USA > Michigan > Bay County > Bay City > The County of Bay and Bay City, Mich., embracing a brief sketch of their organization, pioneer history, growth & development, from 1857 to 1876 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
-
54
BAY CITY.
which is fast encroaching upon them, necessitating no doubt, in the not far distant future, the selection of grounds more remote from proximity to the crowded population of a prosperous city.
THE PRESS.
The first newspaper published in the city, was known as the Bay City " Press," and was established by Perry Joslin, and edited by James Birney, at the present time United States Minister Resident, at the Hague. It com- menced in 1856, and lived but a few weeks.
In 1859 Mr. William Bryce commenced the publi- cation of the "Press and Times," which was discon- tinued in 1864, to be succeeded in the same year by the Bay City "Journal," Mr. John Culbert, editor, which in 1871, became a daily as well as a weekly pub- lication, under the editorial management and proprietor- ship of Robert L. Warren, being discontinued in Feb- ruary, 1873, to be again reissued by the Hon. James Birney, as the daily and week- ly Chronicle, ceasing as a daily in 1875; . the weekly Chronicle still continuing at this time under the CHRONICLE. charge and proprie- torship of Mr. Ar- thur M. Birney. The paper has always been Republican in politics:
In 1864, Mr. William T. Kennedy, commenced the issue of a weekly newspaper in the interest of the De- mocracy, which was suspended in 1870.
55
BAY CITY.
The Bay City Tribune was instituted as an evening daily and weekly paper independent in politics, in 1873, by a company composed of John Culbert, Thomas K. Harding, Edward Kræncke and Griffin Lewis, who associated themselves for the purpose of doing a general jobbing, newspaper and book-binding business. The company was subsequently dissolved, Mr. Henry S. Dow becoming the purchaser of the paper. The weekly issue was suspended in 1875, the daily continuing, and being at this time without competitor in the daily field. Mr. Henry S. Dow, was its first Editor, Mr. Geo. K. Shaw being its present Manager and Editor.
The Lumberman's Gazette a weekly journal de- voted to the interests of the vast Lumber and Salt re- sources of the valley, and nation, was established in 1872, by Henry S. Dow, and is yet gaining ground in its field of usefulness, under the proprietorship of Edwin T. Bennett.
The Saginaw Valley Growler, published by Daniel R. Curry, was established in 1869, and still continues a weekly publication.
The Michigan Odd Fellow in the interest of the I. O. O. F., was established by Doctor Joseph Hooper, Editor, Edward Newkirk and Charles C. Gustin in 1874, and is an influential representative of the tenets of the Order.
THE POST OFFICE.
Judge Albert Miller was the first post master of Portsmouth, and Thomas Rogers of Lower Saginaw, both localities being now within the limits of Bay City, receiving their commissions, the former in 1837, the latter in 1840, at which time a semi-occasional mail transported on the back of a man or beast, was all that was required to accommodate a sparse population. The present incumbent of the Post Office of Bay City. is Theodore C. Phillips, and the business of the office aggregates $150,000 per year. The average number
56
BAY CITY.
of letters sent and received daily, is 2,200, or 800,000 per year, weighing over three tons, while the weight of all mail matter received and sent from the office, aggregates a half ton per day, or one hundred and eighty tons per year, while offices are maintained in the 7th ward of the city, and at Wenona, Salzburg, Banks and Essexville, all within a radius of three miles from the Bay City office, and all absolutely necessary for the convenience of a teeming population.
BANKING.
The first banking institution was established in the village in the year 1863, by Chauncey W. Gibson, whose cash capital is stated variously at from $1,000 to $5,000. The name adopted was that of Bay Bank, which it re- tained until reorganized by Mr. Gibson and others as the First National Bank, with a capital of $50,000, receiving its certificate of organization January 15th, 1864. The bank capital has from time to time been increased, until it now does business with a capital of $400,000 -- James Shearer, president; B. E. Warren, cashier and manager.
The State Bank was organized under the State laws, in November, 1869, and is now doing business on a capi- tal of $150,000-Alonzo Chesbrongh, president, Orrin Bump, cashier and manager.
The Bay City Bank was organized under the State laws, and began business in 1869, with a capital of $100,000-George Lewis, president; George H. Young, cashier. This institution also combines the advantages of, and includes a savings department, known as the Bay City Savings Bank.
The Second National Bank commenced business in . May, 1874, with a capital of $100,000, and still remains under the management of William Westover, president, and Wheeler L. Plam, cashier. The banking capital of the city at this time is $750,000, without taking into account the heavy surplus accumulated by each.
BAY CITY. 57
SECRET SOCIETIES
The secret and civil societies of the city and county comprise the following organizations:
MASONIC.
Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M.
Joppa Lodge. No. 315, F. & A. M.
Portsmouth Lodge, No. 190, F. & A. M.
Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch.
Bay City Commandry, No. 26, Knights Templar. Wenona Lodge, No. - , F. & A. M.
These societies comprise at this time a combined mem - bership of about 600.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Bay Lodge, No. 104, I. O. O. F.
Valley Lodge. No, 189, I. O. O. F.
Grace Lodge, No. 19, D. R., I. O. O. F.
Excelsior Lodge, No. 60, D. R., I. O. O. F.
Humbolt Lodge (German), No, 154, I. O. O. F. Kanonda Encampment, No. 36, I. O. O. F.
Eden Lodge, No 260, I. O. O. F.
Wenona Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F.
Essexville Lodge, No. 225, I. O. O. F.
Kawkawlin Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
Portsmouth Lodge, I. O. G T., No. 109.
Bay City Lodge, I. O. G. T., No. 104.
MILITARY.
Co. D (Peninsular) 3rd Regiment Michigan State Troops.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Teutonia, Musical, organized 1867.
Harmonia, Musical, organized in 1874.
Arbeiter Verrein, Benevolent.
Knights of Pythias, organized July, 1875.
I. O. O. Bnai Brith, organized 1872.
Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society, organized 1873. Bay County Bar Association.
Bay City Typographical Association. St Andrew's Society.
=
58
BAY CITY.
St. Patrick's Society. Bay County Medical Society. Homeopathic Medical Society. Lafayette Temperance Society.
German Workinginen's Society. St. James R. C. Total Abstinence Society.
St. Joseph R. C. Benevolent Society.
Bay County Agricultural Society.
St. Stanislaus Kotska (Polish) Society.
THE SCHOOLS OF BAY CITY.
The first school taught in Bay City, by Miss - Robinson (on a salary of $1.50 per week and " boarding round") was opened in the year 1844 in a school building costing $200, erected near the north end of Washington street, which was made to do service as a school house, Church and public building.
In 1854 a new building was erected on Adams street, between 4th and 5th streets, whose accommodations cal- culated for the children of the entire township, provided for the instruction of about 160. This building enlarged and improved, now affords accommodation for 500 pupils, and is but one of the at present extended and useful system of school buildings in the city, consisting as they do, of a brick two story building in the 1st ward, a two story frame building in the 2nd ward, an elegant and costly High School building in the 3rd ward, two, two story wooden structures in the 5th ward; a new and elegant two story brick building in the 6th ward, and another in the 7th ward, the valuation of all the school property of the city being $135,000. The Board of Education of Bay City, was incorporated by the legislature in 1867.
The High school building having been decided upon and commenced in 1866, was completed ready for occu- pancy in 1868. At that date the site selected, was con- sidered by a majority of the citizens as too remote from
59
BAY CITY.
High School.
the probable center of population to be advantageous, but already has the growth of the city, not only reached, but extended far beyond it, while the city lines have been located a full mile to the east of it, and the build- ing has for several years been fully occupied, with an ever increasing demand upon its accommodations, while the system of graded schools which was adopted in 1870, is showing good results in the constantly en- larging class of graduates, which each year bids fare- well to its halls, fitted to undertake a collegiate course, or to cope with the duties of commercial life. As the efficiency of our public school system, was first made manifest under the administration of Prof. D. C. Scoville, it is but just to name that gentlemen as the father of its development. The present school census embraces 4,400 scholars, of which number 2,700, are
60
BAY CITY.
1
in attendance at the public schools, a goodly proportion of the balance being in attendance at the various pri- vate schools of the city, the scholars in the public schools being taught in the various grades by 37 teachers. The expenditures for the schools of Bay City, for the fiscal year ending September 3rd, 1866, were $3,114.89, while the estimates for the period trom September 3rd, 1876 to September 3rd, 1877, as certified to the common council are, $26,000; being $16,750 less than the estimates for 1875.
The present organization of the school system of the city is composed as follows:
BOARD OF EDUCATION, 1876.
President, Andrew Walton.
Clerk, Isaac G Worden.
Ist ward, Andrew Walton, George H. Shearer.
2nd 66 Samuel G. M. Gates, Peter S. Heisordt.
3rd
Eldridge M. Fowler, Oscar Forsyth.
4th 66 Thomas Kelley, Thomas Carney, Jr.
5th Richard Padley, Wm. W. Hargrave.
6th
66 John D. Lewis, Duncan McGregor.
7th 66 Alexander Logan, Charles . Braddock. Superintendent Public Schools, Ira W. Morley. Principal of High School John W. Sleppy.
1st ward, Miss Juliette Baker.
66 2nd 66 Frederick W. Lankenau ..
66 5th 66 Mrs. Julia C. Hawkesworth.
66
6th " Robert Mclaughlin.
66
7th 66 Mrs. L. J. Whitney.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The public buildings of Bay City are justly her pride. No city of equal age can point to a greater num- ber of first-class buildings erected within an equal length of time. At the date of her incorporation as a village in 1859, with but a sparse population of barely 700, it may well be imagined that the character of the buildings was in keeping with the poverty of the people. The venture of Thomas W. Watkins, who in 1863 completed the
1
61
BAY CITY.
main part of the building, named in the cut as the resi- dence of the Hon. James Shearer, which was by no means as extended or ornamental in its first conception as it has since become, was looked upon as a wild scheme, which would swamp the "old bachelor lumber inspector." Mr Watkins, however, lived to see several other piles of brick buildings established, and at his death, in 1868, knew that his venture had not only been a well advised one, but that it was a good legacy for his wife and only child. Mr. James Fraser erected the second brick building in the city, on Water street, between Third and Fourth streets, and was soon followed by Mr. Hiram Cooper, who built a smail two story store on Water between Centre and Sixth streets. Mr. Fraser commenced the erection of the hotel which bears his name, in the year 1864, and it is to-day the pride of our citizens and the equal of any hotel in the State.
The "big fire" in 1865, leading to the establishment of fire limits, was the first incentive to a more substantial style of building than had heretofore been thought neces- sary, and from this time the erection of brick blocks throughout the city, has kept pace with the increase of its population and the development of its interests. It is not the purpose of this work to describe in full all the beautiful buildings, or all the surroundings of Bay City and its inhabitants. We may, however, point to a num- ber of cuts which, being obtainable on short notice, are well calculated to give to the reader an idea of the archi- tecture of the more notable buildings of the city, which will evidence the public spirit of its inhabitants ; these views we submit without further particularization, sim- ply adding that the city contains a large number of elegant and costly private mansions, several of which have been erected at a cost of from $10,000 to $30,000. The wisdom of the founders of Bay City, is shown in its wide streets, laid out at right angles to each other, and in the provision which was made by them for the needs
62
BAY CITY.
of a growing city, in providing in the 1st and 3rd wards small parks of three acres each, and in what is now the central or business portions of the city a smaller park, comprising an opening of 260 feet by 300 feet, which can never be encroached upon for the purpose of building, but will remain so long as the city endures, breathing places for a vast multitude of people who will bless the foresight and wisdom of those who provided for them in the laying out of the city. In front of the Court House a handsome fountain throws its spray into the heated atmosphere of a summer's day, while a smaller fountain adorns the park by its side, and as well one on the opposite side of the street in front of the jail. The streets of Bay City are yearly growing more beauti- ful, as the large numbers of elm, maple, horse-chestnut and other shade trees, approach more nearly a condition of usefulness and maturity. The extent of the shade tree culture, by her citizens, is a matter of much com- ment among strangers visiting her borders, and is an heir loom of inestimable value to posterity.
In the year 1873 Mr. William D. Fitzhugh donated to the city a tract of twenty acres of ground, situated about one mile east of the river, and between First and Centre streets, as a public park, and some labor in grading and fencing has been undertaken by the city. This will, no doubt, in a few years be a favorite resort for our citizens.
MANUFACTURES.
Bay City, while essentially a manufacturing town, cannot as yet boast so great a diversity of manufactures as would be desirable. Lumber and salt are her great staples, and the larger proportion of her endeavors cul- minate upon these two articles and their manipulation. Still she is making rapid strides in the direction of other industries, and when her forests shall fail will be prepar- ed in the utilization of her vast resources in salt, nearly one million of barrels of which annually leave her docks or pass her doors as it leaves the adjoining county on its
1
63
BAY CITY.
way to a western or eastern market, to add such other industries as the exigencies of a growing nation may de- mand. The twenty-four saw mills within her limits have a sawing capacity of three hundred million feet of sawed lumber per year, two shingle mills, producing twelve million of sawed shingles, and seventeen salt blocks of a producing capacity of four hundred thousand barrels of salt per year, may well be esteemed no mean foundation on which to base the prosperity of a growing city. Supplementing these however, we may among the industrial developments of the city, name six planing
NORTH WESTERN GA
ATER PIPE COMPANY.
EMICH SENGET
ETROL
Northwestern Gas and Water Pipe Fictory
mills which prepare the rough stock for immediate use, or shipment to the consumer ; one tub and pail factory, turning out a car load per day of finished work, and one manufactory of gas and water mains from the tree, this latter being a recent adaptation of wood to uses hereto- fore monopolized by iron, which is meeting with great favor wherever tried. There are also five foundries and machine shops, one of which has a paid up capital of $100,000, three of the others vieing closely with it as to the ability to do, and the extent of work done, both in the manufacture of new or repair of old machinery; four boiler making establishments. for confining to utilization
"
-
64
BAY CITY.
the only reliable motive power which has yet availed to take the place of water, one lock manufactory, for the. manufacture of a recently introduced and excellent device in automatic, safety or combination locks, one oar factory, and an immense number of blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and artizans of every nature. There are two grist mills in the county, one being loca- ted within the limits of Bay City, the other at Wenora. These mills have heretofore depended largely for their supplies of grain upon importations from abroad, but for the past two years have been able to obtain from the farms of the county, not only sufficient for their needs, but a small amount for export. The development of the agricultural interests of the county, must inevitably soon place her in the list of export counties.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The present Fire Department of Bay City consists of the following organization :
OFFICERS.
Chief Engineer-Benjamin F. Ray., Ist Asst .- Engineer-John Fowler. 2nd Asst .- Engineer-Robert J. Campbell.
COMPANIES.
1st Ward Hose (single horse reel ; 1000 feet hose)-
Foreman-George Wanless. Driver -- Fred Hamlin.
Pipemen -- Gotleib Wortz, Joseph Fraser, John Currant, Robert Watson, Patrick McCullough.
2nd Ward Hose (single horse reel ; 1000 feet hose) -- Foreman -- Henry Woods Driver-Cyrus McGregor. Pipemen -- Luther Tobias, Richard Woods, Richard Cuthbert, William Truesdale, Henry Wackerly.
65
BAY CITY.
4th Ward Hose (single horse reel ; 1000 feet hose)-
Foreman -- Lawrence McHugh. Driver-Edward Atkinson.
Pipemen-Matthew Ryan, George Trombly, Wil- William Madden, Nathan Laird, Silas Larkin.
7th Ward Hose (single horse reel ; 1000 feet hose)-
Foreman-Charles J. Rouech. Driver-William Cherriman.
Pipemen-Leondas M. Miller, John Y. Mckinney, Wm. H. Wilbur, Henry Stark, Daniel Buckman.
The department also have one hand engine and two steam fire engines, which are held without organizations, as a reserve in case of extremity ; and also hold a re- serve of 2000 feet of hose. The force depends upon the street hydrants supplied by the water-works of the city for its power, and has repeatedly shown itself to be an efficient organization. The department is a paid one, the salaries being, to the Chief Engineer $300 per year, to the Foremen and Pipemen each $10 per month, and to the Drivers $45 per month. The city is furnished with Pond's Patent Fire Alarm Telegraph system, there being now located and in operation fourteen public alarm boxes, beside those located at the offices of the Chief Engineer, Superintendent of Water Works, and Chief of Police.
POLICE.
The orderly character of the city may be inferred from. the fact that it is watched over by a police force composed but of one Chief of Police or City Marshal, and nine patrolmen, the former receiving a compensation of $1,200 per year, the latter $60 each per month. The City Recorder acts as Police Justice, and has jurisdiction over all offences committed in violation of the ordinances of the city.
66
BAY CITY.
MILITARY.
The city is justly proud of Co. D, 3rd Regiment of State Troops, which under the cognomen of " Penin- sulars," is a well drilled, handsomely uniformed body of 72 men, from the trades and professions, and has in its brief career, having been organized in 1874, already gained warm encomiums from other companies of the State, and from the State' officials, for proficiency of drill and soldierly bearing. The company is under the command of Captain (recently elected Reg.mental Major) Frank H. Blackman.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR BAND.
The Knights Templar band was organized in 1873 by the secret order of that name, and at this time, in a neat uniform, and with excellent proficiency in music, does credit to the body which fosters it, and to the city at large.
KANONDA ENCAMPMENT BAND.
The Kanonda Encampment, I. O. O. F. have also fostered an excellent musical organization in the 7th Ward, which, in handsome uniform, fully shares in the . favors bestowed upon the Knights Templar organization, both being at once the honor and pride of the city. This band was organized in 1874.
STATISTICAL.
The following table will exhibit the contrasts in popu- lation and manufactures, from the incorporation of the village of Bay City, and practical organization of Bay County in 1859, with several dates, ending with the pre- sent year, 1876 :
BAY CITY.
186 ).
1865.
1870. 1874. 1876.
Population ..
700 3,359
7,064 13,676 17,'00
Assessed Valuation,. $530,589 59
$633,000 $1,166,475 | $1,782,25' | $1,718,175
The apparent decrease in assessed valuation from 1874 to 1876, is attributable to the modification of ideas of
1
67
BAY CITY.
value, induced by a three years period of commercial de- pression, the most serious in the history of the Nation.
BAY COUNTY.
186)
1865 1870.
1874.
1876.
l'opulation ...
1,519
5,517
15,900
24,801 30,000
Assessed Valuation,.
#652,391
$1,35 ,000
$2,670,198
$3,30. 00
$3,108,000
SHIPMENTS.
The following table will show the growth and increase of the lumber and salt product of Bay County from 1865 to 1876, as shown by the statistics of shipment :
LUMBER.
1865. 1868.
1873.
1875.
154,737,945 feet.
194,40 ,000 feet. I 265,408,193 feet. 1 338,609,304 feet.
Of the cut ot 1875 the mills of the city contributed 223,350,287 feet.
SALT.
1865. 1873. 1874. 1875.
259,061 barrels. 352,000 barrels. 1 426,256 barrels. 1 493,546 barrels. Of the products of 1875, 389,758 barrels were from blocks within the city limits, 103,788 being contributed by the balance of the county, the salt blocks being wholly on the banks of the Saginaw River.
As an index of the growth and extent of the salt . interest of the Saginaw Valley, the following table, showing the shipments from the earliest development of the business, will be of interest :
1
1860
4,000 barrels.
1861
125,000
1865
477,200
1870
646,516 66
1875
1,081,875
--
.
68
BAY CITY.
MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION.
BAY CITY IN 1876.
Mayor-ARCHIBALD MCDONELL.
Recorder-ISAAC G. WORDEN.
Controller-PATRICK J. PERROTT.
Treasurer-CHARLES S. BRADDOCK.
City Attorney- WINSOR SCOFIELD.
City Marshal-JAMES A. WELLS.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
1st Ward, JOHN MCEWEN, MERRILL F. WILCOX.
2nd 66 BENJAMIN SHEPHARD, HENRY HOLMES.
3rd 66 SANFORD V. WILKINS, JOHN WILD.
4th SAMUEL KAICHEN, DARWIN C. SMALLEY.
5th JAMES LAING, DONALD MCDONALD.
6th 66 WILLIAM DAGLISH, ALBERT MILLER.
7th
66 ORVILL A. WATROUS, CHARLES STEVENS.
Street Commissioner-JOHN KILLDUFF.
Health Officer and Director of Poor-THOMAS CARNEY, SEN.
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The Board of Water Commissioners as existing in 1876, is as follows :
President-William Westover.
1st Ward, -Andrew Walton.
2nd -Thomas Cranage, Jr.
3rd 66 -William Westover.
4th .6 -William Smalley.
5th 66 -Henry M. Bradley.
7th
6th -- James Clark, M. D. 66 -William C McClure.
Superintendent and Secretary-Erastus L. Dunbar. 1st Engineer-A. B. Verity.
2nd 66 -Fred H. Holly.
69
BAY CITY.
TELEGRAPHS.
The city boasts two lines of telegraphic communica- tion with the world, the Western Union established in 1863, and the Atlantic and Pacific established in 1874. The telegraphic business of Bay City during 1875 was in excess of that of any other locality in the State ex- cepting the city of Detroit.
First National Bank Building,
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The city enjoys the advantages of a public library comprising 5,500 volumes, the joint property of an association of public-spirited citizens, and of the Board of Education, being under the management of the latter. The citizens generally are in the enjoyment of the facili- ties thus afforded, free of expense, and its use is almost universal among them.
70
WENONA.
WENONA AND BANKS.
- DEXT in importance to Bay City, rank the vil- lages of Wenona and Banks in their respective order. Both are situated in the township of Bangor, on the west bank of the Saginaw river, and are noted for their enterprise, and, especially in the case of Wenona, for rapid growth and substantial development. Wenona, in 1863 containing but two buildings, now boasts a population of probably 2,200 souls, and contains a number of elegant and ornamental brick blocks, in- cluding a school house, accommodating 600 pupils, sec- ond in its appointments to no other school building in the county. The village has a Presbyterian, Methodist, German Lutheran, Episcopalian and Roman Catholic church organization, instituted in the order named, each possessing good church buildings and properties, and maintaining efficient Sabbath schools. An opera house has this spring been completed, and the business blocks of H. W. Sage & Co. and others, rank in point of size and appearance among the best of its more pretentious neigh- bor, Bay City. An excellent iron bridge, elsewhere men- tioned, connects Wenona with Bay City, while the Jack- son, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad connects her with the
71
WENONA.
7
outside world. The saw mill of H. W. Sage & Co. is one of the finest in the world, and gives employ and bus- iness to hundreds of laboring men and merchants. The Lumberman's State Bank, of Wenona, S O. Fisher, President, H. H. Norrington, Cashier, is doing a good business on a capital of $50,000.
The village of Banks was settled at an early day in the history of Bay County, and was incorporated a vil- lage in 1873. The progress of this village has not been as rapid as that of the other village organizations, but it is the center of a growing and active population. It is situated opposite to the north portion of Bay City, and has within its limits three extensive saw mills, each of which has salt works attached, while the salt works of Leng & Bradfield are run independent of mills. The population of Banks is largely engaged in the catch and packing of the excellent fish with which the river and bay abound. The value of the white fish, lake trout, pickerel and other kinds of fish shipped from the river aggregates probably $75,000 per annum. There are Episcopal and Methodist church organizations, the latter having a commodious house of worship. The village boasts of an excellent school building ; and an extensive ship yard and a good tannery are within her limits.
3892 63.1 Bay Co.
Westover Block, Bay City, Mich.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.