Kawkawlin Township (part 1 of 2)

Statistics

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

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

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

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

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

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

Biographical

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moses Tart, one of the old settlers of Kawkawlin, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, January 12, 1832. He w^ent to the state of Michigan when he was about five years old, to live with a gentleman in Grand Haven. He was with him till he wis eleven and then w^ent to Detroit to live with a sister," and did for himself as best he could after he was twenty-one. He married Miss Ann Du Pont, April 27, 1853. He was in Port Huron and Saginaw awhile, and in 1861 moved to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and bought a farm of 0. A. Ballou, on Section Thirty-four. The land was in its wilderness state, but he cleared it up and paid for it by days work.

George A. Schultz was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1844. He came to the United States with his parents in 1846, and first settled in Niagara County, N. Y., where he lived twelve years. From there he went to Erie County, N. Y. In 1861 he went on the lakes and sailed. In October, 1863, he. enlisted in Company K, Second Michigan Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. In September, 1875, he bought a farm in Section Thirty-two of Kawkawlin, where he resides. In 1872, June 2d, he married Miss Minnie Stentze, of Monroe County, Mich. Miss Stentze was born in 1853. Mr. Schultz was in the battle of Nashville, Lost Mountain, near Atlanta, and other general engagements. He came near being captured at Franklin, and had other narrow escapes. He has been the treasurer of the town two years.

Peter Brown was born in the county of Penobscot, Maine, September 25, 1809, and went to New Brunswick in 1842, thence to Canada, and settled in the county of Norfolk in 1849. In 1862 he went to Zilwaukee, in Saginaw Co., Mich., and in 1864 he took the lighthouse at the mouth of the Saginaw River, wliich he kept till his death in 1373. In 1831 he married Miss Juha R. Toby, wiio w^as born in Hallow^ell, Maine, February 10, 1816. They had seven children. After her husband's death she continued to keep the lighthouse. In 1876 she married Mr. George N. Way.

George N. Way was born March 3, 1829, in Oakville, Canada; his early life being spent on the ocean, first as hand before the mast. He was afterward, cap tain of a vessel on the lakes. September, 1862, he married Miss Wright, who died in 1874, and in 1876 he married Mrs. Brown, of Kawkawlin. Mr. Way has seen much of the world, and is now in comfortable circumstances, having a very pleasant home. Pine Grove Place, his home, is situated on the north bank of Kawkawdin River, about four miles northwest from Bay City.

Mrs. Way has a grand-son, Leonidas B. Charlton, born in Elgin County, Canada, in 1862, who is developing quite a genius for ship building. He has made and rigged a fine model of an ocean sloop that is well worth seeing.

Peter L. Meeker, one of Kawkawlin's best inhabitants and an old settler, was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1815. When quite young his parents moved to the tow^n of Middleburg, Schoharie Co., N, Y., His early years were spent in working on the farm in the Summer and going to school in the Winter. When he was seventeen he was apprenticed to a blacksmith in Middleburg where he stayed two years, and then worked as a journeyman awhile. About 1842 he opened a shop on his own account and run it five years. In 1851 he went to Pennsylvania and settled in Bradford County, on a farm, and w^orked at his trade, remaining there about fifteen years. In 1866 he sold his property in Pennsylvania and went to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., Mich., and took up a homestead in Section Thirty-four. In January, 1842, he married Miss Margaret A. Silvernall, of Schoharie County, N. Y. They have eight children. Four are living; the oldest is in Sanilac County, Mich., the others are settled in Kawkawhn. Mr. Meeker had to undergo many hardships when he first settled in his new home, working at ids trade ten hours, then one-half day in the mill. This was trying to him, and finally broke him down in health.

His eldest son Lester, enlisted at first as home guard, and was captured in a skirmish at Harrisburg. He then enlisted in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, was in the army six months when he was taken sick and died in the camp hospital at Old Point.

LuMAN M. Bealey was born in Eoyalton, Niagara Co., N. Y., in June, 1834. When about nine years old his parents went to Indiana and settled in Miami County. In 1857 he went to Saginaw, Mich., and in 1862 went to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and settled on a farm in Section Two, for which he paid $7 per acre or agreed to pay. He paid f 100 down and worked for the Ballou Lumber Company to pay the balance. In 1857 he married Miss Lydia M. Smith, of Eoyalton, Niagara Co., ISl. Y., by whom he has thirteen children. He has not been without his trials as a new settler in a new country, without roads and a market some miles away, but he has lived to see a different state of things in Bay County.

Samuel Wood was born in Salem, Washtenaw Co., Mich., April 14, 1831. His parents moved to Milford, Oakland Co. When he was about nineteen he went for himself and worked at various occupations until he enlisted in the army of the North, September 12, 1864, and was discharged September 16, 1865, and returned to his family in Flint. In August, 1869, he settled in Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and worked for the Ballou Lumber Company till 1879. In 1854 he married Miss Ehza Seavern, of Seneca County, N. Y., and has two children.

John C. Westpointer was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 7, 1842. He came to Bay City in 1852. He was salesman in a dry goods and grocery store for fifteen years, and conductor on the street railway for two years, and is at present in the fishing business. He resides at the light house at the mouth of the Saginaw Eiver.

An act to organize the township of Monitor was passed by the Legislature of Michigan in the Winter of 1869. It provided that **all that part of Bay County, ii^ the state of Michigan, known and described as follows, to- wit: - **Ail of Township Fourteen north, of Eange Four east, excepting Sections One and Two, and Sections Thirty and Thirty-one of Township Fourteen north, of Eange Five east, be and the same is hereby set off and organized into, a separate township, to be called and known as the township of Monitor.

The first township meeting in said township shall be held at the house of Owen C. White, on the first Monday in April next; and said Owen C. White and William H. Needham and William Hemmingway are hereby authorized to act as the first inspectors of the said election to elect township officers, and in case of any vacancy in said number of inspectors, from absence or other cause, the electors present shall choose an inspector to fill such vacancy by viva voce vote."

It was strongly opposed on the ground of being attempted for pohtical purposes. The effort, however, was not defeated, and the organization was effected in pursuance of the act copied above.

The present boundaries are as follows: - *'North by Kawkawlin and Bangor, east by Bangor and West Bay City, south by Frankenlust and west by Williams.

Early Settlement

In 1845 there was a large German emigration to the Saginaw Valley. Other colonies followed, and in 1850 Frankenlust was founded by Eev. Sievers. Frankenlust now joins Monitor on the south, but at that time this whole territory was in Saginaw County. A number of those Germans settled upon land now in Monitor, and were the first settlers of the township.

Soon after Thomas Kent and five sons came from Canada and settled upon this territory. Then came James Felker, William H. Needham, and Wilham Hemmingway who settled upon his land in 1858. Jeremiah Waite and John Hunn came soon after, then Frederick Shaw, WiUiam Gaffney, Owen C. White, T. C. Philhps and others.

The region of country now included in Monitor did not present a very inviting appearance. The land was for the most part low and swampy, and in many places covered with water a good portion of the year. It may be easily understood that such a state of things was not conducive to good health. The soil, however, was naturally rich, and only energy and enterprise was w^anting to clear away the forest and drain the land. The first settlers found a wilderness and in the midst of it they made their homes. The following sketch of Mr. Hemmingway indicates something of the character of early life in Monitor.

William Hemmingway was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1828, remained there until the age of thirty, and came to America. Landed in New York, and in twenty days from the time of sailing, found himself in the wilds of Wilhams Township, and soon made the purchase of the land he now occupies on Section Thirtyone, Monitor, in 1858; commenced improvements, and in 1864 bought forty acres on Section Thirty-two. At the time of his purchase the region was an unbroken wilderness, there being nothing but a footpath through the forest to reach other settlers. He soon had with the assistance of some others, cut away the logs and underbrush, so that a road was made for an ox-team He had to reach his place with goods and supplies by the way of Kawkawhn, thence up the south branch to the south bend of that stream, by dug-out canoe, thence through the woods by a meandering track to his place, four miles. He was married in 1861 to Miss Martha Fletcher, of Enghsh birth, then of Williams; has had nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom the five sons and three daughters are hving. He has now eighty acres under improvement, good substantial brick dwelling, large barns and fine orchard of various fruits, being in good circumstances - what the world calls a well-to-do farmer - the result of persevering toil. Mrs. Hemmingway's father, Mr. Eichard Fletcher, came with his family from England at the same time as Mr. Hemmingway, and now lives with them, an old man of eighty - one, enjoying good health, and capable of considerable active exertion.

great quantity of railroad land in the township exempt from taxa-* tion, and the burden of taxes was very oppressive upon the actual settlers who were trying to make farms and maintain a township organization. The effect of this was to retard the prosperity of the town for a time, but the citizens succeeded in extricating themselves from their embarrassment, since which time general prosperity has been experienced.

The soil is naturally rich and productive and a system of ditching has * been vigorously followed until the swamps have been reclaimed, and fine farms now yield rich returns where a few years ago were soaking sw^amps, yielding only malaria. Thus is the energy and enterprise of man converting the waste places of the land into productive fields, which are yearly adding the treasures of their harvest to happiness and wealth.

The township is well supplied with drainage and roads. The Midland stone traverses the township from east to west, and along this splendid thoroughfare are many fine farms.

Among the leading farmers of the township are William Gafiney, present clerk of the county, Chas. Baxmann, Henry Kraner, Wilham Hemmingway, W. H. Needham, Joseph Dell, Frederick Shaw and P. Graul. Archibald McDonell and Hatch & Cooley, of Bay City, also have extensive farming interests in Monitor. The farm of Hatch & Cooley consists of 840 acres, 100 acres of w^hicli is under cultivation. Upon the farm are tw^o dwellings and one of the finest barns in the county. It is the intention of the ow^ners to make a stock farm. They already have a small held of Holstein cattle which are considered exceptionally fine. The farm is situated on the Midland road near the center of the township.

The best farms in the township are found in the German settlement. Another settlement is being founded in the southwest part of the township, and p. German church and school were established in 1880 preparatory to such a settlement.

The first schools in the township were in the central and southwestern portions. There are now four schoolhouses. The school report for 1882 showed 252 children between the ages of five and twenty years, 146 of whom were attending school.

Taxes Foe 1882

BIOGEAPHICAL. T. C. PmLLiPS was born in Novi, Oakland Co., Mich., in 1838; lived with his father to the age of seventeen ; worked at farming. At that age his father gave him his time to go forth and act for himself. His first movement was to learn the carpenters trade, with the intent to become a millwright, and succeeded in mastering the trade in one year, to that degree that he bossed the business the following year with his brother, on the borders of Oakland and Wayne counties. Went from there to Lyons, Ionia County, and aided in building an iron bridge across Grand River. During the years 1858-9 built one of the best flouring mills ever erected in that county - having six run of stone, each propelled by a turbine waterwheel, and one separate wheel for the machinery. From that time till 1862 carried on the business of building and repairing mills at various places. Located in Bay City in 1862. Worked as a millwright during the first year. The following five years carried on a grocery and provision store. In 1866, in company with John Brooks, built the north half of the Union Block, on Water Street, opposite the Fraser House; carried on business there till 1868, when he disposed of his interest in mercantile business, and the following year devoted his energies to the purchase and sale of real estate, having, during preceding years, come into possession of considerable land in the city and county. In 1870 he was appointed postmaster of Bay City, and filled the position for eight years satisfactorily to the department and citizens interested. He resigned on the issue of President Hayes' Civil Service measure. The following is a copy of said resignation :

"I hereby tender my resignation as postmaster of Bay City, Mich., to take effect as soon as my successor shall be appointed and quahfied, for the following reason: - I am a member of the Eepublican State Central Committee of Michigan, also chairman of the Bay County Eepubhcan Committee, and your Civil Service order obliges me to resign either the position of honor or profit. I therefore resign the one of profit."

On leaving the position of postmaster, Mr. Phillips took the active management of the Bay City Tribune, having been previously int rested in its publication, and rendering the necessary material aid in establishing the paper. He continued the management of the Tnlmne till June, 1881, when he made preparations to remove to his farm in Monitor, it being the south half of Section Nineteen, Township Fourteen north, Eange Four east, a portion of which he has owned since 1864; has now 100 acres under improvement, comfortable dwelling, extensive barns, etc. Mr. Phillips named his farm Ne-bo-bish, which, being interpreted, signifies "Father -farm."

In 1861 he married Miss Catharine H. Stevens, of Lyons, Ionia County; has had seven children, six of whom - four sons and two daughters - are now^ living. He says he has now reached the dream of early years, to be the owner and manager of a good farm.

Much could be said of the energy and perseverance of Mr. Phillips; his readiness to respond to genuine calls of charity, and for the advancement of all measures for the good of humanity.

In 1863 Mr. PhiUips was appointed enrolling officer of Bay County such being the eighty-fifth sub-district of Michigan, and with Isaac Marston deputy marshal, and Kansom P. Essex supervisor of Hampton, which then included Bay City, constituted the enrolling board of Bay County. By the application of Mr. Phillips to the War Department, Bay County's quota was reduced forty-five men, being a saving, all things considered, to the county of about $15,000.

In addition to this the untiring, determined effort of the board to enlist single and non-resident men, was in all probability a saving of more than three times that amount to the tax payers of Bay County.

William H. Needham was born in Erie County, N. Y. His father soon moved to Batavia, N.Y., and remained there eleven years, then came to Ingham County, Mich., thence to Flint, where he lived twelve years, thence to South Saginaw, where his father soon after died, in 1857. WiUiam remained with the family, at Saginaw, nine years, but bought land on Section Thirty- two. Monitor, in 1850, and in 1862 moved on the land and commenced rapid improvements. He married Miss Martha Van Slyke, native and resident of Flint, in 1857. Has had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, all living. Mr. Needham was supervisor of the town of Monitor the first two years after its erection from the town of Bangor; township clerk two years, justice of the peace one term; held other town and school district offices; has enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community by his strict integrity and commendable citizenship. He has sixty-five acres of land under a good state of cultivation, good dwelling, barns, orchard, etc.; comfortably and pleasantly situated. Joseph Dell was born in Canada in 1834; remained at birthplace until seventeen years of age; lost his father at the age of three; came to Kalamazoo in 1851; remained two years; returned to Canada for one year, then came to the Saginaw Valley; labored in mills, and in 1855 bought land in Section Fourteen, town of Williams. In 1856 commenced improvements. In 1859 built a log-house, spht out oak for flooring, and roofed it with oak "shakes." Married, in 1858, Miss Mary J. Teeple, of Canadian birth, then living in Flint, and settled on the farm. Has had five children, one son and four daughters; the daughters are still living. Sold the Wihiams farm and bought eighty acres of land in Section Twenty-two, Monitor, and took up his residence there in 1864. Has at this time fifty-five acres under a good state of cultivation, extensive orchard and good, barn; bought property in Bay City in 1878; had the misfortune to lose his farm-house by fire in June, 1881. He then established his family residence in Bay City; built a house on the farm occupied by tenant, Mr. DeU, giving his personal attention to the farm, which they cah "Elem Grove." Mr. Dell, as a pioneer of WiUiams and Monitor, has succeeded in the accumulation of a competency, through the industry and economy of himself and wife.

Fkederick G. Shaw was born in Canada in 1840; lived at the place of his birth until fifteen years old, when he came to the township of Williams with his brother William, bought eighty acres of land on Section Twenty-four, and commenced improvements thereon in 1855. Eemained on said land sixteen years, until 1871. Sold out and bought eighty acres in Section Twenty, township of Monitor, where he now resides; then entirely wild. Has now sixty acres under a high state of cultivation; good residence, large barns and other out- buildings, with extensive young orchard of various fruits. Married Miss Betsey A. Stone, of Farmer's Creek, Lapeer County; native of Madison County, N. Y. ; has one son, eleven years of age, Mr. Shaw and brother were among the early pioneers of the town of Williams, and endured the privations incident to all the early settlers. It is worthy of note that Mr. Shaw planted, at an early date, a fine row of hard maples, the whole street front of his farm, an example for other farmers to emulate. His home is surrounded with choice shade and ornamental trees.

Henry Kraner, a native of Prussia, was born in 1827, and when twenty years of age came to America, stopping first at Fredonia, Mich., where he worked at farming three years, when he came to Saginaw, remaining one year, during which time he married Miss F. Machensen, of Lower Saginaw, now Bay City. Eeturning to Fredonia he purchased a farm, and remained tlieir seven years, when he sold out and came back to Bay County, and worked three years in the Drake miU. In 1861, purchased a farm on Section Twentyfour, Bangor Township, where he still resides. They have had six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are now^ living. Mr. Kraner has endured the hardships of pioneer life, but has been successful, adding to his farm

Thomas Woolverton was born in Cambridge County, N. Y., 1816. At the age of three his father removed to St. Clair County, Michigan. Lived at home until twenty-two years of age, at which time he married Miss Phoebe Scott, of Enghsh birth; then a resident of St. Clair. Had three children, one son and tw^o daughters; one son and one daughter are now living. Came to the Saginaw Valley in 1866, and settled in the the village of Portsmouth; followed the business of carpenter and millwright. In 1875, purchased a farm on Section Nineteen, and about one year thereafter moved on the land, where he still resides, having now a comfortable and tasty home, surrounded with evidences of thrift and industry.

Charles Baxmann was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1827, and when twenty-six years of age came to America, stopping six months in New York City. In March, 1855, went to Oakland County Mich., thence to Detroit, and in the Fall of the same year came to Bay County and entered the employ of Mr. Fraser, of Kawkawlin, working in his mill at that place five years. In 1858, purchased a farm on Section Twenty-four, Monitor Township, where he now resides. At the close of his service with Mr. Fraser, commenced improving his land, and in 1860 married Miss Caroline Machensen, of Frankenlust. They have had four children, three daughters and one son, of whom two daughters are hving. Mr. Baxmann is a man of energy and perseverance, and with the assistance of his wife and famly has succeeded in making a pleasant home, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences, and able to enjoy the luxuries of life in declining years.

Au Gees And Clayton

Au Gres Township was organized by the Board of Supervisors in 1870, the same year as Clayton. The first supervisor from this township was W. R. Bates, a young lawyer, who subsequently represented the county in the state Legislature.

This is also one of the north tier of townships, and is bounded north by the county line, east by Whitney, south by Saginaw Bay and Arenac, and we&t by Arenac and Mason.

The early history of this town is similar to the general pioneer history of new regions. Indians and wild beasts were first occupants of all this section of country. A portion of the town is covered by the Au Gres swamp, which is still both a dread and dismal swamp. In the Spring of the year it is covered to quite a depth with water. The land in that part of the town is naturally good, and the time will come when it will be a productive farming region.

Uri Mudge was one of the very early settlers in the town, and is now one of its prominent and prosperous citizens. Mr. Mudge was born in Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 21,1834. He resided there until 1865. He was married to Miss Mary F. Town, of Detroit, July 31, 1858. Their children are Mary E., Frances P., William

Emma J., David U., and Martha Laura Lydia Lillian. They came to Au Gres sixteen years ago, when, with the exception of a few buildings and small beginnings, the place was a dense forest. There was not then three acres cleared on the Au Gres, and only one team in the place, Mr. E. Bradley's. The main population was Indians and wild beasts. The state road was cut out but not prepared. Mr. Mudge, shortly after his arrival; took a leading part under Mr. J. F. Willie in making it passable. He has been overseer of highways, highway commissioner, school director and moderator, and justice of the peace.

Au Gres village is a flourishing place, situated on the Au Gres River, and on the line between Au Gres and Whitney townships, near Saginaw Bay. It has four or five general stores, postoffice, telegraph office, hotel, school house, etc. There is a lodge of Good Templars, which was organized in 1880, having now about fortyfive members. Also a Loyal Orange Lodge organized in 1878, which has about forty-five members. The present officers are John E. Bradley, W. M.; Ed Johnston, D. M.; J. T. Robinson, secretary; E. Bradley, treasurer.

Albana G. Billmgs, now foreman of the Au Gres Boom, was one of the very first settlers here. Mr. Billings was bom in Maine, July 20, 1842. In early life he spent some ten years in sailing. Five years were spent at sea, and live on the American Lakes. He was married to Miss Laura A. Barrows, of Bangor, Maine, Dec. 17, 1865. Mrs. BilHngs was born Feb. 18, 1817. Their children are Edward, Bertha E., Edith I. (now deceased), and Cora I. They came to Bay City in 1867, and one year later they settled in Au Gres. Mr. Billings has ever since been in the employ of the Au Gres Boom company. He has in their village home sixteen acres of fertile land, with a dehghtful dwelling and pleasant home surroundings. The place which is now theirs, was, when they first came to Au Gres an Indian village. They themselves lived two years in the house formerly occupied by the chief of the Chippewa tribe of Indians. The Indians have now removed to Saganing. Mr. Billings was the first township clerk of Au Gres, and served two years. Mrs. Irene Roberts, mother of Mr. Billings, was born in Penobscot, Maine, April 17, 1813. She and Mr. Roberts, her second husband, also came to Michigan in 1867 and afterward settled in Au Gres in Section Thirteen. When they came there was only one small shanty on the state road above the bridge. It belonged to Mr. Raymond. Seventeen persons all lodged in the shanty one night. Mr. Roberts and family stayed four days with Mr. Raymond until they could prepare and enter their own house. They took their land as a homestead, lived on it twelve years, cleared about thirty acres and erected comfortable buildings. Mrs. Roberts frequently assisted in the work of clearing the land, dropping seed and taking care of the crops. Mr. Roberts died in 1880, and Mrs. Roberts resides with her son and his family.

Matthew L. Maxon was born in 1849 in Jefferson Co., N. Y. When fourteen years of age he enhsted in the 186th New York Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Petersburgh, Va., April 2, 1865, and remained in captivity but one week, as on Lee's surrender, April 9, he was released and returned to his regiment. He was one of five brothers who enhsted in the Union army, all of whom, save one, returned from the South, that one being killed. At the conclusion of the war he came to Bay County, where he has remained since, with the exception of three years he was in Texas. Mr. Maxon has for three years past been engaged in the shingle manufacturing business at Au Gres, and was in the same business for four years previous to going there. In 1881 he was elected supervisor for Au Gres, which office he now holds. He was married in 1878 to Emma J. Stevens, of Ann Arbor, Mich. They have two children.

The present town officers are as follows: Clerk, M. C. Stanton; treasurer, Warren Scott; school inspector, Joseph Crawford; justice for full term, Louis Duby; highway commissioner, Joseph Proult; constables, G. Shotwell, Thomas Sanders, John Freeland, T. Dougherty.

AKcmBALD Richards, farmer, was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Oct. 6, 1841. He came to Saginaw in 1864 and engaged in working in lumber. He came to Au Gres in 1880 and is farming for himself and his father, Sylvester Richards, who was born in Canada, and came to Au Gres in 1878, and has six acres of farming land under cultivation in Section Twelve. Mr. S. Richards was married to Miss Eliza Hudson, of Canada, Sept. 14, 1840. They have eight living children, Archibald, Robert, Nancy, Achsali, Susanna, Benjamin, Adelaide and Emma.

Sylvenus D. Schlosser, farmer and lumberman, was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1849. He was married to Miss F. G. Gregg, of Ohio, August 7, 1869. She was born Sept. 2, 1847. They have one son, Frederick Allen, born July 17, 1876. He came to Au Gres about ten years ago. Mr. Schlosser has built a fine steam sawmill adjacent to Au Gres village, capable of sawing some twenty thousand feet of lumber per day. The building is thirtytwo feet by one hundred in size, and he intends forthwith to put in machinery for the manufacture of staves for barrels. He has been highway commissioner and jtistice of the peace. He has 120 acres of farming land in Sections Twelve and Thirteen, with a good dwelhng and about sixty acres of improvement.

Daniel D. Elliott, farmer and sailor, was born in Canada, Nov. 15, 1820. He left his native country at the age of twenty years, and spent some twenty- four years in Ohio, mostly in the employ of mercantile firms. He afterward returned to Canada, and for some eight years was engaged in farming, and came to Au Gres in October, 1871. He is now serving his third term as clerk of Au Gres Township. He has two living children, Stephen W. Elliott, and Ella, now Mrs. Seymour, of East Saginaw. He, with his brother, John H. Elliott, has an excellent coasting boat, of fifty or sixty tons burthen, with which they ply between Bay City and Alpena on the coast of the. Saginaw Bay.

John H. Elliott, of Canada, was married to Miss Amanda Matthews, of Canada, May 13, 1849. Their children are Alma, James, John, George, Franklin, Davis and Dorin. Alma, George and John are now deceased. In 1873 a destructive fire occurred, commencing near Mr. Elliott's, in Section Thirteen. It swept over thousands of acres of the forest, roaring like a train of densely loaded freight cars. They put a floor in the well above the water and stored their goods therein, covering it with dirt. At Mr. Moon's, where Mrs. Elhott and others sought refuge in the house, the fire actually warped the glass in the windows until it caused deep ridges therein.

A. Wheeler, merchant, was horn in Watkins, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1855. He came to Au Gres, April 7, 1880, and engaged in telegraphy. He was married to Miss Eebecca Marsh, of Kochester, August 1, 1878. They have one daughter, Esther, born July 29, 1879. Mr. Wheeler is now conducting a store of general merchandise in the village of Au Gres. He owns with his store two acres of land, a beautiful plot for a village home.

William A. Hill, builder, w^as born in Canada, July 1, 1841. He^penthis youth and learned telegraphy in his native country. He was married to Miss Barah A. Hill, of Owen Sound, Ontario, Oct. 24, 1867. Their living children are Lilhe, May, Eose, Ida, Daisy and Holland. Alexander W., and Frederick C. are now deceased. Mr. Hill first came to Bay City in 1868, and settled more permanently there two years later. Still later on they returned to Canada for a short time, and came to Au Gres in 1876, where he has now a store and postoffice building and also a telegraph office and a pleasant village home. Mr. Hill has served two years as deputy sheriff, but declined to serve longer because of the pressure of his other business. Mr. Hill has built most of the elegant dwellings in the village of Au Gres, and seems to have enough energy in reserve to build as many more.

James Grimore, lumberman, was born in Toronto, Canada, in August, 1845. He went from there to Venango Co., Penn., and was engaged in the oil enterprise for over two years. He came to Bay City Nov. 18, 1877, and engaged in lumberiog, in which business he has continued ever since. He was married to Miss Catharine M. Hill, of Barrie, Ontario, Dec. 14, 1869. She died March 3, 1881, and he and Miss Elvira C. Twining, of Maine, were married Nov. 30, 1881. He has had five children: Walter J., Florence E., and Charles G. (now deceased), and George H. and Emily M. He has 200 acres of land in Sections Thirteen and Thirty-five in Au Gres, with one hundred improved, and an elegant dwelling and out-buildings worth $3,000. He has been superintendent of the Au Gres Boom Company for the last twelve years, and township treasurer seven years.

Warren Scott, log scaler, was born in Portville, N. Y., March 31, 1845. He enhsted in the 85th New York Infantry, Company A, in September, 1861, and served his country through the entire conflict of the late rebellion and was honorably discharged July 15, 1865. He took part in the battles of William sburgh, and Fair Oaks, and the Seven Days' fight during McClellan's retreat, and accompanied General Foster in his raid in North Carolina. During the last year of the war he, with his company, was on garrison duty at Roanoke Island. He came to Au Gres in 1870 and has since then been employed in scaling logs, serving six years for the Rifle Boom Company, and six for the Au Gres Boom Company. He w^as married to Mrs. Demand Wasco, of Syracuse, N. Y., April 15, 1879. They have one daughter, Mabel. He has a pleasant village home in Au Gres, and is a member of Joppa Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

Henry Reid, farmer, was born in England, June 23, 1847. He came with his parents to Canada when two years of age, and has lived in Saginaw and Bay Counties, Mich., since he was eleven years old. He was married to Miss Jane Marsh, of Canada, July 2, 1882. He has 125 acres'of land, mostly in Section Ten, of Au Gres, with twenty-two acres under cultivation. He has been highway commissioner three years and is now health officer, school moderator, school inspector and justice of the peace.

Charles J. Thompson, farmer, was born in Finland, Feb. 22, 1844. He came to America in June, 1866, spent six years at sea, ' and in 1872 he came to Buffalo. Later he spent two years in sailing on the American lakes. Still later he located lands in Au Gres, where he now resides. He owns altogether 240 acres, ten of which are already under cultivation.

John A. Rogers, merchant, was born in South Bay City, June 1, 1841. He spent his youth in that vicinity and received his education in Bay City. He has devoted several years of his life to steamboating, occupying one boat, the L. G. Mason, thirteen years. He w^as married to Miss Belle B. Thompson, of East Saginaw, Jan. 7, 1880. They have one infant daughter, born June 15, 1882. In October, 1882, Mr. Rogers purchased a shingle mill and store of general merchandise in the rising village of Au Gres, and is now conducting the double enterprise Avith energy and pleasing success.

Elisha G. Cole, lumberman, was born in Winterport, Maine, March 8, 1850. He has resided in Bay City five years, and six years in Au Gres. He was married to Miss Sarah Twining, of Maine, Feb. 11, 1873. They have one daughter, Blanche, born Feb. 27, 1875. Mr. Cole has spent four years in marcantile business in Au Gres, but now devotes his whole time to the lumbering interest, in which he is engaged with Mr. Grimore. He has been tow^nship clerk, and is now^ township treasurer and notary public. He has in his village home five acres of land, wdth a pleasant dwelling and desirable appurtenances.

Clayton is one of the north tier of townships, and is bounded as follows: - North by county fine, east by Mason, south by Deep River, and w^est by Moffat.

The first permanent settler w^as Luther P. Daniels, who settled here in the Spring of 1865, and was the sole resident of the township, with the exception of Chapman's lumber camp, situated two miles distant, until the Spring of 1867, when the Grosvent family arrived, and they were soon followed by the Claytons, Smiths, Defords and Monroes.

The early settlers had a hard struggle to procure the necessaries of life. The nearest store and postoffice were at Pine River, a distance of seventeen miles, and the roads were such as were common in those days. A frequent experience of. the early settlers was, that after making the journey to the store, the very articles they most needed were not to be had. It was not an uncommon thing to see Michigan mutton on the table, though there was not a sheep in the township ; neither are there any at .the present time.

There are three religious organizations in the township, but only one church building. The M. E. Society organized in 1871, Wesleyan Methodist, 1879, and Free Methodist, 1882. About the first religious service in the township was conducted in 1871 by Rev. Mr. Clark, on the premises of Mr. George Fish.

There are now sixty-four farms in the township, under improvement, varying in size from 5 to 140 acres each. There are about forty miles of good roads.

line of Clayton and Mason. It has one hotel, five stores, various shops, and postoffice. There is also a saw mill near the village. The postoffice of Maple Eidge was estabhshed in 1874. The postmaster is Dr. C. H. Mills. There is an M. E. Church, of which Kev. Mr. Perkins is pastor.

William Smith, one of the early settlers of the township, was the founder of Maple Ridge and gave the vilbge its name. Mr. Bmith was born in Tompkins, N. Y., January 30, 1844. He went with his widowed mother to Vermont whbu seven years of age; resided there seven years, then spent four years in Illinois, then was two years at sea, was shipwrecked on the east coast of Africa, and came home and enlisted in the service of his country in July, 1861, and served until discharged nt the close of the war. In October, 1862, he was promoted to the office of captain for victorious conduct in the field. He came to Bay County in May, 1869, and located in what is now the township of Clayton. He named the village of Maple Ridge, and owned three of the four corners where it is situated. He was married to Miss Sarah Scott, of Tompkins, N. Y., January 20, 1866. Their children are Clara E., Lela, (now deceased,) Rosa A., Lulu M., and Lena M. He has in his farm home on Section Thirteen, in Clayton, forty acres, all under cultivation and immediately adjacent to the rising village of Maple Ridge. He has been supervisor eight years, justice of the peace, and highway commissioner, and in 1880 was Greenback candidate for Congress. In first settling in Clayton he and his brother Stillman were, for want of roads, compelled to bring in their goods by hand, two miles on a stretcher. Wild bears were then very plentiful. One day Mr. Smith came in with bloody hands saying he had Idlled a bear. He and Mrs. Smith and a lady friend aU tried, but tried in vain to drag Bruin to the shanty, but with more help he was brought home and dressed; and some of the oil was sold for 116 per gallon. |

Fekdinand Fuller was born in Lewis County, sfcate of New I York, March 15, 1849. He remained there nineteen years, during which time he attended school and was engaged on his father's farm. In 1868 he came to Bay City and engaged in the lumber business. In 1869 he purchased a farm in the town of Clayton where he still resides. He was married in 1871 to Miss Daniels, of Clayton.

George Eymer, hotel keeper, was born in Wisconsin, June 5, 1852. He came to Bay County in 1874, and located in what is now Maple Ridge, there being then only two houses at the corners where the village now is. He was married to Miss Belle Monroe of Clayton, July 4, 1879. They have one infant son, born December 25, 1882. Mr. Eymer has purchased and now occupies the Maple Ridge Hotel, capable of accommodating at least forty guests. He is also engaged in lumbering. He has a portable steam saw mill, just north of the village, which runs all the year round. He also runs a daily stage from Sterling to the Tawas Railroad. He has been supervisor of Mason and clerk of Clayton. He landed here with only an old gun and $25, but through industry and enterprise he has now beside his hotel and mill, 120 acres of land in Mason, and valuable personal property as the reward of his efforts.

Abram Scott merchant, was born in Tompkins, N. Y., December 28, 1842. He spent his youth in his native state, enlisted in the United States army in 1862, and served until March 16, 1863, when he was discharged for physical disability. He was married to Miss Fanny Sison, September 27, 1863. She died March 10, 1877. He was married September 26, 1877, to Miss Maitha Hartman, of Springwater, N. Y. She was born August 15, 1848. Thev have one daughter Susie, born October 23, 1879. Mr. Scott settled in Richland, Ogemaw Co., in the Fall of 1870. He has there a valuable farm of 120 acres, which he has improved and fitted for a pleasant home. It has on it a beautiful dwelling, fortytwo feet square and two stories high ; also two excellent barns, furnishing full accommodations for the crops and the stock. He now resides at Maple Ridge, in Clayton, Bay Co., where he has opened an inviting and well furnished store of dry goods boots and shoes, crockery, furniture, etc., and has already a prosperous patronage.

David Martin, teacher, was born in East China, Mich., December 25, 1855. He left there when ten years of age and came to Standish, and shortly afterward went to work on tlie Rifle Boom, where he spent two years. From there he returned to St. Clair County and for two years attended school, and then engaged in teaching, which has since then been his leading employment, but he is now clerk in the store of Thomas White, in Maple Ridge.

Stillman E. Smith, retired merchant, was born in Tompkins, Delaware Co., N. Y., September 12, 1815, and went thence to Vermont with his bereaved mother when about six years of age. On November 21, 1861, he enhsted in the Eighth Vermont Infantry, Company H, to serve his country in the late civil war. After about sixteen month's service as a private he was for valorous conduct promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in Company H, Second Louisiana Volunteers (white), commanded by Col. C. J. Paine.

He continued in that regiment until the assault on Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and while commanding the comi3any during that assault he received a desperate shell wound in his right thigh tearing off some four pounds of the flesh from the limb. He was taken to the St. James Hospital, New Orleans. In September following he was brought home and remained one year, then returjed and reported for duty.

After remaining there a short time he was honorably discharged from service, and for sixteen months from the date of injury he could not step on the wounded limb.

After the war he spent nearly two years in Illinois, went back to Tompkins, and after a trip to Michigan was married to Miss Anna E. Roak, also of Tompkins, March 21, 1869. Their son, Burton Lee, was born September 29, 1873. Just after marriage they came to East Saginaw, and two months later to what is now the township of Clayton, when it was all a wilderness and he had to cairy their provisions sixteen miles on his back, and undergo many of the severest hardships of pioneer life. He now owns 120 acres of land with sixty improved ; and though he has lost one valuable house by fire, they now have another excellent dwelling and enticing home comforts. He has been postmaster ten years, justice of the peace, school superintendent, school inspector and township treasurer.

Georoe W. Keeney was born in Parkville, St. Joseph Co., Mich. He was educated at Geauga Seminary at Chester, Geauga Co., Ohio. His father removed to Bay County in 1863, and they located in the township of Arenac, where they engaged in farming, which o33upation they are now following. He was a justice of the peace m Arenac, and afterward in the township of Clayton, when it was organized He was elected supervisor for Clayton in 1881, and now (1883) holds that position.

Clayton In 1880

"We have one of the finest timbered towns in the state. While quite a large portion of the town is being improved, there are yet large tracts of fine timbered lands for sale. Our timber is maple, beech, hemlock, etc. Our soil is a clay loam, very produc- tive, growing some of the finest wheat in the state; in fact, all crops grown in this latitude do well here. Good farming lands can be bought at from f 1.50 to $5.00 per acre, with small payments down and long time with low rates of interest. Our schools are in good condition and well attended. We doubt whether any town in the county has more enterprising settlers than can be found in Clayton. What may be said of Clayton is true of Mason, directly to the east of us and Deep Eiver to the south. The natural outlet of this section of the county is SterHng or Dunham, and when the time comes, which it will, in the near future, to build a railroad from some point on the J. L. & S. road up the shore to Taw as and Alpena, there is no point that would open out the country more than to start somewhere near Sterling. There is no point on the road between Bay City and the west branch, that is building up more rapidly by those who have come to stay, than this point. To give some idea of the business done there as a point to receive goods and supplies, we will state that the very gentlemanly agent at Dunham, Mr. Russell, has given us the figures for the shipments of some months past, received at that point and Sterling. As they are one hundred rods apart they form almost one station. The following figures represent the number of pounds of supplies received.

This makes a total of 3,455,583 pounds for the year, or 287,- 965^ pounds on an average per month. In addition to this a great amount of freight goes north by express.

A railroad running from Sterling, or near there, would open up the Rifle River coal beds, which, there is no doubt, would develop one of the most extensive mines in the state. It would also pass through one of the finest farmiug regions in the state, until reaching the alabaster plaster beds, which would furnish an immense amount of freight - also employment to men. The road would be, I believe, one of the best paying branch roads in the state, and every year become more profitable. There is no portion of the state settling so rapidly, and one can readily imagine what it would be with easy access by rail. Maple Ridge is twelve miles from Sterling, with a stage running every Saturday between the two points. Two good country stores can be found at Maple Ridge, one owned by M. H. Eymer, and the other by George Eymer & Brother. A nice hall is situated over the latter store. Clayton taxes are light, without a dollar of indebtedness, and for three years every order has been paid as soon as issued.

The township officers for 1882-3 are as follows : Supervisor, Geo. W. Keeney; treasurer, Nelson Deford; clerk, Philo P. Clayton; commissioner of highways, William Haley; justices of the peace, I. S. Davis, Luther P. Daniels, Geo. W. Keeney, William Smith.

opportunities for successful farming. Persons with limited means are able to secure land at low prices, and in a few years, if industrious, can provide themselves with good homes. About four years ago, a man with a wife and four small children left the" cars at Sterling, his. available capital consisting of seventy-five cents. He made his way across the Rifle river into Clayton, where he had bargained for forty acres of heavily timbered land, and without team or other auxiliaries, save an ax, entered upon the task of clearing his land and securing a home for himself and family. He now has a good farm with comfortable buildings. Many such instances have occurred in the history of the northern townships.

Taxes For 1882 Deep River

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held March 25, 1859, the following resolution in relation to the organization of the township of Portsmouth, was adopted to- wit:

In the matter of the application of Thomas Stevenson, William Daglish, and others, for the erection of a new town. It appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has been made, and that notice thereof has been signed, posted up and published, as in the manner required by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, the Board order and enact that the territory described in said application, as follows, to-wit: All that portion of the township of Hampton comprising the north one-half of Township Thirteen north, of Range Five east, lying east of Saginaw River; also the north one-half of Township Thirteen north, of Range Six east; also Sections Thirty-four, Thirty-three, and all that part of Section Thirty-two lying east of Saginaw River, in Township Fourteen north, of Range Five east, being, and the same is hereby erected into a township, to be called and known by the name of the township of Portsmouth. The first township meeting thereof shall be held at tiie schoolhouse situated on fractional Section Thirty-two, in Town Fourteen north, of Range Five east, on Monday, the 11th day of April, 1859, and at said meeting Jesse M. Miller, Appleton Stevens, and William Daglish, three electors of said township, shall be the persons whose duty it shall be to preside at such meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same powers as the inspectors of election at any township meeting, as the law provides.

The learly history of the territory included in this township has already been given. In 1866 the total equalized valuation of real and personal estate was $152,300. In 1882 it was $288,705, but several geographical changes had occurred during the intervening years, and the present town of Portsmouth is but slightly related to the parent organization.

In 1871, certain territory was detached from Saginaw County and attached to the township of Portsmaiith, by an act of Legislature approved April 15, 1871, which was as follows:

"That Sections Nineteen to Thirty-six inclusive, the same being the south half of Township Thirteen north, of Eange Six east, be, and the same are hereby detached from- the county of Saginaw, and attached to the township of Portsmouth in the county of Bay."

Mereitt Erected Out Of Portsmouth

Whereas, It appears to the Board of Supervisors of Bay County, Mich., that application has been made for the division of the township of Portsmouth, by twelve freeholders of each township to be affected there])y, and that notice thereof has been signed, posted and pubhshed in the manner and form required by law, and this Board havnig been furnished with a map of all the townships to be affected thereby, showing tlie proposed alterations, and having duly considered the matter of said apphcation, therefore, be it

ReHoJred, ordered and enacted by said Board, that all of Township Thirteen north, of Eange Six east, also Sections One, Two, Three, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen and Fifteen, in Township Thirteen north, of Eange Five east, be and the same is hereby erected into a new township, to be known and called by the name of Merritt, and the first township meeting of said township of Merritt shall be held at the house of Joseph Gerard, at the first junction - so called - on . the Bay City and Tuscola plank road, on the first Monday of April, 1872, and kt the said meeting Ben j. F. Partridge, Henry Hess, and Martin Powell, three electors of said township, shall preside at said meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same powers as the inspectors of election at* CLny township meeting, as the law provides.

The apphcation for the erection of Merritt Township was made to the board at the meeting of June 8, 1871, and was signed by thirty- one residents of the territory affected. The proposed division was opposed and the following remonstrance was made to the board immediately following the application for its erection :

"The undersigned, citizens and freeholders of the township of Portsmouth in said county, respectfully but earnestly remonstrate against such a division of the township of Portsmouth and the formation of a new township with such boundaries as are proposed by a petition and various charts and documents now before your honorable body. Among many reasons for our opposition we beg leave to ask your consideration of the following:

"1. We concede the propriety of the erection of a new township, to embrace all the territory in Township Thirteen north, of Eange Six east, and maintain that it should embrace no more.

"2. The proposed division is obnoxious to those citizens generally who hve in that part of the new township found in Township Thirteen north, of Eange Five east, viz., Sections One, Two, Three, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen.

"3. The sections last above named make an awkward and unnatural addition to the proposed new township, while a simple inspection of the map will show that they ought to remain in the old townshi]3.

"4. Schemes for public improvement, affecting essentially our public highways and those of the sections in Eange Five, are on foot, and cannot but suffer harm if this territory is placed under the jurisdiction of another body.

"5. The Union School District of Portsmouth will lose a large portion of its territory by the change, and as the school, with its buildings and grounds, has been erected by incurring a great expense, it cannot but be wrong and oppressive to take away so

"6. Some of our citizens will be removed from said school district and thus be debarred the privileges of a school which they have contributed to build up and sustain.

"To the above and such other reasons as may be presented, we beg your careful consideration, and trust that you wiU be enabled to settle this matter so as to do us justice while you do no injustice to our neighbors."

Two weeks later eleven of the signers of the remonstrance petitioned the board to the effect that their signatures to the remonstrance had been procured through misrepresentation, and they therefore revoked "any such signing," and stated further that they were in favor of the erection of the territory described in the apphcation into a township. At the meeting in July the apphcation was granted, as already stated. The board also authorized the tax levy of Portsmouth for all taxes, including that for building a town hall.

"That all that portion of the township of Merritt, in the county of Bay, which lies in Township Thirteen north, of Eange Five east, and Sections Four, Five, Six and Seven in Township Thirteen north, of Eange Six east, and Sections Thirty-one, Thirfcy-two and Thirtythree in Township Fourteen north, of Eange Six east, in the township of Hampton, and also Sections Thirty-five and Thirty- six in Township Fourteen north, of Eange Five east, in the township of Hampton, be detached from said townships, and attached to the township of Portsmouth. The next annual township meeting of said township of Portsmouth, shall be held at the schoolhouse in said township, known as the District Number Three Schoolhouse, and Nelson Merritt, Samuel Henry, and Benjamin F. Partridge shall be the inspectors of said election."

Portsmouth is bounded: north, by Hampton and Bay City; east, by Hampton and Merritt; south, by Merritt and county line; and west, by Saginaw Eiver and Bay City.

Adjusting Relations

The tax levy of Portsmouth for all taxes, including that for building a town hall, was authorized by the board at the same time the town of Merritt was erected. In 1873, as already stated, the town of Portsmouth was again divided, taking the village of Portsmouth into the city of Bay City, leaving a small territory of less than two sections unorganized between the town of Merritt and the city, and in order to dispose of that a bill was introduced into the House of Eepresentatives taking nine sections of Merritt and this small territory left of Portsmouth for a new town, and the bill was passed by the House. But the people remonstrated because the territory making the' new town of Portsmouth was too small, and the bill was amended by the Senate so as to include five and threequarters sections from Hampton and four more from Merritt, and the bill passed the Senate and was concurred in by the House and became a law on Thursday before town election in April, 1873, and the new town of Portsmouth was duly organized in April, 1873, with B. F. Partridge supervisor, Henry Hess town clerk, Nelson Merritt treasurer, vice Samuel Henry resigned, since which time for each year to 188B, T3. F. Partridge has been elected supervisor.

In 1869 the original town of Portsmouth issued bonds for $5,370, but the divisions of the territory naturally divided the responsibility of paying the debt and interest. At the organization of Merritt a large amount of money remained in the treasury of Portsmouth, and the town hall tax was levied on the territory and the tax collected and the town hall built.

At the organization of the new town of Portsmouth there was a large amount of money in the treasury and the town hall had been completed. As soon as the new town was organized the old officers of the town of Portsmouth, who all resided in the city of Bay City, now illegally got together and issued orders to finish paying for the town hall and the land, and the deed was made to Bay City of the lot and building, without consulting the officers of the new town.

On a suit commenced by the new town of Portsmouth against the treasurer and his bonds for the money in his hands, the money he still held and the orders for balance on tow^n hail, lot and building was paid over, but the city authorities of Bay City have entirely refused to settle the differences in reference to the bonds, though several efforts have been made to that end by the officers of Portsmouth, and no part of the debt has been paid, except the share or proportion assigned to new Portsmouth, which has been paid so far as is due.

The new town has never been without money in its treasury to pay all its obligations on demand since its organization, and the town, consisting of about twenty sections, was almost an entire wilderness when first organized with its present territory, but now scarcely any woods are left in the town, many farms entirely without wood for fuel, with large fine brick and frame houses and barns, in place of shanties and log houses and barns, with good - and some extensive - orchards everywhere, and fine roads and drains that have cost many thousands of dollars all over the town.

Some of the finest farms in the county are in Portsmouth. The magnificent enterprises of Miller & Daglish and Thomas H. McGraw, fully described elsewhere, are located in this township. Among the leading farmers are Gen. B. F. Partridge, Nelson Merritt, Job Trombley, Samuel Henry, S. S. Fitzhugh, Henry Brandt, C. L. Mix, Frederick Meier, Kobert Potter, Henry Hess. E. B. Denison and William MeEwan, of Bay City, also have tine farms.

Hon. Benjamin F. PARTKroGE was born in the town of Shelby, Macomb Co., Mich., April 19,^ 1822. He is the son of Asa and Sarah C. Partridge. They came from Scotch-Irish ancestors, who emigrated to this country several generations back. His parents were from Yermont, but were married in Detroit, Mich., soon after the war of 1812. They lived there for a time, and then removed to a farm in Shelby, where they remained several years, and finally removed to the village of Palmer, now St. Clair City, in St. Clair County, Mich. There his father died in 1827, leaving an invalid wife and four children, of whom Mr. Partridge, then five years old, was the second. From this time we find him living any place which suited him best, until when about fourteen years of age, having had no educational advantages, he commenced attending the common schools, doing chores and working about for several years. As soon as he became competent to teach, he took charge of a school, at the same time studying law, mathematics and engineering uuder private teachers, and learned type-setting and printing before he reached the age of twenty-two years. About this time he began the mercantile business and studied shipbuilding and carpentry for two years. He then engaged in civil engineering and surveying for a year, when he left the mercantile business and gave his attention to surveying, dealing in real estate and lumbering. In 1845 he married Miss Olive M. Wright, from New Hampshire. He lived at Lexington, Mich., until the Spring of 1854, when he removed his family to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, Mich., where he had engaged largely in lumbering. During the next two years he built two large steam saw mills, and made various other improvements at Bay City, becoming interested in vessel property. The financial crisis of 1857 was disastrous to his interests and swept away nearly all his accumulations of the previous fourteen years.

After many vain efforts to arrange his business matters satisfactorily, he again commsuced surveying and engineering and continued it in connection with selling new lands until the civil war came on. In September, 1861, he commenced recruiting men for the First Michigan Lancers, in which he enlisted as a private under Col. Eankin.

In February, 1862, he was mustered in as second lieutenant of Company H. When the lancers were disbanded, he obtained orders to enlist men from the lancers with Capt. J. M. Mott. They raised a company, and were assigned to the Sixteenth Eegi ment of Michigan Infantry. The company being thus transferred he was mustered in as First lieutenant of Company I, in the Sixteenth Michigan. He was subsequently commissioned and mustered from time to time, as captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel of the Sixteenth Michigan Yeteran Yolunteer Infantry. While major, he had command of the Eighty-third Peninsular Yolunteers, and was wounded in the neck by a ball at the battle of Peeble's Farm. He was then brevetted colonel of United States Yolunteers. January 18, 1865 he took command of the Sixteenth Michigan, and was brevetted brigadier general of United States Yolunteers. In March he was in command of a brigade and was wounded by a ball in the left side of his head at Quaker Road, but resumed his command the next day and continued until Lee's surrender. On that occasion he received twenty-eight of the seventyone flags surrendered. While on the march from Appomattox Court House to Richmond, Gen. Partridge's horse fell, and two of his ribs were broken. Notwithstanding this, he remained in camp until his final recovery. After the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia, he was sent in command of a detachment of seven regiments to Louisville, Ky. There he was appointed presi- dent of general court martial, and continued to bold tiie court until lie was mustered out of service with liis regiment at Jeliersonville, Ind., in July, 1865. He participated in all but two of tbe lifty-four engagements on tbe record of tbe regiment, tbirty-six of tbem being considered beavy batties, and was at tbe entire siege of Petersburg, except Hatcbers' Eun, October 27, 1864, being in tbe bospital at tbat time. Before tbe war be served eighteen months as sheriff of Bay County, and was also county surveyor. After the war be was four years assessor of internal revenue in the . Sixth District, Michigan, and resigned in 1871. He was also president of Bay County Agricultural Society two yeai*s; during tbe same time in 1871, he resumed farming on his place, near Bay City, and in 1872 was elected supervisor of tbe town. He has been elected every year since, and was also president of the Board of Supervisors of bis county three years in succession, which office he still holds. In the Fall of 1876, at the general election, he was chosen commissioner of tbe state land office of Michigan, to serve two years.

During the existence of tbe order of Sons of Temperance, he was an ardent supporter of its principles and a member of the society. He was also a member of tbe Temple of Honor, another higher temperance order. In early life be joined the masonic fraternity and has also been a prominent Odd-fellow. While quite young he became a member of tbe Congregational Church, of Algonac, Mich. In tbe soldiers who fought for tbe Union in tbe late war be takes a lively interest, being one of the "boys in blue" and vice-president of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Association, of Michigan. He takes great interest in agriculture and horticulture, and is a prominent member of these societies. He is also master of a grange of the patrons of husbandry, and member of the State Grange of Michigan. He belongs to the order of Stars and Stripes, of the State of Michigan soldiers, and is a Eepublican in politics. General Partridge is a man of strictly temperate habits, never using stimulants er tobacco in any form. He is of a calm and even disposition, rarely disturbed by undue excitement. One of these cards were presented to each member of the regiment when discharged: Head-quarters Sixteenth MicmGAN Inf. Vet. Vols.

Sir: --Accept my congratulations and thanks for having so nobly and successfully performed your duty during your perilous term of service, and for having been connected with an organization which has with honor to itself participated in the following named battles:

Henry Hess was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1829. When about sixteen years old he moved to New York, where he remained three years, engaged in farming. In 1851 he came to Bay City, where for fourteen years he worked in the mills. He bought 240 acres of wild land in the township of Portsmouth; be has now one of tbe finest farms in the county. Mr. Hess was married in 1854 to Minerva Schafer; they have two sons.

W. B. Green was born in Ohio, in 1838. The family soon after moved to Illinois, and from there to Indiana and Missouri. In tbe latter place his father died, leaving a widow with five small children. They moved to Wisconsin, and from there to Lapeer County, Mich., in 1853. In 1862 Mr. Green came to Bay City, where for several years he was engaged in getting out wood. He was appointed marshal of Bay City in 1871, and was deputy sheriff from 1872 to 1875. In 1872 he moved on bis farm in the township of Portsmouth, where he now resides. He is a justice of the peace and school director; married Elizabeth Courter, of Lapeer County; they have five sons living, one daughter dead.

Job Trombley was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1826. When about fifteen years of age be moved with his father to Montreal, and while there learned the trade of ship carpenter. In 1848 tbe family moved to Detroit, Mich,, where they remained about two years. In 1850 they settled in Bay City, where Job, in 1852, married Ann Trombley, a daughter of the first settler of Bay County. In 1860 he purchased eighty acres of land in Portsmouth township, where be now resides with his family of seven boys and one girl.

EoBERT Potter was born in Ireland in 1827, and came to tbe United States about 1849. In 1851 he married Mary Jane Malialfy. He spent two years in Pennsylvania, farming. From there he went to Lowell, Mass, where he remained about five years. He then moved to Michigan, stopping in Macomb and Lapeer Counties, and from there to Bay County, where he purchased land. He has betn school assessor for fourteen years. They have a family of six children, four of whom are mrrried.

John Garrison is a native of Canada, but has been in Bay County about seventeen years. He married Catharine Heinzmann, of Bay City. He is engaged in lumbering and farming having a fine farm of seventy a-^res in tlie township of Portsmouth. They have four children.

C. F. Eeichle, butcher, was born in Wurtumburg. At the age of seventeen and a half years he came to America, and in 1864 enlisted in tbe Federal army. In 1865 he came to Bay City and opened a butcher shop in 1869, which business he has followed since ; married Catharine Keisel, of Ohio ; they have five children three of whom are boys. He now lives in Portsmouth township, wbere he has a farm of twenty-two acres.

Adam Beyer was born in Germany in 1842. When about thirteen years of age he emigrated to the United States. He spent a short time in Illinois, and from there went to Bay City. In 1864 he married Mary Dashlien, also of Germany. In 1868 he purchased land in Portsmouth Township. He now has two fine farms of forty acres each, one in Portsmouth and one in Merritt.

James W. Hogle was born in Orleans County, Vermont, December 7, 1812, and was married to Mary L. Dixon in 1840. In 1856 be moved to Illinois, and from there to Michigan in 1865.

From that time he resided in and near Bay City until his death. He united with the order of Odd Fellows in 1850 and with Bay Lodge No. 104, in 1872. During his life, hy honest industry, he acquired a handsome property. He died March 15, 1872, leaving a wife and three children, one son who is in husiness on Center Bt., Bay City., and two daughters, married and living in Indiana. His widow, since his death, has taken entire charge of the four toll gates on the Bay City, Watrousville and Vassar plank road, which was owned hy her hushand at the time of his death.

William Byring was born in Germany in 1?82G, and c ime to Bay City in 1854, where for five years he was employed in the different saw mills. In 1856 he married Catharine Hart, a native of Ireland. In 1869 he bought a farm in the township of Portsmouth. They have three children living and one daughter dead.

I'eederick Meier was born in Germany in 1829. In 1861 he came to Bay City, and the same year purchased eighty acres in fche township of Portsmouth; fifty of this he has now under cultivation. Mr. Meier was married in 1861 to Maggie Kirchner, also a native of Germany; they have four children, three of whom are girls. He has been treasurer of the township for four years.

Caspar Knecht was born in Germany in 1821. In 1846 he came to Detroit, where he married Margaret Kourc, also of Germany. After spending tw^o years in Windsor, Canada, they moved to Ohio, but returned to Detroit. About 1857 he settled in Bay County; he has a farm of ninety acres in the township of Portsmouth ; he has three sons and one daughter.

Louis Knecht, son of Caspar Knecht, was born in Windsor, Canada, in 1849. In 1857 he settled with his father in Bay County; married Eleanor Conoly, of Chatham, Canada; they have four children. He has sixty acres of land in the township of Portsmouth, nearly all under cultivation.

William Wagner is the second son of Carl Wagner, and was born in Germany, in 1843. He married Annie Btenc, of Monroe, Mich., in 1869. They have had four children, three of whom are now living. Mr. Wagner is treasurer of the township, and has also been school director, highway commissioner and justice of the peace.

Charles Diehl was born in Germany, in 1822. In 1852 he came to America, stopping a short time in New York and about three years in Ohio. In 1855 he came to Bay City, where, for about three years, he was engaged in the saw mills and on the river. In 1858 he bought land in the township of Portsmouth, which he has cleared, making a fine farm of eighty acres. Mr. Diehl has been married twice and has a family of ten children.

Bolomon R. Presley was born in Clayton, Jefferson Co.,N. Y., in 1829. At the age of nineteen he went West to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained one year, going from there to Lower Baginaw. From that time until 1872, he was engaged in milling and lumbering. In 1862 he purchased a farm in the township of Portsmouth, two and a half miles from Bay City. In 1872 he moved to his farm having given up lumbering, he has devoted his attention to farming. He was two years a director of the Agricultural Society. Mr. Presley was married in 1854, to Miss Matilda McEwan. They have eight children, four of whom are sons.

Albert Birch is a native of New York. He was born in 1848. Five years of his early life he spent in Canada, and from there he moved to Pennsylvania. About 1856 he came to Bay City. He was engaged in photographino: for three years. About eight years ago he bought eighty acres in the township of Portsmouth, sixty of which is now under cultivation. He was married in 1879, to Elizabeth Bimpson. They have four children.

William B. Hayward was born in England, June 8, 1809. In 1880 he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, and engaged in the merchandise and railroad business. He then moved to

Cleveland and engaged in building roads. In 1855 he moved to Detroit, Mich. In 1867 he came to Bay City and the year following he purchased a farm in the town of Portsmouth, where he still lives. He is married and has six children.

Daniel Hallock was born in Bteuben County N. Y., August 29, 1887. He came to Bay City in 1856, and worked for J. J. Mc- Cormick six years as operative in a saw mill. He then engaged in teaming and draying. In 1870 he purchased a farm in the town of Portsmouth, Bay County, and removed to his new property.

Merritt occupies the southeast corner of the county. It is being reclaimed from the swampy condition which it was formerly in. The Quanicassee ditch described among the county improvements, drains the township.

The Detroit & Bay City Railroad and the Tuscola Plank Road extend across the township. On the former are the two stations of Munger and Arn.

town officers for 1888. Merritt. - Bupervisor, F. Behoof; clerk, C. A. Howell; treasurer, J. Fennely; school inspector, Horace Blodget; justice, full term, E. Kleinart; justice, to fill vacancy, F. R. Tennant; highway commissioner, F. Beyer; constables, F. Laclee, Frank Paine, William Pommerville, P. Brown.

Martin Powell, farmer, was born in Louisville, Baint Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 27, 1826. He remained there during his youth and early manhood, and went from there to Canada, and from there he came to Bhiawassee County in this state. From there he went to Grand Rapids and thence to Bay City, in 1847, when it was called Lower Baginaw, and has taken a prominent part with the other pioneers of Bay County, in the improvements that have been achieved since that time. He was married to Miss Mary Btephens, of Ireland, April 14, 1845. They have had seven children, Sarah, John, Lydia R., William M., Albert H., An3rew and Ida; but Johnnie was early stolen away from the parental embrace by death.

Mr. Powell has served as justice of the peace sixteen years; he has been township treasurer five yetirs, and is now serving his third term as supervisor. He enlisted in the service of his country in

1865. In his present home, on Section Twenty-nine, in Merritt, he has 160 acres of excellent land, with 100 improved, and a thriving orchard of some 250 trees. Fraternally, Mr. Powell is a Master Mason, and an Odd Fellow of the scarlet degree. Before coming to reside in Merritt he spent thirteen Summers in working in saw mills, spending the Winters with his family. Seven seasons of that time he worked for Capt. Southwick in what was then Portsmouth. Borne twenty-seven or twenty-eight years ago he located 160 acres of land in Portsmouth Township, at one shilling per acre, and settled thereon with his family, when there was no other settler within three miles of his place ; and no road to his place but an old trail called the Cass road. He improved some thirty acres, planting an orchard and making it a pleasant home, and sold it some eight years later for f 1,450. It is now worth at least $75 per acre.

Horace Blodget, farmer, born in Kendall, Orleans Co., N. Y., April 2, 18B5; came with his parents to Richfield, Mich., when ten years of age, resided there until 1860, and then settled in Bay City. His firsi visit to Bay City was in 1851. He paddled his own canoe from Sagiijaw to Bay City, with two other persons. In 1875 he changed his residence from Bay City to Munger Station, in the tow^nship of Merritt. He was married on May 15, 1859, to Lydia M. Matthews, of New Haven, Vt. They have had three children, Willoughby H., Arthur J., and Edward L., w4io died in infancy. Mr. B. h.is thirty-seven acres of land on Section Twenty-one, his present home ; also a good dwelling, and some orchard and small fruits in cultivation. He has been postmaster about six years, and takes a willing part in the social and educational improvement of his community.

Rev. Thomas Histed was born in Sussex Co., Eng., April 21, 1811. He came to America with his parents when about six years old, and settled in Dexter, in this state, in June, 1884. From therehe came over to Cass River, resided a while at Vassar, and located land in Merritt township, in what was then Saginaw, but is now Bay County. Saginaw had then two board taverns, and some other rough buildings, but gave very little promise of the grow^th it has since attained. B.iy City was then a mere trading post. The west bank of the river was occupied mostly by Indians. South Bay City had then two saw mills. Others were erected soon after. There w^as then no passable road on either side of the river. Mr. H. was the second person who came in on the old Portsmouth and Cass road, and had to cut his own road part of the way to his land. He and Miss Mary Ann Johnson, of New Lisbon, w«re married on March 26, 1833. They have had ten children: Robert, Richard, Marietta, William T., Ellen E., Jane E., Mary A., Albert D., Sarah A., and Charlotte A., but death has taken the eldest three. When he settled in his present home, Mr. Histed had only three dollars in money, and eight bushels of potatoes, and a little flour. At one time they had to grind their corn in a coffee mill, no provisions being available. The first seeds they sowed he had to carry on his back eight or nine miles. Some seasons he could raise crops on his land, but other years the water entirely destroyed what was sown ; but by brave and persistent effort Mr. and Mrs. Histed have overcome the difficulties and privations of pioneer times, and have now a pleasant and valuable home of 120 acres on Section Twenty, where they now in their time of age enjoy the benefit of their former toils, and are hopefully waiting for the coming of the Master. He has long been endeavoring to preach the gospel of Christ in his vicinity, and has full hope of the recompense of reward.

1823. He came to Vermont with his parents in 1833, and came first to Bay City on New Year's day, 1849. He located on the shore where Caseville now is, during the next year. He settled in Merritt, on Section Seventeen, in January, 1869. He has eighty acres of fertile land with about sixty acres under cultivation. He married Mrs. Lavina Gourly, June 26, 1862. They have had seven children, Sophia, Sarah, Olive, Ann (now deceased), Margaret, Katie, and May. Mr. W. has been township treasurer two years, superintendent of public instruction fiYe years, and school director eight years, and still feels a lively interest in the social improvement of his fellow citizens.

Samuel M. Brown, farmer, was born in Delhi, Canada, March 2, 1858. His father, Hiram S. Brown, born in the same place, December 9, 1832, came with his family to Lapeer Co,, in this State, in 1859. He came to Merritt, in Bay County, in 1853. After residing there some four years he purchased land in section 29, where he now lives. He married Miss Jane Ryan, of Delhi, May 18, 1857. Their children are Samuel M. and Peter V. Brown. Samuel, the patron of the Bay County history, has forty acres of fertile land on Section Twenty-eight, in Merritt, which he is about to improve for a home, thus fixing his local interests in our growing and thriving county.