History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, profusely illustrated with portraits of early pioneers, rare pictures and scenes of olden times, and portraits of representative citizens of today, [Vol. 2]

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

crops and vegetables as far as the eye can reach. In a visit to Frankenmuth
you ride on good, hard roads beside well-kept fences, and see grist mills,
saw mills and cheese factories, and frequent herds of sleek cattle.
But the strongest impression is made by the robust, sane religious life
of the community, which is devoid of the artificial cleavage as is often

ALONG THE CASS RIVER AT FRANKENMUTH

witnessed in rural districts between the religious life on the one hand and
the social or political life on the other. Instead, a happy, industrious, religious spirit constitutes the entire life of the place.
"What is your village population?" you ask an intelligent, plain looking
man.
"About five hundred," he replies.
"How many of them are members of the church?"
"About five hundred," says he, after a pause of blank surprise.
Upon further inquiry you could not learn of a family that is not in
vital connection with the church. "Their stately church edifice, costing not
less than twenty-five thousand dollars, stands on the crest of a hill, overlooking and appealing to the country for miles around. This country church
raises five thousand dollars a year for its work. The parish is much larger
than the village and spreads out over the whole township and beyond. The
inhabitants of Frankenmuth are worthy of their parentage. They are not
abstainers, but are virtuous and steady, and furnish less than their share of
crime to the county courts."