USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 47
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THE EVENING EXPRESS,
the first number of which was issued April 29, 1881, by Messrs. McCall & Strong, is a newsy evening paper, fully in keeping with the enterprise of its proprietors and supporters.
468
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
John Gaylord McCall was born in Mumford, Monroe Co., N. Y., April 2, 1844. In 1851 he removed with his parents to a farm in the township of Camillus, Onondaga Co., and at the age of 14 entered the service of Knapp, Smith & Co., Camillus, as clerk. In 1863 he removed to New York city to take a position as clerk in the office of B. W. Blanchard, general freight agent of the Erie Railway Co., where he remained a year. From this until 1873 he occupied various positions in various places. May 1, 1873, he ac- cepted a position on the local staff of the East Saginaw Daily Enterprise, remaining there until the fall of the same year, when he accepted a similar position on the Bay City Chronicle. He filled this position acceptably about a year, and then became con- nected with the staff of the Daily Courier, East Saginaw. After two years' service in this relation he accepted his present position. He also publishes the Saginaw Advertiser, a railway publication, and is one of the publishers of the Evening Express, an afternoon newspaper issned in East Saginaw, the first number of which came ont April 29, 1881.
THE SAGINAW VALLEY NEWS,
a weekly journal started July 9, 1874, has'been continuously pub- lished to the present time. It is an eight-page newspaper, four pages devoted to local news, editorials and advertisements, and four pages to general news and select reading. It is one of the most welcome visitors to the household, and like the younger daily receives a fair share of patronage.
THE DAILY NEWS
was first published Sept. 10, 1877, by Charles H. Lee, editor of the Saginaw Valley News. The local columns are generally replete with newsy paragraphs, the editorials are carefully written, the general news columns liberal, and the literary department well selected. The paper is published in the afternoon of every lawful working day, and meets with a good subscription and advertising patronage.
THE SAGINAWIAN
is a Democratic journal, published once a week. The first number was issned May 1, 1869, with Geo. F. Lewis, proprietor and editor. For the last 12 years this newspaper has been published continu- onsly by him. In April, 1881, he became proprietor of the Demo- cratic daily of Bay City, and since that time may be said to make the latter city his home.
Geo. F. Lewis was born in Harvard, Worcester county, Mass., June 7, 1828; came with his father, mother, a sister and one brother to Michigan landing at Mt. Clemens, Macomb county, in 1835.
469
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
He set the first type in the Macomb Statesman office, then edited by the late Hon. John N. Ingersoll, proprietor. In 1838 he was folder and carrier for the Mt. Clemens Patriot.
He made the journey to Lake Superior with the late Gen. John Stockton, U. S. Mineral Agent, in 1845. Four weeks were whiled away in making the trip from Detroit to Copper Harbor. Return- ing, he went east, taking a 500-pound box of black oxide of copper through from Detroit to New York, and later took a 1,360 pound specimen block of "chunk" oxide of copper, out of the Mine river, near Copper Harbor, from New York to Boston, personally supervising its removal from the house of Phelps, Dodge & Co. to the Sound steamer. During the winter of 1845-'6 and the spring of 1846 he was clerk in the general store of D. Shook, Mt. Clemens. He again visited Lake Superior in the spring of 1846, where he re- mained exploring and keeping location all summer. He carried on that trip a letter of introduction from Hon. Geo. C. Bates to the late Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune, and met with the kindest treatment from that celebrated journalist, who was standing at his desk writing when Mr. Lewis entered the office.
He returned to Lake Superior in the spring of 1846, where he remained until November, when he entered the employ of the late Thomas M. Perry, of the Mt. Clemens Patriot, as apprentice, and iminediate successor of Charles S. Leonard, now of Knight & Leonard, job printers of Chicago. He continned with Mr. Perry until the summer of 1848, when he again entered commercial life at Mt. Clemens.
In July, 1848, he took a position on the Daily Commercial Bulletin, then just started in Detroit by the late Col Manger and George W. Pattison, who is still living. He helped to put in type the first news of a Presidential election that ever came by telegraph -that of Gen. Zachary Taylor, in 1848. He worked in the State printing office for Munger & Pattison at Lansing during the winter of 1848-'9. He entered on the publication of the Macomb county Herald, a weekly Whig newspaper, in May, 1849, which he con- tinned until May, 1851.
As one of the Deputy Marshals of the connty he took the census of eight towns in Macomb connty in 1850, being well qualified for this position, as he had assisted his father in taking the State census in 1845. In the spring of 1851 he started the Port Huron Commercial, as a Whig journal, changing it subsequently to a Democratic newspaper. This he published until the spring of 1855. In September, 1855, he bought the Peninsular Advocate, a Democratic paper, published at Mt. Clemens, and continued it until the summer of 1859. This paper was continued as a weekly under his exclusive control until 1863, when Mr. Lewis became associated with Maj. E. W. Lyon in its publication. He continued with Major Lyon until 1867, when B. M. Thompson bought an interest. In March, 1868, the Daily Courier was started by Geo. F. Lewis, E. W. Lyon, B. M. Thompson and Joseph Leeman, and
470
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
continued until December of same year, when it was sold to B. M. Thompson, and the job office subsequently disposed of to the Sag- inaw Enterprise Publishing Company.
Mr. Lewis was postmaster at Mt. Clemens from 1856 to 1859; Mayor of Saginaw City from 1877 to 1879; started in company with his son, Arthur T. Lewis, the Mt. Pleasant Journal, in Au- gust, 1880, and is now proprietor of the Daily Morning Call at Bay City. Mr. Gleeson is the local editor of his Saginaw Journal.
Throughout a period bordering on half a century this veteran journalist has been connected with the press of this State. Public opinion points him out as a man who has fulfilled not only every duty of citizenship, but also discharged in a conscientious manner all the sacred duties which can be performed only by the honest journalist. Throughout the political contests of the past 40 years, and more particularly of the last quarter century, the influence of his journal has been felt and approved. He is still in the summer of his life, full of journalistic energy, and one of the most favorably known men in the Valley of the Saginaw.
THE SAGINAW ZEITUNG
was established in 1868 by the then existing "Enterprise Com- pany," that published a paper by this name at the time. The numerous Germans in the Valley felt the need of a German paper very much, and induced the said company to start the paper by guarantying a large advertising patronage.
The Saginaw Zeitung was the first German paper in the State outside of Detroit. The paper not long afterward passed into the hands of Anthony Schmitz, a prominent German citizen, and was managed by him until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1869. Then the trustees of the so-called " Schmitz endowment fund " managed the paper until February, 1870, when Mr. Constantin Beierle, for many years connected with the German press in De- troit, bought the paper from the trustees. In 1872 he organized a joint-stock company called "The Saginawer Zeitung Company," and the paper is still published under the firm name, although it is generally understood that Mr. Beierle bought nearly all the 200 shares back again.
Another German paper was started in 1871, but the field not being large enough it was obliged to suspend, after being pub- lished six months. One year later a German paper was started at Bay City, called the Bay City Pioneer, and appeared for about a year. It was then bought up by the Zeitung company and pub- lished by it for six months. It was then consolidated with the Zeitung, and its own name suppressed.
The Saginawer Zeitung has been in a prosperous condition for years, and is circulated extensively not only in Saginaw, but also throughout most of the State. It is published on Thursday of each week. Since March 1 a Sunday paper has been published
471
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
by the company called the Saginawer Sonntagblatt, which appears to supply a long-felt want.
The editor and manager of the Saginawer Zeitung, Mr. Constan- tin Beierle, was born in Rottweil, Wurtemberg, and acquired a good education. He came to this country in 1850, at the age of 18, learned the trade of tombstone manufacturer, thinking that he was especially fitted for this by his training in drawing. He soon found out, however, that west of New York, skill in drawing was not required in the manufacture of tombstones and monuments. He continued in this occupation, however, much of the time trav- eling, until 1857, when he discovered that the business was im- pairing his health. The following year he became business manager of the newly started daily and weekly Michigan Staatszeitung, published at Detroit. In 1859 he became a partner in the business, and the paper was published by the firm of De Haas & Beierle until 1854, when they sold the paper to the Michigan Volksblatt, another German daily paper in Detroit. The reason for this was that two older papers were published in Detroit, and independent journalism was not at that time very popular ; a paper was obliged to be either Republican or Demo- cratic in order to be successful. The next year Mr. Beierle became connected with the then prosperous daily and weekly Michigan Journal (the oldest German daily in Michigan) as general agent, which position he filled until February, 1870, when he came to East Saginaw to take charge of the Saginawer Zeitung, as above stated, the arrangement for this step having been made the previous November.
THE TAGLICHE SAGINAW ABEND ZEITUNG
was established by Robert Ebel, Feb. 28, 1881. The Zeitung is a four-page, 20-column daily journal, published at East Saginaw every lawful day, printed in German, and well patronized by the people in whose interest it is published. The circulation reaches 600, and the office employs four men.
Mr. Ebel, the proprietor, was born in Germany in 1837, emi- grated in 1854, and settled at Detroit, where for 13 years he was foreman in the office of the Michigan Journal. In 1870 he came to East Saginaw, where lie was employed as foreman in the office of the Saginaw Zeitung nine years. He published the Bay City Pioneer, a weekly journal, but failing to make it a success, entered on the greater, the more important work of publishing a German daily at East Saginaw.
CHESANING PAPERS.
In the spring of 1869 was established the first newspaper printed at Chesaning. It was edited by Dr. C. W. Myers. It was neutral in politics. After an existence of about two years it died a natural death, from want of support by the business men of the village.
472
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
The Chesaning Weekly Times was the next to try its fortunes. It was owned by an association of the principal business men of the village, and edited by G. L. Chapman and H. W. Hicks. It was an eight-column folio, and run as au independent paper. Its first issue was dated May 20, 1870. It was managed and edited, as above stated, about two years, when the association turned over the paper, including type and press, to J. W. Fitzgerald as editor, who took down its neutral or independent colors, and ran the same as a Republican paper about two years and a half, making it a paying institution, but finally left to edit a paper at Saginaw City.
THE CHESANING ARGUS.
was introduced to the public in January, 1878. Several futile attempts having been made to start a paper in Chesaning it was only with the greatest difficulty that the Argus won the confidence of the people and succeeded in placing itself upon a sound basis. During the same year Mr. Miller, its present editor and proprie- tor, purchased the interest of his partner and lias since owned and conducted it. He has given his patrons an excellent local paper, one in which the entire people of Chesaning and vicinity now feel an unusual interest.
Willis Miller, proprietor and editor of the Chesaning Argus, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., March 6, 1857. At the age of 10 years Mr. Miller accompanied his parents, William H. and Matilda A. Miller, to Eaton county, Mich., and some years later to Osceola county, in this State, where he served an apprenticeship of three years in the office of the Osceola Outline, at Hersey. On Jan. 1, 1878, Mr. Miller came to Chesaning, and purchased a half interest in the Chesaning Argus, the first number of which was issued on Jan. 5. The following July he purchased his partner's interest, and since then has conducted the paper alone, making it independ- ent in politics. He was married Feb. 11, 1879, to Carrie C. War- ren, born in Kalamazoo county, Mich., and daughter of Joel R. and Caroline C. Warren, natives of New York. They have one child, Olive Haskell. Mr. Miller is a member of the I. O. O. F.
THE OAKLEY CYCLONE.
The first and only newspaper ever published in Oakley Village is the Oakley Cyclone. Its first issue was dated March 11, 1881, at that time not having a subscriber. As an evidence of how the paper was appreciated by the public, on its tenth weekly issue it had received a voluntary subscription, so that it had a circulation of 300. It is a four-column quarto, and its subscription price is $1 per year. It is neutral in politics, though treating on all the leading questions of the day.
James J. Lawson, its editor and proprietor, was born in Barton township, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada. His parents moved to Oneida, Haldeman Co., Canada, when he was but three years of age, where he passed liis early youth and manhood, receiving in
-
473
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
the meantime a good common-school education. When 34 years of age he removed to Michigan, settling on a farm of 40 acres, in the town of New Haven, Shiawassee Co. Owing to an accident which resulted in the disabling of his left hand. he adopted his present vocation, for which he seems especially fitted. Mr. Lawson is probably better known throughout this county as "Nicodemus," under which nom de plume most of his articles for the press have been written.
ST. CHARLES PAPERS.
The first printing office, and the first newspaper to try its fort- nnes in the village of St. Charles, was owned and edited by Daniel Griggs. It was a four-column folio, and issned weekly, mnak- ing its first appearance May 1, 1877; and at the end of six months, from want of support, expired. It advocated the Spiritualistic ideas, and was named the Angel of Light.
The second newspaper enterprise was the St. Charles Times, sending out the first paper Aug. 3, 1877, -- a five-column folio, in- dependent in all matters, issned weekly, and edited by D. C. Ash- man. It was continued only to its 11th week.
The third venture was by Williams & McCauley, as owners and editors. This paper was a four-column folio, issued weekly, its first number appearing March 23, 1878, and regularly furnished to patrons until September, 1880. It was, like its predecessor, inde- pendent.
THE REFORMER.
The fourth to try its fortunes was the Reformer, owned and edited by Mrs. H. M. Conklin, a semi-monthly, fonr-column folio, and is still furnished regularly to its subscribers; independent.
ST. CHARLES LEADER.
The fifth and last paper published in the village is the St. Charles Leader, a seven-column folio, Republican in politics, and edited by Gropengieser & Rice, both inen of large experience in the newspaper business; and although bringing out the first paper Sept. 30, 1880, the list of subscribers now (June, 1881) numbers 500. The subscription price is $1.50.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHRONOLOGY.
" It is essential to a complete local history that the principal events should be fully and impartially recorded, and mention inade of everything possessing even the least historical merit. It is just possible to obtain such data as would enable the writer to deal specially with many of the most important items in the history of this county; but notwithstanding all diligence in inquiry, all the valuable co-operation of the survivors of early settlement as well as of the citizens of the present time, many facts would escape notice had not the chronological table been prepared for their reception. To render this actually complete would require months, perhaps years. of labor; but enough remains to make the table as interesting as it is accurate. With the exception of the data given in con- nection with men and events, previous to the negotiation of the treaty, all else is based upon accepted records; even the pre-treaty · data may be considered reliable, as all that is legendary and cir- cumstantial points directly to the occurrences and men concerned.
EVENTS.
DATE.
1520-Massacre of the Sauks by the Otchipwes.
1634-8-Visit of Breboeuf and Daniels to the Valley.
1665-Allouez and Duvall, or Dablon, established a mission.
1668-Jacques Marquette and M. Dablon visited the Indians. 1674-The Griffin anchored at the mouth of the river.
1762-The Otchipwes march to the aid of Pontiac.
1780-The Indians of the Saginaw march to aid La Balme.
1792-Francois Tromble visited the Saginaws.
1806-Onabouse hanged at Detroit.
1811-Louis Campeau and Jacob Smith, traders, visited the Great Camp.
1816-Campeau erected a trading hut on the site of Saginaw City. 1819-Treaty of Saginaw was negotiated.
1820-Jacob Smith releases the captured wife and children of David Henderson.
1822-Detachment of 3d U. S. Inf. from Green Bay arrive at Sag- inaw under Major Baker, and build a fort where the Taylor House now stands. The same year the troops erected a log hut opposite the Water Works.
First plat of the " Town of Sagana" made for S. McCloskey and Jolin Farrelly.
L
(474)
475
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
Entry of land, where Saginaw City now is, made for Charles Little.
Boundaries of Saginaw county defined by Gen. Cass.
Road from Saginaw to Jacob Smith's post at Flint cut . through by U. S. troops.
Deatlı of two officers and three private soldiers within Fort Saginaw.
1823-The Fort of Saginaw evacuated.
1823-May 8-Sale of first lot sold in Town of Sagana.
1824-Establishment of a post of the American Fur Company at Saginaw City.
1825-Kiskako drank the hemlock.
1826-Settlement at East Saginaw of Capt. Leon Snay, a French hunter and trapper.
1828 -- Settlement of Gardner D. Williams, first permanent white settler in Saginaw county.
1831-Jan. 11-County seat of Saginaw county located by Gov. Lewis Cass.
1832-July 4-First Independence celebration in county, at the residence of Eleazer Jewett, at Green Point: 19 persons present.
First marriage in Saginaw county: contracting parties were Mr. Campeau and Madeline Mashoe.
1834-Feb. 11-Birth of Mary Jewett (now Mrs. Dr. N. D. Lee, of Saginaw City), first white child born in Saginaw county. First steam' saw and grist mill built in Saginaw county by Harvey Williams, who soon after sold it to G. D. & E. S. Williams.
1835-Jan. 28-Saginaw county organized by act of Territorial Legislative Council.
First school taught in the Fort by Albert Miller.
October-Board of Supervisors of Saginaw county organ- ized; first meeting held at residence of E. N. Davenport, Saginaw.
First wheat raised in Saginaw county.
Incorporation of a railroad company with a corporate stock of $1,000,000; road to be built from Mount Clemens to Saginaw City; length about 90 miles.
1836-Jan. 10-First entry made in Probate Court Record of Sag- inaw county.
March 1 --- Organization of the first Church in Saginaw Val- ley-Presbyterian, with 12 members.
July 9-First steamboat entered the Saginaw river.
Establishment of first newspaper in county; name Saginaw Journal.
Dr. Charles Little entered the land forming the present site of East Saginaw.
Building at Saginaw City of the Webster Honse.
1837-April 18-First school district in Saginaw county organized. Saginaw City was laid out and streets named.
476
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
First shipment of lumber from county from Emerson mnill,
Buena Vista, opposite Saginaw City; mill was built by a New York firm the year previous.
Incorporation of the Saginaw& Genesee Railroad Company; capital stock, $400,000; lengtlı, 40 miles.
Incorporation of the Owosso & Saginaw Navigation Com- pany withi capital stock of $100,000; itsobject to improve thie Shiawassee river.
1838-March 1-Organization at Saginaw City of the First Pres- byterian Church.
During summer small-pox broke out among Indians of county, destroying nearly two-thirds of them.
Attempt by the State of Michigan to bore salt springs on Tittabawassee river; not boring deep enough it proved a failure.
Commencement of the famous "Saginaw or Northern Canal," to connect the navigable waters of Saginaw and Grand rivers; $68,000 appropriated by State; scheme a failure. 1840-Chief Tonawdogana died.
1841-Completion of the Territorial road, called the "Saginaw Turnpike."
1842-Ferry established across Saginaw river near Mackinaw bridge by G. D. Williams.
The Saginaw North Star was established by R. W. Jenny -second newspaper in Saginaw county.
1845 -- April-Court-house furnished and ready for transaction of business; cost, $9,510.
1847-July 4-Curtis Emerson bought what is known as Emer- son's addition to East Saginaw, and began operation there. 1848-Organization at Saginaw City of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church.
1849-Feb. 9-Saginaw Lodge, No. 42, I. O. O. F., organized at Saginaw City.
Settlement at East Saginaw of C. W. Grant, the first perma- nent American settler on the east side of the Saginaw river.
First steamboat built on Saginaw river, by Curtis Emerson and others, and named the "Buena Vista."
1849-Stage mail route established between Flint and Saginaw; mail formerly carried on horseback.
1850-May 1-First town meeting and first election at East Sagi- naw; 19 votes cast.
Village of East Saginaw platted.
First store at East Saginaw opened by Alfred M. Hoyt and James Little.
First birth at East Saginaw-a son of Lyman Ensign.
Mayflower Mills built at East Saginaw-first mills at that city; cost, $50,000.
Building of plank road from East Saginaw to Flint.
477
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
School tanght in upper story of Morgan L. Gage's residence at East Saginaw, by Dr. C. T. Disbrow.
First stare yard in Saginaw county established in Saginaw City by H. Shaw.
1851-Oct. 29-The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Cross of Saginaw City organized.
Organization of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saginaw City.
Organization at Saginaw City of St. John's Episcopal Church.
Establishment of ferry at foot of Genesee avenne, in East Saginaw, by E. N. Davenport.
The first school in East Saginaw established in a log slianty where now stands the Bancroft House; teacher, Miss Ingersoll.
Completion of the Saginaw Valley House, a pioneer hotel of East Saginaw.
1851-2 -- First union school-house built at Saginaw City.
1852-First death at East Saginaw -- German drowned in river; name not known.
Completion of "Old Academy" in East Saginaw, on present site of Hoyt street school; cost, $2,500.
Truman B. Fox opened a select school at East Saginaw; 80 scholars in attendance.
Organization of an M. E. Church at East Saginaw, with A. C. Shaw, pastor.
1853-Feb. 17-Telegraph in working order between Detroit and Saginaw.
March 3-Spirit of the Times comes out in entire new dress.
March 20 and 21-Ice broke up in Saginaw river, and passed out into the bay.
March 21-Steamer Gen. Scott sunk at Watson's dock, lower Saginaw, in 12 feet of water.
March 26-A pauper named John Costello committed sui- cide at the connty farm, by cutting his throat with a razor.
March 28-Steamer "J. Snow" was first boat to run on Saginaw river for the season of 1853.
May 12-Corner-stone of St. John's Episcopal Church laid at Saginaw by Rt. Rev. Bishop McCoskry, of Detroit. May 15-Severe hailstorm occurred at Saginaw City; but very little damage done.
June 9-Saw-inill and 500,000 feet lumber burned at Car- rollton, owned by Volney Chapin, of Ann Arbor; loss, $13,000.
July 1-Mail route from Saginaw City to Corunna es- tablished.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
1853-Sept. 1-Stage route established between Saginaw City and Zilwaukee; also new stage route from the former place to Flint direct.
Sept. 4-Camp-meeting of the Chippewa Indians held at Swan Creek, about 7 miles from Saginaw; Rev. Geo. B. Bradley, presiding.
Oct. 15-Death of Alexander McEwan, of Lower Saginaw; cause, congestion of the brain.
Oct. 25-Dwelling houses a scarcity in Saginaw City; population increasing very rapidly.
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