History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens

Preface

HE aim of the publishers of this volume has been to secure for the historic portion thereof full and accurate information respecting all subjects herein treated, and to present the data thus gathered in a clear and impartial manner. If, as is their hope, the}' have succeeded in this endeavor, the credit is mainly due to the diligent and exhaustive research of the editor of the historic statement, Capt. Augustus H. Gansser, of Bay City. In collecting and arranging the material which has entered into this history, it has been his aim to secure facts and to present them in an interesting form. His patient and conscientious labor in tiie compilation and presentation of the data is shown in the historical portion of this volume. The record gives an interesting and elaborate description of the aboriginal inhabitants, the natural features and the early society of this section, the story of its settlement and a comprehensive account of the organization of Bay County and the Bay Cities, giving the leading events in the stages of their development and the growth of their industries to the present time, as set forth in the table of contents. All topics and occurrences are included which are essential to the usefulness of the history. Although the original purpose of the author was to limit the narrative to the close of 1904, he has deemed it proper to touch on many matters relating to the current year, especially such as refer to the union of the Bay Cities.

The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives, which make up the biographical department of tlie volume, and whose authorship for the most part is entirely independent of that of the history, are admirably adapted to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism and to emphasize the rewards of industry, dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium of perpetuating personal annals and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those commemorated. They bring into bold relief careers of enterprise and thrift and make manifest valid claims to honorable distinction. If "Biography is the only true History," it is obviously the duty of men of the present time to preserve in this enduring form the story of their lives in order that their posterity may dwell on the successful strug-

5 PREFACE.

gles thus recorded, and profit by their example. These sketches, replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences, will naturally prove to most of the readers of this book its most attractive feature.

In the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Bay County, which will fitly supplement the historic statement ; for the development of the county is identified with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. The publishers have endeavored in the preparation of the work to pass over no feature of it slightingly, but to give heed to the minutest details, and thus to invest it with a substantial accuracy which no other treatment would afiford. The result has amply justified the care thus exercised, for in our belief no more reliable production, under the circumstances, could be laid before its readers.

We have given special prominence to the portraits of representative citizens, which appear throughout this volume, and believe they will prove a most interesting feature of the work. We have sought to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as conspicuously as possible. To those who have kindly interested themselves in the successful preparation of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful information and data, we herewith tender our grateful acknowledgment.

Chicago, III., May, 1905. THE PUBLISHERS.

—NOTE.— 1

All the biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of the typewritten copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate.

A few, however, were not returned to us; and, as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we can not vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book.

RICHMOND & ARNOLD.

CHAPTER II. The Aboriginal Period 27

Virgin Forests, Trackless Swamps and Lake-Bound Prairies — "O-Sauk-E-Non,"' the "Land of the Sauks" — Indian Tribes and Chieftains — Manners, Customs and Modes of Life of the Aborigines — The Overthrow of the Sauks by the Confederated Tribes — The Indians as Found by the Pioneers — The Indians of To-day.

CHAPTER III. The Colonial Period 48

The Onward March of Civilization — The Pale Faces Westward Bound — Years of Exploration, and Trading with the Indians — Trappers, Hunters and Adventurers — The Saginaw Valley for Years the Northern most Outpost of Civilization in the Northwest Territory — Indian Title to Land Extinguished — The Earliest White Settlers.

CHAPTER IV. Early Settlements and Settlers 60

The Indians and Trappers Give Way to the Settlers — Planting of Settlements — Memoirs and Reminiscences of Prominent Pioneers — The Period of Reckless Land Speculation and "Wild-Cat" Banks— Indian Mounds and Legends — The Mound Builders — O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to and Other Indian Chiefs — Incidents of Pioneer Life on the Saginaw River and Its Tributaries — Character Sketches and Anecdotes.

CHAPTER V. Organization and Growth of Bay County 99

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

CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

Creation and Growth of the Cities, Townships and Villages of the County 122

Incorporation and Growth of the Villae;e of Bay City, the Successor of Lower Saginaw and Portsmouth Village — Chartered as a City — Roster of City Officials — History of the Villages of Banks, Salzburg and Wenona and of Their Successor, West Bay City— Roster of Village and City Officials— The Townships of the County with Historical, Geographical and Census Data— The Villages of Essexville, Kawkawlin, Pinconning, Auburn and " Iceburg, U. S. A."

CHAPTER VII. Natural Resources and Advantages of Bay County 162

Climate— Easy Water Communication Provided by the Rivers and Saginaw Bay— A Paradise of Fish and Game— Rich Mineral and Agricultural Resources— Pine and Hardwood Timber— Extensive Underlying Deposits of Salt and Coal — Rich Soil and Fruitful Farms — "Garden Spot of Michigan."

CHAPTER VIII. Greater Bay City.— 1865-1905 166

Remarkable Evolution of the Bay Cities from Booming Frontier Lumber Communities to Hives of Varied Industries^The Rise and Decline of the Lumber and Salt Industries— Municipal Improvements — Public Buildings and Business Blocks— The Revival of the Lumber Industry— The Center of America's Beet Sugar Industry- Chemical Factories, Chicory Mills and Varied Industries — Discovery of Coal — Iron and Steel Industries — Mammoth Ship-Building Plants and Dry Docks — Fish and Game — The Fight for Consolidation — The First Officers of Greater Bay City — The Charter.

Index

Biodrapbical

PAGE

Allen, George A 724

Ambrose, Josiah Little. M. D... 483

Ames, George W 671

Andrews, Martin M 376

ApDold, Christian 614

Appold, Mary Barbary, Miss... 589

Arnold, John C 655

Arnold, John G 404

Arnold, John M 680

Arnold, Michael J 598

.•\twiH, Thomas 426

Averell, Charles M., Capt 427

Babcock, Edward C 684

Bailey, Arthur D 464

Baker, Oscar W 485

Barclay, Jonathan Smith, Hon. . 588

Becker. Hiram B., Capt 643

Beeckman, Peter 545

Bentley, Oscar F 466

Berger, John 536

Beyer, Frederick 605

Bigelow, Charles A 457

Birney, James Gillespie, Hon. . . . 413

Birney, James, Hon 408

Blodgett, Horace D 436

Boehringer Brothers 386

Boes, Jacob F 682

Borton, Bethuel 546

Boutel, Benjamin, Capt 461

Bradley, Nathan B., Hon 371

Brockway, James E 443

Brown, Russell Warner. M. D. . 624

Bublitz, .\ugust 476

Buck, Homer E 708

PAGE

Callender, William Elisha Crosby 472

Campbell, Sydney S., Hon 531

Chatfield, Clarence B 666

Churchill, Worthy Lovell, Hon.. 578

Clark, Dillon Prosser 584

Clark, Henry 475

Clements, Henry 648

Clifft, William Orrin 425

Carroll, John 393

Cobb, George P., Hon 391

Cole, George S 395

Collins, Chester L., Hon 421

Collins, W. A 407

Coman, Lucien S 596

Conover, Richard Field 397

Corliss, E. E 398

Cressey, E. Wilson 558

Cuthbert, Charles C, Serg.-Maj. 645 Cuthbert, William 568

Davies, Meurig Lloyd 701

Dunbar, Erastus Lord 465

Dunham, Frederick William . . . 532

Fades, Herbert Alfred, M. D. . . 523

Egbert, John W 662

Eickemeyer, Edward A 431

Emery, John H 656

Endline, John 715

Englehardt, Charles F 525

Erwin. Robert W., B. S., M. D. . 401 Evans, Edward E 685

Feinauer, John .Andrew 620

Fitield. Eugene 627

Fisher, Spencer O., Hon 573

PAGE

Fitzhugh, William D 373

Foss, Edgar B 698

Fowler, John 524

Fox, George R 424

Fox. Willis D 629

Francis, Griffith H., Hon 403

Francis, Adolph 647

Frank, Ernst 382

Eraser, James 369

Friday, William H 412

Gail. Cyrus A 385

Gallagher. Morton, M. D 600

Gansser, Augu.st H., Capt 690

Garland, Michael 565

Gates. Otto B., Dr 640

Gilbert. Harvey, M. D 713

Gillespie, Richard 680

Gillette. Hezekiah M 417

Gres, Francis, Rev 418

Greul, Paulus 710

Griswold, Harry 521

HafFey, Joseph P 544

Hau.xhurst. John Walker, M. D.. 668

Hearit, John 712

Heinzniann. Christopher 467

Herbolshimer, George A 634

Hewitt. John C 505

Hill. Lsaac H 603

Hiller. Cyrus 447

Hinman, William L 436

Hitchcock. Charles W 432

Hoffman. Frank H 542

Hofmann. Andrew F 646

INDEX.

PAGE

Horn. Charles 484

Horton. Henian 486

Howell, Chatford A 556

Huljbell. George B 660

Ittner. John P 528

Jennison, C. E 368

Johnson, Elof L 417

Johnson, Jonas 672

Johnston, J. Madison 593

Joslyn. Lee E 433

Kaiser, Julius 644

Keating, Patrick, Sr 563

Kelley, William M S90

Kelley, William George, M. D. . . 618

Kelton, John M 526

Kern, Chester A 494

Kern, John Chatfield 487

King, Robert L 398

Kohn. Joseph E 493

Knodle, Valentine 696

Knaggs, J. W 512

Knecht, Louis 570

Knight, Birdseye, Hon 422

Krabbe, Carl 413

Kraner, August 583

Kraner, Henry 583

Kuhlow, Charles F 686

Laing, John B 54S

Landon, Henry B., A. M., M. D. 451

Lane, Robert R 646

Langlois, Eutrope, Rev 448

Larouche, Peter 452

Lefebvre, Edward Augustin,Rev. 599

Lemieux, Honore 586

Letourneau, Nelson 685

Lewis, Adna G 715

Lewis, L. R., M. D 504

Lijewski, Joseph 524

Lind, Peter, Hon 569

Linderman, Elizabeth, Mrs 649

Link. John A 523

Magill, William E., M. D 597

Marston, Isaac, Hon 657

Marston, Thomas Frank 654

Martens, Phillip 665

Masson, Eustache, Jr 664

Maxwell, Andrew Crosby, Hon . . 384 McClatchev, Albert 444

McDonald, Charles P 723

McEwan, William 388

McGuinnes, John 720

McGuire, Margaret L., Miss ... 411

McKinney, John Y., Capt 608

Meiselbach, Oscar F 508

Merrill, Frank C 491

Merritt, Walter 402

Miller, Frank A 452

Mohr, Frank H 545

Molyneaux, Thomas 721

Monroe, Robert 638

Moritz, John B 635

Mosher, George Learned 606

Munger, Averton Edmund 526

Nabert, Bruno C 541

Nelles, Nelson 623

Nerreter, Charles 609

Newkirk, Charles F., M.A., M.D. 675

Nitschka. William 442

Niven, Robert 673

Nuffer, George A 620

Nuffer, John M 587

Orr, Brakie J.

Padley, Richard 625

Paige, Frederick D 725

Peoples. William 558

Phelps, Perry 496

Poquette, Joseph 505

Porter, Edward W 543

Potter, James H 613

Powell. Salina, Mrs 564

Raby. Cyrelle

Radzinski, Alfred J.. M. D

Rafter, Thomas, Rev

Randall, Floyd Hamilton, B, S.,

M. D

Reid, William

Reilley, Edgar J

Richards, Paul

Rivard, Frank

Rivkin, Hyman

Roecker, William G

Rosebush, Louis

Ross, William M

Rowden, John C

Rueger, George, Sr

Ruhstofer, Lawrence

Ruterbush, Herman

454 471

503 617

PAGE

Scliultz. Julius 406

Second National Bank, The Old 372

Sermeyer, Frank 678

Sharpe, John H 615

Sliearer, Fred E 630

Shepard. Theodore F., Hon 502

Sigeiko, Joachim 676

Simpkins, Abram 639

Simpson, William W 711

Sims, Walter, Elder 636

Slocum, Clarence H 453

Smith, Peter C, Capt 527

Snyder, John P., M. D 507

Stewart, Allen L 394

Stewart, John A 438

Stevens, Jerome B 536

Stone, David F., M. D 443

Taylor, Robbins B 397

Thomas, Henry H 702

Thompson, Dell H 656

Thompson, Henry C 677

Timm, Fred 488

Tobias, Lucious W 653

Tough, George C 704

Tupper, Horace, M. D 367

Tupper, Virgil L., A. M., M. D. 497

Turmell, Octave 660

Turner, George, Capt 707

Turner, Henry 636

Tyler, Columbus V., Hon., M. D. 663 Tyler, Frank Elliott 679

Underwood, Charles C 595

Van Poppelen, Henry 668

Van Tuyl, Fred C 717

Vanbuskirk, Yetta, Mrs 568

Vanderbilt, Louis 405

Vankleeck, James, Hon 696

Vennix, Gerardus 441

Vogtmann, John A 722

Wagner. Philip F 719

Wagner, William 626

Wait, Samuel F 618

Walker, Clarence E 455

Walsh, John 498

Walsh, William C 719

Walton, Frank Griswold 518

Ward, William J 482

INDEX.

PAGE

Weber. John L 700

Wedthoff, George E 607

Weiss. Andrew 492

Wentworth, Justin 554

Wheeler, Chesley 616

Wheeler, Frank Willis, Hon. . . . 617

Wilcox, David 495

Willcox, L. G., Major 379

Williams, Mary, A. W., M. D. . . 445

PAGE

Williams, Walter W., M. D 445

Wilson, Fitzland L 649

Wilson, John, Jr 508

Wissmueller, Lorenz A., Rev.... 537

Wittwer, Ernst A 386

Woodworth, Frank T 481

Woolson, John O., Capt 501

World's Star Knitting Company 694 Wratten, Edward M 683

PAGE

Wright, Hamilton Mercer, Hon.,

Wyss, John G., Rev 553

Young, David H 689

Young, Frank P 661

Young, Sylvester C 423

Zagelmeyer, Alexander, Hon. . . . 477 Zube, Albert 474

Tllttstrations

PAGE

Arbeiter Hall and Hose House

No. 6 no

Ames, George W 670

Baptist Church, First 290

Bay City Fire Dept. — East Side

Headquarters 152

Bay City Fire Dept. — West Side

Headquarters no

Bay City Water Works, — West

Side no

Bay County Court House 92

Bay County Poor Farm 92

Beet Sugar Factory, Views in a 248

Becker, Capt. Hiram B 642

Becker, Mrs. Lucy E 642

Boutell, Capt. Benjamin 460

Campbell, Hon. Sydney S 530

Catholic Churches —

St. Boniface 550

St. James' 36

St. Stanislaus' 290

Center Avenue, Looking East ... 66

Children's Home 290

City Hal! and Public Library... 54 Coal Mines —

Wenona 226

Wolverine, No. 3 226

Cobb, Hon. George P 390

Collins, Hon. Chester L 420

Cornfield in Bangor Township, A 226

Crapo Block 66

Dry Docks —

Floating 134

Capt. James Davidson's no

Eickemeyer, Edward A 430

Erwin, Robert W., B. S., M. D. 400

Federal Building 204

First Building Erected in Bay

City 92

Fisher, Hon. Spencer 572

Gansser, Capt. A. H 16

Globe Hotel, Old 92

Griswold, Harry 520

PAGE

Hanson-Ward Veneer Co., Plant

High Schools —

Bay City, East Side 44

Bay City, West Side 320

Hill, Isaac H 602

Holy Rosary Academy 550

Industrial Works and Railroad

Crane 226

Johnston, J. Madison 592

Keating, Patrick, Sr 562

Kraner, Mr. and Mrs. Henry and

Family 582

Landon, Henry B., A. M., M. D. 450 Launch at the West Bay City

Ship Building Co.'s Shipyard 134 Lighthouse, New, — Entrance to

Harbor 152

Lower Saginaw in 1837 26

Lower Saginaw in 1854 47

Lumber-Yard of E. B. Foss &

Masonic Temple 204

Mercy Hospital 290

Merrill, Frank C 490

Methodist Episcopal Churches —

First 36

Madison Avenue 36

Michigan Central Railroad Depot 22 Michigan Chemical Co., Plant of 76 Midland Street, Looking West . . 66

Nabert, Bruno C 540

National Chickory Co., East Side

Mill and Yard of 76

National Cycle Mfg. Co., Factory

of 76

Nelles, Nelson 622

New Republic House 204

Orr, Brakie J 632

Phcenix Block 66

Potter, James H 612

Presbyterian Churches —

First 290

Westminster 36

PAGE

Protestant Episcopal Church, Trinity 36

Public Schools —

Dolsen 44

Fremont 44

Kolb 320

Park 320

Washington 44

Rafter, Rev. Thomas 470

Range Light, — Entrance to Harbor 152

Roecker. William G 510

Sage Library 320

Salt Block of Kern Mfg. Co., A 178

Sawmill of Kern Mfg. Co 178

Shipyard of the West Bay City

Ship Building Co 134

Soldiers' Rest Monument 22

Sugar Beets, a Field of 248

Sugar Beets, Polish Women

Weeding 248

Sugar Factory, German-American 248

Sugar Factory, West Bay City. . 248

Third Street Bridge 22

Tobias, Lucious W 652

"Tom Dowling," Raft - Towing

Tug i34_

Train of Logs 178

Tupper, Horace, M. D 366

Turner, Capt. George 706

Vennix. Mr. and Mrs. Gerardus 440 Washington Theater Building. . . 204

Wenona Beach 152

Willcox. Maj. L. G 378

Woodworth, Frank T 480

Woolson, Capt. John 500

Wyss, Rev. John G 55 1

Young Chemical Co., W. D.,

Plant of 76

Young, David H 688

Ristory of Bay County

Chapter I. A Brief Sketch Of Early Michigan

Downward through the evening twilight, In the days that are forgotten, In the unremembered ages.

— The Song of Hiaivatha.

Just one hundred years ago, on January II, 1805, Congress passed the bill for the organization of Michigan Territory. Thus was created, from the then scarcely known and seemingly boundless Northwest Territory, a distinct community, which in the century to come was destined to develop and prosper, as one of the brightest stars in the constellation of our sisterhood of States.

To understand the history of ^lichigan, one must go beyond the territorial period and take a fleeting glance into the hazy mists of past and unknown ages. This period is entirely within the realm of scientific research. Prehistoric upheavals, the glacial period and the great floods, have given Michigan her present geological formation. Isolated rocks and the rich al]u\ian deposits on our soil indicate the action of floating ice and great floods. The Great Lakes, which bound Michigan on almost all sides and give to her unsurpassed transportation facilities, are the deep pools whicli lay 1 too low to be drained by the great upheavals which laid bare the land. Thus do the scientists account for the wealth of our mineral resources, the boundless fertility of plain and prairie, and the towering forests. Truly Michigan has been blessed with the richest gifts of Nature.

Prehistoric relics found all over the State show plainly that these blessings were appreciated and enjoyed by the aboriginal people who inhabited the \\'estern Hemisphere. In scattered mounds and nooks and caves we find a nuiltitude of signs, of crude utensils and fossils, that speak to us in a voiceless language of a past out of which no other tidings will ever come.

Ages have passed since then and a new era has dawned, — tiie aboriginal period. Dense virgin forests, trackless swamps, and lake-bound prairies form the background, and the only living beings are the savage red men and the wild beasts of the jungle. The great waters are unruffled save by the Indians" barkcanoes and the storms of heaven.

So pass otlier untold ages. But in tlie East "the morning h'ght is breaking, tlie darkness disappears," and the rays of advancing ci\'ihzation penetrate the gkiom. Savage wanderer and prowhng beast hear the footstep of tlie pioneer, and tlie known history of this great Xew \\'orld begins. The rude civilization of the copper-colored children of the forest, extending undisputed from ocean to ocean, is gradually but surely receding \\'estward before the older civilization of the pale faces. The hatchet, bow and arrow give way before the musket and flintlock. The wandering triljes are displaced by the founders of homes, the builders of cities and States.

From this point the history of ^Michigan is identical with that of all the American Colonies. Advancing civilization devoted itself to certain things, and when the desired results were accomplished, the genius of the age changed and historical facts assumed a different character. These tides in the affairs of nations are our historical periods, and in the course of events we now find Michigan in the period of voyage and discovery, — 1634 to 1760. Explorers and adventurers went everywhere but settled nowhere. To make new discoveries was the uni\ersal passion, but only a few colonies were planted.

The first white man known to have visited the territory now embraced in the State of Michigan was Jean Nicollet, who was in the service of Governor Champlain, of Canada, then under French control. He skirted the western coast of Lake Huron and explored most of the large rivers entering there, including, without a doubt, an excursion up the greatest of them all, the Saginaw River. His first prolonged stop occurred at the present site of Sault Ste. Marie, in the summer of 1634, where he raised the standard of France, and had some friendly interviews with the Indians, many thousands of whom made the shores of Lake Huron their hunting grounds. He visited Mackinaw, and retraced his steps to report the results of his explorations.

He was followed by the Jesuit missionaries, Ra}-mbault and Jogues, who visited the Indians at Sault Ste. IMarie in 1641, performed suitable religious ceremonies, and returned to their Eastern missions. In 1660, Pere Rene Menard resolved to start a mission in that neighborhood. He spent the winter with Indians near Keweenaw Bay. Accompanied by a single Indian guide, he started for what is now Portage Lake Ship Canal, and was never more heard of. In 1665, Pere Claude Allouez started the first mission west of Lake Huron at La Pointe.

In the 20 years that followed, the Jesuits continued their explorations with prodigious activity. Foremost among them was Pere Marquette, who thoroughly explored the western shore of Lake Huron^ traversing the Saginaw River, thence going north, and in 1668 he established the second mission at Sault Ste. Marie, which has e\'er since been inhabited by Americans and Europeans, and is the oldest permanent settlement in Michigan. The rnission was a square fort of cedar pickets enclosing a chapel and house of logs, with a clearing, bearing crops of wheat, maize, peas, etc. In 1 671, Father Marquette with a band of Huron Indians founded the mission of St. Ignatius, now St. Ignace. His grave is situated near the mission which he founded more than two centiu'ies ago.

In order to gain a better foothold on the Great Lakes, and to foster and perpetuate the spirit of friendship in which the Ottawas and Hurons received the early explorers and missionaries, M. Talon, Intendant of New France,

AND REPRESENTATR'E CITIZENS.

sent messengers to call a great council of the Indians at the Saiilt in the spring of 1671. Fourteen tribes of the Northwest sent representatives to meet the French officers, who formally took possession of the country. Father Allouez was the interpreter, and after raising the cross and the lilies of France, he pronounced a glowing panegyric on his king, Louis NI\', pronounced the "chief of chiefs." Thrice was the chapel at the Sault burned to the ground in the next nine years, and thrice did Father Druilletes raise it from its ashes with indomitable energy.

The missionary was followed by the fur trader and trapper. In his frail birch canoe he skirted the shores of lake and river, penetrating the most .secluded spots of the wilderness, satisfying his keen relish for adventure and carrying on a brisk trade.

On August 7, 1679, LaSalle, the great explorer and missionary, sailed the "Griffin," the first schooner to traverse the Great Lakes, through the St. Clair Ri\er into Lake Huron. A severe storm carried him into what is now Saginaw Bay, and thus early were the fine harbor facilities of the Saginaw River discovered and appreciated. The "Griffin"' reached St. Ignace later that season and sailed up Lake Michigan to Green Bay, where the ship was lost in a storm.

On July 24. 1701. Antoine de la Motte Cadillac founded the first European settlement at Detroit with 50 soldiers and 50 artisans. The stockade fort was named Fort Pontchartrain, and log houses thatched with grass furnished ample protection to the settlers. Cadillac was recalled in 1710, and the colony grew but slowly in the next 50 years.

As a result of the disastrous French and Indian War. the district now embraced in Michigan was abandoned to the English, and in October, 1760. Maj. Robert Rogers took possession of Detroit witli a military force of 200 provincial rangers. With the raising of the English flag o\-er this the most important post in the Northwest, the colonial ])eriod begins for Michigan. Mackinaw, Sault Ste. Marie and St. Joseph, the only other French posts in this territory, were occupied by the English in the fall of 1761. These places were the meagre results of a hundred years of French colonization.

The English were hardly in complete possession of this new country before their neglect and ill-treatment aroused the dormant passions of the Indians. The French missionaries had a strong hold on the red men., and in the war just ended they had fought the English with all the ferocity of their savage natures. In 1 76 1 the Senecas and \Vyandots conspired to surprise and massacre the garrison of Delroit, with its 2,500 inhabitants. The plot was barely thwarted by Captain Campbell, the commandant.

Pontiac, chief of the Ottawas, occupying that part of Michigan lying between Lake St. Clair and Lake jNIichigan, a born leader, effective in speech, crafty and daring in war, a thoughtful and far-seeing general, probably the greatest man his race has ever produced, conceived the idea of uniting all the Indian tribes between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi in an overwhelming and simultaneous attack against all the English frontier settlements, and most of the tribes in that vast country agreed to the massacre.

On April 27, 1763, the Indians held a great council of war on the Ecorces River near Detroit, where arrangements were made for attacking the posts early in May. On May 7th, Pontiac, accompanied by 60 apparently unarmed warriors, entered the fort at Detroit for a powwow with Major Gladwyn. This was at once one of the most dramatic and romantic iliSTORY OF iJAY COUNTY incidents in llic early liistfjry of Micliig-an. 'Ilic love of an Ojilnva Indian maiden for a pale face soldier foiled Ponliac's plot, and stopped a massacre, which if consummated would have retarded for years the advance of civilization. 7"he [nrlian maiden warned Major Gladwyn oi impending danger. J'ontiac found the soldiers all under arms and ready for action when he entered, and the prearranged signal for the beginning of the slaughter was never given. On May 9th the savages ])roceeded to besiege the fort, and several white .settlers outside of ■the .stockade were ruthlessly murdered. On May 30th the Indians waylaid 23 batteaux, laden with stores and ammunition for the garrison, at I'oint Pelee. At daybreak the crew;; were massacred ; one officer and 30 men escaped in a boat to Sandusky. In July, Captain Dalzcll succeeded in bringing needed supplies to the besieged fort. On July 31st, Ca])tain Dalzell tried ,'i foolhardy sortie; I'ontiac ambushed the party (jf 250 on I'arent's Creek, now known as Bloody Run, killing the leader and 70 Englishmen and wounding 40 before they could regain the stockade, b'amine com- ])elled the Indians to go hunting in October, and during their absence the stores in the fort were renewed. General Bradstreet relieved the fort the following spring. Fort St. Joseph was captured l>y Pottawatomies May 25, 1763; iMisign Schlosser and three men alone escaj^ed the massacre. On June 2, 1763, some Indians were playing ball near the gates of I'ort Mackinaw, and the officers and soldiers, unsuspicious of danger, were looking on. 'i"he ball was thrown into the fort and the <lusky warriors rushed after it through the gates; squaws handed to the warriors tomahawks they had concealed under their blankets, and another bloody massacre was enacted. Lieutenant Jamet and C><) men were killed and 2j were taken prisoners, to be tortured, but I'ontiac eventually secured their release.

I'ontiac captured eight out of 12 posts he attacked, hundreds of pale faces w^ere killed, but his endeavor to drive the English from the interior of the continent failed. In August, 1 764, Pontiac gave up the struggle. The war-whoops ceased to terrorize the valleys of Michigan, the outposts of civilization were rebuilt and the pioneers again look their axes and ])lows into the wilderness to create new habitations.

The War of the Revolution caused but little stir in this maze of wood and sw'amp, far removed from the scene of actual conflict, and by the Treaty of Paris, in 1783, England surrendered all this vast territory to the United States, wdi(j took possession in July, 1796, which marks the beginning of our territorial period.

The charter of this great new Northwest Territory was passed by Congress in 1787, and was framed with much wisdom, being the model of all future territorial governments in America. It provided for freedom of worship, a bill of rights, inviolability of contracts, encouraged schools and general education, proclaimed all waters free to commerce, and the sixth and last article declared that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude should e\er 1)6 allowed in the new Territory. Thus at the very dawn of our ])olitical existence this \'ast region was pledged to education, freedom and equal rights for all. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, far-famed as an Indian fighter, was the first territorial Ciovernor.

In 1802 the Lower Peninsula became part of the Territory of Indiana. In 1804, Congress passed an act pro\'iding for the disposal of public lands within the Territory, to which the Indian title had been extinguished, for the

THIRD STREET BRIDGE

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD DEPOT, BAY CITY, E. S.

SOLDIERS' REST MONUMENT, PINE RIDGE CEMETERY

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

use of public schools. By this act was laid the germ for the University Fund of Michigan and of the Primary School Fund.