FIRST WHITE SETTLER

Titus Bronson, the first permanent settler on the present site of the City of Kalamazoo, was born at Breakneck Hill, Conn., Nov. 27, 1788, where he acquired only common schooling.

He first traveled into the west at the age of 22, locating at Talmadge, Ohio, in 1821.  Two years later he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., but after a few years he sold his land there and moved back east to Middlebury, Conn. There on January 1, 1827, he was married to Sally Richardson.  The two went to Talmadge, Ohio, and in 1829 Bronson again returned to Michigan.

From Ann Arbor, this pioneer proceeded westward along that route that had been marked by surveyors as the Territorial Road.  In June, 1829, he arrived on the present site of Kalamazoo and built his cabin here as the first resident.

Early Associates of Bronson in Kalamazoo described him as an eccentric and an enthusiastic temperance advocate.  He had read many books and had a knowledge of many subjects.

With his brother-in-law, Stephen Richardson, Bronson made the first village plat, the community then bearing his name of  "Bronson".  About seven years after coming here he sold his holdings for $12,000 and with his wife and small daughter, went on into the west.  He located near Rock Island, Ill., and later invented in lands near Davenport, Ia.  He lost his fortune, however, and went to Henry County, Ill. to live with his daughter, who was then Mrs. Eliza Hooker.  In 1852 he went back to Middlebury, Conn., broken in health and wealth and died there at the age of 65 in January, 1853.

Though long a gathering place for Indians and a place for Indians and a casual place for whites in earlier years, Kalamazoo's place in history dates from 1823 when the trader, Neumaiville erected his trading post on the present site of Riverside Cemetery.

1827

Kalamazoo was established on the line of the Territorial Road mapped across Michigan.

1828

Bazil ( Bazel ) Harrison and his family became the first white settlers of Kalamazoo County locating on the banks of Harrison Lake in Prairie Ronde Township.

1829

Titus Bronson, native of Connecticut, became the first white settler on the present site of the City of Kalamazoo.  The village, which found was first given the of Bronson.  Counties of Southwestern Michigan were established in this year, including Kalamazoo.

1830

Titus Bronson and his brother-in-law, Stephen Richardson, became landowners here, acquiring the tract which is now in the center of the city, including the present Bronson Park, the courthouse and adjoining church square.  Bronson's first cabin was at Church and Water Streets.

1831

First village plat was placed on file by Bronson and Richardson.  The village was designated as the county seat after a bitter contest with Comstock.

1832

Bronson, now Kalamazoo, was designated as a postoffice with Dr. Jonathan G. Abbott, the first physician, as postmaster.  The village residents responded in the Black Hawk War scare.

1833

With a population of about 100, the year 1833 brought the first school, taught by Eliza Coleman; the first sermon, preached by Rev. J. T. Robe and the founding of the first church by the Methodists; the Michigan & Huron Institute, now Kalamazoo College, was chartered; the first county court sessions were held; the Kalamazoo House, the first local hotel, was opened by Justus and Cyren Burdick; the first Township elections were held in what was then Arcadia township; the first marriage was that of Ethan French and Matilda Housom and the Community's first death was Joseph Wood, 72, who died in December.

1834

Big impetus for growth came to the village by transfer of the government land office here from White Pigeon.  State census in preparation for statehood, shows 3,124 residents in the county.  First births of white children in village:  Mary Heydenburk, July 7; Robert C. Burdick, July 17. Robert Knight, native of Ireland, first to declare and become a citizen.

1835

Village participates in the first State election, held a year and a half before statehood was finally achieved.  Stevens T. Mason, elected Governor.  First back, a branch of the Bank of Michigan, opened March 2.  Henry Gilbert moved his newspaper, The Michigan Statesman from White Pigeon.  The paper was established  in 1833 and is now the Kalamazoo Gazette.

1836

Name of the village was changed from Bronson to Kalamazoo and the township from Arcadia to Kalamazoo.  The Congregationalists built a church edifice here with the Rev. Silas Woodbury as pastor.  A Baptist church society was formed.  Government land sales reached the peak of their big boom this year.

1837

Michigan admitted t the Union on Jan. 26.  The Michigan Statesman on Jan. 23 became the Kalamazoo Gazette.  This year brought the "wild cat" banking era in Michigan.  First classes were held by the Michigan and Huron Institute, predecessor of Kalamazoo College.  First murder in county was that of William Pitt Giddings of Richland, killed by a rock thrown by James Ayres, who was engaged because Giddings had failed to stop a dog fight.  St. Luke's church organized.

1838

Old Branch of the University of Michigan opened May 1 in a building on the east side of Bronson Park.  The State Legislature passed an act authorizing incorporation of Kalamazoo as a village, but no local action was taken.  First liquor licenses were issued by the township board.  Licenses went to groceries and general stores and to Emor Hawley at the Kalamazoo House; Johnson Patrick, Exchange House and Oriel Wilcox and Dan Lathrop at the River House.

1839

Despite the national money panic which continued and worthless money circulated in Michigan, Kalamazoo's growth continued, although public land sales dwindled.  The State Legislature amended the act providing incorporation as a village, but still no local action was taken.

1840

Army troops transported Indians of Michigan west of the Mississippi River, though many eluded the soldiers and remained here to form the Indian villages of more modern times.

1841

Stevens T. Mason, "Boy Governor" and Michigan's first chief executive, died at 31 in New York City.  He had served as territorial governor when 21 and was elected Governor before he was 24.

1842

Board of Commissioners in county is replaced by a board of supervisors which held its first meeting on July 4.

1843

Kalamazoo incorporated as a village.  Town board is elected and Hosea B. Huston, first retail merchant, was elected as the first village president.  The first ordinance providing fire protection required all home owners and business people to equip their places with a ladder and two pails to be used only in case of fire.

1844

Kalamazoo Telegraph is founded as a weekly newspaper.  Theodore P. Sheldon opened a private bank, replacing the Bank of Michigan which had closed its doors here.

1845

Kalamazoo Lodge No. 7, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, established here, which has survived and is now the oldest fraternal organization in the city.  A new county jail was erected here.

1846

The first railroad reached Kalamazoo on February 2 when the Michigan Central complete its tracks to this city from Detroit.  Kalamazoo's first fire company was formed March 11 with Alex T. Sheldon as foreman.  The first magazine published in Michigan was edited by G. H. Crosatt and was called Amarath.

1847

Kalamazoo responds with a company for the Mexican War under Capt. F. W. Curtenius.  Epaphroditus Ransom, Democrat, elected Governor of Michigan, the only Kalamazoo man to hold this post.  Abraham Edwards elected village president.

1848

First telegraphic service established April 11.  First meeting of a Masonic Lodge held here on March 2.  David S. Walbridge elected village president.

1849

Local men join the "gold rush" for California, with more than 100 taking the overland trail in 1849 and the next year or two.  Kalamazoo Lodge No. 22 F. & A. M. instituted Jan. 10.  Ordinance adopted to restrict grazing of cows and other domestic animals on the village streets.

1850

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