Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of the Lake Huron Shore H. R. Page & Co., - 1883 [269] BLACK RIVER VILLAGE takes its name from a small stream that empties into Lake Huron, at the northeast corner of the county, twelve miles from Harrisville. A view of the village accompanies this history. Although a small stream, it became the headquarters of a very large business in lumbering, carried on by MESSRS. ALGER, SMITH & Co., who permanently located there in 1878. In 1868 MOORE & ALGER commenced lumbering in Northern Michigan, and were succeeded by R. A. ALGER & Co. in 1874, the firm at that time being composed of GENERAL R. A. ALGER, M. S. SMITH and GEORGE W. BISSELL, who continued until 1879, when R. K. HAWLEY & Co., of Baltimore, Maryland, purchased the interest of MR. BISSELL, and soon after the firm incorporated as R. A. ALGER & Co., with a capital of $1,000,000. In 1881 the capital stock was increased to $1,500,000, and the company became known as ALGER, SMITH & Co., the officers as follows: R. A. ALGER, president; R. K. HAWLEY, vice-president; M. S. SMITH, treasurer; J. C. McCAUL, secre- tary, and J. MILLEN, superintendent at Black River, Michigan, the stock being all taken by the gentlemen named. The office and general business of the company is carried on at Detroit, Michigan, and the works are at Black River, Alcona County, Michigan, where they own 50,000 acres of lands and have 600,000,000 feet of pine timber stand- ing on these lands. In addition to this very large amount of timber the company own 500,000,000 feet of standing pine on the upper penin- sula of Michigan. It may be said, without question, that ALGER, SMITH & Co. are the largest producers of pine timber, spars and masts in the world. The pine timber of Michigan is being cut very rapidly, and it will be a matter of only a few years ere the supply is exhausted, especially that class of timber suitable for timber spars and masts, and it is generally conceded that this company own and produce the best of these timbers. Masts and spars from their works supply to a large extent the New York, Boston and other seaport markets. In 1876, in order to increase the production, it was found neces- sary to build a railroad through these lands, and now the company have twenty-five miles of railroad, three and one-half feet guage, laid with steel rails, with four locomotives (of which the largest one, the General Sheridan, weighs 64,000 pounds) and 100 cars. The cutting and skidding is of course the same as at any lumbering camp. The trees, as soon as fallen, are stripped of their bark and skidded, and loaded on the cars at once. The work is done very rapid- ly, the logs being put into the water and rafted the same day they are cut. These rafts are put in tow of one of the company's steam barges or tugs, and delivered at Tonawanda, Buffalo, Cleveland, Sandusky, Toledo, Detroit and Port Huron. Quite recently MESSRS. ALGER, SMITH & Co. had four rafts on Lake Huron at one time, the four containing 8,000,000 feet of timber. The large number of chains necessary to the business would surprise many, and it might incidentally be mentioned that the company have $40,000 invested in these rafting chains alone, and over $110,000 in steam barges and tugs used in towing lumber. They have just built a large barge, the "Manistique," which is used for the double purpose of towing and carrying freight, an unusual thing in the business. The annual product is 70,000,000 feet board measure of long timber, and 10,000,000 feet of short logs. The company will commence, in 1883, the manufacture of lumber at Manistique, Mich., in addition to their business of long timber, on a larger scale. The company employ 600 men at work at Black River, and the business of getting out rafting timber is managed by their very efficient superintendent, MR. JOHN MILLEN, who is also a stockholder in the company. Black River was originally a fishing station, occupied at first by WILLIAM CULLINGS, who took up a "forty" from the government, in 1849. He was followed by WILLIS ROE, who also located land, built a cabin, and trapped and fished for many years, and afterward died in Detroit. WILLIAM JOHNSON came to Black River in 1854, and followed fishing as a business. He built the first frame house; and after holding the various township offices of treasurer, justice of the peace, commis- sioner, etc., died in 1871. With him was associated DUNCAN McINTYRE, who married one of his daughters. He was also engaged at fishing from 1854 to 1865, when he settled in Harrisville Township, where he died in 1874. MESSRS. ALGER, SMITH & Co. gave this small hamlet a new impetus, by their capital and energy. They dredged and docked the river to its mouth, at an expense of $20,000, to accommodate the rafting of their long pine timber. They built several large warehouses to store the immense quantity of supplies necessary to carry on their business, besides boarding- houses for their men, and engine shops for their locomotives and railroad business. They also have a large general store carried on under the super- vision of L. R. FISK, Jr., son of PROFESSOR FISK, of Albion College, Mich., and his numerous assistants. Besides the residences of the married employes of the company, em- bracing almost every form of a building, there are two buildings of quite an ornate character, occupied by the resident partner JOHN MILLEN, and other superintendents. There is just finished, a neat Gothic church, 30 x 45 feet, elab- orate in its finish, with a beautiful spire on which the company have expended over $600, and which they will maintain with their accustomed liberality. As may be inferred, and already intimated, these pine lands are being rapidly diminished, and when entirely cut over to supply the daily onslaught of the lumberman, the inquiry is often made, "What then will be the business and resources of the people?" The answer is, "farming!" The proofs are the cleared farms, and prospering people who have already, with their limited means and iso- lation, made their mark by their productions from the soil. MESSRS. ALGER, SMITH & Co. have 10,000 acres of stripped or cut- over lands in Alcona County. Scattered here and there are the farms of the settlers who have come to stay, and labor for the growth of Northern Michigan. These lands of the company are for sale on liberal terms to actual settlers. They are located in the front tiers of the townships of the county, and are easy of access. They embrace every variety of soil and are accessible by good roads leading from the lake. They are now being sold at about a section per week. Inquiries are pouring in daily to learn of these lands, the cli- mate and the productions. A new impetus is now added, by the organization of the "Michigan Land and Emigration Company," who propose to make a specialty of en- couraging emigration to Northern Michigan. The high standing of the men who are incorporated in that company, and the unlimited capital they represent will be satisfactory to all inquirers, as to the great purpose they intend to subserve; the sale of the stripped lands and the rapid settlement of the country. The proposed Shore railroad from Bay City to Alpena, will also stimulate the company's efforts, and attract the attention of many who have hesitated because of the want of rapid communication. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================