USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 52
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In 1840, when the county began to be partially cleared up. and the inhabitants had more comfortable dwellings, then the old log court house gave way to one of brick, which, at the time of its construction, was deemed good enough to meet the demands of a future age.
And now, here in 1881, when our county has grown rich, and fairly teems with fer-
5
457
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
tility, and abounds with good buildings and finely cultivated farms, we are erecting this, our new court house, which, though elegant in appearance, solid and firm in structure, is not out of keeping with the steady current of our advancement. And while we are glad in our prosperity, while we are justly proud of our present strength, and are strongly con- fident of future growth and progress, while we are to-day looking forward to a future that bids fair to be golden, let us not fail to stop, reverently uncover our heads, look back and remember with gratitude, those who were here before us-those who struggled to transmit our present blessings to us.
And it is but fit and proper that I should read to you from the history written forty years ago, and kept, until recently, in the safe and solid confines of the corner stone of the court house of 1840. Kept by a solid custodian that, after having been itself a sup- port for forty years of the second court house, to-day is placed in this, the chief corner of our third court house, and forms a part of its solid masonry, and unites the age of 1840 with that of ISS0.
The record says that the court house was built May 12. 1840; that the contractor was T. P. Castle; the mason, William Phelps. . That the village of Mt. Clemens was first settled by Judge Clemens, in the year of our Lord 1805. The first plat was made by Mayor Gen. Macomb, in the year 1SIS. At that time Lewis Cass was Governor of the Territory of Michigan. Gen. Macomb selected this spot as the location of the court house for this county. Christian Clemens was the first Judge appointed for the county of Ma- comb, and presided as such Judge for fourteen years. He was a native of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, and is now the greatest land-owner of the village. His age is seventy years, and he is now present at the laying of the corner-stone of this building.'
A business directory, deposited at that time, tells us that the following were the business men of that day:
Attorneys- R. P. Eldredge, Richard Butler, A. C. Smith, H. D. Terry, P. B. Thurs- ton, and J. J. Leonard; blacksmiths-D. Chandler, George Dixon, J. & S. Parks; tailors -William Roy, and J. & C. Williams; cabinet makers- C. Spaulding, William G. Page; physicians- Henry Taylor. George Lee, Jr., Philo Tillson, Ebenezer Hall; merchants- H. M. Dodge, John Stevens, Porter Kibbe, Eastman & Gallup. Hall & Grovier, Green & Freeman: grocers-John Conner. M. Stapleton, V. Maynard; inn-keepers-Joseph Hub- bard. Alfred Ashley, Jabez Hammond, Silas Holsey; glass manufacturers --- Hall & Grovier; shoemakers William Lewis, J. & S. Dixon, E. L. Atkinson; wagon-makers -- C. N. Mather, Crittenden ; printers - T. M. Perry, J. Ingersoll; Treasurer - H. M. Dodge; Coroner-William Lewis; Postmaster-A. C. Smith; Justices-John Stockton, P. B. Thurston; Presbyterian pastor-Rev. C. Dudley; Churches-Presbyterian, Methodist, one Baptist Society.
My friends, since that record was made. Time, the change-maker, has not been idle. Christian Clemens, who was more closely and prominently allied with the interests of Ma- comb County than any man of his time, whose generous heart swelled with gratitude and emotion as he witnessed the laying of the corner-stone of the building that marked another
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458
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
epoch in the prosperity of the community-a prosperity that he labored so hard to secure has gone from you. He has long since solved the grand question. Where are the lawyers mentioned in that record? The voices of the versatile and eloquent Terry and the rugged John J. Leonard are hushed in death. All of the others are dead except R. P. Eldredge and Richard Butler, who are not in practice to-day. Where are the physicians of that day? They are all dead except Philo Tillson, who is now a venerable resident of Romeo. None of the merchants mentioned in that record are in business here: most of them are dead, and those that are alive live elsewhere.
And in fact, most of the business men mentioned in that directory have crossed the dark and silent river. A majority of those who are now living with us have retired from the strife of active life, and are now sitting in easy places, the cradle of reposing age be- ing roeked by hands that then were baby hands. Only two of the men now living with us whose names are upon that record are to-day pursuing the same avocations they were pur- suing forty years ago. The one is our neighbor, D. C. Williams, a tailor, who still plies the needle and handles the shears. The other is William Phelps, then recorded as mason of that building, and to-day the ring of his trowel may be heard upon this building, keeping perfeet time with the trowels of those who are his juniors by at least forty years.
My friends, while we pause and realize that our county has greatly changed, and that a new lot of men have by the foree of crowding events come to the front. and now carry on and administer the business duties of life, let us not lose sight of the fact that soon we all will, by a new, young and ever onward pressing life and by the ravages of time, be forced into oblivion, and that these places that now know us so well shall know us no more forever. The action of Mt. Clemens and her near neighbors in buikling this court house is no new thing. This duty seems to have been linked with the blessings to- day enjoyed, and to have been transmitted to us by the regular line of deseent. It is as- serted by those who were here forty years ago, and the assertion I have not heard seriously denied, that the second court house was built by Mt. Clemens and vicinity, and that the building, like this, was but a monument upon the old spot telling to the world the unan- imity of feeling between Mt. Clemens and her neighbors, telling of the sacrifices which 'Mt. Clemens and her friends had made and are still making to keep the Hall of Justice upon the old, time honored spot.
It is not my purpose to enter into the details of the struggle in relation to that building. Those things are of the past. But I can say for the people of Mt. Clemens that they do not cherish any feelings of animosity toward their neighboring sister for en- deavoring to get this buikling located there. We recognize that in doing that Romeo did nothing but to make an honest endeavor to protect her own interests. We do not forget that Romeo is our sister, and we rejoice in her solidity and prosperity. We remember the fact that we are all but parts of one common and prosperous county, and we never can forget the kindly and generous treatment that we received at the hands of the Super- visor who lives within the limits of Romeo: and I know I but faintly echo the feeling of the people when I say that we hope and trust the most amicable and friendly relations
459
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
may ever exist between the two towns. And to you, the members of the Board of Super- visors, I desire to publicly say that the city thanks you for the straightforward, upright and courteous line of conduct you have displayed toward us, and we particularly thank you for your generosity in assuming the responsibility of paying the architect and super- intendent of this building.
To the friends and neighbors of Mt. Clemens, who-have come to our assistance, who donated $5,000 to be used in the construction of this building, I desire to here publicly on the part of Mt. Clemens, thank you for your generosity. We have caused every name you have signed to be copied, and propose to have this list deposited in this stone, so that in the far-off future, when a surging progress shall force this stone from its bed of mortar, and this list shall come to light again, your descendants can see and read the names of the persons who recognized that we were all united by one common interest, that the pros- perity of one was the prosperity of another, and that the lines of our incorporation were but imaginary. And now to you, the Grand Master of the Masonic Fraternity of the State of Mich- igan, the chief executor of a brotherhood that is almost as ancient as the ceremony of lay- ing corner stones, I renew the request heretofore made on the part of the city, " That you will lay this corner stone according to the customs and usages of your ancient order."
Following came a prayer by the Grand Chaplain, and then a list of the articles placed in the stone was read. It ran as follows:
1. Proposition of city of Mt. Clemens to build court house, and vote of Council thereon.
2. Resolution and vote of Board of Supervisors accepting proposition of Mt. Clemens.
3. Vote upon the proposition by the city electors April 5, 1880.
4. Memorandum of bonds issued by the city for the payment of the $20,000 voted by the city.
5. Vote of Council and Board of Supervisors accepting plans and specifications of N. J. Gibbs, architect, and date of contract with builders. 6. List of names of persons who subscribed money toward the $5,000 raised over and above the $20,000 voted by the city.
7. List of the business men and firms now doing business in the city.
S. Names of the present Board of Aldermen and officers of the city.
9. Names of present members of Board of Supervisors.
10. One copy of Detroit Daily Post and Tribune.
11. One copy of Detroit Daily Free Press.
12. One copy of Mt. Clemens Press.
13. One copy of Mt. Clemens Monitor.
14. One copy of Romeo Obserrer.
15. One copy of Mt. Clemens Republican.
16. List of officers and members of Ladies' Literary Society.
17. List of officers and members of Mt. Clemens Lodge, F. & A. M.
18. List of officers and members of Grand Lodge.
460
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
19. List of officers and members of Odd Fellows Lodge.
20. List of officers and members of the German Working Men's Society.
21. Programme of day's proceedings.
Proceedings of Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Michigan, and Grand Chapter, 1880.
23. Memorial of the Juvenile Templars.
24. One copy of Romeo Democrat.
25. One copy of Detroit Erening News.
26. Old coin taken from corner stone of old court house, dated 1731.
The striking ceremony proceeded in regular form until its close. The acts of the Grand Officers, with the responses of the craft, the music and surroundings served to con- stitute an interesting and impressive service. It was entirely new to many of the au:lience Upon its conclusion came an address by the Grand Master. This, a brief history of Ma- sonry, its accomplishments and aims, was an eloquent and masterly effort.
A Masonic ode followed, and then the benediction, which signaled the end. The crowd dispersed. The Masons with their guests again assembled in the Opera House. Here they formed, and took up the march to the Avery House, where dinner was served. Fully 200 took seats in the splendid dining room of the hotel, and a fine collation awaited them. The banquet occupied more than an hour, and consisted of six courses. Many of the visit- ors were in the house for the first time, and were surprised by its size and beauty. The dance at the Opera House the same evening was a great success. It was, with one excep- tion, the largest party of its kind held in Mt. Clemens.
The Committee on Appropriations reported in favor of allowing the architect of the court house $1,000 for his plans, and for superintending the work, of which amount $750 should be paid at once. The total cost of the building and furniture cannot be unch be- low the sum of $52,000. The work has been performed well, and another beautiful ad- dition to the public buildings of the State was formally opened in November, 1881.
The members of the Court House Building Committee were Charles Ulrich, John Otto and E. W. Lewis, representing the Common Council of Mt. Clemens City, and James Ayres, L. H. Canfield and Thomas Dawson, representing the Supervisors' Board. The Committee organized by appointing James Ayres, Chairman, and John Otto, Clerk. June 18, 1880. The Clerk was excused from acting on Committee July 7, 1880, and Thomas Dawson was appointed Secretary. This Committee continues to act at date of writing, and will report when the building and furnishing are reported complete.
THE COUNTY JAIL.
Reference has been made, in Mayor Crocker's address, to the old county jail. This relic is in existence yet; and, as described in the following letter, must be a terrible place for habitation: "As we entered the vault (it deserves no better name), a damp, sickening smell weighed down the atmosphere, and the chilly air fairly penetrated one to the marrow. The main apartment of the jail runs the entire length of the building, and even then it is hardly large enough to dance a French four in. This room, in which the prisoners are
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MACOME COUNTY JAIL
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463
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
allowed to stay during the day and hug the stove in order to keep from freezing, is flanked on either side by a row of cells. There are five in all, four of them being about 6x8 feet in size, the other probably 7x12. In each cell there are a few boards thrown together. which answer for beds. In the larger cell there are two of these luxurious couches. Be- sides the cells there are two small cubby-holes, one of which is used for a wood room, and the other for a water closet, and a place to stow away ashes. The walls were all reeking with dampness, and in one of the cells a coating of ice covered the floor, the water from which it was formed having oozed out from the side of the building. There is not a win- dow in the entire structure to admit light to the inmates, and consequently they are com- pelled to remain in utter darkness, except when the iron door which closes over the grat- ing at the entrance is thrown open. The only places for ventilation, discernible to the naked eye, is a small hole in the ceiling of each cell about the size of the muzzle of a shot gun-not large enough, to tell the truth, to carry off the odor of a rose leaf."
A man from Armada sojourned there for a short time. On returning home, one of his neighbors asked him how he got out. " Why," replied the ex-prisoner. " the crack in the wall was so large, I fell out."
The county tolerated this building for almost half a century. In 1980, the people determined to build a new jail, and consequently voted $10,000 for that purpose. The ques- tion was submitted to the people in March, 1881, when the following vote was recorded for and against such an outlay for such a purpose:
For
Ag'st
For
Ag'st
Mount Clemens
632
.
Ray.
15
270
Sterling.
145
83
Shelby.
61
Warren
206
41)
Richmond.
126
193
Erin.
305
5
Washington
341
Clinton.
284
1
Bruce.
3
397
Harrison.
98
Armada.
13
249
Macomb.
186
88
Lenox.
83
273
Chesterfield.
206
14
Totals.
2.342
2,179
The majority in favor of this project was only 163.
This vote cannot be taken as the true voice of the people of Macomb. In fact, the large number who voted against the project were animated with a desire to show their dissatisfaction with the action of the Supervisors' Board in not showing a willingness to submit the question of relocating the county seat to the people. Immediately after the voice of the poople declared itself favorable, plans and specifications were called for, and the building contracts made.
The jail, as designed by Mr. Gibbs, is a very handsome and substantial structure. and will be built to harmonize with the court house. In general, it will be constructed after the ideas of the Committee. It will consist of two parts. the dwelling and the jail proper, the latter being toward the river. The dwelling faces on Front street, and will have a frontage of forty-two feet. The measurement from front to rear is
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G
464
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
thirty feet. The dimensions of the jail part will be 30x32. The dwelling will have two stories and a basement. The basement will have two cellars, kitchen and dining room, and one bedroom. On the first floor will be the Sheriff's office, parlor, sitting-room and one bedroom. On the second floor will be four chambers, a bath room, closet, etc. Height of ceilings, ten feet. The jail part, on account of the slope of the ground, will have three stories, taken up with cells, of which there will be room for eighteen.
A Building Committee, consisting of Supervisors Thomas Dawson, William E. Hall and Harvey Mellen, was appointed. April 25, 1881. This Committee organized with Harvey Mellen, President, and Thomas Dawson, Secretary. This Committee made a first inspec- tion of the builder's work September 12. 1881, and continue up to the present time to ex- ercise a careful supervision over the work. The cost of the building, etc., may be set down at $11,000. This Committee reported finally in March, 1882.
CHAPTER XXV.
COUNTY FINANCES AND STATISTICS.
There is no more certain index to the condition of a Free State than its public ac- counts. So it is with any portion of the State where the people manage their own affairs, for, as a general rule, the governing board of a county exercises sound judgment, and is always slow to authorize any outlay which is not justified by necessity, or which does not give promise of future profit. The annual exhibit of the County Treasurer is a safe basis on which to rest a review of the financial condition of the county; but to realize its de- velopment, the returns of Assessors have to be considered. The tabulation of the sums resulting annually from taxation is of little consequence beyond the chance it offers the curious of ascertaining the amount of money contributed directly by the people for the purpose of County, State and General Government. The indirect taxation accruing to the General Government is much more extensive than our direct county taxes; but the possi- bility of obtaining reliable figures in this regard is so far removed that the subject could only be treated in a speculative manner. Therefore, the reader must be content with a knowledge of what is certain, viz .: That the citizens of the United States, directly and indirectly, pay as much as should render the General Government, State Government and local Government as great as the principles of pure and simple Republicanism require them to be, and which they are not; as mindful in guarding and honoring the legacy which the fathers of the Revolution left us as it should be honored, and as it is not: as paternal in character, and as solicitous for the public good as a Republican Government ought to be, and which it is not. It is considered that the Republic under which we live is the most liberal, the one alone under which man has attained his level in the universe,
465
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
and the nearest approach to perfect government known to the civilization of our day. To make it what it is capable of being made, and to surround it with that halo of truth and honesty which alone should pertain to a Republic, is all that is required. Official pertidy should be stigmatized, and the guilty never allowed to escape, but punished, not nomi- nally, but severely; for he who would prove unfaithful in an office bestowed by a free people deserves chains, not liberty-a refuge among slaves rather than a home among freemen.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES POPULATION 1850.
White.
Colored.
White
Colore 1.
Armada. Armada Village
1.145
1
Maromb.
744
13
Bruce ..
1,554
1
Ray
1,232
Chesterfield.
995
Richmond. Memphis
1,000
Clinton.
6
Shelby.
1,182
Mount Clemens
1.297
Sterling
876
Erin.
974
. .
Harrison.
483
. .
Washington
1,540
1
Lenox, New Haven.
652
. .
MACOMB COUNTY, IS50.
Number of acres of improved land, 50,0563; number of acres sowed with wheat, 1849, 12,5363; number of bushels of wheat raised in 1849. 97,867: number of bushels of other grain raised in 1849, 239,9353; number of horses. 2,412; number of neat cattle, S, 782; number of swine. 4.772; number of sheep, 27.491 ; number of pounds of wool, 71,- 7923; number of steam saw-mills, 2; number of water saw-mills. 7: number of steam and water saw-mills, 14; number of feet of lumber sawed. 1849. 3.746.725; capital invested. 817.150: number of hands employed, 65; number of flouring mills. S; number of runs of stone, 13; number of barrels of flour manufactured. 1849, 23,900; capital invested, 848, - 600: number of hands employed, 19; two tin and copper smiths. one cabinet and chair factory, one pearlash factory, one carding-mill, one foundry and machine shop, one stave factory. one window glass factory. one leather factory, one pump factory-employing 101 men; capital invested. $53,000; value of products. 1549. $92,000; number of pounds of sugar made in 1849, 44,022: merchandise imported for sale, 1849, $160,631; number of insane, deaf. dumb. and blind. 10.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
POPULATION 1860.
White
Colured.
White
Colored
Armada, Armada Village
1.48 )
X
Macomb
1.357
1
Bruce ..
1,806
1
Ray.
1,544
Chesterfield ..
2.156
1
Richmond. Memphis
1.653
Clinton, Mount Clemens
2.86%
26 Shelby
1,668
Erin.
1.975
. .
Sterling.
1,077
5
Harrison.
545
1
Warren.
1,333
Lenox. New Haven.
1,452
1
Washington.
1.837
Warren.
700
G
466
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES. POPULATION 1870.
Total. Native. Foreign. White. Col'd.
Total. Native. Frreign
White. Col'd.
Armada.
1.721
1,371
350
1.706
15
Macomb
1.805
1,204
601
1,805
Armada Village
49-4
398
96
481
13
Ray.
1,555
1,307
948
1,555
Bruce
2,145'
1.672
473
2.143
2 . Richmond.
2.181
1.615
566
2,165
Chesterfield.
2.175
1,644
531
9,175
Memphis
385
141
379
6
('linton ..
3,590
2.458
1,132
3,56-1
26
Shelby
1,695
1,492
203
1,695
Mount Clemens.
1.768
1,331
437
1,757
11
Sterling. .
1,549
1.077
472
1,533
16
Erin .. .
2.466
1,542
924
2.466
Warren.
1,938
1,150
1,932
6
llarrison
605
558
47
604
1
Washington
2.057
1,683
374
2.040
17
Lenox. .
9,134
1.542
592
2.115
19
New Haven.
413
333
413
30,676
30,528 132
...
STATISTICAL, 1970.
The entire population of Macomb County, according to the general State Census, taken in 1870, was 27,619. Of this population the principal elements are the agricultural. financial. mechanical and industrial. Of these four items we propose to present a few figures, the above quoted work being our authority.
There was, in 1870, 153,691 acres of improved land; 91,958 acres of wood land; and of other unimproved land 12,869 acres, at a total cash value of $11.985,486. The farming improvements and machinery were valued at $485,946. . The amount paid in wages during the year, including value of board, $284,388. Value of all farm products, including bet- terments and additions to stock, $2,243,983. Forest products realized 8103,038. Of the various products the following quantities were returned: Spring wheat, 19,991 bushels; winter wheat, 865.985 bushels; rye. 7,482 bushels; Indian corn, 811,277 bushels; oats, 194,044 bushels; barley, 29,872 bushels; buckwheat, 20,817 bushels; peas and beans, 16,- 027 bushels; potatoes, 240,931 bushels; hay, 41,988 tons; clover seed, 671 bushels; grass seed. 146 bushels; hops, 140,756 pounds.
Live stock returns represented by the following figures: Horses, 7,961; mules and asses, 26: milch cows, 9,040; working oxen, 407; other cattle, 7,899; sheep, 64,694; swine, 11,089; total value of all kinds of live stock, $1,616.087: value of animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter, $371,282; wool. 320,591 pounds; dairy products-but- ter, 880,969 pounds; cheese, 33,360 pounds; milk sold, 875 gallons; value of orchard produce, $81,010.
Total of all taxes, $124,049, divided as follows: State taxes of all kinds, $13,018; county taxes of all kinds, $32,373; township, village and city, of all kinds, $78,658.
The principal business of the county is its lumber interest. In this branch of in- dustry there are in the county twenty-seven mills, of which thirteen are propelled by steam, eleven by water, and three by horse-power. Value of material used, 867,187: wages paid for the year ending June 1, 1870. $21, 715; capital invested in lumber, $87,- 500; expenses for material and labor, $88,902; value of total products, $148,090; number of feet. 7,859,000. Of other mills there are in the county eleven. all flouring. In addi-
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467
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
tion to the above we find the following industries and manufactures represented: One tan- nery, six breweries; capital invested in latter, $22.500: one salt works, capital invested, $12.000: establishments of all kinds in county, 208: number of persons employed per month, 832; months of labor. 7.929: wages paid. $228,891: capital invested. $659, 160.
TOWNSINPS AND VILLAGES POPULATION 1880.
Enumerator
Enumerator.
Armada
1,734. . Abram S. Hall.
Rav ..
1,543. . Bela R. Davis.
In Village.
556. . Abram S. Ilal.
Richmond.
2,611. . John C. Keeler.
Bruce.
2.103. . Alexander H. Shelp.
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