USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
" Fellow citizens, we cannot glorify this day. Nouglit that can be said or done here can consecrate or hallow it. It is rather for us to receive baptism of its glory. Rather for us, in the noble words of Lincoln at Gettysburg. to this day, 'Highly resolve that the nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.' "
Hon. Daniel P. Foote then addressed the great assemblage in one of the most excellent orations delivered during the celebra- tion of the day throughout the Union.
A historical sketch of Saginaw, by W. H. H. Bartram, and a poem, entitled "Liberty's Song," written by Mrs. Clark, of Ches- aning, were read. The various events referred to in the former are fully treated in these pages ; the latter is as follows :
LIBERTY'S SONG.
There is music, feasting, rejoicing, An orator's eloquent strain, From the lonely star of Katahdin To that over Texas plain. By Columbia's dashing river, From foot to the grand Cascades. Through Cumberland's beautiful valleys, To Florida's everglades
The booming of cannon, resounding From the great north lakes of our own Is met by responses loyal, From dwellers in tropic zone, Blithe winds from the golden Sierras. Atlantic banners unfurled,
Then wafted their jubilant tidings Triumphantly 'round the world.
Where the heart of the gulf stream's throbbing, Where there's aught for mankind to prize, Where the north wind rudely whistles, Where the soothing south wind sighs, American hands are bequeathing Myrrh and frankincense to-day, For Liberty's shrine that they're wreathing With choicest leaves of the bay.
With joy undivided they're telling Of Adams, Jefferson, Lee, And others of dauntless courage Declaring these colonies free. How the people were hoarse with shouting Praise that kings never could call By bribes, or the fear of proscription, From hearts of subjects in thrall.
253
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
No triumphant victor in passing With trophies 'neath conqueror's arch, With princes for slaves from the kingdoms Laid waste in blood-sodden march, Ever heard such music transporting In midst of wildest applause, As the notes which without exhorting, Ring in our country's " hurrahs."
In cabin of brave pioneering, At the cottager's humble door, From velvet, marble and crystal, From cheerless haunts of the poor, Across the rich teeming prarie, And the clover-scented lea, From the iron-hearted mountains, And the evanescent sea, Rang out the glad chorus at dawning, " We've been a century free ! "
Free from all tribute and tithing, Free from foul tyranny's breath, Free from conscription and gyving, Free from inquisitor's death, Free from all baleful controlling Of pulpit, or press, or plea, Free as Divinity's image, Was here intended to be.
But scroll of past ages unfolding The struggles of free men declare, When fortunes, and lives without stinting. Were given for Liberty's care, She richly repaid their devotion, So long as their hearts were true ; When gold was the idol they worshiped The angry deity threw Them a crown for their pride's destroying Peace, and prosperity too.
But proud was the goddess when wearing Athenian chaplets of yore, For heroes whose deeds were immortal Though fading the garlands they wore, In guarding her temples and altars, Till stained was her marble and sand, With patriot's blood that in flowing Extinguished Liberty's brand.
Long ages before Greece was treading In freedom's name, under her feet, The beauty of Spartan women, With everything tender and sweet, Till her shameless field-trained maidens, Brawny, athletic and nude, Could in helot's trembling body, The death dealing dart intrude ; But Spartan courage divided Against itself could not stand, And she grew from the first and the bravest, To be meanest in all the land.
254
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
Four centuries freedom was clinging To Liberty's wonderful Rome, Leaving the fickle Greek waters To build on the Tiber her home, From four winds of heaven she beckoned The greatest and wisest to come; No wonder the renting asunder, At last shook the capitol's dome.
With eagle and emblems in keeping In time to the westward she hied, The old world in fetters left weeping, To gladden the new, the untried ; Ten decades ago she was stringing Her harps, for ages unstrung ;
Her sons were exultantly singing Her songs, for centuries unsung.
Shall honor with which she's been crowning Her chieftaius and soldiers decline ? Shall the flood of the coming be offered As the passing was, free as wine, To save from ambition and envy, To save from the parricide's hand,
To save from idolatrous worship For God's chosen people the land ?
Or shall gross, luxurious living, The hearts of the people ensnare, Till Bacchus control their affections, And Midas their pass'onate prayer ? Their votes that are openly sold, Till red, white and blue is forsaken For Tyrean purple and gold ?
Shall our household gods be dissolving By restless fanatics desire, Till abandoned freedom has lighted For us an unquenchable fire, And age, youth and weakness dependent By merciless strength is oppressed, Till they seek a passage, despairing, To Stygean waters for rest ?
Great Father! all nations protecting, Avert, we beseech, every blow, That could turu from Thy rock of safety,- Make waters of bitterness flow ; Let our stars with those of the morning Live, as our eagle shall soar, Till time has finished the problem Of life, on eternity's shore.
The novelties of the procession were a car containing 13 young ladies representing the original States, surmounting the Goddess of Liberty, and one containing 37 misses representing the States of that day. Benjamin, with two hearses, one the pattern of long ago, its board sides labeled "Luxuries were unknown to Patriots of 1776." And the other a beautiful affair, on the plate glass of which was shown the inscription, "The sister cities have this day
255
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
buried envy and all uncharitableness. Mourners there are none." Benjamin's blacksmith and wagon shop with six men at work. "'The carriage of 1776." An ox cart. Willard Shattuck, with a Buckeye Reaper of 1876. G. Spatz's Bakery. Alex. Hurtubise, shoeing a horse, and three other blacksmiths at work.
These, with all the other features of the procession, rendered it one characteristic of the great event which was then being cele- brated. Here in this northern city the self-same enthusiasm pre- vailed which marked the day at the political center of the Union, and few there were who did not give thanks to Providence for be- iug permitted to be present at tlie 100th anniversary of the forma- tion of the Republic.
FIRST HAPPENINGS IN THE COUNTY.
Among the most interesting chapters of a local history is that which embraces a list of first events. To such belongs the history of everything connected with the county, and in such a list many of those events, any one of which would scarcely afford subject for a chapter, are noted. Beginning with the year 1819, when one of the brightest characters on the pages of Michigan history visited this region to negotiate a treaty with the Saginaw Indians, let us pass the years which have elapsed in review.
In 1822 the United States troops took possession of the Indian campground, and erected the first fort built by Americans north of Detroit. During the same year the first deaths were recorded among the white inhabitants, a few of the infantry having died here.
In 1823 the first white children born in the district claimed the old fort as their birth-place and the wives of soldiers as their mothers. Harvey Williams, John Hamilton, E. S. Williams and Schuyler Hodges arrived at Saginaw in 1822.
In 1824 the American Fur Company established the first regular trading-post here, under McDonald. Rev. Mr. Hudson was the first missionary appointed by the Government to administer to the spiritual wants of the Indians. Provencal was the first Indian blacksmith. On account of the red man having no "spiritual wants," Mr. Hudson left the district, while the man of iron re- mained.
The first deaths among the white inhabitants occurred in 1822, when four or five members of the garrison fell before the advance of disease.
First celebration of Independence Day, July 4, 1832.
The first house was that erected by Louis Campeau in 1816.
The first farmer, Asa Whitney, purchased his land in 1822, and began farming in 1826.
Dr. C. Little located Saginaw City in 1822.
Eleazer Jewett was the first American settler within the county as now constituted. Having arrived in 1826, he made it his home until his decease.
The first orchard was set out in 1828.
256
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
Saginaw township was organized in 1831, and comprised the county of Saginaw as then known, the counties of Midland, Tuscola, Alpena, Iosco, Bay, Cheboygan, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Gratiot, Isabella, Clare, Gladwin and Oscoda. Gardner D. Williams was · first supervisor.
The first local roads were laid out by Deputy-Surveyor Jewett. The French traveler, De Tocqueville, visited Saginaw.
In 1834 the first saw-mill was built by Harvey Williams, G. D. and E. S. Williams.
The first frame house was built by Eleazer Jewett, in 1831.
Miss Mary Jewett, now Mrs. Dr. N. D. Lee, was born Feb. 11, 1834. She was, therefore, the first white child born in the county within the American pioneer period.
The first cargo of lumber was shipped from the Emerson mill in 1836.
William Williams, born March 12, 1834, was the first white male child born in Saginaw county.
Judge Albert Miller taught the first school in the valley.
In October, 1835, the county of Saginaw was organized under authority of the Territorial Legislature. The plat of Saginaw was enlarged and the first inap of the city drafted. Wheat was har- vested that year for the first time and sent to mill. A clearing was made on the east bank of the river.
C. A. Lull raised the first crop of wheat, in 1835. He brought the first sheep into the district.
The Presbyterian Society was organized in 1836, being the first religious association established.
The same year Norman Little purchased the United States' Gov- ernment block-houses and military reserve, from Dr. Millington, of Ypsilanti. He also brought with him type and newspaper press from New York, and projected the Saginaw Journal. The "Citi- zens' Library Association " was formed, and the era of improve- inent entered upon.
The first steam saw-mill at East Saginaw was built in 1836.
The first dock was constructed at Saginaw City in 1836.
The first boring for rock salt or brine was done by Douglass Houghton in 1838.
The financial crisis was brought under control in 1838.
The first turnpike road was begun in 1840.
The first ferry was chartered in 1842.
E. W. Perry made the first attempt to clear the rivers of drift- wood in 1837.
The same year Nelson Smithi built and launched the schooner " Julia Smith."
The first plank road to Flint was made in 1850.
The first stave yard was established by Humphrey Shaw in 1850. The first Union school building was erected in 1851.
The first brick-yard was established at East Saginaw in 1852.
The first secret society organized here was the Odd Fellows' lodge, No. 42, in 1849. The first Masonic lodge-was formed in March, 1854.
Hb. A Barker.
1
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY. 259.
The first select school was established at East Saginaw in 1852. The first steamboat, "Buena Vista," was launched in 1848.
The first German settlement was made under Rev. Geo. Cramer in 1845.
The first efforts to detach Bay county from Saginaw were made in 1855.
The first bank was opened by W. L. P. Little in 1855.
Gardner D. Williams was elected first Mayor of Saginaw City in 1857.
Captain Leon Snay was the first white settler of East Saginaw.
The first association of salt manufacturers was formed in April, 1859, and the first salt well sunk the same year. The same year the city of East Saginaw received a charter, when W. L. P. Little was elected mayor.
C. W. Grant was the first town clerk of Buena Vista, and Curtis Emerson the first supervisor. The former was the first American pioneer to settle on the east side in 1849.
The first ice-house was built in 1862.
The first school on the east side of the river was built in 1851.
The first teacher was Miss Carrie Ingersoll.
The Saginaw street-car track, 2g miles in length, was laid down in 1864.
Alfred M. Hoyt was the first postmaster at East Saginaw, and M. B. Hess the first mail-carrier.
The first birth was that of Lyman Ensign, in 1850.
The first death which was recorded at East Saginaw occurred in 1852.
The first free bridge across the Saginaw was constructed in 1878, at a cost of $19,000.
The first business men . of East Saginaw were Curtis Emerson, C. W. Grant, W. F. Glasby, M. B. Hess, Geo. Hess, Alfred M. Hoyt. James Little, Col. W. L. P. Little, S. W. Yawkey, Alex. English, John Elsffer, A. Ferguson, F. H. Kochler, Thomas Wil- ley, Mengo Stevens and Seth Willey. The first lawyers who opened offices there were Wm. L. Webber, J. L. T. Fox and Charles Hunt.
The first rail of the F. & P. M. R. R. was laid Aug. 19, 1859.
The J., L. & S. R. R. was completed in 1867, and the first through train from Jackson entered the city.
In 1864 the first bridge was built across the river by the citizens of East Saginaw, and in 1865 those of Saginaw City constructed another equally substantial viaduct one mile south.
The Holly water-works were constructed in 1872.
The Mayflower mills were built in 1851, being the first flouring mill of the valley.
Warner and Eastman erected the first iron foundry in 1854.
The first military encampment was held in the valley in Sep- tember, 1860. The commands present were Flint Union Grays, Saginaw City Guards, East Saginaw Guards, and the East Saginaw Light Artillery, all under Col. T. W. B. Stockton.
16
260
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
First organization of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Union, Septem- ber, 1879.
What changes have been effected since these events were first chronicled are noticed in other pages. The march of progress has not for a moment been impeded. Commercial, political, religious and social organization has so advanced that each has risen almost to that standard which the civilization of our time demands.
LIGIIT AND SHADE OF EARLY TIMES.
Among the many stories in circulation, connected with pioneer times, a few have been handed down through the press. That there is every reason to believe them is conceded, and as they tend to give a good idea of the habits, customs and manners of the early settlers of Saginaw county, as it was known previous to 1857, they are given in these pages.
THE LOCAL FISHERMEN.
Among the pioneers of Lower Saginaw were Julius B. Hart and George Lord. Both gentlemen were the proprietors of fisheries on the bay shore, and carried on their fishing operations within a short distance of each other, where, in proper season of the year, they caught and shipped to Detroit and other points the results of their endeavors, often realizing large amounts of money in successful seasons, and at other times resulting in " fisherman's Inck" generally. Both enjoyed, and each knew how to give and take a joke.
One cold bright morning in the fall of 18-, the two met near the foot of Third street, and after passing the time of day, turned to separate, when Hart exclaimed, " By the way, Lord, I'd nearly forgotten; I was down to the shore this morning, and Joe (Lord's foreman at the fishery) told me to tell you that the fish were run- ning like blazes, and he wanted you to send him down a lot of dressers [men to dress and pack fish], salt and barrels." "Thun- der!" shouted Lord, "Is that so?" and away he sped to pick up all the adepts in dressing fish he could find, and in an hour his large boat was loaded with fish barrels, salt and men, and ready to start for the shore, with Lord along to enjoy the rich harvest in prospect awaiting him. Just as the boat was shoved away from the dock to start on her trip, Hart came hurriedly to the dock with, " Hold on, Lord; I've just heard from the shore again; the fish have stopped running, and Joe don't want anything more than he's got."
Lord saw that he was sold, the boat was hauled to the dock and unloaded, and with vengeance in his eye, Lord went home. Weeks passed by, and the joke was almost forgotten by those who had enjoyed a hearty laugh at Lord's expense. Not so with the chief victim, however. His opportunity came at last. The saloon in the basement of the Wolverton House was the fashionable resort of that day, and looking in at the door one afternoon, Lord espied
261
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
Hart at the table with some friends, playing an innocent game of "Penny Ante." While he looked, an Indian entered with a musk- rat skin, a commodity in which Hart dealt, and which it is said at one time bore the same relation to "legal tender " as shingles have often done at a time of scarcity of money. "Ugh!" said Lo, " Jule Hart, you buy um skin?" " Yes," was the response; " give you ten cents; throw him over in that corner; here's your money." The Indian took the money, threw down the skin and departed, at which Hart turned his attention to the game, which was becom- ing interesting. Lord picked up the skin, and unnoticed left the saloon. It was but a few moments before a young boy entered the saloon, and sold Hart a rat-skin, throwing it into the corner as directed, and receiving his pay. The game went on, interrupted every few moments by a rat-skin trade. Skins cante in stretched on shingles, on double twigs, and unstretched. Hart bought them all. At last the day was drawing to a close, and the game came to an end. Hart arose from the table, remarking, "I've lost at the game, but I've bought a thundering pile of skins this afternoon," and he threw his gratified eye over toward the corner where his skins had been disposited. "Whew!" was hiis exclamation, as but a single skin met his vision; " who in thunder has stole my skins?" Lord, at that instant edging toward the door, remarked, "It's been alınost as good a day for rats, as that morning was for fish. Jule Hart saw that he was sold, he had paid out about $5 on one rat skin, and Lord was made disbursing officer, to see that the price of that skin was duly appropriated for the general good, in the manner common to those days.
THE SURROGUGEON COURT.
This tribunal did not approach that of the golden age known as the Secret Tribunal in extensiveness, though it may have equaled it in utility. In the earlier years of the county many good souls- intellectual men-sought a vein through which the blood of pleas- antry might course, and among other things formed the Surrogu- geon-so named from the fact that one of their number indulged in a lapsus linguae, and in an attempt to name the Surrogate court, called it the Surrogugeon.
It had its faults. Though founded, perhaps, without a thought of its effect upon the moral being of the citizens, it was no less bene- ficial in its tendency to nip vice in the bud by checking the pas- sions of men. Every little social error had to be scrutinized by its officials, and this inquiry was carried out with such a demonstration of legality and authority that not a few innocent men came before the bar in obedience to its summons. Whatever means were taken to uphold its authority, or by whatever influence men allowed them- selves to be convicted, punished or acquitted by that tribunal, is a inystery. All the terrors of the law proper surrounded it, all the finding of jurors or judges were made out in regular form, and in fact it differed from the circuit court only in the terrible character
262
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
of its judgments, which consigned its gullible victims to life-long imprisonment for some trifling crime, or perhaps imposed upon them some ridiculous penance, the performance of which on the morrow would both amuse and delight the initiated members of the tribunal.
THE LAWYER AND THE MINISTER.
In early days when hotels were scarce, new-comers to the State of Michigan were forced to ask favors of the older settlers, which would now be looked upon as the height of presumption. Andrew C. was a young lawyer, residing in the then small village of La- peer, having but recently taken to himself a wife and commenced housekeeping. There was no hotel in the place, and travelers oftentimes made use of A. C's. barn, sometimes without as much as saying "by your leave." A. C. had decided to remove to Bay City, and was making preparations to do so, when his barn was appropriated by a new-comer to the neighborhood, who put a load of hay into the loft, and drove a cow into the yard to eat the hay.
The evening before he left for Bay City, A. C. was in the store of the village, and met tle Rev. Mr. Smith, a Congregational minister (afterward settled in East Saginaw), who had but recently taken charge of the little flock about Lapeer. As they conversed, Mr. Smith remarked, "I wish I could buy a good cow."-" Do you want a cow?" said A. C. " I'm glad you mentioned it, for there's one up at my barn which I can't take away with me. You can have her if you will, and there is a load of hay in the barn to feed her with." Profuse were the thanks of the reverend gentle- man at so munificent a bequest. "But, " said A. C., "I must tell you about her. She is the most peculiar cow you ever saw. She must be milked before five o'clock in the morning or you can't get her to give down a drop of milk." "Well, I am an early riser," said the dominie, "I can milk her before five as well as after."
A. C. moved to Bay City; and the minister was careful to milk his cow " before five o'clock " each morning, and a noble iness of milk she gave, and with liberality was the hay fed to her. Things went well for several days, until while milking one morning, the parson's ears were shocked with the profane expletives of a voice which called him a thief, a robber and sundry other pet names, which to the minister were simply horrifying. "I've caught you at last, you hypocritical, thieving parson; preaching honesty to the people, and robbing your neighbors of their milk. I'll break your -head," etc., etc. Rising from liis milking stool, the parson faced the irate farmer, who for a time would give him no chance to put in a word edgewise. "But it's my cow," at last got in the parson; " A C. made me a present of her, and of the hay in the barn the night before he left."
Explanations ensued, and as both realized the sell, they enjoyed a hearty laugh, and were good friends. A C. still lives, and
263
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
persists in saying that he enjoys a practical joke and loves to play one on his friends.
REMINISCENCE OF 1845.
The following sketch was written by a grand-danghter, "Lena," of one of the American pioneers of the valley, and is characteris- tic of life in the German settlements of 30 years ago.
"The first German settlement made in Saginaw county was at Frankenmuth, about 1845. From Saginaw, by the path through the woods, it was 14 miles; but the traveled road, where they went with their teams, was much farther. One of the German girls, Margaret, came to my grandfather's, as a servant, and she was such a specimen as is seldom seen now-a-days, -five feet five in her stockings, with broad shoulders, great brawny arms, and feet in thick cloth shoes nine by fourteen, lined with sheep-skin with the wool on. She always wore a red and black petticoat, and a thick, close jacket, as did all the German girls.
"Now, Margaret had a lover, and it would have made the most sober person in the world laugh to have seen them together, for this lover was a small, thin, white-liaired yonth of eighteen, who did not look as if he had the ambition of a snail. Very comical they looked,-the tall, strong girl, and the little, thin, weak boy. He did not come to see his 'fraulein' very often, for it was a good distance to walk. At last came the time for the wedding; my mother made Margaret a large, frosted wedding-cake; so, with this and her bundle, she started for home one morning, bright and early. She arrived safely within a little way of her home, when being tired she sat down to rest. She fell asleep, and when she awoke it was dark; being sleepy and bewildered, instead of going home, she went squarely in the opposite direction. Great was my grandmother's astonishment, when Margaret's lover came the next day to see why his 'schatz' had not come home. If she had not been home, slie must be lost; so men went in every direction to search for her.
"My grandfather was one of them, and the first night he was obliged to sleep at Margaret's home. He got into a bed four feet long (very comfortable for a man six feet tall), with a feather bed over him, as well as under; and he was not without company, for under the bed he found a pig, and roosting on slats above the bed were the fowls. Very good companions, but not exactly to my grandfather's taste. You can imagine how much sleep he obtained, with the mother wailing in the next room, the roosters crowing overhead, the gentle hum of the mosquito, broken by an occa- sional bite, and the pig grunting under the bed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.