Wexford County’s Decade-Long Fight for the County Seat
The Battle of Manton, fought on April 5, 1882, was the dramatic conclusion to a decade-long struggle for Wexford County’s seat of government. It all started in 1881 when Manton became the county seat due to a compromise between Cadillac and Sherman, two neighboring towns that had fought bitterly over the honor. However, Cadillac residents were not ready to let go of their aspirations. In a county-wide vote on April 4, 1882, Cadillac triumphed, securing the coveted seat by a wide margin. This marked the beginning of the infamous Battle of Manton.
The following morning, Cadillac dispatched a sheriff and a posse of twenty deputies aboard a special train to Manton, tasked with seizing county records. Upon arrival, they quickly collected most of the documents and furniture, but Manton’s residents weren’t ready to surrender the records without a fight. As Cadillac’s posse attempted to remove the courthouse safes, the situation escalated. Manton’s residents confronted the men, and they were forced to retreat.
Cadillac Returns
Not willing to accept defeat, Cadillac returned with a much larger group—rumored to be several hundred strong, including lumbermen, whiskey, and a brass band. This time, armed with clubs, knives, and a few repeating rifles, they launched a more forceful attempt to seize the remaining county property. Manton residents barricaded the courthouse, but the posse managed to break through. They left Manton triumphant, though not without leaving behind a trail of injuries and hard feelings.
The Battle of Manton is a fascinating tale of political maneuvering, bribery, intimidation, and a good deal of inebriation. What started as a dispute over the county seat turned into a full-blown confrontation, with both sides accusing the other of violence and election manipulation. While Cadillac won the battle and retained the county seat, the struggle left a mark on the local community for years to come.
To this day, Cadillac stands as Wexford County’s seat of government, but the events of April 1882 remain a colorful chapter in the region’s history—a tale of fierce rivalry, proud citizens, and a showdown that has become part of local legend.
Battle of Manton Historical Marker
Industry & Invention (1875-1915) – Registered in 1970 and erected in 1970 – ID # L79B
Located US-131, Manton in Cedar Creek Township. – Lat: 44.41379600/Long: -85.39758600
In 1881 Manton became the Wexford County seat as a result of a compromise between Cadillac and Sherman. Those towns had quarreled over the issue for years. Cadillac partisans renewed the feud and won the county seat at an election in April 1882. After the election a sheriff’s posse left Cadillac for Manton by special train to seize the county records. An angry crowd confronted the Cadillac men and drove them out of town. Collecting several hundred lumbermen, a supply of whiskey, and a brass band, the sheriff returned to demand the records. Manton residents barricaded the courthouse, but the posse broke through doors and windows, seized the documents, and returned to Cadillac triumphant. Cadillac was victorious, but the battle of Manton left injuries and hard feelings.
