USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 65
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Little Items of History.
Sanford M. Green was Circuit Judge of the Saginaw District in 1849. P. C. Andre was register of deeds in 1850. John Moore was prosecuting attor- ney in 1854, and Charles W. Grant was sheriff the same year.
The first marriage celebrated in Saginaw County was on August 25, 1831, between Grovener Vinton and Harriet Whitney.
Hiram L. Miller, who came to Saginaw City in 1835, was the editor of the first daily newspaper published in Saginaw Valley.
John McGregor was born in Tittabawassee Township, September 7, 1839. In 1844 the old Indian chief Nau-qua-chic-a-ming killed seven wolves in Saginaw County ; and a wild cat, measuring seven feet six inches, was killed on February 1, 1864, on one of the business streets of Saginaw City.
Robert U're arrived in the valley in 1831 when the pioneer settlers were few in number.
Captain Charles D. Little came here in 1850, and lived here until his death in 1903.
The first swine were brought to this county by Eleazer Jewett in 1828.
On January 10, 1836, the first entry was made in the record book of the Probate Court of Saginaw County. Albert Miller was the first Judge of Probate.
Captain Edwin Saunders was city treasurer of Saginaw City in 1866, and city controller in 1868.
In 1849, where now stands the new Hotel Bancroft, there was a shake- roofed cabin built by the American Fur Company, and occupied by a French trapper by the name of Leon Snay. Two years later a school was held in the cabin by Miss Carrie Ingersoll.
THELOLO PIONEER MERCHANT ON JECK AGAIN !]
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"STEAM BOAT BLISS"
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ly invite my former r Il as strane 109 Generce 5 ... TAILOR'S TRIMMINGS
C. & T. B. SPENCER,
NOS. 104 & 106 SOUTH WATER ST ..
CANT SAGINAW. MICH. DEALERS IN
HARDWA
A. H. MERSION,
Wooden Well, Cistern and Vessel Pum' Pump Logs for Salt Works, EN TUBING, ALL S PUMP TUBING, 1. Find
FEIGE BROS.,
Fine Parlor and Chamber
FURNITURE SUJI LER'S AIR TIGHT
Caskets, &c.
ANTHONY SCHMITZ'S HARDW IRL. CROCKFRY JAD
Agricultural Amplement Emporiow.
STONES, FERTIG
THE OLDEST
IN THE SAGINAW VALLEY. BIT NOI BEHIND THE TIMES.
WILLIAM BARIE,
322 Genesee Avenue,
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MILLER, BRALEY & Co.,
BANKING AND EXCHANGE
OFFICE, Corner Court and Hum '
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JAY SMITE. DEALER IN DRUGS. MEDICINES, PAINTS, OILS, PYES & PYE STUFF" GENERALLY
Pure Wines and Liquors jor Medicinal Court Street, Saginaw -
ATG. S. GAYLORD,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR
ATTY, MICHIGAN.
-
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M. C. STEVENS
PROPRIETOR.
th AILman.
ADAM GRAEBNER.
GROCERIES & PROVISIONS,
FL.OUR. Etc .. Eu . SAGINAW CITY, MICH.
for, Van Buren & Harrison Ste., MAN BOOKS ON HAND
D. H. JEROME & CO.,
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Dry Goods, Clothing, Groceries, Hardware, Tris ker), Bines, Liquor, Boots and shore, Bats and tops, cle.
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GEORGE SAGINAW CITY.
Banking and Exchange Offire.
Prompt attention given to Collections throughout Saginaw Valley, and all other business transa =* * usually pertaining to Banking
SAGINAV
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OLD TIME ADVERTISEMENTS OF SAGINAW BUSINESS MEN
IST SAGINAW, MICH.
CHIENCEI H. GIGE.
Just landed with a Large Invoice of Goods for his athing Store & Merchant Tailoring T- WEBBER, THOMPSON & GAGE,
Goto VASOLD & BOERGERT,
DRY GOODS, YANKEE NOTIONS Woolens, Fur, Gente Furnishing
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
In the summer of 1850 Seth and Thomas Willey cleared the eighty- acre tract of land upon which the early business section of East Saginaw was built.
W. F. Glasby came here in 1850 and opened a tavern on Water Street. Other early comers were Curtis Emerson, Charles W. Grant, Norman Little, Moses B. Hless, George Hess, Alfred M. Hoyt, Colonel W. L. P. Little, S. W. Yawkey, Alex. English, John Ellsifer, Alexander Ferguson, F. H. Koehler, Menzo Stevens and C. P. Colvin.
Byron B. Buckhout located here on August 17, 1853, and James F. Brown came on August 20 of the same year. John J. Rupp came in 1855, Doctor A. Farnsworth in 1857 and J. J. Mumford in 1861.
Sanford Keeler, Captain D. D. Keeler and Frank D. Keeler, brothers, landed in Saginaw in 1855, and still reside here.
Warner & Eastman established the first iron foundry here in 1854.
One warm, dusty day in August, 1853, Charles H. Peters arrived in East Saginaw. Ile liked the place so well that he remained and spent the re- mainder of his life here.
Andrew Eymer, eighty-five years old, came to East Saginaw in 1863. He had only twenty-one birthdays, having been born on February 29, 1832.
L. P. Mason came to Fast Saginaw in 1859 and engaged in inspecting and shipping lumber, in which he continued for many years.
Clark M. Curtis was one of the trustees of the village of East Saginaw in 1855: Colonel Michael Jeffers was an alderman in 1861 and justice of the peace from 1863 to 1866.
A. B. Wood came here in 1863. Hle was a member of the State Senate from 1869 to 1872. John Henning came here in 1848: and Castle Sutherland arrived in 1859.
In 1861 Charles Steinberg was a merchant tailor and dealer in ready- made clothing, at 100 Genesee Street opposite the Bancroft House.
Gladwin & Beebe were "proprietors of the East Saginaw Beer Works, located on Genesee Street near Chestnut."
D. Forrest was "manufacturer of and dealer in boots, shoes, leather, findings and everything pertaining to the trade." He was located in the Pendell Block, Washington Street.
A dealer in real estate was E. Thatcher, "proprietor of Thatcher's Addi- tion, on the south boundary of the city of East Saginaw."
In dentistry there was Doctor L. C. Whiting, whose office was in "Room 11, 2d story Hess Block, first door north of Loveland's office."
lloyt & Perkins were attorneys-at-law at East Saginaw in 1868; and W. Q. Atwood was a dealer in lumber and lands with an office at the south- cast corner of Water and Tuscola Streets.
Englehardt Feige, "manufacturer and wholesale and retail dealer in furniture." conducted a warehouse at 108 South Water Street. He also dealt in "wooden and metallic coffins and cases" at his undertaking rooms at 95 North Water Street.
llubinger Brothers located at Frankenmuth in 1846. They came from Detroit to Saginaw in a sail boat, the journey taking two weeks. At that time there were only six farms cleared in Frankenmuth Township.
Edward McSweeney, the well-known grocer on lloyt Street, came to Saginaw City in 1840 and worked two years for Norman Little. He then went back to New York State, but returned to Saginaw in 1864 and remained until his death a few years ago.
Gus Strasburg first visited Saginaw while in the government service in 1858, and three years later located here permanently. He built the brick hotel property, now owned by Emil Francke, at the corner of Lapeer and Warren Avenues.
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VARIED COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Thomas W. Babcock came to Saginaw in March, 1852. Ile states that the only buildings then on the east side were a hotel on the southeast corner of what is now Genesee and Water Streets, a warehouse across the street on the river, the residence of Charles W. Grant in the rear of the present Auditorium, and across the street from the Grant residence was what was known as the Garrison mill. There was a small frame house on what is now South Washington Avenue, across from the Germain Temple.
Mr. Babcock was employed at the Williams mill during the first summer he lived here, and afterward at the Chicago mill. directly across the river from the foot of Janes Avenue, and continued there with the late C. K. Eddy. when he purchased it some years after.
The First Taverns.
In the pioneer days of Saginaw City, when the entire population was less than one hundred, strangers were entertained in the log houses of the settlers, and made as comfortable as the meager and bare furnishings per- mitted. There were few conveniences for cooking, stoves being vet unknown in the wilderness, and an open fireplace piled with logs, and utensils con- sisting of a few heavy pots, kettles and pans, afforded the entire facilities. Bnt visitors sat down with zest before wooden bowls filled with soup made of smoked ham and rice boiled together, and feasted on wild game with cranberries, and trout, sturgeon and white fish.
Eleazer Jewett and his estimable wife, the first permanent white settlers in this county, lived in a log cabin at Green Point, and many strangers came to their place for entertainment. They usually came in groups, as one or two seldom cared to brave the dangers of travel in the dense forest by them- selves; and caring for a number of guests under disadvantages at length grew wearisome. They concluded that they could as well keep a tavern in town, and in 1837 Mr. Jewett built a two-story frame hotel on Water (Niagara) Street, between Clinton and Throop Streets. Jewett's Hotel soon became a popular rendezvous of the more hardy pioneers and a stopping place for visitors, who appreciated alike the whole-hearted hospitality of the host and the excellent accommodations. For more than twenty years the house was somewhat of a landmark.
Malden's log tavern, at what is now Court and Hamilton Streets, was also a well known place in the early days; and Major Mosely's, a log cabin within the old fort stockade, is still remembered by pioneers of Saginaw City. When the Webster House was opened in 1838, and quickly recognized as the leading hotel in Saginaw Valley, the old log houses lost their popularity and were thereafter little used. An account of the old Webster House is given in pages 134-5.
Other Hotels of Saginaw City.
In 1866. William 11. Taylor, an enterprising capitalist of Saginaw City. built a large pretentious hotel at Conrt and Hamilton Streets. This was the site of old Fort Saginaw erected in 1822, the log cabins of which and the stockade that enclosed them, having long before fallen into decay. The new hotel, a four-story and basement brick structure, seventy-five by one hundred and twenty feet in dimensions, of rather imposing appearance, was arranged for stores on the Court Street front and had a main entrance on Hamilton Street. Its ninety rooms were sumptuously furnished in the style and taste of the day immediately following the war. The hotel was named the Taylor Ilonse.
For awhile the hotel was conducted by Mr. Taylor, who stated in his advertisements that "street cars pass the house every twenty minutes."
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
I
WEST SIDE BUSINESS SECTION, LOOKING SOUTH FROM COURT HOUSE, ABOUT 1886
About 1870 I. H. Hopkins leased the hotel and conducted it for several years. The house was closed about 1879 but reopened the following January by 1. Burrows, Junior & Company. Four years later it was again closed but some months later Burrows & Sweet took charge and it was reopened to the public. Afterward Fred B. Sweet managed the house alone. About 1895, after a checkered career of success and failure. the old Taylor House, which had become somewhat of a cherished landmark of the West side, was closed and remained dark and forbidding for fifteen years.
The New Hotel Fordney.
At length, realizing the need of a first-class hotel on the West Side, the enterprising business men of that section formed a company, purchased the old hotel property, remodeled the building, and refurnished it throughout. Given the name Hotel Fordney, after Congressman Joseph W. Fordney, who was one of the substantial promoters of the enterprise, it was opened in 1912 with festivities befitting the occasion. Since that time the hotel has been conducted as a first-class hotel. European plan, and has met with a fair degree of success. A cheerful, home-like atmosphere pervades the whole house, and the service, including the cafe on the ground floor, is excellent.
The Crowley House, at Hamilton and Ames Streets, the site of the old Brockway House, afterward known as the Benson House, was opened to the public by D. Crowley in 1879. Two additions were built by him, giving the hotel a frontage of sixty-five feet on Hamilton Street and ninety feet on Ames. The house then contained forty well furnished and comfortably heated rooms, and was very popular with a certain element of citizens and the travelling public. In recent years this hotel, now known as the Schuch Hotel, has been remodeled and refurnished, an attractive cafe provided on
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VARIED COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Hamilton Street, and is now regarded as a very pleasant and home-like hostelry.
Other hotels of Saginaw City in the formative period were: the Ameri- can House, on Hamilton between Court and Franklin ( Hancock ) Streets, next to the post office, and conducted in 1870 by John Froidlein ; the Kerby House, at Hamilton and Jefferson ( Cleveland) Streets; the Dunbar House, at Water ( Niagara ) and Van Buren Streets, kept by B. N. Montross; and Keyser's Hotel, at State and Cross Roads.
Building of the Bancroft House.
For several years after the big fires of 1854, the leading hotels were the Kirby House, kept by John Godley, at the corner of Washington and Gene- see Streets, and the Farmer's Exchange, W. Wisner, landlord, directly opposite. The need of a new first-class hotel was urgent, and in 1858, Jesse Iloyt began the construction of a large brick hotel on the southwest corner of the main streets. It was a very pretentious building for the time, being four stories in height, and covering a plat of ground one hundred by one hundred and forty feet in size. It was completed in the Summer of 1859, but owing to some delay in getting the gas plant which was to light the rooms in working order, the opening of the "New Hotel" did not take place until September 7th. The proprietor was Henry Hobbs, of New York, who brought from the metropolis the furniture and fittings valued at $15,000. A picture of the original Bancroft House appears on page 196. The main entrance was on Genesee Street about thirty feet from the corner, and there was a ladies' entrance on Washington Street. At the left of the hall, in the northeast corner was the office, twenty-eight feet square, and back of this, where the lobby was afterward placed, was the dining room and storerooms. On the right of the hall, commencing on the front were the "shaving saloon," reading room, and in the rear of these the porter's room, etc. "The culinary apartments," according to the Saginaw Courier of September 1, 1859, "are still back, and in point of convenience and perfection of appointments and appur- tenances, are equal to those of any hotel East or West.'
On the second floor were the general reception room directly above the office, and suites of parlors sixteen by eighteen feet in size. The billiard room, thirty-two by sixty feet, equipped with four tables, was at the right of these, and the remaining space on this and the upper floors was given over to suites and single bed rooms, heated in Winter by huge box stoves.
From the old "Courier" we learn that "the committee appointed to christen the New Hotel have named it the Bancroft House, after George Bancroft, the great historian and statesman. The opening celebration comes off Wednesday, September 7. From the character of the gentlemen connected with it, and citizens generally, a good time' may be confidently anticipated."
The committee of management of the celebration at the opening of the Bancroft House, was composed of W. L. P. Little, Chairman, Morgan 1 .. Gage, William L. Webber, D. A. Robinson, Jr., Curtis Emerson, Charles B. Mott, D. G. Holland, J. P. Hayden and S. C. Beach.
The Opening Celebration.
"At 10 a. m. Osmend's Cornet Band turned out in full uniform, and from time to time during the day enlivened the scene with most excellent music. At half past ten the delegation from Goderich arrived, among whom were His Honor, Mayor MeDougal, and several other prominent citizens of that place. Dr. A. W. Butler, correspondent of the Buffalo Courier, also accom- panied the delegation. People continued to arrive from all quarters, no less than eight steamers landing at our wharves between 9 o'clock in the morning and 6 in the evening."
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
The grand opening of the Bancroft was at six o'clock, when a sumptuous banquet was served. Tables were spread for three hundred persons, yet this was not sufficient for all the guests. "Everything in the bill was there in rich profusion, and most excellent taste was displayed in the arrangement and ornamentation of the tables." The leading feature was "East Saginaw, 1850-1859," and was quite original in design. It was in the form of a temple with collonades in the portal, or background, under head of 1850 was an Indian scene composed of wigwams, squaws, papooses, canoes, bows and arrows and camp kettles, spread in the manner of an Indian camp. In front, as coming up to a "state of present civilization was a representation of the Bancroft House, with a background of steamers in the river, saw mills, churches, schools and residences, such as are now the pride of our city. On top and the sides were shields and banners upon which were inscribed the names of some of our oldest and most prominent citizens."
The banquet itself was such as to satisfy the epicurean taste. From mock turtle soup to fruits and nuts, every dish on the "Bill of Fare" was a delight to the assembled guests. The reputation of the house was quickly established, a reputation which has clung to it during the fifty-six years intervening. There were pike and white fish prepared in various styles, cold dishes of boiled tongue, ham, corned beef, and chicken salad, and boiled beef, leg of mutton, chicken and pork, and turkey, with egg sauce. Of roasts there were thirteen, including bear, turkey, with cranberry sauce, venison, pig, chicken and wild duck. The Entrees included fricasseed pigeon, chicken a la Marengo, pork cutlets and venison steak. There was a great variety of stewed and boiled vegetables to satisfy every taste. Of pastry there were farina pudding with claret sauce, peach, apple and cranberry pie, sponge cake, au chocolate, blanc mange, rum jelly, and lemon and vanilla ice cream. The whole repast was "topped off" with fruits and nuts in great profusion.
The Toasts.
Following the banquet there was jollity and speech-making, the toasts given being :
"1. George Bancroft-a polished scholar, an able historian ; a high-minded, patriotic citizen, and God-father of this house.
Music, "Hail Columbia !'
D. A. Robinson. Jr., responded to this toast.
2. The Bancroft House and Its Proprietor.
Music. 'Good Cheer' Quickstep.
Responded to by Moses B. Iless.
3. The Governor of the State of Michigan. Governor Wisner in response.
4. Jesse Hoyt-one to whom the citizens of East Saginaw are largely indebted for all public improvements, and whose example is worthy of our highest commendation. Music, 'llere's Health."
Response by William L. Webber.
5. The Saginaw Valley.
Responded to by James Birney, of Bay City.
6. Norman Little.
Music, 'Pioneer Quickstep.' Responded to by J. B. Dillingham.
The Flint and Pere Marquette Railway.
Music, 'Wait for the Wagon.'
Responded to by Dr. H. C. Potter, who in conclusion gave the volunteer toast,
MORLEY
3
WASHINGTON STREET, SOUTH FROM TUSCOLA, 1887
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FRANKLIN STREET, SOUTH FROM TUSCOLA, 1887
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
8. The People of Saginaw Valley-may they soon get what their industry, enterprise, eminent sobriety and numbered virtues so justly entitle them to-a ride on a rail.
Other toasts were: The Mayor and Citizens of Goderich ; The Mineral Wealth of the Peninsula ; The City of Detroit and Its Mayor; The Goderich Line of Steamers ; The Saginaw and Genesee Plank Road ; and Our Mothers, Wives, Sisters and Sweethearts."
The Grand Ball.
The ball was next in order and in commenting on this the Courier said : "Terpsichorean festivities went on till 'the glorious ring of day' had deeply tinged the eastern horizon with 'streakings' of the morning light, when the gallant cavaliers escorted their layde loves to their respective homes. They danced all night till broad daylight, and went home with the gals in the morning.
"During the whole of the festivities, from first to last, there was nothing to mar the harmony of the occasion, and everything passed off to the entire satisfaction of all.'
The Bancroft House Proprietors.
The first proprietor of the Bancroft, Henry Hobbs, of New York City, was succeeded several years after by Pantlind, Witt & Company, who announced in the History of Saginaw Valley, published in 1868, that "This house has lately been refitted and refurnished, and is now complete in all its appointments. Ample accommodations for three hundred guests." Later the hotel was operated by Pantlind & Dyckman, and in 1874 Israel B. Norcross was the proprietor.
The best known and most successful manager of this popular house was Farnham Lyon, who remained in charge for more than thirty years and made a reputation for the hotel which extended far and wide. He was succeeded by William F. Schultz, for many years steward of the house, who continued as manager until the old hostelry was closed.
Finis of the Old House.
After a continuous operation of fifty-six years, in which the hotel earned a high reputation for the excellence of its cuisine and care of its guests, the old Bancroft was closed on August 28, 1915. During these years many distinguished men, including statesmen, capitalists, politicians, actors and lumbermen stopped at this popular hostelry, and its fame extended far beyond the confines of the State. Its corned-beef hash was one of the numerous items on its daily menu, that became known far and wide and helped to give the house its celebrity. In fact Bancroft House hash may be obtained any day at several of the large hotels of New York City.
The Bancroft Realty Company was organized in 1915, to acquire and hold all the hotel property so long owned by the Hoyt Estate. and to erect on the site a new, modern, fire-proof structure, thus providing this city with a first-class hotel. The property, which had originally cost Jesse lloyt about one hundred thousand dollars, was transferred to the new company for a consideration of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, secured by second mortgage bonds. The old building, including Irving llall which had been erected in 1864, was demolished in September, 1915, and the new hotel build- ing soon arose upon the solid foundations of the old.
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[From a photograph by Goodridge ]
THE SAGINAW NAVAL RESERVES, SECOND DIVISION M. S. N. B., ON EVE OF DEPARTURE FOR THE ATLANTIC COAST, APRIL 10, 1917
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
THE NEW HOTEL BANCROFT, OPENED IN JULY. 1916
The New Hotel Bancroft
The new structure of lonic style of architecture, without embellishment, is one hundred and sixty feet on Genesee Avenue and one hundred and forty teet on Washington Avenue. It is of reinforced concrete with rough brick facing, with tile flooring and marble trimmings, and cost approximately five hundred thousand dollars. The building was completed early in July, 1916, and was opened to the public on July 20th, the first meal being served in the cafe Sunday morning, July 23d.
The furnishings and fixtures are of the most tasty and pleasing style, in perfect harmony with the interior finish, and cost eighty thousand dollars. There are two hundred and thirty-seven rooms, of which fifty-five have shower baths, sixty shower and tub arrangements, twenty-five large sample rooms with shower baths, and sixty rooms with running water only ; and there is ample closet space in all rooms. In addition to this there are four- teen suites with private bed room and bath, connected with the drawing room. Among other features are commodious reception and rest rooms, and a ban- quet hall finished in white and gold, which will seat three hundred persons, and is directly connected with the mezzanine balcony.
From the main entrance on Washington Avenue a short corridor leads to the spacious lobby, thirty-five by seventy feet in size, where the magnifi- cence of the hotel is first revealed. The American walnut finish in huge panels, relieved by edgings of gold, gives a highly artistic tone to the interior. In its appointments for the convenience of guests the hotel is absolutely up to the minute, and it has that touch of home atmosphere which makes the weary traveller glad to get within its welcoming portals.
The floor of the lobby is a huge checkerboard of black and white marble, upon which are laid large heavy rugs in harmonious colors. Carried through the second floor, upon which is the balcony elegantly furnished, is the ceiling
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VARIED COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
of frosted glass admitting a soft, diffused light to the floors below. On the south side of the lobby are the desk, telephone booths, cigar and newspaper stand, and entrance to the barber shop, coffee shop, telegraph office, billiard parlors and roof garden.
There is also a ladies' entrance from Genesee Avenue connecting with the ladies' rest room, elevators and lobby, and on the right with the sumpt- uous cafe, which is decorated in gray and gold. The service is a la carte and table d'hote, with strictly European plan for the hotel.
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