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

ZILWAUKEE TOWNSHIP

comprised at its organization, Jan. 20, 1854, all the land within its
present limits, together with a large tract on the east side of the
river, since annexed to Buena Vista. Within the township proper
are four villages or settlements: Bliss Mill settlement, containing a
population of 174; Melbourne settlement, with 315 inhabitants;
New York Works settlement of 145 inhabitants, and Zilwaukee
village, containing a population of 915. The township outside
these centers is thinly settled, containing only 81 people. The
entire population is 1,630. The land along the river is low and
marshy. The people look to the great industries of Rust, Eaton &
Co., the New York works, Oneida Salt Co.'s works, Burt's mill and
other factories as the main pillar of support. With a system of
drainage and embankment, the lands could be converted into the
richest agricultural district in the county.
ORGANIO.
The application for the organization of Zilwaukee was signed by
John L. Richman, P. N. Davenport, L. Wellington, Louis Duprat,
Antoine Duprat, John Davis, David Johnson, Jerry Davis, B. J.
Fisher, Jacob Wright, James Barrett, Casper Schulteis, Michael
Walker, J. H. Schoeder, representing the 41 electors then in the
township, and presented to the Board of Supervisors. The territory to be organized comprised the south half of township number
13 north, of range 4 east; the south half of township number 13
north, of range 5 east; fractional section 6, and all that part of fractional section 5 lying west of Saginaw river, in township number
12 north, of range 5 east. The board granted the request of the
applicants Jan. 3, 1854, and ordered that the first annual meeting
for the election of township officers be held at the office of D. & S.
Johnson, in Zilwaukee, Jan. 20, 1854; and that the following-named
persons-Luke Wellington, Charles Danes and B. F. Fisher, being
three electors of said township-be designated and appointed to
preside at such meeting.
The first town meeting was held at D. & S. Johnson's office Jan.
20, 1854, as ordered. Charles Danes was elected Supervisor; Chas.
H. Browea, Town Clerk; Charles Lewis, Treasurer; Louis Duprat,
Commissioner of Highways; Benj. F. Fisher, School Inspector;
Daniel Johnson, Benj. F. Fisher, Win. L. Marsh, Casper Schulteis, Justige6 of the Peape; Asher Parks, Henry Flatan, John G.
Brindle and Jeremiah Davis, Constables; Jacob Wright, Loutis
Duprat, Overseers of the Poor.
(957)