Alger Family
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The Alger family first came to the Lowell area in 1846 from Ontario Canada in a covered wagon and left their mark here in Lowell and in Portland Michigan.
John and Jane Alger bought land in Fox’s Corner on today’s Lincoln Lake Ave, between Vergennes and Burroughs, from the Fox brothers. John, the eldest of the Alger family, lived from 1783-1853 and is buried at Fox’s Corner Cemetery. Unfortunately, little is known about Jane. John and Jane’s son Lewis lived from 1823-1884. He married Lovena Muma, and they raised their family here. The Fox’s Corner school building was built on Lewis and Lovena Alger’s land with the understanding that the land would revert to the landowner if the school ever ceased being a school. The first schoolhouse was built of logs. In the 1870’s the new school was built. Lewis Alger along with Francis O’Harrow and Solomon Lee oversaw the construction. In June of 1956 the residents voted to annex the Fox’s Corner school to the Lowell system. The school was demolished, and the land reverted to the then landowner. Two of the children of Lewis and Lovena lived on Alger land and were part of the Lowell community. Frank lived from 1856 to 1930. His twin brother was Fred. Though no longer there, Frank’s homestead was on the west side of Lincoln Lake across from Burroughs. He graduated from law school in Ann Arbor and married Ella M. Robinson at the Robinson home. Frank and Ella spent time in North and South Dakota, but returned and spent the remainder of their lives here. Ed was a large part of the Fox’s Corner Community, living there his entire life from 1853-1946. He married Fannie Beckwith, and their only daughter was Ina Alger. The Alger home remains on the south side of Burroughs between the Flat River and Lincoln Lake. Ed liked to tell of his many adventures. He worked with others as they used their hayracks to bring back the covered bridge that had been washed down the stream by the float and the log jam. He also saved the house when the mill burned by staying on the roof pouring water over it that was passed up to him by the bucket brigade. Another scary adventure started when one of the men who was washing sheep got into the whirlpool created by the swiftness of the mill race below the mill. The man could not get himself out. Bystanders held Ed by the feet and with his height of 6 feet 2 inches he was able to reach the man’s hair and hold him, keeping him from drowning, until he could be rescued. Ed served the community as school director, justice of the peace, township treasurer, clerk, and supervisor. As township Supervisor he was appointed by the county board of supervisors to serve on the finance committee. The original covered bridge crossing the Flat River was replaced by a one lane iron and plank bridge in 1905 that was engineered by Ed Alger. The bridge remained until 1994 when the current bridge was brought here from Belleville Michigan. The Alger bridge was moved to Portland and is used as a pedestrian bridge over the Looking Glass River. The Fox’s Corner school, mill, and bridge may all be gone, but the memory of the Alger family remains, along with their impact on the community. Images: Ed and Lovenia Alger House 1906-1907 Board of Supervisors, Ed Alger Vergennes Alger bridge currently a pedestrian bridge in Portland |
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