USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 11
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3.325
1.947
1,165
Saginaw
4.829
5,SOI
436
Gratiot
2,526
1,780
656
Montcalm
4,140
3,067
492
Isabella
,375
1,089
Midland
758
514
241
Cass
2,856
2,157
425
St. Joseph
3,134
1,8440
1,500
Kalamazoo
4,459
2,976
572
Van Buren
4,094
1,923
1,163
Total
19.096
12,424
4.193
Republican plurality
6.672
Republican majority
2.479
FIFTH DISTRICT.
Allegan
4,657
1.S. 6
1,789
Kent
7,879
5.305
3,227
Ottawa
3,289
2 072
$37
Ionia
4.262
666
3.048
Total
.20,057
0.939
S.901
Missaukee
26S
121
21
Charlevoix
79.3
276
95
Republican majority
1,207
Antrim
595
193
171
Total.
IS.945
16,596
1,674
Republican plurality
2 349
Republican majority
675
THIRD DISTRICT.
Jackson
4.564
3,287
2,196
Calhoun
5,134
2,915
1,067
Branch
4.106
1,OSI
1,748
Barry
3,072
Eaton
4.341
1,677
1,608
Total
21,267
9.739
8,959
Republican plurality
11,528
Republican majority
2,571
FOURTH DISTRICT.
Berrien
4.553
3.523
533
Total
16,953
14,198
3.101
Republican plurality
2,755
Democrat and Greenback over Republican
346
NINTHE DISTRICT.
Muskegon.
2,737
1.496
605
Oceana
1,479
959
Newaygo
1.549
1,796
12
Mecosta
1,592
1,020
91
O-ccola
1,23.4
577
20
Lake
583
26.1
I
Mason
1,259
S32
Manistee
1,170
1,09S
Wexford
1.112
47
Republican plurality
10,108
2.340
3.938
Y
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
102
IIISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
County.
Rep.
Dem.
Green- back.
County.
Rep. Dem.
Green- back.
Kalkaska
495
18I
Total
14,875
9,294
1,063
Republican plurality.
-5,581
Republican majority.
4,518
TENTH DISTRICT.
Tuscola
2,872
I,812
ISO
Bay
2,483
2,39S
1,568
Caldwin
147
260
5
Clare
451
412
41
Roscommon
564
413
72
Ogemaw
280
I73
57
Iosco
766
50
S
Crawford
24
Oscoda
Alcona
388
250
8
Alpena
948
835
48
Montmorency
Otsego
329
217
83
Presque Isle
209
151
Cheboygan
5SI
571
83
· Emmet
809
603
4
Total.
10,978
8,776
2,ISO
Republican majority
4,168
There were also prohibition and scattering votes returned for Congress in 1880 as follows: Second district, 191; third, 234; fourth, 24; fifth, 18; sixth, 78; seventh, 18; eighth, 16; ninth, 21; tenth, 7; and eleventh, 95. In Isle Royal County, in 1880, no election was held, and Oscoda and Montmorency Counties were not organized.
The population of the several distriets in 1870 and 1880 and the total increase for the ten years are shown by the following table :
District.
l'op. 1870.
Pop. 1880.
Increase.
First.
119.03S
166,444
47,400
Second
146 196.
156.538.
10,342
Third
140,212
164 966
18,754
Fourth
143.356
150,569
7,213
Fifth
136,840
178.066
41,226
Sixth
142 276
164 784
22,508
Seventh
109.233
154,392
45.152
Eightlı.
92 792
160,269.
67,498
Ninth
51,943-
125,210
73.267
Tenth
40.439
III.15I
70,712
Eleventh
55,794
104,527
49,733
498
8
Leelenau
6.43
564
72
Benzie
430
192
141
Manitou
36
I37
Chippewa
358
325
Mackinac
143
298
Schoolcraft
172
I7
Marquette.
2,449
1,255
Baraga
180
219
Houghton
2.107
1,283
Keewenaw
610
237
Ontonagon
306
147
1.4
Isle Royal
Menominee
1,304
900
Delta
724
414
Total
10,789
6,486
235
Republican plurality
4,303
Republican plurality
2,202
Republican majority
22
ELEVENTH DISTRICT.
Grand Traverse.
1,327
If a similar rate of increase is kept up in the northern counties, the eighth, ninth and tenth districts will before the end of the decade largely exceed in popu- lation certain of the older districts.
103
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
CHAPTER VII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE FUR - TRADERS AND SLAVE OWNERS.
The British at Detroit changed their policy somewhat, and endeavored to conediate the Indians, paying them for land and encouraging Freneh settlements in the vieinity. This encouragement was exhibited, in part, in showing some par- tiality to French customs.
At this time the fur trade was considerably revived, the principal point of shipment being the Grand Portage of Lake Superior. The charter boundaries of the two companies, the Hudson's Bay and the Northwest, not having been very well-defined, the employees of the respective companies often came into conflict. Lord Selkirk, the head of the former company, ended the difficulty by uniting the stock of both companies. An attempt was also made to mine and ship eopper, but the projeet was found too expensive.
SLAVERY IN MICHIGAN.
The following references to the slave in Michigan have been extracted from the able paper prepared on that subject by J. A. Girardin. In olden times the eity of Detroit and vicinity had slaves among its inhabitants. The old citizens generally purchased them from marauding bands of Indians, who had captured the negro slaves in their war depredations on plantations. Many were thus brought from Virginia, New York, and Indiana, and sold to the inhabitants of Detroit, sometimes for nominal prices. Among our old citizens who were slaveholders in the oklen times were the late Major Joseph Campau, George MeDougall, James Duperon Baby, Abbott & Finchly, and several others. The negro slaves were well treated by their owners. Many of those poor captives when sold and released were at once well taken care of by our ancient inhabitants. Some- times the price of a negro slave was regulated according to his intrinsic value, but the priee was quite high for those days. For instance : A negro boy named Frank, aged 12 years, the property of the late Phillip Jonciere, of Belle Fontaine, now Springwells, was sold on the 22d day of October. 1793, by William Roe, acting anetioneer, to the late Hon. James Duperon Baby, for the sum of $218. New York curreney, equal to 8532.50 of our money. Mr. Baby being the highest bidder, he, Frank, was adjudged to him for the benefit of Mr. Joneier's estate.
104
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
In the records of baptism of St. Anne's Church, several persons of color we find recorded as having received the sacrament of baptism, and, in the absence of family names we find that the names of "Margaret," for instance, a negress, " unknown " would be entered in the absence of her regular family name ; several instances of this kind are entered in the old records. During the administration of the Governor and Judges of the Territory of Michigan, several negroes received donation lots. Among them was a well known negro named "Pompey," the property of the late James Abbott. As a class the negroes were esteemed by our ancient population ; many of them could speak the French language fluently, espe- cially those living with their French masters. But little cruelty was practiced by
their owners. There was no Wendell Phillips nor any Lloyd Garrison, nor any " higher law doctrine," expounded in those days to disturb the mind of the slave or the slaveholder. Every one lived in Arcadian simplicity and contentment. The negro was satisfied with his position, and rendered valuable services to his master, and was ever ready to help him against the treacherous Indians. During the war of 1812 several of them accompanied their masters to the battle-field, and mate- rially helped their masters and the troops.
By an ordinance enacted by Congress, dated July 13, 1787, entitled " An act for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio River," there was a clause in Article VI saying that " there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes." This was a safeguard by Congress to prevent the extension of slavery northwest of the Ohio River. Notwithstanding this wise provision our an- cestors paid but little attention to it, for whenever a spruce negro was brought by the Indians he was sure to find a purchaser at a reasonable price. Most every prominent man in those days had a slave or two, especially merchants trading with the Indians.
Detroit and vicinity was a heaven to the slave compared to the Southern States, although slavery was carried on on a moderate scale here, there being no cotton or rice fields to employ them in, their labor being on the plantations near Detroit, or at their masters' honses. The master, once attached to his " Sambo," a great price would have to be paid to buy him.
The late Judge May had a slave-woman who had come to his hands for a debt owed him by one Granchin. This faithful slave served the Judge some twenty- five years. Mr. Joseph Campau, an extensive trader in those days, had as many as ten slaves at different times. Among them was a young negro named "Crow," who was quite a favorite of Mr. C., who had him dressed in scarlet, a contrast with his color. This negro, to the amusement of the inhabitants of the old town, used to ascend old St. Anne's Church steeple and there perform some of his gymnastic
-
105
6
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
tricks. He was supple and elastic as a circus-rider. He had been purchased at Montreal by Mr. Campau. He was afterward drowned from one of Mr. C.'s bat- teaux. "Ilannah," another intelligent colored woman, was purchased at Montreal by Mr. C. This faithful slave, after serving him several years, married " Patterson," also a slave. " Mulet," one of the most honest and faithful of all slaves, also be- longed to Mr. Campau, who very often employed him as confidential clerk. This slave died but a few years ago at a very advanced age, respected and esteemed for his great integrity and fidelity. The slave " Tetro " was among the favorites of Maj. Campau. He, too, was as faithful and as honest as the day was long.
The late Gen. John R. Williams also possessed a slave, named " Hector." He, too, was faithful and trustworthy. In the year 1831 Daniel Leroy, Olmstead Chamberlain, and Gideon O. Whittemore sold to Col. Mack, Gen. Williams, and Maj. Campan the newspaper called the Oakland Chronicle, the office being trans- ferred here, and the well known slave " Hector " was placed in charge of it. When the late Col. Sheldon MeKnight entered to take possession, he was fiercely resisted by " Heetor who showed fight, and the Colonel had to retreat. This paper was afterward merged into the Free Press of this city.
Ann Wyley, a former slave, suffered the extreme penalty of the law for having stolen six guineas from the firm of Abbott & Finchley. She was sentenced to death by a justice of the peace, and buried on the spot where St. Anne's Church now stands, which ground was used as a place of burial in early days; and when, in 1817, the foundations of the church were being excavated for, the body of this unfortunate woman was found, face downward. It was supposed that she was in a trance at the time of her burial. This incident was related to me by an old lady, some years ago, who knew all about the facts, and who has since died.
The late Joseph Dronillard, of Petite Cote, Canada, had two daughters. Upon the marriage of one of them to the grandfather of your humble servant she received a farm ; the other received two slaves as her marriage portion. This goes to show that the negro in those days was considered a chattel. Several of our French farmers on both sides of the river had one or more of them.
Many anecdotes can be related of Africa's sons among our ancestors, and they as a class were well cared for and educated by their kind masters. I could digress and go into more details, but the present sketch will suffice to show our modern philanthropists that the slaves here in Detroit were as well treated as the families in which their lot had been cast. The question may be asked : " How did slavery die out here ?" The owners of slaves, after having received their services for a number of years generally would liberate them, or sometimes sell them to parties outside of the Territory. When the celebrated ordinance of 1757 was extended over the Northwest, Michigan assumed for the first time the first grade of govern-
.
106
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
ment, and the laws of Congress were put in force, no more slaves were afterward allowed to be brought into the Territory, and slavery was known no more here !
SALE OF NEGRO MAN POMPEY.
The following is a copy of a deed furnished by W. W. Backus of Detroit :
" Know all men by these presents : That I, James May of Detroit, for and in consideration of the sum of forty-five pounds, New York currency, to me in hand paid by John Askin, Esqr., of Detroit, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge to be fully satisfied and paid, have sold and delivered, and by these presents, in plain and open market, do bargain, sell, and deliver unto the said John Askin, Esqr., a certain negro man, Pompey by name, to have and to hold the said negro unto the said John Askin, Esqr., his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever ; and I, the said James May, for my heirs, executors, and assigns, against all manner of person or persons, shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four.
Signed,
JAMES MAY.
In presence of
ROBERT STEVENS.
I do hereby make over my whole right, title and interest in the above men- tioned negro man Pompey to Mr. James Donnolson of this place for the sum of fifty pounds, New York currency, the receipt of which I do hereby acknowledge, as witness my hand and seal at Detroit, this third day of January, 1795.
Signed, Witness, WILLIAM MCCLINTOCK.
JOHN ASKIN.
Throughout the counties of Wayne, Monroe, Macomb, and Oakland, the slave existed. True, he bore the same relation almost to his master, as the white laborer of the South did to his master previous to 1861. Yet he was a slave, liable to be bought and sold.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Michigan has as good a public-school system as can be found anywhere in the Union. Ever since 1785, the acts of Congress, as well as the aets of this State since its organization, have encouraged popular education by land grants and lib- eral appropriations of money. The 16th section of each township was early placed in the custody of the State for common-school purposes, and all the proceeds of the sale of school lands go into the perpetual fund. In 1842 the Superintendent of Public Instruction reported a discrepancy of over $22,000 in the funds, owing to im-
107
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
perfeet records, probably, rather than of dishonesty of officials. September 30, 1858, the primary school fund amounted to $2,890,090.73, and the swamp-land school fund to $361,237.20. The qualifieation of teachers and the supervision of schools were for many years in the hands of a board of three inspectors. then the county superin- tendency system was adopted for many years, and since 1875 the township system has been in vogue. The township Board of School inspectors now consists of the Township Clerk, one elected Inspector, and a Township Superintendent of Schools.
The latter officer licenses the teachers and visits the schools. In 1877, the school children (five to twenty years of age) numbered 469,501; the average number of months of school, 7.4; number of graded schools, 295 ; number of school- houses, 6,078, valued at $9,190,175 ; amount of two-mill tax, $492,646.94 ; district taxes, $2,217,961; total resources for the year, $3,792,129.59; total expenditures, $3,179,976.06.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
By an act of Congress in 1804, a township of land was to be reserved in the territory now constituting the lower peninsula " for the use of seminaries of learning ; " but the most of this reservation in 1841 went to a Catholic institution at Detroit. In 1824, through the exertions of Austin E. Wing, delegate to Con- gress, Gov. Woodbridge and others, a second township was granted, with permis- sion to select the seetions in detached localities, and about this time Judge Wood- ward devised that novel and extensive scheme for the " catholepistemaid," else- where referred to in this volume. In 1837 the Legislature established the University at Ann Arbor, and appropriated the seventy-two sections to its benefit ; 916 aeres of this land were located in what is now the richest part of Toledo, Ohio, from which the University finally realized less than 818,000.
But the State in subsequent years made many liberal appropriations to this favorite institution, until it has become the greatest seat of learning west of New England, if not in all America. It is a part of the public-school system of the State, as tuition is free, and pupils graduating at the high schools are permitted to enter the freshman class of the collegiate department. It now has an average attendance of 1.200 to 1,400 students, 450 of whom are in the college proper. In 1879 there were 406 in the law department. 329 in the medical. 71 in pharmacy. 62 in dental surgery, and 63 in the homeopathie department. There are over fifty professors and teachers. The University is under the control of eight regents, elected by the people, two every second year. Rev. Henry B. Tappan, D. D., was President from 1852 to 1863, then Erastus O. Haven, D. D., LL. D., to 1860, then Prof. II. S. Freeze (acting) until 1871, since which time the reins have been held by Hon. James B. Angell, LL. D.
108
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
The value of the buildings and grounds was estimated in 1879 at $319,000, and the personal property at $250,000.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
John D. Pierce, the first Superintendent of Public Instruction, in his first re- port to the Legislature, urged the importance of a normal school. In this enter- prise he was followed by his successors in office until 1849, when Ira Mayhew was State Superintendent, and the Legislature appropriated seventy-two sections of land for the purpose; and among the points competing for the location of the school, Ypsilanti won, and in that place the institution was permanently located. The building was completed and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, October 5, 1852 ; next year the Legislature appropriated $7,000 in money, for expenses. Prof. A. S. Welch, now President of Iowa Agricultural College, was elected the first Principal. In October, 1859, the building with contents was burned, and a new building was immediately erected. In 1878 the main building was enlarged at an expense of $43,347. This enlargement was 88x90 feet, and has a hall capa- ble of seating 1,200 persons. The value of buildings and other property at the present time is estimated at $111,100. Number of students, 616, including 144 in the primary department.
Each member of the Legislature is authorized by the Board of Education to appoint two students from his district who may attend one year free of tuition; other students pay $10 per annum. Graduates of this school are entitled to teach in this State without re-examination by any school officer.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The Michigan Agricultural College owes its establishment to a provision of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, " The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment of an agricultural school." For the purpose of carrying into practice this provision, legislation was commenced in 1855, and the act required that the school should be within ten miles of Lansing, and that not more than $15 an acre should be paid for the farm and college grounds. The college was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of existing agricultural colleges in the United States. Until the Spring of 1861 it was under the control of the State Board of Education ; since that time it has been under the manage- ment of the State Board of Agriculture, created for the purpose.
In its essential features of combining study and labor, and of uniting general and professional studies in its course, the college has remained virtually unchanged frem the first. It has had a steady growth in number of students, in means of illustration and efficiency of instruction.
An Act of Congress, approved July 2, 1862, donated to each State public lands
109
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
to the amount of 30,000 acres for each of its Senators and Representatives in Con- gress, according to the census of 1860, for the endowment, support and mainten- anee of at least one college where the leading object should be, without excluding other seientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts. The Legislature accepted this grant and bestowed it upon the Agricultural College. By its provisions the college has received 235,673.37 acres of land. Thesc lands have been placed in market, and about 74,000 acres are sold, yielding a fund of 8237,174, the interest of which, at seven per cent., is applied to the support of the college. The sale is under the direction of the Agricultural Land Grant Board, consisting of the Governor, Auditor General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General and Commissioner of the State Land Office.
The Agricultural College is three miles east of Lansing, comprising several fine buildings ; and there are, also, very beautiful, substantial residences for the professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled green-house, a very large and well-equipped and chemical laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the United States, a general museum, a museum of mechanical inventions, another of vegetable products, extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for the pur- poses designed. The farm consists of 676 aeres, of which about 300 are under cultivation is in a systematic rotation of erops.
OTHER COLLEGES.
At Albion is a flourishing college under the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The grounds comprise about fifteen aeres. There are three college buildings, each three stories high, having severally the dimensions of 46 by 80, 40 by 100, and 47 by 80 feet. The attendance in 1878 was 205. Tuition in the prepara- tory and collegiate studies is free. The faculty comprises nine members. The value of property about 885,000.
Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the " Methodist Church." The grounds contain about twenty acres. There are four buildings, capable of accommodating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 was 179; total number of graduates for previous years, 121; ten professors and teachers employed. Exclusive of the endowment fund (880,- 000), the assets of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furniture, appar- atus, musical instruments, outlying lands, etc., amount to more than $197,000. Hope College, at Holland, is under the patronage of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was begun in 1851, and in connection with the ordinary branches of learning. it has a theological department. In 1877 it had ten professors and teachers and 110 pupils. Up to 1875 there had graduated, in the preparatory department, begun in
110
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
1863, ninety-five ; in the academic, beginning in 1866, fifty-three ; and in the theo- logical, beginning in 1869, twenty-four. Value of real estate, $25,000; of other property, above incumbrance, about $10,000 ; the amount of endowment paid in is about $56,000.
Kalamazoo College, headed by Baptists, is situated on a five-acre lot of ground, and the property is valued at $35,000; investments, 888,000. There are six mem- bers of the faculty, and in 1878 there were 169 pupils.
Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the Free Baptists. The " Michi- gan Central College," at Spring Arbor, was incorporated in 1845. It was kept in operation until it was merged into the present Hillsdale College. The site com- prises twenty-five acres, beautifully situated on an eminence in the western part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and imposing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more modern style have been erected. They are of brick, three stories with basement, arranged on three sides of a quadrangle. Their size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 48 by 72, 48 by 72, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they contain one-half more room than the original building. Ex-Lieutenant Gov. E. B. Fairfield was the first president. The present president is Rev. D. W. C. Durgin, D. D. Whole number of graduates up to 1878, 375; number of students in all departments, 506; number of professors and instructors, 15; productive endowment, about $100,000; buildings and ground, $80,000 ; library, 6,200.
Olivet College, in Eaton County, is a lively and thorough literary and fine-art institution, under the joint auspices of the Presbyterian and Congregational denom- inations. Value of buildings and ground, about $85,000. Fourteen professors and teachers are employed, and the attendance in 1878 was 190, the sexes in about equal proportion. There are five departments, namely, the collegiate, preparatory, normal, music and art.
Battle Creek College, conducted by the Seventh-Day Adventists, was estab- lished in 1874, with four departments, eleven professors and teachers, and an attendance of 289. It is practically connected with a large health institution, where meat and medicines are eschewed. In 1878 there were fifteen instruct- ors and 478 students. Special attention is paid to hygiene and hygienie medi- cation.
Grand Traverse College was opened at Benzonia, in 1863, as the result of the efforts of Rev. Dr. J. B. Walter, a prominent divine of the Congregational Church. The friends of this institution have met with serious discouragements; their lands have not risen in value as anticipated, and they have suffered a heavy loss from fire ; but the college has been kept open to the present time, with an average of seventy pupils. The curriculum, however, has so far been only " preparatory." The land
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