JAMES J. MCLAUGHLIN

In 1850 Mr. Abram Wadsworth began to make preparations for building a sawmill. In the winter of 1850-1 James McLaughlin put up the frame of the first sawmill on the east side of the bay. It was designed for a picket and lath-mill. In the spring of 1851 Wadsworth sold out to a man by the name of Norris, but for some cause the property came back into Wadsworth's hands in November,

1851, McLaughlin moved his family to Elk river. During the fall the families of Amos Wood, Alexander McVicar and a Mormon family named Barnes arrived. The Mormons remained but a short time. Wood and McVicar became settlers of the county.

Up to 1852 there were no cattle in the vicinity of Elk Rapids, except a yoke of oxen at the lumber camp on Round lake. In July Mr. McLaughlin went out to the south part of the state and drove in from Allegan a pair of oxen and a cow. Of this trip James McLaughlin says: "At Grand Rapids I was joined by William Slawson and Perry Stocking, each with a cow. From Grand Rapids they struck north and from the Muskegon river to Traverse City their route lay through unbroken wilderness, with only a section line to follow. The first day out from the Rapids, Slawson's cow broke away and they lost her being the only serious mishap they had, and after traveling thirteen days they arrived at Elk Rapids. Our town was thrown into quite an excitement at the sound of a cow bell, these being the first that had ever been heard in this region. Soon after this Alexander McVicar came up from Canada, bringing with him his father's family and also two cows, which made in all four cows and two yoke of oxen on our side of the bay. It was a little amusing and at the same time it was touching to see the little children when they were offered milk; they would not touch it and didn't know what it was. The summer passed away pleasantly, bringing now and then a new recruit to our village and we soon had quite a settlement."

FIRST BURIAL IN THE COUNTY

About the first of November, 1852, a cloud settled over the community, caused by the death of Charles, youngest son of Mr. McLaughlin, a bright boy of thirteen. His death was caused by his swallowing a pin which he had bent for a fish hook. He had it in his mouth and was running along when he stubbed his toe and as he pitched forward the pin flew down his windpipe and lodged in his lungs. He lingered along for about two weeks and was in great distress until he died. He was the first white person ever buried in Antrim county. There was no clergyman on the east side of the bay, but appropriate funeral services were conducted by a layman, Mr. John McDonald. The grave was made in a grove of pines, in a beautiful spot on the first terrace above the bay. For several years afterward the place was used as a burying ground by the inhabitants. The remains of the first occupant were removed at a later date to Maple Grove Cemetery.