Great Michigan Fire Great Michigan Fire The Great Michigan Fire was a series of simultaneous forest fires in the state of Michigan in the United States in 1871. They were possibly caused (or at least reinforced) by the same winds that fanned the Great Chicago Fire; some believe lightning or even meteor showers may have started the fires. Several cities, towns and villages, including Alpena, Holland, Manistee, and Port Huron, suffered serious damage or were lost. The concurrent Great Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin also destroyed several towns in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 1881, much more than half of "the Thumb" region
John Kennedy, 8th Earl of Cassilis October 1738. John Kennedy, 8th Earl of Cassilis John Kennedy, 8th Earl of Cassilis (April 1700 – 7 August 1759) was a Scottish peer. He succeeded to the titles of 10th Lord Kennedy and 8th Earl of Cassilis on 23 July 1701. He held the office of Governor of Dumbarton Castle between 1737 and 1759. On the death of the 8th Earl, a competition arose, both for the estates and for the title of Earl of Cassilis, between William, Earl of March and Ruglen, heir general, and Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, 4th Baronet, the heir male. The Court of