Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== PIONEER HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY, MICHIGAN by Florence McKinnon Gwinn Huron County Pioneer & Historical Society, 1922 [page 73] CHAPTER III EARLY TOWNSHIP HISTORY BAD AXE WIPED OUT BY FIRE The village of Bad Axe suffered greatly from the terrific fire that swept over the county in 1881. That destructive element left only 21 buildings of all descrip- tions. Soon afterward there were 110 residences be- sides the business houses, thus showing the indomitable spirit and energy of the people. B. L. SCOTT has no peer in this county for genuine push and no man has done more for the town than he, says a paper of that period. He has given employment to many men and is helping build up the village by furnishing lumber for the town. Today some of these men are still living in Bad Axe and are able to tell the story of those strenuous times. THOMAS MARTIN cut the first tree down just where the Hotel IRWIN is situated in June 1864, and camped on the site of GEORGE ANDREWS' house. The next morn- [page 74] PIONEER HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY ing one of the party shot a deer a few rods from there. Worthy of mention among those who settled in this county is the name of DEAN CUTLER, now of Bad Axe. He has lived over 71 years amid its stirring scenes. His father visited this place when it was a wilderness to see a Mr. PEACOCK, whose hip was out of joint. JAMES BALDWIN was another man who did his part nobly in the transition of Bad Axe from a forest to a progressive city. He came to the county in 1868 and to Bad Axe in 1887, where he conducted a hardware bus- iness in partnership with JAMES STILLWELL. He was elected register of deeds in 1888. He held this office six years. Another man who witnessed the inception and evo- lution of Bad Axe was J. A. WRIGHT. The first dwelling house in the town is said to have been built by a lawyer, JAMES SKINNER, still living in the town. We wish to mention among the names of early pioneers that of A. L. WRIGHT, who filled many places of trust and responsibility. He was a resident of the county when but a boy. His original homestead being on the state road four miles southwest of Bad Axe. When in his teens there was no school in his immediate district so he attended on a mile away at one time walking that distance for sev- eral months on a crutch. He was a real estate dealer, banker and farmer. JAMES NUGENT and JOSPEH FREMONT are men who have also contributed their share toward the develop- ment of the town. The pioneer shoeman of Bad Axe was CALVIN FOSTER. He also served his country in the Civil War, enlisting in the 10th Michigan Infantry with which he served until the close of that struggle. The site of the town is on a gravelly ridge about four miles in length and half a mile wide. It used to be a famous hunting place for the Indians in early days. W. T. BOPE told this incident of his experience with some of the Indians: One of them always had Mr. BOPE take care of his money. Instead of a bank book or receipt this Indian would cut as many notches on a stick as he [page 75] PIONEER HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY gave dollars to Mr. BOPE. When he wanted his money back he would present the notched stick. This mode of banking seemed to work satisfactorily if it was primi- tive. Many of the early inhabitants of Bad Axe have pass- ed away but their memory still lingers and the story of their labors is best told by the religious, educational, political and industrial institutions which they had part in establishing and which shall continue long after the granite memorial which markes their last resting place has grown moss covered with the passing years. ===========================================================================