The History of the Michigan Society of Registered Land Surveyors February 22, 1941 -- J.'ebruary 19, 1993 and the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors Februilry 19, 1993 - January 1996 Herbert G. Avey, P.S. Historian . PREFACE In March, 1992, I volunteered to join a committee to research, evaluate and record the history of the Michigan Society of Registered Land Surveyors. I inherited several aged and tired cardboard boxes of old dog-eared folders. Many of the pages were faded with time, others brittle from age, but all were a part of the story of the trials and tribulations of starting a professional organization. Not only starting, but nurturing it into a very viable organization fifty-plus years later. It didn't take long to find out there was no committee, I was the committee. I could enlist whatever help I wanted or could recruit. I am not a good recruiter and the invitations for help went unheeded. So I decided to go it alone. That may have been an unwise decision. I may have failed the Society by not finishing the job more diligently. Perhaps my evaluation and presentation of the material is different than a committee may have chosen. I am not a novelist by trade nor an English major. I am just a Professional Surveyor. I found one of our distinguished fore-fathers (George Henning) had written a history of the first fifteen years of the Society. He was well-versed in the development of the Society, being one of the founding members and the Secretary for the first nine years of the Society. As I read through the available correspondence, minutes and other records, I found subjects of interest that George had passed over, that I wanted to include. This history starts out with George Henning's writings and is followed by my added observations through those years. I would like to thank my loving wife, Ardis, for her patience and understanding and her countless hours of loneliness, while I researched and generated this dissertation. I also, would like to thank Roland Self, MSPS Executive Director, for his time and expertise in editing this manuscript. This, then, is a narration of the birth, development and the maturity of the Society for fifty­ some years without dwelling on the minute details. Herbert G. Avey, P.S. MICHIGAN SOCIETY OF REGISTERED LAND SUR VEYORS HISTORY Complied by ---- George D. Henning, Founding Member and Past President Likely unknown to a large number of our present members is the fact that our present Society is the third organization in Michigan which has been started by Land Surveyors to deal with the practical and professional aspects ofland surveying. Prior to 1900, it clearly appears that land surveying was a major part of the practice of the Civil Engineers involving the laying out ofland locations directly dependent on the U.S. land survey locations and involving railroad and town site locations and layout; the conversions of wild lands to agricultural uses and the lumbering operations and mining industries. It was not until 1919 that a registration law came into being. Land surveying and engineering surveying were being done, more or less, by a separate group of individuals, and Land Surveying was separated from Engineering by statute. In a history which was compiled of the Michigan Engineering Society about 1925, it was noted that in August, 1868, the "SUR VEYORS AND CIVIL ENGINEERS ASSOCIA TION OF MICHIGAN', was fonned in Lansing and the following men being present: W.L. Goffinbury, Grand Rapids A.J. Pierce, Hooker H.M. Caukin, Greenville J.O. Palmer, St. Johns Thos. Campau, Pentwater R.S. Jackson, Kent County Wm. Thronton, Grand Rapids A.E. Upton, Newaygo County Francis Hodgman, Kalamazoo A second meeting of this group was held as the "SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION OF TIIE MlCIDGAN SURVEYORS AND CIVa ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION "at Grand Rapids on May 5 and 6, 1869. An account of that meeting was found in a newspaper clipping in a scrap book owned by DeLand H. Davis, a grandson of Francis Hodgman. Editor's Note: It is very interesting to note they were then pointing out the inadequacy ofthe laws pertaining to land surveying and land surveyors, yet the same laws exist today with very little improvement except licensing. Likely this organization did not get very far. It is further found that in 1880 a call was sent out in February for a meeting ofcivil engineers and surveyors. The text ofthis call is given to point out the thoughts of surveyors then. 1 Lansing, Michigan - Feb. 28, 1880 Dear Sir: Permit us to address you, not as assurrung to represent the profession of surveyors and engineers of the State, but as having the welfare of our profession at heart and desiring to promote its interests and the interests of its patrons. We believe there is greater need of uniformity in our methods of practice, and a demand for greater certainty in results of our work. You will agree that our results should always be such as will be sustained by the courts. With such results we can satisfy our patrons and avoid litigation by them. We believe that our state laws with reference to surveys are greatly inadequate; that correct work by one should be as official, as legal and entitled to record as by another. It may not be advisable to abolish the office of County Surveyor, but in the courts County Surveyors and others stand on equal footing. Why should not all good work be equally well backed by statute and have advantage of its prestige? Who better than we to take the lead in some wholesome measure, and what time better than now?' We submit whether the decisions of the courts on questions of boundary should not be compiled and in our hands for daily reference? We believe united action of the profession is demanded. To that end we invite you to attend with us and take part in a meeting at the new State Capitol, to begin on Wed. March 24th. next at 2:00 p.m. Bring any questions arising in your practice that may be of interest to yourself and others, any doubtful or difficult case. This is important, past experience must light the future. Bring your transit or compass and chain for comparison. Let us have a collection of old instruments and new. We will begin the business at the hour appointed by electing a temporary chairman and Secretary, and the appointment of a committee on organization and on questions for discussion. 2 We believe the latter necessary to avoid waste oftime in desultory discussion. With report of the former we can go to work. We have secured special railroad and hotel rates so as to materially lessen the expense of attending. Again we invite you to be present and we hope there is time to shape your engagements to that end. Very respectfully, R. C. Carpenter, Lansing Wm. Vincent, Manistee E.F. Guild, East Saginaw lB. Davis, Ann Arbor P.C. Heald, Midland City Francis Hodgman, Climax Burton Kent, Adrian Chas. E. Greene, Ann Arbor AL. Reed, Port Huron Thomas Love, Avery D. Skeels, Grand Rapids A Sinclair, Port Huron Thomas White, Alpena Geo. A Steeple, Elk Rapids Editor's Note: It is interesting to note that the only name common to both of the above meetings is Francis Hodgman. The meeting was held as scheduled and was called the "FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MlCIllGAN ASSOCIATION OF SURVEYORS AND CIVIL ENGINEERS". A secretary's report of that meeting was published as a part of the history of the Michigan Engineering Society. In 1883, the changing of its name was discussed and in 1884 it was changed to the MICHIGAN ENGINEERING SOCIETY. The Michigan Society of Registered Land Surveyors grew from a very modest beginning in the north end of the lower peninsula. In the 1920's there had been a drive to build a large membership and revive the MES. During the late 1930's about all of the land surveyors of Northern Michigan were members of the Michigan Engineering Society but the society had become dominated by the industrial and construction interests to the extent that no thought was being given to land surveying or surveyors. Both G.F. DeLaMater and George Henning were County Surveyors in their respective counties and were working as well in adjacent counties. They had discussed the idea of associating the active Land Surveyors in the northern lower peninsula and straits area so that they might work out a better atmosphere, of cooperation, uniformity of practices and fees and to curtail much of the work being done by unqualified people. DeLaMater took it upon himself to contact most of those in the area, many of whom he knew through MES activity and to promote such an association. 3 Several invitations were sent out to meet at his office in Gaylord in February, 1941. This was entirely a exploratory meeting and the following men were present: G.F. DeLaMater, Gaylord Frank N. Smith, Atlanta Jos. P. Doyle, Cheboygan Sam Tokoly, Boyne City George Henning, Roscommon Aldro Rouse, Atlanta After much discussion it was agreed that an association should be formed. G.F. DeLaMater was appointed as temporary chairman and Geo. Henning as temporary secretary. Further discussion brought out the following: (a) There was need for an association to strive for more uniformity of practice and fees and to promote a better professional status. (b) That it should be non-sectarian and non-partisan. (c) That its membership be limited to Registered Land Surveyors only.