USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 21
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he kept books for the late Capt. E. B. Ward, in Detroit, and was going as clerk on the steamer "Detroit," "but while on his way to meet the boat it sank, and he came back to Bay City as Capt. Ward's agent. After locating here he formed a partnership with Julius B. Hart, and they kept the warehouse and were agents for the line of boats. The warehouse stood on the present site of the Maxwell Block. In 1855 he went out of the warehouse, and, in company with his brother, kept a general store. In 1859 they re- moved to Sebewaing, Huron Co., and continued business about a year. Charles then sold to his brother. He was elected register of deeds of Huron County, and held the office two years. Was then appointed to transcribe the records of Sanilac and Tuscola Counties. Was elected county treasurer, and held the office for eight years. Upon his retiring from the office, the Board of Supervisors passed the following resolution, by a unanimous vote:
"Whereas, a few evil-disposed persons have, from sinister mo- tives, circulated reports derogatory to the reputation of the present county treasurer of this county, and
"Whereas, such reports have been, by a close scrutiny, rigid investigation and full report of the condition of the county treasury, branded as false and unfounded;
"Therefore, be it resolved, that we hereby express our full approval of the honest, faithful and able manner in which C. B. Cottrell has discharged the duties of the office of treasurer of this county for the term of eight years last past, as a just tribute to an able official."
In 1868 Mr. Cottrell was elected county superintendent of schools. In 1873 he resigned that office and returned to Bay City, and engaged in insurance, which he still continues, doing a very large and prosperous business. He is a very prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the oldest Masons in the city. He was married May 27, 1869, to Miss Bettie Rogers, daughter of the late Thomas Rogers, one of the early pioneers of Bay County. Their family residence since 1875 has been on the corner of Eighth and Farragut Streets. Mr. Cottrell is something of a linguist, speak- ing quite an assortment of Indian dialects, and is said to be the best story-teller in the Valley.
COL. HENRY RAYMOND was one of the early lumber manufactur- ers, and for many years a prominent citizen of Bay City. He was born at Woodstock, Vt., in 1802. After spending two or three years in the vicinity of Detroit, he came to Bay City in 1849, and the fol- lowing year associated himself with Mr. James Watson, and they built the saw mill afterwards owned and operated by James Shearer. He was connected with various business interests and was the first representative of Bay County in the Legislature. During the war he was one of the provost-marshal's staff, and for several years was collector of internal revenue. In 1870 his health had so far failed that he was obliged to seek a different climate, and since that time he has been a resident of California. Col. Raymond was married August, 1827, to Miss Mary Alvord, of Massachusetts. Six children were born to them, four of whom are still living-Mis. Benjamin Whipple, Mrs. Frank Crandall and Mrs. H. C. Moore of Detroit, and Col. Henry S. Raymond, of Bay City. The latter has been a resident of Bay City since 1851. In 1862 he went into the army with Company F, Twenty-Third Infantry, and served with distinc- tion until the close of the war. He enlisted with the rank of cap- tain, and by promotion reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He held the office of postmaster from 1861 to 1870. Since 1862 he has been in the news and stationery business. His store is now at 810 Water street. He has a wife and two children.
JAMES WATSON also came in 1850. He had long been known as a merchant of Detroit of the firm of J. & J. Watson, and determined to seek a location for his business in some of the new prospective cities of the state. In seeking a point at which to locate, his steps
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were directed to the Saginaw Valley. He came to Saginaw City, where he met his old time friend, James Fraser, who, being desirous of securing an acquisition to the business interests of the Valley, descanted freely on all the advantages that town possessed; for at that time Saginaw City was the only town in the Valley where there was any show for business. After looking the ground over at that point, they came together to this part on the river. Mr. Watson's remarks were few but his foresight keen. After satisfying himself and selecting such pieces of property as he desired to purchase, he told Mr. Fraser he had determined to locate here if he could make such terms as he proposed. Mr. Fraser being agreeably surprised to hear such a determination expressed, readily acceded to Mr. Watson's terms, and a bargain was soon consummated. With other property Mr. Watson purchased the dock and warehouse which was then standing at the foot of Center Street. The warehouse was soon converted into a store and filled with one of the largest stocks of goods that had ever been brought into the Valley. This was late in the Fall of 1850, and some of Mr. Watson's friends expressed surprise that he should have purchased so large a stock of goods for such an out-of-the-way place, but before the breaking up of Winter Mr. Watson had to send six teams to Detroit each to bring a load of goods to supply the demand. (It must be remembered that at this time in Winter the only method of transporting merchandise to points north of Pontiac, was by teams.) About this time was the first revival of business in the Valley, after the great depression in 1837 and 1838. A large amount of furs were brought to market, the fishing business was carried on quite extensively and the lumber business was just commencing. Mr. Watson was interested with Col. Henry Raymond in the lumber business-their mill being that afterward owned by James Shearer & Co., it having been built by Col. Raymond in 1850. Mr. Watson retired from the mill and car- ried on other branches of business, never forgetting to purchase real estate whenever an opportunity presented itself. By that means and through his indomitable energy and excellent business qualifi- cations, he was one of the leading men of the Valley.
DR. GEORGE E. SMITH was the first male physician who settled at Lower Saginaw and remained in practice for any considerable length of time. He came to Saginaw in 1837, where he learned the printer's trade. His health failing he tried sailing with his brother, Capt. David Smith, and received a satisfactory amount of experience by being shipwrecked on the Canada shore. He then returned to Saginaw and studied medicine with Dr. George Davis, and finally graduated at the Cleveland Medical College. In 1850 he came to Lower Saginaw and was for a time the only physician in the vicini- ty. He continued in practice until about 1861, when he turned his attention to other branches of business. He was engaged in the manufacture of lumber and salt, and in the grocery business with B. B. Hart. He kept the first drug store in the place, and was postmaster from 1853 to 1861. It was during his administration that the name of the office was changed from Hampton to Bay City. In 1878 he retired from business and resumed the practice of medi- cine as his health would permit. He is still a much respected citi- zen of Bay City.
JESSE M. MILLER, one of the well known men in Bay City, is a native of Pennsylvania, and settled in Bay City in 1850. He had a brother-in-law living in Oakland County, and first went there and stopped with him. From there he wandered into the Saginaw Valley and stuck fast in the unpromising locality, since transformed into a beautiful city. At an early day he bought a tract of land just east of the present city limits, and cleared it up. It became a valu- able farm, and he held it until 1881, when he sold it. When he first came to this region he says he worked for six or eight shillings a day and laid up something. He carried the first regular daily
mail between Lower Saginaw and Saginaw. In the Fall he would take his pony and ride to a squatter's hut a little distance from the village. There he would leave the pony, and taking the mail on his back, would proceed on foot to Saginaw, and from there return in the afternoon. It was no easy task in those days to make the journey on foot in the Fall, when the traveler would sink nearly to his knees in the half frozen mud; but the early settlers were inured to hardships, and accomplished many things that almost stagger the belief of people in these latter days. Mr. Miller had the contract for carrying the mail until 1862. From 1874 to 1882 he held the office of justice of the peace, and has always been prominent in pub- lic affairs. He has been an active advocate of temperance, and of all social and political reforms. In the Fall of 1882 he was the can- didate for Congress on the Greenback ticket, and made an active canvass of the district. He now devotes his time to looking after his private interests, and to matters of public reform.
CHARLES E. JENNISON is another of the pioneers of 1850. He was born in Louisiana in 1829. Came North in 1834, and his parents lived in Brooklyn until 1841, when they removed to Dan- ville, Penn. In 1850 Mr. Jennison came to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, to go into the mercantile business in company with the late James Fraser. After continuing in the partnership for about eighteen months he purchased Mr. Fraser's interest, and continued the business alone till 1854, at which time he was joined by his brother, the late H. W. Jennison. After that the business was en- larged and carried on under the name of C. E. Jennison & Bro., till the death of the brother, which occurred in 1864. He was cut off in the vigor of his manhood and usefulness, and the people of Bay City felt that they had been called upon to part with one of the most useful and prominent members of society. Mr. Jennison continued to be more or less interested in the hardware and stove business until about 1870, when he was burned out, and has not been ac- tively interested in mercantile pursuits since that time, though he is at present a member of the hardware firm of Tousey & Jennison. During the continuance of his successful mercantile business he was wise enough to invest all the surplus profits in real estate, which has made him one of the most successful business men in the Saginaw Valley, and perhaps the wealthiest in Bay City. Mr. Jen- nison's sterling business qualifications have served greatly to pro- mote the interests of the city, and it is hoped they will long con- tinue to do so. He was president of the Bridge Company for several years, and is vice-president of the Pipe Works. He built the Jen- nison Block on Water Street in 1870. In 1851 he built a dwelling house on the corner of Center and Washington Streets. At that time there were no improvements in that part of the town, and beyond where the Court House now stands was thick forest. He rebuilt his house in 1864, and at the present time is building one of the finest residences in the city, on the corner of Ninth and Jackson Streets. He has made three additions to the city, and is interested in one other. He devotes his entire time to the management of his large real estate and other interests. He has a family consisting of a wife and six children. Mrs. Jennison is a daughter of the late Hon. James G. Birney, of national fame. Mr. Jennison is one of the men whose faith in a prosperous future for Bay City has been strong from the very first. He began early to invest in real estate, and always advised men in his employ to do the same with what means they could save. The correctness of his judgment has long since been demonstrated.
WILLIAM CATLIN, deceased, was born February 26, 1817, in the town of Catharine, and what was then Chemung County, N. Y., and in May, 1849, he, with his family, started for Lower Saginaw, (as it was then called), Mich. They came by water to Detroit, ex- pecting to take a boat at that place and come the rest of the way,
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but after waiting a few days, decided to take the cars, which only brought them eighteen miles, when they took the stage as far as Pontiac, where they hired a private conveyance to bring them through to Upper Saginaw, the roads being so rough the men were obliged frequently to lift the wagon wheels out of the ruts to get along at all. Upon arriving at that place they made their way to a hotel kept by Mr. Jewett, where they remained a day or two, when they again proceeded on their journey, taking passage on the first steamboat running on the Saginaw River-and that as yet un- finished. Upon arriving at their place of destination they were met by his brother, Israel Catlin, and were taken to his home, where they enjoyed a good rest after a tiresome journey, and as soon as a house could be got in readiness, moved into a home of their own, situated where the Munger Block now stands. Mr. Catlin being a good sawyer, he scon found employment in a mill owned by Hopkins & Co., and afterwards worked in a mill at Portsmouth, for McCor- mick & Miller. But himself and family were sick a greater part of the time, and after remaining a little over a year, at the earnest solicit- ation of friends East, they returned to their former home in the state of New York. After the war broke out he, like thousands of other loyal men, felt it his duty to take up arms in defence of his country, and enlisted in Company A, Fifth Regiment, New York Volunteers, was wounded in battle and went home, remaining with his family several weeks, when being so much improved, he returned to the hospital in Annapolis, Md., but after a few weeks was taken sick with pneumonia, and died January 18, 1865. In 1872, his widow, with her children, came to Bay City, where they now reside, with the exception of her daughter, wife of W. W. Hodgkins, who died August 24, 1882.
JOHN DRAKE is one of the early mill men of Bay County. He is a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in 1834. In June, 1851, he started with his brother James and a hired man, from Delaware, near London, (in Canada West, the Province was then called, ) and came to Port Huron, where they purchased a small sail boat, hired a boatman to manage it, provided themselves with a tent and supplies, and commenced a coasting voyage along the shores of Lake Huron and the Saginaw Bay, Lower Saginaw being their point of destination, at which place they arrived after six days' sailing, with many narrow escapes from capsizing their little craft, which proved to be a crank affair, and afterwards caused disaster to others by capsizing in the river. Mr. Drake's object in coming to Michigan was to engage in the lumber busi- ness, and on his arrival at Lower Saginaw he landed his boat at the dock of the Dunlap Mill, (now Gate's & Fay's) and the first person he encountered on the shore was the late James Fraser, who, under the circumstances, was the very man he should first become acquainted with in the Valley, Mr. Drake being a native of Scotland, which was of itself sufficient to interest Mr. Fraser in his behalf; but when the object of Mr. Drake's coming to the Saginaw Valley was made known, Mr. Fraser became doubly interested, as he was always on the alert to induce capital and business to center in this locality. Mr. Drake spent some time in viewing the different localities on the river, making several trips to the towns on the upper portion of the river where many tempting offers were made him of property for a mill site, but he rejected them all, and finally selected the point (now in West Bay City) where the well known Drake Mill now stands. In two different negotiations he purchased from Mrs. Birney, wife of the late James G. Birney, the forty-four acre tract which is contiguous to the mill, with eighty rods of river front for about $1,400, not a bad bargain when we take into con- sideration the present value of the property, which would probably be estimated at $150,000. He completed the mill and operated it until 1853, when he sold it to Kibbie, Whittemore & Co.
Mr. Drake removed his family to Lower Saginaw (now Bay City) in November, 1852, and has been a resident of this locality since that time, except two years, which he spent in Detroit. Not being satisfied to give up the lumber business entirely, Mr. Drake run the Zilwaukee Mill during the years of 1856 and 1857, and the little mill at Portsmouth during 1857. Since Mr. Drake's retire- ment from the lumber business he has held positions of trust and honor under the government of the United States, and has been en- gaged most of the time in the insurance business, and is now in that occupation. Since his residence here he has been identified with the material interests of the place, and enjoys to a high degree the esteem and confidence of the community.
GEORGE LORD, one of the pioneers of Bay County, and one who has done much to advance its prosperity, settled in Lower Sag- inaw, now Bay City, in the Winter of 1854. He was born in Ham- ilton, Madison Co., N. Y., March 17, 1815. Attracted by the lum- bering interests of the Saginaw Valley, he emigrated westward, and reached this then wilderness in February, 1854. He built the mill known as the Keystone Mill on the west side and operated it until 1860, when he sold out and went into the drug business on the corner of Center and Water Streets, which he continued until burned out in 1865. After the fire he started another store which he continued a few years, when he sold out and went into the in- surance business. Subsequently he became ticket and passenger agent of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, and continued in that capacity until the present year. His present business is in- surance. He was supervisor of the township of Hampton before Bay County was organized. The township of Hampton at that time comprised what is now Bay City, West Bay City and all the shore counties as far north as the Sable River, so that his consti- tuency was scattered over quite an expanse of territory. After Bay City was incorporated he was elected comptroller, which office he held for five terms; was chairman of the Board of Supervisors four terms, and mayor of the city one term. At the expiration of his term of office as mayor, he was nominated on the Democratic state ticket for commissioner of state land office, but was defeat- ed with the rest of the ticket. He was also candidate for state sen- ator against Hon. D. H. Jerome, since Governor, but was again defeated. Mr. Lord was married in 1840 at Hamilton, N. Y., to Miss C. D. Fay, sister of W. L. Fay, of Bay City. They have three children living, two boys and one girl. Mr. Lord was one who entered into the pioneer life in all its phases with great activ- ity. There are few records of jokes and lively experience in the early times in which he does not appear as a participant. Some of these appear in another part of this work. But while enjoying these episodes of life he has ever been an active participant in the industries and prosperity of the city and county.
PHILIP SIMON is a native of Germany, and emigrated to Amer- ica in 1848. After stopping about a year at Syracuse, N. Y., he came to Bay City, or Lower Saginaw as it was then called. This was in 1849. After settling here he worked in the mills for about a year, and then started a meat market, the first permanent market started in the place. It was located on the ground where Mr. Kit- tridge's shoe store now stands, at the corner of Center and Sag- inaw Streets. He built a frame dwelling, using part of it for his market, and the remaining portion he used as a hotel, which was called the Bay City House. He afterwards engaged in the mercan- tile business in the same block. He continued in the market until about 1857, and in the store until 1868. He built and still owns the block of buildings on Center Street, extending west from Saginaw Street. In 1864 he built his present residence at the cor- ner of Twelfth and Midison Streets. When in the meat business he purchased twenty-five acres of land in that locality at a nominal
6
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
price, for his slaughter house. When he built his residence, it was in a wild region just bordering upon a swamp. The nearest buildings were a few shanties on Washington Street. Now, however, it is located in a delightful part of the city, and his property is very val- uable. He still owns a large number of lots which are a part of the original purchase. By his industry and prudence, assisted by a good wife, he acquired a handsome property during his business career. For several years he has not been engaged in active business, but has occupied himself with his property interests. For some time he has been out of health and unable to get about. His family con- sists of a wife and twelve children.
CHRISTOPHER HEINZMANN is a native of Germany. When he was about fifteen years of age his parents emigrated to America, and settled in Ann Arbor, where they remained until their death. In the Winter of 1849 Christopher came to Bay City, or Lower Saginaw, as it was then called. At first he worked in the mills, then he bought land and cleared it, and then went into business. He went first into the meat business, and was very successful. At an early day he built a frame hotel called the Forest City House, on the corner of Saginaw and Sixth Streets, where Sherman's livery stable now stands. That building was afterwards burned. The present Forest City House, on Washington Street, he bought when the building was much smaller than now, and used for a boarding house. He put the property in excellent shape for hotel purposes, and kept it until the Winter of 1882. His present residence at the corner of Twelfth and Madison Streets he built in 1872. He has several houses which he rents, and now busies himself looking after and enjoying the property he accumulated during the active years of his life. He has helped build up the city, and has witnessed all the wonderful changes that have taken place.
THE M EWANS.
WILLIAM MCEWAN is one of the pioneers of 1850. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1823, and emigrated to this country in 1848. In the Fall of 1850 he settled in Lower Saginaw. His brother, Alexander, had come with him, and they built a mill, since known as the McEwan Mill, and still in operation upon the original site near the northern limits of the city. In 1851 another brother, John, came and went into business with them. In 1853 Alexander died, and the business was continued by William and John. Mr. William McEwan continued in the lumber business until within a few years, when he retired to give attention to his extensive real estate interests. In 1858 he married Miss Annie F. Fraser, daughter of James Fraser. In 1859 he built their present residence on Center Street. At that time the site, now so attrac- tive and delightful, was desolate enough, being covered with stumps, through which wound a tortuous path to the forest just beyond. Mr. McEwan and his brother built and operated the first grist mill in the Saginaw Valley. Mr. McEwan has been active in building up the city. In 1869 he built a brick business block on Water Street, another on Center Street in 1875, and still another on Washington Street in 1881. The latter is an especially handsome building. Aside from these he has extensive real estate interests in the city and county. He has been connected with most of the public im- provements that have been made in the county. He is president of the Bay City Gas Company at the present time.
JOHN MCEWAN died in Bay City, January 26, 1882. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1825. In 1846 he married Miss Margaret Pollock, who still survives him. In 1848 they came to this country with the two brothers, William and Alexander. Upon reaching New York, he had an opportunity to take a voyage as engineer on the steamship "Unicorn," then about to start for Cali- fornia. He accepted the position, and was absent about two years.
In 1851 he settled in Lower Saginaw, his wife having come with William and Alexander. He then went into business as already stated, and continued it until his death. His wife and six children survive him. He was a prompt and successful business man.
The business is continued by three sons, William, John and Alexander, who are young men of excellent business habits, and successful in their operations.
W. L. FAY settled in Lower Saginaw in 1854, coming from New York State. Upon coming here he took an interest with Mr. George Lord in the lumber business, but in a short time went into the mercantile business with B. B. Hart. In 1860 he engaged in the manufacture of lumber with C. W. Grant, the firm being Grant & Fay. This firm continued until 1863, when the mill burned. Mr. S. G. M. Gates then purchased Mr. Grant's interest in the real estate, and the firm became Gates & Fay. The mill was rebuilt and the firm continued until about a year ago, when Mr. Fay, having accumulated a fortune, retired. Mr. Fay was president of the village in 1861, mayor of the city in 1868, and has held several other local offices. He is a native of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y.
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