USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
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And still the prospects of the county in the same direction indicate increased success. The soil is composed of an ex- cellent loam, and is watered by numerous rivers, and by no . less than a hundred and seven lakes of various sizes. And though some of the land still displays the attributes of the original marsh of which it was composed, yet there are ex- cellent facilities for drainage, and when drained such soil is of the best quality.
In fact, Hillsdale County is somewhat celebrated for slop- ing in every possible direction. It is the nursing mother of the rivers of Southern Michigan. Here are found the sources of the St. Joseph River of Lake Michigan, starting in the eastern part of the county and making its way north- westward towards its destination, a hundred and fifty miles distant ; the St. Joseph of the Maumee, the numerous branches of which drain the whole southern part of the county ; the Kalamazoo (or, as it is called in the old treaties, the Kekalamazoo), the south branch of which heads in the northern central section ; the river Raisin, which has its source in the northeastern part, flowing thence into Lake Erie; and even the Grand River, a very small portion of which runs through the extreme northeastern corner of the county, flowing northward past Jackson to Lansing, and thence westward to Lake Michigan. Certainly Hillsdale County ought not to lack for ample drainage.
The swell of land, or " water-shed," on which this county is situated begins at Port Austin, on Lake Huron, and runs southwestwardly to the south west corner of Hillsdale County. The highest portions in Tuscola and Sanilac Counties are four hundred feet above the surface of Lake Huron ; those
in Lapeer and Oakland, about five hundred; those in Washtenaw and Jackson sink to four hundred again ; while some of the highest points in Hillsdale reach the altitude of six hundred feet. This altitude is naturally promotive of health, and, now that the forests have been cleared away, and the malaria has been largely worked out of the virgin soil, there are few more salubrious counties to be found in the West.
And now, having traced the history of the territory com- prising Hillsdale County from the beginning of the seven- teenth century to the present time; having shown the suc- cessive changes of control over it from the Indians to the French, from the French to the English, from the English to the Americans, from the Americans to the English again, and from the English back once more to the Americans ; having described the deeds of its savage Pottawattamie braves, of its hardy pioneers, and of its gallant Union sol- diers, we will close this consecutive record of the county ; supplementing it by a few chapters devoted to statistical matter and separate organizations, and then referring our readers to the city and township histories for a detailed ac- count of events which have happened in the respective localities since their settlement by the whites.
CHAPTER XXI.
HILLSDALE COUNTY CIVIL LIST.
List of Principal Civil Officers Resident in Hillsdale County, with Length of Term and Date of Entering on Office-Representative in Congress-Lieutenant-Governors-State Treasurer-State Sena- tors-Representatives in Legislature-Judges of Circuit Court- Associate Judges-County and Second Judges-Circuit Court Com- missioners - Probate Judges-Sheriffs -County Clerks-County Registers - County Treasurers - County Surveyors-Coroners- Members of Constitutional Conventions.
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS (TWO YEARS).
March 4, 1855 .- Henry Waldron, Hillsdale; elected to second term, beginning March 4, 1857 ; elected to third term, beginning March 4, 1859; again elected to fourth term, beginning March 4, 1871; elected to fifth term, beginning March 4, 1873; elected to sixth term, beginning March 4, 1875.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR (TWO YEARS).
Jan. 1, 1859 .- Edmund B. Fairfield, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1865 .- Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, Fayette.
STATE TREASURER (TWO YEARS).
Jan. 1, 1866 .- Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, Fayette.
STATE SENATORS-TWO YEARS (in two classes, one elected each year).
Jan. 1, 1840 .- Elisha P. Champlin, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1842 .- E. P. Champlin, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1844 .- William T. Howell, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1845 .- William T. Howell, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1847 .- John P. Cook, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1849 .- Levi Baxter, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1852 .- Alonzo Cressy, Hillsdale.
Elected for two years by single districts.
Jan. 1, 1853 .- Ransom Gardner, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1855 .- Alonzo Cressy, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1857 .- Edmund B. Fairfield, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1859 .- Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1861 .- John McDermid, Cambria.
Jan. 1, 1863 .- Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1865 .- Frederick Fowler, Reading.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Jan. 1, 1867 .- George A. Smith, Somerset. Jan. 1, 1869 .- Ezra L. Koon, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1871 .- William Stoddard, Litchfield.
Jan. 1, 1873 .- William Stoddard, Litchfield.
Jan. 1, 1875 .- John M. Osborn, Pittsford.
Jan. 1, 1877 .- Witter J. Baxter, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1879 .- Alexander Hewitt, Allen.
REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISLATURE.
Elected for one year.
Jan. 1, 1835 .- Lewis T. Miller, Moscow.
Jan. 1, 1837 .- Stillman Ralph, Scipio.
Jan. 1, 1838 .- E. P. Champlin, Jonesville.
Jan. 1, 1839 .- E. B. Seelye, Pittsford.
Jan. 1, 1840 .- B. B. Willetts, Cambria.
Jan. 1, 1842 .- Wm. T. Howell, Hillsdale ; John Mickle, Reading.
Jan. 1, 1843 .- Henry Waldron, Hillsdale; John S. Brown, -
Jan. 1, 1844 .- W. W. Murphy, Fayette; E. T. Chester, Camden. Jan. 1, 1845 .- Henry Packer, Litchfield ; John Humphrey, Wheatland.
Jan. 1, 1846 .- J. B. Graham, Fayette; John P. Cook, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1847 .- Zachariah Van Duzer, Moscow; Daniel Kinne, Reading.
Jan. 1, 1848 .- Luke Hazen, Allen; Z. Williams, Wheatland.
Jan. 1, 1849 .- Russell Coman, Wright; Jesse Stoddard, Litchfield.
Jan. 1, 1850 .- James Fowle, Camden ; H. S. Mead, Hillsdale.
Elected for two years.
Jan. 1, 1851 .- W. R. Montgomery, Camden ; Charles Gregory, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1853 .- Wm. R. Traver, Litchfield; Geo. Fitzsimmons, Read- ing; Robert Worden, Jr., Pittsford.
Jan. 1, 1855 .- Stillman Ralph, Moscow ; Ethel Judd, Adams; Gideon G. King, Amboy.
Jan. 1, 1857 .- William Stoddard, Hillsdale; Ethel Judd, Adams; Silas A. Wade, Jefferson.
Jan. 1, 1859 .- Frederick Fowler, Reading; Wm. P. Richards, -; Wm. W. Brewster.
Jan. 1, 1861 .- James Fowle, Moscow ; Leonard Miller, Scipio; Robert Cox, Wheatland.
Jan. 1, 1863 .- Charles Mosher, -; James Fowle, Camden ; George A. Smith, - -.
Jan. 1, 1865 .- Z. D. Thomas, Allen ; B. B. Willitts, Cambria; A. B. Slocum, Wheatland.
Jan. 1, 1867 .- Linus S. Parmelee, Reading; Warren Mccutcheon, Ransom ; Stephen Canniff, Litchfield.
Jan. 1, 1869 .- Henry McCowen, Moscow ; Harvey B. Rowlson, Hills- dale; John M. Osborn, Pittsford.
Jan. 1, 1871 .- Henry Hough, Fayette; Jason B. Norris, Cambria ; John M. Osborn, Pittsford.
Jan. 1, 1873 .- Alexander Hewitt, Allen; William Drake, Amboy ; Charles D. Luce, Jefferson.
Jan. 1, 1875 .- Alexander Hewitt, Allen ; L. S. Ranney, Hillsdale ; Leonidas Hubbard, Wright.
Jan. 1, 1877 .- Charles Mosher, Scipio; Samuel B. Brown, Ransom. Jan. 1, 1879 .- Charles Mosher, Scipio; Samuel B. Brown, Ransom.
JUDGES OF CIRCUIT COURT. Elected for six years.
Jan. 1, 1858 .- E. H. C. Wilson, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1870 .- Daniel L. Pratt, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1876 .- Daniel L. Pratt.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
Jan. 1, 1836 .- Henry Stephens, Litchfield ; Heman Pratt, Wheatland. Jan. 1, 1841 .- Hiram Pratt, Somerset; John Mickle, Reading.
Jan. 1, 1845 .- William Mercer, Somerset ; Daniel Kinne, Reading.
COUNTY AND SECOND JUDGES.
Jan. 1, 1847 .- William T. Howell, Hillsdale, County Judge; Robert Alan, Hillsdale, Second Judge.
Jan. 1, 1848 .- Henry Waldron, Hillsdale, County Judge; William Mercer, Somerset, Second Judge.
Jan. 1, 1849 .- E. T. Chester, Camden, County Judge; Benjamin Fowle, Moscow, Second Judge.
Jan. 1, 1851 .- William Mercer, Somerset, County Judge; John Mickle, Reading, Second Judge.
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS (TWO YEARS).
Jan. 1, 1853 .- Robert Alan, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1855 .- Andrew P. Hogarth, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1857 .- Andrew P. Hogarth, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1859 .- T. E. Dibell, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1861 .- Ezra L. Koon, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1863 .- Edwin J. March, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1865 .- John T. Blois, Fayette; T. E. Dibell, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1867 .- Henry F. Kellogg, Hillsdale; John T. Blois, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1869 .- Albert Dickerman, Hillsdale; John T. Blois, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1871 .- Albert Dickerman, Hillsdale; John T. Blois, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1873 .- Oscar A. Janes, Hillsdale; Alpheus St. John, Reading. Jan. 1, 1875 .- Oscar A. Janes, Hillsdale; Eugene A. Merrill, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1877 .- Benjamin P. Shepard, Hillsdale ; Spencer D. Bishop, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1879 .- Otto Fowle, Hillsdale; Fred. H. Stone, Hillsdale.
PROBATE JUDGES. Elected for four years.
Jan. 1, 1841 .- Lyman Blackmar, Moscow.
Jan. 1, 1845 .- Eutychas Champlin, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1849 .- David Bagley, Adams.
Jan. 1, 1853 .- Henry Packer, Litchfield.
Jan. 1, 1857 .- Martin H. Webb, Pittsford.
Jan. 1, 1861 .- Martin H. Webb, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1865 .- C. J. Dickerson, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1869 .- C. J. Dickerson, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1873 .- Albert Dickerman, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1877 .- Oscar A. Janes, Hillsdale.
SHERIFFS.
Elected for two years.
Jan. 1, 1839 .-- U. B. Couch, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1841 .- Alfred Hopkins, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1843 .- Alfred Hopkins, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1845 .- Adam Howder, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1847 .- Adam Howder, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1849 .- Henry H. Sherman, Allen. Jan. 1, 1851 .- Rufus Beal, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1853 .- H. H. Sherman, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1855 .- Samuel T. Sheriff, Allen. Jan. 1, 1857 .- Samuel T. Sheriff, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1859 .- S. N. Shattuck, Somerset.
Jan. 1, 1861 .- S. N. Shattuck, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1863 .- Peter Strank, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1865 .- Peter Strank, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1867 .- Josiah D. Emeson, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1869 .- Almon Day, Camden.
Jan. 1, 1871 .- Almon Day, Camden.
Jan. 1, 1873 .- Morris Lamb, Jefferson.
Jan. 1, 1875 .- Morris Lamb, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1877 .- George W. Bullock, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1879 .- George W. Bullock, Fayette.
COUNTY CLERKS.
Elected for one year.
Jan. 1, 1836 .- George C. Munro, Jonesville, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1837 .- George C. Munro, Jonesville, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1838 .- George C. Munro, Jonesville, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1839 .- Chauncey W. Ferris, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1840 .- Chauncey W. Ferris, Hillsdale. Elected for two years.
Jan. 1, 1841 .- C. E. Atwater, Fayette; died in office, and W. W.
Wood, of Fayette, elected to fill vacancy.
Jan. 1, 1843 .- W. W. Wood, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1845 .- John Swegles, Jr., Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1847 .- John Swegles, Jr., Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1849 .- S. S. Corial, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1851 .- W. W. Wood, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1853 .- J. H. McCollum, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1855 .- J. B. Wheaton, Moscow.
Jan. 1, 1857 .- J. B. Wheaton, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1859 .- Orlando C. Gale, Moscow.
Jan. 1, 1861 .- Joel B. Wheaton, Hillsdale.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Jan. 1, 1863 .- Joel B. Wheaton, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1865 .- Wm. W. Brewster, Wright. Jan. 1, 1867 .- Wm. W. Brewster, Wright. Jan. 1, 1869 .- John L. Frisbie, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1871 .- John L. Frisbie, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1873 .- John L. Frisbie, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1875 .- John L. Frisbie, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1877 .- Benjamin F. Tabor; died during the year, and Charles W. Pratt appointed to fill vacancy.
Jan. 1, 1879 .- Corvis M. Barre, Reading.
COUNTY REGISTERS. Elected for two years.
Jan. 1, 1835 .- James Olds, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1837 .- James Olds, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1839 .- Salem T. King, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1841 .- J. T. Blois, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1843 .-- T. W. Stockton, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1845 .- Henry S. Mead, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1847 .- H. S. Mead, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1849 .-- John Manross, Fayette.
Jan. 1, 1851 .- F. M. Holloway, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1853 .- Wray T. Palmer, Pittsford. Jan. 1, 1855 .- W. R. Montgomery, Camden.
Jan. 1, 1857 .- W. R. Montgomery, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1859 .- Willard F. Day, Pittsford. Jan. 1, 1861 .- James S. Hastings, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1863 .- James S. Hastings, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1865 .- J. S. Hastings, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1867 .- Henry Baxter, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1869 .- William R. Montgomery, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1871 .- W. R. Montgomery, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1873 .- Samuel Gillet, Allen.
Jan. 1, 1875 .- Samuel Gillet, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1877 .- Robert A. Weir, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1879 .- Robert A. Weir, Hillsdale.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
Elected for two years. Jan. 1, 1839 .- James Olds, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1841 .- Charles Powell, Reading. Jan. 1, 1843 .- Charles Powell, Reading. Jan. 1, 1845 .- W. G. Branch, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1847 .- W. G. Branch, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1849 .- Robert Worden, Jr., Pittsford. Jan. 1, 1851 .- Robert Worden, Jr., Pittsford. Jan. 1, 1853 .- J. W. French, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1855 .- David C. Fuller, Adams. Jan. 1, 1857 .- H. T. Farnam, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1859 .- H. B. Rowlson, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1861 .- H. B. Rowlson, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1863 .- H. B. Rowlson, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1865 .- H. B. Rowlson, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1867 .- Arvin F. Whelan, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1869 .- A. F. Whelan, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1871 .- Miles H. Teachout, Ransom. Jan. 1, 1873 .- M. G. Teachout, Ransom. Jan. 1, 1875 .- Luke Hazen, Litchfield. Jan. 1, 1877 .- Luke Hazen, Litchfield. Jan. 1, 1879 .- Asher B. Le Fleur.
COUNTY SURVEYORS. Elected for two years.
Jan. 1, 1839 .- Otis Briggs, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1841 .- T. W. Stockton, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1843 .- Murray Knowles, Reading. Jan. 1, 1845 .- John Manross, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1847 .- John Manross, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1849 .- M. Terry, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1851 .- John Getman, - Jan. 1, 1853 .- John Manross, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1855 .- Ransom Bullard, Litchfield. Jan. 1, 1857 .- Ransom Bullard, Litchfield. Jan. 1, 1859 .- Stephen Fitzsimmons, -
Jan. 1, 1861 .- Ransom Bullard, Litchfield. Jan. 1, 1863 .- Stephen Fitzsimmons,
Jan. 1, 1865 .- George A. Mark, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1867 .- George A. Mark, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1869 .- George A. Mark, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1871 .- George A. Mark, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1873 .- Ransom Bullard, Litchfield. Jan. 1, 1875 .- George A. Mark, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1877 .- George A. Mark, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1879 .- George A. Mark, Hillsdale.
CORONERS. Elected for one year.
Jan. 1, 1839 .- John Bailey. Jan. 1, 1841 .- D. A. Delevan, Fayette; Hawley King, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1842 .- Jesse Stoddard, Litchfield; Charles Ames, Pittsford.
Elected for two years.
Jan. 1, 1843 .- Jesse Bretton, Fayette; W. W. Murphy, Fayette (did not qualify).
Nov., 1843 .- W. T. Howell, Hillsdale (to fill vacancy).
Jan. 1, 1845 .- G. C. Munro, Fayette ; R. C. Manning, Hillsdale.
Jan. 1, 1847 .- Rockwell Manning, Hillsdale; Warren Thompson, Florida (now Jefferson).
Jan. 1, 1849 .- William Bacon, Fayette; Wesley Burgoyne, Cambria. Jan. 1, 1851 .- M. H. Andrews, Fayette ; James B. McCarty, Hills- dale.
Jan. 1, 1853 .- R. W. Boynton, Fayette; Elias D. Cone, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1855 .- L. R. Watkins, Allen ; Daniel Timms, Wheatland. Jan. 1, 1857 .- Daniel Timms, Wheatland; L. R. Watkins, Allen. Jan. 1, 1859 .- Daniel Timms, Wheatland ; James Foreman, Jones- ville. Jan. 1, 1861 .- L. A. Bostwick, Hillsdale; William Potter, Fayette. Jan. 1, 1863 .- Daniel Beebe, Fayette; George C. Wyllis, Moscow. Jan. 1, 1865 .- Alexander Thompson, Moscow; Edward M. Shaw, Allen.
Jan. 1, 1867 .- Seneca W. Perry, Moscow ; James W. Niblack, Cam- bria.
Jan. 1, 1869 .- Cornelius E. Minor, John W. Stewart.
Jan. 1, 1871 .- Luther R. Wisner, Moscow ; John W. Falley, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1873 .- William Snook, Camden; Z. D. Thomas, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1875 .- Firman Hough, Adams ; Z. D. Thomas, Hillsdale. Jan. 1, 1877 .- Zimri D. Thomas, Hillsdale; Goodwin Howard, Allen. Jan. 1, 1879 .- Zimri D. Thomas, Hillsdale; Cyrenius M. Parker, Moscow.
MEMBER OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1835. Lewis T. Miller, of Moscow.
MEMBER OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF SEPTEMBER, 1836. Zachariah Van Duzer, of Moscow.
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1850.
John P. Cook, of Hillsdale; Jonathan B. Graham, of Jonesville; Daniel Kinne, of Reading; John Mosher, of Somerset.
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1867. Daniel L. Pratt, Lewis J. Thompson, and Simeon P. Root.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE PRESS OF HILLSDALE COUNTY.
Preliminary Remarks-Hillsdale County Gazette-Its Various Mi- grations-Hillsdale Democrat-Jonesville Expositor-How Started -What became of it-Hillsdale Whig Standard-Youthful Pub- lishers-Its Course and Condition-Jonesville Telegraph-Hillsdale Banner-Hillsdale Courier-Weekly Business-Reading News- papers-Hillsdale Herald.
AMONG the first indications of growth and enterprise in the county was the establishment of a weekly paper, as early as the year 1839. Jonesville being at that time the
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
seat of justice of the county, and its representative town, it naturally became the scene of the first newspaper enter- prise. With the settlement of Hillsdale we find the same encouragement given to the press, and the successful papers of the county have not only received a steady support, but have continued to increase in proportion and influence until, at this date, they wield a decided power in the county. Many of the journals set on foot, however, were of very ephemeral existence,-a few months beginning and ending their brief career,-while others passed through various vicissitudes and frequently changed publishers. All of them were more or less associated with the political issues of the day, and at periods when partisan feelings ran highest, the press of Hillsdale County often proved a pow- erful lever in affecting the destinies of the campaign.
Aside from its political prestige, the press of the county is noted for the ability displayed in its editorial columns, and the excellence of its general reading matter.
The Hillsdale County Gazette .- The first newspaper published in this county was the Hillsdale County Ga- zette. Politically it was an adherent of the Jeffersonian Democratic school, though it gave room to articles from the various parties of the day.
Its first publisher was Charles G. Mckay, and its first editor and proprietor James K. Kinman. Hon. W. W. Murphy was also interested in it, and among others who contributed to its columns were John T. Blois, Esq., now of Jonesville (who, in 1838, published a gazetteer of the State of Michigan), Robert Allen, and several others. The first number was issued at Jonesville, April 13, 1839, and on the 26th of October of the same year S. D. Brewster was substituted as publisher. In May of 1843 the paper was removed to Hillsdale, and continued under the same control until Oct. 7, 1844, when Messrs. McCollum & Graves assumed its management; I. H. McCollum and Clement E. Babb being its editors. Affairs remained thus until the 17th of August, 1846, when Mead & Swegles became editors and proprietors, continuing in that relation until the 1st of October following. Later publishers were Ambler & Wooden, from Nov. 22, 1849, to Oct. 14, 1852. Mr. Ambler succeeded in 1852, and in 1855 the office and appointments were purchased by N. B. Welper, who re- moved it to Three Rivers, and remained until 1859. He then returned to Hillsdale, and established the paper again, under the name of the Hillsdale Democrat, which title it bears at the present time.
The Hillsdale Democrat .- H. B. Andrews and Wm. H. Tallman purchased the sheet June 15, 1866, and continued their partnership until Aug. 15, 1867. Mr. Andrews then retired, and Mr. Tallman assumed full con- trol as editor and publisher, and still continues its proprie- tor. The Democrat is the acknowledged organ of the party whose name it bears, and has from time to time done good service in its cause. The press upon which it is printed is the oldest in the county, and one of the oldest in Southern Michigan. The paper has passed through many vicissitudes and been subject to many changes ; Mr. Tallman having controlled it longer than any previous pub- lisher. In regard to size it may be designated as a 24 by 36, seven-column folio.
The Jonesville Expositor .- This journal has the distinc- tion of being the first Whig newspaper published in Hills- dale County. Its first issue bore date Oct. 15, 1840, and its publishers were an association of twenty-six members, who styled themselves the " Hillsdale County Whig Asso- ciation." The officers of the association were Elisha P. Champlin, President ; John T. Blois, Secretary ; Henry L. Hewitt, Sanford R. Smith, and Henry A. Delavan, Di- rectors. They were to be governed by an elaborate series of " Articles of Agreement," nineteen in number, which were adopted in November, 1840.
In the first issue of the paper, its purpose is declared to be the support of the Whig candidates for presidential and vice-presidential honors,-at that time William Henry Harrison and John Tyler,-and the most sturdy opposi- tion to the administration of President Van Buren. Its prospectus announces it to be the " fearless and unflinching opponent of the administration, and the supporter of re- forın." " Already," it adds, " has a spirit of resistance to despotism swept with mighty influence over this Union. Already does the breeze wafted by the spirit of reform blow a perfect hurricane, and sound the death-knell of Loco- Focoism. The reformers contend for their dearest rights,- the rights of civil liberty. Their opponents struggle to maintain a power they have shamefully abused, and keep within their grasp the spoils of office."
It follows with a declaration of the fact that the Ex- positor will support those principles that alone can render our cherished and loved institutions safe from the blighting influence of despotic power.
During the year 1841, the affairs of the office were man- aged by John Jermain ; but on the 20th of January, 1842, Charles Powell and H. L. Hewitt were authorized by the association to settle with Mr. Jermain, receive from him the material in the office, consisting of type, presses, etc., and dispose of it to the best advantage. Mr. Morton, of Monroe, received permission, Jan. 22, 1842, to enter the office and begin the publication of a Whig newspaper, ar d the Expositor was accordingly continued until Aug. 10, 1843, when its publishers removed it to Adrian, Lenawee Co., and changed its title to that of the Adrian Expositor.
The Hillsdale Whig Standard .- During the early history of the press of Hillsdale, among the employees in the office of the old Gazette were Stephen D. Clark and Harvey B. Rowlson, who learned and practiced the printer's art when much work and little pay was the reward of the faithful type-setter. Mr. Rowlson had then the distinction of being the first " printer's devil" who catered to the wants of the reading public of Hillsdale. Mr. Clark and Mr. Rowlson both finally sought a broader field of labor, the latter gen- tleman going to New Orleans. At this time the Dem- ocratic element was strong in the county, the press gen- erally advocating the cause of that party ; and the Whigs being in a decided minority, partly from the fact that there was no paper to advocate their claims and principles. The gentlemen above referred to, comprehending the sit- uation and recognizing a field of action which, though at that time limited, could by labor and application be broadened and made useful, gave all their energies to the work of establishing a Whig newspaper at Hillsdale. They
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
purchased a press and other appointments from their former employer, James K. Kinman, for the sum of one thousand dollars ; being assisted by a few prominent Whigs of the place, and becoming indebted for the amount, payable when they were able to meet the claim. Industry and economy enabled them to overcome the debt in a reasonably short time. They issued the first number of the Whig Standard on the 30th day of June, 1846, with their names at its head as editors and publishers ; Mr. Rowlson being not yet twenty-one years of age, and Mr. Clark but little older. The prospectus modestly states that if the publishers " are so fortunate as to merit the approbation of those on whom we depend for support, it shall only excite us to make greater efforts for our mutual benefit." It also adds, "A long and prosperous peace, by which we have been elevated to an high degree of national glory, has been rudely broken, and the bloody banner of war is scattering upon the earth its countless miseries, and leading us ' we know not where.' The Whigs of our county, we do not doubt, justly appre- ciate the importance of an organ devoted to principles which nerve them to 'fight on, fight ever ;' and from them we expect support."
At the time the Standard was started, and for a con- siderable period afterwards, it was not an easy task to maintain a paper devoted entirely to Whig principles. The popular vote was Democratic, and to advocate the measures of an opposing faction was practically stemming the current of public opinion. The little Whig sheet was, however, destined to success. An unflinching fidelity to the principles it advocated won for it many friends and established its permanent existence, and a change in party politics finally gave it the ascendency its opponents had so long enjoyed. When first issued it was a six-column paper ; but during the first year its dimensions were increased to seven, and later to eight columns. In the spring of 1850, Mr. Clark sold his interest to Mr. Rowlson, who has since that time been sole editor and proprietor. On the organi- zation of the Republican party, in 1855, the Standard became its supporter, dropping the appellation of Whig, and it was then that it attained the ascendency before al- luded to.
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