EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT This district is composed of the counties of Bay, Iosco, Alcona, Alpena, Presque Isle, and Otsego. The court is held in Alpena on the fourth Tuesday of May and the first Tuesday of October of each year. COUNTY OFFICERS Treasurer-Abram Hopper. Sheriff-Thomas B. Johnston. The board of supervisors consists of the county clerk and eight membersone from each township, one from each city ward, and the city comptroller. The present supervisors are: First ward-Thomas G. Spratt. Second ward-Ira Stout. Third ward-M. N. Bedford. CITY OFFICERS Mayor-George L. Maltz. Chief Engineer-A. L. Power. The common council consists of the mayor, recorder, and two aldermen from each ward. The present aldermen are: First ward-George Richardson and Charles Rice. Second ward-James Timms and J. P. Healy. Third ward-Jason Gillett and J. D. Sheahy. The board of education consists of the mayor, recorder, and two members from each ward. The present members are: First ward-Frank Starbird and H. R. Morse. Second ward-Ira Stout and J. C. Viall. BAY COUNTY MEMORIAL REPORT BY W. R. MCCORMICK At the annual meeting of the State pioneer society, held at Lansing, W. R. McCormick, of Bay City, read the following memorial tribute to Joseph Trombley, one of the earliest pioneers of the Saginaw Valley, who died in the first ward of West Bay City on May 21st, 1883: Joseph Trombley was born on Conner's Creek, three miles above Detroit, in May, 1809; the day of the month cannot be ascertained, as the records have been lost. When a child he became very familiar with the Indian language; so much so that at the age of 20 he was employed by the American Fur company to take charge of an Indian trading post at the Indian village on the Shiawassee river, now in Shiawassee county, where he remained five years, during the fur season. While at this place the Indians attempted to kill him; they selected one of their number, a large, powerful Indian, to do the act. He was to proceed to Mr. Trombley's tent in the night, and when he was asleep to strike him in the head with a war club, as they were afraid to attack him in any other manner, Mr. Trombley being a very powerful man. The Indian crept up to the tent, raised the opening, struck at Mr. Trombley and grazed his head, when the latter sprang to his feet, struck the Indian a terrific blow which felled him to the ground, senseless, and caused the flight of his companions. It was a long time before the Indian revived, and then he had to be carried to his wigwam. After this he had no more trouble, and the Indian he had nearly killed afterwards became his firmest friend. During the Black Hawk war he, with the late Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, raised a company of volunteers, composed chiefly of French, near Grosse Point, above Detroit, and started for the seat of war on foot. When they had got part way to Chicago news came that Black Hawk been had captured and the war ended, and they were ordered to return to Detroit. In 1834 he came to the mouth of the Saginaw river to trade with the Indians. He, with his brother, Medor, purchased of the government 300 acres of land on the Saginaw river, which now comprises the fifth and sixth wards of Bay City, where he built a block house in which he and his brother kept an Indian trading store in the winter of 1836 and 1837. The two brothers commenced the erection of the first frame house in Bay county. Part of the lumber was sawed by whipsaws, and the balance brought from Detroit. They lived in this house until 1843, when it was sold to James McCormick, Sr. It is still standing on the corner of Water and 24th streets, and is now converted into a public house, at the present time known as the Center house. In 1843 he purchased onehalf mile of land on the west side of the Saginaw river, now opposite the northern limits of Bay City, where he soon removed. Here he platted out a city and called it Bangor, which is now within the corporate limits of West Bay City, and comprises the first ward of the same. Some years since, he here erected a fine brick mansion, in which he resided until the time of his death. Mr. Trombley accumulated a fortune, and left four sons and one daughter. His wife died last year, of which event a memorial has been already published in the Pioneer Collections of Michigan. It would be inappropriate to close this short sketch without giving some peculiar traits and incidents of this man. For his friends he could not do too much. He was charitable to the poor, and one of the most hospitable of men; he was also lavish of his money. He was a good neighbor, but a bitter enemy to those who he thought abused him. . No man in the valley is so missed as Uncle Joe, as he was familiarly called. Peace to his ashes. BERRIEN COUNTY NINTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PIONEERS, JUNE 6, 1882 The intention to attend the annual picnic of the Pioneer Society has become so universal among the people of this county, that during the days immediately preceding this event the subject of the weather is the one which receives the most attention and causes considerable anxiety. Although during Tuesday we had several "right smart" sprinkles, they served rather to lay the dust and cool the atmosphere than to dampen the anticipations of the expectant thousands. Tuesday evening there was an unusual number of strangers in town, and when Wednesday morning opened up clear and salubrious, there was no doubt as to a large crowd being in attendance. Bright and early the conveyances began to come in, and by nine o'clock there was a steady inpouring stream on every road. Notwithstanding the large number who now come by railroad, contrary to former years, there was a larger number of conveyances this year than ever before. This is owing to the fact that while in former years the loads were made up of from six to eight persons, they now come in ones, twos, and threes. The business meeting at the grove was called to order at 10:30 A. M., by President N. A. Hamilton. Rev. L. S. Matthews, of Berrien Springs, made an impressive prayer. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Treasurer Thomas Mars made the following report of the receipts and expenditures for the year 1882: There were five bands in attendance, including the Berrien Center, Berrien Springs, Buchanan, and Benton Harbor bands, the latter playing on the May Graham, which was running excursions from the grounds to the bridge, and also a band from Daily, Cass county, which was made up of some fine musicians, whose playing was greatly enjoyed. After some music by the Daily band, Hon. Thomas Mars, of the committee on obituaries, asked for the committee, further time in which to make their report. Granted. The president appointed the following gentlemen as a committee to nominate officers for the coming year: C. D. Nichols, Berrien Springs E. D. Wilson, Oronoko R. V. Clark, Buchanan John Redden, Bertrand Rev. William Penland of Royalton was then introduced to the audience. He said he came to this county about 1840, and then followed the business of a local preacher. His remarks, which consisted of a sketch of his experiences at that time, were short but interesting. After some more music by the band the meeting adjourned until after dinner. During the noon hour the many well filled baskets were opened and their contents spread out upon the tables and on the grass, under the shade of the trees, when they soon disappeared. At half past 1 the meeting was called to order, and Hon. Thomas Mars, of the committee on obituaries, presented the following report: Isaac Smith, came here in 1830, died in 1883. Kingsley Oldes, came here in 1833, died in 1882. E. P. Morley, came here in 1845, died in 1882. Orson Ingolsbee, came here in 1863, died in 1883. Mrs. Asa Sherwood, came here in 1835, died in 1882. Reed Ferris, came here in 1850, died in 1882. WHEREAS, We recognize among the departed some of the oldest and most esteemed members of our society, who have been famous in all good works, kind, benevolent, charitable, and ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and afflicted, and by their untiring industry and good judgment have laid a foundation, and aided materially in building up a prosperous and happy country: Therefore, Resolved, That we will ever cherish the memory of our departed associates and will always refer to their many kind, hospitable, and virtuous acts when we were pioneers in a new country. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the records as a memento of the high esteem in which the departed brothers and sisters were held by this society. Hon. Levi Sparks then made some feeling and appropriate remarks on the death of Mrs. Asa Sherwood, followed by music from the Buchanan band. President Hamilton said that the day was the forty-fifth anniversary of the arrival of his father's family on Portage Prairie. Rev. W. I. Cogshall of Buchanan, the speaker of the day, was then introduced, but declined to speak until an old settler over one hundred years old, and who had served in the revolutionary war, had been heard from. He then called upon the Buchanan band, which presented Yankee Doodle, who notwithstanding his age was still quite lively and provoked much laughter. The speech was an exceedingly eloquent one, abounding in humor, and containing much food for reflection. He spoke of the wonderful progress made in this country during the past half century, and gave some startling illustrations of recentness of the greatest inventions. He thought, however, that the motto was still Ne plus ultra, and said that it was the duty of the fathers and mothers of the land to prepare their children to solve questions greater than any that have yet been solved. The downfall of our republican institutions would set the world back five hundred years. Hon. E. M. Plimpton, of Benton Harbor was called out. His speech was short but interesting and held the close attention of the audience. Mr. George S. Clapp, of Niles, rose and told a couple of humorous stories of the old times in and around St. Joseph. After music by the Berrien Center band, Hon. Levi Sparks was called out. He spoke feelingly of the hardships of the pioneers, but said there was as much real happiness then as now. The committee on officers for the ensuing year made the following report which was accepted and adopted: President-N. A. Hamilton, of Buchanan. Vice-Presidents-E. T. Dixon, of Berrien; J. F. Higbee, of Benton; Francis Wells, of Bertrand; Peter Smith, of Wesaw; Theodore G. Beaver, of Niles. Secretary C. D. Nichols, of Berrien Springs. Treasurer-Thomas Mars, of Berrien Center. Executive Committee-E. D. Wilson, of Oronoko; J. S. Helmick, of Berrien Springs; R. V. Clark, Buchanan; Charles F. Howe, of Bertrand; William J. Jones, Oronoko. After some music by the Berrien Center band the meeting adjourned at a quarter past three. MEMORIAL REPORT BY ALEX. B. LEEDS Names of members of Berrien County Pioneer Society who have died since June 1, 1881, and prior to June 1, 1882: Rev. Henry Worthington, came to Michigan 1837, died July, 1881. Zodock Griffin, came to Michigan 1828, died Oct., 1881. David B. Hinish, came to Michigan 1846, died June, 1881. Joseph V. Hunter, came to Michigan 1834, died ——————, 1881. Isaac Storick, came to Michigan 1836, died 1882. Mrs. Jeremiah Sherwood, came to Michigan 1830, died 1882. Died since meeting of Society in June, 1882: Ebenezer P. Morley, came to Michigan 1845, died 1882. Reed Ferris, came to Michigan 1850, died 1882. Mrs. Asa M. Sherwood, came to Michigan, died 1882. Isaac Smith, came to Michigan 1830, died 1883. Orson Ingolsbee, came to Michigan in 1850, died 1883. |