HON W. W. WHEATON.

THE subject of our sketch, the Hon. Wm. W. Wheaton, of Detroit, is an example of what can in the United States be accomplished without extrinsic aid or influence when ability, energy and ambition are united with perseverance and determination to succeed.

Mr. Wheaton was born in New Haven, Conn., on the 5th of April, 1833, and is therefore now only in his fortieth year. Yet he has for twenty years been a prominent wholesale merchant, most of the time at the head of a firm; has been at the head of the city government of Detroit as Mayor for four years, and has been chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee for two years. In the fall of 1866 he ran

for Senator for the Second District of Michigan and was only defeated by twelve votes, and he was twice elected Mayor. It is rarely that mercantile, official and political prominence have been secured so early in life without any strong outside influences to aid in attaining them.

Mr. Wheaton's parents were only in moderate circumstances. When he was but ten years old his father died. He obtained a common school education by working for his board and schooling. He was preparing for college under the late Judge Simeon Baldwin, of New Haven, when he was offered a situation in the mercantile establishment of C. H. Northum & Co., of Hartford. He remained with them four years, laying the foundation of business qualifications that have since secured him his success. He then removed to Detroit and entered into business for himself in the firm of Farrand & Wheaton, and subsequently at the head of the firm of Wheaton, Leonard & Burr, and Wm. W. Wheaton & Co. He has accumulated a fine property from no capital but business capacity and able management. He is at the present time the treasurer and general agent of the Marquette and Pacific Rolling Mill Company of Marquette, which represents $500,000, and is owned mostly in Detroit. He has been successful as an official through incorruptibility and attention to his duties. He has acquired prominence as a politician through his knowledge of men, his frankness, his energy and his independence of individual or selfish influences.

FLINT.

THE city of Flint, the county seat of Genesee county, is beautifully located upon the banks of the Flint river, and is about equi-distant between Saginaw and Pontiac. Its present population is about 10,000, and it is a town of no inconsiderable business. Located in the center of a rich agricultural county, numbering about 40,000 inhabitants, the growth of the city has never been rapid and spasmodic, but certain and healthy.

Mr. Jacob Smith was the first white settler, having removed here soon after the treaty was concluded with the Indians at Saginaw in 1819. Mr. Smith had but few white neighbors before his death, and it was not until about the years 1828 and 1830 that the place could be called "fairly started." Among the first settlers, may be mentioned the names of Lyman Stow, Rufus W. Stevens, John Todd, R. F. Stage, D. S. Freeman, I. D. Wright, G. and R. Bishop, L. G. Biskford, C. S. Payne, T. B. W. Stockton, Charles C. Hascall, H. M. and I. Henderson, Wm. Moon.

About the year 1834, a land office was established here for the sale of lands in the Saginaw district, and General C. C. Hascall was appointed receiver and Michael Hoffman register. Political changes taking place, these gentlemen were succeeded by George M. Dewey, as receiver, and E. B. Witherbee, as register, and who in their turn were succeeded by R. Bishop, as receiver, and Wm. M. Fenton, as register, who held their appointments until the office was removed to Saginaw, in the year 1858.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS,

The Asylum for the Deaf, the Dumb and the Blind was located here by the legislature of 1847. The building is one in which the people of the State may take a just pride. The site was donated to the State by Colonel T. B. W. Stockton. Hon. I. B. Walker was the resident commissioner until his declination in 1872, when W. L. Smith was appointed as his successor. The institution is at present in a highly flourishing condition under the management of Professor E. L. Bangs. It has a general attendance of 150 students.

The Court House and City Hall are creditable structures.

RAILROADS.

The Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad passes through the city, opening a direct line of communication to all points north and south. The Port

Huron and Lake Michigan Railroad having lately been consolidated with the Peninsula Railroad, extending from Lansing to Valparaiso, in Indiana, secures the early completion of the road from Flint to Lansing-the new organization taking the name of "The Chicago and Lake Huron Railroad Company." This road will, when finished, be of great advantage to the people of the Northwest, and will constitute the shortest route from Chicago to the sea-board.

SCHOOLS.

Flint has vied with its sister cities of the State in its educational facili ties. A central "Union school" building is now being erected at a cost of $100,000, which will be one of the finest school buildings in the State. Professor Tumsdell now stands at the head and supervises the educa tional interests of the city, and students are admitted to the University upon his certificate without further examination.

LIBRARIES.

The only public library in the city is that of the "Ladies' Library Association," organized in 1851, and which is the pioneer or "mother association" of the hundreds of similar ladics' library associatians now in the full tide of successful and useful operation, not only in Michigan, but in neighboring States. The plan of this "peculiar institution" origi nated with Mrs. R. W. Jenny, who wrote its constitution and by-laws, and under which Mrs. Colonel Stockton was chosen its first president. It owns a large and valuable circulating library.

Colonel E. H. Thompson has one of the largest and best private libraries in the State.

The "Flint Scientific Institute," pioneered by Dr. Daniel Clarke, Dr. Manly Miles, Hon. F. H. Rankin, Hon. E. H. Thompson, and others, is one of the best of its kind. It has a rare and valuable collection for the study of the naturalist and the scientist.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

One commandery Knights Templar; one chapter Royal Arch Masons; wo lodges F. & A. M.; two lodges I. O. O. F.; one lodge I. O. G. T.; St. Michael's Benevolent Society.

BANKS.

Her banks are the First National, Citizens' National, and the Genesee County Savings Bank.

Flint has also a Riding Park Association; an excellent Brass Band, under charge of Professor G. I. H. Gardner; a military company-"The Flint Union Blues."