Bay County, Michigan - Chapter 5: Organization and Growth of Bay County, 1905

Early Land Transactions and Settlements - Hampton Township Erected - Earlv Elections - The Strenuous Fight for Separation from Saginaw- County - Era of Prosperity - Early Official Transactions - Arenac County Erected - Census Figures and Some Vital Statistics - Synopsis of Election Returns - Some of Those Who Have Served in Official Positions - Roster of County Officials.

Up to our altars, then, haste we and summon Courage and loveliness, manhood and woman ! Deep let our pledges be : Freedom for ever ! Truce with oppression, never, oh never ! By our own birthright-gift, granted of Heaven - Freedom for heart and lip. be the pledge given !

The Saginaw Bay Company, led by the late James Eraser, and organized February 9, 1837, named the embryo city they had surveyed and platted "Lower Saginaw," which name the settlement retained for 20 years. Lower Saginaw contained 240 acres within the limits now bounded, roughly speaking, by Woodside avenue on the north, Columbus avenue on the south and by Grant street, then away out in the wilderness, which formed the eastern boundary.

In 1836 the late Judge Albert Miller purchased a tract of land some three miles from the mouth of the river, which lay somewhat higher above the river level than the surrounding country, and therefore to his practiced eye offered the best opportunities for early settlement. This tract includes the district now lying south of Columbus avenue and west of

Garfield avenue, the western portion of which now constitutes the greater part of the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh wards of Bay City. After being surveyed and platted, it was named Portsmouth. Judge ]\Iiller recognized the immense value of the vast timber belt then skirting the river, and his first enterprise was the erection of a sawmill in 1837, the first at this end of the river, designed to furnish prospective settlers with an easy and cheap means of erecting their humble cabins, and al.-^o to supply the other sections of Michigan south of the Saginaw River, which during those years of colonization in the ''Peninsular'' State, were rapidly being populated.

The subsequent panic throughout the country, particularly disastrous to the development of the interior of our State, crushed for a time all the prospects of these two prospective setlOO tlements. In 1838 the affairs of the Saginaw Bay Compan)', opened under such auspicious and enterprising circumstances, went into chancery, and its bright prospects were bhghted. But the original projectors never lost faith in the future of this end of the valley.

In 1840, Dr. Daniel Hughes Fitzhugh took advantage of the recent survey by government officials of the Indian reservation on the west shore of the Saginaw River, by purchasing several of the more desirable parcels of land lying directly across the river from Portsmouth.

It will be noticed that all these early land transactions dealt in the few locations directly on the river bank, where elevations, natural or artificial, removed the danger of the perennial floods at that time. During the following 60 years the waters have gradually receded, the river banks have been artificially dammed, and the river channel deepened at its mouth, so that every foot of the rich, low river bottoms has been made available for farms and for factory sites. Could the pioneers of 1840 have foreseen these favorable changes with the passing years, they would undoubtedly have invested in much more of the valley property, the choicest parcels of which then sold for $5 an acre, and what is now some of the choicest city property was then bought for $3 an acre. But even at that price it required some foresight and faith in the future of these lowlands, for any large purchases. For the settlements at the mouth of the Saginaw River were the outpost of civilization in the interior of Michigan for many years.

In 1840 there was not a single known white settler between here and Alackinaw, and Fort Mackinac itself was only a military outpost, with a mission for the Indians. On the old map owned by Captain Marsac the country north of here showed but crude outlines of a few of the many large streams that pour their waters into Lake Huron. Ouisconsin, as the State of Wisconsin appears on that map, was scarcely known beyond tlie outskirts of the first settlements on its southeastern border. The entire country from this valley to ]\Iackinaw was included in the township of Saginaw, with the exception of a part of Arenac, which was attached to Midland for judicial purposes.

In 1842 the projectors of Bay City made an eft'ort to secure a separate township organization, and in the winter of 1843 the Saginaw County Board of Supervisors erected the township of Hampton, which included at the time all the territory from the lower end of the Saginaw River to Mackinaw. This vast territory was named Hampton by Hon. James G. Birney, in honor of the country seat of his wife in New York State, Flampton-on-Hudson.

The organization of Hampton township was completed in March, 1843, ^nd on April I, 1843, the settlers held their first election in the Globe Hotel. William R. IMcCormick's hat was the ballot-box and it was a standing joke of the old settlers ever after that he wore a hat large enough to hold all the votes between here and Mackinaw. The more superstitious of the settlers had cause for reflection when it was found that just 13 citizens were present and eligible to vote. Hon. James G. Birney, who that very year was nominated for the second time by the Liberty party for the highest office in the gift of our people, the presidency of the United States, received six votes for supervisor, while the proprietor of the settlement's only hostelry received seven votes, and thus Sydney S. Campbell was declared duly elected to attend the board meetings at Saginaw, and privileged to paddle his own canoe for 16 miles each way for glory and the prestige of the settlement.

era1)le critical analysis. That party spirit ran high is evident by the close vote. Just why James G. Birney, one of the brightest and most advanced citizens of the country, without a doubt Bay County's foremost citizen, who had done much to bring about the separate organization of Hampton township, and who was at that \ery time bending every energy and dollar he had in the world to the development of this little settlement, should be defeated by the jolly tavern-keeper, has been the subject for discussion and conjecture. The Democratic party was then still in the ascendency in the land, and Supervisor Campbell belonged to the dominant party. Perchance the party whi]) and party loyalty was as efifective in 1843 '^^ '^ certainly is in 1905. Or mayhap the refreshing influence of the tavern was more persuasive in securing votes, than pre-eminent aljility. pul)- lic-spiriled effort or the undivided interests of the little settlement. Be that as it may. the contents of William R. McCormick's hat showed tliat a majority of the settlers wanted Sydney S. Camjibell on the board, and bis election was duly celebrated far into the night by the successful "party," differing from our modern-day celebration of election victories only in point of numbers.

Old residents are authority for the deduction, that there was more good cheer dispensed as a result of that first election on the soil of embryo Bay County, per capita of population taken into the reckoning, than was dispensed in these parts in November, 1904, when the popularity of President Theodore Roosevelt landed him in tiie White House by the largest electoral as well as jiopular vote ever given a presidential nominee, and incidentally resulted in a landslide for the local Republican ticket in Bay County, every candidate on that ticket being elected, with hundreds of votes to spare, against an unusually strong ticket on the other side.

Judge Campbell in later years enjoyed many jokes about that first election in Hampton township, while .some of the best emanated beside his own fireside. He served as supervisor for a number of years, being succeeded by George Lord, who came here from Madison County, New York, in the winter of 1854, and who built the Keystone mill on the West Side. He had hardly settled here before public office and honors were showered on him by the little community, and during the next 20 years he held a number of the highest offices in the gift of the people here. He was a robust type of the early pioneers, who liked a joke as well as his predecessor. Judge Cam])bcll, and both were correspondingly popular. He represented this community on the board of Saginaw County at the time the agitation was on for creating a separate county down here, and was bitterly opposed by the supervisors of Saginaw and Midland townships. When Midland set up for itself, he was active in securing the organization of another township on the west side of the river, and in 1855 the Midland board organized the township of \\'illiams, comprising townships 14, 15 and 16 north, range 3 east, and all of Arenac County.

How thinly this vast territory was settled in those early years, is best shown by the \-ote at presidential elections. Michigan being adinitted to Statehood in 1835, the first presidential election took place in November, 1836. Oddly enough, Saginaw County, which then included all the territory from the Flint River to Mackinaw, is credited with giving 165 votes to Martin Van Buren, Democrat, while not a single vote is credited to "Tippecanoe" liarrison, the \\ big candidate. Undoubtcdl}- the Democratic politicians of that day and of this vast territory knew at that early day how to manipulate returns and votes. Four years later, in 1840, Van Buren received 100 votes, to Har- rison's 89. In 1844, President Polk received but 104 votes, to 107 for Henry Clay, the \\diig candidate. These several elections not only show a slow but positive increase in population, but they also show much change of sentiment.

This vote of 1844^ as recorded in the Capitol at Lansing, would also show that this settlement of future Bay City did not show due respect and appreciation for the distinguished lawyer and citizen who for the sake of principle, in defense of human liberty, equality, and the very birthright of the human race, had given up his slaves, much of his earthly possessions, had forsaken the charming scenes of his childhood in "Old Kentucky," and all the comforts and luxury of his Southern home, to seek exile in Michigan, where freedom was all that the word implies, and not merely an idle phrase. For nowhere do we find that one single vote was cast in this election of 1844 for Bay County's most distinguished pioneer, Hon. James G. Birney, who in this very election received 62,300 votes for President of the United States on the ticket of the Liberty party. While thousands of his fellow-citizens in other parts of the country were by their votes honoring the grand old man and his principles, his neighbors in the wilderness, for whom he was doing so much, do not appear to have voted for him at all ! Yet this sterling citizen, defender of liberty for all, an earnest preacher in the wilderness, eloquent in his defense of the enslaved black race of the South, who through a long life practiced all the Christian virtues, this pioneer in our own backwoods settlement, received in the very next year (1845) 3-023 votes for Governor of Michigan on his party ticket. The county did better by him in this election, giving him 37 votes, but even these are paltry returns for all that he daily did for these hidebound partisans.

arena just 20 years too soon! Had he been eligible in i860, the whole trend of our country's history might have been changed. But it was his duty in life to "blaze" a way for future generations. His self-sacrifices and his eloquent championship of the down-trodden slaves of the South showed the way for the next generation of abolitionists, who completed the work he had so well begun. He was a leader in that great movement, when leadership meant social exile and banishment from his native hearth. He was one of the prophets in the wilderness, who was figuratively crucified for the cause he served and that world-wide humanity he loved. And he was as eminent and successful a pioneer in this valley, as he was in that movement to free the slaves of the South.

That his preaching was not utterly lost upon his neighbors, is shown by the vote of 1848, when this vast county gave Gen. Lewis Cass, the famous Indian fighter and territorial Governor of Michigan, 183 votes on the Democratic ticket, while Gen. Zachary Taylor, ^\'hig. received iiS, and Martin Van Buren, Free Soil candidate, recei\-ed 47 votes. Those 47 votes were cast for the principles James G. Birney fought for. The tide had not yet set in, that would sweep old prejudices away, but the first low waves were rolling, even here. In 1852 the vote for President was as follows: Franklin Pierce, Democrat, 694; Gen. Winfield Scott, Whig, 367 ; John P. Hale, of New Hampshire, Free Soil, y^i- The younger generations of this settlement were most impressed with the spirit of their tutor, and he lived to see the work he did in the vineyard of his Master bear good fruit in the organization in July, 1855, under the oaks at Jackson, of the Republican party, embodying all the principles for which he fought.

the birth of the "Grand Old Party" by the late Gen. Benjamin F. Partridge, Jutlge Albert Miller. John McEwan, and Col. Henry Raymond. The movement started by Judge Birney and his compatriots had now gained full swing, and through the entire North there rang the songs of Whittier and Longfellow, and the eloquence of Daniel Webster and his co-laborers in the halls of state at Washington, while thousands of volumes of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" were sold in Michigan. The result of this propaganda is evident in the last election held jointly by this community as part of Saginaw County in 1856. John C. Fremont, Republican, received 1.042 votes, to 1,222 for James Buchanan, Democrat. It will also be noted that the vote of this vast region had almost doubled in those short four years. Verily many good citizens had entered the wilderness in IMichigan's interior since 1850 and a large proportion settled here.

In 1850 the work of building up a prosperous community in these wilds of Lower Saginaw, begun in earnest in 1842 by Hon. James G. Birney, the late James Eraser and Dr. Daniel Hughes Fitzhugh, began to show excellent results. Capitalists with money to invest, professional men with energy and ability, brainy mechanics and enterprising merchants, came to swell the population, undaunted by the primitive means we then had of communicating with the outside world, or the still more primitive environs of the settlement itself. The acute business men of that army of hardy ])ioneers and home-builders recognized in this location with its wealth of pine and other timber, and its many probable though undiscovered and undeveloped natural resources, a business diamond cut in the rough, and their judgment has been verified by subsequent events.

and the pioneers were no longer satisfied to be a mere tail to the Saginaw kite, and around their firesides and in public meeting places they demanded a title more distinctive for their rising community. Tn that year Hon. James Birney came here to carry on the business enterprises of his worthy father, and one of his first public acts was the introduction of a bill in the Legislature in January, 1857, providing "That the name of the village of Lower Saginaw, in the Township of Hampton, State of Michigan, be, and the same is, hereby changed to Bay City." The bill was passed and approved February 10. 1857, Governor Bingham willingly signing the bill, for Saginaw had given him an adverse vote, while the little settlement, which was not yet incorporated as a village, had shown some of the spirit of the leading pathfinder of the community in registering its sovereign will. This success spurred the ambitious settlers on to new efforts for a separate county organization.

In November, 1854, Jonathan Smith Barclay, one of our county's pioneer business men, builder and owner of the famous old \\V)lverton House, managed to secure the nomination and election to the Legislature from Saginaw County. In 1855, aided by Judge Albert Miller and Daniel Burns - another of the galaxy of irrepressible sons of Scotland among our pioneers - a bill to create Bay County was introduced and later defeated by only a narrow margin, despite the bitter antagonism of both Saginaw and Midland, both of whom coveted this rich belt on the shores of Saginaw Bay. Gen. Benjamin F. Partridge is the historian of this memorable contest for recognition by his fellow-citizens of embryo Bay County, his sketch being published in pamphlet form by the Board of Supervisors in 1876. It now occupies a conspicuous place in the State Pioneer So-

Tlie determination of the now thoroughly aroused settlement was equal to the emergency, however, and, having a good and just cause, won out over seemingly insurmountable obstacles, just as, 48 years later, equally publicspirited citizens won out over a similarly obdurate Legislature, in the endeavor to unite the sister cities. Then as now there were lukewarm citizens, conservative men who thought tliat possibly the matter was a little premature, who wanted to wait and see, who wanted to leave well enough alone, who were afraid we were not yet old or rich enough to stand alone, just as 48 years after equally conscientious and good citizens thought and argued, tliat we were not yet old enough or well enough balanced to "stand together." It is interesting to note that the progress of events for separation from Saginaw in 1857 were very similar to the course of events that UNITED the two Bay Cities in 1905. With a divided House behind them, and with seemingly insurmountable obstacles before them, there were able and willing spirits in the community who dared to do the impossible. They insisted that the separate organization of Bay County, as they had determined to name the new constituency, was proper and right, and being right was not something to be allowed by an unwilling Legislature, but something that should be at once conceded.

In 1856 Hon. T. Jerome, of Saginaw, was elected to the Legislature from that county, and Henry Ashman, from Midland County, with the express understanding that they were to frustrate all efforts for the creation of Bay County, and both stood resolutely by their gims. Their opposition was at all times honorable and above board, but none the less strenuous. The Legislature being almost unanimously Republican, the settlers here wisely decided to send, as their missionaries, the leading residents of that political faith. There journeyed to Lansing, in behalf of a separate and distinct county organization, a large committee headed by Hon. James Birney, Gen. B. F. Partridge, Col. Henry Raymond, William Mc- Ewan, John McEwan, Judge Albert Miller, and as many other settlers as could spare the time from their urgent daily duties of life.

The act creating Bay County was drawn by Chester H. Freeman, one of the first lawyers to come to this wilderness, and the description of territory was drawn by Gen. B. F. Partridge, himself an able surveyor and civil engineer. But the representatives of Saginaw and -Midland counties did not want the bill to pass in that form, hence they added Section 2. which after a prolonged struggle before the Legislature was finally accepted by all parties as a compromise. The act creating Bay County was as follows : "Section i : That the following territory (then followed the description) shall be organized into a county, which shall be known and called Bay County, and the inhabitants thereof shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges to which by law the inhabitants of the other organized counties of this State are entitled. Section 2 : This act shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of Bay, Saginaw, Midland, and Arenac Counties, at the township meetings to be holden in said county ( here followed provisions how the vote should be taken), and in case a majority of the said votes upon the approval of this act shall be in favor of such approval, then this act shall take effect upon the 20th day of April, 1857; but if a majority of said votes shall be against such approval, then this act shall not take effect, but shall be void."

the worthy meml^er from Midland, who also wanted his people to have a vote in killing off the ambitions of "those mosquito fighters'" at the mouth of the river, as the inland settlers were wont to refer sneeringly to the men who dared to seek homes amid the malaria and desolation of the wild and wooded lowlands. The member from Saginaw was willing to have the bill pass in this thrice altered way, satisfied to leave the matter to his constituency, and happy himself to be rid of the bother on the floor of the House. The representative from Midland County urged the claim of his county for the privilege of voting on this proposition. which seemed to concern them so little, with the undoubted purpose of later urging the reasons why Midland and not Saginaw should have that sneered at, but none the less growing, settlement near the bay.

By mutual consent the bill as thrice amended was passed by the Legislature on February 17, 1857, and was duly signed by Governor Bingham. The territory included in Bay County by this act was taken partly from Saginaw and Midland, and included all of Arenac County, which was attached to Midland for judicial purposes. It comprised township 13 north, range 6 east; all the north half of township 13 north, range 5 east, that lies east of the Saginaw River; all of township 14 north, ranges 3, 4, 5 and 6 east; all of townships 15, 16, 17 and 18 north, ranges 3, 4 and 5 east; all of townships 19 and 20 north, ranges 3,4. 5,6, 7 and 8 east ; and the Charity Islands in Saginaw Bay. All this territory lies around the shores of Saginaw Bay, including the valleys of the Saginaw, Kawkawlin and Pinconning rivers, which are still within the boundaries of Bay County proper, and the Pine Rifle and Au Ores rivers, now in Arenac County, and the Ouanicasse River, now in Tuscola County. In this entire territory but two townships were regularly organized - Hampton and Williams. The changes of the original boundaries have come since then ; as this vast territory became settled, the inhabitants wanted to set up housekeeping for themselves, much as Bay wanted to do in 1855. and did do in 1857. To our credit be it said, we have never compelled other communities to fight for their rights, as Bay County had to do, until the Supreme Court set things right in May, 1858.

In accordance with the provisions of the enabling act, Bay, Saginaw, Midland and Arenac counties all voted on the proposition on the first Monday in April, 1857. In embryo Bay City a new light had dawned since the bitter fight was waged against the new county at Lansing, and some of those w'ho were most emphatic in opposition to the separation now became the most urgent advocates of a separate county. Once again note the parallel between the evolution of the forces of progress and development in the fight for separation in 1857, and the endeavor for union in 1905. When the votes were counted at Birney Hall that rainy April evening in 1857, the entire settlement was out in the storm, anxiously awaiting the result.

The vote of Bay County was almost unanimous in favor of the separate organization, the vote being 204 for separation, and only 14 against! Saginaw and Midland counties voted almost as unanimously against the separation, as was to be expected, and they forthwith contended that the act creating Bay County w^as null and void, and the Circuit Court at Saginaw continued to claim jurisdiction over Bay County. Most of the conservative and peaceloving residents of Bay were resigned to their fate, and proceeded to accept the discouraging consequences of that election with such good grace as they could command. Not so Hon.

Chester H. Freeman, the framer of the act, and one of its sturdiest champions. He contended from the day tlie act was passed, that the Legislature did not intend to have Saginaw and Midland vote on it, and that the words "at the township meetings to be holden in said county" clearly proved that the election was to be held by Bay County alone. A liandful of stalwart and progressive citizens alone took Judge Freeman's view of the case.

Determined to have a settlement of the case one way or the other, the township authorities called an election of county ol^cers to be held the first Monday in June, 1857. So little faith did some of the more conservative settlers have in this election, that they did not even take the trouble to vote, and consequently less than half as many votes were cast for the first county officers as had previously been cast in favor of the separate county organization. The officials elected, however, were determined to see the case through on its merits, and the following day qualified for their respective offices, to which they were later duly entrusted by the Supreme Court : Sheriff, William Simon ; clerk, Elijah Catlin ; treasurer, James Watson; register of deeds, Thomas M. Bligh; judge of probate, Sydney S. Campbell ; prosecuting attorney, Chester H. Freeman ; circuit court commissioner, Stephen P. Wright ; surveyor, B. F. Partridge; coroner, William C. Spicer. These were the first county officials of Bay County, and the ticket was as well balanced as any ever named since at the polls.

Hardly had this organization been perfected, when Saginaw and Alidland protested the election as illegal, and for some months things were badly mixed in the valley. The collection of taxes and all proceedings in court were practically paralyzed. Litigants would start suit in Bay County, and if the judgment was against them would promptly appeal to

Thus inatters drifted with clash of jurisdiction and worse confusion, until even the most ardent separationists advised giving way and postponing the organization of Bay County until a more opportune time. But Judge Freeman stood like the proverbial stone wall. Daniel Burns was chargel by Dr. Dion Birney with having committed a perjury in Hampton township, June 29, 1857. Hon. John IMoore, prosecuting attorney for Saginaw County, represented the complainant, and Chester H. Freeman, prosecuting attorney for Bay County, was retained by Daniel Burns, who entered into the spirit of this test case with all the zeal he could command. Although all the leading lawyers in ]\Iichigan expressed the opinion that the act creating Bay County was null and void, Judge Freeman decided to carry this test case to the Supreme Court. Before going to this last court of appeal, he once more tried to get the Legislature to put Bay County on its feet. But the Saginaw and Midland representatives were as immovable as before. Then Judge Freeman tried a stratagem that nearly succeeded. He drew a bill, defining where the court should be held in the judicial district in which Bay City was situated which, had it become law, would have established Bay County at once as a separate organization. Here is the outline of the bill ; "It is hereby provided that the circuit judge of the district in which Bay County is situated shall hold court in Bay City, in said territory, and shall hear, try, and determine all suits commenced in said circuit court in said territory, and all appeals to the same." The final section confirmed jurisdiction in this territory! This bill met the approval of the Governor and of the Saginaw and Midland representatives and promptly passed the House on Friday. As tlie Governor had left the Capitol, and did not return until Monday, this bill was not signed: when about to sign, the Governor on reading it again before signing, recognized its force, called the opposing representatives' attention to it : as Messrs. Jerome and Ashnum wished to recall it, it was never approved. The Republican party leaders at Lansing were not very anxious to create another new county, which they had reason to believe would be largely Democratic, and they hastened to put a quietus on the settlement's ambitions. So anxious were some of the local Democratic party leaders of those years to have Bay County recognized as a separate organization, that they promised to send Hon. James Birney as the first representative from this county, in case it was then recognized. This was not an idle promise, for Judge Birney soon after entered the State Senate from this senatorial district.

The stalwart defenders of Bay County's interests never faltered in the face of these repeated rebufYs. Realizing that there was no hope for the county in the Legislature, they turned resolutely to the courts for a settlement of their case. Chester H. Freeman and Stephen P. Wright prepared to carry the Birney vs. Burns suit to the Supreme Court, and they called in as assistant counsel Hon. William M. Fenton, of Genessee County. The defendant, Mr. Burns, through his attorney. Judge Freeman, filed a l)ill of abatement, alleging that *'tlie said supposed offense, if any was committed, was committed within the jurisdiction of Bay County, and not within the jurisdiction of the Saginaw Circuit Court." L'pon this plea, issue was taken, and the case was made and certified to the Supreme Court, and was heard at the May term, at Detroit.

case. Unfortunately the strain and worry over this case brought on a fever, so that at the very time the case was brought up. Judge Freeman was prostrated. Mrs. Freeman promptly gathered up all the papers in the case, togetlier with Judge Freeman's arguments, and sent them all to Mr. Fenton, at Flint. The case had meanwhile attracted State-wide attention, as citizens of all the counties interested asked the opinions of various attorneys throughout the State. When Mr. Fenton reached Detroit, he was urged by some of the most prominent attorneys in the State to let the case go by default, as he would only lay himself liable to ridicule and defeat. He was assured that not a single attorney, aside from Judge Freeman himself, had any faith in the case of Bay County. Fortunately for Bay County, IMr. Fenton was an honest and fearless citizen, and he assured his advisers that he knew of points in the case which they overlooked, that he had promised Mrs. Freeman to see the case through to the end to the best of his ability, and this he was now prepared to do. He had not gone far into the argument, before the listening jurists conceded that there was some plausibility to his line of reasoning, and before he closed many of the most eminent practitioners became themselves convinced that Bay County had taken a perfectly legal and proper course under the circumstances. Seldom had any case aroused such wide-spread interest among the members of Michigan's bench and bar, and many were the arguments pro and con that May evening in the metropolis of the State, on the chances of the Supreme Court sustaining the little settlement on the Saginaw River. The case was submitted just before the close of court that afternoon, and ^Ir. Fenton and the few Bay citizens who had wandered up ta Detroit to hear the case slept but little that night. At the opening of court next morning.

the now famous decision was handed down, sustaining every contention of Bay County, and declaring the county duly and properly organized. The decision is found on page 1 14, 5th Michigan Reports, First Cooley.

A messenger who had been waiting for the decision for hours, started on a speedy horse to bring the news to Bay County, this being a faster route than coming by stage to Saginaw and by canoe down the ri\'er. But the news first reached here by the Detroit boat, which left shortly after the Supreme Court had rendered its decision. The progressive and enterprising citizens who had never lost hope in the establishment of a new county, with the county seat in their midst, were naturally elated, and even the more easy-going and indifferent citizens came out of their hard shells long enough to take part in a genuine backwoods celebration. Thomas Rogers and a corps of willing and muscular assistants, having no cannon to sound the glad tidings, hammered the old anvil until the welkin rang with the merry music. Old fowling pieces were brought forth, loaded to the muzzle, and their explosion sounded to the up-river settlers like a battle down the river. All the instruments of music and of noise were called into use, and good cheer flowed, as it only could flow, in an open-hearted and primiti^-e community.

The venerable recorder of those far-reaching and exciting events reports in the cptaint style of those years, that this cannonading did drown some of the sleepy ideas of some of the sleepy people of this infant city, and did awaken them to a realization that from their little hamlet there did lead a sure road to prosperity and wealth, did they but realize it, and try it out. "The glad news brought the people to their right senses! Since then the city and county liave rushed along the rough track of building lip and burning down, and rebuilding in more

In view of events in recent years, one would almost believe that the effects of that early stimulant had worn off, that some of our able citizens have again wandered away from that \italizing road that by the value of our natural resources must lead to prosperity and success. A-'erily we are dozing off again, resting on our oars, drifting with the tide, waiting with the stoical indifference of the original aborigine inhabitant of this region for something easy to turn up. And to the south and east and west .of us, more enterprising and wide-awake communities in [Michigan were snatching from our slumbering brow the honor, prestige and business, of being the third city in Michigan. But happily for us, like our ancestors of 48 years ago, over many obstacles and seemingly impassable barriers, we have pursued our courtship ; Wenona of old has won forever and ever the strong arm and devoted co-operation of the older community. Joined always together by the commercial ties created by the mighty Saginaw, it remained for the revival of 1905 to unite those which had ever belonged together. And just as the victory of Bay County in 1858 roused the slumbering energies and gave renewed hope to the pioneers of Bay County, so let us strive to gain new hope, new life, new enterprise, progress and prosperity from the united strength of the consolidated cities.

Certain it is, that this valley in 1858 at once assumed a place in the State it had not pre- occupied. The little settlement at once found a place on the maps of the country. Those already here sent the good tidings to friends in distant localities, and a stream of settlers was soon coming this way. Business and professional men like to be in a county seat, and the new dignity of Bay City attracted some of the men who later did much for the city and countv. The men alreadv here felt the vitaliz- ing influence of the new spirit wliich seemed to animate ex'crytliing and e\'en-body. and the men of means, who often clung timidly to their cash, preferring to have it lie idle in distant banks, now called this vital spark home, to combine with the brawn and sinew of labor for the mutual benefit of both. New mills were erected. Stores were stocked with merchandise that at first seemed all out of proportion to the demand or needs of the rising community, only to be exhausted within a few short months and requiring replenishing. That "business creates business" was proven on every hand. The money that one enterprising citizen l)ut into circulation drew out the hidden gold of his neighbor. Fortunes were accumulated in the next 30 years in every avenue of business and trade. The wheels of trade, industry and commerce, stopped for many years by the ])anic of 1837, were again set in motion all over the country, and nowhere was this vitalizing inlluence felt more keenly than in this "neck of the woods."

Bay City was advertised from ocean to ocean by this tenacious fight of a handful of men for recognition in the councils and the business of the great young State of Michigan. The rivalry between the older community at Saginaw and its robust offspring at the head of navigation began in earnest, and soon became a by-word throughout the country. However keen and strenuous that rivalry may have been and is now; however frequently it may have verged to a point where the rest of the State held its l)rcat]i in anticipation of a general riot call, one thing this rivalry has always done for the valley : It has given us ])ublicity and unlimited free advertising abroad. And since competition is the life of trade, and publicity its handmaiden, this keen rivalry has at least done as much as all other factors combined, to call the attention of the restless world outside to the wonderful advantages of this valley of the Sauks, so blessed by Nature, and so well de- \-eloped by its pioneer sons. The first clash came when Bay wanted to set up housekeeping for itself, and through the indomitable spirit of its leaders. Bay won. Many have been the clashes between the vigorous old colony above the Carrollton sand-bar, and the vigorous settlement in the lowlands near Saginaw Bay, but the most far-reaching clash was that legislative and legal battle fought to a successful issue by the cohorts of Bay in 1858.

The county officials elected the previous June immediately took up their ofticial duties, except William Simon, sheriff-elect, who had removed from the county; B. F. Partridge was appointed in his place. The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held August 10, 1858. Hampton township was represented by Sydney S. Campbell and Williams township by George W. Smock. Judge Campbell was unanimously elected chairman and, by the same unanimity, Mr. Smock became the committee of the whole. It was also unaniously voted by these two supervisors, that the chairman was entitled to a vote on all questions coming before the board. Suggestive of the times and the place was the first disbursement of the board, when they paid $88 to Indians for 1 1 wolf certificates, and $24 to pale face hunters for three wolf certificates. They also paid $70.43 for constable bills, indicating that the justice courts were grinding merrily, although the justices' fees amounted to only $66.61. Some enterprising citizen demanded $10 for posting election notices, but the board concluded $5 was enough for that service, which amount was allowed. They also allowed August Kaiser $r for boarding prisoners. Judged by that standard, the cost of living must have been trivial in 1858 in this settlement, compared to the accredited rates of 1905. While the set- tlement was still in its swaddling clothes, still the supervisors, after due diligence and impartial application of their tax yard-stick, found the assessed valuation to be $530,589, while their tax levy for the first year was $1,165. -^^ one looks at the several pictures of Bay City and vicinitv about that time, one would find it difficult to size up the property exposed to view at anything like the imposing array of figures, produced officially by that able twoman board. Evidently no one was overlooked, and every dollar's worth of property was made to pay its fair and equal share for the privilege of prospering with the prosperous and promising young community. The county officials were not paid in accordance with their evident worth, but rather in strict accordance with the visible means of the county as then constituted. The energetic prosecuting attorney, Judge Freeman, received the then princely sum of $50 per year for his public services, and the other officials were paid in proportion. The supervisors appointed E. N. Bradford, Israel Catlin and Jule B. Hart as superintendents of the poor, for verily "the poor ye shall have always with j-e." The poor board held its first meeting October 10, 1858. The county treasurer's report showed that county poor orders to the amount of $78.14 had been paid, and $2.85 remained in the poor fund.

Things moved fast in the new county, and the two-man board was soon more than doubled by the creation of new townships. In February, 1859, Arenac was erected into a township, with Daniel Williams, N. W. Sillibridge and Daniel Shaw on the Board of Inspectors. Peter Marksman was elected supervisor, but being unable to act, M. D. Bourasso was appointed and became the third member of the board. A special meeting was called in March, 1859, when the board erected the township of Portsmouth, with J. M. ]\Iiller, Appleton Stevens and William Daglish on the first Board of Inspectors, and Appleton Stevens was elected supervisor. Shortly after, the township of Bangor was created, with Scott W. Sayles as the first supervisor chosen by the constituency then residing on the west bank of the Saginaw River. Dr. George E. Smith represented Hampton in the fall of 1859. He was chosen chairman of the board, then consisting of five members.

The election in November, 185S, brought about some changes in the county officials, thesuccessful ones being as follows : Nathaniel Whittemore, sheriff; Thomas W^ Lyons, clerk; W. L. Sherman, circuit court commissioner; T. \Y. Watkins, surveyor. Those honored with succeeding terms were as follows : Chester H. Freeman, prosecuting attorney ; Thomas M. Bligh, register of deeds ; James Watson, treasurer: Sydney S. Campbell, judge of probate.

In the fall of 1858 a cheap wooden building for jail purposes was erected on what is now Sixth street, near Saginaw street. Sheriff Partridge did not have any vicious prisoners, for the shack would not ha\-e held them for a minute. This primitive bastile was destroyed by' fire in 1863.

At the first meeting of the Board of Super- \-isors in 1858, the county seat was located in Bay City. The following year the enterprising supervisor from Portsmouth nearly kidnaped the distinction from the larger settlement. \Mien the aroused Bay Cityans heard of the invasion of their prerogatives in that smooth manner, they made a counter demonstration and at the next session of the Board of Supervisors the county seat was restored to Bay City.

The first case in the Probate Court of Bay County was the appointment of ]\Iichae! Winterhalter as administrator of the estate of Frederick Wintermur. deceased.

The Legislature in February, 1883, created Arenac County, taking most of its territory from Bay County, including the following townships, and in order to indicate their population we append with each the vote cast by each at the presidential election in 1880: Arenac, 63; Au Ores, 61; Clayton, 62; Deep River, 76; Lincoln, including the village of Standish, 80; Mason, 34; Moffatt, 31; 69; Whitney, 49. Arenac was organized by the supervisors of Bay County immediately after their organization in February. 1859, and was important at that time because of the lumbering along the Rifle River. Au Gres was organized Ijy tiie same board in February, 1870. Its first supervisor was W. R. Bates, then a young attorney, later representing Bay in the House at Lansing, 1871-72, and in 1905 we find him L'nited States marshal for Eastern Michigan ! Lumbering along the Au Gres River was its main industry while the township belonged to Bay. Clayton township was also organized in February, 1870, Avhile Deep River and Standish were organized by act of the Legislature in February, 1873, Moffatt and Mason by the Board of Supervisors in 1874, and \\'hitney was erected as a township on October 16, 1879.

On the first Monday in June, 1883, ihis offshoot of Bay licld its first county election, naming men who for years had stood high in the counsels of their foster county. The following were tlie first ofiicers of Arenac County: George Keeney, sheriff; P. M. Angus, treasurer; William Smith, register of deeds;

F. E. Carscallen, clerk; John Bullock, judge of probate; Larry McHugli, prosecutor. The last named official later moved to Bay County, served as county drainage commissioner for a term of years, and in this year of grace, 1905, this old soldier bobs up serenely as candidate for first justice of the peace of Greater Bay City on the G. O. P. ticket ! While Bay County thus lost nine townships by the simple stroke of a pen at Lansing, Bay City has never lost their business. Then, as now^. Bay City was the mart for the residents of Arenac, and then, as now. Point Lookout on Saginaw Bay in Arenac County was the most popular camping ground for Bay City folks during the heated season of midsummer. Many Bay Cityans have moved across the northern county line, creating new ties that still bind these good neighbors together. During the Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic for Northeastern Michigan at Standish, September 14- 16, 1904, Company B, 3rd Infantry, M. N. G., of Bay City, 75 strong, were the honored guests of the Arenac County people at Standish, camping on the Court House square. They were made to feel, as their hosts put it, that "they were right at home," for was not Bay County the "mother of Arenac"? And the greater the prosperity of Arenac County, the better will be the business of Bay City.

The first authentic figures on Bay County's population were secured in the United States census of i860, when the county was credited with having 3,164 people. The growth of the county is well indicated in the official census returns of the next 40 years. In 1864 the population of Bay County was 5.517; in 1870 it was 15,900; and in 1874, 24,832. The next 20 years were the booming years of the lumber industry, and the rural townships secured the overflow in the way of lumber camps, traders and settlers. The population in 1880 was

Since the male population is found to outnumber their fair sisters, we have one of the reasons why there are so few spinsters in Bay and why Cupid is so extremely busy. We find that 10,234 marriages have been performed in -Bay County since the present license law went into effect, in 1894, and 587 marriages were performed in 1904.

The birth rate in this healthy valley has never given cause for complaint, and our virile race is growing nicely, with no signs of race suicide, so much mooted in the older and decrepit civilization of the Far East. Bay County was blessed with 1,378 babies in 1899; 1,266 in 1900; 1,382 in 1901 ; 1,512 in 1903, and the last year found it difficult to overcome this encouraging increase, but managed it liy just one little "dumpling," the total births for 1904 being just 1,513.

These vital statistics still further prove that Bay County is a good place to live in, since Nature has Ijeen aided by man's ingenuity and industry, creating thriving farms amid the once malaria and mosc|uito-breeding swamps and lowlands, by reviewing the ledger that is the end of things, just as the births are the beginning. Since 1890 there have been 9,307 deaths in Bay County, of which number 968 occurred in 1904.

Since President Roosevelt has called public attention to the divorce evil, through his special message to Congress, in January, 1905, urging Congress to pass some general divorce law, because some States are too lax in protecting the sanctity of the marriage vow, it will be especially interesting to note that despite Judge T. F. Shepard's endeavor to grant decrees only in worthy cases, wdiere in his judgment both the individuals and the community would be better off, were the marriage ties severed, the list of divorces in Bay County, - the i8th Judicial Circuit, - grows constantly. Under the provisions of the law of 1897, 40 divorce cases were filed here in 1899, of which 19 were granted. In 1900, 56 divorces were started and 38 granted. In 1901, 62 divorces were asked for and 42 granted. 1902 showed the high-water mark for divorces in Bay County, as well as throughout the country. The reaction and revulsion of public sentiment, is plainly evident in the figures for the last three years. In 1902, 67 divorce suits were started and 54 granted! In 1903 we find 80 pending; 55 were started, 41 were granted^, i refused and i withdrawn. In 1904, 64 were pending, 65 were started, 32 were granted, i refused, 2 withdrawn, and 25 were contested and are pending, together with 39 others, where there is no contest ! At this March term (1905) of the Circuit Court, Judge Shepard has refused one of the most conspicuous divorce cases, owing to the prominence of the contesting parties, the case being Moore vs. Moore, and in his finding he recites that their applications are based on such differences as arise daily in the lives of married people, but are wisely passed over or adjusted, and might have been in this instance, resulting among other things in ruining the husband's dental business, and the wife's application as well as the husband's cross bill for divorce were refused.

Bay County, with its sons of many nations, has ever presented an interesting study for the statesman and the politician. A review of our popular vote for 47 years will show that while Michigan, the birthplace of the Republican party, has ever since 1854 stood with that party, Bay County until very recently voted w ith the minority. Here are the figures : 1858. - For Governor: Wisner, R., 140; Stuart, D., 270. Bay's first presidential vote came at the most critical juncture in the history of our country, when Abraham Lincoln held up the banner of the liberty-loving North, held in 1840 and 1844 by Hon. James G. Birney, of Bay City! Yet if we are to judge by the vote, Birney's work had been best appreciated away from home, for Bay gave the martyr, Abraham Lincoln, R., but 311 votes, to Douglas, D., 324! For Governor, Austin Blair, R., 306; Barry, D., 12-/. In 1862, Blair, R., 256; Stout, D., 390! Evidently the peace party had a strong following in Bay! In 1864, Lincoln received 462; General McClellan, D., 584! For Governor, Crapo, R., 460; Fenton, D., 586. By 1866 the war has been successfully ended, and many battle-scarred veterans are seeking this peaceful and prosperous valley to begin life anew in the realms of industry, in field, mill or factory, and the vote shows the impetus of these veterans, for, in 1866, Governor Crapo received 713 votes, to Williams, D., Ti^y, and in 1868, General Grant carried the county for the first time for his party, with 1,176 votes, to Seymour, D., 1,081, while for Governor, Baldwin, R., received 1,157 votes, to Moore, D., 1,098. In 1870, Bay showed signs of backsliding. Governor Baldwin receiving 1,186 votes, to Comstock, D., 1,101. In 1872, General Grant polled 1.948 votes, to 1,270 for Horace Greeley, and 46 Prohibitionists went on record for their party faith, while Bagley for Governor received 1,943 votes to Blair, Lib., 1,341. In 1874, Governor Bagley lost the county by a vote of 1,742 to 1,943 for Chamberlain, D. By 1876 the reaction was complete. Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes receiving but 2,407 votes to 2,840 for Samuel J. Tilden!

The influx of German immigrants is also noticeable in the vote on Governor, Croswell, R., receiving but 2,405 votes, to Webber, D., 2,859! In 1878, Governor Crosswell received 1,387 votes to Barnes, D., 1,592. In 1880, General James A. Garfield's popularity here carried the county by 2,404, to 2,068 for General Hancock, D., while Jerome, the Republican candidate for Governor, lost it by 2,367, to Holloway, D., 2,438, and Governor Jerome fared even worse in 1882, with 2,156, to 3,318 for Begole, Fusionist (who was elected that year), and 818 for May, National.

This was the first election the writer witnessed in this country. Although but 10 years old, I noticed that my father, w'ith most of the German residents, was a stalwart Democrat, and that the French, Polish and other residents of foreign birth voted the Democratic ticket straight. Let me say in passing, that our beloved mother disagreed with father, being a stalwart though silenced Republican, loving the memory of the martyr Presidents - Lincoln and Garfield - and her influence was paramount with her children, for her two sons cast their first vote in after years for the political faith of "mother," and her two daughters in their voteless way have ever been ardent missionaries for the "G. O. P." Often in the years that followed, with the gradual change in the political complexion of Bay County, have I wondered if in other homes other mothers were exerting that same influence in the same direction. For it is certain that few of the old stalwarts have changed their political faith or tenets, and that the change has been almost entirely brought about by the "First Voters," the rising generation in Bay. This is particularly true of the native children, and the sons of German and Polish settlers. It is less noticeable in the voting districts where the French and Irish vote is largely represented.

But to resume: In 1884, Grover Cleveland carried Bay 4.963 votes, to James G. Blaine, 2,916, and St. John, Prohi., 161. It should be noted that Cleveland received 3.436 Democrat votes, and 1.534 Greenback and Anti-Monopoly votes. Gen. Russell A. Alger, now United States Senator from Michigan^ in 1884 received but 2,930 votes in Bay, to 4,683 for Begole, Fus. In 1886, Cyrus G. Luce received 2,957 votes for Governor, to Yaple, Fus.. 4.305. In 1888, Gen. Benjamin Harrison fared a little better, getting 4.378 votes, to Cleveland. D., 5,714, and Fiske, Prohi., 127.

In 1888, Governor Luce secured 4.364 votes to W. R. Burt, Fus., 5,422. Governor Luce, one of Michigan's sterling sons, and a public man of the old school, died at his home, Coldwater, Michigan, March 18, 1905, of heart failure, aged 80 years. He was a rugged representative of the common people, and an honest defender of the public interests. With him the Republican party went out of power for one term, for in 1890 E. B. Winans, D.. was elected Governor, Bay giving him 5.152 votes, to Turner. R., 3,216. In 1892, General Harrison received 4,587 votes; Grover Cleveland, D., 5.714; Bidwell, Prohi., 187. That year John T. Rich redeemed Michigan for the Republicans, Bay giving him 4,652 votes for Governor, to Morse, D., 5.783.

In 1894 Bay County had the honor of naming the Democratic candidate for Governor of Michigan. Hon. Spencer O. Fisher, formerly Mayor of West Bay City and Congressman from the loth Congressional District, being selected to contest the second term of Governor Rich, the sage farmer and statesman, who in 1905 is still in the public service as collector of customs for Eastern Michigan. This gubernatorial contest, in which Bay County supported a favorite son, was made remarkable by caustic recriminations within the Democratic party itself. Congressman Fisher owned a fine white horse, which for years has been and in 1905 is still in demand, for use in public parades and on public occasions. This horse led an Orangemen's celebration parade on Orangemen's Day, the owner permitting all celebrations to use that horse, but even this horse was made a campaign issue, and as "Fisher's White Horse" is still a fixture in Michigan folk-lore and local political annals. Bay gave 4.933 votes to Hon. Spencer O. Fisher, and 4.365 to Governor Rich.

The campaign of 1896 went down in local political history as the hardest fought campaign and while the vote eventually showed Imt a narrow margin for the silver-tongued Bryan of the Platte, yet for a time it looked like a landslide. The Greenbackers. Fusionists and Democrat all rallied to his standard, and many stalwart Republicans wandered from the fold, and only prodigious work saved a stampede locally. Thousands were on the streets of Bay City on the night of that memorable election. The advocates of "Free Silver" had their inning when the vote of Bay was announced as giving William Jennings Bryan 6.296, the late lamented President William McKinley, 6.037, General Palmer, Gold Democrat, 151, and Levering, Prohi., 63. Later in the night, as the returns from the State and country at large came in, the local minority partisans started a celebration in honor of the national victory of their standard-bearer. This same campaign brought out another of Michigan's foremost sons, in Hazen S. Pingree, the famous shoemaker and philanthropist of Detroit, who in his race for the office of Governor carried Bay by 6,307 votes, to Sligh, Fus., 6,030. Then came the war with Spain, and with it the turning of the political tide in Bay County, for in 1898 the late Governor Pingree received 5.617 votes to 3.899 for Whiting, D., 76 for Cheever, Prohi., and 24 for Hasseler. Soc. Labor. As secretary of the Republican County Committee, tlie writer was in tlic thick of tliis friendly Init spirited fray. Bay sent almost the entire Republican county ticket into office, and for the first time in many years the judge of probate, county treasurer, county clerk, circuit court commissioner, Representati\-es and Senator were of that faith.

The election of 1900 was chiefly remarkable in demonstrating that the change of sentiment in Bay was permanent, for President William ilcKinley carried the county by 6.462 votes, to 5,081 for Bryan, D., and 233 for John G. W'oolley, Prohi., and 23 for Eugene Debs, Soc. Lab. Gov. Aaron T. Bliss, of Saginaw, received 5,896 votes, to 5,907 for Maybury, D., in 1900: and in 1902 he received 3,824 to 4,223 for L. T. Durand, D. The old rivalry between the cities of the Saginaw Valley had brought Bay County into the 1900 convention at Grand Rapids for Justus S. Stearns, of Ludington, and undoubtedly contributed to the adverse vote for the up-river resident at Ixjth these elections. It may be interesting to future generations to know the political division in the several townships and wards of Bay County, as shown in this table giving the vote for Governor in the election of 1900, and the population for the different civil divisions, according to the I'. S. Census of that year:

The Prohibition, Socialist and Socialist Labor parties polled 264, 13 and 49 votes, respectively, making the total vote of the county 12,129.

In the general election of November, 1904. record-breaking in its results. President Theodore Roosevelt carried the county by the largest majority in its history, receiving 7,615 votes to 3,095 for Parker, D. The Prohibitionists polled 245 ; Socialists, 76 ; Social Labor party, 53 ; and People's party, 23. The Republican candidate for Governor, Fred M. Warner, polled 5.777 votes to 4,939 cast for Woodbridge N. Ferris, D. ; 220 for James M. Shackleton, Phohi. ; 63 for Clayton J. Lamb, Soc. ; and ^y for Meeko Meyer, Soc. Labor. The other candidates for State offices on the Republican ticket ran far ahead of Governor Warner, in most cases receiving twice as many votes as their Democratic opponents.

i8th Judicial Circuit. - One of the hottest fought elections for judicial honors was fought out on April 3, 1899, with the following results: Judge Theodore F. Shepard, R., 4,571 ; Hon. Archibald McDonell, D., 3,315; Exii8

Judge Andrew Maxwell, Independent, 1,751. The term of office is for six years. At the April election, 1905, Chester L. Collins, R., and Edward E. Anneke, D., are the contestants.

Bay County has for years taken a prominent part in the councils of the State. From the very organization of the county to this day, some of our ablest citizens have given freely of their time and experience to the service of the State, while still others have served in the halls of state at Lansing.

On March 31, 1871, Hon. James Shearer was appointed one of the three building commissioners who planned and superintended the construction of the magnificent Capitol of Michigan at Lansing. Hon. James Birney represented Bay County at the constitutional convention at Lansing, May 15 to August 22, 1867, and Hon. Herschel H. Hatch attended a similar convention, representing Bay County, August 27 to October 16, 1873. William A. Bryce of Bay was Secretary of the State Senate, 1863-4.

H. Holmes, 1893; Sam. K. Bradford, 1895; John Donovan, 1895-99. (Mr. Donovan was "The Only Democrat" in the Legislature of 1897, and was known far and wide as "Donovan of Bay," and "Mr. Donovan, the Democratic Party in the Legislature." He voted often with the opposition, making meritorious legislation unanimovis, but as often fought stoutly, solitary and alone, for the things he deemed right. He was the nominee of his party for Secretary of State in 1902, and received a flattering vote from his neighbors in Bay County.) George L. Lusk, 1897-1900; John Washer, 1897-98 and 1903; G. W. Willis 1901 ; Michael Riegel, 1901 ; John E. Bonser, 1901 ; Clarence L. Sheldon, 1903-04; J. E. Brockway, 1905 ; Adam Walker, 1905. Newcomb Clark, 1883-86, was Speaker of the House, 1885-86.

The following State appointees have hailed from Bay : Commissioner of insurance, - Col. Henry S. Raymond, 1885-91, and William E. Magill, 1891-93; State salt inspector, Jabez B. Caswell, 1897-01 ; deputy State game warden, Theo. Trudell, 1900-06; deputy State labor commissioner, Richard H. Fletcher, 1905-08.

The following residents of Bay have been elected or appointed to high official positions in Michigan : Lieutenant-Governor, Hon. James Birney, 1861 ; Auditor Generals, - Emil Anneke, 1863-66, and Henry H. Aplin, 1887- 91 ; State land commissioner, Gen. Benjamin F. Partridge, 1877-78; Attorney-General, Isaac Marston, 1874; regent of the University of Michigan, James Shearer, 1880; brigade commander. Michigan National Guard, Gen. Charles R. Hawley, 1894-96; Members of State boards from 1902 to 1904: State Medical Board, Dr. Hemy B. Landon ; State Dental Board, Dr. Frank O. Gilbert; State Agricultural College, Thomas Frank Marston ; Industrial Home for Girls, i\Irs. May Stocking

The following residents of Bay County have been honored as presidential electors : Seth McLean, 1884; Harry P. Merrill, 1888; Worthy L. Churchill, 1892; Major Lyman G. Willcox, 1900 (elector-at-large) ; Maj. E. B. Nugent, 1900; Homer E. Buck (elector-atlarge) 1904; Edgar B. Foss (messenger to deliver the electoral vote of Michigan to President Roosevelt at Washington), 1904-05.

The following residents of Bay County have been elected Representatives in Congress : Hon. Nathan B. Bradley, 1875-77; Hon. Herschel H. Hatch, 1883-84; Hon. Spencer O. Fisher, 1885-88; Hon. Frank W. Wheeler, 1889-90; Hon. Thomas A. E. Weadock, 1891- 94; Hon. Rousseau O. Crump, 1895-1902 (deceased May I, 1901) ; Hon. Henry H. Aplin, 1901-02. For the first time since the organization of the loth Congressional District, as now constituted. Bay County has not the honor of having the Representative, Flon. George A. Loud, 1903-06, hailing from Au Sable, Iosco County.

and loan associations. The J^Iutual Building and Loan Association of Bay County was incorporated in 1890, with a capital of $2,000,- 000; the following are the officers : President, Henry LI. Norrington ; secretary, Thomas E. Webster; treasurer, Charles R. Hawley. The Savings, Building and Loan Association of Bay County \Vas incorporated in 1887, with a capital of $1,000,000. The officers are : President, Henry B. Smith; secretary, Allen G. Plum; treasurer, M. M. Andrews.

Every township in Bay County is now reached by rural free delivery, the fine road system and well-distributed population making the laying out of routes easy for the Federal officials. The post offices of the townships are being continued as heretofore, only five being discontinued when the rural service went into effect. The post offices are: Arn, Auburn, Bay Side, Bentley, Bertie. Crump. Cummings. Duel, Essexville, Garfield, Glover, Hamblen, Kawkawlin, Laredo, Lengsville, Linwood, Loehne, Michie, Monitor, Mount Forest, Munger, North Williams, Pinconning, Tebo, Upsala and Willard.

The county ot'iicers for 1905 are as follows : Circuit judge, Theodore F. Shepard; judge of probate, Griffith H. Francis; sheriff, John Hartley; county clerk, Warren D. Richardson; cnunty treasurer, Alexander Zagelmeyer; register of deeds, George E. Wedthoff; prosecuting attorney, Brakie J. Orr; circuit court commissioners, - Wilkie A. Collins and George Roy Fox ; coroners, - Fred C. Van Tuyl and Fred Lah'rance; county school commissioner, John B. Laing; county surveyor, G. Edwin Turner; county agent, William Grandy ; county road commissioners, - Fred A. Kaiser, Hugh Campbell, George L. Frank, William Houser. Frank Kusmierz and Gustav Hine; county poor supureintendents. - Charles Anderson, August Aleisel and William Maxson; drain commissioner, John G. Weggel.