USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 48
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JOHN ADAM LIST was born in Frankenmuth, Saginaw Co., Mich., in 1847. Came to Salzburgh in 1870, and in 1876, in com- pany with his wife, under the firm name of E. List & Co., opened a general store, and is doing a large business, keeping several clerks employed. Married Elizabeth Hubinger; they have one child, a daughter.
THOMAS W. HASTINGS was born at Melton Mowbray, Leicester- shire, England, and came to the United States in 1851. After living in Chicago until 1861 be removed to Zilwaukee, Saginaw Co., and was manager of the Western Salt Company's works. He was also well known in the valley as "Mayor" of the last named vil- lage. In 1868 he was superintendent and book-keeper at Brooks & Adams' Salt Works at Salzburgh now Third Ward of West Bay City, where he remained until 1875. From that time until 1879, he was engaged in various pursuits, when he accepted the position of general manager of the log and lumber business of Mosher & Fisher, who are among the heaviest operators in that line in Mich- igan. Mr. H. has been married twice, his present wife being Miss Lucretia Lawrence, of Ottawa, Ill., marrying her in the fall of 1882.
FREDERICK NEUMANN, born in Huron County, Mich., in 1859. Son of Charles Neumann, of German birth, who came to Huron County, Mich., in 1856, bought land and remained ten years in that county. Devoted his attention to stock raising, for which he found in the new country a ready market. In 1866 sold out and came to Salzburgh, now West Bay City, bought land and erected a residence, where he remained until his accidental death by drowning in the Saginaw river in July, 1880. He married Miss Rosena Patsold, of German birth, by whom he had six children, two sons and one daughter of whom are living. Frederick is the youngest son, twenty-three years old, has secured the advantages of a good En- glish education, studied law and at the age of twenty-one was elected Justice of the Peace of the Third Ward, West Bay City, the duties of which office he has performed satisfactorily to the present time. Is also carrying on the grocery business successfully, assisted by his sister as clerk.
In 1868 the postoffice was established, as mentioned in connec- tion with the postoffice of West Bay City.
In 1875 an effort was made to extend the boundaries of We- nona so as to include Salzburgh, but it was successfully opposed.
VILLAGE OF WENONA.
Prior to 1864 the only thing to attract the attention of a visitor to the west shore of the Saginaw River, opposite Bay City, was a beautiful grove of oaks, interspersed with pine. The oak trees resembled in size and appearance those of oak openings more common in the southern part of the State. The ground had a regular ascent from the river, and when covered with Summer's verdure and the cooling shade of the trees, a pleasing landscape was presented and the site appeared an unusually desirable one for dwellings. For a long time the bark wigwams of a few Indians who came from the interior to trade, erected occasionally and sud- denly removed, were the only signs of dwelling that marked the spot. Subsequently, John Hays, more commonly known as Jack Hays, made a home for himself and family immediately upon the bank of the river. His chief business was to superintend the only scow that was available for crossing the river with horse or team, and to furnish refreshment for the weary traveler, or for those who grew dry while making the voyage from the east to the west shore of the Saginaw. He was a jolly fellow. All who expected to reach Midland City, by the trail through the woods crossed here, and if perchance on the return, night should overtake them, they were glad to find lodging for their horses till the morning trip of the scow, while they sought home by the aid of the canoe.
The next house built was that of George King, who erected a pleasant cottage upon the edge of the grove.
In the year 1860, a donation of a lot was made by the owner of the land for school purposes. A neat little house was built and the pupils from the entire township of Bangor assembled there for instruction. The same house was used for many years as the poll of elections for that township.
A little distance back from the river were the Chillson, Sayles and Pierce farms, and to the north was the Drake saw mill, built in 1852.
Messrs. Sage, McGraw & Co., residents of New York, had carried on large operations in lumbering in Canada, near Lake Simcoe, but in 1863 determined to acquire a good location for the same business in the Saginaw Valley. Mr. H. W. Sage visited Bay City in 1860, and also each of the two years following for the purpose of purchasing a mill site, but was unable to effect negotia- tions. The property was in charge of Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, and owned in part by Mrs. Elizabeth P. Birney. In 1863, at the solicitation of the late James Fraser, Mr. Sage again came to Bay City, and after a short interview with Dr. Fitzhugh, the terms of purchase were agreed upon, and in January, 1864, the deed was executed. The entire purchase covered 116 acres of ground, for which the firm of Sage & McGraw paid $21,000.
The design of Messrs Sage & McGraw at that time was merely to obtain a good site for their mill, and for the dwellings of those necessarily connected with it.
During the Spring of 1864 they commenced their improve- ments, and erected a mill, said at the time to have been the largest in the world and was known as the "Big Mill." The extent of the enterprise brought the place suddenly into notice and was the means of its immediate prosperity. The description and product of this mill is given elsewhere in this work. It commenced running in May, 1865. At the time improvements were begun, the line of river
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
front was just west of where the mill office was built and nearly up to where the railroad track now crosses Midland Street. The mill was built on piles driven in the water.
A store was built on the high ground, which is still standing on the opposite corner from Sage & Co's brick block. It was con- sidered quite a mammoth structure when built. Mr. Sage purchased 300,000 feet of lumber at Saginaw to use in the construction of the mill and store, and six weeks were required to get it to this point. About the same amount was taken from the land purchased by the firm.
About the time of beginning work on the mill the ground was platted and laid out into village lots, all of which were offered for sale at $200 each, allowing purchasers to select as they liked.
The place was first named Lake City, but upon applying for a postoffice it was found that there was another postoffice of that name, and it was necessary to select another. Mr. McGraw and wife and Mr. Sage and wife were here together and they decided upon the name Wenona, an Indian word of signification unknown to the writer. They also designated the streets, with the exception of River and Midland, by their family names.
The firm of Sage & McGraw continued until 1868, when Mr. Sage purchased Mr. McGraw's interest, and took his two sons into company with him. Since that time the firm has been H. W. Sage & Co. A brief outline of the life of the man who has done so much to bring Bay City into existence will be of interest in this connection. .
HENRY W. SAGE was born in Middletown, Conn., January 31, 1814. His father was a manufacturer, and in 1827 removed to Ithaca, N. Y. The subject of this sketch received the advantages of a liberal education, and began the study of medicine, intending to make that profession his life pursuit. After pursuing his studies a short time his liealtlı failed and he was obliged to give up study. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Ithaca. He remained there several years and then removed to New York, where he lived most of the time until 1880, when he returned to Ithaca, which place has since been his home. As early as 1845 Mr. Sage began to acquire interests in Michigan pine lands, but his most extensive purchases were about 1862. He was about the first to ship lumber from the Saginaw Valley to Albany, N. Y. As early as 1847 he visited Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, and some incidents con- nected with that visit are given in the early history of the place. For a number of years Mr. Sage was in poor health. Possessed of ample fortune he retired from active business and was an invalid until told by his physician that an active life was necessary to his health and happiness. Acting upon that advice, he gave his attention again to business affairs and experienced a speedy and lasting cure. For twenty years he has visited Wenona and Bay City ten or twelve times a year, and still looks upon these visits as the most enjoyable part of his life. Mr. Sage has for many years occupied a high position in financial circles, his fortune long ago having exceeded the amount requisite to constitute a millionaire. In 1872 he built a college for women at Ithaca, whichi institution bears his name. His connection with Wenona appears at nearly every step of pro- gress at this point. Although nearly seventy years of age he is vigorous and robust, and but for whitened hair and beard would exhibit no signs of age. He has done a great deal for West Bay City, but the crowning act of his liberality is the magnificent public library mentioned elsewhere in this work. In the early days of Wenona, every public enterprise of advantage to the place received lis liberal encouragement. But in the latitude of this work we are more directly concerned in movements affecting Bay County, and in this particular connection with the beginning of Wenona. His interest in the welfare of West Bay City is as lively now as when he was encouraging the development of the village of Wenona.
The work of 1864 was preliminary, but so much was accom- plished that when the mill started in the Spring of 1865, the general development of the place progressed rapidly. Village lots were in good demand and numerous enterprises were springing up.
During 1865 business began in earnest. A telegraph office and postoffice were established, the Presbyterian Church built and the village was connected with Bay City by the Third Street bridge. A general spirit of enterprise prevailed and the growth of the place was so rapid that by 1866 the people felt that they were entitled to corporate privileges. About this time the planking of the Midland road by the County was of great benefit to the site. Not less so was the road constructed by the State, from East Saginaw to the same point and northward by the avails of a swamp lands appro- priation by the Legislature.
ORGANIZATION.
The Village of Wenona was incorporated by the Board of Supervisors at a meeting of that body held in May, 1866, when a resolution was adopted as follows:
" Whereas, an application has been made to this Board by the parties interested to incorporate the Village of Wenona, in this County, in accordance with an Act of Legislature entitled "An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Villages," approved Feb. 17, 1857, and
Whereas, it appears that such parties have complied with the provisions of said act in every respect, and no opposition having been made thereto, therefore be it
Resolred, That said application be granted and that the follow- ing described territory be, and the same is hereby an incorporated Village, to be hereafter known as the Village of Wenona, to-wit: The east half of the southwest quarter and southeast quarter of the northwest quarter, and southwest quarter of the northeast quar- ter, and lots one, two and three, all in Section Twenty, Town Fourteen north, Range Five east, and be it further
Resolred, That the first election in said Village shall be held on the first day of June next, at the schoolhouse, in School District No. 1, in said Village, and C. F. Corbin, J. B. Ostrander and W. D. Chambers act as inspectors at such election."
The first election was held Friday, June 1st, and the following officers elected: President, Newcomb Clark; Trustees, John G. Emery, William D. Chambers, Martin Brock, Lafayette Roundsville, Marcellus Faxon, Wm. G. Ferguson; Clerk, Harrison H. Wheeler; Assessors, John G. Sweeney, James A. McKnight; Street Com- missioners, Wilson O. Craft, Hiram C. Allard, Ainzworth T. Russell; Fire Wardens, William Swart, Ainzworth T. Russell, John H. Burt; Treasurer, David G. Arnold; Marshal, A. T. Russell; Pound Master, John B. Ostrander.
The Legislature of 1867 granted the village a charter, and the first election under the village charter was held on the second of April, 1867. The officers elected were: President, David G. Arnold; Recorder, Newcomb Clark; Treasurer, George A. Allen; Assessor, James A. McKnight; Trustees, John G. Emery, Martin W. Brock, Carlos E. Root, Wilson O. Craft, Lafayette Roundsville and Harrison H. Wheeler.
We append a brief personal sketch of Mr. Clark, the first Vil- lage President of Wenona.
HON. NEWCOMB CLARK was born in 1840 in Sullivan County, N. Y. When but a year old his parents moved to Michigan, where they settled on a farm in Oxford, Oakland Co. He received his ed- ucation at the academies in Oxford and Clarkston. In 1858 he went South, and taught school in Mississippi. He remained in that State until the rebellion broke out, coming North in August, 1861. Shortly after coming back lie enlisted in the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, and at the time he left it held the position of second lieutenant. He was transferred to the One Hundred and second Regiment of United States colored troops, with the rank of
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
Major. He served until the close of the war, and upon retiring from the service ranked as lieutenant colonel. He came to West Bay City (then Wenona) in the fall of 1865. When the village was incorporated the work of preparing the charter was principally done by Mr. Clark. At the first election, in 1866, he was elected President of the village, and afterward held the offices of assessor and recorder. He also held the office of postmaster from 1866 till 1870. In the Fall of 1882 he was elected member of the State Legislature for the Second District of Bay County. After retiring from the postoffice he engaged in the insurance business. From 1875 till 1879 he was special agent for the British, American and Manhattan Insurance Companies, and is now a member of the firm of Knaggs, Clark & Plum, real estate dealers and insurance agents. In 1867 he was married to Miss Ellen Chambers, of West Bay City. The first brick building in Wenona was put up by Mr. Clark in 1867. It was destroyed by fire in 1872. Mr. Clark has a strong hold upon the confidence of the people of Bay County in general, and West Bay City in particular. He is a gentleman of fine social qualities, and as a citizen of West Bay City has done much to advance its in- terests. It is such men that have made West Bay City what it is to-day.
In the Winter of 1875 the boundaries were slightly changed, so as to take in the southeast one quarter of Section Seventeen. An effort was made to extend the boundaries on the south, so as to take in Salzburgh, but that met with so much opposition that it was unsuccessful.
OFFICERS OF WENONA.
The following are the names of village officers for the several years:
1866.
President, Newcomb Clark; Clerk, H. H. Wheeler; Treasurer, David G. Arnold; Trustees, John G. Emery, William D. Chambers, Martin Brock, L. Roundsville, M. Faxon, W. G. Ferguson.
1867.
President, David G. Arnold; Recorder, Newcomb Clark; Treas- urer, George A. Allen; Trustees, John G. Emery, M. W. Brock, C. E. Root, W. O. Craft, L. Roundsville, H. H. Wheeler.
1868.
President, H. H. Wheeler; Recorder, C. P. Black; Trustees, John G. Emery, W. O. Craft, J. B. Ostrander, W. D. Chambers, L. Roundsville, M. W. Brock.
1869.
President, David G. Arnold; Recorder, N. Clark; Trustees, L. Roundsville, C. W. Rounds, W. F. Hicks, M. W. Brock, C. P. Black, W. O. Craft.
1870.
President, E. T. Carrington; Recorder, O. J. Root; Trustees, S. A. Plummer, George A. Allen, C. F. Corbin, D. G. Arnold, M. W. Brock, J. A. McKnight.
1871
President, C. F. Corbin; Recorder, E. C. Haviland; Trustees, W. F. Hicks, S. A. Plummer, A. Agen, R. Stringer, W. M. Green, O. J. Root.
1872.
President, L. Roundsville; Recorder, N. Clark; Trustees, S. A. Plummer, W. M. Green, P. Irwin, William Moots, George Keisel, George A. Allen.
1873.
President, S. A. Plummer; Recorder, T. P. Hawkins; Trus- tees, J. A. McKnight, W. M. Green, George G. Van Alstine, William Moots, P. Irwin, George Harmon.
1874.
President, D. G. Arnold; recorder, C. F. Corbin; trustees, E. T. Carrington, A. S. Nichols, George G. Van Alstine, W. E. Lewis, Alexander Laroche, T. P. Hawkins.
1875.
President, J. A. McKnight; recorders, A. S. Nichols, E. S. Van Liew; trustees, Perry Phelps, E. T. Carrington, R. H. Chase, W. E. Lewis, A. Laroche, T. P. Hawkins.
1876.
President, George Washington; recorder, E. S. Van Liew; trustees, J. A. McKnight, Perry Phelps, D. G. Arnold, John G. Keisel, S. A. Plummer, Benjamin Pierce.
EARLY PIONEERS.
The following sketches are of two pioneers of Bay County, and also of Wenona. There are but few older residents of the county than Capt. Pierce, and few men are better known. Up the shore a man who doesn't know Uncle Ben Pierce is looked upon with feel- ings of mingled suspicion and pity.
CAPT. BENJAMIN F. PIERCE was born in 1814, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. He came to Lower Saginaw (now Bay City) in 1839, and in 1846 built the second warehouse in the place. It stood on the bank of the river, near where the present bridge crosses from the foot of Third Street to Midland Street, West Bay City, and engaged in general trade. In 1858 he removed to the West Side and has since then been a resident of what was then in the township of Bangor and is now the Second Ward of West Bay City. Previous to loca- ting on the West Side, he was for a time at Au Sable, where he kept a general store, trading with the Indians and fishermen. While at Au Sable he also built quite a number of the boats used by the fishermen. Capt. Pierce has been more or less of a fisher- man and sailor during his life. He brought on the schooner "Julia Smith," from Saginaw, and the first two stationary steam engines that ever came into this section of the country. One was put in a mill which stood where C. E. Lewis's now is, and the other was taken to Saginaw City. He is now engaged in farming and looking after his real estate interests. There were five brothers of the Pierce family who were among the early settlers on this river. Benjamin F., above mentioned; Charles, who also lives in West Bay City; Cyrene, at Au Sable; Joshua, in Detroit, and Daniel M. in Bay City. Benjamin F. Pierce was married to Miss Jeannette R. Weaver, of Erie Co., N. Y., in 1853, and they have had five children, three of whom are living, viz .:- Curtis E., a promising young lawyer; Nettie, now the wife of John S. Taylor, Jr .; and Kaddie, who lives at home with her father and mother. The only office Mr. Pierce ever held was that of the first clerk of the township of Hampton, then in Saginaw County, at that time the only organ- ized township between here and Alpena.
Capt. Pierce was also extensively interested at Au Sable at an early day, in fact was a pioneer of that place, having erected some of the first buildings there. He has sold his buildings from time to time, but still retains real estate interests in the village. As else- where stated in this work, Capt. Pierce brought the tug "Lathrop" here, the first tug that was ever brought here. The captain is one of the very few remaining early pioneers of this region. An excellent view of Capt. Pierce's residence, together with a portrait of himself, appears in this work.
CALVIN CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CHILLSON, deceased, was born in the township of Ticonderoga, Essex Co., N. Y., in the year 1812. His father, with his young bride, had some years previous come from Vermont and settled, the first one, upon a hill which to the present day bears the name of Chillson Hill. Here their numerous
RES. OF B. F. PIERCE _ WEST-BAY -CITY.
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
family, numbering sixteen children, was born, received their long names, which did not impede their growth, and from here went forth, as they grew up, to all parts of our broad land.
In the town of Breadport, Vermont, lived Benjamin Moore. His dwelling stood on one of the beautiful hill slopes that sweep down to the waters of Lake Champlain. Here the ninth of his large family of children was born, on St. Patrick's Day, in the year 1814. As was the fashion at that time, they gave the baby a long sonorous name, calling her Elizabeth Ovanda Jane Moore.
In course of time, Cupid in wandering about, whether by de- sign or not, sent his arrows flying direct to the hearts of the young man and maiden. As a natural result they were married April 5, 1834, in Ticonderoga.
Mr. Chillson's life had until then been spent in the region rendered famous by the adventures of Gen. Putnam with the Indians. One of the most beautiful of mountain streams waters this region. By its banks and in its adjacent dells, occurred some of the most thrilling adventures of the general. Hence the stream is called Putnam's Creek. In this brook the subject of our sketch was bap- tized by immersion when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Believing that the West offered great opportunities to the young and able, he took his few household goods, and with his wife came by way of Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence onward to the almost un- known wilds of Michigan, reaching the state sometime in Septem- ber, 1836. A short stay at Belle River convinced him that he did not wish to remain there, so he moved to Flushing, Genesee County. Here they were often entertained by the music of howling wolves, their wild concerts being varied by the more hideous music of the savage Indians who came from time to time to hold their pow-wows a few rods from their dwelling.
In this home were born their two daughters, all the children they had. Cornelia was born October 14, 1843; Caroline June 13, 1846. During these years Mr. Chillson was trying to be a farmer. He had cleared and improved some acres, and had a good home well begun; but agricultural pursuits were not at all to his taste, and hearing of the great lumber region of Saginaw Valley, which was just being opened, he came to Lower Saginaw prospecting, in the year 1849. As a result he returned, packed his goods and looked around for the best means of conveying them to Saginaw.
At this time a merchant named Clark occasionally sent various products to the valley. His way of doing this was to build a rude square boat, load it with produce, and taking advantage of high water float the cumbersome thing down the Flint and Saginaw Rivers.
Here was Mr. Chillson's opportunity. He with his family and household effects embarked in the early Spring for their future home. Passengers and crew named the boat "The Ark," and with the aid of the current and long poles this Noahchian party made a journey of some sixty miles. Many a snag was only just safely passed, and they narrowly escaped serious damage by the falling of a burning tree into the stream just behind them.
One night severe cold came on, when the carpets, bedding and every available article on "Ark" board was called into requisition to keep crew and passengers, especially Mr. Chillson's two small children, warm.
The journey over at length, Mr. Chillson bought a house and some lots on what is now Water Street, Bay City. They were be- tween First and Second Streets. Establishing his family here, he found employment in one of the mills, a business more congenial to him than farming.
He was a keen-sighted, good business man, and if he had had
a little capital to start with would have laid the foundation for a very large fortune.
The prosperity and future greatness of Bay City seemed to be as plain to his mental vision, as now in the fulfillment of his pre- dictions years after his decease.
He was one of the first in helping to establish the first Meth- odist Church organization in Bay City, and for years acted in the capacity of class leader. He was as fully alive in temperance work as in religious affairs.
Like every sea-port town, Lower Saginaw was cursed with the rum traffic, which among the rough hordes gathering in such places, causes a wretched state of affairs, unknown in quiet inland towns.
Good laws were on the statute books but Lower Saginaw lacked sufficient good public opinion to enforce them. Mr. Chillson was elected justice of the peace, and, assisted by Rev. P. O. Johnson, then missionary among the Indians settled along the Kawkawlin River, sought to enforce the law forbidding the selling of intoxica- ting drinks to the red men. The long lines of Indians and squaws sometimes twenty at once, issuing from the saloons and reeling and screaming through the streets, was a matter of extreme annoyance to the order-loving class of citizens. Yet while many wished for better things, scarcely one, save these two, dared stand forth opposed to the whisky sentiment and demand compliance with the law. For many months these two did the best they could; at length Rev. John- son moved away. About this time Mr. Chillson was taken seriously ill. Just before night, one day during his illness, he was moved from the apartment in which he had been hitherto into another room. No noise disturbed the household, yet the next morning revealed the fact that the windows of his abandoned room were broken, while several stones were lying on the floor in such places as to indicate that if the invalid had been there he would have suffered martyrdom for his temperance principles.
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