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 28
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"There are several Monetoes in Illinois, Missouri, and other Western States. One is at the precipices of the Mis- sissippi, adjoining Lower Alton. Two more that give names to streams in Boon and Coles counties, Missouri. The Indians relate some extravagant legends of the freaks of these imaginary beings at their "residences," and they usually propitiate the favor of the Mon-e-to, by liberal of- ferings, and the firing of guns, as they pass his habitation."# Manitou Islands. (Vide Moneto Islands.)
Maple river is a considerable stream, rising near the cen- tre of Shiawassee county, and pursuing a north-westerly course through Shiawassee and across a corner of Clinton,
* Peck's Gazetteer.
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into Gratiot; thence pursuing a south-westerly course through Gratiot, across Clinton, into Ionia county, enters the Grand river four miles above Ionia, and about eight miles, by land, below the mouth of the Lookingglass river. It is 60 yards wide at its mouth, and is not less than 100 miles long. The bottom lands on this river are excellent, especially near its mouth.
Maple township, Ionia county, consists of all that portion of the county lying east of the central sectional line run- ning north and south through townships five, six, seven, and eight north, range six west. Statistics as per census :- Population, 517 .- A grist mill, 2 saw mills; a merchant ; 3,355 bushels wheat, 60 bushels rye, 2,420 bushels corn, 3,720 bushels oats; 290 head neat stock, 31 horses, 33 sheep, 357 hogs.
Marengo township, Calhoun county. Statistics as per census :- Population, 737 .- 2 saw mills; a merchant ; 14,756 bushels wheat, 13,722 bushels corn, 18,074 bushels oats; 250 lbs. flax; 792 head neat stock, 133 horses, 873 hogs.
MARSHALL, a village, the seat of justice for Calhoun county, in a township of the same name, handsomely loca- ted at the confluence of Rice Creek with the Kalamazoo river, near the central part of the county, in the midst of a fertile farming country. Though of recent growth, the first settlement of the county was commenced here in 1831, and now it may be said to be one of the most flourishing villages of the Peninsula. It contains 12 stores, 2 commo- dious hotels, and a third is now erecting at an estimated expense of between $20,000 and $25,000; a bank, and banking association ; one church, a handsome edifice of stone-and others erecting ; two printing offices, from each of which a weekly newspaper is issued. The county build- ings are not yet erected, though preparations have been made to construct them, at an expense of $15,000. There is one flour mill in operation, and two others building, one of which at an expense of $15,000. There are, likewise, a furnace, 2 druggist stores, 6 physicians, and 6 lawyers, besides mechanics of various occupations. There was considerable building of various kinds going on in the sea- son of '37, the aggregate expense of which was supposed to be not less than $100,000. The Detroit and St. Joseph
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turnpike road passes through it, and the rail-road be- tween those two places will be extended through it. This village has been selected for the location of a college. A commodious and agreeable site has been se- lected, on the banks of the Kalamazoo, adjoining the vil- lage. Arrangements for the erection of suitable buildings have been made, and its operations will commence as soon as practicable. Distance west of Detroit 110 miles; and 636 north-west Washington city. Population estimated at 1,000.
Marshall township, Calhoun county. Statistics as per census :- Population, 1,801 .- 2 grist mills, 3 saw mills, a distillery ; 16 merchants ; 10,700 bushels wheat, 6,605 bushels corn, 10,000 bushels oats ; 50 lbs. flax; 949 head neat stock, 430 horses, 173 sheep, 1,040 hogs.
Marsh creek, a trifling stream in Saginaw county, a branch of Michesebee creek.
Marion township, Livingston county, is comprised in township two north, of range four east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 202 .- 1,163 bushels wheat, 167 bush- els corn, 28 bushels oats, 165 bushels buckwheat ; 88 head neat stock, 19 horses, 179 hogs.
Mason is a small settlement of two years growth, situated on the Chicago turnpike, and on the Coldwater river, in the township of Coldwater, and county of Branch.' It has 2 stores, a physician, and a few dwelling houses. It is said to be thriving. Distant 1} miles from Coldwater, and 112 from Detroit.
Mason township, Cass county, consists of township eight south, of range fourteen west. Statistics as per census :- Population, 224 .- 690 bushels wheat, 1,335 bushels corn, 677 bushels oats, 310 bushels buckwheat; 187 head neat stock, 34 horses, 10 sheep, 259 hogs.
Mason Centre, a village of recent origin, situated on Syca- more creek, near the centre of the county of Ingham. It has a store, tavern, saw mill, and several dwellings. Dis- tant 25 miles north of Jackson.
Maskegon river rises in Mackinac county, west of the county of Isabella, and flows in a south-westerly course through Isabella, Oceana, and Ottawa counties, and empties into Lake Michigan. On the intervals of this stream, are found some of the best lands in Michigan. A distance of
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50 miles from its mouth, is a fall of 25 feet, almost perpen- dicular, which, when the country becomes settled, will be valuable for manufacturing purposes. It is navigable 25 miles from its mouth. There is a beautiful clear lake of great depth, 10 miles long, being an expansion of the river, and only half a mile from Lake Michigan. The lands around it are of a superior quality. Its banks are high, covered on the north side with oak, and on the south with oak and pine and other species of timber. In ascending the river, above the lake are found occasional openings and timbered lands. There is a bar at the mouth of the river, having 5 feet depth of water upon it. It is thought that it might be removed, so as to admit vessels of the largest class navigating the lakes. Towards the mouth of the river are several settlements of squatters ; they probably number . upwards of 200, and they intend to obtain a pre-emption right to their lands when brought into market. From the recent surveys, the length of this river, by its meanderings, is supposed to be not less than 200 miles.
Mc. Inlerfer's creek rises, by different branches, in Cass, Van Buren, and Kalamazoo counties, flows south-easterly into St. Joseph county, and enters the St. Joseph river at the village of Three Rivers. It is a stream possessed of considerable hydraulic advantages.
Mc Kinney's Prairie is a fertile dry prairie situated in the north-west part of the township of La Grange, in the county of Cass, not far from the village of Whitmanville.
Medina township, Lenawee county, consists of townships eight south, of range one east. Statistics as per census :- Population, 420 .- 2 grist mills, 3 saw mills ; 3 merchants ; 2,100 bushels wheat, 3,067 bushels corn, 1,465 bushels oats ; 254 head neat stock, 17 horses, 8 sheep, 181 hogs.
Meneesco river enters St. Mary's at the head of Muddy Lake.
Meskootesaugee, a river of St. Mary's, 12 miles below the falls.
Michesebee river has its origin in the western part of Saginaw county, in a number of tributaries. Its general course is south-east, and it enters the Saginaw river one and a half miles above the mouth of the Flint. For a consider- able part of its course it runs parallel and within two miles
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of the Tittibawassee river. Its probable length is 25 or 30 miles. Here are some good lands on the bottoms of this stream, mostly unimproved, and not yet taken by settlers.
Michemanetuc, (or Great Devil's Lake,) is a collection of water situated on the northern boundary line of Rollin town- ship, Lenawee county. Its surface is about 2,000 square acres, and its waters are drained by Tiffin's or Bean creek, into the St. Joseph of Maumee.
MICHILLIMACINAC, (commonly written Mackinac, and pronounced Mack'-i-naw,) a village, post office, and seat of justice for the county of Michillimacinac, pleasantly situated around a small bay, on the south-eastern extremity of an island of the same name, in latitude north 45° 54' and in longitude west from Washington 7º 10'. It contains a court house, jail, a church for presbyterians, a Roman catholic chapel, 5 dry goods stores, 4 large grocery estab- lishments, and a druggist. Here is a school, established by the American board for Foreign Missions. It numbers at present 50 scholars, mostly Indian children, and Mestizoes. It is not as large and flourishing as formerly. The Roman catholics have a missionary school which is said to be lar- ger. One of the Branches of the University of Michigan has recently been located here. Fort Mackinac stands upon a rocky eminence 150 feet immediately above the village, which it commands. It is garrisoned by two companies. Fort Holmes, (formerly Fort George,) stands on the apex of the island, 300 feet above the harbor, and com- mands Fort Mackinac, but is not garrisoned. The circuit court of the United States is held once a year in Mackinac. The American fur company have an agency here for the outfits of the Green Bay, Mississippi, and Lake Michigan trade. There is likewise a sub-agency for Indian affairs. The harbor is safe in all winds, with a good anchorage, and deep enough for any burthened vessels, and sufficiently ca- pacious to accommodate 150. This village receives some support from the fur trade, but mostly from the fisheries, which are excellent and extensive. It is estimated that 3,000 barrels were exported in 1836, of white fish, trout, &c. The population is fluctuating from the influx of fur traders and Indians. In 1834, it was 891, and probably the same at present. Distant 321 miles from Detroit, by
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way of Lake Huron, St. Clair, &c., and 847 miles north- west of Washington city.
Michillimacinac, (Old Fort, or Old Mackinac, named by the Indians Peekweetenong, signifying head land, from its resemblance in shape to an arrow head,) situated on the ex- treme northern point of the Peninsula of Michigan, about three leagues distant from the island of Mackinac. Form- erly it was the seat of the fur trade. It was taken by the British during the late war, and continued in their posses- sion till surrendered by the treaty of 1814.
Michillimacinac island, situated in the strait of Michilli- macinac, and immediately east of Pte. Ste. Ignace, is 9 miles in circumference, and covers an area of about seven thousand six hundred acres. Its extreme elevation above the lake is 312 feet, and about 900 feet above the Atlantic ocean. It is noted for the salubrity of its atmosphere, and is a place of resort for invalids in the summer season. The word Michillimacinac has been said to have been de- rived from two Indian words, " Missi," signifying great, and " Mackinac," turtle-great turtle,-from the fancied resemblance the island had to a great turtle lying on the surface of the water. But this is incorrect. The best au- thority on the etymology of the Indian language gives a different original. The ancient Indian name is Mishe- nimokinong, signifying "place of Giant Fairies," or little men. There is, on the north-east side of this island, three fourths of a mile from Mackinac, a curiosity called the Giants' Arch, or Giants' rock. The height of it is 100 feet, and its span 45 feet. It is said to present a magnificent ap- pearance as you approach it from the water. Sugar Loaf
rock is another curiosity, about three-fourths of a mile from the village, and rises to the height of 13') feet above the lake, and resembles a cone. The productions of this island are wheat, oats, barley, peas, beans, &c., all of which may be raised with proper attention. Corn is not much raised. " The present settlement on the island dates in 1764. The year previous, the British garrison on the Peninsula was massacred by a combined movement of the Chippewas and Ottawas. The following year the island was nego- tiated for by St. Clair, and a government house built. In 1796, the fort was surrendered to the American government. In 1812 it was taken by the British, resisted an attack
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from a detachment of the American army and navy in 1814, and was restored by the treaty of Ghent."
Michillimacinac Strait, or Strait of Maciknac, is in breadth four miles in the narrowest part, and situated be- tween the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. They are difficult of navigation to inexperienced seamen.
Middle Island is situated in Lake Huron, east of Sandy Bay, and forms one of the best harbors for vessels on this lake. It is 12 miles from Thunder Bay. The lee is made between Middle Island and the main land, and about two miles from the latter, in from three to four fathoms water. It forms a shelter from the northerly winds, the prevalent wind of this lake, but it is safe in any wind.
Middle Strait, or the central outlet of St. Mary's strait, lying between the Lesser Moneto on the east, and Drum- mond's Island on the west.
Milan township, Monroe county, embraces township five south, range six east, watered by the Saline and Macon riv- ers. It has a post office of the same name. Statistics as per census :- Population, 270 .- A grist mill, a saw mill ; 1,802 bushels wheat, 4,421 bushels corn; 2,002 bushels oats ; 21 bushels buckwheat, 150 lbs. flax; 249 head neat stock, 30 horses, 301 hogs.
Milton township, Calhoun county. Statistics as per cen- sus :- Population, 1,632 .- 2 grist mills, 6 saw mills ; 7 merchants; 22,436 bushels wheat, 10,042 bushels corn, 23,950 bushels oats, 774 bushels buckwheat, 310 lbs. flax, 14 lbs. hemp; 1,470 head neat stock, 228 horses, 108 sheep, 1,387 hogs.
Milk creek, a trifling rivulet in the north-east part of Wayne county, that empties into Lake St. Clair, on the boundary line between Macomb and Wayne counties.
Mill creek, a stream that originates in the eastern part of Lapeer county, and flowing easterly into St. Clair county, and then in a south-easterly course, discharges into the Du- lude or Black river. It is understood to be a good mill stream, and that in many places it passes through groves of heavy white pine timber. The stream is 45 or 50 miles long, and its mouth is at the head of navigation of the Black river.
Mill creek, a stream watering the north-western part of Washtenaw county, rising on the eastern border of Jackson county, where it interlocks with the east branch of the
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Grand river, then passing easterly and north-easterly, emp- ties into the Huron river, at the village of Dexter.
Millburg, a village and post office, in the township of St. Joseph, and county of Berrien, situated on Blue creek. It has a saw mill, and a few dwellings only. In its vicini- ty is an excellent quarry of free stone. Distant eight miles east of St. Joseph.
Mille a cocquin river. (Vide Mino Cockien river.)
Milford, a village in a township of the same name, in the county of Oakland, on the upper rapids of the Huron. It contains a post office, 2 stores, 2 flour mills, with 2 run of stone each, 2 saw mills, a chair factory, a turnery, a physi- cian, and perhaps 25 dwellings. It is on the State road from Farmington to Byron. Distant 15 miles from Ponti- ac and 34 north-west Detroit.
Milford township, Oakland county, consists of township two north, of range seven east, watered by Woodruff's creek. Statistics as per census :- Population, 1,335 .- 2 grist mills, 3 saw mills.
Mino Cockien river, a small stream that rises in the Up- per Peninsula towards its castern extremity. It flows in a south-easterly direction, and discharges into Mackinac strait 40 miles above Mackinac island.
Miserable river, (R. aux Misere, ) has its source in the Porcupine Mountains, east of Ontonagon river, in the Upper Peninsula. It flows north into Lake Superior.
Mishtegayock river takes its rise in the southern part of the counties of Genesee and Shiawassee, and flowing north, passing through part of the counties of Shiawassee and Sag- inaw, enters the Flint river five miles from its mouth. Its entire length is not less than 45 miles, and it runs nearly midway between the Flint and Shiawassee rivers, and par- takes of the same kind of timber and soil, of those rivers, both of which are of the first quality.
Monguagon creek, a trifling stream in the eastern part of Wayne county, that empties into Detroit strait west of Mon- guagon Isle.
Monguagon township, Wayne county, is gently undula- ting, and possesses a fine quarry of limestone. Its timber is beech, oak, hickory, maple, black and white oak. Popu- lation, 404.
Monestee river, (of the Peninsula,) rises in the western
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part of Mackinac county, and after flowing in a south- western and western direction, discharges its waters into Lake Michigan about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Sandy river, and upwards of 30 miles south of the mouth of the R. aux Betsies. The lands on its intervals are said to be equal to any in the State.
Monestee river, (of the Upper Peninsula,) rises in a small lake situated within a few miles of Lake Superior. Its course is south-westerly, and it empties into Lake Michi- gan on its northern coast, 90 miles from Mackinac. Its banks are high and sandy, and covered principally with pine and other evergreens.
Moneto Islands. There are several islands in the lakes surrounding this State, that pass by this name. In Lake Michigan there are two near the mouth of the Platte river, and on its eastern shore; in Lake Superior, there is an in- considerable island of this name, lying a little north-east of Point Kewyweenon of the Kewyweenon Peninsula. In Lake Huron there are at least three islands distinguished by the names of the " Manitou," the " Lesser Manitou," and the " Great Manitou," located in the vicinity of each other, and in the northern part of the lake. The "Great Manitou" Island is estimated to contain about 700 square miles, and is by far the largest island contained by any of the great lakes surrounding the State of Michigan. It lies between about 45° 31' and 45° 58' north latitude. The " Manitou" Island lies at the south-eastern extremity, and the " Lesser Manitou" is located directly west of the Great Manitou Island. They are both separated from it by straits, from two to three miles in breadth. (See " Manitou.")
Monomonie river, a considerable stream, which forms the boundary line between Wisconsin Territory and the State of Michigan. Its length, according to the maps, (rather uncertain guides in this region,) is not less than 90 miles. It is probably much greater. It has two principal branches, the one rising near Spawvum Lake, in Wisconsin Terri- tory, and the other in the mountains or high lands, east of Portage lake. Its direction is south-east, and it discharges its waters into Green Bay, on its western coast, and about half way between its two extremities.
Montreal river, (the extreme western boundary of Michi- gan, as established by act of Congress, 1836,) rises in the
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Lake of the Desert, and flows in a north-westerly direction and empties into Lake Superior. It is a long and rapid river. About 800 yards above its mouth is a fall of 80 or 90 feet, where the river is precipitated over a rugged bar- rier of vertical rocks, by several successive leaps, the last of which is 40 feet perpendicular. 'The waters of this river are of a reddish color.
MONROE city, and seat of justice for Monroe county, pleasantly situated on the River Raisin, 23 miles from its mouth. It contains a court house, jail, 3 banks, with an aggregate capital of $1,300,000, 6 churches, one each for episcopalians, presbyterians, baptists, methodists, and 2 for Roman catholics. The court house is an elegant edi- fice, built of hewn stone, at an expense of more than $35,- 000. The baptist and methodist churches, and the Ro- man catholic cathedral, are handsome edifices. It has a woollen manufactory, 2 carding machines, an iron founde- ry, an edge tool manufactory, tannery, 3 saw mills, 2 flour mills, with 4 run of stone each, 2 druggists, 2 book stores, 2 printing offices, from which 2 weekly newspapers are is- sued, 30 merchants, 6 physicians, 13 lawyers. Here are located a land office, sub-collector's office, and the office of the superintendent of public works on Lake Erie. There are likewise 2 storage and forwarding ware-houses, and 5 more in progress of construction. There is 900 feet of wharf completed. Considerable attention is paid to educa- tion. One of the Branches of the University has been in operation here for some time, under charge of the Rev. Mr. Centre, as principal. There is attached to it a depart- ment for the education of females. Two respectable female seminaries, one under the charge of Mrs. Forester, an English lady, the other under the direction of Miss McQueen, of Schenectady, have been in operation for some time. Here is a reading room and library. The library is a very rare collection of 1,200 volumes.
The city is generally healthy, and its vicinity is noted for sulphur springs. Monroe is one of the oldest towns in the State. It was first settled by the French, in 1776, and then called " River Raisin Settlement." In '98, the English made some settlements in it, and from that period to the present, the English or Anglo-American population have gradually increased. January 18th, 1813, is memorable
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for the " Battle of Frenchtown," which was fought near this place. January 22d of the same year, for the massacre of 700 Kentuckians, under the command of Gen. Win- chester, by order, or under the countenance at least, of Gen. Proctor, the British commander. It was on the 23d, that Gen. Proctor ordered the burning of the River Raisin Settlement, which order was partly executed, when the cel- ebrated Indian chief, Tecumseh, with more humanity, countermanded the order, and saved the settlement from destruction.
Monroe possesses many facilities for manufacturing and commercial intercourse. The hydraulic power produced by the river Raisin, at this place, has been estimated by the United States engineer, sufficient to propel 350 run of stone. A ship canal, 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep, is construct- ing between the city and the lake. Several chartered rail- roads have been located to commence here, as may be seen by a reference to the First Part of this work; and one of them, for a distance of four miles, has already been com- pleted. The southern State rail-road commences here, and is in progress of construction. Daily stages from De- troit to Buffalo pass through it; and steamboats, in their course through the lakes, regularly touch here in the season of lake navigation. Monroe possesses much wealth and en- terprise, and is in a very flourishing condition. It may be noted, as an evidence of its prosperity, that, in 1836, from the first of May to the first of December, one hundred dwelling houses were erected, and the estimated increase of population and wealth was at least 100 per cent.
Distant 40 miles south-west of Detroit, and 490 north- west Washington city. Population, including the town- ship, according to the census, 2,795.
Morrison Lake, a body of water in the south-western part of Ionia county. It is drained into the Grand river at Sar- anac, by Lake creek.
Morris' Mills, a village in the southern part of the coun- ty of Oakland, on the river Rouge, contains a flouring mill with 3 run of stone, a saw mill, an ashery, a distillery, and a store. It is 5 miles from Pontiac, and 19} from Detroit.
Moscow post office, Moscow township, Hillsdale county. Mail once a week.
Moscow township, Hillsdale county, consists of township
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five south, range two west. Statistics as per census :- Pop- ulation, 496 .- A saw mill; 2 merchants; S,815 bushels wheat, 6,200 bushels corn, 9,820 bushels oats, 222 bushels buckwheat ; 460 head neat stock, 70 horses, 18 sheep, 554 hogs.
Mottville, post village, St. Joseph county, situated on the St. Joseph river, at the crossing of the Chicago road, south-western part of the county, contains 2 stores, 2 tav- erns, and a physician, and a few dwelling houses. Distant 18 miles from Centreville, 150 from Detroit.
Mottville township, St. Joseph county, consists of town- ship eight south, range twelve west. Population, 497.
Mouille creek, an insignificant stream in the north-eastern part of Monroe county, emptying into Lake Erie near the mouth of Huron river.
MT. CLEMENS, a village, post office, and seat of justice for Macomb county, handsomely situated on the north bank of the river Clinton, at the point where the Fort Gratiot road crosses it, 41 miles from its mouth. It contains a court house, jail, a bank, 8 stores, a tannery, 2 steam saw mills, a glass factory, 3 physicians, and 4 lawyers. The glass factory here-the only establishment of the kind in the State-under the charge of its enterprising proprietors, Messrs. Hall & Grovier-was established in December, 1835. An abundance of excellent sand is obtained in the vicinity to supply it. The establishment affords constant employ for 8 blowers, and is doing an excellent business. Here is manufactured the best of window glass. Mt. Clemens is a very flourishing village. It is eligibly situated for ship building, and its facilities for that business, owing to its lo- cation and the convenient supply of excellent timber, ena- ble it to be carried on to a considerable extent at present. Its facilities for ship building are said to be equal to any in the State. It stands at the head of navigation for vessels, and when a bar is removed at the mouth of the river, ves- sels of 80 tons may navigate the river with safety to Mt. Clemens. The eastern termination of the Clinton canal is at this place. A rail-road has been chartered, which, when completed, will connect it with Saginaw ; and a steam- boat plies daily between it and Detroit. Distant 20 miles from Detroit, aud 552 north-west Washington.
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