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]

384

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

How Freeland Got Its Name
In the second cluster of backwoods houses there lived a man named
George Truesdale who, with some of his friends, conceived the idea of moving
the little postoffice at Loretta to their place. This was in the early part of
1867, and Andrew Johnson was in the president's chair. Though elected by
the Republican party on a coalition ticket, the president had been a Democrat;
and Truesdale believed that his best chance of securing his object-the postofice-lay in being a hearty Democrat. The fact that he had been for many
years a Republican was not allowed to interfere with his plans, and he at once
deserted his old political associates and allied himself with the Democrats.
Events proved him to have been wise in his plans, and he succeeded in
securing the removal of the postoffice from Loretta to his own settlement,
which was still without a name. For awhile the office continued to bear its
name, Jay, much to the displeasure of the people thereabout.
There was,however, in the little settlement a woman, popularly known as
"Mammy Freeland," who kept a tavern on the river bank nearby. As this
hotel was one of the most prominent features of the place, and frequented by
lumberjacks and river-men alike, the name of Freeland gradually came to be
applied to the settlement, and finally the postoffice was officially changed
from Jay to Freeland.
For awhile there was little at Freeland but the little group of buildings,
as it was simply a stopping place for lumbermen and those working on the
river and drive. Agriculture had not yet become an active industry and the
needs of the few settlers were few and generally supplied by merchants at
Saginaw. In 1867 however, the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad was built
from Saginaw westward and passed close to the village, and not through
Loretta. This turned the scales in favor of Freeland and the place soon became a growing village. It was never a lumber town of any consequence,
but in 1870-a small saw mill was built and operated for several years. A
shingle mill was also put up and run for some time until destroyed by fire.
As the country gradually became cleared back from the river and white
pine timber was exhausted, farmers began to come in increasing numbers
until they finally caused the development of the town. The soil was exceedingly fertile and produced everything for the sustenance of life. Moreover,
the early settlers were a sturdy, thrifty people who worked unceasingly for
the betterment of their condition and for the improvement of the land.
Freeland a Prosperous Village
At present Freeland is a thriving village of about five hundred people,
and in common with most of the villages of Saginaw county, it is a farming
community, devoted chiefly to the interests of the rural population. That the
surrounding farms are the principal sources of its prosperity is evident on
approaching the place. Two large elevators situated on the tracks of the
Pere Marquette Railroad are capable of handling the grain of nearby farmers,
and both show unmistakable signs of prosperity. Beans are the great crop
of Tittabawassee Township, especially in the neighborhood of Freeland, and
an extensive acreage is planted each year, the product being shipped to outside markets. Wheat and corn are also raised in large quantities for shipment to other points.
In the village are three large general stores, well supplied with the necessities which the farmer calls for, a prosperous drug store, a thriving newspaper, the Freeland Star. There is also a strong bank which occupies a handsome building of its own, and looks after the financial needs of a wide territory.