USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 71
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T., Mrs. John Sutherland; secretary, Mrs. Bradley; treasurer, Mrs. Carter. Meetings are held in the church.
In 1872 a company was organized for the manufacture of hem- lock extract. The officers were O. A. Ballou, president; A. M. Switzer, secretary; W. E. Vaughn, M. D., treasurer. They built the Chemical Works and operated them about two years, when they discontinued operations.
The first hotel in the village was kept by Alexander Baird.
FIRST WHEAT RAISED.
In 1859 Mr. John Sutherland bought four bushels of wheat in Bay City, and after cleansing it had about three and one-half bushels left. This he sowed on about three acres. People thought it a wild experiment, but he thought differently. In the Fall he harvested 150 bushels of wheat, averaging sixty-four pounds to the bushel. This was the first wheat raised in the township, and from that time to the present Kawkawlin has been noted as a good wheat producing township.
RIVERSIDE FARM.
Situated in the south part of the township of Kawkawlin, on the bank of the Kawkawlin River and about four miles from West Bay City, is the property of the Hon. Isaac Marston, late justice of the Supreme Court. Judge Marston began his career as a farmer boy, and he has always taken a deep interest in the development of Bay County's agricultural resources. The farm contains 160 acres, and is being rapidly improved. The Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad crosses it and the Kawkawlin plank road runs through it, leaving a fine strip on the bank of the river. Situ- uated back from the road a few rods, on the river bank, and in the midst of a beautiful grove of forest trees, is the residence of this farmer. Eventually the farm will be devoted to pasture and hay. Judge Marston now has a very fine herd of Jersey cattle.
HANDSOME RESIDENCE.
One of the finest residences in the county, outside of Bay City, is that of F. A. Kaiser, Esq., situated near the bank of the river. This building was erected by an insurance company to replace one burned, upon which they had issued a policy. The present build ing, although very fine, is somewhat inferior to the one built by Mr. Kaiser and destroyed by fire March 24, 1880. The Bay City Tribune, of March 25, 1880, contained an account of the burning of Mr. Kaiser's residence and a description of the building. as fol- lows:
"Yesterday about noon, news reached this city that the hand- some residence of F. A. Kaiser, the well known lumberman, at . Kawkawlin, had been destroyed by fire. A Tribune reporter hear- ing of the same, procured a conveyance and departed for the scene of destruction. When he arrived there, about 3 o'clock, the spot where a few hours previous stood one of the finest residences in Bay County, was but one mass of smoldering ruins. Mr. Kaiser, who was on the premises, was interviewed by the reporter, and from him was learned the following :- At the time of the fire Mr. Kaiser was at Bay City, and his wife was visiting a daughter at some distance away. A son and daughter were the only persons about the premi- ses, save a hired man.
The fire was discovered at about 10 o'clock, coming from the south side of the building, near the roof, and a general alarm was sounded, bringing a number of men and boys to the spot. The wind blew from the northeast and for this reason the fire was not nourished as much as it would have been had it come from any other direction, yet the building was soon enveloped in flames, and it was with considerable difficulty that its contents were re- moved. The greater portion of the furniture and houshold goods were taken out, also mantel pieces, doors, etc. In the haste of
251
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
taking out the furniture, some of it was broken, and otherwise damaged, but most of it is in good condition. The large barns, a few rods to the southwest of the residence were on fire several times, but the citizens were on the alert and extinguished the flames before they got under full headway. The grass, trees and the surroundings of the building were burned. The fire orig- inated evidently, from a spark from the furnace. There is no other conclusion to be arrived at.
The residence was erected in 1873, and was then considered the finest, having gas, a furnace, a commodious cellar, and all modern improvements. The inside work was especially fine, and when being built, Mr. Kaiser spared no means to have everything made as near correct as possible. He was on his way home when he heard of the fire, and could hardly believe that such a thing could occur, originating as it had, after he had taken pains and paid contractors to see that the flues were sound. There was an insurance of $7,000 on the building; $3,500 in the Franklin, of Philadelphia, and the same amount in the Detroit Fire and Marine, issued by C. B. Cottrell, of this city. The furniture was covered by an insurance of $5,000, equal amounts in the German Amer- ican, of New York, and Insurance Company of North America, of Philadelphia, issued by Daniel Shannon, of this city. This is not sufficient, hower, to cover the loss which is placed at from $12,000 to $16,000. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Kaiser will rebuild.
A strange circumstance of the fire is that the flames were dis- covered by Mr. Kaiser's son-in-law, who lives fully a mile distant. He happened to be looking in that direction and noticed smoke pouring from the side of the house. Thinking something was wrong, he mounted a horse and rode under the whip the full dis- tance, when within a few rods from the house the horse fell to the ground and expired immediately from sheer exhaustion."
EXPERIENCE OF A LOVE-SICK STRANGER.
Life in Kawkawlin has occasionally been flavored with episodes, one of which is related as follows :- "It was during the breezy month of November, 1873, that a stranger, in the person of a love- sick young man, for charitable reasons called Jones, suddenly ap- peared upon the scene, heart in hand, eager to love and be loved. The heavenly effulgence of love beamed in his smile, and his atti- tude seemed inspired by the holy passion. He proceeded directly to business, and in a few weeks had proposed to all the young ladies of the village, and by all had been rejected, he being blessed with a very small amount of common sense. At length, however, the "sports" of the village resolved to play a joke on Jones, and accordingly one of their number, a beardless youth of twenty-two or twenty-three Summers, agreed to dress in female attire, and per- sonate a woman who was smitten by Jones' charms. (?) The keeper of the boarding-house where Jones boarded was let into the secret, and the first scene in the drama was inaugurated by the boarding-house keeper, handing Jones a note from the young lady, who he said was his cousin, was in love with him, and was coming up from Wenona to pass a few days at his house. To pass over in- tervening incidents the lady came, and Jones made love to her, took her on walks through the snow, went visiting with her to all the houses in the village, and finally, while returning home one evening, the lady was insulted by a man whose name was Smith, (but isn't) and who pretended to be drunk. Jones next day made complaint against Smith before a man whom he supposed was a justice, but who wasn't. A mock warrant issued, Smith was arrested, and on a mock trial he was fined $15 and costs. It might be stated here, that nearly every person in Kawkawlin was aware of the game that was being played on Jones, except the victim himself. He, how-
ever, thought everything all correct, and was highly elated at the success of the trial. Jones was next advised to marry the young lady, and finally it was arranged that the nuptials should be per- formed. The services of one of the ring were procured, and in a short time Jones and the young lady were pronounced man and man.
About this time Smith appealed his case, a jury was em- paneled for a second trial, and he was acquitted. Just at the close of the trial, another of the ring, disguised of course, entered the room and claimed that Jones' newly wedded spouse was his legal wife. She was accordingly arrested on a charge of bigamy, tried and sentenced to state's prison for a term of years. Jones was frantic; he cried, he yelled, he kissed her, and swore eternal fidel- ity. As the officer was starting from the court room with his pris- oner, however, one of the persons present flew at the woman, tore off her bonnet, cloak and dress, and as they fell to the floor, and as loud cries went up from those assembled there, Jones saw how badly he had been sold. Roar after roar of laughter went up from that "court room," and as Jones saw the cruel joke that had been perpetrated upon him, his wrath knew no bounds. His departure was precipitate, and the places that had recently known him, knew him no more forever.
FOR POSTERITY.
The poet is ever abroad in the land seeking whom and what he may immortalize in verse. In one of his hopeful moods the muse led him through the glad fields and by the clear waters of the historic Kawkawlin; and he cast adrift a waif which we chanced to find, and will here preserve for the sake of posterity. It chants the attractions of Kawkawlin in a melodious strain, as follows:
KAWKAWLIN.
To those who are seeking
A home I am speaking
Regarding this valley, in which I now dwell;
The land's a fair sample,
And chances are ample
To purchase a forty, or forty to sell.
No fightin' or brawlin'
Is heard in Kawkawlin.
But Peace reigns triumphant, the whole township o'er;
'Tis there that the white man
Gives the red man his right hand,
And greets him with friendship, as Penn did of yore.
Canadians in dozens, With old country cousins, Are fleeing the maple leaf, thistle and rose;
And westwardly sally,
To Kawkawlin Valley,
To find richer homes, where the prairie grass grows.
We have a fair river,
A bountiful giver,
Of all sorts of fishes that dwell in the seas;
While placidly resting, Or fearlessly breasting
Its current, the wild duck is waiting for me.
Although we're not wealthy,
We're strong, stout and healthy,
So bracing the air floating over the vale;
And the breeze off Lake Huron,
Is wafted so pure, on The health-giving charms of each eastern gale.
We turn out together, In fair or foul weather, To help any neighbor we think is in need; Each man to the other, Is scriptural brother, Despite nationality, color or creed.
252
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
STATISTICS.
The population of the township in 1880 was 1,118, and valu- ation of real and personal estate in 1882: $298,462.
Number of school children in 1883: 452.
For the year ended December 31, 1882, there were sixty-seven births in this township, of which thirty-eiglit were males and twenty-nine females, including three pairs of twins, a very com- mendable showing in this respect.
The deaths for the same period were only twelve, which proves that the township is a very healthy one.
The number of bushels of wheat raised during the year were 13,434}, on 5434 acres, or about twenty-three bushels to the acre.
Corn is also raised in large quantities, 27,429 bushels being raised on 1,440 acres, an average of nineteen and a half bushels to the acre.
Potatoes are the best crop, in point of productiveness, showing that the soil of the township is peculiarly adapted to the growth of this class of vegetables. Number of acres planted: 327; number of bushels raised: 26,803-an average of eighty-two bushels to the acre.
Hay is something that can always command a fair price, and as a consequence there were produced for the year ended December 31, 1882, 1,107 tons, on 993 acres.
Oats averaged thirty-six and one-half bushels to the acre. There were 408 acres sown, producing 14,930 bushels.
Taxes were levied in 1882 as follows:
Contingent fund . $ 700 00
Building and repairing bridges 303 00
Rejected tax of 1880. 573 67
Agricultural tax of 1881. 22 70
Highway tax.
1,031 50
Statute labor tax, 3 of 1 per cent.
2,063 00
Fractional School District No. 1 their pro- portion of . . 400 00
School District No. 3.
175 00
Fractional School District No. 4, their pro- portion of .
175 00
School District No. 5. .
300 00
do
do 6. .
250 00
dc
do 7. .
300 00
Amount to be spread on township for high- way and sanitary purposes, Chip Road ditch. .
67 39
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The election of township officers for the year 1883, resulted as follows: For supervisor, N. Hembling, 165; C. Bedell, 68; J. McCuddy, 4. For township clerk-A. Wheeler, 197; Francis, 85. For highway commissioner-P. J. McGrach, 191; J. Laracey, 91. For treasurer-Carl Schmidt was elected without opposition. For justice of the peace (full term) E. M. Parsons elected without oppo- sition. For school inspectors-P. Murphey and J. G. Schmidt one and two years respectively. For drainage commissioner (to fill va- cancy)-Henry Rodgers, elected without opposition. Alex. Ander- son, A. Colson, Frank Guillott and J. G. Schmidt were elected constables.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
DR. D. A. McTAVISH was born in Middlesex Co., Canada, Feb. 17, 1855. His parents were from Argyle, Scotland. He attended the common school till he was fifteen, and in 1872 and 1873 at- tended the Normal School at Toronto. He taught a common school till the 8th of October, 1877, when he entered Trinity Med- ical College where he obtained a fellowship in 1880. The same year he graduatedl at Trinity University and at Toronto University.
In 1881 he went to Scotland and studied at the Royal Infirmary, and in November of that year graduated at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh, and on April 12, 1882 went to the State of Michigan and established himself in Kawkawlin, Bay County, where he is practicing his profession.
JONS JACOBSON, son of a Swedish farmer, was born in Swe- den, June 17, 1850. Until he was sixteen years old he went to school, after which he went to work for the farmers till he was twenty-one, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York. He went to Hancock and worked on the railroad about five months, then was given the charge of a gang of men and held that position seven months, when he went to Au Sable. From there he went to Kawkawlin, then to Bay City, and finally purchased land in the town of Kawkawlin, Bay County, in 1873. His cash capital when he commenced in the town was ten dollars, but by industry and prudence he is worth a fine property. In March, 1875, he married Miss Mary Jansen, of Sweden. They had two children; one died on the ninth of January, 1881.
AMOS WHEELER, one of the old settlers of Kawkawlin, was born in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 9, 1825. His father was a farmer, and he had to work in the Summer as soon as old enough, and went to school three or four months in the Winter. He lived at home till he was about twenty-one. When about twenty-two he married Miss Marrinette E. Briggs, of Castleton, Rutland Co., Vt., in which place he settled and engaged in farming till he went into the charcoal business as a contractor. In the Fall of 1853 lie moved into Addison County and built a saw mill on Middlebury River, which he run six years and sold, and built another further up the river, which he run six years. He was in the county thir- teen years, during which time he was a magistrate nine years and a representative in the state Legislature one year. In the Spring of 1872 he went to the state of Michigan to see a daughter who had been there three years. After seeing the energy, industry and en- terprise manifested, so different to that he had seen among the mountains of New England, he concluded to become a settler and in the Fall of 1872 he moved his family to Bay City, and the following Spring moved to Kawkawlin, Bay County, to the house in which he resides. In the Spring of 1874 he was elected a magistrate and held that office till July, 1882, and during that time he made thirty-two couples happy by making them hus- band and wife. He is the father of four children, all born in Rutland Co., Vt. Two are living and reside in Kawkawlin. In the Spring of 1880 he was elected town clerk, which office he now holds.
CALVIN E. BEDELL .- The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in England, and emigrated to America, settled in the State of New Jersey, and married a lady from Holland. His son- Calvin's father-was born in New Jersey, and when he started in life for himself settled in the northern part of the state of New York. Calvin was born in Royalton, Niagara County, January 10, 1826. His father was a farmer, and gave him only a common school education. He stayed at home till he was twenty-four years old, at which time he married Miss Maria Hartranft, of Niagara County, N. Y. Ten children were born to them; six girls and four boys. All are well settled in life. He followed farming in Niagara County till he was thirty-three years old, when he sold out and went to the county of Grey, Canada. He again sold after a resi- dence of ten years, and went to the States in April, 1875, and bought forty acres of good land in the town of Kawkawlin, Bay County. He raised on seven and three-eighths acres, 352 bushels of wheat, in 1882. He has taken from one acre, 520 bushels of pota- toes. One year he raised thirty-six bushels of wheat to the acre and one year thirty-eight bushels. Mr. Bedell is a man that believes in doing what he does, well. He is the supervisor of the town.
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
253
CARL SCHMIDT, an old and enterprising settler of Kawkaw- lin, was born in the province of Brandenburg, Germany, in 1826. He learned the cooper's trade and worked at it till 1845, then went to sea till 1853, when he came to New York and worked at his trade. In 1858 he went to Monroe County, Mich., and engaged in buying staves for the European market. In 1860 he went to Gene- see and bought staves till 1866. In that year he went to Kawkaw- lin, Bay County, worked one year in the village, and in 1867 bought a farm in Section Twenty-three, where he lives. In 1853 he mar- ried Miss Eliza Kateslan, of Hamburg, Germany, by whom he has six children living. By his industry and economy he is in com- fortable circumstances.
EDWIN M. PARSONS, one of the first settlers of the north part of the township of Kawkawlin, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1848. His early life was spent in working Summers and going to school in the Winter. He worked at nome on his father's farm, in which he had an interest, till November, 1872, when he went to Terry Station on the M. C. R. R., and in Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and worked for Terry, Seely & Co., as general overseer of the lumber company's business, station agent, and postmaster. In August. 1871, he married Miss Myra Seely, of East Saginaw. Miss Seely was born in the town of Onondaga, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1850, and came with her father to Saginaw in 1867, and in the Fall of 1875 went to Kawkawlin. Her great grandfather was cousin to Jolin Spaulding, who took the papers from Major Andre's boot. Her great grandmother was the daughter of Mabel Todd, of Rev- olutionary fame. She is on her mother's side a descendant of the Griswolds, of England, and the Woodfords, of Connecticut. Mr. Parsons' mother was one of the Armstrongs of Connecticut, and related in direct descent to the Hydes, of England. He owns 1,000 acres of good farming land in Fraser and Kawkawlin. The village of Linwood is in the center of his farm. Mrs. Parsons has a fine apiary from which she received for honey and bees $340 dollars in the Fall of 1882.
ALEXANDER HOWE, an old settler of Kawkawlin, was born in the county of Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1823. He came to America in 1851, and settled in the county of Hastings, Canada, and remained there till the Autumn of 1865, when he went to the state of Michigan, and worked in Bay City two years. He then went to Kawkawlin, worked in the mills for some years, and in 1878 bought a farm in Section Four of that town. In March, 1857, he married Miss Mary Ann Wiggins, who was born in the county of Fer- managh, Ireland, in 1824, and came to America in 1850, and found her intended husband.
OSCAR J. BEDELL was born in the township of Royalton, Niag. ara Co., N. Y., August 18, 1841. His early life, like that of most other boys, was spent in working on the farm and in going to school. In May, 1863, he married Miss Eliza J. Hildebrand, of Roy- alton, N. Y. In 1866 he went to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., Mich., and bought a farm in Section Twenty-seven. He sold this, then bought in Section Six, sold again and bought in Section Twenty-eight, where he lives. Miss Hildebrand was born in Royalton, N. Y., in 1842, and is the happy mother of seven children.
WILLIAM D. EVANS was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1832, and at thirteen years of age went to Oshkosh, Wis., where he remained seven years engaged in rafting Summers, and in the lumber woods Winters. He went thence to Canada where he spent two years, and subsequently to La Crosse, Wis., stopping there three years. After following the Mississippi River four years he came to Bay City in 1857, and leased the Drake property, West Bay City, below the Drake Mill, which he planted to corn as far down as where now stand the Chemical Works. He then leased the Farmer's Home, corner of Saginaw and Third Streets, Bay City, keeping it one
year, since which time he has been engaged in fishing and jobbing in the lumber woods. In 1874 he purchased 115 acres of land at Tobacco Bay, two miles north of the Kawkawlin River, a portion of which he has under cultivation. He was in the Union Army by enlistment, thirteen months prior to the close of the war. He married Miss Jane Deenes, of Detroit. They have one son and two daughters.
MOSES TART, one of the old settlers of Kawkawlin, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, January 12, 1832. He went to the state of Michigan when he was about five years old, to live with a gentleman in Grand Haven. He was with him till he was eleven and then went to Detroit to live with a sister, and did for himself as best he could after he was twenty-one. He married Miss Ann Du Pont, April 27, 1853. He was in Port Huron and Saginaw awhile, and in 1861 moved to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and bought a farm of O. A. Ballou, on Section Thirty-four. The land was in its wilderness state, but he cleared it up and paid for it by days work.
GEORGE A. SCHULTZ was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1844. He came to the United States with his parents in 1846, and first settled in Niagara County, N. Y., where he lived twelve years. From there he went to Erie County, N. Y. In 1861 he went on the lakes and sailed. In October, 1863, he. enlisted in Company K, Second Michigan Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. In September, 1875, he bought a farm in Section Thirty-two of Kaw- kawlin, where he resides. In 1872, June 2d, he married Miss Minnie Stentze, of Monroe County, Mich. Miss Stentze was born in 1853. Mr. Schultz was in the battle of Nashville, Lost Mountain, near Atlanta, and other general engagements. He came near being cap- tured at Franklin, and had other narrow escapes. He has been the treasurer of the town two years.
PETER BROWN was born in the county of Penobscot, Maine, September 25, 1809, and went to New Brunswick in 1842, thence to Canada, and settled in the county of Norfolk in 1849. In 1862 he went to Zilwaukee, in Saginaw Co., Mich., and in 1864 he took the lighthouse at the mouth of the Saginaw River, which he kept till his death in 1873. In 1831 he married Miss Julia R. Toby, who was born in Hallowell, Maine, February 10, 1816. They had seven children. After her husband's death she continued to keep the lighthouse. In 1876 she married Mr. George N. Way.
GEORGE N. WAY was born March 3, 1829, in Oakville, Canada; his early life being spent on the ocean, first as hand before the mast. He was afterward captain of a vessel on the lakes. Sep- tember, 1862, he married Miss Wright, who died in 1874, and in 1876 he married Mrs. Brown, of Kawkawlin. Mr. Way has seen much of the world, and is now in comfortable circumstances, having a very pleasant home. Pine Grove Place, his home, is situated on the north bank of Kawkawlin River, about four miles northwest from Bay City.
Mrs. Way has a grand-son, Leonidas B. Charlton, born in Elgin County, Canada, in 1862, who is developing quite a genius for ship building. He has made and rigged a fine model of an ocean sloop that is well worth seeing.
PETER L. MEEKER, one of Kawkawlin's best inhabitants and an old settler, was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1815. When quite young his parents moved to the town of Middleburg, Schoharie Co., N. Y., His early years were spent in working on the farm in the Summer and going to school in the Winter. When he was seventeen he was apprenticed to a blacksmith in Middleburg where he stayed two years, and then worked as a journeyman awhile. About 1842 he opened a shop on his own account and run it five years. In 1851 he went to Pennsylvania and settled in Bradford County, on a farm, and worked at his trade, remaining there about fifteen
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