129. 1854--President, Ira Jennings; Treasurer, Ely Barnard; Secretary, Nelson G. Isbell; Executive Committee, John R. Goodrich, Elijah F. Burt, Austin Wakeman, James M. Murray, P. L. Smith.

     1855--President, Robert Crouse; Treasurer, George W. Lee; Secretary, L. K. Hewett; Executive Committee, John R. Goodrich, Job Cranston, Royal C. Rumsey, P. L. Smith, Ralph Fowler.

     1856--President, Robert Crouse; Treasurer, W. C. Rumsey; Secretary, Elijah F. Burt; Executive Committee, R. D. Power, F. G. Rose, J. B. Rumsey, L. K. Hewett, Ely Barnard.

     1857--President, Nelson G. Isbell; Treasurer, William McPherson; Secretary, Elijah F. Burt; Executive Committee, P. L. Smith. David B. Power, F. G. Rose, C. L. Crouse, Daniel Case.

     1858--President, N. G. Isbell; Treasurer, Odell J. Smith; Secretary, Elijah F. Burt; Executive Committee, Francis Monroe, Ira Jennings, S. G. Ives, J. Kenyon, Jr., E. N. Fairchild.

     1859--President, Ely Barnard; Treasurer, F. J. Lee; Secretary, Lyman Judson; Executive Committee, J. F. Jennings, F. Grisson, J. R. Mason, E. N. Fairchild, C. L. Crouse.

     1860--President, Ely Barnard; Treasurer, F. J. Lee; Secretary, Lyman Judson; Executive Committee, J. F. Jennings, F. Grisson, Austin Wakeman, E. N. Fairchild, C. L. Crouse.

     1861-President, Austin Wakeman; Treasurer, B. H. Lawson; Secretary, Henry P. Crouse; Executive Committee, F. Grisson, Isaac H. Smith, Daniel Case, Joseph Rider, Jr., H. H. Norton.

     1862--President, Austin Wakeman, Tyrone; Treasurer, William B. Smith, Howell; Secretary, Henry P. Crouse, Hartland; Board of Directors, Daniel Case, Howell; Samuel G. Ives, Unadilla; Joseph Rider, Jr., Genoa; Ephraim J. Hardy, Oceola; H. H. Van Leuvan, Brighton.

     1863--President, Ephraim J. Hardy, Oceola; Treasurer, William B. Smith, Howell; Secretary, Henry P. Crouse, Hartland; Directors, Francis Monroe, Howell; K. W. Bingham, Green Oak; E. N. Fairchild, Marion; Samuel G. Ives, Unadilla; H. H. Van Leuvan, Brighton.

     1864--President, Ephraim J. Hardy, Oceola; Treasurer, William B. Smith, Howell; Secretary, Henry P. Crouse, Hartland; Directors, Sylvester Andrews, Howell; William Ball, Hamburg; K. W. Bingham, Green Oak; W. S. Conely, Brighton; E. Buckle, Howell.

     1865--President, James M. LaRue, Putnam; Treasurer, William B., Smith, Howell; Secretary, Elijah F. Burt, Howell; Directors, John Sigler, Putnam; Sylvester Andrews, Howell; E. J. Hardy, Oceola; E. N. Fairchild, Marion; Albert Tooley, Genoa.

     1866--President, James M. LaRue, Putnam; Treasurer, William B. Smith, Howell; Secretary, Albert Tooley, Genoa; Directors, William Ball, Hamburg; William F. Lemen, Hartland; Francis Monroe, Howell; M. D. Carr, Putnam; W. R. Melvin, Howell.

     1867--President, K. W. Bingham, Green Oak; Treasurer, N. J. Hickey, Howell; Secretary, Albert Tooley, Genoa; Directors, M. D. Carr, Putnam; William Ball, Hamburg; H. C. Cady, Brighton; B. W. Cardell, Howell; E. J. Hardy, Oceola.

     1868--President, Francis Monroe, Howell; Treasurer, L. C. Smith, Howell; Secretary, Albert Tooley, Genoa; Directors, S. Andrews, Howell; E. N. Fairchild, Marion; Ebenezer Kellogg, Oceola; Daniel Case, Howell; Asa Van Kleeck, Genoa.

     1869--President, Francis Monroe, Howell; Treasurer, Orin H. Winegar, Howell; Secretary, Albert Tooley, Genoa; Directors, Daniel Case, Howell; H. P. Crouse, Hartland; K. W. Bingham, Green Oak; John Meyer, Genoa; F. Webb, Putnam.

     1870--President, Sylvester S. Andrews, Howell; Treasurer, Asa Van Kleeck, Howell; Secretary, Albert Tooley, Genoa; Directors, Linus Reed, Marion; William White, Howell; Lewis Meyer, Genoa; E. J. Hardy, Oceola; Chas. Curtis, Marion.

     1871--President, Ira D. Crouse, Hartland; Treasurer, Asa Vail Kleeck, Howell; Secretary, Albert Tooley, Genoa; Directors, William White, Howell; E. J. Hardy, Oceola; Linus Reed, Marion; Lewis Meyer, Genoa; H. G. W. Fry, Oceola.

     1872--President, Ira D. Crouse, Hartland; Treasurer, James A. Preston, Howell; Secretary, B. F. Batcheler, Oceola; Directors, William White, Howell; Stephen Teeple, Putnam; Linus Reed, Marion; Lewis Meyer, Genoa; R. Wrigglesworth, Cohoctah.

     1873--President, Edwin B. Winans, Hamburg; Treasurer, W. H. Newell, Howell; Secretary, B. F. Batcheler, Howell; Directors, E. W. Grant, Marion; D. F. Crandel, Howell; Francis Monroe, Howell; Myron Mitchell, Marion; D. O. Taft, Oceola.

     1874--President, Edwin B. Winans, Hamburg; Treasurer, H. G. W. Fry, Howell; Secretary, B. F. Batcheler, Howell; Directors, J. A. Preston, Howell; William White, Howell; Charles Fishbeck, Genoa; Myron Mitchell, Marion; Jacob Sigler, Pinckney.

     1875--President, Charles Fishbeck, Genoa; Treasurer, H. G. W. Fry, Howell; Secretary, Albert Riddle, Howell; Directors, William Ball, Hamburg; P. T. Gill, Genoa; E. W. Hardy, Oceola; E. B. Hosley, Oceola; L. K. Beach, Marion.

     130. 1876--President, Charles Fishbeck, Genoa; Treasurer, H. G. W. Fry, Howell; Secretary, Albert Riddle, Howell; Directors, B. F. Andrews, Oceola; James Harger, Marion; B. F. Batcheler, Marion; P. T. Gill, Genoa; S. W. Dickerson, Marion; A. M. Wells, Howell.

     1877--President, William Ball, Hamburg; Treasurer, Charles Curtis, Howell; Secretary, Frank O. Burt, Marion; Directors, B. F. Andrews, Oceola; B. F. Batcheler, Oceola; P. T. Gill, Genoa; James Harger, Marion; A. M. Wells, Howell; Halsted Gregory, Howell.

     1878--President, William Ball, Hamburg; Treasurer, Charles Curtis, Howell; Secretary, Frank O. Burt, Marion; Directors, B. F. Batcheler, Oceola; Giles Lee, Green Oak; James Harger, Marion; H. Gregory, Unadilla; A. M. Wells, Howell; B. F. Andrews, Oceola.

     1879--President, Myron Mitchell; Treasurer, Alexander McPherson; Secretary, Frank O. Burt; Directors, B. F. Batcheler, Oceola; Giles Lee, Green Oak; James Harger, Marion; Halsted Gregory, Unadilla; A. M. Wells, Howell; E. B. Winans, Hamburg.

THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY HORSE ASSOCIATION

     This association, having for its object the promotion of improvement in the breeding of horses, was organized April 1, 1866, the following-named persons being the original share-holders, viz: (re-alphabetized by webmaster)

     The first officers of the association were:

     On the seventeenth day of May next following the organization the association leased, for the term of thirty years, the Fair-Grounds of the Livingston County Agricultural Society, and on these grounds their meetings and festivals have since been held. The enthusiasm and public interest in these periodical gatherings was great during the first few years, but has declined latterly, though they are still well attended, and regarded with favor by the people of the county.

     The present officers of the association are:

THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

     This company, formed for the purpose of insuring farm buildings and property, and no other, has now been in existence for more than sixteen years, and has proved so eminently successful, so advantageous to those interested in it, that it is regarded with much satisfaction and pride by its members and the people of Livingston County.

     It is admitted that the formation of the company was due to the efforts of Elijah F. Burt, of Marion, in greater degree than to those of any other person. The first meeting to take into consideration the formation of such a company was held on the twenty-fourth of January, 1863. Articles of association were agreed upon and entered into, and E. F. Burt was appointed secretary pro tempore. On the twenty-third of February, 1863, the first public notice of the corporators was published. On the twenty-third of April following, the commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State reported that the corporators had complied with the statute, and on the second day of May the secretary filed with the county clerk the certificate of the Secretary of State, with papers required by law, which authorized the company to proceed to the election of permanent officers and the transaction of the business of insurance.

     Agreeably to the published notice required by law, the first meeting of the members of the company was held at the court-house in Howell, on the sixteenth of May, 1863, at which meeting the permanent officers were elected, as follows: 131.

     On the eighteenth of May, 1863, the secretary commenced issuing policies, and on the first of November succeeding, the company had two hundred and twenty-nine policies in force, embracing property insured to the amount of four hundred and six thousand four hundred and thirty dollars, belonging to two hundred and twenty-four members.

     The first annual meeting of the company was held at the court-house in Howell, November 7, 1863, when the following officers were elected:

     The great increase of the business of the company is shown by the report of the mutual fire insurance companies of the State; the following figures, taken from that report, having reference to the condition of the Livingston County company on the thirty-first day of December, 1878, viz.:

     The total losses of the company since its organization have been as follows:

     All these being within the county of Livingston.

     An amendment to the company's charter and by-laws was adopted September 14, 1872. Under this amendment provision is made for payment of "loss and damage by lightning to buildings of farmers, and property therein," and that "the company is not holden for any damages occasioned by the use of steam threshing-machines; and all persons using such steam machines do so at their own risk."

     The officers of the company under the amended charter are "a president, vice-president, a secretary, who shall act as collector, and a board of three directors, of which number the president and secretary shall ex officio be two, and such other officers as said directors shall at any time deem it necessary to have or appoint."

     The present officers of the company are:

President, Lyman Judson

Secretary and Treasurer, William Suhr

Director, E. W. Grant

LIVINGSTON COUNTY COUNCIL, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

     This organization, first named and known as "Union Council, * Patrons of Husbandry," was formed at a meeting held in the village of Unadilla, December 5, 1873, pursuant to a call emanating from Unadilla Grange, No. 6. The meeting was composed of delegates from adjacent granges as follows:

     Royal Barnum, of Unadilla Grange was called to the chair, and Isaac Stow, of losco, was chosen secretary. A permanent organization of the meeting was afterwards effected by the choice of C. L. Whitney as Chairman; Isaac Stow, Secretary; 132. W. Williams, Overseer; Thomas Howlett, Steward; Joseph Kirkland, Gate-Keeper. A committee, composed of the chairman, the Masters of the several granges represented, and J. Webster Childs, of Washtenaw County, was constituted for the purpose of drafting articles of association and a constitution, which (after a recess) were reported to the meeting and adopted; the preamble and first two articles being as follows:

     "Whereas, Other classes and professions of men have associations to protect their own interests; therefore, to form a more perfect union, secure our own rights, and protect our own interests against the encroachments of all combinations, we, the delegates of the subordinate granges, do hereby form ourselves into a council, and adopt the following articles of association:

     "ARTICLE I.--This association shall be called the Union Council of the Patrons of Husbandry.

     "ARTICLE 2.--The objects of this council shall be the promotion and attainment of united and uniform action of the granges of which it is composed in all matters affecting their interests and welfare, and in bringing the producers and consumers of agricultural implements and products closer together, by buying and selling through this council, or through such parties as may make arrangements with it, to buy or sell such articles or implements as we may need, and to transact such other business as may be necessary to secure these ends."

     It is elsewhere declared in the articles of association that the object of the order is to secure social and intellectual advantages to its members, no less than to promote their financial interests.

     The first officers of the council--elected at this meeting--were: Master, C. M. Wood; Overseer, William Stevens; Steward, Charles Fishbeck; Assistant Steward, H. N. Stilson; Chaplain, L. J. Whitcomb; Treasurer, B. W. Sweet; Secretary, Isaac Stow; Gate-Keeper, T. Howlett; Executive Committee, C. M. Wood, Isaac Stow, Freeman Webb, Royal Barnum, M. Bradley.

     The following is a list of the officers of the council, elected in succeeding years, to the present time:

     1874--Master C.W. Haze; Overseer, Charles Fishbeck; Steward, B. W. Sweet; Assistant Steward, H. N. Stilson. Chaplain, L. J. Whitcomb; Treasurer, Royal Barnum; Secretary, Isaac Stow;
Purchasing Agent, W. K. Sexton; Gate-Keeper, T. Howlett; Executive Committee, W. W. Williams, Thomas Copeland, William Stevens, Charles Curtis, Theodore Welcker.

1875--Master, Charles Fishbeck; Overseer, Peter T. Gill; Steward, Theodore Welcker; Assistant Steward, H. O. Barnard; Chaplain, Thomas Copeland; Treasurer, Charles Curtis; Secretary and Purchasing Agent William K. Sexton; Executive Committee, William Fishbeck, Charles Curtis Henry Lake.

     1876--Master, Charles Fishbeck; Overseer, James Harger; Steward, A. M. Wells; Assistant Steward, H. O. Barnard; Chaplain, Linus Reed; Treasurer, Charles Curtis; Gate-keeper, S. M. Dickerson; Secretary, Mrs. W. K. Sexton; Purchasing Agent, W. K. Sexton; Executive Committee, Charles Curtis, William Fishbeck, Charles Fishbeck, W. K. Sexton, F. W. Munson.

     1877--Master, Stevens Person; Overseer, A. M. Wells; Steward, G. M. Smith; Assistant Steward, Joel Briggs; Chaplain, Thomas Stanfield; Treasurer, Joseph Rider; Secretary, Mrs. W. K. Sexton; Gate-Keeper, S. M. Dickerson; Purchasing Agent, W. K. Sexton; Executive Committee, Peter T. Gill, James Harger, Linus Reed.

     1878--Master, W. K. Sexton; Overseer, A. M. Davis; Steward, M. Sabin; Assistant Steward, Minor Hosley; Chaplain, S. Bidwell; Treasurer, J. S. Briggs; Secretary, Mrs. W. K. Sexton; Gate-Keeper, W. R. Cole; Purchasing Agent, W. K. Sexton.

     1879--Master, J. S. Briggs; Overseer, A. J. Wickman; Steward, A. Newman; Assistant Steward, A. M. Wells; Chaplain, S. Bidwell; Treasurer, L. Meyer; Secretary, Mrs. W. K. Sexton; Gate-Keeper, W, K. Cole; Purchasing Agent, W. K. Sexton.

     One of the principal objects had in view in the formation of the council was to secure for its members, through concert of action, greater advantages and more favorable terms than they had before been able to obtain in the purchase of farmers' supplies and the sale of farmers' products, as set forth in the second of their articles of association.

     The first action taken by the Livingston (then the Union) Council towards the accomplishment of this object was the appointment of Mr. W. K. Sexton as purchasing agent, in the fall of 1874, and the opening by him (through, and in connection with the State grange) of negotiations for the purchase of plaster for fertilizing purposes. The price of plaster was then four dollars per ton at Grand Rapids. The Patrons believed this price to be exorbitant, and that the article might and ought to be furnished at three-fourths, if not at one-half that figure; but, when they made an attempt to obtain it at a reduction, they were met by the refusal and determined opposition of all the manufacturers, who at once entered into a combination, embracing the plaster companies of Michigan and Ohio. In this combination a certain territory was assigned to each company, in which territory only 133. it was permitted to make sales; and each was pledged to make no sales, under any circumstances, and in no matter how large quantity, at less than four dollars per ton. This price the manufacturers at Grand Rapids told the purchasing agent was the lowest at which plaster could be manufactured; and they said if any one should sell it for less than that price, "they would make it cost him a good deal more money." Previously the State grange had succeeded in obtaining a contract from the Grand River Valley Plaster Company to deliver plaster, in large quantities at a reduced price, but when the fact became known this company was forced into the manufacturers' combination, and refused to carry out their agreement. Mr. J. T. Cobb, secretary of the State grange, in a circular which he was instructed by the executive committee of the State grange, to address to the subordinate granges, in mentioning this bad faith on the part of the Grand River company, said,--

     "You are all aware that the first act of bad faith of which we complain, on the part of manufacturers of plaster in this State, was the refusal of the Grand River Valley Plaster Company, whose works are located at Grandville, to comply with a contract made with said company, duly signed and sealed with their corporate seat, on the twentieth day of March, 1874. The same week the contract was signed, this company became a party to, and a part of the Grand River Valley Plaster Association, which included every manufacturer of plaster in the State.

     "This association placed itself at once in direct antagonism to the farmers of the State, by discriminating against them and treating them as not only irresponsible but unreliable, demanding payment of Patrons before plaster was shipped, while to their agents it was supplied on their order without a question.

     "As Patrons we did not ask credit, but as Patrons we were unwilling that a half-dozen manufacturers in the State should say to us, that you must buy of our established agents, and pay whatever price they demand, or submit to conditions that, by implication at least, declare us irresponsible and unworthy of confidence. The combination fixed the price at four dollars per ton at Grand Rapids, and held steadily to their arrangements through the winter and spring of 1875, and we had to comply with the terms, or do without plaster."

     In August, 1875, Mr. H. O. Weston of Grandville, proposed to the executive committee of the State grange to develop a plaster-bed which he owned at that place, and to furnish plaster to the Patrons at three dollars per ton; stipulating only that they should furnish orders to the amount of eight thousand tons, and he promising to be ready to commence shipment by the commencement of the year 1876. Before the desired result was accomplished, however, his available means became, exhausted, and, as he stated to the committee of the State grange, "his credit had been so impaired by the representations of the members of the [combined plaster manufacturers] association, that he could not go on with his enterprise without pecuniary aid from some quarter." Upon this, the matter was, at the meeting of the State grange in 1876, referred to a committee of five members, who reported a plan of action, and the meeting

     "Resolved, That the State grange will sustain the the executive committee in any efforts they may make to help H. O. Weston develop his plaster-bed for the use of the Patrons of Husbandry, pecuniary or otherwise."

     This resulted in the sum of four thousand dollars being advanced to Mr. Weston, with the agreement that he should furnish plaster at three dollars per ton; receiving two dollars and twenty-five cents per ton in cash, leaving seventy-five cents per ton to be applied on account of the money advanced. But the project did not prove successful under this arrangement, although Mr. Weston did his best, to carry it through; and in April, 1876, he sold his entire interest in the plaster-bed, with the mill, fixtures, and business, to Day &Taylor, who assumed Mr. Weston's obligation to the Patrons, and continued the former arrangement as to prices and shipments. This firm prosecuted the business successfully, and have furnished large quantities of plaster to the Patrons at and considerably below the price originally established in the agreement with H. O. Weston. In regard to the success of the Patrons in their determined effort to reduce the price of plaster, Secretary Cobb, in a circular issued in 1878, said,--

     "You all know that on account of a most wicked combination of manufacturers four years ago to compel the farmers of Michigan to pay four dollars per ton for plaster at the mills, and a discrimination against Patrons, requiring that cash should accompany a grange order, that through the vigorous measures adopted by the executive committee of the State grange the combination was broken up, and that not only Patrons, but all farmers in the State, have had cheap plaster now for three years. The stand taken by us has saved very many thousand dollars to the farmers of Michigan, and this result could not have been reached without the aid and co-operation of Messrs. Day & Taylor. That they have been faithful and true to their agreement with the order, have done all they possibly could to accommodate, and have always been ready to make good any claim for shortage, loss, or damage by delay or otherwise, even when the claim was not always quite reasonable and just, from my knowledge of the business has seemed to me true; and that they have 134. claims on the order that we cannot ignore is recognized by every well informed member.

. . . . ."The result of our efforts to break the combination was to throw two of the old companies into bankruptcy, and the properties fell into the hands of the mortgagee, the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Maine. This new interest, together with another new firm, have undertaken with cheap plaster to capture the whole trade. The price with them does not seem to be at all important, for plaster is being sold by them from eighty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents per ton without regard to cost."

     The members of the Livingston Council have participated, with others, in these advantages which have resulted from the opening of the Weston plaster-beds at Grandville, and are now receiving their plaster from Day & Taylor at two dollars per ton, or one-half the price they were formerly compelled to pay. Their shipments are received at Howell, Brighton, and Fowlerville, and at the first and last-named places they have storehouses built and paid for solely from the profit realized on purchases and sales. The council also purchases the salt required by its members; contracting for large quantities and obtaining material reduction in prices. All purchases and sales are made by the purchasing agent, W. K. Sexton, who has performed the business to the entire satisfaction of the Patrons, and has several times received the council's vote of thanks "for the correct manner in which the accounts have been kept, and the success attained in the business through his faithfulness.''

     In the matter of sales by the purchasing agent for account of members of the council, the principal item is that of wool, which is now shipped hence by the agent, and sold to heavy buyers in Boston, Massachusetts. The first movement in this direction was made in 1878, when the wool of thirty-one producers in this county was shipped and sold in Boston by Mr. Sexton. The same was done for ninety-five shippers in the present year (1879). The lots of the several shippers are separately graded in Boston, and an accurate account-sales is rendered to each, and the results in both 1878 and 1879 have been so satisfactory that these shipments to the East by Patrons are likely to be continued and largely increased in the future.

     Besides the granges which were represented by their delegates at the organization of the council in 1873, a number of others (including some from adjoining counties) have since been admitted to its membership. Those located in Livingston County which joined the council have been the Conway, Oceola, Hartland, Oak Grove, West Handy, and Brighton Granges. Of those which have at some time held membership, some have withdrawn to unite with other organizations and some have ceased to exist. The granges which are now (August, 1879) in membership with the council are: Oak Grove, No. 57; Conway, No. 114; Howell, No. 90; West Handy, No. 613; and Brighton Grange. The total individual membership of the council is now three hundred and thirty. Their meetings are held at Knapp's Hall, in Howell village.

POPULATION OF THE COUNTY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS

     It has been stated, on what appears to be excellent authority, that the entire population of Livingston County at its organization, in the spring of 1836, did not exceed five hundred and fifty persons of all ages. But it was augmented to more than six times that number by the unprecedented immigration of that year, and the increase continued to be rapid during several successive years. The population of the county at different periods from 1837 to 1874 is shown by the several censuses to have been: in 1837,¥ 5029; in 1840, 7430; in 1845, 10,787; in 1850, 13,485; in 1854, 14,141; in 1860, 16,851; in 1864, 16,160; in 1870, 19,336; in 1874, 20,329.

Total