USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
6
2
0
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
191
cial and social enterprise which characterizes the community in which it is established, and its management is so uniformly success- ful that it has attained high rank among the banking institutions of the state. It shares the general prosperity of the place and affords the business of West Bay City ample and safe banking facilities.
The history of banking in West Bay City dates from January, 1872, when H. H. Norrington, of Bay City, and John S. Taylor, of the lumber firm of Taylor & Moulthrop, formed a company part- nership for the purpose of carrying on the business of banking in the village of Wenona. At that time Wenona possessed less than 2500 inhabitants, but Mr. Norrington was far-seeing enough to behold in the future a thriving city, and an unusual opportunity to control a good field for a lucrative investment. It is needless to say that the Bank of Wenona fully justified his expectations, and that it was not long before it became necessary to increase its capital in order to meet the requirements of its fast increasing business.
As a result of its prosperity it was not a difficult task for Mr. Norrington to induce capitalists to subscribe sufficient money to organize a bank of $50,000 capital; the stock being rapidly taken by parties in West Bay City, Bay City, Detroit and other places. The Bank of Wenona then became merged into the Lumberman's State Bank of West Bay City, the stockholders electing S. O. Fisher for its president and H. H. Norrington its cashier; both of these gentle- men being the present incumbents and retaining, as then, the entire confidence of its stockholders and the business community.
The management of the affairs of the bank has devolved upon Mr. Norrington, Mr. Fisher having extensive business interests re- quiring all of his time and strength. Few young men have a more successful business career to record than Mr. Norrington, of whom we give a brief personal sketch as follows:
HENRY H. NORRINGTON, banker, although a young man, having been born in 1847, may be considered among the representative men of Bay County. Being left an orphan at an early age he was placed under the guardianship of Col. H. A. Morrow, now of the United States Army, but then an eminent lawyer at Detroit, for the purpose of being educated in the legal profession. The war of the Rebellion breaking out, he entered the famous "Loomis Battery" at the early age of sixteen, with the rank of quartermaster's sergeant, partici- pating in thirty-two engagements, being wounded at the battle of Stone River, and also taken prisoner. After his exchange and recovery he was ordered to report to Gen. Heintzelman, at Cincin- nati, by whom he was made assistant ordnance officer in the cam- paign against Morgan in his raid through Ohio. In the report of Gen. Reynolds, commanding the department of Western Virginia, September, 1861, he was recommended to the secretary of war for a commission for bravery in having carried dispatches through the lines of the enemy after six attempts of the same nature had failed. "For this service he was placed on the general staff and received a sword from his commanding officer. The incident was published at the time, in full, in the New York papers as one of the bravest deeds of the war. On his return he was given an appointment in the postoffice department, which he resigned after one year's service, for the purpose of making the tour of Europe. On his return he finished his legal studies, and after admission to the bar, located at Bay City in the Fall of 1867. In 1868 he was elected circuit court commissioner and re-elected in 1870. Becoming interested in the growth of the west side of the river, through an investment in real estate, he decided to enter into the banking business and organized the Bank of Wenona, which was afterward merged into the Lum- berman's State Bank of West Bay City. His reputation as a finan- cier is second to none in the state, and the institution of which he is a large stockholder possesses the confidence of the community. Mr. Norrington has done much toward the growth of the city by erecting
a handsome block of stores and several dwelling houses, and also by identifying himself with several manufacturing industries.
A personal sketch of Mr. Fisher is given in connection with the present administration of the city.
REPORT OF THE CONDITION
of the Lumberman's State Bank at West Bay City, Mich., at the close of business, Monday, July 2, A. D., 1883, made in accord- ance with Sections Eighteen, Nineteen and Sixty-seven, of the gen- eral banking law as amended in 1871.
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts $217,838 59
Overdrafts
104 62
Furniture and fixtures
3,310 35
Expenses.
750 89
Due from banks.
11,965 89
Cash on hand.
29,465 79
$263,436 13
LIABILITIES.
Capital paid in
$28,550 00
Surplus. .
13,000 00
Bills re-discounted
33,500 00
Dividends unpaid.
1,427 50
Profit and loss
7 88
Due depositors.
186,950 75
$263,436 13
THE BANK BUILDING
and the appointments of the business apartments of the bank are particularly fine. The block is the property of Mr. S. O. Fisher, and was built in 1881. We find the following very faithful descrip- tion of it which was written soon after its completion :- "Located in the most central part of the city, on the corner of Midland and Linn Streets, an elegant three-story red brick building of modern style, designed by Watkins, Hidden & Arnold, attracts the eye of the observer. The half basement, surrounded by a massive iron railing, is reached by a flight of wide, stone steps, and a pair of heavy oak doors with elaborate ground glass panels discloses to us the offices of Mosher & Fisher, in which the large lumber and timber business of that firm is transacted. After a cursory glance at the oiled flooring of the front office and the elegant furniture of the private office, we return to the street, and passing up a short flight of heavy iron steps to the second floor we reach the office of the Lumberman's State Bank. With the evident purpose of security, the outside double doors are of great thickness and strength, while the interior doors of frosted glass and polished oak seem constructed more for the purpose of harmonizing with the elegance displayed within.
Outside a counter of elaborate workmanship designed and built by Messrs. Weller, Brown & Mesner, of Buffalo, N. Y., and costing a trifle over $1,000, the material of which is red oak and Hungarian ash of fine polish, decorated with oak leaves and the monogram of the bank, is a flooring of encaustic tiling of various designs, whilst inside the counter is a flooring of inlaid specimens of the various kinds of oak found in the forests of Michigan. Indeed the only wood used in the interior of the building is oak of different varieties, intended we presume to be typical of the institution as possessing firmness and solidity.
"At the extreme end and extending from hall to hall is the large fire-proof vault constructed by John Donovan, of Flint, and lined with plates of thick boiler iron made at the works of John Mckinnon & Co., of Bay City, inside of which is the burglar-proof safe, an appropriate receptacle for the storage of books and papers, leaving a sufficient space for the erection of small steel boxes for
192
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
special deposits, which will be rented to persons desiring to store their valuables in a safe place.
"Connected by a double folding door of unique design, con- structed by the West Bay City Manufacturing Company and uniting the banking office with the director's room, is an elegant railing of carved oak, and over the doors elaborate carved work done by George Earl, of Bay City. Within the room, furnished with a rich Brussels carpet from the house of Phelps & Co., is appropriate furniture of the Japanese style, and surmounting the swinging win- dows of French plate glass is a beautiful arch of stained glass furnished by George Misch, of Chicago. Messrs. Thompson & Peake, of West Bay City, are entitled to much praise for the skill- ful manner in which the carpenter work was performed, and A. W. Green, of the same place, who executed the necessary painting and polishing.
"The third floor is occupied by the order of Odd Fellows. The entire building is lighted by gas manufactured on the premises, and is heated throughout by Martin's improved steam heater, whilst the excellent plumbing and ventilating arrangements were designed and constructed by George L. Mosher, of West Bay City. Too much credit cannot be bestowed upon the good taste and enterprise dis- played on this building, and West Bay City may well take pride in an institution so closely connected with its general welfare and prosperity."
HOTELS.
The Arlington House is the principal commercial hotel in the city, and was known in early days as the Bunnell House. In the Summer of 1867 Messrs. M. & H. Bunnell erected a frame two story building on the present site of the Arlington, for a hotel, which was burned in the fire of November following. The owners proceeded immediately to rebuild of brick; the substantial three story building still standing. It was formally opened in June, 1868, and the event was noticed at the time as follows:
"The Bunnell House was formally opened on Thursday evening, June 25th, by a ball and supper which was numerously attended by citizens of that place, this city and various neighboring towns. This house is on the corner of John and Linn Streets, on the same site as the hotel of the same name which was burned down. It is built of brick, three stories high, with a basement in which are the billiard room, bar-room and barber shop. On the first floor are the office, reading, dining rooms, kitchen, etc. On the second, parlors and a number of sleeping rooms. The third story is divided up into sleeping apartments. The building presents a fine ap- pearance on the outside, and its inside arrangements are very convenient. It is furnished in good style. The total cost of building is $17,000, furniture about $4,000 more. It will be kept by Messrs. M. & H. Bunnell."
The house was kept by them for several years. Subsequently Mr. A. M. Rouech kept it and changed the name to the Rouech House." Still later the name was changed to the "Wells House." In the Summer of 1882 Mr. Louis Potter purchased the property and changed the name to the "Arlington." This property has re- cently been purchased by Thomas Toohey, the present proprietor.
THOMAS TOOHEY, who is at present proprietor of the Arlington House, West Bay City, is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, where he was born in 1838. In 1840, he, with his parents, came to South Burgess, Leeds County Canada, where he remained fourteen years, then removing to Greenick, Bruce Co , living there eight years. He came to Detroit, Mich., in 1862. From there went to Ypsilanti, and in 1864 went to South Saginaw, where he was in the employ of Flagler & York as agent three years, at the end of which time
he came to West Bay City where he has resided for the past fifteen years. During that time he was general agent for J. M. Ballen- tine & Co. three years and six months, the field of his operations being the Saginaw River during the Summer and the lumber camps during the Winter. He afterward built the Toohey House and was proprietor of the same ten years. For the past six years Mr. Toohey has been engaged in the lumber business, and on December 1, 1882, he took in Michael Hagerty as a partner. Mr. Toohey has held the office of village treasurer, and was supervisor during the years 1879, 1880 and 1881.
THE FIRE OF 1881.
The most destructive fire which has ever visited West Bay City occurred December 19, 1881, and was described by the Bay City Tribune, as follows :- "At 11: 15 o'clock last night, as S. L. Brig- ham was passing up Midland Street, in West Bay City, on his way home from this side of the river, he discovered a fire in the tailoring establishment of Waldbauer & Szysperski, and it proved to be the beginning of the worst conflagration that has visited the West Side. Mr. Brigham at once broke in the door with the intention of sub- duing the flames, but after a hasty examination found them too fierce to control. He immediately ran to the engine house and sounded an alarm. By this time a small crowd had congregated in front of the store, and when the hose cart and engine turned out, gave assistance. The engine Defiance, was run to the tank on Linn Street, and had on a stream as soon as possible under the cir- cumstances. Other lines of hose were laid from the water works hydrants, but the works, which were located in Sage & Co's mill, were shut down, and it was fully a half hour before steam was raised and everything in running order. Before this time the whole build- ing, in which the tailor shop was located, was in flames, and a general alarm was sounded. Mayor Wilkins then ordered out the department of this city, and the Second and Fourth hose companies, the hook and ladder truck and Neptune steamer repaired to the scene. The flames rapidly gained headway and the firemen concluding that the building was to be totally destroyed, turned their attention to the Fisher Bank and Postoffice building, and to the Fisher & Norrington Block, situated on the west and east sides respectively. Despite the strenuous efforts of the firemen, the flames invaded the store of Phelps & Co., in the Fisher & Norrington Block, and as if by magic swept through from rear to front, in an instant. At 12 o'clock the building was one mass of flames, and in a few minutes later the front wall fell crashing into the street, scattering fire in all direc- tions. The furious flames were carried to the eastward by the light wind prevailing, and to the surprise of all found their way into the brick block of W. W. Vedder, on the corner of Walnut and Midland Streets. Previous to this advancement on the part of the fire, the powder cask in the hardware store of Henry Weber exploded, making a terrific noise. Several persons were in the block rescuing goods at the time, and became so frightened as to jump through win- dows on the pavement regardless of results. C. D. Vail, of the firm Eddy & Co., of this city, was one of the last to issue from the store, and informed the Tribune reporter that he saw no one behind him and thought no lives were lost, though there were reports to that ef- fect on the street.
At 1:15 o'clock the fire was thought to be under control, having been confined to the west store in the Vedder building. The fire department had now got down to work, and was doing good service, though the water works were not performing as they should. A half hour later the danger of the fire spreading was over, and at 2:15, A. M., was fully under control.
193
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
THE BURNED BUILDINGS AND LOSSES.
Commencing in the Aplin Block, with Dr. A. Cunningham; who. had only the day before finished fitting up his office. His loss to furni- ture, electric apparatus, books, etc., will be in the neighborhood of $150, with no insurance.
Justice Golden loses about the same amount on his office fur- niture and books. He also was uninsured.
Justice Flynn's loss by water and damage, will be covered by $50.
H. H. Aplin will lose $1,500 on his building and stock, which will be fully covered by insurance.
J. F. Street & Co. come next in order. Their loss will foot up about $2,000, on which there is an insurance of $1,000.
Next again was the barber shop run by Henry Hawkins, and who lost nothing, however, but his razors. The furniture and fix- ings belonged to T. F. Shepard, who loses $400, with no insurance.
Just east of this store was the tailoring establishment of Wald- bauer & Szysperski, where the fire originated. Their stock was valued at $2,000, on which there was $1,000 insurance.
Over the drug store, W. Munshaw resided, and he lost all his furniture valued at $900, together with $24 in cash. A man named Smith and another named Bates, also lost their furniture, worth about $500.
Following next was the opera house block, built at a cost of $20,000. This was occupied on the ground floor by Phelps & Co., as a double grocery and dry goods store. In this building there was a $40,000 stock, most of which was destroyed. There was an insurance of $22,200 on this stock and $6,000 on the building. Over this store was Emery Bro's office, who lose about $300, which is thought to be covered by insurance.
Directly above was the council chamber and the city surveyor's office. The loss here will reach $1,500 with $800 insurance. Con- tinuing eastward, the flames entered the Vedder block, first attacking Henry Weber's hardware store, which soon fell a prey. The total loss on this building, stock and fixtures, was about $9,000, on which there was $4,500 insurance. M. A. Dowling occupied the rear of the upstairs as the Examiner office. This involved a loss of $1,500, on which there was no insurance. The next building attacked was the drug store of W. W. Vedder, over which was the residence of S. Phelps, and the insurance office of G. A. Allen. There was a loss of $1,200 on Phelps' household furniture with $500 insurance. On Allen's office furniture there was a loss $150 and no insurance. Vedder's, on block and stock, will be in the neighborhood of $8,000 with $5,000 insurance. Underneath the drug store was the job printing office of McConnelly & Co. Their loss by water and dam- age will be covered by $100, but loss by being thrown out of a season's work will double that amount. It was thought at one time the blocks on the opposite side of the street would fall a prey to the devouring element, nearly every pane of glass in four buildings cracking to pieces in the heat. The front of H. W. Sage & Co.'s store was covered with wet blankets which prevented the store being extensively damaged, though they claim a loss of $400 or $500, which is covered by insurance. Going south on the same side, A. Laroche sustained a loss of $250 in the damage of glass, cornice, etc., but it is covered by insurance. Charles Fitzhugh's building which John Ehle occupies as a shoe store was damaged $200 worth; insured. Mr. Ehle claims a loss of $300 on stock and furniture. Next west is the extensive drug store of Perry & Woodward, owned by Dr. Lewis of Rhode Island. Every pane of fine plate glass is smashed causing a loss of $225, which is not insured. Ford's clothing store sustained a nominal damage; $50 will fully cover the loss on this building.
LIST OF LOSSES.
Dr. Cunningham.
150
John Golden .
150
Justice Flynn
50
H. H. Aplin. 1,500
J. F. Street & Co.
2,000
Henry Hawkins
30
Wm. Phillips .
50
T. F. Shepard ..
400
Waldbauer & Szysperski.
2,000
W. Munshaw.
925
Smith & Bates. .
500
Fisher & Norrington
20,000
Phelps & Co ..
40,000
Emery Bros
300
City Property.
4,000
Henry Weber
5,000
M. A. Dowling .
1,500
S. Phelps. .
1,200
G. A. Allen .
150
W. W. Vedder
100
H. W. Sage & Co.
400
A. Laroche
250
Charles Fitzhugh.
200
J. Ehle.
300
Dr. Lewis
225
Ford & Co.
50
Total.
$90,930
What is left to compensate this immense loss is $45,650 insur- ance money, about half the actual loss. By the foregoing sum it will be seen that the loss sustained will nearly reach the "enormous sum of $100,000, which at this time of the year will greatly hinder the prosperity of the city." The energy and enterprise of the losers were fully equal to the emergency, and the following year the burnt district was rebuilt with handsome brick blocks.
WATER WORKS.
The subject of water works was agitated by the citizens of Wenona as early as 1874, but nothing was done until 1880, when a contract was made with the firm of H. W. Sage & Co. for pressure, and pipe has been laid from time to time. In 1882 it was decided to put in water works to be operated by the city under the Holly system. It is expected to have them ready for operation during the Summer of 1883, at which time there will be about six miles of pipe. The following description is as full as can be made at the present date :- The building will be located according to direction of the board and will occupy an area equal to that shown on ground or basement plan, namely, 50x72 feet, and have an altitude equal to that shown per elevations and sectional drawings, namely, 25 and 18 feet for main building and engine rooms respectively. There will be but .two rooms, designated on basement plan as boiler and machinery rooms, both of which will extend as high as the plates and into the roof which will leave an inclination of forty degrees. The boilers will be placed in position as shown and the pumps and machinery on their proper beds and in exact place.
There will be an entrance to the boiler room from Linn Street, also one to machinery room; the machinery room will also have an entrance from Henry Street opening onto a balcony, the floor of which will be nine feet wide, extending entirely across the front, with guard rail and balusters. From this a descent of fifteen steps will be made to the floor of rooms which will be eight inches lower than the thresholds of doors opening at opposite ends of the build- ing. The boiler-rooms will be floored with hard-arched brick set on
8,000
McConnelly.
1,500
Norrington.
1
C
194
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
end. All the stone work below the grade lines will be of the best rubble construction, and of a good sound quality of brick, Sandusky limestone, or some other article equally as capable of resisting the great weight to be put upon it, of good size and in such shape that the walls will be thoroughly bonded. The walls will be eighteen inches in thickness, to start on footings not less than twenty-four inches square and eight inches in thickness. The exterior of the front wall, as well as that on the south side of the building, will be of stone, while the interior will be of brick.
There will be a coping stone to engine beds that will extend over their entire surface of foundation, eight inches thick; all cut stone work (excepting quoins and copings) will be of first-class quality of blue or buff Ohio sandstone, perfectly clear of flaws. All corners and angles of the building are to be carried up level, plumb and square, accurate measurements to be made from time to time from center to corner around the building in order to insure a uniform height of courses, so that a "hog" of any proportions whatever will not be permitted to "squeal" on the job. The gable ends of the building will be coped with galvanized iron, which will also be used in the construction of cornice. The roof will be slated with 12x24 inch slate, variegated, of a good, sound quality, laid with ten and one-half inch margin. From the architects specifications and draw- ings it is intended that a satisfactory job will be done, and being as they are complete in every particular, no extras for any case what- ever will be allowed. The water works board are at present consid- ering between the construction of an iron and brick smoke stack.
BOARD OF WATER WORKS.
The Board of Water Works is composed of T. F. Shepard, C. Smith, Morris Westover, J. A. McKnight, Charles Smart. T. F. Shepard is President and E. S. Van Liew Secretary.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department of West Bay City dates from 1869, when the steamer "Defiance" was purchased, and a citizens' fire com- pany organized, with S. A. Plummer as chief. As is the result of all similar experiments, the system did not prove a success, and, after about two years, the company disbanded. The Council of Wenona village then tried a paid fire department, and afterward changed to the plan of paying firemen when they turned out. Finally the present system of hiring a chief and paying firemen while on duty at fires was adopted. The department consists of the steamer and three hose companies, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. John Charters is chief of the department, and L. Roundsville engineer of the steamer. Since 1880 the city has been practically supplied with water works, through the contract with H. W. Sage & Co. to fur- nish pressure, and after the present season will have the Holly sys- tem in operation.
WEST BAY CITY INDUSTRIES.
The most extensive industries of West Bay City, very naturally, are the manufacture of lumber and salt, and ship building. The mill now owned by John Welch was the first saw mill built on the west side of the river. It was built by Drake Bros., in the Winter of 1852. The next was built by Whitney, Coit & Co., at Bangor, in 1852, and is now owned by C. E. Lewis. Then, in 1854, fol- owed the mills of the Keystone Lumber and Salt Manufacturing Company, and H. J. & C. J. Smith. The former was built by Mr. George Lord and the latter by the firm of Moore, Vose & Co. These were the early mills. There are now eleven saw mills belonging to West Bay City, and their history is given in connection with the general lumbering interests.
SHIP BUILDING.
This is an important industry, and is treated fully among the general resources of the county. The pioneer ship builder of the West Side is William Crossthwaite, who commenced operations at Banks in 1864, an account of which is given with the history of Banks. John A. Weed started a ship yard at Banks in 1865.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.