USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume I > Part 61
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Following is Mrs. Van Miller's contribution to this chapter: "The Monroe Civic Improvement Society was organized in April, 1901, as the result of the work of a few interested women who canvassed the city, explaining their reasons for desiring to unite in a society for the betterment of local surroundings. A visitor to our 'City of Flowers,' a name upon which we prided ourselves in the years long since past, as appropriately bestowed, and worthily won, remarked the glaring downward tendency, rather than the well developed results that should have marked improvements. Since her visit in earlier days, flowers there were, but not in profusion, indicative of a lessening rather than the natural multiplication of blossoms. The simple acredale left in uncultivated form, in some instances magnificent trees remembered as pioneers of strength and beauty ruthlessly cut away. Was there no remedy for this neglect and local defacing of surroundings? Emerson has called America another name for opportunity. There has never yet been wanting the redress, quick and potent for any real existence of local difficulties and there came the solution in the frequent 'porch talks' of a few women. Why should we not show a commendable interest in our surroundings and awaken the same interest in others ? As a means of most speedily and successfully accomplishing a reform, a meeting was called, the object stated, and the new idea born of necessity and christened hope, met with such approval, that the way to work out the suggested methods seemed clear and hopeful. At the first meeting the name, "Monroe Civic Improvement Society" was adopted, a con- stitution suitable and covering all requirements was accepted, officers selected, and the different committees delegated to their especial work. The object of the work briefly stated was the beautifying of the streets and parks, the care and preservation of the cemetery of the Kentuckians and pioneer dead, the improvement of the river banks, public squares,
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railroad stations, streets and alleys, and the sanitation of the city. We were open to suggestions and methods inclusive, everything that would add to the improvement of our city, our aim being to awaken or en- kindle the love of the beautiful on greenswards, trees and flowers, wish- ing to work reciprocally and secure from mutual intercourse much that was wrought in one year's work. Our attention was directed at once to the public squares. We fully realized the efforts that had been made by the neighbors and our committee began by abating the paper nuisance, as it seemed the accepted idea that the squares were the proper receptacle for anything not especially reserved for the river banks. The council issued an edict at our request fixing a penalty for disposing of debris on the river banks. We realize that the "Riviere aux Raisins," so dear to the heart of the French pioneer, was worthy of being re- claimed. The Indians had many an interesting tradition connected with our river, some of their wisest rulers are buried on its banks, they called it the place where the Wawbeeks (packs) held for them their dainty morsel, the Shawgashee (crawfish) and they made grapevine arbors that rivaled their wigwams, delighting to be on the banks of the river. The railroad stations are an evidence of the work accomplished by the committees, streets and alleys quickly improved under the respective committees and vacant lots which were a disgrace to the owner, and annoyance to the neighbors received attention, the society spending their money liberally to improve the general situation. We have never ap- pealed to the council without receiving from them the most courteous and helpful consideration, and we know that they have most wisely decided that the improvement and beautifying of the city, streets and parks, and even of its yards and houses, become matters not simply of industrial preference, but of public concern and welfare.
The city council hesitated about giving the society the right to re- claim the old abandoned cemetery on Monroe street, although they realized that its claim upon our community was great, but today it stands a spot of beauty, with its eloquent monument to the Kentuckians and all largely owing to the untiring work and ceaseless energy of the society.
October 14, 1904, occurred the presentation of the monument to the city, erected by the women of the Civic Improvement Society upon the site of the battles and massacre of the River Raisin, January 18, 22 and 23, 1813. The inscription on west side reads as follows:
"Eight hundred Americans under Colonels Allen, Lewis and Wells fought desperately against three thousand British and allies under General Proctor. Forced to surrender tho' promised protection. The prisoners left unguarded were attacked and killed by Indians," on the west side: "Site of Battle of January 18th, 1813, General Winchester in command, and River Raisin Massacre January 23, 1813. Erected by the women of the Civic Improvement Society of Monroe."
The next tablet is on the boulder in the Ilgenfritz parklet: "Site of First Indian Trading Post in Monroe."
Continuing up the avenue we come to that of the power house of the Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Railway, where we read : "First American Flag raised on Michigan soil. in Frenchtown, by Captain Porter, 1796. Site of River Raisin Block House, occupied by American troops. Burned by the British Capt. Elliot under orders of Col. Proctor, August, 1812."
The last tablet on this street is on the boulder east of the residence of Mrs. Andrew Baier and is marked: "Early Indian Trading Post."
These tablets are of bronze, the inscriptions in relief, except that
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U.S.POST OFFICE- " MONROE -MICHIGAN.
1 . JAMES KNOX TAYLOR . SUPERVISING ARCHITECT . .
NEW POST OFFICE, ERECTED 1912
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on the power house at the corner of Elm avenue and Aderson street, which is of marble.
Crossing the river and walking down Front street we come to the boulder in the Sawyer yard. The inscription on this tablet is: "First Land Granted to the First White Settler, Col. Francis Navarre; First White Child Born in Monroe County, Gen. Winchester's Headquarters, in 1813."
Proceeding on our way eastward until we come to the Lake Shore tracks, and turning to the right, we come to the tablet on the boulder east of the freight house, which marks: "The Hull Road over which the American troops were driven by the English and Indian Allies January 22, 1813."
On the court house we find another tablet recording that: "This ground and the Public Square was granted by Joseph Loranger in 1817 to the County of Monroe for public purposes."
The work of the Civic Improvement Society is too well established to fail; the officers are always at their posts. If the promise is given of a blessing to the one "who causes two blades of grass to grow, where formerly there had been but one," what a world of promise is stored away in blessings for the members of this society.
THE NEW GOVERNMENT POST OFFICE
The duties of postmaster in Monroe have been discharged in build- ings which were temporarily rented by each change of officials and have been oftentimes most inconveniently located and inconveniently ar- ranged. It is not known just where the first post office stood, but at an early day it was located in a building which stood on Monroe street, on the east side, and possibly it once occupied quarters on the west side of the street in what was known as the Mulholland building. Later it was housed in the large, dignified and imposing structure built by the River Raisin Bank standing on the west side of Washington street, near the public square, which is shown in the illustration of the bank in an- other chapter. Following this, its mutations of domicile were many and varied, until in 1911 plans and specifications were prepared by the government architect at Washington for an appropriate and perma- nent post office. A site was selected at the corner of Monroe and Second streets, which was once the home of Hon. Daniel S. Bacon, and the occa- sional dwelling place when off duty, of General G. A. Custer, who mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Bacon, daughter of the judge. This building is of substantial but not particularly ornate style of architecture constructed of gray brick and cut stone, fireproof throughout, and conveniently arranged for the purposes of the postal service. The contract price was $85,000, including the ground which is 100 x 150 feet in size.
The first postmaster in Monroe was appointed in 1822, while Michi- gan was yet a territory; General Lewis Cass being governor and the appointee was one -John C. Cox; the second incumbent of the office was Charles Noble, Esq., who was appointed in 1824 and served four years. Many of the best citizens of Monroe have filled the office of postmaster including such men as Lyman Stewart, J. Q. Adams, Jacques Godfroy, John I. Wendell, Joseph Cole, Walter P. Clark, Edwin Willits, Colonel F. M. Winans, W. A. Noble, all of whom are dead. Following these were O. A. Critchett, H. M. Noble, H. R. Austin, D. R. Crampton, George Spaulding, C. E. Kirby, the last named being the present incumbent. Mr. George Huber was either chief clerk or assistant postmaster for twenty years, from 1884 to 1907 excepting one term.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES
FIRST TOWNSHIP LAWS-FIVE TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED-FIRST SETTLERS- VETERAN SURVEYORS-MIGRATING "ON THE BIAS"-FRENCHTOWN -TOWNSHIPS OF SUMMERFIELD, ASH, EXETER, BEDFORD, DUNDEE, RAISINVILLE AND IDA-TOWNSHIP OF MILAN AND THE GREAT MACON DRAIN-TOWNSHIPS OF LONDON, WHITEFORD, MONROE, LA SALLE, BERLIN AND ERIE-TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS (1912).
Governor Cass began to put into form the county system by laying out that part of the territory in which the Indian titles had been extin- guished, into Wayne county, with its seat of justice at Detroit. This included Monroe county .*
FIRST TOWNSHIP LAWS
On the 25th of February, 1825, Congress adopted further legisla- tion to popularize the affairs of the territory. The governor and council were authorized to divide the territory into townships and incorporate them, and to provide for the election of township officers. All county officers were to be elected, except judges, sheriffs, clerks, judges of pro- bate and justices of the peace. These were excepted because their func- tions were in no sense representative, but belonged to the department of justice, which was of public and not of local concern. Governor Cass, in his desire to consult the popular wishes, overlooked this principle, and practically annulled the proviso in the act of Congress forbidding their election, by informing the people of the townships and counties that he would appoint any one whom they elected. There is now and has been much difference of opinion concerning the propriety of electing officers of justice, but at that time there was none, and Congress would not have sanctioned it.
FIVE TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED
Under this act of Congress and by order of the governor, five town- ships were organized in Monroe county in the year 1827, viz .: French- town, Monroe, Raisinville, Erie and Fort Lawrence.t The county was at that time sparsely settled, and the townships were much larger in extent than now. Ida, London, Summerfield, Milan and Dundee com- prised the territory included in the township of Raisinville, which lies northwest of Monroe and the boundary line between the western city
* When the county court house was burned in 1873, many of the records, especially of the names of supervisors for twenty-three years, from 1850 to 1873, were lost or destroyed.
t Port Lawrence then lay within the disputed territory, and became a part of Lucas county, Ohio, upon the adjustment of the boundary contentions between Michigan and Ohio. Vol. I-31
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limits and the township is about at the eastern boundary of the old Plues, Tinsman and Hanzberger farms.
FIRST SETTLERS
Colonel John Anderson of Monroe, one of the first English settlers of the county, was the first person to enter land in the new township, which, however, was taken up five years previous to its organization ; the second entry was made by Walter Comstock in October, 1822. Neither of these entries were made, probably, for the purpose of perma- nent settlement, but to take advantage of the future rise in value. This was shown by the transfer of these lands to other parties, one Blanchard, from the east, acquiring this property along with other tracts, and who commenced improvements at once, built a house and began clearing the land for farming. . Blanchard proved to be a man of sterling character and great bravery and fortitude, quite necessary traits in those early days, and became a valuable acquisition to the county, and an encour- agement to the pioneers who followed him into the wilderness along the River Raisin, and began to erect permanent homes for their families.
The succeeding half dozen years witnessed the arrival of a consider- able number of families from eastern states, who at once formed friendly relations with the French families who had long been residents along the river, and the Raisinville settlement began to take on the appearance of a thriving and well-to-do farming community.
VETERAN SURVEYORS
Robert Clark was the surveyor who was most active in exploring and surveying this portion of the county, and had, in the course of his duties, covered almost the entire township from the western county line to the mouth of the River Raisin, a distance of nearly seventy-five miles. This river is well known as a widely meandering stream, often doubling back on its course eastward and running parallel to it for long distances in an opposite direction; then again, diverted by rocky bed formations and other obstacles, into its original and natural course towards Monroe and Lake Erie. Robert Clark died while engaged in the arduous duties of his profession.
Aaron Greeley was another of the veteran surveyors of the time, who was appointed to make the surveys of all the lands of Monroe who, with his corps of assistants, consisting of one surveyor, an axe-man, two pack men, two chain bearers, two hunters to supply the party with meat, and a camp cook, performed this service in less than a year under very adverse circumstances; the lines were not run according to any parallels or meridians, but were run at'right angles to the course of the stream.
Mr. Risden was another of the early surveyors; also Henry Disbrow.
MIGRATING "ON THE BIAS"
The activities of the home were largely directed by the southeasterly course of the rivers and creeks. Later, when roads were established, they were laid out between the claims or so as to cut directly across them sometimes diagonally at certain distances back from the river front, and in some parts of the county these diagonal roads may still be seen. As the settling of the country progressed the slightly elevated gravel and sand ridges of the beaches were utilized for roads. The old territorial road from Pontiac to Adrian, laid out in 1832, occupies the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
crest of the Belmore beach for many miles. The farmers selected these high ridges as sites for their dwellings because of their accessibility, better drainage and the ease with which water could be secured. For the same reason schoolhouses, churches and cemeteries are frequently lo- cated in such spots. For over a hundred years a considerable propor- tion of the residents of this county have moved, eaten, slept, worshipped, died and now lie buried upon the bias, as it were. When the farmer's son began business for himself he desired the same conditions to which he had been accustomed on the old homestead, and these he usually found by migrating either to the southeastward or to the southwest- ward.
The topography has determined the position of the larger lakes and rivers of southeastern Michigan.
FRENCHTOWN
Upon the organization of the township of Frenchtown its boundaries included not only much of the original town of that name which the early pioneers settled upon the north bank of the River Raisin, but also the townships of Berlin and Ash, and for this reason was the most populous of the five which were organized in 1827. The inhabitants gave their attention to farming almost exclusively, although the eastern line lay along the shores of Lake Erie and contiguous to extensive marshes, which afforded opportunity to those so disposed, to engage in fishing and trapping, from which they derived no inconsiderable revenue. The first township election took place in April, 1827, the voting place being in the residence of Francois La Salle, which stood near the River Raisin east of the present railroad tracks, being now in the Fourth ward of the city.
The first supervisor elected (in 1827) was Mr. Edmund Littlefield, who served two terms and was succeeded by John B. Cicotte, who held the office for three successive terms; James J. Godfroy followed him in 1832, Laurent Durocher, Medard Couture, Lewis Bond and Warner Wing filling the office in the years 1833, 1834, 1835 and 1836. From that year until 1912 the township has been represented on the board of supervisors by the following: Laurent Durocher (who served six years from 1842 to 1848 inclusive), Alfred G. Bates, Gouverneur Morris, Tous- sainte Navarre (served ten years successively from 1851 to 1861, also two terms in 1862 and 1863). Nelson Jarbo was elected in 1864 and 1865, J. Dusseau in 1866 and 1867, George R. Hurd in 1868 to 1872.
The choice of men to fill the office of supervisors of the township appear to have been wisely exercised, realizing as the voters undoubtedly did that this was the most important and responsible one in the town- ship. It will be perceived that one or two of these officials were held in high esteem by their constituents who returned them year after year and in whom they were never disappointed or deceived by any act of theirs either public or private.
The history of this township is so closely identified with that of the city of Monroe and the settlement of the county that its history would be a repetition of what has been told in these pages already, and there- fore is unimportant as a separate narrative.
SUMMERFIELD TOWNSHIP
This was one of the first settled townships in the county, which is stated as occurring earlier than 1820. Doubtless the first comers into the county were pleased with the inviting aspect of the country, for along the banks of the River Raisin, which flows through the north-
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western part of the township, are some of the best lands in the county, while in the early days forests of oak, elm, white wood, maple, walnut and other hardwoods flourished in their great beauty and offered prom- ise for the future which must have warmed the heart and excited the expectation of the settlers who encouraged their relatives and friends to settle here. The village of Petersburg is in this township, situated upon a bend in the River Raisin, which was founded by Thomas G. Cole and Austin E. Wing of Monroe in 1836 upon the farm lands of Richard Peters, from whom the property was acquired by Cole and Wing. Mr. Peters was honored by having his name given to the town which it bears. The first arrivals in the township were the members of the Wells family, which were numerous. The names found upon the records are Seth and Polly Wells, Louis, Morris and Russell, Lucy, Olive and Electra, who located near the present village and somewhat to the eastward; following them were John Wadsworth, Richard Peters, Elihu Ward, who came here in 1824. Charles Peters was the first white child born in the township, which event occurred on March 17, 1826. Benjamin Davis was one of the first arrivals and showed his enterprise, public spirit and consideration for the convenience of his fellows by erecting a bridge across the River Raisin as early as 1828. Previous to this communication with the country on the other side of the stream was by means of a very primitive ferry, established by Richard Peters. The informality of the inauguration of this important improvement in the facilities for intercourse between the inhabitants is told by a native of the town: "You see, we were a good deal put out when we wanted to visit neighbors on the other side of the Raisin; because the only way to do it was to wade across, when the water was low in the summer, cross on the ice in the winter, and ford the stream in horse and wagon when we could; so a few of the men folks went up the stream one day until they found a big poplar tree about four feet through, and this we felled, near the stream. It was no fool of a job either, cutting down a four foot tree about sixty feet high, cutting a log out of it with our axes, floating the log (about thirty feet long) down to the settlement, and hollowing it out with our broadaxes, and smoothing it up in shape to make a very likely looking boat, and this we found mighty sight better than nothing." This constituted the "ferry," and Richard Peters was the ferry man, which continued in use for a long time, until the bridge was built by Mr. Davis.
The first township meeting was held at the house of Morris Wells, when officers were chosen in 1831. Benjamin Davis being elected super- visor, and re-elected in 1832; in 1834 John B. King was honored by the choice of his fellow citizens for supervisor, and continued as such for several terms; others who subsequently represented the township were James J. Russell, Oliver Rose, Horace Hill, William Corbin, George Peters. The latter was supervisor for many years, alternating with James I. Russell in service. D. Mclaughlin, H. Camburn, H. C. Mc- Laughlin, Andrew Spaulding, Charles N. Ellis, and D. D. Van Nocker have served from 1889 to the present.
TOWNSHIP OF ASH
This township was organized out of Frenchtown by an enactment of the legislature in 1837 and comprised all that part of Frenchtown which now forms the townships of Ash and Berlin. The soil is produc- tive and its farms are well tilled, while its grazing lands have afforded opportunities for raising of cattle and sustaining dairies. In the spring of 1837 the first township election was held at the house of John M. Beaubien, the records of the result of this election are not at hand, nor
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
any up to the year 1842, when Gideon Thomas was chosen supervisor, Leonard Stoddard assessor; in 1843 Isaac Assyltine was elected; in 1844, Cyrus Post; from 1845 to 1850, Alexander M. Arzeno represented the township as its supervisor. Since which time data is not to be obtained.
TOWNSHIP OF EXETER
The township of Exeter was originally a part of the township of Raisinville, but was in 1833 set off to the township of London, and in 1836 formally organized as it remains at the present time.
The first election under this organization was held in April, 1836, when Gilbert Palmer was elected its first supervisor. The following year Patrick Corrigan was elected to this office, following whom the office was held by Moses Bowlsby in 1838; Patrick Corrigan in 1839; John Murphy in 1842 and 1843; Luke Dunn in 1844; Lewis Welch in 1845; John Murphy in 1846-1847; Luke Dunn in 1848; Lewis Welch in 1849, and Bernard Raleigh in 1850. These men at different times represented the township on the board of supervisors for the subsequent twenty, except when some special issue was involved, such as drainage or school questions, when a change to some new man sometimes occurred. The population of the township is approximately 1900.
The township was heavily timbered with elm, oak and other hard woods which led to the establishment of the charcoal industry of which an extensive business was done for many years after the railroad had been built, and facilities existed for transportation of this and other products to nearby manufacturers.
The village of Maybee, which sprung up as the result of the build- ing of the railroad and developed into a thriving community, was located on the Maybee farm, owned by Abram Maybee, and has continued to thrive under the efforts of its public-spirited citizens.
TOWNSHIP OF BEDFORD
This township was organized out of the township of Erie, which was the first settled in the county, and where many respectable and well- to-do farmers came at an early day to permanently locate. These first settlements, however, were in the eastern portion, along the shores of Lake Erie. Among the first that settled in Bedford either before or after the reorganization was Levi Lewis, at whose house, in May, 1836, the first election for township officers was held. John Glass was chosen moderator and Henry Mason clerk. William Dunbar was elected super- visor and Theodore Osgood town clerk. Three justices of the peace were elected : Nathan G. Watkins, Henry Mason and. Sampson Vrooman ; commissioners of highways, Stephen Bradford, William Filkins and Ebenezer Thornton; school commissioners, Levi Lewis, Jackson Hoag and John Cumbert. As was the case with Erie township, the first set- tlers in Bedford were principally Canadian-French, who emigrated from Quebec and Montreal, of whom Benjamin Soullier was among the first, and these people proved to be desirable and hospitable families and good farmers. Absalom Owen is supposed to have been the pioneer American settler, who built a home on section 4, just within the present limit of the township in 1820. About two years later a family named Sibley occupied the same house and carried on trade with the Indians, selling whisky and other "staples." Their traffic in firewater, more or less profitable while it lasted, eventually brought trouble. One night a small band of Indians called and demanded some whisky. Sibley was either out of the article or refused to let them have any, whereupon they
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