COLDWATER

coldwater, a city and county-seat of branch county, michigan, u.s.a., on coldwater stream (which connects two of the group of small lakes in the vicinity), about 80 m. s.s.e. of grand rapids. pop. (1890) 5247; (1900) 6216, of whom 431 were foreign-born; (1904) 6225; (1910) 5945. it is served by the lake shore & michigan southern railway. it is the seat of a state public school and temporary home (opened in 1874) for dependent, neglected or ill-treated children, who are received at any age under twelve. the city is situated in a fine farming region, has an important flouring and grist mill industry, and also manufactures portland cement, liniment, lumber, furniture, sashes, doors and blinds, brass castings, sleighs, shoes, &c. the municipality owns and operates the water-works and electric lighting plant. coldwater was settled in 1829, was laid out as a town under the name of lyons in 1832, received its present name in the following year, was incorporated as a village in 1837, was reached by railway and became the county-seat in 1851, and was chartered as a city in 1861.