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

Other prominent men who were more or less active in the affairs of Fremont, during the following decade, were: James W. Graham, who was
supervisor in 1877-8; Richard Graham, supervisor in 1880-1; Jeremiah Shoven,
township clerk in 1868; Lyman and Lucius Babcock, George A. Bunting,
W. H. Beatty and George W. Robinson. The treasurers were: Goodwin
Kelsey, Joel Gulick, George W. Walker, George W. Hoyt, John S. Lockwood,
Kimball S. Crook and Alexander McKenzie.
Schools
Although a large area of the township remained in its wild state for
twenty years or more after organization, the settlers did not neglect the more
reasonable requirements of education of their children. In 1881 there were
four schools in the township, two of which were taught by men. The number
of children enrolled was one hundred and forty-four, and those in daily attendance one hundred and twenty-two. The actual number of farmers was one
hundred, and of electors about one hundred and twenty-five. The expenditures amounted to nearly twelve hundred dollars.
At the time of publication of this history (1918) there were seven schools
in Fremont Township, well distributed in sections 1, 2, 8, 9, 22, 26 and 29.
The buildings generally were of substantial construction and well arranged
for the imparting of knowledge to the young; while the standard maintained
was on a par with most districts of the county.
The town hall of Fremont Township is situated in the northeast corner
of the northeast quarter of section 28, in the little village of Nelson. This
cross-roads village consists of two or three stores in which general stocks of
goods are carried, and several dwellings and a flourishing church. Another
church society has a comfortably seated building in the southwest corner of
section 28; and there is also a church in the northern part of section 2, which
serves the people contiguous to it.
Improved Highways
Because of its location in respect to adjoining townships, and also on
account of its own needs, the improved roads of Fremont run on north and
south section lines. The principal highway through the center of the township is an extension of the stone road in Richland, which begins at the north
county line and passes through Hemlock. This road affords direct communication with Saginaw by way of the Gratiot Road, and with Midland, St. Louis,
Alma and points west. There is also a good shale road along the south town
line with Brant, leading direct into the village of St. Charles, which is the
natural market for the farmers of Fremont and Brant Townships. A short
spur of this road, one mile in length, is improved between sections 35 and 36.
Pioneer Farmers
Kimbal S. Crook, a native of Wayne County, Michigan, was born, in 1847,
of English parents. He received his education in Monroe County, and was
married in 1869 to Eliza Baumeister, of German descent. They came to Fremont Township in the Spring of 1870, and bought forty acres of wild land
which he cleared and improved. Mr. Crook served the township as treasurer
in 1878 and in 1881-2, and was justice of the peace for two years. The family
comprised two children, one daughter and one son.
Thomas P. Hynes, an early settler of section 28, was born in Ireland in
1831. He came to America in 1846, and after a short residence in Canada
moved to New York State and enlisted in the army for service in the Mexican
War. Following two years of work in a saw mill in Bay City, Michigan, he
settled on land in Fremont, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He
was married in 1860 to Nancy M. Nelson, of New York State, and they had
three children. Mr. Hynes was supervisor. of Fremont Township for twelve
years.