USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 26
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Bushels of wheat
486,689
Bushels of potatoes
135,366
Tons of hay
23,489
Pounds of wool ..
191,648
Pounds of pork (marketed). 2,613,528
Pounds of cheese.
49,636
Pounds of butter
539.144
Barrels of cider
7,920
Gallons of wine (est.).
4,000
Pounds of maple-sugar
51,908
Horses, I year old and over.
9,890
Mules
94
Work oxen.
318
Milch eows
10,504
Other cattle, 1 year old and over.
11,140
Swine, over 6 months.
16,632
Sheep, over 6 months.
46,604
At the same time there were twenty-two flouring-mills in the county, three being run by steam and nineteen by water. They contained sixty-five runs of stone, and pro- doeed during the year one hundred and thirty-four thou- sand nine hundred and fifty-four barrels of flour. There were also, besides seven planing-mills, fifty-two saw-mills, thirty-five propelled by steam and seventeen by water, the whole number producing fourteen million one hundred and eighty-four thousand feet of lumber.
We have now given a rough consecutive history of Branch County from the earliest times to the present day. To this we will now subjoin a few chapters devoted to spe- ciał subjects which could not well be made a part of the connected account.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE PRESS OF BRANCH COUNTY.
General Remarks-The Basis of this Chapter-The Michigan Star -- The Coldwater Observer - The Branch County Democrat-The Coldwater Sentinel-The Branch County Journal-The Branch County Republican-The Branch County Gazette-The Demo- eratic Union - The Southern Michigan News - The Coldwater Union Sentinel - The Republican - The Bronson Herald-The Union City Independent-The Quincy Times-The Union City Register-The Literary Reporter-The Greenbacker-The Quiney Herald-The Coldwater Weekly Press.
THE press is so widely recognized as an institution of unrivaled importance, and its influence, either for good or evil, in cach county is of such a general nature (extending certainly to the farthest limits of the county, if not beyond), that it is the practice of the publishers of this and similar works to consider the various newspapers of a county not as local matters pertaining to the places in which they are published, but as subjects of general interest, to which a chapter of the general history of the county should in each case be devoted. In this chapter of the present work is given a concise sketch of the various newspapers of Branch County. It is based on an article published by Hon. Ilar- vey Haynes, of Coldwater, on the same subject, and cou- siderable portions of that article are incorporated in it. Some additions and changes have been made, however,- some reminiscences of early newspapers have been obtained from Hon. E. G. Fuller and others, and several files of journals have been carefully examined for facts on this subject.
THE MICHIGAN STAR.
The first newspaper published in Branch County was the Michigan Stur, the first number of which was issued by the " Branch County Printing Company," at the village of Branch, then the county-seat, in May, 1837. It was under the editorial supervision of' Mr. Charles P. West, then county clerk, who edited the paper with spirit and ability. But it was generally conceded among the knowing ones that when anything extremely cute was to be written, the pen of his sister, Miss Laura West, was called into requisi- tion. The life of this paper, however, like " terrestrial happiness," was of short duration. The population of the county was sparse, much sickness prevailed among the pio- neers, and the rival village gave it no encouragement, hence less than a year (we believe it barely lived through the next winter) ended the career of the Michigan Stur. It was Democratie in politics, though rather friendly to the Whigs, who had no organ of their own in the county.
THE COLDWATER OBSERVER.
The people of Coldwater knew full well that it would never do to let the rival village monopolize the printing of the county. They were striving at every opportunity to procure the removal of the county-seat to their own locality, and it was quite likely that the existence of a newspaper in Branch, and the non-existence of one in Coldwater, might decide the result of the struggle. Thomas N. Calkins and E. G. Fuller ( the former being one of the physicians, and the latter the only lawyer, of Coldwater) circulated a sub-
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215
California
1,569|
23,481
14.97
1,577
15
150
10
Ist ward.
Bushels Wheat
100
HISTORY OF BRANCHI COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
seription paper, and the business men of Coldwater promptly subscribed-it was in the flush times, just before the great panic-enough to buy a press and a supply of type. Dr. Calkins was to be the principal editor and manager, but Mr. Fuller assisted largely in the editorial work.
The proprietors procured the services of J. Ketchum Averill, the foreman of the Michigan Star, and the new paper was issued in his name as publisher, the actual owners being those who had subscribed to purchase the material. There was much excitement over the new paper, and great anxiety to get out the first number. Dr. Calkins had enough knowledge of printing to set up type,-after a fashion,-and he frequently worked busily at the case. One day, when the hurry was greatest, he called on Mr. Fuller to help set type, and the latter, who had never at- tempted such a task before, managed, with much tribulation, to arrange a " stick-full" in the course of an hour. He afterwards set up type enough to print one column, but this closed his experience as a printer.
At length the first number was issued, on the 18th day of July, 1837, and great was the rejoicing of the Coldwater people thereat. It was called the Coldwater Observer. A considerable part of the first number was devoted to a de- scription of the celebration of the Fourth of July, then just past, at Coldwater, including a remarkably good oration by Dr. Calkins. The doctor was a fine speaker, and a peculiarly able writer, but these gifts were but doubtful benefits to him, as he was fonder of making speeches and writing editorials than of attending to the more lucrative duties of his pro- fession.
The Observer was a journal of Democratie tendencies, and the doctor's vigorous editorials attracted wide attention from his brethren of that party. In less than a year he was offered a position as editor, or one of the editors, of the Detroit Free Press, then, as now, the leading Demo- eratie journal in Michigan, at a salary of one thousand dollars a year, which was at that time considered a very large sum. He accepted the offer, but only remained on the Free Press one year. Ile afterwards edited a paper at Ann Arbor.
Ile was succeeded as editor of the Observer by another physician, Dr. Bement, who changed the name of the jour- nal to the Branch. County News, and under him it was about as much Independent as Democratic. He, however, left the county in a few months, and though the paper maintained a feeble existence a little longer, its publication was soon entirely suspended.
THE BRANCH COUNTY DEMOCRAT.
Some months after, two young men named Jocelyn and Horton, took the material in charge, and published a very elever journal, under the name of the Branch County Democrat ; but some misunderstanding occurring between them and the owners of the press, the type were knocked into " pi." Thus ended the second attempt to establish a paper in Coldwater. The Democrat was decidedly Demo- cratie.
THE COLDWATER SENTINEL.
These repeated failures were rather discouraging, and for a while Branch County was without a newspaper; but iu
April, 1841, Mr. Albert Chandler, then an active young man and a practical printer, was induced to take hold of the business. On or about the 12th of that month he issued the first number of a Democratic journal, called the Coldwater Sentinel ; that number being dressed in mourn- ing on account of the death of President Harrison. From that time to the present Branch County has never been without at least one newspaper.
Mr. Chandler was young, active, industrious, and, withal, blessed with a sound judgment. Ile made a good, readable, and permanent paper, remaining at the head of the business for nearly eight years. Files have been preserved in the office of the present Coldwater Republican, beginning April 12, 1844, that number being designated as Vol. IV., No. 1. It was a four-page sheet, twenty inches by thirty- two, filled with good reading matter, and thorough-going Democracy, as distinguished from Whigism. The nomi- nation of Polk and Clay took place shortly after, and the Sentinel did yeoman service throughout the campaign in favor of the former. The firm-name of the proprietors was then Chandler & Haynes, Mr. Albert Chandler being the editor and John T. Haynes the junior partner.
In the forepart of 1846 the firm became Chandler & Stillman, the junior partner being Dr. Henry B. Stillman, who had recently been county clerk. In September of the same year Dr. Stillman gave way to Mr. David Waterman, and the firm-name became Chandler & Waterman. In the month of November, 1847, the office and material were leased for a year to Mr. Samuel K. Christy. We believe that Mr. Chandler retained an interest in the paper until 1849, when Mr. Elihu B. Pond became editor and pro- prietor.
Mr. Pond began a " new series" of the Sentinel, of which No. 1, Vol. I. was dated on the 7th of December, 1849. He was an active, able man, and made the paper a decided success. It was now somewhat increased in size, being under Mr. Pond's administration twenty-two inches by thirty-six.
In June, 1854, S. W. Driggs and the late Col. II. C. Gilbert purchased the paper, and Col. Gilbert wielded the pen as editor with tact and talent. He was an early settler of Coldwater, having moved thither from New York in 1841. He was a lawyer by profession. Active, untiring, whatever he undertook was sure to succeed if within his power. In 1862 he enlisted in the cause of his country as' colonel of the 19th Michigan Infantry, and after two years of active service was mortally wounded at Resaca, Ga., while leading his regiment upon the enemy's works. After a few days of suffering he was relieved by death. His remains were brought home and interred in Oak Grove Cemetery, there, by the side of father, mother, sister, brother, and son, to sleep the sleep that knows no waking.
In the fall of 1856, Messrs. Driggs & Gilbert sold to Barrett & Reynolds, who conducted the paper some two years, Mr. Reynolds being the editor. He, too, was a pio- neer boy, a sou of the late Deacon Reynolds, of Coldwater.
Barrett & Reynolds in turn sold the Sentinel to Judge J. H. Gray, also a Branch County pioneer, but now a res- ident of Virginia. By him the press was sold, and went to Port Huron, where it was used to print the Port Huron
101
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Press. Through all its changes the Sentinel was Demo- cratie in politics.
THE BRANCH COUNTY JOURNAL.
This, the first Whig newspaper in the county, was started at Coldwater on the HIth day of November, 1851, by B. F. Thompson. It was a four-page sheet, with seven columns on a page. Its first mumber announced that the cars were running over the Southern Michigan Railroad as far west as South Bend, Ind., and stated that, from the rapid rate of progress in road-building, it was expected they would reach Chicago by the Ist of January following. Although that work went on with extraordinary rapidity yet it did not quite make good the hope of the newspaper, the road being finished to Chicago in the spring of 1852.
Mr. Thompson's father became part owner of the Journal in June, 1852, the firm-name being C. A. & B. F. Thomp- son. On the 8th of March, 1853, it was transferred to E. J. Hard and II. B. Robinson. These gentlemen con- dueted it about two years, and sold it to Messrs. Barns & Way, who published it for a year or more, when it was sold to Bates Dewey and Clinton B. Fisk. These in turn sold to E. B. Dewey, who removed the press to Elkhart.
Up to 1855 the Journal continued to advocate Whig principles, but on the disbanding of the Whig and the or- ganization of the Republican party, the Journal adopted the latter's views, and thenceforth supported them with fairness and ability.
THE BRANCHI COUNTY REPUBLICAN.
In the fall of 1857, Messrs. Eddy & Gray commenced the publication of the Branch County Republican, which, as its name implied, supported the principles of the party of freedom. Its proprietors being active and attentive to business, the Republican was soon a power in the county, and took a decided lead under the editorial control of those competent gentlemen, Mr. Eddy acting as editor-in-chief. In about a year and a half Mr. Eddy sold to Mr. J. A. Boyd, who after a short time sold to Judge Gray. IIc, with his son Horace J. Gray, continued to make a good paper until 1861, when they sold to F. B. Way, who changed the name to the Brauch County Gazette.
THE BRANCH COUNTY GAZETTE.
Notwithstanding the change of name, this paper was de- cidedly Republican in politics, and throughout the war was the leading and almost the only Republican paper in the county. It supported the administration of President Lin- colu with untiring zeal, and its columns were constantly in use to urge the maintenance of the Union and the vigorous prosecution of the war.
Mr. Way, being in poor health, at length sold to Messrs. Brewer & Burr. J. II. McGowan, Esq., now member of Congress from this district, was editor a part of the time that the paper was owned by Messrs. Brewer & Burr, and was succeeded by C. P. Benton. In 1868 the Gazette was sold to the owners of the present Republican, and consol- idated with that paper.
THE DEMOCRATIC UNION.
In 1859 a journal with the above name was commenced at Coldwater, by JJ. L. Hackstaff, and by him conducted :
until 1861, when patriotism induced him to go to the war, and the paper was discontinued. It was a spicy sheet and Democratic during its brief existence.
THE SOUTHERN MICHIGAN NEWS.
The Southern Michigan News was brought out for pub- lie favor at Coldwater in 1863, by T. G. Turner, Esq., but its existence was short, for its editor went to the war and the publication was suspended. This paper was Republican in politics.
THE COLDWATER UNION SENTINEL.
In 1864 the fixtures of the News were purchased by F. V. Smith and W. G. Moore, who started the Coldwater Union Sentinel, and published it several years. It was full of local news, and it is safe to say that in that department it has never been excelled by any paper printed in the county. It was of large size and printed in fine type (bre- vier and nonpareil), and for a country paper contained an immense amount of reading matter. It supported the Union cause, but was most thoroughly Democratie in politics, full of rim, and waged hot warfare with the opposing Gazette and Republican.
In 1870, Messrs. Smith & Moore sold out to Gibson Brothers, who continued the Sentinel as a lively Demo- cratic journal until the building in which it was printed was partially burned and the press seriously injured, when the publication of the paper ceased.
THE REPUBLICAN.
On the 23d of August, 1866, Major D. J. Easton- then lately from the ranks of the 19th Michigan Infantry, in which he had done gallant service for three years-started The Republican, at Coldwater. Like all its predecessors, it was a weekly paper, but was more ambitious as to size than any of them, being an eight-page sheet, each page having five columus and being twelve inches by twenty in dimensions,-the whole paper being twenty-four inches by forty. It was from the start a thoroughly Republican journal, and has so continued from that time till this.
In December, 1866, Dr. P. P. Nichols purchased an interest in the Republican and became one of the editors. Messrs. Easton & Nichols issued a wide awake Republican paper for about a year, when they sold out to Messrs. W. J. & O. A. Bowen. The latter is understood to have been the editor-in-chief, although the former also contributed to the editorial columns.
In 1868, as before stated, the owners of the Republican purchased the Branch County Gazette, and since then the consolidated paper has held the unquestioned position of the principal Republican journal of the county.
In a short time, Mr. O. A. Bowen sold out his interest to go to Montana. The new firm was Bowen, Dunham & Moore, and these were ere long succeeded by Bowen, Rose & Skeels, the last-named gentleman, Mr. F. L. Skeels, doing the larger part of the editorial work. During and notwith- standing all these changes, the Republican continued to be an able and interesting paper in both its political and its news columns.
Early in 1873, Messrs. A. J. Aldrich & Co. bought out
102
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the last-named proprietors of the Republican, and have ever since remained its owners, publishers, and editors. On the 23d of August, 1875, Aldrich & Co. made a new venture in Branch County journalism, bringing out their paper as a semi-weekly. The enterprise proved successful. and the Republican has appeared twice a week ever since. Although strongly devoted to its party, it is noted for its independence of thought and expression,-an independence alike creditable to its proprietors and supporters. Mate- rially speaking, the Republican is now a four-page twenty- four column sheet, twenty-four inches by thirty-six, well printed on good paper, and presenting a most acceptable appearance to the eye as well as the mind of the reader.
THIE BRONSON IIERALD.
This was the first paper published in the county outside of Coldwater, except that pioneer of journalism, the Michi- gan Star, at Branch. The Herald was established in the fall of 1865 at the village of Bronson, by T. Babeoek & Co., who brought the press from Hudson, Lenawee Co. It was neutral in polities, but must have been a very acceptable paper, as its circulation was at one time, we believe, between six hundred and seven hundred. But as the star of empire was moving westward rapidly, the pro- prietors of the Herald suspended its publication in the fall of 1871, and made their way toward the setting sun, halt- ing in Adams Co., Neb., where, at the latest advices, they were publishing a journal called the Adams County Ga- zette, on the press formerly employed in Bronson.
THIE UNION CITY INDEPENDENT.
This pioneer of Union City journalism was established in that village in October, 1867, by Dr. Alexander II. Pattee. It elosed its brief existence in the summer of 1868.
THE QUINCY TIMES.
This paper, the first journalistie venture in the village whose name it bears, was established on the 11th of Sep- tember, 1868, as a six-column folio, weekly, by R. W. Lockhart, being then, as ever since, non-partisan in senti- ment. At the end of six months it was purchased by Ebenezer Mudge, S. Mowrey, and L. L. Briggs, who pub- lished it under the firm-name of " The Times Company," the first-named gentleman being the editor. Under this administration the number of columns per page was in- ereased from six to seven, and then to eight. The paper was managed to the satisfaction of the community, and soon attained a circulation of about five hundred.
On the 25th of March, 1876, Mr. A. C. Culver pur- chased the Times, and became the sole editor and proprie- tor. ITis course has been equally satisfactory, and although it was deemed best in February, 1877, to reduce the num- ber of columns per page from eight to six. yet the journal in question has never had a better standing nor had a better support than at the present time.
THE UNION CITY REGISTER.
The Register began its existence on the 20th of August, 1869, Major D. J. Easton (the founder of the Coldwater Republican) and Mr. Jerome Bowen being its originators.
It was then as now a seven-column folio, twenty-two inches by thirty-six, and was then as now decidedly Republican in its polities. After about two years, Mr. Bowen sold bis interest, sinee which time the major has been sole editor and proprietor. Major Easton's personal popularity, ready pen, and business skill have made the paper a decided sue- cess, and it now numbers some nine hundred subscribers. The Register is printed on a steam-press, and is in every respect up to the times, and a eredit to the place which supports it.
THE COLDWATER REPORTER.
This journal was first issued as an independent paper, at Coldwater, in 1872, by J. S. Conover. It was con- dueted by him for a little over a year, when he sold it to J. A. Hull. In the year 1874 Mr. Hull disposed of the Reporter to Messrs. Knowles and Thorpe. In the fore- part of 1876 Mr. Thorpe sold his interest to Mr. J. S. Egabroad. Of late, Mr. Egabroad, as sole editor, has given the paper a decidedly Democratic turn ; and, being a forcible and vivacious writer, has made it quite a lively and militant sheet.
TIIE LITERARY REPORTER.
This six-column monthly quarto, employed largely as an advertising medium, has been issued by C. W. Bennett, at Quiney, sinee December, 1872. It has a circulation of six hundred copies.
THE GREENBACKER.
The Greenbacker was established at the village of Quincy, in May, 1878, by L. E. Jacobs ; and, as may be inferred from its name, was devoted to the principles of the " Greenback" party. It advocated the success of " Green- baek" doetrine with great vigor until October 1 of the same year, when it ceased for lack of greenbaeks.
TIJE QUINCY HERALD.
On the 1st of November, 1878, Mr. C. V. R. Pond, having obtained the material of the late Greenbucker, es- tablished a small but lively weekly at Quincy, called the Herald, which still enjoys an apparently healthy existence at that village.
COLDWATER WEEKLY PRESS.
This journal began its existence in October, 1877, as a four-page, six-column weekly; its founders being B. L. Kingston and J. L. Dennis. On the 17th of the succeed- ing month Mr. D. D. Waggott bought the share of Mr. Dennis, and on the 1st of March, 1878, purchased that of Mr. Kingston, becoming sole proprietor and editor, and remaining so until the present time.
A daily was issued from the office from January 1 to March 15, 1878; but this effort was found to be too en- terprising even for so enterprising a city as Coldwater, and was given up. The weekly, however, immediately after the stoppage of the daily, was enlarged to seven columns per page, which is its present size.
The Press supported the principles and candidates of the Greenback party with great energy during the campaign of IST8, and still continues its advocacy of that party.
103
IHISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CHAPTER XXVIL
THE STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL .*
Its Unique Character-Its Functions-Nature of other Charitable Justitutions-Governor Ballwin's Action-A Special Commission -- Their Report-Joint Committee in the Legislature-Mr. Randall Chairman-Their Report-Action of the Grand Army-Mr. Ran- dall's Views-He presents a Bill-Its Supporters-Passage of the Law-The Board of Commissioners and Board of Control-Loca- tion of the Site-Buildings opened-Description of Them-Tho Law regarding Admission-Large Numbers Come-New Buildings -1 .. P. Alden, Superintendent-The Work done by the Children -- Religions Services-Dress and Appearance of the Children-Their Health-Going into Families-Letters from Children-Specimen Letters-Improvements made since 1875 -- Number of Children who have been at School-Names of Officers and Employees.
THIS institution, " The Michigan State Public School for Dependent Children," located at Coldwater, is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world,-that is, the only combined school and asylum established and main- tained by a State or nation which admits all dependent children having no efficient natural supporters, and which is without any of the attributes of a penal institution. We have called it a combined school and asylum, for such it is ; its official as well as common title of "State Public School" only describes a portion of its functions.
There have been numerous asylums which have also afforded education to orphans and others; but these were supported by private charity, and were generally local in their beneficence. States, too, of late years have estab- lished reformatory institutions whither children of evil tendencies were sent to be reclaimed to upright lives ; but it was reserved for Michigan to take the lead in establishing an institution in which every child within the jurisdiction of the State, who has no property and no one to take care of it, may be received, supported, and educated at the ex- pense of the State until a private home can be provided for it. Whether any evil will finally result to the com- munity by promoting the " shiftlessness" or imprudence of parents is yet to be seen ; thus far the effect upon the children themselves, and indirectly upon the State, has been unquestionably good,-extremely good.
The first official action in the chain of proceedings which resulted in the establishment of the State school at Cold- water was taken by Hon. Il. P. Baldwin, who, in the fall of 1868, before assuming the duties of the office of gov- ernor, to which he had been elected, visited several of the State institutions and some of the county jails and poor- houses, and became convinced of the necessity of improve- ment in their general management, and of a revision of our laws relative to them. He, therefore, in his inaugural mes- sage recommended such a revision and the appointment of a commission to examine and consider the whole subject connected with our punitive and reformatory institutions,
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