Hubbard, Bela, 1814-1896

Born in Hamilton, New York on April 23, 1814, Bela Hubbard was the son of Thomas H. Hubbard. He came to Detroit in 1835. Bela Hubbard married Sarah E. Baughman of Adrian, Michigan on March 2, 1848. After his admission to the Michigan Bar in 1842, Hubbard practiced law for a time with Charles Collins, but he soon gave up the law to devote his time to real estate. Hubbard was selected as assistant geologist of Michigan by Douglass Houghton when the geological survey of Michigan was reorganized, 1837-1840, and was the author of several books about Michigan. He died in Detroit on June 13, 1896.

From the description of Bela Hubbard papers, 1835-1903 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 436873380

Lumberman, real estate operator, and geologist.

From the description of Bela Hubbard papers, 1837-1893. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34418631

Bela Hubbard is noted as one of the pioneer geologists of Michigan as a result of expeditions undertaken, while in his twenties, with Douglass Houghton, Sylvester Higgins, and William Ives. For the rest of his long life, he occupied himself as a Detroit land speculator and lumber dealer.

Hubbard was born in Hamilton, New York, in 1814, but moved as a child to Utica, New York. In 1834 he graduated from Hamilton College, and soon thereafter moved to Detroit to join his brother Henry in managing the family's farm and land agency. Hubbard was active in the Detroit Young Men's Society, serving as corresponding secretary and, in 1845, as president.

In 1837, shortly after the Michigan Legislature established a geological survey to conduct a comprehensive study of the state's natural resources, the new state geologist, Douglass Houghton, appointed Hubbard his assistant. Hubbard served the Geological Survey from 1837 to 1841. Major field work undertaken by Hubbard for the survey included a coast survey of the Lake Huron and Michigan shores of the Lower Peninsula, done with Houghton in 1838; surveys of Wayne and Monroe Counties, also in 1838; and a survey of the Lake Superior coast and the copper region of Keweenaw Point with Houghton, in 1840. After 1840 the work of the Geological Survey was reduced, and Hubbard left the agency.

Hubbard returned to Detroit in 1841 to study law. He began writing a column in the Western Farmer , becoming the editor in 1842. The journal ceased publication in 1843.

In 1843 Houghton proposed that the U.S. land survey of the Upper Peninsula be combined with the state geological survey of the area. The following summer he contracted to perform the combined surveys. After Houghton's death in the fall of 1845, the surveys he had contracted to do were taken over by Hubbard and others. Hubbard surveyed the Huron Mountains area of Marquette and Baraga Counties with William Ives in 1845 and 1846. He also surveyed parts of Houghton and Ontonagon Counties in those years with Sylvester Higgins. Also in 1846 Hubbard edited and published with William Burt a report on the copper region based on Houghton's notes from his 1845 survey.

After 1846 Hubbard left the field of geological survey, concerning himself more with the family land business. In 1854 he entered the lumber trade. Hubbard died in 1896, and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit.

From the guide to the Bela Hubbard papers, 1837-1893, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)