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

SAGINAW TOWNSHIP.

In the compilation of this work every subject of importance has
been taken from, or compared with, the records, and the unwritten, or legendary, submitted to the pioneers for confirmation. In
many cases extracts have been made from the writings of the most
prominent men among the old settlers; because the times which
they passed in review, and the exquisite manner in which they
treated their subjects, tended to render their reminiscences invaluable, if not absolutely necessary for a complete history. Doubtless
many important events are omitted in the county history; but it
will appear that such, being so intimately connected with Saginaw
City, receive a full notice in the pages devoted to this division of
the county. The biographical chapters are not the least interesting. They necessarily comprise much historical matter, and as the
lives of the men brought under notice are entwined closely with
the progress of the county, so also do their biographies commingle with history, and, combined, form subject matter at once
entertaining and instructive.
The history of the Churches contains much valuable information. It bears important testimony to the activity of the times,
and proves that the spiritual matters progressed evenly with the
temporal. Comparatively few years have elapsed since the God of
Christians was worshiped under two or three different forms.
Now, no less than 30 religious societies adore Him in 30 different
ways within the cities. There is, however, one consolatory reflection, and that is the beautiful fraternity which binds all the denominations together and gives them promise of a continuance of
friendship in the land of the hereafter.
The schools are treated very briefly in the history of the county.
This is entirely due to their identification with the cities and townships, in which connection the reader will find that full information regarding them, which educational establishments so well
deserve. Without the Church and school all would be darkness;
ignorance would rule supreme, and man's ideal would return to
that primitive condition from which the Church and school gradually raised them. The great industrial establishments of the city
and township hold a prominent place, while the pioneer and social
history is given in a comparatively full form, which may insure
its welcome.
THE NAME.
The origin of the name " Saginaw" is so doubtful that many of
the early settlers differ much in opinion regarding it, and more
particularly in the application of the name to this portion of the
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