Pinconning Township

Pinconning Township

This is the largest township in the county. It is bounded: north, by Lincoln and Standish; east, by Saginaw Bay; south, by Eraser; and west, by county line.

The township takes its name from the Piiicouning River, which was named "0-pin-nic-con-ing," meaning potato place, so named from the fact of wild potatoes being abundant in this vicinity.

The oldest resident of the tow^nship is Mr. L. A. Pelkey, now^ proprietor of the Michigan House, in the village of Pinconning. Mr. Pelkey was born in Sebewaing, Huron Co., Mich., in 1840. He came to the mouth of the Pinconning River about 1853, and w^as engaged in fishing on the bay for several years. He was also at Banks, Kawkawlin and Pine River, at an early day. In 1873 he built the Michigan Hotel, which he still keeps. He was supervisor in 1876, '77, '78 and 1882, and again elected for 1883. He was treasurer of the township in 1873, and has been justice of the peace since 1874. He is one of the leading men of the township.

When Mr. Pelkey came here in 1853 there w^as an old watermill near the mouth of the river which had then been operated several years. He thinks a man named Chapell owned the mill

At the mouth of the Pinconning River was an Indian settlement. In 1869 Mr. F. G. Stark was fishing at the mouth of the river, and at that time there was the old log mission church at the Indian settlement. Mr. Stark now has a blacksmith shop in Pinconning village, and a farm in the township.

three, Town Seventeen north, of Kange Three east. Prior to 1872 this entire region was covered with standing pine, and was swept by forest fires in the Fall of 1871. In February, 1872, George H. Van Etten and others formed a company and built a mill which was finished th^ following Fall. This company was organized under the name of Van Etten, Kaiser & Co., afterward changed to Van Etten, Campbell & Co., and still later to George Campbell & Co.

The firm of Van Etten, Kaiser & Co., platted about 100 acres lying upon the east and west sides of the railroad, and laid it out into village lots. The names of the streets running north and south were Waters, Warren, Kaiser, Manitou and Van Etten; and those running east and west, were numbered from one to six. These names have not been changed..

Pinconning And Kaiser Ville Railroad

One of the enterprises cairied out by the company was the building of a tram railway from the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Eailroad westward to the county line. This was done in 1878, and the enterprise was described at the time as follows :

"Among the various important enterprises for the development of the country which have been inaugurated and carried to completion during the past year, is that of the building of the Pinconning and Kaiserviile Eailroad, from Pinconning, on the J. L. & S. Eailroad, to a point on the head waters of the Kawkawlin Eiver, in Town Sixteen north, Eange Three east. Bay County, has been least talked of, and yet, most successfully completed. This road has been built by Van Etten, Kaiser & Co., of Pinconning, and has been built upon the tram road principle, although operated by locomotive power. The road is eleven miles in length, running the entire length through the lands of the firm, and is intended to bring the timber on its line to the mills at Pinconning, as well as to convey the lumber from the new mill recently erected by the company at the village of Kaiser, the western termination of the road; contiguous to which, and to the line of the road the company have 16,000 acres of pine land, estimated to cut 100,000,000 of timber, in addition to which, it is thought that 50,000,000 of timber belonging to other parties, will, by necessity, become tributary to the road. The road has been built by "gaining flatted" timber into heavy ties or logs, by this means gaining a level grade. To these timbers, which form the track bed, 3x5 hard maple rails have been pinned, forming a cheap and excellent road, over which the locomotive draws from three to six loaded cars, at a speed of from, eight to twelve miles per hour. Eunning light, the engine with two cars has made twenty miles per hour over the track, *which proves to be all that its projectors claim or expect of it. The cost of the road has been about $2,000 per mile. It is the intention of the proprietors to continue the eastern end of the track to the Bay, three miles from Pinconning, where docks will be constructed for the shipment of the large amounts of lumber which their own two extensive mills, and others projected - one, the Harbeck mill, now running - near the Hne of the road, will require facilities for shipment. Propositions have been made to extend the road to Midland, which is about eleven miles south of the village of Kaiserviile, by which means connection will be made with the F. & P. M. Ey., and the advantages secured of shipping facilities and competition rates with two railroads and the lake.

" The effect of the building of the Pinconning & Kaiserviile Eailroad, is already seen in the growth of the new village of Kaiserviile, and the development of the hitherto wild country surrounding it. Supplies are being taken over the load for lumber camps on the head waters of the Tittabawassee and other Elvers, and we may safely close our remarks on this subject by saying that the new road will prove of as great advantage in the development of the new country on the west side of Bay and east side of Midland Counties, as have any of the more pretentious roads hitherto constructed."

In 1877 the direction of the road was changed so that it extended into Towns Seventeen, Eighteen and Nineteen north, of Eange Three east. The name was also changed to the "Pinconning Eailroad."

Extensive lumbering operations have been carried on along the line of this road, and there is still remaining a large amount of standing pine in the region traversed by it. There are, at the present time, five shingle mills on its line in Town Seventeen north, of Eange Three east.

Pinconising Manufacturing Company

This company was organized in January, 1883. The officers are as follows: President, Wilham Mercer; Vice President, E. A. Cooley; Secretary and Treasurer, C. V. Plummer. This company is practically successor of the original founders of Pinconning. Two saw mills were built at different times, both of which burned. Geo. Campbell & Co. built a planing mill, and in 1877 that firm was succeeded by J. H. Plummer, who turned the saw mill into a saw and shingle mill, and operated them until the present company was organized, in which Mr. Plummer is interested. In the Winter of 1883 the company built a planing mill, which is now in operation. They manufacture about 6,000,000 feet of lumber, and about 4,000,000 shingles a season, and employ about fifty men. The affairs of the company are in the hands of enterprising men who are infusing new life into the growth of the village.

William Mercer, President of the company, has been identified with the interests of Bay County since 1863. He was born in Scotland in 1833, and emigrated to Canada in 1849. In 186 3 he located in Bay City, where he still resides. He was city surveyor of Bay City for some time, and most of the early improvements were made under his direction. He was also engaged in lumbering. He first came to Pinconning to lay out the work of the first mill built in 1872. In 1877 he had charge of the rebuilding of the railroad, and was Superintendent of the road until 1879. From that time until the Fall of 1882 he was chief engineer of the Quincy, Vandalia & Eastern Eailway in Illinois. In the Winter of 1883 the organization of the present company was effected, as before stated. Mr. Mercer has a wife and eight children, and his residenC^e is still in Bay City. He is a man of great energy and enterprise, and is doing much to build up the village of Pinconning^

The Michigan House is a large and substantial building, and was built by Mr. L. A. Pelkey, its present proprietor, in 1873. It is well furnished, and does a good business.

The Pinconning House was built by J. H. Whitney and James Powrie in 1876, and kept by them about a year. It was then converted into a store room, and used for that purpose a year. Then it was again fitted up as a hotel and kept by James Decker. He was succeeded by Henry Beeching, who kept it until May, 1883, when James Powrie returned to Pinconning, and is now keeping the house, and is doing a good business.

The Big Store

The pioneer mercantile estabhshment of the village is the store of Mr. C. H. Rhodes. The building was erected and the store started by the mill company of Van Etten, Kaiser & Co., in 1872. It was rim by the mill company until 1875 when Mr. C. H. Rhodes bought out the store, and still continues the business. This is the largest mercantile establishment in the county outside of the two cities, and does a business aggregating upwards of |100,000 annually.

Pinconning Stave Works

These works were built in 1882, by Mr. J. H. Hummer, and in October, of that year, purchased by W. H. Ford, of Chicago, and W. H. Malone, of Pinconning. They employ about twenty-five men, and do a large business. Mr. Malone, the resident partner, has charge of the business.

Church Societies

The first cliurch established in the township was the Indian mission church at the mouth of the river. In the village are two societies at the present time, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian.

The M. E. society was organized in 1876, by Rev. R. L. Cope, with eighteen members. The pastors since Mr. Cope have been Revs. Evans, Thomas McGee, A. Crane, Tuttle, and C. L. Curch. The society has about ten members at the present time. The trustees are C. H. Rhodes, B. Clark, M. R. Hartwell, R. C. Bartlett, L. Bmith, Z. Marquette and H. Randall. A new church building has just been commenced.

- The Presbyterian society was organized in 1881 with nineteen members. The pastor was Rev. D. Shoop. The membership is about the same at the present time. The trustees are William Mercer, B. R. Hoobler, J. Henderson; elders: - A. McLoud, William Malone and J. Henderson. Pastor, Rev. J. DeVine. This society is also preparing to build a church building.

Pinconning Lodge No. 477, 1.O.G.T., was organized in August, 1882, with twelve charter members. Meetings are held at the schoolhouse every Tuesday evening. There are now sixty members, and the lodge is in a flourishing condition. The present officers are as foUows: - W.C.T., M. R. Hartwell; W.V.T., Mrs. Humphrey; P.W.C.T., T. Drake; chaplain, Mrs. T. Drake; F.S., T. H. Cliff; treasurer, R. C. Bartlett; secretary, Walter Ferguson.

School

The village is in Bchool District Number Two, and the schoolhouse was built in 1875. Prior to that time there was a school kept in a small frame building, now used as a dwelling. The school is taught by Mr. M. R. HartweU, an excellent instructor, who has taught in the township since 1875, and five years in this district. Mr. Hartwell is a native of Macomb County, Mich., and has been teaching since 1871. He is a member of the county board of examiners, and is recognized as one of the successful teachers of the county. The number of pupils enrolled in this district is ninety-six, and the average attendance is fifty- eight.

The postoffice was estabhshed in 1872, and E. B. Knight was the first postmaster. He was succeeded in 1875 by C. H. Rhodes, who still holds the office.

The Bpring of 1883 finds the village in a very flourishing condition. Many new buildings are in process of construction, and nearly every lot of the original plat has been sold. It is the intention of tlie Pinconning Manufacturing Company to plat an addition to the village during the year 1883.

Perbonal Sketcheb

C. H. Rhodes was born at Marcellus Falls, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1844; came to Michigan in 1865; engaged in the woolen business at Grand Rapids, afterwards at Vassar, remaining there four years as superintendent of the Vassar Woolen Mills. Came to Pinconning in 1875, and engaged in general merchandise business, doing a business of over $100,000 yearly. Also has a branch store at Lin wood, nine miles north of Bay City, on the railroad. Has held the position of postmaster and express-agent at Pinconning duiing the past seven years. Resides in Bay City.

Thomas H. Cliff was born in Montreal, Canada, January 18, 1850. When about ten years old went to Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio. Attended school there until about eighteen years old, when he learned the blacksmith's trade. Came to Bay City in 1870, working at his trade there for three years, then came to Pinconning, and engaged with Van Etten, Kaiser & Co., the founders of the town, as foreman in their blacksmith department. Kaiser, seHing his interest to Geo. Campbell, the firm was known as Van Etten, Campbell & Co., until their failure in 1878, when the Bank of Commerce took the property, which has since been sold to Schott, Garish & Co., Mr. CHft" remaining as foreman through all the above changes, till December, 1881, since which time he has been engaged in farming, having purchased a farm of ninety-three acres in Sections Twentytwo and Twenty-three, near the Michigan Central Depot, Pinconning, where he now resides. Was married to Miss Helen Anderson, of Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich.

William Malone, one of the proprietors of the Pinconning Btave Works, was born in Ireland, and went to Canada with his parents when an infant. At fourteen years of age he came to the Saginaw Valley and began to work his own way in the world. Being possessed of plenty of energy and a desire^ to get ahead in the world, he easily found something to do. He began work in the stave business in 1869, and has followed it ever since. He was five years in the business at Kawkawlin, and for a time at West Bay City. In the Fall of 1881 he came to Pinconning, and in October, 1882, formed a company with W. H. Ford, of Chicago, and they purchased the stave works as elsewhere stated.* Mr. Malone is an active member of the Presbyterian society, and interests himself in all matters that pertain to the welfare of the place. He has a wife and two children.

James Powkie, proprietor of the Pinconning House, is a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in 1869. In 1875 he came to Pinconning, and was in the store of Mr. C. H. Rhodes about a year. In 1876, in company with J. H. Whitney, he built the Pinconning House, and kept it a year. In the latter part of 1877 he went to Bay City, and was in charge of the jail as deputy sherift* until 1879. He was then in the employ of Gustin, Merrill & Co., wholesale grocers, until 1881, when he was appointed a member of the police force, where he served until the Spring of 1888. He then came to Pioconning and leased the Piiiconiiing House, of which he is now proprietor. Mr. Powrie is a popular landlord, and is doing a fine business.

Walter Ferguson, blacksmith, was born in Canada, and came to the States in 187G. He firsfc located at Bay City, where he worked at his trade. In 1880 he came to Pinconning, and soon after bought a building and opened a blacksmith shop. He is a good workman and does a prosperous business. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Good Templars, and Chosen Friends, and is a good citizen.

White Feather

is a station on the Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad in Section Eleven, Town Seventeen north, of Range Four east. It is on the White Feather stream, so named by the Indians. James Lomas built a mill here in 1874, and afterward sold it to the White Feather Lumber Company. It was operated by them until 1878, when it burned, and was not rebuilt. C. Ives built a shingle mill here about 1874, and it burned two years later. There was formerly a postoffice at this point, but it was discontinued. It is now only a farming settlement and a railroad station.

Town Seventeen north, of Range Three east is entirely covered with standing pine. In Town Seventeen north, of Range Four east, are two good farming settlements. The Cliff settlement, about two and one-half miles from the village of Pinconning is filling up rapidly. The first start was made there by Mr. Thomas Cliff in 1875, but most of the settlers have come in since 1880. There are now about seventy families. At White Feather are a number of good farms.

Taxes For 1882

The above named townships were organized by the Board of Supervisors in 1874, Moffat sending Alvin N. Culver, and Mason sending Henry M, Smith, as representatives on the County Board. The former is bounded north and west by county line, east by Clayton and Rifle River, and south by Deep River. Mason is bounded north by county hne, east by Au Gres, south by Xrenac, and west by Clayton. Both townships were heavily timbered and had large quantities of pine. This portion of the county was settled largely by soldiers who took up Government lands.

Moffat occupies the northwest comer of the county. Alvin N. and J. W^. Culver, Patrick Reardon and L. D. Teachout, were among the early settlers. In 1880 the population of the township was sixty-nine. In 1882 the equalized valuation of real and personal estate was $52,315. The total vote in 1882 was- thirtyfour.

The Mackinaw Division of the M. C. Railroad extends through the township in a northwesterly direction. Culver and Wells are the two stations. At the- former are two saw mills, postoftice, etc. At Wells there are depot, schoolhouse and a few other buildings. This is the only schoolhouse in the township.

Patrick Reardon, present supervisor of Moffat, is a native of the county of Cork, Ireland. He came to the United States in 1858 and lived in the Southern States, part of the time in St. Louis, Mo., until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he came north. For a time he kept a hotel in Wenona, now West Bay City. He afterwards bought and settled on a farm in the township of Moffat. Since living in the township he has been a justice of the peace six years, school inspector four years and treasurer for the school district six years. The last two offices he (1882) now liolds. In 1881 he was elected supervisor, and in 1882 was re-elected. He was married to Mary T. Reardon, of Toledo, Ohio, inl869. They have had seven children, five of whom are now living.

The township of Mason was erected by the Board of Supervisors at a meeting held Oct. 15, 1874, and comprised the territory of Town Twenty north, of Range Five east, which was a part of Arenac. The first township meeting was held on Monday, iVpril 5, 1875, at the house of Theodore Morse, and Henry M. Smith, Fletcher E. Carscallan and Frederick Vincent were inspectors of election.

John McMillan was born in the county of Glengarry, Ontario, and came to the United States in 1865. He lived in East Saginaw, Mich., for five years and then removed to Bay City, where he remained about two years. In the Fall of 1873 he bought a farm in the township of Mason, Bay County, and since then has followed the occupation of a farmer. He was treasurer of the township from 1875 to 1877 inclusive, and also superintendent of schools for two years. In 1880 he was elected supervisor, which office he held until the Spring of 1883. He was married to Margaret A. Monroe, a native of the state of Maine, of Scotch parentage. They have a family of five children.

Peter Hanlon, lumberer, was born in Ireland, April 6, 1848, and came to Deerfield, Mich., in 1856. He enlisted in the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, Company F, in 1863, and served nearly three years. He took part in the second battle of Franklin, and in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, the siege of Atlanta and several other conflicts, and was honorably discharged in November,

1865. After leaving the army he came to East Saginaw and spent some eight years in that region. During the last eight years he has resided at Maple Ridge. He has forty acres of land in Section Seven in Mason, with sixteen acres cleared, and with buildings and other home improvements. He has been township treasurer in Mason and also in Clayton. He was married to Miss Mary Monroe, of Clayton, May 8, 1876. They have two children, Mary Belle and Ahce. He has lately visited California and Puget Sound. He thinks California the most desirable for men of large capital, but Puget Sound preferable for the laboring class. Wages are better and produce cheaper. He received there, last season, |90 per month for chopping.

John Beaton, carpenter and joiner, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, Dec. 27, 18B2. He left Scotland when seven years old and came to Cape Breton, learned his trade there and followed it for some years. Leaving there he spent a year in Marblehead, Mass. From there he came to Flint, Mich., in 1869. A year later he came to Maple Ridge, Bay, Co., where he now resides. He has forty acres of excellent land on Section Seven, in Mason, has thirty acres improved and some buildings thereon, but he still occupies most of his time in his avocation as builder.

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

Taxes Foe 1882 Biographical

William Fitch, a hardy and early Pioneer of the town of Eraser, was born in the township of Bayham, in the county of Elgin, in 1830. 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 collided 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 building is 38x28 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 1831. When Mr. Fitch went to Eraser 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 Eraser in 1875.

William H. Hatton was born in the city of Buffalo, N. Y. in J 827, 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 Eraser, Bay County. In 1851 he married Miss Elizabeth Gilmore, of the township of Ramsey, Canada. Miss Gilmore was born in 1836 and is the mother of nine children, four living. George W. Hatton was born in 1853, married in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth Pettit. Miss Pettit was born in St. Mary's, Canada, in 1853, and has three children: William J. Hatton was born in 1858; Irene E., 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 postmaster of the place. The office is named Michie, after W. Michie, one of the first settlers of Eraser, who was murdered in 1882, a short distance from his house.

Francis Gallagher was born in the Province of New Brunswick, March 12, 1833. He moved to Blenheim, Canada, in 1840, and in 1875 came to Bay City. He purchased a farm in the town of Eraser, 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, 1838. He came to Bay City in 1863 and was employed by McDowell & Park for three years, and then started in the saloon business. In 1869 he purchased a farm in Eraser 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 Liver- pool, Wolverbamptou, Biiildwass, etc. After tliat lie was pilotman on tlie Metropolitan Railway, one of the nnderground railways in London, England. In 1867 lie 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 Eraser, and since that time has settled down as a "granger." Shortly after going to Eraser he was elected township clerk, serving until 1881, when he was elected supervisor, 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. Y., in 1818, where he lived until he was seventeen. He erdisted in the Union Army and served till the close of the war. In 1866 he went to Huron County, Mich., and in 1882 went to the town of Eraser, Bay County, and bought eighty acres of land in Section Thirty-four, w4iere 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 Winchester, Cedar Run and Eisher 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 1873 went to Kawkawlin, and taught school one year; then went to Pinconning as a clerk and w^as 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 18th, he married Miss Agnes Schmidt, of Kawkawlin.

P. L. Sherman was born in New Bedford, Mass., in 1814. 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 Eraser. 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 Kingston, of the Province of Quebec, Canada! Mr. Kingston went to Bay City about 1873, and shortly after bought a farm in Section Thirty, in the township of Eraser. The forest was in its primitive state, but he and his wdfe 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 enjo;^^ the fruits of his labor very long, for on April i; 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.

The two tow^nships above named w^ere organized by the Board of Supervisors, in the year 1880, and are the youngest township organizations in the county. The organization of these two townships gave the Board of Supervisors thirty-four members ; two more than the membership of the State Senate.

Lincoln comprises all of Township Eighteen north, of Range Three east, and twenty-four Sections of Township Eighteen north,. of Range Eour east. It is bounded north by Deep River, east by Standish, south by Standish and Pinconning and west by county line.

The effort to secure a division of Standish Township, and organize a new one, was met by strong opposition from citizens of the territory remaining in Standish. The proceedings of the Board of Supervisors with reference to this matter, were as follows :

"We, the undersigned, citizens and freeholders of the township of Standish, do hereby petition your honorable body to set off from said township of Standish and erect into a new township, to be called Lincoln, or some other name that may be suitable to you, the following territory, to-wit : - Entire Township Eighteen north, of Range Three east, and entiie Two, Three, Eour, Eive, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Eourteen, Eiftee.n, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-one, Twenty -tw^o Twenty-three, Twenty-six, Twenty-seven, Twenty-eight, Twenty-nine, Thirty, Thirty-one, Thirty-two, Thirty-three, Thirty-four and Thirty-five, in Towai Eighteen north, of Range Four east, being all of Town Eighteen north, of Range Eour east, except the east tier of sections. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc. "Dated Standish, October 13, 1879. I "Signed, Peter M. Angus and thirteen others."

"There having been an application filed and published according to law, by the freeholders and citizens of the village of Standish, for the erection of a iiew^ tow^iship, consisting of the following territory : All of Town Eighteen north, of Range Three east, and Town

Eighteen north, of Range Eour east, excepting the east tier of sections, to be known as the township of Lincoln, which would deprive the township of Standish of railroad connection, th. refore, the freeholders and citizens of the township of Standish 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 Eighteen north, of Range Eour east. Sections One, Twelve, Thirteen, Twenty-four, Twenty-five, Thirty-six. We would ask your honorable body and the petitioners from the village of Standish, if consistent 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 Eour east, excepting 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 town at present; ninety per cent of our people are opposed to it. The whok object is to make more officers and therefore more taxes. A visit through the town 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 freeholders and citizens of the fractional Township of Eighteen, Fiye east, set forth the following reasons why the new township of Lincoln should not be organized.

'' Remlveil^ That the move to set the new town of Lincoln of! Btandish is merely for political purposes, and not for any good that can be derived from said division.

''llemlved. That there being now three towns in the township of Standish, from w4iich we derive or support, these towns comprising 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 proposed 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 th« new territory that is proposed to add to said fractional, do protest against the organization. The citizens claim that the erection of said township would at once throw^ an expense of from f 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.

"We, the undersigned, citizens of Standish, do hereby respectfully ask your honorable body to set of! from the township of Standish, and organize into a new township by the name of Lincoln, or some other name to be decided upon, the following territory, viz: - Entire Tow^n Eighteen north. Range Three east, except the east tier of sections, or excepting such part of Tow^n Eighteen north, Eange 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 - tw^enty-six for and none against.

Whereas, Application has been duly made to the Board of Supervisors, of the County of Bay, by George F. Cross, George N. Shillinger, Abram D. Walker, Daniel W. Richardson, Frank Gregory, Ledger St. John, Lem. Paquion, William Quigley, T. T. Olnistead, J. M. Groat, Ohver 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 freeholders 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 consideration thereof, that the said apphcation 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, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-one, Twenty-eight, Twenty-nine, Thirty, Thirty-one, thirty-two and Thirty-three, m 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. Shillinger, 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 law^s of this state ; and the said Ralph E. Pratt is hereby appointed and designated as the person required 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. Chambeilain 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 w^hich 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 Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad, and in the northeastern 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 "Gran ton," 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. Standish 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 sawmill, 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, tw^o 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. E. Hoobler, formerly of Bay City, is the teacher. Mr. Hoobler taught school at Kawkawhn 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 7.35 in the morning and arrives on the return 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 intermediate points. The distance to Alpena is 106 miles. Mr. J. F. Willey has four stages on the hne, 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 Sfcandish 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. Shilhnger is well known and popular.

The Jacobs House is owned by Mr. Jacobs, of the International 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 Department at Washington has estabhshed 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 accommodate the place by bringing them from Wenona. Daalers 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 reahzed at the earhest 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 pubhc money - that is, there are that number of persons in the village between the ages of five and twenty years. The population 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 buildmg fund. M. L Pierce was elected assessor for the ensuing year. Miss Carrie Ostrander, of Wenona, has been engaged for another year.

"The Congregational society was recently presented with an elegant communion service, mcide of silver, by Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Harrison, of East Saginaw. Be v. 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 1873. 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 the 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 substantial building, and was built mainly through the instrumentality of Rev. D. W. Kmg, who labored zealously in pushing forward the enterprise. 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 schoolhouse was built in 1871, and cost |1,000. The first teacher was S. R. Hoobler, and after him Miss Carrie Ostrander. The present teacher is James J. Decker, a very successful instructor. This is the only school in the township. The number of school children in the township is 108."

Biographical

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 lie 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.

Jeeome B. Davis, hotel keeper, was horn 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 entertained between' 100 and 200 at a meal. ^ He has commodious barns, and a hall 22x42 feet in size, for social and general entertainments. He has also over 800 acres of pine and farming lands, with 150 under cultivation, but above all he has always a hearty welcome and cordial treatment for his patrons.

Jacob M. Gkoat, 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 y^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 born 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, Eibby, 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.

Geokge C. Beardsley, lumberman, was born in New Brunswick. 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 Harriet, all bom in New Brunswick. They have also an adopted son, Kandolph. 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 examiners, 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, Lilla, 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 members 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, 181S. He has res'.ded in Shaniish, Mich., two years. He was nrarried to Miss Sylvania J Shaw, of Canada, Aug. 15, 1870.

He has purchased forty acres of land on Ssction Two, ia Lincoln, which he intends to make their home. Mr. Wheeler's father, Sidney 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^ thirteen years in Boston, Mass., and came to Standish a year ago last October. He was married to Miss Martha A. Boai-dman, of Charlestovvn, 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 comprises 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 An 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 apphcation."

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 application 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 Bradley, Joseph Mattison, John Foote, Peter Nelson, John Irving, Charles Fredrsg, A. A. Shotwell, for the erection of a new township.

Whereas, Application in writing has been made to the Board of Supervisors of Bay County, in the state of Michigan, by Edward Bradley and fifteen others above named, freeholders of the township of Au Gres, for the organization or erection of the territory 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 propose^ alterations, having been furnished to the said Board of Supe:gvisors, therefore :

Besolved, 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

Eesolred, 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.

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 fishing 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, Carohne, Wihiam, 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 accommodate about forty. He has served two terms as highway commissioner. 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 followed them. They made a trip once a month. Once when hunting, on the bank near the lake, Mr. M. wounded a deer, which dashed at him and struck him with its feet and horns, tearing of! 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 ihe deer.' At ancther time an old bear, with cubs, rushed at him with mouth open and hair erect, to devour him, but with one blow he 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 W^est Bay City. He afterward went into the grocery trade in South Bay City and continued 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 An Gres, Mich., in October, 1865, and settled there in March following. Mr. Bradley was the first white man who settled on An Gres Kiver. 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 304 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 postmaster, 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 prosperous and inviting village, with excellent farm surroundings to sustain it.

John E. Bradley, farmer and lumberman, was born in Button, 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 w^ork, but for the last four years has devoted his attention to lumbering also. He has some 300 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. Eobinson, 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 landscapes and other sceneries. He came to Saginaw in 1872, and came to Au Gres for his health in 1873. In 1875 he 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. Eobinson is now serving as Drain commissioner of his township.

Edward Johnston, farmer and lumberman, was born near Ottawa, Canada, August 3, 1833. He came to Saginaw, in 1865, and to Au Gres in 1877. He was married to Miss Nancy Eichards, March 15, 1860, She was born in Lower Canada, June 4, 1844. Their children are Annie, Sylvester, William E., 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 lumbering. 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 Eichie, 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 village of Au Gres, and in connection with his present hotel accommodations, is preparing spacious rooms for social and general entertainment. 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. 23, 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 smce 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 Eiver, and one Winter in loading teams in the woods. In tlie Summer of 1870 he cooked on the F. and P. M. Eailroad, and in Winter on the Tobacco Eiver. Next Summer he cooked on the east branch of the Au Gres Eiver. In 1873 he engaged as cook on the steamer. Ironsides, 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 An 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 Township, 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 Frankenlust was established by Eev. 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 oue 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 rehearses, 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 Eange Four east; Sections Six, Seven, Eighteen, Nineteen, and the north half of Section Thirty in Township Thirteen north, of Eange 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 Eange Four east. The application to organize was signed by seventy-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 persons: G. Stengel, J. P. Weggel and .J. S. Hehelt, 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 Wellmgton, supervisor; John C. Schmidt, township clerk ; Andreas Goetz, treasurer; J. G. Helmrenh, Caspar Linik, school inspectors; William Butts, Heinrich Hipser and Paul Stephen, highway commissioners; Luke Wellington, Louis Loeffler, George Hengee and Leonard Fleabite, justices of the peace; George Hengee and Andreas Goetz, overseers of the poor; G. M. Geigler, George Sturm, Andreas Schmidt and Mark Kranzlein, constables.

Peter Weggel and Heiniicli Hebert were named inspectors of election; but owing to their absence, Luke Wellington and Casper Lint filled their positions, with George Stengel, an inspector named in the first order. Louis Loeftler was appointed clerk and John C. Schmidt, assistant clerk. The number of voters present was fiftynine.

German Reformed Lutheran Church

This church is situated on Section Fifteen, and was organized in 1852 by Eev. Sievers. The members then were: A. D. Eischyer, Adam Schnell, Michael Schmidt, George Leitz, George Eieger, Paul Stephens, Michael Daezchlin, John G. Hearnan. The first building was erected in 1852, and was a log house 30x40 feet, in which meetings were held imtil 1870. At this time the society built the present church, a frame building 88x70 feet, at a cost of |5,000. There are 104 members at present under the pastorate of Rev. J. F. Miller.

Rev. (George Christian Ernestus) Ferdinand Sievers, is the son of Henry (Sigismund Frederic) Sievers, and Eleanor Lesette Florentine, nee. Von 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; l)ut his uncle. Rev. Phihp Sievers, took good care of him. He was educated at the University of Goettingen 1835 - 38, 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-half 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 endure 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 hving.

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

Fred Wellington, farmer. Section Twenty-five, is a life-resident of this county. He was born in March, 1844. He is the son of Dr. Luke and Nancy M. (Freeman) WeUington. His father is a native of New Hampshire, and his mother of New York. Dr. Luke Wellington came to this state in 1836, located at Flint, and in 1850 settling in Saginaw County where he now owns 500 acres of land. Fred was educated in the pubhc schools of Bay and Saginaw cities, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, of Detroit. He was book-keeper for eight years, and is RepubHcan 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 (]ity, 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 accomphsh 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 ni 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 Eraser in the woods. Mr. Eraser says to him, "John, how can you carry that bag on foot? why don't you get a horse?" John said, "Mr. Eraser, I am too poor to buy a horse;" to which Mr. Eraser said, "D - n it mail, 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. Eraser in the woods, when he said to him, "Mr. Eraser, 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 anyhow." This anecdote is a fair illustration of the generosity which characterized Mr. Eraser in his deahngs 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 1883, a bill for the organization 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 Eange Three east. Towns Eighteen, Nineteen and Twenty north, of Eanges Four, Five, Six, and Seven, east, and Towai Twenty north, of Eange Eight east, together with the islands attached to the Townships of Whitney and Au Ores.

asfoUows: Township of Arenac, 66; An Gres, 61; Clayton, 67; Deep Eiver,76; Lincoln, 80; Mason, 37; Moffat, 84; Standisii, 69; Whitney, 58. The county seat is located temporarily at Oraer, on the Rifle River, in the Township of Arenac. Hereafter the voters will choose between Omer, Standish and Sterling for the permanent comity 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 established at Omer, in Arenac Township. A convention was held at Omer, May 12th, 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 nominations :