The Legendary Locals of
BAY CITY
Michigan
Arcadia Publishing has developed a series of history books
that gives voice to long ago ancestors who created the conditions for change as
well as more recent individuals who have served and shaped their local
communities in distinct ways. These individuals are who have created an impact
on their community that ripples like a pebble thrown into still water, it is
felt for generations. It is a backwards Ponzi scheme that pays it forward and
resonates for future generations.
Ron Bloomfield has authored a diverse and honest account of
the shakers and movers that have inhabited the very fabric of community life in
what we now call Bay City. Boomfield originally compiled a massive list of
around five hundred names that was narrowed down to a more manageable cross
section of the architects of Bay City’s continued ascendance as a musical,
commercial and cultural mecca in mid-Michigan.
The Introduction is a good read and sets the tone for the
rest of the book. Bloomfield’s research is incredibly deep for such a modest
volume of 125 pages. He begins with a modern description – “where the thumb
meets the mitt of Michigan.” He characterizes Bay City as a small but vibrant
city of 34,000 residents, in the middle of the top 100 cities in the state. He
then steps back in time to paint a
picture in sepia tones describing Lower Saginaw (as Bay City was known in the
1830’s) as “swampy , mosquito infested and
prone to harsh winters and hungry wolves.” He writes about settlers like
William R. McCormick who recorded much of the early history and folklore of the
local Chippewa tribe. Bloomfield cited the rise of the lumber barns and the
wealth of Henry Sage and John McGraw who reportedly owned the largest lumber
mill in the world. Also during this time of explosive growth James Davison
started the first wave of world-class shipbuilding. He goes on to explain that during the lumbering heyday there were five distinct
villages that eventually became the Bay
City we know of today. The author segmented these brief historical sketches
into seven chapters that included photos and narrative.
The first chapter provides an incredible body of old
photographs, including a photo of a memorial dedication to honor the burial
place of Chief Ogemaw, who was the Chief Speaker of the Chipewas at the 1819
Treaty of Saginaw. Chief David Shoppenagons was an equally intriguing figure in
Bay City’s early history. He was a direct descendant Ojibwe (Chippewa)chiefs.
He was so respected that a Masonic basedf organization was named in his honor.
William McCormick was an early historian who chronicled the Native Americans
oral traditions and created early written records and historical sketches of
local pioneers. The visionary role of the Trombley family was given three full
pages with period photographs. Other notables included Albert Miller who was a
probate judge, justice of the peace, postmaster, and state legislator; James
Shearer, a notable architect; Bay City Mayor George H. Shearer.
Chapter Two:
Community Leaders
The author begins the chapter with a quote by William R.
McCormick dating back to 1874 that speaks to the “unselfish spirit” of the
pioneers who settled in the area. Early leaders included the Hon.Sydney
Campbell (settler, business man, probate justice) , Oscar Baker (law), John
Weadock (lawyer). Horace Tupper(MD). George Butterfield represented three
generations of his family that became notable educators. Bob Traxler, James
Barcia and Tom Hickner were noted for their contributions from the political
arena
Chapter Three:
Soldiers, Sailors, and Survivors
A quote sums up the tone of this chapter…
Hundreds sleep in our cities of the dead, whose achievements
in war and peace equal and perhaps surpass these isolated service records, but
these will suffice to preserve for the perusal of their surviving comrades, and
as an indication to posterity of the character and service of the veterans we
delight to honor
-Augustus Gansser, 1905
The author chronicles the heroism of our young men and women
who served our country. It starts with a photo a Civil War Monument at Pine
Ridge Cemetery and segues to series of old photographs of several of our early heroes including; Capt.
Augustus Ganseer who served in the Spanish-American War at San Juan Hill
1898,the 128th Ambulance Company at Waco Texas in 1917, and Thelma
Johnson, a tireless Red Cross volunteer from the Vietnam era in 1966.
Chapter Four:
Business and Industry
In Chapter Four the author traces the decline and fall of
the lumbering industry. The speculation about its decline began in the 1890’s
and the post lumbering era of business and wealth went on unabated without a
flinch or a blink of an eye. Defoe Shipbuilding ascended to the top of the
throne along with Aladdin Homes Company, Sugar Production (Henry Vallez) and
Carl Gladen’s toy and plastics company to name a few. Business was booming and
many of the business leaders gave back to the community through their
leadership and good deeds, much like it
is today with business both small and large. Peg and Paul Rowley had special
mention as integral to the clarion call of the arts. They supported Studio 23,
the Bay Arts Council, the Riverwalk pier, the Bay Music Foundation and the
glorious State Theatre. The Rowleys led an exemplary life of giving and commitment.
Their sixty year marriage defines love and commitment that transcends the
ordinary.
Chapter Five:
Musicians, Entertainers and Artists
My favorite chapter.
It begins with a tribute to the maestro Leo Najar and local musician
Jerry Marcet. I met Leo Najar during the Remember the Child Project that
involved local rock & roll legend Dick Wagner in collaboration with Najar’s
Saginaw Symphony Orchestra. My friend Scott Seeburger organized this massive
event that raised tens of thousands of dollars to organizations that fight
child abuse and neglect. From that time on I chanced upon Leo on several
occasions. He was open and honest, the real deal and a musical bohemian who
would experiment freely with musical forms. A genius! Another notable performer
is comedian/musician Harry Jarkey. I had seen him a few times during a few
brief moment in the seventies when I was a Shriner. He was alright indeed. Of
special note is the Burdons one of the greatest rock & roll bands from the
Great Lake Bay region of Michigan. They formed back in 1981 and tore the town
apart. They rocked hard and would combine elements of punk with pop songs. They
had a sixth sense about music and they cultivated “sound.” They could take a cover song and make it their own whether it
was Last Train to Clarksville by the
Monkees or What I Like About You from the Romantics catalog. There debut
album, The Burdons, was a garage rock masterpiece. Hail to the Burdons!
Chapter Six: Sports
Notables
The list includes Olympian athletes such as Doug Sharp
(bobsled, 2002), and speed skaters Terry McDermott (1964) and Izzy Izykowski
(2006). George “Kid” Lavigne was a world class lightweight champion. He earned
the title in 1896. Not bad for a southpaw. Football was one of my favorite
sports and Hi Becker from Bay City Handy and Elmer Engel from Bay City Handy were
two of my favorite coaches along with Paul Nestor who took the helm for only
one year at Arthur Hill (1967/68) and to this day comes back to Saginaw to meet
with his team. These are men who set a level of excellence that few could ever
duplicate. Art Dore is one of the great shaker and movers in mid-Michigan. I’ve
met him several times and like his direct no nonsense approach to business and
to his own life. He is a remarkable force of nature.
Chapter Seven:
Community Figures
The final chapter pays tribute to community figures such as
sisters Mary and Helen Macgregor who together gave 109 years to service to Bay
City schools. Leo and Bette Jylha were radio pioneers. Leo was a radio engineer
while Bette was an on air host doing programs like “The Stork Reporter” and
engineered broadcasts of all-women big bands (which were popular during WWII).
Leo became the general manager of WBCM from 1956 until his retirement in1973.
Their son Eric also devoted his career to broadcasting. He filmed the Delta
Pops Festival in 1969 which featured Michigan Rock Legends such as the Mc5, Bob
Seger, The Stooges, Amboy Dukes and the Rationals. He worked as a disk Jockey
and a news reporter for WSGW, WGER, WXOX and others before landing a gig as
reporter and weekend anchor for WNEM TV-5. Eric is a one-of-a-kind talent with
a quiet dignity and a homespun charm. He’s one of the best
This fine book is dedicated to the memory of Leo Najar and
Jerry Marcet; can’t think of two people more deserving of such a loving tribute.
The Legendary Locals of Bay City is available at Barnes
& Noble Bookstore
3311 Tittabawassee
Saginaw 48604
989-790-9214
