*****Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. This message must appear on all copied files. Commercial copying must have permission. ***** The following material is a transcript of the description of Bloomer twp., Montcalm Co., MI, found in "HISTORY of IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES MICHIGAN, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of their PROMINENT MEN and PIONEERS" by John S. Schenck, D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia, 1881. The text was found in an original copy of the work in the possession of the LDS Family History Center in Los Angeles, CA. No current copyright is known to exist. No infringement of the copyright priviledges of the document's lawful owner, if indeed there is one, is intended by placing its content in the GenWeb Archive. If this action offends a lawful owner, that person may contact the Archive to have the document removed. Submitted by Albert Richardson BLOOMER The township of Bloomer, designated in the United States survey as township number 9 north, of range 5 west, is the southeastern division of Montcalm County. It is bounded on the north by Crystal, in the east by Gratiot County, on the south by Ionia County, and on the west by Bushnell. The surface is moderately undulating, and is well watered and drained by Fish Creek and its branches. Originally the entire township was covered with a heavy growth of beech and maple timber, which, up to the time of settlement, and, in fact, many years after, was the retreat of all kinds of wild game peculiar to Michigan. From this source the early settlers secured a large part of their winter provisions, and without it, in some instances, severest want and suffering must have ensued. Although Epaphroditus Ransom entered the south half of the northeast quarter of section 1 and the south half of the northwest of the same section on the 26th of June, 1835, the larger part of the township remained undisturbed until the year 1849. From this time, and during the years 1850-52, the most of the land was taken, although there were no permanent settler until 1850. ORIGINAL LAND-PURCHASERS. The following is a list of persons who entered lands in the township of Bloomer: Section 1. - Epaphroditus Ransom (June 26, 1835), Ira Armstrong. Section 2. - Epaphroditus Ransom, John N. Fowler, Sylvester Bronson, Ira Brooks, Thomas J. Smith. Section 3. - John M. Gordon, E. L. Davis, John N. Fowler. Section 4. - Thankful Albro, James Cross, E. L. Davies, John N. Fowler. Section 5. - Thankful Albro, Daniel W. Clark, Edward Robinson, William P. Johnson, Simeon S. De Camp, John G. Williams, John N. Fowler, Amos A. King. Section 6. - James Donovan, John Shilling, Jr., Stephen F. Page, Levi Trim, Christopher Rice, Mortimer Gilleo, Lorenzo D. Mason, Joshua Bogart, Harvey D. Mason, Newton Gilleo, Alvin Groner. Section 7. - William W. King, Susan E. Clock, William Headland, Rebecca Headland, Benjamin Carey, Cyrus Dickinson, Alfred D. Isham, Harvey D, Mason. Section 8. - Evander Spaulding, John P. Nellis, John Norris, Jr., Job B. Norris, Levi Smith, John G. Williams, John N. Fowler. Section 9. - John B. Allison, James Cross, Benjamin F. Holmes, George Tibbitts, David Aldrich. Section 10. - James A. Dickinson, Ira Armstrong, George H. Dennis. Section 11. - Thomas R. Brand, John Herrick, George Winsor, Benjamin Fuller, John N. Fowler, William F. Bigelow, Thomas J. Smith. Section 12. - Epaphroditus Ransom, John M. Gordon, Robert McClelland, Joseph Roop, Abram Ely, Ira Armstrong, John Kipp, William Chaffin. Section 13. - John M. Gordon, Robert McClelland, James R. Langdon, Darius C. Larkins, Joseph Roop, Abram Ely. Section 14. - Israel Gillett, Peter B. Casler, Anthony Cornue, Joseph P. House, C. P. House, Samuel Clark, John T. Cornue, Cornelius Bigelow. Section 15. - John Johnson Thomas Allen, Gary C. Fox, Sidney Thomas, John Cave. Section 16. - Moses Bean, P. Barrister, Mary Jane Carl, J. G. Bright, W. H. Chapman. Section 17. - Charles Benjamin, Hannah Graves, William Huffle, Joseph Urie, Sidney H, Sherman. Section 18. - Isaac Pennington, Charles H. Potter, Matilda Adams, John Smith, Hugh Adams, James A. Clock, Alexander Adams. Section 19. - Isaac Pennington, Seth M. Root, Joseph L. Clock, John Richards, Sr. Section 20. - Seth M. Root, William Fancher, John Weaver, Robert McGill, Daniel F. Perky. Section 21. - John Fish, Ira Wilder, Catherine Post, Betsey Tubb, Jonathan Boyer, Isaac Piper. Section 22. - Nathaniel Benton, Abraham Shafer, Elizabeth Cronkrite, Peter Clock, Daniel Bellinger, Heman [sic] Pratt, Jay Olmstead, Mark Wilsey. Section 23. - James R. Langdon, Robert McClelland, James Covill, Silas Everest, George Covill. Section 24. - John M. Gordon, Darius C. Larkins. Section 25. - James R. Langdon, John M. Gordon, Daniel Barker, Samuel J. Goff, Isaac Braman. Section 26. - James R. Langdon, John G. Welsh, Jeremiah Wilson, Asa Ward, Louis Lovell. Section 27. - John G. Welsh, Roswell Paine, Alden Giddings, Seth Roberts, George H. Dennis, Lester C. Bennett. Section 28. - Anderson Miner, Henry Fargo, Alden Giddings, Thomas Bainborough, Henry F. Brown, Amasa Aldrich. Section 29. - H. Turrell, William M. Gardiner, John Richards, Thomas Bainborough, Jedediah W. Lane, H. Bump, John C. Blanchard, William Dorton, John W. Pew. Section 30. - Francis Budine, Jonathan Cole, Thomas Covel, Harvey D. Allen, Polly Fowler, S. M. Cornell, A. E. Lindeley. Section 31. - Seth M. Root, Charles Knapp, John N. Fowler, Calvin Peters, Richard Sinkey, William Patrick, George Robinson, Nelson Covell. Section 32. - Seth M. Root, Alpheus Hawley, Abigail McKelvey, Thomas Stafford, Charles W. Owen, Melvin Laverty, Calvin Peters, Louis Lovell, Gilbert F. D. Wilson, N. Ferris. Section 33. - John S. Decker, Stephen Stafford, John S. Hunt, William Ayers, Horace Beebe. Section 34. - Benton Bernard, Henry Innes, Henry Chaffee, John Minich, John Hunt, John C. Blanchard, Louis S. Lovell. Section 35. - F. Smith, D. C. Hawley, Benton Barnard, Philip Cling, Ezekiel Ferrington. Section 36. - F. Smith, D. C. Hawley, Daniel Barker, John Lowry, John Snyder. EARLY SETTLEMENTS The township of Bloomer was a wilderness until the year 1851. On the town-line between Bushnell and Bloomer a man named Francis Beudine (or Bendine) had built a shanty, and occupied it some six months previous to this time. He entered the south half of the southwest quarter of section 30, but at the expiration of that time sold it to Asa Hawley, who was the second settler in the township. He came from Jackson County, and remained about two years, when he sold to Charles Knapp, who still resides on this place. In the summer of 1851, Jonathan Cole and Sylvester Pennington settled in the township. The land, which consisted of the southwest quarter of section 19, was entered in the name of Isaac Pennington, while Cole took up the northwest quarter of section 30. Pennington remained in the township a number of years, and then went to St. John's, Clinton Co. This quarter is now owned by Harvey Bump, who came to the township in 1854. The land entered by Mr. Cole is now occupied by A. Boyer. The first to penetrate the heavy beech and maple forests of the interior of Bloomer for the purpose of making a permanent settlement was Anderson Miner. As has been intimated, this region had long since been visited by land-speculators, or their agents, and, as a consequence, considerable portions of land had already been entered. An abundance of game, which at almost all seasons roamed through the forests or found retreats in its dense and almost impenetrable thickets, had for many years made it the favorite resort of both Indian and white hunters. Among those of the latter race was Asa Hawley, whose favorable reports induced Anderson Miner, in company with his son, Winfield Miner, to visit the southern part of Montcalm County in June, 1851. It is unnecessary to add that they found it even surpassing in beauty and fertility reports heretofore hardly credited. Mr. Miner accordingly took the description of the northeast quarter of section 28, and with a soldier's land- warrant, which he had received from government as a recognition of his services in the war of 1812, and proceeded to Ionia, where the government land-office was then located, in charge of Stephen Page and Frederick Hall. He soon received a duplicate of his land, but, owing to the great rush of emigration for a number of years, the office at Washington had steadily fallen behind in its work, and the patent conveying his land did not reach him until a year and a half after the entry was made. In the following November, accompanied by his sons, John and Winfield, and their families, Mr. Miner, with three yoke of oxen and as many wagons, set out from their homes in Jackson County for the wilds of Bloomer. The "ups and downs" of that trip can never be described. The wagons, loaded down with the women and children, provisions, household goods, cooking utensils, farming implements, and a blacksmith's outfit, the crossing of streams over which there were no bridges, the almost impassable roads, made it a journey common enough, perhaps, in those days, but one now known only in story, and realized only by those who participated in it. In about eight days the little company reached the cabin of Asa Pennington, who kindly offered them its shelter and accommodations. Here, then, it was decided to leave the women and children while the men cleared a road to the farm entered by Mr. Miner, which was situated one mile south of the centre of the township. To complete a passable road to this place from the house of Mr. Pennington occupied nearly a month of hard labor. The distance in an air-line was only three miles, but the natural obstructions in the way made it necessary to cut the underbrush and timber a long way around at times, in order to avoid them. In this work Mr. Miner and his sons were assisted by Elder Wilsey, who also became a permanent settler of Bloomer. After completing the road a small log cabin was built, which stood on the land now occupied by an orchard, between the present residence of Martin J. Miner and the corner. This land has never been plowed. The trees were subsequently purchased, and as soon as the surface could be sufficiently cleared were transplanted. The cabin was one story, twelve by fourteen feet, and was the first, aside from a hunter's shanty on Fish Creek, erected in Bloomer. The orchard is also thought to have been the first in the township. These preliminary steps being taken, Mr. Miner went back to Jackson County, whence he returned with the rest of his family in January, 1852. Mr. Miner remained in Bloomer, one of its most esteemed citizens, until his death, which occurred in 1878. His wife, who shared his toil, his hardships, and his successes for sixty-two years, is still living. His sons, Winfield and Martin J., reside in the township, -- the former near Carson City, and the latter on the old homestead. Soon after Mr. Miner brought his family another settlement was commenced in the eastern part of Bloomer, the leading members of which were Joseph Roop, Hiram Hunt, and William Sherman. These with their families settled on land now in the limits of Carson City or vicinity. They immediately built cabins and settled down to earnest work, and have been among the best citizens of the township. Mr. Roop settled on what is now known as the Goolthite addition to Carson City. He cleared this land and placed it in a good state of cultivation, after which he sold it to Thomas Hoag. His son, Clark Roop, who afterwards married Miss Clarinda Hunt, came to the township with him, and also cleared a farm. Mr. Hunt came from Erie Co., N. Y., and settled near Pewamo, whence he moved to Bloomer, as stated. He settled on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 12, now owned in part by S. Stone. His family at this time consisted of a wife and two children. William Sherman settled the south half of the southeast quarter of section 12, now owned by R. M. Abbott. He also entered land afterwards owned by John Miner. Mr. Sherman and Mr. Hunt still reside in the township. The latter relates that at an early day a little company consisting of ten or twelve individuals resolved to visit Crystal Lake, which had already become somewhat noted. None of these, however, had ever been there, and, without knowing its exact location, started early one morning in the direction indicated by a gentleman who had entered a tract of land in the vicinity, and whose glowing description made them still more impatient and desirous to see it. When near the Bloomer and Crystal line the entire company were brought to a sudden halt by one of their number, who, being a little in advance, held up what appeared to be the bones of a human hand. In a few moments, when the amazement gave way somewhat to curiosity, the opinion of a young man from Gratiot County who represented himself as a physician was demanded. He turned the immense "hand" over several times, and then, with two or three nods and a long breath (in the manner of an experienced physician who has made out a satisfactory diagnosis of his case), handed it back, and, as he did so, said, "Yes; that's what it is." "What is it?" came from half the party. "A man's hand," replied our would-be doctor. He had the elements of a great physician: he asserted with confidence something about which he knew nothing whatever. Then came the search for the body, or any clue to solve the manner and mystery of death. All efforts were unavailing. The party, which up to this time had been one of extreme merriment and hilarity, became at once the counterpart of a funeral procession, and as they passed on their way the moody silence was occasioned, not through fear for personal safety, but melancholy theories with which each tried to satisfy his own mind. Some of these were advanced for the good of the rest. "Some one had lost his way, had wandered about until exhausted, had sunk down, and had been devoured by bears or wolves, with which the woods were infested." The theory that some one had first been shot by a lurking savage or border ruffian was less credited. But they kept on their way, and when in the vicinity of the lake came to a level space, evidently not long since the camping-ground of a large band of Indians. Here, after a successful hunt, they had gorged themselves on bear and venison, the bones of which were scattered in every direction. On one side there was a little stack of the bones of bear's feet that would fill an ordinary wagon-box, evidently the collection of several years, and upon examination it was found that they corresponded exactly with those found on the way. They concluded, therefore, that they were thrown away by some Indian who had made a repast of tender roast bear's paw. In the fall of 1853, C. R. Dickinson, a native of Addison Co., Vt., came to Bloomer and purchased the east half of the southeast quarter of section 28, this being part of the entry made by Alden Giddings. Mr. Dickinson subsequently married Miss Hannah Terrell, whose parents settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 35. The next year her father, F. J. Terrell, having collected and prepared material for a commodious log house, was requested by Mrs. Terrell (preparatory to raising the same) to go to Ionia and procure meats for the occasion. The morning before the raising, however, he and his sons Reuben and James went into the woods (which, we are assured, were not far distant), and in less than an hour each killed a fine deer. In 1854, Hiram Roop, from Fulton Co., Ohio, became a resident of the township. He now resides just west of Fish Creek, near Carson City. The same year a Mrs. Bishop came to Bloomer and bought the southeast quarter of section 13 and the northeast quarter of 24. She was a lady of most estimable character, and still retains the gratitude of many and the respect of all who knew her. In the fall of the same year John and Paul Murray, who afterwards purchased a part of this tract, came to the township; they were from the "Province of Quebec, County of the Two Mountains, Scenery of the Argent Isle, Town of La Chute, Canada." In May, 1855, H. M. Robinson, brother-in-law, came in and bought the farm of John Murray upon which he still lives. Paul Murray paid for his first cow by felling the timber on five acres of ground, and gathered his first harvest on a sled. G. W. Palmer, a native of England, settled on the farm opposite his present residence on the 19th of May, 1855. This was a part of the tract owned by Mrs. Bishop, as was also the land at present occupied by J. Barrett and Peter Goolthite. Mr. Palmer also bought forty acres from John M. Gordon, who had entered four hundred acres in this vicinity. Isaac J. Burt, who also settled in this vicinity, married the daughter of William Sherman. He first settled in the town of North Shade. The land originally settled by Daniel Parker is now occupied by H. F. Blanchard, who opened the first stock of goods in Matherton. In the mean time, while these settlements were being made in the eastern and southern part of the township, other localities received many additions, some before and some later, in the person of such men as R. Bogart, C. E. Decker, in the south; Jonathan Boyer, T. Cliffe, J. Grace, A. A. Richardson, and C. Smith, in the centre; N. S. Otis, A. Boyer, S. T. Richardson, J. Mitchell, C. Fowler, and H. H. Fowler, in the west; and C. King, A. R. Isham, E. Long, and E. Benton, in the northwest. These immediate localities, and especially in the vicinity of Miner's Corners, were hives of industry and activity. Mr. Miner had opened a blacksmith-shop (the first in Bloomer), and often he and his son Winfield were pounding away from early morning till late at night. To repair the chains and other implements necessary in clearing and improving a new country is an important item in its welfare. Schools had been started in the eastern and central parts, and religious meetings were regularly attended, but these were not the only indications of permanent prosperity. A saw-mill was built in the township of Crystal (then a part of Bloomer), from which timber was drawn in considerable quantities, and improvements from this time were more rapid. We have also to record the marriage of James Covel to Miss --- Fairbanks, which was the first wedding in the township, and also the birth of the first child, Nathan W. Cole, son of Edward Cole, who had settled on the northwest quarter of section 30. The next birth was that of Frances, daughter of Winfield S. Miner. The first post-office was kept by A. K. Richardson, in a little cabin which stood on the southeast corner of section 21. The mail was carried (on foot) from Greenville to Ithaca by a man named Godfrey O. Morgan. He was subsequently killed in a dense undergrowth by a hunter who mistook him for a deer. From the list of early settlers should not be omitted the name of George Benjamin, an engineer from Chicago. He was the first supervisor of the township. After two or three days' hard labor he succeeded in felling a large tree (probably the first in his lifetime), and after endeavoring as much longer to convert it into ashes, with hands blistered and clothes torn, he concluded that farming for one's health was a failure, and left the township. EARLY SCHOOLS. As to where the first school in Bloomer was held, or by whom it was taught, there is much diversity of opinion and contradictory statements; we can therefore state that which seems to us to be the most authentic. It seems that, in the fall or winter of 1852-53, Miss Alvira D. Miner opened a school in the little log cabin built by her father upon his settlement in the township, he in the mean time having erected a more commodious one for the family. The names of the pupils in this school were Emma G. Harley, Martha Wilsey, Bertram Wilsey, Olive Miner, Onella Hawley. The next summer the settlers who lived in the eastern part of the township held a school-meeting and concluded to build a school-house. They accordingly put up a log building, which was nearly square (about twelve feet). It had two half-windows, or single sash of six lights each. The benches were split from basswood logs, and set up on pins. It had a fireplace, such as was common in those days, made of stones and mud, and a stick chimney on the outside. Alvira Miner was secured to teach this school also, and it is said by some that she received one dollar per week for her services, but others seem to doubt the ability of the early settlers to raise so munificent a sum. The next term was also taught by her. She was much esteemed as a teacher. She still lives in the town, and is now the wife of Wallace St. Clair. The log cabin referred to now forms a part of the southeast corner of Hine's Hotel, in the village of Carson City. The same summer when Miss Miner taught her first school in this cabin the spirit of enterprise seized the settlers in the vicinity of Miner's Corners. A school-meeting was called, Anderson Miner was elected director, while David Siebrig and Mark Wilsey were called upon to fill the responsible positions of moderator and assessor. It was then resolved to build a school-house. Accordingly, a body of logs was raised, making a room sixteen by twenty feet. It was finished much after the description of that in the east part of the township. Which was built first it is impossible to say definitely, but it was probably the one at the centre. The first teacher was Miss Ruth Dodge, from Ionia County. PRESENT STATUS OF SCHOOLS. There are at present in the township of Bloomer eight whole school districts and two fractional districts. The names of the directors in the several districts for 1879 were as follows: District No. 1, Thomas Cliffe; District No. 2, G. M. Barney; District No. 3, J. H. Savage; District No. 4, J. W. Mitchell; District No. 5, Heman [sic] Horton; District No. 6, John W. Howarth; District No. 7, P. C. Goolthite; District No. 8, Guy J. Chandler. There are eight frame school-buildings in the township, worth, in the aggregate, five thousand five hundred dollars. The following table exhibits the number of school- children enrolled in the several districts, and the total amount of resources, for the school-year ending September, 1879: Children Resources District No. 1 ............... 41 $986.98 District No. 2 ............... 256 1536.10 District No. 3 ............... 71 223.11 District No. 4 ............... 39 236.39 District No. 5 ............... 62 275.06 District No. 6 ............... 39 168.64 District No. 7 ............... 22 173.71 District No. 8 ............... 54 153.44 NAMING THE TOWNSHIP. The incidents which led to adopt the word "Bloomer" for town 9 north, range 5 west, were, as near as can be learned, as follows: At a dance held at the cabin of Isaac Pennington, in the winter of 1851-52, several ladies astonished the good deacons of the Puritanic school (who had stopped there for the night) by appearing in bloomer dresses. When their surprise abated, the dresses were the occasion of some mild jokes, and the term became something of a by-word in the infant colony, and when, in the spring of 1852, a name was needed for the township this one was adopted. This statement is discredited by some, and it is said that a number of citizens desired the township to be called "Bloomingdale," but, as there was a township in Van Buren County of this name, it was named Bloomer. The weight of testimony is entirely with the first explanation. ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR 1852. Acres. Anderson Miner, sections 21, 28 ........ 320 Ira Brooks, section 35 ................. 80 Jeremiah Willson, section 26 ........... 160 James Covill, section 23 ............... 160 Joseph Roop, section 13 ................ 160 William Sherman, section 12 ............ 80 Hiram Hunt, section 12 ................. 80 S. H. Pennington, section 30 ........... 160 T. B. Colton ........................... Mark Wilsey ............................ George Benjamin ........................ G. H. Dennis ........................... The total valuation of personal property in the township of Bloomer, which at that time comprised also town 10 north, range 5 west, was two hundred and seven dollars. The aggregate valuation of real and personal property was sixteen thousand three hundred and twenty-seven dollars. FIRST ELECTION. The first election in the township was held at the house of Anderson Miner, in April, 1852, at which time there were present Anderson Miner, James Covil, Jonathan Cole, Ira Brooks, Edward Cole, John Richards, Francis Cole, George Benjamin, Sylvester Pennington, Zadock Heath, Hiram Hunt, William Sherman, Joseph Roop, Jeremiah Willson, John E. Miner, W. S. Miner, David Sebrig, Mark Wilsey, Dr. T. D. Colton, George H. Dennis. At this election the ballot-box consisted of a soda-box furnished by Mrs. Miner. She also prepared dinner for the entire company. OFFICERS FROM 1852 TO 1880. The following is a list of the supervisors, town clerks, treasurers, school inspectors, and justices of the peace from the organization of the township to 1880, inclusive: SUPERVISORS. 1852, George Benjamin; 1853, Mark Wilsey; 1854, Asa Ward; 1855-57, William Patrick; 1858, Benjamin F. Fuller; 1859, William Patrick; 1860-61, Aaron Lyon; 1862, John T. Irish; 1863-64, Benjamin F. Fuller; 1865, William Patrick; 1866, C. C. Forbush; 1867, Alfred W. Holmes; 1868-76, Charles R. Dickinson; 1877, no record; 1878- 1880, Charles R. Dickinson. TOWN CLERKS. 1852-53, Winfield S. Miner; 1854-55, George H. Dennis; 1856- 59, Aaron Lyon; 1860, Willson C. Colby; 1861-62, Corydon S. Hunt; 1863, C. C.Forbush; 1864-66, John B. Allison; 1867, Samuel Andrews; 1868-73, John B. Allison; 1874-76, Benjamin F. Sweet; 1877, no record; 1878-80, W. H. Thayer. TREASURERS. 1852-53, John A. Miner; 1854-55, George Covill; 1856-58, John A. Miner; 1859-60, Charles R. Dickinson; 1861-62, J. T. Barrett; 1863, Hiram Barrett; 1864, Mark Wilsey; 1865, C. C. Forbush; 1866-67, Charles R. Dickinson; 1868-75, John H. Savage; 1876, L. W. Burgderfer; 1877, no record; 1878, John H. Savage; 1879-80, Paul Murray. SCHOOL INSPECTORS. 1852, Mark Wilsey; 1853, no record; 1854, John T. Cornoe; 1855, Benjamin F. Fuller; 1856, H. H. Fowler; 1857, Benjamin F. Fuller; 1858, Julius T. Barrett; 1859, Nathaniel Ward; 1860, Julius T. Barrett; 1861, Nathaniel Ward; 1862, John B. Allison; 1863, Aaron Lyon; 1864, C. C. Forbush; 1865, John McDonald; 1866, Alfred W. Holmes; 1867, Homer J. Smith; 1868, Joseph E. Haw; 1869, Homer J. Smith; 1870, Aaron Lyon; 1871, Homer J. Smith; 1872, C. S. Cranson; 1873, H. M. Robinson; 1874, Homer J. Smith; 1875, H. T. Sherman; 1876, William Richardson; 1877, no record; 1878, John B. Bessequie; 1879, John Temant; 1880, H. T. Sherman. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 1852, Anderson Miner, James Covill, Ira Brooks, Sylvester Pennington; 1853, no record; 1854, Benjamin F. Fuller; 1855, Henry H. Fowler, Theodore L. Everest; 1856, Henry H. Fowler, Anderson Miner; 1857, John S. Hunt; 1858, Hiram Barrett; Joseph Roop; 1859, Salem Richardson, Harvey Bump; 1860, Benjamin Fuller; 1861, John T. Irish; 1862, Hiram Barrett, Sr.; 1863, Salem T. Richardson; 1864, John B. Allison; 1865, John T. Irish; 1866, Hiram Barrett, Sr., Thadeus W. Fancher; 1867, Addison H. Mack; 1868, A. H. Hemmingway, Thomas Scott, Thomas Jolly; 1869, Thadeus W. Fancher; 1870, Thomas Jolly; 1871, Benjamin H. Bates; 1872, Thadeus W. Fancher, Aaron Lyon; 1873, Alfred W. Holmes, Asa Martin; 1874, James P. Graham, William A. Sweet, Jr.; 1875, no record; 1876, Asa Martin; 1877, no statement of election; 1878, James P. Graham; 1879, O. R. Goodno; 1880, G. B. Bartholomew. CARSON CITY. This village is situated on sections 12 and 13, on land originally entered in part by Joseph Roop, who on the 2d of July, 1850, took up the west half of the southeast quarter of section 12. The patent was granted May 8, 1851. Abram Ely entered the east half of the same quarter Dec. 20, 1851. These lands are now occupied by R. M. Abbott. The east half of the southwest quarter of section 12 was entered on Nov. 2, 1836, and the patent therefor received dated Nov. 2, 1837. Robert McClelland's patent for the west half of the same quarter bears the same date. It was entered Nov. 8, 1836. The northwest quarter of section 13 was entered by James R. Langdon, Dec. 16, 1836, and by Darius C. Larkins, Aug. 13, 1849. The northeast quarter of section 13 was also entered by Joseph Roop and Abram Ely. The former took the west half and the latter the east half. The village was platted on land owned by R. M. Abbott, Delia Miner, and H. T. Sherman, Oct. 10, 1866, and recorded Feb. 28, 1872, but since then eight additions have been made. The first lot was sold to Thomas Scott and John and Thomas La Due, who, under the firm-name of Scott & La Due, built a saw-mill in the fall of 1868. It was the first in the village. They also built the grist-mill in about two years after. These enterprises gave the village an impetus, and the building and business interests in general grew up very rapidly. Addison H. Mack, who bought a lot and built a small store-building near the mill, opened the first stock of goods in the village. Mr. Mack was soon succeeded by H. P. Miller, who opened a good assortment of general merchandise. He is now in the hardware business. The first hardware-store was opened by Sullivan E. Felch in the large building usually known as the Proctor store-building, from Alonzo Proctor, who purchased it. The first hotel was built by Hiram Hunt and his son Daniel. Augustus Barnum, Elmer Lewis, and Anson Davenport were connected with the early business interests of the village. Brower & Howe built a planing-mill and sash-and-blind factory, which was subsequently owned by Lacy & Acker, in whose possession it burned. This was a serious loss to the little town. This last firm also erected a saw-mill, which proved a failure and resulted in the dissolution of the partnership. A siding- and shingle-mill was built by John Taft, which was subsequently moved to the north of Edmore. In 1878 another sash-and-blind factory was built by H. T. Sherman, which is equipped with machinery and modern appliances. A steam saw-mill and oar-factory, which was a valuable addition to the village, has since been moved to Saginaw. The large apiary owned by Hiram Roop should not be omitted. When the meeting was called in the interest of the Marshall and Northern Railroad, the citizens of Carson City and vicinity responded liberally to the project, in full faith that the company would complete and equip the road. The bed was graded many miles immediately, but the road has not yet been finished. SOCIETIES, CHURCHES, ETC. The First Sabbath-School in Carson. -In 1854, through the efforts of Mrs. Bishop (already referred to), the first Sabbath-school in the eastern part of the township was organized. It met in the little cabin before spoken of in connection with the schools of this vicinity. Rev. Charles Chick, Hiram Hunt, and Gaius Lullum (who at that time lived in Gratiot County, but who now resides in Bloomer, on section 1) were teachers, as was also Miss Alvira Miner, who at that time was teaching her second term of school here. This Sabbath-school has never been discontinued, the organization being permanent, until the union Sabbath-school was formed in Carson City. Methodist Episcopal Church at Bloomer Centre and Carson City.-The church history of Bloomer commences with the organization of a Methodist Class at the house of Anderson Miner in May, 1854. Previous to this, however, religious meetings had been held at this place and in the eastern part of the township. The first of these was conducted by Elder Wilsey, who was the first class-leader. The Rev. Charles Chick, who came from England and settled in the western part of Gratiot County, near the line of Bloomer, preached the first sermon in the eastern part of the township, also occasionally at Bloomer Centre. The class referred to was composed of the following-named persons: Rev. Mark Wilsey, Francis Wilsey, Anderson Miner, Delilah Miner, Elmira Miner, Mary E. Miner, Elvira Miner, Mary Willson, Phebe Ann Cole, William Fargo. After the resignation of Elder Wilsey, Anderson Miner became class-leader, a position which he filled many years. The Rev. William McKnight was the first preacher in charge of this circuit, and it was during his stay that the class was formed. From the little beginning made in May, 1854, dates the permanent organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bloomer Centre. The circuit has been many times remodeled, and many ministers have successively filled the appointment. Some of those whose names we have succeeded in collecting are as follows: Revs. William McKnight, Moses Carpenter, Charles Chick, N. L. Otis, John Braggins, Hiram Law, Charles Sprague. The society at Bloomer Centre has now a neat and commodious church, which was built in 1879 at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars, and is comparatively free from debt. United Brethren Church. -The first class of this church was formed under the supervision of Rev. --- Stone, who at that time was a local minister at Matherton. The following are the names of the persons who composed this class: Mrs. Harley Bump, Abram Lampman, Cenith Lampman, Hannah Smith. It was soon augmented by Harley Bump, Jonas Clark and wife, Charles Smith and wife, Mrs. Dalton, and Lyman Stevens and wife. They resolved to build a church, and a site was selected on the farm of Harley Bump, of whom they bought the land for this purpose. The trustees of the church were appointed a building committee. Their names were as follows: Lyman Stevens, Nathaniel Ferris, Harley Bump. The church was completed, at a cost of seven hundred dollars, in 1867. O. O. Osborne is the present pastor. The membership is thirty- eight. First Methodist Episcopal Church of Carson City.-This society was organized at the Annual Conference held at Coldwater in 1870, Bishop Clark presiding. East Bushnell had formerly belonged to Palo; Bloomer Centre and Carson City had been included in the Hubbardston District, at which time Rev. N. L. Otis had been appointed to this circuit. He conducted the first revival in the village, and by his efforts placed the society upon a more permanent basis. Rev. D. F. Barnes was presiding elder when the Ionia District and Bloomer Circuit was formed. In 1870, Rev. E. Hays was appointed to the Bloomer charge. Revs. W. Prouty, S. Snyder, J. J. Jenkins, N. Saunders followed. In 1869, Bloomer was included in Crystal Lake charge, Rev. E. Treadgold being pastor at that time. In 1875, Rev. Kitzmiller was appointed. He remained three years, his ministry being very successful; he added the names of eighty probationers to the roll of the church. In this year three lots were secured as a building-site for a church. Two of these were given to the society by Robert M. Abbott and his wife. A fund also of five hundred dollars was raised at this time for building-purposes. The Baptist Church.-The first meeting of this society was held at the house of William Everest (who lived on section 27), in the year 1856. A number of friends who had previously belonged to this denomination in the East met and organized under the direction of Elder John Van Black. The following names were entered on the record: William Everest and wife, Milton Baldwin and wife, Hiram Hunt and wife, Theodore Everest and wife. The meetings were held in the school-house on section 26 for a number of years. The one on section 10 subsequently became the place of worship, after which Carson City became the usual place of meeting of the society, where in 1876 the meeting-house was built. The names of the building committee were John Savage, A. W. Holmes, and William Acker. It is a substantial and well- arranged edifice, costing about three thousand dollars. It is the present place of worship of the Methodist Episcopal Society of Carson City, and the union Sabbath-school, conducted by the two societies, is an interesting feature. Since the completion of the Baptist church in Carson City, the members of the Methodist Episcopal Society have held their meetings in this edifice. A church-building will soon be erected, however, for which fifteen hundred dollars has already been subscribed. The Methodist Episcopal Church at East Bushnell was completed and dedicated by Rev. D. F. Barnes in 1877. The Society of the Congregational Church is of recent organization, but has already become firmly established. It has a fine church-building, which was completed in 1876. The society was organized June 3, 1872, at the house of T. B. Colton. Evangelical Association.-In 1858, Christian Ude and Martin Speck came to Bloomer and formed this association. The members are principally of German descent, and the exercises are still conducted in the German language. The membership of the society is twenty-three, and in addition is a well-conducted Sabbath-school. The place of meeting is the school-house in Carson City. SOCIETIES OF CARSON CITY. Carson City Lodge, No. 262, I. O. O. F., was organized Sept. 9, 1875. A dispensation was granted by George Dean, M. W. G. M., to P. Martin, W. C. Martin, P. G., E. H. Brown, G. B. Pitts, S. W. Burgdurfer, W. A. Sweet, P. G., W. N. Sever, and George Knickerbocker, as charter members. The first meeting was held on the date above given, at which time the following officers were elected: S. W. Burgdurfer, N. G.; E. H. Brower, V. G.; W. C. Burke, R. S.; W. A. Sweet, Jr., Treas.; P. Martin, Warden; G. B. Pitts, Conductor. Anderson Chestnut, R. P. Davis, and S. H. Caswell were the first candidates initiated. The present officers are W. G. Shutter, N. G.; W. A. Palmer, V. G.; O. R. Goodnoe, R. S.; E. H. Brower, P. S.; Isaac Kipp, Treas. Pioneer Lodge, No. 4, A. O. U. W., was organized Jan. 4, 1877, since which time the membership has increased to forty-seven in good standing. The following-named persons are trustees of the society: William Richardson, O. H. Heath, John Murray. Carson City Lodge, F. and A. M.-Carson City Lodge, No. 306, F. and A. M., was organized Nov. 1, 5871 (1871) [sic], with the following charter members: Martin Miner, Lewis H. Wilsey, Charles Ambrook, John H. Savage, Daniel H. Sinkey, Jacob D. Boyer, Winfield S. Miner, William S. Everest, Henry P. Miller, Hiram Roop, James M. Proctor, Perry Patton, Thadeus Fancher, Aaron Lyons. The society has a fine hall, neat and tastefully arranged, a membership of fifty-three in good standing, and is in a prosperous and flourishing condition.