My City February 2022

MYHISTORY

Samuel M. Axford 1868-69 Axford came to Michigan from New Jersey as an infant in the early 1830s. During his formative years, he lived in Detroit and attended the University of Michi- gan where he earned a degree in medicine. He then trav- eled to Philadelphia where he learned to be a surgeon. In 1858, he traveled to Flint and set up practice. He opened the Axford House (later known as the Kearsley House) as a joint hospital and residence.ˆe hospital stood on the corner of Kearsley and CliŠord Streets for some time. (It was demolished during the construction of I-475.) Dr. Axford was well-known and well-respect- ed by residents of Flint and elsewhere. He was perhaps the area’s leading gynecologist and an expert in the practice of ovariectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries). He was so liked that after his death, it was written in the Book of the Golden Jubilee of Flint : “So great was his success that many humorous tales were related of him, to the eŠect that it was once said of him that there was not a home in town that he had not visited and that his fellow practitioners were all a bit resentful of his advent into their midst.” In 1873, Dr. Axford succumbed to a then-unknown disease and died at the age of 41. He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery.

William S. Patrick 1869-70

Not much is known about this mayor of Flint except that he lived in the city and was a part of the lumber business in town and on the AuGres River near the Saginaw Bay. In Flint, Patrick found himself in a bit of trouble while hunting near a mill on the Flint River. As he was waiting for his prey, he heard rustling in the bushes before him and thinking he might have found a trophy, took the shot. As he pushed aside the twigs and leaves hiding his prey, he realized his mistake. Patrick had shot and killed a young native American. Upon hearing of the murder, the local Chippewa tribe was enraged and demanded vengeance. Patrick went into hiding and only emerged when all seemed convinced it was an accident. From that point on, Patrick spent the majority of his time at his lumber business to the north.ˆere, he made friends with the local tribes and even learned the Chippewa language. At the time of this death, he was known by the local tribes as “Good Bill.” It was during his time as mayor when the carriage industry began to ™ourish. William A. and A. B. Paterson and others started their carriage factories.

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