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

the Pere Marquette in February, 1900. He was also for some time president of the Saginaw & Mt. Pleasant Railroad, running from Coleman on the
F. & P. M. Railroad to Mt. Pleasant, a distance of fifteen miles; and also
held positions of like character, filling them with fidelity and ability. He
not only witnessed the beginning of railroad construction in Saginaw Valley,
but he took an active part in the development of the lines that radiate therefrom in various directions and contribute to its growth and prosperity.
An an adjunct to the railroad he erected a commodious and pleasant
summer hotel at Bay Port, on the shores of Wild Fowl Bay, a beautiful sheet
of water and a part of Saginaw Bay. The hotel was opened to the public
in June, 1886, and the patronage for two seasons was so large that it was
found necessary to build an annex, more than doubling the capacity of the
house.
In connection with this railroad enterprise, Mr. Webber developed the
valuable stone quarries three miles east of Bay Port, which afford an excellent quality of lime stone for building purposes, at about one-half the prices
which formerly prevailed in Saginaw Valley. The stone and lime were put
upon the market against the disadvantages which attend the introduction
of a new and untried product, but their merits were soon recognized and a
ready market opened for them. The third year the quarries were operated
the sales of stone amounted to three thousand cords, while the sales of lime
during the same period reached forty thousand barrels, and has continued in
increasing ratio since.
Ever alive to the commercial interests of the State, Mr. Webber took a
prominent part in the development of the salt industry of the Saginaw Valley.
He drafted the bill, passed by the legislature February 15, 1859, which provided for the payment by the State of ten cents a bushel on all salt made
from brine found in Michigan; and was instrumental in organizing the first
company to bore for salt and to make pioneer experiments. For a time he
was secretary of this company. In May, 1860, brine in paying quantities
and of good quality was discovered on land owned by Jesse Hoyt, who was
one of the largest stockholders of the company. The erection of a salt block
was at once commenced, and in June, 1860, the first salt ever made in the
valley was placed upon the market. The results produced a wonderful
effect upon land values in Saginaw Valley, and the excitement for a time ran
high. The discoveries made by this company were the foundation upon
which the vast salt industry of this State has been built.
Another of Saginaw's great industries largely owes its inception and
early development to the efforts of Mr. Webber. The first discovery of coal
was at Sebewaing, in Huron County, in a vein about four feet thick. The
first exploration was near Reese, in Tuscola County, without results. Afterwards at Sebewaing tests were made, which resulted in a shaft being put
down and a company formed, of which he was the principal stockholder, and
mining was actually commenced in the latter part of 1890. Within four
years sixty-six thousand tons of coal had been mined and sold in this section of Michigan. This discovery proved an incentive for others to follow,
and in a few years the valley was dotted with mining shafts, from which
thousands of tons of coal were hoisted daily.
Other enterprises with which he was actively identified were, the Mayflower Mills; the East Saginaw Gas Company and the American Commercial and Savings Bank, of which he was president; the Academy of Music
Association; and the Hoyt Library Board.
Politically, Mr. Webber was a life-long Democrat, and was one of the
leading standard-bearers of the party in Michigan. Among the public
offices held by him during his useful life were, circuit court commissioner,
prosecuting attorney, and mayor of East Saginaw to which he was elected in