The territory embraced within the limits of Oakland County was divided, in 1820, into two townships, named respectively Oakland and Bloomfield. The former included the north three -fifths of the county, and the latter the south two fifths. This arrangement was continued until 1827, when these two townships were subdivide and five townships erected from the same territory. These were Oakland, Bloomfield, Farmington, Troy, and Pontiac. The latter included, with others, within its limits the present townships of Groveland and Holly. Groveland township was organized in 1835, including what is now Holly. The legislature passed an act on the 6th of March, 1838, creating a new township, called Holly, from the west half of Groveland, or the congressional township designated on the government surveys as " town 5 north, range 7 east." Strenuous efforts had previously been made to organize a separate township for civil purposes, but the project was opposed by several of the settlers in better circumstance, from the fact that the population within its limits was then so small that they would have the bulk of the taxes to pay if the parties for the division should attain the object they were seeking for. Principal among the opposition party was Peter Pagan, then the largest property owner in the township. Finally he withdrew his opposition, as did the others, and the new organization was effected. The township was named by Jonathan T. Allen, after Mount Holly in New Jersey.

The surface of the township is much diversified, and the landscape is dotted with hill and valley, lake and stream, marsh and swamp, smiling fields and green forests, while in nearly every part the improvements which have been made keep pace with the general advancement of the country, evince the taste of its inhabitants, and lend a pleasing variety to the view. The higher lands, though not rising to the altitude reached in other parts of the county, are of sufficient elevation to be classed as hills, and are of the formation so common in the southern peninsula of Michigan, merely upheaved piles of gravel and boulders, the latter worn smooth in their tossings and grindings during the period of glacial drifting, when the mighty commotion of ice and water which swept over the land hollowed out the depressions where now are found lakes and swamps, and rolled together promiscuously the deposits of rock and mineral which were borne on their icy car from regions farther north and west. Holly township contains a considerable number of lakes, mostly surrounded by marsh and tamarack swamp. All abound in fish of a fine quality, and the disciple of Izaak Walton here finds rare sport in angling for the varied members of the finny tribe, while in their season vast numbers of wild fowl frequent the country, seemingly created for their especial benefit, and the crack of the sportsman's gun is heard far and near. Principal among the lakes are Bush, Crotched Pond, Gravel, Pagan, and Bevins. There are in the township about fifty lakes and ponds, and by them and their outlets, including Swartz creek and the Shiawassee river, it is well watered. The soil is generally sandy. Through a system of summer fallowing and persevering labor it is made to produce excellent crops of wheat, which is the staple grain of this part of the State. Other small grains are raised with very good success, and corn averages fairly with that raised in any other township in the county. Much land plaster is used, its fertilizing properties being of great assistance in preparing the land for successful returns for the labors of the farmer.

Appears in places in the quality known as "bog ore," but not in sufficient quantities to pay for working. The township contains in the western part many mineral springs, some of their waters possessing strong medicinal qualities. By a small outlay some of these springs might be made the source of a considerable income, and the "Holly Springs" become as famous as those of Saratoga, New Bedford, or Berkeley.

The timber of the township is principally of the several varieties of oak, and in but few places are there any remains of the heavy timber, it being generally of a second growth. When the country was first settled the underbrush was kept down by the extensive fires which swept over its surface, and only since the fires have ceased has the new supply been allowed to grow. As a result the young timber stands thick upon the ground, and the supply ia unlikely soon to be exhausted.

William Gage, a pioneer from the State of New York, had the honor of being the first white man who made a settlement within the limits of what is now Holly township. Sometime during the year 1831 he came with his family and located on section 6, where he built the first house in the township. It was of the same description as all the houses built at first upon the then borders of civilization, a small structure of logs, with the various peculiarities so well known to those who yet remember their own experience in the settler's log cabin.
Mr. Gage's son John, born in the latter part of 1832 or early in 1833, was most probably the first white child born in the township. The following story has been related to us, but as it is not known where the child was born, and the exact date of its birth is not given, it is proper to conclude that John Gage was the first. As the "Patriot war in Canada" mentioned did not occur until 1837, it is not possible that this was the first child; but we give the story : Accompany of soldiers, on their way to Canada to participate in the "Patriot war," stopped one morning at the old Beach hotel, on section 12, and partook of some liquor. On their departure they left an old, ragged, and sleeveless coat rolled on the table, and the landlord seized it and was about to toss it out of doors, when the wail of an infant was heard from its interior. It is said " mine host of ye inn" became very faint for a moment or two, but finally recovered sufficiently to examine the bundle.

His surprise may be imagined when he found a healthy female infant, of an extremely tender age, wrapped up in the dirty old garment. It had evidently been born but a very short time previously, and had not as yet been washed nor dressed. Mrs. Peter Ingersoll took the child and cared for it, and the settlers came from all directions to see the little stranger, cast so unceremoniously upon the charity of the world. A number of applications were made by persons wishing to adopt it, and finally the child was delivered into the custody of Mrs. James P. Allen, who lived with her husband on the shore of what is now known as Simonson's lake, within the present limits of the village of Holly.

The child grew and prospered, and ultimately earned a worthy reputation as a school teacher. Mr. Allen finally removed from the place, for the reason, it is said, that he feared the child might learn that he and his wife were not its parents.

The second settler in the township was Nathan Herrick, who erected his log dwelling on section 1, and moved into it in the spring of 1832. He had previously lived for some time in Bloomfield township. He became a prominent personage among the settlers, and in April, 1835, at the first election in Groveland, was elected supervisor of that township, which then included Holly.

Terrence Pagan, from the town of Worcester, Otsego county, New York, was the third settler in the township, locating with his family in 1833. He came and entered land on sections 2, 3, 10, and 11, in the spring of that year, and moved his family soon afterwards. His log house was the third one erected in the township. His son, Peter Pagan, visited Michigan in October, 1832, on a tour of inspection. He examined the land in Holly, which both he and his father afterwards purchased, and returned to New York. He came back with his father's family, and in 1834-35 entered the land he now owns. He is residing on section 15. In the fall of 1832 he worked for Nathan Herrick, on the Detroit and Saginaw turnpike road. This was a military road, laid to accommodate the soldiers passing between Detroit and Saginaw. It was finished in 1834 to Mount Morris, six miles north of Flint, Genesee county, that point being as far as the Territorial government had charge of its construction. Terrence Pagan was a native of Ireland, and died, on the 20th of January, 1852, when within but three days of eighty -five years of age. His wife, Bridget Pagan, died December 10, 1857, aged eighty-two. Terrence Pagan was buried on his eighty-fifth birthday. He and his wife sleep side by side in the Hadley cemetery, which is located on sections 18 and 19, Groveland township. This cemetery contains the remains of many of the early settlers in both Holly and Groveland. When Mr. Pagan came to Michigan he was accompanied by his wife and their three sons, Peter, John, and Thomas. The sons are all living in Holly township ; Peter is the only one ever married. He has a considerable family, and is now somewhat advanced in years, which rest lightly upon him. He is the oldest resident of the township now living within its limits.

The first marriage in Holly township was that of Peter Pagan and Eliza L. Dains, which was consummated on the 18th of November, 1838. The ceremony was performed by Ira C. Alger, justice of the peace, now a physician, living in Holly. Mr. Pagan and his bride moved immediately after into his log house, said building being ten feet square and about six feet high, with a huge fireplace in one end, while the other was occupied by a bed, a flour barrel, and a pork barrel. Mr. Pagan had for some time "kept bachelor's hall" in this imposing edifice, and his newly made bride perhaps remembered the old saying, " What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander," and correctly reasoned that she could live in it for a time if he could. They are now pleasantly situated, and have around them the accumulated comforts which are the results of thirty-nine years of patient toil, together with a rigid practice of economy, and a faculty for making everything go to its uttermost extent. It was a cause for thankfulness in those days to be the possessors of a barrel of pork or a barrel of flour, although either could be purchased for three dollars. Many were often without even a cent of money, and, as a sample of the hard times, the fact may be stated that people were very often without the necessary amount of funds to pay the postage on letters which came to them, and were obliged to work and earn it before they could take the letters from the office. Postage on letters from the east was then twenty-five cents each, and if a man were so lucky, or unlucky, as to have three or four arrive for him at once, it is possible that the satisfaction of receiving news from friends may have been overbalanced by the regret caused at being obliged to pay so much postage. All were not left in such condition, many of the settlers having plenty to live upon, and never seeing the time when, there was not sufficient provision in the house to set a comfortable table. In matters of dress, and the obtaining of the necessary implements with which to cultivate the soil, the supply was sooner brought to their doors than in localities farther east, which were settled at a much earlier day. Stores were more quickly started, and it was not necessary for the settlers to make long, weary trips across a hilly or mountainous country to secure the needed articles for either household or farm use. A ready market was nearby, at Detroit, although a trip to that city "by the blue and rushing river" was attended, before the era of turnpikes and railways, with trials which would make many persons flinch from the ordeal at the present day.

The first death was that of a daughter of Stephen Davis. She died of consumption, in 1836. Her mother died some time during the fall of 1837, from the effects of a severe cold. On the day she was buried the only persons at the house when the hour of her burial arrived were her husband, their two sons, George and John—and William Young. It appeared necessary for the sons to help Mr. Young in the work of interment, and great was their trouble. It seemed not enough that their beloved mother should be stricken from their midst, they themselves must help bury her as an additional weight of sorrow. At an opportune moment, however, two young gentlemen from Pontiac, George W. Wisner and Morgan L. Drake, drove up and stopped. They at once appreciated the situation and offered their aid. But some kind of a funeral ceremony must be had, and the question was how to arrange it. The two young men were out on an electioneering tour, and Wisner, who is said to have always been equal to an emergency, offered to conduct the services. He remarked that he was "not a minister, nor yet a professor, to his shame, and therefore would not pray, but he could read." Accordingly, he read a chapter from the Bible, and then expounded upon it at some length, after which he and his companion kindly and reverently assisted Mr. Young in lowering the coffin into the grave and covering it from mortal gaze, and then passed on their way. Mr. Wisner was afterwards elected to a position in the State senate. Mr. Young, who is still living in Holly village, yet affirms that to this day he has never heard a better sermon than the one preached by the minister pro tempore to that congregation of five persons, including the mourners; and doubtless Mr. Wisner spoke with much feeling, for such an occasion, in such a locality, was one to awaken deep sympathy, and touch a tender chord in the most hardened heart.

Alonzo R. Rood is a native of Orleans county, Vermont. When quite young, his father, Ezra Rood, removed with the family to Batavia, Genesee county, New York. In 1822, Ezra Rood brought his family, then consisting of his wife and eight children, to Oakland County, Michigan, and settled in Bloomfield township. Four children were born to Mr. Rood and his wife in this county. In the fall of 1833, Alonzo R. Rood came to Holly township (then Groveland), and located land on section 26, where he now lives, purchasing from government. He and his brother-in-law, Vincent Runyon, came together at that time, and cut hay south of where Peter Fagan now lives. The first timber cut in the neighborhood was that used to build Mr. Rood's log house, which stood just east of the spot now occupied by his barn. His house, which was little else than a "shanty," contained a floor made of hewed planks, and was covered with what was known as a "cob-roof," made of poles and "shakes." Mr. Rood's frame house, built about 1836-38, is claimed lo have been the first frame dwelling erected in the township. It is still standing. William Gage was the first actual settler in the township. This is true, although he did not enter land until it had been taken up in another locality.

For a considerable time after the country was settled grain was thrashed on the ground with flails, and cleaned with the old-fashioned "fans." Next, thrashing floors were laid, and the grain was cleaned up by "winnowing." Finally, greater improvements were introduced, and with their use and lapse of years the old customs are almost forgotten. For music the settlers had nothing better than the nightly howling of the wolves, which animals infested the country in great numbers. They could always be heard nights, but were seldom heard or seen in the daytime. The long drawn howl of the wolf is well known to all who have heard it as a most mournful sound, and the noise made by a very small number of these animals will cause the listener to imagine there are hundreds of them in full chorus close by.

When the pioneer, returning to his rude couch, was lulled to sleep, after becoming used to the sound, by the cries of the wolves, and soon those strange were thought but little of. Occasionally, however, a scare would be created by some person being chased to his home by a hungry pack of the gaunt creatures, or their ravages among the pig pens in the "wee sma' hours ayent the twal'."Nothing is related to show that they ever did personal injury to any of the settlers, and in comparison with their breed in other localities they were harmless.

Bears were somewhat numerous, but not many of them met a tragic fate in this part of the county. Deer were everywhere plenty, and the supply of meat for any family need never get low so long as the hand of the settler was steady, his aim true, and ammunition on hand could suffice. Feathered game was also abundant, wild turkeys, etc., being found in most localities. All these have disappeared from the country, and the sportsman must needs lay aside his rifle and take up his shotgun, and be content with practice upon the migratory birds which frequent this 'Man of lakes" during the spring and autumn. The largest game for the rifle in this part of the State is the squirrel, though even these bright little animals are becoming scarce.

The first land entry was made by Nathan Herrick, on the 16th day of September, 1830. He entered a part of section 1, on the old Saginaw trail, afterwards the Detroit and Saginaw turnpike. William Gage and Isaac Parish made entries on section 6, in 1831. Gage settled on his purchase near where the old Indian trail to Shiawassee and Muccopenakoneag crossed Swartz creek. In 1833 land was entered by Alonzo R. Rood, Terrence Fagan, Vincent Runyon, David Husted, and Edwin Edwards. Edwin Edwards came to Oakland County, in the year 1822, from Ithaca, Tompkins county, New York. He stopped for some time in Detroit and then came to Pontiac, at which place he arrived in September, 1822. The same fall he settled at Waterford village, in Waterford township, and while living there married Nancy Williams, a daughter of Alpheus Williams. She died April 22, 1826, and hers was the second burial in the old cemetery at Waterford village. Her brother, Oliver Williams, Jr., was the first person buried in it. Mr. Edwards was afterwards married to Hannah Lewis, and in November, 1835, came to Holly township and settled on the farm in section 8 upon which he now resides. His second wife died in 1855, and in 1856 he was married to Mrs. C. Robinson, who came with her first husband, Michael Keating, to the township of Groveland, in the year 1836. She is from Chittenden county, Vermont.

Mr. Edwards was the first settler on the land where he is living. It was entered from government by his father, Edward Edwards, who had previously settled at Sturgis, St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he finally died. He had been one of the first settlers in. Broome county, New York. His grandfather (Edwin Edwards' great-grandfather) was the famous Jonathan Edwards, of Connecticut

Edwin Edwards is now in his seventy-eighth year (born in October, 1799), and has spent his life principally in Oakland County since his emigration to it, fifty-five years ago. He has been a great deer-hunter in his day, and says it was never any trouble for him to keep the family supplied with meat. He is the only one living of a family of ten sons.

Mrs. Edwards, then Mrs. Keating, speaks of some of her trials when she and her husband settled in Groveland township. There was a beaver-dam across a small stream near their house, and the spot was frequented by some very large Sandhill cranes. She was unacquainted with such birds, and was greatly alarmed lest they should carry off her child. A neighbor at last told her the birds were harmless, and her fears were allayed.

Jonathan T. Allen came originally from the town of Howell, Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1825, and after stopping a few weeks in Detroit settled in Macomb county, Michigan, where he lived ten years. He was accompanied from New Jersey by his wife and eight children, and three of his children were afterwards born on Michigan soil. In 1835 he removed from Macomb to Oakland County, and settled on section 35, in Holly township, where he lived until within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1865 or 1866, when he was a few days over eighty-five years of age. Of his children there are ten living, seven of them in Oakland county, and six of the seven in Holly township. The place now occupied by Ira Allen was taken up by his father at the same time with the other land. Jonathan T. Allen built his house, a log structure, on section 35, in September,1835.

William Young came from Orleans county, New York, to Michigan in May, 1836, and purchased land in Holly township on sections 22, 23, and 27. He built a log house—the first one in the immediate neighborhood—on section 22, and it is still standing. Mr. Young is a native of New Hampshire, and before going to New York resided for a considerable period in Vermont. He purchased his land in Holly from government, with the exception of one tract of forty acres, which he bought from second hands, after moving his family to the State, as soon as he had completed his log dwelling in 1836 he returned to New York, and in March, 1837, came back with his family, which then consisted of his wife and five children. Settlers were arriving in considerable numbers at that time, and Mr. Young kept "open house" from sheer necessity. In 1851 he went to Springfield Post-Office, in Springfield township, and stayed at that place about a year and a half. He has since moved on and off his farm several times, and for years kept tavern while living on the old place. In the fall of 1868 he came to Holly village and purchased the old "Northern," or "Union" hotel, on the corner of Saginaw and Maple streets. He rebuilt it, erecting a large building thirty-six by sixty feet, which he called the "Mansion House." This he sold to his son-in-law, Meshek Norris, and it was burned September 23, 1876. Mr. Young is now living on Saginaw street, in Holly village. He is the father of eleven children, of whom five are now living, three soils and two daughters.

In the fall of 1835, Moses Smith came, with his wife, four sons, and one daughter, from the town of Olive, Ulster county, New York, and lived during the following winter on the " Saginaw turnpike," near the Hadley cemetery, in Groveland township. Mrs. Smith wove carpets for the settlers, and in May, 1836, the family removed to the farm on which they now reside, in section 36, Holly township, where Mr. Smith built a substantial log house, which he says was then the best one in the neighborhood, although when they moved in it was without floor or doors. It had a good shingle roof, however, and in that respect possessed great advantage over the common cabins, many of which were covered with mere roofs of bark, which, in case of a storm, were little better than no roofs at all. Mr. Smith purchased government land, which was principally in the " oak openings," and had but little heavy timber. At that time there were but few settlers in the neighborhood, and the country was generally considered very poor. Notwithstanding, people began to arrive in considerable numbers during that season, and many of them stayed with Mr. Smith until they could construct shanties of their own. 1836 and 1837 were the years when the " Michigan fever" reached its height, and neighbors were soon plenty. Today it scarcely seems that such great changes have been wrought in the comparatively short space of forty years; yet, " Where once frowned a forest a garden is smiling," and the scenes of long ago are known no more in the land to the inhabitants thereof.

Mr. Smith followed the route generally taken by those whose faces were looking westward, viz.: from Buffalo to Detroit by boat, and thence with teams the remainder of the distance. After leaving Detroit he came over the Detroit and Saginaw turnpike, with no definite idea of the locality he should settle in. When he left New York he had not made up his mind whether he would locate in Michigan, Illinois, or elsewhere. Of Mr. and Mrs. Smith's children five are now living, three sons and two daughters. Some of the sons were in the army during the rebellion, and served in the Third Michigan Cavalry. One son, Dennis, died of disease and exposure at San Antonio, Texas.

Joel Warren came from the town of Murray, Orleans county. New York, about 1837, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 22 from William Young. Soon after he went to Ypsilanti, Washtenaw county, to visit his son-in-law, Lyman W. Spalding, now living in Holly, after which he returned to New York, and in the fall of 1838 came again to Michigan, this time accompanied by his family, consisting of his wife, four sons, and three daughters. Two daughters and one son had previously married and emigrated to Michigan. The son, Erastus, settled at Ypsilanti previous to the excitement caused by the famous Black Hawk war of 1832-33. He was a painter by trade, and enlisted during that war. He was thrown from his horse and badly injured, and is now drawing a pension from government; resides in St. Joseph county, Michigan. Charles Warren lives on section 22, Holly township, next east of his father's old farm. Joel Warren and wife have been dead, the former about ten, and the latter about five years. Both had reached an advanced age.

Samuel Green was born in the State of New Jersey, where his father, Morris Green, who came from England, settled at an early day. Samuel Green removed from New Jersey to Canada, thence to Tompkins county, New York, and finally to Michigan. He came to Oakland County in 1836, and lived two years near Pontiac. In 1838 he changed his place of abode to Holly township, and settled on section 7, where A. Ostrander now lives. There he lived until 1844, when he died at the age of fifty-six years. He brought his wife and eleven children with him to Michigan, while the oldest son, who had never left New Jersey, remained in that State. Two children were born to him in Michigan, and of the entire number all but one are living. Mrs. Green died some twenty years after the death of her husband. Reuben Green is the only one of Samuel Green's children now living in Holly township. The farm on which he resides was settled by Nicholas Yorton in 1836. In the winter of 1876-77, Mr. Green erected a mill on his place for the purpose of grinding feed for stock ; and besides what he manufactures for his own use, he has considerable custom from others.
Nicholas Yorton, who settled the present Reuben Green place, is now living on section 7, in the northwest part of the township.

At the first election held in Groveland township (which then included Holly), in April, 1835, the candidates for the office of supervisor were Nathan Herrick and Philip H. McOmber. Thirteen votes were cast, and Herrick was elected by a majority of one. The deciding vote was cast by Peter Fagan, who, before voting, inquired how it then stood, and on learning that they had six apiece, dropped in one for Herrick, and elected him. When McOmber learned that he was defeated, he went to Fagan and asked him if he knew who it was that had cast the last vote, and Fagan told him that Joseph Jennings was the offending party. Jennings was pledged to support McOmber (and of course had done so), and the idea that he had not been true to his promise somewhat nettled McOmber, who walked up and knocked Jennings down. As the latter was an excessive stammerer, he did not have a chance to explain before McOmber's fist laid him low. It seems that the politicians of that day were as apt to wax wroth at defeat as those of the present, and were not backward in showing their disappointment. It is not related whether amicable relations were afterwards resumed, nor that Jennings ever learned who had made him the bruised victim of a practical joke.

held in the township of Holly proper, in April, 1838, at the house of John Runyon, on land now owned by William Green, the following were the officers elected, according to the memory of the old settlers, the records for a number of years after the organization of the township having been lost.

Supervisor, Jonathan T. Allen ; Township Clerk, Ira C. Alger ; Treasurer, Willet C. Day ; Highway Commissioners, Peter Fagan, Daniel Donaldson, Edwin Edwards; Justices of the Peace, Ira C. Alger, William Gage, John Stone; School Inspector, Filer Frost; Constables, Daniel Donaldson, William Bevins, Calvin Herrick, and one other, whose name is now forgotten ; Assessors, Peter Fagan, Edwin Edwards, and the supervisor, ex-officio.

At that time there were forty-three voters in the township, most of whom settled in 1836. From 1839 to 1842 it is impossible to give the supervisors of the township, from the fact that the county business during that period was transacted by a board of county commissioners, and the names of the supervisors do not appear on the county records. Since 1842 they have been as follows: 1842-43, Filer Frost; 1844-47, Francis Baker; 1848, Ira C. Alger; 1849-50, James Patterson ; 1851, Peter Fagan; 1852-56, James Patterson; 1857- 60, Harrison Smith ; 1861, Ahasuerus W. Buell ; 1862, Harrison Smith ; 1863-77, Thomas L. Patterson, the latter serving continuously for the unusual period of fourteen years.

Justices of the Peace.—1839, Jonathan T. Allen, Ira C. Alger, Simeon Marsh; 1840, Franklin Hurlbut; 1841, Andrew Moses; 1842, Filer Frost, William Gage; 1843, John Stone; 1844, Jonathan D. Parker, Franklin Hurlbut; 1845, Nicholas Yorton; 1846, Filer Frost, Thomas Joslin; 1847, John Stone, Jr.; 1848, Peter Eliot; 1849, Thomas Joslin; 1850, Filer Frost ; 1851, John Sage; 1852, Ira C. Alger, Darius R. Stone; 1853, Francis Baker, Daniel Donaldson; 1854, Francis Baker; 1855, Darius R. Stone, Edwin Hall; 1856, Jackson McHenry; 1857, Ira C. Alger; 1858, John Hawley, James Patterson; 1859, Elisha H. Marsh, David S. Martin; 1860, Daniel Green ; 1861, Daniel Donaldson ; 1862, Francis Baker, Norman Fredenburg; 1863, Elisha H. Marsh ; 1864, ; 1865, Daniel Donaldson; 1866, Francis Baker; 1867, James M. Andrews, James B. Simonson ; 1868, Elisha H. Marsh ; 1869, Alexander G. Comstock; 1870, Charles C. Waldo; 1871, Francis Baker, Bela Cogshall ; 1872, ; 1873, Thomas H. Fagan, Francis Baker; 1874, Milton M. Burnham; 1875, Rosecrans Devine; 1876, Charles C. Waldo; 1877, Chauncey Stewart. It is probable that Jonathan T. Allen was supervisor of the township from 1839 to 1842.

The present township officers are : Supervisor, Thomas L. Patterson ; Town Clerk, Charles Burger; Treasurer, Edward Hadley; Highway Commissioner, Case J. Allen ; Drain Commissioner, George C. Everts ; Township Superintendent of Schools, James G. Mitchell ; School Inspector, Moses A. Plumer ; Justices of the Peace, M. M. Burnham, R. K. Devine, C. C. Waldo, Chauncey Stewart; Constables, D. R. Burnham, W. G. Evans, Willard Fullam, Julius L. Jones.

Is erroneously supposed by many to have been established at Stony Run, on section 1 ; but this office was established half a mile across the line, in the town of Grand Blanc, Genesee county, where Masten W. Richards had moved from Groveland township. (He possibly lived at one time in Holly.) This office was established in 1836, and was afterwards removed to Holly township (Stony Run), Oakland County. In the history of Holly village a sketch of the post office at that place will be found. The mail route through the old post office of Stony Run was from Detroit to Saginaw, over the turnpike between those points, and via Flint, Genesee county. There are at present four post office on this turnpike, northwest of Pontiac, to wit: Springfield, Austin, Groveland, and Stony Run ; the latter now being the northern terminus of the mail route. The mails were originally carried on horseback.

William Young erected a building and opened a blacksmith shop in 1839, the first one in the township. It stood on section 22, and Mr. Young hired a man named Hiram Hadstead to do his blacksmithing. The latter personage made a contract with his ex-wife to perform the work in the second story, and it was not long before this twain were again made "one flesh." The ceremony was performed by Filer Frost, J. P., and the second marriage of this couple was also the second marriage which took place in the township. Nothing being said to the contrary, it may be supposed they "lived happily ever afterwards."

The first hotel in the township was built at Stony Run, in 1834, by Smith Jenks and Thomas Irish, and in its day was well patronized. In the fall of 1844, Thomas Joslin came to Michigan from Steuben county, New York, and in the spring of 1845 moved to the place where he now lives, on section 17. He purchased the land from government, and, in order to get to his place, cut a road through for two miles. He brought his wife and five sons with him. They are all living, and his children are well settled in life. One son is engaged in the practice of law at Grand Rapids, two are ministers of the Methodist Episcopal faith (at present on the Detroit conference), one lives on a farm adjoining his father's place, and the other owns a fine farm in the southwest part of the township, where he has lived for three years, having been for many years previously editor of the Saginaw Enterprise, published at East Saginaw. He is the oldest son, and only relinquished the newspaper business on account of failing health. Thomas Joslin himself, who at first built him a rough log house, at present occupies a neat frame building on his old place, and is living contentedly on the spot where he has passed more than thirty-two years.

The first road in the township was that portion of the Detroit and Saginaw turnpike which crosses the northeast corner, on sections 1 and 12. This was completed in 1834, as previously stated. From all accounts given by settlers, the lower or southern portion of this road was long a terrible mud-hole. The distance from Detroit to Royal Oak, thirteen miles, was almost impassable, and many teams were unable to advance at a more rapid rate than five miles a day. When Peter Fagan came, in 1833, this was the best time he could make over that portion of the route, and he had a good ox-team and a span of horses drawing his wagon. For many years after Detroit was settled it was supposed that there was no "hard land" within a great many miles of it, and when some adventurers, more bold than others, pushed out through the almost interminable swamp, and found the beautiful country in the neighborhood of Royal Oak, their story was scarcely credited. It finally became a settled fact that there was fine farming country to the northwest of Detroit, and then a great excitement was raised in the small city, and its inhabitants flocked forth to invest in the newly discovered "land of promise." A plank road was laid from Holly to Flint in 1855-56, and was for some time kept in good repair. It was finally left to run itself, and at present the only traces of it are occasional worn pieces of plank pushing up at various angles, in about such shape as Mississippi river snags, although not quite as great sources of danger. This was the only plank road ever constructed in the township, and will most probably be the last.

When the rebel guns opened upon Fort Sumter in April, 1861, the echoes traveled with lightning speed to the north, and were answered by responsive throbs in the heart of every patriot in the land. The desire to at once take up arms and wipe out the insult to the nation was everywhere at the highest pitch, and nowhere was the excitement greater than at Holly. Immediately succeeding the president's call of April 15, 1861, for seventy-five thousand men for three months service, the following persons volunteered from the township of Holly: Edwin Joslin, John McCann (rejected), Thomas Smith (rejected), John Goodrich, and Virgil Halstead

In 1862 nearly the whole of Company C, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, was raised in the township, and rendezvoused at Mount Clemens, Macomb county. The original officers of this company were Jerome B. Calkins, captain ; John M. Baird, first lieutenant ; William Merryweather, second lieutenant.

It is said that the first bounties offered in the county were paid at a meeting held at the old school house, on Saginaw street, in Holly village. The money was advanced by William Young and James Patterson.

About one hundred and sixty men volunteered from Holly township during the war. Twenty of them were reported killed or dead of disease, and six were brought back and buried in the home cemeteries. The direct war taxes on the township amounted to thirteen thousand six hundred dollars. Thus it will be seen that both men and means were furnished as soon as needed, and the patriotism of the citizens of the township never can be doubted. Her sons "fought the good fight," and helped to conquer. Those who safely returned bear the laurels richly earned, while those who rest on southern fields, their bones again mingled with the dust from which they sprang, have taught a rescued country the value of gratitude. Theirs was the fate of the patriot, and in their green graves, by river, mountain, and plain, let them calmly sleep till they shall awake to the sound of the final trump, and greet again the ones who, next to their country, were best beloved.

The first celebration of the anniversary of American independence was held on section 22, July 4, 1839, at the hotel kept by Wm. Young. Mr. Young had arranged two tables, each twelve rods in length, and fed the hungry at the rate of fifty cents a couple. He had also brought a gun and a gunner from Clarkston, and the forest re-echoed to thp thundering salvos belched forth from the brazen throat of the single piece of ordnance, while the people listened to strains of eloquence which proceeded from the lips of Michael E. Crofoot and Hiram Rood, of Pontiac, who were the orators of the day. The "forest primeval" probably never had a gathering beneath its shade at which greater good feeling was manifested or a happier company of people congregated. Those of the pioneers who are living yet recall the occasion as one of the bright links which connect the history of the past with that of the present, and could the same people be gathered together today, the reunion would be most pleasant and the enjoyment of all complete.

A school was opened in 1833 in a log school house, which was built on the turnpike, where it crosses the line between Groveland and Holly. The building stood immediately upon the township line, and was the first school house built in either township. The first teacher was an Irishman named Hugh Dougherty, who taught a very popular school. The original number of pupils was twelve. Some members of a family named Galloway were wont to mischievously pronounce the teacher's name "Dog-harty." The school house was burned to the ground some years after it had been abandoned for school purposes. While it was in use occasional preaching was held in it, "old Elder Gamble," of Grand Blanc, Genesee county, a clergyman of the Baptist denomination, holding forth in the neighborhood at different periods.

The second building erected for school purposes was built in 1837 , on section 26. About a dozen pupils attended, and were taught by Anna Dobkins in the branches then deemed of most importance. The first male teacher in this building was C. P. Jones.

About the same year (1837) a log school house was built on section 36, and stood on the opposite side of the road from the present residence of Moses Smith. The first teacher was a young lady named Adelia Young, who is said to have been an excellent lady, and a good teacher, though at that time but fifteen or sixteen years of age. She afterwards married John Allen, thereby terminating a courtship, it is stated, of seven years. A frame school house was some time after- wards built near the site of the present frame structure, on land taken partially from the Moses Smith farm.

There are at present eight schools in the township outside of Holly village, and all are neat and substantial buildings. The number of school children is in the neighborhood of seven hundred. The population of the township, including the village, is about two thousand seven hundred, of which number about two thousand are in the village alone.
The first school in the village was taught by Miss Caroline Norris, in the winter of 1845-46. The old school house stood on Saginaw street, and was used for various purposes.

The Holly Union school building was begun in the fall of 1867, and completed the following summer, at a cost, including grounds and furniture, of over $26,000. The Union school was organized in the fall of 1868, and the school census of that year shows an enrollment of three hundred and seventy-three pupils, and an average attendance of two hundred and fifty-five. The cost of maintaining the school was two thousand eight hundred and eighty dollars.

The course is divided into primary, grammar, and high school departments, each department requiring four years to complete, thus making the entire course twelve years, beside a preparatory course to entering the State university. Ancient languages are taught without extra charge, and there is also provided a good chemical and philosophical apparatus for the use of students.

The teachers for the school-year of 1876-77 were : Principal, William Thomas ; Preceptress, Miss Alice Cooper; Grammar Department, Miss Kate M. Miles, Miss Ella A. Farnsworth ; Primary Department, Mrs. Amelia Norris, Miss Georgie Holland. The total annual expenses of the school, including the salaries of teachers, janitor's wages, fuel, lights, etc., are over three thousand dollars. The building is a large brick structure, three stories in height, surmounted by a belfry, in which hangs a fine bell. The grounds are located in the eastern part of the village, occupying the south half of the block bounded by Maple, Centre, East, and College streets.

The union school building being deemed inadequate to accommodate the large number of pupils, a one story brick school house has recently been erected in the southwest part of the village, at a cost of one thousand dollars. The teacher for the school-year of 1876-77 was Miss Ada Plumer. The people of Holly have just cause for pride in their schools and school buildings.

This place owes its start and subsequent growth to the location through its site of the Detroit and Milwaukee railway. This line was completed as far as Holly in 1855, the first train arriving in October of that year. Previous, however, to the building of the railway, a small settlement had been formed, which was the nucleus of the present thriving and busy village. The first station agent at this point was Ira C. Alger, and the first car load of wheat shipped to Detroit was forwarded by Everett Wendell and A. W. Buell. The amount of freight forwarded from Holly station for the year ending July 1, 1876, was 18,980,946 pounds; amount received, 7,909,179 pounds; total, 26,890,125 pounds; or nearly 13,500 tons. The number of passenger tickets sold for the same period was 19,491. These figures show nearly the annual average of the business of the road at this station since it was completed. A considerable number of the employees reside in the village, and the annual aggregate of their wages is something over 113,000. An accommodation train runs from this place to Detroit, leaving early in the morning, and is of much advantage to persons doing business in the city and living outside, or to those going to it to trade.

The Flint and Pere Marquette railway was completed between Holly and Flint in 1862, and the Holly, Wayne and Monroe railway opened for travel as far as Monroe in 1870. These two roads were afterwards consolidated, and the name "Flint and Pere Marquette railway" now applies to the entire line.

For the year ending July 1, 1876, the amount of freight forwarded over this road was 12,586,834 pounds; freight received, 25,910,090 pounds; total, 38,496,924 pounds ; or over 19,200 tons. The number of passenger tickets sold during the same time was 18,953J, with an estimated value of $22,000. Over twenty of the employees reside in the village, and are annually paid over $14,000. The machine shops are located here, and all breakages between Flint and Monroe are here repaired. All the hand cars and track tools used on the road are manufactured at these shops, and Holly has become one of the most important stations on the line.
The village can boast of having more than eight miles of sidewalks, in addition to her many other improvements.

Was built on the site of the village was erected by Charles Warren, now living on section 22, before the Detroit and Milwaukee railway was completed.

A saw mill was built by Ira C. Alger in 1843, and the first log was sawed therein on the 18th day of August of that year. The next year (1844) Mr. Alger erected a grist mill, which contained two run of four feet stones. The first grain was ground in December, 1844. This mill afterwards became the property of William F. Hadley, who sold in 1857 to the present proprietor, Martin Stiff. The latter has greatly enlarged and improved it, and it does probably more business than any like institution in the county.

A foundry was established in 1858 by Samuel Adams. The next year it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, James E. Church. A second foundry was erected by Daniel Smoke, in 1870. Mr. S. is still operating it. Both foundries do a fair business.

A post office was established in 1846, mainly through the instrumentality of Peter Fagan. This was the first post office in the township, and was kept by Marcus Young, postmaster. The name " Holly Mills post-office" was given to it by Mr. Fagan. The mail route was from Groveland cottage, on the turnpike, in Groveland township, to Holly, and the mail was carried on horseback by Daniel Donaldson. The office now has several thousand patrons, and handles a large amount of mail matter, including periodicals. A considerable business is done in money orders. David Hobart is the present postmaster.

Besides the newspapers and magazines received through the office, the different news-dealers dispose of a large number additional. The number of packages annually received by express numbers over six thousand.

The first hotel in the village was located on Broad street, and kept by Leicester Hodsky. The next was the "Donaldson House," also on Broad street, and now used for boarding house purposes. The third hotel in the village, and at the time the most extensive, was built by Ira C. Alger

The present "National House" was built by William Sickles about 1860-61. He carried it on for a while, and since his time it has been run by a number of persons, among them Dr. Ira C. Alger and Henry Springer. The present proprietor is E. Van Every, who came to the county in 1836 and located in the village of Franklin, Southfield township, eight miles south of Pontiac. After residing at that place a number of years he removed to a farm in Rose township, where he lived till 1862, when he came to Holly and engaged in hotel keeping in the old "Northern Hotel," on the corner of Saginaw and Maple streets. Mr. Van Every changed its name to " Union Hotel" while occupying it. This was the same building afterwards purchased and rebuilt by William Young, and finally burned.

On the corner where the " Washington House" now stands was originally a small one story frame dwelling, which George Alger purchased and enlarged and transformed into a saloon, and finally into a hotel. The location is in the business part of town, and the hotel enjoys a good reputation with the traveling public. The present proprietor is William H. Van Steenberg. The "Exchange Hotel," the largest in the village, was erected about 1864 by Henry Springer and Jacob Van Steenberg. The latter, while the house was under construction, attempted to cross the railway track in front, and was run over by a locomotive, which cut off one of his legs. Springer some time afterwards committed suicide. This house was formerly known as the "Holly Exchange," but the name has been altered to "Exchange Hotel." Mr. A. Calkins, one of the present proprietors, assumed charge of the house about eight years since, and under his management it has become one of the best hotels in the county. It is located near the railway station, and convenient to travelers generally.

Numerous other hotels on a small scale have been in operation at different times, and the business has always been well represented in the village. Several disastrous fires have occurred among them. Besides the business transacted at the three hotels and the numerous boardinghouses, the restaurant at the station has a large custom, many of the trains on both roads stopping here for refreshments.

The first cabinet shop was opened by Joseph Winglemire, who still continues in the business.
Ahasuerus W. Buell established the first dry goods store, and Mr. Bristol the first grocery
The first saloon was opened by Robbins Jones. The second store was probably started by Messrs. Tindall and Arms.
The first resident physician was Dr. Carter, who came at the same time with A. W. Buell. The members of the medical fraternity at present residing in town are Drs. De Witt C. Wade, L. E. Wickens, Oscar N. Tindall, Daniel D. Bartholomew, Thomas B. Johnson, L. I. Wicker, Ira C. Alger, and D. R. Stone.
The first regular attorney was Thomas A. Toung, son of William Young. Those now living in the village are Thomas L. Patterson, Fred. P. Watrous, Milton M. Burnham, and H. M. Norris.
The fine brick block on Broad street, known as the "Balcony block," was built by John M. Baird and others in 1870, and was at the time the best in the county. On the ground floor are six store rooms, all large, well lighted, and convenient ; the second story contains a number of offices, and several rooms occupied for dwelling purposes ; the third story is divided into two large and fine halls, the one known as "Baird's Hall," for public use, and the Masonic Hall. This block is a credit to the enterprise of the citizens of Holly, and would grace the street of any town or city in the State.

The Holly flouring mills, during the year 1875, purchased 111,539.46 bushels of wheat, at a cost of $184,783.75 ; 9228.03 bushels of oats, costing $3053.74; 4071.10 bushels of corn, costing $1888.43 ; 392.15 bushels of buckwheat, costing $271.36; total, 12,523,074 bushels of grain, costing the large sum of $189,997.28, The total sales of mill products for the same season amounted to $215,706.48. The annual expenses of running the mill, including the wages of ten hands, are over $5000. The average daily production of flour is one hundred and fifty barrels, although the capacity of the mill is two hundred barrels per diem.

The sales of the merchants and manufacturers of all classes, exclusive of the products of the Holly mills, and the business of coal, lime, and ice, amount to the annual sum of over half a million dollars.

Considerable business is done in the stock line, large numbers of cattle, sheep, etc., being annually shipped from this station, with an estimated value of two hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Jay Adams is the heaviest stock dealer in the place.
The manufactures, exclusive of the products of the Holly mills, amount to seventy-nine thousand and fifty dollars.
The coal consumed costs annually over five thousand dollars, principally used for manufacturing purposes.
There is insurance on property in the village and township to the amount of more than six hundred thousand dollars.

The various ice companies have storage room for ten thousand to fifteen thousand tons of ice. During the winter of 1875-76, the amount harvested and housed by companies and individuals was ten thousand five hundred and ten tons, and large quantities were shipped south, as there was no good ice formed that winter south of Oakland County. The winter of 1876-77 was more generally cold, and the ice supply was large in all localities, and it was not necessary to store as much at Holly.

The original plat of the village of Holly was laid out by James G. Mitchell in 1855, and in 1858 he made an addition which was called "J. G. Mitchell's Northern Addition." A. W. Buell made additions in 1857 and 1858, and others were platted as follows : William Sickels addition, 1858 ; John M. Baird's addition, 1865 ; William L. Young's addition, December, 1865; James B. Simonson's addition, 1865 ; Moses B. Jones' addition, October, 1865 ; Edward Tenny's addition, 1866; Thomas Smith' addition, September, 1867; Stiff's addition, November 1865 ; James B. Simonson's second addition, 1867 ; H. M. Baldwin's addition, June. 1867 ; Baird and Green's addition, by John M. Baird and Oliver H P. Green, 1869 ; Bela Cogshall's addition, 1869 ; John M. Baird's western addition, 1871 ; Hadley's Edition, by Charles F. Hadley et al, 1874.

The village was incorporated by act of the legislature in 1865, and the following were the first corporation officers elected, viz.: President, James B. Simonson ; Recorder, John G. Crawford ; Treasurer, A. P. Waldo; Trustees, Francis Baker, William Van Steenberg, and William Stiff. The present elected officers are : President, Darius H. Stone ; Recorder, James G. Mitchell; Treasurer, Sidney S. Wilhelm ; Trustees, George Dudley, Bela Cogshall, Moses A. Plumer.

The corporation is one and one-fourth miles square, and includes the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 27, the south half of the southwest quarter of section 27, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 28, the east half of section 33, and all of section 34 except the east half of the northeast quarter and the east half of the southeast quarter; in all, one thousand acres. The immediate vicinity of the corporation, across the line in Rose township, is quite thickly settled, and within its limits are Simonson's. Bevins', and a portion of Bush lake, besides the mill pond

Was organized in December, 1870, with a capital of $50,000, which was increased to $60,000 January 1, 1872. The highest amount of deposits at any one time has been 863,000, and the highest amount of loans $106,000. The total net profit to date (July 1, 1877) have been $37,000. Dividends paid to stockholders, $30,000 : leaving surplus profits, S7000. The present officers are : President, James B. Simonson ; Vice-President, Jefferson K. Tindall ; Cashier, J. C. Simonson ; Teller, E. M. Newell.

J. B. Simonson, the president of the bank, came from Roxbury, Delaware county, New York, and settled in Royal Oak in September, 1835. His wife and one child, a son, were with him. In 1841 he removed to Birmingham, and stayed there two years. In 1844 he again moved, this time to Springfield township, and located at Springfield post office, on the old Detroit and Saginaw turnpike. While raiding at that place he was postmaster for twelve years, and also kept a general store. Mr. Simonson finally sold his stock at Springfield past office, and opened another store at the Anderson settlement, in the same township, where he stayed but a short time. He had previously (in 1858) built and opened a general store in Holly, the building now known as the "Simonson block," on Saginaw street. He finally came to Holly, and has made it his place of residence ever since. At the time he came first to the village there were but four buildings north of the railroad track, and they were all small. One of them was a saloon, kept by D. G. Collier, and there were several saloons in full blast south of the track. Mr. Simonson now occupies a fine residence on Maple street. His son, J. C. Simonson, present cashier of the bank, has been married for some time; and a daughter, Miss Lizzie Simonson, has lately become the bride of Hon. Mark S. Brewer, of Pontiac, representative in Congress from the sixth district of Michigan.

Was organized May 10, 1872, and began business with a capital of $50,000. The highest amount of deposits held at any one time has been $47,000, and the highest amount of loans $78,000. The net profits to July 1, 1877, have been $28,000. The present officers are : President, Thomas Hadley ; Vice-President, D. R. Stone; Cashier, Sidney S. Wilhelm ; Directors, Thomas Hadley, Joseph Hadley, Charles F. Hadley, D. H. Stone, D. K. Stone, S. S. Wilhelm, Bela Cogshall, W. H. Hovey, H. W. Downing. The bank is located in the brick block on Saginaw street, opposite the post office, and occupies two rooms.

In the village was the Holly Register, established by a Mr. Crawford, in 1865. Crawford carried it on about a year, and sold to E. Frank Blair. On the 29th of May, 1869, it was purchased by Henry Jenkins, the present editor and proprietor. The paper is a twenty-eight column weekly journal, with one side ("patent") printed at Chicago, and the other on a hand press in the office. This press is said to have been the first one ever brought to Oakland County, and was used for a long time at Pontiac. The circulation of the sheet is something over five hundred.

The Holly Times, a thirty-two column paper, also issued weekly, and all printed at home, was established in December, 1875, by Thomas V. Perkins. Its circulation was over five hundred, and the business men of the place gave it sixteen columns of advertisements. It would have proved a paying institution if rightly managed, but was allowed to run down, and finally its publication ceased altogether.

The Oakland Advertiser, a sixteen column monthly journal, neutral in politics, was established in May, 1877, by Frederick Slocum, and already has a circulation of over one thousand. It is a thoroughly alive sheet, and meets the demands of the business men, besides furnishing the news.

It was laid out in 1875. This beautiful resting place for the dead is located in the northeastern part of the corporation, on the shore of Bush lake, and is truly a credit to the place. The walks are laid in beautiful curves, and the nature of the ground has been studied and considered in the work of platting. A considerable number of neat headstones are already in place, and the citizens point with just pride to the ground where they "must shortly lie."

And a more enchanting spot could not have been chosen for a burial place than that occupied by this new and beautiful cemetery. A remarkable incident is given in connection with this notice, which is worth preserving. About the middle of March, 1877 a man named Crapo Lake, an old and esteemed citizen and pioneer of this section, died, and, though living near a cemetery, desired to have his remains interred in the Lakeside cemetery. After his funeral it was deemed proper to place his mother, who had been buried over fourteen years, beside him. They went to her grave and began the work of exhumation, and when down about the depth of an ordinary grave the spade struck against a hard substance, supposed to be a rock. Their surprise was great when the supposed rock was found to be the body they were in search of, petrified to the consistency and appearance of marble. A coffin was procured, as nothing remained of the old one, and four men were taxed considerably in strength in lifting the body into it It was said by the sexton, who had charge of the proceeding, that every lineament of form and feature was as perfect as in life. This circumstance created great excitement for a while, and was an event long to be remembered.

Holly Lodge, No, 134, F. and A. M., was chartered A.L. 5859, with the following officers and members: John S. Huston, W. M. ; James Patterson, S. W. ; Dr. Martin, J. W. ; Dr. Davis, secretary ; A. M. Joslin, William Sickles, Jerome Calkins, Matthew Moorehouse, Everett Wendell, Henry S. Andrews. The present officers are W. H. Hovey, W. M. ; Richard Howchin, S. W. ; H. Y. Weeden, J. W. ; William Beebe, Treasurer ; William H. Jones, Secretary; William Moorehouse, S. D.; E. E. Clark, J. D. ; S. H. Whalen, Tyler.

Holly Chapter, No. 80, E. A. if., was organized July 7, 1871, and has a membership at present of about fifty. The officers are Bela Cogshall, H. P. ; Daniel Seeley, K.; T. W. Lockwood, S. ; D. E. Brewster, Secretary ; T. W. Lockwood, Treasurer; R. Howchin, C. H. ; William H. Hovey, P. S, ; William H. Van Steenberg, R. A. C; J. G. Fisher, a. M. 3 V. ; Lemuel Fullam, G. M. 2 Y.; B. A. Calkins, G. M. 1 Y. ; S. H. Whalen, Sentinel

Holly Council R. and S. M., was organized in 1874. Present officers: Bela Cogshall, T. I. M. ; J. G. Fisher, D. I. M. ; Richard Howchin", P. C. W. ; Yoris Green, C. G. ; P. C. C ; E. E. Brewster, Secretary; Daniel Seeley, Treasurer ; Evans Buzzell, Sentinel.

Protection Lodge No. 202, K. of H. meets second and fourth Tuesdays in each month. Organized December 14, 1875, by P. L. Teeples, Deputy Supreme Dictator. Charter members : De Witt C. Wade, Richard Howchin, L. H. Ripley, David Hobart, F. E. Starker, J. P. Boyd, William Wallace, Charles C. Green, E. Frank Blair, George E. Pomeroy, L. Truesdale, Thomas Y. Perkins, M. A. Watson, Charles R. Pomeroy. First officers : R. Howchin, Dictator ; D. W. C. Wade, Past Dictator and representative to Supreme Lodge; D. Hobart, Vice Dictator; C. C. Green, Assistant Dictator ; E. F. Blair, Chaplain ; F. E. Starker, Guide; J. H. Stone, Reporter ; L. H. Ripley, Financial Reporter ; G. E. Pomeroy, Treasurer ; C. R. Pomeroy, Guardian ; L. Truesdale, Sentinel ; D. W. C. Wade, L. H. Ripley, and E. F. Blair, Trustees. The membership, July 1, 1876, was nineteen. The present officers are D. W. C. Wade, Dictator ; D. Hobart, Past Dictator ; E. F. Blair, Vice Dictator ; L. H. Ripley, Assistant Dictator; J. B. Starker, Reporter ; Charles Pomeroy, Guide.

The Grand Lodge of Michigan was organized on the 30th of June, 1876.

The Masonic bodies occupy one of the best lodge rooms in the State. It is located in the third story of the Balcony block, on Broad street. The lodge room of the Knights of Honor is on the second floor of the same building, and is neatly furnished.

The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows organized a lodge in 1865, and after continuing about two years, and reaching a membership of forty or more, trouble arose, and the charter was finally surrendered.

Holly Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized February 6, 1874, with thirty-four members. Milan Perry was the first Master; Marcus D. Elliott, Overseer ; and Sylvester D. Mosin, Secretary. Its first meeting was held on the evening of February 24, 1874, and the first application for membership received at that time. The number of its members has increased from thirty-four to more than one hundred. The officers for its second year (1875) were, M. D. Elliott, Master; Wm. W. Slocum, Overseer; S. D. Mosin, Secretary. For 1876, William W. Slocum, Master; Allen Campbell, Overseer; S. D. Mosin, Secretary. For 1877, Harrison Smith, Master; H. M. Elliott, Overseer; S. D. Mosin, Secretary.

The recently organized Red Ribbon movement in the great cause of temperance and reform has met many warm supporters in the village, and everywhere the badge of the society is seen, and its motto, "Hare to do rlght" placarded. The Holly Red Ribbon club has engaged and fitted up a neat room on Saginaw street, and holds meetings every Monday evening. The club has a large membership, and prospers in its endeavors towards reforming the people.

The first sermon preached in Holly by a minister of this denomination was in the spring of 1856, by Rev. Ira W. Donaldson. On the 1st of April, 1857, a class was organized by Rev. Thomas Wakelin, at that time preacher-in-charge of Grand Blanc circuit. This class consisted of seven members, viz.: William R. Kendall, Sara E. Kendall, Fidelia P. Wightman, Elizabeth Wakelin, Sophia C. Bird, Ira Wightman, and Abynia Warren. The pastors of this society have been successively as follows : Revs. Thomas Wakelin, Isaac Crawford, John W. Crippin, Isaac C. Cochrane, L. C. York, John O. Bancroft, John G. Whitcomb, William Taylor, E. H. Pilcher, Warner, Orlando Sanborn, S. B, Kimmel, and William Way, the latter being the present pastor.

Up to July 1, 1876, three hundred and twelve persons had been in full connection with the church, and at that time the number was one hundred and sixty-four, with thirty-two on probation. The church, a substantial frame building, was erected in 1859, the contractor for the work being A. W. Buell. This was during the pastorate of Rev. Isaac Crawford. The building was dedicated by Bishop Simpson. In September, 1870, the spire was shivered by lightning, but was repaired, and a bell weighing one thousand pounds hung in it the same year. This bell was first rung for service on the morning of New Year's day, 1871.

It was organized in May, 1854, by Rev. L. I. Wicker, who continued its pastor fora number of years, five or six in all. The original number of members was thirteen. The society, though now small and without a pastor, are the owners of a neat brick church, the only one in town. The pastors succeeding Mr. Wicker were Revs. A. Sleeper, John W. Noble, and William W. De Geer.

Was organized in 1839, at the Jones school house, in the township of Rose. Its first pastor was Rev. Samuel Jones. In 1858 the congregation removed to Holly, and held services in the old school house on Saginaw street, under the leadership of Rev. H. Stowitts. In 1862 the present frame church was built, being at first somewhat smaller than it now is. It was enlarged to its present size in 1870, through the efforts of its pastor. Rev. J. H. Morrison. A Sunday school was organized in May, 1863, with James E. Church as superintendent. The present number of pupils is about one hundred and fifty. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Morrison.

Was organized in the school house on Saginaw street, July 7, 1859, with the following members, viz. : William Stiff and his wife Elizabeth, Clarissa Stiff, William Johnson Stiff, H. H. Palmer and his wife Lucy, and Thomas Hadley and his wife Martha. The first pastor was Rev. George Winter. The Sunday school was organized in January, 1862, with a membership of thirty. The first superintendent was A. P. Waldo, and Mrs. Plum, Thomas Hadley, John Hadley, Margery Hadley, and William Hadley were teachers. The church, the present frame building, was built in 1861, and occupied the first time January 1, 1862. The present membership of the society is between one and two hundred. The pastor is Rev. Joseph Swindt.

Among those who have furnished valuable information concerning the history of Holly township are the following named persons: M. M. Burnham, Esq. (article compiled in summer of 1876), William Young, Bela Cogshall, Martin Stiff, and others in the village; Peter Fagan, Edwin Edwards, Samuel and Reuben Green, Moses Smith, Ira Allen, A. R. Rood, Charles Warren, N. T. Elliott, William E. Pier, and others in the township. We have drawn to considerable extent from Mr. Burnham's article, having found that it was generally correct; besides is given a large number of items gathered from interviews with old settlers themselves. Occasionally different opinions are expressed on the same subject, and in such cases the information is given as received, and can best be definitely settled by the people themselves. It is aimed to give a concise and truthful record of events from the days of log cabins, pioneer privations, and struggles in the wilderness, to the present, teeming with its evidences of prosperity, with a glance also at the business of today ; and the hope of the historian is that his labors may not have been performed in vain and that their result may prove satisfactory and interesting to all concerned.