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.

ORGANIC.

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. Brower, 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, Justices of the Peace; Asher Parks, Henry Flatan, John G. Brindle and Jeremiah, Davis, Constables; Jacob Wright, Louis Duprat, Overseers of the Poor.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

The following list embraces the township officers from 1854 to 1881:

SUPERVISORS

CLERKS

TREASURERS

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

CHURCHES.

The churches of the township compris the Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist. The Lutheran church is said to be a pretentious building.

SCHOOLS.

There are three school districts in the township; No. 1 presided over by James Malony; No. 2 by Joseph C. Bixby, and No. 3 by Edward Lambert. The number of children of school age in the township in September, 1880, was 503, of whom 374 were reported in attendance. The schoolhouses are frame buildings, valued at $8,656. There are seven teachers employed, who received during the past year $1,912 for their services. The total disbursement of money for school purposes during the year ending in September, 1880, was $2,981.90. The district taxes amounted to $2,412, primary school fund $207.27, non-resident fees $600, and $197.27 raised from other sources, aggregating $2, 981.90. The township library contains 422 volumes, including 118 volumes added during the year 1880.

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

Theodore F. Casamer, Principal of the Zilwaukee Public Schools, was born in Orion tp., Oakland Co., Mich., in 1844; parents are Isaac and Prudence (Buchner) Casamer, natives of New Jersey, of German descent; subject of sketch received his education at the Ypsilanti Normal School, also attended Eastman's Commercial College, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; when 17 years of age, enlisted in Co. C, 10th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and was wounded in the shoulder at battle of Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864; was discharged, and re-enlisted again in 1864, but was discharged again in 1865 on account of wounds received; was a resident of Genesee Co., Mich., for some time; and was appointed County Superintendent of Schools; was also nominated for Register of Deeds of Oakland Co., Mich., in 1876; came to Zilwaukee in 1868, and accepted present position, which he has since filled; is Republican in politics; was married in 1880, to Jane Chase.

George Hendry, physician, was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1838, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Clark), natives of Scotland; received his literary education in the high schools of Canada, and was a teacher at Farmersville for two years; entered Queen's College (Medical) at Kingston, from which he graduated March 29, 1869; came to this tp. in 1868; is Republican in politics; has twice been delegate to State Conventions, and in 1880, was delegate to Detroit to elect delegates for the Presidential election; has been Superintendent of Schools and Justice of the Peace; was President of the Saginaw County Medical Society in 1874; enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice; was married, in Canada, in 1873, to Mary Simpson, a native of Scotland; have 2 children—George David Kerr and Isabella Henrietta.

Frederic Otto, residence Zilwaukee village, was born in Germany, in 1833, and is a son of Frederic and Frederika (Phulshur) Otto; he received a common-school eduation in Prussia, and has served some years as engineer of a stationary engine; he came to this country in 1855; is Democratic in politics, and has officiated as School Inspector and Tp. Treasurer two terms; he owns 35 acres of land, two of which are in the village of Zilwaukee; also 11 village lots; he was married in 1859, to Caroline Hilderbrand; of their 10 children, 8 are living—Fred, Charlie, John, Rudolf, Alvina, William, Caroline and Albert. The deceased are Louisa, and Abesia.

Philo Stafford was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1831; is a son of John and Margaret (Orr) Stafford; father native of Rhode Island, of English descent; mother native of Vermont, of Scotch parentage. Subject of sketch was educated at the common and high schools of Ohio, and has been engaged in a saw-mill since 1851. On Aug. 25, 1862, enlisted in Co. A, 18th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged in 1863. In 186– obtained position as foreman of Rust, Eaton & Co's saw-mill, and has been engaged in that business since; has full charge of everything connected with mill, and has on an average 50 men employed. Was married in 1859 to Francis C. Riddle, a native of Ohio, of English and Irish descent. Of their 6 children 5 are living. Subject of sketch votes for candidates of Republican party.

Ernst Wetzel was born in Prussia, Dec. 4, 1830; is a son of Charles Wetzel, a sea captain. Subject of sketch received a fair education in his native land, and in 1843 shipped on board a vessel as a common sailor. In 1848 he cruised to America, and subsequently to Buenos Ayres; took a trip around Cape Horn, and arrived at San Francisco, Cal., May 4, 1850. For two years was proprietor of a general store in the mining regions, being very successful in this business. Was a miner for 12 years; came to this county in 1866, and has since been a farmer; owns 122 acres of land and property in East Saginaw. Is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a Democrat. Was Justice of the Peace and Tp. Treasurer for 10 years. Was married in 1866, to Mary Ann Huss, a native of Germany, born Nov. 30, 1840; have 6 children, 1 daughter and 5 sons—Albert, Herman, Ernest, Emil, Bernard and Clara.

BACK TO LIST OF TOWNSHIP HISTORY 1881

Source: History of Saginaw County Michigan, By Michael A. Leeson, Damon Clarke, Published 1881 Chas. C. Chapman & Co., Chicago pages 957-960.

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