USA > Michigan > Midland County > Portrait and biographical album of Midland County, Mich. containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 41
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The "Coleman Exchange" is an excellent hotel, the only one in the place without a bar, Mr. J. Pierce, the landlord, being a radical temperance man. Harvey Deuel is proprietor of the "Deuel House," which contains 15 rooms; a livery barn is kept in connection with it. A stock of wines, liquors and cigars is one of the attractions of this hotel. The Junction House, of which James Judge is pro- prietor, is a good hotel, containing nine rooms and a bar.
The first harness-maker was Horace J. Knight, who commenced business in the village of Coleman on Jan. 1, 1884.
The medical profession is represented by Dr. Budge, the resident physician, and Mrs. C. W. Taylor, of Loomis.
W. A. Chatterton carries a very large stock of drugs and medicines and a complete stock of station- ery as well as a full line of cigars and tobacco. Dr. Budge has just opened a new drug store and is do- ing a good business. There is but one school-house in the village ; it is a good and substantial one, but is too small to give to all the pupils the benefit of comfortable quarters. This lack of room has led to the necessity of constructing a new building, which will be done next year, and the schools will then be graded.
The religious welfare of the citizens of Coleman has not been neglected. A handsome church edi- fice, which cost $1,200, belongs to the Episcopal so- ciety, and the Methodists have a fine building, erected during the summer of 1884, at a cost of $2,000, and seating comfortably 400 persons. Rev. W. N. Younglove is the Pastor.
Coleman has now (1884) about 700 inhabitants, and is increasing in population more rapidly than any other village in the county. Its growth during the past twelve months has been truly surprising. During the past year there have been erected in the
village 52 buildings, at an aggregate cost of $50,000. The plank road now completed between Cedar, the county seat of Gladwin County, and Coleman, will do much to develop and bring to Coleman a large amount of trade which otherwise it would be de- prived of. The township of Warren appropriated $5,000 to build the road through their township, the whole line costing over $2,000.
The following gentlemen have served as Super- visors in Warren Township, in which the village of Coleman is located :
S. W. Hubbell 1873-6
1. Howard .. 1877-8
George Miller 1879-80
L. Howard. 1881
George Miller 1882
Floyd L. Post. 1883
George Miller 1884
Edenville Township.
DENVILLE Township is located in the northern part of Midland County, and is bounded on the north by Gladwin County, on the east by Hope and Lincoln Town- ships, on the south by Jerome, and on the west by Warren Township. Edenville is drained by the Tittabawassee River, a large stream which finds its source in the southern part of Ogemaw County, and, taking a southerly direction, enters Edenville at its northeast corner, flows southwest for a short distance, and, receiving the waters of Tobacco Creek, continues its course southward into Jero.ne.
The village of
EDENVILLE
is a neat little place on section 1, at the junc- tion of the Tittabawassee River and Tobacco Creek. It was platted in 1878 by Henry Church, who also kept the first hotel, which was built in the spring of 1863. Daniel Bowman built the first house on the village plat, of logs. David Burton followed with the construction of the first frame house. Kingsley Bab- cock was the proprietor of the first store, which con- tained a stock of general merchandise. The Rev. Francis Green delivered the first sermon in the village, in 1864, at the school-house previously erected on the site of the present one. Elizabeth Jacobs taught
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the first two terms of school, in the dwelling house of Daniel Bowman.
The manufacturing interests of Edenville are rep- resented by the following industries: Swanton Bros. operate a saw-mill which was built by C. W. W. Baker, and has the capacity of sawing 10,000 feet of lumber per day, and employs six men. A large black- smith and carriage shop is controlled by Norris Gill. The best hotel in the village is owned and managed by Thomas Moore, and is known as "Moore's Hotel." A livery barn is kept in connection with the hotel. The "Axford House" is run by Luther G. Carter. The postoffice was established in 1869, and Henry Church appointed the first Postmaster.
There are three religious societies in Edenville, the Methodist, Advent, and "Unions." The latter have by far the largest assemblies, and their meetings are held in the school-house; the other two societies have neat frame church buildings, with beautiful grounds surrounding them.
This little town at one time, between the years 1866 and 1880, became noted for the many famous encounters between the would-be champions of this part of the State and the Saginaw Valley, among whom were Jack Driscoll, alias "Silver Jack," Jack Shepherd, Dan Drum, - Burk, Murray Rankin and other roughis of more or less note. Here, too, lived Charlie Axford and Tom Moore, the two rival land- lords who aided not a little, with either wit or mus- cle, to give the place a reputation throughout the State. There are few men in Michigan at the pres- ent day who have not heard of "Sixteen;" it is, per- haps, the smallest town with the largest reputation of all in the State. Although blood flowed freely on numerous occasions, and many and desperate were the conflicts between rival aspirants for pugilistic honors, human life was not taken until 1877, when Dr. Rockwell killed Ben Wilbur in a dispute over the possession of a horse.
Here, too, resided some who were skillful and adroit in appropriating other people's goods to their own use without the consent of the owner. Jas. Rem- ick, now president of the Boom Company, once came down the liver with a drive of logs. It is customary to make a float of logs pinned together to carry the cooking utensils, provisions and other necessaries, as well as a tent for camping on shore. On this occa- sion Mr. Remiek came within a mile or two of "Six- teen," pitching his tent on the bank directly opposite
the float in the river. During the afternoon he visit - ed the village and remarked that he had heard that the place was noted for thieving, but he would risk all they could steal from him. He slept that night with his crew in the tent, kept a fire on the bank between the tent and float, and left a man to watch. Judge of his surprise in the morning when he awak- ened to find his provisions, hams, pork, flour, tea and even bread and fried cakes all gone ! He was obliged to go to the village to buy something for breakfast.
This, however, is a picture of the village of Eden- ville in the past, but not as it now is. The citizens are all quiet and peaceable, and have attained that high state of morality the chief aim of which is manly uprightness of character.
Abraham Egbert was the first settler in the town- ship, and first Justice of the Peace. David Burton, Daniel Bownan and Aaron Havens settled here in 1855. Timothy Jerome. built the first saw-mill in the township, on the river one mile above the village of Edenville, in 1853.
This township was formerly a part of Jerome. A petition signed by David Burton and others was pre- sented to the county Board of Supervisors, and on the 24th day of June, 1873, that body granted the request of the petitioners and erected the township. It is numbered 16 north and i west. The first election was held at the school-house in District No. 1, on the first Monday in April, 1874. G. B. Bard- well, H. H. Morgan and John W. Swanton were the electors. The Supervisors have served as follows :
SUPERVISORS.
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ยท S. Erway 1874
A. Marsh. 1875
S. Erway. 1876-80
T. Moore 1881-2
L. G. Porter.
1883
T. Moore.
1884
Larkin Township.
ARKIN Township lies in the eastern part of Midland County, and is numbered 15 north and 2 east. Its northern boundary is Hope Township; its eastern Bay County its southern, Midland, and its western Lincoln Township.
The settlers in this township occupy their time in
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winter in lumbering, and in summer in improving their lands; and most of them have very fine clear- ings. A large number of logs is cut out in this town- ship and hauled to the Tittabawassee River and then floated down to the mills below, where they are converted into lumber, lath and shingles. There are no towns, villages or postoffices in Larkin, the town- ship being new and as yet sparsely settled. It lies just north of Midland, and has all the advantage as regards capabilities of the soil that any other town- ship in Midland Coanty possesses. It was settled in 1876, mainly by immigration from Lincoln Town- ship. There are a number of school buildings, new and substantially constructed. The township is one of the best regulated in the county, one great advan- tage in its government being the strictly temperate principles of nearly all its denizens, most of whom are exact adherents of " the pledge."
Game of all kinds has been abundant in this township until recently. Deer, which frequently were found in large herds, are now quite scarce; but bears are as numerous as ever, it being no uncommon thing for a hunter to kill three and four bears in one day.
Larkin was named for John Larkin, a man who has been closely connected with the interests and progress of this county for many years. His name, with Ir others, were appended to the petition asking the Board of Supervisors to erect the new township, which was accordingly done, on the 24th of January, 1879. The first election was held at the residence of John Maloney, April 7, 1879, with Wm. Dougherty, David P. Waldo and Archie Farron as Inspectors of Election.
Larkin Township ranks third in the lowest grade, so far as development is concerned. Much of the land consists of what is known as " stump land," the tim- ber of which is being converted into fine lumber at the numerous mills which are scattered through the township. In a few years, however, this section will be more highly cultivated, and will challenge the ad- joining townships in the race for developments. Coal has been found in the vicinity of Sturgeon Creek, a small stream flowing through the township. At one time Mr. John Larkin decided to operate on the strength of his belief that this mineral could be found in abundance, and sent a force of men into the township to bore for coal; but unfortunately the
drill broke, and the coal fever having somewhat sub- sided, owing to the many other enterprises in which the business men of the county were engaged and which took up most of their time and attention, the coal project was abandoned indefinitely. There is, however, no doubt in the minds of many of the lead- ing citizens here that it exists in abundance, and at some future time coal mining will be one of the im- portant industries of this county and State.
The Supervisors of Larkin have been men of in- tegrity and uprightness, and it is with pleasure we note them below in the order in which they have served their townships :
SUPERVISORS.
D. P. Waldo. 1879
William Dougherty. 1880-1
W. P. Shepherd 1882-3
F. S. Burton 1884
Greendale Township.
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REENDALE Township is situated in the western part of Midland County, and is numbered 14 north and 2 west. Its north- ern boundary is Geneva, its eastern, Lee, and its southern, Jasper Townships; its western, Isabella County.
The northern half of the town of Greendale is drained by the Chippewa River, which flows across it from Isabella County on the west. The Little Salt River drains the southern portion, coming from the eastern part of Isabella, where it finds its source, and, flowing across Greendale, empties into the Chippewa in Lee Township.
Truman Gibbs, of New York, settled on section 28, in this township, in the year 1864, and has ever since that time resided on the same tract of land. He is the present Supervisor of the township. Only three men subject to military duty were residents of the township at the time the draft was made in 1864. Of these three, Lincoln and Isaac Ball were drafted !
The organization of this township was effected Jan. 5, 1882. The application was made by Chas. F. Wheeler, Harry I. Voorhees, Geo. W. Tooker,
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James B. Kelly, Alonzo Converse, Jas. H. Osborne, Chas. J. Bradford, Clifton Smith, David J. Zook, Seneca J. Williams, L. W. June, Jas. H. Arnold, Abram W. Ball and Truman Gibbs. The first elec- tion was held at the school-house in District No. 8, April 3, 1882, with Truman C. Gibbs, Clifton Smith, and David J. Zook as Inspectors of Election. The first election for Justice of the Peace resulted in the choice of Isaac Ball.
The first school-house was built of logs on section 27, and the first session of school was taught by Mrs. - Smith.
C
There are a number of lumber camps in this town, the pine in this section of the county being of the finest quality. In a few years, however, it will all be removed, when the main interest will center in agri- cultural products. Greendale stands with those townships fourth in rank in the importance of its lumber interests and richness of its soil, much of the latter consisting of sand.
CENTRAL CITY
Was platted by a company of Ohio gentlemen, who endeavored to establish a city, and by advertising undertook to give the place a "boom." Central City is as near the center of a township as a village can be built, and is just half way between Midland City on the east and Mount Pleasant on the west, and is exactly in the center of the southern peninsula, through which runs the old State Road, and over which the great travel of the State, by private convey- ance, east and west, is daily passing.
The Supervisors of Greendale, whose names are here given, have each served one term. The settlers are all trustworthy men, who will take care that those selected to represent them will act for the best inter- ests of their town.
SUPERVISORS.
Henry L. Voorhees 1882
Oscar A. Clark 1883
T. H. Gibbs 884
Lee Township.
EE Township is situated in the southern part of Midland County, and is bounded on the north by Jerome, on the east by Homer and Mount Haley Townships, on the south by Porter, and west by Greendale Town- ship. The Chippewa River crosses Lee a little
- south of the center of the township. The Little Salt empties into the Chippewa in the western part. The Pine River flows northeast from Gratiot County and across the southeastern corner of Lee.
This township was organized Oct. 13, 1880. The first election was held at the Mallory school-house, on the 4th day of April, 1881, with Henry J. Yates, Wm. D. Watlan and Walter J. Higby as Inspectors of Elec- tion. The petition which was presented to the Board of Supervisors, asking them to set apart the territory known and described as number 14 north and I west, and call it "Lee 'Township," was signed by Jno. Suiter, Walter J. Higby, H. J. Yates, Hans P. Lawson, Thos. F. Baker, Hans Sersen, Geo. Spens, Wm. Dape, Dan'l Weed, Justus C. Perry, Jno. A. Mallory, S. H. Webster, Nelson Hitsman, Hezekiah Weller and Jno. Gateman.
Lee is classed with those townships which are fourth in rank in point of agriculture. The timber consists of oak, ash and hard and soft maple. Wells of good and pure water can be obtained in this town- ship at moderate depths. The river furnishes plenty of water for stock, and were it not for the continuous jam of logs some prime fish might be captured.
A number of good school buildings are located in Lee, mention of which is made in the chapter devoted to educational topics.
Land commands a price averaging better than most localities in the county, although many acres can yet be purchased at prices averaging from $5 to $to per acre.
We append the names of her supervisors for the past four years. A. J. Davis. 1881-3
A. L. Bellinger . 1884.
week
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
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Midland City.
O
HE largest *own in the coun- ty is Midland City. It is situated on both banks of the Tittabawassee River, in the township of Midland, and is the county seat. The larger and more important part of the village is on the north bank of the river. The streets are broad and straight, and some of them have been graded and paved with cedar blocks, thereby dispens- ing with the annoyances brought about by the very sandy soil of which this location consists. Mid- land City lies in the center of an immense timber district, and the manufacturing interests are cen- tered chiefly in lumber and salt, large quantities of which are manufactured in this village.
Midland is located almost in the geographical cen- ter of the Lower Peninsula, and is practically the hub around which the villages of Mt. Pleasant, St. Louis, and the lesser towns in the neighborhood revolve. It is distant 18 miles from Bay City, 24 miles from Sagi- naw, 26 miles from Mt. l'leasant, and 20 miles from St. Louis. All these are lively towns, which are struggling hard for supremacy in commercial im- portance in the future; but the resources of Midland surpass most of them, and falls scarcely short of those of Saginaw or Bay City. Midland enjoys with them all the advantages of a fine climate, and has a better natural location than any one of the smaller villages
named. She stands at the junction of two noble rivers, which, with their tributaries, drain an exten- sive and fertile region, comprising a large portion of the best territory of Central Michigan. She is sup- ported by an excellent agricultural region lying im- mediately around her, is in the very center of the great salt basin of the State, and is surrounded by a territory which possesses forests that are still capable of furnishing an untold wealth of pine, hem- lock, oak, bass-wood, maple, elm and other varieties of timber, which by means of the beautiful streams, the Tittabawassee, Chippewa, Pine, Salt, Tobacco, Sturgeon and others, are conveniently accessible. She enjoys the advantage of one railroad, the State roads and other good highways, and is the county seat of a county that is rapidly being settled by an industrious, sober and energetic people.
The Beginnings.
MONG the first business enterprises of Midland was the hotel erected by John Larkin. This was built in 1856, and was a small, unpretentious wooden building, located near where the present Reardon Block now stands. The patronage of this inn was immense, and money was coined for its owner.
Samuel Sias built the first grist-mill, which was located near where the bromine factory now stands. A man named Lloyd was the first blacksmith,
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
whose shop stood where Reardon Bros.' mill now stands. The oldest inhabitant cannot remember his given name, although many are now living here that knew him.
The first store in the village was opened by James Eastman, who is now in business next door to the Oscar House. Lou Eastman sold goods and was the first clerk in this store. It was situated near the dock, which at that time was the commercial center of the village.
The second store was kept by L. P. Bailey, in a small building near Lloyd's blacksmith shop.
E. G. Buttles built the first residence on the north side of the river. Although several families were al- ready living on the opposite bank, that locality was not at that time reckoned as being a part of Midland. Charles Rodd, previously mentioned, had a store on that side of the river, the stock of which consisted of a small assortment of groceries and dry goods and a large supply of whisky and tobacco!
The Methodist Church was the first church edifice crected. This building was removed to its present site from its first location on the corner of Gordon and Main Streets in 1883.
From the date of the permanent location of the county seat, Midland assumed a healthy and vigor- ous growth. Stores were opened, and men came in for the purpose of locating lands, and business of every kind was thereby enhanced. Some good residences were built, among them being one erected by Dr. Jennings where the Oscar House now stands.
The jail was the first structure erected in the county. This was completed and accepted June 14, 1869. John Larkin was the contractor.
N. T. Carr was the first printer in the county. He established the Midland Sentinel and conducted it successfully for several years. He was afterward Supervisor of Midland Township, and was consid- ered one of her most reliable business men.
During the progress of the late war a home mili- tary company was organized here, with Harvey Lyon, a Mexican veteran, as drill-master. The members were drilling one Sunday morning, after which sev- eral of the company went to the printing-office of Mr. Carr to talk a few moments. Charles Searrin picked up a shot-gun which was standing near, and went through the " manual of arms." Mr. Carr took the gun after Searrin had put it down, and remarked
that "he guessed there was no danger, as the gun was not loaded." After going through the "manual of arms," he pointed the gun at Searrin, pulled the trigger and both barrels were discharged full in his face! Searrin lived only a few hours, and it was re- garded as an unfortunate affair. Carr disposed of his office during the year and left the village, taking with him Belle Huntington, the sister of Mrs. Sear- rin, leaving his own wife behind! He is now living in the southern part of Michigan, totally blind, and has both his wives with him, the one left behind coming when hearing of his infirmity !
Harvey Lyon, the old Mexican veteran, was the first man to engage in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. He is still engaged in the business, and is better conversant with the early history of Mid- land than any other man living in it, except it be John Larkin.
Charles Searrin, the man who so unfortunately lost his life, was the first carpenter and builder.
E. H. Beardsley put in the first stock of hardware and furniture, and still continues the business.
Henry C. Burt was also engaged in business at an early day. His stock consisted of general merchan- dise, there being no specialties in a mercantile way in the pioneer history of Michigan merchants.
James Foster, who still carries on the business, was the first harness-maker in Midland.
The Hinds Bros. opened the first stock of drugs in 1864. The firm consisted of William and James Hinds. They occupied a small frame building where Harris & Rockwell's building now stands.
Alfred Avery, who was accidentally killed whde serving as Deputy Sheriff, by John Ryan, was the first livery-man in the village. His barn occupied the site now the property of Clason & Haley.
The first Surveyor was George Turner. He had plenty of work and light pay.
William Patrick built a tannery at the foot of the upper bridge in 1863, which was the first enterprise of the kind attempted in the county.
G. F. Hemingway was the first attorney practicing in the village. He is yet a resident, and his opinions on legal matters are considered correct. He has also been elected to the State Legislature, and served his constituents with much honor.
John Larkin was the first Postmaster, and had the office located in the bar-room of his hotel. The
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
mail was brought in from Saginaw once a week, and was kept in a little cupboard three feet square.
The first school-house was erected at the corner of Ashman and Ellsworth Streets. Mrs. Flanders taught the first school, in 1859. The building is still standing, but it is not used for educational pur- poses.
The " Harris Block " was the first brick business block erected in Midland. The second was built by Reardon Bros. Both of these are handsome three- story buildings, and are a credit to any village or city.
Midland as an Incorporated Village.
IDLAND was incorporated in 1869. The territory included in said corporation commences at the quarter post of the west line of school section 16, thence west to the quarter line of section 17, to the east bank of the Tittabawassee River; thence down the river as it trends to the quarter line ; then southerly on the quarter line to the center quarter post of section 20; thence easterly on the quarter line one and a half miles to the quarter post in the west line of section 22; thence north on the section line one mile, to quarter post in the west line of sec- tion 15 ; thence west on the quarter line of school section 16 one mile, to the place of beginning. All this territory is in town 14 north, range 2 east.
The first election was held April 19, 1869, the Inspectors of which were James W. Cochrane, James Major and E. J. Hinds. The officials composing the first Board were : President, Solomon Heald ; Clerk, Wm. Cressey ; Treasurer, Wm. Sinclair; Marshal, H. M. Ellsworth; Trustees-Ist Ward, L. Church and J. A. Dorr; 2d Ward, A. Findlater and J. W. An- derson ; 3d Ward, Harvey Lyon and C. C. Ball.
The first meeting after the incorporation was held April 26, 1869.
The present village officers are: President, Benj. F. Bradley ; Clerk, Charles Hecox ; Treasurer, Charles A. Webster; Marshal, J. W. Blackmar; Trus- tees for two years, John McKay, Warren L. Sias and
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