Fraser Township

Fraser Township

The township of Fraser was erected by act of Legislature in 1875 and comprised the territory of Township Sixteen north, of Range Three east, and Township Sixteen north, of Ranges Four and Five east. The first township meeting was held on the first Monday of April, at the house of William Michie, and William Michie, Albert Neville and B. W. Merrick were inspectors of election.

Next to Pinconning, Fraser is the largest township in the county. It is bounded north by Pinconning, east by Saginaw Bay, south by Kawkawlin and Beaver and west by county line.

The statistical report of the township of Fraser shows sixty-six farms, twenty-six births and twelve deaths, in 1882. Diphtheria was the prevailing disease in the majority of cases.

Biographical

William Fitch, a hardy and early Pioneer of the town of Fra¬ ser, was born in the township of Bayham, in the county of Elgin, in 1880. In his early life he did not have the advantage of schools, but managed to get a fair education. In 1846 he started out for himself, and went aboard of a vessel as a hand before the mast, and acquired in his apprenticeship a knowledge of seamanship. When he was about twenty-one he was put in command of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was aboard of the Henry Watson when she col¬ lided with the Brig Giddings on Lake Erie, when by his bravery, and the help of a boy, he saved the boat and took her into Buffalo, and was promoted to captain. He is a man that has been able to turn his hand to any trade, and has been successful. He has endured many hardships, yet was never deterred from undertaking anything he wished to do because it seemed difficult. Fail was not in his book. He had a barn to build, and he hewed the timber and framed it, and raised and finished it without any help. The build¬ ing is 88x28 feet, and sixteen-foot posts, size 10x10 inches. He cleared the heavy timber with which his land was covered by his own single-handed labor, and though he broke a leg and an arm he kept on at work till he has a good farm. He lives in a large log house, which he raised with the help of a pair of oxen only. On May 2, 1849, he married Miss Margaret Gallagher, of Norfolk County, Canada. She was born in New Brunswick in 1881. When Mr. Fitch went to Fraser there were no roads and no teams, and he had to back his provisions three and a half miles, through mud and water, but he had the strength to do it. At one time he took a barrel of flour in two bags on his shoulders, and carried it home, three and a half miles. He went to Bay County in 1868, and settled in the township of Fraser in 1875.

William H. Hatton was born in the city of Buffalo, N. Y. in 1827, When quite young he went with his parents to Woodstock, Canada, and from there to London, Canada, and in 1851 went to Port Sanilac, Mich., and in 1874 went to the township of Fraser, Bay County. In 1851 he married Miss Elizabeth Gilmore, of the township of Ramsey, Canada. Miss Gilmore was born in 1886 and is the mother of nine children, four living. George W. Hatton was born in 1858, married in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth Pettit. Miss Pettit was born in St. Mary's, Canada, in 1858, and has three children: William J. Hatton was born in 1858; Irene F., born in 1864; Katie N. born in 1871. Mr. Hatton is keeping a hotel at state road crossing station on the M. C. R. R., and is also engaged in lumbering, and keeps a general grocery store, and is the post¬ master of the place. The office is named Michie, after W. Michie, one of the first settlers of Fraser, who was murdered in 1882, a short distance from his house.

Francis Gallagher was born in the Province of New Bruns¬ wick, March 12, 1888. He moved to Blenheim, Canada, in 1840, and in 1875 came to Bay City. He purchased a farm in the town of Fraser, where he now resides doing business as a grocer. He has recently held the office of township treasurer for two years. Mr. Gallagher was the first settler in his locality.

Bina Chute was born in Elgin County, Canada, June 19, 1888. He came to Bay City in 1868 and was employed by McDowell & Park for three years, and then started in the saloon business. In 1869 he purchased a farm in Fraser Township, Bay County, and built a hotel upon the premises, which he runs in connection with his farm. He is also township treasurer and school director of his district.

William J. Hodder was born in {Somersetshire, England. In early life he followed railroading. He was at one time a freight conductor on the Great Western Railway, running between Liverir pool, Wolverhampton, Buildwass, etc. After that he was pilotman on the Metropolitan Bailway, one of the underground railways in London, England. In 1867 he came to the United States and was for a short time a brakesman on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad. After living in Detroit about three years he came to the Saginaw Valley, living in East Saginaw and Bay City until 1878, when he bought a farm in the township of Fraser, and since that time has settled down as a "granger." Shortly after going to Fraser he w r as elected township clerk, serving until 1881, when he was elected su¬ pervisor, and in 1882 was re-elected. In 1872 he was married to Ellen Belleisle, of Detroit. They have had a family of ten children, seven of whom are now (1882) living.

N. H. Ryon was born in Oneida County, N. A"., in 1848, where he lived until he was seventeen. He enlisted in the Union Army and served till the close of the war. In 1866 he went to Huron County, Midi., and in 1882 w 7 ent to the town of Fraser, Bay County, and bought eighty acres of land in Section Thirty-four, where he resides. In 1874 he married Miss Roxana Smith, of Huron County. Miss Smith was born in Brockville, Canada, in 1856, and is the mother of three children. Mr. Ryon was in the battles of Win¬ chester, Cedar Run and Fisher Hill, and was in Grant's campaign when General Lee was taken.

James Tryon, an early settler of Bay County was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in March, 1851. When six years old he went to Ohio. When he was sixteen years old he started in life for himself, and went to Indiana, and was there four years. In 1878 went to Kawkawlin, and taught school one year; then went to Pinconning as a clerk and was there one year. On April 22d he went to the village of Linwood to run a general store for C. H. Rhodes. In 1882, October 18tli, he married Miss Agnes Schmidt, of Kawkawlin.

P. L. Sherman was born in New Bedford, Mass., in 1844. He went to sea when young and followed it till 1879, in which year he went to Bay City and started business as a lumberman in company with Nathaniel Howland. Their mill is located in Linwood, on the M. C. R. R., in the township of Fraser. In 1871 he married Miss Howland, of Dartmouth, Mass. They have one child. Mr. Sherman is general manager of the company's business. Their saw mill is new, having been built in 1882, and has a capacity of 19,000 feet per day. Their stave mill has a capacity of twenty cords of bolts per day.

Susan Trudo Kingston was born in the township of Banks, Bay Co., Mich., March, 1860, and in 1877 married Mr. Stewart Kings¬ ton, of the Province of Quebec, Canada. Mr. Kingston went to Bay City about 1878, and shortly after bought a farm in Section Thirty, iu the township of Fraser. The forest was in its primitive state, but he and his w T ife were young and ambitious, and they put their "shoulder to the wheel" with the determination to make a home out of the wilderness where they could rest in the "sear and yellow leaf" of life. They succeeded in making a home, but Mr. Kingston did not enjoy the fruits of his labor very long, for on April 1, 1882 he died, leaving his young wife and two children to mourn his loss, and to struggle with fortune as best they could. Sarah Kingston, their eldest, was born May 29, 1879; Stewart, born March, 14 1881.

Lincoln And Whitney

The two townships above named were organized by the Board of Supervisors, in the year 1880, and are the youngest township or¬ ganizations in the county. The organization of these two tcwui-

Lincoln comprises all of Township Eighteen north, of Range Three east, and twenty-four Sections of Township Eight¬ een north,.of Range Four east. It is bounded north by Deep River, east by Standisli, south by Stan dish and Pinconning and w T est by county line.

The effort to secure a division of Standisli Township, and or¬ ganize a new one, was met by strong opposition from citizens of the | territory remaining in Standisli. The proceedings of the Board of | Supervisors with reference to this matter, w r ere as follows:

"We, the undersigned, citizens and freeholders of the town¬ ship of Standisli, do hereby petition vour honorable body to set oft* from said township of Standish and erect into a new 7 township, to j be called Lincoln, or some other name that may be suitable to you,

I Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seven- | teen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Tw r enty-one, Tw 7 enty-tw 7 o | Twenty-three, Tw r enty-six, Twenty-seven, Twenty-eight,- Twen- ; ty-nine, Thirty, Thirty-one, Thirty-two, Thirty-three, Thirty-four and Thirty-five, in Town Eighteen north, of Range Four east, being all of Towui Eighteen north, of Range Four east, except the east tier of sections. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc.

"There having been an application filed and published accord¬ ing to law 7 , by the freeholders and citizens of the village of Standish, for the erection of a new 7 township, consisting of the following terri¬ tory: - All of Town Eighteen north, of Range Three east, and Towui Eighteen north, of Range Four east, excepting the east tier of sec¬ tions, to be known as the township of Lincoln, which w 7 ould deprive the township of Standish of railroad connection, tin ref ore, the free¬ holders and citizens of the township of Standisli would respectfully ask your honorable body, that in setting off said proposed township of Lincoln, as proposed in the petition published, adding to the township of Standish the following sections off from Town Eight¬ een north, of Range Four east, Sections One, Twelve, Thirteen, Tw r enty-four, Twenty-five, Thirty-six. We would ask your honora¬ ble body and the petitioners from the village of Standisli, if consist¬ ent with your view, to set off the proposed town of Lincoln on the following form: - All of the Town Eighteen north, of Range Three east, and all of the Town Eighteen north, of Range Four east, ex¬ cepting Sections Twenty-four, Twenty-five, Thirty-six, Thirty-five, Twenty-three, Twenty-six, thereby securing to the township of Standish a station on the railroad.

"We, the undersigned, freeholders of Standish, do respectfully - protest against a division of our towui at present; ninety per cent of our people are opposed to it. The whole object is to make more officers and therefore more taxes. A visit through the towm and a talk with all the people, would convince you that they want no di-

"At a meeting held at Saganing, October 10, 1879, the free¬ holders and citizens of the fractional Township of Eighteen, Five east, set forth the following reasons why the new township of Lin¬ coln should not he organized.

"Resolved, That the move to set the new town of Lincoln off Standish is merely for political purposes, and not for any good that can be derived from said division.

"Itc.su/rcJ, That there being now three towns in the township of Standish, from which we derive or support, these towns com¬ prising eighty-seven sections and three-eighteenths, four being full towns and 18-5, being a fraction of fifteen sections, less than one-half of a township. By adding to it the six sections as pro¬ posed by the new town of Lincoln, would raise it to twenty-one sections, less than three-fourths of a township. Therefore, we, the freeholders and citizens of the fractional Town of 18-5 and of the new territory that is proposed to add to said fractional, do pro¬ test against the organization. The citizens claim that the erection of said township would at once throw an expense of from $500 to $2,000 on the township of Standish which would so increase the taxes that it would be impossible for the people to maintain a living, let alone trying to clear up their farms and paying for their land.

j "We, the undersigned, citizens of Standish, do hereby respectj fully ask your honorable body to set off from the township of Stan- | dish, and organize into a new township by the name of Lincoln, or some other name to be decided upon, the following territory, viz: - Entire Town Eighteen north, Range Three east, except the east tier of sections, or excepting such part of Town Eighteen north, Range Four east, as may be just.

Various other petitions and protests were presented, and at a meeting of the Board held January 8, 1880, the township was erected by the passage of the following resolution, by a vote of ~ twenty-six for and none against.

Whereas, Application has been duly made to the Board of Su¬ pervisors, of the County of Bay, by George F. Cross, George N. Shilliuger, Abram D. Walker, Daniel W. Richardson, Frank Gregory, Ledger St. John, Lem. Paquion, William Quigley, T. T. Olmstead, J. M. Groat, Oliver R. Page, M. L. Pierce and Peter M. Angus, all of whom are freeholders and reside in the township to be affected thereby, for erection and organization into a new township of the territory hereinafter described, and the same Board having been furnished with a map of all the townships to be affected thereby, and it appearing to said Board by due proof, that notice in writing of such intended application, signed by at least twelve free¬ holders of the township or townships to be affected thereby, has been duly posted up and published in the manner and during the time required by law; and it also appearing to said Board upon con- I sideration thereof, that the said application ought to be granted;

! thereupon it is ordered and determined by the said Board that the territory described as follows, to-wit: All of Townships Eighteen, north, of Range Three east, {Sections Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seven¬ teen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-one, Twenty-eight, Twenty-nine, Thirty, Thirty-one, Thirty-two and Thirty-three, in j Township Eighteen north, of Range Four east, all in Bay County, be and the same is hereby detached from the township of Standish, erected and organized into a new township, to be called and known as the township of Lincoln; that the first annual township meeting therein shall be held at the schoolhouse in the village of Standish, on Monday, the 5th day of April next, and William H. Williams, Ralph E. Pratt and George N. Shilliuger, three electors of said township, are hereby designated as the persons whose duties it shall be to preside at said meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same powers as inspectors of any township meeting may exercise under the laws of this state; and the said Ralph E. Pratt is hereby appointed and designated as the person re¬ quired to post the notices of said election required by law. The next election in the township of Standish will be held at the schoolhouse, in School District No. Three, in said Standish, at the village of Saganing, and Wallace W. Alexander, William Jennings and Edward H. Chamberlain are hereby designated as the inspectors of election at said election, in said township of Standish.

This gave Lincoln the village of Standish, and the railway station. Almost the entire population of the territory organized into Lincoln was in the village of Standish, and at the present time is confined to that vicinity.

The population of the entire township in 1880 was only 271. At the present time it is about 450, four-fifths of which is in the village. Town Eighteen north, of Range Three east, is nearly all covered with pine.

Standish Village

The village of Standish is situated on the line of the Macki¬ naw division of the Michigan Central Railroad, and in the north¬ eastern part of Lincoln township. It was first a part of Arenac township, then of Standish, and, since 1880, of Lincoln.

John Standish, of Detroit, owned and controlled about 15,000 acres of land in this vicinity, and in the year 1871 had six hundred and forty acres platted. Peter M. Angus, who has since been a prominent man in the county, came from Genesee County, Mich., and made the plat. This site was selected on account of its being on the line of the railroad which was being built at that time.

The name of Standish was given to the place, but before the plat was recorded, Mr. Standish sold a portion of his interests, and the name was changed to "Granton," and so recorded. At the next session of the Legislature, however, Mr. Standish succeeded in getting the name changed back, and the place has been known as Standish.

Mr. Standisli had built a mill before the plat was made. The mill he sold the same Summer to the firm of Cross, Wright & Co.; afterward Cross & Walker. This firm still own the mill, but it is operated under lease, by the firm of Cross & Dyer. Another saw¬ mill, afterward burned, was built by a man named Lane, and two shingle mills, one by a man named Currey, and the other by a man named Buell, were built that Summer; both burned in 1876. Three hotels were also built, two of which, the Standish House and Lincoln House, are still running; the Jacobs House was destroyed by fire.

Standish In 1872

"Scarcely more than six months ago, and what is now quite a thriving village, was a "howling wilderness." On Monday last a public school was opened. There are about forty scholars in the village. Mr. S. R. Hoobler, formerly of Bay City, is the teacher. Mr. Hoobler taught school at Kawkawlin for a year.

It is a fact worthy of remark that there are six trains daily each way over this section of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw - two passenger, one freight and three log trains. Each passenger train has two coaches attached, and these are invariably filled to their utmost capacity, or nearly so. About half the passengers are laborers destined to or returning from the pineries along the shore. The balance are lumbermen, traders, and business men generally, or their families.

Mr. John Paten is the conductor who runs the passenger train that leaves Wenona at 7.85 in the morning and arrives on the re¬ turn at 6.25 in the evening. He runs from Saginaw City to Wells, the northern terminus of the road. He is an agreeable gentleman. In this connection we cannot refrain from mentioning an eccentric and witty brakeman on this route, Jack Burdick. He is equal to any emergency where sport is required, yet always on the alert in the line of his duty. He takes pleasure in drawing out his repeater when asked the time, but his repeater is minus dial or anything by which the hour can possibly be ascertained. The other day he perpetrated a provoking joke on some gentlemen by selling them what they supposed were the latest papers, but which were really about a week old.

On the arrival of passenger trains, stages are in readiness to convey passengers up the shore as far as Alpena, or to any inter¬ mediate points. The distance to Alpena is 106 miles. Mr. J. F. Willey has four stages on the line, which require thirty-two horses for service and the necessary changes. Mr. William Truesdell has the management of this line of stages, and is agreeable and efficient in the performance of his duties. He spends the day at this place, going to Bay City each evening and returning in the morning.

The Standish House is doing a good business. Mr. George Shillinger is the proprietor, and spares no pains to render his house all that could be expected in a place so new. Mr. Shillinger is well known and popular.

The Jacobs House is owned by Mr. Jacobs, of the Inter¬ national Hotel, of Bay City. He is patronized very well, and says he is confident of doing a flourishing business during the coming Spring.

There is as yet no postoffice in Standish, though the Depart¬ ment at Washington has established a mail route, and Mr. Gailey has been appointed postmaster. The appointee has not decided to accept the appointment, though the office is very much needed. The mails arrive irregularly by way of persons who can accommo¬ date the place by bringing them from Wenona. Dealers complain that their goods and bills arrive before the mails which notify them of shipment. It is earnestly hoped that the advantages afforded by having a mail route and a postmaster may be realized at the earliest day possible. Mr. Gailey is a good man for the position and we hope he will accept it at once.

revealed the fact that there are ninety-nine children in this village that draw public money - that is, there are that number of persons in the village between the ages of five and twenty years. The pop¬ ulation of the village is about three hundred and seventy-five.

- "The regular annual school meeting was held last Monday evening, and $400 voted for teacher's wages over and above the school fund. The report of the building committee was read by Mr. Gailey, showing a large overplus in the building fund. M. L Pierce was elected assessor for the ensuing year. Miss Carrie Os¬ trander, of Wenona, has been engaged for another year.

"The Congregational society was recently presented with an elegant communion service, made of silver, by Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Harrison, of East Saginaw. Rev. Elam Branch is pastor of the society.

"The postoffice was established in October, 1871, and J. S. Gailey was the first postmaster. D. W. Richardson, the present postmaster, has held the office since 1878. Mr. Richardson came to Standish in 1872, from Lapeer County, Mich., and had charge of the store of Cross, Wright & Co., until 1875, when he bought them out. He is a successful merchant and a prominent citizen of the place.

"There are two churches in tlie village: the Catholic, built in 1872, and the Congregational, built in 1882. The Congregational society was organized about 1871 by Rev. Mr. Evans. After him came Rev. Elam Branch. In 1878 the society was reorganized, and the church dedicated in the Fall of 1882. It is a neat and substan¬ tial building, and was built mainly through the instrumentality of Rev. D. W. King, who labored zealously in pushing forward the enter¬ prise. The church now has eighteen members. Rev. L. E. Brown is pastor. Trustees of the society: J. M. Groat, D. W. Richardson, D. 0. Smith. Deacons: J. M. Groat, Thomas Gibbon, D. 0. Smith. Mr. Smith is also superintendent of the Sunday-school.

"The sclioolhouse was built in 1871, and cost $1,000. The first teacher was S. R. Hoobler, and after him Miss Carrie Ostran¬ der. The present teacher is James J. Decker, a very successful in¬ structor. This is the only school in the township. The number of school children in the township is 108."

Peter M. Angus was born in Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland. His father's family emigrated to the United States in 1852 and located in Genesee County, Mich., where they still live. While a resident of Genesee County, Mr. Angus learned the profession of civil engineer, which he follows at present. In 1871 he came to Bay County and settled in the village of Standish, township of Lincoln. In 1872 he was elected a justice of the peace, and in 1873 was also elected supervisor, both of which offices he now holds (1883). Married Margaret Ross of Taymouth, Saginaw Co., in 1871. They have three children.

Jerome B. Davis, hotel keeper, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., January 18, 1836. He enlisted in the service of his country in the Spring of 1862, in the Twelfth New York Heavy Artillery, Company A. He served two years and seven months; was seized with yellow fever, and when he could be removed was brought home on furlough by his father, and his furlough was still in force when the war closed. He was married to Miss Emaline Mayer, of Sandy Creek, July 24, 1855. They have one daughter, Evaretta, born September 24, 1859, now Mrs N. B. Weaver. Mr. Davis came to Standish, Mich., September 20, 1866, when the country was a vast wilderness, with no road but an Indian trail. He took a homestead of 160 acres in Arenac, and at once began to improve it for a home. Since then he has engaged in lumbering also, with good success; and in December, 1881, he purchased, and now keeps, the large hotel known as the Standish House, capable of lodging about eighty persons, and of feeding all who come. Sometimes they have enter¬ tained between' 100 and 200 at a meal. % He has commodious barns, and a hall 22x42 feet in size, for social and general enter¬ tainments. He has also over 800 acres of pine arid farming lands, with 150 under cultivation, but above all he has always a hearty welcome and cordial treatment for his patrons.

Jacob M. Groat, merchant, was born in Dunham, Canada, June 12, 1816. He remained there until twenty-one years of age, then came to Michigan for a short time; he returned to Canada,

! and was married to Miss Mary E. Porter, March 23, 1841. Miss Porter was born in Canada, December 26, 1823. They went from Canada to Newark, N. J., and after seven years came to Michigan. During the last seven years they have resided at Standish, in Bay County, where Mr. Groat is engaged in mercantile business. They have three living children, Franklin J., Anna M., and Wilber Elmer.

Ledger St. John, shoemaker, born near Montreal, Canada, March 16, 1848; came to Detroit in 1861. He spent three years in the employ of the Government during the late rebellion, and has worked five years for S. P. Baldwin & Co., of Detroit. He w r as married to Miss Vitiline Allaire, February 9,1869. He has resided in Standish, Bay County, eleven years. His business is increasing from year to year. He has served as street commissioner, and also as deputy sheriff of Bay County.

John A. Wilson, farmer, was bom in Westmeath, Canada, August 8, 1831. He spent his youth in his native country and came to Bay County in April, 1870. He was married, September 20, 1855, to Miss Phoebe L. Libby, of Waltham. They have resided in Standish eleven years. He has forty acres of land in Section Nineteen in Arenac which he is improving for a future home.

George C. Beardsley, lumberman, was born in New Bruns¬ wick. He spent his early life in that Province, and came to Bay County, in September, 1869. He was married, October 21,1850, to Miss Barbara Craven, who was bom in New Brunswick, July 27, 1822. Their children are Elizabeth, Agnes, Janet, Laura and Har¬ riet, all born in New Brunswick. They have also an adopted son, Randolph. They have resided in Standish six years, and Mr. Beardsley continues the lumbering business with pleasing success.

James J. Decker, school teacher, was born in Italy, N. Y., October 14, 1845. He came to Arenac, Bay County, in October, 1866; worked some five years as a carpenter, but since then has been engaged in teaching, spending eleven or twelve years in only four different districts. He has served two terms as township clerk and two terms as township treasurer. He was township superintendent of schools during all the time that system was in vogue. Since then he has been a member of the county board of school examin¬ ers, and was the first secretary of the board. He was married to Mary F. Thrasher, of Oswego, N. Y., January 9, 1866. They have four children, Luella M., Lizzie B., Wallace M., and Charles Olin. Mr. Decker is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and also belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry.

Dr. Stuart is the only physician in the village. Dr. Frank Gregory, settled here in 1876, and practiced very successfully several years and then engaged in lumbering.

Hiram T. Jones, mechanic, was born in Worcester, Vermont, August, 25, 1832. He spent his early life in Vermont, Canada, and New York. He was married to Miss Nancy Jane Gott, March 1st, 1850. She died August 15, 1878.

The children are Sarah, Cynthia, Samuel, Mary, William, Ida, Hannah M., Ichabod, Albert J., George L., Adelia C., Lilia, John, Dora and William.

He has purchased four acres of land near the village, and erected a pleasant two story dwelling 23x31 feet in size, all by days work, and supported a family of eight persons steadily, and part of the time it has numbered twelve. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been mem¬ bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church about thirty years, and greatly desire the religious welfare of those around them.

Duncan W. Wheeler, farmer, was born in Canada, April 7, 1818. He has res'ded in Sfanlish, Mich,, two years. He was married to Miss Sylvania J Shaw, of Canada, Aug. 15, 1870.

He has purchased forty acres of land on Section Two, in Lincoln, which he intends to make their home. Mr. Wheeler's father, Sid¬ ney S. Wheeler, was an American citizen, of the state of New York, and although Duncan was born m Canada, he was a resident of Detroit when he became of age and hence is on that account also an American citizen.

He left Vermont when fifteen years of age, and served fifteen years in the U. S. Army, and eighteen months, in the Volunteers. He spent 8 thirteen years in Boston, Mass., and came to Standish a year ago last October. He was married to Miss Martha A. Boardman, of Charlestown, Mass, Nov. 4, 1889. They have had four children: Alice, Bertie and Frederick, now deceased, and an infant daughter.

Mr. King has been in the employ of the firm of Cross and Walker ever since he has been in Standish, and is also serving in the office of constable.

Whitney occupies the northeast corner of the county and com¬ prises Town Twenty north, Seven east, and the fractional Town Nineteen north, Seven east. It is bounded north by county line, east and south by Saginaw Bay, and west by Au Gres. The state road traverses the south and east sections of the township.

"We, the undersigned, freeholders of the and residing in the township of Au Gres, in the county of Bay, hereby present this our application, praying your honorable body at the next annual meeting to attach the following described territory, to-wit: - Town Eighteen, Nineteen and Twenty north, Range Seven east, and Town Twenty north, Range Eight east, from the township of Au Gres of which it now forms a part in said county, and.to erect the same into a new township of Whitney, in accordance with the map and survey hereto attached and being part of this application."

The application was dated September 11, 1879, and was signed by Edward Bradley and fifteen others. It was referred to committee on township organization.

At a meeting held October 16, 1879, the following resolution was adopted granting the application of Edward Bradley and others. The resolution was as follows:

By Superintendent H. M. Smith: - "In the matter of the ap¬ plication of Edward Bradley, James Monson,-William D. Stormont, John L. Robinson, John E. Bradley, B. L. Richards, Edward Monteville, William James Bradley, John A. Weed, William Brad¬ ley, Joseph Mattison, John Foote, Peter Nelson, John Irving, Charles Fredreg, A. A. Shotwell, for the erection of a new town¬ ship.

Whereas, Application in writing has been made to the Board of Supervisors of Bay County, in the state of Michigan, by Ed¬ ward Bradley and fifteen others above named, freeholders of the township of Au Gres, for the organization or erection of the terri¬ tory comprising Sections Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen and Nineteen, in Town Nineteen north, of Range Seven east; also all of Town Twenty north, of Range Eight east; also the islands known as Big and Little Charity Islands in said Bay County and now a part of the township of Au Gres in said Bay County, into a new township, and

Whereas, It appears that notice of such application signed by the above named persons has been duly published and posted up in the manner required by law, for four weeks immediately preceding the time of making said application and a map of all the townships effected by the organization or erection of such new township, showing the proposed alterations, having been furnished to the said Board of Supervisors, therefore:

Resolved, That the said territory described above and known as Sections Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen and Nineteen in Town Nineteen north, of Range Seven east; also all of Town Twenty north, of range Eight east, and also the islands known as the Big and Little Charity Islands, in said Bay County, and now a part of said township of Au Gres, be and the same is hereby erected into a new township to be called and known by the name of the township of Whitney, and be it further

Resolved , That the first annual township meeting thereof shall be held at Whitney's mill, in said township of Whitney, on Monday, the 5th day of April, A. D., 1880, and Edward Johnston, Edward Bradley and John A. Weed, three electors of said township, be and they are hereby appointed as the persons who shall preside at such meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls and exercise the same power as the inspectors of election at any township meeting, and the said Edward Bradley is hereby appointed as the person to post the notices of such township meeting required by law. The next township meeting to be held in the township of AuGres, aforesaid, shall be held at the schoolhouse, in District Number One (1) in said township of Au Gres.

The village of Au Gres is located on the line of Whitney and Au Gres, a portion being in each township. There are also the settlements of Whitney and Point Lookout. At the latter place is a hotel.

Clerk, Garry Kavannaugh; treasurer, Peter Drummond; school inspector, Colon McDougal; justice for full term, John G. Wordell; to fill vacancy, J. McPhell; highway commissioner, A. A. Shotwell; constables, W. J. Bradley, C. Ferguson, H. List, Elijah Warren.

Taxes For 1882

Joseph Mattinson, farmer and hotel keeper was born in Nova Scotia, March 23, 1829. He left there when in his twenty-second year, and spent nearly five years in Canada, and then came to Whitestone Point, on Saginaw Bay, and spent several years in fish¬ ing in Summer, and in trapping and hunting in Winter.

He was the first white settler between Harrisville and Pine River. He was married to Miss Mary Steward, about twenty-two years ago, and to Miss Mary Slaterline, in April, 1870.

He has had fourteen children. Those now living are Elizabeth, Caroline, William, Mary, Ida, Eddie and Joseph. Elizabeth was the first white child born in Whitney, and her marriage was the first put on record of those born in the township. He has 310 acres of land in Whitney. His hotel, the Mattinson House, will accommo¬ date about forty. He has served two terms as highway commis¬ sioner. At different times, when fishing or bringing in supplies on the lake, late in the Fall, he has had to break the ice with his pike pole before his boat, and get to shore as best he could, build a fire and warm and dry himself, all alone in the forest, to keep from freezing to death. In those days the mail was carried from Bay City to Lake Superior, in Winter, by dogs harnessed and hitched to a trainole. One man went before them on snow-shoes, and one fol¬ lowed them. They made a trip once a month. Once when hunt¬ ing, on the bank near the lake, Mr. M. wounded a deer, which dashed at him and struck him with its feet and horns, tearing off his clothing instantly. He backed into the water, striking the beast with liis gun and breaking the gun to pieces. The dogs, however, soon relieved him, and he captured ilie deer.' At another time an old bear, with cubs, rushed at him with mouth open and hair erect, to devour him, but with one blow lie felled it to the ground, and then killed it and all the cubs.

George H. Ferguson was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1849. His family moved to Michigan in 1865, locating at first in Livingston County, where they now live. He removed to Bay County in 1869 and was at first a resident of Wenona, now West Bay City. He afterward went into the grocery trade in South Bay City and con¬ tinued in it six years. During the time he was in the latter place he was an alderman from 1875 to 1877, representing the Seventh ward. In 1877 he moved to the township of Whitney. At first he kept a hotel, but quit that and engaged in lumbering. He was elected a supervisor in 1881 and re-elected in 1882. In 1872 he was married to Fidelia Williams, a native of the state of New York. They have one child.

Edward Bradley, merchant and farmer, was born on Prince Edward Island, July 27, 1834. When about nine years of age he went with his parents to Ottawa, Ontario, and a year later to Smith's Falls, which was his home some twenty-one years. He was married to Miss Caroline Badour, of Canada, June 24, 1860. They made a visit to Au Gres, Mich., in October, 1865, and settled there in March following. Mr. Bradley was the first white man who settled on Au Gres River. The place was then occupied ex¬ clusively by Indians. He spent some fourteen years in keeping hotel, and invested some funds in pine and farming lands. He now has in his farm 804 acres with eighty-five under cultivation; has an elegant dwelling and an enticing home. During the last three years he has conducted a store of dry goods, groceries and general merchandise in Whitney, at Au Gres village. He has been post¬ master, township supervisor, treasurer, highway commissioner, school assessor and director. Mr. Bradley's brother, John Bradley, also came to Au Gres in the Spring of 1866. Next came the firm of Strayer, Stafford & Co. and built a small saw mill. Others followed, and the place has enlarged and become a prosper¬ ous and inviting village, with excellent farm surroundings to sus¬ tain it.

John E. Bradley, farmer and lumberman, was born in Sutton, Ontario, August 28, 1856. He left there when some ten years of age, resided at Smith's Falls several years, and since has become a resident of Au Gres village in the township of Whitney. He has spent much of his past in farm work, but for the last four years has devoted his attention to lumbering also. He has some 800 acres of farming lands with over fifty under cultivation. He has served as constable, township clerk, school director, justice of the peace and deputy sheriff. He is at present engaged as clerk in the store of Mr. E. Bradley.

John T. Robinson, artist, was born in Indiana, April 25, 1849. He left there at twelve years of age and traveled through Canada and most of the United States, engaged in taking sketches of land¬ scapes and other sceneries. He came to Saginaw in 1872, and came to Au Gres for his health in 1878. In 1875 lie purchased eighty acres of land on Section Eight in Whitney, where he now resides, and has some twenty acres cleared, and has pleasant home dwellings. Mr. Robinson is now serving as Drain commissioner of his township.

Edward Johnston, farmer and lumberman, was born near Ottawa, Canada, August 8, 1888. He came to Saginaw, in 1865, and to Au Gres in 1877. He was married to Miss Nancy Richards, March 15, 1860, She was born in Lower Canada, June 4, 1844. Their children are Annie, Sylvester, William R., Susie and Benjamin. He has 240 acres of land in Whitney with an elegant dwelling and inviting improvements, but spends a good deal of time in lum¬ bering. He has been master of the Loyal Orange Lodge in Au Gres and for three years was supervisor of Whitney.

Peter Drummond, hotel keeper, was born in Canada, March 12, 1856. He came to Bay County in 1869, settled in Au Gres village, Sept. 17, 1880, and engaged in keeping the Au Gres hotel, which is adapted for lodging at least thirty persons and feeding one hundred. He was married to Miss Eva Clare Richie, of Bay City, June 2, 1879. They have one daughter, Grace, born April 28,1881. Mr. Drummond is now serving as township treasurer of Whitney. He has eighty acres of land about three miles from the rising vil¬ lage of Au Gres, and in connection with his present hotel accom¬ modations, is preparing spacious rooms for social and general enter¬ tainment. The traveling public affirm that they obtain the best board, at his hotel, which they find between Alpena and Bay City.

Charles M. Johnson, bookkeeper and boom manager, was born in Salem County, N. J., Dec. 28, 1858. He came to Bay County in 1875. He resided there nearly a year, and then returned East and attended the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. He returned from there and has resided since then in West Bay City, until he came to Au Gres in March, 1882. He has been ever since then in

Michael Quinn, sailor and cook, was born in Ogdensburgh, N. Y., June 20, 1850. He went with his parents to Canada when two years old. At sixteen he came to Saginaw and spent over a year in the employ of A. W. Wright & Co. Later he engaged as second cook for G. F. Williams & Bro., of Saginaw. He afterward spent one Summer in running logs on Saginaw River, and one Winter in loading teams in the woods. In the Summer of 1870 he cooked on the F. and P. M. Railroad, and in Winter on the To¬ bacco River. Next Summer he cooked on the east branch of the Au Gres River. In 1878 he engaged as cook on the steamer, Iron¬ sides, and was on board on that memorable night when she sank in Lake Michigan, nine miles from Grand Haven. He and sixteen others escaped, while twenty-six found a watery grave. Of late he has been employed as cook for the Au Gres Boom Co., namely: since March 7, 1882. His farm is in James Township, Saginaw County. Mr. Quinn was married to Miss Josephine M. Egerer, of Saginaw County, Dec. 28, 1878, She was born in James Town¬ ship, March 21, 1860. Her parents were of German descent and came to America in 1852.

This township was formerly called Kochville, and was a part of Saginaw County. In the Winter of 1880-'81 it was detached from that county and annexed to Bay County. The settlement of Erankenlust was established by Rev. Sievers about the year 1848. About that time several German colonies emigrated to the Saginaw Valley, one of which composed the Frankenlust settlement. The population of the township as given in the census returns of 1880, was, at that time, 1,768. There are five school districts and two fractional, each provided with a substantial school building. The church buildings are four in number comprising three Lutheran and one German Methodist. The lands of the township are as fertile as any in the valley, the people, industrious and enterprising. The appearance of the county bespeaks great progress, and re¬ hearses, as it were, the story of German perseverance. Under authority given by the Board of Supervisors, Oct. 12, 1855, the following described territory was constituted a township under the name of Kochville, viz: Township Thirteen north, of Range Four east; Sections Six, Seven, Eighteen, Nineteen, and the north half of Section Thirty in Township Thirteen north, of Range Five east, and Sections Twenty-five, Twenty-six, Twenty-seven, Twenty-eight, Twenty-nine, Thirty, Thirty-one, Thirty-two, Thirty-three, Thirtyfour, Thirty-five and Thirty-six in Township Fourteen north, of Range Four east. The application to organize was signed by seven¬ ty-five electors. In granting the prayer of these citizens, the Board ordered that the first annual meeting for the election of township officers should be held at the house of Adam Goetz, of Kochville, on the first Monday in April, 1856, and that the following named per¬ sons: G. Stengel, J. P. Weggel and j. S. Helielt, being three electors, be designated and appointed to preside at such election and to perform all the duties required by the statute.

The first Kochville Township election was held, April 7, 1856, at the house of Andreas Goetz, with the following results: Luke Wellington, supervisor; John C. Schmidt, township clerk; Andreas Goetz, treasurer; J. G. Helmrenh, Caspar Linik, school inspectors; William Butts, Heinrich Hipser and Paul Stephen, highway com¬ missioners; Luke Wellington, Louis Loeffler, George Hengee and Leonard Fleabite, justices of the peace; George Hengee and An¬ dreas Goetz, overseers of the poor; G. M. Geigler, George Sturm, Andreas Schmidt and Mark Kranzlein, constables.

Peter Weggel and Heinrich Hebert were named inspectors of 1 election; but owing to their absence, Luke Wellington and Casper Lint filled their positions, with George Stengel, an inspector named I in the first order. Louis Loeffler was appointed clerk and John C. j Schmidt, assistant clerk. The number of voters present was fifty- ! nine.

German Reformed Lutheran Church

This church is situated on Section Fifteen, and was organized in 1S52 by Rev. Sievers. The members then were: A. 1). Eiscliyer, Adam Schnell, Michael Schmidt, George Leitz, George Rieger, Paul Stephens, Michael Daezchlin, John G. Hearnan. The first building was erected in 1852, and was a log house 80x40 feet, in which meetings were held until 1870. At this time the society built the present church, a frame building 88x70 feet, at a cost of f 5,000. There are 104 members at present under the pastorate of Rev. J. F. Milier.

Rev. (George Christian Ernestus) Ferdinand Sievers, is the son of Henry (Sigismund Frederic) Sievers, and Eleanor Lesette Flor¬ entine, nee, Yon Borries, and was born at Lunenburg, Germany, May 18, 1816. His mother died in 1822 and his father a year later, and the outlook for the poor orphan boy was very sad; but his un¬ cle, Rev. Philip Sievers, took good care of him. He was educated at the University of Goettingen 1885 - 88, where he studied theology some time, then taught private school three and one-half years, studied theology again at the University of Berlin and Halle, and taught private school again three and one-lialf years, was ordained a minister in 1847, when he emigrated to this country to take charge of Lutheran congregations here, and bought several hundred acres of land from the Government at what is now called South Bay City, with missionary means from the old country. The next year a number of settlers came in from Germany and commenced to en¬ dure the privations of pioneer life. May 5, 1850, Mr. S. married Caroline Koch, in New York City, while she was en route from her home in Germany to her new home in the wilds of Michigan. She was the daughter of the Rev. Fr. Koch and Augusta, nee Bippart. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. S., eight are living.

The settlement of Frankenlust, established by Rev. Sievers, has grown to great proportions, and there is another flourishing settle¬ ment three miles southwest, also founded by Mr. S., in 1851. This highly revered old gentleman has now enjoyed a long life of useful¬ ness, and set an example of ministerial industry and faithfulness that will be difficult for his successors to follow.

Fred Wellington, farmer, Section Tw^enty-five, is a life-resi¬ dent of this county. He was born in March, 1844. He is the son of Dr. Luke and Nancy M. (Freeman) Wellington. His father is a native of New Hampshire, and his mother of New York. Dr. Luke Wellington came to this state in 1886, located at Flint, and in 1850 settling in Saginaw County where he now owns 500 acres of land. Fred was educated in the public schools of Bay and Sag¬ inaw cities, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, of Detroit. He was book-keeper for eight years, and is Republican in ' politics. He has been school inspector, superintendent and assessor. He was married in 1869 to Rosetta M. Lewis, who was born in Utica, N. Y., February 11, 1849; her parents were of English and Welch descent. They formerly lived in Detroit, but now reside in Saginaw County. Two children have been given to bless this union - Mary L. and James A., and two deceased, Fred L. and Martha R.

John A. Leinberger, present supervisor, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1847. He at first lived in Saginaw City, but in the Spring of 1849 he purchased a farm in the Township of Frankenlust and engaged in tilling the soil, which pursuit he still follows. Frankenlust at that time was a part of Saginaw County, but as Bay City was the market at which its farmers sold their surplus products, they desired to be set off from Saginaw and attached to Bay County. To accomplish this, Mr. Leinberger attended at Lansing during the entire sessionof the Legislature, in 1881, and, principally owing to his exertions, the movement was successful. Mr. Leinberger was treasurer of the township for thirteen years, clerk for seven years, and postmaster for about nine, until the office was discontinued, in 1882. He served two years as supervisor while Frankenlust was a part of Saginaw County, and he now represents it in the Bay County Board of Supervisors. In 1851-2, Mr. Leinberger carried the U. S. mail between Saginaw City and Lower Saginaw, as Bay City was then called, going up one day and down the next. On one of his trips he met the late James Fraser in the woods. Mr. Fraser says to him, "John, how can you carry that bag on foot? why don't you get a horse?" John said, "Mr. Fraser, I am too poor to buy a horse;" to which Mr. Fraser said, "D - n it man, go to my stable and get a horse." On his arrival at Saginaw City he did so, and about two weeks after, he again met Mr. Fraser in the woods, when he said to him, "Mr. Fraser, how much must I pay you for this horse?" "Well, John," says he, "when you get able you can pay me fifty dollars for him, and if you never get able, keep him any¬ how." This anecdote is a fair illustration of the generosity which characterized Mr. Fraser in his dealings with poor men whom he considered deserving. Mr. Leinberger has been married twice, having had ten children by his first wife. He married his present wife, Anna Maria Meier, in January, 1888. She came from the southern part of Illinois.

Since the plan of this work was fixed, an important change has taken place, by which the territory of Bay County has been divided, and a new county, named Arenac, erected.

The fact of the county seat being located at the south end of a, long county, led the people in the northern townships to feel that their interests would be better served if organized into a separate county. This project has been agitated for some time, and at the session of the Legislature, in the Winter of 1888, a bill for the or¬ ganization of a new county, named Arenac, became law.

The new county of Arenac will contain, counting fractions, six teen townships, including Townships Nineteen and Twenty north, of Range Three east, Towns Eighteen, Nineteen and Twenty north, of Ranges Four, Five, Six, and Seven, east, and Town Twenty north, of Range Eight east, together with the islands attached to the Townships of Whitney and Au Gres.

as follows: Township of Arenac, 66; Ail Gres, 61; Clayton, 67; Deep River, 76; Lincoln, 80; Mason, 37; Moffat, 34; Standisli, 69; Whit¬ ney, 58. The county seat is located temporarily at Omer, on the Rifle River, in the Township of Arenac. Hereafter the voters will choose between Omer, Standisli and Sterling for the permanent county seat. The first election will be held on the first Monday in June, 1883, and the officers elected will begin their duties on the first Monday in July. The authorities of Bay County retain the power to collect taxes of 1883 in the territory set off, and, until the next apportionment, no change is made in representative, senatorial or judicial district relations.

At this date, May 15, 1883, the people of the new county are very hopeful of increased prosperity. A newspaper has been estab¬ lished at Omer, in Arenac Township. A convention was held at Omer, May 12tli, for the purpose of nominating a union ticket for the new county. There was a spirited contest for the nomination of sheriff and register of deeds, the nominations being made by a majority of only one in each case. The following are the nomina- ! tions:

Sheriff, George Keeney; treasurer, P. M. Angus; register of deeds, William Smith; county clerk, F. E. Carscallen; judge of probate, John Bullock; prosecuting attorney, L. McHugh; circuit court commissioner, F. C. Cummings; coroners, Drs. Palmer and Mills.