USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 66
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" Accepting the exigency, the Governor issued his proclamation to the proper civil officers of each township and ward to make a complete census of the citizens of proper age and forward returns to the county clerks of their respective counties on or before the 10th of September following. This new demand upon the resources and patriotism of the people was assented to with great unanimity, and its propriety and necessity generally accepted, but the desire was to obviate a draft, and strong efforts were being put forth to furnish the quota in volunteers."
As an encouragement, large local bounties were offered, and the most strenuous and effec- tive measures were adopted and continued by most of the townships and wards to furnish the men required of them without recourse to a draft.
For the record of the regiments furnished by the State of Michigan, embracing only the officers and soldiers of Monroe county, the reader is referred to further details under their appropriate heads.
Henry H. Crapo, the eleventh governor of the State, was born in Dartmouth, Massachu- setts, May 24, 1804 ; resided for many years in New Bedford, from which place he removed to Michigan in 1857 ; became extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber; was for a time mayor of Flint, where he resided ; served in the State Senate; was twice elected governor of the State, in 1864 and 1866, per- forming important services during the progress of the Rebellion. He served as executive with great ability until January 1, 1869. Died in Flint, July 23, 1869.
His successor as governor of the State was Henry P. Baldwin, of Detroit, who, though occupying the position of a private citizen throughout the war, rendered very valuable service in the cause of the Union, being promi- nent in the State among its strongest sup- porters both in counsel and in pecuniary aid, and ever ready when occasion offered to stand by his country and uphold her glorious flag. He was born at Coventry, Rhode Island, Feb- ruary 22, 1814; received a common school edu-
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cation followed by a course in a New England academy, became a merchant's clerk and con- tinued as such until he attained his majority ; was in business in Woonsocket, Rhode Island ; removed to Detroit, Michigan, in 1838, and immediately identified himself with the Prot- estant Episcopal church, in which he has ever been one of its most influential and esteemed members; has ever been a prominent official and safe adviser and counselor in matters per- taining to the prosperity of the church of his choice, and borne more than his share in its labors and burdens. By diligence and close attention to business has acquired a large estate. At the close of the War of the Rebel- lion the State treasury was empty - the out- going State treasurer had made way with all the available means in his hands. John Owen, the newly elected State treasurer, aided by other patriotic citizens, of whom Governor Baldwin was one, obtained upon their personal responsibility the means necessary to save the credit and meet the wants of the State. He was one of the original stockholders of the Second National Bank of Detroit, was elected its president and has continued to fill that posi- tion from its first organization, and under the new organization up to the present time. He was elected governor in 1868 and re-elected in 1870, holding the office until January 1, 1873.
During his terms he made a very honorable record, and great advances were made in the establishment and progress of our State chari- ties ; was the father of the State Public Schools for Dependent Children, a new departure and a model highly appreciated ; organized a com- mission to supervise the State institutions : recommended the establishment of the Eastern Insane Asylum, the State Board of Health and the State House of Correction ; projected and secured the building of the new State capitol at Lansing; appointed the building commis- sion that carried it forward to completion.
He was a member of the Republican Na- tional convention in 1876 ; in 1879, at the death of the Hon. Zachariah Chandler, the veteran Senator from Michigan, Governor Baldwin was appointed to serve through the unexpired term, making for himself a successful and honorable record ; was in 1880 and 1881 chairman of the Michigan Republican Central Committee. IIe has during a long and useful life earned, and is richly entitled to, the character of a Chris-
tian gentleman, a desirable friend, a bounteous giver, a true patriot, whose life is consistent, and whose example is as valuable as his benefi- cence.
John J. Bagley was born at Medina, Orleans county, New York, July 24, 1832; came to Detroit in 1848 at the age of sixteen and entered into the employ of Mr. Miller, a tobacconist. Becoming familiar with the business he soon took the road as a traveling solicitor and made extensive acquaintances, and was soou known through the State as a thorough business man of pleasant manners, correct habits, and good observer of men. When he attained his major- ity, with the assistance of friends commenced in Detroit on his own account and soon built up a business that in a few years became one of the leading establish ments in the North west, and eventually became one of the foremost in America. During his leisure hours he utilized his time in storing his mind with useful knowl- edge; was a great reader and well informed, and became one of the leading spirits in the Detroit Young Men's Society, giving him access to the extensive library, which was his favorite resort. He took a lively interest in the organ . ization of the Republican party. The honor of being elected a member of the Detroit board of education was conferred upon him, yet until he was elected governor never held an office that had the semblance of profit in it, and that office in Michigan involved great pecuniary burdens. In 1860 he took a very active part, and also when the war came on. He was lib- eral with his money and personal exertions in sustaining the Government and contributing to the comfort of the troops, the sick and wounded, and was ever a welcome visitor to the camps and hospitals.
In 1872 he succeeded Governor Baldwin as chief magistrate of the State, and was in 1874 re-elected to the same position. The improve- ment of the penal and charitable institutions was, it may with propriety be said, a great hobby with him. His administration was in all respects creditable, and he left the public service with the respect of the people and a well-carned reputation for his honest, humane methods of administering charitable and penal institutions.
The confinement in public duties, added to his large business enterprises, wore upon his constitution, and in 1880 he retired from active
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business and sought relief in travel, and in the spring of 1881 died in California. A tribute to his memory in a large monumental fountain as a large-hearted and enterprising forwarder of municipal and State interest was erected in 1888 on the Campus Martius in the city of Detroit.
Charles M. Croswell was born at Newburg, Orange county, New York. When seven years of age, his father, mother and sister died, leav- ing him the only surviving member of the family without fortune or means. With an uncle he emigrated to Adrian, Michigan. At the age of sixteen commenced learning the trade of a carpenter and worked at it diligently four years. In 1846 he studied law, and was appointed deputy clerk of the county of Lena- wee. After serving in this capacity four years was elected register of deeds in 1850, and re- elected in 1852. In 1854 took part in the formation of the Republican party, and was a member of the convention at Jackson that put in nomination the first Republican State ticket. In 1855 he formed a law copartnership with Judge Cooley, which continued until the re- moval of Judge Cooley to Ann Arbor. He was appointed city attorney of Adrian in 1862 and was soon after elected mayor of the city, and in the fall of the same year was elected to represent Lenawee county in the State senate. He was complimented with the appointment as chairman of the judiciary committee. He was re-elected to the senate in 1864 and again in 1866. In 1867 was elected a member of the constitutional convention and chosen its pre- siding officer. In 1868 was an elector on the Republican presidential ticket. In 1872 was elected a representative from Lenawee county to the State legislature and chosen speaker.
In 1876 was elected governor of the State of Michigan. He always felt a deep interest in educational matters, and was for many years a member and secretary of the board of educa- tion in Adrian ; was also for several years sec- retary of the State board for the general super- vision of the charitable and penal institutions of Michigan, in which position and during his administration as governor his care for the amelioration of the condition of the unfortu- nate and the reformation of the criminal classes signalized the benevolence of his nature and the practical character of his mind. He was a popular speaker, and many of his addresses
attracted favorable notice in the public prints and are of permanent value. His career as governor was marked with the same qualities of head and heart that had ever distinguished him.
David H. Jerome, the fifteenth governor of the State of Michigan, was born in November, 1829, at Detroit. At the death of his father, which occurred when he was an infant, his mother removed to and settled in St. Clair county, where Mr. Jerome was educated. In 1853 he went to California and located there a claim which proved to be worth millions of dollars. He projected the tunnel and con- structed it for six hundred feet in the moun- tain towards the mine. In 1854 he settled in Saginaw and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1862 he was appointed by Governor Blair and authorized to raise the regiment appor- tioned to the Sixth Congressional District, and was commissioned commandant, with the rank of colonel, to prepare the regiment for the field. This regiment, the Twenty-Third, won a splendid record in the service. During 1865 and 1866 he was military aid to Governor Crapo, and in 1865 was appointed a member of the State Military Board, of which he con- tinued a member and president until 1873. In 1862 was elected to the State senate and served therein six years. During his entire senatorial service he was chairman of the com- mittee on State affairs, and was influential in shaping the policy of all the important legis- lative acts made necessary by the war. He never exchanged votes to obtain aid in his local bills, but treated all bills alike and left his own to be considered on their merits. He helped to secure and was largely instrumental in the passage of the bill creating the soldiers' home at Harper's Hospital in Detroit. His rare qualifications as a legislator, so usefully and honorably exercised in the Senate, doubt- less led to his appointment in 1863 as one of the commissioners to prepare a new State con- stitution. He is president of the Saginaw Val- ley and St. Louis Railroad and of the Saginaw Street Railway Company, a member of the Board of Indian Commissioners, and trustee of the Michigan Military Academy.
Josiah W. Begole, the sixteenth governor of Michigan, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, January 20, 1815; removed with his father's family to Geneseo, New York, accompanied by
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a number of their former slaves. He received an academic education at the Temple Hill Academy, Geneseo. In August, 1830, he emi- grated to Genesee county, Michigan, settled in the flourishing city of Flint, at that time con- taining but four houses, and yet his residence. During the winter of 1837 and 1838 he taught school. In 1839 commenced work on a new and unimproved farm, was successful and soon accumulated a farm of five hundred acres. IIe enjoyed the confidence of the people, and was elected to various town offices, and in 1850 was elected county treasurer, and held the office four successive terms, At the breaking ont of the war in 1861, took an active part in recruiting, furnishing supplies for the army, and in look- ing after the interests of the soldiers' families. Lost his oldest son by a Federal bullet near Atlanta in 1864. In 1871 was elected State senator, where he served on the various im- portant committees, drafted the bill for the re- moval of the capitol to Lansing ; was a dele- gate to the National Republican Conven- tion held at Philadelphia in 1872; during same year was elected a representative from Michi- gan to the Forty-Third Congress ; was elected governor of the State in 1882.
Russell A. Alger was born in Ohio February 27, 1836. His parents died when he was eleven years old, and the next seven years he worked on a farm, attending school at Richfield Acad- emy in the winters. He then entered a law office, and in 1850 was admitted to the bar. Ill health caused him to relinquish his profes- sion, and in 1861 he engaged in the lumber business in Grand Rapids, but the call to arms led him to enlist in the Second Michigan Cav- alry. The next year he was wounded at the battle of Booneville, Mississippi, and soon after was promoted to be major of the regiment. October 10, 1862, he was appointed lieutenant- colonel of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, and on June 2, 1863, colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, his regiment being a part of Custer's famous cavalry brigade. July 6, 1863, he was wounded at the battle of Boonsborough, Mary- land. He was engaged in sixty-six battles and skirmishes. He was brevetted brigadier-gen- cral and major-general " for gallant and mer- itorions services in the field." In 1865 the general removed to Detroit and engaged ex- tensively in the Inmber business, and is now one of the largest lumber operators in the State
of Michigan, and is also interested in many other business enterprises. General Alger was nominated for the office of Governor by the Republican party at the State convention held at Detroit August 14, 1884, and was elected for the term of two years from January 1, 1885.
The details of the Alger administration in Michigan would be but a repetition of State records, and is yet fresh in the minds of the people. Those that may have formed an opin- ion that because of his wealth and well- earned prominence he is not approachable, are mis- taken. He is peculiarly free from those evi- dences of false pride and petty weaknesses which too often mar the character of men who have risen from the ranks to the possession of power and influence. As governor this marked and amiable trait of character was one of the first to attract attention and elicit ap- probation. One of his first orders, simple in itself and extra official, serves well to illustrate this characteristic. As he seated himself in the gubernatorial chair his observant eye noted the grooves in either side of the imposing doorways.
" What are those for?" he inquired of his secretary.
" Barriers."
" Barriers ? What do you mean ?"
" Bars, to put up when the doors are open to prevent people from intruding."
" Are those the bars over there in the corner?"
" Those are the barriers."
" Made of pine, are they not?"
" Yes, sir."
" They would burn well ?"
" First rate."
" Well, just send them down and have them fed into the furnace when needed. We have no use for barriers here. I am not barring out the people who made me governor, and when they call I want to see them."
One of the chief aims of Alger's administra- tion was to secure the application of business principles to the management of public insti- tutions. To this end and with marvelous rapidity of comprehension he went through, mastering their details, detecting leaks and flaws, pointing out remedies and suggesting changes, with a result that will be felt for the good of these institutions throughout years to come. To him was largely due the adoption of the cottage system in caring for the insane.
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General Alger possesses the high and rare requisites which comprehend the necessities of a people, as well as the most direct, efficient and business-like way of securing them. Those who know him best pronounce this power little short of intuition, and concede to the man who could accumulate millions in a few years an executive ability rarely surpassed. One marked characteristic of the governor is worthy of men- tion. His gifts go with an impulsive response to the appeals of hunger, nakedness and suffer- ing as they confront him in the daily walks of life -his generosity is unstinted. He meets a shivering newsboy on his way from his palatial residence to his office. Forthwith a carte blanche order is given to fit these little mer- chants who need it with suits and overcoats, and that practical charity has been repeated by the man, whose heart may have been moved as he looked back through the lapse of years and saw a little lad bravely fighting back the waves of poverty as they beat against the door of the home when he was the sole dependence there. Thousands of his money have gone to des- titute families in the city to supply flour, coal, wood and such other relief as the kindest con- sideration for the suffering might suggest. It is worthy of note that in such extended and numerous business transactions he has never sued a man or been sued. As a proof of the estimate in which he was held by the people of Michigan, when he voluntarily surrendered the governorship at the end of one term his name was urged for the highest political gift
of the nation ; it was one of the most prominent before the Chicago convention that nominated General Harrison.
Cyrus Gray Luce, successor of Russell A. Alger, was born in Windsor, Ashtabula county, Ohio, July 2, 1824. In 1836 he removed with his parents to Steuben county, Indiana, endured the hardships incident to the pioneer life of that period, attended school winters in the proverbial log school house, and subsequently was a student for three years at the collegiate institute at Ontario, Indiana. From the age of seventeen to twenty-four he worked at card- ing wool and dressing cloth. In 1848 he was nominated for a member of the House by the Whigs of the representative district composed of the counties of Dekalb and Steuben, but was defeated by eleven majority. In 1849 he mar- ried and settled on a farm in the township of Gilead, Branch county, Michigan, where he still resides. He has been a member of the board of supervisors eleven years ; represen- tative in the legislature one term, State sena- tor two terms, a member of the constitutional convention in 1867, and State oil inspector three years and a half. He received the nom- ination for governor by the Republican party at Grand Rapids August 26, 1886, and was elected November 2, 1886, by a vote of 181,474, his chief opponent, George L. Yaple, receiv- ing 174,042 votes, and Samuel Dickie, Pro- hibitionist, 25,179; was re-elected in Novem- ber, 1888, and is now discharging the duties thereof.
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MOMENTANY
HENRY DURELL, MOSES NADEAU, STEPHEN DUSSEAU, JOSEPH C. NADEAU, No 3 Bow and Captain Stroke. No. 2.
CHAPTER XXIX.
AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN.
IN 1869 the boat clubs of the Northwest or- ganized the Northwestern Amateur Row- ing Association. Toledo, Detroit, the Sagi- naws, Milwaukee, and Erie, Pennsylvania, were represented in the association by regular organ- ized clubs, thoroughly equipped with racing boats, and all backed up by an enthusiastic following from their respective towns. At that time there were plenty of young men in Monroe aquaticly inclined, but such a thing as a racing shell had never been seen on the Raisin, and the nearest approach to a racing boat was a lap-streak boat about twenty feet long, the " Kate Johnston," built by John Oades, now of Detroit, and formerly owned by Kate Johnston, the " Queen of the Thousand Islands," and had been used by her in 1838 in carrying provisions
to her father, William Johnston, who was a sworn enemy of Canada, a hero of the Patriot War, for whose capture a reward of $200 and $500 was offered by the governments of Canada and the United States, because he and his followers had cap- tured and burned the Canadian steamer, Sir Robert Peel. This boat had been presented to J. M. Sterling, her Michigan correspondent, during the time of the Canadian trouble, and preserved as a memento by him to the present time. A number of young men obtained the boat of him and had her fitted out as a double scull, and under the name of the " Independent Boat Club of Monroe," entered the old boat against the modern racers at the first regatta of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Asso- ciation, at Toledo, Ohio, July 8, 1869, with William C. Sterling and William Calhoun as the crew. All the boatmen of Monroe at once commenced to take an interest in boat racing, and the 8th of July found Monroe well repre- sented and all talking boat and enthusiastic on the subject, and although the Independents did not carry off the prize, yet they made such a good showing that all came home convinced
that the Monroe boys, with a modern boat and outfit, would take a leading position in aquatic sports.
The interest in boating increased the follow- ing season, and in February, 1871, the Floral City Boat Club was organized, and they pur- chased their first boat, a six oared lap-streak, the " Atlanta," and fitted up a club room in the Stoddard building.
In 1873, with the assistance of the newly- formed club, the Amateurs, two local regattas were held, the great attraction in each being the races between the " Atlanta " of the Florals and the new boat of the Amateurs, the " T. N. Perkins," a four-oared lap-streak. The " Per- kins" carried off the honors in both regattas, and from that time on was always able to hold the flag as the fastest boat of her class on the Raisin.
In January, 1874, the club moved into the rooms over Dansard's bank. They were hand- somely frescoed and tastefully furnished. In May they purchased the four-oared paper cox- swain shell, " Horace T. Conant," and as soon as it was warm enough all the young men about town went into training. Cigars and to- bacco were put aside until "after the regatta," and there was a constant comparison and meas- uring of biceps, and strife among the boys for the honor of being one who should be counted worthy to be in the racing crew, and the fine points, staying qualities and pluck of the pros- pective crew were discussed on all sides. The boating craze took possession of the whole population, and every one under forty-five had to row, be able to talk boat and regatta fluently or be set down as an old fogy.
July 22, 1874, found the Floral City crew at the Northwestern at Toledo, ready to con- test for the prize for junior four-oared shells, an enthusiastic following, including many of the belles of Monroe, all wearing the colors of the Florals. They carried off the honors in that
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contest, and that victory gave a great impetus to aquatic sports in Monroe.
The Floral City club sent a four-oared crew to the Watkins association races in 1878 to contest for the championship of America, the winning crew to be sent, at the expense of the association, to England and France to contest with the best crews there for the championship of the world. They made a good showing in the first heat, but the Sho-wae-cac-mettes with their " get thar " stroke, as they called it, were too fast for them and won the heat.
In 1877 they purchased a six-oared cedar shell in Detroit; sent two six-oared shell crews to the Northwestern in this boat, and both times their boat was disabled and they were unable to finish.
They also sent a crew to the great regatta held at Saratoga by the National Association in 1879, and have been represented in the North- western Amateur Rowing Association since 1876 by J. C. Sterling, who is now a member of the executive board and has held the office of president, secretary and treasurer. Hon. H. A. Conant was secretary and treasurer in 1877, and Alexander Grant was for several years a member of the board.
A great many amateur theatricals were given by the Florals for the purpose of raising funds to purchase boats, and were successful in every way. The Florals had about two thousand dollars invested in racing boats. In 1880 their boat house was blown over by a cyclone. Their boats were then stored in a warehouse at the dock, and all destroyed in the great fire of 1883.
Honors won at regattas of the North western Amateur Rowing Association by Floral City Boat Club :
Toledo, Ohio, July 22 and 23, 1874-Junior four-oared shells; five entries; crew, W. C. Sterling (stroke), J. C. Sterling (No. 2), A. E. Wing (No. 3), C. Kasselman (bow); W. P. Sterling (coxswain) ; distance, three miles ; time, 22:143.
Toledo, Ohio, July 4, 5 and 6, 1876-Junior four-oared shells ; seven entries ; crew, Charles Iloyt (stroke), J. F. Grant (No. 2), George S. Willetts (No. 3), W. P. Sterling (bow); dis- tance, three miles ; time, 20:22.
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