Bay County, Michigan - The whole text, 1883 (part 18 of 20)

The first square log house, with comb roof, was erected by Amos Culver. He was assisted in building it by Mr. 0. N. C. White, no^v a resident of Monitor. Mr. Culver's family reached there January 3, 1855, when the house was partially finished, the roof on one side only being completed.

Personal Reminiscence

The following personal sketches of some of the early settlers of Williams, include also many pioneer experiences which depict life at an early day.

John Gaffney. was born in Ireland, 1824, lived there until the age of t^venty-seven and came to America. He landed at Boston and stojDped for two years and a half at West Newton in the business of foreman for A. J. Allen, building contractor. From there he went to Detroit in 1853, thence to an uncle's in Livingston Co., Mich., and worked two years at farming, the last year for Chas. Bradford, by the month. In October, 1854, with Mr. Bradford and four others he came to the town of Wilhams, viewed the land, returned to Flint, and all bought land, Mr. Gaffney buying on Section Thirty-four, where he now lives. On the 16th of November, 1854, hp came on to the land and commenced improvements. Being the first and only person in Williams, he had his bread and other provisions cooked out at Mr. Porter's, on the Tittabawassee, to which place he made weekly trips for supplies. He erected a shanty and occupied it alone, chopping down his timber and making a clearing. His brother Thomas having been wounded by a gun shot in Saginaw% Mr. Gaffney left to take care of him for two months. He then returned, but was destitute of means, yet he had credit. On the 6th of April he started for Bay City, by compass, through the wilderness. Striking an Indian trail leading eastward he eventually found a tree marked " C. C. C. Chillson," continued onward and reached the river; at the present site of Third Street Bridge, found a house of entertainment kept by John Hayes, and at the Drake mill a small skiff was kept to run as ferry. He crossed over to Low^er Saginaw, now Bay City, stopped at Putnam's Hotel on the northeast corner of Third and Saginaw Streets, and was charged a dollar and fifty cents for bed and breakfast. Not finding work he returned by way of the farm to Saginaw and hired out at a mill, for one month. He paid out his wages for seed potatoes and provisions and returned to the farm. He planted the potatoes among the logs and bushes and raised one hundred and seventy-five bushels that season. He worked most of the Summer in mills at Lower Saginaw for Moore & Srfiith and Frost & Bradley. He built the first fire for the first sawing that Frost & Bradley ever did, being their fireman. He worked for them in the lumber woods the following Winter, also the following season, 1856. He sent to Ireland for his father, mother, two brothers and a sister, and paid their passage. They arrived here in the month of June, and in the Fall he built a log house on the farm where he now lives. In November, 1864, he was drafted into the Union service, and furnished a substitute for two hundred dollars. He was married in 1862 to Miss Frances Gallagher, of Irish birth, then a resident of Milford, Oakland County. He has had five children, one son and four daughters. The son and two daughters are now living. Mr. Gaffney' s farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres, under a good state of cultivation. The log house has been replaced by a tasty farm cottage surrounded by fruitful orchards. Ahhough it was in early times a hard row to hoe, he has stuck to the manor, and is now^ reaping the results of his patient labor and perseverance.

Charles Bradford was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1816. He lived with his father until eighteen years of age, when he left the paternal roof to carve out a living for himself. He went with a brother to Fredonia, N. Y., stopped one year and then came to Michigan in 1836. He lived at Port Huron two years, engaged as a laborer, thence to Iosco, Livingston Co., and worked on a farm by the month. In 1842 he married Laura S. Beach, a native of Hamilton, N. Y., then a resident of Iosco. In October, 1854, he came into the woods of Saginaw Valley and bought 320 acres on Section Twenty-six, and in February, 1855, in cold weather he came on the lands and erected a small house, manufacturing flooring from split logs, and roofed it over with oak shakes. In April Mrs. Bradford arrived at their new home, having to walk seven miles wdth snow on the ground and a large part of the distance covered with water from six inches to a foot in depth. A cousin of her's, Mr. Lyman Brainard, another of the early pioneers of Wilhams, accompanied her, carrying her daughter, one and one -half years old, the entire distance. This daughter is still living, their only child, Andella, to whom they gave every educational advantage possible, placing her in the Bay City schools at an early age w4iere she made rapid and successful progress. At the age of seventeen she commenced teaching and for fourteen consecutive terms taught the young ideas of Williams how to shoot, when she was married to John Kussell, Jr., of Enghsh birth, and has now an interesting little family of one daughter, Orrie E., and a son, Charles Bradford. She resides on the Bradford homestead with her parents, her husband having the management of the farm, which consists of 320 acres, 125 under improvement. Mr. Bradford has a handsome brick house, large barns and out buildings, and one of the finest orchards in the township, having been to great pains and expense to grow choice fruits of various kinds. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford were among the very first pioneers of the town, subject to many privations and hardships, but are now well situated to enjoy the remainder of their lives in comfort and plenty. Mr. Bradford was first supervisor of the township, highway commissioner five years and treasurer one year. He traces his ancestry back to the Pilgrim Fathers, being a direct descendant of the seventh generation of the illustrious Wil-

Ira E. Swart was born m Hadley, Lapeer Co., Mich., in 1848. At the age of five years his father removed to Goodrich, Genesee Co., At the age of fourteen he went to New York to live with an nncle. At seventeen he came to West Bay City, engaged in the business of painting and glazing, which he followed for two years, and then commenced the inspection of lumber for H. W. Sage & Co., continuing that for two years.

At twenty-one years of age he engaged in general mercantile business in the township of Williams, in company with a brother to whom he sold his interest and re-established with J. B. Burtless, who was succeeded by William E. Burtless for two years, since which time Mr. Sw^art has carried on the business alone, his being the only store in the town. He has succeeded in establishing a good and profitable business.

He married Miss Hattie E. Burtless in 1871, who died in February, 1877, and in May, 1878, he married Miss Emma J. Soule, of Syracuse, N. Y., by whom he has had two children, both daughters. In 1870 Mr. Swart was appointed postmaster for the office of Skinner, township of Williams. This name was subsequently changed to Auburn, which office he has held up to the present time. He was appointed township treasurer during the first year of his residence in Williams, and was elected township clerk for the four succeeding years, after which he was elected supervisor and has held that office up to the present time. He has been elected by the chairman of the Board of Supervisors as a member of the most important standing and special committees of said Board. He is now comfortably oituated with a commodious store for a country town, a fine residence and outbuildings. He has a weU-improved farm of sixty-three acres, at his place of residence and owns ninety acres aside from the home farm and a half interest in 280 acres, besides making a branch business of buying and selling land. He has seen the town progress from little but a howling wilderness to one of the most productive of the county, dotted with many fine frame residences and a number of handsome brick ones. Much credit is due Mr. Swart for the rapid growth and development of this township. To his personal energy and enterprise and strict devotion to its interests on the Board of Supervisors, its prosperity is largely due.

Samuel Kowden was bom in Devonshire, England, in 1829. He left England at the age of twenty-two alone, and came to America. He landed at Quebec, thence in Detroit in 1852. He lived in Wayne and Oakland Counties until 1856. He purchased a farm on Section Eleven, township of Williams in 1855, and commenced improvements, and moved his parents on the land in 1856, being the fourth family in North Williams. He experienced many hardships and inconveniences in his early pioneer life, there being no roads through an almost unbroken wilderness for ten or fifteen miles to the nearest settlements. He married Miss Prudence Myers, of Wayne County, who had recently become a resident of Williams in 1861. He has had two children, one daughter and one son, both living. He was elected supervisor of the township in 1860. He held the office for six consecutive years, and two years subsequently. He has also served as justice of the peace nearly the whole time of his residence in WilHams, thus showing the esteem in which he is held by his fellow townsmen. Mr. Eowden is a practical and thorough farmer. Fifty acres of his land is under a high state of cultivation. His buildings, orchards, farming implements, etc., are among the best in the township. He has made a specialty of fine and choice fruits and proven the adaptation of the region for their successful culture.

County, Ohio. Lived there until 1855; thence to Wilhams, and bought a farm on Section Two and commenced improvement, having no roads, making his trips to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, by the way of the south branch of the Kawkawlin, the main Kawkawlin, across the bay, and up the Saginaw Eiver, a distance of twenty-five miles, in a dug-out, to carry home his supplies. In 1856 he moved his family on the place where he now resides. He has at present 100 acres under improvement, good, substantial buildings and extensive orchards of various fruits. He was the second settler in the north part of the town four years previous to the survey of the Midland road. He married Miss Sarah J. Phelps, of Ashtabula County Ohio, in 1855, by whom he had seven children, five sons and two daughters ; all living. He buried his first wife in 1872, and married Mrs. Caroline Smith. Mr. Perry held the office of town treasurer three years and school assessor a number of years. By hard labor and economy he has attained a condition of independence, and is a man that is highly respected in the community where he resides.

William W. Skelton was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1826. He left England at the age of twenty-three, and came to America alone and landed in New York, thence to Michigan direct. He lived in Milford, Oakland County, three years, and in October,

1855, after cutting a sled road through the woods and swamps, for a distance of ten miles, to his land, he commenced clearing a place to build him a cabin, being the first man to strike a blow in the then unbroken wilderness of North Williams. There is now a fine farm of fifty acres under improvement, handsome brick residence with large detached brick cellar, commodious barns, good orchard, producing a plentiful supply of fine fruit, both for home consumption and for market. He was married in 1855, to Miss Maria Ann Luther, of Milford, by whom he had six children, four sons and two daughters, all living. He married again in 1879, Mrs. Ann Ehza Catlin, of Bay City; birth place, Erie County, N. Y. In January, 1883, Mr. Skelton met with death under sad circumstances, which were narrated by the Bay City Tribune of January 29, 1883, as follows :

* 'William W. Skelton, of Williams Township, met with a very sad death at his residence on Friday last. He was one of the most prosperous farmers in that locality, and during the past season had raised considerable fruit and vegetables, many of the latter being kept as food for his cattle during the Winter. These he had stored in his cellar, and to prevent their destruction by the late cold weather, placed coal fires in the cellar. There was no stove or furnace used, but he simply had the coal burning in open kettles, keeping the cellar closed as tightly as possible. By this process it was inevitable that a large amount of gas would be generated, and when he went in on the occasion of his fatal visit, he was at once overcome and almost instantly suffocated. When discovered by members of his family, he was to all appearances dead, though every effort to restore life was promptly resorted to. Dr. Snyder, of Auburn, was summoned as quickly as possible, but the unfortunate man was beyond all human aid. The occasion of his death and the circumstances attending it were so apparent that a coroner's inquest was deemed unnecessary and was dispensed with. His remains were difficult to keep, because of his having died in a state of perfect health, and the funeral occurred as soon as the necessary arrangements could be perfected.

The deceased was the first settler in North Williams, having come there in 1855. Since that time he has developed a splendid farm, and was surrounded with the results of his industry and consequent prosperity. He was a man highly respected in the community, and besides a wife and grown up family of children to lament

Lis sudden death, his loss will be sadly felt by all who knew him. He was a man fifty-six years of age, and from appearances would have lived many years, had no fatal casualty befallen him."

John C. Rowden, w^as born in England, in 1844. At the age of seventeen his father came to America, and landed at Quebec, and thence to Montreal. He soon came to Michigan, and settled in Oakland County. He remained there two years, and came to Williams in 1855. He remained with his father until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union Army for the term of two years, in Company F. Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, as a private. On the battle field of Franklin, Tenn., he was promoted from the ranks to the office of second sergeant, and about one month afterward to orderly sergeant. He was in the battle of Campbell's Station, Lenore and siege of Nashville, Strawberry Plains, Roxford Ridge, Resaca, Atlanta, Allatoona and Lovejoy's Station, in Georgia. From Allatoona he returned with Gen. Thomas to Tennessee, and was in various engagements against Gen. Hood. He engaged in the capture of Wilmington and Goldsboro, and was with his regmient in opposing the Morgan raid in Ohio, till he was captured. He was wounded in the hip at the battle of Allatoona, Ga., and received a scalp wound on the top of the head at Franklin, Tenn.

During a service of three years, he lost no time only when wounded and in the hospital a short time. He bought forty acres of land on Section Four, before enlisting, and forty acres while in the army, and has since bought 160 on Section Nine. He married Miss Alice Moore, in 1865, a native of New York, then a resident of Williams. He has three sons, all living. He buried his first wife in the Spring of 1880. He married the latter part of 1881, "'Miss Selina Gilbert, of West Bay City. Mr. Rowden w^as supervisor of Williams in 1866 and 1867, and has held the office of justice of the peace for several terms. He has built a new house recently, and is one of the substantial influential men of his township.

Williams In 1866 And 1868

"We have a saw mill at what is known as 'Spicer's Corners,' in successful operation, owned by Messrs. Hotchkiss & Mercer. It was built for the purpose of sawing the plank for the road leading from Bay City to Midland ; but I am informed it is their design to keep the mill running after that job is done. From what I hear of them they are thorough going men and will do what they say. It is also their intention to put in a run of stone for grinding, as soon as the plank for the road is all cut. It will be a good thing for the inhabitants of Williams, and the country west of it, as it will be the nearest grist mill by several miles; besides, I think it will be a good thing for the owners.

"And while we are having improvements of this kind spring up among us, we are not altogether lacking in institutions of religion and ethics. We have in the north part of town an organized Methodist class, and preaching every two weeks, also Universalist preaching every four weeks. We have a Sunday-school kept in successful operation most of the time with a good library.

"And so far as temperance and good morals are concerned, that will be better understood when I tell you that we have a lodge of the order of Good Templars established here, which numbers more than thirty members."

This township contains a fine body of timbered land. The soil, most of it, is a rich loam and susceptible of being converted into superior grazing farms. The land, wdth the exception of a small portion, does not lie too level for tillage.

Up to 1855, this township was a wilderness, there being no inhabitants in it nor road through it. On the 18th of November, 1854, John Gaffney felled the first tree within its boundaries, and became the first settler.

During the same month Alonzo J. Willse and William Skelton were added to the number of settlers. In the Spring of the same year Levi Willard and Charles Bradford bought land and settled there.

The township was organized in 1855, being then a part of Saginaw County. For the present year the taxes assessed upon the property of the township amount to f 2,898.14. The population at present exceeds 300 in number. The highest number of votes yet polled is forty- seven. There are at least sixty farms in progress of improvement, some of which are in good condition and show care and thrift. There are two saw mills and one shingle mill within the township. They are near some splendid pine forests that furnish good lumber for building.

The town has two saloons and a blacksmith shop, but is as yet without a postoffice. We hope the inhabitants may be favored in this particular. They will before long, we doubt not.

First rate wild land may yet be bought wdthin this township, for $5.00 per acre. This affords a good opportunity for those seeking a home, and who desire to invest their funds in good land.

The plank road recently built to Spicer's Corners, the center of the township, furnishes an inestimable advantage to the peojjle of the town. They can now bring in their produce, lumber, and staves to market at any time.

Their farms are really worth double as much as they were before the building of the road. The day may not be far distant when a railroad may find its w^ay through the town. We are quite confident that Williams will yet be found to contain the richest and most productive land within Bay County. Its energetic population have no reason to be discouraged. Their condition is improving every day.

Let them combine and introduce improved stump-pullers; get their lots smooth, and then the reaper and the mowing machine will make farming comparatively easy.

First Happenings

The first marriage in the township w^as that of Wilham Hendrick to Mrs. Arvilla Story. The ceremony w^as performed by Otto Raoser, a justice of the peace, at the house of Mr. Charles Bradford.

The township is one of the best in the county. Fully twothirds of the North half of the township and one-half of the South half is under improvement. The soil is productive and easily tilled ; the farm buildings are universally good, and there are several fine brick dwellings in the township.

The population of Williams, in 1880, according to the Government census, w^as 866. Total valuation of real and personal estate, in 1882, was $207,375.

Auburn

is situated on the Midland road, one mile from the east hne of the township. There is one store, belonging to Mr. Ira E. Swart, a postoffice, two churches, Methodist and Cathohc, the Auburn House, a good brick hotel owned by W. P, Root, and some other buildings. There are two physicians located here. Auburn Lodge of Good Templars, No. 312, was organized February 6, 1880, with eighteen members. It now has thirty-five members, among whom are some of the best citizens of the place. The organization is in a flourishing condition.

Worthy Perry was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, 1838. Remained at birth-place until 1862, when he enhsted in the Union army. Company I, 105th Ohio Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Was in various engagements with the enemy, including the battle of Perry ville, Ky., in which he received 'a gun-shot wound, which disabled him for about two months in hospital; then returned to his regiment, and, unlike many others, has never applied for a pension, to help swell the milhons for the people to pay. After the close of the war, Mr. Perry came to the township of Williams and bought a farm in Section Three, and has since bought the north half of southeast quarter of southeast quarter of same section, making a farm of 100 acres, of which sixty acres are under improvement; good, substantial dwelhng, commodious barns, fine orchard, the product of hard labor and economy. Married, in 1865, Miss Carrie Anderson, of Wisconsin. Has had three children, two daughters and one son, only one daughter of whom is hving. Lost his first wife in March, 1872, and in October of the same year married Miss Deha Milican, of Wisconsin. .. Mr. Perry is one of the substantial men of the township.

Andrew J. Cole was born in Steuben County, N. Y., November 16, 1831. In 1839 he moved with his parents to Hector, Penn., and engaged in lumbering. In 1863 he came to Bay City. In 1870 he purchased a farm in the town of Wilhams, Bay Co., and erected a saw mill. He has several steam threshing machines and receives orders for threshing. He was mirried, February 8, 1868.

WmLiAM p. Root was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1842; lived there and in Painesville until the age of twenty-one; thence to Cleveland, and followed sailing for six years, when he came to the township of Williams, Bay County, still sailing until 1874, when he purchased a farm in Section Fifteen, at the time of settling in Williams ; subsequently bought the south half of said quarter, and in 1874 bought the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section Twenty-three, Fourteen north, Three east, where he has since resided, having been engaged in keeping a hotel. In 1879 his house was destroyed by fiie; loss not heavy, being mostly covered by insurance; he rebuilt with brick the following season, and has since kept a well appointed and exceedingly popular house, the result of strict attention to the wants of his patrons. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people of his town, having been elected township treasurer each successive year for five years. Was married to Miss Ehza Shepard, of Cleveland, in 1864, by whom he has had three children, two sons and one daughter; the sons being now living. Has been engaged to some extent in lumbering and deahng in real estate. Mr. Root enhsted in the Union army in 1862, in Company D, 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Was wounded in February, 1863, at the battle of Dunfries, Va., by gunshot wound in the right shoulder, and still carries the ball. Was in hospital six weeks, but honorably discharged in consequence of the wound. It was nearly two years before he had much use of the arm, and it is still troublesome.

Solomon S. Randall was born in Albany County, N. Y,, in 1813; remained in that state until 1865, when he came to Bay City; lived there until 1880; carried on tobacco business part of the time, where he was known by the sobriquet of "Old Dad." He bought land on Section Four.

Marion A. Randall was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1844. His father moved to Orange County in 1861, where Marion volunteered, at the age of seventeen, in Co. H, 24th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry; for two years served under McClehan and McDowell. In January, 1863, re-enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and served to the close of the war, under Sherman and Grant, in the 6th Army Corps; was with Grant through the "Wilderness," to the time of Lee's surrender; honorably discharged October 10, 1865; was in various engagements, but received no wounds. He came to Bay City at the close of 1865, and remained until 1875, when he bought a farm in Section Fifteen ; has now twenty-threeacres improved, comfortable baildings, and young orchard. He married Miss Eliza Tyrrell, of Bay City; birthplace England; has live sons and three daughters, all living. Mr. Randall is comfortably situated, and will rank in future with the representative farmers of North Williams.

Henry W. Hopler was born in Independence, Oakland Co., Mich., in 1842, November 21. He lived there until seven years old, and in 1861 came with his father and bought land on Section Ten, where they now live. His mother died in 1864. His father, Mr. John Hopler, is still hving with him at the age of seventy-nine, having been born in New Jersey in 1804. Mr. Hopler has forty acres of his farm under a good condition of cultivation, good barns, orchard, comfortable residence, etc. Mr. Hopler is unmarried, otherwise performing the duties of life commendably. Has served for years as a member of the School Board, and enjoys the respect and esteem of his neighbors. He is a great favorite with the young people and has a large influence among them, which he uses in the way of stimulating a desire for an education, and many of the young boys in the vicinity are indebted to him for advantages of school which otherwise they would not have had. He enlisted in the Union Army, under Capt. H. S. Raymond, Company F, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, in August, 1862. at Bay City, and was engaged in several battles. He was present at the surrender of Johnston to Gen. Sherman, at Raleigh, N. C, and was at Washington at the grand review.

Augustus Horn was born in Germany, in 1846, and lived at his native place until eight years old. He came to America, landed in New York, settled in Raymond, Ontario, remained there six years and came to St. Clair, Michigan. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union Army, Company E, Twenty -second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of war. At the battle of Chicka- mauga he received a gun shot wound, directly beneath the collar bone, chipping it slightly, passed through the upper part of the right lung and lodged beneath the shoulder blade, where it still remains. At the close of the war he came to Bay City and engaged in mill labor, and followed it mostly for ten years. In 1866 he bought land on Section Fifteen and made some improvements; sold it in 1872 and bought on Section Three, where he now resides. He has thirty acres improved, comfortable buildings, and a thrifty young orchard. He married in 1869, Miss Emma Gregory, of Bay City, by whom he has had six children, five of whom, three sons and two daughters, are now living.

David Jones was born in South Wales, England, 1811. He remained in England until 1829, when he came to America. He landed in New York and settled in Kochester, N. Y. He remained in that county seventeen years, thence to the township of Williams, and purchased land on Section Three. Subsequently he bought land on Section Two where he now lives. He moved directly upon the land after purchasing and commenced improvements. He has 130 acres under cultivation, large frame house, good barns, etc. He married in England, in 1835, Miss Kachael Morgan. Has had ten children, five sons and five daughters, seven of whom, four sons and three daughters, are living. Mr. Jones was the fifth settler in the north part of the town, and shared the usual vicissitudes of pioneer life, but is now surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His son, Mr. Philip H. Jones, born in Riga, N. Y., 1846, now having charge of the homestead, was married in 1876, to Miss Maria Winfield, of West Bay City, by whom he has had two children, a son and a daughter; both living. Mrs. Philip Jones was elected township superintendent of schools in the Spring of 1880, one other lady in the county sharing a like honor. Mrs. Jones filled the office with satisfaction to the township and credit to herself, refusing a re-nomination the ensuing year.

Hiram B. Becker was born in Painesville, Ohio, in 1840. He commenced sailing when twelve years of age with a brother, making regular trips with the sail vessel "Emory Fletcher," of Cleveland, between Saginaw River and Cleveland, carrying lumber. He became mate under his brother in 1863 ; was master of the " J. C. Hill," running between the same ports, for two seasons, and the "following two years sailed the "Colorado," loading with supplies up and lumber down. During the season of 1863 he brought the brick for the Thomas Watkins house, corner of Center and Washington Streets, Bay City, which was the first brick structure in Bay City, and in 1865, the stone for the Eraser House. During the same year he purchased a farm on Section Eleven and commenced improvements, and erected the first frame dwelling in the north part of the township. Mr. Becker has been steadily improving his farm though engaged a part of the time in the lumber and timber business. He has forty acres of improvements, comfortable buildings and excellent orchard. He married Miss Lucy Hardy, a native of Painesville, Ohio, then living in Bay City, in 1865. He has ha(J three children - two sons and one daughter, only one son of whom is now living.

James H. Soper was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1819. At the age of fourteen his father moved to Ulster County, having bought a farm there. He continued to work on the farm, having charge of it after his father's death, in 1846, until 1866, when he came to the town of Wilhams, and purchased a farm on Section Thirty-four, and commenced improving it at once. He has about forty acres under cultivation, good buildings and fine orchard, being now after years of hard work and close economy, very comfortably situated. He was married in 1847 to Miss Penelope Oakley. He has had ten children, of whom seven, four sons and three daughters are now living.

James Gallagher was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1825. He remained in Ireland until the age of thirty-five, when he came to America, landed in Philadelphia, but soon came to Fort Gratiot, Mich., and for two years followed the business of boiler making; thence to Oakland County, rented land and farmed for two years, when he came to Bay County and purchased a farm on Section Thirty-five, in 1863. The next year he commenced improvements and settled thereon. He has now fifty acres of improvement, good dwelling, barn, etc., and thrifty orchard.

He married, at the age of thirty- seven. Miss Mary Toomay, of Irish birth, then a resident of Detroit. He has had four children, three of whom, one son and two daughters, are now living.

Albert H. Becker w^as born in Painesville, Ohio, in 1845. He lived there until the age of twenty- six. Married Miss Jeanette McAdams, native of same place, in 1864. He came to Williams in 1869, bought land on Section Three, built a house and commenced improvements. He sold it in 1871 and bought on Section Sixteen. In 1874 he sold it and bought eighty acres on Section Nine, with slight improvements, where he has since lived. He has forty acres under cultivation, good barns, out-buildings and orchards. He is about to commence the erection of a new dwelling. Besides w^orkirg his farm he has followed lumbering in Winters. In early life he commenced sailing at the age of ten years, was second mate at seventeen; at twenty, captain of a vessel. He continued sailing some, after coming to Michigan. He has two sons, aged eighteen and sixteen; excellent boys, a credit to their parents, and fitted to become good citizens of their native town. Mrs. Becker is the true type of the pioneer woman and much credit is due to her for the self-sacrificing spirit and perseverance under difficulties that she has always evinced. In her home, truly a Martha, devoted to its best interests.

William Dingman was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., January 9, 1829. At the age of four years he went with his parents to Fairport, Ohio, w4iere they remained four years. In 1837 they moved to Detroit, Midi. At the age of ten years he sailed as cook on the schooner "Blackhawk," commanded by Capt. William Hayes. At the age of eighteen he was captain of the schooner "Isaac B. Bust," sailing her two seasons. He was one season second mate under Capt. Barse. He sailed six years as mate of the brig "Matilda Taylor," under Capt. James Taylor. Then for two years he was employed at millwright work. He then went to Buffalo and bought a tug for E. L. Stoddard, of Canada, and sailed her fiYe years as master. He then sailed the steam barge "Illinois," as captain. Bringing her to Bay City he engaged in the millwright business, which he has followed for several years. He has been engineer in the chemical works ever since they were started. His life has been a successful one. He has a farm in the town of Williams, where his family, consisting of a wife and five children, resides.

Arenac And Bangor

Arenac was the first tosvnship organized after the organization of Bay County. It was erected by the Board of Supervisors in February, 1859, and in March following, Bangor and Portsmouth were erected. The affairs of Portsmouth being so intimately connected with those of Merritt, we give the history of those two townships together. Previous to the organization of Arenac, the county Board had but two members, one of w4iom was chairman, while the other member conducted the deliberations of the body comprised in himself.

It is resolved by the Board of Supervisors of the county of Bay, that all that portion of Bay County lying in townships, Town Seventeen norQi, of Range Three east. Town Eighteen north, of Range Three east. Town Nineteen north, of Range Three east. Town Twenty north, of Range Three east, also Town Seventeen north, of Range Four east, Towai Eighteen north, of Range Four east. Town Nineteen north, of Range Four east. Town Twenty North, of Range Four east, also fractional Township Eighteen north, of Range Five east. Town Nineteen north, of Range Five east. Town Twenty north, of Range Five east, also Town Nineteen north, of Range Six east. Town Twenty north, of Range Six east, also fractional Town Nineteen north, of Range Seven east, and Town Twxnity north, of Range Seven east, being territory heretofore attached by said Board of Supervisors to the township of Hampton, be, and the same is hereby set off from the residue of said township, in a separate township by the name of Arenac, and the first election for township officers in said township shall be held at the house now occupied by Daniel Williams in said township, on the first Monday in April next, and Daniel Williams, N. W. Lillibridge and Daniel Shaw are hereby appointed to comprise the board of inspectors at said election.

Arenac of the present time comprises Town Nineteen north, of Range Five east, and a portion of Town Nineteen north, of Range Six east. It is bounded north by Mason and Au Gres, east by Au Gres, south by Saginaw Bay and Standish, and west by Deep River. The Rifle River, an important lumbering stream, flows through the township from northwest to southeast. The Saginaw and Au Sable state road also passes through the township.

Omer Village

Omer, formerly known as Rifle River Mills, is situated on Rifle River, six and a half miles northeast from Standish, and is at present composed of one saw, grist and flouring mill, with wood turning and planing works attached, one store, general assortment, one hotel, one 30x40 schoolhouse, being erected, one saloon, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, and some ten residences. The town was platted one year ago, and being situated as it is, on the crossing of the Air Line Road and the Rifle River, in the heart of a fine lumber district, and the soil in the vicinity being good, gives promise of becoming a flourishing village.

The place started with a saw mill about 1866, at which time Mr. George Carscallen and George L. Gorie located at this point and built a saw mifl, the Rifle River being an attractive lumbering region, and at the point selected by Mr. Carscallen was a magnificent water power. The following sketches of Mr. Carscallen and Mr. Gorie are interesting in connection with the early history of the place:

George L. Gorie, mill owner, was born in the Orkney Islands, in Scotland, August 31, 1836. He came to Canada in 1861 and to Detroit in 1862. He settled in Omer in 1866, and with Mr. George Carscallen opened the large lumbering and flouring enterprise in which they are still engaged.

Mr. Gorie has been justice of the peace two years, and is serving his fourth term as highway commissioner, and takes pride in the improvement of the highways of his township.

George Carscallen, farmer and mill owner, was born in Hastings, Ontario, November 29, 1828. He went to Oswego in 1850, end engaged mostly in the manufacture of sash and blinds. He returned to Canada m 1859 and came to Bay City January 22, 1863. Here he spent some three years in millwright work. He left there for Omer, August 17, 1866, and at once commenced the erection of his saw mill. It has a capacity for sawing, some 25,- 000 feet of lumber per day. Next in order was the erection of the flouring mill. The building is 24x52 feet, tw^o stories high, and has ground 117 bushels of wheat in a day. Its average w^ork is about 290 bushels of wheat in twenty-four hours, and of feed, fifty bushels per hour. This enterprise is conducted by the firm of Gorie & Carscallen. There is at this point one of the finest water powers in our state, inviting the attention of other capitalists who may desire large returns from mechanical investments. Mr. C. was married to Miss Ann Gorie, of Scotland, February 7, 1877. They have three sons, George F., Thomas W., aad Charles Wesley. Mrs. C. resided three months in Omer, without seeing any woman whatever. The first one she saw was one who was going through to a shanty to serve as cook. It was nearly two years before any ladies came there to reside. One lady, hired by Mrs. C, was married to Mr. C.'s brother. She obtained another from Scotland and her brother married this one, and several others have married wives from their employment sinje then. Mr. C. has, beside the mill enterprises, 280 acres of farming land in Arenac, with about sixty cleared, stumped and under fine cultivation, and with an excellent dwelling and other buildings. Mr. C. kept the first store in Omer, named the place, has served two terms as justice of the peace, is school director, and has been postmaster ever since the origin of the office.

The postoffice was established in 1872, and the first postmaster was George Carscallen. The present postmaster is J. H. Belknap, a prominent merchant of the place.

Joseph H. Belknap, merchant, was born in Macomb County, Mich., September 18, 1854. He resided there until eighteen years of age, then came to Standish, Bay Co., and engaged in teaching school for one year, afterward taught for a year at Omer, and then engaged in mercantile business with Mr. F. E. Carscallen, of Omer. After three years he purchased his partner's interest, and for the last three years has conducted the entire business wdth pleasing and increasing success, dealing m dry goods, groceries and general merchandise. He was married August 23, 1880, to Miss Mary CoUins, of Omer. Mr. Belknap has served as tow^nship clerk ever since he settled in Omer.

There are the saw and grist mill of Gorie & Carscallen, two general stores by George Miller and J. H. Belknap, hardware store of W. L. Gorrie, drug store of W. E. Clouston, schoolhouse and the usual village shops.

There is no church building in the village but the Methodist EpiscoT3al Society hold services in the schoolhouse. Eev. A. E, Kemp is pastor.

When the name of the place was changed from Eifle Eiver Mills it was designed to call it "Homer," but there being another postoffice by that name in the state, and in order to comply with the requirements and still preserve as much as possible of a favorite title, the "H" w^as dropped and Omer retained.

William L. Gorkie, wiieelwriglit and hardware merchant, was born in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, October 30, 1839. He began sailing when sixteen years of age, and followed the sea seventeen years, sailing around the world several times. He was captain ten years. He came to the United States about fourteen years ago, and spent some six years in Detroit. Six or seven years since, he came to Omer and engaged in the mechanical and mercantile enterprises which he is still conducting. He was married to Miss Catharine Ann Clouston, also of the Orkneys, August 13, 1867. Their hving children are Catharine A., Aggie, Maggie, Kosa, Minnie, Eansom W., Belle and Magnus Christopher. Mr. G. has beside the hardware store, wagon and blacksmith shop and other village property, forty acres of land in Section Sixteen, in Arenac. He has been school superintendent, and is now serving as justice of the peace.

William E. Clouston, merchant, was born in Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland, June 21, 1844. He came to America in 1873. He spent about a year in Boston, and in 1874 came to Vassar, Mich., and was for eighteen months engaged in jewelry business. Afterward he lived some four years in Port Hope, following the same employment. He then again visited his home in Scotland, and returning came to Omer in November, 1880, erected a store building, and has since then conducted a store of general merchandise, drugs and medicines. He has also eighty acres of land in Section Fifteen, which he expects to prepare for agriculture, but at present he devotes his time closely to the business already in hand.

Arenac Village

Is situated south of the center of the township. The place was started about 1865, and the saw mills of Capt. J. P. Phillips and John Lentz are located near here. There are two stores and a schoolhouse, but no important interests.

Alexander C. Munro, merchant, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, June 21, 1846. He has resided in Bay City eleven years, and seven years in Arenac. He w^as married to Miss Ruth B. Moore, of Kirtland, Ohio, February 28, 1874. They have one daughter, Ina Bay, born July 5, 1876. Mr. M. is engaged in conducting a store of dry goods, groceries, and general merchandise in Arenac, on the state road. He also has 240 acres of timbered land, valuable both for timber and for agriculture. When he first came to Bay City there was, only one brick residence and one brick store, and there were just a few houses in West Bay City, and Arenac had a few settlers. He records with great satisfaction the rapid growth of the settlement and wealth in the entire Saginaw Valley.

Horace Decker was born in Oswego County, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1866 and went into the farming business, in the township of Arenac. He is a justice of the peace now, (1882) having held the office for six years, and also school inspector. He served as supervisor from 1867 until 1875. In 1882 he was reelected supervisor. He married Matilda B. Avery, of Chenango County, N. Y., in 1839. They have had two children, both grown up, married, and with families.

G. Langdon was born in Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich., December 2, 1850, and came to Bay City in 1865. After eleven years residence in the city he purchased a farm at Pine River, Arenac

Township, Bay County, and commenced farming. He also carries on the grocery business on his farm premises, and deals quite extensively in lumber. He was married in 1875 to Mary A. Williams, of Oswego, N. Y., and has one child.

John. Baikie, carpenter, was born in Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland, Sept. 21, 1836. He came to America in 1866. He lived in Detroit two years, and came to Arenac fourteen years ago. He was married to Miss Betsy Gorrie, also of Stromness, July 4, 1858, Their living children are John T., George W., James P., Eleanor and David C. They have over eighty acres of land with a pleasant dwelling and rishig home improvements.

Andrew Kent, lumberman, was born in Scotland, Sept. 22, 1849. He came to Arenac in March, 1868, and has been engaged chiefly in lumbering since that time, in the firm of Norn & Kent. Their mill, located in Sterling, has been running some seven or eight years, and can cut some thirty-five thousand feet of lumber per day. They purchased it in December, 1881. They have in this county over nine hundred acres of pine and farming lands, and-are at present conducting an extensive and increasing business in the lumbering enterprise.

LuMAN S. Harris, farmer, was born in Lapeer Co., Mich., Oct. 26, 1837. He left there when eighteen years old, and resided in Shiawassee County until Oct. 8, 1861, when he enlisted in the lOtli Michigan Infantry, Company A. He served his country until Dec. 22, 1862, when he was honorably discharged because of disability from injury received near Pittsburgh Landing. He was married to Miss Frances Brown, of Shiawassee County, Aug. 6, 1864. Their living children are Franklin A., Eva A., George A., Lillie E., Herbert H., and an infant daughter. They settled in Arenac on Section Nineteen in May, 1867. They have forty acres of fertile land, with thirty-two under cultivation. They have a comfortable dwelling and pleasant surroundings for themselves and family.

James S. Hazen, superintendent of Rifle Boom, was born in Norfolk Co., Ontario, Nov. 25, 1843. He came to Saginaw when eighteen years of age and spent one year. He then came to Bay County, where he has resided ever since. He has been in the employ of the Boom Company for fourteen years. He has been foreman four years and superintendent the last two years. He was married to Miss Mary McDonald, of Au Gres, March 29, 1881. In Summer they employ from eighty to one hundred men in work of the Boom company, with whom he is engaged.

Whereas, apphcation liaving been made to the Board of Supervisors of the county of Bay, by petition of eigliteen freeholders, Hving in that part of the township of Hampton which hes north and west of Saginaw" Eiver, and fifteen freeholders living in that part of the township of Hampton which lies east of the Saginaw Eiver, to organize said territory north and west of said Saginaw River, comprising Town Fourteen, north of Range Four east, all of Town Fourteen north of Range Five east, lying west of Saginaw River, and fractional Town Fifteen north of Range Four and Five east, and fractional Town Sixteen north of Range Four and Five east, into a new township, a notice in writing signed by not less than twelve freeholders having been posted according to the statute in such cases made and provided; Therefore, liesolred, That the above described territory north and west of the Saginaw River be and the same is hereby duly organized into a township to be known and designated by the name of Bangor, and that the first township meeting for the election of township officers be held on Thursday, the seventh day of April next, at the school house situated on Section Twenty, Town Fourteen, north of Range Five east, and that S. W. Sayles, John Raymond and Frederick Kiesler are hereby appointed to preside at such election and perform all the duties required by statute in such case made and provided.

The history of Bangor township is given in the organization of tow^nships which have divided its territory, and in connection with West Bay City which has swallowed up its villages of Banks, Salzburgh and Wenona. It has parted with its territory until only six full sections and two fractional sections are left. Its interests are all united with those of West Bay City, which furnishes churches and schools for the people of the township.

In 1866 the number of acres of land assessed was 35,862, and its equalized valuation was $259,885. In 1882 its total valuation of real and personal estate was $110,161.

A portion of the township near the Saginaw River and Bay is marsh, but the remainder of the township is good farming land, and under good cultivation.

The Midland stone road passes through Section Nineteen, and the Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad, and the Kawkawlin road passes through Sections Seven and Eight.

The history of the territory organized into Bangor Township, commenced at the village of Bangor, afterward Banks. The name Bangor was given to the place by Thomas Whitney who came from Bangor, Maine, and built a mill on the east side of the river. The mills on the river front preceded all other industries.

George A. Meed was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1844. When tv^enty-one years of age he went to Athens, Calhoun Co., Mich., and in 1865 came to Bay City. Returning to Morristown, he remained there two years and in March, 1867, married Sarah A. Wilson, of that place. Two years thereafter he came to Bangor, now First Ward, West Bay City, where he has since resided. In November, 1873, his wife died, and about a year later he married Mary A. Agnew, a teacher in Bangor, an occupation she had followed for fifteen years. Mr. Meed has been village school director of Bangor and town clerk of the township of Bangor two years, and for the past two years supervisor. He has a daughter eleven years old, child of his first, and a son seven years old, child of his present wife.

John Gies was born in Wurtumburg, Germany, in 1827 and at the age of twenty -one came to America, stopping at Ann Arbor where he worked on a farm three years, when he came to Bay County and purchased a farm on Section Nineteen, Bangor Township, where he now resides. He married Christina B. Goodrich, of Ann Arbor. They have had tv*^elve children, of whom ten are now living. Mr. Gies has passed the hardships and privations of pioneer life, being one of the first settlers of the township, and by hard labor, strict economy of himself and family, is now comfortably situated on the west line of West Bay City, and instead of the surroundings of the primeval forests, can look abroad over one city of ten thousand inhabitants to the third city of Michigan.

Matthew Miller was born in Prussia in 1833, and at the age of nineteen came to America with his mother and three brothers, reaching Michigan in 1852. Stopping for a time in New York, Detroit, St. Clair and Forestville, he arrived in Bay County in 1854, and thereafter worked in the Drake mill two years and the Keystone mill five years. In 1858 he purchased a farm on Section Nineteen, Bangor Township, where he now resides. He commenced improving his land while not in service in the mill, and in 1860 married Polly Lovidskie, of Bay City, formerly of Prussia. In the Fall of 1860 they commenced housekeeping on said farm and began active improvement of the land. They have four sons and three daughters. Mr. Miller, by hard labor, has secured the surroundings of a comfortable and valuable home.

Frank Cole was born in Bay City, in 1854, and has resided there the greater part of his life. He is the son of Capt. Darius Cole, and no doubt inherited a desire for a sea-faring life. He commenced sailing at eleven years of age, which has been his general business since. He commanded the wrecking barge. Monitor, from 1876 to 1879, and in 1880 was master of the "Metropohs." For the past two years he has been on his farm on Section Seventeen, Bangor Township, and has erected a fine dweUing and other buildings thereon. He married Carrie Simonto, of Detroit, April 4, 1880. They have one son.

John George Kiesel was born in Wurtumburg, Germany, in 1807. He married Miss Mary Kiesel, of the same place, in 1837. He came to America in 1851, and stopped in Baltimore about one year; thence to Seneca County, Ohio, where he remained four years and then came to Bay County. He leased ten acres of land of Mr. C. C. Chillson, of Bangor, for Glyb years, and in 1855 bought on Section Eighteen, and commenced improvement thereon, with no road save a footpath to the river. Subsequently he bought other lands on said section, where they still live. They have had nine children, six of whom died in Germany. Three are still living, two of whom were born in Germany, and one in Ohio. Gottlieb Kiesel, the present owner of the farm, was born in Wurtumburg, Germany, in 1848.

Mr. Kiesel and family have endured the hardships of early pioneer life, but have lived to see what was an unbroken wilderness converted into well improved farms, with occupants surrounded by the products of patient industry.

Charles Nickel was born in Germany, m 1820. He came to America in 1850, landed in New York, where he remained four years, and thence to Lower Saginaw (now Bay City), in 1854. He made

In 1880 he took up his residence in the town of Bangor, on Section Seven, where he bought lands in 1873 and still resides there, engaged in farming. In 1855 he married Miss Mary Ann Hubner, of German birth, then of Bay City. He has had eleven children, only five of whom are living, two sons and three daughters. The oldest daughter married Sebastian Pfrunner, of West Bay City, who died in 1882. Mrs. Pfrunner continues the business of her husband.

Mr. Nickel, having been here twenty-eight years, has experienced the privations of the early settlers and witnessed the rapid growth of our cities, surrounded by productive farms.

The township of Beaver was organized by an act of the Legislature in 1867, and comprised all that part of Bay County known and described as townships Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen and Twenty, north of Eange Three east. The first township meeting was ordered held at the house of Levi Willard, on the first Monday in April, and Levi Willard, Josiah L. Welhngton and Oscar H. Kellogg, appointed inspectors of election.

The town of Beaver is located fifteen miles from Bay City - ten miles west and five miles north ; the land is as good as can be found in the state; we raise the very best of crops; our hay crop was rather hght this year on account of the dry weather; there is a large amount here, how^ever, for which we can get a higher price, at our own doors, than we can. get in Bay City, as there is a large amount of lumbering done near by and the lumbermen are glad to buy of us, thereby saving themselves the trouble and expense of a journey to Wenona or Bay City.

Our town has been organized about six years, and in that time we have opened up about twenty-five miles of roads, four rods wide, the most of which are passable at any time of the year; we have three organized school districts, one of which has been recently organized, and has not held school yet, but will do so as soon as the schoolhouse which is being erected shall be completed, the others have been in running order for several years ; the number of scholars in attendance at both schools is about fifty; in one of our schoolhouses we have preaching and Sunday-school every Sunday.

: Seven years ago there were but two families in the town ; since that time about forty more have located here, and still they come, yet there is room for more ; there are some excellent farms here considering the short time there has been to improve them in ; some have about sixty acres cleared w^hile others have from twenty to forty; I think this is doing pretty well. Frame barns and dwellings are taking the place of those that were first built of logs ; we have some as fine bams as can be found in Bay County ; there are two handsome dwellings being erected this Summer - one by Mr. John Bacon and the other by Mr. John Shreve - which will add materially to the appearance of the town ; Mr. M. W. Jones built a house last Summer that cost about $2,000.

We are bound to make improvements, as we have a fine country here, and there is no one better aware of the fact than ourselves; there is plenty of vacant land to be had cheap - the prices ranging from f2.50 to $5 per acre - with good roads running past it, and in some cases there are improvements at that price; there is also some Government land here which may be taken under the Homestead Act; w^e are aipcious to have settlers come here to locate, and will gladly inform them where to find land, and how to get it.

We are but five miles from the graded bed of the Bay City & Midland Eailroad; when the iron is laid it will only take us about an hour to reach Bay City; we have a postoffice, stores, saw mills, etc., near by; therefore, taking all things into consideration, we have advantages here for settlers that are not offered anywhere else in the county.

Tax Levy For 1882

Levi Willard was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 1825. His father was a native of Maryland; born of Danish parents on their route to settle in the United States. Mr. Willard hved to age of sixteen in Summit County, Ohio. He then worked by the month on a farm for three years. He then learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fohow^ed for twelve years. At the age of twenty-nine he married Miss Sarah Ingraham, of Medina County, Ohio. In 1856 he came to Michigan and bought land on Section Thirty-three, Town Fifteen north, Three east, being now in the township of Beaver. The following year he settled thereon, and commenced improvement. He remained the only settler in the township for nine years. About 1865 settlers began to come in, and in 1867 the township was organized. Mr. Willard was elected the first supervisor in 1868, and has held the office for six years since that term. Also the office of justice of the peace nearly all the time since the organization of the township. He has been identified with all the improvements of the community. During the time of his services as supervisor he was on important committees, and did his work well. As a pioneer, few have had more hardships to endure or more obstacles to overcome, but with a determination to succeed he has remained. He now has fifty acres improved; a good brick residence, extensive barns and a fine orchard of various fruits. He has had four sons and four daughters. The eldest son takes to farming. Two are carpenters. Three daughters are teachers. All have a good, practical education.

John Farquharson, supervisor, is a native of Perthshire, Scotland. He emigrated to America in 1852. He first settled in Lambton County, Ontario, where he remained about nineteen years. In 1871 he came to Bay County, and in 187 i he bought a farm in the township of Beaver, and still continues to cultivate the same. He was clerk of the township in 1873-74; supervisor for the years 1875, 1876, 1878, 1879 and 1882, and moderator, and also director of schools. He was married to Catharine Forbes, in 1852. They have had eight children, six girls and two boys. Of the boys, but one is living.

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Bay County, held January 7, 1868, an apphcation for the erection and organization of a new township to be named Kawkawlin, was granted as follows: "In tlie matter of the apphcation of 0. A. Ballou, Samuel Woods,

John Sutherland, Charles Kadclilf, Patrick Reynolds, Jeremiah Mack, Alexander Baird, A. G. Sinclair, Char.es Powell, E. E. Gill, Paul Leme and Owen A. Maloney, for the erection and organization of a new township, it appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has been made, and that notice thereof has been signed, posted up and published as in the manner required by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, the board order and enact that the territory described in said application, bounded as follows, to- wit : All that territory of the township of Bangor, Bay County, Mich., which lies north of a line commencing at the northeast corner of fractional Section number Ten (10), in Town Fourteen (14), north of Range Five (5) east, and running on the section line west to the northwest corner of Section number Seven (7), in Town Fourteen (14), north of Range Four (4) east, in said State of Michigan, be, and the same is hereby erected into a township, to be called and known by the name of the township of Kawkawlin.

"The first annual meeting thereof shall be held at the office of 0. A. Ballou, in the village of Kawkawlin, in said Bay County, on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1868, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of said day; and at said meeting 0. A. Ballou, John Sutherland, and Dennis Stanton, three electors of said township, shall be the persons whose duties it shall be to preside at such meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same powers as the inspectors of election at any township meeting, as the law provides. "

The present township is bounded north by Eraser and Saginaw Bay, east by Saginaw Bay and River, south by Bangor and Monitor, and west by Beaver and Williams.

The principal stream of the township is the Kawkawlin River, so named by the Indians on account of the large quantities of pike found in its waters. The Indian name 0-gan-con-ning meaning "place of the pike."

Early Days

That portion of Kawkawlin, near the mouth of the river, is a region of some historic interest. It was one of the places visited by Indians to hunt and fish. It was here thatNeh-way-go, a not^l Saginaw brave, had his home during the later years of his hfe. In the treaty made at Detroit, in 1837, 6,000 acres of land on the north side of the Kawkawlin River were ceded to the United States by the Saginaw tribe of Indians.

In 1842, "Uncle" Harvey Williams, a well-known pioneer of the Saginaw Yalley, removed to the mouth of the Kawkawlin River, and engaged in fishing and trading with Indians. His dealings with the Indians were very extensive. He was generous and kind in all his intercourse with them, and was greatly beloved by them in return. He lived there until 1864.

In the Winter of 1844-45, James Eraser and Cromwell Barney erected a water mill, at what is now called the village of Kawkawlin. Mr. Israel Cathn superintended its building, and run it about two years. At that time, and for many years afterward, this whole region was a pine forest.

In 1847, the Indian Mission Church was built here, being the first church in what is now Bay County. The church was located at the Indian settlement, about midway between the village and the mouth of the river. The settlement is still there, though diminished in numbers. They number about forty families, and have a very good church. Rev. Mr. Cloud is the pastor.

" In 1849, Frederick A. Kaiser settled in Kawkawlin, and is now the oldest resident of the village. We give herewith a short sketch of Mr. Kaiser's life:

Frederick A. Kaiser, one of the oldest settlers of Kawkawhn, was born in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany, in 1815; came to America in 1849, and settled in Kawkawlin, Bay County, Michigan, and worked for James Eraser in his saw mill, at eleven dollars per month. In his native country he was a linen manufacturer, and it was hard at first to handle lumber, but he was determined to make his way in the world, and he continued in this way for about four years, when he was promoted and his wages increased, till he was able to do business on his own account. Mr. Kaiser has been a thorough business man, and Kawkawlin owes much to his energy, enterprise and liberality. In 1862 he commenced boring for salt, and he expended about twenty thousand dollars before he realized any returns. In 1867 he went into the lumber business, which he still follows. In 1870 Kaiser & Co. located mills on the Pinconning River and one on the Kawkawlin River, about twelve miles apart, and connected the two by a railroad. He built the towns of Pinconning and Glencoe, besides being engaged in clearing up a large farm. Kawkawlin, where he now resides, was in its wild state when he first went to it, and he not only saw it grow but helped it to be a thriving manufacturing town. In 1836 he married Miss Salome Miller, of his native place in Germany. Mrs. Kaiser did not come to America till 1851. She died in 1859, and in 1860 Mr. Kaiser married Mrs. Eleanor Miller, of Kawkawlin.

In 1855, Mr. John Sutherland settled in the village, or more properly, near where the village was afterward. He bought land on the south side of the river. Mr. Sutherland was born in Dornoch, the county seat of Sutherlandshire, Scotland, in October, 1820. Came to the United States in 1852; first settled in Shullsburg, Lafayette County, WiscoDsin, and became a citizen by naturalization. In 1855 he went to the state of Michigan, and settled in Kawkawlin, Bay County, on Section One. Mr. Sutherland was not a man of large means, and worked clearing his farm in the Summer time and worked for Mr, James Eraser as cook in his camps in the Winter. In April, 1845, he married Miss Mary A. Taylor, of Dundas, Canada. Miss Taylor was born in Glastonbury, Somersetshire, England, 1824; came to America with her parents in 1832. Mrs. Sutherland is the mother of thirteen children ; seven are living. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have not escaped the hardships of pioneer life, but have by industry and frugality accumulated a fine property. He was of a speculative turn of mind, and engaged in buying and selling land to quite a large extent. Besides a farm of two hundred acres in Kawkawlin, where he resides, he owns property in Bay City, which brings him in good returns. Mr. Sutherland has been identified with all the enterprises of his town, and has seen Bay City and the surrounding country rise from the wilderness to its present fiourishing condition. His arrangements about his farm buildings are as good as any to be found in the county. He keeps nothing but the best breeds of stock, which are in fine condition.

When Mr. Sutherland and wife settled here, there were the old water mill and a small steam mill, iiwe houses and two shanties. Messrs. Kaiser and Poineroy are the only two living in the township who were here at that time. The pine timber had been cut on the ground now covered by the village, but on the south side of the river was undisturbed forest.

In 1859, Mr. Edward McGuinness arrived, and is still a resident of the township. Mr. McGuinness was born in the town of Lancaster, Maryland, February 17, 1836. When quite young his father went to Pennsylvania. He went to Kawkawlin, Bay County, Michio-an, and commenced work for the Ballou Lumber Company, May IS, 1859. At the time he went to the town there were but three settlers in it, outside of the little village, and only one had made any improvements. There was a small saw mill, run by water, and a steam mill, and the company had a small store. He says that the mosquitoes were so numerous that one had to keep his head covered, even at table. Mr. McGuinness has been identified with all the improvements made in building dams, mills, factories, etc., that atone time flourished in the town. The township was entirely wild, mhabited only by the red man. October 13, 1865, he boiighr, 320 acres of land m Section Two, of Kawkawlin, then Bangor, for six dollars per acre, and has made a fine farm, on which he resides. In 1866 he married Miss Anna Brisbow. Miss Brisbow was born in Detroit in 1850, and is the mother of five children. Mr. Mc- Guinness has raised himself by his industry and economy, from a day laborer to a man of wealth.

Michael McGuinness also settled in the village in 1859, and worked for the Ballou Company for several years. In 1871 he built a hotel and named it the McGuinness House, which he still keeps. For the past ten or twelve years he has been an extensive jobber in square timber, logs, etc. He was born in Virginia, in the year 1833.

Cromwell Barney, prominently mentioned in this work, was one of the original owners of the water mill, and lived here several years. Mr. A. G. Sinclair and Thomas Munn, now of Bay City, were also here at an early day.

About 1861, the first school was taught in a httle frame shanty, by Miss Carrie Chelsea, now Mrs. Faxon, of West Bay City. The schoolhouse was a primitive affair, but its facilities for "smoking out" the school, were as perfect as the most ambitious urchin could desire. The present schoolhouse was built in 1873.

There are six schoolhouses in the township, all of which are good buildings, and the schools of the township are of a high order. The first store was kept by the Bahou Company, A few articles had been kept for sale before Mr. Fraser sold the property, but no regular store was kept.

The postoffice was estabhshed in the Spring of 1868. It was kept in the store of 0. A. Ballou & Co., and Mr. D. Stanton was postmaster. The present postmaster is George Staudacher.

The old water mill was torn down about 1862, and a steam mill built on its site. There was another steam mill built, and near it a planing mill. The last vestige of the saw mill was removed in 1880 to Bay City. The planing mill was removed to the railroad, and built over into a saw mill by Mr. John Schwartz, who also has a grist mill, which is run in connection with the saw mill.

The first church service, aside from that held a.t the Indian mission, was held about 1863. The Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal denominations had services about the same time. The Methodist Episcopal Society built a church in 1873.

Odd Fellows

Social Lodge No. 148, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted December 13, 1870. The officers for the first term were as follows: - Cartle Boker, N. G.; Samuel Wood. V. G.; T. F. Brown, E. S.; Ira S. Stiles, treasurer; Charles Powell, P. S. The members the first evening were two by card and seven by initiation. At the end of the fourth year the lodge numbered sixty-one members. The lodge is still in a prosperous condition.

The flrst temperance society was the Pine Grove Lodge of Good Templars, organized in January, 1868, with twenty-six charter members. Thomas Munn was Worthy Chief Templar. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse, and afterward in the Odd Fellows' Hall. Some time in 1872, being unable to obtain the use of the hall for a longer time, meetings were discontinued, although - the lodge was in a flourishing condition. In May, 1883, Eiverview Lodge, I. 0. G. T., was organized with thirty charter members, and is a strong institution. The W. C. T. is N. Lawson; W. Y.

In 1872 a company was organized for the manufacture of hemlock extract. The officers were 0. A. Ballou, president; A. M. Switzer, secretary; W. E. Vaughn, M. D., treasurer. They built the Chemical Works and operated them about two years, when they discontinued operations.

Fiest Wheat Raised

In 1859 Mr. John Sutherland bought four bushels of wheat in Bay City, and after cleansing it had about three and one-half bushels left. This he sowed on about three acres. People thought it a wild experiment, but he thought differently. In the Fall he harvested 150 bushels of wheat, averaging sixty-four pounds to the bushel. This was the first wheat raised in the township, and from that time to the present Kawkawlin has been noted as a good wheat producing township.

Riverside Farm

Situated in the south part of the township of Kawkawlin, on the bank of the Kawkawlin Eiver and about four miles from West Bay City, is the property of the Hon. Isaac Mars ton, late justice of the Supreme Court. Judge Marstoh began his career as a farmer boy, and he has always taken a deep interest in the development of Bay County's agricultural resources. The farm contains 160 acres, and is being rapidly improved. The Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central Eailroad crosses it and the Kawkawlin plank road runs through it, leaving a fine strip on the bank of the river. Situuated back from the road a few rods, on the river bank, and in the midst of a beautiful grove of forest trees, is the residence of this farmer. Eventually the farm will be devoted to pasture and hay. Judge Marston now has a very fine herd of Jersey cattle.

Handsome Residence

One of the finest residences in the county, outside of Bay City, is that of F. A. 'Kaiser, Esq., situated near the bank of the river. Ihis building was erected by an insurance company to replace one burned, upon which they had issued a policy. The present build ing, although very fine, is somewhat inferior to the one built by Mr. Kaiser and destroyed by fire March 24, 1880. The Bay City Tribune, of March 25, 1880, contained an account of the burning of Mr. Kaiser's residence and a description of the building, as follows :

"Yesterday about noon, news reached this city that the handsome residence of F. A. Kaiser, the well known lumberman, at* Kawkawlin, had been destroyed by fire. A Trihune reporter hearing of the same, procured a conveyance and departed for the scene of destruction. When he arrived there, about 3 o'clock, the spot where a few hours previous stood one of the finest residences in Bay County, was but one mass of smoldering ruins. Mr. Kaiser, who was on the premises, was interviewed by the reporter, and from him was learned the following: - At the time of the fire Mr. Kaiser was at Bay City, and his wife was visiting a daughter at some distance away. A son and daughter were the only persons about the premises, save a hired man.

The fire was discovered at about 10 o'clock, coming from the south side of the building, near the roof, and a general alarm was sounded, bringing a number of men and boys to the spot. The wind blew from the northeast and for this reason the fire was not nourished as much as it would have been had it come from any other direction, yet the building was soon enveloped in flames, and it was with considerable difficulty that its contents were removed. The greater portion of the furniture and houshold goods were taken out, also mantel pieces, doors, etc. In the haste of taking out the furniture, some of it was broken, and otherwise damaged, but most of it is in good condition. The large barns, a few rods to the southwest of the residence were on fire several times, but the citizens were on the alert and extinguished the flames before they got under full headway. The grass, trees and the surroundings of the building were burned. The fire originated evidently, from a spark from the furnace. There is no other conclusion to be arrived at.

The residence was erected in 1873, and was then considered the finest, having gas, a furnace, a commodious cellar, and all modem improvements. The inside work was especially fine, and when being built, Mr. Kaiser spared no means to have everything made as near correct as possible. He was on his way home when he heard of the fire, and could "hardly beheve that such a thing could occur, originating as it had, after he had taken pains and paid contractors to see that the flues were sound. There was an insurance of 1 7, 000 on the building; |3,500 in the Franklin, of Philadelphia, and the same amount in the Detroit Fire and Marine, issued by C. B. Cottrell, of this city. The furniture was covered by an insurance of f 5,000, equal amounts in the German American, of New York, and Insurance Company of North America, of Philadelphia, issued by Daniel Shannon, of this city. This is not sufficient, bower, to cover the loss which is placed at from $12,000 to $16,000. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Kaiser will rebuild.

A strange circumstance of the fire is that the flames were discovered by Mr. Kaiser's son-in-law, who lives fully a mile distant. He happened to be looking in that direction and noticed smoke pouring from the side of the house. Thinking something was wrong, he mounted a horse and rode under the whip the full distance, when within a few rods from the house the horse fell to the ground and expired immediately from sheer exhaustion."

Experience Of A Love-Sick Stranger

Life in Kawkawlin has occasionally been flavored with episodes, one of which is related as follows: - "It was during the breezy month of November, 1873, that a stranger, in the person of a lovesick young man, for charitable reasons called Jones, suddenly appeared upon the scene, heart in hand, eager to love and be loved. The heavenly eft'ulgence of love beamed in his smile, and his attitude seemed inspired by the holy passion. He proceeded directly to business, and in a few weeks had proposed to all the young ladies of the village, and by all had been rejected, he being blessed with a very small amount of common sense. At length, however, the "sports" of the village resolved to play a joke on Jones, and accordingly one of their number, a beardless youth of twenty-two or twenty-three Summers, agreed to dress in female attire, and personate a woman who was smitten by Jones' charms. (?) The keeper of the boarding-house where Jones boarded was let into the secret, and tlie first scene in the drama was inaugurated by the boarding-house keeper, handing Jones a note from the young lady, who he said was his cousin, was in love with him, and was coming up from Wenona to pass a few days at his house. To pass over intervening incidents the lady came, and Jones made love to Jier, took her on walks through the snow, went visiting with her to all the houses in the village, and finally, while returning home one evening, the lady was insulted by a man whose name was Smith, (but isn't) and who pretended to be drunk. Jones next day made complaint against Smith before a man whom he supposed was a justice, but who wasn't. A mock warrant issued. Smith was arrested, and on a mock trial he was fined $15 and costs. It might be stated here, that nearly every person in Kawkawlin was aware of the game that was being played on Jones, except the victim himself. He, however, thought everything all correct, and was highly elated at the success of the trial. Jones was next advised to marry the young lady, and finally it was arranged that the nuptials should be performed. The services of one of the ring were procured, and in a short time Jones and the young lady were pronounced man and man.

About this time Smith appealed his case, a jury was empaneled for a second trial, and he was acquitted. Just at the close of the trial, another of the ring, disguised of course, entered the room and claimed that Jones' newly wedded spouse was his legal wife. She was accordingly arrested on a charge of bigamy, tried and sentenced to state's prison for a term of years. Jones was frantic; he cried, he yelled, he kissed her, and swore eternal fidelity. As the officer was starting from the court room with his prisoner, however, one of the persons present flew at the woman, tore off her bonnet, cloak and dress, and as they fell to the floor, and as loud cries went up from those assembled there, Jones saw how badly he had been sold. Eoar after roar of laughter went up from that ''court room," and as Jones saw the cruel joke that had been perpetrated upon him, his wrath knew no bounds. His departure was precipitate, and the places that had recently known him, knew him no more forever.

For Posterity

The poet is ever abroad in the land seeking whom and what he may immortahze in verse. In one of his hopeful moods the muse led him through the glad fields and by the clear waters of the historic Kawkawhn; and he^ast adrift a waif which we chanced to find, and will here preserve for the sake of posterity. It chants the attractions of Kawkawlin in a melodious strain, as follows:

Statistics

The population of the township in 1880 was 1,118, and vakiation of real and personal estate in 1882: $298,462. Number of school children in 1883: 452.

For the year ended December 31, 1882, there were sixty-seven births in this township, of which thirty-eight were males and twfiity-nine females, including three pairs of twins, a very commendable showing in this respect.

Potatoes are the best crop, in point of productiveness, showing that the soil of the township is peculiarly adapted to the growth of this class of vegetables. Numbei^of acres planted: 327; number of bushels raised: 26,803 - an average of eighty-two bushels to the acre.

Hay is something that can always command a fair price, and as a consequence there were produced for the year ended December 31, 1882, 1,107 tons, on 993 acres.

Oats avetaged thirty-six and one-half bushels to the acre. There were 408 acres sown, producing 14,930 bushels. Taxes were levied in 1882 as follows:

The election of township officers for the year 1883, resulted as follows: For supervisor, N. Hembling, 165; C. Bedell, 68; J. McCuddy, 4. For township clerk - A. Wheeler, 197; Francis, 85. For highway commissioner - P. J. McGraJi, 191; J. Laracey, 91. For treasurer - Carl Schmidt was elected without opposition. For justice of the peace (full term) E. M. Parsons elected without opposition. For school inspectors - P. Murphey and J. G. Schmidt one and two years respectively. For drainage commissioner (to fill vacancy) - Henry Rodgers, elected without opposition. Alex. Anderson, A. Colson, Frank Gnillott and J. G. Schmidt were elected constables.

BIOGRAPHICAL. Dk. D. a. McTavish was born in Middlesex Co., Canada, Feb. 17, 1855. His parents were from Argyle, Scotland. He attended the common school till he was fifteen, and in 1872 and 1873 attended the Normal School at Toronto. He taught a common school till the 8th of October, 1877, when he entered Trinity Medical College where he obtained a fellowship in 1880. The same year he graduated at Trinity University and at Toronto University.

In 1881 he went to Scotland and studied at the Royal Infirmary, and in November of that year graduated at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh, and on April 12, 1882 went to the State of Michigan and estabhshed himself in Kawkawlin, Bay County, where he is practicing his profession.

Jons Jacobson, son of a Swedish farmer, was born in Sweden, June 17, 1850. Until he was sixteen years old he went to school, after which he went to work for the farmers till he was twenty-one, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York. He went to Hancock and worked on the railroad about five months, then was given the charge of a gang of men and held that position seven montlis, when he went to Au Sable. From there he went to Kawkawlin, then to Bay City, and finally purchased land in the town of Kawkawlin, Bay County, in 1873. His cash capital when he commenced in the town was ten dollars, but by industry and prudence he is worth a fine property. In March, 1875, he married Miss Mary Jansen, of Sweden. They had two children; one died on the ninth of January, 1881.

Amos Wheeler, one of the old settlers of Kawkawhn, was born in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 9, 1825. His father was a farmer, and he had to work in the Summer as soon as old enough, and went to school three or four months in the Winter. He lived at home till he was about twenty-one. When about twenty-two he married Miss Marrinette E. Briggs, of Castleton, Rutland Co., Vt., in which place he settled and engaged in farming till he went into the charcoal business as a contractor. In the Fall of 1853 he moved into Addison County and built a saw mill on Middlebury River, which he run six years and sold, and built another further up the river, which he run six years. He was in the county thirteen years, during which time he was a magistrate nine years and a representative in the state Legislature one year. In the Spring of 1872 he went to the state of Michigan to see a daughter who had been there three years. After seeing the energy, industry and enterprise manifested, so different to that he had seen among the mountains of New England, he concluded to become a settler and in the Fall of 1872 he moved his family to Bay City, and the following Spring moved to Kawkawhn, Bay County, to the house in which he resides. In the Spring of 1874 he was elected a magistrate and held that office till July, 1882, and during that time he made thirty-two couples happy by making them husband and wife. He is the father of four children, all born in Rutland Co., Vt. Two are living and reside in Kawkawlin. In the Spring of 1880 he was elected town clerk, which office he now holds.

Calvin E. Bedell. - The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in England, and emigrated to America, settled in the State of New Jersey, and married a lady from Holland. His son - Calvin's father - was born in New Jersey, and when he started in life for himself settled ' in the northern part of the state of New York. Calvin was born in Royalton, Niagara County, January 10, 1826. His father was a farmer, and gave him only a common school education. He stayed at home till he was twenty-four years old, at which time he married Miss Maria Hartranft, of Niagara County, N. Y. Ten children were born to them; six girls and foui boys. All are well settled in life. He followed farming in Niagara County till he was thirty-three years old, when he sold out and went to the county of Grey, Canada. He again sold after a residence of ten years, and went to the States in April, 1875, and bought forty acres of good land in the town of KawkawHu, Bay County. He raised on Seven and three-eighths acres, 352 bushels of wheat, in 1882. He has taken from one acre, 520 bushels of potatoes. One year he raised thirty-six bushels of wheat to the acre and one year thirty-eight bushels. Mr. Bedell is a man that beheves in doing what he does,well. He is the supervisor of the town.

Carl Schmidt, an old and enterprising settler of Kawkawlin, was born in the province of Brandenburg, Germany, in 1826. He learned the cooper's trade and worked at it till 1845, then went to sea till 1853, when he came to New York and worked at his trade. In 1858 he went to Monroe County, Mich., and engaged in buying staves for the European market. In 1860 he went to Genesee and bought staves till 1866. In that year he went to Kawkawlin, Bay County, worked one year in the village, and in 1867 bought a farm in Section Twenty-three, w^here he lives. In 1853 he married Miss Eliza Kateslan, of Hamburg, Germany, by whom he has six children living. By his industry and economy he is in comfortable circumstances.

Edwin M. Parsons, one of the first settlers of the north part of the township of Kawkawlin, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1848. His early life was spent in working Summers and going to school in the Winter. He worked at nome on his father's farm, in which he had an interest, till November, 1872, when he went to Terry Station on the M. C. K. R., and in Kawkawlin, Bay Co.,- and worked for Terry, Seely & Co., as general overseer of the lumber company's business, station agent, and postmaster. In August. 1871, he married Miss Myra Seely, of East Saginaw. Miss Seely was born in the town of Onondaga, Onondaga Co., N. Y"., in 1850, and came with her father to Saginaw in 1867, and in the FhU of 1875 went to Kaw^kawdin. Her great grandfather was cousin to John Spaulding, who took the papers from Major Andre's boot. Her great grandmother was the daughter of Mabel Todd, of Revolutionary fame. She is on her mother's side a descendant of the Grisw^olds, of England, and the Woodfords, of Connecticut. Mr. Parsons' mother was one of the Armstrongs of Connecticut, and related in direct descent to the Hydes, of England. He owns 1,000 acres of good farming land in Eraser and Kawkawiin. The village of Linwood is in the center of his farm. Mrs. Parsons has a fine apiary from which she received for honey and bees $340 dollars in the Fall of 1882.

Alexander Howe, an old settler of Kawkawlin, was born in the county of Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1823. He came to America in 1851, and settled in the county of Hastings, Canada, and remained there till the Autumn of 1865, when he went to the state of Michigan, and worked in Bay City two years. He then went to Kawkawlin, worked in the mills for some years, and in 1878 bought a farm in Section Four of that town. In March, 1857, he married Miss Mary Ann Wiggins, who was born in the county of Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1824, and came to America in 1850, and found her intended husband.

Oscar J. Bedell was born in the township of Royalton, Niagara Co., N. Y., August 18, 1841. His early life, like that of most other boys, was spent in working on the farm and in going to school. In May, 1863, he married Miss Ehza J. Hildebrand, of Royalton, N. Y. In 1866 he went to Kaw^awhn, Bay Co., Mich., and bought a farm in Section Twenty-seven. He sold this, then bought in Section Six, sold again and bought in Section Twenty-eight, wdiere he lives. Miss Hildebrand was born in Royalton, N. Y., in 1842, and is the happy mother of seven children.

William D. Evans was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1832, and at thirteen years of age went to Oshkosh, Wis., where he remained seven years engaged in rafting Summers, and in the lumber woods Winters. He went thence to Canada where he spent two years, and subsequently to La Crosse, Wis., stopping there three years. After - following the Mississippi River four years he came to Bay City in 1857, and leased the Drake property. West Bay City, below the Drake Mill, which he planted to corn as far down as w^here now stand the Chemical Works. He then leased the Farmer's Home, corner of Saginaw and Third Streets, Bay City, keeping it one year, since wdiich time he has been engaged in fishing and jobbing in the lumber woods. In 1874 he purchased 115 acres of land at Tobacco Bay, two miles north of the Kawkawlin River, a portion of which he has under cultivation. He w^as in the Union Army by enlistment, thirteen months prior to the close of the war. He married Miss Jane Deenes, of Detroit. They have one son and two daughters.