USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 32
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The broad Indian trail from Detroit to Saginaw, along which for many years the northern tribes came down in large numbers to barter their furs for supplies and to re- ceive their annuities from the English and United States governments, crossed the river at this point, and to this circumstance, as will be shown, does the city owe its site. The French traders called the crossing the Grand Traverse, and it was a favorite resting-place and camping-ground for them and neighboring Indian tribes, as game and fish were abundant.
$26,950 19
The building of small vessels has been carried on to some extent in recent years on the Flint River in the township of Montrose ; a schooner of ninety tons being launched there in March, 1875, and a steam-tug and some other craft having been built there previously. An account of them will be found in the history of that township.
POPULATION OF THE COUNTY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
It is stated, on what is believed to be the best authority, that on the first of' January, 1830, the entire population of what was afterwards formed into Genesee County was not more than eighty persons of all ages. At the commence- ment of 1831 it had increased to about one hundred and fifty, and a year later reached about three hundred. After that time the inercase became more rapid, and the popula- tion of the county at different periods, from 1837 to 1874, is shown by the several censuses to have been as follows :
Hands employed.
$7,000
Capital invested.
Capital invested.
$32,000
Value of product.
Hands employed.
Capital invested.
$8,000
Value of product ..
$5,250 5
Boot- and shoe- factories.
120
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
During the years from 1826 to 1835 the government was engaged in constructing a road from Detroit, through Pontiac, to Saginaw, and the same was completed to the Grand Traverse in 1834. This road was surveyed 100 feet wide, the timber cleared away, the ground turnpiked, streams bridged, and a very passable wagon-road made, which is still the principal highway in the country through which it was laid. It followed very nearly the Indian trail. A bridge was constructed across the Flint at the Grand Traverse, and this event gave the locality an added import- ance which, otherwise, it would never have obtained. Had this bridge been located either up or down the stream, it undoubtedly would have carried the whole settlement and the future city with it. The early settlers then ended the struggle, dropped the terms of Grand Traverse and Todd's Ferry, and adopted that of the " Flint River Settlement" or village of Flint. After the admission of the Territory as a State all further work on the Saginaw road was sus- pended by the government, which had then surveyed it twelve miles and turnpiked it five miles north of the city. Saginaw Street, which is the principal avenue of the city of the present day, is simply this old turnpike graded down and disguised in a dress of modern Nicholson pavement.
THE PIONEERS AND FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
The earliest white inhabitant of an unsettled country must, by the nature of his surroundings, be the subject of much historical interest. This interest was greatly inten- sified in the present instance from the strongly-marked character of the individual not only, but from the un- bounded influence he wieldled over the Indian tribes that surrounded him and the subsequent litigations which his relations with them involved.
Jacob Smith, a resident of Detroit, had been a trader with the Indians since the war of 1812, spending many months of the year among those with whom he had busi- ness dealings, to a great extent adopting their dress, habits, and language, yet still retaining his residence at the capital.
After the treaty of 1819 * he made the Grand Traverse of the Flint his permanent trading-post. By assimilating himself to his aboriginal friends, and by his habits of fair dealing, he had inspired their confidence, while his sound judgment and sagacity were their unfailing resource in time of need. This bond of union between the chiefs of the neighboring tribes and Mr. Smith was more strongly ce- mented by time, until his relations to them were those of a brother, and to a very late day remnants of these once- powerful tribes were accustomed to cherish his memory with the most sincere affection.
The Indian-trail leading from Detroit to Saginaw then crossed the Flint River just above the present Saginaw Street Bridge, and the fording-place had long been known to the early French traders as the "Grand Traverse," or great crossing.
The conditions were most favorable for his purpose, and here, on the site of the First Baptist church edifice, Jacob Smith erected a log trading-post in 1819, and made it his permanent residence until the date of his death, which
occurred in the spring of 1825. This, without a doubt, was the pioneer structure, -the first building erected for a white man's occupancy in the county of Genesec.
Jacob Smith was a descendant of a German family, and was born in the city of Quebec. From early boyhood he had mingled with and been intimately associated with those of the English, French, and Indian races, and very natu- rally he grew up able to speak either language fluently . Ile inclined more to the French and Indian, however, and in later years, while pursuing his vocation as an Indian trader in the wilderness, was accompanied usually by a few French and Indian half-breeds, who acted in the capacity of servants or followers. After taking possession of the reservation granted him by the treaty of Saginaw, and building the trading.post just mentioned, his half-breed friends, François Edouard Campan, or Nowokeshik, George Lyons, and perhaps others, remained with him, and erected for themselves habitations on either side of the Grand Traverse.f A large tract of land was cleared by their united exertions, and prior to the death of Jacob Smith quite an extensive plantation was already under cultivation.
Campau's object in settling here was twofold,-first to be near his friend Smith ; and secondly, to have his actual possession of the reservation assist him in getting a patent of it from the government. His plans were perfected June 12, 1825, when the general government issued to Francis Campauf a patent for a section of land situated on the south side of the river.
During the spring of 1830, Benajah Tupper, his brother- in-law, Archibald. Green, and a cousin of Tupper's, named Preston, came on from Rush, Monroe Co., N. Y., and occu- pied the deserted cabin built by Jacob Smith. It was Mr. Green's purpose to purchase land and become a permanent resident of the Territory. But soon after his arrival his wife, who accompanied him, was taken violently ill ; a phy- sician, Dr. Olmsted Chamberlain, was summoned from l'on- tiac, but before he reached her bedside, Mrs. Esther Green had departed this life, within the same rude walls which witnessed the demise of Jacob Smith, five years previously.
Mr. Winchell, of Grand Blane, prepared the coffin which enclosed the remains of Mrs. Green, and it is described as having been made of green boards, which, for the lack of mails or screws, were dove-tailed together. After this sad occurrence Mr. Green returned to New York. Tupper and Preston remained a year or two later, engaged in hunting and the sale of whisky, tobacco, etc., to the Indians. Finally a violent quarrel took place between Preston and the Indians, which resulted in the sudden departure of both Preston and Tupper for the East, their dusky focs having made existence altogether too uncomfortable for them at the crossing.
Early in 1830, John Todd, from Pontiac, Oakland Co., during a prospecting tour visited the Grand Traverse of the Flint, which, until that time, had been termed by the carly settlers of Grand Blanc the French settlement. Being very favorably impressed with the locality, he pur-
t Sec Jacob Stevens' letter, dated at Granblaw, July, 1>25, where he speaks of some French families living seven miles to the north- west of him.
# Meaning François Edouard Campan.
# Sce generat history.
121
FLINT CITY.
chased from Campau the entire seetion* for $800. He immediately returned to Pontiac, and a few days later, ac- companied by his wife Polly, and children Edward and
LITTLE
JOIN TODD.
Mary, began a journey which required three days to aecom- plish. In the emigrant train were one ox and two horse teams, cows, young cattle, hogs, chickens, various household goods, and farming implements. Thus did Mr. and Mrs. Todd, with their family, become the first permanent resi- dents on the site of the present city of Flint. Mr. Todd had purchased from Campau what was presumed to be a comfortable habitation, but certain neighbors had disman- tled the cabin of its few comforts, and he with much diffi- eulty made the shanty habitable for the night. The original saw-mill on the Thread River was then in course of eon- struction by Rufus W. Stevens, and the missing planks and other appointments of the Campau cabin had been carried thither to assist in raising and staying the frame- work of the mill structure.
The planks were soon restored to their original place, and with the labor of the men and the skill and taste of the house- wife, known then and for years after as " Aunt Polly Todd,"
order was brought out of chaos, and the apartment, six- teen by eighteen feet in dimensions, afforded a comfortable abiding-place for its inmates. At the saw-mill on the Thread, Mr. Todd had the lumber prepared, which afforded him the opportunity for enlarging his limited quarters, and opening in the following year the famous holstelry known as "Todd's Tavern," the hospitality and abundance of which established for its host and hostess a wide reputa- tion. It was located on the site of the present Wolverine Citizen office, and until within a few years formed a wing of that building. It was later removed, and ultimately de- stroyed by fire. The landlord was able to gratify the taste of the most fastidious epicure in the variety of his menu, game of all kinds being abundant. The vegetables for the table were easily cultivated, while venison, wild turkeys, and fish, as well as maple-sugar, were supplied by the Indians, " fire-water" being regarded as a legal tender in payment for all their wares. A pint of whisky (and this, as a mat- ter of precaution, diluted) would purchase a saddle of veni- son, and a turkey weighing twenty-five pounds could be had for double the quantity.
Upon the establishment of the land-office at the Grand Traverse, " Todd's Tavern" became so popular a rendez- vous that its capacity was unequal to the demands upon it. Crowds of land-seekers pressed their claims for food and shelter, and many were content to wait for hours their turn at the often-replenished table.
All the land purchased was paid for in eoin, and the buyers were liberally provided with specie, which was gen- erally carried in boxes or bags. At night these packages were piled up against the wall, while their owners, total strangers to each other, slept promiscuously upon the floor, yet no theft of coin was ever chronieled. The government afterwards employed a four-horse wagon to carry away the accumulation of silver. This period of the settlement of the country may not only be regarded as the most ex- citing and interesting in its history, but the era from which dates its rapid growth and prosperity. Mr. A. F. Ilayden, having an ambition to become a landlord, rented the tavern, but in 1835 Mr. Todd resumed its management. This pio- neer host, upon whose head the accumulated frosts of eighty-five winters have gathered, relates many interesting reminiscences of that early day. His skill in dealing with the Indians, especially when frequent draughts of whisky had made them intractable, was proverbial, and Mrs. Todd was no less happy in this regard.
On one occasion Tonedogane, one of the chiefs, while under the influence of liquor, presented himself and de- manded whisky. Mrs. Todd refused it, when the chief drew a knife upon her. She determined to have a hand iu the fray, and, seizing a stool, was about belaboring him when her husband entered and took the knife from the Indian. Later he offered to return it, but the chief appeared em- barrassed at a recollection of the incident, and refused to accept it.
On another occasion an Indian came to trade, and having completed his bargain indicated a desire to tarry and drink the whisky he had purchased. The host fearing trouble if he remained ordered him out, when he replied that " he would go when he got ready." Mr. Todd turned upou
* Mr. Todd's deed was dated April 1, 1830, and he removed to Flint River from Pontiac on the 19th of the same month. The land purchased of Campau was surveyed in advance, and 785 acres were found. Hle says that Benajah Tupper and another man were ou the north side of the river, trading with the Indians, when he came. Nathaniel Ladd was his first neighbor on the south side; Ezekiel R. Ewing squattent on the north side in 1831, and in 1832, James McCormick (the elder) bought out Ewing. Mr. Todd settled in Pontiac in 1819. His reminiscences of hardships and privations at that carly period are vivid, when for days, and sometimes for weeks, their diet consisted principally of beans and wild game. A few urtieles were ocensionally procured at Detroit,-when a little money, or furs, were in hand to exchange for the same,-at the price of a long and laborious journey on foot.
16
122
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
him and with a blow knocked him over, asking in his own tongue, " menewa" ("do you want any more ?"). The Indian replied " haw" (" yes"). The process was repeated with the same result. Ile struck him the third time, and again exelaimed " menewa," with the reply " haw," when he aimed a blow that sent him reeling to the floor. To the question as to whether he " wanted any more," the reply came "ka" ("no"). In the second year of Mr. Todd's residenee at the river, the Indians while holding a " pow- wow" became very much excited, and in a spasm of jealous rage one called " Mabin" shot his wife. After the band had become somewhat sobered, a council was held to deter- mine how justice should be meted out to the murderer. ITaving expressed contrition for the deed, his punishment consisted in his being obliged to pay the expenses of the funeral, and purchase moccasins, leggings, beads, etc., in which to encase the body for burial, and furnish five gal- lons of whisky for the funeral obsequies. The ceremonies on this occasion are described as solemn and impressive. In the box or coffin in which the dead was placed was a hole, through which food was passed to nourish the de- parted on her journey to the spirit-land. A eirele was formed around the body, and each member present took a ladle full of succotash, then passed it on until it reached the deceased member of the band, when the same quantity was placed in the coffin. These rites continued until the five gallons of whisky had rendered the mourners insensible to grief.
After Mr. Todd's arrival the Grand Traverse was known as Todd's Ferry,-because he kept a canoe at the erossing for the accommodation of travelers. Mr. Todd usually did duty as ferryman, but in his absence, or that of the men of the house, the women lent a helping hand, and were never loath to respond to the call of passengers.
The ferry was located almost directly behind the present Wolverine Citizen office, the river being much wider at that time. The ferry canoe was hollowed from a tree about six feet wide, and of sufficient dimensions to carry over wagons and sleighs. There was no charge for crossing. The land purchased by Mr. Todd embraced the whole of section 7, and was supposed to include 640 acres, but by actual measurement it overran, and a more correct survey gave him really 785 acres.
In 1836, Mr. and Mrs. Todd, having determined to re- tire from the arduous duties that their position of host and hostess entailed, disposed of the tavern to Mr. Wait Beach, who came from Mount Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., and by his energy and activity added much to the growth of the settlement. He became also the owner of the tract of land which was the excess of section 7, owned by Mr. Todd, and was commonly known as the Gore. This property ad- vanced so rapidly in value after the location of the county- seat as to have induced certain parties to offer $50,000 for an undivided half.
After Mr. Todd's retirement from the tavern he erected a comfortable house on the spot now occupied by the First National Bank, on Saginaw Street, and later effected an exchange of property, which occasioned his removal to the opposite side of the river. He afterwards purchased a farm on the Flushing road, and for many years resided upon it.
Hle with his wife retired to Owasso after advancing years had rendered them less active, and Mrs. Todd died at the home of her eldest son, in that city. Mr. Todd still lives to relate with zest his pioneer vicissitudes.
In the summer of 1831, Nathaniel Ladd and wife arrived from Utica, N. Y., and Mr. Ladd in his recollections states that the only white residents at that time were Mr. and Mrs. Jolın Todd and their children, and two traders,-Benajah Tupper and his cousin Preston. Mr. Ladd and his family lived with these young men, who were at the time oeeupy- ing the log house erected by Jacob Smith. The nearest post-office at this time was Grand Blanc, where Rufus W. Stevens was the postmaster.
Col. James W. Cronk and family also came in 1831, and settled near what was styled Cronk's briek-yard, the colo- nel's ostensible business having been that of a guide for " land-lookers." He was also a hunter of repute, and none cared to dispute the claims of this Nimrod of the forest. The spoils of the chase, together with a hearty welcome, were always to be found at his home. James Cronk, his father, died in 1832 at John Todd's tavern, Nathaniel Ladd having nursed him during his last illness, and Dr. Chamberlain, of Pontiac, attended him. His son, James W. Cronk, died while serving in the Mexican war in 1847.
In 1831, on the north bank of the river behind the present Baptist church, the patriotic impulses of the early residents first found expression, the day being the Fourth of July, and the occasion a memorable one.
Tables were spread under the shade of the trees, and many neighbors from Pontiac and Grand Blanc added their presence and enthusiasm to the occasion. One of the Pontiac delegation brought with him the Stars and Stripes, this same flag having been rendered memorable as the banner of the first steamer on Lake Erie.
It was mounted on a tamaraek-pole and thrown to the breeze. Its brilliant colors and the happy voices of the merry band soon attracted the notice of some Indians at an adjacent encampment, and the warriors with their squaws drew near to witness the merry-making of the little band of patriots. Among them were two chiefs, who were invited to participate. One was named orator of the day, and de- livered an oration in the Indian dialect which was intelli- gible to most of those present, while the other chief evinced his patriotic fervor in strains of Indian melody.
Mr. Ladd and his family remained until 1832, when, having sold to Judge Stow, they removed to a farm in Grand Blanc, and the Smith house, which they vacated, af- forded still later-in 1832-a comfortable abiding-place for Lyman Stow. The latter was the first representative of the blacksmith's eraft, for whom John Todd ereeted a small shop, situated just aeross the street from the Citizen office. Afterwards, in response to the increasing demand upon his skill, Mr. Stow erected a commodious shop* of his own.
During the same year, 1832, George Oliver, an English- man, joined the little settlement. He was at different
$ Mr. Adam C. Kline, now a resident of Grand Blanc township, claims to have built the first regularly appointed blacksmith-shop, in the winter of 1835 and '36, and in it the first township election for Flint was held, in the spring of 1836.
RESIDENCE OF J. W. B
OLE, FLINT, MICHIGAN.
123
FLINT CITY.
periods employed by John Todd, and at the Thread mill. Elijah N. Davenport came about the same time. Ile occu- pied a small log house which stood near the present site of Hamilton's mill, and was an early tavern-keeper. After remaining here but a few years he removed to Bay City, where he died. He was one of the first highway commis- sioners in the old town of Grand Blanc in 1833, and in many other capacities filled a conspicuous place in the early history of the Flint River settlement. The following is a literal copy of the bond entered into by himself and his sureties for the faithful observance of law and good order in the keeping of a tavern in 1834 :
" You, Elijah N. Davenport, do acknowledge to owe unto the people of the United States of America the sum of fifty dollars; and you, Benjamin Pearson and Clark Dibble, do acknowledgo to owe unto the people of the United States of America the sum of twenty-five dollars each, to be levied on your several goods and chattels, lands and tenements, opon condition, that whereas the above-bounden Elijah N. Davenport is admitted and allowed to keep a tavern for the space of one year next ensuing, and no longer, in the house where he now resides at Flint River, and no other. Now, therefore, if the said Elijah N. Davenport during the time aforesaid shall keep and main- tain good order and rule, and shall suffer no disorder, or unlawful games to be used in his house, or any of the dependencies thereof, and shall not break any of the laws for the regulations of taverns, then this recognizance shall be veid, otherwise to remain in full force and virtne.
" This you do severally acknowledge, at Grand Blanc.
" TERRITORY OF MICHIGAN, January 6th, 1834.
(Signed)
"E. N. DAVENPORT, " BENJAMIN PEARSON, JR., " CLARK DIBALE."
James McCormick was another settler of 1832. IIc purchased a squatter's claim from Ezekiel R. Ewing, who had no title to the land upon which he had crected a small cabin on the north side of the river. During Mr. McCormick's residenee he worked upon the first bridge thrown across the Flint, at the Saginaw Street crossing, in 1834, and removed from the place the following year.
The social waters of the settlement were stirred during the winter of 1831-32 by the rumor of a wedding, which was soon after confirmed by the marriage of Mr. George Oliver to Miss Keziah Toby. The services of 'Squire David Stanard, of Saginaw, were called into requisition, and Mr. and Mrs. John Todd gave them a wedding reception, as both parties had been in their employ. The happy pair for years afterwards resided in Saginaw.
Soon after the event last mentioned, Mr. and Mrs. Todd determined to give a house-warming, in consequence of the completion of an important addition to the River House, or Flint River Tavern. An adequate idea of this grand occasion can best be given the reader by embodying a de- seription as related by " Aunt Polly" to one of the residents of Flint, many years after :
" In February, Mr. Todd had the frame addition to his house all finished, and as Sam Russell-the only violinist in the county-was procurable, Mr. and Mrs. Todd deter- mined to give a house-warming. For this purpose, all the settlers in Flint and Grand Blanc-about thirty in number -were invited to the ' Flint Tavern,' to pass the following evening. Meantime all the ladies put their best garments in readiness, and Mrs. Todd-who had better facilities for importing new articles into the settlement than many of the
others-had a full new suit, and a splendid new dress cap, ready for that special occasion, all purchased some weeks previously by Mr. Todd, in Detroit. As the evening ad- vanced the guests commenced arriving, and ' Aunt Polly' concluded to dress up. As she appeared among the ladies, they all expatiated on her becoming dress, and 'perfect love of a cap.' Mrs. Todd, having a light in her hand at the time, stood opposite a looking-glass, and, casting an ad- miring glance at herself therein, mentally agreed that she did look well, and that it was 'a love of a cap.' While elevating the light to get a more correct view of the beau- tiful piece of finery, it caught in some of the delicate bor- ders or ribbons, and a fire ensued which reduced the gay head-dress to a few burned rags in less than three minutes. Ilowever, the tuning of the fiddle previous to the dance, set the gentlemen to looking up their partners, and Mrs. Todd, who loved dancing, was on the floor one of the first, look- ing just as well and as happy in another cap of less preten- tions than her lost beauty. In those times a dance was the only amusement looked for at any gathering, and when an invitation was given, it was sure to be accepted."
In 1833 the first township cleetion for officers of the new town of Grand Blanc took place. Its territory in- cluded the settlement at Flint River, and the following citizens received official honors, to wit : Lyman Stow, Jus- tice of the Peace, and Assessor; John Todd, Highway Com- missioner ; Elijah N. Davenport, Constable ; James W. Cronk, Trustee of School Lands ; and George Oliver, Over- seer of Highways.
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