USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 4
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In 1834, John B. Trudell, who married a daughter of Benoit Trombley, built a log house at a point near where the late James Watson lived, in the Fifth Ward. Mr. Trudell continued to live there until about 1850, when he removed to the west side of the river.
Some time during 1834 Benjamin Cushway arrived, having been sent here by the United States government as blacksmith for the Indians. It may be presumed from this that agriculture had by this time reached such an advanced stage as to render the introduc- tion of skilled labor an imperative necessity. Mr. Cushway built a log house and blacksmith shop on the west side of the river, not far
from where the Twenty-third Street bridge now is, and for many years did the Indian blacksmithing, and assisted traders in their traffic with the Indians.
JOSEPH AND MEDOR TROMBLEY.
The name of Trombley has been associated with that portion of the Saginaw Valley now included in Bay County for more than three- quarters of a century, and while none of those yet mentioned came here expecting to locate permanently, yet the two named above and several other Trombleys became permanent settlers, and are now the oldest residents of this part of the valley, having resided here continuously since 1835.
In the Spring of 1835 Joseph Trombley left the employ of the American Fur Company and turned his attention to some land he had previously entered in what was afterwards the township of Portsmouth. He and Medor, his brother, were to open a store here for the purpose of trading with the Indians. After selecting a stock of goods, to be shipped on board the "Savage," he started for his new location, and Medor was to follow with some cattle. Joseph arrived here in July and erected a log store near what is now the corner of Water and Twenty-fourth Streets, in Bay City. This spot was selected as being the most advantageous point for the pur- pose intended. The land lay high and dry, and was sheltered by trees which grew not too thickly to spoil the picturesque, and yet dense enough for shade. It was a romantic looking spot, and a choice camping ground for the Indians, who had their place of burial near by. It commanded a good view of the river and the arrival and departure of canoes. His experience in building a store was illustrative of pioneer life. It was built of pine logs flattened on two sides. The foundation was made of oak, and the lumber with which it was finished was brought by boat from Detroit, the freight upon it being $4 per thousand. The lumber was clear stuff, and was manufactured at Black River, now one of the exhausted pine streams. The price paid for the lumber was $16 per thousand. Then the timber had to be hewn, shingles split, and part of the lumber whip-sawed. The building was 25x30 feet in size. It is still standing in the rear of the Center House, on Water Street, Bay City.
About September Medor Trombley arrived with the cattle. The goods had been shipped to Saginaw, as there was no place here to take care of them before the store was finished. The flour and pork that were shipped had been confiscated at Saginaw, as there was great scarcity of provisions. They got their store open in time to attend the Indian payment in the Fall. They continued in trade for some time, and did a prosperous business, dealing in fur and pioneer experiences.
FIRST FRAME HOUSE.
In 1837 the twin infants, Portsmouth and Lower Saginaw, were battling for places upon the map and in history. The Trom- bleys had prospered, and were inclined to have a more pretentious habitation, and commenced the erection of a frame building. It took the carpenter, a Mr. Case, one year to do the inside work. For a long time it was known as the "Big House," and when built was considered the finest residence in the Saginaw Valley. For many years it has been known as the "Center House." This was the first frame building erected in what is now Bay County, and for several years was the home of James McCormick. A very correct view of this building is given in this work.
JOSEPH TROMBLEY was born in the city of Detroit in the year 1809, where he remained until his twentieth year. His uncle, Gassette Trombley, who had been an Indian trader, as well as what was known as an "Indian farmer," had in his travels been in this part of the state, and he advised young Joseph to go up to the Sag-
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
inaw country and buy some land, and if he was not suited there to go to Sebewaing, on the east shore of the bay. Taking his uncle's advice, he accordingly made a trip up here in the year 1829. At that time there was a turnpike road only as far as Royal Oak, about fourteen miles from Detroit, and from there to Pontiac a sort of an unfinished wagon road. From Pontiac to Saginaw he had to make his way on foot through an unbroken wilderness, following an Indian trail. Saginaw at that time was the site of a government fort, or block house, being the point at which the Indians received their annual payments and had their supplies given out to them. At Saginaw he hired two Indians as guides-their names were Wash-wa and Be-chance-who accompanied him to Sebewaing and back, the trip being made in a canoe. At what is now Bay City, he learned that there was no land to be had, it being an Indian reservation-at least, he was so told. On arriving at Sebewaing, he found what is now called the Sebewaing River to be a river without any water in it. Like all other Frenchmen of that day, in locating a home he wanted it on the banks of a running stream. So he re- turned to Detroit. On this trip, with the exception of a few veget- ables purchased from a man named Ensign, who had a small farm near what is now called Carrollton, he and his guides had to depend for food upon what he shot. Game was plenty, however, in those days, and with an old gun he borrowed from one of the Indians, he managed to supply their larder. The house in which the man Ensign lived was built by Gassette Trombley in 1819,-the year that the "Saginaw Treaty" was made with the Indians living in this part of Michigan.
On his return to Detroit he learned at the United States land office that there was a piece of land with about a mile front on the river, which he could enter. Some two or three years after he entered the lands, Maj. Causley being United States land agent at that time. Michigan was then a territory, and Gen. Lewis Cass the governor. This land was afterwards a part of the township of Portsmouth, and is now within the corporate limits of Bay City.
From 1830 to 1835 he was in the employ of the American Fur Company, as a fur buyer, and in the prosecution of which business he had to travel, mostly on foot, to various parts of the territory, the greater portion of which was then a wilderness.
When he left the employ of the Fur Company, he turned his attention to the land he had purchased on the Saginaw River. His operations for the next ten years have already been given.
In 1844 or 1845 he removed to the west side of the river, where he had purchased two thousand acres of land, and has remained there until the present. On some of this land he commenced mak- ing a farm, and his mode of plowing and dragging the land, planting and hoeing his corn, produced so much larger crops than his Indian neighbors did in their crude style of cultivating the soil, that they used to say, "It takes a white man to make corn grow." In addi- tion to farming, he was also engaged in the fishing business, con- tinuing in it until a few years ago. His sons Joseph and Theodore succeeded him in the business, and are known as successful fisher- men.
In 1837 he was married to Miss Sophia Chapaton, daughter of Eustache Chapaton, of Detroit. They have a family of four boys and one girl, all grown up and now living in the First Ward of West Bay City. That part of Mr. Trombley's land which lies in the First Ward of West Bay City has been divided up into building lots, and the rapid increase in the value of real estate for the past few years has made him what might be called a very well-to-do man. He has earned it, however, for in the early days the "pioneers" had many privations to endure and much hard labor to make a living.
The dwelling occupied by Mr. Trombley and family is a fine
two-story brick residence, and was the first brick building erected in the First Ward of West Bay City.
MEDOR TROMBLEY was born in Detroit, November 16, 1813. His father was Thomas Trombley and his mother was a daughter of the trader "Tebo," already mentioned in this work. He remained on the farm until 1835, when he came to what was afterwards Portsmouth, and engaged in trade with Indians, as already narra- ted. He had entered a tract of land which he afterwards sold to the Portsmouth Company; also another tract south of that, and also fronting on the river. In 1845 he built a frame house upon his last purchase, which is still standing near the Wooden Ware Works in South Bay City. August 26, 1847, he married Miss Sarah Mc- Cormick, daughter of James McCormick, a well known pioneer. They were married according to the simple style of those days, and their wedding tour was the journey of life, which they are still continuing. They commenced keeping house in the home Mr. Trombley had built two years previous. After Mr. Trombley had taken possession of his land, he proceeded to look it over, and found it mostly swamp, and, as it looked to him then, just about worthless. After going out of trade he turned his attention to hunt- ing and fishing, more especially the latter. Subsequently he gave some attention to farming, and as the settlements began to thicken, his land came to have a value which has been increasing ever since. For many years he has devoted his attention to the management of his real estate interests, which are still large. Mr. Trombley has been one of the hardy pioneers. In his younger days few men would care to compete with him in physical exertion, and even now, though seventy years of age, the recollection of younger days will sometimes quicken his step, and he will walk a half mile at a rate of speed that would leave many younger men far in the rear. For the last fifty-five years he has never been sick enough at any time to prevent his going about his business. Mr. and Mrs. Trombley now live in a commodious home on South Center Street. Of their seven children, two daughters are married, one to John Greening, and the other to L. F. Rose, both of Bay City.
INCIDENTS OF JOSEPH TROMBLEY.
W. R. McCormick relates the following incidents of Joseph Trombley's early life. He says :- "Mr. Trombley was the finest spe- cimen of a man, when I first became acquainted with him, forty- five years ago, that I ever saw. He was about six feet, weighing about 190 pounds, and at that time was considered one of the most athletic men in northern Michigan.
"Among the Indians at this time athletic sports were held in high esteem, and he who could travel the greatest distance in a day, was considered a great man. Mr. Trombley had been brought up with the Indians and had followed the life of an Indian trader from boyhood. There was not an Indian in the tribe that he could not out-run, out-jump, or throw, and he could travel further in a day than any Indian or white man in the country. On his first visit to Saginaw, in 1828, then a young man, he started from his home, eight miles above Detroit, with a pack on his back and with moc- casins on his feet, and arrived at Flint at four o'clock of the same day, with no road after leaving Pontiac but an Indian trail,-a dis- tance of seventy miles. The next day he arrived at his uncle's at Crow Island, just as the family were sitting down to dinner-a dis- tance of thirty-six miles on an Indian trail.
"Here is another incident in Mr. Trombley's life :- Mr. Thomas Simpson, who in his after life was called by the early settlers, Lex- a-bo-ga, had been editor, printer and lawyer, was first editor of the Western Emigrant, published at Ann Arbor, in 1829, after- wards editor of the Oakland Chronicle, published at Pontiac, in 1830. Mr. Simpson was one of the most athletic men I ever saw.
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
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He used to boast that he was never put on his back in his life. He had the name of being the smartest man in northern Michigan, in athletic sports in those early days. Soon after coming to Saginaw he said he would like to meet that man Trombley, he had heard so much about. An opportunity soon occurred. Joseph Trombley came up to Saginaw one day, to do some business with the Ameri- can Fur Company. It was soon noised around the little hamlet that Joseph Trombley was in town, and that there would be some fun. Mr. Simpson, alias Lexaboga, was informed, and soon made his ap- pearance at the American Fur Compay's store, to meet the man he had heard so much about. He was introduced to Mr. Trombley, whom he challenged to a trial of strength and skill in wrestling. Mr. Trombley said he was no wrestler, but would try him running either for one mile or fifty, for $100. Mr. Simpson weighed about two hundred pounds, was six feet two inches high, without an inch of waste flesh about him-all sinew and muscle,-while Trombley only weighed one hundred and ninety pounds, and stood about six feet high. Trombley was afraid to take hold of so powerful a man. By this time most all the inhabitants had come to see the fun. But if I did not wrestle with him the people would laugh at me,' said Trombley. 'I took hold of him and I might as well have taken hold of an ox, he was so strong, but after a long while, by a dexterous effort I threw him on his back. This did not suit the crowd, as they had bet heavily on their favorite. He appeared to be much chagrined, but to retreive his character he said he would try me back hold, a favorite way of Indian wrestling, which I had been accustomed to from boyhood, with the Indians,-which pleased me much, for I was afraid he would challenge me again at arms length. I readily con- sented to take him back hold. We took hold and I threw him four times before he gave up.' Thus ended Mr. Simpson's (Lexaboga's) wrestling; for, said he, 'I will never wrestle again,'and he never did. This is to show the wonderful endurance and strength the man possessed in his young days, who could go from Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, to Flint, and return the same day, on an Indian trail and afoot, a distance of ninety miles, beating his opponent on horse- back over thirty-four miles-a feat that very few men in America could accomplish. I have seen Mr. Trombley when a young man take a large wolf out of the trap, put a crotched stick over his neck, tie his mouth and legs, put him on his shoulders and bring him home alive."
FIRST SYMPTOMS OF TOWNS.
THE FEVER OF SPECULATION.
By 1836 the spirit of land speculation, that had been rising for some time in the country, had reached its highest pitch. After Gen. Jackson, in 1833, caused the deposit of the surplus revenue of the United States to be withheld from the old United States Bank and deposited with the state banks, large amounts accumulated in the vaults of the latter, which President Jackson encouraged the banks to loan to individuals by saying that it was by means of the trade of the merchants in paying the import duties on their merchandise into the treasury that the money had accumulated, and it was no more than right that they should have the use of the money to facilitate the operations of their business. But by this hint to the banks they were not particular as to the business which the parties were engaged in who desired loans, and almost anyone who was thought shrewd enough to make a good speculation by investing money could obtain loans. After the money was borrowed the point was to make a profitable investment of it, and nothing looked more attractive than the virgin soil of the West, where Uncle Sam pos- sessed millions of broad acres which he would dispose of in parcels
of forty acres or in other subdivisions of sections at the rate of $1.25 per acre. Michigan was then, in 1836, considered the El Dorado of the West. A heavy emigration from New York and the New England States had for three or four years previously directed its course to the beautiful peninsula, so that at the time above mentioned parties having money to invest thought it beyond a doubt that if they should forestall those immigrants and purchase the land from the United States, they would receive a large advance on their purchases, from those who wished to make actual settlements. In view of the above mentioned facts it was not likely that those speculators, in casting their eyes over the map of Michigan, seeking a point within its borders for a place to make their investments, would overlook the Saginaw country, where the deep indentation of the Saginaw Bay penetrates the heart of the peninsula and the branches of the broad river spread out in every direction like the branches of an enormous tree, the base of which is the medium through which the sap flows, as the outlet of the river is for the trade and commerce of a large portion of Northern Michigan.
INCIDENTS OF THE LAND CRAZE.
During the Spring and Summer of 1836 the land in this region was subject to sale at the Detroit land office. The office was removed to Flint in September or October of the same year. The office of the Register was situated on Jefferson Avenue, just above the Biddle House, and so great was the rush for land in business, that parties wishing to locate lands formed themselves into a line and awaited their turn to present their minutes; but a favored few found access by way of the back door or through a window, and would get their locations secured ahead of the crowd. Looking land and furnishing minutes was a lucrative business and furnished employment to many of the early settlers. The description of the land selected was usually kept a secret until it was located at the office, but some parties coming from the East were not so cautious.
Judge Albert Miller relates an instance of this kind, as follows :-- "A gentleman largely interested in the purchase of government lands told me of an occurrence, some years after it happened, in which he was interested. He said he was staying at one of the hotels at Detroit when a man came in from the country, very much elated with his good luck in finding some excellent land for a farm, which he intended the next morning to locate for that purpose. The spec- ulator said that in a friendly conversation he got him to describe the land he intended to purchase. In the morning the man was very much disappointed to find the land he wanted had just been located, but not being discouraged he started again to select more land, and after a few days returned and met his friend the specu- lator, and disclosed to him the fact that he had selected other land, that so far exceeded the first selection in value that he was amply paid for his first disappointment. He incautiously gave him the description of his second intended purchase, and when he went to the land office the result was the same as on the first application, -- the land had just been taken. He left Detroit this time, probably, somewhat wiser than before, and on returning with his third set of minutes met his old friend, as usual, and disclosed to him the fact that this time he had found some land so much superior to either of the other selections that he should purchase double the quantity that he first intended to, and confidentially disclosed the location of it and the fact that it was surrounded by a large tract of vacant land of equal value with his selection. When he met the speculator after his third application at the land office it was not with the disap- pointed appearance of former occasions, but with a pleased and satisfied expression said to him, 'Well, old fellow, I guess you have got swamped this time.' The sequel proved that the last minutes described lands in the center of an extensive swamp, and the spec-
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
ulator had purchased a large tract of land that was entirely worth- less. The name of the narrator of the incidents related above has passed from my memory. I knew him about twenty-three years ago. He said he was operating with money furnished by a bank, in which his uncle was an officer. When he got through with his purchases he turned all the land over to the bank and took up his paper and saved himself from bankruptcy."
After the land office was removed to Flint that place was thronged with land speculators. Purchases of government lands were then made with gold and silver. "Bill Gifford" kept a small hotel at Fhnt, and during the Autumn of that year there were nights when, it is said, more than $40,000 in specie was laying in differ- ent parts of the house, which had been brought by guests who were waiting their turn to do business at the land office.
About this time an incident occurred that illustrates the will of men intent upon securing a prize. The facts as gathered are related by Gen. Partridge, of Bay City, as follows :- Joseph Trombley and Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh took a fancy for the same piece of land at the same time, neither knowing that the other wanted the land. At noon Joseph Trombley learned that Dr. Fitzhugh was to start for Flint from Saginaw to purchase the said land, which was on the west side of the river. On the next morning early, Trombley being then at Portsmouth, collected his gold and started in his canoe, and rapidly sped his way to Flint, expecting to overtake Fitzhugh on the road, who was to start on horseback, but found nothing of him. Arriving at Flint on a good smart run, he entered his land, took dinner and started on his return to the Saginaws. On his way back he met Mr. Fitzhugh, who was greatly astonished to meet him going toward Saginaw, and suggested that he, Trombley, had bought certain land, when Trombley showed his certificate of purchase. Dr. Fitzhugh, seeing there was no use in going further, returned. Trombley kept company awhile, but finding that the Doctor was too slow even with his horse, left him and arrived at Saginaw City, at a store owned by one named McDonald, where he had left his canoe. Trombley told his story about his getting the start of Fitzhugh, but McDonald disbelieved him even after seeing his certificate, and bet a gallon of wine that Trombley had not been to Flint that day. Now the mail-carrier. was on his way from Flint to Saginaw on horseback, and Trombley met him before arriving at Flint, and then overtook and passed him on his way back. So they waited a few minutes for the mail-carrier, who verified Trombley's statement. Trombley treated out his gallon and took his canoe for home, arriv- ing there before 10 o'clock at night of the same day. Mr. Trombley says no man, not having an iron frame and constitution, could stand the strain to run that distance as he had to run.
PORTSMOUTH AND ITS PROJECTOR.
A large trade in village property had also sprung up. Parties would select land with some advantages of location that would com- mend it to the public, lay out a town, and go into the market to sell either interests in the whole tract, or lots in the village. Owing to difficulty of access, Saginaw had but a small population at the commencement of the year 1836, but it had attained some notoriety. Saginaw City had been platted four or five years previously, and was supposed by many to be the only point on the river where a town was likely to be built. But others who were aware of the difficulties of ascending the river with heavy laden craft, and anticipating the vast commerce which the products of the valley must eventually induce, conceived the idea of starting a town nearer the mouth of the river. With this in view, Judge Albert Miller, who had become familiar with this entire region, purchased a tract of land of the
Trombley's in July, 1836, and in the same month had the village of Portsmouth surveyed and platted. This was the first attempt to start a town within the present boundaries of Bay County. This whole region was then in Saginaw County. Judge Miller, the first to project a town near the mouth of the Saginaw River, is now a resident of Bay City, and still engaged in active pursuits. We append a brief biographical sketch of him as follows:
ALBERT MILLER was born in Hartland, Windsor Co., Vt., May 10, 1810. His father, Jeremy Miller, was a native of Middletown, Conn. His mother, Sarah Miller, was a native of Hartland.
The ancestors of Judge Miller on his mother's side were among those who landed at Plymouth Rock, in 1620. A plate, now in the possession of the family, was brought over in the "Mayflower," by Sarah Clark, whose name it bears. It is to this woman that Judge Miller traces his ancestry.
His father belonged to an old English family that settled in Massachusetts in 1640. Judge Miller is the youngest of a family of four children, three of whom are still living. When he was seven years of age his father died; his mother living until 1863, when she died at the advanced age of eighty-four. At a very carly age Judge Miller was obliged to provide for himself, his mother having but limited means. At the age of ten he engaged with his uncle, who gave him his board and a pair of boots, in return for his Summer's work.
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