Essexville City (part 5 of 5)

Extent Of The Destruction

"It was about 8 o'clock when Judge Miller's house caught, and it was felt then that if the conflagration could not be kept from crossing Eighth Street, the best portion of the city would have to go. Just about this time aid arrived from the Saginaws, with nearly 1,000 feet of hose, and this timely reinforcement enabled the fire¬ men to throw streams of water upon the exposed as well as the burning buildings, thus raising a hope that the progress of the devourer might be stayed.

"But better still, the wind, which had been gradually abating, now subsided to a gentle zephyr, and the whole city drew a long breath of relief. There was then no further question that the remainder of the city would be saved. The devoted firemen con¬ tinued all night to throw streams of water upon the embers, but the mass of citizens, except the unfortunates whose houses were destroyed, or whose furniture had been removed at the height of the alarm, went to their homes and slept, vividly realizing how blessed is the feeling of security after passing through a season of terror. The scenes on the streets during the three hours' reign of terror before the fire was under control, were by turns ludicrous and heart¬ rending. Furniture was removed from many houses that were thought to be in danger, and some of the friends of the threatened families, in their eagerness to serve, threw marble top tables down stairs, heaved mirrors out of the windows, and carried down mat¬ tresses, as is usual in such cases, the damage by reason of broken and scattered furniture is a large element in the ruin wrought by last night's work, which it is difficult to estimate.

"We saw little children going along the streets, their hands clasped by crying mothers or elder sisters, who knew not where they would find shelter for their little ones. Many families this morning were unable to find their household goods, and in a few r cases children were missing, but it is hoped they will turn up during the day.

"There were men with coats burned full of holes, their hair singed, and faces, necks and hands scarred from fighting the flames. There were some people who were nearly frightened out of their wits, and cut up amusing antics; and there were others who were as cool as though sitting on the point of the north pole, and made no effort to save their property, remarking that they were 'fully insured.' There is nothing like a fire to bring out human nature.

"The tugs 'Rumage' and 'Annie Modes' lost their lines by hitch¬ ing on to lumber piles which they were unable to move, and the rapid spread of the flames made it too hot to unhitch them.

Losses And Insurance

$1,200; total insurance, $18,900. L. Q. Robinson & Co., lumber on Eddy, Avery & Co's dock, $18,000. Avery & Murphy, lumber on Eddy, Avery & Co's dock, $15,000. William Daglish, two buildings opposite Eddy, Avery & Co's office, Water Street, $2,500; insurance on one, $800. I. Catlin, boarding house, corner Tenth and Water Streets, occupied by Mrs. Walker, $1,000; insurance, $800. I. Collins, house occupied by M. Garland, corner Tenth and Saginaw Streets, damages $100; Garland's furniture, $250. P. Perrott, two houses on Saginaw, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets, one occupied by A. Grabowsky, $800; insurance, $600; the other by himself, damaged, $850; covered by insurance. Perrott's furniture, $1,000; insured. The Rouse mill, $10,000; lumber, $9,000; docks and trams, $2,000; salt, 6,000 barrels, $4,500; salt sheds, $1,000; barn, $1,000; office and contents, $1,000; total, $28,000; in¬ surance, $4,000, on lumber, docks and trams. Old Eagle Brewery, Tenth and Water Streets, $800; barn and ice house, $100; and a house on Saginaw Street, $500; all belonging to same parties; total, $900. E. Stanton's residence on Water Street, between

Watson Block

Ninth and Tenth Streets, $8,500; insurance, $1,000; barn, $200; insurance, $50. The residence was occupied by E. J. Wright, whose loss on furniture was covered by insurance. Mr. Stanton had furniture in the residence, of which he lost $700; insured for $500. Mr. Stanton had three houses on Saginaw Street, between Ninth and Tenth Streets, loss $1,100; insurance, $400. Stanton's total loss, $4,800; total insurance, $1,900. F. A. Bancroft's residence, corner Ninth and Water Streets, and barn on Saginaw and Ninth Streets, $8,000; insurance, $2,500; furniture, $1,000; insurance, $900; total loss, $4,000; total insurance, $8,400, by Braddock & Shannon. C. C. Fitzhugli, barn, damage, $50; insured; fence, $100. C. Bruner, house and two barns, Ninth and Wash¬ ington Streets, $1,000; insured, $700, Crable; furniture, $800; insured. Universalist Church, on Washington Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $8,500; insured for $2,000 L. Bloeden, two houses and one barn, Washington and Eighth Streets, $1,500; insured for $400. C. C. Wheeler, house, corner Eighth and Saginaw Streets, $600. A. Carter, two houses, Saginaw Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $8,000. Paul Greul, hotel, Saginaw Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $2,000; insured, $1,000; furniture, $800; insured. Steinbaur's old brewery, corner

Ninth and Saginaw Streets, $2,000. Burbridge's shop, corner Ninth and Saginaw Streets, $1,500; tools, $500; insured, $700, Crable. Wildman's boiler shop, Ninth and Water Streets, $1,200. Mrs. F. R. S. Balen, boardinghouse, Water Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $500; insurance, $400, Pratt & Denison. Wells & Son, blacksmith shop, $500; furniture stored in the block, $700. W. H. Pusey, shop and contents, $400; on Water Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets. William Couler, store and dwelling, Water Street, near Eighth Street. I. Catlin, damage to dwelling, corner Eighth and Saginaw Streets, $100; insured; house on Saginaw Street, near residence, $500; insurance, $800; barn, $100; insurance, $50. C. W. & H. Randall, shop on Water Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets, $100. Judge Miller's house and barn, $5,000; insured for $8,500. A. Grabowsky, furniture, $1,200; insured for $1,000. Chapman, Laforge & Co., lumber on Bradley's dock, $3,200; insured for $1,000. Mrs. Elizabeth Camp¬ bell, damage to house, $100; insured. Mrs. J. Redmond, damage to house, $100; insured.

The Total

"This will make a total loss of $178,950, and other losses not reported will probably swell this amount to $200,000, of which over $90,000 is for lumber alone. The amount of insurance to cover this will reach about $55,000."

Fire Department

At a meeting of the village council, held December 19, 1859, the question of a fire department was reached, and a committee on fire department appointed, consisting of Israel Catlin, H. M. Brad¬ ley, and H. A. Chamberlin. At a subsequent meeting of the council, January 4, 1860, this committee were instructed to rent a sufficient amount of leather hose to use until Spring, and to procure a triangle with which to alarm the inhabitants whenever the fiery darts of the fire fiend should issue forth. This was certainly a modest beginning. Then a small hand engine, by the terrifying name of "Tiger," afterwards changed to the more sonorous title of "Peninsular," was purchased, and John McEwan elected captain. In April, 1861, the growing interests of the place seemed to require increased efficiency in its fire department, and W. L. Fay was com¬ missioned to procure an engine, and he purchased one in Chicago, known as "Red Rover." H. M. Bradley was appointed chief en¬ gineer of the fire department, and organized it in an efficient man¬ ner. There was but little use for the fire department until the 12th of July, 1863, when a fire broke out on the south side of Center Street, between Water and Saginaw Streets, sweeping' both sides of Water Street for two blocks, involving in its destructive course the "Red Rover" engine and its engine house, leaving the village not only in ashes and in mourning, but as well in danger of greater con¬ flagrations. An attempt was now made by Councilman Louis Bloeden to establish fire limits, but without success. On August 10th the bonds of the village, to the extent of $6,000, were ordered by the council for the procuring of more apparatus, and a "sufficient amount" was ordered to be expended in a steam fire engine (which, however, was not done for several years), with not to exceed $500, to repair or rebuild the "Red Rover" engine; and, at the same meeting the president and recorder were instructed to procure a site for an engine house. This committee purchased a lot on Saginaw Street, at the price of $475. An endeavor was made to organize a hook and ladder company, but failed, as had all similar efforts to this date. In October of this year, 1863, the council pur¬ chased two hand engines from the city of Rochester, N. Y., with hose carts and other apparatus. These engines were designated as "Red Rover" No. 1, and "Protection" No. 2. These engines cost

At a special election held September 12, 1865, it was ordered that a steam fire engine be purchased, and in accordance with that decision, a Silsby steamer was ordered, which was accepted by reso¬ lution adopted by the council, November 18, 1865. The first chief engineer was E. Y. Williams. The first engineer of the steamer "Neptune" was B. F. Ray, and he continued in that position until the reorganization in 1873, when he was made chief of the volun¬ teer department, in which capacity he served until February, 1881, when he resigned. In 1878 the department was re-organized, and made a volunteer department, and subsequently the number of men was reduced, and it was made a part pay department. When the waterworks began operation the Holley system of fire protection was instituted. When Portsmouth was annexed to the city, their steamer, the "Alert," was added to the department, and the two steamers are now held in reserve. The present department is upon the volunteer plan, part pay. There are now four hose companies, with carts drawn by horses, and one hook and ladder company. The following are the

Officers And Companies I.

Chief engineer, Robert J. Campbell; first assistant, John Fow¬ ler; second assistant, Henry Woods. First Ward, Vigilant Hose Company and steam fire engine "Neptune," southwest corner of Fitzgerald and Belinda Streets; Second Ward, Neptune Hose Com¬ pany, east side Saginaw, between Center and Fifth Streets; Fourth Ward, Rescue Hose Company, east side Water, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets; Seventh Ward, Night Hawk Hose Company, northeast corner of Thirty-fourth and Taylor Streets; steam fire engine "Alert," on Middle Ground, opposite Thirty-second Street; Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Fourth Ward engine house, north Water, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets.

Eire Limits

Whether necessary oiyiot, fires are inevitable and very effec¬ tive as a rejuvenating agency. It usually happens in the experience of new towns that a few fires are necessary to stimulate public action in the direction of future protection against the ravages of this dangerous element. This was true with reference to Bay City, and yet few places have been more enterprising in providing for the public comfort and welfare than this metropolis. The fire of July, 1863, was a serious one for a village of 2,000 inhabitants,involving, as it did, a loss of $50,000. Immediately after that fire an attempt was made to establish fire limits, but without success. A second unsuccessful attempt was made in the council early in 1865, but the big fire in October of that year convinced the people that delays were dangerous, and soon after that the council established fire limits, preventing the erection of wooden buildings in the business parts of the town west of Saginaw Street.

There was considerable opposition to the restrictions imposed by fire limits, although their necessity had been so expensively demonstrated. This feeling, however, soon passed away, and the natural consequence of fine brick structures has followed. The present fire limits are Second Street, north; Adams Street, east; Eighth Street, south; and the Saginaw River, west.

Secret And Benevolent Societies Masonic

Bay City Lodoe No. 129, dates from October, 1860, when a dis¬ pensation was granted by the grand master of the state of Michi¬ gan to William R. McCormick as worshipful master, and W. A.

Bryce and N. B. Bradley as wardens, with power to organize a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Bay City. As early as 1858 a meeting of Masons was held in the second story of the Jenuison store, which was attended by N. B. Bradley, H. M. Bradley, J. J. McCormick, W. R. McCormick, C. B. Cottrell, John F. Cottrell, J. H. Little, and Clark Moulthrop. Possibly other meetings were held, hut the organization was not effected until 1860, as stated. Upon receiving its charter in 1861, William A. Bryce was elected master, and his successors during the few years following were N. B. Brad¬ ley, Rev. C. P. Nash, and R. J. Carney. The organization has been prosperous, and has included in its membership some of the leading men of the place. The lodge room is now in the third story of the Eddy Block. There are about 198 members. The present officers are as follows: - C. B. Cottrell, W. M.; A. L. Stewart, S. W.; C. C. Stewart, J. W.; John Rose, treasurer; G. F. Hood, sec¬ retary; F. 0. Gilbert, S. D.; J. C. Lamb, J. D.; Rev. Wolf Lan¬ dau, chaplain; George W. Palmer, D. Minnie, stewards; C. S. Wells, tyler; L. A. Brown, marshal.

Portsmouth Lodge, No. 190, F. & A. M.,was organized by W. R. McCormick, Charles Stevens, and W. H. Soutliworth, in 1865. The first meeting was held in the second story of the residence of Elisha G. Allen, at Portsmouth. The charter members were W.

R. McCormick, Charles Stevens, W. H. Southworth, A. C. Braddock, Hamilton Burnett, C. D. Fisher, and Charles E. Merrell. A charter was granted in November, 1867, when George Lewis was elected master. In 1868 the lodge bought a lot and erected a build¬ ing, using the second story for their lodge room, and renting the lower story for stores. The present officers of the lodge are: - J. A. Beardsley, W. M.; S. E. Williams, S. W.; H. B. Mix, J. W.; Robert McLaughlin, secretary; J. L. Gould, treasurer; H. C. Meyers, S. D.; E. A. Smith, J. D.

Masonic Mutual Benefit Association was organized in May, 1878. W. H. Barse is president; George Lewis, treasurer; and A. L. Stewart, secretary.

Odd Fellowship

Bay Lodge, No. 104, was organized at Portsmouth, in January,. 1867, and was called Portsmouth Lodge. A. W. Watrous was its first N. G. The lodge did not flourish as well as was hoped for, and it was thought if it was moved to Bay City, the change would prove beneficial. The removal was effected and Good Templars hall was used for about a year. In 1869, the name wa^ changed to Bay Lodge. Six lodges have been instituted from the members of this lodge. The lodge has a pleasant hall in the Cranage Block and a membership of about 100. The present officers are as follows: - N. G., J. R. Van Blarcom; Y. G., J. H. Gould; secretary, F. G.

Eden Lodge, No. 260, was instituted Tuesday evening, July 6, 1875, by Special Deputy Grand Master George H. Shearer. The officers were E. C. Blush, N. G.; E. C. Ward, Y. G.; J. D. McKin¬ non, R. S.; J. 0. Smith, P. S.; C. Stover, treasurer. The present officers are as follows: - Frank Felton, N. G.; 0. B. Smith, Y. G.; J. C. Dumoe, Sec.; W. E. Callender, Per. Sec.; James McFarlan. Treas; Representatives to Grand Lodge - James McFarlan, W. E. Callender.

Temperance Societies

Organized temperance effort in Bay City began with the organ¬ ization of a Good Templars Lodge, November 18, 1860. The lodge was organized with twenty charter members, but this number was increased to upwards of 800. Since that time the temperance work in the city has progressed very much as in other places. The tem¬ perance societies now T in active existence are Bay City Good Templar Lodge, No. 109; Portsmouth Good Templar Lodge, No. 709; Sons of Temperance, recently organized at South Bay City; Royal Templars of Temperance; and Bay City Reform Club. The latter club was organized by Dr. Reynolds in 1877, with a membership of upwards of 2,000. ' All of these organizations are in a healthy state of prosperity, and doing effective work.

Excelsior Lodge, No. 52, A. 0. U.W., organized August 10,1878. Officers :--W. A. Pettipiece, P. M. W.; Henry Hiefield, M. W.; A. Grabowsky, G. F.; Henry Galbraith, overseer; Robert Trask, re¬ corder; C. W. Randall, financier; W. Landau, receiver; Henry Waters, I. W.; William Chase, 0. W.; W. A. Pettipiece, k. Grabowsky, A. Hyman, trustees; representative to the Grand Lodge, A. Hyman.

Fidelity Council, No. 2, Order of Chosen Friends, meets at Odd Fellow's Hall. Officers: - Daniel Campbell, past chief coun¬ cilor; W. H. Crawford, chief councilor; Charles Williams, vice councilor; 0. W. Booth, secretary; L. Anthony, treasurer; Mrs. D. Campbell, prelate; Abraham Bates, marshal; Mrs. A. Bates, warden; R. Palmer, guard; H. Gould, sentry; I. A. Lount, W. H. Gray, George Beard, trustees; 0. W. Booth, D. Campbell, representatives to Grand Council.

Center St-, Bay Cut

Arbeiter Unterstuetzun-Yerein - German - organized 1868; incorporated February 27, 1871. Officers: - Martin Schindehette, president; Peter Prior, vice-president; Joseph Schulte, recording secretary; Frederick Krause, secretary; Simon Zirwes, treasurer; William E. Peters, janitor.

Germania Gymnasium Association meet at Zirwes Hall. Officers: - Julius Bertch, president; Charles Supe, Jr., vice-president; Emil Wedtlioff, treasurer; Charles Mueller, secretary; Otto Supe, sergeant at arms; George Winkler, first turner; Fred. Gudschinsky, second turner.

Bay City Lodge, No. 178, I. 0. B. B., organized 1872. Offi¬ cers: - J. Sempliner and A. Grabowsky, for president; W. Wolsky, vice-president; J. B. Goldman and H. Bressler, recording secretary; L. Freedman, finance secretary; W. Sempliner and A. Grabowsky, treasurer; H. Pincus, warden; G. Grabowsky, guard.

Polish National Society, organized October 18, 1880. J. Briske, Pres.; Ant. Prytinski, Yice-Pres.; protocol sec., Joseph Mankowski; financial secretary, Alexander Menezarski; cashier, John Muszynski; patron of the sick, Joseph Jablonski; librarian, W. Y. Prybeski; standard bearers, George Kaunts, Frank Wisniewski; council of administration, Andrew Mendrysky, Ig. Szeszyeki, Joseph Wetter, Albert Ryezek; Teopil Platt, porter.

St. Andrew's Society, organized August 22, 1876. A. Cuthbert, president; Matthew Lamont, vice-president; A. McDonald, treasurer; John Drake, secretary.

St. George's Society of Bay City, organized August 22, 1876. Officers: - H. Holmes, president; John Saunders, Sr., first vicepresident; Frederick Nichols, second vice-president; A. Bate, rec¬ ording secretary; C. Williams, financial secretary; George Mans¬ field, treasurer; John Saunders, Jr., and William Keene, stewards; S. C. Wilson and J. H. Tennant, auditors; 0. W. Booth, chaplain, j

Arion Society was organized in 1878, and is one of the most prosperous societies in the city. It has an elegant hall, built in 1880. The present officers are: - J. G. Trost, president; J. Heeke, vice-president; Lorenz Weber, secretary; Theodore During, treas¬ urer. The society organized with twelve charter members, and the present membership is upwards of 1,500.

This village was founded by Bansom P. Essex, whose early settlement in Hampton has already been mentioned. In 1867 lie had a tract of eight acres surveyed and laid out into village lots. The territory platted was the west half of the northeast quarter of the southeast fractional quarter of fractional Section Fourteen, Town Fourteen north, of Range Five east. The name he gave to the place was "Essex," but people drifted into the habit of attaching a "ville," and the village became known as Essexville. Mr. Essex afterward platted an addition to the village.

Mr. Essex was for many years the leading man of Hampton Township, and held the office of supervisor during the war. He died October 31, 1874, at the age of forty-three years. He never married, and lived with his parents in the house which he built when he first came to the place. He left considerable property. His father, John T. Essex, died February 25, 1877, and his mother died January 1, 1878. The Essex homestead is now standing in the center of the village.

Joseph Hudson lives upon the land he first purchased. His house is now at the edge of the village. Aside from Iris farm he owns considerable village property. He has held all the township offices, excepting that of supervisor, and is a trustee of the village of Essexville for the year 1888.

The postoffice was established in 1872, and William Ames was postmaster a short time. He was succeeded by Ransom P. Essex, who held the office until his death. Since then the postmasters have been John J. Jack, A. J. Harris, J. F. Emery and Thomas Headford, who still retains the office. Mr. Headford settled in Essexville in 1870.

The first school in this vicinity was taught by a Miss Corbin, in a log building situated about a mile and a half below the village. The first schoolhouse in the village was built in 1870 and was burned in 1879. The present school building is a substantial and commodious two-story structure, pleasantly situated and built in 1879. The schools are under the charge of Mr. F. N. Turner, a very successful teacher, who has been in his present position two years. His assistants are Miss Jennie Fry and Miss Mary Felker. The number of pupils enrolled in 1888 is 271; number belonging, 175; average attendance, 140.

Essexville was formerly a field for missionary work by the churches of Bay City. About 1870 the M. E. Society held services here, and in 1872 Trinity Church established a mission, and after¬ ward built a chapel. In 1879, Rev. J. B. Dawson came here as a Congregational missionary, and organized a society. The first meeting was held May 1, 1879. Good Templars' Hall was used for holding service. In May, 1881, a church edifice was begun, which is expected to be dedicated in June, 1888. The society has thirty-three members, and is in a flourishing condition. Rev. Mr. Dawson still remains pastor. The trustees are Warren Eddy, Joseph Leighton, Thomas Watt, A. C. Hall, J. B. Garber, F. M. Turner and A. J. Harris.

Secret Societies

As early as 1871 a Good Templars Lodge was organized, but it had only a brief existence. During the Red Ribbon movement in 1877, a society of that name was organized, which existed until 1881, when it was re-organized into a Good Templars lodge, under the title of Prosperity Lodge, No. 850. There are about thirty active members. P. B. Root is W. C. T.; F. N. Turner, Sec'y, and Mary Felker, Treas. The lodge room is in Bartlett Hall.

Light House Lodge, No. 285, I. O. O. F., was instituted, July 1 , 1874, with nine members. As early as 1872 the subject of or¬ ganizing a lodge was agitated, but not more than five or six Odd Fellows could be got together. In April, 1874, a meeting was held in a vacant house in the outskirts of the village and it was there determined to organize. Among those who were instrumental in starting the lodge were James Burgess, G. Parker, J. H. Stokoe, William Elliott, D. C. Fisk, John Jack, J. Hudson, C. C. West pinter. The first officers of the lodge were James Burgess, N. G.; George Parker, Y. G,; C, C. Westpinter, R. C.; J. W. Jack, Treas. At the expiration of the first term there were thirty-three members. The lodge has now a good membership, among whom are some of the leading men of the place. Officers, J. Anderson, N. G.; William Warren, Y. G.; William Leighton, R. S.; William Felker, P. S.; George L. Fisk, Treas.

The principal business done in the village during the first few years was by saloons. In 1875, A. J. Harris came from the state of Kansas and opened a drug store; the first one in the village. Since that time the growth of the place has been gradual but con¬ tinuous. There are several neat residences, the most extensive being that of Mr. J. R. Hall, a view of which appears in this work.

The Essexville Mystery

A locality that cannot boast of at least one mystery, has reason for life long lament. About 1871, Essexville had its mystery, the particulars of which were narrated at the time about as follows: able to walk dry shod over a swampy tract of land just below Essexville, owned by Capt. Smith. In this marshy tract is, what is locally called, an island - an elevated piece of ground, high and dry, covered with willow and underbrush. While leisurely walk¬ ing over this island the boys' attention was drawn to some decaying logs by the fetid and unbearable smell that came from them. One of them stepped on a log, and peering over, shouted to the other boy. Both looked over and were petrified for the instant at the sight of a bloated, swollen human body, with upturned face. An old horse blanket, which had probably been wrapt round the body when it was carried to where it was found, was by it, and had been either pulled away by hogs or the elements. The body lay partly on this blanket. The boys, noting nothing of what they saw further than that it was a human body, hurried to the village and made known their discovery. The magistrates at that time were Capt. Smith and Ransom Essex. As it was then a late hour of the day, and darkness was coming on, it was deemed prudent to defer an examination to confirm the boys' story till the next day. At an early hour the whole unemployed population of the neighbor¬ hood turned out and went to the. place indicated by the boys, but no body was there. There was the same fetid smell, and the exact position where it had lain was shown by a huge mass of crawling worms. Where the body had lain the worms lay in a mass, inches deep, but they were beginning to crawl away. On examination it was discovered that two men had that night come and taken away their loathsome burden. Their footprints were distinctly visible in the oozy ground of the partly dried up marsh, but as soon as the dry timber ground was reached all trace was lost, although it was stated in the newspapers at the time, that the body was taken to a mill dock in a sack and thrown into the river. The men searched the neighboring .woods thoroughly, but all trace was lost and every sign failed to yield a clue to worlrupon. The magistrates put forth every effort, and many surmises were afloat, but the difficulty was that the body having been hid, no one dared make a complaint with no evidence to stand upon. Therefore after much talk for over a month, the matter quieted down. This is all of the subject ever given to the public ear. We will now follow it up in a general way, and state what was the opinion at that time of those who were observant of the event, and how after circumstances went to corroborate that opinion.

Boon after the great facilities for making salt in the valley be¬ came noised abroad, a great number of adventurers flocked hither, and saloons sprang up in every hole and corner. Most of them were classed as boarding houses, and were in fact saloons and board¬ ing houses combined. As the rush to the valley was so great, the then established hotels could not accommodate all that came. To better understand what is to be said, it would be well to state that many of these saloon boarding houses were well conducted and or¬ derly. With some it was otherwise, and it is the few black sheep that bring a bad reputation to the whole flock. The saloons of the last mentioned class, so it is stated, were in the habit of employing men of affable demeanor to 44 spot" strangers, to keep in their com¬ pany, and chat and talk to them, if of that disposition. In the larger cities, without coming nearer home, they are said to have their board and lodging, and the run of the bar free, and get their income and living by plunder in the way of gambling, etc. The proceeds of these nefarious transactions are divided between the stool and the man he works for. After the finding of the body, as we have stated, and the worst of the excitement had lulled down, Mr. Essex had a circumstance brought to his mind, from which in some way or other he could not divert his attention, thinking that it was in some way connected with this tragedy. About two months before the body was found in the woods, a stranger came to Essexville and had several times stayed over night at one of the saloon boarding houses. Twice he had called upon Mr. Essex to negotiate for some eligible village lots, and was to have called again, but he never came. Mr. Essex thought he would make in¬ quiries, and knowing where the man put up, called on the proprie¬ tor and asked him at once and off-hand where such a person, naming him, could be found. The dogged manner of utterance and florid tinge of countenance of the man spoke volumes to a man like Ransom Essex, who was gifted with a keen penetration of human character. Mr. Essex has been heard to state that he was well aware he had a secret enemy in this man, whom it was well to guard against. Subsequently he made inquiries in Bay City, and learned the place where he had frequently put up, but no hotel reg¬ ister was kept to give a clue to where he came from, nor could anv one tell his name. He was a man perhaps thirty-five years of age, had the air and bearing of a store keeper, of light build and genteel appearance generally. The taking away of his body at night, after the report of the*boys, was conclusive evidence that the murderers were in Essexville at that time. During the same year (1870) several persons were missed. One was a man from Bay City with over $400 that he had collected for his employer on his person, and was never heard of again. There was a man over the river missed after receiving money from the office of Sage & McGraw, but his body was found in the river. At each of these times the public would rest on the idea, and remain satisfied, that the missing man was identical with the man whose body was seen by the boys in the Essexville woods. Ransom Essex is now dead. The man on whom strong suspicion had ever rested, left the place. And so the affair remains a mystery.

Incorporated

The village of Essexville was incorporated by act of the Legis¬ lature in the Winter of 1888. At the first election under the village charter the following persons were elected to the offices named:

Biographical

John Sharp was born May 11, 1812, in Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y. From there his parents removed to Onondaga County. In 1842 he came to Michigan, locating at Flushing, Genesee County, where he was engaged in the blacksmith, grist and saw mill trades. About 1854 he removed to Saginaw City, and run a ferry across the Saginaw River to East Saginaw for the late Judge Davenport. He continued in that business until 185%when he was appointed keeper of the light house at the mouth of the Saginaw River. This posi¬ tion he held for seven years, when he resigned on account of insuf¬ ficient salary and the impossibility of giving his children an educa¬ tion in that isolated locality. While he lived at the light house it used to be, in Winter time when the ice was good, a favorite drive for many a merry party from the Saginaws and Bay City. On his removal from there he came to Bay City, and for a number of years occupied the old "Longton House." After coming to Bay City he engaged in the fishing business, which he has followed more or less ever since. He was in partnership with the late Julius B. Hart in the fish trade for a couple of years. He now lives with his son, Will P. Sharp, at Essexville, who is also a fisherman. He has been married twice, both wives being dead, however. He has had nine children, only three of whom survive. Mr. Sharp has always been an ardent sportsman, and a few years ago no hunting party was considered complete that did not number "John" in it.

Henry F. Emery was born in 1844, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. When he was but a child, his parents removed to Genesee County, where he lived some twelve years. In January, 1860, he went to Wisconsin. He run an engine in a saw mill at Knowlton for a number of months, and also was over a year in a machine shop at Madison. In 1861 he enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. He served until 1868 when he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He was wounded twice, once at Bayou Cache, Ark., and once at Bolivar, Miss. About the time of his discharge he was promoted to a second lieutenancy. He went back to the state of New York, when he left the army, and for a time was agent for the United States Petroleum Company, and also sold portable engines in the Pennsylvania oil regions. He then came West again and lived for a while at Keokuk, Iowa; run an engine on the Chica¬ go & Rock Island and the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroads. He lived at Ligonier, Ind., for a year, and also had a machine shop at White Pigeon, Mich., for a time. He came to the Saginaw Valley in 1868. He lived at Salzburgh for some months, and then came to Essexville and was engineer in Carrier & Co's mill for six and a half years. In 1875 he built a shingle mill which was afterward burned, a few days previous to which he had one of his hands cut off. Since then he has been engaged in the agricultural implement trade. In 1875 he purchased what was known as the Smith & Hart portion of Essexville. He was postmaster two years, justice of the peace seven years, school director and other minor offices. He has also been a lumber jobber for a number of Winters. He was married, December 25, 1865, to Miss Polly J. Howard, of Wyoming County, N. Y. They have one child, a son, living.

J. R. Hall is a native of Maine, where he was born in 1880. He remained in the state until 1860, when he moved to Salem, Col¬ umbiana Co., Ohio. In the Fall of 1870, he came to Essexville and the following Spring built a shingle mill, which at the present time cuts 51,500,000 annually. In connection with his shingle mill, in 1875, he added machinery and facilities for manufacturing salt on a large scale, the product reaching 58,000 barrels in ten and one-half months, ending December 1, 1882. In 1876 he made Essexville his permanent home, and in 1879 built his present residence, in the de¬ sign of which he has shown extremely good taste.

Fred. E. Hall, son of J. R. Hall, of Essexville, was born in Maine, in 1858. In 1860 he went to Ohio where he remained until 1871. He then moved to Bay City, and engaged in lumbering and salt with his father until 1880, when he opened a general store in Essexville. The business lias been successful, and he is now build¬ ing a fine brick store, which will be occupied by him in April. The building is situated on the corner of Main St., and Woodside Ave.

Alexander C. Rorison came to the Saginaw Valley m 1867, and in company with his father, built a saw mill on the Middle Ground, in South Bay City, then Portsmouth. In 1869 he enlarged the mill, and Abram Miller became a partner, the name of the firm being Rorison, Miller & Co. In 1871 A. C. Rorison sold his inter¬ est to H. Richards. The mill is owned at present by E. J. Har¬ grave. Mr. Rorison then built a saw* mill at Deep River in Bay County, and sold that to A. Stevens & Co. In 1880, in company with George Lanford, he built a shingle mill at Essexville, town of Hampton, the firm being Rorison & Lanford. They still continue the business there.

George Lanford was born in the state of Ohio, in 1844. In 1846 he came with his parents to Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1851 he went to Grand Haven, then to White Lake, in Muskegon County, and in 1869 came to Bay City, where he engaged in the lumber business in company with A. C. Rorison. The firm have a mill at Essexville, in the subur >s of Bay City, with a capacity of 14.000,- 000 per annum. Mr. Lanford was married in 1865 to Mary E. Finch, of Muskegon.

Anthony Walraven was born in Holland and came to the United States in 1855. Lived for some time in Cleveland, Ohio, coming to Bay City in 1858. In 1870 he built a hotel in Essexville, which he kept until 1881, and then sold it. He is now engaged in farming in the township of Hampton. He also keeps a restau¬ rant and saloon in the village of Essexville. Has been married twice and has a family of four children.

George M. Hall is a native of Brunswick, Maine. Came to Michigan in 1869. First located at Midland, where he was in the employ of J. R. Hall, shingle maker, for three years. He removed to Hampton in 1872, to become superintendent of Mr. Hall's shingle mill there, which is the largest in this part of Michigan. Was married in 1879, to Charlotte J. Pix, of Middlesex Co., Onta¬ rio. They have one child, a boy.

Amos Felker was born 211 Wentworth County, Ontario, in 1881. In 1860 came to Bay City and engaged in business as a mill-wriglat. Has assisted in building some of the mills on the Saginaw river. In Essexville he built a shingle mill which he run for three years in company with a Mr. Smith. In 1881 he sold out his interest, and has since been working at his trade. Is at present with C. E. Lewis. Mr. Felker still resides in Essexville.

John W. Cupit was born in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1850. Came to the United States in 1871. Was for three years chief clerk and assistant cashier in the Detroit offices of the Great Western Railway. In the Spring of 1875 he left the employ of the Railway Co., to take the position of clerk of the propeller "Benton," which used to ply between Bay City and Cleveland. He remained in that position for three seasons, and then became business man¬ ager and bookkeeper for J. R. Hall, the well known shingle and salt manufacturer of Essexville, in the township of Hampton. He was married in 1877, to Alice L. Hall, of Essexville. They have one child, a boy.

Thomas Atwell was born in Ireland, March 29, 1844. In 1848 moved with his parents to Merrickville, Canada, and was there nine years. While there, attended school. In 1857 moved to Bothwell, in the oil regions of Canada, and while there learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1868 moved to Bay City, and engaged in the blacksmith business, which he has followed ever since. In 1882 he engaged with J. R. Hall, of Essexville, to do his black¬ smith work for his mills and salt blocks. He has been successful since coming to the valley. He was married August 2, 1877, to Lorinda Rikerd, of Tuscola County, and has two children.

Joseph Paulin DeCourval was born January 22, 1882, at Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada. Came to Bay City in 1866, where he remained three years, In 1869 he removed to Essexville in the township of Hampton. For a number of years he followed the lumber piling business, doing that job for Carrier & Co. Was afterward in the mercantile trade, and also run a shingle mill in 1875-76. Hehas held the office of township treasurer for two years, and was a justice of the peace for six years. Is married, and has a family of four children - one son and three daughters.

William C. Webster was born in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio. Enlisted in August, 1861, in the 11th Ohio, and served for three years, the term of his enlistment. In 1876 came to Bay County, since which time he has been employed in J. R. Hall's

Calvin H. Walrath is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y. Came to Michigan in 1869. Lived in Kalamazoo till 1875. Returned east to Watertown, N. Y., and was in the live stock busi¬ ness for two years. From 1877 to 1878 was bookkeeper for the oar factory at South Bay City. 1878 to 1879 was engineer in Fray & Merrill's grist mill. In 1879 became bookkeeper at Carrier & Co.'s saw mill, in the township of Hampton, where he is at presnix; school inspector, John H. Sharp; superintendent of schools, Ralph Pratt; justice, full term, Philo B. Root; highway commis¬ sioner, Wm. Maxson; constables, Dennis Brunett, H. VanWort, N. Culler, James Wynne.

John B. Garber, engineer for J. R. Hall, a native of Pennsyl¬ vania, was born in 1888. In 1868 he came to Michigan, stopping a short time in Pine Run, and Midland. In 1872 he engaged with Mr. Hall. He has lately purchased a farm in Hampton township of fifty-one acres, most of which he has cleared himself. Married Mary M. Collar. They have six boys and one girl.

James Beebe was born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1828. In 1888 he moved with his parents to Oakland County, Mich., their only conveyance being a horse. At night they would camp by the roadside. They remained in Oakland County until 1884, when they moved to Saginaw City, then to Thunder Bay. In 1851 he came to Bay City, engaged in the business of looking land for lum¬ bering, which he still continues. He was married in 1851 to Angeline Foot, of Bridgeport, Mich.

Hampton is regarded as the banner township of the county. It contains many exceptionally fine farms, among which are those of Nathan Knight, Gerardus Vennix,Wm. Maxson, L. H. Fisk, John Jones, Amos Bailey, and Henry Rooiakers. The stock farm of William Westover, is in Hampton. He has a very fine herd of Holstein cattle, one of which is represented on this page of the his¬ tory. Gustin & Merrill, wholesale grocers in Bay City, have each

Edwin R. Phillips was born in Monroe County, Mich., April 8 , 1835. In 1887 with his parents he moved to Oakland County, and was there until 1870. During that time was engaged in the produce business. He brought his produce to Bay City in a wagon, as there was no railroad at that time, and the roads were very bad in those days. In 1870 he moved to Bay City and engaged in the agricultural business, selling mowing and threshing machines. Was agent.for B. F. Dow & Co., sixteen years, selling mowers and reapers. In 1873 he engaged in the dairy business, which he still follows with good success. Keeps fifty milch cows beside other stock. Tie has imported stock from The Hague, Holland. Since 1878 he has been engaged in the lumber business. He gets out on an average, three million of shingles yearly. Is living on the McGraw farm, one and one-half miles east of Bay City, in Hampton town¬ ship. Was married December 23, 1862 to Miss M. E. Draper, of Oakland County.

G. W. Butterfield is a native of Michigan. He was born at Utica, Macomb County, in 1843, where he remained until nineteen years of age. On the breaking out of the late civil war he enlisted in Company B, 22d Michigan Infantry, Col. Wisner's regiment, August 7, 1862. In November of the same year, was transferred to the signal corps, where he served in all the principal campaigns of the West under different Generals, among whom were Generals Rosecrans, Thomas, Grant and Sherman, including the campaign of Atlanta and the Carolinas; also Sherman's famous march to the sea. He was present at the surrender of Johnston in 1865, May. 23 took part in the Grand Review at Washington, and on July 10 , 1865, at St. Louis received an honorable discharge. He then returned to Michigan and settled at Lapeer, where he remained until 1869; then wishing to try his luck elsewhere, went to Kansas, where he resided until 1874, when he returned to Michigan, and in the Spring of 1875 settled in Hampton, where he engaged in the dairy business, supplying milk for city use. Married in 1866 to Miss Amanda E. Hicks, of Lapeer, Mich. Has three children, J. H., Katie M., and Ira W.

Truman Rundel was born in Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1860, locating in Tuscola County where he lived about three years. He enlisted in 1864, and was a member of Company H, Michigan, Twenty-third Infantry. Was wounded at the battle of Nashville, aud remained in hospital for nearly a year. On his return to Michigan he took up his residence at Bay City, where he lived until 1879, when he bought .a farm in the township of Hampton, and now prides himself upon raising potatoes that "take a yard stick to measure them." He was married in 1851 to Clarissa J. Crippen, of Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y. Their family of children consists of "two pair," which he says will beat any "three of their kind." During Mr. Rundel's earlier days he twice circumnavigated the globe, and was for seven years a gold digger in California. During his residence in Tuscola County he served a term as justice of the peace.

Andrew J. Walton was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1829. He came to Michigan in 1873 and settled in Bay City. Previous to coming to Michigan he was the sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, from 1866 to 1869. He was married in 1855 to Caroline Griswold, of Geauga County, Ohio. They have two chil¬ dren, boys; one of whom, Clifford S., is now in his second year as cadet at West Point, where, in a class of 103, he stands No. 3. The other son, Frank G., is a member of the well known Knight Templar band, of Bay City. Mr. Walton in 1879 was appointed keeper of the Bay County poor farm, which is situated in Hampton Township, and the farm and poor house under his management* are very favorably spoken of.

J. J. Richardson was born in Lunenburgh County, Va., Novem¬ ber 24, 1836, and at eleven years of age moved with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained seven years, then moved to Detroit and was there and at Lansing till February, 1855, when he came to East Saginaw and two years later to Bay City, where he remained till 1870, when he purchased a farm in the township of Hampton, which he has since occupied and improved. He was married October 18, 1859 to Mary M. Duclos, a native of Green Bay, Wis. They have had two children, one of whom is dead.

George Parker is a native of Ohio, where he was born, July 3, 1844. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry, under Gen. Gerard, as a private, but served on the General's staff as an §id, ranking as second lieutenant. He served two years and ten months, and was wounded at Blue Springs, Tenn., and Crab Orchard, Ky. In April, 1868, he came to the Saginaw Valley, and since 1871 has been employed as engineer in Carrier & Co's mill, Essexville. He was married to Sarah J. Kenedy, and they have five children.

E. E. Fisk was born in Cass County, Mich., November 26, 1855, and in 1866, with his parents, came to the township of Hamp¬ ton, Bay County, where his father purchased land and engaged in farming and raising small fruits, which he continued until 1880, when he sold out and with his family went to Kansas where he died the same year.

The subject of this sketch then returned to Bay County and settled on Section Fourteen in the township of Hampton, where he has since resided, and engaged in gardening and raising small fruits. He was married, July 4, 1876, to Miss Minnie A. Smith, of Hamp¬ ton, and has one child.

James McGill was born at Amherstburg, Ontario, September 18, 1825. Shortly afterward he removed to Cattaraugus County, N. Y. He came to Detroit, Mich., in 1849, and to Bay City in 1862. He engaged in the carpenter business and huilt the new Baptist Church, corner of Madison and Center Streets, in 1873. He then removed to his farm in Wisner Township, Tuscola County, re¬ turning to Bay City in 1881 to recommence business. He resides just out side of the city limits upon a small farm, upon which he has a comfortable residence.

Charles Wintemeyer was born in Germany, January 8, 1830. In 1850 he came to Bay City and engaged in different saw mills until 1859, when he purchased a farm in the town of Hampton where he still resides. He was married in November, 1859, to Anna Blesloa, of Germany.

John Wait was bom in Buffalo, N. Y., August 30, 1850. In 1860 he moved to Saginaw, Mich. In 1862 he came to Bay City, remaining here until 1881, when he took a trip to Saginaw in search of his child which was stolen from him. After finding her he re¬ turned to Bay City, remaining here ever since. Mr. Wait is at present engaged in boring and repairing salt wells. He resides with his little daughter at Essexville, in the town of Hampton.

John B. Demars was born in St. Johns, New Montreal, Can¬ ada, June 25, 1844. In 1862 he moved to Hartford, Conn; then to Springfield; then to Chicopee, Mass. In 1864 he was employed by the Government in a harness shop and remained there six months, and then moved to Cohoes, N. Y. In 1865 he enlisted in the One hundred and forty-second Regiment, Company K, where he remained until the close of the war, when he received his disrV charge and returned to Troy, N. Y. In 1867 he moved to Detroit, Mich., remained there until 1878, when he came to Bay City and engaged in the carpenter and joiner's trade which he still continues. He was married to Emily Lemprent, of Rouses Point, N. Y.

Horace P. Warfield was born in Bradford County, Pa., April 14, 1848. In 1846 he moved with his parents to Wayne County, Pa., remained there until 1861 when he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry as private, and was promoted to lieutenant, remained until the close of the war, then returned home and engaged in the lumber business. In 1866 he came to Bay City and engaged with H. W. Sage & Co., in the saw mill. In 1877 he engaged with J. R. Hall, of Essexville, as manager of the salt works, which position he still retains. He was married Janu¬ ary 2, 1872, to Olive M. Rounds, of West Bay City.

Joseph Sheimer was born in Germany in 1826, and followed farming there until 1855 when he emigrated to America. After a year's residence in Marine City, Mich., he moved to Bay City where he obtained employment in one of the mills. Within two years he purchased land in Hampton Township. He married Elizabeth Riejl, also a native of Germany. They have one son.

Gilbert Boutell was born in Livingston County, Mich., in 18'4, and came to Bay City in 1869. He followed' sailing until June, 1880, having raised himself to the position of master. He then bought a small farm in Hampton Township, where he now resides engaged in gardening. He married Susie A. Primo, a native of Canada. They have two daughters.

Cornelius Huskens was bom in Holland in 1881, and came to America in June, 1855, stopping first in Lower Saginaw where he worked at odd jobs and at fishing, in partnership with his brothers, till the Fall of 1881, when he removed to the township of Hamp¬ ton and engaged in market gardening, having purchased land for the purpose, and has built thereon a neat, comfortable residence. He married Mary Van Wort in Bay City, who came from Holland in 1887. They have four.children.

Legrand H. Fisk was born at Girard, Erie Co., Penn. His father removed with his family to Michigan in 1887, where they settled in Calhoun County. Since then Mr. Fisk has lived in Jackson and Gratiot Counties. In 1866 he bought a farm in the town¬ ship of Hampton, and has been engaged in farming up to the present. He was married first in 1858. After the death of his first wife he was married to Callista D. Kimmerley in 1878. Miss Kimmerley was a nati e of Grey County, Ontario.

William Maxson was born in Orleans, Jefferson Co., N. Y. His parents removed to Michigan in 1846, where they bought land and engaged in farming. Mr. Maxson is also a farmer, and lives in Hampton, Bay Co. He enlisted in the Tenth Michigan Cavalry in the early part of the war and served until the close. He has been a highway commissioner for twelve years, school commissioner, six years, and is now acting as one of the superintendents of poor for Bay County. He was married, to Mary J. Woods, of Akron, Ohio, in 1859. They have had a family of seven children, five of whom are now living.

John Jones is a native of West Virginia, where he was born, in 1880. In 1856 moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., and in 1857 removed to Michigan, and for two years following passed his time in Detroit and Chicago, and in 1859 came to Bay City, on the "Sam Ward, and worked for Judge Birney on a farm where now stands the High School building. He afterward -engaged in draying, and market gardening on Eighth Street, where he continued till 1869, when he came to the township of Hampton and engaged in farming and raising small fruits; married Miss Clifford Harris, of Royal Oak, Oakland County, Mich., in 1860. They have had four children, of whom two are dead. Mr. Jones can look back to the first years of his residence in Bay County and note many changes which have taken place. Having cut the timber from the grounds now occu¬ pied by the High School, and having been the first to engage in market gardening in Bay County, he feels that he was in fact one of the pioneers

Jesse Underwood, a native of England, was bom in 1828. Was married to Mary Collings in 1845. In 1857 they removed to Bay City, Mich., where they remained until 1861. Mr. Underwood at that time purchased some wild land in what is now the township of Hampton, and is now the possessor of a fine farm of nearly eighty acres. They have a family of eight children, five of whom are sons.

Joseph Ziermeyer was born in Germany, in 1809, and came to Bay County in 1852. He was a resident of Bay City for sixteen years. He then purchased and cleared a farm, about three miles from the city. He died in 1872, leaving a wife and five children, Martin and Frank, who live on the farm with their mother and John N., clothier, and John B.,'brewer, in Bay City. One son, Joseph, has been a sailor on the lakes for twenty-four years, and lives in Buffalo.

Peter Vanerp was born in Holland, September H, 1887, remaining there sixteen years, during which time he learned the jewelry trade. He then moved to Detroit and engaged with Fred¬ erick Lingman, where he remained one year, and George Schuyler, where he remained until 1857, when he came fco Bay City, and was engaged in different occupations. He purchased a farm in the town of Hampton, where he moved with his family, remaining there ever since.

Merton A. Smith was born in Geauga County, Ohio, in 1859, and moved to Bay County with his parents in 1871. Soon there¬ after his father, Cyrus A. Smith, purchased land near Essexville, where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1879. In addition to the homestead, Merton A. has bought some adjoining land, and has engaged in market gardening on quite an extensive scale, and will, without doubt, receive the reward his industry merits. He married Emma E. Brownson. They have one child.

Frank Vereycken was born in Belgium in 1889. Came to Michigan in 1859, and after spending a year in Detroit he settled in Bay City. In 1865 he purchased land near the city, and for twelve years was engaged in gardening. In 1877 he moved to his farm in the township of Hampton, where he now lives. Married Philomena Cup, also of Belgium. They have six children.

The town of Williams was organized by the Midland Board in 1855, and comprised Towns Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, north, Range Three east, and all of Arenac County. Charles Bradford was the first Supervisor of the township. Upon the organization of Bay County, in 1857, Williams and Hampton were under full town¬ ship organization. These two are the pioneer and banner town- ships of the county. The first supervisor from Williams to the Bay County Board was Geo. W. Smock.

Williams has contributed of its territory to the formation of other townships, until now it is reduced to an area of six miles square, bounded on the north by Beaver, east by Monitor, south and west by county line.

The pioneer farmers in Bay County settled in Williams, laid the foundation of its prosperity as well as their own, and most of them are still living upon their original purchases, enjoying the fruits of their haidships and labors.

In the Fall of 1854, before the township of Williams was organ¬ ized, a party of gentlemen, consisting of Charles Bradford, John Gaffney, William Spofford, Charles Fitch, George W. Smock, and Lyman Brainard, visited this region on a tour of observation. They found an uninhabited wilderness, the nearest attempt at civilization being at Lower Saginaw, which was just beginning to show signs of life. The land evidently pleased them, as they proceeded to Flint, in October, and purchased the land upon which they shortly after¬ ward settled. Of these men, Messrs. Bradford and Gaffney remain upon their original purchases. The others are living in other local¬ ities, or dead.

In that same month, William W. Skelton, A. J. Willse, and Amos Culver also purchased land, Mr. Skelton locating in North Williams. Messrs. Culver and Willse are still living upon their farms. Mr. Skelton died in the Winter of 1888, as related further along.

In 1855, Samuel Bowden, David Jones, Josiali Perry, and John Plant, came into North Williams. Messrs. Bowden, Perry, and Jones remain. John Plant died in 1866, and his family are still living at the homestead. John C. Bowden, a brother of Samuel Bowden, came into the township a boy, about this time, and after¬ ward purchased land. The Buck family also located here soon after the year above given.

There were several first settlers in Williams, but a precise cal¬ culation would place Mr. John Gaffney a little in advance of the others, as he was the first to stay upon his land and strike a blow, and awake the echo of civilization.

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, now a resident of Monitor. Mr. Culver's family reached there January 8, 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 twenty-seven and came to America. He landed at Boston and stopped for two years and a half at West Newton in the busi¬ ness of foreman for A. J. Allen, building contractor. From there he went to Detroit in 1858, 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 Williams, viewed the land, re¬ turned 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 pro¬ visions 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 re¬ turned, but was destitute of means, yet he had credit. On the 6tli 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 Lower 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 or¬ chards. Although 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 1886. 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 Ham¬ ilton, N. Y., then a resident of Iosco. In October, 1854, he came into the woods of Saginaw Valley and bought 820 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. Brad¬ ford arrived at their new home, having to walk seven miles with 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 lier's, Mr. Lyman Brainard, another of the early pioneers of Williams, ac¬ companied 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 where she made rapid and successful progress. At the age of seventeen she com¬ menced teaching and for fourteen consecutive terms taught the young ideas of Williams how to shoot, when she was married to John Bussell, Jr., of English 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 820 acres, 125 under improvement. Mr. Bradford has a handsome brick house, large barns and out buildings, and one of the finest orchards in the town¬ ship, 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 hard¬ ships, 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 in 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 uncle. 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., continu¬ ing 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. Swart 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 Feb¬ ruary, 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 Skin¬ ner, 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 resi¬ dence 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 situated with a commodious store for a country town, a fine residence and outbuildings. He has a well-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 resi¬ dences 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 in¬ terests on the Board of Supervisors, its prosperity is largely due.

Samuel Bowden was bom in Devonshire, England, in 1829. He left England at the age of twenty-two alone, and came to Amer¬ ica. 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 com¬ menced 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 Williams, thus showing the es¬ teem in which he is held by his fellow townsmen. Mr. Bowden is a practical and thorough farmer. Fifty acres of his land is under a high state of cultivation. His buildings, orchards, farming imple¬ ments, 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 Williams, 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 Kaw* kawlin, across the bay, and up the Saginaw Biver, 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 inde¬ pendence, and is a man that is highly respected in the commu¬ nity 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, fora 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 Eliza Cathn, of Bay City; birth place, Erie County, N. Y. In Jan¬ uary, 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 fur¬ nace used, but he simply had the coal burning in open kettles, keep¬ ing 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 over¬ come and almost instantly suffocated. When discovered by mem¬ bers of his family, he was to all appearances dead, though every ef¬ fort to restore life was promptly resorted to. Dr. Snyder, of Au¬ burn, 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 arrange¬ ments 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 conse¬ quent prosperity. He was a man highly respected in the communi¬ ty, and besides a wife and grown up family of children to lament bis 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, bad no fatal casualty befallen him."

John C. Rowden, w r as born in England, in 1844. At the age of seventeen bis 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 Wil¬ liams 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, At¬ lanta, 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 regiment in op¬ posing 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 1881J Miss Selina Gilbert, of West Bay City. Mr. Rowden w T 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, with the exception of a small portion, does not lie too level for tillage.

Up to 1855, this township was a wilderness, there being no in¬ habitants in it nor road through it. On the 18tli 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 Sag¬ inaw County. For the present year the taxes assessed upon the property of the township amount to $2,898.14. The population at present exceeds 800 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 fur¬ nish 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 within this township, for $5.00 per acre. This affords a good opportunity for those seek¬ ing 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 people 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 be¬ fore the building of the road. The day may not be far distant when a railroad may find its w T 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 was that of William Hendrick to Mrs. Arvilla Story. The ceremony was 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-lialf 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 Govern¬ ment census, was 866. Total valuation of real and personal estate, in 1882, was $207,375.