USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 24
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School was first taught in 1850 by Dr. C. T. Disbrow, in the upper story of Morgan L. Gage's residence, which stood on the north side of Plank Road, between Water and Washington Streets. The following year Miss Carrie Ingersoll opened a school in the log house which stood on the site of the Bancroft House. In 1852 Truman B. Fox established a select school in a small building at the corner of Water and Hovt Streets, and soon had eighty-three scholars in attendance. The same year the "Old Academy" was built on the site of the present Hoyt School.
Alfred M. Hoyt was the first postmaster at East Saginaw; and Moses B. Hess was the first mail carrier, having settled here in 1850. He succeeded Morgan L. Gage as postmaster in 1853.
The first church was organized in 1852, and the first edifice used for re- ligious services was a shanty near Emerson and Water Streets.
The Saginaw Valley House, a pioneer hotel of East Saginaw, situated on Water Street, was completed and opened to the public in 1851.
The organization of the first Methodist Episcopal Church was effected in 1852, with Reverend A. C. Shaw as pastor ; and soon after a church edifice was erected on the southeast corner of Washington and German Streets.
The first telegraph (the Snow Line) was in working order between De- troit and Saginaw on February 17, 1853, with Alexander Ferguson as local operator. The office was in Mr. Ferguson's jewelry, book and stationery store on Genesee Avenue between Washington and Water Streets.
On March 20, 1853, ice broke up in the river and passed out into the bay; and on the 28th the steamer J. Snow ran up the river, the first of the season.
AA saw mill and half a million feet of lumber at Carrollton, owned by Volney Chapin, was burned on June 9, 1853, with a loss of thirteen thousand dollars.
On September 4, 1853, a camp meeting of Chippewa Indians was held at Swan Creek, about seven miles from Saginaw City, Rev. George B. Bradley presiding.
JAMES S. WEBBER
Father of W. L. Webber, who came here in January, 1853, was a prominent merchant and
land owner His first home was on the rast side of Jefferson between Genesce and German Streets, the entire block having been pur- chased by him for six hundred dollars.
JOHN F. DRIGGS
One of the sturdy progressive pioneers of East Saginaw, was president of the village council in 1858, and later a congressman from this district. Ile was an active member of the volunteer fire fighting brigade and one of the organizers of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, M. V I.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
A quarterly meeting of the M. E. Church was held October 29, 1853, in the "Old Academy," services commencing at "early candle-light."
The steamer Huron struck a rock in the lower river, on a late trip No- vember 26. 1853, and was seriously damaged ; but no lives were lost.
In December, 1853, the first newspaper in East Saginaw, "The Saginaw Enterprise," was established by F. A. Williamson and A. J. Mason, and edited with "tolerable ability.'
St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic) was organized here late in 1853 by Father Shultz.
Early Conflagrations
Scarcely had the village of East Saginaw assumed any importance before it was visited by several disastrous fires, the first of which was on November 16, 1853. It was in the frame building of Burt and Hayden, on North Water Street. and entailed a heavy loss though it did not spread to adjoining property.
The first big fire, however, which still lingers in the memory of the oldest residents, occurred on March 26, 1854. It raged for hours in the block bounded by Washington. German, Williams (Janes) Streets and the river. and destroyed the steam saw mill erected by Jesse Hoyt, and about three million feet of lumber with considerable dock. This property was situated on ground now occupied in part by the warehouse of Morley Brothers, at the foot of Germania Avenue. A number of dwelling houses were also burned, including the hotel on the southeast corner of German and Water Streets, which was kept by the father of William Barie. He vividly recalls the excitement at this fire and the heroic efforts of the citizens to stay the flames, with no other means than the primitive bucket brigade taking water from the river. This was a severe blow to the infant village; yet its motto was "never despair," and soon business went on as before.
Rebuilding had scarcely commenced when another and far more de- structive fire broke out in the very heart of the village, and swept every- thing in the direction of the previous fire. Before it had burned itself out. as the means of fighting fire were then entirely inadequate to check the flames, two entire blocks of buildings, including the Irving House, the ex- tensive wholesale warehouse and dock of W. L. P. Little & Company, and several grocery stores and dwelling houses were burned. The principal buildings destroyed stood on the south side of Plank Road (Genesee) at the corner of Water Street, and for a time there was grave fear that the whole village was doomed. The scenes at this fire were very graphically drawn in the diary of James S. Webber, which has been preserved, an extract from which follows:
"1854, July 5th :
"This morning I was awakened by a person rapping at my door at about two o'clock, saying that the 'Irving House' was on fire. As my store was on the opposite side of the street, I was not long in dressing and getting there. I had a load of wood on my wheelbarrow standing at the door, and I turned it over as the quickest way to unload it and took it with me. A large com- pany was already there. I unlocked my door and emptied the contents of the safe, as several persons had effects and books in it. into the wheelbarrow and started for home. Enjoining Mrs. Webber not to leave the house. I went back to the store, but, it being very still, it was not then thought the fire
!
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AN ERA OF PROSPERITY
would cross the street north ; it was going south rapidly. A small building just west of my store was covered with carpets, blankets and so forth, and kept wet. My store being in a double building and a part of it occupied by Morgan L. Gage's family, we were in danger if the fire got into this small building, which was occupied by Seth Willey. Mr. C. B. Jones and my son had their offices over my store. They had emptied their offices at first, but by the lively use of pails and dishes in wetting these two buildings, the fire was kept out and the wind veering a little to the south about the time the frame of the 'Irving House' fell, the most of the danger was past. I re- turned the goods to the store again ; and after sunrise the fire had stopped. Many boarders at the 'Irving House' were now at the mercy of the citizens, as well as Mr. Stevens and family, for breakfast. I sent word to Mrs. Web- ber to prepare extra and took a number with me for breakfast. By dinner time all had some place to go to. I have been thus particular in my state- ment, as this and the fire of March 26th were my first experience in fires, and the first that East Saginaw had suffered by."
This fire was indeed a public calamity, and for a time everybody stood aghast, but not in despair. Before the embers had ceased smoking, work- men began clearing away the debris, and rebuilding was quickly begun. Soon a fine brick building, called the Buena Vista Block, occupied the site of the Irving House, and was the first brick block built in East Saginaw. It still stands at the corner of Genesee Avenue and Water Street, the upper floors within recent years having been refitted for use of the Bancroft House. of which it forms a part. The warehouse of W. L. P. Little & Company was at the foot of the street, on ground where the brick building, now occu- pied by the Hubbell Company, stands.
Although the population of the village did not exceed three hundred, the sales of Little & Company the first year amounted to ninety thousand dol- lars, and the second year to a quarter of a million. This seems almost in- credible, but when it is considered that Saginaw City, Lower Saginaw ( Bay City), and the whole farming country adjacent to our rivers, were supplied with merchandise from this establishment, which was very complete in all its details, such a volume of business was possible. With characteristic energy and enterprise the burnt district was soon covered with substantial business blocks and dwellings, for the most part built of brick, and all traces of the fire were obliterated.
Extracts from the Diary of James S. Webber
1855. Ice left the Saginaw River Saturday and Sunday, April 7th and 8th. Steamboat Huron first arrival for the season from Detroit, April 21.
December 10: The ice on the river is very uncertain, the water being up to the top of the dock and frozen over so people cross on foot. One day a man crossed the ice with the mail by using two boards, occupying one while he shoved the other ahead of him; and he got over all safe. The ferry that was used for crossing Saginaw River was a large scow, Judge Davenport owning the right to ferry. The scow was propelled by means of a rope, each end of it being made fast to a post on each side of the river, the landing on the east side being at the foot of Plank Road (Genesee Street). Spring and Fall, when the ice was breaking up or forming, ferrying was very uncertain business.
1856. October Il: I commenced building September 13 a two-story house, being partly what is called a "balloon frame," but using posts and beams. The frame was raised Tuesday, September 30. Daniel 1. Reding finished a cement cistern, holding over one hundred barrels, under my wood- house floor.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
October 13: My son has built a new house on the corner of Washing- ton and Johnson Streets, which he bought from Dr. Lee, and moved into it this date. The lot is ninety by two hundred and forty feet. Foggy Fall.
October 16: This morning smoke and fog so thick that objects could not be seen thirty feet distant.
October 18: Cleared so that we could see across the river. The cause of the smoke supposed to be the swamps and marshes that were on fire through these regions. The sun was hid from sight most of the time for several days.
October 23: This morning a wind from the north with a light rain drove off the smoke; after a few more rains the fires were extinguished.
October 25: My house was enclosed. In July I learned that a man was wishing to buy some lots on the west side of Jefferson Street directly oppo- site my house, to occupy them for burning lime. As I did not want a lime kiln there I bought four lots in Block 58 (all bayou lots) giving $350, paying over $80 down. I did not know what use they would be, but thought I would rather do this than have such a nuisance so near me.
November 20: Thanksgiving. The last of this month the sand dock in front of my store on Water Street was finished.
December 6: Snow in the woods eight inches deep.
1857. February 27: Ice mostly out of the river at night and water to the top of the sand dock. lee said to be good below Zilwaukee and people crossing it with teams.
March 12: Water fallen about four feet and new ice formed. Charlie Rod crossed it with a team and seven barrels of flour in safety.
March 14: A channel out for the ferry scow; it came across today.
March 24: Ice said to be gone as far as Bangor. At 6:30 P. M. the steamboat Comet came up from Bay City where she had wintered.
April 6: A snowy day and town meeting.
April 11: The steamboat Som Hard arrived from Detroit yesterday. and today the Forest Queen arrived from the same port.
April 20: Sunday morning, commenced snowing, stopping at 8 P. M. Suppose if it had not melted it would have been over a foot deep.
July 1: Moved into my new house before breakfast. For dinner had green peas. Cool and rainy.
July 24: Curtis Emerson's new steam ferry scow came down the river to the foot of Plank Road (Genesee Avenue) and back to his place on her first trial trip. This is the first steam ferry on the river.
July 26: Sunday about + P. M. Beach & Moores store on the dock ( where W. L. P. Little & Company's store stood before the big fire) took fire and burned down. The fire engine was called out for the first time and did good service.
October 8: Hard times in money matters, banks suspending daily and no exchange on New York to be had.
October 15: These days money won't pay debts, for no one dare take it. Aboutt all the banks in New York suspended specie payment. Howed a New York debt and went several times into W. L. P. Little & Company's bank- ing office to buy a draft, but I could not; they had rather not take any money. I wrote to the parties to ask what I should do; their answer was, "send your money by express and we will take what is good and send the rest back." So I just laid my money by till times should be more quiet, not being disposed to trust anyone with sorting my money.
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AN ERA OF PROSPERITY
October 28: 1 was able to buy exchange today and make remittance.
December 1: Some banks still below par, yet I am able to close up with the New York creditors. I bought a draft of W. L. P. Little & Company. paying two and a half per cent. on Canadian banks, and ten and a half on western bank bills, and paid them all.
November 19: This morning several inches of snow fell: a high wind for several days. Captain William Blyben, whose family is living in one of my houses, was on his way from Chicago with his vessel, the Quick Step, and had a severe time of it, but got his vessel into Bay City. The steamboat Forest Queen of Detroit made her last trip here.
1858. March 15: Warm and thawing, and ice floating down stream. April 16: Commenced my buikling for a hall on Lot 10. Block 58, Jef- ferson Street, opposite my dwelling.
May 11: A great rain with wind from the north,
May 25: Ileavy rain today. Some boys having made a dam across the ditch so that water in the night wore a channel through, and this morn- ing teams could not pass to the north into Genesee Street.
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UNION HALL
Built by lames S. Webber in 1858 on the site of the Schmelzer Apartments, and used by the First Baptist Church. Some years after, when the society built the present brick structure, the old hall was moved to the corner of Johnson and Second Streets, and has since been used by Zion Baptist Church colored).
June 4: The water has been over the sand dock for several days: and this morning the wind is blowing fresh from the south. About 9 .A. M. Mr. Lord's ball alley gave way and went to pieces. (It was located on Genesee between Franklin and Cass Streets, south side. )
June 8: Water is falling. Some of the mills started again as most of them had to stop in high water. It has been extremely warm for several days, and the mosquitoes very thick.
July 2: Finished my 'Union Hall, costing six hundred dollars unfin- ished. It was occupied by the First Baptist Church, they hokling meetings on the third and fourth instant.
July 7: A company left on the steamboat Magnet for Goderich, Canada. to railroad celebration to be held on the eighth.
August 17: The Queen's message has been received by the Atlantic cable, and at night bon-fires, military and fire companies aided in the celebration.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
August 23: Light frost in spots. A big celebration will be held here on the 29th, on account of the Atlantic cable.
December 9: People crossed the river on the ice today.
December 24: The gas works at the brick hotel of Jesse Hoyt's (the Bancroft) so far completed that this evening a few lights were lighted as a trial, with satisfactory results.
1859. January 2: This evening attended worship at Buena Vista Hall. It was lighted with gas for the first time.
January 6: The ladies of the Baptist Church formed a sewing society at my house.
January 11: Teams crossing the river on ice. This evening I crossed it for the first time since living in Saginaw.
February 16: Ferry scow running today, after about ten days stopping on account of river being frozen for the crossing of teams.
March 8: A small sail boat came up the river from below. The first city election held. George Ball and myself were two on the board.
August 19: The first rail on the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad laid at Saginaw River.
September 7: The new brick hotel "Bancroft House" has been opened. and the stage stops here. Mr. Hobbs keeps the hotel.
October 10: The steamboat Forest Queen brought up a six-pound brass cannon and carriage for the artillery company now forming in this place. The bark Sunshine is repaired and went from here about a week ago.
October 22: Snow about three inches deep, and sleighs out this morn- ing. Captain D. Lyon moved my ice house and cellar from the rear to the front of my lot beside my store on Water Street.
November 10: Norman Little was buried, having been found drowned in the river, near Hoyt's mill, on the evening of the eighth. This was a very stormy day of rain and snow.
Reverend J. S. Goodman and family arrived at my house at about one o'clock. Will it is expected occupy one of my houses until spring, hav- ing been settled over the Baptist Church of this place.
1860. January 19: Made my first visit to where they were drilling for salt. The well is 625 feet deep.
January 21: At evening an old vacant house owned by C. Garrison, on the bank of the river above the mill, was nearly burned down.
March 5: City election. The entire Republican ticket elected with ex- ception of one constable. A fine day. I was elected director of the poor.
March 7: An alarm of fire about six o'clock this morning at the gas works of Jesse Hoyt's, adjoining the Bancroft House; some damage done the works and building, will delay the operation of the gas works for a short time. The steamboat Traffic went to Bay City. Ice out of the river.
March 10: About seven P. M. Jesse Hoyt's steam flouring mill was seen to be on fire in the upper story : supposed to have caught by the chim- ney burning out the previous morning, the fire lying concealed and burning down. No other buildings were injured, but a large amount of grain was burned and flour damaged.
June 26: The East Saginaw Salt Company commenced boiling salt. 1 visited the works and got a sample of salt. Fifty kettles in a block.
July 4: A small propeller named Star came from Detroit and com- menced running as a ferry-boat from here to Saginaw City.
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AN ERA OF PROSPERITY
1808. September 10: The large Brick Central Market, being built by Anton Schmitz, on the southeast corner of Genesee and Cass ( Baum ) Streets, was opened today with stalls for vegetables by Mr. Turner and Mr. Charles Pendell.
October 21: The Nicholson pavement is finished today: it was com- menced at Franklin Street running west to the foot of Genesee Street across two blocks, then north on Water and Washington Streets to Tuscola. being one block north and south of Genesee Street. The cost of the pavement. including curb-stones, was $30,000: sand taken from Cass Street and the Layou.
December 2: The gas lighted in street lamps for first time in East Saginaw.
1869. January 1: First Congregational Church, Washington and Ger- man Streets, was destroyed by fire.
July 10: The trustees of the First Baptist Church sold the old church (Union Hall) to the colored Baptist Church, for $600, and moved it to the northwest corner of Johnson and Second Streets. This is the Zion Baptist Church
September 15: John G. Owen rebuilding the old Egleston, Champlin and Penney City Mill on Genesee Street into stores.
October 10: Mr. A. Schmitz fell from his building, the Central Market, on Sunday ; when picked up was dead.
Incorporation of the Village and City
East Saginaw was incorporated as a village in 1855. and its first legisla- tive body met May 11, with Norman Little as president of the council ; Charles B. Mott, recorder: S. C. Beach, treasurer; and A. L. Rankin, mar-
LAYING NICHOLSON PAVEMENT IN GENESEE STREET, 1868
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
shal. Under the incorporation act there were elected as trustees: W. L. P. Little, David Lyon, Jacob C. Voorheis, Clark M. Curtis and Augustus H. Mershon ; and as assessors, F. R. Copeland and W. F. Glasby.
In 1856 the council was composed of: Morgan L. Gage, president ; C. B. Mott, recorder : trustees, William L. Webber, Augustus H. Mershon, Martin Smith, L. 11. Eastman, W. F. Glasby: and attorney, William L. Webber ; marshal. F. T. Hall; street commissioners, L. S. Keeler and A. Dann.
In 1857 the councilmen were: Morgan L. Gage, president; W. H. Beach, recorder : trustees, William L. Webber, W. F. Glasby. C. M. Curtis, J. A. Large, S. Beach and William Gallagher. William J. Loveland was elected attorney, and L. S. Keeler. marshal and street commissioner, while W. T. Hoyt was the village clerk.
In 1858 the councilmen were: John F. Driggs, president; C. B. Mott. recorder : trustees, S. C. Beach, W. F. Glasby. J. A. Large, G. A. Lathrop, S. R. Kirby and G. W. Merrill. William L. Webber was the attorney, M. L. Gage, marshal, G. F. Ball, street commissioner, and C. H. Gage, clerk.
This form of government was sufficient for the needs of the community only four years, as in 1859 the village received a city charter, and was duly incorporated under its provisions. The first city officers elected were : W. L. P. Little, mayor; D. W. C. Gage, recorder : W. J. Bartow, controller ; James F. Brown, treasurer : F. A. Curtis, marshal; and the aldermen were. C. B. Mott, John S. Estabrook, Alexander Ferguson, W. F. Glasby, G. W. Wilcox ; the city constable. A. L. Rankin ; and the school inspectors. Asahel Disbrow. C. B. Jones, John J. Wheeler, G. J. Dorr, Volusin Bude and S. B. Knapp. On March 17, 1859, the first common council of the newly incor- porated city met as a municipal legislative body.
Incorporation of the Village of Salina
As early as 1848 Aaron K. Penney located land on the east side of the river, a little above the settlement of Saginaw City, which he commenced working as a farm. In this occupation he was quite successful, as he was a practical farmer, but ten years later he sold his land to William Gallagher, who at once removed there with his family. After the discovery of salt deposits underlying the valley, Gallagher conceived the idea of laying out a town upon his farm, and in less than a year a pleasantly situated village was under way. Mills and salt works were soon erected, docks built, and gen- eral business enterprises inaugurated. In 1864 the East Saginaw Street Railway completed its line to the new town, thus connecting, and almost identifying, it with the flourishing city about three miles below.
During the early years of its existence, this busy and progressive town had been known as Salina, but in 1866 it was incorporated as a village under the name of South Saginaw. Theron T. Hubbard was its first president ; and the trustees were, Isaac Russell, Aaron Linton, William Nimmons, Hiram Dunn, John Ingledew and Nicholas A. Randall. These men met first as the village council, November 20, 1866. The village did not, however, retain its separate existence long, for in March, 1873, it became a part of the city of East Saginaw. This consolidation of interests increased the population of the city about three thousand, added three or four church organizations, one church edifice, and a fine graded school with five hundred scholars and seven teachers. The school builling was a substantial struc- ture costing more than ten thousand dollars.
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AN ERA OF PROSPERITY
The Commercial Interests of East Saginaw in 1858
Eight years after the founding of this enterprising city, the first "History of the Saginaw Valley" appeared, published by Truman B. Fox. It is a small pamphlet, five by eight inches in size, but it contains much valuable information relative to the commercial, professional and industrial affairs of the valley during the formative period. Several hundred copies of the his- tory were undoubtedly printed, but after a lapse of fifty years they have become very rare, and only a few copies are now known to exist. From its pages we glean some interesting facts relating to the commercial interests of long ago, and of the men prominent in business life.
Copeland & Bartow were "wholesale and retail dealers in staple and fancy dry goods, carpeting, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries and provi- sions, crockery and cutlery," and were located on Water Street, on the dock between Tuscola and Genesee Streets.
John P. Derby was a dealer in groceries and provisions, boots and shoes, and Rockingham ware on Water Street: Franklin Copeland dealt in dry goods, groceries and provisions on the corner of Hovt and Water Streets. while William Weeks kept a stock of ready-made clothing and furnishing goods on Genesee Street.
Other dealers in groceries and provisions on Water Street, "near the ferry," were, Curtis & Bliss, W. P. Patrick, J. S. Webber and J. A. Whittier ; Peter Hiller was located on Genesee Street, and J. Greener, who also dealt in crockery, was on Water Street near Durfee & Atwater's mill. Sanborn & Tucker were wholesale and retail dealers in the same commodities in the Corliss Block, on Genesee Street ; M. Minick added ready-made clothing to his grocery line, while Brown & Mumford dealt in "groceries and provisions, country produce, flour, etc., on Washington Street near Genesee.
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