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 22
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Bay creek, an inconsiderable stream of Monroe county, that rises in the township of Erie, and flowing south-east-
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erly, empties into an inlet on the north-west of the Maumee bay.
Bean or Tiffin's creek, rises in Michemanetuc or Devil's lake, in the county of Lenawee, and on the eastern border of Hillsdale, and flows south, south-east, and south-west, through said county, and after passing through a part of Williams and Henry counties, in the northern part of the State of Indiana, empties into the Maumee river, one and a half miles above the mouth of the Auglaize. It is a river that affords a great abundance of hydraulic power in Len- awee county, and it might, and probably will be used to great advantage in manufacturing. Its length, from the source to the mouth in a direct line, is 54 miles; but as its course is very winding, its entire length must be much greater.
Beach branch, a rivulet, branch of Red river, rises in Troy township, Oakland county, and flowing south-easter- ly through said county, empties into Red river on the northern side, and in the township of Clinton, Macomb county.
Bear creek, an insignificant stream in the township of Marshall, in Calhoun county, that discharges into the Kalamazoo river.
Bear creek, a rivulet that rises on the confines of Kala- mazoo and Calhoun counties, and after passing in a south- westerly course, through Calhoun and a part of St. Joseph, discharges itself into the Nottawasepee river.
Bear creek, a stream of Lenawee county, that rises on its western border, and flows in an easterly course, and emp- ties into the Raisin. It is possessed of a great supply of hydraulic power.
Beardsley's prairie, is situated in Ontwa township, in the south-west part of Cass county. It has a dry, rich soil, and produces large crops of grain. The settlements about it are considerable.
Bear plains, located in the townships of Marengo and Marshall, in Calhoun county.
Beaver Islands .- There are some five or six of this name. They are small : Big Beaver is the most consider- able, and contains perhaps 40 square miles. They all lie in the vicinity of each other, and within a few miles north- west of Grand Traverse bay, in lake Michigan.
Beaver Island, lake Superior, off Point Keweyweenon.
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Beaver creek, a branch of the Raisin, that discharges into it at Adrian, after passing in an easterly course through the townships of Rome and Logan.
Beaver Branch of Red river, rises in Troy township, Oakland county, and flows in a south-easterly course into the township of Jefferson, Macomb county, where it dis- charges into the Red river.
Bedford township, Monroe county, consists of township eight south, range seven east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 431 .- A grist mill, 3 saw mills ; a merchant ; 2,589 bushels wheat, 126 bushels rye, 2,372 bushels corn, 2,250 bushels oats, 25 bushels buckwheat, 260 pounds flax ; 442 head neat stock, 62 horses, 398 hogs.
Belle river, a considerable stream that has its source in the south-eastern part of Lapeer county, and after flowing easterly and south-easterly through the counties of Lapeer and St. Clair, discharges its waters into the St. Clair river. Its length is upwards of fifty miles. It may be navigated by batteaux a short distance only from its mouth.
Belle river post office is located north of the confluence of Belle river with the St. Clair, in St. Clair county.
Belvidere, a village in Macomb county, located at the mouth of the Clinton river, at its confluence with the St. Clair, in the township of Harrison. Here is a post office recently established, sub-collector's office, a steam saw mill, a store and store house, tavern, several mechanics, and some 12 or 15 dwellings. A steam-boat was built here in 1837, of 175 tons burthen, and it is represented as a favorable location for ship building. A bar at the mouth of the Clinton obstructs its navigation in some stages of the water. The depth on the bar is said to vary from five to eight feet. Although the country around has long been settled, the village was not commenced till two years since. Distant four miles from Mount Clemens and 30 from Detroit.
Bellevue township, Eaton county. Statistics as per cen- sus :- Population, 438 .- 3 saw mills, 2 merchants; 1,963 bushels wheat, 1,515 bushels corn, 1,720 bushels oats, 30 bushels buckwheat; 264 head neat stock, 38 horses, 142 hogs.
BELLEVUE, a village and seat of justice, in the south-west corner township of Eaton county, section 28. As its name imports, it has a commanding and pleasant location, and is situated on Battle creek, at the rapids, and at the head of
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navigation for boats. There is, it is said, a sufficiency of hydraulic power here to propel 20 run of stone. The place now contains a post office, 3 saw mills, and prepara- tions are making for the erection of a flouring mill,-2 taverns, 2 stores, 3 physicians, a boot and shoe manufac- tory, a tobacconist, chair manufactory, besides various other mechanics' establishments. It has also a respectable English school in operation. The lime stone quarry here is of great importance. There are six kilns, from which lime of an excellent quality is made, and then transported to supply the country for fifty miles distant around it. The village is passed by the State road from Marshall to Ionia centre. There is another connecting it with Hastings. The first settlement made here was three years since. The village is now very thriving, and contains, by estimation, 400 inhabitants. Distant from Marshall 16 miles, to Ver- montville 15, and to Detroit about 115 miles. It is located in the midst of a rich farming country.
Benton township, Berrien county, is comprised in town- ship four south, of range eighteen west.
Benton post office, Saline township, Washtenaw county, on the Chicago road.
Benton, a village and post office, pleasantly located on Ore creek, in the south-eastern part of the county of Liv- ingston, contains a flouring mill with 2 run of stone, a saw mill, a store, and a physician. This village is newly settled, but flourishing and healthy. Benton is situated on the Grand river Turnpike. Distant 10 miles from Howell, 40 north-west of Detroit.
Berrien, a village and post office, in a township and county of the same name, situated on the west bank of the St. Joseph river, 15 miles in a direct line from its mouth. It contains 2 stores, a physician, a few mechanics, and per- haps 100 inhabitants. It is distant 15 miles south-east from the village of St. Joseph.
Berrien township, Berrien county, consists of townships six south, ranges seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and twenty, west. Statistics as per census :- Population, 496 .- 4 saw mills, 2 merchants ; 1,735 bushels wheat, 12,190 bushels corn, 5,525 bushels oats ; 440 head neat stock, 124 horses, 256 sheep, 1,035 hogs, 906 acres improved land-(by esti- mate,) 15,000 bushels potatoes.
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Bertrand township, Berrien county, consists of fractional township eight south, of ranges seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen west. Statistics as per census :- Population, 1,262. 2 grist mills, 3 saw mills, a distillery, 12 merchants ; 14,333 bushels wheat, 25,275 bushels corn, 12,472 bushels oats, 300 bushels buckwheat ; 225 pounds flax ; 835 head neat stock, 285 horses, 395 sheep, 1,784 hogs.
Bertrand, a post village in a township of the same name, in the south-eastern part of the county of Berrien, is pleas- antly situated on the east bank of the St. Josephi river, at the crossing of the Chicago road. It has 6 stores, a law- yer, 2 physicians, and the usual supply of common trades- men. It is, like Niles, a place of considerable business, and is fast increasing in wealth and population. Its popu- lation is supposed to be 600. Distant four miles south of Niles, 30 south-east of St. Joseph, and 180 south-west of Detroit.
Big Fork of Thorn Apple river. (See Thorn Apple river.)
Big Rock, St. Mary's river, one mile above the falls.
Big Beaver Island. (Sce Beaver Islands.)
Birmingham, a newly settled but flourishing village, pleasantly located on one of the head branches of the Rouge river, in the county of Oakland. It contains a flouring mill with 3 run of stone, saw mill, furnace, 2 dry goods stores,
2 groceries, a lawyer, and physician. The Saginaw turn- pike passes through it, and it is expected that the Detroit and Pontiac rail-road will likewise. Considerable business is done here at the furnace, and constant employ is furnished to the various mechanics. It is said to be the second place in the county in point of business. Distant 7 miles from Pontiac, and 17} from Detroit.
Black creek, a trifling stream in the north-eastern part of Lapeer county, that empties into the North branch of the Flint river.
Black Lake, a collection of water about five miles long, and from one half to one and a half miles broad, situated in the south-western corner of Ottawa county. It may pro- perly be said to be the widening or expansion of the North Black river in its passage to lake Michigan.
Black river, or ( North Black river, ) is a stream that has its source on the borders of Allegan and Ottawa counties,
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and after collecting its waters by numerous small branches, flows in a westerly course, through the southern part of Ottawa county, and discharges into lake Michigan, near the boundary line separating Ottawa county from Allegan. Its branches are inconsiderable. Its length from the source to the mouth, in a direct line, does not exceed eighteen miles. At a distance of five miles from its mouth, it ex- pands into a lake, called Black lake, but it contracts to its usual width before it enters lake Michigan. At its mouth is capable of being made a fine harbor.
Black river, (or Dulude,) has its source in the eastern part of Sanilac county. Its course is sontherly, running nearly parallel with the coast of lake Huron, at a distance of five or six miles from it. The length, in a direct line from the mouth to the source, is about forty-five miles, though the entire length by the windings of the stream is much greater. The soil of the interval is good; but the heavy pine timber which encumbers its banks and the country around has rendered it notable. It passes through parts of the counties of Sanilac and St. Clair, and dis- charges into the St. Clair river about two miles from lake Huron. It is navigable for vessels of considerable burthen as far as Mill creek, more than twenty miles from its mouth.
Black river, (or South Black river,) is a stream ris- ing in the south-western part of Allegan county, flowing south-westerly, and emptying its waters into lake Michigan in the north-western corner of the county of Van Buren. There is a prospect of a good harbor being had at its mouth. It has two tributary branches ; the West Branch and South Branch. The South Branch heads in the northern part of Van Buren county, and directs its course north-westerly through the county, and serves, with its tributaries, to water all the north-western part of the county of Van Buren. The West Branch heads on the confines of Allegan and Van Buren counties, and follows mostly a westerly course till it empties into the main stream, not far from the conflu- ence of the South Branch. The principal stream, or either of its branches, is not short of thirty miles in length.
Black river, an inconsiderable stream of the Upper Pe- ninsula, rising in the Porcupine mountains, flowing north, and discharging its waters into Lake Superior.
Blissfield, a village and post office, situated on the north
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bank of the Raisin river, in Blissfield township, and county of Lenawee. It contains a flouring mill, 2 saw mills, 4 stores, and perhaps 60 dwellings. The Adrian and Tole- do State road passes through the village, and the Lake Erie and River Raisin rail-road intersects the Erie and Kalama- zoo rail-road at this place. Blissfield is a village of four years growth, but it is in a flourishing condition, and owing to its natural and artificial advantages, there is a prospect of its being a place of some importance. There is exten- sive water power in the vicinity of it, and considerable building is going on. It is said that 20 or 30 buildings were erected in the season of '36, and among other build- ings, is a large flouring establishment erecting the present season. Distant 10 miles from Adrian, and 65 south west of Detroit.
Blissfield township, Lenawee county. Statistics as per census :- Population 559 .- a grist mill, 2 saw mills, 3 mer- chants; 2,244 bushels wheat, 11 bushels rye, 225 bushels corn, 4,935 bushels oats, 45 bushels buckwheat, 60 lbs. flax ; 280 head neat stock, 94 horses, 536 hogs.
Bloomfield township, Oakland county, consists of town- ship two north, of range ten east. 'Statistics as per census; Population, 1,485 .- 2 grist mills, 4 saw mills, a carding and cloth dressing shop, 3 merchants.
Bloomfield post office, Bloomfield township, Oakland county, on the post route from Detroit to Pontiac.
Bloody creek, a small stream that rises in Royal Oak township, Oakland county, and passing south-easterly through said county, and crossing the eastern part of Wayne county, empties into the Detroit strait opposite Hog island.
Blue creek, a small stream mostly in St. Joseph township, St. Joseph county, emptying into the Pawpaw river, four miles from its mouth. It takes its name from the very singularly blue color of its waters, the cause of which is unknown.
Boyden's Plains, lie east of Dexter, in the county of Washtenaw.
Bois Blanc island, stretching in form of a crescent be- tween the island of Michillimacinac and the peninsula of Michigan, is from 10 to 12 miles in length, by three in breadth, in the widest part. The lower part of it is a sandy plain, but by far the greatest portion is fertile and well
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adapted to tillage, bearing a forest of elm, maple, oak, ash, white wood, &c. It furnishes the fire wood and building timber for Michillimacinac, as well as pasturage for the cattle and horses. It is a very important appendage to the latter place. It has been surveyed, and a light house at- tached to its eastern point.
Bottom creek, the most considerable tributary of the north branch of the Flint river, rises near the centre of La- peer county, and flows in a north course into the North Branch.
Brandon township, Oakland county, is comprised in township five north, of range nine east. Population, 263. Brady township, Kalamazoo county. Statistics as per census :- Population, 1,292 .- A saw mill, 1 distillery, 9 merchants ; 30,630 bushels wheat, 150 bushels rye, 31,88 1 bushels corn, 62,434 bushels oats, 731 bushels buckwheat ; 1,159 head neat stock, 416 horses, 256 sheep. 2,506 hogs.
BRANCH, the seat of justice for Branch county, situated on the west branch of the Coldwater river, in Coldwater township. It contains a post office and a few families. Distant three miles from Coldwater, and 113 south west of Detroit.
Brest, a village situated at the mouth of Stony creek, in the township of Frenchtown, and county of Monroe. The settlement is small. It contains a saw mill, store, a few dwellings, and a banking association. It belongs to a company who are constructing piers in the harbor, and making other improvements. Distant six miles from Mon- roe, and 34 south-west of Detroit.
Bridgewater township, Washtenaw county, consists of township four south, of range four east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 923 .- 10,209 bushels wheat, 42 bush- els rye, 9,997 bushels corn, 14,250 bushels oats, 519 bush- els buckwheat, 912 lbs. flax; 860 head neat stock, 129 horses, 342 sheep, 1 273 hogs.
Bristol post office, Bristol township, Lapeer county, on the Mt. Clemens and Lapeer mail route.
Bristol township, Lapeer county, consists of township six north, of range twelve east.
Bronson's Prairie is a dry, rich prairie, in length and breadth about one mile, situated in the county of Branch.
Bronson township, Branch county. Statistics as per cen-
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sus :- Population, 635 .- 2 saw mills, 5,051 bushels wheat, 5,224 bushels corn, 7,465 bushels oats, 625 bushels buck- wheat ; 543 head neat stock, 81 horses, 21 sheep, 573 hogs.
Brownstown township, Wayne county, is situated in its south-eastern corner. Population, 846.
Brownstown creek originates in the township of Browns- town, Wayne county, flows through it in a south-easterly course, and empties into Lake Erie.
Brownsville is a village within half a mile of Tecumseh, and will be soon incorporated with it. It has a saw mill and 2 stores. (See " Tecumseh.")
Brush creek, a small rivulet, tributary to the Pawpaw river, has its rise in the southern part of Van Buren coun- ty, and running north, enters the Pawpaw on its southern shore, in township three south, of range fifteen west.
Bruce post office, Bruce township, Macomb county, on the Mount Clemens and Lapeer mail route.
Bruce township occupies the northern part of the county of Macomb. Statistics as per census :- Population, 889 .- A grist mill, 4 saw mills, 15,679 bushels wheat, 900 bush- els rye, 4,050 bushels corn, 10,999 bushels oats, 965 bush- els buckwheat, 525 lbs. flax; 614 head neat stock, 170 horses, 390 sheep, 708 hogs, 1,133 yards woollen and cot- ton goods.
Bryan Lake, a small collection of water in the south- western part of the county of Clinton, in township five north, of range one west, section twenty-six. It does not exceed one half mile in diameter.
Buchanan township, Berrien county, is comprised in township seven south, of range eighteen west, lying west of the St. Joseph river. Statistics as per census :- Popula- tion, 172 .- 3 saw mills, 828 bushels wheat, 2,625 bushels corn, 147 bushels oats, 80 bushels buckwheat, 20 lbs. flax ; 253 head neat stock, 36 horses, 28 sheep, 493 hogs.
Buck creck, a small rivulet, that takes rise on the bor- ders of Kent and Allegan counties, in range twelve west, and flowing northerly and north-westerly within said range, and through the south-western corner of Kent, empties in- to the Grand river on its southern shore, and at the village of Grandville.
Bucks township, St. Joseph county, consists of township
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six south, of range twelve west. Statistics as per census :- Population, 382 .- 3 grist mills, 4 saw mills, 5 merchants.
Burlington township, Calhoun county, is comprised in townships three and four south, of range seven west. Pop- ulation, 378.
Burns township, Shiawassee county, is comprised in township five north, of range four east.
Burnt Pine river, has its source between the Huron and the head waters of the Salmon Trout rivers, in the Upper Peninsula. It discharges its waters into Lake Superior near the Huron Isles.
Burt Lake, an inconsiderable collection of water, situa- ted in the county of Oakland, in township two north, of range eight east.
Byron township includes a part of Kent and Ottawa counties. Statistics as per census :- Population, 362 .- A grist mill, 6 saw mills, a merchant; 1,150 bushels wheat, 3,551 bushels corn, 2,700 bushels oats ; 73 head neat stock, 33 horses, 82 hogs. On the north side of the river were 3 saw mills, 150 bushels wheat, 420 bushels corn, 12,390 bushels oats; 331 head neat stock, 60 horses, 257 hogs.
Byron township, Livingston county, comprised in town- ship three north, range five east. The name of this town- ship has been altered to Oceola. Statistics as per census : Population, 317 .- 2 saw mills ; 1,019 bushels wheat, 521 bushels corn, 231 bushels oats, 40 bushels buckwheat ; 298 head neat stock, 15 horses, 15 sheep, 366 hogs.
Byron is a small settlement in the south-eastern part of the county of Shiawassee, on the Shiawassee river, situated on its northern bank. Here is a fall in the river of eight or nine feet, which might be employed to good advantage. It is 12 miles from Shiawassee and 62 from Detroit.
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Calf Island, a small island in the Detroit river, near its mouth, and near Grosse island.
Calvin township, Cass county, consists of township seven south, of range fourteen west. It is well watered by several small creeks, and by the Christiana river and its tributaries. Statistics as per census :- Population, 201 .- A grist mill, a saw mill, a distillery ; 1,235 bushels wheat, 61 bushels rye, 4,970 bushels corn, 2,850 bushels oats; 75
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lbs. flax ; 151 head neat stock, 73 horses, 147 sheep, 333 hogs.
Campbell's creek, an inconsiderable tributary of the Rouge river. It waters the townships of Redford and Spring Wells in Wayne county.
Cambridge township, Lenawee county, embraces town- ship five south, range two east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 523 .- A grist mill, 3 saw mills, a merchant ; 4,990 bushels wheat, 3,398 bushels corn, 7,412 bushels oats, 57 bushels buckwheat; 260 lbs. flax; 459 head neat stock, 62 horses, 55 sheep, 770 hogs.
Canandaigua, a village and post office in a township of the same name, situated on Bean creek, and near Bear creek, in the western part of the county of Lenawee. Here is a flouring mill with 2 run of stone, a saw mill, a store, and physician. The place is newly settled. Distant 17 miles from Adrian and 82 S. W. Detroit.
Canton township, Wayne county, consists of township two south, range eight east. It is watered by the head branches of the South branch of the Rouge. Population, 1,050.
Carp river is an inconsiderable stream of the Peninsula, that rises in the north-western part of Mackinac county, and empties into Lake Michigan, at a distance of perhaps 15 miles south of Grand Traverse bay.
Carp river, an inconsiderable stream in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula, that forms the boundary line be- tween Mackinac and Chippewa counties. It flows east, and discharges into St. Mary's strait.
Cascade La Portaille, one of the curiosities of the Pic- tured rocks, on the southern shore of Lake Superior. It consists of a beautiful stream of water emerging from a cliff of the Pictured Rocks, 70 feet above the lake. In its escape into the lake, it leaps to such a distance, that boats pass dry and safe, between it and the rocks. This cascade contributes a beauty to the sublimity with which the scene is surround- ed. (See Pictured Rocks.)
CASSOPOLIS, village, post office, and seat of justice of Cass county, situated on the north-western border of Stone lake. Here is a court house, jail, 3 stores, a distillery, 2 practicing attorneys, and 2 physicians. Distant 180 miles south-west Detroit.
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Cass river, one of the larger branches of the Saginaw river, takes its rise in the south-western part of Sanilac county and flowing south-westerly and westerly, through a part of Sanilac and the eastern portion of Saginaw, dis- charges into the Saginaw river about 20 miles from its mouth. It passes through a rich but uncultivated interval, covered with a heavy growth of beech and sugar tree. The soil is of a superior quality. Plenty of mill sites are found on this stream and its tributaries. In high water, it is boatable for 15 or 20 miles from its mouth.
Cedar Island, an inconsiderable island, lying at the en- trance of Detroit strait into Lake Erie.
Cedar Point, one of the capes of the Miami bay. It lies at its entrance on the left, immediately opposite North cape.
Cedar creek, a trifling stream in the county of Lapeer, tributary to the North branch of the Flint river. It passes through a marsh for the greater part of its course.
Cedar Lake, a small collection of water in the south-east- ern corner of the county of Van Buren. Its waters are con- ducted into the St. Joseph river, by a branch of the Dowa- giake river, which rises in it.
Cedar Lake is in the central part of the county of Cal- houn.
CENTREVILLE, a village, post office, and seat of justice for the county of St. Joseph, pleasantly located on Hog creek, sometimes called Prairie river-contains 2 banking associations, a court house, jail, 2 dry goods stores, an apothecary, printing office, a lawyer, 2 physicians, a saw mill, and flouring mill. Here is located one of the branches of the university. It derives its principal importance from being the shire town of the county, but it is improving. Distant 140 miles S. W. Detroit ; 666 N. W. Washington.
Channing township, Lenawee county, consists of town- ship nine and fractional township ten south, of range four east.
Charleston, a newly laid out village in Ottawa county, on the south bank of Grand river, 18 miles from its mouth, and at the mouth of a small creek, which has eight feet water power. There is a saw mill building upon it, and several other buildings are erecting. It was formerly an Indian trading post.
Charleston, a settlement but recently commenced. It is
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situated near the centre of Prairie Ronde, in Kalamazoo county. Here is a store erected, and some few dwelling houses.
Cheboiegon river is the largest stream on the northern part of the Peninsula-rises north-west of Saginaw bay, flows in a northerly direction, and empties into the strait of Mackinac opposite Bois Blanc island. There are on this river, springs, 12 or 15 miles from its mouth, strong- ly impregnated with salt.
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