, William Rail.
Thomas Sweet, EphraJm Walker and Jesse Whitcomb. Jacob Eldridge, Ed-
ward Eldridge, John Clifford, Levi Walker, Benjamin Pearson. Samuel S.
Todd. Zenas Goulding, Charles P. Day, Nathaniel B. Overton, Jesse Chap-
man, Joel Bardwell, Jr., Jonathan Harrington, Albert G. Gage, l^Janiel Hil-
ler, fra Donelson, Timothy B, Tucker, Peter Stiles, Samuel C. Stiles, Abel
S. Donelson, George Beckwith, Warren Annable, Oliver Short, and a large
family of sons, Nathan I^mison, Mark M. Jerome and Andrew Cox.
The first years were trying ones to the people in the "Atherton settle-
ment." The removal from New York to Michigan and the purchase of
their lands had in most instances exhausted their means. For a year oi-
two many of them worked for the Atherton brothers, Captain Curtis and
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336 GKNKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Pliny A. Skinner. But soon their resources were gone. Poor crops re-
duced all to ;i common poverty. Destitution and privation existed upon all
sides. Women, nurtured amid the comforts and luxuries of their eastern
homes, wept and prayed alternately as their vision took in the dense forests
.stretching beyond the few acres of stumpy land which had been cleared
alxjut their rude cabins. But the band of common suffering only the more
(irmly knit the ties of friendship and neighborly affection and urged oi]
the strong arms and undaunted hearts that were to wring from the frown-
ing wilderness a competence.
The consolations of religion naturally formed a bulwark of strength
among these pioneers. A religious society was eariy formed. A majority
in the "Atherton settlement" were, or became soon after their arrival, mem-
liers of the Baptist and C"ongregational societies. Shubae! Atherton was a
deacon of the Baptist church. His brother, Adonijah, was a deacon of the
Congregational church. The iirst religious meeting in the township was
held in Shul>ael Atherton's house some time during the summer of 1836.
The following winter a revival took place. Meetings were held in thi
sch(x)l house. Baptists, Congregationahsts and Methodists joined in the
services and, as a result, every man, woman and child of the thirty families,
except one family, was converted and baptized.
The first school house was built in the "Atherton settlement" in the
summer of 1836. .The first teacher was Betsey Atherton, daughter of
Adonijah. From 1836 to 1856 the schools and school reports are so inter-
woven with those of Flint township that separate school data for Burton
is practically impossible to obtain.
On April 7, 1856, the first town.ship meeting was held at the Atherton
school house, when the following officers were elected: Supervisor, Harlow
Whittlesey; township clerk, Daniel E. Salisbury; treasurer, Robert Cham-
liers; school inspector, Henry D. Frost; justices of the peace, Jacob M.
Eldridge, Talman Frost, Nelson Norton and Joel Bardwell; highway com-
missioners, Enoch M. Chambers, Abalino Babcock and Harrison G. Conger;
directors of the poor, Ira Chase and Salmon Stone; constables, Edward
Eldridge, Lorenzo T. Frost, Charles Pettis and Perry Judd; overseers of
highways: District No. i, William Van Buren; No. 2, Francis Hitchcock;
No, 3. James BigeJow; No. 4, Jacob Plass; No. 5, Richard Bush; No. 6,
Joseph W. Metcalf: No, 7, Salmon Stone; No, 8, John P". Alexander; No.
9, Caleb Gillett; No. 10, Daniel Jeffers; No. 11, Ambrose Jones; No. 12,
William L. Van Tuyle; No. 13, Perus Atherton; No. 14, Henry F. Frank-
hn; No. 15, John O'Conor; No, 16, David Smith; No. 17, JoeJ Wardwell;
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 237
No. 18, Asa Wolverton; No. IQ, Ira Chase; No. 20, Wallace W. Gorton;
No. 21, Rnfus Chase; No. 22, Henry F. Hill.
CLAYTON TOWNSHIP.
The township of Clayton was originally covered with dense forest,
where the wolf, the panther and the bear found safe retreat, where the
pride of the forest— the deer— had his home and where the red mail am-
bushed his foe or stalked his game. A more herculean task than that of
clearing away this sturdy greenwood and preparing the pleasant farms
which today dot its surface can hardly be imagined, but the indemitable will
and perseverance of the pioneers, together with their ability to endure long
and severe toil with all its attendant hardships, accomplished the mighty
work.
The history of this achievement l>egan in the locality known as the
"Miller settlement." In 1836, Adam Miller, a native of Germany who had
lived for a time in Livingston county. New York, settled with his family on
section 35. They came into the township by way of Flint, following ;
well-worn Indian trail which led north as far as the Indian sugar camp in
Gaines township. This trail became approximately the line of a portion of
what afterwards came to be known as the "Miller road," the first in the
township.
During the infancy of this settlement, people coming here from lb-
direction of Flint spoke of going "up the Swartz." In time the small stream
flowing near liecame known as Swartu creek, though only a branch of the
main stream, which gave its name to the postoffice established there in 1S42.
The mail route extended from Flint north to the Grand river road, via
Vernon and old Shrawasseetown. Peter Miller, a son of Adam Miller, was
one of the first postmasters. In the same year with the postoffice a store
was started in the Miller settlement by Miller and Rail. The village of
Swartz Creek was not platted until 1877, the year after the railway was
completed.
It was probably in this settlement that the first school in the township
was taught. The children of the settlement first attended a school kept bv
Miss Watkins, of Mundy, in a log school house built across the line in
Gaines in the spring of 1838. In 1S39 a frame school house was erected
on the north side of the line where later the store of Messrs. Miller stood.
.A religious society was here organized by the Methodists as early as the
dbyGoot^lc
2^8 GENESEE COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.
fall of 1837. Kev. Whitney, then stationed at Flint, was the first preacher.
In 1856 a frame church was built on land taken from the Miller property.
Early pioneers of 1837 in or near the Miller settlement were John
and Thomas Nash, John Hartsock, Seth Silsby, Emir Woodin, Seth Hath-
away and Sedgwick P. Stedman.
Another early beginning was the "Lyons settlement," in the northwest
part of the township. In the winter of 1839 Isaac Lyons, in compan}-
with his brothers-in-law, Jacob Coddington and John Clement, all from
Tompkins county. New York, but residing since 1836 in Flint, settled here.
Mr. Lyons built a log blacksmith shop on the comer of his place, for a long
time the only one within a radius of many miles. About 1844 a log school
house was built on the corner of his land, in which the first school was kept
by Miss Angeline Smith.
A third settlement of note in the early days was the "Donahoo settle-
ment." In 1845 Michael Donahoo, always known here as "Squire" Etona-
hoo, came from the north of Ireland to America and settled in Clayton.
When he came to the township there was but one team of horses in it except
a span of ponies owned by Daniel Miller, although several owned one horse.
Oxen were used universally for teaming. "Erin's green isle" sent several
sons to become residents of Clayton. Considerably earlier than Squire
Donahoo were Bernard Lennon and Patrick Conlen, who came in 1834-40.
Both later married sisters of Michael Donahoo. Bernard Trayor, who also
married a sister of Mr. Donahoo, came with the latter and located in the
same neigh Iwrhood. Three Carton brothers, William, Peter and John, set-
tied about 1842 in die northern part of the township. Patrick Bradley located
four miles east of Lyons Corners. A near neighlx>r was James E. Brown,
who settled in 1840 and became one of the most prominent men in the town.
Among other first settlers of the township were Joseph iJurbridge, from
England, who settled near the center of the town in 1837; the Ottawa broth-
ers— James, Stephen, George and John— also from England, who settled in
the summer of 1840; Albert, Granger, William and Richard Goyer, about
1840-42; James W. Cronk, E. W. Fenner, James Glass and Peter Lan-
non. Sr.
In 1844, as shown by the official list, the resident taxjmyers in what
is now Clayton township numljered seventy-four. In 1846 the township
was deemed to have a sufficient jKipulation to warrant its separate organiza-
tion. At the first election, which was held in the school house in district No.
6, fifty-one votes were cast. The following officers were elected: Super-
visor, Alfred Pond; town clerk, Francis Brotherton; treasurer, Theron Wal-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 239
lace; justices of the peace, Seth Neweil, Isaac Lyons and Caleb Calkins; asses-
sor, Harry Brotherton and Seth Silsby ; commissioners of highways, Richard
C. Goyer, John C. Clement and John M. Nash; inspectors of schools, Alan-
son Niles and Alfred Pond; directors of the poor, Alex. H. Fenner and Barn-
ard Carpenter; constables, John M. Nash, Silas Henry and Elhanan W.
Fenner ; overseers of highways, Alfred Richardson, Wright N. Clement, Albert
Granger, Alexander H. Fenner, William Piper, Bernard Lennon, John M.
Nash, Morgan D. Chapman, Abraham Knight and David Felt.
In July, 1833, Charles McLean came to \'ienna township from Sagi-
naw county, whither he had emigrated about 1826 from "York state." His
house became one of the earliest hostelries in this township, on the Saginaw
turnpike. He also built the first frame school house in the township, about
opposite the later village school house; in this house was kept the postoftice,
established in 1836 or 1837, for all the region lying between Flint and Sagi-
naw, and there also was held the first township election.
Prominent among the early settlers of this township were Sylvester Vib-
bard, Hiram Benjamin, Joseph C. Winters, Humphrey Mclean, George
Sparks, Waterman W. Neff, Clark Abbey, George Huyck, Theodore P.
Dean, Reuben and Daniel Warner, Russell G. Hurd, William Hotchkiss,
Isaiah Merriman, Edward Maybee, ChristojiJier Hughes, William Sissins,
Joshua Pattee, George T. Bingham, Samuel Rone, John R. Whittemore,
Ormond and Joel Booth, Marcus Goodrich, Nahum N. Wilson, Lemuel John-
son. John Jackson, Charles Montle, Justin S. W. Porter, Nicholas Sigsby.
Daniel N. Montague, Capt. Robert L. Hurd, Grovener Vinton and Seth N.
Beden.
Among the "first things" in the township, to Hiram Benjamin is ascril^ed
the honor of being the father of the first white child born in the new settle-
ment— a daughter — her birth occurring early in 1836. Theodore P. Dean,
from Saginaw county, built the first saw-mill in the township, in 1838, at
the site of the present Clio.
By the same act as Mundy township, Vienna was organized March 11,
1837, and the first township meeting was held April 3 at the house of
Charles McLean. Officers were chosen as follows: Moderator, William
Hotchkiss; inspectors of election, Hiram Benjamin. Grovener Vinton, Josiah
C. Winters; clerk, Thomas J. Drake; supervisor, William Hotchkiss; town
clerk, Hiram Benjamin ; assessor, Clark Abbey, Isaac Van Tuyl and George
dbyGoot^lc
240 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Sparks; collector, Edward Maybee; directors of £he poor, Charles McLean
and Theodore P. Dean; highway commissioners, Grovener Vinton, Hiram
Benjamin and Waterman W. Neff; constables, Edward Maybee and Charles
McLean; school inspectors, Russell G. Hurd, William Hotchkiss and L Mer-
riman; justices of the peace, Russell G. Hurd, Hiram Benjamin, George
Sparks and Isaiah Merriman; fence-viewers, Grovener Vinton, Hiram Benja-
min and Russell G. Hurd; overseer of Highways, Russell G. Hurd; pound-
master, Charles McLean.
The first school house in Vienna township of which record is pre-
served was a frame building, situated in the "Pine Run settlement." Josiah
W. Begole, later a prominent resident of Flint and governor of Michigan,
taught the first school there, in the winter of 1837-38.
The Methodists were the first to hold religious meetings in the township.
Their circuit preachers came to Pine Run as early as 1836. A class was
formed here in 1837 or 1838, the leader being Isaiah Merriman. A Congre-
gational society was organized here in 1845, by Rev. Orson Parker, an evan-
gelist.
THETFORD TOWN.'jHiP.
As late as the beginning of 1S35, Thetford, which was heavily timbered,
remained still a wilderness unbroken by the axe of the white man. From
1835 to 1840 scattered settlements were made in different parts and a large
share of the town was purchased from the government. A considerable por-
tion, especially the best pine lands, were bought up by speculators. The first
land was taken by Grovener Vinton, in January, 1835; he was also the first
settler. He came originally from Avon, Livingston county. New York, but
had lived since 1831 in the Saginaw valley. His location in Thetford was
on section 31. His second daughter, Roxy Ann, was the first white child born
in the township. Mr. Vinton occupied a prominent and influential position
among the pioneers of Thetford and enjoyed their unlimited confidence and
esteem. He lived to a hale and hearty old age, witnessing the vast changes
and improvements in the region with whose history his name was so inti-
mately connected and interwoven. Until the fail of 1836 Mr. Vinton's was
the only family in the township, when Isaac and Nelson Van Tuyl, with
their families, came in from Oakland county, settling on section 29.
One of the earliest and most influential pioneers of Thetford townshijj
was Corydon E. Fay. He came from Avon, Livingston county, New York,
and settled in the fall of 1837 on section 30. His house was about a quarter
of a mile north of Vinton's. He was a blacksmith by trade and built a
dbyGoot^lc
(JENFriEE COtlNTV", MICHIGAN. 24I
small log shop on the section corner, the only one in the region. The iirst
job of blacks mi thing consisted of making a plow-clevis out of the poles
of two old axes; the clevis was made for Grovener Vinton. In 1850 travel
on the Saginaw turnpike had so increased as to call for houses to entertain
the travelers and Mr, Fay opened the first inn in the town. It was known
as the Fay House, and was in excellent repute with the travelers who then
thronged the roads leading to the pineries of Michigaii. This was the begin-
ning of I'^ayvilie. Several other buildings were built and quite a settlement
sprang up. But its life was short. A postoffice was established here in 1842,
with Corydon I*"ay as postmaster. It was called Thetford and was kept in
Fay's log house. A school house was built here as early as 1838, known
as the Fay school house, on section 31. This was a frame building and
was built by Isaac and Nelson Van Tiiyl. It is probable that the first school
was taught previous to this by Josiah W. Begole, in a private log house.
The first school taught in the Fay school house was kept by Miss Calista
Hnrd, of Fine Run. in 1836.
By 1840 Thetford township numbered among its citizens Benoni and
Quartiis W. Clapp, Crawford Barkley, Charles M. Bouttell, Richard Buell,
Ezra H. Martin, Thomas Alpin, Leonard Beckwith, William Rice, William
W. Boughton, Reuben J. D>'e and Nahum N. Wilson.
In 1842 the township was organized. The first meeting was held
April 4, in the Fay school house, when the following officers were elected:
Supervisor, Isaac Van Tuyl; town clerk, Corydon E. Fay; treasurer, Simeon
Simmons; justice of the peace, one year, Isaac Van Tuyl, two years, Rich-
ard Buell, three years. William Rice, four years, Ezra H. Martin; highway
commissioners, Benoni Ciapp, Crawford Barkley and Thomas Aplin; asses-
,sors, Albert Castle and Nelson S. Van Tuyl; school inspectors, Richard
Buell, Isaac Van Tuyl and Nelson S. Van Tuyl; overseers of the poor,
Benoni Clapp and Grovener Vinton; constables, William W. Boughton,
Quartus W. Clapp and Uzial Boutwell.
DAVISON TOWNSHIP.
Davison township became a part of Genesee county March 9, 1843^ six
years after receiving its first settler. Since its organization in 1840 it had
been a township of Lapeer county. Its settlement began in the year Michi-
gan was admitted to the Union, when Andrew and Alson Seelye and their
sister, Debby. settled on section 31. They came from Charleston, Saratoga
(16)
dbyGoot^lc
242 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
county. New York. In September, 1837, the father, Abel Seelye, accom-
panied by his wife and four sons, came from Saratoga and settled near the
other children. Miss Debby Seelye married Seth J. Wicker, who, in 1852,
erected the first hotel tn the township and sold the first goods in the same
building.
About a mile from the Seelyes, on section 35, settled Christopher
Miller in 1S37. Mr Miller later claimed to have settled first. He and
his sons came in from Chautauqua county. New York. He built the first
frame house in the township in 1839 and the first school was taught in his
vacated shanty about the same time by Miss Sabrina Barnes. In 1838 Ira
Potter, a native of Vermont, later residing at Rochester, New York, and
near Port Huron, Michigan, brought his family to Davison townshipj set-
tling on section i.
Mr. Potter's family did not suffer the wants and privations so common
to the lot of many pioneers, as he purchased in Detroit and brought here
with him sufficient flour and pork to last one year. Still for many yeans
they were far from markets, Pontiac being the principal point and but little
money comparatively was received from farm products. Ira W. Potter
recalls the fact that he very frequently made the journey to the latter
city, hauling with an ox-team thirty bushels of wheat, for which he received
five shillings per bushel, the journey occupying three days' time. All other
early residents here can relate the same experince and recall with great
animation the terrible condition of early roads and the consequent struggle
to obtain a few dollars in money at far-away markets.
In the years immediately following Mr. Potter's arrival came Justice
Henry and William Sheldon, from F.rie county, New York; Abelino Bab-
cock, from Oakland county, Michigan; Jacob Teachout, Harrison G. Con-
ger, Samuel Crandal! and Goodenough Townsend. Mr. Townsend was a
native of Wheelock, Caledonia county, New York. His ancestors served
in the American Revolution. He was the first super^-isor of Davison town-
ship and later served in many official capacities. He was the first post-
master, from 1849 to 1852, and established the first Sabbath school in 1842.
Previous to 1844 the following additional settlers were residents : Calvin
Cartwright, James A. Kline, Almeron Perry, William Phillips, Henry Hast-
ings, Thomas Park, William Thomas, Clark Potter, FJeazer Thurston,
Samuel Johnson, Abraham HotchkJss, Samuel J. Ashley, Abner Hotchkiss,
Robert Knowles, John Austin, David Casler, John Casler, Daniel Dayton.
Hart W. Cummins, Silas S. Kitchen, Iddo H. Carley, S. M. Fisk. Ira Cobb.
Elias Bush and Thomas O. Townsend.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 243
The first township meeting was held Apri! 6 at the house of Goodenough
Townsend, when fourteen legal votes were cast. The following officers were
chosen: Supervisor, Goodenough Townsend; town clerk, Jacob Teachout;
treasurer, Justin Sheldon ; collector, Abel Seeley, Jr. ; assessors, Jacob Teach-
out, Robert E. Potter and Alson Seeley; school inspectors, Jacob Teachout,
Robert E. Potter and Goodenough Townsend; directors of the poor, Justin
Sheldon and Abel Seeley; highway commissioners, Abelino Babcock, Good-
enough Townsend and Harrison G. Conger; justices of the peace, Jacob
Teachout, Goodenough Townsend, Abel Seeley and Justin Sheldon; con-
stables, Ira W. Potter and Abel Seeley, Jr. ; pound-master, Samuel Crandall ;
overseers of highways, Harrison G. Conger, Jacob Teachout, Justin Sheldon,
John C. Miller and Abel Seeley, Jr.
One of the earliest game laws in Michigan was that enacted at the annual
meeting in 1841, when it was voted, "That no person or persons shall kill
any deer in the limits of this township between the loth day of January
and the loth day of July of each year, and all persons killing deer contrary
to this law shall forfeit the sum of five dollars for every deer killed in said
township, and such offenders may be prosecuted before any justice in said
township or county,"
UlCHFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Richfield was originally a part of Lapeer county. It was organized
in 1837, embracing within its limits also the present towns of Forest and
Davison. It was added to Genesee county in 1843. The earliest settlers
of what is now Richfield were received only a little previous to its organ-
ization. In the year 1836 nearly all the land in the town was bought up, a
very good recommendation of its land for the purpose of settlement. One
of the most extensive buyers was Thomas L. L. Brent, a Virginian, who
explained as the reason for his extensive purchases that he wished to keep
the land out of the hands of speculators.
The first settlement was made in 1836 by Rial Irish, of Pontiac, who
cut his way through from there over a route known from that time as "the
Irish road," over which many other settlers came into Uiis township. He
settled on section 19, in the midst of considerable pine, and in 1837 com-
menced building a mill on Belden Brook to convert it into lumber. This
mill property was afterwards sold to David L. Belden for seven thousand
dollars; he began operations in 1S39, but, owing to his inexperience and the
extremely moderate price at which lumber had to be sold, he was unsuc-
cessful.
dbyGoot^lc
244 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Shortly after the arrival of Rial Irish came George Ohver and family,
who settled on section 21. During the several years of his residence in the
town he made shingles and acted as guide to newcomers who were looking
for land. His daughter was the first white child bom in the town. With
Mr. Oliver came Samuel Johnson, who worked for him awhile, but did not
become a permanent settler in the town. Thomas Clark was the third set-
tler. He was a native of Rutland county, Vermont. Early in life he had
removed with his parents to Saratoga county. New York, and lived later in
Otsego and Jefferson counties in that state. It was from the village of
Lyme, in the latter county, that he came to Michigan in 1836 and settled on
section 22, A little later the same year came Orsimus Cooley, from Oak-
land county, to section 20. The next family was that of William Teachout.
in 1837, who settled on section 30. In the spring of 1839 EHas Van Schaick
and family settled on section 39, A few weeks later came Jeremiah R.
Stanard and Argalus Matthews to section 6.
Some of the difficulties to be overcome by the pioneers are shown by
what Mr. Matthews had to go through with to get a small quantity of wheat
prepared for use. He had no team or wagon, and to get them, had to work
one day for the wagon and two and one-half days for the oxen. Then it
took him one day to get the oxen, go after the wagon and get to his home
ready for a start tP the mill. All the next day was spent in getting to the
mill with his grist and then he found that he could not get it ground under
two or three weeks. So home he returned and took his wagon and oxen
to their respective owners. Three weeks later the perfonnance had to be
rei>eated to get the flour home. Each night that he remained in Flint he
had to pay one dollar lor his entertainment, ,so that when he finally cast up
accounts, he found that he had given thirteen days' work and two dollars
in money to get seven and one-half bushels of wheat ground into flour.
Among others who settled in the town at an early day were Asa Davis,
William Draper, E. B, Witherbee. Isaac and Phineas J. Tucker, Zebulon
Dickinson. Andrew Chapi>ell, John Van Bu,skirk, Joseph French, Frederick
Olds, Francis Davis. Amherst W. Matthews, Alanson Munger, Jephtha
Stimpson, Nathaniel Hart. Joseph Morford, William Throop, John, Sr.,
John, Jr., and Leander E. Hill, Garrett Zufelt, Stephen Cady, Caleb Lank-
ton, Henry F. Shepiird. Nelson Warren, Samuel Elmore, Thomas Dibble,
William Munger. Noah Hull, William W,, Cyrus, and Isaac L. Matthews,
I-aban and Alvah Rogers and Andrew Cook.
The "first things" in the early settlement of a locality always have a
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 245
special interest. In this town the first saw-mill was completed by William
Draper and E. B. Witherliee in 1838 on section 17. It was the largest and
Ijest mill built in the town for a score of years. The Belden mill was
second. The first bridge over the Flint in this town was biiilt in 1848 at
the crossing of the Irish road.
As was frequently the case in this part of Michigan, the Methodists
were the first denomination to enter the field of religions labor in Richfield,
holding services here as early as 1839 or 1840; among the members of the
first class organized were Asa and Martha Davis, Nelson and Elizabeth
Warren, and Joseph and Julia Morford. The first school hou-se was built
in 1838, in the southwest part of the town. The second was built on the
school section, in 1839, and the third in 1843 on section 6.
The first couple married in Richfield were R. E. Potter and Abigail
Clark. Tbey were married on the 5th of January, 1840. at the residence
of the bride's father, Thomas Clark. The ceremony was performed by
Nathaniel Smith of the town of Forest, then a part of this town. The
company present on the happy occasion consisted of the families of the
parties, George Oliver and wife and Elias Van Schaick and wife. Mrs.
Potter died Angust 19, 1845, leaving three children, the eldest of whom
was the first white mate child bom in the town. The second marriage was
that of Caleb Lankton and Maria Teachout, which took place atout two
years later.
A'iHage centers in this town developed late. Not until 1855, when V.
Maxfield and E, R. Goodrich built their saw-mill near the place where the
state road cro.sses the Flint, did the first symptoms appear. A tavern and
store followed. Much later began the village of Richfield Center, though
the first jKistoffice in the town was established there in the early forties,
with Pliineas J. Tucker as postmaster.
Of the first town meeting, and of all the proceedings of the town from
1837 to 1857, no records can now lie found. From tradition it is learned
that the first town meeting was held in a small shanty at Draper and Wither-
bee's saw-mill. Less than a dozen voters were present. The following is
a list of the first officers, as near as can be determined :
Si!]>ervi,sor. William Drajier; town clerk, E. B. Witherbee; collector,
George Oliver ; justices of the i>eace, Orsimus Cooiey, Thomas Clark, George
Oliver and Nathaniel Smith : assessors and school inspectors, George Oliver
and Thomas Clark; commissioners of highways, George Oliver, William
Draper and Thomas Clark; constable, William Rettan.
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246 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FOREST TOWNSHIP.
The name of this township, as might be supposed, was derived from
its heavy growth of timber. About three-fourths of it was covered with
pine, which stood in its natural state for many years. Speculators, who
bought up the land for the pine timber, let the trees stand till lumber was
worth a price which would warrant them in cutting the timber. At the
time the act was passed by the Legislature organizing the township there
was some difficulty in fixing upon a name, until a facetious member of the
House said, "As it is all woods, and nobody lives there, I think we had better
call it Forest." and Forest it was called.
James Seymour entered the first land in this township, March i, 1836,
on section 36. The first land entered by an actual settler was that by Henry
Hiester (or Heister), November 9, of the same year, on section 19. Mr.
Hiester bi'ought his family here from Livingston county, New York, eariy
in the spring of 1837. For about two months the Hiesters were the only
white residents of the town. Then the Smith family came. The head of
the family was Nathaniel Smith, a man of a religious turn of mind, steady
and industrious habits and upright, straight-forward, irreproachable char-
acter. The first rehgious meetings in Forest were held at the houses of
Mr. Smith and Mr. Hiester. The members of the Smith family grew up in
this community and were numbered among the most influential citizens of
the town. Next after the Smiths in 1837 came the Eegel family, from the
town of Howard, Steuben county. New York, at whose head was Stephen
Begel. The site of their settlement became later the village of Otisville, on
section 21, about which grew up this numerous and useful family of four-
teen children.
Other early settlers were Matthew McCormick (1839), an Irish immi-
grant who had for some time lived in Washtenaw county; Stephen J. Seeley
(1841}; John Nixon; John Crawford (1S42), a native of the county of
Antrim, Ireland; James Crawford, John's father (1844); Jeremiah Olds,
William H. Diamond, John H. Fry and John Darling.
Forest township grew slowly for some fifteen years after its first settle-
ment, on account of the heavy timber and the great quantities of the test lands
held by speculators. About 1845-50 the trade in Michigan pine lumber
began. In 185 1 the Hayes saw-mill was built near the Begel settlement.
A boarding-house, store and several dwellings for the mtll hands were built.
This was the first impulse to the future village of Otisville. John Haves
was from Cleveland, Ohio.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 247
In April, 1843, the first town meeting was held at the house of Stephen
Begel. Thirteen votes were cast, with the following result, so far as can
be ascertained: Supervisor, Nathaniel Smith; town clerk, Chauncey W.
Seeley; treasurer, William R. Smith; justices of the peace, John Crawford,
Nathaniel Smith, William R. Smith, Amos Begel; commissioners of high-
ways, John Crawford, Nathaniel Smith and Amos Smith; overseers of the
poor, Amos Begel and Nathaniel Smith.
The act detaching Forest front I^peer county and adding it to Genesee
took effect on March 31, 1843, a fe^v days previous to the first town meet-
ing. The reasons for this change of county relations were principally busi-
ness convenience and ease of communication. The main business of the
peoj>le of the town centered at Flint, and Flint river formed the principal
means of transporting their produce and manufactures to their principal
market.
MONTROSE TOWNSHIP.
The original name of Montrose was Pewanigawink ; a portion of the
Pewanigawink reservation of the Saginaw Chippewas extended into this
township. The new name was given by an act of the state Legislature in
1848. The township was organized in 1846 and the first meeting was held
at the house of George Wilcox, April 5, 1847. . The following officers were
chosen: Supervisor, John Farquharson; town clerk, John R. Farquharson;
treasurer, John McKenzie; justices of the peace, George Wilcox, Charles
Hartshorn, Benjamin H. Morse and Asahel Townsend; assessors, Seymour
W. Ensign, Sr., and Archibald Morse; highway commissioners, John Farqu-
harson, Benjamin H. Morse and Seymour W. Ensign, Jr. ; school inspector,
George W'ilcox; directors of the poor, John McKenzie and Benjamin H.
Morse; constables, William Wilcox and Seymour W. Ensign, Sr. ; overseers
of highways, Charles Hartshorn and John McKenzie.
Se}'mour W. Ensign, who was chosen at this meeting assessor and
constable, was the first settler of the township. He came originally from
Stafford, Genesee coimty. New York, in 1832, and first settled at Grand
Blanc. Later he removed to Saginaw county. In the spring of 1S43 he
brought his family to section 22. The same season came George Wilcox
and Richard Travis.
The most prominent man in the township during his lifetime was John
Farquharson. who came from Scotland to America in 1830. After a resi-
dence in Albany, New York, and Saginaw county, Michigan, he came to the
township in 1845. He was the first supervisor. To him is accredited the
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248 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
change of the name of the town from Pewanigawink to the Scottish name
of Montrose, His reason probably was to attract his friends in Scotland
and others of that nativity to the settlement. Among other early Scotch
settlers was John McKenzie, from Aberdeen, who came in 1847. ^n later
years a considerable number of Scotch families of sterilng worth made
Montrose their home.
Owing to the lumbering interests and its interior situation, the early
growth of Montrose was slow. The first mill was put in operation in 1849,
on Woodruff's creek, and was built by a colored man, James Sisco. A few
months later Russell Wells erected a saw-mill on Brent's run. The first
tavern was not opened until 1866 or 1867, by William H. Ried, and in the
latter year Thomas W, Pettee established the first store. The number of
voters in this township in 1859 was less than fifty.
THE WINTER OF WANT.
Any historical record of the early days in the township;^ of Genesee would
be incomplete without reference to the hard winter of 1842 and 1843. This
was a record breaker in the annals of the old inhabitants, and we may judge
something of its severity from the fact that snow fell on the i8th day of
November, 1842; as late as April ist the depth of snow was recorded as
three and a half feet on the level, while snow squalls were noted on the
17th of that month. Over one hundred and fifty days of sleighing were had
during the year. It is difficult at this time to realize that want could come
to the i>eople of this fruitful county, with its bountiful harvests of wheat
now being garnered and its crops of al! kinds that make for plenty. But
then the land had been but recently taken up. The great tide of immigra-
tion that poured into Michigan and into Genesee county came in 1S36, and
the swamps and forests had hardly been opened in most favorable localities
when the winter of '42 and '43 set in. Cattle, hogs, horses, sheep and
poultry had become rather plentiful, and the hay of the swales and scanty
grain that could be raised in the small clearings were all the fodder. Hay
in the fall of 1842 was six dollars a ton. In April, 1843, it was twenty
dollars, and twenty dollars represented a big sum at that time. When the
early spring came, even the best provided for of the settlers were coming
to be without fodder and with little or no grain. Silas D, Halsey, then liv-
ing in Grand Blanc, and one of the most prosperous farmers of the time,
records in his diary these hard times and the fact of fodder being exhausted
and cattle starving. Wheat in the fall had been three shillings and oats a
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GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 249
shilling [)er bushel ; in the spring the prices were one dollar and three shill-
ings, respectively.
These prices nominally as stated do not, however, represent their real
valne, as their scarcity made them cash articles and only a very few of the
settlers had any money, so the ]>rices asked and the cash payment exacted
made them utterh' unobtainable by the great majority of the people of the
county. Add to this the fact that the market was at Pontiac, and that the
transportation to Flint involved a three or four days trip, with a team which
must be fed by the way, and the difficulties appear.
On March i8, 1843, Mr. Halsey in his diary says: "A very gloomy
time. Fodder almost all gone and many cattle already dead and dyhig.
Some have had to browse their cattle for six weeks already, and many
Iieople arc destitute, and no prospect of winter breaking yet. What we are
going to do I do not know. It looks gloomy. The only hope we have is
that it will soon come around warm. If not. we are all gone." Later he
records the continuance of the cold, and even as late as March 24, the coldest
day of the year is recorded, and the freezing of the well twenty-four feet
deep, and iK)tatoes in the cellar lost by the cold. He goes out in to the
woods around, and with his son cuts down the bass woods; the cattle eat
their twigs, and by this process of "browsing" they ward off starvation
after the hay has lieen all consumed. A neighbor comes to report that his
family are reduced to the point of starvation. Potatoes are all that is left;
flour has been gone for a considerable time. He asks that his better pro-
\-ided neighiwr, who has some money, shall go to Pontiac and get flour to
save the lives of himself and others similarly situated. These api>eals are
not to be turned aside. Mr. Halsey takes his team and cash and after four
(.lays returns from l^ontiac with five Jjarrels of flour, and men and women
come from the surrounding region with pillow cases and other improvised
recqitacles, and the five barrels are distributed among the needy according
to their wants and as near as may be ; so famine is averted in the town of
Grand Blanc and many children live to bless the benefactor. All uncon-
scious of any merit, he had done his pioneer duty and, although he religiously
kept a diary of the events of each day, yet he modestly refrained from any
mention of this act, leaving it to be told by those who had been saved. Add
to the fears of lo.ss of their cattle, upon whose preservation so much depended,
the religious excitement caused by the "Millerite" prophecy of the coming
end of the world which was devoutly believed in by many and which was
cause of anxiety to many who doubted, and the extreme condition of the
men and women of this county may be imagined. Not only did the people
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250 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of this county face want, but the people of the entire state were similarly
situated. In Washtenaw county, Mr. Halsey records, the same conditions
prevailed, and even those who had money and wanted to buy, went out with
their teams throughout the state and came back to report failure, as there
was no wheat to Ije lx)ught. "Help, Lord, or we ijerish," records the pious
man. The middle of April saw a changed condition of weather and the
songs of the birds cheered the people; the snow melted away; the grass,
springing before its usual time, for the snow had kept the groimd from
freezing, soon brought back the pioneer hope, and the hard winter became a
reminiscence.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER VI
First County Court.
All or portions of the lands now in Genesee county have at different
times Iwen included in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, Saginaw and
Shiawassee counties. Genesee was set off as a separate county by an act of
the territorial Legislature aiJproved March 28, 1835, ^'^'^ ^'^■' judicial pur-
poses remained attached to Oakland. About a year later, on March 8,
1836, Genesee became an organized county.
The first county officers were elected for Genesee on August 22, 1836,
as follow: .Associate judges, Jeremiah R. Smith and Asa Bishop; judge of
probate, Samuel Rice ; sheriff, Lewis Buckingham ; clerk, Robert F. Stage ;
treasurer, Charles D. W. Gibson; register of deeds, Oliver Wesson; coroners,
Chauncey Chapin and Rufus W. Stevens; county surveyor, Ogden Clarke,
On October 4, 1836, the supervisors from the three townships then
organized held the first board meeting in the tailorshop of Daniel H. Seeley,
in Flint, These memibers were Samuel Rice, of Grand Blanc. Lyman Stowe,
of Flint, and Samuel W. Pattison, of Argentine. But on finding that no
iKioks or stationery for their use had l>een provided, the board adjourned
to October 17. Again adjournment was necessary, because of the absence
of Mr. Pattison, but he was present on the i8th. The first important action
of the county Iward of supervisors was therefore taken on October 18, which
was a resolution to raise a tax of $2,000 assessed and apportioned as follows :
Assessment. Coimty. Town. Collector.
Flint $203,973 $1,267.43 $23' 52 John Todd
Grand Blanc 117,896 732-57 146.20 Caleb S. Thompson
Some idea of relative values is given when it is understood that the
assessment and apportionment of Argentine was included with that of Grand
Blanc, together making oniy a little over half of Flint's assessment, which
doubtless reflects the property values in Flint village.
The county seat for G«nesee was located by an act of the territorial
Legislature, August 25, 1835, "on the west side of the Saginaw turnpike,
on lands recently deeded by John Todd and wife to one Wait Beach, known
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3^2 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
as the Todd Farm, at Flint river, at a ix>iiit commencing at or within twenty
rods of the center of said described land on said turnpike." It was pro-
vided, however, that the owner of the land should deed to the county two
acres of land for a court house and public square, an acre for a burial
ground, and two church and two school lots "of common size," which was
done. A building for the county jail and court room was begun in the fall
of 1838 and completed in the fail of ]83q at a cost of about five thousand
dollars. It was a solid, rectangular building of oak logs. The lower and
stronger part was the jail; the upi>er part was the court room. The persons
appointed as a building committee to superintend the construction were
Charles Seymour, Robert F. Stage and John Pratt.
Temporarily, for the holding of the circuit court of Genesee for 1837
and 1838, the sheriff provided, first, the upfjer story of Stage & Wright's
store, and afterwards the hall over Benjamin Pearson's store. At the
former place the first term of court was held in February, 1837, by the Hon.
George Morell, one of the justices of the state supreme court. The first
case tried and decided api}ears to have l^en that of Andrew Cox vs. Goshen
Olmsted, which was an ap-jieal from Justice Lyman Stowe's decision in
justice's court, in which judgment was rendered for the plaintiff for the
sum of five dollars and sixty-three cents, together with costs taxed at seven
dollars and sixty-three cents. The attorney for the plaintiff was Thomas
J. Drake. Barton and Thomson were attorneys for the defendant. The
case was appealed and a verdict returned for the defendant of sixteen dol-
lars damages ; the judgment of the justice of the peace was "reversed,
vacated and annulled, and altogether held for nothing," and Goshen Olm-
sted was directed to recover from Andrew Cox the damages and also the
sum of eighty-eight dollars and forty-two cents for costs of the appeal.
This judgment was given February 12, 1841, nearly five years after the
commencement of the case.
The other cases on this first calendar were:
1. Chauncey Bogue vs. Timothy J. Walling. Action for attachment.
Thomas J. Drake, attorney for plaintiif.
2. Jason L. Au.stin vs. Daniel R. Williams. Action, an appeal.
Attorney for plaintiff, P. If. McOmber. Attorney for defendant, Thomas
J. Drake.
3. Charles McLean vs. Theodore P. Dean. Action, an appeal.
Attorney for the plaintiff, T. J. Drake. Attorney for defendant, George
Wisner.
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(;eni;see county, ancHiGAN. 253
The first circuit court held in the new log building was the January
term for 1840. In reference to the first case tried there, Alvah Brainard,
for niany years a loved and respected citizen of Grand Blanc, who was one
of the jurors on the case, relates the following amusing anecdote:
"The difference between the parties was trifling. One of the parties
had shut up one of the other's hogs and was going to fat it. There was no
place prepared for the jurors to deliberate in. Mr. Hascall was building ;t
dwelling house on the opposite side of the turnpike from the court house,
so the arrangements were made for the jurors to go over to this place in the
cellar part. The house was set upon blocks about two feet from the ground
and the dirt had been thrown partially out, so that we had a shady, airy and
rustic place, with plenty of shavings under foot which had fallen down
through the loose floor above. There were no seats, but we could change
positions very readily, by lying down, or standing or sitting upon our feet.
It was a pleasant and secluded place — we could look out on all sides and
see what was going on u[>Dn (he outside. Being so open, the wind would
blow through and fill our eyes with sawdust, and it was a very warm day;
so, under all circumstances, we were not in a very urgent hurry and we
could not agree upon a verdict. The constable would look under often:
'Gentlemen, have you agreed?' Our answer would be, 'More water, more
water.' So along toward night we ventured out of the den or pen, and
went before the court without having agreed on a verdict, for or against,"
Judge Marell presided at this meeting. His term as justice of the
supreme court began in 18,^2 and he was chief justice in 1843. His suc-
, cesKors in the circuit court of Genesee county have been as follow: William
A. Fletcher. Charles W, Whipple, Sanford M. Green, Josiah Turner, William '
Newton, Charles H, Wisner and Mark W, Stevens.
In the proceedings of the board of supervisors for a meeting held
December 5, 1836, is found the earliest official reference to the county poor.
The sum of seventy-two dollars and fifty cents was allowed to Jason L.
Austin for care of county paupers, and sixty-three dollars and fourteen cents
to the township of Flint for care and removal of a family of county pau]>ers.
On January 8, 1839, county superintendents of the poor were appointed:
they were Benjamin Rockwell, of Flushing. Lyman Stowe, of Flint, and
lohn Pratt, of Genesee. The following day the board of county commis-
sioners abolished the distinction between town and county paupers; all paup-
ers in the county were thereafter to be considered a county charge. It was
nearly a <lecade. however, l>efore a county farm was purchased and still
longer before the fir.=t county poor house was bnilt.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER Vri.
Indian Trails and Public Highways.
It is well known that the degree of civilization to which a nation has
attained may be judged by the number and quality of her means of com-
munication and transportation. In the zenith of her power, ancient Rome
built a superb system of communication for the empire, radiating from the
"city of the seven hills" to all important points in the provinces. In the
sixteenth century the Spaniards found in Central and South America an
admirable system of solid and durable roads, which were built centuries
before the coming of the invaders; almost equaling the famous Roman
roads were those built by the Incas in Peru and by the Aztecs in Mexico
and Yucatan.
The earliest roads of the United States in historic times are the Indian
trails. In large measure, these primitive lines have been followed as settle-
ment has arlvance<l from the Atlantic seaboard westward. The early turn-
pike built through New York, the Erie canal opened in 1825 and the great
New York Central railway follow closely the ancient war-trail connecting
the confederate nations of the Iroquois from the Hudson to the foot of
Lake Erie. Michigan was traversed in all directions by the trails of the
Indians and their numerous paths in Genesee county bear witness that
here was a region important before the advent of the white man. In press-
ing their way through the lands of the county from one township to another,
the settlers constantly found the lines marked out by the Indians the most
expeditious and, later, many of them were made the lines of township roads.
Among the chief Indian trails of Genesee county was the great trunk
line for travel north and south, having its terminals at Saginaw and Detroit,
It came into the county on section 35, township of Grand Blanc, from
Holly in Oakland county, passed through the township of Grand Blanc
where the Saginaw road now is, and entered the township of Burton on
section 32. Thence it crossed sections 30 and 19, passed through the pres-
ent city of Flint and crossed the river at the Grand Traverse of the Flint,
It divided into two trails north of the river, one running along the eastern
bank of the river to Saginaw, and the other towards Mt. Morris, following
the highlands, thence to Pine Run and Farrandville and left the county
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GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 255
from section 3, township of Vienna. The swampy nature of the lands of
the county in early times made the ridges and highlands the natural lines
for the minor trails.
By an early writer the trails of the valley of the Saginaw river have
been likened to a fan spreading out in various directions from the lower
valley and reaching the headwaters of various affluent streams. There is
now great uncertainty as to the exact location of these trails, but one ran
from a place up the river near Geneseeville southward on the watershed
between Kearsley creek and the stream that enters the river on section 18,
of Richfield. This trail passed across near the springs on section 35 of
Genesee, and crossed Kearsley creek on section 2 of Burton, circling east-
ward on the watershed between Kearsley creek and Gilkey creek, coming
into Grand Blanc on section i, and crossing the main trail at Grand Blanc;
thence it ran through sections 16 and 21 nearly along the state road to
Oakland county, thence into Fenton, terminating at Long lake. Another trail
followed the watershe<l between the two streams that enter the river, one
on section 27 and the other on section 36 in Flushing township, and, fol-
lowing the watershed through Hushing, Clayton and Gaines townships, it
crosse<l the Shiawassee river where the road now crosses on section 26,
coursed around Lobdeii's lake into Argentine township and thence across
the comer of section thirty of I-^cnton.
These were probably the principal trails across the county of Genesee
(luring the time of the Sauks and down to the time of the coming of the
whites. Of these, the Abbott history says :
"The present county of Genesee was crossed in various directions by
Indian trails, which by being traveled for years by themselves and their
ponies had Ix:conie hard-l^eaten paths worn into the soft soil in some places to
the depth of more than a foot. The principal of these was the "Saginaw
trail," which was the Indian road from Saginaw to Detroit. Its' route lay
through Genesee count}' from Pewonigowink up the Flint river to its south-
ern bend, thence south by way of Grand Blanc and the Big Springs (Oak-
land county) to Detroit. The place where it crossed the Flint was known
as the Grand Traverse, or great crossing place, a name probably given to it
by Boheu, the P>ench trader. A Ijeautiful open plain lying in the bend of
the river, on the north side and contiguous to the crossing, was named, in
Indian, Mus-cat-a-wing, meaning 'the plain burned oven' This is now in
the first ward of the city of Flint, A part of it had formerly Ijeen used by
the Indians as a corn field, and it was always a favorite cami>ing ground,
as many as fifteen hundred of them having been seen encamped on it at
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256 GENTISEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
one time by people who are still living. Over this trail, too, for years after
the first settlers came to Genesee county, thousands of Indians passed and
repassed annually, the throng always being particularly large at the time
when they went down to receive their annuities. These yearly payments
were made in the early times by botli the United States and the British
governments ; the latter was usually paid at Maiden. The amount paid there
was fifty cents a head to Indians for all ages from the red patriarch of ninety
years to the papoose upon its mother's back. On these occasions, therefore,
every member of the tribe took the trail tu be present at the muster for
pay. After a time the British payments ceased and the United States adopted
a plan of paying at inland points to avoid the demoralization which resulted
from vast collections of Indians at Detroit. These interior payments were
oftenest made at Saginaw, but on one or two occasions they were made at
Pewonigowink. The money was silver coin and this was brought up from
Detroit on pack horses. Two boxes of one thousand dollars each, weighing
one hundred and twenty pounds, slung on each side, were a load for a pack
horse. The party (generally consisting of an interpreter and sub-agent)
made its way twenty miles per day and slept out in the woods without
fear, though without firearms. The journey occupied four days from
Detroit to Saginaw."
The good roads movement, which has assumed such proportions in
recent years, may be said to have begun in 1822. The old Indian trail from
Detroit to Saginaw, by way of Royal Oak, Birmingham, Pontiac, Water-
ford, Holly, Grand Blanc and the Grand Traverse of the Flint, had served
for the traffic of the Indians and the early traders and as bridle path for
the earliest white explorers, who followed it in their ex]>lorations.
In 1822, the unrest of the Indians growing out of their dissatisfaction
with the treaty of 1819, and their divided allegiance between the English
and the Americans, caused the government to establish a military ^xist at
Saginaw. Two companies of the third United States Infantry, under Major
Baker, were transferred from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Saginaw, and tlie
necessity of supplying this post made it imperative to improve the old trail.
This was done by detachments of the soldiers, under the command of Lieu-
tenants Brooks and Bainbridge. When their work was completed, it was
so cut out and leveled that horseback travel in summer and sleighs in winter
were possible. The old trait then ceased to be a trail and took upon itself
the dignity of a road. It is said by one of the old chroniclers, that the
soldiers built a bridge across the Flint, but if they did it was temporary and
soon ceased to Ije usable for the puqKise intended.
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GKNESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 257
The garrison, notwithstanding the skillful attendance of the post sur-
geon, Doctor Pitdier, found the place so unhealthy that it was withdrawn
in the fall of 1823, and with its departure the needs that had caused the
betterment of the road ceased and it fell into decay.
While the garrison was at Saginaw, a contract was let to John Hamil-
ton and one Harvey Williams to transport the supplies for the troops
from Detroit to Saginaw. These two, with Ephraim S, Williams and
Schuyler Hodges, went over the new road in the winter of 1822-3 with
three sleigh loads of supplies. They had to put ail three teams of oxen to
one sled to get it across the river and up the banks.
With the coming of settlers the need for road repair being imperative.
The terminus at Saginaw was a place of importance as the Indians there
were expert fishermen and the trout they took were in demand by the set-
tlers. In 1831 the sum of one hundred dollars was raised by popular sub-
scription for the puqxise of cutting out the road from Flint to the Cass
river.
On November 15, 1831, John Todd, tavern keeper at Flint, Phinneas
Thompson, and Albert Miller, school teacher of Grand Blanc, started out
with axes, a tent and supplies for two weeks on their backs, to do the work.
They moved out northward a few miles and camped, cutting back a day
and then ahead a day, and then moving their camp again. At night, as
Miller afterwards related, they were serenaded by wolves that gathered in
large bands alx5Ut the tent at night. While at Birch Run, Miller thought-
lessly left his leather mittens outside the tent and in the morning they were
not to bt found; the wolves had eaten them. Reaching the Cass river
they made a raft of ash logs cut out of trees on the river bank and crossed.
The section of the road south from the Hint was not so well treated,
for in 1832 Mr. William McCorniick, who came over it from Detroit,
characterizes the road from Detroit to Royal Oak as the worst he had
ever seen. He also says that the portion of the road from the old Indian
trading house of Riifus W. Stevens, at Grand Blanc, to the Flint river, was
only a sleigh road cut through the woods for winter use, and in many places
not passable for wagons because not wide enough. Soon afterwards, he
was called to go down the river as escort for a young lady who was to visit
friends at Saginaw, and, with Colonel Marshall, of Flint, they accomphshed
the route in two days by drawing the canoe over the riffles in many places
where the water was too low for free navigation.
The territorial roads built previous to the admission of Michigan as a
(17)
dbyGoc^lc
258 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
State were practically all built to connect Detroit with Chicago and St,
Joseph, and all of them, with the one exception of that from Rochester to
Lapeer, ran south of Genesee county.
W. R. Bates, in the Golden Jubilee history, says that the road from
Detroit to Saginaw by Flint was surveyed in 1826, but that it did not reach
Flint until 1833. The road map of the land commissioner of the state,
which gives the territorial roads, does not include this one In question; it
would seem that the road became a highway de facto, by its transition from
an Indian trail to a road by the work of the soldiers, and that its further
betterment depended more upon the vohintar\' ai<I of the settlers along the
The "Emigrants and Travelers' Guide," published at Philadelphia in
1834, contains a map of Michigan territory, and only one highway is desig-
nated in CJenesee county, the one from Detroit to Saginaw, marked "Gov-
ernment road."
The early desire of better facilities for transportation, and the lines of
communication most urgently needed by the settlers of Genesee after the
state was formed, are reflected in the action of the first Le^slature of
Michigan from 1835 to 1848, which authorized the laying out and establish-
ment of a number of state roads. Among routes authorized for Genesee
county, were the following: from Grand Blanc through the county seat
of Lapeer to the mouth of the Black river, in St. Clair county; from Flint
through Lapeer and Romeo to Mt. Clemens; from Flint to Ann .Arlwr;
from Flint through the towns of Atlas, Groveland, Brandon and Indepen-
dence, to Pontiac; from Flint through the Miller settlement, Shiawassee Town
and Hartwellville, to Michigan village, in Ingham county; from Flint through
the town of Gaines to Byron; from Flint through Conmna, to Lansing;
from a point on the Saginaw turnpike about fourteen miles north of Flint,
through Flushing, Murray Mills and Brighton to Ann ArijOr; from Fenton-
ville to Brighton; from Fentonville to Byron, in Shiawassee county; from
Fentonvilie to Springfield, in Oakland county. To authorize roads, how-
ever, was not to build them; many of these roads "laid out and established"
by the Legislature on paper were not for many years made ready for travel,
and some of them were not built at all in the way originally intended.
Road making, other than the state roads above <!escril>ed, began in
the activities of James W. Cronk and R. J. Gilman. road commissioners of
the township of Flint, which then included the present township of Clayton.
Flushing, Montrose, Vienna, Mt. Morris. Thetford, Flint. Genesee and Bur-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 21^9
ton. On June 15, 1836, these two commissioners laid out ten roads, which
were numbered one to ten inclusive, and were as follows :
Road number one ran across the country from the Lapeer line on the
east to the Shiawassee line on the west, its eastern terminus being the
northeast corner of section i, tow-nship 8 north, range 7 east, and its western
and northwest corner of section 6, township 8 north, range 5 east. This
road is now the Frances road, except the eastern six miles between Forest
and Richfield towns — those towns being then a part of Lapeer county. This
Frances road therefore, has the honor of being the first recorded road in the
county.
lioad number two ran from the northwest corner of section 6, town-
ship 7 north, range 5 east, east on township line six miles and a half to
quarter stake on north side section 6, township 7 north, range 6 east. This
road is now the Potter road between Flushing and Clayton, extended half
a mile eastward.
Road number three is described as running from southeast corner of sec-
tion I, township 7 north, range 5 east, to southwest corner of section 6, same
township, six miles. This is now the Beecher road, through the town of
Clayton.
Koad num]>er four began at the southwest corner of section 6, town-
ship 7 north, range 6 east, and ran one mile east, thence south five miles,
along the section line, ending at the southeast comer of section 31 in the
same township. The first mile of this road is now part of the Beecher road.
One mile of the north, and the south five miles of this road, were discon-
tinued by the commissioners of highways. December 17, 1850; the other
four miles are not now used as a highway.
Road number five ran south five miles from the southea.st corner of
section 5, township 7 north, range 6 east, on section line, and is now the
northern part of the Linden road, in the township of Flint,
Road number six, commencing at the southwest corner of section 7J
township 8 north, range 7 east, ran thence east three miles on section hne,
and formed three miles of the Stanley road in the township of Genesee,
Road numl>er seven commenced at the southwest corner of section 6,
town.ship 8 north, range 7 east (the center of the village of Mt. Morris).
and ran thence six miles east along the section line, and is now the Mt.
Morris road across Genesee township to the Richfield line.
Road number eight was the present Bristol road across the township of
Burton.
dbyGoot^lc
26o GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Roaii number nine was that part of the center road from Frances road
south to the Stanley road and half a mile farther south, in the township
of Genesee. This road now passes through Geneseeville and departs from
the section line on which it was laid out to accommodate itself to the surface
of the river valley.
Road number ten, the present Hemphill road, just north of the county
farm, one mile and five chains long, had its western terminus in the "Sagana"
turnpike, and its eastern at the quarter stake between sections 29 and 30,
township 7 north, range 7 east (Burton).
On July 25, 1836, James W. Cronk and Charles McLean, road com-
missioners of Flint, laid out four more roads.
Road ntimber eleven was the present Vienna road across Thetford,
running through Thetford Center and East Thetford.
Road number twelve is now the Wilson road across the township of
Vienna.
Road number thirteen is now the Dodge road across the township of
Vienna.
Road number fourteen runs from the center of Clio due south on the
section line to the town of Mt. Morris, a part of the Clio road.
On August 3, 1836, commissioners Charles McLean and R. J. Oilman
laid out road number fifteen, from a point on the "Sagana" turnpike, east to
the quarter stake on the east side of section 24, township of Vienna, a
distance of fifty-seven chains and sixty-seven links. This is now that part
of the Smith road in the township of Vienna.
On September 20, 1836, road commissioners James W. Cronk and
K. J. Oilman laid out three more roads.
Road number sixteen, from the quarter stake on the south line of
section 30, township of Oenesee, east forty chains, thence north on section
line forty chains, and east on the subdivision line twenty chains. This is
now part of Pierson street, I^wis road and a short unnamed road in the
township of Genesee.
Road number seventeen was the present Calkins road across the town-
ship of Clayton.
Road number eighteen is now the county line road between Genesee
and Shiawassee counties, along the west bounds of Clayton.
Road number nineteen seems to have been partly recorded by the com-
missioners, but the record was-erased, andon September 5, 1837, the then
commissioners, James W. Cronk and John L. Gage, in order to keep up
the consecutive numbering of roads, laid out a road and gave it number
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 261
nineteen, as follows: Beginning on the east line of section 12, twenty-two
chains and twenty-five links south of the northeast comer of said section
12, in township 7. north, range 5 east, thence west nineteen chains and eighty-
five links and ending north forty-five degrees west, thirty-two chains and
fifty links. The record is attested by Orrin Safford, town clerk. This road
was in north part of the city of Flint.
Road number twenty, laid out September 20, 1836, by Commissioners
Clark and Oilman, is, or rather was, a road within the present city limits
and in this record we find the first mention of Saginaw street. The road
commenced "at the stake in the center of 'Sagina' street, from which the
section corner of sections 17, 18, 19 and 20 in township 7 north, range 7
east, bears south nine degrees east, twenty-nine chains; thence south fifty-
one degrees west, ten chains and fifty links on Shiawassee street, thence
north thirty-nine degrees west, two chains and thirty-four links to a stake,
from which a white oak eight inches diameter, bears north seventy-six
degrees west, twenty links; thence south fifty-one degrees west, ten chains
to a stake, from which a white oak bears north forty-five degrees west,
sixty links; thence south six degrees east four chains to a stake, from which
the quarter stake standing on the south line of section 18, bears north fifty-
two degrees east, four chains and ninety-two links."
Road number twenty-one, laid out September 20, 1836, by commissioners
Cronk and Gilman. was the south three miles of Center road, in Burton,
running from Maple Grove road north to Mill road.
Road number twenty-two, laid out September 20, 1836, by the same
commissioners, was the one mile of the Lennon road between sections 19
and 30, township of Flint.
Road number twenty-three, same date as number twenty-two, ran from
the southeast corner of section 33, township of Flushing, north five and a half
miles on the section line. This road as it now exists conforms to the descrip-
tion alxjve only in two places.
Road number twenty-four, of the same date as number twenty-two,
is the road running north from the village of Flushing to the Stanley road
and a half mile east of Stanley road.
Road number twenty-five, of the same date as above, is three and a
half miies of Elm road between Mt. Morris and Flushing from the north
line of those townships.
Road number twenty-six, of the same date, is the Stanley road from
road number twenty-four east seven and a half miles, to the "Sagana"
turnpike.
dbyGoot^lc
262 GENESEE ^tNTV, MICHIGAN.
Road number twenty-seven, oi^^tlie saiii« *fate, is the ^tiort Of ihe Bris-
tol road running from the Shiawassee" courlty line east eig'^ miles thff?(Igh
Clayton into Flint township, to Otterbuiin.
Road number twenty-eight, of the saiHe date,, is the Leiinon ("o^d ffoi#
the Shiawassee line nine miles east through Glayt-inn to the middle «>^ flint
township.
Road number twenty-nine, of the same date, i& tfee Nichols road ;.''.«6ss
Clayton from Gains to Flushing.
Road number thirty, same date, is the river roftdl on west side of thf«
Flint river from the southwest corner of Mt. Morris to the north line of
Flushing.
Road number thirty-one, of the same date, is the Liiniieii road from
north line of Mt. Morris to the south line of same, and south: by the set-off,
half a mile into township of Flint.
Road number thirty-two, same date, was the Corunnai road' hv>ret Shia-
wassee county to Smith's reservation. This was afterwards- ihclbded in
the northern state road of 1838.
Road numlner thirty-three, same date, was the Calkins road' eaat from
Clayton two and a half miles to Smith's reservation.
Road number thirty-four, of same date, was the Webber mad. aiGiross
Mt. Morris, from Francis road to the Potter road.
Road number thirty-five, same date, was a section of the Pierson: roaid
four and a half miles west from section 25 in Mt. Morris.
Road number thirty-six, same date, is the Jennings road across- Mt.
Morris, from the Frances road to the Potter road.
On October 10, 1S36, Commissioners Cronk and Gilman laid out roads
thirty-seven to forty, inclusive.
Road number thirty-seven is the Morrish road from Swartz Greek,,
six miles north.
Road number thirty-eight was a road from southeast corner of^'seotibni
34, Clayton, north six miles on the section line. The south mile'of this-
road is now part of the Seymour road, and the north, two miles part of.'
the Marshal! road ; the other three miles do not seem to have been opened^
Road number thirty-nine was to run from the southwest corner of
■section 34, township of Clayton, north on the section tine six miles.- The
south three miles of this road is now part oi the VanVleet road; the 'oliier
three were not opened.
Road number forty is the Mt. Morris road west from the center- of.
the village of Mt. Morris, eight miles.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 263
On October 29, 1836, Commissioners Cronk and Gilman laid out the
Dodge road across Thetford as road number forty-one.
Road number forty-two, of Novemlier 8, 1836, was a road of the early
day from the "Sagina"' turnpike, eastward to a point near the first of Smith's
reservations; its exact location is now difficult to define.
Road number forty-three, of March 20, 1837, laid out by Commis-
sioners Cronk and Gilman, included a section of the Potter road, also of
the Richfield road ami Western road.
Road number forty-four, same date as forty-three, is the road running
north and south through the middle of section 3, township of Burton, to
the Ritchfield road in township of Genesse.
Road number forty-five, laid out March 28, 1837, was the first road
laid out by the commissioners with reference to the piat village of Grand
Traverse; it commences in center of Detroit street, where North street inter-
sects it, and runs north thirty-four degrees east to section i, etc.
Road nunil3er forty-six was laid out December 19, 1836, by James W.
Cronk and R, J. Gilman as road commissioners of the township of Flint,
and Daniel B, Blakefield and C. D. W. Gibson as road commissioners of
the township of Grand Blanc. It was eighteen miles long, and followed the
three township lines between the township of Flint and Grand Blanc as
then constituted. This road was divided into two parts of nine miles each;
the township of Flint assumed the maintenance of the eastern part, and
Grand Blanc, of the western. The portion of Flint was erected into road
districts No. i of Flint, and Grand Blanc's portion into road district No,
3 of Grand Blanc.
Road number forty-sei'en, laid out by Commissioners Cronk and Gil-
man, March 29, 1837, was a road in the vicinity of Farrandville and Clio,
from the "Sagina" road.
Road number forty-eight was the road from Clio north to the Saginaw
line.
On April 20, 1837, road commissioners, Cronk and Gilman, divided the
township of Flint into seventeen road districts. On March 29, 1837, they
altered the road running easterly from Kearsley street in the village of
Fhnt to the southeast corner of section 5 (the Ridifield road) and, as defined,
it became road numlier forty-nine. The record of this road is attested by
Addison Stewart, town clerk.
Road number fifty was declared such after a jury of twelve had declared
the necessity of opening it, on the 29th day of March, 1837. It was in
the heart of the present city of Flint,
dbyGoot^lc
264 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
Road number fifty-one wels an alteration of the river road north of
the river, in the vicinity of Flushing, made on May i, 1837; it was attested
by Orrin Safford, town clerk.
Road number fifty-two, opened May 15, 1837, by James W. Cronk,
John L. Gage and A. H. Hart, road commissioners, was three miles of
the present Atherton road in Burton, between the Center road and Vassar
road.
Road number fifty-three, laid out June 24, 1837, by Cronk and Gage,
commissioners, was the street between the Stewart plat and Maplewood
plat in the north end of Flint.
Road number fifty-four, laid out July i, 1837, was a definition of the
highway to connect with the easterly end of Fifteenth street as iaid out
on the map of F'iint village.
Road number fifty-five was the alteration of a pre-existing road in
■ the southern part of Burton, but the road as so ahered appears to have
been discontinued.
Road number fifty-six was laid out on July i, 1837, by Commissioners .
Cronk and Gage, from the present city of Flint to the southwest corner
of section 35, township of Flint; part of it is now the Torrey road.
Road number fifty-seven, laid out July i, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, is the two miles of the VanSlyke road in the townshi]>
of Flint, between the Atherton road and Maple avenue.
Road number fifty-eight, laid out September 5, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, was a highway across section 34, township of Clayton ; but
it appears to have been discontinued.
Road number fifty-nine, iaid out September 5, 1837, by Cronk and
Gage, commissioners, is now the Miller road from Flint to Otterburn.
Road number sixty, altered and laid out September 5, 1837, by Cronk
and Gage, commissioners, defines the river road down the river on south
side and alters the earlier surveys of the same.
Road number sixty-one, laid out June 8, 1837, by Commissioners Cronk
and Gage, was a road on section 25, township of Burton, which seems to
have been discontinued.
Road number sixty-two, laid out September 26, 1837, by Cronk and
Gage, commissioners, is the south half mile of the Lewis road north of
the city.
Road number sixty-three, laid out August 20, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, is a small section of the Potter road from the Clayton-
Flushing line to the river road.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 265
Road number sixty-three, laid out August 20, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, is a small section of the Potter road from the Clayton-
Flushing line to the river road.
Road mimber sixty-four, laid out November 7, 1837, is obsolete.
Road number sixty-five, laid out November 18, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, opened a mile of highway, now the Dye road between
Beecher and Calkins roads.
Road number sixty-six, laid out November 10, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, is now the Eray road from Frances road to Stanley.
Road number sixty-seven, laid out December 13, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, is now the half mile of the Lewis road running south from
the Carj^enter road.
Road number sixty-eight, laid out Decemlier 22, 1S37, by Commis-
sioners Cronk and Gage, is now the Atherton road from the Fenton road
to the Van Slyke road.
Road number sixty-nine, laid out December 22, 1837, by Commission-
ers Cronk and Gage, was designed to change the course of the McKinley
road three miles north of Flushing to curve eastward around the bend of the
river.
Road number seventy, laid out December 22, 1837, by Commissioners
Cronk and Gage, is now the mile of the Need road between Frances and
Mt. Morris roads.
Road number seventy-one, laid out January 17, 1838, by Cronk and
Gage, commissioners, defines a portion of the river road to Flushing through
.section 5 and adjoining sections, town of Flint.
Road number se\'enty-two, laid out January 24, 1838, by Cronk and
Gage, commissioners, and road numljer seventy-three, laid out at the same
time, described roads entering the site of our city; but they were evidently
not of permanent use. The later highways of the city and the building
of the roads outside on section lines seem to have supplanted these mean-
dering roads.
Road number seventy-four, laid out January 24, 1838, by Commis-
sioners Cronk and Gage, is now the Linden road from the Potter road south
to the river road.
Road number seventy-five, laid out March 26, 1838, by Cronk and
Gage, commissioners, appeared to have been straightened to conform to
the section line and is now part of the Atherton road, immediately east of
the Grand Blanc road.
Road number seventy -six, laid out March 26, 1838, by John L. Gage
dbyGoot^lc
266 (lENMSEF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and A. 11. Hart, commissioners, is now the Belsay road from ICai^t C^ourt
road south three miles to the Bristol road, in Burton.
Road number seventy-seven, laid out at same time as number seventy-
six, across section 13, Burton, is supplanted b\' the Northern state road.
Road number seventy-eight, laid out at same time as number seventy-
six, is now the Davison road to Davison township, which then was the
county line.
Road number seventy-nine, laid out March 27, 1838, by Commissioners
James W. Cronk, A. H. Hart and John L. Gage, now the Genesee road,
north from Kearsley road in Burton to the corner of sections 34 and 35 in
Genesee.
Road number eighty, laid out March 28, 1838, by Commissioners Gage
and Cronk, includes the Clark road in Genessee, from Vassar road west.
The town of Flint having been cut down in its territory by the forma-
tion of the town of Vienna by Act 31, of Laws of 1837, comprising town-
ship 9, of ranges 5, 6 and 7 (now Montrose, Vienna and Thetfonl), a
re-districting of the town was made by Commissioners of Highway James
W. Cronk and John L. Gage, March 27, 1838, dividing the town into eight
road districts.
Atlas, including the present Davison township, had also Ijeen formed
into a township of Lapeer county, and by joint action of T. R. Cummings,
Ira D. Wright and Parus Atherton, commissioners elected in the spring of
1838 for the township of Flint, and Charles Vantine and Asa Farrar, com-
missioners for the new township of Atlas, a new road, numbered eighty-one,
was laid out along the then county line, now forming three miles of the
Vassar road from Maple Avenue road north. This new road was to be
maintained, as to the south half, by the township of I-'lint, and as to the
north half, by Atlas.
On June 18, 1836, Ira D. Wright and Parus Atherton, commissioners,
laid out road number eighty-two, which is now that mile of the Geneset:
road from Bristol road to Maple avenue road in Burton; and on the same
day they laid out road number eighty-three, being the two miles of the Belsay
road between the Atherton road and Maple avenue road, in Burton town-
ship.
T. R. Cummings and Ira D. Wright, commissioners, on March 28,
1839, laid out road number eighty-four, running across section 13 of Bur-
ton, now part of the Lapeer road. This road was surveyed by C. G.
Curtis, surveyor.
On same day these coinmissioners laid out road number eighty-hve.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESKE COUNTYj MICHIGAN. 267
to commence in "the old road on the north side of FHnt river where Wilham
Blackington's west Hne crosses it," running thence by courses to connect
with Third street, in the village of Grand Traverse.
The same day the commissioners redistricted the town of Flint, divi<i-
ing it into fifteen road districts.
At the spring election of 1839 fra D. Wright, Ovid Hemphill and
Willard Kddy were elected commissioners of highways of Flint, and on
April 10, 1839, Wright and Hemphill, commissioners, laid out road number
eighty-six, which commenced at the quarter stake in the east side of section
29, Burton, and run west half a mile to the center of the section. This
appears to have been the first act of Commissioner Hemphill and the road
is appropriately called the Hemphill road.
Road number eighty-seven, laid out July 15, 1809, by Commissioners
Eddy and Wright, was an extension of TweUth street, village of Flint,
and was attested in 1844.
On November i, 1839, Commissioners Wright and Eddy laid out, as
road number eighty-eight, a mile of road across the middle of section 36,
Burton, from east to west. Only the west end of this is at present a highway.
On December 12, 1839, the same commissioners laid out what is now
-the Atherton road, from the Fenton road east to the Grand Blanc road,
,as road number eighty-nine.
P,oad number ninety, laid out December 30, 1839, by the joint action
of Ira D. Wright and Willard Eddy as highway commissioners of the town-
ship of Flint, and William Blades and John P. F-ritz. commissioners of the
township of Grand Blanc, commenced at the southeast corner of the town-
ship of Flint, on the county line between Genesee and Lapeer counties, and
ran west on the township hne between Flint and Grand Blanc four miles
and sixty-one chains to Saginaw turnpike. This is now part of the Maple
Avenue road.
Road number ninety-one, laid out March 13, 1840, by Commissioners
Wright and Eddy, is now the Davison (formerly the Lyon) road from the
curve in section 1, Burton, west to the "reservation,"
Road number ninety-two, laid out March 13, 1840, by Commissioners
Wright and Eddy, is Fifth avenue from E>etroit street to the west line
of Smith's reservation.
On April 6, 1840, the commissioners again divided the town of Flint
into sixteen road districts.
John L. Gage. Asa Torrey and Henry Schram were elected commis-
- of highways for Flint at the spring election, 1840.
dbyGoot^lc
268 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Gage and Torrey, July 4, 1840, laid out more accurately the portion
of the Torrey road in section 26, township of Flint, as road number ninety-
three.
On January i, 1841, the three commissioners, Gage, Torrey and Schram,
opened as a highway the mile of the present Belsay road between the Bristol
and Atherton roads in Burton. This road was not designated by number.
In March, 1841, the commissioners again re-districted the town of
Flint into seventeen road districts.
At the election of 1841 WilHam Blackington, Benjamin Boomer and
Daniel Andrews, were elected highway commissioners and E. O. Leach,
town clerk.
On July 12, 1841, Commissioners Blackington and Andrews laid out
road number ninety-four, in section 25, Burton. This does not appear to
be a highway now.
On June 14, 1841, the same commissioners laid out road number
ninety-five, which is now part of the Vassar road.
Road number ninety-six, laid out March 31, 1842, by Commissioners
D. Andrews and William Blackington, was a road within the present city of
Flint and had its terminus at "railroad''; it is now superseded by city streets.
Road number ninetj'-seven, laid out March 29, 1842, by Commissioners
Andrews and Blackington, began at the end of River road on the town line
between Flint and Flushing running southeasterly to the road across Black-
ington's land.
Road number ninety-eight, laid out March 29, 1842, by Commissioners
Andrews and Blackington, is the present Western road in Burton from
the Maple ave!iue road north to the Atherton road.
Road number ninety-nine, laid out March 12, 1842, by D. Andrews and
Benjamin Boomer, commissioners of highways, was a meandering road run-
ning up the river from E. S. Walker's land to the village of Flint, to con-
nect with road running northerly from Hazleton's Mills.
Road number one hundred, laid out March 29, 1842, ran north from
the village of Grand Traverse; it began at the southeast corner of block
36, Grand Traverse (corner of Third avenue and Henderson street), and
ran northeasterly by courses to the Genesee line. A part of this is n<nv
St. Johns street.
On April 23, 1842, William H. Lyon, Ada Torrey and Emery Church,
newly elected highway commissioners of the township of Flint, laid out
road number one hundred and one, now the east half-mile of the Hemphill
road, Burton.
dbyGoot^lc
CENKSEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 269
Road number one hundred two was laid out, June 4, 1842, by Com-
missioners Lyon and Church, from Court street south along the railroad.
Road number one hundred three, laid out September 17, 1842, by Com-
missioners Lyon and Torrey, is the mile of the center road between the
Atherton road and Lapeer road, Burton.
On June 6, 1842, William H. Lyon, Emery Church and Asa Torrey,
Commissioners of highway of the township of Flint, and S. M. Smith,
George Crocker and Andrew Hyslop, commissioners of highways of the
township of Flushing, laid out road number one hundred four, running
from the southeast corner of section 33, township 7 north, range 6 east,
north to the Crocker {now Miller) road.
It is to be noted that the Legislature bad set the west half of the
present township of Flint into the township of Flushing, and by survey
made January 21, 1843, Isaiah Merriman, county surveyor, defined the
line by distances and courses.
Road number one hundred six was laid out by Commissioners Lyon,
Torrey and Church, January 28, 1843. It is now. that part of the Mill
road in Burton, between Western road and Genesee road.
The changes made in the boundary of the township of Flint neces-
sitated the re-districting of the same, which was done April 23, 1843, by
Commissioners Torrey and Church, dividing the township into twenty road
districts.
Road number one hundred seven, laid out April 23, 1843, by the new
commissioners of highway, C. B, Petrie, John Hiller and Horace Bristol,
is now a small portion of Center road from Mill road north, in Burton.
Road number one hundred eight, laid out at the same time by the
same commissioners, connected the "river road'' with the "division road,"
now in city of Flint.
Under head of road numljer one hundred nine, on May 10, 1843. the
commissioners above named discontinued road number sixty-one, in sec-
tion 25, Burton.
Road number one hundred ten was located the same day by the com-
missioners along the south line of .section 25, to take the place of the dis-
continued road.
On June 3, 1843, Commissioners Petrie and Bristol, of Flint, acting
with Highway Commissioners Richard Johnson and Hanly Miles, of Genesee,
altered a road between their township, as road number one hundred eleven.
As this road commences at the Saginaw turnpike, at a certain distance from
dbyGoot^lc
2/0 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
a white oak tree, it is rather uncertain to locate. It was somewhere in the
north end of Flint.
Road number one hundred thirteen was laid out by order of the court.
Associate Judge Jeremiah R. Smith and Probate Judge Samuel Rice, and
ran from quarter stake in south line of section 27, Burton, north to the
former boundary of "town of Kearsley" three miles. Of this, only the
mile between the alteration road and Mill road, and the part between Lapeer
road and Court road, api>ears to be opened at this date.
Under head of road number one hundred fourteen, is discontinuance
order by the court in confirmation of the determination of the commis-
sioners, under road one hundred nine.
Under heading, road number one hundred fifteen, we have discontinu-
ance of a road from the intersection of Kearsley street with Saginaw turn-
pike, dated March 6, 1844. It appears that this road was discontinued on
verdict of a jury composed of Adonijah Atherton, Perus Atherton, Joseph
Chambers, John F. Schram, James Ingalls, Tunice Cole, Henry Schram, Ira
Chase, H. Clark, P. A. Skinner, Truman Echram and William Chambers.
The record is attested by Henry C. Walker, town clerk. John Hiller,
Willard Fddy and Ira D. Wright were commissioners of highways of
Flint in 1844. Pratt R. Skinner, deputy surveyor, did the survey work.
In 1845, Ira D. Wright, Charles W. Grant and Daniel McKercher
became highway commissioners of Flint and George R, Sprague, town
clerk.
In 1846, the highway commissioners of Flint were Gilbert Conklin,
James Carter and T. J. Gates. These commissioners caused to be recorded
certain surveys of roads. Of these, road number one hundred eighteen,
laid out November 5, 1833, by J. Dayton and Edward Perry with John
Todd, the first commissioners of highways of Grand Blanc, and the first
in the present county of Genesee, surveyed by H. Park, surveyor. The
record is as follows:
"Mlnutea of 11 roiid ueur Steeveus' Grist Mill. Comiueuclng sit jin Elm tree four-
teen incbea iu diameter, standing on the line of the V. B. Road soutli tliirty-eiglit degrees
west, twenty-foni- chains and nlnety-flve links froni tbe N. B, comer of section nineteen
township seven north of range aeveii east, thence south forty-live degrees west eighty-six
chains and twentj-elght links to a iKist standing on the west side of said section. Thence
on said line sonth one degree and thirty minutes east, four chains and sixty-eight Units
to the southwest comer of siild section. Variation 2:30' east Nov. 5th, 1.S33. H. Park,
Surveyor.
J. Dayton ) Coins, of
Edward Peri7 ) Higliways.
Recorded at Flint the 5th (l;iy of Mny, A. D. IStC.
Attest Geo. R. Sprngue town clerk."
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 27I
The grist-mill referred to was on Thread lake and, at the time the
road was laid out, in the township of Grand Blanc.
Road number one hundred nineteen was also laid out by Jonathan
Dayton and Edward Perry, commissioners of highways of Grand Blanc
township, August 29, 1833, also surveyed by H. Park, surveyor, com-
mencing at a post on west side of lot i, and running- by courses and with
reference to certain ]josts and trees now gone. This road was recorded in
Flint township May 5, 1846, attested by George R. Sprague, town clerk.
Road numljer one hundred twenty, a road from Steevens grist-mill,
was also laid out by J. Dayton and E. Perry, commissioners of Grand Blanc,
February 28, 1834, and it opened what is now four miles of the Fenton
road south of Flint. This was recorded in Flint township, May 5, 1846.
It was surveyed by Paul G. Davidson, surveyor.
Road number one hundred twenty-one, laid out February 24, 1834, by
John Todd and Edward Perry, commissioners, was "a road north of Flint
river," and Ijegan in the middle of the United States road at southwest
corner of section 30, of Genesee, and ran east to river, being the present
Pierson road to river. This road was surveyed by James McCormick, sur-
veyor, and was recorded in Flint township records, May 5, 1846.
The activities of the commissioners of highways of Flint in 1846 were
mostly in the line of correcting the surveys of existing roads, and espe-
cially in making their roads conform to the road laid through the county
by the state officials as the Northern State road.
On February 16, 1847, they laid out, on the survey of Julian Bishop,
county surveyor, the road now the Dye road north of the Calkins road
in Flint township. And on March 2, 1847. they laid out the present Atherton
road from the United States road east about two hundred rods.
The commissioners of highways for Flint, elected in 1847, were Charles
W". Grant, George Crocker and Jacob Eldridge, and A. Bump was clerk.
In 1848 the commissioners were Ellas J. Bump, George Crocker and
Charles W. Grant. On December 16, 1848, they recorded the survey of
the State Road Commissioners J. P. Bloss, P. Miller and S, P. Stedman, of
the State road from Flint to the town of Clayton. They also laid out
certain roads within the present city of Flint.
The changes of township lines by erection of new townships, and altera-
tion of old township lines caused by the growth of new settlements, necessi-
tated the recording by transcript of roads laid out in other jurisdictions,
and we find on page 117 of the Book of Road Records of Flint town-
ship the transcript of a road opened on the 15th day of May, 1838, by
dbyGoot^lc
272 GENESEE COtJNTY, MICHIGAN.
Gilbert Caswell, Benjamin Bower and Peter Miller, commissioners of Flush-
ing township. This was a part of the present Beecher road and the river
to Flushing west of the river.
The next transcript is of an alteration of the road which would seem
to have been the original Torrey road, made by Commissioners Gilbert,
Caswell and Bower of Flushing, on May 23, 1834,
The next transcript is of a road laid out along section line between
sections 5 and 6 of Flint, to the river bank, and appears not to be used as
such at the present time.
The portion of the Dye road running one mile south from the Corunna
road was laid out by Andrew Hyslop and Isaac Lyons, Jr., commissioners
for Flushing, November 10, 1840, and recorded by transcript in Flint town-
ship.
The next recorded transcript from the Flushing records was a road
laid out March 24, 1842, by Anson Gilbert and William Lyon, commission-
ers of Flushing, from the quarter stake in south line of section 4, township
7, range 6, and running south thirty-seven degrees and fifty-five minutes
east to the river road.
Next we find a mile of the present Dye road between the Lennon
road and the Bristol road, laid out by Simon M. Smith and Andrew Hyslop,
commissioners for Flushing, July 25, 1842.
On the 25th day of June, 1842, these two commissioners, with William
Smith and M, L. Barret, commissioners of highways for the township of
Mundy, laid the part of the present Calkins road running east from the
present town line between Clayton and Flint, this road when so laid out
being on the township line of Mundy and Rushing.
Commissioners George Crocker, S. M, Smith and Andrew Hyslop, laid
out, on May 23, 1845, the present Linden road from Maple. avenue three
miles north.
On March 18, 1884, George Crocker and S. M. Smith, as such com-
missioners, laid out the mile of the Bristol road immediately east from
the Linden road.
On December 7, 1845', Commissioners of Highways E. G. Langdon
and Jacob H. Coddington, of Flint township, laid out one and a half
miles of the Lennon road east from the Dye road.
On March 12, 1849, E. Walkley, surveyor, laid out a part of the road,
now the Potter road, between Flint and Mt. Morris, and it was adopted and
declared a highway by action of Ira D. Wright and William Bendle, for
Flint, and C. B. Seelev and Joseph W. Metcalf for Genesee township.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 273
On August II, 1849, H. S. Penoyer, surveyor, laid out the road after-
wards known as the Murray road, now a street in the newer part of the
second ward of Flint, and his survey was made a record ' and the road
declared such by action of Commissioners Ira D, Wright and Elias J.
Bump, for Flint, the same day.
The present Jiidd road from the Western road to the Saginaw road
was declared a highway by the action of Commissioners William Bendle
and Ovid Hemphill, November 6, 1849.
Kearsiey street had been used as such and was so laid out and dedi-
cated on the plat of the village of Flint river, so far east as East street,
which was so called because it was the eastern boundary of the village at
that time, so, on application of interested jjersons made to the commission-
ers on the 3rd day of December, 1849, the commissioners, William Bendle
and Ovid Hemphill, declared it to lje a highway farther out to the extent of
an additional forty-one chains and twenty-five links, to west line of section
7. This was in accordance with survey made b}^ Julian Bishop, surveyor.
In I'^bruary of next year, 1850, the commissioners extended it still further
and made a more correct description. These records of the opening of
Kearsiey street are on pages 134 et seq. of the Book of Road Records of
Flint township.
The many roads evened by the commissioners of the townships of
inint, Flushing, Mundy, Grand Blanc and other townships had by the middle
of the century so covered the county with roads that their activity in that
line ceased to a considerable extent, and thereafter we find them giving their
attention to the improvement of roads already laid out and to correcting the
descriptions, etc.
On January 8, 1851, Supervisor A. T Davis, of Flint township, acting
with James Carter and Ira Stannard, commissioners of highways, granted
to tlie president and directors of the Genesee County Plank Road Company
the right of way to use. for the purposes of planking the same, the Saginaw
road so called, from Flint to the north line of Grand Blanc township. This
action was cancelled by the same officers the same day and renewed by a
more formal and accurately described road, immediately after such cancella-
tion.
Thomas B. Begole ajjjiears on the records as one of the commissioners
of highways for Flint, in the year of 185 1.
We find about this time, alterations of the earlier roads, many of which
were laid by metes and courses, to conform to the topographical conditions
(18)
dbyGoc^lc
274 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of the lands traversed; also changes to make the roads conform to the sec-
tions Hnes. Among the activities of Commissioners Begole and Carter, in
the !ast of 1851, were laying out a mile of road north from the Davison
road, through the middle of section 3, now a part of our good roads system;
the survey of a section of the road to the home of "Alonzo Torrey." St.
John street was surveyed and recorded from a place near the "steam mill lot"
to the Genesee town line. A section of the Calkins road west from the
present city was another of their road creations. The "Northern wagon
road" was altered by them. In conjunction with C. Cartwright and Nich-
olas Hosmer, of Davison, which had now been set off from Lapeer county
and into Genesee, they laid out the township hne road between Davison
township and Flint, now part of the Vassar road.
In 1852 we have the name of Grant Decker as commissioner of bijih-
ways of Flint township, he who was the first mayor of the city of Flint.
In that year they laid out a small part of the Jennings road north from the
"reservation." This was accomplished in conjimction with commissioners
of highways of Flushing, Arthur C. Andrews and Truman Herrick. The
most important part of their official activity was the laying out of Court
street east from East street, and the record of this act may be found on
page 167 of the Book of Road Records of Flint township.
In i85,-5 the additional commissioner was W. J. Cronk and the board,
at that time arrived at the dignified position of having a clerk in the person
of G. W. Hood. During that year they opened several roads, and among
them one, in conjunction with the Flushing commissioners, along the line
between the two townships, now part of the Potter road.
Court street was o[}ened from a point near the small bridge eastward to
a road "known and designated as the railroad." A part of Stockdale street
was opened this year and a rather indefinite road near that extending east-
ward. In December they laid out the Dye road from Maple avenue north
to the Miller road. It appears that the latter road had acquired the name
Miller road as early as 1853.
In 1854 the commissioners had little in road opening to do, and the
founding of the city of Flint in 1855 took away from them a great part
of their resiwnsibility, the transfer of the city's street from them to the city
authorities confining them to the country roads. The rather anomalous
conditions that had existed when the growing population of the present city's
limits had made a center of population that warranted the formation of a
city government out of the township government, had placed a great burden
of responsibility upon the township's officials, and it is to their credit that
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2/5
they did so well meet their arduous tasks and so well solved the matter of
road making, upon which so much depended in the development of the county.
A little before 1850 a new experiment in road making was tried in
Genesee county, in common with the rest of the state. It consisted in
covering a proposed route with a layer of wood, generally in the form of
piank, from two to four inches thick, laid upon timbers placed lengthwise
upon a graded roadbed. In the absence of railways these "plank-roads"
answered a most excellent purpose. This was particularly so in those parts
of Genesee where the sandy character of the land made obtaining a solid
roadbed doubtful. Large corporations, heavily capitalized, were created
by state legislation to exploit plank-roads in various parts of the state. In
1847 was organized the first company whose proposed route lay across any
part of Genesee — the "Pontiac and Corunna Plank-Road Company." It
was authorized to construct a piank-road from Pontiac to Corunna, via
Byron, in Shiawassee county, which would pass through the southwestern
corner of Genesee; for some reason the road was not built.
During the decade 1848 to 1858 several of these companies were char-
tered for parties in Genessee county, and some of them built roads. Among
them were the Genesee County Plank-Road Company, the Flint and Fenton-
ville Plank-Road Company, the Saginaw and Genesee Plank-Road Com-
pany, and the Oakland and Genesee Plank-Road Company. They first pro-
posed to build a road from Flint to the south line of the township of Grand
Bianc, on the Saginaw road. The plans of this company came to naught,
though in 1854 Flint was connected through Grand Blanc with Holly on
the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad; as early as 1858 more than fifteen thou-
sand passengers a year were carried over it; its practical usefulness ended
in 1864 with the opening of the Flint & Holly railroad. The second of
the companies named proposed a road from Flint to Fentonville. This
road was finally completed and proved very useful. Its charter was repealed
in 1871 and no toll was taken after 1872. A fine graveled road has taken
its place. The proposed road from Flint to the Saginaw river was also
completed in 1852. This was of great benefit and was largely used until
the opening of the FHnt & Pere Marquette railroad, from Flint to East
Saginaw. The company last named was unsuccessful. Their purpose was to
connect Flint with Pontiac by way of Grand Blanc and Atlas townships.
Notwithstanding the "plank road fever" was at its height, the road was never
built.
Jn igog the board of supervisors adopted the county good road svstem
and appointed the three members of the county good roads commission. At
dbyGoot^lc
276 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
that time, 110 roads in the county could be classified as good roads, except
some sniaJl isolated stretches. The standing of the county as one of the
great auto niannfacturing centers of the world made this condition seem
quite inconsistent, and the people of the county, realizing this, voted four
hundred thousand dollars for road improvements. It has been the [wlicy
of the commissioners to construct the main traveled roads and unite these
into a system to meet the requirements of the county as a whole. Several
trunk lines iiave been constructed across the county ; one hundred and ninety
miles have been built and six miles were, in July, 1916, under construction.
In the gravels of the glacial deposits have been found fine materials for road
construction, and thus the ice age is doing an economic benefit to the people
in Genesee county today. The Miller road to Swartz creek, the Flushing
road, the old State road to Fenton, the old Saginaw turnpike from Grand
Blanc to Pine Run, the Lapeer road, and the Corunna road, are among the
best improved and most traveled of the new roads. This good work of the
good-roads commissioners meets the hearty approval and co-oi^eration of
the people of the county. The members of the commission are at the present
time Lynus Wolcott, Fred R. Ottaway and Wilbur Becker. In the fall of
1916 the board of supervisors took preliminary steps toward presenting to the
people of the county a one-million-dollar bond issue for good roads.
The activity in road-making throughout the county has t>een equaled
only by the road improvement within the city. The commencement of 1916
found Flint with twenty-four and one-half miles of paved streets, and the
present season will add ten miles. The expenditure of igi6 within the city
for pavement and sewers will approximate half a million dollars. This
furnishes a fitting sequel to the subscription of one hundred dollars raised
in 1831, and the cutting out of the brush and trees from the old trail between
Flint and the Cass river, in November of that year, by John Todd, Phinneas
Thompson and Albert Miller.
Graveled turnpikes have taken the place of the short-lived plank-roads.
Gravel beds are abundant in Genesee, and conveniently distributeil. At times
these roads have been constructed by corporations, which have kept them in
good condition and charged a nominal toll for all vehicles passing over them ;
at other times, they have been kept in repair by the various townships. The
automobile has worked a marvelous transformation in the condition of roads
in the county, and the "good roads" movement has placed Genesee among
the first counties in the state for the number and quality of her public road-
ways.
The conmion public conveyance over the early roads from Genesee
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 277
county to the rest of the world was the stage-coach. A reminiscence of this
vehicle, given by a well-known newspaperman of other days, is as follows :
Tlie old stage-coucli was the fastest and best public couveyauue by limd foi'ty-flve
years ago. Its route was along the muin puHt-roads, and, iiltbougb u third of 11 century
has elapsed since steam wae harnessed to the flying car and the whistle of the locomo-
tive usurped the place of the echoing stage-horn that heralded the coDiing of the "■four-
wheeled wonder," bearing the mail with the traveling public and their ba^uge, yet
along the byways iind more secluded portions of our country the old stjige-coach, the
venerated relic of our past, is still the speediest mode of ti-iivel and the stage-liom yet
gives notice of its approach. Thus, In this "llrectloB, and In ninny others, we cany
the |)ast with us.
As one makes a pilgrimage, in imagination, along tlie old stnge-ronte, the spirit
of the jiast seems to start Into charm, bringing back the old associations, "withdrawn
afar" and mellowed by the light of other days.
Reader, you can fancy this ancient vehicle — a black-painted and deck-roofed hulk —
starting out from Detroit with its load of pasaengers. swlnghig on its thorough-br.ices
attached to the fore and hind axle, and crowded to its fullest capacity. There was a
boot projecting three or four feet behind for luggage; an iron railing run oroimd the
top of the coach, where extra baggage or passengers were stowed, as occasion reyulred.
The drher occupied a high seat In front: under his feet was a plitce for his trai's and
the mail: on each side of his seat was a lamp firmly fixed, to light his way by night;
inside the coach were three seats, which would accommodate nine passengers. You can
Imagine the stage-coach, thus loaded, starting out at tiie ■'get-ape" of the driver, as
lif (vai'ks his whip oicr the bends of his leiiders. when all four liois*s spring to their
woik and anay goes the lumbering \ehicle. soon loht to sight in the woods, struggling
along the old Saginaw road, lurching from side to side Into deep ruts and often into
deeper mudholes.
For bringing people to a common le^el, and making tlieni acijualnted with each other
and tolerant of each other's opinions, gli'e nie the old stage coach on the old pioneer
road. You can ride all day bj the wide of ii man in a riiilwny car and he will not
deign to speak to you. But in the old coach, silence found a tongue, and unsociability
a voice ; common, wants made them companions and common haiilships made them friends.
Probably this was the only place where the Democrat and old-line Whig ever wei^e
tn quiet juxtaposition with that acrid, angular, intensely earaest and cordially hated
man called an Abolitionist. Spumed and "tabooed" as an agitator, fanatic and dis-
turber of the public peace by both the old parties, his presence was as much shunned
and despised as were his political principles. But tliis mnu thus hated was fouuil "cheek
by jowl" with Democrat and Whig in the old stage. Who shall say that these old jiol-
itlclans, sitting face to face with n C'lmmon enemy, and compelled to listen to "Abolition
doctrine," were not benefited bj It? Perhaps this was the laiveu cast Into the Democ-
racy and Whiggery of the past that fimilly leadened the nliole lump.
When the roads were very bad the "mud-wagon," on thorough-braces, di-iiwii by
two s|ian of horses was substituted for the regular coach. The verb tint was obsolete
at such times, but the lerb xpnitrr was conjugated througli nil its moods and tenses.
The wagon, the horses, the driver, and the iwissengers could testify to this, fur they
were often literally covei'ed with "free soil." The driver, sitting high up on the front,
was monarch of the road. B*ei-ytliing that could, must get out of his way. If there
was any opitosltlon. he had only to slap his hand on the uiail-bag, and say, ''tincle
Sam don't want this little satchel detained." And thus on they co. The drher, as
dbyGoc^lc
2/8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
lie ueais a tuioiu postofliLe bv the roadside oi *illafce nliip'i out ILie tin liorn fi iii
its sbe^tli It his side iiud s^ids fortb a succesbiun of peulmg uotea that wake tlie
slumbering echoes whjLh leierbuate and die awij in the dl&tant aicadea of the
foiest The taiem oi iilHge citchiug the farat note of the horn iw im mediately
awake 411 aie on the qui im to witness the coming In of tlie stage with its loiid
if passengers aud to heai tht news fiom the outei norld loutxined lu the old itid
locked leather mnilbag
The stage-coach of loitj fiie jeais ago was an imiHutaiit institution Its coihIUb
wns alnaj-a in inteiesting event It had ill the enchmtment about It that distance
lend" The settlement or Milage hiiled its advent as a ship returning from i long
Liulse bringing ielali\es friends ind news fitm i foreign land It linked the mood
land ullages with each other and kept tiiem all in (.ommunicatkn with tlie i utslde
"orid But tlitw little foui ntoked missives oming from long dis.tjute& whether
biltct dour oi business notes had each i poatnl chiige of one-quirter of a dollii
Correspondence cost something in those days
The stat,e-coach so finiiliar to tlie flist geueritiou of the piesent centon wis
famlliarl\ known is the Concoid coich and this no donbt oilglnated fiom the fact
thtt the oiigluil pattern was built in Concord New Hampshire, which in fact is
the habitat of this kmd of vehicle and the manufactnie is cairied on there to the
I lespiit time
The common stvle ot (onh coat probjbh fiom two huudied to thiee hundred
doLlar« lud hnd i« ni iiiv kmd* of lunning and standmg rigging as a lebei wagon
oi an iverage lake schooner On a lough load tlie middle seat was pieferable be-
<a«se being placed aniidship the motion was a minimum one while the ftiwiid
and i>iitlcHlarlT the lear seits snung up and down like the bow and stem of u sea
going ship in a heavy sen bows on On a smooth road the back seat wis the
lie plus vltia of comfort and the firat pisseigeis were suie to secure it With ii coach
full of Jolly pissengtis in plensaiit weather and cuitaius close diawn it wts renllv
a lUMiiious mole of tnveling, only es-telled on l.ind bj the palace cjr of aftei days.
As early as 1833, Joshua Terry had a contract for carrying- the mails
over the route between Pontiac and Saginaw. His trips were made weekly
and he had limited accommodations for passengers. Upon the establishment
of the land office and postoffice at Flint River village, WiUiam Cltfiford ran a
line of stages to Pontiac. This line was continued under various manage-
ments until the completion of a through route by railway. In an early num-
ber of the Whig we find the following advertisement of Messrs. Pettee and
Boss, stage proprietors :
The stage for Pontiac leaves Flint each morning (Sundays excepted), stopping at
Grand Blanc, Stony Run, Groveland, Springfield, Clarkstou, Austin and Waterford,
and arrives at Pontiac in time to enable passengers to take the cars the Siime day
for Detroit.
E. N. Pettee,
A. J. Boss,
Flint, March 23, 1850. Proprietors,
Mr. M. S. Elmore has written the following interesting reminiscence of
the old IHint stage lines :
dbyGoot^lc
GENTlSEE county, MICHIGAN. 279
i''cmr or flvi! — surely not moip than a lialf doaeii— luerrbimts of earlier Flint
reiuiiin to talk o\er exiiyriencos, when their goods and wiires were "liauled" on wagons
from the stiitiona on the D. & M. nillway at Pontiac, FeiitonvUle or Holly — James
Decker, WllUuni Stevenson, Jerome Eddy, Robert Ford, W. H. Hammersley, 51. S.
Elmore, et al. Please note. I do not say earliest Flint, or, siiades of Cotharin, or
I )'Doiioughue, tJrant Decker, Fox, Cuttiuiings. the Hendersons or Deweys mlgbt pro-
test my little list were too recent, Sam Aplin, Charles Selleck and John Atchison
n'ere the res|jonslble teamsters by whom all freight of whatever sort was transported
fi'oiii the D. & M. R. R. to Flint, each malting not more than one trip per day over
the uneven planlt roads, tiiroiigh ail seasons and in every kind of weather. The com-
bined loads of these three teams would not have tilled the smallest modem freight
i-ar on the F. & P. M. Travel over the siime routes on Boss & Borrell's line of stages
was r^arded good evidence of progress and the plank road to Saginaw an important
fact in facilitating travel and traffic, in tlie year of the advent to the writer to the
city — 1858— more than fifteen thousand passengers having been transported oier this
line of stages. One recalls the anticipated arrival and departure of stages — two, three,
and BOmetinies six — at tlie old "Carletou," on fair days or four. And right here I
^Uli take the liberty of quoting from an interesting letter to the writer, from a former
Flint boy, J. Earl Howard, assistant treasurer of the P. M. Company and of the 0.,
H. & D. Railroad Company office at Cincinnati. Referring to this stage line. Mr.
Howard says: "What a stir they used to make in the usually quiet town when they
came in from Holly and Fentoii. More noise and bustle around the old 'Carieton' than
there has been since with the new 'Brj-unt.' W. W. Barnes was the stage and express
agent, and subswjuently the railroad agent when the line was opened to Saginaw,
and the depot was located about JIcFai-lan's Mill, afterward joint freight agent of
the F. & P. M. and Flint and Holly roads. Afterward the depot building nas removeil
to the juncture of these two i-oads, on the river bank opposite the present passenger
station of the P, SI. The old freight building Is yet doing duty in the railroad yards,
on Kearsley street."
'I~lie oldest highway in Genesee county is the FHnt river, which is men-
tioned in the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787 admitting the Northwest
Territory. By that ordinance it was provided that the waters of all the
streams that found outlet of their waters through the St. Lawrence, and
which were susceptible of navigation by boats or batteau, should be free for
the use of the people forever. The Flint river has been held by the courts
to be one of the streams that come within this provision, and hence we may
say that this river is the oldest legal highway in our county. Even before
this provision of 1787, the river was used for the canoeS of the Indians and
batteau of the French traders who trafficked among the Indians for their furs.
The Indians had many villages, small hamlets, along the banks of the streams
of the Saginaw valley and to these the traders resorted; the river was the
logical highway for coming and going among these villages. Mus-cat-a-wing,
a Chippewa village on the site of the fifth ward of Fhnt, and Kishkawbee,
another village of the same people, located on the bank of the river about a
mile above Geneseeville, were two of these. On this waterway the most
dbyGoot^lc
28o GRNE-SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
important place was the Grand Traverse, the ^xiint where the old trail from
Saginaw to Detroit crossed the river, then the Pewanigo-win-see-be, or river
of the fJints. This point was destined to develop into the city of Flint. If
we were to go back into geological history, we would find a time when a
great lake spread out over a great part of the county, covering half the
present towns. Its waters, overflowing finally, by erosion of the glacial
drift, found an outlet through the great moraine deposit which had dammed
its floods. It drained these waters until the lake became a series of swamps ;
then a drainage channel, developing through these swamps, gradually grew
into a river and, sinking deeper into the till of the pleistocene over which
it flowed, drained the swamps and became the highway for the canoes of
the natives, just as the moraine where the lake found its outlet formed the
line of least resistance to their travel overland. So the two routes, one by
water and one by land, crossed where Flint now stands. It was not chance,
but the slow evolution of natural forces, working through the ages, that
ordained the building of our city where it now is.
The navigability of our river, in common with the others of the Sagi-
naw valley, was firmly believed in by the earliest settlers. Canal utility in
the development of a country was firmly fixed in the common thought. The
Erie canal was the great example. The guide books used by emigrants from
the East advised them to take the Erie canal to Buffalo and the steamboat
from there to Detroit. Many had come here by that route.
In 1839, Gardner D. Williams, Ephraim S. Williams, Perry G. Gard-
ner, James Frazier, Norman Little, W, L. P. Little, Thomas J. Drake, Ben-
jamin Pearson, Rotjert F"". Stage, Wait Beach, Charles G. Hascall and T. L.
Brent were authorized by the Legislature to o^wn books for the stock of
the "Genesee and Saginaw Navigation Company," which was thereby incor-
porated. This corporation was authorized to enter upon the Flint river and
lands on either side; to use such materials as it required to erect its dams,
locks, tow path, etc.— in fine, to do anything proper to canalize the river
from Flint village to a point in section 35 or 36, town 11, range 4 east, near
the city of Saginaw. Not only did the ambition of this company contemplate
the navigation of the river from Flint to Saginaw, but it proposed to connect
the Cass river by the most direct and eligible route.
So certain was the navigibility of the river fixed in the minds of the
Legislature even, that when, in 1835, the legislative council of the territory
gave to Rufus W. Stevens, of Grand Blanc, and James McCormick the
authority to build the dam in the Flint river "at or near where the Saginaw
turnpike crosses the river," it was expressly provided that they should make
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 281
and maintain a lock for the passage of water craft, ninety feet long and
sixteen wide, and from slack water below the dam to slack water of sufficient
depth a)x)ve the dam for the protection of the navigation rights of the nsers
of the river.
The navigation company apparently did not succeed in its promotion
plans, for in 1844, by an act entitled "An act to improve the navigation of
the I'lint river," there was appropriated out of the lands of the state for
internal improvements a tract of five thousand acres "for the purpose of
clearing the fiood wood from, and otherwise improving the navigation of,
the Fhnt river from the village of Flint to the Saginaw river." The improve-
ment contemplated by this act was left to the commissioner of internal im-
provements, who might dig a canal around the obstructions in case it seemed
to him the better way to accomplish the desired ends.
In 1846 a new corporation was organized, "The Genesee and Saginaw
Navigation Company," with Chancy S. Paine, George M. Dewey, Eugene
Van Deventer, James Frazer, Henry M. Henderson, Porter Hazelton, Ezek-
iel R. Ewing, James B. Walker. Joseph K. Rugg, Elijah N. Davenport,
Nelson Smith and William McDonald as incorporators. This company had
the same powers as the former company, but their limits were from Flint to
the mouth of the Shiawassee river. Similar organized efforts were made
aljout this time to navigate the Shiawassee and the Cass.
This company was, by an act of the Legislature of 1850, authorized
to make the charges therein specified for carriage of one thousand pounds
per mile, for freight of various classes; flour, salted pork and beef, butter,
cheese, whJske}' and beer, cider, etc., were in the same class. This act was
passed on the 2nd day of April, 1850, and a few days afterwards the scow
"Empire," frying the flag of the United States, had left Flint for its maiden
trip to Flushing with jmssengers and a cargo of freight. Some later trips
are recorded. But the navigation on the river was not demonstrated to l>e
feasible and, as Mr. Bates in the "Jubilee Historj' of Flint" says, the coming
of the plank road soh-etl the trans}>ortation question against the waterways
and the attention of our road builders was turned into another channel.
The real utility of the river as a water highway began about the year
1846 when the lumbering interests commenced the operations that after-
wards became so extensive. When the attention of the builders of our
county was directed to the value of the timber along the river above the city,
its manufacture into lumber soon became the leading industry. The first
uses of the river were of little importance measured by the value of the logs
transported, but the larger operations of the years beginning with 1848 made
dbyGoot^lc
282 GENESEE COUNTYj MICHIGAN.
it a matter of vital import to the groyving lumber industry. For a genera-
tion after 1848 the river was the center of the greatest activity. Rafting
was never a part of this transportation, as the distance was not so great as
to require rafting of the logs; but the drive, in the earlier period was very
important, as was later the booming of logs and transporting of same by
the boom company which was organized to meet the greater needs of the
growing industry.
The use of the river for log driving ceased about 1878. Since that time
the river has been deserted by craft of industry, but its use for pleasure
craft has grown to a considerable extent. Alx)ut the year 1900, "Cap"
Foster owned and ran the "Caprice," a steamer of about one-hundred-pas-
senger capacity, on the slack water of the dam above the city to Hitchcock's
Grove, a favorite place for picnics. Shortly after that time W. H. Smith
came to Flint and he built the "Dawn," a steamer of about the same capacity,
and ran it for pleasure parties on the river. He was joined later by his
brother, Louis Smith, and together they have navigated the river for pleas-
ure seekers since that time. Their gasoline launch, the "Mego," was a
familiar sight along the river for years, and later the "Genesee" and the
"Belle" have carried many thousands. The opening of Owana Park, farther
up the river, made a new place of resort and there are now from seventy-
five to eighty launches on the stretch of river above the dam. The limit
of this navigation was the Hitchcock grove for many years, but later im-
provement has made it possible to run launches five or six miles up the river
and in very favorable water conditions some have gone up to Geneseeville.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER VIII.
Geoz,ogic Conditions of Settlement.
In its geological structure the county of Genesee presents ;i double
aspect. The geologists of the state a,ptly call the first the "bed rock" geology.
This is the bed rock basis upon which the other structure, consisting of
glacial drift, is superimposed. If this covering of glacial materials couid
be removed and the basic rocks underlying I;>e exposed in their contours,
the landscape that would be presented would be of extreme interest. It is
not at all easy to visualize this hidden formation that upholds the later
deposits, but from the data that we have from driiiing wells, from some
shafts that have been sunk for purposes of coal explorations, and from
excavations for quarries and clay mining, we may get a glimpse of it.
Certain river beds and smaller drainage courses would be seen, and
the general course of the principal one would be found meandering across
the county from the southwest toward the northeast, and at this time but
partially defined, as the drillings have not been sufficiently extensive to give
all the desired data.
Outcropping the rocky banks of these courses would be found sand-
stone, of considerable thickness in places, interstratified with shales, thin
veins of limestone and, rarely, very thin coal veins. In the bottom of these
Iieds might also be formd, exposed at intervals, coal veins of considerable
thickness. The depth of this principal drainage bed has been determined at
certain points to have been at least three hundred and twenty feet — in the
northeastern part of the country.
It may be said that this river bed runs approximately across the towns
of Argentine, Gaines, Mundy, curving eastward through Grand Blanc into
Burton and toward Thread Lake, crossing the city of I-ilint toward the hos-
pital, thence northward toward Mt. Morris, turning then into Genesee town-
ship, and through that meandering toward Forest and through that town,
where it reaches its greatest depth.
This pre-glacial valley, which the oil drillers of Ohio would call the
"lobe," had its lateral affluent valleys. To Henry Meida, an experienced well
driller, whose work has extended through many of the towns of our county
dbyGoot^lc
284 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
antl who hiis been interested to keep records of other wells, we are indebted
for these facts. From his statement the various depths of hard rock under
the city of Flint are as follows : On edge of Thread Lake and near Stan-
ford avenue, 220 feet; on Nichols street, near Swartz creek, 20 feet; on
Grand Traverse street, corner of Court, 70 feet; on comer of Beach and
Ninth streets, 100 feet; on Fenton road east of G. T. tracks, alxiut 56 feet;
near M. S. D., ico feet; a mile south of that, 150 feet; coal mine of Old
Genesee Coal Company, 150 to 180 feet; corner of Detroit and Ninth ave-
nue, 130 feet; near Crosby and Detroit streets. 200 feet. Away from the
principal drainage course as given above, the depth in many places runs
:iIjout twenty to thirty feet.
In general terms, the hard rock formation under our county may be said
to be of the Saginaw and Woodvitle formations, as classified by our state
geologists, corresponding to the Conemaugh of Pennsylvania. It is of the
upper coal measures and a part of the great central coal basin of lower
Michigan, which comprises the coimties of Shiawassee, Clinton, Ionia, Gratiot,
Isabella, ilontcaini. Midland, Saginaw, Bay, Genesee, and parts of many
adjoining counties. Saginaw, in particular deserves special mention, as it is
there and in Bay county adjoining, that this coal region referred to has been
commercially developed. If we will bear in mind the mitten shape of our
peninsula, this coal basin might be' figurativeh said to lay in the niittenod
hand.
]\lr. Brentz, now of the geological department of Chicago University,
when he was teacher of Flint high school made some geological explora-
tions of the county. He states that the general surface of the underlying
hard rock foundation of tlie county conformed generally to the surface of
the present time, suggesting that the distribution of glacial materials over
thi*^ hard rock Ixisis was ratlier uniform in thickness, or relatively so.
The present surface of our county, its physiographic features, the con-
tour of its hills and valleys, however, are the results of a different and later
geological period — the period of glacial action, when the ice fields that covered
the greater part of northern United States hid this hard rock, filling in its
drainage courses, its river l)eds that had been eroded through the action of
water during the long geological ages, and made a new surface. The old
things passed away and new conditions reigned. The rugged rocky hills, that
towered above these ancient valleys and ravines, with their caverns, and rivers
running over rock and shingle, were hidden by tlie gravels, sand, till, clay and
boulders that were transported by the mighty force of the moving river of
ice from the north, which flowed a few feet each year over our land, and
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 285
finally, when that ice sheet receded under the heats of an aUcred chniate, tlie
receding glacier, halting its retreat here and there as though reluctant to
give back the land that it had conquered, standing at bay for a time, spread-
ing tiie earth that was part of itself, here in mounds, there in ridges, damming
the waters, or directing their courses, made a new land and prepared for a
new life. The river that had been, ceased to be, and a new river was born, to
run according to the will of the glacier that gave it being. The genius of the
ice was not content to take a life, as in the poem of Goethe, but busted itself
with making a continent.
When the receding glacier had so far retreated that the southern portion
of the state was freed from the ice, the lobe that pushed itself up through the
bay of Saginaw, lingered, and its various stages of recession and retrogres-
sion made the hilis and valleys, guided the waters of our county, made the
soils, piled up the gravels, spread the clay, the sand and gravels, and gave
]K>tential being to the deposits of mar! in the lakes; then the county of
Genesee was formed and its future was determined.
This lobe, the Saginaw glacier, spread out over the entire county. Its
effects upon the drainage were especially interesting and here is perhaps the
best example of what the geologists have termed the "willowy" system of
drainage. If we will note the direction of tlie streams, that together are the
drainage of the Saginaw valley in its extreme extent, we will see this system
in its perfect development. Turn a map of Michigan over so that we face the
head of the bay of Saginaw. Note the Saginaw river entering the head of
the bay, then follow the Cass river up from the entrv^ of that river into the
Saginaw, to its head waters, and we see that the main river follows along a
course that almost parallels the shores of the bay, curving around southwest-
erly, then west, then north by northwest, until it joins the Saginaw ; then
follow the course of the Tittabawassee. as it curves around parallel to the
western shore of the bay, in a similar way, until it reaches and joins its waters
with those of the Saginaw and Cass, and all are discharged tlirough the Sagi-
naw into the bay. This system of drainage, from its similarity to the willow
tree, gives the name "willowy" to the geological nomenclature of this day.
The Saginaw river forms the trunk of the tree, the two rivers named form
the drooping branches, and the other affluent streams, the tree top, and the
striking similarity is apparent.
The question occurs. What is the cause of this pecuHar drainage system?
Why did not these rivers all flow direct toward the bay which finally received
their waters? The explanation is the glacier. The waters of Genesee county
dbyGoot^lc
286 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
furnish a less conspicuous example o£ the same kind of drainage and its
course is also assignable to the same cause.
The sites of the two most southern townships of our county, Atlas and
Fenton, were the first to emerge from the ice of the glacier. For a con-
siderable period of time after their emergence the rest of the county con-
tinued to deposit its earthy materials along its edge, forming a distinct
moraine across these two townships, and damming the waters that were along
one edge, which, following the line of least resistance, toward the west, formed
the Shiawassee river; its course is directed by moraines of the two townships.
The emergence of these two townships from the field of ice meant their
general submergence by the waters of the glacier. The lakes formed by these
waters still exist in the following: Copnaconiec, Long, Loon, Mud, Silver,
Ryan, Pine, Squaw, Lobdell, Shina, Mecastin, McKane and Myers, together
with nianj- unnamed ponds and kettle holes.
The Shiawasse river receives its tributaries from the south, except some
of the lakes mentioned, which discharge their waters into that river. These
two towns cHspIay the most striking evidences of giaciai action ; the names and
ridges are marked, in many places, of considerable magnitude. There are few
places Ijetter adapted to the study of glaciation than this portion of Gene-
see county, not even excepting the region of Green Bay, Wi,sconsin, nor the
Leaf Hills of Mmnesota.
Of the Shiawassee river, Mr. Bretz says: "Bnt a few miles north the
land lies lower than the level of the stream (Shiawassee). The river does
not flow north seeking this lower level, because a moraine borders its north-
em side and the valley it occupies was first formed by border drainage from
the ice sheet at the time the moraine was built. The actual surface of Gene-
see county at that time was much higher north of the Shiawassee river, be-
cause the great ice sheet covered the land. As it melted, its waters ran along
its edges through this part of the county, eroding a valley, which the pres-
ent Shiawassee now occupies, though a puny successor to the glacial streams."
A further recession of the Saginaw glacier, and a temporary stand of its
field of ice, is marked by a line running through the townships of Forest,
Richfield, Genesee, Flint (city and town), the corner of Clayton, and per-
haps Gaines. This stand is evidenced by morainic deposits along the north-
em banks of the Flint river and the Swartz creek. This moraine holding
back the waters, and the glacier itself, which as Mr. Bretz suggests, made the
northern part higher, dammed the waters, forming an extensive lake cover-
ing the greater portion of Burton, Mundy. Grand Blanc, Davison and Rich-
field. And this lake finally, after the glacier had further receded, found an
outlet through the great moraine where the city of Flint now stands and in
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 287
the fifth and third wards, forming the Fhnt river as the trunk of the willow,
which with the upper Flint river, the Swartz creek, the Thread rJver, the
Kearsley creek and the smaller streams, make up our local willowy drainage.
This drainage basin is made up of gently sloping general surfaces, all tend-
ing toward the eroded outlet of the ancient lake at Flint, and coming- from
the east rather than from the west, as the general slope of the county towards
the northwest would lessen the drainage from the west. The Swartz creek,
because of these facts, furnishes the smaller contribution to the waters of
the outlet, the Fhnt below the city, than the other side of the willow tree.
To quote Mr. Bretz again, "Thus, practically the whole drainage of the
southern half of Genesee county, excepting the Shiawassee river, comes to
one point where the Flint river cuts through this moraine in the west part
of the city of IHint. North of this barrier, the Flint moraine, the streams
again take the consequent course with minor deflections. Since the surface
is more or less irregular with small moraine ridges and the beaches of a
second glacial lake, the adherence to a strictly consequent course is not
marked."
This covering of the basic rock formation by the glacial detritus, be-
longs to the pleistocene i>eriod. In this drift may be found the rounded
boulders from the granitic rocks of the far north, the sands and gravels,
decomposed remains of the sandstones, clays of various kinds, in which the
blue clay predominates, and which, in some of the lower portions, assumes
a semi-stratified appearance.
The materials of this period have been of great importance in the econ-
omic development of the county. The absence of exposures of stratified
rocks made the quarrying of stone impossible except in the township of
Flushing and along the lower stretches of the river; the boulders entered
into tiie building of the foundations of the early homes of the city and
rural portions of the county. Sand of suitable quality for building purposes
is found in nearly every town. In many places it was not uncommon to
find sand in the excavation for the foundation, of suitable grade to make the
mortar for the walls. Gravel for road-making was also common as a part
of the glacial materials. In 1913 there were thirty-three dealers in sand and
gravel for commercial purposes in the county of Genesee; the townships of
Atlas. Burton, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Chines, Genesee. Mundy,
liichfield and Vienna were all represented in the list.
The lakes of the southwest part of the county contain marl of a high
degree of purity and great commercial value. The deposit is both rich and
of great depth. In the early days the settlers used it to a limited extent for
burning lime, and it entered into the building of foundations and the plast-
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2»0 GENESEE COUNTY^ MICHIGAN.
ering; of houses of settlers. The lime used in the early building activities
of the city of Flint came for the most part from similar marl deposits in
similar glacial lakes of Lapeer county near the line of Genesee. Of these,
Lime lake furnished i^erhaps most. l"his marl was also used 1)\' the house-
wives for scouring materials.
Transported boulders of limestone sometimes occurred of sufficient size
and frequency to use for lime burning. One instance of this was an especi-
ally large boulder of that stone on section 7, township g, range 8, east,
Forest township.
CEMENT INDUSTRY.
The growth of the Portland cement industry in Michigan from a single
plant in 1896, with an output of seven thousand dollars value, to ten plants
in 1912, with an annual output of more than three millions value, has caused
the marl deposits in the glacial lakes of Genesee county to become of great
industrial importance. Before the year 1900 options were taken upon the
marl rights in several of these lakes, and in 1900 these options were taken up
and the rights secured from the farm owners of the lands around and under
the lakes. That year the Detroit Portland Cement Company and the Egypt-
ian Portland Cement Company began building o^jerations on the shores of
Silver and Mud lakes. Since then their operations have increased. They
first began to produce cement in 1902 and, with some exceptions caused by
re-organization and Htigation, have done an increasing business. The Aetna
Portland Cement Company, under the management of Mr. Simmons, has
been especially active and prosperous. It now has eight kilns and a daily
output of about thirteen or fourteen hundred barrels. They are now instal-
ling two new kilns of great capacity, and their prospective output when these
are in operation will be about eighteen hundred barrels of cement per day.
The market is practically all in the state of Michigan, about fifty^ per cent
going to Detroit. Their mad runs over ninety per cent of carbonate of
lime and an analysis of this marl some time ago shows as follows:
Silica .96
Alumina and Iron .44
Lime 5-43
Magnesia i-66'
Carbon ioxide 42-99
DilYerence 1.52
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 289
The depth of this marl deposit is in some places as great as twenty-seven
feet, and enough is in sight, as stated by Mr. Simmons, to assure the active
operation of their plant for thirty years. The clay, sufficiently rich in com-
bined silica, has not as yet been found in quantities in Genesee county, and
at the present time it is brought from the vicinity of Corunna. The estimated
possible production of one of these companies in 1900, after a careful examin-
ation by competent persons, was over twenty-eight million barrels, and the
present output of the two companies must run near eight hundred thousand
barrels per year, with prospect of over a million next year.
The salt industry has ne\'er been a part of the activities of this county,
although some attempts were made in the days of the saw-mills. The salt-
bearing strata underlie our county, and about fifty years ago a well was
drilled by H. H. Crapo near the present lumber yard of the Randall Lumber
Company with a view to salt-making. The use of sawdust for fuel to evapor-
ate the brine was one of the plans of the mill men. The well was sunk fifteen
hundred feet or more and brine was found, but the plan was abandoned, the
brine Ijeing insufficiently rich in salt to make the manufacture of salt an allur-
ing field. Somewhere in the boulevard Jjetween the lumberyard of the Ran-
dall Company and the river, you may walk over this buried salt well.
One of the mining industries of the county is the clay mining of the
Saginaw Paving Brick Company, of Saginaw, which for some years has
operated a clay mine down the river from the village of Flushing. The clay
is called "fire clay," and it forms a stratum beneath some overlying strata of
sandstone and shale. It is taken out by a power plant on an inclined tram-
way and shipped to Saginaw. The extent of this mining has resulted in an
excavation of large dimensions, and to a depth considerably below the level
of the river which runs nearby. This excavation furnishes one of the very
few exposures of hard rock in the county, and the strata consists of sand-
stone and shales. It is said that a thin coal vein was also tapped that fur-
nished coal sufficient to run the engine for power. The mine is on the
southwest quarter of section 22, township 8 north, range 5 east.
Following are the chief physiographic characteristics of the townships
of Genesee county, and some of the ways in which they have been related
both to the red men and to the white settlers.
BRICK CLAYS.
There is hardly a township in the county of Genesee where clays suit-
able for brick making are not found. In the earliest times, when the city of
(19)
dbyGoc^lc
2gO GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Flint was Just l^eginning to grow and brick stores were coining into use, tlie
brick was made near Detroit street, in the present fifth ward. Later it was
also made in various portions of the second, third and fourth wards. At
the present time a sandstone brick is made in larg-e quantities on the western
side of the city of Flint by the Flint Sandstone Brick Company. This brick,
unlike the other makes, is of sand and stone lime. The sand is taken from
the lands of the company just outside of the city, and is rich in silica, while
the lime comes from the northern part of the state. The annual output of
this company is over six million brick, and all of this product finds a market
in the city of Flint.
Brick of the common kind is made at CHo, Atlas, Duffield, Gaines, Grand
Blanc, South Mundy and Otisville, lieing the ordinary red brick, from the
clays containing oxide of iron.
The coimty of Genesee contains many artesian wells, the most prominent
one being the mineral well at the corner of Saginaw and First streets, in the
city of Flint. This well is alx)ut three hundred and seventy-six feet deep.
When it was first bored, and not to its present depth. Dr. Orson Millard, of
Flint, a physician and chemist of recognized ability, analyzed its waters and
found it to contain organic elements as follows :
To one pint of water-
Sodium Carbonate 0.434 gr.
Magnesium Carbonate 0.432 gr.
Ferrous Carlxinate 0.088 gr.
Calcium Carbonate 0.724 gr.
Potassium Chloride 1.227 §•"-
Sodium Chloride i-SQi gr.
Magnesium Chloride S--^^^ gr.
Calcium Chloride 0.761, gr.
Calcium sulphide 9-392 gr.
Silica 0.064 gr.
Alumina 0.054 gr.
Org. matter and loss 0.083 gf.
20.081 gr.
The well bored for salt by H. H, Crapo was also an artesian well and flowed
for many years ; its waters were too salty for domestic use and were also
charged with minerals other than salt. Artesian wells have been drilled at
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 29I
many places in the town of Davison, the one in the village near the de[)Ot
being typical, the depth running from two to three hundred feet. There are
many flowing wells in this township. In Mundy township, and near the line
between Flint and Mundy, there are quite a number of artesian wells, also
some near the Genesee line northeast of Flint. On the river flats near the
Chevrolet plant there are several such wells in use, and (if great utility.
Another plant that uses the materials of the county economically to a
great extent, is the Ruilders' Supply Company, of Flint, which manufactures
building blocks, tile and ornamental cement work, from the cement made at
Fenton of the marl described above. This company also finds in the sands
of the county another material for its manufacturing purposes, and is now
putting out twelve to thirteen hundred blocks of different dimensions per
day, all of which is eagerly waited for by the builders of Flint.
Tile making from the clays of the county has been an industry of Grand
Pilanc, Atlas and Davison, and also of Duffield, but the present operations are
small.
That the greater portion of Genesee county is underlaid by coal strata
of economic value is quite certain. In times past there have been attempts to
open mines for taking out coal, but until recent years it has not been of great
success, nor is it at the present time of importance in supplying the needs of
the city and county. Mr. Brueck, of Bay City, at one time operated a mine
in the northern part of the county, in Montrose, but it was not a paying
business and soon ceased. The Genesee Coal Company and others in recent
years have opened some shafts in the vicinity of Flint, especially on the Burr
farm in the eastern part of the city, but their output has been small and
difficulties in getting rid of the water has made the mining costly. The
industry will probably become important in the future when engineering has
solved the water problems, and perhaps it is for the l>enefit of all that this
valuable natural resource be conserved in nature's storehouse under the county
of Genesee for the future use of its teeming thousands, than to have it
exhausted by the present generation.
The latitude of the city of Flint is forty-three degrees and one minute
north ; its longitude is eighty-seven degrees and four minutes west. As the
city is nearly the geographical center of the countj-, the latitude and longitude
of the other portions of the county may be determined from that of the city.
The altitudes of the various railway stations, as determined from rail-
way surveys and levelings, are as follows: Crapo F'arm, 774 feet above sea
level; Davison, 788 feet: Duftield, 780 feet; Fenton, 907 feet; Flint City, at
the Grand Trunk depot, 712. and at the Pere Marquette depot, 711 feet;
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GKNESEE COUNTY,
Gaines, 857 feet; Goodrich, 733 feet; Grand Blanc, 839 feet; Linden, 872
feet; Otterburn, 771 feet, and Swartz Creek, 779 feet. At the weather
bureau station in Fhnt, the altitude is 726 feet.
FLINT TOWNSHIP,
The surface of Flint township is undulating, comprising some fine
stretches of level land, varied by gentle declivities, which give variety to the
landscape and make it one of the most attractive townships in the county.
The soil is a mixture of clay and sand, and generally of good quality, though
varying in localities, and affords a bountiful crop to the farmers. The
streams of water which traverse its surface are the Flint river and Swartz
creek, the first of which passes through the city, flows through the northern
portion of the township and passes out near the northwest corner. Swartz
creek rises in the township of Gaines and enters the southwest corner of the
township of Flint, meandering in a northeasterly direction, flowing into the
Thread, and eventually into the Flint river.
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
The physical features of Fenton township are varied and interesting.
The principal stream in the Shiawassee river, an insignificant stream at its
entry in the southeast corner of the township, but attaining to respectable
proportions before it leaves it on the west. Its general course is northwest,
and its waters furnish several excellent mill-powers — notably at Fenton and
Linden villages. After leaving Fenton, it receives the surplus waters of
numerous lakes, large and smalt. Of these lakes, the township contains no
less than twenty, covering a total area of about 2,160 acres, apportioned as
follows: Long lake, on sections 2, 11, 13. 14, 23 and 24, 850 acres; Hib-
bard's lake, section 12, 30 acres; Crooked lake, section 13, 50 acres: Loon
lake, sections 15 and 16, 150 acres; Squaw lake, principally on section 15, 60
acres; Ball lake, section 21, 40 acres; Mud lake, section 22, 225 acres; Silver
lake, sections 27, 28 and 33, 275 acres; Pine lake, sections 28, 29, 32 and 33,
160 acres; Byram lake, sections 29 and 30, 130 acres; others, 190 acres.
Aside from these, are miUponds, making the total lake and pond area of the
township about 2,200 acres, or more than that of the entire balance of the
county.
Many of the lakes of Fenton possess clean, bold shores, sandy bottoms
and deep waters, and most of them abound in numerous varieties of fish,
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GENFSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 293
such as bass, perch and others. Silver lake is tributary to Mud, and through
the latter to the Shiawassee river, and is so named from its clear waters and
bed of light sand. Byram lake was named from an early settler on its shore,
and the others, from various circumstances and surroundings.
Long lake, the principal .sheet of water in the township and county, is
about three miles in length and averages nearly half a mile in width. With
the exception of its southwestern shore, which is marshy tn places, its borders
are most picturesque and beautiful. The southern extremity, below "the nar-
rows," is in most places shallow and wild rice grows profusely in localities.
High banks extend along a great part of the eastern shore. The
outline of the lake is broken by "points" and bays, and a fine island of over
twenty acres is situated near the center, north and south, and somewhat
nearer the western than the eastern shore. Another small island is near the
extreme southern margin of the lake. Long lake is one of the prettiest inland
lakes in the country and has become one of the most popular summer resorts
in southern Michigan.
The vicinity of the lakes of Fenton was the favorite resort of the red
tribes who occupied the region ere the advent of a paler race. The clear
waters tempted them to launch their canoes thereon and entice from their
depths their finny inhabitants, or disport in wanton glee amid their waves.
The surrounding hills and forests afforded them rare sport in the chase, for
deer, wolves, bears and other animals — fit targets for the hunter's skill —
abounded.' So much attached were the red men to this beautiful "land of
lakes" that it was their desire, when their days of hunting on earth were over,
to be laid to rest amid the scenes made dear by life-long association. Here,
on the border of the lake, their remains were laid, their faces to the setting
sun, and the rippling waters murmured their funeral songs, while the breezes
wailed a mournful requiem through the pines, as the spirit of the warriors
journeyed to the happy hunting-grounds of their fathers.
The principal Indian burial-place in the township was on the northeast
shore of Mud lake, and close by was their camping ground. A large number
of graves were long to be seen in the burying-ground. Others were also
found, but not as extensive. The Indian corn-fields were sometimes sources
of inconvenience to farmers, as they were diflScult to plow, owing to the fact
that corn was year after year planted in the same hills, while the latter were
raised a little higher each year and were often ten or twelve feet apart. Quite
an extensive corn-field was found east of the present village of Linden. This
was on a farm once owned by Alonzo J. Chapin,
On the edge of the township of Mundy dwelt a small tribe whose chief
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294 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
was one "King Fisher," or Fisher, corrupted from Visger, the name of a
French-Indian half-breed. Their biirying-ground was the one mentioned as
having existed near Mud lake, in Fenton, and at present no traces of it can
be found, owing to long cnltivation. Fisher was a lover of athletic sports,
as well as whiskey, and on occasions of town-meetings was accustomed to
visit the village and join in whatever of the nature of sport was going on.
Among the feats of the young men of that day was the one of jumping over
a string held at a certain distance above the ground. Alonzo J. Chapin was
rather more than the equal of Fisher, one of whose toes was so long that it
would catch on the string. The chief would take hold of it angrily, and
exclaim, "Toe no good! Me cut him off — me jump you!" He was exceed-
ing loth to speak English, except when under the influence of liquor.
In the fall of 1877, while constructing a dirt-road across Crane's Cove,
on the west side of Long lake, a party of workmen found a skelton of very
large size, some two or three feet below the surface. As it is a well-known
fact that this locality was the favorite Indian resort for hunting and fishing,
the skeleton was supposed to have been the frame-work of a gigantic warrior,
though why he should have been buried just there was not satisfactorily
explained, as it was some distance from their common burial-place on Mud
lake.
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP.
The surface of Grand Blanc township is a rolling upland. Originally,
the northern part was covered with dense forests of the deciduous trees so
common to Michigan, while the central and southern parts of the township
afforded a fair representation of the lands called hazel-brush openings.
Thread river, its principal water-course, takes its rise in Oakland county
and, flowing to the northwest, leaves the township near the center of the
north border. This stream in its course affords good water-power privileges,
which were early utilized, and with its numerous small tributaries rendered
feasible a complete system of ditching and drainage adopted where swampy
lands existed.
Grand Blanc lake includes a small portion of section 31 ; Slack's lake, of
sections 34 and 35. A small lake of some twenty acres in extent, called Smith
lake, is situated upon section 22. Numerous springs are found in various
parts of the township, some of them quite strongly impregnated with
magnesia.
The soil is of an excellent quality, and consists of a dark, sandy and
gravelly loam, alternating with clay loam and alluvial deposits of a vegetable
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 295
cliaracter. Peat beds are found in some portions of the township, also brick
and potter's clay of a good quality. The staple products are live stock, wool,
pork, corn, fruit, sugar beets, beans and the various cereals. The cultivation
of winter wheat is especially successful.
ATLAS TOWN.SHir.
The surface of .\tlas township is rolling and. in a state of nature, was
quite heavily timl>ered in the north part. The southern portion consisted
generally of rose-willow and hazel-brush o]}enings. The soil — a sandy loam
—is of an excellent quality and in the quantity and excellence of its products
Atlas takes a front rank among Genesee county townships.
Its water courses are the Thread and Kearsley rivers. The former
takes its rise in Oakland county and flows in a northwest course across the
southwestern corner of the township. The latter stream also finds its source
in Oakland county and, entering the township from the southeast, receives
as a tributary the outlet of Lake Keshinaguac, flows on in a northwesterly
direction through the central part of the town, and leaves it from the north
border of section 4. In its passage the Kearsley affords excellent water-
power privileges, which have lieen in use at the villages of Goodrich and
Davisonville (Atlas) since the first settlement of the township.
Neshinaguac lake, with an area of aljout one hundred and sixty miles,
lies in the central part of section 2^. Other small bodies of water are sit-
uated upon section 3. Numerous springs, several of whose waters are im-
pregnated with iron, exist in all portitms of the township and, as a whole,
the township is well watered and drained. The i«ople are successfully en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits and their farms are in an advanced state of cul-
tivation. Neat residences and farm buildings alxiund on every side.
FLUSHING TOWNSHIP.
The township of Flushing is watered by the Flint river and its tribu-
taries, enters near the southeast corner of the town and, after a winding
course, leaves it near the center of the northern boundary. The mill-sites
along the river were early improved, and it still furnishes power at mimer-
ous places within the limits of the county. Along the river the surface of
the township is somewhat varied, the banks in places being high and steep
and the land in the immediate vicinity rolling, while at others they are
gentlv sloping and the neighboring country nearly level. A large portion
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296 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of the township is exceedingly level and the whole was originally covered
with a dense growth of heavy timber, in which was considerable pine.
The sail of Flushing is of the nature of that common to this region,
having a large proportion of sand. Upon the lands where pine grew thickly
it is more sandy than elsewhere, and some of the "pine plains," or "pine
barrens," as they are called, are of comparatively small value. Flushing is
one of the wealthiest townships in the county.
MUNDY TOWNSHIP.
The natural characteristics of Mundy township are much the same as
those of its sister towns, consisting of a generally level surface, with por-
tions considerably undulating, a variety of soil and originally a considerable
acreage of timber. In many respects it is one of the best townships in the
county and its improvements are very generally excellent. It was settled by
an energetic, thrifty class of farmers and the success which has attended
their efforts to build up substantial and comfortable homes in the wilderness
is everywhere apparent in the fine farms and dwellings, and the various
accompaniments of a well-ordered agricultural community. Its first settlers
possessed intelligence and this, combined with enterprise, wrought a wonder-
ful change in the face of the region which frowned upon them many years
ago in all the majesty of a forest-crowned domain, where the axe of the
pioneer had never swung nor its strokes echoed through the primeval aisles.
But as change is the order elsewhere, so was it here, and the pleasant and
peaceful homes of today are a marked contrast to the wilderness of earlier
vears.
ARGENTINE TOWNKHIP.
Much of the surface of Argentine township is rolling and many pleas-
ing landscapes are within its borders. Its soil has the same character-
istics as all that in the immediate region. Fine improvements are met with
throughout the township and evidences of prosperity and weahh are seen
on nearly every hand. The township is well watered by the Shiawassee
river and its tributaries, which furnish considerable power, and numerous
lakes and ponds add to the water-area. Principal among the latter are Lob-
dell, on sections 35 and 36, named after an early settler on its shore; Mur-
ray, on section 34, named after first settler in the township; McKane, on
sections 28 and 32; McCasiin, section 22; Bass, section 27, etc. Lobdel!
lake was changed somewhat in area by the raising of a dam at Argentine
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GENfiSEE COHiSJTY, MICHIGAN. 297
village. The shores in many places are marshy, and in various parts of the
township tamarack swamps exist. A large acreage of timher is yet left, al-
though but a portion of this township was heavily timbered, the balance
l>eing "oak-openings."
MT. MORRIS TOWNSHIP.
In its natural features Mt. Morris township is very similar to other
interior <Iivisions of the county already described, the surface being slightly
rolling and covered originally with heavy forests of beech, maple, oak, ash
and many other varieties of deciduous trees indigenous to the soil in this
section of the state. The Flint river, in its flow to the northwest, crosses the
extreme southwest corner. Devil's lake, a small body of water containing
from ten to fifteen acres, is situated upon section 35. Brent's run takes its
rise from this lake, and flows northerly through the central part. Several
other small tributaries of the Flint cross the township and flow in a general
northwest course. Stone similar to that obtained in the Flushing quarries
is found in the bed of the river upon section 31. The soil is very productive.
The people are chiefly agricultunsts. and wool, live stock and wheat are the
principal products.
r.ENESKF, TOWNSHIP.
The township called Genesee received its name from the pioneers, many
of whom came from the "Genesee country" in western JVew York, and a
goodly number of them from Genesee county. It was btit natural that they
sliould desire to perpetuate the name of that fair country, whose fertile soil
had already made it famous throughout the country as a sort of modem
.-\rcadia. where to dwell was to enjoy the best things of life- — not alone in a
material, but also in an aesthetic sense. And it was also fitting that this
township, having so large an area of the beautiful oak or timbered oi>enings,
thus resembling in its primitive form that pleasant land, should also bear its
name.
Its surface is comparatively lexel. though it might properly be called
lightly rolling in some parts, principally on the south and east side of the
river. About one-fourth of the surface was originaly covered with pine, the
pinerv generally following the course of the river and lying principally on
its south bank. The soil of the pine land was of a light, sandy nature. The
rest of the town was timliered with hardwood, white oak predominating,
dbyGoot^lc
2t)S GENnSEI? COUNTY, MICIIICAK.
and in the southwest part there was considerable timbered opening. The
soil in the parts of the town free from i>ine is of a fine quality and com-
posed of a rich clayey loam, mixed with some gTa\'el and sand.
The town is well watered. Flint river, the principal water-course, enters
from Richfield, near the southeast comer of section I2, and pursues a some-
what torturous course through the town in a general southwest direction,
passing through some parts of sections 12, 13, 11, 10, 15, 16, 21, 28, 29 and
32, at the southwest corner of which it crosses the line in the township of
Burton. Its course is crooked and its current generally sluggish. Near the
southwest corner of section 11 it is more rapid and furnishes a very good
water-power which has lieen utilized for many years. The stream second in
importance is Kearsley creek, which enters from Burton at the southwest
corner of section 35. crosses sections 34, 33 and 32, till it reaches Flint
river, into which it discharges its waters a little south and west of the
center of the latter section. The third stream is Butternut creek, coming
from the north, draining portions of the towns of Forest and Thetford. It
enters near the northeast corner of section i, crosses it in a southerly direc-
tion, flows across the corner of section 12, turns to the west, and crosses
section ii till it joins the Flint river, a little distance east of Geneseeville.
Stanley creek. Bray brook, and a half dozen or more lesser streams are
tributaries of Flint river.
GAINES TOWNSHIP.
The surface of Gaines township is generally level and was originally
covered with a dense growth of hea\'y timlier. In places slight undulations
are met with, but nothing rising to the dignity of hills. The soil is very
good and adapted to the growth of ail grains raised in this region. The
township had a large acreage of timber and its development has Ijeen [per-
haps less rapid than that of most of the other townships in the county. That
its resources are abundant, however, is evident from the fine improvements
in its older settled portions. It has no streams of consequence, a branch of
Swartz creek, in the northern part, l>eing the principal one. Along the lianks
of the latter, in early years, were extensive groves of maple, and a trail
reached from Flint, which was used by the Indians, who manufactured here
large (|uantities of maple-sugar. The ancient trail has disappeared and the
dusky people who threaded it eighty years ago and more have been laid to
rest beside their fathers and entered upon the happier hunting-grounds of
which they dreamed.
dbyGoot^lc
NTY, MICHIGAN.
Burton township is comparatively level, yet sufficiently ele\ated above
the iied of its water-ccmrses to afford gootl surface drainage. It was heavily
timbered, originally, with fine forests of l>eech. maple, red and black oak,
Ijasswood and other varieties of deciduous trees. Upon sections 5, 6. 19
and 20 was found considerable pine, while sections 27 and 34 were what
was termed by the original settlers "staddle lands.''
The Flint. Thread and Kearsley rivers are the principal wafer-courses.
The former flows in a southwesterly course across the northv^-est corner of
the township; the latter runs in a northwesterly direction across the north-
east comer of the same; while Thread river enters the town from the
south and, flowing in a general northwest course, leaves the township near
tlie center of the west border.
The soil consists of an admixture of sand and clay loam, alternating
with a dark vegetable mould, and in it general characteristics are the same
as predominates in all drift formations. It is highly productive and, with
careful cultivation, yields handsome returns to the husbandman. The i>eo-
pie are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits. Their farms are under a
good state of cultivation and neat farm houses and sul>stantial outbuildings
abound. The rapid growth of the city of Flint has taken largely from Bur-
ton township, first for factories and later for many additions and plats for
residence and business purposes.
CL.WTON TOWNSHIP.
Clayton, with the exception of a few slight undulations, is generally
level. The soil is of the nature ])eciiliar to this part of Michigan and. from
appearance of the farms and their improvements— Clayton is exclusively an
agricultural township — the inference is that its fertility is Ijeyond question.
Originally the township was covered with a dense forest, where the nightly
howl of the wolf resounded; where the Hthe panther often lurked: where
bears found safe retreats: where the pride of the forest— the deer— had his
home, and where the red man was the only human being who trod its mazes,
"ambushed his foe, and stalked his game." A more herculean task than that
of clearing awa\- this sturdy greenwood and preparing the pleasant farms
which todav dot the surface, can scarcely be imagined. It was only the
indomitable will and jmrseverance of the pioneers coupled with their ability
dbyGoot^lc
.300 CENEi-KE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
to undergo long and severe toil, with all its attendant hardships, that accom-
plished the mighty work. That it was accomplished is the pride of the actors
in the scene, who, axe in hand and rifle on shoulder, marched conquering
through the wilderness. There is said to be no better agricultural land in
America than obtains in Clayton township.
VIENNA TOWNSHIP.
The surface of Vienna township may be described in general terms as an
elevated plain, cut by the rather deep ravineii formed by its water courses.
On several sections to the immediate west and southwest of Clio village pine
originally predominated- The remainder of the township was covered prin-
cipally with heavy forests of deciduous trees, common to this portion of the
state.
Brent's and Pine runs are the principal water courses. These streams
flow towards the northwest and ultimately empty their waters into Flint
river. They have rendered service in former years to assist in sawing into
merchantable lumber the valuable pines which once swayed their towering
tops over a large portion of the township, and the latter stream has done
duty in propelling the machinery of the grist-mills in Clio. The people are
chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, the staple products Ijeing wheat, corn
and live stock. Since the disappearance of the [jine forests and lumbering
interests the attention of the inhabitants has been more exclusively devoted
to agriculture. The soil, though light and sandy in those portions once
denominated "pineries," is well adapted to wheat and other cereals. The
whole township is Ijeing rapidly developed into good farming lands, and a
corresponding increase in wealth and population is the result. Since Flint
1)ecame a city of approximately eighty thousand, the scarcity of houses there
has brought to Clio and Mt. Morris many who are employed in the factories.
THETFORD TOVkfNSHrr.
Thetford township contains some of the good farming lands of Genesee
county, and the beautiful scenery, the well-tilled fields, the majestic woods,
and the fine dwellings and barns that denote the thrift and industry of its
people, well repaj' the observant traveler for the trouble incidental to a trip
through the town.
Down to a period of time as late as the l>eginning of the year 1835 it
had been a wilderness. The surveyors in the employ of the United States
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3OI
had passed throiig:h the trackless maze of its dense forests, recording their
progress by, and leaving as tokens of their presence the "blazes" on trees
that marked the section lines and corners. Some wandering, adventurous
white hunter or trapper may have casually passed through in pursuit of his
perilous calling, but, aside from these persons, it is probable that, of human-
kind, none save the moccasined foot of the Indian had trod the virgin soil
or rustled the leaves with which the lofty trees had carpeted the earth be-
neath their spreading branches.
These Indians belonged to the Chippewa nation and were only transient
inhabitants here, they not having any village within the limits of this town-
ship. They came here to hunt and fish, though the latter s|x>rt was not as
plentiful as the former on account of the lack of lakes and large streams.
They had a well-defined trail, which started from the banks of the Flint
river, in the present township of Richfield, and ran in a direction a Httle west
of nortli and in a nearly direct course to Tuscola, on the Cass river, and to
Saginaw l>ay, near the present site of Bay City. This trail entered Thet-
ford not far from the southeast corner, followed the pine ridges and crossed
the line into Tuscola county near the corner of sections 3 and 4. Along this
trail the Indians traveled for many years, sometimes in large i>arties and
again singly or by twos and threes. They were generally mounted on their
hardy ponies and in sandy places the hoofs of these sturdy little animals had
worn away the soil to the depth of a ffwt or more. These Indians remained
here many years after the settlement of the country by the whites began and
the most amicable feelings existed l>etween the two races at all times. They
had a favorite camping-place near the residence of Richard Buell, where two
or three families, more or less as the case might be, would come and stay
for a few days at a time while they hunted the deer and other game with
which the forest teemed. They were on esj>ecially friendly terms with the
Buell family, for whom they had conceived a great liking when they first
settled here and with whom they often engaged in trade. Another of their
favorite camping-grounds was on the l»nks of Butternut creek, in the south-
east corner of the town, near the present village of Whitesford.
In the work of cultivating the soil the farmer's plow frequently brings
to the surface some relic of the aborgines. in the shape of flint arrow or
spear-heads, stone' knives, pii>es, or pieces of rude pottery. Frequently, too,
the plow breaks into the shallow grave of some of these former dwellers
and turns their Ixjnes up to bleach in the sun- — to be destroyed by the chafing
fingers of the storm and the ever-destructive touch of time. Do these sense-
less bones represent the once proud form of the haughty warrior who strode
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302 GENKSKE COL'NTY, MICHIGAN,
forth defiantly to battle with his equally haughty ;md courageous foe. and
fell Ijeneath his enemy's superior prowess?
DAVISON TOWNSHir.
The surface of ]^avison township, north of a Hue drawn diagonally
from the northeast corner to the center of the west border is comparatively
level. That portion lying south of this line is roUing, with an altitude of per-
haps forty-five feet above the former. Kearsley and Black creeks are the
principal water-courses. The former enters the township from the south
and, flowing in a general southwest course, leaves it on the west border of
section y. The latter takes its rise from Potter lake and, flowing thence
north, describes in its passage through a ]>ortion of Richfield township, the
arc of a circle. It then enters Davison from the north Ixirder of section 2.
and continues in a southwesterly course until it effects a junction with the
Kearsley, on section 7.
Potter lake, containing an area of about one hundred and fifty acres,
lies mainly within section i of this township, the remainder in Lapeer county.
Hasler lake, considerably larger in extent than the former, lies also across
the line dividing the counties of Genesee and Lai^er, though the greater
portion is within section _'?6. Vast tamarack swamps, now partly drained,
extend across sections i. T2, 1,1, T4. 23 and 24, making an almost continuous
waterway Iietween the tH-o lakes. This was a timl>ered township originall)',
oak, beech, mapie and other varieties of deciduous trees predominating.
Small groves of pine were found on ixjrtions of sections 14, 27 and 33.
The soil is of the same character as that of surrounding townships — a
sandy loam on the knolls and higher portions, a dark alluvium mixed with
vegetable mould on the lowlands. A system of drainage has been inaugurated
by many landowners within the past few years, by which the value of their
acres has been vastly enhanced and many other fields reclaimed an<l rendered
productive which, but a few years since, were considered valueless. The peo-
ple are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, stock raising, wool growing
and the cultivation of fruits, com, potatoes, beans, sugar beets and the cereals
being the specialties. .Many fine farms, residences and commodious outbuild-
ings dot its landscape, giving evidence of the enterprise and thrift of the
people who reside here, and that they are rapidly surrounding themselves
with all the comforts, conveniences and many of the luxuries of life.
dbyGoot^lc
MICHIGAN.
RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP.
The surface i>f Richfield township is shghtly roHiiig. being roughest in
the northeast jxirt and along the course of Flint river. The original forest
of this town was in most parts a variety of all kinds of hardwood timber,
but along the course of the river was a belt of pine of an average width of
about one and a half miles, and along Hasler and Briar creeks similar
growths were found. This pine, covering about one-lhird of the town, was
to some extent interspersed with other timber and was of good quality and
size. The soil of the pine lands is lighter than that of the rest of the town,
which varies from a sort of marl to a black, gravelly or sandy loam, fertile
and easily tilled. The Jjest part of the township for agricultural purposes
lies in the southwest half, but all is productive, and well repays the toil of
the husbandman with remunerative crops.
Unlike many townships in Michigan, there are none of those small
lakes, so common in this state, within the borders of Richfield. The princi-
pal water-courses are the Flint river and Black creek. Flint river enters the
town near the northeast corner of section 12, and runs in a somewhat tor-
tuous, but generally westerly, course, jxtssing through portions of sections i.
2. 7, 9, 10, II, 12, 16, 17 and 18, passing into the township of Genesee near
the southwest corner of section 7. Its course in this town is about twelve
miles in length and its current, rather sluggish. Black creek, which is tlie
outlet of Potter lake, enters the town near the center of the east line of
section ;^6, runs westerh' alxiut a mile and three-quarters, turns sharply to
the south and passes into Davison. Ilasler's creek is the outlet of a lake of
the same name lying in the town of Elba, Lapeer county, and runs northerly
along the east border of the town through section 13, and in a northwest
course across section 12 till it reaches the Flint river and unites its waters
with those of the lai-ger stream. Briar creek, Belden creek and four other
small streams are tributaries to Flint river. The two first named unite with
it in the eastern jiart of section t8. the former flowing from the north and
the latter from the south.
ilany traces still remain to testify of the presence here of the aborigines
—those nomadic wanderers who have now so nearly disappeared from this
cfrtmtry which was once one of their favorite hunting-grounds. Numerous
trails led in various directions through the township, the principal ones being
the Saginaw trail, near the Irish road, and one from the vicinity of Nepes-
sing lake, in Lapeer county ; in this township the Indians had a camping-
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304 GKNESEli COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
place on the south bank of Fhnt river, in section 11. Near this place they
cultivated some corn on a sort of opening, which gave to the locality the
name of "the Indian garden." On sections 20 and 21 and in other localities
in the town they had "sugar-bushes," where they tai>ped the maple trees and
in their rude way manufactured an inferior kind of maple sugar. Among
these traces of former inhabitants of this section of our country none [Mssess
a greater interest to the antiquary or the historian than the mysterious
mounds that here and there He scattered alraut throughout the state. In the
pinery, on section 5, is a large mound, evidently formed by the work of
human hands, as is proved by the mixed condition of the soil composing it.
Its diameter is some twelve or fourteen feet and its elevation above the sur-
rounding surface, about five feet. A smaller movind on the bank of Black
creek, in section 35, was opened and a skull and some other bones taken out.
Upon these mounds large forest trees were growing at the time of the first
settlement, indicating that they had then reached an age of at least a hun-
dred years since the mounds were piled up.
FOREST TOWNSHIP.
The lands of Forest township were originally heavily timbered and gen-
erally with pine of fine quality and large size, intermingled with oak, maple,
l>eech, ash, elm. butternut and many other varieties of timber in limited
quantity. Owing to the fact of the existence of this pine timber, the land
was largely taken up by speculators or by those who held them till lumber
was worth a price which would warrant them in cutting the timJ>er.
The soil is \'aried in its composition, being composed of sandy, gravelly
and clay loam, distributed very irregularly. Tt is all underlaid by a heavy
clay -subsoil of great depth, and is fertile and easily worked. It is well suited
for the cultivation of general crops and is excellent for wheat.
The surface of the land is usually lightly rolling in its nature, though
in some parts it becomes a little more uneven and rises in low hills. In the
south part of the town Hes what is known as Compton hill, which is the point
rising highest above the surrounding surface. Proljably the most elevated
part of the town is the northern portion. Commencing with the lakes, near
Otisville, a strip of territory made up of alternating knolls and marshes runs
in each direction, reaching nearly across the town from north to south.
There are quite a number of small lakes scattered about the town. At
Otisville a cluster of them, seven in number, lies south and east of the vil-
lage. It is supposed that originally these were all united in one body of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, WICIIIGAN. JO5
water, but that the changes in the streams, the decreased rainfaU caused by
the clearing up of the forests, and the accumulation of decayed vegetation,
have lowered the surface of the water and \yai\t bars and marshes that now
separate them one from another. Two others of these lakes are found one
and a half miles west of Otisville, one on section 20 and one on section 29.
Anotlier, known as Crawford's lake, is located in the south part of section
24. Near the northeast corner a small [Kirtion of Otter lake extends into
this township. These lakes are all of the same general character, having an
average de]>th of soitie thirty or forty feet and a sandy or muddy bottom.
The shores in some places are bold and in others, more or less marshy.
These lakes were formerly abundantly supplied with fish of various kinds
and, though somewhat depleted by unseasonable and unsportsmanlike fish-
ing, stili furnish a fine field for six>rt to the lover of the piscatorial art.
The principal stream of the town is the outlet of Otter lake, which Sows
across the town diagonally, in a southwest course, entering Thetford near
the west quarter line of section 31, and is a tributary of Flint river. Its
shores were originally covered along its whole course with a heavy growth
of butternut trees, which fact gave it the name of Butternut creek, a name
which it still bears. It receives the waters of a few tributary streams, the
largest one being the outlet of the Otisville lakes.
MONTROSE TOWNSHIP.
The surface of ilontrose township is varied and cut by the valleys and
ravines formed by the Flint river and its tributaries. This was a pine town-
ship orij^naily and during the first years of the white man's occupancy the
inhabitants were chielly engaged in the various occupations incident to a him-
Ijering region, p'or this reason, added to the fact that it was tlie latest
settled district in the county, Montrose long wore a general aspect of rough-
ness or newness in strong contrast to the major portion of the county.
The present inhabitants are princi]>ally employed in the pursuits of
agriculture. The soil, though in some places hght and sandy, produces fav-
orably and time only is needed to bring the products of this up to the best of
the other townships in the county. Its principal water-course, the Flint river,
enters the town near the center of the south border and, flowing in a general
northerly direction, passes through the central part and leaves the township
just west of the center of the north border. Brent's run enters from the south-
east corner and, flowing in a northwest course, discharges it^ surplus waters
(20)
dbyGoot^lc
306 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
into the Flint on section 15, and Pine run, another tributary of the Fiint
river, in flowing to the northwest crosses the extreme northeast corner of the
township. Coal — -and rock similar to the Flushing sandstone — crops out in
the bed of the Flint on section 28.
A portion of the Pewangawink reservation of the Saginaw Chippewas
extended into this township, including the whole of section 4, the west half
of section 3, the east half of section 5, the north half of section 9, the north-
east quarter of section and the northwest quarter of section 10,
dbyGoc^lc
CHAPTER IX.
Pioneer Agriculture.
When the settlement of Genesee county began in earnest, after the day
of the redman and the adventurous hunter and trapper, the earhest industry
that engaged the white settlers was agriculture. The soil of the county is
not imlike that of the "Genesee country" of western New York, whence came
so many of the settlers of Genesee county. The surface was then largely
covered with timber of various kinds and the soils varied somewhat with
the timber. There was some heavily timbered land, especially in the region
of Forest township: there were oak openings, burr oak plains, some pine
tracts, and numerous spots where the land was treeless and covered with
grass suggesting the prairies of the west. The heavily timbered hardwood
lands were largely clay. This soil, although as productive as any in the
state, was more difficult to clear, and usually cost from ten to fifteen dollars
an acre to fit it for cultivation. There was one advantage in timbered land,
however, for the settler of small means; after the timber was cut down the
soil scarcely required plowing. A drag drawn by one yoke of oxen gen-
erally was sufficient to render this highly mellow land ready to receive the
seed. The pine lands were somewhat sandy. The white oak oi>enings, which
covered a large part of the county, were quite different from the timbered
lands. Their surface was covered with a layer of vegetable mould. Marl
was generally found under this surface, and limestone, pebbles, sand, and
frequently clay and yellow loam, were found below. This soil was specialty
favorable to wheat and was among the most valuable wheat lands in the
county. It was easy to till and seldom failed to produce a good crop even in
the most unfavorable seasons. Oats and com throve well on it, though it
was not so good for hay. The only disadvantage was that the soil, on ac-
count of the thick tufts of matted grass, required sometimes four or five
yoke of oxen in order to make any headway in breaking it up for the seed.
The burr-oak plains presented the appearance of vast cultivated orchards.
The soil was somewhat like that of the white-oak openings. It contained a
great deal of lime and its great productiveness made it specially prized by
the settlers.
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308 GENESi;b; COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
In the hea\ily limbered township the settler's first problem was to clear
the land. If he could afford to hire this done he could generally get it for
the equivalent of about fifteen dollars an acre. The trees were felled and
either were split into rails for fences or logs for the buildings, or were rolled
together and burned. Where the timber was liglit the trees were frequently
girdled to let in the sun.
The settlers usually judged the lands of the county by those with which
they were familiar. The prime test was its ability to produce wheat, and
the frequent verdict respecting the lands of Genesee was that in this respect
they were superior to those they had left in New York. The first care of
the settler was the immediate needs of his family. Wheat was generally the
first crop he sowed, and in quantity limited to the extent of the small clear-
ing in the timlier or the amount of land he and his sons could bring under
cultivation. Enough j^Mtatoes and other vegetables were raised for the fam-
ily use. Abundant crops usually rewarded these first labors. After a little
while they began to haul a surplus to Pontiac or other distant market, though
the price received was often scant reward for the labor. Wheat has been,
and still is. one of the leading agricultural products of Genesee county,
although beans and sugar beets are prominent factors in the Ust. Wheat har-
vested in 1840 amounted to 37,399 bushels. In 1910 it reached 278,064
bushels.
The production of hay in Genesee county is contkicted on a large scale.
At first it was grown only in sufficient quantities for stock. At an early
day, however, it began to l>e produced in excess of stock requirements. The
first marketed was sold to lumiiermen and brought a considerable revenue.
Later it was pressed into liales, first by hand and then by power-presses.
The hay product has increased from 1,941 tons in 1840 to 121.209 tons in
1910.
Stock, especially sheep and cattle, were raised at an early day. Even
the earliest settlers raised some sheep, from whose wool garments were made
in the home by the thrifty housewife and daughters. "Home-^un" was the
prevailing style of cloth among the |>ioneers. A comparatively large numl^er
of fine-wooled breeds of sheep were earlj' introduced into Grand Blanc, and
a little later into the adjoining towns. In 1852 it was officially reported at
the county fair that, "If Genesee county deserves special credit for her pro-
ductions in any one department of stock over others, it was obsen'able in
the sheep-pens. It is but a very few years since the fine-wooled varieties
were first introduced amon^ us, yet we now find them represented here in a
display which would be creditable to much older counties." That year
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 309
33.000 pounds of wool were sold at Flint, at twenty-nine cents :i pound.
On this record an agricultural journal comments, that "wool is commencing
to be an article of considerable revenue to the farmers of Genesee county."
The following year, 50,000 pounds were sold in the same market at prices
varying from thirty-five cents to fifty-five cenis a pound. These amounts
steadily increased with the years. The price also increased under the extra-
ordinary demand created by the Civil War. At one time it exceeded one
dollar a pound.
These war prices led to the formation of the Genesee County Sheep-
Breeders' and Wool-Growers' Association. The meeting to organize was
held. May 25, 1865, at the house of Jonathan Dayton in Grand Blanc. A
large numlier of the leading farmers of the county were present. At the
same time, there was considered the plan of holding annual sheep-shearing
festivals. The plan was adopted, and continued to bring, annually, pleasure
and profit for many years. At this meeting Henry W. Wood was chosen
to preside; F. H. Rankin was secretary. The report on a plan and constitu-
tion, made by D. H. Stone, E. G. Gale, and T). H. Seeley, was adopted. The
following officers were chosen: President, H. W. \Voo<!, of Flint City;
vice-presidents Emmaus Owen, of Grand Blanc, R. A. Carman, of Flint, and
A. P. Gale, of Atlas; secretary, Francis H. Rankin, of Fhnt; treasurer, D.
H. Stone, of Grand Blanc; auditors, Charles Pettis, of DavLson, and Henry
Schram, of Burton: executive committee, C. H. Rockwood, of Genesee,
Jonathan Dayton, of Grand Blanc, J. Is. Pierson. of Atlas, H. C. Van Tiffin,
of Flint, E. G. Gale, of Atlas, I']. J. Pierson. of Grand Rlanc, and Edmond
Perry, of Davison.
l'"or this meeting a sheep-shearing program had l>een prepared and was
greatly enjoyed by all. Many people were present from neighboring counties
and some from the state of New York. Among those who took part in the
shearing were josephus Morgan, Joseph Barton, Benjamin Newman and S-
Miner, of Grand Blanc; M. F. Dunn and Orson Bingham, of Genesee; Will-
iam Hawkins, Alfred Ewer and Edward Ewer, of Flint City; J. C. Rocka-
fellow, of Davison: W. H. Borden and Elien Higgins, of Mundy; Levi
Beecher and Charles Beecher. of Atlas; William Dullam and Frank Cousins,
of Flint township. Some one hundred and fifty sheep were in the yards, but
not all were shorn. The judges were asJ follows: On bucks, J. W. Begole,
R. A. Carman; on ewes. David Schram, C. C, Pierson, Stephen Jordan; on
weighing, Oren Stone: on shearing, J. W. King, C. H. Rockwood, A. S.
Doneison. Among owners of sheep whose fleeces were specially commented
dbyGoot^lc
3IO GliNKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
on, were E, J. Pierson, D. H. Stone. Charles Bates. Gurdon Watrous and J. C.
Dayton, of Grand Blanc; H. W. Wood, of Flint City; A. P. Gale, of Atlas;
P. A. Montgomery, of Burton; Charles Pettis of Davis, and C. H. Rock-
wood, of Genesee. A meeting was held the following year at Flint. Of
this meeting Mr. Rankin, the secretary, published in the next issue of his
Wolverine CtHsen the following comment: "There was not an inferior
sheep ui>on the grounds and, although in older counties larger exhibitions
may have l>een had, we (juestion if anywhere in this state an equal humi>er
of better animals have ever been collected together. * * * Xhe wool of
the fleeces was all of line texture, good length of staple, pliant and soft, such
as any locality might feel proud of producing and such as would do credit
to a display of such animals (Merinos) even in those parts of Vermont and
New York, where their care and cultivation is made a specialty. The flocks
of Messrs. Gale, of Atlas, Dewey, of Mount Morris, Rising & Munger, of
Richfield, .Stone, of Grand Blanc, Rockwood and Beahan. of Genesee, Pettis,
of Davison, Crasper, of Burton, and others, are destined yet to have a fame
in the annals of sheep-husbandry." The following premiums were awarded:
On bucks, three years old and over, first premium to E, B. Dewey, of
Mount Morris; second premium to E. G. Gale, of Atlas.
On imcks. two years old, first premium to P. A. Montgomery, of Burton;
second premium to William Lobban, of Davison.
On bucks, one year old. first premium to D. H. Stone, of Grand Blanc;
second premium to Stone & Dayton, of Grand Blanc.
Judges on above classes, James Faucett, of Bath, Steul>en county, New
York; Stephen Hillman, of Pontiac, Oakland county, and M. M. Hillman,
of Tyrone. T-ivingston county, Michigan.
On ewes (pens of three), three years old and over, first premium to
D. H. Stone, of Grand Blanc: second premium to Rising & Munger, of Rich-
field.
On ewes (i>ens of three), two years old. first premium to Rising &
Munger; second premium to E. G. Gale, of Atlas.
Judges on two Jast-mentioned classes, Henry Schram. of Burton;
Stephen Jordan, of Atlas, and Charles Bates, of Grand Blanc.
On ewes (l>ens of three), one year old, first premium to D. H. Stone;
second premium to P. A. Montgomery, of Burton.
Judges on this class, S. Andrews, of Howe!! ; Phineas Thompson, of
Grand Blanc, and M. M. Hillman, of Tyrone, Livingston county.
The breeding of sheep stiil continues to be a leading industry of Ciene-
see county. The flocks of the county have been constantly improved by the
dbyGoot^lc
; COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
importation of approved breeds from the most successful wool-lowing states
in the country. The present extent of the industry may be judged by the
census of igio which shows the clip of that year to be 60,304 fleeces, valued
at $125,476. Dr. B. F. Miller, of Flint, is known throughout Canada and the
United States as one of the best breeders and judges of Oxfords, his sheep
taking prizes in both countries.
The breeding of cattle for the market came somewhat later than sheep.
The cow was an essential sup|x>rt of the pioneer househokl. Milk, butter
and cheese added no small comfort to the settler's table. Gradually, how-
ever, the settlers began to raise cattle to sell, and finally for the outside
market. The first eastern market was Buffalo, New York. The beginning
of this trade was when a drove of cattle were driven thither by Porter
Hazelton and James Schram, of Flint. The first blooded animals brought
into the county were Durhams and Devons; after them, the Ayrshires. Jona-
than Dayton and Rowland B. Perry were among the first owners of Dur-
ham? in the county. The first full-blood Shorthorns were brought into the
county by David Halsey, of Grand Blanc. At an early date they were
brought into Fenton township, by Elisha Larned, and into Burton by Perus
and Adonijah Atherton. These came from the Birney herd at Bay City.
The first Herefnrds were brought to the county by Governor Henry H. Crapo,
from Stone's herd at Guelph. Ontario. In later years the Holstein became a
favorite and some of the best herds in America were owned in Genesee county,
notahlv those of ex-Congressman D. D. .'\itken, W. E. Fellows and J. Ed.
Burroughs.
THE CRArO FARM.
Tlie farm of tlie late Governor Crapo, in Gaines township, may be taken
as tyjiical of the best stock farms of the county, indeed of the best farnis in
every way. In its origin it is remarkable; it comprises over a thou-
sand acres, of which some six hundred acres were originally a malarious
swamp considered by many quite worthless. These were reclaimed by Gov-
ernor Crapo and brought to a state of high productiveness. These pro-
ductive acres are commonly known as the "Crapo farm," a permanent monu-
ment to Governor Crapo's far-seeing sagacity, his practical agricultural wis-
dom and his vigorous business ability. Previous to the enactment of the
drainage laws now in force he had frequently driven over the rough cordu-
rov road crossing, the "Dead Man's Swamp," as it was locally called, on
account of its miasma. The rank growth of wild grasses indicated a luxuri-
ant soil, which he believed could be reclaimed by proper drainage. He set
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312 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
about the task and succeeded in ha\'ing an outlet opened foi- the swamp
waters into Swartz creek. A main ditch, four feet in width at the bottom
and ten feet at the top, was made, nearly four miles in length. A descent
of twelve feet from the marsh to the creek was secured, furnishing a reliable
and rapid current. This scheme of drainage involved a large outlay, Ixit
an extensive acreage, before absolutely worthless, was reclaimed, and other
lands which were more or less damaged by the dead water of the marsh
were rendered capable of much higher cultivation. During his life-time
Governor Crapo, and his son, William W. Crapo, after him, gave special
attention to the raising of pure-blood Herefords.
On the death of Mr. Crapo the farm went to his grandson, also named
Henry H. Crapo, of New Bedford, Connecticut. A brother, however, Stan-
ford T. Crapo, of Detroit, whose tastes run more to agriculture, has had the
active charge of the farm. The specialty of the farm is Hereford cattle
raising. The grave of David Fisher, the last chief of the Chippewas, is on
this place. The farm lalxir was done for years almost entirely by Indians of
the Fisher and Chatfield famihes, allied by affinity, who moved in i8gi to
Isabella county, where they have lands, but who came back lo the old home in
summer and find employment on the farm.
ACRICULTUBAI. SOCIETY.
To encourage the agricultural interests of the county there was early
formed the Genesee County Agricultural Society. For this purpose a pre-
liminary meeting of prominent farmers of the county was held January 12.
1850, in Flint. At an ad'oined meeting on Februar}' 15. a constitution was
adopted and the following officers elected: President, Hon. Jeremiah R.
Smith, of Grand Blanc; vice-presidents, Elhridge G. Gale, of Atlas, Isaac
Middleworth, of .Argentine, Alfred Pond, of Clayton. Daniel Dayton, of
Davison, George W. Piper, of Forest, James Hosie, of Flushing, Benjamin
Pearson, of Flint, William Tanner, of Fenton, E. Fletcher, of Gaines, Daniel
H. Seeley, of Genesee, Rowland B. Perry, of Grand Blanc, John Farquhar-
son, of Montrose, John Eiichards. of Mmidy, Garret Zufelt, of Richfield,
Richard Buel. of Thetford, and Daniel Montague, of Vienna; recording
secretary, James B. Walker, of Flint: corresponding secretary, George M.
Dewey, of Flint; treasurer, Augustus St, Amand, of Flint; executive com-
mittee, Jonathan Dayton, of Grand Blanc, C. D. W. Gibson, of Grand Blanc,
John L. Gage, of b^lint. C. N. Beecher, of Genesee, and Peabody Pratt, of
Flint.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3I3
The object of the society, as set forth in the first article of the consti-
tution, was "to promote agriculture, horticulture and mechanical arts in
Genesee county, Michigan." The first fair of the society was held in Flint,
October 2 and 3 of that year, in a grove near the Methodist church. In
1871 the society was legally incor^jorated, the cor^xirators and trustees l>eing
Elijah W. Rising, Francis H. Rankin, Oren Stone, Charles C. Beahan,
Charles Pettis, Henry Schram, William J. Phillips, Frederick H. KelHcutt.
Jesse M. Davis, Grant Decker, Levi Walker and John L. Gage,
The fair-gromuls of the society were from time to time enlarged
and improved. In 1854, four acres known as the "Stockton tract," then
recently added to the village plat of Flint, were purchased of Messrs. Fenton
and Bishop, for alwut four hundred dollars, on which the annual fair was
held in October of that year. The proceeds of the fair in 1855 enabled the
society to pay in full for the grounds. Two years later this area was nearly
doubled, by the purchase of an adjoining tract, from Jlon. Artenias Thayer,
at two hundred and twenty dollars an acre. Later a small tract was added by
purchase from Colonel l-'enton. These grounds were in the south part of the
city near the Thread river. In 1870 new fair-grounds were selected. The
society purchased of John Hamilton, for ten thousand dollars, tracts from the
McNeil and Hamilton out-lots, to which the buildings of the society were
removed. The old grounds were sold and platted as city lots. In 1877 the
new grounds were enlarged by tlie purchase of two more lots from "John
Hamilton's out-lots'' for five hundred dollars.
Among the early presidents of the society were Jeremiah R. Smith.
Benjamin Pearson, Grant Decker, Jonathan Dayton and Henry Schram. For
many years F. H. Rankin, Jr., was the secretary and a leading spirit in keep-
ing up interest in the annual fair. With the growth of the city of Flint, the
lands of the societ)' were sold for platting purposes, and the society disbanded.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER X.
Flint River Village, 1837-1855.
The progress of Flint in the years 1835-37 was typical of the progress
in Genesee county and Michigan as a whole, a growth which was Iroth cause
and effect of the general mania of wild speculation in lands and village lots
to which Flint and Genesee county were not exceptions. The story of wild-
cat banking in the Michigan of this period has been told in the portion of
this work devoted to the state's history; it was under the general banking
law of Marcli, 1837, that Genesee county began its lessons in financiering.
The county then had a population of less than three thousand people, of
whom about three hiuidred were in the Flint settlement at the Grand Traverse,
ffere were situated The Farmers' Bank of Genesee County and The Genesee
County Bank. Both of them were tenks of issue ; officially connected with
these and other banks of the county were Delos Davis, John Bartow, Charles
C. Hascall, Roljert F. Stage and Robert J. S. Page. The notes of these
hanks circulated, however, for but a short time; all l>anks in the county sus-
j>ended payment in 1838. on the decision of the supreme court relieving the
stockholders from any liability touching the redemption of the bills of the
bank, Flint and Genesee county suffered their full share of the hard times
which followed in the wake of this lamentable experiment in every settle-
ment in Michigan.
A PERIOD OF ADVANCEMENT.
But the vears following recovery from the fmancial panic of 1837 were
a period of marked development in the history of l-Tint. The lands especially
on its south and southeast were being rapidly settled and pioneers were push-
ing northward to the Flint river and beyond. The establishment of the land
office at Flint greatly promoted immigration to the vicinity. The beginnings
of agriculture reflected upon the growth of trade in the village. The sur-
plus of wheat and corn demanded Ijetter facilities for grinding and a market
nearer than Pontiac or Detroit, and in 1837 a grist-mill was established in
Flint where the Saginaw turnpike crossed the Thread river. ' For some years
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3I5
this was the only grist-mill within reach of settlers for many miles around
Klint and was of vast importance in the development of the region. A saw-
mill had been in operation since 1830. A second saw-mill was built by Stage
and Wright in 1836 on the south bank of the Flint river near where the
present Grand Trunk depot stands. Flint had become a little industrial
center, destined to achieve a great future in manufacturing. The Hydraulic
Association, in which Chauncey S. Payne was senior partner, followed soon
with another mill. The Stage and Wright mill was sold about 1840 to
Messrs. Stevens and Pearson, and when John Hamilton l>ecame sole pro-
prietor, he added, about 1844, a grist-mill ; in 1852 his son, William, became
sole proprietor. In 1850 the Flint mills sawed 5,200,000 feet of tumlwr.
By 1854 there were four steam mills and three water mills, with an aggregate
capacity for cutting 16.800,000 feet of lumljer, which established permanently
Flint'g reputation as a himliier market.
To facilitate communication and transjHjrtation to and from Flint, to
stimulate trade, and to increase immigration to the neighborhood, increased
attention was given to roads and railroads. In 1837 the Northern Railroad
Company was chartered. Although this virgin effort was fated to end in
little more than prehminary work for an indifferent wagon-road, it raised
the hopes of pioneers who had already settled along its route and attracted
the attention of others who were in, search of new homes. In 1839 a stage
line connected Flint with the new railroad from Detroit, at Birmingham.
In 1843 the railroad reached Pontiac. Stages were nm from Flint to Fentou-
ville from 1856 on, to connect with the new railroad lieing built througli
there by the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway. The next year was organized
a Flint company looking to a railroad through Saginaw to the northwest,
which marked the Iieginuing of the Flint & Pore Marquette. Previous to
the completion of these hoi>eful projects the Indian trails furnished primitive
passageways through the forests, and were soon improved to l>ecome the
first new roads over which the pioneers from the outlying settlement.^
journeyed to Flint for lumber, fiour and other merchandise. A plank road
was built south through Grand Blanc to connect with the northern terminus
of the Holly, Wayne & Monroe railroad, at Holly. Another was laid to
Fenton to connect with the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad. A third wa,s
built to Saginaw. The ri\-er also furnished an outlet to some degree. In a
local paper of March 27, 1852, ai^ears the following item:
"Port of Fhnt- — Arrivals and Departures.
Departed, scow 'Kate Hayes', Captain Charles Mather."
dbyGoot^lc
3Il5 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
THF FIRST BRICK BUILDING.
It was in this period that the first brick building was erected in Fhiit.
In 1844. Alexander Ward, a brick maker, came to Flint, His operations
and those of his sons and others associated with them have made a continuous
record in that industry down to the present time. John Zimmerman was
one of Ward's apprentices, who at the start was just a German lad, unable
to si>eak a word of English. They first used clay along the borders of
Thread creek at the head of Church street, but later worked over many
blocks on Ijoth sides of Saginaw- street, from Eighth street south. This
industry has played a very significant part in the history of Flint. It has
for its monument many large stores, schools, churches, homes and factories.
The story of the two first brick buildings for business in THint has been well
told by Mr. M. S. Flmore :
"With one's municipal pride stimulated anew almost any day when one
walks abroad in our fair city, to discover new structures not before seen,
lofty, imposing, picturesque or pretentious, the homes of vast enterprises,
or the dwellings of contented citizens, one who has noted through develop-
ing decades this evolution in architecture is apt to rememlier the distant days
when brick and stone were less in evidence in building, and but little appeal
was made to the aesthetic fancy of the beholder. Nor does it seem so long
ago that this condition obtained in the future Vehicle City.
"There seems to !« a diversity of opinion regarding the priority of two
brick buildings, each thought by some to have been the first structure of
brick for business purposes in the place — the Cumings or Crapo store, on
north Saginaw street, and the building once known as the Hazelton store, on
south Saginaw street, west side near First street. This building, now three
stories high, and occupied by Campbell & Ingersoll, music dealers, and George
E. Childs, jeweler, was originally built with steep gable roofs, pitching to
front and rear, alrove a second story and big attic. 1 remember it well,
although both this and the Cumings buildings were built before I came to
Fhnt. Various authorities agree that the 'Scotch store' of Cumings & Cur-
ren was built in 1851-2, while I have l>een informed by an old citizen familiar
with the event, Hon. Jerome Eddy, that the Hazelton stores were built in
1854; the building was thought to be quite a marvel in architecture. It has
been said that George Hazelton and George W. Hill joined in its con.struc-
tion : but this I do not find substantiated. The stores were originally occu-
pied by the Flazelton brothers; the south store for dry-goods, by George;
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GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 317
the north store )>y Homer and Porter, with hardware. George W, Hill
afterward occupied the stores with furniture and undertakers' wares for
many years, l>efore Ijeing improved by an additional story and modern roof.
"The corner, or north part of the 'Scotch store,' as it was known, was
occupied by Cumings & Curren as a general store in the fifties; and some-
one else, probably Jerome Kddy, was selling goods in the south half of the
building.
"It should not l)e forgotten that, at the time of which 1 write, the north
side of the river was the popular side, and was confidently ex[>ected to remain
the princi]>al section for business in the hopeful hamlet and future city. Real
estate controversies, familiar to the citizens of that time who remain, were
regarded the unhappy and effectual means of driving business and building
to the south side. This will account for the existence, during the earliest
history of the town, of thriving shops on the north side, when D. S. Fox.
\V. O'Donoghue, the Deweys, Witherbee, Jerome Eddy, William Stevenson,
Cumings & Cnrren, O. F. I'orsyth, and others, as also for two taverns,
believed to have selected the l>est locations in the town for future success and
prosperity.
"The 'Scotch store' was sold to Hon, H, H. Crapo, proprietor of the
Crapo lumber mills and business, and was for many years conducted in its
interest and for its benefit.
"Capt Damon Stewart, too well known as a native to require an intro-
duction, talked with me entertainingly of this old building when asked for
data, saying 'I ought to know, for I helped to carry the brick,' and he seems
to have been generally useful for so young a lad. An experience of the
liuilder that could scarcely Ije had in this day. was to discover, when ready
for it, that he could find no timber long enough for so big a roof, and the
completion of the buikling as planned was achieved only after men had gone
into the woods, far up the river. Young Stewart ('Damon' will make his
recognition easy) was one of the 'gang' on a job that proved 'strenuous.'
The time was in January and the water was low in the streams, so that often
dredging had to Ije resorted to, to float the logs to deeper water. Much of
this cold work was done while wading: yet it was more comfortable, he
declared, than working in the cold on land.
"Captain Stewart tells of an incident which occurred while the walls
were Ijeing built, wherein one of the bricklayers, an unpopular fellow, was
one day late, and one of the men seeing him coming, mischievously or
viciously threw the mason's trowel into the space between the outer and inner
lavers of brick, emptying a full trowel of mortar on the tool ; and, added
dbyGoot^lc
3l8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Captain Stewart, 'today it might be found in the south wall, near the three
windows, which were not there at that time.' Interest has been added to the
foregoing story by a fortunate statement of George C. Willson, that this
trowel was found in the wall, during recent changes in the building, as Mr.
Stewart predicted, and, I believe, is now in Mr. Willson's possession. (\
Free and Accepted Mason might fear that the symbolical uses of the trowel
had hardly been exeniphfied in this incident.)
"But I think the strangest story in connection with the Cumings-Crapo
store comes from George (". Willson, under whose management the building
is, and is yet to be told. It now appears that during all this half-centnry
of momentous years, the prosaic and plain structure we have thought of, and
spoken of, as the 'Scotch store' or the 'Craixi store,' had secreted from the
ken of mortals, a romance. While men did come and men did go, during
the years when lovers have had time to be born, to have found their ailinity,
wed, divorced, and died; when passers-by have daily looked upon the severe
and angular as[>ect of this famihar pile; this act in an unpubhshed drama
was waiting for its recall. Hidden, irrecoverably, it was believed, in the
fastnesses of a rude and narrow sepulchre, was found a small box in the
wall, containing numerous letters, written in a style of chirography that indi-
cates the writer to ha\'e been an accomplished lady; the composition of the
letters in language one might expect from the pen of a school teacher, which
she evidently was. These epistles tell us only one side of a story, the fair
writer often complaining that she had received no replies to her letters.
They were written from HamiMon, Michigan, and Mount Morris, New York,
under date of 1849 and 1850 to James Curren, who was at that time asso-
ciated with his brother-in-law, Mr. Cumings, in the mercantile business in
Flint. Cumings & Curren were then erecting the brick building at the comer
of North Saginaw^ street and Second avenue, which was for years familiarly
known as the Crapo Variety Store, and later occupied as a 'general store'
by Pomeroy Brothers. While remodeling the building in the fall of 1898
for the manufacturing plant of the Flint Gear and Top Company, the letters
above referred to were found in the west wall, in a round wooden box,
together with a lock of hair, and a card on which two hands were clasped,
entwined with ribbons with the inscription: "True Friendship," and date
June 10, 1849. On placing these letters Ijetween walls of brick and mortar,
Mr. Curren undoubtedly sought to hide forever all traces of a sweeter senti-
ment which he wished to banish from his future life. Shortly afterward he
sailed for Australia, where, we understand, he met with reverses, returning
home to die. George Willson had the peculiar pleasure, during the fall oi
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 319
1905, of delivering the box with letters enclosed to the original writer, a
resident of Flint, and an interesting invalid .of advanced years. These inci-
dents invest the ancient Cumings-Crapo-Durant & Dort buildings with more
than a cold commercial atmosphere for future dwellers of the north side
when passing by it.
"The patronage enjoyed by these first stores in Flint was not limited
to the radius of a few miles, between county towns, or less, but trade invited
the sparse population from long distances every way, when days were required
to come and return. Produce, furs, butter and eggs, maple sugar and berries
were brought to exchange for goods, and the stores on the north side of the
river did a thriving business.
"The Brent family, whose great farm was located three or four miles
below Flushing, were quite distinguished for their wealth and position. It
is said that they and their neighbors were accustomed to come to 'the Flint'
by boat on Flint river, projwlled by Indians, to exchange produce, furs anti
Spanish dollars for goods, which being loaded into their boats, they could
return to their homes with less effort, by the helpful course of the current.
It is likewise currently believed that these native boatmen loaded themselves
with fire-water, sometimes, imbibing with the fluid a sportive disposition to
tint the little town a warm Indian red; but they were usually peaceable.
sturdv anfl skillful men with oar or paddle."
i:arly industries.
Alxnit this time ?M:gan the manufacture of hoots and shoes in Flint.
Reuben McCreery, Augustus Knight, Abram Barker, Royal C. Ripley, John
Ouigley and John Delbridge were the most prominent men early in this
industry. The needs of the' pioneer settlers were cared for in a different
manner then than are the needs of our citizens today. A recent writer
remarks ;
"In 1840 and 1850 shoe stores did not keep a record of the sizes of
their customers' feet and shoe them on a telephone order by a uniformed
dehvery service. In those days lx)0ts and shoes were not articles of com-
merce, hut of manufacture, and the stores could not supply the call for foot-
wear. The customer was sent to the neighlx>ring shoe shop to leave an order
and a measure. For men, the product would be cowhide or calfskin boots,
and for women, bootees. As the population of the village and county grew,
so grew the boot factories until at the height of the industry this village had
five or six shops, not then dignified by the name of factories, and from fifty
dbyGoot^lc
320 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
to seventy-five employees steadily occupied in the making of boots and shoes
to measure. Akin to this production was that of the leather from which the
boots were made, and, while not a Flint industry, it was installed by Flint
capital and directed by Flint energy. The greater part of the leather for all
the boot work of this section was made by Barker & Ripley in a tannery
which they operated at Vassar, in the heart of the hemlock territory. Their
product was largely cowhide and calfskin for the factory purpose, but there
was a surplus over local demands left in the rough and shipped East from
Flint after there were shipping facilities. This industry contributed to Flint's
material prosperity and figured in the volume of its output."
The Genesee iron works were built in 1847, '^y William Cough, and
among their early products was the mowing machine. They made agricul-
tural implements of a primitive kind and cared for such machine work as
the few mills then in operation required. In 1848 a steam engine was started
in this plant: prior to this time there was only one steam engine in this
region, which ran a pail and tub factory operated by Elias Williams near the
river bank about where the Crapo saw-mill was afterwards located. These
works were allied to the lumljering activities of Flint and played a vastly
important part in pioneer development. With them may Ije classed another
shop, that of A. Culver. Rev. John McAlester's wagon-shop began its
valuable service at an early day. Over the Genesee Iron works, Merriman
& Abernathy started in 1S46 a pioneer effort in the nature of caqjenter shop
work. This was a planing-mill to dress lumljer and to make sash, doors and
blinds, turning, cabinet work, frames and scroll work. Thomas Newell
later became interested in this venture. Mr, Newel! was for many years a
partner of S. C. Randall, founder of the Randall Lumber and Coal Company,
which is the successor of this pioneer industry.
Also auxiliary to the lumiwring industry was the manufacture of [jotash
and pearl. The asheries in the village shipped great quantities to the East.
The financial returns of this industry were generous and contributed to the
capital that was rapidly starting Flint on its prosperous career.
In Octolier, 1835, J. F. Alexander established a wool-carding mill on
the Thread river. Ten years later John C. Griswold engaged in the .same
business at the Thread mills. For years these mills carded all the wool of
this section and the product was taken home to the women, who spun it into
yarn and wove it into the native homespun of the pioneers. Mr. Alexander
advertised his carding mills in verse, as follows :
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 32I
"Wool-carding done at the Alexander carding-machine ;
All being new, nothing said about it being washed clean.
The women's instructions are, 'Tell Mr. Alexander, please.
Make me as good rolls as yon can; it will my mind ease.'
"I will, if you grease the wool so and so, and be sure
Then your rolls shall be nice, can't lje beat, nothing truer;
And your mind will be at rest when yon see that they are
Made at the Carding-Mills, No. i, of J. F. Alexander."
THE OLD BRTCK COURT HOUSE.
One of the earliest brick buildings erected in Flint village at this time
was the new court house. At a meeting of the supervisors in 1S47 a move-
ment was begun for a fire-proof building; no results were obtained until
1851, when the board appointed Julian Bishop, of Grand Blanc, D. N. Mon-
tague, of Vienna, and William Patterson, of Flint, as a building cominittee
"to receive proposals, and cause to be erected a substantia! fire-proof county
btiilding," for offices for the county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds and
judge of probate. The building was to be erected on the court house square
at an expense of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars. It was
finished the same year by Enos and Reuben Goodrich at a cost of about nine
hundred dollars.
EARLY LAWYERS.
Among the Flint lawyers who probably tried cases in this building was
James Birdsall, who came to the village in 1839. He was a native of Chen-
ango county. New York, where he had been a banker, politician, extensive
lumberman on the Susquehanna river, president of the Norwich bank, and a
member of the lower house of Congress; he was seventy-three years old at
the time of his death in Flint in 1856. Artemas Thayer was admitted to
tlie bar in Flint in the same year Mr. Birdsall came; he later became an
extensive dealer in real estate. Alexander P. Davis, a native of Cayuga
countv, New York, removed to Flint in 1843 from Livingston county, Mich-
igan, and for nearly thirty years was one of the most prominent lawyers in
the county; he n^as elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, state senator
and other positions of honor. Levi Walker, a native of Washington county.
New York, came to Flint in 1847. He held many positions of high honor
(21)
dbyGoot^lc
322 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and rendered signal ser\'iccs to his fellownien. Of him it has been said.
"As a lawyer, he stood in manjr respects at the head of his profession. Hi.?
opinion upon any law point was considered by his professional brethren as
ahnost conclusive." At the time of his death, while he was a member of
the Legislature, the sj^x^aker of the house said, "It is no exaggeration to say
that in the death of Mr. Walker the house has lost one of its best and ablest
members. Shrinking from no la!x»r, with watchful attention to every detail,
he was never satisfied until he had thoroughly mastered his subject. Then,
with clearness of argument and aptness of illustration he presented his views,
almost invariably to receive the sanction and approval of his associates."
The medical profession in Flint village was represented by several physi-
cians of considerable eminence. Dr. Robert D. Lamond, a graduate of the
medical school at Castleton, V'ermont, and also of the Fairfield Medical
College, in Herkimer county. New York, came to Flint alxjut 1838 from
Pontiac, where he had commenced practice soon after 1830. He repre-
sented Genesee counly in the Legislature in 1844. and continued to reside in
Flint until his death in 1871. Before 1840 Dr. Elijah Drake settled in Flint.
practicing here until his death in 1875. In 1840 came Dr. George W. Fish.
Doctor Fish removed to Jackson in 1848, holding subsequently many high
positions of trust which kept him from Flint, to which he did not return
until late in life. Dr. Daniel Clarke, a graduate of Harvard, removed from
Grand Blanc to Flint in 1844, where he continued to practice for the greater
portion of his life. In 1845 ^^- ^^ I-^skie Miller came to Flint from Lai>eer,
but after seven years remo\'ed to Chicago and was subsequently appointed
professor of obstetrics in Rush Medical College. In 1848, Dr. John Willet,
a graduate of Geneva (New York) Medical College, began his practice in
Flint, where he continued until appointed as surgeon in the army in 1862,
On his return he entered the drug business, and later was elected to the state
Legislature.
In the winter of i8.ii-i84> there was organized at Flint the Genesee
County Medical Society, the first organization of the kind in the county. Of
this society the following mention was made in an address by Dr. G. W.
F'ish in 1876;
"About thirty-five years ago. four physicians met in an office in the
Uttle village of Flint, and, after much deliljeration and consultation, organ-
ized the first medical society ever formed in this part of the state. They
dbyGoot^lc
GENF.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 323
were all young men, but recently from the schools, natives of the state of
New York, and had all a common alnui maier— the old Fairfield Medical
College, in Herkimer county. New York. Of those who that day attached
their signatures to the constitution and by-laws of the first Genesee County
Medical Society, one. Dr. John A. Hoyes, has been dead almost a score of
years; another, Dr. Robert D. Lamond, died some five years since; the third,
Dr, John W. King, lies in his coflin and will soon be ]>orne by ns to his last
resting-place, and the fourth is he who now addresses you."
In a letter written later by Doctor Fish he sjjeaks of this old society as
follows; "We sent to I!)etroit and to Pontiac for copies of the constitution
and by-laws of their respective medical societies, and framed one suited to
our wishes. My impression is that Doctor Hoyes was the first president
and Dr. I,amond, secretary. I also think that the first annual meeting was
held at Flint, the following June, at which meeting Doctors Steere and
Gallup, of Fentonville, and Doctor Baldwin, of Atlas, became members, and
perhaps Doctor Miller, of Flushing, may have joined at that time, or soon
after. I may Ix: mistaken one year in the date of the organization, but I
think I am right. The society remained in active operation for many years,
until I went south. J Ijelieve ail the regular bred physicians who came into
the county became members of the society, l^e.'^ides some from Lapeer, Shia-
wassee and Saginaw coimties.''
VILLAGE SCHOOLS.
The schools of Flint during the period of village growth made a notable
advance, as will appear from the following sketch;
"The first ofiicial report of the school inspectors was made Octoljer 20,
1838; from which report we learn that the whole number {>f scholars attend-
ing was 60, of whom, 39 were between the ages of five and seventeen years ;
the nunil>er under five and over seventeen being 21. Duration of school, six
months. Amount raised by tax was $586, of which $499 was for building a
schoolhouse. and $87 for the support of schools. This house must have been
the frame building which formerly stood at the comer of Clifford and First
streets, on. the site now occupied by Mr. Browning's hotise. Although the
public school was thus legally organized, there were man)- and formidable
obstacles to its success. Hard times soon came on and money was scarce,
and the teachers often doubly earned, by delays and duns, the pittance which
they received. But the greatest obstacle was want of faith in the free-
school system, and hence the attempt to run the mongrel system hampered
dbyGoot^lc
324 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
with rate-bills, which were often very onerous, especiaUy in the primary
department, offering a temptation to parents with large families of small
children to tolerate, if not encourage, absence from school; and as each
absence increased the burden on those remaining, the evil grew in a con-
stantly increasing ratio, until sometiines the school was brought to a prema-
ture close. After struggling thus for several years without recognizing the
real impediment in the way, the friends of education made a rally on the
union-school system as a sovereign remedy for all scholastic ills. That por-
tion of the district lying north of Flint river having been set off as a separate
district, those remaining purchased an entire block and proceeded to erect
a house in the second ward. But here, at the outset, a most egregious and
irreparable blunder was perpetrated. The lot at that time was covered with
a fine growth of young oaks, which were most carefully exterminated;
whereas, had they been left to grow, they would by this time have formed one
of the finest groves in the county. This house, which was a two-story wooden
building, surmounted by a cupola not remarkable for its grace or artistic
effect, contained four commodious rooms. It did good service for many
years,
"On the completion of the house a union school was inaugurated in the
fall of 1846, under charge of N. W. Butts, with an ample corps of teachers.
Years passed on and many a faithful teacher did valiant service, though often
with a depressing consciousness of Egyptian taskwork to make scholars of
pupils who attended at random. As an illustration of the extent of this evil
of irregular attendance, we cite a report for the term ending August, 1853,
as follows: Whole number enrolled, 64; average attendance, 18; average
absences, 46. The total result, under this incubus of the rate-bill, was not
very satisfactory; the panacea had failed and a new remedy must Ije tried.
"Accordingly, we find that at the annual school-meeting held in 1855
the following resolutions were adopted, prefaced with a preamble, setting
forth that the experience of ten years had demonstrated the failure of the
union-school system to give any adequate return for the expense incurred,
while it completely excluded four-fifths of the children of the district from
any participation in its questionable benefits ; and believing that the great
interests of education would be advanced, the burden of taxation diminished,
and the harmony of the second and third wards improved by a frank and
open abandonment of the present system, and the division of the district;
therefore,
" 'Resolved, that the union system as adopted, so far as it goes to estab-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 325
lish the academic department in said school, be and the same is hereby
abandoned.
" 'Resolved, that we have ten months of school the coming year in this
house. That we have one male and two female teacliers qualified to teach
the primary and English branches of education.
" 'Resolved, that, in the opinion of this meeting, the great interest of
education in our city would be advanced by a division of Union school district
No. I, so that Saginaw street should be the dividing line.'
"In accordance with this expression of public sentiment, upon petition
of the parties interested, the division was made by the school inspectors,
and district No, 3, embracing the then third ward, was formed. But, the
disintegration having commenced, another division was called for and made,
forming district No. 4, of that portion of the third ward lying north of
Court street.
"The old District, No. i was now left in an anomalous position, for, as
jnight have been expected, with the adoption of the foregoing resolutions
no provision was made for sustaining a public school, the customary asses.'i-
nient of one dollar per scholar being ignored, with the following curious
results; From the report of 1855-56 it appears that the whole amount of
teachers' wages was $1,235, of which the amount assessed on rate-bills
($646.47) was more than one-half, while the moiety of less than one-fifth
($214.82) was derived from the primary-school fund and mill-tax, and
$343.52, more than one-fourth, was received from non-residents, a propor-
tion unparalleled in the history of our schools, and an evidence of the [wpu-
larity of the teacher then in charge. Prof. M. B. Beals.
"This was certainly bringing the free public school to its lowest terms,
and a continuance of the same must soon have led to the total abandonment
of the whole system. But the people were not ready for such a catastrophe
and ever after, at the annual meetings, voted as liberally as the law allowed
for the support of schools, and would gladly have anticipated, by a decade,
that relea.l:e from the thraldom of rate-bills which the legislature ultimately
gave."
THE FIRST NEWSPAPER.
These early years of Flint under statehood were signalized especially
by the growth of the press. All of the newspapers in Grenesee county up
to 1854 were pubhshed in Flint. The first was published as early as January,
1839. It was a democratic sheet known as The Flint River Gazette, pub-
lished by Joseph K. Averill. The press, fixtures and type with which it was
dbyGoot^lc
326 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Started had previously been in use in the state of Xew York, and the extent
of the equipment may be judged from the purchase price paid by Mr. Averill,
namely, one thousand ninety-three dollars and ninety-one cents. Its publica-
tion proved unsuccessful and in 1841 it ceased to exist.
The following story about this paper is told by Mr. W. R. Bates : When
the population of the embryo city of l-'lint was well down in the hundreds,
the community was somewhat startled by the appearance of a boy on the
streets of the hamlet offering for sale a paper. The boy's name was Edward
Todd and the name of paper was the Whip Lash. Mr. Todd informs nie that
nearly everyone bought a copy because, as he naively added, 'nearly everybod}'
was mentioned in its columns.' He says that for many years no one knew
who was responsible for it, but that William P. Crandall and Cornelius Roose-
velt secured his services to sell it on the streets and that they were its editors.
This gossiping sheet was printed on the hand press of the first paper pub-
lished at Flint — The Flint River Gasette — and nearly every item had its sting.
So it seems that the modern Town Topics of New York City had its proto-
type in the forests on the banks of the Flint way back in the thirties."
The second newspaper in the county was The Northern Advocate, Whig
in politics, published in 1840 by William Perry Joslyn; but the following year
it was removed to Pontiac. In June, 1843, appeared the first number of
The Genesee County Democrat, published by William B. Sherwood, who
before had unsuccessfully published the Shiawassee Democrat and Clinton
Express, at Corunna in Shiawassee county; he was not more successful
at Flint. The Genesee RepnhUcan, a democratic paper, first appeared in
April, 1845. It was understood to lie owned by Gen. Charles C. Hascall.
In the same year appeared The Flint Republican, published by Daniel S.
Merritt. It was this paper which, iu 1848, came under the proprietorship
of Royal W. Jenny, who had been connected with it at least since 1840.
In 1853 he ceased to publish the Republican and immediately commenced
the publication of the Genesee Democrat, one of the most successful of the
early newspapers. Two short-lived papers. The Western Citisen and The
Genesee Whig, the first owned by O. S. Carter, the second by Francis H.
Rankin, were published about 1850. In that year Mr. Rankin founded
what proved to be a worthy rival of the Genesee Democrat, namely The
Genesee Whig, whose name after the dissolution of the Whig party was
changed first to The Wolverine Citizen and Genesee Whig and finally to
The Wolverine Citizen. From the organization of the Republican party
at Jackson in 1854 this paper was a distinctively Republican paper of the
"stalwart" type. Its editor was actively instrumental in reorganizing the
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GF.NKSEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. ■i,^-]
anti-slavery elements of the old Whig and Democratic parties of Genesee
county.
EARLY RELIGIOUS INTERESTS.
The oldest religions organization in Flint is the Court Street Metho-
dist Episcopal church, which hegan in a humble way in 1B35 when Rev.
William H. Erockaway established the first preaching at Flint in the bar-
room of Mr. Beach's tavern. Next year the upper story of Stage & Wright's
store was used and the first class was organized. The first quarterly rneeting
of the Michigan conference was held at IHint in 1837. The name "Flint
River Mission" appears on the minutes in 1837 for the first time, with
Luther D, Whitney as preacher in charge and Samuel P. Shaw, presiding
elder. During the athiiinistration of I^ev. F. B. Bangs, who was appointed
to the Flint work in the autumn of 1841, a church edifice was built on the
lot donated to the societj' by Wait Beach, on the southwest corner of Beach
and Sixth streets. It was dedicated on the evening of December 21, 1844.
The size of the building was thirty-five by fifty-iive feet, with a small gallery
in one end. The annual conference of 1847 made Flint village a station
entirely distinct from the circuit. About this time a number of improvements
were made in the church property. Among those who served on this appoint-
ment previous to 1855, after Rev, Whitney, were Revs. I^rman Chatfield,
Ebenezer Steel, F'. B. Bangs, William Mothersill, Harrison Morgan, David
Burns, M. B. Cambuni, Dr. B, S. Taylor, William Mahon, J. M. Arnold
and George Taylor,
The first Presbyterian church of Flint had its beginning with members
of another conmiunion. In 1837 their leader. Rev. M. Dudley, organized
seventeen persons into a Congregational church, at the "River House." In
1840, there being no Congregational association in this region, they placed
themselves under the care of the presbytery of Detroit. At about the same
time they built a church where later stood the Henderson warehouse. By
1845 this building had been enlarged and removed to the east comer of
Saginaw and First streets, and not long afterwards the members entered
upon the work of erecting a new house of worship, which was dedicated
on January 26. 1S48. The Congregationalists remained connected with this
church until 1867. Pre\'ious to 1S55 the principal pastors of this society
were Revs, Dudley, Bates, Parker, Beach, VanNest, Atterbury and Northrop.
As earlv as 1837 an efifort was made to organize a Baptist church in
Flint, which was presently successful. An event which considerably strength-
ened the movement was the disl>anding of a church of fifteen members five
dbyGoot^lc
328 GENEStE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
miles from Flint in present Burton township, who transferred their mem-
bership to the Flint church. The meetings of the new society were
held in a room over the jail in the court house, but repeated disturbances
in those quarters led them to take a room in the Crapo building, on the
north side of the river, until a church should be built. The erection of
the first meeting-house was accomplished only with great difficulty and was
dedicated in 1855.
St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, began in 1839. In that year
the missionary. Rev. Daniel E. Brown, visited Flint and reported that
"The voice of an Episcopal clergyman in celebrating the services of our
church had never been heard here." In October the bishop visited Flint
and reported such zeal manifested for the organization of a parish that he
consented at once to the proposed measure. Rev. Mr. Brown bega» work
here in November and in the following month a church was organized, among
whose members were George M. Dewey, Grant Decker and Henry C. Walker.
The wardens elected were T. D. Butler and Milton A. Case. On the original
vestry were Reuben McCreery, Jonathan Dayton, Henry M. Henderson,
Chauncey S. Payne and James .B. Walker. The holy communion was cele-
brated for the first time on Christmas day, 1839. Rev. Daniel E. Brown
became the first rector. In March, 1S49, the bishop visiting the new parish
found that a temporary building had been neatly fitted up for the accommo-
dation of the congregation, but it was forced to solicit help from the Fast
to complete the building of a church. Rev. Mr. Brown succeeded in raising
from that source about one thousand seven hundred dollars above expenses.
Many difficulties, however, still attended the achievement of putting up the
new church building, which was not completed until July, 1843. This was
known as the "Old church." a building thirty-four by forty-eight feet, stand-
ing on village lot No. 5, block No. 2. In his report to the convention in
1S44, the Rev. Mr. Brown speaks of liberal donations "received from the
friends of the church in New York, of an elegant set of communion plates,
also a superb copy of the Bible, and the Book of Common Prayer, for the use
of chancel and reading-desk." In 1846 the resignation of the Rev. Mr.
Brown was accepted "with deep regret." During a period of seven years
his official acts were as follows: Baptisms, 47 (infant, 33; adult, 14), con-
firmations, 24; funerals, 21; marriages, 12. His successor was Rev. Charles
Reighley, who resigned in 1850. His official acts during these three years
were; Baptisms 35 {infant, 28; adult, 7); confirmations, 12; marriages. 3;
burials, 33. In 1852 Rev. John Swan Ijecame the next rector, who still held
that position when the village became a city.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 329
In this period also were laid the foundations of St. Michael's Roman
Catholic church. Bishop P. Lefever, of the diocese of Detroit, was the
impidse which placed in form of organization the material for a Roman
Catholic church in Flint. The first efforts date back to September 2, 184,3,
tliough the building was several years in process of erection. The ground
on which it stands was deeded by Chauncey S. Payne and George M. Dewey
gave two hundred dollars towards the fund, while many leading citizens
contributed more or less liberally as their means ]>ermitted. Among the
friends from Detroit who rendered material aid to the struggling enterprise
were Lewis Cass, Joseph Campau, Bishop P. Lefever, Peter Desnoyer, and
many other names well known in olden times. Daniel O'Sullivan, whose
arrival in Flint occurred in July, 1834, was largely instrumental in the con-
struction of the building, having contributed both in means and lalxDr to
the enterprise. The first regularly installed pastor was Rev. Michael Mona-
ghan, who remained some time after the completion of the church, and was
succeeded by Rev. Joseph Kinderkins, brother of Vicar-General Kinderkins,
of Detroit, who, in turn, was succeeded by Rev. C. L. Deceuninck, in 1856,
who organized a school under the management of two lay teachers. His
pastorate extended over a period of fifteen years, during which time he was
active in many benevolent enterprises and did much for the relief of the
poor of the church.
The first cemetery in Flint was a piece of ground about an acre in
extent known as the "old Patterson homestead." It was bounded on the
south by Fifth street, on the west by Grand Traverse, on the north by Court
and on the east by Church. This acre was deeded in 1835 by Mr. and Mrs.
Wait Beach to the county for a burial ground. It was in use about eight
years and twenty-five interments were made in it, when it was vacated. In
1841 a new location was chosen, known as the "old burial ground," situ-
ated on the north side of the Richfield road on Kearsley street about half a
mile east of Saginaw street. The bodies were disinterred from the original
ground and reburied here. In 1842 John Beach deeded to the county an
acre of ground as a first addition to this plat, which was the last addition
made while Flint remained a village.
Flint village saw also the beginning of two leading benevolent associa-
tions, the Masons and the Odd Fellows. The first lodge of the order of
Free and Accepted Masons was convened in Flint, April 6, 1848, and was
organized as Genesee Lodge No. 23. Its first officers were H. I. Higgins,
worthy master; Chauncey S. Payne, senior warden; Willard Eddy, junior
warden ; Charles Reighley, secretary and treasurer ; — Wright, senior
dbyGoot^lc
330 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
deacon; Benjamin Boomer, junior deacon; Ingals, tiler. The lodge
held its early meetings in the Starr building, in the first ward, owned by
Chauncey S. Payne, and since burned. I'he first member initiated was Col.
E. H. Thomson. It then moved into the Hil! building, on the south side
of Saginaw street. In December, 1845, it surrendered its charter and its
books and papers were, by order of the grand lodge of the state, together
with jurisdiction over its membership, transferred to FHnt Lodge No. 2;^,
Free and Accepted ■ Masons.
Genesee Lodge No. 24, Independent Order of Odd Fellows was insti-
tuted, June I, 1874, by Deputy Grand Master Alfred Treadway, of Pontiac,
under a dispensation granted by the Most Worthy Grand Master Andrew
J. Clark, of Niles. The dispensation was replaced by a charter from the
grand lodge, July 22, 1847. The lodge reported on the 30th of June of
the same year thirty-three contributing meml>ers. Its first officers were
Edward H. Thompson, noble grand; George M. Dewey, vice-grand; Charles
D. Little, secretary; Sylvester A. Pengra, treasurer. E. H. Thomson was the
first representative from Genesee Lodge to the grand lodge of Michigan and
was also its first district deputy grand master. The second corps of officers
of the lodge, installed in January, 1848, were George M. Dewey, noble
grand; Charles D. Little, vice-grand; Sylvester A. Pengra, secretary; George
H. Hazelton. treasurer.
THE FIRST LIBRARY.
In the closing-years of tliis period was organized an institution of much
interest to a group of Flint people desirous of improvement in scientific
knowledge. Feeling the want of Irooks which they could not individually
command, they associated for the purpose of forming a library. The charter
members of the club were: D, Clarke, M. Miles, R. S. Hutton, C. L. Avery.
William Stevenson, S. E. Wilcox, F. H. Rankin and A. B. Pratt.
At a meeting called at the office of F. H. Rankin, February 8, J853. a
society was organized and the following officers were elected : President,
D. Clarke; secretary, F. H. Rankin; librarian, M. Miles; treasurer, William
Stevenson. The object of the society was fully set forth in the constitu-
tion as follows : "The society shall be known as the Flint Scientific Insti-
tute. Its objects shall be to promote the study and investigation of the sev-
eral branches of scientific knowledge, the estabfishment of a library of scien-
tific works and a museum of natural history; and its funds shall be devoted
to the procuring of such l>ooks, charts and other matters as shall promote
those objects." The objects were further elucidated in a paper "On the
dbyGoot^lc
(;i".M-si':ic couN'i'y, Michigan, _^3t
iinporttiiice of acquiring and extending scientific knowledge," read by the
president at the first qnarterly meeting, held April 6, 1853, which paper was
by request published in the Genesee Whig. In May, 1853 a circular was
issued calling public attention to the objects and needs of the institution
and soliciting aid in membership and donations of books, and also specimens
of natural history to form a cabinet. In resixinse to this appeal, the fol-
lowing names were added to the list of members : T. Newail. E. Dodge,
H. R. Pratt, J. N. Lake. M. Pratt, S. B. Cummings. G. Andrews. D. Glen-
dall, J. Guild, M. B, Deals, C. E. McAlester, J. Kellancl. William B.
McCreery, Charles Rankin, M. D. Seeley, J. N. Burdick, H, Wilson, R. P.
Aitkin and William Travis.
Many specimens were brought in by farmers and others and the mem-
bers generally went to work with a will. Some, who were occupied during
business hours, brought in valuable contributions as the result of their morn-
ing and evening excursions with the gun or fishing-rod, and obtained for
their reward, in addition to the consciousness of aiding a worthy cause,
improved health and renewed vigor.
In March, 1854, a course of twelve lectures having been completed, a
series of weekly informal meetings for the discussion of stated" subjects
was commenced. The subject of geography in all relations was taken up;
the topic was announced two weeks in advance and was discussed after the
report of standing committees. A wide range was taken and a large portion
of the earth's surface was passed in review. Many facts of interest were
noted, much thought elicited, and without donbt all engaged in the work
profited by it.
The Ladies Library Association of Flint was organized in 1851. It
was the first of its kind in Michigan. By special invitation of Mrs. T. B.
W. Stockton, a small band of ladies met at her residence to consider the
practicability of forming some society to supply the lack of culture for them-
selves and their families. This work the ladies of Flint felt to be theirs.
\\'hile the fathers, brothers and husbands were felling the forests, erecting
mills, tilling the soil and Iniilding for their families new homes, the mothers,
wives and daughters did what was in their power to furnish wholesome
food for the intellect. The result of the first meeting was the forming of
an association for mutual improvement, and the decision to meet once a week
to discuss literary subjects, to read and com[>are ideas on what was read,
and a resolution to do what they could to establish and sustain a i>ermanent
library. v\ constitution was written and presented by Mrs. R. W, Jenny,
which was adopted. TJie following officers were chosen for the first year :
dbyGoot^lc
332 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
President, Mrs. T. B. W. Stockton; vice-president, Mrs. J. B. Walker; record-
ing secretary, Mrs. R. W. Jenny; treasurer, Mrs. Dr. Manly Miles; libra-
rian, Miss Hattie Stewart. A corresponding secretary, a book committee of
three and an executive committee of five persons were added to the list
of officers during the first year. After some discussion relative to ways
and means, and the prospect of supporting a library, the ladies adjourned
to meet the following week at the residence of Mrs. WilHam M. Fenton.
At their next meeting was expressed their firm resolve to establish a
library, and their organization was called the "Ladies' Library Associa-
tion" ; although they had no funds in the treasury save the small sum of
ten dollars from membership fees. This sum was immediately laid out for
books and the members decided to supply the lack of reading matter by
furnishing, each from her own store, books and periodicals, and exchanging
with others. Some donations of books followed, the most valuable of
which was a complete set of works known as "Harper's Family Library,"
the gift of Chauncey S. Payne. Lectures and various kinds of entertain-
ments were improvised to gain funds for books, the proceeds of which the
first year amounted to one hundred and sixty dollars only; still, the ladies
were in no wise disheartened, and they continued to feast and to entertain
the public by lectures, readings, tableaux and dramatic representations until
two hundred and forty volumes were placed upon their shelves, as shown
by their first catalogue. These were all carefully chosen. With increase
of meml>ership, some liberal donations and renewed efforts, the next cata-
logue, in 1854, numbered about five hundred volumes. In 1853 ^^^ asso-
ciation became incorporated under the direction of the following olBcers:
President, Mrs. C. S. Payne; vice-president, Mrs. H. I. Higgins; recording
secretary (pro tem), Mrs. A, Thayer; corresponding secretary, Mrs. F. H.
Rankin: treasurer, Mrs. A. T. Crosman; clerk, Mrs. R. W. Jenny; librarians,
Mrs. J. B. Walker and Mrs. O. Hamilton. The fine Flint public library is the
successor of the Flint Ladies Library Association.
THE OLD FLINT B.'\ND.
Among the organizations which began in Flint village and continued
to give pleasure to the people of the later city, none were more appreciated
than the old Flint Band. This was organized in the summer of 1848, and
was composed of the following gentlemen : Leader, E-flat sax-horn, E. F.
Frary ; B-flat clarionet, Leonard Wesson ; cornopean, William Hamilton
and Franz Barnhart ; shde trombone, Ira F. Payson and G. H. Hazelton ;
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 333
French horn. Homer HazeUon; ophicleide, Charles D. Littie; trumpet,
George W. Hill; drum, Willard Pettee.
The instruments were purchased of Adam Couse, then the sole music
dealer in Detroit. The first instructor of the band was T. D. Nutting. An
old member says, "I took my place in the band very soon after its organi-
zation, having succeeded Willard Pettee (bass-drum). I held my position
for fifteen years, during which time forty- four persons had belonged; not
one of the original mem1>ers remained at the expiration of that time, and
yet, to use a solecism, it was the same old band. Practicing in those old
times was pleasant enough to the members, but there were persons Uving
within one or two blocks of the band room who never greeted us with
smiles, but, on the contrary, some maternal members of households gave
strong evidences of nervous derangement. The old residents that yet
remain will remember that those discordant sounds were not confined to
the band-room alone; night was made hideous as we wandered up and
down the streets playing the music that had charms for us. This band
was originated and sustained by the members for their enjoyment and
recreation, rather than for any profit connected therewith. Most of the
members were from the ranks of prominent citizens — merchants for the most
part. This gave cliaracter to the organization, and it in time helped Flint,
rendering it pleasant for our neighbors of the surrounding townships and
villages to come in on the 'day we celebrate,' and others. We played at
political gatherings — ^for all parties alike — for church festivals, on 'St. Pat-
rick's Etay in the Morning,' for steamboat excursions to Saginaw river
bay, and for nearly all public gatherings in the city. Strangers visiting
Flint were very sure to hear from us in the way of serenades. The band
members were elected honorary members of the old 'Harmonic Society,"
etc., and came to be one of the 'institutions.' Whenever we went abroad,
we were taken by Will Pettee's four-horse team, which was considered some-
thing pretentious in those days of ox-teams— no railways with us until long
years after. For the purchase of instruments and other expenses, ,the
members were assessed, each member on entering the band paying thirty
dollars. After this, assessments followed at the rate of from three to
eight dollars per capita. I notice the initiation fees of the forty-four mem-
bers before referred to aggregate one thousand three hundred and twenty
dollars, and with assessments added would leave little less than two thou-
sand five hundred dollars paid by these band members out of their own
pockets."
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XI.
Mexican and Civil Wars,
The tirst public exigency which required the calling out of troops after
Genesee became a cotinty was the war with Mexico — 1846 to 1848. At
that time the population of the county was small and among its people
there would be found comparatively few who could l>e spared from the cabins
and clearings, where they stood on constant duty as sentinels to guard, their
families against the assault of hunger and want. Nevertheless there were
some men of Genesee, both officers and soldiers, who followed their country's
flag to the fields of far-off Mexico. The First Regiment of Michigan Volun-
teers was cotnmanded by Col. T. B. W. Stockton, of Flint, and among the
companies which composed it was that of Captain Hanscom, of Pontiac,
which, though made up largely of Oakland countj' volunteers, contained a
few from Genesee. The Fifteenth United States Regiment also contained
Michigan companies, and one of these was commanded by Capt. Eugene
Van De \"eiiter, of Genesee. In that company were Alexander \V. Davis,
of Grand Blanc, severely wounded at Churubusco; ^V'illiani R. Buzzell, who
died of disease in the city of Mexico, October 29, 1847; Claudius H. Riggs,
of Grand Blanc, who died at Vera Cruz, July 12, 1847; Robert Handy,
reported as dead in Mexico ; Henry L. Brannock, who survived his term
of service, and perhaps others, whose names cannot lie given. The regi-
ment of which Captain Van De Venter's company was a ^lart was in the
division of Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, of Tennessee. Of Genesee county soldiers
who served in Captain Hanscom's company we can give only the names
of James W. Cronk and Norton Cronk, of Clayton, the former <if whom
died in Me.xico.
The ne.xt military history of Genesee county commenced in those
spring days of 1861, when the guns of besieged Sumter sounded a war-
signal which reverberated across the hills and streams from ocean to ocean.
The intense earnestness with which Michigan entered into the war is
reflected in the burning message of Governor Blair to the Legislature in
extra session, January 2, 1862,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 335
i c^iiiiiot .•lll^e rliLW lu-ie£ ilddress wltllciut iin illustnitiuii of the Kleat ol.jwt tli;it
.Hi-iiplt'w nil iiieu'w Diliuls. The Wmitheni i-*-belllou still nmintnins ii twld front jiKiiinst
ihi' I'liioii iiruiieH. That Is thi- ciiuse of nil our complU-iitimin jiin'Oiiil mid onv trimliles
nt luijiie. To ileal wisely with It is Ui fiiicl ti- abort riiid eiiay deliveninee of thciii iill.
'J'ho DiHiijIi. of Mi<-hlgiiii Jire no lille spwtntors of this tti^ent contest. They hiive fur-
nished all the tvooiiB reijutreil of them jind nre in-eiitii-ing to imy the taxes and tn
submit to the most onerous Inu'deiis without a niurnnii-. They are ready to inii-ease
their sa<Till<-eB, if need he, to refjHlre ImpoaBihilities of no man, but to be iwtieHt and
wiiit But to see the viist armies of the reiiubltc, and nil its iietunliiry reaourcea, used
t() protect mid sustain the accursed system which lins been a iiei-petwal and tyrannical
diafm-liei-, and which now makes s;iiiguinary wai- upon the I'nion and the constitution,
is iirei-lsely whiit they will never submit to tamely. The loyal states, hiiving fui-
nisheil ade(|UHtc means, both of men and money, to crush the rebellion, have a i-iKht
to e.\|icct those men to he used with the utmost vigor to accomiillsh tlie ob.lect, and
that ivithout any mawkish symiiathy for the Interest of traitors in arms, rpoii thohi'
who caused the war, and now maintain il, its chief burdens oujeht to fall. Xo iiroii-
frty of a reliel ought to he fi-ee frian C'ouhseiition — nut even the saei'eti slave. The
objet-t of war Is to destroy the iwiwei- of the enemy, aud whatever measui-es are cnlcu-
iated to iiccompllsh that oWe'-t a]i<l are in accordance with tlie iiBnges of civilized
nations. ouRlit to be employeil. To undertake to put down a iMiwerful rebellion and,
at the same time, to save aud protect all the chief soui-ces of the power of that rebel-
lion, aeems to conimon mhuls but a short remove from simple folly. He who is not
for the rniiiii, uni-caiditlonally, lu this iiiortnl struggle, is against it. The hlgheNt
dictates of iiatriolism, Justice aud humanity combine to demand that the war should
lie conducted to a speedy close upon principles of the moat heroic enerity and retri-
butive power. The time for gentle dalliance has long shice passed away. We meet
ail oieiny. vindictive, bloodthirsty and cruel, jn-ofoundly In earnest, Inspired with an
I'LLcri.',! atid self-sacrifice which would honor a good cause, respecting neither laws, coii-
-ititutions nor lilstorlc lueuKiries, fantastically devoted only to his one wicked puri«>so
to destroy the govenmieut and establish his slave-holding oligarchy in ita stead. To
treat this enemy gently is to excite liis derision. To pi-otect his slave property is to
help bim to butcher our jteople and burn odr houses. No. He must he met with au
activity and a purpose equal to his own. Hurl the t'nlon foi-ces, which outnumber
him two to one, upon his whole line like a tliunderbolt ; pay tliem out of his pi-operty,
feed them from his gi'anaries, mount them upon bla hoi-ses. carry them In his wagons.
If be haw any, and let bIm feel the full force of the atorni of war which he has
raisiil. I would apologize neither to Kentucky nor anybody else for these measures,
but quickly raiiRe all ueutriils either on the one side or the other. Just a little of
the courage and ability which carried Najioleon over the Alps, di'a^ng his caunon
thniugh the snow, would quickly settle this contest, and settle It right. If our sol-
diers must die, do not let it be of the inactivity aud dise;ises of camps, but let them
at least have the satisfaction of falling like soldiers, amid the roar of battle and hear-
ing the shouts of victorj-; then will they welcome It as the tired laborer welcomes
Hleej). Let us hope that we have' not much longer to wait.
That Michigan nobly responded to the spirit of these words in this
great crisis of onr national life, evidence abounds. The cry was everv-
where, "Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, now and forever." At
a patriotic meeting held in Detroit, the following well-known poem bv
dbyGoot^lc
336 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Julia Ward Howe was read, with thrilling- effect, cheer upon cheer greeting
each stanza:
\Ae me cjining I tliti iliilniii thjep liii liert. IhtniMii 1 uuie
Froaj UisslsHliif 1 s nliidlD„ stieiiui aud fitiui \en i-agl inds slure;
^^e lea^e oui iilonu iinil wuikshopa out ni\es and tbildieu (lent
With he^rtH too full for utterjiiice witli lint ti silent teai
W e tlure not look beLlud us, but btendfiistlT before —
fle are eouilB^ir lather ibiahim — ^tliiee liniidted tbouaind moie'
If von tooL. acioss the htlltopa thflt meet the uortheiii sir
Long moling line* of iHlug dnat youi M-Jijn uin\ deien
And now the wind in Liiatant teais tlie cloudj lell aside
And Boats iloft oni spiiugled flag in (ilorv and In pride
And bayonets m the snnllght gle^ni and binds braie muRic ijoui —
We me coming lather Abiaiiani— tbiee limidred thoitamd moie'
If lou look all up our lallevs, wheie tin, growing liiiiests ahine
You niay see oui sturdj fimietbcya fast forming Into line
And children fioni theii mothers huees, aie pulling at the weeds,
And learning hon to leap aud wjw igainst their counti-j s needs
And a faiewell gioup stands weermg it erery cottage door —
Me are coming Fatliti ibrahani — three Uundied thousand nnie'
You ha^e culled ua md were coinin). bj RlebniondB bloody tide
To lav ns down for fieedoms soke our brothers bones beside
Oi from foni tieiB<Hia savage grasp fd wieuch the muideiouM 1 hide,
^Uid In tlie fnce of f lelgn foes its fiaginents to ptiade
Six hundred thousind loyal men and tine litwe gone befoie—
■Re are coming Father Abraham— thiee hnudied thouwmd more'
In the adjutant-generars report for 1862 we read:
The res|iont-e of the iHiople of thi: stiile to the Trealdent's i-ull wan iiatriotii" and
prompt almost beyond expettatiou. Individuals of eiery degi'ee of iiromliiente forth-
irith began to interest themwives iu the busineMS of lining the regiuients. Cummiiui-
tles ga\e to It their time and their alniowt exclusive attention while, better than all.
the substantial masses of the people offered tlienisel*es in person. War meetings wei-e
hold In almost every village and tomishlp iu the state. Uepreaentatlves of all classes
coaverted themselves either hito i-ecruits or rKTultlng oUicers, and among the most etli
dent of the latter were ministers of the gosiiel, some of whom led the men they bad
enlisted into the Held.
Immediately f<)llowIng the issue of the oi-der referred to, applications reached the
adjutaut-geuernl's oftice, by telegraph aud othej'wlse, from all sections of the state,
urging authoiit.v to recruit and desiring lustl'UL-tlons and forms for the enlistment of
tompanies. Fai-llitles to promote this purpose nere proniptly furnished and as soon
as the camp grounds could be provided with suitable quarters, men began to flock in
by companies and detachments. The gentlemen who had been eliarged with the duty
uf suiiervising the organization of the raiments performed their labors with diligence
and success, and In little over a month fi-oni the liate of the Prenident's call, men
Rufflclent had been raised in the state, and nearly enough were in camp, to fill all the
raiments wblch the war deiiartment had asked for under the President's requisltlcni.
dbyGoo<^lc
GliNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 337
The church and the press rendered immense service. The "Red Book
of Michigan" says:
lli*^ Ctiiistim Uiiiiili til tLis st lo fetiid Ih iHved b\ lis imuumed pitiiotsui
111(1 m ini/est cleiotiou to tlit t iiise of riie cuuntr^ in element of Immense success
Ul true pitiluts ((uiuieti<l its iioliie coarse all f iltliful ( hilstlnuH eiiduise its glorious
iHIou iiom tliu time tliiit Suiuttr wns flr*^ on until lee lud Jolinslon laid doBii
llieii lebelhous iims mil I>(nK fleil foi lits lift it eiicoui ifeed and neived b^ word
iiui deed tiie soldipi lu tlif field ilded luufli m the ntiuitmeiit of the men bs, its
iili[iriniil of the muse iiid ila i]H?nU moned iibboiiiiice ot rebels uDd those who
Hjiiiiiithi^wl «itli tlitin lud < 1 1 ' •< ■'1 Ihe win \\lieit It did wot cowiudtce most meitji
nid gtmeinig disloMiIt^ U'-M-'- nul hi itl est tieiaoii pie\euted its being included In
the l*io^ldeiKT of Uod union, the instiuinintiiiitles to sine the notion and hence
neither deseiies iioi csiii eYfiect iin bettei fate thi>u the ceitim condemmtlon of e\en
tiTie lover of his counti-j and of hiB race and the dtopprOMil of the God of nations
llie ■valuable serilces lendend nt this time bj the loyil press throughout Oib
Btite till! neicr be oieiestimated for Its succ^iful efforts iii atrengtheinng the hind')
of iiubin ofticeis iu niouldluK [inblit opinion in faioi of !o\nltv to the goiernment
in eucournging putitotisni amon-, the misses and insimlns, thfse t Ihe front «lth i
heiolsiii leiidiiio to giiH int deeds
At the close of 1862, the loyalty of the people of Michigan and the
splendid service of the Michigan troops had won a high place in the esteem
of the nation. The adjutant-general in closing his report for the year said:
Tlie same determluiilion seems to exist as at the commeuceuient of the war, that
it must be iiut down and the nation redeemed at iiny sacriflce. The promptness and
cheerfulness witli which e*ei'j- cull umde by the general government upon the state
bus been responded to, hesiienks the intelligent, loyal patriotism of its people. The
[leoiile of Jlichigaii in-e Intelligently loya! on the subject of war, and lier soldiery are
bilelllgeutly brave and pati'lotlc, true to the honor of their state and their nation,
preferring on all occasions death before dishonoring either. The troops from the state
of Michigan have gained a prominent itosition in the armies of the nation. They hjive
done their duty faithfully and fearlessly and borne tlie brunt of many well-fought
battles. Some of them hare fii-oved an anomaly In modem warfare. Suddenly called
fl-om the conmion vocations of life, and within a ^pvy few days of the time of leaiing
their native state, they have been pitted against the veteran trooiis of the enemy o(
their country in superior nimibers, and completely routed them. It has been the for-
tune of some of them voSinitarily and successfully to lead the "forlorn hope," regard-
less of opposing numbers. Their scars and thinned ranks now attest their seriices
to their countrj-. The honor of their nation and their state has been safe in their
hands, and botli wiH cherisli and reward them. Monuments to the memory of the
brave dead are now erected In the hearts of the people and national monuments to
their memory will be erected by a grateful countrj.
With the surrender of the Southern army under General Lee, April 9,
1865, and the surrender of Johnston's army the same month, came peace.
The first of the Michigan troops came home in the following June, and
<2'.)
dbyGoc^lc
338 GENESEE COUNTY, MICITIGAN.
on the 14th, Governor Crapo, recently elected from Genesee county to suc-
ceed Governor Blair, issued the following proclamation of welcome and
thanks to the returning soldiers :
In the imuie of the reople if MichiKiiii 1 tliitnk tou f i the hoiioi yon Iim^ (Inn
UB t>i jour I iloi your soldieili betilng vom m\incible cournge evei\wlieit (lis
pliiyed whether upon the fielil of battle in the perilous assault 01 iu the deidlT
bieiith for your patience undei the fatigues and }nivatlous and suffeilnga niciileiit tt
w tr nnd foi your discipline and ready obedience to the oideis of vour supeilois l\e
are proud in believing that when the history of this rebellion shall hue been mitten
where all haie done well none mil stiiid hlfchei on the roll of fame thin the flfi'" is
and soldieis sent to the field fr m the Uyal ind pafilotic sta.te of Michltin
At the dose of the war each returning regiment delivered to its state
its colors, the governor being avithorized by the war department to receive
them. On the Fourth of July, 1866, the colors of the Michigan regiments
were formally presented in Detroit, through the governor, to the state, and
the occasion was honored by an appropriate celebration. A great procession
Vi^as formed by the soldiers of the war, which marched through the streets
of the city, in regimental order, bearing through the isles of assembled
thousands the emblems of patriotism, bravery and gallant services. At the
close of the procession, which was one of the finest and most inspiring
ever witnessed in Michigan, the soldiers were massed in front of the speaker's
stand on the Campus Martius, where they delivered their flags to the gov-
ernor. Appropriate addresses were made, among them an address by Go\--
ernor Crapo, on receiving the flags, in which he said in part :
I receive, in behalf of the ueopie of Michigan, these lionovahfe meninrialN of your
valor and the nation's gJory, and, on their part, I once more thank youi' for the lii'lde
sacrifices you ha\'e rendered m defending and preservlnc the life of the nation, iit iiu-
hazard of your liiea and at the sacrifice of so many of your conn-jdes. I maj- ventHre
to give you the assurance that you haie the unbounded gi'iititurte and love of your
fellow-citizen a, and that between you auil them the glory of these defaced old flags
will ever be a subject of Inspiration — a common bond of affection. To you they vep-
vesent a nationality which you have periled your lives to maintain and are emblematic
of a liberty which your strong arms and stout hearts have helped to win. To ua
they are our fathers' flags — the ensigns of all the worthy dead— your comrades, our
rehithea and frienda— who for their preservation haie given their blood to enrich the
battlefields and their agonies to hallow tlie prison pens of a demoniac enemy. They
are your flags and ours. How rich the treasure! They will not be forgotten nor
their histories he left unwritten.
Their stories will be household woids iind the laiiids of those who come after us
will dwelt upon the thoughts of manly endeavor, of stanch endurance, of lllnstrlous
achievements, which their silent eloquence will ever suggest. They will ever lypify
the grand results accomplished by the loyal men of the nation in this ijreat rebelltoii.
and shoMid the flame of patriotism ever wane upon our altar-stone, the halo from these
mementoes wilt kindle again the ancient fire that electrified the world.
dbyGoc^lc
GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 339'
Let us, then, tenderly dciiosit them, as siit-red i-elics, hi tile jirohives of oiii" state,
there to stand forever, her proudest iwssession — a revered incentive to liberty imd
imtrlotlsni Jind a conataiit rebulte and terror to opi>resslon and treason.
In the interior arrangement of the new capital at Lansing the soldier
and his services were not forgotten, but were most favorably and substantially
remembered. With almost a profuse liberality, a large and cominodious
rotunda was set apart, designated as the "War Museum." This is the deposit
of the Michigan battle flags, properly placed in regimental order in magnifi-
cent vertical cases, reaching almost to the ceihng, erected around the sides
of the apartment, superbly mounted with heavy plate glass; these builet-
raarked and battle-worn flags are the grandest and most impressive monu-
ment to the soldiers of Michigan. In addition, elegant table cases now
encircle one of the rotundas, containing a large and interesting collection
of relics of the war.
During the period which intervened between the birth and the death
of trie great Rebellion, Genesee gave to the war more than two thousand
men, whose names are recorded on the rolls of one rifle, one engineer, ten
cavalry and twenty-three infantry regiments and nine batteries of Michi-
gan, besides several infantry, cavalry and artillery organizations of other
states and one regiment of United States volunteers. Several of the regi-
ments most noticeable for the number of Genesee county men serving in
them are especially mentioned below in historical sketches of their organi-
zations and services in the great war for the Union.
When, at the fall of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln called on the
several loyal states for an army of seventy-five thousand men to sustain
the power of the government again,st a rebellion which had unexpectedly
proved formidable, Governor Blair of Michigan responded by issuing his
proclamation calling for twenty companies out of the uniformed volunteer
force of the state, with field and staff officers to compose two regiments
of infantry, to be placed at the disposal of the President if required. The
war department had placed the quota of Michigan at one full regiment,
but the governor very wisely concluded that a second regiment should be
made ready for service if it should be needed, as he believed it would be.
Three days after the governor's call (April 19) the state's quota was filled
and her first regiment was ready for muster into the service of the United
States fully equipped with arms, ammunition and clothing, awaiting only
dbyGoot^lc
340 GKNKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the orders of the war department. On the 13th o£ May it left Detroit
for Washington, being the first regiment to arrive at the capital from any
point vyest of the AHeghany mountains.
The governor's call for twenty companies had heen promptly and fully
responded to, and so after making up the First Regiment there still remained
ten coniiKinies which, having failed t<3 secure places in the First, were ready
and anxious to he organized as the Second Regiment of Michigan. And
among these companies was "The Flint Union Grays." This company had
existed in the city of Fhnt from the year 1857. We find mention of the
first Ojpening of their armory in Flint, October 2, 1858, when they were
expecting, but had not yet received, their arms from the state arsenal; the
election of civil and military officers of the company was as follows :
President. L. Wesson; vice-president William P. Humphrey; secretary,
W. I. Beardsley; treasurer, Wilhani R. Morse; captain, T. B. W. Stockton;
first lieutenant. William R. Morse; second lieutenant, William Turver; third
lieutenant, Levi Failing; first sergeant, 1.. Wesson; second sergeant, C. Pea-
body; third sergeant, R. M. Barker, fourth sergeant, James Farrand; first
corporal A. J. Boss, Jr.; second corporal, L. Church; third corporal, W.
Boomer; fourth corporal, WiHiam Charles; armorer, O. McWilliams.
Probably there was not one among these officers who had then ever
dreamed of such scenes as some of them afterwards saw at Williamsburg,
Malvern Hill and the Wilderness, or of the fame which their comiKiny was
destined to win on a score of bloody fields. But the people of Flint and of
Genesee county were proud of it then, as they had reason to be in far greater
degree afterwards. This com])any furnished to various commands in the
union army during the war of the Rebellion, six field officers, eleven cap-
tains and eighteen lieutenants — a very unusual company record.
Immediately after the publication of the governor's proclamation and
when it was known that the Qrays would volunteer in a body, a large and
extremely enthusiastic public meeting was held, April 18, at the court house
in Flint. A circular letter of the war committee in Detroit was read and
acted on, and the meeting adopted a series of intensely patriotic resolutions
among which was the following: "That the young men comprising the mili-
tary company of this city, and those who may volunteer to fill up its ranks in
this emergency of our common country, are worthy of all encouragement and
praise for their patriotism, and that we will contribute all sums necessary to
sustain and support the families of all members of said company who may l>e
mustered into the service of the United States, if they need such aid; we will
also contribute mir full proportion of the amount required to e<|uip and muster
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 341
into the service of the United States the two regiments required from the state
of Michigan." A committee composed of William M. Fenton, E. H. McQuigg
and H. M. Henderson, was appointed to carry out so much of this resolution
as applied to the raising of money as a loan to the state, and J. B. Walker, E. S.
Williams and A. P. Davis were appointed a like committee to carry into effect
that [Kirt which promised aid and sup^mrt to the families of volunteers. In the
puhlished account of the proceedings of that meeting it is mentioned that
"every union word uttered was greeted with thunders of applause."
On April 23 the Grays met for the choice of officers, and the following
we're elected to the commissioned grades: Captain, William R. Morse; first
lieutenant, William Turver; second lieutenant, James Farrand. On the eve of
their departure to join the Second Regiment at its rendezvous, the Grays
paraded through the principal streets of Flint and were addressed in the pres-
ence of a great concourse of i>atriotic and admiring spectators by Colonel
F'enton, whose remarks on the occasion were reported by the Citisen in its
next issue as follows: "The Hon. W. M. Fenton had been with the com-
pany for alx>ut a year, and constantly engaged for two weeks past in per-
fecting the enlistment and preparing for its departure. At the request of
Captain Morse, he now addressed the officers and men, alluding to the new
position they were alxiut to occupy— its great importance; the entire change
now to take place in their habits of life: the necessity for prompt obedience
to the commands of their superiors, and of true courage, as contradisting-
uished from brutality. He exhorted them to remember that the eyes of the
frieutls they were to leave behind woidd lie constantly on them in whatever
situation they might be placed, their ears oi>en to every report of their action,
their pniyers ascending night and morn for their welfare and success, and
that the fervent hope would animate them that those who now went forth to
stand by their country in its hour of trial would return with laurels honorably
won in its service. After giving them some practical hints as to their mode of
life, the importance of strict cleanliness and temperance in both meat and
drink, he asked if anv one of them would object to take an oath, substantially
as follows :
" 'T do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty Go{l, that 1 will
support the constitution of the United States, and maintain it and my country's
flag, if necessary, with my life: that I will obey the commands of my super-
ior officers while in service, and will defend and protect my comrades in bat-
tle to the best of my physical abihty.' None objecting, the oath was repeated
aloud, with uplifted hand, by all the officers and members of the company.
dbyGoot^lc
342 GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The scene was solemn and impressive, and was appropriately closed by a
benediction from the Rev. Mr. Joslin."
Another ceremony, no less interesting, was the presentation to eacii
member of the company of a copy of the New Testament. Ninety-five of
these had been furnished and prepared for the purpose by the members of
the Methodist fipiscopal Sabbath school, each book having upon its fly-leaf
this inscription : "Presented by the Sabbatli School of the Methodist E.
Church, l'~lint, Michigan, To , of the I^"lint Union Grays,
April 30, 1861. 'My men, put your trust in the Lord, — and l)e sure you
keep j^our powder dry. — -Oliver Cromwell.' "
This presentation was made while the Grays stood in line, with open
ranks, at the corner of Saginaw and Kearsley streets. A number of ladies
of Flint passed along the line and pinned upon the breast of each soldier a
tri-colored rosette, bearing the words, "The Union and the Constitution!"
and nearly every one of the spectators wore the red, white and blue upon
some part of their dress. A presentation of revolvers to the commissioned
officers of the company was made by the Hon. E. H. Thomson, and as he
assigned to each pistol its particular mission and alluded to their uses, the
enthusiasm of the crowd around was enkindled anew.
The company left Flint on the 30th of May, being transported to Fen-
tonville in wagons and other vehicles of which a greater number than were
needed for the purpose were furnished by the patriotic citizens. The column
was headed by the Flint Band and was accompanied by a large number of
relatives and friends of the soldiers; the plank-road company passed them
all toll-free. Taking the cars of the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad, at Fen-
tonville, the Grays soon reached Detroit and were reported at Ft. Wayne,
the regimental rendezvous.
The companies volunteering for the Second Regiment had clone so in
the supposition that it would be mustered for a three-months term of serv-
ice, as the First Regiment had l>een. But a few days later instructions were
received from the war department that no more troops l>e mustered or ac-
cepted for a less term than three years; when this was announced, there were
some in all the companies who naturally enough objected to the longer term
and declined to l^e mustered for it. This was the case in the Flint company,
as in others. The vacancies in its ranks from thi.s cause, however, were not
numerous, but it was necessary to procure recruits to fill them; and for this
purpose Captain Morse returned to Flint on the i8th of May, The alacrity
with which this call was responded to is shown by the fact that he arrived in
Flint on Saturday and on the following Monday reixirted with tlie requisite
dbyGoot^lc
GiCNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 343
number of recruits at Ft. Wayne. On the same day — May 20 — the Second
Regiment was announced as fu!l, and on the 25th it was mustered into the
United States service for three years by I-ieut.-CoI. E. Backus, of the United
States Army. The field officers of the regiment were Israel B. Richardson,
colonel ; Henry U. Chipman, lieutenant-colonel ; Adolphus W. Williams,
major.
In the organization of the regiment, the company from Flint was desig-
nated as F Company. A list, purporting to be a correct one, of the members
of the company as mustered at Ft. Wayne is found in newspapers of that
time, and as it contains names which are not found on the rolls in the adjutant-
general's office, it is given below in full:
Captain, William R. Morse; first lieutenant, William Turver; second
lieutenant, James Farrand; first sergeant, George R. Bisbey, second sergeant,
William B. McCreery; third sergeant, Sumner Howard; fourth sergeant,
Goundry Hill; fifth sergeant, Joseph McConnell; first corporal, Edwin C. Tur-
ver; second corporal, James Bradley; third corporal, Damon Stewart; fourth
corporal, Joseph Van Buskirk; fifth corporal, William L. Bishop; sixth cor-
poral, Walter H. Wallace; seventh corporal. Nelson Fletcher; eighth corporal,
Walter E. Burnside; wagoner, James S. Smith; drummer, Elisha Kelley.
I'rivates: William H. Allen, Milton S. Benjamin, George L. Beamer,
Tnse[>h N. Bradley, Robert S. Bostwick, Andrew A. Baxter, LaF'ayette Bost-
wLck, Myrick S. Cooley, S. Bradford Cummings, Charles B. Collins, Thomas
Cbapin, Jr., Clark F. Chapman, John Cavanagh, George Carnier, James Coe,
Edward A. Dennison, George Davis, Charles C. Dewstoe, Pratt Day, Cornel-
ius D. Hart, Daniel J. Ensign, Orlando H. Ewer, John G. Fox, Squire E.
F'oster, William F". F^irgerson, Horatio Fish, Charles L. Gardner, Joseph H.
George, Richard H. Halsted, George Hawkins, Henrj' W. Horton, Francis
Haver, William Houghton. Julius A. Hine, Charles E. Kingsbury, Philip Kel-
land, John Kain, Sheldon B. Kelley, George Lee. Harrison Lewis, Merton E.
Leland, John B. Miller, Charles D. Moon, Dehon McConneii, David McCor-
nell, Charles W. Mitchell, George L. Patterson, Samuel L. Ploss, Hamilton
PIoss, James F. Partridge, John A. Palmer, Cornelius E. Rulison, Charles J.
Rankin. Edwin Ruthruff, Andrew J. Rogers, Arba Smith, Jacob C. Sackner,
Charles Sickles, James Scarr, George H. Sawyer, Lyman Stow, Alva L. Saw-
yer. Hercules Stannard, Andrew M. Sutton, Frederick B. Smith, Albert
Schultz, Hiram Tinney. I^'rankHn Thompson, Edgar Tibbets, Charles Tuttle,
Cornelius Van Alstine, Richard S. Vickery, James N. Willett, John.Weller,
George Walter. Emory A. Wood and William E. Williams.
In the afternoon of Thursday. June 6, the Second Regiment, one thou-
dbyGoot^lc
344 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
sand and twenty strong, embarked on three steamers, and at eight o'clock p.
m. left Detroit for Cleveland, arriving there the following morning. From
Cleveland it proceeded by railway, via Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Baltimore,
to Washington, reaching the capital on the lOth. The following account of its
arrival, which appeared under the head of "Sjiecial Dispatch to the New York
Tribune," is taken from that paper and given here in full as showing the
excited state of public feeling at that time, as well as the crude and peculiar
ideas of military discipline and movements which then prevailed. The accnunt
dated Washington, June lo, 1861, was as follows:
The Second Micliigaii Itegiiiieiit, Colonel RleliJinlsiin, nrrivetl nt four o'clock tills
moviiiDg. * ■> * Word lind come from tlie Tlnltwl Stiites niiii-Khjil that iin jittiick
would be make on them in Kjiitlniore, iuul the trnin lialted seven miles on the otliei"
side of the Monunientiil City wliere the men londed their muskets. The orders were
to avoid an encounter If DORslble, hut tf nnnvoidiilile to tiiko no hiilf metisureH. but
for each company to liKht tn the death and for the pioneers to make rieim work with
houses froDi which they were assailed.
In a suburb on the otlier side :i brick was thmwn at .1 laiv.iti'. It did iiol hil,
but the orderly sei'geunt of CouiiKiny E drew Ills rvM.lviT and llred :it the stoni'r.
He was seen to full, hnt whethei' killed or not Is uuknoivn.
At the depot 11 riiw private accidentufly discliarged his innsket, tlie liall whisk.'d
through the car, ciiuslng {jreiit excitement, but no harm was done.
Two miles this aide of Utiltimore 11 shot from behind a fence went thrcmgii :i car.
The lights were extlujiuished and the men ordered to form in line of battle if the shot
should be followed by more. Sentinels were posted In each cnr. Neiir the Relny houwe
firing was heflrd from one of our picket guards. It was reported that they had been
attacked and had killed four men. The trutli Is not known. The informant adds tliat
the rt^iment received a lienrtj- welcome from the wi>niui in and beyond llaltininre,
while no mim, so far as he saw. sreeted theni.
The I'egimeut Is a flne-lookluj; bodj-, UHiiibcrliis; ti'ii iiitndred and tweoty. 'J'lieir
uniforms are dark hliie, like the I'ir.^t Michigun, and they are armed piu-tially with
new Minie guns aud partially with the Hariier's FeriT musket of 1846, They are well
supplied with clothing and camp equipage. Thli-ty women, wlio will serve as nurses
and laundresses, accompany the regiment. This afternoon the regiment was received
by General Scott and the President at their residence^.
The regiment made a stay of several weeks in the District of t.olumliia,
its camp being named "Camp Winfield Scott." It was brigaded with the
Third Michigan, First Massachusetts and Twelfth New York, the brigade
commander being Colonel Richardson, of the Second Michigan. When
General McDowell made his forward movement towards Manassas, this
brigade moved with the army into Virginia and was engaged in the fight at
Blackburn's Ford, July 18, and in the battle of Bull Run, Sunday, July 21.
In the panic and disorder which ended that disastrous day the Second Regi-
ment behaved with great steadiness, covering the retreat of the brigade to-
dbyGoot^lc
(.;ENi;st:E county, Michigan. 345
wards Washingtiin, for which it was warmly comphmented by the heroic
Richardson,
After Bull Run the regiment was encami^ed for some weeks near Arl-
ington, an<l later in the season at Ft. Lyon, Virginia, where it remained dur-
ing the fall. About December 20 substantial and comfortable winter-quart-
ers were constructed at "Camp Michigan," three miles from Alexandria, on
on the Acotink road. While this camp was in process of construction an
officer wrote that "Cabins are growing up on every side, adorned with doors
and windows, procured by a process called 'cramping,' which is somewhere
on the debatable ground between buying and stealing." Here the regiment
remained until March, 1862, when it moved with its brigade and the .Vrmy of
the Potomac to Fortress Monroe, and thence up the Peninsula to Yorktown
and Williamsburg, at which latter place it took active part in the severe engage-
ment of Monday. May 5. sustaining a loss of fifty-five killed and wounded.
Among the latter were Captain Morse, of F Company, who was afterwards
transferred to the invalid corps, and Capt. William B. McCreery, an original
member of F Companj-, but who had been promoted to the command of Com-
pany G: he received three severe wounds, by one of which his left wrist was
])ermanently disabled. Afterwards having recovered sufficiently to return to
the field, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-first Mich-
igan Infantry, and two months later iiecame its colonel. He led his regiment
.gallantly through the fire and carnage of Stone's River (December 31, 1862,
to January 3. 1863), and fought at its head at Chickamauga (September 20,
1863), until he had received three severe wounds, and was finally taken pris-
oner by the enemy. He was sent to Libby prison, Richmond, from which,
however, he succeede<! in making his escape by tunneling under the walls,
February 19, 1S64. Six days later he returned to Flint, where a public recep-
tion was extended to him by leading citizens and a banquet was given in his
honor at the Carlton House, March 2. The disability resulting from his num-
erous wounds coni]>elle(l his retirement from the .service and he resigned in
September. .1864. Maj.-Gen. George H. Thomas, in reluctantly accepting his
resignation, took occasion to compliment him highly, in orders, on his honor-
able rec(jrd and the gallantn,' of his service in the Army of the Cumberland.
These facts relating to the military career of Colonel McCreery are mentioned
here in connection with the battle of Williamsburg Ijecause that fight virtually
severed his connection with the Second Regiment, in which he was among the
most honored and popular of its officers.
From Williamsburg the Second Regiment moved with the army up the
Peninsula to and across the Chickahominy and fought in the batde of Fair
dbyGoot^lc
346 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Oaks, May 31 and June 1, 1862. Its loss in that engagement was fifty-seven
killed and wounded; tliat of Company F was fourteen, or one-fourth the total
killed and wounded of the regiment. Three companies of the Second, how-
ever, were not engaged in the fight.
In the retreat, or "change of base" as it has sometimes been called, from
the York River railroad to James river, the regiment fought at Glendale, or
Charles City Cross-Roads, June 30, and at Malvern Hill, July I. From the
latter field it retired with the army and moved to Harrison's Landing on the
James, where it remained until the general evacuation of that position, August
15, when it marched down the Peninsula and was moved thence by way of the
Chesapeake bay and Potomac river with other troops to the assistance of the
imperiled army of General Pope in the valley of the Rappahannock. During
this campaign it took part in the fights of August 28, 29, 30, and in the battle
of Chantilly, Septemljer i.
At Frederickburg the Second was not actively engaged. It crossed the
Rappahannock on the 12th of December, but in the great battle of the next
day was held in reserve and sustained only a loss of one killed and one
wounded by the enemy's shells ; but, with the Eighth Michigan it was among
the last of the regiments of the army to recross to the north side of the
river on the i6th.
On the 13th of February, 1863, the regiment moved to Newport News,
Virginia, and on the igth of March took its route to Baltimore, and thence
by the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and steamers on the Ohio river, to Louis-
ville, Kentucky, with the Ninth Army Corps, of which it was a part. The
corps remained in Kentucky during the months of April and May, and in
June was moved to Mississippi to reinforce the army of General Grant near
Vicksburg. The Second went into camp at Milldale, near Vicksburg, on
the 17th and a few days later was stationed at Flower Dale Church. On the
4th of July, the day of the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment left Flower
Date and moved east towards the capital of Mississippi to take part in the
operations against the rebel army of General Johnston. It arrived in front of
Jackson on the evening of the loth, and on the i ith advanced in skirmish line
on the enemy's rifle-pits, which were taken and held for a time. Superior
numbers, however, compelled the Second to retire from the position, with a
loss of eleven killed, forty-five wounded and five taken prisoners. On the
13th and 14th of July the regiment was again sUghtly engaged. On the 17th
and iSth it was engaged in destroying the Memphis & New Orleans railroad
in the vicinity of Jackson and Madison and then moved through Jackson,
which had been evacuated by the enemy, back to Milldale ; it remained there
yGoo-^lc
(;kni;see county, MiciiiGAN. 347
till August 5, when it marched to the river, and thence moved with the Ninth
Corps by way of Cincinnati, to Kentucky, and encamped at Crab Orchard
Springs, in that state, on the 30th of August. Here it remained twelve days
Before September 10 it broke camp and took the road for Cumberland Gap
and Knoxville, Tennessee, reaching the latter place September 36. It mo\'ed
from the vicinity of Knoxville, October 8, and was slightly engaged at Blue
Springs on the loth. On the 20th it was again at Knoxville, but immediately
afterwards moved to I-oudon, and thence to Lenoir, Tennessee, where, on
the 8th of November, its men commenced building winter quarters. Ilie
strength of the regiment at that time was rejiorted at live hundred and three,
present and absent.
The anticipation of passing the winter at Lenoir was soon dispelled by
the intelligence that the enemy under General Longstreet was moving up the
valley of the Tennessee in heavy force, evidently having Knoxville as his
objective point. On the 14th of November the Second Regiment, with its
division, the First Division of the Ninth Corps, was ordered out to meet and
repel Longstreet, who was reported to be crossing the Tennessee below Lou-
don. He was found in force near Hough's Ferry, on the Holston, and the
division fell back to [,enoir. Here a line of battle was formed; but, on the
enemy coming up, the retreat towards Knoxville was resumed, the Second
l^egiment, with its brigade, forming the rear guard. On the i6th it again
stood in line at Campbell's Station to resist the advance of Longstreet. who
■\\as pressing up with great vigor. A sharp engagement ensued in which the
Second lost thirty-one in killed and wounded. The position was .stubbornly
held tilt dark, when the retreat was resumed. The regiment reached Knox-
ville at five o'clock in tiie morning of the 17th after a march of nearly thirty
miles through mud and rain and a battle of several hours' duration, all with-
out rest or food. It took position on a hill below the city, at Ft. Saunders,
i\'here rifle-pits were constructed and where the regiment remained during
the siege which followed. On the 19th and 20th it was slightly engaged, and
on the 24th, under orders to attack a line of rifle-pits, it advanced under
command of Major Byington, moving several hundred yards across an open
plain swept by a front and flank fire of musketry and canister. The line was
carried, but could not be held: the attacking force was dislodged and com-
pelled to retire, with a loss to the Second Regiment of eighty-one killed ami
wounded — very nearly half its whole number in the fight. Among the killed
was .A.djutant William Noble and Major Byington was mortally wounded.
On the morning of Sunday, November 29, 1863, a force of the eneniy
consisting of two veteran Georgia brigades of McLaw's division, made
dbyGoot^lc
34o GFNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
a furious and persistent assault on Ft. Saunders; but they were repelled
and finally driven back in disorder with a loss of eight hundred in kiJIed,
wounded and prisoners and three stands of colors. With the force inside
the fort during this assault were Companies A, F, G and H, of the Second
Michigan. Their loss, however, was inconsiderable, being only five killed
and wounded. From that time the regiment saw no fighting at this place
other than slight skirmishes, and on Friday night, December 4, the enemy
withdrew from Ijefore Knoxville, after a siege of eighteen days' duration.
The Second marched from Knoxville, December 8, and moved to Rut-
ledge. On the 16th it moved to Blain's Cro.ss-Roads, which was its last
march in 1S63. During the year that was then about closing, the regiment
had moved a distance of more than two thousand five hundred miles. It
remained at Blain's for about a month, during which time it was "veteran-
ized;" the number re-enlisting as veterans was one hundred and ninety-eight.
About the middle of January, 1864, it moved to Strawberry Plains, thence
to Knoxville and to Erie Station, remaining at the latter place until Febru-
ary 4; it then moved under orders to proceed to Detroit, Michigan, and
reached there twenty days later. Here the veteran furlough was given
to those uho had re-enlisted, and Mt. Clemens was made the place of
rendezvous. At this place the regiment received orders on the 4th of
April to proceed to Annaimlis, Maryland, to rejoin the Ninth Army Corps,
which had in the meantime moved from Tennessee to Virginia to reinforce
the Army of the Potomac. The regiment left Annapolis on the 22nd, pro-
ceeded to Washington, ;ind. thence into Virginia, where on the 5th of JiTay
it crossed the Rapidan and joined the army which was then moving into
the Wilderness. For six weeks following this time the Second was, with
its companion regiment of the brigade, so constantly employed in march,
.skirmish or battle, that it is hardly practicable to follow the intricacies of
the movements; but the following statement of casualties during that time
shows where and how it fought. The statement, which includes only tlie
killed and wounded (and not the missing), is taken from the report of
the regimental surgeon, Richard S. Vickery: In the Wilderness l>attle. May
6, killed and wounded, 38: at Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, killed
and wounded, 11; at Oxford, North Anna, May 24. killed, i; skirmish of
May 24. killed, r ; Pamunkey River, May 31, 2; skirmish, June i, 5; skirm-
ish. June 2, 2; battle of Eethesda Church, June 2. 38; Gold HartKir and
other actions, from June 4 to June 10, 9,
The regiment crossed to the south side of the James river on the 15th,
reached the enemy's works in front of Petersburg on the i6th, and took
dbyGoot^lc
(;c:neser county, Michigan. 349
part in the attack of the next two days with the following losses in killed and
wounded: In battle of June 17, 91; in battle of June i8, 83.
Recruits to the number of Hve hundred or more had joined the regi-
ment since the veteran re-enlistment— otherwise such losses would have been
impossible.
On the 30th of July the Second took part in the engagement which
followed the explosion of the mine and Hustained a loss of twenty killed
and wounded and thirty-seven missing. Having moved with the Ninth
Corps to the Weldon railroad, it there took part in repelling the enemy's
assault on our lines August 19, losing one killed and two wounded. On the
30tli it crossed the Weldon railroad and, moving towards the enemy's right
flank, participated in the engagement of that date at Poplar (irove Church
about a month at Peebles' Farm, but moved, October 27, in the advance on
Boydton Flank-Road, losing seven wounded in that affair. It then remained
at Peebles', engaged in picket duty and fortifying, till November 29, whet
it moved to a point about ten miles farther to the right on the City Point &
Petersburg railroad, and there remained m the trenches during the winter.
On the 25th of March it fought at Ft. Steadman and sustained severe loss.
It again lost slightly at the capture of Petersburg, j\pril 3. It then moved
to the South Side railroad, eighteen miles from Petersburg, and remained
nearly two weeks, but in the meantime the army of Lee had surrendered and
the fighting days of the regiment were passed. It moved to City Point
and embarking there on the i8th, was tran,sported to Alexandria, Virginia,
from whence it moved to a camp at Tenallytown, Maryland. On the 27th
of May it was detached for duty in Washington City and remained there
for about two months. On the 29th of July, having on the previous daj'
been mustered out of the service, it left by railroad for Michigan, and on
the 1st of August it reached Detroit and was soon afterward paid and dis-
banded. In a published account of the regiment's return, it was stated that
of ail the original members of Company F, Orlando H. Ewer, of Flint,
was the only one who remained in its ranks to t)e included in the final
discharge "after four yeans and a quarter of honorable ;
Headciunrters First J
Opposite Frederieksbiire, Yi\.
DecPiiiber otii, 1SG2.
S|ifriiil Orders. No. 111.
II. Private Frank Tlioiuiisoii. Coiupauj- F, Second Miehlgiin Voluiiteera, is detiiiti'tl
oil siiecial duly nt these lieiidqiiiirtei-s ns postmnster nnd ninil cflirier for tbe brPgyde.
(Signed) O. M. Poe,
Olfioiiil: Jnutes Reld, Lieut, .ind A. A. A. C Colonel Commnniliiig BrlgHde.
dbyGoc^lc
350' GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
In Company F, Second Michigan, there enhsted at Flint, Franklin
Thompson (or Frank, as nsnally called) aged twenty, ascertained after-
ward and about the time he left the regiinent to have been a female, and a
good looking one at that. She succeeded in concealing her sex most admir-
ably, serving in various campaigns and battles of the regiment as a soldier,
often employed as a spy, going within the enemy's lines, sometimes absent
for weeks, and is said to have furnished much valuable information. She
remained with the regiment until April, 1863, when it is supposed she appre-
hended a disclosure of her sex and deserted at Lebanon, Kentucky, but
where she went remains a mystery.
.\t the reunion of the regiment held at Lansing. October ir, 1883, the
mysterious disapi^earance of F'rank Thompson was cleared up, and in Mav,
1900, Colonel Schneider published a complete history of Frank Thompson,
or Mrs. Seelye, who died at Laporte, Texas, Septem1>er 5. 1898, and was
buried under the auspices of Houston (Texas) Post of the Grand Army of
the Republic, of which she had been an honored member.
Till': Ol.D Fr.AG OF T((E SECOND MICHIGAN INFANTKY.
During the preliminary organization of the Second Infantry, nearly
every company was presented with a flag by the citizens of the locality where
it had been recruited, and upon arriving at the rendezvous in Detroit, the
Niles company having been designated as the "color company," the flag
brought by them was used as the regimental colors. In February, 1862,
this flag, being of very light silk, had become unserviceable. Col. O, M.
Poe, commanding the regiment, obtained from the war <lei>artment a set of
regulation infantry colors, which he presented, with a stirring speech, to the
regiment, and the original flag was returned to its donors. This second flag
was carried in thirty-four engagements, and under its folds eleven officers and
one hundred and ninety-four men were killed in action or mortally wounded.
On the 24th of November, 1863, at Knoxville, Tennessee, the regiment, under
command of Major Byington, charged the enemy's rifle pits. Eighty-four
were killed and wounded out of one hundred and fifty engaged, including
Major Byington, who was mortally wounded, four officers and the cok)r serg-
eant killed, and six sergeants who lost a leg each, the flag staff being hit three
times. On July 30, 1864, during the attack which followed the blowing up
of a fort within the enemy's lines, near Petersburg, Virginia, known in the
list of engagements as "The Crater," the regiment was in the advance of the
charge made by the Ninth Corps. At every step the fire of the enemy in front
dbyGoot^lc
GEN'ESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 35I
and on each flank concentrated upon them and plowed their ranks with great
slaughter. The charge was checked on the side of the crest; there was a halt,
and finally the whole line of the brigade, wavering under terrible odds,
recoiled; nearly surrounded through lack of proper support, the regimental
commander among the dead, fifty-seven men killed and prisoners, and seeing
escape hopeless. Color Sergeant Jesse Gaines ran to the rear as far as possible,
and cast the flag over the parapet towards our lines, trusting it woiild be seen
and saved by some of our men; he was almost instantly a prisoner, with
others of the color guard. The flag was found and taken by the enemy and
carrictl a trophy to Richmond.
A Richmond paper, narrating the events of this desperate battle, said, in
substance: "Among the flags taken was that of the Second Michigan Infan-
try, an organization well known in our army since the first Bull Run battle.
It bears the names of many prominent engagements with both the eastern and
western armies. This regiment must have Ijeen nearly annihilated, or it would
never have lost its colors." And Sergeant Gaines, in his interesting sketch,
pithily says: "It is true the flag was lost, but it was never surrendered."
\Vhen Richmond was taken it was found in the rel>el capitol, removetl to
Washington, and later, by an order of the war department, sent to the regi-
mental association, and is now among the war relics in the capitol at Lansing.
As a proof that no dishonor was attached to the regiment for its loss
under such trying circumstances. General Mead, commanding the Army of
the Potomac, ordered a new flag to be presented to the regiment, which was
done. Upon general orders of army headquarters, the following most ]irom-
inent battles and sieges, in which the regiment had borne a creditable part,
were printed u]X)n this last flag, as far as practicable, all minor engagements
being left out for want of space on the flag: Blackburn's Ford, BuH Run,
siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks. Glendale, Malvern Hill, Ciian-
tilly, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Petersburg, Crater, Weldon
Railroad, Ream's Station, Poplar Springs Church, Hatcher's Rim. Fort
Steadman, Capture of Petersburg and Appomattox.
Of scenes lung [i [ssed mid bittles stilfe
Wlieie it inlned a hnlo of glon
Tliis tleii old flag eafli stai and strtiw
t'oiild tell mtny a toncliniK strm
At the annual meeting of The Association of Sunuors of the Second
Michigan Infantry, at Kalamazoo, October i6, 1888, a committee consisting
of Capt. John V. Ruehle, Jr., Capt.. John C. Hardy and Capt. William J.
Handy, was ap]>ointed to report upon a design for a regimental badge. At the
dbyGoot^lc
352 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
reunion held at Saginaw, August 29, 1S89, this committee reported as fol-
lows: "A design for a badge has been considered and a sketch is herewith
submitted : Material of badge and bar to be of gold. The cost will be $ ■,
the badge to be a seven-pointed star, in general form and dimensions similar
to the one adopted by the Kearney Division Association; a circle of leaves
enclosing the diamond or lozenge of the Third Army Corps in red enamel, the
same resting upon the cannon and anchor of the Ninth Army Corps in blue
enamel; around the corps badges the words 'Blackburn's Ford, 1861, to .\p-
pomatto.x, 1865' ; below in a scroll '2d Mich. Infty' ; the l>adge to be susi>ended
from a bar pin by a red ribbon. The committee also suggests that the issue of
badges shall be confined to the following persons only: First, to those who
were identified with the regiment and served in it during any of the following
campaigns, and were honorably discharged from the regiment : The Penin-
sular campaign, under McClellan; in Virginia, under Pope, Virginia, under
Burnside, Kentucky under Bumside, Mississippi under Grant, Mississippi
under Sherman, Tennessee imder Burnside, or the final camjiaign against
Richmond under Grand; second, to the nearest surviving heir of any member
of the regiment who was killed, died of wounds or disease in the service or
died since mustered out (if honorably discharged), the intention being that
e\-ery memlier who served creditably with this regiment may hereafter be
represented by this badge, and none others." This report was ado])tetl and
the same committee made a permanent one to carry out its provisions.
Sa). UleliJinl SI. Million, (ieiiesee Co.: priviitf Co. K; pro. to coiu.-sei^t., Nov. 7,
].S01; pro, to 2d Heut. Co. K; pi-o. to Iwt lieiit. jiiiil ;ulj.. M;uth Ci, 18(12: resigned
Aug. ;■». 1W!2.
giiiii'.-MiiBter Hwgt. .Tiinn's Hm.ilfy, (•'Ihir; jii-o. Ii> 'M liftil. Vo. I: Is! Jienr. ;iiid
Ciipt. Co. F.
QiiiuvMnsiter Sei-Kt. (ioniiilrj Hill, IHint: ]>ro. lo 2(1 lii'iit. Vi>. F; jiin, ti> Isi licut.
niid qii,'ii-.-niiiNtcr. IJpc. :[. lStK>; must, out Sept. SO, l.Slil.
Scrgt-jriU. Josepli Vjiu BiiBltii-k, Fiiiit; iiro. to 1st lieiil. t'o. li.
Company F.
Capt.. WilliiiJii 11. Miifse, Fliut; eiil. ApriJ ^5, 18C1; wounded fit Wlllliiiii8bui-g, Vn.,
lliiy G, 1802; res. Aur. 22, 1S63, to accept iippointnieut in Invalid corps.
Ciipt. Juiues Bradley, FJInt; enl. Dec. 3, 1863; wub qr.-inr.-serKL ; pi-o. to 2rt lieut.
Co. I, Aug. 25, 1862; pro. to let lieut. Co. F; died of wounds received in action near
Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1804; buried at Arlington National Oenieterj', Vri. Now
burled at Hiver Uun, Mich.
Fli-st Lieut. Win. Puvvcr, Flint: eiil.. Ajiril 2T,. IMl! ; res. .Inly 2!l, 1K(!2.
Second Lieut. .lauies Fiirrand. Flint: enl, -Vju'il 25, 1.SII2; ])ro. to 1st lieut. Co. G,
March 6, 1862; pro. to capt. Co. V, Axifi. 1,,].8«2; killed in actioLL near Wpottsyli-iiniii
Court House, May 12, 1864.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 353
Seuoiul Lieut. Gouudry Hill (qr.-mr.-sergt.) ; 2(1 lieut. Co. F; onl. Aug. !). 1802;
lat Ueut. aud qr.-mr. Dec. 3, ISt>2 ; must, out Sept. 30, 18«4.
Second Lieut. Nelson Fletolier (sergt,), Flint; 2d lieut, Dec. 1.SC2; killed in action
near Oxford, Noith Anna river, Vti., May 24, 1864.
Sergt. George R. Blsbey, died nt Cnnip Winfield Scott, Md., July 11, 1S61.
Sergt. WlUiain B. McCreerj-, Flint; pi-o. to CHpt. Co. G.
Sergt. Sumner Howard, Flint; pro. to 2d lieut. regular army, August, 1861.
Sergt. Goundry Hill, Flint; pro. to qr.-mr.-sergt. March 7, 1862.
Covp. Edwin C. Turver. enl. May 25, 1661 ; disch. for dtsal)lllty, Sept, 1861.
Coip. James Bradley, enl. May 25, 1861 ; pro. to qr.-mr.-sergt. Aug. 1, 1S62.
(torp. Damon Stewart, enl. Mtiy 25, 1861 ; disch. to nccept commission In Twenty-
tliii-d Infantry.
Corp. Joseph \";in BiiBldrk, enl. May 25, 1861; pro. to sergt.-maj. Sept. 16, 1862.
Coi-p. William L. Bisliop, enl. Mny 2."), 1S61 ; kille<l in battle at Yorktown, Vn.,
April 16, 1862.
Corp. Selson Fletcber (sergt. I, eiii. May 25, 1861; pro. to qr.-nir.-sergt. Dec 1, 1862.
Privates-— William H. Allen, must out June 28, 1865; Bavid Anderson, Vienna,
must. oHt July 28, lS6Ei; William J. Allen, Vienna, must, out June 25, 1865; William L.
Bisbojt, erti-p., died at Yorktowu, Va., April 16, 1862; George R. Bisbey, sergt., died of
diseiise irJ Camp Winfield Scott, Va., July, 1861; Joseph N. Bradley, disch. for disability,
Dec. 2, 1862; Adln C. Billings, sergt., Flint Tp., pro. to 1st lieut. Co. K; Andrew A.
Baxter, disch. for disability, July 14, 1862; James Bensou, Flint Tp., killed at Wilder-
ness, Ya., May 6, 1864;. George Beemer, died in action at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 24,
1863: Milton S. Benjamin, Vienna, dlscli. for wounds, Jan. 28, 1865; George Gamier,
dleil in action at Wtliiamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862;- Oharlea B. Collins, disch. to enlist
in regular sei-vice, Dec. 5, 1862: S. Bradford Cnmmings, disch. for disability, Feb. 19,
1803: Tbonias Chupin. Jr., disch. at end of service, June 21, 1864; Clark F. Chapman,
Flhit Tp., disch. for wounds, Feb. 26, 1865; James Coe, must, out July 28, 1865; John
Deltz. disch. for disability, Jan. 5, 1863; George Davis, discli. at end of service. May
25, 1864: Cornelius De Hart, disch. at end of service, Dec. 25, 1864; Charles E.
Deioster, disch. at end of sei-vice, Deo. 25, 1S64: Daniel J. Ensign, died June 3, 1862,
Qt wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va.; Orlando H. Ewer, Flint Tp.,.must out July 28,
ISIiTi: Cliurles L. Gardner, died of disease at Camp Lyons, Va., Oct., 1861; Joseph H.
iiei)r^'e. disch. for disability, Sept., 1861; John R. Goodrich, disch. for disability, Oct.
i::t. isi;2: William Honshton. disch. for dlsabllitj-, Sept., 1861; Julius Heine, disch. (or
ili*il)ility, Jan. 5, ISIS: Frederick Holtz, CIa>-ton, died nt Knoxville, Tenn., Dee. 12,
1863, of wounds; Fi-ancls Haven, Flint; died In action near Petersburg. Va., June 17,
1S64; A'irgii Hadstitlt, missing In action at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 24, 1863; Henry W.
Hoi-tou. trans, to I'et. Res. Corps. Mai-ch 15, 1864; Richard H. Halstead, disch. at end
of service, June 21, 1864 ; Charles Hnrtner, disch. to re-enilst as veteran, Dec. 31, 1863 ;
James V. Homell, absent, sick, not must, out with company; Sheldon B. Kelly, died In
action at Fair Oaks, Va., Slay 31, 1862: John Kane, disch. for disability, Sept., 1861;
Philip Kelland, disch. for disability, July 19, 1362; Elisha Kelly, nmslcian; disch. to
i-e-enlist as veteran, Dec. 31, 1863 ; Charles E. Kingsbury, Fort Tp., must, out July 28,
1865; George Lee, Grand Blanc Tp., must, out July 28, 1865; Charles D. Moore, died
June 6, 1802, or wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va.; Dellion McConnell, died in action
at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862; John B. Miller, died in action at Chantllly, Vn.. July 1,
1862: David McConnell, disch. to enlist in regular service, Dec. 5, 1862; Peter McNally,
Vienna Tp., must, out May 26, 1865 ; Samuel L. Floss, died of disease at Washington,
(23)
dbyGoo<^lc
354 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
UlS -•» 1H)1 HuiilltiJ lie* (lie.1 (tilistisL It ^^ lshillfrt<li iug 2!> ISbl Time-i F
Pirtudge musfchu dlscli foi dls-iMlitj l>ec '* IfeGl AVnllace I Paikei Genesee
Ijj (eteran must out Jiilj 2S 1SG5 (.Ufirles lljuiklu died o£ dinetise it iiliuittoii
Heights Va Sept 20 ISbl Loinellua £. Rutison diacli iit end of serWee June 21
1804 Nithan U KlLliaidson Unit uuiBt mit Tuly 2^ 1sIj5 George Ruddlmnii Tllnt
must out July 28 1865 TiLOb C Sackrler, died Tune 24 18(i2 of wounds Jjiuies s
SmltJi disch fjr disiibillti sqrt: isoi irbi hmltli, dlucli for dlsublliti Sept ISOl
Geoige Sawvei disch foi di'iililht* Oct ISbl Jimes '«ciii dtscli nt eiid of serute
June 21 1864 lymun Stow discli it end of serMce June 21 1S04 Vlbert L »>i»-(ii
dls*,li at eud of sen ice June 21 ISW limUliuB <linltli diwii Jan. 27 isea Hei
cules 'itunuaid veteran must (ut Tulj 2S 1S6I) Geoige Sheldon dlscU to le enlist
It veteran Dee il I'iGS ilbert sUiultz dlscli l.i leeuiist it leteiin Dec 81 ISixJ
ClMiiles H «!tone Hint died of diser^e neu 4.1e\indilu \a Oct 6 1«64 Tolni G
Sanford Vienna Tp died of disease neir AJeMiidmi ^a Oct 20 1864 Matliiiis
Schermerbom mubt out Mu 20 1S65 Idnln (_ lunei corii dl'*,b foi dls,ibllit\
Sept ISGl Jobn 01 Josepb W TonipkiiiM mu^t out Aug '> 1S65 Hlnui Tennev
discb It end of semci Miy 25 1S04 Edgar Tibbnls disch at end of seiske Maj
25 !'*(>* Tohn H Tibbnli disch at end of wrwce No\ 'I lSfl4 John Waltci dlstb
at «id of senlce Jiiue 21 ISOi Jimen WiUett dl*^U it end of senite Miy 21 l'*64
TVmiim B Wlllinini. dlwch foi disabllitj Oct 1801 bnion A Wood discb foi dis
ability Aug 4 1S62 lohii i ttpller trans to ^ et Res Loips Noi 15 1864 Don \
Williams must out Tnly >\ 1*5(1-. Rolieit H 7 ^^ iinei ^leimi 1\t mwit out Iiux
19, 1S(15.
romp-iiiu I'r.
William li. AI.-Gm'i.i. Fliat; (.Mpt. .Sept. 10, l.SOl : wouiuled »t Willhimsburg. V^i..
In three places severely. Hay ■>. lvfS2: pro. to lieut.-oolonel 21st itegt. llicb. Inf.. Nov.
20. 1862; colonel. Feb. S. IRIB: token prisoner at Cbickamausa, Teui., Sept. 20, ISaS:
wounded in three places sevei'ely : escaped from Llbby Prison. Feb. 10, 1864 : reslsrned
on account of woiuids. Seiit. 14, lS(y.
James Tairind iiint; 1st lieut. March 0, 1S62; pi-o. to capt. Co. C, Aug. 1, 1862:
killed In ictlon near fepottsylvnnla Ooiirt House, Va., May 12, 1864.
Geoige Sheldon fcenton, com.-wrgt.; sergt. Co, K; pro. to lat lieut. Co. C; iinist.
out ns sergt
Hercules Staiiuaid Flint (sergt.); pro. to 2d lieut.; must, out as sergt.
PrUatei — W ird Beiry, Argentine, Co. E, died of wounds, June 19, 1804, near
Petersburg, Va. , Heiiiy Ilormiin, Grand Blanc, Co. O, must, out July 28, 18(15; llyrou
Green, Atlas, Co. B, died June 17, 1804, of wounds; James M. Hill, Atlas. Co. R, iiiiMS-
ing In action, July 30, 1864; Ijafayette Hill, Atlas, Co. B. must, out Aug. 2. 18(!sT;
Walter P. Jones, Fenton, Go. B, must, out July 28, ISfiS; Charles K. Litson, Atlas,
Co. H, must, out July 28, 1865; Read IJirde, Argeutlne. Co. E, muHt. out ,Tii].v 2«, ]«(iri:
Robert P. Meddleivorth, Argentine, Co. B, died neai- Petevsbui-ft. X-.y.. .Time in. isa4.
of wounds; Abra'm D. I'eiTy, Atlas, Co. K, died nt Waslilngtou. -Tuly 17. 1W4, of
wounds; Orrin D. Putnam, Argentine O., died at Washington, .Tune 2, 1864, of aci-i-
deiital wounds; Thomas Pei'17, Fulton, Co. I, must, out July 2S!, 1865: Chiirles It.
Snook, Argentine, Co, E. died July 6, 1S64, <)f wounds; As.i Rhepiird, Argentine. Co. G.
must, out July 28, 18G5; George W. Tliarrett, Davison, Co. H, must, out July 28. 1865:
Joseph B. Vamum. Atliis Tp.. Co. H. must, out Aug. IT. 18n">: Ghiiries Webber, 1-Viiloii.
Co. B, must, out Aug. 2, lS(ir..
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUN'IY, MICHIGAN.
EIGlITir INFANTRY.
The Eighth Regiment was formed in the summer and fall of 1861.
Its organizer and commanding officer was Col. William M, Fenton, of
Flint, previously major of the Seventh Infantry, from which he was pro-
moted to this. The nucleus of the Eighth Regiment was a Genesee company
called the "F'enton Light Guard" which had been organized at the armory in
FUnt, May 10, a few days after the departure of the Flint Union Grays to
join the Second Regiment at Detroit. It had been expected that the Light
Guard would take the field as a part of the Seventh Regiment, and in fact
it had Ijeen designated as E Company in that organization; but as the
Seventh was able to muster its full complement of ten companies without
this, it was transferred to Colonel Feiiton's command, not only with the con-
sent but in accordance with the wishes of the officers and men. Another
Genesee company which entered the Eighth was named the Excelsior Guard,
and representatives of the county were found in all of the eight other
companies of the regiment. These last-named companies, however, were
principally made up of men from the counties of Shiawassee, Clinton, Gratiot,
Montcalm, Kent, Ingham, Jackson and Barry.
On the I2th of .Vugust the several companies were designated and ordered
to rendezvous at Grand Rapids on the 21st. Under these orders the Kenton
Light Guard, one hundred and seven strong, under Capt. Russell M. Barker,
anil the Excelsior Guard, Capt. Ephraim N. Lyon, left Flint and moved to
Fentonville, and thence by the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad to Grand Rapids,
where the regimental camp was pitched in the fair grounds and named "Camp
Anderson." Here the regiment remained for four weeks engaged in drill,
organization and the filling of its ranks to the maximum number. On the
I Sth of Sqjtember it moved to Detroit, and thence to a camp at Ft. Wayne,
below the city, where, on the 23d, it was mustered into the United States
.service for three years by Capt. H, R. Mizner, United States Anny, its
strength when mustered was nine hundred. Its field officers, besides Colonel
Fenton, were Lieut. -Col. Frank Graves and Maj. Amasa B. A\'atson.
In the organization of the regiment the Fenton Light Guard was desig-
nated as A Company and it was mustered under the following named com-
missioned officers: Captain, Simon C. Guild, promoted to captaincy in place
of Captain Barker, who resigned at Camp Anderson on account of ill-health;
first lieutenant, George E. Newell; second lieutenant, George H. Turner.
The Excelsior Guard was designated as G Company, and its first com-
dbyGoot^lc
356 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
missioned officers were: Captain, E. N. Lyon; first lientenant, Horatio
Belcher; second lieutenant, N. Miner Pratt,
Orders for the departure of the regiment were received on the 26th of
September, and on the 27th it embarked on the steamers "Ocean" and "May
Qiieen" and, moving down the river and lake, arrived at Cleveland the follow-
ing morning. From there it moved b)' railroad through Pittsburgh, Harris-
burg and Baltimore to Washington, where it arrived on the 30th and en-
camped on Meridian Hill; its camp was named "Camp Williams." In due
time the men received amis and equipments. On the gth of October the regi-
ment moved to Annapolis, Maryland, and there occupied the ground.'^ of the
Naval Academy.
On October 19 the regiment was ordered to embark on board the ocean-
steamer "Vanderbilt," then lying at Annapolis. It was evidently bound on
some distant expedition, but its destination and object were unknown and
were matters of endless surmise and speculation among the officers and men
during the passage down the Chesapeake. On the "Vanderbilt" with the
Eighth was the Seventy-ninth New York Regiment, called the "Highlanders,"'
and neither regiment appeared to be very favorably impressed with the appear-
ance or presence of the other. One who was present on board the ship at
that time wrote afterwards concerning this: "The men of the Eighth Mich-
igan and Seventy-ninth New York looked distrustfully on each other. The
ship was rather uncomfortably crowded, having eighteen hundred persons on
board, and every effort to obtain }>etter storage by one party was jealously
watched by the other. The Eighth regarded the Seventy-ninth as a set of
foreigners and sots, and the latter regarded our men as a lot of undrilled
bush-whackers tinged with verdancy." How long this state of feeUng con-
tinued does not appear, but it is certain that there was afterwards developed
between the Eighth and Seventy-ninth a friendship which became absolute
affection — so strong and marked that it was proverbial among the different
commands of the army where the two regiments were known. It was a chain
whose links were forged under the hammers of suffering and danger and
welded in the fire of battle.
When they arrived at Fortress Monroe they found the roadstead crowde<l
with a fleet made up of war-steamers and transports filled with troops. This
fleet, including the "Vanderbilt," went to sea in the morning of October 29,
and the sight was grand and inspiring. For a time the winds favored and
the sea was comparatively smooth, but afterwards a heavy gale came on in
which the vessels were scattered and three or four of them lost. During
this time the troops suffered greatly from sea-sickness and overcrowding on
dbyGoO'^lc
GENESEE COUNTY,, MICHIGAN. 357
the transports. The fleet had sailed under sealed orders and its destination
was as yet unknown except to the naval and military commanders. At last
the storm abated, the vessels, one by one, returned within signaling distance
of each other, and the low shores of South Carolina became visible on the
starboard hand. Six days, from the time of its departure from Fortress
Monroe, which seemed as many weeks, the fleet arrived off Hilton Head,
South Carolina, November 4, 1861. The object of the expedition was now
apparent, and with a smoother sea and an enemy almost in sight, sea-sickness
and dejection gave place to buoyant spirits and eager enthusiasm.
The fleet was composed of fourteen armed vessels, twenty-two first-class
steamers, twelve smaller steamers and twenty-six saihng vessels. The com-
mander of the fleet was Commodore S. F. Dupont, whose flag-ship was the
splendid steam-frigate "Wabash." The land forces consisted of thirteen
regiments of volunteers in three brigades — in all, about eleven thousand men
— under command of Gen. W. T. Sherman. The Second Brigade, composed
of the Fiftieth and One Hundredth Pennsylvania, Eighth Michigan and
Seventy-ninth New York, was under command of Brig.-Gen. Isaac I. Stevens.
The channel connecting Port Royal harbor with the sea was guarded on
either side by a strong rebel fortification. These were known as Forts Walker
and Beauregard, and the reduction of these by the navy was the first work to
be done. For three days after their arrival the vessels remained in quiet
below, as the weather was not considered sufficiently favorable for operations,
but on the 7th the "Wabash" set her .signal for battle and advanced to the
attack, followed by the other armed ships in their proper order. They moved
in a circular line, up past one fort and down past the other, delivering their
tremendous broadsides into each as they came abreast of it. With the fire
from the ships and the responses from the forts it was ahnost a continuous
volley of artillery, which shook the earth and made the very waters tremble.
But at length the fire of the forts began to slacken, their replies grew more
and more feeble, and finally the Stars and Bars above their ramparts gave
place to the white flag. A little later the standard of the Union floated above
the captured works on both sides of the channel.
On the following day the Eighth landed at Hilton Head and occupied
Ft, Walker. On the 17th of December it moved to Beaufort, a place of sur-
passing beauty, where many of the wealthy people of Charleston had in the
old days of ])eace made their summer residences. It was now found deserted
by nearly all its inhabitants except negroes. The camp here was made in a
grove of stately and magnificent live-oaks; and but for the losses sustained in
the vicinity, the stay of the regiment at this place would have been among the
dbyGoot^lc
358 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
most pleasing of all its experiences during its term of service. On the i8th,
Companies A and F of the Eighth were sent on a reconnoitering expedition
to the mainland, across Coosaw river, and while engaged in this service David
Burns Foote of Captain Guild's company, was killed hy the enemy; he was
the first man of the regiment who fell in his country's service. The Eighth
during the time it was stationed at Beaufort was engaged in other reconuois-
sances and in picket duty: detachments occupied Grey's Hill, Ladies' Island,
Brickyard Point and some of the neighboring plantations.
The first battle in which the regiments was engaged was that of CoDsaw
River, or Port Royal Ferry, January i, 1862. An official refwrt by Colonel
Fenton to General Stevens, embracing an account of that engagement, is
here given :
MviisLVND Post Koi \r I fbri T 11 1 IM!
Bki(. GtB SinLNs — Ml I li \e tile honor to leiwrt that in LOiuplifiiict, with \<m
[iiilei tlilH tcgliiieiit mis sdfeiv Imdeil nt the Adims IIou<ie on tlie umliitHud, liimug
effected the crossliif. In fliitbdits ftoui Brickyard Point Port Ro\ tl Islimd and took
u]) its line of morcb towTids tlie enemj s buttery it this plice iit one oclock p m Oh
our iippioach toTsimls the ferr\ we weie ordered to attiitk (as sbirml'dKis) n mnaketl
battery which ojeiied flie on us fiom the light I InimedliitelT detit-bed the flrat tn
and tenth comiw nks and dliwted then miirch to the left and front ou the bjitterj
which Has followed hi four iddltlonal companies to the light and fioiit The flie of
the battery with shells continued on our lines until the sktimishers reached the light
when it was turned on them ind on their apjiroith right left and fiont to within
hfty to one bundled yirds of the eueui\ a pobition i fiie (f luiiaketry wiib oii«ied
upon them The foirt of the eiieniv na well as the bitter* witfc concealed to 1 con
slderable extent bv treea, brush tnd underwood but iippeared to onwlst 1 f two mounted
honltzers snppoited bi a legimeiit 11 inoie of infnntrv and some eavjilry The akii
iniaheis neit mensunlU intctted bj undeil rusli md furrows and continued theii
are upon the eiiemi which mus leturned b^ volleys f miiaketii md shellH fioin the
lattery Oui Are was well diiected nid seenied to be effectlie One mounteii oflicer
wh( seemed to be lery actue wis seen to fali fiom his horse it which the (iio|»,
on the enemy s right were tliiown into confuai n Their 1 osltlon seemed to be ch iiii,
Ing to the rear and is oiii sMrmlshers were cilled off ind the raiment fjimed m
line the enemy- fire ceased The r^ment wia then miicbed to Its postti n In Hue
of battle in reir of the f ut it this point
I lent Col Graces led the left and Mij « itson the right of the sklnnisheis Tin
major In leading on the Imi lecened i seiere flesh wound In the let, I hue t<
report that officers and men behaved with idmiriible bra\en md coolntss Tbc loss
of the enemy from the wclUlliected Are of our skirmishers cannot be less thin foiti
Our loss Is se^en wounded two missing I ba^e the honor to be ^erv resiectfiilU
jour obedient sei\ant Wm M rENTOH
Col. Eighth MichigRU Regiment.
Among those who fell in the action at Beaufort Ferry was Corp. John
Q. Adams, of Captain Guild's company, mortally wounded and left in the
dbyGoot^lc
r,ENM-:SEE COUNTY. MICITTGAN. 359
eiieiiiy's hands. Some negroes who came into the Union lines two or three
days afterwards gave Colonel Kenton an account of his death. They said
they saw him after the battle in a wagon at the railroad surrounded by spec-
tators. He received water to drink from them hut would give no informa-
tion. They asked him if it was right to come into their country and drive
tiieni off their land. He said it was and that there were those behind who
would avenge his fall. He remained true to his flag and was conscious until
midnight, when he died. Upon these facts being sworn to, Colonel Fenton
embodied them in an official re[xirt, to which was appended the following
order :
HKAbyirAHTKRS, STII MiCHKiAN INIWTBV,
Cnmp iieiir BeiUifort, S. C, .Tun. 7, 1862.
S|iecirti OrJers. — In I'liusiilcriiUon of tlie noble Jiud heroic tleatli of Jolm Q. Adams,
eorporfll In Co. A, the iibovc reiiort will Im entered on the regimental rceords, with
this order. Ry order of
Coi.. Wji. :\r. 1'>:nk)N.
X. .\liNK« PKAiT, Adjiitniir.
During the months of January, hebriiary and March the regiment was
employed in drill and [)icket duty, l>ut was always ready to respond to march-
ing orders. These were constantly expected and were finally received on the
9th of April, when the l^ighth left Beaufort and moved to Tybee Island,
Georgia, where it was reported to Gen, Q. A. Gillmore commanding the
operations against Savannah. It was present, bnt not engaged, at the bom-
bardment of Fort Pulaski on the loth and nth, as also at the surrender of
that formidable work.
On the i6th of April seven companies of the regiment (A, B. G, D, H,
I and K, each about forty strong) were detailed with a detachment of Rhode
Island artillery as an escort to Lieut. C. H. Wilson, chief of the topographi-
cal engineers, department of the South, to make a reconnoissance of Wilm-
ington Island with a view to the erection of fortifications upon it if found
practicable. The force was embarked on the steamer "Honduras" and moved
to the execution of the duty assigned. This resulted in an engagement with
a force of the enemy consisting of the Thirteenth Georgia, "Ogiethrope Light
Infantry," and the "Altamaha Scouts." in all about eight hundred strong. A
detailed account of this movement and battle is given in Colonel Fenton's
official report of which the following is a copy:
Ht:.uiQu.\BTKBa, ICiuuTU UiiuriiKNT iMiUH. Vols.
Oil boHi-d steiimer "Hondnriis," off Wilmington Islnnd, Gn., Aiirll 16, 1862, 11 p. m.
LiKUT. W, Ij. M. BiiKoKR, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Genei-iil :
8!K— I have the hon()r to i-ejwrt, for tl)e Hiforuiiitlon of llie general conimimdlng,
thai in i-nmi))i:niee with S|>erinl Orders No. 41, I embarked with seven companies of
dbyGoot^lc
360 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tLe Eighth Michigan Regiment, as an escort to Lieut. C II. Wiisou, Tripographic.ii
Euglueer, on a reconnoiss»nce of Wlluiington Island. Two coiupaoles were lan(3ecl at
Sci'lven's plantation under command of Capt. Pratt, with orders from I.leut. Wilson to
Bkirt Turner's Creek. The other five comiianles were lauded at Gibson's piautation.
Two of these t-ompiiuies were ordered to sitirt Turner's Creek. A third was to take
the roud to the right, towui'ds the terry at (Janan's BfufT, to protect the boat-imrty uii
Oathind Creek. Owing to the small number of boats, and the distance from the
Hteiimer, which was aground, some delay occurred in the disembarkation. I dire'-ted
Lieut.-Col. Grsiea to follow with the second company to skirt Turner's Creek; but
he by misdirection look the road to the right, towards Canan's BlufC, and on lauding
with the reniatnlng companies, I reoeiied information fi-om him that the euemj' were
In force at Flatwood's plantation, and to the left of the road. This made the recon-
noissance with boats unsafe, and I ordered the companies ail in and stationed the
remaining companies to guard against au attack at our landing, and seut out strong
pickets on both roads. I believe the advance of the company to the right, instead of
along Turner's Creek, saved my i-ommaiid, as it sooner enabled me to post the men
to advantage, and take a position from which the enemy's appi-oach could be obseried.
The enemy appeared to be the Georgia Thirteenth, about eight hundral strong, ariiied
nith Enfield rifles. As they apiiroached, about four p. m., with a strong body of skir-
mishers in the skirt of woods below the roiid, the companies to the right and left cit
the road, in accordanre with my lntatruetlon», opened fire. I immediately sounded the
charge for an advance of the companies in the rear of the first line; but the flr-*t line,
misunderstanding the signal, fell back to the next coiupauj-. A constant and effective
Bre was kept up on both sides from the cover of the trees and bushes. Lieut. Wilson,
who had returned with the boat's party, here proved of great service to me, and took
a party, at my request, to the left. I ordered a company to the right to flank tlio
enemy. Both operations were sutvessful, and 111 a few moments the enemy retreated
m confusion, leaving several dead on the iield, and followed by om- men with loud
cheers. It being now about sunset, I recalled our ti'oops, and, giving to Lieut. Wilson
the conunand of pickets stationed to guard against surprise, formed the companies
into line as originally posted, sent the dead and wounded lu boats to the ship, and
gradually, and lery quietly, under cover of darkness, withdrawing the men, sent them
on board as fast as our limited transportation would allow. At the last trlji rif the
boat I embarked, accompanied by Lieut. Wilson, Lleut.-Col. Urates, and the i-emainder
of the command, at about ten o'clock p. m., and immediately brouglit on board the two
eompanles left at Scriven's plantation. After the enemy retreated we were unmolested.
It is due to the ofBcers and men of the command to my that generally they behaved
with cool and Intrepid courage, .id.!- Pratt fell dead near my side, gallantly fighting,
musket in hand, and cheering on the men. Our loss. I regret to say, was compara-
tively large — ten killed and thirty-five wounded, out of a command of three hundrwl
men. Among the wounded was Acting Lieut. Badger, of Co. C, who was in eiiarge
of the advanced picket, and exhibited undaunted courage. He, with one of his men,
was taken prisoner. Both escaped, and were brought In when the enemy retreateil.
The captain of the "Honduras'' is deserving of great credit for hla kind attention to
the wounded, and he aiforded us every facllitj for the comfort of officers .ind
men in his power. I respectfully refer you to Lieut. Wilson's report, which I
have seen, which contains some facts not embraced In this report: among others, in
relation to the men detailed in charge of the field-pieces on board ship, who were
vigilant and attentive. Herewith I transmit a list of casualties. I iiui, very respect-
fuUy, your obedient servant,
William M. Fenton, Col. Ommanding.
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 36T
The part of Lieutenant Wilson's report to which Colonel Fenton alluded
as having reference to the detachment in charge of the field-piece was as fol-
lows: "Lieutenant Caldwell and sixteen men of the Rhode Island volunteers,
with one light six-pounder, were left in charge of the steamer. The gun
could not be handled on account of the inability of the boat to lie alongside
the landing. . . . After holding the ground for three hours the entire
force was quietly eralmrked without further accident, though it must be con-
fessed that had the enemy renewed his attack while we were embarking we
should have suffered great loss. Our five small boats could not move more
than fifty men every thirty minutes, and the steamer lay in such a iwsition
that the six-pounder could not be brought to bear without jeopardizing the
lives of our own people.'"
From Wilmington Island the command returned to Beaufort, and the
first knowledge which General Stevens had of the battle of the i6th was
conveyed by the arrival of the dead and wounded from that field. The dead
were buried with all military honors, the entire brigade attending their funeral.
Next came the present;ition to the regiment of a beautiful fiag furnished
by citizens of Genesee county and forwarded by a committee composed of
Hon. j. Ij. Walker. George T. Clark and Charles P. Avery. It was of the
richest and heaviest silk, and fringed, tasseled and starred with gold. On its
stripes in golden letters were the words "One Country, One Destiny," "Eighth
Michigan Infantry." On its staff was a silver plate bearing the engraved
inscription: "Presented to the Officers and Soldiers of the Eighth Regiment,
Michigan Infantry, by their friends and neighbors of Genesee County." It
was sent by the donors "in token of their high respect for the Eighth Regi-
ment, on account of their gallant conduct at the battle of Coosaw," and it
arrive<l at Hilton Head on the very day when the men of the Eighth were
again distinguishing themselves at Wilmington Island.
The ceremony of presentation was imposing. At evening parade on the
25th of April the regiment was formed on three sides of a hollow square, of
which the fourth .side was formed by General .Stevens and his staff. The
color was in the center. It was formally presented to the regiment by General
Stevens, who, after making a few introductory remarks, and reading aloud
the letter of the committee at Flint, said :
Solrtiei's of Mielilgiin: It is criitifying to know by tliis Ifttcr from your frleiuls
that your services nre niijireointed by tbem ; .and I, \yho on tiie day niluded to, w:is
yonr comuiandliiK general, feel proud in referring to tbe occasion which cnlis fortb
from your friends at home such an acknowledgment. Your bravery and undaunted
conrnse, led on by your gallant colonel in face of the enemy at the battle of Coosaw,
deserves, as it has received, the bighest commendation.
dbyGoc^lc
362 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
TIlis biiiLiU'i- ciiiUL'S iit ji j>ri>iil(ious iiumieiit. Vou Line; iuMtd tii tlie reiJUtiiHoii
ulreiiily ;n-(|Uire(l [iiiotliei' briliiuiit nehievenient. Wliilo tliis fln? wiis coimisuert ns
it wci'o ri> tlie teiirtsr lucivlvR of tlie ileeii. ami on the very day of Its ante jirrlvnl
lit Hilton HctLil, you were teMtliig tlie streufe'tli iit yiniv arms iigalnst overwheliiiiiig
(Kids of the eiit'Uiy on WiliHtiigton Isliiiul, inldiiig new liistve to your iilreiKly lii'illiiuil
career, iind tiiviiig new evidence of your Intrepidity and braiery. * * *
T'nfiirl that flag I Let It float to the Iweeae! Thei*. fellow- soldi erw, is your
banner ! Inscribed uiion its inutile folds is the motto, "One Couutvy. One Kentlny !"
It Is Rurumuuted hy tlie oasl*"^ — emblem of Htrenjjtb— and beflriug on its ontsti'etcbed
wlngM the iirestlue of vittorj-. I,ike tile eagle of Nai'oleon and of ancient Itonie,
its luartb iw onward and upward. I'lioii the folds of that banner is the work
of fair bauds, the da nirUter.-i of Jltehigan. your hued ones nt home, endeared to yon
by the tender ties of mother iinil daufrbter, sister and friend. That l.-i the Haj; the
Kiillant .Taekson bore aloft when he said, "The Union; it must, it shall be preserved!"
It is the fliig Wttshlngton ftmght for and sustained. We iii-e following in the foot-
steiiH of our brave and lieroie iincestors. Let us, like them, while in tlie diseharge
of our duties as soldiers, and rejoicing In Huccosses, remember our obligations ns
Christians, t'ommlt It to the CJod of Battles. His arm will be stretched forth to
succor and to save. Here, niion onr knees, tn the preHence of Almighty <J<»iI. let \tn
invoke His blessing. I t-all njion you. .'hiiplain. If is fit and jiroper rh;]t if he con
secrated with [iruyer.
The chiiplain resix>nded in an earnest and eluipent prayer. 'J'he colors
were received in due form, with drnm,s beating, and arms presented. Then
Colonel I-"enton six)lce, thanking the general and congratulating the officers
and men of hi-, regiment. In conchiding, he turned towards the flag, as it
was held aloft b>' the tall color-ljearer, and said :
(_'olor-hearer and Oolor-guards : I know you all. and know you well. That
Imniier in your hands will be iiroudly borne and bravely defended. And shtaild you
full, you will H-ra|i its folds around yon. defending it while life remains. Soldiers,
you miiy well feel pri)nd that yon have been honored by your general. In the presen-
tation of that Hag. You will stand by It to the last. I feel aud know yoii will.
Yon have tried on the soil of both South Carolina and (Jeorgiu, and, one and all, you
will maintain the elinracter you have acf|u!red, and do honor to the state which has
sent .von forth.
The speech was followed by three-times-thrce cheers for the colonel, the
color, and its donors, and the ceremony, which had been witnes.sed by a large
number of soldiers of other commands and by many citizens of South Caro-
lina, was over.
During the month of May the ['Eighth was engaged on picket duty and
other similar service on Port Royal Island. On the 2d of June it moved
thence to Stone's River, South Carolina, to relieve the Twenty-eighth Massa-
chusetts Regiment on picket on James Island, where the Eighth arrived on
the day fallowing its departure from Port Royal, Here it was attached to
the First Brigade of the Second Division under General .Stevens; the brigade
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 363
was placed under coinniand of Colonel l'"enton. and I,ieutenant-Co!onel
Graves succeeded to the command of the regiment.
The battle of James Island, or Secessionville, as it is frequently called,
was fought on the i6th of June. In it the Eighth Michigan took a more
prominent part and suffered more severely than any other regiment, and.
taking everything into consideration, its losses here were more terrible than it
sustained on any other lield during its long and honorable career. Secession-
ville, the scene of the battle, was described by Dr. J. C. Wilson, surgeon of
the Eighth Regiment, ;is "a \'illage composed of a few houses whose owners
have seceded from them, situated on a narrow neck of land jutting intfi the
stream on the east side of James island, skirted by tidal marshes and swamps
on either side, and difficult of approach, except from the westward, where is
a rebel fort which commands this entrance."' The fort was a formidable
earthwork with a parapet nine feet in height, surrounded by a broad ditch
seven feet deep and protected by a broad and almost impenetrable abatis. The
i!eck of dry land over which alone it was approachable was barely two hun-
dred yards in width and every inch of it could be swept at close range by can-
ister from the six heavy gims of the fort and by musketry from its defend-
ers. And it was over such ground and to the assaiilt of such a work that t!ie
troops of Stevens' division moved forward at four o'clock in the morning of
that bloody and eventful i6th of June, 1862,
The attacking column was made up of Colonel Kenton's and Colonel
Leasure's brigades, the former composed of the Eighth Michigan, Seventh
Connecticut and Twenty-eighth Massachusetts regiments, and the latter of
the Forty-sixth and Seventy-ninth New York and One Hundredth Pennsyl-
vania, with four batteries of artillery — in all three thousand three hundred
and thirty-seven men. The following account of the battle was written b\-
the correspondent of the New York Tribune, then at James island, and pui)-
iished in that paper immediately after the fight ■
The ndvnuced regiuieuts were the Eighth Mlchlsii". rhe KHieiLO-iiUitli Xew York
ntid the Seventh Counectlcnt There in some coiifusiiiu iia lo the oriler in which tiii'se
resiuieiits ciMiie op to the furt; it seems, however, from the best iiifonoiitiou witbiii
reiiCh, tlint the glorioiiR Imt iinfortuniite Righth Mlchlgtm was the flrKt there, led hy
Its giillnnt LleiiteHiint-rolouel Ci-aves. The lumiediate assault upon the fort wni
not siiccessfti), and the canse of tta failure, as 1b uaual iu such p»w Is ililtieult to
determine. * ♦ • It iirpeiirw,, from the statenieuts of some of the ofhcecs aurt
uieu ill these regimentM, that about one half-mllo from the fort there wuh a narrow
liass through a hedge, and the men were comiielied to pass through, a very few ahreast.
thus delaying their advance. The Eighth Michigau got through and pushed on with
gi-eat vigoi- lip to the fort, wbli-h tliey assaulted with a shout. They were met nltb
a murderous lire from f!ic fiM't In fi'ont and fi'oni flanliing batteries. A few of those
dbyGoot^lc
364 GENE3EK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Iir;ne iiiei] <j\Pfcume .ill diinKers jind dlfficultips mul, rusliiiit,' r.ier tlip dtad bodie's
(if tLeii' slimgtitered comrades, actuiilly climbed Into the fort; but It was Imiwssible
for tliem to lUiiiiitiiin tlielr ground there agJLinat the feai-ful odds which opijosed them,
ihe uieii wlio should hine supported them being delayed In passing through the
hedge.
The Eighth was obliged to fall back as the Seveuty-ulnth New Xork came up.
led by the brave Colonel Morrison, who mounted the walls of the fort and discharged
all the barrels of his reiol^er m the very faces of the enemy. Wounded In the head,
and unsuiiported, he was ohligwl to retreat. About ns far hehiud the Seventy-ninth
as that regiment was behind the Eighth Michigiin Ciime the Seventh Connecticut,
which niad« a spasmodic and almost ludeiieiident effort against the fort, but was
obliged to fall back. Thus the brave regiments which were intended to act In concert
.IS the advance went into the fight one at a time, one repulsed and falling hack as the
other came up, thus creating confusion, and rendei'lng iibortive the charge on the fort
at this time.
A failure like this always disheartens troops. It was just in front of the fort,
■ind in the fivHt cliiirise, thivt the noble and brave ("aiitain Church LComiwiny D, oC
the Eighth] fell, piei'ced through the bead with a niusliet-ball. He was a fine ofBcer
and beloved by his men. I knew and admired his commanding person and fr.ink.
honest beiirlng. Although HUfCeriiig from dlsea.ie, he arose from his bed and led his
men to the fatal ditch.
The Klglith Michigan lia-< been most unfortunate. Forward in every akli'mlsh and
i-iin now wcarcel; number thi-ee hundred men. All these i-egimeiits fought well, and
piled their dead around the fort; but It was a terrible sacrifice, and a vain one.
The fii-Ht, as has been said, to re.ieh the fort were the Michigan Eighth and New
York Seventy-ninth. This wiiK not the natural oi'der, but the Seventi--ninth, he.irlng
the cheern of the Eighth, ran past the other regimcntn and joined the Eighth as it
reached the works. lioth regiments suffered terribly from the fire of the enemy as
they ai)proached — the Eighth from graiie and canister, the Seventy-ninth from mns-
ketiy, as the nature of the wounds showed. Badly shattered and wholly exhausted
fi'om three-fourths of a uille of the double-iiuick, many fell jmwerless on reaching
the works: while a few. In sufficiently good condition, mounted the parapet, from
which the enemy had been driien by our sharp and effective fire, and called upon the
others to follow them.
At about nine o'clock, which seemed to be the crisis of the battle, and when tlie
generals seemed to be consulting whether they should again advance upon the fort,
or retire, the gunboats decided the question by opeiilug a heavy c.iiiuonade in our
i-ear, which. Instead of telling upon the rebels, threw their shot and shell hito our own
ranks. This must have resulted from Ignorance on their part as to our precise posi-
tion, owing to the rapid changes upon the field and In the intervening timber. The
sheila fell and burst in the vei-y midst of our men, sei-eral exploding near the com-
manding general and staff. The effect of this unfortunate mistake was an order for
the troops to retire, nlilch they did in perfect order, taking position on the old picket-
In the Scottish American newspaper, of New York, there appeared a
few days after the battle a communication from an ofificer of the Seventy-
ninth Highlanders in which the gallantry of the Eighth at Secessionvillc is
thus noticed :
dbyGoot^lc
GFNESEE COTiNTY, MICHIGAN. 365
I sliouM menti 11 tint tlie Tlglitli Mklilgim siiuill m uumliei lilt e^cn nun a
Leio hid been reiiuised tuna tlie tcit wltli tetilWe loss jnst is we adi meal liie
llichignn men fouUl not Liie uaniberert four liuudred wlien tbey adianced nlieii
the\ retired thej hid one hundred ind ninety killed nn.l wounded One compauj
ilone lost I uuderitmid no less than iiinet> eitfht men Ihe ordejl thiough which
thev hiid pa^jsed the Seveutj uintli were now eiperienclDg bhot down b^ unseen
enemies, and without hn^ing jin opportunltj of letuiulng the flie with im effect
the men got diSLOin iged but lenmlned stubbornli on the groimd until tlie ordei nna
giien to letiie— an older let me noj which was only rendered necess.ir\ b* the
shameful fact that notwith&tiiHdlng the strong forte within auppnting distance no
supijort came The foit was ours had we received iiBsiatance but It is 1 fact thit
<iinnot be gainsaid that eieiy man who fell around its lamparts bel>iii,ed to the
Figlith Michigan and the 'Seventh ninth New Toiii — the two neikest leg niciits In
point of numbers in the whole forte under command of <,eneril BenU.im
The Eighth Regiment went into the fight with a tota! strength of five
hundred and thirty-four officers and men, and its loss in the assault was,
according to the surgeon's re|xjrt, one hundred and forty-seven killed and
wounded and thirty-seven missing; this was more than one-third of the num-
ber engag-ed; the first report of its loss made it somewhat greater than this.
General Stevens, in his "General Order No. 26'' dated James Island, South
Carolina, June 18, 1862, mentinned the hemisni of the Eighth Michigan a;>
follows :
* * ' Parties from tlie leiiding regiments of the two brigades, the Mlglitli
Jiichigan iiiid the Seventj--nlnth Highlanders, mounted and were shot down on the
piittipet, oflicers and men. These two regiments especially covered themselves with
jilory and their fearful i-asualties show the hot work in which they were engaged.
Two-fifths of the Eighth Micbigjui and n«irly one-quarter of the Sei-enty-niiith High-
landers were domi. either kilied or wounded, and all the reinniulng regiments had a
large number of casualties. * • • In congratulating his comrades on their heixilc
valor and constancy on that terrible field, the commanding genera! of the division hats
not words to express his and your grief at the sacrifices that have been niade. Our
best and truest men now sleep the sleep that knows no waking. Their dead Iwdles
lie on the enemy's iiarapet. riini-ch, Pratt, Cottriil. Guild. Morrow, Ilorton. Hitchcock,
and niaiij- other gjillant iiiul iir)Me men we shall see no more.
Among the killed of the Eightli Regiment in this action was Capt. S. C.
Guild, of Flint, commanding Comi>any A. On the 14th of June he had writ-
ten a letter to friends in Michigan in \yhich he said, "I cannot but regret that
I am so long delayed from the prosecution of my studies, but this war must
first be settled, and the majesty of truth and the constitution vindicated; and
if I do nothing more in life, it will be sufficient service that I have been a
soldier in this war. Yet it is needless for me to conceal my dislike of this
kind of life, and that my earnest desire is to escape from it the first opportun-
ity. It is entirely dissonant with my feelings, habits and thoughts, and can
dbyGoot^lc
366 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
iicver ]x less than an unplejisant duty; and yet, as a duty, it is, in a sense, a
pleasure to perfonu it. I have learned much, however, which will serve me
ill all my future life." I'wo days later this hero died on the hostile rampart,
with his face to the foe.
Colonel Fenton was relieved from the command of the brigade, at his
own request, on the 21st of June. On resuming command of the Eighth
Rtgiment, he made a very earnest and determined effort to have it relieved
fur a time from active service, on account of the arduous service it had per-
furmed and the fearful losses it had sustained. But the answer was, "At
present all the regiments in the department of the South are needed, and
more than needed, in the [xjsitions they now occupy."
Cieneral Stevens' command evacuated James Island on the 5th of July,
the P-ighth Regiment being the last to leave as it had been the first in advance.
Moving to Hilton Head, it embarked there, July 13, with the Seventy-ninth
New Yfirk, Twenty-eighth Massachusetts, Seventh Connecticut, and other
regiments, fi>r I'ortress Monroe, where they arrived on the i6th and landed
at Newport News on the following day. They knew they were destined to
"reinforce the Army of the I'otomac after its disasters in the Seven Days'
fight: they did not like the change, for they preferred to remain in the Sooth,
where their laurels had been won. The Eighth remained three weeks in camp
at Newport News, and during this time Colonel Fenton left for Michigan to
obtain recruits, leaving Lieutenant- Co Ion el Graves in charge of the regiment.
The command left this camp August 4 and, moving to the Rappahannock
river, took part in the campaign of General Pope, fighting at second Bull
Run August 29 and 30, and Chantilly, Sej}teml>er i, losing considerably in
both engagements. Soon after it moved with the Ninth Army Corps, to
which it had been attached, into Maryland. It fought at South Mountain.
Septemljer 14. losing thirteen wounded, and was again engaged in the great
battle of Antietam, September jy. Early in that day it formed in fine, with
its brigade, on the right; but about noon, when the battle Ijecaine general, it
was ordered to the left and took possession near the historic Stone Bridge.
"A more terrific fire than we here met with," wrote an officer of the regiment,
"it has not been my lot to witness. It equaled, if it did not exceed, that of
James Island. At first our men gained ground and drove the enemy half a
mile, but the battery that covered our advance and answered to the enemy's
in front getting out of ammunition, together with the arrival of a fresh rebel
brigade from Harper's Ferry flanking our position and bringing our men
under a cross-fire, changetl the fortunes of the day in their favor, and when
night closed up(m the scene of carnage the enemy reoccupied the ground
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICIITGAN". 367
wrcsteil from them ;it such fearful sacrifice in the afternoon." The bridge,
however, was not retaken Ijy the enemy and, although the Union forces had
been driven back here on the left, the advantage remained with them on
other parts of tlie field. The battle was not renewed to any extent on the
following day, the enemy, while keeping up the appearance of a strong line in
front, retreated from his ]^x)sition to the Potomac, pre[jaratory to crossing
back into Virginia.
The loss of the Kighth at Antietam was twenty-seven killed and wounde<l
— a loss which appears quite severe when it is remembered that the regiment
went into action with considerably less than two hundred men. having been
reduced not only by its terrible losses in previous battles but also by dis-
charges; more than two hundred and fifty men were discharged from the
Eighth in the year 1862. of whom just one hundred enlisted in the regidar
army. 'J'he places of these were filled to some extent by recruits, of whom
a mimlier joined the regiment the day Ijefore Antietam: it was said of them
that, although they had never before heard a hostile gun. they endured the
terrible initiation of that day with almost the steadiness of veterans.
For about a month after the battle the regiment remained in Maryland,
a short time in the vicinity of Antietam and a longer time in Pleasant \'allev.
During this time Colonel I'^enton returned, and Capt. Ralph Ely was pro-
moted to major, in place of Watson, resigned. On the 26th of October the
Eighth marched to Weverton, thence to Berlin, Maryland, where it crossed
the Potomac on pontoons into Virginia. It i>assed through Lovettsville,
Waterford, Slack's Mills, Rectortown and Salem, to Waterloo, where, on the
nth of November, it received the announcement of General Burnside's pro-
motion to the command of the army. On the 15th it was at Sulphur Springs,
and moved thence, by way of Fayetteville and Bealton Station, to a camp
about ten miles east of the latter place, where was read the order forming
the "right grand division" of the army, by uniting the Second and Ninth
Corjjs, under command of Gen. E. V. Sumner. On the i8th the regiment
marched, leading the brigade, and on the 19th reached Falmouth, opposite
Fredericksburg, where the army was rapidly concentrating. Here it remained,
a part of it acting as provost-guard of the division, until the 12th of Decem-
ber, when it crossed the Rappahannock to Fredericksburg, but was not en-
gaged in the great battle of the i^tli. It recrossed on the 15th, and remained
at Falmouth until February 13, 1863. when it moved with the Ninth Corps,
which had been detached from the Army of the Potomac, to Newport News,
\'irginia, and there camped, evidently waiting orders for a further movement
which the officers and men hoped might take them back to the department of
dbyGoot^lc
,■^68 GENESKE COHNTYj MICHIGAN.
the South. The regiment remained in camp at Newport News for more than
a month; during this time Colonel Fenton resigned, his health having become
greatly impaired. Major Ely was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and was
then in command of the regiment; Capt. E. W. Eyon, of G Company, was
made major.
On the 20th of March the Eighth Regiment, being again under march-
ing orders, embarked at Newport News on the steamer "Georgia" prepara-
tory to the commencement of the long series of movements and marches in
the Southwest which afterwards gave it the name of "the wandering regiment
of Michigan." It left Newport News on the 21st, arrived at Baltimore on the
22(1, and proceeded thence by the Baltimore & Ohio railroad to Parkersburg,
West Virginia. It reached there on the 24th, and embarked on the steamer
"Majestic" for Louisville, Kentucky, where it arrived at noon on Thursday
the 26th. At that time it was brigaded with the Second, Seventeenth and
Twentieth Michigan regiments, under Brig.-Gen, Orlando M. Poe as brigade
commander; this was the First Brigade, First Division Ninth Army Corps.
This corps, then a part of the Army of the Ohio, had for its immediate mis-
sion in Kentucky to observe and hold in check the forces of the guerrilla chief
Ji>hn Morgan, who at that time seemed to be omnipresent in all that region
and whose movements were giving the government no little trouble and
alarm.
The Eighth, moving by railroad from Louisville on the 28th, proceeded
to Lebanon, Kentucky, and remained stationed there and at Green River
Fort, Kentucky, for some weeks. While the command lay at Lebanon there
was issued the first number of a paper entitled The Wolverine, which was
announced as "published by members of the Eighth Michigan Infantry, and
will be issued as often as circumstances will permit.'' How many numbers
of this journal were ever published is not known.
About the ist of June the Ninth Corps, which had been scattered in
detachments at various points in Kentucky, was ordered to move to Missis-
sippi to reinforce the army of General Grant, then operating against Vicks-
burg. The Eighth Regiment moved with the corps, going to Cairo, Illinois,
by rail, and then, embarking on boats on the Mississippi river, was trans-
ported to Blaynes Bluff, Mississippi. From there it moved to Milldale, Mis-
sissippi, remaining there and at Flower Dale Church near Vicksburg until
the operations against that stronghold ended in its capitulation, July 4. Then
it moved with the corps towards Jackson, Mississippi, in pursuit of the army
of Johnston, who had been hovering in General Grant's rear, attempting to
raise the siege of Vicksburg. In the several engagements which occurred
yGoo-^lc
GENESEE C0I:NTY, MICHIGAN, 369
from the loth to the i6th of July the Eighth participated, but suffered Httle
loss. After the evactiation of Jackson on the i6th it returned to its former
camp at Milldale, remaining tliere till August 6, when it again took boat on
the Mississippi and moved north with the corps. It reached Memphis in the
night of the nth and [xissed on to Cairo, and thence to Cincinnati where it
arrived on the i8th; crossing the river it camped at Covington, Kentucky.
From Covington it moved by way of Nicholasville to Crab Orchard, Ken-
tucky, reaching there August 27 and remaining there in camp two weeks. On
the loth of September it was again on the march and moved by way of Cum-
l)erland Gap to Knoxville, Tennessee, reaching there on the 26th.
The Eighth was slightly engaged with the enemy at Blue Springs,
October 10, and after considerable marching and countermarching went into
camp October 29 at I^enoir Station where it remained until November 14. It
was then with its division ordered to Hough's Ferry on the Holston river to
check the advance of Longstreet, who was re^jorted moving up from Georgia
towards Knoxville. He was found in strong force. The Union troops
retired Ixfore him and passing back through Lenoir continued the retreat to
Knoxville. Being hard pressed, however, a stand was made at Campbell's
Station, on the 16th; a battle ensued, lasting from about one p. m. until dark,
and resulting in a loss to the Eighth of eleven wounded. During the night
the retreat was continued, and the regiment reached Knoxville in the morn-
ing of the 17th after an almost continuous march of two days and three
nights, including a battle of several hours' duration, moving over the wiffst of
roads through mud and rain, and with less than quarter rations.
Then followed the siege of Knoxville b)' Longstreet, which continued
eighteen days, during all which time the Eighth occupied the front line of
works and suffered severely for lack of food and sufficient clothing. On
Sunday, November 29, two veteran Georgia l)rigades belonging to McLaws"
rebel division made a furious assault on Fort Saunders, one of the works in
the line of fortifications inclosing Knoxville, and were repulsed and driven
iKick with a loss of nearly eight hundred men. The Eighth Michigan was one
of the regiments which received and repelled the assault. In the night of the
4th and 5th of December the enemy withdrew from before Knoxville; in the
pursuit which followed the Eighth took part, f)ut with no results, and on the
J 6th it encamped at Blain's Cross-Roads. This proved to be the last camp
which it occupied for any considerable length of time in Tennessee. It
remained here about three weeks, during which time three hundred of its
members re-enlisted as veterans. On the Eighth of January, 1864, the veter-
'24)
dbyGoc^lc
370 GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN.
aiiized command, under. orders to report at Detroit, left its camp and took the
road across the Cumberland mountains for the railroad at Nicliolasviile,
Kentucky, nearly two hundred miles distant. It reached that place in ten
days, having made an average of nearly twenty miles a day over miserable
roads and through the snow and ice of the mountain-passes; it arrived at
Detroit on the 25th and there received the veteran furlough. At the end of
the specified time the men reassembled at the rendezvous (the city of Flint),
where Capt. Charles H. McCreery was in charge of a recruiting-station for
the "veteran Eighth." On the Eighth of March they left again for the front,
proceeding by way of Cincinnati to Annapolis, Maryland, to rejoin the Ninth
Corps, which, after the regiment had left Tennessee had been ordered East to
reinforce the Army of the Potomac.
The Eighth remained at Annapolis until April 23, when it moved to
Washington and thence across the Potomac to Warrenton Junction. On the
opening of the campaign of 1864, it moved with the army on the 4tli of May,
crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford on the 5th, and on the following day
was hotly engaged in the Wilderness, losing ninety-nine in killed, wounded
and missing. Among these was Col. Frank Graves, who was made prisoner
by the enemy and as was reported shot in cold blood because he applied the
epithet "robber" to one of his captors who was taking his boots from his feet.
On the 8th of May the Eighth marched over the old field of Chancellors-
vliie and on towards Spottsylvania Court House, where, on the 12th, it took
part in the assault on the enemy's intrenchments, losing forty-nine officers
and men in the bloody work of that day. During the fight the corps com-
mander. General Burnside, rode up and called out to the regiment, "Boys,
you must support this battery and hold the hill at all hazards, for it is the
key to our safety," and a moment later inquired what regiment it was. Colo-
nel Ely informed him. "Ah!" returned the general, "the Eighth Michigan!
I know you. You'U hold it!" and rode away. The regiment crossed the
Pamunkey river May 28 and moved towards Bethesda Church, where in
the battle of June 3 it gallantly charged and carried the enemy's rifle-pits, sus-
taining a loss of fifty-nine, killed, wounded and missing. On the 12th it was
encamped near Mechanicsville, Virginia. The next day it crossed the Chicka-
hominy and on the 14th crossed the James river; from that point it moved
by a forced march to the front of Petersburg. It arrived there in the evening
of the i6th, and on the 17th and i8th it took part in the attacks on the enemy's
works, losing forty-nine killed and wounded. For six weeks after that time
it was constantly employed on the fortifications, under fire. In the fight at
"the Crater," July 30, it was engaged, losing thirteen killed and wounded.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 37I
Soon after, it moved to the Weldon railroad, and fought there in the action
of August 19, losing thirty in killed, wounded and missing, among the kiiled
being Maj. Horatio Belcher, of Flint. It was again engaged, with but sHght
loss, on the 2ist, and on the 30th it took part in the battle of Poplar Grove
Churcli, losing eight wounded.
The Eighth remained near Peebles' Farm engaged in fortifying and
picket duty till November 29, when it moved again to a position before
Petersburg. It assisted in repulsing the enemy in his attack on Ft. Stead-
man, March 25, 1865, and on the 2d of April was engaged in the attack on
Ft. Mahon, assisting in carrying the work and l>eing the first regiment to
place its colors on the hostile ramparts. The next day it marched into Peters-
burg. After this it was employed in guard duty on the South Side railroad
till the 20th when it marched to City Point and on the following day embarked
on transports and proceeded to Alexandria, Virginia; from there it moved
to Tenallytown, Maryland, on the 26th. It moved into the city of Washing-
ton, May 9, and was there engaged in guard and patrol duty until July 30,
1865, when it was mustered out of the service. Its strength when mustered
out was six hundred and three officers and men, it having been quite largely
augmented by recruits during the latter part of its term of service. The regi-
ment left Washington on the 1st of August and on the 3d arrived at Detroit,
were paid and disbanded, and the survivors of "the wandering regiment of
Michigan" returned to their homes and the vocatitms of peaceful life. Dur-
ing its existence the regiment had moved over seven thousand miles by land
and sea: more than nineteen hundred men had marched in its ranks; and it
had been engaged in thirty-seven battles and skirmishes in seven different
states of the Union.
Charles Howard Gardner was a school bo\' about thirteen years of age,
in the city of Flint when the war broke out. His father went to the field on
the first call for troops in the Second Michigan. On the second call, Charley's
teacher, Capt. S. C. Guild, joined the Eighth Michigan. Charley l>eing very
much attached to him, entreated to be allowed to go with him. "I can go to
the war with my drum, and take the place of a man," was the noble 1>oy's per-
sistent plea. "I think it my duty to go, especially as you, mother, do not
greatlj' neefl me at home." The poor mother, who had already surrendered
her husband, reluctantly consented, and her Ixiy joined the Eighth Michigan
with Captain Guild, ordered to Port Royal. On the way Charley met his
father in Washington ; saw him a little way off. Forgetting that he was in
the ranks he broke and ran to his father's arms. It was their last meeting
dbyGoot^lc
372 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
on earth; the father died soon after in Alexandria. After his father's death,
Charley wrote:
Dear lIotLei- : — 1 jiiii iieai' lirukeu-lieai'tcil. I try to bu cUuerfui, but 'tin of no use.
My luiud c-oiistttiitiy runs i» tUe direcUou oE borne, a fresli gusb of tears conn; to uiy
eyea and J have to weep. But, mother. If tbia la so hard for me, wbitt must It be for
yoiiV Don't take It too niut-h to heart, for remember tbat you have me left, ami 1 will
do my beat to lielp you. I sbalJ send you all my mouey hereafter, for I really do not
need money here.
And this promise he fulfilled to the letter. His captain guarded him like
a father. At the terrible battle of James Island the Captain, while on the
jjarapet of the rebel works, was struck by a shot and fell over the wall into
the rebel hands and was seen no more. Charley, so bereaved, his captain and
dear friend gone, in his agony of soul murmurs, "Oh, how I pity his poor
mother!" Charley passed through many severe engagements, often escaping
death as if it were by a miracle. Stilt he kept with the regiment; was at
Vicksbiirg, and with Burnside in the Kast Tennessee campaign, in the moun-
tains and at Knoxville. But during the siege of that place, a chance shot
struck him on the shoulder and entered the lung. The surgeon wrote to his
mother. "He has been in a dangerous condition, but is fast recovering."
Next tidings, the regiment was on the way home on veteran furlough; heard
from at Louisville, at Indianapolis, at Michigan City, and last at Detroit.
"He may !« here tonight^he will be here tomorrow," said his devoted and
loving mother. Every summons to the door was Charley. Everything was
in readiness for a happy meeting; mother, sister and brother waiting for him.
The suspense is great and trying. A knock at the door. All start- — all crv,
" 'Tis Charley !" All rush to the door. No. A telegram : "The regiment
has arrived, but Charley is dead !"
OrFlCEBS AND MEN OF THK EIGHTH IBFAMTKY FBOM OKNKSKE liQUNTV.
V.,]. VVui. .M. I'-enfoii, Fliut; enl. Aug. 7, 18G1; res. March 15, 1863.
Maj. Kitbriiim W, T.yon, Flint; enl. Aug. 10, 1861; i-es. Mareh 10, ims.
l8t Lieut, and Adj. N. Mlaer Prntt, Flint; en!. Aud:. 14, 1S61; killed in battle of
Wiimington, G.i., April 16, 1862.
1st Lieut, ami Qr. Mr. Asa Gregory, Flint; eul. Aug. 12, 1801; commlHsary of
U. S. Vols., Nov. 20, 1862; brev.-maj. V. S. Vols., April 3, 1865; must, out April 26,
1866.
Surg. James C. Wilson, Flint; enl. March 3, 1862; res. for disiib., March 6. 1.%3.
Asst Snrg. John WlHelt, Flint; enl. Xov. 22. 1862; surg. 'M Intt, Nov. 2f>, 1864,
to June 30, 1865.
Chaplain Win. Mnhon, Flint; enl. Ann. 26, 1861; res. June 24, 1862.
Sergt-MnJ. Kdw. K. ChaKe, Flint; enl. M;iy 1, 1863; 2d ileut,, July 5, 1864: vet.
Ser8t.-Ma3. Orrln Bump, Flint; enl. An;;. 1. 1S61; 2d Ileut. Co. F, March 27, 1863.
Sergt.-Maj. Os^iir Bliss. Feiiton; enl. Ang. 2r>, 1862; (lisch. by order, Mny .^1. 186r>.
dbyGoot^lc
GENi:SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 373
Si.si't:t.-)Iiij. Wm. 11. AitkeD, Fiiiit; enl. Dw. 18, IStil; must, out July 30, 18(15;
Com.-Sergt. Ellas G. Williams, Flint; eul. Aug. 12, 1861; pro. to 2(1 lieut. anil
qr.-mi'., Oct. 20. 1SIJ2.
Coni.-Seriit. Hiirve.v J. riiristiiin, Flint; oni. Aiis. 1!», 1801: 1st lieut. Co. G,
Feb. 10, imr,.
Ooiu.-Sei-fc't. Wni. J. Uhrlstiun, Flint; enl. Aug. 12, 1861; capt, SOtli Inf., Jiin. 8,
18(15.
Coni.-Sergt. CIius. G. Watkius, Fliut; enl. Sept. 17, ISfil; pro. 1st lieut. Co. U.
Hosii. Steward Milton M. Fenner, Flint; enl. Aug. 12, 1801; pro. to 2d lieut. (Jo. D.
Nov. 22, 18C1.
Riuirt, Alvii M. liogers, eul. Aug. 14, 3S61; must, out July 30, 1865; veteran.
Itiiiid, ()r\illo McWiliiiuns, enl, July 1, 18(J1; must, out July PS, IHGTi.
Gompnuy A.
CiLi>t. Simon <;. Uuild, Flint; eul. Sept. 21, 1S61; killed in battle at Jiimes Islaurt,
Va., June IB, 18ti2.
Cjipt. E))liralm W. Lyon, Flint; pro. to maj. Feb. 1, 1863; rea. March 10 1863
L'apt, Jnmea S. Donoliue, Flint ; trans, from Co. li ; illshoiiorablv dismissed
restored, and ti-ans. to Co. I lis capt.
Cnpt. Jobn S. Freemiiu, Flint; trans, from Co, D; wounded at Wilderness ^b
May 6, 18lj4; must, out Oct. 18, 1804.
Uapt. Edward U. Cliase, Fliat; enl. April 25, 1S(}0; bre\-. capt. V. S. \o1b ipiU 2
lSt!5, for ctmsijlcuous gailautry In assault on Fort Mjilioue, Va. ; must, out Julj JO l&to
1st Lieut. Ueorge E. Newell, Flint; enl, Sept. 12, 1861; pro. to capt Co I Sept
10, 1HB2.
Ist Lieut. Jobii S. Freeman, Flint; eul, Jan. 1, 1S63; pi-o, to capt, Co. D, May 3,
18tW.
Ist I>leut. Thomas Campbell, Goodricii; enl. Marcli 18, 1803; killed in battle near
I'etersburg, Va., June 17, 1864.
lat Lieut. Lewis .M. Webster, Fliut; enl. Nov. 20, 1864; res. May 20, 1805; was
sei-gt and 2cl iieut.
1st Lieut. Andi-ew H. Gillis, Flint; must, out July 30, 1865.
2d Lieut. George H. Turner. Flint; eni. Sept. 21. 1861; res. Sept. 25, 1862.
2d Ijicnt. John y. Freeman, Flint; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; pro. to 1st lieut. Co, A,
Jan. 1. 1863.
2d Lieut. Chai-les t>ldy, Flint; enl. Jan. 1, 1863; pro. to lat lieut. Co, F, April
16, 1863.
2d IJeut. Harrison H. Williams, Griind Blanc; enl. April 20, 1864; woinided in
battle near Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864; pro. to 1st lieut. July 5, 1864; disch. for
disability. Nov. 17, 1864.
Sei^t. James W. Page, eul, June 11), 1S61; disc, for disability, Jan, 10, 1862.
Sergt. James II. Atcliinsoii, enl. June 19, 1861; die.1 at Hilton Head, S. C, Dec.
25, 1861.
Sei^. Heni-y Cllne (veteriiu), enl. June 10, 1861; diud July 12, 1864, of wounds
i-ecelvf^ at Petersburg, Va.
Sergt. John S. Freeman, eiil. June 10, 1861; pro. to 2d Deut. Co. A, Sept. 1, 1S62.
Senrt. David B. Foote, enl. June 19, 1861; killed on Ooosaw Siver, S. C, Dec. 18,
1861.
Corp. Milton Barows (sergt.l, eul. June 19, 1861; died at sea ou steimboaf "Argo,"
July ■'!, 18(12, of wounds reeeivod in battle.
dbyGoot^lc
374 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Corp. Jolm Q. AtUims, eiil. June 19, 1861; killed in battle of Port Koyal, S. C.
Jim. 1, 1863.
Corp. Orville McWilllums, enl. June 19, 1861; app, cliief musician, April 21, 1S64,
Con». Cliarlea Cruaper, enl. June 19. 1861: dlsch. for disability, March 6, 1863.
Corp. Charley Bady (sei^.), enl. June 19, IRGl; pro. to 2iJ lieut., Jan. 1, 18tl3.
Corp. Henry W. Caldwell, enl. June IS), 1861; diach. for aisabillty, Dec. 12, ISC2.
Corp. EdwaiM K. Chase, enl. June 19, 1861: pro. to sergt.-mnj.
Corp Kedman I. Babcock, enl. June 19, 1861, killed in battle of riiantilly, Va.,
Sept. 1, 1862.
Musician Ellas ParlieM, died at Falmouth, \a.., Jan. 11, 1S6H.
Cliarles Howard Gardner, "tlie Drummer Boy of the Eighth," died at Kuoxvllle,
'i'eou., Dec. 2, 1803, of wounds.
Wagoner Kormtni Brown, discb. Sept. 22, 18tl4, end of service.
Privates — Edward Brooks, killed in action at Port Koyol Ferry, S. ('., Jan, i,
1862; Charles Bickford, disch. to enlist in regular service. OcL 135, 18ti2, Auias.i Brace,
diBcb. to enlist in regular service, Oct. 2.5, 1862 ; William Babcock, dlsch. for disability,
Feb. 5, 1863; George H. Bennett, dlsch. for disability, Jan. 2, 1863; James H. Burt,
Atlas, died of wounds In Wllilei-ness, Va., May 9. 1861 ; Abel S. Bennett, died iu action
at James Island, S. C, June 16, 1862; Alonzo Boucher, must out July 30, 1865:
Timothy Condon, dlett in action at Wilmington Island, Ga., April 16, 1862; Oliver
Cone, died of disease at Hilton Head, S. C, Dec. 2rl, 1862; Monroe Cuddeback, disch.
for disability, June :i3, 1862; Baniey Cullen, diseh. for disability, Oct. 25, 1862; Henry
Cartrlgbt. dlsch. for disability, Nov. 5. 1862; Gustavus Chapel, Flint, died of disease
at Milldale, Miss., July X, 1863; Heni? W. Oadwell, dlsch. for disnblllty, Dee 12, 1862;
Harlow Clother, disch. for disability. May 19, 1863: Edward H. Chapman, dlsi-h. for
disability, Nov. 26, 1862: Henry Casey, dlsch. at end of sen ice, Sept. 22, l.S(i4; W.ilTei-
mother, diseh. at end of service. Sept 22, 1864; Mortimer Carter, dlsch. foi' di-JibilHy.
Jan. 15, 1865; Levi Collins, Grand Blanc, dlsch. by ortler, June 1. 1865; Wairen I'ole.
triins. to Vet. Bes. Cori)s, Jan. 21, 1803; Ira Delllng. died In action at James Islaml.
S. C, June 10. 1S62 ; William Delbrldge, died of dlso!iae at NtcholasviHe. Ky., Aug. 24,
1863: James Drumond, died of womids near Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864; Charles
Dye, must out, July 30. 1865; Thomas Donahue, must, out July 30, 186ri; Oliver
Dye, discli. for disability. Nov. 29, 1864: Emory Deuton, disch. for dlsabilltj', March 20,
1805; Trumbull C. PJIder, dIseh. for dlsabilltj-, Jan. 10, 1862; Chauncey KKHleston,
dlsch. for dlsubilitj-. May 15, 186D; Peter A. Fritz, died of disease iit AVashington,
I>. 0., Nov. 23. 1861; Andrew Glllls, dlsch. to re-enl. as veteran. Feb. 17, 180i, Thomas
Heather, died of disease at Beaufort, S. (.'., Jan. 10, 1862; Harrison S. Haync, died
of disease at Grand Baplds, Mich. Sept. 20, 1861; Burdett E. Hopkins, dlsch. for dis-
ability, April C, 1802; William W. Harris, dlsch. to enl. In regular service, Oct 25,
1862; James P. Hoffman, disch. to enl. in I'egulai- service, Oct 25, 1862; Lyman Hues-
tard, dlsch. at end of service, Sept. 22, 1864; Theodore Jennings, died of disease at
Hilton Head, R. 0., Nov. 14. 1861; Mott Johnston, dlsch. for disability, Oct. 25, 1802;
Aylmer Jennings, must, out July 30, 1865; Thonms M. KIpp, died of disease at Beau-
fort, S. C. Jan. 6, 1862: Thomas Kimmel, DaUson. must, out July 30. 1865; Charles
D. Ijong, dlsch. for disability, June 23, 18C2 ; Fletcher I,*wl8, disch. at end of service,
Sept. 22, 1864; Isaac Lalne, disch. at end of service, Sept. 23, 1804; Montle Moss,
died in action at Bull Run. Va., Aug. 29, 1862: Charles McKee, dlsch. to enl. in regular
service,' Oct. 24, 1862; Adam D. Miller, dlsch, for disability, Sept. 13, 1804; Heni-j-
W. Mason, dlaeh. Jan. 4, 1865, for promotion in 30th Mich. Inf.; Abraham B. Miller,
disch, to re-enl, as leteran, Dei.-, 2!), ls«3, Addiwn H. Mattice, must out July 30,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 375
IStij; Fi'iiuk Ntwumi], must, out, July 30, 18G5; Albert S. Newmau, died of disease
at Hilton Head, S. C, Nov. 2(), 1802; Kuusom I>. OKboru, diach. ut eud o£ service,
Sept. 27, 1864; Heury Odeli, died of disease at Annapolis, Md., Oct. 2, 18G1; James W.
I'iige, dist-ii. iov disiibillty, Jan. 10, im2; Abi-rtm D. Penny, dlsc'li. for dlsiibiiity, Sept.
20, 1862; Allia Passing, dlscli. to enl. in regulm- sei-vice, Oct. 24, ISSS; James M.
Pei'sims, dlscli. at end of service, Sept. 22, 1864 ; Jolin D. Pattie, discli. at end of
service. Sept. 22. Ifi04; William K. Pratt, inuat. out, Julj 30, 1865: Danlei C. Parlter.
discb. to re-enl. as veteran; George W. Kail, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 20,
l«(ia; Fred. Siiillinger, died of wounds received at Wllniingtou Island. Ga., April 24,
1802; Stepiien Swart, discli. for disability, Warcii 28, 1802; Henry M htores. disci
at end of service, Sept. 22, 18*H; Hiram Snyiaud, tmns. to Vet. Res. Coipa Jan 21
1805: David B. Took, died in action at Coosaw River, S. C, Dec. 18. 1861 Hanfoid L
I'odd, must. out. July 30, 1S65; George Waiaiee, died of disease at Beaufort, 1 C
May 24. 1.S62; Jolin A. Warner, discU. to enl in regular seriioe, Oct. 24 1802 Warien
Wilcox, died of wounds at Woehington, D. C, Oct. 2, 18!i4; Lewis M. Webster dist
to i-e-enl. as veteran, Dec. 29, 1863; Harrison H. Williams, disch. to re-eni as veteran
Dec. 29, 18C3; Moses Wall;er, Atlas, must, out, July 30, 1805; Harris nooden must
out, July 30, 1865; William P. Youngs, diacb. for disability, Dec., 1862.
Cofiipany /''
Iwt I.ieul. rliiirioK Ediiy, Flint (sergt.), 2d lieiit. Co. A,; pro. 1st iieut. Co. F,
.\|>ril 10, im\: mu«l. out, Sept. 29, 1864.
2d Lieut. (Ji-i-iiL Hump, Flint; enl. March 27, 1803; pro. 1st Iieut. Co. (!, April
20, 1864.
I'rivnteii— James AdaniH, Flint, discii. for disability, Dei% 4. 1864; Stephen L. J.
HiuKliam. t'lhit, illscb.. for dlaalillity, Dec. 21, 1804; Cliarlea Cartwright, Grand Blanc,
must. out. Jnly W. 1«')5; Willord Clemens, Kichfleld, must, out, July 30, 1865; Samp-
siiiL Doughty. Hiirton, died In action in Wiiderueas, Va., Jlay 0, 1864; Charles A.
FcnI. Flint, dlKcii. by order. Ang. 12, 1865; Nathan I,. Grundy, Burton, must, out,
.lul.v ;:it, l^iT); William Horton, Flint, must, out, July 30, 1805; David Houghton.
VioniLii. niMsi. oiii, July 30, 1805; Wiiiani F. Metcalf, Burton, died of disease at
HuvwI.v, X. .1.. (icl.>l)er. 1804: Jerome B. McWayne, Atlas, must out. July 30, 1865;
HarrlKoii K. I'riyue. Woiuit Jlorris, dietl of disease at Salisbury, N. C, Dec. 25.. 1864;
William B. I'i'lleti. Flint, must, out July 30, 1865; tJeorge R. Pratt, Ai^entine, must,
out. July 30, lMi.'i: WJIli.iui H. Siieperd, Forest, died in action .-it Wildevuess, Va..
-May 0, 1864: DiiiiiH fJiiiiiik, Argentine, died of wounds in Washington, D. C, June 30,
1804; Hiram Sturgis, Argentine, died in action near Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864:
Silas ID. Van Shaick, Richtteid, died of diaease near Petersburg, Va., July 10, 1864;
Stacey B. Wai-ford, Flint, must. out. July 30. 1865: Charles R. Warren, Flint, must,
out July .'10, ISOr..
Comixtiiii (I
Caiit. Ephruini W. Lyon, Flint; enl. Aug. 10, 1861; trans, to Co. A, Sept. 1, 1S62.
Capt. Horatio Belcher, Flint; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; pro. to major, June 3, 1804.
(lapt. Harvey J. Christian, Flint; enl. April 25, 1805; must, out, July 30, 1865.
1st Lieut. Horatio Belcher. Flint; enl. April 20, 1804; pro. to adj. July 5, 1804.
1,st Lieut, Han-ey J. Christian, Flint; enl. Jan. 8, 1865; pro. to capt., April 25, 1865.
Sergt. John L Philips. Flint; enl. Jan. 1, 1863; pro. to 2d Jleut.; res.. Dec. 15.
1863.
Sergt Nathan M. Healey, Flint; disch. for disability, Oct. 18, 1862.
Corp. Wm. E. Christian, Flint (sergt.); pro. to com-sergt., Sept. 24, 1864.
dbyGoot^lc
376 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Cori). JoLii E. Gibfiuii, I'Imt, diacli to eiilM iti legiil.u' .iiuij. t'<-t. 25, 1^V>>.
Corp. Sej-mour Hill, I'llut; disci), ut BeJiifoit, S. C, lliiivli 4, 1882.
Uorp. Harvey J. Clu-istiim, Flint; in'o. to com-sei-gt, Sept. 24, 1864.
Oorp. Francis Hoiiklus. IHiut; trans, to Invalid Corps, Nov. 1, 1803.
Corp. Eliel E. Miller, Flint; dlscli. at New- York, Feb. 14, 1H63.
Musician Josepli Dans. Flint; died Mai-cli 2«, 1862.
Musician Alva M. Itogers, Flint; app. prinL-iiial luuslclun, Feb. 1!J. IMM.
Privates — Caasander Ackley, died Dec. 3, 1802, at Annapolis, Md., of wounds
received in action. Jjmes K. AmiBtron^, died Dec. 5. 1864, at KnowUle, Tenn., of
wounds. Hiram Applebee, veteriiu; must, out, July 30. 1865. Pliineaa Allen, dlsch.
by order. May 31, 1865. William Austin, must, out, July 30, 1805. Daniel S. Boyer,
died lu action at James Island, S. C., Juue 10, 1862. Albert M. Brannick. died in
action at James lf<l(iiid, S. C, June 16, 1862. Justus Beebe, disch. for disjibility, Aug.
18, 1802. John Bowles, discli. to enter regular servli^e, Oct. 24, 1862; Alfred Benton,
veteran; miSBing in action in WildemMS, \'a.. May 6, 1804. George Beebe, veter.in;
must, out, July 30, 1805. Jobii R, Benjamin, veteran; must out, July 30, 1865. Wilson
Baldwin, dlscii. to re-*ul. as leteran. William Burger, must, out, July 30, 1865.
James Caiinen. died in action at James Island, S. C., June 16, 1862. Emory R. Curtis,
died In action at Jiimes Island, S. C. Juue 10, 1802. William Capron, died In action
at James Island, H. C, June 16, 1802. John Cummings, dlscli. for disability, Jlarch 4,
1862. Luthei- 0. Uleielaiid. discb. to enlist in regular service, Oct. 24, 1862. \"an
Wert Coulton, H'enton; discli to enl. in regular service, Oct. 25, 1802. CUarles Colton,
Mount Morris ; died of disease at Falmoutb, Va., Jan. 16, 1863. Sidney B. Castle, died
of disease at WanLlngton, D. V,., June 27, 1864. Marcus Curtis, died of disease at
Andersonvllle, Ga., Sp|rt. 17, 1864 Edson Conrad, died of disease at Andersonvllle.
Ga., May 12, 1864. Mlhenus Colby, disch. at end of service, Sept. 22, 186i. George
B. Ciii-nes, Fenton; died in action near Petersbm-g, Va., Juue .S, 1864. William M.
CHappel, must, out, July 30, ]865. William Cannon, must, out, July .TO, 1865. Willinm
H. Cesler, Gaines; must, ont, Jnly 30, 1805. Edwai-d S. Dart, disch. for disability.
Get. 18, 1802. Robert Dixon, mlBslng in action In Wildemess, Va., May 6, 1.^64.
Franklin J. Derrlll, disch. for disability, April 6, 1864. Clark Dibble, disch. by order,
May 31, 1865. Sylvester Kcleston, disch. for dlsabiUty, June 4, 1863. Horatio M.
Flint, must, ont, July 30, 18(5. Geoi-ge W. Foot, disch. for wounds, May 1, 18Ki.
Horatio W. Felt, disch. ut end of service, Sept. 22, 1804. John Ganwn, disch. at end
of sen-ice, Sept. 22. 1.804. William H. Granger, disch. for dlsabilitj, Sept. 25, 1801.
George I). Gear}-, disch. to i-e-eul. In r^ulttr sertlce. Oct. 23. 1862. Plieodore finiison,
disch. by order, Aug. 4, 18<15. William M. Ojge, disch to re-cnl as \eteran. Nathan
Ganson, diSch. by order, July 1S65. William Hamilton, died June 23, 1862, from
wounds received nt James Island, S. C. Franklin B. Hon land, died in action at
James Island, S. C, June 16, 1S02. Seymour Hill, disch. for dlaabillty, March 4, 18fi2.
Halzy M. Henstreet, discb. to enl. in regular service, Oct. 24, 1862. I. R. Hamilton,
disch. for disability, Dec. 11, 1862. Ansel L. Hamilton, died of disease at Newport
News, Feb. 24. 1803. Francis Hopkins, trans to Vet. Res. Orps, Nov. 1, 1863. Charlew
Hibbard, disch. at end of service, Oct. 1(1, 1K64. Hiram Hibbard, disch. at end of
service, Sept. 22, 1804. Corneliiia Hays, disch. ut end of sen-ice. Sept. 22, 1864.
Walter Holmes, discb. to re-eul. as veteran. Miles P. Hall, died of dlw.ise at Detroit.
Mich.. Nov. 17, 1864. William E. Hamilton, disch. by order. May 33, 180.1. Ira Ingalla,
disch. for wounds. April 18, J865. Alvin Y. Jones, died In action at James Island,
S. C, Jane 10, 1802. Ellhu W. Jndd, disch. for 'disability, April 17, 1861. John
Kinsman, died in action at James Island, R. C, June 16, 18C2. William Kinsman,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. -^"J-J
ilisi-L. for (lisiibilitj, .\c,v. :!U. IMiJ'. Iwuio It. Kiiiiiey, diwl irf wounds uuiir l*(;tersburt'.
Vn., Sept. !!(), lS(i4. Tlii>(.aoi-e F. Lwiliei-, dlsi'li. to ve-eiil. In i-egnlnr service, Oct.. 21,
ISffii. Ettsoii Laiigiey, must, out, July 30, 1805. MutliewH l-iiftiyette, must, out, July 'W,
185fi. Oren B. McNltt, rtlscli. (or rtVsjibllLty, Jiiu. 7, 1H12. Nelson Meiiker, dlst-li. tm
ilisiibllity, Miirc-li 4, 1S62. Josliiiii Meiikei-, tll»c-h. for illsiiliility, Miiivli 4, 1«G2. John
W. JIooii, (llsch. fur (lisMbility, Nov. 1!), 18tJ2. I^-mxii Mjiripn, aiwli. to eui. In i-eguliii-
servlt'e, Oct. 2S, l.SOli. George .Morw, dletl of dlsejise jit I-ebiinoii, Ky., Aiirll 15. LSKJ.
Beujiiiniii F. Miiiisli, Fentoii : dlsi-h. iiy oi-der, June 20, 180o. Ht'ni'y Nichols, discli.
tor dianbility, Nov. 2, ISIW. Aaelbevt V. Overton, dieil in iietion iit Jimies Island, S. C„
June 1«, 3802. iMyron Odeii, illRcl). to eul. in regi'lm' iifi".v, Oct. 2.'>. 1«G2. JoLn
Owens, ti-ans. to Vet. Ken. Ciii-jis, Dei-. 1, LSK^. (ieorge W. l'lilll!i>s. died iit Wiisliiiif.'-
ton, D. C, of wounds, June ];!. 1K(14. Iteiijamlu F, Peiae, disc-li. to re-eul. as veteran,
l>ee. 20, \m.\. WlHiHui rainier, dlscli. Iiy oi-der, JuJie 0. l«(r>. WiHlani I'arks, diseli.
by order, June 28, 1S(>5. Osiiier I'lirks, Jlimdj-; dlsirli. by order, JIuy SI, 1S05. George
W. PerkhiN, dist-li. for dlsiiliilit.v. .Ian. 4. l.S((5. .<auiuel RihhI, ilisc-h. for disability,
Dec. 31, llS(i2. Joliii r.uni]i, dU^I ul (^)ld Hailior, \'a., June 1H, LStW. Jobn II. Hoc,
must, out, July 30, l.Siri. W^iltt-r S. .Siivaj.'e, dii'il al Hull Uuii, .\ni.'. !tO, lSfi2. Peter B.
Himonson, died in action a! .liiuifw Island, S. ('.. June Hi, ISda. Aliiion Sherwood,
dlSKb. for dlsiibllily, t^eiit. (i, ls(i:>. Amos .Shirk, dlNcli. to enl. in regular service,
Oct. 23, I8G2. RsnMoni Stei.Lens, diwcii. to enl. in regular service, Oct. 25, 1S02.
Burton F. Sawyer, I'"euton, disi'li. for disnbillty, Jliiy, 1805. Dewitt i.'. Spiiulding.
must, out, Jidy 30, 18tJ5. William II. SLaw, discb. by order, June 20, ISH. Klbert
H. Stiwyer, Fentoii, dlwli. for illsaliiiitj", Feb. 4. 1SC5. Williaiu Tracy. dl«eli, for
wounds, Mnrcb, lS(j."i. Jiinics M. W'rigbt, died in action at James Island. M. O., .iune
10, 1882. (^barles A. Wing. \\\m.-\\. f<ir disability, Nov. 20, ISOl. William Wilsi>n,
disch. to enl. in regular ser\U-c. 0<l, 2o. 1K02. Jiijiliet I. Willowei', dlscb. to enl. in
i-eguliir sei-vit-e, Oct. 25, 1802. Byron Wright, died at Wasldngtou, D. (.:., of womids,
June 11, 1804. Caleb B. Wriglit, died at Washington, U. C., of wounds, July 5, 1804.
William A. Wriglit, dle<l of dlsejise at Annniwlls, JJd.. Mitreh 4, ISGo. Churies G.
Walldns, disch. to re-cni. as vclcriUi. Dec 2!l. IWCi. WllUiim Wheeler, nuisf, out
July 30, 1805.
iifhll- VuHliMWIi-H.
Jiimes K. Donahue, Flint: -lA lient. ('o. B. e>il. Weiit. 'li. LSOl ; Ist lient. Co. H,
May 14, 1862; |iro. to caiit. Co. A; disinlsawl, then restored! trans, ciipt. Co. 1. -Ian. 1.
18ft5: disch. for wounds, Sept. 24, l«ti4.
J. Brash Fenton. Flint; 2d lient. Co. B, enl. A[n'il 21, 1.'<02; pro. to Isl lii'ut.
Co. G, Sent. 1, 1802; res. Mint-h 15. 180;i,
Edwin M. Hovey. Feutou; 2d lient. \\^. v.. ciil. Sepi. !, Vs\;-2: Isr lient. Co. It.
Jan. 1, 18C3: wounded at Wildcniess. \:\.. Ma.v 0, ISW; pro. to capt, Co. C, June :i,
1.804; must. ont. July 30, IWiO.
Milton M. Feiinor, Flint: 2d lleul. Co. r, cul. Nov, 22. I.Sin ; pro. lo 1st lient.
Co. K. Oct. 1. l.*>2; res. Nov. 25, IStti.
Martin I,. Wiley. Flint; 2d lient. Co. C, enl. Dec. 1. l.St)2; pro. to Iwt lieul. Co. R,
Maivh 2T. 18al; brev,^-al)t. V. M. Vols., April 2, 1803: capt. <'o. 11, Am'ii 25. I8O-1:
mnst. ont, July 30, 18(55.
Jobn S. Freennin, Flint : servt. Co. A ; 2d lleut. and lat lient. Co. A ; c;ipt. Co. 11,
May 3, 1804; wonnditl at ^Vilderness. Va., May 0, 1864: mnat. out, Oct 18, 1864.
Charles H. McOreeiy. Flint: 2d Heuf. Co. K, enl. Sept. 3, 1862; 1st lleut. and
adj., Sept. 24, 1862; capt. Co. F, Miircli 2T, 1863: brev,-m;,jiir U. S. Vols., April 2. ISOS;
must, out, Oct. 7, 1806.
dbyGoot^lc
378 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CbHtles Eddy, Flint (sergt) ; 2d lieut. C". A; lu-o. to 1st lieut. Co. F. April IR.
ISGa ; must, out SeiH. 20. IStU.
On-ill Bump, Fiiut; 2(1 lieut, Co. F; eol. MarcU 27, 1803; pro. to 1st lieut. Co. G,
April 20, 1864 ; ad.i. July 5, 1864 ; uiHst. out, Oct. l.S, 18«4.
Geo. B. Newell, Flint; Ist lieut. Oo. A; eiil. Sept. 21, 1881; pro. to cnpt. Co. I,
Sept. 10, 1862; res., Miirt-h 10, 1803.
Win. Tracj, Flint (sergt,); 2d lieut. Oo. H; trmis. 2d lieut. to Co. K, May 3,
1S64; iiro. to lat lieut. CV>. K, April 25, 1865; iiniRt. out, .luly 30, 1865.
Pi'lvntes— John M. Bell, Grimd Blanc, Co. B; discli. by order, June 13, 1805,
Oeorge M. Billiug>4, Co. I; ilisch. by order July 2S 180 \l\a Blocxl, Argentine,
Co. E; killed in action at Grove Cliui-cli, Va., June d lSb4 Ti Imai M. Bammn, Co. B;
must, out, July 30, 18C5. Jiinies Cliase, Flint Co I d sell for disabUity, Dee. 14, 1862.
Tliomus Cnmiibell. Flint, Co. C; trans, to Vet Res ( ris Jan 15 1864. Wiliiani H.
Cole, Fenton, Co. B; diacb. l>j- order, June ■! 1805 M rk H Ohaniberluin, Fenton.
Co. I; mnst. out, June 1, 1805. Lewis Close AIiumIi Co I discli it end of service,
Aug. 15, 1865. John H. Covert, Gatiiea, Co. I; inusf. tint, July 30, ]S65. Tliomas
Clayton, Grand Blanc, Co. K; diac-h. by order, Mareli 3, 1805. Erastiia Dickinson,
musician, Co. H; discli. fit end of service, S^it, 27, 1864, Franklin Bldridse, Fenton,
Co. B; dlsch. by order, June 1, 18(15. Benjamin B. Eddy, Co. H; dlscIi, by oi-der,
J«ue 1, 1860. Lambert S. Foster, Corp., Oo. I; discb. for disnbility, April 24, 1863.
David M. Grooms, Fenton, Co. B: discb. by order, June 1, 1865. McDowell Griswold,
Co. I; discb, by order, Aug. 'J, 1865. Gilbert C. Hinckley, iiiusiclan, Oo. B; died of
disease, Oct. 22, 1861. Joliii Hager, Oo. 0; dlseh. by order, Jnne 1, 1865. Truman
Hinman, Co, H; discb. by order. May 20, 1805, James Househinder, Mt. Mori'ls, Oo. B;
must, out, July 30, 1865, Williaui S. Jeivell, musician, Oo. H; dlsch. April 7, 1863.
Lyman V. Knnpp, Vienna, Co. K; died of diaejise at Annapolis, JId., April 5, 18(U.
William Miller, Co. K; died of disease at Barbour sv 11 le, Ky., May 1. 1864. Orville
filcWilllams, band; must, out, July 30, 1865. Asa Pnrsball, I'araliallville, Co. I; discli.
for disability, Dec'. 14, 1862. William L. Perkins, Atlas, Co, E; dietl of disease at
Aimaix>lis, Md., Aiiril 2, 18(t4, James W. Rlcb, Gaines, Co. 1; sergt.; dlsch. for dis-
ability, Sept. 12, 1802. Beldin Robinson, Fenton, Oo. K; discli. for disabilitj', Aug. 13,
1863; Alva M. Rogers, band: must, out, July 30, 1805. Tbaddeus Rogers, Fenton,
Co. B; disch. by order, June 1, 1865. Daniel Shank, Argentine, Oo. H; die<l July 5,
1804, of wound received at Grove Cbureb, Va„ June 3, 1864. John Tallman, Fenton,
t;o. H; discb. by order, June 1, 1865. Austin B, Ten-y, Grand Blanc, Oo. H; must,
out, July 30, 1805. Frank A, Taylor, Mundy, Co. D; must, out, July 30, 1865. Joseph
D. Tbonms, Kichfleld, Oo. H; died of disease at City Pohit, Va., Feb. 6, 1805. AuguK-
tns H. Vickery, Fenton, Oo. B; dlsch. by order, June 1, 1865. Hannibal Vlckery.
Fenton, Co. H; dlsch. by order, Aug. 3, 1865. John O. Wolverton, sergt., Oo. B; trans.
to Signal Corps, Oct. 13, 1863. Seth B. Watson, Flint, Co. I; died of disease at Flint.
Mich., Feb. 28, 1864. Wliliam Woodbury, N. 0. S.; must, out, July 30, 3.S65. Deviilons
Wilber, Oo. H.; discli. by order. May 20, 1865. James A. Williams, Fenton, Co. B;
absent, wounded ; not must, out with company.
TENTH INFANTItY.
The Tenth Regiment was recruited and orgnnized in the autumn of 1861
and the following winter, through the efforts of the Hon. Edward H. Thom-
son, then president of the state military board, its rendezvous was established
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3/9
at the city of Flint. Tlie rule had been adojited by Governor Blair, and up
to that time closely adhered to, to establish no regimental rendezvous in
places inaccessible by railroad, and as Flint had then no railway communica-
tion it require<l all the influence and energy of the patriotic president of the
board to procure the order designating his own city of Flint as the head-
quarters of the Tenth during its organization. But the order was finally
obtained, and the camp of instruction — of which he was made provisional
commandant — was named by the officers "Camp Thomson," in his honor.
This camp was situated near the eastern Umits of the city on the left
bank of Flint river, "on a piece of undulating ground including a small piece
of woods separated from the drill-ground by a low marsh, which in the spring
time was overflowed by the high water of the river." Comfortable barracks,
mess and cook-rooms were erected, and here the men of the Tenth made
winter-quarters and their home for a period of nearly six months — a period
which during its continuance they thought to be one of considerable hardship,
but to which from their later camps and bivouacs, they often looked back as
a season of comfort and pleasant associations.
The severaf companies composing the regiment were recruited under the
following names: "Byron Guard/' afterwards designated as A Company;
"Saginaw liangers," afterwards designated as B Company; "Orion Union
Guard," afterwards designated as C Company; "Sanilac Pioneers," after-
wards designated as D Company; "Scarritt Guard," afterwards designated as
1'^ Company; "Holt Guard," afterward designated as F Company; "Luni
Guard," afterwards designated, as G Comp;my; "McCIellan Guard,"' after-
wards designated as H Company; "Genesee Rangers," afterwards designated
as I Company; "Dickerson Guard," afterwards designated as K Comjany,
The first, third and ninth of the above companies, especially the ninth,
were largely made up of men from Genesee, and the comity was represented
in nearly all the other companies.
The "Byron Guard" reported at the rendezvons eighty-six strong.
November 5, 1861, being the second company in camp; the first was the
"Saginaw Rangers," who arrived November i. The first commissioned offi-
cers of tlie "Guard" were Henry S. Burnett, captain; Robert F. Guhck, first
lieutenant; Bradford Cook, second lieutenant.
The "Orion Union Guard" reported at Camp Thomas, November 11,
with the minimum numl)er of men. The nucleus of this company was formed
at Orion, Oakland county, by B. B. Redfield; it was afterwards moved to
Goodrich, Genesee county, and consolidated with a company being raised
at the latter place by Myron Bunnell, the consolidated company retaining the
dbyGoot^lc
380 i;ent;see couNxy, Michigan.
name which had been adopted by the Orion recruits. The comi>any was
mustered under the following commissioned officers: Mvron Bunnell, cap-
tain; Benjamin B. Kedfield, first Heutenant; Alvah A. Colhns, second Heu-
tenant.
The "Genesee Rangers" joined the regiment at Camp Thomson, Novem-
ber 30, only thirty-one strong, under Captain Barker, who had previously
resigned his captaincy of a comj^any which had been raised for the Seventh
Infantry and afterwards transferred to the Eighth under Colonel Kenton.
A part of a company which had been raised in Lapeer county by P. S.
Titus and which had reported at the camp of the regiment November 20
was consohdated with the "Rangers"'; the company received the designating
letter I, under the following officers: Russell M. Barker, captain; Piatt S.
Titus, first lieutenant ; John Algoe, second lieutenant.
On Wednesday, February 5, 1862, the regiment was reviewed by Gover-
nor Blair, at Camp Thomson; on that and the following day it was mustered
into the United States service hy Colonel Wright, U. S. A. The Tenth
was now an organized regiment in the service of the government, under
the following field-officers: Colonel, Charles AT. Lum; lientenant-colonL'1.
Christopher j. Dickerson ; major, James J. Scarritt.
The ceremony of presentation of a national Hag to the regiment was
performed on Friday, the nth of April. The event is mentioned in General
Robertson's "Flags of Michigan" as follows: "The Hon. E. H. Thomson,
in one of his eminent _[)atriotic speeches, presented, on behalf of the citizens
of Fhnt, a very elegant flag, made of the. best roll silk, on which was
inscribed the name of the regiment, and the word 'Tuebor;' on a silver band
on the staff the words, 'Presented to the Tenth Regiment, Michigan Infantry,
hy the Citizens of Flint." A res[xinse in good spirit and taste by Col. C. M.
Lum, commanding the regiment, with a prayer by the Rev. J. S. Boyden.
Judge .\very, of Fhnt. and Professor Siddons followed W'ith brief and appro-
priate s[>eeches. After the speeches Colonel Lum delivered the colors info
the hands of the color-sergeants, wdio was said to be six feet seven inches in
stature. On this occasion the men of the Tenth paraded in their new regu-
lation uniforms, and were armed with 'Austrian rifles, just received,' which
in their inexperience they tlicn believed to be a reliable and effective weapon.
While they stood in hollow s(|uare. Mrs. Fenton and other ladies of Flint
distributed to each member of the regiment a copy of the New Testament."
The regiment, nine hundred and ninety-seven strong, took its departure
from Caiiip Thomson on Tuesday, the 22nd of .\pril. its finst destination
being St. Louis, Missouri. There was then no railroad from Flint to the
dbyGoot^lc
(iliNESEE COUNTY, MICITKiAN. 381
line of the Detroit & iliiwaukee road. The men were moved to Holly Sta-
tion on wagons and other vehicles furnished by patriotic citizens of Genesee
and Oakland counties. This first stage oi their long journey was accom-
plished in a snow-storm. This gave additional sadness to partings, many
of which proved to be final. At Holly, after abundant feasting, the com-
mand took the train for Detroit, and, marching through the city to the Michi-
gan Central depot escorted by the "Lyon Guard" and Detroit "Light Guard,"
embarked on a train consisting of twenty-three passenger and five freight
cars drawn by two locomotives; at a little before midnight they left for
the West. Michigan City was reached at two o'clock p. m. on Wednesday,
and at six p. m. on Thursday the regiment was at East St. Louis. On
the following day it embarked on the steamer "Gladiator"" and at four
p. m. on Friday moved down the Mississippi. Cairo was reached, and
during the short stop which was made there the most sensational rumors
were circulated tliat desperate fighting was then in progress at i'ittsburg
J^anding on the Tennessee, the known destination of the regiment; that the
river at Paducah was filled with dead floating down from the battle-field
above and many other stories of similar import. But the "Gladiator" moved
on up the Ohio on Saturday afternoon, passed l^'ort Henry on Sunday, and
on Monday night reached Pittsburg Landing. She was ordered to proceed
four miles farther up the Tennessee to Hamburg, which was reached on
Tuesday the 27th, just one week after the departure from Camp Thomson,
Here the regiment was disembarked on the 28th, and on the 2Qth was
assigned to duty in Col. James D. Morgan's brigade, Payne's division, left
wing Army of Mississippi. On its first advent among the veterans of Shik)h
the regiment received the usual attentions wdiich old soldiers pay to fresh
troops, such as allusions to the cleannes.s of uniforms and the size of
knapsacks, with fretjuent aiJiilications of the epithets "paper-collar soldiers,""
"liand-box regiment." and many similar compliments; but all this was given
and received in good-humor, for all knew that a few days of marching would
lighten the knapsacks an<l remedy the objectionable brightness of uniforms,
and that after the first action all would l;>e old soUliers together.
The first march of the regiment in the enemy's country was made on
the 29th when it moved up about fi\-e miles and bivouacked for the night in
the woods. On the ist of May it again advanced towards Farmington,
Mississippi, and remained in the vicinity of that village until the enemy's
evacuation of Corinth May 30. During this time it was several times
.slightly engaged in skirmishing, but sustained no loss, except on the '26th
dbyGoot^lc
382 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
when the adjutant, Lieut. Sylvester D. Cowles, was instantly killed by the
btillet of a sharpshooter while on picket.
The entire summer of 1863 was passed by the regiment in marching,
camping, picketing, and similar duties in the north part of the states of
Mississippi and Alabama, but without any notable event, more than occa-
sional skirmish, occurring in its experience. On the ist of June it was at
Rienzi, Mississippi, and from the 2nd to the iith at Booneville and vicinity.
About June 15 it enainiped at Big Springs, six miles from Corinth, and
remained there five weeks. At this place a Fourth of July celebration was
heid. The stay at this camp was regarded by all as among the most agree-
able of all the regiment's sojourning during the war. On the 27th of July
the headcjuarters of the regiment were at Camp Leighton, Tuscumbia, Ala-
bama, but the several companies were posted at different places for a dis-
tance of twenty miles along the Memphis and Charleston railroad engaged
in guarding that line. Lieutenant-Colonel Dickerson, who was at Town
Creek, Alabama, with a part of the regiment, evacuated that place in haste
in the night of the 31st on account of the reported advance of a heavy force
of the enemy. The camp was reoccupied the next da}-, as the enemy, if
there had been any in the vicinity, had moved in another (Hrection.
About the last of August it was announced that the command was to
move to Nashville, Tennessee. On the ist of September the several detach-
ments of the regiment concentrated at the military ferry on the Tennessee
river, and awaited orders to move; the orders were received on the fol-
lowing day, and the command moved northward. The march occupied nine
days, during which the regiment passed through Rogersville, Athens, Elkton.
Pulaski, Lynnville, Columbia, Spring Hill, and Franklin, and in the evening
of the nth bivouacked two miles from Nashville. Here it remained on
picket till the 15th, when it moved through the city and encamped in the
southern suburbs.
The labor demanded of the regiment during its stay at Nashville was
severe. It consisted of work on the extensive fortifications which had been
laid out by General Negley, the commandant of the post, besides constant
picketing and guarding of forage-parties which were continually sent out into
the surrounding country ; this was the only means of subsisting the forces in
Nashville, as all communication with the city by rail or river was destroyed.
This state of affairs continued for about two months. Nashville was held by
the divisions of Negley and Palmer, but out of communication with the
ovitside world and surrounded on every side by troops of the enemy, princi-
pally cavalry. The .\rmy of the Cumberland, however, had defeated the
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 383
army of Bnigg at Perryville, Kentucky. It was marchinfj southward from
Bowling Green under General Kosecrans to the relief of the beleaguered
force, and on the 6th of November his advance guard reached the river at
Edgefield opposite Nashville. Railroad communication was now open to
Mitchell, thirty-five miles north of Nashville. Soon after, it was opened
to the city; this gave relief in the matter of rations to the troops who had
l:)een so long imprisoned there and lightened the forage and picket duty,
but the labor on the defensive works of the town was still continued and
a great amount of work was to be done in repairing roads and bridges
for the advance of the army southward.
The Tenth did not move forward with the .\rmy of the Cumberland
on the 26th of December in the advance on Murfreeslwro, but remained
nearly seven months after that time at Nashville engaged in provost, grand
guard and fatigue duty and in protecting comtnnnication between Nash-
ville and Murfreesboro and other points. Upon one occasion (April ro,
1863) a detail of men from H and E companies, forty-four in number,
under command of Eieut. Francis W. Vanderberg, were sent to guard a
railway train to and from Murfreesboro, and on their return were attacked
by a Ixxly of the enemy's cavalry in ambush at ,-\ntioch Station, three miles
north of Lavergne, the train having been stopped for some cause when
the attack was made. Lieutenant Vanderberg fell mortally wounded at t!ie
first or second fire and five of his men were killed, ten wounded and three
taken pn,soners, making a total loss of nineteen, or two-fifths of the force
engaged. With the exception of the loss of its adjutant killed on picket in
Mississippi, this was the first loss inflicted on the regiment in action by
the enemy.
The men and officers of the Tenth had begun to regard Nashville as
their permanent camping-place, and some of them had formed such strong
attachments there that when, on the 19th of July, orders were received to
move southward they were welcomed with very little of the enthusiasm which
.similar orders would have produced a few months earlier. But the regi-
ment moved in the nioming of the 20th, and reached Murfreesboro at noon
of the 2ist; here it remained on picket and guard duty till August I9tli,
when it again marched southward.
The history of the regiment during the four months next succeeding
its departure from Murfreesboro is that of an almost continuous march
through the states of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. It passed south
through h'osterville, Shelbyville, Famiington, Tennessee, and Lewisburg,
to Columbia; remained there on provost duty from the 23rd to the 26th of
dbyGoot^lc
384 GENESp;n COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
August; moved on tlirotigh there from ,August ^9 to September i; thence
passed through Huntsville, Brownsville, on Flint river, Alabama, I^rkinviile,
Scottsboro', and Bellefonte to Stevenson, Alal>ama, remaining at the last-
named place on provost (hity from the 7th to the 21st of September; moved
to Bridgeport, Alabama; remained there till October i; moved at midnight,
througli dense darkness antl fathomless mud on the road to Jasper, Tennes-
see; passed that place and moved to Anderson's Cross-Roads; remained
there picketing from the 3rd to the i8th of October; moved to Dallas,
Tennessee, thirteen miles above Chattanooga, on the north side of the Ten-
nessee river; remained there three days within hearing of the cannonading
between the hostile armies at Chattanooga; moved again October 24th, passed
through Washington. Tennessee, and arrived on the 26th at Smith's Ferry
over the Tennessee, fifti'-five miles above Chatt:iiiooga. There the regiment
remained for nearly four weeks, during which time the men had constructed
comfortable cjiiarters with fireplaces and other conveniences, Ijelieving this
would be their camping place for the winter, which was then approaching.
But on the 20th of November marching orders came, and on Saturday the
2ist, the Tenth Michigan was again on the march. In the evening of the
22nd it was once more within hearing of the cannonade from the batteries
on Lookout Mountain, ami on the 23rd it reached Camp Caldwell on die
right bank of the Tennessee, four miles alxive Chattanooga.
Crossing to the south side of the river on the 24th, the Tenth stood
in line during the progress of the great conflict at Lookout and Missionary
Ridge, but was not engaged in either of those battles. Soon after midnight,
in the morning of the 26th. it moved up to 1"ennessee, crossed Chickaniauga
creek on a pontoon-bridge and marched up the right bank of that stream,
where a part of the brigade met a small force i»f the retreating enemy and a
skirmish ensued in which one man of the regiment was slightly vvimnded bv
a si>ent ball. The enemy's evacuated works at Chickaniauga Station were
occupied on the same day ; the Tenth was the first to enter the works. On the
27th the regiment enterefl Georgia for the first time, passing through Gray-
ville and camping near Ringgokl. On the 28th orders were received to
march in pursuit of I-ongstreet, who was known to lie in the vicinity of
Knoxville. Under these orders the regiment marched with its brigade on
the 2gth and continued to move rapidly up the valley of the Tennessee until
December 6th, when it had reaeheil a point some fifteen miles above Loudon,
where the intelligence was receiveil that T^mgstreet ha{l withdrawn from
Knoxville and retreated into \'irginia. Then the column was ordered to
return to Chattanooga. The Tenth passed thrfiugh Madisonville to Colum-
dbyGoot^lc
GENEHEE COUNTY, MICHICAN. 385
bia, Tennessee, remaining at the latter place from the 9th to the 15th of
December, during which time the bridge across the Hiawassee river was
constructed by Company I, on the i8th it reached its old camp four miles
above Chattanooga. Here it remained til! the 26th, when it moved to near
Kossville, Georgia, and prepared to go into winter-quarters after a marching
campaign of more than four months' duration. The men had come in from
the East Tennessee march worn out. famished and tattered, many of them
having no shoes; they had been compelled to cut up their ragged blankets
into wrappings for their feet. Certainly no men ever stood more in need
(if rest and rectiperation.
At the Rossvilie camp the men built tight and comfortable log cabins,
each containing a fireplace, and in these, when not out on picket duty, they
spent the two remaining months of winter in a very agreeable manner. The
Ceorgia climate was found to be quite different from that of Michigan; the
month of February was quite as warm and pleasant as the northern April.
On the 28th and .29th of January, the Tenth was out on a reconnoissance to
Ringgold and the march proved quite oppressive on account of the heat.
Preparations were now made for mustering as veterans. Nearly all the
c()mpanies had the retpiisite three-fourths of their number re-enlisted when,
in the evening of February 3, the regiment was ordered out on picket to
Chickamauga Station, eight miles away. It remained out till the 14th, when
it was marched back to camp and the veteran muster was completed on the
16th, three hundred and eighty men signing the veteran enlistment for three
years dating from Fehi-uary 6. The niun]>er of veterans was afterwards
increa,sed to over four hundred. When re-enlistment and muster was per-
fected, the men waited impatiently for the veteran furlough (which some
of them were destine*! never to receive). In the morning of February
23rd the regiment had orders to march imme<liately. with three days' rations
and sixty rounds of ammunition. The men could bardly beheve that they
were ag:iin to march to the front before making the long-anticipated visit
to their homes, but they fell in without much audible complaint and marched
away on the road wliich was to lead them to their first battle-field. The
regiment moved to within a mile of Ringgold and camped for the night. In
the morning of the 24th it moved to a point l^etween that town and Tunnel
Hill, w^here the brigade joined the forces which had moved out from Chatta-
nooga to make a reconnoissance in force of the enemy's position in the direc-
tion of .Dalton and Lafayette, Georgia. The enemy were flanked out of
their works at Tunnel Hill, and retired towards Dalton. The Tenth, with
(25)
dbyGoo<^lc
386 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
other comniands, followed in pursuit, and at about five o'clock p. in. arrived
at Buzzard Roost- — a rocky stronghold of the rebels, situated in a pass
of the mountains known as Kenyon's Ga]>— -three miles from Dayton. The
works were in the rear of Rocky-Face Ridge and fully commanded the Gap.
Some skirmishing was done in the afternoon and evening of the 24th and the
regiment took position for the night between two si>urs of Rocky-Face Ridge.
On the 25th the early \xiTt of the day was consumed in skirmishing;
but about two o'clock p. m. the Tenth, with the Sixtieth Illinois, were ordered
forward in line over the ridges to attack the enemy and carry his position.
They moved forward gallantly into a very hot artillery and musketry fire
from greatly superior numbers of the enemy; remaining under this terri-
ble enfilading fire for about forty minutes, they did what men could do to
carry the position, but were at last forced back by superior numbers. At
the end of one hour and ten minutes the regiment reoccupied the position
from which it had advanced to the charge. In this Ijrief time it had lost
forty-nine killed and wounded and seventeen missing, among the latter being
Lieutenant-Colonel Dickerson, who was wounded and made prisoner l)y the
enemy.
A characteristic account of the battle given l)y a rebel paper — die ^Vtlanta
Register of February 29, 1864 — was as follows: "On Tliursday, the 25th,
the enemy commenced, about nine a. m., to skirmish with our pickets and
sharpshooters. At one p. m. the Federal general, Morgan, advanced on our
right centre to force the Gap. They were gallantly met by Reynolds' bri-
gade, of Stevenson's division, Clayton's brigade, of Walker's division, and
Stavall's brigade, of Stewart's division, when a lively fight took place. The
enemy made three desperate assaults to take tlie Gap, and were repulsed
each time with great slaughter, being enfiladed at the same time by our
artillery. We captured some twenty prisoners, among them Lieutenant-
Colonel C. J. Dickerson, of the Tenth Michigan, which regiment alone lost
two hundred and fifty killed and wounded. That night the enemy fell back
behind their intrenchments — some three or four miles from our front line —
and a portion of their forces moved over to our left and succeeded in taking
a gap leading to the Lafayette road, through Sugar Valley, three miles
south of Dayton."
It will be noticed that while this acc(mnt makes the loss of the 'l~enth
more than five times what it really was in killed and wounded, it admits
that the two regiments which formed the Union attacking column encountered
a rebel force of three brigades in a strongly-fortified position. In fact,
neither the Tenth nor the Sixtieth Illinois had all its strength present in
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 387
the fifjht; only eight companies of each, making a total ot alxiut nine hun-
dred men, were engaged.
On the 26th the regiment with its brigade was rehevcd. Tt inarched
to Ringgold, from which place it returned to camp at Kossville on the 27th,
and about the 5th of March moved to Chattanooga en route for Michigan.
It arrived at Detroit on the iitli. There the men received the veteran fur-
lough, with orders to reassemble at its exj)iration at the rendezvous — the
city of Flint. Upon reassembling they remained in Flint for some days. It
was a visit which was long remembered by both soldiers and citizens. The
veterans and recruits left Flint on the 20th of April an<l moved by way of
Fentonville to Detroit, thence by way of Kalamazoo and I-afayette to Jeffer-
sonville, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, and Nashville, arriving at the latter
city April 24th. They left Nashville on the 27th, and marched t{> Chatta-
nooga, where they arrived on the nth of May. and on the 12th marched
to their old winter-quarters at Rossville, which were found undisturbed
and in good condition. On the 13th they marched in search of the br!ga{le
which had moved forward with the army May 2, an<l overtook it in the
morning of the i6th, marching nineteen miles farther the same day with
(ien. Jeff C. Davis's division, which was moving towards Rome. On the
17th the regiment took part in the fight at Oostanaula river, and in the cap-
ture of Rome on the following day, Ixith without loss. Then followed a
series of marches and maneuvers by which the Tenth moved to Dallas, to
Ackworth, Georgia, and to near Ijist Mountain, and reached the base of
Kenesaw Mountain on the 19th of June. On the 27th it formed part of
the reserve of the charging column at Kenesaw. Its losses during June were
fourteen killed and wouniletl
The enemy having evacuated his works at Kenesaw, the Tenth took
part in the pursuit, marching on the 3rd of July, and reaching the Chatta-
hoochee river on the 17th. Ou the 19th it advanced to Durant's Mill, on
Peachtree creek, and took part in the actions of that and the following day,
losing twenty-three killed and wounded. Through the remainder of July
and nearly all of August it lay in the lines of investment before Atlanta.
.\ugust 30th it mo\-ed with a reconnoitering column to Jonesboro, and took
part in the battle at that place on the ist of September, charging across an
open field on the enemy's works, and losing thirty killed and forty-,seven
wounded: among the former was the commanding officer of the regiment.
Major Burnett. It was claimed for the Tenth that in this action it took
more prisoners than the nmiilier of men which it carried into the fight. For
dbyGoot^lc
388 GENESEE COUNIY, MICHIGAN.
its conduct on this occasion it was complimented by Generals Thomas, Davis
and Morgan, the corps, division and brigade commanders.
On the 28th of September the Tenth left Atlanta and moved by rail
to Chattanooga, Stevenson, Huntsville. Athens and Florence, Ala., tearing up
the Memphis & Charleston railroa(i. For several days it was in pursuit
of Wheeler's and Forrest's cavalry, but did not overtake them. On the 13th
of October the regiment moved by rail back to Chattanooga, where it
remained five days: on the iSth agaifi took the road, moving to Lee and
Gordon's Mills; Georgia, to Lafayette, to Summerville, up Duck creek,
through Broomtown Valley, and Alpine, Georgia, across the mountains into
Alabama, to Gayiesville (October 22nd), and then back to Rome, Georgia,
where it was in camp November i. On the 9th it was at Etowah, Georgia,
and on the 13th at Cartersville. where, at six o'clock a. m. on that day, it
"bade good-by to the cracker line, and to all communications, and piunged
into the Confederacy with four days' rations, marching south and tearing up
the railroad as we moved." On the 13th it made fifteen miles, on the
[4th twenty-five miles, and on the 15th fifteen miles, burning the bridge over
the Chattahoochee, and reaching Atlanta at two o'clock in the afternoon of
that day.
"As we approached Atlanta,'" wrote an officer of the Tenth, "a huge
column of black smoke was seen, and soon we found the railroad depots
and buildings with the foundries and manufactories, a burning mass."
When night closed in the whole heavens were illuminated by the glare of
the conflagration, and the innumerabJe camp-fires of the Union hosts which
lay encircling the con(|iiered city, busy with their final preimrations for the
storied "march to the sea."
The force com[X)sing the great army which Sherman had ct>ncentrated
here for the mysterious expedition, whcse destination was then only a matter
of conjecture, were composed of four corps- — tlie Seventeenth (a consohda-
tion of the old Sixteenth and Seventeenth) and the Fifteenth forming his
right wing, and the Fourteenth and Twentieth forming the left wing of his
grand army of invasion. In that army the position of the Tenth Michigan
was with the First Brigade. Second Division of the Fourteenth Corps. The
other regiments of the brigade were the Fourteenth Michigan, the Sixteenth
and Sixtieth Illinois, and the Seventeenth New York, ai! imder Col. Robert
F. Smith as brigade commander.
The right wing was the first to move out ; then came the Twentieth
Corps, and la,stly the Fourteenth, and with this corps the Tenth Regiment
marched away at noon on the Sixteenth of November. A distance of eleven
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 389
niiies was made during the afternoon, and'at night the brigade bivouacked
near the celebrated Stone Mountain, a round-topped knob of soHd limestone
alwut one mile in diameter at the base and rising bare and gray from the
level plain to a height of about thirteen hundred feet. From this halting-
place the regiment set out at six in the morning of the 17th and, with fine
weather and a good road, made a march of fifteen miles, passing through the
decaying settlements of Lassonia and Conyer's Station. On the i8th the
Yellow and Alcova rivers, tributaries of the Ocmulgee, were crossed on pon-
toons, and the tired men of the Tenth Hghted their bivouac fires in the vicin-
ity of Covington, the seat of justice of Newton county. During this day they
had marched as train-guard and made a distance of ten miles.
In the morning of the 19th they resumed their journey at six o'clock
in a drizzling rain, and at night found themselves twenty miles from Cov-
ington and twice that distance from each of the towns of Macon and Mill-
edgeville. The evening; of the 20th saw them encamped three mites from
Eatonton and fifteen from Milledgeville. Here the dull boom of distant
artillery was heard; this was the first hostile soun<l which they had heard
since their departure from Atlanta. Their march of the 21st was com-
menced at ten a. m. and was continued until three p. m., at which time
twelve miles had been accomplished, and they went into cani|> for the niyht.
No move vi'as made on the 22nd. Orders were here read to the regi-
ment giving the liberty to forage on the country and to appropriate any-
thing necessary for the sustenance of man or beast. "These orders [said a
letter written by a soldier of the Tenth] are generally lived up to and often
exceeded. The citizens, on hearing of our ajiproach, take everything of value
to the woods and swamps and cover them with brush, or bury them in the
ground. But the 'Yanks' were not long tn discovering this and but little
is presumed to have escaped their notice. Sweet potatoes, meal, flour, various
kinds of Uquor, tobacco, silk, and even coin, were thus imearthed from their
hiding-places, and many a frolic was had by the blue-coats at the Confeder-
ates' expense.
"It was truly amusing to go ahead of the army proper and see the for-
agers' proceedings. They were as good as skirmishers and advance guards,
and often were the only ones we had. They never failed to rout the rebels
whenever and wherever found. Citizens could tell our approach long before
the army came along, by the popping of guns, squealing of hogs and the
noises of various farm fowls. Nothing escaped the foragers' notice and but ■
little that was serviceable to us eluded their grasp. When they came to a
plantation they generally separated into small squads, each squad hunting
dbyGoot^lc
390 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
for some special thing. As if taught by instinct that we meant them harm,
all animals and fowls tried to secrete themselves or get out of reach of us.
Hogs, sheep and cattle would take to the woods, fowls to the outbuildings and
turkeys to the trees. But it was all of no avail. The enterprising and per-
sistent Yankees, prompted by hunger and the thoughts of a savory dish,
were sure to hunt them out and bring them to. We had orders not to fire
our guns to procure food, but that order was only partially lived up to.
Any animal which we could not corner and catch we shot, and when the
fowls took to the trees or the tops of buildings the Enfield rifle was sure
to bring them down. Often would the fat turkey take shelter in the trees,
and cry 'quit, cjuit!' but there was no quit. Occasionally the foragers would
find a lot of tobacco, honey or sorghum molasses. Then there was a rush
and scramble. To many, a swarm of bees was no more an impediment to the
getting of tlie honey than if they had been so many biue-flies. A crowd of
soldiers might be seen around a Iwrrel of molasses, the head knocked in,
and they with their cups filling their canteens, coffee pots, little pails and
every available kind of vessel that would hold the sweet fluid. At all hours
of the day they might be seen coming in and taking their places in the ranks
with face, hands and clothes besmeared with molasses and honey. To see
them, one might think they would stick to the Union, or to anything else;
and they would, too. Such was foraging in Georgia, and even more than
can l»e descrilied with the pen. Imagination must supply the rest."'
In the morning of November 23, at six o'clock, the regiment was again
on the road and marched leisurely to within two miles of Milledgeville,
where it rested for the night. Alxiut noon of the 24th it passed through
Milledgeville and at night the men built their fires eight miles beyond the
town. Here the foragers brought in a ton and a half of captured flour found
secreted in a swamp. On the 25th a distance of eleven miles was made and
in the afternoon of the 26th the brigade reached Sandersville, the countv seat
of Washington county. The marches of the 27th and 28th brought the
regiment to a camping place one mile south of Louisville, the county seat of
Jefferson, where it remained for three days picketing and foraging.
In the first five days of December the men of the Tenth marched sixty-
three miles, and camped on the night of the 5th at Briar creek, sixty miles
from Savannah. EKiring the 6th and 7th they made thirty-six miles, though
continually impeded by timber felled across the road and bridges destroyed
by the enemy. They had now entered the marshy country lying along the
south side of the Savannah river. Their march of the 8th was uneventful,
but on the Qth they came upon a hostile battery of three guns so |X5sted as
dbyGoot^lc
CENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 39I
to command a road or causeway over which they were compelled to pass
through one of the swamps which were numerous in that region. The
Second Illinois Battery was ordered into position and soon cleared the road,
but with the loss of one of its lieutenants killed. The ret)cl battery on its
retreat encoimtered the Twentieth Anny Corps and was captured. On the
[Oth the regiment, with its brigade, moved southward to the crossing of
the. Savannah & Charleston railroad, and went on picket in that vicinity.
In the morning of the following day they marched nine miles south and took
IJosition in the Union line of investment four and a half miles from Savan-
nah— one line being formed to face the city and another facing towards
the country through which they had just imssed. They had completed a
distance of nine hundred and forty miles, marched since the 28th of Sep-
tember, and now sat down to the siege of Savannah.
The city was defendet! by fifteen thousand to twenty thousand men
Ijehind exceedingly strong fortifications, and the artillery fire under which
the Tenth, in common with other regiments, lay was continuous day and
night. On the 14th news was received of the capture and occupation of
Ft. McAllister, south of the city. The first mail received by the regiment
in a period of .six weeks came to it here on the 17th. Finally in the night of
December 20-21, the enemy evacuated the city, and on the 21st the Tenth
marched in.
The regiment ret)iaine<l a little more than four weeks in Savannah, and
on the 20lh of January, 1865, it moved with the army up the right bank of
the Savannah river bound north. It reached Sister's Ferry on the Savannah
Jamiarv 28 and remained there until the night of Sunday, February 5. when,
with the other troops of the command, it crossed to the north .side of the
river. "Shouts and wild hurrahs rent the welkin as the feet of each succes-
sive regiment touched the soil of Carolina" — so wrote an officer of the Tenth
who was present at this memorable cro.ssing. The regiment remained here
two days before moving north, and while here (February 6) the non-
veterans of the Tenth were mustered out of the service; just three years
had expired since the completion of the original muster at Camp Thompson.
The regiment moved on the 8th and passed through South Carolina with-
out the occurrence of any si>ecially notable event in its own immediate expe-
rience. The march through this state was much the same as it had been
through Georgia, excepting that here the foragers found a far less prodtictive
field and the track of the army was marked by a far more general destruc-
tion of property than in Georgia; nearly all the buildings were burned and
only the tall, naked chimney-stacks left standing: while all along the western
dbyGoot^lc
392 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and northwestern horizon great columns of smoke by day and the red glow
of conflagration by night told how the cavalry of Kilpatrick were wreaking
their treasured vengeance against the Palmetto state.
The Tenth Regiment reached Fayetteville, North Carolina, March 1 1
and was there slightly engaged in a skirmish with the enemy. On the 12th
it crossed the Cape Fear river, skirmishing at Averyslx)ro, and on the 16th
was again engaged at the same place, losing three men killed. Moving in
advance of the corps on the iSth, six companies being deployed as skirmish-
ers, they struck the enemy about noon and a lively skirmish ensued. The
regiment was ordered to take position at the junction of the Smithfield and
Goldsboro roads; during the night it was attacked, but repulsed the enemy
and held its position until relieved by troops of the Twentieth Corps on the
19th; then it moved and formed on the right of the second line of battle at
Bentonville. About four p. ra the enemy moved up in heavy masses antl
charged the first line, but was repulsed. Then the Tenth with a brigade
moved forward to the first line and in a few minutes the enemy was dis-
covered coming in on the left flank. The line was at once changed to the
opposite side of the works and, after pouring a volley into the ranks of the
rebels they were charged and driven back with the bayonet ; many prisoners
and arms were taken. On the 20th the regiment skirmished during the entire
day and night and on the 21st moved towards Goldsboro, reaching there on
the 23rd. Moving from Goldsboro, it reached Smithfield April ro and
Raleigh, April 13. From Raleigh it moved to Averj^'s Ferry, forty-five
miles above Fayetteville, and lay there from the 15th to the 21st of April,
when it moved to Holly Springs, on the road to Raleigh. On the 28th it
was at Morseville, North Carolina, and there received the announcement that
its campaigning was over and the war ended by the surrender of Johnston.
In its pa.ssage through the two Carolinas the regiment had sustained a loss
of fifteen, killed, wounded and missing.
Moving north on the 30th of April, the Tenth arrived at Richmond,
Virginia, May 7; it remained there till the loth when it marched on towards
Washington, reaching there about the i6th. It took part in the grand review
of General Sherman's army at the capital on the 24th. Moving on the 13th
of June, it proceeded to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out of the
service July 19 and ordered to Michigan. It reached Jackson on the 22nd
and. was paid ofif and discharged August i, 1865.
The length and severity of this regiment's marches during its term
of service were remarkable. It is shown that during 1862 and 1863 its foot-
marches aggregated sixteen hundred miles; that its marches in 1864
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 39^
amounted to thirteen hundred ami seventy-five miles, and those in 1865 to
six hundred and twenty miles — -a total of three thousand live hundred and
ninety-five miles; this was exclusive of the distances accomplished by rail-
road and steamer. There were few, if any, regiments in the service whose
marching record surpassed this, 1~he brigade to which the Tenth was
attached during the period of its remarkable marchings through Tennessee,
Georgia and Alabama was quite generally known among the men of the
Southwestern army as "Morgan's brigade of Davis's foot -cavalry," the divi-
sion being that commanded by Gen. Jeff C. Davis.
Mn,i. lli'iiry S. liuniett, CooiU'k-li; .'iil. Xov. 111. 18i;:i; killed in h.ittle iit Joiics-
b.u-... (i;l., Se|)t. 1. LSIU.
.\63. KrtwiD F. Holmes, l-Vuton ; fill. Mnj- ,S, ISO.T; pru. to c»pt. June 7. isil.-.:
must, (iut an adj.
Surg. .TniiieB C. WflJsoii, Flint; cnl. T'w. 7, imi; trims, mn-a. .stii l{t>«t, .\li<'liif.',(h
Vol. Inf. lliivcli ![, 18(12.
rii;i|). Rev. Jesae S. Boyden, Flint; onl. April 10. ]S(>2; ros. .\n;,'. ;n. ISCii.
Serf,'t.-JIiij. Krlwtn F. Holmes. Fenton : pro. to Hilj.
Qiutr.-M:ES. Kcrjrt. Ult-itHon P. Perry. Flint; pni. to 2i\ Heiit, Co. (;.
C.ipt lleiirj S. linrnctt. Co.Hlrii-li ; enl. (k-t. 4. IHH . pro. to niil.l. ^o^. IK, ISK'I.
(■:i]Jt. .Icjini Al^'oe. Flint ; enl. Aujr lili. l.S(!4: diseli. for woinirtH, Mm-eli X. lS(ir>.
I'd LfMit. Mnxn-pll (J CixAey. Flint {sergt.) ; 2(i lieut. Co. A, M.ircli 31. l.SftS; res.
I'ri^.ttes — ,l;mies Atlierfon. Argentine; must, out July 1!1, IsGTi. Jacoh C. Beutley.
MhiiiIj . disci), lit end of Hei'ilfe. .\prll 4. l.SCo. I^.uniraou Ooudou, Argentine; vetcrjin:
ninst out July 111, lS(ir,. John I);imoii, Flint; discli. for diaiilillit.v, Seiit. 20, lS(i2.
fliiirk's Diirliy. disch. to i-e-enl. as vetpriiii. Feb. 0, IfM. Judsou Eni-y, must, out July
W, l.Sli.'i. Albei-t I'lvvy, Argentine: dlaeli. hy order, Sliiy 20, ISCir.. Andreiv EfEerts.
diHch. lit end of service, Feb. (f, ISih). BMwiird F. Fuller, dlscIi. nt end of sen lee.
Feb. IS, LSfiri. William (iove, must, out July li), 1R63. KIbert Hiiwley, dieil of disease
.it Oeei-fipia. Slifh., .M;trt-li 20. 1,S(>3. Daniel B. Liicey, trims, to Vet. Res. Coriis. April
1". 1S(54. Charles Sligglesn-ortli. died of disejiae !it Ciuciunatt, O.. July 2, ISflS. Ethan
Marah, diseh. for ndnority. Marcli 10. 1S02, George Minor. I'lliit . dtsch. for disability.
Wept. 24, 1,SH2. Allen XorrEs. Argentine: died of diseise at Flint, MicU., Slai-ch !>.
1«(>2. Alexander ()"Kourke, Burton; veteran; discii. for disability, July 22, 18GS,
Monroe Putnam. Argentine: vetei-nn: must, out July 1!'. 1365. Philip Richardson, dii-d
of dtseise fit Xashviile, Teun.. Mnrcli i;!. 1863. Miles J. Itood. disch. for disability,
Maitli 17. 1S(I.H. Charles Bauhenger. dlseli. at end of service. April 22. IsfiS. Manly
Witteni. discharged. Marlon Wltteai, Muiidy; disch. for (iisabtiltj, !>!.■. 2:i. lSf;2.
('iitnimiin C.
Caiit. Myi'oii niiiiLiell, (i(«>rtrieli ; enl. Sept. 24. ISOl; ves. Nov. 18, 1S62.
2d Lieut. George A. Alien, Flint; must, out Feb. 10, IsfiS, at end of service.
2d Lieut. James R. Kipp, Goodrich; enl. ainy 20. 1865; must, out July 1!>, 1865.
Corp. Job, R. Klpp. vet*riin, Goodrich (sergt.) ; pro, to 2d lieut.
dbyGoc^lc
3Q4 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
C.iri>. Mile/ Swears. \eter;iii, (ioodi'ich (sfi-j;!.! : mu^t. i.iit July lit, 1S(ir>.
Corp. Jiimes lAtt-y, Flint; luusk'hiu: niunt. imt iit euil uf wrvU-e. L'eli. ti, isiy.
Privates— EllIiH AimoH, Flint; disi-li. to re-eiil. mh veteriiu, Veh. fi. 1Mi4. (;i'iMge
Kusli, (JoodricU; diseli. to re-eul. iis vpter.iii, Veh. r,. 1S(i4. Miii-vlii C. IliLrn,..!. tioDil-
rich: dlitcL. to rc-enl. !is veteran. Feb. (•. ISIU, Jliirviii t'. Hitniey, (JikhIi'IcIi ; iIlmUj.
to I'e-eul. IIS vetM-tin. Feb. 6, 1864. Ilcni-j- S. Biihvell, U.KHlrli-b: ili.sch. tn n-eiil. ris
veteniu, Feb. fi, lt**>4. Joliu 15. Iteecli. Cuixlrii'h; ilii'il i.f aisense. .Iiily 'Si. ^^^C Cfuriiu
W. Btawell. P'orest: dlwb. for dlHiihllitj-. Seiit. 1:!. IMiU. Williuni B;iHletl. Ulcd of
disease iit Nashville, Tenn.. Jim. 5, IMS. KM lljixter, Atliis; diefl of diseiiKo ;it lAiok-
out Mountain, Tenn.. Sept. 11, 1SG4. Krjistns i'oi-niu, llit-lifield ; died to jR-tloii
near Dalton, Gti., Feb. 25. 1864. OHCur ciituniint^. tioodrleli; died In iictioii iit
Jouesboii). Git.. Se|it. 1, 1.S64. Fraiik Crittenden, Fm-est: discli. to re-eul, as vetenin,
Feb. 6, 1864. Nelson Domier, (Joodrifli : died of diHensc lit Ciini]) I>enniw)n. Oliio.
Aug. 2, lf<62. BeujHmin Frlck. Goodrli-li; disi-li. tit end of sers ice, Feb, (i, INGT..
Stephen Hustead, .Atlas; died in iittlon nwir Diilton, <!ii„ Feb, 2."), ISivi. llarker Hili-
biird, Flint: diwli. to re-enl. nn vcteniii. I'V1>, «. ISUl. I-klniuud K. HedRliii. Flint;
niuHt. ont July 1». 1,SC.,1, Weeiey W, HetUtlii. Flint: must, ont Jniy 1!). IStiri, Sylvester
Hiiynes. Atlas; at end of Hervl<-e, Feb. U, IStif.. Preiittsa C. Harris. Flint; diwab. ai
end of servk-e. Feb, (t 18lir.. Hiirrls Hajiies. Pltiit; dlsc-li. at end of service, E'eb. (i,
18ti.">, Cliai-les W. JoLuson, Goodrich; died of diseiiae at Nasliviile, Tenn.. Dei-. 24.
1S62. Benjamin Overliolser. Richfield; diacli. Dei.: IS. 18(12. Onier I'ratt. Goodrich:
died of disease, June 10. 1802. Henry Pennell. (ioodrlc-h; drowned. (Jhiirle.s H. Riini-
leii, nint; veteran: must, ont July 10. IMiD. Itenben L. Smith, mnst, out July 111,
ISSTi, Oeorge N, Scbllllnger. Goodrich; discb. at end of service, Feb. U, liser>. Cieor^o
Stowe, Flint; disch. to re-ent. as veteran, Feb. (i, 18(14, John W. Saunders. Goodrich;
died of disease nt Atlanta, Ga.. Oct. 31, 18(54. Nelson Swears, Flint; died of dlseuHc
at I^ulBvlIle. Ky.. Aiirll G. 1862, James Vnnslckles. Graud Bbinc; disch. for disability.
Sept. 2(i, 1862. Aaa Voientine, Goodrich; (eteriiu: must, ont July Kl. lS(!r., Ini Wood.
Flint; died of diMeiise iit Kei)kuk, lowii, Ahk- 21, 18(12.
Ciii.t. lUisscI! M. llarUiT. I'"linl; r.iiL I ii-t. I, 1M,I : ivsiyiicd Noi. :>!l. l»<ii:i.
First I-ient, (iuorgt A. Ajiiin. Fiint ; .nil. May .s. ISti,",: must, out July l!i. IMCf.
Second Lieut, Thomas Branch, Flint; enl. Manb :i1, 1S«.1: must. Feb. li. ISIm. iit
end of service.
Sergt. Henry H, Chittenden. Flint: ilisili. for liisiibiiitj. Feb. !). INIi:!,
Senit. George A. Apiin. Flint ; iironiotwl to 1st lieut.
Sergt, Jose|)h E. Tnpiter, Flint; promoted to serfft.-maj
Sergt, Thoniiis Branch, Flint; jiromoted to 2d lieut.
Corp. William H. Davie, Flint (serst,) : must, out bj- general order, July :l. l.SC.-,,
Con». Aria Smith, Flint; died of disease at Nashville, March 4, ISd:!.
Corp, Lymiin E, Davie, Flint; pro. to 1st lieut. V. S, C, Inf., Nov. !i. ^Sl\:•,.
Privates — Theodore Armstrong, Flint; died of disease at Farmington, Miss,, June
3, 1862. Jason L. Austin, Flint; dlsch. for disability, Oct 23. 1862. George Aplin.
Flint (sergt,); veteran: dlsch. to re-enlist as veteran, Feb. G. 18(M. David J. Andrews,
died In action at Bentonvllle. N. C, March lil, 1865. Charles W. Brewer, died of dis-
ease at Camp Deimlson, Ohio, June 2(1, 1802, William H. Batlgley, Flint; discli. for
disability, April 9, 1862. Joslah N. Barkley, Flint; dlsch. for diBiibllilj-, April 17, 1862.
Benjamin M. Bradsliaw (coii).) ; dlsch. for disitbUity, .Vprll 10, 1862. John Brown,
dlsch. for disability, Sept. 20, 1862, Joseph Barton, Flint; dlsch. for disability, July 18,
dbyGoot^lc
GIINIZSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ^gc;
1.SG2. Tlionms K. Hr.ibitzon, vfteriin: dJcl of vvoiiiuls Mt Xiisiiville. Teiiii.. \h-<: 3, ls«i4.
Juliii Cliutlboiim. Uooilricli ; died of disuiise at Ciiiiii) IJeiiulwon, Oliiu, Auk. !■ ]8(i2.
AbniliJiiii tliase. dlach. for dlwililllty, Deo. 10, IK(I2. Eiliviii Crittenden, must, out July
ID, lHOn. Jfluies \V. Crittenden, must, out July 111. imc. Jolm W. L'unln, Goodrich;
amst. out July 10, Ihm. Williniu H. Uiivie. iiuiHt. out July IE). 1«65. I.yiuan K. Diivle,
Corp., pi-o. to 1st Iteut. C. 8. C. T., Nov. 9, 1803. t'Uester Fui'rar, dlscli. ftn- dlsiibllity,
OL-t. 22, 1802. Mortliiiei' B. Glltmsm. dlHcli. for dtwibllity. Sept. 2G. 18b'2. Henry IJ.
Uriffin, (llHcli. iit end of service. Felt. U. 1M)5. l-'i-nnklin It. IIopklnH, died of rtiHeiiwe
lit Faroiington. Miss.. -Tune 2!). 1S(!2. Abraui ci. riitvrisoii. dlwh. Miirdi 21. 1Mi:i.
Newton D. Hodfie. discli. to re-eulist jls veteriin, \-\h. i;, 1MI4. .\bnili:ini i'.. lIougUlDii.
musician, veteran, must, out July l!l, imTi. llirjim !■:. ll.iwcll, must, out July 111. INiir..
Boswell N, Hilton, must, out July 111, IMl.". Willi:nii ■McComl). dlst-li. for dlsiibllltj.
Oct. 20, 1862. Wlllbun (). Morse. nuiHt. out July V.I. i'MC. isiuic Meaerraull. must,
out July 11'. IWS. (ieorge Miirsiiiill. nmst. out July 1". I'^i-'i- I'liUip Mnrshnll, Tliet-
ford, must, out July H', l«(iri. Wovthey K. Mlllnnl, (Itscli. to re-eullst at veteriin, Feb.
G, 18G4. Benjamin Alcott, Burtou; musl. out July lil, l.Sfl.".. J.inies Alcott, Burton;
must, out July 19. 1865. Ilezekliih Pierce, must, out July li), 1,S((o. Myron Pettit.
Thetford; must, out July IS, 1865. Jiimes S. I'ettlt. Tlietford; nmst. out July 19. ISGii.
Lewis Kaisin, must, out July 19, 18Ki. John Slwito. died of diKfuse tit St. Irfiuis, Mo..
June 14. ISfG. Ai-hn Smith, died <if dlsejise at Niishville. Tenn., March 4. 1863.
Niithanlel Taylor, trans, to T'. S. Engineers. July. 1SGJ. Henry Vautassel, dlsch. to
re-enlist at veteran. Feb. G, 1S«4. Augustus Welcli, dtsch. for dlwibllity. A|iril 20.
1IS«2. Henry f. Welislcr, died of diseawe at Henderson, Ky.. May m. IMili.
First l.ient. .Joliii Alsioe. Flint, Co, C: eiil. Mai-ch r[l. I8li:'.: inoH. to ciipt. Co. A.
Second Lieut. Joaeph E. Tupper. Flint. Co. (i ; jn'o. tr. mn,i. 17tb I', H. C. T.. Nov.,
1863. _
Se^nd Llput. Gleaeou F. Periy. Flint, Co, (1; cnl, .liiuc 7, T-Uir.; must, out -July
19. 1863v
First Ueut. Newton D. Hodge, nint, Co. li tseisn,!; 2il licnl,; ml iliiy 2li, l,s(;.->:
1st lieut. June 7, 1865: must, out July 19, ISfio.
First Lieut, John R, Thomson. Flint, Co, Iv ; eul. June Xi. lMii2 Ilid lit'ut, Feb. 22.
],S63).
Private— Miles Allen, Berlim. ('o. <!: died of disease at Chattanoof^a, Teuu.. Ilcl,
17, 1S64. Alexander Allen, Co. B; disch. to re-enlist at veteran, Feb. G, 1SG4. I*vi
Allen. Co. «; must, out .July 19. 1865. John (J. All|K>rt, N. C. S. ; must, out July 19.
1865. Abner B. Clark, C.rnnd Blanc, Co. K: discb. for disiibtlity. Frank M. Cum-
mings, Co. B; dlsch. foi- disability, Feb. 14. 1863. Oeorce A. Flshell, Co. K: dlsch. to
re-enlist at veteran, Feb. 18. 1S64. James H. Finn, Co. K; dlscli. for disabilltj-. Josepli
Hnrster. Flint. Co. H; diai-li. for disjiliilit.v. Illnim Ilowlnnd. Flint. Co. H; died at
Smith's Ferry. Nov. IS, 1863. of accidental wounds. Edwin F. Holmes, Flint, Co. H:
disch. to i-e-enlist as veteran, Feb. 10. 1864. Alvarus F. Hosner. FMnt, Co. G: nbsent
on furlough; not must, out with company, Myron M. Hnngerford. Flint, Co. H; must.
t.ut July 19, 1865. James Ingles, Flint, Co. Q: must, out July 19, 1805. David I).
Ingies, I^lint. Co, H; dlseh. at end of service. Siarch 18, 1S<:5. r«wls Kelsey, Co. B:
must, out July 19. 1865. Oscar D. I.ia8on. C«. K: dlsch. at end of service. Feb. 6, 1865.
TjCwIs Meeker, Fcnton. Co, H: ninst. out July 19, 186.1. Gerry A. Neivcomb, Co. H:
mustfl out July 19, 1S65. Levi Ovid, Co. H; dlsch. at eud of service. Mai-cli 28, 1865.
Lewis Parrlsli, Co. H: dlsch. for disability, July 19, 1.S(t2. Tra E. Payson. VTmt. Co. K:
dbyGoot^lc
3Q6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
liied ill HCtioii iu-:u- Diiltoii, (J;i., Feb. 25, lS<i4. Itoswell Pettiugill, Co. G; dleii of ills-
fiiae lit NiiuUvllle, Tenu., S€irt. », 1S64. Ceorge W. Petisley, Gnines, Co, it; must, out
July in, 1H03. Cheater Roy, Gaines, Co, G ; most, out July 1ft, 1865. Nelson lllpley,
Mimily, t>. H; mnst, out July li), 1865. O. B. Rogers, Co. B; filsch. for cllsiibillty,
AlirU 20, 1802. Hlriim Sloc'imi, Co. H; disch. for disability, Oct 11, 1862. Ricliard
Stewart, Fltut, Co. G; died iit Joneaboro, Gm„ Sei)t. 1, 1864, of wounds. Henry Shiii-
niaii, Co. «; died iit JJashville, Tbuu., Se|)t. 12, 186-1, ol wounds. Samuel Tan Rvery,
Ci). B; dlsdi. for disability, Aug. 25, 1S62. C. B. WiU({ert, Feuton, Co. K; dlech. for
disability. Allen E. Wlsuer, C-o. B; dIscU. for disiibllity, June 17, 1860. Myron C.
Woodard. con»., Co. B; disc-li. to re-enlist as veterau. Feb. 8, 1864. Lewis B. Wells.
sei'Bt., Cnind Blaiic; veterau; iibsent. sick; not must, out with eoniiinny.
The Sixteenth Regiment of Michigan Infantry was designated, at the
time of its organization and for more than eight months after its muster into
the United States service, as "Stockton's Independent Regiment," because
raised under authority given for that purpose by the war department to
Col. T. B. W. Stockton, of the city of l^'lint. Under the first call for volun-
teers from Michigan, Colonel Stockton had tendered his services to Gover-
nor Blair to organize and command a regiment and had received some
encouragement that he should receive the command of the Second Infantry
Regiment, which was then forming. This, however, was afterwards given
to Colonel Richardson, On the organization of the Fifth Regiment it was
understood, though whether promised or not is not known, that Colonel
"Stockton was to Ije its commander; but this also proved to be a premature
announcement, and the command was given to Colonel Terry. Upon this.
Colonel Stockton repaired to Washington and in an interview with Presi-
dent Lincoln made the rec(nest for authority to raise a regiment in Michigan,
and was by the President referred to the secretary of war who gave the
desired permission, uiH>n the condition that Governor Blair's acquiescence
should first be obtained. But the Governor would consent only on condi-
tion that security should be given for the necessary expenses of the
organization and subsistence of the proposed regiment until it should be
mustered into the service of the United States. Colonel Stockton was not
prepared to comply with this condition and it seemed as if his plan was
destined to faihire. But just at this time occurred the battle and defeat of
Bull Run; upon this, he again went to Washington and obtained a second
interview with Secretary Cameron, whom he found fully aHve to the neces-
sity for more troops to avert the peril in which the capital and the country
stood in consequence of the then late disaster. This consideration over-
shadowed all others and induced the Secretary to grant the Colonel's request,
free from the condition which he had before imposed. The necessary order
dbyGoot^lc
GKNKSEE COL'NTY, MICHIGAN. 39/
was issued by the department and Colonel Stockton returned withont delay
to Detroit.
As soon as it became known that he had been authorized to raise a
regiment, a number of applications were made to him by persons desiring
authority to recruit com|)aiiies for the new organization. Among the first
of these was Capt. Stephen Martin, who in making his request, inquire<l
what was to be the name of the regiment. In answer, the Colonel said that
he (Martin) should have the privilege of giving a name to the organization
as well as of raising a company for it. "Then," replied the Captain, "it
shall be 'Stockton's Independent Regiment'." a designation which was at
once adopted. Recruiting was immediately commenced at several points in
the state and, though it proceeded under some discouragement, the progress
made was so rapid that the regiment was ready for muster in less than five
weeks from the issuance of the war department order authorizing the
organization.
In nine of the companies of this regiment there were officers or enlisted
men. or both, from Genesee county. There was one company, however,
which (particularly during the raising and organizing of the regiment) was
generally known as "the Genesee company." because it was very largely
composed of men from this county. This was the com]>any raised by Capt.
Thomas C. Cam whose recruiting station was at the city of (■lint. The
recnuting-name of the company was the "Genesee I-ight Guard," though its
nucleus was an organization which had Iwen earlier kni>wn as the "l''hishing
Light Artillery." Captain Carr's company filled up rapidly and on the 7th
of August, 1861, it left Flint tmder his command and jiroceeded to the regi-
mental rendezvous which had been established at Detroit, the camp being
named "Camp Backus" in honor of l.ieut.-Col. E. Backus, U. S. A,, b\'
whom the regiment was mustered into the United States service, Septem-
ber 7-13, 1861. The field and staff-ofHcers of the regiment were: Colonel,
Thomas B. W. Stockton; lieutenant-colonel, John V. Reuhle;. major, Norvai
K. Welch: adjutant, T, 1{. Morris; surgeon. Isaac Wixom; assistant surgeon,
William H. Butler: chaplain. Rev, W. H. Brockway: quartermaster. F. H.
Klder.
The officers of the "Genesee Tight Guard," designated, in the organiza-
tion as C Comi>any, were: Captain. Thomas C. Carr; first lieutenant. Miner
S. Newell; second lieutenant, Randolph W. Ransom.
On Saturday, September 14. orders were received from the war depart-
ment directing Colonel Stockton to proceed with his regiment to Washington.
D. C. Preparations were at once commenced and on the following Monday
dbyGoot^lc
3y8 GENESEE COUNrY, MICHIGAN,
tile command was ready to take its dei>arture. At four o'clock in the after-
noon of that day the companies marched out upon the parade-ground at
(.'amp Backus and formed in a hollow square for the ceremony of the presen-
tation of a flag, the gift of the ladies of Detroit—through Mrs. Charles fi.
Dunks — -to Stockton's independent Regiment. The flag was of heavy blue
silk, six by six and one-half feet in dimensions, bearing on one side the
arras of the state, with the words "Stockton's Regiment" underneath, and
on the reverse the national emblems — the eagle and .shield — and the words
' Stand by the Union." upon a scroll. The presentation address was made
by Judge Wiikins and was resjiomted to by Colonel Stockton, Ijoth speeches
being applauded most enthusiastically. The color was received from the
hand of Mrs. Dunks by Cokmel Stockton, and by him handed to Sergt. C.
McDowell, of the "Genesee f.ight Guard," which was the color company.
.At six o'clock the regiment, numbering .seven hundred and sixty-one
cnhsted men, marched to the river, where Ccmipanies A. 15 and V embarked
on the steamer "City of Cleveland." and the other comfxinies, with the
field and staff on the "May Queen.'' bound for Clevehuid. They arrived
at that city in the following morning and proceeded thence by rail via Pitts-
burg, Harrisburg and Baltimore, to Washington, which they reached on
Thursday. September 19. Tiiere the regiment remained in camp till the
28th, whon it crossed the Potomac into Virginia and moved to Fort Corcoran.
After a three days' stay at that place it was moved to Hall's Hill, Virginia,
where it was assigned to the Third (Buttertield's) Brigade, in Gen. iMtz-
John Porter's division. The infantry regiments, besides Colonel Stockton's.
composing the Third Erigatle were the Eighty-third Pennsylvania, Colonel
McLane: the Seventeenth Xcw Vork, Cokwiel Lansing, and the People's
I'^lL'-worth Regiment ( i''orty-i"oiirth Xcw York), Colonel Stephen Stryker.
Here was regularly laid out a camp which became the winter-(|uarters
of the regiment and the home of its officers and men for a period of nearly
six months. The time was devoted nminly to the attainment of military
discipline, proficiency in drill and to the transformation of a liody of brave
and patriotic citizens into an efficient regiment of soldiers. In effecting this
the military education and experience of Colonel Stockton was invaluable:
his success was complete and was universally acknowledged, b-specially were
the benefits of his oversight and experience discemable in the superior sani-
tary condition of the regiment during its stay at Hall's Hill and in the
campaign which followed.
Before the earliest .streakings of daylight in the moniing of March 10,
1862, the Third Brigade struck camp and marched from its winter-quarters
dbyGoot^lc
GKNKSEE COITNTY, MICHIGAN. 399
to l-airfax Court House, where the Forty-fourth New York was temjx)-
rarily <ietached and in company with AveriU's Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry
advanced on CenterviUe, the troops fully believing at that time that a direct
movement was to be made on Richmond. But the enemy's works at Center-
viUe and Manassas were found deserted; the detachment returned and the
entire brigade marched through drenching rain over most wretched roads and
in a state of gloom and disappointment to Alexandria, where it embarked on
steamers on the 21st of March and on the following day proceeded down the
Potomac and the Chesapeake bay to Fortress Monroe, arriving there on the
24th, it marched thence on the 25th, to a camp in the vicinity of Hampton.
This was a Virjj'inia village which had then recently been destroyed by fire by
order of the Confederate General Magruder — a place which nature had
made beautiful, which its inhabitants had embellished and embowered with
roses and woodbine, but now only a waste of bare chimneys and blackened
walls. The camp of the regiment was located about two miles from the
village and was named "Cam|> Wide Awake." Here the command remained
until the J/th. when, with the brigade, it took part in a reconnoissance in
force, moving as far up the Peninsula as Big Bethel; but encountering
no serious opposition, it returned to the camp near Hampton.
On the morning of the 4th of April the Army of the Potomac, more
than one hundred thousand strong, move<l up the Peninsula by the differ-
ent roads, and in the afternoon of the 5th, Stockton's regiment, with the
Third Brigade, stood before the enemy's intrenchments at Yorktown. Here
General Butterfield called the officers of his brigade together and gave orders
for each regiment to leave all knapsacks under charge of one man and to Ije
ready in two minutes to charge the rebel works. It was rumored, and was
probably true, that the general had asked permission to make the assault with
his brigade. Had he done so, with such support as might easily have been
furnished, there is little doubt that the fading daylight of that Saturday
afternoon would have seen the Stars and Stripes floating over the hostile
ramparts; but the desired permission was not given, and that night the great
army lighted its camp-fires in front of the fortified line and sat down to a
four weeks' siege of Yorktown,
While at this place the regiment w-as engaged in the usual routine duty
and drill, inters|>ersed with labor upon the earthworks and parallels which
were constructed in pursuance of the plan of the commanding general to cap-
ture the place by regular approach. During this time the strength of the
regiment had been augmented to one thousand men by enlistment and by the
addition of two new companies from Detroit. The health of the command
dbyGoot^lc
400 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
aiso remained good, in consequence of the strict sanitary rules of Colonel
Stockton, and in marked contrast to that of many other regiments; notahle
among these was its companion in the brigade, the Forty-fourth New York,
whose men suffered so severely from sickness that when the advance was
made they were left as a. garrison at Yorktown.
Early in the morning of Sunday, May 4, it became known that the
hostile fortifications were evacuated and soon the troops were in motion in
pursuit of the retiring enemy. Colonel Stockton's command remained
within the captured works until the 8th of May when it embarked and pro-
ceeded thence up the York river to West Point, Virginia, reaching there on
the following day. While at this place the regiment received its designating
number, which the colonel, though on some accounts unwilling to do so,
was induced to accept in view of possible future advantages which might
accrue to his officers and men. From this time it was no longer known as
"Stockton's Independent Regiment," but as the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry,
in the Third Brigade, First Division (Morrell's) of the Fifth Provisional
Army Corps, which was formed at that time (May loth) and placed under
command of Gen. Fitz-John Porter.
On the 13th of May, the Sixteenth marched with it,'; brigade from
West Point to Cumberland on the Pamunkey river. Thence it moved by
way of White House and Tunstall's Station to Gaines' Mill where it arrived
on the 26th, having advanced forty miles from Yorktown in eighteen days!
Before daybreak on the 27th of May the division of General Morrell movecl
irom Gaines' and marched rapidly through rain and mud towards Hanover
Court House for the purpose of destroying the railroad at that point; in
this vicinity there was known to be a considerable force of the enemy, which
proved to be Branch's division consisting of seven regiments, with artillery.
A part of Morell's division — the Second Maine and the Twenty-fifth and
I'orty-fourth New York — under command of General Martindale, was left
by the way to hold an important position, while the remainder of the divi-
sion went forward to capture the station at Hanover and destroyed the
railway track. This service was successfully accomplished, while Martin-
dale bravely held his ground against the determined attack of Branch. H
Martindale could have been forced from his position, the advanced troops
of Morrell would have been left in a most i>erilous situation; but in this
attempt the rebels failed and, after a hot engagement of more than an
hour's duration, were compelled to retire with a heavy loss in killed, wounded
and prisoners. On the Union side the loss, in the Forty-fourth New York
alone, was twenty-seven killed and fifty-seven woimded. "General Butter-
dbyGoot^lc
GF.NESEE COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 40I
field, hearing firing in the rear, moved his command at once to the point
of attack. Few of the Sixteenth who were present will ever forget that
march in line of battle across wheat-fields, through swamps and ravines,
cheering as they advanced, impetuous to strike their first great blow for
freedom. The enemy, seeing that to remain was to be captured or killed,
fled in dismay, leaving their dead, wounded and many prisoners on our hands.
The day's work was a complete triumph and that night we bivouacked for
the first time on the field we had won. * « * Here for the first time
the regiment had a taste of living on the enemy. Through some strange
freak, the commanding officers winked at it. Beef, pork, dried fruits and
preserves — in fact, everything that an epicure could crave — were procured in
abundance and indulged in with apparent emotions of pleasure. That day
was never forgotten by the Sixteenth during its entire service thereafter;
its members ever after repeated the operation whenever the country afforded
the material." The division, having successfully accomplished its mission,
returned to its camp on the north side of the Chickahominy, near Gaines'
Mill, on the 29th of May. At about one p. m. on the 31st, the crash of
artillery and the incessant roar of musketry were heard coming from the
woods and thickets on the opposite side of the river; the infernal uproar con-
tinued during most of the afternoon. It was the battle of P""air Oaks. The
men of the Sixteenth stood with their brigade in line ready to cross the
stream to the assistance of their comrades, but they were not ordered in on
this or the following day, when the fight was renewed.
With but one change of camp, the Sixteenth remained near Gaines'
Mill imtil the first day of the Seven Days' battles — ^Thursday, June 26 —
when it was moved in haste towards Mechanicsville to support the right of
the Union line against the a,ssault of the redoubtable Stonewall Jackson, but
it was not engaged in the fierce battle that ensued. Before daylight on the
following morning it retired with other regiments, though not unmolested by
the enemy, from the position held during the night's to Gaines' Mill, where
a line of battle was formed with Butterfield's brigade on the extrame left,
Sykes' division of regulars on the right, and McCall's Pennsylvania Reserves
division in the second line. Approaching them were the rebel commands
of Gens. A. P. Hill, Longstreet, H. D. Hill and the dreaded Jackson, in all
more than fifty thousand men, against half that number on the Union side.
The battle was opened by a furious attack on Porter's right. Here the
enemy was at first repulsed but renewed the assault and turned the Union
right; this retreated in disorder, and caused the whole line to give way which
(26)
dbyGoot^lc
402 GENKSEE COVNTY, MICHIGAN.
resulted in L'olonel Stockton lieing made prisoner by the enemy. Sick and
unfit for duty, he had insisted on entering the field at the head of his regi-
ment, though against the expostulations and earnest protest of his surgeon;
and now, dismounted and weak from illness, he Ijecame separated from his
command in the tunr.oil and disorder of the retreat and was afterwards
captured and taken to Richmond, The hardships which he was compelled
to endure during his subsetjuent captivity wrought injury to his health from
which he never recovered.
The retreating line was finally rallied and the Sixteenth, now under com-
mand of Major Welch, with other troops, charged on the defiant foe, but
only to be decimated and hurled back in utter rout, leaving their dead and
wotmded on the crimson field. This closed the disasters of the day for the
Sixteenth, and a bloody day it had been for this regiment. Its losses had
been forty-nine killed, one hundred and sixteen wounded and fifty-five miss-
ing. Of the killed, three were officers, and among these was Capt. Thomas
C. Carr, of the Genesee company, the first member of the regiment to die on
the battlefield.
The day of Gaines' Mill had closed in blood and defeat. During the
succeeding night the Union forces, including the remnant of the Sixteenth
Michigan, succeeded in crossing the swollen Chickahominy and destroying
the bridges behind them, though two bridges farther down the stream (Bot-
tom's and Long Bridges) still remained; it was not long after sunrise on
Saturday morning when the rebel force under the indomitable Jackson was
massed at the upper one of these and making preparations to cross to the
south si<le. Other hostile forces were also advancing from Richmond direct
on McClellan's left wing, and in view of this rather alarming situation of
affairs the General had, as early as Friday evening, decided on a retreat by
the whole army to the James river where a base of supplies could be held
and communication on the river kept open by the co-operation of the Union
gunboats. The troops were informed of the proposed change by an appar-
ently triumphant announcement, intended merely to encourage the soldiers
and lighten in some degree the gloom of the great disaster, that a new and
mysterious flank movement was about to be executed which would surely
and swiftly result in the capture of Richmond. No such assurance how-
ever could conceal from the intelligent men who formed the Army of the
Potomac that their backs and not their faces were now turned toward the
rebel capital and that the much vaunted change of base was made from
necessity rather than choice.
During the four days succeeding the battle of Gaines' Mill the men of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COONTY, MICHIGAN. 403
the Sixteenth took part in the daily fight, skirmish and march which brought
them on Tuesday, July i, to the heights of Malvern. On that field the
regiment lost thirty-nine killed and wounded and three missing, but it held
the position assigned it, repulsing the repeated attacks of the enemy with
unsurpassed bravery and strewing the ground thickly with his dead and
wounded. The battle was opened at this point at about four o'clock p. m.,
and from that time until darkness closed the roar of musketry was uninter-
mitting. Finally the carnage ceased, and the men of the North laid them-
selves down, victors, they believed, to rest on the blood-soaked field; but at
about one o'clock in the morning of July 2d orders were given to fall in for
a march, and the regiment moved silently down the hill and away on the
road to Berkeley, or Harrison's I,anding, leaving their dead and wounded
behind.
No one who was not present can ever realize the bitterness of humilia-
tion and despair that pervaded the rank and file of the army as they turned
their backs upon a victorious field and marched away in the gloom of the
night, and through the mud and pouring rain of the succeeding morning, to
seek the protection of the gunboats in the river against a beaten foe who
was at the same time retreating in an opposite direction. But the wearied
and dispirited men struggled on, some in sullen silence, some cursing, and
some actually weeping in the agony of their shame, until at last they rested
on the banks of the James under the friendly guns of the Union fleet.
Four days after the arrival of the army at Harrison's Landing, the
commander of the Fifth Corps (General Porter) issued a general order
congratulating the officers and men of his command "on the perils through
which they have so honorably passed, and the successes they have added
by their valor to the glory of our arms," and mentioning especially their
gallantrv at Yorktown, April 5 ; New Bridge, May 24 ; Hanover Court-
House, May 27; Mechanicsville, June 26; Gaines' Mill, June 27; New Mar-
ket, June 30, and Malvern Hill, July i. A complimentary order was issued
by the commander of the Third Brigade, in which was the Sixteenth Mich-
igan, as follows :
Head<|I7.ihtilbs Huttjckfjf.ld's Bbioadp:, Moheell's Division.
Circular.
UkAVE SoI.mEBS OF THE TUIHO BRIGADE;
It is with no orrtiiinry pride tliat your genernl proniulgiites to you general orders
No. 4, from tile headqmt iters of the army corps. Your braveiT aii<l gallantry have
woD niy love, and yoii are us deiir to me aa brothers. 1*1 the esprit and the pride
whieli have always distinguished yon be renewed and redoubled. Your children's
children will be iirouil of your noble nets, and your c<)untry will love you. Let every
dbyGoc^lc
404 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
one, offlfera and men, make renewed exerttont-, and let the nest ciU to nrnis And tlie
brigade, as It always has been heretofore, uiifllncblug, unfaltering, devoted to the coun-
try and the honor of its flag. ]jet the proud recollections of the glorious names your
banner will hear redouble your strength and zeal, so tliat, ns heretofore, you will
equal tniti^ j-.mr numliet."! of the eneitij. Bj- command of
BaiG.-GEN. Bummriop
(Signed) Thoh. J. Hoyt, Asst A<Ut-Gpn
During the night of the 31st of July the enemy on the south side of the
river suddenly opened fire from more than fifty pieces of artillery on the
Union army lying on the north side, the camp o£ Butterfield's brigade being
fairly within their range. The scene was a grand and exciting one and the
wildest commotion ensued, the great guns of the fleet in the river adding
their thunders to the roar of the cannonade. Very little injury was inflicted
however on either side. On the following day the Third Brigade crossed
the river, burned the plantation buildings near which the hostile batteries had
been placed and then made a reconnoissance towards Petersburg, but finding
no enemy it returned to the river and bivouacked on the Ruffin plantation
where it remained five days foraging on the country and at the end of that
time recrossed the river to its former position. After this, few, if any, note-
worthy events occurred in the experience of the Sixteenth during the
remainder of its stay at Harrison's landing.
In the night of the 14th of August the regiment struck camp and with
its corps took the advance in the march of the army down the Peninsula,
reaching Hampton after three days' and one night's march. There was a
striking contrast between the appearance of the haggard and tattered rem-
nant of the Sixteenth Michigan who now returned to their old camping-
place, and that of Stockton's Independent Regiment of well-fed and healthy
men as they had marched away from the same place a little more than four
months before; but their hope and courage were still high and none were
doubtful of ultimate triumph. On the igth they took transports for Acquia
Creek, and arrived there the following morning, proceeding thence by rail-
road to Fredericksburg. Remaining there until the evening of the 23d, the
hne of march was then taken northwestwardly along the left bank of the
Rappahannock and, after an eventless march and some countermarching
reached Kelley's Ford on the 26th. During the night, orders were received
to burn such regimental and company property as could not be carried and
be ready to march at daybreak for the line of the Orange & Alexandria rail-
road. On arriving at Bealton Station, it was reported that the enemy had
destroyed a portion of the railroad between that place and Alexandria and
had captured and burned a large amount of property. Rations had become
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4O5
very low and a forced march was necessary to make a junction with the
Army of Virginia, under General Pope, which was effected by the corps
at Groveton August 29. While at this place the troops were formed in line
of battle, but no engagement occurred. For his failure to engage the enemy
General Porter was severely censured by General Pope.
The command then moved towards Manassas and on the 30th a new
position was taken near Bull Run. The brigade lay for hours under a heavy
artillery fire until about the middle of the afternoon when the regiments were
formed in column by division and ordered to advance. The infantry of the
eneiny lay well protected in a deep railroad excavation and a large number
of artillery pieces were posted in the rear of the infantry and on higher
ground. When the Third Brigade had reached an open field, the enemy
poured into its ranks an infernal fire of artillery and musketry. The brigade
advanced most gallantly to within a few yards of the enemy's infantry, and
on that spot the bones of its brave men who fell on that day were found
when the survivors again marched over the field months afterwards. While
the brigade was engaged at this point a force of the enemy attacked in
flank and they were thus forced back in disorder and with severe loss. No
troops ever better deserved victory than did the Union forces on that day
and that they did not obtain it was no fault of theirs. It was because "some
one had blundered." The loss of the regiment in this battle was seventy-
nine killed and wounded, among whom were three color-bearers, and seven-
teen missing. Capt. Randolph W. Ransom, of Flint, was also among the
killed.
After this crow'ning disaster the command fell back, by way of Centre-
ville and Hall's Hill, their winter camp of 1861-62, to Arhngton where a
rest of ten days was had, during which Colonel Stockton returned from his
captivity in Richmond and the regiment received considerable accessions to
its numbers from hospitals and other sources. On the I2th of September
the brigade, under command of Colonel Stockton, moved with the Fift'
Corps on the Maryland campaign which culminated in the bloody battie of
Antietam, September 17th. On that day the Fifth Corps was not engaged,
though towards evening the Third Brigade was ordered first to the right and
then back to the left, but sustained no loss.
On the 20th the Fifth Corps — the Sixteenth Michigan in advance —
started in pursuit of the retreating columns of I-ee, and engaged his rear
guard at Shqjherdstown Ford; after this the regiment and brigade returned
and camped near Sharpsburg on Antietam creek, where the Twentieth Maine
Regiment was added to the brigade.
dbyGoot^lc
406 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
On the 30th of October the Fifth Corps broke camp and marched by
way of Har[}er's Ferry, a point at which the Potomac river was crossed, to
Warrenton, Virginia. This march occupied ten days, and during its con-
tinuance the men of the Sixteenth, in common with those of other regi-
ments, foraged almost at will in the country through which they passed ; the
result was that their commissariat was abundantly supplied with rations of
the best quality. "So well," says Captain Powers, "was the regiment sup-
plied with poultry, fresh meats, honey and preserves that the commanding
officer of the division made a sly insinuation to Colonel Stockton that the
Sixteenth must have had a lax training in its youth to so soon forget that
high moral culture that had made the Army of the Potomac so fond of fur-
nishing food for the powder of rebel bushwhackers."
On the arrival of the Fifth Corps at Warrenton, the regiment found
itself under a new commander of the Army of the Potomac — General Burn-
side — who had superseded General McClellan in that command on the 5th
of November; at about the same time General Porter was relieved of the
command of his corps. General Burnside, on assuming command of the
army, reorganized it into three grand divisions of two corps each. The
Fifth and Third Corps forming the centre grand division were placed under
command of "Fighting Joe" Hooker.
The army, resuming its march reached the Acquia Creek railroad on
the 26th of November, and the brigade of which the Sixteenth Michigan
formed a part encamped in the vicinity of what was afterwards known as
Stoneman's Switch.
On the I2th of December the Fifth Corps moved to the Rappahannock
river, opposite Fredericksburg, where the commander of the army was pre-
paring for the great battle which was fought on the following day. Durinr
the progress of that unequal fight the Third Brigade remained quiescent
until about four p. m., when it was ordered across the river. It crossed and
formed line in the outskirts of the town, then advanced under a heavy fire
of musketry and canister, halting near the front at a point which was shghtly
protected by the conformation of the field. This position was held, but with
some loss, until darkness closed the contest for the day. The fight was
renewed on the 14th, but the results were far less sanguinary, both sides
held their ground, though the general result was most disastrous to the
Union arms.
At midnight of the 15th the brigade went to the front and withdrew
all the pickets on that part of the field, and shortly after daylight crossed to
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 407
the north side of the Rappahannock as the main body of the army had done
during the night.
The Sixteenth Regiment cannot be said to have participated prominently
in the battle of Fredericksburg, but it performed all that was required of
it, and in doing so sustained a loss of twenty-three killed and wounded.
After the battle it went into winter quarters at Stoneman's Switch.
In the spring, after General Hooker had been placed in command of the
army and was making' preparation for that forward movement which ended
at Chancellorsville, the Sixteenth moved with the other regiments of the
command to the Rappahannock and passed up on the left bank of the river
April 27, It crossed to the south side of the stream on the 28lh and was
present on the field of Chancellorsville during all of the three bloody days
succeeding Ma}' i, taking part in the fight at Hooker's headquarters on Sun-
day, but sustaining no heavy attacks and losing only one killed and six
wounded. At the close of the campaign it recrossed the river with the
army and returned to camp at Falmouth, where on the iSth of May at even-
ing parade Colonel Stockton took leave of the regiment, having resigned f.or
the purpose of raising a brigade of Tennessee troops, under authority con-
ferred by Gov, Andrew Johnson and sanctioned by the war department.
This resignation gave the command of the regiment to Lieut-Col. Norval F.
Welch who was afterwards killed in an assault upon the enemy's works at
Poplar Grove Church in the Petersburg campaign.
Farly in June it was learned that the enemy was moving towards the
Shenandoah valley and the Army of the Potomac was put in motion to meet
and oppose him. On the 30th, at Aldie, the Third Brigade joined General
Pleasonton on an expedition to disperse Stuart's cavalry, which resulted in a
fight at Middlehurg, June 21, in which the loss of the Sixteenth was nine
wounded; this was one-half the loss of the whole brigade. The command
then returned to .A.ldie where it remained till the 25th, when it commenced
a forced inarch to Maryland and Pennsylvania; it reached Gettysburg in
the morning of July 2, when the great conflict had already commenced.
The Third Brigade was detached from the remainder of the division and
about three p. m. was posted on the Little Round Top, forming the extreme
left of the Union line. The order of the brigade line was as follows: On
the left, the Twentieth Maine, Colonel Chamberlain; next, the Thirty-third
Pennsylvania, Captain Woodward: next the Forty-fourth New York,
Colonel Rice; and on the right, the Sixteenth Michigan, Colonel Welch: the
brigade being under command of Colonel Vincent who on that day fell
mortally wounded. In this position the brigade was soon attacked by Hood's
dbyGoot^lc
400 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
division of Longstreet's corps. The enemy came on impetuously and with
great confidence on account of superiority in numbers, being a division against
a single brigade; but his repeated assaults were successfully repelled. His
last attack was made simultaneously on the front and flank of the brigade
so that the Maine regiment was compelled to change face to repel the flank-
ing column. But the work was bravely and successfully done, and when
ammunition was well-nigh exhausted and no reinforcements were neai*.
Colonel Rice, who succeeded to the command of the brigade when Vincent
fell, sent word to each of the regimental commanders to fix bayonets and on
a signal from him, to charge. The enemy received the charge steadily at
first, then wavered, rallied, wavered again, and at last broke in confusion,
with a loss of five hundred prisoners and over one thousand stand of arms.
The brigade pressed on through the valley and halted with its left resting
on Big Round Top, on which its line was soon after established. The fight-
ing at Little Round Top was, nearly all in which the Sixteenth took active
part at Gettysburg, and in it the loss of the regiment was sixty in killed
and wounded.
A special correspondent of the Nezv York Tribune mentions the brigade
as follows ;
While this, main b ttle itn oiling tno-tiiirds of bctli rmies hi\ for its object the
posaesHicn of siclties f l«e ime in epi&fdlfal ciinbnt had taketi place upon the st^the-
handle itwlf more limited but more fuilous When at tlie be^,nmlng of the flght
the Texan line o^erlanied the left if "^icUes and burst ucnss the Devils Deu there
were not Lnlon soldiers on either of the Kound Tcps inH a group of higml men and
General Wairen the chief engineer on the Smilier Knob The rebel column looked
up amazed \o troops peered oiei to oppose them Ijonelj and frightened the little
bunih of signalmen flung their mjsterious mes^agex through the blue air But the
nitunl grinmeas of the gniiled mountain seemed of itself to intimidate the anested
Tesans Like a f rtress dismantled it rose piled high with naturil maninries and
on its granite ramparts oiks of a hundied veara wa^ed darklj The signal eolois
were no moie than tullp'* as thev blew to and fro on its leserted profile Its fluikf>
were wild ravines lilie the laiia of satyrs and goblins Before this ntrthern hill the
tanfe led haired Texans shrink an mstj nt iKllni, uj through pondety counteuinei
Then with a jell the\ mo\ed up amrag the bowlleis and quaiiles threw their shaip
shooters into shelves of (utcrjiplng shale and hollow rhomboids of gneiss and gieen
stone and at the ciest of little Round lor their artillery far behind hailed sh wers
of shell and tall
It WIS a terrille instint \Mth the Round T p iDst the Union position \s >uld be
a scjthe witboit a handle i man one-iimed and rne-fo ted the destruction of the
whole arniv nas posltiie Already the signil flags were foiled the signal n en nere
retreating
•^tJ^ cried barren \cu aie the i niiy njw T^^^e jiui flags is if the\ stoid
in line of battle, and you ten were ten thousand."
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 409
They Hliook down defiances — that Jiandful of imyoteiit telegraphers — and raised a
cheer out of their forlornness that wan iike a dymg t-oniediau's laugh.
For a moment the Tesans wavei'ed ; they closed ui) column and advancpd more
slowly, anticipating a desperate defense.
Just then music burst through one of the gorges and the tread of men came in
from the rear. They wore blue uniforms. They were marching to the peach orchard
to relnfori* Blmey. Warren galloped down, hia dark Indian face almost bloodless.
■■I must have a brigade," he said. "I take the respoiiHibility of detaching you, (Jeneral
Vincent ! Out yonder we may be repulsed ; here we should be destroyed."
The brigade of Vinewit faced left and ran up the bill with a will. The plain,
morasa gorge and farther woodslde, as they looked 01 er, was full of advancing, deploy
ing, flanking columns of gray. A huzza they flung over their bristling bayoiipts as
tliey boldly advanced down the decliiity, and simultaneous volleys poured upward and
downward. Hazlltt. the gunuer, came also at Warren's command. His battery would
not budge on the rock-strewn height. The horses could not keep tbeir balance up the
almost vertical places, with the dead weight of thirty-pounders below them. Pioneers,
with frenzied blows, leveled the oak trees; they charged the bowlders and blew them
to pieces; they made a roadway as speedily as a housewife sweeps a stair. Then to
every gun lines of men put their sinews and shoulders. Leier and shove! cleared the
path. A flying battery, Indeed, it went hawking into the clouds, and when it screamed
from Its eyrle the line of battle-flags waved like the pinions of its young. Warren
was away for reinforcements. Vincent shouted. "Aim, men! We must hold fast here
though we all perish."
"Aye! Aye!" came in the niche between the volleys.
Now the strong mountain groaned to see the blood the) ^[itlt down his face He
grew into a \olcano, palpitating, smoking, running over with fire. Great seams of blaze
zigzagged down his cheeks. His eyes were shot through with shells. Into the oaken
tHiiglea of his hair men climbed like battle-panthers and. niortallj shot in their perches,
leaped out with a yell of rage.
Steadily, deadly, murderous, the Texnns, column after column, wound np the
ledges. Vincent's ammunition was falling. His men robbed the cartridge boxes of
their slain comrades. They rolled the boulders down and half way to the base stabbed
and parried with cold steel. Side swords were crossed. Heads opened to scabbard
cuts. The de^lilsh things that were done half way to heaven on that scarred knob
will haunt it a thousand years. The hot battery quaked over all through its natural
granite embrasures. Line after line driien back, new columns of yelling savages
leaped upward.
Men of JUaine, Jlichlganders, New I'orkers, Ppnnsylvnnians hurled them back.
From a series of charges the enemy's attack rep.ohed into a lolleying rest, lying upon
their faces. A cry ran through the ITnion line almost plaintive in its po\erfy: "The
ammunition Is out!"
Then said young Chamberlain, of Maine, a boy-faced college professor: "Men!
Our only hope is in the steel; 1 barge with me'" Like the swooping out of the clouds
of a flock of blackbirds, gold-daggered, upon the flies of com, the lumbermen and
watermen of Alaine whistled down the precipices, the rebel lines were swallowed, as
if the ground liad opened, into the gorges behind the Devil's Den and Round Top was
saved to the Union, of which it became the keystone, Indeed, on this decisive day
of blood.
Standing now on Bound Top, who can revive all the strong or beautiful episodes
that were written on the scorched parchment of this liindscape; the tenderness, the
dbyGoo<^lc
410 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fitrocitles, tlie f orgn eiie'^st^, the ioiiely aKutues, the t-ryliig on (ieiif men to liplji iinii
blind men to liave mercy. A hunilred and fiftj' tliouajnid fighting men repreaeuted the
population of the greiitest city. Set this city nfire, loosen the jails and dens of it,
make fiends hoivl In the flames fi>r Inst or fly In despair, send charity and heroism
ujion bold and noble errands, and yon hni-e Bupeiiiclal battle. What nobie heirta ceased
to beat at Gettysbui^ and got no fame; what awful crimes were committed and got
no infamy 1 Dropped into the eentnry and the repnblic, the j;ood and the evil that fell
that day were but as the poisons and the sweets that ripen in the purple apple.
In the morning: of the 3d the brigade was relieved and took position in
the rear of the main Hne. On the moriiing of July 5 it was discovered that
the enemy had retreated and the Fifteenth marched with the army in pursuit.
Slight collisions were had with Lee"s rear griard at Jones' Cross Roads on
the loth, and at WilHamsport, Maryland, on the 12th of July. On the 17th
the regiment crossed the Potomac at Berlin and was almost constantly on the
march from that time until September 16 when it reached Culpeper. There
it remained till October 7, when it moved to Raccoon Ford and crossed the
Rapidan. It crossed the Rappahannock on the loth, recrossed on the nth,
and moved to Brandy Station, where the enemy was attacked by a portion of
the corps ; but the Sixteenth Regiment was not engaged. Another period then
ensued of marching and countermarching, with a staj' of a week in camp on
the Orange and Alexandria railroad, until the 7th of November, when the
Sixteenth was slightly engaged and lost three wounded in the capture of a
rebel work near Rapi>ahannock Station. It moved with the army, November
26, on the Mine Run campaign, which ended without results on the 2d of
December, when the regiment went into camp on the north bank of the Rap-
pahannock near the railway station.
At this place nearly three hundred memljers of the regiment re-enlisted
as veterans, were mustered as such on the 24th of December, and about a
week later left for Michigan on furlough. They reached Detroit on the 9th
of January. At the expiration of their furlough February 9, they reassem-
bled at Saginaw City, and on the 17th left that place to rejoin the army. On
their return the regiment made winter quarters at Bealton Station, where
they remained till April 30, 1864, when they moved to Brandy Station pre-
paratory to commencing the campaign of the Wilderness.
In that campaign the movements of the Sixteenth were too numerous to
follow in detail. It moved across the Rapidan at Germania Ford, May 4,
and on the 6th and 7th took part in the battles of the Wilderness, sustaining
no loss on the 6th, but losing on the following day thirty-five in killed and
wounded. On the 8th it made a forced march to Laurel Hill near Spottsyl-
vania Court House, and in the evening of that day was attacked by the enemy
dbyGoot^lc
CEMKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 4II
in an almost impassable swamp; but its loss was inconsiderable, while a con-
siderable number of the enemy were taken prisoners. May 22 the Sixteenth
moved from Spottsylvania towards the North Anna river and, being the
advanced guard of the corps, it encountered the rear guard of the enemy at
Polecat creek and captured a considerable number of prisoners. The next
day it was engaged at North Anna river, where it charged successfully and
drove the enemy. It crossed the Pamunkey river at Hanover Town in the
morning of the 28th. and assisted in throwing up works on South creek. On
the 29th it moved to Tolopotomoy creek and crossed it just before evening.
May 30 it moved forward and became engaged with the enemy, losing the
major, Robert T. Elliott, who was killed at the head of the regiment. On
June I the brigade was ordered to advance its line, and in doing so was
brought under a raking cross-lire. The Sixteenth advanced, drove the enemy
from their rifie-pits and held the position thus secured. The next day the
corps took up a new position and while the movement was in progress the
enemy attacked in heavy force, but a heavy storm came up and stopped the
battle; it was renewed, however, on the 3d of June, and again on the 4th,
This three days' fight was near Bethesda church, and in it the Sixteenth
Regiment was engaged during each day. From this point it moved by way
of Cold Harbor and Dispatch Station to the left bank of the Chickahominy,
and there remained until the 12th, this being its first rest since crossing the
Rapidan on the 4th of May; the intervening time had been constantly em-
ployed in march, skirmish, or battle.
On the 13th of June the regiment crossed the Chickahominy by the
Long Bridge and marched to the James river, which it crossed on the i6th
and arrived in front of Petersburg on the 17th. Then followed a month of
severe labor in the trenches, from which the regiment was relieved and placed
in reserve August 15, Three days later it moved to the Weldon railroad, and
was there engaged in the construction and occupation of defenses until Sep-
tember 30 when it formed part of the force which stormed and carried the
enemy's fortifications near Poplar Grove church, in which desiderate assault
the Sixteenth lost fifty-two killed and wounded, among the former being
the commanding officer of the regiment. Colonel Welch, who died on the
parapet.
Following the death of Colonel Welch, Major Partridge assumed com-
mand of the regiment, retaining it imtil the muster out of service. A corre-
spondent writes as follows :
"A more magnificent charjje was never ninde by any corns In any war," srtid Gen-
eral H'arren, siieaklns of t!io cliiirge ma<Ie today by General Griffin'a division upon a
dbyGoot^lc
412 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
redoubt and. line of formidable breastworks froutiug upon our headqiiiirters. The place
is called Peeble's farm, from this belug the name of tlie owner and late occupant of a
large deserted house nearby, five miles from Petersburg and ubout the same distance
from the Danillle railroad. "Was It not a splendid charge?" I have heard scores
ask. The natural tendency of General Wairen to apeak in terms of glowing exulta-
tion of the brilliant and daring achievements of his troops, or any portion of them,
cannot in this case be set down as exaggeration. Everyone who saw the charge, or
who has expressed an opinion on it — and there are none who have not passed an
opinion— speak In the highest terms of the dash, courage and Impetuosity of the men
erkgaged. There were two charges made, and subsequently some fighting, I will recite
the events in the order of their occurrence. The stury is not Jengthy, for in each
case the rout was short and decisive.
At 0 a. m. the First and Second Diilslons of the corps. Colonel Hoffman's brigade
of the Third Division and several batteries took up their line of march. The other
troops of General Crawford's division and most of the corps batteries, together with a
division of the Ninth Corps, remained to hold the works and forts at our old iwsitlon,
the latter troo|is, as well as the batteries, being under Ueueral Crawford's command.
Arriving at the edge of a piece of woods, fronting which was an open space, beyond
Peeble's house, was seen a redoubt and a line of the enemy's entrenchments. The
enemy's pickets, meantime, had fallen back before our advancing column to the redoubt.
The enemy opened with six pieces of artillery. To this redoubt and the earthworks
in the distance was not over six hundred yards and a line of battle was formed.
It was determined to charge this redoubt and the works. The chaise was made
solely by (Jeneral Griffin's division. General Ayres' division was on the right of Gen-
ei'al Griffin's, and Colonel Hoffman's brigade on the right of the former diilsion; but
the latter troops did not charge. The Eighteenth Wassacbusetts Battalion. Captain
Bert commanding, was first sent forward as skirmishers, but found too weak, and was
subsequently strengthened by the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania. Colonel
Rinson, and the First Michigan, Major Hopper commanding. The order being given
to chaise, the skirmish battle lines soon advanced across the oi)eu ground. The charg-
ing column pressed steadily, earnestly, persistently forward. Rebel shell and bullets
had no dismaying effect.
"A conimlsaion to him who first mounts the parapet of that redoubt," shouted
Colonel Welch, of the Sixteenth Michigan, to hi« men. "Follow me!" He led his regi-
ment. He was the first to mount the parapet, when he waved his swoivl. In an Instant
a rebel bullet penetrated his brain and he lay dead. The men followed simultaneously
and mounted the works at difCerent points, the colors of some half dozen raiments
floating triumphantly where a few moments before rebel colors had fiauiited their
traitorous folds to the breeze. It is no nonder that there should be different claimants
for the honor of being the first to plant the Stars and Stripes on the works. AH
behaved magnificently and all are deserving of life and honor. Nearly one hundred
prisoners were captured and one cannon. The enemy got off his remaining guns, but
not all his horses.
"We have taken the enemy's first line of works; can jou take the second?" shouted
General Griffin, "Yea, yes," was the responsive shout from a thousand throats, and
they did take the second line, as bravely as they took the first. In the second line
was a second redoubt. Brave heroes had fallen, but a splendid victory, a double
I'lctory. had been won. It was all the work of a few minutes, a work requiring less
time that I have taken to write It. The second line was on the farther edge of the
ojien field, and beyond were woods. Through the latter woods the beaten enemy fied
dbyGoo<^lc
GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4I3
in LMte Tn Ingidea if Hetb R diilslon weie in the foice ipiJO'Sing us No jiitllleti
was used m oui side Both lines of eirthworks weie leij strong ind the redoubts
were substautiully put up The Nnith Corps troops were shortly after placed In front
of the Fifth Corps
Ueiultirj filing wts liept up between the opposing pieliets until ii)out 5 p m
when the enenij chirked ou the Ninth Lorps causing them to fall bicl! in Lonfuslon
Quickl-* the Fifth Corps rushect to the ie=>c«e of the Ninth and sent the euemv btck
beiond the giouml he had lecotered Night and durknesH and nin ended the dui a
tonflict But it has been a d)j of splendid luctess itid our troops — is well thej mav
be — aie jubilant o\er their Tictor\
AlHjor Paitridge "litteenth Michigan but commanding the Pighti third Penn»nl
laula had an exceedlnglj narrow eacai* He was hit on the (hlu b^ 1 minle bail
which strnck the neck just glancing the jngulai ^ein and then eaterln^ the shouldet
mid passing out at the back
There Is deep and unlieisal regret at the loss of tolonei A\ elch A more populai
and ligilant officer was not in the dUiiion Not twenty aeien \eus of age, a mist
piomialug (. ireer in the future neemed open befo e 1 Im He came out as major of
the legiment Imru^^t'e pitriotic and fearless he wat. bra\e to rashness and this
nas his great and onh fault After completing his educition he becime a student
at law which profession he had just entered upon with the most brilU-int prospects
of buccesb before him when like thousands of the brilluut loung men of oui couutir
he entered the armj to fight m defense of his country At one time he was pihato
secretary to Lewis Ca&s His bod\ will be euihiimed and sent home ( iptiin I Inlei
comnilssarj his clissniite ind fellow townsnnu will con\e> his lemiins to his fiieiirts
ill Michigan
For more than two months after this battle the regiment lay most of the
time ill the trenches at Poplar Grove church. In December it accompanied
the corps on a raid to Bellefield, Virginia, on which about sixteen miles of
railroad was destroyed. It was in the trenches before Petersburg during
January, 1865, and on the 6th and 7th of February took part in the battle
of Dabney's Mills, losing heavily. It fought at Hatcher's Run, March 25 ; at
White Oak Road, March 29; at Quaker Road, March 31; at Five Forks,
April I ; at Amelia Court House, April 5, and at High Bridge, April 6. After
Lee's surrender it marched to Sutherland Station, where it remained stationed
during April, and early in May it marched to Washington, D. C, arriving
there on the 12th and taking part in the grand review of the Army of the
Potomac, May 23. It was encamped near Washington until the i6th of
June, when it moved under orders for Louisville, Kentucky, arriving there on
the 2ist. Thence it moved across the river to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and
was there mustered out of service July 8. The men and officers left on the
10th for Michigan, and on the 12th arrived at Jackson, where on the 25th of
July, 1865. they received their pay and were disbanded.
At the battle of Fredericksburg, after fighting all day and part of the
night, a Michigan regiment lay down on their arms and were soon asleep.
dbyGoot^lc
-{14 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Their ainmunition wagon coming up late, the mules, hungry and thirsty, being
halted near the sleeping place of the colonel, gave several of their peculiar
howls, which suddenly awoke the colonei, who, much provoked at being thus
so unceremoniously disturbed, and in his bewildered condition thinking that
the noise was made by the musicians of the regiment at band practice, called
to the adjutant, saying, "Put these devilish buglers under arrest and send
them to the rear; they will jeopardize the safety of the whole army."
John Steele, a private in Company K, Sixteenth Michigan, having his
right arm shot off at Middleburg, Captain Hill said to him a few minutes
after; "John, you cannot carry a musket any more." John replied with
tears in his eyes: "\o, Captain, but I can carry the colors, can't I?"
While the Sixteenth Michigan was engaged at Cold Harbor, a Maryland
regiment broke while under fire, and when falling back was checked and held
by the Sixteenth. The colonel of the regiment struggled to rally it, but with-
out success, when he hurriedly advanced to Colonel Partridge and, with tears
streaming down his manly face, exclaimed: "Colonel, would to God that T
commanded a Michigan regiment!" He had hardly said these words when
a rifle bullet passed through his body, killing him instantly.
The following anecdote is told with all due respect to tiie cause therein
alluded to, and also for the colonei and chaplain referred to, and is only
recited as an extreme example of how tenacious and jealous commanders of
regiments become of the standing of their commands.
One of the Michigan regiments in the Army of the Potomac was brigaded
with a Pennsylvania regiment, into which their chaplain had infused consider-
able of religious feeling. Several had been baptized; this feeling also pre-
vailed to some extent in other regiments of the brigade, but had not taken
effect in the Michigan regiment. The chaplain referred to, having the wel-
fare of the Michigan regiment at heart, conceived the idea of calling on the
colonel, a soldier from his youth and every inch a man, gruff but brave, not
sudden and quick in quarrel, nor full of strange oaths, but bearded, like the
pard. and gaining reputation even in the cannon's mouth. Consequently the
chaplain waited upon him; calling at his tent and finding him, he stated that
several members of other regiments of the brigade had recently experienced
religion and in his own regiment he had baptized fifteen the previous day,
remarking also that he was very desirous of a like result in the Michigan
regiment, but unless the Colonel made some effort in that direction the regi-
ment would be left behind in the matter. Tlie colonel, a little nettled at what
he considered over-zeal of the chaplain, and especially at the idea of having
his regiment suspected even of being slow or behind in any respect, started
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 415
to his feet, called the sergeant major, and hurriedly said: "Give my compli-
ments to the adjutant and direct him to dtlail immediately with orders to
report to the chaplain here, twenty men tor baptism: my regiment shall not
be beat in any way by any regiment in the brigade." The chaplain gave him
one serious look and left quickly.
Col. Thoiwis H. W. Stockton, Flint; Aug. 22, 1801; res. Miiy IS, 1863.
Surgeon ISitJic VVIxoiu. Argentine; Aug, 10, 1801.
Qr.-JIast,-Sergt. Henry H. Ajiliii, Flint; i)ro. to 2d lieut., July 7, 1S;(>5; iiiiist. iiui
iis sergt.
< iiiiti ly t
( lit 111 mi^ < I 11 I lint J ll^ 31 IMl lillel in I til t 1 1 hs M II \
June ll IMiJ
< Lljt Inlni? M Bel iLti lilt InUK 1S(4 li ill i sdi t 1 dis I il f\ M\
li lS(j
Iliwt lient ■Wmei s \ \> li Unit J ih 1 IH 1 j] ,1 iit mist t f
seriite Sent 7 1804
Inat I ieut Itiiuaolili W Iliiisoni 11 it \n- I 1^ 1 I ill 1 1 I ttl^ t liill
Run \« \iv ^ IbW o H 2d lieut fi m Jn]\ 1 isn t \. 1 1 IM 1
Second I ieut /\\n\ B rnilijini Hint \iv ->" 1^'- ti iiih to Li I.
becoud lieut Menzo Sn iit [lushing \prll 27 1>563 woundeil In sitti u t IlI
(ptornoy ^ I June 1 1Mj4 pio to lat lieut 4«g i 1S04 must out Jia -<1 I t t
eul cf serU e &ei t 2b T-n
feergt IiiuiE M Bekhei- Hint 110 to com seigt Sept 22 1S61
fceigt Hiiinson Wi j Unit (liscli for distiblllfi died Dec 2 isoi
Con *iza M Mies (seigt ) dlBcIi foi wounds Sept 1 \'**i2
Aluslclm Henrv Dails Hint dlach Oct 25 1862
TV gjnei Thoiuia Belden llhit (conn must out July <* 1S6j
rilvttes — ■\lerritt iien dlsch br oi-der \iig 12 1S03 J tuies iipleliee diseh
to re-eul as Tetenin liec 21 1%3 Nitliimel N Anderson dieil Mircli 31 IRi^'i Pd
wild Bi^ died in Plidi delpliia Ta Noi 2S lSt2 of wounds lecehed in action
Irtnaid Button disiU. for disalilliti Oct 1 1%2 Edwin Barlow dlach for disiblllti
\o\ IS 1S<2 Wllllfiui Bare disch Sept 7 I'^m Bdwaid C Biigg dlscb Patrick
Bradlej- died of disease at Litv Point \a Seiit 16 1R64 Belibeu Bradlab must
out Julj s 1K05 Jobu S Cnpp must out Juh '^ 1865 BmC Cuher dtscU for dis-
ibll!t\ Not 13 18152 JoLu Conquest discb (01 wounds ^ot 2S 1S62 Augustus
Chiipel dlscb May ** 1MJ2 James Crawford died of wounds at rhiladelpbiii Pi
June 4 1864 Hiram G Dulling died of wounds it Nen Ijrl Haiboi Sept 1«G4
Hi De^re dlscb for disability No* 13 lSb2 llbeit Donn died of disease in bos
rltal Pdwaid Da\ia discb to re-enl as leterim Dec 24 V*k>^ Dennis Falb^ dLscb
b> ordei of auigeon teb 2 1S02 Sniitb Forsyth dlscb foi disability Feb 2^5 1862
^Siinfiid Guthile died of wounds at Washington D C Moi 20 1864 Richard C
(Jover dlscb bv order Mnv IS IWtS Jinies Hempsted leteian must out July 8
1S65 Geoifce « Hilton rtlsch foi dl8abillt\ Apill 6 ISW George Handy died In
action at Spottsi lyonla ^a Mai S 1804 Roswell Hlltfu dlsih for disability Noy
n asr2 Arthui M Hodget. leteum absent on furlough not must out with com
innv Orrin Tobnaon dlscb for diaabillfi Mi-^ 20 1862 Charles Knappa disch to
reenl as letpnn D« 24 IM). Ceoige Moban disih tj re-enl as letcr ti Dec 24
dbyGoot^lc
4l6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ia()!i. Jiimes McKep, disch. to i-e-enl. ;is leternn, Dei-. 24, 1W)3, Andrew J. Mcnowell.
diacL. for disiiblltty, June 17. It«62. Albert B Mi-Clellan. disch. for dls-iblllty, April 21,
18(12. Charles Martin, died of wounds iit Gettysburg. Pa., July 21. 1863. George W.
Monroe, died of disease in bosiiital. Kussell C. Moon, disclinrged. Elislia Moses, discli.
April 1, 18(i3. Oliarles Marion, disch. Feb. 20, 1S63. Milton C. Miller, died in action
at Spottaylvauin, Va., May 8, 1864. Patriclt Murphy, must, out July 8. 1865. Ellas
Palmer, disci, for disability. Feb. 25, lbe2. Phllandei- Payne, disch. Sept. 7, 1864.
Geraliom Palmer, died of disease at Gaines" Mill, Va.. June 11, 1862. Abrnm Parsons,
died of disease at Georgetown, D. C April 15. 1802. Ira Patterson, died of disease,
Aug., 1862. James Ricliards. died of disease at Annapolis, Md., Aug. 31, 1S62. James
Ripley, disch. for disability, Feb. 24. 1S61. Charles H. Itoot, disch. for disiibiilty.
John Shout, disch. for disability, Feb. 24, 1S03. Charles Stariis. died of disease. Sept.,
1862. Samuel P. Smith, disoh. to re-eui. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1803. Nathan Small.
must, out July H, 1S65. James Shoiiks. discli. by order. May 24. 1865. George Turner.
disch. Dec. 20, 1&62. Garwood Tupper, must, out July 8, 1805. George Tower, disch,
for disability, Dec. 26, 1R62. Thomas Thompson, nmst. out July 8, 1865. Wtiiiam
Teachout, must, out July 8, 1865. Marlon Van Riper, disch. for disability. Harrison
Way, disch. for disability, Dec. 10. 1802. Daild S. Weaver, dlsi-h. for disability. April
1!), 1S02. Harry Wilder, disch. to re-enl. as \eteran. Adonirani A. Worth, died of dis
ease at Yorlitown, Va., May 1, 1862. Abram Way. died May 12. 1864, of wounds re-
ceived in action at Siiottsj-Ivanla. Va. Dewitt Williams. dl-«.-h. Sept. 7, 1864.
Other Companies.
E. Franli Eddy, Flint; 2d lieut., Co. G, Aug. 9, 1861; wounded in battle of Gaiiiea'
Mill, Va., June 27, 1802; pro. to 1st lleut., Co. G, Nov. 3, 1862; capt., Co. G, Aug. 11.
1803; pi-o. to iieut.-coI., 2!)th Mich. Inf., July 29, 1864.
T. Frank Powers, Feuton; sergt. Co. K; 2d lieut., Co. A, Nov. 3, 1802; 1st lieut.,
Co. B, June 21, 1864; capt.. Co. B, Aug. 3. 1864; must, out July 8, 1865.
Gilbert R, Chandler, Forest ; 2d lieut., Co. D, July 21, 1801 ; Ist lleut., Sept.. 1862 ;
capt., April, 1803 ; lost his left ami in action at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1802 ; was after-
wards in battles of Chancel lorsv Hie and Gettysburg; trans, to Vet. lies, Corps, Aug.
11, 1863 ; must, out of service, Oct. 10, 1867.
Irving M. Belcher, Flint; sergt.. Col C; 2d lleut., Co. B, Aug. 30, 1862; let lieut.,
Co. K., April 17, 1863; pro. to cnpt. Co. C.
Charles Veeder, Genesee; sergt.. Co. G; 1st lieut., Co. E; must, out July 8, 1SG5.
Ziba B. Graham, Flint; sergt., Co. C; 2d lieut.. Cos. C and G; 1st lieut, Co. 1,
Api-il 23, 1863 ; wounded at North Anna River, Va., May 23, 1864 ; must, out at end
of service, Sept. 7, 1804.
James L. Topping, Fenton, 2d lient, Co. I, Sept. 4. 1862 ; resigned March 23, 1863.
IJoyd G. Streevor, Flint; sergt.; pro. to 2d lieut.; must, out as sergt.
Patrick Murphj, Flint; sergt.; pro. to 2d lieut.; must, out as sergt.
Privates — Samuel Atherton, Argentine, Co. A; must, out July 8, 1805. William
Atberton, Argentine. Co. I; disch. from Vet. Res. Corps by order, July 10, 1865. Na-
thaniel Austin, Argentine, Co. K; disch. by order, May 30, 1865. Corp. John J. Bost-
wick, Co. K; died of disease near Falmouth, Va.. Nov. 26, 1863. Nathan Barton, Ar-
gentine, C«. I; died at Laurel Hill, Va., May 10, 1864. George S. Bailey, Fenton, .
Co. D ; died of disease at City Point. Va.. July 28. 1864. Samuel D. Bostwicb, Argen-
tine, Co. K ; died of disease, Dec. 8. 1802. James Brady, Areentine, Co. A ; must, out
July 8, 1865. George W. Chase, Argentine, Co. A; must, out July 8. 1865. Jacob A.
Clark, Argentine, Co. A; disch. for disability, Dec. 16. 1803. Lewis Case, veteran, Ar-
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 417
gentiue, Co, A ; must, out July 8, 1865. Jacob W. Craw, Argentine, Co. 1 ; died of dis-
ease, Nov. 25, 1864. John Coles, Argentine, Co. I ; disch. by order, May 30, 1865.
Deimls Falbey, Flushing, Co. G ; disch. at end of service, Nov. 21, 18G3. Lambert Pos-
ter, Qaiues, Co. B; luuat, out July 8, 1865. George Gamer, Penton, Co. B; must, out
Juiy 8, 1865. Edgar G. HIclts, Argentine, Co. I ; discb. Jan. 15, 1863. Tbomas Hopkius,
Jr., Argentine, Co. I; discb. March 5, 1863. Joseph H. Hough, Flint; Co. B; discli.
by order, July 0, 1865. David Hubbard, Montrose, Co. H ; dIsch, by order, June 13, 1865.
William Hardlck, Argentine, Co. I; dlsch. by order, May 30, 1865. William E. Jacobs,
Flushing, Co. K; dlsch. March 22, 1863. John Knight, Flint, Co. G; diach. March 17,
1863. Steiihen M. Kent (corp., sergt.), Co. K; disch. to re-enllst as veteran, Dec. 23,
1863. Albert L. Metz, Argentine, Co. I; diach. by order. May 30, 1865. James A. Mc-
Knlght, Argentine. Ca I; dlsch. for promotion, Dec. S, 1863. George W. Noyes, Penton,
Co. D; disch. for disiibllity. Elin Starks. Argentine. Co. I; died of disease in hospital.
April 18, 1863, Theodore Stemhardt, Flint, Co. G; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Sept 30,
1863. Alfred Starks, Argentine. Co. I ; dlsch. by order. May 30, 1865. George Seymour,
Argentine, Co. N; dlsch. by order, May 30, 1865. William Tillman, Argentine, Co. I;
dlsch. Feb. it, 1863. Philo Wliite, Argentine, Co. K; discb. by order. May 29, 1865.
Ethan H. Wright, Mt. Morris, Co. K ; disch. by order, July 10, 1865.
TWENTY-TIIIRD INFANTRY.
The Twenty-third Regiment, which was raised and organized in. the
summer of 1862 under the President's call for volunteers issued July 2,
immediately after the dose of the Seven Days' battles on the Virginia penin-
sula, was rendezvoused at East Saginaw, under D. H, Jerome as commandant
of the camp of instruction and organization. It was composed of volunteers
from the sixth congressional district, and contained two companies raised in
Genesee, as well as a considerable number of men from the county serving in
several of its other companies.
The Genesee companies, while recruiting and until the organization of
the regiment was completed, were known as the "Thomson Light Guard," in
honor of Col. E. H. Thomson, and the "Wolverine Guard." The former was
recruited to more than the maximum strength by Capt. Charles E. McAlester
and Lieutenant Stewart in about three weeks' time, and the latter, recruited
princii>ally by the Rev. J. S. Smart, filled its ranks in about two weeks from
the beginning of enlistment. The Wolverine Cilisen of August 9, 1S62,
mentioned that "Colonel Thomson and the Rev. J. S. Smart are addressing
the people at different places in the county, to raise the quota of Genesee for
the Twenty-third Regiment," and about the same time a Flint correspondent
of the Detroit Free Press said, "The Rev. J. S. Smart, presiding elder of this
district, lately felt it his duty to go to the wars, so he told his family and
friends to 'stand clear,' for he was going that way. He immediatelv started a
(27)
dbyGoc^lc
4l8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
recruiting office, and the fact soon spreading through the city and county, in
four days afterwards the elder had a full company of one hundred men on
his rolls. He then posted off to Detroit, got his commission as captain, and is
now here, organizing and straightening out matters preparatory to leaving
for the camp of the Twenty-third at Saginaw. The new captain is very
popular and could have had another hundred men if he had been authorized
to accept them, lie is now called here the 'Fighting Parson.' " This corre-
spondent was decidediy in error as to the time in which the company's ranks
were filled and other portions of his communication were too highly colored;
but it was not an exaggeration as to the height of the patriotic enthusiasm
which then existed among the people of the county in regard to the furnish-
ing of their full quota and the promotion of enlistments, particularly in the
companies that were to join the Twenty-third Regiment.
The two Genesee comi>anies left Flint early in August and proceeded to
the rendezvous at East Saginaw, where on the 30th of that month they were
reported respectively as one hundred and nine and one hundred and twelve
strong, the former number representing the strength of Captain McAlester's
company. The Rev. Mr. Smart, after seeing his company filled, retired from
it and accepted the chaplaincy of the regiment. The command of the com-
pany then devolved on Capt. Damon Stewart, previously first lieutenant and
adjutant of the regiment, and still earlier a non-commissioned officer in the
Second Michigan Infantry, serving with that regiment in the campaign of
the Peninsula.
In the organization of the regiment, the "Thomson Light Guard" was
designated as C Company, under the following commissioned officers : Cap-
tain, Charles E. McAlester ; first lieutenant, George W. Buckingham ; sec-
ond lieutenant, William C. Stewart; the "Wolverine Guard" was designated
as K Company, its commissioned officers being; Captain, Damon Stewart;
first lieutenant, Samuel C. Randall; second lieutenant, John Rea.
The field-officers of the Twenty-third at its organization were: Marshall
W. Chapin, colonel; Gilbert E. Pratt, lieutenant-colonel; Benjamin F. Fisher,
major; dating from August 23, 1862. The regiment, nine hundred and
eighty-three strong, was mustered into the service of the United States at
the rendezvous on the nth and 12th of September, and it being understood
that the command would be immediately ordered to the front, preparations
for the movement were at once commenced.
On the 16th of September orders were issued for Company C, H and
K to take up their line of march for Detroit, preparatory to departure for
the theatre of war. Pursuant to these orders they broke camp in the morn-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 419
ing of the 17th and were transported on the cars of the Flint & Pere Mar-
quette railway to Mt. Morris, which was then the southern terminus of the
road; thence were moved across the country by way of Fhnt to the Detroit &
Milwaukee railroad over which they proceeded by train to their destination.
At Flint a bountiful repast had been provided for them and they were
received by the citizens with great enthusiasm — the more so, no doubt,
because this first detachment included the two Glenesee companies, and
for the same reason the adieux which were waved to them here and every-
where in their passage through the county were the more sad and tearful.
The memory of that occasion was long fresh and vivid in the minds of sur-
viving soldiers and relatives and friends of those who never returned. "Tlie_
incidents of that first movement," wrote an officer of the regiment, "were
no doubt similar to those of the remaining companies over the same route —
flat cars, rain, sunshine, tears, smiles, feasting at Flint, transportation by
variety of vehicles, hilarity, airs, boisterous mirth, and much good cheer."
On the following day the remaining companies left the rendezvous and.
moved by the same route to Detroit, where they arrived in the evening and
were hospitably entertained by the patriotic citizens. With but little delay
the ten companies were embarked on steamers, which landed them at Cleve-
land the next morning; the weather was rainy and dismal and the condition
of the men anything but comfortable. From Cleveland the regiment moved
by rail across the state of Ohio, to Cincinnati, where after a stop of some
hours it again proceeded by railroad and on Sunday morning, September 21,
reached Jeffersonville, Indiana, on the north bank of the Ohio river opposite
Louisville, Kentucky. In the afternoon of the same day the command moved
to "Camp Gilbert" near by, and that night for the first time, the tired men
of the Twentj'-third slept upon the soldier's bed— the bosom of mother earth.
At this time the Southern general, Buckner, was reported to be approach-
ing Louisville, and in consequence of the panic thus caused, many of the
people were crossing to the north side of the river. Large quantities of
government stores were also being transferred to the Indiana side, by order
of the general then in command at Louisville. The Twenty-third was placed
on duty, guarding the pubhc property and ferry landing at Jeffersonville,
and remained so employed for two days and nights, at the end of which
time it crossed the river and camped in the southwestern suburbs of Louis-
ville. Here the situation of the men was not the most comfortable and it
was made worse by their almost complete ignorance of the methods by which
veteran soldiers manage to force something like comfort out of the most
unfavorable surroundings. A few hours later they were ordered to move
dbyGoot^lc
420 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
to another camping-place, and while on their way tliither they passed a
brigade or division of the army of General Bueli, which had then just
entered the city after a fatiguing forced inarch from Nashville in pursuit of
the Southern army under General Bragg. As the Twenty-third marched
past the dusty and hat tie- scarred veterans of Shiloh, and Farmington
and luka, the latter indulged, as veterans are apt to do, in many a joke at
the expense of the fresh troops, few of whom had yet heard the whistle of
a hostile bullet. The officer before quoted says of this incident, "The con-
trast of their dirty, tattered and torn garments with our men was a matter
of much comment. We were surprised that they jeeringly hinted at our
jgreenness and inferiority which a few months' experience in marches and
on battle-fields would change. In time we learned that they had not been
mistaken in their estimate of our relative merits as soldiers,"
The camp to which the regiment was moved at this time will be well
recollected by those who occupied it as "the Brick-yard Camp," a dreary
and comfortless place where the command remained without tents or other
shelter until the afternoon of the 3rd of October, when the Thirty-eighth
Brigade, Army of the Ohio, composed of the One Hundred and Second
and One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth
and Twenty-third Michigan, all under command of General Dumont,
marched away from Louisville on the road to Shelbyviiie, Kentucky. The
weather was very hot, the road dusty, water almost impossible to obtain,
and the men, not having yet learned the meaning of "light marching order,"
were overloaded with the cumbrous outfits which they brought from home.
When late at night they halted on the bank of a muddy stream known as
Floyd's fork, the exhausted and footsore troops were glad enough to lie
down upon the ground, with no shelter but their blankets, and no thought but
that of rest from the fatigues of this their first severe march.
Late the next morning they arose stiff and sore in every joint and
soaked with the rain which was still falling. Coffee was made from the
muddy water of the stream, in which hundreds of mules were stamping and
wallowing. The rations were neither very good nor plentiful, but these
were on this occasion supplemented by supplies taken from a mansion which
stood near by, from which the occupants had fled on the approach of the
troops. The soldiers, impressed with the idea that all food, raiment and
other movables found in the enemy's country belonged to Uncle Sam's elect,
proceeded to ransack the premises, bringing off meat, meal, vegetables, sauce,
honey, jellies, preserves, and some pretty good stock for the stable — a por-
dbyGoot^lc
GENFSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 42I
tion of which we recognized the next spring grazing in the valley of the
Saginaw,"
Early in the day the rain ceased and the command moved out towards
Shelbyville, which was reached the same evening. The Twenty-third
encamped in the vicinity of the village. Here the brigade remained until
the morning of October 9, when it moved through the village and on towards
Frankfort, arriving in the neighborhood of that town the same night. The
advance guard of the force had already entered the city after a skirmish with
the cavalry of the enemy, who had succeeded in destroying the fine bridge
of the Lexington & Frankfort railroad, and had attempted the destruction
of the turnpike- bridge.
On the march from Louisville to Frankfort, large numbers of negroes
had fallen in with the column, some engaging as servants to the officers, but
more accompanying the force without any definite object; among the dusky
crowd were found "the names or lineal descendants of every prominent gen-
eral in the rebel army." A considerable number of Kentucky horses had also
"fallen in" on the line of march and were being ridden by officers and pri-
vates. But on arrival at Frankfort there came for these a host of claimants.
The day was one of reckoning for those in whose possession they were
found. "A court-martial was instituted, and held a protracted session at
Frankfort. It must have made sad havoc among the Wolverines but for the
fact that our fighting companion. Captain Walbridge, who rode the best
captured steed into the town on that eventful morning, October 10, was the
honored judge advocate of the court."
With the exception of an expedition in pursuit of the guerrilla chief,
John Morgan, the Twenty-third remained at Frankfort thirteen days. It was.
at this time under command of Major B. F. Fisher, the colonel being in
command of the brigade and Lieutenant-Colonel Pratt being absent. It was-
while the regiment lay at this place that the death occurred of Lieut. John
Earle, of E Company, on Sunday, October ig, 1862. His remains were
sent home to Michigan in charge of Sergeant Lyons. At about the same
time the regiment received the sad news of the death of Captain Norville,
of fever, at Saginaw City, October 3.
At a little past midnight in the morning of the day of Lieutenant
F.arle's death, the men of the Twenty-third were startled from their sleep
by the thrilling sound of the "long roll.'' At one o'clock a. m, they were
marching rapidly away in pursuit of the redoubtable Morgan, who was
reported to be at Lawrenceburg ; two companies of the regiment, however,
K and G, were left as a guard at Frankfort. The pursuing column was
dbyGoot^lc
422 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
almost as a matter of course too late to overtake the main body of Morgan's
force but succeeded in capturing a few men and horses belonging to his
rear guard. With these trophies, the command returned the same evening
to the camp at Frankfort, having marched twenty-six miles under the usual
disadvantages of choking dust and great scarcity of water.
The regiment took its final departure from Frankfort late in the after-
noon of the 2ist of October and encamped that night in an oak grove a
few miles down the road towards Lawrenceburg. On the following day it
passed through tliat town, and made its camp for the night at Big Spring,
some miles farther on. The weather had suddenly grown cold, and many
of the men suffered for need of the blankets which had been foolishly thrown
away as incumbrances in the heat and dust of previous marches. In the
morning of the 23rd the Kentucky hills and vales were white with hoar-
frost. The regiment was early in line ; during this day's march it passed
through Harrodsburg. Here the men were not permitted to make a free
exploration of the town, on account of their rather damaging record as
indiscriminate foragers. About noon of the 24th they passed through the
little village of Perryville in the outskirts of which the armies of Buell and
Bragg had fought the battle of Chaplain Hills sixteen days before. Many
of the Union and Confederate wounded from that engagement were still
in the village and in the farm-house hospitals of the vicinity. That night
the weary men of the Twenty-third made their bivouac on the banks of an
abundant and tolerably clear stream of water called the Rolling fork.
In the march of the following day, this stream was crossed and
re crossed many times in its meandering. Late in the day the regiment
reached the little half-burned village of Bradfordsville. The latter part of
the day's march had been made in a cold, drenching rain, which as night
fell turned to snow, and on the following morning, Sunday, October 26,
the arctic covering lay six inches deep over the ground. This was con-
sidered a remarkable event for that latitude and brought remembrances of
Northern homes to the minds of many whose eyes would never again look
upon the whitened expanse of the Michigan hills and valleys. During all
that Sabbath day the tired men enjoyed a season of rest and recreation
around their comfortable camp-fires. While they rested the snow disap-
peared, so that their march of the following day, while over bare roads,
was free from tormenting dust. In the evening of the 27th the brigade
arrived at Newmarket, Kentucky, where several commands of the rear guard
of Buell's army were found encamped; there the Twenty-third and its com-
panion regiment also went into camp and remained for eight days, engag-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 423
ing in recuperation, drills and the preparation of muster-rolls, to be used
upon a pay-day which all hoped might come in the near future.
On the 4th of November the brigade again moved forward, and on the
5th passed through Munfordsville, where a Union force of ten thousand
men lay encamped. On the 6th it reached Dripping Springs, where it
remained one day, and in the afternoon of the 8th arrived at Bowling Green,
Kentucky, a town which "had the appearance of having been visited by
pestilence, famine, and the besom of destruction," as was remarked by some
of the officers of the Twenty-third. "A large rebel force had wintered there,
and remained until driven otit by the Union forces under General Mitchell,
and they had made of the whole visible creation one common camping-
ground." This place was destined to be the home of the Twenty-third
Regiment for a period of more than six months. Its camp, which was
afterwards transformed into substantial and comfortable winter-quarters,
was pitched near the magnificent railroad-bridge crossing the Big Barren
river, and the guarding of this bridge formed a part of the duty of the
regiment during the winter of 1862-63; '^^ other duties were camp routine,
drill, picket, provost and railway gtiard, and the convoying of railroad trains
of stores over the road from Bowling Green to Nashville. While here, the
Twenty-third with its brigade formed part of the Tenth Division of the
Army of the Cumberland, and they were successively under command of
Generals Granger, Manson and Judah, as commandants of the post during
the six months that they remained here.
The period of the regiment's stay at Bowling Green was marked by
many notable events, some pleasant, some painful and others ludicrous.
Near the town was a pleasure-ground many acres in extent with a magnifi-
cent spring of clear cold water in its center. This seems to have been a
favorite resort for both citizens and soldiers and we are told that "here,
upon many a happy occasion, the beauty and the chivalry of Bowling Green,
and many Yankees, assembled to enjoy the scene of unequaled hilarity and
mirth." It was several times the case that snow fell to a sufficient depth
for sleighing and these opportunities for pleasure were improved to the
utmost. Private entertainments, too, were sometimes given by the citi-
zens, and "there were, in several instances strong indications of attach-
ments lx:tween some of the boys in blue and the fair damsels of Bowling
Green. * * * These were oases in the dreary Sahara of the war." On
the morning of the momentous ist of January, 1863, the artillery on College
Hill fired a salute, which was afterwards changed to target practice, and
during a part of the time of its continuance the camp of the Twenty-third
dbyGoot^lc
424 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan seems to have been the target, for several solid shots were thrown
into it, doing some damage to quarters and creating no little consternation.
This was the first time the regiment had been actually under fire.
On the 6th of April, 1863, occurred one of the most distressing events
in the experience of the regiment at Bowling Green. This was the sudden
death of fJeutenant-CoIonel Pratt. He had mounted a powerful and restive
horse, biit was scarcely seated in the saddle when the fiery animal plunged,
crushing and killing him instantly. He was a good and popular officer and
was sincerely mourned by the men and officers of the regiment.
When spring had fairly opened, it began to be rumored that the troops
occupying Bowling Green would soon be moved from there and enter active
service. The men of the Twenty-third Michigan did not regret this probabil-
ity of a change, for, although their experience had been in some respects
as pleasant as any which soldiers in time of war have a right to expect,
yet they had been terribly reduced in numbers by sickness while there and
it was believed that this evil would be aggravated by the coming of warm
weather. Besides, they had grown tired of the monotonous duty which they
were called on to perform and were, as soldiers almost always are, inclined
to wish for a change. About the 20th of May, orders were received to
make all preparations for a movement and to hold the commands in readiness
for the march; on the 29th of the same month the regiment broke camp
and moved with its brigade on the road to Glasgow, Ky., which point was
reached on the 30th. Here the Twenty-third remained until the 13th of
June, when it was ordered in pursuit of a force of guerrillas, said to be at
Randolph about twelve miles distant. Almost as a matter of course, nothing
resulted from this expedition, and the regiment returned to Glasgow on the
i6th after a most severe and exhausting march. On the 22nd it again moved
with Mason's brigade, to Scottsville; thence, on the 26th, to Tompkinsville ;
and, July 4, back to Glasgow. Here, however, it made little stay, but marched
out, now in full pursuit of John Morgan, to Munfordsville, reaching there
July 7, then to Elizabethtown and Louisville by rail, reaching the latter city
on the nth. Morgan was now reported across the Ohio river in Indiana.
The Twenty-third, as part of the command of General Judah, crossed to
New Albany, Indiana, but, making little stop there, proceeded to Jefferson-
ville and thence up the river by steamer to Madison, Indiana, reaching Cin-
cinnati in the evening of the 13th. From that city the fleet, on which was
the Twenty-third with the other regiments under command of General
Judah, passed up the river to Maysville, Concord and Portsmouth, Ohio;
at the latter place they remained until July 20, when they returned tO'Cin-
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 425
cinnati and disembarked the troops. From there the Twenty-third was
transported by railroad to Chilhcothe, and thence to Haniden Junction,
where it encami^ed for a few days. Within the camp-ground of the regi-
ment at this place there remained a rude rostrum, from which, on a previous
occasion, the notorious Vallandigham had set forth his pecuhar views to the
populace of southern Ohio. But now the same rostrum was occupied by
the chaplain of the Twenty-third, the Rev. J. S. Smart, who most elo-
quently "consecrated it to the cause of freedom, while the regiment made the
welkin ring with shouts for liberty and the Union."
There was no occasion to continue longer in the pursuit of Morgan, for
that daring leader and his band had already been destroyed or captured.
The regiment then returned to Cincinnati, crossed the Ohio to Covington,
and moved thence by rail to Paris, Kentucky, arriving- there on the 28th, just
in time to assist the small Union force stationed there in protecting the town
and an important railway bridge at that point against an attack by Pegram's
rebel cavalrj-. This affair occurred on the 29th, and in it. the first actual
engagement in which the Twenty-third took part, the conduct of the regi-
ment was most creditable. It .remained here until the 4th of August, when
it moved, by way of I-exington and Louisville, to Lebanon, Kentucky, and
thence to New Market, where it arrived on the 8th of August, and was
incorporated with the Second Brigade, Second Division, of the Twenty-third
Arm.y Corps, then organizing at that point.
On the i6th, marching orders were received, and on the 17th of August,
at two o'clock p. m.. the regiment, with its division, moved out and took up
the long and wearisome march for East Tennessee. The camp of that night
was only seven miles out from New Market, on Owl creek, where the com-
mand rested during all of the following day and night, but moved forward
again at daybreak in the morning of the 19th, and camped that night on
Green river. The march was resumed on the following morning, and two
days later, August 22, the regiment forded the Cumberland river and began
to ascend the foot-hills of the Cumberland mountains. In the evening of
the 25th it made its camp at Jamestown, the county seat of Fentress county,
Tennessee.
On the 30tli the command reached Montgomery. Tennessee, where were
Generals Burnside and Hartsufif, with the main body of the army, com-
manded by the former officer. In passing through this little settlement "an
enthusiastic old lady harangued the corps upon the glory of its mission, alter-
nately weeping and shouting, invoking the blessings of heaven upon the
dbyGoot^lc
426 GENF:SEE county, MICHIGAN.
troops, and pouring out volleys of anathemas upon the enemies of the
country."
On the ist of September the men of the Twenty-third had passed the
gorges of the mountains, descended their southeastern slope to the valley of
the Tennessee, and camped late at night on the right bank of the Clinch
river, a tributary of the larger stream. Fording the Clinch in the forenoon
of the 2nd of September, the corps marched forward and passed Kingston,
a considerable town of East Tennessee, near which the waters of the Clinch
join those of the Holston and form the Tennessee river. The camp of the
Twenty-third was pitched for the night about two miles beyond Kingston.
At five o'clock in the morning of the 3rd the troops were in line ready
for the march, and then, for eight long, weary hours, the Twenty-third
Michigan and its companion regiments of the brigade waited for the order
to move. At nine o'clock in the forenoon the brigade was formed in square
four lines deep, and while standing in that formation was addressed by its
commander. General White, who read a dispatch just received from General
Bumside, announcing the capture of Knoxviile by the Union forces. General
White then congratulated his command, and called on Colonel Chapin, of the
Twenty-third, for a speech. The Colonel responded in an address which,
being brief and comprehensive, is given here entire. He said, "Boys, the
general calls on me to make a speech. You know that I am not much of a
speaker, and all I have to say is, that you've done d d well ! Keep on
doing so!"
Long and loud acclamations greeted this vigorous harangue; then the
brigade resumed its previous formation, and after another tedious delay,
moved out on the road to Loudon, which was reached early in the afternoon
of Friday, September 4. The enemy had hastily evacuated all the strong
works which they had built at this place, but had succeeded in destroying
the great and important railroad bridge across the river. Here the brigade
remained for about ten days.
During the latter part of the march across the mountain, supplies had
become so much reduced that rations of corn in the ear were issued to some
of the troops, and after their arrival at Loudon this situation of affairs was
but little improved until Tuesday, the 8th of September, when the first rail-
road train reached the town from Knoxviile and was hailed with wild
delight by the weary and hungry soldiers. Before this, however, their neces-
sities had been partially relieved by repairing and putting in running order
a grist-mill which the enemy had dismantled before his evacuation. The
dbyGoot^lc
GENFISEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 427
advance of the wagon-trains also came up at about the same time that the
railroad was opened for use.
At two o'clock in the morning of September 15, the men of the Twenty-
third were roused from their slumbers to prepare for a march; one hour later
they were moving on the road to' Knoxville, twenty-eight miles distant. This
march was performed with all possible speed, and late in the afternoon the
regiment bivouacked within a short distance of that city. The next morning
it entered tl:e city, but soon after proceeded by rail to Morristown, a distance
of about forty miles. Only a short stay was made here, and on the 19th it
returned to Knoxville and went into camp at the railroad depot. The next
day was the Sabbath and here, for the first time in months, the ears of the
men were greeted by the sound of church bells. They passed the day in rest
and quiet, little dreaming of the furious battle that was then raging, away to
the southward, upon the field of Chickamauga, or of the rout and di,saster to
the Union arms which that day's sunset was to witness.
At four o'clock Monday morning the brigade took the road towards
Loudon and arrived there the same night. Here the Twenty-third occupied
a pleasant and elevated camp in a chestnut grove, and remained stationed at
Loudon for about five weeks, engaged in picket duty and scouting, and dur-
ing the latter part of the time frequently ordered into line of battle, continu-
ally harassed by reports of the near approach of the enemy under Longstreet,
who had been detached from the army of Bragg in Georgia, and was press-
ing northward with a heavy force towards Knoxville.
This advance of Longstreet decided General Burnside to retire his forces
from Loudon and on the 28th of October the place was evacuated; the
Twenty-third Michigan was the last raiment to cross the pontoon- bridge,
which was then immediately swung to the shore, the boats being loaded upon
cars and sent to Knoxville. All this being accomplished, the army moved to
Lenoir, Tennessee, and camped beyond the town; the line of encampment
extended many miles. The same night the camp-fires of the enemy blazed
upon the hills of Loudon, which the Union forces had just evacuated.
At the new camp on the Lenoir road the Twenty-third Regiment remained
until the 14th of November, when it moved with the army back in the direc-
tion of Hough's Ferry, where a sharp engagement ensued, and the enemy
was driven se\'eral miles southward. The anny returned to Lenoir on the
1 15th, and on the following day commenced its retreat to Knoxville, having
destroyed its transportation and camp equipage and turned all the teams over
to the several batteries, .^.t Campbell's Station the enemy came up and
attacked repeatedly and with great energy; these attacks were successfully
dbyGoot^lc
428 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
repelled, but the retreat was continued with ail practicable speed to Knoxville,
where the Twenty-third arrived at four a. ni. on the 17th, after a march of
twenly-eight miles without rest or food, and having fought for five hours,
losing thirty-one killed and wounded and eight missing.
This engagement is described by a correspondent in the Louisville
Journal as follows :
One brigiide of the Ninth Corps was iii advance, the Second Brigade of the Second
Diviaiou, Twenty-third Corps, lu the center, and one brigade of the Ninth Corps as rear
guaM. The siiiruilshing was begun by the Ninth Corps, forming in rear of General
White's couiaiund, which formed in line to protect the stock, etc., as It possed to the
re-.ir, and to cover the retreat of the Ninth Corps, which was the rear guard and was
to file past. Again was the Second Brigade in position where It must receive the shock
of Imttle and must sustain, more or less, the honors already won. The arrangements
lor hiittle liad hardly been completed before the cavalry came in from the front, fol-
lowed by the infantry of the Ninth Corps, and tivo heavy lines of the enemy emerged
from the woods thi'ce- quarters of a mile in front. Each line consisted of a division
and were dressed almost wholly in the United States uniform, which at fli'St deceived
us. Their first Hue advanced to within eight hundred yards of General White's front
before that officer gave the order to hre. Heushaw's and the Twenty-foui'th ludlana
batteries thou opened on them with aheil, but they moved steadily forward, closius
up as their lines would be bi'oken by this teiTible fire, uuti! within three hundred and
iifty yards of our main line, when the batteries mentioned opened on theiu with can-
ister, and four batteries iu the rear and right and left of General White opened on
their reiir line with shell. This was more than they could stand. Their front line
bi'oke and ran bacli some distance, where they reformed and deployed right and left
and engaged the Thirteenth Kentucky and Twenty-third Michigan on the right and
the Eleventh Ohio and One Hundred and Seventh Illinois on the left, which were sup-
porled by General Ferrero's command of the Ninth Corps. This unequal contest went
on for an hour and a half. The only advantage over them so far was In artillery,
they not having any in position yet. It seemed to be their object to criish the inferior
force opiwsing them with their heary force of infantry. The men were too stubborn;
they would not yield an inch, but frequently drove the rebels from their [losltlon and
held their ground. Finding they could not move them with the force alreadj emiilojed,
the rebels moved forward another line of Infantry, heavy as either of the first two,
and placed In position three battei'les. Their guns were heavier and of longer range
than those of the Second Brigade, and were situated to command General White's posi-
tion, while his guns could not answer their Are. They got the range of these guns
at once and killed and wounded seierat gunners and disabled several horses, when
General White ordered them back to the position occupied by those in the rear, the
infantry holding the position covei-ed by the artillery on the hill. An artillery fight
then began which continued nearly two hours till It was growing dark :md the order
was given for our troops to fall back to resume the march to Knoxville
'■Their bugles sang truce, for the night cloud had lowered.
And the sentinel stars set their watch In the sky;
And thousands had sunk on the ground overpowered.
The weary to sleep and the wounded to die."
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 429
ilie uiiu'ioeme t ff llie tiwpa s llie* iiioica frDui the held of bittle was a pi tuie
)f skiJl inU tenwiiship Ibp Muth Coips uio*ei iff Hist levoUing the duty of pro
tetting the rear uioa the trooi)8 of General White fhev weie hotlj 1 ursued bv the
eneuiv nho hoped t( bieak the letieit iuto a rout but not a man quickened his pace
and their lines dressed us wben matching lu reilew awe evidence of the utter dis
legaid ff peisonal aafetv to sine the honor of three Atxyt fighting and toll The
enemj mide use of e\ei-\ adiautage he thought he could gflln but nrt i nio^e did he
mate that estiped the quick gtaiiie of dltlsloa or brigade commandei who would fate
abciit or ohinge his front as the owasion required delherliig a few lolle^s 'w well
dlieitetl as t> check and drl^e bad the enemy utterij di* omfited Tor two miles this
mint rr game was pla\e<l with such success bv the Sectnd Brigade as to cinse the
lebel chief to draw off ilrttnllv icltiic * ledgln^ himself checlimited at the game he
begnii and seemed nnxious to plaj
lliis retieit mer that Held was a sight so graud and beautiful m its ininafee
ment that It attucted the ttentlon of eier\ ofBcei and man who could lea\e his
command to nitness it The heights in fiont and on the le-ir were filled with pers n&
of high and low rant, almost grown boisterous with pleasurable excitement as eJ h
mfie it ti ^is of Genei il White showed them the discomfited enem> falling back to
asaiime a new ofCenshe movement and to meet the sime fate a* before General
Burii'iide who nltnessed its mam genient r'fnounced it a masterl\ effirt against su h
numbers
Mght ccmlne n the enemi fciowhig less troullesome C lonel Chapin commtndiug
the brigade nho hid been unwell for a number of la^s but had refused to leive the
field while the enemi was In front was now suffering tw that he was oidered to quit
liis post and the command de^oUed upon Col W C Hobson of the Ihiiteenth Ken
tuckv who led the men from the held and condu ted the retreat to Knoxiilie
Of Colonel Cliapln. commanding the Se end Brigade I need not idl to ivhit I
hare said His excellent manigement of the troops uimn three fields and hi* person!
braieiv haie attiched him to his men as few commander& are attached His stafl!
C ptains (, llui nl Shell n and I leuten nt le rsi n are nirth\ f lioners f tlieti
1 1 lie ieadei
Then followed the memorable siege of Knoxviile, which continued until
the sth of December, when the enemy retreated. In the operations of this
siege the regiment took active and creditable part, and on the withdrawal of
the forces of Longstreet it joined in the pursuit, though no important results
were secured. The enemy having passed beyond reach, the regiment camped
at Blain's Cross-Roads, December 13, and remained until the 25th, when it
was moved to Strawberry Plains, From the commencement of the retreat
to Knoxviile until its arrival at the Plains the situation and condition of the
regiment had been deplorable, for many of its men had been without blankets,
shoes or overcoats, and in this condition, being almost entirely without tents,
thev had been compelled to sleep in unsheltered bivouac in the storms and
coid of the inclement season; at the same time to subsist on quarter-rations
of meal, eked out by such meager supplies as could be foraged from the
country. I'he command remained at Strawberry Plains about four weeks.
dbyGoot^lc
430 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
engaged upon the construction of fortifications, and on the 21st of January,
1864, marched to the vicinity of Knoxville where it was employed in picket
and outpost duty until the middle of February. During that time it had
three quite sharp affairs with the enemy's cavalry, January 14, 22 and 27, in
the la&t of which seven men were taken prisoners and one mortally wounded.
From this time until the opening of the spring campaign it was chiefly engaged
in scouting, picket and outpost duty, in which it was moved to several differ-
ent points ; among these were Strawberry Plains, New Market, Mossy Creek,
MorrJstown and Charleston, Tennessee, at which last-named place it was
stationed on the ist of May, 1864.
The Atlanta campaign of General Sherman was now about to open, and
the Twenty-third Michigan being destined to take part in it, the regiment
left Charleston on the 2d of May and took the road to Georgia. Passing
down the valley of the Tennessee and thence up Chickamanga creek, it reached
the vicinity of Tunnel Hill on the 7th and confronted the enemy at Rocky-
Face Ridge, Georgia, on the 8th of May, opening the fight on that day by
advancing in skirmish line and taking possession of a commanding crest in
front of the hostile works. In the advance from Rocky-Face, the regiment
with its brigade passed through Snake Creek Gap, arrived in front of Resaca
on the 13th, and on the following day took part in the assault on the enemy's
strong works at that place. The result of this attack was a repulse of the
attacking column and a loss to the Twenty-third of sixty-two in killed and
wounded; all of this was incurred in a few minutes of desperate fighting.
The enemy, though successful in repelling the assault, evacuated his position
at Resaca and moved to the Etowah river where his rear guard was overtaken
and slightly engaged by the Union pursuing force of which the Twenty-third
Michigan formed a part. F'rom this point the regiment moved on to Dallas
and took a position in front of the rebel works at that place, where it remained
from the 27th of May until the ist of June; during this time it was almost
constantly engaged day and night in skirmishing with the advanced lines of
the enemy. Again the rebel forces evacuated their strong position and moved
south towards Atlanta, the Union troops pressing on in close and constant
pursuit; in this service the Twenty-third Regiment participated and took part
in the engagements at Lost Mountain, Georgia, Kenesaw Mountain and
Chattahoochee river, and later fought in front of Atlanta until the capitula-
tion of that stronghold. On the ist of October it was at Decatur, Georgia,
and on the 3d of that month it moved from there, northward, in pursuit of
the rebel General Hood, who was then marching towards Nashville.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 43I
While engaged in this service the Twenty-third marched with its division
(it was then in the Second Brigade, Second Division of the Twenty-third
Army Corps) to Marietta, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Allatoona, Carters-
ville, Kingston, and Rome, Georgia, and from the last-named place, through
Snake Creek Gap, to Villanon, Summersville, Tennessee, and Cedar Bluff,-
Alabama, and thence back to Rome. There it remained a short time, and
early in November again moved through Alabama into Tennessee, and was
stationed at Johnsonville, employed in garrison duty and the construction of
defensive works until the 24th. It was then moved by rail to Columbia,
Tennessee, where it arrived on the 25th, while a heavy skirmish, amounting
to almost a general engagement, was in progress near that place between the
armies of Thomas and Hood. A part of the regiment was immediately
advanced upon the skirmish line, while the remainder of the command went
into position. At midnight it was withdrawn and ordered to the line of Duck
river, where it lay on the south side of the stream, throwing up defenses and
frequently skirmishing with the enemy. It was constantly on duty day and
night until near daylight in the morning of the 28th, when it retired across the
river to the north bank, where it held position, and keeping up an almost con-
tinual skirmish with Hood's advance till noon of the 29th, falling back with
the army to the vicinity of Spring Hill, Tennessee, about ten miles north of
Duck river. Here, at about dark on the same day, the enemy was found in
force occupying the road. An attack was made, and after a short fight the
Confederates were driven from their position. The Union forces then
resumed the march to Franklin, Tennessee, and arriving there in the morn-
ing of the 30th, immediately took position and commenced throwing up tem-
porary defenses. At four o'clock p. m. the enemy attacked in four strong
lines and with great desperation, but was repulsed with heavy loss. The
attack was several times renewed, but unsuccessfully until about ten p. m.,
when a still more furious assault was made by the enemy, who succeeded in
planting his colors on the works in front of the Twenty-third Regiment, but
was again forced back after a hand-to-hand fight. At eleven p. m. the regi-
ment with the other Union troops withdrew, and crossing the river moved on
the road to Nashville, arriving there at two p. m. on December i, having
marched fifty miles in forty-eight hours, six hours of which had been passed
under fire in the desperate battle of Franklin. During the week which had
elapsed since the arrival of the Twenty-third at Columbia the men had sufifered
severely from scarcity of provisions, and in the last two days of the move-
ment had subsisted on less than quarter-rations.
dbyGoot^lc
432 GENESEE COXTNTY, MICHIGAN.
The regiment lay witliin the works at Nashville for two weeks, :uid then
in the morning of the 15th of December it moved out with its division and
the other commands under General Thomas to attack the Confederate army
which had in the meantime concentrated in their front just south of Nash-
ville. In the great battles of the 15th and i6th of December, which resulted
in the defeat and complete rout of Hood's army, the Twenty-third took an
active part. "On the 15th, while the regiment was making a charge on a
position occupied by a portion of the enemy behind a stone wall, its flag-staff
was shot in two and the color-sergeant severely wounded, but before the
colors fell to the ground they were grasped by the corporal of the color-guard
and gallantly carried to the front,. On the 17th the pursuit of the enemy
commenced and during the first three days of the march the rain fell in tor-
rents, the mud being fully six inches deep, which, with the swollen streams,
rendered progress extremely difficult and tedious. The pursuit was continued
until Columbia was reached, where a halt was made and the movement ended."
The following is from a correspondent :
\tu lie loug since poeted ou oui" glorious battles of tlic Ijtli jind Ifatli of Decern
ber before NashUlle Tlieie is mucli to nilte it seems that the woiJd can neiei
know MIcliignn sliould knon moie tbati tUe mere telegrapliEc reports if the part whlcb
her braie soldieis ticted file Twenty thiid and Iwent^ fiftii are in tbe Iwentytiiird
Arm> Coips rile luorulng uf the loth was nann and the eniUi fortunatelj for our
movement, ivas coiered with n den»<e fofe SteedniJii loinmaiids The Fourth and
sixteenth Corps passed deSintlj n\er then works and umed forward to confront the
eaem\ hi his works vhUe the Tweutj third Corps luoted far to our tight passing
between oui foi tlfications and the city und passing out foimed in four lines upon
the e\tieuie light of our line of infantiv We then hegJii our usual movement in
battle during the whole Geoifela campaign swinging around to our left as we uio\ed
forwatd and pie'islng haid upon the enemj s right This we continued until tur bnt
teries leached the deslied po<)ltion One bv one thev opened until the whole eaith
seemed to tremble the enemy responding as is written feebly The results of these
feeble efforts leaiiied our Hues, cduaing ua to hug the etrth tloselj but with uupleisjut
sounds passing ua and feeling proud of the general commanding who had so deHunth
pushed so much heiiy ordnance into the len fat.e of tliat boasting braggait Hood
Hooker before Ivenesuw had caused our heaits to swell under the suhlime thunder
tones of hii artillery but Thomas before Nishillie ha\lng facilities for multiple ing
the notes struck them boldly and reached such of those e\plosi\e mines of feeling
and emotion is seldom burst upon one la this world While Steedmm on our left
md the lourth Corps on h)s right and the sixteenth Corpn weie charging upon and
taking succeasUe lines of the enemi our nips again moied bj the flank neirlj thiee
miles to OUI right and fiont our whole line haiiug pushed the enemy back lu wheeling
movement around and upon his right flank where were built his strongest fortidcations,
and wheie he made his mo«t stubborn resistance that dav We reached again the
extreme right of our infantry lines 4 J ismitb s force had just taken a high hill
and a batterv frtm the enemi Behind this hill our Lor| =« formed and inoimg over
it near its base upon the opposite side where runs the Harrodsbuig pike passed
through the resting lines tf the Sixteenth Corps relieving them and presaed on through
a wood to the open flelds of the \ alley Here the balls from the skirmiab line began
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 433
to fly around otir heads and sliells from u battery uiiou tile next emliieace half a mile
to our rlglit sbrieked over and tore U[) the ground before us. Down through the fields,
over fences, pust a mauHlon but a few uiomeiits sint-e the headquarters of a rebel
genei'al, and over the flelds and hills we ran. As our regiment climbed to the brow of
a slight elevation we dislodged the enemy fiom a stone wall, losing a standurd-bearei'
and several sergeants of Company I wounded, but escaping wonderfully, b.v the favor-
able lay of the ground, that shower of lead. We cast a glance toward the high point
from whlcU burst forth tlie smoke fr<nn the enemy's batteries. A regiment in advance
of all others had climbed to within a hundred yards of tlie battery. A horseman had
taken its Star-Spaugled Banner and rode forward to the very mouth of the cannon,
then turned around and waved It to his valiant followeri. I need not attempt to
describe the shout of itiide, of triumph and of Joy that went up from our corps. The
hill and battery were ours. The major who bore our beautiful banner there was JIajor
Dunn, of the Third Tennessee Infantry, f ntil that himr we had known but little of
the niaeniflcpnr'p of thnt
'Tlai; of the flee heiit's hoiie and home,
Uy angel hands to vnlor given.
Whose stars Jmie lit the wetkln dome.
And all whose hues were bom In heaven."
The siiadps of evening were falling, the enemy liad fled. We entrenched onrsehes
and hiy down to rest. Another hour and our regiment was building strong works on
the hill, up near where the last battery was taken The enemy, h.iif a mile distant,
on a bill of equal height, was heard doing a like work. Early on the morning of the
16th the battery from General Couch's division oirened upon the enemy's work at sliort
range, doing splendid execution, piercing reijeatedly their works, and e\en playing the
sharpshooter, by crushing through the trees, from which were seen the smoke of rebel
skirmishers; the wind blew strong and cold. Far to the left was seen the flash of
our artillery, bringlug no audible response. The whole line poured out its \olunie of
iron until about 2 p. m. All days legions of cavalry had been moving to our right.
Then came the charge. Our first brigade. General Cooper's, moved from our left and
began the ascent of that steep hill, the summit of which was tlie last stronghold of the
enemy visible to us. We watched our fiag as it moved slowly but steadily up, until
It reached the summit, when It waved triumphantly tliere and the rebels were seen
fiying before it. The excitement all along the line became intense. The flag that first
waved over the enemy's work at the summit of the hill was that of the Twenty-fifth
ailchlgan. A few hundred yards to the tight of this point the enemy was seen to
plant hurriedly a battery and Are wildly a few shots, when our sklrmlshei's silenced It.
A moment more and this was ours. Still on the right and higher up than all, there
was such heavy musketry firing aw to produce that iierfect roll which tells that It is
the carbine with Its seven or more shots. Suddenly, very suddenly, it ceased. Our
cavalry, which in these two days" flghtlng had redeemed itself from all odium attached
to Its character in the days of Wolford. had there captured a brigade. The glorious
day's work was done. "Ho, for Alabama!" was then our watchword We marched
over their works and on In the pursuit. Such a scene! Their trenches, the corn-
fields, the Granny White plite, which we then struck, the whole were covered with
great and small arms, ammunition and accoutrements, wounded, dead — indeed, all the
paraphernalia and debris of a routed army. Glory enough; we had reached the acme
of our arms and felt a kind of pity for those who had not been here to see all this.
(28)
dbyG00<^lc
434 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Soon after this utter rout of Hood's army and its expulsion from Ten-
nessee, the Twenty-third Army Corps received orders to move east to tlie city
of Washington, and on the ist of January, 1865, the Twenty-third Michigan,
as part of this corps, left Columbia and took up its line of march for Clifton,
one hundred and fifty miles distant, on the Tennessee river, at which point
it arrived on the 8th of the month. On the i6th it embarked at that place
and proceeded thence by steamer, on the Tennessee and Ohio rivers, to Cin-
cinnati, where it arrived on tlie 226 and immediately left by railroad for
Washington. Reaching that city on the 29th, it went into camp at "Camp
Stoneman," D. C, and remained until the 9th of February. At that time
the regiment moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where on the nth it embarked
with its corps on transports bound for Sniithville, North Carohna, at the
mouth of the Cape Fear river, reaching that point of destination after a
passage of four days. On the 17th it moved with the other forces in the
movement against Fort Anderson, taking position before it on the i8th under
a furious fire of artillery and musketry. Upon the capitulation of the fort
and its occupation by the Union forces on the morning of the 19th of Febru-
ary, the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry was the first regiment to enter the
captured work. The regiment was again engaged at Town Creek, North
Carolina, on the 20th, taking three hundred and fifty prisoners and two pieces
of artillery. In the morning of the 23d the Union force crossed the Cape
Fear river to its north bank, and found that the city of Wilmington had been
evacuated by the enemy during the previous night. The corps moved up the
coast on the 6th of March, and reached Kinston, North Carolina, just at the
close of the severe engagement at that place. In this movement the Twenty-
third marched one hundred and twenty-five miles in six days, and during the
last twenty-four hours moved constantly without halting, except long enough
to draw rations and to issue thirty additional rounds of ammunition to the
The corps left Kinston March 20, and on the 22d reached and occupied
Goldsboro, where on the following day the advance of General Sherman's
army made its appearance, coming in from the south. The Twenty-third
Regiment was then ordered back ten miles to Mosely Hall, to guard the rail-
road at that point while the army was receiving its supplies. On the gth of
April the regiment moved with the army on the road to Raleigh, which was
reached and occupied by the advance on the 13th, the Twenty-third Michigan
entering the city on the following day and receiving the welcome news of
Lee's surrender at Appomattox. The regiment remained at Raleigh until
after the war had been clo,=ed by the surrender of the Confederate army under
dbyGoot^lc
GENEiEE COUNTY, MICfTIGAN. 435
Johnston. Jts fighting days were over, but its men had yet to experience a
little more of the fatigues of marching. On the 3d of May it moved on the
road, by way of Chapel Hill, to Greensboro, ninety miles distant, and reached
that town on the 7th. Two days later it left by rail for Salisbury, North
Carolina, and remained there until the 28th of June, when it was mustered
out of service. All that now remained of military life to the men of the
Twenty-third was the homeward journey to Atichigan and their final pay-
ment and discharge. They were transported by railroad through Danville
and Petersburg to City Point, Virginia, and thence by steamer to Baltimore,
Maryland, where they again took railway transportation for the West, and
arrived at Detroit, July 7, 1865. On the 20th of the same month they were
paid and disbanded, and each went his way, to know no more of march and
bivouac and battle except as cherished memories of the eventful past.
(iilbert Bogiirt, Ji-., Flint, a^t. surg.; Sept. 10, 1802; res. Aiiril 2G, 1S64.
J. S. Simu-t. Flint, cUfi]>liii"; ifs. July 31, 1863.
Cliai'lea A. Jliiuia. l-'lliit. aei-gt.-iimjor ; iiro, to 2d lleut. Co. I, Jlnrch R, 1S64.
Rev. Eeujoiiiin M, Fiiy, Flint, chaplain; Sov. 11, 1S64; res. Jlurch 4. ISOj.
Company C.
Ciiiit. Cliiu'les E. McAleater, Flint; Aug. 1, lS(i2; ti-ane. to 1st U. S. Vet. Vol. En-
giueei'8, Aug. 18, 1804.
First I^ieut. Oeorge W. Buckiiighiini. l"lliit; .V.us. 1,
Second IJeiit. WiUtyni C. Stewart. Flint; iiro. 10 1
killed in battle of Resacn, Oa., May 14, 1804.
Second Lieut. Jarvls E. Albro, Mount Morris; pro. to l3t lleut. Oct. (i, 18(>4; to
cajit. Co. K, March 4, 18G5; must out June 28, 1S65.
Second Lieut. Ciiatle I* Newell, Clayton ; must, out June 28, I860.
Sergt. Albert A. Bluiore, Riclifleld ; |)ro. to 2(1 lleut. Co. K, Dec. 13, 1862 ; Ist lleut,
Co. D, Jan. 3, lS(i4; Ciipt. Oct. 0, 1804; must, out June 28, 1805.
Sergt. John D, IJght, Grand Blanc; nmst. out nt Salisbury, N. C, June 28, 1865.
Sergt. Kgbert B. Kiiowlton, Flushing; dlsch. for disability, June 10, 1863.
Sergt. Levi Wells, Jr., Montrose; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 3, 1862.
Sergt. Merrltt W. Elmore, Flint; pi-o. to sergt.-nia jor ; 2d lleut. Co. I, Oct. 0, 1864;
1st lleut. tto. E, Nov. 30. 1864; must, out June 28, 1865.
Corp. Caste LI. Newell. Clayton; pro. to sei^.-mnjor, Nov. 20, 1864; 2d lieut.,
Nor. 30, 1864.
Corp. James M. Wllkins, Richfield; must, out by order, July 13, 1865.
Corp. WilUiim S. Caldwell, Genesee; dietl at Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 28, ISO;!.
Corp. Charles P. Rumlow, I^int; must, out June 28, 1865.
Corp. John T. Turner. Hushing; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 28, 1863.
Corp. Harmon Van Bnsklrk, Vienna ; absent on furlough ; not must, out with
company.
Corp. Andrew J. Hosle. Flushing; killed In battle at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1804.
Musician Somuei R. Wycoff, Grand Blanc; trans, to Invalid Corps; must, out
July 14, 1865.
dbyGoc^lc
436 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Musicinu I'orbes D. Ewer, Flint; diBt-li. ivr disubUity, Marcli 14, 1863.
Wusiciun Reuben Gage, Mundy; must, out June 28, 18G5.
Privates— Jo nies Benjamin, Davieon; disch. for disabiiity, Jan. 30, 1863. Sandford
M. Badgley, Mundy; died at Burnt Hickory, Ga„ of wounda, May 29, 1865. William
M. Beslierer, Forest; must, out June 28, lStl5. Henry H. Beebe, Forest; dlsch. for
wounds, Nov. 3, 1864. Oeoi^e W. Brown, Vienna; must, out June 15, 1865. James
Baiawln, Clayton; must, out June 28, 18«5. Edwin C. Bingham, Vienna; must, out
June 28, 1865. William Barber, Genesee; must, out June 12, 1865. Martin V. Ciistle,
Vienna ; died of disease nt Nashville, Tenn., July 1, 1864. John Conneli, trans, to 28tli
Mieliigan Infanti-y. Levi Craig, Flnshing; piust. out May 29, 1865. Andrew S. Clark,
Flint; must, out Juue 28, l.ses. George W. Oooley, Flint; must, out June 28, 1865.
Nathan J, Conrad, Vienna; must, out June 28, 1865. Patrick Clancy, Mount Morris;
must, out June 28, 1865. Warren 1. Davis, died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 20,
18()2. John N. Dumoud, Flint; died lu action at Eesaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. Alonzo
Dickinson, Flint; must, out Juue 28, 1865. Melvin W. Drake, Linden; must, out June
28, 1865. James Davis, Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. Asa M. Davis, Elcbfielfl; must.
out June 28, 1805. Edward Eckles, Flint ; must, out June 28, 1865. Wlliam H. Eagle,
Flint; must, out Juue 28, 1865. George H. Eckies, nint; must, out May 13, 1865.
David Foot, Vienna ; died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Jan. 6, 1863. Pen?
Flemings, Flint; dlscii. for disability, Oct. 3, 1862. Christer Felton, Jr., Flint; must.
out June 28, 1865. William L. FaiTand, Vienna; must, out July 5, 1865. Charles S.
Freeman, Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. Salem C. Gleason, Flushing; dlsch. for dis-
ability, Dec. 19, 1862. Charles E. Green, Clayton; dlsch. for disability, Jan. 10. 1803.
David W. Gilbert, Flint; dlscii. for disability, Dec. 20, 1865. James H. Gilbert, Thet-
foi-d; dlsch. at Detroit, Mich. George Huwley, Forest; died of disease at Bowling
Green, Ky., Nov. 24, 1862. Bamey Hai-per, Flint; dlsch. for disability, Dee. 17, 1862.
Marshall B. Howe, Flushing; died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 15. 1862. Isaac
M. Howell, Flint; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., of wounds received May 14, 1864, John
Hosie, Flushing; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn. Thomas Hough, Flushing;
died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 11, 1864. Robert S. Hamill, Forest; must,
out June 28. 1865. John Hughes, Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. William Hawley,
Forest; must, out June 28, 1865. Albert Hawley, Forest; must. June 21, 1865. Jesse
W. Hicks, Thetford; must, out June 15, 1865. Stephen Hovey, Vienna; must, out
May 24, 18G5. Richard W. Johnson, Flint ; must out May 30, 1865. Reuben N, Lucas,
Flint; died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., March 5, 1863. Legrand Lamphere,
Ylinf. disch. for disability, Feb. 20, 1863 George F I^wis Mundv disoh for dis-
ability. May 11, 1863. John D. Light, must out June 28 1865 John McDonald,
Vienna; died of disease at Bowling Green K\ Not 24 lfi62 Charles E Macomb,
died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec 7 1862 James \ Mills Richfield trans,
to Vet. Res. Coi'ps, May 1, 1864. Walter Ma'^well Genesee dl-ith by ordei Oct. 24,
1863. Morris A. Miller, Rlehfleld; died ot disease nt Ntshiille Tenn Dec 3 1864.
Westel Mudge, Forest; disch. for dlsabilifv June 1 1863 Samuel Kelson Burton;
must, out June 20, 1865. George W. Ottway Claj ton died of disease at Saginaw,
Mich., Oct. 3. 1862. Edgar A. Pilton. Richfield died of dise'ise nt Bowling Green Ky.,
March 1, 1863. William Putnam, Mundy must out June 28 1865 George Puiithorp,
Vienna ; must, out June 28, 1865. Irving Rogers rirat died in action at Hesacn Ga.,
May 14, 1864. Charles Rice, Flint ; died of diaense at Richmond ^ a April 4 1864.
James Boberts, Richfield; must, out May 29 1865 William E Eanney Foiest must,
out June 28, 1865. Eufus Eanney, Forest must out June 28 1865 Willard Rinney,
Forest ; must, out June 28, 1865. James A Rose Gene'.ee must out June 28 1865.
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 437
George A. Robluson, Flushing; uiust. out June 5, 1865. Chavmeey Rbyno, Galues; must,
out June 3, 1865. Reuhen W. Siige, must, out June 28, 1865. Theodore W, SeJick,
Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. Henry D. Sleeper. Flint; must, out June 28, 1865.
Andrew S. Smltn, Flualiing; must, out June 28, 1805, William W. Stevens, died of
disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 26, 1862. George Sliippy, died of disease at Leb-
anon, Ky., Dec. 4, 1862. Elon F, Thomiison, Rlclifleid; died of disease at Knoxville,
Tenn., Feb. 5, 1864. William Trumbull, Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. Cliarles F.
Tibbies, Flushing; must, out June 28, 1865. Theodore U. Tupper, Flint; must, out
June 28, 1865, Samuel P. Tubbs, Rlcbfleld; must, out June 38, 1865. William H.
Uudei'hill, Vienna; must, out June 28, 1865. Enoch Ternon, Flushing; trans, to Vet,
Res, Corps, Dec, 15, 1863. William Wan-en, Forest; disch. for disability, Nov. 12.
1862. Frederick N. Walker, Mount Morris; died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky„
Marcb -i. 1863. Bphrnlm Wright, Flint; dIsch. for disability, Josliua Wltherall,
Vienna; must, out June 28, 1865. Willavd S. Williams, Flushing; must, out June 28,
18C5. James M, Williams. Flushing; must, out July 24, 1865.
Company K.
Capt. Damon Stewart, ii-lint; Aug. 1, 1802; must, out March 4, 1865.
Oapt. Jarvis E. Aibro, Mount Morris, March 4, 1865; must, out June 28, 1865.
First Lieutenant Samuel C. Kandall, Flint; Aug. 1, 1862; pro. to capt. ; must, oat
aB 1st lieut., June 28, 1865.
Second Lieut. John Rea, Fllut; Aug. 1, 1862; res. Dec. 13, 1862.
Second Lieut Albert A, Elmore, Richfield, pro. to capt, Co, D; must, ont June 28,
1865; was sergt. Co, C; then 2d lieut. Co. K; then 1st lleut, Co. D, Jan. 3. 1864;
wounded at Eesaca, Ga., May 14, 1864; pro. to capt. Oct. 6, 1864,
Second Lieut, John P, Atchinson, Burton; Oct. 6, 1864; must, out June 28, 1865.
Sergt, WlUiJim M, Beagle, Flint; pro. to 2d lieut. Co. A, Feb. 6, 1863; 1st lleut
June 20, 1864 ; died of wounds received at l^ost Mountain, Ga,, June 16, 1864,
Sergt. Jonathan A. Owen, Flint ; died of disease at Wilmington, N. C. April 1, 1865.
Sergt Charles A. Muma, Fllut; sergt.-major ; pi-o, to 2il lieut Co. I. March 8, 1864;
1st lleut Co. H; must, out June 28, 1865.
Sergt. Robert Ij. Warren, Flint; disch. Feb. 2, 1863.
Sei-gt, James G. Fisher, Flint; trans, to 28th Inf. June 28, 1805.
Corp. William J. SIcAlIIster, Burton; absent, sick; not must, out with company,
Coi-p, Nelson A. Chase, Atlas; died in Florence prison-pen, Oct. 21, 1864,
Corp, George Brosseau, Flushing; ti'ans, to Inv. Corps; must, out June 30, 1865.
Corp. Tberan E. Hasklns, Flushing must, out June 28, 1865.
Corp. John Gregory, Vienna; must, out by order. May 30, 1865.
Corp- Dwight Babcock, Burton ; dlsch, Nov. 21, 1862,
Corp, Truman S. Alexander, Burton ; died at New Albany, Dec. 26. 1802.
Musician Benjamin Long, Thetford ; must, out June 28, 1865.
Musician George Freeman, Flint; must, out June 2X. 186S,
Wagoner Almon E^leston, Flint; disch, for disability, Oct. 6, 1S64.
Privates— Delno AtchJns, Flint; died In action at Reaaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. Sam-
uel W. Allen, Muudy; must, out June 28, 1806. Brackett J. Allen. Slundy; must, out
June 28. 1865. William B. Allen, Mundy; must, out June 28, 1865. Henry C. Boyer,
Flint; died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 20, 1862. Edmond L. Beach, Gen-
esee; died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 9, 1862. 5Iortimer C. Bodine. Vienna;
died of disease at I-ebanon, Ky., Nov, 12. 1802. Charles Best, Atlaa; discb. for dis-
ability, Feb. 5, 1803. Hiram Barber, Buiton; disch. for dlsabiHt.v. March 20, 1863.
dbyGoot^lc
438 GENi'-SEn: county, Michigan.
Geome W. Bimee, Atlas; trims, to Vet. Ites. Corps, Feb. 15, 1884. Hiram H. Bardwell,
Burton; trnns. to Vet. Res. Corps, May 1, 1864. Marlon Bralnard, Ui'aud Blanc; luust.
out June 28, lS6a. Clarence Burrows, Genesee; must, out June 28, 1885. Jaiues Crane,
Fenton; dtsch. for disability, Jan. 23, 1863. Wlllard Crutliers, Atlas; must, out Dec.
H, 1865. Xoah Crittenden, Genesee; died of disease at Lonisvllle, Ky., Dec. 3, 1864.
John W, Cleveland, Flint; must, out May 12, 1865. Silas Collins, Grand Blauc; must,
out June 28, 1865. William L. Deuier, Kichfleld; trans, to 28tli Mich. Inf. Elijah
Deeter, Fenton; must, out June 9, 1865. ElUis Doty, Fenton; must, out June 20, 1865.
James Dunn, Argentine; must, out June 29, 1865. Nelson J. Dunn, Genesee; must,
out June 28, 1865. John C. Flint, Davison;- disch. for disability, Feb. 23, 1863. Orick
J. Fales, ^'ienua; died of disease at JefEersonville, Ind., Oct. 15, 1864. Edward Fales,
Flint; must, out Juue 28, 1865. William J. Fales, Wundy; must, out June 28, 1865.
James W. FIsli, Flint ; must, out June 28, 1805, George M. Goodenough, Davison ; died
of disease at Columbus, Ga., April 14, 1864. while prisoner of war. Warren Oustin,
Davison; must, out June 17, 1865. Enos Golden, Grand Blanc; luuat. out June 0, 1865.
JeriT Hoffman, Grand Blanc; died of disense at Mumfordsvllle, Ky., Dec. 15, 1862.
Albert Herrick, Genesee; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 9, 1864. Justin
Hewitt, Davison; missing in action near Kuoxville, Tenn., Jan. 27, 1864. James E. Howe.
Davison; must, out June 28, 1865. Israel Hill, Davison; must out June 7, 1865. Hiram
D. HerrleU, Vienna; must, out June 28, 1865. Sylvester C. Hicks, Vienna; must, out
June 28, 1865. I^afaj-ette Hathaway, Davison; must, out Juue 28, 1865. Richard SI.
Hughes, Mount Morris; must, out Slay 29, 1805. Conrad Hoffman, Flint; must, out
June 28, 1865. HeniT Ingolls, Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. Horace Jewell, died
of disease at Glasgow, Ky., June 16, 1863. Walter P. Jones, Fenton ; dIsch. for dis-
ability, Feb. 2, 1863. Nathan H. Johnson, Mount Morris; died in action at CanipbeH's
Station, Tenn., Nov. 16, 1863. Jos^h H. King, HaKleton; must, out June 2H. 1S65.
H. D, Lindsley, must out June 28, 1865. Robert MetJumsey, Thetford; died of disease
at Bowling Green, Ky., March 17, 1863. John M. Mynds, disch. for disability, Jan. 2,
1863. John McCumse.v, Thetford; dlsch. for disability, Jan. 12, 1863. Arthur More-
house, Genesee; died in action at Eesaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. Angus McPherson. Rleli-
ileld; died of disease, Jmie 5, 1864. I.*ster S. McAllister, Davison; must, out June as,
1865. William J. Montgomeiy, Burton ; must out June 7, 1865. Tlionias McUumsey,
Thetford; must, out June 28, 1865. A. W. Mathews, Richfield; must, ont Aug. 12, 1865.
Daniel S. Potter, Flint ; died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 22, 1802. James Porter.
Mundy; died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., April 23, 1863. Henry C. Phelps, Atlas;
must out Juue 28, 1863, Andrew V. R<)use, aiundy; must, out Miiy 15, 1865. Caleb A.
Richardson, Genesee ; dlsch. by order, April 2. 1865. Andrew J. Sumner, Vienna ; dlscli.
for disability. Dec. 27. 1863. Mathew Smith. Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. John
Sinnott, Genesee; must, out June 28, 1865. Calvin Stafford, Thetford; must, out June
2.8, 1865. Samuel Siters, Thetford ; must, out June 28, 18C5. Shannon W. Scott, Thet-
ford; must, out June 28. 1865. Harvey Stephens, Genesee; must, out June 28, 1805.
Irwin Stafford, Thetford : must, out .Tune 28, 1865. Parker Sfott, TUetford ; must, out
July 3, 1865. William B. Thui-ston. died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Jan. 10,
18C3. James N. Tower, Richfield; trans, to 2Sth Michigan Infantry. Ambrose Thomas,
Flint; must, out June 28, 1865. William H. Thorp, Fenton; must out June 2S, 1865.
William A. Van Tuyl, Genesee; died of disease at Citiclnnatl, Ohio, Oct. 18, lSf!2.
Alfred B. Vorce, died near Knoxillle. Tenn., Jan. 28, 1864, of wounds. George A'an
Vaikeuburgh, I>arison; died in action at Kesaca, Ga., May 14, 1804. Albert Van Vlelt.
Gaines; must, out June 28, 1805. William H. Wheeler, Flint; died of disease at
Glasgow, Ky.. July 11, 1863. Charles .s;. Warner, Vienna; disch. for dlsiibillty. .^prli
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 439
2T, 1803. HaiLiilton S. WiIOm', Dnvimui; died of disease at Aiidersonvilie, Ga., Sept. 1.
1864. Ileiiry Witililey, Flint; must, out June 28, lS«Ei. I.estoi- N. Wltliers, Atlas;
must. oHt June 28, 1805. Deloss Woraen, Muiidy; must, out Jmie 2y, 1865.
Other Compnnics.
Capt. George W. Buckiugliaui, Flint, Co. A ; pi'o. from let lieut. Oo. C, Feb. 13.
1863; wounded In battle at Campbell's Stntion, Tenii., Nov. 16, 18(J3; res. Sept. 20, 1804.
William M. Begole, Flint; 2d lieut. Co, A; enl. (sei-gt. Co. K) ; Feb. S, 1863; pro.
to capt. June 20, 1864; died Oct. 15, 1804, of wounds received lu action at I»at Mouu-
tnln, Ga.. June 16, 1864.
Albert A. Elmore, RlcMeld; capt. Co. D; pro. from Ist lieut. Co. I), Oct. 6. 1804;
wouudedat Resaoa, Ga., May 14, 1804; must, out June 28, 1805.
William C. Stewart, Flint; 1st lieut. Oo. K; Oct. 3, 1863; killeil nt Kesiica, Ga.,
May 14, 1864.
Merrltt W. Elmore, Flint. 1st lieut. Co. E, Nov. 30, 1864; must, out June 28, 1805.
Charles A. Muma, Flint, 1st lieut. Co. H; must, out June 28. 1865.
Privates — James Austin, Vienna, Co. D; must, out June 28, 186a. Joseph Billings,
Thetford, Co. H; trans, to 2Sth Mioliiguu Infantrj'. Jolin Borlisou, Gaines, Co. K, one
year; must, out June 6, 1865. John T. Barnum, Atlas, Co. I; must, out June 28, 1805.
John M. Cliilds, Gaines, Co. E. one year; must, out June 28, 1865. George Crow, Gen-
esee, Co. 1; must out June 28, 1865. William Dneltgen, Burton, Co. G; musician;
tnius. to Vet Kes. Coi-ps, Nov. 15, 1863. Madison Fisher, Mundy-. Co. D; must, out
Aug. 12, 1865. Henry Oiddings, Gaines, Co. H; must, out June 5, 1865. Charles M.
Muycb, Vienna, Co. B; died of disease at Anderson v 11 le, Ga., Marcli 23, 1804. Theodoi-e
Helmer, Thetford, Co. B; must, out June 28, 1865. Benjamin H. Hewitt, Genesee,
Co. B, one year; must, out June 28, 1865. Carlos E. Hall, Gaines, Co. G; must, out
June 28, 1865. Sunnier W. Howard, Flint, Co. I; must, out May 19, 1865. Charles A.
Neff, Vienna, Co. B; must, out Feb. 25. 1865. James Pannelee, Vienna, Co. B (corp) ;
died of disease at Anderson vi lie, Ga., Sept. 8, 1S64. Homer D. Penoyer, Flushing, Co.
E (wagoner); must, out June 28, 1865. Otis H. Reed, Fenton, Co. G; must, out June
28, 1865, En-in D. Savage, Clayton. Co. I, died of disease at JefCersonvllle. lud., Jan.
1, 1865. John C. C. Stepliens, Genesee. Co. H; must, out June 10, 1865. Hiram
Towsley, Fenton. Co. G; died of disease at I^ulsvllle, Ky. . Charles Walner, Flint.
Co. G; trans, to 28th Wlclilgan Infantrj-. Phiio Wheaton, Forest. Oo. G; ninst. out
June 14, 1«6,1. James Youn«. Vienna. Co. B; must, out May 30, 1805. Charles H.
Penoyer. Mount Morris, Oo. E icorp.l; absent on detaplied service.
TWENTY-NINTH INFANTRY.
About one hundred and fifty men of Genessee county — officers and
private soldiers — served in the War of the Rebellion with the Twenty-ninth
Michigan Infantry. This regiment was organized at Saginaw in the autumn
of 1S64; its muster into the Utiited States service was completed on the 3d
of October in that year. Three days later it left the rendezvous for Nash-
viile, Tennessee, where it arrived October 12th and soon after moved to
Decatur, Alabama, reaching there on the 26th. On the day of its arrival at
Decatur that place was attacked by the army of the Confederate General Hood.
dbyGoot^lc
440 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and the Twenty-ninth took part in the defense of the position until the 30th,
when the enemy retired.
From the "Red Book of Michigan" :
When tbe rebel General Hood was on bis uortheru campaign lu IHtyi ti.r the pur
imse of overrunning Tennessee, getting possession of Nashville and Jjouisdlle and
threatealug the cttles ou the Ohio river, the Twenty-ninth Michigan (letrulted and
rendezvoused under the supervision of Hon. John F. Drlggs, M. C ) undei (.ommand
of Col. Thomas M. Saylor, was stationed at Nashville, and ou the advance of Hood upon
Decatur, Ala., it was sent forward to that, point, arriving there on the 20th just lu
time to march from the cars to its position in line to meet the advance if Hoods forces
then attacking that place. Col. Charles C. Doolittle, of the Eighteenth Michigan was
in command of the post of Decatur, and for some days previous to the 2f!th had l>een
watching the moiements of Hood's army, as well as those of Forest ind Rodde} and
had scouted the surrounding country as thoroughly as possible. On the morning of
the 2Gth he sent out several detachments on the Somervllie and Oourtland roads one
oC which met a prettty Strong force about three miles out on the Somen die road and
was obliged to retire. Not exiiecting the advance of Hood's army for a daj or two at
least. Colonel Doolittle was of the opinion that it might he a scouting party of Eoddey s
command; but, at half past one o'clock p. m., of the same day, his videttes reported
the enemy advancing on the place He imniediately made preparations for action and
rode to the advance post on the Somervllie road. On seeing the enemy's column form-
ing into Hue with sklrinlMhers out, he ordered the Second Tennessee Cavalry to hold
the enemy in check, and then hurried back to headfluarters and made the necessai^y
disposition of his force to meet the coming attack.
Battery A, First Tennessee IJght Artillery, supported by the reserie picket of the
Elghteeath Michigan that had been ordered up, soon got into position in a small redoubt
commanding the Somervllie road and vicinity, and at once opened flre on the enemy's
line of battle. The Tenth Indiana Cavalry had also been ordered np and was engaged
at various points looking nfter and checking the advance of the enemy. Finding that
he could hold the rebels in check, Colonel Doolittle. about twenty minutes after the
artillery opened fire, ordered the right wlug of the Twenty-ninth Michigan, which had
Just arrived by rail from Nashville and been placed behind the breastworks on the left
flank, to move to the front and occupy the line of vifle-pits on the left of the redoubt.
This they accomplished in the most gallant style under a hot fire from the enemy's
artillery and musketry, which they withstood with firmness. Soon after the other wlug
of the raiment was ordered out and one hundred of the men In command of the Major
were sent to what was known as I'ort No. 1. Battery 1, First Ohio Light Artillery,
had been ordered forward and opened ou the enemy, the fight continuing till durk, the
rebels being unable to gain any advance, notwithstanding they made 'several attempts
to charge the line. Colonel Doolittle then withdrew the advance force inside the main
works, leaving one hundred meu of the Twenty-ninth Sllchlgan to strengthen the picket
line and hold the line of the rifle-pits. In the engagement of this day the pickets on
the Union line, from the redoubt to the riier on the right, remained in their position,
and when night came the picket line was intact. It was ascertained that the attack
was mado hy Walthal's division, flve thousand strong, of Stewart's corps. Hood's army,
and was fought by Colonel Doolittle with less than five hundred men and a small amount
of artillery. During the night of the 2fith the Union forces were receiving reinforce
ments, and on the 27th nothing more important occurred than the driving back of the
enemy's skirmishers on the front and right flank. On the 2«th. about 3 a. m., the enemy
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 44I
drove in a iiortion of tlip pickets on the right aud estahllahed theuiKelves In giiiiher Imles
within four hundred yards of the worlta. An attempt was uuide early m the morning
to dislodge them and re-eatiihllsh the line, but the enemy were too well jirotected to be
moved. Some time afterwards they were surijrised by Capt. W. C. Moore, Eighteenth
Michigan, with about fifty men ft'om that regiment and a few clerks and orderlies from
district headquarters, who made a moHt daring and dashing attni-k on them, driving
them from their holes lliie scared rats and talking one hundred and fifteen prisoners.
During the day the battle became general: the I'nlon troojis, haiing been reinforced
and numbering about five thousand, had made a most determined defense, and early on
the morning of the 21)th it was ascertaineil that the enemj''s forces had all been with-
drawn except a strong rear guard, and at about i p. m. he was driven out of his last
line of rifle-pits.
The noble and successful defense of Decatur by Colonel Doollttle, against such
enormous odds, was one of the most gallant and remarkable of the war, and Its Import-
ance, in view of its effect upon the great battle of Nashville, nhich soon followed, was
second to no minor engagement during the rebellion.
The exemplary conduct, vigorous and splendid fighting of Colonel Saylor's regiment
iind his officers, although Jess than a mouth in the field, could scarcely ha\-e been ex-
celled by long tried veterans.
From that time the regiment garrisoned Decatur until the 24th of Novem-
ber, when it marched to Murfreesboro; reaching there on the 26th it com-
posed a part of the defending force at that point during the siege of Nash-
ville and Murfreesboro by Hood, being engaged with a part of the enemy's
forces at Overall Creek, December 7. Having been sent out to escort a rail-
way-train on the 1,1th, it was attacked at Winsted Church by a superior force
of the enemy — infantry and artillery— and in the severe action which ensued
it sustained a loss of seventeen in killed, wounded and missing. The track
was relaid under a brisk fire and the regiment brought the train safely hack
to Murfreesboro by hand, the locomotive having been disabled by a shell.
On the (5th and i6th it was attacked by two brigades of the enemy's cavalry
on the Shelbyville turnpike, south of Murfreesboro, while guarding a forage-
train, and was again slightly engaged at Nolansville on the 17th. On the
27th it moved by rail to Anderson, and was assigned to the duty of guarding
the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad. It remained on this duty till July,
1865, when it moved to Decherd, Tennessee, and thence to Murfreesboro,
arriving there on the 19th. It was employed there on garrison duty till
September 6, when it was mustered out of the service; on the 8th it left Ten-
nessee for Michigan, and was disbanded at Detroit about the 13th of
September.
t-NINTn INFANTBY FB
Lieut.-Col. B. Frank Eddy, Flint; enl. Sept. 5, 1864; must, out S^t, 6, 1865,
First Sergt. and Adj. Henry P. Seymour, I^lnden; enl. July 20, 1864; pro. to capt
Company F.
dbyGoo<^lc
442 GENESEE COUNTY; MICHIGAN.
Adj. Charles S. CHmmiiigs, riiislilug ; eiil. Sept. 23, ISW; iiiiist. out Sept. 0, 1865,
Surg. Titus Duiifau, ItiL-hfleid ; eul. Sept. 2U, ISCiJ ; roe. .Tiiu. 8. lSt>5.
Company Q.
First Lieut. Truiuau W. Hawlej, RicMeltl; eol. Sei)t. Hi, 1S(U; must, out Sept.
25, 1865.
Second Lieut, Clinrleti S. Cumniiugs, Flushlug; enl. Aug. 21, 1,SU4; pro. to 1st ]Ieut.
Couipuiiy K.
Sergt. Cortland It. Demaree, Flint; must, out Sept. C, 1863.
Seret. G. E, Towusena, Flint; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Sergt. P. H. Ton-sley, Vienna ; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Sergt. Josiah Itock, Flushing; must, out Sept. 6, 186a.
Corp. Philip Myers, Burtou (sei-gt.) ; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Cori'- David Scanlon, Flint; absent; sick; not uiustei'ed out witli company.
Corp. John Gay, Argentine; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Corp. Michael Kooney. Mount Moi-ria; must, out Sept. 6. 1865.
Corp. Silouie Plew, Mount Morris; must, out Sept. 0, 1865.
Cluiuitcey Bacon, wagoner, Flint ; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Pri* ate'^ — Etclianl Copland, must, out Sept. C, 1865. Jaiuua Cooley, Rlclifield ;
must, out Sept. 6, 1865. C. C. Feuner, Klchfleld; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. William
Goddard. Flushing; died of disease, Jan. 12, 1863. Henry N. Gay, Flushing; must, out
Sep.t 0, 1865. Bllzur Hunt. Flushing; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. A. J. Knickerbocker,
Mouut Morris; must, out Sept. 6, 1865, Richard M, Kelch, Davison; must out Sept. 6,
1865. Philip Myers, must, out Sept 6, 1863. Charles H. Mitts, Vienna ; must, out Sept.
6, 1865. Samuel B. Mitts. Flushing; must, out Sept 6, 1865. John Murray, Burton;
must out S«^t, 6, 1863. John McCulloch, must, out Sept. 6, 1865. William H. Moore,
Mouut Morris; died of disease. April 16, 1863. James Slahouey, must, out May 10,
George Niibors, corp., Grand Blanc; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Hugh Nixon, must, out
July 18, 1865. Homer Parsell, Corp., Argentine; must out Sept. 6, 1865. George Pat-
rick, Burton; must, out Sept 6. J865. William lUley, Flint; must, out Sept 6, 1865,
Allen M Tonn. Button, must out Sept. 6, 1865. Francis M. Town, Flushing; nmst.
out Sept. 6, 1865
Company H.
Capt. La Rue Schram, Burton; enl. Sept. 17, 1864; hou. disch. March 22, 1865.
First Lieut. George J. Hill, Richfield; enl. Sept 17, 1864; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Second Lieut. Ge-u-ge Reed, Forest; enl. Sept. 17, 1864; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Sergt. Peter McKinney, Flint; dlsch. for disability, -Tan. 14, 1865.
Sergt. George Rudth, Burton; must, out Sei)t. 6, 1865.
Sergt. James P. Gloier, Grand Blanc; must, out Sept 6, 1865.
Sergt. Mortimer M. Olds, Richfield; must, out by order, June 2, 1865.
Corp. Charles Smith, Forest; died of disease at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 19, 1865.
Corp. Jolm Retgle. (irand Blanc; must, out by order. May 17, 1865.
Corp. John lEickler, Grand Blanc ; died of disease at Murfreesboro, Teim., Jan.
19. 1865.
Corp. Jnaoii P. Udridge Oraud Blanc (sergt) ; must, out Sept. 6, 186B.
■ Corp. David Dickinson, Richfield; must, out by order. May 17, 1865.
Corp. Edward Carley, Davison; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Corp. Samuel S. Clemens, Richfield; must, out Sept. 6, 1863.
Musician Edgar Annlbal, Atlas; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
Privates — William Beagle, Vienna; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Peter Baker, Forest;
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 443
W B „ h It t ou Se t 0 1 f) Is
: M 11 IH ]>d rl \ B d ( aud B d ed of
i JSllo Tlio aa t e lit lifleld mua o t Sept
1 r U e t C e tl to ui It o t =iei t 6 lS6f> W I D is But n ui at
e 1'' J e 1 nui J, d Bl n u st o t <!eit 6 1805 1 lilne s H
u u Se t I860 Clii sto lie t o e G i B u ust t
o J es D Ti \ie m St out '^ei t 6 ISOo D 1 HI eln li
Bu m ft t Se t ft VMo \ul ruJHrtBro must out M 18 ISdj
E i tt J Ho to HI hfie d ust out M v 16 116j No \ Le t Tl sill jt as
o t ''e: t 6 IS60 la c PUIl pa < r d Bl n u st out Sei t 6 iSbj 7ebul
Parker Rl hfleld must out Sept J 186 W re Presto Ge esee u st ut Sei t
e 186<> Mnrt Kobi son Bur on n uflt out Sei 6 IStS Moti en Roof It iiflel I
m st out 'ile t 6 l'^eJ Heurj H Isbotto G and BI nc n ust out be] t 6 1'*
Tho nas She tz. dtaoh tor dtsat Hi v iprfl '>'> 1S65 J stlce Steve s, u ust out Sei t
C ISO. tliilMuiher Sli M n! m st out Se t 6 is&j (_liris o lie W sone
FentiHi; Tiiust. out ,Se|it. 6. ISbu. Therou Woodruff, Forest; must, out .Se])t. 0. IMi...
WLIUiitii I). Wallnc-e, Flint; nuist. out Sept. G. 1SC5.
Other Companies.
Jefferson J. Wilder. Vienim; 1st lieut. Co. A; must out Sept. 6, 1865.
Heiii-j- P. Sej-mour, I.iuden; capt. Co. F, March 27, ISCS; must, out Sept. 0, LSIi-'i.
Johu Branch, Forest ; 2d lieut. Co. F, July 29, 1864 ; i-es. Jau. 24, 1865.
Pi-ivates— Emerson Anis, Co. K ; muBt. out Sept. 0, 18G5. Elliott R. Burnett. Atlas,
Co. A; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Edward L. Baker, (ienesee, Co. F; must, out Sept.
6, 1865. Edward H. Carsou, Mount Morris, Co. E; died of disease at Slurfreesboro,
Tenn., Dec. 24. 1864. Samuel H. Crawl, Foi-est. Co. A; Diust. out Sept. 8, 1865, George
Clarl;, Co. K; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. George Dunn, I'lenna, Co. C; must, out Sept. 6,
1SG5. Andrew Daly, Fluslilng, Co. E; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Charles Dlblile, Co. ii;
must, out Sept, (!, 1865. Sdiiiuel A. Dlclison, Co. K; must, out Sept 6, 1865. Aaron
Finehout, (irand Blauc, Co. A; uiust. out Sept. 6,1865. Donuan Finehout, Grand Biaiic.
Co. A ; must, out 8^t. 6, 1865. Rlmore Ferris, Davison, Oo. F ; must, out Sept. 0, 1865.
WillLiin Goddai-d, Co. F; died of disease at Jefferson viile, Ind., Jan. 12, 1864. John I..
Grimner. Burton, Co. F; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. James QHmau, Mount Morris, Co. C:
must, out Sept. <>, 1865. Thomas L. Hunt, Birch Kun, Co, F; must ont Sept 6, 1805.
Heuiy W. Howland, Atlas, Co. A; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Nathan A. Jenks, Clayton,
Co. C; must, out Sept 6, 1865. Henry Kincade, Atlas, Co. A; must, out Sept. 6, 1865,
Henry D. King, Genesee, Co. P ; sergt, ; must, out May 23, 1865. William B. Kent, Co.
K; must, out S^it 6, 1865, J<«eph Lynch, Burton, Co. O; must, out Sept. 6, 1865.
I>avid Lowe, Flushing, Co. C; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Detloft Locke, Clayton, Co. D;
iimat. out Sept. 6, 1865. Charles W. Lamont, Co, K; must out Sept, 6, 1865. WHliani
H. Moon, Co. F; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., April 6, 1865. Andreiv J. Martin,
Burton, Co. F; must, out May 18, 1865. Isaac Martin, Burton, Co. F; must, out June
ly, 1865. John Mallory, Burton, Co. F; must out May 24, 1865. Perry E. Newman,
Davison, Cfl. E; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Frank F. Osbum, Vienna, Co. E; must, out
March fi, 1865. Jacob Phillips, Co, K; mnst. out Sept. 6. 1865. Theodore Poquette, C<i.
K ; must out Sept. 6, 1865. Daniel K. Roberts, Forest Co. A ; must, out Sept, 16, 1865.
George Shai-pstein, Co, K ; died of disease at Hilton Head, N. C May 19, 1865. George
W. Summer, Vienna, Co. C; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. James Smeaton, nushing, Co. C;
nmsf, out Sept 6, 1865. Charles S. Smith, Mount Morris, Co. E; must, out June 23,
1865, Andrew Sheperd, Mount Morris, Co. P; must, out June 23, 1865. Joshua Wether-
dbyGoot^lc
444 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
bee, Vietinft, Co. B; died of disease at D'iili'iield, Mich.. Sept. 2H. 18G4. Willlnm C,
Wiiber, AtliiB, Co. A ; must, out Sept. 6, 1865. Williani W. Whipple, Graud Biane, Co. A ;
must, out S^t. 6, 1865. William Wooden, Burton, Co. V; must, out S^t. 6. 1S65.
Albeit Johnson, Genesee, Co. F; corp; absent, sicl:; not must, out with company.
THIRTIETH INFANTRY.
On account of the numerous attempts made by the enemy to organize
in Canada plundering raids against our northern border, authority was given
by the war department to the governor of Michigan, in the autumn of 1864,
to raise a regiment of infantry for one year's service, especially designed to
guard the Michigan frontier. Its formation, under the name of the Thirtieth
Michigan Infantry, was begun at Jackson in November, 1864, and completed
at Detroit on the 9th of January, 1S65. To this regiment Genesee county
furnished between sixty and seventy men, most of whom served in Company I.
When the organization was completed the regiment was stationed in
companies at various points, one company being placed at Fort Gratiot, one
at St, Clair, one at Wyandotte, one at Jackson, one at Fenton, three in Detroit
barracks, and one on duty in the city. But the speedy collapse of the Rebel-
lion put an end to Canadian raids, and the regiment, although the men were
willing for service, had no active duty to perform. It remained on duty
until the 30th of June, 1865, and was then mustered out.
FBOM GUNESEE COUNTY.
John Wlllett, Flint; surgeon; eni. Jan. 0, 1865; juust. out June 30, 1805.
Capt. Wm. E. Christian, Fliut; eni. June SI, I860; must, out Jime 30, 1865.
2d Lieut. Henry M. Jlason, Flint; eni. June it, 1865; must, out June 30, ISt'Jo.
Sergt. Henry C. Fuller, Hint; must, out June 30, 1805.
Sergt. Wm. L. Soyer, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865.
Sergt. John B, Tiiylor, Flint ; must, out June 30. 1865.
Sergt. Ambrose Mevritt, Grand Blanc; must, out June 30, 1865.
Corp. Josiah P. Hackett, Flint, must, out June 30, 1865.
Corp. Sidney J. Reynolds, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865.
Corp. Gtibei't Chamberlain, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865.
Corp. M. V. B. Clark, Flint, must, out June 30, 1S65.
Com patty I.
Privates — Leonard J. Adams, Davison; nmst. out June 30, 1865. Oliver Bassett,
Flint; must, out June 30, 1865. Amerce J. Bachelder, Flint; must, out Aug. IS, 1865,
Amos Butler, Flint; must, out June 30. 1865. Thomas H. Beamish, Flint; must, out
June 30, 1865. Daniel H. Camjjbell, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865. Wtiliam F. Clap-
saddle, Davison, must, out June 30, 1865. Hiram H. Clapsaddle, Davison; must, out
June 30, 1865. Adonlram J. Conger, Davison; must, out June 30, 1865. Melvin E,
Crandall, Atlas; must, out June 30, 1865. Edward Cmumlngs, Atlas; must, out Jime
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 445
30, 18C5. Robert M, Dulley, Atliis; must, out June 30, 18C5. Mtirk Elwell, GrJiml
Blanc; must, out June 30, 1865. Heiii-y H. Griswold, Flint; must, out June 30, 1885.
Charles Gunn, Flint; must, out June 30, 1805. Frank H. Hungerford, Flint; must, out
June 30, 1865. Willinui V. Hilton, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865. Benjamin Hllker.
Flint: niuBt. out June 30, 1865. Wllliiiiu Hurd, Grand Bliino; must, out June 30, 1863.
Henry O. Hardj-, Flint; must, out June 30, 1805. Williimi II. Jones, Genesee; must, out
June 30, 1865. Iioreiizo Johnson, Atliis; must, out June 30, 18G5. Francis Keene. Flint:
must, out June 30, 1865. John P. Kore, Atlas; must, out June 30, 1S65. Robert Knowlea,
Dnvlson; must, out June 30, 1865. Harrison T. Kipp. Atlas; must, out June 30, 18C5.
Hymnn Lee, Atlas; must, out June 30, 1865. Webster W. Mieltle, Flint; must, out June
30, 1865. Alfred McMlchnel, Flint; must, out June 30, 1863. Saiiford SIcTaggert.
Davison; must, out June 30, 1865. Oscar B. Moss, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865.
Luther Miller, Atlas; must out June 30, 1865. Frank Myers. Atliis; must, out June
30, 1865. William Odell, Genesee ; most, out June 30, 1865. Spencer W. Pierce, Flint ;
must, out June 30, 1865. Eugene Phelpa, Grand Blanc; must, out June 30, 1865, Martin
W. Eipley, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865. Enos D. Stilaon, Flint; must, out June 30,
1865. WlllJnm Snydra-, Clayton; must, out June 30, 1S65. William H. Seymour, Burton;
must, out June 30, 1865. Sampel Spicev, Atlas; must, out June 30, 1865. Thomas Sad-
dlngton. Flint; must, out June 30, 1865. Andrew Seeley, Davison; must, out June 30,
1865. Cyms Tlttsworth, Atlas: must, out June 30, 1865. Clark Tlttsworth, Atlas;
must, out June 30, 186fi. Walter E. Vandusen, Atlas; must, out June 30, 1865. Gardner
White, Flint; must, out June 30, 1865.
Company K.
William D. Gilbert, Flint; must, out July 30, 1865.
FIRST ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS.
The regiment bearing this name was raised in the summer and autumn
of 1861, under Col, WiUiam P. Innes as commanding officer, having its
rendezvous at Marshall, Calhoun county. It was intended, as its name
implies, to }ye principally employed in the numerous kinds of mechanical and
engineering work incident to the operations of an army. Uniike many other
special organizations, it was largely used for the purpose originally designed.
It was also armed with infantry weapons, and whenever called on, its mem-
bers showed themselves as prompt in battle as they were skillful in labor.
The regiment contained a considerable number of men from Genesee county.
At a meeting held in Flint, September 17, 1861, and composed largely of
eligible men, it was resolved to form a company to join the Engineers and
Mechanics, and George T. Clark was elected captain of the proposed organ-
ization. But for some cause the project failed, and no company distinctively
of Genesee county material was formed, though the county contributed about
one-third to the formation of Company B, nearly one-fourth its members to
Company F, and slightly to six other companies of the regiment.
The Engineers and Mechanics were mustered into the service of the
dbyGoot^lc
446 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
United States at the rendezvous by Capt. H. R. A'lizner, United States of
America, October 28 to December 6, 1861. On the 21st of the latter month,
they left Marshall, about one thousand and thirty strong, for I^uisville, Ken-
tucky. On account of the peculiar nature of the service required of them,
they were employed in detachments, and thus it would be impracticable to
trace them through all, or half, their numerous marchings and labors. One
of the detachments was under Gen. O. M. Mitchell in his advance on Bowhng
Green, and among the first Union troops to enter that town after its evacua-
tion by the enemy. After the capture of Fort Donelson opened Tennessee
to the Union forces, the Engineers and Mechanics were speedily at work in
that state repairing bridges and railroads and opening lines of communication.
For eight weeks immediately following the battle of Shiloh they were engaged
in constructing steamboat-landings. In June, 1862, they built seven bridges
on the Memphis & Charleston railroad, ranging from eighty to three hundred
and fifty feet in length, and were also engaged throughout the season in open-
ing and repairing railroads in Kentucky, Tennessee and northern Alabama
and Mississippi.
While at I^vergne, Tennessee, on the ist of January, 1863, a part of
the regiment was attacked by two brigades of the enemy's cavalry under
Generals Wheeler and Wharton, with two pieces of artillery, but succeeded
in defeating them with serious loss. During the year the regiment, divided
into detachments, was almost constantly engaged in building bridges, making
pontoon-boats and other similar work in Tennessee and noithern Alabama.
One of these bridges, over the Elk river, Tennessee, was four hundred and
sixty feet long. The same work was continued through the greater part of
1864 mostly in the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Decatur, Bridgeport,
and Stevenson, Alabama. The men whose term had expired were mustered
out in October, 1864, but there were enough re-enlisted men and recrufts to
keep the command up to its original strength.
Alx>ut the ist of November the regiment, except two companies, was
transferred to Atlanta, Georgia, where it destroyed an immense number of
rebel foundries, rolling-mills and other similar works, and then marched with
Sherman's army to Savannah. It was obliged to keep up with the columns
and to perform an immense amount of labor in destroying railroads and
bridges at the same time. After several weeks' labor in fortifying Savannah,
the Engineers proceeded with Sherman through the Carolinas, and thence to
Washington. In June, 1865. the regiment was sent to Nashville, where it
was employed on the defenses until the latter part of September, when it was
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 447
mustered out of the service and ordered to Michigan. It was disbanded at
Jacksonville on the ist of October, 1865.
Ciimpani/ B.
Clii.rles 11. Cuiliiey, Flint; BerKt. ; |>vo. to Ist. lieut. Co, E, Nov. S, 18G4; must, out
Keiit. 22, i«i5.
I'riviites— Oscai- F, Allen, Burton; djscli. at end of aervit-e, Oct. 13, imi. Joliu
Amot, Grfiiid Bltmc; dlscli. l>y order, June G, 1865. George IE. Boyer, Rlchflelil; ilificli,
for disability, I>ee. 0, 1862. Wnrren Buckley, Flint ; discti. for disabilit;-, Feb. T, 1863.
Edwiu Builey, Flusbing; dlscli. for disability, April 25, 1803. Jik-hael Bro»-u, Fllut;
died of disease, Mui-cb 20, 1862. ilayuard Carter, Flint; died of dtseuse, Atiril A, 1862.
Hiraui F. OliaDUUin, Pliut; dlech. foi' diaibility, July 5, 1862. Joiintliitu Cuduey, I'"li:it:
dlscli, for dlsiibllity, Mny 17, 1862. Jiicob D, Carpenter, Davison; must, out jit Nasu-
vUle, Teun., Sent. 22, 1865. Edwjird Funcheon, Flint ; dlscli. at end of service, Oct. 31,
1864. Ami H. Field, Flint; disci), to i-e-eal. as i-eterau, Jan. 1, 186i. Henry K. Utdley,
Davison; discli. by order, Oct. 4, 1865, JiimeB Greeiuilcb, Flint; disch. by order, June
6, 18C5. Julius Gordon, Mundy; dlscli. by order, Oct. 4, 1865. Phllo Gilbert, Flint;
dIsch. at end of service, Oct: 31, 1864. Giij- R. Ollbei-t, Flint; diaeh. at end of service,
Oct. 31, 1864. Benjamin F. GUbei-t, Flint; died of disease at XasLvUle, Teau., Oct. I.
1862. Albert S. Hart, Genesee; died of disease, Marcli 20, 1862. Isaac Howell, Flint;
discli. for disiibiUty, Aurll 16, 1862. Jautes Hill, Vleuufl; dlsch. for disability, Feb. 7,
1863. Frederick N. Hopkins, Flushing; disch. for disability. June 13, 1803. Hlrnni
Howe, Davison; must, out at NaSbville, Teiui., Sept. 22, 1865. Jolin Link, Jr., Flint;
distrb. by order, June 6, 1865. Jolin AIcKercher, Flint; dlscb. at end of service, Oct.
31, 1864. David F. Nelson, Mundy; veteran; must, out at Xashvllle, Tenn., Sept 22,
1865. Fayette B. Nelson, Mnndy, must, out at Nasliville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. Fernando
C. Petty, Flushing; must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sent 22, 1865. AVillard Petty.
Flushing; dlsch. by order, June 6, 1865. Don C. Pettj', Flushing; dlsch. for disabllitj-.
May 6, 1862. Daniel J. Kaudall, Flint; con'.; dlsch. for disability,. March 6, 1802. Jud-
sou A. stone, Clayton; disch. by order, June 6, 1865. Theodore Standard, Flint; dlscli.
by order, June 6, 1865. Frederick A. Smith, Flnshing ; must, out at Nashville, Tenn.,
Sei)t. 22, 1865. Charles K. Welch, Diivisou; veteran; must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sent.
22, 1805. Henry II. Wallace, Flint ; disch. at end of service, Oct. 31. 1S64
Company F.
Allen Campbell, Davison ; qr.-mr. sei'gt. Co. F ; pro. to 2d Ileut. Co. D, Nov. 23, 1864 ;
must, out SejJt. 22, 1865.
George W. White, Fenton; sei^t. ; pro, to 2d lieut. Aug. 18, 1862; to 1st lieut. Jan.
1, 1864; must, out Oct. 26, 3864, end of service.
Privates — Sidney Ai-rowsmith, Genesee; disch, for disability, June 28, 1882. William
M. Barney, Fenton; disch. for disability, May 5, 1862. Erastus Call, Flint; disch. by
order, June 6, 1865. Erastus Call, Jr., Fenton; disch. by order, June 6, 1865. Alfred
Call, Genesee; disch. by order, June 6, 1865. James Cartwrlght, Vienna; dlsch. at end
of service, Oct. 31, 1864. Ales. Campbell, Davison; veteran; dlsch. to re-enl. as veteran,
Jan. 1, 1864. Delavon Heath, Vienna ; dlsch. at end of service, Oct. 31, 1864. Philip
Houalnger, Vienna; corp. ; dlsch. at end of service, Oct. 31, 1864. Norwln 0. Johnson,
disch. for dianbility, July 5, 1862. Solomon S. Miles, Richfield ; dlsch. at end of service,
Oct. 31, 1864. Hugh McDonald, must out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. George
Phelps, Grand Blanc; disch. by order, June 6, 1865. Benjamin Paine, Vienna; dlsch.
dbyGoot^lc
448 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
for diaabiiity, May 14, 1862. Henry S. PelUngiil, Vienna; disci, for disability, Sept, 1,
1862. William Short, Burton ; dlsch. by oi-der, July 17, 1865. Lewis A. Scott, t'enton ;
disch. for disability, July 15, 1862. Cyrus J. Sillsby, Vienna. John Scriveu, Fenton;
must, out at Knsbvllle, Tenn., Sept. 22, 18(15. Daniel W. Turner, discli. by order, June
0, 18t>ij. Murtin C. Tuiipei-, Gnind Blanc; dlscli. by order, July 17, 18C5.
/" Other Companies.
Tbaddeua S. Beers, Co. I; died of disease at Nasliville, Tenn., Oct. 24, 18ti2. Joseph
Bellinger, Tlietford, Co. G; dlscli. for disability, March 2, 1862. Joim Butler, Forest,
Co. G; disch. at end of service, Oct. 31, 18«4. Theodore E. Beers, Co. I; disch. at end
of service, Oct. 31, 1S64. I^^rwizo Colby, Forest, Co. G; discli. at end of service, Oct.
31, 1864. Jonathtm Coonier, Co. G; disch. at end of service, Oct. 31, 1804. Martin I.^
Cuddeback, Flint, Co. D; must, out at Nashville, Sept. 22, 1865. Abraham F. Coniinl,
Flint, Co. H; die-l of disease at Nashville, Feb. 12, 1863. John S. Decker, Forest, Co.
G; discli. at end of service, Oct. 31, 1864. Joel B. Fall-child, Flint, Co. H; disch. by
oMer, June 6, 18Go. (5eoi^e D. GeiTy, Ulchfleld, Co. Q ; disch. at end of service, Oct,
31, 1804. Peter Gordon, Flint, Co. H; diaeh. for promotion, Feb. 13, 1804. Henry C.
Haskett, Co. I; discli. by order, June 0, 1S05. George Ij. Judevine, Flint; corp., Co. K;
veteran; ti-aus. to 5th Battery, Mich. Light Artillery, Dec. 2, 1862. Harris Marsh,
Davison, Co, G;died of dlsense at Louisville, Ky., Marcli'lS, 1862. Reuben S. McCor-
mlck, Forest, Co. G ; died of disease at Bardstown, Ky., April 19, 1862. Wm. Miller,
Davison, Co. L; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Sept 25, 1863. Oren McComb,
Forest, Co. G; disch. for disability, July 17, 1863. Adelbert Pursell, Flint, Co. H;
disch. by order, June 6, 1865. Wni. B. Parker, Flint, Co. I ; trans, to Vet Res. Corps,
May 1, 1864. George W. Sweet, Burton, Co, I; dlseh. by ovder, June 6, 1805. Charles
Snnnders, Forest, Co. G; disch. for promotion, Aug. 17, 1863. Abel C. Smith, Forest,
Co. G; eul. Nov. 21, 1861; disch. at end of service, Oct 31, 1864. Dennison W. Spencer,
Co. L; must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865. Wellington Teachout Rlchfleld,
Co.* G ; disch. at end of service, Oct. 31, 1864. Enoch B. Woodman, Forest, Co. G ; disch.
for disability, April 21, 1862. Salmer Wood, Co. I; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn.,
Oct. 29, 1862. Jacob W. White, Thetford, Co. G; disch. to re-enl, as veteran, Jan. 1,
1864. Calvin Wakefield, Davison, Co. L; must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865,
Charles L. Piickard, Flint, Co. F; enl. one year; disch. by G. O., June 6, 1865. David
M. Twiner, Flint, Co. F; enl. one year; disch. by G. 0., June 6. 1865.
FIRST CAVALRY.
The First Cavalry Regiment, which contained a considerable number of
men from Genesee county, was organized in the summer of iS6i, under Col.
T. F. Brodhead. It left its rendezvous at Detroit, about eleven hundred
strong, September 29th in that year, proceeded to Washington, and thence to
Frederick, Maryland, where it passed most of the winter. In the spring of
1862 it entered Virginia. During that year it was engaged in service on
the upper Potomac, in the Shenandoah valley, and along the east slope of the
Blue Ridge, being engaged at Winchester, Middletown, Strasbtirg, Harrison-
burg, Orange Court-House, Cedar Mountain, and second Bull Run, losing in
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 449
these actions thirty killed or died of wounds and fifty-eight wounded. It
passed most of the winter at Frederick, Maryland.
In the early part of 1863, it was engaged in grand guard duty along
the front line of the Washington defenses in Virginia. On the 27th of June
it moved towards Gettysburg; on the 3d of July at that place it met and
charged Hampton's legion of three regiments of Virginia cavalry and beat
it in six minutes, losing eighty men and eleven officers out of the three hun-
dred who went into action. It was again engaged at Fairfield Gap on the
4th, and lost considerably. Again, at Falling Waters, Virginia, it was
severely engaged and captured five hundred of the enemy, with the standards
of the Fortieth and F'orty-seventh Virginia Infantry. It was in Kilpatrick's
division and took part in all the movements and actions of that general dur-
ing the summer and fall of 1863. In Decemlser nearly four hundred of the
men re-enlisted as veterans and received the veteran furlough. On their
return, the regiment rendezvoused at Camp Stoneman, near Washington,
where it was newly equipped, and was joined by a new battalion which had
been mustered at Mt. Clemens in December, 1863. It took part in the move-
ments of the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac from the crossing
of the Rapidan in May, 1864, to the early part of August, when it was
moved to the Shenandoah valley and joined to the army of Sheridan; it took
part in the subsequent movements of that army, except the battle of Fisher's
Hill, losing during the year, up to the ist of November, eighty-two killed
in battle or died of wounds, and one hundred and two woimded in action.
It remained near Winchester, Virginia, till the 27th of February, 1865, when
it fell in with the other cavalry of Sheridan to move on the great raid to the
James river. It reached White House on March 19 and soon after joined
the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg; with that army it remained
till the surrender of Lee, taking part in many engagements, among which
were those at Five Forks and Appomattox. After the surrender it moved
to Petersburg and, a little later, to North Carolina with the other forces.
From there it returned to Washington, took part in the great review of the
army. May 23, and soon after was moved, via the Baltimore & Ohio rail-
road and the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers, to F"t. Leavenworth.
Then followed seven months of duty on the plains as far west as the base of
the Rocky mountains, during which the regiment was engaged in some
skirmishing with Indians and lost slightly in killed and wounded. It was
consolidated at Ft. Bridger with the Sixth and Seventh Michigan Cavalry,
(29) ■
dbyGoc^lc
450 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
forming- an organization known as the First Michigan Veteran Cavalry. It
was paid oft and disbanded March lo, 1866.
The following interesting story of the First Michigan Cavalry at Second
Bull Run, taking from the Detroit Saturday Night, is told by Capt. E. L.
Negus :
Uu tbe 14ti[ of August, Reno joliied Pope witli eight thousand men. I'tipe. with his
iirmy, now numbering about fifty thousand nieu got a scai-e, fell back from Cedar Mouu-
tjlu and took up a strong iiositiou aioug the north tiaub of the Itapimhanuock. On the
lOth hia arnij' extended from Wurrentou Springs eight miles ejist along tlie river.
From this date until the niglit of the SOth of August. Pope did not know wbere Lee's
army was. He had lost it. Pope had estiibliahed liis headquarters with oil his army
train at Cutlett'a Station, ten miles In the rear of the center of his line. On the 22nd
of August. Stuai't with two or three thousaud cavalrymen crossed the river above
Pope's extreme right and, gaining the rear of the I'liion lines, pressed down to Catiett's
Station, capturing Pope's headquarters teut with alt of his uniforms and the dispatch
book containing the movements of the army. They also burnt several millions ot
rations, two trains of cars and ail of his wagon train, besides taking with them several
hundred head of mules and horses.
The whole cavalry lorce of the Union army was at once put in pursuit of the
raiders. The First Michigan Cavalry found them on the night of the 23d on the south
bank of Itoblnson river. We threw out pickets along the north side of the stream and
went into ciinip. Early the nest morning there came a call from the "Jolmules";
"Don't shoot. Yanks, we have something to show you." ■■What is It, Johnny?" we asked
them. ■'It's I'ope's headquarters in the saddle." "All right, we won't shoot." Aud in
a few moments they trotted out a big buck u^ro dressed in Pope's uniform, and
mounted on a big white horse, saying, "This is Pope's headquarters in the saddle."
Now it has always lieeii a question In my mind which one of the tv-'v had the greater
military ability. Pope or the buck "nigger."
On the morning of the 24th. General Buford, who commanded our brigade ot
cavalr.v. received notice th.it Poi>e had lost I.ee's army, numbering some ninety
thousand men. and that he should send his troopers out to find them. So the brigade
was sent out in different directions to And them. The First Michigan was ordered to
go on the west side of Bull Run mountains and keep a sharp lookout for the lost army.
On the nioruliig of the 28th we reached a little town called White Plains, about three
miles west of Thoroughfare Gap. It was here that we tound the rebels' trail. Jackson
had passed two days before and the road was lined with stragglers Lougatreet's corps
was eiicamped some two miles to the west of this town, where it had been for the night,
and they set out at once to make It hot for us. Our command fell back, taking the
road that Jackson had gone 01 er the day before, picking up many of his stragglers.
Here an incident occurred that 1 will never forget, i was riding along with my
bugler by my side — his name wits O'Keefe, and he was a typical Irishman — when he
said to one of the Johnnies, "Johnny, you don't wear very good clothes." At once
there came back the sharp and not overdellcate retort, "When we go out to kill hogs,
we don't put on our best clothes."
The "rebs" came on In force and drove us back through the gap, but we contested
e\ery foot of ground and did not retreat until we were outflanked on both sides. The
command passed through the gap mid took up a strong position at Hayinarket. If we
had had one brigade nf mfniitry with us we could have held the gap against the whole
dbyGoo<^lc
GFNESEE COtJNTY, MICHIGAN. 45I
of Loiigstrecfs L-orps until this time, and ttie battle of Hull Run would Lave been
written vei'y differently on the pagea of lilstory.
At Haymarket we could see the advance of the rebel army as it came through the
gap. They liled to the left and toot the rond that led down to the right oC Jnckson^s
corps. On Uie morning of the 30th Biifurd received orders to report nlth hia command
to Pope's headquarters, then in the saddle on the ridge near the Henry House, which
was already fanioua from its associations with the first battle of Bull Uun. This ridge
slopes off in a gentle plain toward Groveton, some tlivee miles to the west. It was on
this plain that Pope had massed his army of forty thousand men, uot one of them In
Ime of battle, and all ready for the slaughter. To the south and west of this plain
was a wooded ridge, and behind these woods Longstreet had formed hia line of battle
unbeknown to Pope. From this ridge the southern general saw the mass of men on the
plain below and it was here that he placed his artillery of sixtj guns, all ready for the
slaughter when the time came. Pope stlli supposed Ijongstreet to be a day's march
away. At three o'clock a deserter was brought to Pope, who stated that Longstreet was
theie in forte, but Pope would not believe It and at four-thirty sent off a courier to Wash-
ington to aimounce that the battle was won. Believing this. Pope ordered Buford with
his brigade of cnviilry to pas« around the left of the Union army and strike Jackson's
■■etreating corps on the road leading to Thoroughfare Gap, which we proceeded to do.
Not finding any Johnnies, we retraced our steps and had proceeded some distance
n-hen we ran into' the ri^'ht of Longstreet's army composed of a brigade of cavalry made
up of the First. Third and Fifteenth Virginia, the very flower of the confederate "chiv-
alry" and outnumberinjc us two to one. Our regiment charged that great force and
drove theiii back behind their guns, tlie brigade holding the field for some time, when
we retired to the north side of Bull Run. This charge, as will be shown later, saved
tt large jtart of Pope's retreating, bleeding army.
For Pope to win at Bull Kun was not in the destiny of the nineteenth century.
There were other series of events preiiaring in which Pope had no place. Lincoln had
not issued his emancipation prociamritlon and the time was not ripe. Let us return to
that part of the field where tile First Michigan fought. At the time of the charge,
longstreet had iinniosked his artillery. Sixty cannons thundered and Bashed against
the brave men below on the plain. A masked battery had opened on our left, not
twenty rods away. But the enemy was taken by surprise, as we were, and at first
their shots went over our he-.ida. Then they depressed the guns, which were double-
shotted with grape and canister. The charges struck the ground half way between our
line and the guns. It was a monstrous sight. The shot made craters in the earth,
and the cannon seemed like a loiomo throwing forth molten lava. The brigade had
taken up a strong position on a ridge, where the First Michigan joined them on their
right, ready for action. We had not long to wait, for soon there was seen a large
body of cavalry moving out from a little piece of woods on our front. From a distance
they might have been taken for a huge serpent stretching toward the crest where we
were formed. 2\'othiug like it had been seen since the taking of the grand redoubt at
Moscow by Naiwleon'a cavnliy. We saw the oncoming three thousand horsemen at full
trot and heni'd the rattling of their sabers and the fierce roar of the charging host.
All at once this scene changed. The bugle soimded the charge, the First Michigan
started forward with drawn salwrs' raised high above their heads, glistening in the
setting sun. It was a sight to behold. It was like the beginning of an earthquake
as the First Michigan hurled itself at the front ranks of the enemy. The shout of the
men and the shock of the two columns coming together could be heard aboie the roar
of the battle. Horses and riders were hurled to the ground to he trampled under foot
by the rushing hosts.
dbyGoo<^lc
452 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
There lire mometits in b.'ittle wlieii llie soul hardens uu<l the soldier seeuis to he-
come as firm as a atiitue. With a yell that spread terror before them, tiie first bat-
tulion of the First Michignii, led by Colonel Brodhead, with Major Town by hia side,
and keeping their allgnujeiit as if on jmrade. rotle upon the first rank of the eneDiy,
aybertug all who eiiuie within reach. Tlie first battalion was nearly annllillated, bnt on
came the next battalion. The enemy could not withstand our hea^y blows and gave
way Into a disordered rout to take shelter behind the rebel guns. We held possession
of ttiat part of the field until dark, when we retired to the north biintc of Bull Rim.
Meantime, hammered by Longstreet's artillery, the Union army fell buck froiu
Gvoveton, from the rnlli-oad cut, fi-om the plain. A disbanding urniy Is like a spring
thaw. The whole hends, cracks, siiaiis, floats, i-olis, fulls, crushes, hurries, plunges. Is
one struggling mass. Rout is the worst of all conflicts. Friends slay each other lu
their mad flight. The artillerymen rush ofC with their horses and the guns are left Co
the care of themsehes. The soldiers of the wagon train unhitch and take tbeir anlmala
for escape. Wagons are upset with their four wheels in the air, blocking the road and
lielping the massacre. As tbey crush and crowd they trample ou the living and the
dead alike. A rushing mass fills i-oads. paths, bridges, fields, bills, valleys, woods — all
are choked up hy this flight of sixty thousand men. Knapsacks, muskets, cartridges,
boxes and belts are cast away. No more officers, no more generals. Bull Itun was
filled with a Htruggling mass of human beings. «ach was this flight At one narrow
gorge the bodies were so packed that they formed a foot bridge for the Ih-lng. Until
this day that muddy stream has not given up the dead that were covered by the sand
washed down by the streams of human blood spilt on the iilains of JIunaasas
The First Michigan Cavalry was sacrificed at Bull Eun to save a iiortlon of Pope's
army. When the rebels were seen forming for the charge General Buford ordered
the regiment to charge, saying that he would support us with the Fourth and Fifth
New York Ciivalrj-. The First made the charge and drove the enemy back, and held
them In check while the rest of the brigade and that imrtlou of the army on tbat part
of the field fell back to the north bank of Bull Run. Buford never came to our support.
but fled across the sti-eam, saving himself and the rp«t of his command. The First
Michigan was left to be massacred. I know this, for I took the order from General
Buford to Colonel Brodhead to charge, and was In tbe front rank of the charge, myself.
I lost every man In my company but Ave, all the rest being killed, wounded or taken
prisoners in that fight. The next morning tliere were 3ust five who answereil the roll
call. The raiment's total loss was one hundred and thirty-three.
I cannot close this report of tbe battle witliout mention of some of the brave men
who laid down tbeir lives at second Manassas tbat their country might live. Brod-
head, who led the ciiarge, great in all the grandeur of expected death, bared himself
to every blow in the tempest. He hod hia horse killed under him, and received two
gun-shot wouuds through his breast from which he died.
While weltering in his life's hlood on that disastrous field be wrote these lines to
his wife in Detroit : "I die a maityr to my country through Pope's Imbecility and Mc-
Dowell's treason, but the old flag will triumph yet."
This letter was publishefl In the Detroit papers at the time and created a great deal
of excitement at the war department at Washington. Every means was taken to sup-
press it.
All in all, 1 challenge the annals of warfare to produce a more brilliant and suc-
cessful cavalry charge than the one made by the First Michigan ut Bull Run. That
regiment saied Pope's bleeding army there, as It saved the day at Gettysburg.
dbyGoot^lc
CENICSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Warner H. riersoii. FUut; sergt. \u Co. G; 2iJ lieut. Co. B, iliiy IS, 18^3; 1st lieut.
Co. H. June 14, 1864; capt. Co. D, Oct. 25, 18G4; must, out Nov. 7, 1865.
Privates— CliiiHucey T. Aiiible, Uenesee, Co. D; iHsch. at end of service, Feb. 17,
18«6. Augustus A. Allen, Genesee, Co, D; must, out Mai-ch 10, 1866. James C. Bing-
ham, Geuesee, Co, D; must, out June 30, 1806. Robert Bolton, Co. C; discL. for dis-
ability, Murcli 11, 1863. William BoutcLer, Genesee, Co. H; dtsch. at end of service,
Aug. 22, 1864. Charles Be«man, Co. C; disch, to re-enl, as veteran, Dec. 21, 1863.
Charles Croff, Co. H; disch. for dlsnbtllty. Wilson P. Donaldaou. Fenton, Co. G; must.
out Mai'ch 10, 1800. William F. Baton, Fenton, Co. H ; died of disease at Alexandria,
Va., Oct. 28, 1S62. William P. Eddy. Feuton, Co. G; diach. by order, June 7. 1865.
James Fm'loug, Co. H ; disch. at eud of service, Xng. 22, 1864. Frederick Faro, Co. C ;
disch. to re-enl. as veteran. Dec. 21, 1863, Giles B, E'ellows, Genesee, Co. D; must, out
March 10, 1866. Isaac Gilbert, Thetford, Co. A; must out March 10, 1S06. James B.
Gallup, Flushing. Co. C; must, out March 6. 1806. Robert Garner, Fenton, Co. F;
must, out Slarch 25. 1866. Almon Gage, Co. M; must, out Aug. 25, 1865. Thomas P.
Hill, Co. F; most out July 1, 1865, Andrew A. Holiday, Co. C; disch, for wounds,
May 23, 1804. Beujumin F. Hicks, Co. C; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 21, 1863.
Robert Jackson, Co, C; disch, for disability, Se|)t. 2T, 1S02. Jeremiah L. Knapp,
Fenton, Co. D; disch. by order, Slay 3, 1S65. Frank Keferly, Co. H; died in action at
Bull Run, Vs., Aug. SO, 1862. Henry J. I.arned, Co. C; trans, to Co. H. Joseph Mc-
Conib, Forest Co. A; most, out March 10, 1866 Harvey M, McCastney, Co. F; must,
out March 25, 1866. John O'Hara, Mount Morris, Co. D; must, out March 10, 1866.
William Perkins, Co. II; disch. for disability. George Pridmore, Flushing, Co. 0;
died of disease at Fort Collins, C. T., Dec. 22, 1865. Felix F. Randall, Co, H ; disch.
for disability. Amasa Rogers, Co. C ; disch. to re-enl, as veteran. Dee. 21, 1863. Austin
Stow, Co. C; missing in action at Fall-field Gap, July 4, 1863. Robert Sackner. Fenton,
Co. G; must, out March 10, 1866. Seymour P. Thompson, Co. C; disch. for dls.ibility.
Orange Thomas, Co, H; disch. to re-enl, as veteran, Dec. 21, 1863. W. C. Thomas. Co.
C; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1864. William H. Teeples, Co. C; died of wounds
at Bi-entsviUe, Va., Jan, 0, 1863. Samuel H, Thomas, Co. C; died of wounds at Gettys-
burg, Pa., Aug. 5, 1863. Charles Waldo, Co. B; must, out March 10, 1866. John Waldo,
Co. B; must, ont March 10. 1866. William R. W Scott. Genesee, Co. H; must, out March
31, 1866. Louis S. Wesson, Fenton, Co. K; must out June 30, 1866. Henry Tntes.,
Fenton, Co. A; must, out March 10, 1866. Tracy G. Merrill, Richfield, Co. A; trans,
from Co. H, Tth Cav.; most, out at Salt I-ake, March 10, 1866. Aiexion Thayer, Fluk-
ing, Co. A; trans, from Co. H; must, out June 26, 1S65. Hosea Birdsall, Co. C, corp;
must out May 2, 1862. Simeon P. McFarlnnd, Gaines, Co. K; trans, from Co. G; must,
out by order, July 12, 1865. Thaddeus W. Dockwood, Co. C; trans, to Mulligan's
Brjgiide.
THIRD CAVAI,RV.
The Third Ca\'alry Regiment was raised in the summer and fall of i86r,
having its rendezvous at Grand Rapids. The Genesee county men serving
in its ranks were sufficient in aggregate number to make up the majority of
a fuil company. They were distributed among several companies of the
regiment, though most numerous in Company I,
The Third Cavalry left Grand Rapids more than a thousand strongs
dbyGoot^lc
454 GENESEE COUNTYj MICHIGAN.
November i8, 1861, and proceeded to St. I^uis, Missouri, where it remained
in winter quarters at the Benton Barracks. In 1862 it moved south and
participated in the operations at New Madrid and Island No. 10, also in the
siege of Corinth, and the subsequent campaign in northern Mississippi, where
it remained during the entire season. In that series of operations it captured
twelve hundred and eighty-six prisoners of the enemy, among whom were
five field- and thirty-two line-ofiicers. It passed the winter in northern
Mississippi, and in 1863 was again employed in that state and western Ten-
nessee in almost continuous marching, fighting and raiding, and by the ist
of November in that year had taken an additional number of prisoners
sufficient to make the whole number captured by it since its commencement
of service two thousand one hundred, of whom about fifty were officers.
"During the year [from January i to November i, 1863] the regiment
marched a distance of ten thousand eight hundred miles, exclusive of marches
by separate companies and detachments." Accompanying the third in its
movements was a light battery of twelve-pound howitzers. On the ist of
January, 1864, the regiment arrived at La Grange, Tennessee, where it pre-
pared winter quarters, and where during January nearly six hundred of its
members re-enlisted as veterans and received the usual furlough — to rendez-
vous at Kalamazoo. From that place they moved, with their numbers
largely augmented by recruits, to St. Louis, where they remained about two
months on provost duty in the city while awaiting the arrival of new horses
and equipments. Still dismounted, the regiment moved May 18, and pro-
ceeded to Arkansas, there joining the army of General Steele. It was
mounted and armed with the Spencer repeat! ng-carbine on the ist of August,
and from that time until winter was engaged in scouting and outpost duty
in that state. Its winter quarters were at Brownsville Station, on the Mem-
phis & Little Rock railroad. On the 14th of March it was transferred from
Arkaasas to the military division of West Mississippi, under General Canby,
to move with the forces designed to operate against Mobile. After the fall
of that city the regiment was employed on outpost duty til! after the sur-
render of Lee and Johnston, and was then detailed as the escort of General
Canby, on the occasion of his receiving the surrender of the Confederate
General Taylor and his army. It moved across the country from Mobile to
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, arriving there May 22, 1865. On Sheridan's
assuming command of the division of the Southwest, the Third was ordered
to join troops destined for Texas, and left Baton Rouge June 10, moving
bv way of Shreveport, and across Texas to San Antonio, where it remained
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 455
employed in garrison duty, scouting expeditions for the protection of the
frontier, and other similar duty till February 15, 1866, when it was dis-
mounted and mustered out of service. The men returned via Victoria,
Indianola, New Orleans, and Cairo, Illinois, to Jackson, Michigan, and there
received their final payment, March 15, 1866.
Wllliitm Dunliam, Fentoti, enpt. Uo. I; enl. Sept. 7, 1801: res. Mtiy 11, 1S02
OiTln W. Bowlnna, Feuton; aei^. Co. C, 2(1 lleut. Co. E, Aiiril 29, 18S3: 1st lieut.
Co. I, Oct 24, 1864 ; ciipt. Co. C, Nov. 17, 1S64 ; hon. discb. June 6. 1865.
Jncob W. Miller, Feuton; wergt. Co. I; 2d lleut. Co. K, Sept. 18, 1864; lion, rtisch.
Jnue 6, 1865.
Andrew Hlckey, 2<l lieut. : pro. to 1st Jieut. Co. I ; dieil of diHease, Feb 16. 1803.
Clarence L. Miles, Fenton, (jr.-nir. sergt. ; pro. lu 1st lieut. Co. — , Dth Cin.
('•mpany I.
Diivkl B. .VliiIoi-hou, Uisdi fur iliwiibility, Oct. HI, lsfi2. Cliiirles O, Ailiuus. scret.,
Feutou; discli. for dlBiibilily, Feb. 12, 1862. Cieorge RordHi, discU. for dls.ibtllty, Veh.
14, 1862; nitiBt. out Sept. 14, 1805. ■\Vllllaiu Battiiy, died of disease at New Jladrlil.
Mo., Marcb 14, 1S62. George Borden, must, out Sept 14, 1SG5. Merrill Cherry, Feuton ;
Teternn; must, out Feb. 12, 1866. William Chestnut, Feuton; must, out Jan. 23, 1866.
Stephen H. Calkins, veteran; discli. for disability. Sept 25, 1S65. Harry B. Camp.
Flint ; died of disease at BrownsviJle, Ark., Sept. 3, 1804. Barnard Duff, died of disease
at Duvall'8 BlufC, Ark., Oct. 13, 1864. Carlton Fosltet, died of disease at Jackson, Sept.
22, 1862. Eensselaer C. Fuller, must out Feb. 12, 1S66. John Huntley, died of disease
at St. Louis, Mo., April 28, 1862. George E. Horton, musician, Fenton ; discb. to re-enl.
as vet Jan. 1!), 1864. John W. Kipp, Fenton; died of disease at Corintli, Miss. Edward
Ij. Mott, diach. July 21, 1862. Cornelius Quick, died of disease at Benton Barracks.
Dec. 25, 1801. John W. Snell, must, out Feb. 12, 1S66. Guy Sliaw. must, out Feb. 12.
1860. Han-isoii Traiihiignn, Feuton, Corp.; died of disease at New Madrid, Mo., April
9, 1862. I^vl W. Thatcher, disi-b. for disabillt}', March 25, 1864. George Tanner, dlsch.
June 21, 1862. Legrand P. Williams, dlsch. at end of service. Oct. 24, 1-S64. Edwnrd
Wellover, died of disease at Memphis, Tenu., July 26, 1864. Jonathan M. Willover. died
of disease at Holly, Mich., Dec. 10, 1861.
George Batne, Co. D; died of diseiise at Kalamazoo, Mich,, April 17, 1S64. .Tames
Bueil, Co. M; dlsch. to re-enl. as vet Jan. 19, 1H64; must out Feb. 12, 1860. WIlUuiu
H. Borst Co. B; must, out June 21, 1805. Charles M. Brown. Oi. B; must, out Feb.
12, 1860. George Buell, Co. M; must out Feb. 12, 1806. David Buell, Co. M; iiuiat
out Aug. 1865. Jesse Cooper, Co. D; must, out Feb. 12, 1866. Andrew J. Chappell,
Co. M; died of disease at St. I^uis, SIo., Jan. 5, 1802. Edward O. Fiero, Co. E; died
of disease at Brownsville, Ark., Sept. 0, 1864. William W. Flowers, Co. F, Genesee;
died of disease at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Nov, 18, ]S64. John W. Pouts, Co. C; dlsch.
Dec. 7, 1864. Wallace Gilbei-t, Co. F. Thetford; dlsch. for disability, Nov. 6, 1864.
Nelson B. Htcks, Co. M; died of disease at Jackson, Oct. 19, 1862. Hobert Hacket Co.
L, Flint; must, out Feb. 12, 1866. Jas. K Lee, Co. H; dlsch. Aug. 26, 1865. , Henry
Marvin, Co. M; dlsch. to re-eul. as vet. Jan, 19, 1864. Charles Slaseman, Co. A; must,
out Aug. 23. 1805. George W. Smith, Co. M ; diach. for disability. Jan. 3, 1863. Linus
B. Smith, Wagoner, Co. M; disch. for disability, April If), 1864. William Styles, Co.
E; died of disease at Chicago, III., Aug. 12, 1S64. Geoi^e W. Swain, Co. M; disch. to
dbyGoot^lc
45^ GENESKE COUNTY", MICHIGAN.
re-^Lil. iis vet. Jiiu. 1!), 1804. Ciilvin H. Swain, Co. A: must, out Keb. 12, ISGfi. Sliithew
FOURTH CAVALRY.
The raising of this regiment was authorized in the early part of July,
1S62, as a part of ilichigan's quota of eleven thousand six hundred and
eighty-six men to he furnished under the President's call for troops to
retrieve the disasters of the Seven Days' battles before Richmond. The
rendezvous of the Fourth was established at Detroit, and the regiment, having
its ranks filled to the maximum, was there mustered for three years' service
on the 29th of August. Its colonel was Robert G. Minty, promoted from
the lieutenant -colonelcy of the Third Cavalry. The surgeon of the regiment
was Dr. George W. Fish, of Flint, and about eighty other residents of Gen-
esee county were found in its ranks distributed among nearly all its companies.
The I''ourth left Detroit, September 26, 1862, and moved to the seat of
war in Kentucky, by way of Louisville, Being fully armed, mounted, and
equipped, it was placed in active service without much delay. It was in the
advance in the attack on the guerrillas of John Morgan, at Stanford, Ken-
tucky, and joined in the pursuit of those raiders to Crab Orchard. In the
attack on Lebanon, Kentucky, November 9, it also led the advance, charging
into the town two miles ahead of the infantry, driving out Morgan with
an equal or superior force, and capturing a large quantity of stores. On
the 13th of December, by a forced march, the regiment surprised and cap-
tured the enemy's pickets at Franklin, Tennessee, driving out a large rebel
force with heavy loss. It led the advance on Murfreesboro, and, after the
capture of that place, was engaged in numerous expeditions, driving l>ack
the enemy's cavalry which infested the country, and capturing several hun-
dred prisoners.
In May, i86,'5, foHowed by detachments of other regiments the Fourth
led a gallant charge into the camps of three Confederate regiments of cavalry,
routed them and took fifty-five prisoners and the colors of the First Alabama.
When the Army of the Cumberland advanced south from Murfreesboro in
June, 1863, the Fourth Cavalry was again in the lead, and repeatedly engaged
with, the enemy. In these fights and skirmishes it was always successful
until it reached the vicinity of Chattanooga, where it was several times
repulsed. The season's service was so severe that on the ist of November
only about three hundred of the men remained mounted.
dbyGoot^lc
GENHSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 457
After constant service through the winter — mounted and dismounted —
among the mountains of southeastern Tennessee, the regiment returned about
the last of March, 1864, to Nashville, where it received fresh horses, and
was newly equipped. It then returned to Sherman's army, which it accom-
panied in the Georgia campaign, constantly engaged in the same kind of
arduous service before described. Its hardest conflict was on the 20th of
June, at Lattimore's Mills, when with the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry it
engaged three cavalry brigades of the enemy, twice charging with the sabre,
and repelling several determined assaults on its own line. Having finally
fallen back on its supports, it aided in repelling an attack by General Wheel-
er's whole force, which was driven back with heavy loss. In this fight the
regiment, which had about three hundred men present, lost thirty-seven in
killed and wounded.
After the capture of Atlanta the mounted men of the regiment followed
Hood's army northward nearly to the Tennessee river, harassing his rear
and taking many prisoners. By this time only about one hundred of their
horses remained fit for service. They were turned over to another com-
mand, and the Fourth dismounted, concentrated at Nashville in October. It
was remounted at Louisville, Kentucky, and by the last of January, 1865,
was back on duty at Gravelly Spring, Alabama.
Leaving there March 12, it joined with other regiments in a long raid
through Alabama, swimming rivers, building corduroy roads, fighting the
rel^l cavalry General ForrcKt. and finally capturing the city of Selma, Ala-
bama, which was defended by at least seven thousand of Forrest's men
behind very strong fortifications, .^t one point fifteen hundred dismounted
cavalry, of which the Fourth formed a part, charged the intrenchments and
captured them in twenty minutes, having had three hundred and twenty-four
men killed and wounded. This was on the 2d of April. On the 20th,
after numerous adventures, the command reached Macon, Georgia, where
the news of the surrender of Lee was the signal to cease fighting.
The Fourth, however, gained still another title to renown, by the capture
of Jefferson Davis, near .'Kbbeville, Georgia, April 10, 1865. The regiment
soon after marched to Nashville, where it was mustered out on the ist of
July, and nine days later was disbanded at Detroit. The list of the battles
and skirmishes of the Fourth Regiment numbered ninety-four. Few of them,
it is true, were very severe, but their number shows that the regiment was
full of energy and valor.
dbyGoot^lc
458 GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN.
Ceo. W. Fish, Fliut, Surg,; enl. July 26, 1862; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Jacob
litiltelyou, Atlus, sevgt.; 2d Iteut. Co. K, Feb. 18, 1863; 1st lieut Sept. 13, 1863; wound-
ed iQ action at Olevelaud, Teim., Dee. 9, 1863; capt. Aug. 14. 1864; res. Jan. 8, 1865.
Geo. F. FIsli. Flint, sergt. Co. F; 2d lieut. Co. L, July 21. .1864; 1st lieut. Co. F. Dec. 10,
1804 ; must, out Aug. 15, 18(S. Ansel Adauis, Atlas, com.-aergt. ; mast, out July 1, 1865.
Ira F. Austiu, Co. L; died of disease at Xe^v Albany, Ind., Nov. 17. 1862. Albert
Adiims, Forest, Co. B ; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Jolin C. Brown, Flint, Co. B ; must, out
Aug. 15, 1865. Henry M. lirown. Forest, Co. H; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Abel H.
BeriT, Flusliiug, Go. H; must, out Aug. 15, ,1865. Benjamin F. Bump, Clayton, Co. H;
must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Henry E. Bambart, Flushing, Co. M; must out Aug. 15, 1865.
G. Brown, Flint, Co. B; dlsch. for disability, Nov. 13, 1803. Almon Barrow, Atlas,
Co. K ; discb. for disability, Sept 11, 1863. John W. Caftins, Flushing, Co. H ; died of
disease at Cartersvllle, Ga., July 31, 1864. Franklin A. Carlni, Flint, Co. B; must, out
Aug. 15, 1865. Alonzo Curtis, Fentoii, Co. C; aiseb. by order, Aug. 20, 1865. Wm. H.
Coiiover, Forest, Co. H; discli. by order, Aug. 26, 1365. Jolin Douglass, Co. B; discb.
by order, June 27, 1865. Orrin Dunning, Atlas, Co. H; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Rufus
N. Davison, Gaines, Co. L; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Francis M. Eddy, Flint, Co. L;
must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Herbert O. Faruum, Flint, Co. A; must, out Aug. 15, 1865.
Dennis Failj, Flusbing, Co. K; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Nathaniel Gallagher, Fenton,
Co. B ; must, out Aug. 15. 1865. James A. Giles, Fenton, Co. B ; must, out Oct. 7, 1865.
Gerard A. Goi-don, Flint, Co. I; must, out Aug. 35. 1865. Jobn L. Green, Flushing,
Co. B; disch. by order, July 10, 1865, Truman Henderson, Atlas, Co. K; dlsch. by order,
July 27, 1865. Jobn A. Hopkins, Flint, Co. B ; discb. for disabllitj-, June 15, 1864. Jo-
sepli Hershey, Flint. Co. B; disch. for dlaabilltj-, Dec. 16, 1861. Homer G. Hazleton,
Flint, Cp.'F; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Ijiuls B. Hopkins, Flint, Co. H; must, out Aug.
15, 1865. William S. HeiTlck. Atlas, Co. H; must out Aug. 15, 1865. Silas J. Harper,
Vlltit, Co. M; must, out Aug. 15, 18!f5. Decatur Jacos, Atlas, Co. K; must, out Aug.
15, 1865. EH Jennings, Atbis, Co. K; dlsch. for disability Sept. 18 1R03. Sirenus Lane,
Atlas, Co. K; dlsch. by oMer May 27, 1865. Edwin Lunei Fenton Co \ died of
disease at Nashville, Tenn. Nicholas Munson, Co. L died of diwase at Columbia Tenn
July 24, 1864. Benjamin McIUroy, Flushing, Co. C must out Aug 15 1865 Heniv
Murry, Gaines, Co. C; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. William H G Mirtin Flushing Co D
must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Jacob E. Munn, Flushing Co D must out Aug 15 1865
John Melllroy, Flushing, Co. K; must, out Aug. 1'^ 1865 John Moirlsh Clayton Lo
K; must, out Aug. 15. 1865. George M. Miles, Flint Co I must out Ma\ 2'i 1865
Harlan P. Nlles, Flushing, Co. K; dlsch. by order June 23 1865 Milton Oldfield
Atlas, Co. K; dlsch. by order, June 2, 1865. Charles W Pettengiii Flushing Co K
died of disease at Chattanooga, Teun., Aug. 1, 1864. Barrett Plerson, Genesee, Co. r.
must- out Aug. 15, 1805. George Baab. Flint, Co. F; must, out Aug. 15, 1866. Bansler
Ransom, Flushing, Co. K; must, out Aug. 15. 1865. CbarlesStflrk, Fenton, Co. B; must,
out Aug. 15. 1865. Fi-ancls St. John. Flushing. Co. K; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Eugene
M. Seeley, Forest, Co. M; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. Harlan Sykea, Co. A; disch. by
order, Aug. 21, 1865. Reuben C. Stem, Vienna, Co. K; died at Rome. Ga., after being
captured. May 15, 1864. Henry Trickey, Flint, Co. F; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. George
R. Vantine, Atlas, Co. K; must, out July 1, 1865. John R. Van Housten, Clayton, Co.
M; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., April 26, 1864. Robert van Tiffin, Burton, Co.
M; discharged by order. Aug. 25. 1865. Levi S. WaiTen, Flint, Co. F; disch. for pro-
motion, Dec. 10, 1864. Edward A. Whitman. Flint, Co. F; must, out Aug. 15, 1805.
Andrew J. Wiird, Flint, Co. F; must, out Aug. 15, 1865, William C. Whitmnn, Flint.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 459
Co. F; must, nut Aug. 15, 18(j5. S;iiuuel Whltmiin. tlrjinil Bl.inc, Co. F; must, out Aug.
15, 1805. Witlluiu Wood. Davison, Co. K; must, out July 1, 1865. James D. Haight,
Flint, Co. B; must, out ou detached serrica Chiis. D. Sunimers, Flint, Co. P; killed lu
"battle at Xoondify Creelt, Ga., June 20, 1864. Rufus A. Stacy, Flint, Co. IT; must, out
Aug. 15, 1865. Chiii-lea A. Wni-d, FUut, Co. F; mtist. o«t Aug. 15, 1865. Geo. B. Walker,
Flint, Co. I; ou detached service with S. C. Troops. David B. Cranston, Co. I; ou de-
tached service. Alvin Fox, Attns, Co. K; died of disease at Murfreesboro, Tenn., May
10, 1893. Joliu Kichards, Atlas, Co. K; trans, to Invalid Corps, Sept. 1. 1863. Charles
A. Petty, Flushing, Co. K; absent, sick; not must, out with company. Seymour Iiewis,
Co. K; must, out Aug. 15, 1.S65. Martin Wilcox, Co. M; absent, siclt; not must, out
with company. Slartln L. Harper, Flint, Co. M; must out Aug. 15. 1865.
FIFTH CAVALRY.
The Fifth Regiment of Cavalry was raised in the summer of 1862,
under authority from the war department and the governor of the state to
Joseph T. CopeJand, then lieutenant-colonel of the First Cavalry. The
rendezvous of the Fifth was at Detroit, where it was mustered into the
service of the United States, under Colonel Copeland, on the 30th of August
in the year named. About seventy men of Genesee county served in the
ranks of its several companies, more of these being in Company K than in
any of the others.
For about three months after muster the Fifth remained at the head-
quarters waiting for arms, and at the time of its departure — December 4 —
the men had been but partially armed, though fully equipped. From Detroit
the command moved to Washington, D. C, and remained there through the
winter. In the spring of 1863, after being fully armed, it was attached to
the Second Brigade of the Third Division of the Cavalry Corps, Army of
the Potomac.
As it is impracticable to furnish a detailed account of its almost innum-
erable marches and constantly changing movements and counter-movements
during the campaign of 1S63, we give in brief a list of the engagements
with the enemy in which the regiment took part during that eventful year,
namely — Hanover, Virginia, June 30; Hunterstown, Pennsylvania, July 2;
Gettvsburg, July 3; Monterey, Maryland, July 4; Cavetown, Maryland, July
5; Smithtown, Maryland, July 6; Boonsboro, Maryland. July 6; Hagers-
town, Maryland, July 7; Williamsport, Maryland. July 7; Boonsboro (2d),
July 8; Hagerstown (2d), July 10; WilHamsport, July 10; Falling Waters,
Virginia, July 14; Snicker's Gap, Virginia, July 19; Kelly's Ford, Virginia.
SepteiTiber 13: Culpeper Court House. Virginia, September 14; Raccoon
Ford, Virginia. September 16; White's Ford, Virginia, September 21 ; Jack's
dbyGoot^lc
460 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Shop, Virginia, September 26; James City, Virginia, October 12; Brandy
Station, Virginia, October 18; Buckland's Mills, Virginia, October 19;
Stevensburg, Virginia, November 19; Morton's Ford, Virginia, November'
26.
At the close of the active operations of if^63 the Fifth went Into camp
at Stevensburg, Virginia, passing the winter there and along the line of the
Rapidan. About the ist of March it took part in the raid of General Kil-
patrick to the defenses of Richmond, where it was attacked, March 2, by the
enemy in large force, and obliged to retire to New Kent Court flouse, where
it joined General Butler.
A detachment of the regiment had accompanied Colonel Dahlgren in
the famous raid in which he lost his life. It advanced to within five miles
of Richmond, and drove the enemy from his first and second lines of defense,
but was finally compelled to retreat behind the Chickahominy. At Old
Church the body containing the detachment of the F'ifth was attacked and
compelled to cut its way to White House landing, which was reached on
the following day. On the nth it embarked at Yorktown, moved by the
York and Potomac rivers to Alexandria, and thence to the camp at Stevens-
burg. It was then transferred from the Third to the First Cavalry Division
at Culpeper Court House.
The Fifth took active part in the memorable campaign of General Grant
in 1864. It crossed the Rapidan May 5, and on the 6th and 7th was hotly
engaged with the enemy in the Wilderness, It was in Sheridan's great
cavalry expedition against the rebel communications, fighting at Beaver Dam
Station, May 9, at Yellow Taverns, May 10 and 11, and at Meadow Bridge
on the 1 2th. On the 14th it crossed the Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge,
marched thence to Malvern Hill, and from there to Hanover Court House,
destroying railroad track and bridges. It crossed the Pamunkey river at
White House on the 22d, and marching by way of Aylett's and Concord
Church, rejoined the Army of the Potomac near Chesterfield on the 25th.
It was in the action at Hawes' Shop, May 28, at Baltimore Cross-Roads
on the 29th, and at Cold Harbor and 0!d Church Tavern on the 30th.
Again, on the raid along the line of the Virginia Central railroad, it fought
at Trevillian Station, June 11, where the enemy were driven several miles,
leaving in the hands of the Union troops about six hundred prisoners, fifteen
hundred horses, one stand of colors, six caissons, forty ambulances, and
fifty wagons. On the 12th it was engaged a few miles nearer Louisa Court
House, on the Gordonville road, and, passing thence towards the James river.
dbyGoot^lc
GF.NESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 461
crossed that stream and marched to Jerusalem plank-road, south of Peters-
burg. On the 4th of August it embarked for Washington, and moved thence
through Maryland and across the Potomac, to Halltown and Berryville, Vir-
ginia. It- fought at Winchester on the lith and at Front Royal on the
i6th of August, On the 19th a squadron of the regiment was attacked by
Mosby's guerrillas, and was driven to the main body, with a loss of sixteen
.killed and mortally wounded.
Among the subsequent engagements of the regiment during the Valie\-
campaign of 1864 were Leetown and Shepardstown, August 25; Opequan
Creek, August 28; Smithfield, August 29; Berryville, September 3; Summit,
September 4; Opequan, September 19 (where it routed the enemy's cavalrv.
broke his infantry lines, and captured two battle-flags and four hundred
prisoners) ; Moimt Crawford, Virginia, October 2: Woodstock, October 9:
Cedar Creek, October 19 (capturing a great number of prisoners and driv-
ing the enemy in great confusion); and Newtown. November 12, where it
fought an entire brigade of the enemy.
After the last named action the regiment returned to Camp Russell,
near Winchester, where it remained until February 27, 1865, when it moved
southeast, as part of Sheridan's force, on the famous raid of that general
to the James r!\er. It was engaged in action at Louisa Court House, March
18, 1865, and joining the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg, fought
under Sheridan at Five Forks, Virginia, March 30 and 31 and April i. On
the 2d of April it was engaged with the enemy on the Southside railroad;
on the 4th, at Duck Pond Mills; on the 6th, at Sailor's creek; and then took
part in the closing events at Appomattox Court House, from the (Jth to the
9th of April, 1865.
After the surrender of J.ee the Fifth moved with the cavalrj' corps to
Petersburg, and was ordered thence shortly afterwards to North Carolina.
It returned to Washington, D. C, in time to participate in the grand review
of the veteran armies of Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, in the latter part of
May. Immediately after this it was moved west with the Michigan Cavalry
Brigade, by the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers, to St. Louis; thence by steamer on the Missouri river to Ft, Leaven-
worth, Kansas. There the men having two years or more to serve were
transferred to the First and Seventh Michigan Cavalry, and then, on the
22d of June, the Fifth was mustered out of ser^dce. The regiment reached
Detroit on the ist of July, where the men received their pay and dispersed.
dbyGoot^lc
462 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FIFTH CAVALRY FF
Henry H. Pettee, Flint, 1st lieut.; eiii. Aug. 14, 1862; died at Detroit, Midi,, ffom
Injuries received by full from a horse.
John B. Borden, I-lnden, sergt. Co. G; 2d lieut. April 14, 1865; must, out ns sergt,
Voiilpuny K.
.Toliu Buell, died in :ii:tioii at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1SG3. Stewart Curie, discli.
for disutility, Nov. 6, 1803. Nytliaii Davis, dlBcb. for disability, Nov. 2, 1S63. George
S. Decker (aergt), gained from missing in action. Henry D. Howes (corp.), dlscL. by
order, Sept. 12, 1863. Curtis H. Hlgley, lulsslng In action at Bucklaud'a Mills, Get 10,
186i. Noah W. Halcouib, must, out June 23, 1865. Jolin B. Looker, must, out Jime 23,
1865. Abram Lewis, flisch. for disability, Sept. 28, 1804. Warren A. Jlarahall (corp.),
discli. for disability, Sept. 19, 1862. James Xewberry, died of disease at Audersonville,
Gu., Sept 13, 186i. Luther Kabble, must, out June 23, 1805. Daniel I. Uandall, discb.
by oi-der, ilay 17, 1866. Ti-uiuan D. SpauldiiUE. diach. for dlsabllttj-, Sept. 1, 1862.
Oliver Stewart, diach. for disabllltj-, Oct. 20, 1882. Oscar Sbattnck, died In action at
Booosboro', Md., July 8, 1863. Lee Thayer, nmat. out June 23, 1865. George W. Thorp,
must, out June 23, 1865. William Wheeler (corp.), sei^t.; must out June 23. 1865.
William Wheeler (corp.), sergt; must out Juue 23, 1865. James B. Warner, died of
disease at Anderaonville, Ga., Oct. 18, 1864. Alva Brace, trans. t<D Invalid Corps. March
18. 18G4. Adam Dell, missing In action at Newcastle Feixy, Va.. June 4, 1864. Wtlllaiu
S. Pailthorp. sick In hospital; not must, out with company. John F. Pittten. sick in
hospital; not must. Dut with conii)any. William Warner, tvans. to Iiivalkl CorpK, Mtiy
5, 1SC4.
Other Companies.
Henry S. Beebe, t^ntou, Co. G; died of diseaae at Richmond, Va., Dec. 1863. David
F. Baird, Fentou. Co. G ; discii. for disability, June 23, 1864. Aaron J. Croesmau, Flint,
Co. A; must out June 22, 1865. Asa L. Grossman, Flint, Co. A; disch. for disability,
April 12, 1864. Andrew Cole. Flint, Co. C; diach. for wounda, Feb. 9, 1.865. Orlando
CrofC. Flint, Co. I (wagoner): must out June 23, 1865. John Day, Co. G; gained
from missing In action. Henry Eaton, Flint, Co. A; must, out June 22. 1865. Henry
Foi-sytli, Grand Blanc, t'o. F (musician) ; died of disease at Anderson vl lie, Ga., Aug. 28,
1864. Joel K. Fairbanks, Feuton, Co. C; died of disease at Anderson vi lie, Ga., Way 20.
1864. Ward A. Field, Feuton. Co. G; died of disease at Richmond, Va., Jlai-ch 15, 1864.
John B. Heteheier, Fenton, Co. G; died of disease at Stevensburg, Va., Jan. 24, 1864.
Francis P. Kent, Feuton, Co. G; died in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1883. Simon
Kinney, Richfield. Co. E; must out June 23, 1865. Cyrenaus Lucas, Flint, Co. A; trans,
to Vet. Res. Corps, Jnu. 15, 1804. Mild A. Lucas, Flint Co. A; dlsch. for disability, Oct
20, 1862. Salmon G. Lacey, Co. C ; died of disease at Washington, D. C, Dec. 25, 1862.
Simon P. ilcFarland, Gnines, Co. <5; trans, to 1st Michigan Cavalrj-. James Aliller,
Grand Blanc. Co. A; dlsch. by order, May 3, 1865. Grlce Mathewson, Flint, Co. C;
must, out Juue 22, 1865. Pulaski Pierce, Fentou, Co. G ; died of disease at Richmond,
Vt, Dec. 25, 1863. Harry N. Shannon, Linden, Co. M; died of disease at Washington,
D. C. Feb. 23, 1863. Wm. E. Smith, Co. F ; died of disease at Washington, D. C, Aug.
21, 1863. Charles 11. Shepard. Fentou, Co. G; diach. for disability, Nov. 21, 1863.
Abuer D. Sweet Fenton, Co. G; disch. for disability. Nov. 12. 1861. Wm. P. Snow, Co.
C; dlsch. for wounds. May 22, 1865. Phlneas I. Tucker, Co. A; dlsch. by order, Juue
9, 1865. Ethan A. Wright, Mount Morris, Co. G; dlsch. for disability. Oct. 5, 1863.
James H. Webster. Flint. Co. C ; must out June 22, 1865. Myrou F. Harris. Fenton, Co.
G (Corp.); must, out June 22, 1865. Amos B. I.obdcll, Fenton, Co. G <blafl;smith) ;
dbyGoot^lc
GENFiSEE COCNTY, MICHIGAN. 463
must, out June 22, 1865. Wm. E. Alexamlei', Gpiiesee, Co. C ((.wi).) : iiinst, out June 2!),
18G5. Lyvester D. Broford, Gniiies. lilcliiirij Horriugtoii, Forest. Newell Miller, Grnnd
Blanc.
SIXTH CAVALRY.
The Sixth Michigan Cavalry, which was organized at Grand Rapids in
the autumn of 1862. carried on its rolls the names of between forty and fifty
men from Genesee county. It was mustered into the United States service
with twelve hundred men, vmder Col. George Gray, on the 13th of October
in that year, and on the lOth of December, following, left the rendezvous
for Washington, D. C, mounted and equipped, but not armed. It remained
in the vicinity of Washington through the winter, and on the opening of the
campaign of 1863 joined the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac,
being assigned to the Second Brigade of the Third Division. During the
campaign of that year it experienced much of active service in Virginia,
Maryland, and Pennsylvania, taking part in engagements and skirmishes as
follows: Hanover, Virginia, June 30; Hunterstown, Pennsylvania; Gettys-
burg, July 3; Monterey, Maryland, July 4; Cavetown, Maryland, July 5;
Smithtown, Boonsboro, Hagerstown, and Wiiliamsport, Maryland, July 6;
Hagerstown and Williamsport, July 10; Falling Waters, Virginia, (where,
according to official reports, it was highly distinguished for gallant behavior),
July 14; Snicker's Gap, July 19; Kelly's Ford, September 13; Culpeper Court
House, September 14; Raccoon Ford, September 16; White's Ford, Septem-
ber 2 1 ; Jack's Shop, September 26 ; James City, October 1 2 ; Brandy Station,
October 13; Buckland's Mills, October 19; Stevensburg, November 19; and
Morton's Ford, November 26. From the latter date it remained in winter-
quarters at Stevensburg until the 28th of February, 1864, when it joined
the cavalry column of Kili>atrick on his great raid to the vicinity of Rich-
mond. Returning from that expedition to camp at Stevensburg, it was trans-
ferred to the First Cavalry Division, and soon after moved camp to Culpeper.
It was engaged, and fought bravely, near Chancellorsville, May 6, and skirm- '
ished on the 7th and 8th. On the morning of the 9th it moved with General
Sheridan's command on the raid to the rear of the Confederate army, holding
the advance. From this time until the close of the year its history is one of
almost continuous movement, which may be summed up by the enumeration
of the fights and skimiishes in which it took part, as follows: Beaver Dam,
Virginia, May 9; Yellow Tavern, May 10 and 11 ; Meadow Bridge, May 12;
Hanover Court House, Virginia, May 27; Hawes' Shop, May 28; Baltimore
Cross Roads, May 29; Cold Harbor, May 30 and June i ; Trevillian Station,
dbyGoot^lc
464 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
June II and 12; Cold Harbor, July 21; Winchester, August 11; Front Royal,
August 16; Leetown, August 25; Shepherdstown, Virginia, August 26; Smith-
field, August 29 ; Berryville, September 3 ; Summit, September 4 ; Opequan,
September 19; Luray, September 24; Port Republic, September 26, 27 and
28; Mount Crawford, Virginia, October 2; Woodstock, October 9; Cedar
Creek, October 19; Madison Court House, December 24.
On the opening of the spring campaign it moved with the other cavalry
forces of Sheridan, February 27, 1865, towards Gordonsville, and fought at
Louisa Court House, Marcli 8. Then the command moved by way of White
House Landing to and across the James river, and joined the Army of the
Potomac in time to take part in the final battles of the war, being engaged at
Five Forks, Virginia, March 30, 31 and April i; at Southside railroad, April
2; Duck Pond Mills, April 4; Sailor's creek, April 6; and Appomattox, April
9. In one of these engagements the rebel General Picket was captured, and
he afterwards spoke of the diarge of the Sixth on that occasion as "the
bravest charge he ever had seen."
After Lee's surrender the regiment moved to Petersburg, thence to
North Carolina, and then north to Washington, D. C, where it marched in
the great review of May 23. Immediately after it was ordered west, and
moved with the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, via the Baltimore & Ohio rail-
road,, and the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers, to Ft. Leavenworth.
There it received orders to move over the plains, westward, on duty in the
Indian country. The officers and men were greatly disgusted at this, but
they would not soil their noble record by disobedience, and so they moved
unhesitatingly to the performance of the disagreeable duty, on which they
remained till the 17th of September, 1865, when the men of the regiment
whose term did not expire lief ore February i, 1866, were consoHdated with
the First Michigan Cavalry, and the remainder of the command was ordered
back to P't. Leavenworth, where it was mustered out of service, November
24, 1865. Returning to Michigan, it arrived at Jackson, November 30, and
was there disbanded.
The Sixth Cavalry, together with the First, the Fiftieth and tlie Seven-
tieth, formed the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, which was under command
of the redoubtable Gen. George Armstrong Custer in the battle of Gettysburg.
The following account, taken from the Detroit Free Press, is from the pen
of the well-known writer, Charles A Ward
Custer 8 coniinuiitl oocui)1ed the e\treine lielit nf (leiienil Jleiules ^m^ on tint
eventful diiv The liilgnde held it>4 position uiinmle'Stetl until ten i m when tiie
euenn JiiiieJiuii m foue <n tile light flunk of the lirigiule nuil begin tu ptni siilid
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 465
sUiiC HUiI Mliell iDto tile L'uiou ruiikh In<m 11 battery of six gmis. The niiirksinansliiii of
the Confederate gunners was uocurate and their Are caused haioc among the Michigan
men. Custer at once reformed his lines until they were shaped like a letter L
One section of Battery SI, Second Itegular ArtUlerj-, supported by four squadrons
of the Sixth Michigan, facing towards Gettysburg, formed the shorter branch of
the new line. Two sections of battery, supported by portions of the Sixth on the
left and the First Michigan on the right, with the Seventh still further to the right.
and in advance, were in readiness to check any attack tliat mtght be made liy way
of the Oxford road. The Fifth Cavalry, the only raiment to the brigade armed
with the new Spencer i-iirblne, wiis dismounted and placed In front of the center and
left.
The two sections of Batterj- M soon dro^e the Confederate gunners from the
Held. Again followed a period of anxious waiting. The roar of cannon, the Incessant
rattle of inusketry, the huge clouds of smoke away to the left apprised the waiting
brigade that their comrades in arms were engaged in a deadly struggle. The troopers
of the brigade were listeners, but not spectators. Whither the tide of battle surgpd
they could only guess The next moment might involve them la its maelstrom.
Hot. thirsty, hungry, the men sat, arms In hand, until long after noon. The
sensations of physical discomfort were, however, minimized by their appreciation of
the great tragedy that was being enacted about them. The crisis of the long struggle
was at liand. The cause for which they fought was the pawn of battle that day.
Suddenly Custer's outposts on the Oxford road came scurrying In. Thp attention
of the command was riveted on the flying troopers. Each individual unit was alert.
And then over the crest of the range of hills m the foreground came the enemy's
skirmishers, a line of dismounted cavalry that extended far to the left of Custer's
position. The Fifth, lying dismounted in front of the brigade, was ordered to a more
advanced position to meet the enemy's advance with their Spencer carbines. Custer's
orders were to hold the position at all hazards. This order the Slichlgan men literally
obeyed until their last cartridge was expended.
Col. Russel A. Alger, Major N. H. Ferry and Major L. S. Trowbridge led the
regiment Into this action. They occupied the middle ground between the two armies.
Their ^alor was witnessed by the troopers massed along the York pike. It stimulated
the command for the greater struggle that was to come. The Confederate line came
on the Fifth with a yell. From the shelter of fences, rocks and friendly hillocks
the Spencers ijoured forth a fire that made the enemy retoU. Again they came down
the slope m increased numbers and with augmented fury. Again the Fifth met the
shock and rolled the attacking party back upon itself. The next time the insistent
rebel skirmishers struck Alger's raiment on the left flank. It was then that the
gallant Ferry fell, cheering his battalion to hold its ground.
The resistance of the dismounted Fifth to these repeated attacks was made with
the carbine. The rapidity with which the new repeating weapon could be discharged
was a painful surprise to the enemy. One deadly volley followed another so swiftly
that the living could not fill the gaps made by this terrible new instrument of destruc-
tion. Bach time they hesitated, poised for a moment In swaying column, turned and
fled. The efficiency of the weapon had compensated for the disparity In numbers. It
had also made serious Inroads In the stock of shells carried by the troopers of the
Fifth. The last round was In the magaalues. Empty weapons would be useless even
in the hands of brnie men. Colonel Alger sounded the retreat.
Custer's olert eye, from his position on the pike, covered each minute detail
(30)
dbyGoo<^lc
466 GENESKE COUNTY, MlCHIfiAN.
Tlie Sc'\eiitli, 1-ouiix.iaed of rjiw mt^u ouly four luoiitlis on the muster roll, lay to the
right ana soDiewhut lu advance of the main posltlou. It fould aaie the Fifth. In
it few uiouieuts the Seventh, following Col. Willinm D. Mann, was flyins hl-i'osh the
broken gi-ouiid to meet the Uoufederate charge. The fljlng column crashed in Head-
long collision. Neither the blue nor tlie gi-ay gate heed to leraonal safety. The
inspiration of the moment was in their blood. .^11 were carried info the nnielstrom by
the IvresiBtlble impulse of a conflict. The apiiearauce of the Seventh was ii aurpriae
to the Confederates. The niomeutum of the Jliehigiiu troopers i-olled their SQuadrons
bafli, one upon the other, (irnsptng this advantage of the first Impart, Colonel Mann
pushed the enemy through the harvest flelds in a hand-to-haud struggle until his
adversuries found refuge behind a high uiihvoken fente which the mounted men could
not clear, iN'othing dauuted, the Seventh i-ode bravely up to the fence and discharged
their rei'olvei-s over It into the vei-y faces of the foe.
The grouud now occupied by the Seventh was untenable. They were (■•■mpellea
to I'etire, the enemy in swift pursuit. Hy this time the Fifth, from whose pursuit
Colonel Mann's charge had diverted the jelling Confederates, had partially succeeded
in i-emounting and Major Trowhciilge led a battalion of this regiment to tlie su.-cor
of the Seventh. Trowbridge had his horse shot under him, but his charge checited
the rebel pursuit. Custer's eye kindled with satlsfiictlon as he noted the eflicieucy and
valor of the trooiiers he had been named to le^id. With such men he could make his
brigade the pride of the anny.
For the moment there was |M'ace on the field before him, a peace broken now
and then by the desultiiry fivhig of scattered HklrmlMliers. The blue and the gi'ay
"ere breathing. The First imd the Sixth were sjiectators fi'om the laubige of the
batten'. Thus far the blue had held their position.
-\.nd then trouble again reared Its head from behind the crest of thiit ridge. Four
regiments of gray cavalry came over the summit and swept majestically down on
the Michigan brigade. It was Wade Hampton's brigade of veteran troopers, the pride
of Lee's army. To meet It Custer had but the fire of Battery M and the First Michi-
gan formed In reserves. The odds woi-e tremendous. But the young commander had
orders t<i hold his position. He was pi-otecting the riglit flank of the men who were
defending, with desperate valor, the long line that stretched away to his left.
The First was formed lu column of battalions. Custer ordered the First to meet
the advancing foe. Batterj- M poured solid shot into the oncoming host.
Wltli Colonel Town at Its bead, the regiment went forward at a trot, sabers drawn.
Within a short distance of the enemy the chaise was sounded and, with ii mighty
yell, the First hurled itself at the hejn->- columns. As each squadron, in almost
faultless alignment, struck the enemy it was broken by the Impact and spread out
upon either flank of the succeeding one, as the currents of a river are and foi-med
into eddies by an immovable obstruction. But these bi'oken squadi'ons formed again
in the w^ake of the regiment and returned to tlie assault. The audacity of the cliarge
surprised Hampton's troopers. The rapidity of the blows threw them into confu-
sion. The execution of the Michigan Siibers turned the sweeping, cocksure advance int<t
a rout and the enemy made haste to tlie protection of the ridge from behind which
it had emerged.
Those who saw the gallant, charge pive unstinted praise to the action <»f the
Jlichigan men. In Its execution it ri\als the famous cavalry actions of history, it
was -a flttiug Hnale to the heroic deeds of an eventful day. It demonstrated the
dei>endal)11ity of the Michigan brigade. It made Custer a marked man In the cavalry
service.
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEi: COUNTY, MICHIOAN. 467
Vna those Iiniels neie (l«ailj pmcliasei] \Mien the i«.imeuts. firmed agnm
on the iork pike the\ weie pltlfullv depleted The Flist had list in ten mmiites &li
uffaceiB and eighty men Of officers and men in the bn^iide hte hundred and f<;itvt\^o
failed tc iinsner roll onll Mne officein and sKtv nine men Tteie LHIed Twentj Ave
officers and two huudred and ne^en men were wounded feeien offitera and two hun
dred and twenty die men were missmg Such was the toll of the hard fought stru^le
which prjtetted Sleides light Such wis the xatilflce Mithigiux t^^Jin made on
the field rt ( ettj-Jhuio-
IleadqniirterB Third Cavali-y Division.
Appomattox Court House,
April 9, 1S(15.
Hoidieis iif the Third C.n.ilij Dnisloii.
With profound gratitude toward the (iod of buttleN. liy whose blessings our enemies
have heeu Humbled, and our armM rendered triumphant, your commanding general
avails himself of this, his first opportunity, to exiiresa to you his admiration of the
herok' manner in whU-h you hme iiasaed through the sevles of battle which today
resulted in the surrender of the euemy'a entire army. The record established by
your Indomitable com'age in unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess La?
won for you even the respect and admiration of your enemies.
During the iiast sis months, although In most instances confronted by superior
numbers, you have captured from the enemy In open battle, one hundred and eleven
pieces of field artlllerj-, sixty-fi^e battle flags and upwards of ten thousand prisoners
of war, Including seven general officers. Within the past ten days, and Included In
the al>o*e, you have captured forty-five pieces of field artillery and thirty-se^en battle
flags.
You have never hist a guu, never lost a color, and never been defeated, and not-
nithstanding the numerous engagements, including those memorable battles of the
Shenandoah, you have citptui-ed every piece of artillery the enemy has dared to open
uiwn you.
The near eiHieh of peace renders It improbable that yon will be called upon again
to undergo the fatigues of toilsome march or the exposure of the battlelield, but
should the aasistance of keen blades wielded by jour sturdy arms be required to hasten
the coming of the glorious peace for which we have been so long contending, the
general commaudiug is jiroudly confident that In the future, as In the past, every
demand will meet with a hearty and willing restionse.
I^t us hoi>e that our work is done: that, blessed with the comforts of peace, we
may soon be permitted to return to the pleasure of home and friends.
For our comrades who lia^e fallen let us cherish a grateful remembrance; to
the wounded anil those who languish in southern prisons, let our heartfelt sympathy
be turned.
And now, siieaking of myself alone, when the war is ended, and the task of
the historian begins, when those deeds which have rendered the name and fame of
the Third Cavalry Division Imperishable, are Inscribed upon the bright pages of our
country's history, I only ask that my name be written as the conunander of the ThlM
Cavalry Division.
George A. Custeb.
Brevet Major-General.
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
George W. Barbour, Fentou, sergt. ; 24 lieut. Co. D ; enl. June 18, 1864 ; must, out
ot eud of service, June 26, 1865.
John Torrey, Flint, Ciipt.; eul. Aug. 15, 1862; resigned Feb. 18, 1863.
Privates — Thomas B. Armstrong, Co. G; died of disease ut City Point, Va., July 11,
1864. George W. Barbour, Fenton, Co. D, qr.-m. -sergt. ; discb. by order, July 1, 1864.
Edwin Beclcwlth, Co. I; died of disease at Anderson i-ille, Ga., May 31, 1864. E. E.
Covert, Burton, Co. C; died of disease at AndersonviHe, Ga., Jan. 17, 1865. David Case,
Tbetford, Co. I, farrier; disch. May, 1863. Albert Cash, Flint, Co. L, com. -sergt. ; must,
out Nov. 24, 1865. Jonas P. Clark, Linden, Co. I ; must, out June 30, 1865. D. Cbase,
Co. I; disch. for disability, March 1, 1863. Augustus Derby, Flint, Co. L; must, out
Nov. 24, 1865. Garrett Dewsfoe, Burton, Co. 0; trans, to Signal Corps, April, 1864.
Blankln B. Davis, Co. C; trans, to 1st Mich. Oav., Nov. 17, 1864. Marion Eldridge,
Flint, Co. C; died of wounds at Trevillian, Va., June 11, 1864. Martin Foote, Co. C;
died of wounds at Trevillian, Va., June 11, 1864. Reuben P. Forbes, Fenton, Co. I;
trans, to Vet. Res. Corps. July 1, 1863. Augustus B. Holmes, Fenton, Co. I ; disch. by
order, Aug. 17, 1865. Theodore Kress, Burton, Co. C; must, out July 27, 1865. James
A. McClintock, Mount Morris, Co. C; must, out July 27, 1865. Wm., Martin, Flint, Co.
L; died of disease at Washington, D. 0., Jan. 10, 1863. Herman W. Merrill, Mnden,
Co. I; disch. for promotion, Feb. 24, 1S64. Albert Moulthrop, Thetford, Go. I; mlssii^
in action at Woodstock, Va., Oct 9, 1864. Hylen E. Hortou, Co. I; must, out June 30,
1865. Edwin Nichols, Argentine, Co. D ; died of disease at Richmond, Va., Dec. 14,
1863, while prisoner. l*vi Orner, Grand Blanc, Co. I ; died oC disease at Richmond, Va.,
Feb. 23, 1864. Samuel J. Peck, Fenton, Co. 0; died of disease at City Point, Va., Aug.
1, 1864. James C. Parsons, Grand Blanc, Co. I; must, out Nov. 24, 1865. Mortimer
Happlege, Flint, Co. C, qr.-m.- serge. ; died at Hanover, Va., May 28, 1864. H. H. Shep-
ard. Linden, Co. I ; discharged. John Snook, Argentine, Co. D ; must, out Nov. 24, 1865.
Wiilis Skinner, Argentine, Co. D; must out July 19, 1865. John H. Sheldon, Mundy, Co.
I; must, out July 1, 1865. John Speean, Gaines, Co. L; must, out July 10, 1865. Elizur
H. Thatcher, Fenton, Co. I; died of disease at AndersonviHe, Ga., July 18, 1864, while
prisoner. William M. Voorhles, Co. I ; must, out Aug. 8, 1865. Hiram A. Whalen.
Fenton, Co. I, com. -sergt. ; died of disease at AndersonviHe, Ga., Aug. 26, 1864, while
prisoner. John D. Williams, Grand Blanc, Co. I ; missing in action at Trevillian Sta-
tion, Va., June 11, 1864. Charles C. Stowe. Co. C; disch. for disability, Oct. 9, 1863.
James C. Bingham, Genesee, Co. 0; trans, to Co. D, 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1805.
George Beckwith, Burton, Co. C; died of wounds, July 10, 1864; prisoner when lie died.
Giles E. Fellows, Genesee, Co. C; trans, to Co. D, 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. Aug-
ustus A. Allen, Genesee, Co. 0 ; trans, to Co. D, 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. Thomas
W. Hill, Genesee, Co. C; must, out July 1, 1865. George Telling, Argentine, Co. D;
killed in battle at Boonsboro', Md., July 8, 1863.
THIRTEENTH MICHIGAN BATTERY.
The Thirteenth Michigan "Battery was organized at Grand Rapids and was
mustered into the United States service one hundred and sixty strong, Janu-
ary 20, 1864. Its rolls show that about thirty men from Genesee county
served in its ranks. It left Grand Rapids February 3, and reached Washing-
ton on the 7th. It was engaged in drill in that city till May 14, when it was
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 469
ordered to Kort Sleninier, D. C, and remained there and in other of the
Washin^on defenses through the year, assisting in the defense of Fort Stevens
against the attack of the rebel General Early on the nth and 12th of July,
1864. It remained at Fort Reno (being attached to Harden's division.
Twenty-second Army Corps) until February 27, 1865, when it was mounted
as cavalry and detailed for duty in Maryland, assisting the Thirteenth New
York Cavalry in suppressing guerrillas and other similar duty. Immediately
after the assassination of President Lincoln it was on duty with the Thirteenth
New York Cavalry in Maryland, pursuing the fugitive conspirators, and assist-
ing in capturing two of their number — Arnold and Mudd. The battery was
dismounted Jime 16, and again ordered to garrison duty in Ft. Reno, where
it remained till the 19th, when it left for Michigan, and was mustered out of
service and disbanded at Jackson, July i, 1865.
MEMItEBS OS' THK THIBl'EENTU BATTEKY FBOM GENKSEE COUNT!'.
Richard C. Wetlmvnld, Flint, 2il lieut., enl. Dec. 12, 1S63; must, out Feb. 29, 1864.
William Ceazer, Fliut; died of disease at Washington, March 17, 1864. William H.
Chase, P'lushlng ; must, out July 1. 186S, Ezra S, Cleveland, Genesee ; must, out
July 1, 1805, Nathaniel Call, Flushing; must, out July 1, 1865. George Cunningham,
Burton; must, out July 1, 1865. Myron H, Griffln, Flint; must, out July 1, 1865,
Charles H. Guyer, Fllut; discli.. by order. May 6, 1865. Thomaa Halnstult, Flint;
must, out July 1, 1S65. Joyle Herrlugton, Forest; must, out July 1, I860. John
Hunter, Flint; must, out July 1, 1S65. Alphonzo Jack, Flint; must out July 1.
1865. Reuben Johnson, Vienna; must, out July 1, 1865. Aionzo T^mfried, Genesee;
must, out July 1, IS60. James H. Prali, Flint; must, out July 1, 1863. EUas Palmer,
Flushing; must, out July 1, 1865. Stephen Russell, Flint; must, out July 1, 1865.
Jobn Sinclair, Flint; must, out July 1, 1865. Micbstel Shea, Montrose; must, out
July 1, 1865. David Utley, Flint; must, out July 1. 1865. Joseph Utley, Flint; must.
out July 1, 1865. Henry Van Buren, Flint; must, out July 1, 1865. Milton Van
Buren, Flint; must, out July 1, 1865. Melvln Van Buren, Flint; must, out July 1,
1865. David T. Weaver, Montrose; disch. for disability, Aug. 2, 1864, Jeremiab M.
White, Atlas; must, out July 1. 1865. John Zeiter, Vienna; must, out July 1, 1865.
George Wood, Flint; nnist. out July 1, 1865. \Vm. F. Thompson, Flushing; must, out
July 1, 1865.
OTIIEK GENESEE COUNTY SOLDIERS.
Besides the regiments which have been mentioned above there were
several others which contained soldiers from Genesee county. Of the men
serving in those regiments, the list is as follows:
S, N. Audrous, enl. at Coldwater, Mich., April 18, 1861, Co. C; served with
regt. at Bull Run, July 21, 1861; returned and must, out at end of three months'
term ol service; afterwards served as 1st lieut. in Forty-fourth Illinois Inf. and In
Fifth U. S. Inf. Darius C, Bradlsh, Flint, Co. E; 2d Ileut. Aug. 22, 1861; 1st lient
Co, D, July 14, 1862; capt. Co. 1', Aug. 30, 1862; killed In action at Wilderness, Va.,
dbyGoot^lc
47°' GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
May 5, 1864. Thoums JIiijt, Flint, sergt. Co. B; 2(1 lieut. May 3D, Itftjo; must, out as
sergt. William O. Boughton, Flint, Co. B ; must out July G, 1865. Sylvester D. Bray-
ton, Flint, Co. D; discli, for disability, Aiiril 18, 1862. Alouzo Butler, Flint, Co. B:
died of disease at Old Point Comfort, Va., April 23, 1862. David Brown, Co. B;
must, out July 9, 1865. Geoi-ge W. Comfort, Flint, cori>- Co. B, veteran; must, out
July 0, 1865. Herny C. Eggleston, Flint, Co. B ; died in nc-tion at Wilderness, May 5,
1864. Hiram D. Jennings, Flint, Co. B ; diach. for wounds, Aug. 8, 1802. Thomas Lane,
Flint, Co. B; died in action at Gaines' Mill, Va., June 27, 1862. Thomas Moran.
Linden, Co. F; died lu attlon at Bull Run, Va., Aug. 30, 1862. Thomas Marr, corp-
Co. B, veteran; must, out July 0, 1865. Patrick O'Brien, Co. A; trans, to U. S. Art.
December, 1862. Porter Snow, Flint. Co. B ; disch. for disubillty, May 8, 1862. William
Stannard, musician, Co. B, veteran; must, out July !l, 1865. Alonao Smith, Flint,
Co. B, veteran; must, out July 5, 1865. GUbert Suzor, Mount Morris, Co. C; dlsch.
for wounds, May 1, 1865. Henfj- Vim Valkenburg, Flint, Co. F; disch. for wounds
at Fort Corcoran, Va., Jan. 30, 1.S63. George Van Wert, Flint, Co. B, veteran; must,
out July 9, 1805. Zacli. Wisiier, Fpnton, Co. K; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps. March 15,
1864.
Phineas D. Belden, Co. D; died hi action at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.
Michael Bolger, Co. C; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 15, 1863. William Edwards,
Co. F; disch. for disability, Jan. 17, 1863. Milo Foster, Flint, Co. C; must, out July
20. 1865. Charles D. Harper, Fenton, Co. F; died May 17, 1862. of wounds received
at Williamsbuvg. Va. Irwui Humphrey, Co. G; disch. for disability, Dec. 6, 1862.
Minor L Hammond, Co. G ; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 15, 1863. Warren F.
Harris, Fenton, Co. D ; died at Fredericksburg, Va., May, 1864, of wounds. Gilman
F. Holmes, Co. F; disch. for disability, Oct. 3, 1863. Ransom Hazelton, Fenton. Co. F;
dlsch. for disability. Feb. 11, 1863. Isaac Leech, Co. G; died hi action at Fair Oaks.
Va., May 31, 1862. Christopher C. Mitchell, Fenton. Co, F; died of disease at York-
town, Va.. May 12. 1S62. Alliert Middleworth, Co. H; disch. at Detroit. Mich., July 31.
1862.
Joshua P. Sutton, IHint, capt. Co. H; enl. June 1». 1861; res. Jan. 17, 1SC2.
AlBion S. Mathews, Flint, 1st lieut. Co. H; enl. June 24, 1861; res. Dec. 11, 1861.
Clias. W. Harris, Flint. 2d lieut. Co. H; enl. June 24, 1861; pro. 1st lieut., Jan. 1,
1862; wounded in action at Spottsylvania C.-H., May 11, 1864; must out Nov. 4,
1864. John G. McMilleu, Fenton, sergt; pro. to 1st sergt, Aug. 18, 1864; must, out
as sergt. Orin Beldln, Co. H ; died of disease at Camp Benton, 3Id., June 7, 1861.
Morris Blrdsall. Co. F; disch. for disability, Dec. 12. 1862. Francis Brown, Co. F;
disch. at end of service, Aug. 22, 1804. Edwin Bradley, Co. H; disch. for disability,
Dec. 7, 1863, James Brooks, Co. H; dlsch. to re-eul. as veteran, Dec. 18, 1863. Henry
A. Borden, Co. A, veteran; must, out July 5, 1865. Ransom Brown, Co. F; died of
disease at Harrison's Landing, Aug. fl, 1862. Jonathan Crysler, Co. B; died at Fairfax
Seminary Hospital, Va.. Oct. 7, 1862. James J. Carmer. Co. E; disch. to re-enl. as
veteran, Dec. 18, 1863. Albert H. Dickinson, Co. F; died of disease at Camp Benton,
Md., Nov. 20, 1801. Francis Dubois, Co. A ; dlsch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 18, 1863.
Mathew Daley, Co. A; dlsch. for disability, Aug. 22, 1862. Newell N. Famham, Co.
H; died in action at Antietiim. Md., Sept. 17, 1862. Hiram W. Flint, Co. F, veteran;
must, out July 5. 1865. Frank Flint, Co. H; must out July 5. 1865. Samuel W.
Harback, sergt, Co. F; disch. for dlsiibility, March 4. 1863. Joseph Hiirding, Co. F;
died of wounds, Reiit. 22, 1802. Elizur B. Holmes, Co. F; disch. to re-enl. as vetenin.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 47 1
Dec. IS, ISIW. Isiuie B. Hmiuji, Co. F; diweli. for diaibility, Jau, 1, 18(Ki. Allan
McLaln, Co. F; discb. yt eiid of service, Aug. 22, 1864. Thomas M. Itobiiisoii, muaiclun,
Co. F; disch. to re-enl. im vetei'ou, Dec. 18, 1863. Christian Sliter, Co. !■'; disch. at end
of service, Aug. 28, 1864. Wbitmaii D. Southwortli, Co. F; dlsch. for disability, Sept.
28, 1862. JoJm J. Thorp, Co. F; discli. to re-enl. in Sixth U. S. Cav., Oct. 1, 1862.
Dumaii P. Vimwert, sergt., Co. F ; died of disease at Camp Benton, Md., Nov. 20, 1861.
WlUiuu) Vnnefis, Penton, Co. F, veteran; must, out July 5, 1805. Franl; Wbeeler,
Co. F; discli. for disiibility, July 5, 1S(i2.
(jliliu II "*lill 1 1 1 I li It ( I le-i Dec. 10, ISGl. John D. Williiiiiis,
Argentine id lieut Cj II enl %(i o IS02 must, out Sept. ITi, 18(Ht. Stephen A.
Mosliei Richfield sergt Co I pro to 1st lieut May 10, 1865; must, out as aei^.
41beit -idnnis (-o I dlach for dls-ibllitj I>ec 13 1862. James Allen, Co. F, discli.
to reenl as \etenn Dec 7 1863 Danin 4 Buchanan, Llndai, Co. F; discli. for
dtsabilitj Dec 1 1S62 Lafayette Daiia Co F must, out Sept. 15, 1865. Lucleii L.
Davis. Co F must out Sept 15 I860 Washington Davis, Vienna, Co. F; must out
Sept 1j 1S65 Orlando B Dails, 1 leuna Co F must, out Sept. 15, 1865. Andrew
J JohuHon Co l! disch to re-enl is leteian De<.. 7, 1863. Martin Slahar, Co. G;
must out Sept 15 1%5 Pulaski Pierte Linden Co. B; disch. for diaibilitj-, Feb. 27,
1862 Chailis Pette^ Co H dischaiged C^eorge V, Fenton, corp. Co. E; must, out
Sept lo lS(.f. Jnthim ^hite linden C> F dlach. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 10,
1S(,.
ISfaD iiinst int Se|t 10 I860
LLHtNTII INl'^NlEl tNEW).
^^illlam -ilexiudei C.euesee Co 1 must out Aug. 1, 1865. George IV. AIe.\;inder,
Genesee Co F must out Ang 4 1865 Edward \ Allen, Fenton, corp, Co. 2; must.
ont Sept 16 1S65 Henry O Clark ienton Co 11; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. Law-
rence Cionan Fenton Co K must out Sept 16 1865. Joel Dibble, Fenton, corp. Co.
H must ont bept 10 1865 John W Dediick Fenton, corp. Co. H; must, out Sept.
16 181)5 Leiov FIIK Bmtoii Co B must out Sept. 10, 1865, Albert B. Fondy.
Mundj Co H nmst out Sept 16 1S05 Oniei r Hall, Genesee, Co. H; died of dis-
ease lit Chiittanoigi Tejiu June 4 1H>5 Chaile"* H. JefCers, Fenton, Co. H; must,
out Sept 11 1S65 Mel\in R Iveith, f.eiieaee C* B must, out Sept. 16, 1865. William
Moodj teuton corp Co H (seigt ) must 1 ut Sept 16, 1865. James McGinuIgal,
Fenton Co H must out Sept 16 1S< t (hailes T Stevens, Genesee, Co. B; must, out
Sept 16 181)5 Heul en s Fein teuton seigt ( o H died of dlseiise iit .Taekson, Mich.,
March b 1S65
Ikliidge Austin Co U disch for disability S^t. 15, 1862. H. J. Andrews,
Genesee Co K disch at end of service Nov 20 1863. Orvill Bennett, Thetford,
Co G disch at end of seivlie ^o\ 20 IsflS William F. Clopscudder, Davidson, Co.
G disch at end of serine ^ol 2(> 1S63 Geoige Crow, Genesee, Co. K; disch. at
end of senile Noi 20 1S63 Isaac R Hunt Co F disch. at end of service, Sept 9,
1805 Kobert Ivnonles Davison Co K di-ich nt end of sen'iee, Nov. 20, 1863.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Rev. Henry H. Korthroji, Fliat, chaplHin; enl. March 21, 1862; must, out Oct. 26.
1862. Silas Austin, IHint, veteran (sergt.) ; 2d lieut. Co, D, AprU 25, 1865; 1st lieut.
July 5, 1865; must, out as 2d lieut, July 25, 1865. James D. Haight, Flint, Co. D;
dlscli. for dlaaMlity, Aug. 6, 1863; Delien Hill, Richfield, Co. D; missing in battle of
Ohickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 19, 1863. Augustus Tibals, Flint, Co. D; dlsch. for dis-
ability, July 18, 1863. George D. Torrey, Flint, Co. A; died of disease on the iield of
Shiloll, A[)ril 27, 1862.
1st Lieut, iind Adit. George W. C. Smitli, Montrose; enl. Miirch 14, 1860; pro.
to capt. July 7, 18C5; must, out as adj.; w:is sei-gt. Co. A, 2d lieut. Co. A; pro. lo 1st
lieut and adjt.
Company A — 1st Lleot. Abram 0. Speer, dlsch. for wounds, Oct. 25, 1864 ; was
sergt, of Co. A, 2d lieut. of Co. A. Edward Akin, Montrose, Co. A, veteran ; must, out
July 18, 1865. Warren Hal), Montrose. Co. A ; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 4, 1864.
George F. Miner, corp. Co. A ; died of disease at Keokuk. lowrt, Nov. 27, 1862. Orlnndo
Roaebrook, Co. K ; must, out July IS, 1865.
FIFTEENTH INFASTBY.
Walter Hrown, Co. D; died of disease at Pittsburg landing, Tenn.. June 4, 1862.
Abner Cooper, Linden, Co, U; disch. at end of service, Dec. 24, 1864. Wm. H. Corey,
Gaines. Co. F; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. John Debon. Gaines, Co. D; must out Aug.
13. 1865. Edward Edson, Gaines, Co. D; diach. by order. June 22. 1865. James B.
B'airbanks. Linden, Co. D, sergt.; disch. for disability, Aug. 11, 1863. Wellington G.
Kidder, Gaines, Co. E; disch. by order. May 30, 1865. Newton A. Lord, Thetford,
Co. B; dlscb. by order. May 30, 1865. Charles Mabley, Linden, Co. D; disch. for dis-
ability, June 26, 1863. Joseph Remiugton, Gaines, Co. F; must, out Aug. 13, 1865.
Orren Sage, Linden, Co, D; died of disease, June 26, 1862. Jacob Shuler, Co. D;
must, out Aug. 13, 1865. Asa White. Thetford, Co. F; dlsch. by order, July 24, 1865.
John Simpson, Fenton, Co. F, veteran; must, out by order, Aug. 13, 1865. Richard
Cai-l, LIndeu, Co. D; killed at Shiloh, Tenn., Aug. 6. 1862.
SE\-ENTEESTH I UFA N TRY.
ThonuiB Matthews, Flint, lat lieut. Co. K, June 17, 1862; capt. Co. A, Wiiy 13,
1863; niaj. Oct 14. 1804; must out June 3. 1865. Wm. H. Brierly, Flint Oo. E;
must, out June 3, 1865. Austin Herrick, Genesee, Co. E ; must, out June 3, 1865.
George D. Herrick, Genesee, Co. E; must, out June 3, 1865. Squire Mathews. Flint,
Co. K; died of disease at Covington, Ky., April 17, 1864. Jacob Sutton, Gaines, Co.
B ; died i)f disease at Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1863.
1 Second Mich. Inf.
Chas. D. Brown, Flint, 1st lieut and adj.; enl. Sept 1, 1864; must out June 8,
1805. Joseph H. Canfield, Argentine, Co. D ; must, out June 8, 1865. Wm. H. Xelson.
Fenton, Co. A; diseh. for promotion, April 20. 1865. Horton 8. Sperry. Grand Blanc.
Co. D; must out June 8, 1865.
TWEPiTY- SECOND INFANTBY.
Gilbert E. Waters, Fenton, asst.-surg.. enl. June IS, 1863; not mustered. John
Baxter, Fenton, Oo. G; trans, to Twenty-ninth Mich. Infantry. Richard Powell, Fen-
dbyGOO<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 473
toil, Co. U; dial of (lisciise at Clmttanoogii, Tomi., July 20, 1804. William Wood,
Mundy, Co. H; mu'it. out .Tune 26, 1865.
Moutvllli; Beujiiiniii, Cljjton, Co. H, one year; must, out Juue 30, 1865. Clarence
D. Case, Thetford, Co. E, one year; must, out June 30, 1865. Henry H, Connor, Feutou,
Co. H, one year; must, out June 30, 1865. Edwatii Calkins, Clayton, Co. H, one year;
must, out June 30, 1865. Day Cuddeback, Flint, Co. I, one year; must, out June 30,
1865. John M. Cliapmau, Flint, Co. I, one year; must, out June 30, 1865. William
Deal, Feutou, Co. K, one year ; must, out June 30, 1865. John M. Davis, Feuton,
Co. E, one yejir; must, out June 30, 1865. James Fanclier, Flint, Co. I, one year;
must, out June 30, 1865. William H. Giles, Fenton, Co. B, one year; must, out June
30, 1865. Wllltam Grahaiii, Flint, Co. I; mnat. out June 30, 1863. James A. Gould,
must, out June 28, 1865. John Holingworth, Flint, Co. I ; must, out June 30, 1865.
George S. Joliusou, must, out June 30, 1865. Jolin Jones, must, out June 30, 1865.
Lester MeKuight, Fenton, Co. A, one year; must, out Juno 30, 1865. John McGienchy,
mint, Co. I, one year; must, out June 30, 1865. Amos H. Palmei-, Flint, Co. I, one
year; must, out June 30, ISCfi. Richard Rone, Vienna, Co. I, one year; must, out
June 30, 1865. James TLomas, must, out June 30, ]86o. William Tlttley, Flint,' Co. I;
must, out June 30, 1865. Henry Vanetta, Fenton, Co. A, one year ; must out June 30.
1865. William H. Wright, Co. K; died of disease at Camp Butler, 111., May 1. 1S65.
James W. Whittiilier, must, out June 30, 1865. William W. Woolford, must, out
June 30, 1865. Charles H. Ktiip, Fenton, Co. A, one year; must out June ?A\ ISte.
lOmmet D. IIerma)i, Fllul, Co. A, one year; must, out June 30, 1865.
Isi'ael P. Whitmer, Atlas, Capt. Co. K, Nov. 20, 1863; must, out July 26, 1S65.
Levi S. Warren, Flint, private Fourth Mich. Cav.; pro. lo 2d lleut. Co. A, April 22,
1864; disch. Feb. 28, 1865. Charles Albro, Flint, Co. G; died at Washington, D. C,
Aug. 14, 1864, of tvounds. David Babcock, Grstud Blanc, Co. E ; died of disease at
Camp Nelson, Ky., Feb. 7, 1864. Horace Beckwith, Mount Morris, Co. Q; must, out
July 21, 1865. Dwight Babcock, Burton, Co. G; must, out July 26, 1S65. Luther J.
Briggs, Grand Blanc, Co. K; must, out July 26, 1865. James Cisco, Co G' must, out
July 21, 1865. Peter Carpenter, Co. F; discharged at end of service Oct l**, 1865.
Henry Dorman, Grand Blanc, Co. F; must, out July 20, 1865 Ephralm Eualgm,
Montrose, Co. G; died of disease at Salisbury. N. C, May 22, 1864 John Lutz, Flint,
Co. H; must, out July 26, 1S65. John Oakley, Flint, Co. G; must out July 26, 1865.
Frank Smith, Atlas, Co. G; disch. for disability, February, 1865 Harmon &chnider.
Grand Blanc, Co. I; must, out July 7, 1865. Jonathan Westbiook Vienna, Co. C;
died June 28, 1864, from wounds received in battle June 26, 1864, Petersburg, Va.
Albert E. SlcCieliau, Slundy, Co. A; absent, sick; not must, out with company.
Joshua Billings, Jr., Thetford, Co. D; disch. at end of service, Oct. 14, 1863.
William L. Deneen, Richfield, Co. F; must out June 5, 1865. Richard I>ewey, Birch
Run, Co. I; must, out June 5, 1865. Madison Fisher, Mundy, Co. F; must, out Aug. 9,
1865. Joseph Fox, Birch Run, Co. I; disch. at end of sei-vice, March 1, 1865. Squire
R. Haines, Genesee, Co. F; must, out May 15, 1866. John E. Jewell, Thetford, Co, B;
disch. at end of service, Oct. 6, 1865. Orlaniio Levalley, Thetford, Co. F; disch. at
end of service, Oct. 18, 1865. Amherst M. Mathews, Richfield, Co. D ; must out Aug. 9,
1865. John O'Hearn, Riclifield, Co. D; disch. at end of service, Oct. 17, 1865. Rufus
dbyGoc^lc
474 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
J. PeiHioyer, Co. H; discL. for disiibilltj-, June 5, ISCC. ErtwJird M. Sinuot, Genesee,
Co. E; must, out June 5, 1S6U. Horiice Stephens, Genesee, Co. E; must, out Juue 5,
1866. Tlriah N. Short. Thetfoid, Co. I; must, out Oct. 1865. Abram Van Buskirk,
KIclifieliJ, Co. D; dlsch. at end of service, Oct. 17, 1865. Caleb WUite, Forest, Co. D;
mnst. out June 5, 1866. Clinrlea Wiilmer, Flint, Co. H; trims, from Twenty -third Inf.
Kufus J. Brown, Clayton, Co. H ; sergt. ; trans, from Tiventj-tlilnl Inf. : must, out
June o. LSCe.
Kdwin Allen, Bnf. H; discL. for disability, July 21, 1862. Kdwurd W. Barber,
Flint, But. B; diea of disease at Cairo, 111., March 25, 1802. JToses Brooks, Bat. F;
tliaeh. for disability, Nov. LS, 1862. Seth Bowdlsb, Atlas, Bat. I; dlsch. for disability,
Feb. 4, 1S65. Edmund Beebe, Genesee, Bat. E; veteran; dlsch. at end of service,
Jan. 21, 1S65. Auson A. Bigeiow, Genesee, Bat. B; veteran; must, out Aug. 30, 1865.
Sobleski Beamer, Bat. E; must, out June 14, 1863. Zaia Beebe, Mundy, Bat. E; must.
out Aug. 30, 1865. Fi-aukllu A. Barber, Fenton, Bat. L; must, out Aug. 22, 1865.
Van RensHnliier Birdsall, Davison, Bat. I. ; must, out Aug. 22, 1865. Azarlah Compton,
Flint, Bat. B; veteran; must, out June 14, 1863. Alvin F. Crosby, Davison, Bat. I;
discli. hy order. May 26, 1805. Nelson F. Demarest, Bat. F; veteran; must, out July 1,
1865. William Darling, Feuton, Bat. H; disch. to re-enl. as vet. Jan. 1, 1864. Levi
Falrchlld, Grand Blanc, Bat. I; died of disease at Rome, Ga„ July 14, 1864. Barnabas
C. Gi-eenlield, Mundj-, Bat. D; traus. to ^'et. Corps, Oct. IS. 1864. 'Walter P. Hyde,
Atlas, Bat. I; dlsch. for disability, April 2, 1S63. Arthur Hemiisteud, ijcneaee. Bat. B;
must, out Aug. 30, 1805. Albert Hathaway, Bat. B ; must, out Aug. 30, 1805. Norman
Herii'k, Mundy, Bat. IT; disch. by order, May 9, 1865. Joe! L. .Tones, Fenton, Bat. L;
disch. for disability, May 12, 1865. Charles Jewett, Bat. E ; trans, to Vet Res. Corps,
Oct. 18, 1864. William H. Judd, Bat. H; must out July 22, 1865. Elijah H. Lamb,
<3rand Blanc, Bat. E; disch. by order, Aug. 9, 1865. Henry W. Marsli, Bat. A; must.
out July 28, 1865. David P.ivker, Bat. A; disch. at end of service. May 31, 1864.
Geoi^e W. Prescott, Feuton, Bat. L; must, out Aug. 22, 1865. Charles H. Itoot, Mundy,
Bat K; must out July 22, 1865. Abraham Eouse, Mundy, Bat. B; must out May 20,
1865. Harvey E. Rockafellow, Atlas, Bat. I; must, out July 14, 1863. John Simons,
Atlas, Bat, A; died of disease at Cliiittanooga, Tenu., June 17, 1864. Johu A. Spencer.
Atlas. Bat. A; died of disease at GrayviUe, T^., April 14, 1864. Vocius D. Starr,
Bat. A; dlsch. at end of service, Way 31, 1864. Simeon Simons, Atlas, Bat. A; must,
out July 28, 1865. Francis N. Slaght Bat. E; must out Aug. 30, 1865. William W.
Skiuuei-, Fentou, Bat I dihch for dlsabilitj-, May 17, 1863. Washington Teachout,
KIchSeld, Bat A; must out Juh 28, 1865. Myron C. Wllkerson, Genesee, Bat. E;
must, out Aug. 30, 1805 Tames 411en, Fenton, Bat. H; disch. for disability, June 3,
1862. Bdwln Allen, teuton Bnt H; disch. for disability. July 21. 1862. John Simons,
Atbis, Biit. A; died <.f disei«e it C hattanooga, Temi., June IT, 1864,
John C. Godley Flint CLpt Co. A; eul. Sept 2, 1861; maj., Sept. 25, 1SG2; res.
Sept. 12, 1863. Johu <„ Crawford, aergt.-maj., 2d lleut. Co. „; rail. Sept 9, 1862;
res. March 31, 1863 A\illiam W Booth, Fenton, q.-m. sergt.; trans, to bosp. stewart,
Nov. 1, 1862. William S. Brown, Co. A; disch. to enlist in regular service, March 13,
1863. John Ballentlne, Co. A ; dlsch. at end of service, Oct. 22. 1804. I^ymau F. Dodge,
Fenton, Co. H; died of disease at Hamburg, Tenu., May 14, 1862. Albert I. Demarest,
Co. A; disch. for disability, June 14, 1862. John S. Hovey. Co. li; dlsch. for disability,
July 1, 1862. Wai. S. TjindHey. Co. E; supposed killed by explosion of steamer "Sul-
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 475
tuiiu," April 27, 1805. Jease Jloreliouse, Flint, Co. A tcoi-jj.) ; dlscli. for dlaabllitj".
May 5, 1863. David Maniy, Co. A; disch. at end of aeivice, July 10, 1865. Willinui
Rice, Co. A; dlsct. for dlsnhility, Feb. 1, 1862. Seth WllHoms, Co. A; dlscli. for dl»-
iibility, Oct 22, 1864.
Butler S. Tubbs, Fenton, sergt., 2d lleut. Co. G; enl. March 24, 1865; trans, to
First Cavalry, Nov. 7, 1865; lat ileiit.. May 26, 1865: must, out as 2d Ueut. Co. A,
March 10, 1866. Manrico M. BUbs, Co. C; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, March 15, 1864.
George Carrier, Co. K ; trans, to First Mlchigfln Cavalry, Nov. 17, 1865. John Cook,
Jr., Co. I; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. Sylvester Bccleston, Vienna, Co. I>; must, out
Dec. 8, 1865. Jacob Gnssman, Grand Blanc, Co. E; trans, to First Mich. Cavalry, Nov.
17, 1865. Jerome Gnss, Fliishhig. Co. C; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. Monson H. Hovey,
Vienna, Co. L; must, out Dee. 8, 1865. James McFarlane, Blontvose, Co. C; must, out
Dec. 15, 1865. Gilbert B. Monroe, Tlietford, Co. C; must, out Dec. 15. 1863. Frank
Men-ow, Co, G; must, out July 17. 1865. Charles M. .Mc-Laiu, Vienna, Co. L; must,
out Dec. 8, 1865. Russell McMannus, Montrose, Co, G ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps,
Mny 1, 1864. Tracy J. Merrill, Richfield. Co. H; trans, to First Michigan Cavalry,
Nov. 17. 1805. J. L. Miller, Co. C: died at Salem Church, Va., May 27, 1864. Wni.
JlcComb, Thetford, Co. C; died at Cold Harbor, Va., June 4, 1864. Hogei- ralne,
Vienna, Co. B; must, out Dec. 15. 1865. James Smith, Flnslilug. Co. C; must, out
I>ec. 13, 1865. 'Austin Shealy, Co. I; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. John H. Sloan, Co. L:
must. out. Dec. 8, 18G5. Dwlght Stewart, Co. L; must, out Dec. 8, 1865. Leiivltt
Tooles, Vienna, Co. C; must, out May 10, 1863. Election Thayer, Flushing, Co. H;
trans, to First Mtchigjin Cavalry, Amos W. Wester, Vienmi, Co. I,,; must, out Dec. 8,
1805, Mason Ide, Monti'oee. Co. C; sicii in hospital; not must, out with company.
John W, Wilson. Tlietford. To, C; disch. for disability, Sept. 30, 1863.
Ashel Bedon, Co, II; died of disease at I^exinjj^on, Ky., April 10, 1864. Thoniiis
Benrtle, Flint, wagoner, Co. I ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864. Roger AV.
Bunting, Co. H; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. George D. CuiTler, Co. H; must, out Sept.
22, 1865. Nathaniel Coulter, Co I ; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. Chauncey Denny, Flint,
sergt. Co. I ; must, out Oct. 4, 1865. Joseph Fisher, Flint, Co. I ; trans, to Vet. Res,
Corps, Jan, 13, 1864. Albert Hurst, Fenton, Co. I ; disch. (or minority. May 7. 1863.
Barney Haryer, Flint, Co. I ; disch. for disability, June 6, 1863. Orlando J. Hutciiinson,
Co. T ; gained from missing in action. Reuben Hldorm, Flint, Co. I ; died of disease
at Lexington, Ky., March 5. 1864. Clements King, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 22, 1865.
Oren B. McNett, Flint, sergt. Co. I; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. George B. McComb,
Flint, Co, 1; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Nov. 23, 1864. Charles W. Mosher, Richfield,
cori>. Co. Ill trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, May 1, 1864. Horace B. Madison, Fenton,
Co. I; died of disease at Annapolis, Md., Dec, 24, 1864. Charles D. Phillips, Co. I;
died of disease at Camj) Nelson, Ky.. June 21, 1864. Franklin E. Potter, Fenton,
Co. I ; gained from missiug In action, Elmer Preston, Fenton, Co. I ; disch. Feb. 8,
1803. Andrew Pottei. Fenton, Co. I; disch. for disability, Sept. 5, 1864. Isaac
I'otter, Co. I; disch. for disability, Dec. 30, 1863. Patricit Reynolds, Flint, Co. I;
discli. for disability, April 2il, 1865. Ebin Remii^ton, Co. F; must, out Sept. 22, 1863.
Blias C. Seeley, Flint, Co. L; must, out June 23, 1865. Timothy O, Sullivan. Co. C;
must, ont Sept. 22, 1865. Elijah W, Smith, Flint, Co, 1; missing In action at Turner's
Ferry, July 9, 1864. Jotham G. Stevens, Gaines, Co. H; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps,
Jan. 15, 1864. Orlo H. VanSickles, Flint, Co. I; gained from missing In action, James
dbyGoot^lc
476 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Van Sicklea, Flint, Co. M; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. Beujfimin H. Green, Flint, Co. 1;
died In hospital at Kingston, Ga., July 20, ]864.
HINTH CAVALRY.
Solomon 1'. Bi-ocliwny, Flint; niaj. Nov. 3, 1862; lieut.-eol. June 27, 1865; must,
out July 24, ISeS, as iiwjoi-. Jacob Fisher, Co. K; dlsch. for disability, July 8, 1S65.
TKNTH <
Samuel W. Harbnck, Fenton, sergt. Co. L; 2d Hent. Co. I, April 1, 1864; 1st lieut.
Oct. 19, 1865; must, out Nov, 11, 1865. J^sup Morehouse, Flint, sergt. Co. D; 2d
lleut. Co. H, April 3, 1864; 1st lleut. Feb. 18, 1865; must, out Nov. 11, 1865. Edwin
A. Botsford, Fentou, 2d lieut. Co. L; eul. Aug, 21, 1863; res. Feb. 14, 1865. Joshua J.
Armstrong, Fenton, Co. L; dlsch. for disability, July 27, 1864. Lyman G. Bigelow,
Co. D; disch. for iiromotion, July 28, 1864. Adelbert Ohadwlck, Fenton, Co. L; must,
out Nov. 11, 1865. William H. Dunning, Co. B; must, out Nov. 11, 1865. Chester
S. Dymond, Feutou, corp. Co. L; must, out Nov. 11, 1865. Lewis B. F. Dickenson,
Fenton, Co. L; must, out Nov. 11, 18^. Chester FaiTer, Fenton, Co. L; must, out
Nov. 11, 1865. Rlias S. Hale, Flint, Co. L; must out May 24, 1865. Albert J. Hirst,
Fenton, corp. Co. L; must, out July 10, 1865. Merle D. Ingram, Fenton, Co. L; must,
out Nov. 11, 1865. Frauds Jenderine, Fenton, Co. I>; must, out March 20, 1805.
Fraaklin McOallam, Fenton, Co, L; must, out Nov. 11, 1865. George Marlatt, Fenton,
Co. L; must, out Nov. 22, IS60. Burton Perry, Fenton, Co, L; must, out Nov. 27,
1865. Alien A. Porter, Fenton, Co. L; must, out Nov. 11, 1865. Joseph H. Rowe,
Fenton, Co. Ii ; must, out Nov. 11, 1865. James Spence, Argentine, Co. M ; dlsch. by
order, Aug. 3, 1865; Washington Todd, Genesee, Co. D; disch. for disability, June 0,
1865. James A. Taylor, Fenton, quar.-mas. sergt. Co. L; must, out Nov. 11, 1865.
Benjamin B. Welch, Fenton, Co. L ; died of disease at Grand Rapids, Mlcli., Nov. 6,
1863. John H. Groom, Fenton,Co. L; disch. for disability, Oct. 17, 1864. Mon-ia L.
Groom, Fenton, Co. L ; must, out Nov. 11, 1864. Ohas. W. Thorii, Fenton, Co. L ; must,
out Nov. 11. 1865.
George Osterhout, lUirtoti; must out Mav * 1865
FIRST HEOIMfcNT IMITED STATES SHARPSHOOTraS.
Company K — William Atherton nt record
Company C — Marcus A. Watson trunsf to Ini ilid tort*" Jan. 1,1, 1864. J:imi's B.
Delbridge, discb. for disabllltj Feb 6 1863
J.«wls Beeler, Atlas, Co. K distb f r dls.ibilltj «!ept 14 18G4. James H. {;ri
Flint, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 30 186 Jos^hus J hnson 1 enton, Co. G ; must.
Sept. 30, 1865. Richard Williams Hint to I must out veit 30, 1865.
Company G — -Uavid W. Bcemor Fcuton eni Aug 2- l^(l; died of wounds, Jiin.
rOKTi FOIBTH ILLINOIS 1NF4NTB1
S. N. Androus, later of Flint 2d lieut Co E eni lug 12, 1861 {Lieut. Androus
had been principally instrumental In nislng the company) pro. to 1st lieut. for gal-
lant and meritorious conduct at battle of Pea Eidge Mo battalion adjutant at Park
Barracks, Louisville, Ky., for ibcut one jear ti ns to Fifth TI. S. Inf., and served
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 477
as niiiHteriiig officer f<ir Itliode Island and Connect fen t ; iiiiist. out of service Jlay 1.
1866.
XieiCTi: REGIMENT NEW YOBK CAT ALKY.
Frank K, Willett, FHiil; enl. Sept. 21, 1861; wounded iu action and taken prisoner,
near Weldou Bviilgc, Vii,, ou WHson'a raid around Klchniond, June 29, 1804; confined
ten months in -itidcrsonville iiikI other prisons; paroled April 23, 1865; nmst. o«t June
16. 1S65.
Andrew Ferris^ Forest; enl. September, 1863; served through operations against
Petersburg, at BurksvlJIe, Vn., smd at Appomattox; disch. June, 1865.
PIBST MAINE CAVAIJIY.
Cliireace D. L'lmer, now of Flint, formerly of Eocklaud, Me.; 1st lieut., and ordered
on duty as oast, qr.-mast. 3d Brigade. 2d Div. Cav. Corps; served during the war on
staff of Gen. Charles H. Sniitli, now col, ISth U. S. Inf.
UBIOADE BAUD, SECOND BBIOADE, FOTJKTn DIVISION, TWENTV-TIIIBD ARMY CORPS.
Conrad A. Hoffman, leader, Feuton ; Cyrus Alsdorf, Jefferson, James Shuttleworth,
HoUln A. Jenny, Williani Gale William Graham, Edwin G. Nlles. Merton S. Stewart,
Davtd C. Bri^s, Stephen ^ Gates James A. Hungerford, Charles L. Sheldon, Francis
M. Wheeler, Mortimei M 'itanfoid Alva U. Wood, Adney F. Forbes.
BRIGADE B^ND SBCC
John J. VanderbHigl Feuton enl. April 13, 1864; must, out Aug. 2, 1865. Elbert
N. Chandler, Feuton enl Aiiil 13 1864; must, out April 29, 1865. Charles C. Oolrath,
Ifenton ; enl. April 13, 1)>I>1 ; must, out July 28, 1865.
Oscar Adams, Flint, major and paymaster U. S. Vols; enl. March IS, 18(54; must,
out Nov. 15, 1863. Andrew B. Chapln. Flint, asst. surg. of U. S. Vols.; enl. Sept. 12,
1862; res. Aug. 20, 1864. Gilmau T. Holmes, Gaines, 1st lieut., 1st Mich. Colored Inf.,
102d U. S. O. T.; enl. Nov. 7, 1363: regt. q.-m.. May 6, 1865; res, June 30, 1865. Almon
C. Barnard, GeiiPSPe Co., 1st lieut, 12tli U. S, Colored Artillery; enl, July 15, 1864.
THE HEROIC.
The following oration was delivered by Hon. W. B. Arms, of Feuton,
at Fentonviile, July 4, 1865:
Ihe eight* umth umheisaij of <.ur nati<nil indeienden e cjmes to us fhiiee
battled for thiough a fresh biptlsni jf fire md lUod 4nd while today we com
memoiate the heioli siciifices and gloiioua ichieiements if the noble men who amid
perils tnd dingers amid sttrms and darkness foundel thii beautiful and ddmirable
system of free go\einment which by the blessings of God we trust wlli continue to
live on in tlie aces to come enduring strengthening and ddnndng until It shall ha^e
flothed with dignity nnd made regal and universal the sacred principle that men are
capable of self go*einment let ns not foiget the costly sacrifice of anguish suffering
and blood which secures tj us the pricelesi bleisings of today thtt the lea\e« of the
tiees of liberty hiie grown and sprod only as Its loots hate been watered and fer
dbyGoo<^lc
4/8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tilized with blood; thiit for these, men lu e\ery ago li;ne become exiles, outeaats itnd
Iniigulshed in ioatlisome duiigeons.
Need I fuvtlier remind you of tlie liorrors, the desolutiou yiid migiiiah wIiilIi onr
own genei-jition has been subjected to, in L-rushing out this, the bloodiest, ghastliest
rebellion of all timeV— that to enable us to look upon an unbrolten nationality today,
the continent lias sbalten with the tread of armed men, tlie earth has been made red
with tlie blood of the slain, and soii'ow, mourning and tears ha*e been carried into
tliousands of homes all over this land, so that we ourselves by our own experience have
learned as ouv fathers did before us the price of liberty and nationality. And while
today we rejoice as never before, this goodly heritage of our ftitbers ia doubly dear to
us. as its title deeds are sealed with the mingled blood of the fathers aad their chil-
dren. Today we can look over this broad land, from Plymouth Rock in the east, to the
luountains in the west, from the northern lakes to the gulf, and can soy of these
lakes and mountiilns, of these mighty rivers and ijlains. They are ours, and o^er them
waves ill peJceful triumph that blessed flag which has won forth fii>m tlie smoke of
battle without a stripe erased and every star bright and beautiful upon its foldh.
lint, while our hearts are thrilled with ]iatriotic impulses, there is a widness
mingled with our joys. There are tearful eyes, and aching hearts here and elsewhere,
for eveiT community has furnished Its heroes and its martyrs in this war. I see those
before me today who have lost cherished frleuds by rebel bullets ou the li.ittiefleld.
They sleep on southern soil, lone and solitary; no fcentle hand will strew sweet flowers
o^er their graves, and the low nioau of the sighiug wind is their only requiem; or,
those who. far worse. ha*e been cruelly starved in loathsome prisons, famishing, starv-
ing, thinking of home and friends, but with no kind hand to give them even a crust
of bread or pass a cup of cold water to their parched and burning lips; no sound but
the ceaseless tramp of the sentinel and the wild ravings of unfortunate victinis around
them. Fathers ha^e lost sons, sisters have lost brothers, wives ha*e lost husbands,
who have gone forth i« the strength and glory of manhood to return no more forever,
until the trumpet of the Archangel shall wake the sleeping nations of the dead.
But you weep not as others we^i. They have fallen martjTS for a nation's life,
for a nation's lil)ertiea and, with the martyred heroes who have gone before theiu their
names shall live, ever bright and enduring, in the memories of succeeding generations,
through all time to come. But terrible as has been the ordeal of fire and blood through
which we hove been passing, let us witii the greiit Apostle, "forgetting those things
which are behind, press forward," rejoicing that God has given us the victorj- over all
our euemies and brouglit upon them confusion and disjcrace; that we have a country
where ti'aitors cannot li*e, where slaves cannot breathe, but where the Inspiration of
liberty, infusing itself Into the masses, shall build up In industry and wealth, intelli-
gence and power, the mightiest people of earth. Cannot we all say with the great
Scottish bard:
"Breathes there a man with soul so dead,
Wlio never to himself hath said.
This is my own, my native land?"
Previous to the sixteenth century, wiuit little of republicanism there was m Europe
was found centered in the free cities of Italj and among the villages and sninlier towns
of the brave and hardy Swiss, along the valleys of the Alps m Switzerland. Our fore-
fathers at Piymoutb Rock on the 22nd day of Decembra-, 1620, knelt down upon the
rugged rock, with no eye but their fathers' God to witness the Imiwsing ceremony, and
laid the foundation of that immense temple, dedicated to human liberty, whowe granite
pillars crown the shores of eitlier ocean, and beneath nbose .iinple dome we. with mil-
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 479
lions of other worshipiiers, are peruilttecl to C"ii;{i-es;ite mid renew iind rebjiirtlsie tlie
vows made by our fathei's.
Tile stoi-y of Knglish iiggreasions and the heroif strugglea of the colonies ih patent
in history, until a few liundi'ed chesta ol tea settled the question of peai-e or wnr.
The tax was smiill, tlie love of tea was strous. btit principle triumphed, and those
stem old patriots made the largest dish of ten that day ever hrewed on the I'oiitinent,
as they rolled up tlieir sleeves and tumbled it iuto Boston Hiirhor.
But how we love to think of these noble men as tliey met lu Independence Hall
and settled the question of independence forever ! Bold and defiant, as one after another
they signed the deathless charter of our iiherties. John Hniicix-k seized the pen ami
with a dashing hand wrote his name, exclaiming, "Tliere. Kina George, you t-an rejid
that over the Atlantic Cloeao, three thousand niilen away." Such were the fiithei-»i.
No wonder, then, the immoi-tnl deeds of their children.
During the last year a lady collecting supplies for the .-ioidler* calleil at the Itou'w
of n farmer in the (Jreeu Jlountaln state. He gme liberally for the object, and said,
"I have had four sons In the army; one of them has been killed. My youuKext son is
now at home; if Grant can't whip I-ee wlthont him, he Ik ready to go any time."
Jackson once threatened to liang Oalhotin; If he had done ho, the war ivonid hate
been averted, but unfortunately the cockatrice's («gs of treason were allowed to batch
out. Calhonn. to unite soutlieni men in his schemes of nnllilii.-ation, instituteil what tbej
termed the observance of the birthday of Thomas Jefferson. Xo northern niemlier of
Oongress was linited. but they knew Jackson's eagle eje was watching them and
dared not do less tliau invite him. After the cloth w.-ls removed from the table, Calhoun
arose to iirojiose the first toast, it was "Liberty first, the I'nlon afterwards;" before
It could be di'unk to. Jackson was upon his feet, his eyes Hushing lire, his gaunt frame
drawn up to its full heiglit. "I propose," said he. "as tlie first toast, "I'nioii and
Ijiherty, one and inseparable, now and forever," It was silently drunk ; the ctmipaiiy
dispersed, never to meet upon such an occasion agahi. Mr. Clayton, of Delaware, came
to Calhoun and told him that Jackson said unless he retracted at once he ivonld have
hlui arrested for treason, tried for treason, and. If found guilty, by the eternal, he
would haiis him as a traitor. "Then." stild <'alhonii. "he will do it,'' and he was not
long in retracting.
Tre.ihon culminated in the crime against Sumter. All day long eight thousand
men trained sliot and shell against the foit with its iittle garrison, but the band of
hei-oes never iiuniled until the magazine w^^8 fired. Then they quietly took down the
flag and i^olled it up, to he preserved until that fort should again come Into our pos-
session. How dilTerent on that Palm Sunday when tweutj' thousand peoiile gathered
at that fort and. taking out the flag which had been four years laid away, unfurled
It to the breeze amid the wild and deafening shouts of loyal men and women J Of
those eight thousand traitors, how few are left to tell the storj- of their shame!
RdwaM Knflln, who basted the prli-ilege of firing the first shot, committed suicide the
other day. and gave as his reason for the act. in a letter written before his death, that
he could not live under such a government as the T''nited States. Jjike Judas, lie has
gone to his own place, and would that all traitors would go and do likewise.
How changed the scene now, from these last four years of trial! Then the lurid
flames of war lighted up the continent with their ghastly ghire: a thousand cannon
sent forth their desolating fires; hundreds of thousand of men confronted each other
in hostile lines, for i)un>oses of butcheiT and slaughter, the desi-endants of tiie men
who fought side by side at Brandywhie and Yorktown for independence were found
confi'onting each other like fierce gladiators thirsting for each other's blood, tens of
dbyGoot^lc
480 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tliousaiiil huii-ying ou to t.ike the vaciint plai'^ of tlie sl.iln. Tlie people of tliese
Nortlieni states, although hetirtslck and weary ot the strife at times, yet never lost
their faith nor tired in the work. But now, how changed ! Peace, radiant, luminous,
Hm[leH upon us and spans the lery heavens ahove us with the bow of promise to cele-
hriite the goldeu marriage of liberty and union. The rebel cannon at Charleston and
Itichmoud, once used to batter down this government, now send forth salvos of artillery,
welcoming Its return. South Carohnu says to Maasachusetts . "We are conquered, we
submit: your ideas have triuniiihed ; ours are lost forever," Lee's great army, where
IS it! Scattered like the autunm leaies; himself, with Jefferson Davis and many
others, feeding upon United States rations, which they seem to relish well , and the
chances are that we sliall be obliged to furnish hemp for some of them or they will
iie*er get their dues.
The London Timcn siiid we <-ould not carry on the war, because they would not
let us have the money to do mi. Now we haie the bent flnanclai system In the world
and Europe takes our bonds freelj. The English put an Armstrong gun in every rebel
fort; we paid tliem off by sending shipload after sluploud of provisions to her starring
operatives at JIanchester. Louis Napoleon supposed re])ublican ideas had collapsed
surely. So iuspiied was he with a missionary spirit, he thought he would Christianize
the Meslcans; but they don't take his kind of Christianity easily, and they seem to
begin to think that their chances of salvation are about as good as his. Maximilian
will undoubtedly return home inipiessed with the truth that I'ro^ldence never designed
him for missionary work.
Let us rejoice again that wo have come out of this crucible of affliction so strong,
so mighty In all material resources; that the American name is such a tower of
strength abroad — so honoi'ed and feared that even our enennes say that we are the
strongest people in the world, because we conquered the rebellion when they wished
it to succeed; and they were still more surprised that we would not become bankrupt,
as they predicted. I.et us jiralite Oiod from whom all blessings flow, that, though the
storm has spent its fury upon us and the tempest lashed us with its waves, and clouds
and darkness ha\e been around us, yet tlirough all the wild tumult He has brought
us forth In victory and peace at the dawning of a brighter day.
The student of historj need not now go back to classic times m search of the
heroic. The name of the gunner of the "Cumberland" will live to the latest time.
With botii legs shot off, as he found she was sinking to the water's edge, he drew the
blessed stumps upon the breach of the cannon and, seizing the lanyard, applied the
match, and as the fated steamer went down in the gurgling waves the last broadside
of the "Cumberland" yelled forth the note of defiance to the foe. A noble color ser-
geant lu a New York regiment was shot down and mortally wounded; as he was taken
from the field he held fast his grasp upon the colors, and tliey were carried with him
to the hospital ; in the wild delirium of death he was still clinging to the flag. It is
related of Napoleon that when he swept the field with his glass and saw the wlilte
plume of Slurat dancing to and fro in the sunlight as he moved on at the head of
his legions, he knew the victory was safe. Was not Grant equally certain of victory
when he heard the thunder of Sheridan's cannon as he swept like a hurricane upon
the enemy's lines?
It Is not too much to say that the record of Michigan during this war is gratifying
to her citizens and one of which their children will be proud, indeed. We have put
nearly one hundred thousand men into the field — about one-eighth of our entire popu-
lation— and of the character of Michigan soldiers for endurance, courage and daring,
as well as every soldierly quality, I am not here to. speak. Their fighting qualities
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 40I
iire kDowu from Washing ton tu the Jtir. Uraiide. At fhickiimaiign, tliej fjUPd Riise-
ccans from annihilation; at Fi^e Forlis tliey stattered like chafC the serried L-olumns
of Lee'a grand army. The bones of her alain mingle with the soil of every gi-eat battle-
field from the Wilderness to Mobile. The brilliant ijheridaa and the dashliis Custer liave
made her fame nB imperishable as granite; but, as if that were not enough of glory, It
was reserved as a crowning net for Wichlgan to capture Jeff Davis and the whole
Southern Coufederncy, bootK, hoops and all. Itluch as Michigan has to be proud of in
her vast mineral and agrlculturnl resources, her sparkling lakes, her admirable syntem
of public schools, the wealth, intelligence and culture of her people, yet more than all
these does she prize the fame of her citizen soldiery. And from her soil there shall
arise a polished shaft iminting heavenward, upon whose enduring surface shall be
engraven the heroic deeds of her honored dead.
But there are other heroes whom I cannot jKtss— the white refugees of the South,
driven out from home, outcasts and wanderers, mercilessly shot down and butchered,
starved and plundered, ii^ ing In caves and dens, secreting themselves by day, wander-
ing upoQ the mountains by night. Oh, who shall tell the horrors of their sufferings?
And can we forget today those true iind tried friends at the South, iilthough dark-
skinned, who haie ne^er failed to (n"eet our flag with cheers; whose acts of kindness,
constancy and faithfulness to our oHicers and soldiers, fleeing for life from Southern
prisons, is part of the noble record of this war? Secreting them by day, suiiplying
them with food, acting as trusty guides by night, they have piloted thousands from
Southern hells to the Union lines. Nor can we forget the sable warriors of Port Hud-
son and Oloustee; nor those who made breastworks of their bodies as they fell thick
and fast around the heroic Colonel Shaw, at Fort Wayne, seizing the flag of the
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and bearing it aloft In triumph amid that wild carnival
of death. Their fame was justly eanied. And who would be mean enough to try and
steal it from them? Who has not heanl of Robert Small, the slave pilot who, when
the rebel captain of the steamer "Planter" was intending to hand her over to the
rebels, coolly took her out of Charleston harbor and put her in the possession of the
United States authorities? A noble net, which has nuide him a hero the world over.
Justicfc terrible and i-etributive. has overtaken the chiefs and iilotters of all the guilt
and criminality of this odious i-ebelliou. They have found hut too true the startling
Tint r this l>olt shill find uid [ lerte i ii through
Though under hells pioftimdest wiie thru diiest
Fi tmd a sheltering grai e
The opening futme tf lui countrv Ironis up herilc to us \sith 1 grandeui ind
magnlflten e which Is diazling u the l>eholdeis Cmiing out cf the mighty tciiflict
with uuHhilen fiith 111 the ,i;enius of our institution" purified chtstened and strength
ened with the Inspiration of liberty animating all hearts there rise up before us the
radttut gloites of an empire teeming with free industrions thrhing mHliiT« where
cultuie intelligenie refinement ind moral heroism ire the onlj rhals
(31)
dbyGoo<^lc
CHAPTER XII.
Railroads.
The magnificent steam railroads of today have come by a slow process
of development from the wooden tramways of an earlier age in Europe.
In the sixteenth century in England rails of wood were laid for the trans-
portation of coal from the mouths of the coal pits to the place of shipment.
In 1829 the celebrated engineer, George Stephenson, won with the "Rocket"
in a prize contest for speed in which, drawing a load of some twelve tons,
he made the remarkable record for that day of thirty miles an hour. In
1829 a railroad was put in operation between Liverpool and Manchester;
it was this road which had offered the prize won by Stephenson — a prize
of five hundred pounds for a locomotive engine which would rim at least
ten miles an hour and draw a load three times its own weight. The success
of railroads in England attracted attention in the United States. In 1831
fourteen miles of the Baltimore Sr Ohio road were in operation. The state
of Michigan, which has never been behind in the paths of progress, caught
the spirit of the age and in 1830 chartered the first railroad company west
of the Appalachians. On July 31 of that year Governor Cass approved the
incorporating of the "Pontiac & Detroit Railway Company," the forerunner
of the present Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee railroad, and the first
road completed to any point in Genesee county.
Among the original incorporators of this company were John P, Helfen-
stein, Gideon O. Whittemore, William F. Moscley, William Thompson and
Harvey Parke. The cajiital stock was to be one hundred thousand dollars.
The difficulties of the Michigan wilderness were indeed too great at this
early time and the projected railroad did not materialize. In 1834 a new
company was chartered with the same name, the capital stock to be fifty
thousand dollars. The road was to be l^egun within two years and com-
pleted witliin six. It has been said that the history of no railroad ever
built is replete with more amusing and grotesque incidents or marked by
more financial ups and downs than that of the old Detroit & Pontiac road.
One of the principal stockholders and managers, Sherman Stevens, of
Pontiac, tells the following story of the building of this road :
"The first cash outlay in building the Pontiac railroad was for tim-
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 483
bered land at .Royal Oak and for building a steam saw-niill to make the five-
by-seven-inch oak rails. As soon as the mill was in operation I put men
at work clearing and grubbing the roadway toward Detroit. It was all the
way through heavy timber from the mill to the rear of the farms fronting
on the river. As fast as the trees were cut down, all that were suitable
were made into ties, while the large trees were rolled to the center and so
placed as to form two continuous lines of logs. On these logs the ties were
placed, having a gain cut in each end to receive the five-by-seven oak rails.
When the rail was placed in the gains a wooden wedge was driven along-
side the rail, which fastened it solidly in place. After making a few rods
of this style of road, we put a car upon it and, by the use of a towing line
to enable the horse to travel outside the ties, we were able to deliver them
as fast as required. We made a ditch on each side of the track, throwing
the dirt excavated into the space between the rails, which was the means of
keeping the water from the track and making a dry and solid road for
horses. With two working parties of twenty men each, one overlooked by
'Uncle Jack' Keys and the other by John W. Hunter, who was the first
settler of what is now the village of Birmingham, wbile John R. Grout was
the engineer in charge, in a few months we reached Jefferson avenue. Here
we erected a depot and commenced the transporting of passengers and freight
to Royal Oak. The wagon roads across the heavy timbered land were
almost impassable. The emigration into Oakland, Genesee and Lapeer
counties was large and it was not unusual for us to receive one hundred
dollars for a single day's traffic over these wooden rails. The receipts from
this source nearly met our expenses in extending the road to Birmingham.
We made that place the terminus, until we foimd the wear upon the wooden
rails was beginning to broom tbem to an extent that we feared would unfit
them to receive the flat iron bar for which they were intended.
"As iron at that time cost ninety dollars a ton and the amount we
required would cost a hundred thousand dollars, the outlook became seri-
ous. We had the control of money, but our bank might be jeopardized by
using any considerable sum in the purchase of iron. We finally applied
to the Legislature for power to raise a loan of a hundred thousand dollars
on six per cent. Iwnds having twenty years to run. This was at a time
long before the utility of free passes was known and our application must
stand upon its merits. I, however, invited a carload of the members to
make an excursion over the road to see its importance and its situation.
"It was upon this occasion that Salt Williams (who was inclined to
stutter) told the man who asked him if there was no danger that the horses
dbyGoot^lc
4S4 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
might bolt and throw the car from the track, that, "the only d-d-danger on
the Pon-Pontiac R-r-r-road'' was that he might die of old age before he
could get through. To ohviate that danger as much as possible, I took the
place of the driver and took the legislators over the road with such speed
and smoothness as some of them had never before witnessed, and soon after
their return the bill was called up and became a law.
"As soon as the bonds could be prepared and signed I went to New
York, sold them at par and purchased iron and a locomotive. This loco-
motive came from the shop of Baldwin & Company, Philadelphia, and had
on each side a brass plate bearing the name of the writer. It retained that
name until I parted with my interest in the road, and it was then renamed
the 'Detroit.' Some twenty years afterward I found it and 'Uncle Jack'
Keys still doing duty about the depot of the then Detroit & Milwaukee road.
" 'Uncle Jack' Keys, a black horse and the locomotive were identified
with the road for twenty-five years. Old Pete (the black horse) drew the
first oak rails from the mill, drew the first passenger car over the road, and
for years did the switching at Pontiac and exhibited an intelligence rarely
seen in any animal of any kind. He learned how far from the track he
must stand to be safe while a train was passing. If on hearing a train
approaching, he found himseif too near he would move sideways a foot or
two. While shifting cars he would not start until he had first looked back
to see the number he was expected to draw, and if more than a given num-
ber were in the train he would not pull a pound, but as soon as the extra
cars were detached he would pull with all his strength."
From Mr. Stevens' account it is clear that the road was very primitive
and that the building of it made slow progress. It was completed to Birm-
ingham in 1839. The cars were scheduled to make two trips a day from
Detroit to Birmingham, from which point stage coaches took passengers to
Pontiac, Flint and points on the Grand river. While Royal Oak was the
terminal the cars were drawn by horses, and for a portion of the time the
cars were run upon wooden "ribbons." The introduction of steam was
regarded as a notable event. In 1834 the road was completed to Pontiac.
The following reminiscences of this road told by a contemporary well reflects
its truly pioneer character;
"Trains would frequently stop between way stations at a signal from
some farmer who wished to ask a few questions or to take passage. An old
lady denizen of a farm-house, with spectacles of a primitive manufacture
placed high upon her forehead, came running out to the train, waving her
dbyGoot^lc
GENEriEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 485
bandanna. Her signal being heeded, the train was brought to a stop, and
her inquiry of the conductor was, if a certain lawyer named Drake was on
board. After receiving a negative answer, a short conversation was kept
up before the train started on its journey. It was no uncommon occurrence
for the engineer, who kept his shot-gun with him, to bring down game from
his engine, shut off steam and send his fireman after the fruits of his marks-
manship. The road being laid with strap rails, one of the duties of the con-
ductor was to keep a hammer for the purpose of spiking down 'snake-
heads' whenever they were seen from the cab of the engineer."
Five years later, in 184S, a company was chartered whose fortunes
looked to the westward along part of the route of the old "Northern Rail-
road." This was the Oakland & Ottawa Railroad Company. Its purpose
was to connect the western terminus of the Detroit & Pontiac road with the
mouth of the Grand river, and thence by steamer with Milwaukee. Capital
stock was fixed at two million five hundred thousand dollars. The road
was to be built by way of Fentonville in Genesee county and was to be begun
within five years and completed within fifteen years.
Work was begun on it in 1852. It was estimated that two thousand
six hundred tons of iron would be needed to lay the road from Pontiac to
Fentonville. This was purchased in England. So slow was the work, how-
ever, that four years passed before the first train was drawn over any por-
tion of the track in Genesee county. It was natural that two roads so
closely allied as these should consolidate, which they did in 1855, under the
name of the Detroit & Milwaukee railway. In the same year the road
recahed Holly, in 1856, Fentonville, in 1857, Ionia, and in 1858, Grand
Haven. This rapid progress was made possible by a fortunate European
loan of over a million dollars. But in i860 the foreclosure of the mortgage
by the bondholders placed the road in the hands of a receiver. For some
time the influence of the Great Western railroad in Canada had become
paramount in the management of the corporation. When that company
foreclosed, the Michigan company was reorganized under the same name—
except that it was called a "railroad company"' instead of a "railway com-
pany." In 1873 the earnings of the road again proved to be insufficient to
pay the interest upon its bonded debt. In 1875 its president, C. C. Trow-
bridge, of Detroit, was appointed receiver. In 1878 the Great Western
Railroad bought it for one million eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
It was again reorganized, under the name of the Detroit, Grand Haven &
Milwaukee Railway Company. Since 1883. when the Great Western and
dbyGoot^lc
4^6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Grand Trunk Railway of Canada amalgamated, the road has been a part
of the Grand Trunk system. The principal stations on this road in
Genesee county are Gaines, Linden and Fenton.
The first railroad over which a locomotive drew a train into Flint was
the Flint & Pere Marquette. As originally planned, this road was to extend
from Flint to Ludington (then Pere Alarquette). The company promoting
it was organized at Flint in 1857, The capital stock was five million five
hundred thousand dollars. The original subscribers were as follows:
George M. Dewey, Benjamin Pearson, Alvin T. Crosman, Daniel D. Dewey,
Josiah Pratt, Theodore G. Mills, C. Roosevelt, Artemas Thayer, H. W.
Wood, James Henderson, R. D. Lamond, Alexander McFarlan, F. N.
Pettee, E. H. McQuigg, Charles B. Higgins, R. Bishop, E. F. Frary, M.
Miles, Giles Bishop, A. B. Witherbee. George W. Fish, H. C. Walker, H.
M. Henderson, T. C. Meigs, Chauncey K. Williams, Charles F. Dewey,
William Patterson, G. R. Cummings.
This road had its origin in, and its construction was greatly aided by,
certain congressional land grants. In 1856 Congress provided that, to help
the state build railroads between certain specified points in Michigan, there
should be granted to the state every alternate section of land for six sections
in width on each side of the proposed roads— under certain conditions. The
Legislature, in 1857, accepted this grant of land with the conditions im-
posed and vested in the new company the title to that portion of the lands
intended by Congress to aid in constructing the Flint & Pere Marquette.
The proceeds of the lands were to be applied to no other purpose than the
building of the road. Only the "T" rail must be used in the construction.
After the certified completion of twenty miles of the railroad the company
could sell sixty sections of land included within any continuous twenty miles
of the line, and other sixty sections upon similar conditions until the whole
road should be finished. Then the company could sell the rest of the land,
but not before. The road was to be surveyed and located by December i,
1857. At least twenty miles of the road must be built each year and the
whole must be completed within seven years. The lands thus donated
amounted to six hundred and sixty-two thousand four hundred acres, of
which, according to the first arrangement, only half could be sold before the
completion of the road; this was amended in 1859 and the sale allowed of
the entire amount of land due upon each completed section; also the time
for the completion of the first twenty miles was extended to December i,
1859-
dbyGoot^lc
geneset: county, Michigan. 487
The survey and location of t!ie route was made and accepted by Aug-
ust, 1857. Originally the line was to extend from Flint through the coun-
ties of (ienesee, Saginaw, Midland, Gladwin, Clare, Osceola, Lake and Ma-
son, to Ludington, on Lake Michigan. But the surveyed route passed south
of Gladwin through Isal>ella and Mecosta. Subsequently the route v^as
again changed so as to pass wholly to the north of these two counties. This
was a vigorous beginning and, despite the teniiwrary set-back caused by the
financial panic of 1857. a third of the line between Flint and Saginaw had
been cleared and about three miles graded ready for ironing by the close of
1858.
Hard times following the panic of 1857 compelled the bonding of the
road in March, 1859, to the amount of fi\-e million five hundred thousand
dollars. By October, i8f;9. the remainder of the line between Flint and Sagi-
naw was nearly ready for the iron. But December the time had expired in
which the first twenty-mile section was to be finished. Apprehensions were
felt that the state would now declare a forfeiture. On the contrary, the
governor, hacked by influential citizens, assured the contractors that no ad-
vantage would be taken of the company's misfortune. In July, 1S60, the
work was resumed, though prosecuted slowly.
The road had been built from Saginaw southward, and reached Gen-
esee cmmty in the beginning of 1861 ; on January 20, 1862, it was opened
for traffic to Mount Morris; on December 8, of that year, the first locomo-
tive entered Flint, and the event was attended with an appropriate celebra-
tion and an entertainment at the Carlton House. The officers of the com-
pany at that time were: Fber B. Ward, of Detroit, president; Charles A.
Trowbridge, Henry H. Fish, Palmer V. Kellogg, of Utica, New York;
Henry Hobbs, Charles B. Mott. East Saginaw; Benjamin Pierson, Alfred
J. Boss, Flint: Morgan L. Drake, of Pontiac; treasurer. William II. Bron-
son; secretary, Morgan I-, Drake.
In the following year energetic steps were taken by this company to
connect Flint by rail with the Detroit & Milwaukee road. Abortive attempts
had been made to build a road from Flint to Pontiac ever since the com-
pletion of the line between Pontiac and Detroit. In 1846 the Legislature
had incorporated the Pontiac & Genesee Railroad Companj', with a capital
stock of five hundred thousand dollars, later increased to one million dol-
lars. This came to naught. In 1848 the Genesee & Oakland Railroad Com-
pany was chartered, with a capital stock of two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. Its fate was similar. In 1859 the Legislature authorized the Flint
dbyGoot^lc
4«0 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
& Pere Marquette Company to make certain arrangements with the latter
company for the building of this line, but of this nothing came Ijeyond the
snrvey of a ronte between Flint and Fentonville.
Tn 1863 powerful, practical and wealthy parties took up the project;
but instead of Pontiac as the junction point, they chose Holly, The Flint
&■ HoUy Railroad Company was incorporated, of which the leading spirit
was Hon. Plenry H. Crapo, afterwards governor of Michigan. He was
president of the company and a member o£ the board of directors. With
him were associated men of means in Genesee county and a number of heavy
capitalists of New Bedford, Massachusetts: Oliver Prescott, John R. Thorn-
ton and Edward S. Mandell, of New Bedford: Levi Walker and J. B. Wal-
ker, of Flint, and David Smith, of F'entonville. The commissioners to re-
cei\-e subscriptions to the stock were Oliver Prescott and William W. Crapo,
of New Bedford : Henry H, Crapo and H. W. Wood, of Flint, and David
Smith, of Fentonville, There had been some thought of building the line
to Fentonville, but the a<lvantage of Holly as a junction point were soon ap-
parent. The work was liegun at once and pushed with vigor. So rapid was
the progress it was opened to Holly on November i, 1864. The first train
over the line was drawn by the company's new locomotive "City of Flint."
During the first month four hundred and sixty tons of freight were carried
and $3,485.80 was received from passenger traffic. At the end of the first
fiscal year the company showed a balance of $39,203.14.
After nearly four years of successful operation, during which the busi-
ness of the road grew steadily, the Flint & H0II3' road was sold, in April,
1868, to the Flint & Pere Marquette, for about $550,000. The total cost of
the road had been $430,423.06. In the years immediately following, the
road, for a short interior line, made a most remarkable showing of profit.
With the central and northern parts of Genesee county now given a
railway outlet to Detroit, Lake F>ie and the East, and to Grand Haven and
Milwaukee on the west, attention was directed to the northwest, fn the fall
of 1866 work was begun on that portion of the Flint & Pere Marquette
line between East Saginaw and Ludington; and it was completed to Luding-
ton, Dcceml^r i, 1874.
Several lines have been consolidated with the Flint & Pere Marquette,
Among those in which Genesee county is especially interested have been the
Holly, Wayne & Monroe railway, which furnished a southeastern connec-
tion with Lake Erie, beginning in 1870; the Bay City & East Saginaw road,
connecting with Lake Huron; and the Flint River railroad, running from the
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 489
junction four miles north of Flint to Otter Lake. These lines were con-
solidated in 1872. The main line of the Flint & Fere Marquette passes
from north to south nearly through the center of the county, numbering
among its principal stations CMo, Mount Morris, Flint and Grand Blanc.
This road has been of vast importance to the settlement and growth of
Genesee county. In recent years it has had many misfortunes and at present
its financial condition is not entirely satisfactory. I'-or Genesee county it is
of greatest importance that this road should continue its service.
Railway connections eastward from Flint, with Port Huron, were not
secured until if^/i. The trials and failures and final success of the endea-
vors to huild this line make a long and romantic story, reaching from the
earliest days of the state's history. This line was the route of the first rail-
road projected to pass through Genesee county and was a part of the gen-
era! plan adopted by the state commissioners of internal improvement in
1837. The road was to be one of three across the southern peninsula. The
first, to extend from Detroit through the Kalamazoo valley to the mouth of
the St. Joseph river in Berrien county, was the forerunner of the present
Michigan Central. The second, from the navigable waters of the Raisin
river, in Monroe county, to New Buffalo, in Berrien, was the l3eginning of
the present Lake Shore & Michigan Southern system. A third, the north-
ernmost road, was to run from Palmer, or from near the mouth of Black
river, to St. Clair county, to the navigable waters of the Grand river, in
Kent county, or to Lake Michigan in Ottawa county. It was to he called
the Northern railroad. Its name would hardly indicate its situation today,
but at the time it was located it passed through the northern tier of counties
in which there were no settlements except the .sparse and isolated ones in
Saginaw. Mackinac and Chippewa counties. At the outset the sum of $550,-
000 was appropriated for the three roads. The relative importance of the
roads in the minds of the legislators seems to be indicated in the fact that
$50,000 was to be spent on the Northern road, $100,000 on the Southern,
and $400,000 on the Central. Doubtless the Northern had not so many
interested advocates as the Central and Southern.
The surveys were made at once. The Northern railroad route was
surveyed from the St. Clair river through the center of Genesee county,
thence to Lvons in Ionia, and from there westward to the mouth of the
Grand river. The total distance was two hundred and one miles. Commis-
sioner James B. Hunt, who caused the survey, made the estimates and speci-
fications and let the contracts; among these was one for $i^o,ooo, made with
dbyGoot^lc
490 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Gen. Charles C. Hascall, of Flint, for building the road in Genesee. This
work was done in 1838-1839. Further appropriations were now needed and
were made for the road, in all about $130,000. The last appropriation was
in 1831) — $40,000.
A MOKE STABLE POLICY ADOPTED.
It was about this time that ihc people of the state began to awaken to
the real nature of the economic problem they had undertaken so lightly. The
effects of the financial panic of 1837 were felt on every hand. The disasters
consequent upon the misplaced ^5,000,000 loan caused a widespread feeling
among the people that the adoption of so comprehensive a system of im-
provements had been premature. The results of this feeling was the restric-
tion of appropriations to the works considered of most vital importance,
particularly to those which seemed to promise to return the interest on their
cost. The Central and Southern lines had been pushed with vigor and were
then in partial operation. After 1839 appropriations were restricted to them
and by 1841 all idea of constructing the Northern railroad by the state was
abandoned. In 1843 't w^s formally abandoned, by "an act to authorize
the construction of a wagon-road on the line of the Northern railroad," and
ordering the application and apppropriation for that purpose of al! non-resi-
dent highway taxes for a distance of three miles on either side of the line.
A special commissioner was appointed for each county along the route,
who should superintend the expenditure of monies for the "Northern Wa-
gon-Road." Gen. Charles C. Hascall was the commissioner appointed for
Genesee. So difficult was the work, however, and so slowly prosecuted that
by 1846 only a small portion of the line was passable for wheeled vehicles.
In that year the act was repealed. But in 1848 an act was approved appro-
priating twenty thousand acres of internal improvement lands to construct
and improve the road from Port Huron to Corunna. The governor ap-
pointed Alvin N. Hart, of Lapeer, special commissioner to superintend the
portion of the work east of Shiawassee county. Up to 1849 all the appro-
priations for a wagon road had been expended on the route originalJy adopt-
ed for the railroad. In that year an act was passed appointing Lewis S.
Tyler, of Genesee county; Albert Miller, then of Saginaw county, and Henry
Newberry, of Shiawassee county, commissioners to relocate the line of the
road between Flint and Corunna. The special commissioner, Mr. Hart, was
directed to expend the appropriation on the line they should adopt.
The commissioners had three hues from which to choose. An eligible
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 49I
southern route passed through the Miller settlement in Genesee county.
There was a possible northern route through the village of Flushing. A
central route passed through the Lyon settlement. A road had been opened
on both southern and centra! lines and the country along these between Flint
and Corunna had been partially settled. On the northern line a good road
had been made from f'lint to Flushing and the country was also well settled.
But, beginning about a mile west of the Flint river at Flushing, there was a
whole township of heavy timber which reached in a solid mass almost to
Corunna, without a settler. A large portion of this tract was internal im-
provement land, which had been .selected to pay for the labor of opening
the road which the commissioners were to locate. Besides this the commis-
sioners were to take into consideration subscriptions for the respective hnes
and locate the road where it would best serve the public. Large subscrip-
tions for the northern line were made by George and Porter Hazelton, of
Flint, and by James Seymour, of Flushing. The commissioners, after ex-
amining carefully the merits of each route, were unanimous for the north-
ern one. Immediately was recommenced the cutting out and grubbing of
the line between Flint and Lapeer. Poor as this road may have been there
is no doubt that it greatly aided the settlement of that portion of the county
which lay along its line.
Meanwhile, in 1847, the now abandoned state project of the "Northern
Railroad" was taken up by a corporation chartered as the Port Huron &
Lake Michigim Railroad Company to build a railroad from Port Huron to
the mouth of the Grand river. Capital stock to the amount of two million
dollars was authorized, and John Wells, Alvtn N. Hart, Charles C. Hascall,
Alfred L, Williams, Jesse F. Turner, Ira Porter, Edmund B. Bostwick and
Thomas W. White were named charter commissioners to receive subscrip-
tions. The company was to begin within five years and complete the road
within fifteen years, the state relinquishing to the company all her rights and
privileges in the old line. In 1851 "ten" and "twenty" years were substi-
tuted, respectively, for "five" and "fifteen"; but increased efforts to com-
plete the subscriptions to the stock met with little success.
In 1853 encouragement was received from Quebec. H. Malcolm Cam-
eron announced that parties in that city might furnish means to build the
road. Negotiations resulted in a contract with prominent railroad men there
to complete the road by January i, 1857, on condition that the Legislature
would increase the capital stock to eight million dollars. For this an extra
session was sought; but, notwithstanding the sanction of a mass-meeting
dbyGoot^lc
492 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
called by the promoters at Jackson to secure the session, the governor de-
clined to convene the Legislature and the company had to await the regular
session of 1855. In that session the charter was amended as desired and aid
was given in other ways. But still matters did not appreciably mend. Then
came the proposition from N. P. Stewart, of Detroit, to purchase the char-
ter and build the road without delay, but suspicion was awakened that Mr.
Stewart was working in the interest of a rival road, the Detroit & Milwau-
kee Railway. It was feared that if he should get possession of the charter
he would kiil their project, and they declined to seil. Thereupon, Mr. Stew-
art, in 1856, organized a new company, which was chartered as the Port
Huron & Milwaukee Railroad Company. The new route was surveyed at
once and work upon it was pushed with vigor. A dock was built at Port
Huron. Sime twenty miles of grading was done. About a mile of track
was laid at the Port Huron end of the line. AH this was done to raise the
hopes of the people and increase the general faith in the final success of the
enterprise. But disappointment was again in store. At about this stage
Mr. Stewart assented to the consolidation of this line with the Detroit &
Milwaukee road at Owosso. From that time work on the eastern portion
of the road ended; the means raised for it was used west of Owosso. Still
the friends of the old road did not give up. They still had their charter.
Finally, in 1863, Mr, Jerome, of New York, purchased the charters of both
companies — that is, of the Port Huron & Lake Michigan and that part of
the Port Huron & Milwaukee lying east of Owosso. But presently Mr. Je-
rome died.
In 1865 a course was adopted that was destined to lead success. The
old friends and promoters of the road rallied to the support of the original
plan. The new idea was to repurchase the charters from the Jerome estate,
and for this purpose to secure local subscriptions and municipal aid. To
facilitate negotiations with the Jerome heirs, bills were introduced into the
Legislature to repeal the charters. The expected result was secured. The
charters were bought at a reduced figure and work was immediately begun
on the road. By November, i8fi6, the roadbed was nearly completed from
Port Huron and the Lapeer county. More than enough ties had been con-
tracted for this distance. The right of way had l>ecn secured over nearly
all the route as far west as Flint, Several townships along the way had
voted them bonds to aid the enterprise. It was confidently hoped that the
road would be in full operation between Port Huron and Flint by 1869.
But unforeseen troubles arose in getting the iron and rolling-stock. The
dbyGoot^lc
GF.NKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 493
firm of S. W. Hopkins & Company, of New York, were first tried, who
furnished materials enough to complete the eastern portion. The first cargo
of rails reach Port Huron, June 24, 1869, and the track was laid at once.
Supplies came slowly. Further negotiations were made in Europe. It was
not until 1870 that the track was finished as far as Iralay City. In 1871 it
reached Lapeer, and in October entered Genesee county; on November 12
it reached Flint. On Thursday, November 30, an "inaugural trip" was
made over the entire sixty-six miles between Flint and Port Huron by a
party composed of Hon. Arfemas Thayer and some fifteen ladies and gen-
tlemen; Mr. Thaj'er was a Flint member of the board of directors. Much
enthusiasm greeted this party along the route. The formal opening of this
line was celebrated by an excursion party from Port Huron to Flint; over
two hundred men and women were taken over this course in four coaches
by the locomotive "Flint City." At the Thayer House, in Flint, the party
was complimented by a dinner, which was marked by much hilarity and
many speeches suiting the occasion. December 13, 1871, trains began to
run regularly between the two cities. Some thirty-four years had passed
since the people of "FHnt River settlement" had first rejoiced over the pass-
age of the "Northern Railroad" bill and the promise of an early connection
with the world outside by rail.
On February i, 1877, a road which was practically a continuation of
this line was formally opened between Flint and Lansing. It was built by
the Chicago & Northeastern Railroad Company, incorporated in 1874. At
Lansing this road joined what was then the Peninsular Railway, which con-
nected with the Michigan Central. A through line was thus opened from
I^ort Huron to Chicago. Subsequently the Chicago & Northeastern line
was purchased by eastern capitalists with the purpose of destroying it as a
competitor to other through lines under their control. In 1880 it was con-
solidated with a number of companies under eastern control, which operated
under the name of the Chicago & Grand Trimk system. In 1900 it was again
sold and became a part, together with the line from Flint to Port Huron,
of the Grand Trunk system of Canada, with which it still remains. Its value
to the people of Genesee county is equaled only by the Pere Marquette, these
two great lines forming its arteries of commerce with Detroit and the East,
Port Huron and Canada, Saginaw, Ludington and the Northwest, Milkau-
kee. Chicago, and all points in Michigan and the great world beyond.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER Xlir.
Early Years of Flint City.
Flint City was incorporated in 1855. Until then, though streets were
regularly laid out and built upon, no municipal organization existed and the
settlement was under the jurisdiction of Flint township. In the early part
of January, 1S55, the subject of a separate organization was agitated. All
agreed as to its feasibility, but there was much difference of opinion as to
the advantage of a city over a village charter. An article from a leading
local paper embodies the sentiments of those who favored a city charter :
A woiil now u|)on the iii'ojjrlety of having our Iiicoriiorjition a city. It is conceded
on all htiHtls thiLt ive sliould lie iiK^oi^iurated. It is also true tliiit 11 village <.-liarter might
meet our present requirements, but withia the limits of tlie proposed coriioi'atlou we ha^e
already as iiiiuiy iuhnbltuuts as the city of Grand Uaplds tiad wheu lucovpoi'ated, and
considei~dhly more than the city of Adrian when she got her charter. And as the rate
lit whicli we have been growing for two or three years imst. if we should now be incor-
porated as a vlUnge, It is almost a matter of course that we should And It necessary to
have our village chiuter chaiigeil. for a city one by the time tlie Legislature meetK. two
years hence. Bj obtaining a city charter now we oi)viate the necessltj of apijetiring
again before the I-egislature within a short Interval.
In January, 1855, a citizens' meeting was held in the court house to
consider the subject of a city charter and, after several hours of spirited
debate. Gen. C. C. Hascall, I^vi Walker, Charles N. Beecher, F. H. Rankin,
James Birdsall, George M. Dewey and C. S. Payne were chosen a commit-
tee to draft the provisions of the proposed charter. The draft was pre-
sented to an adjourned citizens" meeting and, after further discussion,
adopted. The business of working over a settlement into a city was gone
through with by the Legislature with its customary dispatch and the act of
incorporation became a law by the approval of Governor Bingiiam, i''chru-
ary 13, 1855.
At the time of its incorporation, Flint had about two thousand inhabi-
tants. The principal residents probably appear in the tax-roll for (hat year,
which included the following names:
Allen, John C. Aylward, Wllliaui. Andrews, Geiirge.
Aplln, Samuel. Ali>ort, Samuel. Alexiinder. B. F.
Andrews, Asa. .\nderson, Reuben. .\<-keminn, William.
Adiims, Eber. .Vtchinsoti, Abbey. .\therton, Amn.
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Athertou, Mrs. A.
l-aruej, James.
Fentou, William M.
Arnold, Lewis.
Charles, William.
Fleming, Mrs.
Apllu, Tbomas.
Coukling & Kello^.
Fish, Mrs. Octavia.
Allen. Sarah.
Ciirmau & Lovejoy.
Fi-ary. Frank B.
Anuatroug & Co.
c'arman, Jose|ili.
Foot, David,
Armstrong, J. W.
Collins, William.
Firman, Josiah.
Allen & KaiKlall.
Cooper, Hiram.
French, Susan.
Biuney, W. M.
Cornell, D. B,
I'rlzaell, Siiuiuel.
Baker, WUlinii].
Curtis, Samuel.
Freeman, Daniel S.
Buzzel, John.
<_'ulver, George,
Fuller, Charles L.
Booth. Joel A.
Clark. Daniel.
Fuller, Asahel.
Uiiltuy, Williiim.
<'lark, Widow.
Farrell, Bichard.
Btcbforil. I-ewis G,
Carrier, Erastus K.
Forsyth. O. F.
Blades, J. H. C.
Craft, Josiah.
Freeland, Cornelius.
Behee, George.
Case. Mrs.
FerguMon, Jauies.
Bearaley. Stephen.
r'adivell, ICdward.
Fiin-est, William.
Burrows, J. C.
Ciai-k, II, U.
[■'arley, Josiah.
Bump. Dai-id,
Culver, Edward.
Frai-y. D. S.
Beiirdslee, A.
CuiLilufis, Eliziibeth.
I'-cuton & Bishop.
BeLan. John.
Culver, Alfred.
F.)ss, Juhn.
Bishor, GUes.
f iiufmau, — ,
(JrifHth. Orrin.
Bishop. Russell.
riark, .
iiarhind. John.
Bishop, R. & I.
IX'ceuninck. Charles L.
(ioff, Cyrus H.
Bliides, William.
Dodfie, Natlianiel,
Giilett. Amos.
Beecher. Charles N.
Danes. Fi-edei-ick B.
Gosliii, James H.
Beecher & Hlggins.
Dewey, George M.
Griswold, Martha.
Bailer, Jarvia.
Dewey, D. D.
(:«.kleu, Robert.
Birdsall, James.
Dewey & Crosman.
r.nzhiy. William.
Blrdsitll. Jesse.
Dewey & Pearson.
Goodrich, O. C.
Barker & Patterson.
Darlinc, Ash.
Gret-n, S, JI.
Baker, Mrs.
Decker, James C.
Guild, Mi-s.
Branch, Thomas,
Davis, A. P.
Gazlay. Miles.
Belcher & French.
DelbrfdKe, John.
(i.iKlay, Ward.
Bevins, Nancy.
Dawsoii, liii'liard.
Gillian. William.
Bump. Anderson.
Dnike. Elijah,
GillniHii, 1>.
Cnnilnsts & Cari'oii.
Decker. GriUlf.
Gahan & Decker.
l»arling. James.
Golden. William.
Collins, Orson.
Horan, John.
Hiimilton. John B.
Chauibei-s. Wiiliiim D.
Daua, Oiauiicey.
Ilnghes, Michael.
Curtis, Daniel.
De Grafr, Peter.
IIolbiMok, James.
Oliirk. Willinm.
Elrtriilge, I, X,
llogan. Thomas.
Clark. W. & J. B.
E.ldy, .lerome.
Huhhard. Malinda.
Curtis & Son.
Eddy, Wiilard.
Ilnlilnai'd, William R.
Cum Infra, Thomas R.
I'Mdy. William,
Ileale, Charles.
Crandnll, William P.
l.:ffle, Geoi-ge.
Crosinan, A. T.
Elmore, M. S.
Holmes. Frederick.
Gary, Alonzo.
Elstow. Sanmel.
Henderson, Henry M.
Costlllo. Andrew.
Fogiirty, John.
Hlgi^lus. Henry I.
Croff. Abner.
ii'airchild. Phllo.
Hiegins. 0, R.
Ouduey, Charles H.
Failing, Leri.
Hopkins, G. S.
dbyGoo<^lc
496
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Hood, George F.
Liidd, Xalhaniel.
Patterson, William.
Hiiwklns, William.
Lowe, A. V.
Pratt, Mrs. Roxana.
Hill, George J. W.
Lac'y, Albert D.
Parker. Rev. Orson.
Higgins & Bi-otlier.
l*ister. Thomjie.
Pralt, H. R.
HiiKeltou, George H.
Lanckton, Caleb.
I'ettee, E. N.
Hiigerty, Mrs.
McAl ester, James.
I'age, Robert J. S.
H.-iscali, Charles C.
Morrison & Eildy.
Palmer, J. W.
HiiniiltoLi, Wm. & 0.
Miiore. James.
Quick, David.
Hrimiltoii, Wmiam.
Miles. Manley.
Quigley & Holgate.
Hiiiiilltou, O.
Mowry, Henry.
Qnigley, John.
Ilitrrlson, Andrew.
Moore, Stephen.
HandaU, Abner.
Howell, Isaac.
Moon, William.
Rankin. Francis H.
HHUiilton, Jolm.
Mason, Jared.
Ilyan, Daniel.
Hill. Ciuy.
.Marshnii. William.
liichai-da, Richard.
Howjiitl, Mrs.
Merch, Silas P.
Runyon, Content.
Higgins, M. E.
McFarlan, Alexander.
Reynolds, Almou.
Harper, Lemuel L.
Morse, Lorenzo D.
Itoosevelt, Cornelius.
Haver, William.
Merriman, Isaiah.
Roilgers, T. V.
II;nvley, John.
JIcMlnaman, Pat.
Robinson, Isaac N.
Henry. Eunice.
McCollum, James,
Rice, Charles.
Howe, Mrs. Wm.
Mothersill, William.
Rising, H. C.
Hunt. I'erry.
rallies, Mrs. E.
Itlpley & Armstrong.
Ii-ow, W. W.
Mt-Xamee, B.
Russell, N.
Jones, Itausom.
Miles, Mrs. Isaac.
Rice, William.
Jolmeon, Edwin.
Miller, William.
Stevenson, William.
Jenny, Koyal W.
Matbei', Darld.
Smith, A. G.
Jackson. R. H.
McCitll, Philip.
StillMon, Hnrris.
Joy, John.
SiHttison, Seth A.
seynuniv. Charles.
Johnson & Blunchard.
Moi-se, David.
Siilton, John.
Juaa, Ilichard.
XewcomI), Henry.
S<-()ville. William R.
Klrby, George, & Oo.
Xash. Daniel L.
Stewart. [.;. M.
Keyes. Douglass.
Newc-onib, Thomas.
Switon, William.
Kline, Joseph.
>'ewell, Tliomas.
Stevens, A. C. (pstat<
Kent. .
O'Siillivan, Daniel.
Saunders, Mrs.
Kline, Mrs. James.
Stage. Mrs.
Kellogg, Jlarlon.
Olmsted, Gosen.
Siiiith, Itev. George.
Klhie. John A.
Oftoway, Stephen H.
Skinner & Martin.
Knickerbocker, Benner.
J'ettee & Brother.
Sliter, H. M.
IJnk, John.
I'jirrish, Jasper.
StoH', Mrs.
I-eacli, Dewltt C.
I'ntrick, William.
Swan, liev. John,
l.elbermnn, E.
Peai-sons, William.
Safford, Orrin.
Lewis. E. J.
Peorile'a Bank.
Simmons, T.
Lyon, William H. C.
I'ayne, Channcey S.
Sperry, George.
Lake, Warner.
I'earsoli, Horry.
Sceley. Mark D.
Lnke, Nicholas.
I'helps. H. C.
Sliifforrt, Edmonil.
I^ke, John.
I'atrick, Charles.
.Summers, Charles H.
r*e, Edward.
I'eiirson. Benjamin.
Surryhne. William.
Lee, Thonias.
Tarks, Thomas.
Stewart, P. H.
Liimond, Kobert D.
I'ettee, W. N.
Skldmore, John.
r^wis. Royal D.
Perry. H. W.
Stewart, Mrs.
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Stow, G(jorge.
Tbonisoii; E.' H,
Trainer. Piitrlck.
Trlckey, Luther.
Tliurter, Williiini M.
Tbayer, WillinoL
Tolles. Ileiirj".
'i'liiiyor, Arteniiia.
Tolliivor. Williiim.
Todil, .Tolm.
True, William W.
Terrill, Diivid.
Utley, Elislifi.
Vjiu Ness, I'etei'.
Van Syclile, G. A,
Villi Timiti, Scliuyler.
V,\n Tiniiu, Reuben.
\"im ^'ecliten, M. B.
Wlteeler, Slieimrd.
Woort, H. W.
Warren. Thonins.
Wolverton, Kte[ilieti.
Wliitlii^', Jolm W.
Wiseuinu. I.yman.
WittRoii, David.
Wnit. George.
Will Iter, r.evl.
WaUiley & I'lffiord.
WiiiTen, Snmnel N.
wniianis, Ephraim S.
Wossoii, T^oiiard.
Wii
, Mi-t^
Wicks, Sitmuel B.
Willett, John.
Wltherbee, Mrs.
Ward, Alexander.
Wood, T. F.
Watkins, Nathan.
Woodliouse, .
Webber, Jolm.
Walker, James B.
Walker, J. B., & Co.
Walker, H. C.
Wltherbee, Austin B.
Wood, Smith & Wicka.
Yawkey, J. H.
Ya-n-key. J. H. & Son.
Yorks. Jiiines.
FIRST CITY OFFICERS.
Tlie iirst charter election was held April 2, 1865, when the following
officers were chosen: Mayor, Grant Decker; recorder, Levi Walker; super-
visor, Charles N. Beecher; treasurer, Elihu F. Frary; marshaJ, Cornelius
Roosevelt; directors of the poor, Benjamin Pearson and Henry I. Higgins;
schooi inspector, Daniel (.Hark; justices of the pciice, Charles Seymour, Levi
Walker, Lewis G. Bickford and Willard Eddy.
Ward Officers — First ward : Aldermen, George M. Dewey and James
W. Armstrong; assessor, Ashael Fuller; street commissioner, William Moon;
constable, Cyrus A. Goff. Second ward: Aldermen, Benjamin Pearson and
David Mather; assessor, William Hamilton; street commissioner, William
Eddy; constable, Erastus K. Carrier. Third ward: Aldermen, Wilham M.
Fenton and A. T. Crostnan; assessor, David l'"oot; street commissioner,
John C. Griswold; constable, Daniel L. Nash.
Respecting the officers of Flint City from the days of the first elections,
W. R. Bates writes:
Qi'ant Decker, the flrst uiiiyor of L'lint, was forty-one years of age when elected
mayor. Laving been born February 4, 1814, in Deckertown, New Jersey, where his family
located before the War of the Kevolution. He came to Flint in lS3i) and engaged in
the lumbering business. Subsequently he was Interested in a floor mill erected by him-
self and Hon. Aitemas Thayer. Later still he was Interested In a flour and feed mill
and Capt. Ira H. Wilder was associated with him. Notwithstanding the fact that his
various business places were burned eight times in forty years, he continued nearly up
to tlie time of his death as one of the active and highly respected business men of Flint.
He was one of tlie founders of the St. Paul's Episcopal church and was one of its
(32)
dbyGoc^lc
49° GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
officers at tlie time of his death, Mr. Decker's large frame mansion was one of tbe flne
old homes of the city, but after his death it made place for the residence of former
Mayor William A. Pateraoii. Since Mr. Decker's Incumbency of the office of mayor. th:it
position has been filled by fifty different persons. Of these. Col. William M. Fenton,
William Hnmllton. Col. William B. McCreery. David S. Fox, Judge George H. Durand,
A. D, Alvord, George E. SIcKliiiey. Guy W. Selhy and Charles S. Mott were re-elected.
the others having held the office but one term each.
Among the mayors of Flint are some who had state-wide reputations and whu niuy
be mentioned here without detracting from the excellent records made by the others.
William M. Fenton, mayor for two term*. 1858 and 1850, was a great lawyer and a
successful business man ; lie was colonel of the Eighth Michigan Infantry durinj? the
War of the Rebellion and was lieutenant-governor of Michigan. Henry H. Crapo,
mayor lu 1860, served the state for two terms as its governor. William B. McCreery
was a colonel during the Civil War, state treasurer and United States consul at Santi-
ago de Chili. George H. Durand, mayor two terms, 1R73 and 1874, was a member of
Congress one term, a justice of the state supreme court, appoiiitwl by Gov. E. B.
Wlnana to fill a vacancy ; and at the time when he was stricken with the illness which
resulted in his death he was the democratic candidate for po^eruor of the state.
Jerome Eddy, mayor In 1878, was chairman of the democratic state central coniuilttee
and United States consul at Chatham, Ontario. BIr. Eddy died November 24, 1005
George R. Gold, mayor in 18!)S. was judge of probate and trustee of the state institution
for the feeble minded at Lapeer. Judge Gold was a model citizen, a delightful com-
panion and his death was a distinct loss to this city and state. Geoi'ge K Taylor, niajor
in 1802, was a state senator and judge of probate. Col. Edwartl H. Thomson, mayor iii
1877, was a man of culture, the owner of one of the best private Shakespearean libraries
In the country, which is now the property of the University of Michigan, and a man
known far and wide as a lectui'er on Slii»keH])e,ire, as a raconteur and a genial gentle-
man. His hospit.ible home, containing also his library, was located where is now the
residence of Arthur G. Bishop, on Kenrsley street. William A. Atwood, mayor In 1882,
has long been known as a conservative and successful business man and has served as
state senator. D. D. Altl^en served two terms as a member of Conjcress, is a lawyer,
manufacturer, banker and a friend to the man who needs ii friend. There are few
names. If anj-. among the long list of past and present city officials about whom tlie
writer could not truthfully say coniplliiieiitary things, did space allow. F. D. Baker Im
at present postmaster of Flint. Charles S. Mott is a director of the General Motors
Company. W. W. Joyner was postmaster of Flint. S. C. Randall was grand com-
mander of Michigan Knights Templar. H. C. Spencer served as state senator.
The office of city recorder was abolished in 1876, since which time the conimim
connr-il has etei'ted a city clerk.
ROSTER OF CITY OI'FICIALS.
A complete list of the city officials follows :
Mayor. Rr.corOin: Tvmimrvr.
1855 — Grant Decker r^vl Walker Elihu II. Frary,
1856 — R. J. 8. Page Charles B. Hi^ins John G. Griswold.
1857— Henry M. Henderson-_M. L. Ht^lns George F. Hood.
]S58 — William SI. Fenton Charles Hascall George F. Hood.
1859— William M. Fenton Charles Hascall George F. Hood.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Mayor. liecorder. Treasurer,
1860— Henry H. Crapo I«wls G Bickford John A. Kltne.
1861— Kpliriam S. WlUiams.-U G. Buckingham Joiin A. Kline.
1862— William Paterson J. it. Brousseau John A. Kline.
1863— -William^ Hamilton Henry K- Lovell Anson S. Witbee.
1864— Wtlliiim Hamilton Alvin T. Grossman Anson S. Witbee,
1865— William B. McCreery__ Alvin T. Grossman Anson S. Wlthee.
1866— William B. McCreery— Alvin T. Ci'ossman William W. Barnea.
1867— Austin B. Wltherbee George It. Gold William W. Bamea.
1868 — Samuel M. Axford George R. Gold William W, Barnes.
1869— William S, Patrick Anson S. Wlthee William W. Banies.
18T0— James B. Walker Anson S. Wlthee William W. Bamea.
1871— David S. Fox Charies E. McAlester William W. Barnes.
1872— David S. Fojt F. H. Itaukin, Sr. William W. BarDea.
1873— George H. Durand Soloman V. Halies William W. Barnea.
1876- William Hamilton F. II. Itankiu, Sr William W. Barnea.
Ira H. Wilder.
1877— Kdward H. Thomson.,!'. H. Kankin, Sr (To fill vacancy)
1878— Jerome Eddy F. H, Rankin, Sr Gbarles C. Beahan.
1878— James 0. Willson J. B. F. Curtis Charles C. Beahan.
1880— Zacheus Chase J. B. F. Curtis Jared Van Vleet.
1881— Chiirles A. Mason .1. B. F. Curtis Jared Van Vleet.
Albert 0. Lyon Francis Rankin, Jr.
(To fill vacaQcy)
1882— William A. Atwood Albert C. Lyon
1883— George E. Newall D. D. Aitkeu -.Jonathan Palmer.
1884— William W. Joyner D. D. Aitken Ezra K. Jenkins.
1885 — Matbew Davison IX D. Aitlien Jolin W. Tiioraas.
1886— George T. Warren John H. Hicok Watson C. Pierce.
1887— John C. Dayton John H. HIcok John McKercher.
18SS— Oreu Stone Ijolm H. Ilicok John McKercber.
188ft— F. D. Baker SI. W. Stevens Frederick A. Piatt.
18SM)— W. A. Paterson John Russell Frederick A. Piatt
la')]— F. H. Rankin, Jr Ralph I,. Aldricb Frank E. Wlllett.
Fred W. Brennan Frank K. Willett.
(To fill vacancy)
1802 — George E. Taylor Fred W. Breunau J. Frank Algoe.
1803 — Andrew J. Ward Fred W. Brennan J. Frank Al^oe.
1894— Arthur C. McCall l"red P. Baker Edwin C. J.itchfieid.
1805— John Zimmerman Fred P. Baker Kdwin C. I.itclifieid.
1896— Samuel C. Randall Fred I'. Baker .Daniel E. McKercher.
1807— Hilton C. Pettlbmie Fred P. Baker Daniel I-:. McKercher.
18!)S— George R. Gold Fred P. Baker Delaskie D. Fi'eeman.
1800-11. Alox. Crawford l>ed I'. Baker .ItelaskiP D. Freeman.
ii'red Freeman
(To fill vacancy.)
ItKIO— <:-lL.irle« A. Cumniings-Fivd 1'. Iliikei- .lobn Ballnntyne.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Clerk. Trcaaitrcr.
Fi'ed P. Bilker John .Hiillaiityne.
(To fill vacancy)
1902 — A. D. AJi-ord U. E. Newcombe Milton 0. Pettibone.
1903— A. D. Alvord 1>. E. Xewcombe Milton C. Pettjbone.
1904 — Bruce 3. MacDonald. Delos K, Newcombe Isaac Finley.
1005— D. D. Aitkin IJelos E. Newcombe Isaac Ftnley,
1906— Geoi^e E. McKlnley — Delos E. Newcorobe Melvin C. Bowman.
1907— George E. McKinley — Delos E. Newcombe Jlelvin C. Bowman.
1008— Horace 0. Spencer Delos E. Newcombe Tbonias Page.
1909— Guy W. Selby Deios E. Newcombe Tbojnas Page.
1910 — Guy W. Selby Delos E. Newcombe B. Clifford Case.
1911— John a: C. Menton Delos E. Newcombe B. Clifford Case.
1912 — Charles S. Mott Delos E. Newcombe Arthnr B, Raab.
1913 — Charles S. Mott Delos E. Newcombe ^^ Aitiinr E. Raab.
1914— J. R. MacDonald Delos E. Newcombe Louis B. Zink.
1915— William H. McKelgban.. Delos E. Newcombe Louis E. Zink.
1916 — Earl F. Johnson Delos E. Newcombe Jobn II. I^ng,
Of the fifty-one mayors of the city there are nineteen living, all of whom still reside
in Flint, except George T. Warren and H. A. Crawford- The surviving mayors are:
Mathew Davison, F, D. Baker, William A. Pnterscm, John Zimmerman, H. A. Crawford,
V. A. Cuinnilngs. C. B. Dibble, A. D. Alvord, B. J. MacDonald, D. D. Aitken, George E.
McKinley, Horace C. Spencer, Guy W. Selby, John A. C. Meiton, Charles 8. Mott, J. R.
MiicDonald, Winiani H. McKelgban, Earl F. Johnson.
In the first years of the city, covering the administrations of Mayors
Decker, Page, Henderson and Fenton, its growth was severely handicapped
by the general financial stringency. M. S. Elmore writes of this crisis:
Re< illliie the difliLUltiPs ml embiirassment'. !•« well i« the exredlentf, revolted to
tD secnie hnsine'i'' or to meet the eiigencie'? of trade md of redits I am sure the
business men of the past two oi thiee decades tnii haie but \ery imperfect cin*.eptlon
of business metb idsi during the jenr'> Immediately preceding the War of the Rebellion
Money was SO scarce it might be end there w is next to none B'lrter dicker eliarHC
terlzed the style of trade and traffic between the merchant and hif> customers Butter
efega pelts md «ibingles represented the currency of exchange Ibe few banks any
where issuing bills which would be -k epted is currency In escbmge for feoods or labor
were wholh imdequate to 'Ripply the needs of even the limited business of the time
The money of only one jr two binks m Michigan was r^arled as at all safe to hindle
Bills of a ^eiy few ianks In WlhCjnsln were taken at a discount I do utt recaU. iny
bink in Chicago or indeed in the state of Illinois whose ibsue wis considered safe to
tjiich Two or three binks in Ohio and here and there one in the state of New Yjrli
w uld be accepted but none from my stite except perhaps notes of the Michigan
State Bank of Detroit were thought safe to hold oier night, so that before time for
bank to close Au«tm Witherbee was \erj sure to receive a call from such of the pitrons
of Exchange Bank as found bills on <my banks In their tills at that hour These were
deposited with the understnndiiuf that von would be credited the amount received on
them
The great seari^lty of slhei for change was likewise embarrassing lud in innoj
ance at this time Spinish siUer which hid been a common currency fjr yeirs from
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 50I
tlip Spanish dolhir to the six-pence, half-dollarB, qu.iitei's and sliilliTiws, had been mostly
boiiglit «p for manufacturing purposes and American coin was lei'y scarce. (It will be
t'emembei-ed this was "befo' the wa'"). A malieshlft expedient waa hit upon, adopted
by a few merchants — the writer twmg one— to issue small "shin plaster" currency, made
payable at "Esehange Bank," in which money was deposited to redeem tliem, and these
were accepted as money In busiueiw, appreciably i-elieving the mconienience and shortage.
Specimens of these little substitutes for Uncle Sam's money are yet lu existence. The
government later issued the "shin plaster" currency, which filled a long-felt want, speci-
mens of which may likewise be found among the curios of collectors. The breating out
of the wur and the necessity for money for the "boys" relieved none too soon the strin-
gency all felt, and the boys in blue soon begun to help out the old folks at home with
Uncle Sam's greenbacks, spending tliem niennwliile freely for tlieir own needs, or indul-
gence, and so soon changed the financial condition oC the whole northern section of the
eountry.
ELEMENTS WHICH GAVE IMPULSE T(l TiiE CITy's GROWTH.
Flint's vital connections with the outside world have been made almost
wholly within the period of her city growth. Telegraphic communication
was first opened in December, 1858, by a line from Flint to Feiitonville, con-
necting with the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad. The work was done by
William W. True and the first operator at Flint was Miles D. McAlester, a
graduate of West Point, who afterwards gained distinction as major of
United States engineers and bre\'et brigadier-general United States army.
The first locomotive reached the city over the line of the Flint & Fere
Marquette railway from the north, December 8, 1862. This event was cele-
brated amidst general rejoicing and a grand banquet held at the Carlton
House. The work upon the Flint & Holly railroad was commenced in the
summer of 1863 and, by the untiring energy of Governor Crapo, president
of the company, seconded by the leading business men of Flint, it was
graded, tied, ironed and made ready for the rolling-stock in about eighteen
months. The trip of the first locomotive, the "City of Flint," over it,
November, 1864, was the occasion of great rejoicing, as it was the first out-
let southward.
In 1871 a road extending from Port Huron to Flint was completed, as
the Port Huron & f-ake Michigan railroad. In 1877 the Chicago & North-
eastern railroad, extending from Flint to Lansing, was placed in running
order. These two roads w'ere then consolidated as part of the line of the
Chicago & I,ake ?Itiron railroad, and continued as such until the purchase
of the Chicago & Northeastern by Vanderbiit.
The new impulse given to the city by these new avenues of communi-
cation was felt especially by the industries of lumbering and manufacturing.
dbyGoot^lc
502 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The Crapo lumber mill, established in the city by Henry H. Crapo in 1856,
in the seventies reached a capacity of twenty million feet of lumber per an-
num. Only second were the McFarlan mills, established in 1850, which
cut eleven million feet a year. The mills of Begole, Fox & Company, built
in 1865, put out a large product. Jerome Eddy's mills, estabhshed in 1868,
cut ten million feet a year. The saw-mill made a natural demand for the
planing-mill. Among these mills was Newall & Company's planing-mili,
built in 1855. Another was established in 1867 by Beardslee, Gillies & Com-
pany, whose products found a market in New York, Ohio, Massachusetts
and Connecticut. Fliram Smith's mills made a specialty of handling hard-
wood. Stave and shingle-mills followed up in the slashings. Decker & Has-
kell's stave-mill, which had its origin in 1870, was devoted entirely to the
manufacture of staves and headings. W. B. Pellett's factory, established
in 1874, was one among many which manufactured sash, doors and blinds.
The flour-mill was not behind the lumber-mill in feeling this added
impulse. The old Thread mills continued under a succession of owners far
into this period, manufacturing in the seventies one hundred barrels of flour
a day, much of which found its way to the East. Patterson & Carman's
flour-mill, started in 1877, made sixty barrels a day. In 1879 the I-'lint
mills had an aggregate capacity of sixty thousand barrels of flour annually.
Among other industries which were started before the eighties under
the stimulating influences were the Flint chemical works, the Genesee iron
works, the Flint paper mills, Castree & Odell's agricultural implement shop,
Patterson's carriage factory, Alexander's carding-mills, and Stone's woolen-
mills. The city of Flint Gas-Light Company, organized in 1870 by James
B. Walker, Josiah W. Begole, William M. Fenton and Jesse B. Atwood,
began supplying gas to the city in 1871. In the first year there were ninety
consumers, using about two million nine hundred thousand cubic feet of
illuminating gas. By 1880 the company had laid seven miles of pipe and
.supplied gas to two hundred and sixty consumers.
The educational interests of the people were not lost sight of in this
rapid advance in the pursuit of things material. Schools, which had been
early established, kept pace with the increased school population. A union
school building had been completed in 1846 and, though in 1855 the union
system was threatened with abandonment, the academic course continued to
be taught and to gain in public favor. In 1S69 rate-bills were abolished and
a free public school Ijecame a reality. In 1875 the present high-school build-
ing was completed and opened, under the charge of Professor Crissey. A
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 503
class of eight graduated fron^ the high school at the dose of the first school
year, 1875-76; within three years this number was raised to twenty-one.
Besides the high school, there was a school house in each of the four city
wards at this time, with a total enrollment including the high school of one
thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven pupils. In addition, the city con-
tained the state institution for educating the deaf, dumb and the blind, estab-
lished properly in 1857 under the principalship of B. M. Fay. In 1879 it
had an attendance of two hundred and fifty pupils.
The spirit fostered by the successful pursuit of worldly goods might
be supposed to have been no light strain upon the habits of the people
respecting the development of character and the observance of religious wor-
ship. Yet Flint in this period witnessed a wholesome progress along all lines
of moral and spiritual endeavor.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XIV.
Lumbering and Allied Industries.
The pioneer lieginnings of the lumber industry in Genesee county have
been traced in connection with preceding chapters; a word might he added
as to the "modus operandi" of lumbering in the early days.
In the earher period of the lumberiug activity, the individual owner-
ship of the timber lands along the river operated to make the logging busi-
ness simpler in method than afterwards prevailed. The custom in the early
times was to establish a camp at some place on the lands to be cut over;
this consisted of a building of logs or slabs temporarily made, with provis-
ion for cooking and bunking the men. The ideal camp was a long house,
with bunks along the sides, a long table in the middle and a kitchen in one
end. Ample provision was made for fires to warm it in winter, the time of
activity.
The men, who were called "hunber jacks," were generally young men,
whose fathers were the farmers in the vicinity: and even the fathers joined
in during the winter when the period of farming did not demand their at-
tention or when they could give a portion of their time from the clearing
of their own land.
The routine of the camp was, "early rising" on the part of the team-
sters and the cook and his assistant, the preparation of the breakfast and the
feeding of the teams. The breakfast, which was eaten by candle-light, was
of pancakes, black strap, pork, or fresh meat when obtainable, beans, pota-
toes, all seasoned by the appetite of young and hearty men accustomed to
work. The morning light found these men out in the woods; two choppers
working together with two sawmen made up a gang. At this period the
trees were felled by the choppers, and then cut into logs of the proper length
by the sawmen. The swampers cut out the roads and hauled the logs cut
by the gang out to the skidway, where the skidders aided the teamsters to
roll the logs down onto the skids. Oxen were used exclusively in the haul-
ing of the Ic^s from the woods to the skidways. The skidways were numer-
ous and the logs were rolled on, or "skidded," with reference to convenience
of loading, to haul to the banking grounds.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 505
There was a wliolesome rivalry between various gangs, each trying to
show results in larger production of logs; the pay of the men depended upon
the amount of work accomplished a!id varied from twenty-two to thirty
dollars per month, with board. In later times the gang was decreased in
miml>er to three men, one chopper and two sawmen; this resulted from the
custom of sawing the tree down, instead of chopping it down. The chopper,
or axeman, cut two cuts opposite each other in the sides of the tree, and the
sawmen regulated their work by these axe cuts. The tree when felled was
measured by the axeman who made the cuts to show where it should be
sawed into logs, the length running from twelve to eighteen feet; the nature
of the tree as to straightness determined the length; most of the logs, if the
tree allowed it, were sixteen feet long, or twice the length of the axeman's
pole, which was eight feet long. The judgment of the axeman as to which
way the tree should fall, and how when felleti, it should be cut into logs,
was of great value; an unskilled man could cause considerable loss by an
error of judgment in either case.
The hauling of the logs from the skidway to the banking grounds was
done on wide sleds, as wide as eight feet, which contained, when skillfully
loaded, a large number of logs. At the lianking ground these were made
into solid piles, or banks, each containing a large number of logs and ail
being the property of some firm or company. These logs were so piled as to
enable them to be dropped into the river by the least possible work and as
near the same time as possible. 'V\''hen the river was at running stage in the
spring, these l>anking grounds were the scenes of great activity. The logs
were gotten into the river in a short time, and when there, the aggregate of
the logs comprised a "run." The size of the river precluded its long-con-
tinued occupancy for a run, so each owner took every care to get his run
into the river at the proper time with great expedition, and then to run it
down as fast as possible, so as not to interfere with others likewise engaged.
As the river was a highway, the use of it was open to everyone, but the
etiquette of the lumberman led him to do all that could be done to avoid
two runs getting together and mingling the logs of different owners. The
run once started, the river men — and all the lumber jacks were river men
of more or less skill— kept it going until the logs had been delivered to the
mill. This was the method of the early days of the lumbering industry in
Genesee county along the river. It was confined to the river entirely, but
the streams that fell into the river were also of utility in running logs. It
is to be observed, however, that the Thread creek was never used as a run-
dbyGoot^lc
5o6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
\v;iy for logs, as the pines that attracted the lumbermen did not thrive in the
basin of that stream; while along the banks of the IHint river, in the spring,
twenty million or more feet of logs might be found.
The lumbering business brought into the vernacular of the people var-
ious terms that would be unknown to the people of today. The "swampers,"
who made the roads in the woods for the logs as felled and cut by the gang;
the "skidders," who piled the logs on the skidway; the "jam crackers," who
broke out the logs that held back the jam, and so released the same, and the
"sackers," who searched out those logs that had gone astray into bayous, or
low water, and so got grounded. The latter, often four to a log, got into
the water and eased the log out into deep water, or "sacked" it out.
The development of the business to much greater importance resulted
in another change, which was the organization of the boom company. When
the experience of the men who managed the logging operations had shown
the inconvenience and extra work involved in the skidding of the logs, the
removal to the banking ground, and the running of each man's or firm's
logs separately, with the danger of one run striking another and so mingling
the logs of the two owners, it was determined that the boom plan was more
economic. By this plan the Flint river was boomed for five miles or so up
the stream above the Hamilton dam, and each mill owner secured boom
rights at some place along this reach or river. The logs were then dropped
into the river at any convenient place, and allowed to run down as they
might; often the river was full from Flint to Columbiaville. These logs
were marked with the owner's mark, and in one instance we find the mark
made as a matter of record, as stated in the old records of Flint township.
The men who run the logs were employed not by the mill owners, but by
the boom company and they worked at the logs all summer, generally as
many as forty men finding steady work in summer. The logs were run
down the river and a man at each boom pulled the logs belonging to the
boom owners into the opening made by a swinging boom that ran out into
the passage in the middle of the river; the logs so boomed were arranged
with reference to economy of space and, as needed, were run down to the
mill. The logs of the various mill owners were made a basis for an assess-
ment of the expenses of the boom operations and thus all danger of the
earher runs was avoided.
The river had its tragedies. In 1865 three men tried to run a log down
near Columbiaville and the big end grounded on the apron of the dam; 3
log turned, throwing them off, and two of the three, Harrison Spencer and
Fzra Collins, drowned, while Mack Lyman was saved.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 507
The river men responded when the war came and most all of them went
out to serve in the mihtary forces of the United States. It is said of them
that they made the very best of soldiers, and certainly the preparation in
camp, as axe men, as swampers, as skidders, as jam crackers, and sackers,
was a school for the soldier that made for obedience to superiors, discipline
and efficiency.
It remains to consider the wonderfully rapid development of the lumber
industry in the period during and immediately subsequent to the Civil War.
In 1863 the Flint & Pere Marquette railway was opened for traffic between
Flint and Saginaw, and other lines were soon afterwards opened; by afford-
ing means of rapid transportation to outside markets, these roads gave a
tremendous impulse to all branches of business in the county, especially to
lumbering. This, together with the increased demand for lumber created
by the great Civil War, inaugurated for the lumbering interests of the I'lint
river valley an era of unexampled prosperity. It extended from about 1866
to the great revulsion which came with the financial panic of 1873-4. The
zenith of prosperity was reached in the years 1869-1871. Then began a
gradual decline. In 1870 nine mills were in operation in Flint with an an-
nual capacity of ninety million feet of lumber. They employed over five
hundred men. Their value ran up to a half million dollars. In 1878-79
there were but three in operation, employing less than half as many men
and cutting but little over a third as many feet. The supply of logs was at
that time rapidly diminishing on the upper waters of Flint river. Lumljer
production for export was approaching its end. Sliiugles were l)eing exten-
sively made, however, from old logging fields. The supply in Genesee count}'
was already so far exhausted that only two small tracts remained, on sec-
tion 15 in Forest township and a tract of less than fifteen acres in the town-
ship of Richfield. ,\fter that, lumbering was continued largely by importing
pine from Saginaw and neighboring counties.
One of the most famous lumbering establishments in the county was
the Crapo mills, at Flint. In 1856 Ilenry H. Crapo, with characteristic fore-
thought, conceived the idea of competing not only with the principal lumber-
ing marts of the Eastern and Middle states, but with foreign countries. He
came to Michigan in 1855, shortly after which he purchased for one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars a large tract of pine land in this region. It was
his intention at the time to lumljer this tract and float the logs to Saginaw,
but shortly after, or nearly in 1856, he visited Flint and became satisfied that
here was the point at which to manufacture this timber into lumber. In
dbyGoot^lc
508 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1856 he purchased the "Walkley'" miU and during the summer of 1857
manufactured about two miJlion feet of lumber, which was considered in
those days an extensive business. As this mill was shut in by the property
of McQuigg, Turner & Company, owners of the mill near the dam, he con-
ceived the plan of purchasing that also. In the fall of 1857 ^^ effected its
purchase and in both mills during the season of 1858 manufactured alxiut
seven million feet of lumber. By March, 185S, he had his business thor-
oughly estabhshed. He returned to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where
his family were residing, and moved with them to Flint. After this time the
"old mills" were improved by the addition of new machinery. They were
soon rmi to a capacity of twelve million feet per annum, even before any rail-
road was projected to Flint, Before the con.struction of the Flint & Holly
railroad, which was built largely by the energy of Mr. Crapo, the good
lumber sawed at these mills was hauled with teams to Holly and I'-enton-
ville, to the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad, and from the.se points shipped
east and south.
In i860 Mr. Crapo purchased on the opposite side of the Flint river
the mill known as the "Busenbark" mill, which he ran two years and after-
wards sold. In 1864 the large planing-niiii sash, door and blind-factory was
added to his business and turned out annually many million feet of dressed
lumber, as well as large quantities of sash, doors, blinds, mouldings and
boxes. The old "Walkley" mill was destroyed by fire in the season of 1865,
but fortunately little lumber was burned with it owing to the rule always
adhered to of keeping the .space about the mills clean. Hardly had the ruins
of this mill become cold when the debris was cleared away and the founda-
tion of 3 larger mill was laid. This mill, with the old mill at the dam, had
a capacity for sawing over twenty million feet per annum, and the two mills
were run to nearly that limit until the old mil! was burned in 1877, This
immense amount of lumber has found a market principally at the East and
South, and some of it has e^■en been shipped to San Francisco around Cape
Horn. The saw-mill and planing-mill were later shipped with all the mod-
ern improvements for the manufacture of lumber and sash, doors, blinds,
mouldings and packing-boxes.
Henry H. Crapo, the founder of this large business and governor of
Michigan for two terms— 1864-68— died at Flint in July, 1869, but the
business w'as continued without any material change under the able manage-
ment of his only son, William W, Crapo. William Crapo Durant, a grand-
son of Governor Crapo, received his first business training in the Crapo
mill and yards.
dbyGoot^lc
GtNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 509
The impetus thus gi\-en by Mr. Crapo was soon followed by Alexander
McFarlan, William Hamilton and Messrs. Begole, Atwood, Fox, Carpenter,
Smith and Eddy. Alexander McFarlan's mills were established in 1850, the
firm at that time having been Hazelton & McFarlan. In May of the follow-
ing year the mills were destroyed by fire and Mr. McFarlan purchased the
interest of his partner and rebuilt; in April, 1863, they were again burned
and immediately rebuilt; again, in 1871, they were pursued by lire and de-
stroyed and larger mills erected. The material worked was altogether pine,
the logs being cut from timber-lands owned by the proprietor in Genesee
and Lapeer counties and floated down the Flint river. The power employed
was steam. Two circular saws of large dimensions were run, also apparatus
for cutting lath and shingles. The capacity of the mills reached eleven
million feet a year. These mills were distinguished as being the oldest on
the Flint river.
The lumlier-mills of Begole, Fox & Company were established in Sep-
tember, 1865. The partners were Josiah W. Begole, David S. Fox and
George L. Walker. They ranked among the heaviest lumber dealers in the
city and were large manufacturers of lath and shingles.
Jerome Eddy's mill was built in the year 1868 on the corner of Kearsley
and Island streets. It had a capacity for dressing ten million feet of lum-
ber, manufacturing about ten thousand doors and a corresponding number
of sash and bUnds per annum. A destructive fire consumed the first mill
erected, but Mr. Eddy immediately rebuilt it. In three months from the
time it was burned one of the most perfect and complete mills in the state
took its place.
The firm of Newail & Company was one of the oldest establishments
engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. It was established in
1855, embracing as partners Thomas Newail, George E. Newall and S. C.
Randall. The firm of Beardslee, Gillies & Company built a planing-mill in
1867 and the next year added the manufacture of boxes. Hiram Smith's
mills, built in 1877, made a speciaJty of handling hardwood. Decker & Has-
kell's .stave-mills had their origin in 1870, They were devoted entirely to
the manufacture of staves and headings. In May, 1874, a fire destroyed the
mill and much of the stock, but new buildings and machinery soon took the
place of the old. The factory of W, B. Pellett was established in 1874 to
manufacture sash, doors and blinds, but later made a specialty of extension-
tables.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
A SUMMARY OF THE LUMBER SITUATION.
F, A. Aldrich, in sketching the industrial history of FHnt, has well
sumnied np the facts about the great period of lumbering in Genesee county
and its relation to manufacturing industries allied tp and growing out of it.
Speaking of the fifties, he says:
The time for extxinsiou Iwd avi'iveil. Tlie kiiowleilge of tlie I't'sourfes of the country,
tLe iiossUilliiles, the men to nccoiupllHh things, the muuey. Lad all awaited the litieniiig
of events, iind nil of these elenients hiid been moving steadily toward this iieriod. There
were a few aaw-nillls nioiig the baults of the river, doing n small bueinesa, bHt there was
no enormous output. What surplus was nt'eumulated was hauled to Saginaw, where
there were shipping facilities and where buyers for Eastern yards assembled cargoes
from many similar sources of sup|)ly and shipped them cast by sailing vessels to Buffalo.
and beyond via the Rrie canal. Albnnj- was then the lumber distributing center of
America and must of Allchigan's forest product found Its way there. Explorations had
shown the great bodies of muKniticent white pine forest la Lapeer and Tuscola counties
and hi the north western corner of Genesee county. The meanrterings of the Flint river
and its north and south branches wade pithways Into the very heart of all this wealth
of timber and seemed to initte it to come out from its solitude of years to the ghimour
of civiliziition and udd to the making of a new era. A. McFarlan, William Hitmilton.
H. H. Crapo, B«!ole-Fox & Compiiny and J. B. Atwood & Company were the chief own-
ers of thousands of acres of timlwr lands along the banks of these streams and from
small beginnings they evolved an immense lumber business, so that the city and sur-
rounding couiitrj- beciime dependent to a vast degree uiton this industry. The original
idea waH to float all the logs to Saginaw for milling, but the nature of the river
showed flint to t>e jii'e-emineutly the place for handling them. Tbe saw-mills could
exjMind inider the Inflnence of nianngement. money and market, and the men In Flint
IKissessed the first two of these elements and the further aggressiveness of making an
aveniie to reach the market. The plank i-ojul served for sveral years, but railroad taciil-
tles were imperative. They came because the men of Fltut said they jnust cojue, and these
men did their full share lu promoting, capitallalng, and even operating. The first rail
outlet was to Saginaw in 18fl2. followeil something over a year later by the connecting
link between Flint and Holly, nuikhig an all-rail route to the South and East.
All this was accomplished duiing war times, and with the close of that tragedy
ciiuie the leap in all kinds of (.■omniercial undertakings. Thoughts and ambitions and
efforts could be centered on material domestic exiMinaloii and all things pertaining to
industrial Flint were ripe to take advantage of these condttlons. Eight or ten mills
had come Into ojjeratlon at various pointH along the river front and ndllions of feet
of logs were being cut up in the forest sections, poured into the river and floated to
Flint. The whole Industrial atmosphere was surcharged with lumbering and the Kindfi-
cations of the Industry were many, affecting innumerable intei'ests. An army was gradu-
ally accumulated in the woods with which couimunlcation must be maintained and to
which supiilles must be forwanled. There must be a plan and system for drlvina the
logs from where the woodmen felled them, to tbe Siiw-mills, resulting in the Flint
Klver Boom Company. Another army gatliereil araund the mills, running machines,
sorting, piling and shipping lumber. The selling force was by no means a small one;
tlie aci'ounting fur rill thi- business reqtilred another crop of helpers. So several thou-
sand men were attracteil lieri' and atfiliated with this splendid enterprise. They were
dbyGoc^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 5I I
iid<Ieil tu tlie populiition of the towu and hnd to be provided witli homes. Uuilding lloiir-
LSltod, iitti'uctiiig cnrpeiiters. The; must needs ent Hnd be clothed, so tbut stores multl-
Iilieil, with their utteiidtiiit pi'opiietoi's and clerks. There wus a steiidy trnin of wagoiis
or Hleighs, hauling foodstufTe Into the wooda for men and beasts, and the country
aroiiiid tlie t'lty was the Hource of suijijI.v. liequiremeiits of every sort were active, and
every element of trade imrticipnted iu tlie prosperity of lumber.
The fnme of Flint as a luniber center was wide and buyers were stationed here (u
bid for the iiroducts of these mills or arrange for special cuts that building require-
ments In any direi^tion might deuinnO. Knmtugs were good and n splendid business
training tanie to thousands of men who afterwards arrived at that stage where they
took up and have currle<l ou the sti'eam of in'osperity that had Its rise In the primitive
lumbering days, swetleil Inio the riisblna, mighty flood of the seventies, and was later
to pass on In the deep, steiidy, strong current of a iixed and diveraified industrial activ-
ity. Statistics are not particularly Interesting and the billions of feet of luniber cut
in Flint count Cor little now e.^cetit as leaving a legacy tar more valuable than the
computed price of all the forest [ii-oducts that have passed through Flint's gateways of
commewe. That some of it iveiithered Caiie Horn to fill orders in San Francisco, or
sought a iiuii'bet in Kuro|ie or Asia, is a mere lesson In geography. Lumbering com-
menced to decline In the eighties; it was lilKtory in the nineties, but it left weuitb In
homes, property, mercantile enterprises, schools, chtircbes and, equal to all the rest,
men^men who had been triilned to meet emergencies, to accompli!* things, to worl; out
problems anil to succeed. It left women who had made homes, honies indeed: U left a
•Jiiciety Itiiii ims welded together by the unity of a common Interest.
f irUSINEBB.
A few asked the question, "What ne.vtV" and of a very truth fur a year or two
tlie destiny of Flint hung treniblbig In the balance. More went to work with enerny
to create "next." The character of lumberins changed and for some years logs cut
far to tlie north were hauled in by traiiiloads, tumbled into the river, to follow Ihe
jiathway of tl:elr [iredece'fsors. up the gang and out in boai'ds to waiting cars. I.uniber
<'ut in mills that had followed llie receding idne northward was stopped off here, milted
in planliig-mllls and forwarded as a dressed product to the Kast. In the forests out of
which (Genesee county wns caii-ed were great sections, or, lu mining terms, pockets of
hardwood, and iu the clearing process such came to Flint In vast (juantltlee In the shape
of bolts. To convert Ihese Into barrels, or barrel material, was another manufiicturlng
interest, which lasted for some time after the pine tumliering had practically ceased and
was one of the many industries into which manufacturing business resolved Itself as the
siiiireme Ininbering interests were dissolving Into fragments. So the planing and stave-
niills suiierseded the wiw-mills and the lumber workers were still in demand. Tbeir
earnings still Bwelled the sum total of domestic tranB,ictb>us; their fiimilies still formcil
part of the social body and their children were growing uii for future conmiereial
ncdvlties.
As the himiiering dei'lineil, Mime of the oiieratives iiurchaweil farms for themselves
in the oiieniLigs and began working their own destinies. The agricultural resources of
llie lo<-allt)- had vastly Incre.ised as the cuitivateil aress enlarged and Flint was the
market center. The Thread grlst-nilll was at the high tide of its activity; hiid been
rebuilt as a thoi'inigiily ni)-to-dn1e mei-cbant mill, and was buying all grain offered,
milling it into Hour and shi]>piiig it far and wide. The Genesee Flouring Mills had
absorbed the attention of the Hnniiltons that had formerly been devoled to the s;iw-
dbyGoo<^lc
512 GENKSKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
WHS (listrlbutlug it as a 111.1 iinfuctui-ea iiroduct in nil direotlons. Still ouotber, the
Cltj- JlOls, came Into commisaiou because of the gi'eat agricultural resources, .lud the
flour-iiillllng iictlilties of the city weat a long way toward beeping up the aggregate of
busine'is that might drop off by reason of the decline in lumbering. The Thread Mill
has lieeii burneil down, but the other two mills have changed their equipment to modem
requirements and are in continuous operation, Tlieir capacity is far beyond the local
anpiily and thej- ship in miiny cais of grain and distribute in all directions ninny cars
of iiiflliag iiroducts. Not only uas the grain marketing and milling active, but ail farm
products of the section were pouring into the food store-houses of the world through the
assembling point of Flint mid !ihiiii)ing increns^ed rather than diminished from year to
year. This is equally true today and. while not strictly to be classed as a uinnufac-
turiiig interest, it would not be fair to withhold from agriculture its full share &>■ a
devolving agency, hand in hiiud with the indu'Strlal contributions.
Men who had been employees in the mills became proprietors of their own business,
lie it what it might, for the atmosphere of prosperity was here, and the spirit was buoy-
antly "Forward." They created avenues into which latent talent could turn and were
I'esponslble for the new lines of manufacturing, which was assuming n di\ersifled charac-
ter Instead of the one great interest, lumber. The agricultural prosperity naturally
dictated a factory to supply famiing tools and for several years such an industry, includ-
ing foundrj-, machine Rhop. wood working and finishing, was a prosperous and aggres-
sive Institution, employing nianj' oijerativee. Another result of agricultural expansion
wan a factory making creameries, and it was a power in educating the farmers into a
proper appreciation of the laliie of their grazing lands and cows. A soap factory was
another Industiy that was eminently prosperous and accumulated wealth. Unostenta-
tiously this wealth was invested and was steadily increased into an estate of generous
proportions Through those years of accumulating, the owner cherished a tbought of
returning to the city that gave film his home and competency, a monument of his grateful-
ness. Therefore, when Jauie* J. Hurley was called to his eternal reit it was found
that he bad generously endowed a hospital for the city of Flint.
Pump factories added then usefulu^s to the needs of the developing country and
contriliiited to the nf^regate of the city's manufacturing, until the more modern drlie-
weli largely replaced the wooden pump. Broom factories have been a part of the
manufacturing Interests for many years. The manufacture of clothing, both for men
and women, has at different times been of importance. A shoe factory was organized
here at one time, hoping to deieiop a business alrmg lines that have made other locali-
ties wealthy; but conditions were not favorable and after a year or two it was dis-
mantled. A table factory was another institution that offered work to craftsmen in
wood, and for several years did a large business and drew generous earnings to the
city. The receding of the lumber supply made operations too expensive, and Its activities
ceased. Before Eegole-Fox & Company suspended lumbering oi>eratIons they had pro-
videtl for utilizing their property for further manufacturing enterprises. The water-
power site was sold to F, R, Lewis, who organized a paper manufacturing Industry,
making a market for all the surplus straw of the farming community. His product
was straw wrapping paper and straw board. Eventually there was added a plant utllis:
Ing this straw hoard in making egg crates In large quantities.
Cigars came to be manufactured In Flint in 1875, when Myer Ephraim started a
little shop. Others were attracted to the business and succeeded. Oraduated from
Ephraim factory, they essayed a business career for themselves, or employees became
emidoyers. So new factories were created and they seemed invariably to fill a need and
increased the abrogate of business. Gradually Flint has come to be a cigar manufac-
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 513
tutiiit, leuti^r Hitii a cLozeu 1 irge tnttunes mikiU); lud ihipiim^ tliuub,tti<lH of ilollais
wortU of uiiinufactured tobticco nuimiTllj mid distributing good eamiugB to the hun
ilreds of skilled operutl\es The trjuelhig forces of these factories co^ei a wide terri
tory iiKl I 1 irge clientele looks to I lint foi theli ilfcoi itocks It I& to the ciedlt of tlie
iiidustiT that he.LlthfuI ctnditions toi woili preiiill in all the futtones \uA thit the
liroflfs lime lidded. «ot a little to home DinUng in the city
The oulv factory of it** klud lii the world was the announcement of mother
Institution stinted piluiiiillj to iiitiodufe 1 llhit Inientlon ) noiel rtiohing deilce
for disiilajing hats
But it so happened that the uianuf ictuie of vehicles has come to le the dominant
but bj no me.1118 the sole Interests of Industilil Flint aud aiound the word Vehkle
are now unified all of lifes phases for nianj iiidit iduals finiilies societies ud bu'a
ness inteiests of the citv In ISCS 1\ i I'atei-aon came to Flint started a small
Laiihige ami repait shop and therein was bom the industiy that has come to be
Flints iiide fhls business n is. for min\ learw almost eutireh locil In ch iracter
and of e\eeediiiglj modest lolume but bv the foice of splendidly directed efforts it has
ad^auied to a commanding commeicial position Tlie Begoleto^; Sc Cimpanj lumber
vard hecame the stte of the Flint W agou Works
In !«% fl C Dunnt became onnei of i pitent on a load cirt and Inilted J D
Dort to join hini In the mannf ictnring venture nhkh eventuated in the lirgest manu
factuiln? institution of the citj the Duriiit Doit Cirri ige rimpaiii and it& allied
Interests The leal Intioduetlou of all thiee of these big factotles to the market of the
Borid wai thiough the road cart which enjoyed a wonderful wave of populartt* from
ISST to 1W)5 iind In the manufictuie of nhkh all three Institutions were hea'^llv
laiolied duiing that period looking down upon this industn fioin the heights of
present kiuwledge It ilmost seems as though idvauced sheets of the book of futurity
might haie lieen sprend out befoie those lenponRlble for the mamgement It was nit
foitune but huslnebS ability and hosinesa foieaight that has giien Flint this pre
emlnente is time passed along a fixed puriiose formed and a steady advance towird
the attamiiieiit of thit impose has mule Flint the Vehicle Clt\ Also as the indus
try his adiaiiced men nhoMe e\perlence «nd tialning with the gioning industiy have
m Lde them valuable have been diawn within the circle of ndministiation hi^e been
idmitted Into councils have been assigned to executive positions and bj their eipe-
rience and their genius have contributed theli auota to Flints sucreea Around the
home of the complete vehicle ire clu^teied factoiles for many of the component jcces
sorles iiid with the very fact of manuf icturhig itself has come the idea of a manu
factuimg distikt eaulpi ed with eveiv thing conducive to ideal working conditions
coupled with homes ind enjoyable eniiionment readily accessible The very natuie
of tin I iniii„ f the present pi ints hithn ites the eventual conihig of more
llii s I iiiuti tun 11. leiekimeut wis iie\ti charactcii^eJ Iv \ ki imble to tike
idvnitit,e of e^lstlnfe loiidition" but came ibout m m ordeih w iv as needs weie felt
the lesiKniae came upon that feolid foundation which with business judfemeut
Insures success In the earlj days of the canlage Industry W F Stewart commenced
making buggv bodies and wood woik His experiences have leen but those of the indus
try to which he was allied and b> thought study and energv he kept pace with
its uiaich of iiiogress tnd ccntributed a goodly propoition to the sum total of Flint b
commercialism 'ki the AiniHtrong Spring Works came int > existence ind has justi
dbyGoo<^lc
514 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fled Its riglit to be coutiuue'l and iacrcasiug usefultiei;^. (ju c-.iuie tbe Imperial Wheel
Pprnpany, an institution known nli over vehiclerloni as the lai^est nad best wheel iJiout
In the world. Its equipment includes uillls and forest areas In the South to supply
Its timber requirements. The history of the automobile industry would show that at
about the beginning of the twentieth ceiituiy it hod passed aU esperimental stages and
was a fixed element lii the world's business. The management of the wheel plant,
perceiving the possibilities, promptly equippeil its factory to supply jiutomobile wheels
and today Fimt furnishes the majority of these wheels for American cars. Attracted
by the vehicle interests, the Flint Axle WortM established a plant In farm lands just
outside the city limits, but the municipal bouudaries were soon e^cpanded to insure It
lire and police protection. The Flint Varnish Works soon followed into the same local
Ity, Icnown as Oak Park, where an ideal manufacturing center was created. The
Michigan Paint Company has a history like many other industries more or less allied
to the vehicle interests — of a small beginning and expansion. The Flint Woolen Mills,
which were so important in early development, were later discontinued. The Flint
Specialty Company makes the whipsockets of the world. A tnnnery was establisheil
to moke carriage leathers and another factorj- furnishes biigsj- boots, aprons and cut
leather necessities. This detail is not exploitation, but an exposition of the result of
concentrating eveiy fibre of business ability and thought into clinnnels of progress along
a specific line. Modem gc<%raphles will tell you that Flint In noted as producing more
vehicles than any other city in the world: therefore, it is not imrtlcularly surprising
tliat accessory Interests would ally themselves with n locality that can offer such a
market and attract such attention, and ft Is easy to comprehend what a wide publicity
must result for Flint when such an output Is being spread over the earth by the selling
corps of ali the factories. The permanent character of tlielr eiinlpineut is the beat
comment on the question of their success and their gi'ndualiy tucreustng shipments to
other vehicle centers is the evidence of their profitable operation and exiwinsioii.
lAke the lumbering opeiiitions of early years, these larled vehicle industries have
attracted to the city, mechanics and operatives of many kinds. Young people have grown
up with the business and iiave attained to i-esponsible iwsitlons in divei'S lines. They
h.T.ve been graduated from the college of experience, and have gone as proprietors or
managers elsewhere Merit is recognized and appreciated while organized promotions
develop both talent and loyalty. Their business or mechanical education Is not all that
the management Las done to make conditions attractive to the great body of helpers
and co-workers The various vehicle and accessory companies have equippeil a splendid
club with reading, billiard, bowling, bath and gymnastic rooms. The operatives them
selves maintain It, as well as a generous slct and accident benefit jt.'aociation. An organ-
ized effort for beautifying landscapes In resident sections is another interesting element
of this community Idea,
[Note: The excellent article by Mr. Aldrlch was written in 1905 and before the
city of Flint became one of the gi'eatest manufacturing centers for automobiles in the
world.]
FENTON.
The manufacturing industries of Fenton have shown a steady develop-
ment since the late fifties. The first saw-mi!l and grist-mill there, built about
1837 on the Shiawassee river by Wallace Dibble, Robert LeRoy and William
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5I5
M. Fenton, did a great service for the settlement of this part of the county.
The old mill gave place to one built on the same site by Riker & Adams in
1S58. This mill was burned and a new one put tip, later owned by Messrs.
CoKvell and Adams, who entered into business in 1867. Mr. Colwell was a
native of Livingston county and Mr. Adams came here from the army after
the close of the Civil War. The miii stood on the site of the original one
built by LeRoy & Fenton, who, in 1876, expended twenty-one thousand dol-
lars upon it in repairs and improvements. From August r to November i,
1877, ten thousand barrels of flour were ground at this mill. The warehouse
was built in 1865 by J. R. Mason on the east side of LeRoy street imme-
diately north of the railroad. Before the fire of April 24, 1S79, this firm was
engaged to a large extent in the manufacture of lumber, coopers' matei'ial
and barrels, but their mills were destroyed at that time.
About 1855-56 Samuel G. Alexander located in Fenton. He was an
Englishman by birth and a practical worker in woolen cloths. He had for-
merly l>een employed in the milLs of the Messrs. Stearns, at Pittsfield, Ma,ssa-
chusetts, and upon coming to Fenton engaged in buying wool and selling
cloths for the Pittsfield mills. He in time started a small woolen- factory
here, but for want of capital could do but little. Finally the citizens became
interested, and on the T5th of October, 1864, the Fenton Manufacturing
Company was organized, with a capital stock of sixty thousand dollars, taken
by (he principal business men and fanners in the vicinity. David L. La-
tourette was the heaviest stockholder. A large factory was built and fur-
nished, at a cost of about sixty-four thousand dollars, and the material
manufactured was of the first quality. For some time an extensive business
was transacted. In January, 1868, the stock was increased to one hundred
thousand dollars. Upon the failure of Mr. Latourette in 1S71 and the conse-
quent collapse of his bank, the woolen- factory was forced to suspend opera-
tions. A. Wakeman became Latourette's assignee. The factory long stood
idle, and its price to any purchaser continued to decrease until finally it was
bought in the spring of 1873 by Mr. Wakeman's son, L. E. Wakeman, F. H.
Wright and J. H. Earl (the latter of Flint), for eight thousand dollars, the
firm name being Wright. Wakeman & Company. Mr, Wright purchased a
half-interest, .'\fter the great panic of 1873 they continued business- until
thev had sunk all their capital and the stockholders generally had lost. They
were finally obliged to close up and make an assignment for the benefit of
their creditors. Since then the factory had not been in use up to the time
it was destroyed, ft h:iil fnniishcil pitiplnytnent for as many as thirty hands
dbyGoot^lc
5l6 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN,
and was closed in October, 1877. It was subsequently purchased on a mort-
gage by George L. Lee, of Detroit, who owned it when it was burned (April
24. 1879). Its destruction caused a total loss to him, as it was uninsured.
A steam carding-mill and wool-manufacturing house was erected in
1871 by S. G. Alexander & Son. after the closing, at that time, of the fac-
tory. It was subsequently transformed into a cotton-batting factory by the
same persons.
The subject of building a fruit-preserving factory at Fenton was
broached to the citizens of the place in March, 1873, through the columns of
the Fenton Gazette by Charles A. Keeler, but it was not until 1876 that it
was established. The dryer first put in proved unsatisfactory and the pro-
prietors, Messrs. Buskirk and Eritton, inserted a Williams machine in its
place, which dried the fruit very rapidly and without changing its color. In
the fall of that year (1876) one hundred bushels of apples were dried daily.
The institution was destroyed with i^thers equally unfortunate iti the great
fire of April 24, 1879.
The Rose Manufacturing Company was incorporated under the general
laws of Michigan on January 31, 1S7Q. It had commenced fitting up a
building at Fenton about the iirst of the previous December and early in
March following began operations. It had purchased all the machinery,
fools, etc., of the Ypsilanti Whip-Socket Manufacturing Company and, be-
sides the new varieties, it made all the styles formerly manufactured by the
company named. The stock of the Rose Manufacturing Company was orig-
inally ten thousand dollars. George P. Rose, the patentee of most of the
varieties of sockets made, was the general manager, superintending the entire
work. at the factor)'. The main office and depository was at Nos. 71 and 73
Jefferson avenue, Detroit. The goods made were at that time undoubtedly
the finest the country produced. The rooms in use occupied three stories
of a building at the north end of LeRoy street, erected for a carriage-manu-
factory by Cole, Kimball & Campbell. This half of the building was twenty-
two by sixty feet in dimensions. The motive-power was furnished by a
twenty-horse power engine. Mr. Rose had been engaged in this business
for some time before coming to Fenton. About thirty-five varieties of sockets
were originally manufactured, A fine japanning oven was one of the fea-
tures of the establishment, in which one thousand could be japanned at once.
Malleable iron sockets were cast from patterns made by Mr. Rose. Tubular
sockets were also made and an extensive trade was worked up from the very
beginning.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 517
On south LeRoy street was a large brick building which was erected
originally by Messrs. Hirst and Boyes for use as a grist-mill and oil-mill. I
was operated by them about a year and was purchased in i86g by A. J.
Phillips, who converted it into a pump and safe factory. Mr. Philhps manu-
factured very fine iron and porcelain-) ined pumps, double and single water-
drawers and milk-safes of all kinds. Planing, matching, sawing and resaw
ing, turning, etc., were also done to order and a good business was transacted
annually.
Thomas Whittle had operated a brewery on a small scale previous to
1870 in a building north of the river and west of T^Roy street. In the year
named he, in company with Messrs. Colwell and Adams, built a brick brewery.
About 1854-56 a foundry was started by Henry VanAlstine, who came to
Fenton from Byron, Shiawassee county. Besides numerous other articles,
he manufactured what were known as "Empire" plows and had a fair cus-
tom. The establishment was later owned by Messrs. L. Fitch and son. The
Messrs. Fitch were proprietors of this foundry from the fall of 1873. Mr.
Fitch, Sr., was one of the pioneers of Oakland county, having removed to
the township of Oxford, from Genesee county, New York, in 1S39.
The Fenton Novelty Works were established by H, S. Andrews about
April I, 1878. Picture-frames in all styles, rustics, brackets, etc., were manu-
factured. Mr. Andrews was one of the earliest emigrants from New York
to Michigan. In 1820, when a boy, he came with his father, Ira Andrews,
upon the steamer "Wa!k-in-the-Water." the first upon Lake Erie, from
Buffalo, New York, to Detroit, where his father became one of the early
hotel-keepers. Mr. Andrews, Sr., afterwards removed to West Bloomfieid.
Oakland county, and died at Birmingham. In 1844 H. S. Andrews worked
at his trade, that of blacksmith, in Fenton, subsequently moved away, but
ultimately returned. For years before moving here he was well acquainted
with the region and when a boy was personally acquainted with Rufus
Stevens, the first settler in Grand Blanc. Mr. Andrews for some time owned
and kept the Andrews House, in Fenton, later King's Hotel. He wrote
numerous historical articles for the press, all interesting descriptions of the
early settlement of the region which was so long his home.
The onlv establishment operated in 1880 by water (since the burning of
the saw-mills) was the grist-mill of Colwell & Adams, and this not entirely.
Steam was used to a great extent, especially in case of low water, and the
same motive-power was also utilized in other manufactories. The Shia-
wassee river, although but a small stream, furnished a remarkable amount
dbyGoot^lc
5l8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of power, and that without flooding as extensive a tract as would be supposed
from the nature of its shores. Later, the Phillips family, father and sons,
operated one of the largest window screen factories in the country.
At l''lushing a woolen factory and carding machine was early operated.
It was finally discontinued in that capacity and became part of a flouring-
mill, which was afterwards burned. A saw-mill on the west side of the river
was originally built by Messrs. Cull and Warner for a sash-factory. A
furnace near the west end of the bridge was originally built for an ashery
by Mr. Henderson, of Flint, and converted into a furnace by Ogden Clarke.
Green & Langdon used it for a time as an ashery. A shingle-factory on
the north side of the street, west of the bridge, belonged to Mr. Willett, and
a saw-mill and rake-factory near it was owned by Mrs. Henry French and
managed by Smith & Martin. The village contained also the usual number
of mechanic-shops found in a place of its size. There is no location in
Michigan furnishing better advantages for manufacturing than Flushing,
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XV.
Banks and Banking.
When uiie ascends marble steps into some wonder of tlie American
buikiers' art ; as he moves through offices magnificently finished, with a long
line of wickets, behind which are a crowd of bookkeepers, collectors and
messengers; as he sees desk after desk occupied by sharp-eyed officers and
assistants ; as he notes with what smoothness and consummate ease the busi-
ness is divided and handled, like some huge power machine, made of the
finest metal— he is struck with admiration for a thing so immense, so far-
reaching, yet so graceful and perfect. It is difficult to imagine that the
science which it is practicing and developing— the science of banking and
finance— had a beginning long ago, in the days of rude, undeveloped barter-
ing. It is a far reach from the days of trade when the medium of exchange
was a string of pelts, a sack of meal, or a few green beads, to this age of
intricate business system, but our task in this chapter will be to give in brief
the history of banking in Genesee county.
In March, 1837, two months after Michigan was admitted into the
Union as a state, a general banking law was enacted, making the banking
business free to all persons. The early banks of Genesee county were inaug-
urated under this law. The general provisions of the law were fairly drawn,
except that in the two most important features — security to the bill holders
and a bona fide capita! to secure the depositors — they were inadequate. The
capital must not be less than fifty thousand dollars or more than one hun-
dred thousand dollars. The issue could be two and one-half times the capital
paid in. The issue should not exceed seven per cent, on discounts, and the
banks were required to make semi-annual dividends, thus assuring the banks'
ability to do this. The security for the payment of the banks' obligations
were to be the specie in the vaults of the corporation and bonds and mort-
gages on real estate to be held by the bank commissioner. Few, if any,
banks had this specie, though the law required thirty per cent of the capital
to be paid in "legal money of the United States," These specie deposits fur-
nished little reliable security. The bank commissioner, whose duty it was to
examine the banks once in three months, was often deceived, for one bank
dbyGoot^lc
520 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
would inform another as to the advent of this official, thus giving each one an
opportunity to secure sufficient funds to meet the requirements of the bank-
ing department.
These pioneers of finance were not without strategy. A good story has
been told in Abbott's history of an ex-governor of Michigan, who in going
from one bank to another on his trip of inspection, thought he noticed a
familiar look in the boxes containing the silver. After reaching the end of
his route, though finding all the banks supplied with specie, he suddenly
turned back and, re-examining the banks, found all but one without coin.
This was the system of banking in the early days of Genesee county, the
overthrow of which so shocked the state, financially, that many years elapsed
before a recovery from its effect was manifest.
One of these "wild cat" banks began operations in Flint in the winter of
1S37-38, under the name "Genesee County Bank." The bank was in a one-
story wooden building which stood on the corner of Saginaw and Fourth
streets, on the site now occupied by the Presbyterian church. The building
was afterward moved to Ann Arbor street and converted into a dwelling.
The president of the "Genesee County Bank" was A. A. Haskell and its
cashier, R. F. Stage. In time the credit of the bank reached such a point
that its script was not worth even its former value, ten cents on a dollar in
gold and silver, and it was forced to suspend in April, 1839, leaving a large
amount of worthless script unredeemed. There were several of these "wild
cat" banks in the county, the Genesee County Savings Bank now having in
its possession a relic of these wild years of finance, a bank note issued on
the "Farmers Bank of Flint River Rapids."
Besides these two banks, there was another "wild cat" Ijank at Good-
rich, which issued irregular currency — -$1.50, $1.75, $2.50, and so on. This
bank was also forced to suspend operations in the spring of 1838.
During the years when the county had no legitimate banking house, the
legal tender was gold and the private banks were usually located in an old
stocking or a corner in the loft. Russell Bishop, who had come to Genesee
county in 1836, was at that time receiver of the United States land office
and was often the custodian of thousands of dollars. On a number of
occasions he drove to Detroit, a two-days trip, with as much as one hundred
thousand dollars in gold stowed away in the bottom of the wagon.
Land during the thirties could be purchased for as little as a dollar and
a quarter an acre. About this time speculators bought up large tracts from
the government, which took its pay in the paper currency of the day. Banks
of the "wild cat" iiature had sprung up all over the country, issuing currency
dbyGoot^lc
Cl^NK.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 52I
whose circulation was poorly secured, and failures were numerous, occasion-
ing much distress to the people. In 1836 President Jackson issued his fam-
ous "Specie Circular,'' which directed all pubhc officers to receive and pay
out coin only. This put banks issuing their own paper at a stand-still and a
panic occurred in 1837, but the circular was instrvimental in bringing this
kind of speculation to a close.
When Genesee county had recovered from the "wild cat" banking of
the late thirties, it had some bitter experience as a guide for future banking
operations. The first bank to operate in Flint was the private bank of Will-
iam Paterson and George Ha2eIton, which occupied the site of the present
Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank, the capital being furnished by a
brother of Mr. Hazelton. In due time, however, the financial backing of
the bank was withdrawn and the balance of the cash on hand, together with
the cashier, Mr. I'aterson, disappeared, and neither has ever been heard of
since.
Another of the early banks of Flint was the private bank of A. W.
Brockwa)'. Mr. ]irockwa>' was an Eastern gentleman who had come to
Michigan and engaged in business in Flint, erecting the building on Saginaw
street now owned by Smith, Bridgtnan & Company. This bank, which
occupied a corner of the building, was successful during its existence and
supplied a much-needed business want at the time.
Among the first of the legitimate banking houses was the Exchange
Bank, opened by the firm of Meigs, Stone & Witherbee in 1858, Mr. Meigs
coming from Boston, Massachusetts, and Mr. Stone from Sandy Hill, New
Jersey. These two gentlemen formed a partnership with Austin B. Wither-
bee, who had come with his parents from the East to Flint in 1841.
Mr. Witherbee ha<l grown up from Ijoyhood in Flint, being well and
favorably known to everyone in the count)'. He became known throughout
Michigan as a banker of integrity and judgment, and the bank was mainly
organized through his personal efforts. He inspired such confidence in the
directors of the institution that the management was almost entirely entrusted
to his discretion. His wife was the daughter of Col. F. H. Thomson,
The Exchange Bank, under the management of Mr. Witherbee, proved
a great financial success. In the spring of 1864, Mr. Witherbee purchased
the interests of Messrs. Meigs and Stone, and became sole owner of the
bank imtil the organization nf the First National Bank in 1865, of which he
took the cashiership, with H, M. Henderson as president, and O. F. Fo'r.syth
as vice-president.
Henry M. Henderson, one of the early .settlers of the county, came to
dbyGoot^lc
522 GENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan in 1836 from Livingston county. New York. He was engaged in
the dry goods business in partnership with his brother, James, and together
they built the Henderson block in 1842.
O. F. Forsyth came to the West from New York state and engaged in
the hardware business in Fhnt with James H. Whiting, in the store on the
northeast corner of Saginaw and East Kearsley streets, now occupied by
the United Cigar Company. He also built the home on the corner of Beach
and Third streets, which was afterward purchased by Henry M. Mclntyre,
and is now owned by St. Matthew's Catholic parish. Mr. Forsyth afterward
removed to Bay City, where he was engaged in the hardware business, and
in later years conducted a wholesale establishment in Detroit.
The bank was organized with a capital paid in of one hundred thousand
dollars and with the following named gentlemen as directors : H. M. Hen-
derson, O. F. Forsyth, A. B, Witherbee, George Crocker, William M. Fen-
ton, William E. McCrecry, Benjamin Pearson, E. H. McQuigg and K. C.
Turner.
All of these directors were business men of sagacity and influence
throughout the county. E. H. McQuigg, who was born in Tioga county,
New York, in 1807, arrived in Flint in 1855, and previous to his removal
to the West had been engaged in the dairy business on a five-hundred-acrc
farm in the valley of the Susquehanna. After taking up his residence in
Flint he engaged in the lumber business with F. F. Hyatt and E, C. Turner,
but the firm afterwards disposed of their interests to Governor Crapo, re-
taining all their pine lands. At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Mc-
Quigg was one of ten men to subscribe to a fund of five thousand dollars to
assist in getting the first soldiers into the field from Michigan.
George Crocker, another of the directors of the institution, was widely
known throughout the county. He came to Genesee county from Devon-
shire, England, in the spring of 1837, and purchased from the government
four hundred acres of land in Flint township. In 1842 he was joined by his
younger brother, Stephen, who purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
the land, paying for the same in cash. With this capital, wielded by sagacity
and good judgment, Mr. Crocker ]>ecame one of the affluent men of the
county. He was a man of strong common sense, deliberate in coming to
conclusions, but when his opinions were once formed, inflexible in his pur-
pose. As one of the organizers of the bank, one of its first directors, and at
the time of his death, 1874, its vice-president, he was a valuable member
of its board of managers.
Benjamin Pearson, one of the earliest settlers of Genesee county, arrived
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 52.1
at Todd's tavern, in Flint River, in 1833, having come from Avon, Living-
ston county, New York. He purchased a large section of land in what is
now the second ward of Flint and also a great deal of land in Mt. Morris,
Genesee and adjoining townships. Mr. Pearson first settled in Mt. Morris
township, about four miles north of Flint, and built the first house ever
erected in that township. He became widetj' known throughout Genesee
county and was associated with all of its early development. He was one
of the original vestrymen of St. Paufs irarish and built the second frame
house erected on the south side of the river, afterwards owned by William
Busenbark on Harrison street. He was also at one time one of the trustees
of the Michigan asylum for the deaf, dumb and blind. His death occurred
in 1867.
Messrs. Fenton and McCreery withdrew from the bank before the or-
ganization was fully completed. They were succeeded by William L. Smith
and Leonard Wesson. William Gibson was made teller and acted as such
for many years, and at the organization of the Citizens Bank he was chosen
its cashier.
Edward C. Turner, who was named as one of the directors of the bank,
was prominent among those citizens of the community who were closeh-
identified with its growth and development. Born in Owego, New York, in
1830, be came west in 1855 and located in Flint, becoming associated with
E, H. McQuigg in the ownership of what has since become known as the
Crapo Lumber Mills, this association lasting until after tlie mill was sold to
Governor Crapo. Mr. Turner then entered the mercantile business with
Henry Haynes, the firm l>eing Haynes & Turner. In company with Oren
Stone, Mr. Turner laid out Stone and Turner's addition on the north side
of the city. The Turner homestead, adjoining the Frederick Judd homestead
on East Kearsley street, was one of the fine residences of Flint in its dav,
Mrs. Turner, who was Miss Cornelia Seymour, of Itliaca, New York, is
.still Hving and actively interested in the social affairs of the community.
Mr. Turner died in 1896.
Leonard Wesson was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and came to
Genesee county in 1830, when he was but twelve years of age. He was
employed by a mercantile firm in Pontiac and in 1836 was detailed to deliver
a load of gootls to Avery & Company of Saginaw. The trip being made by
team, he drove through Flint, which at that time was but a hamlet, on his
way to Saginaw passing only one home of a white man, a Frenchman, who
had a squaw wife. In 1837 he bought a small stock of merchandise, loaded
it into a wagon and drove to Flint, where he found a one-room shanty and
dbyGoot^lc
5:^4 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
stayed until he disposed of his goods. He lived at different times in several
places in Genesee county, at one time running a genera! store in Fenton. In
1843 he located permanently in Fhnt, being for some time the partner of
Elijah Witherbee, the firm conducting a mercantile business on the site now
occupied by Zimmerman & Ottaway, on Saginaw street. iVIr. Wesson built
the residence at the corner of Beach and Fourth streets afterward owned by
Alonzo Torrey. He afterward owned the Ira Wright homestead, at the
corner of Harrison and Second streets, occupied for the last forty-four years
by Dr. Orson Millard. Mr. Wesson was actively identified with the pioneer
life of the county and became a prominent factor in its early development.
His death occurred in 1887.
One of the directors of the First National Bank in its early days was
Benjamin Cotharin, who, during his long life in the community, was a well-
known character. He reached Flint River settlement on a bright morning
in 1836, riding a diminutive pony, with the tools of his trade, boot and shoe-
making, fastened on the saddle behind him. Meeting Ira D. Wright, one of
the first residents, he inquired whether it was possible to secure pasture for
his pony, and receiving an affirmative reply, made a bargain at eighteen pence
per week. Upon inquiring as to the location of the pasture, the reply was
"Anywhere on the common." Mr. Wright, having received the first week's
pay in advance, generously appropriated it in treating the bystanders. Mr.
Cotharin started his shop just north of the city hall on Saginaw street, where
he kept the first boot and shoe store in the county. He afterward conducted
a large mercantile establishment. Later he built a number of stores in the
business district and by shrewdness and thrift gained a competency that
enabled him to retire from active business life in 1868. He served as one
of the directors of the First National Bank for twenty-nine years. His
death occurred in Fhnt in 1899.
William L. Smith was a native of Middiebury, Connecticut. He was
born in 183 1 and came to Flint with his half-brother, Eli T. Smith, founding
what is now the well known mercantile firm of Smith, Bridgman & Com-
pany. He was one of the original stockholders of Oak Grove Hospital and
a prominent member of the Congregational church. His wife, a woman of
great intellect and refinement, much beloved in the community, was Miss
Anna Olcott, of Woodbury, Connecticut, her death occurring in Fhnt in
1900. Mr. Smith died in California in igo6.
In 1870 H, M. Henderson, who had engaged in banking with his son-
in-law, Giles L. Denham, withdrew from the presidency of the bank and
was succeeded by E. H. McQuigg as president and George Crocker as vice- ■
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 525
president. In February, 1871, the cashier, A. B, Witherbee, died and was
succeeded by Cliarles S. Brown, who had been connected with the Old
Exchange Bank in 1865 and with the First National Bank in all the various
positions. Mr, Witherbee's death was severely felt by all classes of citizens
in Flint, and especially by those engaged in manufacturing and mercantile
pursuits.
The bank finding its capital not sufficient for the growing wants of tlie
city and county, in June, 1872, increased the amount to two hundred thou-
sand dollars. In 1875, finding their quarters rather inconvenient and being
of the opinion that they should own their banking house, they purchased the
building of the Walker brothers, on the northwest corner of Kearsley and
Saginaw streets.
Mr. McQuigg was succeeded in 1875 by F. F. Hyatt, as president.
Ferris F. Hyatt came from Hyattville, New York, in the sixties, and at once,
on account of his wealth and culture, became influential in the business and
social life of the town. He was engaged in the lumber business with E. H.
McQuigg and Edward C. Turner. He married a daughter of Governor
Henry H. Crapo, who died shortly afterward. Mr. Hyatt's second wife
was a daughter of Doctor Campbell, one of the early physicians of Illinois.
The Hyatt home in Flint was for many years one of the social centers of
the town. It still remains in possession of the Hyatt family, in the very
heart of the business district in Flint. Mr, Hyatt's death occurred in 1883.
In 1880 David S. Fox was made president of the First National Bank
and Charles S. Brown, cashier. David S. Fox was for many years promin-
ent in the business affairs of the county. He was born in Warren county,
Pennsylvania, in 18 17, his grandfather being a soldier in the Revolutionary
War. He was employed by a firm who were engaged in manufacturing
shingles and acquired his business training before coming to Michigan in
1846. He was a member of the lumber firm of Walker & Begole, who manu-
factured shingles and also speculated in timber lands. They bought large
tracts of pine, and floated the logs down the river to their mills at Flint. Mr.
Fox in later years became connected with the Flint Wagon Works, which
afterwards was acquired by the Chevrolet Motor Company. Mr. I*"ox died
in 1901.
Charles S. Brown was the son of the Rev. Daniel E. Brown, the founder
of St. Paul's iwrish in the thirties. He was born in Flint in 1847 ^"'^
received his early education in Litchfield, Connecticut. When he was only
seventeen years of age he enlisted in the army and fought during the years
of the Civil War. He afterward became colonel of the First Regiment, and
dbyGoot^lc
5^6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
then, in regular line of succession, became general of the Michigan brigade.
For seventeen years he was a member of the board of trustes of the Michigan
scliool for the deaf, and for several years was treasurer of the institution.
His wife was Miss Harriet Thompson, a daughter of Claudius Thompson, a
native of New York state who came West in the pioneer days and was one
of the early sheriffs of Genesee county. General Brown died in Flint jn
1904.
Paul H. Stewart, who was elected a member of the board of directors of
this bank in 1871, came to the township of Flint in 1853, his native home
being in New York stjite. He was born in 1809. A history of this county
would be incomplete without a mention of tliis influential citizen who was
associated for many years with the business life of Flint. He was engaged
in the hardware business at one time for a number of years and was after-
ward in the real estate business. He was a memljer of the vestry of St.
Paul's church. He owned the entire block bounded by Third, Fourth, Beach
and Saginaw streets, and his Iiome was built near the corner of the block
where the Dresden Hotel now stands. His wife was Miss Adeline Mather,
who died in 1890, at the age of seventy-one. Mr. Stewart served as director
of this bank luitil his death.
In 1885, after the expiration of the twenty-year period, the bank was
re-chartered as the FUnt National Bank. About this time Herman L. Pier-
son, of Flint, and D. Embury, of Grand Blanc, were added to the list of
directors, Charles F. Draper held the iwsition of teller at this time, after-
ward.becoming connected with the American Exchange National Bank of
Detroit.
Mr. Embury was a Jiative of Avon, Livingston county, New York,
being born in 1817, He was accidentally killed near his home in Grand
Blanc in 1885. In 1886 William Hamilton was elected a director and in
1887 Lyman J. Hitchcock's name was added to the board. The board of
directors was afterwards augmented by the election of Frank Dullam, S. C.
Randall, John J. Carton, William McGregor and B. F. Cotharin. In 1887
William Hamilton was elected president and J. J. Carton, vice-president.
Jn 1905, at the termination of the twenty-year period, it was again
chartered as The Xational Bank of Flint. Austin Witherbee was cashier of
the bank from its i>rganization until his death in 1871, when he was suc-
ceeded by Charles S. Brown, who continued to serve as cashier until his
death in 1904. John J. Carton was then elected president in 1905, after
the death of William Hamilton. Bruce J. Macdonald, who had been con-
nected with the bank for manv years a? teller and assistant cashier, was made
dbyGoot^lc
gese:sek county, Michigan. 527
cashier in 1904 at the death of C. S. Brown and continued to occupy this
position up to 1916.
John J. Carton was born in Clayton township, Genesee county, in 1856.
his father being one of the pioneers of the county. He studied law under
the guidance of Charles D. Long, of Flint, afterward judge of the supreme
court, and was admitted to the bar in 1884, forming a partnership with
Ceorge H. Durand. He served as county clerk for two terms and also as
city attorney of Flint. Mr. Carton is one of the most prominent members
of the Masonic fraternity of the state, being a past grand master of the
grand lodge of Michigan, an active member of the supreme council, thirty-
third degree. Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and deputy for Michigan. He
was elected a member of the House of Representatives three terms in suc-
cession and during the last two terms was speaker. He was also president of
the constitutional convention, which convened at Lansing in 1907. At the
annual meeting of the Michigan State Bar Association in 1914 he was elected
its president and served in that capacity one 3'ear. He is one of the best
known lawyers in the state and a jurist of distinction.
William McGregor, a valuable member of the board of directors of the
First National Bank, came of sturdy Scottish ancestrj' and was born in Ixroy,
New York, in 1836. He came to IHint in 1850, being a protege of Alex-
ander McFarlan, who was engaged in the lumber business. In 1869 Mr.
McGregor joined with William Hamilton in the purchase of the mill located
at the dam in the Flint river. This mill was one of the oldest in the country,
having been built by Mr. Hamilton's father, John Hamilton. It was closed
in 1875 on account of the exhaustion of timber. In connection with this
mill, the firm also ran a large mill at Bay City, where they also operated a
.salt block. Mr, McGregor's wife was Miss Marie Brousseau, of Rochester,
New York, whose death occurred in Flint in 1913. Mr. McGregor may be
said to be a splendid example of a self-made man, and has occupied an envi-
able jwsition in the business and financial life of the conmmnity. He is in
splendid health at the age of eighty-three.
George L. AValker, one of the directors of this bank, was born in Mt.
Morris, New York, in 1838. His father, Frederick Walker, was engaged
in the lumbering businet^s in Flint when it was a mere hamlet. Mr. Walker
in his youth was a clerk for J. B, Walker in a building on the corner where
the National Bank building now stands, on Kearsley and Saginaw streets. ?Ie
afterwards entered the employ of Governor J. W. Begole, and later was one
of the firm of Begole, Fox & Company, the firm incorporating in 1884 as
tlic }"lint A\'agon Works. Tn 1887 Mr. Walker removed to Detroit and
dbyGoot^lc
528 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
was instrumental in organizing tlie Consolidated Car Heating Company, of
Albany, New York, and was also interested in iron mining in Cuba. In
1896 he returned to Flint and was one of the organizers of the Buick Motor
Company, being vice-president up to the time it became identified with the
General Motor Company. Mr. Walker is entitled to the distinction of having
helped to make Flint the progressive city that it is today. His death occurred
in 1909.
Samuel C. Randall, who during his association with the National Bank
of Mint, was a director and also vice-president, was born in V'estal, New
York, and came to Flint in the early fifties. He served during the Civil
War and before its close was promoted to a captaincy. He was for many
years engaged in the lumbering business and was at one time mayor of Flint.
He was a thirty-third-degree Mason and was prominent in Masonic circles
throughout Michigan, a past grand commander of Michigan Knights Templar.
He died in 1909.
Benjamin F. Cotharin was a son of Benjamin Cotharin, one of the early
stockholders of the bank, and was elected a director in 1896. He was for
many years engaged in the furniture business in Flint, in 1872 being a part-
ner of William Charles, the firm name being CharJes & Cotharin. Mr.
Cotharin later purchased his partner's interest and conducted the busi-
ness alone. He was also a director of the Flint Water Works Company and
was closely connected with the progress of Flint. At the time of his death,
which occurred in 1905, he was the owner of a great deal of valuable resi-
dence and store property.
The following officers and directors have been connected with this bank
since its organization: H. M. Henderson, O. F. F'orsyth, A. B. Witherbee
George Crocker, William M. Fenton, William B. McCreery, Benjamin Pier-
son, E. H. McQuigg and E. C. Turner. Other directors from 1871 to
18S5 were: D. S. Fox, Paul H. Stewart, Robert W. Dullani, L. W. Cronk-
hite, Oscar F. Clarke, David Embury. The directors since 1885 have been:
L. J. Hitchcock, Frank Dullam, S. C. Randall, Wm. McGregor, B. F.
Cotharin, J. J. Carton, >V. R. Hubbard, Geo. L. Walker, B. J. Macdonald,
W. E. Stewart, W. C. Welis, Walter O. Smith, Charles W. Nash, Charles
M. Begole, C. B. Burr.
In 1916 the First National Bank consolidated with the Genesee County
Savings Bank. By this consolidation the charter of the National Bank of
Flint was surrendered and the county is now without a national bank.
Experience, however, has taught that banks organized under the state law
admit of a large scope of business and give better service to a larger num-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 529
ber of patrons than banks organized under federal restrictions. The new
bank, as one of the big institutions of the state, starts out with an enviable
prestige.
CITIZENS COMMERCI.AL AN]> SAA'INGS BANK.
The Citizens National Bank of Flint was organized in 1871, by the
election of the following gentlemen as directors: iion. William M. Fenton,
Alexander McFarlan, J. B. Atwood, Henry Stanley, Col. William B.
McCreery, William Hamilton and J. W. Begole, with a capital of fifty thou-
sand dollars. William M. Fenton was elected president, William Hamilton
vice-president, and W. L. Gibson was made cashier. This banking institu-
tion commanded the confidence and esteem of the public from the very first
day of its existence. The gentlemen having its management were widely
known as among the first m the county of Genesee for probity and integrity.
Alexander McFarlan was born in Montgomery county. New York,
in 1812 and, like thousands of other active young men, who knew no diffi-
culties and obstacles but what perseverance and honesty would surmount,
followed the judicious advice of Horace Greeley and came West. Follow-
ing the pathway made by the early French voyageurs, he traveled on foot
from Chicago to the headwaters of the Illinois river and proceeded by boat
to St. Louis; thence down the Mississippi, and up the Ohio to its junction
with the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, visiting St. Louis, Cincinnati
and Pittsburgh. These wanderings consumed what money Mr. McFarlan
had, but he managed to reach Caledonia, New York, where he operated a
small tannery for about ten years before coming to Flint, where he pur-
chased a half interest in the unfinished saw-mill of George H. Hazelton.
Later he became the owner of large tracts of pine lands in various parts
of Michigan and at the time of his death was the largest stockholder in
the Citizens National Bank.
WilHam Hamilton carried the mails from Michigan City to Chicago
when a boy, the contract having been taken by his father. He was bom in
1824 and 1843 came with his parents to Flint, where for the remainder of
his life he was prominent in the development of the town. He operated
a flouring-mill for many years, on a site now in the very heart of the business
district of the city. Following this he engaged extensively in the lumbering
business, later associating himself with William McGregor, this partnership
lasting for over thirt\^ vears. Mr. Hamilton became closely identified with
(34)
dbyGoc^lc
530 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the growing interests of the community and in the seventies was one of the
directors who secured the land grant for the railroad running from Lansing
to Flint, which later became a part of the present Grand Trunk Railway.
In company with J. B. Atwood, he built what is now known as the Bryant
Hotel block, which at that time was the one first-class hotel in the county.
When establishing the Citizens National Bank Mr. Hamilton and Colonel
Fenton went to Washington to secure the charter. Mr. Hamilton was also
engaged in agricultural enterprises and owned the three-hundred-and- forty-
acre tract of land which is now a part of the enormous factory district of the
city of FHnt. His death occurred in 1899.
Henry Stanley, one of the directors of this bank, was a menil^er of
the Stanley family who formed what was known in Genesee township as the
, "Stanley settlement," Sherman Stanley, his father, being one of the most
prominent of the early pioneers of this locality, coming from Mt. Morris,
New York, in 1835. Soon afterwards he induced some of his friends from
the East to follow him, and in 1836-37 a number of families from the same
town, including Albert T. Stevens, formed this small settlement, their lands
adjoining. The village of Mt. Morris derived its name from the native
home of these residents. Henry Stanley came to Flint during his young
manhood and engaged in the grain and produce business, owning and oper-
ating a large elevator, the firm name being Stanley & Clapp. Mr. Stanley
built a home at the corner of Beach and Court streets, where he resided
with his family for many years. He was well known throughout the county
and died in Flint at the age of sixty-six. His daughter, Miss Imogene
Stanley, became the wife of Edward Thayer, a brilliant young attorney
and a son of Artemus Thayer, but his death occurred when he was .still
under thirty years of age. Mrs. Thayer has been a resident for the past
fifteen years of Paris, France.
Josiah W. Begole, who was afterward elected to the governorship of
the state of Michigan, came of French ancestry. His maternal grand-
father, Captain Eolles, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was an officer in the
War of the Revolution and his father was a non-commissioned officer in the
War of 1812. Mr. Begote had been identified with the affairs of Genesee
county from an early date, coming with his parents to the township of Mt.
Morris in 1816, when he was only a year old. He was one of the members
of the lumber firm of Begole, Fox & Company and his name added strength
to the bank directorate.
Within a period of three months from the time its doors were thrown
open to the public, the capital was increased to one hundred thousand dollars.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. .531
and still further augmented the following year to one hundred and twent)'-
iive thousand dollars. The sudden death of Colonel Kenton in May, 1871,
resulted in a change of some of its officers. William Hamilton was made
president, Alexander McFarlan was made vice-president and James Van
Vleet was added to the board of directors, fn January, 1876, at the annual
meeting', a still further change in the management was made by the election
of Alexander McFarlan as president and Col. William B. McCreery as
vice-president. Still later (1879) Colonel McCreery was made cashier in
the place of Mr. Gibson.
William B. McCreery, director of the Citizens National Bank, and
afterwards vice-president and cashier, was born in Mt. Morris, New York,
in 1S36, coming to Genesee county with his parents in 1839. His father,
Reuben McCreery, built the old McCreery homestead, afterwards owned by
C. D. Ulmer, at the corner of Fifth and Grand Traverse streets. William
R. McCreery was admitted to the bar of Genesee county in 1859 and practiced
law until the breaking out of the Civil War. He served with distinction,
entering the service as a member of Company F, Second Michigan Infantry,
and coming home as colonel of the Twenty-first Michigan Infantry Regi-
ment, to which rank he was promoted in regular order for valor on the
field of battle. He was seriously wounded at Williamsburg, Virginia, and
again at Chickamauga. He was taken prisoner at the latter place and after
a trying period of imprisonment, escaped from Libby prison in 1864
through a tunnel which had been dug by himself and a number of his fellow
prisoners. On his return from the front. Colonel McCreery associated him-
self in the general merchandise business with F. W. Judd. He subsequently
engaged in the lumber business and conducted a saw-mill on the bank of the
river just south of the Saginaw street bridge. He was afterwards collector
of internal revemie for this district, under President Grant, and in 1875
was elected state treasurer, which position he occupied for four years. He
also served as a member of the state board of agriculture for seven years,
and for several years lie represented the United States as consul general to
Valparaiso. Chile, to which post he was apixiinted under the Harrison admin-
istration. He was largely interested in the construction of the extension
of the Grand Trunk Railway from Flint to Lansing, and was one of the
original stockholders and at one time president of the Flint City Water
Works Company. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and a
man of genial disposition. 3 good citizen and a brave soldier. His death
occurred in Flint in 1896.
His wife, a gracious and queenly woman, was Miss AdaFenton, a
dbyGoot^lc
532 (IKNKSKK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
daugliter of Col. William M. Fenton. Their son, Hon. Fenton R. McCreery,
has been for twenty ye.ir.s in the diplomatic service of the United States,
being for eight years secretary of the legation at Santiago, Chile, and later
for some years first secretary of the embassy in Mexico City. Subsequently
he served as United States minister to Santo Domingo and Honduras.
William L. Gibson, the cashier of the Citizens National Bank, was
born in Murray, Orleans county, New York, in 1846. In his youth he came
with his parents to Michigan, his father, Samuel W. Gibson, being the pro-
prietor of the old Genesee House, which stood at what is now the inter-
section of Detroit and North Saginaw streets. Mr. Gibson married Miss
Bgssie Bishop, a daughter of Giles Bishop. In 1880 he removed to Jack-
sonville, Florida, where for the remainder of his life he was connected with
one of the large banks of that state. Illness of a serious nature incapacitated
him for business a few years before his death, which occurred in Jackson-
ville in 1904.
James VanVleet, one of the directors of this bank, came from Romulus,
Seneca county, New York, in 1844, to examine land he had previously pur-
chased in Gaines township, where he became a resident, being its super-
visor for eighteen years. He removed to Flint in 1869 and sen'ed for four
years as county treasurer. His death occurred in Flint in 191 5.
The Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank, which was reorganized in
I80O from the old Citizens National Bank, has been under the presidency
of Robert J. Whaley since its reorganization, a term of about twenty-six
years. Its present cashier is William E. Martin. Hon. Horace C. Spencer
was its first cashier after its organization as a state bank. Connected with
this bank are some of the best business men of the city.
Robert J. Whaley, who has been president of this bank for twenty-six
years was Irorn in Castile, New York, in 1840. When he was twenty-seven
years of age he was married to Miss Mary McFarlan, a daughter of Alexan-
der McFarlan, of Flint. Coming to Flint in the autumn of 1867, he went
into the employ of his father-in-law, who was at that time extensively
engaged in the lumbering business, Mr. Whaley continuing in this business
until the death of Mr. McFarlan in 1881. Mr. Whaley is regarded as one
of the most sagacious banking men of the county, his comprehensive grasp
of financial affairs having won for him an unexcelled reputation for busi-
ness acumen.
Horace C, Spencer, the first cashier of the Citizens Commercial and
Savings Bank, was born in Springville, Erie county. New York, in 1832.
Coming to Michigan in 1866, he engaged in the hardware business until
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 533
1880, when he disposed of his interests to attend to other affairs. Mr.
Spencer was one of tlie original stockholders of the Second National Bank of
Bay City, Michigan, which was organized in T877, and has been conversant
with banking affairs for many years. He served in the state Senate during
Governor Alger's administration and was a member of the committee that
redistricted the state. His daughter is the wife of Arthur G. Bishop, the
present president of the Genesee County Savings Bank. T'or many years
Mr. Spencer has been connected with public affairs, having served as mayor
of Flint and also for several terms as a member of the city park board, in
which capacity he rendered invaluable service. Mr. Spencer, at the age of
eighty-five, is one of the best preserved men in the county and still actively
interested in financial and civic affairs.
Henry C. VanDusen, the cashier of the Citizens National Bank at the
time of the surrender of its charter as a national bank, was bom in Michi-
gan City, Indiana. He fought in the Civil War and later came to Flint,
being identified with the banking life of the community for a number of
years. He is still living at the age of seventy-three, at his former home in
Michigan City.
George W. Hubbard, one of the pioneers in the hardware business in
Genesee comity, was a member of the board of directors of this bank. Mr.
Hulabard is one of the most widely known business men of Genesee county
and sold o.x-yokes in 1885 to the grandfathers of the present generation.
Mr. Hubbard was in business at one time with Charles M. Wager, the
firm name being Flubbard & \'\'ager, but for many years has conducted
the establishment under the name of the George W. Hubbard Hardware
Company. Mr. Hublxird was horn in Canandaigua, New York, in 1844.
Soon after the reorganization of the bank in 1891 the following board
of directors were elected: Robert J. Whaley, J. W. Begole, S. I. Beecher.
George VJ. Buckingham, George W. Hubbard, Ale-x. McFarlan, W. C.
Durant, D. D. Aitken. J. R. Stockdale, J. H. Whiting, H. C. Spencer. The
present officers are: President, K. J. Whaley; vice-president, CJeorge W.
Hubbard; cashier, W. E. Martin; assistant cashier, H. E. Potter; directors:
R. J. Whaiey, G. W. Hubbard, J. H. Whiting, D. D. Aitken, Alex. McFar-
lan, H. Winegarden, Thomas Doyle, F. D. Buckingham, C. L. Bartlett, E.
S. Lee, J. E. Burroughs, C. H. Miller, E. H. Watson. Capital stock paid
in, $150,000; surplns. $230,000.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
GENESEE COUNTY SAVINGS BANK.
The Genesee County Savings Bank was organized in 1872 and opened
its office for business on the first day of May in that year, with a capital
stock of fifty thousand dollars. Its original board of directors were James
B. Walker, Giles L. Denham, John Orrell, W. W. Crapo, Russell Bishop,
W. F. Browning, George C. Kimball, C. C. Pierson and Henry Brown. Its
first officers were : J. B. Walker, president ; G. L. Denham, vice-president ;
Ira H, Wilder, cashier.
James B. Walker, the first president of the Genesee County Savings
Bank, was identified with the life of the county since its earliest days, arriv-
ing in FHnt in 1836, when it was a mere hamlet. He was born in Locke,
Cayuga county. New York, in 1812. Mr. Walker was engaged as clerk in
the first dry goods store opened in Flint, the proprietors of which were Beach
& Wesson, and afterwards was employed in the dry goods store of H. M.
Henderson. In 1838 he built a store on the north side of the river, con-
ducting a mercantile business until 1842, when he erected another store on
the corner of Kearsley and Saginaw streets, where he continued in business
until 1858. He was appointed by the governor of tlie state resident trustee
and to have charge of the construction of the asylum for the dead, dumb
and blind, and for fifteen years, from 1858 to 1873, he devoted his energies
to this institution. During Mr. Walker's terra as mayor of Flint the first
pavement was laid on Saginaw street. He was one of the original founders
of St. Paul's EpiscojKil parish, and one of the most prominent of the early
residents of Flint. His home was located in the block bounded by h'irst,
Second and Grand Traverse streets, which was afterward the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Anna McCali. Mr. Walker died in Flint in 1877.
Giles L. Denham, the vice-president of the Genesee County Savings
Bank, was born in New Bradford, Massachusetts, in 1842. He came west to
Detroit in the interests of the Pere Marquette railroad, and shortly after-
ward came to Flint, where- he became interested in business affairs. Flis
wife was Miss Jane Henderson, a daughter of H. M. Henderson. Mr.
Denham is still residing at the Denham homestead in Flint.
Ira H. Wilder was Ixirn in Canandaigua, New York, in 1839, and par-
ticipated in the Civil War, being a member of a regiment belonging to the
Army of the Potomac when the battle of Gettysburg was fought, and also
participating as an officer in all the engagements of that army until the close
of the war. After being mustered out, Captain Wilder came to Flint and
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 535
engaged iii the milling business, until 1871, when he entered the First
National Bank as bookkeeper, remaining there until 1872, when he was
made the first cashier of the Genesee County Savings Bank. He died in
Muskegon, Michigan, several years ago.
W. F. Browning, of the original board, conducted a mercantile business
on the site now occupied by the furniture store of Doty & Salisbury, dealing
principally in hats and furs; and Henry Brown was also engaged in the
mercantile business in Flint, running a clothing store on the site now occu-
pied by the Crawford & Zimmerman Clothing Company.
C. C. Pierson was a natiye of Avon, Livingston county, New \ork, and
located in Grand Blanc in 1843. He was one of the organizers of the Gene-
.see County Agricultural Society.
George C. Kimball was the owner of the Genesee Iron Works of Flint,
and also built the portion of the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad between
Holly and Saginaw. He was also engaged in the hardware business in part-
nership with Major Morse, the firm name being Morse, Kimball & Com-
pany.
John Orrell, of the original board of directors, was born in Heaton,
Lancashire, England, in 1882. He came to America in his youth and studied
for the ministry, becoming a clergyman of the Unitarian church. He after-
wards came to Michigan and entered the employ of Governor Henry H,
Crapo in the lumber business, and married Governor Crapo's daughter. Miss
Mary Ann Crapo. His death occurred in 1876. His son, Wiiiiam Crapo
Orrell, has been for a number of years on the board of directors of the bank.
Of the original board of directors, only one member, Hon. W. W.
Crapo. is htijl li\'ing. Mr. Crapo, the only son of Governor Henry H. Crapo,
is one of the prominent lawyers of the East and a resident of New Bedford,
Massachusetts. He was for many years president of the old Flint & Pere
Marquette Railroad, up to the time of its sale to the Pere Marquette syndi-
cate, and during his tenure of office this railroad enjoyed its most halcyon
days. Mr. Crapo was the senior member of the law firm of Crapo &
Clifford, of New Bedford, which, at the close of the Civil War, successfully
conducted for the United States the litigation against Great Britain to
recover damages for neutrahty violations, and received for their services
what was at that time said to be the largest fee ever paid for legal services
in this country, the sum of one million dollars. Mr. Crapo is now presi-
dent, and has been for many years, of the New Bedford Institution for
Savings, the largest institution of its kind, outside of Boston, in the New
dbyGoot^lc
53^ GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
England states. He is also one of the directors of the Merchants National
Bank in New York City.
Russell Bishop, who succeeded James B. Walker as president, came
to Fhnt in the spring; of 1837. Jle was born in Leroy, New York, in 1815,
and removed with his family to Oakland county when he was but sixteen
years of age. Upon removing to Flint he engaged in mercantile business,
his stock of goods being transported from Detroit by team. His business
was conducted on the corner of Kearsley and Saginaw streets, where the
Fenton block now stands. In 185 1 his health Ijecoming impaired, he jour-
neyed to Mexico and Texas, making a part of the interior trip by horse-
back. The same year he went to England to attend the World's Exposition
in Loudon. After his return to Flint he was appointed by Franklin
Pierce as receiver of public money at the general land office in FMint, which
was at that time one of three stations in the state. Mr. Bishop then engaged
in the real estate business, to which he devoted himself exclusively until the
organization of the Genesee County Savings Bank. In 1838 he built a fine
residence on Beach street, clearing the lot of the heavy timber with which
it was covered. Mr. iiisbop married Miss Mary Thomson, a sister of
Col. E: H. Thomson. Their son is Arthur G. Bishop, the present presi-
dent of the bank and also president of the Michigan State Bankers' Asso-
ciation during 1915-16. Russell Bishop, after the death of his first wife, mar-
ried Miss Frances Green, daughter of Judge Sanford Green, of Bay City,
one of the ablest jurists of the state, who in his day contributed to his pro-
fession a valuable legal work on "Crime."
Russell Bishop was succeeded as president of the Genesee County Sav-
ings Bank by William A. Atwood, formerly vice-president of the institution,
Mr. Atwood had been a memlier of the firm of Stone, Atwood & Company,
proprietors of the Flint Woolen Mills, and also a member of the Wood &
Atwood Hardware Company. He was born in Niagara county, New York,
in 1835, and during his young manhood had been engaged in the Imnher
business in Canada. In 1866 he came to Michigan and was associated in
the same business with Jesse B. Atwood, his brother, and B. W. IJvings-
ton, operating a mill with a capacity of about thirty thousand feet a day.
In 1836 he was elected to the state Senate to represent Genesee and Livings-
ton counties and during his incumbency of the office was chairman of the
committee on state affairs, public lands, and railroads. During his term of
service he secured for Flint a new city charter, and also put through various
bills for public improvements at Flushing and Howell, Michigan. His wife
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 53/
was Miss Helen WootI, a daughter of H. W. Wood, one of the oldest resi-
tlents of Flint. Mr. Atwood died in iQoS.
Other memljers of the board of directors of this institntion who served
at different periods from 1875 to 1900, were : George R. Gold, M. Davi-
son. C. C. Behan, J. C. Willson, J, ]{. Atwood, H. C. Spencer, F. H. Pierce.
G. E. Taylor.
The first cashier, Ira Wilder, occupied this position for twenty years.
Arthur G. Bishop then became cashier in 1892, and held that office until he
was made president of the bank at the death of Dr. James C. Willson, who
succeeded William A. Atwood. James Martin, who has been associated
with the bank in all its various' capacities for the past thirty years, succeeded
Mr. Bishop as cashier, and remains in 1916 as cashier of the amalgamated
banks.
By the affiliation in 1916 of the National Bank of Flint and the Gene-
see Connty Savings Bank, the entire board of directors of both banks
merged as one Ixiard,. with the following officers and directors: President,
.A. G. }5ishop; vice-president, H. C. Spencer; cashier, James Martin; direc-
tors. W. W- Crajw, H. C. Spencer, J. D. Dort, G. C. Willson, E. W. Atwood,
!■". A. Aldrich, J. H. Crawford. C. S. Mott, A. G. Bishop, J. J. Carton.
W. O. Smith. William McGregor, W. C. Wells, W. R. Hubbard, C. B.
Burr, C. M. Begole. C. W. Nash. B. J. McDonald; capital, $500,000; sur-
plus, $500,000.
The Genesee County Savings Bank in 1915, ojjened a branch of the
ni.-iin bank at the comer of Asyhmi and Kearsley streets, for the conven-
ience of patrons in the fourth ward.
In the year 1893, Tra 11. Wilder, who had resigned his position as
national iiank examiner, with the aid of several of Flint's men of finance,
organized the Union Trust and Savings Bank. Its first board of directors
included C. T. Bridgman, W. .A. Paterson, W, H. Edwards, M. Davison,
Sr-, Romain Putnam. C, H. Wisner. James J. Hurley, Ira H. Wilder, Flint
P. Smith, lis first president was Charles T. Bridgman and cashier, Mr.
Wilder. Later, Mr. Wilder was succeeded by Mathew Davison, who served
as cashier for many years and was succeeded by L. H. Bridgman, its pres-
ent cashier. It has been one of the most succeesful of the city banks and
enjoys the universal confidence of the pubfic.
Charles T, Bridgman, the present president of the Union Trust ami
dbyGoot^lc
538 CENliSIiE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Savings Bank, was born in Huntsburg, Ohio, in 1845, receiving his education
in the preparatory department of the University of Chicago and the Russell
Mihtary School of Ohio. In 1864 he arrived in Flint and entered the employ
of the William L. Smith Company, and in 1871 became a partner in
the concern, the firm name being changed to Smith, Bridgman & Company.
Mr. Bridgman has been for many years a trustee of the Congregational
church. He has always been a great traveler and recently completed a trip
around the world.
Mathew Davison, who served as cashier of this bank for many years,
is one of the large holders of Flint business property, owning also much
farm land in Genesee county. His first venture in Flint was in the clothing
busine.ss, and he has always maintained a reputation for splendid business
■ acumen. He served as mayor of the city of Flint.
Romain Putnam, one of the original directors of this bank, was bom
in Batavia, New York, in 1838. In 1855 he came with his parents to Gene-
see county, driving from Detroit to Burton township. When Mr. Putnam
was a young man of twenty he engaged in the l)uying and selling of stock.
Later, he I)ecarae a resident of Flint, entering the grain business, the firm
name being Beecher & Putnam, and later R. Putnam & Company. Besides
owning a large elevator in Flint, the firm also operated one at Clio. Mr.
Putnam's wife was Miss Ellen Wolverton, a daughter of Asa Wolverton,
wJio came to Burton township in 1855 from Tioga, New York. Mr. Put-
nam's death occurred in IHint several years ago.
James J. Hurley, one of the original directors, was born in I-omlon,
England, in 1850, coming to America in 1871. He came as far as Grand
Blanc and thence on foot to Flint, where he obtained employment at the
Sherman Hotel as porter. He afterward engaged in the manufacture of
soap and later entered the coal and wood business. Subsequently, he became
interested in real estate, building many residences, which he rented for
reasonable sums, showing always toward his tenants a most commendable
spirit of justice and fairness. He was one of the organizers and largest
stockholders of the first light and power company of Flint. His death
occurred in 1905. Mr. Hurley was a man of broad human sympathies, as
was evidenced by his gift to the city at the time of his death of sufficient
funds with which to build a general h{>spital, on a site which he had
previously selected and purchased for this purpose. Hurley Hospital is
Begole street. In al! its appointments it is one of the most modern and best
equipped hospitals in the state and a fitting monument to its founder.
Flint P. Smith, one of the directors of the Union Trust and Savings
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIC.AN. 539
Bank, for many years, was Irorn in i'enlieid, Ohio, in 1853. He was a son
of Hiram Smith, who came to Michigan in 1845 and engaged in the lum-
bering business. In 1847 iVIr. Smith, the eider, sawed a large amount of
lumber in Lapeer county and rafted it to Saginaw, this being the first lum-
ber ever sent from that county. He then returned to Ohio and on the break-
ing out of the Civil War spent one year in cutting black walnut with which
to make gun stocks for the government. He returned from Ohio to Michi-
gan in 1867, and located in Mint, which at that time had twenty hiniber
mills. He built a large mill and dealt in hardwood, prolrably cutting half
the hard lumber ever marketed in this county, including a large amount of
oak. For many years he was known throughout the county as "Hardwood"
Smith, a name which clung to him to the time of his death. He built one
of the few really fine residences in Flint at that time, situated on the corner
of Stockton and Third streets, now owned by George Forrest.
Flint P, Smith, having a wide knowledge of lumbering through his
father's extensive operations, succeeded to the business, and for many )-ears
operated the old Crapo mill. He afterward engaged in the same liusiness
in Orvisbiirg, Mississippi, later returning to Flint. Mr. Smith owned a large
amount of real estate in the business district and was regarded as one of
the most judicious of business men. As one of the directors he was also a
heavy stockholder in the Union Trust and Savings Bank. He was married
in 1875 to Miss Franc A. Brainerd, of Attica, New York, who, after Mr.
Snuth's death, which occurred in 1909, erected to his memory the nine-
story office building known as the Flint 1'. Smith building, at the corner
of Union and Saginaw streets, the most ])retentioi.is business block in the
C(iinity. the gronnd floor of which is occupied by the Industrial Savings
Bank.
'Judge George H. l>urand and Wiliiani F. Stewart were later added
to the directorate to fill vacancies. William F. Stewart, who was entirely
a self-made man, was bom in London, Ontario, in 1846. He learned car-
riage making in his youth aufl in 1868 located in Pontiac, Oakland county,
and engaged in tluit business. Tn i88[ Mr. Stewart established himself in
the manufactnring business in Flint, making carriage bodies on an exten-
sive scale. Later, when the automobile industry developed, he built auto-
mobile bodies. He erected on the corner of Industrial and Hamilton ave-
nues a large factory building for this purpose. Mr. Stewart was a man of
unf)uestionetI business integrity and judgment, and a valuable acquisition
to the directorate of this bank. He died in Flint in 1911. Judge Durand
was one of the foremost citizens i>f the state.
dbyGoot^lc
540 CENEHEIZ COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The officers ;ind directors of the Union Trust and Savings Bank in
1916 are; C. T. Bridgi-nan, president; W. A. Paterson, vice-president; W.
H. Edwards, vice-president; M. Davison, chairman of the board; L. H.
Bridgman, cashier: J. K. Storer, assistant cashier; directors, C. T. Bridg-
inan, \\. A. J'aterson, M. Davison, George W. Cook, W. H. Edwards,
\V. !■:. Braman, J-. H. Rankin, A. M. Davi:,on, J. G. Windiate, C. H. Bon-
hright, S, S. Stewart, R. W. Selleck.
INIHTSTRIAI, SAVINGS BANK.
Tile industrial Savings Bank, tlie youngest of the tinancial institutions
of Eiint, was organized in the original bank building being located on the
corner of Hamilton and Industrial avenues, near the offices of the automo-
bile industries. In 1913 the bank opened a central bank in the Fhnt P.
Smith building and the former bank is now run as a branch to the main
bank. Plon. Charles S. Mott, president, is an ex-mayor of Flint, and a
<lirector of the General Motors Company. He is a man of large wealth, and
a generous, public-spirited citizen.
Grant J. Brown, who has been cashier of this bank since its organi-
zation, was formerly assistant cashier of the Peoples State Bank at Flushing,
and later was state bank examiner.
The third oftke of this banking house was opened in 1916 on St.
John street, Fairview, for the convenience of business men and factory
employees in the far north and east sides of Flint.
Its officers and directors are: C. S. Mott, president; C. W. Nash,
vice-presirlent; Grant J. Brown, cashier; F. M. Bufifum, assistant cashier:
P. H, Callahan, assistant cashier: John S. DeCamp, assistant cashier; direc-
tors, D. D. Aitken, Dr. F. D. Baker, N. J. Berston, E. D. Black, Wf P.
Chrysler, vV. E, l~e!!ows, I-ennard Freeman, Grant J. Brown, A. B, C, Hardy,
G. R. Jackson, R. Kleinpell, C. S. Mott, S. S. Stewart, J. G. Warrick, Fred
J. Weiss.
Reflecting actual conditions most accurately is the reixjrt of the banks.
an increase of more than one million dollars being shown in savings depos-
its in 1915. When compared with the previous year, this is particularly
encouraging as showing the thrifty, careful character of the citizenship
which is contributing toward the greatness of the city.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
HANK CLEARINGS.
1910 $23,333482.90
1911 19,825,050.25
1912 19,872,170.20
1913 21,785,953.64
1914 23,816,941.72
1915 28,616,939,84
1916 49.7.13.857.38
The reccird.s of the Mint (^lenring House Association, as reported for
the year ending September 30, 1916, to the New V'ork Gearing House Asso-
ciation, show the banking institutions of this city to have just completed the
most successful year in the history of the city. They liave nearly doubled
all previous records for the same period and have established a total dose to
the $50,000,000 mark, more than doubling the banner year of 1910. What
is even more remarkable in reflecting the growth of the city and its business,
the year just closed exceeds heavy clearings of 1915 by a margain that was
nearly sufficient to doitble that year's record also. The records for the year
just closed show tliat the city is enjoying the most prosperous period in its
history.
The First National Bank of l-"enlon uas organized in the ^umnlcr of
1863, with David L. Latourette as president and manager. In 1871 Mr.
Latourette failed, the bank was closed, the operations of the woolen factory
were suspended and stockholders suffered severe los.ses.
.\fter the suspension of the Fir.st National Bank its business was princi-
pally transferred to the State Bank of Fenton, which had been established
the preceding January (1S71). it was organized under the state law and
was not a bank of issue. Its first officers were: President, Josiah Buckbee;
cashier, Edwin Trnmp; directors, Josiah Buckbee, .\ndrew Cornwall, John
F. Walton, Harvey Fannington. Erastus T. Tefft.
Mr. Buckbee, the president, came from Jefferson county, New York,
in April, 1856, and engaged in the dry goods trade, which he continued until
the bank was established.
Cranson's Bank, a private institution, was established by Job Cranson in
1876. A general banking business was transacted. Mr. Cranson was one
of the early settlers in Michigan, having removed from Madison county,
dbyGoot^lc
542 GKNESEE COUNTY, MiCHlGAN.
New York, in 1S30, with the family of his father, lilisha Cranson, and
settled in the town of Wehster, Washtenaw county. In 1833 Job Cranson
removed to the township of Brighton, Livingston count)', where he made the
lirst purchase of land and became the first settler. Until his removal to
Fenton in 1867 Mr. Cnuison was engaged in fanning, and after locating
there was for a short time .secretary of the Fenton Manufacturing Com-
pany.
In 1880 there were three banks in h~iint and two village banks. In
1916 there are four kmks in Flint and fourteen village banks. In 1880
the combined deposits of the county banks were aiiout four hundred thousand
dollars. In 1916 they approximate eighteen millions. Since 1880 one
.state bank has been orgauized in Ifenton, two in ['"lushing, one in Montrose,
one in Clio, one in Otisville. and one in Davison, and private banks in Grand
Blanc, Mt. Morris, Goodrich, Gaines, .Swartz Creek and J,inden. In 1880
there were five banks in Genesee county. In 1916 there are eighteen banks
successfully conducted.
The Otisville State Bank was estaMLshed in the village of Otisville in
jgoy. Its officers are: President, C. D. Doane; vice-president, Andrew
Reece: cashier, A. I'rosser. Its paid-up capital is $20,000, and the surplus,
$5,000.
The i'"entoii State Savings Bank was establislied in 1908. Its oiVicers
are; President. C. J. Campbell; vice-president. J. M. I''ikes; cashier, F. H.
Hitchcock. Its paid-up capital is $25,000, and it has a surplus of $8,000,
The Peoples State Bank of Flushing was estabhshed in 1900. Its offi-
cers are: President. I.. .V. Vickery; vice-president, John H, Rowe; cashier.
Ff, L. Mann. It has a paid-up capital of $25,000, and a surplus of $16,000.
The First State and Savings Bank of Flushing was established in i88t.
Its officers are: President, V. ,\. Niles; vice-president, E. L. Cornwall;
cashier, George Packard, It has a paid-up capital of $27,500, and surplus
of $27,000.
The Montrose State Bank, in the village of Montrose, was established
in 1889. Its officers are: President, F. P. Sayre; vice-president, A. B.
Wood; cashier, W. A, Speer. Its paid-up capital is $20,000 and its surplus
is $r,ooo.
The Clio State Bank, in the village of Clio, was established in 1885. Its
officers are: President, Charles G. Matgen; vice-president, Thomas Oliff;
cashier, Charles E. Taylor. It has a paid-up capital of $25,000, and a sur-
plus of $2,500.
dbyGoot^lc
r.ENFSl^E COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 543
The Davison State Bank, in the village of Davison, was established
ill 1895. Its officers are; President, A. B. Cullen; vice-president, S. T,
H;dl; cashier, W. G. Billings; assistant cashier, M. A. McBratney. Its
paid-up capital is $25,000, and its snrplns, $14,000.
The Commercial Savings Bank, of Fenton, was established in 1898,
Its officers are: Presiilent, li. C. I'^orte; vice-president, L. E. Becker;
cashier, E. M. Newall. It has a paid-up capital of $25,000, and its surplus
is $15,000-
The Citizens Bank, a private bank in the village of Gaines, was organ-
ized in 1907. Its officers are: President, W. E. Cozadd; vice-president,
A. T. Miller; cashier, George W. Chase, Jr.
The Bank of Goodrich, in the village of (ioodrich, was organized in
iyo8. Its officers are: I'resident, A. S. Wheelock; vice-president, Warren
(.ircen; cashier, R. !v Hlcbelcr. Its jiaid-up capital is $5,000, and its surplus
$i,2on.
The liank of Swartz Creek was organized in the village of Swartz
Creek in 1906. Its officers are: I'resident, C. J. Miller; vice-president, M.
D. Davison; cashier, I'rank Wiklman; assistant cashier, W. L. Miller.
The I''arniers Exchange Bank of Grand Blanc was organized in the
village of (irand lilanc in 1908. Its officers are: President, F. J. Sawyer;
vice-president, J'Yank M. I'erry; cashier, A. D. Gundry; assistant cashier,
I". Larohardiere. Its paid-up capital is $5,000, and its surplus $2,000.
Tlie iksnk of J.iiiden was organized in that village in i88g. Its officers
iire ; I'resideTit, James I,. .Spencer; cashier, F. V. Gteruni. Its paid-up
capital is $10,000.
The Hank of Mt. Morris, in the village of Ml. Morris, is a private
bank established in 1903. by D. ii. I'ower, of I'ontiac, with a capital stock
ui $5,000. In 1905 Charles D. Stanley, of Mt. Morris, bought this Eink
anil operated it until igri, when he sold one-half interest in it to Edward C.
Van DeWalker. who at that time took over the active management. It has
at ]>resent (1916) both a commercial and a savings department. Its officers
are: Proprietors, Stanley & Van DeWalker; cashier, E. C. Van DeWaiker;
a-;sistant cashier. M, \'. Coddington.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER X\[.
The Prksh.
The press has e^"er been one of the most patent agencies in die develoji-
nieiit of new comitry. It has been the jieople's forum and its editorial utter-
ances have gone far toward cultivating a spirit of citizenship. The editor
has been observer, critic, chronicler, biographer and historian, recording day
by day, year by fear, the rise and growth of a commonwealth.
In the year 1839 a small printing outfit, consisting of press, fixtures and
type, was laboriously transported by team, canal and lake from a small town
ill New York state to Detroit and thence overland to Flint River by Joseph
K. Averill, who issued The flint River Gaselte, the first newspai)er ever
printed in Genesee county. This pubhcalion existed for aljont two years,
the only copy which is known to have been preserved being now in the
possession of Mrs. George M. Dewey.
Mr. Averill, however, did not succeed in his venture, and a second
paper, The Northern Advocate, was printed in 1840. This sheet did not
survive for any length of time and was followed by the Genesee Gazette,
another short-lived paper, which was issued by W. S. IJentoii Sc Company in
1842.
The Genesee Herald was the next newspaper to make its appearance,
being published in 1843 by J. Dowd Coleman, but was shortly discontinued.
This publication was followed by the Genesee County Democrat, but the
l>eriod of its duration cannot be given.
The Flint Republican was issued in 1845 by Daniel S. Merritt, "terms
$1.50 cash, or $2.00 in produce, in advance." This paper was not long
afterwards acquired by Royal W. Jenny in 1848, its name being changed to
the Genesee Democrat. Under different names, it continued to be printed
until 1906 and in the sixty years of its existence exerted a widespread
influence throughout Genesee and surrounding counties.
The Genesee Democrat was one of the three early newspapers which
were destined to have a long and useful existence in this county, the other
two being the Wolverine Citisen, founded in 1850 by Francis H. Rankin,
and the Flint Globe, started in 1S66 by Charles F. Smith, Henry S. Hilton
and Robert Smith.
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 545
The vicissitudes of journalistic life in those early days can only be
appreciated by those who experienced them and the varying fortunes of our
county papers are so identified with the personal characters of their pro-
prietors that a history of the one is a biography of the other. The Demo-
crat was no exception. Hven the name Genesee Democrat is so intimately
connected with its founder, Royal W. Jenny, that few of the residents of
Flint who knew Mr. Jenny can think of the former without recalling the
eminently popular nature and friendly disposition of the latter.
Mr. Jenny continued as proprietor and editor of the paper up to the
time of his death in 1S76. For some weeks after Mr. Jenny's death the
paper was conducted by Mrs. Jenny, a gifted woman, who was also the
author of a Ixiok of poems mentioned elsewhere in this voKime. Mrs. Jenny,
however, soon disposed of the paper to H. N. Mather, who enlarged and
improved it and added a Sunday edition.
Mr. Mather came to Genesee county in 1876 from New York state,
where he had been engaged in the mercantile and milhng business in Buffalo,
fie was born in West Bloonifield, New York, in 1827, receiving his educa-
tion at Lima University, and was a well-read man. As editor of the Demo-
cratic paper of Genesee coimty, he was alert and aggressive. He purchased
the paper, fixtures and good will from Mrs. Jenny after the death of her
hu.shand for five hundred dollars. During Mr. Mather's editorship of the
paper, he conducted it on pohtical lines, from a Democratic standpoint.
Upon leaving Flint in 1879, he went to Saginaw, where he edited the Sagiiiaw
Daily News for some years, changing his political afKliations and support-
ing James G. Blaine during his candidacy for President. In later years Mr.
Mather resi<led in Detroit, Michigan, where he passed away in 1909.
Mr. Mather disposed of the paper in 1878 lo Jerome Eddy, then
mavor of Klint. Mr. F.ddy had previously been identified with the mercan-
tile life of the county, being for a number of years in the lumbering business
and operating a ptaning-mill in company with Artenius Thayer, During
President C!evelan<!'s administration he served as United States consul at
Chatham, Canada.
The original Eddy homestead was at the corner of East Kearsley
and Clifford streets, the site of which is now occupied by the Flint public
library building. Mr, and Mrs. Eddy moved nearly forty years ago to their
home on Church street, one of the most im[X)sing homes of the colonial
tyi)e of architecture in this part of Michigan, It was built by George Hazel-
(35)
dbyGoo<^lc
546 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ton in the early thirties and is still occupied by Mrs. Eddy, a woman of
charming personality and prominence in the social affairs of the community.
Mr. Eddy conducted the paper for a short time and then transferred the
active managerial duties and editorship to his son, Arthur J. Eddy, who, a
few years before, had graduated from the literary department of Harvard
University, and was later married to Miss Lulu Orrell, a granddaughter of
Governor Henry H. (^rapo. Mr. Eddy is now- a prominent corporation
lawyer in Chicago and a writer of ability.
In 1884 the Eddys established, in connection with the Genesee Demo-
crat, the Daily Neics, and this, together with the Weekly Genesee Democrat,
was purchased in [887 by \V. H. Werkheiser & Sons, of Raston, Pennsyl-
vania.
From 1887 until [(/J5 Mr. Werkheiser and his two sous. George and
!^>ank E. Werkheiser, edited the paper, the daily edition l)eing known as the
Daily Neit's. Mr. Werkheiser had previously had considerable experience in
newspaper work, in 1867 editing a Democratic paper, the Ei'ening Mail, in
Philipshurg, New Jersey, and also being financially interested in the Saitshttry
(Pa.) Press. The city editorship of the Daily A'ews during this period was
capably handled by Mr. George V\'erkheiser, who enjoyed the reputation of
having been the most active new.sgatherer the county had ever known. Mr.
Werkheiser is now editing a paper in .'Mderson, West Virginia.
In 1905, when the paper passed into the hands of W. V. Smith, of
Olean, New York, it had become a publication of broad influence through-
out the community. Shortly afterward it was absorbed by H. H. Fitz-
gerald,
The Wolverine Citizen was founded in 1850 by Mr, F, H, Rankin,
being known in its infancy as the Genesee Whig, and was destined to have
a long and useful existence in Genesee county. About six years after it
was first started the name was changed to The Wolverine Citisen and Gene-
see Whig, but later the latter half of its designation was dropped.
The history of the Wolverine Citizen is intimately connected with the
history of the county. Under the agitation caused by the repeal of the
Missouri (Compromise, the Genesee Whig strongh^ favored the formation
of the Republican party, and from 1854 until 1915 was known as a Repub-
hcan journal, of the most stalwart type. Its editor was actively instru-
mental in reorganizing the anti-,slavery elements of the old Whig and Demo-
cratic parties of Genesee county, having been, while chairman of the Whig
county committee, also chosen chairman of an independent central county
committee at a convention of electors of Genesee county held in Septcn'ber.
dbyGoot^lc
GEN'ESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 547
1854, for the purpose of uniting the anti-slavery strength against the at-
tempted encrnachmcnts of the slave power upon the guaranteed free terri-
tory of the nation. The language of the call for the meeting invited all
"opposed to the 'Nehraska swindle' and the extension of slavery in the
national domain." For eighteen months during the Civil War the IVol-
vcrine Ciitsen was conducted as a daily, and wnelded a great influence in be-
half of the Federal cause. In its long career it can Iwast of having been
the graduating school of a numl>er of young men who later gained prom-
inence in the field of Michigan joumalism. Among the earlier members of
this fraternity were: Hon. W. R. Bates, late of the Lumberman's Gasettc;
(.'. B. Turner, of the Fontiac Gasette; R. L. Warren, of the Lawrence Ad-
irrilscr: Morgan Bates, Jr., late of the Marshall Statesman; E. D. Cowles,
of the S\i(/mazi- Daily Couner; W. A. Smith, of the Charle^'oix Sentinel;
Harry Hall, of the Stuart Locomotive; Charles Fellows, of the Flint Jour-
nal; Orlando White, of the Linden Record, and A. M. Woodin, of the
Lansing Sentinel.
[■"rancis H. Rankin, the editor of the Wolverine Citi::eH, was a native
of County Down, Ireland, being reared and educated in his native land. He
came to America in 1S48 and located in Michigan, at Pontiac, where he
learned the printer'.s trade. He came to Genesee county in 1850, where for
the remainder of his days he was a prominent factor through his journalistic
activity in promoting the interests of the community. At the time of his
death he was not only the oldest editor in the county, but in the state he. liad
longest held control of a single pai>er. He was a finely educated man and
his editorials were most scholarly. He was also the author of a number of
poems which were published in Blackiwod's Magazine. His wife, the
daughter of an ii^pi.scopalian clergyman in Ireland, the Rev. Richard T.
Hearn, of County Longford, was a woman of fine mind and brilliant con-
versational powers. She was a leader in social and civic affairs and was one
<if the organizers of the Indies' Library Association.
After the death of Mr. Rankin, the paper continued to be published by
his son, Francis H. Rankin, the second of the name. Mr. Rankin has been
for many years a member of the Ixjard of education and has also served for
some years as one of the trustees for the Michigan school for the. deaf.
Under his direction the paper was published up to 1915. when it was finally
discontinued.
The I'lint Globe was established in August, 1866, the original proprie-
tors being Charles F. and Robert Smith and Henry S. Hilton. The office was
located in the second story of \^■hat was known as tlie L^nion block, on Sagi-
dbyGoot^lc
548 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
naw street. Mr. Hilton was the managing editor, Mr. Smith having charge
af the printing department and the general business of the office. W. H.
Brainard and Snmner Howard were successively engaged as local editors.
The concern was purchased by Almon L. Aldrich in August, 1869. In the
summer of 1870 the office was moved to the third story of the Covert block,
corner of Saginaw and First streets, for the sake of additional room and in
order to give the editor a sanctum apart from the composing and press-
rooms. However, the office being iii the third story, it became necessary for
its removal io .^ome building in which the fir^t floor could be utilized for the
presses. No such building offered itself at a reasonable rent. The proprie-
tor, therefore, purchased a lot on the comer of Kearsley and Brush streets,
and, in the month of July, 1870, commenced the erection of a building as a
I>fermanent home for the Globe.
Mr. Aldrich had been a newspaper man prior to his remo\'al to Genesee
county, having been the editor of the St. Joe Traveler, at St. Joseph, Michi-
gan, for some years. lie was a man of ability, being a graduate of the liter-
ary department of the Vniversity of Michigan in i860, after having re-
ceived'an academic;'.! course in several schools of New York state, his for-
mer home.
;( 'The Globe was Republican in pohtics and exercised its due share of
influfence in directing public affairs and public sentiment. It was many times
chdsen as the official'paper of the city. Some of the former proprietors of
the'G/fl&c were: (.'harles F. Smith, who, soon after leaving the Glohe, re-
moved, to Kansas and for two years held the office of treasurer of Labette'
coimty; Henry S. Hilton, who later was editor and proprietor of the Clinton
Htpiibliemi, at St. Johns, Clinton county, Michigan ; and Robert Smith, who
was'owner and editor of the Gratiot Journal, published at Ithaca, Gratiot
cotmty, Michigim, one of the most ably conducted and successful papers in
the state. Among those who were connected with the Glohe as local editors
may be mentioned Louis R. I^onieroy, now <leceased ; M. L. Seeley, later
residing in Genesee townshii>. in this county; Will F. Clarke, later deputy
collector of internal re\enue in this district; Henry H. Gibson, later of Grand
Kapids. and Harry Sni-dicor, later of Chicago. In 1899 the Globe was pur-
chased bv James Slocum, publisher of the Holly Advertiser.
Mr. Slocum, who was a practical newspaper man, became prominently
identified with the affairs of the county during his three years as editor,
and printed also the Daily Glohe, a bright, aggressive publication devoted to
the interests of the comnmnity. In 1902, however, he disposed of Ixith
papers to E. J. Ottaway. of Port Huron, and later became the editor of The
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 549
Gleaner^ which was published in Detroit. A few months later Mr. Ottaway
sold the papers to H. H. Fitzgerald, of St. Johns, Michigan. About this
time Mr. Fit:;g;erald also purchased the Daily Journal, which he consolidated
with The Globe into the IVcekly Globe and Daily Journal. During the years
which Mr. Fitzgerald owned and edited the Daily Journal the population of
the county, and more especially the city, increased greatly, the result of the
many large manufacturing industries which located in Flint, and problems
of a perplexing nature were constantly confronting the editor. These, how-
ever, were wi.sely commented upon and Mr. Fitzgerald's influence as a news-
paper man of ability and discretion was widely recognized throughout the
county and state. During his management the Daily Journal became one of
the leading dailies of Michigan.
In 191 1 Mr. Fitzgerald di.sposed of his interests to the Booth Publish-
ing Company, and Charles M. Greenway, a newspaper man of ability, as
editor-in-chief, and Myles K. Bradley, managing editor, have for the past
five years conducted the Flint Daily Journal, which now has a circulation oi
over twenty thousand copies. The paper maintains a high standard and has
a large circnlation, covering a territory twenty-five miles in each direction
from its place of publication.
The Flint Journal, a Democratic weekly paper, was estaldished by
(~^harles Fellows in 1875. Shortly afterward it became the property of Doc-
tor Carman, who sold it to George McConnoily in Ijpecember. 1882. On
March 3, 1883. Mr. McConnoHy began the publication of the Daily Journal.
There had Ijeen up to this time six unsuccessfiil attempts to publish a, daily
paper in Flint, but it remained for Mr. McConnoily, with hi.s practical knowl-
edge of printing and his remarkal>lc energy, to accomplish this difficult task,
Mr. McConnoily had received his newspaper experience in the office of the
Batilc Creek Press, when he was but a l)oy, and had been a newsj>aper man
of experience all his life. He came to Flint in 1882 from Bay City, and
conducted the Flint Journal first as a Democratic paper, then from an inde-
pendent standpoint, and later, under the Cleveland administration, as a Re-
publican organ.
In October, 1888, Mr. McConnoily sold the Journal to John W. Stoul,
and a few months later it became the property of John J. Coon, of Belvidere,
Illinois. Air. Coon had also been a news])aper man for some year.s before
coming to Genesee county. He was liorn in Peoria county, Illinois, in 1851,
and was a graduate of the literary department of the University of Chicago.
His first journalistic experience was in the publication of the Chicago Real
Estate and Building fburnal. in t88i he bought the GUman (Illinois) Star.
dbyGoot^lc
550 GENEStE COUNJY, MICHIGAN.
which lie ran successfully for several ye;irs. He then purchased the HiHz'i-
(Icre (lilinois) Northzvestern and after a prosperous period of editorship
sold it and purchased the Flint Journal. Mr. Coon's proprietorship of the
pa[>er was terminated hy his death in 1901, and his widow, Mrs. Julia Coon,
a woman of fine mental attributes, became the editor and managing owner
until she disposed 01 her interests to George H. Gardner, of Saginaw. In
September, 1902, the paper was purchased by M. H. I'~itzgerald -.mA consoli-
dated with the Globe.
Actively identified with die publication of the Daily Nezvs an<i the Daily
Journal for over a quarter of a century was Alfred Galbraith, who died
in April, 1916. During the last few years of his life, Mr. Galbraith was
secretary of the Flint lioard of Commerce. Mr. GalbraitI) was a credit to
the newspaper profession.
In 1914 a daily, the I'lint Prcs.i, was started by Arthur C. Pound and
William Thompson. Mr. Thompson was interested in a nunilwr of state
Ijapers, among Ihent being the Batlle Creek Daily Journal, the Kalamazoo
Evening Press and the I..an.sing Press. The venture was not a financial suc-
ces, however, :md the paper was discontinuetl I>efore the end of the year.
Mr. Thompson has since retired from newspaper work and Mr. Pound is
now editorial writer on the Grand Rapids Press, having been for a year after
his removal from Flint connected with the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal.
The Michigan H^irror, a monthly publication, is published in Flint, and
is devoted entirely to the interests of the Michigan school for the deaf.
The Flint Flashes, a weekly paper devoted to the interests of the So-
cialists, is j»ublished in I'lint, G. ^Y. Starkweather being manager and G. N.
I^wrence, editor.
Among the newspapers published in the villages of Genesee county, only
two of the publications which were started in an earlier day are still in exist-
ence, the Fcnton Observer and the Fenton Independent. The Fentonville
Observer was organized in 1854, by W. W. Booth and I'erry Joslin. The
Fenton Independent was established in 1868, by H. N. Jennings, and secured
a good circulation in Fenton and throughout the county.
The publications issued at this time. 1916, in Genesee county are : Daily :
Flint Daily Journal, weeklv ; Daidson Index, CUo Messenger, Montrose Rec-
ord, Flashing Observer. Fenton Independent. Fenton Observer, Otisville Star,
Flint Fla.<;hes. monthly: Michigan Mirror.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XVII.
Bench ano Eak.
'['lie thing we are too dull to master is the thing we are most apt to
undervalue. Perhaps tins is one reason why the three learned professions,
inediciiie, theology and law, have heen unappreciated from time immemorial
by the average mind. To attain eminence in any of them, a man must have
brains, morality and common sense in a superlative degree. Oliver Wendell
Holmes says, "Lawyers are the brightest, ministers know the most, and
doctors are the most sensible." It is with the lawyers of Genesee county
that this chapter will deal.
By act of the Legislative Council of the territory of Michigan, setting
off certain parts of Oakland, Shiawassee and Lapeer counties to form Genesee
county, approved March j8, 1835, the partial organization of (he county was
effected. It was, however, provided hy this act that it should, for judicial
l>urposes, be attached to Oakland county. The county seat of Oakland was
then at Pontiac, and subsequently the litigation from Genesee county above
ju.stice's court proceedings went to Pontiac for trial.
The State Legislature, by an act approved March 8, 1836, declared the
county to be a municipality, having all the rights and privileges of other
counties. This act of the Legislature of the state of Michigan made Genesee
county a de facto county, and as such was entitled to have its courts within
its territorial limits, and its coimty seat was established at Fhnt. A saving
clause provided that any and all suits then pending in any of the courts of
Oakland should be continued in that county and prosecuted to their determi-
nation, and that all justice cases pending should also be determined in the
court, the same as though the new county had not be organized. There was,
in consequence of this, an element of uncertainty in the status of the county,
the Legislature of the state of Michigan passing this act in March, 1836.
However, as there was no state of Michigan until January i, 1837, this act
had been passed by a premature and unauthorized body. The de facto con-
ditions, however, gave sanction to the status of the county.
At this time, from March 28, 1835, until March 8, 1836, while the resi-
dents of this county were judicially within the county of Oakland, the prin-
cipal practitioners at the bar of that county, from examination of the records
dbyGoot^lc
552 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of the cases then pending, were Walker & Bates, Morgan S. Drake, Howard
& Sawyer, Drake & Whittemore, William Draper, Goodwin & Hand, and
Thomas J. Drake, the latter being at that time a resident of, and, perhaps
the only practitioner at, Flint.
The first court ever held in the county of Genesee was in the h'lint store
of Stage & Wright, directly across the street from John Todd's tavern, or
the southeast corner of the intersection of Saginaw street and the right of
way of the Pere Marquette Railroad. This court was held in the summer
of 1837 and was presided over by Justice George Morrell, of the supreme
court. The state was at that time divided into circuits and several justices
of the supreme court held court in the various circuits. There were four
causes on the calendar for the first term of court, Thomas J. Drake appear-
ing as attorney in all of them, Bartow & Wilson appearing in one of them,
P. H. McOmber in another and George Wisner in another. The first case
on the calendar was that of Chauncey Bogue versus Timothy J. Walling,
attachment, begun on February 24, 1837, by Thomas J. Drake, attorney for
plaintiff. The date of commencement of this suit would seem to contradict
the statement made in Abbott's history that this term of court was held in
February. It might be said, parenthetically, that this case was dismissed by
an order of Judge Mark W. Stevens, presiding at the term of the circuit
court for Genesee county held in April, igi6. This possibly will siSence for-
ever those facetious individuals who infer at times that a lawsuit is inter-
minable. This venerable case, although it lasted nine years beyond the three
score years and ten allotted to mankind, and, it is to be presumed, long after
all the litigants and lawyers had gone to their final reward, has been duly and
properly laid to rest by the order of the court having jurisdiction therein,
duly made and entered in the records of the court.
Philip H. McOmber was the first resident attorney of Genesee county.
He came to Michigan from Saratoga county. New York, settling first in
Groveland county, in 1832, and removing to Fenton in 1834, Fenton at that
time being in Oakland county. Mr. McOmber kept a tavern at Groveland
before he went to Fenton, his reputation as a genial landlord soon being
established. Of his legal talents, they were said to be of a superior order.
He was the first prosecuting attorney for Genesee county.
Of Thomas J. Drake, it is said that he was a man of a scholarly bearing
and was careful and fastidious in his personal appearance. He was married
shortly before he removed from Pontiac to Flint and took up his residence
near the banks of the river in the third ward. Almost directly across from
this spot was a settlement of Indians who still lingered about the site of the
dbyGoot^lc
tiENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 553
old Indian village of Muscatawing. Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Drake came
to their new home an epidemic of smallpox so isolated the Indians as to cut
them off from all intercourse with the whites, bringing them to the verge
of starvation. Mrs. Drake is said to have each day, with her own hands, pre-
pared food in large quantities and left it on the bank of the river, the Indians
later paddling across the stream in their canoes to receive it. and thus their
desperate condition was alleviated. Afterward when Mrs. Drake suffered a
serious attack of tyiihoid fever, the Indians expressed their gratitude in
every way to the white woman who had befriended them, by sending their
,s(juaws to care for her and in i>ayiiig her the most assiduous attention. Mrs.
Drake, however, died later, and Mr. Drake returned to Pontiac, where he
passed away in 1875. In later years, after his removal to Pontiac, he was
appointed by President Lincoln to the office of chief justice of the United
States court in Utah.
In 1838 a two-story log house was built and the court room was installed
in the second floor of the building, the lower floor being used for a jail. The
location of this building was on the site of the present court house.
Among the first lawyers who came to the little town of Flint were Mr.
Rugg antl John Bartow, experienced, able men, coming from different locali-
ties, but with a kindred purpose, to escape the influence of conviviality, which
at that time permeated all classes in older settlements. Men of liberal educa-
tion, of culture and refinement, gracious and urbane in manner, they gave a
tone an<l trend to legal practice quite unusual in small towns, where generally
the pettifogger, with little knowledge of law and less of general culture,
though the man who could use the m<)st abusive language to his opponent
in the case, was the best lawyer. .\ little later came William M. Fenton and
Levi Walker, men with profound knowledge of law and gentle, dignified
manner, and so it happened that early Flint escai>ed the blatant type of bar-
rister.
Ji>hn Bartow located in KHnt in 1836 and enjoyed a high reputation as
a legal practitioner. He was afterward associated with Fdward H. Thom-
■^on, the firm name being Bartow & Thomson.
F.dward H. Thomson, lawyer and scholar, was born at Kendal, in the
county of Westmoreland, England. He came to this cotmtry at an early
age with his parents, who made their home in Boston. Massachusetts. He
was educated for his chosen profession principally in the law office of Millard
Fillmore in Buffalo, New York, after having received an academic education
at White Plains, New York. In 1837 Mr. Thomson emigrated to Michigan
after having a few years' experience in the law business in Cleveland, Ohio.
dbyGoot^lc
554 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Governor Stevens G. Mason, Michigan's first governor, appointed him prose-
cnting attorney of I-apeer county. He remained there but one year, however,
when he removed to FHnt and entered into the law partnership with Mr.
Bartow, who was then register of the United States land office.
With Mr. Bartow as a partner. Mr. Tliomson acted as prosecuting
attorney for Genesee county in 1845-46 and in 1847 he was elected to the
.state Senate, his district emhracing Genesee, Oakland, Lapeer, Shiawassee,
Saginaw and Tuscola counties and the entire up|)er peninsula. By his activity
in the advocacy of a foreign emigration bill he attracted the favorable notice
of Governor Ransom, and wa,* appointed state emigration agent, with head-
<iuarters in New York City. Subsequently his headquarters were removed
to Stuttgart, Germany, and by his indefatigable efforts he was directly respon-
sible for the removal of over twenty thousand hard-working Germans to the
J'cninsula state.
While in London, in 185 1, he received the appointment of United States
deputy commissioner to the great industrial exposition in that city, generally
known as the World's Fair. In this position his assiduous attentions to
.-\merican visitors and his efficient aid and timely advice to exhibitors, gained
for him high encomiums, while his distinguished Iwaring and scholarly attain-
ments gave him entree into the homes of many of the nobility. On his return
to this -country he remained in Washington for a time, but soon afterwards
resumed his legal practice in Flint. When the War of the Rebellion broke
out Governor Blair appointed him a member of the state military board, and
later he was made president of the board.
In spite of his busy life, he found time tii cultivate a rare taste in litera-
ture and as a genial, scholarly gentleman occupied an enviable position in a
community which included men and women of di-scemment and intellectual-
ity. He was an ardent student of Shakespeare and his magnificent Shake-
.spearian library, which through the munificence of the late James McMillan,
now graces the University of Michigan, is one of the finest collections ever
made in the Central states. His Shakespearian readings and lectures, which
were frequently delivered, not only in Flint, but in many other cities, won
the highest praise from press and laymen. His wife was also a very intellect-
ual woman and her private collection of rare Bibles, which numbered over
three hundred volumes, were considered of sufficient value and rarity to have
l>een acquired in later years by the University of Michigan.
James Birdsall began the practice of law in Genesee county in 1839,
coming to Flint from Chenango county. New York. He had been engaged
in the banking business in his native state and had also been a member of the
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 555
lower House of Congress. He died in Flint in 1856, at the age of seventy-
three years.
James S. Goodrich, admitted to the bar in 1840, came to Atlas township
and began the practice of law. He wa,s a mcm!>er of the Goodrich fiimily for
which the village of Goodrich was named. He is said to have possessed a
wonderfuily retentive memory, and Abbott's history sa}s that "he read
'Hume's History of England' through in forty-eight hours, and from that
single perusal could give important events therein recorded, with dates." In
the spring of 1851 he was elected judge of Genesee county, hut contracted
an acute disease from which he died in Detroit, in the fall of the same year
before beginning his term of office.
Morgan L. Drake, a brother of Thomas J. Drake and a native of Pontiac,
came to Flint in the late thirties and practiced his profession for some years.
From 1840 to 1842 he was prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, but after-
wards returned to Pontiac, where he remained until his death.
William F, Mosely was one of the two pioneer lawyers of Fenton, the
other being the above mentioned Philip H. AicOmber. Mr. Mosely had
previously been a member of the bar in Oakland county, but practiced in
CJenesee county for some j'ears, holding the office of prosecuting attorney
in 1841, He afterwards removed to Shiawassee county, where he died in
i860.
Robert J. S. Page, attorney, settled in Flint in 1838, In 1850 and 1851
he held the office of justice of the peace and was later honored by being
elected the second mayor of the city of Flint, and also probate judge,
Alexander P. Davis, who was Irarn in Cayuga county. New York, came
to Flint in 1842, having previously, for a short time, been a resident of Liv-
ingston county. He was a partner at one time of John Bartow, hut later
removed to Fenton, where he died in 1871.
George R. Cunimings, who was admitted to the bar in 1842. practiced
law in Flint for a short time and acted as county clerk in 1846.
Chauncey K. Williams, attorney, first in Fentonville and later in I'l'mt,
was practicing in 1850. He was the first high priest of the chapter of Roya!
Arch Masons, instituted in Flint in January, 1857.
In the year 1850, the business directory of the coimty shows the fol-
lowing members of the bar: J, K, Rugg, justice of the [jeace, attorney and
counsellor; J, Eirdsall, attorney and counsellor; John Bartow, attorney and
counsellor; Levi Walker, attorney and solicitor in chancery: William M.
Fenton, attorney at law: A, P, Davis, attorney at law and justice of the
peace: F.dward H, Thomson, attorney and counsellor: Fllsworth Walklev,
dbyGoot^lc
556 GENKSEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN.
•
county judge; J. S. Goodrich, attorney at law, Goodricli, and O. D. Rich-
ardson, attorney at iaw, Flint.
In the late forties and early fifties an active practitioner at the Genesee
county bar was Moses Wisner, of Pontiac, whose son, Charles H. Wisner,
was for many years circuit judge of the county of Genesee. He was a native
of Cayuga. New York, being born in 1815, and came to Michigan when a
young man. After several years of farming he studied for the law and in
1841 was admitted to the bar. He proved to be a lawyer of great ability. In
1858 he was elected governor of Michigan and his first message to the Legis-
lature was an able efifort. He entertained extremely nidical views of right
and wrong and as an advocate had few equals. He was a great friend of
Judge Baldwin, also of Oakland county, but Ijecame opposed to him in politics
and, after party feelings ran high, became the most bitter enemy of his one-
time friend. At his death, however, it was found that he had appointed
Judge Baldwin administrator of his entire estate, thus <lemonstrating his high
regard for the ability and wisdom of his opponent. When the call to duty
came in 1861, Governor Wisner organized a regiment of infantry in Oakland
county and accompanied it to the south, but the hardships of camp life made
inroads upon his health and he contracted a malady from which he died in
1863,
William M. h'cnton, prominent in the early life of the county, was
another product of the iilast who came to this state. A graduate of Hamilton
College, he entered the banking house of his father in Norwich, New York,
but. bis health failing, he went to sea, where he attained promotion and hon-
orable mention. Giving up the life of a sailor, he married the daughter of
Judge James Birdsall, of Norwich, New York, and came to practice at Dibble-
ville, Genesee county, the village which later changed its name in his honor
to Fentonville, He engaged in the mercantile business, but studied for the
law and was admitted to the bar in 1842. In 1848 he was elected lieutenant
governor and re-elected in 1850. Upon removing to Flint, he was appointed
by President Pierce as registrar of the land office. Early in 1861 he was
made major of the Seventh Michigan Infantry, but before mustering was
commissioned colonel of the Eighth Michigan Infantry. In the battle of
James Island the loss to his regiment in killed, wounded and missing was one-
third the entire numlier; the regiment was afterwards attached to the Army
of the Potomac, and fought at Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain
and Antietam. Colonel Fenton resigned his command at Newport News
on account of impaired health. He was a member of the Flint volunteer fire
dbyGoot^lc
GFNESr.E COUNTV. MJCHICAN. 557
department and it w;is while he was answering a call to duty as chief that an
accident occurred which afterwards caused his death.
Colonel Kenton deeded to the city the land vi\yot) which was buiEt the
first city hall, provided that the site would never )x used for any other but a
city building, and the same site is now occupied by the handsome municipal
structure erected a few years ago. He was also chiefly instrumental in pro-
curing for Flint the location of the institution for the deaf, dumb and blind.
Courteous, reserved in manner and skilled in his profession. Colonel Fenton
exerted in many ways a lasting and wide-spread influence in the community.
I.^vi Walker rame to Flint aliout the same time as William M. Fenton.
He was born in 1803 in Washington county, New York, and received his
literary training at several of the prominent academies of the East. He
read law at an early age with Judge Reid, of Homer, New York, and also
in Utica, and began the practice of his profession in. Genoa, New York, in
1835. He subsecjuently removed to Auburn and entered into a partnership
with Hon. George H. Rathijone, then a member of the United States Con-
gress. He was associated with Hon. William H. Seward as counsel in the
memorable defense of the insane negro murderer, Freeman, to which Charles
I'Yancis Adams made eloquent reference in the Seward memorial services.
Mr. Walker was, while yet a young man, the editor of a paper at
Brockport, New York, where he wielded a trenchant pen in the interest of
what was then known as the National Republican party. It was the first
anti-slavery paper published in New York. In 1S37 he married Louise
Meech, whose grandfather kept a tavern in Worthington, Massachusetts,
where General Burgoyne was once brought while being taken a prisoner to
Boston. In 1847 Mi"- Walker removed to Flint where, ten years before,
several of his brothers had preceded him and where he became most actively
identified with all business, educational and social interests of the growing
town, the Walker school built near his residence, l)eing named in his honor.
His daughter, Helena Victoria Walker, one of the organizers of the Ladies'
Library Association and a woman of scholarly tastes, was elected president
of the Genesee County Historical Society in 1914. Her death occurred in
igi6 at tile age of seventy -three.
William Newton, who joined the law fraternity of Genesee county in
the early fifties, was an able member of the l>ar. and was born in Kingston,
Jamaica, in 1822. At an early age, he went to Baltimore, Maryland, where
his boyhood days were spent and where he received hh academic education.
He studied law for several years in Ballstou Spa, New York, and came to
Michigan in 1848, locating in Detroit, where he entered the law office of
dbyGoot^lc
55^ GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Lothrop & Dnffield, While in Detroit he was admitted to practice in the
supreme court. Shortly afterwards, his health becoming imi>aired, he went
to California, arriving there at the height of the gold excitement, and was
one of the discoverers of "Gold Hill" in Yuba county. He returned to Mich-
igan in 1853, taking up his residence in Flint and becoming associated with
Col, William M. Fenton, this law partnership continuing up to the time of
the death of Colonel Fenton in 1871.
In 1881, William Newton was elected judge of the circuit court of
Genesee county, being re-elected in 1887. As judge of the seventh judicial
circuit, his decisions usually stood the test of the higher courts, in which
respect he had few if any superiors among the circuit judges of Michigan.
In the fall of 1892 he was nominated for justice of the supreme court and
made a remarkable run against Ills Republican opponent, being defeated by
the narrow margin of one hundred and sixty-six at a time when Michigan
usually went Republican by about fifty thousand. A man of brilliant mind,
though-rugged exterior, he attained eminence as a lawyer and jurist, and the
Genesee county bar lost a worthy representative when he passed away in
1903.
Sumner Howard, who began the practice of law in Genesee county in
the late fifties, was one of the most prominent attorneys the county has ever
produced. When a very young man he attracted the attention of William
M. Fenton, and it was princii^Hy through the kindness of Colonel and Mrs.
Fenton that Mr. Howard was enabled to acquire a knowledge of .the law.
being a student for some time in Colonel Fenton's office and also a member
of his family. Sumner Howard may lie said to have been a self-made man
in every sense of the word. He was a great wit and was utterly unmoved by
the conventionalities of society. He was prosecuting attorney in 1864 and
held the office until 1868. He was elected to the state I^egislature and took
his seat in 1883, being made speaker of the House in this, his first term. He
later was appointed United States district attorney for the district of Utah
and in this capacity prosecuted the persons implicated in the celebrated
Mimntain Meadow massacre, under the leadership of the notorious John D.
Lee. His record in this case attracted so much attention that he acquired a
national reputation as a criminal lawyer. He was appointed United States
district judge of Arizona, and thus judicial honors were added to his reputa-
tion as lawyer and prosecutor. As sergeant of the Second Infantry during
the Civil War he saw service and was later promoted to a lieutenancy, Sum-
ner Howard, a man of great forensic ability, .stands out as one of the best
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 559
examples of the pioneer lawyer of Michigan, one of those men whose energies
were a potent influence in its formative period.
One of the most promising lawyers of the ante-bellum days was T. C.
Carr, who, after a few years' practice, went to the war and died from a gun-
shot wound in battle. He was a member of the firm of Carr & Gulick and
was considered a very talented member of the profession, his death terminat-
ing what promised to be a brilliant career.
The bar of the county before the war included Charles Hascall, Adams
& Seeley, Sumner Howard, John Bartow, J. R. White, J. Z. Richards, George
R. Cummings, Levi Walker, Chauncey Wisner, J. H. C. Blades, A. Bump,
C. P. Avery, W. J. Walker, Oscar Adams and A. U. Wood. ("Bench and
Bar," page 9.)
William O. Axford, a brother of Dr. S. M. Axford, practiced at the
bar of Genesee county from i860 to 1868, afterwards removing to the West,
where he died in 1876.
In the sixties the bar was augmented by tlie admission, or advent, uf
H.~.-\. Sutherland, James A. Ransom, J. L. Topping, Henry C. Riggs, Henry
R. Lovell and Henry Fenton. I^ter additions to the bar were John H.
Hickok, Henry C. Van Atta, Ransom C. Johnson, George E. Taylor, Mark
W. Stevens (now circuit judge of the county), Edward E. Lee, D. D. Aitkin,
John W. Ingham, Zorrie B. House of Otisville, G. H. Williams, Clarence
Tinker, George R. Gold, Leroy Parker, Charles D. Long, Charles H. John-
son, Charles H. Wisner, George M, Walker and E. M. Thayer,
The military service attracted members of the bar, especially at the out-
break of the . Rebellion, and we find one of the most active practitioners,
Willliam M. Fenton, as colonel of the Eighth Regiment Michigan Infantry,
going to the front, Sumner Howard, as sergeant, and T. C. Carr went also.
Later, the Spanish-American War found Lieut. James S. Parker in Cuija
as the commander of his company, and in July, 1916, Major Guy M. Wilson
was at the state camp at Grayling, accompanying the Michigan National
I'iuard to Texas, ready and anxious to meet whatever demands the service
has for him on the Mexican border.
Of the official services of the bar in various civil ix)sitions, we may men-
tion that Thomas J. Drake served as member of the Legislative Council of
the territory of Michigan in 1834, and later in various important positions.
In the con.stitiitional convention of 1850 John Bartow was a delegate from
this district. In the convention of 1867, Sumner Howard, Henry R. Lovell
and Thaddeus G. Smith represented this district. ("Bench and Bar," page
10.)
dbyGoc^lc
S6o GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
George R. Gold, one of the prominent legal men of his day, was born
in Cornwall, Connecticut, in 1830, of Puritan stock. He was educated in
several private academies of the East, and later graduated from the law
school of Yale College. Shortly after his marriage he became a resident of
Pine Rnn, Genesee county, where he taught school for a year or so. He
then came to Flint and entered into the practice of law. He became county
clerk, and later filled the office of city attorney for fifteen consecutive terms.
He was afterwards elected judge of probate, judge Gold was at one time a
partner of Charles D. Long, and afterwartls had for business associates,
Sumner Howard and WilHam Newton, his record in jurisprudence heing
an enviable one. His death occurred in 1902 at his residence on Harrison
street, which was formerly the home of Robert Stage and was the first frame
house built on the south side of the river, all of the other houses being, at
the time of its erection, constructed of logs.
Edward Thayer, another member of the Genesee county bar in the
seventies, was a son of Artemas Thayer. He was one of the brightest young
lawyers in the profession, with a fine legal mind, but died suddenly when he
w;is less than thirty years of age.
Henry R. Lovell for many years a prominent member of the Genesee
county bar, was born in Sharon, Connecticut, in 1831. He was educated
in several academic schools in the East and graduated from Union College,
at Schenectady, New York, in 1853. He was principal for a time at White-
hall Academy, New York, and also of Seneca Collegiate Institute. Tiring of
the schoolmaster's life, he came to Michigan, arriving in Genesee county the
day that Eort Sumter was fired upon. A little later he entered the law office
of Col, William M I'^enton and was afterwards admitted to the bar. Jn 1867
he became a member of the constitutional convention at Lansing and was on
the judiciary committee. He was at one time prosecuting attorney of Gene-
see county and was for a number of years judge of probate. His death
occurred in 1905.
John H. Hicok, one of the prominent attorneys of Genesee county during
the eighties, was born in Homer, New York, in 1844. He received his
academic education at Homer Academy, and afterwards graduated from
Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. He was in the banking business with
his father in Homer, but in 1879 he disposed of his interests and came to
Flint, where he completed the study of law. He was admitted to the bar of
Genesee county in 1879. He was a man of cultivated tastes, being a con-
tributor to a number of literary magazines. He was appointed postmaster
in 1897, but did not live to finish his term, as he passed away in 1898,
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Among the attorneyH who practiced during the severities was Clark
Johnson, a native of Genesee county. His son. Ransom Johnson, was also
admitted to the bar and practiced for a number of years. His second son,
Charles H. Johnson, was for many years a prominent member of the Genesee
county bar, holding the office of prosecuting attorney for several terms; he
was at one time a partner of Judge C. H, Wisner. His death occurred in
1912.
Charles D. I.niig, who before his admis-^^ion to the bar of Genesee county,
had sacrificed an arm in the Civil War, was active in the legal profession and
during his lifetime held various civil offices. He was elected to the supreme
bench in 1888 and continued the duties of this honored position until his
death in igo2. A memorial to Justice Long is found in the 131st Michigan
Report at page XXXVII, by the Hon. John J. Carton. Other memorial
tributes were presented by George E. Taylor, of Flint, Justice Alien B.
Morse and DeVere Hall, of Bay City, and by Justices Moore, Grant and
Hooker,
Josiah Turner. \\ho was judge of the old seventh judicial circuit, com-
prising Shiawassee, Livingston, Genesee and Tuscola counties, was bom in
Addison county, Vermont, in 181 1. He was admitted to the bar in 1833 and
four years later moved to Michigan. He started for Howell, but had some
difficulty in locating it. as it was at that time only a four corners, known as
Livingston Center. He commence*! the practice of law, his office being in a
corner of the village tavern. In appearance he was a typical judge of the
old school, his dress unicjue and his temper judicial. Judge Turner succeeded
Judge Sanford M. Green, who resigned in 1857, and in his long residence of
twenty-four years as judge of the circuit court came almost to be regarded
as a resident of Genesee count\^ When he retired in 1882 the lawyers of the
Genesee coimty bar made him a gift of a very handsome horse and phaeton
as a testimonial of their high regard. He subsequently became United States
consul at Amherstburg, Ontario. Judge Turner held precedence as one of the
representative lawyers and jurists of the state and his name merits an endur-
ing place on the roster of the sturdy pioneers who aided in the civic and
material betterment of the progress of Michigan. His death, at the age of
ninety-five, occurred in 1907 in Owosso, Michigan, where he had made his
home in later years. His wife was a daughter of Dr. William Ellsworth, of
Berkshire, Vermont, a member of the Connecticut family of Ellsworths,
among whom was Oliver Ellsworth, formerly chief justice of the supreme
court of the United States and minister to France.
dbyGoot^lc
562 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
George E. Taylor, for many years a practicing attorney of Genesee
county, was born in Walled Lake, Michigan, in 1838. He came to Flint
in 1872 and shortly afterwards was admitted to the bar. He held the office
of judge of probate for eight years and was actively engaged in the practice
of his profession up until the time of his death, which occurred in 1893.
George H. Durand was appointed to the bench of the supreme court in
October, 1892, to fiil the vacancy caused by the resignation of Justice Morse.
Judge Durand. was born. at Cobelskill, New York, in 1838, and came to Mich-
igan in 1858. He was an able and brilliant member of the Genesee county
bar for many years, being elected to Congress in 1874 and serving for one
term. Under President Cleveland's administration he was appointed special
counsel of the United States in the prosecution of smugglers at Portland,
Oregon, and made a flattering record for himself in that capacity, securing a
number of convictions. He received the nomination for governor of the
state of Michigan on the Democratic ticket in 1902, but was stricken, his
death occurring in 1903. i\t a memorial session in his honor in the supreme
court, on February 23, 1904, several members of the Ijar and bench eulogized
his memory; the memorial address of John J. Carton was ordered published
in the reports of the court, and may be found at page XXXV of Vol, 135,
Michigan Reports. A memorial of the Genesee County Bar Association,
signed by Charles H. Wisner, Clinton Roberts, George W. Cook, Everett L.
Bray and John J. Carton, was also read and is also to be found in the same
report at page XXXV et scq.
George M. Walker, son of Hon. T..evi Walker, practiced at the bar of
Genesee county for many years. He had succeeded his father as justice of
the peace, whicli office he held for more than twenty-five yars. Mr. Walki-r
died in 1905.
Charles H. Wisner, son of Judge Moses Wisner, of Pontiac, was -.m
able practitioner at the bar of Genesee county and was elected in 1893 as
circuit judge, entering upon his office in January, 1894, in which capacity he
served until his death in 1915. Judge Wisner posse.ssed a knowledge of
mechanics which almost stamped him as a genius and he was a man of ver-
satile talents outside of his chosen profession. He superintended the huil<!-
ing of the new county court house and also the Masonic temple in Flint, and
his services in this direction resulted in acquiring for Flint the two finest
buildings ever constructed in Genesee county.
The present incumbent of the office of judge of the circuit court is
Mark W. Stevens, appointed by Governor Ferris to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of Judge Wisner in 1915. Judge Stevens was born in Linden.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. -^6;^
Genesee county, and since his residence in I'lint has Ijeen identified promin-
ently with all affairs of a civic and municipal nature. He is a man of wide
experience as a practicing attorney and brings to the office, in addition to
legal ability of high order, extreme courtesy and affability.
William R. Bates, a retired member of the Genesee county bar, was
admitted to practice in 1877. He was born in Cazenovia, New York, in
1845, ^"'J received his early education at the Cazenovia Seminary. Mr.
Bates first came to Michigan as a student at the university in 1863, and in
1866 he settled in Flint, as a reporter on the JVohertne Citisen. Later he
went to Chicago with the Daily RcpiAlican, remaining until that paper was
sold to a syndicate and its name changed to the Intcr-Ocean. Mr. Bates
then returned to Michigan and was for several years engaged in lumbering
on the Augres river. In 1871 he was appointed register of the United
States land office at Saginaw. This position he resigned in 1876, returning
to Flint, where he completed the study of law. After his admission to the
bar, he was appointed special agent of the United States pension bureau by
Secretary Z. Chandler, but resigned in 1879 to lieconie secretary to United
States Senator Henry P. Baldwin. In 1882 he was appointed special agent
of the United States treasurj' de[>artment, succeeding Gen. O. L. Spaulding,
who was elected to Congress. In 1886-88 Mr. Bates serve<l as secretary to
the Repubhcan state central committee with Senator James McMillan a.s
chairman and from 1888 to i8g6 he was political secretary to Senator Mc-
Millan. Subseijuently he served for eight years as United States marshal
of the eastern district of Michigan. His wife was a daughter of Major Irv-
ing Belcher, who, with his two sons, was among the Civil War heroes of
Genesee county whose lives were sacrificed for the Union. During the winter
of 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Bates celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at
"The Oaks," the old Belcher homestead, one of the historic landmarks of
the county.
TIJE GENESEE COUNTY R.Wi ASSOCIATION,
On the morning of November, 1897, at a meeting of the attorneys of
Genesee count)\ a suggestion was made to the members of the bar to further
the common interests of the profession and to give united action to such mat-
ters as might be of utility to the people of the county and the lawyers as
officers of the courts of justice by forming an association. The result of
this action was that a tentative organization was there made, with further
adjournment to perfect the same. The avowed objects of the association
dbyGoot^lc
564 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
wdfe' to promote social intercourse among the members of the profession
sind to advance the best interests of the commonweaUh by improving the
administration of justice.
On November ig, the temporary organization again convened and a
permanent organization of the Genesee County Bar Association was per-
fected. A constitntion of high ideals was adopted and officers elected. In
June, 1915, the State Bar Association met at FHnt, its members being the
guests of the county association.
The first president of the County Bar Association was the Hon, George
H. Durand, and the lawyers who have since filled that position have been
successively, Everett L. Bray, Clinton Roberts, Mark W. Stevens, Fred W.
Brennan (Kepublican candidate for circuit judge in 1916), Edward S. Lee,
Cieorge F. Brown, E. D. Black, George W. Cook, John J. Carton, James S.
Parker, Thomas Stockton, WilHam V. Smith and, at present, Guy VV. Selby.
The signers of the constitution of the association are as follows : George
O. Crane, Ed. S. Lee, R. C. Johnson, Daniel Heims, Horace P. Martin, E.
D. Black, E. A. Murphy, Fred W. Brennan, James H. McFarlan. Z. B. House,
George H. Durand, Charles A. Durand, John J. Carton, Charles H. Wisner,
Everett L. Bray, J. W. Stockwell, Mark W. Stevens, William D. Skinner,
George F. Brown, George D. Williams, Guy M. Wilson, H. R. Lovell,
Edward H. Holmes, George M. Walker, W. E. Scott, George W. Cook,
Jalrtes S. Parker. C. Tinker, D. D. Aitkin, Henry C. Van Atta, Clinton
Roberts, George R. Gold. D. P. Halsey, Ira T. Sayre. Charles H. Johnson,
Colonel O. Swayze. William Stevenson, George E, Taylor, W. S. Pierson,
William R. Franklin. Thomas F. Stockton, W. R. Bates. D. S. Frackleton,
T. M. Russell. John H. Farley. WilUam L. Landon, W. L. Brooks, Harry
V. Blakely, Homer J. McBride, John C. Graves, William T. Yeo, John 1'.
Baker, William C. Stewart. John H. Taylor, Guy W. Selby, WiHiam V.
Smith, Clare M. Gundry, Roy E. Brownell, M. M. Frisbie, William E.
Barrett, De Huli Travis, Claude H. Stevens, Clark M, Johnson, Robert A.
Howard.
The present bar of the county as listed in the calendar of the last term of
circuit court (19161 comprise the following in order of date of admission to
the bar: Clarence Tinker, 1876: Edward S. Lee, i877;Zorrie B. House. 1879;
James M. Torrey, 1879; David D. Aitkin, 1879; David P. Halsey, 1881 ;
Ira T. Sayre. 1881; W. V, Smith, 1881 ; Charles A. Durand, 1881 ; David
S. Frackleton, 1882; Mark W. Stevens. 1883; James H. McFarlan, 1884;
John J. Carton, 1884; Fred W. Brennan. 1885; John H. Farley, 1886;
Edward D. Black, 1886; Clinton Roberts. 1886; George F. Brown. 1887;
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. jb^
iLverett L. Bray, 1887; James L. Spencer, 1888; Frank P. Sayre, 1889;
Colonel O. Swayze, 1891 ; Thomas F. Stockton, 1892; E. A, Murphy, 1893;
James S. Parker, 1894; Daniel Reims, 1895; Warren S. Rundeil, 1895; Will-
iam D. Skinner, 1895 : Guy M. Wilson, 1896 ; William S. Pierson,
1896; Edward H. Holmes, 1897; George W, Cook, 1897; Horace
P. Martin, 1897; W. E. Barrett, 1898; William R. Franklin, 1899;
William L. Landon, 1901 ; George F. MacNeal, 1901 ; John C. Graves, 1902 ;
Homer J. McBride, 1902; Clifford A. Bishop, 1902; John F. Baker, 1903;
Robert A. Howard, 1903; H. V. Blakely, 1903; William C. Stewart, 1904;
John H. Tyler, 1905; Guy W. Selby, 1906; Roy E. Brownell, 1907; Clare
In'. Gundry, 1907; Marshall M. Frisbie, 1907; Clark M. Johnson, 1907;
De Hull N. Travis, 1908; Claude H. Stevens, 1909; Clarence Kellogg, 1910;
Elwyn M. Tanner, 191 1; Clarence A. Cameron, 1912; William W. Black-
ney, 1912; Arthur T. Barkey, 1912; Leo M. Church, 1913; Allen P. Smith,
3913; Charles M. Van Benschoten.
GENESEE CIVIL I.I.ST.
In this list the names are given of some of those who have held county
office, and also a partial list of those resident in Genesee county who have
iield impdrtant office in or under the state or national government.
STATE OFFICERS.
Governor — Henry H. Crapo, first inauguration, January 4, 1865; second
inauguration, January 2, 1867. Josiah W. Begole, inauguration, January i,
1883.
Lieutenant-Governor — William M. Fenton, first term, 1848-49; second
term. 1850-51.
Member of the J^cgislativc Council of the Territory — Thomas J. Drake,
Daniel LeRo>-.
Delegate to the first Conz'ention of Assent (convened at Ann Arl)or,
September 26, 1836)— Thomas J. Drake.
Delegate to constilittioiial convenlion of 1835 — ^Norman Davison.
Delegates to CottstitiitiojiaJ Convention of 1850 (convene<i at I..an.sHig,
1850)— John Bartow, Elbridge G. Gale, DeWitt C. Leach.
Delegates to Constitutional Convention of 1857 (convened at Lansing,
1857)— Sumner Howard, Henry R. Lovell, Thaddeus J. Smith.
Member of Constitutional Convention of 1907 (convened at I-ansing,
1907)- — John J. Carton.
dbyGoot^lc
566 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Representatives in Congress — ^Josiah W. Begole, 1872; George H. Dur-
and, 1874; D. D. Aitken, 1893-96.
Slate Treasurer— V^i\\\3,m B. McCreery, Tamiarv i, 1875, to Janiiar\- i.
1879.
Commissioner of State Land Office — Minor C. Newell, 1883-86.
Circuit Judges— John S. Goodrich, 1851-52; Sandford N. Green, 1852-
57; Josiah Turner, 1857-82; William Newton, 1882-94; Charles H. Wisner,
1894-1915; Mark W. Stevens, 1915-16.
State Senators — Charles C. Hascall, 1835-36; John Bartow, 1838;
TliomasJ. Drake, 1839-41; Daniel B. Wakefield, 1842-43; William M. Fen-
ton, 1846-47; K. B. Witherliee. 1847; Edward H. Thomson, 1848-49; Enos
Goodrich, 1853-54; Reuben Goodrich, 1855-56: James Seymour, 1857-5S;
A. P. Davis, 1859-60: E. G. (iaie. 1861-62: Henry H. Crapo, 1863-64; A. P.
Davis, 1865-66; W. B. Arms, 1867-68; Thaddeiis G. Smith, 1869-70; Josiah
W. Begole, 1871-72; James L. Perry, 1873-74; George W. Fish, 1875-76;
F. H. Rankin, 1877-78; S. R. BiUings, 1879-82; G. E. Taylor, 18S3-84;
H. C. Spencer, 1885-86: W. A. Atwood, 1887-88: William Ball, 1889-90;
J. R... Benson, 1891-92; J. D. Crane, 1893-94; R. C. Johnson, 1S95-96; G. W.
Teep.le, 1897-98; I. T. Sayre. 1899-igoo; W. S. Pierson, 1901-02; George
Barnes, 1903-04; J. F. Riimer, IQ05-06; T. J. Allen, 1907-08; F. J. Shields,
1909-10; L. Freeman, 1911-12; E. J. Curts, 1913-14; G. A. Barnes, 1915-16.
State Representatives — ^J. R. Smith, 1S37-42: John L. Gage, 1843: R.
D. Ljimond, 1844; George H. Hazelton, 1845-46; Enos Goodrich, 1847;
Aiifred Pond, 1847; William Blades, 1848; Samuel Warren, 1848: Daniel
Dayton, 1849; J. H. Kilbounie, 1849; J. K. Abbott, 1850; DeWitt C. Leach,
1850; Charles N. Beecher, 1851-52; Joseph S. Fenton, 1850-52; E. G. Ga!e,
1853-54; James Seymour, 1853-54; A. Middleywarth, 1855-56; Daniel M.
Montague, 1855-56; Charles N. Beecher, 1857-58; Reuben Goodrich, 1857-
58; Benjamin Grace, 1859-60; Edward Thompson, 1859-60; A. W. Davis,
1861-62; F. H. Rankin, 1862-64; Thaddeus G. Smith, 1863-64; George W.
Thayer, 1863-64; James Van Vleet, 1865-66; Robert P. Aitkin. 1865-66;
George W. Thayer, 1865-66; James Van Vleet, 1867-68; Robert P. Aitkin.
1867-68; C. H. Rockwood, 1867-68; Dexter Horton. 1869-70; Edward
Mason, 1869-70; James L. Currie, 1869-70; James B. Mosher, 1871-72;
Oscar Adams, 1871-72; John I. Phillips, 1871; George Kipp, 1873-74; Levi
Walker, 1873; Frederick Walker, 1873-74; James B. Mosher, 1875-76;
r^Roy Parker. 1875-76; S. R. Billings, 1875-76; John Willett, 1877-78; S.
R. Billings, 1877-78; John Willett, 1879; Jacob Bedtelyon, 1879; A. S.
Partridge, 1881-S2: H. B. Diller. 1881-83; Sumner Howard, 1883-84; NT. A.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 567
Beecher, 1885^8; H. H. Bardwell, 1885-88; H, R. Dewey, 1889-90; J. W.
White, 1889-90; M. I.. Seeley, 1891-92; G. E. Houghton, 1891-92; J. F.
Cartwright, 1893-94; G. M. Curtiss, 1893-96; G. W. Peer, 1895-96; S. C.
Goodyear, 1897-1900; W. R. Bates, 1897-98; J. J. Carton, 1899-1904; E.
W. Walker, :90i-04; M. W. Fairbanks, 1905-08; H. H. Prosser, 1905-08;
I. G. Ormsbee, i909-io;.E, G. Wheeler, 1909-12; G. C. Myers, 1911-12;
E. T. Middleton, i9i3-]4; B. F. Crapser. 1913-14; R, L. Ford, 1915-16;
W. Ormslree, 1915-16.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Judges of Probate — Samuel Rice, 1836; Ogden Clark, 1844; Charles
D. Little, 1848; R. J. S. Page, 1850; Henry I. Higgins, 1850; Warner Lake,
1S52; Samuel B. Wicks, i860; L. G. Bickford. 1866; George R. Gold, 1868;
Thaddeus G. Smith, 1876-84; H. R. Lovell. 1885-92; G. E. Taylor, 1893-
1900; D. S. Frackleton, 190T-08; C. O. Swayze, 1909-16.
Proseculing Attomeys~V. H. McOmber, 1839-40 : \\'. F. Mosley,
1841: M. L, Drake, 1842-44; E. H. Thomson. 1845-46; Joseph K. Rugg,
1847-50; A. P. Davis, 1852-56; Sumner Howard, 1858; C. W. Wisner, i860;
.\. P. Davi.s, 1862; Sumner Howard, 1864-68; H. R. Lovell, 1870-72 ; Charles
D. Ix>ng, 1874-78; C. H. Wisner, 1881-84; K. S. Lee, 1885-86; C. H. John-
son, 1887-90; J. M. Russell, 1891-92; G. F. Brown. 1893-96; F. W. Brennan,
1897-1900; G. W. Williams, 1901-04; H. P. Martin, 1905-08; J. S. Parker,
1909-12: C. A. Bishop, 1913-16.
.SVim^.5— Lewis Buckingham, 1836; Reuben McCreery, 1840; William
Clifford, 1842: Reuben McCreery, 1844-46; William Blades, 1848; George
S. Hopkins, 1850-52; Lyman G. Buckingham, 1854-56; Lewis Buckingham,
1858: Claudius T. Thompson. 1860-62; John A. Kline, 1864-66; George W.
Buckingham, 1868-70; John A. Kline, 1872; Eugene Parsell, 1874; Philo D.
Philhps, 1876-78; Peter Gordon, Jr., 1881-82; Eugene Parsell, 1883-84; A.
C. McCali. 1885-88; B. S. Jennings, 1889-90: F. D. Baker, 1891-92; W. A.
Gamer. 1893-96; A. C. McCall, 1897-98; E. G. Rust, 1899-04; J- C. Zim-
merman. 1905-08; W. O. Parkhurst, 1909-12; F. A. Green, 1913-16.
County Clerks — Robert F. Stage, 1836; W. A. Morrison, 1839; Thomas
R. Cummings, 1842; Charles E. Dewey, 1844; George R. Cummings, 1846;
Anderson Bump, 1848-52; Mark D. Seeley, 1854-56; George B. Merriman,
1858 : George R. Gold, 1860-62 ; Charles D. Long, 1864-70 ; Lorenzo D. Cook,
1872-74: David P. Halsey, 1876-78; J. J. Carton, 1881-84; J- L- Spencer.
1885-88; G. S, Crane. 1889-90; E. A. Murphy, 1891-92; G. W. Cook, 1893-
dbyGoc^lc
568 C.l^NKSiLE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
96; J. C Graves, 1897-iyoo; T. J. Allen. 1901-04; W. W, Rlackney, 1905-
10; F. A. Wertmaii, 1911-16.
Register of Deeds — Oliver G. Wesson, 1836; Benjamin Rockwell,
1840-42; Lewis G. Bickford, 1844-48; George R. Cummings, 1850; Charles
Seymour, 1852; Fitch R. Tracy, 1854-56; William H. C. Lyon, 1858; George
F. Hood, 1860-62; Benjamin J. Lewis, 1864; John Algoe, 1866-72; George
E. Taylor, 1874-76; Charles C. Beahan, 1878; G. E. Newell, 1881-84; C. A.
Muma, 1885-S8; J. A. Button, 1889-90; H. A, Day, 1891-92; J. A. Button.
1893-94; G. C. Paine, 1895-98; S. Mathewson, 1899-02; J. Ballantyne,
1903-05; Moses Middleton, 1909-16.
County Treasurers — C. D. W. Gibson, 1836-38; Orin Safford, 1840-44;
Augustus St. j\mand, 1846-50; John L. Gage, 1851; Reuben McCreery,
1852-54; Josiah \V. Begole, 1856-62; Harlow Whittlesey, 1864-66; James
Van VIeet, 1868-70; William W. Barnes. 1872; Charles C. Beahan, 1874;
Samuel R. Atherton, 1876-78; C. H. Rockwell, 1881-84; John Campbell,
1885-88; D. Richards, 1889-90; A. J. Cox, 1891-92; D. Richards, 1893-94;
J. Ballantyne, 1895-98; E. F. Johnson, 1899-02; E. J. Curts, 1903-04; C. O.
Hetchler, 1905-10; O. P. Graff, 1911-14; A. C, Proper, 1915-16.
dbyGoot^lc
dbyGoo<^lc
ADDENDA,
(Vol. I, pp. 566-568.)
The election of November 7, 1916, r.esulted as follows: State senator
(thirteenth district), Hugh A. Stewart; representatives (first district),
Ransom L. Ford, (second district) William B. Ormsbee; circuit judge, Mark
W. Stevens; judge of probate, John C. Graves; sheriff, John S. Chesnut;
county clerk, Jesse C. Good; county treasurer, Alva C. Proper; register of
deeds, Moses Middleton; prosecuting attorney, Roy E. Brownell; circuit
court commissioners, Clarence A. Cameron and Robert A. Howard ; coroners.
James D. Stuart and Henry Cook; drain commissioner, Alfred H. Reid.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XVITi.
Early Piivslciaks and Medical Societiks.
The life of a medical practitioner in these days of antiseptic hospitals,
proprietary remedies and visits facilitated by twelve-cylinder louring cars
and perfect roads, does not mean quite the arduous existence that it meant
one hundred, or eighty, or even fifty years ago, when the disciples of Aescula-
pius labored patiently and untiringly for the good of their fe!!ow-man. The
greatest of English historians, Macaulay, has said, "The history of a country
is best totd in a record of the lives of its people," and possibly no truer
account of the settling of new lands may l^e chronicled than in the recording
of the lives of these sturdy pioneers, the county doctors. They should he
accorded the deference of the historian.
When Genesee county was still partly covered with forests, and the vil-
lages were tiny hamlets, came the first doctor, Cyrus Baldwin, who removed
from Onondaga county. New York, and came to Grand Blanc in the spring
of 1833. He was a deacon in the Presbyterian church in that locality. In
1837 he went to Atlas, was the pioneer physician in that township and prac-
ticed there for a number of years. The second physician to settle in the
vicinity of Grand Blanc was Dr. John W. King, who came in 1834. After
the removal of Doctor Baldwin, Doctor King remained as the only physician
of the settlement until the spring of 1848, when Dr. H. C. Fairbank became
his partner in the profession. This partnership continued until the winter
of 1849-50 when Doctor King withdrew entirely from practice and soon
afterward removed to the village of Flint, where he engaged in the foundry
business. After some two years, however, he returned to Grand Blanc, or
Whigville, to pass his remaining years in comparative retirement upon his
farm. In 1873 he suffered an attack of paralysis, from which he never fully
recovered, and died in November, 1876.
.Another of the early physicians to migrate to the new country was Dr.
Samuel W. Pattison, who came in 1836 to make his home in Fenton. Dr.
Thomas Steere was the next to locate in the same village, coming from Nor-
wich, Chenango county, New York, in 1838. He died in i860, being much
beloved, and, in accordance with his last wishes, was buried just at sunset
dbyGoot^lc
570 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in a black walnut coffin in tlie little cemetery just outside the town. He
enjoyed an envialjle reputation as a worthy citizen and an excellent prac-
titioner. Dr. John C. Galiup was in Fenton during Doctor Steere's last
years and was associated with him for some time. But the work was ardu-
ous, the remuneration difficult to- secure and the early physicians who pio-
neered in virgin territory did not enjoy the most desirable comforts of life;
so, tiring of the difficulties to be surmounted. Doctor Galiup finally gave up
his practice in Fenton and subsequently removed to Clinton, New York,
where he became the principal of a well-known seminary for young ladies.
Dr. Isaac Wixom, of Kenton, who practiced his profession for half a
century in Michigan, was born near Hector, Tompkins county, New York, in
1803. He studied for a time in the office of a country physician near his
home and subsequently attended lectures and graduated at Fairfield, Herki-
mer county. New York. Being at that time under age, he could not be
granted a diploma, although his standing entitled him to one. In 1824 he
attained his majority and received his diploma from the Medical Society of
Penn Yan, Yates county, New York. He immediately began practice in
Steuben county, continuing for four years. In the spring of 1829 he emi-
grated to Michigan, his father having preceded him, and settled near the
lalter's home, in the township of Farmington, Oakland county. During his
stay there he engaged in practice and also "kept tavern." Fifteen years of
constant lahor in his profession, however, together with his other duties,
wearied him and in 1841]. he removed to the township of Argentine, Genesee
county, where, thinking to avoid the hardships which lay in the path of the
country doctor, he engaged in the mercantile and milling business. But he
had been \'ery successful and had become too great a necessity as a physician
and also as a surgeon for his wishes to be realized. So, through charity for
his neighbor, he again took up the life of hard rides and long hours, in a com-
munity which had no other doctor to minister to the needs of the inhabitants.
Doctor Wixom purchased land in Argentine and moved his family there the
year following. For fifteen years he enjoyed a large practice in and around
Argentine and also built up a greater portion of the village, ivhich was for
some years a point of greater commercial interest than Fenton. In 1S3S he
was elected to the lower house of the I,£gislature, then convened in Detroit,
and was for two years a member of the bouse committee on education.
While in that capacity he took an active part in measures relating to the found-
ing of the University of Michigan. In 1841 he was elected to the state
Senate. During his term, in company with Hon. James Kingsgley, he drew
up one of the first railroad charters granted in Michigan. In 1861, Doctor
dbyGoot^lc
GENESIlF. county. MICHIGAN. 37I
VVixoiD aided in raisinj; ''Stockton's Imlependent Regiment," afterwards
known as the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, and accompanied it to the field
as its surgeon. For two years he remained with it, participating in twenty-
two engagements. Owing to his failing health, he found it necessarv' to
resign and in iB6.-? he returned to Argentine. He afterwards removed to
Fenton in 1869.
Dr. George W. f'ish. one of the early physicians of Genesee county,
located in the township of Genesee in 1836. A little later he removed to
Flint, where he practiced until 1846. His health failing about this time, he
went to Central America and stayed for some time, identifying himself with
the Panama Railroad Company. A few years later he went to China, where
he remained for seven years in the interests of the board of missions as head
of the medical department. While in China, he was appointed United States
consul to fill a vacancy at Hong-Kong. At the beginning of the war Doctor
Fish returned to America and entered the army as brigade surgeon, and when
he had fulfilled his duty to his country returned to Flint and resumed his
active professional life. He was later appointed United States consul at
Tunis, .Africa. His death occurred in 1871.
In 1846 Dr. Joseph W. Graham came from C)x\'osso to Fenton and
remained there in practice until about 1851, when he removed to Flint. About
two V ears later he left Flint and located in New .Mbany, Indiana, from which
place he afterwards removed to Chicago, where he died. In 1850 Dr. Will-
iam B. Cole came to Fenton. After a few years he retired from practice and
held several township offices. He finally went to Pontiac, Oakland county,
where, in 1871, he purchased a half interest in the Pontiac Jacksonian from
the widow of its former proprietor, D. H. Solis. He soon became the sole
proprietor of the paper, but in May, 1872, he sold an interest to Mr. Sheridan
and in the fa!! of the same year the firm moved the ofhce and materia! to
I.udington, Michigan, where the publication became known as tiie Ludington
Appeal.
To Davison\'ille in 1844 came I>r. Elbridge G. Gale, a native of Massa-
chusetts and a graduate of the medical college of Castleton, Vermont. He
practiced there with success until 1851. after which he became interested in
jjolitics. He was elected to the Legislature for several terms and was a dele-
gate to the constitutional convention in 1850. Soon after this he entirely
withdrew from the practice of medicine and devoted his efforts to farming
and sheep raising. His successor in practice was Doctor R. N. Murray, of
Atlas.
dbyGoot^lc
57- CliNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
At Goodridi, iti 1846, Dr. Joseph Eastman entered the practice of medi-
cine. He afterwards removed to a farm in Davison township and still later
removed to the city of Flint, where he died in 1878. About 1842 Flushing
welcomed a Resident physician in Doctor Miller, who practiced there for
many years, afterwards going to Springfield, Oakland county, and still latei
ti> Winona, Michigan.
In 1847 Dr. H. C. I'-airbank, who was Iwrn in Wayne county. New
York, and was a graduate of the Willoughby University and of the Western
Reserve College, of Cleveland, Ohio, commenced practice in the village of
Flint with Dr. R. D. Lamond. In 1848 Doctor Fairbank went to Grand
Blanc and entered practice there, beinjr asstK-iated with the veteran Doctor
King. This professional partnership continued for a year and a half, when
Doctor King retired to his fann. Doctor Fairbank remaining in Grand
Blanc until November, 1864, when he removed to Flint.
All of these men were practitioners of the "old school" of ■allopathy.
Later came exponents of homeopathy, the pioneer in tiiis branch of the pro-
fession being Dr. 1. N. Eldridge, of Flint. Doctor l'~Idridge was a graduate
of the Homeopathic Medical College of New York and also of Cleveland.
Ohio, and was one of the oldest homeojrathic practitioners in the slate. In
1847 ^^ was one of the eight physicians present at the formation of the first
Michigan Institute of Homeopathy. He came to Michigan from Livingston
cotmty. New York, in 1847. locating first in Ann Arbor, coming to Flint in a
professional way in 1850 and settling here permanently a little later. He
had a business partner in Dr. E. F. Olds, who, however, only remained in
Flint for a short time, going later to South Lyon, Oakland county, and later
to Howell. Dr. William S. Cornelius came to Flint a short time after Doc-
tor Eldridge, but removed after a few years of practice. About this time
came Dr. Lewis Taylor, who located in Flushing. Dr. Charles M. Putnam
established himself in Flint alwut 1864. Dr. C. S. Eldridge practiced in
F'lint in 1865. Dr. J. G. Malcolm next came in 1866, remained a numlier
of years and then removed to Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. A. J. Adams com-
menced to practice in Flint in 1873. The list of homeopathic physicians in
Genesee county, as given in the "Annual (homeopathic) Directory" for 1878
is as follows: I. N. F:idridge. C. M. Putnam, A, J. Adams. C. A. Hughes.
and M. E. Hughes, Flint; Lewis Taylor, Flushing: R. E. Knapp, Fenton ; A.
Austin, Argentine: J. Parks. Gaines,
Dr. Robert D. Lamond, a graduate of the medical college of Castleton.
Vennont, came to Flint in 1838 from Pontiac, where he had commence<l
practice soon after 1830. In 1835 he was a member of the Oakland county
dbyGoot^lc
CENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ^y^
Medical Society antl was afterward elected its secretary. He resided in Flint
the remainder of his life and took an active part in social, professional and
educational life. He represented Genesee connty in the Legislature of 1844
and died in 1S71. Doctor Richardson was another of the early physicians,
coming to Flint in 1837. but he remained only a few years, removing about
1840 to the West.
Among the most interesting men engaged in the medical profession in
Flint was Dr. S. M. Axford, who came to the city in 1858 from Detroit.
So great was his success that many humorous tales were related of him, to
the effect that it was once said of him that there was not a home in the town
that he had not visited and that his fellow practitioners were all a bit resent-
ful because of his advent into their midst. He built what was known as the
Axford House in Flint, which was primarily intended for a private hospital,
l^eing an edifice which in those days was considered ciuite elegant and very
expensive; but, for some reason, Doctor Axford altered his plans and the
fine house was occupied by him as a place of residence. His death occurred
in 1873 and he was greatly mourned by ai! of the physicians in the city who
had grown to admire his personality and professional attainments. He had
been in his youth a resident of Oakland county, where his father had owned
extensive lands, and he rccc)ve{l his medical education at the I'niversity of
Michigan.
In 1857 a partnership e.xisted between Dr. R. D. I^imoud and Dr. James
C. Willson. Doctor Willson was born of Scotch-Irish parentage in the town-
ship of Fitzroy, Ontario, in 1833, and graduated from the University of
Michigan in 1857. He established his practice in Flint soon after his gradu-
ation. In spite of the fact that the young doctor had a delicate constitution,
riding long distances on horseback, through mtid and mire, over corduroy
roads, day and night, summer and winter, he developed a robust constitution
which carried him through long years of usefulness and helpfulness to man-
kind. Doctor Willson had only commenced his active professional life when.
in 1861, the country of his adoption faced a crisis and he placed his life and
his skill at the service of the government. Appointed surgeon of the Tenth
Michigan Infantry, he left his practice and went to the front. In 1862 be
was transferred to the Eighth Michigan, called the "Flint regiment"' because
it was recruited largely from Flint and vicinity and had at its head Col.
William M. Fenton of this city. Doctor Willson joined the F^ighth at Beau-
fort, South Carolina, and was on the field in every battle fought by that hard-
hit and hard-hitting regiment. Broken down in health by the hardships of
campaigning, he was forced to surrender his commi,ssion, receiving an honor-
dbyGoot^lc
574 (;km-:ske county, Michigan.
able discharge. His military service was recognized when, in 1864, after
he had resumed his practice in Flint, he was appointed by the governor of
the state to the post of Michigan mihtary representative at Washington.
In 1865 Doctor Willson was married to Miss Rhoda M. Crapo, daugh-
ter of Henry H. Crapo, then governor of Michigan. Doctor Wiilson was
for many years conspicuous in the hfe of the community. He was a mem-
ber for some time of the board of trustees of the Michigan school for the
deaf, and was one of the organizers of the Genesee County Savings Bank,
succeeding the late William A. Atwood as president. Doctor Willson was one
of the patriarchal figures of I'lint and his death, in IQ12, removed one of
the best known residents of Genesee county. .After his death his home and
extensive grounds, formerly the okl Governor Crapo homestead, was acquired
by the city of Flint for a pubUc park.
In i860 Dr. M. M. Smith took up the practice of Medicine in Flint,
remaining for alx>iit eight years, coming to Michigan from Buffalo, New
York. He died in 1868 at his residence on First street, directly across the
street from The Green, as the half of the block now bounded by South Sagi-
naw street. East First street and Beach street was then called.
In 1866 was formed the Genesee County Medical Association. On
Saturday, May 26. a number of physicians of the county held a preliminary
meeting at the Irving House, in Flint, to take measures for its formation.
R. D. Lamond was chosen chairman and J. B. F. Curtis, secretary of the
meeting. A. B. Chapin, M. K Baldwin and C W. Tyler were chosen as a
committee to draft a constitution and by-laws, and S. M. Axford, C. \'.
Tyler. S. Lathrop, L. N. Beagle. A. B. Chapin, M. I'~. Baldwin and J. E. F.
Curtis were chosen delegates to the State Medical Convention to be held at
Detroit on June 5. The meeting then adjourned to July 14. At the
adjourned meeting the committee reported a constitution, which was adopted
and signed by the physicians present, namely: R. D. Lamond, H. C. Fair-
bank, A. B. Chapin. S. M. Axford. James B. F. Curtis, Flint; S.
I-athrop, Pine Run; M. F. Baldwin, Genesee; Lewis S. Pilcher, Clayton.
The name adopted for the organization was "The Genesee County Medical
Association," which had for its declared object "to promote medical and gen-
eral science, and in every way to advance the interests of the medical pro-
fession.'' The following were cho.sen its first officers: President, R. D.
Lamond; vice-president. H. C. i'"airbank: secretary, J. B. F. Curtis; treasurer,
A. B. Chapin.
A number of phvsicians were admitted as members of the association
dbyGoot^lc
GF.NESEI-: COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 575
at dififerent times subsequent to its organization. Rut several did not sign
the constitution and by-laws and several others withdrew afterwards. Dis-
.satisfaction crept into the association and it was finally dissolved about 1873.
It.s; last recorded meeting was held on May 17. of that year.
On August 18, 1871, the Flint Academy of Medicine was organized at
a meeting of the physicians and surgeons of the county held at the Scientific
institute rooms in Flint Dr. Daniel Clarke, of Flint, as chairman, appointed
a committee, composed of Drs. A. B. Chapin and TIenry P. Seymour, of
Flint, and Dr. Adelbert F. Coupe, of F'lushing, to draft a constitution and
by-laws. By the first article of the constitution a,s reported, the name and
style of the association was to be "The Society of Physicians and Surgeons
of Genesee County." On motion of Dr. J. C. Willson, of Flint, this article
was amended by the substitution of the name above given. The several
articles and the entire constitution and by-laws were then adopted. The
article having reference to eligibility for membership was as follows: "Any
physician in good standing, and who is a graduate of a regular school of
medicine recognized by the .\merican Medical .Association, may become a
'member of this academy."
The nieni!:)er? of the academy at its organization were, Daniel Clarke,
H. C . I''airbank, James C. Willson, George W. Fish, Thomas R. Euckham,
William Bullock, .-\. B. Chapin, Orson Millard, Henry P. Seymour, P. G.
Wartman, A.deliwrt F. Coupe, Newcomh S. Smith, Hiram H. Bardwell and
(". W. Pengra. The following were its officers: President, Daniel Clarke;
vice-president, Adelbert P'. Coupe; secretary, Orson Millard; treasurer, Jjunes
C. Willson: board of censors, Newcnmii S. Smith, George W. Fish and James
C. Willson.
Dr. Daniel Clarke, one of the organizers of the academy, was a native
of Boston. Massachusetts, and a graduate of both the literary and medical
departments of Harvard University. Doctor Clarke's splendid mentalitv.
both in his chosen profession and in the more aesthetic branches of learning,
placed him in an enviable position in the community and he enjoyed a most
successful practice, which lasted until his death. He was consulted by the
younger members of the profe.ssion upon important subjects and was not only
a skille<i scientist, but a specialized Ixitanist. The beautiful elms which
grace b"ast Kearsley street and many other of the handsome residence dis-
tricts of Flint were the famous "Boston Elms" and were brought when strip-
lings from their native haunts and planted by Doctor Clarke himself along
the principal streets. Doctor Clarke was the founder of the Flint Scientific
dbyGoot^lc
57*> GENRSEE COL'NTY, MICHIGAN.
Institute, which was later merged into the High School Museum, at one time
the object of much interest and discussion, and was also a member of the
hoard of educiition for a long period of years. Doctor Miles, a brother-in-
law of Doctor Clarke, came to Flint in 1870, hut remained only a short time,
going to Lansiufj where, in later years, he was an instructor in Michigan
College.
Among the best kunwn physicians of the early seventies in Flint was
Doctor Bullock, who eiijined an cxtensiv'c practice, lie was a man ot
research and skill and invented what was known as "sweet cjuinine," which
at one time bad a very large sale and was manufactured on an extensive
scale by a large drug firm in Detroit.
Dr. Thomas R. Buckham, a native of Chingacousy, Peel county, Ontario,
and a graduate of \'ictoria University, Toronto, came to Flint in 186S from
Petrolia, Ontario, where he had enjoj'ed a successful practice for a mmiber
of years. He was of highly cultivated intellect, fond of the classics and
well versed in them, and was the author of a work on insanity, considered in
its medico-legal relations and mentioned elsewhere in this volume. After his
death in 1891, his practice was continued by his son, Dr. James N. Buckham,
a man of genial disposition and scholarly tastes, who was for many years
division surgeon of the Grand Trunk railroad, and who passed away in
Rochester, Minnesota, April 18, 1908.
Among the older physicians who practiced in Flint during the late seven-
ties and early eighties was Dr. A. A. Thompson. Born in Richmond, Ver-
mont, in 1829, he attended a primitive school, and when he was eighteen
years of age was sent to Oberlin College, where he graduated with the degree
of ilacbelor of .\rts. later receiving bis Master of .\rts diploma. A few
years later he graduated from the medical department of the University of
Michigan. He was professor of anatomy and chemistry in Olivet College
for several years, after which be went into practice at VermontviUe, Mich-
igan. In 1862 he entered the army and acted as assistant surgeon in the
Twelfth Michigan Infantry, remaining until the close of the war. In 1869
Doctor Thompson was elected to the state Legislature from Eaton county,
after which he was appointed United States consul at Goderich, Ontario,
under President Grant. In 1878 he went to Long Island College Hospital,
later locating in Flint, where he enjoyed a large practice for many years.
His death occurred hi 1892.
Among the older physicians who are residing in Flint, but not engaged
in active practice, is Dr. Orson Millard, bom near Rochester, Michigan, in
dbyGoot^lc
GF.NFSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 577
1845, '^"d a descendant of Millard Fillmore. Doctor Millard is a graduate
of the University of Michigan and was engaged in active practice in Flint
for forty ye;trs. He was one of the founders of the Knights of the Loyal
Guard, a fraternal beneficiary society which had its inception in Flint, and
was also the Democratic nominee for regent of the University of Michigan
in 1905. Doctor Millard is a public-spirited citizen and has held many
positions of honor and trust. At present he is a member of the board of
trustees of Hurley fiospital.
Dr. Mabel B. King, of Flint, is probably the oldest practicing physician
in Flint, being in vigorous health at the age of seventy-eight. She was born
in Brimfield, Ohio, in 1838, and was a graduate of the Mt. Holyoke Young
Ladies Seminary in Massachusetts. Later she graduated from the medical
department of the University of Michigan, having been previously married
to Dr. Robert L. King, himself a graduate of tlie University of Pennsyl-
vania and later of the Pulta Medical College of Cincinnati. Both Dr. Robert
King and his wife located in Fenton, where they practiced for twelve years,
later coming to Flint, where Dr. Robert King died in 1890.
Dr. NoaJi Bates was ;i]so Ijorn in 1838 and is still living and actively
engaged in professional duties. He was born in Norfolk county. Ontario,
and was educated at Toronto University before entering the medical depart-
ment of the I'niversity of Michigan. He practiced in Linden, Genesee
county, for several vears. later coming to Flint, where his remaining years
are Iwing spent. Doctor Bates has been secretary of Genesee Lodge No.
174, Free and Accepted Masons, for more than a third of a century.
Dr. Orson W. Tock was bom in Tompkins, New York, in 1845, coming
with his parents to Michigan when a child. At the beginning of the war he
enlisted in the Twenty-second Michigan Volunteer Infantry and while seeing
service was captured as a prisoner at Chickamanga. The Twenty-second
Regiment went into action with about five hundred men and all that were not
killed in this engagement were captured. With his health stjattered. Doctor
Tock returned to Michigan and soon afterwards entered the University of
Michigan, where he graduated from the medical department in 1870. He
afterwards took a post-graduate course at Bellevue Hospital, New York, and
at Rush Medical College. Chicago. He enjoyed for many years a very exten-
sive practice in Flushing and throughout the county and was well known in
medical circles throughout the state. His death occurred in 1914.
Dr. R. N. Murray was also among the veteran practitioners. He resided
in Grand Bknc and Goodrich before coming to Flint, where, for a great
dbyGoot^lc
578 GENKSEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
number of years, he enjoyed an exfensi\e practice; in later life, he was at
the head of a private hosjiital. He was a graduate of Rush Medical College. .
His death occurred in 1915.
Dr. Henry R. Case was born in 1S4S in Oakland county and was a
graduate of the National Medical College of Washington, D. C. He entered
upon the practice of his profession at Grand Blanc, where he remained for
many years. His wife was a daughter of C. W. D. Gibson, one of the early
settlers of Grand Blanc township. In later life Doctor Case practiced in
Flint, where his death occurred in 1908.
Of the older physicians who have died during the i>ast decade or so,
have been Dr, L. N. Beagle, for many years a resident of Pine Run and Clio.
Genesee county, and for many years a practicing physician in Flint ; Dr.
Hiram H. Bardwell, once elected to the state Legislature and for many years
a successful practitioner in Mt. Morris, who came to Flint in the early eighties
and remained here until his death in 191 5, and Dr. Bela Cogshal!, who died
in 1914, after practicing his profession in Gaines, Genesee county, and after-
ward for many years in Flint.
Dr. Andrew Slaght, of Grand Blanc, was among the best known of the
physicians practicing in this locality and was born in Simcoe county, Ontario,
in 1832. Doctor Slaght was a graduate of the University of Michigan and
took an active part in the affairs of Genesee county. His two sons followed
in their father's steps and are practicing physicians in the same township,
Dr, L. E. Knapp was another of the well-known older physicians, being
bom in Salem, MicJiigan, in 1842, and practicing in Linden and Fenton for
many years. He was a graduate of the Homeopathic Hospital College of
Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr, C. L. Howell was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1841 and was a
graduate of Rush Medical College, of (~hicago. He enhsted in Company G,
Second Michigan Cavalry, and saw a great deal of service during the Civil
War. He was*engaged in the battles of New Madrid, Corinth, Perryville,
Murfreesboro, Nashville, Chattanooga and Chickamauga, At Franklin his
horse was shot from beneath him, but he escaped injury. He took pari in
the M'ilson raid and was promoted to second lieutenant. Before coming to
Flint he practiced for a number of years at Goodrich, Genesee county. His
death occurred in 1893.
Dr. Rachael J- Davison was born in Grand Rlanc township and was the
daughter of Paul Davison, a native of Lima, New York, who settled in
Grand Blanc township in t8;<7. He was an old Jacksonian Democrat, a
highly educated and well-reared man. Doctor Davison inherited from her
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 579
father a brilliant mind and during her active professional life in Flint was
prominently identified with the educational interests of the county. She was
a niemlTcr of the school board for a number of terms and at great persona!
sacrifice assisted a number of yonng men in securing university educations.
Doctor Davison, during her later years, took an active interest in the good
road.s movement and was directly responsible for the placing of signs on all
country roads in Genesee county. She was a graduate of the Homeopathic
Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio, and died in Flint in T914.
Dr. G. V. Chamberlain ivas born in South Easton, Pennsylvania, in
1849. He was a graduate of the Detroit College of Medicine and began his
practice in Genesee county in 1884, locating in Flint. He became a partner
of Dr. A. A. Thompson, this association lasting up until the death of Doctor
Thompson. Doctor C'hamberlain enjoyed a large practice in Flint and
vicinity for thirty-one j-ears. his death occurring in 1915.
Dr. G. W. Howland, a native of Genesee county, was one of the active
practitioners in Flint during the eighties. He was a graduate of the Uni-
versity of Michigan. Hi.'; death was the result of a runaway accident, and
occurred in 1900.
Dr. George' C. Palmer, a resident of Flint from 1891 until his death in
i8<)4, was a native of Stonington, Connecticut. Born in 1839, his young
manhood was spent hi New England, where he received his academic educa-
tion. Later he came west and in 1864 graduated from the medical depart-
ment of the University of Michigan. Shortly afterwards" he received the
appointment of assistani physician at the Michigan asylum for the insane at
Kalamazoo. Later he was made assistant and then superintendent of the
same institvition. When the "Crapo grove" in Flint was purchasetl by the
incorporators of Oak Grove Hospital for a private sanitarium, Doctor Palmer
was invited to Ijecome its medical director. This position he filled until his
death.
Dr. Colonel B. Burr, the present able head of Oak Grove Hospital, was
born at T-ansing, Michigan, in 1856. His literary education was received at
the University of Michigan, his medical training at Columbia University.
Before coming to Flint in 1894, he was for some years medical superin-
tendent of the Michigan asylum for the insane at Pontiac. He is the author
of a work on insanity, mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and is also the
author of a number of scientific pamphlets along the lines of his specialty,
which have Iteen rea<I before meetings of state and national medical .societies
and printed in their jonrnais. Doctor Burr has served as president of the
yGoc^lc
58Q' GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan State Medical Society and of the American Medico-psychological
Association.
Among the best known of the later physicians was Dr. E. R. Campbell,
who won an enviable reputation in his profession during his residence in
Flint. He was born in Port Perry, Ontario, and received his medical train-
ing at Toronto University. Doctor Campbell came to Flint in i8qo from
St. Ignace, Michigan, and during his residence in Flint was married to Miss
Margery Durant, daughter of W. C. Durant, and great-granddaughter of
Henry H. Crapo, one of the early governors of Michigan. Doctor Camphell
now makes his home in New York City,
Dr. David L. Treat was born in Adrian, Michigan, in 1874. He was a
graduate of the Starling Medical College in Columhus, Ohio, and practiced in
Adrian for a number of years, being also a member of the Democratic State
Central Committee and prominent in politics throughout the state. He was
atone time chairman of the board of the Home for Childreii at Coldwater,
and was influential in securing for Adrian the Bixby hospital. He was also
instrumental in founding in Adrian the National Bank of Commerce. He
came to Flint in 19 f 5 as superintendent of the General Motors emergency
hospital and also has exclusive charge of its welfare work,
: The officers of the Genesee County Medica! Society for 1916 are:
President, B. K. Burnell; vice-president, C. H. O'Neill; treasurer, F. D.
Miner; secretary, Ray Morrish : directors, J. G. R. Manwaring, E. D. Rice,
W. G. Bird, N. Bates and A. S. Wheeiock.
On July I, 1916, the following physicians were engaged in practice in
Genesee county:
Flint — -Elbert 1, Allen, Gordon Henry Bahlman, Edwin Huntington
Bailey, Frank Dymond Baker, Noah Bates, Daniel C. Bell, John Charles Hen-
son, William Grant Bird, George H. Bradt, Guy Davis Eriggs, Byron E. Bur-
nell. Colonel Bell Burr. Melvin E. Chandler. Carl D. ChaiJell, Clifford P. Clark,
Homer E. Clarke, Myron William Clift, Thaddeus Sidney Conover. Henry
Cook, Ethan Allen DeCamp, Victor H. De Somoskeoy, Edwin G. Dimond,
Cyrus J. Dove, Claud G. Eaton, John W. F.vers, George Reinhold Goering,
Raymond Halligan, Louis H. Hallock, John W. Handy, David S, Jickling,
Wilham C. Kelly, Mabel B. King, Don D. Knapp, Herbert D. Knapp, Mark
S. Knapp, J. G. R, Manwaring. J. C. McGregor, Oscar W. McKenna, Orson
Millard, Frederick B, Miner, Ray S. Morrish. Henry R, Niles, Charles H.
O'Neil, John W. Orr, Albert A, Patterson, Charles T. Ramoth, Herbert E.
Randall, Frank E. Reeder, A. J. Reynolds, E. D. Rice, Eugene V. Riker,
Floyd A. Roberts, Edward C. Rumer, John R. Shank, H. E. Stewart, James
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 581
r. Stuart, H. R, Thomas, Frederick L. Tapper, William I. Whitaker, Waiter
H. Winchester, G. K. Pratt, M. R. Sutton, M. S. Gibbs, Ivan LillJe, Lucy
Elliott. J. B. Probert.
Flushing — John H. Houton, Joseph Scheidler, De Verne C. Smith.
Pen ton- —Jefferson Goukl, A. R. Ingram, Burton C. McGary, M. B.
Smith, Albert G. Wright.
Montrose — John M. Galbraith, S. T. Goddard, Charles W. Goff.
Clio— B. T. Goodfellow, Perry E. White.
Mt. Morris^Francis H. Callow, Hugh W. Graham.
Goodrich— A. S. Wheelock, F. J. Burt.
Linden — Mark E. Topping, B. R. Sieeman, C. B. Irwin.
Davison — L. J. Loc)^ James F. Rumer, William J. Wall.
Swartz Creek — A. D. Clark, James Houston.
Grand Blanc— James W. Parker, William M. Slaght, W. C. Reid.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XIX.
Schools .and i ■Education.
Gone ioiiff since, the day of "the little red school house," that generator
of coijcentrated intellectual fire, hallowed by the shades of Webster, Choate,
and a hundred other illustrious names. In the flamboyant present we get
our somewhat promiscuous education from ornate buildings of brick and
stone. Parents no longer need to stint themselves to buy text-books for their
children, since now the state, in loco parentis, flings the text-hooks at their
heads. Without attempting to balance the relative merits of the oM and
the new, or trying to decide whether the loss of the accurate and broad
knowledge of the learned few is well atoned for by the thin educational
veneer of the many, let us turn to conditions at home in this year of grace,
1916.
Schools and the means of education were ever first in the thoughts of
Genesee county pioneers and their descendants have not been false to the
fine educational spirit of these worthy' hewers of the way. When Daniel
O'Sullivan. "the Irish schoolmaster," arrived in Fhnt River settlement in
1834 and taught twelve pupils in a, little cabin near the Thread creek, at the
rate of ten cents per week, he little dreamed that the scene of his humble
educational efforts, over eighty years later, would boast many great buildings
devoted to learning and costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
i\aron Hoyes succeeded Mr. O'Sullivan as teacher and remained until a
small building was erected for school purposes on the land now occupied by
the Fenton block, th-C first schoolmistress being a Miss Overton.
The reports of early educational interests in Genesee coimty are very
meager and from 1S37 ""t'l ^^55 the data are most incomplete. However,
the ofificial fijjures of the school inspector of 1838 give the number of pupils
as sixty, of whom thirty-nine were between the ages of five and seventeen and
twenty-one were under five and over seventeen. After struggling for some
years to maintain a school on the rate plan, which was frequently a great
tax on parents with several children, the friends of education made a rally
for the union school system as a remedy for scholastic ills, and in 1845-46
the old "Union School," as it was known for many years, was built on the
site of what is now the Walker school.
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(.[£NKyEi; COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 583
Later, when Flint became a city in 1855, Prof. William Travis, an
accomplished teacher, was placed in charge of the Flint schools for three
years and, by his ability, culture, energy and enthusiasm, gave a new impetus
to the cause of education, which left a lasting impression. At the annual
meeting in 1859 it was voted unanimously to organize a graded school and
the followin_s^ board of trustees was elected: For three years, Levi Walker
and Daniel (.larkc; for two _years, S. N. Warren and Grant Decker; for one
year. John DelbriJge and (.'. K. Heecher. Jt would be impracticable to note
here all of the teachers whose faithful labors have done so much to lay the
foundation upon which the reputation of the Flint schools was built.
April 3, 1869, is a most iitfporlant date in the educational history of
Michigan, worthy a cenlennial remembrance as the day when No. 116 of
the acts of the Legislature for that year, by virtue of which rate-bills were
finally alxilished and the free public school really estabhshed, was approved
by the governor and became the law of the state. This event gave new
vitality to the cause of education which, together with the constant growth
in population and weaith, soon placed the Flint schools on a high plane.
In 1855 district No. 3, which contained the most territory and largest
number of pupils with the least taxable property, proceeded to erect a brick
house on Oak street in the third ward. This house (which was a two-story
Iniilding, neither commodious nor elegant) originally contained two school-
rooms and a small recitation room. In the absence of any records, we can
only say that able and faithful teachers labored here and did their part in
advancing the great work of education.
Distrfct No. 4, which contained the least territory, with the smallest
numljer of pupils and a larger proportion of taxable property, instead of
building, purchased an unfinished dwelling house on Grand Traverse street
known as the Blades house, and, fitting it up as an apology for such a school
house, occupied it as such for several years. It was not very successful and
an effort was made in 1S61 to have it united with No. 3. In 1863 there was
a decided expression of public sentiment in favor of the measure. The
formal consent of the district officers was obtained and the measure was
effected. The democratic principle of free public schools seems to have been
but chmly recognized in this enterprise. In a remonstrance against abandon-
ing the Blades house and substituting the city hall building, a measure
demanded for the accommodation of more pupils, it was claimed that as they
had escaped the burden of a school tax in a great measure in the past,
immunity should he continued asi a vested right in the future. In 1867 dis-
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584 GENMSKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tricts Nos. I and 3 were united under the title of "Union School District of
the City of Flint." After the annual meeting, the school was reorganized
under this act, with the following board of trustees : President, Levi Walker;
secretary, William L. Smith ; treasurer, George R. Gold ; Paul H. Stewart,
Sumner Howard and Daniel Clarke. The union made the necessity for
further accommodations urgent. As the best temporary relief which could
be obtained, the unfinished building on the corner of Saginaw and Third
streets, known as the City Hall building, was leased of the city for a nominal
sura and fitted up at an expense of about five thousand dollars for the
accommodation of the high school. This house continued to be used for
this purpose until the completion, in 1875, of the present high school build-
ing. After this time a male principal was employed in addition to the super-
intendent, S. R. Winchel being the first to occupy that position. The trustees'
report at the annual meeting of 1S70 shows two male and thirteen female
teachers; the nun;ber of pupils enrolled in the district between the ages of
five and twenty. 1,269; whole number attending school. 1,157, of whom 150
were non-residents.
By an act of the Legislature, approved March t8, 1871, amending the
charter of the city of Flint, the school district No. i of the town of Flint was
annexed to the city as the fourth ward and, by the consent of both parties,
became merged in Union school district, its property being transferred and
its liabilities assumed. A brief sketch of this school will illustrate the rise
and progress of schools in a new country and verify the old adage that "where
there is a will, there is a way." The territory now comprising the fourth
ward was, for some ye.ars after the settlement of Flint, mostly ociJupied by -a
dense growth of pine, forming a most striking feature in the landscape and
giving the newcomer the impression that he had at last reached the border of
that vast pine forest of northern Michigan of which he had heard so much.
After the establishment in this vicinity of the state institution for the edu-
cation of the deaf and dumb and the blind, this pinery was rooted out and a
village platted. Keing connected with the business portion of the city by a
new bridge, a settlement soon grew up there. As the nearest school house
was at an inconvenient distance, the need of another was felt. On April 9,
1859, this territory was set off as district No. i of the town of Flint and was
soon afterward organized by a meeting at the house of G. F. Hood. At this
time it was reported that .all the qualified voters in the district to the number
of twenty-one, including one female, had been notified. The following
officers were elected : Moderator, D. M. McKercher; director, H. G. Beach ;
assessor, H. W. Whitney. At a special meeting, held April 28, on motion of
dbyGoot^lc
ci;ni:si';)-: countv, M]CHinAN. j^H^
G. F. Hood it was voted that the board have power to purchase materials and
put up an eifrhteen-by-twenty-eight-foot shanty, suitable for a school building.
This was built at a cost, including furniture, of about one hundred and forfy
dollars. It did good service, Iwing used eleven years, and then, after the
completion of the new house, was sold at auction for thirty-three dollars.
By the time of the annual meeting in 1867, the number of pupils had increased
to one hundred. The shanty had become too small and the necessity for a
new building was felt, l-'or tliat purpose it was rcsoh'ed to raise one thou-
sand dollars by tax and three thousand dollars by loan. A plan submitted
by P. Cleveland, of Flint, was adopted and a two-story brick building, sur-
mounted by a belfry, was erected. It cont:iined a spacious school room in
each story. At the next aiuiual meeting in 1868, it was resolved, by a vote
of twenty-eight (o eight, that two dollars per scholar be raised by tax for the
support of the school. This tax ainounted to two hundred and sixty-two
dollars. In 1869 a graded school was established and the following six
trustees elected: L. P. Andrews, J, Williams, G, I.. Walker, O. Maltby. G.
Stanard and J. Haver. 'Ihe reported state of the finances at this time was
"an empty treasury, rate-bills abolished by law and teachers unpaid." How-
ever, these difficulties were overcome. A male teacher, C. Donelson, was
employed and the school conliniied to flourish until absorbed into the "union
school of the city" in iS/r.
School district No. 2 was. formed March 8. 1845. In fiie following
year a brick school house was built on Detroit street. The early records of
this district are lost or inaccessible. It seems not to have been very prosper-
ous or to have soon fallen into decay. Its condition became a source nf
such annoyance that the inhabitants took steps to improve the character of the
school. The financial crisis of 1857 niaterially hindered the plans, but at
the annual meeting in that year the project was started. A committee
reported at the next meeting in favor of a new school house; the report was
adopted and the sum of one thousand dollars was raised to aid the enterprise.
The result was the building of the best school house in the county at that
time. This zeal in a good cause went on to establish and sustain a first
class school. At the annual meeting in 1859 a graded school was organized
under the act of the Legislature then rece7itly passed, and the following gen-
tlemen were elected a board of trustees: For one year, D. S. Freeman and
D. S. Fox ; for two years, A. McFarlan and O. Adains ; for three years, F.
H. Rankin and H. W. Wood. In 1865 x-aluable apparatus was bought and
two thousand dollars raised by tax to enlarge the new school house, which
dbyGoot^lc
586 GKNMSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
had become inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of pupils. In
1867 the enlarged house again became crowded and another, known as the
■'Branch House," was built on Second street at the corner of Lyon street.
The movement which had been inaugurated in tlie union school district
on the south side of the river for building a new house, attracted the atten-
tion of the people in this ward and in 1871 a preamble and resolutions were
adopted in favor of union on certain conditions. These conditions were
assented to and. after further conference, the consolidation of the four wards
of the city in one scliool district was effected by an act of the J-,egislature
approved March 28, 1872. Thus this prosperous school in the full tide of
its success became merged in that grand enterprise which has brought all the
Flint schools into one organization.
Each augmentation of the union school district rendered the call for a
new house more urgent. In 1871 the board of trustees in their report most
strongly urged the absohite necessity for enlarged accommodations. A tax
of five thousand dollars was voted for the purchasing of a site and the issuing
of lx>nds to the amount of twenty thousand dollars was authorized. Later
fifty -five thousand dollars was added to the amount of bonds authorized. A
committee, consisting of President Angel) of the State University, Professor
Estabrook of the State Normal School and Hon. M. E. Crofoot of Pontiac,
recommended the adoption of the Lamond block as the most eligible site for
a building- — the site now occupied by the high school building. Their recom-
mendation was adopted by the board and subsequently ratified by the tax-
payers. The south four lots of that portion of the block now occupied were
obtained at a cost of eight thousand five hundred dollars, and the north four
lots at a cost of ten thousand dollars.
After deciding upon the size, ground plan and general arrangement of
ihe building, the subject was referred to Porter & Watkins. architects,
who submitted plans and specifications of the building. The contract was
awarded to Reuben Van Tiffin, June 16, 1873, at sixty-eight thousand dol-
lars, the work to be completed July i, 1875. The contract was faithfully
fulfilled to the entire satisfaction of the hoard of trustees. The whole amount
paid the contractor was seventy-seven thousand three hundred and seventy-
seven dollars and sixty-two cents.
No serious accident occurred to any of the workmen engaged in the
construction of the building, but the edifice itself had a narrow escape from
destruction by fire, which originated from the culpable carelessness of the
men employed to install the heating apparatus. Had it not been for the
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 58/
timely discovery of the blaze by some young men returning from a late
party, the whole structure would soon have been a mass of flames.
A sad event, one wliich greatly shocked his colleagues and threw a
gloom over the entire community, was the death of Hon. Levi Walker,
which occurred on April 25, 1874, at Lansing, where he was engaged, with
his accustomed energy and fidelity, in discharging the duties of representa-
ti\e in the state Legislature. Mr. Walker had been for twenty years con-
nected with Flint schools in tlieir various phases of organization and, by
his generous nature, culture, sound judgment, legal experience and sturdy
independence, had rendered invaluable service at many a critical juncture,
and his death was a great loss.
The building was dedicated on July 13, 1875, on which occasion a
highly interesting, and instructive address was delivered by Hon. Duane
Doty, of Detroit. On August 30. 1875, the school was opened in its several
departments, under charge of Professor Crissey, assi.sted by an able corps
of teachers. A class of eight graduated from the high school at the close
of the school year 1875-76. In 1877 the graduates numbered fourteen; in
1878 there were twenty-one. The high school was organized with four
course of study: Classical, Latin, linglish and scientilic. Comix)sition ami
elocutionary exercises were given throughout the several courses. The first
of these courses prepared students for the classical course in the University
of Michigan, the second for the Latin and scientific, the third for the scien-
tific and engineering course (requiring, however, the addition of one year's
work in Latin") and the fourth for the English literary course. This was
one of the high schools of the state from which students, if recommended,
were admitted to the university upon their diplomas.
Marshall T. Gass took charge of the schools in 1880 and was verv
[lopuiar with the pupils. He left during the year 1883 to do excellent work
among the deaf and dumb in Michigan and Towa institutions, and was suc-
ceeded by Irving W. Barnhart. who remained until 1886, since when he has
had a successful business career in Grand Rapids. Mr. Barnhart was fol-
lowed by Wesley Sears, who remained for two years and was succeeded by
David McKenzie in 1888. Mr. McKenzie had been principal of the high
school for some years previous. He contimied as superintendent for four
years and did splendid work for the schools, bringing them to a high state
of efficiency. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of all, school board, par-
ents and children alike. ?Iis excellent work in the Detroit central high
school has demonstrated his great ability.
dbyGoot^lc
588 GliNESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The next to take charge of the Flint schools was George W. Fiske, a
\-ery cultured and scholarly gentleman, who remained only one year and was
succeeded by V,'. H. Honey, a rigid disciplinarian. Mr. Honey was suc-
ceeded by F. K. Hathaway, a gentleman of fine education and unusual exe-
ciiti\'e ability, who stayed for four years and did good work, leaving the
schools in iSqS in excellent condition. He was followed by W. C. Hull,
who remained for three years. Mr. Hull was succeeded in 1901 by R. H.
Kirtland. who also remained three years. At this time A. N, Cody had
been principal of the high school for several years, and on the retirement
of Mr. Kirtland was promoted to the siiperintendency. Mr. Cody still occu-
]iies this position.
P.\R0CHI.1L SCHOOLS.
The history of the Flint schools would not be complete without men-
tion of St. Michael's parochial school. In the year 1856 a small, one-room
building was erected on the south side of the old St. Michael's church build-
ing, during the pastorate of Rev. Fr. Deceunnick. School started the same
year with Miss Fawcett as teacher. The buildings was used for school pur-
poses until 1871, when the present school building was erected by Rev. Fr.
Gtlloetise. Among the teachers employed were Julia Marum, a sister of
Mrs. William Hamilton, Mary Wallace, Miss Holland, Miss Anna Lennon
and John Donovan, the latter better known as "Donovan of Bay." During
the administration of Rev. Fr. Haire, the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of
Mary were brought to Flint ami given charge of tlie schools, which have
since been conducted under their supervision. Through the efforts of Rev.
Fr. Murphy and the Sisters, many important changes have lieen made and
at present it consi,sts of grammar, primary grades, kindergarten and mu.sic.
The course of study embraces Christian doctrine, reading, spelling, lan-
guage, geography, arithmetic. United States history, civil government, phy-
siology, penmanship, drawing, nature study, sight singing. A music depart-
ment was added in 1896. Tliis course embraces lessons in vocal and instru-
mental music, piano, viohn, banjo, mandolin and guitar, and is considered a
very important adjunct to the school.
St. Mathew's Catholic school, opened in 1914, by the Rev. Fr. Michael
John Comerford, is a handsome brick structure on Beach street, and is under
the supervision of Mother Hilda of the Order of the Immaculate Heart. Alt
,Sa:ints' parish school, the institution founded by Rev. Fr. John B. Hewelt, is
one of the finest school buildings in Flint, where five hundred children of
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 589
foreign parentage are tanght the English language and are also instructed
in the duties of American citizenship. From the roof the American flag
floats reassuringly and within are to he found a club and reading rooms. It
is the home of the Hungarian, Slavic, Italian, Bohemian, Moravian, Polish,
and ("horvatian societies of Flint, who use it as a club house and social settle-
ment.
The phenomenal growth of the city of Flint from 1905 to 1916, in-
creasing its population from about sixteen thousand to about seventy-five
thousand, has necessitated the erection of new buildings for school purposes
as follows : the new Stevenson school, the new Clark school, the Dort school,
the Oak school addition of six rooms, the Hazelton school increased to ten
rooms, tile Kearsley school, four additional rooms, the Parkland school, the
Homedale school and the Fairview school. These various new buildings and
the increased facilities of former buildings have made a four-fold increase
in school rooms. This does not, however, keep up with the city's growth,
and a new building, the George W. Cook school, is voted, to cost about
ninety thousand <lonars and to be completed l>efore the fall of 1917. The
old high school bnildiiig. too, has become obsolete and a new one, to be of
the most approved character, is now \oted and the appropriation of five
hundred thousand dollars made for it.
Alvin N. Cody has held the responsible position of superintendent of
schools for the entire time since 7905. C. G, Wade resigned as principal of
the high school to become superintendent of the schools of Superior, Wiscon-
sin, in 1914: Linus S. Parmelee succeeded him as principal and has since
filled lliat position with great credit and notable efficiency.
The high school has grown very rapidly, not only in nnmljcrs of pupils
in attendance, but also in the scope of instruction, which has been expanded
to meet present-day requirements. \'ocational instruction, sanitation and
domestic science arc all receiving attention. There is now being built on the
site of the old Clark school a "fresh air" school to meet the requirements of
those students who need a different en\ironn)ent for physical reasons. All
of the new school buildings are models of their kind and are frequently
visited by boards of education from other places who contemplate building
and wish to inspect the very latest thing in school architecture. With the
completion of tlie new high school building, the Cook building and the fresh
air school, it may be said with little fear of contradiction that Flint will be
the best equipped city in the United States in school buildings and apparatus.
dbyGoot^lc
rivSEE COUNT-
Nl) TEACIIKRS OF THE FLINT SCHOOLS.
Board of Education, 1916: George W. Cook, president; A. J. Wil-
danyer. secretary ; H. W. Zimmerman, E. D. Foote, John McKeighan, Dr.
Henry Cook, W, E. Martin, W. W. "RIackney and Dr. F. E. Reeder; Alvin
N. Cody, superintendent.
High School: Linus S. Parnialee,^ principal; W. J. Russell, John E.
W'elJwood, J. W. Bums, R. E. Wightnian, Leroy Pratt, Mary Seymour,
Henrietta Lewis, Bertha WiUianis, Mary E. S. Gold, Lilian Gold, Harriet
Mudge, Edna Ballard, Nellie Mingay, Mae Beardsley, Adah Lea, Otteha
Sdunek, Florence Fuller. Ethel Martin, Helen Desjardins, Viola Becker,
Jane Payne, Ruth Halliday, l^iira Millar, Jennie Smith. Helen Lohrstorfer.
W. J. Puffer, principal Dort school: Mary Kelly, principal Stevenson
school; (irace C. Pierce, principal Doyle school; Nina Bushnell, principal
W'alker school; Clara Nixon, principal Oak Street school; Mary Coates,
principal Clark school; Elizaheth Coates, principal Homedalc school; Anna
]\i. Derbyshire, principal Hazelton school; Eva Curtis, principal Parkland
school; Elizabeth Welch, i)rincipal Fairview school; Lillian Park, principal
Kearsley school ; Fanny Gifford, principal Rankin school.
County Normal: Ellen ^Knderson, principal; Rose Walsh, critic.
S]iecial Teachers: H. A. Tiedman, manual training; Howard Bush,
mamia! training: James Hendrickson, manual training; G. Roscoe Correll,
manual training: Paul l-'icld, athletic director and coach; Edith Harden,
physical training: Sarah Dewey, drawing; Jean Farr, writing; Ohve Wallar,
writing assistant; Christine Keyes, nurse; Gertrude McGill. primary super-
visor; Alice Campbell, auxiliary; Edna Wisler, auxiliary; Emehne Fisher,
music : J. Warren Gregory, high school music ; Marion Sly, domestic science ;
Gladys Giftord, domestic science; Edna Carr. domestic science: Minerva
Sanson, domestic science ; Katiierine Beekman, domestic science ; Ruth Hans-
ford, domestic science; I-aurella M''ilder, domestic science.
Grade Teachers: J, Irving DeLong, Grace Bell, Lillian Rector, Ger-
trude Sherman, Lina Turner, Lillah Knight, Saidee Fletcher, Mable Vro-
man, Mabel V. Wood, Nev;i Saunders, Neva Springer, Jessie Baumgart,
Mildred Footc, Margjiret Sears, Katherine Young, Charlotte Whitney, Mar-
guerite Wilson, F.thel .Scott, Myrtle Lynn, Caroline Walker, Mildred Bon-
bright, Helen Dyball, N. Adelaide Smith, Edith Cole, Helen Stevenson, E.
Jane Bennett. S. .\da Beamer. Ida M. Rude, Grace L. George, Clara Rog-
ers, Clara Stein. Marv Dewing, Aileen Vermilya. Lena McLeod, Carolyn T.
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GENESfiE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 59I
Anderson, Nettie Fuller, Florence Zuick, Bertha Williams, Florence Wilder,
Edith Garbett, Elizabeth Miller, Fern Hewitt. Elizabeth Kirk, Elizabeth
Gezon, Mabel H. Pattinson, Rika "Rauaan, Anna Tazelaar, Marion D. 01m-
stead, Winnifred Potter, Fannie Swarthaut, Laura Robinson, Rosa Gifford,
Edith Brader, Jennie Downs, Mary Rice, Dora Stenson, Bessie Cole, Flor-
ence Leonard, Helen Tyler, Mable Titsworth, Ethel Sherff, Vivian Barga,
Enmia Earle, Gwendolyn Reed, Rena Strickland, Jennie M. Haight, Maurie
Fletcher, Hazel Kitchen, Audra Slaybaugh, Isabelle C. Lane, Mal>el Stewart,
Vida Swartout, Irene Roderick, Helen Moss, Irma Goheen, Ella Walker,
Sara Waller, Esther Stein, Elsie Lukins, Jessie Hulton, Mary Sullivan,
Grace Bennett, Margaret V. K. Wiley, Caroline Storrer, Fay Bovee, Alma
Harris, I'Vances E. Burrington, Ethel Winkler,. Anna L. Rogers. Agnes
Nelson, M. Alice Elwood, A'liriam Slaybaugh, May Snyder, I.x>ra Corder,
Blanche Pickett, Anna Wilton, Bertha Milwash, Agnes M. Ahearne, Stella
Maier, Bernice Tinker, Nellie Thacker, Mildred Johnson, Lulu Brockway,
Gail Welsh, Mary Slater, Eugenia Carman, Anna Doll, Charlotte Hill, Anna
SnlHvan, Mina McEachan, Anna Field, May Westfall, Edna A. Clark, Lecta
Cornelius, Martha Handloser, \'iola Roselit, Jane George, I-ovica Dean,
June Anderson, Nina Irvine, \'ivian Hoppaugh, Florence Kurd, Bertha
Holmes, Vesta Bostwick, Alva Lockhart. Anna Paris, Francis Mathews
May, Hilda Hagquest, Cecil Stabbins, Ella M. Guild, Saidee M, Wilhams,
W\-la Waterman, Martha E. Howe, Ruth E. Smith, Velma Smith, Fern
White, Jennie \-^an Tuyl. .\bbie Mauer. Edna Gwen, Vara Parren, Meetri
Lewis, Leta Thompson, Ethel W^illiamson, Jean Jackson, Rhea Richardson,
Zelda Maynard, Mary Mauer, Bertha Scott, Winnifred Mack, Eleanor
Stewart, Marie Reiman, Irene Dole, Lulu Fraley, Estella Rose, Julia Feies,
Hazel Hunter, Mary Beach, Matie Carter, Irene \V. P'oster, Helen Dean,
Myrl Miller, Anna Olson, MabelJe Mullin, Christine Stockman, Ella Hage-
dorn, Bess McCrerry, Lulu Prevost, Lillian Reynolds, Louise Parrott, Ma-
belle Peabody, Adelaide Cole.
The graduating class of 1913 numbered eighty-three, which up to 1915
was the largest ever graduated. In 1Q15 the class numbered one hundred
eleven; in 1916, one hundred eight.
The addition of a large numl^er of foreigners to the population has
called for a night school, which is held in a convenient building at the north
end of the city and is attended by a large number of those desiring to be-
come nxire efficient in the English language.
At this time. July i. 1916, Flint has fourteen school buildings, two
hundred forty-five teachers and an average daily attendance of pupils of six
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^')2 GI;NKSKE county, MICHIGAN.
thousand, nine hundred twenty-one, exclusive of the Catholic schools, whose
enrolhnent is approximately one thousand.
MISS hicok's school
One of the highly respected institutions of Flint is the select private
school kept for the past twenty-five years by Miss Elizabeth Steele Hicok, a
descendant of the Major Bnttrick who, at Lexington, "fired the shot that
went around the world," and of the General Putnam, who left his plow in
the furrow at the call of the minute men. Combining good New England
ancestry with culture and ability. Miss Hicok, having been previously identi-
fied with the Flint Jiigh school for many years as instructress, has been able,
in this age of unnsuai methods, to hold fast to the best educational ideals
and her school, ahhough small, occupies a distinct position among the educa-
tional institutions of the county.
STATE SCHOOJ. FOR THE DK.-VF.
Oi the state educational institutions, a school was early located at
Flint for the deaf, dumb and blind. To Hon. E. H. Thomson belongs the
honor of introducing, in 1S48, the act which resulted in establishing this
splendid school. The fir.st board of trustees comprised the following: Eton
Farnsworth, of Wayne: Gen. Charles C. I-^ascall, of Genesee: Charles H.
Taylor, of Kent ; (.'harles ]•'.. Stewart, of Kalamazoo, and John P, Cook, of
Hillsdale.
The board decideil npon Flint as the most eligible location. Twenty
acres of groun*! ivere donated by Col. T. B. W. Stockton to the trustees for
a site and three thousand dollars was subscribed by the citizens. Charles H.
Falnier was, in December, 1850, appointed as principal.
In 1857 the Legislature amended the act of 1848 so that the institution
should be entirely independent of the Kalamazoo insane asylum, which had
been up to that time in charge of the same board. Under the amended act
the first board for the Flint institution consisted of James B. Walker, Benja-
min Pierson and John Le Roy. B. M. Fay was chosen principal and organ-
ized the school work proper in 1857. The subsequent history of this school
has been authoritatively sketched by Superintendent ('rands D. Clark, whose
words may here appropriately find a place :
Iji tliE'ir vi.vit ti> tlie ntlier states lu seai't/h nf iiifonuiilioii the tniRlees liad lieeu
fiivor.-tbl.v ini|)fesseU with the Itev. Barnabiis Miiyiiiiiyl Fny, iiu iiistfuctor In the ludiuiui
iiisfitiitloii for tJie blind, rtml when they (leclflert to open t!ie school the.v invited lilm to
dbyGoc^lc
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.MAIN I.IIIIUN' Si^ll S( HOOr llJit THP 1 >1 \1 I1I\I
BROWN HAI,I., STATIC SCHOOl, FOR THR DEAF, Fr,INT.
dbyGoot^lc
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 593
t>t'i.'Onie iiriiicipal. He accepted tlie iuvitutiou of tlie trustees iiutl uotice was giveu thut
tlie wclioiil would be open for the I'eceirtioii of pupils on, the first of February, 1854.
On the 6th of Februitry the first piipli came: he was James Bradley, who for many
>eiirs liiid been a prosperous farmer at Lawton, Miclilgan, but is imiw residing near
Flint. liy the close of the fii-st year there were seventeen pupils In attendance. Doctor
I'.iy continued as sopenutendeut fur a little more than ten years, i-esiRning In Septem-
ber. lS(i4. During his adniinistvntlon the school met with more than the ordinary
iliificnities of young Institutions, as the great Civil War demanded most of the atten-
tion imd money of the state: still it pro^ered and the attendance rose to one hundred
,iinl thi-ee pupils (eighty (leaf and twenty-three blind), in July, 1863; but then the
ileii.ii'tiiient for the blind was suspended, and In June, 1804, thei'e were only eighty-one.
.Ill (leiif
It would lie a serious omission to pass over this period without iiientiouiug the
ser\ioes of Hon. James B. Walker, of Flint. T'p to 1856, this school and the asylum for
rbe insane were under the management of one board, but in that year the Legislature
enacted that there nliould be a separate board for each, and the govenior appointed as
trustees for the school for the deaf: Jamet. B. Walker, Benjamin Plerson and John I'.
I* Itoy. SIP. Walker was chosen treasurer ami building commissi oner, otfices which
he continued to hold until March 31. 1873. During this time all the lai^er and more
expensive buildings of the school, with the exception of Brown Hall, were erected, and
the state of Michigan owes much to Mr. Walker's energy and bu^ness ability.
Doctor Fay showed rare foresight In the selection of his assistants. His first two
teachers were W, L. M. Breg aud James Denlson; the former, after years of faithful
work, has gone to his reward ; the other for mnny years has been the honored head of
llie Kendall school at Washington, D. C. To these were added, in 1868, Misses Belle H.
lijinsom and Harriet L. Seymour, and Jacob Ij. Green, who was succeeded, in February,
is5», by Thomas L. Brown, while Willis Hubbard appears as a new teacher in 1863.
iCgliert Ij Bangs, a teacher of experience in the New York institution, was chosen to
•succeed Doctor Fay, and under hini the school continued to progi'ess.
On August 14 and 15, 1872. a conference of superintendents and principals of the
.American institutions for the deaf was held at the Michigan school, which was addresseil
by A. Graham Bell, on the Importance of using hiK father's invention, "Visible Speech."
Ill leaching articulation to the deaf. Had those present known that Mr. Bell was at
work on the invention which made him famous all over the civilized world, hJs words
111 fa\or of visible speech would have had more weight. As it was, this particular
niediod was adopted at the Michigan school, but oidy remained in use two years,
rhough some of the eastern schools used it for ten or twelve years after that time.
It has been often said thut one of the results of that visit of Mr. Bell was the
beginning of the teaching of speech in the Michigan school, hut this is not so, as at a
n>nferencp of the superintendents lield in Washington In May, 186fi, u resolution was
uiianimousij' passed recommending that provision for such teaching be made at ever.i
Ameilcuu school for the deaf. In accordance with which Geoi^je L, Bi-ockett was "placed
in charge of the depaitment of ai-ticulatiun" in the fall of 1868 This department has
grown steadily fi-oni that time and at pi-esent contains more than half the pupils of the
•yhool. To Mr. Bangs belongs the credit of estahlishli^ the excellent system of tiiide
leaching that has for so long a time distinguished the Slichlgan school. Exactly when
each trade was b^un, it Is impossible now to say There was none when Mr. Bangs
Clime, and he left a fine system well equii^wd. The offlclnl reports of the -scMoOl afe
sl'icularly silent on the subject, hut tradition informal us that the first and most expen-
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594 GENIiSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
sue of tlie&e «hoi& nns liiult md eqiilpred bj Mi A^iilket nftli noiie^ tliiit riit I*gi=
1 tnre inteudett to go towards tlie iiiiiin building
■Mr Wiilkei letiieil m 1S73 imd was suceeedea iis ti-eiisuier Iv Hon Willimi I
Smith nliu ijne to the Khool the sirtendld gysteni of hoikkeeiiiug which hit. been (.on
tiuueil e*er since B^ this time the hulldiiigs of the stbool weie ho complete that Mi
smith tuiiieil Ills iitteiitloii to the ).ioliii(ts and by bis wisdom nml foiesisht le};iii tlie
wirk which hiis nude the school „iouiid8 the beautj sptt of Hint
Under this sjime iidiiiinlstintion In 1S74 Mrs isirab It Jone<i ii gnduute of the
liist Auierkiiu Hchool foi the denf nt Hnitford wits appointed to take charge of the
, rls of the -^bool ii position that she held till her denth on iiirli 21 1903 This rtireh
gifted woniHii bas left hei impress on the manners ind ehiriicter of i jzeneration of the
leiif girls of out state
In Ma\ isro Mr Hints teii^ied iflei hmiig beried the school fitthfuUj tn
ilaioM"tweti e lenrs Among bis lust niipointments we find flie names of I dwin Bnifon
ml John AVistin the foimei of whom was foieiuau of the cihliiet shop tintll bis deatl
11 Jmie 0 i'xjj imd the lattei m still cblcf engineer
Ml Uinj,s H IS simeeiled b\ I flillis P ii] er n teitliei In the school who bell
Iht office mitil the cb '■e of the session of 1S78 71 nheii be lesigned ti iccei>t the j,os
tlou of suiieiintendeiit of the Kiineas iscbool The tiiistees em]tlo\ed is bis succes^oi
1)1 Thoiuas Miclutjie nho bad been foi tweutj six yeiirs at the beid of the Indlani
(bool and who lie^m his work in Michigan Augnst 1 187*1
In 1880 the blind who hiid been edncited in connection with the deif were lemovel
I I tine new building lu L,inNlng the niauigeinent of which wis gi\en to ii sepnriif<
bo ird of trustees Ibeie iie*oi mis inj j,ood retson wbv these t^n i classes i>f chtldion
should be t.iught in the siime school as their needs are eutliely diffeient
Doctoi MicIutTie retired it the close of the M.hool yeai in 1S82 and the boat 1
H pointed to sucteed him D II rbuit.b who hiid been stenard foi nine ^ears is
snt eetntendeut and as iiinciiai of the educational department, * V Piatt who bal
raiight in the vchool foi some ^ears Luder this airai^emeut the board expected to get
ijKie efflclent seiike In both depiiitmeiits nltbout my addltlcnal e^itense but appar
jilh the hope proied delusne foi in September ISSiJ M T Gass was appointed
sii>eiluteudeiit Mr ChuitJi letumed to his old position is stewird wblcb he con
lined to held until October 1 ISSJl when on iccount of failing health he declined i
IP It ointment r I Sw in wis ippolnted to succeed him and held the iw<ioii until
bit. death In inoo rtiscbnrging its taiious nnd onerous duties in n manner th it called
foi rlie leij bl^,liest praise It was eutirelv owing to Ills abllltr and accuracy that the
s(booJ for the deif bis the reput itlon of needing less corre tlon fmjm the auditirgeneial s
oihce than im otbei stite institution He was, «hh succeeded bj Di Henr> Rol ind
^lles
III 1891 the niintj-euieut of the school which for so iiiam yens had been in the
bunds of Its (wn boaid of trustees was taken from thein by the Legislature and placed
m thft iMtnds of the central boiiid )f tontiol of state institutions which ilso had clinige
f tlie st ite public school and the school fur the blind Ibis iii ingement continued
only until 3»»J when the next I^gislatuie changed it
On JuU 1 1892 rhomas Monroe who foi ten. jears bad tmgbt lu the school su
ceeded M T (.ass as superintendent (.ie.it results were e\ijected fiom this appoliu
ment as Mi Monioe thoioughu undeistood the deiif iiid tlieii lan^afee but he neier
ddressed ehildien is theii suiieiintendent He was stricken with tvpboid feier in
September IC before school opened ind died en September 30
At the next legulai inectin^ f the bond on Octolei 27 1S92 Di I rancib D riarke
was elected but lid not icint f i dnt\ until Dweml ei 1 Mi (_liil t bid taufeht In the
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GENESEE COUNTYj MICHIGAN. 595
,\fu lurk school fur !<Meiiteeu jejirs uiul had been superi litem lent of tlie Arkanajia
M'liool for seven years.
On Miiy 25, 18!)3, flie scliool wiis iigfilu i'e()rgfiuize(l, lielu^ agiiin gheii Into the care
•il Its owu board of ti'ustees: Iloa. C. B. Turner, of Poutiao, president; Hou J. A.
1'1'otter, of VflBsar, Beeretai-y, and Geu. Charles S. Bi-own. of Flint, treasurer, conatitut-
iuK a most efUcient bonnl. The spirit which t-'ovei'n«l theui may be judtied from these
I'vtracta from their ttrst import : "We hitve oliiin(re<l past customs by liislstli^ that the
liiiplls and thi'lr <-onifoi't shall he the first objet-t of the scliool. We realize the fact th.it
lliis school was and Is supiwrted tov the good of the deaf children of this state iinil.
MliHe (leslrliig the utmost economy, we thtuk that any saving made at the expense of the
]pr<«ress or comfort nt the pnplK. defeats the purpose of the school We wish our
^.Tiidnates to be the best hi the wovlil. and luiy saving which iirevents this Is false
These words wei'e inspired bj <!eu C S. Hrown, the treasurer of the board, who.
jiK ihe resident mcuiher, naturally dlsplayeil the greatest Interest In the school, and his
ivjHU-t shows the spirit In wlilcli lie laliored for the deaf clilidren, warda of the state.
ill the school room, on the play ground, in the work shoiis or the dining room, ut social
jiurties or athletic contests, the s<)ldierly tigiu'e of (Jeiieral Brown was & fiimillar and a
lery welcome sight and. wIlU the quick instinct of children, the pupils recognized the
leuderiiess of Ills hojirt and loved htm, and when, on October 27, 1004, he answered the
cvill of the (ireat Coinniaiider and passed to his eternal reward, though there were many
"ho mourned him slncei-el.v, none felt his loss more keenly than those deaf children for
nlnHn he had labored so faithfully. Brown Hall, built d«i1ng his trusteeslilp and named
111 his honor, will Rtand as an enduring monument to his memory.
ITie pnsslng of the fiftieth year of the work of this school was recently celebrated
by a reunion of the alumni at the school, under the auspices of the Michigan Association
(•f the l>paf. I'pwaidf, of three hundred of them returned to the school and passed four
\ery happy days in renew iiig old friendshiiis. viewing old scenes and in seeing the
iiiaiij changes and Imp'i'oi enients that have taken place since their school time.
To com memo rate this reunion, the Association ijreseuteil to the school a bronne
nieniorial of Jtev. Baruahas Fay, the lirht firluclpal of the school, which was placed in
a cons]ilcuouK place in the front hall of the main building, and among those who were
rireseut at Its unveiling whs Dr. l':;dwin Alien Fay, the eldest sou of Rev. Dr. Fay, vlce-
pi-esldent of Gallaudet College, who spoke on the occasion.
This tablet bears in lias-rellef a fine likeness of Dr. Fay, and was the work of
liny r Caiiienler. a graduate of the school, who is winning a reputation by his skill
.IS :i '-i'ni]itor, tbi« incmoi'i.il liiblel being by no means his first successful work of art.
The work done by the Michigan school for the deaf during the half
century of its exi?!tence is a source of pride. True, none of its graduates
have been presidents, governors, judges, or filled any office higher than that
of county clerk. Among them are no great lawyers, doctors, clergymen or
statesmen. Worldly wealth has come to very few. But not one has ever
l>een a convict in a penitentiary and but very few, less than half a dozen in
a list of ahiiost tw-o thousand, have been obliged to apply for county or state
aid. Trained to look upon labor as honorable and to regard the opportunity
to work as the best luck that can come to them, they have labored diligently
dbyGoot^lc
596 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and faithfully in the stations to which it lias pleased God to call them, doing
with their might whatsoever their hands find to do, and being self-respect-
ing, industrious and upright men and women.
The Michigan school for the deaf increased in attendance and in stand-
ard of excellence under the super\'ision of Doctor CJarke. On August 12,
1913, was laid the corner stone of the new administration and dormitory
buildings, Doctor Clarke, in his office as grand master of the grand lodge
of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Michigan, presiding at the
ceremonies. Only a very few days afterwards Doctor Clarke passed away
very suddenly, his death occasioning universal regret.
In addition to the regular curriculum of the school, a dramatic class
was organized some few years ago and several of Shakespeare's plays have
been successfully produced in the sign language by the pupils.
After the death of Doctor Clarke, the board of control tendered the
position, made vacant, to the Hon. I-uther L. Wright, state superintendent
of public instruction and one of the most prominent educators of this coun-
try.
The Michigan school for the deaf has for many years ranked as one of
the finest institutions of its kind in the United States. Robert J. Whaley
and A. G. Bishop, of Flint, did splendid service as members of the lx)ard of
trustees. The present resident trustee is ex-Mayor F. H. Rankin, who served
for many years as a member of the Flint board of education. Mr. Rankin
has l>een a very valuable official, giving the best years of his life to educa-
tional work.
The Michigan Mirror, a monthly publication edited and printed by the
pupils, is devoted entirely to the interests of the institution. The farm con-
nected with the school affords a practical education in agriculture and the
departments of sewing, domestic science, printing, tailoring, woodworking,
cobbling and arts and crafts, each under efficient instructors, offer to the
pupils the necessary aid in the way of becoming industrious and self-support-
ing citizens.
FENTON.
The present school system of Fenton dates from the organization of
district No. r, or the union school district, in T856. A school building, com-
modious for that time, was erected in 1859 and greatly enlarged in 1867.
During the first three years after the organization of the union district,
schools were held in the old frame building and in the second story of a
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GENICSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 597
building on the soirth side, tlie lower portion of which was used as a store.
In 1864 two brick ward school houses were built, one on each side of the
river, and in September, 1878, it was voted to expend three thousand dollars
in constructing new ones. I'he number of children enrolled in the district in
1879 was about seven hundred. The superintendent for 1878-79 was George
K. Cochrane, who was employed at a salary of one thousand dollars. The
expenses of the district for that year were about five thousand five hundred
eighty dollars. The following officers composed the district board : Modera-
tor, Dexter Blorton; director, Charles H. Turner; assessor, Josiah Buckbee;
other trustees. A. W. Riker, J. E. Bussey and B. F. Stone.
Fenton, as the second center of population in the county, early pro-
vided its young people with the advantages of a high school training. Its
present superintendent of school is E. E. Cody and the principal is Miss
Helen L. Wood. The village schools have a corps of fifteen teachers, in-
cluding ^>ecial instructors of music, drawing and penmanship. A. P. Ingra-
ham is president of the board of education, M. B. Smith, E. A. Philips, C. J.
Campbell, L. K. Decker and C. J, Philips being the members of the board.
On August 25, 1869, a new building was dedicated for the Fenton
Seminary, an institution conducted hy the Baptist denomination in Michi-
gan. It was founded as a preparatory school for Kalamazoo College, and
at its inception a two-story frame building was sufficiently large in which to
conduct the school, in the new building the school had for its first principal
Mr. Wedge, Prof. C. \^an Dorn being for a number of years in charge. The
JHiikling stood upon a site donated by David L. I.^tourette in the northwest
part of the village. It was a four-story stone structure built at a cost of
thirty thousand dollars. Tn 187S-79 the number of pupils in attendance was
about thirty.
Tn 1868 the first steps were taken which resulted in the organization of
the Trinity Schools at Fenton, founded by Episcopalians. The idea was to
establish a seminary, or high school, for boys, whicli should "afford facilities
for a tiiorough English and classical education, and probably a special course
for any young men who may be looking forward to the ministry" ; also "a
school of like grade for girls, which shall present an extensive course of in-
struction, combining the useful and ornamental branches usually taught in
the schiKils of the highest order." The institution was incorporated, Sep-
temlrer 14, 1868, under the name of "Trinity Schools." In 1872 the trustees
were Right Rev. Samuel A. McCoskry, bishop of the diocese; James Burten-
shaw and William N. Carpenter, of Detroit; C. H, Turner, B. K. Dibble,
F. II. Wright and Rev. O. E. Fuller, of Fenton. The building for boys was
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598 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
erected first and given the name of Latimer Hall, It stood on a tract of five
acres of ground in the western part of the village, was built of brick and
was forty by forty-six feet in dimensions, with four floors. It was formally
opened and dedicated November 14, 1872, the dedicatory address being de-
livered by Rev. T. C Pitkin, D. D., of St. Paufs church of Detroit. The
girls' school, "Ridley Hall," was not then completed, but on that occasion a
considerable amount of money was subscribed by other parishes. The walls
of the building (which was the same in size as Latimer Hall) had lieen put
up at the same time with the latter, but it was not until the fall and winter of
1875 that the work was carried forward to completion, or so far as they
were ever completed. But one wing of each building as provided in the
plans was erected. Ridley Hall occupied a l^eautiful location in the eastern
part of the village, on a lot containing one and one-half acres. It was
opened in charge of Ezra Bautler, of Virginia, during the pastorate of Rev,
Mr. Applegate, the successor to Rev, O. E, Fuller. The former, while in
charge of the affairs of the parish at Fenton, devoted the greater part of his
time to the schools. Contributions had lieen forwarded from Pennsylvania
and other states, but the venture finally, after a few years of struggle against
fate, was necessarily discontinued and the buildings were sold on a mort-
gage-
OTHER SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,
Among other village schools of importance previous to 1880 was the
public school at Flushing, district No. 2, which included the village. It was
organized as a union district before 1866. In 1871 was erected a two-story
brick school house at a cost of five thousand dollars. The village of Flush-
ing has given great attention to its schools, at this time A. E. Ransom being
president of the board of education, M. D. Phelps, secretary, and Dr. Joseph
Schiedler, E. T. Mercer and D. E. Rhodes, members of the l>oard; W. E,
Parker, superintendent, and Z. W. Storrs, principal of the high school. There
are employed six teachers, exclusive of the principal.
The Clio schools, district No. 7, Vienna township, are under a board of
education, of which George Lacure is president; R. S. Jennings, secretary;
Hugh McCormick, J, R, Field and E. L, Powers, members of the board,
W. D. White is superintendent of schools; Mabel Goodfellow, principal, and
in addition there are employed seven other instructors, including s]>ecial
teachers of music and drawing.
Davison is abreast of other Genesee county villages in educational in-
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GENESEli COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 599
terests, and its board of education names George P. Hill as president; Archie
Forsythe, as secretary, and M. F. Downer, James H. Baxter and George Pot-
ter as members of the lx>ard. C. I,. McCullough is superintendent and Ceci]
Krapt, principal, Tliese are assisted by six teachers, including one in man-
ual training.
The Linden schools, district No. 3, Fenton township, have Robert Brad-
ley for president ; I-'red Judson, for secretary, and A. L. Stahle, Merritt John-
son and Claud C. Hyatt for members of its board of education. A. J. Flint
is superintendent, and Zoa Spencer and five assistants comprise the faculty.
In Montrose, E. E. Corwin is president ; R. A. Walker, secretarj- ; j. G,
Faner, N. L. McCormick and Dr. J. M. Galbraith, trustees, comprise the
board of education. T. C. Sutton is principal of the high school and has
four assistants.
Mt. Morris consolidated school, with S. V. Johnson, president; Doctor
Graham, Fred Lindsey, A. A. Bray and William Woolfitt, trustees, forming
its board of education, is one of the high-standing institutions of the county.
William J. Maginn is principal of the high school, apparently by life tenure,
and has four teachers as a.ssistants.
The Otisville schools are under the supervision of a lx>ard composed of
George W. Lee, president; C. W. Phipps and Peter D. Clark, members.
E. A. Branch is superintendent and Mary E. Stang is principal, assisted by
three other teachers.
The Grand Blanc consolidated school, at Grand Blanc, has for its board
of education Dr. Tiiomas Farmer, president ; Charles Baker, secretary ;
George Coggins, Willis J. Perry and Thomas Penny, trustees. James Smith
is principal of the high school and there are three assistant instructors.
The Gaines village sch<x)I is under the board composed of George W.
Anns, president; F. W. McCann,- George W. Chase, George Judson and N.
E. Preston, trustees. A. W. Hackney is principal of the high school and
has three assistants.
The village of Goodrich, Atlas township, has for its board of education
Warren Green, president ; Fretl Sharland, secretary ; Ephraini Hersoh,
George Putnam and Dr. A. S. Wheelock, trustees. E. P. Mears, former
principal, has resigned, leaving at the present time a vacancy in the princi-
paiship. The board employs four teachers.
Swartz Creek's bonrd of education is made up of C. I. Briniley, presi-
dent; H. R. Richardson, Lee Parker, H. B. Freeman and Frank Ruby,
members. W. E. Hamilton i? principal and has two assistants.
dbyGoot^lc
600 GENESER COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
In addition to the public schools of the county, two business schools,
under private management, are doing good work in the city of Flint. They
are the Flint-Bliss Business College, South Saginaw street, Flint, O. E.
Knott, proprietor, and W. A. Cooley, principal ; and the Baker Business Uni-
versity, corner of Kearsley and Harrison streets; president, Eldon E. Baker.
Hurley Hospital Training School for Nurses, Anna M. Schill, superin-
tendent, is a branch of that institution.
The County Normal School, with its headquarters in the city of Flint,
is intended to ^ive to the young men and women of the county who desire
to fit themselves for the vocation of teaching an opportunity for normal
school work without the expense of attending a state school. A large num-
ber of these young people are taking advantage of this class. The graduat-
ing class of iQoS numbered twelve; in 1909 it numbered sixteen; in rgio,
sixteen; in 1911, sixteen; in 1912, fourteen: in 1913, twenty; in 1914,
twenty-two; in 1915, twenty-one, and in 1916, twenty.
: . The board of the County Normal School consists of the state superin-
tendent of public instruction, ex-officio, Superintendent A. N. Cody, of
Flint, and Commissioner ]. L. Riegle, of Flint. Miss Florence Colling is the
l)resent principal.
, "Religion, Morality and Knowledge being necessary to good govern-
ment.and the haj^iness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall
forever be encouraged."
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dbyGoo<^lc
STE^'ENSON SCHOOI^, FT^INT.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XX.
Books and Libraries.
Cariyle says, "!n books lies the soul of the whole past time; the articu-
late, audible voice of the past, when the bodily and material substance of it
has altogether vanished hke a dream." Any victim of the commonplace
worries of life, stepping into the cool, harmonious silence of a well-kept
reading room finds himself banished from the heat of the business world.
Here he may convene with old sages and philosophers, or, for variety, brush
elbows with kings and emperors. In this, perhaps, lies the reason for the
general feeling that a good library is worthy of reverence. The residents of
this county have never been inattentive to the inlwrn desire to read print.
The early settlers of Genesee county were of a high intellectuality. They
came largely from New York state and, being mostly descendants of the
Puritans of New I'higland, they brought with them the love of learning that
characterized their New England and New York ancestry. Mayhew's re-
port on the .schools of Michigan, quoted by Hon. D. W. Leach in a com-
munication to the National Era in 1851, is authority for the statement that
of four thousand six hundred and five whites in the county of Genesee in
1847, over twenty-one years old, there was only one who could not read and
write. Among a people of such a high standard of literacy it must be as-
sumed that books were demanded.
In one of the earliest records of the town of Elint, we find a list of the
names of library books received of Jonathan Lamb, of Ann Arbor, bought
Tuly 26, 1843, belonging to the several school districts of the town of Flint.
The list was as follows: "Treatise on Domestic Economy," "Universal His-
tory" (four sets), "Letters on Astronomy," "The Useful Arts" (two sets),
"Science and the Arts of Industry," "Education and Knowledge," "The Sea-
sons— Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn," "The T-'armer's Companion,"
"Lives of Eminent Men" (three sets), "Paley's Natural Theology" (two
sets), "Great Events by Great Historians," "The Fireside Friend," "Life of
Columbus," "Story of the Constitution," "Knowledge Under Difficulties"
(two sets), "Columbus and Vespucius," "Historic Tales for Youth," "Juve-
nile Budget Opened," "Scenes in Nature," "Means and Ends," "Country
dbyGoot^lc
(>0> (^^NiCSEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
KambJes," "Pleasures of Taste," "Things by Their Right Name," "juvenile
Jjudget Re-Opened," "Balboa, Cortes, Pizarro," "The Child's Friend," "Pic-
tures of Karly Life," "Lucy's Conversations," "Lucy's Stories," "Lucy at
the Seaside," "Lucy at Study," "L,ucy at the Mountains,'' "Lucy at Play,"
"Rollo Learning to Talk," "Rollo learning to Read," "Rollo at School."
"Rollo at Vacation," "Rollo at Play," "Rollo at Work," "Rollo's Museum,"
"RoUo's Philosophy, Sky.'" "Rollo's Philosophy, Fire," "Rollo's Philosophy,
Water," "Rollo's Philosophy, Air," Rollo's Travels," "Rollo's Correspond-
ence," "Rollo's Experiments," Hayward's Physiology," "The Teacher's Man-
ual," "Combe on the Constitution of Man," "Willard's United States,'
"Hitchcock's (Geology," "Spurzheim on Education," "The Americans in Their
Moral, etc., Relations," "I>ectures to Ladies," "Slate and Blackboard Exer-
cises," "Teacher Taught," "Wayland's Moral Science," "Wayland's Politi-
cal Economy," "Philosophy of Human Life,"
These books were under the control of the board of school ■ inspectors
of the town, then composed of R. D. Lamond, George W. P^ish and Henry
C. Walker, and on April 19. 1844. the board adopted certain "rules for the
regulation of the township library."
Under these rules the sexeral school district directors could draw from
the library books according to the proportion to which the district was
entitled and loan them to families of the district, not more than one at a time
to a family, to l>e retained only two weeks and then returned.
Oil August 14, 1843, James McAllester, director of district No. i, com-
prising the present city south of the river, drew twenty-nine of these books,
from which it would appear that his territory contained alwut three-sevenths
of the families in one town. The books were to be returned in three months.
John L. Gage, director of school district No. 5, drew out ten volumes,
.\ugiiEt 24, 1843, and Asahel Curtis, director of district No. 6, drew seven
l)Ooks, October 16, 1S43. Henjamin Boomer, district No. 3, drew ten vol-
lumes, Decemljer 3, 1843. On April 2, 1844, Isaiah Merriman, director of
district No. i, drew thirty-four volumes, or practically half of the entire
library of seventy-one volumes. On July 6, 1844, J. T. Peck, director of
district No. 10. drew three books. In this manner the Ijooks circulated
among- the several districts. John Hiller, director of district No. 6, Mr.
t.'hase, of district No. 8, appear from time to time as having received from
H. C. Walker their quota of the library.
In 1844 the library evidently received another invoice of books, for we
now find, "Lives of Female Sovereigns," "History of China," "History of
Insects," "Tales of .Vmerican History." "Swiss Family Robinson," "Thatcher's
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f;]:xESEi-: <:ol:nty, Michigan. 603
Indian 'IVaits," "The Poor Rich Man and The Rich Poor Man," "Tales of
tlic American Revolution," "Lockhart's Napoleon," "Abercrombie on the
Tnteilecttiai Powers," "Adventures in Africa," "Montgomery's Lectures on
General Literature," "Brewster's IJfe of Newton," "Rnssel's History of
Palestine."
There were many others, all of which show excellent judgment in the
selection. The library now numbered one hundred thirty-nine volumes and
district No. i (Flint village) was entitled to draw sixty-six volumes. The
library grew in 1S45 •'"'^ district No. 2, comprising the present city north of
the river, drew, by WilHam l"hayer, director, twenly-five volumes in Novem-
ber, 1845, -"ihowing the population of the north side to be about two-fifths
of that on the south side. In the winter of 1845-6 the library had grown to
two hundred tifty volumes and in quality showed discriminating literary taste
in selection, history, philosophy, biography, travels and hterature making the
bulk of the library.
In the list of directors, 1846,. who drew books for their di'Stricts, are
the names of Charles Johnson, district No. 8; Randal Calvin, of No. 6;
R. J. Gilmore, of No. 4; WilJard Eddy, of No. i; Jacob Plass, of No. 7;
John Delbridge, of No. q; S. Stone, of No. 6: Jesse J. IBeasley, of No. 8.
and N. Dodge, of No. 3.
In 1847 the library had grown to about three hundred fifty volumes,
and we find H. J. Higgins, director of No. i; Jonathan Cudney, of No. 3;
Rosal Stanard, of No. 4; William Milton, of No. 7; Elias J. Bump, of No.
16; Ira Stanard, of No. 4; Cephas Caqienter, of No. 6; J. L. Martin, of No.
16: Horace L. Donelson, of No. S: Nelson Norton, of No. 10, and R. J.
Artkin, of No. 16.
The library still grew and there appear in the list, the "Life and Times
of Patrick Henry," as well as of Marion, I.afayette, Boon, Black Hawk,
Paul Jones, Wayne and John Eliot: the "Sketch Book," Prescott's "Mexico,"
"Heroes of the Revolution," Stephen's "Central America," Gibbon's "Rome,"
Rollin's "Ancient History,'" and other books of high standard.
Tn the years from 18.19 *o 1^5^ the library appears to have been activelv
circulated and to have grown by purchase from time to time to about five
hundred volumes. It was rich in Americana, travels, history, morals and
philosophy. If the character of the books they read may be taken as an
index of the intellectuality of the people of Genesee county in those days, it
must l>e conceded that the standard was a high one, as compared with the
commonlv circulated works of our library of iqi6. The list of books se-
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604 GTCNESliK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
lected March 5, 1850, by Levi Walker, director of district No. i (Flint
City), and returned June i, 1850, is in point. They were "Josephus," "Use-
ful Arts," "Washington and His Generals," "Philosophy of Human Life,"
"The World and Its Inhabitants," "P'amous Men of Ancient Times," "Fa-
mous Indians," "Agricultural Chemistry," "Curiosities of Human Nature,"
"History of Switzerland," "Constitutional Jurisprudence of the United
States," Edgewood's "Moral Tales," Belknap's "American Biography" (two
volumes). Goldsmith's "Rome," Turner's "Sacred History," "Painters and
Sculptors," "Miscellanies," "Life of Alexander the Great," "Live and Let
Live," "Original Tales," "The American Poultry Book," "The Flower Bas-
ket," "The Floweret," "The Ornament Discovered," "Lucy on the Moun-
tains," "Display and Poetical Remains," "Fairy Tales," Pailey's "Grave,"
"Washington," "Columbus." Pailey's "Anecdotes," "Love to Run After
Children."
\lonzo Torry, on May 19, 1S51, selected for district No. 3. "History
of Greece," D'Aubiquqe's "Reformation," "History of the Indians," "Great
Events by Great Historians," "The World and Its Inhabitants," "Josephus,"
Markham's "History of France," "Knowledge Lender Difficulties," "Patrick
Henry," "Life of Columbus," "Famous Men of Ancient Times," "Past.
Present and Future." "Tiie Pillars of Hercuies," "Fanious Indians."
FUNT scientific: institute.
One of the earliest of the societies for culture in Genesee county was
the Flint Scientific Institute, composed of a group of persons who desired
improvement in scientific knowledge and felt the need of books which they
could not individually command. They associated to form a library of
books exclusively on scientific subjects. The leader in this movement seems
to have been F. H. Rankin, at whose office a society was organized in Febru-
ary, 1853, In March, 1854, a course of lectures was planned, also a series
of weekly meetings for the discussion of stated subjects. These were of
wide range, but mainly of a geographical nature.
While these studies were being pursued, the field of discussion was
enlarged. May 15, 1855, by the adoption of a resolution offered by Mr.
Rankin, by which section B was established to meet weekly on another even-
ing, distinct from that devoted to scientific discussion, for the purpose of
considering subjects of a wider range, including history, literature and art.
These meetings were carried on simultaneously with the others, with much
interest in the animated discussion of a variety of subjects. At the same
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GKNI'SEF COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 605
time the work of collecting materials for the museum was pushed forward
until the accumulation became embarrassing and called out a resolution
adopted June 22, 1855: "Resolved that the institute meet in a committee
of the whole on Saturday evening next at six o'clock, and each consecutive
evening except Sundays at the same hour, for the purpose of arranging an:l
cataloguing the museum."
On October 24, 1855, the executive committee, in a report setting forth
the importance of some better arrangement lor the increase and preservation
of the museum, recommended the appointment of curators to take charge of
the arrangement of the specimens in their respective branches, as follows:
Botany and entomology. Doctor Clarke ; mineralogy, M, B. Beals ; osteo-
logy and comparative anatomy, Doctor Stewart; reptiles and conchology,
Doctor Miles; ornithology, C. L. Avery; paleontology, C. E. McAIester;
ichthyology, E. Dodge; archaeology, J. B. Clark; miscellaneous, G. Andrews.
These several curators reported from time to time tlie condition and needs
of their respective departments.
On July 4, 1855, an enlertainment was given ?>y the ladies for the
pecuniary lienelit of the institute, the net proceeds of which were one hun-
dred thirteen dollars sixty-three cents. This was the first of many entertain-
ments .subsequently given by the ladies of Flint and Genesee county, to whom
much credit is due for material aid in sustaining the enterprise. With the
funds thus obtained at this time valuable additions were made to the hbrary,
including a subscription to Professor Agassiz's great work, "Contributions
to the Natural History of the United States." On January 2, 1856, a com-
mittee was appointed to inquire into the feasibility of publishing a history
of Genesee county. The plan was to combine with an account of the settle-
ment a full de,=cri]>tion of the physical geography and natural history in all
its departments. JMany of the materials were at hand and probably the
project might have l>een attempted but that a thorough geological survey of
the state, indulging this county, seemed to be a desirable preliminary. Ac-
cordinglv a. committee was appointed, consisting of Doctor Miles, Mr. Ran-
kin, Mr, Beals and the president, who proceeded to bring the subject to the
attention of the Legislature by means of i>etitions circulated in all parts of
the state and also by correspondence and personal interviews with many
persons of influence. The project undoubtedly had an important influence
in securing by legislative action the geological survey of 1859-69 by Profes-
sor Winchell. Doctor Miles was appointed his assistant, having charge of
die zoological department. His preliminary report, containing a very full
hst of the animals, birds, reptiles and shells found in the state, was pub-
dbyGoot^lc
6o6
ENESEE COUNT'
lished in the first volume of Professor Winchell's report. This apiKiintment
was a deserved and gratifying compliment to the doctor and through his sub-
sequent appointment to a professorship in the State Agricultural College,
opened an avenue to his life's work in a congenial field which he most suc-
cessfully cultivated.
With the inroads made hy the Civii War upon its limited membership,
it may well be conceived that after the war the most that could be hoped for
was to keep the organization alive and preserve its material for future use.
This was done, but the incubus of the war was upon every ctvi! enterprise
and it was hard for a time to do anything more. "However, an effort was
made and, after much canvassing, encouragement was received by assurance
of support, to atteni[)l a new start. For this purpose a spacious hall was
taken in an unfinished condition on a lease for a term of years. Considerable
expense was incurred in finishing and furnishing the room. The collection
was moved with much labor and the new hall was dedicated to science with
an address from President Angell, of the State University. But disappoint-
ment was again encountered, for while many were prompt and ready to meet
their engagements, others neglected and declined to redeem their pledges
and, deeming it unfair and useless to tax the generous friends of the in-
stitute further, it was decided to cancel the hidebtedness by a transfer in
trust to the union school district of the city of Flint. In the document of
conveyance it is set forth that it is received "upon trust to preserve and
maintain the library and cabinet of specimens of said scientific institute in a
suitable room or rooms in the high-school building or some other suitable
building, and to cause the same to be and remain forever free to the in-
habitants of said city of b'iint for examination and inspection at all proper
times."
This transfer was made on January 5, 1877, and thus the valuable
cabinet illustrating the natural history of the county an<i state, the result of
years of labor and care in its collection and preservation, was lodged in a
safe place, where it could be made directly available in illustrating the teach-
ings of science, not t>nly to the pupils of the high school, but to all who
might wish to avail themselves' of its advantages under propter restrictions.
The tali glass cases of shells, fossils, minerals, botanical specimens, etc., are
still a part of the laboratory equipment of the Central high school. The
new "public library" in those days was small enough to find easy accommo-
dation in one of the recitation rooms. The presence, moreover, within the
school walls of really fascinating classics made a tempting pasture, so 'tis
said, for students who preferred browsing therein to doing their algebra.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 607
have been misspent in wrestling with our old friends A and B, "those pecul-
iar men who paid their debts at snch irregular times and in such extraor-
dinary amounts, and who would haggle over mills and decimals of a mill,
Unforgotten and nnregretted those golden hours even yet; hours that might
and who had the singular habit, when they wished to know the time of day,
of reckoning it from the length of a shadow cast by a church steeple in
Australia."
ladies' liehaky association.
The Ladies' Library Association was formed in 1851 and incorporated
in 1853. By 1854 it was acquired a library of live hundred volumes. In
1861 the library was nearly destroyed by fire, but, by the awakened sym-
pathies of the community and the prompt payment of the amount insured,
they were able to take adi'antage of the low prices of books from a failing
publishing house. This nearly repaired their loss and placed in their collec-
tion many valuable works. At this time the circulation of a subscription
paper for the purpose of pro\'iding for the library a more commodious build-
ing met with great success. A lot was purchased on the corner of Beach
and Kearsiey streets and within the same year of its conmiencement the cor-
ner-stone of the edifice was laid, with Masonic ceremonies, under the super-
vision of the Hon. William M. Fenton. The cost of the building was about
six thousand dollars. It was dedicated on June 30, 1868. The dedicatory
address, by His Excellency. Governor Crapo. contained this high tribute of
praise to the ladies for their zeal and perseverance: "They, from the be-
ginning to the present time, have never abandoned their task or become dis-
heartened in view of discouragements and difficulties. Conscious of the
good work in which they were engaged, they have yielded to no obstacles or
embarrassments, and the result is this fine structure, both a credit and an
ornament to the city, these volumes, the chariots of knowledge, and this hall.
which they so well adorn, and of which we all may so well be proud."
This dedication of a ladies' library building was an event new in the
annals of our country, but it was soon to be followed by numerous like
associations throughout the state. In 1871 the library celebrated its twen-
tieth anniversary. On this occasion many literary and floral oi¥erings were
contributed and valuable gifts received in money and books. Many tokens
of encouragement and commendation were received from persons of long-
established literary merit. On March 22, 1876, the centennial year of our
nation's life, the ladies celebrated the quarter-centennial of their hhrary. Sev-
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6oS r.KNESEi-: county, michkjan.
eral sister libraries were well represented and participated in the exercises
by able addresses and poems.
The objects of the society at the outset could not be better expressed
tlian-by quoting a portion of a letter from one who was present and bore a
part in its organization, Mrs. E. M. Pratt, of Lansing. "We remember,"
wrote she, "this organization came of a sentiment to secure and foster a
more cultivated social and moral atmosphere — not only for ourselves, but
for a field beyond- — securing avenues for wider views, for higher and nobler
asi)i rations." Mrs. K. Bartow, of Buffalo, a former member who aided in
its formation, wrote thus: "Your kind invitation brings a rush of pleasant
memories. Its life and growth have been a precious desire of mine. I regret
I cannot clasp hands, as of old, with the members on the appointed day,"
The poem written for and read on the occasion by F. H. Rankin con-
tained a fine eulogy on the ladies' ta.ste in their selection of books.
Wl},v l^ilk iif |)i-iiJtliiK lluuit.'I'tH'' l.uok iii'ouiiil.
TlHiii llii;He Mlu'lies the imswer luiiy be found.
Sii ciive of i'iiti1(?H. no Golcoiicla's mine.
,N(( golden vein, no Oi-lental slirfiie,
l'"ei- kn(?n tlic iveiUili of treasure lockeii iiwny—
I'reserveil in iii'tnteil tboughts; that );ninil uiTiiy
\'on li lUi'w liiive iit'C'niiinliited liere,
AVlikli we, hi this angusl centenuiol yeiir —
Youi' quiirler-ceuteiutry^ — have met to greet
The fniif of Jill your Inboifi, so complete,
Could guests hdve finer buiiqiiet thjin we flnil!
Or with more ciioii* eompanionsLlp he Joined?
The kings of niiud; tbe emperors of tliousht;
The iiitellectnul gEjints n-ho have wrought
In every field of litemry fame.
Is ('omjiiiiiy eiititleil to nwlnim.
Mrs. Damon Stewart writes: "The idea of making the Ladies' Library
a free public library was latent in the association. Tt had come up again ami
again for discussion. Resolutions to that effect were voted down repeatedly,
because not all could .see quite alike, and the public did not give much en-
couragement, yet there was a very general desire to do what seemed to be
the best thing for the city. Finally, at a special meeting, on June 28, 1884,
it was unanimously decided to present the library to the city. The following
resolutions were adopted, and the Hon. George H. Durand was requested
to present them to the city :
" 'At a special meeting of the Ladies' Library Association of Flint,
dbyGoot^lc
(;en[':see county, Michigan. 6u()
having associated ourselves together for the purpose of cultivating a taste
for literature and establishing a library in our midst ; and,
" 'Whereas, having labored, for this purpose for a period of twenty
years, we now find our labors crowned with success ; and,
" 'Whereas, the liberality of a generous public ha\'ing so greatly con-
tributed to this success, we do hereby
" 'Resolve, that the ladies of said association, to show their appreciation
of such liberality and believing that the wants of the public will be better
subserved in the future by a free public city library; be it therefore
" 'Resolved, that said association do hereby present to the city of Flint
the library and building now liefonging to said association, to be forever a
free city library and reading room, the ladies reserving the right to appoint
four trustees who shall co-operate with said city in carrying out the above
object.'
"A committee of the following named ladies was authorized to carry
out and put in effect these resolutions by presenting to the said city, through
your honorable body, the library building, and such other property as the)'
may have to dispose of, the city to guarantee the carrying out of the above
requirements in connection with a debating club. And the said library and
reading room to be kept open through every day and evening of the years
of the future for the benefit of the public. M. G. Stockton, Arabella Ran-
kin, Helen Hill and Lizzie M. Carman, committee.
"Judge Durand presented the resolutions to the common council. Tlie
matter was referred to a committee, which reported as follows:
" 'Your committee, to whom was referred the communication of the
Ladies' Library Association, find, after a careful consideration of the mat-
ter, that it would cost the city to run the library in the present building, to
the best judgment of the committee, at least one thousand two hundred to
one thousand five hundred dollars per year, with five hundred dollars to
start with for new books and rebinding old ones. This would be offset in
part by the rent of the lower part of the building, if it could be rented, leav-
ing the balance to be raised by tax. It has been said that the fines from the
justice's office would go to a free library. We would say that the fines col-
lected under city ordinance amount to but little more- than enough to pay
the justice. The fines collected under state laws are paid to the county
treasurer and by him distributed to the schools of the county. We would
sav that the city would be called upon within the next two years to build
two or three bridges at :■ cost of many thousand dollars. We would also
(39)
dbyGoc^lc
6lO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
state that within the next two years the city will lose from the tax hst per-
sonal property to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand to one hun-
dred and seventy-five thousand dollars (W. W. Crapo and Begole, Fox &
Company, himber), a loss at the present rate of taxation of more than two
thousand dollars. While acknowledffing the value of the gift and the great
good that would come of it, yet your committee would deem it unwise under
the circumstances for the city to assume any additional hurden at the present
time.'
"The report of the committee was adopted.
"The more the subject was considered, the more desirable it seemed
that the Ladies' Library should be transformed into a free public Hbrary.
The Scientific Library had, as stated above, made a bill of sale of its library
and museum to union school district, January 5, 1877, and with this example
in mind, a committee was appointed to consult with the school board, April
25. 1885, and the following resolution was adopted:
" 'That the officers of this, the Ladies' Library. Association of Flint,
he anil are hereby authorized and instructed, in the name of this association.
to execute a deed and bill of sale, of all the property of the association, both
real and personal, to union school district of the city of Flint, under the sole
condition that said property be devoted to library purposes.'
"This resolution was presented to the school Jward and, after due con-
sideration, the following resolution, presenteil by Trustee Wisner, was un-
animously adopted :
" 'Resolved, that, on behalf of the union school district of the city of
Fhnt, we accept the building on the southwest corner of Kearsley and Beach
streets, known as the Ladies' Library Association building, and the books
and fixtures which it contains, to l>e used, or if any portion be sold to be
used solely for the maintenance of a public library in the city of Flint;
" 'Resolved, that the committee on libraries is hereby authorized to see
that the necessary i>apers are executed and recorded, transferring the title to
said property to union school district ;
" 'Resolved, that we tender our thanks to the ladies of the Library As-
sociation for their generous and unselfish act in devoting to public use and
the common good so much valuable property, the result of many years of
untiring effort and representing not only the labors of the present donors,
but of many who have ceased from their labors and entered into their re-
ward, and whose works do foftow them.' ■
"The secretary of the board of trustees, Mrs. Dibble, was instructed to
dbyGoot^lc
GENLSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 6l I
cause to be prepared an engrossed copy of the above resolutions and forward
it to the secretary of the Indies' Library Association.
"There were about four thousand books in the hbrary. The deed thus
giving the Ladies' Library in trust to the union school district, was signed
by Frances McQuigg Stewart, president, and Anna Walker McCall, secre-
tary. ]u\y II, 1885, the remaining thirty-seven dollars fifty-five cents in the
treasury was given to the Woman's Relief Corps as the successors of the
Soldiers' Aid Society. From 1885 until 1905 the public library occupied
the same buildings, the Hst of voUimes increasing each year with the growth
of the city."
This general survey of our library's growth must pay a special tribute
to that same Dr. Daniel Clarke, elsewhere mentioned. It was due in large
part to his critical knowledge of literature and science that so high a stand-
ard was originally set. He not only supervised the selection of new books,
but enriched the little library with many volumes from his own shelves. Any
one who prowls today among the less frequented nooks of the library will
still discover a few well-bound, finely-printed old classics, with the name of
this benefactor in autograph on the fly leaf. Many lovers of good literature
feci indebted to him for showing the way to a better appreciation of the
world's best minds, and hold him, though unknown, in grateful remem
hrance.
FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY,
Wheels and the printing press have made the world more neighborly.
That cosmopolitan Scot, Mr, Carnegie, who has taken the whole country
under his wing, made it possible in 1905 for Flint to erect a steel-framed
house for its books. It is constructed of stone, in style suggestive of the
(jreck, on the comer of Clifford and East Kearsley streets. The interior
furnishings are handsome and a good collection of photographs ornament the
walls. Perhaps the greatest treasure contained in the library is one of the
original volumes of Audubon's "Birds of America," now priceless. This
volume, together with three descriptive volumes, was a gift to the Ladies
Library Association in 1876 from Hon. William L. Bancroft, of Port Huron.
On the second floor of the building is housed the museurh of the Genesee
C'ounty Historical Society, thus forming a valuable adjunct to the available
literature concerning this locality. The work of the head librarian, Mrs.
f.ena Caldwell, extending over a period of thirty years, cannot be over-esti-
mated.
Four deptxsit libraries have been placed in different sections during the
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6l2 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
past year, collections of books being sent from the public library to the Dort
school, the Fairview school, Hurley hospital and the Marvel Carburetor Com-
pany and it is planned to establish five or six more of these libraries during
the coming year. In view of the fact that the present public library is
inadequate for the needs of the city, land has been purchased adjoining the
building on the east, and large wings will soon be added to make room for
the rapidly increasing number of volumes.
The annua! report for the year closing July i, 1916, shows a circulation
for the year of 67.965 volumes and 8,226 persons enrolled on the card system.
There are 17,376 volumes in the library, 1,745 of which were added during
the year just ended. The board of education in 1914 set aside a room to
be known as the "Genesee County Historical Room and Museum." It has
developed into a very valuable collection of pioneer and pre-historic relics
and specimens. The Silas ColHns collection, the gift of Silas Collins, of
(irand Blanc, is one of the best in the country.
BURTON ladies'
The Burton Ladies' Library was organized in 1882 by a group of v
residents of the township of Burton, Genesee county. The charter members
were, president, Mrs. Dan Church; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Orson Bing-
ham; librarian, Mrs. Ella Rockwood; Mrs. John W. Eldridge. Mrs. Morti-
mer Hammond and Mrs. Ed Granger.
The first volumes were donated by the members and purchased with
funds raised by the organization. At the time that the Ladies' Library Asso-
ciation of Flint transferred their library to the union school district of the
city of Flint, all of the duplicate volumes on hand were purchased by the
Burton Ladies' Library and gradually the collection was formed. In 1890
William Hammond, of Burton, donated a site on the corner of the Davison
and Covert roads and through the efforts of the members a library building
was erected at a cost of about six hundred dollars. Funds were secured by
subscription and upwards of one thousand volumes were housed in the library
building. For nearly twenty-five years the association continued, but for the
past ten years, the conditions in rural life being materially changed, the
library has been closed and in 1916 the land was disposed of. ' At Goodrich
and Atlas, thriving ladies' library associations are maintained, also at Flush-
ing and Fenton.
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(5ENEf^KE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 613
Tills, Books cau ao— uor tliis uloue; they give
New views to life anil teach us how to live;
Tliey soothe the gi-ieved, the stubborn they cbitstise,
Fools they admonish, and confirm the wise;
Their aid they yield to all ; they never shun
The man of sorrow, nor the wretch undone:
Unlike the hard, the selfish and the proud,
They fly uot sullen from the suppliant crowd ;
Nor tell to various people various things,
But show to subjects what they show to kings.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XXI.
Res Liteuaria.
In reviewing things literary in the history of a county one is held
within bounds, as the scope is necessarily limited. Genesee county, however,
has contributed to the world of letters numerous creditable offerings which
will live to perpetuate the names of those who wrote them.
It is to be regretted that a complete bibliography of Genesee county
authors with titles of their productions are not available. To the one who
prepares sucli a list the public will owe a debt of gratitude. Among those
who have earned a place in such a list, are M. S. Elmore, Dr. f.uther Lee,
W. R. Bates, Rev. C. A. Lippincott, D. D., Mrs. Ida McGlone Gibson. Mrs.
Arabella Rankin, i'^enton R. McCreery and Arthur C. Pound.
In volume 14 of the ''Michigan Historical Collections" may be found
an epic of the Saginaw country, by Judge Albert Miller, one of the very
earliest of the pioneers, a native of Vermont, who visited Grand Blanc when
there were no white men in the surrounding counties. This contribution.
"The Rivers of the Saginaw Valley Sixty Years Ago," is of value histori-
cally. Starting from the Kawkawlin, "a noted stream for fish and game,"
the writer passes "over all the ground, that near the valley streams is found,"
including the streams of Genesee.
Among the earlier residents of this locality who were gifted with a
literary taste and ability, was Mrs. M. Louise Thayer, the wife of Artemus
Thayer, a well-known resident of early Flint. Mrs. Thayer was the eldest
daughter of Manly Miles, who came to the settlement of Flint River in
1837. She was a woman of refinement, exceptionally fond of society,
and the enthusiastic patron of every organization that found a place in
the early life of the town; a lady, in the old-school sense of the word, who
gave fresh impetus to the associations of a struggling village and growing
city. Mrs. Thayer was one of the early promoters of the Ladies' Library
and an efficient officer of that organization. She was the author of many
short poems .of, much merit and charm. A volume of her literary produc-
tions was published a number of years ago, but is now unobtainable.
In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Thayer celebrated their silver wedding, the first
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(iliNESEE COUNTY, MlC"lllGAN. 615
silver wedding ever celebrated in Flint, on which occasion a poem of wel-
come, composed by the hostess, was read. We select the opening and clos-
ing verses:
k I Hi ml-iil! -eeui'- U «ieit!ie >,iv tioi ii-. t iiiKlil.
Mill ^nliiil e\eij biou ^^ith ii>s\ llglit
1 \<.eM 11 lj<;iaiiiiK wltli blad smiles »e nt^
In Miiuoii> nltb biltbt festivity
Whicli Is tlio iffaiiiu^ uf tbH <1 j iiiij li ut
To us 1 [leclous aiinliersnrv
Oer wlilcli soft slhei\ flouds in 1 1 1 m 11
Oci thiitv vetiit of ietroii)eet we sti n
Xlirough scenes tUat seem but as of (e-iteiday
Xet all tbls lai>ee of time but malce^ uioie <lear
rbewe lemlnlstente-i from leir to jetii
Aud often maybsii when the dtiy is djlng
VA ill CT iiie from out the pines a reijuieni
tor t>.irU ioies for clijldhood s pleasure 9lt,biug.
Foi life lesiwuses to tbit earliest b\mn
\oices from imtl\e bill nnawering came
AwRkeulUs eclio^ in our lake-bound home
Sweet niurniuriiit,s of the past will eier Ungei
In fond day drenms.
Kheu Hmes all iKitent finger
I olnts to our rest u^ion the soul e tel se
Mjit ne emi 1 up i 11 11 111 th it biitht Home >f I eaee.
Flint, ITeb. 7, 186!t.
Silver Wedding.
Francis H. Rankin, Sr., of Flint, the pubhsher and owner of the Gene-
see Whig and the Wolverine Citizen for many years, was a man of broad
intellect and ability. Previous to his coming to America in 1848, he was
connected with The Citizen or The Dublin Monthly Magazine, a literary
periodica! of Dublin, Ireland, and was also the author of a number of poems
which appeared in Blackwood's Magasine. After his arrival in this country
a number of his poems appeared in Godey's Lady's Book, published in Phila-
delphia. Mr. Rankin contributed much to the literary life of the commun-
ity and it is a regrettable fact that his productions were not issued in book
form and preserved to posterity. Mr. Rankin's sonnet, "The Aeolian Harp,"
.-ippeared in the Dublin Citiscn in 1841.
dbyGoot^lc
c;enesf,e county, Michigan.
Uii-.!! Hiisii i_jiu that le m>uii(J whit'li tlius I iieiir.
So tieinulauHl\ sweet ^u softiv low;
loo weak for joy too mnsiiiil for woe.
Which falls to fiiiutlv geiiHv that the esir
Is left to doubt its lielug tis i-o near
In Its relutiousbip to silence? I ist !
Do ye uot hear it struggling to exist?
TIs conqueror \nd non in wild cnreer
It nisbet like a tempeHt Send along;
^ow shlierinE witli i ige — "till niusiial—
Now shouting like a reielling biiihin\l :
Now iiiimi king the svienw Hoftesf song:
\ow rising oer the winds loud loioe — anon.
Hanging on his la«t kl'A to die nhen he is gone.
Ilirk III » the chord of luerij io} now rings!
Ileii lifn Jt thrills In gladness' There^'tis gone:
And 111 w I sweet sad nielancboly tone
Swells ■sionh on the in ind with It hringa
Reiiienihi'aiiw'i- of 1 mg lo^t precious things:
Telling of withered htpes affe<tion cmsh'd;
Of clilll chill heaiti that once with warm love gush'd :
Of snn-bright iisions that hiive made them wings
And down iiwjiy withal, to come no iiioi'e:
Of the young, gentle si>lrit'8 early blight.
lOre the first blossom of Its life wiis o'er.
Too fragile to withstand the world's hard smite —
"Tls gone! Sinking to silence, like the wiiil
Of music's dying i^trit. on some far-off gale.
William J. Walker, son of the Rev. Warum Walker, a Baptist clergy-
man, and nephew of I-evi Walker, one of the early residents of Flint, was
the author of a book of manuscript poems which has been preserved in the
old Walker library, as possessing much merit. Mr. Walker studied for the
law, but died within a short time after his admission to the bar. Included in
the book of verse is the following:
The last faint twilight fades;
The gloomy pull
Of evening's gathering shades
Is flung o'er alt.
Now while, ns parting duy
In darkness dies away,
We lift our hands to pray.
I-ord, bear our call.
yGoc^lc
(.1 NLSl-V >(»L\1
^ MJLHIGAN.
We
MHL 110 goirt
11(11 futie
Nor ieuBth ot
yens
O
Mite fiom Rill
una -ilinme
ina cnim oui
fell IS
ill
lowlj a-f we
kneel
Tlij
piii-dnliig loi
e reieiil
Our
Vk Nliik-j the suii lo test
Villi (lleM (111 oceiiis lirmist
riie eieiilng breeze
Oil tliiis let nil o\n woe-
ill (lentil sereiii^ i^MiHe
ShcIi be our lust lepose
H lien Htinpii deiKres
'-ooii Hbiill the iiioni leKiinie
ItH glorioii*? sway
^Hil mmn Rbtill gi\A the toiiiU
A brighter rtny
When eiirtli rrojii pole t<i |ii>h
'^hnll biiiii tiiil HIte i stmll
nie hem ens rosether loll
Mr. Alvah llraiiierd, of Grand Blanc, published, in 1865, a small book-
let concerning ttie pioneer life of that locality, which is of much interest
historically. The little book is now out of print, but the few copies which
have been preserved are of value as a record of early days in Genesee county.
Mrs. Royal W. Jenny, the wife of the one-time editor of the old Gene-
see Democrat, was the author of a book of verse which was published in the
eighties. Her granddaughter. Miss Florence Jenny, has inherited much of the
literary ability of her grandparents and is now entering her fifth year as
teacher of German in Vassar College, Miss Jenny obtained her degree from
a German university, and a few years ago collaborated with Professor
Mosher, of Oberlin College, in editing a German text-l)ook which at present
is being used in several of the large colleges of the country. Her sister,
who was Miss Ethel Jenny, is now Mrs. Selden Osgood Martin, whose hus-
band is director of the bureau of research of Harvard University. Mrs.
Martin, who is a graduate of the law department of the University of
Michigan, and the winner of a scholarship at Radcliffe College, is the author
of a series of articles on "Railroad Research in Massachusetts," which
appeared a few years ago in one of the leading Eastern publications, and is
yGoo-^lc
Oi8 <;KN]i;sEE county, Michigan,
also a .contributor to a number of literary magazines. Mrs. Martin makes
lier home at Garden City, Long Island.
William Stevenson, a resident of Flint for many years, was the
writer of over four hundred hymns, which have been published in various
collections. He was also the author of "Sights and Scenes in Europe, or
Cencilings by the Way," which was published in 1882, being the outgrowth
uf a series of letters written to the Wolverine CtHsen in 1881, while the
writer was touring England and the Continent. Mr. Stevenson's "Hymn
to the Sea," composed during a Sunday morning service on shipboard,
brings to mind in the opening chapter of this entertaining volume, his talent
as a sorig writer :
whose glory fills the sddes,
'I'o TLee, from all tlmt dwell tidow.
J^t lilgbest praises rise.
Illy hand tlie moving \viiter» siiread.
The winds obey thy will;
And ocean's troubled, heaving lireast
Thy mighty arm can stUl.
'I'o Tliee we trust out feeble breiitli:
Our ways are In thy hand;
Thy wHtchful cure will safely keei>
Secure on sea. as land.
Kternal Father, Sovei-eign Ixjrd,
Accept the praise we bring;
And when we stand on crystal f"eii.
A nobler sons we'll sine.
Mr. Stevenson was for many years a valued member of the Flint board
of education, and the Stevenson school, which occupies a site on a large
tract of land formerly owned by him in the northern part of Flint, is named
in his honor. Dr. Thomas R. Buckham, a well-known physician of Flint
from 1868 to 1891, was the author of a work on the legal aspects of insan-
ity, published in 1883, and bearing the title, "Insanity Considered in Its
Medico-Legal Relations." The work is of great erudition and shows its
author to have been of high intellectuality and of unusual sociological pre-
science. It has been used as authority in deciding important cases in the
supreme courts of several states. This volume and others of like character
may be regarded as potent causes for the present rarity of the plea of
insanity as a defense in legal cases and the discriminating suspicion which
attaches to such a defense.
dbyGoot^lc
(IKNKSEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN, 6.l.y
Egbert L. Bangs, of Flint, was the author of a number of poems, which
are soon to be collected and published in book form, by his son. Dwight
L. Bangs. iVIr. Bangs for many years occupied a prominent place in
affairs literary in Flint, and the Bangs Shakespeare Club, a society of many
years standing, was named in his honor,
Sidney Austin Witherbee, a son of Austin Witherbee, who was a
prominent resident of Flint in the fifties and sixties, and grandson of Co!.
E. H. Thomson, is the author of several books of poems which were pub-
lished a few years ago. At the close of the Spanish-American War he also
issued a volume of "National Songs," under the nom de plume of "Netsua
Yendis."
Miss Effie Douglas Putnam, of Flint, published in 1888 a volume of
poems under the title of "Margaret and the Singer's Story," and also issued
in 1903 "Cirillo," the story of a musician, published by the Life Publishing
Company of New York. Miss Putnam was the leading member of the Rhea
Dramatic Club, which was organized in Flint in 1884, which for a number of
years was an active theatrical society. She was also a talented musician '
and a proficient performer on the harp. The following poem, "My Harp."
is included in her book of verse;
Uf ^l^lillt^ winliig iini ut gi icelul mould
^tmng with ita (.boid» of "illiei red mil bhie
Tuned to bigh key melodious luui tnie
I apeik to It 11 I faithful fiieiid
WUkh hath no intei'est nor selfish eiiil
It anawereth Ah me tbe lo\elj tone'
It W the sweetest lolce that I ha\e known
I [Mils 111} hanili aloDK the slletit stiings
And soft the siid the melancholy things
W lie nlth n touch with len life thej sigh
Tilte forest leiiflets nhpn the nliid N hii.h
The venerable Rev. Seth Reed, whose long life of ninety-three years
lias been spent principally in the Methodist ministry of the state of Michi-
fjan, and much of it in the vicinity of Genesee county, has written an auto-
biographic account of his activities as a circuit rider, preacher and mission-
ary among the pioneers of the state and also among the Indians. This
work is replete with interesting incidents of early times and is in itself a
history of the rehgious side of pioneer life. Mr. Reed is still a resident of
Flint and has recently celebrated the seventy-third anniversary of his entry
dbyGoot^lc
620 (iENESKK COUNTV, MICHIGAN,
into the ministry. He was elected in igi6 as president emeritus of the
Genesee County Historical Society.
The Rev. W. Dudley Powers, D, D., a Virginia gentleman who was
for some years the rector of St. Paul's church in FSint, and a talented,
brilliant speaker, was the author of a volume of poems entitled "My Songs
in the Evening." from which "Taps" is selected as an example of his
poetical gifts.
i!ii to sleei) ! Uo tii sleep ! (io to sleeit !
It is night. tb« soldier's <liiy i» done.
It tH nisbt, tlie soldier's fljilit is won.
O'er the Ullls iiiul througli the gleu
Where the ivinfliiiK river glides.
Where the soiig bird frightened hides.
To the nioiratnin's iiinreied sides.
Drifts the iHiRle's uijilit "Anieii,"
f'lnne imd iove rtnd honor hover —
Lover's love nhoiiC a lover-
Round thy foruis. ye soidiere brine.
Heat ye. i-est ye iii thy Krave.
(Jo to sleep ! Oo to Bleep! Go to sleeiif
/\mong the writers who have attained distinction in the literary worl<l
is .A.rthur J. E{ldy, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Eddy, who was born
in Flint in 1859. Mr. Eddy studied law at Harvard Law School and was
admitted to the bar of Genesee county by Judge Newton. For a number
of years he was owner and publisher of the Genesee Democrat, the Sunday
Democrat and the Daily News. He went to Chicago to practice law in
i88g and formed a partnership with Edwin Walker, of that city, the firm
of Walker & Eddy being coimsel for the World's ColumUan Exposition
and for a number of -railroads and other large corporations. Since the
organization of his own law firm in 1900 Mr. Eddy's professional work
has. been confined exclusively to certain phases of corporation work and he
is the specially retained counsel for many of the largest corporations in the
country.
Among his literary productions are "Two Thousand Miles in an Auto-
mobile," which was issued in 1902, This volume is descriptive of the first
long journey taken in an automobile in America and is the pioneer book on
automobiling in this country. "Tales of a Small Town'" are impressions
yGoo-^lc
GF.NESEK COUNTY. MiCHKlAN, 62 i
(if Flint, and many of the characters are easily recognized by people of
their day and generation. "Ganton & Co.", a novel of t"he Chicago busines.s
world, was sLibsecjnently dramatized under the title of "The Great John
Ganton" and produced with George Fawcett in the leading role. Mr. Eddy's
work on "The Law of Combinations," published in 1900, has remained the
standard legal work on combinations, and "The New Competition," a law
work dealing with competitive conditions along radical and revolutionary
lines, has already passed through four editions. Mr. Eddy's appreciation
of art and literature has placed him in a conspicuous position in the arl
world, and for some years he has been a discriminating patron of the Chicago
Art Institute and connected with its various committees. Among his books
on art are "Delight, the Soul of Art," a compilation of five Lectures delivered
at tJie Chicago Arl Institute and elsewhere; "Cubists and Post- Impression-
ists," a large and fully illustrated work dealing with the modem movement
in art, and the "Recollections and Impressions of James McNeill Whistler.'*
Whistler painted a full-length portrait of Mr. Eddy in 1894, at which time
a friendship began which lasted until the artist's death in 1903, Mr. Eddy's
collection of modern pictures is the only one of its kind in .\uicrica and
one of the largest and most complete collections in the world.
Mr. Eddy was chairman of the committee which entertained Prince
Henrv at the time of his \'!sit to Chicago, and was afterwards decorated
by the German Emperor, being made Knight of the Red Eagle.
Mrs. Kddy, who was Miss Lucy Crapo Orrell, the granddaughter of Gov-
ernor Henry H. Crajx), is the author of some very charming verse, the fol-
lowing lines being written for "A California Flower Calendar:"
-Night sleeiis. rticy dowus, thvoujrli Ibi' Hli^niowy lir.
O'er the luniizaiiltii, wild wiugs wliir.
Wake tlie puipliiig valleys, vlolel lirewef stlf.
DafCodila nnii J<mqulls, 111I11 <lii>i)s foil.
Winter storuis are brewlDg, song hiiils call:
BlooiiiN the rose of SJmroii, loveliest of all.
Blow wistaria bloHeoniH. blow in'iicia tree,
Oranjre boughs aud tilmonil, pui'lile Heiiv-rte-lis.
fherokee iinenione. winds of Arciidy
Suiiltells. could-bella, wild flowers fair;
Songs of iiioTintfiin watoi-s, rinclnn in thp air;
MariiJOMii lilips. |)o|>lile3 pveiTwhere.
dbyGoc^lc
622 CENK-SEP: county, MICHIGAN.
GoJO of Oidiir vifseK, toiicli ami g",
Kleetins ;is the sunset's iifterglow.
Wben ne ti-y to woo tliem. iiwiiy Ihey lilow.
Glenius CUe inum-yllis, shine tbe lilies white.
Float on (iusky wiUers lotus blossoms iirlght ;
On the dlatnnt mesa loonis tJie yucca light.
Through the jiicnraiKlii sHpiihli-e blossoms swlug.
Like n flocit ot blue-birds fluttering on the wine.
Joy Is III the tree-toiis, sweetly carolling.
Myrtles wi'entheiJ In rose mists, crown the wiinflerinE breeze, .
Bend the Inden frult-bouiflis. drone tlie huney-hep'!.
In the phlox, hollyhocks, oleander trees.
ITragrnnt nre the vineyards, blue gwtves tnine.
Flash the tiuy sickles, strlitiring everj- vine.
From ;i thousand iH'ewees flowM the ruby wine.
Fiides the flnmliig sunset, night-birds wing.
Through the wige and ehaiiarral arroyo breezes sing:
Sllrery twlnkllug trail-bells ffir ofE ring.
Twinkle starry iietals in the antuniu Klejims.
Glliiiniei'lng on green stalks, fringed moonbeams;
Twilight shadows deepen, the year dreams
Time and petals drifting softly thn)ngh tbe Iwiwers,
Float the flaming dlnls. yule-tide hours:
Euchailstlc lilies, scariet Christmas flowei's.
Miss Elizabeth Steele Hicock, of Flint, well known in literary life of
the community, is the author of delightful stories for children which have
appeared in St. Nicholas, Harper's Young People and other publications.
Miss Hicock has also written a number of poems, some of her more recent
ones appearing in The Outlook. She was also some years ago a contributor
to The Illustrator, an Eastern publication, and the New York Independent.
Dr. C. B. Burr, an eminent alienist of national reputation and for over
twenty years the distinguished head of Oak Grove hospital, is the author
of a volume published in 1906, entitled "A Primer of Psychology and Mental
Disease." This work was designed as a text btxik for medical students and
for attendants and nurses in training schools. It is also a valuable ready
reference book for the general practitioner, is considered authoritative and
has passed through several editions. After the third edition the title was
changed to "The Handbook of Psychology and Mental Disease."
Dr. Francis Devereux Clarke, for nearly a quarter of a century the
able superintendent of the Michigan school for the deaf, at Mint, with his
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEK COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 6^,',
broad knowledge of the brain deveiopment of the deaf, was able to give
to the great work of special education a volume known as "Michigan
Methods." This work treats of the presentation of the very beginnings of
language, numbers, geography and other matters of vital importance in the
teaching of the deaf. This valuable work is now lieing used in the schools
for the deaf throughout the country and also in many similar institutions in
luirope. For his educational service he was given the I>octor's degree in
Humane Letters by Gallaudet College, in 1908. Doctor Clarke was a man
of varied attainments. Besides tjeing an able educator, a civil engineer and
a naturalist, he was a writer of abihty and, aside from his treatise on primary
grade work, was the co-editor oi the American Annah of the Deaf, the largest
publication devoted to the interests of the deaf in this country, edited at
Washington, D. C, and was also the author of a number of short stories
for children. His death occurred at Flint, Septemljer 7, 1913.
John \V. Fitzgibton, reporter, war correspondent and prominent political
writer of Michigan, although born in New Jersey, came with his parents to
Genesee county at such an early age that he may be almost considered as
one of the natives of this locality, liis father settling on a farm near Flint
when he was an infant. Mr. Fitzgibbon obtained his early education in
Flint, Col. William E. McCreery giving him employment which enabled
him to finish his course at the Flint high school. When about twenty years
of age he went to Detroit, w-here he attracted the attention of the late James
F. Scri]>ps, owner and publisher of the Detroit Evening News, who became
his life-long friend, l-'or thirty years Mr. Fitzgibbon has been connected
with the Detroit A'e7k<s. He represented the Neios in Cuba prior to and dur-
ing the period of the Spanish-AmSrican War and in the Philippines duruig
the insurrection. He has been correspondent for the News during several
congressional sessions at Washington, D, C, and he has attended the legis-
lative sessions at Lansing contimiou,sly for twenty years except while in
Cuba, the Philippines, or at Washington. With the death of Joseph Greusel,
Mr. Fitzgibbon became the dean of the legislative corresiKjndents at Lansing.
Mrs. Wadsworth Warren, of Detroit, formerly Miss Adelaide Birds-
all, of Flint, and granddaughter of James Birdsall, of the old Birdsall fam-
ily of F"entun, has published several volumes of stories for juveniles, which
have l)een justly popular. She is one of the active members of the Michigan
Authors' Association and has also been engaged for the past two or three
years in playwriting.
Charles Clark, of Detroit, formerly of Fenton, was the author of a book
yGoo-^lc
624 GKNKSEK COUNJY, MICIlHiAN.
uf travel entitled, "Japan, a Child of the World's Old Age,"' which was is-
sued in 1910, following a year's sojourn in the Orient.
Mrs. Lizzie Beach Stevens, of Linden, was the author of a volume de-
scriptive of the Columbian Fair, being a very interesting account of the ex-
position, and was also the author of a book of poems.
The Rev. Dr. Hunting, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian church in
Klint, was the author of a book of poems of merit. His son, Gardner Hunt-
ing, has taken up literary work as a profession and is a regular contributor
to a number of leading magazines. He has also published several works of
fiction, including "A Hand in the Game," a novel published a few years ago.
Luther L. Wright, formerly superintendent of public instruction for
Michigan and now superintendent of the Michig:ui school for the deaf, and
one of the most progressi\'e educators of the country, is the author of a
treatise on "The Teaching of Mental Arithmetic," prepared with a view to
the obviation of text books in the study of mathematics. Mr. Wright is
also a regular contributor to a number of magazines on subjects of an edu-
cational nature.
Harry A. Franck, of Flint, a graduate of the high school, class of 1899,
and later professor of Spanish and Greek in Columbia University, made his
initial bow to the literary world in a volume of travel entitled, "A Vagabond
Journey Around the World," which was published by the Century Company
in 1910: A year or so later he produced. "Zone Policemen," followed by
"Four Months Afoot in Spain." Mr. l-Vanck is at present preparing for
publication a work on the Mexican situation as viewed from the stan<ipoinl
of the Mexican peon, his recent writings having attracted most favorable at-
tention from leading critics. '
Mrs. Rupert Hughes, formerly of Flint, the daughter of Mrs. Harry
Mould, nee Mina Stevens, and better known to the theatrical and operatic
world as Marian Manola, is the author of many short stories which appear
from time to time in smart cosmopolitan publications. The amount ]jaid for
her scenario of "Gloria's Romance," recently written for film production,
in which Miss BilHe Burke has been featured, was twelve thousand five hun-
dred dollars, said to be one of the largest sums ever paid for a moving pic-
ture scenario. Mrs. Hughes is the wife of Rupert Hughes, the well-known
author, playwright, composer an<l sculptor, whose home is at Bedford Hills.
Westchester county, New York.
Mrs. Jacquette Hunter Eaton, the wife of Marquis Eaton, one of the
most prominent attorneys of Chicago, and a niece of Mrs. Flint P. Smith,
of J'lint. with whom she made her home for some years, is the writer of
dbyGoot^lc
(JliKKSEf; COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ~ 625
many delightful short stories which have appeared in recent years in several
of the leading magazines.
W. Harold Kingsley, of Flint, a young newsp;tper man, formerly with
the Ithaca (N. Y.) Journal, and now with the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press,
who, while a student in the literary department of the University of Michi-
gan, was one of the leading contributors to the Michigan Daily, is the author
of a number of poems which show much talent and which have been copied
in the press of other states. The Boston Transcript recently published his
Thanksgiving poem of 1915:
Out of II wild dissension, sLeei' In ii ui:w-kiii>n'u y,t:>i\.
The Spirit ot !,itierty rose and rode on a Dream-goiJ'K t-liiiriot— wosi ;
Rode to 11 new eiirteiivor. stood ou Atlantis' l>iuik,';
Fdcing tlie sun, witli a task b^un,
Offerhii! (ioil lier tlinukH.
Beiirlng 11 noble tminiiet, crowned in u new ideal.
The Sou of Lilterty rose and stood at CivlliKatiou's wheel ;
Onnquered a foe of Lis dreaming, hoping, NtnigglinK ranks,
Fitcing the sky with a brow reai-eil high.
Offering God iale thanks.
Out of a sterner grat)iile, out of an inborn strife,
The Union of Liberty rose and stood a newer breath of life;
Heating the sword to a ijlowshare, furrowed tbo yielding banks.
Facing the dawu wKh a mightier brnwu,
Offering God her thanks.
Hoping and pitying, praying, biitblug love In a tear.
The Nation of Liberty stands nloue, Iree from a phantom fear;
Drawn in a new formed legion, all Humanily'fi ranks,
Pacine tlie suli wi(h a work well done,
nffeiing Ood her thank.«.
VV. V. Smitii has contributed many articles upon the Indians, and is a
recognized authoritj-, especially relating to the tribes of New France, New
York and the old Northwest Territory.
Mrs. Kate E. Buckham is well known in newspaper and magazine
circles as a popular writer.
Edwin O. Wood, LI,. D.. is the author of "Historic Mackinac" and a
numlier of papers relating to the old Northw^t Territory.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XXn.
: SocrAi, Life.
E. L. Bangs, in the "Book of the Golden Jubilee," has written charm-
ingly of early social Hfe in Flint. As he observes, social life results from
one of the deepest cravings of human nature. Even the dog or the horse
is lonesome as an "outsider," and will take strong measures to get in with
his kind and make himself agreeable. Even in the primitive pioneer days
of "Aunt Polly" and "Uncle John" Todd there was social life at Flint, which
centered about the old tavern, but social intercourse was necessarily very
limited in days when homes were far apart in the forest on Indian trails and
cowpaths.
Nor is the record of that early social life easy to gather. Mr. Bangs
says: "Interviewing those who have been dead for many years should Ije
one of the accomplishments of one called upon to write up the early social
life of Flint. Most of those who were prominent in that period and were
themselves social factors are sleeping in the cemetery. Those who are still
living do not remember to any great extent those particulars that would
help to make an interesting sketch. All whom I have seen think social life
in Flint was uncommonly pleasant, but I have found it difficult to obtain
interesdng particulars. In a general way they teil me some things, but just
the things I would gladly see put in print are with the dead. ' With pencil
and paper in hand one Sunday afternoon I tried to carry on the holy work
of an interview for the good of the public with an old and valued friend
of mine. She told me that she came to Michigan in 1S33. living at first
in Mt. Morris, in a house set up of blocks of wood, and she used to listen
sometimes to the howling of wolves underneath it. Stalwart character ought
to be the result of such environment— -character such as could not be
developed where no sterner sounds can be heard by moonHght than the voices
of belligerent cat*. -' %'^
"Mrs. , in 1836, dived on the' riVer 'bank on the site of the
old Red Tavern, which not many now living can remember, I asked about
the social life of the children, for I do not happen to know any more pleas-
ing sight than a lawn party of very young children, full of fun and frolic,
such a party, I mean, as we often see today. .\nd then their consumption
of refreshments when the time come.'i is .something noteworthy. 'Was any-
yGoo-^lc
GENESEF COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 627
thing of that kind done for very young children in your young days, iriy
friend?' 'Children were children then as well as now,' was the answer.
'They had pleasant times, but there was no formality for them. Invita-
tions were not issued for them, and their lives were more isolated than the
lives of children are now.' Social life distinctively for children was not a
feature of the early days of FUnt.
"'Well, what did the older people do in the winter for amusement?'
'Sleighrides were quite frequent in my younger days; old and young enjoyed
them together. The sleighrides usually culminated in a supper, and a return
when the evening' was considerably advanced.'
" 'Was there any love-making on such occasions?' My friend thought a
moment, ga^ed thoughtfully on vacancy, and said she could not distinctly
remember, but she thought there might have been,
"From a few ancient relics she produced several invitations on note
paper, each suggestive to her of a pleasant occasion long past, but not one
of them was dated with the day of the month or year, and how old they
were she could not tell.
"She spoke of frequent dancing ]>arties that were held in an old resi-
dence on the corner of Court and Saginaw streets, known by everybody as
the Hascall place. Mrs. — — has a vivid memory of parties that
were given by various families. The invitations were quite general, for
there was then no sharply dividing line that distinguished 'our set' from
the other set.
"I asked about the dress on such occasion. She satisfied me that the
ladies of that period understood the art of dressing, and I presume there
never has been a time when they did not know how to array themselves
attractively. 'Did the gentlemen appear in the conventional swallow-
tail?' She could not distinctly remember to what extent the swallow tail
prevailed, but said she, with emphasis, 'The gentlemen did look mighty
well.'
" 'The caterer had not at that time appeared. The hostess of the even-
ing at least supervised the refreshment department and the good things were
chiefly home-made. Goo<l they were, the variety was great, and the con-
sumption was more than a make, lielieve. On some occasions the gentlemen
would quietly retire to a certain room for a quiet smoke.' 'And then.' .she
added, 'T can't say what else they went for.'
"Those were the palmy days of E .H. Thomson, who used to enter-
tain those he met at evening parties with recitations from Shakespeare. He
was. my friend told me, a fine story teller. Were there any dinner parties?'
yGoo-^lc
628 GKNKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
'Yes, they were quite frequent, but there were no toasts with formal responses
until later years.'
" 'How about young ladies on such occasions?' T can't remember what
they wore, but they looked as pretty as pinks.'
"Pleasant memories in the mind of Mrs. clustered around
the old Boss tavern, a few miles from Flint. She called to mind one occa-
sion of marked interest to her. There was a sleighride and a great supper
had been ordered. A jolly spirit of rollicking good-will had taken posses-
sion of all in the sleigh. Some had to stand in the sleigh for want of room.
I can't understand why they had to do this. Had I been there I should
have offered some one a seat, and at the same time should have retained my
own. Perhaps that was done, but my infonnant made no mention of such
an act of courtesy. There was singing all along the way. One strain of one
song still lingered in her memory. It was this:
'Lightly row, lightly row,
On the glassy wave we go.'
"The chaperone had not at that time appeared in Flint, though on that
particular occasion there were some suspicious transactions that suggested
a field of usefulness for a chaperone that could see, and at the same time
be conveniently nearsighted. On that particular occasion a gentleman lost
oiie of his mittens, a just penalty for not keeping it on, and hunted in vain
for it. 'Where is my mitten? What has become of my mitten?' And in
response to this query there came a musical response from a young lady,
'Look high, look low,
Look on my big toe,'
and there he found it. 'And it didn't seem a bit out of character then,"
said my informant, 'but I suppose such a thing now would shock conventional
proprieties; but we did have good times.'
"In the summer season the picnic party was in high favor. Lemona<ie
flowed freely and there were eatables by the bushel. On such occasions one
may be allowed to unbend his dignity, or, if he is very aspiring, he may
climb a sapling and bend it down and drop from its top to the ground, if he
chooses to, and be applauded as an acrobat. These early picnics, I am told,
were free from gossip and from the slightest approach of rudeness. There
was good talking not only of the kind that entertained, but not infrequently
upon subjects that required previous good thinking to talk well upon.
"A woman once said of her husband, 'The trouble with Mr.
yGoo-^lc
r.ENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 629
is that he always supposes that other people can do what he does.' It is
not so with such of our good Flint people who look back with tender pride
upon the ways oftheir friends in early social life. They think, and doubt-
less honestly, that other people, notably those of a later time, cannot do what
the early comers did socially. Time has gilded these half- forgotten social
ways with a halo that glorifies them. Who shall blame this honest pride in
old time observances? Not I.
"He who would catch good fish of all kinds should fish in all waters.
He who would look up bits of information that the public has forgotten and
would set before the public those bits of semi-gossipy happenings that the
public generally read w-ith more enjoyment than they do reports of sermons,
should interview all the elderly ladies in Flint who are willing to tell about
their social life when they were young.
"Such a lady, like her predecessor, told me that she came to Flint
when she was five years old. That was not far from seven years before
Flint became an incorporated city. It was village life then, with all the quiet
charm that one finds in a pleasant community not yet mad with the haste
to be rich.
"The history of Genesee county informs us that 'nine-tenths of the early
settlers of this county came from New York state and New England, and
brought with them the advanced ideas of the favored communities from
which they came, upon the subjects of education and religious observances.'
"The madam who T am now interviewing called to mind pleasant even-
ings at the old-fashioned spelling school. Sides were chosen, and as fast as
one of the contestants misspelled a word, down he sat and the battle continued
till only one speller, the champion of the evening, was left on the floor.
These contests were always exciting and were scenes of genuine pluck'ili' the
hour of battle, and of hilarious fun when the battle was over. Madam '
with whom we are now talking was at least once- victor in such a contest.
She spelled down her last competitor on the word 'weasel,' the wrong
spelling given being 'weasil.' Tt is not easy to catch a weasel asleep and
that night the little girl, now a woman, how many years young I will not
tell, was wide awake, and she said her father was proud of her success.
"Is this lady correct when she insists that the log school house and the
3[jelling school gave us better spellers than we now find in our well-equipped
schools? I cannot say, but I do know that in my own spelling-school days
there was good spelling, and I also know that nowadays words do some-
times appear under a spell that is by no means enchanting,
"Our early settlers, especially those from New F.ngland, brought with
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630 GRNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
them their long-cherished ideals of religions observances. The church to
some extent is a factor in social life and in pioneer days seems likely to
be a more potent social factor than when wealth brings in its train social
observances of a more conventional character. There was a friendly fra-
ternal feeling among the churches.
"The lady now furnishing material for this chapter told me that in
her girlhood the children went to church with their parents and even the
babies had a place in the pews.
"The donation party then did double duty as a financial expedient and
a social function. What was done on such occasions? A donation is, of
' course, a gift, and sometimes, I have been told, on such occasions not only
were provisions given away, but the good minister who received them as a
supplementary appendage to his salary was aiso given away. But as a social
feature in the early days, the donation party really was a party of no mean
pretensions. There was every variety of food and every variety of folks,
and no small amount of the food brought went home with the folks who
brought it. Somehow, eating together seems not only to open the mouth
and loosen the tongue, but also to open the heart. This time-honored occa-
sion, now obsolete in I'lint, had its uses, and the good times enjoyed on
sUch occasions are still remembered with pleasure.
"As royal entertainers in the early days my informant mentioned the
family of Chauncey Payne. Sometimes there were dancing parties, and the
dancing of that day as seen by the lady now under interview, was decorous
and courtly.
"She mentioned as conspicuous in early social life the Deweys, the
Cmnminses, the Pages, the family of Benjamin Pearson, Colonel and Mrs.
E. H. Thomson, Russell Bishop and wife, Grant Decker and Colonel Fenton
and their wives, and said there were many more whose names did not occur
to her at this time.
"Card playing was seldom indulged in, and the conversation was of
high order. 'Yes,' said she, 'they could talk.' Gentlemen and their wives
made evening calls at the firesides of their neighbors, with delightful infor-
mality.
"We have now reached the year 1848 and much attention was then
paid to music, said my informant, herself a musician of no mean attain-
ments.' There was a social side as well as a musical, and some of the young
people, now elderly people, remember with pleasure the musical gatherings
held in the evening in- the old Walker school house and conducted by a Mr.
Nutting, an accomplished' Southern gentleman.
dbyGoot^lc
<;]-,tv[:.SlrK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 63I
"Long ago there was a May Day festival held on the North Side —
a briUiant affair for the young people and an enjoyable one for their seniors.
There were guests from Detroit and Saginaw, The name of the May queen
was not given me. Presumably there was not as much competition for the
queenly honor as in present times there is for the scepter of the queen of the
carnival.
"With all the social activity of those days, the good people could lind
time and inclination to listen to three sermons on Sunday. Surely there
was then less of rush and hurry than now.
" 'And when did you come to Flint ?' said I to an elderly lady who
kindly consented to be my third victim, as I sat with pencil in hand at her
home. 'Well,' said she, 'I came to this place in 1842, from Batavia, New
York.' And how old were you then ?' She peered through her glasses half
hesitatingly and I explained that I had no deep-laid plot to put figures
together so as to figure out her present age, for ladies, even the best of them,
are just a little shy on that subject. 'I was fifteen years old when I came to
live in Flint.' 'A winsome, wide-awake lassie I think you must have been.'
She confirmed my guess by telling how she once peeped through the cracks
of a primitive dwelling to see how the older people got along at a kind of
'hail-fellow-well-mef function, in which, for some reason, she did not par-
ticipate. It will hardly do for me to record the names or sayings or doings
of some well-remembered people whom our fifteen-year-old lassie with an
inquiring turn of mind saw through the cracks. I know not if one of them
is here today, certainly there can be at most but few.
" 'Won't you tell me what people u,sed to do in those days in a social
way? Surely they did not work all the time.' 'By no means was it all
work. There was a good deal of play, a_good deal of fun, and any amount
of good feeling. Yes, we .did have good times.'
" 'While building a better house, people used to live in shanties, of
considerable size, but no matter how primitive the shanty, it was good
enough to receive company in, and such temporary buildings were often
the sctne of festive gatherings that are pleasant to remember.
" 'There is a feature of our social life at present that was never heard
of in the early days. Ladies now get together in the afternoon, sometimes
in the evening, and not a gentleman is to lie seen there, and I don't like it
a bit.'
. ■ "T checked ,mv pencil on hearing this statement and gave utterance to
an 'amen,' that, like- the curses of Macbeth, was not loud but deep, for-I,
like many another man, have painful memories.
dbyGoot^lc
632 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
"THe elderly lady seemed amused at the heartiness of my response, and
then went on: 'In the early days I never heard of such a thing as a lady
sending out invitations for a social gathering composed exclusively of ladies.
Why, it would have been the tamest affair on earth. We old-timers never
did such a ridiculous thing as that. Men were of some account when I was
young. Husbands went with their wives, young men went with some young
lady or two, and both the masculine and feminine element were fully repre-
sented. They did not. wait for bedtime before lighting their lanterns and
starting out. Our parties in those days, when the evening church service
used to begin at early candlelight, were in full career by seven o'clock.
"'Was there music at your parties?' 'There was more or less, but
pianos were scarce. My mother's was the second piano in Flint, and the
possession of such an instrument gave considerable dignity to the family
in whose house it was.'
" 'Those must have been happy days when there were only two pianos
in the place,' said I. 'Now please think of something else that used to lie
done to enliven your social life.'
" 'Well, we used to play games, especially the old-fashioned game of
forfeits. Even very dignified people quite enjoyed a game of blind man's
buff. How would Flint's four hundred look today in evening dress playing
that game? Yet we enjoyed it.'
"There was a good deal of dancing. The square dances were in high
favor, interspersed with polkas, cotillions, schottisches and waltzes. If the
dances are improperly named, O reader, pardon the ignorance of the writer
and believe that in Flint's early social life all kinds of dances were possible
and were brilliantly executed. The only drawback to the dancing was the
music. No one then fiddled for pay and for that reason he who could play
the violin was always welcome. Robert Stage excelled as a scraper of
cat-gut, and his ajjpearance at a party with his violin always produced great
uneasiness of the feet, and soon developed rj^thmic motion.
" 'When I was quite a young lady there was comparatively little card
playing. People did play, but would have beeii shocked at the Idea of playing
in the daytime. The men then had no cluh rooms to go to where they coukl
smoke and play cards, to the neglect of business, and the women would have
found it intolerably stupid to play cards alone.'
" 'Tell me. if you please, about the refreshments they used to .serve on
social occasions in the early -days of the place. Were they easy to be obtained
when maJ-keting fa<3l^teK*^were liot \tli!it they how are?'
yGoo-^lc
CENESEE COI'NTY, MICHUiAN. 633
" 'Not SO easy to be obtained, but they were good, and not merely
refreshing, but absohiteiy distressing by reason of their abundance.'
" 'Suppose you give nie the menu that was customary to serve on really
elaborate occasions.'
" 'O, menu — they did not have any use for that word then. But 1
will call to mind as well as I can what I have often seen served at an old-
time social gathering. First as to the meats. They were placed often on a
side table and carved in sight of the guests. One gentleman would carve
the turkey, and I call to mind Mr. — ■ who was especially skill-
ful in turkey carving. Seeing him carve was next thing to eating itself.
Another gentleman would slice the ham, a large lioiled ham, fancifully deco-
rated with cloves. Still another would distribute the 'chicken fixin's,' and
in those days poultry was abundant. There were also still other kinds of
meat. Boiled tongue and wild game, such as partridge, quail and pigeon
often graced the table. Even the most prosperous people, however, did not
own dishes enough to hold all this rich abundance. So the good housewives
used to lend their dishes to each other and a keen-eyed woman could gen-
erally see something on the table that reminded her of home. Cakes of
all kinds were in evidence and they were placed in full view of the guests.
Spectacular effect was aimed at as well as the pleasure of feasting upon the
fat of the land. A cake pyramid, whose structure was too complicated for
any man to comprehend, loomed up in the center of the table. Its height
was less than that of the pyramids of Egypt, but it was pretty high, and
was the syndml of a high time for those who witnessed its gradual demolition
and disapi>earance.'
"I ventured to ask with what hquids fhe,se delicacies and substantials
were floated out of sight. 'O', we had coffee, of course, and in many places
there was a well-filled sideboard. Wine and brandy were not infrerjuentiy
served at social gatherings such as I have just described.'
"'How ahoiit ice cream, did you have that?' 'Have ice cream? Ves,
indeed we did. The cow in those days was not a four-wheeled affair and
milk was not kept from turning sour with formaldehyde. The cream was
genuine, and- the women who froze it were genuine, too, and the ice cream
they made did have a certain richness and flavor that you can't find in
boughten ice cream. We used, on many occasions, to have two immense
molds of ice cream that looked like small mountain i>eaks, one at each'end
of the table, each with a different flavor; vanilla and strawi^erry were the
favorite flavors.' 'If tlie first flavor did not cjuite satisfy, could a gentleman
lie allowed a second helping from the second little mountairt peak?' 'Yes,
yGoo-^lc
634 GI'NIiSKK rOL'Ni'V, MICIIKIAN.
indeed, gentlemen were not bashful about such things in those days, and the
ladies enjoyed helping them a second time.' T expressed my refjrets that I
was born many years too late.
"Wonderful men and women at the table were our early settlers. 1
have read that 'There is a satisfaction in seeing Englishmen eat and drink;
they do it so heartily, trusting that there is no harm in good beef and mut-
ton and a reasonable f|uantity of good liquor. Thus our early-coming people
seem to have at least eaten, with no fear whatever of the failure of the
American stomach.
"'How were the gentlemen usually dressed on festive occasions?' 'Gen-
erally in neat business suits. The swallow tail was quite uncommon, and a
man in one would not have felt entirely at home.'
" 'What next occurs to you on the subject of early social lifer' ■\Veli,
1 nmst not forget the sleighricks. I can almost hear the jingle of the bells
now, and the many voices that 1 shall never hear again. Not infrequently
after a good, long ride we would all meet at Aunt Polly Todd's, where a
well-spread table would be ready for us.'
"'Were stylish sleighs then common?' 'By no means. We used (u
charter large lumber sleighs, with no seats at all except for the driver. With
clean straw on the bottom and good buffalo robes on the straw, and us
young, folks (just look at me now) on the robes. A sleigh with us was
democratic, but it was full of ertjoynient. Many times have we driven to
Grand Blanc and Flushing. There was little style about the sleighs, but the
horses were not at all slow, neither were the young men.
" 'On one occasion one of the gentlemen had secreted a bottle of brandy
in his overcoat pocket. The handsomest woman in Flint (.she is not living
now and you must not breathe her name) pi^cked his pocket and drop[}ed
the bottle out into the deep snow, where it was found in the spring when the
snow melted.' 'Was the brandy still in the bottler' 'J cannot tell you, sir,
kit the bottle was found.'
"■'What was the favorite amusement in the early days?' 'Dancing was
decidedly the favorite. There were dancing schools as early as 1848. Danc-
ing was taught in the old hotel, opposite the court house, and af^er the pupils
had received their instructions, -the old jjeople drop]>ed in and danced.' On
one occasion, the lady now speaking for your benefit, was greatly amused.
There was a young man present who could not dance at all. His best girl
could, and greatly enjoyed it. She was a beautiful girl and was in great
demand as a partner in the dance. On this occasion her future husljand
looked onas a wallflower and with such an expressiim on his face that had
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SjS
Ilis thoughts been expressed in words, they would probably have t>eeii'a fine
brand of cuss words. The giri enjoyed the dance and the spectators enjoyed
the agony of the onlooker wlio could not dance and who could not keep his
best girl from dancing with his rivals.'
"'Did the church social count for nuich as a social factor in the early
days?' 'Yes. it counted for more than it does now. There were fewer
counter attractions for the youn.!;. and there was a condition of social good
feeling among the churches.
" 'It can hardly be called a social factor and yet, as tliere was a social
side to it, I may mention that there was much horseback riding when T was
a young, lady.
" 'I cannot forget the high, old-fashioned fireplace that was a great
attraction in so many homes. It was a social force in its way, for talk will
be at its best before a good wood fire, in a big fireplace, when it would
languish over a furnace register,
"'Customs have gradually changed. Looking back a long way, I can-
not fix the time when the gentlemen gradually faded out of united social
life, and went, alas, too much, by themselves. And the ladies began to issue
invitations to social functions for ladies only. It was not the good old'way
and it is no improvement at all."
"The writer of this sketch lived in New York City for ten years pr<:-
vious to coming to Flint. In New York he was familiar with the Knicker-
bocker custom of making New Year's calls and found the custom pleasantly
recognized when he came to Flint in 1864. This good old Knickerbocker
custom, now falhng into 'innocuous desuetude,' has been a factor in the early
social life of Flint that is deserving of consideration. It Ijegan there at a
much earlier date than I had supposed, if my informant has an accurate
memory. As far back as 1842, when her parents had moved from the state
of New York, a neighbor said to her mother. 'Now when New Year's Day
comes you must exi^ect to see Indians in your house. They will expect some-
thing, and they will surely come. I doubt if there were any doorbells to
ring in those days. But the visitor who called could use his knuckles for a
knocker and thus apprise the inmates of the house that some one would' like
to come in.
"The Indian callers gave no intimation of their wish for admission.
They simply went in and with their moccasined feet they glided in so silently
that rhany a time the lady of the house has been surprised to find' a number
of them in her front room looking over the appointments of the apartment.
They did not mean to l>e rude, but it was their way. A piano was to theiii
dbyGoot^lc
636 CRNESEE county, MICHIGAN.
an objett of special wonder. On New Year's Day they would go from
house to house with this salutation; 'Ugh, ugh, Hoppy Noo Year, Hoppy
Noo Year.' Whether or not they i>ainted up and feathered up for such
occasions I did not learn, but Indian callers on New Year's Day would cer-
tainly now be almost as unique a feature as some New Year's turnouts that
white men have figured in within my memory."
A great step was taken in advance with the establishment of roads, rail-
roads and newspapers, and the opening of communication with the outer
world. Speaking of the days before the Civil War, Prof. F. H. Humphrey
"Social life was in full glow and a spirit i>f true democracy seemed to
prevail in all functions pertaining to society. Among the notable events
were the musical club parties, held at intervals of two or four weeks, on
which occasion a fine selected program of instrumental and vocal music was
rendered by home talent, after which dancing was the social pastime, clos-
ing at eleven o'clock p. m. These entertainments were held at private homes
of Flint's generous citizens. Tfie Musical Cl'iib' became known' as the Har-
monia Club and finally ceased to exist. Meantime private home parties
became a .source of social pleasure, on which occasion an orchestra was present,
and after the usual reception ceremonies, cards and dancing were the amuse-
ments."
Of the old Flint Harmonia Club, and its place in the social activities of
those days, M. S. Elmore writes as follows:
"The popularity of the 'Musical Club' was doubtless due in a con-
siderable degree to its attractiveness as a fortnightly social center for the
elite and society favorites to gather, whether especially interested as mem-
Iters -likely -to appear on the program iir drawn thither in the ex'pectation of
meeting other genial spirits who were pleased to be accounted members for
encouragement of the club and the fun there was in it. For indeed the
club was the first and foremost function for refined amusement in the little
city. At no time since 'those good old day.s' could the society of Flint claim
more intelligence, refinement of manners, or the culture derived from good
reading and discussion, than when comprising the families and society youth
of Flint forty or fifty years ago. Facilities for cultivation derived from
travel, from easy communication with centers of art and musical, interpre-
tation, it is true, have shown their advantages within the last two decades,
while of the days T recall these aids were limited. But it will likewise be
recalled that society lines were drawn more exacting then than now thev
f^m te be.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESFE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 6,17
■'The Harmonia Club was organized with a view to permanency, with
a president, secretary, program committee, and sometimes a critic; their
election, annual; the president was always a lady, the secretary a gentleman.
Meetings were fortnightly, being held at private residences where a piano
was found, Flint was proud in the possession of more pianos than most
towns of its population in this state, despite the handicap of a necessary
transportation by wagon from Fenton, Holly or Pontiac; the first piano came
through mud, from Detroit, when four days was good time in transit.
"Among the places popular for club recitals were Mrs. Russell Bishop's
commodious music room, on Beach street, this lady, a sister of Col, E. H,
Thomson, being an excellent pianist and a favorite accomj^nist; at 'Mrs.
Colonel Fenton's, where is now the McCreery homestead; Mrs. V.. H. Thom-
son's, whose dwelling, which contained the Colonel's famous library, was
situated on the site of A. G. Bishop's residence; with Mrs. F. H. McQuigg
and daughter, where now is the new [wstofifice ; Miss McQuigg, now Mrs.
Stewart, was an active member; Mrs. William Hamilton, then on Court
street, whose daughters, and sister, Miss Manim, were frequently on pro-
grams; the Misses Crapo, at the Crapo homestead, later Doctor Wiilson's
residence destined to become Willson Park. Of several young ladies. Miss
Rhoda and Miss Emma only appeared in vocal numbers; the Misses Moon,
on Garland street — Miss Hattie's name for piano solos frequently appear-
ing; and the Stewarts on Detroit street. In this family Miss Kllen (Mrs.
Henry Seymour) and her brother. Will, played many fine duets. This popu-
lar youth followed his brother Damon to the front, early in the war, and
was killed at Resaca.
"The Payne mansion on Third avenue (new version) was sometimes
thrown open for club recitals. Mrs. George M. Dewey's was likewise
opened for club meetings. Mrs. Townsend's, Mrs. A. Thayer's, Mrs. George
T. Clark's, Mrs. H. M. Henderson and daughters, Mrs. James Henderson,
Mrs. J. B. Walker and daughter, and yet a number of other houses were
open to these popular society functions.
"I readily remember the familiar faces of society gentlemen with hut
little claim for musical criticism, perhaps, but who enjoyed the social fea-
ture and who seldom failed to attend and heartily applaud every number:
Hamilton, Robert Page, Turner, Fenton, Avery, Newton, the Bishops. Rus-
sell and Giles, Pettee, Eddy, Witherbee, et al.
"Miss Hulda Johnson (Mercer), Mrs. M. E. Church, Misses Belle
Jenny, Julia Saunders, Jenny Williams, Kate Decker, Helena Walker, Emily
Beecher, Ada Fenton, Maggie and Jennie Henderson and other ladies ;
dbyGoot^lc
638 GKNF.5EK COUNTV, MICHIGAN.
Messrs. Harley Qark, Eiiiiore, Dewitt Parker, Hammersley, McAliister,
Woolhouse and Deary assisted in the programs."
Two very popular vocal organizations of the seventies and eighties were
the Fugtienoids and the Flint Choral Society. The former, founded in
18751 was a glee club of eight voices. The original membership was as fol-
lows: First tenors, Jerome Haver, M. G. Wood; second tenors, H. M.
Sperry, -A. J. Wathng; first l>ass, M. Bowman, Williain French; second bass,
Delos Fall, Wilhs Parker; H. W. Fairbank, director. The first appearance
was at the annual meeting of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. By
their excellent drill and perfect harmony they at once established themselves
in popular favor. They assisted at all the band and choral society concerts
and at many private entertainments. A portion of the club visited the larger
cities of the state. All the members had from time to time invaded the rural
districts and invariably met with immoderate applause and (very) moderate
'financial- success. It was their practice always to devote the first day of the
^ new year to convivial pleasures. On. that day in a body they paid their
respects to their many friends, and these occasions established for them a
reputation for excellent music and brilliant social qualities. An Eastern
musician of repute expressed a very general .sentiment in this toast given
at a sodal gathering: "Those jo5!y I'^uguenoids — may they ever \k as suc-
cessful as they are happy."
The Fhnt Choral Society was the outgrowth of a young people's sing-
ing-class which had for its nucleus the pupils of the high school. The society
rendered some of the heavier ofatorio choHises and a number of Mendels-
sohn's part-songs, besides many operatic choruses.
In i860 the Old Flint Band had l.)econie known as Clay's Cornet Band.
It numbered at that time as members: S. G. Clay, leader; C. J. Dewstoe,
A. P.; Conant, William Stewart, Allen S. Stewart, George W. Hill, D. K.
Smith, , Thomas Symons, William Charles, W. C. Cummings and George
Andrews. Later many changes occurred. Old members resigned and their
piaes have been filled by new ones. In 1865 it was reorganized and called
the Armstrong Comet Baud, and remained so until J. Henry Gardner's
preseiice. infused new spirit into its members and it was christened Gardner's
' Flint -City Ban<l. ■ No-better Iwstory of its achievements could be' given than
the numerous press notices of that day. On the occasion of a visit to Detroit,
in connection with the commaudery of Knights Templar, the city press thus
spoke of the band:
'■'The hundreds that were present soon swelled to thousands, so that it
is ^fe to say that fully three thousand persons hstened to them. \s they
dbyGoot^lc
GKNESKK COi'NTY, MICHIGAN. 639
came np the street marching with that wonderful precision for which they
are famed, they were greeted by a ringing cheer by the crowd which made
way for their approach. Instead of their plumes, each man had a neat torch
in his helmet, thus presenting a novel and unique appearance and furnished
light enough for their music. Their program embraced a fine collection of
music — overtures, selections, medleys and some of Gardner's exquisite solo
R-flat and Mait Corliss's solo work judiciously thrown in. There is one thing
in favor of the tend which should be borne in mind: the memljers of it are
gentlemen. They are recruited from the ranks of the business men and the
professions in the beautiful city of Flint and constitute a standing advertise-
ment for that city which is worth ten times what it costs the citizens."
In 1874 the leader of the band was the recipient from the ladies of IHint
of a very elegant testimonial in the shape of a superb gold E-flat cornet,
imported from England at a cost of three hundred dollars. Mayor George
H. Dnrand presented the instrument on Ijehalf of the ladies in a most happy
speecli, which was responded to in fitting terms by Mr. Gardner. During
the Centeimial year the band accompanied the Detroit CommandeTy as their
musical escort to Philadelphia. An enthusiastic reception awaited them on
their return home. They were met at the station by a large concourse of
citizens, the Flint Cadets receiving them with military honors, and Col. I'-. II.
Thomson welcoming them says: "[ have lieen deputed in the absence of
our worthy mayor and also tn behalf of the citizens of b'lint to welcome yon
home again — to the home where loved ones, together with generotls and
confiding friends, have watched your every movement from the time of
your departure. In the providence of heaven yon are permitted to return
after having traveled from the lakes to the Atlantic seaboard without a
casualty of any kind, and I may add in this connection, covered with glory
and honor. A wise man hath said. 'He that hath no music in his soul is
■fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils,' and I am afraid that if in your travels
such an one had ventured into your presence, that by the power of music,
guided by your master-leader, you would have taken htm captive and made
him confess to the skill and potency of your marvelous proficiency. It is
due to you to say that when you left Flint no lingering doubt remained that
you^ would in any manner, fail in, your high mission, either as»^entiei»en or
musicians, but with all that pride and high character of your musical organ-
ization you would honor the noble commandery of the Detroit' Knights
Templar and stand, like them, at the very head of your profession."
In the summer of 1878 a grand state band tournament occurred at the
state capitol. Twenty leading bands of the state participated and; lifter a
dbyGoot^lc
640 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
severe and very ■ sprrited contest, which excited the most intense interest,
Gardner's Flint City Band bore away the prize, consisting of one hundred
doiiars in gold and an elegant gold-plated cornet.
"Among the church societies," says Professor Humphrey, "the Metho-
dist, Baptist, Roman Catholic and Episcopal were the most prominent, the
last named being the only church society allowing popular games and danc-
ing, taking a liberal view of social enjoyment. This society at one time dur-
ing its struggle for a new edifice and equipment, organized a series of social
entertainments by which means a large sum was raised toward the purcliase
of the organ that still does duty at St. Paul's.
"The principal amusement at these entertainments was dancing, the
music being volunteered by members of the society, prominent among whom
were the Misses Decker, Mrs. E. C. Turner and Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Hum-
phrey. It is fitting here to say that these entertainments excelled in point
of refinement, moral influence and the elevating of a higher standard of
social intercourse more than most other forms of amusement.
"In the seventies and eighties other social organizations sprang into
existence. Owing to the natural trend of increasing ^xipulation and wealth,
social distinctrcfis" became apparent and society took on more and more
exclusiveness. The Married People's Club and Kettle Drum Society became
leading factors in social life among the 'Four Hundred.' A commendable
feature of these entertainments was puncttial observation of the hours of
attendance, eight to eleven o'clock p. m. Refreshments were served on each
occasion. Sometimes a six o'clock dinner was served, after which dancing
followed until the sounds of 'Home, Sweet' Home' from the orchestra
announced the hour of departure.
"Among those who had spacious homes for these brilliant affairs were ;
J. B. and William A. Atwood, Mrs. R. C. Durant, Hon. George H. Durand.
B. F. Simington, Dr. J. C. Willson, S. C. Randall, M. S. Elmore, Jerome
Eddy, George L. Walker, Oren Stone, Dr, A. A. Thompson and C. T.
Bridgman.
"It may be well to mention that many of the fraternal associations gave
numerous entertainments during the year, military balls. Knights Templar
parties, and one of the most notable events was the leap-year ball given by
the ladies of the Masonic families, which eclipsed anything of the kind that
occurred before or since."
To keep in memory the days of old, and to gather historical data for a
record of the life of the county, there was early organized a-county pioneer
and historical society. At early as 1857 the Genesee County Pioneer Asso-
dbyGoot^lc
GENEHEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 64I
ciation was formed, pursuant to a public call signed by William M. Fentoii,
C. C. Hascall', and about one hundred and eighty other citizens of the county.
On the last day of December in that year a meeting was held at the hall of
the Flint Scientific Institute. Benjamin Pearson was in the chair and Dr,
Elijah Drake was secretary of the meeting. A committee was chosen com-
posed of William M. Fcnton, lidward H. Thomson and H. M. Henderson,
charged with the duty of prei>aring a constitution and by-laws for the pro-
posed society. At an adjourned meeting held on Washington's birthday the
committee reported a constitution, which was adopted, and the society was
organized by the election of the following as officers: President, Hon.
Jeremiah R. Smith ; recording secretary, EH jah Drake, M. D. ; corresponding
secretary, Hon. Charles P. Avery; treasurer, Henry M. Henderson; librarian,
Manley Miles, M. D. ; vice-president (one in each township of the county) :
Atlas, Enos Goodrich; Argentine, William H. Hicks; Burton, Perus Ather-
ton; Clayton, Alfred Pond; Davison, Goodenough Townsend; Fenton, Rob-
ert LeRoy ; Flint township, John Todd ; Flint city, Charles C. Hascall ; Flush-
ing, John Patton ; Forest, John Oawford; Gaines, Hartford Cargill; Gene-
see, Sherman Stanley; Grand Blanc, Silas D. Halsey; Montrose, John Mc-
Kenzie; Mount Morris, Ezekiel R. Ewing; Mundy, Morgan Baldwin; Rich-
field, Jeremiah Standard; Thetford, Benoni Clapp; Vienna, Russell G. Hurd.
It had been the custom of the association to hold annual reunions, at
which, after the transaction of the routine business, addresses and narratives
of pioneer experience were related by the early settlers. For many years
these gatherings were held at Long lake in the town of Fenton (usually in
August), and were regarded as occasions of great enjoyment and interest.
One of the picnics of the pioneer association was held at the grove at
the head of Long lake on August 24, 18S2, and the following letter was read
from Enos Goodrich, then an aged man. who had for many years been a
pioneer of the county ;
W itfitowu ItistfU Co "yicji., Aug. 23, 18S2.
1 (le Iioneeis if (.enesee CiiiDt^ nieetiiiK
It in mornlaK niiii tlie '.uii sliiues Imght on the fields niid woods of Wfltertowii,
llie place I hiie adopted (or my permanent home if the home of an old jnan can be
laid to be leinnuent on eirth iet friendly dn my thoughts and niemorlee revert back
to old Genesee bhe has had mv be« efCoits for it v,-\t nithin her borders that the
prime nnl manhood of m\ life w ts spent She will alw ijs hnie uiy best wishes and If,
In leturn her soni ind daughters nill some time gne a thought to trie and my humble
efforts In her behilf the\ will shed i n\ of smisbme along mv pnthwiiy In the declin-
ing years of inj lifa Ehob Ooodbich.
(41) ■
dbyGoc^lc
642 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
<Dn August 26, 1886, the pioneers were addressed by Gov. Josiali W.
Beg-ole, of Flint, and were also addressed by many of the surviving iiioiieer
men and women of the county, who graced the occasion by their presence
and inspired the yonng by recitals of tales of the early times with their hard-
ships and triumphs.
Of the picnics held in 1887 and 1888 no record appears in the press of
those dates', but in 1889, on the 29th day of August, the picnic was held
as usual, with President Horton in the chair. The picnic was largely attended.
Judge William Newton, of Flint, being the speaker of the day, and his
address is given in full in the Genesee Democrat of August 31, 1889. This
is the first press report of an address in full that we find. The name of the
society was changed at this meeting, to be thereafter known as the Genesee
County Union Pioneer Society. The same officers were re-elected. Judge
Newton said in part:
"Invited by the favor of your worthy president to address the pioneers
of Genesee county, I accei>ted that duty with reluctance, and great distrust
of my ability to do justice to the men and women who were the pioneers of
our civilization. I have concluded to address you along the line of 'The Debt
that Civilization Owes the Pioneer."
"Michigan of today is not the Michigan of fifty, forty or even thirty
years ago. The elegant houses, the churches and schools of today and the
increasing improved farms, weighted down with the rich golden harvests,
and orchards bending under the weight of luscious fruits, do not in any
sense represent the Michigan of those times. , . . The men ami women
who settled in Michiganand in this county, while not confined to any par-
ticular nationality, were mostly from New York, Vermont, Connecticut and
Massachusetts. They brought with them to their chosen field the habits and
spirit of their thrifty New England home. They brought with them love of
religious freedom, love of the free public school system, and their love of
home and the purest morahty,"
The speaker then referred to the great interest that the owner of a home
has in the public weal, saying that "he who defends a home is the truest
patriot." Judge Newton, in referring to the primeval conditions said, "The
country slept, a wilderness in the arms of nature."
Judge Newton's speech which he delivered on the occasion of this
gathering has been placed among the archives of the Genesee County His-
torical Society,
The annual picnic and meeting of the Genesee County Union Pioneer
Society held on the 29th of August, i8go, was a memorable one. The men
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COL'NTY, MICHIGAN. 643
and women who gathered on this occasion were favored by the presence of
Judge Albert Miller of Bay City. There were two picnics that year — one,
of dissenters who were not in favor of the place of meeting as previously
decided by the directors and who met at the usual place, and another picnic,
at Peer's landing. It was at the Peer's landing meeting that Judge Miller
spoke. There was a noticeable absence of the old pioneers, as many had
died, and the speaker was perhaps the oldest pioneer of the county present,
although he had removed from Genesee county and taken up his residence
in another locality. Space prevents a full report of Judge Miller's speech.
The Judge, however, referred to the time when he knew every white man
residing between Waterford and the Straits of Mackinac, when Saginaw had
a population, all told, of exactly twenty-eight persons, and when there was
not a white settler in either Shiawassee^ Lapeer, Clinton, Tuscola or Huron
counties. Judge Miller spoke of the time when he came from the mountains
and hillsides of Vermont and passed over the oak openings' this side of
Waterword, thinking of that region as a barren waste. He told of coming
to Grand Blanc and to the hospitable roof of Washington Thompson; how
he found friends and acquaintances in Harvey Spencer and E. R. Ewings
living in that locality. He told how he learned that John Todd, on Flint
river, wished to hire a man, so he journeyed to his home and hired out for
eleven dollars a month; how he cooked for the family during the illness of
Mrs. Todd, in the old trading house of Edward Campau, the Nau-a-ke-zhic,
for whom the reserve number seven was made, and which he afterwards
sold to Mr. Todd for eight hundred dollars. He spoke of his labors for
Todd, the first day cutting a bee-tree, from which they extracted two pails
of honey, a vivid reminder of one of Coo^ier's stories in "Oak Openings."
He told of the dances in this year of 1831, of cutting out the road from
Flint river to Cass in the fall of that year; of the first marriage in the county,
that of his sister to Eleazer Jewett in October, 1831; of teaching school at
Grand Blanc in the winter of 1831-32; of the accession of a large number of
settlers in that year, and that Grand Blanc was a larger and more important
place than Flint.
In 1893 the annual picnic was held at the old place, and was presided
over by Dexter Horton, president. Among the speakers was John Siaight,
of Mundy, H. H. Rackman, of Detroit, and G. A. Sutherland, of Argentine.
William Evans, of Grand Blanc, aged ninety-six, was the oldest person
present, and among those in attendance was Edmund Perry, of Davison,
who came to the county in 1826.
In 1894 the picnic was held at Long Lake, August 31, and S. A. Wood,
dbyGoot^lc
644 GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN.
of Detroit, gave a biographical account of Judge Leory, who was prominent
in the early days of Fenton, owning the first store in Fenton and also being
its first postmaster. S. A. Winthrop, of Ft. Wayne, and Judge Gold, of
Flint, also made addresses. The picnic .of 1896 was at the same place arid
was addressed by Col. A. T. Bliss, of Saginaw, as the principal speaker.
Rev. F. A. Blades, of Detroit, and Rev. O, Sanborn, of Linden, also gave
brief addresses.
The picnic of 1896 was the occasion of a debate on free silver, Judge
McGrath, of the supreme court of Michigan, speaking on the one side, and
Charles E. Townsend, now United States senator, advocating a gold standard.
On August 26, 1897, the pioneers were addressed by Professor Lxjomis,
of Chicago, whose subject was "George Rogers Clark, the Leader of the
Rangers of the Revolutionary War Period." He related how the present
state of Michigan nearly became a part of Canada, and gave to Clark the
credit for saving it to the Union of States. He placed his hero in the highest
niche of fame and said that his services to his country were second to none,
not even the great Washington. Judge John Miner, of Detroit, also piiid
a tribute to the sturdy character of the pioneer. At this meeting Dr. H, C.
Fairbank, of Flint, was elected historian of the county.
On September 2, 1898, the picnic was held at the "old place," and was
called to order by its long-time president, Dexter Horton, of Fenton. Major
George W. Buckingham, of Flint, was one of the speakers of the occasion,
as was also the Hon. George E. Taylor, of Flint, both of the speakers being
sons of old Genesee county settlers. Hon. S. R. Billings was elected histor-
ian to fill the place made vacant by the death of Doctor Fairbank.
On August 31, 1899, the members of the Pioneer Society gathered
again at the old spot to do honor to the men and women who made Genesee
county what it is today. Professor Loomis, of Chicago, was present as one
of the speakers, his theme being "Expansion." Judge Waite, of Detroit,
also spoke on "Pioneer Life" and the Spanish War, and Milo D. Campbell,
of Coldwater, spoke on "Pioneer Patriotism."
On Thursday, August 29, 1901, a crowd of over five thousand persons
gathered for the pioneers' picnic. President Horton being the presiding officer
of the day. Rev. Mr. Holland, of Perry, addressed the society, comparing
the modern methods of life with those of the past, and speaking also on
good roads. Rev. Mr. Halliday, of Fenton, was also one of the speakers of
the day, and Judge Waite, of Detroit, formerly of Fenton, paid a tribute to
the founders of his former home town.
At the annual meeting in 1902, Edwin O, Wood, of Flint, was elected
as president of the association, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the
yGoo-^lc
GENESEE' COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 645
former president, Mr. Horton. On this occasion George K. Taylor, of
Flint, gave a most interesting address replete with narratives of the early
days. Rev. S, A. Northrup, of Kansas City, formerly of Grand Blanc,
spoke of the benefits of the present educational system, and Clyde McGee,
of Farmington, Frederick Dewey, of Grand Blanc, and \V. H. S. Wood, of
Howell, also made brief addresses.
The pioneers' picnic held at T-ong Lake on the 3rd day of September,
1903, was largely attended. T. J. Allen, as officer of the day, acted as master
of ceremonies. Prosecuting Attorney WilHams, of Flint, Mark W. Stevens,
of Flint, and Rev. Francis Blades, of Detroit, whose father came to Genesee
county in 1835, were among the speakers. Mr. Blades spoke at length on
historical matters relating to the Fisher Indians of the Chippewa tribe.
At the thirty-eighth annual pioneer picnic, held at the usual place on
Long lake, August 25, 1904, Edwin O. Wood, president, called the gather-
ing to order, Thomas J. Allen acting as officer of the day. Prayer was
offered by Rev. Mr. Dunning, of Fenton, and speeches were made by Senator
James E, Scripps, of Detroit; Charles A. Gower, of I^ansing; Judge Joseph
B. Moore, of the supreme court, and Dr. J. B. Bradley, of Eaton Rapids.
Officers elected for the ensuing year were W. A. Garner, of Flint, president;
H. N. Jennings, of Fenton, secretary, and W. A. Wadley, vice-president.
At this meeting an organization of the supervisors, officers and ex-officers of
the county was effected, with James Van VIeet, of Flint, as president ; Thomas
J, Allen, secretary, and Stephen Mathewson, treasurer, Charles Bates, of
Grand Blanc, aged ninety-five, was the oldest pioneer present. Other aged
pioneers were, Timothy Kennie, of Flint, aged ninety-one; Benjamin Rail,
of Clayton, aged ninety-one; Mrs. H. A. Kennedy, of Vienna, aged ninety-
one; Mrs. Morgan Baldwin, of Mundy, aged eighty-nine; Damon Stewart,
of Flint, aged seventy (the oldest pioneer from the county), and a number
of others. Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Carman, of Burton, who had been wedded
for fifty-nine years, and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Buck, of Fenton, who had
, been married fifty-three years before were of the gathering. Mrs. Ambrose
Johnson, of Mundy, mother of fifteen children, grandmother of twenty-four
and great-grandmother of three, was also present.
In the year of 1905, on August 31, the society was favored by addresses
by D. D. Aitken, mayor of Flint; W. H. S. Wood, of Howell, and the Rev.
Charles A. Lippincott, D. D.. of Flint. Jarvis E. Albro was elected presi-
dent for the ensuing year. In rgo6 the si^eakers were Governor Warner,
Lieutenant-Governor Patrick H, Kelley and Congressman Samuel W. Smith.
The governor was greeted by Charles Bates, of Grand Blanc, aged ninety-
seven; John Reeson, aged ninety-one; David Handy, aged ninety, and
yGooc^lc
646 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Thomas Dibble, aged seventy-seven, who had lived in Genesee county for
seventy-five years. The Rev. Thomas Wright, ninety-two years old, was
also present. Among the speakers was Dewitt C. Leach, aged eighty-four,
who was delegate from this county to the constitutional convention of 1850.
In the year 1907, the speakers who addressed the picnic were John J.
Carton and Mark W. Stevens, of Flint, and Daniel Davis, of Pontiac. The
absence of a nuiiiber of old pioneers was noticeable, but among those pres-
ent was Mr. Sutton, of Fenton, who had just celebrated his ninety-ninth
birthday. In 1908 the addresses were made by Congressman Samuel W.
Smith, of Pontiac; Mark W. Stevens, of Flint, and L. V. Curry, of Flint
township, one of the old pioneers.
A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a county historical
society was held in Loyal Guard hall in Flint, January 26, 1915, and a com-
mittee appointed to formulate a tentative plan of organization, reported a
proposed constitution for the society. The meeting, which was largely
attended, was called to order by Fenton R. McCreery, chairman. The report
of the committee was adopted and the plan of the organization approved.
George N. Fuller, secretary of the Michigan historical commission, was
present and delivered an address.
George W. Cook, president of the city board of education, addressed
the meeting, followed by William L. Jenks, of Port Huron, member of the
state historical commission. Chauncey Cummings, of FHnt, was also one
of the speakers, as was also the Rev. Seth Reed, the oldest retired clergyman
of the Methodist Episcopal conference.
The organization of the Genesee County Historical Society being
effected, the following officers were elected: President, Miss Helena V.
Walker; vice-president, Fenton R. McCreery; curator and historian, Francis
H. Rankin; secretary, William V. Smith.
The museum which has been established by the society now occupies the
second floor of the public library building and is a creditable collection,
which promises to be much larger within the next few years. The nucleus
of the collection were gifts made by Byron E. Dodge, of Richfield, and
Silas Collins, of Grand Blanc, both of whom had been for many years col-
lectors of historical relics of the county. These have been added to by
other members and the museum at present occupies all of the available space
in the building. The Genesee County Historical Society has aroused an
enthusiastic interest and bids fair to become a permanent and lasting influ-
ence in matters pertaining to the history of the county. The present officers
are: President, Fenton R. McCreery; curator and historian, Francis H.
Rankin; secretary, W. V. Smith; president emeritus. Rev. Seth Reed. The
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 647
above named officers, with Chauncey Cummings and Edwin O. Wood, con-
stitute a board of directors.
The fohowing bit of verse, whose authorship is well known to all,
well reflects the spirit of the pioneers and pioneer days in Genesee ri.iirilv:
Wlio were the men iiiid whence came they
Who bravely swung Oieir axes,
And felieiJ the forest day by day.
Ijnteri'ifiea by taxes'
Of Purlti iilc stocl weie s, me
Self [Kilaed seiene ind saving
New lo k sinred others glad to <-on e
Rel 1 e Id guc bm iug
Ihej l»r ii„l t g< d li es theli t 1 t share,
More than the r shale oft tJk n„
V heaven on earth w tl womoi s care
Of the 1 log cabins unking
the SOL I life of eiilj d s«
Hen ileasantli It gl ded
pHih lied with each in sot 1 w vs
Anl no ne felt t e sided
4roui d those cabins oft \t night
The >-kullii ig wohes me ] 1 nlii g
\. d half in liem h If In nffright
Tile sleeiieiR he^i 1 their h wliiig
the tiniil deei thit loaniel the vood
Fed rtunl the little clearing
\nd m the d stanie often sto «!
HiK en o is— halt fear ng
flright shone the imple fireplaee
As winter crept on slowlj
< ontentment (teamed on every face
Hones iltai file wis h ly
How groined joui tibles with good cheer
Wh^i resting from your labors
< uests came to dnnce fron f r md near,
A lollv lind of nelghlois
What changes a th s 0 ty fair
Ha\e pissed before your vision
Old timers, ><u d I \jur full -ihare
To It ake our town elyeiin
You c uited tv n tallon dii
A feeble gllmmei shedding
Sometimes perhaps there w is a slip
But oftener a wedding
dbyGoot^lc
648 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
You've seen the lamp with kerosene
That once your parlors lighted,
Give way to gas, whose riidiant sheen '
..'•■' Made every heart delighted.
' ■ ' ■ Tben "press the button" came this wny.
And women now are looking
To that not-far-off hoKiy day,
When it will do their ('ooklng
The Fen s ges h on whee
TV he Boss w i ii or
Fo d m n rj to yo appe %
\ e f e the r an en r gor
Whe e now l> o btifcj streets you see,
Yo ha e bee Iraw v at e
Bu o ou year of Jubl ee
lo he d the st eet e r a e
Rew wa of thou ht are so he e
The es l(«s of brin tone u 1 y
If our he ts. heres e* of fe r
The e B n ore of o e on Mond
So e feathe s 1 ot jed f n f white
W he he h a fl shed oul n
ou he d lie gu s n d js of yo e
When re son sta ked leflant
ou se V he tin e when peai?e o e
Wi h f epdon stood rel an
Nott ock g
t tb fro ] blee
Fron n
ers mus speeches
H w St nge
he con r St h t 0
As backn
n 11 e no } reache
H ^ off o who ga e
Her g o one beginn g
And s n ed her ownrd h t e ■
More f wh cb she s w nn n
Od timers 1 e has tl I ed
Bu fev re ef t te our
X n e hen spea g of vo
Bef en ea we e honry
B son e h n od e ng
O d times hej I e em e
Thoae dajs thej never will forget
Till fades life's dying ember.
yGoot^lc
CHAPTER XXIII.
Clubs of Today.
"CLifture," says one of our modern American writers, "is not an accident
of birth, although our surroundings advance or retard it; it is always a matter
of individual education." The club is a natural growth wherever people live
together in organized society. It springs up because of the spontaneous desire
of individuals to profit by contact with other minds. The nature of the club
depends somewhat upon the common interests. In any society -there are Hkely
to be as many cUibs as there are related interests appealing to different groups.
The club may be purely social, or it may be based on a mutual interest in his-
tory, art, literature or travel; or the object may lie in some particular form
of activity, or may be to encourage patriotism in some form, or to commem-
orate an event.
It is natural to expect that in Genesee count)', as in all counties, the great-
est number and variety of interests should be found in the largest center of
|)0])iilation : so it is that Flint has the most noteworthy of these organizations.
HISTORV CLASS OF 'y6.
The .American History Class is probably the oldest club in the city. On
February 6, 1876, seven ladies met with Mrs. Gregory Dibble to discuss the
practicability of organizing a club for the study of American history. As a
result, a class was formed, with president and secretary, the membership being
limited to twenty. With the exception of a few months, the class has met
every week since. During the progress of years, its study has been extended
to include J'.nglish and French history and the history of the Dutch Republic
and many other countries. In 1894 the word "American" was dropped from
the name of the club, which has been since known as the History Class of '76.
Undoubtedly, it is the oldest club in the county. Meetings are held at the
houses of the members — a month at a place- — Uie hostess acting as president.
THE ART <
The Art Class, organized in 1881, probably enjoys the distinction of being,
next to the club just mentioned, the oldest in the city. It was started inform-
dbyGoot^lc
050 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ally by a few ladies who met on Monday afternoons to discuss art topics. It
was really the outgrowth of two other small reading groups composed of the
following ladies: Mrs. William Lyon, Mrs. Russell Bishop, Mrs. William
Clark, Mrs. Charles S. Brown, Mrs. William A. Atwood, Mrs. Henry Young,
Mrs. John H. Hicok and Miss Elizabeth Hicok.
Mrs. William Lyon was the founder of the club. One afternoon she
invited the ladies of the two small history classes mentioned above to meet at
her home and the matter of organizing a club for the study of art topics was
broached. The ladies agreed among themselves that there should be no ballot-
ing on names, but that each lady should be privileged to bring to the ciub the
next Monday afternoon one friend whom she might wish to have associated
with her in the proposed study. Those invited in this informal manner con-
stituted, with the charter members, the first Art Class. For thirty-five years
the club has held regular meetings, and many names associated with the early
history of Genesee county may be found on its membership Hst.
For the first eight years of its existence no records were kept and the
club had .no constitution or by-laws. In 1889, however, this was changed,
rules and regulations were adopted and officers were appointed, Mrs. W. A.
Atwood being elected president and Mrs. E. T. Smith, secretary. A program
committee, selected alphabetically, arranges each year a course of study, the
scope of which has gradually been broadened until it now includes topics in
history, music, poetry, political economy, astronomy and many other subjects.
The club meets at the homes of members, and membership is limited to twenty-
eight.
The Art Class has always been very quiet and retiring in its tastes and
has never belonged either to the city or state federation. Its present officers
are Mrs. Frank E. Willett, president; Mrs. I. M. Eldridge, secretary; Mrs. C.
B. Crampton, treasurer, and the program committee consists of Mrs. F. D.
Clarke, Mrs. W. C. Cumings and Mrs. A. M. Davison.
The following is the present list of members: Mrs. W. L. Bates, Mrs.
Guy Blackington, Mrs. H. D.' Boriey, Mrs. J. N. Buckham, Mrs. C. B. Burr,
Mrs. J. J. Carton, Miss Annie Carroll, Mrs. F. D. Clarke, Mrs. W. C. Cum-
ings, Mrs. C. B. Crampton, Mrs. A. M. Davison, Mrs. I. M. Eldridge, Mrs.
H. H. Fitzgerald, Mrs. D. S. Fox, Mrs. G. W. Hubbard, Mrs. G. C. Kellar,
Mrs. W. C. Lewis, Mrs. J, B. Pengelly, Mrs, F. H. Pierce, Mrs. E. T. Smith,
Mrs. D. T. Stone, Mrs. F. W. Swan, Mrs. Alice Travis, Mrs. F. E. Willett,
Mrs. L. L. Wright and Mrs. H. L. Young.
The following ladies, most of whom live now in other cities, and nearly
all of whom have been active members at some period, constitute the list of
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 65I
honorary members: Mrs. T. D. Bacon, Mrs. W. H. Brodhead, Mrs. D.
Church, Mrs. G. Dibble, Mrs. R. C. Durant, Mrs. Jerome Eddy, Mrs. M. T.
Gass, Mrs. A. B. C. Hardy Mrs. J. H. Hicok, Miss Elizabeth Hicok, Mrs.
John Irwin, Mrs. C. A. Lippincott, Mrs. W. H. I,\'on, Mrs. D. MacKenzie,
?.Irs- R. E. Macduff. Mrs. F. A. Piatt, Mrs. Crapo Smith, Mrs. H. C. Van
Deusen, Mrs. J. H. Whiting. Mrs. R. J. Whaley, Mrs. C. H. Wood.
The following is a list of deceased members : Mrs. J. C. Willson, Mrs.
I. H. Wilder, Mrs. M. A. Vaughan, Mrs. A. A. Thompson, Mrs. W. L. Smith,
Mrs. G. R. Gold, Mrs. C. S. Brown, Mrs. W. A. Atwood, Mrs. H. M. Curtis,
Miss Marion Chandler, Mrs. M. A. C. Orrell, Mrs. Sarah Ferris, Mrs. William
Clark, Mrs. J. B. Atwood, Mrs. Henry Neill, Mrs. A. W. Seabrease, Mrs. W.
B. McCreery, Mrs. S. Androus, Mrs. Nellie B. Dort, Mrs. Mav Foote.
MRS. FOBES' KEADING CLASS.
One of the earhest literary clubs in Flint or Genesee county was a read-
ing club which met each Tuesday afternoon for many years in the eighties
and early nineties, at the home of Mrs. R. J. Fobes, at the northwest corner
of East and First streets. This club was said to be most enjoyable. It was
organized first as a neighborhood affair, but several members from other
parts of the city were afterward invited to join. It remained always most
informal and never had constitution or by-laws, records or officers. The
club never had probably at one time a larger number of members than twelve
or fourteen, and eight or nine was an average attendance at the meetings. No
papers were ever attempted, the aim of the class being recreation rather than
dull study. From one of the later members of Mrs. Fobes' Reading Class,
the following incomplete list of members has been obtained : Mrs. Fobes,
Mrs. Belcher, Mrs. Vv. C I-ewis, Mrs. R. J. Whaley. Mrs. H. C VanDeusen.
Mrs. C. S. Brown, Mrs. Briscoe, Mrs. A. G. Bishop, Mrs. G. W. Bucking-
ham, Mrs. C. H. Wood, Mrs. J. N. Buckham, Mrs. Oren Stone.
THE SHAKESPEARE CLUB.
Flint has two Shakespeare clubs, the older one of which is believed to be
the oldest Shakespeare club in the state, as it has been in existence since
January 21, 1889, when a number of members of the Ladies Art Class invited
their husbands to meet with them at the home of Mrs. Ira H. Wilder, on
the site where the Y. M, C. A. building no\y stands, to organize an evening
club of men and women for the reading and study of the works of Shake-
dbyGoot^lc
652 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
speare and Shakespearean literature. The club was for some time designated,
in good-natured raillery, by the name "The Art Class Annex." The follow-
ing were the charter members: Helen C. Atwood, H. L. Brown, Charles S.
Brown, Jennie Church, Evelyn T, Curtis, Henry M, Curtis Mary M. Gold,
George R. Gold, Grace L. Gass, M. T. Gass, B. M. Hicok, John H. Hicok,
H. L. Lewis, William C. Lewis, Elizabeth N. F. Macduff. Ralph E. Mac-
duff, Anna C. Piatt, Fred A. Piatt, Elizabeth H. Smith, Harriet P. Thomp-
son, Almon A. Thompson, Kelene Van Deusen, H. C. VanDeusen, Elizabeth
J. Wilder, Ira H. Wilder, Rhoda C. Willson, James C. Willson, Clara C.
Wood, Charles H. Wood, Sarah M. Bridgraan, Charles T. Bridgman, Flora
O, Wiliett, Frank E. Willett, Esther M. Orrell, David Mackenzie.
The following names have been added to the list of the membership
since the club's organization: Elizabeth S. Hicok, E. M. Eddy, Lena M.
Hutchins, Merritt C. Hutchins, Elizabeth C. Buckham, James N. Buckham,
William A. Atwood, Nellie B. Dort, J. Dallas Dort, Frances A. Hunting,
George F. Hunting, D. D., Mary E. Pierce, Franklin H. Pierce, Anna M.
Smith, William L. Smith, Maude A. Vaughan, Katherine J. Brodhead, Will-
iam H. Brodhead, Annette W. Burr, C. B. Burr, E. T. Neill, Henry Neill,
M. Frances Bishop, Fenton R. McCreery, Eusebia F. Hardy, Alexander B. C.
Hardy, Gertrvide A. Bates, William R. Bates, Hally Holmes, Edward H.
Holmes, Harriet B. Bacon, Theodore D. Bacon, Addie C. Carton, John J.
Carton, Sarah H. Irwin, Lucy H. Hammond, Elmer E, Hammond, Anna L
Lippincott, Charles A. Lippincott, D. D., Carrie S. Bishop, Arthur G. Bishop,
J. G. Inglis, Mrs. Inglis, Zylpha I. Fitzgerald, Howard H. Fitzgerald, Celia
Ransom Clarke, Frances D. Clarke, Marcia W. Dort, Bertha G. Atwood,
Edwin W. Atwood, Frances S. Willson, George C. Willson, Delia W. Bon-
hright, Charles H. Bonbright, Walter O. Smith, Lottie Clarke, Thomas P.
Clarke, Mary Gold, Lillian Gold, Edith Pengelly, J. B. Pengelly, Gertrude
Borley, Howard D. Borley, Helen Wright, Luther L. Wright.
This club has been from its inception until the present time a prominent
feature of the social and literary Hfe of Flint. The club study has always
been exclusively devoted to "the works of Shakespeare and Shakespearean
literature," as the first of the simple laws and regulations adopted at organ-
ization set forth should be the rule.
Three plays are read by the club each season, the casts for which are
arranged by a specially appointed committee. A carefully prepared paper
on the play selected for study is read at the first meeting, by the member dele-
gated for that duty. Selections from the authorities and commentators are
quoted; the critic on rendering, comments on the reading at the end of each
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 653
act, the critic on pronunciation reports; then the views of each member on
the rendition and on the text are requested. The chib has always worked
seriously. However, at the end of the reading of plays, "off nights" have
been given, to which guests have been invited. Many clever papers, original
^kits and burlesques, reminiscent of "Portia," "Hamlet," "Desdemona" and
the rest, have made the Shakespeare Club's open evenings occasions to be
recalled with joy. The membership is limited to forty, club meetings being
held at the homes of members.
THE BANGS SHAKESPEARE CLUB.
The Bangs Shakespeare Club, which came into being by the initiative of
Egbert L, Bangs, of whom mention has been made in "Res Literaria," is a
younger club than the one first mentioned, but has always contained among
its membership names equally well known and prominent in literary circles
of the city. Although started as a Shakespeare club, the scope of study has
b,'jen wide and varied, including mythology, sociology, nature, music, phil-
osophy and general literature. The present year's program is mainly devoted
to Russian literature. Shakespeare, however, is not entirely neglected,
receiving attention from time to time. The management and making of a
program each year is left to a committee of three, and the chairman of the
committee is for the year the presiding officer of the club meetings. At pres-
ent Miss Florence Fuller is ex officio president of the club.
COLUMBIAN CLUB.
Regarding the Columbian Club, Miss Emily West has been kind enough
to prepare for this book the following;
"The publicity and promotion department of the Columbian Exposition
at Chicago in 1893 was exceptionally wei! organized and its work executed
with remarkable efficiency. In connection with it, each state had its world's
fair committee, with branches in each county. Among the activities of the
county committees was included the organization into clubs of those who
expected to visit the exposition during its continuance, for the purpose of
making such study of the history, geography and resources of the countries
expecting to send exhibits as would render them intelligent and appreciative
visitors when the exposition should finally open. The Genesee county com-
mittee consisted of three members, two of whom were Mrs. Flint P. Smith
and Mrs. Mary Rice Fairbank, of Flint. To these ladies was due the organ-
dbyGoot^lc
654 GENIiSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
ization of the Columbian Club under the able leadership of Miss Helena \'.
Walker. The foregoing also suggests the reason for its name.
"The Columbian Club held its first meeting in the reading room of the
armory of the Flint Union Blues, on the second floor of the present Armory
building, and on a Tuesday, which is its present day of meeting. The first
year's program consisted of topics connected with the discovery of America,
which the exposition was designed to celebrate, and the parts taken by vari-
ous nations in the exposition and colonization of the new land, together with
the study of the progress of the preparations for the exposition itself, its
location, its transportation facilities, its expected exhibits, etc., and the thou-
sand and one useful details furnished by the "publicity department" of
magazines and newspapers. This year's work was of immense value to the
club members who visited the exposition in 1893 and of hardly less value to
those who were denied the privilege of going. The water color painting,
formerly in the Michigan building and now in the public library, was pur-
chased for one hundred dollars. The Columbian Club, in its inception, was
not designed as a permanent organization, but as its members have found
their years of anticipatory study so beneficial, and as no one who had visited
the exposition had seen the whole of the vast enterprise, the first anniversary
of its organization found its memljers gathered to continue the study of the
great fair — retrospectively. It was agreed among them that of all the exhib-
its inspected, the one least understood was that in the United States building,
and that accordingly it behooved them as American citizens to make for sev-
eral years a study of their own country. The club programs deal with the
progress of the American nation.
"Following the programs of United States history, a general survey of
European history formed the ground work of a year's study, and later,
different countries were studied in some detail, much attention being given
to their progress in art, science and literature. In all these programs, current
events and current literature have received attention, and discussion has fol-
lowed all papers read. The Columbian Club was federated in i8g6, soon
after the Michigan State Federation was formed, and has continued its
membership to the present time, deriving much benefit therefrom.
"From the foregoing it will appear that the aim of the Columbian Club
in the beginning was a selfish one— that is, the personal benefit to be gained
in preparing for a single event: later, a no less selfi,sh one, the pleasure of
association and satisfaction derived from the broadening of knoivledge and
gain in expression and intellectual culture. In this regard, the history of
the Columbian Club is that of nearly all similar organizations and, hke those
dbyGoot^lc
GKNESEE COTTNTY, MICHIGAN. 655
which have attained to its years of experience, it is extending its efforts and
influence to the betterment of the community instead of the individual mem-
ber, as is evidenced by the attention given to civics and by its philanthropies
during the past few years. Last spring it took the initiative in organizing
a county federation of women's clubs, which promises much for the future.
"During its early history, the Columbian Club was purely a study cKib,
but for some years [jast social features have l>een added. It has entertained
clubs from other parts of the county and has been entertained by them. It
was once hostess to the State Federation of Women's Clubs. Thanksgiving
Day is regularly celebrated with a dinner, and an annual picnic is held in
Tune. Its membership is unlimited. It welcomes all women who are inter-
ested in its work. Its doors are always open to visitors.
"In its twenty-four years of existence it has had but eight differenl
presidents. The combined terms of three of them is fifteen years. At no
lime has its membership been larger than at present, except perhaps in its
first year. The prospect at present is that the year of 1916-1917, which
begins on the first Tuesday in October, will be its happiest and most pros-
perous one.
The officers for 1976 are: President, Mrs. C. A. Seeley; first vice-
president, Mrs. James McFarlan ; .second vice-president, Mrs. Jonathan
Edwards; secretary, Mrs. Marvin J. Lamb; corresponding secretary. Miss
Emily West; treasurer. Mrs. F. L. Tupper; auditor, Mrs. Charles B. T.^land.
Tin; TWENTIETH CENTL'KY CLUB.
In the year 1897 '^ group of twenty-five young women met and organ-
izttd the Twentieth Century Club and adopted a constitution and by-laws.
The object of this club was to study literature and current events. But as
the nineteen years have passed, each year has brought forth some new line
of study, which has included history, travel, science, literature, art and nature.
'i~he work of the club has always been most thorough and conscientious, and
as many of its members have traveled extensively, they have been able to
add materially to the pleasure and profit of each year's program.
The club year is from October to May, and the social side of the club
life is greatly enhanced by the hospitality of its members, who open their
liomes for the weekly meetings. The open days throughout the year's pro-
grams have been among the most deUghtfu! events in the history of the vari-
ous clubs of our city.
The following are the officers for 1916: President, Mrs, W. T. Walker;
dbyGoot^lc
656 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
secretary and treasurer, Miss Jessie Baker; program committee; Miss Busii-
nell, Mrs. Clift and Mrs. DeWaters.
In Memoriam : Mrs. NeiHe Davison Bridgman, Miss Anna Bucking-
ham. Miss Ernestine Bnrr and Mrs. Mary Knickerbocker Cummings.
THE GARLAND STREET I.iTEKARY CLUB.
The Garland Street Literary C!ub was organized in 1888 as a neighbor-
hood study club and has grown from small proportions to a club which
occupies a prominent place in the club life of the city. The following ladies
arrange the programs for each year: Mrs. John Hotchkiss, Mrs. P. B.
Peltier, Mrs. G. H. McQuigg, Mrs. A. F. Kaufmann, Mrs. G. H. Durand
and Miss Alice Townsend. The officers are; President, Mrs. George H.
Durand, and secretary, Mrs. Edward Fuller, The program for the coming
year embraces studies in civic betterment, juvenile courts of the county,
housing problem and local sociological questions.
THE UESEAUCH CLUB.
The Research' Club was organized in 1903, through the efforts of Mrs.
Mary Van Winkle, and is devoted to the study of literary subjects.' Its
membership is limited to thirty-five and the meetings for the season of 1916-17
are presided over by Mrs. R. W. Eaton, president. This club is also inter-
ested in the study of foreign I
One afternoon, twenty-six years ago, two friends with musical ambi-
tions were discussing the latest number of The Etude, a weil-known musical
magazine. They were much interested in the articles on "The Women's
Musical Clubs," which had been organized throughout the Eastern states.
The idea of such a society in Flint occurred to them and a committee of, one,
appointed by themselves, visited the musically inclined women of the city,
made known the plan and called a meeting for all who were interested in
such a society. The meeting was successfully attended and at that time the
St, Cecelia Club was organized, the name being later changed to "St. Cecelia
Society,"
On October 21, i8gp, the organization was perfected with the foUow-
ing twelve ladies as charter members: Mrs. Nellie Bates Dort, Mrs. Carrie
B. Stone, Mrs. Emma M. Pierce, Mrs. Minnie Vincent, Miss Anna Mc-
yGoo-^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 657
Master, Miss Anna Ford; Miss Lilla Grace Smart, Miss Alice Smith, Miss
Alma Bates, Miss Hallie Freeman, Miss Blanche Eldridge and Miss Edith
Barton. The officers elected were: President, Mrs, Dort; critic, Mrs. Stone,
and secretary. Miss Smart.
The first program was given at the home of Mrs. Dort. The club next
adopted a constitution and by-laws, which provided for the additional offices
of two vice-presidents and an executive committee. The club met at the
homes of members once in two weeks during the first two years. The
society re-organized in 1892, with twenty members enrolled and with Mrs.
Dort as president, and honorary members were first admitted at the fall
election in 1892. Miss Hallie Freeman was the second president of the
society. In 1893 the Maccabee hall was engaged for the recitals and weekly
meetings and that year Mrs. Flint P. Smith was elected president. In Janu-
ary, 1895, the society was incorporated under the state laws. In this year
also the society purchased their first grand piano, and a revision of the con-
stitution and by-laws was made, which provided for an annual election in
January.
Later, the meetings were held in the hall in Stone's theater and still later
in St. Cecelia hall, which was arranged for the use of the society in the
Aimory building. For many years since the organization of the St. CeceHa
Society the music-loving public has been afforded the opportunity of hearing
famous artists under its auspices. The Michigan Music Teachers Associa-
tion held its annual convention in Flint some years ago, through the efforts
of the society, and for many seasons the concerts arranged by the executive
committees have ranked among the attractions of the year. During the
season of 1915-16 the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra was one of the
offerings of note.
The society annually sends delegates to the National Music Teachers
Association, and is an ably conducted organization which contributes much
to the musical and social life of the city.
Miss Lilla Grace- Smart, one of the charter members, is now Mrs. Boris
Ganapol, the wife of one of the leading musicians of Detroit and herself a
talented performer. One of the foremost musical conservatories of Detroit
is under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Ganapol. The officers of the St.
Cecelia Society are: President, Mrs. Harry Winegarden; vice-president,
Mrs. J. C. King; secretary, Miss Mildred Davie; treasurer, Mrs. L. G.
Kurtz.
(42)
dbyGoo<^lc
6S8 GENESEE COUNTY, MJCHICAN
THE CHORAL UNION.
The Choral Union is a large society devoted to the interests of com-
munity music. Its promoter and founder was J. D. Dort. The officers for
1916 are: President, C. H, Bonbright; vice-president, Mrs. Harry Wine-
garden ; secretary, Mrs. Howard A. Field. The Choral Union has a mem-
bership of over two hundred and under its direction several pretentious ora-
torios have been produced.
THE FLINT DRAMATIC CLUB.
The Flint Dramatic Club, a society for the study of dramatic art, was
organized in 1912, under the direction of Mrs. Patrick R. Doherty. The
first play, "The Scrap of Paper," was presented at Stone's theater in March
of that year. The second year's work resulted in the presentation of "The
Banker's Daughter," on February 4, 1913, under the direction of the Rev.
Fr. Michael J. Comerford. In 1914 Luther L. Wright, formerly of the state
board of education, now superintendent of the Michigan school for the deaf,
directed a pretentious and most successful production of "The College
Widow." The club has come to be regarded as a permanent association and
has taken a conspicuous place in the club life of the city. A large per cent
of the proceeds from the plays are given each year to a charitable organiza-
tion, under whose auspices the performance is given.
THE ROTARY CLUB.
The Rotary Club, a local chapter of the International Association of
Rotary Chibs, was established in Flint, April 7, 1916, with twenty-two
charter members. The association has established chapters, not only in
cities throughout the United States, but in Canada, Great Britain and the
Philippines, and membership is formed on the imique plan of one active
and representative man from each line of business and profession in the
community, to encourage high ethical standards, to increase the efficiency
of members by the development of improved ideas and business methods,
and to quicken interest in civic, social, commercial and industrial develop-
ment.
The Flint chapter is one of the most recent of the two hundred and
ninety chapters estaUished in this country, and in the few months of its
existence has increased in membership to sixty, having already become a
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CiENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 659
recognized factor in the business and professional life of the community.
The officers of the club are: President, Walter E. Dunkin; first vice-presi-
dent, John J. Mercer; second vice-president, Glenn R. Jackson; treasurer,
William A. Hastings ; secretary, DeHull N. Travis. These officers, together
with the following gentlemen, compose the board of directors: Grant J.
Brown, Albert Dodds and Keinhardt Kleinpell. Honorary member, Will-
iam Jennings Bryan.
FLINT GOLF CLUB.
The ['"lint Golf Club was originally organized as the Flint Country Club
in September, 1910, by thirty-seven of the leading citizens of Flint, who
purchased the Lewis O. Medbury farm of three hundred and ten acres, one-
half mile north of the village of Atlas, for the establishment of a club house
and grounds. The old Medbury homestead was remodeled into a handsome
and well-appointed club house and work was started on the development of a
golf course to which nature had lent much assistance by providing natural
hazards, the rolhng land being threaded by a winding stream. In due time
the membership was extended to associate, non-resident and honorary mem-
bers, the total membership on July r, 1916, being one hundred and sixty.
In the spring of 1916 it became apparent that the interests of the
organization could best be served by placing all members on the same finan-
cial basis and accordingly the Flint Golf Club was organized, with a capital
of one hundred thousand dollars, representing stock at fifty dollars per share,
of which each member should be the owner of one or more shares, and of
which nearly fifty thousand dollars has already been subscribed.
The Flint Golf Club now represents a golf course, well developed,
together with splendid club buildings and equipment, the value of which
is about one hundred thousand dollars. The club is located twelve miles
from Flint and is accessible by interurban car service and improved gravel
and macadam roads.
The following is a list of the charter memliers of the club: Arthur G.
Bishop, J. Dallas Dort. D. D. Aitken, J. H. Whiting, Edwin O. Wood, John
J. Carton, Fred A. Aldrich, Charles S. Mott, C. B. Burr, Francis H. Rankin,
Everett L. Bray, William A. Paterson, Charles M. Begole, Walter O. Smith,
Homer E. Clarke, A. H. Goss, A. P. Brush, J. Allen Heany, Joseph H.
Crawford, Edwin W. Atwood, Merritt C. Hutchins, E. R. Campbell, Harry
W. Watson, Hubert Dalton, W. H. Little, Harry H. Bassett, Thomas Doyle,
Hugh J. Jackson, Charles H. Bonbright, George E. Pomeroy, W. S. Bal-
dbyGoot^lc
66o GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
lenger, R. T. Armstrong, Charles A. Cummings, M. E. Carlton, Howard H.
Fitzgerald, W. E. Wood, Gerard Warrick,
The present board of governors, who have served for the past three
years, are: President, Harry H. Bassett; secretary and treasurer. Homer
E, Clarke; assistant secretary and treasurer, Andrew J. Buckham; Edwin
W, Atwood, Hugh J. Jackson and George E. Pomeroy. In the fall of
TO16 a committee was appointed to report upon the advisability of disposing
of the present grounds and securing a site adjoining the city limits on the
south,
woman's council.
The Woman's Council was organized in April, 1916, with twenty-five
charter members, the object of the society being the promotion of civic
welfare. Although the council has been in existence only a few months, it
already has a membership of four hundred and eighty-one of the prominent
women of the city. The society proposes to act as an aid to the common
council in looking after civic interests, and also in working in connection with
the park board and city sanitary committee. Committees on sanitation,
legislation, amusements and education have been appointed, the following
members serving as the officers for 1916: President, Mrs. N. J. Eerston,
Sr. ; first vice-president, Mrs. John J. Carton; second vice-president, Mrs.
John D. Mansfield; treasurer, Mrs. D. S, Childs; secretary, Miss Jane Payne.
yGoo-^lc
CHAPTER XXIV.
Fraternal and Benevolent Societies.
In all parts of the county were established early the fraternal orders,
ivhose continuous development has brought unmeasurable ijenefits, not only
to their members, but to all with whom they have been associated in the
cf>n!plex relations of a growing community. Fraternal co-operation has ever
been a prominent factor in the development of Genesee county. While keen
and stimulating competition has never been lacking among its business and
professional men, they have worked together, in the most harmonious man-
ner, in matters concerning the general welfare. Whether the growth of
fraternal and Ixneficiary societies has been the effect of the fraternal spirit
which prevails, or that this SDirit has been fostered by these societies, is an
interesting problem. Certain it is that their conception and development
have been contem[X)raneous with those of the community and that the names
of their officers and leaders are to be found prominently connected with all
of its business and social enterprises. The number and variety of such
organizations are continually increasing and their prosperous condition is
further proof of the congenial nature of their environment.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has the distinction of having
established the first of the many local lodges now existing in Flint, and for
nearly sixty years its members here have faithfully and loyally upheld the
dignity and traditions of their illustrious order. As a natural result, the
little band of seven which established the first lodge has grown to a mem-
bership of hundreds in Flint and nearly two thousand in Genesee county.
Genesee Lodge No. 24, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was granted
a dispensation on April 29, 1847, to organize in the then village of Flint,
with Edward H. Thomson as noble grand and George M. Dewey as vice-
grand. Two of the charter members afterward became grand masters. Will-
iam M. Fenton, in 1855. and Edward H. Thomson, in 1872. The late Francis
H. Rankin became a member of this lodge soon after its organization and
served as its treasurer for many years. He was grand master in 1872. This
lodge is justly proud of the fact that it has never failed to make its report
to the grand lodge, never missed being represented there, has always held its
regular meetings on Tuesday evenings, and has paid many thousands of
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663 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
dollars for relief and burial benefits. The earliest meeting places cannot be
definitely located, but, according to the recollection of some old members, it
met for a time over No. 323 South Saginaw street and in 1867 had its home
over No. 318 South Saginaw street, removing about that time to the hall in
the Judd block. In the fall of 1903 it decided to own its own home and
purchased the Ladies' Library building, which it transformed into a hand-
some and commodious temple, the first meeting being held there on February
15, 1904. Later, when the Masonic orders built their temple on South Sagi-
naw and Fourth streets, the Odd Fellows purchased the temple previously
occupied by the Masons in the Bryant House block.
Genesee Lodge No. 24, has a membership of three hundred and eighty
and the meetings are held every Tuesday evening in Odd Fellows temple.
The present officers are : Noble grand, Charles Sims ; vice-grand, C. S. Van
Winkle; recording secretary, Hiram Curtis; financial secretary, J. Lone;
treasurer, Delos Rosenkrans.
Friendship Lodge No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
instituted on November 20, 1871, over No. 322 South Saginaw street, with
ten charter members. From this small beginning, through trying and peril-
ous times and many changes, this lodge has fought its way to be one of the
finest in the state, with a present membership of over six hundred. Its staf?
work is fast gaining an enviable reputation. It also has never missed send-
ing its reports and dues to the grand lodge and it is well represented in the
camp and canton.
Friendship Lodge now has a membership of six hundred and fifty and
the meetings are held in the temple every Thursday evening. The officers are :
Noble grand, Edward Teague; vice-grand, Gienn Webb; recording secretary,
S. R. Moon; financial secretary, Frank Post; treasurer, Fred Howland.
Fhnt River Encampment No. 28, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
was instituted, December 19, 1868, with five meml^ers (none of whom now
survive) in Odd Fellows' hall, Judd block. The first candidate was the late
E. H. Thomson, who in later years became grand master. During its long
and prosperous career it has admitted several hundred members, buried
many, paid out large sums for sick and funeral benefits, never missed its
annual report to the grand encampment of Michigan, and has always had one
or more representatives in the grand bodies. The grand encampment has
twice been its guest, first in 1892 and again in 1903. Five other encamp-
ments have been organized from it and it has produced seventy-five chief
patriarchs. Flint River Encampment now has a membership of over two
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 663
hundred and the meetings are held the first and third Mondays in each month,
in I. O. O. F. temple.
Canton Col. Fenton No. 27, Patriarchs Militant (Odd Fellows), was
chartered on Auf^^ust 30, 1887, and mustered into service on November 28,
following, in the hall in the Judd block, with thirty-eight members. Its first
officers were : Captain, T. A. Willett ; lieutenant, W. A. Boland ; ensign,
C. S. Martin. It has always -been well to the front along military lines and
second and five first prizes and one national prize. One of its members,
has won both state and national, fame, winning, in competitive drill, five
Gen. T. A. Willetf, organized the department council. The meetings of
Canton Colonel Fenton now are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of
each month in Odd Fellows temple. The officers are : Captain, C. S. Mar-
tin; lieutenant, Seth Jerome; ensign, Fred May; clerk, J, Clare Atkins, and
accountant, Frank T. Hall.
DAUGHTER.S OF KEBEKAH.
Ada B. Rebekah Lodge No. 17 was instituted, May 4, 1888, in the hall
over No. 324 South Saginaw street, by the late George M. Dewey, of
Owosso, then past grand master, with twenty-five charter members. Mrs.
Elise A. Willett and Mrs. May Martin were first noble grand and vice-grand,
respectively. Charles S. Martin, of Friendship Lodge No. 174, was commis-
sioned district deputy grand master for the new Rebekah lodge. This lodge
has assisted in the institution of six Rebekah lodges in the vicinity and had
for finir years an officer in the Rebekah assembly. In the year 1916 Ada B.
Rebekah Lodge has five hundred and thirty-five members and in 1915 became
the largest lodge in the state. The meetings are held on the first and third
Fridays of the month in Odd Fellows temple. The lodge is said to have
the finest drilled degree in Michigan. The officers are: Noble grand, Mrs.
Rose Post; vice-grand, Weltha Heddaugh; recording secretary, Mae H.
Martin; financial secretary, Alvah Devereaux; treasurer, Florence Currie;
district deputy. Pearl Powell.
Genesee Rebekah Lodge No. 355 was organized through the elTorts of
members of Genesee Lodge No. 24, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
after which it was named. It was instituted on the afternoon of May 12,
1900, at the hall in the Judd block, by Past Noble Grand Elise A. Willett,
of Ada B. Rebekah Lodge No. 17, as special deputy, with thirty-six charter
members. The principal officers then elected were, Mrs. Clara Abbey, noble
grand, and Mrs. Y\dora Hall, vice-grand. In the evening of that day the
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664 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
degrees were conferred uijon forty -seven candidates and six months from
that date the membership exceeded one hundred! The home of this lodge
is now in Odd Fellows temple, where it meets on the second and fourth Fri-
day evenings of each month, A commendable harmony exists between the
two sister lodges, each striving ever to work for the best interests of the
other, Genesee Rebekah Lodge now has three hundred and twenty-five mem-
bers. The officers are: Noble grand, Mrs. Frank Curtis; vice-grand, Mrs.
Stevenson; secretary, Mrs. Louis Smith, and financial secretary, Mrs, Van
W'agnon.
FREF, .^ND ACCEPTF.D MASONS.
The Masonic fraternity was among the first of the fraternal orders to
establish a local organization in Flint and it has ever had a strong hold upon
the citizens. For many of the earlier years of its history its lodge rooms
were among the social centers of the young city and while the present elaborate
means for entertainment were lacking, its social functions were none the less
enjoyable. Many of even the younger generation still remember with pleas-
ure the balls and other entertainments given therein. In fact, it was because
dancing and card playing in Masonic buildings were prohibited hy the regula-
tions of the order that the former temple was not for many years formally
dedicated as such. The several organizations Ijeing among the earliest estab-
lished in Michigan, had originally very large jurisdictions, extending toward
Port Huron and Detroit on the east and south and indefinitely to the north
and west, many of their members being drawn from the Saginaw valley.
All of the Masonic bodies then organized met in the hall in the building
adjoining the First National Bank, near the corner of Saginaw and Kearsley
streets, removing thence to the temple in the Bryant House block.
One of the important events in the history of the fraternity was the
purchase of this home. The first action toward this was taken in November,
1867, but it was not until April, 1870, that a committee was appointed with
full power to act. Many sites and buildings were considered, resulting in the
purchase, from Thayer, Hamilton and Atwood, of the third and fourth
stories of what is now the Bryant House block. This was deeded, Septem-
ber 24, 1872, to trustees for Flint Lodge, Washington Chapter and Genesee
Valley Commandery, enclosed and roofed, the price being five thousand dol-
lars. The opening ceremony was a grand Knights Templar ball, December
13, 1873, and was occupied by the Masonic bodies up to the time of the
dedication of the present Masonic temple.
During the year 1905 the different lodges of the Masonic order held a
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 665
number of meetings and decided to build a permanent temple. A number of
committees were appointed, with the result that on February 7, 1906, an
association known as the Masonic Temple Association of Flint was formed.
The first officers elected were: President, J. H. Crawford; vice-president,
Francis D. Clarke; secretary, T. J. Allen; treasurer, L. H. Bridgman.
On February 8, 1906, the association became an incorporated body,
with a board of trustees including two members from each of the Masonic
bodies. The present officers of this association are: President, J. H. Craw-
ford; vice-president, C. D. Wesson; treasurer, L. H. Bridgman; secretary,
C. S. H. Chase.
In January, 1908, lot 9, block 4, village of Mint River, on the corner of
East Fourth and Saginaw streets, was purchased of WilHam H. Edwards,
and the erection of the present stately Masonic temple was soon afterward
commenced.
The last meeting of Fhnt Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons,
was held in the old temple on March 28, 191 1. and the Masonic fraternity at
large held a farewell meeting in the old temple on March 30, 1911. G.
Roscoe Swift, grand master of the grand lodge of the state of Michigan,
and the other grand lodge officers dedicated the temple in the afternoon of
May 16, 1911. The building, together with the lot and furnishings, is esti-
mated to liave cost approximately one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The Masonic temple is one of the finest buildings in the county, if not the
finest. The late Judge Charles H. Wisner was made chairman of the build-
ing committee and devoted a great deal of time to the details of construction.
Judge Wisner's assistance in this direction was invaluable, as was also his
assistance at the time of the erection of the county building, as he possessed
a wide knowledge of mechanics and building construction and personally
supervised the work. Tlie temple contains, besides the several lodge rooms,
a large auditorium for entertainments, club and reading rooms, which are
situated in the blue lodge lobby and parlor, and a dining room with appoint-
ments for four hundred guests. There is also arranged a ladies' parlor and
reception room, which is open during the day.
Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Ma.sons, was chartered on Janu-
ary 10, 1849, and maintained its existence until December, 1854, at which
time its charter was surrendered. No other information regarding it is
available, but it seems probable that its members, or a portion of them,
organized Flint Lodge No. 23, to which a charter was issued on January 11,
1855, upon the petition of thirty-seven charter members, with John B.
Hamilton as worshipful master and ten other officers. None of these officers
dbyGoot^lc
G66 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
are now living. This lodge has enjoyed a steady and prosperous growth for
years. It was honored in 1S58 by the election of William M. Fenton as
grand master of the grand lodge of Michigan, P""ree and Accepted Masons,
and also in 1912 by the election of the late Francis D. Clarke to the same
high office.
Flint Lodge No. 23 has a membership of eight hundred at the present
time. Regular communications are held the first Tuesday of each month.
The present ofificers are: Worshipful master, Ernest A. Smith; senior
warden, L. G. Cronk; junior warden, Harvey E. Johnson; treasurer, C. H.
Miller; secretary, C. S. H. Chase; senior deacon, John E. Storrer; junior
deacon, William E. Proper.
The following have served as worshipful masters of Flint Lodge No,
23: John B. Hamilton. 1855; Benjamin J. Lewis, 1856; Chauncey K.
W^illiams, 1857; William M. Fenton. 1858, 1859, i860, 1861 ; E. D. Will-
iams, 1862: William Clark, 1863; Wilham M, Fenton, 1864; Abner Ran-
dall, 1865, 1866; Samuel C. Randall, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870; James B. F.
Curtis, 1871, 1872, 1S73, 1874, :875, 1876; Samuel C. Randall, 1877, 1878,
1879. 1S80, 1881; Charles S. Brown. 1882; Charles B. Wallace, 1883, 1884.
1885, 1886; Joseph H. Crawford, 1887, 1888; John McKercher, 1889, 1890,
i8gi. 1892, 1893: Edward D. Black, 1894; John McKercher, 1895; ^^ed
J. Ford, 1896, 1S97; Menzo F. Cook,' 1898, 1899; W. Lee Church, 1900,
1901 ; Charles H. Miller, 1902, 1903; Albert T. Austin, 1904; Jason H.
Austin, 1905; William W. Edgcombe, 1906; Francis D. Clarke, 1907; Tru-
man S. Cowing, 190S: Charles S. H. Chase, 1909; John J. Raab, 19T0;
E. Frank Wood, 191^; Arthur E. Raab, 1912; John H. Neubert, 1913;
Ralph B. Long, 1914; Fred W. Hanneman, 1915; Ernest A. Smith, 1916.
Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on
January 11, 1866, with eight members. Its first worshipful master was John
B. Hamilton and the late Judge George H. Durand was the first candidate
initiated. This lodge has grown up by the side of its older sister, amicably
sharing with it in the labors, costs and rewards of fraternal life, and there
is between their members a truly Masonic spirit. Several of the past masters
of this lodge have been elected to the chair of grand master of the grand
lodge of Michigan, George H. Durand, in 1874, and John J. Carton, in 1895.
The following have served as worshipful masters of Genesee Lodge
No. 17/1: John B. Hamilton, 1865; James B. Newton, 1866, 1867, t868,
i86g; George H. Durand. 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874. 1877: George M.
Bushneil, 1875; Thomas W. Drennan. 1876; Leroy C. Whitney, 1S78. 1879,
1880, t88i, 1882, 1883; Frank E. Palmer, 1884 ; John B. E. Castree, 1885;
dbyGoot^lc
GENp;SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 667
Charles H. Wisner. 1886; Charles B. Leland. 1887, 1888; Benjamin F.
Miller, 1889; John J. Carton, 1890, 1891 ; Thomas J. Allen, 1892, 1893;
Joseph H. Rankin, 1894, 1895; Louis G. Wilfison, 1896, 1897; Clayton N,
Doty, 1898, 1899; Colonel O. Swayze, 1900, 1901; George Werkheiser,
1902, 1903; James S. Parker, 1904; John R. MacDonald, 1905, 1906;
Charles A. Durand, 1907; James M. Torrey, 1908; Homer J. McBride,.
1909; Harry V. Blakely, 1910; Frank P. Wildman, 1911 ; Arthur C. Cross-
man, 1912; Thomas Carl Millard, 1913; Raymond C. Chase, 1914; Everett
Ciapp, 1915; Harry R. Nickerson, 1916.
Genesee Lodge No. 174 has a membership of seven hundred and fifty
and the meetings are held the first Wednesday in each month. The present
officers are: Harry R, Nickerson, worshipful master; S. A. Shue, senior
warden; Richard Holt, junior warden; treasurer, C. B, Leland; secretary,
Dr. Noah Bates; George H. McDonald, senior deacon, and Frank W. Pike,
junior deacon.
When the first blue lodge was organized, the nearest chapter was located
at Pontiac. The need of a similar organization at Flint was quickly felt,
and on the first day of April, 1856, ten members met under dispensation, and
Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted, Stillman
Blanchard, past high priest, officiating. At the next meeting of the grand
chapter a charter was granted, dated January 13, 1857. Chauncey K. Will-
iams was the first eminent high priest. As the jurisdiction of the chapter
still covers all of the county and villages adjacent to Flint, its meetings bring
together many who might otherwise remain strangers.
The meetings of Washington Chapter are now held on the first Thurs-
day of the month and the membership is five hundred. The officers are:
Ralph B, Long, eminent high priest ; F. W. Hanneman, king ; Edward C.
Farr, scribe; Frank J. Magill, treasurer; C. S. H. Chase, secretary; Robert
H. Darnton, captain of the host; William H. Kijpatrick, principal sojourner;
Leland Stanford Wood, royal arch captain.
The following have served as high priests of Washington Chapter No.
15: Chauncey K. Williams, 1857, 1858, 1859; John B. Hamilton, i860;
Daniel Clark, i86r. 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865. 1867, 1868; Abner Randall,
1869. 1870, 1871, 1S72, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877; James B, F. Curtis,
1878, 1879; Marcus Lane, 1880; Samuel C. Randall, 1881, 1882; Zacheus
Chase. 1883, 1884; Stephen Mathewson, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888; J. B.
Edward Castree, 1889. 1890; John McKercher, 1891. 1893; Charles B.
Leland, 1893: Thomas J. Allen, 1804. 1895; Edward D. Black, 1S96, 1897;
George L. McQuigg, 1898; Charles S. H. Chase, 1899, 1900; Albert T.
dbyGoot^lc
668 GENESEE COUNTY, Miril|i;.AN
Austin, 1901, 1902; Menzo F. Cook, 1903; Fred J. Pierson, 1904; W. Lee
Church, 1905; George H. Gordon, 1906; Truman S. Cowing, 1907; Francis
D. Clarke, 1908; Ruby J. Roether, 1909; John C. Clasen, 1910; Edwin C.
Litchfield, 1911; Frank J. Magili, 1912; Francis M. Buffum, 1913; Jason
H.. Austin, 1914; Walter F. Brandes. 1915; Ralph B. Long. 1916.
Between the organization of the chapter and the formation of a coni-
mandery, a period of over nine years elapsed, and it was not until 1865 that
F'lint Masons could receive their Templar degrees af home. On April 10 of
that year a disijensation was granted to Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15,
which was organized with eight meml^rs, in the old Masonic hall, June 2,
1865. The tliree principal officers were, John B. Hamilton, eminent com-
mander; Paul H. Stewart, generalissimo, and John Allen, captain general.
The officers were duly installed by Garey B. Noble, right eminent grand com-
mander of Michigan, on June 27, 1865, at which time the first work of the
new commandery was done by conferring the orders upon Abner I^ndall,
Lyman G. Buckingham, Francis H, Rankin, Charles Goodale and Henry
Brown. John R. Hamilton served two years and in 1867 was succeeded as
eminent commander by Samuel C. Randall, who served continuously until
1878, although he was in 1876 elected grand commander of Michigan
Knights Templar and ably performed the duties of that office. Joseph H.
Crawford was elected grand commander of Michigan Knights Templar in
1906, and Fred A. Aldrich is serving for the present year of 1916. The
only surviving charter member is Robert Ford. This commandery has
always stood high, both in the personnel of its members and the efficiency
of its work.
Genesee Valley Commandery Xo. 15 meets the first Friday of each
month. The present membership is three hundred and fifty. The officers
are: Eminent commander, Fred J. Pierson; general, L. G. Willison; cai>-
tain general, F. A. Roberts; senior warden, F. W. Siegel; junior warden, T.
S. Cowing; treasurer, B. J. Macdonald; prelate, M. C. Pettilxine (dead);
recorder, C. S. H. Chase; standard bearer, John M. Goepfert; sword bearer,
A. C. Raab, and warder, Alexander M. Ritchie.
The following have served as eminent commanders of Genesee Valley
Commandery No. 15: John B. JIamilton, 1865 to 1867: Samuel C. Ran-
dall, 1867 to 187S; Charles S. Brown, 187S to 1881 ; Charles H. Wood,
1881 to 1883; Albert Myers, 1883 to 1885; Zacheus Chase, 1885 to 1886;
Milton C. Pettibone, 1886 to 1888: Henry C, VanDusen, 1888 to 1890;
George L. McQuigg, 1800 to 1892; Edward W. Mclntyre, 1892 to 1894;
Arthur C. McCall, 1894 to 1896; Joseph H. Crawford, 1896 to 1898; Joseph
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gi::nesek county, Michigan. 669
H, Rankin, 1898 to 1900; Thomas J. Allen, 1900 to 1901.; Charles S. H.
Chase, 1901 to 1902; Fred A. Aldrich, 1902 to 1903; Edwin C. Litchfield,
1903 to 1904; Charles A. (^uraiiigs, 1904 to 1905; S. Sidney Stewart, 1905
to 1906; L. Henry Bridgman, 1906 to 1907; Menzo F. Cook, 1907 to 1908;
Arthur M. Davison, 1908 to 1909; Charles D. Wesson, 1909 to 1910; Will-
iam S. Ballenger, 1910 to 1911: John L. Pierce, 1911 to 1912; Benjamin
F. Miller, Jr., 1912 to J913; Albert T. Austin, 1913 to 1914; Maurice L.
Dyer, 1914 to 1915; Fred W. Brennan, 1915 to 1916; Fred J. Pierson, 1916.
Much the youngest of the Masonic bodies in Flint is Flint Council No.
56, Royal and Select Masters, which was chartered on January 21, 1890,
with nine members, J. B. E. Castree being the first thrice illustrious master.
It has now a membership of three hundred and the meetings are held on the
first Monday in the month. The officers are: Thrice illustrious master,
Francis M. Buffen ; deputy master, Jesse S. Langston ; principal conductor
of the work, J. J. Raab; recorder, C. S. H. Chase; captain of the guard,
Fred Tiedman; conductor of the council, Robert H. Darnton.
The following have served as thrice illustrious masters of Flint Coun-
cil No. 56: J. B. Edward Castree, 1890; John McKercher, 1891, 1892,
1893. 1S94. 1895, 1S96; Thomas J. Allen, 1897, 1898: Louis G. Willison,
1899, 1900; John McKercher, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904; Charles H. Miller,
1905, 1906; Albert T. Austin, 1907, 1908; Francis D. Clarke, 1909, 1910;
L, Henry Bridgman, 191 1; John L. Pierce, 1912; Fred J. Pierson, 1913;
Flovd A. Roberts, 1914; Tidwin C. JJtchfield. 1915; Francis M. Buffum,
1916.
OKnEK OF THE EASTERN STAR.
Closely affihated with the Masonic fraternity is the Order of the Eastern
Star, its members l>eing Master Masons and their wives, daughters and
sisters. The order exists for the purpose of giving practical effect to one
of the beneficient purposes of Freemasonry, which is to provide for
the welfare of the wives, mothers, widows and sisters of Master
Masons. Its principles are promulgated here by Flint Chapter No. 138,
which was organized at Masonic hall in 1894 with thirty-one members, and
received its charter on January 28, 1895. Its first presiding officers were
Mrs. Carrie T. Henderson, worthy matron, and Louis G. Willison, worthy
patron. The membership of the Eastern Star at the present time is five
hundred and sixty. The meetings are held the second Monday in each month
in Masonic temple. The officers for 1916 are Elsie L. Stevenson, associate
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670 ■ GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
matron, acting as worthy matron ; John F, Baker, worthy patron ; secretary,
Mrs. Bessie Wesson; treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Cowing.
There are a number of social orders, including the Knights of Bethie-
hem, made up of Masons, but not a part of the Masonic bodies.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
The Royal Arcanum, originally organized in Boston, November 5, 1877,
became identified with Flint in the organization of Apollo Council No. 27,
on the I2th day of the same month. The Hfe of the local body has therefore
been contemporary with that of the parent order. The cormcil was instituted
in the lodge rooms on the third floor of the Sutton building, with sixty-three
members. It continued to meet in its original lodge rooms until some time
in 1878, when the use of the Knights of Pythias rooms, located over the First
National Bank, was secured. The council moved later to Friendship Lodge
hall, in the McDermott block, in 1884. It is worthy of notice that two of
the charter members have held office ever since its organization, Frank Dul-
1am and Dr. Noah Bates.
Apollo Council No. 27 has a membership of sixty-eight and the officers
are, regent, John Cranston ; secretary, W. A. Blanchard ; collector, John W.
Newall, and treasurer, Frank Duliam.
KNIOHTS OF THE MACCABEES.
The Knights of the Maccabees was among the first of the beneficiary
societies to obtain a foothold in Flint. During the winter of 1880-1881,
while imder the control of the Canadian organization, two tents were organ-
ized here, almost simultaneously, F'Hnt Tent No. 369 and Venus Tent No,
following September became an independent body, under the name of the
275. On June 11, 1881, the order was incorporated in Michigan and in the
Knights of the Maccabees of Michigan, which title it retained until it was
changed to the Knights of the Modern Maccabees.
One explanation of the popularity of this order here may be the fact
that for nearly a quarter of a century Flint was its financial headquarters..
In October, 1881, Robert J. Whaiey, of Flint, was appointed great finance
keeper, to fill a vacancy. At the next annual meeting he was elected as his
own successor and was re-elected at a number of subsequent meetings of the
great camp.
The pioneer organization, Flint Tent No. 269, existed but a few months
and then surrendered its charter. Venus Tent No. 275 was organized on
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 6/1
February 15, 1881, with twenty-five members, in the office of Lee & Aitken.
Flint Tent No 464, Knights of the Maccabees, was organized July 23,
1891, with a membership of thirty-seven. If first met in G. A. R. hall.
Flint Hive No. 252, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, was organized,
November 10, 1892, with a membership of twenty-five, in G. A. R. hall.
The meetings of flint Hive are now held in the Knights of Pythias hall, the
second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, and the membership is one hun-
dred and forty-five. The officers are : Commander, Lola Hawley ; past
commander, Emma E. Bortie; Ueutenant commander, Alice Green; chaplain,
Anna Pratt; finance keeper, Gertrude Fellows; record keeper, Rose J, Rose.
Venus Hive No. 72, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, was organized
in G. A. R. hall, April 30, 1891. It has a membership of fo,ur hundred and
in 1915 was presented with the banner for being the largest hive in the state.
The meetings- are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month and the
present officers are, commander, Mrs, Fanny Wilkins ; lieutenant commander,
Mrs. Amy Wilkins; record keeper, Mrs. Julia Ottaway; finance keeper, Mrs.
Blanche Groover; chaplain, Mrs. Mate Eggelston.
Yeomans Hive No. 905, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, is the young-
est of the trio, being organized on February 18, 1904. In IQ16 it had a
membership of ninety-five and meetings are held in the K. of P. hall the
second and fourth Thursdays in the month. The officers are, commander,
Mrs. Clara Washer; record keeper, Mrs. Mary Lockhead; finance keeper,
Minnie Woodin, and chaplain, Edith Sargeant.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES OF THE WORLD.
Another beneficiary order which has been somewhat closely connected
with Flint by reason of the residence here of one of its grand officers, is the
Knights of the Maccabees of the World, which was organized originaiiy in
Canada and was incorporated in Michigan in the year 1884. D. D. Aitken
has been, almost since its incorporation, the general counsel of the order.
It is represented in FUnt by Vehicle City Tent No. 11, which was organized,
November 12, 1902, with a membership of one hundred and eighty-two. Its
original meethig place was in the old Odd Fellows hall, in the Judd block.
Vehicle City Tent No.- 11 has a membership of one hundred and twelve and
its meetings are held the first Monday in every month, in G. A. R. hall. The
officers are, past commander. Dr. L. H. Hallock; commander, Howard C.
Mathis; lieutenant commander, C. F. Gilbert; recorder and finance keeper,
James Wood,
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672 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The Knights of the Modern Maccabees and the Maccabees of the World
have since consolidated and are now known as the Maccabees, Venus Tent
No. 464, formerly No. 275, has a membership of five hundred, and meets
every second and fourth Monday of the month, in the McDerniott building.
The officers are, commander, Bernie Parkhurst ; record keeper, A. J. Suff ,
and finance keeper, John W. Newall.
DEGREE OF HONOR.
The Degree of Honor meets every Tuesday in the K. P. hail and has a
membership of one hundred and seventy-eight. The officers are, chief of
honor, Elizabeth Harriman; recorder, Mrs. William Springer, and treasurer,
Emma Spencer.
GR.'\Nn ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Governor Craix) Post No. 145, Department of Michigan, Grand Army
of the Republic, with its one hundred and forty-two members, who partici-
pated in the celebration of our Golden Jubilee, is one of the strongest organ-
izations, one of the most honored and most highly esteemed by the citizens
of our city. The objects of the order are, charity, loyalty, and to preserve
and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the
soldier, sailor and marines who united to suppress the rebellion of '6t to '65,
and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead.
This post was organized and the officers duly installed, July 7, 1883, in
the hai! in the Judd block, the following named charter members being elected
to the offices, to-wit; Richard H. Hughes, commander; John Algoe, senior
vice-commander ; Frank E. Willett, junior vice-commander ; Charles A.
Muma, adjutant; William Charles, quartermaster. The following named
comrades were also charter members of the post: James K. Biddleman,
George McConnelly, George Raab, WilUam Tiirver, Ira M. Camp, Gabriel
Demorest, George W. Buckingham, George W. Fish, Frank W. Dennison,
Henry N. Gay. WiUiam R. Marsh, James Hempstead, Mathew Smythe,
Marvin C. Barney, Isaac Rynex, Abram Rickey.
A large number of the comrades who have been members of the post
have occupied positions in our municipal, county alid state government.
Among them are, Comrade Charles D. Long, who was mustered February
2j, 1884, elected department commander for the year 1885 ; Comrade M. C.
Barney, elected senior vice-commander of the department for the year 1901.
Comrade O. R, Eockhead received the appointment of assistant adjutant-
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GKNESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 673
general, and held that position in 18S5 and 1886. Comrade George W.
Buckingham occupied die chairmanship of the board of control for a num-
ber of years. Many of the comrades have risen to positions of honorable
mention, all have honorably earned the respect of their fellow citizens and
some of them are enjoying the fruits of their laixirs with great pleasure in
the evening of life.
Nearly ail of the comrades, living or bivouacked with the dead, rushed
into the vortex of war in their teens, emerged therefrom to engage in the
struggle of our rapid national progress and, with but few exceptions, have
conscientiously devoted themselves to the upbuilding of patriotic citizenship.
History can never do full justice to those who gave their life-blood as
a sacrifice to the perpetuation of freedom and the principles of self-govern-
ment, nor can the people of our country too highly esteem those surviving
comrades who are rapidly passing away.
The past commanders of Governor Crapo Post are as follows : Richard
H. Hughes, Oscar F. Lockhead, Frank E. Willett, Charles Bassett, John
Algoe, Andrew J. Ward, George W. Buckingham, George E. Newall, Wel-
come L. Farnum, Marvin C. Barney, Edward C. Marsh, George Raab,
Charles W. Austin, James H. FaiUng, Orange Thomas, J. R. Benjamin,
Wallace Caldwell, William M. Wheeler, George W. Hilton, Paul Country-
man, James VanTassel, John W. Begg, William Stone, Joseph Rush, Charles
L. Bentley, T. A. Willett.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF VETERANS AND SONS.
McKinley Camp No. 8, National League of Veterans and Sons, a
patriotic and beneficiary order, was organized, December 18, 1901, at G. A.
R. hall, which has continued to be its meeting place. Among its objects are
the inculcating a spirit of loyalty to the constitution and laws of the United
States and the promotion of the welfare of honorably discharged soldiers,
sailors and marines.
McKinley Camp No. 8 has a membership of one thousand. The meet-
ings are held on the first and third Fridays of each month and the present
officers are, colonel, W. H. Lingle; lieutenant-colonel, E. L. Mills; major,
Clark M. Johnson; chaplain, E. C. Marsh; quartermaster, P. H. Andrews;
adjutant, E. A. Jennings. The camp holds its meetings in G. A. R. hall.
The Ladies' National League, Camp McKinley No. 4 meets every sec-
ond and fourth Friday afternoon in G. A. R. hall and the membership is
(43^
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674 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
one hundred and sixty. The officers are, president, Mrs. Mae H. Martin;
first vice-president, Mrs. Matie Bartlett; secretary, Mrs. Winifred Sluyter;
treasurer, Mrs. Wiona Jennings.
woman's relief corps.
Prominent among the many benevolent organizations in Flint stands
Governor Crapo Woman's Relief Corps No. 23. It was organized, October
15, 1884, by sixteen enthusiastic women, "to assist in caring for the Union
veteran and his family; to inculcate lessons of patriotism in the ciimmnnity,
and to assist in the observance of Memorial Day."' The three principal char-
ter officers were Mrs. Mary A. McConnelly, president; Mrs. Harriet P.
Thompson, senior vice-president; Mrs. Ann Willett, junior vice-president.
How well these purposes have been carried out is a matter of public knowl-
edge. Since its organization it has expended in Flint for Union veterans
and their families over two thousand dollars. There have also been sub-
stantial contributions made to the Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids, the
National W. R. C. Home, the hall of fame in the court house of Genesee
county, and to other worthy objects. The original meeting place was in the
old I. O. O. F. hall in the Judd block, but it was afterwar{! change<l to
G. A. R. hall. The corps now num!)er one hundred and seven members. The
meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of the montli. The
officers are, president. Etta Van Tassel; senior vice-president. Susan Marsh;
junior vice-president. Rose Rich; secretary, Ella Earl; treasurer, Alice Gil)-
_son: condiictres,s, Mary Eggelstone, and chaplain, Elvira Hilton.
DAUGHTERS, OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Genesee Chapter No. 352, Daughters of the American Revolution, was
organized at the home of Mrs. Harriet P, Thompson, December 27, 1897,
with a membership of eighteen. This order, which claims to be the largest
national organization of women, has for its object the promotion of patriot-
ism and to arouse an interest in and preserve hi.storic landmarks. The
local chapter has had small opportunity for work on the latter part of its
objects, but has contributed to local philanthropic work and assisted in the
erection, in Washington. D. C, of Memorial Continental Hall, in honor of
Revolutionary heroes. The Daughters of the American Revolution has a
membership of thirty-five and the meetings are held at the homes, the second
Thursday in the month. The officers are: Regent. Mrs, George Pomeroy;
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GliNIiSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. O75
first vice-regent, Mrs. D. D. Aitken; second vice-regent, Mrs. Harry Demor-
est; treasurer, Mrs. H. H. Stewart; secretary, Mrs. M. S. Keeney; historian,
Mrs. E. D. Black: registrar, ]\riss Ehvood.
BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS.
Flint Lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, was
organized under a dispensation from the grand lodge, December 4, 1891, a
charter being granted on the 15th day of Jnne following. At its first meet-
ing, which was held in the lodge rooms in the Ward building, a class of forty-
eight was initiated. These rooms were ocaipied until the order removed to
quarters in the Jndd block. At the completion of the Dryden building on
South Saginaw street, the entire sixth floor was leased for a term of years,
wherein the knlge and club rooms were located nnti! the present Elks temple
was erected.
In December, 1914, the temple was formally opened with a reception to
the public, the building occupying the site at the corner of Beach and Second
streets, formerly known as the Dr. Lamond homestead. The value of the
property, including the land, building and furnishings, is alK)ut one hundred
and twenty-five thousand dollars. Architecturally, the building is considered
one of the finest temples in the country, and the membership list includes
most of the prominent citizens of the community. Socially and financially,
the order in Flint is in a most flourishing condition, the building, in its up-
to-date appointments, offering to the members all of the advantages of a
mo<lern city club. The membership at present is lietween nine hundred and
one thousand.
The officers for 1916 are: Exalted ruler, W. W. Mountain; esteemed
leading knight, Paul D. Phillips : esteemed loyal knight, K. A. Ward, esteemed
lecturing knight, Howard W. Mason; secretary, A. J. Buckham; treasurer,
L. H. Bridgman; tyler, Clyde F. Leach; esquire, W. T. Glidden; inner guard,
George Boysen. The following is a complete list of exalted rulers who have
served Flint Lodge from its organization, 1891, to 1916: Harry W. Watson,
John M. Russell, John J. Carton, Frank R, Streat, Harry F. Dowker, Will-
iam Wildanger. Clark C. Hyatt, C. J. Haas, D. D. Aitken, Marion T. Hyatt,
James- S. Parker, Charles A. Durand, George F. Caldwell, James Martin,
William K. Franklin, Homer M. Eaton, W, W. Mountain.
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.676 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
KNIGHTS OF THE LOYAL GUARD.
The Knights of the Loyal Guard, a fraternal beneficiary society, was
organized in Flint, under the laws of the state of Michigan, on January 31,
1895, ^fs original incorporators were: Francis H. Rankin, William C Dur-
ant, Edwin O, Wood. B. F. Cotharin, Mark W. Stevens, Dr. O. Millard,
J. P. Burroughs, T. Fred Anderson and Frank D. Buckingham.
Subordinate Division No. i was organized on the evening of February
21, 1895, in the hall in the Judd block, on which occasion over five hundred
members were obligated. Ex-Mayor John R. MacDonald was the first
captain-general of Division No. i.
Judge Durand Division No. 15 meets the first Saturday of each month
in Loyal Guard Hall. Edward Glynn is recorder.
The executive officers of the Loyal Guard for 1916 were, president, H.
H. Prosser; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. M. A. Warren.
In August, 1916, the Loyal Guard consolidated with the Columbian
Circle, of Chicago. During the twenty-one years of the Loyal Guard, pre-
ceding the merger, it paid out more than one million dollars to the benefici-
aries of its deceased members.
- KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF SECURITY.
Genesee Council No. 393, Knights and Ladies of Security, was organ-
ized in Flint, February 17, 1896, in G. A. R. hall, which is still its meeting
place. Its original membership of eighty-four has now grown to two hun-
dred and fifty. The meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of the
month. The present officers are, president, Frank Willour; first vice-presi-
dent, J. Weckerly; second vice-president, H. Haskins; prelate, Mrs. Ras-
kins ; financier, Mrs. Pike ; secretary, Mrs. Nellie Robertson.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Ivanhoe Lodge No. 27, Knights of Pythias, was organized, September
10, 1875, in the hall over the I^"irst National Bank, with twenty-seven mem-
bers. The later Henry R. Lovell was especially honored by his election as
grand chancellor of Michigan, and he also served as representative to the
supreme lodge. Knights of Pythias. For thirty years this lodge has faith-
fully performed its work and, while there have been periods of trial and
depression, it has ever loyally upheld the chivalric principles of the Pythian
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 677
mystic trio, friendship, charity and benevolence. From their first quarters
the lodge removed to Pythian castle, in the Awanaga block, and a number of
years later to the hall in the Judd block.
What is now known as Ivanhoe Company No. 21, Uniform Rank,
Knights of Pythias, was organized, I'^ebruary 22, 1886, in Pythias hall, over
the First National Bank, with seven charter members, of whom Albert Myers
was captain; Stephen P. Wing, first lieutenant; William Galbraith, second
lieutenant; the only surviving member being D. D. Aitken. For a number
of years the new organization throve finely and won commendation wherever
it appeared in public, then interest languished and for upwards of fourteen
years but little was done. In 1904-5, however, an infusion of new blood
rejuvenated the order and placed it again in trim for effective work. Its first
public appearance was in the ranks of the Golden Jubilee parades, with about
forty knights in line.
The Knights of Pythias now has a membership of three hundred and
the officers are, chancellor commander, P. I-. Stacy; vice-chancellor, F. H.
Hill; prelate, Arthur Corrigan; master of finance, George H. Eastman;
master of exchequer, C. E. Redmond. The meetings are held every Mon-
day evening in the Ward building.
TRIBE OF BEN-nUR.
Ben-Hur Court No. i, Tribe of Ben-Hur, was organized in July, 1896,
with a membership of one hundred and fifty-six. In 1916 it had a member-
ship of one hundred and forty-five, with the following officers: Chief of
court, Frank DuUam ; scribe, Mrs. Mary Lockhead ; keeper of tribute, Helen
Lane. The meetings are held the first Monday in the month.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.
Court Kearsley No. 3108, Independent Order of Foresters,
was organized by thirty-eight charter members in 1896, in the lodge rooms
over the First National Bank.
Court Flint No. 239, Independent Order of Foresters, now has a mem-
bership roll of four hundred and 'thirty-five and the meetings are held the
second and fourth Wednesflays of the month. The officers comprise,
chief ranger, J. Roether; financial secretary, Frank Burton; recorder, Albert
Rackstraw; treasurer, Guy Shank.
Companion Court Albino Alfred began business in Odd Fellows hall,
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678 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
September 17, 1898. with thirty meml:)er5. Companion Court Albino Alfred
meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month in K. of P. hall, and the
principal officers are, chief ranger, Mrs. Leona Brace; vice-chief, Mary
Smith; orator, Eiia Tanner; past chief ranger, Christina Burton; financial
secretary, Louie Haskins; recording secretary, Jva Sanders, and treasurer,
Anna Patterson.
MOOERN BK0TirKKH001> OF AMERICA,
Flint Lodge No. 1286, Modem Brotherhood of America, a beneficiary
order, which originated in Tipton, Iowa, in the year 1897, ^"^^ organized
March 22, 1894, in Foresters hall, with thirty-four charter members. Its
present meeting place is Knights of Columbus hall and its membenship is
about one hundred and sixty. The meetings are held the second and fourth
Tuesdays of the month. The officers are. president, William Loss; Earl
Manning, vice-president; Mrs. Martha Young, secretary, and Marion Young,
treasurer.
HOME MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION.
The Michigan Funeral Benefit Association was organized at the office
of A. W. Dodds, June ro, 1899, by A. W. Dodds, Rev. H. E. Wolfe, I. N.
Walker, A. D. Alvord, E. P. Bailey, George Archer and J. N. Willett, all
residents of Flint, luider the title of the United Mutual Death Bene-
fit Society. It was organized under a plan devised by one of its originators
for the payment of a sum graduated according to age, ui>on the death of its
members. It was succe.ssful from the start and in a few years numbered
four thousand members. A more elastic organization was then found to be
necessary and the society was incorporated on February 3, 1904. The order
is purely beneficiary in character, having no lodge or fraternal features, and
is now doing business in a number of other states. The name has since
been changed to The Home Mutual Benefit Association, and has a present
membership of three thousand five hundred. The meetings are held once
a month. The officers are Milton Pollock, president; James 5. Parker,
vice-president; R. J. Gillespie, secretary. The directors are Milton Pollock,
R. J. Gillespie, James S. Parker and W. E. Martin,
ladies' catholic BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION,
Branch 624, Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association, was organized in
C. M, B, A, hall, October 31, 1900, with thirty-five members. The Ladies'
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 679
Catholic Benevolent Association is now comix>sed of two branclies, St.
Michael's Branch No. 624, with a meml>ership of fifty-seven, which meets
the first and third Wednesdays of the month in K. of C^'hall, and St.
Mathew's Branch, which has a membership of seventy-four and meets the
, first aiKl third Tuesdays of the month in St. Mathew's social hall. The
officers of St. Michael's branch are, president, Mrs. Katharine Dunn; first
vice-president, Mrs. Ellen Campbell; secretary, Mrs. Sam Wey, and treasurer,
Miss Minnie Wisler. The officers of St. Mathew's branch are, president,
Mrs. Frances Lyon; first vice-president, Mrs. John C. Hughes; second vice-
president, Mrs. John LaMear; financial secretary, Miss Adelaide Horrigan;
recorder, Mrs. P, H. Callahan ; treasurer, Miss Catherine Stafford.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMliUS.
Flint Council No. 695, Knights of Columbus, a Cathohc order, founded
upon unity and charity, began its corporate existence in Flint on September
14, igo2. The first meetings were held in Loyal Guard hall, and later meet-
ings were held in Father Murphy's hall. In October, 191 1, the order leased
for a term of years the entire second floor of a fine building on Detroit
street, which is completely equipped for lodge and club purposes, including the
lodge hall, reading and billiard rooms, library and dining rooms. In the
lourteen years of its existence the local order has increased from ninety-two,
its original membership, to its present roll of over six hundred. The meet-
ings are held the first and third Thursdays of each montli. The officers are,
Edward Glynn, grand knight ; Thomas Stockton, deputy grand knight;
Charles Miller, financial secretary: Fred Hazel, chancellor: John Eurley,
treasurer.
FR.^TERN.M, ORDER OF E.XGLES.
Flint Aerie No. 620, b'ratemal Order of Eagles, was established on
February 16, 1904. The meetings, which are held on the first and third
Wednesdays of the month, are now being held in the Awanaga block, pend-
ing the erection of a permanent home by the order. In August, 1915, the
property on North Saginaw street owned by John W. Newall was pur-
chased and within the next year will-be occupied by a building to be devoted
to the use of the order, which now has a meml>ership of six hundred and
ninety. The officers for 1916 are: President, George E. McKinley; secre-
tary, T. J. Broderick; treasurer, George L. Lukes.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Flint Camp No, 4948, Modern Woodmen of America, a beneficiary
order, was organized August 20, 1897, with fifteen charter members, in
Friendship hall. The meetings are now held on the first and third Fridays
of each month, in the hall at No. 409 South Saginaw street. The present
membership is three, hundred and sixty ; Nathum W. Long, clerk. Vehicle
City Camp No. 7885 meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month
in the hall in the McDermott block. The membership of this camp is over
two hundred. Kryn Schippers is clerk.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS,
Division No. i, Ladies Auxiliarj', Ancient Order of Hibernians, was
organized in 1895, with thirty-five charter members. It met at first in the
St. Michael's school building, later in the annex of Loyai Guard building No.
I, and now holds its meetings in Knights of Columbus hall. The
present memljership is fifty. The county president is Miss Mary Barkey
and the local president is Miss Maynie Folen.
Division No. i of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, holds its meetings
in K. of C. hall. E. A. Murphy is the county president for 1916.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMEN,
Homestead No, 1536, Brothethood of American Yeomen, was estab-
lished in Flint in 1910. The meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays
of each month in Woodmen hall. The order has a membership at present
of about two hundred and twenty-five. The officers are John Miller, past
foreman; August Strasburg, foreman; R. C- Smith, master of ceremony;
J. E. Heath, corresponding secretary; G. Humphrey, master of accounts.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA,
Flint River Camp No. 1122, Royal Neighbors of America, was organ-
ized on December 14, 1900. The meetings are held the first and
third Wednesdays of the month in U, C. T. hall. The present membership
is two hundred. The officers for 1916 are: Mrs. Hannah Anderson, oracle;
Mrs. Flora Moriarty, vice-oracle ; Marie Haight, recorder ; Mrs. Fern Park,
receiver.
Josephine Camp No. 7425 was organized on November 7, 1912. The
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 68l
meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of each month in G. A. R.
hail. The present membership is one hundred and seventy-six. The offi-
cers for 1916 are: Mrs. Flora E. Powelson, oracle; Mrs. Minnie Richeson,
vice-oracle; Mrs. May B. Sartwell, recorder.
Vehicle City Camp No. 6167 was organized on November I, igo8. The
meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in Wood-
men hall. The present membership is one hundred and twenty. The
officers for 1916 are: Mrs. Eastman, oracle; Mrs. Carrie Newby, vice-
oracle; Minnie Brown, recorder; Louise Spring, receiver.
Myron B. Enright Camp No. 7554 was organized on January 21,
1914. The meetings are held the first and third Wednesday afternoons in
U. C. T. hall. The present membership is seventy-five. The officers for
1916 are: Louise Haskins, oracle; Daisy Fraidenburg, vice-oracle; recorder,
Mabei McDiarmid; receiver, Myrtle Marble.
NATIONAL UNION.
Flint Council No. 174, of the National Union, a fraternal beneficiary
society, was organized in Flint in the early seventies, the charter members
then including a number of the best known business men of the city. The
council is still holding meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of
the month in the Flint P. Smith building. The present officers are, James
G. Mallery, Arthur Bishop and John W. Newall.
LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE.
The Loyal Order of Moose, No. 159, a fraternal benefit society, includ-
ing funeral benefit features, was chartered on December 30, 1909. The
order is in a very flourishing condition and meetings are held every Tues-
day night in Moose temple hall. The club rooms adjoining include a
gymnasium and reading rooms, the present membership numbering seven
hundred and fifty-five. The officers for 1916 are: Dictator, William M,
Denmark; vice-dictator, Clyde A. Pierce; secretary, Fred J. Maginn;
treasurer, John E. Storer.
THE VEHICLE CLUB.
The Vehicle Club, a mutual benefit association, with commodious club
rooms, located at the corner of East Kearsley and Harrison streets, has
a membership of seventeen thousand, fifteen thousand of that number being
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682 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
enrolietl in the insurance department. The club is the outgrowth of the
Fellowcraft Club of FHnt, and was organized seventeen years ago, with
one hundred and fifty members. The first meeting in regard to organiza-
tion was in the form of a mass meeting and was held in the building adjacent
to the Majestic theater, J. Dallas Dort being one of the most enthusiastic
promoters of the association. The meeting at which the organization was
perfected was held in the Inghs block, which was the headquarters of the
club until six years ago, when they entered the present building. The Manu-
facturers Association of FHnt equipped the club roams when they were first
organized and also equipped the new building. The running expenses are
paid by the members.
The club rooms are arranged with bowling alleys, cafe, reading rooms,
and a gymnasium for athletic events of all kinds. The Vehicle Club has
been a prominent factor in the industrial Hfe of Flint. Its presiding offi-
cers in igi6 are: President, O. G. Snyder; treasurer, Fred Proper; secre-
tary, F. W. Boswell.
YOUNG men's christian associ.^tion.
In the office of the mayor of Flint, on May 9, 1913, there was held
a meeting of a few men to consider the advisability of raising a fund in
Flint for the erection and equipping of a Young Men's Christian Association
building. This meeting was called at the suggestion of L. IL. Buell, state
secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of Michigan. Present
besides Mr. Buell were D. D. .A.itken, C. S. Mott, C. M. Greenway, P. H.
Bridgnian, C. H. Bonbright and J. A." Van Dis, the latter being at that time
boys' work secretary of the associations of Michigan. A further suggestion
by Mr. Bueli was that the men mentioned herewith should act as an execu-
tive committee to take up preliminary work of organizing a campaign and
to present to the people of Flint for their approval the matter of raising a
fund for the purpose already stated. C. S. Mott was elected chairman, C. H.
Bonbright, secretary, and D. D. Aitken, treasurer of the committee.
The committee spent much time in preliminary study and it was decided
to formulate an organization for the campaign and to arrange for a banquet
to be attended by men of the city and to present the proposition of inaugu-
rating a campaign of the business men'S committee, Floyd A. Allen, chair-
man of the factory men's committee, F. A, Aldrich, D. T, Stone and F, G.
of the factory men's committee, F. A. Aldrich, D. T. Stone and F. G. Evatt,
Evatt, members of committee on banquet. A. E. Raab, J. H. Bamberg and
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 683
Nelson Webster were appointed a committee to have charge of the presenta-
tion of the subject in the churches, and John L. Fierce was made chairman
of the committee on headtjuarters.
The banquet was held in the Masonic temple on June 17, 1913. and was
attended by about three hundred business men who agreed to adopt the sug-
gestion of the executive committee that one hundred thousand dollars be
raised. These men, for the most part, were divided into teams under the
general committee already mentioned and in the seven-day campaign about
one hundred and eleven thousand dollars was subscribed.
On July 19, 1913, a meeting of the executive committee was held and,
at the suggestion of the state organization of the Young Men's Christian
Association, a resolution was adopted that application shoidd be made to
the secretary of state for an organization to be known as the Young Men's
Christian Association of I-'lint, and that the executive committee act as direc-
tors for the first year. It was also adopted that the purpose of the new
association would be to develop character and usefulness of its meml>ers and
to improve spiritual, moral, mental and physical conditions of young men.
After the funds had been raised for the building, plans were secured
for the structure and a site at Nos. 218-30 East Kearsley street was selected
for the building. On the recommendation of the state committee, Shattuck
& Hussey, of Chicago, w^ere employed as architects for the building.
When the campaign was inaugurated the plan was to erect a building
three stories in height, but the committee, after very careful consideration,
foreseeing the great growth of the city and the demand for homes for young
men, decided to build an additional story and thus provide thirty-five more
rooms than originally planned. This was done at an additional expense of
fourteen thousand dollars, but it has proved an excellent investment which
aids substantially in paying the operating cost of the association. The
building, as already mentioned, has four stories in addition to a very fine
basement and is one of the most attractive structures of the city. It has all
of the appointments of a modern association building.
On account of the usual shrinkage in the pletlges and the expense of
the additional story of the building, a second campaign was held in June,
1915, when a fund of more than ten thousand dollars was subscribed. The
entire indebtedness on all the property, valued at one hundred and twenty
thousand dollars, is now about seven thousand dollars.
The building was opened on December i6, 1914, with a series of recep-
tions covering four days and during this opening week about eleven thousand
persons visited the building.
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6o4 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
It is of interest to quote from the report of Hon. C. S. Mott, presi-
dent of the association, given at a meeting of the membership on May 25,
1916, which report covered the period of time from the opening of the build-
ing up to April 30, 1916, a period of one year and four and one-half months.
O. R. Largent, the first general secretary of the association, presented to the
finance committee and the board of directors, prior to the opening of the
building a suggested budget for operating expenses during the first year and
one-half. This budget was adopted and shows that the operating cost of
the association was kept within the budget allowance and that all expenses
for the budget period had been promptly paid; also that, on May i, 1916, the
association started on its second fiscal year with no open accounts and with
a surplus of $1,098.54, representing a cash balance of $600.42 and prepaid
insurance of $498.12. It is believed that in this first year of the work of
the association a substantial start was made in the various departments. The
regular work was divided up- into- different departraents, headed by com-
mittees responsible for the activities of their respective departments. These
committees are the executive, financial, religious work, educational, physi-
cal, social, boys, house, membership and industrial. Mention may be made
very briefly of the work of these committees as given in the president's
report.
In addition to conducting a nymber of excellent meetings for men and
Bible classes for both boys and men, the religious work committee has
striven at all times to promote a wholesome atmosphere about the building
and throughout all- the activities of the association, the underlying purpose
being so to conduct the work of the association that it will have a character-
building influence in the lives of boys and men. The educational committee
for the first year purposely did not plan any extensive work for this depart-
ment further than organizing clubs and arranging for educational talks.
In the physical department there were held fourteen gymnasium classes
weekly, with a total attendance of 12,976. The attendance at all indoor
privileges, not including baths and individual use of the gymnasium and swim-
ming pool, was 20,970. Thirty-six men and one hundred and one boys learned
to swim in the swimming pool of the association building. In addition to
athletic contests and match games, the physical department is used often in
extension work, which includes swimming classes for younger boys, factory
gymnasium meets on Saturday afternoons, church league games, high school
games, and Vehicle Worker's Club basket-ball.
Some of the most interesting social events of the city, especially for
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 685
young people of Flint, have been held in the Y. M. C. A. building and in
some of these the Young Women's Christian Association has co-operated.
The boys' division is divided into three groups, known as younger stu-
dents, older students and employed boys. Various activities along lines
especially planned for boys have been conducted for those various groups,
with leaders composed of leading men of the city. Space does not permit
going into detail about this work with boys, but it includes competitions
in games, swimming, Bible study, etc. ; High School Club, Employed Boys'
Study Club, Newsboys' Club activities, which means that on Saturday for
three hours newsboys have use of the gymnasium and swimming pool; camp-
ing and older boys' state and county conferences, father and son banquet,
courses in boy-life, nature study, vacation trips and "hikes," and social
gatherings.
One of the most interesting features of work under the direction o-f the
house committee is that which pertains to the dormitory. There are seventy
rooms with accommodations for ninety men. The plan of the member-
ship committee is to establish in a substantial way a minimum membership
of one thousand embers.
The work of the association is in charge of eighteen directors and the
title to the property is vested in the board of six trustees. The present
board of directors are, C. S. Mott, president; F. A. Aldrich, vice-president;
Grant J. Brown, treasurer; Gyles E. Merrill, Dr. William R.- Davis, Charles
M. Greenway, Charles H. Bonbright, E. D. Black, N. C. Webster, William
Beacraft, A. N. Cody, Dr. B. E. Burnell, Dr. C. E. Williams, W. C. Jones,
Floyd A. Allen, Arthur Raab. L. C. Hamilton, W. T. Walker. The board
of trustees consists of J. D. Dort, chairman; D. D. Aitken, treasurer; C. W.
Nash, J. E. Burroughs, L. H. Bridgman, F. A. Beard,
THE YOUNG women's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Young Women's Christian Association of Flint was incorporated
in February, 1908. Its organization was the direct result of many prelimi-
nary meetings and conferences held by the womea of the city, when the
needs of Flint in this direction were discussed and the conclusion was reached
that such an institution was imperatively required for the betterment of
the community. The movement had its inception among the young business
women, and one of them. Miss Nina Mills, especially, was untiring in her
efforts to attain the end of the organization, subsequently achieved.
Mrs. Bruce J. Macdonald, who was particularly well qualified for the
work, having been a member of the Oregon state committee of the Young
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686 GENESFE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Women's C'hristian Association, was made chairman and with the assistance
of a committee of workers, was chiefly instrumental in securing the pledge
of one thousand members. A board of twenty-one directors was chosen by
the pledged members and Mrs. Macdonald was elected the first president of
the association, Mrs. Fritz Miller, at that time Miss Louise Fenton, was
chosen first vice-president and made the head of the religious department;
Mrs. B. F. t'otharin was made second vice-president and placed in charge of
the department of economics; Mrs. T. M. Eldridge was chosen third vice-
president and headed the department of education and physical culture, and
Mrs. John J. (.'arton was elected fourth vice-president and managed the
social work. Mrs, E. A. DeWaters was made secretary of the board and
Mrs. F. W. Swan, treasurer.
The foremost need was an association home and dormitory adequate
to rneet the nee^s of the young women members who required such accom-
modations. A gymnasium was also one of the features aimed at and secured
through the efforts of the original board. The association obtained a lease
on the ]3roperty known as the Oren Stone homestead, at the comer of First
and Harrison streets and, with the lease, took an option to purchase. This
option was later closed and the property came into the possession of the
association. Dining rooms were fitted up and a cafateria established. It
has been successfully conducted and its receipts, under the careful manage-
ment of the committees in charge, have paid off a large portion of the debt
that had incurred when the property was purchased. The old home has
been remodeled hy transforming it into a gymnasium and offices. D. D.
Aitken, Fred A. Aldrich, H. H. Fitzgerald, Mrs. George C. Wilison, Mrs.
F. W. Swan and Mrs. J. D. Hotchkiss were the trustees chosen to hold the
legal title to the proi>erty,
A summer camp, called the Betty Swan camp, was later established,
and the young women of the association were provided with a place for
summer outings. It was first located on the river about five miles north of
Flint, but it was afterward removed to Long lake. Here the young women
are offered the advantages of a brief vacation at a nominal cost and the camp
is one of the most important additions to the activities of the association.
The present membership list is about one thousand. The officers for
1916 are: President, Mrs. Cooper Baldwin ; vice-president, Mrs. F. W.
Swan; recording secretary. Miss Dorothy Dort; corresponding secretary,
Mrs. F. J. Ottaway; treasurer, Mrs. B. E, Burnell; genera! secretary, Miss
Maude Morse; membership and employment secretary, Miss Lelia Coleman;
house secretary. Miss Lenna Clark; physical director. Miss Florence Tenny;
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 687
extension and girls' work secretary, Miss Hulda Daniels; cafateria director,
Mrs. Ida Irvine.
THE king's daughters.
A circle of King's Daughters, a branch of the parent organization which
was founded in New York City in 1886, was started in Flint in 1887 by
Miss Florence E. Fuller, of the Congregational Sunday school. As the
society was non-sectarian, the membership lists soon included workers from
all denominations, and in 1916 Opportunity Circle of the King's Daughters,
with Mrs. Robert J. Whaley as the honorary meml)er, has an active member-
ship of over four hundred. The society was incorporated untler the laws
of the state of Michigan in April, 191 1. In 1912 a property on Stevens
street, in the second ward, was purchased and a home, known as the King's
Daughters Home, was established. The society maintains in this home a
day nursery, which scientifically cares for infants and small children of
wage-earning women, the number of children cared for during the fiscal
year ending July i, 1916, numbering about three thousand. The organiza-
tion has also supported a visiting nurse to care for the deserving sick since
1907.
The work of the order is carried on through the efforts of its members
and the free-will offerings of the public. The only general appeal of the
King's Daughters is made on Charity day, which has" come to be an annual
event.-
The following officers of the society were elected for 1916: President,
Mrs. A. A. Patterson; vice-president, Mrs. G. D. Briggs; recording secre-
tarj-, Mrs. J. W. Orr; corresponding secretary, Mrs. F. W. Siegel; treasurer,
Mrs. E, W. Hubbard. These officers, with the following ladies, comprise
the executive board: Mrs, A, S, fCauImann, Mrs. C. A. Bishop, Mrs. Will-
iam Richards, Mrs. S. Carroll, Miss Tane Ceeley.
THE child's welfare SOCIETY.
The Child's Welfare Society, a purely philanthropic association, was
organized in 1914, the object of the society being the alleviation of defec-
tive, dependent and delinquent juveniles. The association since its inception
has proved itself of inestimable value in the relief of sick children and, from
a small beginning of about twenty-five members, has grown to a society with
an active memi)ership of over eight hundred. A vi.siting nurse is maintained,
who goes about among the deserving, poor and also instructs the mothers
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6o8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
of the foreign families in the scientific care of infants. Daring the month the
average number of nursing calls made is one hundred and forty-five ; instruc-
tive calls, ninety-five, and special service calls, fifty. The society also pro-
vides pure milk for infants, which is distributed from regulated refrigerated
ice stations, and also maintains a free cHnic for infants in the factory dis-
trict of the city. It provides clothing for needy children and also proper
clothing for mothers, if desired. Although the society has only been in
existence two years, it has established a summer camp for delicate children,
at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Nichol, near Fenton, known as the "Happy
Day Farm," which during the summer of 1916 cared for thirty-four children
for a period of from one to three weeks, with a nurse in charge. A number
of these children found to l>e in need of medical attention were afterward
cared for at the expense of the society at the University Hospital in Ann
Arbor and at other institutions. The Child's Welfare Society expects to
establish soon a permanent home for the care of children during the summer
months and a committee was appointed in June, 1916, to report upon the
securing of a building site for this purpose.
The oflSicers of the society for 1916 are: President, Mrs. C. B. Burr;
vice-presidents, Mrs. M. W. Qift, Mrs. N. J. Berston, Sr., and Mrs. W.
H. Edwards; secretary, Mrs. J. Ed. Burroughs; treasurer. Miss Katharine
Bishop; visiting nurse. Miss Mary Chayre.
ST. Michael's benevolent society.
Among the older organizations which were of benefit in the earher days,
was St. Michael's Benevolent Society, organized in 1866 under the pastorate
of Rev. Fr. Charles Decuennick, the chief aim of which was to furnish aid
where needed in the burial of its members. The Cathohc Mutual Benefit
Association was organized in 1S78 under the auspices of Rev. Robert W.
Haire, which embodied the principle of life insurance as one of its main fea-
tures. These organizations were worthy predecessors of the present Catholic
benevolent societies of Flint and in their day did great good.
ST. Paul's men's club.
Rev. J. Bradford Pengelly, in the winter of 1913-14, organized the St.
Paul's Men's Club, for the purpose of inducing the business men of the city
to think collectively about the serious problems of the day in municipal and
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 689
civic affairs. This club is non-sectarian and the membership Hsts include
men from ail denominations. The Men's Qub was organized with twelve
charter members and at the present time, three years after its inception, has
a membership of about seven hundred. Each year the club brings to Flint
the best speakers on phases of civic Hfe that can be procured. Among the
prominent men who will address the club during the season of 1916-17 are
Dr. C. B. Ball, chief sanitary inspector of Chicago; Dr. Graham H, Taylor,
president of the Chicago School of Civics; Dr. V. C. Vaughn, dean of the
medical school of the University of Michigan; Rt. Rev. C. D. Williams,
bishop of Michigan; James A. McDonald, editor of the Toronto Globe;
George E. Hooker, secretary of the City Club of Chicago; Prof. Theo. G.
Scares, of the University of Chicago; Mayor Hoan, of Milwaukee; S. S.
Marquis, head of the social welfare department of the Ford Motor Com-
pany, of Detroit, and Edgar A. Guest, of the Detroit Free Press.
The officers of the St. Paul's Men's Club for 1916 are: Rector, Rev.
J. Bradford Pengelly; president, Horace E. Potter; first vice-president. Earl
F. Johnson; second vice-president, Eugene H. Watson; recording secre-
tary, Truman S. Cowing; corresponding secretary, John S. DeCamp; treas-
urer, Irving Young.
TRADKS UNIONS,
As is usual in cities which have become industrial centers, there are in
Flint trades and lalxir unions, which constitute an important factor in
the lives of manufacturing employees. Among the unions which are estab-
lished in Flint are: Flint Federation of Labor, Edward L. Capias, presi-
dent, and J. A. C. Menton, secretary and treasurer; Bricklayers' Union No.
12, local; Carpenters' Union No. 7213, local; Cigar Makers' Union No.
186, local; Machinists' Union No. 551; Molders' Union No. 318, local;
Musicians' Union; Painters' Union No. 68r, local; Pattern Makers' Union;
Plumbers' Union No. 370, local; Stage Employees' Union; Typographical
Union No. 535, local
George Starkweather, pubhsher of Flint Flashes, a weekly labor paper,
was elected in 1916 vice-president of the Michigan State Federation of
Labor.
There is a state free employment bureau in Flint with ex-Mayor George
E. McKinley in charge as deputv state labor commissioner.
(44) '
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690 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FLINT factories' MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION.
Of inestimable benefit also to the industrial life of Flint is the Flint
Factories Mutual Benefit Association and its subsidiary, the Vehicle Work-
ers' Club, which were organized in 1901, by J. D. Dort. Eighteen factories
are interested in this association, and are the same which support the Manu-
facturers' Association. The Mutual Benefit Association is supported entire-
ly by the dues of members, the thirty-one trustees who direct the association
being elected by the members, and it is claimed that all but two are factory
workers.
About 1847-48 a Masonic lodge was organized in Fenton, consisting
of seven members and called Fentonville Lodge No. 53. Among the origi-
nal members were Dr. Isaac Wixom, Thomas Patterson and Daniel Donald-
son. Doctor Wixom was its first master. In 1850 its membership was
twenty-six. Many of its members entered the service during the war and
several died or were killed in action. In 1857 the charter of the old lodge
was surrendered, and the same year Fentonville Lodge of Strict Observance
was organized, under dispensation from the grand lodge. In 1859— Jan-
uary 14 — a charter was granted and it has since been known as Fenton-
ville Lodge No. 109. The first master under the new charter was Michael
Ayers. Genesee Chapter No. 29, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered on
January 12. 1864. Genesee Council No. 17, Royal and Select Masters, was
chartered on June 7, 1865, but the charter was arrested on January 7, 18S9.
Fenton Conirhandery No. 14, Knights Templar, was chartered on June
17, 1864. In 1869, subsequent to the burning of the town hall, in which
the Masonic rooms were located, a new building was erected on Leroy street,
nearly opposite the old site, and fine rooms fitted up for the use of the order.
The dedication services were held on November 12, 1869, when a large num-
ber of Sir Knights were present from various places, and the occasion was
one long to be rememliered by those of the fraternity who participated.
Fenton Lodge No. 43, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on
January 9, 1851, and surrendered its charter in 1858.
The Eastern Star also has a chapter in Fenton, being Fenton Chapter
No. 248.
Fenton Lodge No. 125, Independent Order of Odd l-'ellows, was insti-
tuted on December 17, 1868, at which time numerous members were present
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 69I
from lodges at Flint and Byron. Rankin Encampment No. 46, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, was organized in the winter of 1870-71.
Fenton Lodge No. 395, Knights of Honor, was organized in Fenton,
November 2, 1876, by Deputy Grand Dictator Alfred Terry, of the grand
lodge, and the following officers were chosen, viz : Past dictator, E. M.
Hovey; dictator, Lewis V. Curry; vice-dictator, F. S. Steers; assistant dic-
tator, Robert Perry ; reporter, Cicero J. K. Stoner ; financial reporter, Walter
Blackmore; treasurer, Benjamin F. Stone; chaplain, J. H. Phipps; guide,
William Albetson; trustees, Walter Blackmore, B. F. Stone, L. V. Curry.
"The object of this order is to unite fraternally all acceptable men of every
profession, business or occupation; to give all moral and material aid in its
power to members of the order by holding moral, instructive and scientific
lectures, by encouraging each other in business and assisting them to obtain
employment ; to establish a benefit fund from which a sum not to exceed two
thousand dollars shall be paid, at the death of a member, to his family, or to
be disposed of as he may direct; to provide for creating a fund for the
relief of sick and distressed members; to ameliorate the condition of human-
ity in every possible manner." The Odd Fellows lodge rooms were rented
by this society.
Fenton Lodge No, 64, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organ-
ized March 2T, 1879, with twenty-one members. Its objects are similar
to those of the Knights of Honor.
Linden Lodge No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under
dispensation early in 1861, and chartered, January 10, 1862. It started with
seven members. Its first master was I. B. Hyatt. The hall was in Union
block.
The Eastern Star order has a chapter, being Linden Chapter No. 175.
Strict Account Lodge No. 276, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
organized, March 17, 1876, with eleven members. Its first executive officer
was E. R. Parker.
FLUSHING.
Flushing Lodge No. 223, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on
January 9, 1868. Flint Rapids Chapter No. 116, Royal Arch Masons,
was chartered on January 20, 1886.
dbyGoot^lc
692 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The Eastern Star also has a chapter, being Flushing Chapter No. 176.
Previous to 1880 were instituted Rankin Lodge No. 139, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and Valley Lodge No, 693, Knights of Honor.
Vienna Lodge No. 205, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on
January 10, 1867. The Eastern Star also has a chapter in Clio, being Vienna
Chapter No. 283.
Vienna Lodge No. 191, Inde]^>endent Order of Odd Fellows, was insti-
tuted, June 26, 1S72, at Ciio, by Acting Grand Master F. H. Rankin. The
first officers were, F. H. Rankin, Grand Master; Roger Rathbone, Noble
Grand, and \V. W. Blackney, secretary.
Eagle Lodge No. 320, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was insti-
tuted at a meeting held in a hatl over Beemer's blacksmith shop on the 17th
of October, 1878, by E. H. Thomson, grand master of the state. The
number of charter members was five. The first officers were as follow:
Noble Grand, Charles E. Kingsbury; vice grand, William E. Clark; secre-
tary, A. J. Kellogg; treasurer, Allison W. Whipple; inner guard, N. T.
Wilson; outer guard, Samuel Wilson; conductor, D. W. Allen; warden,
John Bodine.
Bryant Lodge No. 1334, Knights of Honor, was instituted by Edward
Newkirk, of Bay City, January 13, 1879, with twenty-two charter members,
and the following officers, viz: Dictator, J. B. Laing; vice dictator, John
S. Elwell; assistant dictator, T. W. Averill; reporter, A. W. Nicholson;
financial reporter, F. W. Nicholson; treasurer, Joseph Myles; chaplain,
Charles Moon; guide, Willard P. Ranney; guardian, William Gott; senti-
nel, Robert Beemer; past dictator, Frank C. Trowbridge; trustees, Charles
E. Kinsbury, John S. Elwell, Silas Patten.
MONTROSE.
Montrose Lodge No. 428, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered
on January 29, 1902. Montrose Chapter No. 351, Order of the Eastern
Star, is also in existence here.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 693
SWAKTZ CREEK.
Swartz Creek Lodge No, 458, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered
on May 25, 1910. Swartz Creek Chapter, Order Eastern Star (under dis-
pensation) was recently organized.
Davison Lodge No. 2^6, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered
January 9, 1868. The Order of Eastern Star is represented by Davison
Chapter No. 299.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XXV.
Patriotic Societies.
"Patriotism," says Disraeli, "depends as much on mutual suffering as on
mutual success: and it is by that experience of all fortunes and all feelings
that a great national character is created." So great a length of time has
elapsed since Americans have had to face the stress of war, that they have
almost come to regard it as a romantic characteristic of bygone ages— as
did the patricians of imperial Rome in the voluptuous days before the over-
whelming barbarian invasions. Happier we than those unfortunate Romans
if our patriotic societies can keep us alive to the truth that only by being
ready to suffer for our national ideals can we hope to retain our liberties.
DAUGHTEliS OF THE AMERICAN KEVOLUTION.
A chapter of the society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
loyally perpetuates in Genesee county the deeds of those brave men who, in
1776, gave to their country independence and freedom. The only three
soldiers of the Revolutionary War who found their last resting place within
the confines of this county were Altramont Donaldson, who is buried at
Fenton; a Mr. Beach, whose remains He in the Httle cemetery at Mt. Morris,
and Charles Stewart, who rests in Glenwood cemetery in Flint. The graves
of these three soldiers are tenderly cared for by the Daughters.
Genesee Chapter No. 352, Daughters of the American Revolution, was
organized in June, 1Q07. with eighteen charter members. Mrs. Harriet
Thompson was elected the first regent of the society and continued to hold
that office until she removed from the city. Her successor in office was Mrs.
Annie Stevens Rundell, who in turn was succeeded by Mrs. Alta Button
Baker. The present officers of the society are: Regent, Mrs. Mary Rix
Pomeroy; first vice-regent, Mrs. Ada Aitken; second vice-regent, Mrs. Mabel
Demorest; secretary, Mrs. Mabel Keeney; treasurer, Mrs. Mary Stewart;
historian, Mrs. E. D. Black; registrar, Miss Carrie Elwood.
The following is a list of the members, including, those who are now
deceased and those who have removed from the county :
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTS, MICHIGAN. 695
lliirrlet 1'. TLouipson, now deceased ; descendant of Col. Samuel Robinson, born at
.Hni-dwick, Massachusetts, August 15, 1738; died at Bennington, Vermont, May
3, 1813.
Annette Wheeler Burr, descemliint of I'aul Wlieeier, born ut Stonltigtoti, Connecticut,
Seyteuiber, 1728.
Cornelia Miles Clark, now deceased; descendant of Isaac Jlilea, born in Connecticut,
1752; died in HomeF, New Yorli, February, 1816.
Celia Laura Kansom Clarlie, descendant of Bzekiel Ransom, born in Ma ssucLu setts ;
died In Kalamazoo, Micblgaii, November 4, 1833.
Samuel Fletcher; served in Vermont.
Miss Mabel Clark, active member; descendant of Col. James Tyre, born at Andover,
Miissiicliusetts, January 24, 1710; died January 8, 1776.
Samuel Clark, born In Sherbom, Massachusetts, August 7. 1740; died in Sberbovn.
December 4, 1839.
IClizabetb Muiison Davison, active member; descendant of Natiiantel Falrcblld, bom In
New Jersey, January, 1752; died ia Clarence, New York, January 1838.
Ma.ior John Coffe, bom in Hertford, New Hampshire, February 10, 1727 ; died in Bed-
ford, February 3, 1818.
Col. John Munson of Morris, New Jersey ; died at Morris, New Jersey, lu March, 1738.
Rebecca Folper Crapo Durant, active member; descendant of Peter Crapo, Irovn in
Rochester of Treetown, Massachusetts, 1744; died In TreetQwn, March 3, 1823.
Belle A. Jenny, now deceased; descendant of James Harrington, bom June 29, 1763;
died in Aubum, Michigan. October 13, 1825.
Mai'jiaret Strong Keeney, active member; descendant of Lieut. John Strong, born In
Woodbui-y, Connecticut, November 10, 1752; died in Woodbury, April 19, 1843.
Maiy E. A, Sayre McConnelly, active member; descendant of Judge James Knapp, Iwm
in Dutchess county. New lork, January 31, 1764; died, Yates county. New York.
December 13, 1831.
Mdi'Karet Thompson Olcott, active member; descendant of Reuben Martin, born In
Woodbury, Connecticut, June 22, 1765; died February 14, 1836.
Mary A. Woodworth Parmer, active member; descendant of James Knapp, born In
Dutchess county, New York, January 31, 1764; died, Yates county. New York,
December 13, 1831.
Anna Maria Olcott Smith, now deceased; descendant of ^hel WoodwaM, boi'ii at
Lebanon, Connectlout, April 1, 1736; died December 61 1821.
Minnie Davison Whitehead, now deceased; dearendant of Asi Davison, born In Pres-
ton, Coimecticut, September 1, 1736; died December 31 1821.
Clinton Huffman Hyatt, descendant of Ambrose Evarta born in Connecticut, 1759.
Harriet Carey Kelley, descendant of Stephen Faircblld, Iwrn In Connecticut, February
3. 1725; died iu Georgia, Vermont, July 31, 1802.
Gratia E. Dayton Mahon, now deceased; descendant of Caleb Dayton, born in Mllford,
Connecticut; died In Arlington, Vermont, 1809,
Caroline Frances Elwood, active member; descendant of Jasper Mead, born in Nonvalk.
Coimecticut. February 12, 1755; died in Galaway, New York, May 23, 1830.
Peter Elwood, born in Windsor. New York, March 5, 1754; died In Hallsvllle, New
York, December 30, 1831.
Rachel. Sr. Ford, descendant of Samuel Lee, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1754.
Genevleie Decker McCteery, now deceased; descendant of Lieut. William Brush, born
on Lous' Island. New York, 1750; died at Norwich, New York,
Harriet I/iuise Thompson Brown, now deceased; descendant of C^pt. Bliab Parnam,
horn in Coventry, Connecticut, July 25, 1750; died in New York, 1806,
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696 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Julia Isiibelle Bnish Holmes, now deceased; descendant of Lieut. William Bi-ush, born
on Long Island, New York, 1750; died at Norwich, New York.
Mary Ijovlnla Ingersoll Yoiiug, active member; descendant of Francis Ingevsoll, bovn
In Vermont.
Grace Eliza Reynolds Lockhead, now deceased; descendant of Tbomae Lyon, born in
Fairfield, Connecticut, October 9, 1749; died in Avon, New York, Slarcli 4, 3835.
Anna lluldah Plerson Edwards, active member; descendant of Joseph Churcliill, boru In
Sheffield, Massachusetts, February 14, 1750; died in Hubbardtown, Vermont,
March 21, 1821.
Samuel Churchill, bom in Sheffield, Jlaseacliu setts, 1721; died In Halifax, Massa-
chusetts, January, 1801.
Jesse Pearson, born iu Couueelicut, Miiy 6, 17CI; died, Avon, New York, JiUiuarv 10,
1837.
Martha Jane Pierson Pier, now deceased; descendant of Cliarles Churchill Plerson.
Jesse Pearson, born In Connecticut, May 6, 1761; died, Avon, New York, January 10,
1837.
Joseph Churchill, bom in Massachusetts, February 14, 1750; died in Hubbardtown,
Vermont, March 21, 1821.
Adelia Walker Stevens, now deceased; descendant of Jerendah Fletcher, born In West-
foi-d, Massachusetts, April 9, 1756; died at Wilton, Maine, October 14, 1S39.
Lemuel Perham, born in Dunstable, Massachusetts, 1727; died in Farmingtou, Maine,
1795.
Margaretta L. Eulison, descendant of Samuel Lee, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1754.
Annie Stevens Rundell, descendant of Hugh Stewart, bom in Edgarton, Massachusetts,
February 22, 1751; died in Farmington, Maine, Augnst 5, 1S35.
Nellie Beeeher Goodes, descendant of Amos Beecher, bora iu Walcott, Connecticut, June
10, 1743; died in Rensselaer ville, New York, December «, 1780.
Ada Elizabeth Aitkin, active member ; descendant of Caleb Ticluior, born in Newark,
New Jersey, April 10, 1858.
Ida L. Hughes, descendant of Timothy Hughes, born in WhIps in 1748; died iu Charles-
town. New York, July 5, 1792.
Sarah L. Van TifDin, now deceased; descendant of John (iibson, bovn iu Galloway,
Si^tland. In 1765 , died in Caledonia. New York, September 25, 1836.
Bertha Billings Black, active member; descendant of Joel Rexford, bom In New Hnven,
1750; died In Smyrna, Chenango county. New York, March 22. 1821.
Carrie Billings Miller, active member; descendant of Joel Rexford. born in New Haven,
Connecticut, in 1750; died In Smyrna, Chenango county, New Torii, March 22, 1821.
Mabel (Clayton Demorest, active member; descendant of Capt. Reuben Slaytou, born In
Brookfleld. Massachusetts, May 30, 1748; died In Springfield, Massachusetts, 1811.
Delia C. Howell, descendant of William Capwell, born in Coventry, New York, October-
IS, 1750; died in Attica, New York, June, 1842,
Alice A. Pierson Grieve, descendant of Jesse Pearson, born iu Connecticut, Jlay G, 17C1 ;
died In Avon, New York. January 10, 1837.
Joseph Churchill, bom in Sheffield, Ma8sachusett-4. EebrUiiiy 14, 175(1; died in Hub-
bardtown, Vermont, March 21, 182L
Blary Begole Cnmmlngs, active member ; descendant of Edmund Beach, born iu Con-
necticut, 1718; died in I-extugton, New York, I&IO,
Isaac Miles, bom Aiwust 25, 1752; died in Homer. New York. February 10, ISlff.
Alta Button Raker, active member; descendant of Thomas Nichols, horn May 15, 17S2;
died May 22, 1811.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 697
Matthias ituttoii, liom in I'laiiilieM, Connecticut, July 2!i, 1730; died in Wells, liut-
land county, Vermont, 1811.
Eleazer Smltli, boni In Hadley, MiisSiiehusettK, Tiinuaij' 27. 17:i"i; ilieil in Aniliei'st.
Jill ssacbu setts, Jiinunry 4, 1816.
I*ri Cook, born in Amherst, Miissiiohusetts, ITCl; dieil in Ashvllle, Miissncluiaetta,
December 24, 3843.
Moses Cook, bom in Amherst, Miissiichuaetts, May 2ii, 172G; died iiv AsLville, Mjtssa-
chusetts. 1812.
Jessie S. Ijflpr, descendant of I«vl (Javlord born in Wnterbui'v Connecticut Janiuiry
10, 1730; died in Haiiiersfleld, \eH loik August 17 17^5
.Susan Smith, descendant of Thomas Baldwin boiu in rimii'a ^en lorli letu-uai'y 23,
1755; died Januai-y 14, 1810,
Dora Allan Smith, active member; descendant of Co) Jaiob Stroud lorn In Aniwell,
New Jersey, January 13, 17S5; died in stioudsburg Penns>iranla July 14, 1S06,
Andrew Lytle, Sr,. ttom. Bnllybay, Iieland 1718 diel Salem New Tersej 1795.
Andrew Lytle, Jr.. bom, Ballybay, Ireland 1741 died Hiclue Wisconsin 1795.
Nathan Allan, bom East Bridi^iort MjisswchusettH 1722 died '^alem \ew Jersey,
Aprii 5, 1800.
Cant. John Bush, bom, Germany, 1735 died Dinbi Nen \ir\, ^■*^^)
Mary Alice Elwood, active member; descendnnt tt letei I Inood boin 11 Un\n of
Mlndeii. New York. March 5. 1754 died In Halls\ille New 1 il Dei ember 30,
1831,
Jasiwr Mende, bom in Nonvalk, Connectkut I-el [ 1 ii\ 1 1 lied in d liway. New
Yorli. May 23. 1830.
Mary B, Howard Powers, descendant of Edwii I I \ p b ui u 1"2C died 1800.
Lient, Thomas r>ewi8, bom In Virsinia 174') died in B ith ((untv Kentucky. 1809.
Suaie Rix Ponieroy. present regent: desiendmt of Riifus Kix bom in Oneidn Castle,
Oneida, Xew York, 1759; died in ''priugfleld New loik 1828
Julia B. Abbott Slnyton, active niembei destendint of Enock White bom in South
Hiidiey. Massachusetts. Fehruan 1747 diefl in South Hadley Jannarv 10, 1813.
Camilla Erso Phillips Woolflft descenilant tf Eoleit Hopkins bom in AVest Greenwich.
Rhode Island, March l.'i, 1756; died \ui.ust 11 1S38
Klla Harrington Busenbark. active memljer descenlmt of William Hariiugton bom in
Norwich, Connecticut. May 23. 17S2 diel m Johnsons Creek New York Novem-
ber 2. 1830.
Mary Shearer Stewart, active member descendnnt of William stienei h rn in Palmer.
Massachusetts, 1748; died in Fiaukllu Massachusetts 1S29
Iiiesi B, Sheerer, descemlant of Willinm '■heirer liom in Palmei M s-. ich i=ptts, 1748;
died in FrankUi), Massachtisetta 1^21
T*ah Beach Garner, active member; descendant of Corp Jededinh Holcoiub born in
Connecticut, 1740; killed in Re\ olutiounri War Noieniber 27 1779
AbiRall Pearce Crampton Bvatt, descendant of Jeremiah Jenks born in Sinithfield,
Rhode Island, November 29, 1739 died In Newport New Hampshire January
4. 1811.
Jease T<ane.
Capt. John Clark,
Csipt. James Munger.
Mary Humphrey Malnes. s^ctlve member: descendant of Ellsha Eldridpe, born In New
Haven, Connecticut, 175B; died in Lansingbun:. New York. December 1, 1841.
Ella Ekli'idse liockwood. active member; descendant of Elisha RldridKe. bom in New
Haven. 17.'ie: died in 1-atisinpburK, New York, December 1. 1841,
dbyGoot^lc
698 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
E(1ii;i Eeila Floyd, active iuei«l>ei' ; deHcendant of Jeremiah Beard Eella, born In New
Canann, Connecticut, Deceniher 21. 1832; died in New CaoaaD, Oetoher 15, 17*55.
Xlnrhi Louise Button, active member; descendant of Moses Cook, born in Amherst,
Jlassnchu setts, may 2U, 1726; died m Anhfield, Uaxsachusetts, 1812.
Levi Cook, born In Amhei'st, Massachusetts, ITfil; died In Ashfield, Mawsachusetts,
December 24, 1843.
Thomas Nichols, born in Connunght, Ireland, May 15, 17;!3; died in Charlemont,
Massachusetts, Mii; 22, 1811
Elenzer Smith, bom in Hadley, JInsaachusptts, -Tannary 27. 172,"), died in Amherst,
Massachusetts, January 4, 1816.
Anna Seuvlu Goodwin Johnson, descendant of Joshua Copp, Warren, New Hampshire
Ella Iteed Cooper Baldwin, active member ; descendant of Amos Hastings, born in
HftTerhlU, Massachusetts, February 3, 1757; died in Bethel, Maine, July 28, 1829.
Catherine B. S. Htdball, active member; descendant of Gen, Daniel Broadbead, born In
TJlater county. New York, November. 173S; died in Mllford, Pennsylvania, Novem-
ber 15. 1809.
Anna Alido Bosworth Gentry King, active member; descendant of Nathaniel Boswortb,
bom in Bristol, Rhode Island, 1767 ; died in Pittstown, New Jersey, 1853.
Major Benjamin Bosworth, bom in Bristol, Rhode Island, January J>, 1733; died in
Bristol, Rhode Island, November T, 1810.
Christopher Mason, Jr., born in Swanay, Octol«r 22. 1738; died In ^^wanzy. July 13,
1805.
Lilli.Tn Wyrel! Mullin, aetivc member; descendant of Harmon Bulifson, Jr., bom in
Readlngton, New York, September 15, 1760 ; died In Blenheim, New York, March
24, 1851. ■
Etrlla r,. Wessinger, active member; descendant of Allen Matfeson, born In Coventry,
Rhode Island, January 20, 1755; died In Berlin. New York, July 9, 1830
Jaines Greene, bom in Witrwlcl;, Rhode Islniid, February 14, 17riO: In Smith Berlin,
New York, May 2, ia^2.
Ina R. Torrey King, active member ; descendant of John Torrej , burn in MaRSJi. hu&ett.'i,
September 5, 1754; died In New Yorit, Marcb 9, 1822
Esther March Cram, removed to Indianapolis,
Mrs. Bertha B, Trembley, active member; descendant nf Roger Kinne. i'lirii In Con-
necticut; died In New York.
ORnCR OF THE STAUS AND STRIPES.
One of the first patriotic societies formed in Genesee county was the
local camp of the Order of the Stars and Stripes. This society was organ-
ized in Washington soon after the close of the Civil War, but its membership
was inclined to include politicians rather more largely than men who had
seen service, and its life was short. The order in Genesee county, however,
numbered over one hundred members. The more patriotic order of the
Grand Army of the Republic soon became a more popular organization, how-
ever, in public estimation, as the ex-soldiers, to whom the memory of the
sufferings and hardships they had endured but so recently, did not regard
favorably an order founded so much on partisanship. Their loyalty to their
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 699
comrades was paramount, so the Order of the Stars and Stripes did not
thrive for long;. C'apt. Georj^e Newall was its local commander during its
short life.
SOEDIEKS AND SAILORS OF GENESEE COUNTY.
The Soldiers and Sailors of Genesee County was an organization which
was perfected in October, 1879, the men most interested being Dr. J. C. Will-
son, Col. E. H. Thomson and George W. Buckingham. Mr. Buckingharn
was chosen president, and the vice-presidents were, Slade Montgomery,
Argentine ; Jacob Bedtelyou, Atlas ; Emery Howe, Burton ; WilHam Stone,
Clayton; Hiram Applebee, Davison; George W. Barber, Fenton; John H.
Corey, Flint; Dr. C. E. Riilison, Flushing; Silas Patten, Forrest; Qiarles
Baker, Jr., Grand Blanc; Wa.shington E. Todd, Genesee; William D. Bailey,
Gaines; Benjamin F. Pease, Mundy; J. W. Barber, Montrose; G. V. S.
Young, Mt. Morris: Freeman Decker, Richfield; Jacob W. White, Thetford;
Jerome Olliver, Vienna; George E. Newali, Flint City; Dr. J. C. Willson,
Flint City: William Charles, Flint City: William Turner, Flint City
GRANM ARMY OF HIE REPUBLIC,
Governor Crapo Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized on
June 5, 1883. The charter members numbered twenty-three. Its first com-
mander was Comrade Richard H. Hughes and. succeeding him, the follow-
ing named members have held the ofBce : Frank E. Wiilett, Oscar F. Loch-
head, Charles A. Bassett, John Algoe, Andrew J. Ward, George W. Buck-
ingham, Welcome L. Farnum, George W. Newall, Marvin C. Barney, Edward
C. Marsh, Charles W. Austin, James H. Failing, Orange S. Thomas, John
W. Benjamin, John W. Begg, George W. Hilton, Joseph Rush, George Raab,
Charles L. Bentley, Thomas A. Wiilett, Jarvis E. Albro, E. A. Jennings,
Wallace Caldwell and James Van Tassell. The present commander is T, A.
Wiilett.
The various soldiers and sailors who have at different times been mem-
bers of the post number fi\'e hundred and five, and the membership of the
post at its floodtide was three hundred and fifty. It now numbers seventy-
eight, many of whom are feeble in health and unable to attend the meetings.
Of its members who held rank in the army, were Gen. T. B. W. Stockton,
breveted brigadier-general; Col. William B, McCreery, colonel of the Twenty-
first Michigan Infantry; Philo D. Phillips, who was major of the One Hun-
dred Twenty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry; Rev. H. H. Northrup,
dbyGoot^lc
700 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
chaplain of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry; James C. Willson, surgeon of
the Eighth Michigan Infantry, ranking as major; John Algoe, captain;
George W. Buckingham, captain; Charles A. Bassett, captain; M. F. Camp-
bell, captain; Ira Wilder, captain; Martin L. Wiley, captain; Charles S.
Brown, captain; Almon A. Thompson, surgeon Twelfth Michigan Infantry,
and James H. Failing, lieutenant commanding company.
The members of the post are loyai to the memory of their comrades in
that the duties of the officers includes the decorating of the graves of the
deceased. Old soldiers are laid to rest in the various cemeteries of the city
and also in the Whigville cemetery, the Burton cemetery, the Grand Blanc
cemetery, the Five Points cemetery, the McFarland cemetery, the Bristol
cemetery, the Cronk cemetery and the Tupper cemetery, also Flushing, Good-
rich, Davison and Richfield, in each of which lies some former member of
the post.
The present officers of the post are: Commander, T. A. Willett;
senior vice-commander, William A. Bloomer; junior vice-commander, Rufus
Ranney; adjutant, E. A. Jennings; quartermaster, James Van Tasseil; sur-
geon, A. Van Aerman; chaplain, M. C. Barney; officer of the day, George
Raab; officer of the guard, Wray Mitchell; sergeant major, E. C. Marsh;
quarter sergeant, William R. Pratt; patriotic instructor, James H. Failing,
The present roster of the post contains the following: Charies Baker,
Jr., Ninth Michigan Cavalry; Marvin C. Barney, Tenth Michigan Infantry;
William D. Bailey, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry; John Begg, First United
States Engineers ; Melvin C. Bowman, Eighth Michigan Cavalry ; Luke
Boyce, First Nebraska Cavalry; John E, Buchanan, Twenty-ninth Indiana
Infantry; Frank C. Burnham, Maine Coast Guard; John H. Carey, Twenty-
seventh Michigan Infantry; Mortimore Carter, Eighth Michigan Infantry;
John Cleveland, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry; Silas CoUins, Twenty-third
Michigan Infantry; C. H. W. Conover, United States Engineers; Miles P.
Cook, Twentieth Ohio Battery; William H. Crawford, First Michigan Cav-
alry; John Donlon, United States Navy; James H. Failing, Fifteenth Mich-
igan Infantrv; Ira L. Fales, First Michigan Cavalry; J. Brush Fenton, lieu-
tenant Eighth Michigan Infantry; Corydon E. Foote, Tenth Michigan
Infantry; Charles B, Ford. Tenth Michigan Infantry; Thomas W. Gilbey,
Sixteenth Michigan Infantry; Andrew H. Gillies, lieutenant Eighth Mich-
igan Infantry; Jonathan Gordon, First New York Cavalry; Henry M. Graff,
Ninety-eighth New York Infantry: John Grierson. Eighth Michigan Infantry;
John Hollingsworth, Twenty- fourth Michigan Infantry; j, E. Howe, Twenty-
third Michigan Infantry; Oscar F. Lochhead, Second Michigan Infantry;
dbyGoot^lc
GENE.SEJl county^ MICHIGAN. 7OI
living McConnell, Second New York Heavy Artillery; Edward C.
Marsh, Eighth Michigan Infantry; Wray Mitchell, Twenty-seventh
Michigan Infantry; Ira G. Ormsby, Sixteenth Michigan Infantry;
Albert Palmer, Iowa Cavalry; Thomas Pack, musician. Eighth Michigan
Infantry; Charles R. Pomeroy, Fourteenth Vermont Infantry; William R.
Pratt, Eighth Michigan Infantry; George liaab, Fourth Michigan Cavalry;
Edgar Randall, First Michigan Infantry; Freeling H. Rich, Tenth Michigan
Infantry; Joseph Remington, Fifteenth Michigan Infantry; Joseph Rush,
One Hundred Sixtieth New York Infantry; Amader Ruby, Twenty-second
Michigan Infantry; PhilHp Smith, One Hundredth Ohio Infantry; Reuben
C. Smith, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry; John H. Soper, Ninetieth New
York Infantry; Enos Sulhvan, Eighth New York Cavalry; George W.
Sweet, First Michigan Engineers; John W. Taylor, Second Michigan
Infantry; Jeremiah Thompson, Sixth Michigan Cavalry; George H. Turner,
lieutenant Eighth Michigan Infantry; George A. Tyler, First Michigan Cav-
alry; Abram Van Aerman, One Hundred Fifty-first New York Infantry;
James M. Van Tassell, Third Michigan Cavalry; Frank E. Willett, Eighth
New York Cavalry; Thomas A. Willett, gunner's mate, United States Navy;
William Angle, Eighth Michigan Infantry; Frank Butclier, Fifty-first Indi-
ana Infantry; Charles Dye;, Eighth Michigan Infantry; Charles Dunham,
Seventeenth Indiana Infantry; Dolphus Davis, Eighty-third Pennsylvania
A'^olunteer Infantr}'; Leroy lillis. Twentieth New York Cavalry; Morris East-
man, Fourth Michigan Infantry; Charles Eichof, One Hundred Fiftieth New
York Volunteer Infantry; John Emery, Eighth Michigan Infantry; Thomas
Fouch, Loudon Rangers, Virginia; R. H. Fosdick, Fourth Michigan Cavalry;
John Morrish, Fourth Michigan Cavalry; Talman C. Owens, Tenth Mich-
igan Infantry; Charles H. Penoyer, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry; Rufus
Rainey, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry; Milo Swears, Tenth Michigan
Infantry; William Sperl, One Hundred Fifty-second New York Infantry;
William Vanderwood, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry.
Soon after the installation of the post in Flint, there were smaller posts
started in Davison, CHo, Fenton, Swartz Creek, Gaines, Mt. Morris, Linden
and Flushing. From Davison and Davison township a number of men, pro-
portionately greater to its population than almost any township in Michigan,
answered to the call of their country, and at the conclusion of the war one
of the strongest orders in the county perpetuated the memory of their com-
rades. In 1884 they organized Henry W. Knapp Post No. 284, Grand Army
of the Republic. Its first commander was Lester S. McAllister and it had
thirtv-one charter members. The commanders since then have been, A. A.
dbyGoot^lc
702 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Elmore, Alexander Campbell, William M. Knapp, Willard Clemmons, S. S.
Clemmons, John Cottrell, B. F. Sanford, G. R. Van Tine, B. W. Perkins,
S. A. Comstock, William A. Monroe, C. B. Smith, M. H. Hewitt, A. M.
Davis, James Cooley, Milo Swears, and the present commander, L. G. Adams.
The post increased in membership until it was represented at the national
encampment at Detroit in 1891 by sixty-four members. The natural decrease
among the membership from death has reduced the same to seventeen at the
present date.
"We believe as a post we have been an educator in patriotism and good
citizenship," says A. A. Elmore, to whom this book is indebted for this
account of the post.
At Clio, James Bradley E'ost, Grand Army of the Republic, was organ-
ized in 1883. The membership, diminished by the inevitable death of the
old soldiers, has left but a remnant of its one-time roster. It numbers at
present C. H. Woolson, William Wood, Joseph Euffum, A. S. Shelley, Sil-
vester Leach, George Vanest, Porter Greenfield, Jerome Courier, Edward
Ormsby, J. J. Powell, Cyrus Perrigo, Henry Richardson, John Sloan, P. H.
Eoomis, Evard Leach, W''. C. Lewis, Louis Speckler, Charles Barker, Hiram
Chase, William Bone and Ira Phillips.
Ransom Post No. 89, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in
Flushing in October, 18S2. It had forty-two charter members, and at one
time had as many as sixty members. It had for its first commander Stewart
Curie, and since that time the following have served as commanders : James
M. Greenfield, W. H. J. Martin, Cornelius E. Rulison, William Davie, S. H.
Tliomas, John W. Caldwell, Cyrus Phelps, ^V. J. Ottaway, Chester Felton,
Walter V. Banning, Albert Crosby, A. D. Olmstead, O. H. Perry, Isaac
Wheeler, John Wheeler and W'iUiam Stone. The post was named for Capt. .
Randolph Ransom, an uncle of A. E. Ransom, editor of the Flushing
Observer.
The present ofiicers of the post are: Commander, James M, Green-
field; senior vice-commander, Spellman Loop; junior .vice-commander, S. H.
Thomas; officer of the day, John W. Caldwell; quartermaster, Cyrus G.
Phelps, chaplain, W^. J. Ottaway. The roster of its present membership
includes the following eleven members, the few survivors of the many who
have been members of Ransom Post: A. E. Bennett, Seventeenth Connecti-
cut Infantry; John W. Caldwell, Sixteenth Michigan Infantry; Enos Delong,
Tenth Michigan Infantry; G. W. Darling, Third Ohio Infantry; C. S. Free-
man, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry; James M. Greenfield, Seventh Mich-
igan Infantry; H. H. Kahl, One Hundred Twenty-first Ohio Volunteei
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 70^
Infantry; Speltman Loop, One Hundred Sixth New York Infantry; W. J.
Ottaway, Thirteenth Michigan Battery; Cyrus Phelps, Tenth Missouri
Infantry; S. H, Thomas, First Michigan Infantry.
Colonel Fenton Post No. 24, Grand Anny of the Republic, was organ-
ized August 29, 1881, at Fenton, and is thus the oldest in the county. Its
first commander was Dexter Horton, and since that time the following
named comrades have served in that capacity : Charles F. Barber, Tames
Robertson, Ernest T. Winters, Thomas G. Skelton, Louis V. Curry, C. F.
Wertman, Alva H. Marsh, William Butcher, James N. Ripley, Silas K. Free-
man, Vernon C. Smith and Charles A. Sadden, who is the present com-
mander.
Of the present membership of twenty-six, we are able to give the fol-
lowing partial roster: Charles A. Sadden, William Butcher, Ernest T.
Winters, Vernon C. Smith, Perry Birdsall, Henry Munson, M. D. Hering-
ton, Daniel Harrington, H iram Hodges, Edgar Duq>hy, George Wass,
Frank Potter, Mumford Billings, Emory Denton, George W. Barber, Frank
Fessenden, Adam Andrews, Charles Bentley, Gilbert Angus, Francis Cleve-
land, J. J. Carmer, George Gates, Edward Bennett and Mr. Ferchencer.
Each year sees the sad diminishing of the post. Each year a few more
brave men go to claim the great reward; each j-ear those who are left, pos-
sibly, are too feeble to take an active part in the gatherings of their com-
rades. There are, however, some who are still hale and hearty. May they
round out many years of usefulness in giving visible evidence of the
spirit of '61, and in furnishing an inspiration for the oncoming generation.
We salute them.
woman's relief cokps.
Governor Crapo Relief C'orps No. 23, located at Flint, auxiliary to the
Grand Army post, was organized in October, 1884, with fourteen charter
members. The first officers were: President, Mary A. McConnelly; senior
vice-president, Mrs. Hattie P. Thompson; junior vice-president, Mrs. Anna
Willett; .secretary, Mrs. M,ary Lochhead; treasurer, Mrs. Catharine Part-
ridge; chaplain, Mary Muma; conductor, Lydia Flughes; guard, Nettie
Barney. These and others compose a small band of earnest, patriotic women
who took up the work of assisting the soldiers of the Rebelhon and their
dependent ones. The membership during the first year increased to upwards
of one hundred and they have clothed the needy, comforted the sick and
buried the dead. .As the Woman's Relief Corps is the only auxiliary to the
dbyGoot^lc
704 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Grand Army of the Republic, their work is supposed to be for Civil War
veterans only. They have, however, frequently digressed from the national
rules and at one time did much for a widow of a soldier of the war of 1812.
During the Spanish war, over three hundred dollars was raised and expended
for the local soldiers who saw service and for their relief from affliction
after their return from Cuba. In the thirty-two years of its existence, the
corps has expended over three thousand dollars in its benevolent work.
Twice it has been honored by having the department (state) head-
quarters in F"lint. The president, secretary and treasurer have twice been
elected or appointed from the local corps, an honor that has never come to
any other corps of the state, Mrs, Mary A. McConnelly and Mrs. Harriet
P. Thompson were the ladies of Flint honored by being elected presidents
of the state society.
The line of work of the Relief Corps has been patriotic and benevolent,
assisting the soldiers in decorating the graves of their deceased comrades,
presenting flags to schools, churches and the boy scouts, and similar benevol-
ent work. The Woman's Relief Corps is a secret society and its philan-
thropic work is not proclaimed to" the public. Few of its acts of charity are
ever known outside of the order, but the good deeds of this l>and of conscien-
tious women need no recording.
N.\TION.^I, LEAGUE OF VETERANS AND SONS.
The National T^eague of Veterans and Sons had its birth in the state
of Michigan, at the city of Saginaw, in the year 1899. A local camp, Camp
William McKinley, was instituted at Flint in the month of December, 1902.
Its first colonel was George Raah, of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. Subse-
quent colonels have been Frank Willett, of Eighth New York Cavalry; Milo
Swears, of Tenth Michigan Infantry; M. C. Barney, Tenth Michigan
Infantry; R. J. Bassett, son of a veteran; P. H. Andrews, Eleventh Maine
Volunteers; Frank E. Halliday, son of a veteran; William H. Lingle, son
of a veteran, and Robert J. Gillespie, son of a veteran. The National I.^ague
of Veterans held its national camp at Flint in the year 1903, and at this
meeting M. C. Barney, of Flint, was elected as Heutenant-genera! of the
national organization. The national organization has about eight hundred
members and the local camp about one hundred. Present officers of local
camp: William H, Lingle, colonel; E. A. Jennings, adjutant, which office
he has held for several years.
yGoo-^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
REGIMENT A
The various regiments which were in part recruited or raised iji Genesee
county have had reunions from time to time, and especially the Tenth and
Eighth Michigan Infantry. These regiments have had their anmu'I meeting
at Flint, Davison and Flushing, at various times. The Tenth Michigan
held its golden jubilee at P'lint on September lo, 1911. The Second Mich-
igan Infantry held its reunion at Flint in 1915. The Twenty-first Michigan
also meets here at times; the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry and the First
Michigan Engineers have also held reunions at Flint. The annual reunion
of the Eighth Michigan is held on June 16, the anniversary of the battle of
James Island, at which the regiment distinguished itself and suffered heavily
in killed and wounded.
The Twenty-third Michigan held its reunion in Davison on August 7,
1893.
FLINT UNION BLUES,
The Flint Union Blues was a patriotic society organized after the Civil
War, in 1872, for the purpose of raising and maintaining a military com-
pany in Flint. The first meeting was held at Awanaga Hall in June, 1872,
and at a meeting in July the following officers were elected : President,
C3iarles S. Brown; vice-president, Ira H. Wilder; secretary, O. F. Loch-
head; treasurer, S. N. Andrus. It was resolved to adopt a uniform of dark
blue, with white trimmings, and to assume the title of the "Flint Union
Blues." As the state only furnished muskets, equipments and rent for arm-
ories, the question of paying for the uniforms was an important one, which
was solved by a subscription circulated among the citizens, who contributed .
liberally, Messrs. Alexander McFarlan, J. W. Begole and William B.
McCreery heading the list with handsome amounts.
The first election for company officers occurred on August 14, 1872,
with the following result: Captain, William R. Morse; first lieutenant, O.
F. Lochhead; second lieutenant, George E. Newall; first sergeant, Ira H.
Wilder ; second sergeant, tV. Rosenthal ; third sergeant, Peter Lennon ; fourth
sergeant, Charles H. Wood; fifth sergeant, J. D. Lavin; corporals: first,
Charles A. Fox; second, W. J. Seymour; third, Alexander McFarlan, Jr.;
fourth, Andred Bailey; fifth. Thomas J. Post; sixth, A. E. Foote; seventh,
H. N. Gay; eighth, W. H. Pier.
The company was mustered into the state service by Adjutant-General
(45)
dbyGoot^lc
706 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
John Robertson, October i8, 1872, and made its first street parade the same
day. During the evening fohowing this event they gave a military ball and
reception, by which they realized one hundred and eighty dollars. The
Blues soon after were the guests of the Detroit Light Guard, received the
most cordial hospitality and won many encomiums for the excellence of
their drill and gentlemanly deportment. During the same year the ladies
of the first ward presented the company with a beautiful silk flag; there-
upon George E. Childs was appointed color-sergeant, and A. K. Fotte and
John King, color guards.
In 1873 the company was ordered to Lansing to participate in the cere
monies connected with the laying of the corner-stone of the new state
capitol. During 1874 the Detroit Light Guard were its guests and the
occasion of their visit is a memorable one in the annals of the company.
The company was ordered to the scene of the railroad riots in 1877 ^^^^
promptly responded, as they did also on a subsequent similar occasion when
required by the sheriff.
The principal officers of the company from 1872 to 1S78 were as fol-
lows:
i873^Captain, O. F. Lochhead; first lieutenant, George E. Xewall;
second lieutenant, Ira H. Wilder; first sergeant, John K!in^.
1874 — Captain, O. F. Lochhead; first lieutenant, George F, Newall;
second lieutenant, Tra H. Wilder; first sergeant, John King.
1875 — Captain, George E. Newall; first lieutenant, John King; second
lieutenant, George E. Childs; first sergeant, Charles A. Fox.
1876 — -Captain, George E. Newall; first lieutenant, John King; second
lieutenant, George E. Childs; first sergeant, Charles A. Fox.
1877 — ^Captain, George E. Newall ; first lieutenant, Ira H. Wilder ;
second lieutenant, George E. Childs; first sergeant, H. M. Sperry.
1878 — Captain, Ira H. Wilder; first heutenant, George E. Childs;
second lieutenant, H. M. Sperry; first sergeant, W. H. Pier.
The Blues were members of the Third Regiment of Michigan state
troops and were designated as C Company in regimental formation. Flint
is the headquarters of the regiment and among tKe regimental ofl^icers who
have emanated from the company are the following: Col. O. F. Lochhead,
Adjutant C. S. Brown, Sergeant-Major John King. Color- Sergeant C, H.
Wood, Commissary S. V. Haker.
Since 1872 the Union Blues have had fifteen commading officers, as
follows: Captains. William R. Morse, O. F. Lochhead. George Newall,
Ira Wilder, George E. Childs, -Edward S. Lee, Charles H. Miller, Fred W,
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE rOUNTV, MICHIGAN. 707
Breniian, George M. Sayles, Frank D. Buckingham, W. E. Stewart, James
S. Parker, Charles F. Martin, Guy M. Wilson and Thomas Colladay, who is
now captain. Of the above captains, O. F. Lochhead became colonel of
the Third Infantry; James S. Farker also rose to the same rank; Guy M.
Wilson is now major in the same regiment.
The company has one of the best rifle ranges in the country, about four
miles out of the city on the road to Mt. Morris, and a!fows shooting up to
one thousand two hundred yards.
At the outbreak of the Spanish -American War the following ofiicers
and men were mustered into the United States service on May 14, 1898, at
Island Lake, Michigan :
Captain, William E. Stewart; first lieutenant, James S. Parker; second
lieutenant, Charles S. Martin ; first sergeant, Joseph J. Carscadden ; quarter-
master sergeant, Heinrich M. Gagnus; sergeants, Hubart M. Long, Thomas
W. Hamilton, G. Arthur McConnelJy and Claude G. Webster; corjiorals,
Samuel J. Kimbrose, Ordell E. George, Fred V. Favereaux, Clarence L,
Booth, Willi,? A. Coe and George Piggott; musicians, Fred J. Wright, Bert
E. Bryan and Artificer \YaUace Eddy; wagoner, Charles H. Ferguson.
Privates: John H. Baker, Elmer Baker, John Baird, David H. Blaine,
Claude Breede, William J. Barritt, James B. Ballinger, Barney E, Bath-
weli, John M. Brown, George H. Cox, Robert A. Catlin, William H. Carr,
Charles M. Corville, Philo E. Carr, Claude E. Cole, Jesse H. Dickerson,
Percy D. Davison, Charles E. Davis, Willard A. Delong, Neil A. Dewar,
Stephen DeLisle, Edward G. Evans, Arthur G. Evatt, Rodney W. Eaton,
Walker B. Foster, Michael Flynn, Wilham A. Frise, Bert Fredenburg, Irvin
Hall, AllDert H. Hauer. Herbert K. Hempstead, Cornelius J. Hayes, Harry
F, Hosier. Clarence Hartford, Henry G. Jason, Edwin E. Jones, Frank E.
Johnson, George Kenevvell, John Kenewell, Karl Kendrick, William A. Win-
ters, Thomas J. Welch, Claude C. Lowry, \^^!liam Loranger, Weldon M.
Lewis, William E. Locke, James E. McReady. Duncan McCoU, Ernest
McLean, Frank P. McAuley, Arthur McCormick, Harry C. Hulty, Wallace
Reid, Lewis S. Ross, Harry M. Stevenson, William J. Stringer, Daniel T.
Stanton. Frank Stewart, Albert J. Stanard, William L. Scully. Martin
Skall, Guy F. Scott, Koy L. Scott, George L. Soper, Robert Sinclair, John
Scanlon, William C. Stevens, Albert J. Stevenson, Lewis Tahnadge, James
M. Tubbs, Allie Van Slyke, James P. Van Buskirk, William Varb. John N.
Wagoner, Charles M. WiUiams. Martin W^elsh, William J. Weidman, George
J. Wiel. James A. Wheeler, Fred W. Warren, Wilbur H. Warren, Cornelius
Wilcox, Edward A. Wilson, Henry W. Ziegel.
dbyGoot^lc
708 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
After the company had reached Camp Alger, near Dun Loring, Vir-
ginia, Captain Stewart was detailed for other duty, and so the company went
to the island of Cuba under command of Lieutenant, afterwards Colonel,
James S. Parker, who commanded the company through the war.
The company landed in Cuba on June 27, 1898, and the first day of
July they took part most valiantly in the battle of Agnadoras. Their next
duty was to guard a camp of Spanish prisoners and, being men of Mich-
igan and renowned for versatility, they were ordered by General Young to
build a dock. This they commenced on July 4, i8g8, and after its accom-
plishmenl; they were employed in improving the roads. They next had a
rest in a camp of recuperation and came back to Montauk Point, New York,
and thence home. A tablet of marble in the armory of this company of
P~lint has the following inscription:
"In Memoriam — Company A, Thirty-third Infantry. Ablino J. Bab-
cock, promoted lieutenant Company L, died Siboney, July 26, 1898. Alfred
J. Stevenson, died Siboney, July 2(), 1898. Allie P. Van Slyke, died Siboney,
August 17, i8g8. Clyde Breede, died at sea, August 21, 1898. Edward A.
Wilson, died at sea, September 4, 1898. Wilbur H. Warren, died at Otis-
ville, September 18, 1898. James M. Tubbs, died at Holly, September 25,
1898. William J. Weidman, died at Detroit, October 3, 1898. Walter B.
Foster, died at St Ignace, December 24, 1898.
"This company organized at Flint, Michigan. Mustered in at Island
Lake, May 14. Left by railroad for Camp Alger, May 29. Marched from
Camp Alger to Dun Loring, June 22. From there by railroad to Alexandria.
Took S. S. Washington for Fortress Monroe. Thence by U. S. S. Yale at
Hampton Roads for Cuba, June 23. Arrived at Siboney, June 27. In
action at Agnadoras before Santiago, July i. In camp at Silioney until
July 20. Left Silroney by railroad for Sardinaries. Remained there until
August 20. Left by railroad for Santiago and sailed on Harvard for Camp
Wikotl. Landed, August 26. Left for Flint, September 2. Arrived home,
September 4. 1898."
The company was mustered out of the United States service at Flint,
December 19, 1898.
Twice since the Spanish -American War has the call come for the Blues
to perform military service at critical times. The first was when the state
institution at Lapeer was visited by an epidemic and the quarantine regula-
tions required a strong arm for their enforcement. The company under
Captain Wilson performed this duty in an eminently satisfactory way. The
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE CO'JNTY, MICHIGAN. 709
routine of guard duty in the severe winter weather was very trying, but the
men met every requirement and won the praise of their superiors.
Again, when the peace of the copper country was jeopardized by the
strike, the company was called on. In the first instance the company was
ready on three hours call, and in the last, on two and a half hours call. The
call for mobilization of the state troops came from Colonel Bersey, adjutant-
general, to Major Guy M. Wilson, commanding the second battalion, on the
afternoon of June i8, 1916; the quick response of the Union Blues, Com-
pany A, Thirty-three Infantry, Capt, Thomas Colladay, evidenced the high
spirit of the company. The men began to assemble at the armory at once
and was soon ready to entrain. The roster of the company that responded
ready to go to the camp is as follows :
Capt. Thomas Colladay, Lieut, Ira Irving, I.ieut. John Hynan; sergeants,
Clarence Booth, Gladstone Maclean, Moses Wright, Frank Sanborn; cor-
porals, Harrison Wright, Harry J. Leonard, Lloyd Yorton, William F.
Berndt, William Ward; musicians, R. L. Osborn, Earl G. Fenner, John
Davidson; cook, Alfred Hayward; privates, Lee Austin, George E. Brabbs,
Charles Berndt, Glen Boyer, Arthur Bailey, Fred Breish, Fred H. Dormire,
William L. Goodall, Arthur Hardy, L. Hess. Joseph Hill, John R. Hursh,
Frank A. Hursh, Emery Hawkes, Hoyt M. Hollenshed. Edwin P. Harris,
A. J. Johnson, Henry W. Kruse, August Klein, Ray R. Kumlauf, Webster
H. Knee, Gilbert Fl Looze, Leonard Lightall, Ernest Lewis, Stephen
Michael, Thomas Mangan, William Marshall, James M. Marshall, Carl W.
MuUenenhagen, J. S. Mills, Bruce Mills, .A.ndrew Ostrander, Fred A. Potter,
Elmer H. Remender, Charles Richmond, Bert Ryan, Ivan H. Smith, Leon
W. Smith, George E. Sutherland, Walter P. Sibley, Ralph Schoultz. Vernon
C. Swihart. Henry A. Stehbens, George Savory, Horace Truesdale, Charles
Taylor, Wilford G. Vallarie, Paul R. Whitton. George Boike, Berthold
Endress, Edward Dare, Charles Sifton. Otto E. McVannel, L. Vern Paul,
Floyd Van Steenburg, Archie F. Lowley, John D. Badgley, Edward Nelson,
Carl Marshall, Albert Bierschback.
The war prospect stimulated recruiting and the following men were
mustered in as unassigned recruits: Earl Francis, Frank Hascall, Ray
Henry, Frank Scott, Earl Farmalee, Henry Rody, Levi Ostrander, David C.
Cusen, William R. Flitcher, Courtland Le Clair, Charles A. Keskey, George
R. Graham, Clarence W. Smith, Edward Fitch, George T. Hughes, Julius
A. Szeznkauski, Lloyd B. Pattey, Charles Moon, Oscar Vickstrom, Henry
Chapman, Richard M, Cook. Bert Camplain, Clyde Grover, Andrew White,
Burrell Scott. Charles F. Miller, Arthur J- Stout, Alfred George Bessnett,
dbyGoot^lc
7IO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Russell Taylor, Harry Sulleiiberger, D. D. McCiibbiii, Herman Crites, For-
est E. Williams, Horace Mayviily, Ralph E. Elder, John Bartkowiak, Eldon
Call, Albert E. Wetlierel!, Everett Scott, Edward C. Scheneman, Howard
Esterbrook, Lester Dauglass. Daniel C. Hall, Harold E. Bradshaw, Alen D.
Cripps, Bert Fredeiiberg, Henry C. Oliver and Dewey Jones.
The machine gun company of Flint had its origin in the preparedness
sentiment that has recently swept over the country. Its captain, A. C. Cross-
man, has had experience in the United States army. At the time the call
for the troops came, the company had not been equipped with machine guns,
and so received rifles and went out as infantry. Its response was as prompt
as that of the other company. The machine gun roster is as follows : Capt.
A. C. Crossman, IJeut. Fred J. Wright; sergeants, M. H. Spreen, W. S,
Ailen, H. Hodgson, D. W. Elemming, Raymond Peterson; corporals, R. H.
Chase, C. B. Hutty, W. A. Johnson, W. L. Lautenschlager and B. W. Upthe-
graff; privates, J. E. Alexander, D. C. Allan, R. L. Allen, H. C. Bachelor,
J. Batancek. W. M. Beveridge, A. H. C. Bradow, H. M. Bradow, G, F.
Brown, A. W. Crago, R. W. Davis, H. C. Day, C, C. Erno, G. F. Gardner,
P. H. Gatz, T. M. Gilliespie, M. F. Graham, C. L. Hobson, E. H. Hobson.
J. D. Howard, E. R. Kennerd, C. A. Leach, J. McKay, G. A. McMillan, C.
Nelson, C. E. Nickerson, J. O. Perrott, G. J. Sarchett, W. J. Shannon, L.
H. Sherman, K. M. Sills, G. R. Semmens, D. J. Whitehead, H. B. Buys, L.
Moore, E. G. Dressel, H. W. Scott, W. M. Brittain, Albert Simpson, W.
Rackley, H. Wickes and M. J. Crites.
The two companies left Flint for Grayhng, June 24, 1916, and an
immense throng assembled to bid them God-speed. The Grand Army of
the Republic and Spanish Veterans turned out and Mayor Johnson addressed
them as follows :
Officeia niHl iieiubeis f ( mii m i nl M it bine ( un ( imj m Thirty-third
Regiment Mlihig n Nttiouil ( uirils *« (hief exeiutne of the city of Flint, I bid
\ou a farenell In behilf of the entire Litlzenship of this itv Mnnj of U9 have aaseui-
Liled here tcdai to bid lou God <ipee6 in the couflkt into which ^ou mav be cnlled. We
liope that the tresent difhculty between the Inited Stites and Mexico maj be adjusted
without ret^itfng tj force of urms But If It is 11 t ae ill feel thjt jou boys, with
other Boldiers of this nation will be nhle t> -lettle it \eiy aitKf icttriU \ou lire going
to be our reriesentitiies on the battle line of tlie greitt=t nRtion in the world and we
know thit rtu will bring credit and honor upon jour countiy your flag and yourselves.
Be that as It niav you haie exprehsed your retdine^s to sene jour couiiti-y In
wh Ltever manner ciicumstance^ may demoud While ne regiet thnt it has become neces-
san for you to j,o to the front we itlso reiU^e the mau\ surlfiLes you ^re making In
the inteiests of vour countu i u are lejimg lour positions loup hjne \our fiimiiies
aiirt loui loiel mes t> fight if nete".s.iiy the b ttles f joui countn
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 7I I
4u<l tills giitbeiiiig heie todar of the citizenn of rimt n iiit yiu to know tliit ne
adnilie Tour pitrlotKiii loiaitv ami courtge ^uU we iv-ure jou ne iipreciate your
unselfish deletion to tlie mteiests o£ the nation
We a!w want to assure jou that duiiiig voui abseiiLC ^our fumiliea and deieuient-i
wl!l le taied for and the iJOMtinis of tiuat whiih jon are leiilufe will bp open to you
Siiue of lou ninT ujt now realize the inanv hardships vou will be called upm to
eiiduie in tlliuate lud tountu to which ^ou are not aecuBtomed Xou must leniember
that your healtli is of great iiniKiitance and we hope that jon will uegle< t nothing, thit
your offliers might suggest for Its pieservatlon
The history of past e^pedititus hjs shown thit the failure to ob-*rie health regul i
tlons hie been moie of a mena\.e than the bullets of the enemy Therefoie boys I
reiieat look aftei \(Ut health as fii is iwssible thit ku mtl^ leturn to uh robust
and stioug
The citi/ens of Flint htie been pleised to contribute a small fund in t ahoit time
— I wish it neie more — to he used by the officer'? of lour companies, to idd If possible
to joui loiutoits iiiiil heiltli and nhen moie Is ueeded we will );1 idl; re'ipond
Nti^ bove IS JOU leiie Flint undei the '^tar& and stripes the emblem of the
greite&t nation on eiith lou will be followed with the pnyeis of nil of our citizens
praying for your speedj and siife letuni God be with jou till we meet igim
In reply to the mayor's farewell message, Major Guy M. Wilson assured
the citizens that the responsibility resting on the company officers of the
Flint companies was I'ery close to their hearts.
"May we return to you with that trust which you have given us, abso-
lutely unsullied," he said, "T have believed in preparedness for a great
many years, but I want to ask you, Who is to blame for this war? I will
answer. It is the great body politic of the American people who have not
believed in preparedness. If you had trained your boys and your husbands,
Mexico would never have dared to slap us on one cheek and then on the
other. The last message I want to leave with you is, to prepare for the
great task that must come, by providing military training in the schools.
"If the English language were adequate I would express our apprecia-
tion for the gift you have presented us, but I can assure you that the money
will be spent to provide the things the soldiers need, and as the wives and
mothers would provide, if the men were at home. God bless you, and we
thank you."
With Major Wilson, as members of his battalion staff, went Lieut. Frank
A, Lawrence and Sergt.-Major Edgar M. Oaks. After remaining at
Grayling for three months, the Michigan National Guard, including the
Flint companies, were ordered to the Mexican border.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
SPANISH WAR VETERANS.
The local camp of Spanish War Veterans has a membership of about
thirty-five. It has had the following commanders: James S. Parker, major
of the Thirty-third Michigan Volunteer Infantry; Charles S. Martin, cap-
tain Comjjany A, Thirty-third Michigan Volunteer Infantry; George Lukes,
of Thirty-third Michigan Infantry; Frank Heike, of the Thirty-second Mich-
igan Infantry, and Fred Hanneman, sergeant, Troop Three, Fifteenth United
States Regular Cavalry.
Of these veterans, most of them were of the local company (A, Thirty-
third Michigan Volunteer Infantry), known as the Blues; but Fred Elliott,
of the Thirty-fourth Michigan Infantry, George Lukes, of the Thirty-second
Michigan Infantry and Fred Morrish, of the Thirty-first Michigan Infantry,
are exceptions.
The present officers of the camp are: Fred S. Hanneman, commander;
Silas Dunham, senior vice-commander; John Wagner, junior vice-com-
mander; Frank Jax, officer of the day; O. A. Harris, officer of the guard;
Fred Morrish, chaplain; Neil Dewar, adjutant, and George Lukes, quarter-
master. The three trustees are Col. James S. Parker, Capt. Charles S.
Martin and Ed Welsh.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XXVI.
Villages of Genesee County.
In speaking of the founders of a coninionwealth, we are speaking of
brave, unselfish people, who blazed their way through a wilderness fraught
with hardships and privations and toil, to a glimpse of future civilization
which could only be made possible through sacrifice and years of waiting.
The men who settled in Genesee county were the same type of men who
settled all new countries — men who loaded their families and their eiifects
into ox-teams or covered wagons and, 'mid tears and farewells, started on
the long, tedious journey to the West. Many men who sought new homes
in the solitude of the forest and on the banks of virgin streams were men
who brought with them the amenities and culture of good society and the
wholesome remembrance of family ties.
Men of all nations are inclined to be clannish and many were led to
follow the fortunes of supposedly lucky friends or neighbors, who had
braved western wilds and sent back cogent messages of promised prosper-
ity that fired the breasts of those left liehind with a spirit of adventure and
a resolve to follow.
When the pioneer has waited until cities and villages have sprung up;
when civilization has expressed itself in great churches and schools and
departments of commerce, he may not justly esteem himself entitled to the
distinctive place among his neighbors that one accords to the sturdy citizen,
whose purpose in life should have incited him to leave the home of his birth
and found the early settlements in the Michigan forests.
The village of Fenton, in the township of the same name, is happily
situated in the valley of the Shiawassee river, in a section of the county
dotted with small lakes of great beauty.
Early in the year 1834, Clark Dibble was threading his way through
a trackless wilderness from Shiawassee to Grand Blanc and by some mis-
take he struck the White Lake trail. Pushing a little farther on. he crossed
the undulating ridge to the south and was so struck with the beautiful loca-
dbyGoot^lc
714 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tion of the spot that he stopped for a day to examine the lay of the land.
So pleased with his discovery was he that, after his arrival at Grand Blanc,
called Grumlaw, he induced his friends, Dustin Cheney, Loreii Riggs and
John Galloway, to go with him and form a settlement at this place, Mr.
Cheney and his family were the first to go, Mrs. Cheney being the hrst
white woman who ever visited the spot. Mr. Dibble moved his household
next, followed by John Galloway and Mr. Riggs, and thus the settlement of
Dibbleville, afterwards Fentonvilie, was effected. These pioneers had first
located in Grand Blanc, which they had reached by following the main trail
from Detroit to Saginaw.
The vicinity of the many lakes surrounding Fenton was the favorite
resort of the red tribes who occupied this region. The hills and forests
afforded them hunting grounds for deer, wolves and bear, and the lakes
furnished fish in abundance. In the edge of the township of Mundy dwelt
a small tribe whose chief was named "King Fisher,"' who cultivated a few
fields and grew Indian corn. "King Fisher" was later well known through-
out this locality. On one occasion he journeyed to the settlement with some
of his followers, to hear the music of which he had been told, Mrs. Benja-
min Rockwell, a sister of William M. Fenton, having brought the first piano
to Fenton. The Indian chief was graciously received by Mrs. Rockwell and
Mrs. Fenton and, notwithstanding his kingly dignity, which never for-
sook him, became transfixed at the sound of the piano, which he said "Mani-
tou made.'" This piano, an exquisitely carved harpsichord, is now among
the cherished possessions of the Hon. Fenton R. McCreery, of Flint, a
grandson of Colonel Fenton.
Since 1840 the village has increased in growth until it is now the
second center of ^xipulation in the county. There are two weekly news-
papers and two substantial banks, and it now boasts one of the most popular
summer resorts in this section of the state, Long lake, which is several miles
in length and lies directly to the north of the village, being fringed with
several hundred handsome cottages.
Fenton, with an abundance of electric power, is well lighted, a mod-
ern system of boulevard hghts having recently been installed on the princi-
pal business street. It has many attractive homes, its streets are wide and
well shaded, and it lies at the foot of the Tyrone hills, from the top of which
may be obtained a fine view of the surrounding country, the vision covering
an area of many miles, in the Sistance being Holly, Davisbnrg and Long
Lake.
dbyGoot^lc
GENliSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 715
The town has five cliurches, handsomely constructed, the Methodist
Episcopal, Rev. W. B. Collins, pastor; the Baptist, Rev. Robert Davles,
pastor; the Presbyterian, Rev. John McWilHaras, pastor; St. Jude's Episco-
pal, at present without a rector, and St. John's Cathohc church, Rev. Fr.
D. L. Dillon, priest. In addition to these houses of worship, the Christian
Scientists hold regular services, although they are yet without a church
edifice.
A woman's civic association was organized in 1910 and has a present
membership of about two hundred. It has aided materially in promoting the
civic interests of the community and has become an efficient force in the
affairs of the municipality. The association has recently purchased a build-
ing which is used for auditorium purposes and also as a civic center. The
officers are: Mrs. T. C. McLeod, president; Mrs. R. B. Renwick, secretary;
Mrs. E. C. Forte, treasurer. Several literary clubs, among which is the
Bay View Club and the Entre Nous Club, contribute their part in adding
to the educational and social life of the town.
An industry of importance to the village is the cement works, located
on the banks of Silver lake, the two plants employing several hundred men
in the manufacture of a high grade of portland cement, the marl for the
purpose being taken from the bed of the lake near by.
A factory has also recently been organized in Fenton for the manufac-
ture of hydroplanes on a small scale, Long lake, nearby, proving a practical
place for experimental operations.
The Masonic fraternities of the town include Fenton Lodge No. 109,
N. H. Chestnut, master; Genesee Chapter No. 29. Royal Arch Masons, A.
W. Cinnar, high priest, and Fenton Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar,
E. C. Hyatt, eminent commander.
The village also has a first class hotel and is a station on the Detroit,
Grand Haven & Milwaukee railroad. Its population is two thousand six
hundred and thirty-three.
The officers for T916 are; President, Edwin M. Cole; clerk, Ross
McCurdv: treasurer. Flovd J-. McCullom; assessor, Arthur W. Crimmer.
Flushing, the center of a fine agricultural district and in point of popu-
lation in the county exceeded only by Flint and Fenton, is located on the
banks of the Flint river, the whole site being originally covered with a
dense growth of heavy timber, of which a large part was pine.
dbyGoot^lc
7l6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Flushing claims as its first white settler, Rufus Harrison, who took up
his abode at that place in 1835. One of the most prominent among the
early settlers of this locality was Thomas L. Brent, a Virginia gentleman
of wealth, who had been United States cliarge d'affaires to Portugal.
Abbott's history states that Mr. Brent represented his country in Spain. A
great deal of interest attaches to the Brent family, which was of much
importance during the early days, it appearing unusual that Mr. Brent, a
man of cultivated tastes, and his wife, a woman who was connected with a
noble family of Spain, together with their son, Henry, and their daughter
Charlotte, both of whom had received expensive educations in Paris, should
isolate themselves in a virgin forest away from the luxuries and refinements
of the civilized European world to which they had so long been accus-
tomed. Mr. Brent built a log house on the banks of the river below Flush-
ing, and when he died his body was carried down a steep ladder from the
loft and brought to Flint, where the funeral services were held from the
home of Mr. Dewey. Mr. Brent expended his large fortune in buying gov-
ernment lands, at one time paying taxes on seventy thousand acres of Michi-
gan land. In 1836 he built a dam across the Flint river and in the same year
erected a saw-mill, but a severe flood in the spring of 1837 washed away
the dam and for a time threatened the mill. Nearly every man who located
in this section of the country worked at one time or another for Mr. Brent
and the hamlet of Brent Creek nearby is named for him. He had fond
dreams of building a fine residence on this spot, but he died before his wishes
were realized. He had constructed, however, a wine cellar in the face of
the bluff near his cabin and in this his choicest brands were kept. After his
death his widow carried out his plans for the home and a repHca of the
large colonial homes of Virginia stood at, the head of a long lane on the
Brent estate. This house is said to have contained at this time a small
chapel, built after plans of Mrs. Brent, who was a Catholic by faith and
had long been denied the privilege of worshipping according to the stately
manner in which she had been accustomed in Spain. Mrs. Brent died, how-
ever, soon after the house was completed and the property is now owned by
Arthur G, Bishop, the president of the Genesee County Savings Bank in
Flint.
Flushing has a flourishing business men's association, the Chamber of
Commerce, with a membership of about forty, which contributes to the
advancement of mercantile and industrial conditions. The officers are :
President, Herbert A. Stewart; secretary, Leo Travis.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 717
It is the center of a wealthy farming community, which finds at Flush-
ing a market for commodities. The village has two banks and a weekJy
newspaper. There are three churches, the Methodist Episcopal, with Rev.
J. E, Lewin, as pastor; the Presbyterian, with Rev. M. G. Pawley as pastor,
and the Baptist church, whose pulpit is now vacant.
Flushing has two Masonic bodies, Flushing Lodge No. 223, Dr. Joseph
Scheidler, master, and F'lint Rapids Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Guy
Turner, high priest. The Odd Fellows are represented, Rankin Lodge,
whose noble grand is William G. Smith, being named for Francis H. Ran-
kin, the former editor of the Wolverine Citizen, in Flint.
There are several clubs in Flushing, one of which, the Flushing Improve-
ment Club, was organized by a number of women interested in the better-
ment of civic conditions; and two others are the Tuesday Club, and the
Philomathians.
The present officers of the village are: President, Frank P, Haskall;
clerk, Harry L. Mann; treasurer, Edgar F. Boman; assessor, Willis C. Wil-
cox; trustees, John S. Frawlcy, Perry Nichols, W. S. Davis, Thomas
McKenzie, M. J. Backofen, Wilfred J. Short
Flushing is situated on the Saginaw division of the Grand Trunk rail-
road, and has a population of one thousand and seventy-nine. Among its
influential citizens are Ira T. and Franklin P. Sayre. H. H. Prosser, F. R.
Ottaway and James Greenfield, each of whom has held offices of trust and
served the countv or state with signal abilitv and credit.
Clio, the fourth center of population in the county of Genesee, is on
the main line of the Pere Marquette railroad and also on the hue of the
Saginaw, Bay City & Flint interurban railway. It is twelve miles distant
from Flint and during the past ten years has received a steady growth, due
somewhat to the fact that it is easily accessible from Flint and has become
the home of many suburbanites desirous of avoiding the high prices of land
in the city.
■ It has three churches, the Methodist Episcopal, the Free Methodist
and the Methodist Protestant ; also a good graded school, a grange hall, a
large elevator and a Masonic temple. It has a paved business district and
electric power and lights.
A board of commerce is awake to the possibilities of civic advancement,
dbyGoot^lc
7l8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
under the presidency of M, C. Doyle, and there are both Masonic and Odd
Fellow lodges. A branch of th'e Detroit creamery is at present located in
Clio and manufacturing condensed milk.
The village officers are: President, Charles Matson; clerk, William G.
Goodrich; treasurer, Charles H. Reed; assessor, Glenn Williams. Cho was
incorporated as a village in 1873. Its population is nearly one thousand.
The village of Davison, a station on the main line of the Grand Trunk
railroad, ten miles east of Flint, was named for Judge Norman Davison,
who came from Avon, New York, to this section of the county when it was
a dense and almost unbroken wilderness. On the banks of Kearsley creek,
beneath the shadows of a stately forest, was pitched the family abode, and
on the spot where the village now stands a saw-mill was erected in 1833,
followed by a grist-mill in 1836, and the early travelers in this region remem-
bered well the long tramps over Indian trails and marked trees to Davison's
mills. A postoffice was here established in 1836 and in 1837 Judge Davison
was appointed postmaster. Prior to 1S40 the south half of Davison town-
ship was attached to Atlas and the north part to Richfield. During this
time when Atlas formed a portion of Lapeer, Judge Davison was one of
the judges of the latter county, and he was also a member of the conven-
tion that met in Detroit in 1835 to frame the first state constitution.
The wilderness to which Judge Davison came over eighty years ago has
now given away to cultivated fields, macadamized roads are substituted for
the Indian trails and the hum of the locomotive has taken the place of the
warning howls of the wolf.
In the year 1916 Davison furnishes a marketing center for a pros-
perous rural community; it has four churches, the Catholic, the Methodist
Episcopal, the Free Methodist and the Baptist. It has a state bank and
Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges. It has several clubs devoted to social and
literary pursuits and has recently built a hall for auditorium purposes.
The population in 1916 is seven hundred. The village officers are:
President, Anson W. Adams; clerk, Seth McBratney: treasurer, Edmund C.
Haynes; assessor, Floyd Pettingill.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
GRAND BLANC.
Grand Blanc, or Grnmlaw, as it was called in the early days, was an
old Indian camping ground and was settled by the first white family that ever
located in Genesee county, the Stevens, who came from the state of New
York to Detroit in 1822, and removed to Grand Blanc in the spring of 1823.
In Volume 14 of the "Michigan Historical Collection" an epic of the
Saginaw valley country by Judge Albert Miller refers to Jacob Stevens :
(;;il>ti)iii SteveiiB wns the fii'Bt iimn
Who there it settlement beRfiii.
'Tia seven jiiirt sixty years or more
Since he tbnt region rtld explore.
When first he settled there 'twiis then
iS'enr twent.v julles from more white men.
The iiiuue of the place wiis then "firiiw l(l;iw,"
For as Frenchmen imasecl tlie i>]nee fhe.r s.tw
A "Big White" lunn who there realcled.
And thdt cli'cnmsitiiiU'e n n-.niie iirovkleil.
The FiT;)dimen wrote the niimp "Oriunl Rhine,"
If nils so pronotidceil by every Y:iiik.
Grand Blanc was a site on the road from Detroit to Saginaw, and was
a rough highway traversed by officers, Indians, traders and settlers of Sag-
inaw, At the time that Mr. Stevens and his wife and seven children ar-
rived, the only people residing in the settlement at Flint River were a few
families of half-breeds, French and Indians. Mr. Stevens built a log house
on the site now occupied by the Sawyer residence. He is said to have been
a man of intelligence and of hterary taste, and a typical gentleman of the
old school, possessing great moral and physical courage.
In 1829 the road to Saginaw was laid out and staked. This highway,
which followed the Indian trail, was a rambling road through woods, avoid-
ing hills and swamps, the streams and low places having been bridged some
time previously by the United States soldiers stationed in garrison at Sag-
inaw,
The exodus from the northwestern counties of the state of New York
to the new lands of Michigan, during the years from 1836 to 1840 was very
great. Entire districts in the old state were almost depopulated by the emi-
gration of sturdy pioneers who desired cheap lands and homes of their own.
Grand Blanc and adjacent settlements received a due share of these pioneers,
but, in spite of the fact that the surrounding country was thickly settled, it
dbyGoot^lc
720 GENESEE COHNTY, MICHIGAN.
has remained a small village. It is unincorporated and is located seven miles
southeast of Flint, on the line of the Pere Marquette railroad, in the heart
of a rich farming district.
It has a grade school, a private bank, flouring-mill, elevator and a
creamery. It is electric lighted and has two churches, the Methodist Epis-
copal and the Congregational. Its population is four hundred.
Linden, in the township of Fenton, was first settled by two brothers,
Richard and Perry Lamb, in the fall of 1835. For a long time the log house
of Perry Lamb furnished accommodations for travelers, Mr. and Mrs.
Lamb being known far and wide as most hospitable entertainers, the road
passing their home being the trail to Dibbleviile, via Silver lake.
The village of Linden dates its origin from 1840, when it was laid out
by Consider Warner and Eben Harris, the hostelry known as "Springer's
Hotel'' being built by them also in that year. The village was incorporated
by act of the Legislature in 1871.
The leading industry of Linden is the co-operative creamery, a concern
modeled after the plan of similar creameries in Wisconsin and said to be
the only one of its kind in Michigan. Its president is W. H. Keddy, of
Fenton, and it is owned and controlled by its patrons. Its plan of organiza-
tion was for the owners of cattle to take as many shares of stock as he had
cattle, paying for each share of stock four dollars. This made each cattle
owner a stockholder and a patron of the plant. At the organization of the
company it started out with seven hundred shares of stock issued and it has
proved a success from its inception.
The village has three churches, the Methodist Episcopal, Rev. E. A.
Cross, pastor; the Seventh-Day Adventists, Rev. Timothy Somerville, pas-
tor, and the Presbyterian, whose pulpit is now vacant. There are two fra-
ternal bodies, Linden Lodge No, 132, Free and Accepted Masons, Corse L.
Crandall, master, and Strict Account I-odge No. 276, Independent Order
Odd Fellows, Harry Stiff, noble grand. It also has a weekly newspaper
and one bank. Its population is five hundred fifty. Its vilJage officers
are : President, Frank F. Glerum : clerk. Chancy Tamlyn ; treasurer, Claude
E. Hyatt; assessor, William E. Dooley.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY,
MONTROSE
Montrose, located near the old reservation of Pewanigawink, is the
most northern of the villages on the route to Saginaw by the river trail of
the Indians. Its first white resident was Seymour W. Ensign, a native of
New York state who had emigrated to Saginaw. In 1842 Mr. Ensign,
having purchased of the Brent estate forty acres in Montrose township, tied
two canoes together and built a platform upon them, and, with family, goods
and stores, towed his primitive craft fifty-five miles by river to his home in
the wilderness. At that time there was not a white person living in the town-
ship, neither were there roads or clearings,
Montrose has two churches, the Methodist Episcopal and the Baptist.
It has one weekly newspaper and Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges. It is
centrally located in the midst of a good agricultural district. It was incor-
porated as a village in 1899. Its population is four hundred fifty. The
village officers are: President, L. M. Jennings; clerk, A. J. Eckles; treas-
urer, E. B. Fuller; assessor. M. S. Russell.
The village of Gaines, in the western portion of Genesee county, was
once covered with a dense growtli of heavy timber and was threaded by a
branch of the Swartz Creek. Along the banks of the latter in early years
were extensive groves of maple and a trail reached from Fiint, which was
used by the Indians, who made here large quantities of maple sugar. This
industry is still carried on extensively in this locality, but the ancient trail
has disappeared, althovigh there are still fiving in this vicinity several fami-
lies, descendants of the aborigines who inhabited this region.
Gaines has one bank and two churches, the Methodist church, with the
Rev. Mr. Barton as pastor, and the Catholic church, Rev. Fr. F. J. Burke,
priest. It was incorporated as a village in 1875. Its population is two hun-
dred seventy-five. The officers for igi6 are: President, George W,
Chase, Jr.; clerk, Harry G. Baxter; treasurer, William P. Cozadd; assessor,
R. J. Jones.
MT. MORRIS
The village of Mt. Morris, six and one-half miles north of Flint, on the
lines of the Pere Marquette railroad and the Bay City, Saginaw & Flint in-
(46)
dbyGoot^lc
722 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
terurban railway, was known in early days as the "Coldwater settlement,"
its pioneers being opposed to the use and abuse of intoxicants. It is gen-
erally conceded that Benjamin Pearson was the pioneer of Mt. Morris.
With other settlers who emigrated to the West from Livingston county. New
York, he had come to Flint river in 1833 and devoted some weeks to "land-
looking/' After selecting land in this locality and purchasing it from the
government, Mr. Pearson erected the first dwelling ever built in Mt. Morris
township. During the succeeding year he was joined by other arrivals and
a settlement was effected, a school was opened, a society of Presbyterians
organized and the "Coldwater settlement," as it was known, disseminated
and practiced in their midst the principles of temperance. Later the settle-
ment was named Mt. Morris, deriving its name from the early home of
many of the settlers, Mt. Morris, Livingston county. New York.
However, there was nothing to indicate this settlement as a village until
1857, when the Flint & Pere Marquette line had been surveyed and active
operations commenced, when quite a number of families settled upon the
site of the prospective village.
The following item appeared in the Wolverine CiHsen of Flint on Janu-
ary 25, 1862: "The Flint & Pere Marquette railway was regularly opened
for passengers and freight traffic in connection with Boss, Burrell & Com-
pany's line of stage coaches on Monday last. The railway is now completed
from East Saginaw as far as Mt. Morris station, within six miles of Flint.
The company has iron on hand to continue the track to Flint as soon as the
season opens." In 1867 an act incorporating the village passed the state
legislative body.
Mt. Morris in the year of 1916 has a good business district of well
built, up-to-date stores, a private bank, and three churches, the Methodist
Episcopal, the Baptist and St. Mary's Catholic church, with Rev. Fr. Thomas
Luby as priest. The Mt. Morris consolidated schools, under the manage-
ment of William J. Maginn, rank among the best of the village schools in the
state. Mt. Morris also has a large elevator and a number of attractive resi-
dences, and is a progressive village, with a population of seven hundred and
eighty.
SWARTZ CREEK.
Swartz Creek is an unincorporated village in the township of Mundy,
and is the site of what, in the pioneer days, was the division between the
heavy timber and the "oak openings." Regarding the first early white set-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 723
tier in what is now the township of Mundy, there is some dispute, but it
has been generally accepted that Morgan Baldwin and George Judson were
the first residents of this locality.
During the early days of the settlement persons coming from the direc-
tion of Flint spoke of going "up the Swartz," though it was only a branch
of the main stream, and in time the settlement was named Swartz Creek.
Adam Miller was one of the first residents of this locality, who, assisted by
several members of his family, chopped a road through from his land to
Flint river, which afterwards became known as the "Miller road" and is now
one of the finest highways in the county.
Swartz Creek has a large elevator, three beet weighing stations, the
sugar beet industry being carried on extensively in this locality; a good
graded school, a private bank, which is one of the chain of private banks
operated under the management of Ira T. Sayre, of Flushing, and a number
of stores. It has also two churches, the Catholic church and the Methodist
Episcopal. Its population is six hundred and fifty.
In September, 1835, Moses and Enos Goodrich came to Atlas township
and purchased from the government over one thousand acres of land. I'Vom
the period of their settlement in this locality tlie name of Goodrich has been
interwoven with all social, commercial and political history of the township.
They founded mills, a village store, and opened to cultivation fields of the
best land to be found in this section of Michigan. These two brothers were
joined by others of their family, among them Aaron Goodrich, who had been
admitted to the bar of Tennessee and in 1849 was appointed by President
Taylor as chief justice of Minnesota. He was also a delegate to the Repub-
lican national convention at Chicago in i860, which resulted in the nomina-
tion of Abraham Lincoln.
A postofifice was established on the site of the village in 1846, with
Enos Goodrich, postmaster, it being known at that time as Atlas postoffice,
but was changed to its present title in 1849. The village of Goodrich is on
the direct line of the Detroit United Interurban railroad and is surrounded
by a farming district of good resources.
Goodrich has two churches, the Baptist and the Methodist Episcopal.
It has also a high school of ten grades, a private bank, a number of stores
and a good hotel. In 1916, through the effort.'; of Dr. A. Wheelock, a small
dbyGoot^lc
724 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
but very complete hospital was built, fully equipped and planned on very
up-to-date principles. Goodrich has also a growing dairy concern. The
village has a population of four hundred.
The villajfe of Otisville, in Forest township, was built about the site of
the Hayes saw-mill, in 1851. There was quite a settlement here at this time,
the mill company building a few small houses for themselves and a boarding
house for their employees. It was platted in 1863 by William F. Otis and
T. D. Crocker and named Otisville. There were several members of the
Otis family who settled in this locality, Francis W. Otis, of Cleveland, being
the owner of the large saw-mill which was placed in position and operated
under the supervision of John Hamilton, father of William Hamilton, of
Flint. In Otisville and vicinity from i860 to 1870 there were twelve large
saw-mills in operation.
Otisville in 1916 has two churches, the Methodist Episcopal and the
Free Methodist, and a graded school of twelve grades, a state bank and a
creamery. The president of the village is Paul J. Laing. The population is
three himdred and seventv-five.
The village of Atlas, from point of location, is one of the most attrac-
tive of the hamlets of the county, Kearsley creek affording excellent water
power privileges.
Among the prominent pioneers of this locality were the Carpenters, who
came from Dutchess county. New York, William Carpenter, in company
with Levi Preston, coming on foot from Niagara county, New York,
through Canada to Detroit, and thence by the old Saginaw road to Atlas,
where they selected land, purchased it from the government and buiit log
houses and put in a few crops. They then returned to New York state and,
with their families, again started for the new home in the western wilder-
ness. They were thirty days by ox-team on the journey, but arrived .safely
at their destination. The Carpenter family have been most prominent in the
growth and development of this part of the county, and members of the
family are still residents of this locality, William Carpenter, of Goodrich,
l>eing one of the best known men in Genesee county.
Atlas in 1916 has a population of one hundred and seventy-five, its
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 725
residents being chiefly retired farmers. There is one flouring-miil, the Hast-
ings mill, a school, a general store and postoffice, and one church, the Pres-
byterian. It is a station on the Detroit United Interurban railway.
GENESEEVILLE.
The village of GeneseevilJe was an important settlement in the early
days of the county and a number of saw-miHs were built along the banks
of the Kearsley creek and the Flint river by the pioneers of this locality.
The first saw-mill was built in 1834, Kearsley creek being dammed for that
purpose about one hundred rods above its junction with the river. Benjamin
Pearson was interested in this mill, which was built by a Mr. Harger. The
mill was not very large, but it furnished lumber for many of the pioneer
homes in this part of the county. A second mill was built on the Kearsley
in 1836, known as the Jones mill, and was built about one mile alrove the
first mill. The third was built in 1837 by Ogden Clarke, and the fourth on
the Flint river at Geneseeville. This last named mill was afterward owned
by Reuben McCreery, who, in 1853, also built another mill in this locality.
In the early days there were no bridges across the streams and it was
not until 1843 that a bridge was built, the location of this being at the mouth
of the Kearsley creek. In i860 the "Fay bridge" was built, at a crossing
which is the site of a bridge at the present time. The FHnt river and the
Kearsley creek were much larger streams during the early days, owing to
the heavy growths of timber which lined their banks. The first white per-
son bom in the town of Genesee was Damon Stewart, whose ividow, who
was Miss Frances McQuigg, is now residing in Flint.
The village of Geneseeville was platted in 1858 by Reiiljcn McCreery
and Simon King, and a postoffice was established in 1859. Geneseeville in
1916 has one church, the Methodist Episcopal, and a few stores. An old
grist-mill, which was originally built by Reuben McCreery in 1849 ^nd trans-
ferred eventually to Isaac O. Rogers in 1875. is still operated by members
of the Rogers family. The population of Geneseeville is about one himdred.
The township of Thetford was named by one of its early residents,
Nahum N. Wilson, for the town of Thetford in Orange county, Vermont,
and Thetford Center takes its name from the township. The village is now
only a four corners with the usual few stores and residences.
dbyGoot^lc
726 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
PINE RUN.
On the site of what is now Pine Run in early days was located the
famous tavern of Corydon E. Fay, who for a number of years was one of
the most prominent residents of this locality. He came to Genesee county
from A\'on, Livingston county. New York, in 1837, and secured employment
on the farm of Benjamin Pearson, afterward purchasing land for himself.
In 1850 travel on the Saginaw turnpike came to assume proportions which
called for houses of entertainment for travelers along its route, and Mr.
Fay built a large frame building and opened the first inn on the road between
Flint River and Saginaw. It was called the Fay House and for many years
was a famous hostelry in this part of the state, but was discontinued as a
tavern in 1867.
Pine Run in 1916 has one church and a few stores. Its population is
about one hundred and fifty.
ARGENTINE.
The village of Argentine is in the township of that name, which at first
included what is now Fenton. It is surrounded by a number of lakes, among
which are I.obdell lake, named after a settler on its shores; Murray lake,
named after the first settler in the township; McKane, McCaslin and Bass
lakes. It is said that wolves and bears in large numbers were seen in this
locality in the days of the first settlements.
James H. Murray, who had come to the west from Rochester, New
York, settled in Argentine in 1835, and in 1836 built the dam in the village,
later erecting a saw-miSl. William Lobdell, for whom Lobdell lake was
named, settled near Argentine in 1836. He had come to Detroit from
Auburn, New York, and. being the owner of a wagon and three horses,
found employment in transporting pioneer families and their effects through
to Grand River. On one of these trips he found the land upon which he
afterward settled.
A postoffice was established at the village at an early date, and called
Booton, but was later changed to Argentine, mail being carried on horseback
over a route which extended from Pontiac to Ionia. The village lias a few
stores, hotel, and a population of about one hundred and fifty.
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GE,\'ESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
WHIGVII.LE.
Whigville also known as Gibsonviiie, is situated one and one-half miles
northeast of Grand Blanc and five miles from Flint, Here are located a
Baptist church, a school and a few stores. The first saw-mill in the county
was built here in 1828 by Rowland B. Perry and at one period considerable
business was transacted here. It undoubtedly would have become a flourish-
ing village, but the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad surveyed its road through
Grand Blanc, which was an inducement for many of the earlier residents to
remove to that village. The old Gibson homestead, one of the landmarks
on the old state road, and formerly the home of C. D. W. Gibson, is still
occupied by members of the Gibson family. Gibsonville has a few stores
and a population of about one hundred.
CRAPO FARM.
Crapo Farm is a station on the main line of the Grand Trunk railroad,
named for the eleven-hundred-acre farm of Governor Henry H. Crapo. This
tract of land was originally a swamp which Governor Crapo reclaimed and
made extensive improvements thereon, until today, under the ownership of
Hon. W. W. Crapo, of New Bedford. Massachusetts, it is one of the finest
farms in this section of Michigan. Governor Crapo was highly interested
in the development of this land and gave it his close attention. At one time
he was a regular contributor on agricultural topics to the Albany Country
Gentleman. Among the interesting persons who might be mentioned in con-
nection with the Crapo farm is Henry M, Flagler, the multi-millionaire who
has built the chain of great hotels along the Florida coast, and who, while he
was still a young boy, found employment on this farm and iived here for a
number of years.
Crapo Fann is only a small four corners, with a population of about
fifty inhabitants.
BRENT CREEK.
Brent Creek, a small hamlet on the River road from Flushing to Sag-
inaw, was named for Thomas L. L. Brent, It has a few stores and a popu-
lation of about one hundred.
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728 gene=;ee county, Michigan.
BA7JKIN P05T0FFICE.
Rankin postoffice is a small four corners in Mundy township, with one
church, the Methodist Episcopal, a grange hall, one general store and a few
houses. It was formerlv known as Mnndv Centre.
OTTERS URN.
Otterburn is a small hamlet on the main line of the Grand Trunk rail-
road between Durand and Flint. Its population is one hundred and fifty.
Belsay is a station on the Grand Trunk railroad near the division of
the main line and the belt line, and is a freight and shipping point for grow-
ers of sugar beefs, who market their crops from this station. There are
only a few houses and no stores.
RICHFIELD CENTRE.
Richfield Centre is a small hamlet in Richfield township, on the site
of the old Maxfield saw-mill, which was built in 1855. In the old days
there was also a tavern at this place, but for many years it has been occu-
pied as a residence. There is one church, the Methodist Episcopal, and a
few stores.
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CHAPTER XXVir.
Religious Organizations.
Iteligioii is like llif fiishkm. One niim wears his doublet slusLeil, nnotber hn/ei],
miotlier idiiili; hut every lUini LiUh a tloublet. So every iimii lintli liis religion. We
illffei' nlioiit triiLJiLiiug. Joiib SiCLnKw.
The religious settlers of Genesee county came here not to lose their in-
fluence in isolation, or to cover their light by worldly cares and pleasures, but
to unite their strength in building up the kingdom of truth and righteous-
ness. So those of like faith and education early formed themselves into
societies, or church, and began planning for permanent influence. Hence,
the fine church edifices which now adorn our community stand, and will
stand, for spiritual excellences which are of more value to humanity than
the highest towers which trade and commerce can erect or the most exquis-
ite works which genius and art can produce.
The religious aftairs of the county have kept pace with the rapid in-
crease of population and the development and growth of the community.
The number of church societies has l)een materially increased and there has
also been a marked increase in the efficiency of those which were fonned
and started in the early days. From the earliest settlement of Flint River
and the surrounding villages, the churches have exerted a vast influence in
every good movement that has concerned the welfare of the commonwealth.
COL'RT .STREET METHODIST CHURCH.
The Court Street Methodist church has claims to Ijeing the oldest church
society in Flint, as Bradford Frazce, a minister belonging to the Saginaw
mission, preached in Flint River in 1834 when there were not more than
four or five families living in the settlement. The following year, 1835, the
Rev. WiSIiam H. Brockway, a memher of the same mission, traveled from
Saginaw every third week and preached at Flint River, and also five miles
north, at Mt. Morris, then called the "Cold Water Settlement," the early
settlers of that neighborhood iaeing nearly all of the temperance faith. The
Rev. Mr. Brockway always traveled on foot, carrying his bundle, his Bible
and his hymn lx)ok. and held his meetings on the upper floor of the frame
store owned by Stage & Wright,
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730 GENESEE COUNTY, MICIIiGAN.
In 1837, howe\er, a small number of the Methodist faith organized
themselves into a society, but tliey seem to have suffered the most extreme
financial embarrassments, tor the steward's account of the first two quar-
ters shows the whole amount of money received, including public collection,
to have been fourteen dollars and sixty-two cents. Later, in 1837, the name
of "Flint River Mission" appears on the minutes of the Saginaw mission,
with Luther D. Whitney, preacher,- in charge. Mr. Whitney names in his
journal the following preaching places: Genesee, Pine Run, Kearsley,
Atherton Settlement, Grand Blanc, Miller Settlement, Torry Settlement, Car-
man Settlement, Richard Johnson's and Stanley Settlement.
At a conference of the Methodist church held in 1841 the Rev. F. B.
Bangs was appointed to Flint and during the first year of his lators a site
was secured for a parsonage and church. The conference of 1843 sent the
Rev. William Mothersill to the Flint River work and during his pastorate a
small building for church purposes was erected, the size of the building
being thirty-five by fifty-five feet. The building of this church was a great
achievement. Several times the work was discontinued for the want of funds :
then small collections would enable the work to be resumed and the finances
of the members and friends were taxed to the utmost. From 1841 to 1854,
however, the church increased in numbers under the pastorate of a number
of vigilant workers.
About the period of 1855-60 it had several very vigorous pastors:
George Taylor, John Russell, John A. Baughman and T. J. JosHn, under
whom the work of the parish was so ably conducted that in i860 it was found
that the church accommodations were entirely inadequate. Accordingly
during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Baughman the building was enlarged
and beautified. For several years preceding this time the subject of temper-
ance had excited much interest in the community. The question of the prac-
ticability of mitigating or suppressing intemperance by the enactment and
enforcement of prohibitory laws was discussed with great earnestness, which
aroused the enmity of the liquor interests, and the church received a number
of threatening messages supposed to emanate from that source. However,
the alterations on the church building were scarcely finished when, in 1861,
it was redticed to ashes, the work, as many thouglit, of the opponents of tem-
perance reform. In 1S62, however, another large building was erected
at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. The work of the church went success-
fully on under a number of pastors, including the Rev. W. H. Perrine, Rev.
W. E. Bigelow, Rev. Luther Lee, Rev. Thomas C. Gardner and Rev. J. F.
Davidson, all of whom labored in the fields of practical and spiritual endeavor
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 73I
with an ever-increasing membership until 1873, when the Rev. Dr.
McEldowney, formerly professor of Latin and Greek in Albion College, took
charge of the pastorate.
Following the Rev. McEldowney were A. F. Bourns, W, H. Peace,
James Venning and I. N. Elwood. In 1888 a splendid new edifice was built
to make room for the large congregation, and in 1889 it stood completed and
was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Bowman. Again, in 1892, a fire broke out
from accidental causes and the beautiful new church was burned to the ground.
Afflicted, but not cast down, the society again devoted itself to the task con-
fronting it, till another edifice was erected, the same in which they now wor-
ship and which was dedicated in 1894. From the first appointment in 1834
until the present time the pastors of the Court Street Methodist church have
been earnest, hard-working men, having at heart the interests of their congre-
gation. The present incumbent, the Rev. Howard Field, is no exception, and
under his pastorate the membership has reached the one thousand four hun-
dred mark.
From the first appointment in 1834 up to the present year of 1916 the
pastors who have served the Court Street church have been, Bradford Frazee.
\V. H. Borckway, O. F. North, L. D. Whitney, Larnion Chatfield, Etenezer
Steel, F. B. Bangs, William Mothersill, Harrison Morgan, David Bums, M.
B, Camburn, B. S. I'ayler, William Mahon, J. M. Arnold, George Taylor, J.
A. Baughman, W. H. Perrine, W. E. Bigelow, Luther Lee, T. C. Gardner,
J. F. Davidson, John McEldowney, W. H. Pearce, James Venning, L N.
Ehvood, J. P. Pryor, N. G. Lyons. Henry E. Wolfe, G. W. Grimes, C. E.
Allen, A. Ravmond Johns, Ralph Cushman and Howard A. Field.
GARLAND STREET METHODIST CHURCH.
At the time of the burning of the Court Street church in 1861, some of
the members of the society held the opinion that a more central location
should be chosen for the ne^v church. This, however, being thought unwise,
the situation resolved itself into the forming of a new society on Garland
street, on the opposite side of the river. By means of transfer from the old
church, their membership soon amounted to eighty. The first pastor was the
Rev. Isaac Crawford, under whose direction the new house of worship was
erected and finished before the close of 1861, the lots on which the church
was built being generously donated by Chauncey L. Payne and Charles P.
Avery. In 1878 the Rev. T. J. Joslin was appointed pastor, the same min-
ister bv whose untiring work the Court Street society had been able to rebuild
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732 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
after the fire of 1861. The Garland Street church in the one year of Mr.
Josh'n's pastorate brought its membership up to nearly three hundred. The
fir=t church building had been improved from year to year, until in 188S it
was decided to erect a spacious brick edifice on the same site. By a curious
parallel the corner stone was laid on the same day as that of the third Court
Street church. The degree of success realized by the Garland Street church
is seen in the fact that during the years from 1888 to 1Q16 the membership
has steadily increased, until at this time, under the pastorate of the Rev. G.
W. Olmstead, it numbers twelve hundred.
The pastors who have served the Garland Street church since its organ-
ization in 1861 to the year of 1916 are: Orrin Whitman, W. O. Burnett,
G. W. Lowe, E. R. Hascall. William Fox, Isaa.c Crawford, Jacob Horton,
A, F. Bowns, H. S. White. W. W. Washburn. G. H. Whitney, E. E. Caster,
T. J. Joslin. E. W. Frazer. G. W. Jennings, G. N. Kennedy, G. H. Whitney,
E. D, Dimond, W. H. Kider. G. W. Olmstead.
0.\K PARK METilOillST EPI.SCOPAL CIIUKCII.
The Oak I'ark Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1909, the
first services being held in a tent erected for the purpose at the comer of
Newali and North Saginaw streets. Within six months the site was pur-
chased and the chapel adjoining the present edifice was built under the direc-
tion of the Rev. Frank Field, the first pastor. Two years later the base-
ment of the church was built and the services, with the Rev, Frank Miner
as pastor, were held here until 1915, when the church edifice was erected, the
entire cost being seventy thousand dollars. The new church which was
dediaited in 1916, is one of the handsome churches of Flint, with a most
approved system of lighting, and has also installed an acousticon, or tele-
phone system, for the aid of the deaf.
Under the pastorate of the Rev. Horace Mallinson, who has been in
charge for the past three years, the membership has reached the six hundred
mark, and the Sunday school rolls include four hundred names.
KEARSLEY STREET METHODIST EFISCOI'AI. CHURCH.
The Kearsley Street Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1909,
through the efforts of the Rev, P, B, Hoyt, who is now the pastor of the
Lake X'iew Methodist Episcopal church. The church building, at the comer
of East Kearsley and Forest streets, was formerly an old mission church
which was erected a number of years ago, but has been arranged to suit the
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CENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 733
needs of a growing congregation. Mr. Hoyt remained as pastor for six
years, or until 1915, when the Rev. Mr. Duddeon took charge. At the recent
conference held in 1916 the church was admitted to the Flint Ministerial
Association and the Rev. C. W. Hill appointed as pastor. It has a mem-
bership of one hundred, a Sunday school of two hundred, and flourishing
societies of both the Junior and Epworth leagues.
RIVERSIDE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Riverside Methodist Episcopal church was also organized in 1909,
through the efforts of the same Rev. P. B. Hoyt who was influential in
effecting the organization of the Kearsley Street church. This church is
located on Lewis boulevard in the suburb of Homedale, and was also under
the charge of Mr. Hoyt until 1915, when Mr. Duddeon took charge of the
pastorate in connection with his work at the Kearsley Street church. In
1916 this organization was aiso admitted to the Fhnt Ministerial Association
and the Rev. George Tripp was appointed pastor. It has a membership of
one hundred, with a Sunday school attendance of two hundred.
LAKE VIEW METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Lake \'iew Methodist F.piscopal church was first started in 191 1
as a Sunday school in Efni Park, a southern suburb of Flint, the classes
being held in a house at the comer of Pingree and Ferris avenues. During
that year twenty persons effected an informal organization and the Rev. J.
B. Goss officiated as pastor. The society was permanently organized in
1912, by the Rev. Harrison Karr, and a building was erected for church
purposes on Ferris avenue. The Rev. G. W. Wright then took charge of
the pastorate for two years, followed by the Rev, George Loomas for one
}'ear. In 1916 the Rev. P. B. Hoyt was appointed pastor, and under his
leadership the society has purchased the property at the comer of Fifteenth
and South Saginaw streets and will eventually erect a church edifice. The
present membership is eighty-four, and the membership of the Sunday school
is two hundred and iifty-one. The Epworth league and the Junior league
also have an increasing membership.
AFRICAN METHODIST CHirRCII.
The African Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1875, at the
Jiome of Mrs. Nancy West, by a few members of one of the Sunday school
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734 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
classes in the Garland Street church, and was under the supervision of the
Rev. John Furgeson. It was part of a circuit of which Saginaw was the
head. .\ church btiildhig; was shortly erected in 1876, called the Quinn
Chapel church, and cost the members many years of energy and struggle.
Among the pastors who have been in charge were John Fiirgeson, C. W. E.
Gilmore, G. W. Brown, J. S. Masterson, S. Simons, Benjamin Roberts, J. S.
Hill, D. A. Graham, W. H, Simpson and others. Their present membership
numbers about one hundred under the Rev. William Morley, pastor.
FREE METHODIST CHUKCH.
The society of the Free Methodist church was organized in 1880. Their
church building, which was a part of the old Presbyterian church, was pur-
chased and moved to its present site on Oak street in 1885. The following
have served as pastors: A. V. Leonardson, W. N. Pittinger, W. S. Haight,
E. D. Hartley, E. Steere. W. Cuthbert, E. W. Harding, A. S. Andrews, J.
M. Greene, W. W. Hoyt, H. Montgomery, the Rev. Mr. Jackson and the
Rev. Mr. Warren. The society at present, under the present pastor, the
Rev. Mr. Forterfield, numbers seventy-three members and one hundred and
seventy-five scholars in the Simday school.
SECOND FREE METHODI.ST CHURCH.
The Second Free Methodist church was organized about the year 1908
and the Rev. F, J. Calkins appointed pastor. In eight years the membership
has increased to one hundred ten. the present minister being the Rev. Mr.
McCarty.
METHODIST PROTEST.ANT CHURCH.
The Methodist Protestant church is one of the youngest church organ-
izations in the city, being organized in 1900. Its building was dedicated,
March 18, 1901, on the comer of North Saginaw and Elizabeth streets.
From a small beginning, hs membership has increased to over two hundred.
Its pastors have been W. H. Cole, M. J. Weaver and the Rev. Mr. Hescott.
In 1916 the Rev. W. H. Cole was recalled to a second pastorate.
EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
The society of the Fourth Ward Evangelical church dates its beginning
to the year 1864, when it was detached from the Owosso mission and con-
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GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 735
stituted a mission by itself. During the first few years it was part of a cir-
cuit of six towns. In 1868 they began the building of a brick church in the
fourth ward, which they dedicated in March, 1869, and which they have
much improved recently. For many years their society enjoyed great pros-
perity, but there came a time, as seems to be the case with almost all German
congregations in this country, when the language problem became a serious
question. The children of German families, growing up with American
children, learned our language and soon wished their church services con-
ducted in English. So this was agitated for some years, till in 1897
they resolved to change all their public services from the German to the Eng-
lish language and since then the society has increased in growth. The mem-
bership in 1916, under the Rev. C. B. Stroh, numbers two hundred fifty,
with an increasing Sunday school and a large Young People's Alliance,
KEAK=I,EY PARK EVANCELICAL CHURCH.
The Kearsley Park Evangelical church, under the direction of the Rev.
Mr. Kirn, organized in 191O. is doing a wonderfully flourishing work, and
eien in a few months has gained a membership of eighty-five, with a Sim-
dav school of three hundred. The influence of such a church in the out-
Iving districts of Flint can hardly be estimated and does credit to the pastor
in charge.
EIR.ST PRICSBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The first settlers of Flint found church organizations on either side of
them, and on the Sabbath day they could elect to go to meeting either to
Genesee, four miles to the north, or to Grand Blanc, six miles to the south,
so, there l)eing no Congregational society in Flint River, on May 7, 1837,
seventeen persons of that faith met at the "River House," the home of
Lewis Buckingham, and organized the Congregational Association.
However, there was no Congregational Association in this, region, so
this society, in 18^.0. submitted its articles of faith to the presbytery of
Detroit and was taken under the care of that body. Afterward we find it
appeahng to this presbytery in cases of discipline and submitting to its gov-
ernment. The first commimion was held in a barn standing near the east
comer of the square west of Saginaw and north of Kearsley streets.
The Rev. Orson Parker supphed the pulpit a part of the first year,
being succeeded by the Rev. John Beach. In 1845 the Rev. J. G. Atter-
bury was ordained and installed as the first regular pastor. Not long after
dbyGoot^lc
736 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
Mr. Atterbury began his ministry, the church entered upon- the work of erect-
ing a house of worship and in 1848 an edifice was dedicated, being a large
white wooden building, oi" the old-fashioned type, on the corner of Saginaw
and Second streets. One of the organizers of this church society. Wait
Beach, a son of Jonathan Beach, who had participated in the scenes of the
Revolutionary War, gave the land for this, the first house of worship of the
Presbj'terian church; he also gave the land for the Methodist church and
parsonage on Court street : also land for the first cemetery and the land for
the court house.
One of the early pastors of this church was the Rev. H. I-I. Northrup,
who served as pastor from 1852 until 1867 and afterward spent the remainder
of his long life in Flint. During the ministry of the Rev. Archibald
McSween. who assumed the pastorate of the church in 1868, the land on
Grand Traverse street, now the site of the Presbyterian manse, was pur-
chased and fitted up at a cost of about four thousand dollars.
In 1876 the Rev, George P. Tindall accepted a call to the pastorate and
labored for five years, during which time eighty-five new members were
received. Mr, Tindall then retired from the service. In 1885, the old
church being inadequate for the needs of the congregation, it was voted to
erect an imposing stone structure two blocks to the south on Saginaw street.
This undertaking was accomplished tmder the direction of the pastor. Rev,
Henry Melville Curtis, who, during his pastorate in Flint, became very
influential in the affairs of the church. Rev, Mr. Curtis closed his pastorate
in 1800 and was followed by the Rev. George F. Hunting, D. D., who
remained from 1891 until 1S95: the Rev. Henry Neill, who was pastor from
i8q5 to 1899, 3""^ the Rev. J, G, Inglis, who occupied the pulpit from 1899
to 1891.
Mr. Inglis was followed by the Rev. (Charles A. Lippincott, D, D., who
remained for twelve years, from 1901 to IQ13, Under the pastorate of
Doctor Lippincott, a man whose ability was recognized and valued both in
his parish and in the business and civic circles of the community, the work
of the church was rapidly extended and the membership greatly increased.
Doctor Lippincott resigned to take charge of a pastorate in South Bend,
Indiana, and the present pastor is Rev. H. D. Borley, under whose leader-
ship the church rolls now contain seven hundred names and the benevolent
societies carrv on a large and beneficent work.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
PARKLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Parkland Presbyterian church society has nearly completed its first
church building, under the pastorate of the Rev. Howard J, Clifford, a one-
time leader of the Salvation .Army. It is a sightly edifice of brick and stone,
following the lines of old Enghsh architecture, with a seating capacity of
nearly five hundred. The needs of institutional work are well looked out
for in the system of club rooms, shower baths, kitchen, etc., and there is a
primari' room for two Inmdred children. The entire work has been carried
on without debt. .
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
As early as the year iS^y an attempt was made to secure the permanent
organization of a Baptist church in Flint. Several efforts having failed,
finally a society was effected, which was begun under the direction of the
Rev, Alfred Handy, missionary 6f the American Baptist Home Mission
Society.
The first meetings of the society were held In a room over the jail, in the
court bouse, but within a few years a church building was erected and on
December 12, 1855, was dedicated the first house of worship of the First
Baptist church of Flint. In 1868 it was enlarged and re-dedicated. The
first seven years of endeavor were full of trials and discouragements, but
from 1869 to 1874 it enjoyed a high degree of prosperity. In common with
all churches, its financial support suffered for some years from the great
panic of 1873.
The first church, a frame building, was built after a hard struggle and
was afterwards enlarged. This building served its purpose until, in 1890,
their numbers and ability had increased so they were enabled to erect the
beautiful and commodious structure that stands at the comer of Second and
Beach streets, a credit to themselves and the city.
During the pastorate of Rev. C. E, Lapp, 1905-10, a branch Sunday
school was established in the northern part of the city, which, owing to the
rapid growth of that section, soon developed into an independent organ- .
ization known as the North Baptist church. This church now has a mem-
bership of four hundred and twenty-five and a property valued at from forty
to sixty thousand dollars, and its pastor is Rev. George M. Vercoe,
At the present time the First and North churches are co-operating in a
(47)
dbyGoc^lc
738 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Hungarian mission work in the neighborhood of Center street and Indus-
trial avenue. The First church is also interested with another down-town
church in promoting mission schools in that rapidly-growing section of the
city known as the fifth ward.
The Fir.st church owns a parsonage, which is splendidly located about
four blocks from the house of worship, and some vacant lots which are being
held for use as the city grows. The church membership, under the present
pastor. Rev. G. C. Crippen, numbers eight hundred.
The following is a list of pastors of the Baptist church during the years
of its history: Alfred Handy, A. K. Tupper, J. S. Goodman, J. S. Royden,
Charles Johnson. S. Cornelius, S. W. Titns, James Cooper, C. J. Thompson,
W. L. Farmun, L. D. Temple, W. I., Farmim, W. W. Hicks, E. R, Curry.
C. E. Lapp, J. M. T. Childrey and G. C. Crippen.
COLORED BAl'TIST CHURCH.
The Colored Baptist church conducts its work under the leadership of
the Rev. Mr. Dunzy, with a membership of about sixty. It has a fine church
edifice with rooms for social service.
ST. Michael's CAriioi.ic church.
Sometime previous to 1855 St. Michael's Roman Catholic church had
been completed and occupied its first building in Flint. In 1856 Rev. C. L.
Deceimick began a pastorate which extended over fifteen years. He was
succeeded by Rev. Father Flanigan, who remained two years. Rev. James
Gillespie was installed as pastor in 1873. ^^ organized a school and had
as instructors a principal and two assistant teachers and an average attend-
ance of two hundred pupils during the regular term of ten month.s. A .sub-
stantial school building of brick was meanwhile erected, at a cost of seven
thousand dollars, with rooms in which the various societies of the church
held their meetings. The next pastor was Rev. Rol>ert W. Haire, who was
installed on August T, 1875. His administration was successful, his energies
being mainly directed to the maintenance of the parochial school, to which
he gave much of his time and attention. In 1879 it numbered about three
hundred pupils, who were instnicted by an efficient corps of teachers. The
primary department was under the supervision of Sister Catherine, assisted
by three religieuses, all of the order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, from
Monroe, Michigan. Father Haire went to Dakota in 1881 and Father T. I,
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 739
Murphy was called from Grand Haven, Michigan, to the parish in charge
of St, Micliael's church. On entering upon his work, he found himself with-
out a residence to Hve in. with a church building falling over his head and
everywhere evidences of decay. Under Father Murphy's administration a
new parochial residence has been erected ; the present large and handsome
brick and stone church has been built, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars;
a fine hall just north of the church has been built, at a cost of fourteen thou-
sand dollars, to which his congregation and friends have access at all times.
It is named the "Father Murphy Hall" and is capable of seating about six
hundred persons. As an evidence of Father Murphy's popularity and of
the good feehng existing toward him and his society, more than two-thirds
of the cost of the hall was donated by non-Catholics of all creeds. The
parish school has about two hundred and thirty pupils, taught by the Sisters,
an<l about one thousand persons attend the two masses said in the church
each Sunday. I-'ather Muq>hy is beloved by every one, his charity and gen-
erous nature making him easily one of the most popular and public spirited
men in Flint.
ST. Matthew's church.
St. Matthew's parish includes all the territory sotith and east of Flint
river, and has had only one priest since its founding in Octo'jer. ign. the
Rev. Father Michael J. Comerford. Father Comerford is a Michigan man,
educated at the Jesuit College in Detroit and well known for his fine scholar-
ship and broad spirit. The first services of this' parish were held in the
Davison block, and that same year a tract of land was bought on the
east side of Beach street, between Second and Third streets. The new
school (mentioned elsewhere) was opened in 1914 in a fine, modern brick
building, of which the first fioor is used for church services, pending the
erection of a church of which the plans are already completed. Owing
to the large number of communicants, four masses are said each Sunday.
During the illness of Father Comerford, Father Van Antwerp is fulfilling
the duties of assistant priest.
ALL saints' CJIUHCH.
Under the leadership of Rev. Father John B, Hewelt, the parish of All
Saints' church has been doing a great work, the church and school house,
side bv side, ministering to the needs of about five thousand five hundred
.'iouis. A goodly proportion of the foreign population of Flint here receive
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740 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Spiritual counsel. The active work of All Saints' church has checked and
reduced to a niinimuni the growth of Sociahsm in Flint, and foreign agitators
of the Industrial Workers of the World coming to urge strikes among the
factory workers have been every time thwarted in their plans by the vigilance
of the church. Through the efforts of Father Hewelt, two dramatic clubs
have been organized, one English, the other in foreign languages; clothing
and groceries are distributed among the poorer districts; every Sunday, from
four to ten p. m. the parish house is open to hear and adjust cases of dis-
agreement among parishioners, avoiding, if possible, the courts of law, and
the good foreign population of Flint is constantly being instructed in and
helped to understand and obey the laws of the country, state, county and
municipality in which they live.
ST. Paul's episcop.a.l church,
St. Paul's Episcopal church is among the most active churches of cen-
tral Michigan and its organization was the result of a visit in 1839, of the
Rev. Daniel E. Brown, missionary to the Indians, who visited Flint River
on a prospecting trip. Nineteen of the early residents of the county asso-
ciated themselves together for the purpose of starting a church society, and
on Christmas day of that year the holy communion was celebrated for the
first time in Genesee county by an EpiscopaHan clergyman.
Notice of tile organization was communicated to the bishop and in 1840
the same Daniel E. Brown became the tirst rector of St. Paul's church. A
temporary building had been fitted up for the use of the members, built of
rough boards and logs and generally referred to as "The Tabernacle," In
1842, however, a small amount having been raised by subscription among
the Episcopalians throughout the county, a building was erected on the site
of what is now the Orpheum theatre in F'hnt. This was known as the "Old
Church,'' a building "thirty-four feet broad and forty-eight feet long," and
in 1843 was consecrated as "St. Paul's church" by the bishop. During this
year the parish purchased a bell, which is still in use, and at a meeting of
the vestry in that year it was "Resolved, that the sexton be instinicted to
ring the bell on Sundays for the benefit of the Presbyterian society (who
have no bell) if they request it, when the Episcopal society has no service."
In 1846, the Rev. Mr. Brown having resigned, the Rev, Charles Reigh-
ley took charge of the parish, followed by the Rev. George Swan. Later a
call was extended to the Rev. Mr. Birchmore, a scholarly and refined gentle-
man, who became the rector on Easter day, i860. Mr. Birchmore's activity
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 741
resulted in repairs to the chtirch and the purchase of a very handsome font,
which is still in use. An organ built by the rector at a cost of nine hundred
and twenty-five dollars, was also installed and the gallery enlarged. The
resignation of Mr. Birchmore was accepted after nearly ten years of service,
and in 1869 the Rev. Marcus Lane became rector.
At this time the building of a new church became a recognized neces-
sity, and the winter was spent in hauling stone from the quarries of John
Sutton, near Flushing, Mr. Sutton having liberally donated the same pro-
vided the parish would "get it out." It required nearly four hundred cords
of stone to construct the church, which was erected on the Beecher property
at the comer of Saginaw and Third streets. Built in pure English Gothic
style, St. Paul's church stands as a monument to the churchmaiiship and
ability of Marcus Lane. A window of great beauty has recently been placed
in the south wall of the church as a special memorial to him.
The Rev. William A. Seabrease was the next rector, coming from Min-
eral Point, Wisconsin, in 1881. During his rectorship the vested choir was
introduced and many changes made. Mr. Seabrease resigned in 1888 and
the Rev. Ralph E. Macdufif accepted the call to the parish, remaining for
fifteen years, thus having the longest rectorship in the history of the parish.
Mr. Macduff became very prominently identified with the life of the com-
munity during his stay in Flint and accomplished much for his church and
his city. He resigned in 1902 and went to Jackson, where he remained for
a number of years, afterwards devoting himself entirely to literarv work.
His death occurred in Flint in 1916.
After the resignation of Mr. Macduff the church extended a call to the
Rev. E. A. Penick, of Phoenix, Arizona, which he did not accept, although
he ministered to the parish until the Rev. W. Dudley Powers, D, D,, came
in 1903. Doctor Powers remained for ten years, and during his stay the
present rectory was built and a number of memorials to the church were
received. Doctor Powers, a man of scholarly ability, resigned in 1913, and
was followed by the present rector, Rev. John Bradford Pengeliy.
Under the rectorship of Mr. Pengeliy, St. Paul's church has enjoyed
three years of the most active progressiveness. The chapel has been entirely
remodeled, and the old rectory, directly adjoining the church, has been torn
down to make way for a stone parish house to cost in the neighborhood of
sixty thousand dollars. This parish house will include, besides club and
reading rooms, a large auditorium for public meetings, the St. Paul's Men's
Club having attained a membership of over three hundred men of all denom-
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742 GKN1^SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
inations. The different societies of the parish are in excellent condition,
the membership being in 1916 aJiout eleven hundred.
The following is a list of the rectors of St. Paul's church from 1840
to 1916; Daniel E. Brown, Charles Reighiy, John J. Swan, J. W. Birch-
more, Marcus Lane, A. W. Seabrease. R. E. Macduff, W. Dudley Powers, J.
Bradford Pengelly.
This Episcopalian parish was organized as a result of Christ's Mission
Sunday school, started toward the close of the rectorship of the Rev. Ralph
E. Macduff, of St. Paul's church, in 1902. The persons most directly inter-
ested were Miss Helen Stone, who gave the use of a house for the services.
Miss Elizalwth Durand and Stuart Hoyt. In addition to the Sunday school
work, there was regular vesper service each week. In 1907 the Rev. Charles
L. Ramsay was appointed priest and in 1910 the present church building was
erected. The membership list now mimbers two hundred, and the church,
located in the newer section of Flint, has an ever-widening sphere of influ-
ence. The present rector is Rev, C. E. Bishop,
THE ADVENT CHURCH.
In 1875 was organized in Flint a society of Seventh-Day Adventists,
resulting from a series of tent meetings heid in and near Flint, by Elders
Lamson and Jones. The first society comprised forty-six members. In
1S77 a church building, of Gothic style, was completed, with sittings for
three hundred persons. The membership at present amounts to about one
hundred.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The organization of the Congregational church of Flint dates from
1867. Its first membership was composed mainly of those who had been
members of other churches of the same order elsewhere in the state, in the
Western Reserve (of Ohio) or in the East. Many of these had connected
themselves with the First Presbyterian church of Flint, of which the Rev.
H. H. Northrup was then the able pastor; but their liberal theology was
hardly in accord with the doctrine of the Presbyterians, so in the summer
of 1867 they decided that it would be wise to form a Congregational church
of the New England type.
After a few weeks' reflection and consultation, a meeting was held on
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GEXESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 743
the evening of September i8, 1867, at the home of WilHam L. Smith, since
then widely known thronghout Michigan as one of its leading merchants.
The Rev. Frank P. Woodbury, of Meriden, New Hampshire, was invited to
preach the following Sunday at Awanaga hail, at which time a Sunday
school was formed, with William T_. Smith as superintendent. That week
Mr. Woodbury was formally made pastor at a yearly salary of twelve hun-
dred dollars. In 1868 a church site was secured at the .southeast comer of
Saginaw and Second streets. The building was begun in June and finished
in November.
Among the donations received from outside sources was that of the
Hon. Levi Walker, an elder in the Presbyterian church, who, on the even-
ing before the dedication, unsolicited and in the dark, slipped a hundred-
dollar bill into the hand of the chairman of the building committee and
hastily left before the extent of his gift could be known.
Among those following the successful pastorate of Mr, Woodbury was
the Rev. Edward Woolsey Bacon, of the celebrated Bacon family of Con-
necticut and conspicuous for his rare gift of preaching. Many years later,
his nephew, the Rev. Tlieodore D. Bacon, was also pastor of the same church
and generally accepted in the State Congregational Association as one of its
leading scholars. Upon leaving Flint he entered the Unitarian denomina-
tion, since when he has been pastor of the Old North church of Salem,
Massachusetts. The present pastor is Rev. R. C. Hufstader and the church
membership two hundred and ninety-five.
Below are the pastors of the Congregational church who have sen'ed
from 1867 to 1916: L. P. Woodbury, B. D. Conkling, E. W. Bacon, Rich-
ard Cordiey, F. S. Hayden, A. B. Allen, L. B. Piatt. Henry Ketchum, A. J.
Coveil, W. H. Brodhead. H. L. Hoyt, J. G. Haigh. T. D. Bacon, Ernest
Evans, R. C, Hufstader.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST. SCIENTIST.
First (Hiurch of Christ, Scientist, was organized in Flint in igoo. The
services since the date of organization have been held in an auditorium of
the Ward building, corner West Second and Saginaw streets, and a reading
room adjoining has also been maintained. The church has enjoyed a steady,
substantia! growth in membership, and in November, 1915, purchased the
property at the corner of Harrison and East Court streets, formerly the
George W. Buckingham homestead, where a church edifice is being erected.
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GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN".
THE SALVATION ARMY.
Flint first became acquainted with the Salvation Army about the year
1884, since which time this organization, with its stirring watchword of
"Blood and Fire," has accomplished much toward the betterment of the com-
munity. Beginning with a force weak in numbers, but strong in earnest-
ness, they have always occupied a recognized place in the public esteem. The
regular membership now, in 1916, numbers over three hundred, with a fol-
lowing of four thousand five hundred. A prominent feature is their band
of thirty-five pieces, which was sent by the city of Flint to the International
Congress in London in 1914, where it won much praise.
"The Citadel," a fine building of brick and stone, was erected on Beach
street, in the heart of P'lint, mainly through the efforts of Capt. Howard
J. Clifford, at that time of the Salvation Army, Ixit now pastor of the Park-
land Presbyterian church. While many citizens contributed toward the cita-
del, yet the largest single subscription was twenty-five thousand dollars by
W. C. Durant. Directly adjoining "The Citadei" is the home of Adjutant
May, whose door is open day and night to the call of distress.
Churches belonging to FHnt Ministerial Association, 1916: First Bap-
tist church. Rev. G. C. Crippen, membership 800; North Baptist church.
Rev. George M. Vercoe, membership 425; Central Christian church, Rev.
J. O. Crawford, membership 286; Congregational church. Rev. Robert Cary
Hufstader, membership, 295 ; St. Paul's Episcopal church, Rev. J. Bradford
Pengelly, membership, 1,100; Christ's mission, Rev. C. E. Bishop, member-
ship 200; Fourth Ward Evangelical church. Rev. C. B. Stroh, membership
250; Kearsley Park church. Rev. Frederick Kim, membership 55; First Free
Methodist church. Rev. Mr. Porterfield, membership 2;^; Second Free Meth-
odist church, Rev. F. J. Calkins, membership no; Lutheran church. Rev.
Theodore Andres, membership 200; Mennonite church. Rev. Mr. Cleine,
membership 60: Court Street Methodist Episcopal church, Rev. Howard
Field, membership 1,400; Garland Street Methodist Episcopal church. Rev.
G. W. Olmstead, membership 1,200; Oak Park Methodist Episcopal church,
Rev. E. H. Mallinson, membership 600; Kearsley Street Methodist Epis-
copal church, Rev. C. W. Hill, membership 100; Riverside Methodist Epis-
copal church. Rev. George Tripp, membership 100; Lake View Methodist
Episcopal church, Rev. P. B. Hoyt, membership 84; Quinn African Meth-
odist Episcopal church, Rev. John O. Morley, membership 150; Methodist
Protestant church, Rev. J. H. Cole, membership 200; First Presbyterian
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 745
church. Rev. H. D. Borley, membership 700; Parkland Presbyterian church,
Rev. Howard J, Qifford, membership 200; Salvation Army, Adjutant May,
membership 30D.
Churches not in Ministerial Association: Apostolic Holiness church,
1900 I-yman street. Rev. G. E. Houghton; Homedaie Baptist church, corner
Jane and Towa streets; Hungarian Baptist church, Central avenue and Boule-
vard; Mt. Olive Baptist church, Pine street, Rev. Mr. Dungy; Webster
Avenue Baptist church. North Saginaw street; Christian Science church,
corner Harrison and Court streets; Latter- Day Saints; Reorganized Church
of Latter-Day Saints, Newall street. Rev. R. A. Harder; Lutheran. Swedish,
services in Y. N1 C A. building; Seventh-Day Adventists, Stockton street,
Rev. R. E. Tefft.
The different villages throughout Genesee countv were likewise vigilant
in the early days in the establishing 01 houses of worship, and with great
personal sacrifice they labored to lay the foundation of good society and good
government.
The town of Fenton was identified with the organization of religious
societies as early as 1840, when the Baptist society was started with a few
members, but it soon disbanded, part of the members going to Linden and
others to Rose Center, Oakland county. A new society was organized in
1H50 by the Rev. A. Lamb, of Parshalville, Livingston county, and in 1857
a hall was built for church purposes; the building is still standing. In later
years a stone church was erected and since then the membership has increased
in a proportionate growth with the town.
The Methodists first completed and dedicated a church- in Fenton in
1853, with the Rev. George Brown as pastor. The Presbyterians conse-
crated a church building in 1858. the society having been formed as early as
1840. St. Jude's church. Episcopal, was organized in 1859 and the services
were then held in a small frame building. A beautiful stone editice has
since ]>een erected, which is one of the most attractive small churches in the
county, constructed in the simple Gothic style.
The Roman Catholics held services in Fenton in the early days in the
homes of the parishioners, but it was not until 1868 that a church and par-
sonage was erected. The first priest was the Rev. Fr. Thomas Eafter.
Previous to 1840 the Methodists organized a religious society in Flush-
ing, holding their meetings for some time in a school house. Later a church
building was erected and the society from its beginning has ever been in a
prosperous condition. Among the early pastors who ministered to the needs
of the comnumity were several of the pastors who were prominently identi-
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746 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fied with the Methodist societies in Fiint, including Rev. Mr. Bigelow, Mr.
Barnes, Rev. Seth Reed, T. J. Joslin and others. In Flushing are now
established chnrches of all denominations.
In Pine Run, Clio, Richfield and Davison, the first societies to organize
were also the Methodists, who established small churches in these villages
during the period of 1858-65. For a number of years the societies had no
ministers, but were supplied with preachers belonging to a circuit, and at
other times the services were read by the members. Later, however, small
churchs were built and supplied with resident clergymen. The Methodists
also established the first chiirch in Goodrich and OtisviUe, and in Mt. Morris
built and dedicated a church as early as 1841.
Among the most beautiful churches in Genesee county is St. Mary's
church in Mt. Morris, recently finished at a cost of about forty thousand
dollars.
Far back in the early thirties of the last century, when Michigan was
yet a territory and the present county of Genesee but forest and swamp, a
few Irish settlers formed the nucleus around which St. Mary's congregation
at Mt. Morris grew. Separated from an organized parish by many miles
of difficult and fatiguing travel — for those were the days of the stage coach
and the ox-team — these few families received spiritual attention only at iong
intervals from missionary priests who were sent from Detroit by Bishops
Rese and Lefevre. The aged people of Mt. Morris congregation have many
holy reminiscences of the heroic Fathers Kendigen, Cullen and Kilroy, who,
in blinding snow and pouring rain, with knapsack strapped over their
shoulders, traveled on horseback from Detroit to Sault Ste, Marie to
administer the last sacrament to the dying and, perchance, to gather the
scattering families of the community into a log house to assist at the sacrifice
of the mass.
The settlers becoming more numerous, a church was built at Flint.
To this church the people for miles around were attached. In 1867 the num-
ber of families living near Mt. Morris had so increased as to warrant the
erection of a church. The permission of Bishop I.-efevre was obtained and
a frame church built. This church was called St. Mary's and was attached
as a mission to the parish at Flint. In 1870 Bishop Lefevre. recognizing
the growth of the mission, decided to elevate it to the dignity of an inde-
pendent parish. This he did in the fall of 1870 by appointing the Rev.
Father M. Canters, who was then assistant priest at Bay City, the first resi-
dent pastor. Father Canters remained in charge nearly two years and was
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GENKKIiE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 747
succeeded by Father G. M. Girard. Father Girard was pastor nearly six
years and was succeeded by Father E. M. DeKiere. Father DeKiere
remained in charge five years. Father D. P. Coyle was the next pastor from
1884 to 1887. To Father Coyle succeeded Father L. J. Van Straelen, who
remained in charge over eleven years. Father T. J. Slattery was the next
pastor from 1898 to 1900. To Father Slattery succeeded the present pastor,
Father T. Luby.
The entire valuation of the property of St, Mary's church, including the
parish hall, is over fifty thousand dollars. The church contains, besides its
fine altar and organ, several paintings of value. The parish of St. Mary's
contains about one hundred and thirty families. The church also has a mis-
sion at Birch Run, consisting of about seventy-five families, and a church
is being completed this year (1916) at a cost of about eighteen thousand
dollars. Fatlier Luby also has charge of this mission.
The Rev. Father Thomas I.uby is a man of imusual qualifications for
his work, having broad views and a strong personality. In Genesee county
and in more distant localities, his influence has been beneficent, not only in
the work of his parish but in combating the more threatening forms of
socialism. As a writer of anti-socialistic pamphlets. Father Luby has at-
tracted wide-spreatl and deserved notice.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Golden Jubilee.
On June 6-8, 1905, there was celebrated at Flint, in the county of
Genesee, the fiftieth anniversary of the city. Many cities have observed
their fiftieth anniversary, but it is doubtful whether any other city has ever
had the privilege of combining with the celebration of the fiftieth anniver-
sary of its incorporation the ceremonies incident to the dedication of a
stately new court house, of a beautiful new library building, of memorial
tablets to its soldiers and sailors, the laying of the corner-stone of a new
federal building and the welcoming home of its former citizens. The fif-
tieth anniversary of Flint was signalized by the most substantial evidences
of financial, intellectual and moral prosperity.
The historian of the day, Rev. Theodore D. Bacon, prepared for the
official record this "History of the Golden Jubilee and Old Home Coming
Reunion." We cannot do better than quote in its entirety this thorough
and able contribution to the city's history. It reads as follows:
"George Eliot says, somewhere that there has never been a great nation
without processions. There is profound truth in the remark. Celebrations
and processions are not such trivial things as they seem sometimes when
we come to read alx>ut them. The speeches may be forgotten, and the
order of march and the number of men in line, which were such burning
questions the week Ijefore the event, may seem utterly trivial the day after,
but a new sense of common life remains, stirred into consciousness by the
celebration, which would otherwise have lain dormant. People feel that
they belong together more, they are less a crowd and more a real body
corporate. The United States was more a country after the Centennial,
so Flint is more of a city as a result of its Semi-Centennial Jubilee.
"It is good, too, that these celebrations should be recorded, even
though the record may not be quite as interesting as tlie latest novel, for
it brings to mind more than the mere events in detail. As these are recalled,
there comes with them a renewal of th^t common feeling which makes
the life of the city, and, as the years go by, the old-time celebration gains
in significance for young and old.
"The Jubilee had its inception in a chance remark to Mayor Bruce J.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 749
Macdonald, by one who happened to be looking over the records of the city,
that Mr. Macdonald was the fiftieth mayor of the city. Further conference
between the mayor and Alderman M. P. Cook led to a motion by the latter
in the council for a celebration and a committee to have charge of it. The
motion was passed unanimously and the movement was inaugurated. This
general committee confined its activities principally to the apixiintment of
an executive committee, carefully chosen from representative men of the
town, by whom the plan was outlined and the various subordinate commit-
tees were appointed.
"At the outset the plan for the celebration was extremely modest, not
to say meager, but as the idea grew in the minds of the people suggestions
began to come in from all sides and a much broader and more adequate
conception of what was to be done was established. It was designed that
the celebration should appeal to all classes of the community and also make
as deep an impression as might be on those who come from outside. There
must be a recollection of the past, an appreciation of the present and a
glance into the future. There must be display and amusement, and a set-
ting forth of material advancement and prosperity; but these must not Idc
allowed to overshadow the moral and intellectual aspects of the occasion.
Every living person, near and far, who had ever lived in Flint, must be
made to fee!, as far as possible, that he or she had an important share in
this celebration.
"In order to accomplish this result, it was needful, not only to make
ready an adetjuate celebration, but to make it widely known. For this pur-
pose the newspapers of the state were kept filled with interesting reading
concerning Flint and its golden jubilee, and a persistent canvass was made
for names of former inhabitants of the city to whom programs and invita-
tions to be present were sent. Dignitaries of other cities and other promi-
nent citizens of the country also were urged to l>e present. Nor were these
appeals in vain, for when the day arrived a great concourse arrived to help
make the celebration an eventful one.
"A few words should be said also regarding the financial side of the
enterprise. Naturally such an undertaking could not be carried through
without a good deal of expense, but so great was the willingness of the
people of the city to contribute in cash and labor and supplies that not
onlv was the celebration carried through according to the program, but,
wonderful to relate, a substantial surplus was left after the celebration was
over. The total cash subscriptions were $8,373.75. while a surplus of
$1,203.46 was reported to the common council on Novenilier 6, after all
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750 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
bills had been paid. How wel] this foresight, pubhc spirit and executive
ability were rewarded, the remainder of this narrative must endeavor to set
forth.
"The formal exercises began on Tuesday evening, June 6, 1905. At
six o'clock the mayor, common council and other city officials and ex-offi-
cials gathered at the Drydcn and mardied from there, escorted by the chief
marshal, Lieutenant-Colonel Parker, his aides and Company A, Michigan
National Guard, to the First Wai-d park, where the celebration was formally
turned over to the mayor, Hon. D. D. Aitkin, by Judge Charles H. Wisner,
chairman of the general committee. In a few well-chosen words, the chair-
man made the presentation, which was fittingh' replied to by Mayor Aitkin.
A great ringing of l>ells and blowing of factory whistles, all over the city,
proclaimed that the celebration was formally opened. The officials, present
and past, then retired to the Dryden to i>artake of a banquet, while
the troops proceeded, in company with Crapo Post of the Grand Army of
the Republic, to the Grand Trunk deixjt to receive the old battle-Hags, which
arrived from Lansing in charge of Colonel Cox. These flags had been car-
ried by Michigan regiments through the Civil War and are very precious
mementoes. They were carried to the Bryant House for safe-keeping until
the parade next morning.
"At eight o'clock came ihe illumination of the city, which afforded
entertainment to the crowds assembled on the streets. In addition to the
eight electric arches on South Saginaw street, two new arches had been
erected, one just across the bridge on North Saginaw street bearing the
legend, "Fhnt, Vehicle City," and one, the Jubilee arch, at the corner of
South Saginaw and Fifth streets. They were now put in operation for the
first time. But the special attractions were the two search-lights, sent to
the city by the United States navy department, and, above all, the electric
fountain in the First Ward park, a labor of love on the part of Manager
Beard of the electric light works. Superintendent Fisher, of the water
works, and Chief Rose, of the fire department,
"One of the search-lights was erected just north of the fountain on a
raised platfomi, whence its dazzling rays were directed along the great
throng on Saginaw street, while the other was mounted tip at the Michigan
state school for the deaf, and sent its great ]>eams toward the sky from
various angles, attracting attention for miles around. But it was the foun-
tain after all that held the attention of those who were able to get anywhere
near it, with its waters constantly pouring over the bright lights, which
changed from red to blue or to pale green, and then perhaps to the bright
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g!':nesee county, Michigan. 751
light of the ordinary lamp, only to come Ijsck in a moment to some other
color, the whole modified and rendered opalescent by the flow of water.
People would gaze for a while and then make room for others, only to
stand around the outskirts of the crowd and work thier way back slowly
for another view of the fascinating object. Slowly the crowds faded away
to rest before the more strenuous celebration of the two days to come.
"Wednesday morning the celebration began early by a salute of fifty
guns at six o'clock, followed at eight by fifty strokes of the city hall bell;
and soon thereafter Saginaw street was alive with people and with sound,
for the l>ands were assembling, and strains of a dozen different melodies
in as many different keys set the small boy to dancing and the sensitive ear
to shrinking. But by 9:30 all clashing of chords had ceased and the whole
line of march was thronged with eager spectators awaiting the first grand
parade. The business blocks and many private houses were gaily and often
elaborately decked with flags and bunting, and from every window and from
the tops of many houses spectators were in evidence. The line of march
was in the form of a string with a loop at the end of it. The procession
marched north on Saginaw street, from Eighth street as far as Wood street,
then west to Detroit street, and southerly on Detroit to Saginaw, and up
Saginaw to Fifth. As leader in the procession came the Vice-President of
the United States, Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, in a carriage with Mayor
Aitkin. Standing erect in the carriage, he made a most conspicuous figure
and was heartily cheered along the whole line of march. Following him
came tiie athletic figure of Governor F'red M. Warner, of Michigan, on
horseliack, well-mounted, and surrounded by the regidation group of gor-
geously arrayed aides. Then came two battalions of the Michigan National
Guard, led by Brigadier-General Harrah and under the immediate com-
mand of Colonel Bates. As they marched along, with upright carriage and
swinging ste]i, thev made a fine impression and were greeted with hearty
applause. But the special favorites were the Detroit Naval Reserves, who
followed, for these men had seen real service and had met the Spaniards in
the West Indies. The conflict was not a long one, but it had been enough
to show that the spirit of '76 and '61 is still with us, and that men accus-
tomed to luxury and the pleasant things of life still have the old mettle in
them and can put up with the hardships and the harsh discipline of the com-
mon vsailor for the sake of the country and the old flag. The spirit is just
as truly in the soldiers as in the sailors, but these men had had the chance
to show it and were still ready for active service.
"Then came Michigan's own high dignitaries in state and nation, Sen-
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752 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ator Alger, Mr. Justice Brown, of the United States supreme court, the
Michigan supreme court in a body, other federal and state judges, and other
state and local officials, completing the first division of the procession.
"The second division was Masonic, and attracted attention by the accu-
rate execution by the Knights Templar of the elaborate evolutions laid
down in their manual.
"It was notyet time for the old Flint part of the procession, yet the
next division was more significant of the heroic in the early days of the
city than any other, for it was the Grand Anuy division. Here they come,
the band playing as gaily as for any of the divisions that have gone before,
but somehow it is not gaiety that comes to the mind and heart as this divi-
sion comes up the street. See the flags as they come along, faded and torn,
with here and there a round hole in their faded stripes. How tenderly they
are carried! And then see the men that follow them, in their Grand Army
blue. Here is one with an empty sleeve, there another who goes with a
crutch, and many a one who must needs use a cane. They are not so very
old, say sixty-five on an average, but how long ago it seems from the time
when they went forth, when the city was just beginning to lie. To most
of the spectators their work is a matter of history, not of memory, and it
seems like having men step out of a book to see them marching along. Even
to a few who can rememljer those stirring times of '6i, the memory seems
like that of a bygone era. And how hard it is to realize that these men
were hardly more than boys when they went forth. To us they have been
elderly, gray-bearded men for many a day. Is it possible that, when the;'
did those things, they were really not so old as our National Guard boys?
How strange it all seems! They pass, and the city is better for having
seen them.
"Then come more fraternal orders, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias,
Knights of Columbus, Knights of the Maccabees, Woodmen, Gleaners,
Grangers, and finally the Order of Eagles, making up the fourth division.
"In contrast to the military display which had preceded them, but of
no less interest to the spectator, came the last two divisions of the procession
devoted to Old Flint and to New Flint. As leader of the Old Fhnt division
came a weather-beaten and dilapidated old stage coach in which James K.
Polk rode to Washington for his inauguration, now drawn by four horses
and with its top occupied by pigs and chickens. It was older than the city,
but vet more elegant than many a public vehicle that drew settlers hither in
search of homes. Behind the coach came a band of real Indians. On ordi-
nary days they are much like other good citizens, but today they are gor-
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 753
geous and terrible in buckskin and feathers like their fathers of old. Fol-
lowing them came a load of logs, illustrating Flint's earliest industry, and
after that a float containing a log-cabin, with a raccoon on its roof and
skins of various animals hanging on its walls. In front of the cabin door
sat the housewife, spinning industriously and at the same time rocking a
cradle of old-time make. By her side stood the husband, with his cradle
(for grain) over his shoulder. Many another suggestion of old days fol-
lowed, including the doctor in his old-fashioned gig, and the old fire depart-
ment under the veteran Chief James Williams, all togged out after the old
fashion and pulling the hand pump that used to break the backs of enthu-
siastic young fire laddies.
"Finally there came that division which represented all that for which
the rest of the celebration had been prepared, namely, New F-Iint. It was
represented by its mercantile industries, its vehicle industries, and by an orna-
mental section consisting of a floral parade. Following the band, the mail-
carriers, in Uncle Sam's blue and gray uniform, led the mercantile section,
and after them came floats of all sorts representing the varied industries of
Saginaw street, and with the present fire department, brought up the rear
in imposing style. Then came the representation of the city's chief indus-
try— vehicles. Following its own band, came the brigade of vehicle work-
ers of the city, all in white uniforms, and then, after another band, six
allegorical floats, on which much care and ingenuity had been lavished. On
the first appeared a large globe, to which was attached a wheel, and as the
wheel was turned by the goddess of fortune the glolxr revolved, an indica-
tion of the part which the vehicle industry plays in making the world go
roimd. Seated on the floor, among lx>xes, kegs, etc., were figures symbol-
ical of art, industry and commerce. The next five represented the progress
which has been made in the form of vehicles, beginning with a jungle
scene, with a man reclining in a hammock suspended from a pole carried
on the shoulders of two stalwart negroes. A second showed an Egyptian
woman under a canopy on a camel's back, surrounded by Arabs, A third
showed an Indian squaw with a papoose, riding on a travois,, or Indian
drag, made of two poles hitched to a pony's sides, across which a board was
fixed on w^hich the squaw was seated. Still a fourth showed the two-
wheeled ox cart of Old Mexico drawn by oxen, while the latest and finest
output of the vehicle factories formed an appropriate climax. To tell of
the beauties of the floral display reqitires both more space and daintier
words than is at the writer's disposal. Let the reader with the bare facts
(48)
dbyGoot^lc
754 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHir.AN.
at his disposal, of ladies on horseback, floats and gorgeously trimmed car-
riages and automobiles, supply the vision to his own imagination.
"So ended the first day's procession, but by no means all its celebra-
tion. Of this it was but the beginning. The parade was followed imme-
diately by the laying of the comer stone of the Federal building. The exer-
cises were begun with prayer, followed by the laying of the stone by the
grand lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan, after which tlie
Hon. D. D. Aitkin, mayor of the city, delivered the following address of
welcome :
Mr Prea dent On beli f of tlie flu L I otii e ae he s
e\er eslwsht e\eult the ii us rlous laitu a li 1 s n tli tile r prea
euee a knowledgment of the cltys npprec tion
The ny ng f the comer sto e of tt s elifl e nh ch is to be dedicated to go em
mental uses s n ev deuce that Flint as j g en ue E f n li s ss n ed sutl
I r I or Ions th t It is entitled t h lliiing in whi b to carry out its bus ness relations
wltli the go emn ent I s. y fnm Iv Mr Pre^ dent bee se it seems t ne that this
gre t repub ic is m de of tlio sanls o( munic pn fnm es both 1 rge d small
c erlng aU the en tor o er nhlch w es the ''tars i 1 Stripes
The great it es are m n lit es with the r own mun c pa go ernmenls The
siarsely settled tow shl] h m n li t 1 in Its crude a 1 ndevelopel cond
tlon («r les o i i ow i the scle e of goTemment they 11 separate v one
alleg anee to form a fnrt of nd as a whole eonstlt e this republl f o s Wl e
some f oui assoc ated u ui i !p 1 1 es outnumber us iu popu ation a thou'iandfo d ind
for weft th the compar son no d be st 1 less f r ble et fo le ot t en
other pa rlotlsm a d 1 e of eo ntiv we clilm to be the lee of inv
r fty vears ago wh e yet snal wi h no kno edge of n e pa c.0 emn en we
felt others would hi e greater resi ect nd we oursel es. co Id cc m 11 h p-eater
thi gs if we were c t an I we became ncori rate and tx>k on the 1 gn tv f the
name il ho gh o r n unbers were few From that dav to this the i npro en ents and
in reaw population h e c nat nt y gone forw rd and there has ne er ee a t me
when we cou 1 not say the e has been a mater a I impro ement n the veai ast passed
nd tolnv honored by the presence of some of our country s most distinguished sons
1 ylng the co ner stone of th s bu ling to be erected and led cat ng the tw bea ti
fu bu dings one to educat n a d the other to j stl e is certai y s fflclent re so for
rejo c ng and congratu ations among the peop e of F nt a d it s w tU n n a le
fcree of i.rlde that I again exte I t j their thanks f r i i rese ce here od
"Mayor Aitkin was followed by the Hon. Fred M. Warner, governor
of Michigan, who also delivered an appropriate address of welcome to the
distinguished guests from near and far.
"The Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, Vice-President of the United States,
was then introduced and spoke as follows:
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen of Michigan:
"We are assembled to perform an Interesting fnuction — a ceremony which denotes
the growth and progress of a great people. We are taking n distinct step iu advance.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 755
Old ficllitles and old uieth"Ml-> iie Inidequite for ) resent and future uceds Proitsion
must be made by tlie go\erument to meet m good m inner the Increasing requirements
of the people who ire going forwnid nlth » will and with liemeiidouf. nnnientum to
develop and evpiind tieli upportunitiea to the \en utmost
Ihe growth of the titT of Flint and tlie state of Alichigan his been grent BJth
City and state huie incieased with remaikable lapldlty It has net been niinv years
since the spot nheieon ne stand wis in the midst of a vast \irgiu forest It wis not
long ngo thiit the hard^ ploneeis eiiteied the wilderness tc lij the foundation of the
present ad\inced civilization which we behold We ciimot contemplate piesent con
ditlons without re ailing the fact that this conununiti like many otheis in the United
States WIS most foitunate in the high qualltj of its eailj settleis No countrj upon
this earth was e^er mne blessed thin our own b\ the si.leudid men ind women who
went Into the forest to carve out their destiin Thei hid deep love f>i the honie
TUd abiding demotion to the state Thei thirsted themwelies for knowledge and were a
Godfearing people Ihey endured pruaflon without n uiunniir ihey met haidship
without complaint They hid unlimited confldence in their future T^e witness todaj
the imple fruition of their efforts and their hopes— the achle^emeut In large measiiie
of their exalted puipose \s we conti ist the present with the pist we iai\ well
belleie that thej builded better than thev tuew
The cornerstone Of this community wis well set It wis liid In filth in the
church filth In the state faith in the school house and faith in the hieside and the
faith of the fatheis is the faith of the childien
The building which will rise here is to be dedicated to a high use — the service
of the leoile There is no depaitment of oui goiemment which ttnies so inlimatelv
and so constantly into contict with them an tlie poatofflce depaitment In fict the
yast majoilty of our countrymen ha*e no physicil evidence of the evisteme if any
othei department of our national goveinnieiit lhe\ are daily and hourlj brought into
touch with this great department The woid great K not misapplied It Is used advis
ediy for there is nt postal senke In anj country which approaches it in magnitude
and there i& no other deiMirtment of the goiemment possesses suth last maililnei?
and tiansacts so large a vtlume of the iwoples business
When the postoffice here wis est iblished three qniiters of a century ago under
the name of Flint Ruer there were ten thousand six bundled postofllces In the Inlted
States and the gifss annual e\pendltuiea it the postoffice department were two mil
lion nine bundled thou8.ind dollais Last year there weie seventy one thousand post
offices The gioss expenditure of the depaitment was one hundred ind fifty twt mil
lions of dollarn In 1X34 there wis a profit to the government in the service of eighty
thousand dollais, while there wia a loss last vear of over eight millions of dollars.
Then* were twenty five million miles of mall service performed in the formei vear
and Ave hundred and five millions of miles in the litter
Vie gain from this brief eihibit some conception of our rapid ind vast national
development for the postal system his merely e\pinded m ies|ionse to )nt national
growth It his merely kept pice vtith ini lommercnl social and nafiomtl needs
It Is Impossible to exaggerate the beneflcenee of this great brtnch of our govern
meiitil service It has been a most potent ftctoi m our social and national upbuild
[ng It is an indispensable Instrument of tiade and commerce Paraljze it f jr even i
hrlef tinie and the great business world would be seriously embirrassed
It has alwiys been the helpful handmaiden of education It promotes the wide
dissemin itlon of liteiature It deliveis the press within large areas free and wheie
it Is not ciiiied flee it is deliieied it a lov^ ccst with unfailing lefeulaiitv ind
unii/ln« punctualltj Thriiigh tht instiumenl ilitj ff the postoffice depirtment the
dbyGoo<^lc
756 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
press reaches the uttermost parts of tlie republic aud iieople residing iu tie most widelj'
sepuruted sectioua in our conntry readily coaiinunicate wltli each otlier. The Ameri-
can people are essentially a reading people. They live in the vital present tind uiuat
have the latest Informatiun from all parts of the world and at the earlitst possible
moment. The postal system emibles them to keep abreast of rapidly ti'aneplrlng events
at home and abroad. The system is not sectional in its oiwratlon, for it performs its
functions with Imparthitlty iu ali neighborhoods and all jwrtlons of the country.
"The preiseiit high state of the postal .system has not been achieved at a singlo
bound. It Is the fruit of j-ears of study, of eaniest, patient effort. It is in the full-
est degree of ooiutiou. From the days of Beujamm Franklin until now the effort has
been to suit the postal service to the expanding needs of the people. We haie pjissed
from the saddte-bags to the railway postoffice. We have developed In the cities from
the poHtofflre where the people went to receive their mail to the free delivery system
which carries It to their doorw. We have developed from the postofHce at the country
crossroads to the rural free delivery, which brings the mail daily to the ftirmera' gates.
"There is, perhaps, no branch of the service which iias been moi'e rapid in its
development and more beneficent in its operation tlian rural fi'ee delivery. Bight years
ago it was iu its inelpiency. There were many wbo had no faith in it and who doubted
its efficacy. Fortunately, there were those who were optimistic enough to believe that
the service could be successfully established and who well appreciated the needs of the
great agricultural communities of the United States. It has rapidly passed from the
e3ci>erimental stage and become a permanent feature, far-reaching in its effects
"Eight years ago, there were, all told, forfy-four routes. The aimual appropriation
was forty thousand dollars, less than fifteen thousand of which was expended. Last
year there were more tlinu twenty-four thousiind routes, covering more than five liundred
and seven tj--iiiiie thousand miles, Involving an expenditure of more than twelve millions
of dollai-s. The appropriation by the last Congi-ess for the support and extension of
the rural free delivery service for the coming year amounts to twenty millions of dollars.
"The rural free delivery service has not been and Is not self-supporting, and It will
not become self-sustaining for years to come; yet the service is so ■ beneficent in its larger
results that It will be maintained and extended r^ardless of this fact It haw, by no
means, reached the limit of its development. It will continue to expand and m good
time will be extended to every neighborhood where It is feasible. It will, no doubt, in
years to come, become self-supporting. In measuring its effects we cannot regard it
purely from the pecunlrii-y standpoint. The people do not stop to consult thp ledger
when they make provision for their moral or intellectual welfare. We must view
the service as we consider all governmental measures and policies — from the standpoint
of the ends accomplished. In a very marlced degree it removes the Isolation of the farm
and brings agricultural communities into close touch with trade centers,
"The postal department is the only great department which is ensentially devoted
to promoting knowledge among the people. It Is, indeed, a vital agent in the general
cause of education. The American people believe in an educated citizenship. They
firmly believe that it is the predicate of our highest and best development, and that it
is, in the final analysis, the source of the strength, the safety and the permanence of
our institutions. There is nothing in which we more justly pride ourselves, as a people,
than in the fact that we have promoted the cause of education; that we have freely and
without regard to cost, supported the schools, and have maintalnpd those agencies mid
facilftiea which tend to educate the great masses of our countrymen.
"The money order system which has been ini^oiporatcd as one of the function') of
the poatoffiee department, enables the government to transfer small sums among the
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 757
IteoiJle. The system has been m oimrntiou fur iibout lorty yeiirs aud. 11 lias gruwn
i-ajjidly. The amount of money orders issued the first year amounted to uear four
miHion'^ of dollars Last year the aggregate was about three huiidi-ed :iud eighty milliona
of dollars. There were Issued In the lust year foi-elgii money oi-ders to the iiujount of
more than forty two millions of dollars. When we consider the fact thiit the aggi-egate
of domestic and foreign money orders is composed of comijaratively small sums, we
can gain some conception of the widespread benefit of the system.
"It IS a pleasure to us all to be present and associate ourselves with this moat
important step in giving practical effect to the will of Congress and the wish of this
community. The building wbich will be erei,-ted here in due course, will stand for many
years to come. The seasons will come and go, iidminlstratious will rise and fall, but it
will continue to be an efficient instrument In building up the social and commercial
interests of this community, destined to gi-eatnesa yet unattalned.
"We lay this cornerstone at an Interesting period in our national histoi-j-; at a time
wlien we are at peace with the world and when there is harmony within our border,
and wlien our countrymen are engaged as ueier before in the pursuit of tUelr gainful
occupations. We obserie no signs of danger about us. Everj'where there is a most
ab'mdant assurance of increasing strength and expanding power in all of the ways
which make for a higher and better people. There are neither social nor economic
disorders which will not find their sure antidote in the essential soundness and patriotism
of the great body politic and the incoixuptible virtue of the great masses of the best
republic the world lias ever known.
■■permit nie to congratulate you on your golden Jubilee. Fate has scattered many
who claim this as home to other states and other communities. They lune attained
success and honors elsewhere, but this community possesses for them a peculiar Interest
and they return tiNiay with affection and gratitude. The home of our youth ii home In
a very essential sense always.
■'Marieloiis changes hnie come in fifty yeiirs and greater changes still iiwait you m .
fifty years to come, If you but use well your opportunities and stand for those high
Ideals which have sti prospered you In the past.
"I most heartily congratulate you upim the cel^ratlon of the completion of the
half century of your growth as a municipal Ity. lou haie Just reason for pride In what
you have so well accomplished. The name of riint is widely celebrated. It stands for
progress, for high commercial honor, for law and order, for education and gootl morals.
Here the home Is exalted above all else. ,
"You celebrate an important event under happy auspices. Tou have incited to share
with you In your felicitations those whom the hand of fate has scattered among other
states and other communities. They return to the old I'oofti'ee with true filial affection
and rejoice with jou in what you have so splendidly achieved. May the half centui-j
upcn whli'h joa enter with such promise, fulfill in full nien=ure the prophecy of today,
"Tile A'^jce-President was followed by the Hon, Samuel W. Smith, rep-
resentative of the sixth congressional district, who had rendered the most
vakiable assistance to the city in secnring an appropriation for the building
and who extended his congratnlation.s in a felicitious address which was
cordially and heartily applauded.
"The exercises at the Federal building were followed in the afternoon
by a battalion parade and exhibition drill at the fair grounds, which drew
out a large and enthusiastic coinpany of spectators.
dbyGoot^lc
75^ GEN'EriHE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
"The elements of the parade were the two battahons of infantry, the
Detroit Naval Reserve and the I>etroit and Fhnt commanderies of Knights
Templar, After the march to the fair grounds there was a battalion parade
by the First Battalion of the First Infantry, an artillery drill by the Naval
Reserves and an exhibition drill of their graceful and intricate evolutions
by Detroit Commandery No. i, Knights Templar. No attempt can be made
to describe all the marchings and counter-marchings, except to say that the
Naval Brigade found its work to include more elements of warfare than
had been expected, as, owing to recent rains, parts of the fair grounds were
little better than pools of water, so that hauling cannon about by hand was
anything but easy or tidy work and not so very different from landing on
a muddy shore.
"After the drill came an inspection of Company A, of the Third In-
fantry, the march b:Lck to the fair grounds, and a concert at the park by
the First United States Infantry Band from Fort Wayne.
"Meanwhile, another set of military exercises, less showy, but not less
memorable, was taking place in front of the new court house, namely, the
dedication of the memorial tablets to the soldiers and sailors of Genesee
covmty in the Civii War and the Spanish-American War. The tablets were,
of course, in the entrance hall and corridors of the court house, but in order
to make room for the great crowd the exercises were held on the lawn in
front,
"Escorted by the fife and drum corps, the veterans marched from the
Grand Army hall to the court house, and there, after music and bugle call
and the 'assembly' by prominent Grand Amiy men, introductory remarks
were made by M. C Barney, chairman of the committee in charge of the
work. A few words from his remarks are given here to help set forth the
^roud right that these men have that their names should be emblazoned in
our halt of justice:
Tijii grand old Genesee tounti gaie practically ill iter bojs and men between the
age<! of eigliteen ind foitj tue to help make the grand total )f 255b 5b^l thit went to the
front itud ''i\ed this nation Michigan gine 00747 nhich wns a greater niiiuber thin
mis subject to draft between the tt-ei of eighteen and fortj hie of this nunilei 14 "53
were tilled In action
Very mnn\ Genesee toimti soldlei bo^a are in unknown grives il! oiei the South
laud and their names will neiei be known except as tbej appear on these wnll'^ T\e
are glad todn that we can siy to the people wh) lost friends on those bloodj battle
fields ind to the friend" of those who lo^t their health on Cuban soli that tlieir names
sli<ill be placed on these walls, on that beautiful Tennessee marble from siuthern
battlefields.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 759
■ "Mayor Aitkin then spoke words of welcome of more than usual feel-
ing and appropriateness, and was followed by Capt. E. M. Allen, of Port-
land, Michigan, the memorial orator. A portion of his address follows:
We meet todftj to iiiduJge a clmptei of the unwritten history of the Ciill War to
eoout stnie of tlie uniii ailiered blessliifcs oiouglit foi us nail to pay a passmg tribute
to tlioie men who aiaiie blessings jiOBSible I nni \eri pioud of Mlebigau wlilch baa
honored nie bv ntlortlon ihiond not onlj tor the eiilendid cmlization which la hers
todiy but especiaHy prjiid of ber pitnotic devotion to the geneial goiernment in the
hour of common peril In a night of extreme danger General Reamey said Pnt a
Mlchlgin regiment on guiird »ud nhile the silent itars looked down m admirition and
the night Wfpt dews of pit* the sleepless song of Michigan Ite^jt wat h md guard while
the army slept to dreim it home lud friends around the fireside
More than ninety per cent <f the men of mihtiry age m lIiLhl^m werp it the
fiont ^o portion of tins lonimoun ealth wis more patriotic than this splpniiid countT
of Genesee The lecord shows that ninety three per cent of her men of military age
left home with ill its endearments to maintain the honor of our flag many al is to
And on distant battlefields a soldier -J buriil Can we today realize what this percentage
meant to the people of -your cltv forty \ears ago Let me giie you an object lesson
There are perhaps one hundred men In this audience between the ages of eighteen and
fortyflie The siine rule applied today would tale nmetythree of these and march
them away keeping step to the music of the Union Twenty boys in your high school
o\er eighteen \eais old Call eighteen of them out put them in the lUeiy of their
country ind itand them up to biaie the shrt and sliell of an imrlacable foe Think of
thii my vounj, fiiend- lud tn t leilize what it st ti be patilitlc in those hertic
"^fter piyino- tribute to the sons of Tenesee county for the record
h d d
m d g T ei
"C. C. Dewstoe, postmaster at Cleveland, Ohio, had 'Genesee County
during the War' as his assignment and was most heartily received. The
fact that he used to live in Genesee county and went from here to the front
placed him in close touch with his theme and with his audience, though he
dbyGoot^lc
760 CKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
had been long absent from this city. He spoke of the services, not only of
the men, but also of the women of the country, 'to whom is due in a large
degree the great measure of our final achievement.' With a look forward
and a final word of appreciation to the Grand Army, the address was closed.
"Then followed the Hon. R. A. Alger, of the United State Senate, in
an appropriate and feeling address on 'The Soldiers of Genesee County.'
after which, with more music and the sounding of 'taps,' the memorial exer-
cises were closed.
"For most people the next exercise was supper, but the alumni of the
University of Michigan took advantage of the interval to have a banquet
at the Dryden for President Angel!, who was to be one of the speakers at
the dedication of the library next day. Following the co-educational prin-
ciple of the university, instead of a toastmaster, there was a toast-mistress
in the person of Miss M. Louise Wheeler, of the high school. President
Angell was in a reminiscent vein and charmed his hearers with a talk on
the worth of the university, illustrated by the careers of some of its grad-
uates. Some of the more distinguished alumni from out of town were pres-
ent, including Judge McAlvay and Judge Carpenter of the Michigan su-
preme court, and Mayor Codd and ex-Mayor Maybury of Detroit, each of
whom made short addresses.
"The evening celebration had for its jirincipal feature an illuminated
parade of vehicles and floral floats. These were the s;ime which had ap-
peared in the morning's procession, but with an added interest from the
glow of street lights and torches. The streets were completely choked by
the throngs of people who turned out to witness the parade and for a good
time generally. The crowd was like that of the night before, only more
so, and much enlivened by uniforms of National Guards and Naval Re-
serves. To quote a newspaper report, 'They paraded, sang, whistled, yelled
and generally let people know that they were in town.' But with all the
jollity and boisterousness, there seemed to be nothing but good humor and
essential good order everywhere. The illuminated fountain was again the
center of a great deal of interest.
"At the same time with the out-of-door celebration a general reception
was held in the court house for all the distinguished guests, which was
attended by almost the entire population of the city and the invited guests.
A great many other social functions were held of a private and public char-
acter, which contimied long into the night. One of the most memorable
and enjoyable of these was the reunion of the ex-members of the Flint
Union Bhies, at the armory. Addresses were made by distinguished guests.
dbyGoot^lc
GRNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 761
and many former menil^ers enlivened the occasion with humorous reminis-
cences of the old days.
"Let us close our account of the day with a further extract from the
newspaper report just mentioned, slightly modified :
"■MiiHlc njLS ii« free .is iiir .iiul lUmoBt its plentiful. ISmids iilajtil iiud. blared fniiu
tile i);n-ks, from leraiuliiH <if the liotels, fi'om the reviewing st^iud iind from the (jave-
meut. The fife and drum yoi-iis shrieked iiud I'jittled, musiL-jil L-oiitrlvimcea lu stoit-s sent
plaintive notes to the street, imd gramophouen were heard at vai'lous comers, Eveu the
hllnd man with the huud organ, the colored man with the guitar — they all helped, and
Fllut WiLS uiusloked lu most gisiieroua fashiou.
"Until late at night there waw a big crowd of jubilee vlKltora on the streets; but
with the midnight triiliis gone, the jiini thiuiied out. Flint folks and their guests
wiitched the iltumluation of the fountain, the ceaseless shafts from the Kcarchllghts,
heard tlie bunds play the last timp for the night, and went home to the sleep of the
weary and to do It ail over agaiu the next day.
"It might be wupiMised that the doing it all over again next djiy must imohe some-
thing of sanieuesa and weariness, and so It would have been hud Thursday's ijrocesslou
been of the sume character as Wednesday's. But while the first procession had to do
with the present and the puat, and nas largely military, the second looUeil toward the
future. It was mode up principally of the schoois of the city. Twi thousand of all
ages and siaes, from the little tots, tiKi small to keep up with the procession if they kept
step with the music, up to the gritdunting i-lass of the high scliool, marched In line, each
carrying a small American flag. Great ci-owda gathered to see them and cheered them
no less henrtilj- and enthuslaBttcally than they had cheered the procession the djiy before,
.ind in response, yame many a eheer and many a waving of flags from the little folks
in the procession. Witli iteculiar appropriateness. Dr. Jamaf B. Angell, the revered
president of the State Universitj. and so the top stone of our educational system, led
the way. and with him other speakers and ju'ouilueut guests aud citizens. luchidlng. of
course, the cit,* board of education. Then, on foot, leading the schools, came the high
school facility, n ith true dignity, each carrying a flag like their pupils. Nest followed
the high school cadets, In black coats aud white duck trousers. ri*ailng the soldiers of
the day before In the smartness with which they carried themselves and the precision
of their drill. Following tliem came tlie other members of the high school in the order of
their classes, and then the Stevenson. Walker, Kearsley. Oak, Doyle, Clark and Hazleton
schools, with classes led by their teachers. So flUed were the smaller children with the
marching spirit, that even when forced to halt for a moment, their feet still kept time
to the music of the band.
"Then, all in white, came St. Michael's parochial school, and after them, schools
from the countr.v In wagons. Most interesting perhaps of all, and certainly with the
greatest appeal to the sympathies of the spectators, was the last school contingent, con-
sisting of the state school for the deaf, marching along with happy faces, apparently
to the music of the band, though not a note reached their ears, Xor could they he.ir the
applause which greeted them all along the line; yet, it was not all in vain, for tlieir
e.ves made up In some measure for their lack of hearing and took In with delight the
fluttering of flags and the wai Ing of hands and handkerchiefs as they passed,
"The jirocesslon was approprlatel.v closed by a floral parade. In which gaily decked
carriages and automobiles took jiart.
dbyGoc^lc
762 GENESliE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
"Instead of breaking up on Saginaw street, as that of the previous day,
the procession appropriately marched out on Kearsley street, in front of the
library, before being dismissed, and thus made itself a great escort to the
distinguished guests as they proceeded thither for the dedication of the
beautiful huildin'g. Thither they were followed by as large a crowd as
could come within range of the voices of the speakers. After an invoca-
tion by Father Murphy, of St. Michael's, George W. Cook, president of
the board of education, introduce<l Dr. J. C. Willson as presiding officer,
who made a few remarks in keeping with the occasion, and then gave place
to Mayor Aitkin, who once more gave an address of welcome. After the
singing of 'America' by a chorus of public school pupils. President Angell
then spoke. His address was quiet and scholarly, appropriate to the occa-
sion and in keeping with the quiet and dignified architecture of the building
to be dedicated. It was received with close attention and with hearty
applause. It was as follows :
■■These ai-e iJi-cud aud gJiid dnya for the city of i'lmt. The fond iniyiiories of lier
paat and tlie hvlght hoi>es for lier future equally clrni'm our lieiirt. Justly couapicnous
among the celebrations i>f the week Cor the permanence of Interest whifh it awakens.
Is the dedication of tlie new library building. As the years roll on, the recollections of
the intellectual stimulus which will have heen received in this home of letterM by
thousands of eager young minds, will be among the dearest that bind them to this city.
It Is, therefore, eminently fitting that in the rejoicings of this festival, we find opitor-
tunity to consider the significance of the opening of thi& house to Its high uses, and to
express our thanks to the far-sighted women who, by their earnest efforts, laid the
foundation of this library, and to the generous donor of the beautiful building which we
now dedicate.
"We seldom consider into what exalted comiiiinionship a library admits u"*. When
an eminent man like Admiral Dewey or the President of the United Stntes conies to our
town, we esteem ourselves highly honored. The public press reports the vitiit with the
fullest detallB. If it ever happens to us to be admitted into a royal presence, we regard
the privilege as one of the notable events in our lives.
"But have you ever paused to think Into what a society you will be Introduced on
crossing the threshold of your library when it is filled with books' Have you ever
realized that there you may stand in the august presence of men of larger mould and
loftier spirit than most of the illustrious warriors and sovereigns of the world? There
Homer may await you witli his imperishable song, and Plato with his vision of a seer,
Aristotle with his political wisdom, and Demosthenes with his matchless eloquence.
There the genial Horace may welcome you with his epic that charms the school boy of
today almost as it did the court of Augustus, and Cicero with his melodious and re-
sounding periods. Then follows tlie stately procession of mediaeval and modern poets,
philosophers, historians, scientists, novelists— Dante, Petrarch, fSi-otlus, Kant. Hegel.
Rousseau, Goethe, Schiller, Shakespeare, Bacon, Newton, Scott, Gibbon, Emerson, Long-
fellow, IjOwell, Hawthorne, and their illustrious compeers. There they all may he,
waiting to recpue us and give us their best thoughts and words. Suppose tliey were In
the flesh. The <-lty could not •■ontnin the crowds who would come hurrying from all
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 763
ijurts of tbe woi'id to jour gates to look upon tliis select i-oiuimiiy, tUe cUoicest and
uoblest spirits of all liistory. But tliougli it is uot grnnteil us to aulute them in peiiton,
we liu\e the yreoious heritage tliey liave left us of all that was highest ftiid best in
theni. We may well stand with uueoiered lieud iind rerereut awe jih we enter those
IKirtala aud comprehend the full import of the fiict that there we ai'e permitted to come
into intimate communion nith them, as they were In their hours of highest InspiratloD.
and have them coude*icend to speak to us iib friend to fnend. to Instruct, to comfort, to
delight, to iuspii'e us. What an unspeakable joy it will be to us to escai« from the
narrow dungeon of our ignorance into the free air and light of this palace of wisdom,
to flee at times from the Iriisome cares of our daily life to the sweet compuntoiishtp of
these noljle men, to turn aside from the din of the street and the sh(q) into the peace
and quiet of our temple of learning, to be lifted from the depressions and disappoint-
ments which often overwhelm us to the exaltations and inspirations and hopes and
enthusiasms which may be kindled by contact with these master s[)irits.
"Under that roof these great men of all the centuries will, as hosts, be ever ready
with their work to welcome us to their presence. Your generous and appreciative friend
has here rearetl u palace for them worthy, by its beauty and dignity, and completeness
of appointments to be their permanent home. There they will speali their words of
wisdom and cheer to you and to your children and to your children's children. That
will be the center and in large degree the source of the intellectual life of this rapidly
growing city.
"Now tlint your benefactor has so iioblj done his iwrt, it remains for the city to
see that the library is maintained and managed in an effective manner. It would uot
only be an act of ingratitude, but it would be a mockery If in such an edifice as that we
should not find a good and growing and well administered library There is no more
important commission In your city than the commission charged with the care of your
libi-ary. Let us hope tliat they will always be chosen with special regard to their
fitness for their official duty and without reganl to their party affiliations. Especially
is wisdom needed in the selection of your books. It Is not so difficult to choose books
for the cultivated and scholarly readers. But in your library you must provide for all
your population. Particular care should be hud to procure books attracth'e and useful
to your artisans and mechauicB and common laborers. They should be led to feel that
this is the place where they can most profitably spend a spare hour and can find some-
thing to bring new brightness into their monotonous lives. The efforts which you ha> e
already Initiated to make the library serviceable to the pupils In your schools, must
now be redoubled. The teachers and the library authorities must always contrive to
co-operate heartily. The multiplication of libraries in this country has alreiidy elevated
the work of the library: the tnfiuence which a competent librarian can wield in his
guidance of the reading and studies of the young is seldom outn-eighed by that of the
teacher or the preacher. In no maimer can a generous appropriation of funds for the
support of a library be more wisely expended than in securing a competent librarian.
"Judging by my own experience and by my observation of others, I doubt whether
the guide books which have been written to tell one what works to read have been of
great service. The simple reason why they are not very helpful Is, that to advise one
what to read, you should know something of his aptitudes and taste and something of
his plans of life. General advice is a shot in the air. It may hit nothing.
"But a competent person may give helpfnJ counsels to the young concerning useful
methods of reading whatever one does read, and may indeed specify what are some of
the best liooks on certain topics. A good librarian, if leisure enough is left him. may
nttract and help willing auditors by occasional lectures or inform.il talks, on how to
dbyGoo<^lc
764 GENESEE C0X:NTY, MICHIGAX.
rend a ll^laI^ But iiersonal eu^fcestiuni to meet paiticulor needs me the most fruitful
of good iud Just heie tbe ichool teachers if competent to advise <, tn be of the utmost
sei^iLe In no nny can the library be made bo \ iluable is by tbe hearty and s^itenntit
poopeiation of the librailan and the teacher'^ It nonld be ier( useful if the\ could
fioio time to time meet to confei uion the best method of securing harmonious action
Toi it IS the geneiation now eomnig on to the rtiKe who are cbleflj to pioflt Ij the use
ot this iibiiir^ It Is thiough tJiem that the eitj Is to lecene its chief benefit To
imlte them to rend to trim them to rit.bt lithlts of readlnj, fo Inspiie them with higb
ideals (f what one should seek and lo*e iii reiding shtuld he the anplntion of pttenfa
an I teachers. If this llbraiy Is to yield its laigest harvest or good
lite all good things, this lihiarv iniv to some persons bring no good it may eicD
me.in an instrument of haiiu It mar bilng n* gc 3d because it may be utterly neglected
No doubt there tie miny families who hue ueier drawn a book fiom the shelves It
ma\ bilng no good^lt may even cause intellectual not to say moiai injury if it is
misused It IS possible to choose from mj gi-eat llbiarv such passjiges from woiks ind
to peiuse them m such a spirit as to gritlfv and stimulate prurient desires 01 if one
does not descend to bo unwoithv ind shameful an act one may read In such a manner
as to he guilty of intellectual dissipition l\h*t ne may call the desultory readers are
exposed to this dangei Ihev pick up wbatevei book 01 magazine comes flrst to hand,
provided thej are suie th it It mikes no tis. ui)on theli mental poweis They spend
their time dawdling o\er a chiptei jf tins liook tlien over a chapter of that as men
ff the town now join this giu companion for an Uour ind then anotbei for the next
hour for frholous talli and irofitless gosslj and so wsinder aimless through tlie day
nithout any fruitage to show foi their time Thev lose the ponei if they evei had it
of cfnsecutlve studv and thought mil dlscouise on my theme whiteier
I do not mean to Intimate tbat we Should nevei come to this lihraiv to tead for
plea&ure and entertainment One of the greit Tnd proper uses of bookw is to refresh
and amuse us in oui houis of wearine^ and depression I ike the societv of our choicest
friends tbev niaj wiseli be sought foi the sole puipose of diverting our minds from the
flood of caies md trouble*> which come In ui>oii ill of us Tlie libraiT mai well be
The vvoiids sweet in from care and weaiisome tiiimoil Or m our happv ind
nieri-v moods we m iv seek confeenuil ctmiwiiiv m the creations of Cervantes and Moliere
and ihakesiteaie and Di'-kens and 'Mark X^vaiu Keading foi pastime is 1 commendable
occupation if wiselv followed Ixivsell in his pindo\lctl wtyle tells us that whnt Dr
Joimson cilled browsing m a librarv is the onlv way In which time can be profitably
wasted But to browse pioflttblv one should have in appetite onlv for whit has some
merit I have known lads bom vvlth a literary instinct as unerring as that of the bee
foi finding honev to have the free lun of a large libiarv and come out with a wonderful
range of good learning Such instances show the unwisdom of having the same lules
to guide everyone In his reading In such ciaes as those just cited tbe evimiile ind
taste of the pirents often determine the success of the experiment The books thev tilk
about fondii at table and quote from fieelv and appositely are likely to arrest the
attention of the child Therefore me mav siv that the home as trulv as the school miy
largelj deteimine what advantage shall be gained In tins library Parents who for
their chlldrens sake aie uueful what guests thev admit to their hcuse and whit
companionships they ccunsel the childien to form may well onsider vvhnt leidlui,
comes under their roof and whit llteraiy tastes they encouiage In theii household
In these davs when reviews and img^zines and school histirles of literature
abound thfre seems ground for one caution to youthful readers It is not to be content
with lenliuf, ihoiit „!eiit Inks ml Lieit men lot ti stulv tlie va lis themsr les it
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 765
grt'Ht men. Miiny of the outlines of English liter. itai'e, for example, which pupils in
Echiiol are required to study, nmtiilii datet and iiiinies and brief descriptions of master-
pieces and, from the nature of the case, can contain little else. But ti-amming the
memory wltL these ia not leiirnlng literature. Ueiidiug, mastering and lenrnlng to
appreciate and love oue of the great works of a great author is better than to lenru
the diT facts in the lives of a score of authors. So our magazines and reviews treat
UH to criticisms sometimes wise, and sometimes unwise, of many authors. But all these
are of little \aliie until the works themselves of the authors have been stuitied. With
the works the biogriiph of the authors should he read In order to appreciate the
couditioiiB under which the works were produced. But far better is It to gahi a
thorough acquaintance with one great writer's life and works than to learu a few
fragmentary facts as second hand about the lives and writings of many.
"One of the most difficult questious to settle iu these days in the selection of hooks
for !i library or In directing the reading of the young is, how large shall be the propor-
tion of Action in a library or in the re;\diug of anyone. Just now we are flooded with
fiction, stretching from the short story of the magazine to the two volume novel. I
observe that nearly two-thirds of the volumes drawn from one imiwrtant library in
Michigan (In 1001-02) are classed under the two heads of juvenile lictlon and Action.
And I suppose the experience of other popular libraries is similar. This shows at least
that there Is a great craving for Action. That craving, a library like this must, to a
ftiir degree. Strive to meet. Xor need we regret that there is a strong desire for sterling
works of Action. They stimulate and nonrisli the Imagination. They gii'e us vi\id
pictures of life. They iMii-ti'ay for us the working of human passions. They give reality
to history. Sometimes they cultivate a taste for reading in those who would otherwise
be inclined to I'ead little, and so lead them to other branches of literature.
■'But on the other Land, 1 think It must be confessed that a great deal of the Action
which is now deluging the market Is the veriest trash or worse than trash. Sluch of It
is positively bad lu Its inAuence. It awakens uiorbld passions. It deals in most
exaggerated representations of life. It is vicious in style.
"'It is a most delicate task for the authorities of a library like this to draw the line
between the works of fiction which should be and those which should not lie found on
its shelves. As to the individual reader, the best we can do is to elevate his taste as
rapidly as we can by placing In his Lands Action attractive at once in Its matter and
in Its Style. We must hope that with the cultivation of taste to which our best schools
aspire, we can rear a generation which will prefer the best things in literature to the
inferior. That is the reason why the teachers of languages and literature In our schools
should be not mere linguists, but persons of refined literary taste, who will imbue their
pupils with a love for the truest and highest In every literature which they can read.
■'I would like to commend to my young friends who desire to profit by the use of
this library the habit of reading wItU some sj-stem and of roaklug brief notes upon the
contents of the books they read. If, for instance, jou are studying the history of some
lieriod, ascertain what works you need to study and finish such parts of them as con-
eei'u your theme. Do not feel obliged to read the whole of a large treatise, but select
such chapters as touch on the subject In hand and onilt the rest for the time. Young
students often get swamped and lose their way la Serbonlan bogs of learning, when they
need to explore only a simple and a plain pathway to a speciiic destination. Have n
purpose and a plan and adhere to it in spite of alluring temptations to turn aside Into
attractive fields that are remote from your subject. If in a note book you nill, on
finishing a work, jot down the points of Importance In the volume and the references
to tlio [laire or I'h.iptci', yon will frequently And It of the greati'st 'service to run oier
yGoot^lc
766 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tliew notes nad lefresli jour rnemoiy If vou are dispo^vi to ndd some words of com
meiit or iiltki'ani on the bool tliat iinctke als. will make y u a moie attenti\e readei
ind nill nialte an Inteiestint. record fd yoii to consult
If it is ever illoi\able to euvv another ne miy emy the happv glTer of this
building the just ^satisfaction with nhlch he m ly look upon the completion of this wirk
Here he hts (i)ened a fountain the streams wbere;>f shall make glad generations to
come Thev sliall loik upi u this home is the titce where they hiie received Intellectuii
stimulus and uourisiunent Some even ma\ renieuibei it as the place of their first real
intellectual awakening — we might saj of theii intellectual birth How many a toiling
uiither who in her poyeitv is unable t< supply hei eagei minded thildren with the
simplest boob's will dally speak hei woid of blessing on the nolle m n who his openel
the intpllectual treasures of the world to her househild Here is the shrine of true
Americin democracy for here the child of the washerwoman may sit bv the side of the
child of the millionaire and ivitb equal fieedom hold sweet communion with the great
and good (f ail ages The eye can lewt on no more charming scene than will be witnessed
daily in this heiutiful temple of learning where ingenuous students of eierj stttlon In
lifp whether clad In the coarse jeiins of the w rkm n or m the broidcloth of the wealthy
will le seen pui suing their studies with exactly the same opportunities of making their
' way to a position at eminence and usefulness imoiig the great sthilirs of the world,
M'ly we not siv with piide that this opening of high mteliectual privileges to all is in
full accord with the spirit of this histonc state which his offered to eiery child within
its bordeis the opportunity to enjov almost without (.ost all the privileges of education
from those of the primarj school uii to the highest whkli Michigan liu gl\e.
"The next address wa? delivered Iiv the Hon. W. W. Crapo, as fol-
lows :
There is nothing whkh moie cleaily maiks the intellectuil progress of Flint duim?
the list fifty \ejrs than this edifice whith todiy is dedicated to free public use lii it is
represented the desire for bioider knowledge a more perfect mental culture a closei
icquiintinte with the best thought of the past and present and i cleiiei in&ight into
the nuestigatlons and achiei enients of modern science To satisfy the hungrv longings
of the mind this building his been eretted in order tiiat it miy serie as the repositoiy
In which to store the Intellectual tieasures of the world and from which the people old
and young can diaw for theit enjoymMit their enlightenment and their inspiration
Libraries haye stimulated and aided and to a certain degree haye measured the
civilization of nations ind the Intelligence of communities Wheie ieiming is repressed
md books ire denied there is subjugation and superstition Where edu atlon |ie-
\alls and bxiks are easily accessible there will be found improved tocial order i clearer
concerrtion of individual rights and duties a higher standard of public re^qionsiblllti and
greater freedom Tveiy additional librnrv creates a new center of intellectual life
woiklng for the elevation of mankind to i higher plane
It has been mentioned that the residence across the wav f ic ng the libmv buill
ing was the home of mv father i i Itlzen of Flint respected \nd honored bv his fellow
townsmen This circumstance in itself has little or no significance but "Ur Ohaiiman
youi kindly mention of him today prompts me to allude perhaps not inappropriately on
this occasion to his early struggle for education and to contrast the present with the
past He was brrn on a locky New England farm which by Insistent and unremitting
hiid wiirk with the practice of painstiking frugality furnished n scinty livelihiod
The prospect whiLh ciened up before the bov was one of tdl and deprlvntion He
dbyGoo<^lc
GENIiSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 767
longed for better thiiifi? and to rise above tbp narrow limitations of adverse BuiToundinES,
To accoihpUah this lie must lia\'e education. His only hope for success in the outside
world was tlirougli an outfit of mental equipment. I have heard him tell Of his tliree
moatlis' schooling and the long walks through the snow to the dlstiint school house.
Denied the trttining of schools, It was for him to educate himself. Encouraged by a
syuipnthizing mother, the few pennies that could be spared went for the purchase of
school books, which were studied in the long hours of the night by the light of the
home-made tallow candle. The few boolts in the houses of neighboring fiirma were
borrowed and mentally devoured. If there had been granted to him the oiiportimitles
and privil«!es which tills Institution will afford to the youth of the present time, wliat
a flood of sunshine would haie ehei^red and brightened his boyhood days. At eighteen
he was the teacher of a country school, and in teaching others he had better ojiportunity
for teaching himself. This story is not an unusual or extra oi-dlnary one. It Is the story
of hundreds of New England farmer boys of one hundred years ngo. To them there
was no roj'al road to learning. The path was stouy and beset with thorns and briars.
The laggard, the incompetent, the indifferent who entered it stumbled and fell by the
way, but those with determined i>uriJOse and unfaltering will reached the goal. At the
age when the unhersity student receives his diploma, those men of rugged training were
employed in the activities of life. While they had not the polish of the university, they
had acquired self-reliance, and in their hard experience had gained the capacity for
sound Judgment and power of clejtr and positive espi'ession which placed them on fair
terms with their more favored contemporaries. The ultimate test of men is found in
thi' quality of their performance.
"In studj ing the lives and career of those men of a hundred years ago and noting
nhat they accomplished, the query Is sometimes raised whether the modern methods
of leanilng made easy are in ei'evy way advisable, whether the system of instruction
which puts a pi-op here and a lubricator there and itads the brain with esthetic culture
tends to make sti'ong men and strong women. The possession of much and varied Infor-
mation is useful, but still the question is at times presented whether the crowding of the
brain with a miscellaneous assortment of learning, the parts of which have no relation
to the whole, and whether the Itnowing of something about everything, and not knowing
ev'-i-ythlng about something, whether the superficial rather than tlie solid reatlty of
knowledge, can in evei-j respect advantageously take the place of the training and
discipline of the mind which wrought the mental toughness and fibre and brawn of
the earlier days.
"I do not answer this question, nor do I enter upon its discussion. Fur me to
attempt to do so In the presence of the able and dlstitLguished educators who are with
us today would be rank presumption.
"The library presents no such inqulrj' apd Is clouded with no such doubt. While
the tendency, perhaps I should say the necessity, of the public school is to run all the
children through one common mould, regardless of disposition or temperament, regard-
less of hereditary Infiuences — In short regardless of the child and the life before it —
the library deals with the individual and meets the especial wants of the Individual,
whether in the department of literature or historical research, of philosophy or economies,
or of science and arts. The library brings the student in close companionship with the
best scholars and furnishes the Inquirer and Investigator with the searchlight that
reveals the achlev'ements of the world's ablest experts.
"There is no magical power in books. More than two hundred and fifty years ago,
John Harvard, a young English clergyman, gave his private library and a small sum of
money to eibiblMi ,1 coJJeixe in Nc« lluKland. It bus ,1 mere T'ltt.inci', tho raei-est trifle,
dbyGoot^lc
768 CENE-iEE COI NTY MICHIGAN
fvhen compared ultli tlie luuuiflceuce of Tubus Hoikiub of Baltimore oi Leluud StiinfurU
In California oi John Kotkefellei it tliicigo but it wus the founditiou of Hu^ald
Uulieisin the pride and glcrj of Massjithusetta There lued lu Hanards tune
eminent "rtatesnieu and leiiiued juiHts and famous soldieis some of wlioae uimee aie
uow fdigotten oi lemembeied onlj as found in liiogiaphies in the iko\et^ of llhiuiie''
hut the name of John Hir\aid is l>.nown md houoieil and blessed throughout tlie
ch lli/ed world, and his fame will enduie as the ages loll ou
Little moie thin two imndred >eiis ago a few oithod"X Connecticut cleigjmen
met bj flprointiuent lii Savbiook at tlie uioutU of the Connecticut ruer Lach me of
them biought Tsith lilm a Looli whifh he plated upon the tible and in that simple
ceremony and In the dedication of that little pile of books to the uses of education was
the beginning of the gieut 1 lie Inneiwtj On tlie Lami.us it New Haien stands the
llbrarj building coustiucted of brown stone beiutiful in its aichltecture perfect In its
[)ioipoitlous and admiiablj jdipted to the u'<e for whitL It n \n intended The students
of afty yeira ago gazed upon it with admiiation for it was tlien b\ fir the hnei-t of
the college bulldlngH and he regiided its contents witii leierenie but now the w .ird
has come to ns that it is pioposed to tear down tins building so deir to the Ueaits of
thousands of men thioughout the land In oidei that uiion it-s site a laiger and grinder
md more magnificent building liu be erected for the tccommod itlon <f the acinmulatm?
tieasures ot the nniieisitv What a marvelou'S growth fiom the little seed planted by
tbese Connecticut clei^men
It was thus two hundred yeais ago that a collection of books the nucleus of a
llbiary nas the primal source fiom whith &i.iang each <f the two older unnersities of
this countr* repreaentnig as they do so much of the mtellectuil foice of this nation in
it« historical deielopment
Ihe donoi of this building In the centuiies to come will not be lemembered as
the successful lion and steel workei or is the gieat captain of mduatrv that be w is
but foi his enliahtened Ilbenllti and (.olosbai benefictions to the woiJd In the diffusion
of knowledge imong men thiough the igenc\ of books I congi ituHte the people of
Flint in their coming into the possession of this building of substantial construction and
excellent design and which adds tnother to the attrioti^e public buildings of which they
are Justly proud It is evidence that what was cnce the little village of Gianrt Traverse
has now become a city of importance not merely in Industrial ictlvlties and commercial
transactions ind social and iiolitlcil influences but also in educatioml advantages This
building ma> net impress the thoughtless imi frivolous who pass bv without entering (t
but those who come with serious purposp n ill liiid within its walla the semt. and jewels
that enrich the mind and gi\e to life added i leisures It is accessible to ill ind as fiee
as is the blghw ^^ to the traieler
Coming into this possession new duties confront vou The lihrarj must I e equipped
and maintained Let the work be done intellicenth and liherailv 4. few generous and
public spirited women fort^ jears oi more ago started this movement and lu sptte of
many obstacles can led It forwaid with unselfish and self denying zeal They deserie
unstinted priiae and lasting remembrince The task now falls upon the men ind mai
thev exhibit the same willing spliit and fostering cire Remember that the public
llbiary Is the ciown of the public whool In the de*eloinient of hlghei education Regard
it as the easentlil adjunct foi completing ind perfecting the mtellectuil gr wth of the
communitv Cherish it na i precious asset and the cit\ w II find its rewird in the
enlightened mind and the grateful heart of Its people
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. y^i^
"Mr. Crapo's address was scholarly, thoughtful and stimulating, and
received dose attention and approval. Then followed two short congratu-
latory talks by Hon. M^illiani C. ilaybury, ex-mayor of Detroit, and the
Hon. Francis A. Blades, controller of the same city, two gentlemen who
are always given a hearty and cordial reception in the City of Flint,
"One more ceremony of dedication remained, as part of the jubilee,
namely, that of the county court house. This took place on the steps of
the new building, and long before the hour set for the ceremony a great
crowd had assembled in the same place where men had gathered the day
before to listen to the army veterans. After an invocation and short address
by the Mayor and by Judge C. H. Wisner, who had charge of the erection
of the building, came the principal orator of the day, Jvistice Henry B.
Brown of the United States supreme court. His address was largely in the
nature of an historical review of that court of which he was a distinguished
member, from its establishment down to the present day. A special interest
was felt in the speaker, aside from his official position, on account of his
l>eing a Michigan man, and everyone who could get within the sound of
his voice listened with close attention, well repaid by the value of the
address and the inside views which it gave of the workings of the greatest
court of justice of any nation.
"Justice Brown was followed by Chief Justice Moore, of the state
supreme court, whose address consisted largely of reminiscences of the
Genesee county bar, to which others added their quotas.
"Reminiscences had thus been pretty freely indulged in, in one form
or another, at most of the jubilee meetings; but, on such occasions there is
never enough until old times have been talked over from every point of
view. Hence, for the lawyers there must be many more reminiscences at
the banquet given that evening in honor of Justice Brown and the justices
of the state supreme court, while for the rest a special reminiscent meeting
was held at the Court Street Methodist church, at which an account was
given of the origin and history of the different churches of the city, and a
mmiber of old residents of the city told of their experiences in early days.
As most of these accounts are reproduced in this volume in one form or
another, no attempt will be made to give them here. A single incident,
however, which created some amusement, may be worth mentioning. ' It
was an announcenient with some solemnity, that a most valuable and inter-
esting relic of the early days was to be presented to the audience, in the
shape of the earliest Flint postoffice. It was explained that in some respects
(49)
dbyGoc^lc
•^JQ GENESEE COUNTY, IidCHIGAN.
the earliest postoffice was in line with the latest improvements in that ser-
vice, as it was moveable, going from place to place wherever its patrons
were to be found. With much ceremony the relic was then uncovered, and
proved to be an old stovepipe hat.
"While these old-time memories were being recalled at the various gath-
erings, more spectacular entertainment had also fjeen going on elsewhere.
"Early in the afternoon there were band concerts in various places,
then later a baseball game, and at five o'clock an exhibition run by the lire
department. As soon as it grew dark the electric display was resumed,
there were more band concerts and, finally, as a grand wind-up, a display
of fireworks from the Saginaw street bridge. The street in that vicinity
was once more thronged to congestion, and as the light faded from the
'Good-night' set-piece with which the exhibition closed, the Golden Jubilee
went out, as it began, in a blaze of glory,"
?Ion. C. PI, Wisncr, circuit judge, was chairman of the general com-
mittee for the Flint Golden Jubilee and old Home Coming Reunion. Edwin
O, Wood was chairman of the executive committee.
The surplus remaining from the Golden Jubilee fund was used to pre-
pare and publish a book. Rev. C. A. Lippincott, D. D., was selected as
editor.
It is worthy of note that in less than twelve years following the fif-
tieth anniversary of Flint its population had increased during that time
about five hundred per cent.
dbyGoot^lc
CHAPTER XXIX.
Greater Flint.
The transformation of the city of Flint from a population of thirteen
thousand in 1910 to a city having approximately, according to the data avail-
able, eighty-five thousand people in 1916, all in a period of about sixteen
years, is a story which merits especial mention": Genesee county and the
city of Flint are so much a part of each other that the history of one is
necessarily a record of the progress of the other.
The industrial activities of Flint for the twelve years from 1904 to
1916, have been of such unusual proportions as to have engaged the atten-
tion of the public and the press throughout the country.
The percentage of increase in population from 1900 to 1910, as shown
by the United States census, and the percentage of growth from 1910 to
the end of 1916, has made a new record in the history of the United States,
and the townships which border on the city have also been the beneficiaries
of the growth of the city.
In the early part of the nineteenth century, when the Indians roamed
the forests of the Saginaw valley, Flint was a trading post. Among the
first white men to visit the spot were two CathoHc priests, who were soon
followed by a Frenchman named Bolieu, but they did not remain long,
pushing to the north. Later, Jacob Smith, who had been a captain at De-
troit at the time of Hull's surrender, came to Genesee county. After the
close of the War of 1812, he was employed by the government to visit the
Chippewa Indians and, locating on the Flint river, he soon entered upon
intimate terms with this tribe, his efforts facilitating the treatv made by
General Cass at Saginaw a few years later. Jacob Smith, the founder and
father of what is now the city of Flint, was a German by birth and a native
of Quebec, and on a gentle, shaded slope in Gienwood cemeterv there stands
a tall black monument, its inscriptions dimmed with age, commemorating
the early deeds of this first white settler, who died in 1825.
Flint was located on the only main road from Detroit to Saginaw, part
of which was a rough highway cut through the forests from the Saginaw
river to the Flint by two detachments of the Third United States Infantry,
under Lieutenants Brooks and Bainbridge in 1822-23. It was little more
tlian a bridle path. From the Flint river to Royal Oak the Indian trail was
dbyGoot^lc
■]-J2 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
used, and from there to Detroit a corduroy road was built across the swamp
and low land. Flint thus became a station of rest, as it were; so the his-
toric tavern of John Todd was built for the accommodation of travelers
journeying overland to Saginaw, the straits of Mackinac and Lake Superior.
This building, constructed mainly of rough hewn logs, is said by old settlers
to have stood near where the Wolverine Citisen building now stands. Mr.
Todd also operated a primitive ferry immediately in the rear of his tavern,
but a little later the government bridged this spot across the river, which
then was much wider than it is at the present time. In 1828 a saw-mill
was built upon the banks of the Thread river, which marked the beginning
of the lumber industry which made fortunes for many Flint men. Little
did its one-time proprietors, Rowland Perry and Harvey Spencer, dream
that nearly a half century after the passing of this industry Flint was des-
tined to grow to magnificent proportions, which might prove disquieting to
even old "Uncle Ben" Pearson, who prophesied years ago that although
Flint was a thriving place, he "hardly thought it would ever become a sea-
port town."
The installation of a United States land office in 1S36 added to the
prestige of the Httle community, and later a grist-mill and a saw-mill were
built to supply the needs of the settlers.
Tke Michigan Gazetteer, published in 1838, contains the first obtain-
able semi-official information in regard to the village:
FLINT: A village, postoffice nnd seat of Justice for Genesee county, sltunted 011
Pliiit river. It liaa a banking association, iin edge tool factory, saw-mill, two tlty
goods stores, two grocciies, two physicians, a lawyer und the land office for tlie Sagl-
new land district. The United States toad passes tliroiigli it. Tliere is a good supply
of water power In and nround it. The emigration to this place has been very greiit
the past two years and still continues. The village Is flourishing, and the country
around it excellent. It is estimated to contain three hundred families. Distant fi-om
Detroit, 58 miles northwest, and from Washington City, 584 miles northwest.
In the early fifties, lumbering as a commercial enterprise was under-
taken and about ten years later Flint became the center of the lumber in-
dustry in Michigan, a large amount of the finest timber in the state being
found along the FHnt river and its tributaries. At the zenith of this in-
dustry a milHon feet of lumber was being sawed annually by some of the
larger lumbermen of the period. Along the Flint river were located the
once famous mills of Governor Crapo, McFarlan & Company, William
Busenbark, Hamilton, Smith & Carpenter; Hascall, Begole Fox & Company;
J. B. Atwood & Company ; Eddy, and a dozen others, not including mills in
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNXy, MICHIGAN. 773
Operation at Geneseevilk and other points on the river and along the Kears-
ley creek. The village of Flint in the fifties, which had a population of
about two thousand, took on the g-ener;d aspect of a typical lumber camp,
the old McFarlan tavern on St. John street being the center about which the
social life of the lumbermen revolved.
The lumber industry gave out in 1876, however, as the resources had
become practically exhausted, and for a few years Flint, the county seat of
Genesee, although growing slowly, had practically settled down to become
the entrepot of a prosperous agricultural region. The men who had oper-
ated the mills and the men who had worked in the mills either bought or
leased the lands of the county and the latter had engaged in farming or gone
into other lines of business, most of them remaining in the county.
In 1880 there were a few varied industries. William A. Paterson, a
practical wagon-maker of Guelph, Ontario, who had come to Fhnt in 1869,
had started a small carriage and repair shop and also manufactured farm
wagons. The Begole Fox & Company lumber yard had become the site of
the Flint Wagon Works, a small concern which later grew to large propor-
tions and whose inception was presided over by James H. Whiting.
Flint in 1886 had a population of about eight thousand people. Its
streets were wide and shady, its homes, some even pretentious, were homes
of taste, set far back on green lawns and surrounded by stately elms and
maples. It was the typical small American community of the middle West.
About this time there appeared on the horizon a young man destined
to rock the cradle of an industry from which has emerged a colossus of en-
terprise, that has made Michigan one o£ the most prosperous states in the
Union and marked Fhnt as a city of achievement. On August i, 1886,
William C. Durant, the grandson of Governor Henry H. Crapo, then a
young man of twenty-five, embarked in the road-cart industry in Flint, in
company with J. Dallas Dort, who was at that time salesman for a local
hardware concern. The total capital of these two young men was two
thousand dollars, and the product which it aimed to manufacture and place
upon the market was a two-wheeled road cart, on which a manufacturer at
Coldwater, Michigan, had obtained a patent. It was claimed that the cart
neutralized the motion of the horse and, as an inexpensive vehicle, was
suited to the needs of the Western agriculturist.
Mr. Durant went to Coldwater and purchased patterns and machinery
of the old Coldwater Cart Company, which had been partially damaged by
fire, and established a small plant in Flint. The output of the new company
for the first year was four thousand vehicles. The business increased rap-
dbyGoot^lc
774 gene:see county, Michigan.
idly and the firm was soon sub-letting its manufacturing to other concerns,
in order to keep up with the public demand. The company, foreseeing the
great possibilities which would accrue from the manufacture of a general
line of vehicles, developed the "Blue Ribbon"' line of carriages, which, within
a comparatively short time, reached annual sales of one hundred and fifty
thousand, the evohition of this enterjjrise being sensational in the manu-
facturing tield of that time.
About this time Flint awoke to the consciousness that an industrial
awakening was imminent, and became alive to its possibilities. W. A. Pat-
terson, who had been building road carts for the Durant-Dort Company, in
addition to the manufacture of his own line, embarked on an extensive scale
in the manufacture of carriages, and the Flint Wagon Works, with J. H.
^Vhiting, as general manager, expanded to greater proportions and was soon
building many thousands of wagons and carriages annually. In the early
days of this industry W. F. Stewart started the manufacture of carriage
bodies and woodwork, the enterprise growing into one of the foremost rising
industries of the city, and soon Fhnt became known as one of the largest
centers of the vehicle industry in the United States.
In the year 1900 Flint was keeping step with the march of progress and
with its vehicle factories and other industries had grown to be a community
of about thirteen thousand people. It was a city equipped with all things
conducive to ideal working conditions, coupled with comfortable homes and
a most enjoyable environment.
About this time Thomas Buick, a practical engineer, was working on
a gasoline engine upon which he had secured a patent, and was operating
a small plant for its manufacture in Detroit. The Flint Wagon Works
Company, seeing a market for stationary farm engines through their farm
wagon agencies, purchased the business of Mr. Buick and removed it to
Flint, building for the purpose a factory which now forms a part of the
Mason Motor Company. Meanwhile Mr. Buick, with the assistance of
Walter L. Marr, now chief engineer of the Buick Motor Company, built
the first Buick automobile, which was practically the old "Model F" car.
The officers of the Wagon Works Company brought the car to the atten-
tion of Mr. Durant, who was one of the first manufacturers in the country
to realize that the motor-driven vehicle was destined to displace the horse.
He foresaw the possibilities of manufacturing automobiles in large quanti-
ties and, in spite of the antagonism which prevailed among skeptical per-
sons, entered the automobile field with the courage and determination born
of his vision of an evolution to come in the means of transportation. In
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 775
1904 Mr. Durant farmed the Buick Motor Company and the plant was
moved to Jackson, Michigan, where the old buildings of the Imperial Wheel
Company were utilized pending the erection of the first Buick factory at
Oak Park.
During the year 1900, men interested in the advancement of the city
conceived the idea of enlarging the area of Flint, to provide for future de-
velopment. The result was the platting of Oak Park subdivision to the
north of the city limits. The Durant-Dort Company was behind the move-
ment, and through the efforts of its officials and with the hearty co-operation
of the business men, Mrs. Minnie Loranger, daughter of William Hamilton,
who had owned the land, and William C. Durant, acting as trustee for the
Flint I*~actory Improvement Association, arranged for the opening of the
plat. About ninety of the three hundred acres platted consisted of a dense
oak forest, from which the subdivision received its name. Out of the three
hundred acres, one hundred were set aside to furnish sites for future indus-
trial concerns. The balance was divided into residence lots and sold. The
profits accruing from the sale of these lots were set aside as a fund to be
used by the association in bringing new factories to the city. To this move-
ment may be credited the securing of the Flint Axle Works (now the
Walker-Weiss Axle Company) and the J. B. Armstrong Manufacturing
Company. I^ter, through the constructive genius of Mr. Durant, there
came the Buick Motor Company, Weston-Mott Company, the Imperial
Wheel Works plant, later occupied by the Monroe Motor Company, and
now a unit of the Buick plant; the Flint Varnish Works, the W. F. Stewart
Company, Champion Ignition Company and the Micliigan Motor Castings
Company. • •
As factory after factory arose where there had been but woodland and
cultivated fields a short time before, the western part of the plat became
dotted with residences and business places. In 1916 Oak Park is one of
most thickly populated sections of the city, being the home of thousands of
men employed in the great factories of the north end industrial section.
The first year's output of the Buick Company factory was sixteen
automobiles. The second year it produced five hundred, and at the begin-
ning of the third year Mr. Durant completed plans for a plant and organi-
zation to develop the increasing volume of business which the great Buick
Motor plant, the largest group of factory bi^ildings in the world given over
to the manufacture of one make of automobiles, was destined to enjoy.
The original three-hundred-acre tract known as the Hamilton farm, is
now the site of affiliated factories which cover eighty acres of ground and
dbyGoot^lc
77f> GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
from which in 1916 were shipped sixty thousand automobiles, with a pro-
duction of one hundred and twenty thousand planned for 1917.
In 1908 Mr. Durant organized the General Motors Company, of which
the Buick Motor Company was a subsidiary plant. Into this corporation
was brought the Cadillac Motor Car Company of Detroit, for which the
corporation paid nearly five million dollars in cash ; the Olds Motor Works,
of Lansing; the Oakland Motor Car Company, the Northway Motor Com-
pany, of Detroit; the Jackson-Church-Wilcox Company, of Saginaw, the
Weston-Mott Company, and tlie General Motors Truck Company, of Pon-
tiac.
The first year the sales of the General Motors Company exceeded
$34,000,000, making Mr. Durant the recognized leader in the field of motor
cars. The profits of the General Motors Company in 1909 were over
$9,000,000, and the second year of business resulted in profits exceeding
$10,000,000. From its inception the General Motors Company was a hold-
ing company, each unit of the organization being operated upon a separate
basis.
The results obtained by Mr. Durant and his associates were most grat-
ifying. One of the most important industries secured for Oak Park was
the Weston-Mott Company, a small manufacturing concern in Utica, New
York, which was induced to transfer its equipment and force of workmen
to Flint, to produce axles for the Buick Motor Company. The Weston-
Mott Company, starting in one factory building, increased its production
in accordance with the demands made by the Buick and other motor com-
panies, until today it occupies five immense factory buildings, and has
become one of the most important units of tl»e General Motors corporation,
by which it was later absorbed.
In 1908 the Durant-Dort Carriage Company established, in this indus-
trial section, the Flint Varnish Works. From a very small beginning the
company has grown to be the largest maker of high-grade finishing material
for automobile and railroad use in the world. The company was sold by the
Durant-Dort concern and reorganized as the Flint Varnish and Color
Works, and William W. Mountain, who had been the genera! manager,
became president of the organization. The company now produces every-
thing in the line of paint, colors, enamels and varnish utiUzed in the finish-
ing of automobiles and cars. In 1916 the company increased the size of
its plant, enabling it to more than double its production, and also added a
Canadian branch at Toronto, Ontario.
Also iocated in the center of this great industrial center of Flint are
dbyGoot^lc
SOrTH SA(JINAW STltKET, I.OOKI.\<J SOUTH, FLINT.
dbyGoot^lc
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 777
the following manufacturing institutions: The Champion Ignition Com-
pany, with its capacity of seventy-five thousand spark plugs a day, and the
Michigan Motor Castings Company, which in 1916 occupied a new foundry
building costing six hundred thousand dollars and having a capacity of two
hundred and fifty tons of gray iron per day, both of which are units of the
General Motors Company ; the W. F. Stewart Company, producing automo-
bile bodies; the Walker-Weiss Axle Company; the J. B. Armstrong Com-
pany, makers of steel springs; and the million-doUar plant of the Common-
wealth Power Company. The latter plant is used to transfer the one hun-
dred and forty thousand voltage brought three hundred miles overland from
the Au Sable river and used to furnish electricity for commercial and do-
mestic purposes, including the operation of all factories and the city street
car lines.
Flint had sprung from a town of thirteen thousand in 1900 to a city
of thirty-eight thousand in 1910, enjoying at this time the distinction of
having the largest increase in [xipulation and also in postal receipts of any
city in the United States, according to the government statistics. Meantime
property values had made phenomenal advances, the real estate dealers had
placed thousands of residence lots on the market, streets were cut through
portions of the city previously used for garden lands, factory building after
factory building was being erected, and FUnt in 1910 was the typical boom
town of the M''est.
The peculiar conditions of this period may be noted with interest, as
it was impossible in any way for the city officials to provide-for the influx
of its rapidly-increasing population. Up to the time of the erection of the
present postoffice building, patrons of the general delivery window would
stand in line for one hundred feet to receive their daily mail ; hotels and
boarding houses were turning people away, and lodgings were at a premium,
some of the keepers of large boarding houses in the factory district renting
their beds to first day and then night "shifts." It is said that about this
time a theatrical company and a base-ball team who were scheduled to appear
in Flint were forced to seek accommodations for the night in the neighbor-
ing town of Lapeer. In 1909-10 there were estimated to have been one
thousand people who were living in tents along the river banks and in the
woods adjacent to the factory buildings.
In 1912 Mr. Durant, the genius who was becoming a center of attrac-
tion in the manufacturing and financial world, organized the Chevrolet Motor
Company, which was soon followed by the establishment of subsidiary plants
in New York, Tarrytown, St. Louis, Oakland, California; Bay City, To-
dbyGoot^lc
yyS GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ledo, Fort Worth and Oshawa, Ontario. The Chevrolet Motor Companj'
is anticipating an output in 1916 of eighty thousand cars, and is making
plans for a production of one hundred and ninety-four thousand cars in 1917.
The Chevrolet Company first occupied the buildings of the old Flint
Wagon Works and later took over the plant of the Mason Motor Company.
In 191 5 these structures became overcrowded with machinery and em-
ployees, which necessitated plans for a number of large additions. Those
already completed or in process of construction are a large new plant for
the manufacture of Mason motors, a mammoth three-story factory, an axle
plant, and a separate heating plant. This enormous expansion has made
necessary the construction of several miles of railroad sidings, the erection
of a new steel bridge for factory and railroad purposes only, and a new
city bridge at Wilcox street, to care for the greatly increased traffic.
What the Buick Motor Company and other plants have meant to the
north end of the city, the Chevrolet Company has meant to the western sec-
tion. The fourth ward, originally known as "The Pinery," a rather less
improved section of Flint than the other wards, in 1916 became crowded
with thousands of workmen who sought residences in the near vicinity of
the great manufacturing plant. The expansion of the city by platting has
resulted in the erection of homes as far as three miles beyond the city limits,
where a real estate concern platted twenty acres into one-acre and half-acre
plats, and sold them all within a few days.
Today the great companies, the General Motors and the Chevrolet,
which Mr. Durant organized and which have meant so much to Flint, have
a combined volume of business of $200,000,000, which is more than the
income of the New York Central and Lake Shore railroads.
In 1914 Mr. Durant disposed of his holdings in the Durant-Dort Car-
, riage Company. Shortly after this the Dort Motor Car Company was or-
ganized, with J. Dallas Dort as president. The new automobile concern
took over a large portion of the carriage plant and increased its output so
rapidly that in 1916 it became necessary to expand. There was no vacant
land adjacent to the Dort groupof factory buildings, so the company pur-
chased two entire blocks of residence property between Smith street and
the Flint river, and South street and the Grand Trunk railroad tracks, razed
the dwellings thereon and started the construction of a mammoth two-story
assembling plant which will cost when completed ninety thousand dollars.
The company has also purchased twenty acres at the south end of the city
at the intersection of the Fere Marquette and Grand Trunk railways. In
1915-16 the output of the Dort Motor Car Company was nine thousand
cars.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 779
Though motor car manufacturing has evidently become the principal
interest of Mr. Dort, still he has not yet abandoned the manufacture of
carnages, considerable space in the Durant-Dort Carriage Company plant
being still utilized for the building of carriages, the output of this branch
of the business being fifteen thousand jobs in 1915.
Other accessory companies to the automobile industry are the Marvel
Carburetor Company, the Imperial Wheel Company, the United States
Brass and Iron Foundry, Flint Pattern Company, and several minor manu-
facturing concerns.
In the meantime the W. A. Paterson Company, the pioneer vehicle
manufacturers of Flint, had also turned their attention to the building of
automobiles. A large portion of the group of factory buildings, located in
the heart of the city, were devoted to that industry, the different models
proving from the outset very popular with the public. The Paterson Motor
Company is now building about fifteen hundred cars per annum.
Thus from the establishment of a single industry has arisen a vast
combination of allied interests, which are known the world over. While the
growth and progressiveness of any one commonwealth can only be due to
combined efforts, still the citizens of Flint realize that without the foresight
and genius and generalship of such a leader as Mr. Durant, Flint would not
have been the manufacturing and commercial center that it is in 1916 when
this book goes to press.
POPULATION.
Strange as it may seem, Flint never had an organization as a village,
but from a simple township leaped into a full fledged city. January 18,
1855, a citizens' meeting was held to consider the subject of a city charter,
and the act of incorporation fiecame a law by approval of Governor Bing-
ham, February 3, 1855, and on April 2nd following the first charter elec-
tion was held, and the Hon. Grant Decker was chosen its first mayor.
The population of the new city of Flint when incorporated was about
two thousand. The following figures best show the phenomenal growth of
Flint for the sixteen years since 1900:
1855 2.000
1890 9,830
J900 13-103
1910 38,550
1916 (estimated) 85,000
dbyGoot^lc
7^0 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CITY OFFICIALS OF FLINT.
The following is a complete roster of the city officers for 1916:
Mayor Eavl F. Jolinson
President pro teoi Geoi^e 0. KelLir
Clerk ^Deios E. Newcombe
Trei«iurer Jolin H. Long
4ttomei John H. Farley
Fngineer E. C. Slioecraft
HeUth Ofliter Don D. Knaup
Min ani FoDd Inspector and Sealer of
heights tml Me'isures Edward J. Friar
Plnmbm^ lnspe<'tor G. C. M. Sliaw
Flectrieal an! BnildinK Inspector Geonje D. Hanna
thief of Pire Department Edward H. Price
Chief of Police Jmnes P. Coie
Superintendent of streets Lee Davison
•Superintendent of Poor Frank L. Welia
Superintendent of Water Works F. N. Baldwin
Sexton of Ctty Cemetery Frank Moyer
Market Keeper Frank S. Tbompson
Jn.stlees of the Peace. William L. Lnndon and
James M. Torrey
AUlemien —
First Wnnl— Kdwnrd J. Clark, John W. Collins.
Second Ward— George H. Gordon, Homer Vette.
Third Wnrd—Fred R. Armstrong. William D. aark.
Fourth, Ward—George C. Kellar, Frank O. Torrey.
Fifth Ward— Eslle G. Frazer, Nahuin W. I,ong.
Sixth Ward — Geoi^e F. Streat, Otto M. Hnmlow.
Board of Health — C. D. Chapell, Noah Bates.
Board of Hospital Managers— W. E. Mnrtln, .7. D. Dort, E. W. Atwood. Orson J[il-
lard. George D. Flanders.
Park Commissioners— C. B. Burr, P. R. Doherty. Geortre E. McKinley, George E.
Pomeroy. C. S. Mott.
Police Commissioners — Fred Weiss, Fred D. Jane. Charles II. Miller, Frank R,
Sfreat.
Wiiter Commissioners — Benjamin F. Miller. William Veit.
Standitiu Committees, 1016-1917,
Finance — Kellar, ArmstrouK, Gordon, Collins, Ramlow, Frazer.
Fii-e Departiiient^Arm strong. Streat, Collins, Torrey. Frazer, Vette.
Buildings— Gordon, Kellar, E. J. Clark, W. D, Clark, Ixmg, Ramlow.
Streets — Torrey, W. D. Clark. B. J. Clark, Ix-ng, Vette, Streat.
Sewers— W. D. Clark. E. J. Clark, Torrey, Streat, Vette, Long.
Ordinances — Collins, Kellar. Streat, Armstrong, Fraaerj
Railroads— Streat, Kellar, Gordon, W, D. Clark.
Bridges— Ramlow, Ixiug. Torrey, Giordon, Collins, W. D. Clark.
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 7S1
Licenses^ Friizer, \'ette, Bamlow.
Ijighting — B. J. Clark, Torrey, Long, Ramlow.
Water — Long, Arnistrong, E. J. Clark.
Sunltarj— Vette, Streat, Torrey.
Parks— Vette, Armstrong, Fm7*r.
Conventions — Gordon, Arniati-ong, Friizer, Collins,
CeiiieteiT— Kellar, W. D. Clark. Gordon.
Number of City Employees (Sewer, Piiving .Tnd Street) _ 7m
Number of City Firemen iZ
Number of City Policemen :'.U
. Viiluiltion of Flint S^47..-)iH,44i.ilii
FLINT CITY PLATS, ADDITIONS AND SUB-DIVISIONS.
There were several plats of the village of Flint River filed in the office
of the register of deeds. The first one was filed by A. E. Wathares in 1830.
He called it a plat of the village of Sidney. The territory embraced in this
plat covered four blocks— from Saginaw street to Clifford, east and west,
and from the river to First street, north and south. This was followed by
a re-survey in 1833 and the name of Flint River was substituted for Sidney.
The new plat covered the territory embraced in the Sidney plat and extended
to the present Fourth street and on the east to Harrison street. In 1836 this
village plat was extended to East street and included thirty-two blocks.
The village of Grand Traverse was platted on the north side of the
river in 1837 and the plat was filed on January 16 of that year. It extended
from the river to Seventh avenue, north, and from Smith's Island — St.
John's street — to West street, now known as Stone street. This was platted
by Chauncey S. Payne.
The village of Flint was platted by Wait Beach, July 13, 1836. It ex-
tended from tile river to Eleventh street, south, and from Saginaw street to
Church^ — all being west of the Saginaw turnpike, now Saginaw street.
EUsha Beach filed a plat on September 22, 1836, extending the limhs
of Flint village to Pine street, adding twenty blocks and on February 28,
1837. Gen. C. C. Hascall platted an addition to the village, east of Saginaw
street to Clifford and from Court street south to Eleventh — sixteen blocks.
But while all these plats showed villages, there really never was an incor-
porated village of Sidney, Flint River, Grand Traverse or Fhnt, There was
always a township organization and then a city.
Up to 1900 there were over sixty "additions" to the territory origin-
allv embraced in the fimits of the city of Flint. These additions vary in size
from a few lots to nearly fifty blocks. Among the most important may be
dbyGoot^lc
782
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
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GENESEd: COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 783
mentioned ': McFarlan & Company's Western Addition, forty-nine blocks ;
Thayer & Eddy's, sixteen blocks; Stockton's eleven blocks; Fenton &
Bishop's, fourteen blocks; West Flint, twelve blocks, and Oak Park addi-
tion, embracing thirty-four blocks. When the present site of the water
works was selected, that location still remained in the township of Burton,
but it was subsequently added to the city.
The following plats have been filed in the office of the register of deeds
of Genesee county, Michigan, beginning with the year 1900, to July, rgi6,
a total of twenty-two thousand two hundred and five lots, to which may be
added several plats laid out during the latter part of 1916 and bringing
the number of lots platted in six years to nearly twenty-five thousand.
Xume of Pint Xo. of 1
Adelaide
Arliugtoii Place
Beiielidiile
Becker Heights Addition
Btckford I'nrk
Bl9lio|/s Re-Plnt
BHick Helglifs
Buk-k Piirk
BuiT's Addition __
Colllngwood
ColuDihlii Helj;IitH
Conrtdale
Deirey Homestead Addition
J. D. Dort's Addition
Hastem Adrtltioi] to Hoiiiedtile
Edgewood Plat
Elk Park Subdivision
Elm Piii'k Subdlvlsloii
Fairfield Subdivision
Fairmont Addition
Frtirview
I''l;niderB & Honvan's Subdivision
Floral Park
Franklin Park
Feiitou Helg-lits (Supert-isor'a Plat)_
(!llke>- Ridge
Ollkey Itidge No. 2
Gillespie & VanWagoner's Subdivision
flamer's Re-Plat
(Jrnnt Heights
Hamilton Homestead Addition
rx>yiil Guard Square Re-Plat
IVoolfit & Mncomber Re-Plat
Xaii
;of I'
Xo. of L
Homedale Subdivision
I,ut.v-Miisou-Howard Plat
Kearaley Park Subdivision
Klrby'a Addition
Knob Hill
(ieorge LaDue's Addition
liberty Sti-eet Extension
Uaplewood
Bang'a Re-Plat
A. McFarlaii'a Ke-Plat
Muines' Re-Plat
Wi-igbfs Re-Plat
Veifg Ke-Pliit
Mcr>nnghlin'8 Addition
Slalnes" Flint Orest
Maplewood Annex
Motor Heights
Motor Helglits Second Subdivision-
Motor Helglits Third Subdivision
Murray HHI _
Murray Hill No. 2
Re-Plat of Reserve and I-ot '.}^^ of
Mu Hill
Northen AMItlon to Fairview
O kland :
O k Park S bdi Isio 1
I) r nt Do t C rriage Co s Re-Plat--
P. kl nl ;
Parkland No 2 :
P k Heitl ts \ llltlo :
P rk ew
Pa aden ■:
Pone Bo I I ht Allt m ',
P lonl Icht Sei 1 .\ddition.. :
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784
GENESEE COUNl'Y, MICHIGAN.
Pomeroy-Bonbrigbt Third Addition-
Rice's Addidon
River Addition to Fairview
Eirerside
South Parlt
PilJer's Re-Plat
Stevenson's Plat
Stewart's Plat
Stewart's Plat No. 3
Stoue-Macdonafd Addition
Stone-Ma cdooald-Kaufm an Addition.
Taylor's Addition
Tlilrd Avenue Terrace Addition
VnuTlflln Place
Vineland
Wiudiate-Pieroe Subdivision
E. O. Wood's Plat
Woodlawn Park
Woodward Plat .
Highland Park Sobdivi^on
Kummer's Addition
Cloverdale No. 2
General Motoi-s' Parit
Miner's Subdivision
Brookfleid Addition
VineJand No. 1
Fenton Park Addition
Suburban Gardens
Teuton Sti-eet Subdivision..
Indian Village
Jleti
Mason Manor .
Hiila No. 1__ ___ 141
2.^
Lincoln Park Subdivision 4rhl
Maplewood Annex No. 1 4.W
Pliit of Bellaire m'>
Mason Manor No. 1 152
Virginia Piace Subdivision 'd2-i
Woodcroft Subdivision i;i<i
Clarkdale Subdivision IW
Nickels Park Subdivision 17(i
Manuhall Park li'T
Atherton Park Subdivision 51)1
Boulevard Heights Subdivision rai Tohil number of lots 22.:J(».i
Flint's area in 1916 is seven thousand and forty acres. It is a city of
homes. Many of its workingmen either own their homes or are buying
them on the contract plan. The greatest problem of Greater Flint has been
to supply the unusual demand for houses. There are fifteen hundred factory
employees who live in Saginaw, thirty miles away, and twelve hundred who
live in Bay City, forty miles away, and there are also between three hundred
and four hundred who live in the more accessible villages of Clio and Mt.
Morris. The crying need is for five thousand more homes. Capitahsts are
bending their energies to supply this demand so that the industrial progress
of Flint may not be stayed. The Civic Building Association, organized with
a paid-up capital of two hundred thousand dollars in 1916, is trying to
alleviate the situation. It has planned the completion of five hundred mod-
erate priced homes for workingmen by the close of 1916. There were at
the beginning of the year 1916, twelve thousand five hundred residence
buildings in the city. With the plans for the construction of many new
houses and the completion of those under way there are prospects of from
fifteen thousand to sixteen thousand homes in the city by January, 1917.
Building permits for the first half of 1916 passed the total of 1915,
when thirteen hundred and two permits for new construction work and
three hundred and thirty-nine for repair work were issued from the city
dbyGoot^lc
Wf^'^^
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CITY HALL, FLIXT.
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MASONIC TEJII'IJO, FLINT.
dbyGoot^lc
dbyGoo<^lc
UENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 785
clerk's office from January i to July i. The value of buildings for which
permits were granted during this period was approximately two million five
hundred thousand, or nearly one million dollars ahead of the total amount
for the year 191 5.
The record in the city clerk's office shows that building permits for
structures to cost one hundred dollars or more during the past five years
have been issued as follows: 1912, 181; 1913, 290; 1914, 416; 1915,
1,398; 1916 to July I, 1,302. Of the thirteen hundred and ninety-eight
permits in 1915, twelve hundred and four were for houses, twenty-four for
flats, twenty for stores with flats, eighty-eight for barns and garages, and
the remainder for business buildings.
FLINT BOARD OF COMMERCE,
Aiding materially in the growth and progress of the city is the Flint
Board of Commerce, which was organized in June, 1906, as the Flint Im-
provement I-eague. It was projected at an informal gathering of a iarge
number of citizens, in response to their unanimously expressed conviction
that there was need for a broad and unhampered organization to give ex-
pression to, and to promote, civic ideals, which were either dormant or
languid because lacking in united support and adequate opportunity of real-
ization.
The history of the organization has justified its founding. It could be
shown that it has produced many concrete and valuable results in the vari-
ous phases of civic life — commercial, industrial, aesthetic, political and
moral; but its most worthy contribution to municipal well-being cannot be
reckoned in statistics, for its chief value lies in its power as a life-giving
spirit rather than a mechanical force.
Its efficiency and usefulness to the community are demonstrated by the
increasing interest in its work and by the large additions to its mem-
bership. In 1909 the scope of its operations was widened, its name changed
to Flint Board of Commerce and its constitution revised.
In the early days of the organization the dues were but one dollar per
annum, but in 1912 it was realized that to do more constructive work a
greater income was necessary. At this time a campaign for members was
carried on and the dues raised to twelve dollars. This permitted the em-
ployment of a salaried secretary and the maintenance of a regular office.
The city grew and greater demands were put upon the organization.
(50)
dbyGoot^lc
7^6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The income realized from annual dues of twelve dollars did not measure up
to the demands. The officers realized that something must be done. In May,
1916, a membership campaign was conducted which resulted in fifteen hun-
dred memberships. At the same time a complete reorganization was effected,
a new set of constructive by-laws was adopted, which provided for annual
dues of twenty-five dollars.
Immediately following the campaign the old officers and directors
resigned and the large new membership was permitted to nominate and elect
a new board by ballot sent out through the mail.
A poll of the membership was taken to learn what each individual con-
sidered matters of importance that should be undertaken. As a result a
definite program of work was developed. Special committees are appointed
from time to time to put into action the various planks of the program.
The first big problem to receive attention was the matter of providing
houses for the rapidly-increasing population. This resulted in the organiza-
tion of the Civic Building Association, with a capital of two hundred thou-
sand dollars and the following officers : W. W. Mountain, president ; Leon-
ard Freeman, vice-president; A. G. Bishop, treasurer, and J. E. Burroughs,
secretary. This organization is planning and contemplates the erection of a
large number of houses as rapidly as possible.
The necessity of a definite city plan has been under consideration by a
special committee. The common council has been approached, with a result
that the mayor has appointed a special committee composed of three aldermen
and three citizens to go into the matter.
Year-round supervised recreation, a modern city charter and several other
big problems are all receiving due consideration and study to the end that
the city will be prepared in all of its departments to meet and take care of
its rapidly increasing population.
The officers elected July i, 1916, were: President, Leonard Freeman;
first vice-president, J. Dallas Dort ; second vice-president, Waiter P.
Chrysler; treasurer. Grant J. Brown. Regular meetings of the board are
held the last Wednesday of each month.
PARKS AND BOULEVARDS.
Flint until 1906 gave very little, if any, attention to parks and boule-
vards. At that time there were two small parks, the First Ward park and
Hamilton park, located on Detroit street.
During the years 1905 and 1916, J. D. Dort presented to the city
dbyGoot^lc
GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 787
plans for an elaborate park and boulevard system, as prepared by Warren
H. Manning, of Boston, one of the best-known landscape architects of the
cotintr)-, provided that its new charter, then under way, would create a
park commission for the purpose of developing and carrying out as far
as practicable this new system of parks and boulevards. This plan was
accordingly accepted by the city and became a part of the new charter in
August, 1906.
Thus came info being for i'^iint a system of parks, to be connected with
boulevard drives and parkways, which might eventually mean as much to the
city as the elaborate systems which are the show places of many of the larger
cities, particularly in the East. The Manning system embraces all land
seemingly of but little value and available along the banks, of the rivers and
ravines throughout the city, following tlie Flint river to the north limits of
the city; thence along the Gilkey creek ravine from the Flint river to the
Thread lake, along the southeasterly part of the city skirting the shores of
this lake to Thread lake park; thence westerly to the Deming road; then to
the Fenton road, following the bluffs to the intersection of Thread and
Swartz creeks; thence westerly to the grounds of the school for the deaf.
From this point, it is probable it will follow the roadways to the westerly
.side of the Glenwood cemetery, and from there it will connect with the
boulevard skirting the westerly and northerly shores of the Flint river in
tiie extreme westerly part of the city.
Much of the land required for this work has already been secured by
gift, extending on both sides of the Fhnt river above the Saginaw street
bridge, continuing to the Hamilton avenue bridge, also a considerable dis-
tance along the easterly bluff of the Gilkey creek, and, with that which is
now under negotiation, will extend from the Fhnt river to Howard avenue,
which will then carry the boulevard to the banks of Thread lake. There are
also included several pieces of land in the southwesterly part of the city,
along the northerly bank of the Flint river, and in the westerly part of the
city.
Much attention has also been given to acquiring land for parks, which
now consists of the following: Oak park, about six acres; Dort School
park, about four acres: Water Works park, about eight acres; Willson park,
about three acres ; Athletic park, about five acres ; Thread Lake park, about
twenty acres; Woodlawn park, about six acres; Fourth Ward park, about
two acres: Kearsley park, about sixty acres; Crapo island, about two acres,
together with the First Ward and Hamilton parks originally owned by the
citv, making a total area of one hundred and fifteen acres.
dbyGoot^lc
7o8 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The development of these places has been hampered by the lack of
funds, the park board being able to complete but a few of the parks and only
the prelimmary work along the boulevards. However, public interest is being
aroused to the necessity of completing; these parks for the welfare and recre-
ation of the public, especially for those who are unable to seek enjoyment
elsewhere. This increasing interest becoming evident with the city authori-
ties as well, the allowance for 1916 was much more Hberal and will thus
enable the park board to make considerable headway in this work.
It will no doubt require the untiring work and patience of the park
board for some years to complete the work, but Flint will uitiniately have a
system of drives and breathing spots, together with amusement parks, which
it can well \x proud of and to which it could in future years add other drives
into the surrounding country along the elevations overlooking Flint, which
are most beautiful and attractive,
OTFICERS OF THE FIJKT PAUK HOARD.
The Flint park board was created in August, igo6, consisting of the
following members:
Walter Hasselbring, term expired 1908; Dr. K. L. Tupper, term ex-
pired 1909; Fred W. Brennan, term expired 1910; George E. Pomeroy,
term expired 191 1; Dr. F. D. Clarke, term expired 1912.
Waiter Hasselbring, re-appointed, term expired 1913; Dr. F. L. Tui^per,
re-appointed, term expired 1914; Horace C. Spencer, re-appointed, term ex-
pired 1915; George E, Pomeroy, re-appointed, terra expired 1916; Dr. C. B.
Burr (appointed to fill vacancy caused by Dr. F. D. Clarke's death), term
expires 1917; Patrick R. Doherty, term expires 1918; George E. McKinley,
term expires 1919; Horace C. Spencer, re-appointed, term to expire in
1920 (resigned); Charles S. Mott, term expires 1921 ; George E. Pomeroy,
re-appointed, terra expires 1920.
Present Members-— Dr. C. B. Burr, president; C. S. Mott, treasurer;
G. E. Pomeroy, secretary; George E. McKinley, Patrick R. Doherty.
WATERWORKS AND SEWERS.
In 1912 there was opened a new waterworks filtration plant, costing
four hundred thousand dollars, with a pumping capacity of twenty-three
million gallons per day, furnishing filtered water which is shown by chem-
ical analvsis to be 98 per cent. pure. ■ In 1916 the water board, reahzing
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 789
that the plant was soon to be taxed to its utmost capacity and that many
sections of the city were still without water, asked for four hundred thou-
sand dollars for the construction of a large addition to the plant, including a
water- softening equi]mient and the extension of its high pressure service
mains. On July i, 1916, there are eighty-five miles of water pipes, with
more proposed lines in the year of 1917.
There was also begun a comprehensive plan of sewer construction, with
the separation of sanitary and storm-water sewage, together with intercept-
ing sewers joining the sanitary sewers so as to carry this sewage to a point
below the city when it becomes necessary to build a disposal plant. Of
sewers there are one hundred and fifteen miles, with twenty-five miles more
proposed for 1917. On January i, 1913, there were forty-two and one-half
miles of sewers in the city. The sewer mileage added yearly since then has
shown an increase every year as follows: Built in 1913, five miles; 1914,
twenty-one miles; 1915, twenty-two miles, and 1916, twenty-five mnles,
making in 1916 a total of one hundred and fifteen and one-half miles.
PAVING .\ND SIDEWALKS.
There are some two hundred miles of streets in the city. Of these,
thirty-three miles are paved. The paving is now going on at the rate of
from eight to ten miles a year, and ten miles more are proposed for 191 7.
the pavement construction being planned to give an improved system of
driveways to all parts of the city.
There are in Flint approximately one million s<|uare feet of cement
sidewalks, averaging five feet in width. Of this total, four hundred and
fifty thousand was built prior to 1914.
In addition to doing the vast amount of work in the years of 1913 to
1916, inclusive, the city has purchased a large amount of equipment for
street and sewer work, including about fifteen thousand dollars' worth of
machinery for building sewers and thirty-four thousand and fifty-five dol-
lars' worth of street equipment, including an asphalt plant inventoried at
fourteen thousand six hundred and seven dollars. The city also purchased
an immense gravel pit near Otisville, reducing the cost of this material to a
minimum. The cost of the gravel pit was between three thousand and four
thousand dollars, and the yield during the first year, 1916, indicates a sup-
ply that will last for twenty years.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department of the city is acknowledged to be one of the most
modern in the United States. All of its apparatus is of the latest design and
is motor-driven except one piece which is kept in the North End, where a
motor vehicle might get mired in the mud roads. For this fire department,
the city pays $61,385.32 a year. The department of 1916 includes forty-
three paid men, including the chief, assistant chief and captains of the
various . companies. As the result of its improved department, restrictions
with respect to building, and its water supply, Flint has become a second-
rate risk insurance city, being one of the few cities in the United States so
rated by underwriters.
The following firemen constitute the city force for 1916: E. H. Price,
George Hanna, Victor Watson, John Rose, William Scheuble, Josche Thom-
son, Charles Cole, Clarence Snyder, Joseph Callahan, Del. Eckley, Ira
Welch, Harry King. Loren Hill, Harry Webber, Charles Norgate, Fred
Hickok, Charles Gilbride, Oren Parkhurst, John Bartlett, Edward Bailey,
Guy Pellett, Asa Root, Allie Coggins, Harlow Green, Fred Richards, Harl
Johnson, Herbert Hill, Walter DeVogue, Floyd Mclnally, Hugh Ralston,
Wesley Marr, I-ewis Wenzel, Thomas Harry, Loren Savers, Earl Case,
William O'Callaghan, Lee Bowerman, Archer Randt, Jay Mills, Levalley
Nichols, F. E. Castello. Roy Hitchens, George Schofield.
POLICE DEP.-^RTMENT.
The police department in 1916 includes a chief, captain, three sergeants
and thirty-nine patrolmen. The department has all motor equipment. It
lias a flashlight signal and call box system combined, which, with lines under
construction in 1916, will give complete protection to all quarters of the
city. Plans are under consideration in igi6 for the construction of a new
municipal building to provide room for a new police headquarters, city jail
and two police courts. The department for 1916 includes: J. P. Cole,
chief; A. J, Suff, captain; A. H. Gilbert, sergeant; T. L. MacLean, sergeant;
John Buckley, sergeant; Patrolmen, F. E. Jewell, Wallace Sayre, E. E. Rob-
ertson, F. A. Klann, S. E. Best, C. R. Hatch, William Bates, Leroy White,
Verne Peltier, William H. Buckler, Frank Moore, Theo. John, Loran D.
English, Victor J. Frielink, Guy Welch, Ivy Pelton, George Macomber, John
Deering, Lee Enghsh, Roy E. Page, William Cornford, H, L. Smithers,
Anthony Zacharias, James Hutchinson, Charles Jenkins, Charles M. Thorn-
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 79I
ton, Anthony Puskas, Ronianus Stull, David Boshart, Verne Brown, Arthur
Gladden, George A. La Clair, John Setterington, George H. lames.
Another well-organized city department is the board of health. This
department has a paid supervisor of the public health, a municipal nurse
who makes a specialty of caring for tuberculosis cases, two sanitary inspec-
tors, ^nd has also supervision of the plumbing and dairy and food inspectors.
That this department is doing effective work is shown by the 1915 Michi-
gan vital statistics record, which gives the death rate of Flint as 10.5 per
one thousand of population, while the rate for the entire state for the year
was 33.3 per one thousand of population.
GENERAL MOTORS EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.
An institution which is proving of value to the industria! center of
Flint is the General Motors Emergency Hospital, operated in connection
with the welfare department of the General Motors corporation, which was
opened January 17, 1916. Pending the removal to a permanent hospital
plant and which will be ready for occupancy about January i, 1917, the
present ho,spital is located in the building formerly erected as a station by
the Detroit United Railway, on Hamilton avenue. Dr. David L. Treat,
formerly of Adrian, Michigan, was placed in charge of the welfare work
and is assisted by Dr. M. R. Sutton and Dr. J. W. Lillie, with Miss Jessie
Scott as head nurse. The number of emergency cases cared for each month
average two thousand, or about one hundred a day, the more serious cases
being cared for at Hurley Hospital.
MICHIGAN STATE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
So rapid has been the growth of the city of Flint that the Michigan
State Telephone Company has been bending its energies to meet the demand.
A most creditable record has been made considering its facihties and the
enormous demand which has been made upon its capacity. The number of
telephones in FHnt in 1914 was 4,100, which increased in 1915 to 4,700, an
addition of 600 stations. Extensions of lines and enlargement of switch-
board facilities to take care of this business necessitated the investment of
approximately forty thousand dollars, which is fifteen thousand dollars
more than was expended in 1914, when the number of new telephones in-
stalled was 275. From January i, 1916, to July i, 1916, fourteen hundred
and sixty-one telephones were installed, bringing the total number of stations
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79^ GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
to date, 5,649. The company has also increased its toll facilities from
January i, 1916, to July i, 1916, sixty per cent, the switchboard facihties
forty per cent, and the employment facilities twenty-ijve per cent., making a
most creditable showing for the past six months. The telephone company
occupies a handsome structure, which was erected in 1910 on the corner of
First and Buckham streets. The exchange is under the management of
E. N. Hardy, and the total number of employees is one hundred and
twenty-five.
STEAM AND ELECTRIC RAILUOAD CONDITIONS.
Feehng the influence of the general growth, the railways of Flint have
evidenced an exceptional increase in business compared with 1914, both in
passenger and freight traffic. The freight division of the Detroit United
Railway showed in 1915 an increase of twenty per cent, over 1914. The
year was reported to be the most successful the company has enjoyed since
the establishment of the freight business. The Pere Marquette and Grand
Trunk railway systems experienced an average increase of about thirty-five
per cent, in 1915 over the year of 1914.
The Pere Marquette in 1916 has ten yard engines in commission with-
in the city limits, and the gross freight handled in 1915 exceeded that of
any other point on the line, with the exception of Detroit. In the year 1916
the company is expending two hundred thousand dollars in the construction
of a roundhouse and many miles of sidetrack. For tlie accommodation of
the factory workers who live in Saginaw and Bay City, the Pere Marquette
runs a "week-end special," leaving Flint Saturday at noon and returning on
Sunday evening.
The Grand Trunk railroad is also constructing many miles of side-
tracks in the vicinity of the Chevrolet plant, and also in the eastern portion
of the city.
The Detroit United Railway, on account of the greatly augmented
freight business, has outgrown its quarters, the car barns being moved to
Thirteenth street, where new accommodations are provided, and where also
a handsome two-story building has been erected for office purposes, the old
barns on Third avenue being utilized to enlarge the freight facilities. This
company during the year 1916 has also established at Crago crossing, south
of the city limits, a large yard for repair and storage purposes.
An idea of the rapidity of the industrial development can be gained
from the fact that on January i, 1915, the number of employees in the asso-
ciated factories was eight thousand and sixty-five, and on January !, 1916,
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ENTKAL VUIV. STATION, FLINT.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 793
the number of employees was fourteen thousand three hundred and sixty-
five, an increase for the year of six thousand three hundred, and the aver-
age for 191 5 was eleven thousand one hundred and thirty-three workmen.
On July I, 1916, there are nearly twenty thousand persons employed in the
industries of the city, fully ninety per cent, of whom are engaged in build-
ing of automobiles.
Statistics show that in the period from 1904 to 1910 the value of Flint's
manufactured products increased from $6,177,000 to $53,375,000. This
increase was due almost entirely to the automobile industry. For 1916-17
the volume of business of the industries of Flint will reach nearly one hun-
dred million dollars.
The following is a list of industrial concerns operating in Flint, July i,
IQ16: Biiick Motor Company, Chevrolet Motor Company, Dort Motor
Car Company, W. A. Paterson Company, Flint Varnish and Color Works,
Weston-Mott Company, Champion Ignition Comi>any, Du rant-Port Car-
riage Company, Michigan ^[otor Castings Company, Mason Motor Company,
Walker- Weiss Axle Company, J. B. Armstrong Manufacturing Company,
Marvel Carburetor Company, Imperial Wheel Company, The W. F. Stewart
Company, Flint Metal Specialty Company, Flint Paint Specialty Company,
Copeman Electric Stove Company, Genesee Upholstering Company, Greissell
Bread Company, Hardy Baking Company, A, W. Hixson Bakery, Model
Bakerj', William T. Nottingham Bakery, Flint Bread Company, Garner Bak-
ing Company, Oak Park Bakery, Flint Clay Products Company, Flint Sand-
stone Brick Comi>any, Portland Manufacturing Company, Builders Supply
& Fuel Company, J. P. Burroughs & Son, Flint Specialty Company, Flint
Pattern and Foundry Company. Randall Lumber and Coal Company, Nickle
Brothers, Genesee Iron Works, Marshall Furnace Company, Landes Iron
and Metal Company, Flint Lumber Company, Flint Tool Salvage and
Machine Company, Cooper Valve and Machine Company, Flint Printing
Company, Snook-Jackson Printing Company, Valley Printling Company,
Vehicle Citv Broom Company. National Cash Register Company, Hamilton
Mill. Lewis Taeckens. J. Jellis & Comi>any, Charles E. Handy (burial vaults),
Charles H. Rood (ink). George W. Sweet (ladders), Barney Granite and
Marble Works, Weller & Austin (cigar box manufacturers), Hearsch &
Wesson (lumber manufacturers), Iroquois Cigar Company, M. Ephraim,
John C. Clasen Cigar Comfany, Glenn W. Jones Cigar Company, William
A. Logan Cigar Company. Lynch & Roser Cigar Company, McKinley Cigar
Company, John A. C. Menton Cigar Company, David J. Richey Cigar Com-
pany, Christian Rippey Cigar Company. Patrick Ryan Cigar Company,
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794 CFKESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Frank R. Streat & Son Cigar Company, LaLorraine Candy Company, Paris
Candy Company, Freeman Dairy Company, Powers Flint Ice Cream Com-
pany, Princess Skirt Factory.
In 1916 Flint's population, based on estimates from the compilers of
the city directory, the water board officials, the telephone officials and the
census of the public schools, is 85,000.
THE POSTOFFICE.
On August 5, 1834, Lyman Stowe was appointed the first postmaster of
Flint River. In 1836 the name of the postoffice was changed from Flint
River to Flint, and in 1837, John Todd, the proprietor of Todd's tavern,
was appointed. The postoftice was located in a little building on the corner
of Saginaw and Kearsley streets, the site now being occupied by the First
National Bank. The office subsequently was located at many different
places, at one time occupying the site of what is now the S. S. Kresge
Company. In later years, however, it was removed to the building on the
corner of Union and Saginaw streets, owned by the William Hamilton
estate and Mrs. J. B. Atwood.
On July 13, 1909, the office was removed to the present building, which
stands on the site of the old E. H. McQuigg homestead, on the corner of
Harrison and Kearsley streets. The government appropriation for the build-
ing and land was ninety thousand and the present [wstoffice, a handsome
structure of classic design, is a credit to the city. Its facilities, however, are
inadequate to care for the city's rap idly- increasing population, and another
government appropriation has been asked for to erect an addition to the main
office to relieve the present congested conditions which prevail.
In December, 1915, the receipts of the postoffice were $17,190.86, the
largest month's business ever recorded. The total receipts for the year
aggregated $131,941.70, a gain of $3,225.40 over the previous year, when the
receipts totaled $128,716.30.
The growth in this respect is shown in the following figures :
1014. 191(i. ISHG.
Jniiuiuy $10.-584.64 89.730.34 ?12,3.miH)
February !t.e3fi.32 S,00T.10 12,211.53
March 10,950.37 10,fi53.4S 14,135.54
April 10,552.23 10,574.84 12,65&.03
May — 10.554.13 10.002.32 13,128.73
June 10,551.94 R,S79..S!) ]3,O04-O2
July 9.242.39 lO.lOii.Ufi
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1914. 1915.
August 10,10».T5 12,1)00,65
September 10,793.33 10,517.01
Octobei- „ 11.538.17 ll,950.4ii
Novenibpr 10,OJ0.7S 11,349.01
December 34,003.25 17,190..%
Totii] .$128,716.30 $131,!I41.70
♦Six months.
Returning again to the remarkable growth of Flint, the i
prosperity is indicated by the postoftice receipts, which were $131,941.70
for the year 1915, as against $38,964.90 for the year 1904, when the Bmck
Motor Company was started.
The 1916 list of officials includes, postmaster, assistant postmaster,
clerks (twenty-three), carriers (twenty-eight), rural carriers (nine) and
substitute carriers (four).
The following is the official list of postmasters from 1834 to igi6:
Lyman Stowe, appointed August 5, 1834; Lyman Stowe, appointed Septem-
ber I, 1836; John Todd, appointed October 2, 1837; William P. Crandall,
appointed December 28, 1839; William Moon, appointed June 16, 1841,
William P. Crandai!, appointed October 12, 1844, Alvin T. Crosman,
appointed April 28, 1849; Ephraim S. Williams, appointed May 7, 1853,
Washington O'Donoughue, appointed March 27, 186 1 ; William Tracy,
apix)inted April 21, 1869; John Algoe, appointed July 31, 1874; Washing-
ton O'Donoughue, appointed March 26, 1875 ; Francis H. Rankin, appointed
March 3, 1879; William W. Joyner, appointed March 3, 1887; George E,
Newall, appointed February 15, 1891 ; John H. Hicock, appointed February
25, 1895; Elendina Hicock, appointed September 3, 1896; James A. Button,
appointed September 14, 1897; Fred P. Baker, appointed May 25, 1909;
Frank D. Baker, appointed July 17, 1913.
HURLEY HOSPITAL.
Birthdays are celebrated because they mark important individual and
family events. Occasionally, a birthday marks an event destined to have
a broader significance, the limit of which time alone reveals. Such was the
ca,se when, on August 31, 1849, there was born of humble parents in Lon-
don, England, a child, James J. Hurley, who, more than a half century later,
in his adopted home far across the Atlantic, was to found a hospital which
should serve a city of eighty-five thousand people and should become widely
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796 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
known throughout Michigan as one of the test equipped and most modern
institutions of its kind in the state. Situated on the highest point of land
within the hniits of the city of Fhnt. upon a site selected by its founder for
the purpose. Hurley Hospital commands a view of all the surroimding coun-
try. Fresh air and sunshine are among its most valuable advantages and
assist to quick recovery many an invalid in shattered health.
The buildings are of simple colonial architecture. A two-story adminis-
tration building, with three wings, those on the north and south connecting
with the main building by long, sunny corridors, constituted the original
hospital, although a number of additions have since been made, A base-
ment extending under the main building, west wing and corridors, furnishes
space for dining rooms, kitchens and storerooms. Until January, 1915, the
laundry and the boiler rooms were also located here.
The administration building is entered through a handsome vestibule,
with white marble floor, steps and base. Placed conspicuously on the wall
to the right, so that all who visit there may learn of his good deed, is a
bronze bas-relief showing the strong, kindly face of Mr. Hurley, the inscrip-
tion beneath reading :
Erected to the Memory of
James J. Hurley
The Founder of This Hospital
By His Fellow Citizens
I 849-1905.
The first floor of the administration building has a large, well-Ughted
lobby in the center, the main staircase leading from this, and reception room,
offices and superintendent's private apartments opening from it. The north
wing contains seven private rooms, a nursery of six beds and a woman's
ward of twelve beds, diet kitchen, toilet, bath, linen and utility rooms, nurses'
office and solarium. The south wing contains five private rooms, a men's
ward of sixteen beds, bath, utility rooms, nurses' office and solarium.
The first floor of the west wing, with the exception of one room, which
is reserved for X-ray purposes, is occupied by the probationers, for whom
there is not accommodation in the nurses' home. Domestics, also, are fur-
nished with sleeping quarters in this portion of the building.
When the hospital was opened, on December 19, 1908, it was thought
to be of a very suitable size for the town where it was located. The growth
of Flint, however, on account of the great automobile industry, was so phe-
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 797
nomenal that in 191 1 it became imperatively necessary to increase the capacity
of the hospital. Additional funds having fortunately been placed at the dis-
posal of the board of managers in January of that year, through the first
payment from the Stockdale estate, it was decided to raise the west wing
and provide rooms and wards for the care of typhoid and pneumonia cases.
This was done, seven private rooms and two small wards of five beds each
adding a total of seventeen l>eds to the accommodations of the hospital.
There were also provided a diet kitchen, bath, toilet, linen* and utility rooms,
nurses' office and a fine solarium, from the windows of which convalescing
patients may view the landscape for miles in three different directions. The
winter sunset seen from this vantage spot is frequently a sight to be long
remembered.
The second story of the west wing connects with the second floor of the
main building, where are located three splendidly equipped operating rooms,
two for genera! surgery, and one, the McClellan Berston room, provided by
Mr. and Mrs. Neil J. Berston, Sr., as a memorial to their son, being for the
speciahties of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Adjacent to the operating rooms
are sterlizing rooms, doctor's dressing room, general utility and supply rooms,
elevator, and a small closet provided with steam pipes, where hot blankets
are kept in readiness for the use of anaesthetic patients immediately after
operations.
Since 1912, there have been several changes which have greatly increased
the comfort of the patients and the usefulness of the institution, although not
providing extra space for beds.
The building of a fine power plant on land purchased across the street
back of the hospital made it possible to remove all machinery from the main
building, where it had been a source of great annoyance to patients. An
underground tunnel connects the new plant with the basement of the origi-
nal buildings. This plant is in every way modern and up to date. Two
seventy*horsepower Ixiilers provide steam sufficient for all present purposes
of heating, cooking, sterilizing, etc.. and space has been left so that, with
additional boilers, the present power plant could be made to serve an insti-
tution growm to twice the size of the present one.
In connection with the power plant is located the laundry, equipped
with modern machinery, and a sterlizing room for the sterlization of infected
clothing, pillows and mattresses. This room is provided with an outside
entrance, through which infected clothing is brought into the room and put
into the sterlizers. Through another door, opening outward from the iaun-
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79'? GENF.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
dry, sterilized articles are removed when clean, the valves for steam beirij;
on the clean side of the partition.
An incinerator for disposing of garbage and refuge is also given space
in the power plant, as is, too, the machinery for a vacuum cleaning system
with which all the buildings are equipped.
Another unit, an isolation cottage, which has been built through the
generosity of ex-Mnyor Charles S. Mott, one of Flint's most public spirited
citizens, is now bdng opened for the reception of patients. This building
is especially interesting in that it is modelled after the isolation hospital at
Ann Arbor, Michigan, and will, like the Providence City Hospital at Provi-
dence, Rhode Island, carry out a nursing technic that will make it possible
to care for several different contagious diseases under the same roof, ft was
recently descril)ed at length in The Modern Hospital, in an article on its
architectural plan, written by the designer, Herbert E. Davis, member of
the firm of Davis, McGrath & Kiessling, of New York City, Anna M. Schill,
superintendent of the hospital since 1910, supplementing the article with a
description of the proposed plan of operation and management. From Mr.
Davis's article the following is quoted :
The isolation building of the Hurle\ Hjaiiitnl presents a sulutlon of thp rioUeni
for the caie of contagious diseRses thnt 3S especmllv nilnptecl to cities of the &maller
clasi Ihe city of Flint has a population of fifty thousand and like mini other cities
of Jt« size hi« np to the present time taken cite of It^ contagioMR dlsenses in the much
abhoned peit house located as far as possible fiom the center cf porulation ind
avoided by ill
The ra|il growth of Dint as ia industrial center his imde n more adeqmte mid
scientific care of this claw of disenses an absolute necessity ani the riesent plans lie
the out(H>me of 1 thoroueh investigation of the problem
The success which his attended the adoption of the theory of contact infectlm
as arplted at the Prcnidence <.ity Hi^pttal =lme litlfl it the contagious hospital of the
Unnerslty of Michigan since 1913 and In certain hospitali of Fngland France and
Germany for longer periods totjether nith its many economic idiantages led to its
application for this building
The theory to be applied is a lerv simple one njinels that ail infection la only
the result of contact and Is not transmissible through the air hence infection can only
be avoided by strict medical asep^ds This means Srst that a single building located
in the general hospital group with ndequ ite light and leatiiation will aniswei the iiui
pose for all diseases It is therefore possible to have it connectel hv tunnel with the
light heat and water mains Inundtv kitchen and food supplies of the main hosplfnl
with the consequent great econfnii advantages in first cost administration and main
teuance It means in the seconl plate however that eyery posRlble con\enience su-.h
as washing facilities and sterilizers of yarlous kinds must he profiled in the building
to aiold contact Infection
In geiieml the plm adopted is similar to that used in \nii \rbor which cons sts
of a iieand 1 hilf stirv hu Iding nith haapinei t the fli-st st rv cont 1 nine a cen ti il
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 799
< iriloi nirb Whlkn 100ms (leniiij; into it m eithei «i le ei li rjim ti ncommod ite
two beds the «ie(.ond "aton containing aiKonimodations for the resident nuries ind mtid
nnd the bisenient contiining sterilizer room store room for dothing ind morgue
Each iiolition room i« proiided with a lavatory with imee-actlon lalies and 1
toilet with A aepnrite hot witer supplr through a goose neili valie frr rinsing pur
poses ThiH equipment wili iioid the nefesHity fir the pitient leiiTing tlie 100m at
The patient nil] be rereiied frrm the outtiie diiectiv into the room in nhich he
Mill remain ind will leaie if onh ivhen dismissed to pif.s thrDUch the cinidor to the
e\it infected dressing room theme to the (wtiirnom und exit clem diessing loom at
the front of the building
The entrance for doctors ind nitrses \i it the opposite Hide of the building where
a spice Is provided for hanging the doctor"? otiter street clothes and for putting on a
clean hospital robe if he intends to touch or handle a pitient The nurses on coming
to the lulldlng miy go directly np to their pruate quartern or if coming on diitv mil
cross the corridor to the infected dressing room in nhich each is pioiided with tno
loclter* one for their infected robe and one for their ciein one Adjicent to the
nurses entrince to the centnl conidor Js the nurses st itioti it which the sisnal and
annunctitor ire ioc ited
Food mil be deliiered either bj iiav of the tunnel to the dumiiwaiter in the b kp
meut or from the outside by "ftav of the leiniida entrance to the kitchen
Linen mil be received from the laundry directlv into the linen room fi m the
outside b* niY rf the \erandi Sotlecl linen will be deposited thiough the infected
linen chute into the infected sterilizei room below from which it mil pass through the
linen sterilizer to the liundry b\ wa'v of the tunnel
The ifttchen is equipited with a dlih sterilizer in which all dishes used hv a patient
will be sterilized It is also equipped with i hteim tible plate warmer lefiigeratr r etc
Mittresses mil be cnrrlert from the isolition r>oiiis iround the out^de of the build
me tc the bisement entrante to the infected sterili/er room ind after passing thiough
the sterilizer nil! he hung up ready for future use Pitlents clothinp; will ilso be
treated in this war ind stored in bags bung from the celling in the itoie room for
thit purpose ind when required will he delivered it the pitlents" clem eiitrame dress
iusr loom from the outside The plan is so irringed that inv numbei of addltionni
rooms maj be ndled when needed withcut requiring addltionil senice rocras.
The second storv is imnged foi the a commodation of four nurses and one bouse
maid with a bath room kitchen and 1 laige lOom for the nurses' Hitting i-ooiii and
dmmg room.
In the new istlaflon buiidmt, (Miss S hil) writes) it is projcsed to adopt pnc
ticallv the same technic as thit in use nt the Providence ( it\ Hosiiltil ml it the nen
contflgiona hospital at the Unlieisltv of Michitan Pitlents suffering from different
contagious diseases wili be admitted The technic of this luildiug is based upm the
principles of as^tic nursing The infection is confined to the rooms occupied hi the
latients while the utility rooms ind the central corridors ire considered to be is fiee
from c ntagion is are those of any hospitil The sime nurses observing aseptic pie
ciutions cire for ill patients
The su.cess or fiilure of the hospital ind its proposed pirn -of opention will de|>end
largely upon how the nursinft staff cirries out the principles of medical asepsis. The
nurses will be m chaise of 1 gnduite who has [erfected herself in the technic of this
ape<inl department Before the hospital is opened the nursing stiff will he thorouahiv
diilled in the 1 liii Iple- if medical isepsis Tust as in the surgical orerating 100m thev
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8oo
GENESEE COUNTY,
MICHIGAN.
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Ground will be broken in the fall of 1916 for an addition to be built north
of the present hospital building and connected with it by a corridor which
will be a continuation of the corridor now connecting the administration
building with the north wing. The new addition will be used as a maternity
hospital and will accommodate twenty-six mothers and twenty-six infants.
It will be a two-story structure, and it is expected to open this ward to the
public in the spring of igi?-
In October, 1912, there was completed a nurses' home, in which twenty-
one nurses, previously quartered in the west wing and in rented rooms in
the neighborhood, have since found pleasant and homelike accommodations.
This building is of colonial design, and corresponds with the general
architecture of the hospital. A wide south porch, opening through
French windows from the living room, adds to the attractiveness of the
house. On the first floor are two commodious reception rooms, in one of
which is a large brick fireplace. In the basement is a lecture room for the
nurses-in-training, furnished with writing chairs, blackboards, etc. Large,
airy bedrooms are fotmd on each floor. An addition which will provide
yGoo-^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 8oi
sleeping quarters for fifteen nurses is being planned at the present time.
It will occupy the vacant space between the west wall of the nurses' home
and the east wall of the maternity ward.
The furnishings of the original nurse's home were the gift of Dr. James
C. Willson, for many years one of Flint's most beloved physicians. Recently
a piano was added, being given by George D, Flanders, president of the
board of hospital managers.
This board operates under the charter of the city of Flint, for Mr.
Hurley, with far-sighted wisdom, provided for civic upkeep and manage-
ment of the hospital.
The following is a copy of that portion of Mr. Hurley's will which
related to his bequest to Hurley Hospital: Paragraph 21,
I give, iSeyl-*e and liequ^ath to the city of Flint, Michigan, the bluck 'tf liiiiri which
I now own just northwefiterly of the residence of Charles H, W. Conover. also the sum
of twenty-flie tbuusand dollars (?25,ono) for the purpose of establishing and building
on said land a free hospital, to be non-sectarian, provided the city of Flint, Michigan,
accepts the gift within three months after my will is prohnted ; otherwise the bequest
shall revert to my estate. But if accepted, said hospital to be called "Hurley Hospital."
Paragraph 25
If my estate shimld not amount to the sum of the bequests I have mfide, theo in
tliat ease I direct that my relatlies mentioned m my will be paid in full their bequeita
and tbe balance of the devisees be paid pro ratio.
And I further direct that in case my estate Shall exceed the amount of the beque>its,
that then the balance of my estate shall be added to my bequests to the cltj of Flint for
the u'^e and lienefit of the hospital.
CODICIL.
Paragiapli 11.
I hereby change the twenty-first paragraph of my will wherein I stated (within
three months) to (within ten years) that the said city shall have that time in which
to accept the said legacy to be giien to the city or to a boaiil duly authorized to receive
the same, and I do hereby give and devise the same to be set aside for said hospital to
Charles L. Bartlett. in trust, to be held by him in trust for the period of time that shall
by the terms of this codicil be given to accept said bequest by said city, and upon the
acceptance of the bequest by said city, the said city or its properly constituted trustee
to recene the same
When, on June 26, 1905, Miss Frances O'Hare, executrix of the will
of James J, Hurley, made to the city formal presentation of the bequest, she
quoted the foregoing paragraphs of the will, and added: "The presentation
of the above is made upon the express condition that the said city of Flint
does agree to maintain, support and properly care for and perpetuate said
hospital."
(51)
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802 GENESEE COITKTY, MICHIGAN.
The bequest was accepted at a meeting of the common council held on
July i8, 1905. An ordinance creating a board of hospital managers was
adopted by the council at a meeting held on July 24, 1905, after which Mayor
Aitken appointed the following citizens to serve in that capacity : Until May
I, 1906, George L. Walker; until May i, 1907, William E. Martin; until
May I, 1908, Edward D. Black; until May i, 1909, J. Dallas Dort; until May
I, 1910, Charles A. Lippincott, D. D. The first recorded meeting of the
board was held at the Union Club rooms on Saturday evening, September
23, 1905. At this meeting Dr. Charles A. Lippincott was elected president,
William E, Martin, treasurer, and Edward D. Black, secretary.
Although the organization of the board was completed at this time, it
was not until June, 1907, that an advertisement for bids for building the
Hospital appeared in the daily papers. It was signed by the secretary, E. D.
Black.
The following months were busy ones for the hospital board, but never
did a municipal body serve the public with greater fidelity or enthusiasm.
Where all worked so faithfully, it seems hardly just to single out any indi-
vidual for special mention. However, if the members of that first board
could have a voice in the matter, it is certain that they would unanimously
. accord a special meed of praise to their president, Rev, Charles A. Lippincott,
D. D., who, although a very busy man, gave ungrudgingly of his time and
executive ability that the hospital project should be carried to a successful
conclusion.
At a very early stage it became apparent that, in order to meet the
needs of a city like Flint, which had suddenly developed an unexpectedly large
growth, the hospital should be built on a larger scale than Mr. Hurley's
bequest warranted. It remained for members of the board of managers to
discover ways and means of accomplishing this. Early and late they con-
sidered plans. They enlisted the services of a woman's auxiliary board,
which was organized in the fall of 1907, with Mrs. Fhnt P. Smith, one of
Flint's most capable and public-spirited women, heading the organization.
Through the efforts of this board, over five thousand dollars in cash or its
equivalent was placed in the hospital treasury, a generous portion of this
amount being obtained from individual citizens, churches, fraternal organi-
zations and clubs, although much of it was raised by the women in other
ways. The Crapo estate at this time also donated cash for a woman's ward
as a memorial to Lydia Sherman Crapo.
The comer stone of Hurley Hospital was laid on October 24. 1907. It
was the gift of M. C. Barney & Son. By vote of the hospital board at a
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GENESEi: COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 803
meeting held October 7, 1905, the following articles were ordered to be
placed in the box within the stone: Sketch of J. J. Hurley's life, copy of
J. J, Hurley's will, copy of the proceedings in connection with Mr. Hur-
ley's bequest to the hospital, copy of proceedings creating the hospital board,
and names of members of the board. At this meeting it was also decided
that the lettering on the stone should be "Hurley Hospital — 1907."
The laying of the corner stone was made the occasion of an interesting
public celebration, the mayor, common council, clergymen of the city with
their official boards, mihtary companies, the Grand Army of the Republic,
and many other organizations being invited to participate. Visiting Knights
Templar from neighboring cities took part in the parade and impressive
ceremonies were conducted by the Masonic grand lodge of Michigan, the
services being held at the hospital site at two o'clock in the afternoon. The
address was given by Hon. William C, Maybury, of Detroit
"This stone that we have laid," he said, "is square in form, in contents
a culje, symbolic of the square of morality and the cube of truth. Morality
and truth combined constitute the perfection of human character. This
stone is always placed between the north of the foundation, symbolic of the
place of darkness, and the east, recognized as the place of light, denoting that
all progress is from darkness to light and from ignorance to true knowledge."
The following is a copy of the sketch of Mr. Hurley's life, which, with
the articles already enumerated and, in addition, a copy of the Flint Daily
Journal of October 23, 1907, and a list of the names of the Masonic grand
Lodge of Michigan, was placed within the corner stone;
Mr Hiiiler wis bom In Liitliinfl ol iwor but hon^t lUmiiiig ]Huent-t mil wheu
quite I loung mm lie left iii% home relatives and friends and (ilone emhuketl for
tlie Inited Stitei. \rri\lng in ^e^v Xorlc he had i ticket nbicli cairied liim to Chi
cito TbiH he exchanged to be in companv nith some one whim he had met foi 1
passage to Grand Blanc in Genesee countv nheie he aniied without ant ineanh and
engHged to work for a (anner to be paid whit in the judgment of the furrner his
services were north After worklug on the firm for two weeks the firniet infoimed
blm that he was not wanted any longei ind Mr H^lplp^ asked him hon much be hid
e-imed and his employer replied that he had eimert nothing but be would gne him a
dollar and with this dollar In his pocket be walked to the citi of Flint where be
was engaged as a porter to a hotel ind Inboied at the most common wtik fti a number
of years
He W19 married to "Uarv Flynn and together thev eomuieuced housekeeping with
little or no means ind what little tbe\ had ms expended in doctois bills in taring for
his wife duilng a seiere illness He howeiet started ont to imv jrmk lining an ndrer
tiaement that he would buv anything that nolrodv else would buj and in this manner
drifted off to the potash ninnufaetuie Being poor he and his wife did the most of
the work tunning the potash she holding the Imiteni it meht ami he iMth his feet
dbyGoc^lc
804 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
nrnpped m cloths tlid tile woil (f rniuilng off niii] t irlni, fir the Ive whiih ms
manufuctuied into potash
Latei oil be became Interested with Flint P Smith in the «iw mill ud together
they erected some twenty dwelling houses in the dtj
He wah one of the earlletst stockholders lu the W \ Pitersou tarrnge f i torv tnd
latei helied to organize the Union Tru&t ami Siviugs Bank it whl h he «ns i diie< toi
for some yeais
He w)s 1 shrewd md ciieful business miin nht iitntellv exinessed his tplnlons and
neither gaie nor cired to reteiie flHttery
He latei invested his money In bank block and bonds tnd muitgnges so that when he
p issed iw IV theie was little If anj shrinkiige In his iinestments
He WIS a man who was kind hearted and lll)eral ga^e to the |xm>i uDt osteiit itl* usU
but in 1 quiet and reserved minner His life although known to but few was char
HCterlstic of the m-^nner in whieb he disposed of his prtpertv at the time of his de<kth
therein he not only remembered the eit> but ^ll the hurthes many of the poor and
Ills old emi fvees
His wile who died a few veirs before iiim wis a woman of most losable char
acter anl sweet disposition ind their home was Jne of the most pleisant in tlie citi
where thej enjo\ed entertaining theit fritnds in i simple ^et hos( ituble m nnei
On October lo, 1907, just two weeks previous to the laying of the corner
stone, the treasurer of the hospital board received from the executrix of the
will of James J. Hurley the following cash and property in settlement of
the bequest: Cash, $44,261.05; land contracts, $2,380.00; real estate {includ-
ing the hospital site at a valuation of $5,000), $6,970.00; a total of
$53,61 1 ,05. Later, this sum was augmented by interest payments and
profits on sale of real estate, to $54,974.92.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurley were of the Catholic faith, and their charities and
benefactions extended along many lines.
It was through the philanthropy of James J. Hurley that Flint's munici-
pal hospital was founded ; but many other public-spirited citizens liave fol-
lowed his good example and have contributed various sums to increase its
usefulness and capacity. The following is a complete list of donations to
Hurley Hospital up to July i, 1916:
Totiil realized from the James J. Hurley estate, including interest
and rents nnd includluji the iantl at n vitluation of 5-'),000.00 as it
appears on the hospital books $ 54,S>74.1)2
Total realized up to July 1. 1916, from the Stockdale estate (In-
cluding interest on certificates of deposit) 46.S">2.'13
Woman's auxiliary board (Including gifts of linen, etc.) 5,439..W
Crapo estate (Woman's Ward Memorial Addition) 5,601..S2
Bnick charity ball 247.90
Pr^jyterlan church 21.86
Westminster Oulld 67.07
Mrs. George M. Dewey (for elevator) - 1.145.00
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 805
Union tbanksglvfng collections IS.fti
First Congregational church S.fil
Flint Vehicle Worfeers Mutual Benefit Assotiiition 200.00
Fred A. Aldrlch (for purchase of instruments) 1,000.00
Dr. W. J. Kny 50.54
Estate Atlele Youngs 200,00
Dr. J. C. Wlllson (fumiahiug nurses' home) 1,000.00
N. J. Berston. 8r. (eye. eiir, nose and throat room) 40(!.7O
J. D. Dort 1.500.00
G. D. Flanders (piano) 135.00
Charles S. Mott 15.028.45
Total -'tli:!3,R88.76
The names of many citizens and organizations making contributions
to the hospital do not appear in this hst, as their donations are included
in the amount credited to the woman's auxiliary board. Among the larger
donations given through this channel, however, are the following:
J. u. Dort _ $l.ono.no
F. P. Smith 100.00
W. O. Smith _ 500.00
E. W. Atwood 100.00
Matthew Davison 100.00
Fd yard Man erre 100.00
T\eatmlnster Gulll (Pi-esbyterian cliurcli) ___ __ 100.00
SItst Biptist lurch 100.00
Court Street Methodist Episcopal duu-ch 100.00
African Methodist Fpiscopnl churi'h J25.7S
I^ il <n It - — 1110.011
LTllei of the M ccilees „ 100.00
\ehl e (1 h — lOO.iW
Bee lent nl Fi te t ve Order of Elks. 100,00
In addition to donations and bequests as listed above, there appears on
the balance sheet of Hurley Hospital an item of $11,925.08 to the credit of
the "J. D. Dort Guarantee Account," and thereby hangs a tale. The records
of the hospital board show that when the board lacked funds to complete
payments on building and equipment, Mr. Dort guaranteed and later advanced
money to pay bills amounting to $14,500.00, the same to be reimbursed to
him out of future donations which the board might find available for such
purposes. Up to this time only $2,574.92 has been repaid to Mr. Dort, he
in the meantime having contributed to the hospital land valued at $1,500,
on which the new isolation cottage has been built. At the time the last pay-
ment from the Stockdale estate was received by the board, it was suggested
to Mr. Dort that there might not be another opportunity in many years for
dbyGoot^lc
So6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the board to repay his loan. "Never mind," he said to the one mentioning
the matter to him, "We need a maternity ward and we must increase
our capacity in other directions— let the loan stand."
Leaving out of consideration the Stockdale bequest (of which a short
explanation later), the largest private contribution to Hurley Hospital, next
to that of its founder, has been made by Charles S. Mott, through whose
generosity the fine new isolation cottage has mainly been built.
A history of Hurley Hospital would be incomplete without some ref-
erence to Mrs. Mary Stockdale, whose will was filed for probate on April
26, 1905. This will was contested, but an agreement was made between
the attorneys for the several beneticiaries under the will probated and the
city of Flint and Walter S. White and wife, beneficiaries under an alleged
lost will. This agreement was reached after the case had dragged through
the courts for several years.
The following sums finally reached the treasury of the hospital board
from the Stockdale estate: January 26, 1911, $26,614.00; December 15,
1913, $17,702.43; March 8, 1915, $683.57; total, $45,000.00.
The first amount paid over to the board was used in building the nurse's
home and in raising the west wing. The other amounts are still in the
treasury drawing interest.
On February 13, 1913, there was organized an association of women,
banded together for the avowed purpose of building a "Maternity Hospital
and Children's Home," the women composing this association being the same
women who were formerly officers and members of the Woman's Auxiliary
Hospital Association, which had disbanded on October 18, 1912, the object
for which they had originally organized having been fulfilled. The new
organization was officered as follows: Mrs. F. F. Smith, president; Mrs.
I. M. Eidridge, secretary; Mrs, B. F. Cotharin, treasurer; Mrs. F. D. Lane,
first vice-president; Mrs. Truman Medbury, second vice-president; Mrs. W.
E. Martin, third vice-president.
A committee of these women had conferred with the hospital board
at the hospital on the day before their organization meeting and discussed
with them the feasibility of building a maternity hospital near enough to
Hurley Hospital to be operated by the same management and heated from
the same power plant. On March 7, 1913, representatives of the two boards
met for an informal conference with Mayor Mott, as ex-officio member of
the hospital board in attendance and Miss Schill, superintendent of the hos-
pital, and a committee from the Genesee County Medical Society also pres-
ent. After very earnest discussion, it was decided that the new hospital
dbyGoc^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 807
should be built as a unit of Hurley Hospital and that it should be owned,
operated and controlled by the board of hospital managers, who agreed to use
the funds due from the Stockdale estate for the purpose of building this
addition, the ladies agreeing to furnish equipment. This project is now
being carried to completion.
As soon as it was decided to add the maternity unit to Hurley Hospital,
the managers of that institution immediately began laying plans for the future.
They realized that before any more buildings could be added to their plant
as it then was, heating facilities must be increased and laundry machinery
and boilers removed from the main building to make room for enlarged
kitchens, dining rooms, etc.
The money necessary for ail these changes, which included the build-
ing of the present splendid power plant, was raised by taxation in the regu-
lar routine manner as provided by the charter amendment of 1907. Chapter
XXVIII of the amended charter deals with hospitals, confers certain powers
upon the board of hospital managers and imposes certain duties upon them.
It makes specific provision for the raising of adequate funds for hospital
purposes through taxation revenue.
Section 7 of chapter XXVIIJ reads in part as follows :
In idditlon to nil otliei tixes nutboiized to be raised bi the ilti of Hint ind In
mltlition to m sum or sums of money tint tiie board of hoi-pltnl niiimsers mij reoeiie
from fees sift^ domtlonH 01 otbernlse tlie fommon countil shall haie the power and
mm cause to be rUsed annually bj a ta'^ upou the real and ijersonal property within
the city of Flint suih -aum ts mav be deemed necessary not exceeding one mill on )
dollar of the 1 iluiition of the leil and pergonal property wltbln said city according to
the yaiuation thereof as shown b\ the list preceding issessment rolls aa reviewed and
equalized wblcii '^um when 1 ilaed ^all be used for the purpose of pa(ina the cost
and expense of maintaining hospitals and for no other puriioae The amount to be used
for hospital puiiioses shall be determined by n detailed estimate of the requirement?
tbeiefoi to be furnished annually bv the board of bo^qiitil manigei*" to the tommon
council on the last Mondai in Felirunn and appioied b> the common poundl and the
sum *!0 determined ufon shall be approied and \oted to be raised by the common lounfl!
at the same time and in the same manner as is provided bi the chirter of the 'in f
Flint foi the rilsiii], of the innual tax le*y of sud tit* and the siuic sh II be Ipi p1
spread ami collected \t the sniue time and in the same manner as othei tites
Special donations for special purposes, amounting in all to $4,625.60,
were made by the city to the hospital prior to October, 1908, but since that
date regular appropriations have been received from the city, the amounts
varying in size according to the siiecia! needs of the institutions as outlined
by the board in their annua! budget presented to the common council each
spring, according to charter requirement.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
! the Special donations referred to as coming from the city, cash
payments, up to July i, 1916, have been received as follows :
October 26, 1908 $ 5,831.1S
Februnry 27, 190» 147.24
August 16. I'Mi 5,500.00
October 36, 1909 , 5,000.00
February 28, 1910 3,600.00
August 20, 1911 9,000.00
Marcb 18, 1912 5,888.79
September 28, 1912 5,700.00
February 24, 1913 442.31
August 20, 1913 5,000.00
December IS, 1913 1,000.00
February 14, 1914 252.65
February 28, 1914 5,000.00
Sqitember 15, 1914 19,167.63
November 13, 1914 686.88
February 15, 1915 590.44
February K, 1915 391.17
February 27, 1015 37S.CE
March 24, 1015 64.84
April 9. 1015 183.67
Aiiril 12. 1015 : 412.89
April 30, 1915 5.05
June 15, 1910 601.51
jHly 14. 1915 275.00
August 7, 1915 400.00
October 26, 1915 3,995.40
Februnry 29, 1916 287.48
March 31, 1916 46.07
The taxation revenue appropriated by the council for iqi5 is $42,-
835.00. This large amount was made necessary by the great increase in the
cost of building materials making it impossible to erect with funds remain-
ing from the Stockdale bequest structures of adequate size to serve as a
maternity ward and an addition to the nurses' home.
In common with ali other public institutions in Flint, the hospital has
constantly suffered from over-crowded conditions, never being able to keep
pace with the growth of the city. However, the board has worked heroically
to meet the situation constantly confronting them and has had at all times
the hearty support and co-operation of the common council. In addition
to the management of Hurley Hospital, the board of hospital managers also
managed a small detention hospital, built by the city in 1910 for the care
of contagious diseases. This property will be abandoned and sold in the fall
of 1916, when the new isolation cottage is opened.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COTNTY, MICHIGAN. OOg
In 191 1 the board received a communication from the council asking
them to purchase land on the south side of Sixth avenue, between Patrick
and Prospect streets, to be used as a site for a hospital for the segregation
and treatment of tuberculosis cases. The land was purchased, but it is
unlikely that it will ever be used for the purpose for which it was originally
intended. Lying so close to the hospital, however, it will probably be retained
by the board for future needs. The land has greatly increased in value since
it was bought for $2,850.
Some changes have occurred in the personnel of the hospital board since
its organization in 1905. But two original members, J. D. Dort and W. E.
Martin, still serve. Rev. Dr. Lippincott acted from 1905 to 1910, when he
received reappointment. His removal from the city, in Decemi>er, 1912,
made his resignation necessary and E. W. Atwood was appointed to succeed
him. Since March, 1913, Mr. Atwood has been secretary of the board.
George D. Flanders, appointed in 1906, has continued on the board since that
time, having served several terms as president. E. D. Black resigned in May,
1914, to accept a place on the city park commission. Edward S. Lee was
then appointed and proved a valuable memljer, but, after serving fifteen
months, resigned and gave place to Dr. Orson Millard. The five members
constituting the board at this time are; George D, Flanders, president;
Edwin W. Atwood, secretary: William E. Martin, treasurer; J. Dallas Dort
and Orson Millard.
Hurley Hospital was opened for the reception of patients on December
19, 1908, and since then up to July i, 1916, there have been 7,164 persons
treated there. A hospital commission, consisting of the health officer of
the city, the commissioner of the poor and one other citizen appointed by the
mayor, determine who are eligible for treatment in the hospital at city
expense. Under the uniform accounting system of the city, bills are rendered
to the city poor commissioner each month, and the hospital receives cash
payments from the i>oor fund for these charity patients.
Dr. James C. Willson, up to the time of his death, in 1912, acted on
this hospital commission. He was succeeded by William Beacraft.
Hurley Hospital has had three able superintendents. Mary B. Hall,
who acted in an advisorj' capacity before the hospital was completed, served
for one year thereafter. AHce M. Grigg. who succeeded Miss Hall, served
until 1910, when Anna M. Schill succeeded to the superintendency.
A training school, organized in 1909, is operated in connection with
Hurley Hospital, its graduates now numbering twenty-eight. The training
course was in the beginning made a two and one-half-year course, but by
dbyGoot^lc
8rO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
vote of the board in May, 1913, it was changed to a three-year course from
that time.
The accounting system of Hurley Hospital is part of the uniform sys-
tem installed by the city of Flint in March, 1913. It is under the direct
supervision of the city comptroller, to whom the board of hospital managers
make each month a detailed report of receipts and expenditures for the pre-
ceding month, and at the end of each year the hospital hooks are examined
by certified public accountants engaged to audit the accounts of all city
departments.
OAK GKOVE HOSPITAL.
One of the leading sanitariums in America is located in Flint. It is
recognized by the most eminent men of the medical profession as a hospital,
conducted along special lines, which has no superior in the entire community.
The buildings and grounds are unsurpassed.
Oak Grove Hospital, formerly Oak Grove .Sanitarium, was organized
under the laws of Michigan as Oak Grove Corporation in 1891, its object
being the founding and administration of a thoroughly modern hospital for
the treatment of nervous and mental diseases and of alcohol and drug addic-
tion. Associated in the incipiency of the movement were James A. Remick
and W. G. Vinton, of Detroit; Charles T. Mitchell, of Hillsdale, Michigan;
and Dr. George C. Palmer, then superintendent of the Michigan asylum for
the insane, at Kalamazoo.
The ,sixty-five-acre grove of native oaks located near the eastern out-
skirts of Flint was selected for a site. This grove is now probably the last
remaining oak clearing in Michigan. It had been preserved by Governor
Henry H. Crapo, his intention being to build therein a mansion.
The practical founder of the hospital was James A. Remick, of Detroit,
who had served as a member of the board of trustees of the eastern Mich-
igan asylum at Pontiac. The original buildings were erected by the Vinton
Company, of Detroit, whose president, W. G. Vinton, was also president of
the board of tmstees of the eastern Michigan asylum. Mr. Vinton succeeded
Justice H. B. Rrown as president of Oak Grove Corporation, and was him-
self succeeded by George B. Kemick, of Detroit. Mr. Remick died in 1913,
and was succeeded by Dr. W. H. Sawyer, of Hillsdale, a regent of the Uni-
versity of Michigan. The original stockholders included James A. Reinick,
W. G, Vinton, G. J. Vinton, George B. Remick and Thomas Pitts, of
Detroit; C. T. Mitchell, of Hillsdale; William L. Smith and William Hamil-
ton, of Flint.
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SI I
Dr. George C. i'aliner was elected the first medical director of Oak
Grove and died on Au^ist 8, T894. During Doctor Palmer's illness Dr.
W. L. Worcester was elected acting medical director. He was succeeded,
in November, iSq4, by Dr, C B. Burr, the present able incumbent, who
previously had spent eleven years as assistant physician and assistant super-
intendent, and five years as medical superintendent of the eastern Michigan
asylum, at Pontiac.
The staff of tlie hospital is composed of two physicians aside from the
medical director. Those who have served Oak Grove as assistant physician
or assistant medical director since its organization are; Dr. Wadsworth
Warren, of Detroit; Dr. H. R. Niles, now of the Michigan school for the
deaf, of Flint; Dr. C. B. Macartney, of Thorold. Ontario; Dr. F. B. Miner,
of Flint; Dr. C. P. Clarke, of Flint: Dr. J. A. Elliott, of Battle Creek,
Michigan; Dr. E. R. Johnstone, of Bancroft. Michigan; Dr. H. L. Trenkle,
of the Pontiac state hospital; Dr. Samuel Butler, of the Pontiac state hos-
pital: Dr. Homer E. Clarke, formerly of the Pontiac state hospital; Dr, P.
M. Crawford, of Chicago; Dr. G. K. Pratt, of Flint.
The site, original buildings and equipment cost in the neighborhood o£
one hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, thirty-five thousand dollars of
which was met by the issue of Iwntls. In 1895 Noyes Hall, containing
billiard rooms, assembly hall, gj'mnasium, bowHng alley, electrical room, and
hydrotherapeutic rooms, was completed from funds in part provided by the
request of Dr. James F. Noyes, of Detroit, and in part from 'the revenue
of the hospital.
Oak Grove Hospital is ideally located and its spacious grounds include
tennis courts, golf links, bowling greens and lieautiful walks and drives.
The present board of directors includes: President, W. H. Sawyer,
M. D., Hillsdale. Michigan ; vice-president, Jerome H. Remick, Detroit ;
treasurer, Walter O. Smith, Flint: secretary. C. B. Burr, Flint: C, M. Begole,
Flint; Henry M. Hurd. M. D., Baltimore, Maryland; H. R. Niles, M. D..
Fhnt; E. A. Christian, M. D., Pontiac, Michigan: Stanford T. Crapo, Detroit;
C. B. Macartney, Thorold, Ontario: medical director, C. B. Burr, Flint;
assistant medical director. Homer E. Clarke; assistant physician, G. K. Pratt.
CONDENSED D.-\T ^ CONCERNING FLINT,
Area, 11 square miles.
Altitude, 720 feet above sea level.
Population in 1900, 1.^,103.
dbyGoot^lc
8l2 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Population in 1910 (United States census) 38,550; 194.2 per cent,
increase in ten years, l?eing seventh city in rank of fastest growth.
Population in 1916, estimated, 85,000.
Churches, all denominations, 32.
Theaters and vaudettes, 20.
City parks, 12; area, 115 acres.
Public library, containing 20,000 volumes.
Michigan school for the deaf, a state institution, with 340 pupils, 38
teachers and a library with 6,448 voUunes.
Hurley public hospital, managed by a cit}' board.
Oak Grove Hospital, a private sanitarium for the treatment of nervous
and mental diseases.
Fire department, fully equipped with motor-driven apparatus and em-
ploying 4T men,
Flint is in the second class of insurance risks.
Building permits issued in 1915, $2,104,878.50, an increase over 1914
of $1,331,850.56. For 1916, building operations greatest in its history.
Public school buildings, 13 ; teachers, 225 ; pupils, 7,061 ; property
valued at $865,439.00; seven new buildings in course of constrtiction.
Fully equipped Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associa-
tions.
Flint had the lowest death rate in Michigan in 1915, the rate being
10.5, compared with an average for the state 13.3 per t,ooo of population.
Postoffice sale of stamps for 1915, $131,140.70; money orders issued,
$623,454.03; money orders paid, $299,784.80.
The city has four state l>anks, their combined capital and surplus
amounting to $1,882,881.97, with deposits of $14,697,179.69; loans, $12,-
473,129.00; total resources, $16,330,036.50; the clearances for 191 5
amounted to $34,213,638.50. 1916 shows largest deposits ever reported.
Municipal water works pumping station and filtration plant with a
capacity of 23,000.000 gallons, built at a cost of $400,000.00. supplying the
inhabitants of the city with water that is 98 per cent. pure.
Flint has two of the largest automobile factories in the world.
The combined capital of the automobile industries of FHnt is about
$12,000,000, with a yearly output of more than $100,000,000, employing
on an average of about 14,000 men with an average weekly pay roll of
$350,000.
Generating plant of the Consumers Power Company, supplied with
electric current from the .A.U Sable river, furnishing hydro-electric power in
unlimited quantity at economical rates.
dbyGoot^lc
GEKESCE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 813
Situated on the main lines of Grand Trunk and Pere Marquette rail-
road. Trolley lines to Detroit on the south and Saginaw and Bay City on
the north.
In 191 5 the city purchased the gravel rights on eight acres of land at
Otisviile on the Fostoria branch of the Pere Marquette Railroad, which is
about fifteen miles from Flint, and it is estimated that the saving on gravel
the first year will more than pay for the pit, and will last the city for a num-
ber of years.
The city owns its own asphalt plant, which has a capacity of 1500
square yards of two-inch surface per ten-hour day.
The city handles its own pavements, sewers and sidewalks at a great
saving to the tax payers.
CONCLUSION.
Gone is the F~lint of yesterday. No longer have we the agreeable land
spaces surrounding white houses with green blinds, set in the midst of
gardens blooming with hollyhocks, and marigolds, and sweet wiUiams, and
all the old-fashioned flowers so dear to our grandmothers.
No more the picket fences, with their swinging gates, and the hedges
of osage orange, the gravel walks, and the corner lamp posts.
The little parasols that tipped, the silver bouquet holders, the real
lace shawls, the floating islantls with red and black and white raspberries
on top, all have disappeared.
The pairs of shining black horses hitched to low surries, whose occu-
pants decorously drove to church on Sunday mornings are no longer to be
seen. Gone the quaintness, the charm, the leisure and the peace of the
village, of the small town, for in its place there stands a hustling, bustling
manufacturing city.
The county of Genesee, made up, as it is, of fertile "farms, thrifty,
industriotis people and a citizenship second to none on the American con-
tinent, presents exceptional advantages to those seeking a permanent home in
an ideal environment. The villages and townships are noted for the high
character of the people. Churches, schools, libraries, good roads, every-
thing that makes for contentment and happiness, abound.
dbyGoot^lc
8i4 GENESEE COL'NTV, MICHIGAN.
Ill the midst of such a happy and cultured people there has come within
the la^t fifteen years the change from a city of less than fifteen thousand
population, similar to hundreds throughout the country, to what has become
one of the leading manufacturing centers in the United States. The prog-
ress has l^een so rapid that any account or description portraying conditions
would become obsolete within a few months. The story of the re-birth of
Flint reads like a romance or Arabian Nights tale. If this book shall in
after years become of value as a record showing Genesee county and the
city of Flint as it was in 1916, the aims of its publishers will have been
attained. It marks the sixty-first milestone in the life of the municipality.
Greater Flint is a monument to the loyalty and public spirit of its citi-
zens. There is a unity of purpose and a co-operation existing which lias
given Flint an almost nation-wide reputation for "team work." The motto,
"Each for all and all for each," is typified in the city and county in every-
thing pertaining to the advancement of the best interests of the individual
and the public.
A more generous, public spirited and loyal citizenship does not obtain
in any community anywhere.
Here is a hint:
We stand for Flint,
From discord ever free.
Its people are loyal, good and true,
It's the land for me, the home for you.
Old Genesee! Old Genesee!
dbyGoot^lc
APPENDIX A.
STATISTICS I'ROM THE UNITED STATES CENSUS OF I9IO, AND OTHER GOVERN-
MENT RF.POKTS.
[Note: Chapter XNIX emboclies estimated iiopulation of ihc city of
Flint in iyi6, as well as number of employees in factories. The data con-
tained in Appendix A does not give the statistics of either county or city to
date of pnbhcation of this work. The only government statistics available
are up to a period six years pre\ioiis. ]
Argeutiiie towusMj) S;
.itliis towiislili) 1.11
Biii'tiHi towuBbip !>:
Cliij-toii towusliiii l,Oi
Diivtsim towiiaLip, mt'lndiLif; Uiivls<ni
villiige l.ft
Diivisoii vllliiste !>'
Fpiitoii towiislii]). iucliulitig feiitou
liiKl LluJeii viltitses S.lji
Feutoii villiLtTf 2,3:
r.iuden vllliice o!
Gulnes towiisLlp, inclmliiip;
W'li'd ■'
Wiird <!
. 3,a
Flush liiK town sh 111
, mcli
iding Flusli
Ins villfige —
. 2,{i
FliishiiiK village
11
p'orest township,
IneludlnK Otis
vllk
village
(5enesee township, lucludiug pnrt of
Mount Jlorris vllluge 1
Jlonnt MoiTis village (pnil: of)
Totiil of Mount Morris village in
Genesee and Slount Jlorrls town-
Grand Blanc towDBlilp ]
Jlontrose township, iuehiding Moiit-
Monti'oae village l-iU
Mount Morrta township, inelucling
part of Mount Morris village. 1,131
Mount MoiTis villnge (part of)... 109
Mnndy township l.KiS
Bichfleld township 1,101
Thetfoi-rt township 1.0-J4
Vienna township, inchidtu!; Clio vil-
lnge _-_ 2,0S2
Clio village .._ «10
Otisvillp village .
Ffirclgii'hci
ropiilnl
Total itopHlation, IftlO .-iS.^M
Totiil foreign-bom, 1010 0,7!iO
Persons horn in Northwestern l'!uro[)e,
total 1,!>m
•r„ of ISirf.
RngliiLHl .
S^'ottlind
Whiles
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Germitny 54!)
Norway 32
SwHlen 00
Denniiirk 23
Netheriiiuds
Belgium and Luxemburg
28
Swltzerlnnd 1. 24
Sontbern and Basterti Europe, total 1,232
Uouniania, Bulgaria, Servia
Moutenegro
Turkey in Asia 2S
China 9
Jiipan 1
All other 4
America {outside the U. S.), totnl— . 3,4S1
Canada — Freucli 154
Cunnda — other and Neivfouudiaiid- 3,30fl
Mexico 10
Central and South America 8
296 All other countries
14
Population of Flint, lSiiO-1910, (iiirf Decennial Increase, 1890-1910.
1910 1900 1890 1880 1870 1860
38,550 13.103 9,803 8.409 5,386 2,950
Increase 1900-1910 Increase 1800-1900
iO Number Per cent. Number Per cent.
.. 25,447 194.2 3,300 33.7
'/r III- Race, Xativitp tind Parentaye. ami Mnlm of Yol'ing Age, of
Qenexee County, 1910.
—Native White-
Foreign
Niitive or Mixed Foi'eien- Males of
Female Parentage Parentage born White Negro Voting Age
29,335 38,744 10,077 9,308 410 23,410
Distrii^tiiion 6;/ Broad Age Pcriititx of the Population in Flint, 1910,
DistrUnilUiii hy Age I'eiiods of the Population of the City of Flint, 1810.
All Classes
Native White
Foreign-born WUlte
Negro
Male Female
Male Female
Male Female
Male ITemale
Total
- 21,779 16.771
17,453 14,029
4,100
2,562
317 ISO
Under 5 years—.
. 1.701 1,749
1,614 1.054
72
80
15 15
L'lider lyear
360 402
352 390
8
9
3
5 to 9 yeara—
- 1,288 1,354
1,213 1,247
60
93
15 14
LO to 14 years_^.
_ 1,0G3 1,144
981 1,054
m.
77
16 13
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
15 to 19 years —
1,H76
l,5ti«
1,761
1.451
20 to 24 years —
3,846
2.2»3
3,218
1.990
25 to 34 years
5,37a
3,454
4,106
2,805
35 to 44 years—
2,i)65
2.171
2,122
1,691
45 to 64 years
2,!)22
2.;lS4
2.016
1,680
65 years iinrl over
(134
C155
41T
450
Age unknown _.-
1
5
1
iif thv I'oiiiikilioii ]5 rears of Age and Over in Flia
— Ma]es 15 Tears of Age and Ove
— Single — — Married —
Total Number Pet. Number Pet Widowed vorced
ir> to 24 years 5.822
25 to 44 years 8,344
45 years aud over 3.556
Age unknown 5
Native white. Native iiareutnge 9,250
Nativewhlte. For'n or Mixed pjir. 4,395
Foi-eign-bom white — 3,902
K^rro 171
4,164
2,252
1.431
49.6
45.3
58.5
48.5
Total
Total 12.524
15 to 24 years 3,859
25 to 44 years 5,625
45 years and over ,3,039
Age unknown 1
Natlvewlilte, Native pareutage— 6,520
Nativewhlte, For'n or Mixed par, 3,554
Poreign-boni wiiite 2,312
Negro 138
■Females 15 Years of Age and Over. —
— Single — —Married —
Number Pet. Number Pet. Widowed i
3,010
24.0
8.209
65.5
2.103
54.5
1.721
44.6
755
13.4
4.56T
81.2
151
1
1.604
5.0
1.921
63.2
24.6
4.206
64.5
1,062
29.9
2.252
63.4
300
13.0
1,675
72.4
10
Males 21
Years of Age and Over
1910 1900 1890
TotiH 15,107 4,027 2,793
Nativewhlte. Native piu-entnge 7,741 2'^"! oonn
Kative white. Foreign or Mixed par... 3.582 921 f '
Foreign-born white 3,628 923 738
Negro 147 66 I
Chinese 9 " J '
(52)
Percent Distr
ibution
1910 1900
1S90
100.0 100.0
100.0
51.2 52.4 1
23.7 22.9 J
- 71.6
24.0 22.9
26.4
yGoot^lc
f.ENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Illiterates in the Population "10 i'ei
All Classes, 1930;
Totiii number 32,458
s of Age and Oi-cr in I-'Hnf, 1910.
Illitei-iite nuiiibei'
Per cent.
Nativilp. Race, Etc.
Nntive Wiiite, 1010:
Native parentage, total 17,1^
Illiterate number J
Per cent. C
Foreign or Mixed Parentage, totiil 8,0
Illiterate number
Per cent. C
Foreign-'born White Populate
Total 926
Forelgn-bom Wbite, lillO:
Totiil nuniber 6,357
Illiterate number 303
Per cent. 4.8
N^ro, 1910:
Total number 338
Illiterate number 3
Per cent. 0.9
n 10 Years of Age anil Oi:ef Uiuible to fipeak English, tiy
Sew. in Flint, in 1910.
Male 759 Female _ 107
MORTALITY
Dtatht. (Excluilie of mill Births)
All (.auses
Tvphoicl
Scarlet fever
1A boopluK cough
Diphtheria and cioup
Erj slpelas
Tuberculosis of the lungs
Tuberculosis meuit^Itis
Other forms of tuben,ulo8is _
Kheumatisui
Cancer ;
Diabetes
STATISTICS
and Cause of Death, 1913 — flint.
Bronchitis
Pneumonia (all forms)
Other respiratory liiseasea
Diarrhea and enteritis (under 2 years)
Aijpendicitls
Hernia, intestinal obstruction
Nephritis, Brighfs disease
Puerperal fever
"Other puerperal affections
Congenital debility and malformations
Violent deaths (excludli^ suicide)
Suicide ,
IH-deSned and unimown c
Meningitis 4 All other defined c
Cerebral hemorrhage and soften ing..
Organie diseases of tHe heart
Deaths (exclusive of Still Births) and Age of Dete'Ient, 191.3 — Flint.
10
t'nder 5 years 117
5 to 9 years 10
10 to 14 years 10
15 to 19 years 11
20 to 24 years 17
25 to 29 years
35 to 39 years
40 to 44 years 13
45 to 40 years _ 26
50 to 54 years 18
55 to 59 years 22
00 to 64 years 2S
65 to 69 years 25
70 to T4 years 28
75 to 79 years 25
80 to 84 years 17
85 to 89 years 12
90 to 94 years 6
) to 34 years .
19
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
819
ivipal Causes per 100,000 Population, nnil Causes iif Death, lftl2
and 1913— ^etfesee County.
All cjiuses
Typhoid tever
Scarlet fevef
Whoopim; L-ouKh
Diphtheria and croup .
Tubercalosi? meningitis
Tuberculosis or the lungs
Other forms of tuberculosis
Rheumatism
Cancer
Diabetes
MeninKitia
Cerebral hemorrhnge and softening
Organic diseases of the heart
Bronchitis
Pneumonia <all forms)
Other respiratory diseases
Diarrhea and enteritis (under 2 years)...
Appendicitis
Hernia, intestinal obstruction
Nephritis, Bright's disease
Puerperal fever
Other pueriierai affections
Congenital debility and malformations .
Violent deaths (excluding suicide)
Suicide
All other defined causes
Ill-defineil and unknowii cnu^ses
24.0
^2.0
8R.0
12.0 -
76.0
64.0
OCCUFA'l'lON STATISTICS
t of ipi anil (iifr Engaged in Each Specified Ocf^upatuin, Clatiiii-
fied by Sex. for Flint; IftlO.
Population 10 years of age and over
All occupations
Agrieniture, forestry and animal husbandry
Farmers
Farm laborers
Farm, dairy farm, garden, orchard, etc., foremen
Gardeners, florists, fruit gi-owers and nurserymen
(iarden. gi'eenhouae. oi'chard and niivsery laborers
l-umbermen, raftam^i and woodchoppers
Owners and managers of log and timber camps
Stock herders, drovers and feeders
Otlier agricultural and anim.il husbandry piirsnits..
Ettractlon of Minerals
Male
. 18,790
_ 16,736
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Ml I
lei
Operali\t!S lii othm ami liot speuhed mmes
Mjuufaituiliig lud iuecliaiiii.al Industties
Apprentice--
B ikers _
Blacksmi til's forgemen and hammermen
Boiler makers
Brick and stone masons
Builders ind building contractors
Butchers and dieasera (slaughterhoiiae)
Lablnetui ikere
Carpeuteis
Compositors llnotvpeis ind type-n^tteis
Coopers
Di'e'wunkeis md --eaiusti esses (not In factory)
Electricians and electrical engineers
Electrotvpers stereotypere and lithographers
Englneeis ( uieehamcal )
CiLglueeiti (stattonarv*
tiigra\ers
I Hers grinders bufCeiH aud polishers (metal)
Fiiemen (except locomotive and fire department)
Foremen aud o\erseeis (manufacturing)
tumacemen smeltermeu heaters pourers, etc.
(ilasa bloweis
Jeweleis natelimakers golrtsmitha aud sllversmithe..
Laborers (not otherwise speclfled)
Building ind hind trades
Chemical Industiies
Clay glass and stone industries
Iron ind steel luduetrles
Other metal Industries 1
Lumber and furniture industries
Textile industries
Other industries
Machinists niUlwrights and tool makers
Managers and superintendents (manufacturing)
Mannfactui ers ind officiali
Mechanics (not otherwise specified)
Millers (grain flour feed etc )
Milliners aud millinery dealers
Moldera founders and casters (metii)
Oilers of machinery
Painters glaziers yamiaheis enimelers, etc.
Paper hungers
Pattern and model makers
Plasterers
Plumbers and gis and steim fitters
Pressmen (printing)
Rollers ind loll hands (metaH
dbyGoo<^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 82I
Miile Female
BoofeiB and alatera
Sawyers
feenil Bkllled operntivps (not otherwise si>eclfle<J) ;
( hemlcnl industiiea
( igir and tobaec) factories
Pliy glafcs and atone industries
f lothlng industries
Food Industries
Htmesa and saddle Industiies
Iron and steel Industiles
Othei metal lndu«trlea
liquor and beverage industiles
lumber and furniture Inrtustries
Piper and pulp mills
Ptlntlng and putllRhlnt,
Textile Inclnstiles
bpinners
WenT«rs
Winders reelers and spooleis
Otlier occupations
Otlier industries
Sewers ind sewing mm lilne oi*rators (factory)
Slioemikera and c(bblers (not in factory)
Skilled occupations (not otiiernise specified)
Stonecutters
Structural Iron workers (building)
Tailors and talloreaaea
rinsmttha and topi eremiths
t iliolsterers
Tr insf ortfttion
Water transportation (selectert occu[ itions) :
SHilors and deck bands
Road and street transportation (selected occupatlona) :
Cirriafce and hack drivers
Cbiuffenrs
DrnTinen tenmiters and e\pressmen
Foiemen of llierv and tnnsfer companies
Goratre keepers md mmageis
Hostlers <ind stible hands
Liier* atible keepers and manigers
Proprietors and manager? of transfer companies
Rnllroatt transportation ("selected occupationa) ;
BagKagemen and freight agents
Brakemen
Conductors (steam railioidl
(.onductors (street railroad)
Foremen and overseers
T ihoiers
Locoraothe englneeis
dbyGoo<^lc
OrNL'^EE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Motormen
Officials and super! iiteuiieiit?
SwltcLmen, flagmen anfl yardmen _
Tk-ket And stiitioa agents .
Express, ]iost, telegriipli and telepJione (selected occupations) :
Agents {express companies)
Mall carriers
Telegraph and telephone linemen
Tel^raph messengers
Telegraph operators
Telephone operators
Other transportation pursuits;
Foremen and overseers (not otherwise speclBed)
Inspectors
Laiwrers (not otherwise specified)
Proprietors, officials and managers (not otherwise specified)-.
Other occupations (semt-skilled)
Trade
Bankers, brokers and money lenders
Clerks in stores
Commercial travelers
Decorators, drapers and window dressers ,
Dellverymeu
Floorwalkers, foremen and overseers
Inspectors, gaugers and samplers
Insurauce agents and officials
Laborers in coal and lumber yards, warehouses, etc
Laborers, porters and helpers in stores
Newsboys
■Proprietors, officials and managers (not otherwise specified)..
Real estate agents and officials
Retail dealers
Salesmen and saleswomen
Undertakers
Wlioles-ile dealers importers and exporters
Other pursuits (semi skilled)
Public sen ice (not elsewhere classified)
Firemen (file department)
Guards watchmen ind doorkeepers
I>aborers (public serilcei
Marshals sheriffs, detecthe* etc.
Officials and inspectors (cifv and county)-.
Offieiali and Inspectors (state and United States) .
Policemen
Soldiers ^liors ind marines
Other pursuits ..
Professional sen ice
Actors
Architects
Artists, sculptors and teacliers of art
dbyGoot^lc
GEN'ESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Authors editor*" and reijoiters
Cbeiulsts iBSftjers and metallui gists
Civil and miiiiog engiueers and suneyors
Clergymen
Collie pre&idents aud ijiofessois
Dentists *
Designers, draftsmen nud inveutofs
Lawyers, Judges aud justices
Musicians and teachers of music
Photographers
Fbyslclans and surgeons
Teachers
Trained nurses
^eteiinarj surgeons
Other professional pmsults
'Semi profession)! pursuits
Attendants and helpers (piofesslon i! service)
Domestic and personal service
Barhers halidressers and manicuristH
Bartenders
Billiard room dance hall skatmg rmk etc., iteepers__
Boarding and lodging house keepers
Bootbiicks
Charwomen and clejners -
1 leiator tenders
Hotel keepers and mamneis
Housekeepers and stewards
Janitois and sextons
Irfilorers (domestic and professional seriice)
laundereif. and laundresses <uot in laundry)
Laundry operatlies
Laundry owners oiBciflls and manigers
Midwifes and nurses (not trained)
Poiters (except In stores)
Restaurant c»fe tnd lunch room keepers
Seivants
Walters
Other pursuits
Clerical occupations
Agents, canvassers and collectors
Bookkeepers, cashiers and accountants
Clerks (except clerks in stores)
Messengers, bundle aud office boys
Stenographers and typewriters
AGRICULTURE— QENE8EE COUNTY
Table I^Farms an4 Farm Property, April 15, 1910.
Population
Number of all farms
823
Female
dbyGoo<^lc
824 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Color aud niitivity of farmers —
Native white
t'orefgii-boi'ti white
Negro and other non-white .
Number of farms, classified by
Under 3 acres
10 to 19 acres
20 to 49 acres
50 to 90 acres
100 to 174 acres
175 to aj9 acres
260 to 499 acres
500 to 999 acres
1,000 acres anil o^er
Approximate land area acres
Land in firms acres
Improved land in farm*? acres
Woodland In faims acre->
Other unimproved land In farms !
Per cent of land area in faimt.
Per cent of farm land imi.roied
Average acres per farm
Average Improved ifres per faim
Value of Farm Propeity.
I property $24,974,322
32.3
13,(i65,9T0
Buildings 7,01(1,KX)
Implements and machinery 1,024,819
Domestic animals, poultry and bees 3,267,433
Per cent of value of all property In
Land 54.7
Buildings 28.1
Implements and machinery 4.1
Domestic animals, poultry and bees 13.1
Average values :
All property per farm $ 6,410
Land and buildings per farm 5,S0!)
Land per acre 35,18
Donientic AniinalK
Fiirms reporting domestic animals 3,770
Value of domestic animals _. ..$ 3,133,285
Cattle-
Total number 32.255
Dairy cows 16,5.^1
Other cows 2,091
dbyGoot^lc
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 825
Yeui-liiig Lelfers 4.o83
Cnlves 5,14S
Yearling ateere and bulls 2,022
Other steei-a and bulls 1,2(10
Value « 893,165
Horses-
Total number 14,117
Mature horses — - 12,!)7S
Yearling eolts 1,013
Spring colts 126
Vnine $ l,(!r>2,417
Totiil number IM
Mature uiules _ .SO
Yearling colts 7
Spring colts 1
Vnlue $ 12,232
Asaea nud burros —
Number 7
Tot 1 ule - 2S,iir)
Mntu e 1 tw 14,913
"^1 ring 1 gs , 14,102
■\ lue $ 215,5S4
Sheep —
Tot 1 nun be ... 1 .S3,555
Rfin s ewes urt nethers r>S,flOO
Siring I 1" . 24,!)4!)
■\ I e (f 3m,440
Poll 1 1 111 iind Bees
^ lei f 10 It T of 11 kinds 1!10,SI23
"\nl e $ 118,121
\ mber of cfl les of lees 3,683
\.iliie $ 10.027
TiihJr \': 2 -Xiiiiiliri: Ai-rcnur ,i,„l [vliir of /-■(«■»».! ClnKtifird hi/ Triiurr: Cohii' nil:
X'ltiriiji of rnrmfrx. <iiul .U<.iif/<i(,c TU'hf, April 15. imn.
Xumbi'r of fMnns 2.!)s;}
I'er Cfiit. of iili fiiniiK 70.6
Ijiiud in fnnuB, nci'CB . 280,485
Improved land lu fiimia, acres 226,824
Value of land and buildings ?14,!127,!H0
dbyGoot^lc
526 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Degree of Ownerahii) :
Farms couslsting of o
Farms consisting of o
Color and nfltlvlty of owners:
Native white 2,4!H
Foreign-born white 400
Negro imd other non-white 2
Farms Operated by Tenants.
Number of farms 846
Per cent, of all farms 21,7
Land In farms, acres 94,054
Improved land in farms, acres 74,&43
Value of land and buildings ? 4,916,460
Form of tenancy :
Share tenants 633
Share-cash tenants 20
Cash tenants : 170
Tenure not specified 23
Color and nativity of tenants;
Native white 74S
Foreign-born white 08
Negro and other non-white —
Farmx Operated hy Managers.
Kuniber of farms G7
Laud in farms, acres l.'i,937
Improved land In farms, ncrea 11,203
Value of land and buildings S 837,670
Mortgage Debt Report n.*
For all farina operated by owners:
Number free from mortgage debt 1,430
Number with mortgage debt l,ri2S
Number with no mortgage report 10
For farms consisting of owned land only ;
Number reporting debt and amount 1,189
Value of their land and buildings _ $5,155,210
Amount of mortgage debt 1,641,904
Per cent of value of land and buildings 31,8
Table S~Live Stock I'roiJucts and Domestic Animals Sold or Slang litercd on Farms, 1900.
lAve Stock Products.
Dairy Products-
Dairy cows on farms reporting dairy products 15,852
Dairy cows on farms reporting milk produced 12,805
Milk produced, gallons S,548.883
"No mortgage reports were secured for farms operated by tenants and managers.
dbyGoo<^lc
COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 827
Milk solil, giiUoiiR 1,228,390
Cream sold, giiHous 30,289
Butter fat sola, pounds 314,552
Butter produced, iMtunds 1,309,516
Butter sold, pounds 813,524
Clieese produced, pounds 5,650
Cheese sold, pounds 5,600
Value of dairy products, excluding borne use of milk and cream $604,257
Receipts from sitJe of dairy products 481,(i04
Poultry Products —
Poultry raised __ 218,234
Poultry sold 109,174
.Eggs produced, dozens 1,003,188
Eggs sold, dozens 670,886
Value of poultry and eggs prcMjuced S316,fi07
Receipts from sale of poultry and eggs 197,802
Honey and Wax —
Honey produced, pounds 107,525
Was produced, pounds 727
Value of honey and wnx produced $12,368
Wool-
Wool, fleeces shorn 60,304
Value of wool produced $125.47(1
Domestic A'limoli Sold or Slaughtered.
Calves sold or slaughtered 7.974
Other cattle sold or slaughtered 7,051
Horses, mules, asses and burros sold 1.274
Swine sold or slaughtered 33,399
She^ and goats sold or slaughtered 53,059
Receipts from sale of animals $1,005,633
Value of animals slaughtered 161.985
Table 4 — Value of All Crops mid Principal Chisnes Thereof, nnA Acreage and Production
of Principal Crops. 1909.
Value of All Crops.
Total $4,118,462
Cereals 1,523,934
Other grains and seeds 698,961
Hay and forage 1,230.220
Vegetables 237,809
Fruits and nuts 151,025
All other crops 27(3.5i:J
Selected Crops (Acres and Quantity).
Total— Acres 95,954 Emmer and spelt — Acres 54
Bushels 2,634,822 Bushels 1,665
Com— Acres 30,498 Barley— Acres 5,047
Bushels 935.043 Bushels 117,141
dbyGoot^lc
EE COL^NTY, MICHIGAN.
Ours— Acres
BHshels
Wliejit— Acces
BualielB
Buckwheat — Acres .
Bushels -.
Rye — Acres
._ 36,205
._1,167,501
__ 14,734
.- 278,004
1,040
._ 11,821
8,37(i
._ 122,(i,S7
Otlier G mi US-
Dry peas — Acres .
Bushels
Clover iiloiie — Acres -
AlfalCn— Aeres
Tons
Millet or Hungiirlan i
Tons
Other taine gr cultivated
grssses— Acres
Tons
Wild, Siilt or prairie grasses—
. 341,a44
s cut green — Acres .
Hay aud Forage —
Totiil— Acres 84,503
Tous 121,200
All tame or cultivated grosses-
Acres 81.504
Tons 108,926
Timothy alone— Acres 33,121
Tons 42,812
Timothy and cloyer mixed —
Acres 43,361
Tous 57,303
Coarse forage — Acres .
Tons
Sjiei'ial Crojis —
Potatoes — Acres
All other vegetables— Acres..
Sugar beets!— Acres
Tons
Maple trees— Number
Maple sugar (made)^Poun(l8_
Maple syrup (made) — Gallons-
2,090
1,704
0,984
1,22(:
2,630
21,250
41.459
3.544
10,625
lY
Oi-chard Fruits —
Total— Trees
205,707
Bushels
143,800
Bushels
130,568
Peaches and nectarines— Trees
17,229
Pears— Trees
11,845
Bushels
6,978
Plums and prunes — Trees
4,862
Bushels —
3,290
Quinces — Trees
240
T„hfe n—Rchrfil Farm
Faruis reporting 2,429
Cash expended $399,087
Kent and board furnished 107,058
Fertilizer—
Farms reporting 1,429
Bushels : 74
Grapes— Vines 42,129
Pounds 248,S53
SmiiH Fruits—
Total— Acres 520
Quarts 561,103
Strawberries — Acres 124
Qtiarts 214,998
Raspberries and loganberries —
Quarts 311,501
Nuts— Trees 652
Pounds 12,582
]-:.rpen»p« nnil Itcivipfs. 1909.
Amount expended S 40,613
Farms reporting 1,112
Anioimt expended * 96,425
Rernipts from siile of feednble
crops $512,248
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
S29
Table 6 — Number an^ Value of Dnmeslic Aniinals Not on Farms, April 15, 1010.
Value of domestic animals
Cattle—
Tot;il Qumber
Number of dairy cows
Horses —
Total numtier
Xiuuber of uiriture Ijorses-.
._ 1,711
.-?431,200
- 2,761
..$400,584
.. 2,738
JlHles, Asses and Burros—
Total number 23
Value $ 3,075
Number of mature nmlps 23
Total number 12S
Value ? 1,395
WEALTH, DEBT AND TAXATION.
Total and I'cr Capita Indetitednefia, Less Sinking Fund—Assets of County and Other Cii-il
Divistom, 1913, 1902 and 1890 — Genesee County.
Siuiiiug
Fund Assets.
Total
Per Capita.
1913
VM2 1890
1913 1902 LSOO
5
0
Of Ail Other Civi
Divisiocs.
1
1;
Iff
III
5
£
i
g
1 2
Is
$1,551,987
$300,000
$1,222,816
.$29,171
$225,000 $99,218
$21.57 5.34 2.52
Tl.;i47
OWNERSHIP OF HOMES.
en and Other Homes, Classified According to Froprie
Encumbrance, of Oenesee County, 1910.
Farm Homes.
(Jtber Houiea.
15.435 3,810 1,456 l,44f>
11,619 3,037 2,361 58 5,948
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830
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
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ia.(oi(Ira:f[ p3!.iy(PS
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8 I
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APPENDIX B.
Township Officers, 1916.
Smiervisoi-, Beit RkiiiiiPr; flm-k, L. V. I'letcher; treiistirei', PiUil B. M(.-K«-
way couiuilssioiier, J. R. Cljii'k.
Siiiiei'vlsoi", George M. Ciiiiiiibell ; cJevk, Thoniiia Nii^liolsoii ; tre;
Hegel; hi>j;liiviiy com miss loner, J. E. JlcCimdlisli,
Supervisor, Jolui Howe; clei'b, Jolin W. Tlioiiiiis; treiisorer, Hitrold S, Schram; high-
fay commissIoQer, Clarence Thomas.
Claitton.
; oierli, Eiwl WesI ; treiisiirer, Joliii Koiiiitz: bi^tlnviiy
Supervisor, Ira W. Cole; clerk. F. H. McGregor; tre:isurer, Albert R. Richards;
highway couimlssioner, Meltzer Hill.
Hu|)prvisor, John H. Jennings: clerk, Wiihird L. Johnson; treasurer, E. L. I^ang-
irthy; liighwiiy coDimisslonei', Ciirl Proiwr.
Superisor, Charles W. Minfo; clerk, Frnest Neff; treasurer, Walter H. Baker; high-
way commissioner, August Steidam.
Supervisor, H. H. Chatters; clerk, Mertou D. Pheips; trensurer, Walter S. Davis;
highway commissioner, J. C. Bunker.
Sujiervlsor, Andrew S. Harris; clerk, ZoiTie B. House; treasurer, Thomas Williams;
highway commissioner, Porter B. Clark.
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GENESEr; COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Sii[>ei-vist)i', Cliarles 10. Cox; clerk, i
Caugbuii: lii^inviiy t-oimiLissioLLer. Willian
W. Chase, Jr. ;
Suijervlsoi', M. W. Fiilrb«uk ; clerk, Floyd I.'iiton ;
lilt;bwa}- commlgslonel*, Edward L. Nlxoii.
. J. HerQian Taylor;
Grand Blaiir,.
Supervisor, L. Roy Perry ; c)erk, Wood 8. Dewey ; t
way comniissioner, Stuart Clieuey.
, l: O. Tliouijisou ; Uigli-
.Ii>bii JdIihsou ; clerk. Edjiiir .Siviii'l
Williiim T. Wright.
Neil JlcCormick ; bigh-
Ml. Morris.
Supervisor, D. Knickerbocker; clerk, Nicholas Murpliy, .Tr. ; treasurer, Beniard
Russell ; Iilghway commfsalouer, Harry Lawrence.
Supervisor, Johu Jadivin; clerk, George E. Spillane: trt>
highway commisBioner, Ed Waterous.
', Riiymond Tj. Smith ;
Supervisor, Verne E. Wilbur; clerk, Will C. Frlce; trensurer, Claude Holdeu; lilgh-
way commissioner, Herbert Hass.
Supen-Isor, O. E. Henipsted; clerk, Gleu Williams;
y commissioner, Warren Richardson.
■, Syii-oster Pound ; high-
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