-777777:~ S~~~mm Ills~~ HISTORY14 I OF BAY~Fq COUTY MICHqIGYAN 1 ~~AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENSL EDITED AND COMPILED BY CAPT. AUGUSTUS H. GANSSER BAY CITY. MICHIGAN "History is Phiiosophiy TreanIing by Exam-ples4" PUBLISHED BY RICHMOND & ARNOLD, GEORGE RiciiMOND; C. R. ARNOLD. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 1901i. Prefate B:IHE 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, they 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 the 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 the 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 6 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 afford. 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, ILL., May, I905. THE PUBLISHERS. NOTE.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 thenm 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. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. A BRIEF SKETCH OF EARLY MICHIGAN....................................................... 17 CHAPTER II. T HE 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. 9 CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER VI. CREATION AND GROWTH OF THE CITIES, TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES OF THE COUNTY..................122 Incorporation and Growth of the Village of Bay City, the Successor of Lower Saginaw and Portsmouth VillageChartered 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 IndustryChemical 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. CHAPTER IX. BAY COUNTY'S LUMBER, SALT AND COAL INDUSTRIES AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES................ 215 CHAPTER X. SUGAR BEETS, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, FISH AND VARIED INDUSTRIES................................ 237 CHAPTER XI. THE BENCH AND BAR AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION..................................................254 -E 10 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. CHURCHES, RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, HOSPITALS AND CHARITIES.............................272 CHAPTER XIII. PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND THE PRESS..................................................... 310 CHAPTER XIV. FRATERNAL, BENEVOLENT AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS............................ 326 CHAPTER XV. BAY COUNTY'S MILITARY RECORD.3......................................... 342 CHAPTER XVI. MINOR MENTION-ODDS AND ENDS........................................................................359 BIOGRAPHICAL.................................................................................... 367 INDEX Biograpbical --- -- -- PAGE Allen, George A............... Amlrose, Josiah Little, M. D... Ames, George W............... Andrews, Martin M............ ApDold, Christian..............,ppold, Mary Barbary, Miss... Arnold, John C............... Arnold, John G............... Arnold, John M............... Arnold, hlichael J............. Atwill, Thomas............... Averell, Charles M., Capt..... Babcock, Edward C........... Bailey, Arthur D............... Baker, Oscar W.............. Barclay, Jonathan Smith, Hon.. Becker, Hiram B., Capt........ Beeckman, Peter.............. Bentley, Oscar F............... Berger, John.................. Beyer, Frederick.............. 3igelow, Charles A.......... Birney, James Gillespie, Hon... Birney, James, Hon............ Blodgett, Horace D............ Boehringer Brothers........... Boes, Jacob F............. Borton, Bethnel............... Bontel, Benjamin, Capt....... Bradley, Nathan B., Hon..... Brockway, James E............ Brown, Russell Warner, M. D.. Bublitz, August............... Buck, Homer E.............. 724 483 671 376 614 589 655 404 68o 598 426 427 684 464 485 588 643 545 466 536 6o0 -457 413 408 436 386 682 546 461 37r 443 624 476 708 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 Iunbar, Erastus Lord......... 465 Dunham, Frederick William... 532 Fades. Herbert Alfred, M. D... 523 Egbert, John WV............... 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 FiField, Eugene................ 627 Fisher, Spencer 0., 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 Fraser, James.................369 Friday, William H............ 412 Gail, Cyrus A.................385 Gallagher, Morton, M. D....... 600 Gansser, August 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 (reul, Paulus................. 710 Griswold, Harry...............521 1 affey, Joseph P............. 544 l —auxhurst, John Walker, M. D.. 668 lHearit, John.................. 712 I-einzmann, Christopher.......467 Herbolshimer, George A......634 H-ewitt, John C............... 505 Hill, Isaac H.................. 603 t-liller, Cyrus.................. 447 Hinman, William L........... 436 -litchcock. Charles W......... 432 H-Ioffman, Frank H............. 542 Ilofmann, Andrew F......... 646 12 INDEX. Horn, Charles................ Horton, Heman............... Howell, Chatford A............ Hubbell, George B............ PAGE 484 486 556 660 PAGE Ittner, John P............ 528 Jennison, C. E................. Johnson, Elof L.............. Johnson, Jonas................ Johnston, J. Madison.......... Joslyn, Lee E................ 368 417 672 593 433 Kaiser, Julius................ 644 Keating, Patrick, Sr...........563 Kelley, William M............. 590 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. WX.................. 512 Knecht, Louis................ 570 Knight, Birdseye, Hon........ 422 Krabbe, Carl.................. 413 Kraner, August...............583 Kraner, Henry................ 583 Kuhlow, Charles F............ 686 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................. 633 PAGE Schultz, Julius................. 406 Schutjes, H. J. H., Rev......... 411 Second National Bank, The Old 372 Sermeyer, Frank.............. 678 Sharpe, John H............... 615 Shearer, Fred E.............. 630 Shepard, Theodore F., Hon.... 502 Sigelko, 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........... Thomas, Henry H.............. Thompson, Dell H............. Thompson, Henry C.......... Timm, Fred.................. Tobias, Lucious W........... Tough, George C.............. Tupper, Horace, M. D......... Tupper, Virgil L., A. M., M. D. Turmell, Octave............... Turner, George, Capt......... Turner, Henry............... Tyler, Columbus V., Hon., M. D. Tyler, Frank Elliott............397 702 656 677 488 653 704 367 497 660 707 636 663 679 Laing, John B................ Landon, Henry B., A. M., M. D. Lane, Robert R............... Langlois, Eutrope, Rev........ Larouche, Peter............... Lefebvre, Edward Augustin,Rev. Lemieux, Honore.............. Letourneau, Nelson............ Lewis, Adna G................ Lewis, L. R., M. D........... Lijewski, Joseph............... Lind, Peter, Hon............. Linderman, Elizabeth, Mrs.... Link, John A................. 548 451 646 448 452 599 586 685 715 504 524 569 649 523 Padley, Richard............... Paige, Frederick D........... Peoples, William.............. Phelps, Perry................. Poquette, Joseph.............. Porter, Edward W............ Potter, James H.............. Powell, Salina, Mrs........... Raby, Cyrelle................. Radzinski, Alfred J., M. D..... Rafter, Thomas, Rev.......... Randall, Floyd Hamilton, B. S., M. D....................... Reid, W illiam................. 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............ 625 725 558 496 505 543 6r3 564 699 454 47I 503 6i7 585 674 538 6io 5rr 725 476 604 713 456 693 Underwood, Charles C........ 595 Van Poppelen, Henry.......... Van Rooy, R. G., Rev......... Van Tuyl, Fred C............. Vanbuskirk, Yetta, Mrs...... Vanderbilt, Louis.............. Vankleeck, James, Hon.... Vennix, Gerardus............. Vogtmann, John A............ Wagner, Philip F............. Wagner, William............. Wait, Samuel F............... Walker, Clarence E........... W alsh, John.................. Walsh, William C............. Walton, Frank Griswold....... Ward, William J............. 668 577 717 568 405 696 441 722 719 626 6i8 455 498 719 5i8 482 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 McClatchey, Albert............ 444 INDEX. I3 -~ -- - ~ 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 0., Capt....... 501 World's Star Knitting Company 694 Wratten, Edward M.......... 683 PAGE Wright, Hamilton Mercer, Hon., B. A., M. A., LL. B........ 533 Wyss, John G., Rev......... 553 Young, David H............... 689 Young, Frank P.............. 66I Young, Sylvester C............ 423 Zagelmeyer, Alexander, Hon.... 477 Zube, Albert................. 474 I I Illustrations I I PAGE Arbeiter Hall and Hose House No. 6...................... IIo Ames, George W............. 670 Baptist Church, First.......... 290 Bay City Fire Dept.-East Side Headquarters............... 152 Bay City Fire Dept.-West Side Headquarters............... IIo Bay City Water Works,-West Side....................... IIo 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 ChurchesSt. Boniface............... 550 St. James'.................. 36 St. Stanislaus'.............. 290 Center Avenue, Looking East... 66 Children's Home.............. 290 City Hall and Public Library... 54 Coal MinesWenona.................... 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 DocksFloating.................... 134 Capt. James Davidson's..... Io Eickemeyer, Edward A........ 430 Erwin, Robert W., B. S., M. D. 400 Federal Building............ 204 First Building Erected in Bay C ity........................ 92 Fisher, Hon. Spencer 0....... 572 Gansser, Capt. A. H............ I6 Globe Hotel, Old.............. 92 Griswold, Harry............... 520 PAGE Hanson-Ward Veneer Co., Plant of.......................... 178 High SchoolsBay 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 & Co......................... 178 Masonic Temple............... 204 Mercy Hospital................ 290 MAerrill, Frank C............... 490 Methodist Episcopal ChurchesFirst....................... 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 ChurchesFirst....................... 290 Westminster............... 36 PAGE Protestant Episcopal Church, Trinity.................... 36 Public SchoolsDolsen..................... 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 Schutjes, Rev. H. J. H........ 410 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....................... 134 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 0....... 500 Wyss, Rev. John G............ 551 Young Chemical Co., W. D., Plant of.................... 76 Young, David H.............. 688 -- - - 0 11 IL I 1, D 0 4 6 bistory 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 Hiawatha. 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 Michigan, 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 alluvian deposits on our soil indicate the action of floating ice and great floods. The Great Lakes, which bound MAichigan on almost all sides and give to her unsurpassed transportation facilities, are the deep pools which lay 1 too low to be drained by the great upheavals -which laid bare the land. Thus (lo 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 Western Hemisphere. In scattered moun(ls and nooks and caves we find a multitude 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 las (lawned,-the aboriginal period. Dense virgin forests, trackless swamps, and lakebound prairies form the background, and the only living beings are the savage red men and the wild beasts of the jungle. The great HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY - - waters are unruffled save by the Indians' bark canoes and the storms of heaven. So pass other untold ages. But in the East "the morning light is breaking, the darkness disappears," and the rays of advancing civilization penetrate the gloom. Savage wanderer and prowling beast hear the footstep of the pioneer, and the known history of this great New World begins. Tle rude civilization of the copper-colored children of the forest, extending undisputed from ocean to ocean, is gradually but surely receding \Vestward before the older civilization of the pale faces. The hatchet, bow and arrow give way before the musket and flintlock. The wandering tribes are displaced by the founders of homes, the builders of cities and States. From this point the history of Alichigan is identical with that of all the American Colonies. Advancing civilization devoted itself to certain tllings, anld when the desired results were accomplished, tle 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 i 760. Explorers and adventurers went everywhere but settled now-here. To make new discoveries was the universal 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 tlem all, the Saginaw River. His first prolonged stop occurred at the present site of Sault Ste. Marie, in the summer of I634, where he raised the standard of France, and had some friendly interviews with the Indians, many thousands of \whom mnade the shores of Lake Huron tleir hunting grounds. He visited Mackinaw, and retracedl lis steps to report the results of his explorations. He was followed by the Jesuit missionaries, Raynllbault andl Jogues, who visited the Indials at Sault Ste. Marie in 164I, performed suitable religious ceremonies, and returned to their EIastern missions. In I66o, Pere Rene Mnlardl 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 I665, 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 thenm was Pere Marquette, Nwho thoroughly explored the western shore of Lake Huron, traversing the Saginaw River, thence going north, and in 668 he established the second mission at Sault Ste. Marie, which has ever since been inhabited by Americans and Europeans, and is the oldest permanent settlement in Michigan. The mission 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 I67I, 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 centuries ago. In order to gain a better foothold on the Great Lakes, and to foster and perpetuate tlhe spirit of friendship in which the Ottawas and Hurons received the early explorers and missionaries, M. Talon, Intendant of New France. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. I9 -~ —~ --- —----------- - - ----— ~ --- — -- -- -------— ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ sent messengers to call a great council of the In(lians at the Sault in the spring of I67i. 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 prolnounced a glowing panegyric on his king, Louis XIV, pronounced the "chief of chiefs." Thrice was the chapel at the Sault burned to the ground in the next nine years, and thrice didl Father Druilletes raise it from its ashes witlh 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, I679, LaSalle. the great ex1lorer and missionary, sailed the "Griffin," the first schooner to traverse tlhe Great Lakes, through tle St. Clair River into Lake Huron. A\ severe storm carried him into what is now Sa