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 26

Author: Blois, John T. cn
Publication date: 1839
Publisher: Detroit : S.L. Rood & Co.; New York, : Robinson, Pratt & Co.
Number of Pages: 432


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 26


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 (link on the Part 1 page).


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


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posed to contain 200 persons. Distant 8 miles south-west of Grand Rapids, 25 miles from Grand Haven, and 150 north-west of Detroit.


Grandcouille creek, a small stream, in Monroe county, emptying into lake Erie between Otter and Plum creeks.


Grass Island, a small isle east of and between Fighting Island and the Canada shore, in the Detroit strait.


Grass Lake. (See " Leoni.")


Grass Lake, a small body of water lying in Grass Lake township, Jackson county. Its waters are drained into the Grand river.


Grass Lake, a trifling collection of water, situated near Bankson's Lake, in the south-eastern corner of Van Buren county.


Grass Lake township, Jackson county, consists of town- ship two south, of range two east, and twenty-four sections of township three south, range two east, numbered from one to twenty-four inclusive.


Gratiot Fort. (See Fort Gratiot.)


Grave Rods river, a stream of the Upper Peninsula, that discharges its waters into lake Superior, east of Miserable river.


Green Bay, (Puan or Monomonie Bay,) deriving its name from the color of its waters, lies on the north-west side, and parallel with, Lake Michigan. Part of it is in- cluded within the boundary limits of this State. It is 100 miles long, and in some places 15, in others 20 and 30 miles wide. At its entrance is a string of islands, called Grand Traverse islands. These are 30 miles in length, and facili- tate the passage of canoes, sheltering them from the winds.


Greenfield township, Wayne county. Iron ore is found in this township. Population, 897.


Green Oak township, Livingston county, consists of townships one and two north, range six east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 1,435 .- A grist mill, 2 saw mills ; 4 merchants ; 15,884 bushels wheat, 9,467 bushels corn, 14,570 bushels oats, 1,134 bushels buckwheat ; 1,160 head neat stock, 149 horses, 200 sheep, 1,589 hogs.


Green Oak township, Livingston county, is comprised in township one north, range six east. Here is a post office. It is watered by a number of small creeks, and by the Hu- ron river.


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Green Oakville, a village and post office in the south- eastern part of the county of Livingston, on the South branch of the Huron river, and on the State road from Pontiac to Ann Arbour. Here is a flouring mill with 2 run of stone, a saw mill, a store, and a lawyer, with twelve or fifteen families. Distant 16 miles from Howell, and 40 from Detroit.


Green township, Branch county, consists of township six south, range seven west. It is well watered by numerous small streams.


Great Bay de Noquet, lies in the north-eastern extremity of Green Bay.


Great Iron river is a considerable stream, rising north- west of the Lake of the Desert, in the Upper Peninsula, and after flowing in a north-westerly course, to the Por- cupine mountains, it breaks through the mountains in a rapid and boisterous current, and flows in a north-easterly course, until it discharges its waters into Lake Superior, a few miles west of the Ontonagon river, and about 300 miles north-west of the head of the St. Mary's strait.


Grindstone creek, a rivulet rising in the northern part of Eaton county, and flowing north, through an open, beauti- ful country, and emptying into the Grand river, 20 miles below the mouth of the Portage river. It takes its name from a sand-stone ledge, through which it runs. It has several good mill sites. There is a bed of iron ore near its mouth.


Grosse Cape, is a point of land extending into the strait of Mackinac, in Lake Michigan, from the Upper Peninsu- la, eight miles north-west of Point St. Ignace.


Grosse Island, the largest island in the Detroit strait, is situated at its mouth, and extends up the strait, interlock- ing with Fighting island. It is eight miles long, and from one to two broad, and contains a surface of 11 or 12 square miles. It is contained in the township of Mon- guagon.


Grosse Point, a cape near the outlet of Lake St. Clair, on the American shore. It furnishes excellent sand, which is collected and shipped to Detroit.


Groveland township, Oakland county, consists of town- ship five north, ranges seven and eight east. It is well wa- tered, has a post office, and in the north-west corner is an Indian village. Population, 664.


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Gull creek, a trifling rivulet rising in the north of Kala- mazoo county, flowing south-east into the Kalamazoo river. Here is excellent hydraulic power.


Gull Lake lies in the northern border of Kalamazoo county. It is about five miles long, and contains about 1,500 acres. It is drained by Gull creek. It is a beautiful lake, and possesses some fine scenery on its borders. Its waters are remarkably transparent ; and among an abund- ance of other kinds, is found the white fish.


Gull Prairie is the largest body of prairie land in the county of Kalamazoo. It lies in the northern part of the county, in the township of Richland. It is exceedingly fertile, and with respect to the surrounding country, very pleasant. It is convenient to mills, and within one mile of Gull lake. The village of Geloster is located on one side of it.


Gun river, a small branch of the Kalamazoo river, rising in some lakes in the western part of Barry county, and flowing southerly and south-westerly through a part of Alle- gan county, and emptying into the Kalamazoo river, near the village of Dwight. It is probably 20 miles long.


Gun Lake, a collection of water in the western part of Barry county. It is very irregular in its shape, and con- tains not less than five square miles. It is drained into the Kalamazoo by Gun river.


Gypsum creek is a rivulet, passing south-west of the cen- tre of Kent county, in a north-west course, entering the Grand river a mile below the Grand Rapids. There are valuable and abundant quarries of "plaster of Paris," on the banks, and in the bed of this stream.


H.


Hadley township, Lapeer county, consists of township six north, ranges nine and ten east.


Hamburg township, Livingston county, consists of town- ship one north, range five east. Statistics as per census : -Population, 490 .- A grist mill, a saw mill; a merchant ; 6,155 bushels wheat, 2,237 bushels corn, 2,882 bushels oats, 318 bushels buckwheat; 218 head neat stock, 59 horses, 42 sheep, 313 hogs.


Hamtramck township, borders Lake St. Clair and De- troit strait, in the county of Wayne. It is watered by Bloody run, Tremble's and Milk creeks. The coast along


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the strait and lake is generally thickly settled. 'Popula- tion, 1,772.


Hanover township, Jackson county, consists of township four south, range two west.


Harbour creek, an inconsiderable stream in the Upper Peninsula. It takes its rise in the highlands in the eastern part of this Peninsula, flows south, and empties into Lake Michigan, on its northern shore.


Hare river, (or Waposobec,) a small stream rising in the south-west part of Saginaw county, and after receiving sev- eral tributaries, empties into the Shiawassee river, 12 miles above Saginaw village. The country along its interval has all the aspect of a rich, durable soil. There are occasion- ally groves of heavy timber. This stream is upwards of 30 miles in length.


Harrison township, in the south-eastern part of Macomb county. Statistics as per census :- Population, 502 .- A saw mill; a merchant ; 1,184 bushels wheat, 255 bushels rye, 795 bushels corn, 2,518 bushels oats, 279 bushels buckwheat ; 336 head neat stock, 177 horses, 289 sheep, 314 hogs.


Harrisonville, Lenawee county, Blissfield township, one mile from Blissfield, on the Raisin river.


" Harris' Line," a line run between Ohio and Michigan, and claimed by the former as the true boundary between the two States.


Hartland township, Livingston county, is comprised in township three north, range six east. Statistics as per cen- sus :- Population, 404 .- 2 saw mills ; 5,412 bushels wheat, 2,550 bushels corn, 1,435 bushels oats, [1] bushels buck- wheat; 346 head neat stock, 35 horses, 47 sheep, 278 hogs.


Hasler's Lake is a trifling body of water, in the south- western part of Lapeer county, drained by a small creek into Flint river.


Hastings, a village on the Thorn Apple river, near the centre of the county of Barry, is said to be beautifully sit- uated, possessing excellent hydraulic power, which is im- proved to some extent. It contains a few families, and is improving.


Hastings post office, Barry county, on the post route from Bellevue to Middle Village.


Havre, a village of recent origin, situated on the north


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shore of the Maumee bay, at the junction of the Ottawa, Havre, and Bay rivers, one mile and a half above "Harris' line," in the township of Erie, and county of Monroe. It contains a store, warehouse, a commodious hotel, about 20 dwellings, and a post office. A wharf has been construct- ed by the company under whose auspices the village has been built up. The harbor is represented as superior, and vessels drawing nine feet water it is said have entered it. A State road from this to Dundee has been laid out. Arrange- ments are said to be making by the company, to make im- provements in the village correspondent to public and indi- vidual demands. But what is to make this village of im- portance, will be the termination at this point, of the Havre Branch rail-road. $20,000 have been appropriated by the legislature, to construct it. Its length is 13 miles. It has been surveyed and will be soon constructed. Distant 7 miles from Toledo, 3 from Manhattan, 13 from Monroe, and 53 from Detroit.


Hay Lake, on the boat channel of St. Mary's strait, very irregular, about nine miles by six.


Heart's Blood Lake, on the sources of the Tacquemenon river.


Hcaty branch, a mere rivulet in Macomb county-branch of the Middle branch of the Clinton river.


Herson's Mills, a village in the eastern part of the coun- ty of Oakland, situated on Stoney creek. It contains a flouring mill with 2 run of stone, a saw mill, fulling mill, carding machine, and store. Distant from Pontiac, 12 miles.


Hickory Island, a trifling islet at the mouth of the De- troit strait, south of Grosse island.


Hickory township, Macomb county, is comprised in township one north, of range twelve east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 249 .- 861 bushels wheat, 33 bushels rye, 1,194 bushels corn, 712 bushels oats, 32 bushels buck- wheat, 70 lbs. flax ; 213 head neat stock, 32 horses, 53 sheep, 212 hogs; 73 yds. woollen and cotton goods.


Highland township, Oakland county, is composed of township three north, of range seven east. Here is a body of chestnut timber, passing through a part of the township. This township contains a post office by the same name. Population, 440.


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Hillsdale, a village in Fayette township, Hillsdale coun- ty, 6 miles from Jonesville, on the outlet of St. Joseph or Baubese Lake, and on the State road from Adrian. It is a new settlement, has a saw mill, and a flouring mill is build- ing. French creek enters the outlet a short distance from the village. There is said to be a great amount of water power.


Hog Island, an islet in the Detroit strait, 2 miles above . the city of Detroit.


Hog river, a considerable rivulet running partly in Hills- dale, but mostly in Branch county. It takes its origin in a small lake near the central part of the western boundary line of Hillsdale county, and after leaving the lake, running north-westerly for six miles to the boundary line of the county, then in a north-westerly course, it passes across the north- east corner of Branch county, and enters the south side of St. Joseph river at Union City. This stream is about 50 miles long, following its various meanderings, and has a number of excellent unimproved mill sites. In the town- ship of Gerard, on the banks of this river, is an Indian vil- lage, containing a few families. The principal tributary is Coldwater river, which waters the central part of Branch county.


Holmes township, county of Mackinac. Statistics as per census :- Population, 664 .- A saw mill, 9 merchants ; 122 head neat stock, 72 horses, 25 hogs.


Homer post office, Homer township, Calhoun county, on the Jonesville and Marshall post route.


Homer, a small village in Calhoun county, in a township of the same name, 12 miles south-east of Marshall, on the south branch of the Kalamazoo, has a store, banking asso- ciation, saw mill, post office, and several mechanics, and perhaps 200 inhabitants. It is a thriving village.


Homer township, Calhoun county, consists of townships three and four south, of range four west, and township four south, range five west. Statistics as per census :- Popula- tion, 1,019 .- 4 saw mills, 5 merchants; 24,412 bushels wheat, 30 bushels rye, 10,246 bushels corn, 12,525 bushels oats, 310 bushels buckwheat; 719 head neat stock, 126 horses, 243 sheep, 1,162 hogs.


Honey creek, a small creek in the township of Scio,


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Washtenaw county, that discharges into the Huron 4 miles above Ann Arbour.


Howell township, Livingston county, is comprised in townships three and four north, of ranges three and four east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 442 .- A saw mill, a merchant ; 1,819 bushels wheat, 820 bushels corn, 585 bushels oats, 49 bushels buckwheat; 360 head neat stock, 30 horses, 235 hogs.


HOWELL, a village and post office, and capital of Livings- ton county, pleasantly located near the centre of the county, on the Grand river turnpike. Here is an academy, a flour- ing mill, with 4 run of stone, a saw mill, a store, a lawyer and physician. This village, like the county, is new, but flourishing. There were 40 or 50 buildings said to have been erected the past year. Distant 50 miles north-west Detroit, and 576 north-west Washington city.


Howard township, Cass county, consists of township seven south, of range sixteen west. It is watered by Put- nam's creek, and another small branch of the Dowagiacke river. Statistics as per census :- Population, 366 .- 2 saw mills, 1,754 bushels wheat, 192 bushels rye, 5,395 bushels corn, 3,098 bushels oats, 76 bushels buckwheat, 40 lbs. flax ; 252 head neat stock, 100 horses, 139 sheep, 381 hogs.


Hudson township, Lenawee county, embraces township seven south, range one east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 333 .-- 2,494 bushels wheat, 2,189 bushels corn, 700 bushels oats, 144 bushels buckwheat, 130 lbs. flax ; 229 head neat stock, 13 horses, 11 sheep, 302 hogs.


Hudson, in the township of the same name, is a village and post office, situated in the western part of the county of Lenawee, on Bean or Tiffin's creek. It is a new settle- ment, has much water power, a store and saw mill. Dis- tant 16 miles from Adrian, and 80 south-west Detroit.


Huron township, Wayne county. Population, 481.


Huron, village of. (See " Port Huron.")


Huron Isles are situated on the southern shore of Lake Superior, east of Kew-y-wee-non Bay.


Huron river (of the Upper Peninsula) is a considerable stream, having its source in the Porcupine Mountains, from which it flows north-easterly and discharges its waters into Lake Superior, east of the bay of Kew-y-wee-non. It is navigable for canoes.


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Huron river (of Lake Erie.) This is one of the most considerable streams watering the eastern part of the Penin- sula. It takes its rise in numerous rivulets and creeks in the south-west part of Oakland, and south-west corner of Livingston counties. After collecting its waters from these tributaries, it flows in a south-westerly course till it meets the northern boundary of Washtenaw county, where it ex- pands into Portage Lake. It then contracts and passes south for a few miles, and then pursuing a south-westerly direction through the counties of Washtenaw and Wayne, enters Lake Erie a few miles below the mouth of the De- troit. Its tributaries are few for the latter part of its course, though for the first half there are many; each of which, with the main stream, furnish more or less mill privileges, and numbers that are improved for various man- ufacturing purposes. The Huron is a beautiful, transpa- rent stream, passing alternately through rich bottoms, open- ings, plains, and sloping woodlands, covered with heavy timber. Its length, by its meanderings, is about 90 miles.


Hurricane river, a stream of the Upper Peninsula, that has its source in the highlands of the interior, and flowing north, enters Lake Superior on its southern shore, at a dis- tance of perhaps 100 miles from the outlet of the lake.


I.


Ida township, Monroe county, is comprised in township seven south, range seven east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 200 .-- 85 bushels wheat, 1,205 bushels corn, 380 bushels oats, 712 bushels buckwheat, 225 lbs. flax ; 248 head neat stock, 13 horses, 169 hogs.


Independence township, Oakland county, embraces town- ship four north, range nine east. Population, 668.


Ingham township, Ingham county, is comprised in town- ship two north, of range one east, township three north, of range one east, and townships two and three north, of range two east.


IONIA CENTRE, a village situated on the north bank of the Grand river near the centre of the county of Ionia, and at the mouth of Prairie creek. It is the seat of justice for the county, containing a post office, the United States' Land Office, for the Grand river Land District, a flouring mill with 4 run of stone, 3 saw mills, in it, or in its vicinity, a


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turning machine and sash factory, 2 stores, a lawyer and physician. The village is but recent in its location and growth, though it is rapidly increasing. Several fine build- ings were erected in it during the last year. Steamboats ply between this and the village of Kent or Grand Rapids. It has a good farming country around it, and is distant north-west from Detroit (by the usual travelled route,) 150 miles, and 35 from the rapids of Grand river.


Ionia township, Ionia county, consists of all the western part of the county lying west of the central sectional line passing north and south through townships five, six, seven, and eight, north, range six west. Statistics as per census : Population, 511 .- A grist mill, a saw mill, 4 merchants ; 934 bushels wheat, 915 bushels corn, 1,335 bushels oats, 65 bushels buckwheat; 403 head neat stock, 49 horses, 315 hogs.


Ira township, situated in the south-west part of St. Clair county, bordering Macomb and lake St. Clair, and south of township four north. Population, 202.


Iron river, lake Superior, a torrent rushing over a hackly bed of graywacke, west of Ontonagon.


Iroquois Point, (vide Point Iroquois.)


Iroquois Island, opposite Iroquois Point.


Isle Ronde, one mile south of Mackinac, (Indian Re- serve.)


Isle des Outard, one of the Chenous cluster.


Isle Royale is located in the north-western part of lake Superior, and is supposed to be within the boundary of Michigan. It is said to be 100 miles in length and 40 in breadth.


Irvin township, Lenawee county, embraces township nine and fractional township ten south, range five east.


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Jacksonburg, village of. (See Jackson.)


JACKSON, a village, the seat of justice for the county of Jackson, in a township of the same name, situated on the east bank of Grand river, contains a post office, court house, jail, banking association, printing office, a druggist store, a tannery, furnace, 2 saw mills, a flouring mill with four run of stone, 4 dry goods stores, 3 lawyers, and 3 physicians. A baptist church is now erecting. A church called the Union Church, to accommodate various denominations,


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will be completed soon. The State penitentiary has been located here, and is in progress of construction. Here is likewise the location of a Branch of the University. The Detroit and St. Joseph rail-road is to pass through it. There is a fall of eight feet in the river at this place, and any amount of water power can be obtained in the vicinity. Within half a mile of the village is a quarry of fine sand stone. It is very flourishing. Distant 80 miles west from Detroit, 606 north-west of Washington city.


Jacksonopolis,* village of. (See Jackson.)


Jackson township, Jackson county, is comprised in town- ships two and three south, of range one west.


Jefferson township, Macomb county. (See Stirling.)


Jefferson township, Cass county, consists of township seven south, of range fifteen west. Statistics as per cen- sus :- Population, 395 .- 3 saw mills ; 2,424 bushels wheat, 141 bushels rye, 10,910 bushels corn, 3,855 bushels oats, 231 bushels buckwheat ; 177 pounds flax ; 511 head neat stock, 146 horses, 441 sheep, 786 hogs.


JONESVILLE, village, post office, and seat of justice for Hillsdale county, situated on the river St. Joseph, (of Michi- gan Lake.) Here is a jail, presbyterian church, a flour- ing mill with 2 run of stone, 6 dry goods stores, 2 groceries, a lawyer, and 3 physicians. Another flouring mill of 2 run of stone is about to be erected. The Chicago road passes through it. Jonesville is but newly settled, but it is very flourishing, and handsomely located on the east bank of the river, and has the prospect of being a place of much business. Distant 89 miles south-west from Detroit-by the post office department it is said to be 103 from Detroit, and 552 from Washington city.


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Kalamazoo river, (or Kekalamazoo, [Indian,] signifying a boiling pot,) takes its rise in the township of Wheatland, in the county of Hillsdale, near the principal meridian, and after flowing in a north-westerly direction through the counties


*This village has had at different periods at least three different legal names; if more, we have not observed them in the statute. We believe it was first called Jacksonopolis, next Jacksonburg ; at present it is Jack - son, and will continue to be so designated till the next regular or extra session of the legislature.


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of Jackson and Calhoun, thence in a south-westerly, wes- terly, and north-westerly direction through Kalamazoo county, and thence in a north-east course through the county of Allegan, discharges its waters into Lake Michi- gan, 41 miles north of the St. Joseph river, and 29 south of Grand river, in township three north, range sixteen west. It is estimated to be 200 miles long, in its winding course, but in a direct line from its source to its mouth it does not exceed 90 miles. Near its mouth it is, by estimate, be- tween 3 and 400 feet in breadth, and on an average from 10 to 15 feet deep. It is navigable at all seasons to Allegan, a distance of 38 miles, being the head of navigation for boats of 50 tons. The volume of water is remarkably equable from the constant supply afforded by its various tributaries. The mouth of this river affords an excellent harbor for ves- sels of 100 tons burthen. The entrance at the mouth is, like all other rivers on the western coast of the State, somewhat obstructed by a sand bar. The depth of water on it is between six and seven feet. There are improve- ments in contemplation which will undoubtedly remove every obstruction, and render this harbor of great impor- tance. The banks of this stream are generally low, but in the county of Allegan they are generally from 25 to 30 feet high. The soil is alluvial, the timber generally heavy on its borders, and partakes in kind of that of the intervals on other streams in the State. In Allegan county it runs through an excellent tract of pine timber, and in Kalamazoo and Calhoun, occasionally through oak openings. Its branches are numerous, and generally small, but valuable, together with the stream itself, for the many important mill sites which they furnish for manufacturing purposes. The greater portion of this river, with some exceptions, waters a naturally rich and fertile agricultural country, the bottoms of some of which are equal to any in the State .*


Kalamazoo. (See Newark.)


KALAMAZOO, a village, post office, and seat of justice for Kalamazoo county, pleasantly situated on the west bank of the Kalamazoo river. It has a court house, jail, a branch of the Bank of Michigan, one church for presbyte-


*See Kalamazoo river, page 84.


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rians, a flouring mill with two run of stone, a tannery, 8 stores, a printing office which issues a weekly newspaper, a book store, 3 physicians, and 5 lawyers. The land office for the Kalamazoo Land District is located here. The Hu- ron Literary Institute established here is in a flourishing condition. Here is in operation one of the Branches of the University. The State road from Detroit to the mouth of the St. Joseph passes through it. There is a rail-road incor- porated to connect it with the mouth of Black river, and the central rail-road has been located to pass through the village. Kalamazoo is a pleasant and flourishing village, and situated in the midst of a fine farming country. Dis- tant 140 miles west of Detroit, and 666 from Washington city.


Kalamazoo township, Kalamazoo county. Statistics as per census :- Population, 1,373 .- A grist mill, 6 saw mills, a distillery ; 13 merchants; 16,503 bushels wheat, 75 bush- els rye, 8,010 bushels corn, 16,635 bushels oats, 219 bushels buckwheat ; 200 pounds flax ; 886 head neat stock, 267 horses, 108 sheep, 1,241 hogs.




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