USA > Michigan > Gazetteer of the State of Michigan, in three parts with a succinct history of the State, from the earliest period to the present time with an appendix, containing the usual statistical tables, and a directory for emigrants, &c > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
1.
SEN
7
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02546 6621
Gc 977.4 B62g Blois, John T. Gazetteer of the State of Michigan, in three parts
JUN 2 3 0
Presented to the Rich. a tale Library by M. D. Ceband of Mankind. Wayne Co hich. Feb. 1859.
GAZETTEER
OF THE
STATE OF MICHIGAN,
IN
THREE PARTS,
CONTAINING A GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE, A
DESCRIPTION OF THE FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, PUB- LIC LANDS, INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, COMMERCE, GOVERN- MENT, CLIMATE, EDUCATION, RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS, POPULATION, ANTIQUITIES, &c. &c.
WITH A SUCCINCT HISTORY OF THE STATE, FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. ALSO
A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, WATER COURSES, LAKES, PRAIRIES, &C. ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED ; WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING THE USUAL STATISTICAL TABLES, AND A . DIRECTORY FOR EMIGRANTS, &c.
BY JOHN T. BLOIS.
-
·
.
DETROIT. SYDNEY L. ROOD NEW YORK. ROBINSON, PRATT AND CO. 1839.
ichigan
NOV 21 1899 Ic.O. ANSING. MICY
iv
INTRODUCTION.
labors in carrying out the design; and it is now presented to the pub- lic as the best substitute he could offer, without protracting its appear- ance to a period that would, perhaps, be unsatisfactory, without any adequate advantage. How far this design has been achieved, will be seen upon inspection of its pages.
As preference has always been given to scientific developments, and such facts as were given upon respectable authority, much has been omit- ted, that otherwise would have been inserted, had the proper materials been received ; yet, in some instances, where an obvious deficiency would have occurred, it has been supplied by general delineations. This remark more particularly applies to what has been said of the upper region of the State. Had the proper scientific developments been made, with regard to the natural products of the State, the author could have spared much of what has been said under the heads "soil" and "productions," as the present matter, under such circumstances, would be considered quite indifferent. It was one design to have given a full history of the sale of the public lands, and their present condition, in each land district; likewise a connected history of the trade and tonnage of the lakes, with a full statement down to the present day. But these objects have been but partially attained, though efforts for the purpose were made. If the requisite statistical matter stored in the several custom-house and land- offices, were once arranged and published in regular annals, it is con- ceived that the future history of those departments might be supplied with comparatively little labor. The most complete statement made, was by the efficient chief clerk* of the Kalamazoo land office, part of which is to be found under the title, "public lands." The most valuable statement prepared at his hand, is in the appendix, and is " warranted complete in all its parts." The article on "climate and health," is far from what was originally intended. The author proposed to pursue the same plan with the lower, as he has with the upper part of the State, by giving diversified observations, at one or more points upon the Atlan- tic, the Mississippi in the same latitude with Detroit, Fort Gratiot, and Chicago, like wise observations made at the three latter places-taken at the same times, and for the same periods, respectively. But as all these were to be had only at the surgeon general's office at Washington, it became impracticable to visit that city for the purpose, without neg- lecting other more important parts of the work. The requisite data could not be obtained by correspondence. An abstract of the collection laws, the laws prescribing the general duties of state, county, and township officers, the mode of their election, tenure of office, salaries, etc. would have been inserted, but for the delayed preparation and publication of the Revised Statutes of the State. A succinct judicial history, a history of the legislation of the territory, and of the colony under the domination of the French, together with the more interesting facts connected with the initial settlements in each county, would havegiven a zest and interest to the work, which it would have been very agreeable to the author to have superadded. Another article was to have been inserted in the First Part, upon the nomenclature of proper names, and a collection of all the Indian names given to our lakes, water-courses, bays, islands, etc., together with their signification, arranged to accompany English names in the Third Part. The assistance of a distinguished philologist of the Indian language had been politely proffered, whenever the requisite collection should have been made, and the author was anxious to carry the project into execution.
* Samuel Yorke At Lee.
V
INTRODUCTION.
This is a subject that should be attended to before the names are for- gotten. The preservation of these names in our topography, while it accords with good taste, seems to be the best tribute we can render to the memory of a much injured race, fast sinking into the shades of oblivion.
The above are among the principal omissions which it was found imprac- ticable to supply, without delaying the publication to an indefinite period. Experience has taught that a complete statistical work of a new State, is not the labor of a day, butof years; and that, what is done, must, in most cases, depend upon personal assiduity and perseverance, supported by the countenance of public approbation. The obstacles to the attain- ment of information, the vexation and discouragements incident to it, are greater than he had before any conception of; and he is not surprised to find that previous efforts to furnish a Gazetteer of this State, have proved abortive. Not the least of the perplexities experienced in preparing this work, has arisen from a vacillating, unstable legislation, temporary changes, and growth of the State in improvements since the work was commenced. To correct these alone, from time to time, has cost an amount of labor equal to writing the whole work anew.
A great difference may be observed in preparing a statistical work of a new or an old State-of the former, calculations, estimates, and statisti- cal data, have to be made or collected by the author; while of the latter, they are already collected in some or other of the public offices, prepared for the inspection or copy of whoever wishes to obtain them. The importance of State statistics are considered of so high importance to public policy and to intelligent legislation, that legal provision has been made in some States, especially by the State of New York, by which all necessary sta- tistics are collected and reported, as part of the duty of several public offi- cers. By such means, the resources of a State are made known abroad, and its credit consequently enhanced.
The authority of the facts stated in this work, rests upon personal ob- servation of the author in his travels; upon facts collected in an exten- sive correspondence with responsible persons in different parts of the State ; upon verbal communication from gentlemen enjoying public confi- dence, from different sections of the State; upon the laws, journals, records, reports, public documents, &c. either published, or examined in the public offices at the seat of government ; and upon such works of respectable au- thority as have been published from time to time, respecting the State and Territory.
The work was commenced at rather an unfavorable time, during the period of speculation, when most persons were absorbed in some wild scheme of building a fortune in the sale of lands, village lots, &c. : yet, the course pursued was such, as it was believed would insure correct information. The usual method was first taken, by opening a corres- pondence with gentlemen in different sections of the State. But it was very soon perceived, that this course would not answer the purpose. Let- ters in answer to the request for statistical information, were often writ- ten under an apparent misapprehension of the object of the correspond- ence,-occupied with matter entirely extraneous,-in descanting upon the 'admirable location,' 'proposed improvements' of some village or 'city' in 'contemplation,' which was represented as about to become the great emporium-the centre of travel,-of the manufacturing and commercial interests of the State. Another more effectual resort was taken. During the session of the legislature, in 1837, the author sought occasion for personal interview with one or more gentlemen, members of the legislature, from each county in the State. Deliberate inquiries
1*
vi
INTRODUCTION.
were instituted for such facts as were requisite to be obtained, and all information received, noted down at the time for consideration, or if sat- isfactory, immediately drafted in regular order at the author's room. The same course was pursued until every county in the State was can- vassed. Where the individual was evidently interested in the facts com- municated, other persons disinterested were inquired of, and the state- ments of the two compared, and no statement was drawn off for publica- tion until he was fully satisfied of its correctness, Although this course was very vexatious to the author, he found that it was not without prece- dent, and most approved. The superiority of evidence obtained from a witness upon personal interview, over that obtained from correspondence, is obvious. From this course, and from subsequent correspondence with postmasters and other gentlemen of respectability, the greater part of the information respecting the villages, and the description and re- sources of the several counties, were obtained, beside much other inter- esting matter in the body of the work. Enquiries having been continual- ly prosecuted respecting subsequent improvements, it is believed this work exhibits the true condition of most of the villages, and of the various improvements of the State, as they were in the spring of 1838. Access has been had to such records, public documents, and laws of the Territory and State, as have been preserved, and much valuable in- formation collected. A regular file of the oldest paper published in the State, continued from 1817 to the present time, was politely furnished by a gentleman, and much interesting in the history and statistics of the State has been gathered.
The Historical Sketches of Michigan, the writings and Travels of Mr. Schoolcraft, have furnished much authentic matter in both the civil and natural history of the State. The geological survey of the State, now in prosecution under such favorable auspices, will be of immense advantage in the development of its natural resources, and it will be per- ceived, that this work is not remiss in recording whatever of interest from that source, has been presented to the public.
In topographical descriptions, reference has always been made to the most correct maps of the State. The directory in the Appendix is some- what indebted to the Western Guide for a few of the tables and some of the selected matter. The authorities noted in the margin of the work, and those stated, are the principal referred to, although much other in- formation, from various detached sources, heretofore published in frag- ments, has been here collected for preservation and future comparative reference, such especially as relates to the trade and commerce of the lakes. Many facts, which now have no interest, at a future day may be useful to show the progress of the growth and improvements of different sections of the State. The statistics of productions, accompanying the townships in the Third Part, collected as they were with great labor from the very imperfect returns made to the Secretary of State, are de- void of any present interest, but many years hence our farmers of the several townships will make comparative reference to them with much pleasure ; and such reference would be of great assistance to develop the history of the townships. It will be objected by some, that too much common place matter is recorded-facts already too well known ; but it is to be remarked that these facts are entirely new to emigrants, and it is as important to the State to give them correct information, as our own citizens. The work, taken together and read by course, might be view- ed as tautologous in the extreme; but it should be remembered, that it was written for a work of reference to the reader, each article intended, as far as possible, to be entire, with as few references to other portions of the
vii
INTRODUCTION.
work as possible, consequently, repetition necessarily must happen. As it regards the plan of the work, after viewing several most approved eastern and western publications, the present plan, comprehending the double object stated, was considered, for a western work, decidedly the best. Many of those who have sent in embellished descriptions of particular places or sections of country, may be disappointed to find them dismantled of their tinselled drapery, and presented with the accompaniment only of facts ; but he is fully convinced, that simple, unembellished truth, has claims, far more winning, than high wrought descriptions that cannot bear examination. If an emigrant is induced to locate in a particular region, from descriptions he has had of it, but, upon examination, finds it to unequal his anticipations, he will retire from it with disgust, with a far more unfavorable opinion of the country than he otherwise would have had. The policy of overrating a country to induce settlements, is quite questionable.
In the article of History it became necessary to touch upon some topics that are at present the subject of party controversy. In sketch- ing what is there said, it was the author's aim, though he has not perhaps succeeded, to give an impartial statement of the case, on all sides, as far as facts had been presented to his cognizance. Upon reflection, it is thought, that the comments upon the primary school law, thrown into the body of the article on Education, may to some be exceptionable ; but it is here to be observed, that they were made as a part of the result of several years experience, observation and reflection on what he considers the most momentous subject to a free people ; that they are applicable to every State having a regular, legal system of education ; that, as it is the duty of government to require the education of the youth of a State, it is considered an equally imperative duty of that government to furnish the requisite means, as much as it does for the administration of justice ; thereby, disencumbering parents from any farther trouble or concern, ex- cept to send their children to the schools so provided by government. Under such a system, the source of petty neighborhood disputes would be put to rest, which originate and obtain more or less in every district, often, in effect, entirely to defeat the object of the institution.
For the author to name all the individuals to whom he is indebted for information, will not be expected, and to designate those from whom he has received the greatest assistance, would be an invidious task. To his various correspondents and other gentlemen throughout the State- to members of the legislature, and officers of State, the author returns his grateful acknowledgments for the facilities afforded him in the collection of facts, and their politeness in imparting information; for it is much to their co-operation that this work will owe its value. For the patronage ex- tended to his undertaking by the State, in subscribing to a portion of the work, the author returns his most respectful acknowledgments to a legis- lature, whose views of public policy are as enlightened and liberal, as its acts are public spirited and honorable.
There is one omission, that should have been, if possible, supplied in this edition of the work; and this is, the settlement of uniformity in the orthography of proper names; but this has been prevented for the same reason that precluded attention to the etymology of the Indian names. 'The only rule followed has been to spell them agreeably to the most usual practice, where that was ascertained-a few cases excepted. In- dian names, not before written, are spelled agreeably to pronunciation.
This is the first full announcement of the original plan and design of the Gazetteer of Michigan. The volume here offered as a substitute, has been made at the expense of much labor, and an abstraction of mind which
viii
INTRODUCTION.
has deprived him of much of the common pleasures of society, to the detriment of his health and constitution ; and whether the original design shall be fully carried into execution and matured by his means, the re- ception and patronage extended to this effort will determine. That the work will be found entirely free from errors, the author has not the vanity to presume ; but, that errors of fact will be found frequent, where so much scrutiny and vigilance has been exercised, he cannot persuade himself to believe. , Error, however, must and will occur in the first print of a statistical work, and owing to indisposition of the author while part of the work went to press, he will not be surprised to find errors typo- graphical, and of language, and even discrepancies to have occurred to some extent, which otherwise might have been avoided. Should such be found on perusal, this untoward circumstance will be sufficient explana- tion to the candor of those acquainted with the liabilities to inaccuracy, in composing from a manuscript written only for his own superintend- ence, and containing such an amount of figures and uncouth proper names.
Whatever may be the fate of the work, he cannot be deprived of the satisfaction he may have to know, that he has thrown together some facts useful to the emigrant ; that he has had a share in contributing to propa- gate a knowledge of geography ; that he has made an effort, however feeble, to disabuse the public mind abroad, of the gross misconceptions produced by the misrepresentations the State has heretofore been subject to-a State, as fair and rich by nature, as her population are high- minded, enterprising, and intelligent.
DETROIT, October, 1838.
CONTENTS.
PART FIRST,
Page.
Page.
Boundaries and Extent,
13-15
Rivers and Lakes,
45-65
Natural Divisions,
15
Rivers,
45-46
Area,
15 -- 16
Lake Superior,
46
Upper Peninsula,
16-20
Lake Michigan,
47
Surface,
17
Lake Huron,
47
Forests,
18
Lake Erie,
48
Streams,
18
Lake St. Clair,
48
Agriculture,
18
Interior Lakes,
48-49
Fisheries,
19
Coast,
49-50
Minerals,
19
Depth,
50-51
Climate,
19
Transparency,
51
PENINSULA,
20 ---
Color,
51-52
Face of the Country, Soil,
22-28
Prevailing Winds,
52
Timbered Land,
23
Fogs, Gales,
53
Openings,
24
Currents, Counter Currents, Harbors,
54
Plains,
25
54-55
Prairies,
25-26
Fish,
55-58
Marshes,
26
Fish Trade,
56-57
Grasses,
26-27
Elevation of the Lakes, Recession, Fluxes, and Re- fluxes, 58-65
58
Wild Flowers,
27
Productions,
28-45
Tides, 61
62
Wild Animals,
30-32
63-65
Domestic Animals
32-33
Public Lands,
65-77
Wild Fowls,
34-35
Surveys,
65-69
Vegetables
36-38
Taxes,
69-70
Wild Fruits,
36-37
Land Districts,
71-73
Grains,
37
Detroit,
71
Garden Vegetables,
38
Monroe,
71
Minerals,
38-45
Kalamazoo,
72
Geological Structure,
38-40
Saginaw,
72-73
Salines,
41-45
Grand River,
73
Medicinal Waters,
45
Tables,
74-77
Geological Survey,
28-29
Animals,
29-36
Freshets and Spring Floods, Septennial Fluxes,
20-22
Temperature, 52
X
CONTENTS.
Internal Improvements, State Works,
Southern Rail-Road,
Havre Branch,
79-80
Central Rail-Road,
80-81
Northern Rail-Road,
81
Clinton and Kalamazoo Canal, 82
Saginaw or Northern Ca- nal,
St. Mary's Canal,
Grand river,
Kalamazoo river,
St. Joseph river,
'Tabular statement,
Michigan Internal Improve- ment Fund,
Sinking Fund,
Rail-road and Canal Compa- nies, 88-97
Mail Routes,
97-100
Navigation andCommerce, 100-109
Manufactures,
109-110
Government-Synopsis of the
Constitution,
110-113
Civil Divisions,
113-116
Incorporated cities and villa-
ges, 114
Senatorial Districts, 114
Apportionment of Represent- atives, 115
Judicial circuits,
115
Climate and Health,
116-127
Meteorological Tables of the Upper Peninsula, 118-122
Meteorological Table of the southern part of Peninsula Proper, 123
Diseases,
126
Education,
127-148
University of Michigan, 129
Branches,
130
Primary Schools,
131-134
University and Primary School Lands, 134
School Fund,
140-141
University Fund,
141
Michigan College,
142
Kalamazoo Literary Institute 143
St. Philip's College, 145
White Pigeon Academy, 145
Romeo Academy, 146
Detroit Female Seminary, 146 Historical Society, 146
Michigan State Literary In- stitute, 147
Young Men's Society of De- troit, 147
Religious Denominations, 148-150
83 Population and Immigra-
150-161
84 Table of White Population, 151
84 Table of Indian Population, 156
85 Antiquities, 161-177
86 Tumuli of Belle Fontaine, 168
Ancient Gardens, 173-176
History,
177 -- 209
87 Name, 177
Early History, 178
Settlement of Detroit, 180
Ottogamie War, 180
Capitulation of Detroit, 182
Pontiac's War, 182-187
War of the Revolution, 18
Clarke's Treaty, 189
Gen. Harmer's Defeat, 189
St. Clair's Defeat, 189
Indians defeated by Gen.
Wayne,
189
Randall and Whiting's Con- spiracy, 190
Possession taken of Detroit, 190
Ordinance of 1787, 191 First grade of Government, 191
Second
do.
191
Hull's Treaty with Pottowat- tomies, Wyandotts, Chip- pewas and Ottawas, 191
War with Great Britain, 192-196
Capitulation of Detroit, 193 Massacre at the River Raisin, 194 Gen. Cass appointed Gover-
nor of Michigan, 195
Boundary controversy be-
tween Michigan and
Ohio,
197-209
Rejection of the proposition of Congress, 207
Michigan admitted into the
Union,
209
Page Page
77-97
78-88
79
87
83 tion,
CONTENTS.
PART SECOND.
Page.
Page.
Allegan County,
211 Lapeer County,
227
Arenac County,
212 Lenawee County,
228
Barry County,
212 Livingston County,
229
Berrien County,
213 Mackinac County,
230
Branch County,
214 Macomb County,
230
Cass County,
215 Midland County,
23
Calhoun County,
216 Monroe County,
232
Chippewa County,
217 Montcalm County,
233
Clinton County,
218 Oakland County,
233
Eaton County,
218 Oceana County,
234
Genesee County,
219 Ottawa County,
235
Gladwin County,
220 Sanilac County,
236
Gratiot County,
220
Saginaw County,
237
Hillsdale County,
220 Shiawassee County,
238
Ionia County,
221 St. Clair County,
239
Ingham County,
222 St. Joseph County,
241
Isabella County,
223 Van Buren County,
242
Jackson County,
223| Washtenaw County,
242
Kalamazoo County,
225
Wayne County,
243
Kent County,
226
xi
GAZETTEER OF MICHIGAN.
PART FIRST.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
Boundaries and Extent ;- Natural Divisions ;- Area ;- Upper Peninsula ;- Face of the Country ;- Soil ;- Productions ;- Rivers and Lakes ;- Public Lands ;- Inter- nal Improvement ;- Mail Routes ;- Navigation and Commerce ;- Manufactures ;- Government ;- Civil Divisions ;- Climate and Health ;- Education ;- Religious. Denominations ;- Population and Immigration ;- Antiquities ;- History.
BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT.
THE State of Michigan* lies between about 41º 45' and 48º north latitude, and between 5° 23' and 13º 32' longi- tude, west from. Washington city. Its boundaries and shape are very irregular. It is bounded on the north, north-east and east by the British province of Upper Cana- da, from which it is separated by the straits of St. Mary, St. Clair, and Detroit ; and by Lakes Superior, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie ; on the south by the States of Ohio and Indiana, and on the west and south-west, by the territory of Wisconsin and lake Michigan. Its boundaries, as es- tablished by an act of Congress passed June 15, 1836, de- fining the northern boundary of Ohio, and admitting Michi- gan into the Union, as a State, on certain conditions, are as follows, to wit :
* The local pronunciation places the accent on the first syllable- Mich'-i-gan.
2
14
GAZETTEER
BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT.
" Beginning at the point, where a line, drawn direct from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly Cape (called North Cape) of Maumee (Miami) Bay, intersects the eastern boundary line of the State of Indiana, and running thence with the said line to the said most northerly Cape of the Maumee Bay ; and thence from the said north cape of the said Bay, north-east to the boun- dary line between the United States and the province of Upper Canada in Lake Erie; thence, with the said boun- dary line between the United States and Canada, through the Detroit river, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, to a point where the said line last touches Lake Superior," (be- ing the mouth of Pigeon river,) "thence, in a direct line through Lake Superior, to the mouth of the Montreal river ; thence, through the middle of the main channel of the said river Montreal, to the middle of the Lake of the Desert; thence, in a direct line to the nearest head water of the Monomonie river ; thence, through the middle of that fork of the said river first touched by the said line, to the main channel of the said Monomonie river ; thence, down the centre of the main channel of the same, to the center of the most usual ship channel of the Green Bay of Lake Michigan ; thence, through the centre of the most usual ship channel of the said bay, to the middle of Lake Michigan ; thence, through the middle of Lake Michigan, to the northern boundary of the State of Indiana, as that line was established by the act of Congress of the nineteenth of April, eighteen hundred and sixteen; thence, due east, with the north boundary line of the said State of Indiana, to the north-east corner thereof; and thence, south, with the east boundary line of Indiana, to the place of begin- ning."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.