PAST AND PRESENT

OF

ISABELLA COUNTY MICHIGAN

BY

HON. ISAAC A. FANCHER
 
 
 
 
 
 

ILLUSTRATED
 
 
 
 
 

B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

1911

 
 

CONTENTS

Biographical
Index

A
Abbott, Harrison
Allen, Cecil W.
Allen, Edgar W.
Allen, George H.
Allen, Philip P.
Allyn, Eugene H.
Anspaugh, David
Atkins, George

B
Badgley, William
Beach, Aaron S.
Beltinck, Peter
Beutler, John
Boettner, John
Bone, Francis
Brophy, Wilbert W.
Brown, Erastus
Brown, Norris, J.
Brown, Willis E.
Buckborough, John
Buckley, Daniel
Burdick, Orion L.

C
Cameron, Ernest T.
Campbell, Charles W.
Carnahan, William
Castel, Melvin R.
Castel, William
Chapman, Robert H.
Chatterton, Howard E.
Chatterton, J.E.
Churchill, Warner
Clare, Joseph
Clark, Allen E.
Clark, George T.
Clark, Robert
Cliff, James A.
Coddington, Charles
Cole, George
Cole, Lewis D.
Coyne, Daniel
Crotser, Emanuel
Curtis, John W.

D
Damon, John A.
Davis, Aaron
Davis, James
Dersnah, Bernard
Devereaux, Michael
Dibble, William L.
Dodds, Francis H.
Dodds, Peter F.
Drallett, George A.
DuBois, Edward
Duggan, Edward
Duggan, Michael
Dunn, Robert
Dusenbury, Frank H.
Dusenbury, George A.

E
Edmonds, John H.
Ellis, Franklin W.
Estee, Claude H.
Estee, Linus D.
Estee, Perry H., Jr.
Estee, Perry H., Sr.

F
Fancher, Isaac A.
Farner, Fred D.
Fate, Joseph W.
Ferris, Eli L.
Ferris, George A.
Field, Clark C.
Frye, Sol F.

G
Gorham, Arwin E.
Gorham, Chester R.
Gorham, Ezra S.
Gould, Charles H.
Gover, George H.
Graham, Joseph A.
Graham, Thomas
Graham, William H.
Graham, William J.
Granger, George L.
Grawn, Charles T.
Gruss, Peter
Guy, Charles W.

H
Hammond, Sylvester C.
Hance, John W.
Harris, Edward O.
Harris, Henry G.
Harris, John A.
Harris, Ralph G.
Hokemeyer, Christian L.
Hopkins, Samuel
Hopkins, Samuel W.
Houghton, M. Earl
House, Alfred G.
House, George
House, Henry S.G.
House, John G.
House, Joseph W.
Hullinger, William O.
Hummell, William
Hyslop, Robert

J
Jackman, John
Johnson, Gilbert
Johnson, Oren W.
Johnston, Hugh D.
Johnston, John Y.

K

Kane, Michael E.
Kane, Patrick
Keller, J.W.
Keller, Michael
Kellogg, Chester A.
Kennedy, James M.R.
Kennedy, Robert L.
Kinney, Arnold
Kinney, John

L
LaPearl, Louis
Laubenthal, Nicholas
Leighton, Charles H.
Leonard, Solomon G.
Leonard, Rev. William
Little, Alfred
Longwood, John

Mc
MacDonald, Rev. A.P.
MacKersie, James
McAllister, Rev. John J.
McCullum, Willard
McGregor, Thomas A.
McLachlan, Dan
McMillen, Winfield S.
McNamara, Francis
McNamara, Michael
McNerney, John

M
Marthey, Peter J.
Matthews, Roy D.
Maxwell, William J.
Mead, Lyman F.
Menerey, Martin
Miller, Albert
Miller, Anthony W.
Miller, Harry G.
Miller, Lawrence B.
Mills, Thomas
Miser, George
Miser, Joseph
Moody, Ansel L.
Moody, Clarence E.
Moody, William H.
Moor, David K.
Murphy, Emmet A.
Murtha, S.P.
Myers, Irving

N
Neelands, Robert
Neff, Jacob

O
O'Connor, Rev. Thomas

P
Payne, Loren C.
Perkins, Wilson C.
Pierpont, Wilbur N.
Pitts, George A.
Preston, Albert A.
Preston, Wilber E.
Pullen, Charles D.

R
Rau, Stephen M.
Roberts, H.L.
Robinson, Thomas W.
Rowlader, Alfred C.
Russell, Charles T.
Russell, Fred

S
Sanford, Herbert A.
Seymour, Levi
Shaw, B. Corning
Shepherd, Isaac N.
Slater, Charles
Smith, James E.
Smith, Oscar
Stevens, Benjamin B.
Stickle, George B.
Struble, Albert G.
Struble, Henry
Struble, Jason H.
Struble, Joseph A.
Struble, Kenneth E.

T
Taylor, Frank M.
Tevens, Joseph
Tice, William M.
Tilmann, Anthony

V
Van Leuven, Elton J.

W
Walling, William H.
Wallington, Fred C.
Walton, Harry E.
Walton, John
Walton, John B.
Walton , Perry
Wardrop, Robert C.
Warwick, Alfred B.
Watson, Hugh
Watson, James A.
Watson, John
Weidman, John S.
Weller, George E.
Wellman, Reuben
West, John B.
West, William
Wetzel, Harry M.
Whitehead, Frank B.
Whitehead, William
Whitney, Nathaniel
Wild, Henry
Willie, Endelmer E.
Wing, Warren
Wood, James E.
Wood, Thomas

Z
Zugelder, Rev. Alexander F.

Historical
Index

CHAPTER I - TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF ISABELLA COUNTY---------
Course of Rivers and Streams; Drainage--Surface Geology-Geographical Location-Civil Divisions-Topographical Survey-Region in General-The Moraines, Terminal Moraines, The Ground Moraine --The Wash--Geological Conclusions--Contact of the Ice Lobes—Lake Saginaw-River Terraces.

CHAPTER II - GEOGRAPHICAL AND OTHER NAMES --------------------------
Derivation of County Name-Indian Designations--Eminent Public Men Commemorated-Indian Names for White Men Derived from Traits of Character -Indian Superstitions.

CHAPTER III – EARLY HISTORY ---------------------------------------------
Lavish Grants of Land-Ordinance of 1787-Acts Relative to Michigan-Assent of the State of Michigan-Admission of Michigan as a State-Organization of the Territory-Early Governors--First State Constitutional Convention- -Boundary Line Misunderstanding-The State Capital-Erection of New Capitol Building.

CHAPTER IV-INDIAN TREATIES AND PATENTS -----------------------------
Treaty with the Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan Creek and Black River-Amendments--Indian Laud Certificate-Treaty of 1864-Contention as to Kind of Patents--Land Entry Complications,--An Attempted Fraud and Its Annulment -Indian Industrial School-Congressioial Acts Relating Thereto--Growth of the Institution-Superintendents--Indians as Civil War Soldiers--Isabella County Indians industrious.

CHAPTER V-ORGANIZATION OF ISABELLA COUNTY ------------------------
Act of the Territorial Council Setting Off Isabella County-Subsequent Acts-- First Election for County Officers--First Meeting of Board of Supervisors- Their Official Acts--Location of County Seat-Removal of County Seat- Census--First County Order.

CHAPTER VI-EAIRLY REMINISCENCES AND INCIDENTS -------------------
Pioneer Hardships and PrivationsIndependence Day Celebrations-First Things---Mail Routes and Postoffices-Determined to Marry-First Land Entry in Isabella County-Didn't Relish His Bed-Seeking Justice Amid Difficulties-Squab Hunting-A Plucky Woman-The Year '61-Notes from an Old-Time Diary--Another Bright Spot in the Oasis-Early Settlement of Isabella County -Increase in Population-Reminiscences by Irving E. Arnold-Early Schools -Early Educational Facts,

CHAPTER VIl-EARLY TRANSPORTATION, TAVERNS, ROADS, ETC --------
Difficulties of Road Making-Heavy Timber-The First Road-Laying Out and Construction of First Highways--State Aid-Legislative Enactments-- Making of Gravel Roads--Early Taverns and Hotels--Mills--First Mill Erected by John Reynolds--Government Mill-Sawmills-Great Quantities of Timber Sawed-Lumber Mills Disappear-Grist Mills--Gorham Brothers Company- Electric Light Plant-Mt. Pleasant Light and Fuel Company.

CHAPTER VIII-COURTS, BENCH AND BAR -----------------------------------
Early Territorial Laws--The Circuit-Judicial Districts and Their Boundaries -Changes-The County Seat-The Court Houses--The Bench-Brief Mention of the Circuit Judges-Members of the Bar-Personal Mention-The Local Bar Noted for the High Order of Its Legal Talent-Probate Judges.-Early Cases in Circuit Court-First Jury Case--First Divorce--Interesting Cases in Circuit Court-The Hursh Case-The Shawboose Case-The Williams Case.

CHAPTER IX - RAILROADS IN ISABELLA COUNTY ----------------------------
Early Need of Railroads--Flint & Pere Marquette First to Enter County-A Boon to Lumbermen-The Ann Arbor Line--The Detroit, Lansing & Northern -Branch Roads--The County Now Well Supplied With Transportation Facilities.

CHAPTER X-EDUCATION IN ISABELLA COUNTY -----------------------------
Paramount Importance of Education-First School House-Other Early Houses and Pioneer Teachers--First Teachers' Institute--School Statistics-First Districts Laid Off-Text-books Used-Mt. Pleasant Schools--First Buildings-- School Census---Change in School House Election-Erection of Building -Growth of Village and  in School Accommodations--Educational Provisions for the West Side--The Shepherd School-Mt. Pleasant High School- Course of Study-Commercial Department-Manual Training and Domestic Science-Mechanical Drawing-Proposed Agricultural Department-Graduates of Mt. Pleasant High School-Some of the Early School Teachers--The Sacred Heart School - Courses of Study-Graduates.

CHAPTER XI-CENTRAL, STATE NORMAL SCHOOL ------------------------
Necessity of Facilities for Fundamental Education-Formation of Mt. Pleasant Improvement Company-Suggestion of the State Normal School, as Told by S. W. Hopkins, the First Secretary - Many Difficulties Met and Overcome--Erection of Building-A Flourishing School-Appeal to the State--Legislative Efforts--Opposition-Final Passage of Bill-The Bill-First Courses of Study -Special Purpose, the Preparation of Teachers-Liberal State Appropriations -Building- Improvements--Schedule of Classes, 1910-The Summer School- Faculty-Extent and Efficiency of Work.

CHAPTER XII - JOURNALISM ------------------------------------------------
Importance of Local Newspapers--The Northern Pioneer-Isabella Enterprise -Northwestern Tribune-Mt. Pleasant Times---Mt. Pleasant Democrat-Isabella County Courier-Central Michigan Times--The Observer-Isabella County Republican-Isabella County Herald-Morgan's Watchtower-District School Journal-Evolution of the Newspaper Business.

CHAPTER XIII-BANKS AND BANKING ---------------------------------------
Rufus Smith the First Banker-Hicks, Bennett & Company-Webber & Ruel -Isabella County State Bank-Dusenbury, Nelson & Company-Exchange Savings Bank-Brown, Harris & Company-Commercial Bank-People's Savings Bank-Shepherd Banks-Conimercial State Bank-The Ryan Bank-Rosebush Banking Company-Weidman Banking Company-Central State Savings Bank-Farmer’s and Merchants Bank.

CHAPTER XIV-THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ---------------------------------
Physicians an Important Factor in Society-Wesley J. Corbus, the First Physician in Isabella County-0ther Early Doctors-Men of Ability and High Character-Brief Mention of Isabella County Physicians, Past and Present- Present Roster-Dentists-Veterinarians.

CHAPTER XV - CHURCH -HISTORY -------------------------------------------
Church History Coincident With First Settlement-First Church Built for the Indians--Methodists Early in the Field-Erection and Dedication of First Church-History of M. E. Society at Mt. Pleasant-First Sunday School- Ministers of this Society - Presbyterian--A New Church Erected-Ministers-- The Baptist Church-Episcopal Church-Free.-will Baptists--Free Methodists -Church of God-The Disciples-M. E. Church at Salt River-Other Methodist Church--Wesleyan Methodists--United Brethren-Seventh-Day Adventists-- Evangelical Church-German Lutherans--Church of the Open Bible--Holiness Church-Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church-The Hornerites-Catholic Societies and Schools--Christian Science Church-An Indian Prayer-Unitarian Church.

CHAPTER XVI - CIVIC AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES ------------------------
Free and Accepted Masons--Salt River Lodge No. 288-Wabon Lodge No. 305-- Mt. Pleasant Chapter No. 111, R. A. M. - Order of the Eastern Star-Cedar Valley' Lodge No. 383, F. & A. M. - Masons at Weidman - Independent Order of Odd-Fellows--Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 217-Coe Lodge No. 239, Salt River- Cedar Ridge Lodge No. 540, at Winn - Odd Fellows at Blanchard - Daughters of Rebekah - Knights of the Macabees--Lady Maccabees---Gleaners--Gold Reserve Association-Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.-Knights of Pythias--Modern Woodmen of America-National Protective Legion-Court of Honor-Knights of Columbus--Isabella County Humane Society.

CHAPTER XVII - MANUFACTURES -------------------------------------------
Value of Original Forest &--Condition of Isabella County in 1854-First Saw Mill-Water Power--Amount of Lumber Cut and Shipped from Isabella County -Timber Floated on Chippewa River-Value of Timber-Much Timber Destroyed by Forest Fires.

CHAPTER XVIII-AGRICULTURAI INTERESTS -------------------------------
An Important Subject-Waste of Soil and Its Effect on Posterity-Agriculture An Up-Hill Business in the Early Days--The First Clearing in Isabella County -Erection of a Pioneer Cabin-Clearing of the Land-First Crops--Lumbering -Forest Fires-Early Lack of Transportation Facilities-Advent of Railroads –Population Statistics--Statistics of Farms and Farm Products--Values by Townships--Principal Crops-Live Stock-Crops--Dairying Interests--Fences on the Farm-.Maple Sugar and Syrup-Draining-Facts and Figures--Boys' Corn Club-Prize Winners--The Grange-Farmers' Clubs--Farmers' Schools-- Isabella County Agricultural Society-Constitution and By-Laws.

CHAPTER XIX - COUNTY POOR FARM ----------------------------------------
A Public Necessity-Early Provisions for the Poor-Action of the Board of Supervisors--Purchase of a Farm-Expenses for 1910--Temporary Relief by Township Supervisors--Present Superintendents.

CHAPTER XX-MILITARY RECORD---------------------------------------------------------
Isabella County's Proud Record-Largest Proportionate Enlistment-Privations Endured by Soldiers' Families-Bounties---A Remarkable Record-War Meetings--Isabella Enlistments--Woman's Relief Corps--Wa-ba-no Post, Grand Army of the Republic--Ralph Ely Post.

CHAPTER XXI--NECROLOGICAL RECORD ------------------------------------
Early Settlers a Rugged and Hardy Class First Deaths in the County-Brief Mention of Prominent Early Settlers Who Have Passed Away. Anna Shepherd, Rev. George Bradley, Nelson Mosher, John Irons, Jane Baw-go-zhick, John and mary Wab-way, Chief Not-to-way, father Sheldon, George W. Miller, William Adams, John Hinman, William B. Bowen, John Q.A. Johnson, Ransom Keyes, George Atkins, William Atkins, James Wilsey, Rev. Charles Taylor, Perry H. Estee, L.D. Estee, John Fraser, Cornelius Bennett, Albert Fox, Langdon Bentley, Henry A. Dunn, Charles H. Rodd, William H. Nelson, Douglas Nelson, Francis C. Babbitt, Wesley J. Corbus, William W. Struble, Martha Preston, Free Estee, George Mosher, Elijah D. Wheaton, Joseph Roberts, Patrick Fanning.

CHAPTER XXII - TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES --------------------------------
Coe Township-Isabella Township,--Chippewa Township-Union Township--- Fremont Township-Vernon Township-Rolland Township-Broomfield Township-Coldwater Township--Sherman Township-Gilmore Township-Wise Township-Deerfield Township--Nottawa Township-Denver Township---The First Settlers-Cities and Villages--Isabella City-Salt River-Vernon City -Longwood-Loomis---Sherman City-Dushville-Blanchard-Winn-Delwin -Rosebush-Calkinsville--Elm Grove Addition-Weidman-Beal City--Caldwell-Leaton.

CHAPTER XXIII - CITY OF MT. PLEASANT ----------------------------------
Purchase of Original Plat-The Morton House- Other Hotels--Beginning of Commercial Life--Fire of 1875-Plats and Additions---Aft. Pleasant Improvement Company-Earl Business Houses-Growth of the City-Old Business Firms--Present Commercial Houses----City Official Roster-Improvements-- Water Supply-Bond Issues-Sidewalks--Public Parks--Municipal Indebtedness.