History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 80

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962

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BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP.

ship as the city of the present time would to the village of the past. What vast improvements have been effected within a quarter of a century in the township of Buena Vista will be learned from the figures and descriptions given in these pages. The first land-buyers, and particularly the occupying proprietors among them, claim the honor of building up the township to a prosperous condition :

Now-e-chig-ema, sec. 2, May 1, 1854. Maw-chig-e-may, sec. 2, June 18, 1855. Albert H. Dorr, sec. 3, Sept. 11, 1835. H Montgomery, sec. 3, June 22, 1836. Charles II. Carroll, sec. 3, June 22 and 24, 1836.

Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 3, June 24, 1836. Benedict Tremble, sec 5, Jan. ? , 1835. Enoch Olmsted, sec. 5, Aug. 13, 1835. Albert II. Dorr, sec. 5, Sept. 11, 1835. T. Simpson, sec. 5, June 29, 1835. Bradley Bunnel, sec. 6, Oct. 5, 1835. John Todd, sec. 6, June 7, 1836. C. H. Carroll, sec. 6, June 22, 1836. Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 6, June 22, 1836. E. N. Davenport, sec. 6, Aug. 17, 1835. Justin Smith, sec. 7, May 31, 1823. David Stanard, sec. 7, Sept. 23, 1830. Trumbull Cary, sec. 7, Oct. 21, 1835. Willard B. Bunnel, sec. 7, July 23,1835. Charles H. Carroll, sec. 8, June 13. 1:35. David Stanard, sec. 8, Sept. 23, 1830. Zenas D. Bassett, sec. 9, June 25, 1836. Matthew Coff, sec. 9, June 25, 1836. H. Montgomery, sec. 9, June 22, 1836. C. H. Carroll, sec. 9, June 22, 1836. Benj. K. Hall, sec. 10, Sept. 24, 1836. J. W. Edmunds, sec 1), Nov. 10, 1836. F. W. Gerber, sec 13, July 13, 1851 C. Schneider, sec. 13. July 30, 1851. James S. Killen, sec 13, July 30, 1851. John H. Storr, sec. 13, July 30, 1851 Philip Canathy, sec. 14, July 30, 1851 John Jones, sec. 14, July 30, 1851. Jolın Runyon, sec 14, July 30, 1851. Agnes Coker, sec 14. July 30, 1851. John McNeil, sec. 15, Aug. 26, 1836. C. B. Granniss, sec. 15, July 15, 1836. Benj. K. Hall, sec. 15, June 10, 1836. H. Montgomery, sec. 17, June 22, 1836. C. H. Carroll, sec. 17, June 22, 1836 Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 17, June 22. 1836. Norman Little, sec. 17, March 9. 1836. T. Cary, sec. 18, Oct 21, 1835.

A. Millington, sec. 18, Oct. 21, 1835. . G. D. Williams, sec. 18, Feb. 16, 1832. E. S Williams, sec. 18, Feb. 16, 1832, and Jan 29, 1834. N. Little, sec. 18, March 9, 1836. W. B. Bunnel, sec. 18, July 23, 1835. J. H Jerome, sec 18, Sept. 12, 1836. A. Harrison, sec 18, Aug. 11, 1835. Allen Ayrault, sec. 19, Feb 23, 1836. N. Little, sec. 19, Feb. 23, 1836.

E. N. Davenport, sec. 19, Aug. 18, 1835. N. Little, sec. 20, March 9, 1836. James Hosmer, sec. 20, May 11, 1836. H. Montgomery, sec 20, June 22, 1836.

C. H. Carroll, sec 20, June 22, 1-36. C. B. Granniss, sec. 21, July 15, 1836. Alexander Baxter, sec. 21, June 24,1836. B. K. Hall, sec. 21, June 10, 1836 John McNeil, sec. 21, Aug. 26, 1836. A. S. Thompson, sec. 22, Oct. 18, 1836. Geo. Chandler, sec. 22, Oct. 13, 1836. A. C. Scott, sec. 22, Oct. 11, 1836. M. O'Keefe, sec. 23, July 30, 1851. D. S. Kilmard, sec. 23, July 30, 1851. John Mousee, sec. 23, Aug. 30, 1851. W. S. Hosmer, sec. 23. Oct. 15, 1836 Jacob Kleefleget, sec. 24, July 2, 1852.

Henry Rank, sec. 24, May 21, 1851. Peter Dean, sec. 24, May 21, 1851. Wm Rice, sec. 24, Jan 31, 1837. JohnFreedc, sec. 24, Aug. 30, 1851. S. Cumings, sec. 25, Jan. 3, 1837. Geo. L. Meyer, sec. 25, Dec. 5, 1853. R. A. Quartermass, sec. 25, Jan, 31, 1837.

Mary Tedrick, sec. 25, Sept. 8, 1852. M. Leidleim, sec 25, April 17, and Oct. 23, 1854.

WV. S Hosmer, sec 26, Oct. 15, 1836. M. Minick, sec. 26, Feb. 24, 1853 Conrad Tetrick, sec. 26, Oct 20, 1854. W S Hosmer, sec. 27, Oct. 15, 1836. C. Matthews, sec 27, Oct. 15, 1836. H. L Bennett, sec. 27, Oct. 20, 1854. Miranda Vance, sec. 27, Oct. 11, 1836. Amanda Vance, sec. 27. Oct 11, 1836. Robert H. Stone, sec. 27, Oct 18, 1836. John McNeil, scc. 28, Aug. 26, 1836. Wm. Prout, sec. 28, Aug 25, 1836. Wm. T. Carroll, sec 28, Aug. 25, 1836. H Montgomery, sec. 29, June 22, 1836. C. H. Carroll, sec. 29, June 22, 1836. James Hosmer, sec 29, May 11, 1836. S. H Herrick, sec 30, June 11, 1835. C. H. Carroll, sec 30, June 13, 1835. D. H. Fitzhugh, sec. 31, June 13, 1835. S. H Herrick., sec. 31, June 11, 1835. James Hosmer, sec. 32, May 11, 1836. C. H. Carroll, sec. 32, June 22, 1836. Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 32, June 22, and sec. 33, Aug. 25, 1836. William Prout, sec 33, Aug 25, 1836. Jolın McNeil, sec. 33, Aug. 26, 1836. A I. Shultz, sec. 34, Oct. 17, 1836. Gideon Lee, scc. 35, Feb 23, 1837. J. W. Edmunds, sec. 35, Nov. 10, 1836. J. Pornketner, sec. 36, Sept 8, 1852. #< Christian Cramer, sec. 36, Sept. 28, 1850. Jolian Ehrkriger, sec. 36, Nov. 9 and 28, 1853.

Chris. Schultz, sec. 36, Dec. 19, 1853. .6

יי 24,

776

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

ORGANIC.

Buena Vista was organized under authority given by the State Legislature, during the winter session of 1849-'50. The act di- rected " That township number twelve north, of range six east, and the fractional part of township number twelve north, of range number five east, being all that lies east of the Saginaw river, and · also that part of township number twelve north, of range four east, that lies south and east of Saginaw river, in the county of Sagi- naw, be and the same are hereby set off from the township of Sagi- naw, and organized into a separate township, by the name of Buena Vista ; and the first township meeting therein shall be held at the house now occupied by Curtis Emerson, in said township."

This act was approved March 28, 1850. Since its first organi- zation the boundaries of the township have been subjected to many changes ; new territory has been added at one time, cession of por - tions of original lands has been made at other times.

The organization of the townships, noticed in these pages, tell of the various additions to and subtractions from the Buena Vista of the year 1850.

The organization of Buena Vista was perfected May 1, 1850, when the people assembled within the " Hall of the Montezumas," for the purpose of electing officers of the new township. The meeting was presided over by Stephen Little, with Alfred M. Hoyt, Clerk ; George Oliver and A. K. Penny, Inspectors. The en- tire number of voters present was 19. The election resulted : For supervisor, Curtis Emerson; for treasurer, Stephen Lytle; jus- tices of the peace, Andrew Evart, George Oliver and Stephen Ly- tle; township clerk, Charles W. Grant; director of the poor, Car- tis Emerson and A. K. Penny; commissioner of highways, Sylvester Webber one year, and those well known " highwaymen," A. K. Penny and C. W. Grant, for two and three years respectively; school inspectors, A. M. Hoyt and A. K. Penny; and for constables, Archibald Campbell, David Joslin, George Miner and Erastus Vaughan.

The affairs of the township were well administered during the years immediately succeeding. Roads were ent through the heavy timber lands; in a few cases corduroy roads were made, the creeks bridged and many enterprising works inagnrated. In 1855 the village of East Saginaw was detached from the township of Buena Vista and placed under municipal government. The records of the township from organization to 1859 cannot now be found; it is supposed they were destroyed by fire. The earliest record on the books, in possession of Mr. Weidmiller, goes back only to. 1859, the date of the organization of the city of East Saginaw, and its total separation from the township.

A meeting of the electors of Buena Vista, held at the Wads- wortlı school-house, April 4, 1859, with Wm. Wadsworth, snper- visor, presiding, and Jason Steele, township clerk. Henry Guiley

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BUENA VISTA TOWNSILIP.

was appointed inspector of election. The result of this meeting was the choice of Wm. L. Goulding for supervisor; Augustus Lull. township clerk; Wm. Wadsworth, treasurer; Henry Guiley, Jason Steele, George Shaidberger and Thomas Redson, justices of the peace. The list of supervisors, clerks, treasurers and justices of the township, from 1859 to the present time, is as follows :

SUPERVISORS.

Wn. L. Goulding ..

.1859-'60

William Kremer. 1867-'72

Henry Guiley.

1861

Alexander Alberti. . 1873

Seth Willey.

1862-'4

William Kremer ..

.1874-'6

Alexander Alberti.

1865-'6

Charles M. Payment 1877-'81

CLERKS.

Augustus Lull.

1859-'60

S. C. Munson. 1866

Charles D. Pattee.

1861

G. B. Wiggins.

.1867

Augustus Lull.

1862

E. T. Brooks .

1868

Henry Fugleman.

1863-'64

Herman Weidmiller. 1869-'81

Henry Guiley.

1865

TREASURERS.

Wm. Wadsworth.

1839-'60

J. S. Winkler. 1866-'74

Michael Liedlein

1861-'3

J. Baumgartner .

1874-18

John Dietrich

1864-'5

Charles Roselind. 1879-'81

JUSTICES.

Henry Guiley

1859

W. H. Beach 1867

Jason Steele. .

1859

C. W. Kimball.

1868

George Shaidberger

1859

Russell Lytle 1869

Thomas Redson.

1859

O. J. Hetherington

Michael Liedlein,

.1860

Wm. H. Beach. 1870

Augustus Lull.

1860

Miles N. Rouse. .1872

Alex. Alberti 1873

George Shaidberger

1861

S. C. Munson.

1874

Peter Dean.

1861

Michael Liedlein.

1875

Seth Willey.

1862

Charles Payment.

1876

Augustus Lull.

1863

James Boulton

1877

S. C. Munson

1864

James Passmore 1878

W. H. Beach.

1864

Chris. Vale.

1878

C. W. Kimball.

1865

C. W. Kimball.

1879

Peter Dean. .

1865

C. W. Kimball 1880

William Kremer

1866

August Roenicke.

1881

1871

Henry Guiley.

1860

The township officers for 1881 are : C. W. Payment, supervisor; Herman Weidmiller, clerk; Charles Roselind, treasurer; August Roenicke, James Boulton, James Passmore, C. W. Kimball, jus- tices of the peace; C. M. Payment, superintendent of schools: Harvey Smith, commissioner of highways; George Zuckermandel, school inspector; Russell Lytle, township drain commissioner; Henry Bader, pound master, and D. B. Leroy, Henry Bader, Adolph Bruske, Michael Reidel, constables.

778

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

SCHOOLS.

There are six school buildings in the township, each located in the center of its district. No. 1 is situated on the southeast quar- ter of section 29, with sections 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, and half of sections 27 and 34 forming the district. No. 2 is located on the southeast quarter of section 26, with sections 25, 26, 35, 36, and the east half of sections 27 and 34, comprising the district. Dis- trict No. 3 comprises sections 15, 16, 22, 21, the southeast quarter of section 17, the northeast quarter of section 20, the southern half of sections 9 and 10, and a large portion of section 23. School district No. 4 comprises sections 1, 2, 12, 11, and the northern half of sections 13 and 14. No. 5 district is formed by sections 3, 4, 5 and the northern parts of 8, 9, and 10. District No. 6 ad- joins East Saginaw and comprises portions of sections 8, 17, and 20.

The number of pupils, between the ages of five and 20 years, is 637, of which number 417 were enrolled as attendants during the year 1880. The school buildings comprise one large brick and five frame structures, valued at $8,450. The bonded debt on on school property at the end of 1880, was $2,850. There are three male and four female teachers employed.

PERSONAL.

We continue the history of Buena Vista township by presenting personal sketches of some of its representative citizens and pioneers:

John M. Baumgartner, farmer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1832. In 1852 he accompanied his father, George M. Baum- gartner, to this country, locating on his present farm in the autumn of that year. He has materially assisted in the various improve- ments made in Buena Vista tp., and is a strict Republican, and a faithful member of the German Lutheran Church. He was mar- ried, in 1858, to Maggie Sacher, a native of Bavaria. where her father lived and died. They have 6 children-George L., Johnnie, Maggie, Fred., William and Henry, all living at or near the old homestead.

James Boulton was born Ang. 29, 1826, at Norfolk, England. In 1836 his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Boulton, located at Sackett's Harbor, Jefferson Co., N. Y., where they lived and died, --- father Ang. 9, 1868, mother Nov. 25, 1877. In 1852 James went to California, overland, remained there some time and returned to his native State, where he was married to Miss Louisa C. Smith, Nov. 11, 1861, a native of Adans, Jefferson Co., N. Y. Their family consists of 3 children-David H., Welford G. and Mina L. Mr. B. is one of the stable men of Buena Vista tp., having held the office of Justice of the Peace for the past five years.

Patrick Brown was born in 1830, in County Weekford, Ireland. His father was a farmer; he had 8 brothers and sisters, all of whom

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BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP.

are dead except 2 girls, who still reside in the old country, The subject of this sketch and his brother James came to this country together, separating in New York, and they have never met since. Patrick sailed before the mast when but a lad 16 years old, visiting most of the principal ports of the old country during his calling. Was on coast-survey boat, when, learning that he had been selected for the training ship, he deserted, having to swim some three miles to reach the shore. In 1849 he came to Saginaw aboard the old steamboat " Charter;" engaged in lumbering for a while, when he again returned to seafaring life. He recites many incidents of his shipwrecks, etc. In 1864 he was married to Catharine Lauris, by whom he had 2 children-Andrew and Mary. In 1868 Catha- rine, the wife of but a few years, was laid to rest in the family cemetery. Mr. B. was again married, this time to Miss Mary Doyle. Mr. Brown represents one of the staunch, sturdy yeo- manry of Saginaw county.

James Coleman, born in Ireland in 1833; George, his brother, in 1830. James came to this country in 1847, landing in New York city. After his arrival here he worked in different States and the Canadas until the spring of 1855, when he came to Saginaw county, locating his present home of 160 acres, which was then, at certain seasons of the year, covered entirely with water so deep that a yawl boat could be run over any portion of it; but hard labor has accomplished the desired effect, producing as fine a fertile tract of land as is in the tp., of which he sold 40 acres; the remainder lie divided with his brother George, who came to United States in 1850, pursued different vocations until 1856, when he came to Saginaw and became interested with his brother. Their father and mother, Thomas and Mary, died in Ireland; their father's family consisted of 5 children-Mary, Ann, James, George and Elizabeth, all residing in Saginaw county.

Peter Dean, farmer, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1848. For two years he was located near Detroit, Mich., but in 1850 bought his present farm of 100 acres, and participated in the building of the first public road in the county. He suffered inany hardships in his new home, often having to carry his provisions from Flint to his home on his back, the road being inaccessible for teams. He is independent in poli- tics, and always votes for the best men, irrespective of party. He was married in 1853 to Barbara Stoltz. They have 4 children- Mary, John, Louise and George. The 2 former are married, and the 2 latter live on the farm.

Conrad Dietrich, farmer, sec. 26, Buena Vista tp., was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1819. He was reared amid rural scenes, and in 1846 emigrated to this country. He located in Clarion Co., Pa., but four years later came to East Saginaw, when Curtis Emerson's saw-mill and stage stable formed that vil- lage. He was employed by Norman Little to build the first house in the place, and was offered, in payment for his work, two lots of

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Genesee avenue, now occupied by "Little Jake's Clothing Em- porium." Mr. D. refused this offer, and purchased a farm on sec. 26, upon which he built a log shanty. He experienced great difficulty in developing his tract of land on account of its lowness, it being covered with water in the spring of the year of sufficient deptlı to float a canoe upon any portion of it. At present his land is second to none in improvements in his district. Mr. Dietrich says: " I am a staunch Republican, because I can't help it." He is also a member of the Lutheran Church. He was married in 1853 to Dora Schenkwa, who has proven a faithful and efficient wife to him in the many hardships and trials of pioneer life. They have 9 children, 2 of whom are married and residents of Clare Co., Mich.

Charles P. Hess, Inmberman, residence South Saginaw, is a son of Peter and Orissa Hess, and was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1847; came to East Saginaw in 1860 and engaged in the drug business, but remained only six months; theace to Southi Saginaw, where soon after went into same business with William Gallaghan; they remained together six years; then subject of sketcli turned his attention to the lumber trade, which he still follows; is a member of the Greenback party, and owns 200 acres of land in this county; was married in November, 1867, to Abbie E., daughter of James Burroughs, born in Huron Co., O., in 1838; 2 children are living - Frank B., born in November, 1869, and Nettie P., born Oct. 29, 1873; 1 child deceased; wife is member of Episcopal Church.

A. Hilliker, one of East Saginaw's live, energetic men, was born in North Canada in 1839. His school days were passed at the log school-liouse of North Canada; came to Michigan in 1856, locating at Matamoras, where he entered into the true life of a backwoods- man, locating and clearing up 80 acres of land. Of late he lias been identified with Saginaw county in her manufacturing interests.

C. W. Kimball was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1819. His early years werc passed in that vicinity. In 1837 he came to the southern portion of Michigan, where he passed one year, when he returned to his former home. He then opened a brick mannfac- tory. In 1857 he traded his hionse and lot for an 80-acre tract of land near where lie now resides. In 1858 he came to Saginaw to see liis property, not intending to remain any length of time; after looking his property over he concluded to try farming, and with that in view, he purchased his present home of 160 acres, then in its wild state. By perseverance and hard labor he has succeeded in developing the then wilds into a fine fertile farm. In 1840 was married to Miss Clarissa Reed, of Rochester, N. Y ; by this union lie has had 8 children, 4 of whom are living. In 1860 a kind mother was laid to rest. In 1875 he was married to Mrs. Amanda Kent (nee Wardsworth), of Lewiston, N. Y. Mrs. Kent's family consisted of 2 daughters, 1 married and living near Cleveland, O. Mr. Kimball is a man that takes a great interest in the educational

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BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP.

interests of his community; has been School Director six years as well as Justice of the Peace of his tp.

Wm. Kramer was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1828; he is a brickmaker by trade. In 1852 he came to this country, land- ing at Quebec, from which place he came to East Saginaw, where he worked in grist and planing mill some 10 years, when he bought his present liome, which he has cleared and improved in good inan- ner. Mr. K. is one of Buena Vista's inost influential citizens, having held the office of Supervisor nine years, Justice of Peace nine years, Road Commissioner six years, School Director seven years. He was married in Mecklenburg, 1852, to Sophia Zwerk. His children are -- Edward, Emma, George, Minnie, Arthur and Bertie. In 1861, at the first call for three-months' men, he re- sponded to the call and was elected Captain.

Michael J. Leidlein, one of Buena Vista's oldest and most respected citizens, was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 15, 1827. His education was gained there at a school similar to the common schools of this country. As soon as he was old enough he was left upon his own resources; his first business was that of rope-making, which occupation he followed until the year 1847, when he em- barked for America, landing in New York, Nov. 8; from New York he came to Syracuse, where he remained one winter, at which place one of his brothers was drowned. In the spring of 1848 set forth for the Valley of the Saginaw; upon arriving here they pro- cured the services of a surveyor to pilot them to their new home in Blumfield. Not a road nor even trail was made at that time, East Saginaw comprising but a few cabins. In 1852 he sold the farm he first located upon in Blumfield tp. and purchased the property on which he now resides in Buena Vista tp .; here he built a saw-mill, it being the first in the tp. In the spring of 1865, while away procuring men for the army, his mill was set on fire, entailing a loss of over $7,000. Not disheartened, he set about with his accustomed energy to rebuild; in about three months the mill was again running. In 1866 the project of a plank road from Saginaw to Vassar was agitated. Mr. L., seeing the benefit of such an enterprise, lent it his aid, securing the build- ing of the road, over which, for the past five years, lie las been President. In 1854 was married to Miss Dora Meyers, a native of Bavaria, Germany, her parents emigrating to this coun- try at an early day. Their family consists of 8 children -- Freder- icka, married to Mr. Martin Messner; Barbara, married to Mr. John Weber, of East Saginaw; Maggie, married to Mr. Christian Jacekel, residing in Dubuque, Iowa; John, a young man of ster- ling integrity, respected by all; Jolin George, Caroline, Mary and Jolın Karl. Mr. L. has retired from active labor, allowing those who come after to reap a rich reward from the broad acres which cost lim years of toil and privation. Has held nearly all the positions of trust in his tp .- that of Justice of the Peace for the past 20 years. Mr. L. has been identified with all public enterprises

782

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

which in his good judgment would advance the interests of his community. Open-hearted, frank, and fearless to express lis opinion, he is one of Buena Vista's most influential citizens. His portrait appears on page 363.

Mrs. Chloe Melrose was born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio; her father, Wm. Jones, a well-known citizen of that place, came to this State in 1853, residing for seven years at Ypsilanti. In 1863 she was married to Marshal J. Franklin, of Cleveland, Ohio. He died in 1870, leaving 2 sons-George T. and Franklin J. In 1871 she moved to this county, locating at her present home, sec. 17. In 1875 she was married to Chas. A. Melrose, a Inmberman of considerable note in this county, who was born in Quebec, C. E. Mrs. Melrose's home is pleasantly located on Crow Island road, about one-half mile from East Saginaw city limits. She is a lady of energy and culture, which her home attests.

George L. Meyer, farmer, and one of the most worthy citizens of Buena Vista tp., was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1827. He emi- grated to the United States in 1848, and the first four years of his residence here worked in a saw-mill. His earnings saved accumu- lated sufficiently to enable him to buy a small farm in the new tp. of Buena Vista, and subsequent additions have increased it to 120 acres. Mr. Meyer was married in 1851 to Catherine Eidle- man, a daughter of a pioneer settler of Buena Vista tp. They have 3 children living.

Samuel C. Munson was born in Bainbridge, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1800. His father, Moses, was born in Litchfield, Conn., a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His mother was Miss Julia Cornwall, a native of Wales. Moses' family consisted of 2 boys and 3 girls. Samuel passed his early school days in his birth-place. At 17 years of age he started to the Territory of Michigan, passing through Buffalo and Cleveland, which then contained, the former 12 buildings and the latter 7. Arriving in Detroit in June, 1817, he engaged in trading with the Indians. In 1819 he came to Saginaw to the treaty made by Governor Cass, held at the fort, located where the Taylor House now stands. In 1818 his brother Asa and Otis Fisher, a Lieutenant in the army, built the first water saw- mill probably in the Territory. "Uncle Harvey Williams," then a blacksmith in Detroit, made the iron crank to the saw-mill, which weighed 150 pounds, he receiving for his labor 50 cts. per lb. In 1824 he left Detroit and came to the town of Orion, Oakland Co., and built a saw-mill on Paint creek.

In 1830 he moved to Pontiac with Eurotas Hastings, President of the Bank of Michigan; bought Pontiac Mill Co.'s entire property ; also entered into the mercantile business. In four years he went into partnership with Robert Leroy, now living at Fentonville, Genesee Co., Mich. In 1831 Mr. Hastings and himself built the first steam saw-mill in the State, situated eight miles north of Pontiac. In 1838 Samuel moved to Fentonville and built a flouring mill in company with Mr. Leroy. In 1840 a large party from

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BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP.

Fentonville went to Fort Meigs, to Harrison's celebration. About 1841 he moved to Groveland, Oakland Co., where he bought the tavern property of B. C. Whitmore, starting a line of mail stages to the town of Shiawassee.

In 1843 he rented his property to Capt. David Lyon and re- turned to Pontiac, going into a hotel there known as the " Pontiac Place." In 1845 he returned to his property in Groveland, re- mained there until 1848, bought the Genesee House at Flint and moved there. In 1850 he was engaged in helping to build the plank road from Flint to Saginaw, in company with a Mr. Doan; in 1853 moved to East Saginaw, and opened a hotel known as the " Valley House," there being only five or six houses in the town at that time. In 1855 he went into the Kirby House, where he remained until 1861, when he moved upon the farm where he now lives.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 80

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 962

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962