396 GENERAL HISTORY. 



to supply fuel for steamboats. In such case the stumps have long since dis- 

 appeared, and the ground is covered with clover and timothy. 



The earliest settlement of which there is any record was made about the 

 year 1847, by Nicholas Pickard and Joseph Stringham, who received govern- 

 ment deeds of their lands in March, 1850. They located here in the direct 

 steamer route between the upper and lower lakes, for the purpose of estab- 

 lishing a wooding station. 



Until recently the only apple trees upon the island appear to have grown 

 from seeds accidentally scattered. There are several hundred of these, still 

 ungrafted, many of them bearing fruit of fair quality. No fruit plantations 

 have been made for commercial purposes. 



Small fruits of all kinds grow profusely, and wild grapes (vitis cordifolia?) 

 are abundant. 



An apple orchard, planted in 1883, by the writer, is prospering, and is 

 already coming into bearing. 



Rye, oats, potatoes and corn have succeeded well, the last two unusually 

 well, this season, notwithstanding a severe drought. 



On one day in 1884 the temperature was below zero, in 1885, eight below. 

 Frost comes late, and, for the past three years, the ground has not been frozen 

 •earlier tJian December 15th, so that plowing could be done till that date. 

 The writer having been a resident of Chicago, finds the climate here much 

 less severe than there, due, doubtless, to the potent influence of the sur- 

 rounding waters. 



He believes that apples, pears, plums and grapes can be profitable grown 

 there for the markets, also that the island may be made a pleasant summer 

 resort, since it contains a small lake, half a mile wide by one and one-lialf 

 miles in length, well stocked with bass and perch, to which are added the 

 opportunity for quiet forest rambles and shady drives. 



Beaver island, sixty or more miles northeasterly from those already men- 

 tioned, and containing the county seat, is the largest of the group, being thir- 

 teen miles long and six miles in its extreme width. Hog island lies at the 

 northeast. Garden island north, and High island at the west, together with 

 several inconsiderable ones adjacent. North and South Fox islands, lying 

 intermediate between the Beaver and Manitou islands, are also included in 

 this county. 



Although no data are at hand to determine such to be the fact, it seems 

 probable that the Beaver islands were occupied as wooding stations, and also 

 by fishermen, coincidently with the occupation for such purposes of the Mani- 

 tous, since, as early as 1847, this had become a regular stopping place for 

 steamers, upon one of which came John Larue, in search of health, finding a 

 pier or wharf at each of the two islands then visited by steamers. He remained 

 here for a time and opened trade with the Indians. There were at that time 

 two fishermen on North Manitou, and a lighthouse, kept by a Mr. Clark. 



Such occupancy may properly be deemed to have been but temporary, and 

 the permanent settlement of this group of islands may probably be dated 

 from their occupation by King James J. Strang, with a branch of the Mor- 

 mons, who adhered to him after the assassination of Smith at Nauvoo, on 

 June i;7th, 1844. Strang, after drifting about for some time, finally concen- 

 trated his followers upon the largest of the Beaver islands, where they estab- 

 lished theuiselves some time prior to 1849. 



The government surveyors found them in possession of the island, with 

 very considerable improvements during the year 1855. 



