USA > Michigan > Huron County > Portrait and biographical album of Huron county Michigan, Containing biographical sketches of citizens also a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 43
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436
HURON COUNTY.
went out, owing to the depression in the iron trade and the high price of fuel. In 1879 the property changed hands, additional works were put in and the furnace was started again. It ran for awhile and then closed. The property again changed hands, and is now owned by A. G. Stone, of Cleveland.
J. A. Holmes is one of the enterprising merchants of Caseville. He has a large assortment of dry goods, groceries and general merchandise, which in- cludes an extensive line of furniture. He cast his fortunes with the good people of Caseville in 1871. Dr. J. W. Jackson opened in the spring of 1882 a very fine line of drugs, medicines, etc. He is also a practicing physician, with a good list of patrons. Dr. S. J. Henderson has also a drug store in con- nection with his practice.
The Poss House is a fine hostelry, presided over by J. R. Poss, and was opened to the public in 1877, being the second hotel started by him in the village. He is also an extensive farmer, having three large farms under cultivation.
There are two other hotels in the place, besides the Poss House, namely: The Central House, kept by E. Midline, and the Gonder House, kept by Con- rad Gonder.
W. J. Dell keeps a general grocery store, and a meat market adjoining. There is also a market, kept by W. Loosmore.
James Adams, an old resident of Caseville, showed his faith in the future of the town last spring by opening a store with a large stock of general mer- chandise at the head of Main Street.
The ladies of the village and vicinity are supplied with those indispensable articles of millinery so necessary to their adornment, by Mrs. Alice Lloid.
There is also a blacksmith and wagon shop at Caseville, owned by Neil Connelly, and a shoe shop by R. Lankin ..
The legal profession has in it an able representa- tive at this point in the person of T. B. Woodworth, the present worthy County Attorney.
Hiram Kellsey is the representative of Uncle Sam in the postoffice. Mails are received daily by rail, and daily each way by stage. In January, 1874, T. B. Woodworth, Esq., started the Caseville Advertiser, a weekly paper. He published the same until 1876, when, to the regret of the citizens of the town, he sold out to the Huron County News Company, and the paper was moved to Port Austin.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal Church-was organized on the 26th of September, 1868, under the laws of the State, by the Rev. Manasseh Hickey, Presiding Elder of the Flint District, with 12 members. The Trustees were, T. B. Woodworth, Mrs. Fisher, Ed- ward Hardy, Francis Crawford, Horace Murdock, D. L. Lighthall and Henry Campo. The first min- ister sent here was Rev. Wm. Cross, in 1867. Ser- vices were held in the school-house until their church edifice was built, which was in 1874. It was dedicated November 15, same year, Rev. Jocelyn Russell, of Albion College, officiating. The Pastor at this time was the Rev. R. Woodhans. It is a large, fine frame building, of Gothic architecture, and cost $4,279. Present membership, thirty-six. The Rev. J. B. Russell is the present Pastor. In addition to this charge, Mr. Russell holds service at Wild Fowl, Maple Grove and Bay Port. There are a Sabbath-school and Bible Class connected with this society.
Catholic Church .- This society has a membership of twenty-six families. There is no resident priest. The. Rev. Father N. L. Maschino, of Port Anstin, officiates, holding service here every six weeks. In March, 1875, they purchased the school building which had been vacated upon the completion of the new school-house, and fitted it up for a church. It was dedicated the following June, by the Rev. Bishop Borgess, of Detroit. They are intending to build a fence around the church, put up a bell and furnish an organ, when their arrangements for the present will be completed.
German Lutheran .- There is a German Lutheran society in the village, but we regret that we were un- able to procure any intelligent information regard- ing it.
SCHOOLS.
In educational matters the citizens of Caseville have been progressive. The first school opened in this place was in 1859, in a frame building, and was taught by Miss Ninnie Quinn. The present school building, which is the third one built since the first settlement, is located on section 35, and, in the enumeration of township schools, is in District "No. I." It is a large two-story structure, with three large, airy apartments, and cost $6,000. There are 200 scholars on the rolls. Mr. M. Medaugh is
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HURON COUNTY.
437
Principal, Miss Mary Milwrick has charge of the in- termediate, and Etta Adams the primary, depart- ment. There is an exceedingly well assorted library connected with this school.
MASONIC LODGE.
Caseville Lodge, No. 368, F. & A. M., was or- ganized in September, 1883, and received a charter from the Grand Lodge at its session in January, 1884. The lodge started with thirteen charter members, viz .: John Conlin, Gustave A. Flach, James Curran, Neil Conley, John McKinzie, John Harder, George Gardner, S. J. Henderson, Charles P. Seippardt, Hecler McLean, L. S. Johnson, Wes- ley E. Bailey and Richard Lankin. John Conlin is Master. The membership has increased to twenty. They have leased a hall for five years and fitted it up for their meetings.
While the fires of 1871 and 1881 did a great deal of damage, yet they facilitated the clearing up of the country, and to this extent they were a benefit. This beautiful little village has the elements of growth, and the possibilities of a prosperous future; yet it is not likely that there will be any material change for her until her business interests are more evenly distributed.
CHANDLER GOWNSHIP.
HE Board of Supervisors at their annual meeting in 1879 adopted resolutions pro- viding for the organization of this township. In accordance with this action of the Board, & meeting was held on the first Monday in April, 1880, when the town officers were duly elected, the organization perfected, and the township of Chandler assumed the duties of self-government. These responsible proceedings were held in a school- house on section 3. William Smith was elected Supervisor. It was named after Michigan's great statesman, the late Zachariah Chandler. It was organized from the township of Lake, and is num- bered 17 north, in range 11 east. Its boundaries are as follows: On the north by Lake, the east by Meade, the south by Oliver, and on the west by Caseville.
Thomas Edwards located in the township in 1860, and is reputed to be the first settler.
The land is rolling in the north and east; in the south and west, flat; and the soil is clay loam. Two- thirds of the township was burned over in the fire of 1871, and three-fourths in 1881. There still re- mains about 10,000 acres of wild land. The Pin- nebog River makes a circuitous passage through the township, affording excellent facilities for drainage, and for floating their logs down to the mills at Port Crescent.
All kinds of northern fruits do well here except peaches. Good water is readily obtained. The nearest port and railroad depot is Caseville. The little town of Soule, which is located on a branch of the Pinnebog, affords the people a place to trade and exchange their products. There is at this hamlet a flouring-mill, saw-mill and two stores; also a black- smith, and boot and shoe shop. Samuel D. Grum- ney operates the mills, and S. A. Mosher, who is the Postmaster, owns one store, and B. W. Bayed the other. There are four school-houses in this township, located respectively on sections 5, 12, 20 and 24. Two of the school-houses are frame, and two log buildings. The largest yield of wheat in this township is 60 bushels per acre; corn, 100, and potatoes, 150 bushels.
There is a large Catholic society, who have a good- sized, substantial church building. Rev. N. L. Maschino, from Port Austin, holds service here every fourth Sunday. There is a Methodist charge, with twenty members, presided over by Rev. Mr. Diehl. The first regular service was held in 1871.
Only two gentlemen have had the honor, so far, to represent this township in the capacity of Supervisor, namely : William Smith, who served from 1880 to 1883, and Moses E. Soule, the present incumbent.
COLFAX GOWNSHIP.
COLFAX Township is located very near the center of the county, and is numbered 16 north and 12 east. It is bounded on the north by Meade, on the east by Verona, on the south by Sheridan, and on the west by Oliver.
This township was organized November, 1868, by
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HURON COUNTY.
an order of the Board of Supervisors, made in Oc- tober, 1868. The election was held on the third day of November, 1868, at the house of Mrs. Peacock, on section 24. Melzer Granger was elected Super- visor, Oliver Healy, Treasurer, and Charles E. Brown, Clerk.
Elijah Brown, who, with his family, located on section 21, was the first settler. About the same time came Francis Nash, M. W. Farnsworth and John Peacock, with their families. The first school was opened in 1869, with fifteen scholars. Elijah Brown brought the first mail into the township.
The soil is a rich clay loam, and its production for the acre is above the avearage.
The County Poor Farm is located in this town- ship, near its eastern line, and about one mile west of Bad Axe.
The people of this township suffered severely from the fires of 1871 and 1881. Aside from the sad history and terrible suffering, some peculiar phases of character and strange incidents were brought out. One narrative, given by farmer Francis Nash, who lives about three miles north of Bad Axe, may be of interest. He had seen the smoke coming up from the south, but at first thought nothing of it. Soon the fire was within a mile of his farm, coming up toward the back end. In less than half an hour the trees in the woods not far from his house were fall- ing, to use his expression, "faster than his clock could tick!" When asked how he saved his build- ings, he said he " fought the fire for life and home." The open field in front favored him, and the fire passed around on its devouring way. When his own home was out of danger, he started off to look after his neighbors.
Not far from him there lived a family consisting of a wife and three small children, one in the arms of its mother. Near this place there were two open- ings, or cleared ground, of several acres, and lying between was a small place covered with timber of a very combustible nature. The dwelling-house stood in one of these clearings, and in the rear of the tim- ber toward which the fire with furious force was leaping. As Mr. Nash approached the house, he saw the man walking frantically back and forth on the ridge of his house, swinging an empty pail and calling for help. The wife was bringing the house- hold goods out and piling them up a little way from the house. He called for the man in vain to come
down, and tried to induce the woman to put the goods back in the dwelling, as it was the safest place. This she refused to do, and then he put them back. He then took the two oldest children and started for the other clearing, bidding the mother to follow. She went on a few yards, and when they approached the fire line she stopped and could not be forced to go any further. He put down the two children, snatched the baby from its mother's arms and ran off, ordering her to follow. When he arrived at the open field and out of danger, he turned about, and there stood the mother with her two children just where he had left her, and sur- rounded by the fire. He laid the baby down in the field, and, returning through smoke and flame, took a child under each arm, shook the mother and bade her follow him. True to the character of the mother, she could not bear the separation from her children, and she rushed after them and was saved. As soon as the fire abated, they returned over the burnt field to the place. The house was in ashes. At a short distance was the husband and father, seated on a pile of household goods, and close at his feet were his pigs, all safe.
A part of the history of this township will be em- braced in that of the village of Bad Axe.
SUPERVISORS :
Melzer Granger, 1868-72
Francis Murphy, 1873-4
James Hailey, 1875
James D. Russell, 1876-7
Melzer Granger, 1878
George H. Rogers, 1879
Henry Dawson, 1880
Melzer Granger, 1881
J. W. Carpenter, 1882
James Hailey, 1883-4
DWIGHT GOWNSHIP.
WIGHT Township was settled in 1856.
Henry Hellems has the honor of being the first settler, and also the first Supervisor. This township is 18 north, of range 13 east, and is surrounded by the townships of Port Austin on the north, Huron on the east, Lincoln on the south, and Hume on the west. The land is rolling
HURON COUNTY.
439
at the north and the remainder is flat. The soil is of a gravelly clay loam nature in the northern part; in the southern, sandy. The timber originally was hard-wood, with some pine and hemlock. Nearly the entire township was burned over in 1871, and about one-half the southwestern and northern por- tions in 1881. About one-third of the land is under cultivation. Bird's Creek, with its tributaries, runs through the township, which affords good drainage. The largest yield of wheat is fifty bushels ; the aver- age, twenty bushels per acre. All kinds of fruit do well here, except cherries, which one farmer says would do well were it not for the birds.
There is a saw-mill in the township, which cuts lumber for home markets. There are no churches ; but the township has three schools, which are located on sections 13, 17 and 25.
SUPERVISORS.
It has been represented by the following named Supervisors since 1864. Back of this, on account of the destruction of the records by fire, we have no definite information.
Thomas Nichols, 1864-5
Henry Hellems, 1866
Thomas Nichols, 1867
Henry Hellems, 1868-9
William Carter,
1870-5
William Stoddard,
1876
Henry Hellems, 1877-8
William Stoddard,
1879
B. A. Stoddard, 1880-I
Thomas Sullivan,
1882-4
FAIR HAVEN GOWNSHIP.
F AIR HAVEN Township was organized April 14, 1863. There were 22 votes cast at this election, which elected John G. Davis for Supervisor, Wellington Bordeau for Clerk, and A. Chapman for Treasurer; Carl Heisterman, A. Chapman, Frederick Elsaesser and John Foster were chosen Justices of the Peace. The northern and western boundary of this township is Saginaw Bay, the eastern Winsor, and the southern Sebewaing Townships. It is numbered 16 north, of range 9 east. It has three organized school districts,
located on sections 36, and 22, and on 36,17 and 9. This township is well timbered with ash, elm, beech, maple, oak, hemlock and pine. The land in the west- ern portion is undulating, and the soil is a sandy loam. In the eastern part of the township, it is clay loam.
ยท The fires of 187 I reached the eastern portion of the township, but it escaped the destruction of 1881. The Shebahyonk River, or Creek, drains Fair Haven, and affords good opportunity for drainage. Vegetables of all kinds do well, and the township boasts of having produced the largest yield of potatoes in the county, 300 bushels per acre!
The Evangelical Association furnish the people a place for worship. The nearest port is Bay Port. The Saginaw, Huron & Tuscola Railroad passes through the township, with its terminus at Bay Port, on Saginaw Bay. This is a new road, built more partic- ularly to accommodate tourists who visit the islands that lay off from Bay Port and along the coast of Fair Haven. These islands are said to be very pretty, with the additional advantage of having what tourists, and especially sportsmen, so much desire, good hunt- ing and fishing. The scenery along the shore of this township is beautiful, and is liberally shaded with fine forest trees. There are numerous little coves which small craft that are used for fishing and light commerce put into for harborage. These boats, lying close to the banks and in their rocking movements keeping time with the motion of the waves, with their little masts tapering up beneath the tall old forest trees and partially hid by their boughs, presents a scenic surprise to the traveler as he passes along the road.
The township is justly named Fair Haven. The} town of Bay Port is located at the northern point of the township; situated well and being the terminus of the railroad, it has the possibilities of becoming an important trading place in the future. J. C. Liken & Co. have a large supply store here which they have recently established. There is also a blacksmith and a wagon shop. A post-office has been opened, with daily mails each way from Caseville and Sebewaing. The railroad now carries the mail to and from Sebe- waing.
SUPERVISORS.
The names of the Supervisors with the terms served are given below :
John G. Davis, 1863
Carl Heisterman, 1864
0
440
HURON COUNTY.
Phillip Sharpstine,
1855
Carl Heisterman,
.
I866
J. W. Snell,
1867
Carl Heisterman,
1868
Francis Thompson,
1869
Carl Heisterman,
1870
J. W. Snell,
1871
Carl Heisterman,
1872-3
J. W. Snell,
1874
Carl Heisterman,
1875-6
J. W. Snell,
1877-8
George Carpenter,
1879
John Linsen,
1880
Robert Lambert,
188I
Sidney A. Smith,
1882
John P. Weeks,
1883
Wm. Henne,
1884
Kilmanagh.
ILMANAGH hamlet, judging from the fact that it has taken for its site four townships, must have very ambitious aspirations. It corners on Fair Haven, Winsor, Brookfield and Sebewaing townships. Its business is repre- sented by C. Haist, who deals in general merchandise; G. Kendinger, who has a saw-mill and a flouring-mill, and a lively trade. J. C. Liken & Co. have a branch store here. John Griel is the boot and shoe maker, and John Hortop does the black- smithing for the place. A post-office was established here in 1873, with F. Thompson as Postmaster. It may seem a little peculiar in this age of change, but nevertheless Postmaster Thompson is still at his post. Mails arrive semi-weekly from Sebewaing and Bad Axe.
Kilmanagh is located in the center of a rich farm- ing country, and consequently has within herself the elements of prosperity.
GORE GOWNSHIP.
HIS township was organized- from Rubicon in 1862. The first officers elected were, John H. Tucker for Supervisor, George Allen, Clerk, and Robert Hunter for Treasurer. Wm. H. Lane, Robert Hunter, John N. Smith and Christian Pachert were chosen for Justices of the Peace; Highway Commissioner, John Mills ; School Inspectors-Robert Hunter, F. Fuller and George Allen. It has one school district, which was also organized in 1862.
Its northern and eastern boundary is Lake Huron ; on the south lies Rubicon, and on the west Huron Township. It is numbered 18 north, of range 15 east. The territory of Gore Township is limited, containing a small portion of the area of a full Con- gressional township. Its soil and its advantages are about the same as those of Rubicon. The land is somewhat rolling. Its long shore line affords superior water facilities, and makes the location of the township an attractive one. It is well settled up, with a good farming community, who are in the main thrifty and independent. The history of Rubi- con is a part of the history of this township. The people's early pioneer life, their struggles and priva- tions, their defeats and triumphs, were together. The citizens of this township do their trading mostly at Port Hope. They suffered terribly by the fires of 1881. The township was burned all over except a small area in the southeast corner. From the organ- ization to the present time this township has been served by the following named
SUPERVISORS :
John H. Tucker, 1862-4
E. J. Johnson, I865
George Allen, 1866-7
F. Fuller, 1868-70
E. J. Johnson, 1871
F. Fuller, 1872
George Allen, 1873
E. J. Johnson,
1874-5
HURON COUNTY.
441
George Sutherland,
1876-9
Charles Gettz,
I880
George Sutherland,
1881
Charles Gettz,
1882-4
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GRANT GOWNSHIP.
& BRANT Township was organized by the Board of Supervisors in April, 1867. It is numbered 15 north, of range II east. The first Supervisor elected was Levi Williamson. This man was the first settler, locating in 1863, and is still residing in this division of the county.
This township was well timbered with elm, maple, beech, pine and hemlock. The surface of the land in the northern portion is flat; in the southern, roll- ing. The soil is clay loom, in some parts, and in others, sandy, with clay as sub-soil. The northwest- ern and northeastern portions were burned over in the fire of 1871; in the fire of 1881, the southeast- ern portion. It is estimated that there is about 6,000 acres of swamp land, and some 14,000 acres of what is called here " wild land " in the township. The principal crops raised are oats, wheat, corn and barley. This region is drained by the Pigeon River and the Shebahyonk Creek. There are two saw- mills, a cooper and blacksmith shop, and a shoe- shop. The postoffice is at Canboro, and C. G. W. Parker, who also keeps a general store, officiates as Postmaster. There are mails each way semi-weekly from Sebewaing and Bad Axe. The postoffice was established in 1870. Mr. Parker was appointed to take charge of this much coveted office; and time, which makes so many changes in official life, has chronicled none for him. May none be made here- after.
The nearest port for this township is Sebewaing, and the nearest railroad station, Bad Axe. It is well supplied with school buildings, which are located as follows: Sections 29, 7, 9, 1, 28 and 25. There is a church building, occupied jointly by the Baptist and Methodist societies. There is some choice farming land in this township, and many good farms
and farm houses. It was named after the hero of Appomattox, and with such a name it cannot be otherwise than prosperous. The boundary lines are formed on the north by Oliver, the east by Sheridan, the south by Sanilac County, and on the west by Brookfield. The following-named citizens have represented this township as
SUPERVISORS :
William Teller, 1869
Joseph Bruckenbery, 1870-2
Edward Lumbkin, 1873
Joseph Bruckenbery, 1874-6
Levi Williamson, 1877-8
R. C. Hallock, 1879
John W. Murphy, 1880-3
R. C. Hallock, 1884
DUME GOWNSHIP.
UME Township forms part of the northern 00 boundary of the Peninsula, and is num- bered 18 north, of range 12 east. It is bounded on the north by Saginaw Bay, on the east by Dwight, south by Meade, and on the west by - Lake Township. Its organization was completed in 1860, the election for this purpose being held at Walter Hume's store. Wesley Armstrong was chosen Supervisor, Walter Hume, Treasurer, and Archibald Thompson, Clerk.
Walter Hume and family, who came in 1850, are credited with being the first settlers.
This township was heavily timbered with pine, hem- lock, cedar, beech and maple. The soil is clay loam, except that bordering on the Bay. It is drained by the Pinnepog River, which was for many years the principal means of transporting logs to the saw-mills at Port Crescent. These mills have dismantled the forests, together with the fires of 1871 and 1881, so that now timber is regarded as being rather scarce. About three-fourths of the land is under cultivation. The soil is good for raising all kinds of cereals, and the location is well adapted to the cultivation of fruit. The water is good and can be easily obtained.
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HURON COUNTY.
The nearest port is Port Crescent; and the nearest railroad station is four miles away.
The township has been represented by the follow- ing named gentlemen as
SUPERVISORS :
Wesley Armstrong, 1860-I
James Armstrong, 1862-5
Charles F. Hazen, 1866
J. B. Johnson,
1867
James B. Armstrong,
1868
J. B. Johnson, 1869
W. D. Kelley,
1870
John Shine,
1871-6
Wm. C. Williamson,
1877-83
John Shine, 1884
Port Crescent.
9
A BT the mouth of the Pinnepog River and on of a bluff overlooking Saginaw Bay is located the village of Port Crescent, containing some 350 souls. The peculiar crescent-shaped line of the bay forms a most natural harbor. From this peculiarity the town receives its name. It is about the center between the east and west lines of the county, in Hume Township. A daily mail runs to Port Austin and Caseville. There are two piers (or " docks," as they are called here), where vessels and steamboats land and deliver their goods and re- ceive their cargoes. Boats from Detroit and Port Huron running to Bay City, and often those going around the lakes, stop here.
The Pinnepog River, extending some twenty-five miles into the interior of the county, and command- ing several miles of country on each side of its banks, has afforded unusual facilities to lumber manu- facturers for floating down logs to their mills. As fine a body of timber as ever was seen once shaded this land; but it has now fallen before the ax of the sturdy pioneer, been manufactured into lumber, passed from the beautiful shores of this village, and became a factor in the construction of many of the cities of the country. Notwithstanding the great drain upon these grand old forests for many years, and although they look bare compared with their once dense growth, there is considerable yet left awaiting the ax and the saw.
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