The Formation of Huron County Michigan

Legal Definition and Area:
Huron County was laid off as a seperate County by the Michigan State Legislature, April 1, 1840, with the same boundries as it has today. Those boundries are: "That portion of the state, North of the line between Towns 14 & 15, North. East of Range 8, East and of the center of Saginaw Bay. South of line between Towns 20 & 21 North, extended to the National Boundry line in Lake Huron." (Public Acts of 1840, Page 200).
Early Administration:
In 1841 what is Huron County was attached to Saginaw township, Saginaw County for every purpose. (Laws of 1841, page 23)

Became Polk Township:
In 1845 Huron County was organized into the township of Polk. (Laws of 1845, Page 53).

In 1847 it was attached to Lexington township, then part of Sinclair County. (Laws of 1847, Page 85).

Became Point Aux Barque Township
In 1849 Huron County was renamed the Townhip of Point Aux Barque (no S) and attached to Saginaw County, (Laws of 1849 page 105).

Became Sanilac Township, then Austin Township, and then Huron Township
By laws of 1850, page 215, Huron County was attached to Sanilac County for Judical and Representative purposes. The county, known as Sanilac township had its name changed to Austin township (by laws of 1851, page 58). It became Huron Township in 1854.

Became Huron County
Huron County was finally organized by the Michigan State Legislature, Jan. 25, 1859, as Huron County, with the original courthouse at Harbor Beach. The first County organization meeting was held at the Dow House, Harbor Beach, then Sand Beach, Feb. 26, 1859.

Under a "constitutional Government" Wesley Armstrong was appointed Sheriff; Samuel Lawder, treasurer; C.H. Gallup, prosecuting attorney; Robert W. Irwin. County Clerk, and Lewis Bonnell, probate Judge.

The Homesteading Acts of 1841 and 1862
Much of Michigan was once "public domain" land owned by the federal government and transferred to individuals under laws enacted by Congress. Two acts asssisted the selling of this public land: The Pre-emption Act of 1841 accomodated settlers who had established themselves illegally on land ahead of government surveyors. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres of land free to any head of family or person over 21 years of age who was a citizen of the United States or who had filed a declaration of intent to become a citizen in exchange for simply residing on the land for five years and improving it.

The Fire of 1881:
See "Fiery Trial," by Judge James H Lincoln & James L Donahue, publ. by Anchor Publications of Cass City MI, ISBN#0-9626947-1-1, 104 pp.

It has a number of first-hand accounts, a map of the effected area, etc. which was extensive -- almost all of Sanilac Co, most of Huron Co, the eastern half of Tuscola Co & the northern half of Lapeer Co. There were large areas where the fire burned to the shoreline of Lake Huron, particularly a wide stretch from Port Austin on the northern tip of the Thumb eastward to just north of Sand Beach (today Habor Beach). Bad Axe was entirely destroyed. Vassar, to the west, was spared . . . just. The west shoreline, along the Saginaw Bay, faired the best.

The back cover of this soft bound book states -- "An estimated two hundred and eighty people perished, another fifteen thousand were left homeless and count(l)ess numbers of domestic and wild animals died. To save themselves, settlers plunged into nearby lakes and streams or climbed into hand-dug crock wells. "Relief to the disaster victims was the first effort tried by Clara Barton's American Red Cross, a fledgling organization that had its beginnings in 1881 at Dansville, New York."

For another account of the fire read Charlie Slack's diary.

State (mid-term) censuses:
There were state censuses for MI in 1827, 1834, 1837, 1845, 1854, 1864, 1874, 1884 and 1894, BUT there are no state censuses that include Huron Co. according to "Michigan Genealogy Sources and Resources" by Carol McGinnis.