My City January 2022

William Patterson (or Paterson) 1862-63 Here, there seems to be a bit of historical confusion in the records, with some marking William Patterson as mayor during this year and others citing William Paterson (spelled with one “t”). It seems they are dierent people and not much is known about either.What is known is that William Patterson was on the building committee to construct the city courthouse (nished in 1851) and it is his last name (with two “t”s) on the list of Flint mayors in the Historical Collections and Researches text issued by the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society.ƒe other William Paterson is generally thought of as the o„cial mayor and his career does provide correlating evidence of this – most notably, he was elected supervisor of Flint Township multiple years starting in 1845. After his possible mayorship, he opened one of Flint’s rst non-wildcat banks with capital provided by George and Porter Hazelton. Before the bank o„cially opened its doors, however, Paterson disappeared with the funds, never to be seen again. (Note:ƒis is not William A. Paterson, the American Automobile maker.) During this time as mayor, the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad was established and Smith-Bridgman’s Department Store opened for business.

Ephraim S. Williams 1861-62 A Jack of all trades, Williams had traveled plenty and engaged in multiple professions before landing in Flint in 1850. He traveled with his family to Detroit after escaping the advance of the British during the War of 1812. After growing up in Pontiac with his family, Williams and his brother travelled to Saginaw under employment with the American Fur Company.‚ere, he built the ƒrst sawmill in the Saginaw Valley. During his years in Saginaw, Williams was elected county clerk and register of deeds, and was appointed postmaster by President Jackson. In 1840, he relocated to Pontiac where he started a mercantile business and tried his hand at farming. In 1850, he settled in Flint and engaged in the grocery and crockery business. He was appointed postmaster of Flint by President Pierce and spent eight years in the position. Williams perished in 1890 at the age of 88 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac. Ephraim S. Williams chronicled many of his journeys and adventures as a pioneer in Michigan and his stories can be read in various editions of the Michigan Pioneer & Historical Society Collections.

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