History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Saginaw township was organized in 1831, and comprised the
county of Saginaw as then known, the counties of Midland,Tuscola,
Alpena, Iosco, Bay, Cheboygan, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Gratiot,
Isabella, Clare, Gladwin and Oscoda. Gardner D. Williams was
first supervisor.
The first local roads were laid out by Deputy-Surveyor Jewett.
The French traveler, De Tocqueville, visited Saginaw.
In 1834 the first saw-mill was built by Harvey Williams, G. D.
and E. S. Williams.
The first frame house was built by Eleazer Jewett, in 1831.
Miss Mary Jewett, now Mrs. Dr. N. D. Lee, was born Feb. 11,
1834. She was, therefore, the first white child born in the county
within the American pioneer period.
The first cargo of lumber was shipped from the Emerson mill in
1836.
William Williams, born March 12, 1834, was the first white male
child born in Saginaw county.
Judge Albert Miller taught the first school in the valley.
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. Wheat was harvested that year for the first time and sent to mill. A clearing
was made on the east bank of the river.
C. A. Lull raised the first crop of wheat, in 1835. He brought
the first sheep into the district.
The Presbyterian Society was organized in 1836, being the first
religious association established.
The same year Norman Little purchased the United States' Government block-houses and military reserve, from Dr. Millington,
of Ypsilanti. He also brought with him type and newspaper press
from New York, and projected the Saginaw Journal. The "Citizens' Library Association" was formed, and the era of improvement entered upon.
The first steam saw-mill at East Saginaw was built in 1836.
The first dock was constructed at Saginaw City in 1836.
The first boring for rock salt or brine was done by Douglass
Houghton in 1838.
The financial crisis was brought under control in 1838.
The first turnpike road was begun in 1840.
The first ferry was chartered in 1842.
E. W. Perry made the first attempt to clear the rivers of driftwood in 1837.
The same year Nelson Smith built and launched the schooner
" Julia Smith."
Tlhe first plank road to Flint was made in 1850.
The first stave yard was established by Humphrey Shaw in 1850.
The first Union school building was erected in 1851.
The first brick-yard was established at East Saginaw in 1852.
The first secret society organized here was the Odd Fellows'
lodge, No. 42, in 1849. The first Masonic lodge was formed in
March, 1854.