May 2008
May 13, 2008 - History of James McCormick (1787-1846).
-- James McCormick, a native of Albany, N.Y., was among the first pioneers of Flint and Bay City, MI having moved to Michigan in 1832. He was the first to take a wagon on the Indian trail leading from Detroit beyond Grand Blanc to where Flint is today. The Trombley House in Bay City was his family's homestead.
May 13, 2008 - 1892: Death of James J. McCormick.
-- James J.was the son of James and Ellen McCormick. He and his father operated the 2nd sawmill on the Saginaw River in what was then Portsmouth (now south end of Bay City). He was a former mayor of Bay City.
May 11, 2008 - 1914 Obituary of Alex Zagelmeyer.
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Zagelmeyer was born in Saginaw, but grew up in Bay City, where he established himself as a politician, and an industrialist in coal mining.
May 11, 2008 - Calvary Cemetery, Kawkawlin, MI.
-- Map of cemetery added, includes photos.
May 7, 2008 - New Soldiers' Rest at Green Ridge Cemetery.
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- 1920 newspaper article about Henry Eickemeyer adding new Soldiers' Rest area to cemetery for Spanish American and world war veterans.
May 5, 2008 - Public Buildings and Places. (1875)
-- Interesting description of early Bay City, which in 1875 represented only the east side of the river. The west side was West Bay City. Neither Birney Park or the former Washington Park had a name, and Batter Park was simply referenced as the "four squares."
May 2, 2008 - Obituary of James G. Birney (1792-1857)
April 2008
Apr. 30, 2008 - 1905 Bio.: Charles C. Cuthbert (1879-1952)
-- Charles Cuthbert was married to Ida Pegg. He worked as a farmer and as superintendent of Pine Ridge, Seaman's and Greeen Ridge cemeteries for many years. The Cuthberts were members of the First Congregational church in Bay City.
Apr. 29, 2008 - Sparling's Machine Shop (1942)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx.
-- News story: Jake Sparling owned a small machine shop at Williams and James streets in Bay City. During WWII he hired an old lumberjack, Percy Fogelsonger, to help him make metal flanges for the war effort.
Apr. 28, 2008 - History of Capt. William Barret (1844-?)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Capt. Barrett was a native of Ft. Stanley, Canada and sailed on the sailed the Great Lakes for 30 years. The Capt. was married to Mary E. Samier and their residence was at 300 N. Warner St.
Apr. 20, 2008 - 1920 Death of Griffin Lewis (1842-1920)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Lewis, a native Kalamazoo, came to Bay City around 1868, where he establish himself in the newspaper and printing business. He was married to Lucinda Beach.
Apr. 20, 2008 - 1920 Article, St. Joseph Cemetery.
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Article discusses the run down condition of St. Joseph cemetery where many early pioneers were buried. The abandoned cemetery was located on the east side of State street, just north of Elm, and is now a parking lot. Another abandoned pioneer cemetery, Pine Ridge, may also be lost without support from the community.
Apr. 19, 2008 - Obituary of William A. Young (1851-1916)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Young was a native of Albany, NY. He came to Bay City in 1870, where he became prominent in banking and lumbering. He was married to Harriet Peters and they resided at 815 Center Ave.
Apr. 9, 2008 - 1902 Obituary of John Drake (1819-1902)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- John Drake was born in Scotland, and came to Bay City in 1851 where he initially entered the lumbering business, then went into insurance in 1858. He is considered the founder of the city's oldest business, the Moulthrop-Clift Insurance Co.
Apr. 8, 2008 - Formation of 31st Regiment, Michigan Infantry.
-- Transcribed from the Bay City Press and Times, Sep. 24, 1864. Article describes the organization of the 31st Regiment at East Saginaw, and includes the names of officers and staff. A second article that day called for community assistance to help sick soldiers from Camp Saginaw at the Ward Hospital.
Apr. 7, 2008 - 1902 Obituary, Dr. Horace Tupper (1830-1902).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Dr. Tupper, a native of Pine Plains, NY, came to Bay City in 1862. He initially was partner in the Keystone mill in West Bay City. During his first 15 years in Bay city he was the only surgeon available. His residence was at 1009 Washington Ave.
Apr. 7, 2008 -- 1893 Obituary, William R. McCormick.
Apr. 7, 2008 -- 1900: Death of Isaac Brown, former slave. Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Isaac was born into slavery. He was 50 years old when he fled Kentucy and headed north to freedom during the Civil War. He resided at 506 Garfield.
Apr. 6, 2008 -- History of Jane Nochchickame (1841-1933).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Update: Added obituary and history references on subject found in Augustus H. Gansser's history of Bay County published in 1905.
Apr. 5, 2008 -- History of Dillon P. Clark (1850-?).
-- Dillon was born in Medina Twp., Medina Co., OH, and came to Bay City in 1882. A self-made architectural engineer, his work became very popular across the state of Michigan.
Apr. 5, 2008 -- History of John G. Buchanan (1849-?).
-- Buchanan was born in Ontario, Can., and came to Bay City in 1869, where he became prominent in the hotelry business, including ownership of one of the city's popular early hotels, the Campbell House.
Apr. 3, 2008 -- Obituary of Arthur M. Birney. (1849-1882)
-- Arthur is the son of James and Amanda (Moulton) Birney. He died in 1882 while living in the Montana Territory. He moved to Bay City with his parents and during his adult years was editor of the Bay City Chronicle that was started by his father. While in Montana he also published a paper and was postmaster of the town Birney, named after him.
Apr. 3, 2008 -- 1905: Michigan to Have New Base Ball League.
-- Excitement was in the air the spring of 1905 as a new minor-league was being organized in Michigan. These two articles from 1905 tell this story.
Apr. 3, 2008 -- 1875 History of the First Baptist Church.
-- Founded in 1863, their first church was a small building on Washington, and later on they had an elaborate building on the south east corner of Madison and Center avenues. They have since reloated on Center Road in Hampton township.
Apr. 3, 2008 -- Obituary of William A. Young (1851-1916)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Young was born in Albany, NY, and moved to Bay City in 1870, where he was involved with lumbering and banking. Mr. Young was married to Harriet Peters in 1881, and their residence was located at 815 Center Ave. in Bay City.
Apr. 2, 2008 -- Newell and Marianna (Fields) Eddy. (update)
March 2008
Mar. 31, 2008 -- Obituary of Charles F. Corbin (1812-1902).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Corbin, born in Scipio, NY, moved to Bay City about 1865, taking up residence in the Villiage of Wenona. He serve as Justice of the Peace for many years, and was an active member of the school board.
Mar. 31, 2008 -- Biography of William P. Kavanaugh (1872-?).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Kavannaugh operated one of the largest fishing businesses in Michigan, which was located in Essexville. His life represents a true rags to richest story about mostly self-made man born in Canada who lost his parents at an early age.
Mar. 30, 2008 -- Biography of Wright Gregory (1869-?).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Founder of the Wright Gregory Monument business in Bay City. He was born in Sheffield, England, lived in Detroit and Ann Arbor before settling down in Bay City in 1892. Mr. Gregory was married to Miss Mary Worth, of Jackson, MI.
Mar. 30, 2008 -- Biography of Harold R. Ford (1885-?).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Ford was born and raised in Bay City, where he entered the clothing merchandize business in partnership with Theodore C. Simon.
Mar. 30, 2008 -- Obituary of G. Harry Shearer. (Update)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Harry was born in Detroit and moved to Bay City in 1865 with his parents, James and Margaret (Hutchinson) Shearer. He was a prominent business in Bay City until he departed for California in 1903, where he died in 1920.
Mar. 29, 2008 -- History of Aaron J. Cooke (1834-1907).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Cooke was born in Bloomfield, NY, and came to Bay City in the fall of 1866 where he partnered with D.G. Langworthy in the dry-goods business. After retiring, he served as a trustee on the Library Board for many years. He was married to Julia Wight, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. J.A. Wight. Their residence was at 258 N. Madison Ave.
Mar. 28, 2008 -- Early Days Recalled by Pioneer Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. Anderson
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx.
-- In 1927 The Bay City Times published published seven articles based on interviews with pioneer Robert Anderson, age 84, which captured his recollections of the early history of Bay City. He saw Water St. go from a muddy mess to being covered with saw dust then planked with wood and before being paved. His father help lay the planking for Tuscola Road. He help lay tracks for the first railroad. These and many more interesting subjects are recalled.
Mar. 25, 2008 -- Aged Chippewa Woman Recalls Early Days.
Mar. 24, 2008 -- Building of the Midland-Bay City Road.
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx -- Article published in 1927, recalling the history of this roadway that started out as beaten path before a wood plank road was built in 1870s. The roadway followed a course laid out many years before by Calvin Christopher Columbus Chillson.
Mar. 24, 2008 -- Death of Ernest B. Perry (1868-1927).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. Death notice of E. B. Perry, former president of the Industrial Works (aka. Industrial Brownhoist). Perry was married to Susie L. Harwood, of Ann Arbor, and their residences was at 2230 Center Ave. Both were members of the First Congregational Church.
Mar. 6, 2008 - Aviation Articles About Lionel H. DeRemer (1889-1962).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- DeRemer was Bay City's first aviator. He graduated from the Wright Brothers school of flying in 1912, and that year he went on barnstorming tour across America with the them.
Mar. 6, 2008 - Obituary of Henry W. Hopler (1842-1930).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Hopler was born in Oakland County and moved to Williams Township at a young age, where he served many year as its supervisor. He was the last living Civil War veteran in the township.
Mar. 6, 2008 - Obituary of Herbert L. Cook (1853-1930).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Herbert Cook came to Bay City when it was still known as Lower Saginaw. He died in Lansing where most of his children lived at that time, but was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Bay City.
Mar. 6, 2008 - James Fraser's remains returned to Bay City.
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx.) -- James Fraser, one of the founders of Bay City, spent the last years of his life in Westport, CT. Added to his history pages is an article published in 1892 about his remains being returned for burial in Bay City.
February 2008
Feb. 23, 2008 - Obituary of Ludwig Daniels (aka. Danielewski), 1845-1903.
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. Ludwig is considered the first Pole to settle in Bay City, having done so 1870. While a history biography was been done on him in 2003, this obituary adds some additional interesting details on his family, and his participation in the U.S. Civil War while a resident of New York.
Feb. 3, 2008 - Death of John N. Sirmyer (1845-1930).
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- John Sirmyer, born in Bavaria, immigrated to Bay City with his parents at the age of five. He worked as a tailor and was a veteran of the Civil War. He and his wife, Frances A. (Wells), resided at 239 Adams St.
January 2008
Jan. 26, 2008 - Death of Dr. H. B. Hulbert (1842-1915)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Dr. Hulbert was a native of Denmark, N.Y., a Civil War veteran and a resident of Bay City, MI, where he practice denistry and live out the balance of his life.
Jan. 26, 2008 - Death of Edward T. Carrington (1839-1914)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- A Civil War veteran and native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Carrington was a long time resident on the west side of Bay City, having settled there when it was known as the village of Wenonah. He enjoyed a prosperous career in the lumbering and sugar industries, and bank as well.
Jan. 19, 2008 - Obituary of George A. Alan (1835-1920)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx.
Allen, born in Macomb Co., moved to West Bay City in 1866 where he had a dry-goods business. Allen married Emma M. Hicks, of Southfield, MI, and they had four children.
Jan. 19, 2008 - Obituary of Charles E. Jennsion (1829-1915)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx.
Charles Jennsion, the founder of Jennison Hardware, was married to Florence Birney, daughter of James G. Birney, a leader in the abolitionist movement and twice a candidate for the presidency.
Jan. 16, 2008 - Early Vessels on Saginaw River. (1912)
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx.
This is nice by Jim, of 1912 newspaper article that describes in detail many of the vessels that shipped on the Saginaw River up through the lumbering period.
Jan. 16, 2008 - City Hall's Water Powered Clock. (1916)
Contributed by James Petrimoulx.
An interesting article describing how water power made the large tower clock worked at City Hall in Bay City. The same water power system also ran 10 other clocks in the building.