Michigan

The History of Michigan’s Own War

When the Toledo War took place in 1835 and 1836 between Michigan and Ohio, the conflict over the Michigan-Ohio Border was already nearly fifty years old. From what essentially boils down to a misunderstanding, both Michigan and Ohio claimed a certain 468-sq-mile piece of territory, in which lies what we now know as Toledo, Ohio. In 1835, this cold conflict came to a head when both Michigan and Ohio, each spurred on by the other, tried to pass official legislation claiming the territory under their governing authorities. At the time this war took place, Ohio was already a state, while Michigan was merely a territory. In 1787, the Northwest Ordinance had been passed, providing for the division of the Northwest Territory into states by extending “an east and west line drawn through the southerly or extreme end of Lake Michigan.” The problem developed because Michigan and Ohio interpreted that line differently. Michigan citizens believed that Toledo belonged in their state; Ohioans believed Toledo was theirs.

The bloodless battle over the disputed “Toledo Strip” finally began in April 1835. Raids continued through the summer of 1835. Eventually, in December 1836, a compromise was accepted by Michigan, which gave Toledo and the disputed territory to Ohio and the western Upper Peninsula to Michigan. Acceptance of this compromise was necessary before Michigan could enter the Union. On January 26, 1837, President Andrew Jackson signed the legislation that made Michigan a state.

Detroit Auto Industry is Born

The auto industry is a well known component of the Michigan economy and is typically known as “The Big Three.” The Big Three are General Motors, Chrysler LLC, and Ford Motor Company.

Henry Ford of Ford Motor Company and David Dunbar Buick of Buick Motor Company revolutionized automobiles during the industry’s younger days. Henry Ford was known for the creation of the innovative Ford Model T in 1908 via a cheaper and efficient way of putting together his version of an automobile. In addition to that, Henry Ford mass produced cars with great efficiency and made sure his Ford Model Ts were affordable. Henry Ford also introduced the concept of how cars would be driven on the roads, and influenced the building of the road system in the state of Michigan. He was appointed to the first road commission board in Michigan.

David Dunbar Buick, on the other hand, revolutionized the way engines were made. He created the valve-in-head overhead valve engine design which was more powerful than the side valve engine design, the design engines were using at the time. The engines made in cars today have design variants of Buick’s valve-in-head overhead valve engine design. In addition to that, the history and the early success of General Motors has a lot to thank Buick for.

Today, in spite of the economic woes which overtook General Motors and Chrysler in the 2008-2009 financial downturn, General Motors remains the number two automaker in the world. Chrysler today ranks as the third largest automobile maker, just ahead of BMW.

Michigan Becomes a State

On January 26, 1837, Michigan became the 26th state of the Union. This happened because of a regional dispute between the state of Ohio (founded in 1803) and the territory of Michigan (incorporated in 1805).

Michigan would have become a state sooner than 1837, but a border dispute over 468 square miles of area (the Toledo Strip), situated along the Ohio and Michigan border, which both states claimed ownership of stopped everything. Both states made laws that penalized anyone claiming any type of citizenship to the other region.

From 1835-1836, the Toledo War, largely a bloodless border feud, simmered, but never quite happened. The impassibility of a mosquito-filled swamp acted as an obstacle. And it was because of this obstacle that the militias raised by the state of Ohio and the territory of Michigan never engaged. Finally, U.S Congress stepped in and allowed the state of Ohio ownership of the Toledo strip. Michigan became a state and acquired the Upper Peninsula.

The automobile is a thread that runs through the last century and more of Michigan’s history—and through the Michigan Historical Museum’s twentieth century galleries as well! Even young students can discuss similarities and differences among cars and imagine what it might have been like to ride in the various models.

Grand Rapids

Wake Now

Yellavel

Kalamazoo

Detroit

Gun Lake

Orangeville

Martin

Established – 1839

Martin Township was organized in 1839 and named in honor of President Martin Van Buren. The first settlers were Mumford Eldred and his family. They were followed by other families who settled in the township from 1837 to 1850. Their names were – Walter, Montieth, Kimball, Shepherd, Shelman, Redpath, McVean, Patterson, Wheeler and Wylie. These families and their descendants have made Martin Township what it is today. We want to continue that legacy for all families living in our township today. Our vision is to provide a growing secure, hometown community.

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