Early History of Tuscola Co., MI This history was extracted from "History of Tuscola and Bay Counties, Mich. with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of their Prominent Men and Pioneers", published in Chicago by H. R. Page & Co. (1883), p. 9- 20 This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. *********************************************************************** ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. The history of Tuscola County is a review of human efforts put forth during nearly half a century, in working out the destiny of a county. The advent of civilization was not preceded by any start-ling events or mysterious conditions. The trail of the Indian led through these forests, and his canoe had parted the waters of the Cass, but the traces that he left furnish little more than local incidents. The first settlers quietly crossed the borders of the county and as quietly dedicated its territory to peaceful pursuits. The story of pioneer life is an interesting one, and there is more to charm and gratify than to amaze in tracing the growth and unfolding of the germ that was timidly planted nearly fifty years ago. There have been no sudden bursts of activity, no dazzling schemes projected, but the march of progress has been steady and continuous, transforming forests into wheat fields and fashioning the county into one of the jewels of the State. It is desirable to first know something of the territory, a history of which we are to trace; and this information is furnished by the highest authority in the following article: SITUATION AND RESOURCES. BY HON. TOWNSEND NORTH. Tuscola County is bounded on the north by Saginaw Bay, and a portion of Huron County; east by Sanilac County; south by Genesee and Lapeer Counties, and west by Saginaw and Bay Counties. It comprises territory described as follows: Townships 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 north, of ranges 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east, and fractional township 15 north, of range 8 east. TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. The townships in range 7, and townships 13, 14 and fractional 15 north, of range 8 east, are quite level, though with descent to the bay sufficient for drainage for most of it, and rich in native soil. All other portions of the county not sloping toward the bay are, or can be, drained into the Cass River or its tributaries, as this river, passing through the county from the northeast to the south-west, dividing its territory into nearly equal parts, not only affords good drainage, but water power and facilities for floating the timber product of the country. Most of ranges 8, 9, 10 and 11 east are quite undulating, and some of the townships may be called hilly, and are well watered by springs and streams that wind their way to the Cass River or Saginaw Bay. The low lands, once termed swamp lands, now being occupied and found to be very productive, are coming to be considered the most valuable lands we have. CHARACTER OF SOIL. There is a great variety of soil, and frequently this variety is found to exist in the same section or quarter section of land. Most of the western part of the county may be called a clay loam surface with a stronger clay subsoil, and with drifts or patches of sandy loam or sand and gravel. The eastern portion is more rolling with more gravel and less clay, affording, however, a rich variety of soil. TIMBER. Beech, hard and soft maple, white and black ash, a variety of elm, oak, basswood, hickory in small quantities, pine, hemlock, cedar, with a sprinkling of about all the varieties usually found in timbered countries, compose the timber of the county. CROPS. The soil of Tuscola County produces all the staple grains, as well as root crops, usually grown in this latitude. The wheat crop may truly be regarded as our chief staple for export. Oats and corn are raised here with good success, oats sometimes yielding as high as one hundred bushels per acre. Most of the soil in this county is very productive for field or garden crops. FRUITS. Here, as well as elsewhere in the State, the apple is the leading staple in fruits. The apple orchards, though most of them quite young, now yield crops of large quantity and fine quality. Pears and cherries are successfully raised. Peaches, except in some of the favored localities, are not a success, though they are cultivated to some profit by the favored few, and being of excellent quality the high price which they command stimulates their culture, though at some risk, on account of an occasional severe winter. The smaller fruits grow in great abundance. The Saginaw Valley cities furnish a good market, though large quantities of blackberries r' and raspberries are sent to Detroit. UNIMPROVED LANDS. There are some good agricultural lands and most of them timbered, in every town in the county; not in large tracts but conveniently located to schools, settlements and markets. Prices of these lands range from ten to twenty dollars per acre. There are neither government nor railroad lands left in the county, but there are a few hundred acres of swamp land and about two thousand acres of primary school lands. There are some stump lands, mostly in towns through which the Cass River and its largest tributaries pass. These lands are now being converted into good producing farms, as most of these lands will produce good clover, and after that grain or root crops can be raised with profit. I am of the opinion that they are best adapted to stock raising and dairying, and particularly well adapted to sheep raising. These lands can be purchased at from five to ten dollars per acre, and can be converted into stock farina at a comparatively small cost. STATE ROADS. The State roads passing through the county were a good thing in their day. The first, I believe, was the Goodrich & Lower Saginaw. The Port Huron & Bay City, the Tuscola & Bay, the Cass River, Unionville & Bay City, with the plank roads from East Saginaw, were of great importance in aiding the early settlement of this county. POPULATION. The first settlers in the county were mostly from western New York, and a small settlement was made about the year 1835. General development, however, did not commence until 1850, and then the immigration that followed represented various nationalities, but a large representation was from southern Michigan. The county is now so far developed by railroads, State and town roads that penetrate every township, that the privations endured by the early settlers no longer have to be endured by the new comers, who can now procure a comparatively cheap home and enjoy in part the benefits and privileges unknown to the pioneers who secured these advantages by sacrifice and toil in opening roads, establishing schools, churches and all the local industries. These are yet in their infancy, but the continual infusion of new capital and energy is rapidly building up the social and industrial interests of the county. RAILROADS. The county is well served with railroads. The Michigan Central, with its Bay City division to Bay City, passes through the villages of Millington, Vassar and Reese in this county, with branches to East Saginaw and Caro from Vassar. The Port Huron & Northwestern has its main line through this county, passing through the villages of Mayville and Vassar to East Saginaw. The East Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron railroad from East Saginaw passes through the villages of Reese, Fair Grove Center, Unionville and on to Sebewaing, Huron County, its present terminus. There is a railroad now being constructed from Caseville on the bay shore in Huron County, that passes through the eastern part of Tuscola County, through the townships of Koylton, Kingston, Novesta, Elkland and Elmwood, which will make important railroad connections. There is no lack of transportation for the product of forest or field, and as the forest is beat back the rich fields will yield products of still greater value to reward the husbandman and increase the wealth of the county. PERIODS OF HISTORY. The settlement of the county began in the latter part of the year 1835, in the present township of Tuscola, and the first actual settler in the county was Ebenezer Davis. The number of settlers was slightly increased during the years 1836 and 1837, but from that time until 1850, the immigration was small. The period of general development began about the year 1850, when Messrs. North and Edmunds commenced operations at Vassar, and opened the channels for immigration. From that time onward settlers came in more rapidly, and planted homes in the forests. In 1850 the county was organized, and its civil history began. About the year 1865 an era of general improvement began. The war ended, and hope revived. Surviving soldiers returned to pursuits of peace, and the energies of the people were once more directed to channels if industry. The farmers of the county began to test improved methods of agriculture; farm machinery was introduced, and the click of reapers and mowers was heard in the harvest fields. An agricultural society was organized and successfully maintained. THE LUMBER OPERATIONS. The Cass River empties into the Saginaw, and for many years was one of the great highways for logs. Down this river floated millions upon millions of feet of logs annually until the supply of pine along its course became exhausted. The cork pine of the Cass River was noted in all markets for its superior excellence, and was much sought after. The lumbering in this county was principally confined to logging operations, and the manufacture of lumber cannot be said to have ever constituted a particular epoch of history. The first mill in the county was built on Perry Creek, in the present township of Tuscola, but general lumbering operations did not begin until about ten years later. There are, however, no statistics of lumbering operation3 on the Cass River prior to 1864, when the Huron Boom Company was organized. That year the company run out 40,000,000 feet of logs. The quantity increased each year until 1873, when it reached 100,458,140. Since then the supply has been diminishing. In 1879 the crop was about 7,000,000 feet and now operations have practically ceased. The county, however, has been a lumber county, and is now a farming county, and in this change has furnished an answer to the question: "After lumber, what then?" After lumber came wheat, corn, oats, grasses, the dairy, stock, the garden, the delight and at-tractions of rural pursuits and rural homes. CIVIL HISTORY. April 1, 1840, an act of legislature was approved, section 30 of which provided as follows: "That portion of the present county of Sanilac, embraced in the north half of town 10 north, and in towns 11, 12, 13 and 14 north, of ranges 7, 8, J, 10 and 11 east, and in fractional town 15 north, of ranges 7 and 8 east, shall be laid off as a separate county, to be known and designated as the county of Tuscola." The county was attached to Saginaw County for judicial and representative purposes, until 1850, when it was organized. March 2, 1850, an act of legislature was approved which provided for the organization of Tuscola County, as follows: "SECTION I. That the county of Tuscola shall be organized, and the inhabitants thereof be entitled to all the rights and privileges to which by law the inhabitants of the other organized counties of this State are entitled. "SECTION 2. That all suits, prosecutions and other matters now pending before any court of record in Saginaw County, or before any justice of the peace in said county, or that shall be pending at the time of the taking effect of this act, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and execution, and all taxes heretofore levied, and now due, shall be collected as though the county of Tuscola had not been organized. "SECTION 3. There shall be elected in said county of Tuscola, on the first Tuesday of November, the year 1850, all the several county officers to which by law the said county is entitled; and said election shall in all respects be conducted and held in the manner prescribed by law for holding elections for county and State officers. Provided, That until such county officers are elected and qualified, the proper county officers of the county of Saginaw shall perform all the duties appertaining to the said county of Tuscola in the same manner as though this act had not passed. And prodded further, That the county officers so to be elected, shall be qualified and enter upon the duties of their respective offices on the first Monday in January, the year 1851, and no county buildings shall be erected at the expense of the county until after the county seat shall have been permanently located, as provided for in this act. "SECTION 4. The board of canvassers in said county, under this act, shall consist of the presiding inspectors of elections from each township therein, and said inspectors shall meet at the county seat of said county, at the time appointed by law for the county canvass, and immediately after the election authorized in the third section of this act, and organize by appointing one of their number chairman and another secretary of said board, and shall thereupon proceed to discharge all the duties of a board of county canvassers as in ordinary eases of election for county and State officers. "SECTION 5. The circuit court for the county of Saginaw shall have the same jurisdiction over said county of Tuscola that it would have, if this act had not passed, until otherwise provided by law. "SECTION 6. That it shall be the duty of the sheriff of said county of Tuscola to provide some suitable place for holding courts in said county, at the county seat thereof, until public buildings shall be erected. "SECTION 7. That the county seat of said county of Tuscola be, and the same is, hereby fixed and established on the northwest fractional quarter of section 7, in township number 11 north, of range number 8 east, until the year 1860, and until the same shall be permanently located, as hereinafter provided; and the supervisors elected for the year 1860, in said county, shall have the power and it shall be their duty permanently to locate the county seat of said county." FIRST ELECTIONS. The presidential campaign of 1840 was a memorable one in the history of American politics, and the ringing echoes of its battle cry resounded through the forests of Tuscola. The first general election in the county occurred that Fall. The polls were kept open three days, and seven votes were safely deposited in the ballot box. The poll list showed that Dennis Harrison, Samuel H. Downs. Lovira Hart and Martin L. Miller, were Whigs; and Ebenezer Davis, Edwin Ellis and Jarvis Freeman, Democrats. James H. Davis, a resident of Tuscola and a Democrat, voted in Saginaw County, otherwise there would have been a tie vote. The first general election after the organization of the county was held November 5, 1850. The first board of county canvassers consisted of John H. Richardson, who was chosen secretary and chairman of the board. Eighty- three votes were cast at this election for representative in the State legislature, of which Alanson Calkins received forty-six, and Paschal Richardson, thirty-seven. At this time Tuscola was the only organized township in the county. The question of Negro suffrage was voted upon at this election. The whole number of votes cast was forty-four; eighteen for, and twenty-six against. The county officers elected, were as follows: Clerk, William Harrison; treasurer, E. W. Perry; register of deeds, Townsend North; county judge, Lovira Hart; second judge, Calvin Lee; probate judge, Calvin Lee; sheriff, Leander W. VanKleeck; prosecuting attorney, Hiram Penoyer; surveyor, Joshua D. Smith; coroners, Silas S. Bliss and Chancey Firman. FIRST COUNTY LEGISLATION. The journal of supervisors' proceedings records that according to notice the first meeting of the board of supervisors was held at Vassar, January 24, 1851. John H. Richardson being the only acting supervisor in the county, constituted the board, and conducted its proceedings harmoniously. The only business transacted was the adoption of a resolution offering a bounty of $8 for the scalps of full grown wolves, thus furnishing an additional incentive to this industry of the early days. The next meeting was held June 9, 1851, when Lovira Hart was chairman. The business of this meeting was equalizing valuations and adjusting a few accounts. The townships of Vassar, Tuscola, Arbela and Rogers were represented respectively by Town-send North, Lovira Hart, S. Newton and E. Smith. At the October meeting George W. Richardson presented a bill amounting to $5 for two and one-half days' services, in bringing prisoners from Saginaw to Vassar. The board evidently frowned upon such intolerable greed of gain, and deducted one-hall, allowing the bill at $2.50. Four wolf certificates were presented and al-lowed at $8 each. A resolution detaching certain described territory from the township of Tuscola, and attaching it to Vassar, was adopted. TOWNS OF THE PAST. By the provisions of an act of legislature approved February 12, 1853, the town of Auchville was organized from a portion of Huron County and attached to Tuscola County for judicial and representative purposes, until the organization of Huron County. By act of legislature in 1857 its name was changed to Sebewaing. Three years later, in consequence of the complete organization of Huron County it was detached from Tuscola County and attached thereto. The town of Geneva was organized in 1860 by the board of supervisors, and comprised the territory of fractional township 15 north, of range 8 east. In 1879 it was disorganized by act of legislature. Section 36 was attached to Columbia and the remainder of the township to Akron. CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES. For some unexplained reason, the line dividing Tuscola and Lapeer Counties was originally so placed as to run through the center of the present towns of Millington and Watertown in Tuscola County, and the town of Rich in Lapeer County. By, the act of legislature under which Millington was organized in 1855, this was remedied, and the south-half of township 10 north, of ranges 8 and 9 east, was detached from Lapeer and attached to Tuscola; and the north-half of township 10 north, of ranges 10 and 11, was detached from Tuscola and attached to Lapeer. THE COUNTY SEAT. Section 7 of the act of legislature under which the county was organized fixed the county seat at Vassar until the year 1860, or until permanently located by the supervisors. It was made the duty of the supervisors elected for 1860 to permanently locate the county seat. For several years prior to 1860, it was apparent that the county seat campaign would be one of more than ordinary interest and activity. Vassar was anxious to continue the "shire" town, Centerville, now Caro, had been planted with the purpose that it should mature into the county seat, and Wahjamega complacently held its apron outstretched quite confident that it could not fail to catch the golden fruit, should the elements dislodge it from its hold at Vassar. With so many eager for the fray it could not be expected that the issue would remain unapproached beyond the time prescribed by law; hence, we find that the supervisors at a meeting held January 11, 1860, adopted a resolution as follows: With all due respect to the advice of the prosecuting attorney in the case, Resolved, That the sense of this board is that, under the constitution and laws of the State of Michigan, that this board has a legal right to take action in regard to the removal of the county seat of Tuscola County, as it has in their opinion remained at Vassar until the year 1860, according to the provision of session laws of 1850. The resolution was adopted by a vote of twelve for and seven against. At this time the population of the entire county was only 4,-855, and the township of Indian Fields had a population of 128 and two competitors for the county capital. June 18, 1860, the board of supervisors met at the house of Melvin Gibbs, in the township of Indian Fields, that being the place of meeting according to the request of the following super-visors, to-wit: John H. Richardson, Alson Greenfield, Thomas Graham, George W. Sorter, Donald McKenzie, Jonathan F. Black, William B. Waldo and George H. Wilcox. On the following day a resolution was introduced, locating the county seat at Vassar, which was lost. A resolution was then adopted declaring that it was the right and duty of the board to locate and establish the county seat without submitting the question to a vote of the electors of the county. After defeating a resolution to indefinitely postpone, a resolution was adopted to vote by informal ballot for the location of the county seat, each member to designate in his ballot the village plat or section of land for which his vote was in-tended. The result of the first informal ballot was as follows: For Watrousville, 5; Heartts, 2; section 35, Almer, 5; section 16, Watertown, 1; section 3, Indian Fields, 1. Six informal ballots were taken, the complexion of the vote being changed each time. At the meeting of June 20, a preamble and resolution were adopted by a vote of twelve to eight, permanently locating the county seat on the southwest quarter of section 34, in township 14 north, of range 11 east, being in the town of Eikland. Subsequently; at the same session a protest was offered and placed on record. The protest set forth that the question could only be legally settled by a two-thirds vote of the board, to be sanctioned by a vote of the electors of the county, and declared the action of the board to be illegal and void, and "characterized by a spirit of factious opposition to the true interests of the county." This pro-test was signed by W. R. Bartlett, C. B. Mills, James Sanders, W. H. Randall, Thomas Briggs, W. M. Rogers, Cortez Gordon, William Hamilton. A resolution was then adopted instructing the chairman to appoint a committee to purchase a site on the southwest quarter of section 34, in township 14 north, of range 11 east, for a court-house, jail, clerk's office, or any other county buildings. It was also voted to continue the county business at Vassar, until the necessary county buildings could be procured. The committee appointed to purchase a site were as follows: C. Shadley, George H. Wilcox, J. F. Black, J. H. Richardson and George W. Sorter. This committee were also empowered to hire suitable buildings for the use of the county until proper buildings could be erected. At the October session in 1860 a resolution locating the county seat at Watrousville, received seven votes for, and fourteen against. The village plat of Richland received thirteen for, and nine against. Ketchum's plat on section 3, Indian Fields, received thirteen votes for and eight against. Other resolutions naming different points in Indian Fields, were voted upon. At a meeting October 17th, the following preamble and resolution were adopted: WHEREAS, The majority of the board of supervisors for the county of Tuscola, are of the opinion that the county seat of said county is legally located on the northwest° quarter of the southwest quarter of section 34, in township 14 north, of range 11 east, therefore, Resolved, That the county clerk, county register, sheriff, judge of probate and county treasurer, are hereby ordered and required to remove to said county seat, with all of the books, papers, vouchers, moneys, goods, chattels, and all other valuable things belonging to said offices, on or before the first Tuesday of February next. This resolution was adopted by a vote of eleven for and ten against. A resolution was also adopted appropriating $150 to be expended in procuring buildings. January 11, 1861, it was voted to have a committee of two appointed to be associated with the prosecuting attorney, and to procure good and sufficient counsel to assist said prosecuting attorney in fully and fairly testing the legality of the location of the county site, in case legal proceedings should be taken to prevent the removal of the county offices to the new site. The committee consisted of Thomas Graham and John H. Richardson. March 27, 1861, the board met at the house of A. Coggershall, in the village of Watrousville. The committee appointed to procure buildings at the county seat, reported that they had hired a building for the term of one year, from the first day of March, 1861, for the sum of $150, and that on their way to notify the clerk, an injunction had been served on them, strictly commanding them not to carry out the instructions of the board in regard to notifying the clerk. The board met June 10th, at Vassar, and at the same place in October. By this time the new county seat had acquired a name and the next allusion to the place in the official, records designates it as “Moonshine." But the name was all that locality ever acquired of the county seat. The board continued to meet at Vassar, and October 19, 1863, the following resolution was adopted: WHEREAS, The present county seat is inconvenient and remote from a large portion of our population, and whereas, justice demands that a more convenient, accessible and permanent county seat be established; therefore, Resolved, We, the board of supervisors of Tuscola County, believe it to be our duty to select some more central location for a county seat, that the same may be submitted to the people at the next annual election for their approval or rejection. This resolution was adopted by a vote of eighteen for and three against. The usual number of resolutions followed and were disposed of in the habitual way. October 23, 1863, a resolution was adopted as follows: Resolved, That in the event the present proposed location for the county seat be rejected by the people, then, in such case, we, as the board of supervisors, would cheerfully recommend some other point appearing more proper, be designated by some future board of supervisors. It is not altogether clear that this resolution was intended to accomplish anything, but it was about the accustomed time for something on this question, and an innocent resolution like the fore-going might answer the purpose. The proposed location referred to was Wahjamega, and upon the question of removing it to that point the electors voted at the spring election in April, 1864, and the result was a majority against removal. Centerville, of course, was opposed to its being removed to Wahjamega, and having defeated that project now bent all their energies toward accomplishing the success of their project. October 18, 1865, the following resolution was offered by James W. Spencer, of Indian Fields: Resolved, That the county seat of the county of Tuscola be removed from the northwest quarter of section 7, town 11 north, of range 8 east, and located on the southwest quarter of the north-east quarter of section 3, town 12 north, of range 9 east, and the said southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3, is hereby designated as the county seat of Tuscola County; and the said removal shall be submitted to the electors of said county for their rejection or approval at the annual township meeting to be held in April, 1866, and the sheriff of said county is hereby required to post notices as the law requires in such cases. On motion of J. D. Lewis the board went into a committee of the whole on the resolution, and after deliberating upon it recommended its passage. The resolution was then submitted to a vote, with the following result: Yeas-James P. Demerest, Frank C. Edgar, John Anyon, Hamilton Hobert, James W. Spencer, William Smith, John H. Richardson, Elijah S. White, James D. Sutton, Lorenzo Hurd, William Medcalf, Hugh Wilson, B. A. Wood, Philo L. King, James Wright, Simeon Carson-16. Nays-De Witt C. Norton, Charles R. Selder., D. P. Hinson, E. G. Godfrey, Hiram Remmick, J. D. Lewis, B. Colvin-7. This was the last resolution fixing a location of the county seat that came before the board. RESULT OF THE ELECTION. TOWNSHIP. WHOLE NUMBER. FOR REMOVAL. AGAINST REMOVAL. Arbela 118 6 112 Almer 99 99 0 Akron 78 77 1 Columbia 60 60 0 Dayton 78 52 26 Denmark 80 22 58 Elkland 38 38 0 Elmwood 32 32 0 Ellington 61 61 0 Fair Grove 111 109 2 Fremont 65 19 46 Geneva 21 20 1 Gilford 32 6 26 Indian Fields 93 79 14 Juniata 161 93 68 Koylton 22 22 0 Kingston 27 24 3 Millington 94 5 89 Tuscola 156 104 52 Vassar 167 1 166 Watertown 55 0 55 Wells 12 12 0 Wisner 21 21 0 Total 1681 962 719 The Pioneer, published at Vassar, and the only newspaper published in the county at that time, announced the result of the vote upon the question, with the following well-tempered comments: " This settles the question, a fact which we are glad to record. We hear it rumored that an effort will be made at a future meeting of the board of supervisors to designate some other point. We hope this will not be done. Money and time enough have already been spent in discussing this question. The people have emphatically said Centerville will best accommodate the people of this county. We do not believe this, yet the majority have so decided, and we hope this will settle the question. There may be those who have hopes that Vassar will join its interests with theirs in designating a new site. We have only to say to such, 'Vassar has always steadily voted against removal, and will continue so to do.' If we have erred in judgment as to the best interests of the county, it was from an honest conviction, which is not yet changed. We believe many who voted for removal will yet come to the conclusion that we were right-but let by-gones be by-gones. The question is settled, the 'hatchet buried,' and we hope never to be dug up. Let every village that has striven for the county seat go about its own business, count the strife at an end, and all will be well. The people of this place extend the welcome to Centerville and trust their intercourse in the future will be fraternal and profitable to both." June 11, 1866, the board met at Vassar to canvass the vote, and while the canvass was progressing Arnold B. Clark, of Dayton, appeared before the board and objected to the canvass being made, on the ground of illegality in the proceedings of the last board of supervisors, which illegality was alleged to consist in the fact that several parties appeared before that board as supervisors and voted on the question of removal, who were not supervisors, from the fact that the towns they assumed to represent, were not and never had been legally organized; and further, that the votes cast at the last election, on said removal, were, many of them, illegal. The foregoing objections were placed on record. The canvass of the vote was attended with some delays on account of informal returns from some of the townships and the absence of any returns from others. Messengers were sent to the various townships, and a final determination was not reached until June 15. At the same meeting a resolution was adopted declaring that, suitable buildings having been provided for the county offices, the removal should be deemed to have taken place on that 15th day of June, 1866. A committee consisting of John H. Richardson, Lorenzo Hurd and D. G. Wilder was appointed to superintend the removal of all books, papers, records, etc., belonging to the county, to the place at which the county seat had been located. Thus after six years of contention and uncertainty the capital of Tuscola County had a fixed abode. Tossed and buffeted by tempestuous strife, it had been borne on billows of fast succeeding resolutions hither and thither, and once anchored in the luminous harbor of "Moonshine" in the farthermost corner of the county. The first meeting of the board of supervisors at Centerville, after the determination of the contest, occurred June 18, 1866. At the meeting of June 20th the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that this board tender their thanks to the citizens of Centerville and to Mr. P. D. Bush especially for their very welcome reception at Centerville." The removal of the books and property of the county to Centerville was made about the first of September. THE COURT-HOUSE SITE. Mr. P. D. Bush, who was a leading spirit in the movements of Centerville during the controversy, had offered to donate to the county, grounds for its use, and also to furnish, free of expense to the county, as good a building as it then had at Vassar. October 20, 1865, a bond was executed by Mr. Bush, with three sureties, for the faithful performance of the contract. The frame of a Universalist Church building, which had been put up in the town of Almer, was brought down and located where Mr. J. Staley's abstract office now stands, but was afterward moved to the opposite side of the street, and planted on the court-house square. This building was used as a court- house until the present building was finished, in 1873, when it was moved across the street, and is now used for town and village purposes. More recently the question has been raised as to who the real donor of the court-house grounds was, and it may be well to state, in this connection, that all the evidence confirms the statement herein made, that Mr. Bush donated these grounds to the county, in pursuance of a promise made long before the question of location was finally settled. The records of supervisors' proceedings show that it was so understood by the board, and in conveying certain lands to Cyrus Giles, Mr. Bush gave a deed in which he reserved those lots, having previously donated them to the county, together with all rights which the county had in the building there-on, etc. It is perfectly clear that the lots occupied by the court-house were donated by Mr. Bush, while those occupied by the jail were donated by the late Samuel P. Sherman. THE LAST ACT IN THE DRAMA. Although the location of the county seat was fixed at Centerville, in 1866, and no official action attempting its removal was thereafter taken, yet its permanency was doubted by many, especially those who still entertained a hope of some day living in the shadow of the capital. The people of Centerville did not feel entirely secure in their hold upon it, and were anxious to pin it so securely to the spot that its removal would be practically impossible. In the spring of 1871, Hon. C. P. Black was elected supervisor from Indian Fields, with a hope that he would find a way of ending all uncertainty in the matter. The legislature of 1870-'71 passed a law, or rather amended section 106 of the general tax laws, under the provisions of which there was due Tuscola County, upon the settlement of the county treasurer with the auditor general, January 1, 1872, $31,564. After the action of the legislature already referred to, it occurred to Mr. Black that the opportune time for the erection of a court-house had arrived, and he set himself about the attainment of that object, and thereby fulfill the mission for which he had been elected. In December, 1871, after having thoroughly investigated the matter, he visited several of the supervisors and secured the signatures of one-third of the board to a call for a special meeting, to take place January 9, 1872. The first business of that meeting was a motion by Mr. Black that the county treasurer be requested to submit a report in writing, showing the state of the finances of the county. In pursuance of that request, the treasurer submitted a report, stating, among other things, that there was due the county from the State, the sum of $31,564.05; that there was due to townships the sum of $9,094.59, leaving a balance belonging to the county, of $22,469.57. It was subsequently voted by the board, that the amount of money standing to the credit of the county in excess of the amount due the several townships, was legally a county fund, and subject to the disposal of the board of supervisors for any legitimate county purposes. Mr. Black then offered the following resolutions, which were adopted: Be it resolved by the board of supervisors of Tuscola County, that the sum of seven thousand dollars be appropriated out of the moneys received from the State by the treasurer of said county, in his settlement with the auditor general, on the 16th day of November, A. D. 1871, and set apart to liquidate the debt to E. Morton, Esq., on bonds now held by him, and that such indebtedness shall be paid as this board may hereinafter order; and be it further Resolved, That the further sum of twelve thousand dollars be appropriated and set apart for the purpose of erecting upon the public square, now owned by the county of Tuscola, in the village of Caro, in said county, a court-house, to be constructed after the plans and specifications now in the possession of this board, provided that any three or more responsible persons shall, on or before the first day of February next, make and execute a bond to the county treasurer, for the use and benefit of Tuscola County, to be approved by the clerk and chairman of this board, conditioned that they will, on or before the first day of January, A. D. 1873, pay to said county of Tuscola the sum of three thousand dollars, lawful money of the United States, which three thousand dollars is to be applied in constructing said court- house; which bond, when so made and executed, may be transferred and used in the completion of said court-house; and be it further Resolved, That a committee of five persons be appointed by this board, whose duty it shall be, whenever the clerk of said board shall notify them that said bond of three thousand dollars has been properly executed and delivered to the county treasurer, to cause to be elected a court-house on said public square, according to said plan and specifications, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to perform each and everything that may be necessary for the completion of said court-house, and that they enter upon their duty as soon as such bond is given as aforesaid, and proceed with all due diligence with the work, until the same shall be completed. Resolved, That the sum of three thousand dollars be appropriated for the purpose of erecting a building on the county poor farm, to be built upon such plans and specifications as this board may hereinafter order. At a meeting of the board of supervisors held May 27, 1873, the building committee gave a history of the building of the court-house in the following report: "On the 10th day of January, 1872, by resolution of your board, there was placed in our hands for the building of said court-house according to plans and, specifications furnished us, executed by Porter & Watkins, of Bay City, the sum of $15,000, consisting of an order on the treasury of Tuscola County for $12,000, and a bond against the citizens of Caro for $3,000, for which we gave you our bond for $20,000, conditioned for the faithful performance of our duty in the premises as such building committee, in and for the proper application of said $15,000, in the construction of said building. The first proceeding of your committee was to advertise to receive proposals for the erection of said court-house, on the 5th day of February, 1872, at which time proposals were received from the following parties, to wit: The proposition.of Christopher Palmer and J. P. Shahey for $17,500; the proposition of J. Fisher, of East Saginaw, for $16,196; the proposition of Howell & Ale, of Caro, for $14,000; between which proposals, other things being equal, your committee had no hesitation in awarding the job to Messrs. Howell & Ale, and the adding to the building keystone corbels, over doors and over windows, and of painting of the outside of the walls. We, your committee, entered'into contract with the said Howell & Ale, for the erection and completion of said court-house, according to said plans and specifications before referred to, together with the addition above mentioned, for the sum of $14,850, and paid them at the same time the sum of $4,000 on the same, and subsequently, to wit: When the foundation of said structure was completed the sum of $3,000; and further, when the first story was completed, the sum of $1,500; and on completion of the brick work $1,500; and on the completion of the roof and dome $1,000, and a like sum of $1,000 on the completion of the plastering. On the 26th day of October, 1872, your honorable body passed a resolution that an order for $350 be drawn on the county treasurer in favor of the court-house building committee, to be by them appropriated for the construction of a stucco cornice around the court- room, and chandelier centres put up in the same; also in the four offices below; and to change the finish of the stairs to the court-room from below, from a common box case to a hand-rail and baluster staircase. On the 6th day of January, 1873, your committee received from the treasurer of the village of Caro the sum of $400, which was at the same time paid Howell & Ale on contract. And on the 24th day of February, 1873, they paid on the same, the above-mentioned county order of $350, together with the sum of $50 received from the treasurer of said village, since which your committee received from said village treasurer the sum of $1,776.-57, which has also been applied on said contract, leaving yet to be paid on the contract and the extras above mentioned, as authorized by your honorable body, when completed, the sum of $773.43, and which said amount is now in our hands, the residue received on the aforesaid bond of the citizens of the village of Caro, and ready to be applied in full payment to the contractors whenever your honorable body shall have accepted the building and this our report, and instructed us to do in the final discharge of our duty. RECAPITULATION. Received cash from county treasurer $12,000 “ order on " " 350 “ on bond of citizens of Caro 3,000 Total $16,350 Paid Howell & Ale on contract $14,576.57 Balance due on contract and extras as authorized by the board of supervisors, when accepted $15,350 "We have further respectfully to report to your honorable body that when the time came to construct the desks for the judge and clerk in the court-room, in referring to the detail drawings and specifications in the contract therefor, it did appear to your committee that the character and style of architecture came far short of forming a respectable appearance with the general architectural finish of the building throughout, and especially that of the court-room, and therefore felt justifiable in suggesting to the contractors the propriety of procuring from Messrs. Porter & Watkins such detail drawings for the desks as would be fully appropriate and in keeping with style of architecture to the general character of the building, having, at the same time, special regard in their structure to the ease and convenience of officers using the same. 'Upon which suggestion the contractors have acted, and, as they inform us, at an extra expense of $100, with which your committee feel perfectly satisfied, and most respectfully recommend that your honorable body provide for its payment. And in so doing, we feel that we, as a building committee, and you, as the controlling body in the county, in the premises, will be but doing simple justice to two most worthy gentlemen, who in every particular have, to our entire satisfaction, succeeded in erecting a building in every sense equal to the undertaking." The building committee consisted of Messrs. Alson Greenfield, E. W. Gerrish, R. R. Atwood and James Wright. The new court-house was then accepted in full by a vote of the board, and its use for county purposes authorized. The erection of the court house closed the last chapter in the county-seat history, so far as its location was concerned, and provided the county with a much-needed and creditable building, with-out imposing any hardship upon the tax payers. THE JAIL. In accordance with the usual custom in new counties, the jail of a neighboring county was used for the confinement of prisoners, until a suitable building could be provided. This county, however, delayed the building of a jail longer than is usually the case. At the October session of the board of supervisors, in 1877, it was voted to build a jail, and to raise the sum of $8,000, one-half by tax and the other half by loan, for that purpose, the question to be submitted to the electors of the several townships at the annual election in 1878. The action of the board was ratified at the April election, and at a meeting of the board, April 24, 1878, a building committee was appointed, consisting of C. R. Selden, L. D. Haines, William McKay, William B. Waldo and James W. Spencer. Bonds of the county to the amount of $4,000 were issued, and May 28, the contract was let to Messrs. Howell & Ale, for the sum of $8,800. The building was erected during the year, and accepted by the board at the January session in 1879. The lots on which the jail was built were donated by the late Samuel P. Sherman. COUNTY POOR FARM. This property of the county, comprising 160 acres of excellent farming land, is situated in the south part of Almer Township. The land is under a good state of cultivation, and the buildings are extensive and substantial. The house is a large brick structure, and was built in 1873. COUNTY OFFICERS. 1850.-Leander W. Van Kleeck, sheriff; William Harrison, clerk; E. W. Perry, treasurer; Townsend North, register of deeds; Hiram S. Penoyer, prosecuting attorney; O. A. Gibbs, judge of probate; Joshua D. Smith, county surveyor. 1852.-James Saunders, sheriff; William Johnson, clerk; Samuel North, treasurer; William Johnson, register of deeds; John Moore, prosecuting attorney; D. G. Wilder, judge of probate; Joshua D. Smith, county surveyor, 1854.-John Perry, sheriff; John Johnson, clerk; David At-wood, treasurer; William Johnson, register of deeds; John Moore, prosecuting attorney; D. G. Wilder, judge of probate; A. Judson Slafter, county surveyor. 1856.-John V. Harrison, sheriff; John Johnson, clerk; Daniel G. Wilder, treasurer; John Johnson, register of deeds; John J. Wheeler, prosecuting attorney; David G. Slafter, judge of probate; A. Judson Slafter, county surveyor. 1858.-Ira C. Kibbe, sheriff; John Johnson, clerk; Daniel G. Wilder, treasurer; John Johnson, register of deeds; Benj. W. Huston, prosecuting attorney; David G. Slafter, judge of probate; David E. Cranston, county surveyor. 1860.-Chas. R. Selden, sheriff; Frederick Bourns, clerk; Alson Greenfield, treasurer; Theophilus Baldwin, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; Lyman J. Corbin, county surveyor. 1862.-Sabin Gibbs, sheriff; Frederick Bourns, clerk; Alson Greenfield, treasurer; Theophilus Baldwin, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; Emanuel Staley, county surveyor. 1864.-Peltiah M. Case, sheriff; Frederick Bourns, clerk; Sabin Gibbs, treasurer; Theophilus Baldwin, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; Emanuel Staley, county surveyor. 1866.-Benj. F. Richards, sheriff; Jefferson J. Wilder, clerk; Sabin Gibbs, treasurer; Isaac R. Jameson, register of deeds; Daniel G. Wilder, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; David E. Cranson, county surveyor. 1868.-Tiffany Nettleton, sheriff; Jefferson J. Wilder, clerk; Sabin Gibbs, treasurer; Isaac R. Jameson, register of deeds; John P. Hoyt, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of probate; David E. Cranson, county surveyor. 1870.-Tiffany Nettleton, sheriff; Jefferson J. Wilder, clerk; Joseph Gamble, treasurer; Franklin A. Goodell, register of deeds; John P. Hoyt, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of pro-bate; John Staley, county surveyor. 1872.-Jas. H. Cumings, sheriff; Cameron C. Stoddard, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; Jas. W. Spencer, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of probate; Travis Leach, county surveyor. 1874.-Jas. H. Cumings, sheriff; Cameron C. Stoddard, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; Jas. W. Spencer, -register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of probate; Travis Leach, county surveyor. 1876.-John A. McPherson, sheriff; Nathan M. Richardson, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; John Staley, Jr., register of deeds; Rufus P. Edson, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; Geo. B. Felton, county surveyor. 1878.-John A. McPherson, sheriff; Nathan M. Richardson, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; John Staley, Jr., register of deeds; Rufus P. Edson, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; Geo. B. Felton, county surveyor. 1880.-Morgan A, Jones, sheriff; Nathan M. Richardson, clerk; Chas. R. Selden, treasurer; Edwin G. Fox, register of deeds; Rufus P. Edson, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; John A. Terkey, county surveyor. 1882.--Wm. McKay, sheriff; Edward R. Cookingham, clerk; Chas. R. Selden, treasurer; Edwin G. Fox, register of deeds; Edward H. Taylor, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; John A. Terkey, county surveyor. REPRESENTATIVES. The following is a list of representatives to the State legislature from Tuscola County, elected in the years named: 1850, Alanson Calkins; 1852, Paschal Richardson; 1854, Henry P. Atwood; 1856, Wallace R. Bartlett; 1858, Paschal Richardson; 1860, C. C. Stoddard; 1862, D. G. Slafter; 1864, J. D Lewis; 1866, Alson Greenfield; 1868, B. W. Huston, Jr.; 1870, B. W. Huston, Jr., re-elected; 1872, John P. Hoyt; 1874. John P. Hoyt, re-elected; 1876, Chas. B. Mills; 1878, Geo. H. Granger; 1880, Geo. H. Granger, re-elected; 1882, First District, Eleazer B. Hayes; Second District, Cyrenius P. Black. CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS. 1854, Harry Joslin; 1856, Henry P. Atwood; 1858, Benj. W. Huston; 1860, Henry P. Atwood; 1862, J. Dennison Lewis; 1864, Mark D. Seeley; 1866, Benj. W. Huston, Jr.; 1868, Mark D. Seeley; 1870, Alonzo B. Markham; 1872, Alonzo B. Markham; 1874, Edward H. Taylor; 1876. William A. Rose; 1878, Fred. S. Wheat; 1880, Fred. S. Wheat and Alonzo B. Markham; 1882, Geo. F. Getty and Henry S. Hadrall. COUNTY OFFICERS IN 1883. Following are personal sketches of present officers of Tuscola County: WILLIAM McKAY, sheriff, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, September 9, 1810. In the spring of 1851 he emigrated to America and settled in Lapeer County, where he remained twenty years. During his residence in that county he interested himself actively in local politics and held several offices, the duties of which he ad-ministered satisfactorily. In 1875 he bought the Hurd farm in Dayton, Tuscola County. He held the office of supervisor from that town six consecutive terms. In the fall of 1882 he was elected to his present office on the Republican ticket, and thus far has performed the duties of his office to the satisfaction of all concerned. As a farmer, Mr. McKay ranks among the most successful in the county, being the owner of 400 acres of excellent land, 200 acres of which compose his home farm. He is well known as an active Republican and a man of irreproachable character. EDWARD R. COOKINGHAM, clerk of Tuscola County, is a native of Chautauqua County, New York, where he was brought up on a farm. In 1868 he left there and came to Tuscola County, buying a farm in the township of Abner. He continued on the farm until 1882, when he was elected clerk of the county. He represented his township for some six years on the board of supervisors, was township clerk one year, and county superintendent of the poor three years. Was married in 1864 and has two children. Rents his farm and lives in the village of Caro. In addition to farming, Mr. Cookingham has lumbered, cutting his own timber at times and jobbing for other parties. CHARLES R. SELDEN, county treasurer, was born in Redford, Wayne County, Mich., March 7, 1832. His parents were from Vermont, to which State they returned, but afterward came back, and settled at Brownstown, Wayne County, Mich. In 1852 they came to Denmark, Tuscola County, his father being virtually the first settler in that township. The son was educated in the township schools and at the high-school in Ypsilanti. Mr. Selden lived on his farm in Denmark until 1880, when he was elected co my treasurer. He then came to Caro. In 1882 he was re- elected. He was supervisor for Denmark for eighteen years, sheriff of the county two years, and has also held a number of township offices. He was married in 1856, to Ellen E. Miller, a native of Vermont. They have one child, a daughter. The Caro Advertiser and Citizen of December 28, 1882, says: "Charles R. Selden, who for the past two years has handled the finances of the county, will continue to handle them for the coming two years. That he has made a good official, and pleasing to the public, is evident from his re-election by the largest majority of any one on the county ticket, therefore, it is needless for us to enter into any eulogy of his many excellent qualities." EDWIN G. Fox, register of deeds of Tuscola County, was born March 14, 1848, in Oxford County, Ontario, where his parents had moved from the State of New York to engage in business. When he was about six years old, they left Canada and settled in Lapeer County, Michigan, and in 1856 removed to the part of Vassar Township, Tuscola County, now called Fremont, where they engaged in farming. Mr. Fox's business experience began with his eighteenth year, when he was employed in mercantile work as clerk, continuing in the employ of various merchants until 1876, when .he engaged in trade in Mayville, which he has continued to the present time. He has a large store and extensive stock of general merchandise, requiring the attention of three men to attend to the wants of his patrons. He makes all purchases himself, and keeps a careful eye on the management and welfare of his business. Being a shrewd, careful and withal an enterprising business man, he has rapidly and safely extended his trade, and is taking a front rank among the solid men of the county. His business career began with a capital of $600, this being the total sum with which he began business in 1876. Mr. Fox was for six years township clerk of Fremont. Recognizing his careful business capacity and careful and exact methods, the people in 1880 elected him register of deeds of the county, to which office he was re-elected in 1882. The duties of a register are clerical mostly, yet it requires a man who can expedite business when necessary, and also "put himself out" somewhat, as the expression is, to accommodate. These necessary characteristics Mr. Fox possesses in an eminent degree. A practical, careful business man, he has made the public his friends, while performing the duties of his office with punctuality, exactness and a strict observance of law, no light task for a public man. Mr. Fox is married and has one child. His present residence is in the village of Caro. EDWARD H. TAYLOR, attorney at law, Vassar, and county prosecuting attorney, is a native of England and was born at Lyth, near Lake Windermere, in 1843. At nine years of age he came to America with his parents and located at Ransomsville, Niagara County, N. Y. He remained at home working on the farm and attending school until the 8th of August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, and on the 22d of the same month was mustered in at Camp Church, Lockport, N. Y. From there the regiment marched to Baltimore, Md., and occupied Forts Federal Hill, McHenry and Marshall, and till December, 1862, were drilled in infantry and artillery practice by a United States officer, after which the regiment, by order of the War Department, was transferred to the Eighth New York Artillery-a full regiment of twelve batteries. During 1863 he was promoted to drill sergeant and was commissioned second lieutenant in October, 1864, and placed in charge of the ordnance department of Baltimore. In front of Petersburg, January 1, 1865, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and February 14, 1865 was breveted captain. During the month of May, 1864, the regiment in command of Col. P. A. Porter, was ordered to join Gen. Grant in the Wilderness, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac, Gen. Hancock commanding, and participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Ream Station, Petersburg, Crow Forts, Long-Bridge, Farmville, and was in the front line of battle on the 9th day of April when Gen. Lee surrendered. On the 25th of June following the regiment was mustered out, and by an order of the War Department, Capt. Taylor was placed in command of Company E, of the Tenth New York Zouaves, which was mustered out on the 10th of July, 1865, in New York City. Returning home he engaged in mercantile business one and a half years, when he was burned out and sustained a heavy loss. He afterward taught school and read law till April 14, 1872, when he came to Vassar and at the June term of the circuit court-Judge Lovell presiding-was admitted to the bar. He practiced law till 1874, when he was elected circuit court commissioner, holding the office two years, since which time he, has practiced his profession and has also done a large real estate and insurance business. In the fall of 1882 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Tuscola County and has served the village of Vassar in the capacity of trustee, village attorney, secretary of the school board and trustee of the district. Since 1872 Mr. Taylor has been actively engaged in politics and for the past six years has been chairman of the Republican county committee. He has also been largely interested in farming and clearing up lands. WILLIAM JOHNSON, M. D., probate judge, was born at Charnwood, in the county of Surrey, England. His parents emigrated to the United States when he was but a boy, and located at Pittsford, Monroe County, N. Y., in the year 1834. In 1814 they removed to Armada, Macomb County, Mich., in which county his mother died in the year 1863, his father dying some two years after at his son's residence in Tuscola County. Dr. Johnson came to Vassar in 1851, where he has resided ever since, save one year in Tuscola village. In 1842 he commenced the study of medicine in the State of New York, continuing it after his removal to Michigan. Since he settled in Vassar he has. been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, until within the last four or five years. In 1858 he and his brother James started a drug store, with which he was connected for a number of years. He sold his interest to the brother, and the business is now (1883) continued by his brother's widow. This was the first drug store in the county. Dr. Johnson has held a number of public positions. Under the United States government he was pension examiner and held the office from 1866 to 1883, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. He was also draft examiner during the war. In 1852 he was elected register of deeds and county clerk, the two offices being combined. During his term of office the records of the county were transcribed, in doing which the books of Lapeer and Saginaw Counties had to be carefully copied so far as they referred to the territory composing Tuscola County was concerned, the latter being at one time connected with the two former ones for judicial purposes. In Vassar he has been connected with the management of Union School District No. 1 for twenty-one consecutive years, also town and village clerk, highway commissioner, etc. In 1876 he was elected judge of probate for a term of four years, and in 1880 was re- elected. Dr. Johnson was one of the founders of the Tuscola County Agricultural Society, and was for a number of years president of it. He has also been an active member of the Farmers' Club, and also president of the same. He is a practical farmer, having a farm in Vassar Township, and is also much interested in stock raising. He has a fine herd of Durhams, or Shorthorns, fourteen in number, also a Holstein. His own driving horse is a thoroughbred Hambletonian. He was married January 19, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth E. Harrison, daughter of Dennis Harrison, who settled in Tuscola County in 1837. Mr. Harrison died September 4, 1881, and Mrs. Sarah M. Harrison, his widow, resides with her son-in-law, Dr. Johnson. She is now eighty-seven years of age. RETROSPECTIVE. An interesting retrospective view is obtained from the following article, written by William-A. Heartt, of Wahjamega: "The wide spread reputation that attaches to our county as being a first-class farming section is of long standing and had its inception as far back as the time when the government of the State was yet territorial. Being sufficiently elevated and rolling to afford ready drainage, though seldom approaching to what might be called hilly; with a rich and varied soil, never failing supply of good, living water, abundance of timber for all practical purposes, combined with an equable climate, tempered by the waters of the Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron, rendered it highly attractive to the appreciative seekers after permanent homes in the past, and with the many added advantages which time has brought in the way of churches, schools, the press, and all they imply, is making it more sought after to-day than ever before by a class of people we are glad to have as neighbors. "Previous to the year 1835 the territory embraced within the present limits of our county was wholly the property of the government, and the bunting ground of the aborigines and trapper. By referring to the tract book it appears that entries were first made in 1835 by D. Harrison, E. Ellis and others in the present township of Tuscola for purposes of settlement, and during the years of 1835-'36 some two thousand more entries were made by outside parties for purposes of speculation evidently, but the disastrous commercial revulsion which overwhelmed the country in 1837 had the effect to almost wholly defer operations in Tuscola County lands for other purposes for the long period of ten or more years. The year 1850 marks the period when it may be said the county commenced having its steady, uninterrupted and healthy growth and development. The construction of what was long designated the 'White Bridge' over the Cass River at Bridgeport on the Saginaw turnpike, by Mr. North, the payment for which work was made in State lands, led to the selection of several sections of land in the at present township of Juniata; viz: sections 17, 18, 19, 20, and 30 in 1848, also the present site of the village of Vassar, including the valuable water privilege which was immediately improved by Messrs. North and Edmunds, and through their enterprise was made the entering wedge for opening up to settlement all that portion of the country lying north and west of the Cass. A large proportion of the better class of farming lands in the townships of Tuscola, Vassar, Denmark, Juniata and Indian Fields had become appropriated as early as 1852 and 1853, at which time emigration had commenced to penetrate the county on the south side of the Cass, through the towns of Watertown and Millington. "To the earlier settlers the interval from 1835 to 1850 was attended with many hardships and privations, and called for persistent struggles to secure the necessities of life, rendered so, largely, by reason of the long distances to market and absence of anything like an approach to good roads. "As early as 1852 the lumbering operations on the Cass had assumed such proportions as to work an entire relief to the settler who had previously found it so difficult to make sale of his products. A home market was established at prices frequently in excess of those governing outside by more than the difference of cost for transportation, and it became a very frequent occurrence for the farmer after having effected a sale to the lumbermen of the surplus products of the farm, to engage for the service of himself and team, likewise his wife and family, in the camp during the winter following. This state of things continued for many years, and it was only within a few years past that the lumbering operations have become so curtailed as to fail to provide winter employment for all the surplus labor of men and teams. "The rapid growth and development of the county during the past thirty years is largely attributed to the favoring circumstances attending the removal of forest product. The Cass River pine had a reputation beyond that of any and all other known lumber districts, and millions of feet of the product of other localities have found ready sales in markets like Boston, Philadelphia,' Chicago and St. Louis from being represented as 'Cass River.' "We reach the close of the third decade in the growth of the county at 1880, and to those who have been called to take an active part in bringing about results already secured, retrospect is proposition was accepted. A lot containing eight acres was leased of P. McGlone, and the work of making the necessary improvements begun at once. The first fair was held October 4th and 5th, 1866, and was considered a pronounced success, although preceded by several weeks of wet weather. The number of entries was 280, and the receipts $522.35. The second fair was held October 1st, 2nd and 3d, 1867. The total receipts were $668.50, and the list of members had increased to 500. The receipts from all sources during the year were $819.49, and the total amount paid out was $784.80. The secretary's report for 1867 states that 156,000 bushels of wheat were raised in the county from 10,000 acres of ground. Of corn it was estimated that 210,000 bushels were harvested from 6,000 acres. The manufacturing interests of the county were reviewed as follows: "The manufactures of our county are lumber, shingles, farm implements and leather, to which we shall soon add woolen. There are upwards of twenty sawmills in the county, producing 10,000,000 feet of lumber annually, and perhaps as many shingle mills, producing as many million shingles, besides a large amount manufactured by hand. At Smith & Graham's basket factory, Vassar, 14,000 baskets have been made during the past year, besides a large quantity of wooden bowls, patent grain sowers, clothes reels, bed springs, etc. This establishment in the busy season employs eight men. There are two foundries in the county, Meehan's, at Vassar, and Parker's, at Centerville. These are employed chiefly making plows, cultivators, scrapers, and some of the simpler kinds of machinery. The manufacture of new work and repairing at the Vassar foundry has amounted to $6,000 during the past season. One of the most successful establishments in the county is the tannery of Balker, Ripley & Co. This firm have tanned during the past season 400 sheep skins, 400 kips, 1,000 calf skins and 3,000 cows hides. They peeled for use 350 cords of bark, and constantly employ one team and six men. The capital invested is supposed to be not far from $10,000. This business is undoubtedly one of the most remunerative that can be prosecuted in the county. The immense quantities of bark and other facilities which our county offers ought to induce others to embark in this business. There is a tannery at Centerville and another at Tuscola which does a good deal of business, but we are not apprised of its full extent. "During the past season Townsend North commenced the establishment of a woolen factory at Vassar. The immediate desideratum aimed at was to furnish the people of the county wool carding facilities, without the expense and trouble of going abroad. This was accomplished and about 11,000 pounds of wool carded. "Machinery has also been imported and set up for coloring, fulling, dressing and pressing cloth, and a considerable work of this kind has been very satisfactorily accomplished." The third fair was held September 29th and 30th and October 1st, 186S. Number of entries, 353, and total receipts for the year, $866.37. Total expenditures, $702.57. The wheat crop for 1868 was estimated to average twenty bushels per acre, corn forty bushels, and oats forty bushels. The season as a whole was considered favorable. The season of 1869 was reported as being unfavorable to farming. Wheat averaged about eighteen bushels per acre, corn was a partial failure, but oats good, averaging thirty-eight bushels per acre. The annual fair was held October 7th and 8th. Number of entries, 538; receipts for the year, $970.55, and balance of cash on hand, $154.70. In 1870 the society purchased twelve acres of ground one mile north of Watrousville, for which seven hundred dollars was paid. The fair was attended with good success. The principal feature of the season was the prevailing drouth. The season of 1871 was reported by the secretary as being favorable for farmers. The average yield of wheat was estimated at twenty bushels to the acre. A new cheese factory at Unionville and a foundry at Watrousville were reported. Of the loss to farmers by forest fires he said: "A few buildings were burned, but aside from the timber the greatest loss to the farmer is undoubtedly in the destruction of fences. Buildings and fences will soon be replaced, and we may hope that the loss of timber may eventually result in bringing a greater number of acres of our rich soil into cultivation, confirming in some degree the truth of the old adage, that ' there is no great loss without some small gain.'" The annual fair was held on the new grounds at Watrousville, October 3d, 4th and 5th. The receipts were about the same as the year previous. The season of 1872 was diversified. Wheat in the northern part of the county was nearly a failure, but fair in the southern towns. The average yield was about fifteen bushels per acre, though of inferior quality. Corn was good, averaging forty bushels per acre, and oats about the same. The fair was held September 25th, 26th and 27th, with usually good success. The season of 1873 was reported as void of any unusual feature. The spring was late and the summer dry, followed by a wet and stormy autumn. Wheat was of uncommonly fine quality, and the average yield about twenty bushels per acre. Oats were below the average and potatoes a poor crop. A new hall was built on the fair grounds at a cost of nine hundred dollars. The annual fair was reported as one of the most successful ever held. The entries numbered 587. The report of the year 1874 states that the season was one of unusual dryness. Water became so scarce as to cause great inconvenience. The average yield of wheat did not exceed fifteen bushels per acre. Oats yielded about forty bushels per acre. Hay was an average crop. The annual fair was reported successful. The fair in 1875 was held late in September, and with respect to receipts and number of entries was in advance of the previous year. The season generally was more favorable to farming than that of 1874. The season of 1876 was not favorable. Wheat averaged about fourteen bushels per acre, corn about thirty bushels, and oats were below the average. The fair was held September 27th, 28th and 29th. Number of entries, 677; total receipts during the year, $1,008.76; members of the society, 434. Secretary Hayes, in his report for 1877, said: "The year 1877 commenced with a cold January, followed by a warm, dry February. March, as usual, was cold and stormy, and April warm and pleasant. The first half of May was cool and dry; the latter part of May and first of June dry, and changeable from cool to unusually warm. July and August were favorable to the growth of nearly all kinds of grain. All products were an average or large crop. Our people are awakening to the fact that poor farming don't pay. Wheat is being more extensively cultivated than all other grain crops combined. The average yield per acre was about twenty-five bushels, and of good quality. Tuscola County harvested the past season 21,400 acres of wheat. If we are correct in our estimate of the average yield per acre, it gives us a total for the county of 535,000 bushels. We cannot compete with the older settled portion of the State, in number of acres sown or bushels raised, but north of the four southern tiers of counties, Tuscola County stands at the head. "There are only two cheese factories in the county; one at or near Mayville, and the other at Unionville." The fair of 1877 was held September 26th, 27th and 28th. Number of entries, 826; premiums awarded to the amount of $547.10; number of members of the society, 701. In his report for the year 1878 the secretary estimated the average yield of wheat to be about fifteen bushels per acre; oats and corn below the average. With reference to the society he said: "During the past year we have added to the number of horse stalls, extended the cattle sheds, and constructed comfortable seats near to and facing the ring for exhibition of stock. "We are free from debt, with a small surplus on hand." The fair was held on the first three days of October, with unusually fine weather throughout. The sale at the treasurer's office of 700 family tickets, makes a good showing and a grand record of the Tuscola County Agricultural Society. The annual fair for 1879 was held the 1st, 2d and 3d of October. The attendance was large and the entries numbered about twelve hundred, far exceeding any previous year. The society expended about $175 in improvements on the grounds. The secretary in his report says that the spring was early and about the 10th of May a severe drouth began. Fires spread over the forests but the damage was not general. June ran to extremes in heat and cold, mercury being at freezing on the 7th, and up to ninety-two degrees on the 29th. July was changeable, and a frost the 17th of August killed buckwheat, corn and vines in several localities. Wheat averaged about twenty bushels per acre of fine quality; corn was below the average, and oats a fair crop. The season of 1880 was not marked by any remarkable features. The crop of wheat was fair in quantity, but rains during harvest time reduced the average in quality. Oats and corn were good. The fair in 1881 was held on the 5th, 6th and 7th of October, being nearly a week later than usual on account of the district fair at Saginaw. The weather, with the exception of being cool in the morning, was remarkably fine throughout. Nearly 1,200 entries were made. 790 membership tickets and 2,500 gate tickets were sold. In speaking of the season of 1881 the secretary said: "The past year will long be remembered as one of unusual dryness. At first the growing crops and vegetation of all kinds warned the farmer that it was getting dry. And it continued, bringing to our minds the language of the young grammarian-dry, dryer, dryest. This was followed by streams, wells, and springs giving out that had never failed before, occasioning great inconvenience on account of the scarcity of water for stock and other purposes. Many have deepened their wells, and some obtained flowing wells which will undoubtedly be a lasting blessing, especially in seasons like the past." Wheat was reported a poor crop, the yield being not more than ten bushels per acre. Corn was also poor; oats were about an average crop. The fair of 1882 was held on the 4th, 5th and 6th of October, with weather more like July or August than October. The entries in Division A were 250, in Division B, 171, in Division C, 1,123, and in Division D, 77, making a total of 1,621. The wheat crop was reported as being above the average: corn and oats good, though oats and wheat were damaged by excessive rains in August. The question of location has been one of annoyance to the society, and its prosperity has been endangered by the organization of district societies. The secretary alludes to this matter in his report of January, 1883, as follows: "There are some very good reasons why the fair cannot be successfully kept up in its present locality. When we think of the many county and district societies that have met with failures within the last few years, and others that are struggling under a heavy indebtedness, we are inclined to think Tuscola County cannot sustain more than two fairs, and we have at the present time three organizations of this kind, with good prospects for another, if the old society retains its present locality. Caro, only seven miles above us, having convenient grounds, well fenced, with commodious buildings, is in good shape for holding fairs; and Vassar, only a few miles below us, will soon be prepared to vie with Caro. The question then will be, or now is, can the old society stand between and compete with the two new organizations?" The treasurer's report for the year 1882 shows a balance of cash on hand amounting to $264.41. It was decided to remove the fair to Vassar. Favorable arrangements were made for the use of Recreation Park, and the work of fitting up buildings, etc., is in progress during the summer of 1883. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. YEAR. PRESIDENT. SECRETARY. TREASURER. YEAR. PRESIDENT. SECRETARY. TREASURER. 1883 Wm Johnson. E. B. Hayes. John M. Cole. 1882 Wm. Johnson. E. B. Hayes. John M. Cole. 1881 Wm. Johnson. E. B. Hayes. John M. Cole. 1880 Wm. Johnson. E. B. Hayes. John Walton. 1879 Wm. Johnson. E. B. Hayes. John Walton. 1878 Wm. Johnson. E. B. Hayes. John Walton. 1877 Wm. Johnson. E. B. Hayes. John Walton. 1876 Wm. Johnson. E. B. Hayes. R. C. Burtis. 1875 Wm. Johnson. C. C. Stoddard. R. C. Burtis. 1874 Wm. Johnson. C. C. Stoddard. R. C. Burtis. 1873 J. Q. A. Burrington. C. C. Stoddard. R. C. Burtis. 1872 C. R. Selden. C. C. Stoddard. R. C. Burtis. 1871 Townsend North. C.•C. Stoddard. R. C. Burtis. 1870 Asa B. Weaver. C. C. Stoddard. R. C. Burtis. 1869 Asa B. Weaver. C. C. Stoddard. R. C. Burtis. 1868 B. A. Wood. J. D. Lewis. R. C. Burtis. 1867 Wm. King. J. D. Lewis. R. C. Burtis. 1866 Wm. King. J. D. Lewis. A. P. Cooper.