USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 46
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JAMES DAVIDSON was born in County of Prescott, Ont., April 9, 1837. In 1855 he moved to Detroit, Mich .; remained there two years, and then moved to Port Huron, where he remained two years. In 1859 he came to Bay City and engaged in looking up
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RES. OF THE LATE JAMES RAMSDELL _ BAY CITY.
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
pine lands for lumbermen, which he still continues. He also has some good pine lands of his own. He was married in 1872 to Margaret Soods, of Canada.
HENRY LUTZKE was born in Germany, March 2, 1835. In 1855 he came to Bay City, purchased the Franklin House on Sag- inaw Street, and commentel basiness. In 1863 he sold out and engaged in the joiner business. He afterward started a saloon on Center Street under the old Simons Block, run the business for five years, and removed to Third Street, near the bridge, where he is still in the saloon business. His residence is on Jefferson street, between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Mr. Lutzke was married in 1856 to Katherina Berkhardt, and has three children.
CHARLES G. LAETZ was born in Bay City, December 11, 1856. In 1874 he learned the boating business, which he continued until 1879. He then opened a saloon, which he still continues. His fatlier, George Laetz, settled here in 1833, and is still living. , He lost his arm in a saw mill a number of years ago. Charles G. was married November 11, 1880, and has one child.
PATRICK OUILETTE was born in Windsor, Ont., August 26, 1826. He moved to Detroit in 1838, and learned the trade of carpenter with C. Morris of that city, and in 1849 commenced business for him- self. He was married to Margaret Livingston, of Detroit, and in 1879 came to Bay City.
WILLIAM D. MCINTOSH was born in Scotland, January 5, 1844. At twelve years of age he crossed the Atlantic with his parents, and settled in Glengarry, Canada. In 1865 he came to Bay City and engaged in the lumber business. In 1883 was looking land in Minnesota. He was married in 1871.
ALEXANDER TROMBLEY was born at Quebec, Canada, December 5, 1833. He came to Bay City in 1852, and worked as a car- penter and joiner. In 1871 he engaged in the manufacture of root beer and all kinds of soft drinks, and still continues the busi- ness.
ANDREW DALY was born in Canada, May 31, 1836. He came to Bay City and engaged in the saw mills. In 1869 he was engaged by Folsom & Arnold as saw filer, which position he still retains. He has a wife and three children.
WILLIAM R. SPEIR was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1823. He came to Detroit, Mich., in 1851, and to Bay City in 1859. He has been employed as engineer in a number of mills and salt blocks in the valley. Is now employed in that capacity in the American Chemical Works, West Bay City. Was married in 1844 to Agnes Smith, of Scotland.
CHARLES J. BLOOMFIELD is a native of Erie County, N. Y., where he was born in 1844. In 1851 he removed to Rochester, where he remained eighteen years. He then removed to Warren County, of the same state, and about one year afterward came to Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1875 he came to Bay City, where he engaged in the business of city bill posting and advertising. He was married in 1859 to Laurena Beach, of Lyons, Mich. His res- idence is Twelfth Street, No. 1215.
WILLIAM H. SIMPKINS was born in Glengarry, Canada, December 4, 1853, remaining there eighteen years, during which time he engaged in the flouring business. In 1870 he came to Bay City and engaged in different occupations until 1876, when he engaged with Pitts & Cranage, as circular sawyer, which position he still retains. He was married to Emma McLenon, of Glen- garry, Canada, and has one child.
JOHN COMSTOCK is a native of Canada, born in November, 1834. In 1856 he came to Bay City and has since resided here. He was for ten years engaged in saw mills and five years engaged in farm- ing. He is at present engaged in jobbing and teaming. He was
married in 1862, and has eight children. Residence 113 Polk Street, South Bay City.
FREDERICK C. FINN was born in Oswego, N. Y., and remained there until he was fifteen, during which time he learned the plumber trade. He then moved to Lowell, Mass., and worked at his trade. In 1873 he came to Bay City and engaged with Tousey, Jennison & Beach, where he still continues. He was married to Maggie Doman, of Bay City, and has four children. Residence, 243 North Adams Street.
JAMES W. SWEET was born in Genesee County, N. Y., March 25, 1833. He came to Shiawassee County, Mich., in 1845, and located in Bay City in 1849, where he obtained employment at the carpenter business. He was nine years in the grocery business, which he gave up to assume that of a contractor and builder. Residence on Third Street near Trumbull Street.
JOHN RADY was born in Canada, June 19, 1852. Remained there until 1857, then moved with his parents to Detroit, and in 1863 to East Saginaw. He worked in S. H. Webster's mill until 1868, when he came to Bay City, and was employed in the lumber business, which he has successfully followed until the present time, his business for 1883 including a contemplated cut of 23,000,000 feet of logs. In 1880 he purchased a valuable farm of 268 acres in the town of Portsmouth, Bay Co., known as the "McCormick farm," having 200 acres cleared, good buildings and a fine orchard. His residence is 819 Broadway.
JOSEPH DECORTE was born in Bordeaux, November 29, 1824, and remained there until he was thirty-three years old. In 1858 he came to Detroit, Mich., was there a short time and in the same year moved to Bay City and worked one year in N. B. Bradley's saw mill. He is now engaged in building sidewalks, and has been successful in his business. He has a fine residence on Madison Avenue, between Second and Third Streets. He was married June 7, 1864, to Miss Barbara Fondel, of Belgium, who died October 22, 1880.
ADAM BYERLY was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., July 17, 1852. In 1860 he moved with his parents to Shiawassee County, Mich., and there attended school. After leaving school he learned the engineers' trade. In 1870 he came to East Saginaw and engaged with the F. & P. M. R. R. Company as fireman on one of their locomotives, and continued as fireman for over a year; then had the care of an engine over a year, being in their employ three years. In 1874 he came to West Bay City, engaged with W. H. Malone as engineer in his mill, remained there a short time and then engaged as engineer on the steamer "John Sherman," on the lakes. He was on her one season, then engaged as engineer on the dummy engine at that time owned by James Clements, and used to transfer freight on the railroad. Remained there one year and then engaged with N. B. Bradley as engineer for a short time. In 1876 he took a trip to California; remained there six months and returned to Bay City. In 1877 he engaged with F. E. Bradley & Co. as engineer of the mill, which he still retains. He was married October 10, 1875, to Ella William, of South Bay City, and has two children.
JOHN ROSE was born on the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel, April 14, 1828, and remained there until his eighteenth year. During that time he attended school and worked with his father, who was a gardener. In 1847 he came to New Bedford, Mass., and there learned the trade of ship carpenter and worked at it two years. Thence he went to Martha's Vineyard and there built the schooner "Abby B." He remained in Massachusetts seven years; went thence to Missouri and worked at his trade on the Mississippi River. He built the tug "Wonder," the first tug ever built at St. Louis, under the orders of Prince Emerson, the
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
leading steamboat man of that day. He drew the scale of the Mississippi River steamers, (the same as is used at the present day,) being employed 103 days on this work. At the breaking out of the war he went to Buffalo and worked at his trade until 1867, when he came to Bay City and built the tug "Johnson," for Lapham & Johnson. In 1876 he went to Oregon and remained until 1878, when he returned to Bay City, remained a short time, and returned to Oregon. After two years absence he again re- turned to Bay City, where he has since resided, working at his trade. He was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret McColic, of Buffalo, N. Y., and has two children. Residence, 441 Taylor Street, South Bay City.
FRITZ P. TEPOORTEN was born in Trenton, Wayne Co., Mich., September 13, 1860. He came with his parents to Bay City in his boyhood, and was educated at St. James Catholic School, of Bay City. October 1, 1880, he entered the employ of James Roberts as shipping clerk, and by his steady habits and faithful and efficient performance of his duties has won the confidence of his employer 'and the respect of the community. He was married November 22, 1881, to Miss Bridget Marron, of Bay City, and has one child.
JOHN H. COLLIER was born in Ohio, July 4, 1845. In 1855 he went with his parents to St. Charles, Mich., andi resided there four years, then moved to Owosso, Mich., and remained there two years, and in 1861 came to Bay City, where he has since resided. After several years labor in saw mills he was enabled, owing to his sober, steady and economic habits, to engage in business for him- self. In 1873 he built a mill in Saginaw County, and has since been successfully operating it. He is a hard-working man and a good mechanic, capable not only of directing, but of doing his own work. Residence, on Twenty-third and Bowery Streets, Bay City.
LAFAYETTE N. BROWN was born in Middlesex, Ontario, Janu- ary 9, 1838, remaining there until he was thirteen years old. He then moved to Sanilac County, Mich. While there he was engaged in farming. In 1858 he moved to Port Hope, Huron Co., and engaged in the saw mill business for three years. In 1861 he en- listed in the Seventh Michigan Infantry as private, and was pro- moted to sergeant, holding the position two years. He then re-en- listed for three years, and was promoted to first-lieutenant Seventh Michigan Infantry. In 1873 he came to Bay City and engaged in the carpenter and saw mill business, which he continued until 1883. He is at present engaged with Murphy & Dorr, as second engineer. He was married January 10, 1863, to Euphemia Sandust, of Lexington, and has three children.
THOMAS ATWELL was born in Ireland, March 29, 1844. In 1848 he settled with his parents in Merricksville, Canada. In 1857 he moved to Bothwell, and while there learned the blacksmith trade, remaining there a number of years. He then came to Bay City, engaged in the blacksmith trade, and is at present engaged with J. R. Hall. He was married to Lolinda Pekerd, of Tuscola County, and has two children.
JOHN PHIPP was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, remaining until he was twenty-two, and learning the blacksmith trade. In 1852 he settled in New York City, and engaged as blacksmith for the railroad company. In 1855 he moved to Kingston, Canada, remaining until 1856, when he came to Bay City and engaged in blacksmithing until 1869, when he organized the Bay City Iron Company. Mr. Phipp has been a member of the firm ever since.
JOHN A. BOHN was born in New York City, May 16, 1839, and remained there four years. He moved with his parents to Rochester, N. Y., and remained there twelve years, then moved to Ionia, Mich., and engaged in farming. He then went to Grand Rapids, remaining there until 1868, when he came to Bay City and engaged as fireman in the Northwestern Gas & Pipe Company. He pur- chased a team of horses and went into the transfer business, which he still continues.
JOHN MOONEY was born in Haldimand County, Canada, and remained there a number of years engaged on his father's farm. He then moved to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and engaged with O. A. Ballou, as saw filer, remaining there until 1877, when he engaged with N. B. Bradley & Co., in the same capacity, and has remained with them ever since.
QUESEBE BOUREZOUR Was born in St. Thomas, New Montreal Co., July 18, 1836, and remained there twenty years, during which time he learned the blacksmith trade. In 1856 he moved to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in his trade for a number of years; then engaged in sailing. In 1863 he enlisted as blacksmith in the Rangers Company M., under Capt. Starker; remained there one year and then returned to Minnesota and engaged in farming. He remained there five years, disposed of his property, and returned to Canada. In 1867 he came to Bay City. He is at present engaged at his trade.
CLARK BARTLETT was born in Ohio, March 6, 1850. With his parents he moved to Port Burwell, Canada, and remained there eight years. In 1865 he came to Bay City, engaged with N. B. Bradley, driving cart, and remained with him until 1879, when he engaged with F. E. Bradley & Co. as sawyer, which position he still retains.
JAMES MYERS was born in Brant County, Canada, October 1, 1842. In 1859 he moved to Marine City, and engaged in the car- penter and joiner trade. He then moved to Harrisville; then to Canada, in both of which places he was engaged in different occu- pations. In 1868 he moved to East Saginaw and engaged with W. R. Burt as machinist, where he remained seven years, when he came to Bay City and engaged in saw milling and the manufacture of salt, and is at present engaged with his brother, George C., as foreman of his mill.
JAMES P. BARNEY was born in Warren County, state of Rhode Island, July 9, 1836. In 1838 he came to Bay City, where he has remained ever since. He was engaged at different times in the fish and livery business, and is at present agent for Watts' patent roofing and fire proof paint.
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HISTORY OF WEST BAY CITY.
This beautiful and prosperous city is the gem of the valley. Its fame is derived from triumphs of unsurpassed energy and intel- ligent enterprise rather than from time-honored associations or possessions having only historic value. In this busy Western land the hurrying crowd but seldom pause to finger simple land-marks, and pay but little heed to things that are mere finger-boards point- ing to the past. The market reports quote no value for "hallowed associations," and the traffic in relics is carried quietly on in dingy places aside from the noisy thoroughfares of commerce. What- ever is or is to be awakens the liveliest interest, while that which is past and gone is deemed fit only to busy memory in an idle hour. So runs the philosophy of the business world.
The important part of West Bay City's history extends over a period of not more than twenty years, and is unflavored with romance or legend. A review of its progress is interesting, how- ever, as showing what may be accomplished by energy and enter- prise when properly directed.
West Bay City in 1883 has many attractive features and pre- sents a truly metropolitan appearance. It is admirably situated on the west bank of the Saginaw River, directly opposite Bay City, with which it is connected by a railroad bridge and two other bridges. The location has the advantage of desirable elevation, and affords many delightful sites for residences, particularly along the beautifully wooded ridge parallel to the river. The four miles of river front, dotted with mills and docks, substantial business blocks and public buildings, wide and improved streets, and attrac- tive homes, are among the things that constitute the beauty and stability of the place.
The present city of West Bay City was constituted by consoli- dating the two incorporated villages of Wenona and Banks, and the unincorporated village of Salzburgh. Wenona, however, was the germ of West Bay City, and in reviewing the history of the three villages which became the constituent parts of West Bay City, the reader may see what influences are necessary to the growth and prosperity of a town. In the case of Wenona the location was the most advantageous that could possibly have been selected. A strong foundation was laid in the establishment of a great industry by men who owned the territory and were possessed of ample capital and enterprise to encourage the building up of a village. The charac- ter of the men who early settled in Wenona to take part in the activities, of the place, also had much to do with its prosperity. They were men of energy and good business capacity, and possess- ing as well those qualities of personal character that ensured for the community a high order of moral and social advantages. The con- trolling influences from the start were of a nature to induce enter- prise in the direction of thrift, refinement and morality. These have found expression in the public and private improvements that have been made.
In order to trace the progress made at this point in such a way that the reader may have a clear and correct understanding of its
history, it is necessary, first, to become familiar with the general career of each of the three villages merged into the city.
Prior to 1877, the three villages already named maintained each a separate municipal existence. They were situated upon the west bank of the Saginaw River, and were connected by the great industries along its front. The first saw mill established on the west bank of the river was built by the Drake Brothers, in 1852. Others followed soon after, as will be seen by referring to the his- tory of mills. Then followed the manufacture of salt; but these industries, while they were important factors in the manufacturing of Bay County, did not unite in building up a town. In the review that follows, a simple outline of the career of each village is given, leaving the more minute details to be given in connection with classified subjects.
VILLAGE OF BANKS.
This place was first named Bangor by Thomas Whitney, who came from Bangor, Me., and, in company with a Mr. Coit, built the first mill on that part of the river. That name was retained until the postoffice was established in 1865, when it was changed to Banks, there being another Bangor in the state. Since that time until it became a part of West Bay City, the name of the village was Banks, although it has been called by both names, and to this day but few people know the real facts connected with the change of name.
The place was founded by Joseph Trombley, a well-known pioneer, and one of the oldest residents of Bay County. A history of Mr. Trombley's life is given in the early part of this work, in con- nection with incidents with which he was prominently identified. Mr. Trombley purchased 2,000 acres of land at that point, and gave his attention to it more or less after 1843, and about 1845 began to live there exclusively.
In 1868 a gentleman gave a brief description of Banks, and recalled an incident of 1849. His sketch was published in a local paper, in February, 1868, and was as follows:
" When on a visit to what was then called Lower Saginaw, in 1849, we obtained a canoe and paddle, taking along also a rifle, with the view of strolling upon the west side of the river. Having crossed, we walked down the stream about a mile, when we met an athletic, stalwart-looking man. He appeared in the best vigor of early man- hood. From his pronunciation we inferred that he was of French descent. Upon the river, near the opposite shore, there was swim- ming leisurely along a large water fowl, which, from the croaking noise it now and then uttered, we supposed to be a loon. Speak- ing to our newly-formed acquaintance, we said, ' Is that bird within reach of a shot?' ' I think so.' 'Well, take the gun and try.' He raised the rifle slowly to his shoulder, took aim and fired. The head of the bird at once fell to the water. When brought to the
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shore it was found that the ball of the rifle had passed through the top of the head of the loon. That marksman was Joseph Trombley, the founder of Bangor."
The only house upon that side of the river then was a small white cottage, and occupied by Mr. Trombley. It was finished in August, 1848. The next settler was Benoit Trombley, who came there three years after, now a venerable old man. He has reared a large and intelligent family.
"Francis DeFoe next succeeded him. He has been noted as a fisherman.
"Joseph Trombley, as proprietor of the land, in 1851 had twenty- five acres platted into village lots.
"The first mill was erected by Thomas Whitney, Esq., after- ward elected senator from this district. The mill is now occupied by Taylor & Moulthrop.
"Mr. Smith, of the firm of Moore, Smith & Co., built the second mill. And the third was built by Mr. George Lord, now known as the property of Johnson & Bolton. Salt works are now connected with these mills. Messrs. Leng & Bradfield also have salt works.
"Near the village there is a ship-yard owned and superintended by Mr. Crosthwaite. At this yard, although but recently opened, there have been built some ten vessels for the lake trade.
"In the place there are two taverns and four cooper shops. Much is done at the latter in the manufacture of barrels for the salt works. "The Messrs. Benson, and Lourim & Bro., have good stores, in which a general assortment is kept.
"The Methodist denomination have erected a church, and there is a very good school maintained by the district.
"The population of the village is about 600 souls.
"A number of the inhabitants are engaged in the fishing busi- ness, and some seasons, make it very profitable. During the last season there were sold by Joseph Trombley, and those engaged with him, fish to the amount of $15,000.
"Village lots range in price from $150 to $500.
"The land in this vicinity is tillable and very productive."
It is well known to some that the course of the Saginaw River has been greatly changed during the past fifty years, and it is pretty well established that, at an early day, the site upon which the vil- lage of Banks was built, was at one time in the channel of the river.
But little was done aside from the milling interest until about 1862.
Messrs. W. F. Benson and Lourim & Bro., were among the earliest merchants.
The postoffice was established in 1864, and W. F. Benson was the first postmaster.
The first street improvements were made by Mr. Robert Leng, as highway commissioner.
In 1864 William Crosthwaite established a ship-yard, and the following year another was established by John A. Weed.
The salt block, owned by Luther Beckwith, A. G. Sinclair and Moore, Smith & Co., burned in November, 1866, involving a loss of about $16,000.
BANKS IN 1869.
The village of Banks was described early in 1869, as follows :
"The village of Bangor is situated on the west side of the Sagi- naw River, a little below the Bay City bridge, on Section Sixteen, in the Township of the same name, in Bay County; and is reached by means of steam ferry boats, which ply regularly during the season of navigation, between that place and Bay City.
"It is a thriving place containing about 600 inhabitants, a large proportion of whom are of French descent, speaking that language and inheriting the contented, yet industrious, disposition of the race
as observed in their habits wherever they have settled on this con- tinent. Its principal business is the manufacturing of salt and lum- ber. There are in operation at the present time four salt blocks, and three saw mills, which are all doing well. There is also a large dry dock and ship-yard, a good sized tannery, a coopers' shop, two boat building establishments, a Methodist Church, a school-house an ex- cellent hotel, four groceries, and a fair representation of professors of law, physic and religion. The fish trade is an important interest also, giving employment nearly all the year round to over 100 men. One dealer here alone paid over $6,000 freight on fish sent over the J. L. & S. R. R., since the opening of that road; and the growing demand for trout, pickerel, white fish and herring, still meets with prompt supplies at this point; so that its three great staples cannot fail to build up the village shortly to the dimensions of a good sized town.
"The history of Bangor, its origin, its growth, its prosperity and its struggles are all bound up in "The Life of Joseph Trombley"
"In 1843 hebought Section sixteen of the Township of Bangor from the American government, platted it, and in 1846 erected his present dwelling theron-which was the beginning of Bangor vil- lage; the subsequent additions in the way of dwellings were made mostly by those engaged in fishing. In 1852 the first mill was built, and within the next two years two more made their appearance. These erections naturally called for more dwellings for their em- ployes, and thence grew up a trading community into which the usual traders and trades established themselves, slowly and silently sharing the fortunes of Bay City, it thus progressed until the dis- covery of salt.
"Three hundred acres of land have lately been platted, cleared, leveled and laid out into building lots, which are now offered in lots and blocks on reasonable terms. The water frontage is very exten- sive, and if inducements are offered, it will no doubt soon be dotted with mills, salt blocks, warehouses and factories in its entire length.
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