Little Bits of History

Saginaw Weekly Courier-Herald, Thursday, August 28, 1890 Page 2 

John Barr, the Tittabawasses River brick manufacturer, came to Saginaw county 25 years ago.   

"Lute" Lull was born in Bridgeport township in 1844.  His mother wore the first wool cloth produced in Saginaw county.  His father brought the first sheep to this county, and hauled wheat from this county to Waterford, Oakland county, to get it ground.

Dr. N.D. Lee has resided in Saginaw since 1850.  Morris Quinn has resided in Saginaw 28 years.

The first plank road from Saginaw to Flint was built in 1850.

Saginaw township was organized in 1831 and was a whopper.  Its area embraced what now constitutes the counties of Saginaw, Midland, Tuscola, Alpena, Iosco, Bay, Cheboygan, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Isabella, Clare, Gladwin and Oscoda.  Gardner D. Williams was the first supervisor of all this territory.

In October 1835 the county of Saginaw was organized under authority of the territorial legislature.  The plat of Saginaw was enlarged and the first map of the city drafted.  What was harvested that year for the first time and sent to the mill.

In 1842 the Board of Supervisors of Saginaw county granted a license to G.D. Williams, authorizing him to operate a ferry on Saginaw River, one mile up and down the river from the Mackinac road, for three years, ending July 7, 1845.  The rate of toll was 12 1/2 cents each for foot passengers; man and horse 25 cents, man and horse and wagon 37 1/2 cents; man and two horses and wagon 50 cents; cattle or horses 10 cents each.

A.W.S. Calderwood came to Saginaw at the south end.

J.J. Harvey and H. Coleman both came to Saginaw 23 years ago and went into the livery business.  Both are at it yet.

Frank R. Ganschow came to Saginaw in 1850 and is still doing business on the west side.

John L. Jackson was born in Saginaw in August 1855.  E.C. Newell came to Saginaw in 1851 and is here yet.  James M. Wylie came to Saginaw 27 years ago and is a member of the firm of Wylie Bros., shingle manufactures.

Isaac Totten located in Birch Run township in 1854, carrying all he possessed on his back a distance of seven miles.

The first church in Bridgeport township was organized by Rev. Bracket, a Wesleyan Methodist.

Leonard Blakely came to Bridgeport 28 years ago, and has been a justice of the peace many years.

The Hubingers located in Frankenmuth in 1846.  They came from Detroit to Saginaw in a sail boat in May of that year, the journey occupying two weeks.  There were only six farms cleared in the township of Frankenmuth when they arrived.

B.F. Dobson came to Saginaw in 1859.  He served in the Seventh Michigan Infantry during the war, came back to Saginaw and is still doing business here.

Ex-Mayor Youmans came to Saginaw 30 years ago, and still resides in the Eight ward.  He owns a farm and brickyard at Bridgeport and will manufacture about 2,000,000 brick this season.

A.W. Achard was born in Prussia in 1825 and located in Saginaw county in 1849.  He superintended the erection of the first brick store built in Saginaw.

John Ingledew came to Saginaw in 1856, M.C. Mower has resided in this county 25 years.

Capt. Leon Snay is said to have been the first white settler on the east side in Saginaw.

G.W. Grant was the first town clerk of Buena Vista, and Curtis Emerson the first supervisor.  The latter died some years ago, but Mr. Grant is still on earth.

During the year 1837 the census of Saginaw was taken by A. Butts.  His pay was $1 for every 100 persons, and he received $9.20 for the work.  The Board of Supervisors, however, in consideration of the great number of miles traveled and money expended by him, voted him an additional $50.

Francois Trombley came to Saginaw in 1792 and was drowned in lake Huron on his return to Detroit.