USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 55
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On February 1, 1877, a road which was practically a continuation of this line was formally opened between Flint and Lansing. It was built by the Chicago & Northeastern Railroad Company, incorporated in 1874. At Lansing this road joined what was then the Peninsular Railway, which con- nected with the Michigan Central. A through line was thus opened from Port Huron to Chicago. Subsequently the Chicago & Northeastern line was purchased by eastern capitalists with the purpose of destroying it as a competitor to other through lines under their control. In 1880 it was con- solidated with a number of companies under eastern control, which operated under the name of the Chicago & Grand Trunk system. In 1900 it was again sold and became a part, together with the line from Flint to Port Huron, of the Grand Trunk system of Canada, with which it still remains. Its value to the people of Genesee county is equaled only by the Pere Marquette, these two great lines forming its arteries of commerce with Detroit and the East, Port Huron and Canada, Saginaw, Ludington and the Northwest, Milkau- kee, Chicago, and all points in Michigan and the great world beyond.
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CHAPTER XIII.
EARLY YEARS OF FLINT CITY.
Flint City was incorporated in 1855. Until then, though streets were regularly laid out and built upon, no municipal organization existed and the settlement was under the jurisdiction of Flint township. In the early part of January, 1855, the subject of a separate organization was agitated. All agreed as to its feasibility, but there was much difference of opinion as to the advantage of a city over a village charter. An article from a leading local paper embodies the sentiments of those who favored a city charter :
A word now upon the propriety of having our incorporation a city. It is conceded on all hands that we should be incorporated. It is also true that a village charter might meet our present requirements, but within the limits of the proposed corporation we have already as many inhabitants as the city of Grand Rapids had when incorporated, and considerably more than the city of Adrian when she got her charter. And as the rate at which we have been growing for two or three years past, if we should now be incor- porated as a village, it is almost a matter of course that we should find it necessary to have our village charter changed for a city one by the time the Legislature meets, two years hence. By obtaining a city charter now we obviate the necessity of appearing again before the Legislature within a short interval.
In January, 1855, a citizens' meeting was held in the court house to consider the subject of a city charter and, after several hours of spirited debate, Gen. C. C. Hascall, Levi Walker, Charles N. Beecher, F. H. Rankin, James Birdsall, George M. Dewey and C. S. Payne were chosen a commit- tee to draft the provisions of the proposed charter. The draft was pre- sented to an adjourned citizens' meeting and, after further discussion, adopted. The business of working over a settlement into a city was gone through with by the Legislature with its customary dispatch and the act of incorporation became a law by the approval of Governor Bingham, Febru- ary 13, 1855.
At the time of its incorporation, Flint had about two thousand inhabi- tants. The principal residents probably appear in the tax-roll for that year, which included the following names :
Allen, John C.
Aylward, William. Andrews, George.
Aplin, Samuel. Alport, Samuel. Alexander, B. F.
Andrews, Asa.
Anderson, Reuben.
Ackerman, William.
Adams, Eber.
Atchinson, Abbey.
Atherton, Ama.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Atherton, Mrs. A. Arnold, Lewis. Aplin, Thomas. Allen, Sarah. Armstrong & Co. Armstrong, J. W. Allen & Randall. Barney, W. M. Baker, William. Buzzel, John.
Carney, James.
Fenton, William M. Fleming, Mrs.
Charles, William.
Conkling & Kellogg.
Fish, Mrs. Octavia.
Carman & Lovejoy.
Frary, Frank E. Foot, David.
Carman, Joseph.
Collins, William.
Firman, Josiah.
Cooper, Hiram.
French, Susan.
Cornell, D. B.
Frizzell, Samuel.
Curtis, Samuel.
Freeman, Daniel S.
Booth, Joel A.
Clark, Daniel.
Fuller, Asahel.
Baltay, William.
Clark, Widow.
Farrell, Richard.
Bickford, Lewis G.
Carrier, Erastus K.
Forsyth, O. F.
Blades, J. H. C.
Craft, Josiah.
Freeland, Cornelius.
Behee, George. Bearsley, Stephen. Barrows, J. C.
Case, Mrs.
Ferguson, James.
Cadwell, Edward.
Forrest, William.
Bump, David.
Culver, Edward.
Frary, D. S.
Beardslee, A.
C'umings, Elizabeth.
Fenton & Bishop.
Behan, John.
Culver, Alfred.
Foss, John.
Bishop, Giles.
Caufman, -.
Griffith, Orrin. Garland, John.
Bishop, R. & I.
Deceuninck, Charles L.
Goff, Cyrus H. Gillett, Amos.
Beecher, Charles N.
Danes, Frederick B.
Goslin, James H.
Beecher & Higgins.
Dewey, George M.
Griswold, Martha.
Bailey, Jarvis. Birdsall, James.
Dewey & Crosman.
Gazlay, William.
Birdsall, Jesse.
Dewey & Pearson.
Goodrich, O. C.
Barker & Patterson. Baker, Mrs.
Darling, Asa.
Green, S. M. Guild, Mrs.
Branch, Thomas.
Davis, A. P.
Gazlay, Miles.
Belcher & French.
Delbridge, John.
Gazlay, Ward.
Bevins, Nancy.
Dawson, Richard.
Gahan. William.
Bump, Anderson.
Drake, Elijah.
Gillman, D.
Cumings & Carron.
Decker, Grant.
Gahan & Decker.
Campbell, Ten Eyck.
Darling, James.
Golden, William.
Collins, Orson.
Doran, John.
Hamilton, John B.
Chambers, William D.
Dana, Chauncey.
Hughes, Michael.
Curtis, Daniel.
De Graff, Peter.
Holbrook, James.
Clark, William.
Eldridge, I. N.
Hogan, Thomas.
Clark. W. & J. B.
Eddy, Jerome.
Hubbard, Malinda.
Curtis & Son.
Eddy, Willard.
Hubbard, William R. Heale, Charles. Henderson, James.
Cumings, Thomas R.
Eddy, William. Egle, George. Elmore, M. S.
Holmes, Frederick.
Elstow, Samuel.
Henderson, Henry M.
Fogarty, John.
Higgins, Henry I.
Fairchild, Philo.
Higgins, C. R.
Failing, Levi.
Hopkins, G. S.
Hosted by
Bishop, Russell.
Clark, -
Blades, William.
Dodge, Nathaniel.
Dewey, D. D.
Golden, Robert.
Clark, H. O.
Farley, Josiah.
Culver, George.
Fuller, Charles L.
Crandall, William P. Crosman. A. T. Cary, Alonzo. Costillo, Andrew. Croff, Abner. Cudney, Charles H.
Decker, James C.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Hood, George F.
Ladd, Nathaniel.
Patterson, William.
Hawkins, William.
Lowe, A. V.
Pratt, Mrs. Roxana.
Hill, George J. W.
Lacy, Albert D.
Parker, Rev. Orson.
Higgins & Brother. Hazelton, George H. Hagerty, Mrs.
Lanckton, Caleb.
McAlester, James.
Page, Robert J. S.
Hascall, Charles C.
Morrison & Eddy.
Palmer, J. W.
Hamilton, Wm. & O.
Moore, James.
Quick, David.
Hamilton, William.
Miles, Manley.
Quigley & Holgate.
Hamilton, O.
Mowry, Henry.
Quigley, John.
Harrison, Andrew.
Moore, Stephen.
Randall, Abner.
Howell, Isaac.
Moon, William.
Rankin, Francis H.
Hamilton, John.
Mason, Jared.
Ryan, Daniel.
Hill, Cary.
Marshall, William.
Richards, Richard.
Howard, Mrs.
Merch, Silas P.
Runyon, Content.
Higgins, M. E.
McFarlan, Alexander.
Reynolds, Almon.
Harper, Lemuel L.
Morse, Lorenzo D.
Roosevelt, Cornelius.
Haver, William.
Merriman, Isaiah.
Rodgers, T. V.
Hawley, John.
McMinaman, Pat.
Robinson, Isaac N.
Henry, Eunice.
McCollum, James.
Rice, Charles.
Howe, Mrs. Wm.
Mothersill, William.
Rising, H. C.
Hunt, Perry.
Miles, Mrs. E.
Ripley & Armstrong.
Iron, W. W.
McNamee, B.
Russell, N.
Jones, Ransom.
Miles, Mrs. Isaac.
Rice, William.
Johnson, Edwin.
Miller, William.
Stevenson, William.
Jenny, Royal W.
Mather, David.
Smith, A. G.
Jackson, R. H.
McCall, Philip.
Stillson, Harris.
Joy, John.
Mattison, Seth A.
Seymour, Charles.
Johnson & Blanchard.
Morse, David.
Sutton, John.
Judd, Richard.
Newcomb, Henry.
Scoville, William R.
Kirby, George, & Co.
Nash, Daniel L.
Stewart, E. M.
Keyes, Douglass.
Newcomb, Thomas.
Seaton, William.
Kline, Joseph.
Newell, Thomas.
Stevens, A. C. (estate of).
Kent, -
O'Sullivan, Daniel.
Saunders, Mrs.
.
Kline, Mrs. James.
O'Donoughue, Washington.
Stage, Mrs.
Kellogg, Marion.
Olmsted, Gosen.
Smith, Rev. George.
Kline, John A.
Ottoway, Stephen H.
Skinner & Martin.
Knickerbocker, Benner.
Pettee & Brother.
Sliter, H. M.
Link, John.
Parrish, Jasper.
Stow, Mrs.
Leach, Dewitt C.
Patrick, William.
Swan, Rev. John.
Leiberman, E.
Pearsons, William.
Safford, Orrin.
Lewis, E. J.
People's Bank.
Simmons, T.
Lyon, William H. C.
Payne, Chauncey S.
Sperry, George.
Lake, Warner.
Pearsoll, Harry.
Seeley, Mark D.
Lake, Nicholas.
Phelps, H. C.
Stafford, Edmond.
Lake, John. Lee, Edward.
Pearson, Benjamin.
Surryhne, William.
Lee, Thomas.
Parks, Thomas.
Stewart, P. H.
Lamond, Robert D.
Pettee, W. N.
Skidmore, John.
Lewis, Royal D.
Perry, H. W.
Stewart, Mrs.
Hosted by
Patrick, Charles.
Summers, Charles H.
Leister, Thomas.
Pratt, H. R.
Pettee, E. N.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Stow, George.
Van Tifflin, Reuben.
Wicks, Samuel B.
Thomson, E. H.
Van Vechten, M. B.
Willett, John.
Trainer. Patrick.
Wheeler, Shepard.
Witherbee, Mrs.
Trickey, Luther.
Wood, H. W.
Ward, Alexander.
Thurber, William M.
Warren, Thomas.
Wood, T. F.
Thayer, William.
Wolverton, Stephen.
Watkins, Nathan.
Tolles, Henry.
Whiting, John W.
Woodhouse, -.
Thayer, Artemas.
Wiseman, Lyman.
Webber, John.
Tollaver, William.
Watson, David.
Walker, James B.
Todd, John.
Wait, George.
Walker, J. B., & Co.
True, William W.
Walker, Levi.
Walker, H. C.
Terrill, David.
Walkley & Pifford.
Witherbee, Austin B.
Utley, Elisha.
Warren, Samuel N.
Wood, Smith & Wicks.
Van Ness, Peter.
Williams, Ephraim S.
Yawkey, J. H.
Van Syckle, G. A.
Wesson, Leonard.
Yawkey, J. H. & Son.
Van Tifflin, Schuyler.
Wing, Mrs.
Yorks, James.
FIRST CITY OFFICERS.
The first charter election was held April 2, 1865, when the following officers were chosen: Mayor, Grant Decker; recorder, Levi Walker; super- visor, Charles N. Beecher; treasurer, Elihu F. Frary; marshal, Cornelius Roosevelt; directors of the poor, Benjamin Pearson and Henry I. Higgins; school inspector, Daniel Clark; justices of the peace, Charles Seymour, Levi Walker, Lewis G. Bickford and Willard Eddy.
Ward Officers-First ward: Aldermen, George M. Dewey and James W. Armstrong; assessor, Ashael Fuller ; street commissioner, William Moon; constable, Cyrus A. Goff. Second ward: Aldermen, Benjamin Pearson and David Mather; assessor, William Hamilton; street commissioner, William Eddy ; constable, Erastus K. Carrier. Third ward: Aldermen, William M. Fenton and A. T. Crosman; assessor, David Foot; street commissioner, John C. Griswold; constable, Daniel L. Nash.
Respecting the officers of Flint City from the days of the first elections, W. R. Bates writes :
Grant Decker, the first mayor of Flint, was forty-one years of age when elected mayor, having been born February 4, 1814, in Deckertown, New Jersey, where his family located before the War of the Revolution. He came to Flint in 1839 and engaged in the lumbering business. Subsequently he was interested in a flour mill erected by him- self and Hon. Artemas Thayer. Later still he was interested in a flour and feed mill and Capt. Ira H. Wilder was associated with him. Notwithstanding the fact that his various business places were burned eight times in forty years, he continued nearly up to the time of his death as one of the active and highly respected business men of Flint. He was one of the founders of the St. Paul's Episcopal church and was one of its
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
officers at the time of his death. Mr. Decker's large frame mansion was one of the fine old homes of the city, but after his death it made place for the residence of former Mayor William A. Paterson. Since Mr. Decker's incumbency of the office of mayor, that position has been filled by fifty different persons. Of these, Col. William M. Fenton, William Hamilton, Col. William B. McCreery, David S. Fox, Judge George H. Durand, A. D. Alvord, George E. Mckinley, Guy W. Selby and Charles S. Mott were re-elected, the others having held the office but one term each.
Among the mayors of Flint are some who had state-wide reputations and who may be mentioned here without detracting from the excellent records made by the others. William M. Fenton, mayor for two terms, 1858 and 1859, was a great lawyer and a successful business man; he was colonel of the Eighth Michigan Infantry during the War of the Rebellion and was lieutenant-governor of Michigan. Henry H. Crapo, mayor in 1860, served the state for two terms as its governor. William B. McCreery was a colonel during the Civil War, state treasurer and United States consul at Santi- ago de Chili. George H. Durand, mayor two terms, 1873 and 1874, was a member of Congress one term, a justice of the state supreme court, appointed by Gov. E. B. Winans to fill a vacancy; and at the time when he was stricken with the illness which resulted in his death he was the democratic candidate for governor of the state. Jerome Eddy, mayor in 1878, was chairman of the democratic state central committee and United States consul at Chatham, Ontario. Mr. Eddy died November 24, 1905. George R. Gold, mayor in 1898, was judge of probate and trustee of the state institution for the feeble minded at Lapeer. Judge Gold was a model citizen, a delightful com- panion and his death was a distinct loss to this city and state. George E. Taylor, mayor in 1892, was a state senator and judge of probate. Col. Edward H. Thomson, mayor in 1877, was a man of culture, the owner of one of the best private Shakespearean libraries in the country, which is now the property of the University of Michigan, and a man known far and wide as a lecturer on Shakespeare, as a raconteur and a genial gentle- man. His hospitable home, containing also his library, was located where is now the residence of Arthur G. Bishop, on Kearsley street. William A. Atwood, mayor in 1882, has long been known as a conservative and successful business man and has served as state senator. D. D. Aitken served two terms as a member of Congress, is a lawyer, manufacturer, banker and a friend to the man who needs a friend. There are few names, if any, among the long list of past and present city officials about whom the writer could not truthfully say complimentary things, did space allow. F. D. Baker is at present postmaster of Flint. Charles S. Mott is a director of the General Motors Company. W. W. Joyner was postmaster of Flint. S. C. Randall was grand com- mander of Michigan Knights Templar. H. C. Spencer served as state senator.
The office of city recorder was abolished in 1876, since which time the common council has elected a city clerk.
ROSTER OF CITY OFFICIALS.
A complete list of the city officials follows :
Mayor.
Recorder. Treasurer.
1855-Grant Decker Levi Walker. Elihu H. Frary.
1856-R. J. S. Page Charles B. Higgins. John G. Griswold.
1857-Henry M. Henderson __ M. L. Higgins .George F. Hood.
1858-William M. Fenton Charles Hascall George F. Hood.
1859-William M. Fenton Charles Hascall George F. Hood.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Mayor.
Recorder. Treasurer.
1860-Henry H. Crapo Lewis G. Bickford. John A. Kline.
1861-Ephriam S. Williams __ L. G. Buckingham. John A. Kline.
1862-William Paterson J. R. Brousseau John A. Kline.
1868-William. Hamilton Henry R. Lovell
Anson S. Withee.
1864-William Hamilton. Alvin T. Crossman
Anson S. Withee.
1
1865-William B. McCreery __ Alvin T. Crossman
Anson S. Withee.
1866-William B. McCreery __ Alvin T. Crossman William W. Barnes.
1867-Austin B. Witherbee George R. Gold.
William W. Barnes.
1868-Samuel M. Axford
George R. Gold.
William W. Barnes.
1869-William S. Patrick. Anson S. Withee. William W. Barnes.
1870-James B. Walker Anson S. Withee.
William W. Barnes.
1871-David S. Fox Charles F. McAlester. William W. Barnes.
1872-David S. Fox
F. H. Rankin, Sr. William W. Barnes.
1873-George H. Durand.
Soloman V. Hakes William W. Barnes.
1874-George H. Durand. F. H. Rankin, Sr
William W. Barnes.
1875-Alexander McFarland F. H. Rankin, Sr. William W. Barnes.
Clerk.
1876-William Hamilton F. H. Rankin, Sr. William W. Barnes. Ira H. Wilder.
!
1878-Jerome Eddy F. H. Rankin, Sr. Charles C. Beahan.
1879-James C. Willson J. B. F. Curtis. Charles C. Beahan.
1880-Zacheus Chase. J. B. F. Curtis
Jared Van Vleet.
1881-Charles A. Mason J. B. F. Curtis.
Jared Van Vleet.
Albert C. Lyon
Francis Rankin, Jr.
(To fill vacancy)
1882-William A. Atwood. _Albert C. Lyon
1883-George E. Newall.
D. D. Aitken
Jonathan Palmer.
1884-William W. Joyner D. D. Aitken.
Ezra K. Jenkins.
1885-Mathew Davison. D. D. Aitken
John W. Thomas.
1886-George T. Warren John H. Hicok. Watson C. Pierce.
1887-John C. Dayton John H. Hicok
John McKercher.
1888-Oren Stone. John H. Hicok
John McKercher.
1889-F. D. Baker M. W. Stevens.
Frederick A. Platt.
1890-W. A. Paterson.
John Russell.
Frederick A. Platt.
1891-F. H. Rankin, Jr. Ralph L. Aldrich
Frank E. Willett.
Fred W. Brennan
Frank E. Willett.
(To fill vacancy )
1892-George E. Taylor. Fred W. Brennan
J. Frank Algoe.
1893-Andrew J. Ward. Fred W. Brennan J. Frank Algoe.
1894-Arthur C. McCall Fred P. Baker
Edwin C. Litchfield.
1895-John Zimmerman. Fred P. Baker Edwin C. Litchfield.
1896-Samuel C. Randall
Fred P. Baker Daniel E. McKercher.
1897-Milton C. Pettibone Fred P. Baker Daniel E. McKercher.
1898-George R. Gold. Fred P. Baker Delaskie D. Freeman.
1899 -- H. Alex. Crawford Fred P. Baker Delaskie D. Freeman.
Fred Freeman (To fill vacancy.)
1900-Charles A. Cummings __ Fred P. Baker John Ballantyne.
Hosted by
1877-Edward H. Thomson __ F. H. Rankin, Sr.
(To fill vacancy)
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Mayor. ..
Clerk. Treasurer.
1901-Clark B. Dibble. Fred P. Baker.
-John Ballantyne.
(To fill vacancy)
1902-A. D. Alvord.
D. E. Newcombe
Milton C. Pettibone.
1903-A. D. Alvord.
.D. - E. Newcombe Milton C. Pettibone.
1904-Bruce J. MacDonald.
Delos E. Newcombe Isaac - Finley.
1905-D. D. Aitkin
Delos E. Newcombe. Isaac Finley.
1906-George E. Mckinley.
Delos E. Newcombe. Melvin C. Bowman.
1907-George E. Mckinley_
.Delos E. Newcombe.
Melvin C. Bowman.
1909-Guy W. Selby.
Delos E. Newcombe.
Thomas Page.
1910-Guy W. Selby. Delos E. Newcombe
.B. Clifford Case.
1911-John A. C. Menton _Delos E. Newcombe.
.B. Clifford Case.
1912-Charles S. Mott
Delos E. Newcombe.
Arthur E. Raab.
1913-Charles S. Mott.
Delos E. Newcombe
Arthur E. Raab.
1914-J. R. MacDonald.
Delos E. Newcombe. Louis E. Zink.
1915-William H. McKeighan_Delos E. Newcombe.
Louis E. Zink.
1916-Earl F. Johnson Delos E. Newcombe John H. Long.
Of the fifty-one mayors of the city there are nineteen living, all of whom still reside in Flint, except George T. Warren and H. A. Crawford. The surviving mayors are: Mathew Davison, F. D. Baker, William A. Paterson, John Zimmerman, H. A. Crawford, C. A. Cummings, C. B. Dibble, A. D. Alvord, B. J. MacDonald, D. D. Aitken, George E. Mckinley, Horace C. Spencer, Guy W. Selby, John A. C. Menton, Charles S. Mott, J. R. MacDonald, William H. McKeighan, Earl F. Johnson.
In the first years of the city, covering the administrations of Mayors Decker, Page, Henderson and Fenton, its growth was severely handicapped by the general financial stringency. M. S. Elmore writes of this crisis :
Recalling the difficulties and embarrassments, as well as the expedients resorted to to secure business, or to meet the exigencies of trade and of credits, I am sure the business men of the past two or three decades can have but very imperfect conception of business methods during the years immediately preceding the War of the Rebellion. Money was so scarce, it might be said there was next to none. Barter, "dicker" charac- terized the style of trade and traffic between the merchant and his customers. Butter, eggs, pelts and shingles represented the currency of exchange. The few banks, any- where, issuing bills which would be accepted as currency in exchange for goods or labor, were wholly inadequate to supply the needs of even the limited business of the time. The money of only one or two banks in Michigan was regarded as at all safe to handle. Bills of a very few banks in Wisconsin were taken at a discount. I do not recall any bank in Chicago, or indeed in the state of Illinois, whose issue was considered safe to touch. Two or three banks in Ohio, and here and there one in the state of New York, would be accepted; but none from any state, except, perhaps, notes of the Michigan State Bank of Detroit were thought safe to hold over night, so that, before time for bank to close, Austin Witherbee was very sure to receive a call from such of the patrons of "Exchange Bank" as found bills on any banks in their tills at that hour. These were deposited with the understanding that you would be credited the amount received on them.
The great scarcity of silver, for change, was likewise embarrassing, and an annoy- ance at this time. Spanish silver, which had been a common currency for years, from
Hosted by
-Thomas Page.
1908-Horace C. Spencer
Delos E. Newcombe.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the Spanish dollar to the six-pence, half-dollars, quarters and shillings, had been mostly bought up for manufacturing purposes and American coin was very scarce. (It will be remembered this was "befo' the wa'"). A makeshift expedient was hit upon, adopted by a few merchants-the writer being one-to issue small "shin plaster" currency, made payable at "Exchange Bank," in which money was deposited to redeem them, and these were accepted as money in business, appreciably relieving the inconvenience and shortage. Specimens of these little substitutes for Uncle Sam's money are yet in existence. The government later issued the "shin plaster" currency, which filled a long-felt want, speci- mens of which may likewise be found among the curios of collectors. The breaking out of the war and the necessity for money for the "boys" relieved none too soon the strin- gency all felt, and the boys in blue soon began to help out the old folks at home with Uncle Sam's greenbacks, spending them meanwhile freely for their own needs, or indul- gence, and so soon changed the financial condition of the whole northern section of the country.
ELEMENTS WHICH GAVE IMPULSE TO THE CITY'S GROWTH.
Flint's vital connections with the outside world have been made almost wholly within the period of her city growth. Telegraphic communication was first opened in December, 1858, by a line from Flint to Fentonville, con- necting with the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad. The work was done by William W. True and the first operator at Flint was Miles D. McAlester, a graduate of West Point, who afterwards gained distinction as major of United States engineers and brevet brigadier-general United States army.
The first locomotive reached the city over the line of the Flint & Pere Marquette railway from the north, December 8, 1862. This event was cele- brated amidst general rejoicing and a grand banquet held at the Carlton House. The work upon the Flint & Holly railroad was commenced in the summer of 1863 and, by the untiring energy of Governor Crapo, president of the company, seconded by the leading business men of Flint, it was graded, tied, ironed and made ready for the rolling-stock in about eighteen months. The trip of the first locomotive, the "City of Flint," over it, November, 1864, was the occasion of great rejoicing, as it was the first out- let southward.
In 1871 a road extending from Port Huron to Flint was completed, as the Port Huron & Lake Michigan railroad. In 1877 the Chicago & North- eastern railroad, extending from Flint to Lansing, was placed in running order. These two roads were then consolidated as part of the line of the Chicago & Lake Huron railroad, and continued as such until the purchase of the Chicago & Northeastern by Vanderbilt.
The new impulse given to the city by these new avenues of communi- cation was felt especially by the industries of lumbering and manufacturing.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The Crapo lumber mill, established in the city by Henry H. Crapo in 1856, in the seventies reached a capacity of twenty million feet of lumber per an- num. Only second were the McFarlan mills, established in 1850, which cut eleven million feet a year. The mills of Begole, Fox & Company, built in 1865, put out a large product. Jerome Eddy's mills, established in 1868, cut ten million feet a year. The saw-mill made a natural demand for the planing-mill. Among these mills was Newall & Company's planing-mill, built in 1855. Another was established in 1867 by Beardslee, Gillies & Com- pany, whose products found a market in New York, Ohio, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Hiram Smith's mills made a specialty of handling hard- wood. Stave and shingle-mills followed up in the slashings. Decker & Has- kell's stave-mill, which had its origin in 1870, was devoted entirely to the manufacture of staves and headings. W. B. Pellett's factory, established in 1874, was one among many which manufactured sash, doors and blinds.
The flour-mill was not behind the lumber-mill in feeling this added impulse. The old Thread mills continued under a succession of owners far into this period, manufacturing in the seventies one hundred barrels of flour a day, much of which found its way to the East. Patterson & Carman's flour-mill, started in 1877, made sixty barrels a day. In 1879 the Flint mills had an aggregate capacity of sixty thousand barrels of flour annually.
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