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 19
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Barry, in conjunction with Allegan and Eaton, sends one representative, and belongs to the sixth senatorial dis- trict, which sends two senators to the legislature. Popula- tion, 512.
BERRIEN COUNTY
Is bounded north by Van Buren and Lake Michigan, east by Van Buren and Cass, south by the State of Indiana, and west by Lake Michigan. Seat of justice, St. Joseph.
Water courses .- The St. Joseph, Pawpaw, Galain, Dow- agiake rivers ; Pine and Pipestone creeks.
Organized Townships .- Bainbridge, Berrien, Bertrand, Buchanan, New Buffalo, Niles, Oronoko, Royalton, St. Jo- seph, Weesaw.
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GAZETTEER
BRANCH.
Villages .- St. Joseph, Niles, New Buffalo, Bertrand, Berrien, Royalton.
The surface of the county is somewhat rolling, but not hilly. The soil, upon the St. Joseph, is mostly a deep, black, sandy loam, producing the most exuberant crops. In other parts of the county it is various. The timber, in the valleys of the St. Joseph and Pawpaw rivers, is remark- ably heavy, and consists of oak, whitewood, linden, beech, elm, hickory, sugar tree, &c. In some parts of the county, there is a sufficiency of pine, suitable for manufacturing into lumber. The rivers and creeks furnish excellent mill- sites, many of which are improved, or in progress of im- provement. There are several stone quarries, in different parts of the county-one of free stone, on the St. Joseph, 16 miles from its mouth ; and one on Blue creek, in the vi- cinity of Newburgh, both of which are valuable. This county belongs to the Kalamazoo Land District.
Berrien elects one representative, and is included in the seventh senatorial district, which returns two senators to the legislature. Population, 4,863.
BRANCHI COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by the county of Calhoun, east by Hillsdale, south by the State of Indiana, and west by St. Joseph. It was organized in 1833, and contains an area of 528 square miles. Seat of justice, Branch.
Water courses .- The St. Joseph river, Hog river, Prairie river, Swan creek, Cold Water river.
Organized Townships .- Algansee, Batavia, Bronson, Butler, Coldwater, Elizabeth, Gerard, Gilead, Mattison, Ovid, Quincy, Sherwood, Union.
Villages .- Coldwater, Branch, Union City, Mason.
The surface of this county is generally rolling. The soil is of a dark, rich, sandy loam, free from stone, except in a few places. Two-thirds of the county are oak openings, and the remainder is heavily timbered land. 'The timber- ed land affords excellent grazing ; the remainder is better fitted for grain. Iron ore has been discovered in the south- ern part of the county. The settling of this county com- menced in 1831. It is included in the Kalamazoo Land
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OF MICHIGAN.
CASS.
District. There are some valuable Public Lands in this county, remaining unsold.
Branch elects one member to the house of representatives, and belongs to the seventh senatorial district, which elects two senators to the State legislature. Population, 4,016.
CASS COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by the county of Van Buren, east by St. Joseph, south by the State of Indiana, and west by Berrien county. It was organized in 1829, and contains an area of 528 square miles. Seat of justice, Cassopolis.
Water courses .- The St. Joseph is the principal stream. Christiana river, Corbett's river, Dowagiake river, Putnam's creek.
Lakes .- Pleasant lake, Stone lake, Deadwood lake.
Organized Townships .- Calvin, Howard, Jefferson, La- grange, Mason, Milton, Newburg, Ontwa, Penn, Pokagon, Porter, Silver Creek, Volinia, Wayne.
Villages .- Edwardsburg, Cassopolis, Whitmonville, Ad- amsville.
The surface is generally level ; the eastern part is rath- er broken. The soil is as fertile as any in the State. It may be divided into two kinds ; first, that of the dry prai- ries, which includes Beardsley's, Young's, Lagrange, Poka- gon, Little Prairie Round, Mckinney's and Baldwin's Prai- rie, which consist of a dry, black, rich loam. They are all exceedingly fertile, and owned by actual settlers, who have rendered them in a good state of cultivation. The sec- ond description of soil is the white and yellow oak openings. This soil is a yellow sand loam, and has the appearance of perfect sterility, but when cultivated, it is exceedingly fer- tile, and produces excellent crops of wheat and oats. The bur oak openings have a soil similar to the dry prairies. The productions of this county are the same as those ad- joining, and on the west of the meridian. It is not as good for grazing or corn, as some others, but it is common to raise crops of wheat yielding from 20 to 35 bushels to the acre- averaging perhaps, 30 bushels : and oats sometimes yield 80 bushels. All vines and vegetables grow here with the greatest luxuriance. Two-thirds of the county are said to be oak open-
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GAZETTEER
CALHOUN.
ings and prairie; the remainder, timbered land. Cultiva- ted lands sell from five to fifty dollars per acre. Iron ore, bog iron, and lime stone, all of a good quality, are found in the southern part of the county. There is a plentiful supply of water power. It has been settled principally within the four past years. It is embraced in the Kalamazoo Land District.
Cass and Van Buren together, elect two representatives, and belong to the seventh senatorial district, which returns two senators to the legislature. Population, 5,296.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Barry and Eaton, east by Jackson, south by Hillsdale and Branch, and west by Kala- mazoo. It was organized in 1833, and contains 720 square miles. Seat of justice, Marshall.
Water courses .- The Kalamazoo, the St. Joseph, Battle creek, Seven Mile creek, Ten Mile creek, Rice creek, Pine creek, Nottawasepee, Bear creek, Beaver creek, and Kalamazoo south branch.
Organized Townships .- Albion, Athens, Burlington, Cady, Convis, Clarendon, Eckford, Fredonia, Homer, Le- roy, Marengo, Marshall, Milton, Newton, Pennfield, Sheri- dan, Tekonsha.
Villages .- Marshall, Battle Creek, Homer, Waterloo, Albion, Tekonsha, Verona, Waterburg.
The surface of the county is generally undulating, though some portions may be said to be rolling. The soil, a rich, sandy loam. In the western part there are several beautiful and valuable prairies, but most of the county is bur and white oak plains, which for farming are held in high estimation. The grains and grasses that flourish in the adjacent counties, flourish here in the richest luxuri- ance. The advantages for manufacturing are numerous, being crossed by the Kalamazoo and the St. Joseph rivers, two among the most important streams in the Peninsula, together with the various branches of the former, which ir- rigate the county in a beautiful manner. The attention of many is being turned to the manufacture of sugar from the beet, which grows here most luxuriantly. There are some
217
OF MICHIGAN.
CHIPPEWA.
valuable quarries of sand stone on the Kalamazoo river, and in other parts of the county, some of which are successfully wrought for building material. The first settlements were made in 1831. It is embraced in the Kalamazoo Land District. The larger portion of the public lands is sold.
Calhoun elects two representatives, and belongs to the sixth senatorial district, which sends two senators to the legislature. Population, 7,960.
CHIPPEWA COUNTY
Consists of all that tract of country in which the Indian title is extinguished, included in the following boundaries : " Beginning on the north side of Lake Huron, at the isle of St. Vital, running thence due north until it strikes a river (Carp river,) which falls into the north-west part of Muddy Lake of the Strait of St. Mary ; thence up said river, to its source ; thence west to the Monestee river of Lake Michi- gan ; thence up said river to the parallel of 46° 31'; thence due west to the Montreal river," (the extreme western boundary of the State,) thence, following said boundary line down the said river to its mouth; thence, following said western boundary of the State, in a straight line across Lake Superior to the mouth of Pigeon river ; thence with the northern boundary line of the United States, returning through Lake Superior and St. Mary's Strait, back to the mouth of said river ; thence south-west to the place of be- ginning. The land surface covers the whole southern shore of Lake Superior, which lies within the State, for its north- ern boundary, having the county of Mackinac on its south- ern boundary, St. Mary's river on the east, separating it from Upper Canada, the Montreal river on the west, sepa- rating it from Wisconsin Territory.
It was organized in 1826, and contains an area, excluding lake surface, of 7,200 square miles. Seat of justice, Sault de Ste. Marie, or St. Mary's village. St. Mary is the only organized township. Chippewa elects one representative, and belongs to the fourth senatorial district, which sends two senators to the legislature. Population, as per census, 336. (See farther, " Upper Peninsula.") 19
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GAZETTEER
CLINTON .- EATON.
CLINTON COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Gratiot, east by Shiawassee, south by Ingham and Eaton, and west by Ionia. It is as yet unorganized, and contains 576 square miles.
Water courses .- Grand, Looking Glass, and Maple riv- ers ; Stony, Prairie, and Loss creeks.
Lakes .- Some of the principal are Bryan, Parke, Round, and Muskrat.
Organized Townships .- DeWitt, Wandaugon, Water- town.
Clinton is generally level. It has a good soil, which is heavily timbered. In the south-eastern part it is swampy. In many respects it resembles Shiawassee county. The valleys of the Looking Glass, Grand, and Maple rivers, furnish some timbered and rich arable land, rarely equal- ed. There is excellent hydraulic power on the rivers, but it has not been much improved. There are some fine lands not yet taken up by emigrants. It is generally less settled than many other counties where the same quantity of the public lands is sold. It is embraced in the Grand River Land District.
Clinton, in conjunction with Shiawassee and Genesee, elects to the legislature one representative, and belongs to the third senatorial district, which elects three senators. Population, 529.
EATON COUNTY
Is bounded north by Ionia and Clinton, east by Ingham, south by Jackson and Calhoun, and west by Barry. It was organized in 1837, and contains 576 square miles. Seat of justice, Bellevue.
Water courses .- The Grand river, Big Fork of Thorn Apple, Grind Stone creek, Sebewa creek, Battle creek.
Organized Townships .- Bellevue, Eaton, Kalamo, Onei- da, Vermontville.
Villages .- Bellevue, Vermontville, Charlotte.
The surface of this county is gently undulating, and the soil mostly a deep calcarious and sandy loam, with a thick
219
OF MICHIGAN.
GENESEE.
covering of vegetable mould. The county is generally heavily timbered ; in the northern part, south of Battle creek it is openings and plains. In its productions, it will com- pare with Calhoun county. On the Grand river, in the north-eastern part, is a valuable quarry of sand stone, and on Battle creek, in the south-west corner a quarry of lime stone, which is wrought to a considerable extent, and which supplies the surrounding country with lime.
The first settlements commenced in 1833, and the county is now rapidly increasing in population. It belongs to the Grand river Land District.
Eaton, in conjunction with Allegan and Barry, elects one representative, and is included in the sixth senatorial dis- trict, which returns two senators to the State legislature. Population, 913.
GENESEE COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Saginaw and Lapeer, east by Lapeer and Oakland, south by Oakland and Livingston, and west by Shiawassee and Saginaw. It was organized in 1836, with an area of 504 square miles. Seat of justice, Flint.
Water courses .- Flint river is the principal ; Pine, Coal, Swartz, Kearsley creeks; Thread river, and Shiawassee east branch.
Lakes .- The principal are Long and Grand Blanc.
Organized Townships .- Argentine, Flint, Flushing, Fen- ton, Genesee, Grand Blanc, Mundy, Vienna.
Villages .- Flint, Leroy, Grand Blanc, Fentonville.
The face of this county may be said to be rolling. The soil is mostly a dry, sandy loam, and generally free from stone, but there is a sufficient supply, however, for farming purposes. In the southern part are found oak openings- the remainder is timbered land, and what is there termed " hazle brush." On the Flint river are found tracts of excellent pine timber, which are very valuable. The coun- ty is said to be good for grazing, and generally brings good crops of wheat, rye, oats, corn, potatoes, &c. The Flint river and its branches furnish plenty of mill sites.
This county has been settled principally within three years
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GAZETTEER
GLADWIN .- GRATIOT .- HILLSDALE.
past, and emigration to it is increasing. Except the two southern townships, which belong to the Detroit Land dis- trict, it is embraced in the Saginaw Land district.
Genesee, together with Shiawassee and Clinton, elects one representative, and belongs to the third Senatorial district, which sends three Senators to the legislature. Population, 2,754.
GLADWIN COUNTY
Is bounded north and west by Mackinac, east by Arenac, and south by Midland.
It has an area of about 576 square miles, and, being un- organized, is attached to Saginaw county, for judicial pur- poses. It is in possession of the Indians, and no settle- ments have yet been made by a white population. It is unsurveyed, and little known respecting it. It is embraced in the Saginaw Land district.
GRATIOT COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Isabella and Midland, east by Saginaw, south by Clinton, and west by Montcalm.
It remains unorganized, and is attached to Saginaw for judicial purposes. It contains a surface of 576 square miles.
The streams are the Maple and Pine rivers, besides several smaller ones.
Gratiot has an undulating surface, well timbered, and is naturally a good farming county. The northern part is pine timber. The four north-eastern corner townships are em- braced in the Saginaw Land district, the remainder within the Grand river Land district.
HILLSDALE COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by the counties of Calhoun and Jackson, east by Lenawee, south by the State of Ohio, and west by the State of Indiana and the county of Branch. It
221
OF MICHIGAN.
HILLSDALE .- IONIA.
was organized in 1835, and contains a surface of 576 square miles. Seat of justice, Jonesville.
Water courses .- The St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the St. Joseph of the Maumee, and the little St. Joseph ; Goose creek, Tiffin's or Bean creek, Hog river, Sandy river, Kala- mazoo south branch.
Organized Townships .- Adams, Allen, Canaan, Fayette, Florida, Litchfield, Moscow, Pittsford, Reading, Scipio, Somerset, Wheatland.
The face of this county is generally undulating and roll- ing, and interspersed occasionally with marshes. It is em- phatically a country of hills and dales, and contains some of the most elevated land in the Peninsula. The soil is a dry, black, rich, sandy loam, which produces large crops of wheat, rye, corn, oats, &c. About one half of the county- the northern part-is "oak openings," the remainder is heavily timbered land. . This is an admirable section of country for oats, which grow in the greatest possible luxu- riance. The timber is mostly oak, whitewood, black wal- nut, sugar maple, and hickory. This is a new county, and, as yet, but few improvements have been made. Various mills and manufactories are going up, and from the abundance of mill sites on the St. Joseph and Kalamazoo rivers, it may in time become a manufacturing region of some note. In some instances great crops of grass are raised, but in gen- eral it is not as good a county for grazing as some others. Here are frequently found quarries of fine sand stone, excel- lent, both for building and grind-stones. These are found plentifully in the northern part of the county. Iron ore has been found in some places, and it is thought it may be man- ufactured to advantage. Considerable quantities of bog lime have also been discovered. It belongs to the Monroe Land district. It sends one representative, and belongs to the second senatorial district, which sends three Senators to. the legislature. Population, 4,729.
IONIA COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Montcalm, east by Clinton, south by Eaton and Barry, and west. by Kent. It was or-
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222
GAZETTEER
INGHAM.
ganized in 1837, and contains 576 square miles. Seat of justice, Ionia Centre.
Water courses .- The Grand, Maple, Flat, and Looking- glass rivers ; Sebewa, Loss, Lake, and Prairie creeks.
Organized Townships .- Boston, Cass, Ionia, Maple, Otisco, Portland.
Villages .- The principal are Ionia Centre and Lyons.
The surface of the county is gently undulating. Open- ings frequently intervene between heavy groves of timber, such as the oak, ash, maple, butternut, elm, black walnut, whitewood, &c. &c. The soil is mostly a black, rich, sandy loam, and of an alluvial formation, on the bottoms- very little waste land, and irreclaimable swamp. It is nat- urally arable, and fitted for grazing. It is free from stone, but quarries are found on the Grand river, that serve the purposes of building material. The hydraulic power is not so abundant in this, as in some of the more eastern counties. There is a considerable tide of emigration to the county, which has continued from its first settlement. This county is embraced in the Grand River Land District.
Ionia, in conjunction with Ottawa and Kent, elects one representative, and is embraced in the sixth senatorial dis- trict, which sends two senators to the legislature. Popula- tion, 1,028.
INGHAM COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Clinton and Shiawassee, east by Livingston, south by Jackson, and west by Eaton. It was organized in 1838, and has an area of 560 square miles.
Water courses .- The Red Cedar, Willow creek, Mud creek, Sycamore creek.
Lakes .- Pine, Portage, Swampy.
Organized Townships .- Alaiedon, Aurelius, Ingham, Onondaga, Stockbridge, Vevey.
Villages .- Mason Centre is the only village in this county.
The face of the country is generally level, but somewhat uneven on the openings. The greater part is heavily tim- bered land. Plains and openings constitute the remaining
1
223
OF MICHIGAN.
ISABELLA .- JACKSON.
portion, the former of which are found in the south-eastern, and the latter in the south-western part of it. It is repre- sented generally, as a rich section, with soils like those found in other parts of the State, designated by the appel- lation of plains, openings, and timbered land. The timber is principally sugar maple and beech, in considerable quan- tities, sycamore, basswood, black walnut, &c. It is gene- rally well supplied with water power. There were but few settlements made in the county previous to the summer of 1837. Commencing with that period, there has been con- siderable emigration to it. There are many tracts of excellent land in this county yet unsold. One half of the county, including the eight townships east of the meridian, belongs to the Detroit, the balance to the Grand River Land District.
Ingham, in conjunction with Livingston, elects two rep- resentatives, and belongs to the fifth senatorial district, which returns three senators to the legislature. Popula- tion, 822.
ISABELLA COUNTY
Is bounded on the north and west by Mackinac, east by Midland, and south by Gratiot and Montcalm.
The principal streams are the Chippewa and Salt rivers.
It is unorganized, and attached to Ionia for judicial pur- poses. It has an area of 576 square miles. It is in pro- gress of survey. No settlements of consequence have yet been made. It is embraced in the Grand River Land Dis- trict.
JACKSON COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Eaton and Ingham, east by Washtenaw, south by Lenawee and Hillsdale, and west by Calhoun. It was organized in 1832, and contains about 720 square miles. Seat of justice, Jackson.
Water courses .- The Grand, the Kalamazoo, the Rai- sin ; Portage creek, Goose creek, Sandstone creek, and the South and East branches of Grand river.
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GAZETTEER
JACKSON.
Lakes .- Gillet's, Grass, Vineyard, Clark's, Cranberry, Pleasant, and Swain's.
Organized Townships .- Concord, East Portage, Grass Lake, Hanover, Jackson, Leoni, Leslie, Liberty, Napoleon, Parma, Pulaski, Rives, Sandstone, Spring Arbour, Spring- port, Tomkins, West Portage.
Villages .- Jackson, Concord, Barry, Grass Lake, Swains- ville.
The surface of this county is generally undulating, and a very small portion may be said to be broken or hilly. The soil is of that known under the appellation of plains and openings. The west and south-west portion, constituting perhaps one fourth of the county, is burr oak plains; the greater portion of the balance of the county, is oak open- ings and timbered land. There is no dry prairie. Small tracts of wet prairie are interspersed throughout the coun- ty, which are easily drained. This county is generally well timbered and watered, and has a large portion of superior farming land. The soil is mostly of a rich sandy loam. The plains, much resembling orchards, are covered with a sparse growth of burr oak, white and red oak, and hickory trees, generally free from underbrush, and in the summer months, with a succession of the most beautiful wild flowers. Wheat, oats, corn, barley, and potatoes, succeed to admira- tion. Indications of stone coal have been discovered near Jackson, and large quantities of white sandstone, of a supe- rior quality for building and other purposes, are found in the vicinity of Jackson and Napoleon. Limestone of an excellent quality, and in abundance, is found at Jackson and Spring Arbour. The county is gener- ally well supplied with hydraulic power. The first settle- ments commenced in 1831. Six townships, lying east of the meridian, numbering one, two, and three, south, belong to the Detroit, and the remainder of the county is included in the Monroe Land District.
Jackson sends two representatives, and belongs to the fifth senatorial district, which elects three senators to the legislature. Population, 8,702.
225
OF MICHIGAN.
KALAMAZOO.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Allegan and Barry, east by Calhoun, south by St. Joseph, and west by Van Buren. It was organized in 1830, and contains 576 square miles. Seat of justice, Kalamazoo.
Water courses .- The Kalamazoo, the Portage; Four Mile creek, Gull creek, Bear creek.
Organized Townships .- Alamo, Brady, Charleston, Cli- max, Comstock, Cooper, Kalamazoo, Pavilion, Portage, Prairie Ronde, Richland, Texas.
Villages .- Kalamazoo, Schoolcraft, Comstock.
Kalamazoo is generally level, though sufficiently undu- lating to conduct off the waters in healthy streams. It is divided into prairie, open, and heavily timbered lands. About one third of the county is heavy timber, of beech, maple, ash, basswood, whitewood, butternut, and black wal- nut. There are eight prairies, viz. Prairie Ronde, Grand Neck Prairie, Dry Prairie, Genesee Prairie, Grand Prairie, Tolland's Prairie, Gull Prairie, and Climax Prairie; in all, containing about one eightli of the county. Every portion of the county is admirably adapted to agriculture. The soil is a black loam, rich and fertile in the extreme. The productions are similar to the counties adjoining. There are numerous mill-sites in different parts of the county, with a hydraulic power sufficient to support the most ex- tensive manufactures. The principal mill streams are, the · Portage river of the St. Joseph, and the Portage river of the Kalamazoo, and Gull creek. The Kalamazoo river runs through the county, near its geographical centre, and is skirted with heavily timbered and open lands of the first quality.
The settling of this county commenced in 1829. In 1830, two or three townships of land were offered for sale by the general government. In 1831, the balance of the county, save a reservation of one township, was brought into market. The public lands are mostly taken up in this county, by actual settlers, though some remain unsold, of a good quality. It belongs to the Kalamazoo Land District.
Kalamazoo, elects two representatives, and belongs to
.
226
GAZETTEER
KENT.
the sixth senatorial district, which returns two senators to the legislature. Population, 6,367.
KENT COUNTY
Is bounded on the north by Oceana, east by Ionia, south by Barry and Allegan, and west by Ottawa. It was organi- zed in 1836, and has an area of 763 square miles. Seat of justice, Grand Rapids.
Water courses .- The Grand, Flat, Rouge, and Thorn Apple rivers ; Buck, and Gypsum or Plaster creeks.
Organized Townships .- Ada, Byron, Kent, Plainfield, Vergennes, Walker.
Villages .- Grand Rapids, Grandville.
The surface of the eastern half of the county is rolling, and upon the Grand river, hilly. The soil is mostly of a deep vegetable loam, covering a substratum of clay. The greater portion of the county, and especially that part east ofthe Thorn Apple river, is of the class of soil called " oak openings." The north-western, western, and south-west- ern parts, or perhaps one third of the county, is timbered land. Indian corn, wheat, oats, and potatoes, are produced in excellent crops, and frequently on lands which eighteen months since were in possession of the Indian. Black walnut, beech, sugar maple, and white wood, is the princi- pal timber, which often attains a magnificent growth. North of Grand river, especially upon the Rouge, are found large forests of heavy, pine timber, of great value. The hydraulic power is very considerable, and abounds on all the streams. There is an immense power at Grand Rapids, and at several points upon the Rouge, Flat and Thorn Apple rivers, and their branches. Gypsum, or plaster of Paris, of an excellent quality, and in abundance, is found on Gypsum creek. Lime stone, and building materials of different kinds, both of wood and stone, are in plentiful sup- plies. Brine springs have been found near the mouth of Gypsum creek, and in some other places on Grand river. This county has many facilities for intercommunication, and will, after the canal at the Rapids and the rail-road connecting the Grand river with St. Clair, are completed, enjoy superior advantages. The greater portion of the
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