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HISTORY 


Macomb  County, 


MICHIGAN, 


CONTAINING 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  ITS  SETTLEMENT,  GROWTH,  DEVELOPMENT  AND   RESOURCES;   AN  EXTENSIVE 

AND  MINUTE  SKETCH  OF  ITS  CITIES,  TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES— THEIR  IMPROVEMENTS, 

INDUSTRIES,  MANUFACTORIES,  CHUKCHES,  SCHOOLS  AND  SOCIETIES;   ITS  WAR 

RE'ORD,   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES,  PORTRAITS  OF    PROMINENT  MEN 

AND  EARLY  SETTLEHS;  THE  WHOLE  PRECEDED  BY  A  HISTORY 

OF    MICHIGAN,    STATISTICS    OF    THE    STATE,    AND    AN 

ABSTRACT    OF    ITS    LAWS    AND    CONSTITUTION 

AND    OF   THE    CONSTITUTION   OF    THE 

UNITED  STATES. 


Illustrated. 


CHICAGO : 

M.    A      LEE  SON    k    CO. 

1882. 


WRITER'S    PREFACE. 


The  period  has  passed  away  forever  when  the  once  philosophic  phrase — a  thousand 
years  scarce  serve  to  form  a  State,  could  be  used  with  propriety.  The  same  may  now  be 
said  of  histor}'.  The  busy  activities  of  oui-  days,  the  march  of  progress,  the  wonderful 
advances  of  science  and  art.  contribute  to  the  realization  of  ideas,  and  crowd  into  a  period 
of  fifty  years  n  gi-eater  number  of  remarkable  and  important  events,  than  fifty  decades  of 
olden  times  in  the  Eastern  World  could  offer  to  the  chronicler.  Therefore,  the  compila- 
tion of  history  is  not  only  justifiable,  but  also  essential.  It  is  the  enduring  record  of 
years  that  can  only  through  it  be  recalled,  of  men  who  will  be  honored  by  the  American 
manhood  of  this  and  coming  generations. 

This  work  is  dedicated  to  the  people  of  Macomb  County.  With  the  exception  of  the 
first  part,  the  history  of  Michigan,  it  is  distinctively  local,  and  as  such  must  be  considered 
a  magnificent  record  of  a  worth}-  people.  The  work  of  the  French  and  American  pioneers 
of  Macomb  extends  over  a  century.  Within  that  period,  they  have  raised  it  from  its  prim- 
itive condition  to  the  rank  of  one  of  the  first  divisions  of  the  State — cultivated  its  wild 
lands,  built  its  villages  and  towns  and  brought  into  existence  two  importaot  centers  of 
population — Mt.  Clemens  and  Romeo.  They  transmuted  the  marsh  into  fii'm  earth,  re- 
moved the  forests,  and  decorated  the  river  banks  with  happy  homes  and  fertile  fields.  It 
is  difficult  to  point  out  precisely  the  men  who  were  foremost  in  contributing  to  this  result: 
all  share  in  the  prosperity  of  the  county,  and  take  a  special  pride  in  its  advancement;  each 
citizen  has  experienced  the  luxury  of  doing  good,  and  feels  that  life  is  not  now  a  mere 
shadow  of  a  dream.  The  alarms  and  anxieties  attendant  on  the  pioneer  life  have  been 
changed  to  certainties  and  happy  greetings.  Those  who  saw  the  primeval  forest  waving 
over  the  land,  lived  on  through  the  days  of  its  destruction  to  see  the  clearings  covered 
with  the  houses  of  merchants  and  manufacturers,  or  the  fields  and  homes  of  a  prosperous 
people.  They  wear  the  honors  which  justly  belong  to  them;  while  those  who  died,  ob- 
tained a  glimpse  of  what  they  laljored  for  before  passing  away,  and  live  in  the  memory  of 
the  present.  The  pioneers  who  are  gone  beheld  the  budding  desires  of  younger  days  ex- 
pand into  the  flower,  and.  seeing,  went  to  the  undiscovered  land  beyond  the  grave,  leaving 
their  memories  and  their  deeds  to  be  carried  down  the  stream  of  time. 

In  these  pages,  an  effort  has  been  made  to  treat  the  history  of  the  county  in  a  full 
and  impartial  manner.  Doubtless  a  few  inacciu^acies  may  have  crept  in;  but  such  must 
be  attributed  to  other  causes,  rather  than  carelessness.  In  regard  to  the  jiages  devoted  to 
personal  history,  a  large  sum  of  money,  much  labor  and  time  have  been  expended  on  them. 
Even  after  the  personal  notes  taken  by  the  township  historian  were  rewritten,  and  in 
many  instances  submitted,  this  very  copy  was  placed  on  type-vsriter  and  mailed  to  the 
person  concerned  for  revision.  The  biographies  given  here,  together  with  their  collection, 
would  necessitate  the  steady  work  of  one  experienced  man  for  five  years.  The  collection 
of  such  facts  as  appear  in  the  State  and  County  histories,  would  entail  on  an  inexperienced 
writer  ten  years'  steady  work,  while  the  compilation  of  townshiji  histories,  as  they  appear 


f^ 


If 


WRITER'S  PREFACE. 


-li^ 


here,  would  doubtless  occupy  the  attention  of  such  a  writer  for  a  year.  Within  a  few 
months,  this  work  has  been  begun  and  completed.  Notwithstanding  this  remarkable 
celerity,  it  will  be  evident  that  little  or  nothing,  which  should  have  a  place  in  its  pages, 
has  been  omitted.  It  will  also  be  evident  throughout  that  the  writer  of  the  general  history. 
as  well  as  the  gentlemen  who  collected  tlie  biograpliical  notices,  have  realized  the  simple 
fact  of  undeserved  praise  being  undisguised  satire.  In  some  instances,  this  realization 
ma-\-  have  led  to  too  brief  references  to  many  meii.  an  account  of  whose  lives  might  occupy 
man}'  pages. 

The  plan  of  this  work  is  specially  adapted  to  a  great  record  book.  All  things  per- 
taining in  general  to  the  State  are  dealt  with  in  the  State  history,  and  form,  as  it  were,  an 
introduction  to  the  county  history.  The  latter  is  carried  down  from  the  first  Otchipwe 
invasion  to  the  present  time,  treating  fully  and  impartially  every  subject  of  general  in- 
terest to  the  people.  So  with  the  cities  and  the  villages — they  have  been  very  liberally 
sketched:  while  each  township  has  just  sutficient  notice  given  it  to  render  its  history  a 
most  valuable  record  for  the  future. 

We  have  been  ably  assisted  in  the  work  by  the  members  of  the  county  press.  The 
written  sketches  of  Judge  James  B.  Eldredge.  Edgar  Weeks.  John  E.  Day.  Rev.  H.  N. 
Bissell,  Dr.  HoUistei-,  were  all  requisitioned  and  yielded  up  a  mine  of  historical  informa- 
tion. 

The  reminiscences  of  early  settlement  were  selected  from  the  writings  of  members  of 
the-  pioneer  society,  while  the  numerous  anecdotes  were  written  from  facts  obtained  from 
the  old  settlers. 

To  the  coiinty  officers  our  most  sincere  thanks  are  offered — -first,  for  placing  their 
well-kept  records  at  our  disposal;  second,  for  the  material  aid  rendered  in  searching  old 
record  Isooks,  and  lastly,  for  the  genial  courtesy  which  marked  their  intercourse  with  us 
on  all  occasions. 

To  Chauncey  (1.  Gady.  George  H.  Cannon  and  John  E.  Day.  members  of  the  His- 
torical Committee  of  the  Pioneer  Society,  we  desire  to  extend  oiu-  thanks  for  the  deep  in- 
terest which  they  have  taken  in  the  work,  as  well  as  recognition  of  their  faithful  labors  on 
the  Committee  of  Revision  and  Correction. 

The  gentlemen  engaged  in  the  biographical  department  of  the  work  wereH.  O.  Brown, 
in  Bruce  and  Washington;  W.  M.  Bucklin.  at  Romeo ;  E.  B.  Belden,  in  Ray;  F.  A. 
Stitt.  in  Sterling;  Thomas  Mitchell,  in  Harrison  and  Erin:  WiJliam  Dicer,  in  Shelby; 
Jesse  Cloud,  in  IJtica;  George  T.  Ma.son.  at  Mt.  Clemens  Ciiy:  S.  A.  Stinson.  in  Chester- 
field; John  E.  Day,  Secretary  of  the  Pioneer  Society,  compiled  the  general  and  biograph- 
ical history  of  Armada  and  Richmond  Townships;  Horatio  N.  Richards,  of  Lenox,  aud 
Calv  n  Davis,  of  Macomb. 

The  support  extended  to  the  history  was  not  so  general  as  it  should  be:  yet  we  feel 
satisfied  that  the  quality  of  our  subscribers  compensates  in  a  great  measure  for  the  loss  iu 
number,  by  rendering  our  book  so  excellent  in  its  biographical  features.  While  the  work 
deals  with  the  county  generally,  it  has,  from  a  historical  standpoint,  been  written  expressly 
for  those  who  supported  it.  The  very  few  among  the  intelligent  classes  who  did  not  order 
a  book  cannot  now  obtain  a  copy  from  us.  To  all  we  have  given  a  history,  which  we  be- 
lieve is  perfect  in  detail,  and  from  the  patrons  of  the  work  we  ask  only  a  careful  perusal 
of  th(j  various  chapters  before  their  criticism. 

Chicago,  July,   1882.  M.  A.  LEESON. 


CONTENTS 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


CHAPTER  I. — The  Aborigines 17 

The  Fii-ot  Immigration 18 

The  Second  Immigration 19 

The  Tartars 21 

CHAPTER  II — French  Exploration  and  Settlement 22 

Ihe  Recent  Discoveries  of  St.  Ignace 29 

La  Salle's  Travels 34 

.    Detroit 35 

CHAPTER  III.— The  French  and  Indian  War 38 


CHAPTER  IV.— National  Policies— British  Policy 44 

.\merican  Policy 44 

Ordinance  of  1787 45 

CHAPTER    v.— Military    Histoby.— Pontiac's    Siege    of 


Ue 


48 


Expedirions  of  Harraar,  Scott  and  Wilkinson 50 

Expeditions  of  St.  Clair  and  Wayne 53 

Gen.  Wayne's  Great  Victory ; 54 

Revolutionary  War 56 

Hull's  Surrender ^ 58 

Perry's  Victory 59 

Closeof  the  War 61 

TheTecumseh  War 82 

The  Black  Hawk  War 66 

The  Toledo  War 66 

The  Patriot  War 74 

The  Mexican  War 78 

The  War  of  1861-(i5 78 

CHAPTER  VI.— PoLmcAU  History 79 

Administration  of  Gen.  Cass 82 

Gen.  George  B.  Porter's  Administration 89 

Administration   of  Gov.  Horner 91 

State  Officers 97 

Political  Statistics 101 

CHAPTER  VII —Miscellaneous.— Fur  Traders  and  Slave 

Owners 103 

Slavery  in  Michigan 103 

Sale  of  Kegro  Man  Pompey 106 

Public  School  System 106 

State  University ■. 107 

State  Normal  School .". 108 

Agricultural  College 108 

Other  Colleges 109 

Charitable  Institutions Ill 

The  State  Public  School Ill 

Institution  for  Deaf.  Vnmb  and  Blind 112 

Asylums  for  the  Insane 113 

Penal  Instituticms 113 

The  State  Prison  in  1880 114 

Stale  Reform  School.: U5 

The  Land  Office — State  Library 116 

State  Fisheries 118 

CHAPTER    VIII.— State    Societies.— Pioneer    Society   of 

Michigan 118 

Roll  of  Pioneers 119 

First  State  Historical  Society 126 

State  Agricultural  Society 126 

State  Pomological  Society 126 

State  Firemen's  Association 126 

State  Board  of  Public  Health 1-27 


Page. 
CHAPTER  IX.— MicuioAN  A.NU  Its  Resocrces.- Iron  and 

Steel  Industries I:;7 

The  Copper  Product ; 128 

The  Productsof  a  Year 128 

Michigan  Crops  for  1881 129 

The  Vessel  Interest 131 

Growth  of  Forty  Tears 131 

Leading  the  Van 13 J 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

CHAPTER  X.— Introduction 133 

Geological  Conformations 135 

Supeificial  Materials 136 

Gas  Wells l.'SS 

Subterranean  Channels 139 

Water  Reservoirs 1:19 

.Ancient  Lake  Sites 141 

Mineral  Waters 141 

The  Salt  Springs  of  1797 142 

Mt.  Clemens  Magnetic  Waters 142 

Analysis 144 

Fossils 146 

Review  of  Physical  Characteristics 145 

Archaeological 146 

Forts  and  Mounds  of  Macomb 148 

The  Second  Mound — Stone  Mounds 149 

Forts  Numbels  Two  and  Thiee l.iO 

Survey  by  S.  L.  .Andrews 151 

Huge  Skeletons 152 

Sundry  Discoveries 152 

Zoological— Birds 164 

Mammalia IGU 

The  Flora  of  the  County 103 

Meteorological — The  Big  Snows 163 

The  Black  Days 164 

Tornado  of  1836— The  Meteor  and  Comet 161 

Eclipse  of  the  Moon,  1881 166 

CHAPTER  XI.— The  Lmmans 166 

The  Otchipwe  Invasion 1G8 

The  Miamisand  Pottawatomiea 170 

Reign  of  the  Cholera '71 

Indian  Treaties — Treaty  of  Greenville 171 

Treaty  of  Detroit 172 

Treaty  of  Brownstown — Treaty  of  Saginaw 173 

Well-known  Savages 174 

The  Eagle  Chief 176 

Okemos 179 

A  Legend  of  Cusick  Lake 180 

Early  Traders  and  Interpreters 181 

Distinguished  Early  Settlers 186 

Captivity  If  the  Boyer  Family 187 

The  Lost  Child 188 

The  Indians'  Raid 190 

Indians  on  the  Trail  of  an  American 190 

Visit  to  the  Indian  Villoge 191 

Manners  and  Customs 193 

CHAPTER  XII.— The  French  Pioneers 194 

Detroit  in  1763 197 

The  Pioneer  Land  Buyers  of  Macomb 199 

Squatters'  Claims '.  200 

Indian  Reservations 213 

La  Riviere  an  Vases  and  Maconee  Reserves 213 


Ml 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
CHAPTER  XlII— The  Muuavijns— Settlement  of  tho  Mo- 
ravian StlepectB 214 

MoriiviuD  Indians,  1781 


Mo 


.  216 


MorATian  Marriages 216 

Mannera,  Habits  and  Customs 217 

1  Village 217 

The  German  ImmiKraUon  of  1845 219 

CHAPTER  XIV— PioNltER  History 219 

Society  ofl87I 221 

Organization  of  the  County  Pioneers 221 

Charter  Members 224 

Members  Enrolled  Since  Organization 225 

Pioneer  Keminiscences— The  O'Connor  Family 229 

The  Tuckar  Family 232 

Christian  Clemens 236 

C  Clemens  in  a  British  Dungeon 237 

Uislinguishcd  Visitant 238 

Chafilisiug  a  Savage 238 

Col.  John  Stockton— Thomas  Ashley;. 239 

Chauncey  G.  Oady..  240 

William  A.Burt 241 

The  Settlemen.  of  the  Darlings 243 

Corbyn  Reminiscences 244 

Carter  Reminiscences 246 

Daniel  W.  Day's  Reminiscences 246 

Reminiscences  of  John  D.  Holland 248 

Early  Settlement  In  Shelby,  by  L.  D.  Owen 250 

The  Past  and  Present— Poem 254 

CHAPTER  XV.— Pioneer  Reminiscences.— Pioneer  Mothers  -239 

The  First  Homes  of  the  People 260 

The  Keg  of  Gold 261 

Recluse  of  the  Marsh — \  Mother-in-law's  Journey 262 

Detroit  to  Mt.  Clemens 26'4 

Fortunate  Hunters  263 

Deer  Hunting — Harrington's  Coon  Hunting 264 

Uunce  and  O'Keefe — Bear  Experiences 265 

Dr.  Gleeson  and  the  Reptile 265 

Deer  Hunting  Made  Easy 266 

Reminiscences  of  the  Bailey  Settlement 266 

The  Deer  of  Providence 268 

Political  Turncoat — Inwood's  Bear  Hunting 269 

A  Bear  in  Bruce 270 

Noah  Webster  and  the  Bear 271 

Finch's  Wolf  Hunting 271 

Tragic  End  of  a  Wolf— Orderly  Retreat 272 

Making  Sugar  Among  the  Wolves 272 

The  Yellow  Cat  of  Richmond 273 

Tlie  Building  of  the  Ship  "Harriet" 273 

Jacob  A.  Crawford  and  the  Speculator 273 

Lei.'Ure  Hours  in  Pioneer  Times 275 

ISuptial  Feasts  in  Early  Times 276 

Evening  Visits 277 

Lumberii'g  in  Early  Days ; 278 

Seasons  of  Sickness 279 

Death  of  Aianson  Church 280 

A  Pioneer  Lawyer 281 

Chesterfield  in  Early  Days 282 

Marriage  Record  in  Early  Days 283 

Marks  for  Cattle  in  Olden  Times 289 

Pontiacand  St.  Clair  Mail  Routes 290 

Temperance  and  House  liaising 291 

A  Retrospect 294 

CHAPTER  XVI.— Organization 295 

SI.  Clair  Township 296 

M.Hcoinb  County  Erfcted 296 

Locating  the  County  Seat 296 

Oiiginal  Townships 297 

Nauje  Huron  Changed  to  Clinton 297 

Clianj;*-  of  Boundary , 297 

Organic  .Nummary 298 

Establishment  of  Townships 299 

Miscelhiricous  Acts 300 

County  Ollicera  Past  and  Present 303 

Supervisors'  Board 304 

CHAPTER  XVII.— Political  History 306 

County  Elections 310 

CHAPTER  XVIIl— Ti 

nals  of  Romeo.... 

Journals  of  Utica... 


Press  or  Macomb  Countv. — Jour- 


330 


PAGE. 

Mt.  Clemens 330 

New  BAltimore — Richmond 335 

Armada^Personal  Notices 336 

CHAPTER  XIX— Poetry  or  Macomb— The  World's  Pioneer  344 

A  Child's  Prayer 346 

A  Legend  of  Shelby  Township 347 

Who  Donglesthe  Bell? 347 

My  Mother 348 

The  Garden  of  the  Heart 348 

April  Storms- Happy  To-Night 349 

Tho  Lonely  Grave 349 

On  the  Death  of  Lincoln 350 

CHAPTER  XX.— Progress  of  Education 353 

Sabbath  Schools  of  the  County 355 

CHAPTER  XXr.— The  Churches  of  Macomb 358 

CHAPTER    XXII— The  War   for  the    U.mon.— Appoint- 
ments and  statistics 374 

Record  of  Commissioned  Officers 376 

First  Michigan  Infantry 384 

Second  Michigan  Infantry. 385 

Third  Michigan  Inf*  try 385 

Fourth  Michigan  In'antry 386 

Fifth  Michigan  Infantry 387 

Sixth  Michigan  Infantry 392 

Seventh  Michigan  Infantry 392 

Eighth  Michigan  Infantry 393 

Ninth  Michigan  Infantry 393 

Tenth  Michigan  Infantry 394 

Eleventh  Michigan  Infantry 395 

Twelfth,  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  Michigan  Infantry..  396 

Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  Michigan  Infantry 397 

Seventeenth,  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  Michigan  In- 
fantry    398 

Twentieth,  Twenty-first  and  Twenty-second  Michigan 

Infantry 399 

Twenty-third,    Twenty-fourth,    Twent.v-flfth,    Twenty- 
sixth  and  Twenty-seventh  Michigan  Infantry 410 

Twenty-eighth,  Twenty-ninth  and  Thirtieth  Michigan 

Infantry 411 

First  Michigan  Colored  Infantry 412 

First  Michigan  Engineers  and  Mechanics 412 

First  Michigan  Cav.,lry 413 

Second  Michigan  Cavalry 416 

Third  Michigan  Cavalry 416 

Fourth  and  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry 416 

Sixth,  Seventh  and  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry 420 

Ninth  and  Tenth  Michigan  Cavalry 423 

Eleventh  Michigan  Cavalry — Light  Artillery 424 

Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  Macomb  and  St.  Clair 424 

Conclusion 430 

CHAPTER  XXIII.— Olden  Katebpbhes.— The  City  of  Bel- 

videre 432 

Belvidere  Land  Titles 433 

Frederick  or  Casino— Other  Villages 436 

Tremble  Creek 435 

Railroads  and  Navigation 436 

The  Weeks  Contract 43s 

Action  of  the  U.  S.  Troops 438 

Railroads 439 

Clinton  River 440 

Harbor  of  Refuge,  Belle  River 441 

CHAPTER  XXIV.— Courts  and  Bar  or  Macomb.— Circuit 

Court 442 

Retirement  of  Judge  Morell 442 

The  Grand  Jury  and  the  Judge 445 

Admissions  to  the  Bar  of  Macomb  County 445 

The  Present  Bar 447 

Imporfant  Trials 448 

Electioneering  in  1873 448 

The  Hatheway  Estate,  Air  Line  Suit 449 

The  C.ounty  Court  House 450 

Meeting  of  Romeo  Citizens 461 

Logic  of  the  Conservatives 451 

Laying  the  Corner  Stone 464 

Mayor  Crocker's  Address 465 

The  County  Jail 460 

CH.\PTER    XXV. — County    Finances    and    Statistics. — 

Towns  and  Villages,  Population  in  1850-60 465.  - 

Macomb  County  Statistics  in  18.50 4(<i< 


TAOe, 

Populatiouin  1870 » 466 

Statistical,  1870 466 

Population  iu  1880 467 

Equalized  Valuation,  1842-81 4«S 

CHAPTER  XXVI— Ar.Ricni.TVRALiNi)  Faumehb'  Associa- 
tions.— Agricultunii  Development 469 

Macomb  County  Agricultural    Society 473 

Union  Farmers'  Club 474 

The   Grange 475 

Macomb  County  Grange 475 

Fine  Stock  Sheep  Kaisers 476 

Farmers'  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company 481 

Sheei^Shearers'  Association 482 

CHAPTER  XXVII— Necrology 484 

CHAPTER  XXVIII— Chronology 496 


HISTORY  OF   TOWNS. 


,  519 


CHAPTER  XXIX.— Mount  Clemens  Citt. — Early  Settle- 
ment   1 

Dentists  and  Dentistry 5iZ 

Platting   the  Village 523 

Organization 524 

Trustees 526 

Election  in  1882 627 

American  Settlers  in  1821-22 629 

First  Fleming  Mill,  Orchards,  Cemetery 5;i9 

Glass  Factory,  Saw-Mills 530 

Inaugurating  the  Canal,  Mount  Clemens  in  1868 530 

Progress  in  1880 531 

Era  of  Advancement 632 

Telephone  Exchange,  Taxation 535 

The  Clinton  River 535 

The  Death  of  Four  Citizens 536 

Industries 537 

Hotels 539 

Religious  History 541 

Schools  of  Mount  Clemens 544 

Private  Schools,  1840  to  1857 548 

History  of  the  Academy 550 

Private  Schools,  1867  to  1881 558 

Denominational  Schools 559 

Union  School 559 

Teachers,  1S57  to  1882 660 

Officers  and  Trustees 661 

Statistics 562 

Masonic.  I.  O.  O.  F 564 

Manufacturing  Industries 565 

Clinton  Township,  Organization 567 

Town    Itoit-r 568 

Schools  and  School  Statistics 569 

Biographical  Sketches. 570 

CHAPTER  XXX.— RoHEo.— Naming  the  Village 613 

Organic 613 

First  Settlers ; 616 

The  Old  Inhabitants 620 

The  First  Post  Office 623 

Pioneer   Physicians 624 

Reminiscences  of  Early  Times 624 

Leisure  Hours 625 

A  Few  Well  Remembered  Settlers 625 

Romeo  in  1836-37 626 

Romeo  in  1881 628 

Schools  and  School  Teachers 628 

The  Romeo  Academy 530 

Rpligious 632 

Libraries  and  Museums 636 

Societies 636 

Romeo  Carriage  Company 639 

Romeo  Mineral  Well 639 

Sash  and  Blind  Factory 641 

Biographical  Sketches 642 

CHAPTER    XXXl.—ABMAnA.— Organization,    First    Town 

Meeting 679 

Pioneers  of  Armada 681 

Armada   Village 683 

Post  Office 685 


PAOE. 

Armada  Agricultural  Society '...'. 685 

Armada  C.  L.  S.  C 6S6 

Armada  Literary  Society 686 

Schools 687 

Biographical    Sketches 687 

CHAPTER   XXXII.— Shelby  Towssair.— Orgaldc 717 

Town    Roster 7IS 

Schools,  Utica  Village 719 

Organization,  Disco  Village — 721 

Utica  Lyceum,  Congregational  Church 722 

Biographical   Sketches 722 

CHAPTER     XXXIII.— Bri(F,    Township.— Grand     Trunk 

Railroad,  Air  Line 743 

Schools,  Scotch  Settlement 743 

Bounty  for  Wolf  Scalps— Statistical '. 1H 

Limsof  the  Reside  Child 744 

Biographical   Sketches 745 

CHAPTER  XXXIV— Macomb  Township —First  Schools 767 

First  Settlers— Organization 767 

Town  Officers 768 

Physical  and  Statistical 768 

Schools— Macomb  Village 769 

Biographical  Sketches 770 

CHAPTER  XXXV -Richmond  Township 778 

Town  Roster 779 

Richmond  Village 781 

Township  Schools  in  1881 781 

Baptist  Church  of  Richmond  Village 782 

Memphis  Village 782 

Biographical  Sketches 786 

CHAPTER    XXXM.— Washington    Township. —  Organiza- 
tion   806 

Town  Roster 8»7 

Grand  Trunk  Railroad  of  Michigan ^07 

Michigan  Air  Line  Railroad ~  808 

Reminiscences  of  Early  Days  in  Washington 808 

TheOrissman  Scho.'.l 808 

Schools — A  Temperance  Building 809 

Mention  of  a  Few  Old  Settlers 809 

Reminders  of  the  Past- Methodist  Church ....  810 

Washington  Union  Church  Society 810 

South  Burial  Ground 811 

Villages  of  the  Township 811 

Reminiscences  of  C.  Harlow  Green 812 

Biographical  Sketches '■  813 

CHAPTER  XXXVII  —Sterling  Township.— The  Fint  Set- 
tlers   .-.  846 

Organization— The  First  Election 846 

Roster  of  Office™ 847 

School" : 84S 

Biographical  Sketches .« 848 

iOHAPTER  XXXVIII.— Warkkn  Township 852 

Town  Officers S.IR 

Village  of  Warren 853 

Township  Schools 8.54 

St.  Clement's  Catholic  Church 8.'''4 

Biographical  Sketches 855 

CHAPTER  XXXIX.— Rav  Township 8,i7 

Organization 858 

Town  Roster 859 

Eccentriciti-^s  of  Town  Board 860 

Teachers'  Association 860 

Patriot  War— Crawford  School 860 

Schools  in  1881-1882 860 

Ray  Center — Davis 861 

Biogriphicai  Sketches 863 

CHAPTER  XL.— Lenox  Township. — 0rgani7.ation 877 

First  Meeting 877 

Town  Roster 87« 

Schools 879 

Biographical  Sketches 808 

CHAPTER  XLI.— Harrison  Township —Town  Roster 888 

Organization 889 

Physical  Characteristics 889 

First  Evfhts 810 

Literary  and  Educational 890 

1  Present  Schools 891 

Biographical  Sketches 891 


Aj,  <S fc- 


n> 


PAGE. 

CHAPTER  XLII.— Erin  Township.— Organization 893 

Tovvnship  Officers S94 

T.i«  Mship  Schojis 894 

VMUi-.-s 894 

l)i..g,;,|.liical  Sketches 895 

CHAPTER  XLIII. — Chesterfield  Township. — Organizatiou  901 

Town  Roster 901 

Ciiurclies — Sch  lols „ 90i 

Masonic— New  Batimore 902 

Manufacturing  Industries 903 

Biugrapliical  Sketches 904 


RECENT  HAPPENINGS. 

Tianeactions  of  the  Pioneer  Society,  18S2 915 

Earlv  Banka  and  Bankers  of  Macomb  County 917 

WildVat  Banks 920 

The  Bank  of  Dtica 920 

The  Farmers'  Bank  of  Komeo 922 

The  Clinton  Riser  Bank 922 

The  Bank  of  Lake  St.  Clair 922 

Conclusion 924 


PORTRAITS. 

Bailey,  Asahel 633 

Bailey,  Cynthia 633 


Brownell,  William 729 

Cady,  C.  G 240 

Cannon,  George  W 256 

Cannon,  Lucy  M 256 

Cooley,  Dennis,  M.  D.  (deceased) 497 

Cro'-ker,  T.  M ' 569 

Day,  Erastua 793 

Dickinson,  Joshua  B 633 

Douglass,  Isaac 617 

Hazelton,  H.  R 371 

Hendrick,  F.  G 585 

Keeler,  Mary  J 809 

Keeler,  Nathan 809 

Phillipa,  G.  W est 

Phillips,  Mrs.  G.  W 681 

Sherman,  Hiram 666 

Sherman,  M.  W 666 

Smith,  Elisha  (deceased) 825 

Smith,  Mrs.  Elisha 825 

Steffens,  i^harles 479 

Sterling,  A.  W.  (deceased) 519 

Weekly,  Edgar 443 


ILLUSTRATION'S. 

Firet  Schoolhouae  in  Romeo 629    K 

High  School  Building,  Mt  Clemens 551 

Macomb  County  Court  House 305    f 

Macomb  County  Jail 461   -. 


iA 


ERRATA 924 


■^ 


History  of  Michigan. 


CHAPTER    I. 


THE   ABORIGIMES. 


Scientists  have  ascribed  to  the  Mound  Builders  varied  origins,  and  though 
their  divergence  of  opinion  may,  for  a  time,  seem  incompatible  with  a  thorougli 
investigation  of  the  subject,  and  tend  to  a  confusion  of  ideas,  no  doubt  whatever 
may  exist  as  to  tlie  comparative  accuracy  of  conclusions  arrived  at  by  a  few  of  the 
investigators.  Like  the  vexed  questions  of  tlie  Pillar  Towers  and  Garden  Beds, 
it  has  caused  much  speculation,  and  elicited  opinions  from  so  manj'  antiquarians, 
ethnologists,  and  travelers,  that  little  remains  to  be  known  of  the  prehistoric  peo- 
ples of  America.  That  this  continent  is  co-existent  with  the  world  of  the  ancients 
can  not  be  questioned.  Every  investigation,  made  under  the  auspices  of  modern 
civilization  confirms  the  fact  and  leaves  no  channel  open  through  which  the  skeptic 
can  escape  the  thorougli  refutation  of  his  opinions.  China,  with  its  numerous  living 
testimonials  of  antiquity,  with  its  ancient,  though  limited,  literature  and  its  Babelish 
superstitions,  claims  a  continuous  history  from  antediluvian  times  ;  but  although  its 
continuity  may  be  denied  with  every  just  reason,  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  the 
transmission  of  a  hieroglj-phic  record  of  its  history  prior  to  ltJ56  Anno  Mundi,  since 
many  traces  of  its  early  settlement  survived  the  Deluge,  and  became  sacred  objects 
of  the  first  historical  epoch.  This  very  survival  of  a  record,  such  as  that  of  which 
the  Chinese  boast,  is  not  at  variance  with  the  designs  of  a  God  who  made  and  ruled 
the  universe  ;  but  that  an  antediluvian  people  inhabited  this  continent,  will  not  be 
claimed  ;  because  it  is  not  probable,  though  it  may  be  possible,  that  a  settlement  in 
a  land  which  may  be  considered  a  portion  of  the  Asiatic  continent,  was  effected  by 
the  immediate  followers  of  tlie  first  progenitors  of  the  human  race.  Therefore,  on 
entering  the  study  of  the  ancient  people  who  raised  these  tumulus  monuments  over 
large  tracts  of  the  country,  it  will  be  just  sufficient  to  wander  back  to  that  time 
when  the  flood-gates  of  heaven  were  swung  open  to  hurl  destruction  on  a  wicked 
world  ;  and  in  doing  so  the  inquirj^  must  be  based  on  legendary,  or  rather  upon  many 
circumstantial  evidences  ;  for,  so  far  as  written  narrative  extends,  there  is  nothing 
to  show  that  a  movement  of  people  too  far  east  resulted  in  a  western  settlement. 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


THE   FIRST   IMMIGRATION. 

The  first  and  most  probable  sources  in  which  the  origin  of  the  Builders  must 
be  sought,  are  those  countries  lying  along  the  eastern  coast  of  Asia,  which  doubtless 
at  that  time  stretched  far  beyond  its  present  limits,  and  presented  a  continuous  shore 
from  Lapatka  to  Point  Cambodia,  holding  a  population  comparatively  civilized,  and 
all  professing  some  elementary  form  of  Boodhisra  of  later  days.  Those  peoples, 
like  the  Chinese  of  the  present,  were  bound  to  live  at  home,  and  probably  observed 
that  law  until  after  the  confusion  of  languages  and  the  dispersion  of  the  builders  of 
Babel,  in  1757,  A.  M.;  but  subsequently,  within  the  following  century,  the  old  Mon- 
golians, like  the  new,  crossed  the  great  ocean  in  the  very  paths  taken  by  the  present 
representatives  of  the  race,  arrived  on  the  same  shores,  which  now  extend  a  very 
questionable  hospitality  to  them,  and  entered  at  once  upon  the  colonization  of  the 
countr}'  south  and  east,  while  the  Caucasian  race  engaged  in  a  similar  movement 
of  exploration  and  colonization  over  what  may  be  justly  termed  the  western  ex- 
tension of  Asia,  and  both  peoples  growing  stalwart  under  the  change,  attained  a 
moral  and  physical  eminence  to  which  they  never  could  lay  claim  under  the  tropical 
sun  which  shed  its  beams  upon  the  cradle  of  the  human  race. 

That  mysterious  people  who,  like  the  Brahmins  of  to-day,  worshipped  some 
transitory  deity,  and  in  after  years,  evidently  embraced  the  idealization  of  Bood- 
hism,  as  preached  in  Mongolia  early  in  the  thirty-fifth  century  of  the  world,  together 
with  acquiring  the  learning  of  the  Confucian  and  Pythagorean  schools  of  the  same 
period,  spread  all  over  the  land,  and  in  their  numerous  settlements  erected  these 
raths,  or  mounds,  and  sacrificial  altars  whereon  they  received  their  peroidical  visiting 
gods,  surrendered  their  bodies  to  natural  absorption  or  annihilation,  and  watched 
for  the  return  of  some  transmigrated  soul,  the  while  adoring  the  universe,  which 
with  beings  they  believed  would  be  eternally  existent.  They  possessed  religious 
orders  corresponding,  in  external  show  at  least,  with  the  Essenes  or  Theraputse  of 
the  pre-Christian  and  Christian  epochs,  and  to  the  reformed  Theraputte  or  monks 
of  the  present.  Everj'  memento  of  their  coming  and  their  stay  which  has  descended 
to  us  is  an  evidence  of  their  civilized  condition.  The  free  copfier  found  within  the 
tumuli ;  the  open  veins  of  the  Superior  and  Iron  Mountain  copper  mines,  with  all 
the  modus  operandi  of  ancient  mining,  such  as  ladders,  levers,  chisels  and  hammer- 
heads, discovered  by  the  Frencii  explorers  of  the  Northwest  and  Mississippi,  are 
conclusive  proofs  that  those  prehistoric  people  were  highly  civilized,  and  that  many 
flourishing  colonies  were  spread  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley,  while  yet  the 
mammoth,  the  mastodon,  and  a  hundred  other  animals,  now  only  known  by  their 
gigantic  fossil  remains,  guarded  the  eastern  shore  of  the  continent,  as  it  were,  against 
supposed  invasions  of  the  Tower  Builders  who  went  west  from  Babel ;  while  yet  the 
beautiful  isles  of  the  Antilles  formed  an  integral  portion  of  this  continent,  long  years 


rpr 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  19 


before  the  European  Northmen  dreamed  of  setting  forth  to  the  discovery  of  Green- 
land and  the  northern  isles,  and  certainl3'at  a  time  when  all  that  portion  of  America 
nortli  of  45  deg.  was  an  ice-incumbered  waste. 

Within  the  last  few  years  great  advances  have  been  made  toward  the  dis- 
covery of  antiquities  whether  pertaining  to  remains  of  organic  or  inorganic  nature. 
Together  with  many  small  but  telling  relics  of  the  early  inhabitants  of  the  country, 
the  fossils  of  prehistoric  animals  have  been  unearthed  from  end  to  end  of  the  land, 
and  in  districts,  too,  long  pronounced  b)'  geologists  of  some  repute  to  be  without 
even  a  vestige  of  vertebrate  fossils.  Among  the  collected  souvenirs  of  an  age 
about  which  so  very  little  is  known,  are  twenty-five  vertebrte  averaging  thir- 
teen inclies  in  diameter,  and  three  vertabrse,  ossified  together  measuring  nine 
cubical  feet ;  a  thigh-bone  five  feet  long  by  twent3'-eight  in  diameter,  and 
the  shaft  fourteen  by  eight  inches  thick,  the  entire  lot  weighing  600  pounds. 
These  fossils  are  presumed  to  belong  to  the  cretaceous  period  when  the  Dino- 
saur roamed  over  the  country  from  east  to  west,  desolating  the  villages  of  the 
people.  This  animal  is  said  to  be  sixty  feet  long,  and  when  feeding  in  cypress 
and  palm  forests,  to  extend  himself  eighty-five  feet,  so  that  lie  may  devour  the  bud- 
ding tops  of  those  great  trees.  Other  efforts  in  this  direction  may  lead  to  great 
results,  and  culminate  probably  in  the  discovery  of  a  tablet  engraven  by  some 
learned  Mound  Builder,  describing,  in  the  ancient  hieroglyphics  of  China,  all  those 
men  and  beasts  whose  history  excites  so  much  speculation.  The  identity  of  the 
Mound  Builders  with  the  Mongolians  might  lead  us  to  hope  for  such  a  consum- 
mation ;  nor  is  it  beyond  the  range  of  probability,  particularly  in  this  practical  age, 
to  find  the  future  of  some  industrious  antiquarian  requited  by  the  upheaval  of  a 
tablet  written  in  the  Tartar  characters  of  1700  years  ago,  bearing  on  a  subject  which 
can  now  be  treated  only  on  a  purely  circumstantial  basis. 

THE   SECOND    IMMIGRATION 

may  have  begun  a  few  centuries  prior  to  the  Christian  era,  and  unlike  the  former 
expedition  or  expedtions,  to  have  traversed  northeastern  Asia,  to  its  Arctic  confines, 
and  then  east  to  the  narrow  channel  now  known  as  Behring's  Straits,  which  they 
crossed,  and  sailing  up  the  unchanging  Yukon,  settled  under  the  shadow  of  Mount 
St.  Elias  for  many  years,  and  pushing  south  commingled  with  their  countrymen, 
soon  acquiring  the  characteristics  of  the  descendants  of  the  first  colonists.  Chinese 
chronicles  tell  of  such  a  people,  who  went  north,  and  were  never  heard  of  more. 
Circumstances  conspire  to  render  that  particular  colony  the  carrier  of  a  new  religious 
faith  and  of  an  alphabetic  system  of  representative  character  to  the  old  colonists, 
and  they,  doubtless,  exercised  a  most  beneficial  influence  in  other  respects  ;  because 
tlie  influx  of  immigrants  of  such  culture  as  were  the  Chinese,  even  of  that  remote 
period,  must  necessarily  bear  very  favorable   results,  not  only  in  bringing  in  reports 


rfv- 


-f-— 4 


A 


20  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


of   their   travels,    but   also   accounts   from   the   fatherland   bearing  on  the   latest 
events. 

With  the  idea  of  a  second  and  important  exodus  there  are  many  theorists  united, 
one  of  whom  says  :  "  It  is  now  tlie  generally  received  opinion  that  the  first  inhabi- 
tants of  America  passed  over  from  Asia  through  these  straits." 

The  Esquimaux  of  North  America,  tlie  Samoieds  of  Asia,  and  the  Laplanders 
of  Europe,  are  supposed  to  be  of  the  same  family ;  and  this  supposition  is  strength- 
ened by  the  affinity  which  exists  in  their  languages.  The  researches  of  Humboldt 
have  traced  the  Mexicans  to  the  vicinity  of  Behring's  Straits ;  whence  it  is  con- 
jectured, that  they,  as  well  as  the  Peruvians  and  other  tribes,  came  originally  from 
Asia,  and  were  the  Hurignoos,  who  are,  in  the  Chinese  annals,  said  to  have 
emigrated  under  Puno,  and  to  have  been  lost  in  the  north  of  Siberia." 

Since  this  theory  is  accepted  by  most  antiquarians,  there  is  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  from  the  discovery  of  what  may  be  called  an  overland  route  to  what  was 
then  considered  an  eastern  extension  of  that  country  which  is  now  known  as  tlie 
"  Celestial  Empire,"  many  caravans  of  emigrants  passed  to  their  new  homes  in  the 
land  of  illimitable  possibilities  until  the  way  became  a  well-marked  trail  over  which 
tlie  Asiatic  might  travel  forward,  and  having  once  entered  the  Elysian  fields  never 
entertained  an  idea  of  returning.  Thus  from  generation  to  generation  tlie  tide  of 
immigration  poured  in  until  the  slopes  of  the  Pacific  and  the  banks  of  the  great  in- 
land rivers  became  hives  of  busy  industry.  Magnificent  cities  and  monuments  were 
raised  at  the  bidding  of  the  tribal  leaders,  and  populous  settlements  centered  with 
liappy  villages,  sprung  up  everywhere  in  manifestation  of  the  power  and  wealth 
and  knowledge  of  the  people.  The  colonizing  Caucasian  of  the  historic  period 
walked  over  tliis  great  country  on  the  very  ruins  of  a  civilization  which  a  thousand 
3'ears  before  eclipsed  all  that  of  whicli  he  could  boast.  He  walked  through  the 
wilderness  of  the  West  over  buried  treasures  hidden  under  the  accumulated  growth 
of  nature,  nor  rested  until  he  saw,  with  great  surprise,  the  remains  of  ancient  pyra- 
mids and  temples  and  cities,  larger  and  evidently  more  beautiful  than  ancient  Egypt 
could  bring  forth  after  its  long  years  of  uninterrupted  history.  The  pyramids  re- 
semble those  of  Egypt  in  exterior  form,  and  in  some  instances  are  of  larger  dimen- 
sions. The  pyramid  of  Cholula  is  square,  having  each  side  of  its  base  1,335  feet  in 
length,  and  its  height  about  172  feet.  Another  pyramid,  situated  in  the  north  of 
Vera  Cruz,  is  formed  of  large  blocks  of  highly  polished  porphyry,  and  bears  upon  its 
front  hieroglyphic  inscriptions  and  curious  sculpture.  Each  side  of  its  square  base 
is  eighty-two  feet  in  length,  and  a  flight  of  fifty-seven  ste23s  conducts  to  its  summit, 
which  is  sixty-five  feet  in  height.  The  ruins  of  Palenque  are  said  to  extend  twenty 
miles  along  the  ridge  of  a  mountain,  and  the  remains  of  an  Aztec  city  near  the 
banks  of  the  river  Gila,  are  spread  over  more  than  a  square  league.    Their  literature 


—      IS 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


consisted  of  hieroglyph ics  ;  but  their  arithmetical  knowledge  did  not  extend  further 
than  their  calculations  by  the  aid  of  grains  of  corn.  Yet,  notwithstanding  all  their 
varied  accomplishments,  and  they  were  evidently  many,  their  notions  of  religious 
duty  led  to  a  most  demoniac  zeal,  at  once  barbarously  savage  and  ferociously  cruel. 
Each  visiting  god,  instead  of  bringing  new  life  to  the  people,  brought  death  to  tliou- 
sands  ;  and  their  grotesque  idols,  exposed  to  drown  the  senses  of  the  beholders  in 
fear,  wrought  wretchedness  rather  than  spiritual  happiness,  until,  as  some  learned 
and  humane  Mouteziimian  said,  the  people  never  approached  these  idols  without 
fear,  and  this  fear  was  the  great  animating  principle,  the  great  religious  motive  power 
which  sustained  the  terrible  religion.  Their  altars  were  sprinkled  with  blood  drawn 
from  their  own  bodies  in  large  quantities,  and  on  them  thousands  of  human  victims 
were  sacrificed  in  honor  of  the  demons  whom  they  worshipped.  The  head  and  heart 
of  every  captive  taken  in  war  were  offered  up  as  a  bloody  sacrifice  to  the  god  of 
battles,  while  the  victorious  legions  feasted  on  the  remaining  portions  of  the  dead 
bodies.  It  has  been  ascertained  that,  during  the  ceremonies  attendant  on  the  con- 
secration of  two  of  their  temples,  tlie  number  of  prisoners  offered  up  in  sacrifice  was 
12,210  ;  while  their  own  legions  contributed  voluntary  victims  to  the  terrible  belief 
in  large  numbers.  Nor  did  this  honible  custom  cease  immediately  after  1521,  when 
Cortez  entered  the  imperial  city  of  the  Montezumas;  for,  on  being  driven  from  it, 
all  his  troops  wlio  fell  into  tiie  hands  of  the  native  soldiers  were  subjected  to  the 
most  terrible  and  prolonged  suffering  that  could  be  experienced  in  this  world,  and 
when  about  to  yield  up  that  spirit  wliich  is  indestructible,  were  offered  in  sacrifice, 
their  hearts  and  heads  consecrated,  and  the  victors  allowed  to  feast  on  the  yet  warm 
flesh. 

A  reference  is  made  here  to  the  period  when  the  Montezumas  ruled  over  Mex- 
ico, simply  to  gain  a  better  idea  of  the  hideous  idolatry  which  took  the  place  "of  the 
old  Boodhism  of  the  Mound  Builders,  and  doubtless  helped  in  a  great  measure  to 
give  victory  to  the  new-comers,  even  as  the  tenets  of  Mahommetanism  urged  the 
ignorant  follo^wers  of  the  prophet  to  the  conquest  of  great  nations.  It  was  not  the 
faith  of  the  people  who  built  the  mounds  and  the  pyramids  and  the  temples,  and 
who,  two  hundred  years  before  the  Christian  era,  built  tlie  great  wall  of  jealous 
China.  No;  rather  was  it  that  terrible  faith  born  of  the  Tartar  victory,  which 
carried  the  great  defences  of  China  at  the  point  of  the  javelin  and  hatchet,  who 
afterwards  marched  to  the  very  walls  of  Rome,  under  Alaric,  and  spread  over  the 
islands  of  Polynesia  to  the  Pacific  slopes  of  South  America. 

THE   TARTARS 

came  there,  and,  like  the  pure  Mongols  of  Mexico  and  the  Mississippi  valley,  rose 
to  a  state  of  civilization  bordering  on  that  attained  by  them.  Here  for  centuries 
the  sons  of  the  fierce  Tartar  race  continued  to  dwell  in  comparative  peace,  until  the 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


all-ruling  empire  took  in  the  whole  country  from  the  Pacific  to  the  Atlantic,  and 
peopled  the  v.ist  territory  watered  by  the  Amazon,  with  a  race  that  was  destined 
to  conquer  all  the  peoples  of  the  Orient,  and  only  to  fall  before  the  march  of  the 
arch-civilizing  Caucasian.  In  course  of  time  these  fierce  Tartars  pushed  their  set- 
tlements northward,  and  ultimately  entered  the  territories  of  the  Mound  Builders, 
putting  to  death  all  who  fell  within  their  reach,  and  causing  the  survivors  of  the 
death-dealing  invasion  to  seek  a  refuge  from  the  hordes  of  this  semi-barbarous 
people  in  the  wilds  and  fastnesses  of  the  North  and  Northwest.  The 
beautiful  country  of  the  Mound  Builders  was  now  in  the  hands  of  savage  invaders, 
the  quiet,  industrious  people,  who  raised  the  temples  and  pyramids  were  gone  ; 
and  the  wealth  of  intelligence  and  industry  accumulating  for  ages,  passed  into  the 
possession  of  a  rapacious  horde,  who  could  admire  it  only  so  far  as  it  offered  objects 
for  plunder. 

Even  in  this  the  invaders  were  satisfied,  and  then,  having  arrived  at  the  height 
of  their  ambition,  rested  on  their  swords  and  entered  upon  the  luxury  and  ease,  in 
the  enjoyment  of  which  they  were  found  when  the  vanguard  of  European  civiliza- 
tion appeared  upon  the  scene.  Meantime  the  southern  countries  which  these 
adventurers  abandoned  after  having  completed  their  conquests  in  the  North,  were 
soon  peopled  by  hundreds  of  people,  always  moving  from  island  to  island  and  ulti- 
mately halting  amid  the  ruins  of  villages  deserted  by  those  who,  as  legends  tell, 
had  passed  eastward  but  never  returned;  and  it  would  scarcely  be  a  matter  for  sur- 
prise if  those  emigrants  were  found  to  be  the  progenitors  of  that  race  found  by  the 
Spaniards  in  1532,  and  identical  with  the  Araucanians,  Cuenches  and  Huiltiches 
of  to-day. 


CHAPTER   II. 

FRENCH   EXPLORATION   AND    SETTLEMENT. 

The  fame  of  Marquette  continues  to  gain  strength  as  days  advance.  Notwith- 
standing all  his  countrymen  had  written  of  him,  the  new  Americans  continue  to 
iiKjuire  into  his  magnificent  career,  and  to  add  to  the  store  of  information  regarding 
liim,  already  garnered.  Rev.  Geo.  Duffield,  of  Detroit,  is  one  of  his  latest  biogra- 
phers, and  from  his  writings  on  the  life  of  the  missionary,  we  make  the  following 
extracts : 

Jacques  Marquette  came  late  to  his  fame.  Open  Davenport's  Dictionary  of 
Biography,  1831,  "  comprising  the  most  eminent  characters  of  all  ages,  nations  and 
professions,"  and  you  will  not  find  even  so  much  as  his  name.     Turn  for  that  name 


rtf- 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


to  the  Cyclopedia  of  Biography  by  Parke  Godwin,  with  a  supplement  by  George 
Sheppard,  A.  D.  1872,  and  you  will  not  find  it  there,  and  so  with  many  similar 
works.  Hence  we  see  the  need  of  such  an  historical  society  as  the  present,  that 
one  of  the  greatest  and  best  of  the  original  founders  of  Michigan  may  receive  his 
due  credit,  and  be  honored  with  an  appropriate  memorial. 

Marquette  was  born  of  an  honorable  family  at  Laon,  in  the  north  of  France,  in 
the  year  1637,  but  the  month  and  day  of  his  birth  are  not  easily  found,  and  I  have 
nowhere  seen  his  portrait.  In  1654  he  joined  the  Society  of  the  Jesuits,  and  in 
1666  was  sent  to  the  missions  in  Canada.  After  the  river  St.  Lawrence  and  the 
great  lakes  had  been  mapped  out,  the  all-absorbing  object  of  interest  with  Governor 
Frontenac  Talch,  the  inteudant,  and  Marquette  himself,  was  to  discover  and  trace 
from  the  north  the  wonderful  Mississippi,  that  DeSoto,  the  Spaniard,  had  first  seen 
at  the  south  in  1541.  In  1668  (according  to  Bancroft, III,  152),  he  repaired  to  the  Chip- 
pewas  at  the  Sault  to  establish  the  mission  of  St.  Mary,  the  oldest  settlement  begun 
by  Europeans  within  the  present  limits  of  the  commonwealth  of  Michigan.  On 
the  day  of  the  immaculate  conception  of  the  Holy  Virgin,  in  1673,  he  received  his 
orders  from  Frontenac,  to  accompany  Joliet  on  his  long-desired  journey.  Taking 
probably  the  short  trail  through  the  woods  he  found  his  companion  at  Point  St. 
Ignace,  where,  after  many  remarkable  vicissitudes,  both  in  life  and  death,  he  was 
at  length  to  find  his  grave,  where  his  numerous  friends  and  admirers,  both  French 
and  Indian,  were  for  so  long  a  time  to  lose  sight  of  it  again,  and  where  a  second 
time  he  gains  his  place  as  one  of  the  founders  of  Michigan. 

Apart  from  his  peculiar  mission,  which  was  looked  upon  by  "  the  Protestant 
colonies  "  of  New  England  with  anything  but  favorable  eyes  ;  apart  from  his  pecu- 
liar dogma  of  the  conception,  which  has  only  been  officially  sanctioned  in  our  day 
and  by  the  late  Pope,  there  were  many  things  in  the  life  and  times  of  Mar- 
quette that,  to  the  lover  of  biography,  make  his  character  as  attractive  as  that  of 
Francis  Xavier,  "  the  great  apostle  of  the  Indies,"  or  of  his  still  greater  master, 
Ignatius  Loyola.  The  man  in  these  days  who  can  not  admire,  and  even  to  a  certain 
extent  venerate  man  as  man,  apart  from  his  more  immediate  antecedents  or  local 
surroundings,  has  but  a  very  limited  and  mistaken  idea  of  the  enlightened  spirit  of 
the  age,  or  the  true  dignity  of  human  natui'e.  Honor  to  whom  honor  is  due,  is  not 
only  a  sound  maxim,  founded  on  that  equity  which  is  the  highest  form  of  justice, 
but  is  also  in  just  so  many  words  one  of  the  very  first  principles  of  Cliristianity 
itself.  When  I  can  not  give  a  man  credit  for  -what  he  really  is,  because  he  belongs 
to  another  party  than  my  own,  or  give  him  credit  for  what  he  has  done,  because  he 
belongs  to  another  denomination  than  my  own,  I  deserve  to  be  consigned  for  the 
remainder  of  my  days  to  a  hole  in  the  woods. 

The  pioneers  of  our  country,  no  doubt,  have  had  a  very  hard  time  of  it,  and 


liL 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


none  more  so  than  ray  Scotch-Irish  ancestors  in  central  Pennsylvania.  From  the 
childhood  of  Daniel  Webster  down  to  the  present  hour,  it  would  argue  a  very  igno- 
rant mind  and  most  unfeeling  and  ungrateful  heart  to  read  the  toils  and  trials  and 
privations  endured  by  men  and  women  in  the  early  settlement  of  this  or  any  other 
State  ;  but  after  all  what  are  the  hardships  of  the  early  settlers  compared  with  those 
of  Allouez,  in  1665,  afloat  in  a  frail  canoe  on  the  broad  expanse  of  Lake  Superior, 
of  Dablon,  Marquette,  LaSalle,  and  others  of  the  original  explorers  ? 

"  Defying  tlie  severity  of  climate,"  as  Bancroft  lias  it,  "  wading  through  water 
or  through  snows,  without  the  comfort  of  fire  ;  having  no  bread  but  pounded 
corn,  and  often  no  food  but  the  unwholesome  moss  from  the  rocks;  laboring  inces- 
santly, exposed  to  live,  as  it  were,  without  nourishment,  to  sleep  without  a  resting 
place  ;  to  travel  far,  and  always  incurring  perils  ;  to  carry  their  lives  in  their  hands  ; 
or  rather  daily  and  oftener  than  every  day,  to  hold  them  up  as  targets,  expecting 
captivity,  death  from  the  tomahawk,  tortures,  fires" — (Bancroft,  III.,  152.)  It 
seems  to  me  that  if  there  are  any  two  classes  of  men  who  should  be  most  cordially 
linked  in  closest  bonds  of  sympathy  with  one  another,  it  is  the  pioneers  and 
explorers. 

Marquette  was  much  more  than  a  religious  enthusiast.  He  was  a  scholar  and 
a  man  of  science.  Having  learned  within  a  few  years  to  speak  with  ease  in  six 
different  languages,  his  talents  as  a  linguist  were  quite  remarkable.  A  subtle 
element  of  romance  pervaded  his  character,  which  not  only  makes  it  exceedingly 
attractive  to  us  in  the  retrospect,  but  was  no  doubt  one  of  tlie  great  sources  and 
elements  of  his  power  and  success  among  his  beloved  Ottawas  and  Hurons,  and 
others  of  the  great  Algonquin  tribes,  who  were  found  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  straits  of  Michilimaekinac.  With  a  fine  eye  for  natural  beauty,  he  was  as  much 
delighted  with  a  rapid  river,  or  extended  lake,  vpith  an  old  forest  or  rolling  prairie, 
or  a  lofty  mountain  as  a  Birch,  or  a  Cole,  or  a  Bierstadt.  Every  one  who  touches 
his  character  seems  emulous  of  adorning  it  with  a  new  epithet.  Parkman  speaks 
of  him  as  "the  humble  Marquette,  who  with  clasped  iiandsand  up-turned  eyes,  seems 
a  figure  evoked  from  some  dim  legend  of  mediaeval  saintship."  Bancroft  calls 
him  "  the  meek,  gentle,  single-hearted,  unpretending,  illustrious  Marquette." — 
Vol.  III.,  p.  157.  Many  call  him  "  the  venerated;"  all  unite  in  calling  him  "the 
g(i(i(l  Marquette,"  and  by  this  last,  most  simple,  but  appropriate  title  he  will  be  the 
best  remembered  by  the  generations  yet  to  come.  "  A  man  who  was  delighted  at 
the  happy  necessity  of  exposing  his  life  to  bring  the  word  of  God"  witliin  reach 
of  half  a  continent  deserves  that  title  if  any  one  does.  His  Catholic  eulogist, 
John  Gilnian  Shea,  (Catliolic  World,  November,  1877,  p.  267,)  writes  with  pardon- 
able pride  :  "  No  missionary  of  that  glorious  band  of  Jesuits  who  in  the  seventeenth 
century  announced  the  faith  from  the  Hudson  Bay  to  the  lower  Mississippi,  who 


■f^ 


AH 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


hallowed  by  their  labors  and  life-blood  so  many  a  wild  spot  now  occupied  by  the 
busy  hives  of  men,  none  of  them  impresses  us  more  in  his  whole  life  and  career 
with  his  piety,  sanctity  and  absolute  devotion  to  God,  than  Father  Marquette.  In 
life  he  seems  to  have  been  looked  up  to  with  reverence  by  the  wildest  savage,  by 
the  rude  frontiersman,  and  by  the  polished  officers  of  government.  When  he  had 
passed  away,  his  name  and  his  fame,  so  marked  in  the  great  West,  was  treasured 
above  that  of  his  fellow-laborers,  Menard,  Allouez,  Nouvel  or  Druillettes."  May  I 
not  add  that,  most  of  all  other  States,  his  name  and  his  fame  should  be  dear  to 
Michigan  ? 

Such,  then,  was  the  man  who  on  the  17th  of  May,  1673,  with  the  simple  outfit 
of  two  bircli  canoes,  a  supply  of  smoked  meat  and  Indian  corn,  and  a  crew  of  five 
men,  embarked  on  what  was  then  known  as  Lac  Des  Illinois,  now  Lake  Michigan. 
June  10th  they  came  to  the  portage,  in  Wisconsin,  (III.,  158,)  and  after  carrying 
their  canoes  some  two  miles  over  marsii  and  prairie,  "  he  committed  himself  to  the 
current  that  was  to  bear  them  he  knew  not  whitlier — perhaps  to  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico, perhaps  to  the  South  Sea,  or  the  Gulf  of  California."  June  17,  1673,  where 
now  stands  Prairie  Du  Ghien,  he  had  found  what  he  sought,  "and  with  a  joy  that 
I  can  not  express  we  steered  forth  our  canoes  on  the  Mississippi,  or  great  river." 
We  know  that  the  honor  of  this  discovery  is  very  stoutly  contested  in  favor  of 
LaSalle,  but  for  the  present  we  confidently  hold  with  Parkman  (Discovery  of  the 
Great  West,  p.  25):  "  LaSalle  discovered  the  Ohio,  and  in  all  probabilit}''  the  Illinois 
also ;  but  that  he  discovered  the  Mississippi  has  not  been  proved,  nor  in  the  light 
of  the  evidence  we  have,  is  it  likely."  In  1816  W.  J.  A.  Bradford,  in  his  notes  on 
the  Nortli west,  says  very  dogmatically:  "Father  Hennepin  must  undoubtedly  be 
considered  the  discoverer  of  the  Mississippi;"  but  if  the  proof  of  it  is  only  to  be 
establislied  by  Hennepin's  own  narrative,  which  Parkman  describes  as  a  rare  mon- 
ument of  brazen  mendacity,  the  proof  is  still  wanting.  His  famous  voyage  from 
the  Illinois  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  must  be  considered  not  only  as  a  falsehood,  but 
a  plagiarism. 

Fortunately  for  the  fame  of  Marquette,  the  true  record  of  his  labors  was  not  left 
to  doubtful  tradition  and  the  hearsay  testimony  of  Charlevoix.  Among  the  papera 
some  twenty-five  years  since  in  the  archives  of  the  College  of  Quebec  are  accounts 
of  the  last  labors  and  death  of  Father  Marquette,  and  of  the  removal  of  his 
remains,  prepared  for  publication  by  Father  Dablon  ;  Marquette's  journal  of  his 
great  expedition,  tlie  very  map  he  drew,  and  a  letter  left  unfinished  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  So  at  least  says  Mr.  Shea,  and  that  these  documents  are  tn  be  found  in 
his  work  on  the  discovery  and  exploration  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

Leaving,  then,  the  doubtful  narrative  of  Charlevoix  and  the  romantic  page  of 
Bancroft  founded  upon  it,   we  learn    the  real  story  of   his  death.     October    25, 


-^|>. 


Ll^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


1674,  he  again  left  St.  Ignace  to  fulfill  a  promise  to  the  Kaskaskias  in  Illinois. 
December  4th  he  reached  Cliicago,  hoping  to  ascend  the  river,  and  by  a  portage 
reach  the  Illinois:  but  the  ice  had  closed  the  stream  and  it  was  too  late.  A  winter 
march,  facing  the  cutting  wind  of  the  prairie  was  beyond  his  strength.  His  two 
faithful  companions  erected  a  log  hut  home  and  chapel — the  first  dwelling  and  the 
first  church  of  the  first  white  settlement  of  the  city — known  for  its  great  misfortune 
the  world  over,  the  city  of  Chicago. 

With  the  opening  of  Spring  the  good  father  again  set  out,  and  his  last  letter 
notes  his  progress  till  the  6th  of  April,  1675.  "  Just  after  Easter  he  was  again 
stricken  by  disease  (dysentery),  and  he  saw  that  if  he  would  die  in  the  arms  of 
his  brethren  "  at  St.  Ignace,  he  must  depart  at  once.  Escorted  by  the  Kaskaskias, 
who  were  deeply  impressed  by  his  zeal,  he  reached  Lake  Michigan,  gave  orders  to 
his  faithful  men  to  launch  his  canoe,  and  commenced  his  adventurous  voyage  along 
that  still  unknown  and  dangerous  shore.  His  strength,  however,  failed  so  much 
that  his  men  despaired  of  being  able  to  convey  him  alive  to  their  journey's  end; 
for  in  fact  he  became  so  weak  and  so  exhausted  that  he  could  no  longer  help  him- 
self, nor  even  stir,  and  had  to  be  handled  and  carried  like  a  child.  He  nevertheless 
in  this  state  maintained  an  admirable  resignation,  joy  and  gentleness,  consoling  his 
beloved  companions,  and  encouraging  them  to  suffer  courageously  all  the  hardships 
of  this  voyage."  "  On  the  eve  of  his  death,  which  was  on  Friday,  he  told  them, 
all  radiant  with  joy,  that  it  would  take  place  on  the  morrow,  and  spoke  so  calmly 
and  collectedly  of  his  death  and  burial  that  you  would  have  thought  it  was  another's 
and  not  his  own. 

Thus  did  he  speak  to  them  as  they  sailed  along  the  lake,  till  perceiving  the 
mouth  of  a  river,  with  an  eminence  on  the  bank  which  he  thought  suited  to  his 
burial,  he  told  them  that  it  was  the  place  of  his  last  repose.  They  wished,  how- 
ever, to  pass  on,  as  the  weather  permitted  it  and  the  day  was  not  far  advanced ; 
but  God  raised  a  contrary  wind,  which  obliged  them  to  return  and  enter  the  river 
which  the  father  had  designated. 

They  then  carried  him  ashore,  kindled  a  little  fire  and  raised  a  bark  cabin 
for  his  use,  laying  him  in  it  with  as  little  discomfort  as  they  could  ;  but  they  were  so 
depressed  by  sadness  that,  as  they  afterward  said,  they  did  not  know  what  they  were 
doing." 

Many  a  time  and  oft,  in  my  favorite  summer  home  at  Mackinac,  have  I  had  this 
whole  scene  pass  before  me  as  in  a  day-dream  from  Point  Lookout,  until  last  Sum- 
mer it  took  the  form  of  accordant  I'hyme : 


Where  the  gently  flowing  river  merges  with  the  stormy  lake. 
Where  upon  the  beach  so  barren  ceaseless  billows  roll  and  break. 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


There  the  barque  so  frail  and  gallant,  known  throughout  the  western  world, 
Glides  into  the  long-sought  haven  and  its  weary  wings  are  furled. 
Here,  says  one,  I  end  my  voyage  and  my  sun  goes  down  at  noon ; 
Here  I  make  the  final  traverse,  and  the  part  comes  not  too  soon; 
Let  God  have  "  the  greater  glory,"  care  have  I  for  naught  beside, 
But  to  bear  the  blest  evangel,  Jesus  Christ,  the  crucified. 

II. 

Slow  and  faint  into  the  forest,  straight  he  takes  his  quiet  way. 
Kneels  upon  the  virgin  mosses,  prays  as  he  is  wont  to  pray ; 
Nunc  dimiitis — then  they  hear  him  sweetly  sing  as  ne'er  before; 
Then  the  angels  join  in  chorus,  and  Marquette  is  now  no  more. 
This  the  prayer  he  leaves  behind  him,  as  is  said  his  latest  mass^ 
"One  day  bear  me  to  my  mission,  at  the  Pointe  of  St.  Ignace." 
Entered  into  rest  from  labor,  where  all  toils  and  tempests  cease, 
Every  sail  outspread  and  swelling,  so  he  finds  the  port  of  peace. 

III. 

Once  again  that  spot  so  sacred  hears  the  sound  of  human  feet, 

And  the  gently  flowing  river  sees  a  strange  funereal  fleet  ; 

'Tis  the  plumed  and  painted  warriors,  of  their  different  tribes  the  best. 

Who  have  met  in  solemn  council  to  fulfill  his  last  request. 

Down  their  cheeks  the  tears  are  flowing,  for  the  sainted  man  of  God; 

Not  the  bones  of  dearest  kindred  dear  as  those  beneath  that  sod, 

Reverently  the  grave  they  open,  call  the  dear  remains  their  own — 

Sink  them  in  the  running  water,  cleanse  and  whiten  every  bone. 

Place  them  gently  in  the  mocock,  wrought  with  woman's  choicest  skill. 

From  the  birch  the  very  whitest,  and  the  deepest  colored  quill ; 

In  the  war  canoe  the  largest,  to  his  consecrated  tomb. 

Like  a  chief  who  falls  in  battle,  silently  they  bear  him  home. 

IV. 

Gathers  still  the  sad  procession,  as  the  fleet  comes  slowly  nigh. 
Where  the  cross  above  the  chapel  stands  against  the  northern  sky  ; 
Every  tribe  and  every  hamlet,  from  the  nooks  along  the  shore, 
Swell  the  company  of  mourners,  who  shall  see  his  face  no  more. 


Forth  then  thro'  the  deepening  twilight  sounds  the  service  high  and  clear. 
And  the  dark-stoled  priests  with  tapers  guide  and  guard  the  rustic  bier  ; 
In  the  center  of  the  chapel,  close  by  little  Huron's  wave. 
Near  the  tall  and  stately  cedars,  Pere  Marquette  has  found  his  grave. 

VI. 

Still  I  hear  the  Miserere  sounding  loud  within  my  soul. 

Still  I  hear  the  De  Profundis,  with  its  solemn  cadence  roll — 

"  For  the  blood  of  thy  red  brother,  who  shall  answer  in  that  day." 

When  before  the  throne  of  judgment  earth  and  heaven  shall  pass  away. 


'L 


28  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


When  these  lines  were  written  I  had  not  seen  the  narrative  of  Fatliev  Dablon, 
but  a  further  extract  from  it  will  show  that  there  was  very  little  poetic  license  in 
them  as  to  the  leading  facts. 

"  God  did  not  permit  so  precious  a  deposit  to  remain  unhonored  and  forgotten 
amid  the  forests.  The  Indians  called  Kiskakons,  who  have  for  nearly  ten  years 
publicly  professed  Christianity,  in  which  they  were  first  instructed  by  Father  Mar- 
quette, when  stationed  at  La  Pointe  du  St.  Esprit,  at  the  extremity  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior, were  hunting  last  year,  not  far  from  Lake  Illinois  {i.  e.  Michigan),  and  as 
they  were  returning  early  in  the  Spring  they  resolved  to  pass  the  tomb  of  their  good 
father,  whom  they  tenderly  loved,  and  God  even  gave  them  the  thought  of  taking 
his  bones  and  conveying  them  to  our  church  at  the  mission  of  St.  Ignatius. 

"  They  accordingly  repaired  to  the  spot  and  deliberated  together,  resolving  to 
act  with  their  father,  as  they  usually  do  with  those  whom  they  respect.  They 
opened  the  grave,  unrolled  the  body,  and  though  the  flesh  and  intestines  were  all 
dried  up,  they  found  it  entire,  without  the  skin  being  injured.  This  did  not  pre- 
vent their  dissecting  it  according  to  custom.  They  washed  the  bones  and  dried 
them  in  the  sun  ;  then  ^Jutting  them  neatly  in  a  box  of  birch  bark,  they  set  out  to 
bear  them  to  our  house  at  St.  Ignatius. 

"  The  convoy  consisted  of  nearly  thirty  canoes  in  excellent  order,  including 
even  a  good  number  of  the  Iroquois  "  (a  very  I'erocious  tribe,  who  were  a  great 
terror  to  other  tribes  and  especially  hostile  to  the  Jesuits),  "who  had  joined  our 
Algonquins  to  honor  the  ceremony.  As  they  approached  our  house  Father  Nouvel, 
who  is  superior,  went  to  meet  them  with  Father  Pierson,  accompanied  by  all  the 
French  and  Indians  of  the  place ;  and  having  caused  the  convoy  to  stop,  he  made 
the  ordinary  interrogations  to  verify  the  fact  that  the  body  which  they  bore  was 
reall}^  Father  Marquette.  Then  before  they  landed  he  intoned  the  De  Profundis 
in  sight  of  the  thirty  canoes  still  on  the  water,  and  of  all  the  people  still  on  the 
shore.  After  this  the  body  was  carried  to  the  church,  observing  all  that  the  ritual 
prescribes  for  such  ceremonies.  It  remained  exposed  under  his  catafalque  all  that 
day,  which  was  Whitsun  Monday,  the  8th  of  June,  and  the  next  day,  when  all  the 
funeral  honors  had  been  paid  to  it,  it  was  deposited  in  a  little  vault  in  the  middle  of 
the  i-Jmrah,  where  he  reposes  as  the  guardian  angel  of  our  Ottawa  missions." 

So  far  the  invaluable  record  of  Dablon.  We  come  now  to  1706,  when  for  well- 
known  reasons,  for  which  we  can  not  pause,  the  Jesuits  at  St.  Ignace  broke  up  their 
mission,  set  fire  to  their  house  and  chapel  and  returned  to  Quebec.  What  became 
of  the  bones  of  Marquette  ?  Did  thej'  carry  them  with  them  to  Quebec?  No  ;  they 
left  in  haste,  and  fled  almost  as  for  their  lives.  "There  is  nothing  in  Canadian 
registers,  which  are  extensive,  full  and  well  preserved."  "Charlevoix,  who 
was  at  Quebec   on   the   return   of    the  missionaries,   is  silent."     There   is  little 

\^(S r-  -Tf bIV  " 


Ll^^ 


HISTORY   OF   JIICHIGAN. 


doubt,  therefore,  th.it  the  precious  remains  of  the  great  explorer  still  lay  in  the 
chapel. 

But  the  very  site  of  the  chapel  was  soon  lost.  The  new  chapel,  still  standing, 
was  confessedly  not  on  the  site  of  the  old  one.  Could  the  old  site  ever  be  identi- 
fied? It  seemed  very  doubtful  indeed.  True,  there  were  a  few  local  and  legen- 
dary traditions  to  whicli  reference  was  made  some  years  since  in  his  correspondence 
by  the  Hon.  E.  G.  D.  Holden,  our  present  Secretary  of  State. 

An  Indian  now  living  in  St.  Ignace  told  me  early  last  Summer  that  "his  father 
told  him,  and  that  his  fatlier  told  him,"  and  pointed  out  to  him  the  place  on  the 
shore  of  the  bay  where  a  black  cross  used  to  stand,  which  was  understood  to  "point 
out  the  direction"  of  the  good  father's  grave,  and  where  the  voyagers  would  invoke 
his  blessing.  I  also  have  it  in  writing  from  a  very  intelligent  Indian,  that  last  Sum- 
mer he  called  on  an  aged  Indian  woman  in  Petoskey,  claiming  to  be  in  her  lOOtli 
year.  "I  asked  her  if  she  had  heard,  when  a  girl,  anything  concerning  the  Kitchi- 
ma-ka-da-na-co-na-yay,  or  "great  priest."  She  said,  "Yes.  He  died  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  and  his  body  was  carried  to  Min-is-sing,"i.  e.  to  St.  Ignace. 

These  are  but  specimens  of  many  similar  traditions  ;  but  would  there  ever  be 
anything  more  than  tradition  ? 

Early  in  July  I  heard  in  Detroit  for  the  first  time,  from  Col.  Stockbridge,  who 
has  a  large  lumber  interest  in  St.  Ignace  ;  that  when  he  left  tliere  was  a  report  that 
the  site  of  tlie  old  chapel  had  been  discovered.  If  so,  thought  I,  then  we  have 
found  Pere  Marquette's  grave  at  last — for  the  one  statement  in  which  all  seem  to 
agree  is  that  he  was  buried  in  the  middle  of  the  chapel. 

On  my  arrival  in  Mackinac  I  lost  but  little  time  before  starting  for  St.  Ignace. 
Though  only  four  miles  off  we  tacked  a  dozen  times  and  took  four  hours,  and 
worked  hard  at  that. 

On  reaching  Mr.  Murray's  house,  where  the  supposed  discovery  had  been 
made,  I  found  precisely  what  had  been  described  a  few  days  before  by  a  correspon- 
dent of  the  Evening  News. 

THE  RECENT  DTSCGVERIES  AT  ST.  IGNACE. 
SHALL  WE,  OR  SHALL  WE  NOT,    KECOVEB  THE  BONES  OF  MARQUETTE? 

Correspondence  of  the  Evening  News. 

Mackinac,  July  12,  1877. 
The  readers  of  the  Evening  News  will  recollect  the  recently  reported  discovery 
at  St.  Ignace  of  the  site  of  the  mission  chapel  founded  by  Father  Marquette  in 
1670,  and  under  the  pavement  of  which  his  bones  were  subsequently  deposited. 
The  account  created  considerable  sensation  among  antiquaries.  Being  in  Mackinac, 
within  four  miles  of  St.  Ignatius,  I  improved  the  opportunity  to  cross  over  and  see 
for  myself  what  the  discoveries  amounted  to.      The  little  steamer  Truscott  crosses 


^^^ 


30  HISTORY   OP  MICHIGAN. 


each  afternoon  ;  fare  fiftj  cents.  A  few  steps  from  tlie  landing  we  turn  into  a 
potato  patch,  just  beyond  which  the  boy  who  pilots  us  suddenly  announces,  "Here's 
the  place."  At  first  glance  nothing  can  be  observed  more  than  might  be  noticed 
on  any  vacant  lot  in  Detroit.  A  closer  examination,  however,  reveals  a  very  slight 
trench  about  a  foot  and  a  half  wide,  forming  a  rectangle  35  by  45  feet  and  located 
very  nearly,  if  not  exactly,  with  the  points  of  the  compass,  the  longer  measurement 
being  in  the  direction  of  east  and  west.  At  places  in  this  trench  rough  stones  lay 
embedded  in  the  earth.  At  the  soutiiern  side  of  the  space,  about  nine  feet  from 
the  western  side,  is  a  hole  say  three  feet  deep  and  eight  or  ten  square,  and  in  the 
southeast  corner  another  smaller  hole.  Until  the  present  Spring  the  site  has  been 
covered  with  a  growth  of  young  spruce,  the  clearing  off  of  which  led  to  the  sup- 
posed discovery.  The  larger  hole  is  assumed  to  have  been  a  cellar  under  the 
church  in  which  the  valuables  are  kept ;  the  smaller  hole  is  thought  to  mark  the 
position  of  the  baptismal  font,  though  why  an  excavation  should  be  made  for  it  is 
more  than  I  can  conjecture.  A  few  feet  west  of  the  rectangle  described  above  are 
two  heaps  of  stone  and  earth,  evidently  the  debris  of  two  ruined  chimneys.  The 
outlines  of  the  houses  to  which  the  chimneys  belonged  can  also  be  faintly  traced. 

Mr.  Murray,  the  owner  of  the  ground,  is  a  well-to-do  Catholic  Irishman,  own- 
ing as  he  does  600  acres  of  land  on  the  Point.  He  has  lived  on  the  place  for  twenty 
years  past,  and  before  that  lived  on  Mackinac  Island.  He  is  inclined  to  be  super- 
stitious and  to  magnify  the  mystery  to  which  he  believes  he  holds  the  key.  As 
illustrative  of  this  he  remarked  in  my  presence  that  when  he  was  about  to  build  a 
cow-house  some  time  ago,  his  sons  wished  it  located  on  what  he  now  believes  to  be 
the  site  of  the  ancient  church,  but  the  protecting  influences  of  that  sacred  spot 
strangely  impelled  him  to  adopt  a  different  location.  He  is  confident  that  by  dig- 
ging below  the  surface  at  the  center  of  the  church,  the  "  mocock  "  of  bones  would 
be  discovered,  but  thus  far  owing  to  a  difference  between  himself  and  the  parish 
priest,  not  a  spadeful  of  earth  has  been  turned.  The  priest  believes  the  location  to 
be  the  correct  one,  and  is  anxious  to  excavate,  but  Mr.  Murray  refuses  to  permit  it 
without  a  pledge  that  whatever  is  found  shall  not  be  carried  away  from  the  Point. 
He  offers  to  give  ground  for  the  erection  of  a  church  or  a  monument  on  the  spot, 
but  insists  that  the  sacred  relics,  if  found,  must  be  left  where  they  have  for  two 
centuries  rested.  The  bishop  is  expected  at  St.  Ignace  shortly,  when  the  question 
will  be  laid  before  him  for  adjustment. 

Now  as  to  the  probability  of  the  discovery  being  confirmed  by  others  yet  to  be 
made,  I  must  confess  to  being  less  sanguine  than  Mr.  Murray  and  his  neighbors.  It 
is  certain  that  the  two  ruined  chimneys  alluded  to  indicate  the  location  of  dwellings 
at  some  period  in  the  past.  Bits  of  iron,  copper  and  looking-glass  found  in  the  debris 
attest  this ;  but  whether  the  buildings  stood  fifty  years  ago  or  200  no  one  can  posi- 


-"^ 


ll^ 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


tively  assert.  Mr.  Mui-ray  has  known  the  spot  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  can 
vouch  for  no  change  having  occurred  in  that  time.  I  think  it  likely  that  they  are 
of  a  much  older  date.  In  regard  to  the  assumed  church  site  I  think  the  proba- 
bilities favor  the  existence  there  at  one  time  of  a  building  of  some  sort.  Whether  it 
occupied  the  limits  assumed — 45  by  35  feet — is  less  certain,  while  the  existence  of  the 
cellar  would  seem  to  indicate  that  it  was  a  dwelling  rather  than  a  church.  On  the 
other  hand,  it  is  certain  that  the  mission  was  founded  in  tliis  immediate  vicinity,  and 
the  Murray  farm,  as  fronting  on  the  most  protected  part  of  the  bay,  and  affording 
the  best  landing  for  boats,  is  certainly  as  likely  a  spot  for  Marquette  to  have  adopted 
as  any.  But  nothing  can  be  told  with  any  certainty  till  thorough  investigation  is 
made. 

The  tradition  is  that  the  mission  was  founded  in  1670,  that  Marquette  subse- 
quently visited  Wisconsin  and  Illinois,  establishing  mission  stations  as  far  up  the 
lake  as  Chicago ;  that  upon  his  return  via  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  he 
died  at  the  mouth  of  the  Pere  Marquette  river,  wiiere  Ludington  now  stands,  and 
was  buried  there.  A  few  years  later  his  bones  were  taken  up,  cleaned  and  packed 
in  a  mocock,  or  box  made  of  birch  bark,  and  were  conveyed  with  due  solemnity 
back  to  St.  Ignace,  where  they  were  permanently  deposited  beneath  the  middle  of 
the  church.  At  a  still  later  period  Indian  wars  broke  up  the  mission,  and  to  protect 
the  church  from  sacrilege  the  missionaries  burned  it  to  the  ground. 

I  also  found  in  tiie  possession  of  the  present  priest  of  St.  Ignace,  Father  Jaoka 
(pronounced  Yocca),  a  pen  and  ink  sketch,  on  which  I  looked  with  most  intense 
interest.  This  invaluable  drawing  gives  the  original  site  of  the  French  village,  the 
"  home  of  the  Jesuits,"  the  Indian  village,  the  Indian  fort  on  the  bluff,  and,  most 
important  of  all,  very  accurately  defines  the  contour  of  a  little  bay  known  as  Na- 
dowa— Wikweiamashong — i.  e.,  as  Mr.  Jacker  gave  it,  Nadowa  Huron.  Wik-weia 
— Here  is  a  bay.  Anglice — "  Little  bay  of  tlie  Hurons ;"  or  according  to  the  Ot- 
chepwa  dictionary  of  Bp.  Barraga,  "  Bad  bay  of  the  Iroquois  squaw."  Of  the 
Indian  village  thei-e  is  no  trace.  Their  wigwams,  built  only  of  poles  and  bark, 
have  not  left  a  single  vestige.  Not  so  with  the  French  village.  You  may  still  see 
the  remains  of  their  logs  and  plaster,  and  the  ruins  of  their  chimneys.  On  the  sup- 
posed site  of  the  house  of  the  Jesuits,  some  40  by  30  feet,  are  found  distinct  out- 
lines of  walls,  a  little  well,  and  a  small  cellar.  Immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  larger 
building  are  the  remains  of  a  forge,  where  "the  brothers"  used  to  make  spades  or 
swords,  as  the  occasion  might  require. 

On  further  inquiry  of  the  priest,  who  was  equally  remarkable  for  his  candor 
and  intelligence,  and  the  length  of  his  beai'd,  I  found  that  the  sketch  of  the  house 
of  the  Jesuits  was  taken  by  him  from  the  travels  of  LaHenton,  originally  published 
in  France,  but  translated  and  republished  in  England  A.  D.  1772.     Only  a  few  days 


T^ 


32  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


after  I  saw  a  copy  of  this  very  same  book  in  the  hands  of  Judge  C.  I.  Walker,  of 
Detroit,  and  was  thus  enabled,  to  my  very  great  satisfaction,  to  verify  the  sketch  as 
shown  to  me  by  Father  Jaoka  or  Jacker  (Yocca). 

LaHenton  says :  "  The  place  which  I  am  now  in  is  not  above  half  a  league  dis- 
tant from  the  Illinois  lake.  Here  the  Hiirons  and  Ontawas  have  each  of  'em  (sic) 
a  village,  the  one  being  severed  from  the  other  by  a  single  palisade.  But  the  On- 
tawas are  beginning  to  build  a  fort  upon  a  hill  that  stands  but  1,000  or  1,200  paces 
off.  *  *  In  this  place  the  Jesuits  have  a  little  house  or  college,  adjoining  to  a 
sort  of  chapel  and  enclosed  with  pale,  which  separates  it  from  the  .village  of  the 
Hurons. 

"  The  Cuereur  du  Paris  also  a  very  small  settlement." — La  Henton,  vol.  I.,  p.  88. 

From  that  moment  I  entertained  the  most  sanguine  hope  tliat  the  long  lost 
grave  of  the  good  Marquette  would  .again  be  found.  Greatly  did  I  regret  that  I 
could  not  remain  a  few  days  -longer,  when  the  exploration  would  be  made  in  the 
presence  of  the  excellent  Bishop  Mrak,  and  learn  what  would  be  the  result.  I  saw 
nothing  whatever  in  the  well-known  cliaracter  of  tlie  bishop,  or  of  the  worthy  pas- 
tor of  St.  Ignace  to  justify  even  for  a  moment  the  least  suspicion  of  anything  like 
"pious  fraud." 

Monday,  Septembers,  1877,  Bishop  Mrak  dug  out  the  first  spadeful  of  ground. 
For  a  time,  however,  the  search  was  discouraging.  "  Nothing  was  found  tluit  would 
indicate  the  former  existence  of  a  tomb,  vaulted  or  otherwise,"  and  tiie  bishop  went 
away.  After  a  while  a  small  piece  of  birch  bark  came  to  light,  followed  by  numerous 
other  fragments  scorched  by  fire.  Finally  a  larger  and  well  preserved  piece  appeared 
which  once  evidently  formed  part  of  tlie  bottom  of  an  Indian-wig-wap-makak- 
birch-bark-box  or  mocock.  Evidently  the  box  had  been  double,  such  as  the  Indians 
sometimes  use  for  greater  durability  in  interments,  and  had  been  placed  on  three  or 
four  wooden  sills.  It  was  also  evident  that  the  box  had  not  been  placed  on  the 
floor  but  sunk  in  the  ground,  and  perhaps  covered  with  a  layer  of  mortar.  But  it 
was  equally  evident  that  this  humble  tomb  had  been  disturbed,  and  the  box  broken 
into,  and  parts  of  it  torn  out,  after  the  material  had  been  made  brittle  by  the  action 
of  fire.  Tills  would  explain  the  absence  of  its  former  contents,  which,"  says  Mr. 
Jacker,  "  what  else  could  we  think — were  nothing  less  than  Father  Marquette's 
bones!  But  what  had  become  of  them?  Further  search  brought  to  light  two  frag- 
ments of  bone — then  thirty-six  more — finally  a  small  fragment,  apparently  of  the 
skull — then  similar  fragments  of  the  ribs,  the  hand  and  the  thigh  bone.  From  these 
circumstances  then  we  deduce  the  following  conclusions: 

1.  That  of  M.  Pommier,  the  French  surgeon,  that  these  fragments  of  bones 
are  undoubtedly  human,  and  bear  the  marks  of  fire. 

2.  That  everything  goes  to  show  "  the  haste  of  profane  robbery." 


HISTOKY   OF   JIICHIGAN. 


3.  That  this  robbery  was  by  Indian  medicine  men,  who  coveted  his  bones, 
according  to  their  belief,  as  a  powerful  medicine. 

4.  That  it  must  have  taken  place  within  a  few  years  after  the  departure  of 
the  Jesuits,  otherwise  when  the  mission  was  renewed  (about  1708),  the  remains 
would  most  certainly  have  been  transferred  to  the  new  church  in  old  Mackinac. 

5.  That  Charlevoix,  at  his  sojourn  there  in  1721,  could  hardly  have  failed  to 
be  taken  to  see  the  new  tomb,  and  to  mention  the  fact  of  its  transfer  in  his  journal, 
or  history. 

6.  That  if  we  have  failed  to  find  all  the  remains  of  the  great  explorer,  we 
have  at  least  found  some,  and  ascertained  the  fact  of  his  having  been  interred  on 
that  particular  spot. 

7.  That  the  records  answer  all  the  circumstances'-of  the  discovery,  and  that 
the  finding  of  these  few  fragments,  if  not  as  satisfactory  to  our  wishes,  is  at  least 
as  good  evidence  for  the  fact  in  question  as  if  we  had  found  every  bone  that  is  in 
the  human  body. 

Such  are  the  leading  points  in  Father  Jacker's  elaborate  narrative,  as  published 
in  the  CathoUe  World,  November,  1877,  in  connection  with  the  article  entitled 
"  Romance  and  Reality  of  the  Death  of  Father  James  Marquette,  and  the  recent 
discovery  of  his  remains,"  by  John  G.  Shea,  for  which  papers  I  am  indebted  to  the 
kind  courtesy  of  Mr.  Daniel  E.  Hudson,  C.  S.  C,  Notre  Dame,  Indiana,  to  whom  I 
return  most  cordial  thanks. 

While  in  some  respects  the  results  are  not  quite  so  satisfactory  as  might  have 
been  desired,  yet  the  determination  of  the  site  of  the  old  house  of  the  Jesuits,  the 
discovery  of  the  tomb,  the  recovery  in  part  of  the  mocock  coffin,  and  above  all,  the 
finding  of  some  of  the  bones  of  Marquette,  are  all  of  intense  interest  to  every 
lover  of  earlj-  Michigan  history. 

Marquette,  the  great  explorer — the  oldest  founder  of  Michigan,  whose  grave 
was  found  within  her  borders,  and  to  whom  belongs  immortal  honor,  being  the  dis- 
coverer of  the  upper  Mississippi  and  first  navigator  of  the  great  river.  The  scat- 
tering of  Jiis  bones,  I  am  tvell  persuaded,  is  only  a  symbol  of  the  wider  extension  of  his 
fame.  Already  his  name  is  attached  to  a  railroad,  a  river,  a  citj^,  a  diocese  in 
Michigan  ;  but  that  is  not  enough.  Some  forty  years  ago  it  was  foretold  by  Ban 
croft  "  that  the  people  of  the  West  will  build  his  monument,"  and  now  the  time 
has  fully  come  when  that  prophecy  will  be  fulfilled.  Lest  you  might  think  that  I 
say  this  merely  out  of  state  pride,  or  as  a  lover  of  antiquarian  history,  I  will  only 
add  in  conclusion  that  I  say  it  out  of  a  much  higher  motive,  and  with  reference  to 
a  much  higher  object.  In  reading  the  life  of  Francis  Xavier  when  a  boy,  I  learned 
that  there  were  some  lessons  for  Christian  laborers  from  the  lives  of  the  early 
Jesuits,  that  neither  I  nor  any  other  man  could  afford  to  overlook.      Granting  that 

3 


t^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


too  often  they  sought  to  help  what  they  deemed  a  righteous  cause  by  what  they 
knew  to  be  unrighteous  means,  and  so  teach  us  what  we  should  avoid,  there  are  other 
lessons  that  we  would  do  well  to  imitate.  The  spirit  of  union,  which  was  to  them 
so  great  a  source  of  power,  the  cheerfulness  with  which  they  suffered  for  the  cause 
that  they  had  espoused ;  the  unlooked-for  combinations  of  chai-acter  in  the  same 
individuals,  and  above  all  the  magnetism  of  personal  importance  and  power  by  hav- 
ing a  definite  aim — such  for  example  as  we  find  in  the  good  Marquette — belonging 
to  any  one  church  or  order  of  that  church,  but  to  man  as  man,  and  to  the  world  at 
large !  There  is  only  one  regret  that  I  should  liave  in  the  erecting  of  such  a  mon- 
ument, and  that  is  lest  it  should  be  built  by  our  Catholic  friends  alone.  Will  they 
not  permit  us  all  to  join — Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  and  the  whole  Northwest 
— and  do  honor  to  the  greaj  explorer  in  a  monument  of  natural  rock,  (like  Monu- 
mental Rock,  Isle  Royale),  the  materials  for  which  in  that  immediate  vicinity  have 
been  so  long  waiting,  apparently,  for  just  such  a  noble  purpose  ? 

lasalle's  travels. 

The  next  settlement  in  point  of  time  was  made  in  1679,  by  Robert  Cavalier  de 
LaSalle,  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph  river.  He  had  constructed  a  vessel,  the 
"  Griffin,"  just  above  Niagara  Falls,  and  sailed  around  by  the  lakes  to  Green  Bay, 
Wis.,  whence  he  traversed  "Lac  des  Illinois,"  now  Lake  Michigan,  by  canoe  to  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph  river.  The  "  Giiffin  "  was  the  first  sailing  vessel  that  ever 
came  west  of  Niagara  Falls.  La  Salle  erected  a  fort  at  the  month  of  the  St.  Joseph 
river,  which  afterward  was  moved  about  60  miles  up  the  river,  where  it  was  still 
seen  in  Charlevoix's  time,  1721.  La  Salle  also  built  a  fort  on  the  Illinois  river, 
just  below  Peoria,  and  explored  the  region  of  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers. 

The  next,  and  third,  Michigan  post  erected  by  authority  was  a  second  fort  on 
the  St.  Joseph  river,  established  by  Du  Suth,  near  the  present  Fort  Gratiot,  in 
1686.  The  object  of  this  was  to  intercept  emissaries  of  the  English,  who  were 
anxious  to  open  traffic  with  the  Mackinaw  and  Lake  Superior  nations. 

The  French  posts  in  Michigan  on  westward,  left  very  little  to  be  gathered  by 
the  New  York  traders,  and  they  determined,  as  there  was  peace  between  France  and 
England,  to  push  forward  their  agencies  and  endeavor  to  deal  with  the  western  and 
northern  Indians  in  their  own  country.  The  French  governors  not  only  plainly 
asserted  the  title  of  France,  but  as  plainly  threatened  to  use  all  requisite  force  to 
expel  intruders.  Anticipating  cori-ectly  that  the  English  would  attempt  to  reach 
Lake  Huron  from  the  East  without  passing  up  Detroit  river,  Du  Luth  built  a  fort 
at  tlie  outlet  of  the  lake  into  the  St.  Clair.  About  the  same  time  an  expedition 
was  planned  against  the  Senecas,  and  the  Chevalier  Tonti,  commanding  La  Salle's 
forts,  of  St.  Louis  and  St.  Joseph  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  La  Durantaye,  the  veteran 
commander  of  Mackinaw,  were  employed  to  bring  down  the  French  and  Indian 


:f^ 


HISTORY   OF   :\[ICHIGAN. 


auxiliaries  to  take  part  in  the  war.  These  men  intercepted  English  expeditions 
into  the  interior  to  establish  trade  with  the  Northern  Indians,  and  succeeded  in 
cutting  them  off  for  many  years.  Religious  zeal  for  the  Catholic  Church  and  the 
national  aggrandizement  were  almost  or  quite  equally  the  primary  and  all-ruling 
motive  of  western  explorations.  For  these  two  purposes  expeditions  were  sent  out 
and  missionaries  and  military  posts  were  established.  In  these  enterprises  Mar- 
quette, Joliet,  La  Salle,  St.  Lusson  and  others  did  all  that  we  find  credited  to  them 
in  history. 

In  1669  or  1670,  Talon,  then  "  Intendant  of  New  France,"  sent  out  two  parties 
to  discover  a  passage  to  the  South  Sea,  St.  Lusson  to  Hudson's  Bay  and  La  Salle 
southwestward.  On  his  return  in  1671,  St.  Lusson  held  a  council  of  all  the  north- 
ern tribes  at  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  where  they  formed  an  alliance  with  the  French. 
"  It  is  a  curious  fact,"  says  Campbell,  "  that  the  public  documents  are  usually 
made  to  exhibit  the  local  authorities  as  originating  everything,  when  the  facts 
brought  to  light  from  other  sources  show  that  they  were  compelled  to  permit  what 
they  ostensibly  directed."  The  expeditions  sent  out  by  Talon  were  at  least  sug- 
gested from  France.  The  local  authorities  were  sometimes  made  to  do  things 
which  were  not,  in  their  judgment,  the  wisest. 

DETROIT. 

July  19,  1701,  the  Iroquois  conveyed  to  King  William  III,  all  their  claims  to 
land,  describing  their  territory  as  "  that  vast  tract  of  land  or  colony  called  Cana- 
gariarchio,  beginning  on  the  northwest  side  of  Cadarachqui  (Ontario)  Lake,  and 
includes  all  that  vast  tract  of  land  lying  between  the  great  lake  of  Ottawawa 
(Huron),  and  the  lake  called  by  the  natives  Sahiquage,  and  by  the  Christians  the 
Lake  of  Sweege  (Oswego,  for  Lake  Erie),  and  runs  till  it  butts  upon  the  Twich- 
twichs,  and  is  bounded  on  the  westward  by  the  Twichtwichs,  on  the  eastward  by 
a  place  called  Qiiadoge,  containing  in  length  about  800  miles,  and  breadth  400 
miles,  including  the  country  where  beavers  and  all  sorts  of  wild  game  keep,  and 
the  place  called  Tjeughsaghrondie  alias  Fort  De  Tret  or  Wawyachtenock  (Detroit)  ; 
and  so  runs  round  the  lake  of  Sweege  till  you  come  to  a  place  called  Oniadarun- 
daquat,"  etc. 

It  was  chiefly  to  prevent  any  further  mischief,  and  to  secure  more  effectually 
the  French  supremacy  that  La  Motte  Cadillac,  who  had  great  influence  over  the 
savages,  succeeded,  in  1701,  after  various  plans  urged  by  him  had  been  shelved  by 
hostile  colonial  intrigues,  in  getting  permission  from  Count  Fontchartraine  to  begin 
a  settlement  in  Detroit.  His  purpose  was  from  the  beginning  to  make  not  only  a 
military  post,  but  also  a  civil  establishment  for  trade  and  agriculture.  He  was  more 
or  less  threatened  and  opposed  by  the  monopolists  and  by  the  Mackinaw  missionaries, 
and  was  subjected  to  severe  persecutions.    He  finally  triumphed  and  obtained  valuable 


'.^ 


36  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


privileges  and  the  right  of  seigneury.  Craftsmen  of  all  kinds  were  induced  to  settle 
in  the  town,  and  trade  flourished.  He  succeeded  in  getting  the  Hurons  and  many 
of  the  Ottawas  to  leave  Mackinaw  and  settle  about  "  Fort  Pontchartraine."  This 
fort  stood  on  what  was  formerly  called  the  first  terrace,  being  on  the  ground  lying 
between  Larned  street  and  the  river,  and  between  Griswold  and  Wayne  streets. 
Cadillac's  success  was  so  great,  in  spite  of  all  opposition,  that  he  was  appointed 
governor  of  the  new  province  of  Louisiana,  which  had  been  granted  to  Crozat  and 
his  associates.  This  appointment  removed  him  from  Detroit,  and  immediately 
afterward  the  place  was  exposed  to  an  Indian  siege,  instigated  by  English  emissaries, 
and  conducted  by  the  Mascoutins  and  Ontagamies,  the  same  people  who  made  the 
last  war  on  the  whites  in  the  territory  of  Michigan  under  Black  Hawk  a  century 
and  a  quarter  later.  The  tribes  allied  to  the  French  came  in  with  alacrity  and  de- 
feated and  almost  annihilated  the  assailants,  of  whom  a  thousand  were  put  to 
death. 

Unfortunately  for  the  country,  the  commanders  who  succeeded  Cadillac  for 
many  years  were  narrow-minded  and  selfish  and  not  disposed  to  advance  uny  in- 
terests beyond  the  lucrative  traffic  with  the  Indians  in  peltries.  It  was  not  until 
1734  that  any  new  grants  were  made  to  farmers.  This  was  done  by  Governor- 
General  Beauharnois,  who  made  the  grants  on  the  very  easiest  terms.  Skilled  ar- 
tisans became  numerous  in  Detroit,  and  prosperity  set  in  all  around.  The  build- 
ings were  not  of  the  rudest  kind,  but  built  of  oak  or  cedar,  and  of  smooth  finish. 
The  cedar  was  brought  from  a  great  distance.  Before  1742  the  pineries  were 
known,  and  at  a  very  early  day  a  saw-mill  was  erected  on  the  St.  Clair  River,  near 
Lake  Huron.  Before  1749  quarries  were  worked,  especially  at  Stony  Island.  In 
1763  there  were  several  lime  kilns  within  the  present  limits  of  Deti'oit,  and  not 
only  stone  foundations  but  also  stone  buildings,  existed  in  the  settlement. 

Several  grist-mills  existed  along  the  river  near  Detroit.  Agriculture  was  car- 
ried on  profitably,  and  supplies  were  exported  quite  early,  consisting  chiefly  of  corn 
and  wheat,  and  possibly  beans  and  peas.  Cattle,  horses  and  swine  were  raised  in 
considerable  numbers ;  but  as  salt  was  very  expensive,  but  little  meat,  if  any,  was 
packed  for  exportation.  The  salt  springs  near  Lake  St.  Clair,  it  is  true,  were 
known,  and  utilized  to  some  extent,  but  not  to  an  appreciable  extent.  Gardening 
and  fruit-raising  were  carried  on  more  thoroughly  than  general  farming.  Apples 
and  pears  were  good  and  abundant. 

During  the  French  and  English  war  Detroit  was  the  principal  source  of  sup- 
plies to  the  French  troops  west  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  it  also  furnished  a  large  number 
of  fighting  men.     Tlie  upper  posts  were  not  much  involved  in  this  war. 

"  Teuchsa  Grondie."  one  of  the  many  ways  of  spelling  an  old  Indian  name  of 
Detroit,  is  rendered  famous  by  a  large  and  splendid  poem  of  Levi  Bishop,  Esq.,  of 


1^ 


ik^ 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


that  city.  During  the  whole  of  the  eighteenth  century  the  history  of  Michigan  was 
little  else  than  the  history  of  Detroit,  as  the  genius  of  French  Government  was  to 
centralize  power  instead  of  building  ujj  localities  for  self-government. 

About  1704,  or  three  years  after  the  founding  of  Detroit,  this  place  was  at- 
tacked by  the  Ottawa  Indians,  but  unsuccessfully  ;  and  again,  in  1712,  the  Otta- 
garaies,  or  Fox  Indians,  who  were  in  secret  alliance  with  the  old  enemies  of  the 
French,  the  Iroquois,  attacked  the  village  and  laid  siege  to  it.  They  were  sevei'ely 
repulsed,  and  their  chief  offered  a  capitulation  which  was  refused.  Considering 
this  an  insult  they  became  enraged  and  endeavored  to  burn  up  the  town.  Their 
method  of  firing  the  place  was  to  shoot  large  arrows,  mounted  with  combustible 
material  in  flame,  in  a  track  through  the  sky  rainbow-form.  The  bows  and  ari-ows 
being  very  large  and  stout,  the  Indians  lay  with  their  backs  on  the  ground,  put 
botli  feet  against  the  central  portion  of  the  inner  side  of  the  bow  and  pulled  the 
strings  with  all  the  might  of  their  hands.  A  ball  of  blazing  material  would  thus 
be  sent  arching  over  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  which  would  come  down  perpen- 
dicularly upon  the  dry  shingle  roofs  of  the  houses  and  set  them  on  fire.  But  this 
sclieme  was  soon  check-mated  by  the  French,  who  covered  the  remaining  houses 
with  wet  skins.  The  Foxes  were  considerably  disappointed  at  this  and  discour- 
aged, but  they  made  one  more  desperate  attempt,  failed,  and  retreated  toward 
Lake  St.  Clair,  where  they  again  entrenched  themselves.  From  this  place  how- 
ever, they  were  soon  dislodged.  After  this  period  these  Indians  occupied  Wis- 
consin for  a  time  and  made  it  dangerous  for  travelers  passing  through  from  the 
lakes  to  the  Mississippi.     They  were  the  Ishniaeliles  of  the  wilderness. 

In  1749,  there  was  a  fresh  accession  of  immigrants  to  all  the  points  upon  the 
lakes,  but  the  history  of  this  part  of  the  world  during  the  most  of  this  century,  is 
rather  monotonous,  business  and  government  remaining  about  the  same,  without 
much  improvement.  The  records  nearly  all  concern  Canada  east  of  the  lake  region. 
It  is  true,  there  was  almost  a  constant  change  of  commandants  at  the  posts,  and 
there  were  many  slight  changes  of  administrative  policy,  but  as  no  great  enter- 
prises were  successfully  put  in  operation  the  events  of  the  period  have  but  little 
prominence. 

The  Northwestern  Territory  during  French  rule,  was  simply  a  vast  ranging 
ground  for  the  numerous  Indian  tribes,  who  had  no  ambition  higher  than  obtaining 
immediate  subsistence  of  the  crudest  kind,  buying  arms,  whisky,  tobacco,  blankets 
and  jeweli'y  by  bartering  for  them  the  peltries  of  the  chase.  Like  a  drop  in  the 
ocean  was  the  missionary  work  of  the  few  Jesuits  at  the  half  dozen  posts  on  the 
great  waters.  The  forests  were  full  of  otter,  beaver,  bear,  deer,  grouse,  quails,  etc., 
and  on  the  few  prairies  the  grouse,  or  "  prairie  chickens."  were  abundant  Not 
much  work  was  required  to  obtain  a  bare  subsistence,  and  human  nature  generally, 


r 


^ 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


is  not  disposed  to  lay  up  much  for  the  future.      The  present  material  prosperity  of 
America  is  really  an  exception  to  the  general  law  of  the  world. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1796,  Wintlirop  Sargent  went  to  Detroit  and  organized 
the  county  of  Wayne,  forming  a  part  of  the  Indiana  Territory  until  its  division, 
1805,  when  the  Territory  of  Michigan  was  organized. 


CHAPTEE  III. 


THE   FRENCH   AND   INDIAN    WAR. 


Soon  after  the  discovery  of  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  in  1682,  the  Govern- 
ment of  France  began  to  encourage  the  policy  of  establishing  a  line  of  trading 
posts  and  missionary  stations,  extending  through  the  west,  from  Canada  and  the 
great  lakes,  to  Louisiana ;  and  tliis  policy  was  maintained,  with  partial  success,  for 
about  seventy-five  years.  British  power  was  the  rival  upon  which  the  French 
continually  kept  their  eye.  Of  course  a  collision  of  arms  would  result  in  a  short 
time,  and  this  commenced  about  1755.  In  1760,  Canada,  including  the  lake  re- 
gion, fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British.  During  the  war,  occurred  Braddock's  de- 
feat, the  battles  of  Niagara,  Crown  Point  and  Lake  George,  aud  the  death  of  brave 
Wolfe  and  Montcalm.  September  12  of  this  year.  Major  Robert  Rogers,  a  native 
of  New  Hampshire,  a  provincial  officer,  and  then  at  the  height  of  his  reputation, 
received  orders  from  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst  to  ascend  the  lakes  with  a  detachment  of 
rangers,  and  take  possession,  in  the  name  of  his  Britannic  majesty,  of  Detroit, 
Micliilimackinac  and  other  western  posts,  included  in  the  capitulation  of  Montreal. 
He  left  the  latter  place  on  the  following  day  with  200  rangers  in  fifteen  whale  boats. 
November  7,  they  reached  the  mouth  of  a  river  (Cliogage),  on  the  southern  coast 
of  Lake  Erie,  wliere  they  were  met  by  Poatiac,  tlie  Indian  chief,  who  now  appears 
for  the  first  time  upon  the  pages  of  Michigan  history.  He  haughtily  demanded  of 
Rogers  why  he  should  appear  in  his  realm  with  his  forces  without  his  permission. 
The  major  informed  him  that  the  English  had  obtained  permission  of  Canada,  and 
that  he  was  on  his  way  to  Detroit  to  publish  the  fact,  and  to  restore  a  general  peace 
to  white  men  and  Indians  alike.  The  next  day  Pontiac  signified  his  willingness  to 
live  at  peace  with  the  English,  allowing  them  to  remain  in  his  country,  provided 
they  paid  him  due  respect.  He  knew  that  French  power  was  on  the  wane,  and 
that  it  was  to  the  interest  of  his  tribes  to  establish  an  early  peace  with  the  new 
power.  The  Indians,  who  had  collected  at  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit,  reported  400 
strong,  to  resist  the  coming  of  the  British  forces,  were  easily  influenced  by  Pontiac 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


to  yield  the  situation  to  Rogers.  Even  tlie  French  commandant  at  Detroit,  Capt. 
Beletre,  was  in  a  situation  similar  to  that  of  the  Indians,  and  received  the  news  of 
the  defeat  of  the  French  from  Major  Rogers.  He  was  indignant  and  incredulous, 
and  tried  to  rouse  the  fury  of  his  old-time  friends,  the  Indians,  but  found  them 
"faithless"  in  this  hour  of  his  need.  He  surrendered  with  an  ill  grace,  amid  the 
yells  of  several  hundred  Indian  warriors.  It  was  a  source  of  great  amazement 
to  the  Indians  to  see  so  many  men  surrender  to  so  few.  Nothing  is  more  effective 
in  gaining  the  respect  of  Indians  than  a  display  of  power,  and  the  above  proceed- 
ings led  them  to  be  overawed  by  English  powers.  They  were  astonished  also  at 
the  forbearance  of  the  conquerors  in  not  killing  their  vanquished  enemies  on  the 
spot.  This  surrender  of  Detroit  was  on  tlie  29th  of  November,  1760.  The  posts 
elsewhere  in  the  lake  region,  north  and  west;  were  not  reached  until  some  time 
afterward. 

The  English  now  thought  they  had  the  country  perfectly  in  their  own  hands, 
and  that  tliere  was  but  little  trouble  ahead  ;  but  in  this  respect  they  were  mistaken. 
The  French  renewed  their  efforts  to  circulate  reports  among  the  Indians  that  the 
English  intended  to  take  all  their  land  from  them,  etc.  Tlie  slaughter  of  the  Mo- 
nongahela,  the  massacre  at  Fort  William  Henry,  and  the  horrible  devastation  of  the 
western  frontier,  all  bore  witness  to  the  fact  that  the  French  were  successful  in  pre- 
judicing the  Indians  against  the  British,  and  the  latter  began  to  have  trouble  at 
various  points.  The  French  had  always  been  in  the  habit  of  making  presents  to 
the  Indians,  keeping  them  supplied  with  arms,  ammunition,  etc.,  and  it  was  not 
their  policy  to  settle  upon  their  lands.  The  British,  on  the  other  hand,  now  sup- 
plied them  with  nothing,  frequently  insulting  them  when  they  appeared  around 
the  forts.  Everything  conspired  to  fix  the  Indian  population  in  their  prejudices 
against  the  British  Government.  Even  the  seeds  of  the  American  Revolution  were 
scattered  into  the  west,  and  began  to  grow. 

The  first  Indian  chief  to  raise  the  wai'-whoop  was  probably  Kiashutd,  of  the 
Senecas,  but  Pontiac,  of  the  Ottawas,  was  the  great  George  Washington  of  all  the 
tribes  to  systemize  and  render  effectual  the  initial  movements  of  the  approaching 
storm.  His  home  was  about  eight  miles  above  Detroit,  on  Pechee  Island,  which 
looks  out  upon  the  waters  of  Lake  St.  Clair.  He  was  a  well-formed  man,  with  a 
countenance  indicating  a  high  degree  of  intelligence.  In  1746  he  had  successfully 
defended  Detroit  against  the  northern  tribes,  and  it  is  probable  he  was  present  and 
assisted  in  the  defeat  of  Braddock.  About  the  close  of  1762  he  called  a  general 
council  of  the  tribes,  sending  out  ambassadors  in  all  directions,  who,  with  the  war 
belt  of  wampum  and  the  tomahawk,  went  from  village  to  village,  and  camp  to  camp, 
informing  the  sachems  everywhere,  that  war  was  impending,  and  delivering  to  them 
the  message  of  Pontiac.     They  all  approved  the    message,  and    April  27,  1 763,  a 


;^ 


^ 


40  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


grand  council  was  held  near  Detroit,  when  Pontiao  stood  forth  in  war  paint  and 
delivered  "  the  great  speech  of  the  campaign."'  The  English  were  slow  to  perceive 
any  dangerous  conspiracy  in  progress,  and  when  the  blow  was  struck,  nine  out  of 
twelve  of  the  British  posts  were  surprised  and  destroyed.  Three  of  these  were 
witliin  the  bounds  of  this  State.  The  first  prominent  event  of  the  war  was  the 
massacre  at  Fort  Michilimackinac,  on  the  northernmost  point  of  the  southern 
peninsula,  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Mackinaw.  This  Indian  outrage  was  one 
of  the  most  ingeniously  devised  and  resolutely  executed  schemes  in  American  his- 
tory. The  Chippewas  (or  Ojibways)  appointed  one  of  their  big  ball  plays  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  post  and  invited  and  inveigled  as  many  of  the  occupants  as  they 
could  to  the  scene  of  play,  then  fell  upon  the  unsuspecting  and  unguarded  English 
in  the  most  brutal  manner.  For  the  details  of  this  horrible  scene  we  are  indebted 
to  Alexander  Henry,  a  trader  at  that  point,  who  experienced  several  most  blood- 
curdling escapes  from  death  and  scalping  at  the  hands  of  the  savages.  The  result 
of  the  massacre  was  the  death  of  about  seventy  out  of  ninety  persons.  The  Ottawa 
Indians,  who  occupied  mainly  the  eastern  portion  of  the  lower  peninsula,  were  not 
consulted  by  the  Chippewas,  with  reference  to  attacking  Michilimackinac,  and  were 
consequently  so  enraged  that  they  espoused  the  cause  of  the  English,  through 
spite ;  and  it  was  through  their  instrumentality  that  Mr.  Henry  and  some  of  his 
comrades  were  saved  from  death  and  conveyed  east  to  the  regions  of  civilization. 
Of  Mr.  Henry's  narrow  escapes  we  give  the  following  succinct  account:  Instead 
of  attending  the  ball  play  of  the  Indians  lie  spent  the  day  writing  letters  to  his 
friends,  as  a  canoe  was  to  leave  for  the  East  the  following  day.  While  thus 
engaged,  he  heard  an  Indian  war  cry  and  a  noise  of  general  confusion.  Looking 
out  of  the  window,  he  saw  a  crowd  of  Indians  within  the  fort,  that  is,  within  the 
village  palisade,  who  were  cutting  down  and  scalping  every  Englishman  they 
found.  He  seized  a  fowling  piece  which  he  had  at  hand,  and  waited  a  moment  for 
the  signal,  tlie  drum  beat  to  arms.  In  that  dreadful  interval  he  saw  several  of  his 
countrymen  fall  under  the  tomahawk  and  struggle  between  the  knees  of  an  Indian, 
who  held  him  in  this  manner  to  scalp  him,  while  still  alive.  Mr.  Henry  heard  no 
signal  to  arms;  and  seeing  it  was  useless  to  undertake  to  resist  400  Indians,  he 
thought  only  of  shelter  for  himself.  He  saw  many  of  the  Canadian  inhabitants  of 
the  fort  calmly  looking  on,  neither  opposing  the  Indians  nor  suffering  injury,  and  he 
therefore  concluded  he  might  find  safety  in  some  of  their  houses.  He  stealthily 
ran  to  one  occupied  by  Mr.  Langlade  and  family,  who  were  at  their  windows 
beholding  the  bloody  scene.  Mr.  Langlade  scarcely  dared  to  harbor  him,  but  a 
Pawnee  slave  of  the  former  concealed  him  in  the  garret,  locked  the  stairway  door 
and  took  away  the  key.  In  this  situation  Mr.  Henry  obtained,  through  an  aperture, 
a  view  of  what  was  going  on  without.     He  saw  the  dead  scalped  and  mangled,  the 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


dying  in  writhing  agony,  under  the  insatiate  knife  and  tomahawk,  and  the  savages 
drinking  human  blood  from  the  hollow  of  their  joined  hands  I  Mr.  Henry  almost 
felt  as  if  he  were  a  victim  himself  so  intense  were  his  sufferings.  Soon  the  Indian 
fiends  began  to  halloo,  "  All  is  finished."  At  this  instant  Henry  heard  some  of  the 
Indians  enter  the  house  he  had  taken  shelter.  The  garret  was  separated  from  the 
room  below  by  only  a  layer  of  single  boards,  and  Mr.  Henry  heard  all  that  was 
said.  As  soon  as  the  Indians  entered  they  inquired  whether  there  were  any  En- 
glishmen in  the  house.  Mr.  Langlade  replied  that  he  could  not  say ;  they  might 
examine  for  themselves.  He  then  conducted  them  to  the  garret  door.  As  the  door 
was  locked,  a  moment  of  time  was  snatched  by  Mr.  Henry  to  crawl  into  a  heap  of 
birch-bark  vessels  in  a  dark  corner ;  and  although  several  Indians  searched  around 
the  garret,  one  of  them  coming  within  arm's  length  of  the  sweating  prisoner,  they 
went  out  satisfied  that  no  Englishman  was  there. 

As  Mr.  Henry  was  passing  the  succeeding  night  in  this  room,  he  could  think 
of  no  possible  chance  of  escape  from  the  country.  He  was  out  of  provisions,  the 
nearest  post  was  Detroit,  400  miles  away,  and  the  route  thither  lay  through  the 
enemy's  country.  The  next  morning  he  heard  Indian  voices  below  informing  Mr. 
Langlade  that  they  had  not  found  an  Englishman  named  Henry  among  the  dead, 
and  they  believed  him  to  be  somewhere  concealed.  Mrs.  L.,  believing  that  the 
safety  of  the  household  depended  on  giving  tap  the  refugee  to  his  pursuers,  prevailed 
on  her  husband  to  lead  the  Indians  upstairs  to  the  room  of  Mr.  H.  The  latter  was 
saved  from  instant  death  by  one  of  the  savages  adopting  him  as  a  brother  in  the 
place  of  one  lost.  The  Indians  were  all  mad  with  liquor,  however,  and  Mr.  H. 
again  very  narrowly  escaped  death.  An  hour  afterwards  he  was  taken  out  of  the 
fort  by  an  Indian  indebted  to  him  for  goods,  and  was  under  the  uplifted  knife  of 
the  savage  when  he  suddenly  broke  away  from  him  and  made  back  to  Mr.  Lang- 
lade's house,  barely  escaping  the  knife  of  the  Indian  the  whole  distance.  The  next 
day  he,  with  tiiree  other  prisoners,  were  taken  in  a  canoe  toward  Lake  Michigan, 
and  at  Fox  Point,  eighteen  miles  distant,  the  Ottawas  rescued  the  whites  through 
spite  at  the  Chippewas,  sayir.g  that  the  latter  contemplated  killing  and  eating  them  ; 
but  the  next  day  they  were  returned  to  the  Chippewas,  as  the  result  of  some  kind 
of  agreement  about  the  conduct  of  the  war.  He  was  rescued  again  by  an  old 
friendly  Indian  claiming  him  as  a  brother.  The  next  morning  he  saw  the  dead 
bodies  of  seven  whites  dragged  forth  from  the  prison  lodge  he  had  just  occupied. 
Tiie  fattest  of  these  dead  bodies  was  actually  served  up  and  feasted  on  directly 
before  the  eyes  of  Mr.  Henry.  Through  the  partiality  of  the  Ottawas  and  the  com- 
plications of  militarj-  affairs  among  the  Indians,  Mr.  Henry,  after  severe  exposures 
and  many  more  thrilling  escapes,  was  finally  lauded  within  territory  occupied  by 
whites. 


V^ 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


For  more  than  a  year  after  the  massacre,  Michilimackinac   was  occupied  only 
by  wood  rangers  and  Indians  ;  then,  after  the  treaty,  Capt.  Howard  was  sent  with 


troops  to  take  possession. 


CHAPTER    IV, 


NATIONAL   POLICIES. 


The  Great  French  Scheme. — Soon  after  the  discovery  of  the  mouth  of  the 
Mississippi  by  La  Salle,  in  1682,  the  government  of  France  began  to  encourage  the 
policy  of  establishing  a  line  of  trading  posts  and  missionary  stations  extending 
through  the  West  from  Canada  to  Louisiana,  and  this  policy  was  maintained,  with 
partial  success,  for  about  seventy-five  j^ears. 

The  river  St.  Joseph,  of  Lake  Michigan,  was  called  "  the  river  Miamis "  in 
1679,  in  which  year  La  Salle  built  a  small  fort  on  its  bank,  near  the  lake  shore. 
The  principal  station  of  the  mission  for  the  instruction  of  the  Miamis  was  estab- 
lished on  the  borders  of  this  river.  The  first  French  post  within  the  territory  of 
the  Miamis  was  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Miamis,  on  an  eminence  naturally  forti- 
fied on  two  sides  by  the  river,  and  on  one  side  by  a  deep  ditch  made  by  a  fall  of 
water.  It  was  of  triangular  form.  The  missionary,  Hennepin,  gives  a  good 
description  of  it,  as  he  was  one  of  the  company  who  built  it  in  1679.  Says  he: 
"  We  felled  the  trees  that  were  on  the  top  of  the  bill,  and  having  cleared  the  same 
from  bushes  for  about  two  musket  shot,  we  began  to  build  a  redoubt  of  eighty  feet 
long  and  forty  feet  broad,  with  great  square  pieces  of  timber  laid  one  upon 
another,  and  prepared  a  great  number  of  stakes  of  about  twenty-five  feet 
long  to  drive  into  the  ground,  to  make  our  fort  more  inaccessible  on  the 
river  side.  We  employed  the  whole  month  of  November  about  that  work, 
which  was  very  hard,  though  we  had  no  other  food  but  the  bears'  flesh  our 
savage  killed.  These  beasts  are  very  common  in  that  place,  because  of  tlie  great 
quantity  of  grapes  they  find  there  ;  but  their  flesh  being  too  fat  and  luscious,  our 
men  began  to  be  weary  of  it,  and  desired  leave  to  go  a-hunting  to  kill  some 
wild  goats.  M.  La  Salle  denied  them  that  liberty,  which  caused  some  murmurs 
among  them,  and  it  was  but  unwillingly  that  they  continued  their  work.  This, 
together  with  the  approach  of  Winter  and  the  apprehension  that  M.  La  Salle  had 
that  his  vessel  (the  GrifSn)  was  lost,  made  him  very  melancholy,  though  he  con- 
cealed it  as  much  as  he  could.  We  made  a  cabin  wherein  we  performed  divine 
service  every  Sunday,  and  Father  Gabriel  and  I,  who  preached  alternately,  took 
care  to  take  such  texts  as  wei-e  suitable  to  our  present  circumstances  and  fit  to 


-^ 


HISTOIIY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


inspire  us  with  courage,  concord  and  brotherly  love.  .  .  .  The  fort  was  at  last 
perfected  and  called  Fort  Miamis." 

In  1765,  the  Miamis  nation,  or  confederacy,  was  composed  of  four  tribes, 
whose  total  number  of  warriors  was  estimated  at  only  1,050  men.  Of  these,  about 
250  were  Twight-wess  or  Miamis  proper,  300  Weas  or  Ouiate-nons,  300  Pianke- 
shaws  and  200  Schockeys,  and  at  this  time  the  principal  villages  of  the  Twight- 
wess  were  situated  about  the  head  of  the  Maumee  River,  at  and  near  the  place  where 
Fort  Wayne  now  is.  The  larger  Wea  villages  were  near  the  banks  of  the  Wabash 
River,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Ouiatenon  ;  and  the  Shockeys  and  Piaukeshaws  dwelt 
on  the  banks  of  the  Vermillion  and  on  the  borders  of  the  Wabash,  between  Vin- 
cennes  and  Ouiatenon.  Branches  of  the  Pottawatomie,  Shawnee,  Delaware  and 
Kickapoo  tribes  were  permitted  at  different  times  to  enter  within  tiie  boundaries  of 
the  Miamis  and  reside  for  a  while. 

The  wars  in  wliich  France  and  England  were  engaged  from  1688  to  1697, 
retarded  the  growth  of  the  colonies  of  those  nations  in  North  America,  and  the 
efforts  made  by  France  to  connect  Canada  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  by  a  chain  of 
trading-posts  and  colonies  naturally  excited  the  jealousy  of  England  and  gradually 
laid  the  foundation  for  a  struggle  at  arms.  After  several  stations  were  established 
elsewhere  in  the  West,  trading-posts  were  started  at  the  Miami  villages,  which  stood 
at  the  head  of  the  Maumee,  at  the  Wea  villages  about  Ouiatenon,  on  the  Wabash, 
and  at  the  Piankeshaw  villages  about  the  present  site  of  Vincennes.  It  is  probable 
that  before  the  close  of  the  year  1719,  temporary  trading-posts  were  erected  at  the 
sites  of  Fort  Wayne,  Ouiatenon  and  Vincennes.  The  points  were  probablj'  often 
visited  by  French  fur  traders  prior  to  1700.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  English  people 
in  this  country  commenced  also  to  establish  military  posts  west  of  the  Alleghanies, 
and  thus  matters  went  on  until  they  naturally  culminated  in  a  general  war,  which, 
being  waged  l)y  the  French  and  Indians  combined  on  one  side,  was  called  "  the 
French  and  Indian  war."  This  war  was  terminated  in  1763  by  a  treaty  at  Paris, 
by  which  France  ceded  to  Great  Britain  all  of  North  America  east  of  the  Mississippi 
except  New  Orleans  and  the  island  on  which  it  is  situated ;  and,  indeed,  France 
had  the  preceding  Autumn,  by  a  secret  convention,  ceded  to  Spain  all  the  country 
west  of  that  river. 

In  1762,  after  Canada  and  its  dependencies  had  been  surrendered  to  the  English, 
Pontiac  and  his  partisans  secretly  organized  a  powerful  confederacy  in  order  to 
crush  at  one  blow  all  English  power  in  the  West.  This  great  scheme  was  skillfully 
projected  and  cautiously  matured.  The  principal  act  in  tlie  programme  was  to  gain 
admittance  into  the  fort  at  Detroit,  on  pretense  of  a  friendly  visit,  with  shortened 
muskets  concealed  under  their  blankets,  and,  on  a  given  signal,  suddenly  break 
forth  upon  the  garrison  ;  but  an  inadvertent  remark  of  an  Indian  woman  led  to  a 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


discovery  of  the  plot,  which  was  consequently  averted.  Pontiac  and  his  warriors 
afterward  made  many  attacks  upon  the  English,  some  of  which  were  successful, 
but  the  Indians  were  finally  defeated  in  the  general  war. 

BRITISH    POLICY. 

In  1765  the  total  number  of  French  families  within  the  limits  of  the  North- 
western Territory  did  not  probably  exceed  600.  These  were  in  settlements  about 
Detroit,  along  the  river  Wabash  and  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Chartres  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi. Of  these  families,  about  eighty  or  ninety  resided  at  Post  Vincennes,  fourteen 
at  Fort  Ouiatenon,  on  the  Wabash,  and  nine  or  ten  at  the  confluence  of  the  St.  Mary 
and  St.  Joseph  rivers,  together  with  a  few  on  St.  Clair  lake  and  river. 

The  colonial  policy  of  the  British  Government  opposed  an}'  measures  which 
might  strengthen  settlements  in  the  interior  of  this  country,  lest  they  become  self- 
supporting  and  independent  of  the  mother  country;  hence  the  early  and  rapid  settle- 
ment of  the  Northwestern  Territory  was  still  furtlier  retarded  by  short-sighted  self- 
ishness of  England.  That  fatal  policy  consisted  mainly  in  holding  the  lands  in  the 
hands  of  the  government  and  not  allowing  it  to  be  subdivided  and  sold  to  settlers. 
But  in  spite  of  all  her  efforts  in  this  direction,  she  constantly  made  just  such  efforts 
as  provoked  the  American  people  to  rebel,  and  to  rebel  successfully,  which  was 
within  fifteen  years  after  the  perfect  close  of  the  French  and  Indian  war. 

AMERICAN   POLICY. 

Thomas  Jefferson,  the  shrewd  statesman  and  wise  Governor  of  Virginia,  saw 
from  the  first  that  actual  occupation  of  Western  lands  was  the  only  way  to  keep 
them  out  of  the  hands  of  foreigners  and  Indians.  Therefore,  directly  after  the  con- 
quest of  Vincennes  by  Clark  he  engaged  a  scientific  corps  to  proceed  under  an 
escort  to  the  Mississippi,  and  ascertain  by  celestial  observations  the  point  on  that 
river  intersected  by  latitude  36  deg.  31  min.,  the  southern  limit  of  the  State,  and  to 
measure  its  distance  to  the  Ohio.  To  Gen.  Clark  was  entrusted  the  conduct  of 
the  military  operations  in  that  quarter.  He  was  instructed  to  select  a  strong 
position  near  that  point  and  establish  there  a  fort  and  garrison  ;  thence  to  extend 
his  conquest  northward  to  the  lakes,  erecting  forts  at  different  points,  which  might 
serve  as  monuments  of  actual  possession,  besides  affording  protection  to  that  por- 
tion of  the  countr}-.  Fort  "  Jefferson  "  was  erected  and  garrisoned  on  the  Missis- 
sippi a  few  miles  above  the  southern  limit. 

The  result  of  these  operations  was  the  addition  to  the  chartered  limits  of  Vir- 
ginia, of  that  immense  region  known  as  the  "  Northwestern  Territory."  The  sim- 
ple fact  that  such  and  such  forts  were  established  by  the  Americans  in  this  vast 
region  convinced  the  Britisli  Commissioners  that  we  had  entitled  ourselves  to  the 
land.     But  where  are  those  "  monuments  "  of  our  power  now  ? 


jil 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


ORDINANCE    OF    1787. 

This  ordinance  has  a  marvelous  and  interesting  history.  Considerable  contro- 
versy has  been  indulged  in  as  to  who  is  entitled  to  the  credit  for  framing  it.  This  belongs 
undoubtedly,  to  Nathan  Dane  ;  and  to  Rufus  King  and  Timothy  Pickering  belong 
the  credit  for  suggesting  the  proviso  contained  in  it  against  slavery,  and  also  for 
aids  to  religion  and  knowledge,  and  for  assuring  forever  the  common  use,  without 
charge,  of  the  great  national  highways  of  the  Mississippi,  the  St.  Lawrence  and 
their  tributaries  to  all  the  citizens  of  the  United  States.  To  Thomas  Jefferson  is 
also  due  much  credit,  as  some  features  of  this  ordinance  were  embraced  in  his  ordin- 
ance of  1784.  But  the  part  taken  by  eacli  in  the  long,  laborious  and  eventful 
struggle  which  had  so  glorious  a  consummation  in  the  ordinance,  consecrating  for- 
ever, by  one  imprescriptible  and  unchangeable  monument,  the  very  heart  of  our 
country  to  freedom,  knowledge  and  union,  will  forever  honor  the  names  of  those 
illustrious  statesmen. 

Jefferson  had  vainly  tiied  to  secure  a  system  of  government  for  the  North- 
western Territorj'.  He  was  an  emancipationist  and  favored  the  exclusion  of  slavery 
from  the  Territory,  but  the  South  voted  him  down  every  time  he  proposed  a  meas- 
ure of  this  nature.  In  1787,  as  late  as  July  10,  an  organizing  act  without  the  anti- 
slavery  clause  was  pending.  This  concession  to  the  South  was  expected  to  carry 
it.  Congress  was  in  session  in  New  York.  On  July  5,  Rev.  Manasseh  Cutler  of 
Massachusetts,  came  into  New  York  to  lobby  on  the  Northwestern  Territory, 
Everything  seemed  to  fall  into  his  hands.  Events  were  ripe.  The  state  of  the 
public  credit,  the  growing  of  Southern  prejudice,  the  basis  of  his  mission,  his  per- 
sonal character,  all  combined  to  comjilete  one  of  those  sudden  and  marvelous  revo- 
lutions of  public  sentiment  that  once  in  five  or  ten  centuries  are  seen  to  sweep  over 
a  country  like  the  breath  of  the  Almighty. 

Cutler  was  a  graduate  of  Yale.  He  had  studied  and  taken  degrees  in  the 
three  learned  professions,  medicine,  law,  and  divinity.  He  had  published  a  scien- 
tific examination  of  the  plants  of  New  England.  As  a  scientist  in  America,  his 
name  stood  second  only  to  Franklin.  He  was  a  courtly  gentleman  of  the  old  style, 
a  man  of  commanding  presence  and  inviting  face.  The  Southern  members  said 
they  had  never  seen  such  a  gentleman  in  the  North.  He  came,  representing  a 
Massachusetts  company  that  desired  to  purchase  a  tract  of  land,  now  included  in 
Ohio  for  the  purpose  of  planting  a  colony.  It  was  a  speculation.  Government 
money  was  worth  eighteen  cents  on  the  dollar.  This  company  had  collected  enough 
to  purchase  1,500,000  acres  of  land.  Other  speculators  in  New  York  made  Ur. 
Cutler  their  agent,  which  enabled  him  to  represent  a  demand  for  5,500,000  acres. 
As  this  would  reduce  the  national  debt,  it  presented  a  good  opportunity  to  do 
something:. 


'y 


-►• 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Massachusetts  then  owned  the  territory  of  Maine,  which  she  was  crowding  on 
the  market.  She  was  opposed  to  opening  the  Northwestern  region.  This  fired 
the  zeal  of  Virginia.  The  South  caught  tlie  inspiration,  and  all  exalted  Dr.  Cutler. 
The  entire  South  rallied  around  him.  Massachusetts  could  not  vote  against  him, 
because  many  of  the  constituents  of  her  members  were  interested  personally  in  the 
Western  speculation.  Thus  Cutler  making  friends  in  the  South,  and  doubtless 
using  all  the  arts  of  the  lobby,  was  enabled  to  command  the  situation.  True  to 
deeper  convictions,  he  dictated  one  of  the  most  compact  and  finished  documents 
of  wise  statesmenship  that  has  ever  adorned  any  human  law  book. 

He  borrowed  from  Jefferson  the  term  "  Articles  of  Compact,"  which  preceding 
the  federal  constitution,  rose  into  the  most  sacred  character.  He  then  followed 
very  closely  the  constitution  of  Massachusetts,  adopted  three  years  before.  Its 
most  prominent  points  were  : 

1.  The  exclusion  of  slavery  from  the  territory  forever. 

2.  Provision  fur  public  schools,  giving  one  township  for  a  seminary  and  every 
section  numbered  16  in  each  township ;  that  is,  one  thirty-sixth  of  all  the  land  for 
public  schools. 

3.  A  provision  prohibiting  the  adoption  of  any  constitution  or  the  enactment 
of  any  law  that  should  nullify  pre-existing  contracts.  Be  it  forever  remembered 
that  this  compact  declared  that  "  religion,  morality  and  knowledge  being  necessary 
to  good  government  and  the  happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the  means  of  edu- 
cation shall  always  be  encouraged."  Dr.  Cutler  planted  himself  on  this  platform 
and  would  not  yield.  Giving  his  unqualified  declaration  that  it  was  that  or  noth- 
ing, he  took  his  horse  and  buggy  and  started  for  the  constitutional  convention  at 
Philadelphia.  On  July  13,  1787,  the  bill  was  put  upon  its  passage,  and  was  unani- 
mously adopted. 

Thus  the  great  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan  and  Wisconsin,  a  vast 
empire,  were  consecrated  to  freedom,  intelligence  and  morality.  Thus  the  great  heart 
of  the  nation  was  prepared  to  save  the  union  of  States,  for  it  was  this  act  that  was 
the  salvation  of  the  Republic  and  the  destruction  of  slavery.  Soon  the  South  saw 
their  great  blunder  and  tried  to  have  the  compact  repealed.  In  1803  Congress  re- 
ferred it  to  a  committee,  of  which  John  Randolph  was  chairman.  He  reported  that 
this  oi'dinance  was  a  compact,  and  opposed  repeal.  Thus  it  stood,  a  rock  in  the 
way  of  the  on-rushing  sea  of  slavery. 

The  "  Northwestern  Territory"  included,  of  course,  what  is  now  the  State  of 
Indiana,  and  October  5,  1787,  Major  General  Arthur  St.  Clair  was  elected  by  Con- 
gress, Governor  of  this  territory.  Upon  commencing  the  duties  of  his  office  he 
was  instructed  to  ascertain  the  real  temper  of  the  Indians,  and  do  all  in  his  power 
to  remove  the  causes  for  controversy  between  them  and   the  United  States,  and  to 


riV 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


effect  the  extinguishment  of  Indian  titles  to  all  the  land  possible.  The  Governor 
took  up  quarters  in  the  new  settlement  of  Marietta,  Ohio,  where  he  immediately 
began  the  organization  of  the  government  of  the  territory.  The  first  session  of 
the  General  Court  of  the  new  territory  was  held  at  that  place  in  1788,  the  judges 
being  Samuel  H.  Parsons,  James  M.  Varnum  and  John  C.  Syrames,  but  under  the 
ordinance,  Gov.  St.  Clair  was  president  of  the  court.  After  the  first  session,  and 
after  tiie  necessary  laws  for  government  were  adopted.  Gov.  St.  Clair,  accompanied 
by  the  judges,  visited  Kaskaskia  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  civil  government 
there.  Full  instructions  had  been  sent  to  Maj.  Hamtramck,  commandant  at  Vin- 
cennes,  to  ascertain  the  exact  feeling  and  temper  of  the  Indian  tribes  of  the 
Wabash.  The  instructions  were  accompanied  by  speeches  to  each  of  the  tribes.  A 
Frenchman,  named  Antoine  Gamelin,  was  dispatched  with  these  messages  April  5, 
1790,  who  visited  nearly  all  the  tribes  on  the  Wabash,  St.  Joseph,  and  St.  Mary's 
Rivers,  but  was  coldly  received,  most  of  the  chiefs  being  dissatisfied  with  the  policy 
of  the  Americans  toward  them,  and  prejudiced  through  English  misr(!presentation. 
Full  accounts  of  his  adventures  among  the  tribes,  reached  Gov.  St.  Clair  at  Kaskas- 
kia, in  June,  1790.  Being  satisfied  that  there  was  no  pi-ospectof  effecting  a  general 
peace  with  the  Indians  of  Indiana,  he  resolved  to  visit  Gen.  Harmar,  at  his  head- 
quarters at  Fort  Washington,  and  consult  with  him  on  the  means  of  carrying  on  an 
expedition  against  the  hostile  Indians ;  but  before  leaving  he  intrusted  Winthrop 
Sargent,  the  secretary  of  the  Territory,  with  the  execution  of  the  resolutions  of 
Congress  regarding  the  lands  and  settlers  on  the  Wabash.  He  directed  that  officer 
to  proceed  to  Vincennes,  lay  out  a  county  there,  establish  the  militia  and  appoint 
the  necessary  civil  and  military  officers.  Accordingly  Mr.  Sargent  went  to  Vin- 
cennes and  organized  Camp  Knox,  appointed  the  officers,  and  notified  the  inhabi- 
tants to  present  their  claims  to  lands.  In  establishing  these  claims  the  settlers 
found  great  difficulty,  and  concerning  this  matter  the  secretary  in  his  report  to  the 
president  wrote  as  follows  : 

Although  the  lands  and  lots  which  were  awarded  to  the  inhabitants  appeared 
from  very  good  oral  testimony  to  belong  to  those  persons  to  whom  they  were 
awarded,  either  by  original  grants,  purchase  or  inheritance,  yet  there  was  scarcely 
one  case  in  twenty  where  the  title  was  complete,  owing  to  the  desultory  manner  in 
which  public  business  had  been  transacted,  and  some  other  unfortunate  causes. 
The  original  concessions  by  the  French  and  British  commandants  were  generall}' 
made  upon  a  small  scrap  of  paper,  which  it  has  been  customary  to  lodge  in  the 
notary's  office,  who  has  seldom  kept  any  book  of  record,  but  committed  the  most 
important  land  concerns  to  loose  sheets,  which  in  process  of  time  have  come  into 
possession  of  persons  that  have  fraudulently  destroyed  them  ;  or  unacquainted  with 
their  consequence,  innocently  lost  or  trifled  them  away.     By  French  usage  they  are 


;t^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


considered  family  inlieritanees,  and  often  descend  to  women  and  cliildren.  In  one 
instance,  during  tlie  government  of  St.  Ange,  a  royal  notary  ran  off  with  all  the 
public  papers  in  his  possession,  as  by  a  certificate  produced  to  me.  And  I  am  very 
sorry  further  to  observe  that  in  the  ofBce  of  Mr.  Le  Grande,  which  continued  from 
1777  to  1787,  and  where  should  have  been  the  voucliers  for  imjiortant  land  transac- 
tions, the  records  have  been  so  falsified,  and  there  is  such  gross  fraud  and  forgery 
as  to  invalidate  all  evidence  and  information  which  might  be  otherwise  acquired 
from  his  papers. 

Mr.  Sargent  says  there  were  about  150  French  families  at  Vincennes  in  1790. 
The  heads  of  all  the  families  had  been  at  one  time  vested  with  certain  titles  to  a 
portion  of  the  soil ;  and  while  the  secretary  was  busy  in  straightening  out  those 
claims,  he  received  a  petition  signed  by  eighty  Americans,  asking  for  the  confirma- 
tion of  grants  of  land  ceded  by  the  Court,  organized  by  Col.  John  Todd,  under  the 
authority  of  Virginia.  With  reference  to  this  cause,  Congress,  March  3,  1691,  em- 
powered the  territorial  governor,  in  cases  where  land  had  been  actually  improved 
and  cultivated  under  a  supposed  grant  for  the  same,  to  confirm  to  the  persons  who 
made  such  improvements  the  lands  supposed  to  have  been  granted,  not,  however, 
exceeding  the  quantity  of  1,100  acres  to  any  one  person. 


CHAPTER   V. 

MILITARY     HISTORY. 

PONTIAC'S     SIEGE     OF     DETROIT. 

In  the  Spring  of  1763  Pontiac  determined  to  take  Detroit  bj'  an  ingenious 
attack.  He  had  his  men  file  off  their  guns  so  that  they  would  be  short  enough  to 
conceal  under  their  blanket  clothing  as  they  entered  the  fortification.  A  Canadian 
woman  who  went  over  to  their  village  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  to  obtain  some 
venison,  saw  them  thus  at  woik  on  their  guns,  and  suspected  they  were  preparing 
for  an  attack  on  the  whites.  She  told  her  neighbors  what  she  had  seen,  and  one  of 
them  informed  the  commandant,  Major  Gladwyn,  who  at  first  slighted  the  advice, 
but  before  another  day  had  passed  he  had  full  knowledge  of  the  plot.  There  is  a 
legend  that  a  beautiful  Chippewa  girl,  well-known  to  Gladwyn,  divulged  to  him  the 
scheme  which  the  Indians  had  in  view,  namely,  that  the  next  day  Pontiac  would 
come  to  the  fort  with  sixty  of  his  chiefs,  each  armed  with  a  gun  cut  short  and 
hidden  under  his  blanket  ;  that  Pontiac  would  demand  a  council,  deliver  a  speech, 
offer  a  peace-belt  of  wampum,  holding   it  in  a  reversed   position  as  the  signal  for 


-®l>>. 


:^ 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


attack ;  that  the  chiefs,  sitting  upon  the  ground,  would  then  spring  up  and  fire 
upon  tlie  officers,  and  the  Indians  out  in  the  streets  would  next  fall  upon  the 
garrison,  and  kill  everj'  Englishman  but  spare  all  the  French. 

Gladwyn  accordingly  put  the  place  in  a  state  of  defence  as  well  as  he  could, 
and  arranged  for  a  quiet  reception  of  the  Indians  and  a  sudden  attack  upon  them 
when  he  should  give  a  signal.  At  10  o'clock,  May  7,  according  to  the  girl's  pre- 
diction, the  Indians  came,  entered  the  fort,  and  proceeded  with  the  programme, 
but  witl)  some  hesitation,  as  they  saw  their  plot  was  discovered.  Pontiac  made 
his  speech,  professing  friendship  for  the  English,  etc.,  and  without  giving  his  signal 
for  attack,  sat  down  and  heard  Major  Gladwyn's  reply,  who  suffered  him  and  his 
men  to  retire  unmolested.  He  probably  feared  to  take  them  as  prisoners,  as  war 
was  not  actually  commenced. 

The  next  day  Pontiac  determined  to  try  again,  but  was  refused  entrance  at  the 
gate  unless  he  should  come  in  alone.  He  turned  away  in  a  rage,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  some  of  his  men  commenced  the  peculiarly  Indian  work  of  attacking  an 
innocent  household  and  murdering  them,  just  be3'ond  the  range  of  British  guns. 
Another  squad  murdered  an  Englishman  on  an  island  at  a  little  distance.  Pontiac 
did  not  authorize  the  proceedings,  but  retired  across  the  river  and  ordered  pre- 
parations to  be  made  for  taking  the  fort  by  direct  assault,  the  headquarters  of  the 
camp  to  be  on  "  Bloody  Run,"  west  of  the  river.  Meanwhile  the  garrison  was 
kept  in  readiness  for  any  out-break.  The  very  next  day  Pontiac,  having  received 
reinforcements  from  the  Chippewas  of  Saginaw  Bay,  commenced  the  attack,  but 
was  repulsed;  no  deaths  upon  either  side.  Gladwyn  sent  ambassadors  to  arrange 
for  peace,  but  Pontiac,  although  professing  to  be  willing,  in  a  general  way,  to  con- 
clude peace,  would  not  agree  to  any  particular  proposition.  A  number  of  Canadians 
visited  the  fort  and  warned  the  commandant  to  evacuate,  as  1,500  or  more  Indians 
would  storm  the  place  in  an  hour ;  and  soon  afterward  a  Canadian  came  with  a 
summons  from  Pontiac,  demanding  Gladwyn  to  surrender  the  post  at  once,  and 
promising  that,  in  case  of  comjiliance,  he  and  his  men  would  be  allowed  to  go  on 
board  their  vessels  unmolested,  leaving  their  arms  and  effects  behind.  To  both 
these  advices  Major  Gladwyn  gave  a  flat  refusal. 

Only  three  weeks'  provisions  were  within  the  fort,  and  the  garrison  was  in  a 
deplorable  condition.  A  few  Canadians,  however,  from  across  the  river,  sent  some 
provisions  occasionally,  by  night.  Had  it  not  been  for  this  timely  assistance,  the 
garrison  would  doubtless  have  had  to  abandon  the  fort.  The  Indians  themselves 
soon  began  to  suffer  from  hunger,  as  they  had  not  prepared  for  a  long  siege  ;  but 
Pontiac,  after  some  maraudings  upon  the  French  settlei-s  had  been  made,  issued 
"  promise  to  pay  "  on  birch  bark,  with  which  he  pacified  the  residents.  He  sub- 
sequently redeemed  all  these  notes.     About  the  end  of  July,  Capt.  Dalzell  arrived 

4 


't^ 


HISTORY  OP   MICHIGAN. 


from  Niagara  with  reinforcements  and  provisions,  and  persuaded  Gladwyn  to  under- 
take an  aggressive  movement  against  Pontiac.  Dalzell  was  detailed  for  the  purpose 
of  attacking  the  camp  at  Parents'  Creek,  a  mile  and  a  half  away,  but,  being  delayed 
a  day,  Pontiac  learned  of  his  movements,  and  prepared  his  men  to  contest  his  march. 
On  the  next  morning,  July  31,  before  day-break,  Dalzell  went  out  with  250  men, 
but  was  repulsed  with  a  loss  of  fifty-nine  killed  and  wounded,  while  the  Indians 
lost  less  than  half  that  number.  Parents'  Creek  was  afterward  known  as  "  Bloody 
Run." 

Shortly  afterward,  the  schooner  "  Gladwyn,"  on  its  return  from  Niagara,  with 
ammunition  and  provisions,  anchored  about  nine  miles  below  Detroit  for  the  night, 
when  in  the  darkness  about  300  Indians  in  canoes  came  quietly  upon  the  vessel 
and  very  nearly  succeeded  in  taking  it.  Slaughter  proceeded  vigorously  until  the 
mate  gave  orders  to  his  men  to  blow  \ip  the  schooner,  when  the  Indians  under- 
standing the  design,  fled  precipitately,  plunging  into  the  water  and  swimming 
ashore.  This  desperate  command  saved  the  crew,  and  the  schooner  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  post  with  the  much-needed  supply  of  provisions. 

By  this  time,  September,  most  of  the  tribes  around  Detroit  were  disposed  to 
sue  for  peace.  A  truce  being  obtained,  Gladwyn  laid  in  provisions  for  the  Winter, 
while  Pontiac  retired  with  his  chiefs  to  the  Maumee  country,  only  to  prepare  for  a 
resumption  of  war  the  next  Spring.  He  or  his  allies  the  next  season  carried  on  a 
petty  warfare  until  in  August  when  the  garrison,  now  worn  out  and  reduced,  were 
relieved  by  fresh  troops.  Major  Bradstreet  commanding.  Pontiac  retired  to  the 
Maumee  again,  still  to  stir  up  hate  against  the  British.  Meanwhile  the  Indians 
near  Detroit,  scarcely  comprehending  what  they  were  doing,  were  induced  by 
Bradstreet  to  declare  themselves  subjects  of  Great  Britain.  An  embassy  sent  to 
Pontiac  induced  him  also  to  cease  belligerent  operations  against  the  British. 

In  1769  the  great  chief  and  warrior,  Pontiac,  was  killed  in  Illinois  by  a  Kaskas- 
kia  Indian,  for  a  barrel  of  whisky  offered  by  an  Englishman  named  Williamson. 

EXPEDITIONS   OF    HARMAR,    SCOTT   AND    WILKINSON. 

Gov.  St.  Clair,  on  his  arrival  at  Fort  Washington  from  Kaskaskia,  had  a  long 
conversation  with  Gen.  Harmar,  and  concluded  to  send  a  powertul  force  to  chastise 
the  savages  about  the  head-waters  of  the  Wabash.  He  had  been  empowered  by 
the  President  to  call  on  Virginia  for  1,000  troops  and  on  Pennsylvania  for  500,  and 
he  immediately  availed  himself  of  this  resource,  ordering  300  of  the  Virginia  mili- 
tia to  muster  at  Fort  Steuben,  and  march  with  the  garrison  of  that  fort  to  Vin- 
cennes,  and  join  Maj.  Hamtramgk,  who  had  orders  to  call  for  aid  from  the  militia  of 
Vincennes,  march  u^j  the  Wabash  and  attack  any  of  the  Indian  villages  which  he 
might  think  he  could  overcome. 


^. 


HISTORY   OF  UnCHIGAN. 


The  remaining  1,200  of  the  militia  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Fort  Wash- 
ington, and  to  join  the  regular  troops  at  that  post  under  Gen.  Harmar.  At  this 
time  the  United  States  troops  in  the  West  were  estimated  by  Gen.  Harmar  at  400 
effective  men.  These,  with  the  militia,  gave  him  a  force  of  1,450  men.  With  this 
army  Gen.  Harmar  marched  from  Fort  Wasliington,  September  30,  and  arrived 
at  the  Maumee,  October  17.  They  commenced  the  work  of  punishing  the  Indians, 
but  were  not  very  successful.  The  savages,  it  is  true,  received  a  severe  scourging, 
but  the  militia  behaved  so  badly  as  to  be  of  little  or  no  service.  A  detachment  of 
o40  militia  and  sixty  regulars,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Hardin,  were  sorely 
defeated  on  the  Maumee  October  22.  The  next  day  the  army  took  up  the  line  of 
march  for  Fort  Washington,  wliich  place  they  reached  November  4,  having  lost  in 
the  expedition  183  killed  and  thirty-one  wounded  ;  the  Indians  lost  about  as  many. 
During  the  progress  of  this  expedition  Maj.  Hamtramck  marched  up  the  Wabash 
from  Vincennes,  as  far  as  the  Vermillion  river,  and  destroyed  several  deserted  vil- 
lages, but  without  finding  an  enemy  to  oppose  him.  Although  the  savages  seem  to 
have  been  severely  punished  by  these  expeditions,  yet  they  refused  to  sue  for  peace, 
and  continued  their  hostilities.  Thereupon,  the  inhabitants  of  the  frontier  settle- 
ments of  Virginia  took  alarm,  and  the  delegates  of  Ohio,  Monongahela,  Harrison, 
Randolph,  Greenbrier,  Kanawah  and  Montgomery  counties  sent  a  joint  memorial 
to  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  saying  that  the  defenseless  condition  of  the  counties, 
forming  aline  of  nearly  400  miles  along  the  Ohio  river,  exposed  to  the  hostile  inva- 
sion of  their  Indian  enemies,  destitute  of  every  kind  of  support,  was  truly  alarm- 
ing, for,  notwithstanding  all  the  regulations  of  the  General  Government  in  that 
country,  they  have  reason  to  lament  tliat  they  have  been  up  to  that  time  ineffectual 
for  their  protection ;  nor  indeed  could  it  be  otherwise,  for  the  garrisons  kept  by  the 
Continental  troops  on  the  Ohio  River,  if  of  any  use  at  all,  must  protect  only  the 
Kentucky  settlement,  as  they  immediately  covered  that  country.  They  further 
stated  in  their  memorial,  "  We  beg  leave  to  observe  that  we  have  reason  to  fear 
that  the  consequences  of  tlie  defeat  of  our  army  by  the  Indians  in  the  late  expe- 
dition will  be  severely  felt  on  our  frontiers,  as  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  Indians 
will,  in  their  turn,  being  flushed  with  victory,  invade  our  settlements  and  exercise 
all  their  horrid  murder  upon  the  inhabitants  thereof  whenever  the  weather  will 
permit  them  to  travel.  Then,  is  it  not  better  to  support  us  where  we  are,  be  the 
expense  what  it  may,  than  to  oblige  such  a  number  of  your  brave  citizens,  who 
have  so  long  supported,  and  still  continue  to  support,  a  dangerous  frontier  (although 
thousands  of  their  relatives  in  the  flesh  have  in  the  prosecution  thereof  fallen  a 
sacrifice  to  the  savage  inventions)  to  quit  the  country,  after  all  they  have  done  and 
suffered,  when  you  know  that  a  frontier  must  be  supported  somewhere?  " 

This  memorial  caused  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  to  authorize  the  Governor  of 


r^ 


HISTORY   OP  MICHIGAN. 


that  State  to  make  any  defensive  operations  necessary  for  the  temporary  defense  of 
the  frontiers,  until  the  General  Government  could  adopt  and  carry  out  measures  to 
suppress  the  hostile  Indians.  The  Governor  at  once  called  upon  the  military  com- 
manding oflScers  in  the  western  counties  of  Virginia  to  raise  by  the  first  of  March, 
1791,  several  small  companies  for  this  purpose.  At  the  same  time  Charles  Scott 
was  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  the  Kentucky  Militia,  with  authority  to  raise 
226  volunteers,  to  protect  the  most  exposed  portions  of  that  district.  A  full  report 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  Virginia  Legislature  being  transmitted  to  Congress,  that 
body  constituted  a  local  Board  of  War  for  the  district  of  Kentucky,  consisting  of 
five  men.  March,  1791,  Gen.  Henry  Knox,  Secretary  of  War,  sent  a  letter  of 
instructions  to  Gen.  Scott,  recommending  an  expedition  of  mounted  men  not 
exceding  750  men,  against  the  Wea  towns  on  the  Wabash.  With  this  force  Gen. 
Scott,  accordingly,  crossed  the  Ohio,  May  23,  1791,  and  reached  the  Wabash  in 
about  ten  days.  Many  of  the  Indians,  having  discovered  his  approach,  fled,  tut  he 
succeeded  in  destroying  all  the  villages  around  Ouiatenon,  together  with  several 
Kickapoo  towns,  killing  thirty-two  warriors  and  taking  fifty-eight  prisoners.  He 
released  a  few  of  the  most  infirm  prisoners,  giving  them  a  "talk,"  which  they  car- 
ried to  the  towns  further  up  the  Wabash,  and  which  the  wi'etched  condition  of  his 
horses  prevented  him  from  reaching. 

March  3,  1791,  Congress  provided  for  raising  and  equipping  a  regiment  for  the 
protection  of  the  frontiers,  and  Gov.  St.  Clair  was  invested  with  the  chief  command 
of  about  3,000  troops,  to  be  raised  and  employed  against  the  hostile  Indians  in  the 
territory  over  which  his  jurisdiction  extended.  He  was  instructed  by  the  Secretary 
of  War  to  march  to  the  Miami  village  and  establish  a  strong  and  permanent  mili- 
tary post  there,  also  such  posts  elsewhere  along  the  Oliio  as  would  be  in  communi- 
cation with  Fort  Washington.  The  post  at  Miami  Village  was  intended  to  keep 
the  savages  in  that  vicinity  in  check,  and  was  ordered  to  be  strong  enough  in  its 
garrison  to  afford  a  detachment  of  500  or  600  men  in  case  of  emergency,  either  to 
chastise  any  of  the  Wabash  or  other  hostile  Indians  or  capture  convoys  of  the 
enemy's  provisions.  The  Secretary  of  War  also  urged  Gov.  St.  Clair  to  establish 
that  post  as  the  first  and  most  important  part  of  the  campaign.  In  case  of  a  pre- 
vious treaty,  the  Indians  were  to  be  conciliated  upon  this  point,  if  possible  ;  and  he 
presumed  good  arguments  might  be  offered  to  induce  their  acquiescence.  Said  he  : 
"  Having  commenced  your  march  upon  the  main  expedition,  and  the  Indians  con- 
tinuing hostile,  you  will  use  every  possible  exertion  to  make  them  feel  the  effects 
of  your  superiority  ;  and,  after  having  arrived  at  the  Miami  village  and  put  your 
works  in  a  defensible  state,  you  will  seek  the  enemy  with  the  whole  of  your  remain- 
ing force,  and  endeavor  by  all  possible  means  to  strike  them  with  great  severity." 

"In  order  to  avoid  future  wars,  it  might  be  proper  to  make  the  Wabash  and  thence 


iht. 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


over  to  the  Maumee,  and  down  the  same  to  its  mouth,  at  Lake  Erie,  the  boundary  be- 
tween the  people  of  the  United  States  and  the  Indians  (excepting  so  far  as  the  same 
should  relate  to  the  Wyandots  and  Delawares),  on  the  supposition  of  their  continu- 
ing faithful  to  the  treaties  ;  but  if  they  should  join  in  the  war  against  the  United 
States,  and  your  army  be  victorious,  the  said  tribes  ought  to  be  removed  without  the 
boundaries  mentioned." 

Previous  to  marching  a  strong  force  to  the  Miami  town.  Gov.  St.  Clair,  June 
25,  1791,  authorized  Gen.  Wilkinson  to  conduct  a  second  expedition,  not  exceeding 
500  mounted  men,  against  the  Indian  villages  on  the  Wabash.  Accordingly,  Gen. 
Wilkinson  mustered  his  forces  and  was  ready  July  20,  to  march  with  625  mounted 
volunteers,  well  armed,  and  provided  with  30  days'  provisions,  and  with  this  force 
he  reached  the  Ke-na-pa-com-a-qua  village  on  the  north  bank  of  Eel  River,  about 
six  miles  above  its  mouth,  Aug.  7,  where  he  killed  six  warriors  and  took  34 
prisoners. 

This  town,  which  was  scattered  along  the  river  for  three  miles,  was  totally 
destroyed.  Wilkinson  encamped  on  the  ruins  of  the  town  that  night,  and  the 
next  day  he  commenced  his  march  for  the  Kickapoo  town,  on  the  prairie  which  he 
was  unable  to  reach  owing  to  the  impassable  condition  of  the  route  which  he  adopted 
and  the  failing  condition  of  his  horses.  He  reported  the  estimated  result  of  the 
expedition  as  follows  :  "  I  have  destroyed  the  chief  town  of  the  Ouiatenon  nation, 
and  have  made  prisoners  of  the  sons  and  sisters  of  the  king.  I  have  burned  a 
respectable  Kickapoo  village,  and  cut  down  at  least  400  acres  of  corn,  chiefly  in 
the  milk." 

EXPEDITIONS   OF    ST.    CLAIR   AND   WAYNE. 

The  Indians  were  greatly  damaged  by  the  expeditions  of  Harmar,  Scott  and 
Wilkinson,  but  were  far  from  being  subdued.  They  regarded  the  policy 
of  the  United  States  as  calculated  to  exterminate  them  from  the  land;  and, 
goaded  on  by  the  English  of  Detroit,  enemies  of  the  Americans,  they  were  excited 
to  desperation.  At  this  time  the  Britisli  Government  still  supported  garrisons 
at  Niagara,  Detroit  and  Michilimackinac,  although  it  was  declared  by  the  second 
article  of  the  definite  treaty  of  peace  of  1783,  tliat  the  King  of  Great  Britain  would, 
"  with  all  convenient  speed,  and  without  causing  any  destruction  or  carrying  away 
any  negroes  or  property  of  the  American  inhabitants,  withdraw  all  his  forces,  gar- 
risons ar.d  fleets  from  the  United  States,  and  from  every  post  harbor  and  place 
within  the  same."  That  treaty  also  provided  that  the  creditors  on  either  side 
should  meet  with  no  lawful  impediments  to  tlie  recovery  to  the  full  value,  in  sterl- 
ing money,  of  all  bona  fide  debts  previously  contracted.  The  Britisli  Government 
claimed  that  the  United  Slates  had  broken  faith  in  this  particular  understanding 
of  the  treaty,  and  in  consequence  refused  to  withdraw  its  forces  from  the  territory. 


rrv^ 


V^i: 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


The  British  garrisons  in  the  Lake  Region  were  a  source  of  much  annoyance  to  the 
Americans,  as  they  afforded  succor  to  the  hostile  Indians,  encouraging  them  to 
make  raids  among  the  Americans.  This  state  of  affairs  in  the  territory  north- 
west of  the  Ohio,  continued  from  the  commencement  of  tlie  Revolutionary  war  to 
1796,  when  under  a  second  treaty  all  British  soldiers  were  withdrawn  from  the 
country. 

In  September,  1791,  St.  Clair  moved  from  Fort  Washington  with  about  2,000 
men,  and  November  3,  the  main  army,  consisting  of  about  1,400  effective  troops, 
moved  forward  to  the  head-waters  of  the  Wabash,  where  Fort  Recovery  was  after- 
ward erected,  and  here  the  army  encamped.  About  1,200  Indians  were  secreted 
a  few  miles  distant,  awaiting  a  favorable  opportunity  to  begin  an  attack,  which 
they  improved  on  the  morning  of  Nov.  4,  about  half  an  hour  before  sunrise.  The 
attack  was  first  made  upon  the  militia,  which  immediately  gave  way.  St.  Clair 
was  defeated  and  he  returned  to  Fort  Washington  with  a  broken  and  dispirited 
army,  having  lost  39  officers  killed,  and  539  men  killed  and  missing  ;  22  ofiBcers 
and  232  men  were  wounded.  Several  pieces  of  artillery  and  all  the  baggage, 
ammunition  baggage  and  provisions  were  left  on  the  field  of  l)attle  and  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  victorious  Indians.  The  stores  and  other  public  property  lost  in  the 
action  were  valued  at  $32,800.  There  were  also  100  or  more  American  women 
with  the  army  of  the  whites,  very  few  of  whom  escaped  the  cruel  carnage  of  the 
savage  Indians.  The  latter,  characteristic  of  their  brutal  nature,  proceeded  in  the 
rush  of  victory  to  perpetrate  the  most  horrible  acts  of  cruelty  and  barbarity  upon 
tlie  bodies  of  the  living  and  the  dead  Americans  who  fell  into  their  hands.  Believ- 
ing that  the  whites  had  made  war  for  many  years  merely  to  acquire  land,  the 
Indians  crammed  clay  and  sand  into  the  eyes  and  down  the  throats  of  the  dying 
and  the  dead  ! 

GEN.  Wayne's  great  victory. 

Although  no  particular  blame  was  attached  to  Gov.  St.  Clair  for  the  loss  in 
tliis  expedition,  yet  he  resigned  the  office  of  major-general,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Anthou}'  Wayne,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Early  in  1792, 
preparations  were  made  by  the  General  Government  for  re-organizing  the  army,  so 
tliat  it  should  consist  of  an  eflScient  degree  of  strength.  Wayne  arrived  at  Pitts- 
burgh in  June,  where  the  army  was  to  rendezvous.  Here  he  continued  actively 
engaged  in  organizing  and  training  his  forces  until  October,  1793,  when  with  an 
army  of  about  3,600  men,  he  moved  westward  to  Fort  Wasliington. 

While  Wayne  was  preparing  for  an  offensive  campaign,  every  possible  means 
was  employed  to  induce  the  hostile  tribes  of  the  Northwest  to  enter  into  a  general 
treaty  of  peace  with  the  American  Government ;  speeches  were  sent  among  them, 
and  agents  to  make  treaties  were  also  sent,  but  little  was  accomplished.      Major 


fe^ 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Hamtramck,  who  still  remained  at  Viucennes,  succeeded  in  concluding  a  general 
peace  with  the  Wabash  and  Illinois  Indians ;  but  the  tribes  more  immediately  under 
the  influence  of  the  British,  refused  to  hear  the  sentiments  of  friendship  that  were 
sent  among  them,  and  tomahawked  several  of  the  messengers.  Their  courage  had 
been  aroused  by  St.  Clair's  defeat,  as  well  as  by  the  unsuccessful  expedition  which 
had  preceded  it,  and  they  now  felt  quite  prepared  to  meet  a  superior  force  under 
Gen.  Wayne.  The  Indians  insisted  on  the  Ohio  River  as  the  boundary  line  between 
their  lands  and  the  lands  of  the  United  States,  and  felt  certain  that  they  could 
maintain  that  boundary.  Maj.  Gen.  Scott,  with  about  1,600  mounted  volunteers 
from  Kentucky,  joined  the  regular  troops  under  Gen.  Wayne,  July  26, 1794,  and  on 
the  28th,  the  united  forces  began  their  march  on  the  Indian  towns  of  the  Maumee 
River.  Arriving  at  the  mouth  of  the  Auglaize,  the}-  erected  Fort  Defiance,  and  on 
August  15,  the  army  advanced  toward  the  British  fort  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of 
the  Maumee,  wliere  on  the  20th,  almost  within  reach  of  the  British,  the  American 
army  obtained  a  decisive  victory  over  the  combined  forces  of  the  hostile  Indians 
and  a  considerable  number  of  the  Detroit  Br.  militia.  The  number  of  the  enemy  was 
estimated  at  2,000,  against  about  900  American  troops  actually  engaged.  This 
horde  of  savages,  as  soon  as  the  action  began,  abandoned  themselves  to  flight  and 
dispersed  with  terror  and  dismay,  leaving  Wayne's  victorious  army  in  full  and  quiet 
possession  of  the  field.  The  Americans  lost  thirty-three  killed  and  one  hundred 
wounded  ;  while  the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  more  than  double  this  number. 

The  army  remained  three  days  and  nights  on  the  banks  of  the  Maumee, 
in  front  of  the  field  of  battle,  during  which  time  all  the  houses  and  corn- 
fields were  consumed  and  destroyed  for  a  considerable  distance  both  above  and  be- 
low Fort  Miami,  as  well  as  within  pistol  shot  of  the  British  garrison,  who  were 
compelled  to  remain  idle  spectators  to  this  general  devastation  and  conflagration, 
among  which  were  the  houses,  stores  and  property  of  Col.  McKee,  the  British 
Indian  agent  and  "principal  instigator  of  the  war  then  existing  between  the 
United  States  and  savages."  On  the  return  march  to  Fort  Defiance  the  villages 
and  cornfields  for  about  fifty  miles  on  each  side  of  the  Maumee  were  destroyed,  as 
well  as  those  for  a  considerable  distance  around  that  post. 

September  14,  1794,  the  army  under  Gen.  Wayne  commenced  its  march  toward 
the  deserted  Miami  villages  at  tlie  confluence  of  St.  Joseph  and  St.  Mary's  rivers, 
arriving  October  17,  and  on  the  following  day  the  site  of  Fort  Wayne  was  selected. 
The  fort  was  completed  November  22,  and  garrisoned  by  a  strong  detachment  of 
infantry  and  artillery,  under  the  command  of  Col.  John  F.  Hamtramck,  who  gave 
to  the  new  fort  the  name  of  Fort  Wa3'ne.  In  1814,  a  new  fort  was  built  on  the 
site  of  this  structure.  The  Kentucky  volunteers  returned  to  Fort  Washington  and 
were  mustered  out  of  service.     Gen.  Wayne,  with  the   Federal  troops,  marched  to 


"  ^s r- 


HISTORY   OP  MICHIGAN. 


Greenville  and  took  up  his  headquarters  during  the  Winter.  Here  in  August,  1795, 
after  several  months  of  active  negotiation,  this  gallant  officer  succeeded  in  conclud- 
ing a  getieral  treaty  of  peace  with  all  the  hostile  tribes  of  the  Northwestern  Ter- 
ritory. This  treaty  opened  the  way  for  the  flood  of  immigration  for  man}'  years,  and 
ultimately  made  the  States  and  Territories  now  constituting  the  mighty  Northwest. 

Up  to  the  organization  of  the  Indiana  Territory  there  is  but  little  history'  to 
record  apart  from  those  events  connected  with  military  affairs.  In  July  1796,  as 
before  stated,  after  a  treaty  was  concluded  between  the  United  States  and  Spain, 
the  British  garrisons,  with  their  arms,  artillery  and  stores  were  withdrawn  from 
the  posts  within  the  boundaries  of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the  Ohio  River, 
and  a  detachment  of  American  troops,  consisting  of  sixty-five  men,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Capt.  Moses  Porter,  took  possession  of  the  evacuated  post  of  Detroit  in 
the  same  month. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1796  Winthrop  Sargent  went  to  Detroit  and  organized 
the  county  of  Wayne,  forming  a  part  of  the  Indiana  Territory  until  its  division  in 
1805,  when  the  Territory  of  Michigan  was  organized. 

REVOLUTIONARY   WAR. 

By  this  important  struggle  the  territory  of  the  present  State  of  Michigan  was 
but  little  affected,  the  posts  of  Detroit  and  Mackinaw  being  the  principal  points 
whence  the  British  operated  among  the  Indians  to  prejudice  them  against  the 
"  Americans,"  going  so  far  as  to  pay  a  reward  for  scalps,  which  the  savages,  of 
course,  hesitated  not  to  take  from  defenseless  inhabitants.  The  expeditions  made 
by  the  Indians  for  this  purpose  were  even  supported  sometimes  by  the  regular 
troops  and  local  militia.  One  of  these  joint  expeditions,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Byrd,  set  out  from  Detroit  to  attack  Louisville,  Ky.  It  proceeded  in  boats  as  far 
as  it  could  ascend  the  Maumee,  and  thence  crossed  to  the  Ohio  River,  on  which 
stream  Ruddle's  Station  was  situated,  which  surrendered  at  once,  without  fighting, 
under  the  promise  of  being  protected  from  the  Indians  ;  but  this  promise  was 
broken  and  all  the  prisoners  massacred. 

Another  expedition  under  Gov.  Hamilton,  the  commandant  at  Detroit,  started 
out  iu  1778,  and  appeared  at  Vincennes,  Ind.,  with  a  force  of  thirty  regulars,  fifty 
French  volunteers  and  about  400  Indians.  At  this  fort  the  gan-ison  consisted  of 
only  Capt.  Helm  and  one  soldier  named  Henry.  Seeing  the  troops  at  a  distance, 
they  loaded  a  cannon,  which  they  placed  in  the  open  gateway,  and  Capt.  Helm 
stood  by  the  cannon  with  a  lighted  match.  When  Hamilton  with  his  army 
approached  within  hailing  distance,  Helm  called  out  with  a  loud  voice,  "  Halt !" 
This  show  of  resistance  made  Hamilton  stop  and  demand  a  surrender  of  the  garri- 
son.    "  No  man,"  exclaimed  Helm,  with  an  oath,  "  enters  here  until  I  know  the 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


terms."  Hamilton  replied,  "  You  shall  have  the  honor  of  war."  Helm  thereupon 
surrendered  the  fort,  and  the  whole  garrison,  consisting  of  the  two  already  named, 
marched  out  and  received  the  customary  marks  of  respect  for  their  brave  defense. 
Hamilton  was  soon  after  made  to  surrender  this  place  to  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark, 
the  ablest  American  defender  in  the  West.  The  British  soldiers  were  allowed  to 
return  to  Detroit ;  but  their  commander,  who  was  known  to  have  been  active  in 
instigating  Indian  barbarities,  was  put  in  irons  and  sent  to  Virginia  as  a  prisoner 
of  war. 

The  events  just  related  are  specimens  of  what  occurred  at  and  in  connection 
with  Detroit  from  the  close  of  Pontiac's  war  until  a  number  of  years  after  the 
establishment  of  American  Independence.  When  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed 
in  Versailles  in  1783,  the  British  on  the  frontier  reduced  their  aggressive  policy 
somewhat,  but  they  continued  to  occupy  the  lake  posts  until  1796,  on  the  claim  that 
the  lake  region  was  not  designed  to  be  included  in  the  treaty  by  the  commissioners, 
probably  on  account  of  their  ignorance  of  the  geography  of  the  region.  Mean- 
while tlie  Indians  extensively  organized  for  depredation  upon  the  Americans,  and 
continued  to  harass  them  at  every  point.  During  this  period  Alexander  McKenzie, 
an  agent  of  the  British  Government,  visited  Detroit,  painted  like  an  Indian,  and 
said  that  he  was  just  from  the  upper  lakes,  and  that  the  tribes  in  that  region  were 
all  in  arms  against  any  further  immigi'ation  of  Americans,  and  were  ready  to  attack 
the  infant  settlements  in  Ohio.  His  statement  had  the  desired  effect,  and  encour- 
aged also  by  an  agent  from  the  Spanish  settlements  on  the  Mississippi,  the  Indians 
organized  a  great  confederacy  against  the  United  States.  To  put  this  down  Gen. 
Harmar  was  first  sent  out  by  the  Government  with  1,400  men  ;  but  he  imprudently 
divided  his  army,  and  he  was  taken  by  surprise  and  defeated  by  a  body  of  Indians 
under  "  Little  Turtle."  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair  was  next  sent  out,  with  2,000  men, 
and  he  suffered  a  like  fate.  Then  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne  was  sent  West  with  a  still 
larger  army,  and  on  the  Maumee  he  gained  an  easy  victory  over  tlie  Indians,  within  a 
few  miles  of  a  British  post.  He  finally  concluded  a  treaty  with  the  Indians  at  Green- 
ville, which  broke  up  the  whole  confederacy.  The  British  soon  afterwards  gave  up 
Detroit  and  Mackinaw. 

It  was  a  considerable  time  before  the  Territory  of  Michigan  now  in  possession 
of  the  United  States,  was  improved  or  altered  by  the  increase  of  settlements.  The 
Canadian  French  continued  to  form  the  principal  part  of  its  population.  The 
interior  of  the  country  was  but  little  known,  except  by  the  Indians  and  the  fur 
traders.  The  Indian  title  not  being  fully  extinguished,  no  lands  were  brought  into 
market,  and  consequently  the  settlements  increased  but  slowly.  Tiie  State  of 
Michigan  at  this  time  constituted  simply  the  county  of  Wayne  in  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory.     It  sent  one  representative  to  the  legislature  of  that  Territory,  which  was 


rrv* 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


held  at  Chillicothe.  A  court  of  Common  Pleas  was  organized  for  the  county,  and 
the  General  Court  of  the  whole  Territory  sometimes  met  at  Detroit.  No  roads  had 
as  yet  been  constructed  through  the  interior,  nor  were  there  an}'  settlements  except 
on  the  frontiers.  The  habits  of  the  people  were  essentially  military,  and  but  little 
attention  was  paid  to  agriculture  except  by  the  French  peasantry.  A  representative 
was  sent  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Northwest  Territory  at  Chillicothe  until 
1800,  when  Indiana  was  erected  into  a  separate  Territory.  Two  years  later  Mich- 
igan was  annexed  to  Indiana  Territory,  but  in  1805  Michigan  separated  and  William 
Hull  was  appointed  its  first  Governor. 

The  British  revived  the  old  prejudices  that  the  Americans  intended  to  drive 
the  Indians  out  of  the  country,  and  the  latter,  under  the  lead  of  Tecumseh  and  his 
Ijrother  Elkswatawa,  the  "  prophet,"  organized  again  on  an  extensive  scale  to  make 
war  upon  the  Americans.  The  great  idea  of  Tecumseh's  life  was  a  univei-sal  con- 
federacy of  all  the  Indian  tribes  North  and  South  to  resist  the  invasion  of  the 
whites  ;  and  his  plan  was  to  surprise  them  at  all  their  posts  throughout  the  country 
and  capture  them  by  the  first  assault.  At  this  time  the  entire  white  population  of 
Michigan  was  about  4,800,  foui--fifths  of  whom  were  French  and  the  remainder 
Americans.  The  settlements  were  situated  on  the  rivers  Miami  and  Raisin,  on 
the  Huron  of  Lake  Erie,  on  the  Ecorse  Range,  and  Detroit  Rivers,  on  the  Huron 
of  St.  Clair,  on  the  St.  Clair  River  and  Mackinaw  Island.  Besides,  there  were  here 
and  there  a  group  of  huts  belonging  to  the  French  fur  traders.  The  villages  on  the 
Maumee,  the  Raisin  and  the  Huron  of  Lake  Erie  contained  a  population  of  about 
l,oOO  ;  the  settlements  at  Detroit  and  northward  had  about  2,200  ;  Mackinaw  about 
1,000.     Detroit  was  garrisoned  by  ninety-four  men,  and  Mackinaw  by  seventy-nine. 

hull's  surrender. 

Now  we  have  to  record  an  unexplained  mystery,  which  no  historian  of  Mich- 
igan can  omit,  namely,  the  surrender  of  Detroit  to  the  British  by  Gen.  Hull,  when 
his  forces  were  not  in  action  and  were  far  more  powerful  than  the  enemy.  He  was 
either  a  coward  or  a  traitor,  or  both.  The  commander  of  the  British  forces.  Gen. 
Brock,  triumphantly  took  possession  of  the  fort,  left  a  small  garrison  under  Col. 
Proctor,  and  returned  to  the  seat  of  his  government.  In  twelve  days  he  had  moved 
with  a  small  army  250  miles  against  the  enemy,  effected  the  surrender  of  a  strong 
fort  and  well-equipped  army  of  2,300  effective  men,  and  one  of  the  Territories  of 
the  United  States.  Hull  and  the  regular  troops  were  taken  to  Montreal,  and  the 
militia  were  sent  to  their  homes. 

In  the  capitulation,  Gen.  Hull  also  surrendered  Fort  Dearborn,  at  Chicago, 
commanding  C^aptain  Heald  of  that  place  to  evacuate  and  retreat  to  Fort  Wayne. 
In  obedience  to  this  order,  the  Captain  started  from  the  fort  with  his  forces  ;  but 


^4*— ^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


fe. 


no  sooner  were  they  outside  the  walls  than  they  were  attacked  by  a  large  force  of 
Indians,  who  took  them  prisoners  and  then  proceeded  to  massacre  them,  killing 
thirty-eight  out  of  the  sixty-six  soldiers,  even  some  of  the  women  and  children,  two 
of  the  former  and  twelve  of  the  latter.  Captain  Wells,  a  white  man  who  had  been 
brought  up  among  the  Indians,  but  espoused  the  white  man's  cause,  was  killed  in 
the  massacre. 

January  3,  1814,  Gen.  Hull  appeared  before  a  court-martial  at  Albany,  N.  Y., 
where  Gen.  Dearborn  was  president.  The  accused  made  no  objection  to  the  con- 
stitution and  jurisdiction  of  this  court ;  its  sessions  were  protracted  and  every 
facility  was  given  the  accused  to  make  his  defense.  The  tliree  charges  ao-ainst 
him  were  treason,  cowardice  and  neglect  of  duty.  Hull  was  finally  acquitted  of 
the  high  crime  of  treason,  but  he  was  found  guilty  of  the  other  charges,  and  sen- 
tenced to  be  shot ;  but  by  reason  of  his  services  in  the  Revolution  and  his  advanced 
age  the  court  recommended  him  to  the  mercy  of  the  President,  who  approved  the 
sentence  and  dismissed  Hull  from  the  service.  The  accused  wrote  a  long  defense, 
in  which  he  enumerates  many  tilings  too  tedious  to  relate  here. 

Even  before  lie  was  sent  to  Detroit  he  was  rather  opposed  to  the  policy  of  the 
Government  toward  the  British  of  Canada;  and,  besides,  he  had  been  kindly  treated 
by  British  ofiScers,  who  helped  liim  across  the  frontier.  Again,  the  General  Gov- 
ernment was  unreasonably  slow  to  inform  the  General  of  the  declai-ation  of  war 
which  had  been  made  against  Great  Britain,  and  very  slow  to  forward  troops  and 
supplies.  Many  things  can  be  said  on  both  sides ;  but  historians  generally  approve 
the  judgment  of  the  court  in  his  case,  as  well  as  of  the  executive  clemency  of  the 
President. 

perry's  victory. 

The  lake  communication  of  Michigan  with  the  East,  having  been  in  the  hands 
of  the  British  since  Hull's  surrender,  was  cut  off  by  Com.  Perry,  who  obtained 
a  signal  naval  victory  over  the  British  on  Lake  Erie,  September  10,  1813.  The 
Commodore  put  his  fleet  at  Erie,  Pa.,  under  great  disadvantages.  The  bar  at  the 
mouth  of  the  harbor  would  not  pei-mit  the  vessels  to  pass  out  with  their  aruiament 
on  board.  For  some  time  after  the  fleet  was  ready  to  sail,  the  British  commodore 
continued  to  hover  off  the  harbor,  well  knowing  it  must  either  remain  there  inac- 
tive or  venture  out  with  almost  a  certainty  of  defeat.  During  this  blockade,  Com. 
Perry  had  no  alternative,  but  to  ride  at  anchor  at  Erie  ;  but  early  in  September 
the  enemy  relaxed  his  vigilance  and  withdrew  to  the  upper  end  of  the  lake.  Perry 
then  slipped  out  beyond  the  bar  and  fitted  his  vessels  for  action.  The  British  fleet 
opposed  to  Com.  Perry  consisted  of  the  ships  "  Detroit,"  carrying  nineteen  guns  ; 
the  "  Queen  Charlotte,"  seventeen  guns;  the  schooner  "  Lady  Prevost,"  thirteen 
guns  ;  the  brig  "  Hunter,"  ten  guns;  the  sloop  "  Little  Belt,"  three  guns,  and  the 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


schooner  "  Chippewa,"  one  gun  and  two  swivels;  and  this  fleet  was  commanded  by 
a  veteran  ofEoer  of  tried  skill  and  valor. 

At  sunrise,  September  10,  while  at  anchor  in  Put-in-Bay,  the  Commodore 
espied  the  enemy  toward  the  head  of  the  lake,  and  he  immediately  sailed  up  and 
commencetl  action.  His  flag  vessel,  the  Lawrence,  was  engaged  with  the  full  force  of 
the  enemy  for  nearly  two  hours  before  the  wind  permitted  the  other  vessels  to  come 
in  proper  position  to  help.  The  crew  of  this  vessel  continued  the  fight  until  every 
one  of  them  was  either  killed  or  wounded,  all  the  rigging  torn  to  pieces  and  every 
gun  dismantled.  Now  comes  the  daring  feat  of  the  engagement  which  makes  Perry 
a  hero.  He  caused  his  boat  to  be  lowered,  in  which  he  rowed  to  the  Niagara  amid 
the  storm  of  shot  and  shell  raging  around  him.  This  vessel  he  sailed  tlirough  the 
enemy's  fleet  with  swelling  breeze,  pouring  in  her  broadsides  upon  their  ships  and 
forcing  them  to  surrender  in  rapid  succession,  until  all  were  taken.  The  smaller 
vessels  of  his  fleet  helped  in  this  action,  among  which  was  one  commanded  by  the 
brave  and  faithful  Capt.  Elliott.  This  victory  was  one  of  the  most  decisive  in  all 
the  annals  of  American  history.  It  opened  the  lake  to  Gen.  Wni.  H.  Harrison, 
who  had  been  operating  in  Indiana  and  Ohio,  and  who  now  crossed  with  his  army 
to  Canada,  where  he  had  a  short  campaign,  terminated  by  the  battle  of  the  Morav- 
ian towns,  by  which  the  enemy  were  driven  from  the  northwestern  frontier.  A 
detachment  of  his  army  occupied  Detroit,  September  20,  1813,  and  October  18,  an 
armistice  was  concluded  with  the  Indians,  then  restoring  tranquility  to  the  Terri- 
tory of  Michigan.  Soon  afterward  Gen.  Harrison  left  Gen.  Cass  in  command  at 
Detroit  and  moved  with  the  main  body  of  his  army  down  to  the  Niagara  frontier. 

Perry's  brilliant  success  gave  to  the  Americans  the  uncontrolled  command  of 
the  lake,  and  September  23,  their  fleet  landed  1,200  men  near  Maiden.  Col.  Proc- 
tor, however,  had  previously  evacuated  that  post,  after  setting  fire  to  the  fort  and 
public  storehouses.  Commodore  Perry  in  the  meantime,  passed  up  to  Detroit  with 
the  "  Ariel, "  to  assist  in  the  occupation  of  that  town,  while  Capt.  Elliott,  with  the 
"Lady  Prevost,"  the  "Scorpion,"  and  the  "Tigress,"  advanced  into  Lake  St.  Clair 
to  intercept  the  enemy's  stores.  Thus  Gen.  Harrison,  on  his  arrival  at  Detroit  and 
Maiden,  found  both  places  abandoned  by  the  enemy,  and  was  met  by  the  Canadians 
asking  for  his  protection.  Tecumseh  proposed  to  the  British  commander  that  they 
should  hazard  an  engagement  at  Maiden ;  but  the  latter  foresaw  that  he  should  be 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  American  fleet  in  that  position,  and  therefore  resolved  to 
march  to  the  Moravian  towns  upon  the  Thames,  near  St.  Clair  Lake,  above  Detroit, 
and  there  try  the  chance  of  a  battle.  His  force  at  this  time  consisted  of  about  900 
regular  troops  and  1,500  Indians,  commanded  by  Tecumseh.  The  American  army 
amounted  to  about  2,700  men,  of  whom  120  were  regulars,  a  considerable  number 
of  militia,  about  thirty  Indians,  and  the  remainder  Kentucky  riflemen,  well  mount- 


.fv 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


ed,  and  mainly  young  men,  full  of  ardor,  and  burning  with  a  desire  to  revenge  the 
massacre  of  their  friends  and  relatives  at  the  River  Raisin.  During  the  following 
Winter,  there  were  no  military  movements,  except  an  incursion  into  the  interior  of 
the  upper  province,  by  Major  Holmes,  who  was  attacked  near  Stony  Creek,  and 
maintained  his  ground  with  bravery. 

CLOSE   OF   THE   WAE. 

The  war  with  Great  Britain  was  now  (November,  1813),  practically  closed,  so 
far  as  the  Northwest  was  concerned,  the  post  at  Mackinaw  yet  remained  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  but  active  steps  were  taken  to  dispossess  the  English  of  this 
point  and  drive  them  wholly  from  the  domain  of  the  United  States.  The  first 
effort  to  start  an  expedition  failed  ;  but  in  the  Summer  of  1814,  a  well-equipped 
force  of  two  sloops  oi  war,  several  schooners,  and  750  land  militia,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Commodore  St.  Clair  and  Lieut.  Colonel  Croghan,  started  for  the  north. 
Contrary,  however,  to  the  advice  of  experienced  men,  the  commanders  concluded 
to  visit  St.  Joseph  first,  and  the  British,  of  Mackinaw,  heard  of  t>heir  coming,  and 
prepared  themselves.  The  consequence  was  a  failure  to  take  the  place.  Major 
Holmes  was  killed,  and  the  Winnebago  Indians,  from  Green  Bay,  allies  of  the 
British,  actually  cut  out  the  hearts  and  liver  from  the  American  slain,  and  cooked 
and  ate  them  !  Com.  Sl.  Clair  afterward  made  some  arrangements  to  starve  out 
the  post,  but  his  vessels  were  captmed,  and  the  British  then  remained  secure  in  the 
possession  of  the  place  until  the  treaty  of  peace  the  following  Winter. 

The  war  with  England  formally  closed  on  December  24,  1814,  when  a  treaty 
of  peace  was  signed  at  Ghent.  The  ninth  article  of  the  treaty  required  the 
United  States  to  put  an  end  to  hostilities  with  all  tribes  or  nations  of  Indians  with 
whom  they  had  been  at  war ;  to  restore  to  such  tribes  or  nations  respectively  all  the 
rights  and  possessions  to  which  they  were  entitled  in  1811,  before  the  war,  on  con- 
dition that  such  Indians  should  agree  to  desist  from  all  hostilities  against  the  United 
States.  But  in  February,  just  before  the  treaty  was  sanctioned  by  our  Government 
there  were  signs  of  Indians  accumulating  arms  and  ammunition,  and  a  cautionary 
order  was  therefore  issued  to  have  all  the  white  forces  in  readiness  for  an  attack 
by  the  Indians,  but  the  attack  was  not  made.  During  the  ensuing  Summer  and  Fall, 
the  United  States  Government  acquainted  the  Indians  with  the  provisions  of  the 
treaty  and  entered  into  subordinate  treaties  of  peace  with  the  principal  tribes. 
Just  before  the  treaty  of  Spring  Wells  (near  Detroit)  was  signed,  the  Sha- 
wanee  Prophet  retired  to  Canada,  declaring  his  resolution  to  abide  by  any 
treaty  which  the  chiefs  might  sign.  Some  time  afterward  he  returned  to  the  Sha- 
wanee  settlement  in  Ohio,  and  lastly  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi,  where  he  died 
in  1834.  The  British  Government  allowed  him  a  pension  from  1813  until  his 
death. 


,M^ — «- 

63  HISTORY   OP"  MICHIGAN. 


THE   TECUMSEH    WAR. 

If  one  should  inquire  who  has  been  the  greatest  Indian,  tlie  most  noted,  the 
"  principal  Indian."  in  North  America  since  its  discovery  by  Columbus,  we  would 
be  obliged  to  answer,  Tecumseh.  For  all  those  qualities  that  elevate  a  man  far 
above  his  race  ;  for  talent,  tact,  skill  and  bravery  as  a  warrior  ;  for  high-minded, 
honorable  and  chivalrous  bearing  as  a  man ;  in  a  word,  for  all  those  elements  of 
greatness  which  place  him  along  way  above  his  fellows  in  savage  life,  the  name  and 
fame  of  Tecumseh  will  go  down  to  posterity  in  the  West  as  one  of  the  most  cele- 
brated of  the  aborigines  of  this  continent, — as  one  who  had  no  equal  among  the 
tribes  that  dwelt  in  the  country  drained  by  the  Mississippi.  Born  to  command  him- 
self, he  used  all  the  appliances  that  would  stimulate  the  courage  and  nerve  the 
valor  of  his  followers.  Always  in  the  front  rank  of  battle,  his  followers  blindly 
followed  his  lead,  and  as  his  war-cry  rang  clear  above  the  din  and  noise  of  the 
battle-field,  the  Shawnee  warriors,  as  they  rushed  on  to  victory  or  the  grave,  rallied 
around  him,  forever  worthy  of  the  steel  of  the  most  gallant  commander  that  ever 
entered  tiie  list  in  the  defense  of  his  altar  or  his  home. 

The  tribe  to  which  Tecumseh,  or  Tecumtha,  as  some  write  it,  belonged,  was  the 
Shawnee,  or  Shawanee.  The  tradition  of  the  nation  held  that  they  originally  came 
from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  ;  that  they  wended  their  way  up  the  Mississippi  and  the 
Ohio,  and  settled  at  or  near  the  present  site  of  the  Shawneetown,  111.,  whence  they 
removed  to  the  upper  Wabash.  In  the  latter  place,  at  any  rate,  they  were  found 
early  in  the  18th  century,  and  were  known  as  the  "  bravest  of  the  brave."  This 
tribe  has  uniformly  been  the  bitter  enemy  of  the  white  man,  and  in  every  contest 
with  our  people  exhibited  a  degree  of  skill  and  strategy  that  should  character- 
ize the  most  dangerous  foe.  Tecumseh's  notoriety  and  that  of  his  brother,  the 
Prophet,  mutually  served  to  establish  and  strengthen  each  other.  While  the 
Prophet  had  unlimited  power,  spiritual  and  temporal,  he  distributed  his  greatness 
in  all  the  departments  of  Indian  life  with  a  kind  of  fanaticism  that  magnetically 
aroused  the  religious  and  superstitious  passions,  not  only  of  his  own  followers,  but 
also  of  all  the  tribes  in  this  part  of  the  country  ;  but  Tecumseh  concentrated  his 
greatness  upon  the  more  practical  and  business  affairs  of  military  conquest.  It  is 
doubted  whether  he  was  really  a  sincere  believer  in  the  pretensions  of  his  fanatic 
brother;  if  he  did  not  believe  in  the  pretentious  feature  of  them  he  had  the  shrewd- 
ness to  keep  his  unbelief  to  himself,  knowing  that  religious  fanaticism  was  one  of 
the  strongest  impulses  to  reckless  bravery. 

During  his  sojourn  in  the  Northwestern  Territory,  it  was  Tecumseh's  upper- 
most desire  of  life  to  confederate  all  the  Indian  tribes  of  the  country,  against  the 
whites,  to  maintain  their  choice  hunting-grounds.  All  his  public  policy  converged 
toward  this  single  end.     In  his  vast   scheme   he    comprised   even  all  the  Indians  in 


,k 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


the  Gulf  country, — all  in  America  west  of  the  Alleghany  mountains.  He  held,  as 
a  subordinate  principle,  that  the  Great  Spirit  had  given  the  Indian  race  all  these 
hunting-grounds  to  keep  in  common,  and  that  no  Indian  or  tribe  could  cede  any 
portion  of  the  land  to  the  whites  without  consent  of  all  the  trices.  Hence,  in  all 
his  councils  with  the  whites  he  ever  maintained  that  the  treaties  were  null  and 
void. 

When  he  met  Harrison  at  Vincennes  in  council  the  last  time,  and,  as  he  was 
invited  by  the  General  to  take  a  seat  with  him  on  the  platform,  he  hesitated  ;  Har- 
rison insisted,  saying  that  it  was  the  "  wish  of  their  Great  Father,  the  President  of 
the  United  States  that  he  should  do  so."  The  chief  paused  a  moment,  raised  his 
tall  and  commanding  form  to  its  greatest  height,  surveyed  the  troops  and  crowd 
around  him,  lixed  his  keen  eyes  upon  Gov.  Harrison,  and  then  turning  them  to  the 
sky  above,  and  pointing  toward  heaven  with  his  sinewy  arm  in  a  manner  indicative 
of  supreme  contempt  for  the  paternity  assigned  him,  said  in  clarion  tones :  "  My 
Father  ?  The  sun  is  my  father,  the  earth  is  my  mother,  and  on  her  bosom  I  will 
recline."  He  then  stretched  himself,  with  his  warriors  on  the  green  sward.  The 
effect  was  electrical,  and  for  some  moments  there  was  perfect  silence. 

The  Governor,  then,  through  an  interpreter,  told  him  that  he  understood  that 
he  had  some  complaints  to  make  and  redress  to  ask,  etc.,  and  that  he  wished  to 
investigate  the  matter  and  make  restitution  whenever  it  might  be  decided  it  should 
be  done.  As  soon  as  the  Governor  was  through  with  this  introductory  speech,  the 
stately  warrior  arose,  tall,  athletic,  manly,  dignified  and  graceful,  and  with  a  voice 
at  first  low,  but  distinct  and  musical,  commenced  a  reply.  As  he  warmed  up  with 
his  subject  his  clear  tones  might  be  heard,  as  if  "  trumpet-tongued,"  to  the  utmost 
limits  of  the  assembly — tlie  most  perfect  silence  prevailed,  except  when  his  warriors 
gave  their  guttural  assent  to  some  eloquent  recital  of  the  red-men's  wrong  and  the 
white  man's  injustice.  Tecumseh  recited  the  wrongs  whicli  his  race  had  suffered 
from  the  time  of  the  massacre  of  the  Moravian  Indians  to  the  present ;  said  he  did 
not  know  how  he  ever  again  could  be  the  friend  of  the  white  man  ;  that  the  Great 
Spirit  had  given  to  the  Indian  all  the  land  from  the  Miami  to  the  Mississippi,  and 
from  the  lakes  to  the  Ohio,  as  a  common  property  to  all  the  tribes  in  these  borders, 
and  that  the  land  could  not  and  should  not  be  sold  without  the  consent  of  all ; 
that  all  the  tribes  on  the  continent  formed  but  one  nation ;  that  if  the  United 
States  would  not  give  up  the  lands  they  had  bought  of  the  Miamis  and  the  other 
tribes,  those  united  with  him  were  determined  to  annihilate  those  tribes;  that  they 
were  determined  to  have  no  more  chiefs,  but  in  future  to  be  governed  by  their  war- 
riors ;  that  unless  the  whites  ceased  their  encroachments  upon  Indian  lands,  the 
fate  of  the  Indians  was  sealed  ;  they  had  been  driven  from  the  banks  of  the  Dela- 
ware across  the  Alleghanies,  and  their  possessions  on    the  Wabash  and  the  Illinois 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


were  now  to  be  taken  from  tliem ;  that  in  a  few  years  the}'  would  not  have  ground 
enough  to  buiy  their  warriors  on  tliis  side  of  "  Father  of  Waters ; "  that  all  would 
perish,  all  their  possessions  taken  from  tliem  by  fraud  or  force,  unless  tliey  stopped 
the  progress  of  the  white  man  westward  ;  that  it  must  be  a  war  of  races  in  wliich 
one  or  the  other  must  perish  ;  that  their  tribes  had  been  driven  toward  the  setting 
sun   like  a  galloping  horse  (ne-kat-a-kush-e-ka-top-o-lin-to). 

The  Sliawnee  language,  in  which  this  most  eminent  Indian  statesman  spoke, 
excelled  all  other  aboriginal  tongues  in  its  musical  articulation  ;  and  the  effect  of 
Tecumseh's  oratory  on  this  occasion  can  be  more  easily  imagined  than  described. 
Gov.  Harrison,  altliougli  as  brave  a  soldier  and  general  as  any  American,  was  over- 
come by  his  speech.  He  well  knew  Tecumseh's  power  and  influence  among  all  the 
tribes,  knew  his  bravery,  courage  and  determination,  and  knew  that  he  meant  what 
he  said.  Wiien  Tecuraseh  was  done  speaking  there  was  a  stillness  throughout  the 
assembly  which  was  really  painful ;  not  a  whisper  was  heard,  and  all  eyes  were 
turned  from  the  speaker  toward  Gov.  Harrison,  who  after  a  few  moments  came  to 
himself,  and  recollecting  many  of  the  absurd  statements  of  the  great  Indian  orator, 
began  a  reply  which  was  more  logical,  if  not  so  eloquent.  The  Shawnees  were 
attentive  until  Harrison's  interpreter  began  to  translate  his  speech  to  the  Miamis 
and  Pottawatomies,  when  Tecumseh  and  his  warriors  sprang  to  their  feet,  brand- 
ishing their  war-clubs  and  tomahawks.  "  Tell  him,"  said  Tecumseh,  addressing 
the  interpreter  in  Shawnee,  "  he  lies."  The  interpreter  undertook  to  convey  this 
message  to  the  Governor  in  smootlier  language,  but  Tecumseh  noticed  the  effort 
and  remonstrated,  "  No,  no;  tell  him  he  lies."  The  warriors  began  to  grow  more 
excited,  when  Secretary  Gibson  ordered  the  American  troops  in  arms  to  advance. 
This  allaj-ed  the  rising  storm,  and  as  soon  as  Tecumseli's  "  He  lies"  was  literally 
interpreted  to  the  Governor,  the  latter  told  the  interpreter  to  tell  Tecumseh  he 
would  hold  no  further  council  with  liim. 

Thus  the  assembly  was  broken  up,  and  one  can  hardly  imagine  a  more  exciting 
scene.  It  would  constitute  the  finest  subject  for  a  historical  painting  to  adorn  the 
rotunda  of  the  capitol.  The  next  day  Tecumseh  requested  another  interview  with 
the  Governor,  which  was  granted  on  condition  that  he  should  make  an  apology  to 
the  Governor  for  his  language  the  day  before.  This  he  made  through  the  inter- 
preter. Measures  for  defense  and  protection  were  taken,  however,  lest  there  should 
be  another  outbreak.  Two  companies  of  militia  were  ordered  from  the  country, 
and  the  one  in  town  added  to  them,  while  the  Governor  and  his  friends  went  into 
council  fully  armed  and  prepared  for  any  contingency.  On  this  occasion  the  con- 
duct of  Tecumseh  was  entirely  different  from  that  of  the  day  before.  Firm  and 
intrepid,  showing  not  the  slightest  fear  or  alarm,  surrounded  with  a  military  force 
four  times  his  own,  he  preserved  the  utmost  composure  and  equanimity.     None 


•■C  i 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


would  have  supposed  that  he  could  have  been  the  principal  actor  in  the  thrilling 
scene  of  the  previous  day.  He  claimed  that  half  the  Americans  were  in  sympathy 
with  him.  He  also  said  that  whites  had  informed  him  that  Gov.  Harrison  had 
purchased  land  from  tlie  Indians  without  any  authority  from  the  Government ;  that 
he,  Harrison,  had  but  two  years  more  to  remain  in  office,  and  that  if  he,  Tecumseh, 
could  prevail  upon  the  Indians  who  sold  the  lands  not  to  receive  their  annuities  for 
that  time,  and  the  present  Governor  displaced  by  a  good  man  as  his  successor,  the 
latter  would  restore  to  the  Indians  all  tlie  lands  purchased  from  them.  The  Wyan- 
dots,  Kickapoos,  Pottawattomies,  Ottawas  and  the  Winnebagoes,  through  their 
respective  spokesmen,  declared  their  adherence  to  the  great  Shawnee  warrior  and 
statesman.  Gov.  Harrison  then  told  them  that  he  would  send  Tecumseh's  speech 
to  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  return  the  answer  to  the  Indians  as  soon 
as  it  was  received.  Tecumseh  then  declared  that  he  and  his  allies  were  determined 
that  the  old  boundary  line  should  continue  ;  and  that  if  the  whites  crossed  it,  it 
would  be  at  their  peril.  Gov.  Harrison  replied  that  he  would  be  equally  plain  with 
him  and  state  that  the  President  would  never  allow  that  the  lands  on  the  Wabash 
were  the  property  of  any  other  tribes  than  those  who  had  occupied  them  since  the 
white  people  first  came  to  America ;  and  as  the  title  to  the  lands  lately  purchased 
was  derived  from  those  tribes  by  a  late  purchase,  he  might  rest  assured  that  the 
right  of  the  United  States  would  be  supported  by  the  sword.  "  So  be  it  "  was  the 
stern  and  haughty  reply  of  the  Shawnee  chieftain,  as  he  and  his  braves  took  leave 
of  the  Governor  and  wended  their  way  in  Indian  file  to  their  camping  ground. 
Thus  ended  the  last  conference  on  earth  by  the  chivalrous  Tecumseli  and  the 
hero  of  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe.  The  bones  of  the  first  lie  bleaching  on  the 
battlefield  of  the  Thames,  and  those  of  the  last  in  a  mausoleum  on  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio ;  each  struggled  for  the  mastery  of  his  race,  and  each  no  doubt  was 
equally  honest  and  patriotic  in  his  purposes.  The  weak  yielded  to  the  strong,  the 
defenseless  to  the  powerful,  and  the  hunting-ground  of  the  Shawnee  is  all  occupied 
by  his  enemy. 

Tecumseh,  with  four  of  his  braves,  immediately  embarked  in  a  birch  canoe, 
descended  the  Wabash,  and  went  on  to  the  South  to  unite  the  tribes  of  that  country 
in  a  general  system  of  self-defense  against  the  encroachment  of  the  whites.  His 
emblem  was  a  disjointed  snake,  with  the  motto  "  Join  or  die  !  "  In  union  alone 
was  strength. 

Before  Tecumseh  left  the  Prophet's  town  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tippecanoe  River, 
on  his  excursion  to  the  South,  he  had  a  definite  understanding  with  his  brother  and 
the  chieftains  of  the  other  tribes  in  the  Wabash  country,  that  they  should  preserve 
perfect  peace  with  the  whites  until  his  arrangements  were  completed  for  a  con- 
federacy of  the  tribes  on  both  sides  of  the  Ohio  and  on  the  Mississippi   River ;  but 

5 


>fv* 


HISTORY   OF   MIcrilGAN. 


it  seems  that  while  he  was  in  the  Soutli  engaged  in  his  work  of  uniting  the  tribes 
of  that  country  some  of  the  Northern  tribes  showed  signs  of  fight  and  precipitated 
Harrison  into  that  campaign  which  ended  in  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  and  the 
total  rout  of  the  Indians.  Tecumseh,  on  his  return  from  tlie  South,  learning  what 
had  happened,  was  overcome  with  chagrin,  disappointment,  and  anger,  and  accused 
his  brother  of  duplicity  and  cowardice  ;  indeed,  it  is  said,  he  never  forgave  him  to 
the  day  of  his  death.  A  short  time  afterward,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  with 
Great  Britain,  he  joined  Proctor,  at  Maiden,  with  a  party  of  his  warriors,  and  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  October  5,  1813,  by  a  Mr.  Wheatl}',  as  we  are 
positively  informed  by  Mr.  A.  J.  James,  now  a  resident  of  La  Harpe  township, 
Hancock  County,  Illinois,  whose  father-in-law,  John  Pigman,  of  Coshocton  County, 
Ohio,  was  an  eye-witness.  Gen.  Johnson  has  generally  had  the  credit  of  killing 
Tecumseh. 

THE   BLACK   HAWK  WAR. 

The  excitement  which  this  war  caused  throughout  the  settlements  of  Michigan 
was  such  as  would  appear  incomprehensible  at  the  present  time.  Macomb  County 
was  no  exception  to  the  general  rule,  although  her  French  citizens  maintained  a 
dignified  equanimity. 

On  the  mor-ing  of  May  10,  1832,  the  news  of  Black  Hawk's  advance  reached 
Col.  J.  D.  Davis'  camp  at  Plymouth,  and  was  carried  thence  into  the  homes  of 
Macomb  by  a  dozen  of  busy  gossijjers.  At  each  village  the  number  of  Indians  was 
increased  by  these  faithful  couriers  until,  at  length,  when  the  news  reached  Mt. 
Clemens,  it  was  to  the  effect  that  Black  Hawk  and  80,000  warriors  were  encamped 
at  that  moment  on  Pigeon  Prairie. 

The  men  liable  to  military  service  in  the  county  were  called  out,  but  on  learn- 
ing that  the  seat  of  war  was  several  hundred  miles  west,  that  the  rejjorts  were 
entirely  exaggerated  ;  that  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  were  scattered  or  slain,  then,  and 
only  then  did  the  white  warriors  of  Macomb  return  to  their  homes. 

THE   TOLEDO   WAR. 

The  convention  to  form  a  State  Constitution  met  on  the  second  Monday  in 
May,  1835,  in  the  city  of  Detroit,  performing  their  duties  and  adjourning  the  '24th 
of  the  same  month.  In  giving  their  boundaries  they  made  the  southern  the  same 
as  recognized  by  the  ordinance  of  1787,  and  as  understood  when  the  Territory 
was  formed.  The  constitution  framed  by  the  convention  was  submitted  to 
the  people  and  by  them  approved,  after  which  it  was  sent  to  Congress  for  its 
action,  not  doubting  but  Michigan  would  be  admitted  as  a  State  as  soon  as  Con- 
gress assembled. 

To  this  boundary  Ohio  entered  her  protest  by  her  delegation   in  Congress,  and 


■^s i- 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


by  her  State  Legislature  and  Executive,  and  at  once  organized  her  civil  powers 
through  and  over  the  disputed  territory,  which  was  about  six  miles  wide  on  the 
Indiana  line,  and  eight  or  nine  miles  at  the  INIauraee  River.  Congress  rejected  the 
application  on  the  15th  of  June,  1836,  and  submitted  a  proposition  to  the  people 
of  the  Territory  July  25  of  the  same  j^ear,  fixing  the  southern  boundary  where 
it  now  is,  and  in  consideration  therefor  the  following  grants  were  to  be  made: 

1st.     Section  16  of  every  township  for  the  use  of  schools. 

2d.     Seventy-two  sections  for  a  State  University. 

3d.     Five  sections  to  build  a  State  Capitol. 

4th.  Twelve  salt  springs,  with  six  sections  of  land  to  each,  for  the  general 
uses  of  the  Territory. 

5th.  Five  per  cent,  of  net  proceeds  of  public  lands,  when  sold,  for  public  roads 
and  canals. 

6th.     Alteration  of  northern  boundaries  so  as  to  include  the  upper  peninsula. 

While  this  question  of  boundary  was  pending  in  Congress,  great  excitement 
sprang  up  among  the  people  on  both  sides,  so  great,  indeed,  as  to  lead  to  what  was 
known  as  the  Toledo  War. 

To  get  a  clear  insight  into  the  ways  and  methods  by  which  the  first  pioneers 
of  the  country  managed  questions  affecting  their  local  interests,  we  can  do  no  bet- 
ter than  to  adopt,  in  these  pages,  the  story  of  each  participant,  and  from  these 
draw  our  own  conclusions  as  to  the  right.  Michigan  says:  The  approachino- 
organization  of  the  State  Government  invested  the  disputed  question  with  pressing 
importance,  and  hostilities  on  the  disputed  territory  soon  became  active.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1835,  the  Legislature  of  Ohio  passed  an  act  extending  the  jurisdiction  of 
that  State  over  the  territory  in  question,  organized  townships  and  directed  them 
to  elect  officers  in  April  following.  It  also  directed  Gov.  Lucas  to  appoint  three 
commissioners  to  survey  and  re-mark  the  Harris  line,  and  named  April  1  as  the 
time  when  the  work  should  commence.  Gov.  Mason  anticipated  this  action  of  the 
Ohio  Legislature  by  an  act  of  the  Legislative  Council  making  it  a  criminal  offense, 
punishable  by  a  heavy  fine,  or  by  imprisonment,  for  any  one  to  attempt  to  exercise 
any  official  functions,  or  to  accept  any  office  witliin  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Territory 
of  Michigan  by  virtue  of  any  authority  not  derived  from  said  Territory  or  from  the 
United  States.  Gov.  Mason  directed  Gen.  Brown,  then  in  command  of  the  militia 
of  the  Territory,  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  take  the  field  should  Ohio  attempt 
to  carry  out  the  instructions  of  her  Legislature.  On  the  31st  of  March,  Governor 
Lucas,  with  liis  commissioners,  and  Gen.  Bell  of  tlie  Ohio  militia,  arrived  at  Perrys- 
burg,on  their  way  to  commence  the  survey  and  re-marking  of  the  Harris  line.  Here 
they  proceeded  to  muster  a  force  of  600  volunteers,  who  were  organized  and  went 
into  camp  at  Fort  Miami  to  await  the  Governor's  orders. 


C8  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


In  the  meantime  Gov.  Mason  with  Gen.  Brown  had  raised  a  force  from  eight 
to  twelve  hundred  strong,  and  were  in  possession  of  Toledo.  When  Gov.  Lucas 
observed  the  determined  bearing  of  the  Michigan  braves,  and  took  note  of  tlieir 
numbers,  he  found  it  convenient  to  content  himself  for  a  time  "  with  watching  over 
the  border."  Several  days  were  passed  in  this  exhilarating  employment,  and  just 
when  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  do  something  rash,  two  Commissioners  arrived 
from  Washington,  on  a  mission  of  peace.  Tiiey  remonstrated  with  Gov.  Lucas 
and  reminded  him  of  the  consequences  to  himself  and  State  if  he  attempted  to  gain 
possession  by  force.  After  several  conferences  with  both  Governors  the  Commis- 
sioners submitted  the  following  propositions  for  their  consideration  :  1st.  That  the 
Harris  line  should  be  run  and  re-marked  pursuant  to  the  act  of  the  Legislature  of 
Ohio,  without  interruption.  2d.  The  civil  elections  under  the  laws  of  Ohio  hav- 
ing taken  place  throughout  the  disputed  territory,  the  people  therein  should  be  left 
to  their  own  government,  obeying  the  one  jurisdiction  or  the  other  as  they  might 
prefer,  without  molestation  from  either  side  until  tlie  close  of  the  next  session  of 
Congress. 

Gov.  Lucas  accepted  the  proposition  at  once,  and  disbanded  his  forces,  regard- 
ing the  proposition  as  coming  from  the  President,  through  tlie  Commissioners,  and 
under  his  control.  Gov.  Mason,  on  the  other  hand,  refused  to  accede  to  the 
arrangements,  declined  to  compromise  rights  or  surrender  jurisdistion,  but  partially 
disbanded  his  forces,  holding  a  sufficient  number  in  readiness  to  meet  any  emei'- 
gency  that  might  arise.  Gov.  Lucas  now  supposed  his  way  clear,  and  that  he 
could  re-mark  the  Harris  line  without  molestation,  and  he  accordingly  ordered  the 
Commissioners  to  proceed  with  the  work. 

In  the  'meanwhile  President  Jackson  had  referred  the  matter  to  Attorney 
General  Butler,  as  to  his  authority  over  tlie  contending  parties,  and  tlie  validity  of 
the  act  of  the  Ohio  Legislature  and  the  act  of  the  Legislative  Council  under  which 
the  respective  parties  were  claiming  authority. 

The  report  of  the  Attorney  General  was  decidedly  in  favor  of  Micliigan.  The 
weak  point  in  Ohio's  claim  was  a  violation  of  the  act  of  1805  creating  that  Terri- 
tory, and  in  subsequent  acts  passed  for  her  government. 

Notwithstanding  this.  Gov.  Lucas  proceeded  to  run  the  line,  commencing  at 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  disputed  tract.  Gov.  Mason  and  Gen.  Brown  had  kept 
a  watchful  eye,  and  when  the  surveying  party  got  within  the  county  of  Lucas,  tlie 
under-sheriff  of  that  county,  armed  with  a  warrant,  and  supported  by  a  posse,  sud- 
denly made  his  appearance  and  succeeded  in  arresting  a  portion  of  the  party.  The 
rest,  including  the  Commissioners,  took  to  their  heels  and  were  soon  beyond  the 
disputed  territory.  Arriving  at  Perrysburg,  they  reported  their  valor  and  escape 
from  the  overwhelming  attack  of   Gen.   Brown,    and  their  missing  comrades  all 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


killed  or  taken  prisoners,  to  Gov.  Lucas,  he  in  turn  reporting  to  the  President. 
The  President  thereupon  sent  a  copy  to  Gov.  Mason,  and  asked  for  a  state- 
ment of  facts  from  the  ofScers  engaged  in  the  transaction.  Accordingly,  the  under- 
sheriff  made  a  very  amusing  report,  setting  forth  the  fact  that  it  was  a  civil  process, 
issued  by  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  that  under  it  he  had  arrested  nine  persons,  without 
bloodshed  or  trouble,  and  closing  with  the  statement  that  the  Commissioners  had 
made  very  good  time,  that  they  had  reached  Perrysburg  with  nothing  more  serious 
than  the  loss  of  hats  and  their  clothing,  like  Gov.  Marcy's  breeches,  without  the 
patch. 

This  summary  breaking  up  of  the  surveying  party  created  intense  excitement 
throughout  Ohio.  An  extra  session  of  the  Legislature  was  called,  a  law  was  passed 
against  the  abduction  of  any  of  her  citizens,  making  it  a  penal  offense  punishable 
by  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than  seven  years  in  the  penitentiary.  They  also 
passed  an  act  organizing  the  county  of  Lucas,  fixing  the  county -seat  at  Toledo,  and 
directing  the  court  for  the  county  to  be  held  at  any  convenient  house  therein. 
They  accepted  the  propositions  of  the  President's  Commissio!iers,  and  made  an 
appropriation  of  #600,000  to  carry  these  laws  into  effect  over  the  disputed  ter- 
ritory. 

It  was  evident  that  Ohio  was  aroused — that  her  State  pride  had  been  wounded. 
The  idea  that  the  young  Territory  of  Michigan,  with  her  stripling  Governor,  should 
successfully  defy  the  great  State  of  Ohio,  with  a  million  of  inhabitants  and  her  aged 
Governor,  was  one  that  the  people  could  not  endure  with   patience  or  equanimitv. 

In  the  meantime  the  authorities  of  Michigan  were  active  in  sustaining  their 
authority  on  the  disputed  ground.  Prosecutions  for  holding  office  under  Ohio 
were  conducted  with  great  vigor  ;  for  a  long  time  the  people  of  Monroe 
county  were  kept  busy  assisting  the  sheriff  in  executing  his  jjrocesses  and  making 
arrests  in  Toledo.  Suit  after  suit  was  commenced,  and  each  was  the  breeder  of  a 
score  of  others.  The  officers  of  Ohio  made  feeble  attempts  to  retaliate,  but  were 
generally  unsuccessful.  Sometimes  these  arrests  were  attended  with  danger,  al- 
ways with  great  difiSculty.  An  instance  is  related  of  Major  Stickney's  arrest,  which 
created  great  amusement  at  the  time.  He  and  his  family  fought  valiantly,  but 
were  overpowered  by  numbers.  He  was  requested  to  mount  a  horse,  but  flatly 
refused.  He  was  put  on  by  force,  but  he  would  not  sit  there.  Finally,  two  men 
were  detailed  to  walk  beside  him  and  hold  his  legs,  while  a  third  led  the  horse. 
After  making  half  the  distance  in  this  way,  they  tied  his  legs  under  the  horse  and 
thus  got  him  in  jail.  An  attempt  was  made  to  arrest  his  son.  Two  Stickney.  A 
scuffle  ensued,  in  which  the  officer  was  stabbed  with  a  knife,  but  the  wound  did 
not  prove  dangerous,  and  it  is  believed  that  this  was  the  only  blood  shed  during 
the  war.     The  officer  let  go  his  hold,  and  Stickney  fled  to  Ohio.      He  was  indicted 


V^ 


A 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


by  the  grand  jury  of  Monroe  County,  and  a  requisition  was  made  on  the  Governer 
of  Ohio  for  his  rendition,  but  the  Governor  refused  to  give  him  up. 

On  one  occasion  an  officer  attempted  to  arrest  a  man  in  the  night.  Tlie  man 
had  but  a  moment's  warning,  and  sought  safety  in  flight.  He  reached  the 
Maumee  River,  threw  himself  on  a  saw  log,  and  with  hands  and  feet  paddled  him- 
self in  safety  to  the  other  shore. 

A  very  pious  man  was  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  fled  to  the  woods, 
where  he  lived  many  days  in  a  sugar  shanty.  It  was  currently  reported,  and 
generally  believed  by  the  Ohio  partisans,  that  a  miracle  had  been  wrought  in  his 
behalf, — that  "robin  red-breasts"  brought  him  his  daily  food  and  drink.  The 
belief  in  this  miracle  strengthened  the  cause  of  Ohio  in  many  quarters  very  mate- 
rially. 

The  report  of  the  stabbing  by  Two  Stickney  and  the  statement  that  Gov. 
Lucas  was  protecting  him  made  great  impression  on  the  mind  of  the  President. 
Both  sides  were  becoming  more  importunate,  and  after  investigating  the  difficulties 
fully  he  recommended  to  Gov.  Mason  that  no  obstruction  should  be  made  to  the 
re-marking  of  the  Harris  line,  that  all  prosecutions  under  the  Territorial  act  of 
February'  should  be  discontinued,  and  no  others  commenced  until  the  next  session 
of  Congress.  This  recommendation  had  no  effect  on  Gov.  Mason.  He  was  deter- 
mined to  protect  his  Territory  and  her  jurisdiction  at  all  hazards.  Prosecutions 
went  on  as  before.  When  the  President  became  aware  of  this  he  superseded  Gov. 
Mason  as  Secretary  of  Michigan,  and  appointed  Charles  Shaler,  of  Pennsylvania, 
as  liis  successor.  He  also  advised  Gov.  Lucas  to  refrain  from  any  jurisdiction  over 
the  Territory  pending  the  action  of  Congress.  This  check  by  the  President  was  a 
great  blow  to  Gov.  Lucas.  The  eyes  of  the  country  were  upon  him,  and  he  felt  it 
incumbent  on  him  to  perform  some  act  of  jurisdiction  in  order  to  save  himself  from 
the  imputation  of  having  backed  down.  A  happy  thought  struck  him  at  an  oppor- 
tune moment.  The  Legislature  of  Ohio  had  organized  a  county  and  ordered  court 
to  be  held  at  Toledo  on  the  7th  of  September.  To  hold  this  court  in  the  face  and 
eyes  of  the  military  force  of  Gov.  Mason  and  the  recommendation  of  the  President 
to  abstain  therefrom  would  be  a  grand  achievement, — an  act  of  jurisdiction  greater 
than  the  re-marking  of  the  Harris  line.  With  him  this  was  the  thing  to  be  done, 
and  calling  to  his  aid  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  they  devised  a  plan,  and 
it  was  put  into  his  hands  to  manage.  He  called  out  a  regiment  to  protect  the 
judges  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty.  The  judges  met  on  Sunday,  tlie  6tli  of  Sep- 
tember, at  Maumee,  a  few  miles  from  Toledo.  They  were  to  proceed  to  Toledo  the 
next  morning,  under  the  escort  that  had  been  provided  for  them,  and  hold  court. 
Some  time  during  the  evening  a  scout  who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  colonel  of  the 
regiment  returned  from  Toledo  and  reported  that  1,200  men   under  command  of 

'^  s r-  "T ®pV~ 

V  T 


'i^ 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


Gen.  Brown,  were  in  Toledo  ready  to  demolish  court,  soldiers  and  all,  in  case  of  an 
attempt  to  open  it.  This  report  turned  out  to  be  false,  but  it  immediately  subdued  all 
the  valor  of  the  judges,  as  well  as  that  of  the  regiment  that  was  to  escort  them.  But 
it  would  not  do  to  back  out, — the  honor  and  the  dignity  of  the  State  must  be  main- 
tained ;  besides,  they  would  be  laughed  if  they  did  not  hold  court.  But  the  judges 
hesitated  at  undertaking  so  daring  an  exploit.  The  colonel  of  the  regiment  finally 
came  to  the  Governor's  assistance.  He  upbraided  the  judges  for  their  cowardice 
and  hesitation,  and  proposed  to  take  the  honor  of  the  State  into  his  own  keeping. 
Stepping  in  front  of  his  regiment,  he  called  for  volunteers  for  a  hazardous  under- 
taking. A  few  brave  men  answered  the  call.  The  trembling  judges  placed  them- 
selves under  the  charge  of  this  "  forlorn  hope,"  and  at  three  o'clock  on  Monday 
morning,  Sept.  7.  1835,  they  sneaked  into  Toledo,  hunted  up  a  school-house,  held 
court  about  two  minutes,  and  then  ran  for  dear  life  back  to  Maumee. 

Thus  did  the  State  of  Ohio  triumph  over  her  enemies.  Thus  did  her  patriotic 
sons  sustain  her  dignity.  Thus  did  her  brave  soldiers  throw  themselves  in  tlie 
imminent  and  deadlj'  breach. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  Gov.  Mason  and  Geu.  Brown  were  surprised  and 
chagrined.  They  had  an  ample  force  within  i-each  to  prevent  the  holding  of  a 
court,  as  courts  are  generallj^  held,  but  they  were  unacquainted  with  Ohio  legal 
practice,  and  did  not  look  for  midnight  tribunals  held  in  dark  school-rooms  or  out- 
houses. 

But  little  remains  to  be  said  in  reference  to  the  war.  A  volume  might  be 
written  relating  to  the  incidents  of  that  bloodless  struggle  and  the  story  of  the  pri- 
vations endured  by  the  citizen  soldiers, — privations  which  were  relieved  by  raids 
on  hen-coops,  melon  patches,  and  potato  fields.  The  ludicrous  incidents,  the  hair- 
breadth escapes,  by  field  and  flood,  would  be  interesting  to  many,  but  space  forbids 
more. 

Ohio  says :  This  fired  the  heart  of  the  young  Governor,  Stevens  T.  Mason  ;  his 
loyalty  and  zeal  would  not  brook  such  an  insult.  The  militia  at  his  disposal  was 
called  early  into  requisition  early  in  the  Spring  of  1835.  They  were  first  put  upon 
the  trail  of  the  commissioners,  and  actually  routed  them  and  took  several  of  the 
party  prisoners,  on  the  line  some  ten  miles  east  of  Morenci.  These  they  held  for 
a  few  days,  then  discharged  some  on  parole  and  others  on  bail,  to  answer  in  the  dis- 
trict court. 

But  the  end  was  not  yet.  A  majority  of  those  living  on  the  disputed  terri- 
tory, in  Monroe  County,  were  late  emigrants  from  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  and  they 
were  thoroughly  impressed  with  the  importance  to  them  of  being  a  part  of  Ohio. 
The  port  of  Toledo  was  just  opening  to  tlie  traffic  of  the  lakes ;  the  States  of  Ohio 
and  Indiana  were  ready  to  bring  in  the  Wabash   Canal,  provided  it  could  tap  the 


7t^ 


^1 


i 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


lake  on  Ohio's  soil ;  and,  besides,  Ohio  was  already  quite  an  old  State,  and  would 
be  able  to  develop  the  territory  mucli  quicker, — that  in  fact  the  territorial  interest 
was  all  centred  at  Detroit,  and  Toledo,  if  it  remained  to  Michigan,  would  only  be 
a  dependency  paying  tribute. 

With  these  sentiments  prevailing,  the  Governor  of  Ohio  was  induced  to  put  in 
force  the  laws  of  the  State.  Proclamation  was  issued  giving  boundaries  to  towns 
and  counties,  and  for  the  election  of  civil  officers.  Tlie  elections  were  held, 
officers  were  chosen,  and  they  assumed  their  duties.  The  militia  was  organized  and 
commenced  drilling.  In  short,  we  had  two  active  and  efficient  governments,  each 
striving  to  excel,  and,  as  may  be  naturally  inferred,  the  relations  between  them 
were  not  of  a  very  friendly  character, — the  one  acting  as  informers  to  Gov.  Mason, 
the  other  mostly  engaged  in  procuring  bail  to  be  relieved  from  arrests,  preferring 
to  have  their  transgressions  settled  by  the  courts  of  the  country  to  an  open  and 
violent  conflict  of  arms. 

Tlie  Governor's  quick,  impulsive  nature  would  brook  this  double- entendre  no 
longer.  The  General  Government  did  not  respond  to  his  call.  Ohio  would  not 
stop  at  his  bidding.  The  subjects  were  disloyal  and  refractory  in  their  every  act. 
Therefore,  it  become  him  as  Governor  to  put  a  quietus  on  the  whole  difficulty.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  called  out  the  militia  of  the  Territory,  to  the  number  of  about  1,500 
strong,  early  in  the  month  of  September,  1835,  to  prevent  any  further  inroads  upon 
the  territory  in  dispute,  and  particularly  to  prevent  the  holding  of  circuit  court  in 
Lucas  County,  which  had  just  been  organized,  with  Toledo  as  the  county  seat, 
where  the  first  session  of  the  court  was  appointed  to  be  held. 

This  call  was  responded  to  readily  in  many  parts  of  the  Territory,  a  very  few 
perhaps  from  this  county.  They  rendezvoused  in  Monroe  County,  and  thence 
marched  to  Tremainsville,  on  the  afternoon  before  the  court  was  to  convene, 
where  they  bivouacked  for  the  night.  They  were  here  three  miles  out  from  the 
objective  point,  and  much  hard  work  was  to  be  done  in  a  very  short  time  to  meet 
the  emergencies  of  the  morrow,  for  an  army  was  to  be  organized  out  of  the  mate- 
rial presented.  Upon  inspection  it  was  found  that  some  had  muskets,  others 
had  clubs,  but  most  had  trusty  rifles.  These  were  assigned  to  companies  and 
battalions,  and  in  the  morning  marshaled  for  inspection  by  the  commander-in-chief. 
They  were  by  him  pronounced  '■'•aufait"  and  ordered  to  march  to  the  scene  of  the 
conflict. 

In  entering  the  city  they  actually  marched  by  the  door  where  the  court  "  of 
which  they  were  in  search"  was  in  full  operation,  without  knowing  it.  They  had 
expected  to  find  it  guarded  by  an  army  that  would  be  worthy  of  their  steel.  But 
where  ?  oh,  where  could  they  be  '(  They  certainly  could  not  be  in  Toledo,  for  the 
great  army  of  our  noble  commander-in-chief  covered  the  whole  city  and  some  of  its 


IP 


'^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


suburbs.  There  could  be  but  one  conclusion.  They  had  of  course  hied  them- 
selves to  the  spot  whence  they  came,  and  must  be  now  on  their  way  through 
the  defiles  of  the  black  swamp.  A  council  of  war  was  held  ;  the  surroundings 
looked  dark ;  they  had  come  for  blood  and  without  it  there  could  be  no  remission, 
the  enemy  having  ignobly  fled  the  field.  The  usages  of  war  would  therefore  make 
their  way  clear,  and  reprisals  would  be  in  order.  If  they  would  not  let  the  issue 
be  decided  by  force  of  arms,  they  could  expect  nothing  less,  and  must  abide  by 
these  rules  which  had  been  recognized  by  all  nations  from  time  immemorial.  In 
tliis  strait,  it  did  not  take  our  brave  commander  long  to  decide.  His  forces  were 
soon  marshaled,  formed  in  two  battalions,  the  one  ordered  to  make  reprisals  on  the 
cellars  and  larders  of  the  inhabitants,  the  others  to  move  upon  the  magazines  and 
commissary  of  the  enemy,  that  a  wag  had  informed  them  were  stored  in  a  barn 
owned  b}"  Piatt  Card,  known  as  one  of  the  moving  spirits  in  the  rebellion,  and 
who  was  then  under  bonds  to  answer  for  what  he  had  heretofore  done  in  in- 
citing it. 

This  last  work  was  not  to  be  trusted  to  raw  recruits,  or  committed  to  an  in- 
ferior ofiBcer ;  it  was  virtually  the  conquering  of  an  army,  and  then  who  knew  how 
strongly  it  was  guarded  within,  or  what  migiit  be  the  dangers  of  an  approach.  Ti)at 
the  work  might  be  quick  and  effectual  it  was  decided  that  our  brave  commander 
should  lead  the  fray. 

In  reconnoitering  the  premises,  all  was  still ;  yet  there  were  certain  holes  in 
the  walls,  reminding  them  of  the  port-holes  in  ancient  forts,  and  in  which  they 
fancied  they  saw  grim  messengers  of  death  staring  them  boldly  in  the  face.  This 
could  be  endured  no  longer;  the  order  was  quickly  given  and  a  broad-side  was 
poured  into  the  pine  siding  of  the  barn, — a  thud,  a  groan,  followed  by  a  few  thumps, 
and  all  was  still  as  death.  Approaches  were  made  stealthily  and  cautiously  until 
they  reached  the  door,  which  obe3'ed  the  mandate  of  the  hand  and  readily  swunn- 
on  its  hinges.  To  the  surprise  of  our  noble  commander  and  his  comrades  in  arms, 
they  found  they  had  captured  a  very  fine  hoi-se,  as  the  warm  blood  flowin"-  from 
many  bullet-holes  attested.  They  had  come  for  blood  as  a  sacrifice  to  sprinkle  the 
altar  of  their  loyalty  and  devotion  to  their  country,  and  who  at  this  late  day  will 
deny  that  they  found  it? 

Returning  to  headquarters  it  was  found  that  the  other  battalion  had  made  a 
very  successful  raid,  especially  in  the  line  of  Major  Stickney's  wine-cellar,  and  from 
some  others,  that  gave  a  more  exhilarating  beverage,  sufficient  was  obtained  with 
which  to  soften  and  wash  down  the  hard  army  biscuit,  of  which  it  may  be  inferred 
their  knapsacks  contained  an  ample  supply.  Night  approaching,  each  drew  his 
cloak  around  him  and  gave  himself  to  pleasant  dreams  over  the  experiences  and  es- 
capes of  the  last  twelve  hours. 


A 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


On  the  following  morning  an  order  was  issued  from  tlie  Governor  disbanding 
the  forces,  allowing  each  to  find  his  way  home  as  best  he  could.  Thus  ended  the 
great  Toledo  war,  and  all  strife  on  the  disputed  tract. 

Looking  at  this  question  at  a  later  day,  when  all  had  become  calm  and  serene, 
we  can  discover  little  occasion  for  either  partj'  to  get  up  and  shake  themselves  like 
young  lions.  It  was  a  matter  that  belonged  entirely  to  Congress.  If  they  had 
been  so  imprudent  as  to  let  Ohio  in  her  boundaries  embrace  territory  to  which  she 
had  no  claim,  it  was  her  duty,  and  justice  required  her  to  correct  the  error.  That 
it  was  an  error  on  the  part  of  the  National  Legislature  to  allow  Ohio  to  assume  the 
functions  and  duties  of  a  State,  merely  from  her  enabling  act,  without  submitting 
her  constitution  for  inspection  and  approval,  none  will  doubt.  That  the  Territorial 
officers  were  hasty  and  inconsiderate  in  their  action,  assuming  responsibilities  that 
did  not  belong  to  them,  few  question.  That  the  final  adjustment  of  the  whole  ques- 
tion between  the  parties  has  resulted  to  the  benefit  of  each,  and  especially  to  Mich- 
igan, all  cheerfull}'  admit. 

In  this  war  many  of  the  old  settlers  of  Macomb  participated.  Fortunately,  the 
old  soldiers  of  the  young  State  lost  little  or  no  blood,  and  all  were  permitted  to  re- 
turn to  their  homes  in  peace. 

THE   PATRIOT    WAR. 

It  will  be  remembered  by  the  pioneers  of  Michigan,  and  not  only  by  them,  but 
by  all  others,  of  that  time  along  the  frontier  line  between  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  that  during  the  Winter  of  1837-38,  occurred  what  was  known  as  the 
"  Patriotic  War."  The  object  of  this  war  was  understood  to  be  a  revolution  that 
should  separate  the  British  possessions  of  Canada  from  the  mother  country  that 
they  might  erect  themselves  into  sovereign  and  independent  States. 

In  consequence  of  the  financial  crash  and  hard  times  then  prevailing  there  were 
many  adventurous,  reckless  and  idle  persons  in  the  States  who  took  part  with  the 
Patriots.  The  anxiety  that  grew  out  of  our  Revolutionary  war  and  the  war  of 
1812,  toward  the  British,  may  have  slumbered,  but  was  not  forgotten,  and  it  took 
but  little  to  awaken  that  old  feeling.  It  was  revived  along  the  whole  length  of  the 
frontier,  and  was  not  confined  to  our  side  only ;  it  was  fully  reciprocated  by  our 
loyal  neighbors.  At  that  time,  as  it  may  be  now,  there  were  many  half-pay  English 
military  officers  who  would  have  hailed  a  war  between  the  United  States  and  Eng- 
land as  a  God-send  to  them ;  for  in  that  event  they  would  be  restored  to  active 
service  on  full  pay  and  stand  their  chances  for  promotion.  The  hostile  feeling  had 
reached  such  a  degree  of  intensity  that  General  Scott  was  ordered  to  the  frontier 
with  troops.  The  steamer  Carolina,  that  was  supposed  to  be  in  the  service  of  the 
Patriots,  was  captured  in  the  Niagara  River  by  the  British  forces,  and  sent  over  the 
falls  and  it  was  supposed  with  part  of  tlie  crew  on  board.     The  Patriots  had  at  that 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


time  a  considerable  force  on  Navy  Island.  A  rocket  brigade  was  stationed  at 
Windsor.  Occasional  musket  shots  were  fired  from  Windsor  into  Detroit,  and  a 
correspondence  was  opened  between  the  authorities  on  each  side  with  a  view  to 
stop  this  recklessness.  The  late  Adjutant-General  John  E.  Schwartz  conducted 
tlie  correspondence  on  the  part  of  Micliigan.  He  read  it  to  the  writer  of  this  paper. 
About  this  time,  I  visited  Detroit,  stopping  at  the  National  Hotel,  as  the  Russell 
House  was  then  called,  and  before  I  had  time  to  warm  myself  I  met  Col.  Smith, 
then  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  from  Monroe  County,  who  invited  me  into  the 
back  parlor,  where  I  met  Gov.  Mason,  who  ordered  me  back  to  Ann  Arbor  to 
raise  a  company  of  militia  and  report  to  Col.  Smith  who  was  then  under  orders 
from  the  Governor  to  march  down  the  Detroit  river  and  break  up  the  encampment 
of  Patriots  in  the  neighborhood  of  Gibraltar,  a  small  village  near  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  and  drive  them  away.  I  had  also  an  order,  addressed  to  the  late  Col.  Slin- 
gerland,  to  muster  his  (the  5th)  regiment  from  which  to  recruit  my  company  by 
volunteers,  if  possible,  or  by  draft.  The  Colonel  issued  his  orders  and  did  his  duty, 
but  so  strong  Vk'as  the  sympathy  in  favor  of  the  Patriots  and  against  the  English, 
that  not  over  thirty  men  out  of  about  600  composing  the  regiment  obeyed  the 
Colonel's  order.  Of  course  I  was  obliged  to  report  my  inability  to  report  the  com- 
pany ordered.  My  recollection  is  that  Colonel  Smith  made  a  similar  report  and  the 
encampment  remained  undisturbed.  Gen.  Ed.  Clark  states,  that  "  the 
leaders  of  the  Patriots  had  organized  a  secret  society  known  as  Hunters,  with 
lodges  in  every  village  along  the  frontier.  They  had  their  secret  signs,  grips 
and  pass-words,  and  were  sworn  to  secrecy.  A  large  proportion  of  the  able-bodied 
men  were  Hunters,  that  is,  members  of  hunters'  lodges.  I  mention  these  facts  to 
show  the  state  of  public  feeling  with  regard  to  the  Patriot  war  and  the  reason  that 
Gov.  Mason  could  not  furnish  the  necessary  force  to  march  on  the  Patriot  encamp- 
ment and  disperse  the  force  there  encamped.  Before  the  close  of  navigation  an 
expedition  was  organized  by  Brigadier  General  Theller,  of  the  Patriot  service,  for 
the  purpose  of  capturing  Fort  Maiden.  He  embarked  in  the  sloop  Ann,  and  when 
she  arrived  off  the  fort  was  fired  into  and  her  rigging  so  cut  up  that  she  became 
unmanageable  and  drifted  ashore.  The  General  and  Colonel  Dodge  and  the  crew 
were  taken  prisoners.  That  Winter  a  landing  of  a  Patriot  force  was  made  on  the 
Canada  shore  above  Windsor,  and  a  battle  fought  which  proved  disastrous  to  the 
invaders.  Another  battle  was  fought  at  Point  au  Pelee,  where  tlie  Patriots  were 
victors.  From  these  facts  it  can  be  seen  that  the  magaziue  was  ready  and  needed 
but  a  spark  to  explode  it — that  is,  to  involve  the  country  in  war. 

When  these  events  were  taking  place,  but  before  the  fight  at  Point  au  Pelee, 
General  Sutherland,  of  the  Patriot  army,  made  his  appearance  at  Ann  Arbor  in  full 
uniform  and  posted  hand-bills  notifying  the  public  that  he  would  address  them  at 


V^ 


^^ 


HISTORY   OP  MICHIGAN. 


the  court-house  on  the  subject  of  the  Patriot  war.  Tlie  court-room  was  filled  and 
the  General  was  listened  to  with  respect  and  attention.  Before  the  meeting  dis- 
persed a  committee  was  appointed  to  wait  on  ilie  General  at  his  quarters,  to  confer 
with  him.  Tlie  writer  was  one  of  that  committee.  The  committee  called  on  the 
General  that  evening  at  his  room,  and  spent  an  hour  or  two  with  him.  From  Ann 
Arbor  he  went  to  Manchester  to  address  the  good  people  of  that  village.  His  ob- 
ject was  to  get  men  and  means  to  carry  on  the  war.  A  short  time  afterward  I 
received  a  package  of  papers  from  the  General.  Among  them  were  enlistment 
rolls  and  along  letter.  He  wished  me  to  join  the  Patriot  army  and  raise  a  battalion 
of  men  for  the  Patriot  service,  but  ostensibly  as  volunteer  militia,  hold  elections 
for  commissioned  officers  as  directed  by  tlie  militia  laws  of  Michigan,  and  apply  to 
Gov.  Mason  for  commissions.  He  said  that  as  I  was  a  personal  and  political  friend 
of  the  Governor  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  getting  the  commissions.  This 
accomplished,  I  was  to  put  myself  and  battalion  under  the  orders  of  the  General, 
and  as  soon  as  the  Detroit  River  was  frozen  over  so  as  to  make  a  passage  safe,  he  would 
give  me  an  order  for  arms,  ammunitions,  blankets,  etc.,  and  he  would  direct  when 
and  where  the  invasion  should  take  place.  I  confess  to  a  complete  surprise — more, 
I  was  astonished.  We  were  almost  entire  strangers  to  each  other ;  we  had  never 
met  except  at  Ann  Arbor,  and  then  only  for  an  hour  or  two,  and  knew  nothing  of 
each  other's  antecedents.  During  the  visit  of  the  committee  at  the  General's  room 
I  endeavored  to  draw  him  into  a  conversation  upon  military  subjects,  tactics,  his- 
tory, etc.,  but  he  evaded  it,  and  I  formed  a  small  opinion  of  his  military  capacity 
or  knowledge.  And  when  he  divulged  to  me,  an  almost  entire  stranger,  his  plan  of 
operations,  I  lost  confidence  in  him  as  a  military  leader.  I  remembered  of  reading 
an  anecdote  of  Washington  who  was  asked  by  an  intimate  friend  and  true  Whig 
what  his  plan  of  campaign  was.  Washington  asked,  "Can  you  keep  a  secret?  " 
"  Yes,  General."  "  So  can  I,"  was  the  response.  Wiien  the  legislative  committee 
visited  General  Jackson  and  demanded  of  him  his  plan  for  the  defense  of  New 
Orleans,  he  raised  a  lock  of  hair  from  his  head  and  said,  "  Gentleman,  if  I  supposed 
this  lock  of  hair  knew  what  was  passing  in  my  brain  on  that  subject,  I  would  cut 
it  off  and  burn  it." 

I  have  described  the  feeling  along  the  dividing  line  between  the  States  and 
Canada.  I  remember  that  Sutherland  said  tliat  one  of  his  principal  objects  was  to 
involve  the  two  countries  in  war  with  each  other.  Doing  this  he  would  attain 
the  height  of  his  ambition.  I  believe  there  would  have  been  but  little  difficulty  in 
raising  the  number  of  men  to  fill  the  four  companies  required,  and  it  seemed  plain  to 
me,  that  after  receiving  our  commissions,  and  before  the  ink  of  the  Governor's  signa- 
ture was  fairly  dry  on  them,  Sutherland  would  have  ordered  a  forward  movement  at 
a  place  where  we  would  have  been  met  by  an  overwhelming  force  and  been  compelled 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


to  surrender.  I  could  come  to  no  other  conclusion  than  that  Sutherland  was  false 
to  tlie  cause  he  pretended  to  espouse.  If  we  had  been  taken  prisoners,  of  course 
we  would  have  claimed  the  treatment  of  prisoners  of  war.  This  may  have  been  ac- 
corded to  us  in  consideration  of  our  commissions  and  we  not  have  been  hanged  as 
Cunningham,  Linn,  Lount  and  others  were.  If  the  invasion  had  taken  ^ilace,  that 
might  have  been  regarded  by  our  Canadian  neighbors  as  a  commencement  of  hos- 
tilities on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  and  as  a  sufficient  justification  for  the 
Rocket  Brigade  to  open  on  Detroit  and  burn  it.  At  that  time  there  were  no  troops 
tliere  except  the  Brady  Guards,  an  excellent  company  of  volunteer  militia  of  less 
than  100  men.  What  the  consequences  would  have  been  if  Sutherland's  order  had 
been  obeyed  others  may  infer.  I  remembered  that  Sutherland  told  me  that  he  had 
called  meetings  and  made  speeches  through  Oakland  County  as  he  had  in  Washte- 
naw. My  duty  seemed  plain  and  simple,  and  I  lost  no  time  in  going  to  Detroit 
with  this  package  of  papers.  I  found  the  Governor  in  his  office  in  the  old  capitol, 
and  as  soon  as  we  were  left  alone  I  told  him  my  errand  and  laid  the  papers  before 
him.  He  read  them  attentively  and  arose  from  his  chair  and  walked  the  office  for 
some  minutes  without  uttering  a  word.  It  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  a  storm  was 
brewing.  At  length  it  burst  out  in  language  more  forcible  than  polite,  too  forcible 
for  me  to  repeat  in  this  paper.  My  impression  was  that  if  Sutherland  had  been  present 
he  would  have  felt  the  weight  of  the  Governor's  arm.  A  more  angry  man  I  have  sel- 
dom seen.  After  the  engagement  at  Point  au  Pelee  occurred,  Sutherland,  under  the 
pretense  of  joining  the  victorious  patriots  at  the  Point,  attempted  to  pass  Fort  Maiden 
with  a  horse  and  cutter  on  the  ice  and  was  captured  by  some  of  the  garrison  of  the  fort 
which  he  probably  intended  to  be,  and  with  Theller  and  Col.  Dodge  was  held  as  a 
prisoner  until  the  Spring  opened,  when  the  three  were  taken  to  Quebec  and  con- 
fined in  a  cell  in  one  of  the  fortresses  there.  Theller  and  Dodge  made  their  escape 
from  the  prison,  and,  after  returning,  Theller  told  me  that  on  their  journey  down, 
which  was  by  private  conveyance  (there  were  no  railroads  then),  he  and  Dodge 
were  confined  in  jails  nights,  but  Sutherland  was  entertained  at  hotels.  On  reaching 
their  prison,  the  three  were  shut  up  in  the  same  cell  for  awhile,  but  so  strong  were 
their  impressions  that  Sutherland  was  in  British  pay  and  a  traitor  to  the  Patriot 
cause  that  they  laid  plans  to  get  rid  of  him.  They  believed  him  a  spy  on  them  ; 
they  found  him  a  coward  and  so  worked  upon  his  fears  until  he  was  removed.  Af- 
ter Tlieller  and  Dodge  had  the  cell  to  themselves,  they  applied  themselves  to  work 
and  effected  their  escape  and  returned  to  Michigan.  The  Canadian  struggle  for 
national  independence  was  unsuccessful. 

Another  expedition  was  planned  at  Detroit  for  the  capture  of  Fort  Maiden, 
and  was  to  sail  from  that  city  under  the  command  of  a  general  from  Cleveland.  It 
had  been  ascertained  that  the  garrison  was  lodged  in  the  Queen's  warehouse  at  the 


78  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


foot  of  the  wharf,  and  the  officers  quartered  at  hotels  in  tlie  village  of  Amherst- 
burg,  and  that  at  niglit  there  was  but  a  small  force  on  guard  at  the  fort.  Three 
steamboats  were  to  be  employed,  and  when  they  arrived  off  the  fort  one  boat  was 
to  lay  across  the  head  of  the  wharf,  and  the  other  two,  one  on  each  side ;  one  party 
should  march  directly  to  the  fort  and  take  it ;  the  second  should  capture  the  gar- 
rison in  the  warehouse  ;  and  the  third  should  capture  the  officers.  This  was  to  be 
done  in  the  niglit.  And  however  feasible  the  plan  was,  it  was  hinted  that  the 
General  lacked  tlie  nerve  to  undertake  it.  It  was  like  the  cause,  a  failure.  After 
the  escape  of  Tiieller  and  Dodge,  Sutherland  was  set  at  liberty,  without  trial  and 
without  punishment. 

THE   MEXICAN   WAR. 

There  are  few  records  extant  of  tlie  action  of  Michigan  troops  in  the  Mexican 
war.  That  many  went  there  and  fought  well,  are  points  conceded  ;  but  their 
names  and  country  of  nativity  are  hidden  away  in  United  States  archives  where  it 
is  almost  impossible  to  find  them. 

The  soldiers  of  this  State  deserve  much  of  the  credit  of  the  memorable  achieve- 
ments of  Co.  K,  Third  Dragoons,  and  Co.'s  A,  E  and  G  of  the  U.  S.  Infantry.  The 
former  two  of  these  companies,  recruited  in  this  State,  were  reduced  to  one-third 
their  original  number. 

In  May,  1846,  our  Governor  was  notified  by  the  War  Department  of  the 
United  States  to  enroll  a  regiment  of  volunteers,  to  be  held  in  readiness  for  service 
whenever  demanded.  At  this  summons,  thirteen  independent  volunteer  comjianies, 
eleven  of  infantry  and  two  of  cavalry,  at  once  fell  into  line.  Of  the  infantry,  four 
companies  were  from  Detroit,  bearing  the  honored  names  of  Montgomery,  Lafay- 
ette, Scott,  and  Brady  upon  their  banners.  Of  the  remainder  Monroe  tendered 
two,  Lenawee  County  three,  St.  Clair,  Berrien  and  Hillsdale  each  one,  and  Wayne 
County  an  additional  company.  Of  these  alone  the  veteran  Bradys  were  accepted 
and  ordered  into  service. 

In  addition  to  these,  ten  companies,  making  the  First  Regiment  of  Michigan 
Volunteers,  springing  from  various  parts  of  the  State,  but  embodying  to  a  great 
degree  the  material  of  which  the  first  volunteers  was  formed,  were  not  called  for 
until  October  following.  This  regiment  was  soon  in  readiness  and  proceeded  to  the 
seat  of  war. 

THE   WAR   OF   1861-65. 

As  soon  as  the  President  called  for  troops  to  suppress  the  Rebellion  in  April, 
1861,  the  loyal  people  of  the  Peninsular  State  promptly  responded  and  furnished 
the  quota  assigned.  Austin  Blair,  a  man  peculiarl}'  fitted  for  the  place  during  the 
emergency,  was  Governor,  and  Jolin  Robertson,  Adjutant-General.  The  people  of 
Michigan  have  ever  since  been  proud  of  the  record  of  these  two  men  during  the 


^^ 


HISTORY  OF   MICIITGAN. 


war,  but  this  does  not  exclude  the  honor  due  all  the  humble  soklierywho  obediently 
exposed  their  lives  in  defense  of  the  common  country.  Michigan  has  her  full  share 
of  the  buried  dead  in  obscure  and  forgotten  places  all  over  the  South  as  well  as  in 
decent  cemeteries  throughout  the  North.  It  was  Michigan  men  that  captured  Jeff 
Davis,  namely :  the  4th  Cavalry,  under  Col.  B.  F.  Pritchard  ;  and  it  was  Michigan 
men  that  materially  aided  in  the  successful  capture  of  Wilkes  Booth,  the  assassin 
of  the  martyred  Lincoln. 

The  census  of  this  State  for  1860  showed  a  population  of  751,110.  The  num- 
ber of  able-bodied  men  capable  of  military  service  was  estimated  in  official  documents 
of  that  date  at  110,000.  At  the  same  time  the  financial  embarrassment  of  the  State 
was  somewhat  serious,  and  the  annual  tax  of  •'1226, "250  was  deemed  a  grievous  burden. 
But  such  was  the  patriotism  of  the  people  that  by  December  2:5, 1862,  an  aggregate 
of  45,569  had  gone  to  battle,  besides  1,400  who  had  gone  into  other  States  and  re- 
cruited. By  the  end  of  the  war  Michigan  had  sent  to  the  front  90,747,  or  more 
than  four-fifths  the  estimated  number  of  able-bodied  men  at  the  beginning !  The 
military  history  of  the  county  deals  very  fully  with  this  subject. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

POLITICAL    HISTORY. 

Previous  to  the  formation  of  the  Northwestern  Territory,  the  country  within 
its  bounds  was  claimed  by  several  of  the  Eastern  States,  on  the  ground  that  it  was 
within  the  limits  indicated  by  their  charters  from  the  English  Crown.  In  answer 
to  the  wishes  of  the  Government  and  people,  these  States  in  a  patriotic  spirit  sur- 
rendered their  claims  to  this  extensive  territory,  that  it  might  constitute  a  common 
fund  to  aid  in  the  payment  of  the  national  debt.  To  prepare  the  way  for  this  ces- 
sion, a  law  had  been  passed  in  October,  1780,  that  the  territory  so  to  be  ceded 
should  be  disposed  of  for  the  common  benefit  of  the  whole  Union  ;  that  the  States 
erected  therein  should  be  of  suitable  extent,  not  less  than  100  nor  more  than  150 
miles  square  ;  and  that  any  expenses  that  might  be  incurred  in  recovering  the  posts 
then  in  the  hands  of  the  British  should  be  reimbursed.  New  York  released  her 
claims  to  Congress,  March  1,  1781 ;  Virginia,  March  1,  1784 ;  Massachusetts,  April 
19,  1785,  and  Connecticut,  September  4,  1786. 

Under  the  French  and  British  dominion,  the  points  occupied  on  the  eastern 
boundary  of  what  is  now  the  State  of  Michigan  were  considered  a  part  of  New 
France,  or  Canada.      Detroit   was  known  to  the  French  as  Fort  Pontchartrain. 


r^ 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


The  military  commandant,  under  both  governments,  exercised  a  civil  jurisdiction 
over  tlie  settlements  surrounding  their  posts.  In  1796,  wiien  the  British  garrisons 
at  Detroit  and  Mackinaw  were  replaced  b}'  detachments  by  General  Wayne,  Mich- 
igan became  a  part  of  the  Northwestern  Territory  and  was  organized  as  the  county 
of  Wayne,  entitled  to  one  Representative  in  the  General  Assembly,  held  at  Chilli- 
cothe.  In  1800,  Indiana  was  made  a  separate  Territor}%  embracing  all  tlie  country 
west  of  the  present  State  of  Ohio,  and  of  an  extension  of  the  western  line  of  that 
State  due  north  to  the  territorial  limits  of  the  United  States.  In  1802,  the  penin- 
sula was  annexed  to  the  Territory  of  Indiana,  and  in  1805  Michigan  began  a  sepa- 
rate existence.  That  part  of  the  Territory  that  lies  east  of  a  north  and  south  line 
through  the  middle  of  Lake  Michigan  was  formed  into  a  distinct  government,  and 
the  provisions  of  the  ordinance  of  1787  continued  to  regulate  it.  Under  this  Con- 
stitution the  executive  power  was  vested  in  a  governor,  the  judicial  in  three  judges, 
and  the  legislative  in  both  united ;  the  officers  were  appointed  by  the  General  Gov- 
ernment, and  their  legislative  authority  was  restricted  to  the  adoption  of  laws 
from  the  codes  of  the  several  States.  This  form  of  government  was  to  continue 
until  the  Territory  should  contain  5,000  free  white  males  of  full  age.  It  then  became 
optional  with  the  people  to  choose  a  legislative  body,  to  be  supported  by  them  ; 
but  subsequent  legislation  by  Congress  more  liberall}'  provided  a  legislature  at 
the  expense  of  the  general  Government  and  also  added  to  privileges  in  the 
elective  franchise  and  eligibility  to  office  ;  as,  for  example,  under  the  ordinance  a 
freehold  qualification  was  required,  both  on  the  part  of  the  elector  and  of  the 
elected. 

The  first  officers  of  the  territory  of  Michigan  were :  Wm.  Hull,  governor ; 
Augustus  B.  Woodward,  chief  judge  ;  Frederick  Bates,  Sr.,  assistant  judge  and 
treasurer;  .lohn  Griffin,  assistant  judge  ;  Col.  James  May,  marshal ;  Abijah  Hull, 
surveyor;  Peter  Audrain,  clerk  of  the  legislative  board.  May  .5,  1807,  Joseph 
Watson  was  appointed  Legislative  Secretary ;  in  November,  1806,  Elijah  Brush  was 
appointed  Treasurer,  to  succeed  Mr.  Bates,  and  the  books  of  the  office  were  deliv- 
ered over  on  the  26th  of  that  month  ;  and  William  McDowell  Scott  was  appointed 
Marshal  in  November,  1806,  to  succeed  Col.  May.  The  latter  never  held  the  office 
of  Judge  of  the  Territory,  but  about  1800-'3  he  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas.  Augustus  Breevort  Woodward  was  a  native  of  Virginia;  was  .ap- 
pointed a  Judge  of  the  Territory  in  1805,  his  term  of  office  expired  February  1, 
1824.  He  was  soon  afterward  appointed  Judge  of  the  Territory  of  Florida,  and 
three  years  after  that  he  died.  The  grand  scheme  of  "Catholepistemiad,"  or  State 
University  of  Michigan,  with  its  numerous  names  described  under  sesquipedalian 
names  from  the  Greek,  owed  its  origin  to  Judge  Woodward. 

John  Griffin  was  appointed  Assistant  Judge  in  1807,  his  term  of  office  expir- 


tiL 


HISTORY   OP  MICHIGAN. 


ing  February  1,  1824,  when  he  was  re-appointed  for  four  years,  and  February  1, 
1828,  he  was  appointed  Territorial  Secretary. 

When,  in  1818,  Illinois  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  all  the  territory  lying 
north  of  that  State  and  of  Indiana  was  annexed  to  Michigan.  In  1819  the  terri- 
tory was  authorized  to  elect  a  delegate  to  Congress,  according  to  the  present  usage 
with  reference  to  territories;  previous  to  this  time  according  to  the  ordinance  of  1787, 
a  territory  was  not  entitled  to  a  delegate  until  it  entered  upon  the  "  second  grade 
of  Government,"  and  the  delegate  was  then  to  be  chosen  by  the  General  Assembly. 

In  1823  Congress  abolished  the  legislative  power  of  the  Governor  and  Judges, 
and  granted  more  enlarged  ones  to  a  council,  to  be  composed  of  nine  persons 
selected  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  from  eighteen  chosen  by  the  electors 
of  the  territory;  and  by  this  law,  also,  eligibility  to  ofiSce  was  made  co-existent 
with  the  right  of  suffrage  as  established  by  the  act  of  1819  ;  also  the  judicial  term 
of  office  was  limited  to  four  years.  In  1825  all  county  officers,  except  those  of  a 
judicial  nature,  were  made  elective,  and  the  appointments  which  remained  in  the 
liands  of  the  executive  were  made  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  legislative  council. 
In  1827  the  electors  were  authorized  to  choose  a  number  of  persons  for  the  legisla- 
tive council,  which  was  empowered  to  enact  all  laws  not  inconsistent  with  the 
ordinance  of  1787.  Their  acts,  however,  were  subject  to  abolishment  by  Congress, 
and  to  veto  by  the  territorial  executives.  When  Gen.  Wm.  Hull  arrived  at  Detroit 
to  assume  his  official  duties  as  Governor,  he  found  the  town  in  ruins,  it  having 
been  destroyed  by  fire.  Whether  it  had  been  burned  by  design  or  accident  was 
not  known.  The  inhabitants  were  without  food  and  shelter,  camping  in  the  open 
fields;  still  they  were  not  discouraged,  and  soon  commenced  rebuilding  their 
houses  on  the  same  site.  Congress  also  kindly  granted  the  sufiferers  the  site  of  the 
old  town  of  Detroit  and  10,000  acres  of  land  adjoining.  A  territorial  militia  was 
organized,  and  a  code  of  laws  was  adopted  similar  to  those  of  the  original  State. 
This  code  was  signed  by  Gov.  Hull,  Augustus  B.  Woodward  and  Frederick  Bates, 
Judges  of  the  Territory,  and  was  called  the  "  Woodward  code." 

At  this  time  the  bounds  of  the  Territory  embraced  all  the  country  on  the 
American  side  of  the  Detroit  River,  east  of  the  north  and  south  line  through  the 
center  of  Lake  Michigan.  The  Indian  land  claims  had  been  partially  extinguished 
previous  to  this  period.  By  the  treaty  of  Fort  Mcintosh,  in  1785,  and  that  of  Fort 
Harmar,  in  1787,  extensive  cessions  had  been  either  made  or  confirmed,  and,  in 
1807,  the  Indian  titles  to  several  tracts  became  entirely  extinct.  Settlements 
having  been  made  under  the  French  and  English  Governments,  with  irregularity 
or  absence  of  definite  surveys  and  records,  some  confusion  sprang  up  in  regard  to 
the  titles  of  valuable  tracts.  Accordingly,  Congress  established  a  Board  of  Com- 
missioners to  examine  and  settle  these  conflicting  claims,  and,  in  1807,  another  act 

6 


V* 


HISTORY  OP   MICHIGAN. 


was  passed,  confirming,  to  a  certain  extent,  tlie  titles  of  all  such  as  had  been  in 
possession  of  the  lands  then  occupied  by  them  from  the  year  1796.  the  year  of  the 
final  evacuations  by  the  British  garrisons.  Other  acts  were  subsequently  passed, 
extending  the  same  conditions  to  settlements  on  the  upper  lakes. 

As  chief  among  the  fathers  of  this  State  we  may  mention  Gov.  Lewis 
Cass,  Gabriel  Richard,  Stevens  T.  Mason,  Augustus  B.  Woodward,  John 
Hornell,  William  Woodbridge,  John  Biddle,  William  A.  Fletcher,  Elon  Farns- 
worth,  Solomon  Sibley,  Benjamin  B.  Kircheval,  John  R.  Williams,  George 
Morrell,  Daniel  Goodwin,  Augustus  S.  Porter,  Benjamin  F.  H.  Witherell, 
Jonathan  Sheaver  and  Charles  C.  Trowbridge,  all  of  Wayne  County  ;  Edmund 
Munday,  James  Kingsley  and  Alpheus  Felch,  of  Washentaw ;  Ross  Wilkins 
and  John  J.  Adam,  of  Lenawee ;  Warner  Wing,  Charles  Noble  and  Austin  E. 
Wing,  of  Monroe  County  ;  Randolph  Manning,  O.  D.  Richardson  and  James  B. 
Hunt,  of  Oakland ;  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  of  Chippewa  ;  Albert  Miller,  of  the 
Saginaw  Valley ;  John  Stockton,  Robert  P.  Eldridge  and  Christian  Clemens,  of 
Macomb ;  Lucius  Lyon,  Charles  E.  Stuart,  Edwin  H.  Lathrop,  Epaphroditus 
Ransom  and  Hezekiah  G.  Wells,  of  Kalamazoo  ;  Isaac  E.  Crary,  John  D.  Pierce 
and  Oliver  C.  Comstock,  of  Calhoun ;  Kinsley  S.  Bingham,  of  Livingston ;  John 
S.  Barry,  of  St.  Joseph ;  Charles  W.  Wliipple,  Calvain  Britain  and  Thomas  Fitz- 
gerald, of  Berrien,  Bunce,  of  St.  Clair,  and  George  Redfield,  of  Cass.  These  men 
and  tlieir  compeers  shaped  the  policy  of  the  State,  and  decided  wliat  should  be 
its  future.  They  originated  all  and  established  most  of  the  great  institutions  which 
are  the  evidences  of  our  advanced  civilization,  and  of  which  we  are  so  justly  proud. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF   GEN.    CASS. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain  in  1814,  an  era  of  prosperity 
dawned  upon  the  infant  territory.  Gen.  Lewis  Cass,  who  had  served  the  Govern- 
ment with  great  distinction  during  the  war,  was  appointed  Governor.  The  condi- 
tion of  the  people  was  very  much  reduced,  the  country  was  wild,  and  the  British 
flag  still  waved  over  the  fort  at  Mackinaw.  There  was  nothing  inviting  to  immi- 
grants except  the  mere  facts  of  the  close  of  the  war  and  the  existence  of  a  fertile 
soil  and  a  good  climate.  The  Indians  were  still  dangerous,  and  the  country  was  still 
comparatively  remote  from  the  centers  of  civilization  and  government.  Such  a  set  of 
circumstances  was  just  the  proper  environment  for  the  development  of  all  those 
elements  of  the  "  sturdy  pioneer,"  wliich  we  so  often  admire  when  writing  up 
Western  history.  Here  was  the  field  for  stout  and  brave  men  ;  here  was  the  place 
for  the  birth  and  education  of  real  Spartan  men, — men  of  strength,  moral  courage 
and  indomitable  perseverance. 

At  first,  Gen.  Cass  had  also  the  care  of  a  small  portion  of  Canada  opposite 


^. 


'-^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


Detroit,  and  he  had  only  twenty-seven  soldiers  for  defending  Detroit  against  the 
hostile  Indians  and  carrying  on  the  whole  government.  Believing  that  a  civil 
governor  should  not  be  encumbered  also  with  military  duty,  he  resigned  his 
brigadier-generalship  in  the  army.  But  as  Governor  he  soon  had  occasion  to  exer- 
cise liis  military  power,  even  to  act  on  the  field  as  commander,  in  chasing  away 
marauding  bands  of  Indians.  The  latter  seemed  to  be  particularly  threatening  at 
this  time,  endeavoring  to  make  up  in  yelling  and  petty  depredations  what  tliey 
lacked  in  sweeping  victory  over  all  the  pale-faces. 

In  times  of  peace  Gov.  Cass  had  high  notions  of  civilizing  the  Indians,  encour- 
aging the  purchase  of  their  lands,  limiting  their  hunting  grounds  to  a  narrow  com- 
pass, teacliing  them  agriculture  and  meclianics,  and  providing  the  means  for  tlieir 
instruction  and  religious  training.  The  policy  of  the  French  and  English  liad  been 
to  pacify  them  with  presents  and  gewgaws,  merely  to  obtain  a  temporary  foothold 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  the  fur  trade.  Those  benefited  by  the  trade  lived 
thousands  of  miles  away,  and  had  no  intei-est  in  the  permanent  development  of  the 
country.  The  United  States  Government,  on  the  other  hand,  indorsed  Gov.  Cass' 
policy,  which  was  to  result  in  the  development  of  the  counti-y  and  the  establish- 
ment of  all  the  arts  of  peace.  Govs.  Cass  and  Harrison  were  accordingly  empowered 
to  treat  with  the  Indians  on  the  Miami  and  Wabash  ;  and,  July  20,  a  treaty  was 
signed  with  the  Wyandottes,  Senecas,  Shawnees,  Miamis  and  Delawares,  which 
restored  comparative  tranquility.  During  the  Summer,  however,  there  was  Indian 
war  enough  to  call  out  all  Gov.  Cass'  men,  in  aid  of  Gen.  Brown  on  the 
Niagara. 

Indians  can  never  remain  long  at  peace,  whatever  may  be  the  obligations  they 
assume  in  treaty  making.  Gen.  Cass  often  headed  his  forces  in  person,  and  drove 
the  hostile  tribes  from  place  to  place  until  they  finally  retreated  to  Saginaw. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  recover  Mackinaw  from  the  English  in  July  of  this 
year  (1814),  but  the  British  works  were  too  strong  ;  however,  the  establishments 
at  Saint  Joseph  and  Sault  Ste.  Marie  were  destroA'ed.  In  the  following  Winter  the 
final  treaty  of  peace  was  ratified  between  England  and  the  United  States.  The 
population  of  the  Territory  at  this  time  was  not  over  5,000  or  6,000,  scattered  over 
a  vast  extent,  and  in  a  state  of  great  destitution  on  account  of  the  calamities 
of  war.  Scarcely  a  family,  on  resuming  the  duties  of  home,  found  more  than  the 
remnants  of  former  wealth  and  comfort.  Families  had  been  broken  up  and  dis- 
persed;  parents  had  been  torn  from  their  children,  and  children  from  each  other; 
some  had  been  slain  on  the  battle-field,  and  others  had  been  massacred  by  the  ruth- 
less savages.  Laws  had  become  a  dead  letter,  and  morals  had  suffered  in  the 
general  wreck.  Agriculture  had  been  almost  abandoned  and  commerce  paralyzed ; 
food  and  all  necessaries  of  life  were  scarce,  and  luxuries  unknown.     Money  was 


^  ^ 
^f^ 


A 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


difficult  to  get,  and  the  bank  paper  of  Oliio,  which  was  almost  the  sole  circulating 
medium,  was  twenty-five  per  cent,  below  par. 

Such  was  the  gloomy  state  of  domestic  affairs  when  Gen.  Cass  assumed  the 
office  of  Governor.  Besides,  he  had  the  delicate  task  of  aiding  in  legislation  and  of 
being  at  the  same  time  the  sole  executive  of  the  law.  In  1817,  he  made  an  im- 
portant treaty  with  the  Indians,  by  which  their  title  was  extinguished  to  nearlj-  all 
the  land  in  Ohio,  and  a  great  portion  in  Indiana  and  Michigan.  This  treaty  at- 
tached the  isolated  population  of  Michigan  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  made  the  Terri- 
torial Government  in  a  fuller  sense  an  integral  member  of  the  Federal  Union,  and 
removed  all  apprehension  of  a  hostile  confederacy  among  the  Indian  tribes  along 
the  lake  and  river  frontier. 

Hitherto  there  had  not  been  a  road  in  Michigan,  except  the  military  road  along 
the  Detroit  River;  but  as  the  Indian  settlements  and  lands  could  not  now  be  inter- 
posed as  a  barrier.  Gen.  Cass  called  the  attention  of  Congress  to  the  necessity  of  a 
military  road  from  Detroit  to  Sandusky,  through  a  trackless  morass  called  the  Black 
Swamp. 

Congress  passed  an  act  requiring  that  2,000,000  acres  of  land  should  be  sur- 
veyed in  the .  Territory  of  Louisiana,  the  same  amount  in  the  Territory  of  Illinois, 
and  the  same  amount  in  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  in  all  6,000,000  acres,  to  be  set 
apart  for  the  soldiers  in  the  war  with  Great  Britain.  Each  soldier  was  to  have  160 
acres  of  land  fit  for  cultivation.  The  surveyors  under  tiiis  law  reported  that  there 
were  no  lands  in  Michigan  fit  for  cultivation  !  This  unconscionable  report  deterred 
immigration  for  many  years,  and  the  Government  took  the  wliole  6,000,000  acres 
from  Illinois  and  Missouri.  Tiie  language  of  that  report  is  so  remarkable  that  we 
must  quote  it :  "  The  country  on  the  Indian  boundary  line,  from  the  mouth  of  tlie 
Great  Auglaize  river  and  running  thence  for  about  fifty  miles,  is  (with  some  few 
exceptions)  low,  wet  land,  with  a  very  thick  growth  of  underbrush,  intermixed 
with  very  bad  marshes,  but  generally  very  heavily  timbered  with  beech,  cotton- 
wood,  oak,  etc.,  thence  continuing  north  and  extending  from  the  Indian  boundary 
eastward,  the  number  and  extent  of  the  swamps  increase,  with  the  addition  of 
numbers  of  lakes,  from  twenty  chains  to  two  and  three  miles  across.  Many  of  the 
lakes  have  extensive  marshes  adjoining  their  margins,  sometimes  thickly  covered 
with  a  species  of  pine  called  '  tamarack,'  and  other  places  covered  with  a  coarse, 
high  grass,  and  uniformly  covered  from  six  inches  to  three  feet  (and  more  at  times) 
with  water.  The  margins  of  these  lakes  are  not  the  only  places  where  swamps 
are  found,  for  they  are  interspersed  throughout  the  whole  country  and  filled  with 
water,  as  above  stated,  and  varying  in  extent.  The  intermediate  space  between 
these  swamps  and  lakes,  which  is  probably  near  one-half  of  the  country,  is,  with  a 
very  few  exceptions,  a  poor,  barren,  sandy  land  on  which  scarcely  any  vegetation 


HISTORY   OF   JIIcniGAN. 


grows  except  very  small,  scrubby  oaks.  In  many  places  that  part  which  may  be 
called  dry  land  is  composed  of  little,  short  sand-hills,  forming  a  kind  of  deep  basins, 
the  bottoms  of  many  of  which  are  composed  of  a  marsh  similar  to  the  above-de- 
scribed. The  streams  are  generally  narrow,  and  very  deep  compared  with  their 
width,  the  shores  and  bottoms  of  which  are,  witli  a  very  few  exceptions,  swampy 
beyond  description;  and  it  is  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that  a  place  can  be  found 
over  which  horses  can  be  conveyed  with  safety. 

"  A  circumstance  peculiar  to  that  country  is  exhibited  in  many  of  the  marshes 
by  their  being  thinly  covered  with  a  sward  of  grass,  by  walking  on  which  evinced 
the  existence  of  water  or  a  very  thin  mud  immediately  under  their  covering,  which 
sinks  from  six  to  eigiiteeii  inches  from  tlie  pressure  of  the  foot  at  every  step,  and  at 
the  same  time  rising  before  and  behind  the  person  passing  over.  Tiie  margins  of 
many  of  the  lakes  and  streams  are  in  a  similar  situation,  and  in  many  places  are 
literally  afloat.  On  approaching  the  eastern  part  of  tlie  militaiy  lands,  toward  the 
private  claims  on  the  straits  and  lake,  the  country  does  not  contain  so  many  swamps 
and  lakes,  but  the  extreme  sterility  and  barrenness  of  the  soil  continues  the  same. 
Taking  the  country  altogether,  so  far  as  has  been  explored,  and  to  all  appearances, 
together  with  tiie  information  received  regarding  the  balance,  it  is  so  bad  there 
would  not  be  more  than  one  acre  out  of  a  hundred,  if  there  would  be  one  out  of  a 
thousand,  that  would  in  any  place  admit  of  cultivation." 

It  is  probable  that  those  Government  surveyors  made  a  lazy  job  of  their  duty, 
and  depended  almost  entirely  on  the  fur-traders,  who  were  interested  in  keeping 
settlers  out  of  the  country.  But  we  must  make  allowance,  too,  for  the  universal 
ignorance  existing  at  that  time  of  the  methods  of  developing  the  Western  country 
wiiich  modern  invention  has  brought  to  bear  since  the  days  of  our  grandfathers. 
We  must  remember  that  our  Western  prairies  were  counted  worth  nothing,  even 
by  all  the  early  settlers. 

By  the  year  1818,  some  immigrants  crowded  in  and  further  explored  and  tested 
the  land  ;  and  in  March,  this  year.  Gov.  Cass  called  for  the  views  of  the  inhabitants 
upon  the  question  of  changing  the  civil  authority  by  entering  upon  the  second  grade 
of  Territorial  government.  A  vote  was  taken  and  a  majority  was  found  to  be 
against  it  ;  but  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  immigration  and  settlement.  Gov. 
Cass  recommended  to  tlie  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  that  the  lands  in  the  district  of 
Detroit  be  at  once  brought  into  market.  The  Department  immediately  complied, 
and  the  lands  were  offered  for  sale  the  following  Autumn.  Immigration  was  now 
increased  more  than  ever  before,  and  the  permanent  growth  of  the  country  became 
fully  established. 

In  1819,  the  people  were  allowed  to  elect  a  delegate  to  Congress.  The  popu- 
lation was  now  8,806  in  the  whole  Territory,  distributed  as  follows:  Detroit,  1,450, 


spV  " 


HISTORY   OP  MICHIGAN 


not  inolud'mg  the  garrison ;  the  Island  of  Mackinaw,  still  the  entrepot  of  the  fur 
trade,  a  stationary  population  of  aliout  450,  sometimes  increased  to  2,000  or  over ; 
Sault  Ste.  Marie,  fifteen  or  twenty  houses,  occupied  by  French  and  English  families. 

The  year  1819  was  also  rendered  memorable  by  the  appearance  of  the  first 
steamboat  on  the  lakes,  the  "Walk-in-the- water,"  which  came  up  Lake  Erie  and 
went  on  to  Mackinaw. 

Up  to  this  time  no  executive  measure  had  been  taken  by  the  people  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  school  lands  appropriated  by  the  ordinance  of  1787,  except  the 
curious  act  passed  by  the  Governor  and  judges  establishing  the  "Catholepistemiad,'' 
or  University  of  Michigan,  with  thirteen  "didaxia,"  or  professorships.  The  scheme 
for  the  institution  was  a  grand  one,  described  Ijy  quaint,  sesquipedalian  technical- 
ities carried  from  the  Greek  language,  and  the  whole  devised  by  that  unique  man, 
Judge  Woodward.  The  act  is  given  in  full  in  the  Territorial  laws  of  Michigan, 
compiled  and  printed  a  few  years  ago.  It  was  Judge  Woodward,  also,  who  laid 
out  the  plan  of  Detroit,  in  the  form  of  a  cobweb,  with  a  "Campus  Martins"  and  a 
grand  circus,  and  avenues  radiating  in  every  direction,  grand  public  parks  and 
squares,  etc.  Centuries  would  be  required  to  fulfill  his  vast  design.  Like  authors 
and  artists  of  ancient  Greece  and  Rome,  he  laid  the  foundations  of  grand  work  for 
posterity,  more  than  the  passing  generation. 

Settlements  now  began  to  form  at  the  points  where  now  are  the  cities  of  Ann 
Arbor,  Ypsilanti,  Jackson,  Tecumseh  and  Pontiac.  There  were  still  some  annoy- 
ances by  the  Indians.  The  Sacs  and  Foxes  annually  made  their  appearance  to  ob- 
tain presents  from  the  English  at  Maiden,  and  as  they  passed  along  they  would 
commit  many  depredations.  This  practice  of  the  British  Government  had  a  ten- 
dency to  prejudice  the  Indians  against  the  Americans,  and  it  thus  became  necessary 
to  take  some  measures  for  removing  tiie  Indians  beyond  British  influence,  or  other- 
wise putting  a  stop  to  this  dangerous  custom.  Accordingly,  in  tlie  Fall  of  1819, 
Gov.  Cass  desired  the  government  at  Washington  to  cause  a  more  thorough  explor- 
ation to  be  made  of  the  lake  region,  estimating  the  number  and  influence  of  the 
Indians,  their  relations,  prejudices,' etc.,  with  a  view  to  the  further  extinguishment 
of  Indian  title  to  land,  etc.;  but  the  Government  deemed  it  advisable  at  this  time 
only  to  take  ten  miles  square  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie  for  military  purposes,  and  some 
islands  near  Mackinaw,  where  beds  of  plaster  had  been  found  to  exist.  However, 
the  General  Government  soon  ordered  an  expedition  to  be  fitted  out  for  such  an 
exploration  as  Gov.  Cass  desired,  to  travel  with  birch  canoes.  The  men  comjjosing 
the  expedition  were  Gen.  Cass  and  Robert  A.  Forsyth,  his  private  secretary ;  Capt. 
D.  B.  Douglass,  topographer  and  astronomer;  Dr.  Alex  Walcot,  physician  ;  James 
D.  Doty,  official  secretary ;  and  Charles  C.  Trowbridge,  assistant  topographer.  Lieut. 
Evans  Mackey  was  commander  of  the  escort,  which  consisted  of  ten  U.  S.  soldiers. 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Besides  these  there  were  tea  Canadian  voyageurs  to  manage  the  canoes,  and  ten 
Indians  to  act  as  hunter.  The  latter  were  under  the  direction  of  James  Riley  and 
Joseph  Parks,  who  were  also  to  act  as  interpreters.  The  party  left  Detroit,  March 
2-t,  1820,  and  reached  Michili.iiackinac,  June  6.  On  leaving  this  place,  June  14, 
twenty-two  soldiers,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  John  S.  Pierce,  were  added  to 
the  party,  and  the  expedition  now  numbered  sixty-four  persons.  They  reached  the 
Sault  Ste.  Marie  the  16th,  where  Gen.  Cass  called  the  Indians  (Chippewas)  to- 
gether, in  order  to  have  a  definite  understanding  with  them  considering  the  boun- 
dary lines  of  the  land  grants,  and  thereby  renew  also  their  sanction  of  former  trea- 
ties. At  first  the  Indians  protested  against  the  Americans  having  any  garrison  at  the 
place,  and  some  of  them  grew  violent  and  almost  pi-ecipitated  a  general  fight,  which 
would  have  been  disastrous  to  Gen.  Cass'  party,  as  the  Indians  were  far  more  numer- 
ous; but  Cass  exhibited  a  great  degree  of  coolness  and  courage,  and  caused  more 
deliberate  counsels  to  prevail  amongst  the  savages.  Tnus  the  tlireatened  storm 
blew  over.  The  next  day  the  expedition  resumed  its  journey,  on  Lake  Superior, 
passing  the  "pictured  rocks,"  and  landing  at  one  place  where  there  was  a  band  of 
friendly  Chippewas.  June  25,  they  left  Lake  Superior,  ascended  Portage  River  and 
returned  home  by  way  of  Lake  Michigan,  after  having  traveled  over  4,000  miles. 

The  results  of  the  expedition  were:  a  more  thorough  knowledge  of  a  vast  re- 
gion, and  of  the  numbers  and  disposition  of  the  various  tribes  of  Indians  ;  several 
important  Indian  treaties,  by  which  valuable  lands  were  ceded  to  the  United  States; 
a  knowledge  of  the  operations  of  the  Northwest  Fur  Company,  and  the  selection 
of  sites  for  a  line  of  military  posts. 

As  the  greater  want  of  the  people  seemed  to  be  roads.  Congress  was  appealed 
to  for  assistance,  and  not  in  vain,  for  that  body  immediately  provided  for  the  open- 
ing of  roads  between  Detroit  and  the  Miami  River,  from  Detroit  to  Chicago,  and 
from  Detroit  to  Fort  Gratiot,  and  for  the  improvement  of  La  Plaisance  Bay.  Gov- 
ernment surveys  were  carried  into  the  Territory.  Two  straight  lines  were  drawn 
through  the  center  of  the  Territory,  east  and  west,  and  north  and  south,  the  lat- 
ter being  denominated  the  principal  meridian,  and  the  former  the  base  line.  The 
Territory  was  also  divided  into  townships  of  six  miles  square. 

In  1821,  there  was  still  a  tract  of  land  lying  south  of  Grand  River  which  had 
not  yet  been  added  to  the  United  States,  and  Gov.  Cass  deemed  it  necessary  to 
negotiate  with  the  Indians  for  it.  To  accomplieh  this  work  he  had  to  visit  Chicago, 
and  as  a  matter  of  curiosity  we  will  inform  the  reader  of  his  most  feasible  route  to 
that  place,  which  he  can  contrast  with  that  of  the  present  day.  Leaving  Detroit, 
he  descended  to  the  mouth  of  the  Maumee  River ;  he  ascended  that  river  and  crossed 
the  intervening  country  to  the  Wabash ;  descended  that  stream  to  the  Ohio ;  down 
the  latter  to  the  Mississippi,  and  up  this  and  the  Illinois  rivers  to  Chicago.     At  this 


~e)  ^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


council  the  American  Commissioners  were  Gen.  Cass  and  Judge  Sibley,  of  Detroit. 
Tliey  were  successful  in  their  undertaking,  and  obtained  a  cession  of  the  land  in 
question.  On  this  occasion  the  Indians  exhibited  in  a  remarkable  manner  their 
appetite  for  whisky.  As  a  preliminary  step  to  the  negotiations,  the  commissioners 
ordered  that  no  spirits  should  be  given  to  the  Indians.  The  chief  of  the  latter  was 
a  man  of  about  a  hundred  years  old,  but  still  of  a  good  constitution.  The  com- 
missioners urged  every  consideration  to  convince  him  and  the  other  Indians  of  the 
propriety  of  the  course  they  had  adopted,  but  in  vain.  "  Father,"  said  the  old 
chieftain,  "we  do  not  care  for  the  laud,  nor  the  money,  nor  the  goods:  what  we 
want  is  whisky ;  give  us  whisky."  But  the  commissioners  were  inexorable,  and 
the  Indians  were  forced  to  content  themselves. 

This  year  (1821)  also  two  Indians  were  hanged  for  murder.  There  was  some 
fear  that  the  event  would  be  made  by  the  British  an  occasion  of  arousing  Indian 
atrocities  in  the  vicinity,  and  the  petition  for  the  pardon  of  the  wretches  was  con- 
sidered by  Gov.  Cass  with  a  great  deal  of  embarrassment.  He  finally  concluded 
to  let  the  law  take  its  course,  and,  accordingly,  Dec.  25,  the  murderers  were 
hanged. 

In  1822  six  new  counties  wei-e  created,  namelj^  Lapeer,  Sanilac,  Saginaw, 
Shiawassee,  Washtenaw  and  Lenawee ;  and  they  contained  much  more  territory 
than  they  do  at  the  present  day.  This  year  the  first  stage  line  was  established  in 
the  Territory,  connecting  the  county  seat  of  IVIacomb  County  with  the  steamer 
"  Walk-in-the-Water"  at  Detroit. 

In  1823,  Congress  changed  the  form  of  Territorial  government,  abrogating  the 
abrogating  power  of  the  governor  and  judges  and  establishing  a  system  of  "  Legis- 
lative Council,"  to  consist  of  nine  members,  appointed  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States  out  of  eighteen  candidates  elected  by  the  people.  By  tiie  same  act 
the  term  of  judicial  office  was  limited  to  four  years,  and  eligibility  to  office  was  made 
to  require  the  same  qualifications  as  right  to  suffrage.  Tiie  people  now  took  new 
interest  in  their  government,  and  felt  encouraged  to  lay  deep  the  foundations  of 
future  prosperity.  The  first  legishitive  council  under  the  new  regime  met  at  Detroit, 
June  7,  1824,  when  Gov.  Cass  delivered  his  message  reviewing  the  progress  of  the 
Territory,  calling  attention  to  the  needs  of  popular  education,  and  recommending 
a  policy  of  governmental  administration.  During  this  year  he  also  called  the  atten- 
tion of  the  General  Government  to  the  mineral  resources  of  the  Superior  region, 
and  asked  for  governmental  explorations  therein.  At  its  second  session  after  this. 
Congress  authorized  a  commission  to  treat  with  the  Indians  of  the  upper  peninsula 
for  permission  to  explore  that  country. 

In  1825,  the  Erie  Canal  was  completed  from  the  Hudson  River  to  Buffalo,  N. 
Y.,  and  the  effect  was  to  increase  materially  the  flow  of  people  and  wealth  into  the 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


youtig  Territory  of  Micliigan.  The  citizens  of  the  East  began  to  learn  the  truth 
concerning  tlie  agricultural  value  of  this  peninsula,  and  those  in  search  of  good  and 
permanent  homes  came  to  see  for  themselves,  and  afterwards  came  with  their 
friends  or  families  to  remain  as  industrious  residents,  to  develop  a  powerful  State. 
The  number  in  the  Territorial  Council  was  increased  to  thirteen,  to  be  chosen  by 
the  President  from  twenty-six  persons  elected  by  the  people.  In  1827  an  act  was 
passed  autliorizing  the  electors  to  choose  their  electors  directly,  without  the  further 
sanction  of  either  the  President  or  Congress.  The  power  of  enacting  laws  was 
given  to  the  council,  subject,  however,  to  the  approval  of  Congress  and  the  veto  of 
the  Governor.  This  form  of  Territorial  government  remained  in  force  until 
Michigan  was  organized  as  a  State  in  1837.  William  Woodbridge  was  Secretary 
of  the  Territory  during  the  administration  of  Gov.  Cass,  and  deserves  great  credit 
for  the  ability  with  which  he  perform^!  the  duties  of  his  office.  In  the  absence  of 
the  chief  executive  lie  was  Acting  Governor,  and  a  portion  of  the  time  he  repre- 
sented the  Territory  as  a  delegate  to  Congress.  In  1828  he  was  succeeded  by 
James  Witherell,  and  in  two  years  by  Gen.  John  T.  Mason.  In  1831  Gen.  Cass 
was  appointed  Secretary  of  War  in  the  Cabinet  of  President  Jackson,  after  having- 
served  Michigan  as  its  cliief  executive  for  eighteen  years.  He  had  been  appointed 
six  times,  running  through  the  presidency  of  Madison,  Monroe  and  -lohn  Q. 
Adams,  without  any  opposing  candidate  or  a  single  vote  against  liim  in  the  Senate. 
He  faithfully  discharged  liis  duties  as  Indian  Commissioner,  and  concluded  nine- 
teen treaties  with  the  Indians,  acquiring  large  cessions  of  territory  in  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Micliigan.  He  was  a  practical  patriot,  of  whom  the  people 
of  the  peninsular  State  feel  justly  proud.  Probably  more  than  any  other  man  Gen. 
Cass  was  the  father  of  Michigan. 

GEN.    GEORGE   B.    PORTER'S   ADMINISTRATION. 

On  the  promotion  of  Gov.  Cass  to  a  seat  in  the  Cabinet  of  President  Jackson, 
and  his  consequent  resignation  as  Governor  of  Michigan,  Gen.  George  B.  Porter 
was  appointed  Governor  in  July,  1831,  and  Sept.  22  following  he  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  the  office.  The  population  of  the  Territory  at  this  time  was  about 
85,000,  prosperity  was  reigning  all  around,  and  peace  everywliere  jirevailed,  except 
that  in  1832  the  Black  Hawk  War  took  place  in  Illinois,  but  did  not  affect  this 
peninsula.  In  this  war,  however.  Gov.  Porter  co-operated  with  the  other  States  in 
furnishing  militia.  While  Gov.  Porter  was  the  chief  executive,  Wisconsin  was  de- 
tached from  Michigan  and  erected  into  a  separate  Territory  ;  many  new  townsliips 
were  organized,  and  wagon  roads  opened  and  improved  ;  land  began  to  rise  rapidly  in 
value,  and  speculators  multiplied.  The  council  provided  for  the  establishment  and 
regulation  of  common  schools,  incorporated  "  The  Lake  Michigan  Steamboat  Com- 


90  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


paiiy,"  with  a  capital  of  $40,000,  and  incorporated  the  first  railroad  company  in 
^Michigan,  the  "Detroit  &  Saint  Joseph  Railroad  Company,"  since  called  the 
"  Michigan  Central."  The  original  corporators  were  John  Biddle,  John  R.  Wil- 
liams, Charles  Larned,  John  Gilbert,  Abel  Millington,  Job  Gorton,  John  Allen, 
Anson  Brown,  Samuel  W.  Dexter,  W.  E.  Perrine,  William  A.  Thompson,  Isaac 
Crary,  O.  W.  Golden,  Caleb  Eldred,  Cyrus  Lovell,  Calvin  Brittain  and  Talman 
Wheeler.  The  Act  of  Incorporation  required  that  the  road  should  be  completed 
within  thirty  years ;  tliis  condition  was  complied  with  in  less  than  one-third  of  that 
time.  The  same  council  also  incorporated  the  "  Bank  of  the  River  Uaisin,"  with  a 
branch  at  Pontiac.  Previous  to  this  two  otlier  banks  had  been  chartered,  namely — 
tlie  "  Bank  of  Michigan,"  in  1817,  with  a  branch  at  Bronson,  and  the  "  Farmers  and 
Mechanics'  Bank  of  Michigan,"  with  a  branch  at  Saint  Joseph. 

The  Legislative  Council  of  1834:  also  auuiorized  a  vote  of  the  residents  to  be 
taken  on  the  question  of  organizing  as  a  State  and  becoming  a  member  of  the 
Union ;  but  the  vote  was  so  light  and  the  majority  so  small  that  Congress  neglected 
to  consider  the  matter  seriously  until  two  years  afterward. 

During  Porter's  administration  a  changj  was  made  in  the  method  of  disposing 
tlie  public  lands,  greatly  to  the  benefit  of  the  actual  settlers.  Prior  to  1820  the 
Government  price  of  land  was  $2  an  acre,  one-fourth  to  be  paid  down,  and  the 
remainder  in  three  annual  installments  ;  and  the  land  was  subject  to  forfeiture  if 
these  payments  were  not  promptly  made.  This  system  having  been  found  produc- 
tive of  many  serious  evils,  the  price  of  land  was  put  $1.25  an  acre,  all  to  be  paid 
at  the  time  of  purchase.  This  change  saved  a  deal  of  trouble.  During  the  admin- 
istration of  Gov.  Porter  occurred  the  "Black  Hawk"  war,  mainly  in  Illiuois,  in 
1832,  whicli  did  not  affect  Michigan  to  any  appreciable  extent,  except  to  raise 
sundry  fears  by  the  usual  alarms  accompanying  war  gossip.  A  few  volunteers 
probably  went  to  the  scene  of  action  from  this  Territory,  but  if  any  systematic 
account  was  ever  kept  of  this  service,  we  fail  to  find  it. 

In  October,  1831,  Edwin  Jerome  left  Detroit  with  a  surveying  party  composed 
of  John  Mullet,  surveyor,  and  Utter,  Brink  and  Peck,  for  that  portion  of  Michigan 
Territory  lying  west  of  Lake  Michigan,  now  Wisconsin.  Their  outfit  consisted  of  a 
French  pony  team  and  a  buffalo  wagon  to  carry  tent,  camp  equipage,  blankets,  etc. 
Most  of  the  way  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Lake  Michigan  they  followed  a  wagon 
track  or  Indian  trail,  and  a  cabin  or  an  Indian  hut  to  lodge  in  at  night ;  but  west 
of  the  point  mentioned  they  found  neither  road  nor  inhabitant.  Tliey  arrived  at 
Chicago  in  a  terrible  rain,  and  "  put  up  "  at  the  fort.  Tliis  far-famed  city  at  that 
time  had  but  five  or  six  houses,  and  they  were  built  of  logs.  Within  a  distance  of 
three  or  four  miles  of  the  fort  the  land  was  valued  by  its  owners  at  50  cents  an  acre. 

After  twenty-three  days'  weary  travel  through  an  uninhabited  country,  fording 


Ll^ 


HISTORY   OP  JIICHIGAN. 


and  swimming  streams  and  exposed  to  much  rainy  weather,  they  arrived  at  Galena, 
where  they  commenced  their  survey,  but  in  two  days  the  ground  froze  so  deep  that 
further  work  was  abandoned  until  the  next  Spring.  The  day  after  the  memorable 
Stillman  battle  with  Black  Hawk,  while  the  Mullet  party  were  crossing  the  Blue 
INIounds,  they  met  an  Indian  half-chief,  who  had  just  arrived  from  the  Menominee 
camps  with  the  details  of  the  battle.  He  stated  the  slain  to  be  three  Indians  and 
eleven  whites.  The  long  shaking  of  hands  and  the  extreme  cordiality  of  this 
Indian  alarmed  Mullet  for  the  safety  of  his  party,  but  he  locked  the  secret  in  his 
own  heart  until  the  next  day.  They  had  just  completed  a  town  corner  when  Mullet, 
raising  himself  to  his  full  height,  said,  "  Boys,  I'm  going  in  ;  I'll  not  risk  my  scalp 
for  a  few  paltry  shillings."  Tliis  laconic  speech  was  an  electric  shock  to  the  wliole 
company.  Mr.  Jerome,  in  describing  his  own  sensations,  said  that  the  hair  of  his 
head  became  then  as  poicupine  quills,  raising  his  hat  in  the  air  and  himself  from  tlie 
ground,  and  the  top  of  his  head  became  as  sore  as  a  boil. 

July  6,  1834,  Gov.  Porter  died,  and  the  administration  devolved  upon  the 
Secretary  of  the  Territory,  Stevens  T.  Mason,  during  whose  time  occurred  the 
"  Toledo  war." 

ADMINISTRATION   OF   GOV.    HORNER. 

It  appears  that  Mr.  Shaler  did  not  accept  the  governorship  of  Michigan,  and 
John  S.  Horner,  of  Virginia,  was  soon  afterward  appointed  Secretary  and  Acting 
Governor.  He  proved  to  be  rather  unpopular  with  the  people  of  Micliigan,  and  the 
following  May  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  Wisconsin  Territory.  He  carried  on 
a  lengthy  correspondence  with  Gov.  Lucas,  which  resulted  in  a  discontinuance  of 
all  the  suits  that  had  grown  out  of  the  Toledo  war,  except  the  demand  for  Stickney. 
Gov.  Lucas  persisted  in  refusing  to  deliver  him  up ;  but  it  seems  that,  finally,  no 
trouble  came  of  the  affair. 

The  first  Monday  in  October,  1835,  the  people  of  Michigan  ratified  the  Con- 
stitution, and  by  the  same  vote  elected  a  full  set  of  State  ofBcers.  Stevens  T. 
Mason  was  elected  Governor,  Edward  Mundy  Lieutenant  Governor,  and 
Isaac  E.  Crary  Representative  in  Congress.  The  first  legislature  under  the 
Constitution  was  held  at  Detroit,  the  capital,  on  the  first  Monday  in 
November,  and  John  Norvell  and  Lucius  Lyon  were  elected  United  States 
Senators.  A  regular  election  was  also  held  under  the  Territorial  law  for  dele- 
gate to  Congress,  and  George  VV.  Jones,  of  Wisconsin,  received  the  certificate 
of  election,  although  it  is  said  that  William  Woodbridge  received  the  highest  num- 
ber of  votes.  John  S.  Horner,  the  Territorial  Governor,  was  still  in  office  here ; 
and  this  singular  mixture  of  Territorial  and  State  government  continued  until  the 
following  June,  when  Congress  formally  received  Michigan  into  the  Union  as  a 
State,  and  Horner  was  sent  to  Wisconsin,  as  before  noted.     This  Act  of  Congress 


liL 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


conditioned  that  the  celebrated  strip  of  territory  over  which  the  quarrel  had  been 
so  violent  and  protracted,  should  be  given  to  Ohio,  and  that  Michigan  might  have 
as  compensation  the  upper  peninsula.  That  section  of  country  was  then  known 
only  as  a  barren  waste,  containing  some  copper,  no  one  knew  how  much.  Of  course 
this  decision  of  Congress  was  unsatisfactory  to  the  people  of  this  State.  This  was 
the  third  excision  of  territory  from  Michigan,  other  clippings  having  been  made  in 
1802  and  1816.  In  the  former  year  more  than  a  thousand  square  miles  were  given  to 
Ohio,  and  in  the  latter  year  nearly  1,200  square  miles  were  given  to  Indiana. 
Accordingly,  Gov.  Mason  convened  the  Legislature  July  11,  1836,  to  act  on  the 
jiroposition  of  Congress.  The  vote  stood  twenty-one  for  acceptance  and  twenty- 
eight  for  rejection.  Three  delegates  were  appointed  to  repair  to  Washington,  to 
co-operate  with  the  representatives  there  for  the  general  interest  of  the  State  ;  but 
before  Congress  was  brought  to  action  on  the  matter,  other  conventions  were  held 
in  the  State  to  hasten  a  decision. 

Stevens  T.  Mason  was  the  first  Governor  of  this  State,  having  been  elected 
(Governor  of  the  State  prospectively)  in  1835,  as  before  noted,  and  he  lield  the 
office  until  January,  1840.  This  State,  at  the  time  of  its  admission  into  the  Union, 
had  a  population  of  about  200,000  ;  its  area  was  about  40,000  square  miles,  which 
was  divided  into  thirty-six  counties. 

Nearly  the  first  act  passed  by  the  Legislature  was  one  for  the  organization  and 
support  of  common  schools.  Congress  had  already  set  apart  one  section  of  land  in 
every  townsliip  for  tiiis  purpose,  and  the  new  State  properly  appreciated  the  boon. 
In  March  of  the  same  year  (1837)  another  act  was  passed  establishing  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  of  which  institution  we  speak  more  fully  on  subsequent  pages. 
This  Legislature  also  appropriated  $20,000  for  a  geological  survey,  and  appointed 
Dr.  Douglass  Houghton  State  Geologist.  For  the  encouragement  of  internal  im- 
provements, a  board  of  seven  commissioners  was  appointed,  of  which  the  Governor 
was  made  president.  This  board  authorized  several  surveys  for  railroads.  Three 
routes  were  surveyed  through  the  State,  which  eventually  became,  respectively,  the 
Michigan  Central,  the  Michigan  Southern,  and  the  Detroit  tS:  Milwaukee.  The 
latter  road,  however,  was  originally  intended  to  have  Port  Huron  for  its  eastern 
terminus.  The  next  year  appropriations  were  made  for  the  survey  of  the  Saint 
Joseph,  Kalamazoo  and  Grand  Rivers,  for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  navi- 
gation. 

In  1839  the  militia  of  the  State  was  organized,  and  eight  divisions,  with  two 
brigades  of  two  regiments  each,  were  provided  for.  This  year,  also,  the  State 
prison  at  Jackson  was  completed.  Nearly  30,000  pupils  attended  the  common 
schools  this  year,  and  for  school  purposes  over  $18,000  was  appropriated.  Agricul- 
turally, the  State  yielded  that  year  21,944  bushels  of  rye,  1,116,910  of  oats,  6,422 


la. 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


of  buckwheat,  43,826  pounds  of  flax,  524  of  hemp,  89,010  head  of  cattle,  14,059 
head  of  horses,  22,684  head  of  sheep,  and  109,096  of  swine. 

Gov.  William  Woodbridge  was  the  chief  executive  from  January,  1840,  to 
February,  1841,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  a  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate.  J. 
AV^right  Gordon  was  Lieutenant  Governor,  and  became  Acting  Governor  on  the 
resignation  of  Gov.  Woodbridge. 

During  the  administration  of  these  men,  the  railroad  from  Detroit  to  Ann 
Arbor,  a  distance  of  forty  miles,  was  completed  ;  branches  of  the  university  were 
established  at  Detroit,  Pontiac,  Monroe,  Niles,  Kalamazoo,  Grand  Rapids,  Jackson, 
White  Pigeon  and  Tecumseh.  The  material  growth  of  the  State  continued  to 
increase,  proportionally  more  rapidly  than  even  the  population,  which  now 
amounted  to  about  212,000. 

John  S.  Barry  succeeded  Gov.  Gordon  in  the  executive  chair,  serving  from 
1841  to  1845. 

In  1842  the  university  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  students,  and  the  num- 
ber of  pupils  attending  the  common  schools  was  officially  reported  to  be  nearly 
58,000. 

In  1843  a  land  oiBce  was  established  at  Marshall  for  the  whole  State. 

In  1844,  the  taxable  property  of  the  State  was  found  to  be  in  value  $28,554,282, 
the  tax  being  at  the  rate  of  two  mills  on  the  dollar.  The  expenses  of  the  State 
were  only  $70,000,  while  the  income  from  the  two  railroads  was  nearly  $300,000. 

In  1845,  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  State  had  increased  to  more  than 
300,000. 

Alpheus  Felch  served  as  Governor  from  1845  to  1847.  Daring  his  time  the 
two  railroads  belonging  to  the  State  were  sold  to  private  corporations, — the  Central 
for  $2,000,000,  and  the  Southern  for  $500,000.  The  exports  of  the  State  amounted 
in  1846  to  $4,647,608.  The  total  capacity  of  vessels  enrolled  in  the  collection 
district  at  Detroit  was  26,928  tons,  the  whole  giving  employment  to  18,000  seamen. 
In  1847  there  were  thirty-nine  counties  in  the  State,  containing  435  townships; 
and  275  of  these  townships  were  supplied  with  good  libraries,  containing,  in  the 
aggregate,  37,000  volumes.  In  the  Spring  of  1846,  on  the  account  of  Northern  and 
Eastern  immigration  into  Texas,  with,  tastes  and  habits  different  from  the  native 
Mexicans,  a  war  was  precipitated  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico ;  and  for 
the  prosecution  of  this  war  Michigan  furnished  a  regiment  of  volunteers,  com- 
manded by  Thomas  W.  Stockton,  and  one  independent  company,  incurring  a  total 
expense  of  about  $10,500.  March  3,  1847,  Gov.  Felch  resigned  to  accept  a  seat  in 
the  United  States  Senate,  when  the  duties  of  his  office  devolved  upon  William  S. 
Greenly,  under  whose  administration  the  Mexican  war  was  closed. 

Epaphroditus  Ransom  was  Governor  from  1847  to  November,  1849.     During 


LliL 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


his  administration  the  Asylum  for  tlie  Insane  was  established  at  Kalamazoo,  and 
also  the  Institute  for  the  Blind,  and  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  at  Flint.  Both  these 
institutions  were  liberally  endowed  with  lands,  and  each  entrusted  to  a  board  of 
five  trustees.  March  31,  1848,  the  first  telegraph  line  was  completed  from  New 
York  to  Detroit. 

John  S.  Barry,  elected  Governor  of  Michigan  for  the  third  time,  succeeded 
Gov.  Ransom,  and  his  term  expired  in  November,  1851.  Wiiile  he  was  serving  this 
term  a  normal  school  was  established  at  Ypsilanti,  which  was  endowed  with  lands, 
placed  in  charge  of  a  board  of  education,  consisting  of  six  persons  ;  a  new  State 
constitution  was  adopted,  and  the  great  "railroad-conspiracy"  case  was  tried. 
This  originated  in  a  number  of  lawless  depredations  upon  the  property  of  the 
Michigan  Central  Railroad  ComjDany,  terminating  with  the  burning  of  the  depot  at 
Detroit  in  1850.  The  next  year  thirty-seven  men  were  brought  to  trial,  and  twelve 
of  tiiem  were  convicted.  The  prosecution  was  conducted  by  Alexander  D.  Eraser, 
of  Detroit,  and  the  conspirators  were  defended  by  William  H.  Seward,  of  New 
York.     Judge  Warner  Wing  presided. 

Robert  McClelland  followed  Barry  as  Governor,  serving  until  March,  1853, 
when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  position  of  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  in  the  Cabinet 
of  Pres.  Pierce.  Lieut. -Gov.  Andrew  Parsons,  consequently,  became  Acting  Gov- 
ernor, his  term  expiring  in  November,  1854. 

In  the  Spring  of  1854,  during  the  administration  of  Acting  Gov.  Parsons,  the 
"  Republican  party,"  at  least  as  a  State  organization,  was  first  formed  in  the  United 
States  "  under  the  oaks  "  at  Jackson,  by  an ti -slavery men  of  both  the  old  parties. 
Great  excitement  prevailed  at  this  time,  occasioned  by  the  settling  of  Kansas  and 
the  issue  thereby  brought  up  whether  slavery  should  exist  there.  For  the  purpose 
of  permitting  slavery  there,  the  "Missouri  compromise"  (which  limited  slavery 
to  the  south  of  36  degrees  30  minutes)  was  repealed,  under  the  lead  of  Stephen  A. 
Douglas.  This  was  repealed  by  a  bill  admitting  Kansas  and  Nebraska  into  the 
Union  as  Territories,  and  those  who  were  o^jposed  to  this  repeal  measure  were,  in 
short,  called  "  anti-Nebraska,"  were  temporarily  employed  to  designate  tiie  slavery 
and  anti-slavery  jjarties,  pending  the  dissolution  of  the  old  Democratic  and  Whig 
parties  and  tiie  organization  of  the  new  Democratic  and  Republican  parties.  At 
the  next  State  election  Kinsley  S.  Bingham  was  elected  by  the  Republicans  Gov- 
ernor of  Michigan,  and  this  State  has  ever  since  then  been  under  Republican  con- 
trol, the  State  ofScers  of  that  party  being  elected  by  majorities  ranging  from  5,000 
to  55,000.  And  the  people  of  this  State  generally,  and  the  Republicans  in  par- 
ticular, claim  that  this  commonwealth  has  been  as  v/ell  taken  care  of  since  1855  as 
any  State  in  the  Union,  if  not  better,  while  preceding  1855  the  Democrats  adminis- 
tered the  government  as  well  as  any  other  State,  if  not  better.     As  a  single  though 


-^ bJV 


-t e  ^ 


HISTORY  OP   MICHIGAN. 


signal  proof  of  the  high  standard  of  Michigan  among  her  sister  States,  we  may 
mention  that  while  the  taxes  in  the  New  England  States,  New  York,  New  Jersey 
and  Pennsylvania  average  $10.09  per  capita,  while  in  Massachusetts  tlie  average  is 
117.10  per  inhabitant,  and  while  in  the  West  the  average  is  $6.50,  in  Michigan  it 
is  only  $1.57.  At  the  same  time  it  is  generally  believed,  even  by  the  citizens  of 
sister  States,  that  Michigan  is  the  best-governed  commonwealth  in  the  Union. 

Kinsley  S.  Bingham  was  Governor  from  1854  to  1858.  The  most  notable  event 
during  his  administration  was  the  completion  of  the  ship  canal  at  the  falls  of  Saint 
Mary,  May  26,  1855.  An  Act  of  Congress  was  approved,  granting  to  the  State  of 
Michigan  750,000  acres  of  land  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  this  canal.  The 
"sault,"  or  rapids,  of  the  Saint  Mary  have  a  fall  of  seventeen  feet  in  one  mile. 
The  canal  is  one  mile  long,  100  feet  wide  and  about  twelve  feet  deep.  It  has  two 
locks  of  solid  masonry.  The  work  was  commenced  in  1853,  and  finished  in  May, 
1855,  at  a  cost  of  $999,802.  This  is  one  of  the  most  important  internal  improve- 
ments ever  made  in  the  State. 

Moses  Wisner  was  tlie  next  Governor  of  Michigan,  serving  from  1858  to 
November,  1860,  at  wiiich  time  Abraham  Lincoln  was  elected  President  of  the 
United  States.  National  themes  began  to  grow  exciting,  and  Michigan  affairs  were 
almost  lost  in  the  warring  elements  of  strife  that  convulsed  the  nation  from  center 
to  circumference  with  a  life-and-deatii  struggle. 

Austin  Blair  was  the  thirteenth  Governor  of  Michigan,  serving  during  the 
perilous  times  of  the  rebellion  from  1861  to  1S65,  and  by  his  patriotic  and  faithful 
execution  of  law  and  prompt  aid  of  the  General  Government,  earning  the  well- 
deserved  title  of  "  the  War  Governor."  The  particulars  of  the  history  of  this 
State  in  connection  witli  that  war  we  will  reserve  for  the  next  section. 

Henry  H.  Crapo  succeeded  Gov.  Blair,  serving  one  term.  He  was  elected 
during  the  dark  hours  just  before  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  found  the  political 
sky  overcast  with  the  most  ominous  clouds  of  death  and  debt.  The  bonded  debt 
of  the  State  was  $3,541,149.80,  with  a  balance  in  the  treasury  of  $440,047.29.  In 
the  single  year  just  closed  the  State  had  expended  $823,216.75,  and  by  the  close  of 
the  first  year  of  his  term  this  indebtedness  had  increased  more  than  $400,000  more. 
But  the  wise  administration  of  this  Governor  began  materially  to  reduce  the  debt, 
and  at  the  same  time  fill  the  treasury.  The  great  war  closed  during  the  April  after  his 
election,  and  he  faithfully  carried  out  the  line  of  policy  inaugurated  by  his  prede- 
cessor. The  other  prominent  events  during  his  term  of  office  are  systematically 
interwoven  with  the  histoiy  of  the  various  institutions  of  the  State,  and  they  will 
be  found  under  heads  in  their  respective  places. 

Henry  P.  Baldwin  was  Governor  two  terms,  namely,  from  January,  1868,  to 
the  close  of  1872.     The  period  of  his  administration  was  a  prosperous  one  for  the 


^ 


^ 


i. 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


State.  In  1869  the  taxable  valuation  of  real  and  personal  property  in  the  State 
amounted  to  #400,000,000,  and  in  1871  it  exceeded  |G30,000,000. 

During  Gov.  Baldwin's  time  a  step  was  taken  to  alter  the  State  constitution  so 
as  to  enable  counties,  townships,  cities  and  incorporated  villages,  in  their  corporate 
capacity,  to  aid  in  tlie  construction  of  railroads.  Bonds  had  been  issued  all  over 
the  State  by  these  municipalities  in  aid  of  railroads,  under  laws  which  had  been 
enacted  by  the  Legislature  at  five  different  sessions  ;  but  a  case  coming  before  the 
Supreme  Court  involving  the  constitutionality  of  these  laws,  the  Bench  decided 
that  the  laws  were  unconstitutional,  and  thus  the  railroads  were  left  to  the  mercy 
of  the  "  soulless  "  corporations.  Gov.  Baldwin,  in  this  emergency,  called  an  extra 
session  of  the  Legislature,  which  submitted  the  desired  constitutional  amendment 
to  the  people  ;  but  it  was  by  them  defeated  in  November,  1870. 

The  ninth  census  having  been  officially  published,  it  became  the  duties  of  the 
State,  in  1872,  to  make  a  re-apportionment  of  districts  for  the  purpose  of  repre- 
sentation in  Congress.  Since  1863  Michigan  has  had  six  representatives,  but  the 
census  of  1870  entitled  it  to  nine. 

During  the  last  two  years  of  Gov.  Baldwin's  administration  the  preliminary 
measures  for  building  a  new  State  capitol  engrossed  much  of  his  attention.  His 
wise  counsels  concerning  this  much-needed  new  building  were  generally  adopted 
by  the  Legislature,  which  was  convened  in  extra  session  in  March,  1872. 

Ample  provisions  having  been  made  for  the  payment  of  the  funded  debt  of  the 
State  by  setting  apart  some  of  the  trust-fund  receipts,  and  such  portion  of  the 
specific  taxes  as  were  not  required  for  the  payment  of  interest  on  the  public  debt, 
the  one-eighth  mill  tax  for  the  sinking  fund  was  abolished  in  1870. 

Tlie  Fall  of  1871  is  noted  for  the  many  destructive  conflagrations  in  tlie  North- 
west, including  the  great  Chicago  fire.  Several  villages  in  this  State  were  either 
wholly  or  partially  consumed,  and  much  property  was  burned  up  nearly  all  over  the 
country.  This  was  due  to  the  excessive  dryness  of  the  season.  In  this  State  alone 
nearly  -3,000  families,  or  about  18,000  persons,  were  rendered  houseless  and 
deprived  of  the  necessaries  of  life.  Relief  committees  were  organized  at  Detroit, 
Grand  Rapids  and  elsewhere,  and  in  a  short  time  $462,106  in  money  and  about 
#250,000  worth  of  clothing  were  forwarded  to  the  sufferers.  Indeed,  so  generous 
were  the  people,  that  they  would  have  given  more  than  was  necessary  had  they  not 
been  informed  by  the  Governor  in  a  proclamation  that  a  sufficiency  had  been  raised. 

The  dedication  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors'  monument  at  Detroit,  April  9, 1872, 
was  a  notable  event  in  Gov.  Baldwin's  time.  This  grand  structure  was  designed 
by  Randolph  Rogers,  formerly  of  Michigan,  and  one  of  tlie  most  eminent  of  Amer- 
ican sculptors  now  living.  The  money  to  defray  the  expenses  of  this  undertaking 
was  raised  by  subscription,  and  persons  in  all  parts  of  the  State  were    most  liberal 


'b^ 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


in  their  contributions.  Tlie  business  was  managed  by  an  incorporation  established 
in  1868.  The  monument  is  forty-six  feet  high,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  colossal 
statue  of  Micliigan  in  bronze,  ten  feet  in  height.  She  is  represented  as  a  semi- 
civilized  Indian  queen,  with  a  sword  in  her  right  hand  and  a  shield  in  her  left.  The 
dedicatory  lines  in  front  are  :  "Erected  by  the  people  of  Micliigan,  in  honor  of  the 
mart3'rs  who  fell  and  the  heroes  who  fought  in  defense  of  liberty  and  union." 
On  the  monument  are  many  beautiful  designs.  At  the  unveiling  there  was  a  large 
concourse  of  people  from  all  parts  of  tlie  State,  and  the  address  was  delivered  by 
ex-Gov.  Blair. 

John  J.  Bagley  succeeded  to  the  Governorship  Jan.  1,  1873,  and  served  two 
terms.  During  his  administration  the  new  capitol  was  principally  built,  which  is  a 
larger  and  better  structure  for  the  money  than,  perhaps,  any  other  public  building 
in  the  United  States.  Under  Gov.  Bagley's  counsel  and  administration  the  State 
prospered  in  all  its  departments.  The  Legislature  of  1873  made  it  the  duty  of  the 
Governor  to  appoint  a  commission  to  revise  the  State  Constitution,  which  duty  he 
performed  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties. 

Charles  M.  Crosswell  was  next  the  chief  executive  officer  of  this  State,  exer- 
cising the  functions  of  the  office  for  two  successive  terms,  1877-1881.  During  his 
administration  the  public  debt  was  greatly  reduced,  a  policy  adopted  requiring 
State  institutions  to  keep  within  the  limit  of  appropriations,  laws  enacted  to  pro- 
vide more  effectually  for  the  punishment  of  corruption  and  bribery  in  elections,  the 
State  House  of  Correction  at  Ionia  and  the  Eastern  Asylum  for  the  Insane  at  Pon- 
tiac  were  opened,  and  the  new  capitol  at  Lansing  was  completed  and  occupied. 
The  first  act  of  his  second  term  was  to  preside  at  the  dedication  of  this  building. 
The  great  riot  of  1877  centered  at  Jackson.  During  those  two  or  three  fearful 
days  Gov.  Crosswell  was  in  his  office  at  Lansing,  in  correspondence  with  members 
of  the  military  department  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  and  within  forty-eight 
hours  of  the  moment  when  the  danger  became  imminent,  the  rioters  found  them- 
selves surrounded  by  a  military  force  ready  with  ball  and  cartridge  for  their  anni- 
hilation. Were  it  not  for  this  promptness  of  the  Governor,  there  would  probably 
have  been  a  great  destruction  of  property,  if  not  also  of  life. 

The  administration  of  Hon.  David  H.  Jerome  has  been  one  marked  alike  by 
joys  and  sorrows.  The  great  business  revival  marked  the  period  of  his  election ; 
the  disastrous  forest  fires  clouded  the  light  of  peace  and  prosperity. 


STATE   OFFICERS 

Governors  During  French  Rule. 

Appointed. 

Sieur  de  Mesey 1663 

Sieur  de  Courcelles 1665 

Sieur  de  Fiontenac 1672 

7 


Appointed. 

Sieur  de  La  Barre 1672 

Marquis  de  Denonville 1685 

Sieur  de  Frontenac 1689 

Chevalier  de  Callieres l6qq 


V*- 


STATE   OFFICERS. — CONTINUED. 


Marquis  de  Vaudreiiil 1703 

Marquis  de  Beauharnois 1726 

Compt  de  la  Galissoniere -  1747 

Sieur  de  la  Jonquiere 1749 

Marquis  du  Quesne  de  Menneville 1752 

Sieur  de  Vaudreuilde  Cavagnal 1755 

Governors  During  British  Rule. 

James  Murray. 1765 

Paulus  E.  Irving 1766 

Guy   Carleton 1766 

Hector   I.  Cramahe 1770 

Guy  Carleton 1774 

Frederick    Haldemand 1778 

Henry   Hamilton 1784 

Henry  Hope 1785 

Lord  Dorchester 17S6 

Alured  Clark 1791 

Lord   Dorchester- 179S 

Governors  of  Michigan  Territory. 

William  Hull 1805 

Lewis   Cass 1813 

George  B.Porter 1831 

Stevens  T.  Mason,  if jr-t'^c/o 1834 

John  T.  Horner,  ex-officio 1835 

State  Governors. 

Elected. 

Stevens  T.Mason 1835 

William    Woodbridge 1840 

J.  Wright  Gordon,  acting 1841 

John  S.Barry 1842 

Alpheus    Felch 1846 

Wm.  S.  Greenly,    acting 1847 

Epaphroditus    Ransom 1848 

John  S.  Barry_ 1850 

Robert  McClelland 1852 

Andrew  Parsons,  acting 1S53 

Kingsley  S.  Bingham 1855 

Moses  Wisner 1859 

Austin   Blair 1861 

Henry    H.  Crapo 1865 

Henry  D.  Baldwin 1869 

John  J.  Bagley 1873 

Charles  M.  Croswell 1877 

David  H.  Jerome 1881 


Lieutenant-Governors  of  Michigan. 

Elected. 

Edward    Mundy 1835 

J.  Wright  Gordon 1840 

Origin   D.   Richardson 1842 

Wm.  S.  Greenly 1846 

Wm.  M.  Fenton 1848 

Wm.  S.  Greenly 1849 

Calvin  Britain 1852 

Andrew  Parsons 1853 

George  A.  Coe 1855 

Edmund  B.  Fairfield 1859 

James  Birney 1861 

Joseph  R.  Williams,  acting 1861 

Heniy  T.  Backus,  acting 1S62 

Charles   S.  May 1863 

E.   O.    Grosvenor 1865 

Dwight  May 1S67 

Morgan  Bates 1869 

Henry  H.Holt 1873 

Alonzo   Sessions 1877 

Moreau  S.  Crosby 1881 

Secretaries  of  State. 

Kintzing  Pritchette 1835 

Randolph  Manning 1838 

Thomas  Rowland 1840 

Robert  P.  Eldridge 1842 

G.  O.  Whittemore 1846 

George  W.  Peck 1848 

George  Redfield 1850 

Charles  H.Taylor 1850 

William  Graves 1S53 

John  McKinney 1855 

Nelson  G.  Isbell 1S59 

James  B.Porter 1861 

O.  S.   Spaulding 1867 

Daniel  Striker 1S71 

E.  G.  D.  Holden 1875 

William  Jenney 1879 

State  Treasurers. 

Henry  Howard 1836 

Peter  Desnoyers 1839 

Robert  Stuart 1840 

George  W.  Germain 1841 

John  J.  Adam 1S42 

George  Redfield 1845 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


STATE   OPFICEKS. — CONTINUED. 


George  B.  Cooper 

Barnard  C.  Whittemore. 

Silas  M.  Holmes 

John  McKinney 

John   Owen 

E.  O.    Grosvenor 

Victory  P.  Collier 

Wra.  B.  McCreery 

Benj.  F.  Pritchard 


Attorneys-General. 


Daniel  LeRoy 

Peter  Morey 

Zephaniah  Piatt 

Elon  Farnsvvorth 

Henry   N.  Walker.. 

Edward  Mundy 

Geo.  V.  N.  Lothrop. 

William  Hale 

Jacob    M.  Howard.. 

Charles  Upson 

Albert  Williams.  ... 
Wni.  L.  Stoughton., 

Dwight   May 

Byron  D.  Ball 

Isaac  Mars  ton 

Andrew  J.  Smith 

Otto  Kirchner. 


Auditors-General. 


1846 
1850 
1855 
1859 
1861 
:S67 
1871 
1875 
1879 


1836 
1837 
1S41 

1S43 
1845 
1847 
1848 
1857 
1S55 
1861 
1863 
1867 
1869 
1S73 
1874 
1S75 
1877 


Robert  Abbott 1836 

Henry  Howard 1839 

Eurotus   P.  Hastings 1840 

AlpheusFelch 1842 

Henry  S.  Whipple. 1842 

Charles  G.  Hammond 1845 

John  J.  Adam 1845 

Digby  V.  Bell. 1846 

John  J.  Adam 1848 

John  Swegles,  jr 1851 

Whitney  Jones 1855 

Daniel  L.  Case 1859 

Langford  G.  Berry 1 861 

Emil  Aneke 1S63 

William  Humphrey 1867 

Ralph  Ely 1875 

W.  Irving  Latimer 1879 


Supt.  Public  Instruction. 

Elected. 

John  D.Pierce 1838 

Franklin  Sawyer,  jr 1841 

Oliver  C.  Comstock l843 

Ira  Mayhew - --  1845 

Francis  W.  Sherman..    -  1849 

Ira  Mayhew.. - 1855 

John  M.Gregory 1859 

Oramel  Hosford 1865 

Daniel  B.  Briggs 1873 

Horace  S.  Tarbell 1877 

Cornelius  A.  Gower --  1878 


Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Augustus  B.  Woodward 

Frederick  Bates 

J ohn  Griffin ... 

James  Witherell 

Solomon  Sibley 

Henry  Chipman 

Wm.  Woodbridge 

Ross  Wilkins 

Wm.  A.   Fletcher 

Epaphroditus    Ransom 

George    Morell 

Charles  W.  Whipple 

Alpheus  Felch .- 

David  Goodwin. 

Warner  Wing 

George  Miles 

Edward  Mundy.. 

Sanford  M.  Green 

George  Martin 

Joseph  T.  Copeland 

Samuel  T.  Douglas 

David  Johnson 

Abner  Pratt 

Charles  W.  Whipple 

Nathaniel  Bacon 

Sanford  M.  Green 

E.  H.  C.Wilson 

Benj.  F.    H.  Witherell,    Benj.  F.Graves, 
Josiah  Turner,  and  Edwin  Lawrence  to 

fill  vacancies  in  the   latter  part  of 

George  Martin 

Randolph  Manning 

Isaac  P.  Christiancy 


1805-24 

1805-8 

1806-24 

1S08-2S 

1824-36 

1827-32 

1828-32 

1832-6 

1836-42 

1836-47 

1836-42 

1843-52 

1842-5 

1843-6 

1845-56 

1846-50 

1848-51 

1848-57 

1851-2 

1852-7 

1852-7 

1852-7 

1851-7 

1852-5 

1S55-8 

1856-8 

1856-8 


1857 
1858-68 
1858-64 
1858-77 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


STATE   OFFICERS. — CONTINUED. 


Elected. 

James  V.  Campbell 1858 

Thomas  M.  Cooley 1864 

Benj.  F.  Graves 1868 

Isaac  Marston 1875 

U.  S.   Senators. 

John  Norvell 1835-41 

Lucius  Lyon 1836-40 

Augustus  S.  Porter 1840-5 

Wm.   Woodbridge 1841-7 

Lewis  Cass 1845-57 

Thos.  H.  Fitzgerald 1848-9 

Aipheus   Felch 1847-53 

Charles  E.  Stuart 1853-9 

Zachariah  Chandler 1857-77 

Kinsley  S.  Bingham 1859-61 

Jacob  M.  Howard 1862-71 

Thomas  W.  Ferry 1871 

Henry  Baldwin 1880 

Zachariah  Chandler 1878-9 

Thomas  W.Ferry 1881-3 

Omar  D.  Conger 1881-7 

Representatives  in  Congress. 

Isaac  E.  Crary 1835-41 

Jacob  M.  Howard 1841-43 

Lucius  Lyon 1843-5 

Robert  McClelland 1843-9 

James  B.  Hunt .. 1843-7 

John  S.  Chipman 1845-7 

Charles  E.  Stuart 1847.9 

Kinsley  S.  Bingham 1849-51 

Alexander  W.  Buel 1849-51 

William  Sprague 1849-50 

Charles  E.Stuart 1851-3 

James  L.  Conger 1851-3 

Ebenezer  J.  Penneman 1851.3 

Samuel  Clark 1853-5 

David  A.  Noble 1853-5 

Hester  L.Stevens 1S53-5 

David  Stuart 1853-5 

George  W.  Peck 1855-7 

William  A.  Howard 1855-61 

Henry  Waldron 1855-61 


Elected. 

David  S.  Walbridge 1855-9 

D.  C.  Leach 1857-61 

Francis  W.  Kellogg 1859-65 

B.  F.  Granger 186 1-3 

F.  C.  Beaman 1861-71 

R.  E.  Trowbridge 1861-3 

Charles  Upson 1863-9 

John  W.  Longyear 1863-7 

John  F.  Driggs 1863-9 

R.  E.  Trowbridge 1865-9 

Thomas  W.  Ferry 1869-71 

Austin  Blair 1867-73 

William  L.  Stoughton 1869-73 

Omar  D.  Conger 1869-81 

Randolph    Strickland 1869-71 

Henry  Waldon.. 187 1-5 

Wilder  D.  Foster 1871-3 

Jabez  G.  Sutherland 1 87 1-3 

Moses  W.  Field 1873-5 

George  Millard 1875-7 

Julius  C.  Burrows 1873-5,1879 

Josiah  W.  Begale 1873-5 

Nathan  B.  Bradley 1873-7 

Jay  A.  Hubbell 1873 

W.  B.  Williams 1875-7 

Aipheus  S.Williams 1875-9 

Mark  .S.  Boemer 1877 

Charles  C.  Ellsworth 1877-9 

Edwin  W.  Keightley 1877-9 

Jonas  H.  McGowan 1877 

John  W.  Stone 1877 

Edwin  Willets 1877 

Roswell  G.  Horr 1879 

John  S.Newberry 1879 

H.  W.  Lord... 1881 

Edwin    Willets 1881 

E.  S.  Lacey 1881 

Julius  C.  Burrows :88i 

George  W.  Webber   1881 

Oliver  L.  Spaulding. 1881 

John  T.Rich 1S81 

Roswell  G.  Horr 1881 

Jay  A.  Hubbell 1881 


111  the  political  chapter  of  the  county  history,  the  names  of  State  Senators  and 
Representatives  from  Macomb  are  given,  with  a  record  of  votes  received. 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


fe^ 


POLITICAL   STATISTICS. 


The  following  tables  show  the  political  complexion  of  the  several  districts  as 
now  arranged,  taking  the  vote  for  Congressmen  in  1880  as  the  basis : 


3.2S7 

2,196 

2,915 

1,067 

1,081 

1,748 

779 

2.340 

1,677 

1,608 

FIRST   DISTRICT. 

County.  Rep.         Dem.       Green- 

back. 

Wayne 15,962     15,388  628 

Republican  plurality 574 

Democratic  and  Greenback  over  Republican 54 

SECOND    DISTRICT. 

Monroe -   3,175 

Lenawee 6,308 

Hillsdale 4.857 

Washtenaw 4,605 

Total 18,945     16,596       1,674 

Republican   plurality 2,34q 

Republican  majority 675 

THIRD    DISTRICT. 

Jackson 4,564 

Calhoun 5,184 

Branch 4.106 

Barry 3>072 

Eaton 4.341 

Total 21,267       9.739       8,959 

Republican  plurality -.11,528 

Republican    majority 2,571 

FOURTH   DISTRICT. 

Berrien 4,553 

Cass 2,856 

St.   Joseph 3,134 

Kalamazoo —   4,459 

Van  Buren 4,094 

Total 19,096     12,424       4,193 

Republican  plurality 6,672 

Republican   majority 2,479 

FIFTH    DISTRICT. 

Allegan 4,657 

Kent 7.879 

Ottawa 3,289 

Ionia -  4,262 

Total 20,087       9.939       8,901 

Republican  plurality 10,108 

Republican   majority 1,207 


1,806 

1.789 

5,395 

3,227 

2,072 

837 

666 

3,048 

SI.\TH    DISTRICT. 
County.  Rep. 

Clinton _ 3,305 

Ingham 3.983 

Livingstone 2,820 

Genesee 4,747 

Oakland 5.371 


Dem. 

2,771 
3.387 
2.914 
2,126 
5,000 

16,288 


Green- 
back. 
766 

1,031 

<92 

2,173 
363 


Total 20,: 

Republican   plurality 

Democrat  and  Greenback  over  Republican.. 
SEVENTH    DISTRICT. 

Macomb 3,000       3,283 

St.  Clair 4,182       3,512 

Lapeer 3,390       2,676 

Sanilac 2,183       1,329 

Huron ',773       1,194 

Total 14,618     11,994 

Republican  plurality 

Republican   majority 

EIGHTH    DISTRICT. 

Shiuwassee. 3,325  1.947 

Saginaw 4,829  5,801 

Gratiot 2,526  1,780 

Montcalm 4,140  3,067 

Isabella 1,375  1.089 

Midland 758  514 

Total 16,953     14,198 

Republican   plurality , 

Democrat  and  Greenback  over  Republican. 

NINTH    DISTRICT. 

Muskegon. 2,737  1,496 

Oceana i,479  959 

Newaygo 1,549  1,796 

Mecosta 1,592  1,020 

Osceola 1.234  577 

Lake 5S3  264 

Mason 1,259  832 

Manistee 1. 176  1,098 

Wexford 1,112  476 

Missaukee 268  121 

Charlevoix. 793  276 

Antrim 598  19S 


605 


95 
171 


1' 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


County.                                              Rep.      Dem.      Green- 
back. 
Kalkaska 495  i8t        

Total 14,875       9.294       1,063 

Republican    plurality 5,581 

Republican   majority 4, 518 

TENTH   DISTRICT. 

Tuscola 2,872       1,812  180 

Bay 2,483 

Caldwin 147 

Clare 451 

Roscommon 564 

Ogemaw 280 

Iosco 766 

Crawford l8l 

Oscoda 

Alcona 388 

Alpena 948 

Montmorency 

Otsego 329 

Presque  Isle 2C9 

Cheboygan 581 

Emmet-. 809 

Total -10,978       8,776       2,180 


398 

1,568 

260 

5 

412 

41 

413 

72 

173 

57 

540 

8 

141 

24 

250 

8 

835 

48 

217 

83 

151 



571 

83 

603 

4 

Republican   plurality 2,202 

Republican  majority , 22 

ELEVENTH    DISTRICT. 

Grand  Traverse ....    1,327 

Leelenau 643 

Benzie 430 

Manitou 36 

Chippewa 35S 

Mackinac 143 

Schoolcraft 172 

Marquette 2,449 

Baraga 180 

Houghton 2,107 

Keewenaw . 610 

Ontonagon. 306 

Isle  Royal 

Menominee 1,304 

Delta 724 

Total 10,789       6,486  235 

Republican  plurality 4.303 

Republican  majority 4,168 


There  were  also  prohibition  and  scattering  votes  returned  for  Congress  in  1880 
as  follows:  Second  district,  191;  third,  234;  fourth,  2i ;  fifth,  18;  sixth,  78; 
seventh,  18;  eighth,  16;  ninth,  21;  tenth,  7;  and  eleventh,  95.  In  Isle  Royal 
County,  in  1880,  no  election  was  held,  and  Oscoda  and  Montmorency  Counties 
were  not  organized. 

The  population  of  the  several  districts  in  1870  and  1880  and  the  total  increase 
for  the  ten  years  are  shown  by  the  following  table : 

District.                                           Pop.  1870.         Pop.  188U.       Increase. 
First 119.038 166,444 47.406 


Second 146  196.. 

Third 146,212-- 

Fourth 143.356 -- 

Fifth 136,840.. 

Sixth 142  276-- 

Seventh 109.233.. 

Eighth 92  792.. 

Ninth 51,943.- 

Tenth 40,439 111,151 70,712 

Eleventh 55.794 104,527 49,733 


156,538 10,342 

164966 18,754 

..   150,569 7,213 

..  178,066 41,226 

--  164,784 22,508 

.-  154,392 45.152 

. .  160,269 67,498 

125,210 73,267 


If  a  similar  rate  of  increase  is  kept  up  in  the  northern  counties,  the  eighth, 
ninth  and  tenth  districts  will  before  the  end  of  the  decade  largely  exceed  in  jjopu- 
lation  certain  of  the  older  districts. 


4^ 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

THE   FUB- TRADERS   AND   SLAVE   OWNERS. 

The  Bi-itish  at  Detroit  changed  their  policy  somewliat,  and  endeavored  to 
conciliate  the  Indians,  paying  them  for  land  and  encouraging  French  settlements  in 
the  vicinity.  This  encouragement  was  exhibited,  in  part,  in  showing  some  par- 
tiality to  French  customs. 

At  this  time  the  fur  trade  was  considerably  revived,  the  principal  point  of 
shipment  being  the  Grand  Portage  of  Lake  Superior.  The  charter  boundaries  of 
the  two  companies,  the  Hudson's  Bay  and  the  Northwest,  not  having  been  very 
well-defined,  the  employees  of  the  respective  companies  often  came  into  conflict. 
Lord  Selkirk,  the  head  of  the  former  company,  ended  the  difiSculty  by  uniting  the 
stock  of  both  companies.  An  attempt  was  also  made  to  mine  and  ship  copper,  but 
the  project  was  found  too  expensive. 

SLAVERY   IN   MICHIGAN. 

The  following  references  to  the  slave  in  Michigan  have  been  extracted  from 
the  able  paper  prepared  on  that  subject  by  J.  A.  Girardin.  In  olden 
times  the  city  of  Detroit  and  vicinity  had  slaves  among  its  inhabitants. 
The  old  citizens  generally  purchased  them  from  marauding  bauds  of  Indians, 
who  had  captured  the  negro  slaves  in  their  war  depredations  on  plantations. 
Many  were  thus  brought  from  Virginia,  New  York,  and  Indiana,  and  sold  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Detroit,  sometimes  for  nominal  prices.  Among  our  old  citizens  who 
were  slaveholders  in  the  olden  times  were  the  late  Major  Joseph  Campau,  George 
McDougall,  James  Duperon  Baby,  Abbott  &  Finchly,  and  several  others.  The 
negro  slaves  were  well  treated  by  their  owners.  Many  of  those  poor  captives  when 
sold  and  released  were  at  once  well  taken  care  of  by  our  ancient  inhabitants.  Some- 
times the  price  of  a  negro  slave  was  regulated  according  to  his  intrinsic  value,  but 
the  price  was  quite  high  for  those  days.  For  instance :  A  negro  boy  named  Frank, 
aged  12  years,  the  property  of  the  late  Phillip  Jonciere,  of  Belle  Fontaine,  now 
Springwells,  was  sold  on  the  22d  day  of  October,  1793,  by  William  Roe,  acting 
auctioneer,  to  the  late  Hon.  James  Duperon  Baby,  for  the  sum  of  ^213,  Ne\V  York 
currency,  equal  to  •$532.50  of  our  money.  Mr.  Baby  being  the  highest  bidder,  he, 
Frank,  was  adjudged  to  him  for  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Joncier's  estate. 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


In  the  records  of  baptism  of  St.  Anne's  Church,  .several  persons  of  color  we 
find  recorded  as  having  received  the  sacrament  of  baptism,  and,  in  the  absence  of 
family  names  we  find  that  the  names  of  "  Margaret,"  for  instance,  a  negress, 
"  unknown  "  would  be  entered  in  the  absence  of  her  regular  family  name  ;  several 
instances  of  this  kind  are  entered  in  the  old  records.  During  the  administration  of 
the  Governor  and  Judges  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  several  negroes  received 
donation  lots.  Among  them  wa^  a  well  known  negro  named  "  Pompey,"  the 
property  of  the  late  James  Abbott.  As  a  class  the  negroes  were  esteemed  by  our 
ancient  population ;  many  of  them  could  speak  the  French  language  fluently,  espe- 
cially those  living  with  their  French  masters.  But  little  cruelty  was  jsracticed  by 
their  owners.  Thei'e  was  no  Wendell  Phillips  nor  any  Lloyd  Garrison,  nor  any 
"  higher  law  doctrine,"  expounded  in  those  days  to  disturb  the  mind  of  the  slave 
or  the  slaveholder.  Everyone  lived  in  Arcadian  simplicity  and  contentment.  The 
negro  was  satisfied  with  his  position,  and  rendered  valuable  services  to  his  master, 
and  was  ever  ready  to  help  him  against  the  treacherous  Indians.  During  the  war 
of  1812  several  of  them  accompanied  their  masters  to  the  battle-field,  and  mate- 
rially helped  their  masters  and  the  troops. 

By  an  ordinance  enacted  by  Congress,  dated  July  13,  1787,  entitled  "  An  act 
for  the  government  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the  Ohio 
River,"  there  was  a  clause  in  Article  VI  saying  that  "  there  shall  be  neither  slavery 
nor  involuntary  servitude  in  the  said  territory,  otherwise  than  in  the  punishment 
of  crimes."  This  was  a  safeguard  by  Congress  to  prevent  the  extension  of 
slavery  northwest  of  the  Ohio  River.  Notwithstanding  this  wise  provision  our  an- 
cestors paid  but  little  attention  to  it,  for  whenever  a  spruce  negro  was  brought 
by  the  Indians  he  was  sure  to  find  a  purchaser  at  a  reasonable  price.  Most  every 
prominent  man  in  those  days  had  a  slave  or  two,  especially  merchants  trading  with 
the  Indians. 

Detroit  and  vicinity  was  a  heaven  to  the  slave  compared  to  the  Southern  States, 
although  slavery  was  carried  on  on  a  moderate  scale  here,  there  being  no  cotton  or 
rice  fields  to  employ  them  in,  their  labor  being  on  the  plantations  near  Detroit,  or 
at  their  masters'  houses.  The  master,  once  attached  to  his  "  Sambo,"  a  great  price 
would  have  to  be  paid  to  buy  him. 

The  late  Judge  May  had  a  slave-woman  who  had  come  to  his  hands  for  a  debt 
owed  him  by  one  Granchin.  This  faithful  slave  served  the  Judge  some  twenty- 
five  years.  Mr.  Joseph  Campau,  an  extensive  trader  in  those  days,  had  as  many  as 
ten  slaves  at  different  times.  Among  them  was  a  young  negro  named  "  Crow," 
who  w.as  quite  a  favorite  of  Mr.  C,  who  had  him  dressed  in  scarlet,  a  contrast  with 
his  color.  This  negro,  to  the  amusement  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  old  town,  used 
to  ascend  old  St.   Anne's  Church  steeple  and  there  perform  some  of  his  gymnastic 


sTv 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


tricks.  He  was  supple  and  elastic  as  a  circus-ridei'.  He  had  been  purchased  at 
Montreal  by  Mr.  Campau.  He  was  afterward  drowned  from  one  of  Mr.  C.'s  bat- 
teaux.  "Hannah,"  another  intelligent  colored  woman,  was  purchased  at  Montreal 
by  Mr.  C.  This  faithful  slave,  after  serving  him  several  years,  married  "  Patterson," 
also  a  slave.  "Mulct,"  one  of  the  most  honest  and  faithful  of  all  slaves,  also  be- 
longed to  Mr.  Campau,  who  very  often  employed  him  as  confidential  clerk.  This 
slave  died  but  a  few  years  ago  at  a  very  advanced  age,  respected  and  esteemed  for 
his  great  integrity  and  fidelity.  The  slave  "  Tetro  "  was  among  the  favorites  of 
Maj.  Campau.     He,  too,  was  as  faithful  and  as  honest  as  the  day  was  long. 

The  late  Gen.  John  R.  Williams  also  possessed  a  slave,  named  "  Hector."  He, 
too,  was  faithful  and  trustworthy.  In  the  year  1831  Daniel  Lero}',  Olmstead 
Cliamberlain,  and  Gideon  O.  Whittemore  sold  to  Col.  Mack,  Gen.  Williams,  and 
Maj.  Campau  the  newspaper  called  the  Oaldand  Chronicle,  the  office  being  trans- 
ferred here,  and  the  well  known  slave  "  Hector  "  was  placed  in  charge  of  it.  When 
the  late  Col.  Sheldon  McKnight  entered  to  take  possession,  he  was  fiercely  resisted 
by  "  Hector  who  showed  fight,  and  the  Colonel  had  to  retreat.  This  paper  was 
afterward  merged  into  the  Free  Press  of  this  city. 

Ann  Wyley,  a  former  slave,  suffered  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law  for  having 
stolen  six  guineas  from  the  firm  of  Abbott  &  Finchley.  She  was  sentenced  to 
death  by  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  buried  on  the  spot  where  St.  Anne's  Church 
now  stands,  which  ground  was  used  as  a  place  of  burial  in  early  days ;  and  when, 
in  1817,  the  foundations  of  the  church  were  being  excavated  for,  the  body  of  this 
unfortunate  woman  was  found,  face  downward.  It  was  supposed  that  she  was  in 
a  trance  at  the  time  of  her  burial.  This  incident  was  related  to  me  by  an  old  lady, 
some  years  ago,  who  knew  all  about  the  facts,  and  who  has  since  died. 

The  late  Joseph  Dronillard,  of  Petite  Cote,  Canada,  had  two  daughters.  Upon 
the  marriage  of  one  of  them  to  the  grandfather  of  your  humble  servant  she  received 
a  farm  ;  the  other  received  two  slaves  as  her  marriage  portion.  This  goes  to  show 
that  the  negro  in  those  days  was  considered  a  chattel.  Several  of  our  French 
farmers  on  both  sides  of  the  river  had  one  or  more  of  them. 

Many  anecdotes  can  be  related  of  Africa's  sons  among  our  ancestors,  and  they 
as  a  class  were  well  cared  for  and  educated  by  their  kind  masters.  I  could  digress 
and  go  into  more  details,  but  the  present  sketch  will  sufiSce  to  show  our  modern 
philanthropists  that  the  slaves  here  in  Detroit  were  as  well  treated  as  the  families 
in  which  their  lot  had  been  cast.  The  question  may  be  asked  :  "  How  did  slavery 
die  out  here?"  The  owners  of  slaves,  after  having  received  their  services  for  a 
number  of  years  generally  would  liberate  them,  or  sometimes  sell  them  to  parties 
outside  of  the  Territory.  When  the  celebrated  ordinance  of  1787  was  extended 
over  the  Northwest,  Michigan  assumed  for  the  first  time  the  first  grade  of  govern- 


IV^ 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


ment,  and  the  laws  of  Congress  were  put  in  force,  no  moi"e  slaves  were  afterward 
allowed  to  be  brought  into  the  Territory,  and  slavery  was  known  no  more  here  ! 

SALE   OF   NEGRO   MAN   POMPEY. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  deed  furnished  by  W.  W.  Backus  of  Detroit : 

"  Know  all  men  by  these  presents  :  That  I,  James  May  of  Detroit,  for  and  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  forty-five  pounds.  New  York  currency,  to  me  in  hand 
paid  by  John  Askin,  Esqr.,of  Detroit,  the  receipt  whereof  I  do  hereby  acknowledge 
to  be  fully  satisfied  and  paid,  have  sold  and  delivered,  and  by  these  presents,  in 
l)lain  and  open  market,  do  bargain,  sell,  and  deliver  unto  the  said  John  Askin, 
Esqr.,  a  certain  negro  man,  Pompey  by  name,  to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  negro 
unto  the  said  John  Askin,  Esqr.,  his  heirs,  executors,  administrators,  and  assigns 
forever ;  and  I,  the  said  James  May,  for  my  heirs,  executors,  and  assigns,  against 
all  manner  of  person  or  persons,  shall  and  will  warrant  and  forever  defend  by  these 
presents. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  this  nineteenth  day 
of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-four. 

Signed, 

JAMES  MAY. 

In  presence  of 

Robert  Stevens. 

I  do  hereby  make  over  my  whole  right,  title  and  interest  in  the  above  men- 
tioned negro  man  Pompey  to  Mi.  James  Donnolson  of  this  place  for  the  sum  of 
fifty  pounds,  New  York  currency,  the  receipt  of  which  I  do  hereby  acknowledge, 
as  witness  my  hand  and  seal  at  Detroit,  this  third  day  of  January,  1795. 

Signed,  JOHN  ASKIN. 

Witness,        William  McClintock. 

Throughout  the  counties  of  Wayne,  Monroe,  Macomb,  and  Oakland,  the  slave 
existed.  True,  he  bore  the  same  relation  almost  to  his  master,  as  the  white  laborer 
of  the  South  did  to  his  master  previous  to  1861.  Yet  he  was  a  slave,  liable  to  be 
bought  and  sold. 

PUBLIC   school   system. 

Michigan  has  as  good  a  public-school  system  as  can  be  found  anywhere  in  the 
Union.  Ever  since  1785,  the  acts  of  Congress,  as  well  as  the  acts  of  this  State 
since  its  organization,  have  encouraged  popular  education  by  land  grants  and  lib- 
eral appropriations  of  money.  The  16th  section  of  each  township  was  early  placed 
in  the  custody  of  the  State  for  common-school  purposes,  and  all  the  proceeds  of  the 
sale  of  school  lands  go  into  the  perpetual  fund.  In  1812  the  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  reported  a  discrepancy  of  over  f  22, 000  in  the  funds,  owing  to  im- 


•^(i 


5>    >• 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


perfect  records,  probably,  rather  than  of  dishonesty  of  ofBcials.  September  30,  1858, 
the  primary  school  fund  amounted  to  $2,890,090.73,  and  the  swamp-land  school  fund 
to  $361,237.20.  The  qualification  of  teachers  and  the  supervision  of  schools  were  for 
many  years  in  the  hands  of  a  board  of  three  inspectors,  then  the  county  superin- 
tendency  system  was  adopted  for  many  3'ears,  and  since  1875  the  township  system 
has  been  in  vogue.  The  township  Board  of  School  inspectors  now  consists  of  the 
Township  Clerk,  one  elected  Inspector,  and  a  Township  Superintendent  of 
Schools. 

The  latter  officer  licenses  the  teachers  and  visits  the  schools.  In  1877,  the 
school  children  (five  to  twenty  years  of  age)  numbered  469,504  ;  the  average 
number  of  months  of  school,  7.4  ;  number  of  graded  schools,  295  ;  number  of  school- 
houses,  6,078,  valued  at  $9,190,175  ;  amount  of  two-mill  tax,  $492,646.94  ;  district 
taxes,  $2,217,961 ;  total  resources  for  the  year,  $3,792,129.59;  total  expenditures, 
$3,179,976.06. 

STATE   UNIVERSITY. 

By  an  act  of  Congress  in  1804,  a  township  of  land  was  to  be  reserved  in  the 
territory  now  constituting  the  lower  peninsula  "  for  the  use  of  seminaries  of 
learning  ;  "  but  the  most  of  this  reservation  in  1841  went  to  a  Catholic  institution 
at  Detroit.  In  1824,  through  the  exertions  of  Austin  E.  Wing,  delegate  to  Con- 
gress, Gov.  Woodbridge  and  others,  a  second  township  was  granted,  with  permis- 
sion to  select  the  sections  in  detached  localities,  and  about  this  time  Judge  Wood- 
ward devised  that  novel  and  extensive  scheme  for  the  "  catholepisteraaid,"'  else- 
where referred  to  in  this  volume.  In  1837  the  Legislature  established  the  University  at 
Ann  Arbor,  and  appropriated  the  seventy-two  sections  to  its  benefit ;  916  acres  of  this 
land  were  located  in  what  is  now  the  richest  part  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  from  which  the 
University  finally  realized  less  than  $18,000. 

But  the  State  in  subsequent  years  made  many  liberal  appropriations  to  this 
favorite  institution,  until  it  has  become  the  greatest  seat  of  learning  west  of  New 
England,  if  not  in  all  America.  It  is  a  part  of  the  public-school  system  of  the 
State,  as  tuition  is  free,  and  pupils  graduating  at  the  high  schools  are  permitted  to 
enter  the  freshman  class  of  tiie  collegiate  department.  It  now  has  an  average 
attendance  of  1,200  to  1,400  students,  450  of  whom  are  in  the  college  proper.  In 
1879  there  were  406  in  the  law  department,  329  in  the  medical,  71  in  pharmacy,  62 
in  dental  surgery,  and  63  in  the  homeopathic  department.  There  are  over  fifty 
professors  and  teachers.  The  University  is  under  the  control  of  eight  regents, 
elected  by  the  people,  two  every  second  year.  Rev.  Henry  B.  Tappan,  D.  D.,  was 
President  from  1852  to  1863,  then  Erastus  O.  Haven,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  to  1860,  then 
Prof.  H.  S.  Freeze  (acting)  until  1871,  since  which  time  the  reins  have  been  held 
by  Hon.  James  B.  Angell,  LL.  D. 


i>  ^ 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


The  value  of  the  buildings  and  grounds  was  estimated  in  1879  at  1319,000,  and 
the  personal  property  at  $250,000. 

STATE   NORMAL     SCHOOL. 

John  D.  Pierce,  the  first  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  in  his  first  re- 
port to  the  Legislature,  urged  the  importance  of  a  normal  school.  In  this  enter- 
prise he  was  followed  by  his  successors  in  office  until  1849,  when  Ira  Mayhew  was 
State  Superintendent,  and  the  Legislature  appropriated  seventy-two  sections  of 
land  for  the  purpose ;  and  among  the  points  competing  for  the  location  of  the 
school,  Ypsilanti  won,  and  in  that  place  the  institution  was  permanently  located. 
The  building  was  completed  and  dedicated  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  October 
5,1852;  next  year  the  Legislature  appropriated  f7,000  in  money,  for  expenses. 
Prof.  A.  S.  Welch,  now  President  of  Iowa  Agricultural  College,  was  elected  the 
first  Principal.  In  October,  1859,  the  building  with  contents  was  burned,  and  a 
new  building  was  immediately  erected.  In  1878  the  main  building  was  enlarged 
at  an  expense  of  $13,347.  This  enlargement  was  88x90  feet,  and  has  a  hall  capa- 
ble of  seating  1,200  persons.  The  value  of  buildings  and  other  property  at  the 
j^resent  time  is  estimated  at  $111,100.  Number  of  students,  616,  including  144  in 
the  primary  department. 

Each  member  of  the  Legislature  is  authorized  by  the  Board  of  Education  to 
appoint  two  students  from  his  district  who  may  attend  one  year  free  of  tuition;  other 
students  pay  $10  per  annum.  Graduates  of  this  school  are  entitled  to  teach  in  this 
State  without  re-examination  by  any  school  officer. 

AGRICULTUKAL   COLLEGE. 

The  Michigan  Agricultural  College  owes  its  establishment  to  a  provision  of 
the  State  Constitution  of  1850.  Article  13  says,  "  The  Legislature  shall,  as  soon 
as  practicable,  provide  for  the  establishment  of  an  agricultural  school."  For  the 
purpose  of  carrying  into  practice  this  provision,  legislation  was  commenced  in  1855, 
and  the  act  required  that  the  school  should  be  within  ten  miles  of  Lansing,  and 
that  not  more  than  $15  an  acre  should  be  paid  for  the  farm  and  college  grounds. 
The  college  was  opened  to  students  in  May,  1857,  the  first  of  existing  agricultural 
colleges  in  the  United  States.  Until  the  Spring  of  1861  it  was  under  the  control 
of  the  State  Board  of  Education  ;  since  that  time  it  has  been  under  the  manage- 
ment of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  created  for  the  purpose. 

In  its  essential  features  of  combining  study  and  labor,  and  of  uniting  general 
and  professional  studies  in  its  course,  the  college  has  remained  virtually  unchanged 
frem  the  first.  It  has  had  a  steady  growth  in  number  of  students,  in  means  of 
illustration  and  efficiency  of  instruction. 

An  Act  of  Congress,  approved  July  2, 1862,  donated  to  each  State  public  lands 


>^-> 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


to  the  amount  of  30,000  acres  for  each  of  its  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Con- 
gress, according  to  the  census  of  1860,  for  the  endowment,  support  and  mainten- 
ance of  at  least  one  college  where  the  leading  object  should  be,  without  excluding 
other  scientific  and  classical  studies,  and  including  military  tactics,  to  teach  such 
branches  of  learning  as  are  related  to  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts.  The 
Legislature  accepted  this  grant  and  bestowed  it  upon  the  Agricultural  College. 
By  its  provisions  the  college  has  received  235,673.37  acres  of  land.  These  lands 
have  been  placed  in  market,  and  about  74,000  acres  are  sold,  yielding  a  fund  of 
$237,174,  the  interest  of  which,  at  seven  per  cent.,  is  applied  to  the  support  of  the 
college.  The  sale  is  under  the  direction  of  the  Agricultui-al  Land  Grant  Board, 
consisting  of  the  Governor,  Auditor  General,  Secretary  of  State,  State  Treasurer, 
Attorney  General  and  Commissioner  of  the  State  Land  Office. 

The  Agricultural  College  is  three  miles  east  of  Lansing,  comprising  several 
fine  buildings  ;  and  there  are,  also,  very  beautiful,  substantial  residences  for  the 
professors.  There  are  also  an  extensive,  well-filled  green-house,  a  very  large  and 
well-equipped  and  chemical  laboratory,  one  of  the  most  scientific  apiaries  in  the 
United  States,  a  general  museum,  a  museum  of  mechanical  inventions,  another  of 
vegetable  products,  extensive  barns,  piggeries,  etc.,  etc.,  in  fine  trim  for  the  pur- 
poses designed.  The  farm  consists  of  676  acres,  of  which  about  300  are  under 
cultivation  is  in  a  systematic  rotation  of  crops. 

OTHER   COLLEGES. 

At  Albion  is  a  flourishing  college  under  the  control  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  The  grounds  comprise  about  fifteen  acres.  There  are  three  college 
buildings,  each  three  stories  high,  having  severally  the  dimensions  of  46  by  80,  40 
by  100,  and  47  by  80  feet.  The  attendance  in  1878  was  205.  Tuition  in  the  jjrepara- 
tory  and  collegiate  studies  is  free.  The  faculty  comjjrises  nine  members.  The 
value  of  property  about  $85,000. 

Adrian  College  was  established  by  the  Wesleyan  Methodists  in  1859,  now 
under  the  control  of  the  "  Methodist  Church."  The  grounds  contain  about  twenty 
acres.  There  are  four  buildings,  capable  of  accommodating  about  225  students. 
Attendance  in  1875  was  179  ;  total  number  of  graduates  for  previous  years,  121 ; 
ten  professors  and  teachers  employed.  Exclusive  of  the  endowment  fund  ($80,- 
000),  the  assets  of  the  institution,  including  grounds,  buildings,  furniture,  appar- 
atus, musical  instruments,  outlying  lands,  etc.,  amount  to  more  than  $137,000. 
Hope  College,  at  Holland,  is  under  the  patronage  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church. 
It  was  begun  in  1851,  and  in  connection  with  the  ordinary  branches  of  learning,  it 
has  a  theological  department.  In  1877  it  had  ten  professors  and  teachers  and  110 
pupils.     Up  to  1875  there  had  graduated,  in  the  preparatory  def)artment,  begun  in 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


1863,  ninety-five  ;  in  the  academic,  beginning  in  1866,  fifty-three ;  and  in  the  theo- 
logical, beginning  in  1869,  twenty-four.  Value  of  real  estate,  125,000 ;  of  other 
property,  above  incumbrance,  about  $10,000  ;  the  amount  of  endowment  paid  in  is 
about  156,000. 

Kalamazoo  College,  headed  by  Baptists,  is  situated  on  a  five-acre  lot  of  ground, 
and  the  property  is  valued  at  $35,000  ;  investments,  f  S8,000.  There  are  six  mem- 
bers of  the  faculty,  and  in  1878  there  were  169  pupils. 

Hillsdale  College  was  established  in  1855  by  the  Free  Baptists.  The  "  Michi- 
gan Central  College,"  at  Spring  Arbor,  was  incorporated  in  1845.  It  was  kept  in 
operation  until  it  was  merged  into  the  present  Hillsdale  College.  The  site  com- 
prises twenty-five  acres,  beautifully  situated  on  an  eminence  in  the  western  part  of 
the  city  of  Hillsdale.  The  large  and  imposing  building  first  erected  was  nearly 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1871,  and  in  its  place  five  buildings  of  a  more  modern  style 
have  been  erected.  They  are  of  brick,  three  stories  with  basement,  arranged  on 
three  sides  of  a  quadrangle.  Their  size  is,  respectively,  80  by  80,  48  by  72,  48  by 
72,  80  by  60,  52  by  72,  and  they  contain  one-half  more  room  than  the  original' 
building.  Ex-Lieutenant  Gov.  E.  B.  Fairfield  was  the  first  president.  The  present 
president  is  Rev.  D.  W.  C.  Durgin,  D.  D.  Whole  number  of  graduates  up  to  1878, 
375;  number  of  students  in  all  departments,  506;  number  of  professors  and 
instructors,  15;  productive  endowment,  about  $100,000;  buildings  and  ground, 
$80,000  ;  library,  6,200. 

Olivet  College,  in  Eaton  County,  is  a  lively  and  thorough  literary  and  fine-art 
institution,  under  the  joint  auspices  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  denom- 
inations. Value  of  buildings  and  ground,  about  $85,000.  Fourteen  professors  and 
teacher.s  are  employed,  and  the  attendance  in  1878  was  190,  the  sexes  in  about 
equal  proportion.  There  are  five  departments,  namely,  the  collegiate,  preparatory, 
normal,  music  and  art. 

Battle  Creek  College,  conducted  by  the  .Seventh-Day  Adventists,  was  estab- 
lished in  1874,  with  four  departments,  eleven  professors  and  teachers,  and  an 
attendance  of  289.  It  is  practically  connected  with  a  large  health  institution, 
where  meat  and  medicines  are  eschewed.  In  1878  there  were  fifteen  instruct- 
ors and  478  students.  Special  attention  is  paid  to  hygiene  and  hygienic  medi- 
cation. 

Grand  Traverse  College  was  opened  at  Benzonia,  in  1863,  as  the  result  of  the 
efforts  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Walter,  a  prominent  divine  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
The  friends  of  this  institution  have  met  with  serious  discouragements ;  their  lands 
have  not  risen  in  value  as  anticipated,  and  they  have  suffered  a  heavy  loss  from  fire ; 
but  the  college  has  been  kept  open  to  the  present  time,  with  an  average  of  seventy 
pupils.     The  curriculum,  however,  has  so  far  been  only  "  preparatory."     The  land 


0      <- 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


is  valued  at  .$25,000,  and  the  buildings,  etc.,  16,000.     The  school  has  done  a  good 
work  in  qualifying  teachers  for  the  public  schools. 

Besides  the  foregoing  colleges,  there  are  the  German- American  Seminary 
in  Detroit,  a  Catholic  seminary  at  Monroe,  the  Michigan  Female  Seminary  at 
Kalamazoo,  the  Military  Academy  at  Orchard  Lake,  near  Pontiac,  and  others. 
Large  numbers  of  Michigan  students  study  at  the  college  of  Notre  Dame  in  St. 
Joseph  County,  Indiana. 

CHARITABLE   INSTITUTIONS. 

No  State  in  the  Union  takes  better  care  of  her  poor  than  does  Michigan.  For 
a  number  of  years  past,  especially  under  the  administrations  of  Govs.  Bagley  and 
Groswell,  extraordinary  efforts  have  been  made  to  improve  and  bring  to  perfection 
the  appointments  for  the  poor  and  dependent. 

According  to  the  report  of  the  Board  of  State  Commissioners  for  the  general 
supervision  of  charitable,  penal,  pauper  and  reformatory  institutions  for  1878,  the 
total  number  in  poor-houses  of  the  State  was  5,282.  For  the  five  years  preceding, 
the  annual  rate  of  increase  was  four  times  greater  than  the  increase  of  population 
during  that  period  ;  but  that  was  an  exceptionally  "  hard  "  time.  The  capacity  of 
the  public  heart,  however,  was  equal  to  the  occasion,  and  took  such  measures  as 
were  effectual  and  almost  beyond  criticism  for  the  care  of  the  indigent.  At  the 
head  of  the  charity  department  of  the  State  stands 

THE   STATE   PUBLIC   SCHOOL. 

In  the  year  1870  a  commission  appointed  by  the  Governor  for  that  purpose, 
visited  many  of  the  poor-houses  in  the  State,  and  found  a  large  number  of  children 
in  them  under  sixteen  years  of  age,  indiscriminately  associated  with  idiots,  maniacs, 
prostitutes  and  vagrants.  Their  report  recommended  the  classification  of  paupers, 
and  especially,  that  children  in  the  county  houses,  under  sixteen  years,  should  be 
placed  in  a  State  school.  The  act  establishing  the  rule  was  passed  in  1871,  in  con- 
formity with  the  recommendation.  As  amended  in  1873,  it  provides,  in  substance, 
that  there  shall  be  received  as  pupils  in  such  school  all  neglected  and  dependent 
children  that  are  over  four  and  under  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  that  are  in  suitable 
condition  of  body  or  mind  to  receive  instruction,  especially  those  maintained  in  the 
county  poor-houses,  those  who  have  been  deserted  by  their  parents,  or  are  orphans, 
or  whose  parents  have  been  convicted  of  crime.  It  is  declared  to  be  the  object  of 
the  act  to  provide  for  such  children  temporary  homes  only,  until  homes  can  be 
procured  for  them  in  families.  The  plans  comprehend  the  ultimate  care  of  all 
children  of  the  class  described,  and  it  is  made  unlawful  to  retain  such  children  in 
poor-houses  when  there  is  room  for  them  in  the  State  Public  School.  Dependent 
orphans  and  half  orphans  of  deceased  soldiers  and  sailors  have  the  preference  of 


nv 


-* — ^>^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


admission  should  there  be  more  applications  than  room.  Provision  is  made  for 
preserving  a  record  of  the  parentage  and  history  of  each  child. 

The  general  Tsupervision  of  the  school  is  delegated  to  a  Board  of  Control, 
consisting  of  three  members,  who  are  appointed  by  the  Governor,  with  the  advice 
and  consent  of  the  Senate.  The  Board  appoints  the  superintendent,  officers  and 
teachers  of  the  school.  One  officer  is  appointed  to  look  up  homes  for  the  children 
to  apprentice  them,  and  to  keep  a  general  oversight  of  them  by  visitation  or  corre- 
spondence. To  complete  the  work  of  this  institution,  an  agent  is  appointed  in  each 
county. 

The  internal  government  of  this  school  is  that  known  as  the  "  family "  and 
"  congregate  "  combined,  the  families  consisting  of  about  thirty  members  each,  and 
being  under  the  care  of  "cottage  managers,"  ladies  whom  the  children  call  "aunt- 
ies," and  who  are  supposed  to  care  for  the  children  as  mothers.  Each  child  of 
sufficient  j'ears  expected  to  work  three  hours  every  day ;  some  work  on  the  farm, 
some  in  the  dining-room  and  kitchen,  while  others  make  shoes,  braid  straw  hats, 
make  their  own  clothing,  work  in  the  bakery,  engine  room,  laundry,  etc.  They  are 
required  to  attend  school  three  to  five  hours  a  day,  according  to  their  ages,  and 
the  school  hours  are  divided  into  sessions  to  accommodate  the  work. 

The  buildings,  ten  in  number,  comprise  a  main  building,  eight  cottages  and  a 
hospital,  all  of  brick.  Tiie  buildings  are  steam  heated,  lighted  with  gas  and  have 
good  bathing  facilities.  There  are  forty-one  acres  of  land  in  connection  with  the 
school,  and  the  total  value  of  all  the  property  is  about  $150,000,  furnishing  accom- 
modation for  240  children. 


INSTITUTION   FOR   THE   DEAF    AND   DUMB,    AND   THE   BLIND. 

This  is  located  at  Flint,  sixty  miles  nearly  northwest  of  Detroit.  The  act 
establishing  it  was  passed  in  1848,  and  the  school  was  first  opened  in  1854,  in  a 
leased  building.  It  is  a  school  in  common  for  deaf  mutes,  and  the  blind,  rather 
from  motives  of  economy  than  from  any  relation  which  the  two  classes  bear  to 
one  another.  The  buildings  were  commenced  in  1853.  The  principal  ones  now 
are:  front  building,  forty-three  by  seventy-two  feet,  with  east  and  west  wings, 
each  twenty-eight  by  sixty  feet,  center  building,  forty  by  sixty,  and  east  and  west 
wings,  each  fifty  by  seventy  feet ;  main  school  building,  fifty-two  by  fifty-four,  with 
two  wings,  and  twenty-five  by  sixty  feet.  All  of  these  buildings  are  four  stories 
high ;  center  of  the  front  building  is  five  stoi-ies,  including  basement.  There  are 
also  a  boiler  and  engine  house,  barns,  etc.  The  total  value  of  the  buildings  is 
estimated  at  fo58,045,  and  of  the  eighty-eight  acres  of  land  occupied,  $17,570. 

The  number  of  inmates  has  increased  from  94,  in  1865,  to  225,  in  1875.  Includ- 
ing the  Principal,  there  are  ten  teachers  employed  in  the  deaf  and  dumb  depart- 


JiL 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


ment,  and  four  in  the  blind,  besides  the  Matron  and  her  assistants.  Tuition  and 
board  are  free  to  all  resident  subjects  of  the  State,  and  the  Trustees  are  authorized 
to  assist  indigent  subjects  in  the  way  of  clothing,  etc.,  to  the  amount  of  $40  a  year. 
An  annual  census  of  all  deaf  mutes  and  blind  persons  in  the  State,  is  officially  taken 
and  reported  to  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  who  are  to  see  that  these  unfortunate 
members  of  the  human  family  are  properly  cared. 

ASYLUM   FOR   THE   INSANE,    AT   KALAMAZOO. 

This  institution  was  established  in  1848,  and  now  consists  of  two  departments, 
one  for  males  and  the  other  for  females.  The  capacity  of  the  former  is  280,  and  of 
the  latter,  300  patients.  In  their  general  construction,  both  buildings  are  arranged 
in  accordance  with  the  principles  laid  down  by  the  Association  of  Medical  Superin- 
tendents of  American  Institutions  for  the  Insane.  The  buildings  are  ot  brick,  with 
stone  trimmings,  and  are  very  substantial,  as  well  as  beautiful.  The  entire  cost  of 
l)oth  buildings,  with  all  the  auxiliary  structures,  and  195  acres  of  land,  is  about 
$727,173.90.  The  buildings  were  constructed  during  the  war  and  immediately 
afterward.  The  asylum  was  opened  in  1859  for  the  care  of  patients,  and  up  to 
October  1, 1875,  there  had  been  expended  for  the  care  and  maintenance  of  patients, 
exclusive  of  the  cost  of  construction,  1994,711.32.  Indigent  patients  are  received 
and  treated  at  the  asylum  at  the  expense  of  the  counties  to  which  they  belong,  on 
the  certification  of  the  county  authorities,  the  average  cost  of  maintenance  being 
about  $4.12+  per  week.  Pay  patients  are  received  when  there  is  room  for  them, 
the  minimum  price  of  board  being  $5  per  week. 

EASTERN    ASYLUJI   FOR   THE   INSANE,  AT   PONTIAC. 

These  large,  beautiful  and  very  modern  structures  are  located  upon  a  farm  of 
upward  of  300  acres,  and  were  erected  in  1873-'6,  at  a  cost  of  about  $400,000. 
The  general  plans  are  similar  to  those  at  Kalamazoo.  They  are  built  of  brick,  with 
stone  window  caps,  belt-courses,  etc.  There  are  accommodations  for  not  less  than 
300  patients. 

Michigan  pursues  a  very  enlightened  policy  toward  the  chronic  insane.  Pro- 
visions have  been  made  for  the  treatment  even  of  the  incurable,  so  that  as  much 
good  as  possible  may  be  done  even  to  the  most  unfortunate.  The  design  is  to  cure 
whenever  the  nature  of  the  mental  malady  will  permit ;  but  failing  this,  to  cease 
no  effort  which  could  minister  to  the  comfort  and  welfare  of  the  patient. 

PENAL    INSTITUTIONS. 

The  Detroit  House  of  Correction,  although  a  local  institution,  is  used  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  as  an  intermediate  prison,  to  which  persons  are  sentenced  by  the 
courts  throughout  the  State  for  minor  offenses.     Women  convicted   of  felonies  are 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


also  sent  to  this  place.  The  whole  number  in  confinement  at  this  prison  for  the 
past  decade  has  averaged  a  little  over  400  at  any  one  time,  more  males  than  females. 
The  average  term  of  confinement  is  but  a  little  more  than  two  months,  and  the 
institution  is  very  faithfully  conducted. 

The  State  Prison,  at  Jackson,  is  one  of  the  best  conducted  in  the  Union.  The 
total  value  of  the  property  is  $552,113.  The  earnings  of  the  prison  in  1878  were 
$92,378  ;  number  of  prisoners,  800.  Their  work  is  let  to  contractors,  who  employ 
450  men  at  different  trades.  A  coal  mine  has  been  recently  discovered  on  the 
prison  property,  which  proves  a  saving  of  several  thousand  dollars  per  annum  to 
tlie  State.  The  earnings  of  this  prison  since  Gen.  Wm.  Humphrey  has  been  War- 
den (1875),  has  exceeded  its  current  expenses. 

The  State  Prison  at  Ionia  was  established  a  few  years  ago,  for  the  reception  of 
convicts  whose  crimes  are  not  of  the  worst  type,  and  those  who  are  young,  but  too 
old  for  the  reform  school.  The  ground  comprises  53  acres  of  land,  13A^  of  which  is 
enclosed  by  a  brick  wall  18  feet  high.  Estimated  value  of  property,  $277,490  ; 
current  expenses  for  1878,  $45,744  ;  earnings  for  1878,  $5,892  ;  number  of  prison- 
ers December  31,  1878,  250 ;  number  received  during  the  year,  346. 

THE   STATE   PRISON   IN    1880. 

The  inspectors  say  that  "  in  a  pecuniary  sense  the  year  has  been  a  prosperous 
one  to  all  the  industries  connected  witii  the  prison.  Contractors  have  had  a  demand 
for  all  their  products  at  fair  prices  and  sure  pay,  and  as  a  consequence  contracts  due 
to  the  State  have  been  promptly  paid,  and  the  prison  authorities  have  had  none  of 
tlie  troubles  and  anxieties  they  have  sometimes  experienced  from  the  failure  of 
prompt  payment  for  prison  labor.  The  general  prosperity  of  the  country  is  shown 
by  the  increased  and  increasing  demands  for  the  products  of  labor.  Whether 
these  products  are  from  the  labor  or  convicts  of  free  men,  the  consumer  does  not 
inquire  ;  therefore  it  is  not  surprising,  but  to  have  been  expected,  that  the  prison 
industries  would  share  in  the  general  prosperity. 

The  inspectors  report  valuation  of  property  as  follows : 

Real  estate $545,219-55 

Personal $48,618.27 

Cash  on  hand --      9.799-82  58,418.09 

Aggregate - $603,637.64 

The  increase  over  inventory  of  1880  is  stated  at  $29,806.95.  Of  this  amount 
$18,155.45  is  credited  to  real  estate,  $14,299.88  of  which  is  credited  to  the  expend- 
iture of  legislative  appropriations,  and  $3,855.67  to  prison  earnings.  The  increase 
in  the  valuation  of  personal  property  is  $11,651.50,  which  amount  came  entirely 
from  prison  labor,  showing  an  aggregate  increase  from  prison  labor  of  $15,507.07. 


^ 


4. 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


The  net  prison  earnings  for  the  year  are  given  as  $95,129.67,  and  the  expenses 
for  the  same  time  $84,517.66,  showing  a  balance  of  earnings  over  expenses  of 
110,612.01. 

The  following  are  the  statistics  of  prisoners  for  the  year : 

Number  October  I,  1879 _ 777 

Admitted   during  year 281 

Total 1,058 

Discharged  by  expiration  of  sentence. -253 

Discliarged  by  death 5 

Discharged  by  order  for  new  trials 2 

Discharged  by  order  of  supreme  court 4 

Discharged  by  pardon  of  governor 13 

Escaped 3 

280 

Remaining  in  prison  September  30,   1880. 

Total 778 

The  detailed  inventory  covers  thirty-six  pages,  and  is  minute  enough  to  meet 
the  demands  of  the  most  inquisitive  investigator  into  the  nature  of  prison  property. 

During  the  term  of  its  operation  this  prison  has  received  7,071  persons,  com- 
mitted for  offenses  which  are  covered  by  757  titles.  Of  these  5,097  were  convicted 
for  offenses  against  property,  988  of  offenses  against  lives  and  persons  of  individ- 
uals, 549  of  forgery  and  counterfeiting,  284  of  offenses  against  chastity,  morality 
and  decency,  145  of  offenses  against  public  justice,  and  8  of  unclassified  offenses. 

During  the  last  prison  year  twenty  persons  were  received  under  conviction  of 
offenses  against  life,  as  follows : 

For  murder  in  the  first  degree 2 

For  murder  in  the  second  degree 4 

For  manslaughter ! 3 

For  assault  with  intent  to  kill . Ii 

Total 20 

STATE   REFORM   SCHOOL. 

This  was  established  at  Lansing  in  1855,  in  the  northeastern  portion  of  the 
city,  as  the  "  House  of  Correction  for  Juvenile  Offenders,"  having  about  it  many 
features  of  a  prison.  In  1859,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  "  State  Reform 
School."  The  government  and  discipline  have  undergone  many  and  radical 
changes,  until  all  the  prison  features  have  been  removed,  except  those  that  remain  in 
tlie  walls  of  the  original  structure,  and  which  remain  only  as  monuments  of  instruc- 
tive history.  No  bolts,  bars  or  guards  ai-e  employed.  Tlie  inmates  are  necessa- 
ril}'  kept  under  the  surveillance  of  officers,  but  the  attempts  at  escape  are  much 
fewer  than  under  the  more  rigid  regime  of  former  days.      This  school  is  for  the 


^^ 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


detention,  education  and  reformation  of  boys  between  the  ages  of  eight  and  sixteen 
years,  who  are  convicted  of  light  offenses. 

The  principal  building  is  four  stories  high,  including  basement,  and  has  an 
extreme  length  of  246  feet,  the  center  a  depth  of  48  feet,  and  the  wings  a  depth  of 
33  feet  each.  Besides,  there  are  two  "  family  houses,"  where  the  more  tractable 
and  less  vicious  boys  form  a  kind  of  family,  as  distinguished  from  the  congregate 
life  of  the  institution  proper.  The  boys  are  required  to  work  half  a  day  and 
attend  school  half  a  day.  A  farm  of  328  acres,  belonging  to  the  school,  furnishes 
work  for  many  of  the  working  boys  during  the  working  season.  Some  are  em- 
ployed in  making  clothing  and  shoes  for  the  inmates.  The  only  shop-work  now 
carried  on  is  the  cane-seating  of  chairs ;  formerly,  cigars  were  manufactured  here 
somewhat  extensively.  There  is  no  contract  labor,  but  all  the  work  is  done  by  the 
institution  itself. 

The  number  of  inmates  now  averages  about  200,  and  are  taken  care  of  by  a 
superintendent  and  assistant,  matron  and  assistant,  two  overseers  and  six  teachers. 

THE   LAND    OFFICE 

Of  this  State  has  a  great  deal  of  business  to  transact,  as  it  has  within  its  jurisdic- 
tion an  immense  amount  of  new  land  in  market,  and  much  more  to  come  in.  Dur- 
ing the  fiscal  year  ending  September  30,  1877,  the  total  number  of  acres  sold  was 
50,835.72,  for  $87,968.05,  of  which  $69,800.54  was  paid  in  hand.  At  that  time,  the 
amount  of  land  still  owned  by  the  State  was  3,049,905.46,  of  wliich  2,430,050.47 
were  swamp  land  ;  447,270.89,  primary  school  ;  164,402.55,  Agricultural  College  ; 
310.26,  University  ;  160,  Normal  School ;  2,115.63,  salt  spring  ;  1,840,  Asylum  ; 
32.40,  State  building ;  3,342.75,  asset,  and  380.31,  internal  improvement.  But  of 
the  foregoing,  1,817,084.25  acres,  or  more  than  iialf,  are  not  in  market. 

STATE   LIBRARY. 

Territorial  Library,  1828-1835. — The  first  knowledge  that  we  have  of  this 
library,  is  derived  from  the  records  found  in  the  printed  copies  of  the  journals  and 
documents  of  the  Legislative  Councils  of  the  Territory,  and  in  the  manuscript 
copies  of  the  Executive  journals. 

The  library  was  established  by  an  act  of  the  Legislative  Councils,  approved 
June  16,  1828,  authorizing  the  appointment  of  a  librarian  by  the  Governor,  with 
advice  and  consent  of  the  Council. 

The  Librarian  so  appointed  was  required  to  take  an  oath  of  office  and  give 
bond  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Territory  in  the  sum  of  11,000  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  his  duties  ;  his  time  of  service  was  for  two  years,  or  until  another  be 
appointed.  The  librarian  was  also  required  to  take  charge  of  the  halls  and  com- 
mittee room,  and  other  property  appertaining  to  the  Legislative  Council.     He   was 


-% 


^A 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


also  required  to  make  an  annual  report  to  the  Council,  upon  the  state  of  the 
library,  and  upon  all  such  branches  of  duty  as  might  from  time  to  time  be  com- 
mitted to  his  charge.     For  his  services  he  was  to  receive  annually  the  sum  of  $100. 

The  library  seemed  to  have  been  kept  open  only  during  the  actual  sittings  of 
the  Legislative  Council. 

The  Executive  journal,  by  its  records,  shows  that  under  tlie  provisions  of  this 
act,  William  B.  Hunt  was  appointed  Librarian,  July  3,  1828,  by  Gov.  Lewis  Cass, 
for  the  term  of  two  years.  Mr.  Hunt  continued  to  act  as  Librarian  until  March  7, 
1834,  when  Gersham  Molt  Williams  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Porter.  Mr.  Williams 
seems  to  have  acted  as  Librarian  until  the  organization  of  the  institution  as  a  State 
library.  The  honored  names  of  Henry  B.  Schoolcraft,  Charles  Moran,  Daniel  S. 
Bacon,  Calvin  Brittain,  Elou  Farnsvvorth,  Charles  C.  Hascall,and  others,  are  found 
iu  the  list  of  the  members  of  the  Library  Committee. 

March,  1836,  the  State  Library  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Secretary  of  State  ; 
in  February,  1837,  it  was  given  to  the  care  of  the  private  Secretary  of  the  Gov- 
ernor ;  December  28  following,  its  custody  was  given  to  the  Governor  and  Secre- 
tary of  State,  with  power  to  appoint  a  Librarian,  and  make  rules  and  regulations 
for  its  government.  C.  C.  Jackson  acted  as  the  first  Librarian  for  the  State.  Lewis 
Bond  also  had  the  care  of  the  books  for  a  time.  Oren  Marsh  was  appointed  Libra- 
rian in  1837,  and  had  the  office  several  years.  In  March,  1840,  the  law  was  again 
changed,  and  the  library  was  placed  in  the  care  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  the 
members  of  the  Legislature  and  Executive  officers  of  the  State  were  to  have  free 
access  to  it  at  all  times. 

The  library  was,  of  course,  increased  from  time  to  time  by  legislative  ap- 
propriations. In  1844,  as  the  result  of  the  efforts  of  Alexandre  Vattemare, 
from  Paris,  a  system  of  international  exchange  was  adopted. 

April  2,  1850,  an  act  was  passed  requiring  the  Governor  to  appoint  a  State 
librarian  with  the  consent  of  the  Senate,  and  it  was  made  the  duty  of  the  librarian 
to  have  the  sole  charge  of  the  library.  This  act,  with  some  amendments,  still 
remains  in  force.  It  requires  the  librarian  to  make  biennial  reports  and  catalogues. 
The  librarians  under  this  act  have  been:  Henry  Tisdale,  April  2,  1850,  to  January 
27,  1851 ;  Charles  J.  Fox,  to  July  1,  1853  ;  Charles  P.  Bush,  to  December  5,  1854 ; 
John  James  Bush,  to  Januar}^  6,  1855;  DeWitt  C.  Leach,  to  February  2,  1857; 
George  W.  Swift,  to  January  27,  1859 ;  J.  Eugene  Tenney,  to  April  5,  1869,  and 
Mrs.  Harriet  A.  Tenney,  to  the  present  time.  This  lady  has  proved  to  be  one  of 
the  best  librarians  in  the  United  States.  She  has  now  in  her  charge  about  60,000 
volumes,  besides  thousands  of  articles  in  the  new  and  rapidly  growing  museum 
department.  She  is  also  secretary  of  the  "  Pioneer  Society  of  the  State  of  Michi- 
gan," and  has  charge  of  the  books,  papers  and  relics  collected  by  that  society. 


sfV 


♦■ 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


The  library  and  these  museums  are  now  kept  in  the  new  State  Capitol  at  Lansing, 
in  a  series  of  rooms  constructed  for  the  purpose,  and  are  all  arranged  in  the  most 
convenient  order  and  with  the  neatest  taste. 

STATE    FISHERIES. 

Very  naturally,  the  denser  population  of  the  white  race,  as  it  took  possession 
of  this  wild  country,  consumed  what  they  found  already  abundant  long  before 
they  commenced  to  renew  the  stock.  It  was  so  with  the  forests ;  it  was  so  with 
the  fish.  An  abundance  of  good  variety  of  fish  was  found  in  all  our  rivers  and 
little  lakes  by  the  early  settlers,  but  the  abundance  was  gradually  reduced  until 
these  waters  were  entirely  robbed  of  their  useful  inhabitants.  Scarcely  a  thouglit 
of  restocking  the  inland  waters  of  this  State  was  entertained  until  the  Spring  of 
1873,  when  a  board  of  fish  commissioners  was  authorized  by  law;  and  while  the  people 
generally  still  shook  their  heads  in  skepticism,  the  board  went  on  with  its  duty  until 
these  same  people  are  made  glad  with  the  results.  Under  the  efficient  superintend- 
ency  of  Geo.  H.  Jerome,  of  Niles,  nearly  all  the  lakes  and  streams  within  the 
lower  peninsula  have  been  more  or  less  stocked  with  shad,  white-fish,  salmon  or 
lake  trout,  land-locked  or  native  salmon,  eel,  etc.,  and  special  efforts  are  also  made 
to  propagate  that  beautiful  and  useful  fish,  the  grayling,  whose  home  is  in  the 
Manistee  and  Muskegon  rivers.  Much  more  is  hoped  for,  however,  than  is  yet  real- 
ized. Like  every  other  great  innovation,  many  failures  must  be  suffered  before  the 
brilliant  crown  of  final  success  is  won. 

The  value  of  all  the  property  employed  in  fish  propagation  in  the  State  is  but 
a  little  over  f  4,000,  and  the  total  expenses  of  conducting  the  business  from  Decem- 
ber 1, 1876,  to  July  1,  1877,  were  114,000.  The  principal  hatcheries  are  at  Detroit 
and  Pokagon. 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

STATE    SOCIETIES. 

Organization  is  the  first  great  means  necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  any 
project.  In  this  respect  Michigan  is  peculiarly  fortunate.  Every  class  seems  to 
have  its  organization,  and  to  observe  the  rules  adopted.  Among  the  first  bodies  of 
the  State  the  Pioneer  Society  of  Micliigan  holds,  perhaps,  the  highest  place.  The 
ofScers  of  the  society  retain  all  that-energy  of  character  which  marked  their  earlier 
years;  members,  generally,  take  a  deep  interest  in  the  government  of  the  body,  and 
thus  a  promise  is  given  of  the  continued  existence  of  a  noble  organization. 

THE   PIONEER   SOCIETY   OF   MICHIGAN 

Was  organized  in  1875.  Its  roll  of  members  contains  408  names,  each  of  which  is 
referred  to  m  the  following  table : 


P 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


i 

■< 

a 

< 
■< 

.a 

1 

Q 

i 
1 

July  1,1831. 
1886. 
1838. 

May  8.  1838. 
November  5.  1844. 
May  4,  1837. 
June.  1843. 
April  24.  1825. 
April.  1836. 
Nov.  5.  1831. 
September  10.  1825. 
June?,  1838. 
1834. 

Junel,  1836. 
March  27. 1836. 
October  15,  1835. 
July,  1839. 
June,  1833. 
1840. 

Fehnntry.  1835. 
November  11.  1831. 

May  10.  1834 
November  20.  1852 
May  21.  1836. 
November  10,  1840. 

J,^\"emberl2,1837. 
April,  1840. 
May.  1836. 

October.  1841. 
July.  1837. 
August.  1836. 
May,  1888. 
September,  1843. 
1843. 

July.  1837.  „      „„,, 
Septembers.  1835. 
Jmie.  1830. 
October.  1824. 
September,  1843. 
June,  1836. 
September.  1835. 

June,  1837. 
April,  1835. 
May,  1837. 
September  6,  18'89. 
Novembers.  1631. 
5,  1831. 
May  14, 1834. 

"     14,  1834. 

"     11,  1836. 
June.  1828. 
January  9, 1846. 
April  30. 1819. 

May.  1825. 

■■     3.  1831. 
August  1,  1832 
.laiiuaryk  1840. 
August  3,  1837. 
May,  1885. 

"      1836. 

c 

3 

O 

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liVaiiiii. '!!!!!!!!! 

Wayne 

Kent.. .■.■.■.■.'.■.■!!!!! 

Monroe 

St.  Joseph 

Oakland! 

Livingston 

Wayne 

Ionia  

Hillsdale 

Lenawee 

Oakland 

Clinton 

Kalamazoo 

Wayne '!!!!!! 

Lenawee 

Washtenaw 

Hillsdale 

Ingham 

Mmiroe 

Calhoun 

Oakland 

Kalamazoo 

Calhoun'...!!!!!' 

Oakland!!!!!!!!! 

Washtenaw 

Lenawee 

Oakland 

Wayne 

Oakland 

Genesee  

.lackson 

Kalamazoo 

Wayne 

s 

Flint 

Tecuniseh 

Marshall 

Jackson 

Grass  Lake 

Alaieilon 

Detroit 

Alaiedon 

Farmlngton 

Scio 

Scbooleraft 

Ann  Arbor 

Johnstown 

Saline 

Plymouth 

Portland 

Albion 

Brushy  Prairie.. 
Detroit 

lasaiii 

Ionia  ,,,,!!...!... 

Auburn 

Essex 

iii«il''N-ill 

a 

May  10,  1810 
June  18,  1816 
Nov.  19,  180b 
Oct.    20,  1809 
Jan,      7,  1814 
Feb.     4,  1883 
May    4,  1817 
Feb.      7.  1827 
May  11,  1808 
Feb.  20,  1831 
April  16,  1809 
Oct.      5,  1817 
May   21,  1823 
Oct.    14,  1819 
Oct.    15,  1815 
April    3.  1613 
Sept,  80,  1815 
Feb,    80.  1889 
•<ept,  16.  1807 
April    1,  1834 
Sfpl.  85.  1809 
Fell,    11,  1804 
All]  il  1-8.  1830 
iMar.  87.  1831 
Mar.  13.  1818 
Feb.     1,  1809 
July  24.  1832 
Dec.   84,1817 
Sept.    1,  1811 
Aug,  10,  1810 
Sept.    8,  1822 
Nov.  15,  1816 
May  12,  1825 
Jan.     6.  1818 
Jan.    13,  1818 
Mar,  11,  1810 
May  20,  1813 
Oct.   31,  1885 
Aug.    9,  isiiu 
Jan.     8,  I'-ii  ', 
Dec.     5.  1-1. 1 
Jan.     6.  1  ■■ .'  1 
Mar.    6,  1  - !  1 
July  18,  1-    -■ 

Aug.     1,  1-1 

Nov.  21,  1-. . 
Dec.     9,  1-   ' 
Jan.   18.  iMii 
June  15.  K'.i'. 
April  29. 1797 
Nov.     4.  1800 
May   22,  1810 
Sept.  22,  1810 
Feb.   11,  1814 
May     4,  1886 
June  80,  183-.. 
Mar.     5,  1794 
Jan.  11,  179h 
May    17.1809 
Aug.  16,  1888 
Mar.     8,  1809 
Jan.   23,  1809 
Feb.  10. 1820 
Vug.  33.  179(1 

a 

< 

a. 

2 

> 

New  York 

Vermont 

New  York 

Massachusetts 

Massachusetts 

New  York 

Vermont 

Massachusetts 

Connecticut 

New  York 

■Vermont 

New  York 

Vermont 

New  Jersey 

it;;! 

g>Z 

Massachusetts 

Ohio 

New  York 

Vermont 

New  York 

Connecticut!!!!!!!!! 

New  York 

Massachusetts 

New  York !!!!!! 

Pennsylvania 

Connecticut 

Vermont 

New  York 

Vermont 

Massachusetts  ...  . 

rt- 

Sidney  Plains,  Delaware  Co.... 

:Iadley,  Saratoga  Co 

Sangerlield   

Camlllus 

Dansville 

North  Castle 

Shankakln 

Sullivan 

Covington 

Lodi 

Russell 

Galen 

East  Bloomneld 

Canuteu 

Johnstown,  Montgomery  Co.... 

Sallna 

New  Haven 

Saudisfield 

Hatavia 

Auburn  

Newburgh 

.Mount  Pleasan t 

Attica 

Moravia 

Si  inierset 

Rutland 

Ira.  Cayuga  Co 

New  Baltimore 

1   unbridge 

Miinson 

\N  iiidsor 

Kii-hiand 

1  ..vington 

Stillwater 

Mansfield 

Windsor 

Bethlehem 

Athens 

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Witter  J.  Baxter 

Oliver  C.  Comstock 

D.Johnson 

H.H.Bingham 

Randolph  Strickland 

Ephraim  Longyear 

FIrastusS.  Ingersoll 

W.  W.  Mitchell 

Ebenezer  Lakin  Brown 

David  Scott 

Henry  P.  Cherry 

Sm  1  th  looker 

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ailSTOUY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


THE   FIRST    HISTORICAL   SOCIETY   OF   MICHIGAN 

Was  incorporated  under  authority  given  in  the  Act  of  June  23,  1828,  with  Lewis 
Cass,  Henry  Whiting,  John  Biddle,  Gabriel  Richard,  Noah  M.  Wells,  Richard  F. 
Cadle,  Isaac  M"Ilvain,  Zara  H.  Coston,  Austin  E.  Wing,  Thomas  Rowland,  John  L. 
Whiting,  Henry  S.  Cole,  Jonathan  Kearsley,  Samuel  W.  Dexter,  Zina  Pitcher, 
Edwin  P.  James,  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  and  Charles  C.  Trowbridge,  charter 
members. 

THE   STATE   AGRICULTURAL   SOCIETY 

Is  distinct  from  the  State  Agricultural  Board,  the  latter  being  simply  an  executive 
over  the  Agricultural  College  under  the  laws  of  tlie  State.  The  former  was  organ- 
ized at  Lansing,  March  23,  1849,  and  was  especially  incorporated  by  Act  of  April 
2  following,  since  which  time  it  has  numbered  among  its  officers  and  executive 
members  some  of  tlie  foremost  men  of  the  State.  It  has  held  annual  fairs  in  various 
places,  and  the  number  of  entries  for  premiums  has  risen  from  623  to  several 
thousands,  and  its  receipts  from  $808.50  to  $58,780.  The  premiums  offered  and 
awarded  have  increased  proportionally. 

STATE   POMOLOGICAL    SOCIETY. 

At  an  informal  meeting  of  several  gentlemen  in  Grand  Rapids,  Feb.  11,  1870, 
it  was  resolved  to  organize  a  State  pomological  society,  and  at  an  adjourned  meet- 
ing on  the  26th  of  the  same  month,  the  organization  was  perfected,  and  the  first 
officers  elected  were :  H.  G.  Saunders,  president ;  S.  S.  Fuller,  treasurer,  and  A. 
T.  Linderman,  secretary.  The  society  was  incorporated  April  15,  1871,  "  for  the 
purpose  of  promoting  pomology,  horticulture,  agriculture,  and  kindred  sciences 
and  arts."  During  the  first  two  j^ears  monthly  meetings  were  required,  but  in 
1872  quarterly  meetings  were  substituted.  It  now  has  a  room  in  the  basement  of 
the  new  capitol.  T.  T.  Lyon,  of  South  Haven,  is  president,  and  Charles  W.  Gar- 
field, of  Grand  Rapids,  secretary.  Under  the  supervision  of  this  society,  Michigan 
led  the  world  in  the  centennial  exposition  at  Philadeljjhia  in  the  exhibition  of  Winter 
apples.  The  contributions  of  this  society  to  pomological  literature  are  also  richer 
than  can  be  found  elsewhere  in  the  United  States. 

THE   MICHIGAN    STATE   FIREMEN'S    ASSOCIATION 

Was  organized  April  13,  1875,  at  Battle  Creek,  for  "  the  protection  and  promotion 
of  the  best  interests  of  the  firemen  of  Michigan,  the  compilation  of  fire  statistics, 
the  collection  of  information  concerning  the  practical  working  of  different  systems 
of  organization,  the  examination  of  the  merits  of  the  different  kind  of  fire  appar- 
atus in  use  and  the  improvement  in  the  same,  and  the  cultivation  of  a  fraternal 
fellowship  between  the  different  companies  in  the  State."     The  association  holds 


V 


HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


its  meetings  annually  at  various  places  in  the  State,  and  as  often  publish  their  pro- 
ceedings in  pamphlet  form. 

STATE  BOARD  OP  PUBLIC  HEALTH. 

This  board  was  established  in  1873,  and  consists  of  seven  members,  appointed 
by  the  Governor,  the  Secretary  ex  officio,  a  member  and  principal  executive  officer. 
It  is  tjie  duty  of  this  board  to  make  sanitary  investigations  and  inquiries  respecting 
the  causes  of  disease,  especially  of  epidemics;  the  causes  of  mortality,  and  the 
effects  of  localities,  employments,  conditions,  ingesta,  habits  and  circumstances  on 
the  health  of  the  people  ;  to  advise  other  officers  in  regard  to  the  location,  drain- 
age, water  supply,  disposal  of  excreta,  heating  and  ventilation  of  any  public  build- 
ing ;  and  also  to  advise  all  local  health  officers  concerning  their  duties,  and  to 
recommend  standard  works  from  time  to  time  on  hygiene  for  the  use  of  public 
schools.  The  secretary  is  required' to  collect  information  concerning  vital  statistics, 
knowledge  respecting  diseases,  and  all  useful  information  on  the  subject  of  hygiene, 
and  through  an  annual  report,  and  otherwise,  as  the  board  may  direct,  to  dissem- 
inate such  information  among  the  people.  These  interesting  duties  have  been 
performed  by  Dr.  Henry  B.  Baker  from  the  organization  of  the  board  to  the  present 
time.     The  board  meets  quarterly  at  Lansing. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

MICHIGAN    AND    ITS    RESOURCES. 

The  pig  metal  produced  by  the  upper  peninsula  furnaces  during  the  year  1880 
had  an  approximate  market  value  of  $1,941,000  and  the  whole  of  the  total  output  of 
the  Lake  Superior  iron  mines  for  that  year  was  about  $19,500,000.  The  aggregate 
product  of  these  furnaces  and  mines  between  the  date  of  the  Jackson  discovery 
and  the  close  of  the  last  calendar  year  was  more  than  $118,000,000.  The  product 
of  1881  promises  to  exceed  $20,000,000  in  value. 

THE    IRON    AND    STEEL    INDUSTRIES. 

In  what  are  called  the  iron  and  steel  industries — including  in  these  terms 
furnaces,  rolling  mills,  steel-works,  forges  and  bloomaries,  and  excluding  mines — 
Michigan  ranked  as  the  eighth  State  in  1880  according  to  the  figures  collected  for 
the  United  States  census  of  that  3^ear.  It  was  surpassed  by  Pennsylvania,  Ohio, 
New  York,  Illinois,  New  Jersey,  Wisconsin  and  West  Virginia.  Its  increase  in  this 
production  from  1870  to  1880  was  sixty-five  per  cent.,  and  the  totals  of  the  returns 
for  1880  were  as  follows  : 


At-— *- 


HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 


Number  of  establishments. _ 22 

Amount  of  capital  invested $  4,175,386 

Numberof  employ 6s 3,089 

Total  of  wages  paid  to  employes  in  iSSo $922,597 

Value  of  materials  used  in  1880 $3,279420 

Value  of  the  total  product  of  18S0 $4,591,613 

Weight  of  the  product  of  1880  (in  net  tons) 142.716 

Weight  of  the  product  of  1879  (in  net  tons) 86,679 

THE    COPPER    PRODUCT. 

At  the  close  of  1880  the  Lake  Superior  copper  districts  had  produced  $301,654 
tons  of  refined  copper  valued  at  8142,616,137.  The  total  output  of  that  year  was 
24,869  tons  valued  at  $9,947,673,  which  was  taken  from  thirty  mines.  The  pro- 
duction of  1881  will  surpass  that  of  any  previous  year.  A  paragraph  which 
appeared  in  an  upper  peninsula  newspaper  stating  that  "  the  net  earnings  of  the 
Lake  Superior  copper  mines  for  the  first  half  of  the  year  1881  exceed  those  of  any 
precious  metal  mining  state  or  territory  in  the  Union,"  was  submitted  for  verifica- 
cation  to  Eastern  mining  authorities,  and  elicited  in  reply  the  following  statement, 
fully  substantiating  tlie  assertion  of  the  newspaper  relerred  to.  The  figures  given 
show  the  net  earnings  of  the  gold,  silver  and  copper  mines  of  the  States  and  terri- 
tories embraced  in  them  for  the  first  six  months  of  1881 : 

California $    998,000 

Nevada ,.  791,250 

Utah 375,000 

Arizona 900,000 

Dakota 560,000 

Colorado 962,000 

Montana -  240,000 

Georgia . 8,000 

Michigan... 1,410,000 

Total  $6,244,250 

THE    PRODUCTS    OF    A    YEAR. 

The  natural  products  of  the  State  in  1879 — the  latest  year  concerning  which 
statistics  are  complete — were  estimated  by  Gov.  Jerome  in  his  message  to  the  leg- 
islature at  the  beginning  of  1881,  to  amount  to  a  valuation  of  nearly  $170,000,000, 
made  up  of  the  following  items : 

Agricultural  products $88, 500,000 

Timber 60,000,000 

Copper 8,000,000 

Iron 10,000,000 

Salt 2,000,000 

Fish 1,000,000 


"f 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


MICHIGAN   CKOPS   FOE   1881. 

Returns  received  from  913  correspondents,  located  in  664  townships  in  Decem- 
ber. 1881,  show  the  estimated  acreage  and  condition  of  wheat  sowed  in  1881  as 
compared  with  1880,  the  estimated  yield  in  1881  of  corn,  clover  seed,  and  potatoes, 
and  tlie  condition  (as  regards  flesh)  of  cattle  and  sheep  on  Dec.  1,  as  compared 
with  Dec.  1,  1880.  The  estimates  show  that  the  present  acreage  sown  in  1880  by 
two  per  cent ,  and  in  tlie  counties  north  of  the  southern  tiers  by  six  per  cent.,  indi- 
cating a  probable  acreage  in  the  State  of  about  1,834,529  acres.  The  condition 
Dec.  1  in  the  southern  four  tiers  of  counties  was  about  132  per  cent.,  and  in  the 
northern  counties  about  117  per  cent.,  of  the  condition  Dec.  1, 1880.  This  excel- 
lent showing  is  supplemented  in  numerous  instances  by  statements  that  the  wheat 
presents  an  unusually  fine  appearance,  having  started  well  and  obtained  large 
growth.  The  white  grub  and  Hessian  fly  are  reported  present  in  various  localities, 
but  while  they  undoubtedly  did  injure  individual  fields,  the  repo^-ts  do 
not  indicate  that  their  ravages  noticeably  affected  the  aggregate  product  of  the 
State.  Wheat  seldom,  if  ever,  has  gone  into  the  Winter  in  better  condition  than  this 
year. 

The  yield  of  corn  in  1881  is  estimated  at  40,460,901  bushels  of  ears,  or  about 
20,230,450  bushels  of  shelled  corn.  Tliese  figures  are  based  on  the  acreage  as  esti- 
mated in  September,  and  the  yield  per  acre  as  estimated  in  December.  At  tlie  date 
of  making  the  reports  but  a  small  portion  of  the  clover  seed  had  been  hulled,  and 
correspondents  in  the  counties  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  in  Grand 
Traverse  and  Newaygo  counties  in  the  northern  section,  report  the  clover  seed 
greatly  damaged  by  the  wet  weather,  many  fields  being  entirely  ruined.  Some  of 
them  estimate  one-fourth  of  the  crop  destroyed.  One  correspondent  in  Cass 
reported  fifteen  per  cent,  rotting  in  the  fields,  and  another  thinks  not  a  bushel  will 
be  saved  in  liis  township. 

Tiie  yield  of  potatoes  is  estimated  at  fifty-five  bushels  per  acre  in  the  southern 
and  109  bushels  in  the  northern  counties. 

The  average  condition  (as  regards  flesh)  of  cattle  in  the  southern  four  tiers  of 
counties  is  about  the  same,  and  of  sheep  two  per  cent,  better,  wiiile  in  tlie  northern 
counties  tlie  average  of  each  is  about  seven  per  cent,  better  than  on  Dec.  1, 
1880. 

The  following  statement  shows  the  Population  for  1880,  Number  of  Acres  of 
Land  Assessed  in  1881,  Aggregate  of  Real  and  Personal  Estate  as  Assessed  in  1881, 
Aggregate  of  Real  and  Personal  Estate  as  Equalized  by  Boards  of  Supervisors  for 
1881,  Amount  Added  or  Deducted  by  State  Board  of  Equalization,  Aggregate  of 
Real  and  Personal  Estate  as  Equalized  by  State  Board  of  Equalization  for 
1881: 

9 


K* 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


COUNTIES. 


i  Aggregate  of  Real 
and  Personal 
Estate,  as  As- 
sessed iu  1881. 


Aggregate  of  Real 
and  Personal 
Estate,  as 
Equalized       by 


LHiount  Added  or 
Uedcicted  by  State 
Board  of  Equali- 


AgeregateofReal 
and  Personal 
Estate  as  Equal- 
ized by  .State 
Board  of  Equal- 
lization  for  1881. 


Cliarlevoi 
Cbeboyga 
Chippewa 


On 


lago 


Oseeola. 

(isoo.la 

(itsego 

Pivsqi'ii-isie 
siiiiilac-  .!'.'.'. 


Tus 


epb. 


Waslili^na 
Waviir.... 
Wixford., 

Total  ... 


3.107 
37,806 
8.789 
5.a37 
1,804 
25,319 
38,081 
3.433 
3B.780 
a7,941 
38.4.'j!J 
aa.OOB 
5,114 
t),5S4 
5,a43 
4.187 
27,534 
1.159 
B,812 
31, 223 
B,t)40 
39,219 
1.127 
8,422 
21.937 
.32,726 
22,473 
20,089 
33,B7- 
33,872 


42,031 
34,342 

2,9;: 

73.252 
4.270 
3.233 
30,138 
B.2d3 
48.348 
22,251 
2,902 
31,B27 
12,533 
1,334 
25,393 
10,063 
13,973 
11.988 
6.894 
1.553 
33,623 
33,148 

"26,586 

14,688 

41,537 

11,699 

1,914 

2.565 

10,777 

467 

1,974 

33.125 

3.113 

1,469 

59,095 

26,341 

1,575 

27,059 

4B,197 

26.626 

25,739 

30.B07 

41.848 


1,636,336  29,306,820,20 


$  2.492,537,00 
9.652,330.00 
3.016.5U8.50 
2,162,872.11 
639,656.00 
11.332.459.00 
12.901. 1S3. 00 
1.205.586.00 
12.91K.4:i4.00 
10,261.965.09 
19,527.765.00 
13.667.602.00 
1,631,271.00 
2.761. 83V1.00 
1,558.071.00 
2,377,681.00 
16.631.293.00 
935,244.05 

"  "l2.'562,'796.o6  ' 
825,893.01) 
19,166.661.00 
1.022.900.00 
2,439  964.00 
7.126,921.00 
17.912.619.00 
1.619,589.00 
4,661.982.00 


8.872.448.00 
18.901.030.00 

2.475.991.62 

18,016  252.00 

619.263.13 

1.921.i.r4l 
12,136,604.00 


12.355.417.00 
1,403.953.' 

16.010.686. ( 
1,686,782.00 

3.'i2i"480.b'6  ' 

3.166.244.80 

2,868.075.80 

1,757.862.25 

2.113.221.00 

1.519.658.44 

14,952.990.00 

9,366,171.00 

1.211,247.00 

3,586,559.00 

2.508,083.00 

24.432.277.00 

1.736,393.00 

905,693.01 

1,414.972.00 

1,897.220.00 

749,468.00 

1.102.548.00 

6,833.087.00 

1.029.825.99 

1,176.732.14 

20,914.101.00 

3.899,273.00 

2,481.034.41 

11.937,044.00 

13,653.363.00 

15,994,663.00 

7,712,647.00 

12.697.438.00 

29,024,665.00 

110,693,130.00 

1,935,864.00 

S669,344.2'8"3.55 


1,021.494.00 
13.0141,937.00 
10.155,1)110,011 


Add 
Add 
Add 
Add 


12,000.000.001  Add 

836.393.00  Add 

19,115,427.71  Add 

1.059,095.00  Aild 


9,25.5,301.00 
19,084,537,00 

2,480,307.00 
18,013.210.00 


1,537,558.44  Add 
15,213,276.60  Add 
8.490,000.00  Add 


3,9l)l..2,)4.UU 
■  1.934,705.00 
11.010.000.00 
11.141.078.00 
16.103,848.00 


,Vdd 
Add 
Add 
A(U1 


S       7.473.00 

4,196.600.00 

600,000.011 

262,317.76 

660,344,00 

1,694.709.00 

7,000,000.00 

478.606.00 

1.958.063.00 


.345 


4,000,000.00 
1,163.607.00 
1,884,572.29 

140,90; 

474, 1-;.- 


ssii,  II  1,1 

5, 057^800. liO 

1,069,249.00 

838,000.00 

900.000.00 

100,000.00 

17,744,699.00 

3,915,463.00 


978,442.00 
692,780.00 
250.632.00 


565,295.00 
2.490,000.00 
3.858.922.00 
1,896,152.00 


t  2.,500,000.00 
13.600,000.00 
3,100.000.00 
2,600.000.00 
1.300,000.00 
18.000.000.00 
18,000.000.00 
1.500.000. 00 
16.000,000,00 
1.00 


24,: 


.00 


$654,005,885,421 


2.0110.01)0.00 
2.500.000.00 

16.000.000.00 
1.200.000.00 
2.500,000.00 

16.0IIO.()0(l.OO 
2.0IHI,UOO.IIO 


7,000.000.00 
21.000.000.00 
2.500.000.00 
5.000,000.00 


4,000.000,00 

1011.000.00 
27,OOI),01IO.OO 
23.0110,000.00 

2,500.000.00 

33.000.000.00 

800.000.00 

2.000.000.00 
13.000,000.00 

1.000.000.00 
27.500.000.00 
15.000.000.00 

2.600,000.00 
15,000,000.00 

3.500,000.00 
250,000.00 

6,000,000.00 


2.500.000.00 


l..Mrii.iHlll.0O 
2,0011.1100,00 
2.500.000.00 
1.0110.000.00 
1.500,000,00 
8.500.000.00 
1.250,000.00 
1.600.000.00 
25.000.000.00 
5.000.000.00 
2,500,000.00 
18,500,000.00 
15.000,000.00 
18,000,000.00 
H.llllO.IIOO.OO 


$810,000,000.00 


r 


ih^ 


HISTORY   OF   ^lACOMB   COUNTY. 


THE   VESSEL   INTEREST. 

According  to  the  tonnage  statistics  of  the  United  States  for  the  date  of  June 
30,  1880  (as  given  in  tlie  American  almanac  for  1881),  not  one  of  the  States  located 
away  from  the  ocean  coast  equals  Michigan  in  the  number  of  vessels  owned  by  its 
citizens  or  in  their  aggregate  tonnage.     The  exact  figures  are  given  in  this  table : 

State.  No.  of  Total 

vessels.  tonnage. 

Michigan _ 979  162,  ig6 

Illinois 459  86,634 

Wisconsin _-_ 383  74.083 

Ohio 485  139.509 

Missouri- _ 319  141.975 

Michigan  also  surpasses,  in  this  respect,  the  seaboard  States  of  Connecticut, 
New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island  and  Oregon,  and  all  the  cotton  and  gulf  States, 
while  it  far  outstrips  in  tonnage  both  Virginia  and  Maryland,  although  surpassed 
by  them  in  the  number  of  vessels.  It  exceeds  California  in  the  number  of  its 
vessels,  but  not  in  the  tonnage  total.  The  coast  line  of  Michigan  is  only  surpassed 
by  that  of  Florida,  and  it  has  ports  upon  four  of  the  great  lakes.  Its  coasting 
traides  exceedingly  valuable,  and  its  vessel  interest  represents  much  capital  and 
nterprise,  and  deserves  an  important  place  in  a  catalogue  of  its  sources  of  employ- 
ment for  labor.  In  this  connection  the  fact  should  be  mentioned  that  ship  yards 
are  located  at  Detroit,  Wyandotte,  Port  Huron,  Bay  City,  Marine  City,  St.  Clair, 
Grand  Haven  and  other  shore  towns  and  ports. 

THE  GROWTH  OF  FORTY  YEARS. 

A  subject  of  such  vital  interest  demands  the  first  attention  of  every  agricul- 
tural society  and  every  agriculturist  in  the  State,  and  to  present  at  a  glance  the 
growth  and  magnitude  of  the  industry,  we  have  prepared  from  authentic  sources,  a 
little  table  showing  the  acreage,  the  yield  per  acre,  when  possible,  and  the  aggre- 
gate bushels  grown  at  intervals  for  the  last  forty  j^ears : 

Years.  Acres.  Yield  per  Acre.  Bushels. 

1839 — 2,157,100 

1849 492,580 10   4,925,800 

1S53 473.451 15   ---  71I28.104 

1859 —   8,313,200 

1S63 843,881 II>^  9,688,672, 

1869 16,295,772 

1873 1,134,484 13  3-5 15,456,202 

1876 1,223,212 --I3ji ..16,885,179 

1877 1,312,352 18   23.793.039 

187S 1,523,841.. 18 28,000,000 


i   ^ 


132  HISTORY   OP   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


LEADING   THE   VAN. 

Out  of  tlie  nine  wheat  States  which  outranked  Micliigan  in  1840,  she  has  out- 
stripped all  but  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  while  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Wisconsin  and 
California  have,  within  the  last  few  years,  shot  forward  into  the  front  rank.  Cora- 
pared  with  these  great  States,  the  Lower  Peninsula  surpasses  them  all  save  Indi- 
ana, area  for  area,  in  wheat  production,  and  were  it  possible  to  compare  the  pro- 
portion of  land  under  cultivation  in  the  two  States,  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  it 
would  surpass  Indiana,  also.  The  State  motto  might  well  read :  "  If  vou  seek  the 
American  wheat  peninsula,  look  around  you." 

The  table  also  reveals  the  surprising  fact  that  while  the  aggregate  product  of 
wheat  in  Michigan  has  doubled  about  every  ten  years,  the  average  yield  per  acre 
has  increased  from  ten  bushels,  in  1849,  to  eighteen  bushels,  in  1877.  The  causes 
for  this  most  gratifying  result  are  not  far  to  seek.  It  is  due  to  the  greater  care  of 
farmers  in  selecting  seed ;  to  the  introduction  of  new  varieties,  such  as  the  Claw- 
son,  which  yields  better  than  its  predecessors  ;  to  irajDroved  machinery  and  methods 
of  drilling  and  harvesting ;  and  to  an  increase  of  live  stock,  and  consequent  increase 
of  fertilization.  Tlie  increase  in  the  aggregate  is  due  mainly,  to  the  rapid  settle- 
ment and  clearing  up  of  the  country,  and  tliere  is  no  reason  to  sujipose  that  the 
increase  will  be  seriously  checked  until  the  millions  of  acres  of  wild  lands  are 
finally  brought  under  cultivation.  What  the  limit  will  be,  must  be  left  to  conjec- 
ture. 


•Fls — «^ 


J^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER    X. 

INTRODUCTION. 

He  who  would  deserve  a  place  in  the  memory  of  posterity,  must  collate  and 
preserve  the  history  of  the  acts  and  times  of  his  ancestors.  It  is  the  duty  of  Jus- 
tice to  hand  down  the  Past  and  Present  to  the  people  of  the  Future.  It  is  the 
duty  of  the  Present  to  commemorate  the  Past,  to  perpetuate  the  names  of  the 
pioneers,  to  furnish  a  record  of  their  early  settlement, — to  relate  the  story  of  their 
progress.  The  civilization  of  our  day,  the  enlightenment  of  the  age,  and  the 
solemn  bond  which  binds  us  to  our  ancestry,  demand  that  a  record  of  tlieir  lives 
and  deeds  should  be  made.  In  local  history  is  found  a  power  to  instruct  man  by 
precedent,  to  enliven  the  mental  faculties,  and  to  waft  down  the  river  of  time,  a 
safe  vessel,  in  which  the  names  and  actions  of  the  people,  who  contributed  to 
raise  this  country  from  its  primitive  state,  may  be  preserved.  Surely  and  rapidly, 
the  great  old  men,  who  in  their  prime  entered  the  wildernesses  of  this  Peninsula, 
and  claimed  the  virgin  soil  as  their  heritage,  are  passing  to  their  graves.  The 
number  remaining,  who  can  relate  the  history  of  the  first  days  of  settlement,  is 
becoming  small  indeed,  so  that  an  actual  necessity  exists  for  the  collection  and  pre- 
servation of  historical  matter  without  delay.  Not  only  is  it  of  the  greatest 
importance  to  render  the  history  of  the  pioneer  times  full  and  accurate ;  but  it 
is  almost  equally  essential  that  the  history  of  the  county  from  the  earliest  times, 
down  to  our  own  day,  should  be  treated  through  its  various  phases,  so  that  a  record, 
complete  and  impartial,  may  be  handed  down  to  the  future.  If  this  information 
is  not  now  collated  and  compiled  in  historical  form,  the  generations  of  the  future  will 
be  called  upon  to  expend  large  sums  of  money  in  research  and  exploration.  The 
present — the  iron  age  of  progress — is  reviewed,  standing  out  in  bold  relief  over 
the  quiet,  unostentatious  olden  times  ;  it  is  a  brilliant  record  which  shall  live  as 
long  as  language  lives. 

'  The  good  works  of  men,  their  magnificent  enterprises,  their  lives,  whether  com- 
mercial or  military,  do  not  sink  into  oblivion  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  grow  brighter 
with  age,  and  contribute  to  build  up  a  record,  destined  to  carry  with  it  precedents 
and  principles,  that  will  be  advanced  and  observed,  when  the  acts  of  soulless  men 
sliall  be  forgotten,  and  their  names  like    themselves  end  in  their  graves.     History 


te^ 


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134  HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


entwines  itself  with  the  names  of  the  notorious  as  well  as  with  those  of  the  illus- 
trious, whenever  the  former  are  held  up  for  the  scorn,  and  the  latter  for  the  admira- 
tion of  men, — there,  the  pen  of  impartiality  may  be  traced  ;  for  never  yet  was  the 
writer  true  to  his  conscience  or  to  his  country  who  clothed  the  wolf  in  the  fleece 
of  the  lamb,  or  who,  by  sophistry,  painted  a  coward  as  a  hero. 

In  the  pages  devoted  to  the  history  of  Macomb  County,  the  useful  man  and 
his  work  will  have  that  prominence,  to  which  his  physical  and  moral  courage 
entitle  him.  It  is  a  necessity  that  the  names  of  such  men  sliould  be  transmitted  ; 
because  many  of  them,  whose  lives  made  material  for  this  work,  have  passed 
into  eternity  ;  others  stand  on  the  brink  of  tlie  grave.  Tiiose  who  have  joined 
the  majority,  as  well  as  these  who  are  soon  to  visit  the  Better  Land,  have  done 
good  service,  claiming  as  their  reward  here,  the  only  boon,  that  their  children  and 
children's  children  sliould  be  reminded  of  their  fidelity,  and  jarofit  by  their 
examples. 

To  give  effect  to  this  laudable  desire  is  the  aim  of  the  writer.  Turning  over 
the  records  of  the  count)'',  nothing  of  moment  has  been  left  unnoticed.  Beyond 
the  period,  over  which  the  records  extend,  all  that  is  legendary  has  been  examined 
and  utilized.  Although  the  Old  Settlers  and  their  children  extended  a  full  co- 
operation, the  work  necessitated  the  most  earnest  labor  on  the  part  of  the  writer 
and  his  assistants.  Success  waited  on  such  labor,  with  the  result  of  bringing 
forth  from  their  hiding-places  many  valuable  papers,  upon  which  to  base  a  just 
account  of  early  times.  Many  of  the  surviving  old  settlers  were  interviewed,  and 
from  their  reminiscences  of  olden  times,  a  good  deal  of  all  that  is  historically  valu- 
able, in  these  pages,  was  selected. 

The  reader  must  remember  that  the  general  histori/  of  the  county  does  not  em- 
brace every  historical  event.  Nothing  has  found  a  place  in  this  very  important 
section  of  the  work,  which  did  not  possess  a  character  of  generalization.  Begin- 
ning with  the  history  of  geological  formations,  archaeological  discoveries,  meteoro- 
logical phenomena,  zoological  representatives,  and  physical  characteristics,  this 
chapter  is  succeeded  by  a  full  account  of  Indian  and  pioneer  days,  American  settle- 
ment, together  with  a  number  of  chapters,  each  one  complete  and  most  important 
in  itself. 

The  general  history  is  followed  by  the  chapters  devoted  to  township  and  village 
history,  each  chapter  forming  a  complete  historical  and  historia-biographical  sketch 
of  a  township,  city  or  village.  No  effort  has  been  spared  to  render  this  portion 
of  the  work  reliable  as  well  as  interesting. 

Unlike  the  history  of  the  State,  County,  Townships  and  Villages,  biography  is 
the  work  of  many  men,  whose  notes  were  ti-anscribed,  retranscribed,  and  very  gen- 
erally submitted    to  the  persons  concerned,   for  revision  or   correction  ;    so  that  if 


VAs r- 


^^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


literary  errors  occur,  it  must  be  credited  to  the  person,  who  gave  the  biographical 
sketch  in  the  first  instance.  The  irrepressihle  ti/pos  often  make  grave  errors  which 
no  foresight  can  set  aside  ;  therefore  if  typographical  errors  do  appear,  let  justice 
guide  the  critic  to  sympathize  with  the  children  at  the  typo's  case, — whose  art 
doth  move  the  world.     Deal  lightly  with  their  excesses. 

GEOLOGICAL   CONFORMATIONS. 

In  tracing  the  geological  history  of  the  county,  it  will  be  only  necessary  to 
revert  to  the  era  when  the  accumulated  sediments  of  the  ocean  were  beino'  formed 
into  masses  of  rock.  Geology  teaches  that  the  continents  of  tlie  world  were  once 
beneath  the  ocean,  even  as  Scripture  implies  that  a  sea  of  mud,  resembling  in  sub- 
stance a  South  African  river,  was  arranged  by  an  Almighty  hand,  and  the  liquid 
sepa]-ated  from  the  solids  contained  therein.  The  inequalities  in  the  ocean  bed, 
corresponding  with  the  hills  and  valleys  of  our  land,  point  out  the  truths  of  geo- 
logical science.  The  recent  deep-sea  soundings  reveal  mountains  and  hills,  valleys, 
and  table-lands.  The  greatest  depth  reached  was  over  29,000  feet,  which  exceeds 
the  height  of  the  loftiest  peak  of  the  Himalayas.  Some  of  the  mountains," spring- 
ing from  the  bed  of  the  ocean,  are  steeper  and  more  abrupt  than  any  on  the  face  of 
the  earth.  In  the  Irish  Sea  and  British  Channel  the  depth  changes,  within  a  radius 
of  ten  miles,  from  600  to  12,000  feet ;  and  it  is  very  common,  within  a  few  miles  of 
our  coasts  and  islands,  for  the  depth  of  the  waters  to  change  suddenly  from  a  few 
hundred  to  many  thousand  feet.  In  otlier  cases,  as  in  the  bed  of  the  Atlantic 
between  Spain  and  the  United  States,  there  are  plateaux  extending  hundreds  of 
miles,  with  very  slight  undulations.  The  mysterious  race  that  once  occupied  this 
continent  may  have  sailed  in  galleons  over  this  peninsula  of  Michigan,  and  sounded 
the  depth  of  the  waters  which  rose  above  it,  in  precisely  the  same  manner  as  the 
mariners  of  our  day  cast  the  sounding  line  into  our  great  lakes  and  the  oceans. 

It  may  be  concluded  that  the  State  which  we  inhabit  was  totally  submerged 
at  the  beginning  of  the  carboniferous  period.  At  the  close  of  that  epoch,  a  great  up- 
heaval of  sea  bottom  formed  a  line  of  solid  earth  across  the  southern  counties  of 
Michigan,  which  extended  to  an  older  and  wider  formation  in  Southern  Ohio.  The 
land  comprised  in  the  original  county  of  Macomb  continued  submerged  for  ages ; 
but  by  degrees  the  southern  belt  rose  higher,  spread  out  toward  the  northern  con- 
tinent, and  actually  approached  the  condition  of  dry  land  at  the  beginning  of  the 
coal-deposit  era.  At  this  time  lakes  Micliigan,  Huron,  Ontario  and  Erie  were  not 
in  existence,  their  centers  forming  the  channel  of  a  great  river,  with  expansions  at 
intervals.  This  torrent  swept  over  this  now  prosperous  district  of  Michigan.  The 
great  geological  age — the  Mesozoic — dates  from  this  time.  It  was  marked  by  ac- 
tivity in  the  animal  and  vegetable  kingdoms,  by  mild  climates,  and  myriads  of  rep- 
tiles, which  swarmed  in  rivers  and  over  lands. 


Vl® 


HISTORY   OF   :\IACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  Tertiary  period  succeeded  the  Mesozoic.  It  was  the  age  of  beautifid 
climates,  and  high  development  of  mammals.  Animals,  greater  than  the  mastodon, 
roamed  over  the  land,  through  magnificent  forests,  meeting  their  enemy — man,  and 
ultimately  falling  beneath  his  repeated  attacks. 

The  glaciers  came  to  desti'oy  all  this  gigantic  beauty ;  the  snow  and  ice  came 
on,  burying  all  nature  in  their  whitness,  and  robbing  the  land  itself  of  life.  It  was 
the  beginning  of  the  Glacial  period,  the  duration  of -which  is  lost  in  mystery. 
Were  it  possible  to  ignore  the  existence  of  a  Divine  Architect,  and  his  action  in 
forming  the  earth  we  inhabit,  the  continuance  of  the  Ice  Age  might  be  set  down 
at  2,000  years.  There  is  no  intention,  however,  to  ignore  the  Omnipotent,  and, 
therefore,  what  bears  the  impress  of  being  the  work  of  2,000  years,  might  have 
been  compassed  in  a  moment. 

Spiing  time  came,  and  under  the  influence  of  its  season  the  sea  of  ice  which 
covered  land  and  water  to  a  depth  of  .5,000  feet  began  to  break  up,  to  dissolve, 
when  the  solids  held  within  its  grasp  fell  down  and  formed  a  bed  of  rocky  frag- 
ments or  boulder  drift.  This  rocky  conformation  must  not  be  confounded  with  the 
partial  drift  of  after  years,  evidences  of  which  are  given  in  many  sections  of  our 
county. 

SUPERFICIAL   MATERIALS. 

Abundant  evidences  are  furnished  along  the  shores  of  St.  Clair  Lake  and  river 
as  well  as  those  of  Lake  Huron,  of  the  unbroken  continuity  of  the  action  of  those 
physical  forces,  which  have  assorted  and  transported  the  materials  of  the  Drift. 
From  the  shingle  beach  formed  by  the  violence  of  the  last  gale,  we  trace  a  series,  of 
beaches  and  terraces,  gradually  rising  as  we  recede  from  the  shore,  and  becoming 
more  and  more  covered  with  the  lichens  and  mould  and  forest  growths  which  de- 
note antiquity,  until  in  some  cases  the  phenomena  of  shore  action  blend  with  the 
features  which  characterize  the  Glacial  Diift.  These  observations  tally  with  the 
views  of  Pictet  on  the  continuity  of  the  Diluvian  and  Modern  Epochs,  as  established 
b}^  paliBontological  evidences.  So  also  may  we  behold  evidences  of  the  disintegra- 
tion of  strata,  which  formerly  existed  in  this  very  county — we  may  see  every  day 
the  comminuted  materials  lying  around  us  in  all  directions.  The  uses  of  these 
cobbles  are  known  wherever  a  pavement  is  necessary ;  while  on  the  land  they  keep 
it  warm  as  it  were,  and  aid  in  the  growth  of  grain  crops.  These  remnants  of  com- 
minution are  principally  rounded  fragments  of  syenite,  greenstone,  vitreous  and 
jasperous  sandstones,  horn-rock,  talcase  and  of  the  serpentinous  rocks  of  the  azoic 
series.  Here  are  the  rocks  overspread  with  blue  clay,  plutonic  boulders  and 
pebbles.  There  is  a  curious  rock  on  the  farm  of  Edwin  Lamb  in  Washington  Town- 
ship. It  consisted  of  ordinary  cobble  stones  bound  together  by  a  kind  of  water 
lime  cement.     Some  years  ago  it  was  examined  l)y  Wm.  A.  Burt,  who  gave   it  as 


L 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUXIY. 


liis  opinion  that  it  had  been  brought  here  from  northern  Michigan  on  a  cake  of  ice 
at  a  time  when  all  the  county  was  covered  by  the  waters  of  Lake  St.  Clair.  In 
other  places  those  rude  materials  are  often  arranged  in  rude  courses,  which  have  a 
curved  dip,  and  appear  outcropping  on  the  hill-sides  and  sometimes  upon  the  plains. 
Tlie  outcrop  is  very  irregular  in  this  county.  In  the  deep  borings  for  brine,  as  well 
as  in  the  shallow  surface  water-reservoirs,  these  boulders  and  pebbles  have  been 
found.  Again  entire  fields  bear  them  upon  the  surface,  or  so  near  the  surface  that 
each  successive  plowing  brings  them  more  prominently  into  view.  In  some  places 
a  field  is  found  bearing  nine  and  twelve  cobble  stones  on  every  square  foot  of  its 
surface ;  such  fields  are  generally  very  productive,  the  onlj^  fault  being  in  the 
difficult}^  of  plowing  them. 

There  is  a  thin  series  of  argillaceous  magnesian  limestones  and  marls,  embracing 
beds  and  masses  of  gypsum,  and,  in  some  regions,  strata  of  liock  Salt  is  known  as 
the  Salina.  It  is  the  lowest  stratified  rock  known  in  the  Lower  Peninsula.  Its 
belt  of  outcrop  stretches  across  the  point  of  land  north  of  Mackinac,  from  Little 
Point  au  Ciiene  to  the  vicinity  of  the  mouth  of  Carp  River,  and  close  to  the  shore 
from  that  point  to  West  Moran  Bay.  Tlie  formation,  with  the  characteristic 
gypsum,  is  seen  beneath  the  water  surface  at  the  little  St.  Martin  Island,  and  at 
Goose  Island  near  Mackinac.  Dipping  beneath  the  Lower  Peninsula,  it  re-appears 
in  Monroe  Count}'  wliere  it  has  been  exposed  in  some  of  the  deepest  quarries.  In  the 
well-borings  at  Mt.  Clemens,  as  well  as  at  Alpena  and  Caseville,  this  formation  has 
l)een  reached,  and  near  Sandusky,  Ohio,  it  affords  valuable  gypsum  deposits.  At 
Mt.  Clemens  the  Salt  Rock  was  not  reached,  though  at  Alpena  and  Caseville  a 
thick  bed  of  such  rock  was  penetrated,  doubtless  similar,  or  rather  equivalent  to 
tlie  beds  at  Goderich  in  Canada. 

The  total  thickness  of  this  formation  is  a  matter  of  speculation,  but  is  supposed 
to  be  fifty  or  sixty  feet  in  depth  above  the  Salt  Rock.  The  stratification  based  on 
information  obtained  from  the  measurement  of  remote  outcrops  of  the  group,  may 
be  placed  as  follows  : 

Calcareous  clay  as  seen  at  Bois  Blanc.  Fine  ash-colored  limestone,  with 
acicular  crystals,  as  at  Ida,  Otter  Creek  and  Plum  Creek  quarries,  and  at  Mackinac, 
Round  and  Bois  Blanc  Island.  Variegated  gypseous  marls,  with  imbedded  masses 
of  gypsum,  as  at  Little  Point  au  Chene  and  the  St.  Martin  Islands. 

A  group  of  argillaceous  and  magnesian  limestones  outcrop  along  the  western 
shore  of  Lake  Erie,  and  exists  beneath  the  surface  in  the  counties  bordering  on  the 
lake  and  river  St.  Clair.  It  consists  of  an  aigillaceous,  chocolate-colored,  magne- 
sian limestone  in  regular  layers,  each  layer  from  four  to  eight  inches  thick.  This 
conformation  seems  to  correspond  with  the  tvaterlime  formation  of  New  York. 

The  formation  known   as   corniferous  litnestone,  is   very   general   in   masses  of 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


horn-stone.  The  dark  color  of  the  rock  is  imparted  by  the  presence  of  bituminous 
matter,  which  often  shows  itself  in  the  thin  partings  between  the  strata.  Petroleum 
saturates  the  formation,  and  as  the  bitumen  colors  the  rock,  so  does  the  petroleum 
bestow  on  it  its  peculiar  odor,  often  oozing  from  the  crevices,  and  showing  itself  on 
the  streams  in  the  vicinity. 

The  black  shale  at  the  bottom  of  the  argillaceous  strata  known  as  the  Huron 
group,  is  about  20  feet  thick,  sometimes  laminated  and  fissile.  This  shale  has 
doubtless  been  pierced  in  the  borings  at  Mt.  Clemens,  as  it  is  known  to  exist  in  St. 
Clair,  and  counties  adjoining  Macomb.  The  shale  resembles  coal,  and  when  placed 
in  a  stove  or  grate  gives  a  blaze  resembling  that  of  coal. 

We  also  find  here  a  species  of  shales  more  arenaceous  than  the  black  shale, 
which,  to  use  the  language  of  geology,  terminate  in  a  sei-ies  of  laminated,  argilla- 
ceous, micaceous,  friable  sandstone,  which  pass  into  the   Waverly  group. 

The  Black  Shale  hitherto  regarded  holds  an  important  place  in  the  stratifica- 
tion of  this  county,  particularly  on  its  southern  borders.  It  appears  that  about  the 
year  1858,  F.  P.  Boutellier  undertook  the  boring  of  a  well  in  Greenfield  township 
in  the  county  of  Wayne.  The  earth  was  penetrated  beneath  a  saw-mill,  then  in 
operation.  The  drill  having  passed  through  the  clay  and  subjacent  rock,  entered 
the  blue-black  shale,  which  it  passed  through  at  a  depth  of  seventy  or  eighty  feet. 
At  this  moment  the  iron  was  wrested  from  the  hands  of  the  laborers  as  if  by  some 
supernatural  power.  This  phenomena  was  followed  by  a  violent  escape  of  gas, 
and  an  upheaval  of  water  and  sand. 

The  stream  of  fetid  gas  became  ignited  in  some  manner,  and  formed  a  fiery 
column,  reaching  to  the  roof  of  the  mill.  All  efforts  to  extinguish  the  blaze 
proved  utterly  futile,  the  burning  roof  of  the  building  had  to  be  removed,  and  a 
furnace  pipe  placed  over  the  boring  to  guide  the  terrific  flame.  This  last  act  in  the 
drama  of  that  well  boring  had  the  effect  of  extinguishing  the  fire.  Boutellier,  it 
need  scarcely  be  said,  was  happy  for  this  denouement ;  yet  he  took  precautions 
against  the  recurrence  of  such  an  eruption,  by  filling  up  the  boring  with  pebbles, 
and  clay,  and  i-efusing  permission  to  have  such  an  experiment  repeated.  In  Ster- 
ling township  one  of  such  wells  created  a  sensation  some  time  ago. 

Throughout  Wayne,  Macomb  and  St.  Clair  counties  there  are  evidences  of  the 
existence  of  gas  fountains,  if  not  actual  oil  reservoirs.  This  fetid  gas  was  undoubt- 
edly the  product  of  distilled  petroleum  lying  below  the  gas  fountain  in  a  similar 
position  to  the  oil  reservoirs  of  Petrolia  and  Oil  Springs  in  Canada. 

GAS    WELLS. 

On  the  grounds  of  Geo.  C.  Walker  at  New  Baltimore  is  a  gas  well,  which  gives 
up  sufiicient  gas  to  light  his  residence.     It  is  his  intention  to  utilize  this  light-mak- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


ing  stream,  by  guiding  it  into  the  cookery  and  throughout  the  house.     The  well  is 
only  56  feet  in  depth. 

About  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Walker  bored  this  well  three  other  persons  in 
the  village  engaged  in  a  like  enterprise,  and  struck  the  same  gaseous  vein.  It  is 
stated  that  about  the  year  1850  the  existence  of  natural  gas,  at  this  point,  was  no- 
ticed by  many  of  the  villagers.  Below  the  Hathaway  warehouse  bul)bles  were  ob- 
served on  the  surface  of  the  water,  while  a  closer  inspection  pointed  out  the  fact 
that  some  submarine  power  agitated  the  sand  below  the  water,  raising  it  up  in  cones 
and  then  scattering  it  around. 

SUBTERRANEAN   CHANNELS. 

In  consequence  of  the  changes  to  which  the  various  strata  of  the  county  has 
been  subjected,  the  waters  have  carved  for  themselves,  even  within  our  own  time, 
a  passage  through  it,  and  find  their  way  to  the  lower  lakes  throngli  subterraneous 
rivulets,  causing  the  diminution  of,  and  sometimes  the  total  disappearance  of  ponds 
and  creeks.  This,  doubtless,  is  to-day  operating  against  our  rivers,  and  accounts 
for  the  visible  reduction  of  the  volume  of  water,  compared  with  that  which  marked 
them  in  Territorial  days.  This  diminution  is  partly  attributed  to  increased  evapo- 
ration, consequent  upon  the  removal  of  the  forests. 

In  the  same  way  we  must  account  for  the  reports  of  public  officers  in  the  olden 
times — one  reports  the  Huron  River  navigable  for  thirty  miles  ;  the  other  reports 
the  hrine  obtained  from  the  springs  of  the  civil  district  of  Huron  capable  of  yield- 
ing 25  per  cent,  of  solid  saline  matter. 

WATER   RESERVOIRS. 

The  small  bodies  of  water  or  lakelets  with  which  certain  portions  of  Macomb 
County  are  diversified,  rest  in  depressions  shaped  in  the  layer  of  modified  drift. 
The  remarkable  group  of  water  fountains  in  the  northwestern  township  of  the 
county,  together  with  those  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Oakland,  continues  through 
Livingston,  Washtenaw,  and  onwards  to  the  lakes  of  Grattan  in  Kent  County. 
They  are  particularly  scattered  along  the  scarcely  descending  banks  of  the  Huron 
of  Lake  St.  Clair,  or  the  Clinton  and  its  tributaries,  and  are  strung  like  beads  along 
these  streams,  many  of  them,  probably,  the  ancient  work  of  beavers. 

The  lakelets  of  Macomb  County,  as  of  the  Lower  Peninsula  in  general,  are 
surrounded  by  gravelly,  elevated  shores  on  two  or  three  sides,  with  frequently  a  low, 
marshy  border  fringing  the  remainder  of  the  contour.  As  the  streams  which  feed 
them  are  clear,  the  water  of  the  lakes  is  limpid  and  healthful,  tliough  of  the  char- 
acter known  as  hard.  They  furnish,  therefore,  charming  places  of  Summer  resort. 
The  same  species  of  fish  and  molluscs  inhabit  the  different  lakelets  of  the  county, 
however  disconnected.     This  fact  presents  an  interesting  and  difficult  problem  to 


-fT 


^\±^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  investigator  of  the  origin  of  species.  The  most  natural  inference  is.  that  at  a 
former  period  a  general  S3'stem  of  water  communication  existed  among  the  various 
bodies  of  water  in  this  part  of  the  Peninsula,  and  at  tliis  time  one  fauna  extended 
through  all  its  limits.  A  similar  problem,  but  of  a  larger  magnitude,  is  presented 
by  the  similar  faunas  inhabiting  different  rivers  and  lake  systems,  and  especial)}' 
wlien  the  different  systems  discharge  into  the  sea  at  different  points,  and  their 
jiigher  sources,  as  well  as  their  valleys  of  discharge,  are  separated  bj'  elevations  too 
great  to  admit  the  hypothesis  of  a  general  fresh-water  inundation  in  former  times. 

It  requires  but  casual  observation  to  become  convinced  that  nearly  all  these 
lakelets  have  formerly  been  of  larger  size.  The  shore  upon  one  or  more  sides  is 
frequently  low  and  sedgy,  and  stretclies  back  over  an  expanse  of  marsh  and  allu- 
vial land  to  a  sloping,  gravelly  bank,  which  appears  to  have  been  the  ancient  con- 
tour of  the  lake  or  river  expansion.  The  lowland  between  the  ancient  shore  and 
the  modern  is  composed  of  a  bed  of  peat,  genei'ally  underlaid  by  a  bed  of  marl. 
Beneath  the  marl  may  be  found,  in  many  cases,  a  deposit  of  blue,  plastic  clay,  which 
forms  a  transition  to  the  layer  of  modified  drift  before  described.  Each  of  these 
deposits  may  have  a  thickness  of  a  few  inches  or  more,  up  to  ten  or  twenty  feet. 
That  all  these  formations  have  been  laid  down  from  the  flooded  or  Ciiamplain 
Period  is  evident :  first,  from  their  superposition  on  the  modified  drift ;  second, 
from  tlie  fact  that  the  lake  is  performing  in  our  own  times  the  same  work  as  we  see 
completed  in  the  low-border  marsh  ;  third,  from  the  gradual  extension  of  many 
lake-border  marshes,  and  the  corresponding  diminution  of  the  areas  of  the  lakes. 

The  calcareous  character  of  the  water  of  tliese  lakelets  makes  them  a  fitting 
abode  for  numerous  species  of  lime-secreting  molluscs.  These  animals  eliminate 
ti]e  lime  from  the  water  and  build  it  into  the  structure  of  their  shells.  Finally  the 
mollusc  dies  and  its  shell  falls  to  the  bottom,  where  it  undergoes  disintegration  into 
a  white  powder,  or  becomes  buried  in  the  progressing  accumulation  of  such  mate- 
rial. Another  portion  of  the  marly  deposit  forming  in  the  bed  of  the  lakes  is 
probably  derived  from  calcareous  i^recipitation  directly  from  the  lake  water.  Thus 
a  bed  of  marl  is  forming  over  the  whole  bottom  of  the  lake,  in  situations  sufficiently 
protected  and  shallow  to  serve  as  the  abode  of  shell-making  animals.  But  on  the 
leeward  side  the  immediate  shore  is  the  seat  of  a  layer  of  peat.  Bulrushes  lift 
their  heads  through  water  one  or  two  feet  deep.  A  little  nearer  the  shore  flags 
may  be  seen,  and  still  nearer  scouring  rushes.  On  the  immediate  border  of  the 
land  willows  and  water-loving  sedges  hold  a  place,  while  further  back  other  sedges 
and  grasses  take  possession  in  varying  j)roportions.  This  is  the  lee  side  of  the 
lakes.  Floating  leaves,  twigs,  stems,  therefore  find  their  way  among  the  lake-side 
growths,  and  becoming  entangled,  sink  and  fall  into  gradual  decay.  More  than  this, 
each  autumn's  crop  of  dead  vegetation,  produced  round  the  borders  of  these  lakes. 


V 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


^u 


contributes  to  the  accumulation  of  vegetable  material,  which  gra dually  changes 
into  the  condition  of  humus  and  j>eat.  This  is  a  work  begun  at  the  surface  of  the 
water.  When  this  substance  sinks,  it  overlies  what  the  lake  had  hitherto  accumu- 
lated. When  the  peat  layer  is  first  begun,  the  previous  accumulation  is  marl,  and 
hence  the  well-known  order  of  superposition  of  these  two  deposits.  The  peat  bed 
grows  lakeward  as  the  continued  formation  of  marl  shallows  the  water.  In  the 
course  of  time,  the  actual  seat  of  operations  becomes  removed  far  from  the  ancient 
shore,  and  a  broad  marsh  comes  into  existence,  with  peat  everywhere  at  the  surface 
and  marl  beneath.  On  the  Benjamin  Farm,  just  south  of  Romeo,  this  formation 
may  be  seen.  The  enterprise  of  the  owner  has  not  only  rendered  the  lake  site 
capable  of  high  cultivation,  but  has  also  brought  to  light  the  surfaces  as  they  were 
formed  during  the  last  thousand  years. 


ANCIENT    LAKE   SITES. 


Almost  the  entire  country  may  be  considered  an  ancient  lake  site  ;  yet  in  a  re- 
ference here,  the  writer  wishes  to  deal  with  the  ponds  of  the  county,  which,  long 
years  after  the  Champlain  epoch,  were  large  sheets  of  water.  As  many  existing 
ponds  have  obviously  been  contracted  from  their  ancient  limits,  so  a  little  reflection 
makes  it  obvious  that  many  lakes,  once  existing  here,  have  become  quite  extinct 
through  the  completion  of  the  process  of  filling  up.  It  is  probable  that  every 
marsh  in  the  county  marks  the  site  of  an  ancient  lake.  Level  as  the  surface  of  the 
water,  which  determined  their  limits  and  depth,  not  a  few  of  them  retain,  at  some 
point,  vestiges  of  the  lakes  which  they  have  displaced  ;  and  others  exhibit  all  trans- 
itions from  a  reeking  and  quaking  bog  to  an  alluvial  meadow  ;  while  in  nearly  all 
cases  ditching  discloses  the  peaty,  marly  and  clayey  materials,  in  the  order  in 
which,  under  lake  action,  they  are  accumulating  before  our  eyes  along  actual  lake 
borders.  The  absence  of  any  marked,  general  inclination  of  the  surface  in  our 
Peninsula,  has  made  it  the  seat  of  an  extraordinary  number  of  small  lakes,  ancient 
and  modern,  and  hence,  also,  a  region  of  small  local  marshes. 

Some  of  these  may  be  found  on  almost  every  section  of  land  ;  but  the  majority 
of  them  form  meadow  lands,  or  even  tillable  fields,  and  constitute  the  choicest 
patches  in  tlie  farmers'  possession.  Many  of  these  ancient  lake  sites,  nevertheless, 
remain  for  the  present  notiiing  but  swamps,  and  demand  resolute  ditching  for  their 
thorough  reclamation,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  old  oranherry  marsh  so  well  remem- 
bered by  the  old  settlers  of  Wayne,  Macomb,  and  Oakland. 


MINERAL  WATEllS. 


The  salt  springs  of  Macomb  county  result  from  an  overflow  of  the  great  sali- 
ferous  basin  of  the  Peninsula. 


'bL, 


HISTORY   OP  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Tiie  wells  at  Mt.  Clemens  were  bored  upon  the  thinning-out  edge  of  this 
basin,  almost  one  degree  of  longitude  south-east  of  the  highest  saturation  point  and 
at  a  place  where'  the  brine  would  necessarily  be  diluted  with  surface  water  or  with 
that  of  subteri'anean  rivers.  Consequently,  the  hritie  of  Mt.  Clemens  must  be  con- 
sidered separately  from  that  so  prized  by  salt  manufacturers,  for  the  reason  that  it 
is  a  medicinal  mineral  water,  rather  than  a  common  salt  brine.  The  difiSculties  pre- 
sented by  this  water  in  the  manufacture  of  common  salt  therefrom,  are  due  to  the 
large  quantity  of  deliquescent  salts  of  calcium  and  magnesium  existing  in  connec- 
tion with  the  chloride  of  sodium  ;  but  what  it  loses  in  this  respect  is  more  than 
compensated  for  by  the  large  quantity  of  salts  present,  possessing,  in  connection 
with  the  sulphuretted  hydrogen,  a  decided  medicinal  effect.  Chief  among  the 
active  ingredients,  in  addition  to  those  mentioned  is  iodine,  an  agent  whose  value 
has  long  been  recognized  by  the  medical  profession. 

THE    SALT   SPRING   OF    1797. 

The  S'alt  Spring  near  the  bank  of  Salt  River  in  the  vicinity  of  which  the 
squatters  of  1797  located,  was  considered  by  them  a  most  valuable  property.  This 
spring  appeared  in  the  glen,  close  by  the  Plank  Road  Bridge  of  later  days — four 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.  In  a  report  tendered  to  Tliomas  Jefferson  by 
Charles  S.  Jonett  in  1804,  this  agent  of  the  government  makes  the  following  state- 
ment:— "From  experiments  which  have  been  made,  I  am  justified  in  saying  that 
this  spring  deserves  the  public  attention,  it  was  wrought  sometime  by  a  couple  of 
men,  who,  owing  to  their  want  of  capital,  were  incapal:)le  of  conducting  the  business 
on  an  advantageous  plan.  By  these  men  I  am  assured  that  a  quart  of  water  did 
with  them  turn  out  a  gill  of  salt,  and  in  all  their  trials  with  greater  quantities  it 
never  failed  to  produce  a  like  proportion.  Tiiere  is  a  suflScient  quantit}^  of  water 
to  supply  works  to  any  extent." 

From  a  report  made  by  Douglass  Houghton  in  1838  to  the  Legislature,  the 
analysis  of  the  brine,  said  to  be  so  rich  in  the  saline  properties,  in  the  report  of 
Jonett  to  Secretary  Jefferson  in  1804,  was  as  follows : 

Analysis  of  hrine,  sections  two  and  eleven,  Chesterfield. 


Specific  gravity.- 1.0057 

Cliloride  Sodium .0.549 

"  Calcium 0.013 

"  Magnesium 0.037 

Sulphate  of  Lime 0.015 


Sulphate  of  Magnesia _ 

Carbonate  of  Lime 0.014 

Compounds  of  Iron o.ooi 

Other  Constituents 

Total  solid  matter .0.629 


MT.    CLEMENS   MAGNETIC    WATERS. 


A  committee  appointed  by  the  Northeastern  Medical  and  Scientific  Society 
reported  very  favorably  of  the  waters  produced  by  the  Mt.  Clemens  mineral  springs. 


t\±, 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.  143 

From  an  analysis  made  by  Prof.  Duffield  in  1872,  it  is  learned  that  the  specific 
gravity  at  60"  Fahrenheit,  is  1.129.  The  total  amount  of  mineral  matter  per  pint 
was  1417.6200,  and  the  total  amount  of  Chloride  of  Sodium  per  pint  1350.8498. 
The  components  were  reported  as  follows  : 

Name.                                                                                         Per  Pint.  Per  Gallon. 

Sulphate  Snda j 12.0700  96.5600 

Sulphate  Lime - ---  5.4992  43.9936 

Chloride  Sodium 1350.S498  10806.7984 

Chloride  Calciutn. _ 26.9399  215.5120 

Chloride  Magnesium 20.2400  161.9200 

Carbonate  Lime.. - .6216  4.96S0 

Carbonate  Magnesia a  trace  

Silica  and  Alumina .1.4010  

Organic  Matter .a  trace 

Total  Solids 141 7.6200  1 1 340.9600 

Sulphureted  Hydrogen 3.41  cu.  in. 

Carbonic  Acid a  trace  

Recent  investigations  show  that  Iodine,  Potassium  and  Ammonia  Salts  are 
present,  the  former  in  quite  considerable  quantity,  as  compared  with  other  mineral 
waters.  A  new  analysis  is  contemplated  by  Prof.  H.  F.  Myers,  which,  doubtless, 
will  bring  to  light  all  the  medicinal  properties  of  these  celebrated  springs.  Such 
an  analysis  is  deemed  expedient  to  show  the  present  actual  condition  of  the  waters. 

The  mineral  water  spring  near  Romeo,  belonging  to  Mr.  Dexter  Mussey,  which 
created  some  excitement  early  in  1874,  claims  the  following  analysis  by  Prof. 
Duffield: 

Sulphate  of  Calcium 4.8536  grs.  to  gal. 

Sulphate  of  Potass 01 1 3 

Sulphate  of  Magnesia 2.1345 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia 1. 6321 

Carbonate  of  Calcium - 3-9804 

Chloride  of  Sodium.. 0.0501 

Carbonate  of  Iron 0.0632 

Aluminium  Oxide 0S30 

Silicium 1753 

Total  amount  of  carbonic  acid  per  gallon  one  and  a  half  inches. 
The  mineral  well  bored  at  Romeo,  in  1881,  gives  promise  of  meeting  the  highest 
hopes  of  the  citizens  in  regard  thereto.     The  record  of  the  boring  is  as  follows  : — 

THICKNESS.  DESCRIPTIONS. 

40     Sand  and  gravel. 

70     Blue  adhesive  clay,  with  seams  of  quicksand, 
13     Light  sand. 

123     Casing  belled. 


V-^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


THICKNESS.  11ESCRIPTI0NS. 

27     Shale-like  material  loose  with  seams  of  gravel. 
30     Light  bluish  rock  floating,  effervescing  with  acid. 

iSo 

Drill  entered  hard  rock  at  170  feet,  which  it  pierced  to  180  feet,  when  it  entered  a  bufilish  shale  with 
minute  disseminated  mica  scales,  peculiar  to  the  conftrmationof  the  Michigan  salt  group,  differ- 
ing only  in  tlie  fact  that  the  shale  seemed  to  be  very  soft,  if  not  clayed. 
60     Frearstone  rock. 

240     At  this  point  the  bituminous  shale  should  be  reached  and  the  presence  of  inflammable  gas  felt. 
510     Soap  stone,  black  shale. 

750  A  bed  of  rock  salt  was  reached. 

300  Blue  shale  or  slate. 

250  Grindstone  rock. 

70  Limestone. 

1370  Soft  rock,  rotten  limestone — conliiiued  to  1420  feet. 

50 

1420  Gas  veins  penetrated. 

125  Soft  porous  rock  of  a  plastic  character,  impregnated  with  gas. 

1515 

1545     Total  depth  reached  in  feet. 

The  original  record  of  the  boring  shows  simply  150  feet  of  sand  and  gravel 
forming  the  upper  crust,  resting  on  80  feet  of  liglit  floating  rock,  supported  in  turn 
by  60  feet  of  frearstone  on  which  the  reservoir  rests.  The  810  feet  below  the  frear 
stone  is  simply  credited  with  being  a  conformation  of  soap  stone,  black  shale,  and 
slate.  At  a  depth  of  750  a  bed  of  rock-salt  was  reached,  but  the  depth  of  this 
very  important  formation  is  not  recorded.  Below  the  slate  a  rock,  named  grind- 
stone in  the  record,  was  pierced  to  a  deptli  of  250  feet,  resting  on  a  bed  of  lime- 
stone 70  feet  deep,  and  tliis,  in  turn,  resting  on  175  feet  of  soft,  plastic  rock. 

ANALYSIS. 

The  analysis  of  water  obtained  from  the  mineral  well  at  Romeo,  made  by 
chemist  Lyon,  of  Detroit,  for  the  committee  in  charge  of  the  well,  is  as  follows  : — 

Special  gravity  at  60°  F _ — 1.0037 

Calcium  Sulphate 6.066  grains   per   wine    gallon 7.2S1     Lnp.   Gal. 

Carbonate. 12.774        "     - 14899 

Magnesium. .554        "         "        '  "     -       .66g 

Iron .S92        ' "     1.070  " 

Magnesium  Chloride.. 4.019         "  "         "  "'      4.824  " 

Potassium .455        "         "        "  " 5.466  " 

Sodium 2S3.957        "      340S34 

Sediment   (debris  of  rock)..      170.73        "         "        "  "      .- —      

Carbonic  acid  (combined) 13.27  cu.  in.      "        "  "      .-     15.92  " 

(free) 4.9  cu.  in.      "  "  "     5.87  " 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


As  the  work  of  pumping  progresses  the  water  shows  signs  of  losing  much  of 
the  sediment  materials. 

The  carbonated  waters  contain  a  quantity  of  soluble  salts;  the  sulphur  waters 
are  of  the  most  pronounced  character,  each  impregnated  with  mineral  substances, 
which  must  always  render  them  of  inestimable  value  to  the  people.  It  is  said  that 
tlie  magnetic  waters  of  the  State  are  not  themselves  magnetic;  but  that  marked 
magnetic  phenomena  are  manifested  in  the  vicinity  ot  the  wells,  arising  through 
induction  from  the  earth,  without  regard  to  the  waters;  yet  experiments  indicate  a 
power  of  excitation  of  magnetism  possessed  by  these  waters. 


The  fossil  remains  found  in  connection  with  the  rocks  of  this  county,  and  par- 
ticularly evident  in  the  limestone  strata,  comprise  the  Lithostrotion  mammillare, 
the  L.  longiconicum,  the  C^'athophyllum  fungitis,  and  the  Syringopore,  all  belong- 
ing to  the  polypi  class.  The  only  evidence  of  the  Echinodermata  is  furnished  by 
the  remains  of  common  species.  The  Bryoza  class  is  represented  in  this  lime-stone 
by  no  less  than  seven  species  ;  the  Brachiopoda  by  eighteen  species  ;  the  Lamelli- 
branchiata  by  six  species ;  the  Trilobites  by  two  very  distinct  species,  each  showing 
the  tails.  The  remains  of  fish  and  reptiles  are  found  to  be  very  common.  Human 
remains  are  unknown  at  present  to  exist  in  the  conformations  examined  in  Macomb. 

REVIEW    OF   PHYSICAL   CHARACTERISTICS. 

The  water  courses  of  Macomb  county  are  numerous  and  valuable.  The  leading 
stream,  reported  in  early  years  to  be  navigable  for  thirty  miles,  is  the  most  im- 
portant. Its  waters  are  known  throughout  the  entire  district  organized  in  1818 
under  the  name  of  Macomb,  now  forming  many  prosperous  counties  of  the  State. 
This  river  was  called  ia  Reviere  Aux  Murons  by  the  early  French  missionary  priests, 
on  account  of  the  peculiar  character  of  the  hair  which  marked  the  red  men  of  the 
neighborhood.  This  liair  stood  out  like  the  bristles  of  the  wild  boar,  and  suggested 
to  the  thoughtful  travelers  a  new  name  for  the  inhabitants  and  their  territory, 
which  name  it  held  until  the  Territorial  Legislature  deemed  it  proper,  for  con- 
venience, to  confer  on  the  river  the  name  Clinton. 

The  Clinton  River  enters  the  county  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  18, 
Shelby  Township,  flows  through  a  very  tortuous  channel  in  a  southeasterly  course, 
past  the  village  of  Utica,  to  the  line  between  Section  2-1  of  Sterling  and  Section  19 
of  Clinton,  where  it  is  joined  by  the  waters  of  the  South  Branch,  whence  it  pursues 
a  seine-like  course  northeast  to  the  confluence  of  the  North  Branch.  At  this  point 
the  channel  is  wide  and  deep,  growing  wider  as  it  approaches  the  lake.  The  river 
may  be  said  to  form  the  natural  boundary  of  the  city  of  the  future  on  the  west,  to 


j,  ^^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


divide  the  north  city  of  the  present  from  the  south  city  of  the  prospective,  and 
thence  flow  through  a  deep  and  winding  channel  to  the  lake. 

The  North  Branch  of  the  Clinton  appears  to  rise  everywhere  in  the  county 
and  far  beyond  its  boundaries.  Flowing  southeast  from  Bruce,  south  from  Ar- 
mada and  Richmond,  it  is  fed  by  numerous  streams,  it  receives  the  waters  of  a 
dozen  creeks,  and  joins  the  Middle  Branch  in  Section  8  of  Clinton. 

The  Middle  Branch  is  a  domestic  river.  It  has  its  head  waters  in  Washington 
and  Shelby  Townships,  with  many  feeders  in  that  and  the  adjoining  towns  of 
Shelby  and  Ray.  These  feeders  unite  in  Section  6,  Macomb  Township,  and  form 
the  stream  known  as  the  Middle  Branch,  which  forms  a  confluence  witli  tlie  North 
Branch  in  Section  8  of  Clinton,  one-half  mile  west  of  the  boundary  of  Mt.  Clemens 
City. 

The  South  Branch,  commonly  called  Red  Run,  is  fed  by  Bear,  Beaver,  and 
Plum  Creeks  and  other  small  streams.  This  river  and  its  tributaries  drain  the 
towns  of  Sterling  and  Warren,  and  lead  the  surplus  waters  to  the  main  stream, 
with  which  a  confluence  is  formed  in  Section  19,  Clinton. 

Belle  River  may  be  said  to  take  its  rise  in  the  headwaters  of  Day  Creek,  Rich- 
mond Township.  Although  the  main  stream  flows  from  the  northwest  of  its  con- 
fluence witli  Day  Creek,  draining  the  country  in  the  neighborhood  of  Memphis  and 
Attica  in  Lapeer  County,  yet  the  river  is  unimportant  until  it  receives  the  waters 
of  the  creek  in  Section  12,  Richmond,  whence  it  flows  into  the  river  St.  Clair  at 
Marine  City. 

La  Reviere  du  Lait,  or  Milk  River,  falls  into  the  lake  a  half-mile  nortli  of  the 
southern  line  of  Erin  township. 

Salt  River  rises  near  Richmond,  flows  south  through  Lenox,  receives  its  main 
tributary  in  Section  2,  Chesterfield,  and  enters  the  lake  a  few  miles  south  of  the 
ancient  salt  springs. 

The  Reviere  Aux  Vasen  and  the  Crapau  fall  into  tlie  lake  in  the  neighborhood. 
The  former  rises  in  Cliesterfield,  watering  Sections  21,  20  and  28  in  its  course ;  the 
latter  has  its  headwaters  in  St.  Clair  County,  enters  Chesterfield  in  Section  12,  flows 
through  New  Baltimore,  and  empties  into  the  lake  a  little  south  of  that  village. 

The  creeks  commonly  called  Tuckar's  and  Ventre  de  Bceuf  rise  in  Harrison 
Township  and  flow  into  the  lake-  Ambroise  or  Tremble  Cr.  and  La  Crique  de 
Socier  rise  in  the  northern  sections  of  Erin  and  flow  into  the  lake. 

Together  with  the  rivers,  streams,  and  streamlets  named,  there  are  numerous 
rivulets  coursing  throughout  every  section  of  the  county,  each  acting  its  silent  part 
in  contributing  to  the  prosperity  of  the  people. 

ARCU^OLOGICAL. 

Macomb  County  was  the  Paglgendamoivinaki  or  great   cemetery  of  the  abor- 


^  s r- 


.k 


HISTORY  OP   MAC0:MB   COUNTY. 


igines.  Along  the  Clinton  and  its  tributaries  many  mounds  were  found  by  the 
early  settlers,  some  few  still  exist,  all  offer  interesting  subjects  to  the  antiquarian  of 
the  present  time.  From  time  to  time  the  search  among  the  bones  of  the  dead  is 
rewarded  by  the  discovery  of  one  or  otiier  of  the  many  articles  placed  in  the  earth 
with  the  dead.  The  number  of  mounds,  and  character  of  human  remains  found  in 
them,  point  out  the  district  as  the  necropolis  of  an  extinct  race.  Stone  hatchets 
and  flint  arrow  lieads,  unnumbered  skeletons,  all  remain  to  tell  of  their  coming, 
their  stay,  of  their  rise  and  fall. 

The  free  copper  found  within  the  tumuli,  the  open  veins  of  the  Superior  and 
Iron  Mountain  copper  mines,  with  all  the  modus  operandi  of  ancient  mining,  such 
as  ladders,  levers,  chisels  and  hammer-heads,  discovered  by  the  French  explorers 
of  the  Northwest  and  the  Mississippi,  are  conclusive  proofs  that  a  prehistoric  people 
were  civilized,  and  that  many  flourishing  colonies  were  spread  throughout  the  new- 
ly-formed land.  While  yet  the  mammoth,  the  mastodon,  and  a  hundred  other 
animals,  now  only  known  by  their  gigantic  fossil  remains,  guarded  the  eastern  shore 
of  the  continent,  as  it  were,  against  supposed  invasions  of  the  Tower  Builders,  who 
went  west  from  Babel;  while  yet  the  beautiful  isles  of  the  Antilles  formed  an  inte- 
gral portion  of  this  continent,  long  years  before  the  European  Northman  dreamed 
of  setting  forth  on  his  voyage  of  discovery  to  Greenland,  and  certainly  at  a  time 
when  only  a  small  portion  of  the  American  continent,  north  of  latitude  45°,  was 
reclaimed,  in  the  midst  of  the  great  ice-encumbered  waste,  a  prehistoric  people 
lived  and  died  upon  the  land  which  the  American  and  French  pioneers  of  Macomb 
rescued  from  its  wilderness  state. 

Within  the  last  twentj'  years,  great  advances  have  been  made  toward  the  dis- 
covery of  antiquities,  whether  pertaining  to  remains  of  organic  or  inorganic  nature. 
Together  with  many  telling  relics  of  the  aboriginal  inhabitants,  the  fossils  of  pre- 
historic animals  have  been  unearthed  from  end  to  end  of  the  county,  and  in  districts 
too,  long  pronounced  by  geologists  of  some  repute  to  be  without  even  a  vestige  of 
vertebrate  fossils.  Among  the  collected  souvenirs  of  an  age,  about  which  so  very 
little  is  known,  are  single  and  ossified  vertebrae,  supposed  to  belong  to  the  creta- 
ceous period,  when  the  Dinosaur  roamed  over  the  country  from  east  to  west,  deso- 
lating the  villages  of  the  people.  This  animal  is  said  to  have  been  sixty  feet  long, 
and  when  feeding  in  the  pine  forests  was  capable  of  extending  himself  eighty-five 
feet,  so  that  he  might  devour  the  budding  tops  of  those  great  trees. 

Other  efforts  of  our  antiquarians  \x\a.y  lead  to  great  results,  and  culminate  prob- 
ably in  the  discovery  of  a  tablet,  engraved  by  some  learned  Tower  or  Mound 
Builder,  describing,  in  characters  hieroglyphical,  all  those  men  and  beasts  whose 
history  excites  so  much  interest,  and  transform  the  speculative  into  certainty.  The 
identity  of  the  Mound  Builders  with    the   Mongolians,  and   the  closer  tie  which 


^ 


r 


HISTORY   OF   5IAC0MB  COUNTY. 


bound  the  latter  to  tlie  Egyptians  might  lead  us  to  hope  for  such  a  consummation, 
miglit  possibly  result  in  proving  that  the  Egyptian  originally  migrated  from  Cen- 
tral America,  branched  out  toward  China,  and  became  the  Mongolian,  and  in  turn 
continued  to  travel  eastward  until  the  descendants  of  the  first  Americans  returned 
to  the  cradle  of  their  race,  as  set  forth  in  an  extract  given  in  this  work,  from  the 
writer's  special  paper  on  the  Mound  Builders. 

FORTS  AND   MOUNDS  OF   MACOMB. 

The  so-called  Indian  forts  and  mounds  situated  upon  the  North  Branch  of 
Clinton  River  in  Macomb  County,  have  long  been  the  subject  of  much  speculation 
and  interest.  Two  of  the  three  forts  are  entirely  leveled  by  the  plow,  and  it  is 
only  from  memory,  aided  by  that  mysterious  personage  known  as  the  oldest  in- 
habitant, that  the  geography  and  description  can  be  obtained. 

Eighteen  or  twenty  years  ago  the  embankments  were  quite  distinct.  The  first 
and,  apparently,  the  most  prominent  of  those  forts,  was  situated  upon  the  east 
bank  of  the  North  Branch  of  the  Clinton,  on  the  east  line  of  the  town  of  Bruce, 
three  miles  northeast  of  Rome.  The  branch  is  at  this  place  about  twenty  feet  wide, 
with  a  rapid  current  affording  a  constant  supply  of  pure,  cool  water.  The  bank  of 
the  stream  rises  abruptly  in  a  sort  of  bluff,  some  ten  or  twelve  feet  in  height,  and 
then  is  level  to  the  fort  some  fifteen  rods  distant. 

A  little  stream  comes  down  from  the  northwest  and  passes  about  twenty  rods 
to  the  south  of  the  fort.  Between  this  stream  and  the  fort  was  the  burial-ground 
of  the  inhabitants.  The  fort  itself  was  nearly  regular,  about  350  feet  in  diameter. 
The  wall  upon  the  north  was  curved  less  than  a  true  circle.  The  walls  before  being 
leveled  by  the  plow,  were  four  or  five  feet  high,  and  some  eight  feet  thick  at  the 
base. 

If  we  take  into  consideration  the  length  of  time  intervening  between  the  build- 
ing of  these  walls  and  our  earliest  knowledge  of  them,  and  also  the  character  of 
the  soil  of  which  they  are  composed — a  loose  gravel — we  must  conclude  that  they 
were  at  least  double  the  height  here  given.  The  earth  to  form  these  walls  was 
taken  from  the  outside,  and  thus  a  deep  and  wide  ditch  was  formed  on  all  sides 
save  a  portion  of  the  west,  which  was  bounded  by  a  marsh,  covered  by  a  tangle  of 
water-vines  and  brush.*  The  openings,  three  in  number,  were  about  twenty  feet 
wide,  and  just  inside  the  open  space  of  wall  a  mound  was  built  entirely  shutting  off 
any  view  from  the  exterior.  Tlie  mounds  were  probably  as  higli  as  the  walls  tliem- 
selves  and  afforded  a  jjerfect  shelter  from  objects  projected  from  without.  A  supply 
of  water  for  the  use  of  a  garrison  in  time  of  seige,  could  be  obtained  from  a  small 
lake  within  the  enclosure. 

Between  the  fort  and  the  small  stream  were  situated  a  number  of  mounds  or 


•^-^ 


-^ 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


graves,  each  circular,  and  each  containing  tlie  skeleton  of  one  person.  Many  of 
the  mounds  were  opened,  and  the  contents  exhumed ;  but  an  entire  skeleton  has 
never  been  found,  the  smaller  bones  having  become  decomposed.  The  skulls  and 
larger  bones  of  the  extremities  were  often  found  to  be  of  extreme  size.  The  under 
jaw,  in  one  instance,  easily  slipped  over  the  face  of  the  finder — over  flesh  and 
whiskers.  The  thigh  bone  when  jilaced  beside  that  of  a  living  person  would  pro- 
trude considerably  beyond  it.     Perhaps  there  were  giants  in  those  days ! 

There  is  a  faint  tradition,  that  the  faithful  dog  of  the  Indian  together  with  his 
gun  and  pipe,  were  buried  with  him  for  his  pleasure  and  benefit  in  the  Happy 
Hunting  Grounds  ;  but  if  those  were  Indian  graves  the  facts  dispose  the  theory,  as 
no  such  contents  have  been  brought  to  light.  Broken  pieces  of  pottery  were  often 
and  are  still  sometimes  found  in  tlie  cultivated  fields  adjoining  the  mounds  ;  and  in 
one  instance  an  entire  dish  was  turned  up  by  the  plow.  This  was  of  the  shape  of 
the  smaller  half  of  an  egg-shell,  and  would  hold  from  twelve  to  fifteen  gallons.  It 
was  surmounted  by  a  rim  or  border  which  was  ornamented  by  checks,  cut  in  the 
clay.  It  had  the  appearance  of  having  been  dried  in  the  sun,  and  soon  fell  to  decay 
by  the  action  of  the  atmosphere.  Flint  ai-row-heads  and  stone  weapons  are  often 
found ;  also  amulets  and  other  curious  objects,  the  use  of  which  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
jecture '.Of  the  mode  of  their  manufacture  it  is  vain  to  speculate.  There  are  many 
of  these  specimens  now  in  my  possession,  hard  as  adamant,  and  yet  which  have 
received  and  retained  through  all  these  years  the  most  perfect  polish,  and  are  fault- 
less in  shape. 

THE   SECOND   MOUND. 

Across  the  stream,  some  twenty  rods  to  the  south,  was  situated  a  large  mound, 
surrounded  by  a  number  of  smaller  ones.  Upon  the  summit  of  the  larger  one  is 
still  standing  a  large  oak  tree,  which  may  have  been  planted  there  or  gained  its 
position  by  accident.  It  has  been  thought  by  some  that  a  chief  was  buried  there, 
standing  with  his  back  against  the  tree,  and  so  the  mound  raised  about  him, 
and  as  members  of  his  family  died  they  were  interred  about  him.  Others 
have  it  that  he  was  buried  lying  horizontal,  and  the  tree  planted  at  his  head. 
The  mound  was  opened  years  ago,  and  the  position  of  the  bones  in  the  grave 
seemed  to  confirm  the  latter  conclusion.  It  was  expected  that  something  real  and 
strange  would  be  found  in  this  grave,  but  the  expectations  were  not  realized. 

STONE    MOUNDS. 

In  various  parts  of  the  county  were  found  mounds  of  stone.  Those  were 
stone-piles  built  up,  in  a  symmetrical  form,  to  the  height  of  four  feet  or  more,  hav- 
ing the  shape  of  an  old-fashioned  straw  bee-hive.  One  of  these  standing  on  the  farm 
of  Ido  Warner,  was  surmounted  by  a  tree,  the  roots  of  which  running  over  the  sides. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


served  to  keep  the  stones  in  place  until  it  was  cut  away,  and  the  grave  opened. 
The  contents  did  not  differ  from  those  of  the  other  mounds  save  that  the  bones  had 
tlie  appearance  of  having  been  charred  by  fire.  It  was  thought  by  many  that  these 
stone  mounds  had  been  formed  in  clearing  the  fields  near  by  for  cultivation  ;  but  it 
is  abundantly  proved  that  such  was  not  the  caee.  And  now  a  word  in  regard  to 
these  fields.  In  many  places  in  the  brush  or  light  timbered  land,  where  the  soil  is 
sand  or  light  loam,  distinct  rows  of  hills  may  be  traced.  They  are  in  many  places 
so  prominent  as  to  interfere  with  the  first  plowing  of  the  land.  Undoubtedly  the 
same  hills  were  employed  year  after  year,  by  simply  opening  the  top  of  tlie  hill  for 
the  reception  of  the  seed,  and  then  in  the  way  of  cultivation,  pulling  up  the  earth 
around  the  growing  jjlant. 

FORT   NUMBER   TWO 

Was  situated  about  a  mile  up  the  branch  from  the  one  formerly  described,  upon 
the  farm  of  B.  H.  Thurston.  His  house  and  farm  buildings  now  occupy  tlie  ground. 
Tlie  soil  here  is  a  rich,  sandy  loam,  about  ten  feet  above  the  bed  of  the  stream,  on 
tbe  west  side,  and  facing  the  south  with  an  easy  slojje. 

The  fort  was  oblong  in  shape  ;  its  length  extending  to  the  southwest  at  right 
angles  to  the  stream,  about  500  feet ;  its  greatest  breadth  about  250  feet.  Tiie  em- 
bankments presented  the  same  general  characteristics  as  regards  form,  height,  as 
the  one  formerly  mentioned.  There  was  but  one  opening  on  the  river  front,  and 
tlie  two  ends  of  the  circle  of  wall  were  made  to  overlap  each  other,  thus  shutting 
off  all  view  from  the  exterior.  There  were  a  few  mounds  upon  the  south  side  of 
the  fort,  also  across  the  stream  about  half  a  mile  north.  Numerous  stone  hatchets, 
flint  aiTow-heads,  amulets,  and  bits  of  crockery  were  found  in  the  vicinity  of  these 
mounds,  but  never  in  or  upon  them. 

PO^T    NUMBER   THREE 

Is  the  extreme  northwest  corner  of  the  county,  and  is  about  one  mile  west  of  the 
North  Branch.  This  fort  is  still  in  its  natural  condition,  covered  with  a  low  growth 
of  oak  timber.  The  embankments  are  in  many  instances  four  feet  high  from  the 
bottom  of  the  ditch.  They  describe  a  circle  slightly  flattened  upon  the  north,  and 
meeting  in  something  like  a  corner  at  the  northwest,  where  there  is  an  opening  about 
eight  feet  wide.  The  fort  is  225  feet  in  diameter  in  each  direction.  Along  the 
south  ran  a  little  stream  with  a  margin  of  marsh ;  along  the  edge  of  this  marsli  the 
walls  are  nearly  defaced.  The  ground  upon  the  interior  of  this  fort  descends  to 
the  south  more  rapidly  than  either  of  the  others.  Unlike  the  others,  there  seems 
to  have  been  no  arrangement  for  the  protection  of  the  entrance.  Mounds  have 
been  found  in  various  places  in  the  vicinity. 

By  whom  were  these  forts  erected  ?     We  liave  become  so  accustomed  to  tbe 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


phrase,  Indian  Mounds  and  Forts,  that  at  first  thought  we  can  answer — the  Indians, 
of  course.  But  wlien  we  call  to  mind  the  American  Indians'  aversion  to  all  kinds 
of  labor,  also  their  well-known  mode  of  warfare,  seeking  onlj^  the  shelter  of  a  tree, 
from  behind  which  they  could  fling  a  stone  or  shoot  an  arrow,  we  may  pause  before 
reaching  a  definite  conclusion.  So  far  as  we  know  of  the  natives  of  this  locality, 
they  have  never  shown  either  energy  or  skill,  sufficient  to  plan  and  execute  the 
work  of  building  a  fort,  or  making  a  stone  hatchet  or  arrow-head.  We  are  told 
that  the  graves  of  the  Indians  contain  more  than  their  bodies, — we  are  certain  that 
these  mounds  contain  nothing  but  human  bones.  The  Indians  living  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  forts,  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  by  Whites,  were  as  ignorant  of  their 
ways  as  the  whites  themselves.  It  is  possible,  perhaps  probable,  that  they  were  the 
work  of  a  race  or  ti'ibe  of  people  possessing  a  higher  degree  of  intelligence  and 
skill  than  the  American  Indian.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  doubtful  if  any  decisive 
conclusion  will  ever  be  reached,  and  these  forts  and  mounds  of  Macomb  will  ever 
remain  a  prolific  source  of  speculation  and  interest.  The  foregoing  statements  are 
based  on  reports  made  by  County  Surveyor  Hollister  in  1841,  and  by  George  H. 
Canuon  in  1874. 

From  a  letter  addressed  to  Dr.  Cooley,  by  John  B.  Hollister,  under  date  April 
10,  18-30,  it  is  learned  that  the  North  Fort  was  located  on  the  east  half  of  the  north- 
east quarter  of  Fr.  Section  3,  Township  5  north  of  Range  12  east.  The  East 
Fort  was  on  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  Fr.  Section  18,  Township  5, 
north  of  Range  13  east.  The  South  Fort  stood  on  the  west  half  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  Section  25,  Township  5  north  of  Range  12  east.  Those  were  important 
positions,  and  doubtless  formed  the  principal  strongholds  in  Northeastern  Michigan 
of  a  race  of  savages  unremembered  even  by  the  ancient  Wyaudots. 

SURVEY   BY   S.    L.    ANDREWS. 

The  mounds,  three  miles  north  of  Romeo,  and  two  miles  east  on  the  northeast 
quarter  of  Section  25,  Bruce,  were  again  examined,  about  the  year  1859,  by  Dr.  S. 
L.  Andrews.  At  the  same  time  the  old  fort  in  the  same  neighborhood  on  Section 
19,  Armada,  known  as  the  Donaldson  Fai-m,  was  opened,  and  an  exploration  made. 
The  embankment  surrounding  the  first-named  fort  was  about  four  feet  high  at  that 
time,  with  a  lap  opening.  Then  there  were  a  number  of  stone  heaps,  the  most 
remarkable  of  which  were  near  Armada  Center,  and  near  the  fort  just  referred  to. 

Four  miles  north,  and  three  miles  west  of  Romeo,  on  the  farm  of  Benjamin 
Cooley,  were  a  number  of  excavations,  one  of  which  contained  an  earthen  pot, 
differing  entirely  from  anything  known  to  Indian  civilization. 

There  were  the  remains  of  an  old  fort  on  the  bank  of  a  streamlet  flowing  into 
Salt  River,  in  1837.     The  walls  were  circular  with  a  gateway  leading  to  the  stream. 


i. 


53  HISTORY   OP   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


At  the  time  of  its  exploration  by  Robert  P.  Eldredge,  a  white  oak  tree,  at  least 
three  feet  in  diameter,  sprung  from  the  very  center  of  the  fortress,  but  whether  this 
was  planted  by  the  builders,  or  grew  up  since  the  fort  was  constructed,  the 
explorers  were  unable  to  state. 

Tlie  Indian  corn  field  on  the  north  bank  of  Salt  River  was  easily  found  so  late 
as  1827.  Here  the  savages  had  a  thousand  little  hills,  the  pinnacle  of  each  was 
annually  cultivated,  leaving  the  base  and  sides  untouched  by  the  rude  instruments 
of  agriculture  wliich  the  cultivators  used. 

HUGE   SKELETONS. 

E.  p.  Sandford,  of  Romeo,  visited  the  mounds  on  the  Mahaffy  farm,  near  the 
farm  of  J.  C.  Thompson,  in  the  Fall  of  1S80.  The  mounds  are  thrown  up  from  two 
to  four  feet  high  and  are  made  round.  Having  reached  tlie  mounds  he  dug  into 
the  first  one,  for  the  purpose  of  finding  implements  of  some  kind,  when  he  reached 
the  deptii  of  about  three  feet  the  spade  struck  what  he  supposed  to  be  a  stone,  but 
by  careful  digging  was  found  to  be  the  skull  of  a  large  i)erson.  A  little  farther  in 
lie  took  out  six  skeletons,  three  being  grown  persons  and  three  cliildren.  All 
seemed  to  have  been  placed  in  a  kneeling  position  with  their  heads  on  tlieir  knees 
forming  a  semicircle  facing  the  southwest.  The  large  bones  of  the  grown  persons 
were  in  good  state  of  preservation,  the  bones  of  tlie  cliildren  were  all  decayed,  with 
the  exception  of  the  frontal  bone  of  each  and  very  few  of  the  smaller  bones.  The 
skull  of  the  large  one  measured  twenty-one  inches  round  ;  the  teeth  were  very  even 
and  in  excellent  condition  ;  the  thigh  bones  measured  twenty-one  inches  and  were 
very  solid.  These  are  the  only  discoveries  that  have  been  made  in  this  place  for 
about  eighteen  years. 

There  is  a  large  mound  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  field  overlooking  all  the 
rest,  whicli  measures  twenty  feet  across  the  base  and  is  about  four  and  a  half  feet 
high.  This  mound  is  called  the  chief  mound.  There  was  an  oak  tree  in  the  center 
of  it  which  was  cut  down  eight  years  ago  by  J.  C.  Thompson.  At  the  time  he  cut 
it  down  he  counted  two  hundred  and  forty  rings,  which  are  supposed  to  represent 
240  years  growth.  It  is  supposed  that  the  tree  was  put  there  at  the  time  of  the 
burial.  There  have  been  many  attempts  made  to  uncover  this  mound,  but  so  far 
each  has  been  a  failure,  the  roots  of  the  tree  being  so  large  and  strong,  they  prevent 
one  from  going  deep  enough  to  accomplish  anything.  At  the  north  of  this  field 
about  eighty  rods  we  find  what  is  called  the  fort,  it  was  built  on  the  top  of  a  hill, 
the  outlines  can  be  seen  very  distinctly  to  this  day. 

SUNDltY   DISCOVERIES. 

J.  W.  Preston  found  some  relics  of  the  Indians,  on  his  farm  in  February,  1877  ; 
Rev.  P.  R.  Hurd,  now  of  Detroit,  found  a  silver  cross  in  the  neighborhood  of  Romeo, 


•^s r- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


supposed  to  belong  to  one  of  the  early  French  priests  who  visited  this  neighborhood  ; 
O.  C.  Dudley  found  an  Indian  tomahawk  on  his  farm  a  number  of  years  ago,  the 
upper  part  of  the  weapon  had  the  shape  of  a  pipe,  and  was  used  for  smoking 
purposes. 

William  Stone,  a  farmer  residing  a  few  miles  south  of  Romeo,  discovered  a 
[)iece  of  pure  native  copper,  weighing  eleven  pounds,  just  as  it  was  unearthed 
by  the  ploughshare,  in  January,  1879. 

Elijah  Thorington  had  a  large  piece  of  native  copper  that  was  plowed  up  on 
his  farm  in  the  town  of  Addison,  in  October,  1878.  How  it  came  there  is  a  ques- 
tion for  scientists  to  solve.  It  is  hardly  possible  that  the  piece  is  a  portion  of  a 
copper  mine  on  the  premises,  and  the  most  reasonable  theory  is  that  it  either  came 
down  from  Lake  Superior  during  the  drift  period  or  was  packed  by  some  lordly 
aborigine,  on  the  back  of  his  patient  and  long  suffering  squaw  to  be  carried  over- 
land for  the  purposes  of  a  pipe  or  tomahawk. 

Charles  Hunt,  found  in  October,  1878,  a  curious  stick.  It  was  cut  from  the 
center  of  a  large  tree  and  shows  unmistakably  the  blaze  marks  of  some  fellow  that 
must  certainly  have  been  around  at  least  an  hundred  years  ago. 

H.  J.  Miller,  who  lives  near  Mount  Vernon,  discovered  one  of  the  greatest 
curiosities  met  with  in  tlie  county.  It  is  nothing  less  than  a  petrified  dish-cloth  or 
towel,  which  at  some  time  has  been  wrung  out  and  twisted  up  and  in  this  condition 
it  has  petrified.     The  fiber  of  the  cloth  is  plainly  perceptible. 

That  big  bone  discovered  in  June,  1875,  upon  the  premises  of  J.  L.  Benjamin, 
just  south  of  the  village  of  Romeo,  attracted  a  good  deal  of  attention.  It  measures 
twelve  inches  in  circumference  at  the  narrowest  point,  while  at  the  largest  it  reaches 
the  extraordinary  size  of  twenty-three  inches.  It  was  found  imbedded  in  the  soft 
earth,  at  least,  four  feet  beneath  the  surface.  There  is  a  difference  in  opinion  as  to 
just  what  portion  of  the  anatomy  of  the  animal  it  belonged,  but  is  generally  con- 
ceded to  have  been  a  portion  of  what  must  have  been  one  of  the  most  formidable 
kickers  on  record  and  of  truly  mastodonic  proportions.  Speaking  on  this  subject 
the  editor  of  the  Observer  remarks :  "  The  contemplation  of  this  relic  of  the  class 
of  mammoths,  long  since  extinct,  opens  up  a  wide  field  of  speculation,  and  almost 
induces  one  to  believe  that  if  it  could  be  thoroughly  impressed  upon  the  minds  of 
the  people  that  a  few  live  specimens  of  this  animal  might  still  be  ranging  through 
our  beautiful  groves,  it  would  have  a  wholesome  effect  upon  society  in  general." 

During  the  progress  of  improvement  on  Mr.  Benjamin's  farm,  many  evidences 
of  submersion  appear.  The  prairie,  cedar,  oak  and  tamarack  epochs  may  be  read  as 
in  a  book,  and  later  the  peat  forming  epoch  is  made  manifest.  The  collections  of 
G.  A.  Waterbury,  J.  E.  Day,  Drs.  Andrus,  Douglass,  G.  H.  Cannon,  and  others  afford 
much  subject  to  the  geologist  and  antiquarian  on  this  subject. 


fe" 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTV. 


ZOOLOGICAL. 

The  changes  wrought  by  Time  have,  as  it  were,  lightened  the  task  of  dealing 
with  the  zoology  of  this  county.  All  the  great  animals  of  the  wilderness,  known 
to  the  pioneers,  have  ceased  long  years  ago  to  make  their  home  in  Macomb.  The 
remains  of  the  prehistoric  animals  are  hidden  beneath  the  conformation  of  ages  ; 
the  millions  of  reptiles,  which  preceded  and  lived  through  the  long  summer,  lie 
buried  hundreds  of  fathoms  down. 

BIRDS. 

All  that  is  left  to  remind  us  of  uncultivated  nature  are  the  beautiful  birds, 
which  visit  the  county  periodically,  or  make  it  their  home.  Of  these  feathered 
citizens,  there  are  about  250  species  known  to  the  people  of  this  county — a  large 
number  has  been  seen  only  at  long  intervals,  others  have  been  seen  once  and  disap- 
peared, such  as  the  summer  red  bird.  The  Connecticut  wariler  is  one  of  the  most 
recent  settlers  and  evidently,  one  which  shows  a  disposition  to  make  the  county 
her  home.  Others  have  settled  here  since  the  county  was  organized,  while  others 
still  date  their  advent  away  in  the  long  past.  In  the  following  pages  an  effort  is 
made  to  deal  with  the  feathered  tribe. 

The  robin,  or  Turdus  migratorius,  is  a  resident  during  spring  and  autumn 
and  even  throughout  such  winters  as  that  of  1881-2. 

The  wood-thrush  or  Turdis  Mustelinus,  is  a  common  summer  bird.  The  hermit- 
thrush  has  been  found  breeding  here  during  the  spring  and  fall,  and  is  accom- 
panied by  the  olive-backed-thrush.  Wilson's  thrush  visits  the  county  in  the  spring 
and  sometimes  builds  its  nest  here.  The  Thrasher  or  brown-thrush  resides  with  us 
during  the  summer  months. 

The  cat-birds  come  in  large  numbers  during  the  summer,  and  build  their  nests 
here.  All  these  birds  hover  round  orchards,  barnyards,  willow-thickets,  berry- 
bushes  and  brush-heaps  both  in  the  villages  and  in  the  country. 

The  hlue-gmy  gnatcatcher  is  a.  common  summer  resident.  The  ruby-crowned 
kinglet  is  a  spring  and  fall  visitor,  going  South  in  winter.  The  golden-crowned 
kinglet  is  found  everywhere  during  the  spring  and  autumn  months.  All  these 
birds  seek  a  home  here  for  a  great  portion  of  the  year,  and  create  the  envy  of  the 
other  families  by  the  beautiful  nests  which  they  build  in  the  groves  and  forest 
patches  of  the  county.  The  eggs  of  these  birds  are  three-eighths  of  an  inch  long, 
white  in  color,  speckled  and  dashed  with  umber  and  lilac. 

The  blue-bird  is  found  everywhere  during  spring,  summer  and  autumn.  It 
nests  in  decaying  trees,  fence-posts,  and  feeds  upon  worms,  grasshoppers,  spiders, 
and  berries. 

The  white-bellied  muthatch  is  another  common  resident,  though  originally  a 
Carolinian.     The  red-bellied  hatch  comes  here   from   Canada  to  spend  the  spring. 


^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


summer  and  fall,  returning  to  that  cold  land  in  winter.  These  birds  nest 
in  the  holes  of  trees,  and  feed  upon  spiders,  ants,  insects'  eggs,  and  seeds. 

The  titmouse,  or  black-capped  chickadee  nests  in  the  woods  during  fine 
weather,  and  comes  into  the  village  to  spend  the  winter.  It  thankfully  receives  all 
the  crumbs  which  may  fall  in  its  path. 

The  brown-creeper  is  the  only  representative  of  the  Family  Certhiades  in  this 
county.  It  dwells  here  the  year  round,  finding  a  storehouse  in  the  forest  to  lay  up 
animal  and  vegetable  food  in  the  shape  of  insects  and  seeds. 

The  wren  family,  or  Troglodytidae,  has  six  representatives  in  the  county.  The 
Carolina  wren,  though  a  straggler,  is  well  known. 

Bewick's  wren,  or  Thryothorus  bewicJcii,  appeared  here  for  the  first  time  very 
recently.     His  advance  from  the  South  was  gradual. 

The  house  wren,  or  Troglodytes  cedon,  is  found  in  large  numbers  in  the  central 
townships  of  the  county. 

Tiie  winter  wren  is  a  well-known  visitor,  sometimes  spending  the  winter  in  the 
valley.     He  is  known  by  the  telling  ti*:le  Anorthura  troglodytes. 

The  long-billed  marsh  wren,  or  Telmatodytes  palustris,  builds  a  suspended  nest 
among  the  marsli-reeds  or  in  sand  grass.  There  he  remains  during  the  summer  and 
then  migrates. 

The  short-billed  wren  prefers  meadow  land  and  builds  a  large  nest  in  a  secure 
place.  This  family  of  miniature  birds  feeds  upon  insects,  grasshoppers,  snails, 
moths  and  other  delicacies. 

The  Family  Sylvicolidae  comprises  no  less  than  thirty-three  representatives  in 
this  county.  The  black  and  white  creeper  nests  beside  a  fallen  tree — the  blue  yel- 
low winged  warbler  in  the  tree-tops  of  swamps  and  heavily  timbered  land.  The 
blue-winged  yellow  warbler  is  a  rare  visitor.  The  blue  golden-winged  warbler 
remains  here   during  summer  and  breeds  in  low,  damp  woodland. 

The  Nashville  warbler,  orange-crowned  warbler,  Tennessee  warbler,  yellow 
warbler,  black-throated  green  warbler,  blue  warbler,  Blackburnian,yellow-rumped, 
black-poll,  ba3'-breasted,  chestnut-sided,  black  and  yellow.  Cape  May,  prairie,  yel- 
low-throated, Kirtland's,  yellow  red-poll,  pine  creeper  and  perhaps  two  or  three 
other  species  of  the  warbler  family,  are  well  known  visitors. 

The  water  thrush,  short  and  long  billed,  and  the  redstart  belong  to  the  family, 
and  are  common  here. 

The  Connecticut  warbler,  a  stranger  here  until  1881,  the  Maryland  yellow- 
thi'oat,  the  mourning,  the  hooded  fly-catcher,  black-capped  fly-catcher,  Canada  fly- 
catcher, all  favorite  warblers,  are  beginning  to  make  the  county  their  home. 

This  is  the  second  family  in  importance  among  the  birds  of  North  America. 
Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  insects,  varied  with  fruit  and  berries.    They  peep  into 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


crevices,  scrutinize  the  abodes  of  the  insect  world,  and  never  suffer  from  want. 
This  family  is  the  scourge  of  the  orchard  and  oftentimes  destroys  fruit  fields  of  great 
value. 

The  horned  lark,  or  Eremopldla  alpestris,  is  a  winter  dweller  here,  and  nests 
during  the  close  of  the  cold  season.  There  is  anotlier  species  of  the  horned  lark, 
which  leaves  on  the  approach  of  winter.  Both  build  their  nests  on  the  ground, 
breed  in  April,  and  play  around  the  farm  yard  or  over  gravelly  soil. 

The  titlark  belongs  to  the  family  MotacilUdae.  They  flock  hither  in  tens  of 
thousands  during  spring  and  often  remain  until  fall. 

The  scarlet  tanager,  or  Pyrangaruhra,  is  a  common  visitor.  The  Summer  red- 
bii'd,  lutherto  referred  to  as  a  recent  explorer  of  the  North,  is  very  rarely  seen  here. 

The  Bohemian  wax-wing,  or  Ampelis  garrulus,  is  a  recent  and  rare  visitor. 
The  cherry  bird,  or  Carolina  wax-wing,  breeds  here  in  August  and  September. 
They  feed  upon  apples,  cherries  and  berries,  but  are  not  numerous  enough  to  cause 
any  great  anxiety  to  the  pomologist. 

The  Familij  Hirundinidae  comprise  the  barn  swallow,  tlie  wliite-bellied  swal- 
low, the  eave  swallow,  the  sand  swallow  and  the  purple  martin.  These  birds  de- 
stroy myriads  of  winged  insects,  and  make  them  their  principal  food.  The  swallow, 
though  not  so  showy  as  her  gaudy  neighbors,  confers  more  real  benefit  upon  the 
people  than  any  other  member  of  the  bird  tribe. 

Tlie  Family  Vireonidae  comprises  the  red-eyed  vireo,  brotherly-love  vireo,  or 
Vireo  philadelphicus,  warbling  vireo,  yellow-throated  vireo,  solitary  vireo  and  white- 
eyed  vireo.  They  feed  chiefly  on  insects,  dwell  in  the  forests,  and  seldom  as  they 
come  to  town,  are  in  a  hurr}^  to  return  to  their  rustic  homes. 

The  great  northern  shrike,  or  Collurio  borealis,  sometimes  remains  here  to 
breed,  but  is  not  such  a  permanent  settler  as  the  loggerhead  shrike,  which  makes 
its  home  liere  the  year  round.  The  wliite-rumped  shrike  is  seen  here  during  the 
summer  months.  They  are  very  quarrelsome  among  themselves,  and  savage  toward 
other  birds.  They  impale  their  victims  on  thorns  and  leave  them  there  until  driven 
by  hunger  to  eat  them. 

Tiie  Family  Corvidae  is  becoming  extinct,  or  at  least  very  uncommon  here. 
Daring  the  present  year  the  few  which  visited  left  suddenly,  contrary  to  all  prece- 
dent. These  birds  are  omniverous,  and  comprise  among  others  the  raven,  crow 
and  blue  jay.  Their  evil  ways  are  almost  compensated  for  by  their  good  qualities, 
and  some  are  inclined  to  believe  that  the  benefits  they  confer  are  far  in  excess  of 
the  damage  they  do. 

The  Family  Fringillidae  is  the  most  extensive  known  in  the  States  of  the 
Union.  It  is  graminivorous,  except  during  the  breeding  season,  when  it  feeds 
itself  and  young  on  insects.     The  rose-breasted  grosbeak  is  the  only  member  of  the 


Lk 


HISTORY  OF  :macomb  county. 


family  which  feeds  upon  the  potato  bug.  The  white-crowned  sparrow's  food  is  the 
grape-vine  flea-beetle  ;  the  fox-sparrow  and  chewink  search  out  hybernating  insects 
and  snails  ;  the  English  sparrow,  a  recent  immigrant,  feeds  on  seeds  ;  the  purple 
finch  and  crossbills  feed  on  oily  seeds  and  the  seeds  of  pine  cones. 

The  names  of  the  varied  representatives  of  this  tribe,  are  :  The  pine  grosbeak, 
purple  finch,  white-winged  crossbill,  red  crossbill,  red-poll  linnet,  mealy  red-poll, 
pine  linnet,  goldfinch,  snow  bunting,  Lapland  longspur.  Savanna  sparrow,  bay- 
winged  bunting,  yellow-winged  sparrow,  Henslow's,  Lincoln's,  swamp,  song,  chip- 
ping, field,  clay-colored,  white-throated,  white-crowned,  fox,  and  English  sparrows. 
The  latter  bird  was  introduced  here  in  187o-'-4.  The  blue-bird,  martin,  swallow, 
and  other  sparrows  have  to  fly  before  the  approach  of  their  legions.  The  lark, 
finch,  black-throated  bunting,  rose-breasted  gi-osbeak,  the  indigo  bird  and  the 
Towhee  bunting,  or  chewink,  are  not  so  destructive  as  the  English  sparrow ; 
they  have  their  uses ;  but  it  is  likely  that  when  the  peopjle  realize  the  importance 
of  the  destruction  of  the  imported  sparrow,  the  whole  family  will  fall  with  that 
branch. 

The  Family  Icteridae. — The  bobolink,  cow-bird,  red-winged  black-bird,  meadow 
lark,  rusty  grackle,  crow  black-bird,  Baltimore  and  orchard  orioles  belong  to  this 
family.  The  cow-bird  destroys  the  eggs  and  young  of  stranger  birds.  The  oriole 
feeds  on  hairy  caterpillars  during  the  season  of  breeding  ;  this  bird  is  of  service  in 
the  orchard,  and  for  this  service  she  accepts  the  first  small  fruits  and  other  luxuries 
of  the  garden.  The  other  members  of  the  family  may  be  termed  gregarious  ;  they 
feed  on  the  seeds  of  weeds,  oats,  wheat,  corn,  and  on  flies  and  insects. 

The  Tyrannidae  Family  subsist  almost  altogether  on  flies,  which  they  pursue  and 
capture  in  the  most  open  places.  The  pewee  and  king-bird  pursue  their  victims  in 
the  light  of  day,  and  even  should  it  escape  for  a  time,  it  eventually  falls  before  the 
lance  of  its  pursuer.  The  family  comprises  the  king-bird,  wood  pewee,  phcebe 
bird,  together  with  a  half-dozen  fl3'-catchers,  variously  named. 

The  Caprimidgidae  Family  comprises  the  whippoorwill,  or  Antrostomus  vociferous, 
which  is  a  common  summer  resident  here,  and  the  night-hawk,  another  well-known 
summer  bird.  They  are  given  to  "  jay-hawking,"  and  select  the  night  for  seeking 
their  prey.  Then  thousands  of  grasshoppers,  moths,  beetles,  winged  insects  and 
flies  become  their  prey.  The  chimney  swallow  captures  its  prey  upon  the  wing  in 
a  similar  manner  ;  but  it  belongs  to  the  Cypselidae  family. 

The  Alcedinidae. — The  only  representative  of  this  family  in  the  county  is  said  to 
be  the  belted  king-fisher,  which  comes  here  in  summer  to  spend  the  fishing  season. 
If  it  does  not  at  once  succeed  in  catching  one  of  the  finny  tribe,  it  is  capable  of  ab- 
staining until  success  crowns  its  efforts. 

The   Troehilidae. — This  family  is  well  represented  here  by  the  humming-bird. 


i)     fy 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


This  is  an  animated  cluster  of  emeralds  and   rubies,  which  comes  to  delight  the 
people  in  May,  and  continues  with  them  until  September. 

The  only  member  of  the  CucuUdce  residing  here  during  the  Summer  months  is 
the  black-billed  cuckoo,  which  comes  to  visit  the  woods  and  orchards  of  the  State 
in  the  middle  of  June,  and  remains  until  harvest  time. 

The  Picadae  Family,  as  represented  here,  is  composed  of  seven  species  of  wood- 
pecker, known  as  the  downy,  the  hairy,  the  Arctic  black-back,  the  yellow-bellied, 
red-headed,  and  golden-winged.  The  family  subsist  on  timber  insects,  fruit, 
berries  .and  green  corn.  T)ie  yellow-bellied  woodpecker  is  very  destructive  to 
apple  trees ;  he  sucks  the  sap  of  trees  in  some  parts  of  the  Union,  but  owing  to  the 
lengtli  of  winter  in  nortlieastern  Michigan,  he  has  had  no  time  to  do  much  mischief 
liere. 

The  Strigidae  Family  comprises  the  barn  owl,  great  horned  owl,  long-eared  owl, 
short-eared  owl,  snow  owl,  hawk  owl,  sparrow  owl,  and  Acadian  owl.  A  few  of 
these  are  very  common  residents  here,  the  last  named  is  an  immigrant  which  settled 
here  in  1879.  All  form  tlie  nocturnal  branch  of  the  raptorial  species,  and  select 
for  their  prey  rats,  mice,  fish,  frogs,  chickens,  Ijirds  of  all  kinds,  and  sometimes 
young  pigs.     Tliey  have  their  uses. 

The  Falconidae  Family  is  comparatively  extensive,  and  is  fully  represented  here. 
It  includes  the  marsh  hawk,  white-tailed  kite,  sharp-shinned  hawk,  goshawk. 
Cooper's  hawk,  pigeon  hawk,  sparrow  hawk,  red-tailed  hawk,  red-shouldered  hawk, 
broad-winged  hawk,  Swainson's  hawk,  rough-legged  hawk,  the  fish-hawk,  and  the 
bald  eagle.  They  are  birds  of  prey  which  select  day-time  for  carrying  on  their 
operations.  The  fish-hawk  will  eat  only  fish.  The  bald  eagle's  favorite  food  is 
carrion  and  fish.  When  his  taste  leans  toward  fish,  he  generally  makes  a  descent 
upon  the  fish-hawk. 

The  turkey  buzzard,  or  CatJiartes  awra,  is  common  in  the  county  during  July 
and  August.  They  are  entirely  carnivorous,  and  come  here  after  the  period  of  in- 
cubation has  been  passed  in  the  Southern  States. 

The  Family  Meliagradae  is  represented  here  by  the  wild  turkey.  This  bird 
was  well  known  here  in  olden  times,  but  has  now  almost  ceased  to  be  a  resident. 

The  Family  Tetraonidae  is  peculiarly  one  of  game  birds.  It  includes  tlie  par- 
tridge or  ruffed  grouse,  the  quail  and  the  prairie  chicken.  The  quail  is  a  common 
resident  of  the  county,  and  appears  to  attain  its  greatest  size  here.  These  birds 
subsist  on  the  various  grains,  seeds,  berries,  buds,  grapes  and  chestnuts.  They 
form  a  family  of  large  and  beautiful  birds,  but  incapable  of  being  thoroughly 
domesticated. 

Tlie  Family  Oolumhidae  includes  the  wild  pigeon  and  Carolina  dove.  The 
latter  resides  here  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  year.     The  pigeon  is  thorough- 


*^  s r- 


HISTORY   OF   ilACOMB   COUNTY. 


ly  graminivorous  in  its  tastes,  and  in  this  respect  diffei's  from  tlie  family  Tetraon- 
idae. 

Tlie  Family  Fhalarojyodidae  comprises  the  northern  phalarope  and  Wilson's 
phalarope,  two  migrants  which  build  their  nests  here  at  long  intervals. 

The  Family  Charadridae,  or  the  plover  tribe,  is  represented  here  by  the  kill- 
deer,  semipalmated,  piping,  golden  and  black-bellied  plovers.  They  feed  upon 
mollusks,  water  insects,  grasshoppers,  beetles,  etc.  This  family  is  inferior  in  size 
to  its  European  kindred. 

The  Family  Ardeidae  includes  the  great  bittern  or  Indian  hen,  the  little  bit- 
tern, the  great  blue,  great  white,  green  and  night  herons.  These  birds  are  summer 
residents,  with  the  exception  of  the  night  heron,  which  dwells  here  the  year  round. 

The  Family  Gruidae,  represented  here  by  the  sandhill  crane  and  the  whoop- 
ing crane.  Neither  of  these  birds  breed  here,  and  they  may  be  set  down  as  common 
stragglers  or  "  tramps." 

The  Family  Calymhidae  is  very  small.  Only  two  representatives  are  found 
here,  viz.:  the  common  loon,  well  known  for  many  years,  and  the  black-throated 
loon,  a  recent  visitor.  To  form  an  idea  of  the  quickness  of  this  unwieldy  bird  one 
must  make  an  attempt  to  capture  him  alive,  or  even  shoot  him.  During  travels  in 
the  Northwest  (1879 — 80),  the  writer  found  three  specimens  of  the  family  living 
quietly  in  a  lake-side  nest,  and  left  them  undisturbed.  Shakespeare's  cream-faced 
loon  was  found  there. 

The  Rail  tribe  is  comparatively  well  known  here.  It  includes  the  Carolina 
and  Virginia  rails ;  the  Florida  gallinule  and  the  coot,  all  common  summer  birds. 
The  rare  summer  visitors  of  the  tribe  comprise  the  black,  yellow,  king  and  clapper 
rails. 

The  Grebe  tribe,  or  family  podicipidaj,  comprises  the  horned  grebe,  the  pied- 
billed  grebe  as  common  residents  ;  and  the  red-necked  and  red  eared  grebe  which 
come  here  at  intervals. 

The  Family  Anatidae  is  perhaps  the  best  known  and  most  useful  of  the  feath- 
ered race.  It  comprises  the  goose,  duck,  widgeon,  teal  and  merganser.  The  birds 
of  the  tribe  common  to  the  county  are  the  brant  and  Canada  goose,  the  mallard, 
black,  pin-tail,  gad  wall,  wood,  big  black-head,  little  black-head,  ring-necked,  poach- 
ard,  canvas-back,  golden-eye,  butter-ball,  long-tailed,  Labrador,  ruddy  and  fish 
ducks,  the  red-breasted  merganser,  the  hooded  merganser,  American  widgeon, 
green-winged  teal,  blue-winged  teal,  and  the  shoveller  teal. 

The  Family  Scolopacidae  includes  the  woodcock,  American  snipe,  red-breasted 
snipe,  upland  plover,  long-billed  curlew,  stilt  sandpiper,  semipalmated,  least, 
pectoral  and  red-backed  sandpipers,  Wilst,  greater  yellow  legs,  lesser  yellow  legs 
and  solitary,  spotted  and  buff-breasted  sandpipers.     All  these  birds  are   common 


nv^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


here.  They  are  all  "  waders,"  and  subsist  on  aquatic  insects,  grass-hoppers, 
mollusks,  crustaceans,  etc. 

The  Family  Laridae  comprises  all  the  terns  and  gulls  known  in  the  temperate 
zone  of  our  continent.  The  birds  of  the  tribe,  common  to  Macomb  County,  are  the 
herring  gull,  the  ringed-billed,  the  laughing,  and  the  Bonaparte  gulls.  The  fork- 
tail  gull  is  an  uncommon  visitor.  The  terns  best  known  here,  include  the  Arctic, 
Marsh,  Firster's,  Wilson's,  the  little,  and  the  black  tern. 

The  German  Stork  made  his  appearance  here  in  1879,  and  again  in  1880. 

MAMMALIA. 

Among  the  many  papers  on  this  subject  presented  to  the  writer,  there  is  one 
specially  applicable  prepared  by  J.  S.  Tibbits.  It  does  not  mention  the  New  York 
and  brown  bats,  the  shrew,  and  moles  which  were  once  known  here,  yet  it  deals 
fully  with  the  larger  mammalia,  known  to  the  first  settlers  of  the  districts  border- 
ing on  Lake  St.  Clair.  The  contributor  states : — "  Most  of  the  wild  animals  com- 
mon to  the  State  were  found  in  great  numbers  by  the  early  settlers  of  this  county, 
and  the  descendants  of  Nimrod  and  Esau  found  abundant  material  upon  which  to 
exercise  their  favorite  pursuit.  The  animals  mostly  to  be  found  here  were  tlie  deer, 
bear,  wolf,  lynx,  wild  cat,  fox,  coon,  badger,  fishei",  porcupine,  woodchuck,  rabbit, 
mink,  and  weasel.  The  skunk  and  rat  did  not  make  their  appearance  in  the  rural 
districts  for  nearly  ten  years  after  the  first  settlements  were  made.  They  were 
both  as  great  curiosities  to  me  then  as  tlie  mermaid  would  be  now.  My  first  experi- 
ence with  a  skunk  was  a  sad,  though  I  think  a  profitable  one.  A  neighbor,  having 
an  open  cellar  wall,  ascertained  that  a  skunk  had  taken  refuge  in  the  wall,  and  lie 
offered  me  ten  cents  to  kill  and  skin  him.  Being  anxious  to  gratify  ray  curiosity 
to  see  a  skunk,  and  my  ambition  to  earn  an  honest  penny,  I  readily  undertook  the 
job.  Ascertaining  the  locality  of  the  animal,  I  proceeded  with  a  sharpened  stick 
to  dislodge  him.  Getting  down  on  my  knees,  I  peered  into  tlie  hole  and  gave 
him  a  sharp  punch  with  my  stick.  He  immediately  resorted  to  iiis  usual  mode  of 
defense,  and  discharged  a  full  battery  square  in  my  face.  I  retreated  in  good 
order,  though  in  very  bad  odor,  and  have  wisley  concluded  ever  since  to  let  every 
man  skin  his  own  skunks. 

The  birds  common  in  these  early  days  were  the  eagle,  hawk,  turkey-buzzard, 
raven,  owl,  crane,  turkey,  partridge,  duck,  wild  goose,  and  a  variety  of  the  smaller 
birds.  Tlie  crow,  like  the  skunk  and  rat,  did  not  make  its  appearance  till  a  number 
of  years  after  the  first  settlements  were  made.  The  turkej^-buzzard,  so  common  in 
those  early  days,  is  seldom  or  never  seen  now.  This  bird  resembles  the  wild  turkey 
more  nearly  than  any  other  bird,  though  by  no  means  so  large.  It  is  not  a  bird  of 
prey,  but,  like  the  raven,  lives  on  carrion.     It  is  a  powerful  bird  on  the  wing,  and 


V^ 


i. 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


soars  to  great  heights,  sailing  seemingly  for  hours  without  a  movement  of  the  wings. 
The  quills  are  very  valuable  for  writing  purposes,  and  the  possession  of  one  was 
considered  a  treasure,  inasmuch  as  with  careful  usage  one  would  last  through  a 
school  term  of  three  or  four  months. 

Tlie  wild  turkey  was  very  common,  and  vast  flocks  of  several  hundred  were 
frequently  to  be  met  with.  The  usual  mode  of  hunting  them  was  for  two  or  three 
persons  to  proceed  cautiously  througli  the  woods  till  they  came  upon  a  flock,  then 
suddenly  fire  at  random  amongst  them,  the  object  being  to  scatter  them  in  all  direc- 
tions. When  thus  scattered  they  will  invariably  return  to  the  same  spot  to  get  to- 
gether again,  the  old  ones  coming  first  to  call  their  young  together.  The  hunters, 
hid  in  some  secluded  place,  with  their  "  turkey  calls  "  ready  for  use,  would  wait 
patiently  for  the  return  of  the  old  birds.  These  turkey-calls  consist  of  the  hollow 
bone  of  the  turkey's  wing,  and,  in  the  mouth  of  an  experienced  hunter,  can  be 
made  to  exactly  imitate  the  piping  sound  of  the  mother  bird  when  calling  her  brood 
together.  Soon  the  maternal  notes  of  the  old  birds  are  heard,  and  the  hunters 
respond  with  their  "  calls,"  luring  them  on  to  certain  destruction.  After  the  old 
birds  are  killed,  the  young  ones  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  unerring  aim  of  the  skillful 
marksman.  The  flesh  of  the  wild  turkey  is  esteemed  a  great  luxury,  and  one  of 
the  most  delicious  meals  I  think  1  ever  ate  was  made  from  steak  cut  from  the  breast 
of  a  j'oung  turkey,  fried  in  butter,  and  partaken  after  a  hard  day's  hunt,  in  which 
a  companion  and  myself  killed  seven  large  fine  birds. 

The  wild  turkey  is  sometimes  caught  in  pens  made  of  poles,  some  five  or  six 
feet  in  height,  and  covered  over  the  to^)  to  prevent  their  escape.  A  covered  pas- 
sage-way is  made  under  the  pen  large  enough  for  the  turkeys  to  crawl  through. 
Corn  or  other  grain  is  scattered  in  the  passage-way  and  inside  the  pen.  The  un- 
suspecting birds,  seeing  the  grain,  commence  picking  it  up,  and  thus  one  after 
another  crawl  through  the  hole  into  the  pen.  "  Once  in,  forever  in,"  for  they  never 
think  of  putting  their  heads  down  to  crawl  out  again. 

Deer  were  also  very  abundant,  and  scarcely  a  day  passed  but  more  or  less  of 
them  were  seen  in  and  about  the  clearings.  But  little  skill  was  required  in  killing 
them,  the  principal  qualification  being  a  steady  nerve.  During  the  hot  days  in  the 
summer,  when  the  mosquitos  and  the  gnats  were  troublesome,  the  deer  would 
resort  to  the  streams  and  ponds  of  water  during  the  night  to  get  rid  of  their  tor- 
mentors. Here  they  would  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  hunter,  who,  in  his  canoe,  with 
a  torch  at  the  bow,  would  row  noiselessly  about.  The  deer,  seeing  the  light,  would 
remain  as  it  were  entranced,  presenting  to  the  unerring  aim  of  the  hunter  Iwo 
small  bright  globes  of  light,  between  which  the  fatal  bullet  was  sure  to  be  lodged. 
Another  mode  of  hunting  the  deer,  which  frequently  occasioned  rare  sport,  was  by 
watching  for  them  on  their  "  run-ways,"  and  shooting  them  down  as  they  passed. 


i  \  ' 


163  HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


One  or  two  persons  were  stationed  on  tlie  "  run-way,"  wliile  others  with  the  hounds 
would  scour  the  woods  to  scare  up  tlie  deer.  Whenever  one  was  started  it  would 
invariably  make  for  the  "  run-way,"  the  hounds  and  the  men  or  boys  following  in 
hot  pursuit.  Rarely,  indeed,  was  it  the  case  that  he  was  successful  in  running  the 
gauntlet,  but  usually  fell  a  victim  to  his  rutldess  pursuers.  A  laughable  incident 
occurred  at  one  of  these  hunts  which  is  too  good  to  be  passed  by  unnoticed.  A 
young  man  came  from  an  Eastern  city  to  visit  his  country  cousins  at  the  West. 
Having  never  seen  a  deer,  and  being  very  anxious  to  engage  in  a  hunt  before  his 
return,  it  was  soon  arranged  to  have  one.  Proceeding  to  the  forest,  the  young 
man  was  stationed  on  the  "  run-way,"  with  strict  instructions  to  shoot  the  deer 
when  he  passed.  The  boys,  with  their  hounds  and  guns,  commenced  scouring  the 
woods.  Soon  the  deep  baying  of  the  hounds  was  heard,  denoting  that  the  game 
had  been  started.  Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  pursuer  and  the  pursued.  Suddenly 
a  fine  buck  made  his  appearance,  with  his  noble  antlers  laid  back  upon  his  shoulders 
and  his  white  tail  aloft  in  the  air.  On  he  sped  past  the  affrighted  youth,  who  stooH. 
with  his  rifle  cocked,  his  eyes  and  mouth  wide  open,  the  embodiment  of  wonder  and 
astonishment.  Hard  upon  the  heels  of  the  deer  came  the  dogs,  and  soon  the  boys, 
who,  seeing  their  cousin  in  this  ludicrous  situation,  asked  in  amazement,  "  Why  he 
did  not  shoot  the  buck  ?"  "  Buck  !"  said  he,  "  I  haven't  seen  any  buck.  I  only 
saw  the  devil  coming  down  the  hill  with  a  rocking-chair  on  his  head  and  his  white 
handkerchief  sticking  out  behind."  Wolvcs  and  bears  were  more  numerous  than 
agreeable.  They  were  very  destructive  to  the  few  flocks  of  sheep  and  herds  of 
swine  then  in  the  county.  They  were  caught  in  traps  and  in  dead-falls,  and  some- 
times wolves  were  inveigled  into  the  folds  with  the  sheep,  and  captured  in  that 
way.  A  large  pen  was  made  of  poles,  and  so  constructed  that  it  was  narrowed  up 
at  the  top,  leaving  an  opening  only  a  few  feet  square.  Tliis  afforded  an  easy  ingress 
to  the  hungry  wolf,  but  an  effectual  barrier  to  his  escape.  He  would  thus  be  found 
in  the  morning,  having  done  no  harm,  and  looking  very  "sheepish,"  indeed. 

A  novel  mode  of  trapping  the  bear  was  sometimes  adopted  which  proved  suc- 
cessful. A  hallow  tree  was  selected  into  which  a  hole  was  cut  of  a  triangular 
shape,  with  the  acute  angle  at  the  lower  side.  The  hole  was  made  some  seven  or 
eight  feet  from  the  ground,  and  just  large  enough  for  bruiu  to  squeeze  his  head 
through.  Inside  of  the  tree,  some  two  or  three  feet  below  the  hole,  was  suspended 
a  piece  of  meat.  The  bear,  scenting  the  food,  would  climb  up  the  tree,  and,  in  his 
efforts  to  get  at  the  meat,  would  get  hung  in  the  acute  angle  of  the  hole,  from 
which  it  was  impossible  to  extricate  himself. 

Occasionally  a  lynx  was  seen  in  the  swamps  in  the  western  part  of  the  county, 
but  they  were  extremely  shy,  and  it  was  rare  indeed  that  one  was  killed.  Tlie 
porcupine  was  more  common ;  and   they  proved  very  troublesome  to  the  hunters" 


l\^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


dogs,  which  would  frequently  return  from  the  chase  at  night  with  their  mouths  full 
of  tlieir  sharp  quills.  It  is  supposed  by  many  that  the  hedgehog  and  porcupine  are 
identical,  but  this  is  a  mistake.  The  only  point  of  resemblance  is  in  their  coat  of 
armor,  which  consists  of  long  sharp-pointed  quills.  Whenever  these  animals  are 
attacked  they  double  themselves  up  into  a  ball,  and  thus  present  a  formidable 
defense.  Their  quills  are  easily  detached,  but  I  think  it  is  a  mistaken  idea  that 
they  have  the  power  of  throwing  off  their  quills,  as  some  suppose.  The  hedgehog 
is  a  native  of  the  old  world,  is  small  in  size,  and  carnivorous ;  whereas  the  porcu- 
pine is  a  native  of  the  new  world,  is  about  the  size  of  the  woodchuck,  and  lives  on 
roots,  vegetables,  and  wild  fruits.  The  badger  and  tlie  fisher  were  occasionally 
seen,  but  they  were  by  no  means  common.  Most  of  these  wild  animals,  like  the 
aborigines  of  the  country,  have  receded  before  the  march  of  civilization  and 
improvement,  and  but  few  of  them  can  now  be  found  within  tlie  limits  of  the 
county. 

A  soft-shell  turtle  was  caught  in  Washington  in  the  Summer  of  1881.  It  has 
been  said  that  a  few  of  these  creatures  were  seen  in  tlie  county  previously,  but  this 
of  1881  is  the  first  of  which  there  is  any  record. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  Jan.  14,  1882,  an  ermine  was  caught  in  the  cellar  of 
Edwin  Starkweather's  house.  This  is  supposed  to  be  the  first  of  that  species  found 
in  this  portion  of  Michigan. 

THE   FLORA   OF   THE   COUNTY 

Comprise  almost  all  the  orders  known  in  the  Northern  States.  Of  tlie  130  orders 
represented  in  Michigan,  fully  107  are  common  in  tlie  country  bordering  on  the 
mouth  of  the  Clinton  River.  The  represented  genera  within  Macomb  are  estimated 
at  370,  comprising  no  less  than  850  species.  New  and  beautiful  flowers  are  added 
annually  to  the  pioneer  garden  beds  of  the  valley  ;  wild  flowers  appear  and  fade ; 
many  beautiful  colors,  well  remembered  by  the  old  settlers,  have  disappeared  within 
the  last  decade,  and  thus  one  of  the  most  beautful  features  of  Nature  is  undergoing 
marked  changes. 

METEOROLOGICAL. 

THE   BIG    SNOWS. 

The  traditions  of  the  Ciiippeways  and  Wj'andots  point  out  the  years  1755 
and  1775  as  the  Winters  of  the  great  snows.  Those  severe  storms,  which  swept 
over  the  Peninsula  within  two  decades,  destroyed  great  numbers  of  forest  animals, 
the  bones  of  which  in  after  years  literally  encumbered  the  wilderness. 

Within  the  pioneer  period  the  snow  oT  1822-3  was  the  heaviest.  It  fell  to  a 
depth  of  four  feet  on  the  level,  and  was  accompanied  with  such  an  icy  current,  that 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


large  numbers  of  deer,  wolf,  and  bear  perished  before  its  withering  advance.  In 
1830-1  the  snow  storms  set  in  early  in  November,  and  continued  throughout  the 
mouth,  destroying  the  wild  animals  in  large  numbers,  and  inflicting  many  hard- 
ships on  the  Indians  and  pioneers.  In  the  month  of  August,  1831,  a  severe  irost 
set  in,  which  occasioned  many  serious  troubles  and  disappointments. 

THE   BLACK   DAYS. 

On  the  morning  of  Sunday,  November  8,  1819,  the  sun  rose  upon  a  cloudy 
sky,  which  assumed,  as  the  light  grew  upon  it,  a  strange  greenish  tint,  varying  in 
places  to  an  inky  blackness.  After  a  sliort  time  the  whole  sky  became  terribly 
dark,  dense  black  clouds  filled  the  atmospliere,  and  those  changes  were  followed  by 
a  down-pour  of  rain,  which  appeared  to  be  sometliing  of  the  nature  of  soap-suds, 
and  which  was  found  to  have  deposited  after  settling  a  substance  resembling  soot. 
The  atmosphere  assumed  its  usual  form  that  afternoon,  and  the  following  day  was 
dry  and  frosty.  On  the  morning  of  Tuesday  10th,  heavy  clouds  again  appeared, 
changed  rapidly  from  a  deep  green  to  a  pitchy  black,  and  the  sun.  when  seen  occa- 
sionally through  them,  was  sometimes  of  a  dark  brown,  or  an  unearthly  yellow 
color,  and  again  bright  orange  or  blood  red.  The  clouds  constantly  deepened  in 
color  and  density,  and  later  on  a  heavy  vapor  seemed  to  descend  to  tlie  earth,  the 
day  became  as  dark  as  night,  and  the  gloom  increased  or  diminished  most  fitfully. 
The  French  traders  looked  on  the  phenomenon  with  a  peculiar  curiosity  ;  while  the 
Indians  were  actually  alarmed.  The  more  sensible  concluded  that  the  Western 
pine  woods  were  alilaze,  others  that  the  recently  explored  prairies  were  burning, 
wliile  others  stated  that  a  volcanic  eruption  must  be  in  progress.  The  Indians 
quoted  the  prophecy  that  one  day  the  Peninsula  would  be  destroyed  by  an  earth- 
quake, while  others  looked  upon  the  signs,  as  signaling  the  close  of  this  world. 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  a  great  body  of  clouds  seemed  to  rush  sud- 
denly across  the  country,  and  immediately  everytliing  was  hidden  in  appalling 
darkness.  A  pause  and  hush  succeeded  for  a  moment,  and  then  a  most  glaring 
flash  of  electricity  flamed  over  tlie  land — next  the  thunder  seemed  to  shake  the 
very  earth  to  its  center.  Another  pause  followed,  and  then  fell  a  slight  shower  of 
rain  similar  to  that  which  introduced  the  phenomenon  two  days  previously.  After 
this  siiower  the  day  grew  brighter,  but  an  hour  later  it  was  as  dark  as  ever.  An- 
other rush  of  clouds,  and  another  flash  of  lightning  introduced  the  climax  of  the 
scene.  The  sky  above  and  around  was  as  black  as  ink ;  but  right  in  one  spot,  in 
mid  air  above  the  Indian  village,  the  lightning  danced  for  some  minutes  in  a  fairy 
circle,  then  rushed  eastward,  and  was  not  seen  again.  The  darkest  hour  had  come 
and  gone.  The  gloom  gradually  subsided  and  gave  place  to  dawn,  the  people  grew 
less  fearful,  the  real  night  came  on,  and  when  next  morning  dawned  the  elements 
were  at  peace,  and  the  world  seemed  as  natural  as  before. 


*^^ 


J""     *> 


HISTORY   OF   MAC'OjMR   COUNTY. 


TORNADO  1835. 

Perhajjis  the  best  remembered  and  most  extraordinary  phenomenon  was  that 
which  the  people  of  the  northeastern  counties  witnessed  in  1835.  On  Christmas 
day  of  that  year  an  excejationally  heavy  fall  of  snow  covered  the  ground,  which 
was  followed  on  the  26th  by  a  mist,  and  this  was  succeeded  in  turn  by  a  drizzlino- 
rain.  The  rain  ceased  suddenly,  the  clouds  lowered,  grew  dark,  and  assumed  such 
appearances  as  would  lead  the  spectator  to  conclude  that  this  globe  was  aljout  to 
collapse.  The  storm  king  at  length  broke  loose,  swooped  down  from  the  North- 
west in  black  night,  uprooting  trees,  sweeping  everything  in  his  track,  and  bringing 
with  him  such  a  current  of  icy  air  that  man  and  beast,  not  then  in  shelter,  were 
frozen  to  death.  This  storm  was  as  sudden  asit  was  phenomenal.  It  is  well  remem- 
bered by  the  old  settlers,  and  forms  for  them  a  mark  on  the  page  of  time. 

THE   METEOE. 

The  meteor  seen  November  1, 1857,  passing  southward,  proved  to  be  a  most 
remarkable  one.  Its  journey  was  accompanied  by  a  sharp,  rumbling  sound  like 
thunder. 

THE   COMET. 

This  strange  visitor,  belonging  to  that  numerous  but  erratic  family  whose 
movements  are  so  carefully  noted  by  astronomers,  and  the  time  of  whose  entrances 
and  exits  is  a  matter  of  mathematical  certaint)',  appeared  to  the  people  of  this 
county,  June  30,  1861.  Whatever  may  have  been  its  attributes  and  peculiarities 
one  thing  is  certain,  that  it  has  had  no  rivals  in  the  comet  line.  Its  sudden  debut 
at  that  time  was  the  cause  of  much  speculation  among  men  of  letters  as  well  as 
the  people  in  general.  It  was  first  visible  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  when  it 
appeared  like  a  bright  star.  It  attracted  but  little  attention  at  first,  it  being  sup- 
posed to  be  a  lamp  attached  to  a  kite  ;  but  directly  a  train  of  light  shot  up,  which 
gradually  increased  in  length  until  it  passed  the  zenith.  The  nucleus  of  the  comet 
when  viewed  through  a  glass,  presented  a  very  clear  and  sharply-defined  outline, 
shining  with  the  brilliancy  of  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude.  Its  motion  was  in  an 
easterly  direction,  and  exceedingly  rapid.  The  train  of  light  extended  beyond  the 
constellation,  Lyra,  and  the  center  of  its  extremity  was  directly  over  the  star  Vega. 
Its  length  extended  over  the  immense  distance  of  100°,  being  30"  longer  than  the 
comet  of  1843,  which  extended  over  a  space  of  only  70°. 

The  comet  of  1881  remained  with  us  for  weeks,  and  disappeared  from  the  view 
of  citizens  of  this  county,  a  short  time  after  a  portion  of  its  tail  separated  from  the 
nucleus  and  main  train.  It  will  be  remembered  as  affording  much  subject  for  gossip 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  of  1881. 


V" 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


ECLIPSE   OF   THE   MOON,    1881. 

One  of  tlio  most  sublime  astronomical  events  of  1881 — a  total  eclipse  of  the 
moon — occurred  Sunday  morning  June  12.  Tiie  moon  appeared  above  the  horizon 
at  about  8:20  p.  m.,  on  tlie  11th,  in  its  usual  brilliancy.  When  about  two  and  one- 
half  hours  high,  it  received  the  first  contact  with  the  penumbra  of  light  shadow  of 
the  earth  upon  its  eastern  limb,  which  became  slightly  dim,  and  a  loss  of  lunar 
light  followed  as  the  moon  entered  the  penumbra.  Fifty-six  minutes  then  elapsed 
without  further  change  in  its  appearance,  while  traversing  the  partial  shadow  of 
the  earth ;  but  wlien  the  umbra  or  dark  shadow  of  our  planet  was  reached,  the  east- 
ern limb  of  the  moon  again  darkened,  suddenly,  almost  to  invisibility.  The  circu- 
lar shape  of  the  earth's  shadow  was  distinctly  seen  when  passing  over  the  face  of 
the  moon.  At  12:38  A.  M.,  June  12,  the  moon  was  wholly  within  the  umbra,  and 
the  total  eclipse  commenced.  It  continued  in  darkness  for  an  hour  or  so,  when  all 
was  licrht  a<jain. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  INDIANS. 

Before  entering  upon  the  history  of  men  and  events  connected  with  the  county 
during  the  last  century,  we  will  inquire  into  its  aboriginal  or  prehistoric  period. 
From  years  coeval  with  the  Columbian  era,  the  Indian,  as  we  know  him,  made  his 
presence  known  to  the  decaying  remnants  of  the  Mound  Building  Race,  who  sought 
a  refuge  on  this  peninsula  from  the  periodical  assaults  of  their  barbaric  brethren. 
The  origin  of  the  American  Indians,  which  must  always  interest  and  instruct,  is 
a  favorite  with  the  ethnologist,  even  as  it  is  one  of  deep  concern  to  the  ordinary 
reader.  The  era  of  their  establishment  as  a  distinct  and  insulated  people  must  be 
set  down  and  credited  to  a  period — immediately  after  the  separation  of  the  Asiatic, 
after  the  confusion  of  language,  and  the  formation  of  languages.  No  doubt  can 
exist,  when  the  American  Indian  is  regarded  as  of  Asiatic  origin.  Tiie  fact  is  that 
the  full-blood  Indian  of  pioneer  days  is  descended  directly  from  the  original  inhabi- 
tants of  tliis  continent,  oi'  in  other  words  from  the  survivors  of  that  people,  wiio,  on 
being  driven  from  tlieir  fair  possessions,  retired  to  the  wilderness  in  sorrow,  and 
reared  up  their  children  under  the  saddening  influences  of  their  unquenchable 
griefs,  bequeathing  them  only  the  habits,  manners,  and  customs  of  the  wild,  cloud- 
roofed  homes  of  their  exile — a  sullen  silence  and  a  rude  moral  code — leaving  them 
ignorant  of  the  arts  and  sciences  wliicli,  undoubtedly,  marked  the  period  of  their 
prosperity. 


^. 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MAC:OJ[B   COUNTY. 


In  after  years  those  wild  sons  of  the  forest  and  the  prairie  grew  in  numbers 
and  in  strength,  yet  minus  even  a  tradition  to  point  out  the  rise  and  fall  of  their 
fathers.  However,  some  legend  told  them  of  their  present  sufferings,  of  the  high 
station  whicli  their  progenitors  once  had  held,  and  of  the  riotous  race  that  now 
reveled  in  a  wealth,  which  should  be  theirs.  The  fierce  passions  of  the  savages 
were  aroused,  and  uniting  their  scattered  bauds,  all  marched  in  silence  upon  the 
villages  of  the  Tartars,  driving  them  onwards  to  the  capital  of  their  Incas,  and 
consigning  their  homes  to  flames.  Once  in  view  of  the  great  city,  the  hurrying 
bands  halted  in  surprise.  Tartar  cunning  took  the  advantage  of  the  situation,  and 
offered  to  the  sons  of  their  former  victims  pledges  of  amity  and  justice — pledges 
which  were  sacredly  observed.  Henceforth  Mexico  was  open  to  the  children  of  the 
Mound  Builders,  bearing  precisely  the  same  social  and  commercial  relation  to  them, 
that  the  Hudsons  Bay  company's  posts  do  the  northwestern  Indians  of  the  preseiit 
day — obtaining  all — offering  little  in  return. 

The  subjection  of  the  Mongolian  race,  represented  in  North  America  by  that 
branch,  to  which  those  Tartars  belonged,  seems  to  have  taken  place  about  five 
centuries  prior  to  the  arrival  of  the  Spaniards  ;  while  it  may  be  concluded  that  the 
war  of  the  races,  which  resulted  in  tlie  reduction  of  those  villages  erected  by  the 
Tartar  hordes,  took  place  between  one  and  two  hundred  years  later.  Tliese  state- 
ments, though  actually  referring  to  events  which  in  point  of  time,  are  compara- 
tively modern,  can  be  substantiated  only  by  the  fact  that,  about  the  periods 
mentioned,  the  dead  bodies  of  an  unknown  race  of  men  were  washed  upon  the 
European  coasts;  while  previous  to  that  time  there  is  no  account  in  European 
annals  of  even  a  vestige  of  trans-Atlantic  humanity  being  transferred  by  ocean  cur- 
rents to  the  shores  of  the  eastern  world.  Toward  the  latter  part  of  the  first  half 
of  the  Fifteenth  Century,  two  dead  bodies,  entirely  free  from  decomposition,  and 
corresponding  with  the  physical  characteristics  of  the  red  man  as  afterwards  seen 
by  Columbus,  were  cast  ashore  on  the  Azores — a  circumstance  which  confirmed 
the  great,  the  illustrious  discoverer  of  this  continent  in  his  belief  that  a  Western 
world  and  a  Western  people  existed  and  waited  recognition. 

Storm,  flood,  disease,  whisky,  have  created  sad  havoc  in  tlie  ranks  of  the 
aborigines  since  the  occupation  of  the  country  by  the  while  man.  Inlierent  causes 
have  led  in  a  greater  degree  to  the  dissemination  of  the  race  even  more  than  the 
advance  of  civilization,  which  seems  not  to  affect  it  materially.  In  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  same  number  of  representatives  during  tliree  centuries,  and  its  exist- 
ence in  the  very  face  of  a  most  unceremonious,  and  whenever  necessary,  cruel 
conquest,  the  grand  dispensations  of  the  Unseen  Ruler  are  demonstrated  ;  for,  with- 
out the  aborigines,  savage  and  treacherous  as  they  were,  it  is  possible  that  the 
Spanish  and  French  explorers,  would  have  so  many  natural  difficulties  to  contend 


i  ^ 


^± 


HISTORY  OF   :MAC0MB   COUNTY. 


against,  that  they  would  surrender  their  worlc  in  despair,  and  fly  from  a  continent, 
which  their  knowledge,  zeal,  and  perseverance  gave  to  the  world.  It  can  not  be 
questioned  that  the  ultimate  resolve  of  Columbus  was  strengthened  by  the  appear- 
ance of  Indian  corpses  on  the  Eastern  shores  of  the  Atlantic,  even  as  it  is  conceded 
that  the  existence  of  savages  in  the  interior  led  the  Spanish  and  French  missionary 
priests  from  savage  village  to  village,  until  the  entire  continent  from  the  Arctic 
regions  to  Patagonia  was  known  to  the  civilized  world.  From  such  a  stand-point 
the  position  of  the  Indian  in  the  economy  of  the  Divinity  must  be  acknowledged, 
and  tlie  services  which  he  has  rendered  to  civilization  held  in  high  esteem.  It 
would  not  be  a  matter  for  surprise  to  learn,  that  the  same  spirit  which  crushed  the 
power  of  tyranny  at  Yorktown  100  years  ago,  and  sent  a  thrill  of  liberty  through- 
out the  world,  would  offer  to  the  remnant  of  a  great  and  ancient  race — a  lasting 
peace. 

THE   OTCHIPWE   INVASION. 

During  the  second  decade  of  the  Sixteenth  Century,  about  the  year  1519-20, 
the  Otchipwes  or  Chippewas  gained  possession  of  the  district  from  the  mouth  of 
the  Kawkawlin  to  the  river,  now  known  as  the  Clinton,  called  by  the  French 
Beviere  am-  Hurons.  At  this  time  tlie  great  struggle  for  tribal  supremacy  took 
place,  and  the  last  Sauk  warrior  fell  before  the  advancing  Chippewas  in  the  valley 
of  tlie  Saginaw.  Throughout  all  this  district,  particularly  along  its  rivers  and 
streams,  may  be  found  mounds  filled  with  human  bones,  scattered  round  in  all 
directions,  showing,  unmistakably,  that  they  were  cast  together  without  regularity, 
and  telling  of  fierce  and  sanguinary  battles.  So  early  as  1834,  a  few  aged  Indians 
resided  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Huron  ;  each  of  them  was  questioned  regarding  the 
ancient  history  of  his  nation,  and  each  of  them  was  not  slow  to  relate  the  tradition 
of  his  tribe,  so  far  as  it  related  to  the  Chippewa  conquest  of  Northern  and  Western 
Michigan.  At  length  the  old  chief — Puttasamine — was  interviewed  in  the  presence 
of  Peter  Gruette,  a  half-breed,  well  known  from  Detroit  to  Mount  Clemens,  and 
westward  still  to  Mackinac.  Gruette  acted  as  interpreter,  and  as  a  result  the 
following  valuable  legendary  sketch  comes  down  to  us.  Puttasamine  said  the 
Sauks  occupied  the  whole  country  from  Thunder  Bay  on  the  north,  to  the  head 
waters  of  tlie  Shiawassee,  and  from  the  mouth  of  Grand  River  to  that  of  the  Huron 
north  of  Detroit.  The  rest  of  the  country  was  occupied  by  the  Pottawatomies, 
the  Lake  Superior  country  by  the  Otchipwes  and  Ottawas,  the  Monomonies  round 
Green  Bay,  and  the  Sioux  west  of  the  Mississippi.  The  main  village  of  the  Sauk 
nation  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  Saginaw  River,  near  its  mouth  ;  and  from  that 
place  were  accustomed  to  rush  forth  to  war  with  the  Chippewas  on  the  north  and 
the  Pottawatomies  on  the  south,  and  also  with  other  nations  in  Canada.  At  length 
a  council  was  called  consisting  of  Otchipwes,  Pottawatomies,  Monomonies,  Otta- 


-H^ 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


was,  and  six  Tiations  of  New  York,  which  council  assembled  on  the  island  of  Mack- 
inaw, and  where  it  decided  on  a  war  of  extermination.  The  chiefs  summoned  the 
warriors,  a  large  army  was  organized,  and  embarking  in  bark  canoes,  started  down 
the  west  shore  of  Lake  Huron,  arriving  at  Saginaw  Bay.  tlie  warriors  started  over 
the  waters  by  night,  lay  concealed  during  the  day,  and  so  continued  their  advance 
until  they  arrived  at  a  place  called  Petobegong,  about  ten  miles  above  the  mouth 
of  the  Saginaw  River.  There  they  disembarked  a  portion  of  the  army,  while  the 
main  division  crossed  the  bay  and  made  a  landing  on  the  east  bank  of  the  estuary 
of  the  Saginaw,  in  the  night.  Next  morning  both  divisions  started  up  the  river  so 
as  to  attack  the  eastern  and  western  towns  at  the  same  time.  The  warriors  on 
the  west  bank  attacked  the  main  village,  surprised  the  inhabitants,  and  massacred 
almost  every  man,  woman  and  child  to  be  found  there — the  few  survivors  escaping 
across  the  river  to  another  village,  which  occupied  the  site  of  the  Portsmouth. 

The  eastern  division  of  the  allies  came  up  to  the  village,  which  then  occupied 
the  site  of  Bay  Cit\%  where  a  desperate  battle  was  fought.  Notwithstanding  the 
favorable  position  held  by  the  Sauks,  they  were  defeated  and  great  numbers  slain — 
the  survivors  retreating,  some  into  the  eastern  wilderness,  others  seeking  refuge  on 
Skull  Island.  Here  the  refugees  considered  themselves  safe,  as  the  enemy  did  not 
appear  to  possess  any  canoes ;  but  the  season  offered  the  invader,  that  which  art 
denied;  for  on  the  next  night,  the  ice  was  found  sufficiently  thick  to  warrant  a 
crossing,  which  circumstance  enabled  the  allies  to  advance  on  the  island.  Here 
nothing  was  left  of  the  Sauks,  save  twelve  women,  and  those  who  fled  eastward  to 
the  river  country.  The  victory  was  as  decisive  as  it  was  bloody.  The  victors 
reviewed  their  forces,  and  then  divided,  some  proceeding  up  the  Cass  (formerly  the 
Huron)  and  the  Flint ;  others  up  the  Shiawassee,  Tittabawasink,  and  spread  over 
the  land. 

The  most  important  battles  were  fought  against  other  tribes  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Flint  bluffs,  and  eastward  to  Detroit ;  but  of  such  Puttasamine  could 
recount  very  little. 

After  the  extermination  of  the  Sauk  warriors,  the  twelve  women  referred  to, 
remained  for  disposal,  and  so  important  did  they  appear,  that  a  council  of  the  allies 
was  held  to  decide  their  fate.  Some  were  for  torturing  them  to  death ;  others 
recommended  mercy  ;  while  others  still  argued  that  they  should  be  sent  west  of  the 
Mississippi.  Tlie  last  proposition  was  carried,  and  an  arrangement  made  with  the 
Sioux,  that  no  tribe  should  molest  them,  that  they  should  be  responsible  for  their 
protection.     The  Sioux  warriors  and  women  kept  their  promises  faithfully. 

The  conquered  country  was  divided  among  the  allies  as  a  common  hunting 
ground  ;  but  great  numbers  of  them  who  engaged  in  the  chase,  never  returned, 
nor  could  any  tidings  of  them  be  found,  for  which  reason  it  became  the  settled 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


opinion  of  the  Indians,  that  the  spirits  of  their  victims  haunted  the  hunting 
grounds  and  were  killing  off  their  warriors.  In  reality  the  disappearance  of  many 
a  warrior  was  due  to  the  fact,  that  a  few  Sauks,  who  had  escaped  the  massacre,  still 
lingered  round  the  old  and  well-known  hunting  grounds,  watching  for  the  strag- 
gling conquerors,  and  slaying  them  whenever  opportunity  offered. 

Tondogong,  an  Indian  chief,  who  died  in  1840,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  has  left 
the  record  behind,  that  in  his  boyhood,  about  eighty  years  ago,  he  killed  a  Sauk. 
Even  up  to  the  year  1850,  the  old  Indians  of  the  north-eastern  counties  of  Michi- 
gan believed  there  was  a  solitary  Sauk  still  to  be  seen  in  the  forests  of  their  lands  ; 
they  had  seen  the  place  where  he  had  made  his  fires  and  slept.  For  days  after  such 
a  discovery  they  would  not  leave  their  camp  grounds — "  there  is  a  Sauk  in  the 
woods,  and  they  had  seen  tvhere  he  built  his    fires  and  slept.'''' 

The  close  of  the  drama  is  within  the  history  of  our  own  times.  We  have  seen 
the  Otchipwes  in  all  their  villages.  Tiie  Sixteenth  Century  had  not  closed,  when 
this  tribe  boasted  of  power  in  number  and  intelligence ;  finally  the  Otchipwe  lan- 
guage predominated,  until  at  the  present  time  it  is  spoken  among  Indians  from  the 
Arctic  Circle  south  to  latitude  40\  Puttasamine,  or  Puttaquasamine,  born  about 
the  3'ear  1729,  stated  that  the  tradition  was  related  to  him  when  a  boy,  by  his 
grandfather,  ninety  years  previous  to  1834,  and  further  that  it  had  been  handed 
down  to  his  grandfather  from  his  ancestors,  and  was  a  custom  with  him  to  repeat  it 
often  to  his  people,  so  that  their  tradition  or  history  should  not  be  lost. 

THE   MIAMIES  AND  POTTAWATOMIBS. 

Western  Ohio,  Southern  Michigan  and  the  country  now  comprised  in  the  State 
of  Indiana  were  once  in  possession  of  the  Miamies,  one  of  the  branches  of  the 
powerful  Algonquin  tribe,  that  interposed  between  the  tribes  of  the  Six  Nations, 
of  the  northern  lake  shores,  and  the  Mobilian  tribes  of  the  Atlantic  slopes.  Their 
claim  to  this  territory  was  proven  in  the  great  conclave  at  Greenville,  Ohio,  in  1795, 
immediately  prior  to  entering  into  the  treaty.  On  this  occasion,  Machikinaqua,  a 
chief  and  orator  of  the  Miamies,  addressing  Gen.  Wayne,  said  :  "  My  forefather 
kindled  the  first  fires  at  Detroit ;  thence  he  extended  his  lines  from  the  head  waters 
of  the  Scioto  River  ;  thence  to  its  mouth ;  thence  down  the  Ohio  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Wabash ;  thence  to  Chicago  and  Lake  Michigan  ;  these  are  the  boundaries 
wherein  the  prints  of  my  ancestors'  houses  are  everywhere  to  beseen."  Historians 
have  acknowledged  the  truth  and  claim  of  the  Miami  chief,  confirming  many  of  his 
statements  regarding  other  people's  inhabiting  his  territory.  The  Delaware  Indians 
driven  before  the  incoming  European  colonists ;  tiie  Shawonoes  from  the  South 
forced  to  move  northward  by  the  Aztecs  of  the  Southwest,  or  the  Mobiliaus  of  the 
Southeast,  and  the  Otchipwes  and  Pottawatomies  of  the  northern  regions.      Lagio, 

\^  s r~  ^^ ®  ^ 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   JIACOMB  COUNTY. 


an  Indian  chief,  refei'ring  to  the  immigration  of  tlie  latter,  maintained  that  a  very 
long  time  since,  the  Great  Spirit  sent  upon  the  Pottawatomies  a  severe  Winter, 
and  they  came  over  the  hard  water  of  Lake  Michigan  and  asked  the  privilege  of 
hunting  until  Spring  ;  that  the  Miamies  granted  it ;  that  they  returned  home  in  the 
Spring,  and  the  next  Winter  came  back,  and  would  never  return  to  Lake  Superior 
again. 

REIGN   OF   THE   CHOLERA. 

The  cholera  entered  the  Indian  settlements  in  1823-4,  and  tended  to  increase 
the  prevailing  dread  of  some  impending  disaster.  Providence,  however,  ruled  tliat 
the  pioneers  should  suffer  alone  from  financial  reverses,  while  the  Indians  should  be 
carried  away  by  disease.  A  large  number  of  tlie  doomed  race,  then  dwelling  in 
the  county,  perished  ;  many  fled  to  the  wilderness  to  seek  a  hiding  place,  wliere  the 
Great  Spirit  could  not  find  them  to  pursue  them  with  iiis  vengeance.  Even  the 
wild  woods  did  not  shelter  the  poor  savages  from  the  terrible  scourge.  Throughout 
the  forest,  along  the  banks  of  each  river  and  stream,  the  echoes  of  their  dismal 
shrieks  resounded,  for  a  short  while,  and  then  died  away  in  death.  Happy  Indians  ! 
They  survived  not  to  witness  the  sacred  circles  of  their  fathers,  the  burial  grounds 
of  their  race,  upturned  by  the.  plow,  or  covered  with  the  homes  and  factories  of 
civilized  man  ;  they  were  spared  at  least,  this  last  and  most  terrible  affliction.  The 
soldiers  were  attacked  by  the  disease  at  Fort  Gratiot  at  the  same  time.  The  poor 
fellows  flying  from  the  pestilence,  found  a  resting  place  near  John  Tucker's  house, 
and  a  friend  in  the  owner. 

INDIAN   TREATIES. 

The  treaty  of  Fort  Mcintosh,  negotiated  Jan.  21,  1785,  granted  to  the  United 
States  the  military  post  of  Detroit,  with  a  district,  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the 
River  Rosine,  on  the  west  end  of  Lake  Erie,  and  running  west  six  miles  up  tlie 
southern  bank  of  the  Rosine,  thence  northerly,  and  .always  six  miles  west  of  the 
strait,  until  it  strikes  the  lake,  St.  Clair.  Among  the  signers  of  this  treaty,  were 
Geo.  Clarke,  Richard  Butler,  Arthur  Lee,  Daunghquat,  Abraham  Kuhn,  Ottawa- 
verri,  Hobocan,  Walindightun,  Taxapoxi,  Wingenum,  Packalant,  Gingewanno, 
Waanoos,  Konalawassee,  Shawnqum,  and  Quecookkia.  This  treaty  was  the  first 
which  regarded  any  portion  of  Macomb  County.  The  Indians  of  the  Chippewa 
tribe  on  the  Huron  of  Lake  St.  Clair  were  not  represented  by  any  of  their  chiefs 
but  it  is  supposed  that  Waanoos  was  commissioned  by  them  to  acquiesce  in  the 
general  opinion  of  the  Council,  holden  at  Fort  McInto.sh. 

TREATY   OF   GREENVILLE. 

This  treaty  was  negotiated  by  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne  August  3, 1795.  It  was 
stipulated  that  the  post  at  Detroit,  and  all  the  land  to  the  north,  the  west,  and  the 


'3   ^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


south  of  it,  of  which  the  Indian  title  was  extinguished  by  grants  to  the  French  or 
English  Governments ;  and  so  much  more  land  to  be  annexed  to  the  district  of 
Detroit  as  is  comprehended  between  the  River  Rosine  on  the  south,  Lake  St.  Clair 
on  the  north,  and  a  line,  the  general  course  whereof  shall  be  six  miles  distant  from 
the  west  end  of  Lake  Erie,  and  Detroit  River  should  be  ceded  to  the  United  States. 
Among  the  Pottawatomies  of  the  Huron  who  signed  the  treaty  were  Okia,  Chamung, 
Segagewau,  Nanaume,  Agin,  Marchand  and  Wenemeac.  The  Otchipwe  signers 
were  Mashipinashiwish,  Nalishogashe,  Kathanasung,  Masass,  Nemekass,  Peshawkay, 
Nanguey,  Meenedoligeesogh,  Peewanshemenogh,  Weymegwas,  and  Gobmoatick. 
Among  the  Wyandots  who  signed  were  Tarhe,  or  Crane,  J.  Williams,  Jr.,  Shatey- 
yaronyah,  or  Leather-lips,  and  Haroenpou. 

TREATY   OF   DETROIT. 

The  treaty  was  made  by  William  Hull,  U.  S.  Commissioner,  and  the  Lidians 
of  the  district  November  17, 1807.  Under  its  provisions  all  the  territory  beginning 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  River  of  the  Lakes,  running  thence  to  the  mouth  of  the 
great  Au  Glaize  River,  thence  due  north  until  it  intersects  a  latitudinal  line  to  be 
drawn  from  the  outlet  of  Lake  Huron,  which  forms  the  River  Sinclair,  thence 
running  northeast  in  the  course,  that  may  be  found,  will  lead  in  a  direct  line,  to 
WJiite  Rock  in  Lake  Huron,  thence  due  east  until  it  intersects  the  boundar}'  line 
between  the  United  States  and  Upper  Canada,  in  said  lake,  thence  southwardly, 
following  the  said  boundary  line,  down  said  lake,  tlirough  River  Sinclair,  Lake  St. 
Clair,  and  the  River  Detroit,  into  Lake  Erie,  to  a  point  due  east  of  the  Miami 
River,  and  thence  west  to  tlie  mouth  of  the  Miami  River,  was  ceded  to  the  United 
States. 

From  this  cession  the  following  lands  were  reserved  for  the  sole  use  of  the 
Indians: — Six  square  miles  on  the  Miami  above  Roche  de  Boeuf,  two  in  the  village 
where  Tondagonie,  or  The  Dog,  now  lives ;  three  square  miles  including  Presque 
Isle,  four  square  miles  on  the  Miami  Bay,  including  the  villages  of  Meskeman  and 
Wangare  ;  three  square  miles  at  Macon,  on  the  River  Raisin,  fourteen  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Raisin  ;  two  sections  on  the  Range,  at  Seginsiwin's  village  ;  two 
sections  at  Tonquish's  village  near  the  Rouge  River,  three  miles  square  on  Lake 
St.  Clair,  above  the  River  Hurou  to  include  Makornse's  or  Macompte's  village, 
together  with  six  square  miles  to  be  selected  by  the  Indians.  Together  with  those 
reservations,  a  sum  of  $10,000  was  granted  by  the  United  States  to  be  distributed 
equitably  among  the  Pottawatomies,  Otchipwes,  Wyandotte,  and  Ottawa  Indians 
then  living  in  the  district  ceded  under  the  treaty. 

The  Indians  who  signed  this  treaty  were  the  Chippewas,  Peewanshemenogh, 
Mamaushegauta,  or  had  legs,  Poquaquet,  Kiosk,  Puckenese,  or  the  spark  of  fire  ; 


k. 


HISTORY   OF   iIAC05[B  COUNTY. 


Nemekas,  Qiiicoaquish,  Negig  ;  the  Pottawattoiiiies  were  Tonquish,  Skush,  Nin- 
iiewa  ;  and  the  Wyaudots  Skahomat,  Miere,  or  ivalk-in-tJie-water,  and  lyonayotaha. 
Whittemore  Knaggs  and  William  Walker  were  interpreters. 

THE   TREATY    OF   BROWNSTOWN. 

The  Treaty  of  Brownstown,  made  November  25,  1808,  was  an  amendatory 
treaty.  Hull  was  the  acting  commissioner,  assisted  by  Reuben  Atwater,  Secretar}' 
of  Michigan  Territory ;  Judge  James  Wetherell,  Jacob  Visger,  District  Judge  ;  Jos. 
Watson,  Secretary,  L.  M.  T.;  William  Brown,  Barney  Campeau,  Lewis  Bond, 
A.  Lyons,  Whittemore  Knaggs,  William  Walker,  F.  Duchouquet,  and  Samuel 
Sanders. 

The  treaties  of  later  years  negotiated  by  Mr.  Schoolcraft  or  Gen  Cass  contained 
numerous  provisions  regarding  the  Indians  of  Macomb.  From  1830  to  1837,  the 
Otchipwes  and  mongrel  savages  inhabiting  Macomb  County  saw  plainly  that  their 
old  hunting  grounds  were  soon  to  pass  out  of  their  possession.  In  the  former  year 
those  children  of  Nature  entered  upon  that  westward  movement,  and  in  the  latter 
their  last  reserve  in  this  county  was  parceled  out  for  sale  to  the  men  of  enterprise 
and  industry  who  came  hither  about  that  time  to  enter  on  that  earnest  labor  which 
has  raised  the  county  to  its  present  status.  Henry  Tucker  accompanied  the  In- 
dians to  their  Western  reserve. 

TREATY   OF    SAGINAW. 

The  treaty  of  Saginaw,  1819,  was  the  most  important  of  all  the  treaties  affect- 
ing Indian  titles  in  Michigan.  Okemawkekehto,  referred  to  in  another  page,  was 
the  chief  orator  of  the  tribe.  Addressing  General  Cass,  he  said  :  "  You  do  not  know 
our  wishes.  My  people  wonder  what  lias  brouglit  you  so  far  from  your  homes. 
Your  young  men  have  invited  us  to  come  and  light  the  Council  Fire.  We  are  here 
to  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace,  but  not  to  sell  our  lands.  Our  American  Father  wants 
them.  Our  English  Father  treats  us  better ;  he  has  never  asked  for  tiiem.  Your 
people  trespass  upon  our  hunting  grounds — they  flock  to  our  shores.  Our  waters 
grow  warm ;  our  lands  melt  like  a  cake  of  ice;  our  possessions  grow  smaller  and 
smaller,  the  warm  wave  of  the  white  man  rolls  in  upon  us  and  melts  us  away ;  our 
women  reproach  us  ;  our  children  want  homes.  Shall  we  sell  from  under  them  the 
spot  where  they  spread  their  blankets?  We  have  not  called  you  here.  We  smoke 
with  you  tiie  pipe  of  peace."  General  Cass  responded,  Louis  Beaufort,  Whitte- 
more Knaggs,  Gabriel  Godfrey,  Louis  Campeau,  Henry  Connor,  John  Hasson  and 
others  followed  General  Cass,  and  to  their  temperate,  logical  language  is  due  the 
negotiation  of  a  treaty  which  opened  up  the  whole  Northern  Peninsula  to  the 
people  who  now  occupy  it. 


■f- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


WELL-KNOWN    SAVAGES. 

Macompte  or  Cum-e-kum-e-non. — About  the  center  of  tlie  eastern  boundary  of 
the  township  of  Chesterfiekl,  on  the  shore  of  Lake  SaLnt  Chair,  stood  the  Indian 
reservation,  where  resided  for  many  years  the  chief  of  tlie  tribes,  Macompte.  This 
chief  was  well  beloved  by  his  nation ;  in  fact,  his  voice  was  the  oracle  of  his 
jjeople,  his  nod  the  law  of  his  empire.  There  was,  however,  in  this  region  a  king 
greater  and  mightier  to  destroy  than  he.  This  king  still  reigns,  while  the  warrior 
of  the  Indians  "sleeps  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking."  He  was  slain  by  this 
king,  whose  name  is  Alcohol.  His  death  was  a  tragic  one.  It  seems  that  Macompte 
had  been  paying  a  familiar  visit  to  his  bosom  friend  the  king,  and  had  partaken  too 
freely  of  the  hospitality  of  his  host.  Towards  evening  the  chief  went  down  to  the 
river,  and,  with  a  precipitous  rush,  glided  down  its  banks  into  the  water,  and  was 
drowned.  In  his  suicidal  intent  he  passed  the  residence  of  Stockton  and  Clemens. 
The  wife  of  the  former  gentleman  heard  the  hurried  tread  of  the  unfortunate  chief 
as  he  passed  on  to  the  river,  and  heard  the  splash  when  he  struck  the  water.  Mrs. 
Stockton's  testimony  was  the  only  direct  evidence  that  tended  to  convince  the 
Indians  that  his  melancholy  death  was  voluntary, — that  he  had  not  been  murdered 
by  the  white  man,  as  the  ever-suspicious  nature  of  the  Indian  led  them  to  suppose. 
The  event  caused  considerable  excitement  through  the  entire  settlement.  This 
reservation  was  located  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  township  of  Chesterfield.  The 
body  was  found  the  day  after  the  suicide  by  John  Tucker,  and  the  Indians.  It  was 
buried  in  the  orchard  of  John  Tucker,  on  P.  C.  129  Harrison.  It  was  wrapjied  in 
a  blue  broadcloth  blanket,  bound  by  silver  brooches,  while  the  hat  was  ornamented 
with  silver  bands,  a  string  of  sixteen  silver  crescents,  and  silver  arm  bands  com- 
pleted the  ornamentation  of  the  dead  chief's  body.  All  that  has  been  disturbed  in 
connection  with  this  grave  was  a  small  piece  of  the  enwrapping  blanket,  taken  as 
a  curiosity  by  David  Tucker  about  the  year  1840-1.  All  stories  of  other  inter- 
ference are  without  foundation. 

Old  Macompte,  the  father  of  Cum-e-kum-e-non  and  Francis,  died  about  1816, 
and  was  buried  in  the  sand  banks  beyond  New  Baltimore.  Two  men,  Vaji  Epps  and 
Beebe,  visited  the  grave,  exhumed  a  brass  rifle,  and  eloped  with  the  prize.  Shortly 
after  this  Francis  Macompte  and  other  Indians,  who  had  gone  West  under  Henry 
Tucker  to  select  a  reservation,  returned  to  this  point.  The  former  found  his  father's 
grave  tampered  with,  he  discovered  who  were  the  actors  in  the  affair,  brought  them 
before  the  court  at  Mount  Clemens,  where  the  matter  was  settled  on  payment  of 
$60. 

Francis  Macompte  then  became  chief,  with  Truckatoe  as  sub-chief.  The  latter 
became  dissatisfied  about  the  Indian  Reserve,  and  moved  with  several  members  of 
the  band  to  Lakeville  about  1830.     Next  under  him  was  Canope,  said  to  be  impli- 


B  -> 

" 


ihL 


HISTORY   OP  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


cated  in  the  abduction  of  the  Finch  child,  a  saying  without  any  foundation  what- 
ever beyond  the  fact  that  the  Indian  loved  the  boy,  and  seemed  determined  to 
adopt  him. 

Those  Indians  were  generally  peaceful,  and  were  present  at  almost  all  the  bees 
of  the  olden  time,  not  to  labor  by  any  means,  but  to  run  pony  races,  and  trade  with 
the  Americans. 

Wittaniss  was  one  of  the  sub-chiefs  of  the  Huron  Indians  so  early  as  1776. 
He  was  a  devoted  attache  of  the  British  commandants  of  Detroit,  and  shared  with 
his  brother  Indians  and  British  soldiery  in  all  the  dastardly  acts  which  marked  the 
great  effort  to  sustain  the  reign  of  tyranny  and  persecution  on  this  continent.  This 
cowardly  red-skin  and  his  band  made  many  attempts  on  the  life  of  Richard  Connor 
some  yeai's  later.  The  American  pioneer  was  compelled  to  be  always  c-n  his  guard 
against  the  treachery  of  those  savages.  After  the  i^urchase  of  the  Moravian  village  by 
Askins  and  Ancram,  the  latter  appointed  \Yittaniss  caretaker.  In  his  new  office,  the 
Indian  chief  essayed  to  act  the  Irish  land  agent,  and  accordingly  tried  to  evict  Connor ; 
but  the  new  settler  frustrated  all  his  designs,  treated  him  to  a  severe  beating,  and 
otherwise  made  life  so  hideous  for  the  malicious  savage,  that  he  was  glad  to  seek 
refuge  in  the  grave  a  day  or  so  after  the  British  power  was  for  ever  broken  in  the 
United  States. 

Keneobe,  of  Romeo,  was  present  on  the  treaty  ground  at  Saginaw  in  Septem- 
ber, 1819.  The  harsh  statements  made  regarding  his  connection  with  the  abduc- 
tion of  the  Finch  boy  have  long  since  been  proven  without  foundation.  In  1827 
Keneobe  moved  into  Canada,  stayed  some  time  there,  and  returned  to  give  assu- 
rances that  the  reports  concerning  him  were  without  foundation.  He  was  a  savage 
of  good  parts,  and  an  earnest  friend  of  the  American  settlers  of  Northern  Macomb. 

An  equally  bad  Indian,  bearing  a  similar  name,  succeeded  Wittaniss,  senior. 
The  circumstances  which  surrounded  this  fellow  urged  him  to  adopt  a  policy  of 
conciliation  towards  tlie  American  settlers,  which  policy  was  carried  out.  The  last 
Wittaniss  was  an  old  man  when  he  left  the  county  in  1830. 

Tipsikaw  was  the  athlete  of  the  band  near  Romeo.  He  was  a  powerful 
savage,  well  built,  and,  it  is  said,  capable  of  running  down  wolves,  bears,  and,  in 
some  instances,  deer.  While  liunting  in  the  neighborhood  of  Almont  he  dislocated 
his  shoulder.  Dr.  Gleason  was  called  to  his  aid.  All  the  doctor's  physical  power 
was  not  suflScient  to  replace  the  dislocated  bone,  so  he  tied  the  arm  of  the  warrior 
to  a  tree,  and  then  directed  him  to  draw  his  body  forward.  This  plan  was  success- 
ful, and  Tipsikaw  was  again  ready  to  resume  the  chase.  This  Indian  left  the 
county  in  1837  or  1838.  In  1874  he  revisited  his  old  hunt  grounds,  and  was  found 
weeping  by  one  of  the  early  settlers  opposite  the  site  of  his  former  village. 

Tonadoganow  was  the  head  chief  of   the    Otchipwe   nation.      This  honor  be- 


5.-^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


longed  to  him  on  account  of  his  debating  powers,  acute  understanding,  and  great 
prowess  in  the  hunt.  He  was  ugly  in  every  sense.  He  wore  only  a  hunting  shirt 
from  April  until  September,  and  this  hung  loosely  from  his  hunch-back.  This  In- 
dian was  accustomed  to  make  periodical  visits  to  the  bands  in  Macomb  County,  was 
a  great  factor  in  the  negotiation  of  two  of  the  treaties  referred  to  in  tliis  chapter, 
and  well  known  to  the  first  French  and  American  settlers  of  Mt.  Clemens  and 
Romeo. 

Okemawkeketo  was  chief  of  the  tribe  for  years  previous  to  the  reign  of  Tona- 
doganow.  He  received  from  the  hereditary  chief,  Miscobenasa,  power  to  administer 
the  office  of  chief.  Old  Misco  and  Okemawkeketo  were  noble  savages,  and  well- 
known  to  the  pioneers  of  tliis  county. 

Notaquoto,  a  short,  ugly,  powerful  savage  was  well  known  to  all  the  early  set- 
tlers. To  give  an  idea  of  this  Indian,  Wm.  J.  Tucker  relates  that  a  few  Indian 
ponies  happened  to  stray  into  Sterling  township,  where  they  were  stabled  by  Jim 
Bruce.  This  settler  was  unaware  of  the  danger  of  such  a  proceeding,  and  his  mur- 
der for  the  act  was  only  averted  by  tiie  timely  interference  of  C.  G.  Cady,  then  resid- 
ing at  his  present  house  in  Sterling.  Mr.  Cady  was  returning  from  church,  when 
he  met  the  Indian.  Asking  him  where  he  was  going,  the  savage  pla3'ed  with  the 
tomahawk  and  replied  that  he  was  going  to  see  Jim  Bruce.  "  He  has  my  horses,"  said 
Notaquoto,  "  and  I  will  murder  him."  Cady  prevailed  upon  the  Indian  to  wait, 
while  he  himself  went  to  Bruce's.  He  advised  Bruce  to  set  the  animals  at  large, 
which  advice  was  taken,  and  Notaquoto  returned  to  his  reserve  with  his  property. 

THE   EAGLE   CHIEF. 

The  following  verses,  written  by  J.  E.  Day  in  1860,  refer  to  the  visit  of  an 
Indian  to  this  district,  who  in  his  childhood  called  it  home: 

The    Autumn    sun   fades   slowly   from    the    sky, 

And   dimly   shines    his   parting   light, 
Across    the   clearing    shadows    swiftly    fly. 

The    harbingers    of    coming    night. 
The   forest    warblers   seek   their    nightly    rest, 

The    cricket    pipes   his   evening   lay. 
While   here   and   there    a   few   dim   stars   appear,  , 

As   if    to    haste   the    setting   sun    away. 

The    place    in   beauty   and    in   silence   sleeps — 

No   dissonance   disturbs   the   scene ; 
But    dimly   'neath    the   moon    there   comes   a    form 

Of    stately   step,    of    haughty   mien, 
His   stately    tread,  his   light,   elastic   step. 

His   form   which    age   has   slightly  [bent. 
His   swarthy   cheek   and   ornamented    breast 

Bespeak   the    Indian    lineament. 


"71 


Jfe* 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Why   stands   he    there   so   stern,    cold   and   still, 

Whose   deeds   have   challenged   men's   belief — 
The   setting  sun   of    Sonago's   daring   race, 

Powontonamo —  "  Eagle  Chief  ?  " 
He   lifts   his   eyes   in    silence   and   despair, 

That   much    their   ancient    fire    impart. 
As   mem'ry  sweeping   o'er   him   but   displays, 

In    broken,   but   unconquered    heart. 

Thirty   long   years   have   passed   away    since  last. 

He   visited   the    land   he   stands   on    now ; 
It  is   a   spot    of    earth    well    known    to   him. 

Though    furrowed    by   the    white   man's   plow, 
And   changed,    alas  !   to   him,   how   sadly   changed ; 

For  buried   'neath   its   surface   lie 
The   only  offspring  of    the    Eagle   Chief. 

And   his   young   bride — the    Sunny    Eye. 

He   gazed   upon    the   mountain's   shaded   brow ; 

The   clouds   that   floated   o'er  his   head, 
The   river  and   the   trees   his  youth   had   known, 

Though   leafless   now   and   dark    and   dead. 
These,   still,   had   left    the   old  familiar   look — 

O'er   all    the   rest   a   change   had   crept. 
He   thought   of   this,    and   as    the    night    came   on 

He    bowed   his   warrior   head   and   wept. 

''The   white   man's   ax"    he   said,    "has   been   here   too. 

The   oak   I    planted    in    my   youthful    pride, 
And    watched   long   years   with    manhood's  care, 

And    the   sweet    vine   that    climbed   its   side, 
Have   felt   the  blow,  and   withered  much   too  soon. 

My   bride    I    claimed   beneath    its   shade, 
And    'neath   it   our   young   babes   have   gamboled  oft, 

And   'neath    it    their    short    lives    were    laid. 

"  Down   yonder   stream    the    Indian's   light    canoe 

Would   shoot,   like   wild   bird   on    the   wing, 
And   yonder   mountain    side   would   echo   back. 

The   war   cry   of    our   Council   ring. 
But    all   is   changed.      The    white   man's    power  has   drove 

Us   from  our   home    to   slowly    die  ; 
And   now    this   oak    and   vine   are   emblems  fit 

Of    Eagle   Chief    and    Sunny    Eye." 

What    wonder    that    the   Eagle's   bosom   swelled, 
And   manhood's    tears   ran    o'er   his   eheek, 

As  memory   brought   before  him   all    the    Past, 
His   plans,    his   wishes,   all   a   wreck. 


-(^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


But   mid   his   grief  his   pride    and   anger    rose, 

To   his   dark   eye    the   light   had  come, 
He   strewed   the   broken   arrows   o'er   the   grave, 

And    then    the    Eagle   Chief   was   gone. 

Fisher,  a  half-breed,  who  married  a  sister  of  Francis  Macorapte,  committed 
suicide  about  1852.  It  appears  he  made  a  cruel  husband,  so  that  Macompte  took 
his  wife  from  liim,  and  presented  him  with  an  English  rifle,  as  better  suited  to  liim 
than  a  wife.  Fisher  and  the  rifle  lived  quietly  together  for  some  years,  when  he 
returned  to  the  Salt  River  Reserve,  and  there  shot  himself  through  the  heart. 
About  the  same  time  a  dog  feast  was  held  by  the  Indians  on  the  Tucker 
farm. 

Neome,  the  chief  of  tlie  largest  division  of  the  Chippewas,  occupied  and  a.ssumed 
to  control  the  southern  portion  of  the  tribal  domain.  Tiie  Flint  River,  with  its 
northern  afflueiats,  was  left  a  little  north  of  the  border  in  full  Indian  possession  by 
the  Treaty  of  1807.  It  was  called  by  the  savages  Pewonunhening,  or  tlie  River  of 
the  Flint,  and  by  the  early  French  traders  La  Pierre  ;  Ihe  latter  also  called  the  ford 
a  few  rods  below  the  present  Flint  City  bridge  Grand  Traverse,  vr\\\\e  to  the  village 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  ford  the  Indians  gave  the  name  Mus-eu-ta-wa-ingh,  which 
translated  means  the  open  lilain  burned  over. 

In  point  of  geographical  location,  the  chief  Neome  and  his  powerful  band  stood 
on  the  very  threshold  of  the  trail  leading  to  the  Northwest.  To  any  one  standing 
at  Detroit  and  looking  northerly  to  the  land  lying  west  of  the  Lake  and  River  St. 
Clair,  it  was  plain  that  Neome  stood  indeed  a  lion  in  the  path  unless  well  disposed 
toward  the  American  settlers.  The  old  chief  was  honest  and  simple-minded  ; 
evincing  but  little  of  the  craft  and  cunning  of  his  race  ;  sincere  in  his  nature ;  by 
no  means  astute  ;  firm  in  his  friendships  ;  easy  to  be  persuaded  by  any  benefactor 
who  should  appeal  to  his  Indian  sense  of  gratitude ;  harmless  and  kind-hearted. 
In  stature  he  was  short  and  heavily  molded.  With  his  own  people  he  was  a  chief 
of  patriarchal  goodness,  and  his  name  was  never  mentioned  by  his  people  except 
with  a  certain  veneration,  and  in  more  recent  years  with  a  traditionary  sorrow, 
more  impressive  in  its  mournful  simplicity  than  a  labored  epitaph. 

Keshkaivko. — In  April,  1825,  the  Saginaw  savage — Kesh-kaw-ko — killed  a 
Huron  warrior  at  Detroit,  on  the  spot  now  forming  the  center  of  the  D.  &  M.  R.  R. 
depot.  The  dead  Indian  was  taken  to  a  blacksmith's  shop,  then  occupying  the  site 
of  the  Russell  House,  where  the  coroner,  Benjamin  VVoodwortli,  held  an  inquest. 
Kesh-kaw-ko  and  his  son  were  interned  in  the  old  fort,  after  the  jury  declared  the 
older  savage  guilty,  and  the  coroner  sent  him  to  await  trial ;  a  squaw  brought  the 
chief  some  hemlock,  which  he  drank  eagerly,  and  died.  His  sou,  who  was  no 
party  to  the  deed,  escaped.      He  sought  a  trail  homewards  by  the  Clinton   River, 


ihL^ 


HISTORY   OF   MAC0:MB  COUXTY. 


was  recognized  by  some  of  the  Hurons,  and  pursued  almost  to  the  camping  ground 
of  his  tribe. 

This  Chippewa  desperado,  and  his  son  Chemick,  were  among  the  principal  British 
allies  of  the  War  of  1812.  Both  were  known  to  the  pioneers  of  Macomb,  for  in 
tliat  quarter  of  the  Peninsula  those  ruffians,  with  their  followers  from  the  Saginaw, 
attacked  men,  women  and  children  indiscriminately.  They  did  not  enter  into  any 
battles — their  warfare  being  only  against  the  defenceless  or  unwary. 


This  well-known  Indian,  a  nephew  of  Pontiac,  and  once  the  head  chief  of  the 
Otchipwe  nation,  was  born  near  Knagg's  Station  on  the  Shiawassee,  about  the  year 
1763.  The  earliest  account  of  him  states  that  lie  went  forth  on  the  war-path  in 
1793.  In  the  Legends  of  the  Northwest  by  Judge  Littlejohn,  the  old  chief  is  intro- 
duced in  1803.  Okemos  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  battle  of  Sandusky,  which 
won  for  him  the  name  of  the  greatest  warrior  and  the  chief  of  his  tribe.  It  appears 
that  himself,  his  cousin  Man-i-to-oorh-way,  with  sixteen  other  warriors  enlisted 
under  the  British  flag,  formed  a  scouting  party  in  search  of  American  scalps,  and 
ultimately  reached  the  British  rendezvous  at  Sandusky.  Speaking  of  this  period, 
the  old  scalp-taker  said  :  "  One  morning  while  lying  in  ambush  near  a  road  lately 
cut  for  the  passage  of  the  American  army  and  supply  wagons,  we  saw  twenty  cav- 
alry men  approaching  Us.  Our  ambush  was  located  on  a  slight  ridge,  with  brush 
directly  in  our  front.  We  immediately  decided  to  attack  the  Americans  although 
they  out-numbered  us.  Our  plan  was  first  to  fire  and  cripple  them,  and  then  make 
a  dash  with  tlie  tomahawk.  We  waited  until  they  came  so  near  that  we  could 
count  the  buttons  on  their  coats,  when  firing  commenced.  The  cavalrymen  with 
drawn  sabres  immediately  charged  upon  the  Indians.  The  plumes  of  the  cavalry 
men  looked  like  a  flock  of  a  thousand  pigeons  just  hovering  for  a  lighting.  Myself 
and  my  cousin  fought  side  by  side,  loading  and  firing,  while  dodging  from  one  cover 
to  another.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  after  the  firing  begun  the  sound  of  a  bugle 
was  heard,  and  casting  our  eyes  in  the  direction  of  the  sound  we  saw  the  roads  and 
woods  filled  with  cavalry.  The  Indians  were  immediately  surrounded,  and  every 
man  cut  down.  All  were  left  for  dead  upon  the  field.  Myself  and  my  cousin  had 
our  skulls  cloven,  and  our  bodies  gashed  in  a  fearful  manner.  The  cavalrymen 
before  leaving  the  field,  in  order  to  be  sure  life  was  extinct,  would  lean  forward 
from  their  horses,  and  pierce  the  breasts  of  the  Indians  even  into  their  lungs.  The 
last  I  remember  is,  that  after  emptying  one  saddle,  and  springing  toward  another 
soldier,  with  clubbed  rifle  raised  to  strike,  my  head  felt  as  if  pierced  with  a  red-hot 
iron,  and  I  went  down  from  a  heavy  sabre  cut.  All  knowledge  ceased  from  this 
time  until  many  moons  afterward,  when  I  found  myself  nursed  by  the  squaws  of 


:|^ 


HISTORY   OF   iMACOMB   COUNTY. 


friends  who  had  found  me  where  I  fell  two  or  three  days  after  the  engagement. 
The  squaws  thought  all  were  dead  ;  but  upon  moving  the  bodies  of  myself  and 
Manitocorhoay,  signs  of  life  appeared,  and  we  were  taken  to  a  place  of  safety  where 
we  were  nursed  until  restored  to  partial  health." 

Okemos  and  his  cousin  never  took  part  in  a  battle  since  tliat  time  having  satis- 
fied themselves  that  they  were  wrong  then. 

Shortly  after  his  recovery  he  asked  Colonel  Gabriel  Godfro^s  father  of  Richard 
Godfroy  of  Grand  Rapids,  to  intercede  for  him  with  General  Cass,  which  resulted 
in  a  treaty  between  tlie  United  States  and  himself  and  other  chiefs — a  treaty  faith- 
fully observed.  In  1837,  the  small-pox  and  other  causes  tended  to  scatter  the  band 
near  Knagg's  Station,  where  they  were  located.  Previous  to  this  time  he  was  ac- 
customed to  wear  a  blanket-coat  with  belt,  steel  pipe,  hatchet,  tomahawk,  and  a 
long,  English  liunting  knife.  He  painted  his  cheeks  and  forehead  with  vermillion, 
wore  a  shawl  around  his  head  a  la  Turc  and  leggings.  The  old  scalp-taker  for  the 
English  died  in  his  wig-wam  a  few  miles  from  Lansing,  and  was  buried  at  Shim- 
nicon,  in  Ionia  County,  December  5,  1858. 


A   LEGEND   OP   CUSICK   LAKE. 

That  as  beautiful  a  spot  as  Cusick  Lake  has  remained  as  long  as  it  has,  with- 
out its  appropriate  legend,  is  somewliat  curious.  That  it  was  a  place  greatly  ad- 
mired and  frequented  by  the  red  man  iseertain.  The  beautiful  banks  densely  covered 
as  they  once  were,  with  forest  trees,  before  vandalism  had  done  it  work  on  them, 
could  not  have  failed  to  attract  and  please  the  children  of  nature.  Over  on  the 
island  under  the  murmuring  pine  and  hemlock  in  the  "moon  of  leaves,"  the  scalp- 
locked  warrior  wliispered  sweet  nothings  in  the  ear  of  his  dusky  maid  and  boasted 
of  liis  prowess  in  the  chase  and  the  field.  To  Miss  Hayner  belongs  the  honor  of 
bringing  tlie  poem  to  liglit,  and  of  preserving  this  incident  in  the  history  of  the 
county. 


Day  into  night  had  ahnost  grown, 
And  all  was  still  and  silent  and  lone, 
And  the  long  night  shadows  began  to  break. 
Across  the  surface  of  Cusick  Lake  ; 
When  out  of  the  dark  and  shady  wood, 
A  maid  moved  out,  and  silent  stood. 
And  gazed  across  to  the  other  bank, 
Where  the  willows  grew  so  thick  and  rank. 
That  morn  her  father,  a  hunter  bold, 
Had  left  his  daughter— Edith  Gold, 
While  he  should  go  to  a  distant  fort. 
To  tell  the  men  of  a  faint  report, 
Of  how  the  Indians  late  that  night. 
After  the  moon  had  sank  from  sight, 


Would  creep  out  in  the  deepest  shade. 
And  on  the  fort  make  a  wild,  wild  raid. 
The  hunter,  as  he  left  that  morn, 
Told  his  daughter  not  to  mourn. 
While  he  was  gone  to  the  fort  to  warn. 
He  said  that  ere  the  sun  sank  low. 
He  should  have  warned  them  of  the  foe; 
And  when  upon  her  ears  should  fall. 
Her  father's  well-known  signal  call. 
She  must  launch  the  birch  canoe. 
And  meet  him  where  the  willow  grew. 
But  the  sunset  hour  had  come  and  pissed. 
And  the  twilight  rays  were  fading  fast; 
At  length  it  grew  so  dark  and  late, 


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HISTORY   OP   MACOJIB   COUNTY.                                                181 

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She  went  to  the  bank,  to  watch  and  wait ; 

All  harshly  on  the  still  night  air. 

She  looked  away  to  the  other  side. 

A  moment  she  let  her  oars  droop. 

And  still  she  looked,  and  looking,  sighed. 

For  she  knows  'tis  the  Indians'  wild  war  whoop 

The  darkness  hovered  closer  round. 

That  sets  the  echoes  all  in  chase 

The  shadows  thickened  on  the  ground. 

Around  that  lone  and  silent  place. 

The  moon  came  up  with  silvery  light. 

But  now  she  seizes  oar  again. 

And  gazed  upon  that  lonely  sight ; 

With  doubled  strength  and  giddy  brain 

There  in  the  edge  of  the  forest  shade. 

She  sends  the  little  birch  canoe 

With  anxious  look,  stood  the  woodland  miid ; 

Fairly  flying  onward,  through 

Her  hair  all  streaming  to  the  night ; 

The  waters  of  the  placid  lake. 

Her  face  all  pale  and  gleaming  while 

Hark  !  a  cry  from  the  willow's  shade, 

Is  lifted  to  the  arching  sky, 

"  Edith,  be  quick  !"  it  said  to  the  maid  ; 

While  she  besought  her  God  on  high 

"On,  on,  brave  girl!  one  effort  more. 

To  shield  her  father  on  his  way, 

And  you  will  touch  on  the  island  shore." 

And  lead  him  from  where  dangers  lay. 
All  round  'tis  still  as  silent  death. 
Naught  is  stirred  by  a  single  breath, 
But  hark  !  was  it,  was  that  a  sound, 
That  stirred  the  still  night  air  around? 

She  gathers  all  her  strength, 
She  throws  it  on  the  oar. 
But  see  !  it  breaks,  it  breaks, 
And  she's  not  yet  at  shore. 

She  gasps  for  breath,  she  peers  across 

The  hunter  tried,  but  all  in  vain. 

To  where  the  breeze  makes  the  willows  toss ; 

His  daughter  and  the  boat  to  gain. 

Is  it  all  a  fancy,  or  does  she  see 

Their  savage  foes  soon  seized  and  bound. 

A  form  in  the  shade  of  the  waving  tree? 

No  mercy  at  their  hands  they  found  ; 

Quickly  she  turned  and  made  way  to 

And  when  the  sun  rose  o'er  the  hill, 

The  place  where  lay  the  birch  canoe. 

There  hunters  found  them  lying  still — 

Then  came  the  well-known  signal  cry, 

No  motion,  groan,  or  faintest  breath. 

Now  to  the  rescue  she  must  fly ; 

But  stiff  and  cold  in  silent  death. 

She  takes  her  place,  she  seizes  oar. 

Their  white  friends  made  a  double  grave 

And  swiftly  pushes  from  the  shore. 

In  which  to  lay  the  fair  and  brave. 

The  water  eddies  round  the  boat, 

Upon  the  island  a  lonely  mound. 

The  lilies  swiftly  past  her  float, 

That  marks  the  spot,  may  still  be  found. 

The  little  pine  wood  point  is  passed, 

Many  a  time  have  mirth  and  song 

The  trees  and  banks  receding  fast, 

Mingled  and  floated  the  trees  among. 

Her  boat  is  far  out  in  the  lake. 

'Neath  which  the  hunter,  brave  and  bold, 

When  a  wild,  blood.curdling  yell  doth  break 

Sleeps  with  his  daughter,  Edith  Gold. 

EARLY   TRADERS   A 

ND   INTERPETERS. 

Henry    Connor,  or   Wah-be-sken-dip, 

was  superior  to  all  the  traders  of  that 

period  in  disposition  and  manner.    He  was 

1  man  possessing  great  muscular  strength, 

yet  gentle  as  a  child,  and  only  physically  p 

owerful  where  justice  should  be  enforced 

or  some  important  point  carried.     He  was 

a  faithful  interpreter  between  the  Indian 

counselors  and  United  States  commissionc 

rs  during  the  treaty  negotiations.     After 

the  treaty  of  1819,  he  entered  on  a  trader" 

3  life,  and  continued  to  the  close  to  merit 

the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  savag 

2S,  Frenchmen,  and  Americans.     Connor 

was  present  at  the  deatli  of  Tecumseh, 

October  5,  1813,  when  James  Whitty 

encountered  the  great  Indian  and  killed  hi 

m.     Whitty  and  Gen.  Johnson,  he  stated, 

^  k 

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^/ 

HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


attacked  the  warrior  simultaneously ;  but  tlie  former  began  and  ended  that  act  in 
the  battle  of  the  Thames. 

Henry  Nelson,  another  Indian  trader  known  to  the  old  settlers  of  Macomb, 
removed  from  the  Huron  to  the  Saginaw  district  in  1821,  and  thence  with  the  In- 
dians to  Isabella  County,  where  he  died  a  few  years  ago. 

The  St  Martins  were  an  old  and  respectable  family.  Tlie  first  of  the  name 
who  came  to  America  was  Adhemar  Sienr  de  St.  Martin.  He  settled  in  Quebec 
and  held  the  office  of  Royal  Notary  as  early  as  1660.  One  of  his  grand -children 
came  to  Detroit  in  1740.  In  April,  1750,  is  recorded  a  grant  of  land  (a  portion  of 
the  now  Cass  farm)  to  Jean  Baptiste  Labutte  dit  St.  Martin.  It  was  his  son  who 
became  interpreter  of  the  Huron  language,  and  who  figured  conspicuously 
during  the  Pontiac  conspiracy  in  1763.  His  services  were  highly  appreciated  by 
Gladwyn,  who  in  his  sweeping  denunciation  of  the  inhabitants  during  the  siege, 
always  excepts  his  interpreter,  St.  Martin.  In  1770  he  married  Marianne,  the 
second  daughter  of  Robert  Navarre  (Tonton,  the  Writer,  as  he  was  called,  to  dis- 
tinguish him  from  his  son  Robert,  whose  sobriquet  was  Robishe,  the  Speaker). 
At  the  marriage  of  St.  Martin  and  Marianne  Navarre,  de  Bellestre,  the  last  Frencli 
commander  of  Fort  Pontchartrain,  was  present.  His  family  history  was  closely 
woven  in  the  destiny  of  this  fort  of  La  Mothe  Cadillac.  De  Tonty  and  another  De 
Bellistre,  uncles  of  his,  had  been  among  its  first  commanders.  It  was  a  melancholy 
irony  of  fate,  that  he  should  be  obliged  to  resign  to  the  English  the  post  which  his 
ancestors  had  struggled  so  nobly  to  retain.  De  Bellestre  organized  the  first  militia 
in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  gave  the  command  to  his  brother-in-law,  Alexis  de 
Ruisseaux,  who  had  married  a  Godfrey.  St.  Martin  died  a  few  years  after  his 
marriage,  leaving  a  young  widow  and  three  children — one  boy  and  two  girls. 

The  Tucker  family  is  referred  to  in  the  pioneer  history  of  the  county.  In  the 
same  chapter  the  Connors  aie  dealt  with. 

Jean  Provencal,  or  Arvishtoia,  appointed  Indian  blacksmith  by  Gen.  Cass, 
possessed  many  good  qualities  which  endeared  him  to  the  whites  as  well  as  to  the 
Indians.  William  Tucker,  and  other  old  residents  of  Macomb,  remember  him  well, 
aand  substantiate  what  has  been  said  of  him. 

Edivard  Campau,  or  Now-o-ke-shick,  lost  an  arm  from  the  accidental  discharge 
of  his  rifle,  while  hunting  in  this  county.  Notwithstanding  the  rude,  surgical 
operation,  which  onl}'  the  medicine  man  of  that  time  could  perform,  he  survived, 
and  continued  among  the  most  active  and  popular  trappers  of  this  district,  until 
his  journey  to  the  Northwest. 

Gabriel  Godfrey,  known  as  Menissid,  was  a  trader  from  the  lower  Huron 
country.  He  was  one  of  the  family  to  whom  was  deeded  the  lands  where  Ypsilanti 
now  stands.     His  visits  to  the  upper  Huron  or  Clinton  were  few,  j'et  his  acquaint- 


ik^ 


HISTORY   OF  5IACOMB   COUNTY. 


ance  among  the  French  and  American  pioneers  of  Macomb  was  extensive.  Rich- 
ard Godfrey,  his  son,  now  dwells  at  Grand  Rapids  in  this  State. 

Archibald  Lyons,  was,  like  many  of  the  white  inhabitants  of  the  country 
bordering  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  engaged  in  trapping.  In  1818  he  left  the  district, 
now  known  as  Macomb  and  St.  Glair  counties,  for  the  Saginaw  valley,  where  he 
married  the  beauty  of  the  tribe — Ka-ze-zhe-ah-be-no-qua.  This  woman  was  a 
French  half-breed,  peculiarly  superior  to  all  around  her,  highly  intelligent,  and  in 
possession  of  principles  which  could  not  sanction  a  wrong.  Lyons,  while  skatino- 
down  the  Saginaw  River,  in  1821,  to  play  for  a  dancing  party,  fell  through  the  ice, 
and  was  never  seen  again.  After  the  death  of  her  husband,  the  widowed  Ka-ze- 
zhe-ah-be-no-qua  married  Antoine  Peltier,  who  moved  from  Harrison  Township  to 
Lower  Saginaw. 

Francois  Tremble,  grandfather  of  the  Trembles  referred  to  in  this  section  of  the 
work,  was  well  known  from  Montreal  to  Detroit  and  the  Riviere  Aux  Hurons  so 
early  as  1782.  Ten  j-ears  later,  1792,  he  visited  the  Saginaw  Indians,  which  proved 
to  be  his  first  and  last  exploratory  trip.  It  appears  this  adventurous  Frenchman 
was  drowned  while  ilying  far  away  from  an  Indian  camp.  The  story  of  his  death 
states,  that  he  made  a  spear  for  an  Indian  to  be  used  in  killing  muskrats;  another 
Indian  came  forward  to  beg  a  similar  favor,  and  for  him  Tremble  made  still  a  better 
spear-head.  Indian  No.  1  grew  jealous,  abused  the  good  hunter,  and  ultimately 
stabbed  him  in  the  back.  Retiring  to  his  boat  he  set  sail  for  his  home  on  Lake  St. 
Clair,  but  never  reached  the  place.  It  is  supposed  he  was  knocked  overboard  by 
the  boom  of  his  boat,  and  was  drowned  in  the  waters  of  Lake  Huron. 

Captain  Joseph  F.  Marsac  was  born  near  Detroit  on  Christmas  day,  1793,  and 
was  known  from  his  native  place  to  Fort  St.  Joseph  or  Gratiot  and  thence  to  Mich- 
ilimackinac.  Marsac  was  the  happiest  model  of  the  Franco -American —  genial 
as  man  could  be,  he  endeared  himself  to  all  around  him — to  all,  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact.  During  the  Black  Hawk  War  excitement  he  was  one  of  the  first 
to  organize  a  military  company  and  take  the  field  with  the  rank  of  captain. 

Captain  Leon  Snay,  a  hunter  and  trajjper  of  great  repute,  belonged  to  the 
better  class  of  French  traders,  and  held  the  military  commission  of  captain.  Like 
Marsac,  he  was  well  known  to  all  the  old  American  settlers  of  Macomb  as  well  as 
to  tlie  Indians  and  his  own  people. 

Peter  G-ruette,  Francois  Corbin,  John  Harson,  with  other  traders,  hunters, 
trappers,  and  interpreters,  who  established  temporary  posts  on  the  Clinton,  Flint, 
Shiawassee,  Black  River,  etc.,  made  this  county  a  rendezvous,  and  won  the  respect 
of  the  American  pioneers. 

Harvey  Williams  of  Detroit,  now  of  Saginaw,  one  of  the  few  survivors  of  the 
Detroit  settlers  of  1818,  in  his  journey  to  Saginaw  in  1822,  with  supplies  for  the 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


troops  stationed  there,  had  to  ford  the  Clinton  River  at  five  different  jioints.  The 
Indians  and  first  American  settlers  of  Macomb  knew  Uncle  Harvey  well.  Though 
not  a  trader  in  the  full  sense  of  the  term  his  dealings  with  the  savages  as  well  as 
with  the  civilized  inhabitants  was  extensive  and  honorable. 

Dunois,  or  Du  Nor,  was  one  of  the  first  and  best  known  interpreters  under 
American  rule.  His  order  to  ihe  Indians  was  a  law.  It  is  related  that  upon  one 
occasion  he  visited  the  house  of  John  Tucker,  and  asked  him  to  tell  the  chief  of 
the  Salt  River  band  to  meet  him  at  the  Tucker  House  on  Friday  night.  Anowi- 
sickau,  brother  of  Francis  Macompte,  met  him  as  appointed,  and  both  went  into 
the  forest  in  the  darkness  of  that  winter's  night.  This  visit  resulted  in  finding  a 
U.  S.  cavalry  horse  stolen  from  Detroit. 

Leon  St.  Greorge,  born  at  Montreal,  Canada,  in  1774,  came  to  Michigan  in  his 
youth  and  made  a  settlement  between  Detroit  and  the  Clinton  or  Riviere  Aux 
Hurons.  This  French-Canadian  afterward  removed  to  Detroit,  and  cleared  the 
land  where  the  city  hall  stands  as  well  as  many  acres  in  the  vicinity.  When  the 
war  of  1812  broke  out,  St.  George  joined  the  American  troops,  and  fought  through 
it  to  its  close.  After  the  close  of  the  campaign  he  became  a  trader  among  the 
Hurons  and  Chippewas,  and  was  well  known  to  the  pioneers  of  Macomb  County. 
His  death  took  place  in  1880. 

Oliver  Williams  settled  at  Detroit  in  1807,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile 
life,  and  become  one  of  the  largest  dealers  then  in  the  Peninsula,  bringing  at  one 
time  from  Boston  a  stock  of  goods  valued  at  $6-1,000.  In  1811,  the  sloop  Friends' 
Grood  Will  was  built  for  him,  which  was  cajotured  by  the  British  and  called  The 
Little  Belt.  Referring  to  this  $64,000  matter,  Mr.  C.  G.  Cady  states  positively 
that  when  he  arrived  at  Detroit,  he  could  carry  all  the  merchandise  it  contained  to 
Mt.  Clemens. 

Captain  John  Farley  of  the  United  States  Artillery  was  among  the  early  visi- 
tors to  Mt.  Clemens. 

Michel  Medor,  Joseph  Benoit,  Leon  and  Louis  Tremble,  whose  grandfather  is 
referred  to  in  this  chapter,  were  among  the  traders  known  to  the  Indians,  French, 
and  Americans  of  Macomb  County  previous  to»and  for  years  after  its  organi- 
zation. 

Benjamin  Uushway  was  born  at  Detroit  in  1809,  and  died  at  Saginaw  May  25, 
1881.  In  1832,  he  was  appointed  Indian  blacksmith  at  Saginaw.  He  was  known 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Macomb,  particularly  among  the  French. 

Edivard  McCarthy  an  Irish  revolutionist  of  1798,  came  to  Detroit  in  1829, 
passed  some  time  near  Mt.  Clemens,  and  ultimately  continued  hi.s  travels  to  the 
Northwest,  where  he  died. 

Buret  Le  Paries,   Dominique    Snay,  Louis   Duprat,  William    Thebo,  Joseph 


K^ 


HISTORY   OF   :\rACOMB  COUA'TY. 


Alloir,  Antoine  Tremble,  John  Tremble,  Francois  G.  Tremble,  William  J.  Tucker, 
were  among  the  children  of  the  county  when  it  was  organized. 

Whittimore  and  James  Knaggs,  brothers,  of  French-Canadian  or  French- 
English  descent,  were  among  the  early  white  inhabitants  of  the  Huron  Country, 
and  if  friendships,  dealings  and  periodical  stays  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Reviere 
aux  Hurons  could  bring  the  title,  they  were  among  the  first  white  settlers  of 
Macomb  County.  Judge  Witherell,  in  referring  to  those  Frenchmen,  says  :  "  Capt. 
Knaggs  was  a  firm  and  unflinching  patriot  in  times  when  patriotism  was  in  demand, 
during  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  one  of  the  Indian  interpreters,  spoke  freely  six  or 
seven  of  their  languages,  together  with  French  and  English,  and  exercised  great  influ- 
ence over  many  warrior  tribes.  On  the  surrender  of  Detroit  to  the  enemy,  he  was 
ordered  by  the  British  Commandant  to  leave  the  Territory,  and  did  so,  of  course, 
but  joined  the  first  corps  of  United  States  troops  that  advanced  toward  the  frontier. 
He  acted  as  guide  to  the  division  under  Gen.  Winchester,  and  was  present  at  the 
bloody  defeat  in  the  valley  of  the  Raisin.  The  British  Indians  discovered  him 
after  the  surrender  and  determined  to  kill  him.  There  liappened  to  be  present  an 
Indian  whom  Knaggs  had  defended  in  former  years,  who  resolved  to  save  the  pale- 
face at  every  hazard;  but  the  savages  would  not  listen  to  him.  Nothing  daunted, 
liowever,  the  brave  red-warrior  placed  himself  between  Knaggs  and  his  foes,  and 
succeeded  in  keeping  them  off  for  some  time.  The  savages  pressed  closer,  and  as 
a  dernier  resort  the  friendly  Indian  seized  Knaggs  round  the  waist,  kept  his  own 
body  between  the  white  man  and  his  enemies,  and  so  prevented  the  repeated  blows 
of  tomahawk  and  war-club  from  taking  effect  upon  the  head  of  Winchester's 
French  guide.  This  mode  of  defence  continued  until  both  Knaggs  and  the  Indian 
sought  refuge  among  a  number  of  horses  which  stood  harnessed  close  by.  Heie 
Knaggs  was  enabled  to  avoid  the  blows  aimed  at  his  head,  until  a  British  officer, 
not  so  savage  as  his  Indian  allies,  interposed,  and  saved  the  guide  from  a  cruel 
death."  Knaggs  survived  this  terrible  trial  for  many  years,  and  rendered  good 
service  to  the  United  in  the  negotiation  of  Indian  treaties.  James  Knaggs  was 
present  at  the  death  of  Tecumseh,  and  was  considered  one  of  the  most  unflinciiing 
and  honorable  supporters  of  the  American  troops.  A  member  of  the  Avei-y  family 
of  Monroe  County,  Mich.,  bears  tiie  highest  testimony  to  the  Knaggs  Brothers. 

Jaeoh  Smith,  or  Wah-be-sins,  settled  with  his  parents  in  Northern  Ohio,  whence 
he  pushed  forward  to  the  Detroit  and  Huron  district,  where  he  remained  some  years. 
During  the  rambles  of  the  Young  Swan,  he  won  the  friendship  of  the  Hurons  and 
Otchipwes,  and  as  his  intercourse  with  them  became  more  extensive,  he  entered 
into  all  their  manners  and  customs,  sympathized  with  them,  and  claimed  in  return 
their  earnest  friendship.  After  some  years  passed  among  the  Indians  of  the  Clinton 
or  Huron  River,  he  moved  to  Flint,  where  he  died  of  disease  in   1825.     Baptiste 


!>    "V 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Cochois,  or  Nickaniss,  was  the  only  white  friend  present  at  his  death  ;  Annemekins, 
the  Indian  boy  whom  he  adopted,  was  the  only  red-man  who  witnessed  the  dying 
struggles  of  this  popular  trader.  To  Smith  is  due  the  rescue  of  the  Boyers  of 
Mount  Clemens. 

Patrice  Reaume,  or  Wemetigoji,  was  a  native  of  Quebec.  For  a  period  of 
eight  years  he  traded  among  the  Indians  of  the  Clinton  or  Huron  and  the  Raisin 
districts,  where  he  was  well  and  favorably  known.  Ultimately  he  was  appointed 
factor  for  the  American  Fur  Company  at  the  post  near  Pontiac,  and  subsequently 
at  the  Tittabawassee  and  Saginaw. 

Louis  De  Quindre,  named  Missabos,  was  a  friend  of  Reaume,  and,  like  him,  a 
trader.  He,  too,  was  known  to  the  pioneers  of  Macomb  County,  where  he  made 
his  home  for  some  years. 

Jacob  G-radroot,  or  Graveraet,  husband  of  the  daughter  of  the  fierce  Keskawko, 
was  a  German,  who  settled  for  a  while  at  Albany,  N.  Y.  Moving  West,  he  settled 
at  Detroit;  moved  to  Harrison  township  in  Macomb,  and  thence  to  what  is  now 
called  Bay  County. 

Louis  Bemifait,  or  Wagash,  was  one  of  the  most  favorably  known  and  genial 
men  in  the  Michigan  of  1800-1820.  He  was  much  younger  than  Smith  or  Reaume, 
was  a  friend  of  each  and  all  of  his  fellow-traders,  and  being  so,  was  the  great 
peacemaker  in  the  traders'  circle  ;  his  calm,  gentle  and  sound  reasoning  always 
prevailed. 

Barney  Canvpau,  a  nephew  of  Louis  and  Joseph  Campau,  better  known  as 
Oshkinawe,  was  well  fitted  for  the  life  of  a  trader  or  hunter.  He  was  honest  in  all 
his  dealings  with  the  savages,  and  on  this  account  they  stj'led  him  Young  Man,  and 
ac(][uiesced  in  all  his  propositions. 

DISTINGUISHED    EARLY    SETTLERS. 

Among  the  pioneers  of  Michigan  best  known  to  the  earl}'^  settlers  of  Macomb, 
the  first  was,  undoubtedly,  Lewis  Cass.  The  first  Chief  Justice,  A.  B.  Woodward, 
and  Judge  Witherell,  were  equally  well  known ;  while  to  the  first  French  settlers 
of  this  county,  all  the  members  of  the  Campeau  familj'  were  linked  by  innumerable 
interchanges  of  service. 

Gen.  Lewis  Cass,  successor  of  the  inglorious  Hull,  in  the  governorship  of  the 
Territory  of  Michigan,  1813,  held  his  high  oiSce  until  appointed  a  member  of  the 
United  States  Cabinet,  as  Secretary  of  War  in  1831.  In  1836  he  received  the  port- 
folio of  minister  to  France,  which  office  lie  filled  until  1842.  In  January,  1845  he 
was  elected  member  of  the  United  States  Senate.  Throughout  his  public  life, 
from  his  efforts  to  combat  Hull's  treachery  in  1812  to  the  close  of  his  career,  he 
was  one  of  the  first  citizens  of  the  Union.     His  death  brought  mourning  not  only 


rf* 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   jMACOMB   COUNTY. 


into  the  homes  of  the  Michigan  people,  but  also  into  the  villages  of  the  Otchipwes, 
Pottawatomies,  and  Ottawas,  whose  admiration  he  won  during  the  earlier  years  of 
his  service  in  Micliigan. 

Lewis  Cass,  born  at  Exeter,  N.  H.,  October  9,  1782,  died  at  Detroit,  Mich., 
June  17,  18G6.  General  Cass  was  known  to  the  Indians,  French  and  Americans 
from  the  establishment  of  the  territory  forward.  The  services  which  he  rendered 
this  State  particularly  can  never  be  over-estimated. 

Rev.  Gabriel  Richards,  of  the  Order  of  St.  Sulpice,  was  born  at  Saint<is,  Clarente 
Inferieur,  France,  October  15,  1764.  His  mother  was  a  relative  of  the  illustrious 
Bossiiet.  He  arrived  at  Baltimore,  June  24,  1792,  and  at  Detroit  in  June,  1798. 
He  was  the  first  delegate  of  Michigan  to  tlie  Congress  of  the  United  States,  being 
elected  in  1823.  His  death  took  place  at  Detroit,  during  the  cholei-a  plague,  Sep- 
tenrber  13,  1832. 

Marqim  Jacques  Campeau  was  born  at  Detroit,  in  1730.  He  was  the  son  of 
La  Motte  Cadillac's  secretary,  a  soldier  who  accompanied  the  French  troops  to  that 
post  in  1701.  Marquis  J.  Campeau  may  be  considered  the  first  white  settler  of 
Michigan.  He  sought  a  home  beyond  the  Fort  in  1757,  just  one  year  before  Nich- 
olas Patenande  began  a  squatter's  life  in  the  district  now  known  as  Macomb.  He 
erected  the  Catholic  Church  near  his  home  in  1778. 

Joseph  Campeau  was  born  at  Detroit,  February  20,  1769.  In  1786  he  com- 
menced trading  in  real  estate.  This  fact,  together  with  his  various  commercial 
enterprises,  made  his  name  a  household  word  in  the  homes  of  the  early  French 
settlers. 

Christian  Clemens,  John  Stockton,  Gen.  Brown,  and  a  number  of  other  pioneers 
of  the  State,  noticed  in  other  sections  of  this  work,  are  well  and  favorably  remem- 
bered by  the  pioneers  of  this  county. 

Robert  Abbott,  son  of  James  Abbott,  of  Dublin,  Ireland,  was  bom  at  Detroit, 
in  1771.  He  is  said  to  be  the  first  man,  speaking  our  language,  who  opened  busi- 
ness at  the  old  post  of  Detroit.  His  father  and  himself  were  identified  with  the 
early  fur  traders,  and  were  known  from  Detroit  to  Mackinaw  and  thence  to  Chicago. 
The  dealings  of  Robert  Abbott  with  the  early  settlers  of  Macomb  came  next  in 
importance  to  the  business  connection  of  the  Campeaus. 

CAPTIVITY   OF   THE   BOYER   FAMILY. 

Previous  to  the  peace  of  1815,  the  Chippewas  beyond  the  Huron  County  were 
as  savage  as  they  were  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  Shortly  after  the  close  of  the 
war,  Mr.  Boyer,  wife  and  children  were  abducted  from  their  homes  near  Mount 
Clemens  to  that  country,  which  no  white  being  ever  entered  save  as  a  pinioned 
captive.     At  that  time  the  traders  had  not  penetrated  the  valley  of  the  Saginaw, 


^ 


>?■. 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


and  possibly  would  not  for  many  years  afterwards,  had  not  this  abduction  of  the 
white  settlers  of  Macomb  incited  one,  at  least  of  the  traders  to  venture  into  the 
den  of  savages.  The  enterprise  was  undertaken  by  Jacob  Smith,  the  trader  of  tlie 
Flint,  and  resulted  successfully.  The  Boyer  family  was  rescued  not  only  from  the 
most  foul  bondage,  but  also  from  death  itself,  which  was  to  be  meted  out  to  them 
in  a  few  days,  had  they  not  been  rescued  by  the  intrepid  trader.  The  par- 
ticulars of  this  abduction  are  set  forth  in  the  following  statement:  Some 
time  before  the  actual  commencement  of  any  settlement  at  Mount  Cle- 
mens, occurred  an  incident  worthy  of  mention  here.  A  vast  camp  of  Indians 
had  collected  for  some  purpose  at  the  present  site  of  East  Saginaw ;  in  going  bj' 
this  settlement  on  their  way  to  this  camp  an  Indian  liad  captured  a  little  boy  and 
girl  named  Boyer  from  along  the  river  near  the  old  Edward  Tucker  farm,  and  had 
carried  them  away.  All  search  in  the  vicinity  proving  vain,  and  suspicion  falling 
upon  some  Indians  which  had  passed  on  their  way  to  Saginaw,  a  brave  and  stalwart 
trapper  named  Smith,  set  out  alone  through  the  dark  woods  and  over  the  vast 
country  that  intervenes,  to  rescue  the  boy  and  girl.  Arriving  at  the  Indian  camp 
he  was  recognized  as  a  friendly  interpreter;  after  days  of  dallying  and  shrewd 
negotiations,  started  joyfully  for  home,  with  the  little  waifs,  where  he  arrived  in 
due  time  to  gladden  a  mother's  aching  heart  and  a  father's  sadness  with  the  sight  of 
the  loved  ones.  The  boy  Boyer,  since  grown  to  be  an  aged  man,  lived  until  quite 
recently,  to  our  personal  knowledge,  near  Swan  Creek  ;  but  to  the  day  of  his  death 
the  sight  of  an  Indian  would  appal  him  and  arouse  fears  which  no  effort  could  over- 
come. 

"The  little  story  just  related  serves  to  give  an  idea  of  the  means  of  travel, 
and  manner  of  life  of  our  first  settlers.  There  was  a  period  of  thirty  years  of  this 
following  of  trails  and  paddling  of  canoes  before  the  project  of  the  turn-pike  was 
thought  of.  Those  were  years  of  ceaseless  watchfulness,  of  constant  alarm,  of 
occasional  bloodshed,  and  daily  battle  witli  those  privations  incident  upon  frontier 
life.  But  they  were  years  of  enterprise,  of  determined  effort,  and  finally  of  suc- 
cess in  the  planting  of  a  flourishing  settlement." 

THE    LOST    CHILD. 

One  of  the  true  characteristics  of  the  Indian  in  the  earlier  settlement  of  the 
West  was  the  abduction  and  adoption  of  white  children.  We  have  had  to  record 
as  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  early  settlement  of  each  of  the  counties  at  least  one 
case  of  child  stealing;  nor  does  Macomb  County  lack  an  incident  of  the  kind.  We 
give  the  case  as  detailed  by  Mrs.  Bailey,  of  Romeo,  a  short  time  previous  to  her 
death. 

On  the  last  day  of  March,  1828,  Alanson  Finch,  a  four-year-old  son  of   Albert 


-» — ^t^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Finch,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Washington  Township,  was  stolen  by  the  Indians. 
Tlie  child,  together  with  an  elder  brother,  was  returning  home  from  the  sugar  bush, 
when  one  suggested  to  the  other  the  idea  of  trying  who  could  reach  home  first  by 
two  separate  routes.  The  elder  one  said  he  would  go  across  Mr.  Bailey's  field,  and 
the  younger  across  that  of  their  father.  Tliey  started,  the  distance  to  the  house  by 
either  way  being  but  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The  elder  child  reached  home  safely 
and  was  anxiously  interrogated  by  his  mother  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  his  little  bro- 
ther. He  told  the  circumstances  of  their  separate  journeys  home,  and  closed  by 
saying  that  he  had  given  his  brother  the  shortest  way,  and  anticipated  finding  him  at 
home.  Search  was  immediately  instituted,  and  after  many  futile  efforts  to  discover 
the  lost  one  by  his  friends  and  the  immediate  neighbors,  the  alarm  spread  through 
all  the  settlements  in  the  County,  and  the  entire  male  portion  of  them  turned  out 
to  a  man,  and  scoured  the  woods  in  every  direction  ;  but  their  charitable  intentions 
and  endeavors  proved  unavailing,  and  after  many  days  they  desisted.  The  child 
was  never  found. 

Suspicion  rested  upon  an  Indian  called  Kanobe,  who  had  taken  a  remarkable 
interest  in  the  child  for  many  months  previous  to  its  disappearance.  He  would  go 
to  Mr.  Finch's  house,  and,  taking  the  child  upon  his  knee,  would  teach  him  the  In- 
dian language  ere  the  little  one  could  scarcely  prattle  the  mother  tongue.  This 
suspicion  was  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  Kanobe  left  the  settlement  simulta- 
neously with  the  abduction  or  loss  of  the  child.  Returning,  however,  he  solemnly 
assured  Mr.  Bailey  that  neither  he  nor  any  of  the  Indians  abducted  the  child.  In 
later  years  the  skull  of  a  boj'  was  found  in  the  neighborhood,  which  skull  is  now  in 
possession  of  Dr.  S.  L.  Andrews.  It  corresponds  with  such  an  one  as  would  be- 
long to  the  lost  boy. 

Some  sixteen  years  after  the  child  was  stolen,  a  person  of  about  twenty  years  of 
age  came  to  Romeo  and  claimed  to  be  Alanson  Finch.  He  told  a  very  plausible  story 
about  having  been  brought  up  by  an  Indian,  by  whom  he  was  told  that  he  had  been 
stolen  in  his  childhood,  etc.  But  when  he  came  to  be  identified  by  the  Baileys  and 
others,  who  had  known  the  missing  child,  he  utterly  failed  in  the  most  prominent 
points  of  his  claim.  He  finally  left  the  place,  not  without  leaving  some  credulous 
enough  to  suppose  tliat  he  was  the  genuine  Alanson  Finch,  and  not  the  impostor 
that  he  really  was.  Further  than  this,  the  affair  is  involved  in  the  usual  myste- 
rious surroundings  of  similar  cases.  The  same  maternal  sufferings  were  endured 
by  the  fond  mother  at  the  loss  of  her  darling ;  the  same  heroic  endeavors  were 
made  to  recover  the  lost  one  ;  and  the  same  surmises  were  indulged  in  tliat  have 
characterized  all  such  instances  since  the  white  man  first  became  the  antagonist  of 
the  treacherous  Indian.  And  thus  the 'matter  rests  until  the  final  moment,  when 
all  secrets  shall  be  made  known,  all  mysteries  solved.      Many  are  apt  to  attribute 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  abduction  to  the  fact  that  the  Finch  boys  were  supposed  to  have  taken  some 
Indian  ponies.     In  retaliation  the  Indians  are  said  to  have  stolen  the  boy. 

THE    INDIANS'    KAID. 

In  the  year  1812,  while  Elisha  Harrington  was  occupying  what  is  known  as  the 
Harrington  farm,  the  Chippewas  made  a  raid  on  the  settlement.  Driving  into  the 
village,  whooping  and  flourishing  their  weapons,  the  savages  dismounted,  tying 
tlieir  horses  to  the  trees  of  the  old  orchard  at  Frederick.  Of  course  the  Harring- 
tons fled.  The  Indians  in  undisturbed  possession  gave  themselves  up  to  plunder 
and  rapine,  feasting  and  debauchery.  They  burned  down  the  barns,  the  fences, 
and  other  improvements.  The  surrender  of  the  traitorous  Hull  at  Detroit  to  the 
British  and  their  savage  allies  suggested  this  sudden  foray.  Elated  with  that  vic- 
tory, in  which  they  claimed  an  equal  share  of  ylory  with  the  British,  they  moved 
simultaneously  upon  all  the  settlements  in  the  district  of  Detroit,  in  precisely  the 
same  manner  as  they  did  on  the  old  settlement  at  Frederick.  It  was  a  sad  time  for 
the  American  settlers.  Added  to  the  humiliation  of  that  disgraceful  and  infamous 
and  treacherous  action  of  Hull,  were  the  dangers  of  savage  forays.  Many  families 
fled  to  Detroit  for  safety,  and  among  the  number  was  that  of  Elisha  Harrington, 
fleeing  for  protection  to  the  very  center  of  the  arch-enemy  who  prompted  the  In- 
dians to  take  those  inhuman  measures. 

The  old  orchard,  where  tlie  savages  secured  their  horses,  may  still  be  seen  at 
Frederick,  and  the  gnarled  and  ancient  trees  yet  stand,  bearing  the  marks  of  the 
gnawing  teeth  of  those  wild  ponies,  which  browsed  there,  while  their  wilder  mas- 
ters were  indulging  in  rapine  and  murder. 

In  1817,  Elislia  Harrington  returned  to  the  home  from  which  he  was  forced  to 
flee,  only  to  find  it  in  possession  of  a  dozen  of  Canadians.  On  stating  his  case 
those  men  moved  to  the  present  site  of  Utica  village,  where  they  settled. 

INDIANS    ON   THE   TRAIL   OF   AN   AMERICAN. 

The  spirit  Ijreathed  into  the  Indians  of  the  Wj'andot  district  by  tiieir  British 
masters,  from  1774  totlie  period  when  the  British  troops  were  driven  from  this  land, 
was  pregnant  with  danger  to  the  American  frontiersman,  and  even  more  so  to  him 
who  Iiappened  to  dwell  within  tlie  lines  of  those  who  essayed  to  enslave  us.  This 
spirit  is  portrayed  in  one  of  the  stories  of  the  past,  related  by  Edgar  Weeks,  and 
founded  on  facts  elicited  by  him  from  the  best  authorities.  It  appears  that  one  of 
the  settlers,  located  east  of  the  present  city  of  Mt.  Clemens,  supposed  to  be  a 
member  of  the  Tuckar  family,  had  offended  the  Indians  in  tiiat  neighborhood, 
which  offense  created  much  disaffection  among  the  Indians,  and  drew  down  upon 
him  their  hatred.  For  days  and  weeks  lie  followed  his  daily  avocations  with  the 
full  knowledge  that  the  malignant  eye  of  some  forest  demon  watched  all  his  move- 


-    ® 


-±. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


ments  and  waited  an  opportunity  to  carry  out  their  designs  toward  him.  For  this 
reason  he  was  accustomed  to  carry  his  well-kept  rifle  on  his  shoulder,  always  ready 
for  any  emergency — alwa3's  prepared  to  meet  his  foe.  Notwithstanding  the  com- 
mission which  the  Indians  received  from  the  British,  to  take  the  scalp  of  every 
American  who  fell  into  their  hands,  it  is  believed  a  special  order  was  given  the 
chiefs  to  respect  the  lives  and  properties  of  the  Tuckar  and  Connor  families  ;  the 
former  on  account  of  services  rendered  by  one  of  them  in  the  Pontiac  affair,  the 
other  on  account  of  his  usefulness  as  interpreter,  politician,  and  trader.  Therefore 
the  Indians  not  only  feared  tlie  man  himself,  but  lived  in  greater  dread  of  the  law 
as  propounded  at  Fort  La  Pontchairn  in  this  connection.  They  dared  not  take  the 
life  of  Tuckar ;  but  rather  conspired  to  abduct  him  to  the  Sagenong,  or  great  camp 
of  the  tiibe,  retain  him  in  captivity,  and  expose  him  to  those  savage  tests — those 
excesses  of  inhumanity,  which  the  conquerors  of  the  .Sauks  inflicted  on  enemies  or 
imaginary  enemies  who  fell  into  their  hands.  With  the  expulsion  of  the  Britisli, 
and  the  rise  of  the  white  man  to  his  natural  position,  the  demoniac  enemies  of 
Tuckar  sunk  their  passions  in  their  interest,  and  evinced  a  most  friendly  disposition 
toward  this  pioneer. 

VISIT   TO   THE   INDIAN   VILLAGE. 

Previous  to  the  departure  of  the  Hurons  from  Macomb  Count}',  it  was  certainly 
worth  one's  while  to  visit  one  of  their  villages.  A  Frenchman  who  visited  them 
in  1808  or  1810  described  their  villages  on  the  Clinton  at  that  time.  He  says  :  "  I 
remember  one  fine  afternoon  about  ten  years  ago,  accompanying  an  old  Indian 
trader  thither.  Seated  in  a  light  canoe,  and  each  armed  with  a  paddle  we  started 
from  the  mouth  of  the  river  for  the  ostensible  purpose  of  bartering  with  the  Indians 
for  furs,  etc.  For  my  part  I  was  perfectly  delighted  with  the  idea,  as  I  never  had 
an  opportunity  hitherto  of  seeing  the  Indians  at  home,  at  least  during  the  Summer 
season.  The  river  was  sufficiently  agitated  to  cause  our  tiny  boat  to  rock  dreamily, 
and  as  we  sped  onwards  the  rich  wavelets  leaped  and  sported  against  our  canoe's 
prow  and  sides,  like  sportive  kittens,  ever  and  anon  greeting  our  faces  with  a  damp 
paw,  that  was  by  no  means  unpleasant.  On,  on  we  sped,  now  under  the  shadow  of 
the  green  woods,  now  by  the  fringed,  rich  border  of  the  clearings,  or  by  the  grass- 
covered  marsh.  We  could  see  from  a  bend  in  the  river  the  Indian  village,  and 
hear  the  wild,  joyous  shouts  of  the  dusky  juveniles  as  they  pursued  their  uncouth 
sports  and  games.  As  we  approached  their  camp  what  a  busy  and  exhilarating 
scene  was  presented  to  our  view  !  I  clapped  my  hands  in  the  exuberance  of  my 
spirits,  for  never  before  had  I  witnessed  a  scene  so  full  of  real,  unaffected  natural 
happiness  as  there  greeted  my  senses.  My  companion  did  not  appear  to  share  in 
my  enthusiasm,  owing,  doubtless,  to  the  fact  that  he  was  accustomed  to  such 
scenes.      Little  Indian  boys  and  girls  could  be  seen  prowling  around  like  little 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Cupids — some  wrestling,  some  shooting  with  tiny  bows  and  arrows,  some  paddling 
their  toy  canoes,  wliile  others  sported  in  the  waters  of  the  river  like  so  many  am- 
phibia, each  striving  to  excel  the  other  in  the  manner  and  demonstration  of  its 
enjoyment. 

Superannuated  Indians  and  squaws  sat  by  the  tent-doors,  looking  on  with  a 
quiet,  demure  pleasure,  or  arranging  some  toy  or  trinket  for  a  favorite  little  toddler, 
while  the  more  efficient  were  engaged  in  various  occupations.  Oh !  how  I  longed 
for  an  artist's  skill,  that  I  might  sketch  the  wild  and  picturesque  scene.  Here, 
thought  I,  is  human  nature  in  its  free,  untrammeled  state.  Care  seemed  to  be  a 
stranger  to  those  children  of  Nature  ;  no  thought  of  sorrow  seemed  to  engross  their 
minds ;  and  the  world,  with  all  its  vicissitudes  and  vexations,  was  allowed  to  pass 
along  unnoticed  by  them.  Buoyancy  of  spirit  was  a  striking  feature  in  their  char- 
acter. As  we  drew  our  canoe  out  upon  the  beach,  the  Indians  came  forward  to 
greet  us,  and  with  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand,  wished  us  a  cordial  bon  jour.  Tlie 
dusky  urchins  left  their  sports  to  take  a  full  survey  of  the  visitors  ;  wliich  having 
done,  they  returned  co  their  games  with  a  yelp  and  a  bound. 

Situated  upon  tlie  greenest  and  most  beautiful  portion  of  the  camp  ground 
wore  a  number  of  white  and  neat  looking  tents,  whicli  were  closed,  and  isolated 
from  the  dingv,  smoky  tepees  of  the  village.  The  trader,  who  seemed  a  sort  of 
privileged  character,  was  entirely  at  home ;  while  I,  considering  myself  among 
strangers,  clung  to  him,  and  followed  him  wherever  he  went,  not  venturing  to  throw 
myself  upon  my  own  responsibility.  I  was  therefore  pleased  when  I  saw  him 
start  toward  the  white  tents,  for  I  was  curious  to  know  what  they  contained. 
Drawing  aside  the  canvas,  he  entered  without  ceremony,  I,  of  course,  following- 
after.  Seated  upon  beautiful  mats  of  colored  rushes,  whicli  served  as  carpets  and 
divans,  were  some  three  or  four  good-looking  squaws,  very  neatly  and  even  richly 
attired  in  the  fanciful  style  of  the  native,  busily  engaged  in  embroidering  and  orna- 
menting moccasins,  broad-cloth  leggings,  and  blankets  with  variegated  beads  and 
poi'cupine  quills.  Everything  around  evinced  the  utmost  order,  neatness  and  taste. 
No  bustling  nichee  or  dirty  urchin  was  allowed  the  freedom  of  those  apparently 
consecrated  tents;  but  all  was  quiet  and  calm  within  ;  and  if  converse  were  carried 
on  it  was  in  that  calm,  soft,  musical  tone  so  peculiar  to  them.  So,  so,  thought  I, 
liere  we  have  a  sort  of  aristocracy — a  set  of  exclusives,  and  a  specimen  of  high  life 
among  the  natives ;  yet  it  was  just  that  kind  of  high  life  in  many  respects,  after 
which  their  white  sisters  might  take  pattern.  No  idle  gossipping  or  scandal  was 
indulged  in  ;  they  quietly  plied  their  needles,  and  kept  their  counsels  to  them- 
selves. If  they  had  occasion  to  visit  their  neighbors'  tents  it  was  done  quietly  and 
pleasantly,  after  which  business  was  resumed. 

This  description  of  the  Indian  villages  on  the  Reviere  Aux  Hurons,  or  Clinton 


^1 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


is  based  upon  fact.  Thougli  the  Wyandot  or  Huron  is  now  far  away  from  his 
olden  land,  his  wife,  or  sister,  or  mother  may  look  back  with  pride  to  their  settle- 
ments by  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  in  charity  wish  that  the  new  Americans  there  will  be 
as  happy  their  fathers  were. 

MANNERS   AND   CUSTOMS. 

The  art  of  hunting  not  only  supplied  the  Indian  with  food,  but,  like  that  of 
war,  was  a  means  of  gratifying  his  love  for  distinction.  The  male  children,  as  soon 
as  they  acquired  sufficient  age  and  strength,  were  furnished  with  a  bow  and  arrow 
and  taught  to  shoot  birds  and  other  small  game.  Success  in  killing  a  large  quad- 
ruped required  years  of  careful  study  and  practice,  and  the  art  was  as  sedulously 
inculcated  in  the  minds  of  the  rising  generation  as  are  the  elements  of  reading, 
writing  and  arithmetic  in  the  common  schools  of  civilized  communities.  The 
mazes  of  the  forest  and  the  dense,  tall  grass  of  the  prairies  were  the  best  fields  for 
the  exercise  of  the  hunter's  skill.  No  feet  could  be  impressed  in  the  yielding  soil 
but  that  the  tracks  were  the  object  of  the  most  searching  scrutiny,  and  revealed  at 
a  glance  the  animal  that  made  them,  the  direction  it  was  pursuing,  and  the  time 
that  had  elapsed  since  it  had  passed.  In  a  forest  country  he  selected  the  valleys, 
because  they  were  most  frequently  the  resort  of  game.  The  most  easily  taken, 
perhaps,  of  all  the  animals  of  the  chase  was  the  deer.  It  is  endowed  with  a  curi- 
osity which  prompts  it  to  stop  in  its  flight  and  look  back  at  the  approaching  hunter, 
who  always  avails  himself  of  this  opportunity  to  let  fly  the  fatal  arrow. 

Their  general  councils  were  composed  of  the  chiefs  and  old  men.  When  in 
council,  they  usually  sat  in  concenti'ic  circles  around  the  speaker,  and  each  indi- 
vidual, notwithstanding  what  rankled  within,  preserved  an  exterior  as  immovable  as 
if  cast  in  bronze.  Before  commencing  business  a  person  appeared  with  the  sacred 
pipe,  and  another  with  fire  to  kindle  it.  After  being  lighted  it  was  first  presented 
to  heaven,  secondly  to  the  earth,  thirdly  to  the  presiding  spirit,  and  lastly  the 
several  counselors,  each  of  whom  took  a  whiff.  These  formalities  were  observed 
with  as  close  exactness  as  state  etiquette  in  civilized  courts. 

The  dwellings  of  the  Indians  Avere  of  the  simplest  and  rudest  character.  On 
some  pleasant  spot  by  the  bank  of  a  river,  or  near  an  ever-running  sjiring,  they 
raised  their  groups  of  wigwams,  constructed  of  the  baric  of  trees,  and  easily  taken 
down  and  removed  to  another  spot.  The  dwelling  places  of  the  chiefs  were  some- 
times more  spacious,  and  constructed  with  greater  care,  but  of  the  same  materials. 
Skins  taken  in  the  chase  served  them  for  repose.  Though  principally  dependent 
upon  hunting  and  fishing,  the  uncertain  supply  from  those  sources  led  them  to  cul- 
tivate small  patches  of  corn.  Every  family  did  everything  necessary  within  itself, 
commerce,  or  an  interchange  of  articles,  being  almost  unknown  to  them.  In  cases 
of  dispute  and  dissension,  each  Indian  relied  upon  himself  for  retaliation.  Blood 
13 


riV 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


for  blood  was  the  rule,  and  the  relatives  of  tlie  slain  man  were  bound  to  obtain 
bloody  revenge  for  his  death.  This  principle  gave  rise,  as  a  matter  of  course,  to 
innumerable  bitter  feuds,  and  wars  of  extermination  where  such  were  possible. 
War,  indeed,  rather  than  peace,  was  the  Indian's  glory  and  delight, — war,  not  con- 
ducted as  civilization,  but  war  where  individual  skill,  endurance,  gallantry  and 
cruelty  were  prime  requisites.  For  such  a  purpose  as  revenge  the  Indian  would 
make  great  sacrifices,  and  display  a  patience  and  perseverance  truly  heroic ;  but 
when  the  excitement  was  over,  he  sank  back  into  a  listless,  unoccupied,  well-nigh 
useless  savage.  During  the  intervals  of  his  more  exciting  pursuits,  the  Indian 
occupied  his  time  in  decorating  his  person  with  all  the  refinement  of  paint  and 
feathers,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  his  arms  and  of  canoes.  These  were  con- 
structed of  bark,  and  so  light  that  they  could  easily  be  carried  on  the  shoulder  from 
stream  to  stream.  His  amusements  were  the  war-dance,  athletic  games,  the  narra- 
tion of  his  exploits,  and  listening  to  the  oratory  of  the  chiefs ;  but  during  long 
periods  of  such  a  pei'iod  he  remained  in  a  state  of  torpor,  gazing  listlessly  upon  the 
trees  of  the  forests  and  the  clouds  that  sailed  above  them  ;  and  this  vacancy  im- 
printed an  habitual  gravity,  and  even  melancholy,  upon  his  general  deportment. 

The  main  labor  and  drudgery  of  Indian  communities  fell  upon  the  women. 
The  planting,  tending  and  gathering  of  the  crops,  making  mats  and  baskets,  carry- 
ing burdens — in  fact,  all  things  of  the  kind  were  performed  by  them,  thus  making 
their  condition  but  little  better  tiian  that  of  slaves.  Marriage  was  merely  a  matter 
of  bargain  and  sale,  the  husband  giving  presents  to  the  father  of  the  bride.  In 
general  they  had  but  few  children.  They  were  subjected  to  many  and  severe 
attacks  of  sickness,  and  at  times  famine  and  pestilence  swept  away  whole  tribes. 


CHAPTER      XII. 

THE    FRENCH    PIONEERS. 

The  Griffin  was  finished  Aug.  4,  1679,  and  her  sails  set,  a  trial  trip  made, 
and  the  name  she  bore  bestowed  upon  her  by  Father  Hennepin.  On  the 
fifth,  five  small  cannon  were  placed  in  position.  The  seventh  was  the  day 
appointed  for  entering  upon  that  voyage  over  tlie  G-itchi  Gomee  or  great  inland  seas. 
The  morning  arrived  ;  the  sun  shone  forth,  as  it  were,  over  a  sea  of  gold  ;  a  favor- 
ing breeze  played  upon  the  waters ;  the  cataract  of  Niagara,  six  miles  below, 
reduced  its  roar  to  music  ;  while  from  La  Salle's  new  fortress  the  song  of  the  Te 
Demu  swelled  upon  the  morning  air.  The  sails  were  set,  Robert  De  La  Salle, 
commander  of  the  Griffin,  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  historian  and  chaplain,  with  the 


^1 


il^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


pilot,  and  .a  number  of  hunters  and  trappers,  were  embarked ;  tlie  cables,  which  kept 
the  little  vessel  fast,  were  unloosed,  and  that  voyage  toward  the  setting  sun  entered 
upon. 

Three  days  after  setting  out  the  vessel  was  anchored  out  opposite  Teuchsagron- 
die,  a  Huron  village  then  occupying  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Detroit.  From 
this  point  to  the  head  of  the  Saint  Claire  River,  many  Indian  villages  were  found  to 
exist,  all  of  them  unacquainted  with  the  white  man,  save  that  small  knowledge  of  him 
which  they  might  have  gained  from  the  Jesuit  fathers. 

Seven  3rears  after  the  Crriffin  succeeded  in  battling  with  the  fierce  current  which 
then  swept  past  tlie  present  site  of  Fort  Gratiot,  M.  du  Lhut  caused  the  position  to 
be  garrisoned  and  a  strongly  fortified  trading  post  to  be  erected.  This  was  com- 
pleted in  the  Fall  of  1686,  and  the  name  of  Fort  Saint  Joseph  conferred  upon  it; 
but  its  possession  was  so  opposed  to  the  ideas  of  French  economy,  that  in  July, 
1688,  the  garrison  received  orders  to  evacuate  the  post,  and  to  report  at  Michili- 
mackinac. 

On  July  21,  1701,  M.  de  la  Motte  Cadillac,  Capts.  Tonti,  Chacornacle  and 
Duque,  in  command  of  fift}^  regular  troops,  arrived  at  Detroit.  The  expedition  was 
accompanied  by  a  Recollet  chaplain  and  a  Jesuit  father,  who  had  come  as  a  mis- 
sionary priest,  together  with  fifty  trappers,  traders  and  hunters.  Before  the  close 
of  August,  1701,  the  first  fort  erected  in  Michigan,  if  we  except  Du  Lhut's  fortified 
trading  post  at  the  head  of  the  Saint  Claire,  and  that  at  the  mouth  of  the  Saint 
Joseph,  was  a  reality.  This  occupied  the  ground  extending  from  the  Joseph 
Campau  homestead  to  Shelby,  and  thence  to  Woodbridge  Street,  a  point  now 
removed  from  the  river  bank,  but  which  at  that  time  would  represent  the  head  of 
the  bank  itself.     The  position  was  called  Fort  Pontchartrain. 

Within  a  few  years,  1703,  thirty  Hurons  from  Michilimackinac  became  settlers 
at  Detroit.  Between  1701  and  September,  1703,  the  settlement  was  further 
strengthened  by  bands  of  Ontawa-Sinagoes,  Miamis,Kiskakons  and  Loups,all  flocking 
to  Fort  Pontchartrain,  to  witness  the  magnificence  of  La  Motte  Cadillac  and  his 
command.  Previous  to  1706  the  number  of  enemies  made  for  himself  by  Cadillac 
among  his  own  countrymen  brought  many  and  serious  troubles  into  the  very  heart  of 
the  French  posts  at  Detroit  and  at  Michilimackinac.  During  the  troubles  at 
Detroit,  Rev.  Father  Constantino  and  Jean  La  Riviere  were  stabbed  by  the  Onta- 
was,  during  their  circumvallation  of  the  fort,  which  continued  forty  days,  until  they 
raised  the  siege. 

In  1707,  Jean  La  Blanc,  second  chief  of  the  Ontawas,  with  Le  Brochet, 
Meyaouka,  Sakima,  Kiuonge,  Meaninan,  Menekoumak,  and  another  chief  visited 
the  Governor  at  Montreal,  and  offered  to  make  restitution  ;  but  this  officer  ordered 
them  to  report  to  Cadillac.      The  deputation  returned  to  Detroit  Aug.  6,  1707, 


'K. 


HISTORY   OF   ilACOJIB  COUNTY. 


when  the  Commandant  Cadillac  addressed  the  Ontawas,  Hurons,  Miamis,  and 
Kiskakons  in  turn  ;  the  Council  was  in  session  four  days,  but  at  the  close  the  Indians 
agreed  to  deliver  Le  Pesant,  the  great  disturber,  into  the  hands  of  the  French.  He 
was  handed  over  to  the  garrison,  but  unfortunately  received  a  full  pardon  from 
Cadillac.  This  created  a  want  of  confidence  in  the  French  among  the  Miamis, 
Hurons,  and  Iroquois,  resulted  in  the  killing  of  three  Frenchmen,  and  created 
much  disaffection  in  every  Indian  village. 

In  September,  1708,  there  were  only  twenty-nine  inhabitants  of  Detroit  who 
were  the  actual  owners  of  lots  and  houses  within  the  Stockade.  Of  the  entire 
number  of  acres  surveyed  at  that  time — 353  roods  in  toto — those  twenty-nine  free- 
holders owned  only  forty-six  roods,  the  Hurons  150  roods,  and  the  Chevalier  de 
Cadillac  157  roods.  The  entire  number  of  Frenchmen  at  the  post  then  was  sixty- 
three,  of  whom  thirty-four  were  traders,  who  sold  brandy,  ammunition  and  trinkets 
in  that  and  the  neighboring  Indian  towns. 

During  the  war  between  France  and  England,  which  terminated  in  1713, 
trouble  after  trouble  surrounded  Detroit.  In  1712  Outagamies  and  Mascoutins  laid 
siege  to  Fort  Pontchartrain,  then  in  charge  of  M.  Du  Buisson,  with  thirty  soldiers. 
The  church  and  other  buildings  outside  the  stockade  were  pulled  down,  lest  the 
besiegers  would  set  fire  to  the  pile  with  a  view  of  burning  the  fort  itself. 
The  circumvallation  of  the  post  and  hourly  assaults  on  it,  were  kept  up  for  a  period 
of  thirty  days,  when  the  Indian  allies  of  the  French  arrived  from  their  hunting 
expeditions,  both  Hurons  and  Miamis,  drove  the  Outagamies  and  Mascoutins  to  their 
entrenchments,  and  confined  them  there  for  nineteen  days,  until  in  the  dai'kness  of 
night  they  withdrew  to  Presque  Isle,  twelve  miles  above  Detroit.  Thither  the 
Hurons  and  Miamis  pursued  them,  and  forced  a  capitulation  which  resulted  in  the 
massacre  of  all  the  men  of  both  tribes,  and  the  captivity  of  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren. The  Outagamies  and  Mascoutins  who  were  not  actually  killed  on  the  island, 
were  brought  to  Detroit,  where  the  Hurons  continued  to  destroy  four,  five  and  six 
per  day  until  the  last  of  these  warriors  who  laid  siege  to  the  post  was  no  more. 
The  massacre  resulted  in  the  death  of  800  men,  women  and  children  belonging  to 
the  besieging  tribes  at  the  hands  of  the  Hurons  and  Miamis. 

The  decade  closing  in  1721  was  one  which  tried  the  souls  of  the  French  in- 
habitants of  Detroit.  The  sale  of  brandy  and  other  abuses  were  prohibited  and  a 
great  moral  change  effected  in  the  manners,  customs,  and  habits  of  the  white  garri- 
son and  settlers.  A  council  of  the  Hurons,  Ottawas,  and  Pottawatomies  was  held 
near  the  fort  June  7,  1721,  under  Captain  Tonti,  then  commandant.  The  great 
Indian  Sastarexy  of  the  Huron  tribe  was  the  principal  speaker,  and  the  results 
obtained  were  of  a  comparatively  conciliating  character,  so  much  so  that  by  the 
year  1725,  the  Outagamie  savages  acknowledged  the  French  King  in  precisely  the 

J' 


Lb>^ 


IIISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


same  measure  as  did  the  other  allies  of  the  French.  About  this  period  also  the  log- 
house,  known  as  St.  Anne's  Cliurch  was  built,  new  barracks  erected,  about  forty- 
five  dwelling-houses  brought  into  existence,  and  the  new  stockade  with  bastions 
and  block-houses  raised.  The  circular  road  or  Chemin  du  ronde  was  laid  out,  and 
numerous  improvements  made  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Government  House. 

In  1746,  the  old  French  War  may  be  said  to  renew  itself ;  but  not  until  1749 
did  the  contest  with  the  English  soldiers  take  any  regular  form  : — A  decade  later 
the  French  power  in  Canada  was  destroyed,  and  in  1760,  all  the  French  possessions, 
from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  were  in  the  hands  of  the  conquer- 
ing Normans  and  Anglo-Saxons.  Captain  Bellestre,  then  commandant  at  Detroit, 
surrendered  to  Major  Robert  Rogers,  in  October,  1760. 

In  1762,  the  famous  Indian  Pontiac  called  a  council  of  the  tribes  at  La  Reviere 
a  V Ecorse,  near  Detroit,  at  which  Council  the  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  and  Potta- 
watomies  of  Grand,  Saginaw,  Clinton,  Black,  and  St.  Joseph  Rivers,  were  present, 
together  with  the  Indians  of  Detroit,  and  bands  of  Delawares,  Iroquois,  Illinois, 
and  Senecas.  Minavavana,  head  chief  of  the  Ojibwas,  adopted  a  plan  similar  to 
that  of  Pontiac,  and  succeeded  in  destroying  the  soldiers  of  the  English  garrison  at 
Miclillimackinac .     Pontiac's  strategy  failed  at  Detroit. 

DETROIT    IN   176-3. 

The  historian  Bancroft,  referring  to  Detroit  as  it  appeared  to  the  settlers  of 
1763,  just  previous  to  Pontiac's  military  enterprise,  says: — "Of  all  the  inland 
settlements,  Detroit  was  the  largest  and  most  esteemed.  The  deep  majestic  river, 
more  than  a  half  mile  broad,  carrying  its  vast  flood  calmly  between  its  straight  and 
well-defined  banks,  imparted  a  grandeur  to  a  country  wliose  rising  grounds  and 
meadows,  plains  festooned  with  prolific  wild-vines,  woodlands,  brooks,  and  foun- 
tains were  so  mingled  together  that  nothing  was  left  to  desire.  The  climate  was 
mild  and  the  air  salubrious.  Good  land  abounded,  yielding  maize,  wheat,  and 
every  vegetable.  The  forests  were  natural  parks  stocked  with  buffalo,  deer,  quail, 
partridge,  and  wild  turkev.  Water  fowl  of  delicious  flavor  hovered  along  its 
streams,  which  streams  also  yielded  to  the  angler  a  large  quantity  of  fish,  particu- 
larly white  fish.  There  every  luxury  of  the  table  might  be  enjoyed  at  the  sole  ex- 
pense of  labor. 

This  cheerful  region  attracted  both  the  barbarian  and  the  child  of  civilization 
the  French  had  so  occupied  both  banks  of  the  river,  that  their  numbers  were  rated 
so  high  as  2,500,  of  whom  500  were  liable  to  aad  able  for  military  service— repre- 
senting 300  or  400  French  families.  However  an  enumeration  made  in  1764  points 
out  just  sufficient  white  men  there  to  form  three  military  companies  ;  while  four 
years  later,  the  census  of  the  place,  places  the   entire  population  at  572.      The 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


French  dwelt  on  farms  which  were  about  three  or  four  acres  wide  on  the  river 
front,  and  eighty  acres  deep. 

The  fort,  then  under  Major  Gladwyn,  did  not  vary  much  from  that  known  in 
the  days  of  French  dominion.  Close  by,  Catherine,  the  Pocahontas  of  Detroit, 
lived.  She  who  informed  Gladwyn  of  the  intentions  of  the  Indians,  she,  it  was, 
who  related  to  William  Tuckar,  one  of  the  soldiers  at  the  fort,  the  story  of  Pontiac, 
and  made  him  acquainted  with  the  designs  of  that  Indian  Chieftain,  and  to  her  is 
due,  in  full  measure,  the  averting  of  that  terrible  doom  which  hung  so  heavily  over 
the  English  garrison  of  Detroit  May  6,  1763.  The  death  of  Major  Campbell  at  the 
hands  of  an  Indian,  whose  uncle  had  been  killed  by  the  English  at  Michilimackinac, 
the  sixty  days'  siege,  the  capture  of  the  English  supply  convoy  within  sight  of  the 
fort,  and  the  round  of  duty  imposed  upon  the  soldiers  are  all  cliaractei'istic  of  that 
time.  William  Tuckar,  one  of  whose  descendants  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the 
historv  of  Macomb,  states: — "  I  was  a  sentinel  on  the  ramparts,  catching  a  few  hours' 
sleep,  with  my  clothes  on  and  a  gun  by  my  side,  for  sixty  days  and  nights."  Dur- 
ing the  last  day  of  July  and  the  first  of  August,  1763,  Captain  Dalzell's  force  was 
surprised  near  Maloche's  house,  and  lost  seventy  men  killed  and  forty  wounded. 
For  some  years  after  this  affair,  Detroit  was  free  from  Indian  assaults,  treaties  of 
peace  were  negotiated,  aud  everything  resumed  that  happy  standard  reached  under 
the  French. 

Now,  however,  the  echoes  of  The  Revolution  were  heard  at  Detroit;  Major 
Le  Noult,  a  Frenchman  in  the  English  service,  built  Fort  le  Noult,  in  1778,  in 
anticipation  of  an  American  siege,  and  this  name  the  new  fortress  bore  until  1812, 
when  the  name  Fort  Shelly  was  conferred  on  it.  Soon  the  American  Generals,  St. 
Clair,  Anthony  Wayne,  Harmar,  and  the  soldiers  of  the  revolution  came  to  claim 
the  Northwest  territory  as  organized  by  Congress  in  1787.  The  treaty  of  Green- 
ville negotiated  August,  1795,  with  the  Indians,  conveyed  Detroit  and  the  entire 
Northwest  to  the  United  States,  and  one  year  later.  Captain  Porter,  in  command 
of  a  company  of  United  States  troops,  entered  Detroit,  and  placed  the  Stars  and 
Stripes  and  Fleur  de  Lis,  where  the  English  flag  so  recently  floated.  Previously 
the  British  garrison  evacuated  the  post,  after  committing  many  acts  of  the  lowest 
description,  and  placed  it  in  possession  of  an  old  African,  with  whom  the  keys  were 
subsequently  found. 

From  this  period  until  1805,  the  settlement  of  Detroit  and  the  lake  shore 
gradually  advanced,  which  the  fire  of  1805  did  not  retard.  In  1806  Tecumseh  and 
EUshwatawa  at  the  head  of  the  Indian  confederacy  threatened  Detroit  and  the 
settlements  along  the  lake  and  Reviere  aux  Hurons  or  Clinton ;  but  the  treaty  of 
1807  between  that  enigmatical  governor,  Hull,  and  the  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  Potta- 


^. 


^±=±: ^ ^t^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


watomies  and  Wyandots,  was  effectual  in  allaying  excitement  and  in  conferring  a 
spirit  of  confidence  on  the  settlers. 

The  war  against  the  British,  declared  by  Congress,  June  18,  1812,  was  unfor- 
tunate for  the  Northwest  in  many  respects,  as  there  nothing  was  in  readiness  to  meet 
the  well-organized  British  ti-oops.  All  this  resulted  in  the  scandalous,  if  not 
treacherous,  surrender  of  Hull.  General  Harrison's  command  eventually  took  pos- 
session of  Detroit ;  Col.  Lewis  Cass  was  commissioned  Governor,  and  under  his 
able  administration,  Michigan  entered  upon  that  political,  social  and  commercial 
course  which  led  her  to  her  present  greatness. 

THE   PIONEER    LAND   BUYERS    OF   MACOMB. 

This  is  a  most  important  portion  of  the  history  of  Macomb  County,  and  indeed 
one  well  worthy  the  attention  of  every  citizen  of  this  State,  since  most  of  the 
names  mentioned  were  household  words  in  the  homes  of  the  American  pioneers 
from  Michiliraackinac  to  Saginaw,  to  Detroit,  to  Grand  Rapids,  to  Chicago,  to  Mil- 
waukee, back  to  the  St.  Joe  river,  up  the  Elkhart  and  the  Kankankee,  down  to  the 
old  post  of  Vincennes.  It  is  impossible  to  calculate  the  results  of  settlement  here 
by  those  early  French,  American  and  Franco-American  pioneers;  but  it  is  within 
our  power  to  learn  who  they  were,  and  the  very  location  of  their  humble  cabins. 

Before  entering  on  the  history  of  their  times  and  settlement,  let  us  first  inquire 
into  the  origin  of  the  names  given  to  their  locations.  The  first  and  most  prominent 
name  is  la  Riviere  aux  Hurons. 

The  village  of  the  Hurons  was  near  Detroit.  The  name  Huron,  derived  from 
the  French,  Hure,  a  wild  boar,  was  applied  to  this  tribe  of  Indians  by  the  first 
French  missionaries,  for  the  reason  that  their  hair  sprung  from  the  head  in  bristles 
a  la  porcupine.  The  French  called  them  Hurons,  but  among  the  Indian  tribes 
they  were  known  as  Wyandots,  or  Onendats. 

St.  Clair  and  Sinclair. — In  tiie  year  1765  Patrick  Sinclair,  an  Irish  ofiBcer  in 
the  service  of  Great  Britain,  and  commandant  of  Fort  Sinclair,  purchased  3,789 
acres  of  land  on  tiie  river  above  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  after  him  the  river  was  named 
The  Sinclair.  In  a  report  made  January  17,  1806,  by  Augustus  Woodward,  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  it  is  said  that  this  ofQcer  was  a  distinct  character — dif- 
fering physically  and  morally  from  St.  Clair  of  the  French  service.  The  latter  was 
a  grand-son  of  O'Brien,  Lord  Clare,  who,  after  the  treaty  of  Limerick,  entered  the 
French  army.  In  his  honor  the  lake  at  the  mouth  of  the  Clinton  was  named.  The 
claim  of  Sinclair  remained  in  his  possession  seventeen  years,  utilizing  the  large 
pine-timber,  and  deriving  heavy  profits. 

The  rivers,  creeks,  and  points  of  land  were  named  in  accord  with  some  phys- 
ical characteristic,  or  otherwise  in  honor  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


squatters'  claims. 

Ill  1782  there  were  nineteen  settlers  living  adjacent  to  tliis  tract,  a  year  later, 
twenty  settlers  located  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Huron.  In  1788 
twenty  settlements  were  made  on  the  river  Au.v  Hurons,  or  Clinton  ;  in  1790  a  few 
more  settlers  located  at  Pointe  au  Tremble.  In  1793  ten  families  located  lands  on 
the  Huron  of  Lake  St.  Glair,  or  Clinton.  Seven  years  later  four  families  joined  the 
settlement.  Six  families  joined  the  settlers  at  the  head  of  the  lake  ;  while  the 
Salt  Springs  began  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  people  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Huron  to  the  river  St.  Clair.  In  1801,  one  settler  located  at  these  springs,  and  he 
was  soon  joined  by  others.  In  1797,  no  less  than  thirty  families  located  lands 
along  the  banks  of  La  Riviere  au  Laif,  or  Milk  River,  and  northwards  to  the 
Riviere  aux  Hurons.  Those  settlers  founded  their  claims  on  actual  settlement 
and  improvement  without  any  further  title.  Of  this  class  there  were  about  400 
on  the  borders  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  rivers  Huron,  Ecorces,  Rouge,  and  Raisin. 

In  the  succeeding  review  of  claims,  presented  by  the  land-holders  of  Macomb, 
or  the  Oivil  District  of  Huron,  as  the  territory  constituting  the  county  of  Macomb 
in  1818,  was  called,  it  will  be  observed  that  the  result  of  the  examination  before 
the  Board  is  not  given  in  the  greater  number  of  cases.  Now  such  a  course  was 
made  unnecessary  by  the  fact  that  almost  in  every  instance  the  claimant's  title 
was  proved  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Land  Commissioners,  who  ordered  a  record 
to  be  made  of  such  titles  in  the  Land  Office  at  Detroit,  and  subsequently  recom- 
mended the  issue  of  United  States  patents.  The  report  of  this  board  was  made 
in  1810-11,  and  patents  were  granted  in  the  year  1812,  and  years  immediately  suc- 
ceeding. Although  Claim  twenty-six  seems  to  be  connected  in  some  manner  with 
this  county,  there  is  no  records  presented  to  enable  the  writer  to  notice  it  in  this  con- 
nection.    Therefore,  ignoring  that  number,  he  begins  the  review  with  Claim  129. 

129.— James  Connor  claimed  the  tract  of  land  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Clinton,  containing  510  acres,  of  which  thirteen  and  three-quarter  acres  fronted  on 
the  river,  extending  back  forty  acres,  and  bounded  on  the  west  by  William 
Tuckar's  land.  Henry  Connor's  testimony  before  the  Land  Board  was  to  the  effect 
that  the  claimant  had  possession,  and  began  to  improve  the  property  before  July 
1, 179(3,  since  which  time  he  has  been  in  possession  of  the  land.  This  formed  Claim 
129,  which  was  granted,  June,  1808. 

130. — Joseph  Campeau,  Claim  130,  was  granted  on  the  same  date.  The  tract 
is  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Aux  Hurons,  contains  640  acres,  bounded  in  front  by 
the  river,  in  rear  by  Lake  St.  Clair,  on  one  side  by  the  land  of  Laurente  Maure, 
and  on  the  other  by  a  second  tract  entered  by  him.  Bapciste  Coniparet  and  Henry 
Connor  testified  tb.at  Joseph  Campeau  was  in  possession  of  this  tract  previous  to 
July  1,  1796. 


^0 


-l^ 


HISTORY   OF   JIACOMB   COUNTY. 


Campeau's  fourth  and  fifth,  Claim  No.  133,  containing  640  acres,  was  purchased 
from  Louis  Maure.  This  was  bounded  in  front  bj  the  river  Huron,  on  the  east 
by  Jacques  Loson's  land,  on  the  west  by  the  land  of  Hyacinthe  Deaitre,  and  in  the 
rear  by  the  lake.     Claims  131  and  132  were  his  also. 

134. — Joseph  Campeau  claim,  134,  of  640  acres,  is  bounded  in  front  by  the  river, 
in  rear  by  the  lake,  on  the  west  north-west  by  Louis  Petit's  lands,  and  on  the  east 
by  a  tract  claimed  by  Joseph  Campeau.  Henry  Connor  testified  in  this  case,  that 
the  land  so  described  was  purchased  from  Jean  Baptiste  Connellier  previous  to 
July  1,  1796. 

135. — The  Joseph  Campeau  claim,  135,  is  located  south  of  th3  Riviere  aux 
Surons,  or  Clinton,  bounded  in  front  by  the  river,  extending  to  the  lake  between 
Pierre  Phenix's  land  on  one  side,  and  Antoine  Peltier's  land  on  the  other.  Henry 
Connor  testified  that  this  tract  was  in  possession  of  the  claimant,  and  that  a  house 
was  erected  thereon  previous  to  July  1,  1796,  which  house  was  then  standing 
(1808). 

136. — James  Connor,  in  his  letter  to  the  Land  Boaid,  June  13,  1808,  claimed 
640  acres  on  the  north  side  of  the  Huron,  it  being  sixteen  acres  river  front,  forty 
acres  in  depth,  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Chatron  farm,  and  in  the  rear  and  on 
the  west  by  unlocated  lands.  Baptiste  Comparet  proved  that  previous  to  July, 
1796,  James  Connor  was  in  possession,  that  there  was  a  cabin  erected,  and  two  or 
three  acres  of  land  cultivated  and  fenced  before  he,  Comparet,  left  La  Riviere  aux 
Hurons  in  1804. 

137. — Richard  Connor.  The  widow  and  heirs  of  Richard  Connor  applied  to 
the  Board  to  have  their  title  to  600  acres  on  the  south  side  of  the  Huron  confirmed. 
Baptiste  Comparet  gave  proof  that  the  deceased  Richard  Connor  was  in  possession 
of  the  land  and  premises  previous  to  July  1796,  up  to  1804,  when  he  left  the  dis- 
trict. Augustin  Langdon  deposed  that  the  family  of  the  deceased  occupied  the 
holding  since  1801.  Another  tract,  fifteen  acres  in  front  and  forty  acres  in  depth, 
of  600  acres,  commencing  at  a  place  called  Deer  Lick,  and  bounded  in  rear,  on  the 
east  and  west  by  unlocated  lands,  was  shown  to  be  in  possession  of  Richard  Connor 
previous  to  July,  1796. 

139. — Henry  Connor  claimed  480  acres  on  the  north  side  of  the  Huron,  bound- 
ed in  front  by  the  river,  east  by  Christian  Clemens'  farm,  and  west  and  rear  by 
wild  lands.  Comparet  stated  that  William  Dawson  was  the  owner  of  this  tract 
previous  to  July  1796,  and  remained  so  until  its  sale  to  Richard  Connor,  deceased. 

140. — Joseph  Robertjean's  claim  regarded  eighty-one  arpens  of  land  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Huron,  bounded  in  front  by  the  river,  in  the  rear  by  Lake  St.  Clair, 
on  one  side  by  the  lands  of  the  late  Alexis  Peltier,  and  on  the  other  side  by  the 
lands  of  Robert  Robertjean.      Comparet  witnessed  that  Robertjean  was  in  posses- 


^fv 


203  HISTORY   OF   IVIACOMB   COUNTY. 


sion  of  such  tract  previous  to  1796,  aud  Christian  Clemens  proved  the  claimant's 
possession  in  the  year  1799. 

141. — Christian  Clemens'  claim  for  500  acres,  beginniiig  at  the  high  bank  of 
the  Huron,  and  running  down  this  bank  about  fourteen  acres,  to  a  small  run  or 
marsh  then  emptying  into  the  river,  running  north  forty  acres;  bounded  in  front 
by  the  Huron,  on  one  side  by  Henry  Connor's  lands,  on  the  other  by  the  tract  of 
James  Abbott,  and  in  rear  by  unlocated  lands.  Comparet's  evidence  was  that  John 
Conner  was  the  owner  of  this  tract  previous  to  July  1796,  who  permitted  Natlian 
Williams  and  Jared  Brooks  to  build  a  still  house  on  the  premises  about  1797  or 
1798.     In  1801  John  and  Richard  Connor  sold  the  tract  to  Christian  Clemens. 

144. —  John  Tuckar's  claim.  No.  144,  was  bounded  in  front  by  the  Huron,  in 
rear  by  Lake  St.  Clair,  above  by  James  Connor's  lands,  and  below  by  Edward 
Tuckar's,  bequeathed  to  the  claimant  by  his  father,  the  pioneer,  William  Tuckar. 
Comparet  and  Wm.  McScott,  proved  possession  previous  to  July,  1796. 

156.— Edward  Tuckar's  land  was  bounded  in  front  by  the  river,  in  rear  by  the 
lake,  above  by  John  Tuckar's  farm,  and  below  by  Michael  Tremble's  land,  which 
was  also  a  bequest  of  the  late  Wm.  Tuckar. 

146. — William  Tuckar  claimed  a  tract  bounded  south  by  the  river  Huron,  east 
by  Francois  St.  Obin'sland,  north  by  the  lake,  and  west  by  Wm.  Tuckar's  (senior), 
original  farm,  afterwards  in  possession  of  the  widow  Tuckar. 

147. — Catherine  Tuckar  claimed,  in  trust  for  her  sons,  Jacob  and  Charles,  640 
acres,  bounded  in  front  by  the  river,  in  rear  by  the  lake,  below  by  claim  146,  of 
William  Tuckar,  proved  to  be  in  possession  of  Wm.  Tuckar,  deceased,  previous  to 
July,  1796. 

148. — Phillis  Peltier's  claim,  480  acres,  bounded  in  front  by  the  lake,  in  rear 
by  hunting  grounds,  below  by  Nicholas  Chapaton's  farm,  and  above  by  a  creek  or 
coulee,  called  ventre  de  hoeuf.  Jean  Baptiste  Pare  proved  occupation  by  Peltier 
fifteen  years  pi'evious  to  1808. 

149. — Jean  Baptiste  Pare  claimed  a  tract  bounded  in  front  by  the  lake,  in  rear 
by  Indian  lands,  above  by  Joseph  Dube's  farm  and  below  by  Louis  Laforge's  claim. 
Phillis  Peltier  proved  that  fifteen  years  previous  to  June,  1808,  one  Cayet  was 
owner  of  this  tract.  He  sold  to  Francois  Dupre  who  in  turn  sold  to  Pare.  Dupre 
confirmed  this  statement. 

150. — Francois  St.  Obins  tract  northeast  side  of  the  Huron,  containing  about 
640  acres,  bounded  in  front  by  the  river,  in  rear  by  the  lake,  above  by  William 
Tuckar's  farm,  and  below  by  Michael  Tremble's  lands,  was  known  to  be  in  pos- 
session of  Louis  St.  Obin,  father  of  Francois,  many  years  previous  to  July,  1796. 
Christian  Clemens  and  B.  Comparet  were  tlie  witnesses. 

154. — Claim  No.  151,  by  the  same  party,  of  640  acres  bounded  in  front  by  the 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


river,  ia  rear  by  the  lake,  east  by  Chapaton's  lands,  and  west  by  those  of  Jacques 
Loson,  was  originally  settled  by  Michel  Comparet,  who  sold  to  Louis  Bandin,  aud 
he  in  turn  to  St.  Obin.  Christian  Clemens  also  proved  continuous  possession  since 
1800. 

157. — Francois  Ambroise's  140  acres,  on  the  northwest  side  of  Lake  St.  Clair, 
bounded  in  front  by  the  lake,  in  rear  by  Indian  grounds,  on  the  north  by  Bazile 
Crequi's  claim,  and  on  the  lower  side  by  that  of  Jean  Baptiste  Vernier,  dit  Ladou- 
ceur,  was  settled  by  Etienne  Duchesne  in  1795,  who  built  a  small  house  thereon  ; 
he  sold  his  interest  to  Michel  Duchesne,  who  in  turn  sold  out  to  Ambroise. 

156. — Jean  Baptiste  Vernier,  dit  Ladouceur,  claimed  240  acres,  bounded  in 
front  by  the  lake,  in  rear  by  non-ceded  lands,  on  the  northeast  by  Pierre  Bon- 
liomme's  farm,  and  on  the  southwest  by  the  lands  of  Laurent  Griffard.  Possession 
was  proven  and  title  granted. 

199. — Francois  Ambrois  Tremble  claimed  140  acres  fronting  on  Lake  St.  Clair, 
between  the  lands  of  Bazile  Crequi  and  J.  Bte.  Vernier,  originally  settled  by 
Etienne  Duchesne,  who  presented  them  to  Michel  Ducliesne,  who  sold  to  Tremble. 

16.3. — J.  Bte.  Nantay  claimed  200  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake,  between  the 
lands  of  Phillis  Peltier  and  Pierre  Lanoue,  possessed  by  him  fourteen  years  pi-evious 
to  June  18,  1808. 

207. — Laurent  Maure  claimed  200  arpens  fronting  on  the  Huron,  extending 
back  to  the  lake  between  the  farms  of  Jos.  Robertson  and  Jos.  Campeau,  in  his 
possession  some  years  previous  to  1796.  A  certificate  of  title  was  granted  to  him 
in  1809,  and  a  patent  issued  in  1811. 

162. — Jean  Marsac's  claim,  bounded  in  front  by  the  lake,  in  rear  by  Indian 
lands,  northeast  by  Charles  Chovin's  farm,  and  southwest  by  Louis  Leduc's  dit 
Perez,  claim,  containing  160  acres,  French  measurement,  was  confirmed  June 
20,  1808. 

16.3. — Jean  Baptiste  Nantay  claimed  200  acres  bounded  in  front  by  the  lake, 
in  rear  by  non-ceded  lands,  above  by  Phillis  Peltier's  farm,  and  below  by  that  of 
Pierre  Lanoue. 

164. — Joseph  Mitresse,  dit  Sansfacon,  claimed  360  arpens,  French  measurement, 
bounded  in  front  by  the  lake,  in  rear  by  Indian  lands,  above  by  Baptiste  Ble's 
farm,  and  below  by  Charles  Chovin's  claim,  was  in  possession  of  Nicholas  Patenande 
previous  to  1796.  He  sold  to  Autoine  Cecille  six  arpens  in  front,  who,  in  turn, 
sold  to  Sansfacon.  Pierre  Laparle  owned  three  arpens  in  front,  which  he  gave  to 
Louis  Champagne,  and  which  he  in  turn  sold  to  the  claimant. 

165. — Joseph  Dube  claimed  120  arpens,  bounded  in  front  by  the  lake,  in  rear 
by  the  hunting  grounds,  on  one  side  by  Baptiste  Pierre's  farm,  and  on  the  other  by 
by  that  of  Pierre  Lanoue.     This  property  was  in  possession  of  Nicholas  Value  pre- 


M'^ 


HISTORY   OP   MACO^MB   COUNTY. 


vious  to  July,  1796,  aud  continued  so  until  sold  to  Charles  Cliovin,  who  transferred 
it  to  Dube. 

1G7. — Joseph  Rowe  claimed  240  arpens,  bounded  in  front  by  the  river  Huron, 
in  rear  by  Indian  grounds,  on  the  west  by  Bazile  Laforge's  farm,  and  on  the  east 
by  tliat  of  Pierre  Phenix.  This  property  was  proven  by  Louis  Campeau  to  be  in 
the  possession  of  A.  N.  Petit,  before  and  after  1796,  until  he  sold  to  the  present 
claimant. 

168. — Louis  Campeau,  the  pioneer  of  Saginaw  and  Kent  Counties,  was  among 
the  first  land  owners  in  Macomb.  In  1808,  he  claimed  280  arpens  bounded  in  front 
by  the  Huron,  in  rear  by  non-ceded  lands,  west  by  the  Joseph  Campeau  claim,  and 
east  by  B.  Laforge's  farm. 

170. — Jean  B.  Vernier,  dit  Ladouceur,  claimed  200  arpens  bounded  in  front  by 
Lake  St.  Clair,  in  rear  by  non-ceded  lands,  northeast  by  Francois  Ambroise's  farm, 
and  southwest  by  that  of  Nicholas  Patenande.  Alexis  Coquillard  heard  Robert 
Thomas  acknowledge  himself  as  tenant  to  Jean  B.  Nantay. 

172. — John  Askin,  Jr.,  claimed  625  acres,  bounded  in  front  by  the  river  Huron 
in  rear  and  on  one  side  by  the  United  States  lands,  and  on  the  other  by  the  Christian 
Clemens'  property.  Harry  Tuckar,  witness  for  the  claimant,  proved  that  one 
Descoteaux  improved  and  cultivated  the  lands,  by  order  of,  and  for  the  claimant, 
previous  to  July,  1796,;  that  the  claimant  had  a  house  built  some  time  after 
Descoteaux  went  there,  and  that  afterwards  Christian  Clemens  tenanted  the 
premises,  cultivated  the  lands,  erected  fences,  and  continued  to  improve  the 
property  until  1808.  Mr.  Clemens  substantiated  this  statement,  and  a  title  was 
granted. 

173. — James  Abbott  claimed  630  acres,  bounded  in  front  by  the  river,  in  rear 
by  United  States  lands,  above  by  a  buttonwood  tree — one  acre  above  a  small  creek 
and  below  by  unlocated  lands.  Edward  Hezell  built  a  house  on  this  claim,  and 
raised  two  crops  previous  to  1796.  Hezell  sold  his  interest  to  James  Abbott, 
(father  of  the  claimant)  deceased,  since  which  time  up  to  1808  Christian  Clemens 
improved  and  cultivated  the  lands,  paying  to  the  claimant  an  annual  rent  from 
1799  to  1808. 

174. — Jacob  Thomas'  widow  and  heirs  claimed  a  tract  at  L'ance  Creuse  of  160 
arpens,  bounded  in  front  by  the  lake,  in  rear  by  non-ceded  lands,  on  one  side  by 
Baptiste  Nantay's  farm,  and  on  the  other  by  that  of  Jean  Baptiste  Dube,  all  prop- 
erty in  possession  of  Jacob  Thomas  previous  to  1796. 

175. — Louis  Petit's  tract  of  120  arpens  was  bounded  in  front  by  the  river 
Huron,  in  rear  by  non-ceded  lands,  on  one  side  by  P.  Phenix's  farm,  and  on  the 
other  by  tliat  of  Joseph  Campeau.  One  Connellier  was  in  possession  previous  to 
1796,  and  continued  owner  until  he  sold  out  to  L.  Petit,  May  8,  1797. 


HISTORY   OF  .^lACOMB  COUXTY.  20-". 


176. — Pierre  Phenix  claimed  240  arpens,  bounded  in  front  by  the  Huron,  in 
rear  by  n.  c.  lands,  on  one  side  by  Joseph  Rowe's  farm,  and  on  the  other  by  that  of 
Joseph  Campeau.  This  territory  was  partly  in  possession  of  one  Lapaline  and  one 
Provost.  The  former  sold  to  Natliau  Williams,  who  sold  to  Joseph  Bonvouloir, 
who  sold  to  Joseph  Cherbonneau,  from  whom  Phenix  purchased. 

183. — Laurent  Griffard  claimed  120  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  extend- 
ing backwards  to  the  n.  c.  lands,  to  the  J.  B.  Vernier  farm  on  the  northeast,  and  to 
the  Henry  St.  Bernard  farm  on  the  southwest.  Louis  Monet  testified  that  Griffard 
was  in  possession  of  this  land  in  1788. 

184. — Jacques  AUard's  120  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake,  bounded  by  the  Indian 
grounds  in  the  rear,  Bte.  Celeron's  farm  on  one  side  and  Louis  Griffard's  on  the 
other  was  settled  by  the  claimant  several  years  previous  to  1796,  as  shown  in  the 
evidence  of  Charles  Poupard. 

192. — Meldrum  and  Park  claimed  630  acres,  bounded  northeast  by  the  river 
Lassaliue,  southwest  by  other  lands  of  the  claimants,  in  front  by  the  lake,  and  in 
rear  by  other  claims.  This  land  was  tenanted  by  Antoiue  N.  Petit  previous  to 
1796,  who  rented  it  from  M.  and  P.  One  Durrocher  rented  it  for  one  year,  and 
Dupre  for  two  one-half  years  subsequently. 

193. — Another  tract  of  630  acres,  bouud  southwest  by  Riviere  aux  Vases, 
northeast  and  rear  by  other  lauds  of  Meldrum  and  Park,  and  in  front  by  the  lake, 
was  first  rented,  in  1795,  by  Baptiste  Letoiirneau.  Louis  Barret  and  Denocher 
then  rented  the  place.  Francis  Berian  lived  there  for  thi'ee  years  and  one  Dupre 
for  two  years. 

194. — Michel  Tremble  claimed  a  tract  on  the  Huron,  bounded  iu  front  by  the 
river,  in  rear  by  the  lake,  above  by  F.  Saint  Obin's  farm,  and  below  b\'  R.  Robert- 
jean.     Nicholas  Chapaton  was  in  possession  of  this  property  previous  to  1796. 

195. — The  second  claim  of  Tremble  related  to  lands  bounded  in  front  by  the 
Huron,  in  rear  by  n.  c.  land,  above  by  Edward  Tuckar's  farm,  and  below  by  the 
property  of  the  widow  and  heirs  of  William  Tuckar,  deceased.  Henry  Tuckar 
was  the  owner  of  those  lands  before  and  after  1796,  until  he  sold  to  Christian 
Clemens,  from  whom  Tremble  jDurchased  them. 

196. — Jacob  Hill's  heirs  claimed  240  acres  fronting  on  the  river  Saint  Clair, 
between  the  farms  of  George  Meldrum  and  Joseph  Bassinet,  of  which  land  Jacob 
Hill  was  in  possession  previous  to  1796,  as  proven  by  Ignace  Champagne. 

197. — Another  tract  between  the  farms  of  George  Meldrum  and  Alexander 
Harrow,  fronting  on  the  river  Saint  Clair,  was  also  claimed. 

207. — Laurent  Maure  claimed  200  arpens  fronting  on  the  river  Huron,  extend- 
ing back  to  the  lake,  between  the  farms  of  Joseph  Robert  and  Joseph  Campeau,  of 
which  he  was  owner  previous  to  1796. 


W\^=i^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


213. — Nicholas  Chapaton's  claim,  founded  on  a  deed  given  by  the  Indians — 
Vouista nance  and  Nanguy — dated  Detroit,  May,  1795,  contained  about  160  acres. 
The  area  was  disputed,  and  the  evidence  before  the  Board  was  so  contradictory  that 
the  commissioners  rejected  the  claim.  The  description  points  out  that  this  claim 
fronted  on  Lake  Saint  Clair,  and  extended  back  to  the  n.  c.  grounds,  between  the 
lands  of  Phillis  Peltier  and  Jean  Bte.  Nantay. 

219. — Pierre  Griffard  claimed  160  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  Saint  Clair,  between 
the  farms  of  Joseph  Griffard  and  J.  B.  N.  Petit.  His  possession  previous  to  1796 
being  proved  by  J.  B.  Nantay,  the  claim  was  allowed. 

Isadora  Morain  settled  on  claim  221,  in  1795  ;  but  during  his  absence  Pierre 
Champagne  took  and  held  forcible  possession  for  one  year  from  1796,  afterward  one 
Gorslet  lived  on  it,  whose  widow  sold  the  claim  to  Bte.  Allsin,  who  was  in  posses- 
sion July,  1808.  This  land  fronted  on  the  lake,  between  the  lands  of  Michel 
Duchesne  and  Bte.  A.  Tremble,  and  measured  120  arpens. 

222. — Antoine  Reneau  purchased  from  William  Forsyth  120  arpens  fronting  on 
the  lake  between  the  claims  of  Joseph  Campeau  and  Pierre  Tremble,  May  3,  1806. 
The  location  was  known  as  Pointe  Guinolet,  originally  settled  by  Francois  Ble,  who 
sold  to  William  Forsytli. 

228 — by  Louis  Reneau,  comprising  120  arpens,  fronted  on  Lake  Saint  Clair, 
between  the  lands  of  Louis  Grift'ard  and  Francois  Bonhomme,  was  ceded. 

224 — by  -Jacques  Allard,  Jr.,  containing  120  arpens,  fronted  on  the  lake  between 
the  lands  of  Colas  Rivard  and  Jacques  Allard,  Senr.  This  land  was  originally 
settled  by  J.  Bte.  Dumas  who  transferred  it  to  Bte.  Celeron,  who  sold  to  Jacques 
Allard  in  1807. 

225 — by  Michel  Duchesne,  containing  120  arpens.  fronted  on  the  lake,  between 
the  lands  of  Bte.  Lapierre  and  Bte.  Petit.  Louis  Thibault  was  the  original  grantee, 
who  sold  to  F.  Bernard,  who  sold  to  J.  B.  Comparet,  Jr.,  who  in  turn  sold  his  in- 
terest to  Duchesne. 

220 — by  Joseph  Robertjean,  containing  630  arpens,  fronted  on  the  Huron  be- 
tween the  lands  of  Joseph  Rowe  and  James  Abbott,  was  settled  in  1795  by  John 
Loveless,  who  sold  to  the  claimant  in  1798.  Christian  Clemens  testified  that 
Robertjean  cultivated  a  portion  of  the  claim  since  1801. 

231 — by  Alexander  Grant,  containing  639  acres,  fronting  on  Lake  Saint  Clair, 
between  the  claims  of  William  Forsyth  and  Gregor  McGi-egor,  was,  as  stated  by  J. 
Bte.  Campeau  or  Penish,  to  possession  of  grant  previous  to  July,  1796. 

Louis  Chapaton's  (claim  338)  land,  120  arpens  in  area,  fronted  on  the  Huron, 
extended  to  the  lake  between  the  farms  of  F.  Saint  Obin  and  Louis  Maure. 
Seraphin  Leson  testified  that  such  land  was  in  possession  of  Joseph  Campeau  pre- 
vious to  July,  1796,  who  disposed  of  his  interest  therein  to  Chapaton. 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


239. — Jean  Bte.  Marsac  claimed  120  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake  at  Grosse 
Point,  between  the  farms  of  Pierre  Yax  and  Charles  Goniin,  in  possession  of  Joseph 
Serre,  and  previous  to  July,  1796. 

240. — Marsac  also  claimed  120  arpens  fronting  on  tlie  lake  between  Capt. 
Fleming's  and  Francis  Tremble's  holdings,  originally  settled  by  Louis  Billon  ;  dit 
resperance,  and  conveyed  by  him  to  Marsac,  Aug.  17,  1801. 

242. — Robert  Robertjean  claimed  forty-five  arpens,  fronting  on  the  Huron,  ex- 
tending to  the  lake,  and  lying  between  the  lands  of  Joseph  Robertjean  and  Michel 
Tremble,  in  his  possession  previous  to  1796. 

243. — Jean  Marie  Beaubien's  claim  of  640  acres  fronting  on  the  river  Saint 
Clair,  between  the  lands  of  Meldrum  and  Park  and  those  of  the  negro,  Harry 
Sanders,  was  allowed. 

249. — Francois  Bonhomme  or  Bonome  claimed  200  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake 
at  Pointe  a  Guinolet,  between  the  lands  of  J.  Bte.  Vernier  and  Louis  Reneau,  Sr., 
which  was  in  his  possession  previous  to  July,  1796. 

250. — Nicholas  Patenaude,  Jr.,  claimed  160  arpens  at  L'ance  Crease,  on  the  lake 
shore,  between  the  farms  of  Vernier  or  Ladouceur  and  Bte.  Socier,  occupied  by 
Francois  Ambroise  Tremble  previous  to  1796. 

261. — Jean  Baptiste  Creque's  widow  and  heirs  claimed  forty  arpens  fronting 
on  the  lake,  between  the  holdings  of  Meldrum  and  Park  and  Joseph  Allair,  which 
land  was  in  their  possession  previous  to  July,  1796. 

262. — Meldrum  and  Park  claimed  eighty  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  Saint  Clair, 
between  261  and  that  of  Nicholas  Patenaude. 

236. — William  Connor  claimed  600  acres  fronting  on  the  Huron,  between  the 
lands  of  John  Askin,  Jr.,  and  James  Connor,  improved  in  1794  by  William  Connor 
and  his  sons,  and  now  claimed  by  James  Connor. 

272. — William  Robertson's  heirs  claimed  300  acres  fronting  on  the  lake  be- 
tween H.  St.  Bernard's  and  Francois  Tremble's  farms— land  purchased  originally 
by  Wm.  Groesbeck  from  the  Indians,  and  deeded  by  him  to  the  deceased  William 
Robertson  January  15,  1796.  Groesbeck  made  the  first  improvements  here  so 
early  as  1780  through  his  tenants  who  remained  there  until  1785,  when  George 
Baker  contracted  to  buy  the  land.  Baker  remained  on  it  many  years,  but  made  no 
payments.  Baker  being  content  to  inform  him  that  L'Esperance  would  pay  the 
£100  due  on  it.  In  1805,  Groesbeck  found  the  land  vacant,  and  with  the  per- 
mission of  J.  Bte.  Marsac  and  Wm.  Robertson's  agent,  both  claimants,  he  went  to 
live  on  his  old  property,  where  he  lived  up  to  1808  without  paying  rent  to  any 
party.  L'Esperance  stated  to  the  Board  August  18,  1808,  that  he  purchased  from 
Jacob  Baker  the  tract  in  question  and  sold  it  to  J.  Bte.  Marsac,  for  a  plantation, 
on  the  British  side  of  the  Detroit  River. 


5   "V 


A__^ 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


273. — Nicholas  Patenaude,  Sr.,  bought  twentj-fuur  arpens  fronting  on  Lake 
St.  Chiir,  between  the  Robinson  and  Martin  and  the  JVIeldrum  and  Park  properties, 
in  1778,  and  claimed  to  have  improved  such  lands  so  early  as  1758. 

276.— Julien  Fortou  claimed  160  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake,  between  the 
farms  of  Pierre  Ambroise  and  Gabriel  Reneau.  Seraphin  Leson  testified  that  Forton 
held  possession  of  this  tract  previous  to  1796. 

277. — Charles  Chovin  claimed  220  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake  between  the 
lands  of  Jos.  Saiisfacou  and  J.  Bte.  Marsac,  which  he  located  previous  to  1796  ; 
he  also  claimed  a  tract  (278)  containing  110  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake,  between 
the  farms  of  J.  Bte.  Lapierre  and  Etienne  Sieur,  also  possessed  by  him  previous  to 
1796. 

316. — Louis  Leduc  claimed  120  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake  between  the  claim 
of  Panaclia  and  that  of  Francois  Duchesne  at  L'ance  Creuse,  in  possession  of  one 
Champagne  previous  to  1796,  transferred  to  Jean  Sunare,  and  by  him  to  Le  Due. 

389. — Joseph  Campeau  claimed,  as  the  grantee  of  Louis  Maure,  a  tract  of  land 
fronting  on  the  Huron,  extending  to  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  lying  between  the  lands 
of  Louis  Chapoton,  Sr.,  and  another  claim  of  Joseph  Campeau.  Louis  Maure  pos- 
sessed those  lands  previous  to  1796,  and  continued  in  their  possession  until  the 
execution  of  the  deed,  September  10,  1808,  to  Joseph  Campau. 

320. — Jean  Bte.  St.  Laurent  claimed  120  arpens  fiouting  on  the  lake  between 
the  holdings  of  Baptiste  A.  Tremble  and  Francois  A.  Tremble.  Gabriel  Reneau 
was  the  possessor  of  these  lands  previous  to  1796,  and  continued  so  until  the 
transfer  of  the  property  to  his  brother  Louis  ;  who  sold  to  Bazile  Crequi  from  whom 
J.  B.  St.  Laurent  purchased  July  15,  1808. 

343. — Pierre  Yax  claimed  480  arpens  at  la  Pointe  Aux  Crapaux,  fronting  on 
Lake  St.  Clair,  in  his  possession  previous  to  and  since  the  year  1796. 

502. — Rene  Marsac's  title  to  80  arpens,  fronting  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  lying 
between  the  lands  of  Francois  Marsac  and  Nicholas  Patenaude,  was  confirmed  De- 
cember 14,  1808. 

505. — Jean  Bte.  Petit  claimed  160  arpens  at  L'ance  Creuse,  fronting  the  lake, 
and  lying  between  the  lands  of  Michel  Duchesne  and  Mr.  Bellinger.  F.  St.  Ber- 
nard was  the  possessor  of  this  tract  in  1796 ;  he  sold  to  Louis  Petit  Clair,  who  sold 
in  turn  to  Louis  Maure,  and  he  sold  to  J.  Bte.  Petit. 

513. — Louis  Laforge,  possessor  of  a  tract  of  150  arpens,  fronting  the  lake  at 
L'Ance  Creuse,  between  the  farms  of  J.  Bte.  Pare  and  Baptiste  Dube,  was  con- 
firmed in  his  title.  Mr.  Cady  states  that  this  pioneer  was  a  centenarian,  and  re- 
mained on  his  old  homestead  until  ten  or  twelve  years  ago. 

541. — James  Connor  and  Christian  Clemens,  associate  owners  of  a  tract  of  land 
situate  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  Huron,  containing  640  acres,  fronting  on  the 


9      ^ 


-4* 


HISTORY   OP  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


river,  and  lying  between  the  lands  of  Peter  Douman  on  the  east,  and  John  Connor 
on  the  west,  claimed  a  title  thereto  on  account  of  possession,  occupancy,  and  im- 
provement, previous  to  and  since  1796.  Henry  Connor  testified  that  John  Chartion 
was  possessor  of  those  lands  for  five  years  previous  to  1796,  when  he  sold  to  tlie 
claimants.  They  cultivated  six  acres  of  ground,  built  a  house,  and  planted  an  or- 
chard previous  to  December,  1808.  The  claimants  exhibited  a  deed  made  by  Henry 
Tuckar  March  4,  1808. 

512. — Christian  Clemens  claimed  640  acres  south  of  and  fronting  on  tlie  Huron, 
next  above  the  land  of  .James  Abbott.  James  Connor  testified  that  a  long  period 
prior  to  1796,  Edward  Hazel  took  possession  of  the  tract,  and  held  it  until  the  sale 
to  James  Abbott,  and  he  in  turn  was  the  owner  until  the  sale  to  his  son — James 
Abbott,  Jr.,  under  whom  Mr.  Clemens  went  into  possession. 

544. — Joseph  Campeau  claimed  eighty  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake,  between 
the  lands  of  Thomas  Tremble  and  Etienne  Duchesne;  at  Point  a  Guinolette, 
originally  in  possession  of  Pierre  Duchesne.  In  1808  twenty  arpens  were  culti- 
vated, and  a  house  erected. 

545. — Joseph  Campeau  claimed  a  tract  on  the  south  side  of  the  Huron,  three 
arpens  of  which  fronted  on  the  river,  extending  in  depth  to  Lac  St.  Clair,  between 
the  claims  of  Louis  Campeau  and  Louis  Maure.  Michel  Duchesne  proved  occu- 
pancy by  the  claimant  previous,  and  since  1796.  In  1808  thirty  arpens  were 
under  cultivation. 

546. — Henry  Connor  claimed  640  acres  on  the  north  side  of  tlie  Huron,  front- 
ing on  the  river,  and  running  up  the  main  river  sixteen  acres.  James  Connor 
testified  that,  several  years  prior  to  1796,  he  saw  the  claimant  ploughing  the  land, 
and  when  returning  from  the  Indian  Country  in  1804,  a  house  was  erected,  and  the 
claimant  was  engaged  in  making  other  improvements.  Francis  Guy's  testimony 
was  substantiatory. 

559 — Israel  Ruland  claimed  640  acres  lying  on  the  south  and  north  sides  of 
Salt  River,  of  which  thirty-two  acres  fronted  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river,  and 
extended  backwards  twenty-two  acres  between  the  lands  deeded  to  him  September 
29  (also  claimed  by  Meldrum  and  Park)  ;  while  five  acres  fronted  on  the  north 
bank,  extending  back  twenty  acres,  between  the  lands  of  George  Meldrum  on  the 
east,  and  the  wild  lands  on  the  west  and  north.  Previous  to  1796,  N.  Petit  and  A. 
Prevot  were  living  on  those  lands  as  tenants  of  Meldrum  and  Park.  They  evacu- 
ated the  place  in  1797  when  John  Bte.  Nantay  took  possession  for  tlie  claimant. 
In  1802  he  saw  John  Lagord,  Pierre  Champagne  and  Joseph  Socier  on  the  premises. 
During  his  first  stay  there  were  old  houses.  He  aided  in  building  new  houses, 
cleared  three  or  four  acres,  and  made  and  enclosed  a  garden.  John  Lagord  also 
repaired  an  old  house  and  built  two  new  ones  for  the  plaintiff. 
14 


rfv^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUN'IY. 


564. — Jean  Baptiste  Rivard  claimed  240  arpens,  bounded  in  front  by  the  lake, 
northeast  by  Jean  Crequi's  former  claim,  southwest  by  the  land  of  Joseph  Socier, 
and  in  the  rear  by  the  unlocated  lands. 

565. — Etienne  Socier  claimed  160  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake,  betvveenn  the 
lands  of  Jean  Bte.  Lapeer,  and  J.  Bte.  A.  Tremble.  Joseph  Laforet  was  in  posses- 
sion of  this  tract  previous  to  1796,  he  sold  to  Bte.  Cochois  in  July  1796,  who 
exchanged  with  Ignace  Sene,  who  in  a  few  months  after  sold  to  Henry  Campeau, 
who  in  turn  sold  to  J.  A.  Tremble.  Tremble  sold  to  Amable  Latour,  from  whom 
it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Socier  in  1804. 

566. — Jean  Bte.  Ambroise  Tremble  claimed  160  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  St 
Clair,  between  claim  565  and  the  lands  of  Bte.  Celleron.  Ignace  Send  had  posses- 
sion previous  to  1796,  who  sold  to  Cochois,  who  in  turn  sold  to  Tremble. 

576. — Jean  Bte.  Sen<3  claimed  252  arpens  fronting  Lac  St.  Clair,  between  the 
lands  of  Jacques  Alliard  and  Louis  Reneau.  This  tract  was  owned  by  Louis  Grif- 
fard,  Jr.,  previous  to  1796,  aud  continued  iu  his  possession  until  he  sold  to  Sene 
December  23,  1808. 

577. — Henry  St.  Bernard  claimed  120  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake,  between  the 
lands  of  Laurent  Griffard  and  Julian  Campeau.  Capt.  William  Fleming  was  the 
owner  previous  to  1796,  and  subsec^uently  until  he  sold  to  Joseph  Elliar,  from  whom 
the  claimant  purchased  September  12,  1808. 

584. — Alex.  EUair's  widow  claimed  120  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake  between 
the  lands  of  George  McGregor  and  Madame  Crequi  by  virtue  of  possession,  etc., 
previous  to  1796.     The  widow's  name  was  Josette  Galinion. 

585. — Joseph  Socier  claimed  120  arpens  fronting  on  the  lake  between  the 
lands  of  Bte.  Rivard  and  John  Litle,  by  virtue  of  occupation  and  improvement 
since  1788. 

599. — James  Abbott's  legal  heirs  claimed  640  acres  fronting  on  Lac  Saint  Clair, 
between  Duchesne's  land  on  the  south  and  southwest,  and  the  unlocated  lands  on 
the  north  and  northwest,  on  account  of  improvements  made  previous  to  1796. 

601. — Bte.  Dubay  claimed  a  tract  of  land  fronting  on  the  lake,  between  the 
claims  of  Louis  Laforge  and  Simon  Landri,  originally  settled  by  Joseph  Garand, 
purchased  by  Seraphin  Leson,  who  sold  to  the  claimant  in  1802. 

602. — Alexis  Dubay  claimed  160  arpens  at  L'ance  Creuse,  extending  from  the 
lake  between  the  lands  of  Simon  Landri  and  Michel  Comparet,  settled  previously 
to  1796  by  Dubay  Pere,  Vv-ho  sold  to  Alexis  in  1802. 

603. — Cecille  Campeau's  heirs  claimed  640  acres  fronting  on  the  Huron,  be- 
tween the  lands  of  Joseph  Campeau  and  Michel  Comparet,  extending  to  the  lake 
front.  Cecille  was  the  widow  of  Thomas  Williams,  and  at  the  period  immediately 
preceding  her  demise  was  the  wife  of  Jacques  Leson. 


"t 


HISTORY  OF   MACOJIB   COUNTY. 


604. — Joseph  Campeau  claimed  the  land  fronting  on  the  Huron,  between  his 
own  lands  above  and  those  of  F.  Saint  Obin  below,  by  virtue  of  possession,  occu- 
pancy and  improvement  made  by  Thomas  Edwards  and  Jacques  Leson  previous  to 
1796.  Leson  sold  this  tract  to  Josej)!!  Campeau,  but  Mrs.  Leson  refused  to  sign  tlie 
deed.  In  this  state  the  claim  was  allowed  to  rest  for  some  time  until  finally  ad- 
justed. 

605. — Pierre  Mavet's  heirs  claimed  160  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  Saint  Clair, 
between  the  lands  of  Bte.  Chovin  and  Jean  Louis  Tremble,  settled  previous  to 
1796  by  the  deceased  Pierre. 

610. — John  Connor  claimed  640  acres  on  the  North  Branch  of  the  Huron,  ex- 
tending from  the  north  bank  of  the  river  along  the  James  Connor  claim  on  the  east, 
and  bounded  by  unlocated  lands  on  the  north  and  rear.  Henry  Connor  proved 
possession  previous  to  1796.  In  1797  John  Connor  went  into  the  Indian  country, 
leaving  the  land  and  imprbvements  in  care  of  the  witness. 

Julian  Campeau  claimed  (611)  120  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  Saint  Clair,  be- 
tween the  lands  of  Henry  Saint  Bernard  and  Jean  Baptiste  Marsac,  of  which  Capt. 
William  Fleming  was  the  first  owner.  He  sold  to  Joseph  Elliar,  and  he,  in  turn, 
to  Julian  Campeau,  Sept.  10,  1808. 

613. — Francois  Marsac  claimed  a  tract  on  Tremble's  Creek,  bounded  in  front 
by  the  creek,  originally  settled  by  Andrew  Baker,  who  sold  it  to  John  Litle  May 
7,  1796,  from  whom  it  was  purchased  in  1801,  by  Marsac,  was  allowed, 

614 — granted  to  Capt.  Marsac.  This  land  was  in  possession  of  Pierre  Yax,  pre- 
vious to  1796,  and  until  he  sold  it  to  his  sou  Francois  Yax,  who  disposed  of  it  to 
Marsac  Feb.  18, 1808.  This  claim  was  bounded  in  front  by  Swan  Creek,  and  on  all 
other  sides  by  wild  land. 

616. — Nicholas  Campeau  claimed  three  tracts  in  one  farm  fronting  on  the 
Huron  and  extending  to  Lake  Saint  Clair,  between  the  claims  of  Joseph  Campeau. 
John  Tuckar  proved  that  those  lands  were  in  possession  of  N.  Value,  Augustin 
Charon  and  A.  Leboeuf  previous  to  and  after  the  year  1796. 

624. — Gaget  Tremble  claimed  a  tract  of  land,  possessed  previous  to  1796  by 
Maison  and  Antoiue  Larabelle,  who  sold  to  the  claimant  Feb.  4,  1801,  their  in- 
terests therein.  The  tract  comprises  600  arpens  fronting  Lake  Saint  Clair,  and  extend- 
ing northwards  to  Milk  River,  between  the  Joseph  Campeau  claim  and  the  wild 
lands.     In  1808,  200  arpens  were  under  cultivation. 

625. — Pierre  Duchesne  claimed  a  tract  of  land  southwest  of  L'ance  Creuse, 
bounded  on  the  northeast  by  Jacques  Alli^rd's  former  claim,  on  the  southwest  by 
the  Long  Meadow,  in  front  by  Lac  Saint  Clair,  and  in  rear  by  unlocated  lands,  in 
virtue  of  his  possession  thereof,  before  July,  1796. 

626. — Christian  Clemens  claimed  280  arpens  fronting  on  the  Huron,  between 


HISTORY   OF   MAC0JI15   COUNTY. 


unlocated  lands  in  rear,  the  claim  of  John  Askin,  Jr.,  ou  one  side,  and  claimant's 
land  on  the  other.     John  Askin,  Jr.,  was  the  owner  of  the  land  in  1796. 

627. — Pierre  Yax  claimed  480  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  extending 
back  to  the  nnlocated  lands  along  Francois  JVIarsac's  claim  on  the  south,  at  the 
wild  lands  on  the  north,  wliich  he  continued  to  cultivate  from  1796  down  to  1808. 

628. — Margaret  Conner,  widow  of  Richard  Connor,  claimed  for  herself  and 
cliildren,  a  tract  one  mile  south  of  the  River  Huron  fronting  on  a  small  creek  called 
Big  Run,  which  for  several  years  prior  to  1796  was  improved  annually  by  the  de- 
ceased Richard  Connor  and  herself. 

630. — Baptiste  Socier  claimed  210  arpens  fronting  on  Lake  St.  Clair  above  the 
lands  of  Nicholas  Patenaude,  belonging  to  Jos.  Garand  in  1796  and  subsequently 
sold  to  Socier. 

631. — Francois  Ambroise  Tremble  claimed  120  arpens  at  Pointe  Guinolet 
fronting  on  the  lake  between  tlie  lands  at  Benj.  Marsac  and  Francis  Forton,  in  liis 
possession  previous  to  and  since  1796. 

638. — Joseph  Campeau  (8th)  claimed  a  tract  fronting  on  the  Huron,  between 
the  claims  of  Pierre  Phenix  by  virtue  of  possession  and  improvement  previous 
to  1796. 

650. — Pierre  Tremble  claimed  a  tract  of  land  at  Pointe  Guinolet,  fronting  on 
the  lake,  and  running  along  the  northeast  side  of  Antoine  Reneau's  claim,  bounded 
on  the  southwest  by  Julian  Forton's  farm. 

656. — Nicholas  Rivard  claimed  a  tract  fronting  the  lake  between  Bte.  Celleron 
and  Louis  Tremble's  land. 

657. — Gabriel  Reneau  claimed  one  arpen  fronting  on  the  lake  at  Point  Guino- 
let, running  back  forty  arpens,  between  the  lands  of  Julian  Forton  and  Nicholas 
Rivard,  transferred  from  Colos  Rivard,  the  owner  in  1796. 

692. — Abraham  Fournier  claimed  a  tract  bounded  on  the  northeast  by  Widow 
Ambroise  Tremble's  land,  on  the  southwest  by  Rene  Marsac's,  in  front  by  the  lake, 
running  back  forty  arpens,  to  the  non-ceded  lauds,  all  in  possession  of  the  deceased 
husband  previous  to  1796. 

693. — William  Connor  claimed  600  acres  on  the  north  side  of  the  Huron, 
bounded  on  the  upper  side  by  John  Askin,  Jr.'s,  claim,  on  the  other  by  that  of 
John  Connor,  in  front  by  the  river,  and  in  rear  by  the  unlocated  lands,  whicli  tract 
was  taken  possession  of  two  years  before  the  Americans  took  possession  of  the 
country. 

695. — Ambroise  Tremble's  widow  and  heirs  claimed  the  homestead  on  which 
the  husband  and  father  lived  since  1774,  until  he  died  in  1805. 

668. — John  Askin,  for  Wm.  Ancram,  claimed  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Huron, 
which  claim  was  .supported  by  Robert  Dowler,  who  said  that  in  the  year  1786,  he 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


rented  from  Askin  a  part  of  this  tract,  and  cultivated  near  sixteen  acres  thereof 
during  the  succeeding  two  years.  John  Cornwall  lived  there  sometime  before  1788 
as  agent  for  Askin.  Forty  acres  were  under  cultivation  by  tenants  of  Askin,  and 
there  were  a  number  of  cabins  erected  on  the  lands  by  the  Moravian  ministers  and 
Indians. 

736. — Was  granted  to  Joseph  Laurent,  1810,  by  a  certificate  of  the  Board  of 
Land  Commissioners. 

Aaron  Greely  surveyed  all  those  claims,  reported  to  the  U.  S.  Land  Depart- 
ment, and  the  General  Government  issued  patents,  in  1812,  on  the  streno-th  of 
certificates  of  title  issued  by  the  Land  Board  of  Detroit  1808-1810. 

INDIAN   RESERVATIONS. 

The  following  review  refers  to  the  patentees  of  lands  reserved  to  the  Indians 
in  the  treaties,  and  held  by  them  until  their  purchase  immediately  after  the  treaty 
of  Detroit.  A  few  hundred  acres  of  those  lands  are  outside  the  couuty  line,  yet 
considered  in  the  county  records. 

LA   RIVIERE   ATJ   VASES   AND   MACONEE   RESERVES. 

Francis  Yax  -59.79  acres,  Sec.  13,  T.  3  north,  R.  14  east;    May  13,  1839. 

William  Darrell,  .5.33  "  Sec.  14,  T.  3  north,  R.  14  east ; 

Leon  C.  Rivard,  74.30  "  Sec.  23, 

James  H.  Cook,  79.40  "  "                 "                   "                      " 

Jonathan  Kearsley,  65.35  "  "                  "                    "                       " 

Paul  cir.  Cayen,  20.13  "  "                  "                   "                       « 

"  55.26  "  "                 "                   "                      « 

Jonathan  Kearsley,  17.90  "  "                  "                   "                       « 

James  H.  Cook,  48.00  "  "                 "                   "                      » 

Joseph  Socier,  78.32  "  Sec.  24,          "                    "                       " 

Francis  Yax,  13.80  "  "                  "                    "                       " 

William  Darrell,  56.60  "  "                  "     '               "                       » 

Lauring  B.  Migner,  31.64  "  Sec.  26,            "                   "                       " 

Francois  Yax,  30.61  "  Sec.  28,            "                    "                       " 

Lansing  B.  Migner,  88.70  "  Sec.  29,            "                    "                       " 

Jonathan  Kearsley,  33.35  ""  "                  "                    "          Oct.  18,  1841. 

John  B.  Socier,  56.00  "  "                  "                   "          Jan.  2,  1844. 

Jonathan  Kearsley,  7.06  "  Sec.  32,            "                    "           May  14,  1839. 

38.07  "  Sec.  33,  T.  3,  west,  R.  14,  east  ; 
The  patentees  of  the  United   States  lands  of  this  county,  who  were  settlers 

here  or  became  settlers  here  after  purchase,  will  be  regarded  in  the  pages  devoted 
to  township  history. 


a>\\ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COITNTY. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE  MORAVIANS. 

By  what  power  tyranny  is  allowed  to  exist  is  one  of  the  mysteries.  Europe 
before  the  Reformation  was  a  continent  of  tyrannies — since  the  Reformation  it  has 
changed  the  petty  tyrant  for  the  powerful  one ;  and  is  to-day  ground  down  beneath 
a  more  terrible — a  more  exacting — a  more  pernicious  oppression  than  ever  existed 
to  mark  the  pages  of  its  olden  history.  Instead  of  a  few  hundred  Moravians,  a  few 
hundred  Puritans,  a  few  hundred  Catholics  flying  from  evil  laws,  as  in  olden  times, 
we  have  tens  of  thousands,  aye  hundreds  of  thousands,  looking  westward  across 
the  Atlantic  to  these  States  with  longing  eyes,  and  sending  messages  of  hope  to 
reach  friends  here  before  they  die.  Great  numbers  have  come,  are  coming,  and 
doubtless  may  continue  to  come  ;  but  the  power  that  drives  them  from  their  old 
homes  is*a  mysterious  one.  Tyranny  forced  the  Moravians  to  seek  the  encourage- 
ment of  tyrants  in  1749.  It  was  willingly  extended,  and  thirty-two  years  later  the 
same  false  friend  murdered  one  hundred  of  those  who  sought  and  obtained  his 
dangerous  patronage. 

SETTLEMENT    OF    THE    MORAVIAN    SUSPECTS. 

The  English  at  Detroit  suspected  that  a  certain  settlement  of  pious  Moravians 
on  the  Muskingum  River  were  sympathizers  with  the  Americans,  called  a  conference 
of  the  tribes  at  Niagara,  and  urged  the  fierce  Iroquois  to  destroy  the  Moravian 
Indians,  the  name  given  to  the  few  redmen  who  had  up  to  that  period  been  con- 
verted by  the  Moravian  missionaries;  but  the  Iroquois  chiefs  failed  to  see  where 
such  a  massacre  would  benefit  themselves,  and  were  content  to  send  a  message  to 
the  Ottawas  and  Otchipwes,  requesting  them  to  make  a  houilU  of  the  Moravian 
Indians  on  tiie  Muskingum.  The  Moravian  missionaries  arrived  at  Detroit  in  1781, 
when  the  Indians  held  a  war  council  in  presence  of  those  missionaries  and  De  Peyster, 
the  commandant.  The  Indian  chief,  known  as  Capt.  Pike,  told  De  Peyster,  that 
the  English  might  kill  the  Americans  if  they  wished — they  had  raised  the  quarrel 
among  themselves,  and  they  who  should  fight  it  out.  The  English  had  set  him  on 
the  Americans  just  as  the  hunter  sets  his  dog  on  the  game  ;  but  the  Indian  would 
play  the  dog's  part  no  longer. 

Kishkawko  and  another  warrior  stood  by  the  side  of  the  British  commandant. 
The  foimer  carried  a  hickory  cane  about  four  feet  long,  ornamented  or  rather  strung 
with  the  scalps  of  Americans,  together  with  a  tomahawk  presented  to  him  by  De 


^\<s- 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Peyster  some  time  previously.  He  concluded  his  address  to  the  commandant  thus  : 
"  Now,  father,  here  is  what  has  been  done  with  the  hatchet  you  gave  me.  I  have 
made  the  use  of  it  you  ordered  me  to  do,  and  found  it  sharp."  A  few  days  after 
this  Council,  the  Moravians  left  Detroit  for  their  new  homes  on  the  Riviere  aux 
Rurons. 

MORAVIAN    INDIANS,    1781. 

Jacques  Leson,  in  his  evidence  before  the  Land  Commissioners  at  Detroit, 
November  9,  1810,  said,  in  his  reference  to  William  Ancram's  claim  for  land  in 
Macomb  County,  "  To  the  best  of  my  knowledge  the  Moravian  ministers  with 
Indians  of  the  Delaware  nation  were  living  on  these  lands  twenty-seven  or  twenty- 
eight  years  ago.  I  lived  in  the  village  and  cultivated  lands  near  for  many  years 
previous  to  July  1796,  and  recollect  Wittaness  telling  me  that  Askin  owned  a 
large  quantity  of  land  from  the  Moravian  village  upwards.  Fifteen  years  ago  the 
late  surveyor,  McNiff,  came  up  the  Huron  with  Sanscrainte,  the  interpreter,  who 
informed  me  that  they  had  come  to  survey  the  land  by  order  of  Askins.  At  that 
time  twenty  or  thirty  arpens  were  under  cultivation,  and  twenty  or  twenty-five 
cabins  and  houses  were  erected." 

John  Askin,  Sr.,  related,  that  on  April  28,  1786,  he  purchased  for  himself  and 
William  Ancram,  then  commandant  at  Detroit,  sundry  improvements  of  the  Mo- 
ravian ministers,  and  others,  and  made  by  them  on  the  river  Huron,  which  empties 
into  Lake  St.  Clair,  near  a  place  called  the  Moravian  Village,  for  which  he  paid  $200. 
He  likewise  purchased  the  improvements  made  at  the  same  place  by  the  Moravian 
or  Christian  Indians — sixteen  in  number — for  $200,  also  $50  to  one  John  Bull  for 
improvements  at  the  same  place,  together  with  furnishing  the  Moravians  two  vessels 
to  enable  them  to  return  to  Muskingum — their  former  mission.  For  all  this  he 
received  the  thanks  of  John  Huckenwelder,  their  chief-missionary.  At  this  time 
there  were  more  than  twenty  houses  with  many  out-buildings,  all  of  which  were 
purchased,  save  one  occupied  and  claimed  by  the  late  Richard  Connor,  together 
with  an  Indian  cornfield  with  a  yard  and  garden  in  rear,  which  were  pur- 
chased subsequently  by  him  and  Major  Ancram  from  eleven  chiefs  of  the  Chippewa 
Indians.  These  early  land  bu3'ers  cut  a  road  from  Detroit  through  the  woods  to 
these  lands — a  distance  of  about  twenty  miles  with  a  little  assistance  from  the  Mor- 
avian Indians.  After  the  Moravians  gave  up  possession  John  Cornwall  was 
appointed  agent,  and  Robert  Dowlar,  Ames  Weston  and  others  went  on  as  tenants. 
Those  men  left  after  some  time  when  Anci'am  placed  the  Indian  chief  Wittaness 
and  his  band  in  charge.  Those  Indians  had  much  trouble  with  Richard  Connor  of 
whom  they  often  complained.  Tliis  Moravian  village  and  adjacent  territory  became 
an  elephant  on  the  hands  of  Askin,  and  so  he  was  glad  to  accept  1,600  pounds  New 
York  currency  for  the  property  from  Isaac  Todd,  and  James  McGill,  then  merchants 


sIVw 


n>>. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  Montreal  in  Lower  Canada.      The  deed  of  conveyance  bears  date  June   28, 
1796. 

MORAVIANISM. 

The  history  of  the  Moravians  begins  in  1457,  long  years  before  Lutlier's 
Reformation.  Toward  the  close  of  the  iifteenth  centiny  there  were  over  200 
Moravian  churches  in  Moravia  and  Bohemia,  when  a  Moravian  Bible  was  published 
and  studied.  Passing  over  three  centuries  of  the  history  of  this  religious  society, 
during  which  time  it  died  out  in  its  cradle,  we  learn  of  its  revival  in  1749  under 
the  auspices  of  the  British  Parliament.  That  body  acknowledged  Moravianism  a 
part  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  further  enacted  that  every  encourage- 
ment should  be  given  to  its  followers  to  settle  in  the  British  colonies  of  Nortli 
America.  The  Moravians  came  and  established  their  missions  along  the  frontier, 
the  most  important  of  which  was  that  in  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  at  Muskingum. 
Here  100  missionaries  and  disciples  were  killed  in  1781,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
British  Government,  ostensibly  on  account  of  outrages  and  murders  charged 
against  them,  but  in  reality  on  account  of  the  sympathy  which  they  exhibited 
towards  the  New  Republic,  and  under  orders  of  British  ofScers.  The  survivors  of 
the  massacre  came  to  Detroit  in  1781,  thence  moved  to  the  village  on  the  Huron, 
which  they  named  Neiv  Qnadenlmtten. 

MORAVIAN  MARRIAGES. 

While  waiting  for  one  of  those  most  uncertain  conveyances,  known  as  a  Grrand 
Trunk  Train,  one  morning  John  E.  Day  pointed  out  the  site  of  the  ancient  village 
of  New  Gnadenhutten  to  the  writer  and  Judge  Avery,  of  N.  Y.  The  latter  related  the 
story  of  Moravian  marriages,  and,  in  fact,  had  time  to  review  the  history  of  the 
United  States  before  that  Grrand  Trunk  Train  arrived.  The  Moravians  never 
selected  a  wife  — never  had  a  chance  to  do  so,  for  the  reason  that  one  of  the  articles 
of  their  faith  pointed  out  distinctly  that  God  was  the  great  designer,  and  to  Him 
the  Moravian  should  trust  the  choice  of  a  wife.  The  manner  in  which  their  God 
made  the  selection  was  crude  indeed.  One  of  the  principal  missionaries  brought 
forth  a  cylindrical  tin  case,  something  similar  to  that  which  is  used  in  lottery  affairs 
at  the  present  time.  In  this  lie  placed  bark  or  paper  slips,  with  the  names  of  all  male 
candidates  for  matrimonial  honors.  Another  missionary  brought  forth  a  similar  tin 
case,  in  whicli  he  placed  tickets  each  bearing  the  name  of  one  marriageable  girl  of 
the  settlement.  Missionary  No.  1  gave  his  lottery  tickets  a  thorough  shaking,  then 
opened  the  little  door  and  took  out  the  ticket  which  he  first  touched,  the  name  on 
which  he  read  aloud,  and  then  presented  the  ticket  to  the  members  of  his  audience 
who  were  thenceforth  witnesses.  This  first  act  played,  missionary  No.  2  gave  the 
lottery  case  containing  the  tickets  bearing  the  female  names,  a  shaking  precisely  as 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


thorough  as  that  given  in  the  former  instance,  and  withdrawing  a  ticket,  called  out 
the  name,  presented  it  to  the  persons  near  him,  and  called  them  to  witness  the 
genuineness  of  tlie  transaction.  This  closed  the  second  act  of  the  drama.  The 
third  act  was  the  religious  ceremony  of  matrimony  and  the  proclamation  of  the 
nuptials;  the  fourth  was  the  wedding  banquet,  enlivened  by  hymns,  gunshots,  and 
congratulatory  speeches,  and  the  fifth  and  last  act  of  the  play  was  a  quiet,  evi- 
dently happy  life  until  death  separated  the  strangers  who  were  made  man  and  wife 
in  the  third  act. 

MORAVIAN   MAISTNERS,    HABITS   AND   CUSTOMS. 

The  habits  of  those  people  and  even  of  their  Indian  converts  were  as  peculiar 
as  the  manners  were  quiet  and  unassuming.  Their  customs  were  even  stranger 
than  their  habits.  Economy  was  practiced  to  such  an  extent,  that  even  they  were 
sparing  in  the  use  of  language.  In  the  midst  of  plenty  they  were  accustomed  to 
deny  themselves  food,  and  proclaimed  many  fast  days  throughout  the  year.  Their 
tastes  for  agriculture  were  not  so  marked  as  their  love  for  horticulture,  but  both 
gave  way  to  the  prevailing  passion  for  mechanical  work.  They  clothed  themselves 
in  the  plainest  fashion,  yet  seemed  always  at  home  under  all  circumstances.  Cool 
and  calculating,  and  even  usurious  when  chance  offered,  they  were  slow  to  betray 
their  feelings.  They  formed  a  community  of  such  a  peculiar  character,  that  once 
seen  they  could  never  be  forgotten. 

THE   MORAVIAN   VILLAGE. 

This  village  was  located  where  in  later  j'ears  was  the  farm  of  Elisha  Harring- 
ton, round  the  site  of  the  residence  of  tliat  pioneer.  As  described  by  Mr.  Harrington, 
this  center  of  Moravianisiu  on  this  continent,  comprised  thirty  one-story  log-houses 
— fifteen  on  each  side  of  a  laneway  forming  tlie  nucleus  of  what  the  day-dreams  of 
Huckenwelder  pointed  out  would  be  the  main  street  of  a  large  and  prosperous 
town.  In  the  center  of  one  of  those  rows  was  the  Moravian  temple,  differing  very 
little  in  external  appearance  from  the  dwellings  of  the  worshipers,  Ijuilt  as  much 
for  defense  against  the  bellicose  Otchipwes,  as  for  shelter  from  climatic  extremes. 

Here  this  tribe  remained  some  years,  but  the  Otchipwes,  whose  more  warlike 
natures  made  them  the  terror  of  all  the  neighboring  tribes,  became  jealous  of  the 
Moravians,  hating  them  because  they  had  abandoned  the  war-path,  and  the  nomadic 
life  of  their  forefathers.  They  hated  them  because  their  religion  was  full  of  mys- 
tery or  appeared  so  to  the  savages  of  the  Chippewa  nation.  The  Moravians  knew 
full  well  how  deep  was  the  hatred,  which  their  scalp-taking  neighbors  entertained 
toward  civilization,  and  her  children,  of  their  feelings  toward  any  Indians  who  pro- 
fessed friendship  for  the  American,  and  this  knowledge  tended  to  render  their  stay 
here  as  disagreeable  as  it  was  dangerous.     It  is  no  wonder  to  learn  of  their  emigra- 


't^ 


:}i}i 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


tion.  They  scattered — some  returning  to  Muskingum,  otliers  effecting  a  settle- 
ment near  the  scene  of  Proctor's  defeat,  on  tlie  Thames  River  in  Canada;  but  before 
the  persecuted  people  left  their  village  on  the  banks  of  the  Huron,  fourteen  mem- 
bers of  their  colony  died,  and  were  buried  at  Frederick,  where  their  graves  were 
made  between  what  are  now  known  as  the  Harrington  and  Stephen's  farms. 

The  old  Moravian  village  at  Frederick  has  passed  into  the  Past.  It  is  as  if  it 
had  never  been.  One  relic  alone  remains.  Years  ago  Elisha  Harrington,  realizing 
the  fact  that  the  time  would  come,  when  such  a  relic  would  possess  no  inconsider- 
able interest  to  the  antiquarian,  dug  up  and  j^reserved  a  piece  of  the  timber,  which 
formed  a  part  of  one  of  those  buildings. 

The  following  paper  on  this  subject,  read  by  the  Rev.  B.  H.  Bissell,  now  at 
Armada,  before  the  Mount  Clemens  Lyceum,  March  23,  1858,  and  introduced  by 
Judge  Eldridge  subsequently  in  his  sketches  is  a  valuable  addition  to  Moravian  his- 
tory. 

"  In  1781,  all  the  missionaries  laboring  at  their  different  stations  on  the  Musk- 
ingum, in  Ohio,  were  taken  prisoners  and  brought  before  Col.  De  Pe3'ster,  at 
Detroit,  charged  with  acting  in  concert  with  the  United  States  troops  at  Pittsburgh. 
Early  in  July,  1782,  several  of  the  Indians  who  had  been  connected  with  the  mis- 
sion arrived  at  Detroit  with  some  white  brethren,  among  whom  were  Richard 
Connor  and  his  family.  Having  obtained  permission  from  the  Chippewas  in  their 
behalf,  De  Peyster  advised  the  Moravians  to  settle  on  the  Clinton  (then  known  as 
the  Huron)  River,  and  to  bring  their  Indians  there.  He  furnished  them  a  vessel 
and  provisions,  and  such  utensils  as  they  needed,  together  with  two  milch  cows 
and  some  horses,  and  his  lady  also  made  them  several  useful  presents.  On  the  20th  of 
July,  1782,  Zeisberger  and  Jungman,  with  their  families,  and  Edwards  and  Jung, 
single  missionaries,  set  out  with  nineteen  Indians  from  Detroit,  and  arrived  at  their 
new  home  on  the  Clinton  River  the  next  evening.  They  named  it  New  Gnaden- 
hutten,  in  remembrance  of  their  old  home  on  the  Muskingum.  Some  more  of 
their  dispersed  converts  now  gathered  to  them,  and  a  flourishing  settlement  was 
in  prospect.  .  .  .  The  commandant  at  Detroit  had  made  arrangements  with  the 
Indians  that  this  settlement  at  Frederick  should  continue  until  peace  was  restored 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.  They  remaining  after  this  event, 
the  Chippewas,  on  whose  lands  the  mission  was  located,  became  jealous  of  them, 
and  on  the  20th  of  April,  1786,  the  whole  was  abandoned  with  the  intention  of 
returning  to  Ohio.  Mr.  Connor  being  advanced  in  years  preferred  to  remain,  and 
this  made  it  a  center  for  other  settlers. 

Richard  Connor  located  upon  what  is  known  as  the  Wells  Farm,  now  owned  by 
Messrs.  Campbell  and  Sackett.  The  Moravian  mission  was  located  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  near  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  Henry  Harrington. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


This  spot  had  evidently  been  the  site  of  an  ancient  Indian  village.  A  few- 
years  afterwards,  in  sinking  a  cellar  for  a  dwelling  there,  the  excavators  exhumed 
a  large  number  of  bones,  the  remains  of  the  dead  buried  there. 

After^  the  establishment  of  this  settlement  at  Frederick,  and  before  the 
departure  of  the  missionaries  in  the  spring  of  1874,  Mr.  William  moved  with  his 
family  into  the  county  and  located  a  home  at  about  the  spot  where  Mr.  Charles 
Tucker  now  resides.  Of  these  two  first  American  settlers  we  naturally  love  to  in- 
quire. From  whence  they  came,  and  why,  would  be  subjects  of  interest  had  their 
lives  been  even  those  of  quiet,  ordinary  vanguards  of  civilization  in  peaceful  times." 

THE   GERMAN   IMMIGRATION   OP   1845. 

The  extensive  German  immigration  of  1845  brought  to  Michigan  a  number  of 
Franconians  and  Bavarians,  who  felt  tliemselves  oppressed  at  home.  Those  under 
the  advice  of  Pastor  Loche  resolved  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States,  there  to 
follow  the  profession  of  the  Lutheran  creed,  and  to  essay  the  conversion  of  the 
Indians.  Within  a  few  years  the  first  colony  of  fifteen,  succeeding  in  attracting 
five  times  that  number  to  our  land,  and  of  the  second  and  third  bodies  of  immi- 
grants a  few  settled  in  Macomb  County,  the  greater  number  locating  in  Saginaw. 

The  immigration  of  1849,  the  result  of  an  attempt  made  by  the  people  to  cast 
away  the  tyrant,  marked  the  history  of  that  year.  The  Revolutionists  sought 
refuge  in  tlie  United  States,  not  a  few  of  them  finding  a  home  of  liberty  in  this 
county.  The  German  immigration  of  later  days  brought  us  Pomeranians  and 
Mecklenburghers,  Belgians  and  Hollanders. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

PIONEER   HISTORY. 

A  period  of  time  bordering  on  a  century  has  passed  away  since  the  American 
pioneer  first  appeared  in  this  county.  Those  years  have  been  pregnant  with 
changes — social,  political,  even  physical  change.  The  visitor  of  to-day,  ignorant 
of  the  past  history  of  Macomb,  could  scarcely  realize  the  fact,  that  within  ninety- 
seven  years,  a  population,  approximating  35,000  grew  up,  where,  toward  the  close 
of  the  Eighteenth  Century,  a  few  bands  of  aborigines,  with  a  few  French  and 
American  trappers,  hunters  and  fishermen  existed.  The  population  has  not  onlj' 
grown  to  its  present  number,  but  also  in  wealth,  refinement  and  all  these  char- 
acteristics, which  mark  the  older  counties,  of  tlie  Eastern  States.  Schools,  churches, 
palatial  dwellings,  extensive  marts,  busy  mills,  cultivated  fields  now  occupy  the 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


village  sites  and  hunting  grounds  of  the  Otchipwes ;  while  p  people  endowed  with 
tlie  highest  faculties  occupy  the  domain  of  the  Otchipwes  themselves.  There  are 
but  few  left  of  the  old  landmarks,  still  a  smaller  number  of  the  old  settlers. 
Civilization  and  its  demands  have  conspired  to  raze  almost  every  monument  of  the 
red  man — to  obliterate  almost  every  trace  of  his  occupancy ;  while  on  the  other 
liand  Old  Time  placed  his  heavy  hand  upon  many  of  the  pioneers,  driving  them, 
as  it  were,  awa}^  from  the  old  homestead  to  the  promised  land  beyond  the  grave. 

Previous  to  1781  the  white  inliabitants  were  all  Frenchmen  or  French  Canadians 
and  the  numerous  French  trappers  and  hunters  who  made  the  banks  of  the  North- 
ern Huron  their  headquarters.  During  the  year  1781  the  first  American  settler  set 
•his  foot  upon  the  soil,  and  built  for  himself  the  rude  hut,  which  was  the  model  of 
pioneer  dwellings  in  the  State.  The  treaty  which  conveyed  the  land  in  tlie  neigh- 
borhood of  Detroit  to  the  National  Government  drew  attention  to  this  portion  of  the 
ceded  Indian  territory,  and  attracted  a  few  more  settlers.  Tlie  fur  traders  intro- 
duced themselves,  found  a  land  teeming  with  milk  and  honey,  and  settled  in  it,  so 
far  as  such  men  settle,  while  yet  all  Michigan,  save  that  portion  of  the  peninsula 
around  Detroit,  was  a  wilderness.  Succeeding  tliem  a  stream  of  Americans 
I^oured  in,  and  in  the  course  of  a  dozen  years,  it  was  found  that  many  of  the  Amer- 
icans who  came  as  visitors,  located  here,  and  built  their  homes  in  the  beautiful 
wilderness. 

It  is  not  strange  that  among  the  pioneers  and  old  settlers  of  a  county,  a  deep- 
seated  and  sincere  friendship  should  spring  up,  to  grow  and  strengthen  with  their 
advancing  years.  The  incidents  peculiar  to  life  in  a  new  country,  the  trials  and 
hardsliips,  privations  and  destitutions,  are  well  calculated  to  test,  not  only  the 
physical  powers  of  endurance,  but  also  the  moral,  kindly,  generous  attributes  of 
true  manhood  and  womanhood.  Then  are  the  times  which  try  men's  souls,  and 
bring  to  the  surface  all  that  may  be  in  them  of  good  or  evil.  As  a  rule,  there  is  an 
equality  of  conditions  that  can  not  recognize  distinction  of  class — all  occupy  a  com- 
mon level,  and  as  a  consequence  a  fraternal  feeling  grows  into  existence  that  is  as 
lasting  as  the  lives  of  the  old  settlers,  and,  in  a  great  number  of  instances,  as  the 
lives  of  their  children. 

In  such  a  community  there  is  a  hospitality,  a  kindness,  a  benevolence,  and 
high  above  all,  a  charity,  unknown  and  unpracticed  among  the  older,  richer,  and 
more  densely  populated  settlements,  just  in  the  same  manner,  perhaps,  as  there  was 
a  higher  faith  animating  the  early  Christians,  than  that  which  marks  the  Christian 
people  of  the  present  day.  The  very  nature  of  the  surroundings  of  those  pioneers 
taught  them  to  feel  each  other's  woe — to  share  in  each  other's  joy,  and  live  in  com- 
munal integrity.  An  injury  or  a  wrong  may  be  ignored  with  profit  to  the  evil-doer 
and  his  victim  ;  but  a  kind,  generous,  charitable  act  is  never  to  be  forgotten — the 


^ 


4 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


memory  of  old  associations  and  kind  acts  must  for  ever  remain  green.  Raven  locks 
may  bleach  in  the  summer  sun,  and  whiten  through  the  cold  of  winter;  round 
cheeks  may  become  sunken  and  hollow ;  the  fire  of  intellect  may  fade  from  the 
eye  ;  the  brow  may  become  wrinkled  with  care  and  age,  and  the  erect  form  may  bow 
under  tlie  weight  of  accumulated  years  ;  but  the  true  friends  of  long  ago  must  be 
remembered  so  long  as  memory  itself  lives. 

As  a  general  rule  the  men  and  women  who  first  settled  this  land  were  bold, 
fearless,  self-reliant  and  industrious.  In  these  respects  no  matter  from  what  part  of  the 
world  those  old  settlers  came,  there  was  a  similarity  of  character.  In  birth,  educa- 
tion, language  and  religion  there  were  differences;  but  such  differences  did  not 
interfere  with  harmony;  in  fact,  they  soon  vanished,  became  lost  by  association, 
and  a  common  interest  united  all. 

In  pioneer  life  there  are  always  incidents  of  peculiar  interest,  not  only  to  the 
pioneers  themselves,  but  also  to  posterity.  It  is  a  matter  much  to  be  regretted  that 
the  old  settlers  of  Macomb  did  not  begin  at  an  earlier  date  to  organize  tliemselves 
into  an  association,  for  even  tlie  record  of  reminiscences  related  at  tlie  meetings 
of  such  an  association  liave  a  direct  bearing  upon  history,  and  serve  to  add  to  tlie 
literature  of  the  Republic's  first  century  the  history  of  every  community.  Aside 
from  the  liistoric  importance  of  such  re-unions,  they  serve  to  enliven  and  cement 
old  friendsliips,  and  renew  old  memories  that  might  liave  been  interrupted  by  the 
innovations  of  progress.  It  is  well  that  even  now  they  have  realized  the  import- 
ance of  organization. 

SOCIETY  OF  1871. 

At  a  meeting  of  pioneers  held  at  Romeo  Hall,  Sept.  5,  1871,  to  organize  a 
pioneer  society,  William  F.  Abbott  was  elected  chairman,  and  Aaron  B.  Rawles, 
secretary.  On  motion  of  A.  E.  Leete,  a  resolution  was  adopted  to  form  the  Romeo 
Historical  Society.  A  committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  draft  a  Constitution 
and  By-Laws,  as  follows  :  Albert  E.  Leete,  Dexter  Mussey,  C.  Bearing,  H.  O.  Ladd 
and  J.  E.  Day.  This  committee  reported  a  series  of  six  articles  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  society,  which  report  was  adopted.  The  meeting  then  proceeded  to 
elect  officers,  with  the  following  result:  President,  Albert  E.  Leete  ;  Vice-Presi- 
dent, John  E.  Day;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  William  F.  Abbott;  Historian, 
Horatio  O.  Ladd.  This  society  continued  in  existence  for  some  time,  but  ultimately 
ceased  to  exist. 

ORGANIZATION   OF   THE   COUNTY   PIONEERS. 

At  tlie  earnest  request  of  many  citizens  of  Macomb  County,  anxious  to  collect 
incidents  and  biographical  sketches  of  early  settlements  and  settlers,  and  place  on 
record  some  of  the  early  history  of  the  county,  a  meeting  was  called  at  Washington 
Village,  March  22,  1881.     Owing  to  the  severity  of  the  weather  and  condition  of 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMR  COUNTY. 


the  roads,  the  pioneer  element  was  not  so  largely  represented  as  it  would  otherwise 
have  l)een. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  b}^  W.  A.  Wales,  when  Mr.  Wales  was 
elected  chairman  and  Stephen  B.  Cannon,  secretai-y.  Pi-ayer  was  offered 
by  Rev.  John  Cannon.  Loren  Andrus,  H.  Rose,  Rev.  John  C!annon, 
Calvin  G.  White,  Thomas  Brabb,  H.  N.  Miller,  Niles  Giddings.  C.  M. 
Bates,  addressed  the  people  on  the  subject  of  organization.  This  meeting  was 
entirely  favorable  to  the  enterprise,  a  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  draft  a 
Constitution  and  set  of  By-Laws.  A  committee  was  named  to  recommend  names 
of  persons  for  permanent  officers  of  the  society,  another  committee  ou  music,  and 
still  another  to  arrange  for  a  future  meeting  of  the  jiioneers. 

Committee  No.  1  was  comnosed  of  Stephen  B.  Cannon,  Loren  Andrus  and  N. 
H.  Miller.  No.  2  comin-ised  N.  H.  Miller,  Allen  Pearsall  and  Timotliy  Lockwood. 
No.  3  was  represented  by  Byron  Norton.  No.  4,  by  Loi-en  Andrus,  Stephen  B. 
Cannon,  Mrs.  Loren  Andrus,  Mrs.  Thomas  Brabb  and  Mrs.  William  A.  Stone. 

Loren  Andrus  moved  that  the  Rev.  Edward  Davis  be  requested  to  deliver 
the  inaugural  address  before  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  association. 

THE   FIEST    REGULAR   MEETING 

Was  held  May  26,  1881.  The  Committee  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws  reported, 
which  report  was  accepted  on  motion  made  by  John  E.  Day.  The  Committee  on 
Permanent  Officers  was  directed  to  reconsider  report,  which  order  was  followed 
by  the  recommendation  of  Chauncey  G.  Cady  for  president ;  Williard  A.  Wales, 
treasurer,  and  John  E.  Day,  secretary.  The  following-named  gentlemen  were 
appointed  Vice-Presidents :  O.  G.  Burgess,  Richmond ;  Hiram  Barrows,  Armada ; 
Dexter  Mussey,  Bruce  ;  Jolni  A.  Tinsman,  Washington  ;  Zelotis  Stone,  Ray  ;  John 
Dryer,  Lenox;  C.  H  ,oker,  Chesterfield;  Horace  H.  Cady,  Macomb;  John  Keeler, 
Shelby ;  Charles  Hutchins,  Stirling ;  Edgar  Weeks,  Clinton ;  William  Tuckei', 
Harrison  ;  John  Cumings,  Erin  ;  John  Beebe,  Warren. 

At  this  meeting  over  400  persons  were  present;  the  History  of  Washtenaiv 
County^  introduced  and  edited  by  M.  A.  Leeson,  was  presented  by  Mr.  Lorenzo 
Davis,  son  of  Rev.  J.  E.  Davis,  of  Macoinb  County,  a  representative  citizen  of 
Washtenaw.  > 

An  executive  committee,  composed  of  Stephen  B.  Cannon,"Martin  ■Buzzell, 
and  Perry  M.  Bentley,  was  elected. 

C.  Harlow  Green  read  a  paper  on  tiie  early  schools,  of  the  churches  and 
pastors  of  Macomb  County. 

The  Secretary,  John  E.  Day,  spoke  in  support  of  Rev.  Mr.  Davis'  paper, 
and  on  the  importance  of  securing  not  only  a  history  of  events  connected  with  the 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


county,  but  also  a  biographical  sketch  of  each  of  the  old  settlers.     His  remarks 
were  fully  concurred  in. 

The  address  of  welcome  delivered  by  the  centenarian,  Rev.  J.  E.  Davis,  of 
Macomb  Township,  was  a  remarkably  able  paper,  very  full  and  instructive,  and  one 
which  was  received  most  enthusiastically  by  tlie  people. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  society  was  held  at  Gray's  Opera  House,  Romeo, 
September  7,  1881.  This  reunion  was  one  of  the  most  important  ever  held  by  the 
pioneers  of  any  county  in  the  Union,  made  so  by  the  historic  excellence  of  the  dis- 
courses delivered.  Dexter  Mussey  spoke  on  the  local  history  of  Romeo,  Judge 
.James  B.  Eldridge  on  the  organization  in  Macomb  County.  J.  E.  Day  read 
Nathaniel  Carter's  paper  on  his  settlement  in  the  County.  Mr.  Day  also  read  a 
poem  by  James  Lawson,  the  writer  being  then  at  Point  St.  Ignace,  engaged  in  the 
examination  of  public  lands.  Tiie  first  temperance  movement  in  the  county  was  ably 
treated  by  the  secretary ;  while  S.  H.  Ewell  dealt  with  tlie  first  election,  on  the 
Temperance  Ticket,  held  at  Romeo.  The  president,  C.  G.  Cady,  H.  A.  Cady,  Elisha 
Calkins,  Oran  Freeman,  Thos.  Stalker,  and  Josejah  Chubb  were  among  the  speakers 
and  story-tellers. 

The  third  reunion  of  the  society  was  held  within  the  Congregational  Ciiurch, 
Armada  Village,  December  28,  1881.  C.  G.  Cady  presided  with  John  E.  Day, 
secretary.  This,  the  writer  is  inclined  to  think,  was  one  of  the  most  agreeable 
reunions  ever  participated  in.  It  was  organized  at  the  instance  of  the  secretary  and 
was  complete  in  every  particular — social  and  literary.  Rev.  H.  N.  Bissell  delivered 
a  discourse  on  the  early  History  of  Macomb.  The  young  ladies,  who  added  so 
mxich  to  the  success  of  the  meeting,  were  partially  rewarded  by  witnessing  the 
excitement,  which  one  of  their  practical  jokes  drew  forth.  They  helped  the  old ' 
people  to  tea,  cream  and  salt — they  enjoyed  the  luxury  of  doing  good,  and  were 
particularly  amused  to  witness  the  wry  faces  which  their  senior  friends  assumed 
when  the  joke  was  discovered. 

A  paper  was  read  by  Perrin  C.  Goodell,  on  Earlij  Times  in  Armada.  Messrs. 
Ewell  and  Davis,  accompanied  on  the  organ  by  Miss  Owen,  rendered  the  song 
—  Tlie  Old  Musician  and  his  Havp,  very  effectively.  Mr.  H.  O.  Brown,  representing 
the  writer  of  the  County  History,  laid  before  the  meeting  a  plan  of  the  proposed 
history.  His  address  was  well  received.  L.  D.  Owen  read  a  paper  on  early  times 
in  Shelby;  the  president  recited  a  number  of  his  experiences  of  early  settlement. 
Edgar  Weeks  dealt  with  the  history  of  the  Press  of  Macomb  County;  Oran  Free- 
man related  a  few  unvarnished  tales ;  an  historical  committee  was  appointed  to 
aid  the  general  historian  in  the  correction  or  revision  of  the  general  history,  and 
a  vote  of  thanks  passed  to  the  people  of  Armada,  as  well  as  to  the  genial  pres- 
ident. 


224 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


CHAETEB   MEMBERS. 

Chauncey  G.  Cady,  born  in  Ofcsego  County,  N.  Y.,  August  20,  1803,  settled  in 
Clinton  Township,  at  Mount  Clemens,  October  20,  1820,  elected  president  of  the 
Macomb  County  Pioneer  Association  in  1881. 

M.  I.  Cady,  born  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  December  19,  1820.  Moved  to 
Oakland,  and  located  in  Warren  Township,  Macomb  Co.,  in  1832. 

John  E.  Day,  son  of  Erastus  Day,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Armada  Township,  January 
11,  1838,  is  now  a  resident  of  Richmond  Township,  and  secretary  of  the  Pioneer 
Society  of  Macomb  County. 

John  Cannon,  born  at  Salem,  Mass.,  September  21,  1808,  moved  to  Saratoga, 
N.  Y.,  thence  to  Washtenaw  Co.,  Mich.,  and  in  1831,  located  on  Section  3,  Shelby 
Township,  where  he  has  been  minister  of  the  Christian  Church  since  1831. 

Calvin  G.  White,  born  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  July  10,  1803,  moved  to  West- 
ern New  York  in  1817,  and  to  Armada  Township,  May  16,  1831. 

S.  H.  Davis  and  his  wife,  S.  M.  Davis,  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  Septembei' 
13,  1813,  settled  in  Washington  Township  at  Romeo,  June  15,  1813. 

Robert  Warner.     See  biographical  sketch. 

Arad  Freeman  was.  born  at  Pompey,  N.  Y.,  February  28,  1815,  moved  to  On- 
tario County,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Ray  Township,  Macomb  County,  June  3, 
1824. 

Peter  J.  Lerich,  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  May  20, 1810,  settled  in  Shelby, 
May  29,  1835. 

Sarah  F.  Lerich  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  December,  4,  1817,  settled 
in  Shelby,  May  29,  1835. 

John  Gass  was  born  in  Green  County,  N.  Y.,  1808,  moved  to  Ray  Township 
in  1830,  where  he  settled  on  Section  29. 

Samuel  H.  Ewell,  born  at  Romeo,  now  Middlebury,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  January 
3,  1819,  moved  to  Bruce  Township,  May  28,  1836. 

Martin  Buzzell,  born  in  Canada  East,  May  16,  moved  to  Western  New  York 
in  1817,  and  to  Bruce  Township,  July  1831. 

Julia  A.  Buzzell,  born  in  Canada,  November  11,  1824,  moved  to  Washington 
TownshiiJ,  October  6,  1844. 

Stephen  B.  Cannon,  born  in  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  September  30,  1832, 
settled  in  Washington  Township,  Macomb  County,  January,  1834. 

Hiram  W.  Miller,  was  born  at  Hampton,  Washington  Co.,  N.  J.,  November  26, 
1814,  moved  to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Washington  Township,  this 
County,  June,  1822. 

E.  D.  Hamblin,  was  born  at  Windsor,  Vt.,  January  16,  1809 ;  moved  to  Mon- 
roe County,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Macomb  County,  Mich.,  June  1,  1826. 


lliu 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


MEMBERS    ENROLLED    SINCE   ORGANIZATION. 

O.  D.  Thompson,  born  at  Wellport,  N.  Y.,  December  23,  1835;  settled  at 
Romeo,  November,  1858.     Principal  of  Romeo  Higli  School. 

William  L.  Dicken,  born  in  Ray  Township,  Macomb  County,  October  8,  1833, 
County  Clerk,  January  1,  1879. 

Charles  Tackles,  born  in  Macomb  County,  November  '22,  1827.  Elected 
County  Treasurer,  and  entered  on  duties  of  that  office,  January  1,  1879. 

Joseph  Chubb,  born  at  Pittsford,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  April  5, 1822,  moved  into 
Ray  Township,  Macomb  County,  May,  1825,  was  admitted  an  Attorney-at-Law  in 
1862  by  the  Washtenaw  Circuit  Court. 

Henry  Connor,  born  in  Macomb  County,  October  25,  1818,  grandson  of  the 
pioneer,  Richard  O'Connor.  He  has  been  proprietor  of  the  hotel  at  Mount  Clemens 
for  the  last  thirtj'-five  years. 

James  B.  Eldridge,  born  in  Macomb  County,  November  25,  1836 ;  elected 
Judge  of  Probate  in  1876,  and  entered  on  duties  of  that  office,  January  1,  1877. 

Robert  J.  Crawford,  born  in  Macomb  County,  September  1,  1858. 

Calvin  Davis,  born  in  Macomb  County,  July  27,  1832. 

George  A.  Waterbury,  born  at  St.  Clair,  St.  Clair  County,  August  11,  1847  ; 
moved  to  Sanilac  in  1848;  to  Romeo,  Jidy,  1873,  now  proprietor  and  editor  of  the 
Romeo  Observer,  and  possessor  of  a  fine  collection  of  antiquities  and  minerals. 

Erastus  Day,  born  iu  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  October  15,  1808 ;  moved  into 
Canada,  1812,  and  to  Lima,  N.  Y.,  in  1824;  thence  to  Bruce  Township,  Macomb 
County,  December,  182G.  He  was  for  fifty  years  a  captain  of  State  Militia,  and  is  a 
survivor  of  the  Toledo  War. 

jV  rs.  Betsey  Day  was  born  at  Burlington,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  October  17,  1813''; 
moved  to  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1816,  to  Erie  County,  Pa.,  in  1826,  and 
thence  to  Macomb  County,  Mich.,  iu  1835.  This  lady  was  the  pioneer  school 
teacher  of  Armada  Township. 

Julia  Seeley,  born  in  Lindon  Township,  Vt.,  January  11,  1808;  moved  to 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  thence  to  Onondaga,  thence  to  Niagara  and  lastly  to 
Michigan,  in  1831.     She  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Thurston. 

William  Inwood,   born  at  Dunkinfield,   Southampton,    England,   February    28, 
1791.     Came  to  Washington  Township,  Macomb  County,  May  22,  1837. 

Dexter  Mussey,  born  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  January  12, 1811 ;  moved  to  Lowell, 
Mass.,  in  1832,  and  to  Romeo,  Mich.,  in  1837.  He  was  speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives. 

Grace  N.  Owen,  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  November  12,  1824  ;  moved 
to  Shelby  Township,  June  18,  1825. 

Charles  Andrews,  born  at  Putney,  Vt,  August  28,   1820;  moved  to   West 

15 


V 


■+• 


HISTORY   OF   :\1AC0M1!   COUNTY. 


Bloomfield  in  1829,  to  Mindon,  N.  Y.,  in  1830,  to  Pittsford,  N.  Y.,  in  1832,  to 
Armada  in  1840.     State  Senator  from  1828  to  1870. 

Horace  H.  Cady,  born  at  Hadley,  Windham  Co.,  Conn.,  February  20,  1801, 
moved  to  Batavia,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Mount  Clemens,  May  24, 
1821.     Mr.  Cady  hiis  been  a  member  of  the  Legislature  for  many  years; 

Deliverance  S.  Priest,  boi'n  at  Bennington,  Vt.,  August  7,  1814,  moved  to 
Western  New  York  in  1819,  thence  to  Ray  Township,  Macomb  County,  in  1838. 

John  N.  Selliek,  born  at  Middlebury,  Wyoming  Co.,  N.  Y.,  February  17, 1808 ; 
moved  to  Avon,  Livingstone  Co.,  in  1814,  and  thence  to  Romeo,  Midi.,  i.i  March, 
1837. 

J.  W.  AUor,  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  19,  1837,  came  to  Chester- 
field, Macomb  Co.,  October  23,  1852. 

Oran  Freeman  was  born  in  Onondago  County,  N.  Y.,  June  14,  1818  ;  moved 
to  Ontario,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Ray  Township,  June  1,  1824. 

George  W.  Garvin  was  born  in  Washington  Township,  Macomb  County, 
August  26,  1835,  now  a  resident  of  Ray  Townsliip. 

George  W.  Gass,  born  in  Green  County,  N.  Y.,  May  1,  1813,  came  to  Ray 
Township,  October  3,  1836. 

Ljdia  Bailey,  born  at  Romeo  in  1834,  daughter  of  Asahel  Bailey,  still  resides 
at  Romeo. 

Luthe''  Procter  was  born  at  Armada  in  1830. 

Mrs.  Luther  Procter,  daughter  of  A.  W.  Stirling,  was  born  at  Romeo  in  1836. 

Nathaniel  Carter,  born  at  Leominster,  Mass.,  February  20,  1806 ;  settled  in 
Armada  Township,  September  10,  1831. 

Edmund  Gould,  born  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  June  14,  1817;  moved  to 
Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Bruce  Township,  June  1,  1823. 

Wilson  Cronk,  born  in  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  March  22,  1822  ;  moved  to 
Otsego  County,  thence  to  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  and  lastly  to  Ray  Township, 
December  20,  1854. 

Julia  A.  Cronk  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  January  23,  1828 ;  moved 
thence  to  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  and  again  to  Ray,  February  21,  1855. 

Philip  Cudworth  was  born  at  Richmond,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  30,  1811  ; 
located  on  Section  33  of  Armada,  October,  1835. 

Stephen  H.  Fitch,,  born  in  Columbia  County.  N.  Y.,  July  17,  1807,  moved  to 
Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1824 ;  thence  to  Cattaraugus  County,  1828,  and  to 
Romeo,  May  2,  1831. 

Mrs.  Phcebe  Waterman,  daughter  of  Mr.  Stroup,  was  born  in  Seneca  County,  N. 
Y.,  April  27,  1815 ;  removed  to  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Ray,  Macomb 
Co.,  Mich.,  in  May,  1827. 


[^s 


-14* 


HISTORY  OF  MACOilB   COUNTY. 


Mrs.  Chloe  Steward,  wife  of  N.  Carter,  born  in  Vermont,  April  13,  1815, 
moved  to  New  York  State,  and  thence  to  Ray,  in  1B29. 

Mrs.  Joseph  Crissman,  formerly  Miss  Elizabeth  Snover,  was  born  in  Warren 
County,  N.  J.,  July,  1806,  came  to  Bokland  June  1,  1832. 

Wallace  Westbrook,  born  in  Sussex  County,  N.  Y.,  April  16,  1824,  moved  to 
Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  thence  to  Bruce  Township,  October  15,  1848. 

Daniel  Miller,  born  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  February  18,  1798,  moved  to 
Genesee  County,  thence  to  Washington  Township,  1822.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the 
War  of  1812-14. 

Jesse  Bishop,  born  at  Richmond,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  1303,  moved  to  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Bruce  Township,  Macomb  Co.,  August  14,  1831. 

Ebenezer  Brooks,  born  at  Putney,  Vt.,  January  15,  1809 ;  moved  into  Massa- 
chusetts in  1818,  thence  to  Lenox,  Macomb  County,  April,  1834. 

Mrs.  C.  D.  Brooks  settled  here  with  her  husband. 

Josiah  T.  Robinson,  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  January  2, 1807  ;  moved  into 
Onondaga  County,  thence  to  Monroe,  next  to  Orleans  County,  and  lastly  settled 
in  Clinton  Township,  May  18,  1831. 

Major  Webster,  born  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  August  29, 1801,  moved  to  Ray 
Township,  June  1,  1826. 

Michael  Bowmann  was  born  in  New  York  State  in  1786. 

Edmund  L.  Goff  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  January  6,  1817  ;  came 
to  Washington,  December  20,  1838. 

Lucy  Goff  was  born  in  Oakland  County,  N.  Y.,  May  8,  1823;  came  to  Shelby, 
Macomb  Co.,  March,  1830. 

G.  W.  Phillips,  was  born  at  Lima,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  17,  1829,  came 
to  Armada,  August,  1831.  He  has  been  president  of  the  State  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture from  1870  to  1872  ;  member  of  the  Board  for  twelve  years,  and  president  of 
the  M.  Co.  Ag.  Society  for  eight  years. 

H.  T.  Bancroft,  born  in  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  April  8,  1827,  moved  to 
Armada,  Mich.,  July  14,  1839. 

L.  D.  Owen,  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  August  16, 1815  ;  came  to  Shelby, 
July  3,  1825. 

Mrs.  G.  W.  Phillips,  born  at  Romeo,  December  6,  1828,  daughter  of  A.  W. 
Sterling. 

Daniel  Flagler,  born  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  May  14,  1814,  moved  into  Richmond 
Township,  Macomb  County,  October,  1836. 

Alex.  H.  Shelp,  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  January  8,  1820 ;  settled  at 
Mount  Clemens,  October  17,  1843,  and  at  Romeo,  August  17,  1846. 

G.  H.  Cannon,  was  born  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  December  30, 1826,  moved 


HISTORY   OF   :\IACOMl}  COUNTY. 


to  Washtenaw  in  1833,  and  to  Bruce  Township  in  1835.  Mr.  Cannon  has  been 
engaged  in  the  Public  Land  Survey  sevice  since  1849.  He  has  contributed  not  a 
little  to  the  geological  and  archteological  history  of  this  State. 

Amos  Finch,  born  in  Macomb  County,  July  10,  1836.     Native. 

E.  F.  Siblej',  born  at  Brighton,  N.  Y.,  November  29,  1827;  settled  in  Armada 
Township,  October,  1835. 

Hiram  Barrows,  born  at  Wyoming,  N.  Y.,  in  1824 ;  moved  westward  to  Wis- 
consin in  1842 ;  came  to  Michigan  five  years  later,  and  settled  in  Ray  Township  in 
May,  1847.     Mr.  Barrows  has  served  the  Union  in  the  War  of  1861-5. 

Mrs.  Anna  A.  Pettibone,  born  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y. ;  came  to  Michigan 
witli  her  husband  in  1845. 

Mrs.  Pierce,  formerly  May  Lvisk,  was  born  iu  Monroe  Count3s  N.  Y.,  January 
10,  1810 ;  came  to  Washington  Township,  July  3,  1848. 

Mrs.  Geo.  (Simmons)  Carter,  Rev.  Thomas  Stalker,  Elisha  Calkins,  and  J.  L. 
Starkweather,  are  among  the  members  of  the  Society. 

Anna  Finch  (Smith)  born  in  Richmond  Township,  September  24, 1846,  removed 
to  Shiawassee  County  in  1861,  returned  to  Armada  in  1867.     Native. 

Nathan  Hurd  was  born  in  Canada,  August  7, 1825 ;  settled  in  Macomb  County 
in  1834. 

Mrs.  H.  N.  Bissell  (Elizabeth  Hubbard),  was  born  at  Bolton,  Conn.,  February 
25,  1820,  and  moved  to  Mount  Clemens  in  1854. 

Rev.  H.  N.  Bissell,  born  at  East  Wiusor,  Conn.,  June  2, 1816,  moved  to  Milan, 
Ohio  in  1835,  and  to  Macomb  County  in  1854. 

Perrin  C.  Goodeli,  born  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  July  2,  1817,  settled  iu 
Armada  Township,  May  17,  1831. 

H.  N.  Richards,  hovn  at  Wethersfield,  N.  Y.,  January  2, 1820,  settled  in  Lenox 
Townslup,  November  15,  1842. 

G.  H.  Stuart,  born  at  West  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  October  20,  1813,  settled  in 
Richmond  Township,  in  May,  1842. 

Setli  Davis,  born  in  Richmond  Township,  July  13,  1840,  moved  into  Armada 
Township  in  1873. 

John  E.  Barringer,  born  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  1841,  settled  in 
Armada  Township,  November  4,  1862. 

S3'rena  (Smith)  Flagler,  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  the  county,  and  a  member 
of  tlie  Society. 

W.  G.  Anderson,  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  May  22,  1817,  moved  to 
Mazara  County  in  1821,  and  thence  to  Macomb  County,  May  22,  1831. 

William  E.  Preston,  born  at  Eastford,  Conn.,  June  20,  1822,  moved  to  Chau- 
tauqua County  in  1854,  and  to  Macomb  County  in  1865. 


r 


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HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Lavinia  E.  P.  Preston  (Leonard),  was  born  at  Woodstock,  Conn.,  June  19, 
1824,  moved  eastward  in  1846,  and  to  Armada  in  1865. 

James  Flower,  born  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  October  18,  1810,  moved  to 
Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1828,  to  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  in  1832,  and  to 
Armada  Townshij)  in  1835. 

Josejih  Weller,  born  in  Chesterfield  Townshij),  July  4,  1831.     Native. 

Newman  Freeman  was  born  in  Washington  Township,  April  27,  1832;  settled 
in  Armada  Township  in  1844.     Native. 

Mary  Freeman  (Frost)  was  born  in  Armada  Township,  July  28,  1839.     Native. 

Sajlie  A.  Aldricli  (Finch)  was  born  at  Richmond,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  June  9, 
1818,  settled  at  Armada  in  1828. 

James  Banister,  born  at  Gainesville,  Wyoming  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  27,  1827, 
moved  to  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  thence  to  Armada,  June,  1855. 

Charlotte  Day  (Smith),  born  at  Aurelius,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  27,  1827, 
moved  to  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  and  thence  to  Armada,  1855. 

Jane  (Butterfield)  Pomeroy,  Linott  Butterfield,  Mary  E.  (Corbin)  Sibley, 
Charles  A.  Lathrop,  Rachel  A.  (Young)  Lathrop,  and  Mrs.  A.  C.  Bennett,  are 
among  the  members  of  the  Society. 

W.  D.  Pettibone,  born  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1834,  settled  in 
Michigan,  at  Armada,  July  4,  1845. 

John  Hicks,  born  at  Bristol,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  October  15,  1803,  settled  in 
Richmond  Township,  October  16,  1836. 

Bert  C.  Preston  was  born  in  Armada  Township,  January  2,  1 859.     Native. 

Elisha  D.  Lathrop  was  born  in  Armada  Township,  December  25,  1839.    Native. 

Caleb  Miller  was  born  in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  October  21,  1814. 

Geo.  N.  Carter  born  in  Armada  Township,  Macomb  County,  March  1, 1834. 

S.  H.  Corbyn,  of  Plainfield,  Mich.,  an  old  settler  of  the  county,  was  admitted 
a  member  of  the  Society. 

PIONEER   REMINISCENCES. 

In  the  following  pages  extracts  from  the  records,  belonging  to  the  Pioneer 
Association,  are  given,  together  with  iriany  stories,  characteristic  of  pioneer  life, 
collected  from  otlier  sources.  Tiie  sketches  of  the  O'Connor,  or  Connor,  and  the 
Tucker  families  are  taken  from  papers  on  the  early  history  of  the  county  by  Judge 
Eldredge. 

THE  O'CONNOR   FAMILY. 

About  the  year  1744,  during  an  out-break  in  Ireland,  when  the  times  were 
turbulent  there,  and  the  beauties  of  the  new  world  were  somewhat  known  to  the 
people  of  that  country,  two  young  Irishmen,  some  sixteen  or  eighteen  3'ears  old, 
brothers,  secretly  boarded  a  vessel  about  leaving  one  of  the  ports  for  America,  and 


^ 


M\ 


HISTORY   OF   JIAC05IB   COUNTY. 


hid  themselves  among  the  freight,  until  the  vessel  was  well  at  sea.  They  were 
named  Richard  and  John  O'Connor. 

Upon  their  arrival  here,  or  soon  after,  they  separated,  and  Richard  working  to 
the  West,  finally  arrived  at  the  place  now  called  Painesville,  Ohio,  where  by  in- 
dustry and  perseverance,  he  acquired  what  in  those  days  was  considered  quite  a 
propert}'.  He  remained  at  that  point  for  a  number  of  years,  married  there,  and  engaged 
in  the  business  of  trading — mainly  with  the  Indians. 

The  maiden  name  of  the  lady  he  married  was  Myers.  O'Connor  had,  while 
doing  business  with  the  Indians,  learned  of  the  fact  that  they  had  a  white  girl  in 
their  tribe  as  prisoner.  He  immediately  opened  negotiations  for  her  purchase,  and 
finally  succeeded  in  acquiring  title.  He  paid  in  dicker  what  was  then  considered 
as  $200.  Many  in  our  day  would  undoubtedly  consider  this  a  good  bargain,  for 
most  of  our  young  men  indirectly  pay  a  larger  sum  than  this  in  divers  costly 
methods  of  testifying  regard.  Gifts,  treats,  balls,  and  rides,  and  for  a  wife  that 
proves  to  be  a  burden,  instead  of  a  help-meet. 

Miss  Myers,  who  was  thus  redeemed  from  captivity,  was  taken  by  the  Indians 
during  one  of  their  raids  upon  the  defenceless  frontiers  of  the  Colonies.  When 
taken  she  was  about  four  years  old.  Her  father,  when  he  discovered  the  approach 
of'  the  Indians,  hid  tlie  children  and  attempted  to  flee  for  succor.  He  was  living 
upon  the  Monongahela  River,  in  the  State  of  Maryland.  He  swam  the  river  and  as 
he  ascended  the  opposite  bank  was  shot  dead.  The  Indians,  in  searching  for  plun- 
der, approached  so  near  the  secreted  cliildren  that  one  of  them  could  not  refrain 
from  an  exclamation  of  fear.  They  were  discovered  and  taken.  Two  of  them 
were  subsequently  recaptured  fi-om  the  Indians.  The  third  was  kept  and  brought 
up  by  them  as  a  slave,  until  she  was  bought  from  her  captors  by  her  future  husband. 

Richard  O'Connor  with  his  wife  remained  at  Painesville  until  some  time  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  War,  when  in  one  of  the  many  expeditions  organized  and  set 
on  foot  by  the  British  against  the  defenceless  out-posts  of  the  Colonies,  the  whole 
family  were  taken  prisoners  by  the  Chippewas.  The  family  then  consisted  of  Mr. 
O'Connor,  his  wife,  and  tliree  or  four  children.  As  to  the  number  of  children  born 
before  theii'  captui'e,  there  are  different  accounts.  From  one  of  the  grandchildren 
we  learn  that  there  were  five,  John,  William,  James,  Henry,  and  Susanna. 

The  family  were  ruthlessly  stripped  of  all  property,  and  were  not  allowed  to 
retain  even  a  kettle  for  which  Mrs.  O'Connor  prayed  that  her  captors  miglit  assign 
to  them.  They  were  compelled  to  travel  on  foot,  when  the  Chippewas  retreated 
to  their  home,  which  was  situated  on  the  Huron  of  Lake  St.  Clair  (now  the 
Clinton). 

In  this  weary  march  Mr.  O'Connor  first  bore  one  tlien  another  of  his  sons  in 
liis  arms,  and  the  mother  bore  continually  upon  her  back  after  the  manner  in  which 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


the  tribe  in  which  she  had  so  long  been  kept  prior   to  her  mai-riage,  carried  their 
burdens. 

It  was  late  in  the  fall,  and  the  feet  of  the  little  ones  suffered  severely.  James, 
particularly,  had  his  feet  cut  by  the  hard  frozen  ground  and  for  miles  marked  his 
foot-steps  with  blood.  He  had  a  wiry,  enduring  frame,  and  the  manliness  he  dis- 
played in  the  weary  tramp,  attracted  the  admiration  of  one  of  the  Chippewa  chiefs, 
and  when  the  journey's  end  was  reached  this  chief  claimed  and  took  James  as  his 
special  property.  After  their  arrival  here  the  boys  were  separated  from  the  family 
and  scattered  among  the  various  tribes.  Thus  it  was  each  one  in  after  years  spoke 
a  different  dialect  of  the  Indian  language.  The  father,  mother,  and  youngest  child 
if  there  were  but  four,  were  kept  together. 

Soon  afterward,  within  a  few  years,  the  Moravians  were  located  by  order  or 
advice  of  the  Commandant  at  Detroit,  upon  the  Huron,  at  Frederick.  Immediately 
upon  their  arrival,  the  family  were  one  by  one  redeemed.  First,  Mr.  O'Connor,  his 
wife,  and  youngest  child;  then  the  bo3's  John,  Henry,  and  William;  James  was 
not  so  soon  redeemed.  The  chief  who  had  adopted  him  was  otherwise  childless, 
and  for  a  time  refused  to  deliver  him  up,  but  gave  to  Mr.  O'Connor  the  privilege 
of  visiting  his  son  at  the  home  of  his  Indian  father,  at  stated  periods.  The  chief 
learned  to  love  James  very  much,  and  he  took  particular  pride  in  his  manlj'  bearing 
and  the  vigor  he  displayed  at  all  times.  He  was  accustomed  to  dress  the  then  lad 
in  the  war-paint  and  feathers  of  a  young  chieftain,  and  to  teach  him  the  various 
arts  in  which  the  Indiaii  took  pleasure.  The  boy  thus  acquired  the  habits  and 
manners  of  the  youth  of  his  tribe,  and  learned  to  love  them  and  the  life  he  then 
seemed  destined  to  lead.  He,  to  some  extent,  forgot  his  past  life  and  its  associa- 
tions, and  even  learned  to  despise,  and  regarded  with  fear,  his  own  parents. 

So  strong  was  this  feeling  with  him  that  upon  the  announcement  that  his  white 
father  was  coming  he  would  flee  into  the  woods  and  conceal  himself  in  the  thickets 
like  a  frightened  fawn,  and  would  reappear  only  at  the  call  of  his  Indian  father. 

When  finally  his  white  father  did  prevail  upon  the  chief  to  surrender  the  child 
lie  had  to  be  confined  like  a  prisoner  for  a  number  of  days  to  prevent  his  return  to 
the  wilds  again. 

The  songs  and  caresses  of  the  mother  aided  by  the  sports  of  the  brothers  finally 
overcame  his  desire  to  return  to  the  tent  of  the  chieftain,  and  Mr.  O'Connor  again 
!iad  about  him  his  whole  family.  This  was  accomplished  after  the  time  that  the 
Moravians  took  their  departure  from  the  county.  It  is  claimed  that  the  desire  of 
the  mother  to  remain  near  her  child  was  one  of  the  main  reasons  why  O'Connor 
did  not  accompany  the  Mission,  with  which  he  had  become  connected. 

Mr.  O'Connor  remained  upon  the  spot  he  liad  chosen  for  a  home,  on  the  farm 
now  known  as  the  "  Velt's  farm"  about  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Mt.  Clemens. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


He  was  accustomed  to  till  in  his  way  tlie  vai-ious  spots  along  the  river,  that  were 
left  clear,  by  Nature,  or  had  been  cleared  by  the  Indians.  One  of  these  spots  was 
known  as  the  "  Macoanee  Meadows,"  and  afterwards  known  as  the  Moe-place. 

In  our  former  article  we  abstracted  from  the  paper  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bissel,  a 
portion  thereof  in  which  it  was  asserted  that  Mr.  Richard  O'Conner  came  to  tlie 
county  with  tlie  Moravians  Zeisberger-Jungmau  and  others  in  1783. 

We  have  gathered  tlie  facts  we  have  above  written  from  one  of  the  Jescendants 
of  Mr.  O'Connor,  and  do  not  undertake  to  determine  which  version,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bissel's  or  the  one  we  have  given,  is  the  true  one,  though  we  incline  to  accept  the 
family  tradition  as  above  set  forth,  as  the  more  reliable. 

Mr.  Bissel,  in  speaking  further  of  Mr.  O'Connor  and  his  family,  says : — 
"  Though  we  have  not  the  precise  date  of  Mr.  O'Connor's  arrival,  yet  he  was 
there  with  his  wife  and  four  sons  James,  John,  William,  and  Henry,  in  1783.  De- 
cember 16  of  that  year,  his  youngest  child,  Susanna,  afterwards  wife  of  Elisha  Har- 
rington was  born,  and  was  baptized  by  the  Moravian  Missionary  the  21st.  She  was, 
probably,  the  first  child  born  in  this  county  of  parents  speaking  the  English  lan- 
guage. She  died  in  1848,  aged  sixty-five  years."  This  Mr.  Richard 
O'Connor  was  the  ancestor  of  those  families  who  now  are  known  as 
Connors  or  Conners.  They  have  Yankeefied  their  name  by  dropping 
the  O'.  He  was  undoubtedly  the  first  white  man  speaking  English  who  attempted 
the  erection  of  a  home  within  the  limits  of  this  county.  He  died  here  on  the  17th 
of  April,  1808.  His  life  was  an  eventful  one.  It  may  have  been  a  boyish  freak 
that  led  to  his  departure  for  this  country  from  that  land  which  never  reared  a  for- 
getful son.  Often,  as  he  was  borne  over  the  ocean,  must  he  naturally  have  regretted 
the  stej)  he  had  taken. 

The  many  trials  of  his  manhood  through  which  he  must  have  passed  ere  he 
reached  and  while  he  resided  in  Ohio,  could  they  be  faithfully  recorded  would  make 
an  interesting  histor)'.  The  manner  in  which  he  commenced  his  wooing,  his  sub- 
sequent capture,  the  dispersion  of  his  family,  his  persistent  and  untiring  efforts  to 
rescue  his  children,  his  final  location  so  far  in  the  wilderness,  away  from  society 
and  civilization,  in  fine  his  whole  life  is  a  fitter  foundation  for  a  romance  than  it  is 
for  a  plain,  unvarnished  historical  article,  written  solely  as  this  is  to  rescue  from 
oblivion  sometliing  of  the  history  of  those  who  first  came  to  this  county. 

THE   TXTCKAR   FAMILY. 

During  the  French  war,  and  about  the  year  1753,  the  Chippewas,  who  inhab- 
ited this  section  of  the  State,  became  engaged  in  one  of  the  raids  so  frequent  in 
those  days,  upon  the  settlements  in  Virginia.  They  surprised  a  family  of  Virginians 
ensxaaed  in  harvesting  wheat  near  Stoverstown  in  that  State.      The  head  of  the 


'  ^5 


hH. 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


family  was  ruthlessly  shot  down,  and  two  boys  seized  as  prisoners,  and  brought  to 
the  homes  of  the  tribe.  The  boys  were  named  Joseph  and  William  Tuckar.  Wil- 
liam was  then  about  eleven  years  old,  Joseph  was  some  years  older.  These  boys 
were  retained  as  prisoners  until  near  of  age,  when  they,  under  the  influence  of  the 
British,  were  allowed  to  visit  their  childhood's  home.  They  had,  however,  during 
their  captivity,  been  treated  with  considerable  kindness,  and  had  learned  to  love 
the  life  in  the  woods.  They  remained  in  Virginia  but  a  short  time,  and  returned 
to  the  post  at  Detroit  where  they  entered  the  employ  of  traders.  They  soon  en- 
gaged in  the  business  themselves.  They  received  supplies  of  goods  from  the 
traders  at  the  post,  and  visited  the  different  abiding  places  and  camps  of  the  Indians, 
relying  mainly  for  transportation  upon  the  canoe. 

The  elder  brother,  Joseph  Tuckar,  it  is  believed,  was  lost  on  one  of  these 
trips.  He,  with  a  comrade,  had  gone  on  a  trading  expedition  to  an  island  in  the 
northern  part  of  Lake  Huron,  where  a  tribe  of  friendly  Indians  with  whom  he  was 
acquainted  was  accustomed  to  dwell.  The  tribe  was  abseut  on  a  hunting  expedi- 
tion to  the  mainland,  and  remained  away  a  number  of  weeks.  Upon  returning 
they  found  in  one  of  the  cabins  the  goods  which  formed  the  supplies  of  the  traders, 
and  the  full  equipage  thereof.  Sometime  afterward  they  found  upon  another 
island  a  short  distance  off,  the  bleached  remains  of  two  whites,  one  of  which  they 
recognized  as  Joseph  Tuckar  by  a  peculiar,  large  brooch  he  was  accustomed  to 
wear.  It  was  presumed  that  having  arrived  in  the  camp  of  the  tribe  they  sought 
to  visit,  and  finding  the  Indians  absent,  they  haol  with  their  boat  alone,  gone  to  the 
neighboring  island  in  search  of  the  tribe,  and  that  the  boat  had,  while  the  traders 
were  searching  the  island,  floated  off  and  left  them  no  means  of  escape.  They  had 
evidently  starved,  which  is  the  report  of  the  tribe,  as  given  to  William  Tuckar, 
and  so  friendly  were  these  Indians  to  Joseph  and  bis  brother  there  is  little  reason 
to  disbelieve  it. 

The  outbreak  of  Pontiac's  conspiracy  in  1763  found  the  younger  brother, 
William  Tuckar,  in  the  employ  of  the  English  commandant.  Major  Gladwin,  at 
Detroit.  To  William  Tuckar  alone,  was  the  garrison  at  that  place  indebted  for  the  dis- 
covery of  Pontiac's  intentions,  and  the  consequent  saving  of  the  post.  The  tribe 
by  which  he  had  for  years  been  held  a  captive,  was  engaged  in  the  enterprise  of 
which  the  famous  Indian  chieftain  was  the  leader.  He  had,  according  to  Indian 
custom,  been  adopted  into  one  of  the  leading  families  of  the  tribe,  and  to  the 
younger  members  thereof  was  like  a  brother.  He  was  intending  to  go  upon  a 
hunting  expedition  from  the  fort  for  a  few  days,  and  on  the  day  before  the  out- 
break, was  visiting  the  family  in  which  he  had  been  kept  during  his  captivity,  who 
were  tented  upon  this  side  of  the  river,  and  but  a  short  distance  from  the  fort. 
While  there  he  made  known  his  intentions   as  to  the  sporting  trip  he  was  about  to 


HISTORY   OF   JIACOMB   COUNTY. 


take,  and  solicited  the  company  of  one  of  his  young  Indian  brothers.  This  was  re- 
fused. He  also,  while  there,  made  known  to  the  family  that  early  in  the  morn  he  was 
going  to  the  general  camp  of  the  Indians  across  the  river  to  get  some  moccasins  that 
were  being  made  for  him  by  a  squaw  famous  for  her  skill  in  that  line. 

As  he  left  the  camp  to  go  to  the  fort,  his  Indian  sister  secretly  followed  him 
beyond  hearing  of  her  family,  and  with  anxious  countenance,  besought  him  not  to 
go  across  the  river,  but  to  start  at  once  upon  his  hunting  trip,  and  she  tendered  to 
liim  some  moccasins  she  had  made,  in  order  to  enable  him  to  go  prepai"ed,  witliout 
visiting  the  other  side  of  the  river.  William's  perfect  knowledge  of  the  Indian 
character  at  once  suggested  to  him  that  there  was  some  terrible  reason  for  her 
anxiety,  and  he  besought  her  to  make  it  known.  Her  sisterly  affection  for  him 
finally  prompted  her  to  disclose  to  him  fully  what  she  had  learned  as  to  the  intent 
of  Pontiac.  The  position  of  her  family  had  enabled  her  to  become  conversant  with 
all  the  details  of  the  plan  so  soon  to  be  executed  upon  the  devoted  garrison. 

Mr.  Tuckar  immediately  returned  to  the  fort  and  informed  the  commandant 
of  the  post  of  what  he  had  learned.  Measures  were  taken  to  defeat  the  nefarious 
designs  of  the  wily  chief.  The  success  of  these  measures,  and  the  overthrow  of 
Pontiac,  are  matters  of  general  history,  and  pertain  not  particularly  to  that  of  this 
county. 

It  is  more  than  probable  that  the  facts  here  set  forth  as  to  William  Tuckar's 
discovery  of  the  plot  of  Pontiac,  are  the  only  foundation  for  the  romantic  statement 
as  to  the  Indian  girl,  Catherine,  betraying  her  tribe  out  of  simple  admiration  for 
Major  Gladwin,  who  had  been  but  a  short  time  at  the  post,  and  even  could  not  speak 
the  Indian  language,  that  have  generally  been  accepted  as  history.  So  prone 
are  imaginative  historians  to  accredit  tlie  performance  of  any  notable  deed 
solely  to  persons  in  high  life,  that  one  does  not  wonder  at  the  ease  with  which 
the  facts  connected  with  Tuckar's  discovery  of  the  plot,  have  been  woven  into 
quite  a  romance,  of  which  Gladwin  is  the  pretended  hero. 

William  Tuckar  was  the  first  person  about  the  garrison  who  learned  of  the 
deep-laid  scheme  of  Pontiac.  He  alone  conveyed  the  intelligence  to  Major 
Gladwin. 

Both  Lanman  and  Sheldon,  in  their  histories  of  the  State  mention  Mr.  Tuckar 
as  a  soldier  in  the  garrison,  and  accredit  him  with  having  been  apprised  as  above 
stated,  of  the  conspiracy;  but  for  the  sake  of  ornamental  romance,  it  is  claimed 
that  Gladwin  was  also  on  the  same  day  apprised  by  his  dusky,  smoky  sweetheart  to 
the  same  effect. 

During  the  struggle  of  the  garrison  to  save  themselves  from  destruction,  Mr. 
Tuckar,  although  reall}'  a  non-combatant,  did  the  duty  of  a  soldier,  and  for  sixty 
days  and   nights,  was  almost  steadily  on  guard.      During  that  time  his  gun  was  out 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


of  his  hands  but  for  a  moment  at  a  time.  Fully  aware  of  the  nature  of  the  enemas 
he,  of  all  the  garrison,  best  knew  the  necessitj'  of  constant  watchfulness. 

After  the  overthrow  of  Pontiac  and  the  restoration  of  comparative  peace,  Mr. 
Tuckar  returned  to  Virgijiia,  and  married  at  Stover's  Town,  August  8,  1773, 
Catherine  Hezel.  After  his  marriage  he  returned  to  Detroit,  and  lived  there  until 
the  Revolutionary  war  commenced.  During  that  struggle  he  was  employed  as  an 
interpreter  by  the  English  officers  in  their  intercourse  with  the  Indians.  He  de- 
clined to  take  the  position  of  a  combatant  on  their  side  in  the  struggle.  His  ability 
to  speak  the  Indian  language  of  the  various  tribes  made  his  services  of  impor- 
tance. 

Prior  to  the  commencement  of  the  struggle  upon  the  part  of  the  colonies  for 
Independence,  Tuckar  had  been  chiefly  engaged  in  trading  expeditions  among  the 
Indians,  at  times  acting  simplj'  as  interpreter  for  other  traders. 

In  all  his  intercourse  with  the  Indians  he  acted  the  part  of  an  honest,  upright 
man.  This,  together  with  the  fact  that  he  was  by  reason  of  his  importance  as  an 
interpretor  of  many  Indian  dialects,  enabled  him  to  exercise  large  influence.  He 
never  hesitated  to  use  this  in  many  cases  of  attempted  frauds  upon  those  with  whom 
he  had  spent  his  earlier  years.  He  came  to  be  justly  regarded  as  an  especial  friend 
of  the  savage.  As  a  reward  for  his  kindness  the  chiefs  of  the  Chippewas  on  the 
22d  of  September,  A.  D.  1780,  acting  for  their  whole  tribe,  executed  to  him  a  deed 
in  the  name  of  their  people,  of  a  large  tract  of  land  nearly  all  lying  between  the 
River  Huron,  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  the  Riviere  Aux  Vase,  extending  back 
from  the  lake  some  sixty  miles.  This  deed  is  written  upon  parchment,  in  beauti- 
ful handwriting,  and  was  drawn  by  one  T.  Williams  at  Detroit,  who  certifies  there- 
on, as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  that  the  several  chiefs  whose  names  are  attached  to 
said  deed,  did  make  the  characters  purporting  to  be  made  by  them,  and  that  the 
same  was  their  free  act  and  deed. 

The  chiefs  signed  it  by  drawing  in  ink,  their  respective  "totems,"  one  being 
a  turtle,  another  a  crow,  and  the  others  similar  symbols,  and  is  now  in  possession 
of  the  Tuckar  family.  Not  being  signed  by  the  British  Governor  of  Canada,  it  was 
not  regarded  as  any  proof  of  title  by  the  United  States  upon  their  assuming  control 
of  the  countrJ^  and  Mr.  Tuckar  was  thus  left  in  the  same  position  as  the  French 
settlers  upon  the  lake  and  Mr.  Richard  Connor,  entirely  dependent  upon  the  liber- 
alitj'  of  the  new  Republic. 

Mr.  Tuckar  had  procured  the  execution  of  the  deed  by  the  Indians,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  him  a  permanent  home,  a  sufficient  distance  from  the  growing 
settlements  to  allow  him  to  pass  his  life  in  the  enjoyment  of  those  pursuits  so  con- 
genial to  him,  and  to  leave  hunting,  trapping  and  fur-trading  undisturbed  by  the 
bustle  of  life  in  populated  communities,  and  yet  sufficiently  near  a  post  of  import- 


r,  ^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


iiiice  to  give  his  home  the  position  of  comparative  security  from  distant  marautling 
tribes. 

During  his  cai:)tivity  he  had  undoubtedly  admired  the  great  beauty  of  the 
country  lying  upon  the  Huron.  In  a  state  of  nature  but  few  sections  of  the  country 
jiresented  greater  attractions  to  such  a  man.  The  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  great 
al)undance  of  game,  the  loveliness  of  the  situation,  its  great  rural  beauty  were  suffi- 
cient attractions.  But  added  to  this  the  spot  he  had  determined  to  locate  npon  was 
a  favorite  one  with  the  Indians,  almost  steadily  it  was  their  camping  ground.  On 
and  near  that  spot  their  traditions  told  them,  many  sanguinary  battles  between 
the  Chippewas  and  their  enemies  had  been  fought,  years  before  the  eye  of  the  white 
men  had  seen  the  country  of  the  great  lakes. 

Mr.  Tuckar  partook  somewhat  of  this  veneration  and  love  for  the  spot,  and 
when  at  the  establishment  of  peace  between  the  United  States  and  the  British  Gov- 
ernment, the  growth  of  his  family  demandetl  the  establishment  of  a  fixed  home,  he 
immediately  prepared  to  remove  them.  He  arrived  with  his  family  in  the  spring  of 
1784,  and  selected  as  a  site  for  his  dwelling  a  spot  but  little  distance  from  what  was 
evidently  an  old  Indian  fort  used  in  the  days  of  the  struggle  for  possession  of  tliis 
country  between  the  Chippeways  and  the  Sauks. 

The  remains  of  this  fort  as  they  appeared  at  his  arrival  consisted  of  an  embank- 
ment and  corresponding  ditch  on  the  outside,  sweeping  from  the  bank  of  the  stream 
around  about  one  and  a  half  or  two  acres  of  ground,  to  the  bank  again,  making 
nearly  a  complete  circle.  The  opening  being  directly  at  the  river  bank.  Outside 
of  this  were  the  evidences  that  the  soil  had  been  cultivated  and  that  the  Indian  had 
for  a  time  raised  his  maize  there.  Within  it  were  found  many  bits  of  broken  pot- 
tery of  a  peculiar  character.  There  were  other  similar  remains  of  what  must  have 
been  rude  forts  on  the  bank  of  the  Huron  on  the  lands  subsequently  and  even  to 
this  day  owned  by  the  descendants  of  William  Tuckar. 

CHRISTIAN     CLEMENS. 

Christian  Clemens,  the  pioneer  settler  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  born  in  Montgom- 
ery or  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  Jan.  30,  1768.  He  resided  on  the  Pennsylvanian 
homestead  until  twenty-seven  years  old,  the  while  giving  his  entire  attention  to 
agriculture.  In  1795  he  came  to  Detroit,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  leather.  Within  a  short  time  after  his  arrival  he  bought  a  tract  of  land  on  the 
Rouge  River,  and  laid  down  those  precedents  which  were  so  extensively  followed 
by  those  who  came  after  him  to  settle  in  the  wilderness.  Mr.  Clemens  made  his 
home  at  Detroit  until  1798,  when  he  removed  to  the  Huron  River  or  Clinton. 
Here  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  ;  the  same  referred  to  in  the  chapter  on  the 
French  pioneers.     The  first  dwelling  house  was  built  by  him  on,  or  close  by,  the 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


site  of  the  present  red  brick  store  of  Miller,  the  shoemaker,  on  Front  street. 
Subsequently  he  built  a  distillery  on  the  bank  of  tlie  river,  below  the  present 
flouring  mill,  on  the  soutli  bank,  just  below  the  new  iron  bridge ;  also  a  still-house 
just  east  of  the  Fleumer  Mill.  He  built  a  dwelling-house  on  the  site  of  George 
M.  Crocker's  present  residence.  He  carried  on  a  trading  store  here  at  an  early 
day,  and  founded  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  u\  1818.  He  has  held  the  positions  of 
Militia  Colonel,  Chief  -Justice  of  County  Court,  Judge  of  Probate,  etc. 

The  relation  which  Judge  Clemens  bore  to  Macomb  County,  and  more 
particularly  to  Mt.  Clemens,  was  so  intimate,  that  his  name  must  necessarily  be 
closel}^  associated  with  the  general  historj'  of  the  county.  No  matter  what  chapter 
we  take  up,  his  name  is  found  therein,  and  for  this  reason  we  are  inclined  to  refer 
the  reader  to  the  general  history,  so  that  the  part  taken  by  the  judge  in  building 
up  the  county  may  be  truly  estimated.  His  death  occurred  at  Mt.  Clemens,  Aug. 
25,  1844;  his  funeral  was  truly  a  representative  one. 

CHRISTIAN   CLEMENS   IN   A   BRITISH   DUNGEON. 

Wherever  the  British  flag  floated,  there  was  the  prison  for  the  people — not  for 
the  criminals.  Immediately  after  the  suri-ender  of  Hull,  Christian  Clemens,  then 
a  leading  man  in  the  territory,  was  captured  by  the  British,  carried  to  Detroit,  and 
confined  within  the  old  fort  as  a  political  prisoner,  just  as  the  British  of  to-day 
are  doing  beyond  the  Atlantic,  and  would  do  here  had  not  their  power  been 
crushed  forever,  at  least  on  this  continent.  His  captivity  continued  until  the 
very  day  before  the  American  soldiers  re-captured  the  position.  It  must  be  con- 
ceded, however,  that  this  pioneer  of  Macomb  was  not  subjected  to  extreme  harsh 
treatment.  During  the  last  few  days  of  liis  captivity,  he  was  allowed  to  ramble 
round  within  the  stockade,  under  the  surveillance  of  Lieuts.  Clemens  and  Watson, 
two  officers  of  the  garrison.  A  friendship  sprung  up  between  Lieut.  Clemens  and 
his  prisoner,  and  the  former  often  accompanied  the  judge  on  short  visits  to  his 
family,  then  living  near  the  fort.  It  was  a  common  thing  for  the  judge  to  scale 
the  stockade,  and  make  a  visit  to  his  wife  and  children,  with  whom  he  would  pass 
away  the  evening,  and  return  at  a  given  hour  to  his  quarters  within  the  fort.  For 
some  time  this  procedure  was  followed  by  the  pioneer  of  Mt.  Clemens  unknown  to 
his  jailors.  At  length  the  prisoner  was  reported  missing,  and  a  detachment 
ordered  out  to  search  for  him.  The  officer  in  charge  of  the  troops  found  the 
judge  at  his  house,  quietly  smoking  his  pipe,  and  enjoying  the  society  of  liis 
family.  The  soldiers  seized  him,  and  hurried  him  back  to  the  fort,  without  afford- 
ing him  any  time  to  snatch  his  cap,  but  instead  of  placing  him  in  his  old  quarters, 
they  cast  him  into  the  old  jail,  which  then  occupied  a  site  across  the  present 
Jefferson  Avenue  from  the  Michigan  Exchange.     Here  he  was  rigorously  confined 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


and  subjected  to  many  hardships,  until  released  on  parole,  the  day  before  Ameri- 
can courage  and  honor  were  avenged,  and  Hull's  true  character  exposed.  After 
tlie  pursuit  and  complete  defeat  of  the  British  and  Indians  on  the  Thames  River  in 
Canada,  Oct.  5,  1813,  Lieuts.  Clemens  and  Watson  were  found  among  the 
prisoners,  and  brought  back  to  Detroit.  Finding  themselves  near  the  home  of 
their  former  prisoner,  they  asked  permission  to  visit  him,  which  request  the 
American  General  granted,  and  the  two  jailers  were  sooil  within  the  hospitable 
home,  among  tiie  welcome  guests  of  Judge  Clemens. 

During  Mr.  Clemens'  imprisonment  under  the  British,  Maj.  Muir,  the  com- 
mandant, compelled  him  to  supply  himself  with  food,  to  be  his  own  cook,  and  pay 
even  for  other  necessaries  of  life,  which  even  the  Indians  were  accustomed  to  give 
to  their  captives  gratis.  How  different  was  the  treatment  of  prisoners  by  the 
United  States  authorities,  soldiers,  and  citizens,  may  be  realized  from  the  greeting 
wWch  awaited  the  former  warders  of  Judge  Clemens  after  they  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Americans. 

DISTINGUISHED   VISITANT. 

The  datices  were  given  at  the  house  of  Judge  Clemens  or  at  the  Cady  House. 
In  fact  tlie  dancers  made  a  home  in  every  house.  Gen.  Cass,  Col.  Larned,  Gen. 
Brown,  Judge  May,  Col.  Clarke,  of  Monroe  ;  Maj.  Biddle,  Ed.  Brush,  and  other 
Statesmen  and  soldiers  of  early  Michigan  made  the  village  a  resort,  and  were  in 
tlie  habit  of  taking  a  striiig  band  of  four  performers  witli  them.  Those  well-known 
pioneers  of  the  State,  after  spending  some  time  at  Mount  Clemens,  would  pay  a 
visit  to  Judge  Connors,  two  miles  west  of  the  Clemens  house,  wliere  the  city  ceme- 
tery now  is.  There  those  merry  makers  would  pass  several  days,  and  return  to 
Detroit  fully  satisfied  that  they  had  done  justice  to  all  the  pleasure  which  the  world 
offered  them. 

CHASTISING   A   SAVAGE. 

In  one  of  the  pioneer  sketches  references  are  made  to  the  Mount  Clemens  Dis- 
tillery. Here  we  shall  deal  with  one  of  the  most  ardent  admirers  of  that  institu- 
tion among  the  savages  of  the  district.  It  appears  that  Christian  Clemens  left  the 
hamlet  for  Detroit,  where  he  passed  some  days  as  a  claimant  himself,  or  a  witness 
for  otlier  claimants,  before  the  Board  of  Land  Commissioners.  During  his  absence 
a  few  members  of  tlie  Otchipwe  band  or  Witanniss  Indians  found  out  exactly  where 
the  precious  whisky  was  stored,  and  determined  to  have  a  drink  of  it.  Before  the 
red  men  could  carry  out  their  plans  in  this  direction  the  nabob  of  the  Huron  returned 
just  at  a  moment  wlien  the  naked  Pachuk  was  helping  himself  to  a  deep,  deep 
draught.  The  judge  realized  the  situation  in  a  moment,  and  seizing  the  old-time 
tongs,  which  lay  on  the  hearth-stone  close  by,  dealt  the  noble  red  man  a  blow, 
brought  him  to  his  knees,  and  was  preparing  a  second  edition  of  the  iron  lash,  when 


HISTORY   OF   MACO:\[B  COUNTY. 


the  frightened  savage  turned  a  summerset,  regained  his  feet,  and  fled,  the  while 
whooping  and  calling  for  vengeance.  The  pioneer  settler  made  preparations  for 
war,  but  his  prudence  was  unnecessary,  at  least  on  that  occasion  ;  for  when  next  he 
saw  that  whisky-loving  savage,  he  bore  a  haunch  of  venison  as  an  offering  of  peace 
to  his  white  chief  and  brother.  The  chronicler  proceeds  to  state  that  the  judge 
often  related  the  story  of  that  event,  and  always  entertained  the  idea  that  the 
safety  of  himself  and  the  members  of  his  family  depended  on  his  decisive  action  at 
the  moment.  Such  examples  of  Caucasian  courage  an.d  prompt  measures  were 
common  among  the  early  Fi-ench  pioneers,  and  were  not  wanting  on  the  part  of 
Americans.  Of  the  first  we  have  Louis  Campeau,  at  Saginaw,  in  1816,  and  at 
Grand  Rapids  in  1826-9  ;  of  the  second  we  have  Eleazer  Jewett,  at  the  Tittaba- 
wassee  post  of  the  American  Fur  Company  in  1826,  and  Rix  Robinson  at  Ada  in 
Kent  County  in  1823.     Those  old  settlers  played  the  five  acts  in  the  drama  of  life. 

COL.  JOHN   STOCKTON. 

Col.  John  Stockton,  one  of  the  leading  spirits  of  Michigan  in  early  days,  one 
of  her  oldest  soldiers  and  large-hearted  citizens,  died  at  Mount  Clemens,  November 
26,  1878.  The  deceased  served  as  an  officer  in  the  war  of  1812  and  Colonel  in  the 
war  of  the  rebellion.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  in  the  88th  year  of  his  age. 
He  came  to  Mount  Clemens  in  its  very  earliest  settlement.  He  married  Mary 
Allen,  a  step-daughter  of  Judge  Clemens,  the  founder  and  first  settler  of  Mount 
Clemens.  He  is  the  last  of  those  early  settlers  who  has  been  identified  with  the  • 
interests  of  the  village  during  its  entire  history,  and  was  the  oldest  resident  if  not 
the  oldest  person  here.  He  was  the  first  Clerk  and  Register  of  Deeds  in  the 
county,  having  served  in  that  capacity  just  sixty-seven  years  ago,  1818.  He  was 
also  the  first  Postmaster  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Mount  Clemens.  He  was 
generous  and  hospitable  to  a  fault,  and  has  given  to  the  destitute  sufficient  to  have 
amassed  a  colossal  fortune  In  the  political,  organic  and  military  chapters  of  the 
general  history,  references  are  made  to  this  pioneer. 

THOMAS   ASHLEY. 

Thomas  Ashley  arrived  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  May,  1820.  He  was  a  native  of  Win- 
dom.  Conn.,  removing  afterward  to  Batavia,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.  About  the  year 
1811  he  became  acquainted  with  the  Cady  family  of  Batavia  Township.  In  1820 
he  set  out  on  his  western  journey,  and  arriving  at  Detroit,  proceeded  to  Pontiac, 
and  thence  to  Mt.  Clemens,  where  he  built  the  first  entire  frame  structure  erected 
in  the  village,  if  we  except  the  frame  addition  to  the  Clemens  House,  built  by  Col. 
Stockton,  and  the  little  office  of  lawyer  Ezra  Prescott.  In  October,  1820,  his  fam- 
ily arrived  from  Genesee  County,  and  entered  at  once  on  a  life  in  the  old  log  house, 


T^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


which  then  stood  immediately  in  the  rear  of  Henry  Connor's  stables,  and  the  new 
Week's  block. 

The  family  then  comprised  Mrs.  Lucy  Ashley,  formerly  Mrs.  Lucy  Cady,  who 
married  Mr.  Ashlej'  about  1810  ;  her  sons  Henry  and  Chauncey  G.,  and  her  daugh- 
ter Lucy  Cad}'.  Miss  Lovinia  Russell,  afterwards  Mrs.  Ezekiel  Allen,  accompanied 
the  family.  In  May,  1821,  Horace  H.  Cady  and  his  step-brother  Alfred  Ashley  ar- 
rived. In  1821  the  sons  of  Mrs.  Ashley  erected  the  old  saw-mill  on  the  North  Branch 
two  miles  north  of  Mt.  Clemens,  better  known  as  the  Haskins  mill.  The  family 
dwelt  in  the  old  loghouse  until  the  erection  of  the  frame  building  referred  to 
above,  in  1823  ^(the  frame  was  put  up  in  1821),  which  stood  opposite  the  new  bank- 
ing house  of  Crocker  and  Ulrich,  removed  to  give  place  to  the  bi'ick  block.  Ash- 
ley was  a  farmer  and  one  of  the  early  lawyers  of  the  county.  He  was  among  the 
boys  of  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  took  part  with  them  in  all  the  merry  meet- 
ings of  the  villagers,  as  well  as  in  the  more  serious  meetings  of  the  business  com- 
munity. 

CHAUNCEY  G.  CADY. 

Chauncey  G.  Cady,  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  20, 1803,  son  of  Joseph 
and  Lucy  (Hutchiiis)  Cady,  the  former  a  native  of  Windom,  Conn.,  and  the  latter 
of  Killingsley,  Conn.,  who  removed  to  Otsego  County  N.  Y.  in  1801,  settled  with 
his  parents  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  in  1805  or  1806,  tlience  to  Batavia  Township,  Gene- 
see Co.,  N.  Y.  in  1806  or  1807,  and  made  that  place  his  liome  until  1820,  when  the 
*  family  moved  into  the  Territory  of  Michigan. 

Joseph  Cady  left  Buffalo  on  a  land  exploratory  expedition  in  1807,  and  not  re- 
turning, he  was  traced  to  many  prominent  villages  southwards,  and  ultimately  found 
to  have  died  at  Cincinnati  on  his  liomeward  journey. 

Mrs.  Lucy  Cady  married  Thomas  Ashley  in  1810,  came  to  Michigan  with  her 
husband  and  family  in  1820,  and  died  on  the  Cady  liomestead  in  Sterling  Townsliip, 
about  18.38  or  1839. 

Cliauncey  G.  attended  the  district  scliools  in  his  native  State  for  about  three 
years.  Previously,  at  the  age  of  six  years,  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  farmer  name. I 
Shubal  Dunham,  of  Genesee  County,  with  whom  he  stayed  three  years.  In  180'J 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Batavia,  and  for  tlie  three  successive  years  labored  on 
tiie  farm  during  spring  and  harvest,  and  attended  the  scliools  referred  to  during  the 
winter.  From  1814  to  the  date  of  his  coming  to  Michigan,  he  assisted  as  clerk  in  a 
hotel,  then  kept  by  his  step-father,  Thomas  Ashley.  In  1820,  as  stated  in  the  pio- 
neer record,  he  came  to  Mt.  Clemens,  and  entered  on  that  active  life  which  has 
marked  his  residence  here.  In  1833  he  moved  to  his  original  farm  in  Clinton  and 
Sterling.  He  erected  a  house  in  each  township  ;  that  in  Clinton  lie  sold  about  1870 
to  J.  &  F.  Pries,  and  holds  the  present  residence  in  Sterling.     In  1841  he  took  an 


nv 


C.    G.    CADY. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


active  part  in  local  politics,  was  elected  Supervisor,  and  re-elected  in  1845.  In  the 
latter  year  he  was  elected  Representative  to  the  Legislature,  was  declared 
elected  by  the  R.  B.,  and  took  his  seat.  A  full  reference  is  made  to  this  election  in 
the  Political  Chapter.  In  1849  he  was  re-elected,  and  entered  the  Legislature  of 
1850-'l,  being  the  second  session  held  at  Lansing.  While  Supervisor,  he  held 
the  office  of  Justice  of  Peace  for  Clinton  from  1841  to  1849.  He  was  also  elected 
Justice  of  Peace  for  Sterling  in  1856  ;  but  on  account  of  delay  on  the  part  of  the 
town  clerk  in  making  returns,  did  not  qualify.  He  was  elected  County  Drain  Com- 
missioner, and  filled  the  duties  of  that  peculiar  office  for  six  years  without  difficulty 
and  in  a  manner  satisfactory  to  the  Supervisor's  Board. 

Mr.  Cady  married  Miss  Catharine  Gerty  of  Harrison  Township  in  1829,  as  given 
in  the  marriage  record.  This  lady  died  Aug.  27, 1865,  aged  52  years.  He  married 
Miss  Mary  J.  Royce  Oct.  22,  1867. 

Previous  to  1826  he  became  a  member  of  the  Macomb  County  militia,  under 
Gen.  Stockton.  He  was  paymaster  of  the  command,  ranked  as  major,  and  dis- 
charged at  muster  out  of  regiment  in  1829.  His  militar}'  outfit  alone  was  present 
during  the  Toledo  war,  as  he  loaned  it  to  Gen.  Stockton.  On  the  organization  of 
the  Pioneer  Society  in  1881,  Mr.  Cady  was  elected  first  President.  He  was  mem- 
ber of  the  Convention  which  nominated  Alpheus  Felch  for  governor,  vice  John 
Barry ;  also  of  State  Convention  in  1880  from'Macomb  senatorial  district,  as  well 
as  of  several  County  Conventions.  Mr.  Cady  was  an  old  Jackson  Democrat  up  to 
1854,  when  he  joined  the  Republican  party,  and  has  proved  a  faithful  earnest  mem- 
ber of  that  party  up  to  the  present  time.  As  a  pioneer  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  an  old 
resident  of  the  county,  full  references  are  made  to  him  in  the  histories  of  the 
county  and  city.  To-day  he  is  the  senior  living  settler  of  Macomb  County,  and 
gives  promise  of  being  able  to  make  the  same  proud  statement  at  the  beginning  of 
the  next  century. 

WM.   A.   BURT. 

William  Austin  Burt  was  born  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  June  13,  1792.  He  was 
the  son  of  Alvin  and  Wealthy  Burt,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  whose  parents  ar- 
rived in  the  American  colonies  in  1740.  The  grandparents,  as  well  as  parents, 
followed  a  seafaring  life,  and  so  their  days  were  passed  beside  the  Atlantic,  until  the 
western  fever  urged  them  away  from  the  sea  coast  to  seek  a  western  home.  Imme- 
diately after  the  birth  of  W.  A.  Burt,  his  family  moved  into  Montgomery  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  they  remained  eleven  years,  or  until  1803.  Montgomery  County  was 
then  on  the  borders  of  civilization,  so  it  is  not  surprising  to  learn  that  the  youth  of 
eleven  summers  was  minus  books,  schools,  and  almost  everything  known  in  the  old 
settlements. 

After  the  burning  of  Buffalo,  December  30,  1813,  a  call  was  made  for  volun- 
i6 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


teers  ;  young  Burt  enrolled  his  name  as  a  member  of  the  New  York  militia  (60  days 
men).  With  this  command  he  moved  into  Canada.  In  181-4  he  served  a  second 
term  with  a  three  months'  regiment.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  lie  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Cole,  as  merchants.  The  partners  did  not  succeed 
in  business,  so  that  W.  A.  Burt  returned  to  the  carpenter's  bench,  and  in  com- 
pany with  John  Allen,  afterwards  a  settler  of  Bruce,  engaged  in  mill-building. 
He  entered  upon  his  western  journey  at  the  outlet  of  ChautauquaLake,  August  13, 
1817.  On  the  24th  he  .reached  Pittsburg;  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Sept.  19,  and  Detroit 
Oct.  26,  1817.  He  returned  to  his  eastern  home ;  but  came  again  to  Michigan  in 
1822.  On  his  return  journey  he  made  the  hazardous  venture  of  traveling  200  miles 
through  the  wilderness.  At  Detroit  he  had  a  true  friend  in  Gen.  Cass.  Soon  after 
be  visited  Oakland  County,  where  he  built  a  saw  mill  for  Webster  at  Auburn. 
Here  he  was  soon  joined  by  John  Allen,  his  brother-in-law.  Before  the  mill  was 
completed  Webster  died  (being  the  first  death  in  Oakland),  yet  Burt  and  Allen 
fulfilled  their  contract.  After  this  those  friends  built  a  mill  at  Waterford.  While 
engaged  here,  Burt  visited  Fletcher's  survey  party,  and  subsequently  explored  the 
country  as  far  as  the  Moxie  Settlement,  now  Romeo.  In  1823  he  purchased  a  tract 
of  land  in  Washington  township,  and  returned  in  the  fall  to  Erie  County,  New 
York,  from  which  locality  he  brought  his  family  hither  in  the  spring  of  1824.  Dur- 
ing the  succeeding  summer  he  erected  the  Taylor  and  Millard  mills  on  Lower  Stony 
Creek,  and  built  a  log  house  for  himself  on  his  land  near  that  point.  In  1825  he 
completed  the  Upper  Stony  Creek  mill,  or  the  Hersey  mill,  by  placing  in  it  a  run  of 
stone.  That  mill  is  now  in  operation,  just  over  the  line  in  Oakland  County.  Many 
other  mills  were  built  by  Burt  and  Allen  previous  to  1826,  including  the  concern 
for  Alpheus  Wadhams  within  six  miles  of  Port  Huron. 

W.  A.  Burt  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  in  the  fall  of 
1826.  In  1828  he  built  the  Dexter  mills,  referred  to  in  the  History  of  Washtenmv. 
During  this  time  he  discussed  with  Samuel  Dexter  the  question  of  the  utility 
of  the  masonic  order.  He  was  the  originator  of  a  masonic  society  at  Stony  Creek, 
being  the  third  lodge  formed  in  the  Territory  of  Michigan. 

In  1831  he  was  elected  County  Surveyor,  was  appointed  Associate  Judge, 
April  24,  1833,  and  United  States  District  Surveyor,  November  23,  1833.  He 
engaged  in  building  the  mills  at  the  ancient  village  of  Frederick,  in  1833;  but  so 
soon  as  his  appointment  was  made,  he  gave  up  the  labor  of  a  carpenter  and  mill- 
builder.  His  duties  as  United  States  Surveyor  took  him  westward  to  the  Missis- 
sippi. He  ran  the  township  lines  where  the  city  of  Milwaukee  now  stands.  He 
was  appointed  a  Commissioner  of  Internal  Improvement,  April  3,  1838,  and  made 
the  survey  of  the  railroad  to  Saginaw.  Pveviously  he  was  the  first  surveyor  of  the 
old  strap  railroad  from  Detroit  to  Ypsilanti. 


fe* 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


He  possessed  some  inventive  genius,  and  produced  an  instrument  by  which  he 
conveyed  his  thoughts  to  paper  in  printed  form.  He  constructed  a  surveying  instru- 
ment different  from  anything  hitherto  known.  He  cast  aside  the  Polar  Star,  and 
made  the  Sun  his  objective  point.  The  result  of  his  nursing  and  inquiries  was  the 
Solar  Compass,  invented  by  him  and  made  in  the  shop  of  W.  J.  Young,  of  Phil- 
adelphia. In  the  survey  of  the  Northern  Peninsula  this  compass  was  found  to  be 
a  sine  qua  non.  On  September  19,  1844,  Mr.  Burt  discovered  iron  ore  at  the  jjlace 
now  known  as  the  Jackson  iron  mine.  On  the  drowning  of  Dr.  Houghton,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1845,  Mr.  Burt  and  others  were  called  upon  to  complete  as  far  as  possible 
the  reports.  In  the  summer  of  1851  he  visited  Europe.  In  1855  he  wrote  a  treatise 
on  the  Solar  Cornpass. 

He  was  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  Equatorial  Sextant,  at  Detroit,  in 
1858,  when  death  summoned  him  away  from  his  work,  August  18,  1858.  Mrs. 
Burt  died  a  few  years  later,  and  both  sleep  in  the  cemetery  of  Mount  Vernon. 
Regarding  this  settler  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  he  was  one  of  this  world's  true 
noblemen.  Honest,  sincere,  intellectual,  he  recommended  himself  to  every  one, 
winning  the  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  associated. 

Mr.  Burt's  children  are :  John,  Alvin,  Austin,  Wells,  and  William.  Alvin 
Burt  died  in  Wisconsin  some  years  ago  ;  John,  Austin  and  Wells  reside  at  Detroit, 
William  makes  his  home  at  Marquette.  All  these  men  are  pioneers  of  the  iron  dis- 
tricts of  the  Peninsula,  all  are  survej'ors,  and  to  their  desire  to  make  a  thorough 
exploi-ation  of  the  Lake  Superior  country,  the  development  of  that  portion  of  the 
Peninsula  is  mainly  due.  The  labors  of  the  survey  were  entered  upon  by  Wm.  A. 
Burt,  in  1844. 

THE   SETTLEMENT   OF   THE   DARLINGS. 

In  the  year  1823,  Sylvester  Darling  and'  George  Wilson  with  their  families 
arrived  at  Detroit.  There  they  secured  the  services  of  three  sailors — owners  of  a 
canoe — who  started  to  guide  them  on  a  voyage  via  Lake  St.  Clair  to  Mt.  Clemens. 
One  small  sail  was  all  the  propelling  power  the  small  craft  had  at  command.  All 
went  well  until  near  their  destination.  It  was  nearly  night,  and  they  were  very 
anxious  to  land  before  darkness  set  in ;  but  they  were  not  to  be  so  favored ;  for 
when  within  a  little  more  than  an  hour's  sail  from  their  port,  an  angry  squall  over- 
took them  and  they  were  driven  helplessly  before  it.  Like  a  feather  their  sail  was 
torn  from  the  mast,  the  men  caught  it  before  it  was  carried  overboard,  and  refas- 
tened  it  to  the  mast  with  a  clothes'  line  and  held  the  bottom  with  their  hands — no 
easy  task  in  the  face  of  a  November  gale.  All  through  the  hours  of  that  memorable 
night  the  men  took  turns  in  holding  the  sail,  for  there  were  no  oars  aboard  the  frail 
craft.  The  women  and  the  little  children  cowered  in  one  end  of  the  boat  under 
the  slight  protection  of  an  old  awning,  but  the  driving  rain  soon  penetrated  their 


^rr 


HISTORY   OF   JIACOMB  COUNTY. 


place  of  refuge,  and  they  were  in  a  pitiful  condition  indeed.  Who  can  picture  the 
despair  that  overtook  them  :  impenetrable  darkness  surrounded  them,  and  they 
were  driving  on  to  an  unknown  fate.  One  of  the  sailors  overcome  by  fear,  crouched 
in  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  refusing  to  save  himself  or  his  fellow  voyagers.  The 
angry  waves  boiled  and  hissed  round  them,  lashed  into  fury  by  the  fierce  storm. 
They  knew  not  in  what  direction  they  were  going,  only  that  they  were  being 
driven  away  from  the  point  they  wished  to  gain.  Thus  the  long  night  passed,  and 
day  began  to  dawn.  The  shore  was  close  at  hand,  but  tlie  waves  were  breaking 
upon  it  with  such  fury  they  could  not  dare  to  land.  There  they  cast  anchor,  ex- 
pecting every  moment  the  waves  to  engulf  them  ;  but  toward  night  the  waters 
calmed  sufficiently  for  them  to  land.  No  signs  of  habitation  could  be  seen  ;  they 
were  apparently  on  the  border  of  the  Canadian  wilderness.  There  they  built  a 
fire,  dried  their  wet  clothing,  and  cooked  a  little  provisions  for  a  much  required 
meal.  A  brush-hut  was  next  built  to  offer  shelter  to  them  from  the  cold  winds 
which  still  continued  to  blow.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day  they  dared  ven- 
ture out  on  the  waters  ;  but  after  two  hours  battle  with  the  winds,  they  weie  forced 
backward  to  the  wild  shore  where  tlie  previous  night  was  passed.  Here  the  party 
remained  four  days  until  the  storm  subsided,  wlien  they  made  an  attempt  to  go 
forward  on  their  journey.  This  time  the  voyage  was  successful,  and  it  is  believed 
no  travelers  were  ever  more  joyful  than  were  those  who  escaped  all  the  dangers  of 
that  tempestuous  voyage  from  Detroit  to  Mt.  Clemens. 

After  two  days  passed  at  Mount  Clemens,  the  party  proceeded  to  Shelby.  Not 
having  any  houses  built,  they  entered  an  old  log  hut  on  the  Wilcox  Place,  there  to 
wait  until  some  better  building  could  be  erected.  It  was  a  wretched  place,  small, 
and  open  to  the  weather  on  all  sides,  and,  to  use  Mrs.  Darling's  own  expression. 
You  might  throw  a  dog  through  the  roof  anywhere.  In  this  hut  a  little  child 
was  born — a  Darling,  while  Mrs.  Wilson  eared  for  her  own  babe  not  yet  two  months 
old.  Here  the  Wilson  and  Darling  families  remained  for  six  weeks,  and  just  as  one 
of  Michigan's  fiercest  winters  was  upon  them  they  moved  into  snug  log  houses  on 
their  own  lands,  Mr.  Wilson's  land  lying  three-fourths  of  a  mile  south  of  Wash- 
ington, and  Mr.  Darling's  one  mile  farther  to  the  south.  Of  the  heads  of  these 
families,  Mrs.  Darling  alone  is  left,  and  the  children  who  encountered  the  perils  of 
that  voyage  with  their  parents  are  old  gray-headed  people. 

CORBYN   REMINISCENCES. 

S.  H.  Corbyn,  a  pioneer  of  Armada  and  Richmond  Townships,  writing  to  the 
Secretary'  of  the  Pioneer  Society  of  Macomb,  in  December,  1881,  from  his  home  at 
Plainwell,  Mich.,  states:  Alfred  Goodell  and  I  came  from  Detroit  together.  Leav- 
ing him  in  Detroit,  his  eldest  son  and  myself  pushed  ahead,  and  reached  our  destina- 


^1 


fc^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tion  a  day  or  two  ahead  of  him.  The  first  cabin  we  built  was  on  his  side  of  the 
road.  After  this  I  built  one  for  m3'self,  and  also  framed  a  small  barn,  which  was 
subsequently  sold  to  Elijah  Burke.  Mr.  Corbyn  recites  many  of  the  events  men- 
tioned in  the  Goodell  reminiscences.  He  refers  to  the  diiScnlty  of  tracing  survey 
lines  at  this  time.  "  When  I  was  looking  to  locate  my  land,"  he  says,  "  I  started 
at  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  36,  and  tried  to  trace  the  line  to  where  the 
village  of  Armada  now  is.  I  could  find  the  line  as  far  as  the  timber  went;  but 
before  I  had  gone  a  mile  it  opened  into  brush  land  and  open  plains.  Having  nothing 
but  a  po6ket  compass  to  guide  me,  I  could  not  find  the  section  corners  south  of  that 
place,  nor  the  quarter  stake,  where  the  village  now  is,  and  gave  it  up,  not  dreaming 
of  the  possibilities  of  the  future — never  thinking  of  what  that  sea  of  brush  might 
be  converted  into.  At  that  time  I  was  not  such  an  adept  at  tracing  lines  as  I  after- 
wards became;  for,  for  years,  I  accompanied  land-lookers,  traced  lines,  pointed  out 
section  corners  nearl}^  all  over  the  town  of  Richmond  and  in  Columbus  Township, 
gave  them  their  numbers,  which  numbers  they  secreted  in  their  pockets  until  they 
could  reach  the  Detroit  Land  Office.  Land  hunters  at  that  time  were  jealous,  or 
rather  suspicious  of  each  other ;  and  so  each  made  an  effort  to  reach  the  office  first, 
lest  his  competitor  might  outwit  him  in  purchasing. 

CARTER   REMINISCENCES. 

Nathaniel  Carter  left  Massachusetts  for  Michigan,  August  24,  1831.  At  the 
close  of  the  third  week  of  the  journey  he  found  his  friend  Holman  located  in  the 
wilderness  four  miles  northeast  of  Romeo.  His  reminiscences  of  settlement  portray 
many  of  the  scenes  of  the  olden  time,  and  are  on  that  .account  valuable.  He  says  : 
At  this  time  the  east  half  of  Armada  and  what  is  now  Richmond  belonged  to  Saint 
Clair  County.  There  were  only  two  families  in  the  east  half  of  Armada,  viz., 
Leonard  Lee  and  Alfred  Goodell.  The  highways  were  yet  in  the  future,  their 
pliice  being- represented  by  sled  paths  among  the  trees.  The  first  thing  to  be  done 
was  to  select  a  farm,  so  we  started  northward  through  the  brush  and  open  land  to 
the  old  fort,  which  was  a  circular  bank  or  ridge  eight  or  ten  feet  high  from  the 
bottom  of  the  exterior  ditch.  The  walls  enclosed  about  an  acre  of  Ian*  ,  with  an 
opening  toward  the  North  Brauch.  Near  by  were  the  bones  of  a  very  large  race 
of  people.  There  was  an  old  oak  tree  about  eighteen  inches  in  diameter  growing 
on  the  top  of  this  fort.  From  this  point  we  started  for  the  southeast  to  find  Hol- 
man's  brother,  Levi  Holman's  location.  He  showed  us  through  the  woods,  which 
were  then  covered  with  trees  so  large  as  to  make  the  Yankees  feel  a  little  discour- 
aged. We  found  a  small  stream  called  Coon  Creek,  running  through  Section  31, 
Richmond,  near  Leonard  Lee's  and  Levi  Holman's  farms.  We  selected  two  eighty- 
acre  lots  on  Section  34,  paid  $200,  and  received  in  due  time  President  Jackson's 


V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


deed.  Romeo  theu  contained  one  frame  and  three  log  houses,  and  a  small  one- 
story  frame  store,  built  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Saint  Clair  Streets,  by  N.  T. 
Taylor.  The  land  between  the  Curtiss  farm  and  the  village  was  nearly  all  taken 
up,  and  much  of  it  was  occupied.  The  ague  attacked  one  member  of  the  family 
and  created  some  surprise.     Ebenezer  Brooks  and  wife  came  next. 

A  short  time  after  settlement  a  man  was  heard  shouting  in  the  wilderness,  Mr. 
Curtiss  went  forth  with  his  rifle.  The  hooting  continued  until  the  lost  man  saw 
his  rescuer  advancing.  So  overpowered  with  joy  was  he  that  he  could  scarcely 
express  himself.  He  started  the  morning  previous  to  come  from  the  road  north  to 
the  Hoxie  trail ;  but  got  lost.  He  had  a  good  pocket  compass,  yet  he  strayed 
away,  became  lost,  and  at  the  moment  he  was  discovered  was  twenty-four  hours 
without  food.     This  man's  name  was  Truesdell  Nickols. 

A  sudden  turn  of  affairs  urged  Carter  to  enter  the  market.  There  he  made 
application  for  a  Stewart,  and  sealed  the  contract  so  strongly  that  it  is  good  yet. 
After  furnishing  his  log-house,  he  began  to  think  about  building  a  saw-mill.  There 
was  but  one  neai-er  than  Stoney  Creek,  and  that  was  Noah  Webster's.  His  was  the 
next  built  in  order  of  time.  Since  that  time  he  sawed  timber  for  twelve  saw-mills 
and  three  grist  mills,  all  erected  within  a  radius  of  three-one-half  miles  of  the 
Carter  farm,  all  run  by  water  power,  and  the  greater  number  of  them  gone  out  of 
use.  In  1832-3,  the  season  of  alternate  rain  and  frost,  the  grain  crops  were 
destroyed.  The  settlers  endured  many  privations,  some  were  reduced  almost  to 
starvation.     Flour  was  'f  16  per  barrel,  and  pork,  #30. 

Asa  Holman  organized  the  first  Sunday  School  in  the  Town  of  Armada, 
within  a  log-house  on  the  corner  of  his  farm.  John  Proctor  and  Job  Howell  built 
the  first  frame  houses  in  the  township ;  Norman  Perry  and  N.  Carter  soon  fol- 
lowed  the  example,  and  the  era  of  frame  buildings  was  introduced. 

DANIEL   W.    day's    REMINISCENCES. 

In  April,  1827,  my  father,  Erastus  Day,  started  from  the  town  of  Lima,  Liv- 
ingston County,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  with  teams  and  went  to  Pittsford  in 
the  same  county,  where,  in  company  with  Capt.  Gad  Chamberlain  and  some 
four  other  families,  they  chartered  a  canal-boiit  on  the  Erie  Canal,  which  had  been 
finished  about  two  years,  to  Buffalo. 

It  being  early  in  the  season,  no  boats  had  as  yet  left  for  Detroit,  but  two 
steamers  were  lying  at  the  wharf  anxious  for  lading,  and  as  there  were  five  or  six 
families  of  us,  with  household  goods,  etc.,  the  masters  of  the  vessels  were  vei'y 
anxious  and  began  to  bid  for  the  load,  when  the  master  of  the  Steamer  Superior, 
Capt.  Sherman,  proposed  to  take  us  to  Detroit  gratis  if  we  would  go  with  him  ;  so, 
as  a  matter  of  course,  we  all  piled  on,  and  after  a  stormy  passage  (all  that  were  on 


^^~^ 


>^, 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


board  being  sick  except  the  crew,  my  father,  and  Capt.  Chamberlain)  we  arrived 
at  Detroit.  We  stayed  there  until  Sunday  morning,  Capt.  Chamberlain  in  the 
meantime  having  purchased  some  two  or  three  yoke  of  oxen  and  father  two  cows 
with  tlieir  calves,  which  he  bought  for  twenty-five  dollars.  On  Sunda}'  morning 
quite  a  debate  arose  as  to  whether  we  should  lay  over  until  Monday,  or  start  at 
once,  Capt.  Chamberlin  being  opposed  to  traveling  on  the  Sabbath,  (which  was 
right,)  but  other  counsels  prevailed,  and  about  ten  o'clock,  (he  oxen  having  been 
hitched  up,  we  launched  out  upon  that  great  sea  of  mud  and  water  toward  Royal 
Oak,  being  kept  partially  out  of  the  mud  by  a  railroad  with  the  rails  all  laid  cross- 
wise, and  oh  !  what  a  road  was  there,  my  countrymen  !  It  was  almost  impossible 
to  keep  right  side  up  and  out  of  the  mud  and  water.  Between  Detroit  and  Royal 
Oak  we  stopped  at  a  place  called  Mother  Handsome's,  whose  real  name  was 
Chapin,  where  we  had  dinner.  The  next  place,  after  passing  Royal  Oak,  was  then 
called  Hamilton's,  afterward  Piety  Hill,  and  now  Birmingham.  It  was  then  com- 
posed of  one  log  house,  which  was  the  tavern.  At  that  time  there  was  no  road 
direct  from  Royal  Oak  to  Rochester,  consequently  we  were  obliged  to  go  by  Ham- 
ilton's, where  we  stayed  Sunday  night,  if  memory  serves  me  right,  and  the  next 
day  brought  up  at  Horatio  Nye's,  in  the  township  of  Bruce,  Macomb  County. 
That  day,  my  father,  myself,  and  Levi,  the  youngest  brother,  traveled  on  ahead  of 
the  teams,  and  missing  our  way,  went  to  where  Romeo  now  stands,  then  called 
Indian  village,  Gideon  Gates,  post-master.  I  think  there  were  at  that  time,  four 
log  houses  within  the  bounds  of  Romeo  as  it  now  is.  As  is  related  above,  we  stopped 
at  Nye's,  about  two  miles  west  of  Romeo,  where  we  stayed  a  few  days  and  then 
moved  into  a  log  shanty  about  twelve  by  fourteen,  and  covered  with  oak  shakes, 
where  we  lived,  or  rather  stayed,  some  six  or  eight  weeks  and  planted  a  crop  of 
corn  and  potatoes.  In  the  meantime,  father  had  purchased  eighty  acres  of  timber 
land  about  two  miles  northeast  of  Romeo,  and  on  the  fifth  day  of  July,  1827,  we 
went  to  the  new  farm  to  prepare  logs  for  a  house,  which  was  raised  in  a  few  days 
with  becoming  ceremonies,  and  after  covering  it  with  elm  bark,  la3dng  a  part  of  a 
floor  of  hewn  bass-wood  logs,  and  cutting  out  the  logs,  and  leaving  the  holes  for 
doors  and  windows,  we  quietly  moved  into  it  without  any  fire-place  or  chimney 
except  a  hole  in  the  roof  for  the  smoke  to  escape  through.  I  recollect  of  mother 
telling  one  morning  that  she  saw  some  large  animal  jump  out  through  the  hole  left 
for  a  window  during  the  night.  Hardly  a  night  passed  but  we  could  hear  wolves 
howling  in  different  directions.  I  remember  at  one  time  of  hearing  them  howl 
about  eighty  or  one  hundred  rods  from  the  house.  Very  soon  the  hogs  put  in  an 
appearance  at  the  house  minus  two  very  fine  pigs  which  were  never  seen  afterward. 
At  another  time,  as  two  of  my  brothers  started  from  home,  they  encountered  two 
bears  in  close  proximity  to  the  hog-pen  wherein  were  five  or  six  fine  porkers.     On 


3 


Tis:' 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


another  occasion,  while  all  hands  were  engaged  in  chopping,  we  heard  a  hog  set  up 
a  terrible  squeak,  when  we  all  started  for  the  scene  of  battle,  where  we  found  a 
long-legged  brown  bear  leading  a  hog  off  by  the  nape  of  the  neck,  and  as  there  was 
not  a  rifle  in  the  company,  bruin  made  good  his  escape  after  having  bitten  Mr. 
Porker  so  badly  that  he  afterward  died.  While  living  at  home  and  going  to  school, 
a  little  incident  occurred  that  might  be  worth  relating.  Whilst  wandering  about 
in  the  woods  one  Saturday,  I  discovered  a  large  basswood  log  partially  rotted  away, 
in  the  hollow  of  which  I  thought  wolves  slept.  I  went  and  borrowed  a  trap  and 
set  it,  but  it  was  not  a  success,  as  they  went  in  all  directions  except  in  the  trap. 
One  very  cold  morning  I  went  to  my  trap,  and  not  finding  anj-thing  in  it,  I  turned 
about  and  went  directly  home,  and  as  I  stepped  into  the  door  I  heard  them  howl, 
and  going  back  found  that  they  were  not  over  ten  rods  behind  me,  as  I  saw  the 
tracks  of  two  of  them  as  they  turned  from  the  road  into  the  woods  and  left  on  sus- 
picion. As  to  religious  matters,  the  first  sermon  I  heard  in  Romeo  was  by  the  Rev. 
Abel  Warren,  of  sainted  memory,  who  moved  into  that  part  of  the  country  in  1824. 
He  preached  in  warm  weather  in  Albert  Finch's  barn  on  the  farm  now  known  as 
the  Ewell  farm.  This  was  in  the  spring  of  1827.  Rev.  Isaac  Ruggles  was  the 
first  Congregational  minister  that  ever  preached  in  Romeo,  which  was  in  1829. 
In  the  spring  of  1828,  all  the  people  turned  out,  and  that  was  not  a  great  many, 
and  hewed  the  timber,  gave  lumber  and  shingles,  and  built  a  frame  school-house 
on  land  owned  by  Asahel  Bailey,  which  answered  the  purpose  of  school-house  and 
church.  The  first  school  was  taught  by  Gideon  Gates,  and  Alanson  Fincli,  who 
was  supposed  afterward  to  have  been  carried  off  by  the  Indians,  went  to  scliool. 
He  was  missed  at  night,  and  many  of  the  neighbors  searched  in  the  woods  all  night 
and  tiie  next  day.  It  was  estimated  that  some  four  or  five  hundred  men  were 
scouring  the  woods  far  and  near,  but  no  trace  of  him  was  found,  and  it  was  with- 
out doubt  the  means  of  bringing  the  old  people  in  sorrow  to  the  grave. 

REMINISCENCES   OF   JOHN    D.    HOLLAND. 

Referring  to  the  emigration  of  the  Holland  family  from  New  York,  May  20, 
1829,  John  D.  Holland  writes :  We  started  from  the  town  of  Mendon, 
in  the  county  of  Monroe,  State  of  New  York  (had  prayers  in  the 
morning  offered  by  Brother  Schuyler,  a  connection  of  Gen.  Schuyler  of 
Albany),  we  pursued  our  journey  to  or  near  Batavia,  where  we  stayed 
the  first  night,  and  that  night  it  was  frosty  and  cold,  the  morning  following, 
I  tliink  the  ground  was  a  little  frozen.  Pursued  our  course  to  Buffalo  got  on  board 
a  small  schooner  called  the  Dread  of  Huron,  John  Haskins  captain.  Came  to  San- 
dusky City  in  about  three  days  from  Buffalo,  staid  there  some  three  or  four  days, 
found  tliere  an  old  man  by  the  name  of  Rogers,  who  was  taken  prisoner  of  war  in 


^  « r 


fe^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  Revolution  with  my  father,  out  of  the  sloop  Randolph,  a  sloop  of  sixteen  guus, 
about  the  year  1780.  The  old  men  appeared  glad  to  see  each  other.  My  father 
and  myself  got  on  board  a  small  boat  and  came  to  Detroit  in  about  two  days  I  should 
judge. 

Detroit  was  then  small,  the  old  Fort  Hull  surrendered  was  then  garrisoned  by 
United  States  soldiers.  Maj.  Jonathan  Kearsley  and  John  Biddle  then  acted  as  land 
agents,  or  they  gave  duplicates  to  the  applicants  at  the  United  States  Land  OflBce. 
Staid  near  Detroit  a  number  of  days.  Came  to  Washington  to  look  laud  about  the 
20th  of  June,  went  to  Detroit  and  received  a  duplicate  for  the  east  half  of  the 
north-east  quarter  of  section  twenty-two  in  that  town,  about  the  26th  or  7th  of 
June,  1823,  and  at  tluit  time  there  was  in  Washington  Barna  Miller,  Joseph  Miller, 
Elon  Andrus,. Lazarus  Green,  Zebulum  Hayden  and  Aaron  Stone,  and  pei'haps 
Solomon  Wales  with  families  ;  liivewise  Freeborn  Heley  and  Jol>  Hoxie  with  families. 
Milton  Nye's  familj^  absent,  Ezra  B.  Throop,  Alvin  Nye,  Marcus  Nye,  Daniel  Smith, 
young  men,  and  Alexander  Tackles  a  widower,  these  were  the  only  inhabitants 
then  living  in  the  township  of  Washington.  Romeo  was  then  called  Indian  Village. 
Asahel  Bailey  and  Chauncy  Bailey  with  families  then  lived  in  Bruce,  and  Michael 
Tromley,  they  were  the  only  inhabitants  in  Bruce,  except  Indians,  unless  Shartkey, 
(Chartier),  then  lived  near  Tromley. 

What  a  change  do  I  see  to-day,  I  can  see  from  my  window  three  good  churches, 
an  academy,  a  village  containing  perhaps  2,000  inhabitants,  but  alas,  reflection  tells 
me  that  almost  all  the  former  inhabitants  have  passed  through  the  gates  of  death, 
and  are  with  us  no  more.  Freeborn  Hel'ey  was  the  first  white  man  who  died  in 
Washington  that  we  have  any  knowledge  of,  he  died  in  August,  1825.  But  who 
can  count  the  number  that  has  fallen  in  Washington  since  that  day. 

Elias  Pattee  came  and  preached  in  Washington  about  the  last  of  August  1823, 
a  class  was  formed  in  Washington  of  six  members,  viz:  John  D.  Holland  leader, 
Elon  Andrews,  Nancy  Andrews,  Polly  Greene,  Aurilla  Miller  and  Laura  Miller. 
James  Thornington  was  tlie  first  settler  in  Washington,  he  came  into  the  town,  as 
near  as  can  be  ascertained  in  the  month  of  February  1819,  ami  settled  on  the  farm 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  George  Wilson.  The  first  physician  that  settled  in 
Washington  was  Lyman  T.  Jenny,  then  came  Dr.  Dennis  Cooley,  a  constant  pliysi- 
cian  many  years.  The  first  frame  barn  was  built  by  Zebulum  Hayden  in  the  spring 
of  1824,  the  first  frame  house  was  built  by  Edward  Arnold  in  the  fall  of  1825.  The 
first  school  was  kept  by  Dr.  Lyman  T.  Jenny.  The  first  township  meeting  was  held 
near  John  D.  Holland's  in  April  1827,  the  first  Supervisor  was  John  S.  Axford,  the 
first  Township  Clerk  was  John  D.  Holland.  The  great  rain  Iiappened  the  18th  and 
19th  of  June,  1825.  The  first  saw  mill  was  built  by  John  Proctor,  the  first  grist 
mill  built  by  Wilks  L.  Stuart  and  Edwin  Wilcox.     The  first  merchant,  and  perhaps 


-\' 


200  HISTORY   OP  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

the  first  founder  of  the  merchants'  establishment  or  business  in  Romeo,  was  Nathan 
Terry  Taylor.  The  first  religious  meeting  was  held  in  a  log  shanty  owned  and  oc- 
cupied by  Albert  Finch,  very  near  the  house  Hall  Ewell  now  lives  in,  in  June  1824. 
The  first  Postoffice  established  in  tlie  village  of  Romeo,  I  think  about  the  autumn 
of  1825,  was  called  Indian  Village  Postoffice,  Gideon  Gates  was  Post-master.  Who 
acted  as  Post-master  in  the  township  of  Washington,  I  am  not  sure  but  think  it  was 
Otis  Lamb,  office  established  not  far  from  the  time  it  was  established  in  Indian  Vil- 
lage. 

The  townships  of  Washington  and  Bruce  were  joined  as  one  township  for 
several  years.  The  first  saw  mill  built  in  Bruce  was  that  liy  Leander  Tromley, 
some  time  before  the  mill  erected  by  John  Proctor.  The  first  blacksmith  in  Wash- 
ington was  John  Bennett.  The  first  white  child  born  in  Bruce  was  a  daughter  of 
Cliauncy  Bailey.  There  was  an  Indian  tribe  living  near  Lakeville,  Macomps  was 
their  chief.  Gen.-  John  Stockton  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  at  an  early  day,  and  I  presume 
can  give  as  much  information  relative  to  former  times  as  any  one  in  Macomb  County. 

SKETCHES    OF    EARLY    SETTLEMENT    IN    SHELBY,     BY    L.     D.     OWEN. 

When  I  was  a  lad,  between  nine  and  ten  years  of  age,  my  father,  Abijah 
Owen,  then  living  in  the  State  of  New  York,  Genessee  Co.,  conceived  the  idea  of 
emigrating  to  the  West.  Some  of  his  townsmen,  among  whom  were  Calvin  Davis, 
Elon  and  Russel  Andrus,  Joseph  and  Daniel  Miller,  Elder  Abel  Warren,  and  some 
others,  had  gone  a  year  or  two  previous.  From  the  very  flattering  accounts 
received  from  them  as  to  the  natural  advantages  to  be  enjoyed  in  this  new  country, 
he  resolved  to  move  thither,  and  sold  what  little  property  he  had  in  that  country. 
In  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  June,  1825,  he  started  with  his  family  of  five 
children  and  their  mother  for  the  far-famed  territory  of  Michigan.  At  this  time 
no  such  thing  as  a  railroad  had  been  projected,  neither  had  there  any  canals  been 
brought  into  use  ;  for  be  it  known  Clinton's  big  ditch,  or  the  Erie  Canal,  was  not 
completed  till  September  of  that  year.  Then,  of  coui-se,  our  only  mode  of  trans- 
portation from  starting  point  to  Buffalo,  was  by  lumber  wagon.  At  Buffalo  we 
embarked  on  board  the  only  steamboat  then  on  Lake  Erie,  and  the  second  one 
that  had  ever  navigated  its  waters,  the  "  Superior."  After  a  passage  of  five  days, 
calling  at  all  the  intermediate  ports,  we  landed  on  terra  firma  at  Detroit.  I  well 
remember  how  fine  was  the  weather.  Not  a  ripple  disturbed  the  placid  blue  waters 
of  that  noble  lake. 

Immediately  on  landing,  we  fell  in  with  a  teamster  by  the  name  of  Jack  Hamlin, 
whose  business  it  was  to  transport  immigrants  into  this  country.  A  turnpike  had 
then  been  constructed,  commencing  at  the  river  bank,  and  running  for  a  distance 
of  four  miles  in  a  northerly  direction,  which,  subsequent^,  was  completed  by  the 


^  s r" 


iK. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


United  States  as  a  militaiy  road  to  Saginaw  Ray.  When  leaving  this  four-mile 
turnpike,  we  entered  upon  a  single  wagon  track,  meandering  through  brush,  seek- 
ing the  most  eligible  ground,  and  guided  Ijy  blazed  trees  through  forests.  After 
two  days'  weary  journey,  we  arrived  at  our  destined  haven  at  the  house  of  uncle 
Calvin  Davis,  in  the  township  of  Shelby.  Then  it  was  that  pioneer  life  began  to 
dawn  upon  us.  The  first  step  was  to  locate  an  eighty  acre  lot  of  land,  and  no 
delay  was  necessary  in  making  a  selection,  there  being  a  vacant  lot  adjoining  my 
uncle's.  No  objection  could  be  entertained  to  securing  a  neighbor  no  more  than 
half  a  mile  distant,  in  a  wilderness  country.  The  lialf  mile  to  my  uncle's  I 
thought  quite  too  far  to  go  for  fire,  when  often  in  the  summer  time  ours  had  gone 
out  during  the  night.  Lucifer  matches  in  those  days  were  not  dreamed  of ;  some 
people  had  a  tinder  box  with  flint  and  steel  from  which  they  could  start  a  fire.  As 
soon  as  my  father  had  secured  his  land,  wheat  harvest  being  then  ready,  he  thought 
it  more  important  to  secure  some  of  the  needful,  than  to  commence  the  erection  of 
a  domicile,  and  his  first  labor  was  performed  for  one,  Judge  Thurston,  in  the 
western  part  of  Washington  Township ;  raking  and  binding  at  six  shillings  per 
day  ;  but  from  the  paucity  of  the  wheat  fields  here  then,  harvest  time  was  of  short 
duration,  so  he  soon  commenced  the  building  of  a  log  house.  I  remember  hearing 
him  say,  after  paying  for  his  land,  he  had  but  seven  dollars  in  money  left,  so  by 
the  time  he  had  procured  the  necessary  whisky  to  carry  on  his  raising,  doubtless, 
that  was  gone.  Could  buildings  be  raised  in  those  days  without  whisky  ?  One 
might  just  as  well  undertake  to  bury  a  corpse  without  digging  a  grave.  It  was 
quite  apparent  now  that  no  time  should  be  lost  in  preparing  a  family  shelter,  as  an 
emergency  of  a  domestic  character  was  known  to  exist,  that,  except  with  nomadic 
tribes,  called  for  more  tlian  ordinary  care,  so  not  many  days  elapsed  before  logs 
were  got  together  and  shakes  rove  out  of  oak  for  a  roof,  and  from  some  source  he 
obtained  some  second-hand  lumber,  of  various  widtlis  and  thickness,  for  an  upper 
and  under  floor.  Soon  we  were  ushered  into  our  new  domocile,  and  in  a  few  days 
my  mother  gave  birth  to  another  child,  Martha  B.,  now  Mrs.  Cox,  of  Franklin, 
Oakland  Co.  The  first  year  we  lived  without  a  cow — T  can  remember  often  diet- 
ing on  roast  potatoes  and  salt — but  the  next  summer  my  father  vrent  down  to 
his  uncle  Raskin's,  living  a  few  miles  from  Mt.  Clemens,  and  brought  home  a  cow, 
saying  his  uncle  gave  her  to  him.  Then  we  children  felt  gleeful  and  happy — no 
more  potatoes  and  salt ;  we  could  luxuriate  not  only  on  potatoes  and  milk,  but 
liread  and  milk  also.  Prosperity  often  is  of  short  duration,  for  when  we  had  had 
Old  Bob  a  year  or  so,  there  suddenly  appeared  without  previous  notice,  two  young 
men  with  orders  to  drive  away  the  cow.  Some  of  the  younger  children  cried  to 
see  Old  Boh  driven  away.  She  merited  that  sobriquet  from  her  semi-caudal 
appendage,  which  I  suppose  some  ferocious  canine  had  made  a  little  too  free  with. 


;^ 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Now  a  spell  came  over  our  dreams,  potatoes  and  salt  haunted  our  minds.  Not  only 
that,  but  we  were  strongly  suspected  of  being  fatherless,  for  he  was  among  the 
missing  also.  While  he  was  gone  mother  wanted  to  make  some  cucumber  pickles, 
and  whisky  was  about  the  only  ingredient  then  used  for  that  purpose,  so  I  was 
sent  to  Mr.  Burlingham's  still  for  some  of  the  critter,  hnt  when  Burlingham  learned 
tliat  father  was  gone,  and  we  did  not  know  where,  I  could  not  get  the  whisky, 
although  two  shillings  jjer  gallon  was  all  it  was  worth.  I  don't  remember  now  of 
ever  seeing  two  shillings  in  money  up  to  that  time.  But  the  darkest  hour  is  said 
to  be  just  before  day;  so  in  the  course  of  six  weeks  my  father  returned,  driving 
with  him  two  good  cows,  which  he  had  paid  for  with  his  labor,  on  the  farm  owned 
by  Gen.  Cass,  whose  tenant  was  father's  cousin. 

I  tell  you  we  boys  threw  up  our  hats  then  though  I  am  not  sure  we  had  any. 
Yes,  I  do  remember  of  making  one  for  myself  about  that  time  out  of  straw ;  but  if 
I  remember  right  it  was  a  rude  specimen.  The  farm  above  alluded  to  is  now  about 
one-half  the  city  of  Detroit,  unless  the  city  extends  far  beyond  it  in  a  westerly 
direction.  I,  however,  know  that  it  was  a  large  farm,  for  the  next  summer,  after 
father  got  the  cows,  I  was  permitted  to  go  there  to  play  with  the  cousins  and 
remain  three  weeks,  riding  the  ponies  after  the  cows  every  night.  Three  weeks 
had  passed,  so  one  Sunday  niorning  I  shouldered  my  pack,  about  twenty  pounds 
of  dried  peas,  beside  other  traps,  and  started  afoot  and  alone  for  home.  The  four- 
mile  turnpike  alluded  to,  was  traversed,  after  which  was  brush  and  timber  almost 
the  entire  distance  of  thirty  miles,  but  I  made  port  and  had  considerable  ambition 
left.  I  should  hate  to  undertake  that  walk  now  in  a  day.  I  was  twelve  or  thirteen 
years  old  at  this  time.  If  my  memory  serves  me  there  was  but  one  brick  building 
in  tlie  city  at  that  time  and  that,  it  seems  to  me,  was  only  one  and  a  half  stories 
high.  There  stands  a  dwelling  now  on  Jefferson  avenue,  not  far  from  Woodward, 
that  was  there  then.  The  first  team  we  had  in  this  country  was  grown  from  calves 
dropped  the  same  spring  of  our  arrival,  hence  my  father  had  no  facilities  for  work- 
ing his  land,  though  yearly  he  would  endeavor  to  get  two  or  three  acres  broke, 
either  by  making  a  bee  or  changing  work,  with  some  of  the  neighbors ;  those 
calves  were  bought  of  Elder  Warren  in  the  fall  after  they  were  a  year  old  and  my 
brother  and  I  broke  them  that  winter,  and  snailed  up  the  most  of  our  fire  wood 
at  this  time.  I  made  the  3'oke  and  bows,  putting  in  a  wooden  staple  of  bent  hick- 
ory, with  a  crotched  limb  forming  a  hook  for  the  staple,  and  a  short  piece  of  chain 
at  the  rear  end.  I  would  hitch  to  a  small  draft  and  drag  it  to  the  house.  I  can 
remember  taking  motlier  two  and  a  half  miles  to  meeting  with  those  steers  attached 
to  an  ox  sled,  over  a  trail  covered  only  with  about  an  inch  of  snow.  My  brother 
and   I  done  j^retty  much    the  entire   work  done  at  home  for  the  first  four  or  fire 


;%* 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


years ;  while  father  worked  out  by  the  clay.  We  split  mostly  all  the  rails  that  was 
used  during  that  time,  and  also  laid  them  into  fences. 

Judging  from  recollection  as  to  the  length  of  time  we  had  been  in  this  country 
I  should  say  it  was  in  the  spring  of  1826  or  '27,  that  our  neighborhood  became  rife 
with  rumors  that  a  boy  was  lost  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  I  well  re- 
member that,  when  we  were  all  at  Town  meeting  about  the  first  of  April,  there 
came  a  courier,  heralding  the  sad  news  that  Mr.  Finch's  boy,  in  the  Hoxie  settle- 
ment, was  lost,  and  that  the  father  desired  help  to  look  him  up.  My  father  started 
the  next  day,  and  I  suppose  all  the  neighbors  did  also  start  to  search  for  the  miss- 
ing one.  If  I  remember  aright  he  was  gone  about  a  week  ;  but  they  did  not  find 
the  boy,  and  he  never  was  found  either  dead  or  alive,  and  the  grievance  of  the 
heart-stricken  parents  bore  so  heavily  upon  them,  that  their  natures  soon  gave  way, 
and  both  went  down  to  an  untimely  grave,  mourning  the  loss  of  their  boy. 

Now  the  time  occurred  that  I  first  saw  Romeo,  tlien  the  Hoxie  Settlement;  so 
when  we  had  lived  here  long  enough  to  have  raised  a  little  corn,  a  corn  basket  was 
needed,  and  none  was  known  to  be  made  nearer  to  us  tiian  the  Hoxie  settlement, 
so  my  brother  and  I,  respectively  ten  and  twelve  years  old,  started  for  Romeo  on 
foot,  and  procured  a  basket  of  one  old  Mr.  Washburn.  A  frame  house,  I  remember, 
was  then  being  erected  just  behind  a  little  oak  tree,  by  one  John  B.  HoUister,  then 
our  County  Surveyor,  and  that  same  little  oak  tree  is  now  standing  in  front  of  Mrs. 
Nelly  Gray's  residence. 

I  remember  that  when  we  got  started  for  home  the  elements  portended  a 
thunder  shower.  We  had  been  taught  that  to  be  in  the  woods  at  such  a  time  was 
very  dangerous.  Soon  we  were  overtaken  by  Esq.  Lester,  of  Utica,  on  horseback, 
and  to  keep  up  with  him  was  our  aim  ;  therefore  when  his  horse  trotted,  we  trotted; 
but  occasionally  his  horse  would  walk  and  then  we  could  recuperate  our  wind. 
We  heard  him  tell  some  one  on  the  way  that  those  were  the  smartest  boys  he  ever 
saw,  as  they  kept  up  with  his}horse  all  the  way.  In  due  time  we  reached  home  in 
safety. 

The  advantages  for  schooling  in  the  neighborhood  where  we  lived  were  poorer 
than  in  some  other.  The  fourth  town  was  then  comparatively  a  thickly  settled 
neigliborhood,  for  within  a  mile  from  each  other  tliere  were  Geo.  Hanscom,  Geo. 
Willson,  Dan'l  and  Jas.  Miller,  Elon  Andrews,  John  Bennett,  — Burlingham,  Otis 
Lamb,  and  perhaps  some  others.  When  I  would  visit  their  school,  I  found  the  pu- 
pils much  farther  advanced  in  the  rudimental  branches  than  with  us.  Immediately 
after  our  arrival  here,  I  commenced  going  one  and  a  half  miles  to  school,  but  with- 
in a  month  I  was  attacked  with  the  ague  and  lay  prostrate  with  it  all  that  winter. 
A  portion  of  one  winter  I  remember  going  two  and  a  half  miles  to  a  male  teacher, 
Ellas  Scott.     It  was  then  I  began  to  learn  to  write,  and  I  think  I  wrote  one  or  two 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


love  letters  to  a  girl  who  was  some  years  older  than  I  was,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Alvah 
Arnold.  The  last  winter  I  remained  at  home,  we  had  a  school  only  one  and  a  fourth 
miles  away,  taught  by  Miss  Laura  Hopkins,  sister  of  the  late  Cyrus  Hopkins,  the 
veteran  bell  ringer  of  Romeo.  This  was  in  the  winter  of  1830-31,  but  my  duties 
at  home  never  alloweti  me  to  attend  school  very  regular. 

In  June,  1831,  I  left  home  and  engaged  as  clerk  to  P.  &  G.  Leech,  of  Utica, 
who  had  recently  come  in  and  bought  the  mill  property  there,  and  also  inaugurated 
a  store.  The  following  winter  I  attended  a  three  months'  school,  taught  by  one  P. 
B.  Thurston,  who  subsequently  became  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  County,  and  held 
the  office  a  great  number  of  years.  He  was  counted  a  very  worthy  man  and  an 
efficient  County  officer.  One  little  incident  I  will  make  mention  of  as  occurring 
with  some  of  my  earliest  experience  after  leaving  liome,  to  show  the  fortitude  that 
may  be  cherished,  and  is  far  more  often  displayed  in  a  new  country  than  an  older 
one,  and  is  probably  engendered  by  the  rudeness  of  a  pioneer  life.  Early  the  fol- 
lowing spring  I  was  sent  by  my  employers  to  Mt.  Clemens  to  collect  a  small 
account;  when  arriving  at  the  North  Branch  I  found  that  the  bridge  had  been 
swept  away,  but  a  man  with  a  canoe  was  there  to  ferry  me  across.  I  was  directed 
to  put  the  saddle  in  the  canoe,  and  swim  the  horse  ahead  of  us,  and  so  save  us  the 
labor  of  paddling.  The  halter  or  bridle  was  too  short  to  allow  the  horse  to  get  be- 
yond the  reach  of  the  canoe,  hence  he  was  much  frightened  at  the  frequent  contact 
with  it  it.  The  stream  having  extended  far  beyond  its  natural  banks  covered  a  flat 
of  more  shallow  water.  At  this  point  the  horse  struck  bottom,  and  made  such 
powerful  strides  as  to  drag  me  from  the  canoe  through  the  shallows  to  dry  land. 
Now  why  did  I  not  let  go  '/  Because  I  feared  the  horse  would  give  me  the  slip 
and  be  a  greater  hardship  to  recover  him  than  to  be  drawn  through  the  water,  so  I 
stuck  to  him  and  went  on,  made  the  collection  in  silver  coin — about  twenty-five 
dollars,  and  that  weight  of  specie  in  my  pantaloon  pockets  while  on  horseback,  ap- 
peared to  be  a  far  greater  annoyance  than  tlie  wet  clothes." 

Mr.  Owen  paid  a  brilliant  tribute  to  the  deceased  Abel  Warren,  and  concluded 
his  paper  with  a  very  apt  reference  to  the  pioneers  of  Macomb. 

The  following  poetical  comparison  of  the  Past  and  the  Present  was  written  by 
J.  E.  Day,  in  1874.  It  is  a  very  faithful  review,  and  must  be  of  special  interest  in 
connection  with  this  chapter : 


In  days  gone  by  our  dames  and  sires, 

Free   from  that  pride  which  wealth  inspires, 

With  zeal  which  coming  days  will  bless. 

Performed  their  toils  in  home-spun  dress. 

The  rustle  of  a  sill<en  gown, 

Was  to  their  ears  an  unknown  sound, 


Save  when  some  rare  occasion  fell 

As  funeral  or  marriage  bell. 

The  rich  brocade — the  soft  cashmere — 

The  glistening-flush  the  velvet  dear, 

Were  things  of  which  they  heard  at  times, 

By  gossip  brought  from  foreign  climes. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


-^ ^t>^ 


The  matron's  costume,  clean  and  bright, 
Was  home-spun  linen,  blue  and  white, 
Whose  scanty  folds  were  held  in  place, 
By  linen  string  about  the  waist,    . 
Whose  tidy  pleats  were  kept  in  check 
By  linen  kerchief  at  the  neck. 
Her  feet  were  shod  with  heavy  shoes, 
Made  less  for  beauty  than  for  use, 
Her  bonnet,  too,  it  may  be  said — 
Was  on  and  not  behind  her  head. 

His  pants  were  tow  and  woolen  mix't, 

In  colors  which  her  skill  had  fix't ; 

And  made  with  all  the  house-wife's  care, 

Not  for  adornment  but  to  wear. 

His  frock  was  made  of  heavy  tow  ; 

Came  to  the  knees,  or  just  below. 

Supplying  place  of  coat  or  vest. 

Like  charity,  concealed  the  rest. 

Uncouth  in  gait,  or  form,  or  looks. 

Untaught  was  he,  in  lore  of  books  ; 

Unskilled  was  he,  in  ways  to  please ; 

Untaught  in  all  the  arts  of  ease  ; 

Yet  he  was  wise  in  all  his  toil, 

He  knew  the  secrets  of  the  soil ; 

He  knew  where  best  to  plant  his  corn. 

He  could  presage  the  coming  storm  ; 

He  knew  where  wild  fruits  grew   the  best  ; 

He  knew  where  wild  birds  built  their  nest ; 

And  large  his  heart — the  poor  confes't. 

The  kindly  feeling  of  the  breast. 

Yet  we  confess  they  had  their  pride, 
Though  leaving  much  to  virtue's  side  ; 
'Twas  his  the  glitt'ring  ax  to  wield. 
Or  daily  plow  the  willing  field. 
And  many  a  rood  of  fertile  land 
Confessed  the  power  of  his  hand. 
And  while  he  daily  swung  the  ax. 
Her  pride  was  in  her  field  of  flax  ; 
And  in  her  bright,  well  scoured  room, 
And  in  her  spinning-wheel  and  loom, 
And  in  her  knots  of  woolen  yarn. 
Ready  to  make  the  new  or  darn. 
For  hung  in  festoons  'round  the  room, 
Where  trophies  of  her  wheel  and  loom. 
And  still  was  heard,  for  days  to  come. 
The  spinning-wheel's  familiar  hum. 
And  as  her  sturdy  urchins  grew, 
'  Twas  all  the  music  that  they  knew. 


'  Tis  well  remembered  sound  to  me, 
'Tis  music  of  utility. 

The  houses  which  they  lived  in,  too, 

No  rules  of  architecture  knew, 

The  unhewn  trunks  of  trees  supplied. 

Material  to  form  its  sides. 

Laid  up  each  other's  ends  across. 

And  chinked  between,  with  mud  and  moss. 

On  these  were  poles,  set  up  to  take, 

A  roof  composed  of  "  shanty  shake." 

Two  doors  it  had,  a  front  and  rear, 

A  window  on  each  side  appears, 

And  in  one  end — the  other  graced, 

A  huge,  old-fashioned.  "  fire-place," 

Whose  fervent  heat  had  often  told. 

Expulsion  to  the  winter's  cold. 

And  whose  reflected,  cheerful  light. 

Oft  changed  to  day  the  winter's  night. 

What  fun  to  sit  on  winter  days, 
Before  that  open  fire-place. 
And  see  within  the  embers  glow. 
Intricate  fancies  come  and  go. 
Or  hear  the  crackling  fagots  sing 
The  music  of  the  Fire  King, 
What  feasts  we  children  used  to  share, 
Acorns  and  chestnuts,  wasted  there. 
Or  when  more  sumptuous  feasts  invite. 
The  dancing  pop-corn  brown  and  white. 
How  oft  I've  thought  with  childish  joy. 
When  I  should  cease  to  be  a  boy. 
When  I  should  reach  maturer  life 
And  mingle  in  its  joys  and  strife. 
That  time  has  come,  and  taught  the  boy. 
Anticipation  has  the  greater  joy. 

The  hearth  was  stones,  large,  smooth  and  flat. 

And  in  the  corner  lay  a  mat. 

On  which,  before  the  blazing  log, 

Reposed  the  drowsy  hunting  dog. 

And  in  the  corner  used  to  stand 

The  bake-kettle,  and  frying-pan.    . 

The  chimney-flue  (for  want  of  bricks) 

Was  made  of  plastered  mud,  and  sticks, 

The  floor  was  made  of  bass-wood  slabs. 

Split  out  and  laid  with  ax  and  adze. 

The  only  jack-plane  that  it  knew 

Was  friction  of  the  heel  and  toe. 

The  only  carpet  at  command 

Was  daily  made  of  soap  and  sand. 


b^ 


256                                                 HISTORY   OP  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

The  door  was  large,  and  wide,  and  hung 

Which  under  our  fond  mother's  care. 

On  wooden  hinges,  creaked  as  it  swung, 

Weekly  were  enacted  there. 

Which  we  small  youngsters  hail'd  as  great 

We  knew  when  came  the  grand  array 

And  vainly  tried  to  imitate. 

For  Tuesday  was  the  baking  day. 

No  plated  knob,  no  shining  latch, 

Long  years  have  come,  and  swiftly  passed. 

Was  there  the  eye  to  catch, 

Since  Tuesday's  fare  was  tasted  last. 

But  if  you  would  admittance  beg 

And  we  may  eat  of  viands  rare. 

The  handle  was  a  hickory  peg. 

And  sumptuous  entertainments  share. 

Hard  by  a  string  of  wild  deer's  hide. 

Partake  of  all  that  warms  or  cheers. 

The  place  of  thumb-piece  well  supplied; 

May  live  to  see  an  hundred  years. 

Not  always  there  as  you  might  see. 

Yet  ne'er  will  taste  such  pies,  or  cake. 

It  filled  the  place  of  lock  and  key. 

As  that  old  oven  used  to  bake. 

For  safety  it  was  just  the  thing. 
You'd  only  to  pull  in  the  string. 

Within  that  arch  we'd  often  look. 
And  think,  how  in  the  holy  book, 

Outside,  a  few  steps  from  the  door. 
With  the  bass-wood  branches  arched  o'er, 
Where  pig-weeds  grew  so  tall  and  grand. 
The  old  brick  oven  used  to  stand. 
Upborn  on  rugged  pillars  three. 
In  rude  uncultured  masonry. 
And  underneath  we  used  to  keep 
Our  treasures  rare,  in  many  a  heap. 

We  sometimes  heard  our  father  read. 
How  three  jasl  men  of  holy  deed. 
Were  cast  into  an  oven  hot. 
And  yet  the  flames  had  harmed  them  not. 
We  wondered  much,  yet  failed  to  see 
I  low  such  strange  story  true  could  be. 
.\nd  comforting  each  other,  said. 
That  we  were  glad  that  king  was  dead. 

It  oft  has  been  my  childish  care. 

Oh,  childhood  '  fraught  with  joy  and  pain. 

The  needed  oven-wood  to  prepare. 

Thy  years  will  never  come  again  ; 

Four  honest  armfuls,  fine  and  dry. 

The  joys  of  youth  no  more  we  see, 

E'er  I  could  taste  of  cake  or  pie. 

Save  in  the  light  of  memory. 

Our  mother  then  would  place  these  sticks 

Yet  let  us  keep,  as  best  we  may. 

Within  the  solid  arch  of  bricks. 

These  visions  of  the  by-gone  day. 

In  order  so  the  flames  might  crawl. 

And  think  how  in  the  times  far  back 

With  easy  access  through  them  all. 

We've  wandered  from  the  narrow  track. 

And  having  fired  gave  no  concern 

The  path  our  infant  feet  have  trod, 

But  let  the  crackling  contents  burn. 

Forgetful  of  our  father.s'  God. 

Just  twenty  minutes  by  the  clock. 

Let's  find  once  more  the  hopes,  the  fears. 

The  fire  was  out,  the  oven  hot. 

And  fervency  of  early  years. 

And,  having  scraped  the  ashes  thin. 

And  mingle  with  life's  sterner  truth 

The  pastry  ready  to  go  in. 

The  "everlasting  flowers"  of  youth. 

Each  loaf  with  skillful  care  was  laid 
Upon  the  fire-shovel's  blade, 
And  with  a  firm  and  steady  hand, 
In  farthest  corner  made  to  stand. 
The  loaves  were  placed  in  first  of  all 
And  ranged  against  the  outer  wall. 
And  then  within  this  outside  ring, 
In  order  ranged  the  smaller  things, 
The  walls  threw  out  their  ready  heat 
The  baking  process  was  complete. 

Between  the  oven  and  the  road. 
Beside  the  path  the  well-curb  stood. 
On  tip-toe  raised,  we  used  to  peep 
Into  the  dark  mysterious  deep. 
And  think  how  one  poor  foolish  elf. 
Not  long  before,  had  drowned  herself. 
Above  the  curb,  the  "sweep"  was  swung, 
On  which  a  cedar  pole  was  hung. 
With  skill  contrived,  a  strap  and  nail 
Arranged  to  take  the  oaken  pail. 

Sweet  mem'ries  hover  round  my  heart, 

On  further  end  a  block  of  wood. 

Of  mysteries  in  the  baking  art. 

To  keep  the  even  balance  good. 

K 
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HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.                                                257 

r- 

What  joy  'twould  be  to-night  to  share 

Could  suit  our  varied  wants  so  well. 

The  very  best  of  liquor  there. 

Or  form  a  play-house  with  such  skill. 
Such  places  in  its  holes  to  creep, 

Beside  the  well,  on  either  hand, 

Such  chance  to  play  at  hide  and  seek, 

Large  branching  elm  trees  used  to  stand  ; 

Such  room  our  many  games  to  play. 

And  from  the  lowest,  largest  limb 

Or  jump  upon  the  springing  hay. 

With  ropes  and  bark  we  made  a  swine;. 

We  knew  of  every  place  where  best 

And  there,  on  days  when  out  of  school, 

The  cunning  hen  could  hide  her  nest ; 

And  when  the  sultry  sun  grew  cool, 

What  joyous  shout  and  sparkling  eyes. 

Such  joyous  pastimes  oft  we  had 

When  her  shrill  voice  proclaims  the  prize. 

As  makes  the  heart  of  childhood  glad. 

With  hasty  step  and  merry  din 

Yet,  sometimes,  ere  the  play  was  done, 

We  took  the  glistening  treasures  in. 

Would  sadly  pause  to  think  of  one 

Whose  tired  feet  had  left  the  way 

Down  on  a  corner  of  the  street. 

In  which  we  trod,  one  Summer  day 

Where  four  right-angled  highways  meet. 

Had  gone  to  find  the  thither  shore 

A  few  steps  distant  from  the  road, 

Where  childish  griefs  could  come  no  more. 

The  little,  old,  log  school-house  stood ; 

And  roam  at  will  the  happy  fields 

Where,  in  the  days  long  since  gone  by. 

Which  unmolested  pleasure  yields. 

We  youngsters  used  to  meet  and  try 
To  con  our  various  lessons  o'er. 

Not  dead  to  us,  we  thought  that  when 

The  foretaste  of  a  world  of  lore. 

Some  days  had  passed,  he'd  come  again  ; 

The  walls  were  low  and  washed  with  white, 

And  sometimes  in  the  heat  of  game 

Four  wide,  low  windows  gave  it  light 

We  would  forget  and  speak  his  name  ; 

No  "  patent  stove  "  the  building  graced. 

And  then,  in  hushed  and  solemn  way. 

But  a  large,  wide,  stone-built  fire-place. 

Would  sit  us  down,  forgetting  play. 

Whose  fervent  glow  and  steady  heat 

And  every  day  his  merry  plays, 
His  golden  hair,  his  gentle  ways. 

Toasted  our  lieads  and  froze  our  feet. 

Long  desks  along  the  walls  were  fixed ; 

His  ringing  laugh,  the  clothes  he  wore. 

No  passage-ways  were  seen  betwixt. 

Came  back  upon  us  o'er  and  o'er. 

The  seats,  pine  slabs,  with  iron-wood  pegs, 

Oh,  Mem'ry !     Never  weary  with  the  past, 

Which  answered  in  the  place  of  legs. 

Thy  joys  be  mine  while  time  shall  last ; 

While  "beating  up"  the  lesson's  track 

And  when  time's  latest  course  has  run. 

We  to  the  teacher  turned  our  back. 

Thy  deathless  life  has  only  just  begun. 

At  recitation,  or  when  school  was  out. 
We'd  only  just  to  face  about. 

Back  from  the  house,  not  many  rods. 

The  />Dys  could  easy  make  the  change. 

Were  barn  and  sheds,  built  up  of  logs. 

But  for  the  gir/s  'twas  passing  strange. 

Whose  ample  floor  and  well-filled  bay 

The  little  urchins  seated  there 

We  thought  were  just  the  place  for  play. 

Seemed  high  upborne  into  the  air. 

On  one  side  were  the  stalls,  where  stood 

From  which  their  small  feet  dangled  o'er 

The  meek  eyed  cattle,  fat  and  good  ; 

In  vain  desire  to  reach  the  floor. 

The  other  was  the  ample  bay, 

Well-filled  with  nicely-salted  hay. 

I  mind  me  well  how  fared  the  school 

A  row  of  boxes  placed  above, 

■   When  under  certain  schoolma'am's  rule. 

Sheltered  a  flock  of  rattling  doves  ; 

How  oft  for  switches  we  would  go. 

And  outside,  underneath  the  eaves. 

How  oft  the  chalk-mark  forced  to  toe, 

Were  swallows'  nests  of  mud  and  leaves. 

How  oft  the  open  palm  extend 
And  feel  the  walnut  "rule"  descend. 

Not  all  the  arts  which  poets  sing. 

And  yet,  what  varied  fun  we  took 

. 

Not  all  the  lore  which  ages  bring, 
17 

When  she  was  busy  with  her  book  ; 

u 

•7 

c r- 

■  -%           e) 

V 

! 

■ 

«^  <s 


358                                                 HISTORY   OF   IIACOMB  COUNTY. 

What  skillful  pictures  we  would  make, 

Alas  for  some,  their  forms  are  laid 

Or  draw  her  profile  on  the  slate. 

Beneath  the  churchyard's  willow  shade, 

With  awful  look  and  peaked  nose, 

Their  footsteps  now  are  heard  no  more 

And  hand  upraised,  as  if  for  blows  ; 

Along  Time's  rocky  sounding  shore  ; 

And  sometimes,  so  engaged  were  we 

They've  gone  before  to  pluck  at  will 

In  this  rare  sport,  we  failed  to  see 

The  flowers  that  bloom  on  Zion's  hill. 

That  the  sharp  schoolma'am's  restless  eyes 

Some  hasted  at  the  country's  need. 

Had  seen,  and  marked  it  for  her  prize. 

With  willing  heart  and  loyal  speed, 

It  pleased  her  worst  of  all,  we  knew. 

To  help  maintain  the  nation's  laws, 

Because  they  sometimes  were  so  true. 

Or  perish  in  the  righteous  cause. 

All  honor  to  the  "  boys  in  blue," 
Who  faced  the  breach  for  me  and  you  ; 

Well,  I  am  glad  that  in  tho.se  days 

My  feet  were  turned  to  learning's  ways; 

The  dear  remembrance  of  the  brave, 

Those  early  tasks,  I  plainly  see, 

Lives  like  the  pine  above  their  grave. 

Were  worth  a  world  of  wealth  to  me, 

Green  be  the  grass  and  sweet  the  flowers, 

Because  they  proved  this  precept  true 

That  wave  above  these  friends  of  ours. 

How  little  of  the  world  I  knew. 

And  gave  a  quenchless  thirst  for  more 
Than  shallow  draught  of  learning's  lore. 

And  soft  the  sighing  winds  that  surge 

Above  their  graves  at  Fredricksburg. 

Some  plow  in  learning's  classic  soil. 

And  made  my  wakening  soul  aspire 

Some  feel  the  sweat  of  farmer's  toil. 

To  something  better  still,  and  higher. 

Some  drive  a  country  doctor's  cart. 

That  old  log  schoolhouse,  rough  and  tried, 

Some  drive  a  lawyer's  plastic  art. 

The  place  of  meeting-house  supplied. 

All  hail  !  whatever  be  your  share 

Where  weekly  gathered,  old  and  young. 

In  life,  of  labor  or  of  care. 

With  sober  face  and  silent  tongue, 

Fresh  courage  take  and  ne'er  forget 

To  hear  the  thrilling  story  told, 

That  we  are  near  each  other  yet. 

Which,  oft  repeated,  grows  not  old. 

And  as  we  gladly  journey  on. 

Forever  new  because  divine, 

Be  this  our  purpose  bright  and  strong. 

Of  Christ,  the  Prince  of  David's  line. 

That  when  life's  days  and  nights  are  passed. 

These  little  temples  here  and  there. 

We  all  may  meet  at  home  at  last. 

Along  our  public  thoroughfares, 

Are  hot-beds,  where  the  feeble  plant 

Now  all  is  changed,  no  more  we  hear 
The  sturdy  stroke  of  pioneer. 

Of  learning  gets  its  earliest  start. 

'Neath  education's  morning  sun 

No  more  we  see  on  morning  breeze 

His  blue  smoke  curling  through  the  trees. 

No  more  in  hazel  brush  is  heard. 

The  budding  process  is  begun. 

Till  in  its  stretch  of  higher  growth. 

It  reaches  to  sublimer  truth. 

The  shrill  notes  of  the  forest  bird. 

Throws  out  the  bud,  the  flower,  the  seed, 

Gone  from  the  hut  are  dame  and  sire. 

Of  holy  thought,  of  noble  deed. 

Quenched  on  the  hearth  their  cheerful  fire  ; 

The  mind  of  childhood  can  not  be 

Gone  is  the  cabin  and  the  wood, 

A  long  continued  vacancy, 

Gone  are  the  elms  from  where  they  stood. 

There  is  no  waste  or  barren  soil 

Gone  is  the  nicely  sanded  room. 

Within  the  garden  of  the  soul ; 

Gone  is  the  spinning  wheel  and  loom  ; 
Sweet  be  their  rest,  since  closed  the  strife. 

For  if  we  fail  to  sow  the  seeds, 

Of  virtuous  thought  and  manly  deeds. 

They  heroes  were  in  humble  life. 

The  wildest  flowers  will  bloom  within 

And  wealth  has  brought  in  place  of  these 

Of  bitterness,  and  woe  and  sin. 

The  ways  of  luxury  and  ease. 

Where  are  they  now  ?  those  girls  and  boys 

The  thirst  for  fame,  the  love  of  self. 

Who  shared  with  me  life's  morning  joys. 

The  power  of  pride,  the  greed  of  pelf. 

HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


-^ — n^, 


O'ershadow  worth,  and  gain  control 
O'er  nobler  feelings  of  the  soul. 
And  thus  we  mourn  that  coming  days, 
Drive  out  the  old  simplicity  of  ways. 
We  wish  not  for  the  hut  again, 
Nor  share  of  backwood's  toil  and  pain  ; 


Yet  much  we  wish  that  all  might  live, 
Those  simple  rules  which  wisdom  gives. 
Might  see  true  worth  more  surely  great, 
Than  all  the  flimsy  pride  of  State, 
And  then  how  surely  should  we  be 
A  race  of  true  nobility. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

PIONEER    REMINISCENCES. 

The  character  of  the  pioneers  of  Macomb,  falls  properly  within  the  range  of 
history.  They  lived  in  a  region  of  exuberant  fertility,  where  nature  had  scattered 
her  blessings  with  a  generous  hand.  The  winding  Riviere  Aux  Hurons,  the  beauti- 
ful forests,  the  fertile  oak  openings,  the  hard  but  happy  labors  of  the  husbandman 
and  his  family,  and  the  bright  hopes  which  burned,  combined  to  impress  a  distinct 
character,  to  bestow  a  spirit  of  enterprise,  a  joyousness  of  hope  and  an  independence 
of  feeling.  Tlie  community  formed  an  admixture  of  many  nations,  characters, 
languages,  conditions,  and  opinions.  All  the  various  Christian  Gods  had  their 
worshippers.  Pride  and  jealousy  gave  way  to  the  natural  yearnings  of  the  human 
heart  for  society  ;  prejudices  disappeai'ed,  they  met  half  way  and  embraced  ;  and  the 
society  thus  gradually  organized  became  liberal,  enlarged,  unprejudiced,  and  natur- 
ally more  affectionate,  than  a  commune  of  people  all  similar  in  birth  and  character. 

In  the  following  pages  these  facts  will  appear  more  manifest.  The  tales  of  the 
olden  time  point  out  that  time  as  one,  where  solidarity  of  intei'csts  marked  the 
character  of  the  people,  and  leave  little  doubt  that  the  ideal  of  good  will  to  man 
ruled  in  their  hearts. 

PIONEER    MOTHERS. 

What  shall  we  say  of  the  true  woman — the  pioneer  woman  of  this  country  ? 
Ah !  the  Past,  with  its  lights  and  shadows,  its  failures  and  its  successes,  its  joys  and 
its  privations,  is  well  remembered  by  the  surviving  pioneer,  and  happily  in  many 
instances  by  his  children.  Many  a  pioneer  of  the  townships  of  this  county  has 
already  gone  to  his  rest  on  the  hill,  that  gave  to  those,  near  and  dear  to  him,  a  first 
outlook  upon  the  pioneer  life  that  was  to  come, — a  life  destined  to  develop  these 
forces  of  the  head  and  heart,  forces,  which,  in  the  luxury  and  ease  of  an  older  civi- 
lization, rarely  appear  upon  the  surface  of  society. 

It  was  not  always  the  dark  side  of  the  facies  which  was  turned  toward  the 
pioneer,  for  though  many  of  the  immigrants  were  rough,  and  in  many  instances  un- 
godly ;  yet  manhood  and  womanhood  were  here  in  all  their  strength  and    beauty, 


^r^ 


J^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


and  nowhere  in  the  world  of  created  intelligence  did  God's  last,  best  gift  to  man, 
more  clearly  assume  the  character  of  a  helpmate,  than  in  the  log  cabin,  and  amid  the 
rough  and  trying  scenes,  incidental  to  a  home  in  the  wilderness.  Ever  foremost  in 
the  work  of  civilization  and  progress,  the  pioneer  woman — the  true  woman — was 
to-day  physician,  to-morrow  nurse,  and  the  following  day  teacher  of  the  primitive 
school.  Withal  the  woman  was  busily  engaged  in  that  wearisome  round  of  house- 
hold work  which  knows  no  cessation.  Early  and  late,  all  the  year  round,  the 
pioneer  woman  acted  her  part  well.  From  year  to  year,  as  through  many  privations 
and  much  new  and  strange  experience  of  that  necessity,  which  is  the  mother  of  in- 
vention, wife  and  husband  joined  hand  to  hand  to  work  out  under  the  green  arches 
of  tlie  wilderness  the  true  beginnings  of  Macomb  County.  To  the  pioneer  mothers 
of  Macomb  honor  belongs.  The  many  who  are  gone  to  their  rest  left  a  memory  to 
honor — treat  the  living  mothers  well  and  tenderly. 

THE   FIRST   HOMES   OP   THE   PEOPLE. 

How  natural  to  turn  our  eyes  and  thoughts  back  to  the  log  cabin  days,  and  con- 
trast them  with  the  homes  of  the  present  time.  Before  us  stands  the  old  log  cabin: 
Let  us  enter.  Instinctively  the  head  is  uncovered  in  token  of  reverence  to  this 
relic  of  ancestral  beginnings  and  early  struggles.  To  the  left  is  the  deep,  wide  fire- 
place, in  whose  commodious  space  a  group  of  children  may  sit  by  the  fire,  and  up 
through  the  chimney  you  may  count  the  stars ;  while  giiostly  stories  of  witches  and 
giants,  and  still  more  thrilling  stories  of  Indians  and  wild  beasts  are  whisperingly 
told,  and  shudderingly  heard.  On  the  great  crane  hang  the  old  tea-kettle  and  the 
great  iron  pot.  The  huge  shovel  and  tongs  stand  sentinel  in  either  corner  ;  while 
the  great  andirons  patiently  wait  for  the  huge  back  log.  Over  the  fire-place  hangs 
the  trusty  rifle  ;  on  the  right  side  of  the  hearth  stands  the  spinning  wheel ;  while 
in  the  farther  end  of  the  room  is  the  loom  looming  up  with  a  dignity  peculiarly  its 
own.  Strings  of  drying  apples  and  poles  of  drying  pum])kins  are  overhead.  Oppo- 
site the  door  by  which  you  enter  stands  a  huge  deal  table ;  by  its  side  the  dresser, 
with  pewter  plates  and  shining  delf  catching  and  reflecting  the  fire-place  flame,  as 
shields  of  armies  do  the  sunshine.  From  the  corner  of  its  shelves  coyly  peep  out 
the  relics  of  former  china.  In  a  curtained  corner,  and  hid  from  casual  sight,  we 
find  the  mother's  bed ;  and  under  it  the  trundle-bed,  while  near  them  a  ladder  indi- 
cates a  garret  where  the  older  children  sleep.  To  the  left  of  the  fire-place,  and  in 
the  corner  opposite,  the  spinning  wheel  forms  the  mother's  work-stand;  upon  it  lies 
the  Holy  Bible,  evidently  much  used — its  family  record  telling  of  parents  and  friends 
a  long  way  off,  and  telling  too  of  children 

"Scattered  like  roses  in  bloom 
Some  at  tlie  bridal,  and  some  in  the  tomb." 


'^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Her  spectacles  as  if  just  used  are  inserted  between  the  leaves  of  her  Bible,  and  tell 
of  her  purpose  to  return  to  its  comforts  when  cares  permit  and  duty  is  done.  A 
stool,  a  bench,  well  notched,  and  whittled,  and  carved,  and  a  few  chairs  complete 
the  furniture  of  the  room  ;  all  these  articles  stand  on  a  coarse,  but  well  scoured  floor. 
Let  us  for  a  moment  watch  the  city  visitors  to  this  humble  cabin.  The  city  bride, 
innocent,  thoughtless,  and  ignorant  of  labor  and  care,  asks  her  city-bred  husband  : 
"  Pray  what  savage  has  set  this  up?"  Honestly  confessing  his  ignorance,  he  replies, 
"I  do  not  know."  Then  see  the  couple  on  whom  age  sets,  fiostly  but  kindly. 
First  as  they  enter,  they  give  a  rapid  glance  about  the  cabin  home,  and  then  a  mu- 
tual glance  of  eye  to  eye.  Why  do  tears  start  and  fill  their  eyes  ?  Why  do  lips 
quiver  ?  There  are  many  who  know  why ;  but  who,  that  has  not  learned  in  the 
school  of  experience  the  full  meaning  of  all  these  symbols  of  trials  and  privations,  of 
loneliness  and  danger,  can  comprehend  the  story  they  tell  to  tlie  pioneer?  Within 
this  chinked  and  mud-daubed  caljin,  we  read  the  first  pages  of  our  history,  and  as 
we  retire  through  its  low  doorway,  and  note  the  heavy  battened  door  with  its  wooden 
hinges,  and  its  welcoming  latch-string,  is  it  strange  that  the  outside  scenes  would 
seem  to  be  but  a  dream.  The  cabin  and  the  palace  standing  side  by  side  in  vivid 
contrast,  tell  the  story  of  the  people's  progress — they  are  history  and  prophecy 
in  one. 

THE  KEG   OF   GOLD. 

He  looked  for  gold  in  the  streets,  and  found  none!  He  searched  the  alleys  of  the 
city  for  silver  and  found  not  a  groat!  Thus  it  was  with  those  who  searched  for 
a  Ke(i  of  Grold,  near  wliere  now  is  the  railroad  bridge,  in  olden  as  well  as  modern 
times.  It  is  related,  that  about  the  years  1810-1.3,  the  paymaster  of  the  British 
garrisons  along  the  lakes,  left  Detroit,  en  route  to  the  Indian  villages,  then  in  the 
vicinity  of  Mount  Clemens,  to  distribute  the  price  of  American  scalps  among  the 
tribes.  The  old  trail  was  by  the  river  ford  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  pres- 
ent railroad  bridge  and  the  Morass  House.  The  river  was  swollen  at  the  time,  so 
that  it  was  necessary  to  requisition  a  canoe  for  the  transfer  of  the  officer  and  his 
golden  charge  to  the  left  bank  of  the  river.  This  resulted  in  the  capsizing  of  the 
birchen  craft,  in  the  drowning  of  the  officer,  and  the  loss  of  the  l:eg  of  gold.  Of 
course  a  search  was  at  once  instituted  for  this  token  of  wealth  ;  but  the  searchers 
are  said  to  have  failed  to  find  it.  In  more  recent  years  a  quantity  of  metal,  said 
to  be  lead  of  a  peculiarly  hard  quality,  was  found ;  which  would  lead  one  to  sup- 
pose that  the  real  paymaster  stayed  at  Detroit,  clothed  some  unfortunate  private  in 
an  officer's  uniform,  and  dispatched  him  on  a  trial  trip,  with  this  keg  of  little  value, 
just  to  learn  what  would  be  his  own  fate  were  he  to  venture  into  the  wilderness  with 
the  golden  treasure.  He  learned  it,  aud  it  is  said  that  British  blood-money  was 
ever  afterwards  paid  at  Maiden. 


262  HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


TBHE   RECLUSE   OF   THE   MARSH. 

It  is  well  known  that  north  and  west  of  the  light-house,  above  the  ruins  of  the 
ancient  city  of  Belvidere,  stretches  a  vast  muskeg,  bordering  on  the  lake,  and  fringed 
all  round  with  a  deep  and  lovely  forest.  This  marsh  is  the  home  of  the  wild-duck, 
the  musk-rat,  and  the  wild-goose  during  the  winter  and  spring  seasons,  and  of  the 
rice-feeding  black-bii'd  during  the  summer.  It  seems  like  the  last  of  places,  man 
would  select  for  a  dwelling  place  its  flat  and  uninviting  landscape  wearying  the  eye 
with  its  monotony  evei-y  season;  while,  in  winter  the  freezing  breeze  of  the  ice 
encumbered  lake  comes  sweeping  across  it  with  an  Arctic  breath  that  makes  the 
bones  ache,  and  the  human  frame  tremble.  In  such  a  place  the  relies  of  a  shanty 
could  be  seen — the  timbers  covered  with  earth  and  mould,  and  the  broken  or  pul- 
verized clay-mortar  of  the  chimne}'  or  fire-place  scattered  round.  Here,  it  is  related, 
dwelt  the  recluse  of  the  marsh,  a  solemn,  solitary  man,  whose  life  seemed  centred 
in  one  single  thought,  even  as  it  was  passed  in  that  solitary  wilderness.  What  a 
tale  might  be  told  of  his  reasons  for  this  mode  of  life ;  what  sad  or  romantic  disap- 
pointments that  sickened  him  of  life's  pleasures !  Whatever  his  story  may  have 
been,  all  that  remains  is  a  little  mound  of  earth,  raised  by  the  action  of  time  and 
the  decay  of  vegetable  mould  over  the  hearth,  where  the  sad  man  brooded  away  so 
many  years  of  his  life.  The  name  of  the  solitary  man — the  recluse  of  the  marsh, 
was  Tuckar. 

A   mother-in-law's   JOURNEY   TO   THE   HURON. 

In  the  fall  of  1827  Judge  Bunce's  wife's  mother  advised  his  departure  from  her 
home  in  the  Empire  State  for  Detroit,  en  route  to  the  Huron.  The  Judge  met  the 
old  lady  at  Detroit,  and  there  hired  a  Frenchman  to  take  them  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Huron  in  his  cart.  At  the  latter  point  he  hired  another  Frenchman  to  take  them 
in  his  canoe  via  the  Snibora  channel  to  Mons.  Chortier's  dwelling.  This  canoe 
navigator  said  he  knew  the  route  well,  yet  he  missed  the  Snibora  and  was  com- 
pletely at  sea.  The  sky  became  overcast,  wind  and  wave  arose,  they  began  to  ship 
water,  the  guide  became  bewildered,  and  the  Judge  told  him  to  give  up  the  paddle 
and  the  stern  of  the  canoe.  He  refused,  saying,  "/  spaddlemy  own  canoe."  The 
Judge  repeated  his  order  to  give  up  the  paddle,  take  his  hat,  and  pour  out  the 
water.  The  Frenchman  ultimately  complied,  the  Judge  took  the  paddle,  and  after 
a  desperate  struggle  with  the  storm,  beached  the  frail  bark.     They  were  saved. 

DETROIT   TO   MT.    CLEMENS. 

In  the  spring  of  1819,  while  in  Detroit,  Judge  Bunce  hired  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Jackman,  and  started  on  horseback  for  his  St.  Clair  home.  The  lake  was  nearly 
free  of  ice  but  some  remained  in  the  bogs.  At  the  mouth  of  Clinton  River  he 
made  inquiries  as  to  the  soundness  of  the  ice  across  the  bay  to  Salt  River,  and  was 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


told  that  an  Indian  had  just  come  down  on  the  ice,  and  he  hired  hira  to  go  back 
with  them  as  their  pilot.  They  found  the  ice  firm  enough  to  within  half  a  mile  of 
the  shore,  when  looking  back  they  saw  their  Indian  in  full  run  for  the  Clinton 
River.  This  admonished  them  that  something  was  wrong  or  the  Indian  would  not 
have  deserted  without  his  pay.  They  soon  found  that  the  field  of  ice  which  they 
were  on  had  loosened  itself  from  the  shore  and  was  floating  out  into  the  lake.  The 
Judge  sounded  the  depth  of  the  water  with  his  rifle  and  found  it  three  feet ;  then 
jumping  his  horse  into  the  water  mounted  him,  taking  Jackman  on  behind,  and  af- 
ter fording  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  reached  the  shore  in  safety.  Found  a  French- 
man cutting  wood  for  a  man  in  Mt.  Clemens,  and  stayed  with  him  over  night.  He 
gave  them  corn  soup  for  supper  and  breakfast.  When  asked  in  the  morning  what 
his  soup  was  made  of,  he  said  he  had  shot  a  wild  goose  a  few  days  before,  and  with 
the  entrails  had  made  this  soup.  They  were  in  the  same  predicament  with  the 
man  who,  in  swallowing  a  raw  egg,  heard  the  chicken  peep,  and  exclaimed,  "one 
minute  too  late." 

In  the  year  1818,  Judge  Bunce  had  occasion  to  visit  Mt.  Clemens  from  Detroit 
twice.  Once  he  met  a  large,  white-faced  bear,  but  the  bear  did  not  molest  the 
Judge,  nor  the  Judge  the  bear. 

PORTUTSTATE   HUNTERS. 

In  the  early  days  of  our  county,  pests  in  the  form  of  beasts  of  prey  abounded, 
a  source  of  annoyance  and  vexation  to  the  settlers.  For  the  destruction  of  such 
pests  bounty  was  offered  by  the  State,  county,  and  still  farther  by  some  of  the 
townships.  These  combined  bounties,  in  the  case  of  wolves,  made  the  sum  large 
enough  to  call  forth  skill  and  energy  in  the  hunting  craft.  Over  fifty  years  ago 
Colatinus  Day,  an  old  settler  of  Bruce,  set  a  trap  with  the  intent  of  catching  a  fox. 
On  looking  for  the  trap  next  morning  he  saw  that  a  wolf  had  been  entrapped  and 
carried  it  off.  He  pursued  the  animal's  trail  over  the  snow.  He  was  joined  by 
Jesse  Bishop,  Lyman  Bishop,  another  neighbor,  and  the  latter's  dog.  About  three 
miles'north  of  Bishop's  house,  while  passing  a  tamarack  swamp,  a  bear  with  two 
cubs  appeared.  As  she  passed  them,  Mr.  Day,  who  had  a  gun,  fired  without  even 
taking  aim,  and  hit  the  animal,  and  as  the  dogs  sprang  upon  her  at  that  moment, 
she  was  captured  with  the  cubs.  The  hunters  divested  Mrs.  Bruin  of  her  furs, 
and  wrapping  up  the  little  ones  in  the  skin,  sought  a  neighbor's  house  for  dinner. 
There  they  left  the  cubs.  Returning  to  the  trail,  they  followed  it  about  two  miles 
farther,  when  they  discovered  that  the  wolf  with  the  trap  had  entered  a  hollow 
bass-wood  tree,  and  made  her  home  far  away  up  in  the  trunk.  The  men  could  not 
reach  up  to  her  location,  the  dog  could  not  pull  her  out ;  at  length  one  of  the  men 
cut  a  sapling  with  a  hook  upon  it.      With  this  instrument  he  entered  the  tree,  and 


f 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


creeping  upwards  hooked  the  trap.  This  done  he  called  upon  his  comrades  to  pull; 
they  in  turn  tugged  at  the  first  hunter's  feet,  and  together  they  succeeded  in  draw- 
ing forth  the  trap.  There  was  nothing  to  do  until  one  of  the  party  procured  an  axe. 
Then  a  hole  was  cut  in  the  log — but  they  must  not  kill  her  there,  as  they  were  in 
Berlin  Township,  St.  Clair  County,  in  neither  of  which  was  a  bounty  offered.  By 
good  management  the  hunters  captured  the  wolf  alive,  when  they  bound  her  head 
with  bark  thongs,  tied  her  to  a  pole  and  started  for  Macomb  County,  town  of  Bruce, 
but  she  would  not  lead.  They  tried  to  drag  her,  but  that  was  too  hard  work.  They 
tied  her  feet  together  and  took  turns  in  carrying  her  to  the  house  where  they  left 
the  bear  skin.  Here  they  found  a  team  going  south  near  the  line  of  Bruce.  After 
reaching  this  township  the  wolf  died  ;  the  men  proceeded  home  with  the  two  skins 
and  the  cubs.  One  of  the  cubs  crawled  into  the  fire  that  night  and  was  burned  to 
death  ;  the  other  lived  to  mature  bearhood,  and  died  of  too  much  zeal  in  wrestling 
— an  old  man  brained  him  with  a  poker,  because  he  persisted  in  his  favorite  amuse- 
ment before  the  old  man  had  dressed  himself.  The  hunt  resulted  in  bringing  them 
•fl6,  together  with  the  fun. 

DEEB   HUNTING. 

In  early  times,  a  hunter  of  Macomb  County  set  out  one  day  on  a  deer-hunting 
expedition,  accompanied  by  a  large  dog,  which  had  not  been  trained  for  the  chase. 
In  order  to  check  the  animal's  impetuosity  after  game,  he  tied  a  cord  to  the  dog's 
neck,  fastening  the  other  end  round  his  own  waist,  so  that  in  his  tour  of  the  woods  the 
dog  would  quietly  follow.  As  they  were  passing  through  a  clearing,  a  bear  sprang 
from  behind  a  log  and  offered  fight.  The  dog,  frightened  almost  to  death,  started  on 
retreat,  dragging  the  hunter  after  him.  The  bear  followed  them,  and  in  a  battle 
between  the  bear  and  dog  the  old  man  was  deprived  of  his  hunting  clothes. 
During  the  struggle  Mr.  Warner  contrived  to  unloose  the  rope,  when  the  dog 
departed,  leaving  his  master  to  continue  the  battle  with  the  bear.  Bruin  observing 
the  dog  in  his  flight,  left  the  hunter  and  pursued  the  dog.  The  dog  beheld  his 
pursuer  and  redoubled  his  pace,  with  the  result  of  reaching  the  homestead  just  in 
time  to  escape  the  anger  of  the  bear.  The  hunter  made  a  detour,  and  reached 
home  satisfied  that  his  battle  with  the  bear  would  have  proved  his  last,  had  not  the 
dog  attracted  the  animal. 

Harrington's  coon  hunting. 

About  the  year  1840  Alfred  Harrington  went  forth  coon  hunting.  Having 
reached  the  coon  habitation  he  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  an  object  for  his  aim. 
He  fired  at  a  coon,  but  the  charge  had  scarcely  gone  on  its  message,  when  he  dis- 
covered his  dog  making  sundry  cowardly  demonstrations.  Looking  forward,  he 
beheld  a  bear  rushing  on  the  dog,  which  useful  animal  took  up  a  position  between 


l^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  hunter's  feet.  The  bear  came  on,  however,  when  Harrington  clubbed  the  gun, 
and  entered  the  arena  with  Bruin.  The  hunter  was  evidently  succeeding  in  the 
contest,  when  the  bear  considered  it  better  to  retreat.  This  retreat  he  carried  out 
in  a  most  precise  manner,  though  the  hunter  pursued  him  for  over  sixty  rods. 

BUNCE   AND   O'KEEFE. 

Counsellor  O'Keefe  and  Judge  Bunce  were  returning  from  Mount  Clemens  in 
the  spring  of  1826,  when,  near  where  New  Baltimore  now  stands,  they  were  over- 
taken by  a  blinding  snow  storm.  It  was  near  sundown,  and  they  could  neither  see 
land  nor  prairie.  They  steered  for  Swan  Creek,  hoping  to  reach  the  wigwam  of 
Shommenegoblin  before  night,  but  unfortunately  brought  up  at  the  open  water,  in 
the  nortli  c.iannel,  far  out  in  the  lake.  They  followed  up  the  channel,  and  when 
yet  a  half-mile  from  the  shore,  broke  through  the  ice  in  three  feet  of  water.  The 
horse  and  judge  succeeded  in  climbing  on  to  the  ice,  but  O'Keefe  was  so  benumbed 
with  cold  that  lie  remained  in  the  train.  After  one  more  little  break  thej'  came  to 
the  mud,  and  wallowed  through  that  several  rods  before  tliey  found  solid  ice  on  the 
prairie.  They  reached  old  Capt.  Pierre's  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  thoroughly 
wet  and  weary.  Capt.  Pierre  then  lived  two  miles  below  Mons.  Chortier,  and 
chose  that  location  whenever  he  came  from  Canada  for  the  purpose  of  fishing. 

Parker's  bear  experiences. 

Wliile  dining  at  the  old  homestead  with  his  family,  a  terrible  complaint  was 
lieard  to  arise  from  the  habitants  of  the  l\og-pen.  Each  member  of  the  family  ran 
to  the  rescue,  each  armed  with  a  club.  On  arriving  at  the  pen,  they  found  that 
a  huge  bear  had  seized  on  one  of  the  liogs,  and  was  in  the  act  of  carrying  him  off 
when  the  Parkers  attacked  the  bear  in  turn,  and  forced  him  to  relinquish  his  pre}^ 
They  did  not  succeed  in  capturing  him,  however  ;  but  for  years  after  the  event  tlie 
hog,  whose  rescue  was  so  timeljs  never  ventured  to  lift  her  nose  from  the  ground. 

DR.    GLEESON   AND   THE  REPTILE. 

Among  the  early  physicians  of  the  county  was  Dr.  Gleeson,  a  man  of  large 
practice  in  the  northern  districts  of  Macomb,  and  one  very  favorably  known  to  the 
people.  In  those  early  days  the  physician  seldom  or  never  appeared  on  a  vehicle,  his 
usual  means  of  travel  being  a  horse,  which  just  knew  enough  to  proceed  cautiously 
along  the  trails  of  the  land.  That  horse  was  too  thickskinned  to  understand  what 
a  Michigan  rattlesnake  or  Massassauga  really  was,  and  so  he  was  free  to  proceed  at 
his  leisure.  The  reptiles  seemed  to  know  this  horse  well,  and  after  repeated  assaults 
on  him  gave  up  the  business,  determining,  as  it  were,  to  direct  their  attacks  against 
the  medical  man.  This  programme  was  evidently  adopted  about  the  year  18o9,  for 
the  doctor  experienced  a  few  rare  adventures  during  that  year.      Riding  along  the 


.t. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


trail  to  Armada  one  day  he  thought  that  a  bush  had  caught  in  his  stirrup.  Stoop- 
ing to  extricate  himself,  he  saw  a  large  snake  enfanged,  and  on  further  examination 
was  pleased  to  learn  that  the  poisonous  reptile  had  only  reached  the  pants  at  tlie 
heel  of  tlie  boot,  and  had  therefore  been  unable  to  inflict  the  wound  which  he  medi- 
tated. It  is  unnecessary  to  state  that  the  doctor  directed  his  efforts  so  as  to  insure 
the  destruction  of  one  Massassauga  of  the  Michigan  tribe. 

DEER    HUNTING    MADE   EASY. 

An  incident  of  pioneer  life  witnessed  by  Mrs.  Julia  Manley  when  a  small  child, 
is  thus  related.  In  the  year  following  their  removal  from  New  York  to  tlie  town- 
ship of  Stielby,  her  father  getting  up  one  morning  in  warm  weather  opened  the  door 
before  putting  on  any  clothing,  and  what  should  he  behold  but  five  deer,  about 
fifteen  or  twenty  rods  distant,  one  of  them  a  splendid  buck.  He  stepped  back,  took 
his  rifle,  and  noiselessly  passing  out,  leveled  his  trusty  piece  and  brought  down  the 
coveted  leader.  In  order  to  be  sure  of  his  game  (the  barrel  of  pork  brought  witli 
them  being  all  gone)  he  dropped  his  gun,  called  on  his  helpmate  to  bring  tlie  butcher 
knife,  and  then  made  all  possible  speed  for  his  victim.  He  seized  the  deer  in  his 
struggles,  and  the  knife  being  speedily  at  hand  he  at  once  made  surety  doubly 
sure.  When  the  blood  was  sufficiently  passed  out,  they  took  the  animal  by  the 
horns  and  hauled  the  carcass  to  the  house.  Not  until  the  little  drama  was  over  did 
they  stop  to  think  that  neither  of  the  trio  (the  little  girl  being  along  and  seeing 
the  whole  affair)  had  on  any  article  of  clothing  except  the  single  innermost  garment. 

REMINISCENCES    OF   THE   BAILEY  SETTLEMENT. 

Owing  to  the  notoriety  which  the  Hoxies  won  wherever  they  effected  a  settle- 
ment, that  portion  of  Macomb,  which  should  be  named  after  the  first  permanent 
settler  was  called  the  Eoxie  Settlement.  Ashael  Bailey  had  merely  made  himself  a 
home  in  tlie  wilderness,  when  the  Hoxies  became  his  neighbors.  A  short  time  had 
elapsed,  and  other  spirits  of  a  kindred  character  came  among  them,  one  of  whom  was 
a  bold  and  desperate  man.  One  Sunday  morning  as  Ashael  Bailey  essayed  to  act  the 
nurse  for  his  only  little  daughter,  while  Mrs.  Bailey  was  engaged  in  preparing 
breakfast,  the  door  was  suddenly  opened,  and  a  stranger  entered.  This  rough 
visitor  seemed  to  be  enraged  ;  he  appeared  to  be  a  creature  of  whom  violent  gesture 
and  appalling  blasphemy  were  the  constituent  parts.  Mr.  Bailey  did  not  pay  any 
attention  to  the  white  savage,  but  on  the  contrary  paid  more  attention  to  his  little 
girl.  This  policy  he  pursued  until  his  visitor  became  calm.  This  new  terror  of 
the  settlement  stopped  as  suddenly  as  he  began,  and  resuming  his  coat,  said,  ■'  Mr. 
Bailey  you  are  not  the  man  you  have  been  represented  to  be.  I  was  told  if  I  came 
here  and  abused  you,  you  would  fight  me."    This  said,  the  stranger  walked  off.    Sub- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


sequently,  it  transpired  that  tliis  would-lte  Hector,  Hiram  Jennings  by  name,  was  here 
with  the  intention  of  engaging  in  counterfeiting.  Tlie  Hoxies  represented  this  as  a 
fine  retired  place  for  tiie  business,  and  they  said.  "There  is  Ijut  one  man  tliere  tliat 
will  give  us  any  trouble,  and  you  can  frighten  him,  no  doubt."  This  was  done  ; 
with  what  success  has  been  i-elated.  Mr.  Bailey,  when  told  the  purport  of  that 
strange  visit,  said  he  would  expose  them  to  Gov.  Cass.  Jennings  was  enraged  at 
the  Hoxies  for  misrepresenting  Mr.  Bailey,  and  exposed  the  whole  plan  ;  he  was  a 
bold,  desperate  man — apparently  well  educated  and  physically  well  developed  ; 
his  penmansliip  was  like  an  impression  from  engraved  jjlate.  He  remained  at  this 
place  until  he  wrought,  in  a  measure,  his  sweet  revenge.  Providence  frustrated 
his  most  diabolical  attempt  on  Mr.  J^tailey's  life,  through  the  faithful  kindness  of 
Freeborn  Healey,  a  good  man  and  an  excellent  neighbor,  living  a  long  mile  south, 
who  came  late  one  Saturday  night  to  reveal  to  Bailey  the  design  of  Jennings  to 
murder  him.  The  plan  of  the  counterfeiter  was  to  lie  in  wait  in  the  cedar  swamp, 
where  Bailey  had  a  quantity  of  rails,  which  he  intended  to  commence  drawing  out 
on  Monday  morning ;  as  he  entered  the  swamp  Jennings  would  shoot  him.  Healey 
besought  his  neighbor  Bailey  not  to  go,  but  he  was  loth  to  consent ;  at  last  Mrs. 
Bailej^  said  to  Healey,  "  Do  not  fear,  if  he  goes  I  shall  go,"  so  he  went  home  sat- 
isfied with  his  mission.  Mr.  Healey  is  ever  remembered  with  gratitude  for  this 
kind  act. 

Later,  in  a  very  friendly  mood,  Jennings  told  Mr.  Bailey  this  :  "  I  watched  for 
you  to  come  all  that  Monday  morning,  as  I  laid  in  wait  in  yoar  cedar  swamp,  and 
had  you  come,  I  should  have  sliot  you  dead,  and  I  think,"  added  he,  "  I  am  glad 
you  did  not  go."  He  afterward  stole  Mr.  Bailey's  only  horse,  left  the  country,  and 
everyone  drew  a  breath  of  relief. 

An  incident  of  an  amusing  character,  certainly  of  a  more  social  one,  is  thus 
related :  Bailey's  eldest  daughter,  then  about  three  or  four  years  old,  was  an  object 
of  interest  to  an  Indian  mother.  Her  little  boy,  Neianquette,  often  came  with  her 
to  the  Bailey  homestead,  and  one  day  she,  in  a  most  solemn  manner,  betrothed  liim 
to  Prudence,  and  made  him  give  her  beads  and  moccasins.  After  that  he  often 
gave  her  presents.  Mrs.  Bailey  did  not  like  to  refuse  tliem,  fearing  the  Indians 
would  be  angry  ;  yet  they  watched  their  child  carefully  lest  the  Indians  might  not 
be  as  friendly  as  they  seemed,  and  would  carry  her  off.  In  time  the  visits  of  tiie 
Indian  mother  and  her  boy  ceased,  and  they  heard  nothing  more  of  them. 

Reference  has  been  previously  made  to  the  trust  the  Indians  reposed  in  Mn 
and  Mrs.  Bailey.  In  the  following  incident,  related  by  Mrs.  Bailey,  the  fact  is 
portrayed  more  fully  :  The  chief  of  the  tribe  at  this  time  was  Macompte  ;  he  came 
to  their  house  one  winter's  day  with  a  quantity  of  jerked  venison,  in  packs,  asking 
permission  to  leave  it  in  their  care,  with  especial  injunctions  not  to  permit  the  In- 


\)   >y 


AJ^ — ^ 

208  HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


dians  to  have  it ;  if  he  died  before  the  time  to  plant  corn,  his  women,  who  were 
with  him,  would  come  for  the  packs.  Bailey  showed  him  where  he  could  place 
the  provisions  in  the  upper  room  of  the  house.  Then  Macompte  knelt  and  prayed 
over  his  venison,  making  the  sign  of  the  cross.  They  said  their  farewells,  and 
went  away.  The  following  spring  the  squaws  came  for  the  venison.  Macompte 
was  dead.  The  younger  squaw  cried  bitterly — her  grief  was  most  pathetic  ;  the 
elder  only  laughed  at  her  ;  that  laugh  was  nearly  as  affecting,  but  it  told  its  own 
story. 

THE   DEER   OF   PKOVIDENCE. 

During  the  trying  year  of  the  Michigan  Narrows,  tiie  people  who  settled  in  the 
northwest  part  of  Armada,  suffered  in  common  with  the  immigrants  of  that  time 
located  throiigliout  Michigan.  Ira  Phillips  with  his  family,  then  resided  near  the 
Day  Homestead  in  Armada  Township.  The  provisions  of  the  settlers  were  almost 
consumed  before  any  definite  preparations  were  made  to  replenish  their  stores,  so 
that  many  of  them  were  driven  to  experience  most  terrible  anxieties,  if  not  actual 
want.  At  length  the  worst  fears  of  the  people  were  realized.  There  was  notliing 
to  feed  the  many  hungry  mouths,  except  that  which  a  small  piece  of  ripening 
wheat  on  the  Taylor  farm  jjromised.  The  settlers  watched  this  field  become 
golden  under  the  summer  sun ;  but  the  necessity  of  the  time  prompted  them  to 
outdo  nature  herself;  and  so  they  cut  down  the  semi-ripened  wheat,  let  it  hay  in 
swaths,  and  turning  it  day  after  day  before  the  sun,  succeeded  in  drying  the  grain. 
This  much  accomplislied  the  wheat  was  thrashed,  and  the  grain  distributed  among 
the  waiting  neighbors.  One  of  the  farmers  loaded  his  wagon  with  the  grist  sacks 
of  the  people,  and  went  forth  to  the  mill  at  Stoney  Creek,  via  the  blazed  trail, 
expecting  to  return  on  Friday  night,  or  at  furthest  on  Saturday  morning.  An 
accident,  however,  set  all  his  plans  at  nought.  Mrs.  Ira  Phillips,  who  relates  the 
incident,  states  that  the  messenger  was  exjjected  to  return  by  Friday  night,  or 
Saturday  morning  at  the  farthest.  Friday  niglit  came,  yet  no  tidings  of  him  was 
heard.  All  through  the  following  Saturday  anxious  eyes  looked  forward  along 
the  trail  ;  anxious  ears  listened  for  the  rumbling  noise  of  the  pioneer  wagon.  Tlie 
last  morsel  of  food  was  eaten,  his  arrival  alone  could  dissipate  the  darkening  cloud 
which  hung  over  the  people,  could  avert  the  horrors  of  starvation.  But  yet  no 
tidings  of  him  who  went  to  mill  were  heard.  When  the  sun  arose  on  the  Sabbath 
morning,  Mrs.  Phillips  arranged  her  house  as  usual,  then  lapsed  into  that  silent 
mood  which  precedes  despair.  She  took  a  seat  before  the  open  door,  where  she 
was  soon  joined  by  her  two  little  boys,  each  clamoring  for  something  to  eat.  The 
woman  wept  ;  she  thought  to  bury  her  face  in  her  hands,  and  thus  hide  her 
sorrows  from  the  youths,  but  the  trickling  tears  told  their  young  hearts  that 
mother's  heart  was   bowed  with  anguish,  that  fears  for  her  little  ones  were  upper- 


,L 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


most  in  her  mind.  The  occasion  was  full  of  instruction  ;  the  boys  ceased  repining, 
and  played,  as  was  their  wont  under  brighter  circumstances,  but  their  merry  gambols 
appeared  rather  artful  than  natural.  The  parents  saw  and  noted  all  this,  and 
felt  doubly  sorrowful.  At  this  moment,  when  the  woman's  heart  beat  slowest,  she 
summoned  courage  to  look  forth  into  the  forest,  when  to  her  joy  she  beheld  a  deer 
standing  quietly  opposite  the  open  door.  She  turned  to  her  husband,  saying  in  a 
subdued  tone,  "  Ira  look  !  "  The  man  raised  his  weary  V)ody  from  the  chair,  took 
down  the  fowling  piece  from  its  place,  fired,  and  the  most  beautiful  of  forest 
animals  lay  dead  in  his  track.  This  appearance  of  the  deer  at  that  moment,  and 
the  ease  with  which  the  hunter  killed  him,  seemed  to  partake  of  some  supernatural 
character.  Providence  directed  the  proceedings,  and  loaned  a  new  spirit  to  the 
pioneer  parents  and  their  little  ones.  Later  in  the  day  the  messenger  returned 
from  the  mill  with  the  grist ;  the  darkest  hour  was  with  the  past,  and  where 
gaunt  famine  threatened  on  the  morning  of  that  Sabbath,  peace  and  plenty  shed 
their  rays  in  the  evening.  The  story  was  related  to  the  writer  by  E.  F.  Sibley,  of 
Armada. 

THE   POLITICAL   TURN-COAT. 

During  the  campaign  of  1844,  James  Parker  was  expected  to  vote  the  Free 
Soil  ticket  in  the  local  elections.  He  promised  James  Thurston  to  vote  in  accord- 
ance with  iiis  wishes,  wliich  were  decidedly  those  of  James  G  Birney,  the  Presi- 
dential candidate.  On  the  day  of  election,  Parker  voted  for  Henry  Clay,  contrary 
to  the  expectations  of  his  friends.  On  returning  to  his  home  that  night,  one  of 
his  sons  got  hold  of  his  coat,  turned  it  completely,  and  then  placed  it  on  the  hook 
where  the  old  man  was  accustomed  to  liaug  it.  Next  morning  the  owner  put  on 
this  coat  hurriedly,  and  went  to  work.  After  a  little  time  he  noticed  the  change, 
and,  asking  his  family  what  was  the  matter,  was  informed  that  he  came  home  in 
that  style  from  Romeo  the  night  previous,  and  that  he  must  have  his  coat  turned 
during  the  election.  The  old  man  saw  the  point,  very  j^Iainly.  Shortly  after  this 
a  poem  appeared  on  the  subject  from  the  pen  of  Joseph  Thurston,  each  stanza  of 
which  ended  with  the  telling  line,  When  he  got  home  his  coat  was  turned. 

inwood's  bear  hunting. 

It  is  related  of  Uncle  William  Inwood,  that  on  one  occasion,  while  traveling 
through  the  wilderness  accompanied  by  a  few  neighbors,  he  roused  a  bear  fi'om  her 
lair.  The  animal  had  two  cubs  in  charge,  and  was  not  at  all  disposed  to  seek  a 
quarrel  with  her  enemies  ;  so  to  Inwood's  great  relief  slie  sought  refuge  in  a  large 
tree  and  remained  there  surveying  the  new  settlers  of  her  old  domain,  determined 
only  to  guard  her  cubs.  After  a  little  while  this  old  settler  and  his  friends  became 
sufficiently  cool  to  take  in  the  situation.      The  party  was  unprovided  with  a  gun  ; 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


but  to  meet  this  want  one  of  them  ran  toward  his  home  with  the  object  of  procuring 
one.  On  his  way  he  shouted  vociferously,  and  succeeded  in  getting  out  all  the  lai'ge 
and  small  boys  of  the  settlement.  They  left  him  to  look  after  the  gun,  and  were 
soon  at  the  scene  of  action.  Tiiere  they  found  Mr.  Inwood,  the  bear,  and  Mr.  In- 
wood's  comrades.  The  big  boy  arrived  with  the  gun.  Uncle  Inwood  took  the 
responsibility  of  charging  the  destructive  weapon  ;  but  in  his  hurry  beat  down  the 
bullet  first,  and  then  learned  for  the  first  time  that  there  was  no  powder.  He  des- 
patched the  big  boy  for  powder  ;  the  messenger  was  faithful ;  the  powder  was 
brought,  a  charge  was  placed  in  the  gun,  and  everything  made  ready  for  an  assault 
on  the  position  lield  by  the  bear.  Mr.  Inwood  took  deliberate  aim,  pulled  the  trig- 
ger; and  wondered  "why  the  animal  didn't  go  off."  He  forgot  all  about  the  first 
bullet.  However  on  being  reminded  of  the  fact  that  he  had  hitherto  beaten  a 
bullet  into  the  rifle,  he  cast  the  piece  away  as  useless,  and  prepared  to  i-eturn  to  his 
home.  "  Not  yet.  Uncle  Inwood,"  said  one  of  the  boys,  "  you  were  saying  just 
awhile  ago  if  the  powder  was  not  brought  quickly  you  would  climb  into  the  tree  and 
have  a  tustle  with  the  bear  jjourself."  "Now  Uncle  Inwood,"  said  another,  "you 
must  carry  out  your  promise.  You  said  if  the  boy  didn't  come  quickly  with  the 
powder,  you  would  climb  into  the  tree  and  knock  the  bear  down."  Mr.  Inwood 
could  not  tolerate  the  taunting  of  the  Washington  boys  any  longer,  so  he  began  to 
ascend  the  tree.  In  a  little  while  he  approached  Bruin.  The  latter  growled,  just 
allowed  Uncle  Inwood  to  see  his  teeth,  and  in  another  little  while  the  gallant 
forester  began  to  descend  that  tree  with  lightning  rapidity.  On  reaching  firm  earth 
he  saw  the  boys  make  sundry  grimaces.  "  Why,"  said  one  of  them,  "I  thought 
you  would  knuckle  down  to  Bruin."  "  Ah"  responded  Uncle  Inwood,  "  I'll  go  'ome 
fur  my  hold  jacket  first."  The  boys  and  neighbors  saw  the  joke,  and  were  so  occu- 
pied in  attentions  to  him  who  was  retreating  in  such  good  order,  that  they  per- 
mitted Bruin  to  elope  with  her  cubs  unharmed. 

A  BEAR   IN  BRUCE. 

A  year  after  the  settlement  of  the  Killam  family  in  Bruce,  P.  C.  Killam  was 
engaged  on  his  land  near  Tremble  Mountain,  when  he  saw  a  large  brown  bear  ap- 
proaching. The  farmer  called  his  dogs,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Harvey  Reed 
succeeded  in  treeing  the  animal.  Ira  Killam  was  then  sent  for  the  rifle.  During 
his  absence  Bruin  seemed  to  understand  the  designs  of  his  new  neighbors,  and  made 
an  effort  to  escape,  but  owing  to  the  steepness  of  the  hill,  he  was  unable  to  make 
headway  against  the  dogs,  and  less  against  the  continued  stoning  to  which  he  was 
subjected  by  the  men.  Three  times  the  king  of  the  Michigan  wilderness  descended 
only  to  be  met  by  blows  and  bites,  and  driven  back  to  his  refuge  in  the  tree.  The 
rifle  was  brought  forward  at  length,  and  the  sufferings  of  Bruin  were  ended  forever. 


4>t 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


NOAH   WEBSTER   AJSfD   THE   BEAR. 

In  the  year  1826  or  there  about  Noah  Webster  was  living  at "  The  Branch  "  as 
the  place  since  known  as  "Gray's  mill"  was  called  and  run  a  saw  mill.  Mrs.  Web- 
ster one  day  drove  a  bear  up  a  tree  on  the  flats  near  the  mill  and  watched  him  till 
her  husband  and  some  of  the  neighbors  came  to  her  relief.  They  then  built  a  fire 
about  the  foot  of  the  tree  to  keep  Bruin  from  coming  down  upon  them  too  suddenly. 
Webster  had  a  gun  of  the  flint  lock  kind  and  the  flint  was  of  no  use  as  it  would 
not  strike  fire.  But  the  gun  was  produced  and  loaded,  and  Mr.  Webster  aimed  it 
at  the  bear,  and  when  he  said  "ready  "  some  one  touched  it  off  with  a  fire-brand. 
Four  or  five  shots  were  thus  discharged  which  severely  wounded  the  game  but  did 
not  bring  him  down.  Then  Mr.  Webster  ran  to  the  clearing,  climbed  on  a  stump 
and  shouted  "A  bear!"  "A  bear!"  The  neighbors  heard  and  thought  he  said 
"  a  fire  !"  "  a  fire  !  "  and  that  the  gun  had  been  firing  as  an  alarm,  so  tliey  ran  with 
pails  all  out  of  breath  to  extinguish  the  flames.  Reuben  R.  Smith  came  up  with 
two  pails,  and  they  laughed  at  him  for  coming  to  kill  a  bear  with  a  pail  in  each 
hand  but  he  looked  long  and  sharply  up  the  tree  and  exclaimed  "  Yes  he  is  up  there 
I  can  see  his  tail  hanging  down!"  Among  the  rest  who  came  to  put  out  the  fire 
was  a  hunter  who  brought  along  his  gun  and  tlie  wounded  bear  was  soon  brought 
down  and  skinned,  and  his  meat  went  in  chunks  around  the  neighborhood  for  the 
comfort  of  those  who  were  out  of  meat.  While  dressing  it  they  often  asked  Reuben 
"  where  that  part  was  which  he  saw  hanging  down,"  to  which  he  had  little  to  say. 
The  country  was  soon  cleared  up,  and  bears,  wolves  and  Indians  sought  the  more 
unsettled  regions,  but  this  little  incident  is  kept  in  the  memories  of  those  still  liv- 
ing who  participated  in  it,  as  a  remembrance  of  the  brave  days  of  old. 

pinch's  wolf  hunting. 

A  hunter  named  Finch  caught  a  wolf  in  a  trap  on  what  was  known  as  the 
Thurston  Fort,  and  for  some  reason  desired  to  take  him  home  alive.  The  wolf  was 
extremely  quiet  and  docile,  yet  he  secured  his  head  and  jaws  with  strips  of  bark, 
winding  it  over  and  over  again  until  the  animal's  head  resembled  that  of  a  prize 
fighter  after  a  star  engagement.  He  removed  the  traps,  tied  the  wolf  to  a  small 
pole,  and  started  for  the  clearing.  When  he  came  in  sight  of  the  open  fields  the 
wolf  refused  to  be  led  in  this  way  ;  the  bands  about  his  head  showed  alarming  signs 
of  inconstancy,  and  his  teeth  began  to  chatter  in  a  most  sociable  as  well  as  sugges- 
tive way.  With  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  wolf  and  pushing  on  the  pole  to  keep  him  at 
a  respectable  distance,  the  hunter  and  his  captive  went  round  and  round,  with  the 
pole  between  them,  eying  each  other  very  suspiciously.  At  last  the  bands  gave 
way  and  the  wolf  took  his  leave  in  the  most  informal  manner. 


-V 


-^ 


HISTORT  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


THE   TBAGIC   END    OP   A   WOLF. 

Erastus  Day,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  eastern  part  of  Armada,  was  also 
one  of  the  first  to  take  sheep  to  that  part ;  having  a  few  sheep  to  increase  as  his 
cleared  acres  increased.  He  kept  them  in  a  stockade,  made  of  palings,  close  by  the 
barns  ;  but  one  night  he  forgot  to  enclose  them  in  the  yard.  That  night  a  wolf  se- 
lected three  of  the  best  for  his  own  use.  Ira  Phillips  killed  this  wolf  shortly  after, 
and  with  tlie  l)Ounty  purchased  a  silk  dress  for  Mrs.  Phillips. 

AN    ORDERLY   RETREAT. 

Luke  Fisher,  who  had  settled  in  the  northern  part  of  Bruce,  started  home 
from  Romeo,  just  at  dusk,  carrying  a  piece  of  meat  given  by  some  friend.  Think- 
ing he  should  be  waited  upon  by  wolfish  company,  he  halted  to  cut  a  stout  green 
stick.  Before  long  he  heard  the  well-known  whine  in  his  rear,  which  announced 
the  approach  of  his  company,  and  accelerated  his  speed.  He  grasped  his  stick 
more  firmly  and  sped  on.  The  wolves  gained  rapidly,  and  were  soon  so  near  that  he 
could  hear  their  steps  upon  the  leaves  and  the  gnash  of  their  teeth.  Turning  upon 
them  he  would  shout  and  flourish  his  stick  in  their  faces,  thus  checking  their  course, 
and  then  turn  and  press  on  toward  home.  He  increased  his  speed,  held  the  meat, 
and  when  he  reached  his  cabin-door  they  were  just  at  his  heels.  The  wolves  of 
this  locality  were  very  small  and  seldom  did  any  damage  save  in  the  most  cowardly 
manner.  A  few  sheep  and  now  and  then  a  hog  would  be  abducted  when  it  could 
be  done  in  a  sneakish  way,  but  the  human  arm  and  the  human  voice  kept  them  in 
a  wholesome  fear. 

MAKING   SUGAR   AMONG   THE   WOLVES. 

William  Baker,  who  moved  into  the  Townsliip  of  Ray,  in  1828,  tapped  several 
hundred  maple  trees  the  following  spring,  and  commenced  tlie  work  of  sugar- 
making.  There  soon  followed  a  remarkable  flow  of  sap,  and  as  no  help  was  at 
hand.  Baker,  in  gathering  in  the  sap  by  day,  and  boiling  by  night,  soon  became 
exhausted  to  such  an  extent,  that  he  declared  he  could  stand  it  no  longer,  as  he 
could  not  keep  awake,  and  the  sap  must  go  to  waste.  Mrs.  Baker  says,  "  I  will  go 
and  boil  one  night,  and  let  you  sleep."  Baker  would  not  consent  at  first,  but  at 
last  said,  "  You  may  go  and  boil  till  midnight  if  you  will  take  James  for  comj^any." 
James  was  their  son,  then  five  years  of  age.  The  woman  took  the  boy  and  going 
to  the  maple  forest  began  operations.  James  soon  fell  asleep,  when  Mrs.  Baker 
laid  him  on  a  blanket  beneath  a  tree  and  continued  the  work  ;  soon  after  dark  the 
wolves  began  to  appear  about  the  boiling-place  ;  their  soft  feet  could  be  heard 
pattering  upon  the  leaves ;  their  eyes  shining  in  the  darkness,  and  the  chatter  of 
their  teeth  sounding  upon  the  still  night  air.  The  brave  woman  kept  on  her  work 
of  replenishing  the  fires  and  keeping  a  sharp  eye,  lest  the  ferocious  brutes  should 


:±. 


HISTORY  OF  MAC05IB   COUNTY. 


dart  in  and  seize  the  sleeping  child.  To  avert  this  she  kept  the  long-handled  dip- 
per in  the  boiling  sap,  ready  to  "sprinkle  them  with  a  hot  shower-bath,  if  they 
should  come  too  near.  This  continued  for  an  hour  or  two  when  the  pack  disap- 
peared and  came  no  more. 

THE   YELLOW   CAT   OF   RICHMOND. 

Alex.  Beebe,  of  Richmond,  was  much  annoyed,  in  the  olden  time,  by  a  num- 
ber of  cats,  which  were  accustomed  to  assemble  round  his  premises.  One  night  he 
determined  to  annihilate  the  whole  tribe,  and,  accordingly  armed  himself  with  a 
rifle.  He  crept  noiselessly  towards  the  cats'  meeting-place,  fired,  and  returned  to 
his  room  with  the  consolatory  information,  that  he  had  given  the  old  yellow  cat 
"  Hail  Columbia."  Next  morning  Mrs.  Beebe  went  forth  to  collect  the  culinary 
utensils,  when  to  her  surprise  she  found  a  large  hole  in  the  bright  brass  kettle. 
After  a  thoughtiul  examination,  she  went  into  the  house,  and  broached  the  subject 
to  Alexander,  when  the  following  dialogue  took  place : — 

3Irs.  B. — Look  here.  Alec.     Look  at  the  brass  kettle,  with  these  holes  in  it ! 

Alec. — How  came  that  kettle  all  smashed  to  pieces  ?  That  kettle  cost  two 
dollars ! 

Mrs.  B. — You  tell — I  don't  know  nothing  about  it ! 

Alec. — Where  did  it  sit  ? 

Mrs.  B. — Out  in  the  yard,  not  far  from  the  house. 

Alec — (Cutely). — Did  you  see  anything  of  the  okl  yellow  cat  lying  there? 

Mrs.  B.  — No,  and  I  think  there  has  been  none  lying  there. 

Alec. — Then  I  must  have  taken  that  brass  kettle  for  that  yellow  cat. 

Mrs.  B. — Of  course  you  must,  and  you  never  in  the  night  knew  the  difference 
between  a  yellow  cat  and  a  brass  kettle. 

In  this  manner  the  yellow  cat  of  Richmond  escaped.  In  this  quiet,  sincere 
style,  the  old  people  of  Macomb  acknowledged  their  little  errors. 

THE   BUILDING   OP   THE   SHIP   "  HARRIET." 

The  following  account  of  the  first  lake  boat  built  at  Mount  Clemens,  which 
was  built  by  Isaac  Russ  for  Christian  Clemens  in  1820-2,  was  prepared  by  Edgar 
Weeks  from  facts  furnished  to  him  by  old  settlers.  Where  stands  Mr.  Golby's 
present  residence,  stood  in  those  days  a  log  house,  and  the  same  remark  is  true  of 
Czizek's  residence.  On  the  road  or  then  open  lot,  between  those  log  houses,  the 
stocks  were  put  up  and  the  ship  was  built.  After  a  considerable  time  spent  in 
building,  the  boat  was  ready  for  the  launch,  when  lo  !  it  had  never  suggested  itself 
to  the  minds  of  the  builders  that  it  was  a  long  distance  to  the  river,  and  that  there 
was  a  precipitous  bank  at  the  foot  of  that  street.  Nothing  daunted,  however, 
every  man  and  Indian  for  miles  around,  who  owned  a  yoke  of  oxen  or  a  pony,  was 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


summoned  to  assist  at  the  launch  ;  long  ways  were  constructed,  six  yoke  of  oxen 
and  twenty-four  horses  attached,  and  the  ship  moved  toward  the  river.  It  was 
impossible  to  launch  her  at  the  foot  of  that  street,  so  around  the  corner  of  the 
Flumer  store  they  attempted  to  go,  but  alas,  the  boat  slipped  off  the  ways,  and  was 
almost  hopelessly  stuck  in  the  sand.  But  this  disaster  only  nerved  the  spirits  of 
the  builders.  With  fresh  vigor  they  set  to  work ;  all  the  soft-soap  tubs  of  the  vil- 
lage were  emptied,  and  the  contents  brought  into  requisition.  Again  the  vessel, 
after  prodigies  of  patience  and  strength  had  been  exhausted,  was  placed  upon 
her  ways;  she  slipped  arouud  the  corner,  the  cattle  strained  and  tugged,  the  men 
cheered,  and  the  Indians  looked  on  with  no  little  awe.  The  shij)  finally  reached 
the  destined  launching  place — at  tlie  foot  of  Market  Street — the  last  soft  soap  of 
the  village  was  called  into  requisition,  and  the  vast  hulk  glided  into  the  river. 
Instead  of  righting  and  swinging  to  her  place,  however,  her  prow  was  stuck  in  the 
mud  at  the  bottom  of  the  stream.  After  a  little  the  vessel  was  got  out,  however, 
and  with  due  ceremony  was  christened  the  Harriet,  in  honor  of  our  respected 
townswoman,  now  Mrs.  Harriet  Lee. 

This  vessel  soon  afterwards  made  a  trip  up  the  lakes  to  Mackinac  and  the  Sault 
Saint  Marie,  whereupon  a  strange  adventure  befell  her  and  those  on  board. 

The  ship  was  freighted  with  a  number  of  private  troops  and  officers  who  were 
aware  of  the  tedious  trip  before  them.  -We  infer  from  the  sequel  some  one  got 
drunk,  also  extremely  careless.  At  any  rate  the  compass  fell  overboard  and  sank 
to  the  liottom  of  the  lake  !  The  boat  was  then  some  fifty  miles  up  Lake  Huron. 
The  captain,  McPherson,  was  a  good  navigator,  but  did  not  dare  to  risk  the  voyage 
without  a  compass.  After  inducing  a  passing  vessel  to  hang  out  a  liglit  for  him  at 
night  and  permit  him  to  trail  along  in  its  wake,  the  Harriet  was  sailed  hull  down  so 
soon  and  left  so  far  in  tiie  rear,  that  the  captain  announced  his  intention  of  coming 
to  anchor  immediately  and  going  ashore.  Spite  of  protestations  this  he  did.  Pro- 
curing a  pony  of  some  Indians,  he  started  alone,  overland  through  wood  and  thicket, 
and  came  to  Detroit,  where  he  obtained  another  compass.  Taking  passage  in  another 
vessel  he  rejoined  his  own,  still  at  anchor  in  Lake  Huron,  hoxed  his  compass  in  the 
nautical  and  actual  sense  of  the  term,  weighed  anchor,  and  prosecuted  his  voyage 
to  a  successful  issue. 

JACOB   A.   CRAWFORD   AND   THE    SPECULATOR. 

Shortly  after  this  pioneer  located  his  first  eighty  acres  in  Ray  Township,  and 
erected  his  log  house  thereon,  he  received  a  visit  from  a  land  speculator.  This 
shark  was  all  business,  aud  relying  upon  his  own  energy  was  not  shy  to  make 
known  to  Mr.  Crawford  his  business  to  this  district.  He  asked  the  pioneer  to 
accompany  liim  through  the  lands  adjacent,  to  which  the  latter  consented.     He  had 


rr? 


ox 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


the  double  object  in  view  of  taking  the  land  shark  through  the  lowland  or  marshes 
on  the  eighty  adjoining  his  own,  so  that  Mr.  Speculator  would  not  covet  the  little 
property,  particularly  as  it  was  the  settler's  desire  to  acquire  it  for  himself.  The 
journey  was  accomplished,  when,  to  the  surprise  of  Mr.  Crawford  and  his  wife,  the 
man  from  Detroit  stated  that  he  would  purchase  all  the  land  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  including  the  very  acres  on  which  Mr.  Crawford  had  set  his  thoughts. 
The  old  settler  remonstrated  :  "  Why,  Mr.  Speculator,"  said  he,  "you  don't  intend 
to  buy  the  next  eighty.     I  want  that." 

"  Oh,  that's  all  right,  Mr.  Crawford,"  said  the  traveler,  "  but  you  must  re- 
member the  old  motto  of  Uncle  Samuel — '■first  here, first  served.'  "  This  brought  a 
cloud  to  the  settler's  face  for  a  moment,  which  gave  place  to  a  look  of  resignation. 
Conversation  grew  dull,  and  the  speculator  signified  his  desLre  to  go  to  rest.  After 
the  shark  retired,  Crawford  remarked  to  his  wife  :  "  I'll  take  an  hour's  rest,  and 
then  start  for  Detroit  to  outwit  our  visitor."  "  Why,"  said  the  woman,  "  that 
man  has  a  smart  pony,  and  you  have  only  oxen.  If  he  finds  you  are  gone  he  will 
overtake  and  outwit  you."  "  I'll  start  to-night  on  foot  and  reach  the  Detroit  Land 
Office  before  him,"  replied  the  settler. 

This  resolution  made,  he  took  one  hour's  sleep,  rose  quietly,  and  started  on 
foot  for  Detroit.  He  proceeded  expeditiously  until  a  point  south  of  Mt.  Clemens 
was  reached,  where  he  sprained  his  ankle.  Unconquered  by  fatigue  and  this  acci- 
dent, he  cut  down  two  saplings  which  he  used  as  crutches  and  pushed  forward  on 
his  journey.  The  next  day,  while  within  six  miles  of  Detroit,  near  a  tavern,  then 
located  on  the  trail,  he  saw  a  horseman  coming  after  him.  He  knew  him  to  be  no 
other  than  his  friend,  the  speculator.  Entering  the  forest,  he  allowed  his  guest  of 
the  former  night  to  pass,  then  casting  away  his  crutches  he  pushed  forward  to  De- 
troit, saw  that  the  horseman  was  in  the  tavern,  and  taking  an  unfrequented  path, 
passed  the  house  unnoticed.  The  denouement  was  happy  in  the  extreme.  The 
settler  reached  the  Land  Office,  purchased  the  much  prized  eighty,  together  with 
eighty  acres  more  for  his  cousin,  David  Crawford,  paid  the  amount  claimed,  re- 
ceived his  certificate,  and  was  in  the  act  of  leaving  the  office,  when  the  speculator 
entered.  After  an  interchange  of  salutations,  Crawford  remarked  :  "  Mr.  Specu- 
lator, you  remember  Uncle  Samuel's  motto — first  here,  first  served.''  The  Detroit 
man  remembered  it. 

LEISURE   HOURS   IN   PIONEER   TIMES. 

Public  disputations  and  random  discussions  on  election  days  were  warmly  en- 
gaged in  by  the  older  men  sometimes  till  they  became  quite  personal.  Among  the 
younger  ones,  feats  of  physical  strength  and  agility  drew  the  crowds  ;  com- 
petitive running,  wi-estling,  jumping,  etc.,  were  the  order  of  the  day,  and  the  vic- 
tors were  held  in  honor  by  admiring  friends.     Such  days  availed  for  the  transaction 


^ 


AJ^— ^ : ^ "JJ^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  all  sorts  of  business,  and  superseded  the  old  time  fairs  of  England  and  our 
trades  rooms,  gold  rooms,  Ijoards  of  trade  and  chambers  of  commerce.  Buying, 
selling,  swapping,  and  trafficlcing  of  all  sorts  were  in  order.  Everybody  gave 
heed  to  the  advantages  wliieh  township  gatherings  offered.  Bent  on  having  a  good 
time,  the  services  of  good  story-tellers  were  always  in  requisition,  and  all  sorts  of 
merriment  found  place.  The  story  of  Squire  Tackles  and  old  John  Soules  affords 
demonstration  of  all  this. 

It  was  in  the  early  times  when  Bruce  was  yet  unnamed  and  joined  with  Wash- 
ington, then  called  the  Fourth  Town,  men  were  gathered  from  great  distances. 
These  two  men  were  there  and  in  their  respective  districts  were  noted  for  their 
inherent  aversion  to  all  sorts  of  physical  exertion,  a  characteristic  evident  to  their 
friends  and  frankly  acknowledged  by  themselves.  At  length  a  mirthful  discussion 
sprang  up  as  to  which  was  the  lazier  of  the  two.  The  conflict  ended  as  such 
matters  frequently  do,  in  betting.  But  who  should  determine?  It  was  finally 
agreed  that  each  should  tell  his  own  story,  and  the  one  who  established  himself  as 
the  lazier  man,  should  have  the  stakes.  By  lot  it  fell  to  Soules  to  tell  his  storj' 
first.  He  did  it,  and  did  it  well.  It  seemed  as  though  no  chance  remained  for 
Tackles.  Tiie  crowd  awaited  his  effort  in  breathless  silence.  Finally  he  slowly 
drew  himself  up,  in  an  indolent  sitting  position,  looked  languidly  and  solemnly 
around  upon  the  gazing  crowd,  then  lifted,  witii  great  effort,  one  foot  upon  the 
other  knee,  and  finally  spoke  in  a  lazy,  drawling  accent,  thus  :  "  I'd  rather  lose  the 
stakes  than  tell  how  lazy  I  am!"  and  again  he  lapsed  into  insensibility,  while  all  the 
witnesses  shouted  long  and  loud  and  voted  him  the  victor. 

NUPTIAL   FEASTS   IN   EARLY   TIMES. 

The  festivities  attendant  on  the  union  of  two  souls  in  pioneer  days,  formed 
a  great  attraction.  There  was  no  distinction  of  classes,  and  very  little  of  fortune, 
which  led  to  marriages  from  the  first  impressions  of  that  queer  idea  called  love. 
The  family  establishment  cost  but  a  little  labor — nothing  more.  The  festivities 
generally  took  place  at  the  house  of  the  bride,  and  to  her  was  given  the  privilege 
of  selecting  the  Justice  of  Peace  or  clergyman  whom  she  wished  to  officiate.  The 
wedding  engaged  the  attention  of  the  whole  neighborhood.  Old  and  young, 
within  a  radius  of  many  miles,  enjoyed  an  immense  time.  On  the  morning  of  the 
wedding  day,  the  groom  and  his  intimate  friends  assembled  at  the  housej,of  ^his 
fatlier,  and  after  due  preparation  set  out  for  the  home  of  his  girl.  This  journey 
was  sometimes  made  on  horseback,  and  sometimes  on  the  old  time  carts  of  the  earl}- 
settlers.  It  was  always  a  merry  tour,  made  so  by  the  bottle  which  cheers  for  a  little 
time,  and  then  inebriates.  On  reaching  the  house  of  the  bride,  the  marriage 
ceremony  was  performed,  and  then  the  dinner  or  supper   was  served.      After  this 

0    '    ® . 

"^-^^^ ^=^ 


k. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


meal,  the  dancing  commenced,  which  was  allowed  to  continue  just  so  long  as  anyone 
desired  to  step  jauntily  about  to  the  music  of  the  disti'ict  violinist.  The  figures  of 
the  dance  were  three  or  four  handed  reels,  or  square  sets  and  jigs.  So  far  the 
whole  proceedings  were,  in  the  language  of  our  modern  aesthetic  girls,  too  utterly 
utter.  The  commencement  was  always  a  square  four,  followed  by  what  pioneers 
called  jigging — that  is,  two  of  the  four  would  single  out  for  a  jig,  and  their  exam- 
ple followed  by  the  remaining  couple.  The  jigs  were  often  characterized  by  what  was 
called  the  cutting  out,  that  is,  when  either  of  the  parties  became  tired  of  the  dance, 
on  intimating  a  desire  to  retire,  his  place  was  supplied  by  one  of  the  company, 
without  interrupting  the  dance  for  a  moment.  In  this  way  the  reel  was  continued 
until  the  musician  himself  was  exhausted. 

About  nine  or  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  a  deputation  of  young  ladies 
abducted  the  bride,  as  it  were,  and  placed  lier  in  her  little  bed.  In  accomplishing 
this  they  had  usually  to  ascend  a  ladder  from  the  kitchen  to  the  upper  floor.  Here 
in  this  simple  pioneer  bridal  chamber  the  young  simple-hearted  girl  was  put  to  bed 
by  her  enthusiastic  friends.  This  done  a  deputation  of  young  men  escorted  the 
groom  to  the  same  apartment,  and  placed  him  snugly  by  the  side  of  his  bride. 
Meantime  the  dance  continued.  If  seats  were  scarce,  which  was  generally  the 
case,  every  young  man  when  not  engaged  in  the  dance,  was  obliged  to  offer  his  lap 
as  a  seat  for  one  of  the  girls — an  offer  sure  to  be  accepted.  During  the  night's 
festivities  spirits  were  freely  used,  but  seldom  to  great  excess.  Tlie  infair  was 
held  on  the  following  evening,  when  the  same  order  of  exercise  was  observed. 

EVENING    VISITS. 

The  evening  visits  were  matters  long  to  be  remembered.  The  chores  of  the 
day  performed,  it  was  common  for  tlie  farmer  to  yoke  his  cattle,  hitch  them .  to  a 
sleigh,  and  drive  the  whole  family  over  the  snow  covered  land  to  the  fireside  of 
some  well-known  friend  many  miles  distant.  Perhaps  by  agreement  several 
families  met,  and  then  were  there  such  chattering  of  politics,  of  live  stock  affairs, 
of  tradings  made  or  prospective,  in  fact  of  the  past,  present  and  future. 

There  were  all  those  interesting  matters  of  household  care  and  labor  as  held 
the  mothers  in  breathless,  but  rapid  conversation. 

The  shying  and  blushing  of  the  older  girls,  because  some  boys,  just  about  as 
hig  were  there  ;  the  nervous  pinching  of  fingers  and  pulling  of  coat  tails,  told 
plainly  that  big  boys  too  were  ill  at  ease  ;  boys  and  girls  were  bashful,  blushing 
creatures  in  those  olden  days.  In  the  back  room  how  the  little  folks  did  play  blind- 
man's-buff,  how  they  were  joined  by  their  seniors,  and  how  the  game  went  on  until 
supper  was  announced  at  about  the  hour  before  midnight.  Such  setting  out  of  all 
the  substantials  would  be  a  sight  to-day.     Then  came  the  sauces  of  all  sorts,  the 


-®  V 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


pies  and  cakes,  and  cookies,  and  honey,  till  all  cried  enough.  Then  came  the 
counter  invitations,  the  good-bys  and  leave-takings,  after  every  and  all  approved 
styles.  This  performed  the  guests  started  for  home  to  enjoy  sleepiness  and  slight 
headaches  the  next  day.  Those  were  good  old  times.  Social  life  at  that  day  was 
eminently  sincere. 

LUMBERING    IN   EARLY   DAYS. 

Life  in  the  lumber  woods  is,  perhaps,  the  most  peculiar  feature  connected  with 
the  lumber  trade.  Although  lumbering  operations  virtually  ceased  in  Macoml) 
County  so  early  as  the  pioneer  times,  it  is  well  to  revert  in  these  pages,  to  that 
period  in  the  county's  history,  when  its  forests  disappeared  befoi-e  the  shanty-man  s 
ax,  when  the  very  tree  which  added  grace  to  the  wilderness,  was  sent  forward  on 
its  course  of  utility. 

The  first  party  of  shanty-men  usually  went  out  in  November.  So  soon  as  frost 
set  in,  the  men  located  a  site  for  their  shanty,  as  nearly  as  possible,  in  the  center  of 
the  lot  upon  which  their  winter's  labors  were  to  be  carried  on,  always  taking  care 
to  select  a  dry  knoll  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  a  spring,  lake,  or  brook.  Here 
they  constructed  a  log-house,  and  cut  a  road  to  the  nearest  stream  on  which  the 
logs  were  to  be  floated  down.  This  log-house  was  sufficiently  large  to  accommo- 
date from  ten  to  twenty  men.  In  the  center  of  this  rude  dwelling  a  raised  fire- 
place was  built,  under  the  apex  of  the  roof,  which  apex  let  out  the  smoke,  and  let 
in  the  sunlight  and  the  rain.  The  work  of  log-cutting  began  so  soon  as  the  road 
was  completed,  and  the  ground  hard  enough  to  haul  the  logs — usually  early  in 
December — and  continued  until  the  ice  broke  up  in  spring.  The  choppers  began 
work  at  dawn  of  day,  and  continued  until  the  sun  went  down,  after  which  the 
hardy  foresters  sped  to  their  log-house,  eat  a  rude  and  hearty  meal,  smoked  their 
pipes,  played  euchre,  related  stories,  and  sometimes  organized  a  quadrille  party — 
the  evening's  entertainment  continuing  until  about  nine  o'clock,  when  all  retired  to 
well-earned  sleep.  Seldom  or  never  was  intoxicating  drink  introduced,  as  the 
trader  was  never  allowed  to  bring  in  whisky,  and  when  smuggled  the  men  had  no 
money  to  pay  for  it,  as  their  contract  was  to  be  paid  at  the  close  of  their  engage- 
ment, the  employer  supplying  food  and  other  necessaries  in  the  interim.  The  deli- 
cacies of  their  table  consisted  of  wild  game,  which  the  shanty-men  themselves  might 
kill.  The  morale  of  the  men  was  equally  as  good  as  that  of  the  average  rover; 
they  were  very  far  from  being  saints ;  yet  they  possessed  many  good  qualities, 
which  compensated  for  the  want  of  a  few.  They  were  gregarious  in  their  habits ; 
in  cutting  trees  they  went  in  pairs,  and  few  of  them  were  willing  to  live  in  separate 
huts  or  away  from  the  camp.  They  slept  along  the  sloping  side  of  the  log-house 
with  their  heads  toward  the  walls,  and  their  feet  toward  the  great  fire,  which  was 
kept  burning  continually.     As  a  rule  those  sons  of  the  forest  dispensed  with  pray- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


ers  and  preaching,  and  scarcely  were  aware  of  the  Sabbath.  A  few  had  books,  but 
the  taste  for  reading  was  not  by  any  means  general,  as  their  spare  time  was 
devoted  to  mending  clothes,  sharpening  axes,  with  the  few  amusements  already 
referred  to.  The  men  were  always  healthy  and  full  of  animal  spirit,  seldom 
required  medical  aid,  or  needed  any  of  the  medicine  which  the  employer  provided 
in  cases  of  illness.  With  the  growth  of  the  industry  the  condition  of  the  shanty 
man  has  much  improved.  He  of  to-day  is  morally  superior  to  him  of  the  past,  and 
physically  his  equal. 

SEASONS   OF   SICKNESS. 

Among  the  numerous  troubles  which  the  pioneers  and  old  settlers  of  Macomb 
had  to  encounter  was  the  common  ague,  generated  by  miasms  arising  from  the  low 
lands  along  the  shore  of  the  lake,  and  from  the  decaying  vegetable  matter  in  the 
swales  of  the  interior  and  along  the  Reviere  aux  Hurons.  This  disease,  known  also 
as  the  chills  and  fever,  formed,  as  it  were,  a  stumbling-block  in  the  way  of  progress, 
and  one  of  the  great  arguments  presented  by  the  traders  against  the  settlement  of 
the  district  by  the  American  pioneers.  The  disease  was  a  terror  to  the  people  who 
did  make  a  settlement  here.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  every  one  was  ill — every  one 
shook,  not  hands  as  now ;  but  the  very  soul  seemed  to  tremble  under  the  effects  of 
the  malady.  Respecting  neither  rich  nor  poor,  it  entered  summarily  into  the  sys- 
tem of  the  settlers,  and  became  part  and  parcel  of  their  existence — all  looked  pale 
and  jrellow  as  if  frost-bitten.  It  was  not  literally  contagious ;  but  owing  to  the 
diffusion  of  the  terrible  miasma,  it  was  virtually  a  most  disagreeable,  if  not  dangei"- 
ous,  epidemic.  The  noxious  exhalations  of  the  lake  shore  and  inland  swamps 
continued  to  be  inhaled  or  aljsorbed  from  day  to  day,  until  the  whole  body  became 
charged  with  it  as  with  electricity,  and  then  the  shock  came.  This  shock  was  a 
regular  shake — a  terrific  shake,  with  a  fixed  beginning  and  ending,  coming  on  each 
day  or  alternate  day  with  an  appalling  regularity.  After  the  shake  came  the  fever, 
and  this  last  phase  of  the  disease  was  even  more  dreaded  than  the  first.  It  was  a 
burning  hot  fever  lasting  for  hours.  When  you  had  the  chill  you  could  not  become 
warm,  and  when  you  had  the  fever  you  could  not  get  cool — it  was  simply  a  change 
of  terrific  extremes. 

Tliis  disease  was  despotic  in  every  respect.  If  a  wedding  occurred  in  the 
family  circle,  it  was  sure  to  attack  a  few,  if  not  all,  of  those  participating  in  the 
festivities.  The  funeral  processionists  shook,  as  they  marched  to  some  sequestered 
spot  to  bury  their  dead  friend. 

The  ague  common  had  no  respect  for  Sunday  or  holidays.  Whether  the  people 
were  engaged  in  the  saci-ed,  profane,  or  ridiculous,  ague  came  forward  to  the  attack, 
and  generally  succeeded  in  prostrating  its  victims. 

After  the  fever  subsided  you  felt  as  if  you  were  some  months  in  the  Confed- 


w 


inSTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


erate  hotels,  known  as  Andersonville  and  Libhy  prisons,  or  as  if  you  came  within  the 
influence  of  some  wandering  planet — not  killed  outright,  but  so  demoralized  that 
life  seemed  a  burden.  A  feeling  of  languor,  stupidity,  and  soreness  took  possession 
of  the  body — the  soul  herself  was  sad,  and  the  sufferer  was  driven  to  ask  himself 
the  question : — What  did  God  send  me  here  for,  anyway? 

Your  back  was  out  of  fix,  your  appetite  crazy,  your  head  ached,  and  your  e3'es 
glared.  You  did  not  care  a  straw  for  yourself  or  other  people,  or  even  for  the  dogs, 
which  looked  on  you  sympathetically.  The  sun  did  not  shine  as  it  used  to, — it 
looked  too  sickly  by  half, — and  the  moon,  bless  your  soul ! — the  sufferer  never  ven- 
tured to  look  at  hira — but  rather  wished  for  the  dissolution  of  himself,  the  sun, 
moon,  earth,  and  stars. 

DEATH   OF   AL ANSON   CHURCH. 

Early  in  the  history  of  Macomb  County  a  man  by  the  name  of  Austin  Day 
settled  in  the  northwest  portion  of  Armada  township,  and  cleared  a  farm  of  125 
acres  of  land.  He  was  a  man  of  fair  intelligence  and  steady  habits,  and  for  many 
years  kept  his  own  "  shantee"  and  had  but  little  intercourse  with  the  neighbors  by 
whom  he  was  surrounded.  In  his  dealings  he  soon  began  to  exhibit  signs  of  aberra- 
tion of  mind,  which  grew  into  insanity.  This  waS  at  first  noticeable  in  his  ideas  of 
religion.  He  believed  that  he  was  surrounded  by  evil  spirits  which  at  times  led 
him  astray,  and  caused  him  to  seek  public  confessions  by  posting  by  the  roadside 
such  notices  as  the  following  : 

"  I  Austin  Day,  confess  that  I  have  sinned  b}'  again  mingling  with  evil  spirits." 

"  Show  pity  Lord — oh  Lord  !  forgive, 
Let  a  repenting  rebel  live." 

He  would  at  times  manifest  symptoms  of  a  bad  temper,  especially  toward  his 
cattle  and  horses,  and  sometimes  threatening  those  with  whom  he  had  dealings. 
Later  he  became  possessed  witli  the  notion  that  all  the  State  of  Michigan,  and  other 
States,  had  been  deeded  to  him  and  would  call  upon  different  settlers  to  give  up  the 
deeds  which  tiiey  had  stolen,  and  in  many  instances  warned  farmers  to  remove  from 
their  homes  as  he  wished  to  occupy  them,  before  a  set  date.  Impressed  with  this 
idea  of  ownership,  he  refused  to  pay  his  taxes,  and  allowed  his  stock  to  be  levied 
upon  and  sold  by  the  collector.  He  also  had  serious  difficulties  with  persons  who 
did  for  him  any  work,  and  bills  of  this  kind  had  to  be  collected  by  the  aid  of  law. 
His  threats  at  length  began  to  be  noticed  in  the  neighborhood,  and  men  began  to 
say  he  was  not  a  safe  man  to  be  at  large.  He  was  often  heard  to  say  that  he  would 
be  doing  God  service  if  he  should  kill  such  or  such  a  one.  Living  about  two  miles 
off,  was  a  man  named  Alanson  Church,  who  made  it  a  part  of  his  business  to  dig 
wells  for  the  farmers  of  the  place,  and  had    windlass,  tubs,  and  other  tools  adapted 


1)  1^ 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


to  tliat  purpose.  Mr.  Day,  needing  to  deepen  and  restone  a  well  at  his  house,  bor- 
rowed the  tools  of  Church  to  do  the  work,  with  such  help  as  he  could  hire.  These 
tools  he  kept  for  some  weeks,  and  did  not  find  any  one  to  help  him  about  the  work. 
At  length  Church,  having  begun  to  dig  a  well  on  the  adjoining  farm  of  Erastus 
Day,  needed  the  tools  and  procured  the  team  and  a  hired  man  of  Mr.  Day,  to  aid 
him  in  getting  them.  On  reaching  the  place  and  applying  for  the  tools,  Austin 
Day  refused  to  give  them  up,  stating  that  Church  owed  him  a  certain  amount,  and 
he  was  keeping  the  tools  till  that  should  be  paid.  Hot  words  followed,  and  Austin 
who  had  his  gun,  pointed  it  at  Church  and  pulled  the  trigger,  but  the  cap  did  not 
explode.  Austin  then  retired  into  the  house,  and  Church  followed  him,  saying  to 
the  hired  man  "  we  must  take  away  his  gun."  He  went  to  the  door  and  pushed  it 
open,  when  Austin  met  him,  having  put  a  new  cap,  and  fired,  the  ball  taking  effect 
in  Church's  breast,  and  passing  through  the  lungs.  Church  staggered  but  did  not 
fall.  The  man  had  run  down  the  road  in  fright,  leaving  the  team  which  Austin  un- 
hitched and  started  after  him.  Church  started  after  the  team,  falling  and  rising 
again  ever}'  few  rods.  The  man  seeing  there  was  no  danger  soon  returned  and 
helped  Church  on  the  wagon  and  drove  to  Erastus  Day's  where  he  soon  died. 
Austin  at  once  began  to  fortify  himself  in  his  house  and  to  provide  against  arrest. 
Two  constables  were  procured  from  Romeo,  and  after  a  severe  struggle  he  was 
overcome.  During  the  melee  Mr.  Eggleston,  one  of  the  constables,  caught  hold  of 
Austin's  gun  which  he  held  in  his  hands,  and  fired  it  off,  the  contents  unfortunately, 
taking  effect  in  the  arm  of  John  P.  Smith,  his  comrade,  entering  at  the  wrist  and 
plowing  its  way  to  the  elbow.  This  mishap  came  near  being  disastrous  to  the  two 
men,  as  Day  was  a  heavy  and  powerful  man.  He  was,  however,  soon  overcome  and 
bound  and  taken  to  the  county  jail.  At  the  next  session  of  court  he  had  his  trial) 
was  pronounced  insane  and  was  sent  to  the  New  York  State  Asylum,  where  he  died 
in  1876.  The  crime  was  committed  in  1864.  Mr.  Day  was  married  early  in  life 
and  had  one  child.     He  was  a  native  of  New  York. 

A   PIONEEK   LAWYER. 

Alex.  OTveefe,  mentioned  among  the  names  of  the  pioneer  lawyers,  of  Macoml), 
was  one  of  these  erratic  genii  who  are  met  at  long  intervals.  He  arrived  at  Detroit 
about  the  year  1819,  chuck  full  of  Anglo-Irish  law,  and  still  more  replete  in  Celtic 
wit.  From  a  scrap  in  possession  of  the  writer,  it  is  learned  that  he  was  a  man 
possessing  a  very  liberal  education,  a  tliorough-hred  lawyer,  and  a  stranger  to  tem- 
perance. His  drinking  bouts  were  frequent — often  continuing  for  weeks.  He  be- 
came acquainted  with  Judge  Bunce,  referred  to  in  the  pioneer  reminiscences,  and 
through  the  judge's  influence  was  elected  Pros.  Attorney  of  St.  Clair  Co.  While 
visiting  Mr.  Bunce,  on  one  occasion,  he  expressed  a  wish  to  represent  St.  Clair  in 


^ 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


the  Legislative  Council.  He  stated  publicly  that  the  judge  was  favorable  to  his- 
candidature,  a  statement  doubted  by  the  leading  men  of  the  county.  Shortly  after 
this  O'Keefe  visited  St.  Clair,  and  introduced  the  object  of  his  visit  by  saying,  that 
he  had  resolved  to  abstain  entirely  from  drink,  and  vt^ould  make  the  county  his 
home.  Very  few  believed  the  counsellor.  "  Relying  upon  this  reformation,  and 
my  own  abilities,  I  come  to  offer  myself  as  a  candidate  to  represent  vSt.  Clair  in 
our  Legislative  Council,"  continued  O'Keefe. 

"  Very  good,"  replied  one  of  the  persons  addressed,  "  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your 
proposed  reformation,  and  as  to  your  abilities,  no  one  who  has  known  you  or  met 
you  can  doubt  them.  Come  and  make  your  home  among  us  for  one  year, — give  us 
proof  of  your  reformation,  and  there  is  not  the  least  doubt  of  obtaining  the  support 
of  the  people.  To  be  candid.  Counsellor,  I  must  insist  on  one  year's  reformation 
before  I  can  give  you  my  support."  O'Keefe  heard  the  language  of  common  sense 
in  silence,  then  grew  angry  and  roared  at  his  friendly  advisor, — Sir,  I  wish  you  to  know 
that  I  was  educated  at  two  of  the  best  seminaries  in  England,  and  I  was  bred  at  the 
Irish  Bar,  and  sir,  I  can  write  your  governor  down."  Then  there  was  silence  for 
a  moment,  until  James  Wolverton  remarked,  "  Counsellor,  you  remind  me  of  the 
calf  which  sucked  two  cows."  "  Indeed,  what  of  that,  sir,"  responded  O'Keefe. 
"  Nothing  in  particular,"  said  Wolverton,"  only  it  is  said  the  more  he  sucked,  the 
larger  he  grew."  O'Keefe  admired  the  witticism,  and  then  settled  down  to  discuss 
the  subject  calmly,  and  after  going  into  the  merits  of  Judge  Bunce's  friendship,  wic 
lawyer  said — "  well,  boys,  I  shall  cast  myself  upon  the  mercy  of  the  Lord."  In  the 
case  of  the  Fort  Gratiot  murder,  O'Keefe  drew  up  the  bill  against  the  soldier 
cliarged  with  the  offense.  He  practiced  in  the  courts  of  Macomb  and  St.  Clair  un- 
til the  year  1830. 

CHESTERFIELD   IN    EARLY   DAYS. 

Fabien  Jean  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  along  the  shore  of  Lake  St.  Clair, 
in  the  Township  of  Chesterfield.  He  settled  on  the  present  homestead  before  the 
State  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State.  The  road  at  that  time  was  a  mere 
trail  following  the  shore  from  Detroit  to  Fort  Gratiot,  through  heavy  timbered  land. 
Mr.  Jean's  home  was  open  to  all,  at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  night;  to  this  day  there 
are  no  locks  to  the  doors.  White  men  of  redskins  were  at  all  times  received  with 
a  cordial  welcome.  Many  are  the  incidents  that  pertained  to  pioneer  life  in  which 
he  participated,  connected  with  the  Indians,  as  his  land  joined  the  Indian  Reserva- 
tion on  tlie  N.  W.  On  one  occasion  some  twelve  or  fifteen  Indians  came  to  the 
house  all  more  or  less  under  the  influence  of  liquor.  They  demanded  of  liim  more 
wliisky.  He  said  no  ;  that  they  had  had  enough  ;  that  they  were  too  noisy.  The 
Indians  said  that  they  would  have  it  if  they  had  to  kill  him.  He  said  to  them  that 
he  was  ready    to  die,  and  that  they  would  all  die  too  ;    that  the  great  Lord  would 


V^" — ^ 


:iL 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


take  care  of  him,  and  that  the  great  devil  would  take  them.  Taking  a  brand  of 
fire  fiom  the  chimney,  and  pointing  to  a  powder  keg,  saying,  This  is  a  keg  of  pow- 
der, I  will  drop  the  fire  into  it  and  it  will  blow  us  all  up,  me  to  the  great  Lord,  you 
to  the  great  devil,  who  will  keep  you  in  a  great  fire ;  they  all  exclaimed,  do  not 
do  it ;  we  will  go  away.    So  they  did. 

To  show  the  disadvantages  that  the  pioneer  had  to  contend  with,  Jean  related 
some  of  the  trips  that  had  to  be  made.  To  obtain  groceries  and  clothing  it  was  nec- 
essary for  the  pioneer  to  go  to  Pontiac  or  Detroit.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
Pontiac  was  formerly  in  this  county,  that  at  that  time  a  man  by  the  name  of  Clem- 
ens kept  a  few  articles  for  sale,  at  what  is  now  the  city  of  Mt.  Clemens;  for  the 
tootliache  one  had  to  go  to  Detroit  to  have  it  extracted. 

In  1842  Mr.  Jean  died.  The  funeral  procession  left  the  house  in  canoes,  and 
conve3'ed  the  corpse  to  the  burying  ground  on  the  Clinton  River,  there  being  no 
wagon-road  at  that  time. 

Another  incident  with  the  Indians,  was  that  about  dark  eight  or  ten  Indians 
came  to  the  house  and  wanted  to  stay  all  night.  They  were  most  all  intoxicated 
and  Mr.  Jean  was  afraid  that  they  might  do  some  mischief  during  the  night,  so  he 
prepared  a  place  for  them  to  sleep  on  tlie  bank  of  a  creek  near  by,  taking  care  to 
have  them  all  lie  side  by  side.  After  they  fell  into  a  deep  sleep,  he  took  a  cord  and 
fastened  all  their  legs  together,  so  that  if  one  awoke  he  would  wake  the  rest  and 
make  a  noise,  which  would  warn  him  at  the  house.  All  went  well  until  morning  ; 
one  on  awaking,  finding  himself  fast,  commenced  to  yell.  Soon  Mr.  Jean  was  at 
the  scene  and  told  them  that  it  was  he  that  tied  them  together,  that  he  done  it  to 
save  their  lives,  that  he  was  afraid  that  some  of  them"  might  roll  or  get  into  the  creek 
while  intoxicated  and  get  drowned,  and  the  rest  could  not  help.  They  said  that  it 
was  good  in  him  to  care  for  them  in  that  way. 

Hunting  and  fishing  was  in  its  glory  in  those  days.  Tlie  hunter  could  get  a 
deer  or  two  almost  any  forenoon  :  once  in  a  while  a  bear  and  a  wolf.  They  have 
all  receded  before  the  sound  of  the  pioneer's  ax. 

MARRIAGE   RECORD    OF   EARLY   DAYS. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  county  among  the  American  settlers  may  be  said  to 
be  that  of  Richard  Connor  and  the  Indian  captive — the  daughter  of  Myers  of  Mary- 
land— whose  father  was  killed  by  the  savages  on  the  Monongahela  River  in  1775, 
and  herself  with  the  other  children  carried  into  the  wilderness  of  the  West.  This 
Richard  Connor  is  supposed  to  have  made  a  temporary  settlement  in  Macomb  so 
early  as  1781,  and  shortly  after  married  this  child  of  the  Indian  camp.  For  many 
years  succeeding  this  event,  marriages  were  as  scarce  as  the  white  settlers  were 
few.      The  record  of  marriages  since  the  organization  of  the  county  shows  that 


fc 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


matrimony  enjoyed  a  rare  popularity  throngliont ;  though  at  intervals  seasons  of 
absolute  dullness  prevailed.  This  was  particularly  the  case  in  1836-7-8-9,  when 
the  financial  crisis  appeared  to  cast  a  peculiar  gloom  over  every  household,  and 
even  quench  the  fire  of  love  in  young  and  old.  In  1840,  our  boys  and  girls  re- 
covered from  the  fear  or  cowardice,  which  the  panic  years  engendered,  and  hence- 
forth took  courage  to  make  the  great  venture  of  life.  In  many  cases  drink,  ex- 
ti'avagance  and  folly  have  led  to  the  dissolution  of  unions  that  gave  high  promises. 
However,  when  the  great  numbers  of  marriage  contracts  which  have  been  faithfully 
carried  out  are  compared  with  the  small  number  of  infelicitous  marriages,  there  is 
every  reason  for  congratulation  on  the  part  of  the  people. 

There  are  many  peculiar,  if  not  ludicrous,  reminiscences  associated  with  the 
matrimonial  affairs  of  this  as  well  as  other  counties  in  Michigan.  In  olden  times 
men  and  women  were  not  so  precise  in  expression  as  are  the  people  of  our  day, — 
they  were  not  cute  enough  to  avoid  words  and  deeds  which  might  afford  subject 
for  gossip  to  the  village  wags.  High  hopes,  that  burn  like  stars  sublime,  wei'e  sup- 
posed to  possess  the  heart  of  every  lover,  when  the  moment  arrived  for  him  to 
deposit  a  dollar-and-a-half  with  the  county  clerk,  in  payment  for  a  public  permit  to 
marry  the  girl  of  his  choice.  He  feels  that  he  is  sure  of  possessing  the  loveliest  of 
her  sex,  and  that  in  a  few  more  days  earth  will  not  be  big  enough  to  contain  the 
happiness  of  himself  and  his  fair  partner.  Sometimes,  however,  he  learns  the  point 
of  the  old  French  proverb  :  "  Entre  le  main  et  la  bouohe  souvent  se  perd  la  soupe." 
A  young  man,  who  fondly  imagined  the  pinnacle  of  happiness  was  about  being 
reached,  took  out  a  marriage  license  on  Christmas  Day  long,  long  ago.  What  subse- 
quently happened,  how  and  why  his  hopes  were  shattered,  how  grief  played  upon 
his  heart,  and  how  his  life  became  a  burden,  are  set  forth  in  the  following  wail, — 
the  untutored  eloquence  of  sorrow  : — 

"  To  the  County  Clerk,  Sir : — I  will  send  you  the  license  that  you  gave  me  to 
get  married  with  and  stat  that  I  was  not  married  for  this  reason,  because  the  girl, 
whose  name  is  on  the  paper  went  back  on  me  because  she  could  get  annother  feller 

his  name ■ ■  send   them  so  that  you  can  give  him  a  license  for  her  but  bee 

sure  and  get  your  fee  for  so  doin.     No  more  at  present  but  believe  me 

Yours  most  hart-broken 
levi. 

A  score  of  letters  equally  ridiculous  mark  the  early  times  in  this  county — all 
bearing  testimony  to  broken  hearts  and  false  loves. 

In  this  history  it  would  be  impracticable  to  give  a  full  record  of  matrimonial 
events  ;  however  we  will  make  mention  of  many  of  such  happy  unions  effected 
between  the  date  of  the  county's  organization  and  1838,  arranging  the  list  in  the 
order  of  time. 


^> 


IIISTOUY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


'lil^ 


Niimes  of  Contracting  Parties.  Date.  Bv  Wliom  Married. 

John  Warren— Mila  Freeman. - Dec.  31,  1818.. Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

Freeborn  Moshier— Mary  Cooper Oct.  16,  1S18 Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

Cyreus  A.  Chipman— Mary  Lanson. - Sept.  28,  1818 Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

Sylvester  Fincli— Almeda  Webster..- June  4,  1818 ..Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

A.  McDougal— Eliza  McGregor.. July  22,   l8ig John  K.  Smith,  J.  P. 

Charles  Stewart— Eliza  Peck 1819.   John  K.  Smith,  J.  P. 

John  Rencillow— Barbara  French Aug.  4,  1819 John  K.  Smith,  J.  P. 

Silas  Miller— Agnes  McDonald Dec.  23,  1S19 John  K.  Smitii,  J.  P. 

Baptiste  Maure— Felici  Geneau .Jan.  30,   182 1 Ph.  Janvier,  priest. 

Ezekiel  Allen— Genevieve  Russell .Dec.  2,  1S21 John  Stockton,  J.  P. 

Joseph  Geard— Marie  Reine   Pettit Nov.  10,  1S21 Ph.  Janvier,  priest. 

William  Swift— Nancy  Stanley Feb.  10,   1822.. John  Stockton,  J.  P. 

Thomas  Fowler— Mahaly  Mou. Feb.  11,  1S22 John  Stockton,  J.  P. 

John  Miller— Harriet  Gould... Jan.  9,   1S24 John  Stockton,  J.  P. 

Alfred  Ashley — Euphemia  Atwood Jan.  24,  1S25 Henry  Closson,  J.  P. 

Baptiste  Blait— Felice  Sene Feb.  14,  1825 L.  Dejean,  priest. 

Hyacmthe  Charthier— Monique  Boyd Feb.  8,  1825.. L.  Dejean,  priest. 

Tabor  Willcox— Lucy  P.  Torrence .May  2,   1825 John  Stockton,  J.  P. 

Hiram  Atwood — Fanny  Maria  Cook May  30,  1825 Henry  Closson,  J.  P. 

Silas  Halsey— LucyCady.. May  i,   1825 ..Henry  Closson,  J.  P. 

Horace  H.  Cady — Susanna  Connor June  9,  1825 John  Stockton,  J.  P. 

Byrum  Guerin— Mary  Rowe ...June  10,  1825 ...John  Stockton,  J.  P. 

Jean  B.tpliste  Maure — Eleanor  Thebeau April  18,   1825 L.  Dejean,  priest. 

Smith  H.  Yancey— Mary  Connor. July  ig,  1S25 Henry  Closson,  J.  P. 

JohnF.  Cronk— Mary  McCall Sept.  5,  1825 ..Elisha  Harrington,  J.  P. 

Zephaniah  Cambell— Betsey  Smith Feb.   19,  1S27 Joseph  Lester,  J.  P. 

Amasa  Messenger— Sarah  Squires ..March  ii,  1S27. Joseph  Lester,  J.  P. 

Richard  Butler— Abigail  Hayes.. Aug.  I,  1827 John  James,  preacher. 

George  Lee— Harriet  Clemens .March  11,   1828 G.  H.  Caston,  preacher. 

Ale.-cander  Arnold— Wealthy  Nichols ..Jan.  19,    1828... William  Runnells,  preacher. 

Daniel  B.  Nichols — Electa  Lockwood. ..Feb.  15,   1828 .William  Runnells.  preacher. 

Washburne  Blackmore- Lucy  Hiskins. Dec.  25,  1827... James  C.  Edgerley,  J.  P. 

Syl.  F.  .\twood— Eliza  Hill Feb.  22,  1829.- James  C.  Edgerley,  J.  P. 

Darius  Lampson— Sarah  Ann  Connor April  i,  1829 G.  H.  Caston,  preacher, 

John  Price— Rosannah  Chandler April  19,  1829 Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

German  Burges— Victoire  Joilett Sept.  29,  1829 Harvey  Cook,  J.  P. 

Joseph  La  Force — Archange  Trombley... Oct.  30, 1S29 Robert  P.  Lewis,  J.  P. 

Valorous  Maynard — Martha  Ru,s Nov.  26,  1829 ..James  C.  Edgerley,  J.  P. 

Chauncy  G.  Cady— Catherine  M.  Gerty Nov.  12.  1829. flarvey  Cook,  J.  P. 

George  Price— Loreno  Scott Dec.  27,  1829 Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Alfred  Bachellor— Ladama  Messenger. ...Jan.  21,   1830 ..Almon  Mack,  J.  P. 

Luman  Squiers— Rebecca  Arnold Jan.  21,  1S30 Almon  Mack,  J.  P. 

Milton  H.  Webster— Eliza  Sessions. Jan.  8,  1S30 Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

Thomas  Willett— Fanny  Debater ...Jan.  2,  1S30 .Ezekiel  Allen,  J.  P. 

Hiram  Willcox — Jerusha  Andrus Feb.  10,  1830. ..Curtiss  Goodard,  P.  E. 

Rev.  William  T.  Snow — Electa  Chamberlin Feb.  17,  1830 Curtiss  Goodard,  P.  E. 

Ethan  Squiers— Lovina  Huntley Feb.  23,   1830 A.  Mack,  J.  P. 

Ezra  B.  Throop— Harriet  Finch May  8,   1825 Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

Alvin  Nye — Lydia  Price ...Jan.  29,  1826 Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


)^. 


Names  of  Contracting  Parties.  Date.  By  Whom  Married. 

William  Nicholas — Betsy  Sammons Sept.  17,  1826 Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

Richard  Elliott — Mary  A.  Hovey Jan.  14,  i827.._ Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

James  Starkweather — Roxey  Lesley Sept.  16.  1827 Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

Benjamin  Kittredge— Ester  Moore. Jan.  24,  1827 Gideon  Gates,  J.  P. 

Jonathan  Johnson — Mary  B.  Marshall  - July  20,  1828 Harvey  Cook,  J.  P. 

Charles  Mather — Abigail  Haskins March  i,  1830 Job  C.  Smith,  J.  P. 

Josiah  A.  Hamblin — Mary  Ann  King _ June  28,  1830 Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

William  Canfield — Ann  Clemens. May  13,   1830 Azra  Brown,  preacher. 

David  Bolten — Lydia  Inman April  21,   1830 John  Norton,  preacher. 

Seymour  Arnold — Lydia  Townsend ..April  18,    1830 John  Norton,  preacher. 

John  D.  Holland — Clarissa  Hopkins Dec.  31,   182S Smith  Weeks,  preacher. 

Alva  Arnold — Louisa  Ruby..- June  3,  1S30 A.  Mack,  J.  P. 

Ebenezer  D.  Mather — Lucy  P.  Willcox June  13,  1830 Job  C.  Smith.  J.  P. 

Jonas  G.  Cook— Eliza  Osgood Aug.  iS,  1831 Job  C.  Smith,  J.  P. 

Hiram  Squires — Matilda  Fowler Nov.  25,  1830 ._ Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Levi  F.  Tuttle— Susan  Davis _.Mar.  28,  1831 Harvey  Cook,  J.  P. 

Samuel  H.  Giles— Harriet  Covell - April   6,  1831 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

Alex.  Atkins — Eliza  D.  Lewis.. June  29,  183 1 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

Elisha  Webster — Harriet  Thompson Jan.  26, 183 1 Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

Apollo  A.  Fuller — Mary  Howard Feb.  6,  183 1 Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

ElishaRice — Clarissa   Haskins Jan.  16,  1831 Harvey  Cook,  J.  P. 

Elijah  Bacheller — Eunice  Wales.. Jan.  27,  1831 Otis  Lamb,  J.  P. 

James   Collins — Anne  Wells ....Dec.  I,   1830 ..Alex  Tackles,  J.  P. 

Mr.  Bozeas — Felice  Blait... June  30,  1831 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

Capt.  James  C.  Allen — Elizabeth  Hayes ..Mar.  i,  1S31 Arza  Brome,  M.  G. 

John  F.  Hamlin — Laura  Andrus Mar.  29,  183 1 Arza  Brome,  M.  G. 

J.  B.  Sancea — Margt.  Beaubien Feb.  15,  183 1 F.  N.  Badin,  Priest. 

John  Stewart — Emily  Barber June  25,  1 83 1 B.  N.  Freeman. 

Samuel  Boughton — Susanna  Smith Aug.  23.  I  S3 1 John  Stead,  J.  P. 

Nathan  Rogers — Emeline   Dudley Oct.    17,  1830 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Mathias   Graves — Rosilla  Ruby June  2,  183 1 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Charles  Tubbs — Rachael  Arnold April  10,    1831 Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Wm.  C.  Bolamin — Nancy  Ellison Feb.  13,  1832 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Philo  Gopt — Susanna  Arnold Aug.  4,  1 831... Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Tiel  Brainard — Mary   Brainard Nov.  27,  1831 ...Alex.  Tackles,  J.  P. 

Nathan   Rogers — Eliza  Anne  Parker Feb.  13,  1832 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Robert  P.  Eldredge — Louisa  Crittenden .Oct.  — ,  1831 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

James  A.  Wing — Juliana  Lawson Sept.  22,  183 1 Abel  Warren,  M,  G. 

James  Allen — Lucinda  Townsend Dee.  25,  1831 John  Norton,  M.  G. 

Joseph  Aldrich — Caroline  Parker July  3,    1832 Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

—  Thorp — Mary  Jane  Nicholls Jan.  22,   1 83 1 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Jonah   Richardson — Rhoda  Granger Jan.  12,    1832 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

Caleb  Carpenter — Matilda    Freeman Nov.  14,   1831 L.  Shaw,  M.  G. 

Henry  Porter — Susan  Stone Dec.  8,  1831 L.  Shaw,  M.  G. 

Amon  Baker— Eleanor  Hopkins Dec.  13,  1 83 1 L.  Shaw,  M.  G. 

Wm.  Roy — Ann  Connor May  25,   1832 Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Geo.  Twell— Louisa  Dudley Mar.  3,  1832.. Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Philander  Ewell— Lydia  Wells Oct.  13,  1S31 Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Wm.  Arnold — Mary    Squiers July   5,1831 .Solomon  Wales,  J.   P. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Names  ot  Contracting  Parties.  Date.  By  Wliom  Married. 

Isaac  Hoard— Delilah  Price _.. May  13,  1S32 Otis  Lamb,  J.  P. 

Jolin  Nicholas— Nancy  Scratrton ._ May  13,  1832. Otis  Lamb,  J.  P. 

Reus.  Hollock—Phile  Draper June  16,  1833 Noah  Webster,  J.  P, 

John  Nicholas— Louise  Trevallian .- April  15,  1833..- Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Payne  K.  Leech — Matilda  Fuller  _ April  25,  1833 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Zemrie  Curtis— Amanda  Locke - Nov.  11,  1833 _..Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

James  P.  Hooker— Thar.  Allen Nov.  6,  1833 'Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Harley  Brainard — Martha  Leech May  iS,  1833 Calvin  Davis,  J.  P. 

Alonzo  D.  Youmans — Julia  Ann   Tubbs... Aug.  16,  1833 _ Wells  Waring,  J.  P. 

Heil   Preston — Lydia  Goffman Sept.  29,  1833. -.Calvin  Davis,  J.  P. 

Charles  Chamberlain — Caroline    Knapp Aug.  g,  1S32 Calvin  Davis,  J.  P. 

Nathaniel  Garvin — Lydia  Junman _.Nov.  20,  1S33 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Bingham  Tubbs — Ruth  A.  Sorel Jan.  24,  1833 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

Westley  Hinman — Alice  M.  Connel _. July  10,   1S33 Elisha  L.  Atkins,  J.  P. 

H.  Perkins— Sarah  Ann  Meek- - Nov.  28,  1S33 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

James  Williams— Delia  Ann  Cook Oct.    14,  1842.- Harvey  Cook,  J.  P. 

Erastus  Day— Catherine  Smith Feb.  3,  1S33 L.  Shaw,  M.  G. 

Wm.  M.  Leech — Clarissa  Brainard.-- May  22,  1833 Calvin  Davis,  J.  P. 

Hiram  Atwood— Aurelia  Ann  Douglass July  7.  iS33 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

Sidney  S.  Hawkins— Elizabeth  Clemens April  23,    1833. Henry  Coldager,  M.  G. 

George  Stead— Nancy  Scott... .- March  16,  1S33 Solomon  Wales,  J.  P. 

Robert  Warren— Lois  Wells Feb.  14,  1833.- Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

George  Preastly — Sylvania  Hoard -. Dec.  10,    1832 Calvin  Davis,  J.  P. 

Anson  Rawley— Susan   Becroft- -- April  17,   1833 .-.Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

John  Fairchild — Lucy  C.  Herriman April  9,   1833 Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

James  C.  Chase — Rachel  Butterlield. Jan.  26,   1833 Richaid  Butler,  J.  P. 

Hambleton  Miller— Elizabeth  Parks May  5,1833 -Abel  Warren,  J.  P. 

Stephen  Castle — Susan  D.  Shaw Mar.  13,  1S32 Alexander  Tackles,  J.  P. 

H.  M.  Hopkins— Polly  Price Oct.  3,    1832 -Alexander  Tackles,  J.  P. 

Alvin  Cleland— Harriet  M.  Wales. Dec.  5,   1832 Alexander  Tackles,  J.  P. 

Otis  W.  Colton— Martha    Fairchild Aug.  8,  1833 Harvey  Cook,  J.  P. 

John  M.  Crawford— Polly  Miller Aug.  19,  1.832 Noah  Webster,  J.  P. 

James  P.  Keeler— Annie  Arlanhand ..Oct.  30,  1833 Abel  Warren,  M.  G. 

George  Adair— Rebecca  Madison Aug.  26,  1833.. .Abel  Warren,  M.  G 

Lester  Lamles—Lorina  Phelps .July  2,  1833 W.  Waring,  J.  P. 

Cornelius  Bivens— Olive  Tingley June  17,  1832 .Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

Alexander  Atkins— Eliza  D.  Lewis May  29,  1831 Richard  butler,  J.  P. 

George  Stroup— Hannah  Conklin Sept.  12,  1833 .Richard  Butler,  J.  P. 

From  February,  1834,  to  May,  1838,  a  period  extending  over  four  year,  there 
were  only  151  marriages  effected  in  the  county,  as  shown  by  the  records.  In  dealing 
with  those  matrimonial  events,  it  will  be  merely  necessary  to  give  the  names  of  the 
contracting  parties: 


William  Allen  to  Pembina  Scott 

Samuel  Axford Summers 

P.  Adams— M.  Prentiss 
P.  Allen— M.  Russell 
E.  Auscom — E.  Fay 


H.  Beebe— S.  J.  Hill 
S.  S.  Baxter — S.  Holeman 
T.  Bloss— M.  D.  Cusick 
A.  H.  Barlley — M.  Dixon 
D.  Bennett— A.  Wolf 


William  Brown — E.  Lacox 
T.  Blakeley- E.  Brayord 
S.  Bams — E.   Hovev 
T.  Hubbard— T.  S.'  Weeks 
E.  Howard — N.  Bolien 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ll^ 


M.  W.   Harrington — Miss   Farns- 

worth 
E.  C.  Harriman — P.   Huks 
J.  Hall— B.  Dailey 
"C.  S.  Snover — M.  Jersey 
I..  Sole— S.  Scott 

C.  Chapel — A.  Valentine 

D.  Crawford — L.  Fair 

E.  Cooley— H.  Willis 

A.  Chortier — R.  Dunphin 
T.  Cherry— M.   More 
L.  Collins — B.  Hodgen 
D.  Cooley — C.  Andrus 
A.  Cherry — M.  Myers 

D.  Conklin— S.  A.  Stewart 
A.  Conklin— H.  Witt 

J.  Connu — M.  A.  Funder 
J.  M.  Combs— M.  Still 
].  Crittenden — M.  Dudley 
L.  M.  Collins— M.  McKoon 
S.  Chattrick — L.  Lee 
I..  Chatfield— E.  Fi^shbough 

E.  Crampton — P.  More 
C.  Emerson — T-  Slioles 
T.J.  Ewell— E.  Lamb 
H.  T.  Fox— Mary  Avery 
J.  Flynn — E.  Ingiaham 

A.  A.  Fuller— A.  Shattuck 

O.  Fields— C.  Fi,h 

J.  Frost- L.  Aldrich 

G.  C.  Fletcher— E.  G.  Hough 

A.  Farr— M.  Carl 

G.  W.  Fish— M.  Brown 

M.Goalpin  — M.   Bennett 

S.  W.  G.  Gerill— D.  Allen 

William  Goodrich — A.  Chambers 

A.  Ga!;non — M,   Pheni.x 

Zera  Gray— L.  West  fall 

T.  C.  Gallup— M.  McChesney 

Noble  G.  Gunn— Sarah  Miller 

J.  C,  Hinks— M.  Clark 

H.  Haskins— M.  Greenley 

Joseph  Hinks — J.  Clark 


N.  R.  Holdridge— H.  Hudson  S. 

J.  C.  High— M.  A.  Olds  M 

E.  D.  Haml.lin— T.  Smith  D, 

D.  E.  Haser— R.  A.  Jennison  T. 

P.  C.  Hart— E.  Leonard  B. 

S.  L.  Hill— M.  Chapel  S. 

H.  Harvey — H.  Russ  J. 

Thomas  Hubble — .S.  Pooley  C. 

M.  Haines — B.  Dusing  J. 

M.  Johnson— P.  Baldwin  C. 

J.  James — E.  Watkins  E. 

D.Jacox — H.  Spaulding  H. 

T.  M.  Kirkham— M.  Hart  C. 

C.  Lufkins — S.  Goodale  T. 
M.  Ivingsbury  — E.  Abernathy  N. 
K.  Kittridge— E.  Wells  E. 
J.  Lockwcod — J.  Tweedle  E. 
N.  Keeler— M.  J.  Bates  W 
P.  Mitter— L.  Ashley  W 
A.  T.  Merril— J.  High  L. 
J.  Milton — S.  T.  Herriman  P. 
J.  M.  Millard— S.  Brown  P. 
L.  P.  Miller— S.  M.  Cram  T. 
N.  Moe— C.  Higgins  M. 
J.  B.  Marlel— Phillis  Lablan  A. 
H.  Mann— P.  Skinner  H, 
G.  Newbury— R.  Butlerfield  H, 

D.  Norris — B.  Carpenter  J. 
A.  T.  Powell— S.  A.  Field  O. 
A.  Parker— M.-  A.  Ray  R. 
J.  Price— S.  Bardnell  E. 
T.  H.  Peek— D.  Congar  E. 
H.  Pratt— A.  Dice  C. 
J.  D.  Perry— G.  Welts  M, 
G.  W.  Preston— S.  Gofif  S. 

E.  Phelps— P.  Arnold  W 

A.  W.  Roger.-— D.  Scott  F. 
N.  Rowley — M.  Beagle  T. 
N.  Rowley— .-v.  Aldrich  J. 
T.  Russ— H.  Mitchell  W 

B.  Randall— B.  Scott  R. 
A.  Rowley— B.  GofF 

S.  Spencer — E.  Warner 


D.  Shattuck— M.  Briggs 

.  Stone — L.  McGregor 
Stroup — M.  Keyes 
C.  Snover — L.  Phelps 
F.  Skinner — M.  Moore 

B.  Spencer — D.  Graves 

Selleck— S.  Wells 
H.  Sweet— S.  A.   Bennett 

Smith — M.  Gales 

Spalding — F.  Fish 
Thorrington — L.  Brown 

,  Thomas^L.  Pratt 
Thompson — A.   Mitchell 
J.  Tubbs— H.  Butterfield 
Tilloltson — P.   Hurd 
B.  Throop — E.  Turrell 
Warner — M.  Billings 

.  Woodan — M.  Bates 

.  P.  Wells— E.  Ewell 
Winans — Jane  Drake 

T.  Walker— N.  Gillett 
WoodUck— M.  Finch 
Wood — S.  Anderson 

.  Wilber — T.  Gregory 
Warner — E.  Johnson 

,  Wyncoop — A.  Mitchell 
R.  Witt — H.   Brown 

Witney — E.  Shepherd 
Wing — H.  Crawford 
Wilson— T.  .Seal 
Wentworth — E.  Darling 
L.  Walton — C.  Stroup 
F.  Witt— E.  Brown 

,  Winslow — M.  Welts 

Wilson — L.  Scott 

.  G.  Wilcox — M.  Webster 
Wilcox — L.  Hovey 
Wood — T,  Case 

Whitney— C.  Crittenden 

.  Wylae — A.  Beattie 
Wickoff— M.  A.  Orr 


The  great  majority  of  those  early  alliances  were  attended  with  the  most  happy 
results.  In  almost  every  instance,  husband  was  devoted  to  wife  and  wife  to  hus- 
band: both  were  faithful  to  their  country,  and  both  traveled  down  life's  course 
casting  blessings  along  their  paths.  The  old  settlers  of  Macomb  have,  unlike  the 
old  settlers  of  the  more  recently  organized  counties  of  the  State,  made  this  county 
their  home ;  here  they  brought  up  their  children,  built  their  schools  and  churches, 
and  actually  reared  up  a  commonwealth  of  their  own,  years  before  the  western 
county  of  Kent  was  organized — even  before  the  American  pioneer  set  his  foot  in 
Washtenaw. 

A  few  of  those  old  settlers  still  survive,  and  dwell  in  the  land.  Their  children 
are  here  in  numbers.     Tlie  traveler  may  readily  distinguish  them.     Temperate  in 


r&* 


l^ 


HISTORY   OF   j\IAt;OMB   COUNTY. 


a  high  degree,  they  reflect  the  beauty  of  that  virtue  wliich  makes  amends  for  a 
hundred  faults;  they  possess  the  physical  characteristics  of  their  honored  pi-ogeni- 
tors,  and  still  continue  to  follow  in  the  walks  of  advancement  which  their  fathers 
trod. 

MARKS   FOR   CATTLE   IN   OLDEN   TIMES. 

Among  the  ancient  customs  of  the  early  inhabitants,  that  of  marking  the  cattle 
seems  to  the  people  of  the  present  time  as  strange  as  the  descriptions  of  those 
marks  are  ludicrous.     The  following  specimens  are  taken  from  the  records  :  — 

Charles  Tucker's  mark  for  cattle,  hogs,  sheep,  etc.,  was  a  hole  in  the  right  ear 
and  a  slit  in  the  left  ear,  a  record  of  which  was  made  March  11,  1822. 

The  mark  for  Jacob  Tucker's  stock  was,  a  slit  in  both  ears,  recorded  April  1. 
1822. 

Ebenezer  Kittredge's  cattle  had  "  an  under  bit  out  of  each  ear,"  recorded  April 
1,  1822. 

Harvey  Cook'.s  mark  was  "a  swallow's  tail  cut  out  of  the  right  ear,"  a  record 
of  which  was  made  April  16, 1822. 

The  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  of  John  Tucker  zvere  cropped  on  both  ears,  and  a 
record  of  such  mark  made  Feb.  22, 182.3. 

John  Stockton's  cattle,  sheep,  etc.,  etc.,  had  a  slit  in  the  right  ear,  a  mark 
recorded  Feb.  22,  1823. 

Joseph  Hayes'  cattle  had  a  hole  in  the  right  ear. 

Justus  H.  Barker's  mark  was  a  slit  in  the  right  ear,  a  square  crop  off  the  right 
ear,  and  the  brand,  J.  H.  B.,  recorded  Dec.  2,  1823. 

The  mark  on  Nathaniel  Squire's  cattle  was  a  square  crop  off  the  left  ear,  a 
swallow's  fork  out  of  the  right  ear,  with  the  brand,  N.  S.  This  was  ijlaced  on 
record  Dec.  2,  1823. 

John  Elliott's,  senior,  cattle  were  marked  with  a  swallow's  tail  cut  out  of  the 
left  ear.     Recorded  April  30,  1824. 

Leander  Trombley's  mark  was  a  half  crop  off  the  under  part  of  the  right  ear, 
which  mark  was  placed  on  record  Sept.  13,  1826. 

Joseph  Miller's  cattle  were  known  by  a  square  crop  off  the  right  ear,  which 
mark  was  published  Feb.  7,  1827. 

John  Bennett's  mark  was  a  swallow  tail  out  of  the  left  ear,  not  bj^  any  means 
out  of  Mr.  Bennett's  left  ear,  notwithstanding  what  is  implied  in  the  records  of 
Feb.  7,  1827. 

John  Sawle's  cattle  were  marked  by  a  slit  in  both  ears,  and  such  mark  was 
recorded  Feb.  7,1827. 

Ezra  Bellow's  cattle  were  known  by  a  half  crop  off  the  under  part  of  the  left 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ear.  Benjamin  Gould's  stock  were  marked  similarly  under  the  right  ear  ;  while 
Wm.  Allen's  mark  was  a  square  crop  off  the  left  ear. 

Solomon  Wales  adopted  a  square  crop  off  right  ear,  and  a  half  crop  under  part 
of  the  left  ear. 

Daniel  Miller's  mark  was  simply  a  slit  in  the  left  ear,  while  that  of  Sardis 
Burlingham's  cattle  was  simply  a  half  crop  off  the  upper  part  of  the  left  ear. 

George  Wilson's  cattle  had  a  square  crop  off  the  left  ear,  a  slit  in  same  ear, 
and  a  bit  of  under  part  of  the  right  ear. 

Job  Hoxie's  stock  were  marked  by  a  crop  off  the  right  ear,  or  a  bit  out  of  the 
under  part  of  the  same  ear. 

Alvin  Nye  used  a  square  crop  on  the  right,  and  a  slit  in  the  left  ear. 

Chauncey  Throop  adopted  a  square  crop  off  the  right,  and  a  half  crop  under 
part  of  the  same  ear. 

Ezra  B.  Throop's  registered  mark  was  a  square  crop  off  the  right,  and  a  half 
crop  off  the  upper  part  of  same  ear. 

Elon  Andrus  used  a  square  crop  off  the  right  ear  and  a  slit  in  the  same. 

Russell  Andrus'  mark  for  his  cattle  was  a  square  crop  in  the  left  ear,  and  a 
slit  in  the  same. 

John  Keeler's  cattle  had  a  bit  out  of  upper  side  of  the  right,  and  under  side  of 
the  left  ear. 

Isaac  Andrus'  mark  was  simply  a  half  crop  off  the  upper  part  of  the  right  ear. 

Lester  Gidding's  cattle  had  a  hole  in  the  right  ear. 

Price  B.  Webster's  cattle  showed  a  swallow's  tail  cut  out  of  the  right  ear. 

Jeremiah  Lockwood's  were  known  by  a  square  crop  off  the  left  ear,  and  a  half 
crop  off  the  upper  part  of  the  right. 

Edward  Arnold's  stock  was  distinguished  by  a  square  crop  off  the  right,  and  a 
half  crop  off  the  upper  part  of  the  left  ear. 

Henry  Moir's  mark  for  his  cattle  was  a  hole  through  the  right  ear,  and  a  bit 
out  of  the  under  part  of  the  left  ear. 

Lucretia  Haskiu's  cattle  bore  a  square  crop  off  the  I'ight,  and  an  under  slit  in 
the  left  ears. 

Richard  Butler  s  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs  wore  a  slit  in  the  under  part  of  each 
ear,  and  seemed  to  know  all  about  it. 

PONTIAG  AND   ST.    CLAIR   MAIL   ROUTES. 

In  1827,  a  mail  route  was  established  from  Pontiac  to  Port  Huron,  stopping  at 
Washington  village,  and  this  being  the  only  of3Sce  between  the  former  place  and 
Mt.  Clemens,  it  necessarily  served  for  a  very  large  extent  of  country.  Otis  Lamb 
was  the  first  post-master,  and  the   mail   bag  was  originally  carried  the  entire  dis- 


*^; 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


tance  by  a  man  on  foot,  and  afterward  on  horse-back  for  ten  or  twelve  years,  the 
mail  carrier  always  remaining  at  Washington  over  night.  Each  letter  cost  the  re- 
ceiver twenty-five  ceuts,  and  such  was  the  scarcity  of  money  that  a  young  man 
living  there  (now  a  wealthy  resident  of  Oakland  County)  was  obliged  to  leave  a 
letter  in  the  office  for  three  months  before  he  could  by  any  means  obtain  the  re- 
quired amount.  In  1836,  Dr.  Dennis  Cooley  was  appointed  post-master,  which 
position  he  held  for  twenty-three  consecutive  years,  his  own  residence  being  the 
post-office  for  the  greater  part  of  that  time.  Shortly  after  his  appointment,  the 
mail  was  brought  by  stage  from  Detroit  via  Royal  Oak  and  so  continued  until  the 
completion  of  the  G.  T.  R.  R.,  when  it  was  transferred  to  that  road  stopping  oif  at 
Utica  Station,  and  a  regular  line  of  easy  coaches,  lumbering  stages,  or  dilapidated 
buggies,  were  alternately  the  means  of  transit,  the  same  being  controlled  by  Ira 
Pearsall  for  very  many  years.  This  arrangement  remained  until  the  D.  &  B.  C.  R. 
R.  was  in  running  order  when  the  nmil-bags  and  numerous  passengers  to  and  from 
Utica  were  accommodated  by  S.  L.  DeKay,  his  stages  making  regular  trips  between 
Utica  and  Romeo  four  times  daily  ;  and  through  all  these  variations  and  the  con- 
ditions of  wind  and  weather  we  have  known  no  such  thing  as  a  failure  of  first-class 
mail  arrangements  until  July  18,  1879,  when,  for  some  unexplained  reason,  the 
route  ceased  altogether,  and  the  large  amount  of  mail  matter  for  this  place  and 
Davis  was  left  to  the  tender  mercies  of  a  chance  carrier.  The  mail  for  Brooklyn 
was  always  received  at  Washington,  they  having  had  no  separate  office  until  1876, 
when  a  tri-weekly  route  was  established  between  that  village  and  Washington,  and 
an  office  established  at  Brooklyn  under  the  name  of  Davis. 

TEMPEKANCE   AND   HOUSE   KAISING. 

The  following  paper  on  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  temperance  cause  in  Mal- 
comb  County,  not  only  contains  a  moral,  but  also  much  interesting  and  historical 
subject  matter.  The  writer  is  secretary  of  the  County  Pioneer  Society,  a  man  wed- 
ded to  the  cause  of  temperance,  and  thoroughly  conversant  with  men  and  events 
connected  with  the  county.  He  says  :  "  At  the  date  of  settlement  of  the  central  and 
northern  township  of  Macomb,  the  use  of  intoxicants  upon  all  noted  occasions,  and 
indeed  upon  the  most  common  events  of  pioneer  life,  was  held  to  be  a  necessity. 
Liquor  was  used  as  a  cure  for  all  diseases  that  assailed  the  system.  At  births, 
weddings,  and  deaths,  its  inspiring  aid  was  sought.  Prominent  in  the  history  of 
each  new  settlement  were  the  bees,  for  the  progress  of  work  which  one  alone  could 
not  very  well  accomplish,  such  as  loggings  and  raisings.  At  those  bees  whisky  was 
free,  and  was  to  many  the  secret  loadstone  which  attracted  them  to  the  place. 
Arriving  at  the  place,  if  it  were  a  logging,  two  expert  hands  chose  sides,  and  select- 
ing the  site  and  arranging  the  position  of  the  heap,  each  led  his  men  to  the  work. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


At  the  close  of  this  work  results  were  noted,  and  one  side  or  other  declared  victors, 
not  in  the  amount  of  whisky  each  had  consumed,  but  in  the  number  of  log  heaps 
each  had  erected.  If  it  were  a  raising,  for  which  they  were  called  together,  sides 
were  chosen  in  the  same  way.  Each  party  would  take  one  end  and  a  side  of  the 
structure,  and  proceed  to  roll  the  logs  together  in  a  lively  fashion.  At  each  corner 
a  man  was  stationed,  whose  business  it  was  to  saw,  trim,  and  shape  the  ends  of  the 
logs,  so  as  to  form  the  corner,  and  upon  their  skill  and  activity,  depended  largely 
the  appearance  of  the  house  when  completed.  A  man  who  could  make  a  square 
plum  corner  in  the  least  time  was  in  demand.  Occasionally  a  frame  was  to  be  raised, 
and  men  were  invited  from  far  and  near,  with  the  tacit  understanding  that  whisky 
was  to  be  an  adjunct  of  the  occasion.  The  timber  used  in  construction  was  much 
larger  than  is  used  in  similar  structures  now,  and  as  no  mechanical  appliances  were 
brought  together  in  elevating  it,  a  larger  force  was  called  together.  Refreshments 
might  be  served  or  not  at  the  option  of  the  proprietor,  but  the  liquor  should  be 
in  sight,  and  near  at  hand.  After  the  frame  was  erected,  the  men  gathered  in  file 
upon  the  beam,  and  if  a  few  drops  of  the  contents  of  the  jug  remained,  they  were 
swallowed,  and  a  name  was  called  for.  If  a  barn,  it  might  be  named  the  settlers' 
pride  or  the  Queen  of  the  settlement,  if  a  house,  the  ladies'  pride,  ox  family  pride,  and 
then  the  jug  was  hurled  into  the  air,  when  the  company  dispersed. 

It  soon  came  about  that  a  feeling  of  antagonism  to  the  use  of  whisky  strength- 
ened by  the  occurrence  of  sundry  accidents,  the  results  of  whisky,  began  to  pre- 
vail, and  very  naturally  as  the  sides  were  chosen,  whisky  was  made  the  dividing 
'point,  and  its  friends,  and  the  friends  of  temperance,  were  arrayed  against  each 
other.  At  a  raising  of  a  frame  house,  the  two  parties  went  up  to  put  the  plates  in 
position,  and  in  the  zeal  of  the  former  not  to  be  beaten  by  the  temperance  party, 
they  lifted  the  plate  over  the  posts,  and  let  it  drop  on  the  ground  below.  One  man 
whose  hat  was  caved  in,  seized  the  jug  and  cast  it  into  a  well  close  by.  At  another 
time,  a  man  whose  leg  was  broken,  was  carried  home  two  miles  upon  a  door. 
Among  the  first  raisings  in  the  northern  townships  was  that  of  Nathaniel  Bennett's 
barn.  The  mechanic  who  worked  upon  the  frame  was  a  staunch  temperance  man, 
and  wished  that  the  raising  of  this  barn  should  be  accomplished  without  the  aid  of 
whisk}'.  Bennett,  although  favorable  to  the  cause  of  temperance,  was  fearful  it 
would  l)e  a  failure.  The  mechanic  was  so  confident,  however,  that  Bennett's  ob- 
jections were  overruled,  and  it  was  bruited  round  that  the  affair  was  to  be  of  a 
temperate  character.  Both  sides  resolved  to  make  this  a  test  case,  and  men  gath- 
ered from  far  and  near  to  view  the  strife  and  see  the  fun.  As  fast  as  the  forces 
reached  the  premises,  they  naturally  divided  into  two  armies.  The  temperance  men 
soon  went  to  work,  and  the  liquor  men  sat  upon  the  timbers,  and  stood  in  the  way, 
offering  obstacles.     There  was  no  scarcity  of  timber  in  those  early  days,  and  the 


^^ 


l^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


great  beams  and  plates  of  (^reeii  timber  sorely  taxed  the  muscles  as  well  as  the 
patience  of  the  workers.  When,  at  length,  the  sills  were  in  their  places,  and  the 
bents  put  together,  the  liquor  party  came  in  a  body  and  sat  down  upon  the  timbers 
directly  in  the  way  of  further  progress.  It  required  the  use  of  some  threats,  and  a 
good  deal  of  persuasive  eloquence  to  move  them,  and  a  portion  went  off  in  a  huff, 
while  the  remainder  helped  to  put  up  the  frame. 

A  similar  test  case  was  held  atUtica  about  the  same  time.  A  large  store  house 
was  to  be  raised,  and  the  mechanic  was  very  fearful  that  it  could  not  be  done  with- 
out whisky,  but  upon  the  promise  of  Payne  K.  Leach  to  assist  with  his  mill  hands 
and  tackle  box,  the  attempt  was  made  and  success  won. 

In  the  township  of  Lenox,  a  like  test  was  made  some  years  later,  resulting  in 
favor  of  temperance. 

If  the  case  were  that  of  a  man,  wlio  was  himself  temperate,  and  who  dis- 
couraged the  use  of  spirits  on  principle,  little  was  said  ;  but  if  stinginess  was  the 
cause  of  it  being  withheld,  sad  work  was  often  made  of  both  timl^er  and  frames. 
Sometimes  timber  was  carried  back  to  the  woods ;  at  other  times  a  single  bent  would 
be  setup,  and  all  hands  either  go  away  or  refuse  to  do  more.  At  other  times  timbers 
would  be  united  in  all  ways  but  the  right  one,  and  in  each  case  the  whisky  should 
appear  before  the  work  would  be  completed.  After  those  test  cases  had  been  tried, 
trial  beesoi  all  kinds  without  the  use  of  liquors  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  and 
public  sentiment  in  favor  of  abstinence  grew  in  favor  and  strength. 

Organized  action  against  intemperance  was  first  taken  at  Romeo.  In  the  year 
1830,  Deacon  Rnger^s  Pled;ie  was  circulated  and  gained  a  few  names.  Those  who 
agreed  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  wine  and  beer,  and  other  alcoholic  beverages,  had 
a  capital  T  prefixed  to  their  names  on  the  pledges,  and  were  called  T-T's  or  teeto- 
talers. At  least  one  who  signed  Deacon  Roger  s  Pledge  has  kept  it  for  fifty-two 
years — Dr.  HoUister,  of  Chicago.  The  effects  of  this  pledge  was  soon  visible  in  the 
community.  One  after  another,  old  and  young,  spoke  against  the  use  of  spirits, 
and  arrayed  themselves  on  the  side  of  temperance.  A  farmer  who  had  thought 
that  haying  could  not  be  prosecuted  witiiout  liquor,  sent  his  boy  to  the  store  at  the 
corners  with  the  little  brown  jug  to  get  it  filled.  This  was  accomplished,  the  jug 
emptied,  and  sent  to  be  refilled.  Soon  after  a  storm  came  up,  and  the  father  and  the 
son  left  the  field  after  hiding  the  jug.  Upon  their  return  the  old  man  took  up  the 
pitcher  to  drink  ;  but  before  doing  so,  he  paused  and  set  it  down.  After  a  few 
minutes  thought  he  emptied  it  upon  the  ground,  and  said.  "  My  son  let  us  never 
touch  this  stuff  again  as  long  as  we  live."  The  father  kept  this  resolution,  but  the 
son  is  a  drunkard  to  this  day.     And  thus  the  leaven  was  at  work. 

"  Men  thought,  spoke,  and  acted."  In  a  letter  from  Dexter  Mussey  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Pioneer  Society,  under   date  April  7,  1881,  that  old  settler  states : 


^^|a w- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


There  was  a  Waslnnsrtonian  Temperance  society  formed  here  as  early  as  1844, 
but  accomplished  but  little.  At  a  subsequent  date  the  Sons  of  Temperance  seemed 
to  take  the  lead  in  some  parts  of  this  State  and  the  west  shore  concluded  to  imitate 
the  Sons  of  Temperance  by  liolding  weekly  meetings,  or  at  least  once  in  two  weeks. 
This  we  did  during  one  winter,  1848-9,  but  failed  to  keep  up  an  interest  or  ac- 
complish much  good.  We  then  concluded  to  try  the  laws,  and  organized  a  division 
of  eleven  members,  and  after  working  hard  for  one  year  found  ourselves  with 
thirteen  members,  had  received  three,  expelled  one,  dismissed  one  to  join  elsewhere. 
Then  we  commenced  an  aggressive  course  and  soon  had  one  hundred  names  and 
then  for  three  or  four  years  succeeded  well,  prosecuted  the  rum-sellers  and  all  went 
on  well  until  the  Prohibitory  law  passed,  and  then  all  seemed  to  think  the  work 
completed  and  the  Division  dissolved  and  very  little  was  done  for  the  cause  of 
temperance.  After  a  time  there  was  a  lodge  of  Good  Templars  organized  and  went 
very  well  and  with  tolerable  success  for  a  time  until  it  was  turned  into  a  political 
organization,  when  it  shared  the  fate  of  all  its  predecessors.  (^Died.')  At  still  a 
subsequent  date  a  Division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  was  organized  with  tolerable 
success  as  to  members,  but  not  with  much  success  in  staying  the  tide  of  intemper- 
ance. This  last  organization  is  still  in  existence  and  is  the  only  organization  here 
which  proposes  to  amend  solely  against  the  liquor  business,  and  it  is  doing  very 
little  to  what  it  ought  to  accomplish,  the  work  it  professes  to  have  in  hand.  The 
present  law  has  been  enforced  to  a  considerable  extent,  but  not  by  the  Sons  of 
Temperance.  There  were  fourteen  prosecutions  for  violations  of  the  law,  and  in 
every  case  with  success. 

A  RETROSPECT. 

My  home  !  the  spirit  of  its  love  is  breathing 
In  every  wind  tliat  plays  across  my  track  : — 
From  its  white  walls,  the  very  tendrils  wreathing, 
Seem  with  soft  links  to  draw  the  wanderer  back. 

What  a  change  has  come  over  the  land  since  they  first  saw  it  ?  The  metamor- 
phosis from  the  sickle  and  the  cradle  to  the  modern  harvester  is  not  more  wondei'- 
ful  than  other  changes  which  have  been  wrought ;  and  he  who  brings  up  sad  re- 
membrances of  a  hard  day's  work,  and  a  lumbago  caused  by  the  swinging  of  his 
cradle  or  scythe,  smiles,  when  he  thinks  of  that  semi-barbarous  period  that  could 
neither  produce  a  harvester  nor  a  mower,  nor  a  sulky  plow,  nor  any  of  these  new 
machines,  which  make  the  practice  of  agriculture  a  luxury.  To-day  he  mounts  in- 
to the  seat  of  one  of  these  farm  implements,  as  he  would  into  his  buggy,  and  with 
the  assurance  that,  no  matter  what  the  condition  of  the  grain  or  meadow,  whether 
tangled,  lodged,  or  leaning,  he  can  master  a  quarter  section  of  land  more  thoroughly 
and  with  grea'er  economy  than  lie  could  have  managed  a  five  acre  field  a  quarter  of 


'i^i 


5   > 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


a  century  ago.  The  change  is  certainly  material !  The  old  settlers  realize  it ;  but  yet 
they  look  back  to  the  never  forgotten  past,  when  contentment  waited  upon  the  work 
of  the  old  cradle,  plow  and  spade, — to  that  time  when  the  primitive  character  of  all 
things  insured  primitive  happiness.  Then  contentment  reigned  supreme,  and  con- 
tinued so  to  do  until  knowledge  created  ambitions,  and  those  ambitions  brought  in 
their  train,  their  numerous  proverbial  little  troubles. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  third  decade  of  the  Nineteenth  Century  will  ever  be  memorable  as  the  era 
of  emigration  from  the  Eastern  States,  and  the  hunt  after  Western  homes.  During 
those  years  the  people  of  the  Original  States  rose  to  a  full  conception  of  the  worth 
of  the  land,  and  the  almost  unbounded  country  which  the  toilers  of  the  Revolution 
won  for  them.  They  resolved  to  direct  their  steps  westward.  Michigan  was  not 
forgotten.  The  country  from  the  St.  Joseph  to  the  Grand  River,  along  the  valley 
of  the  southern  Huron,  and  northwards  still  to  the  Saginaw — the  home  of  the 
Otchipwes — was  explored  by  them  and  settlements  effected.  Years  before  this, 
however,  Macomb  County  was  not  only  explored,  settled  ;  but  also  organized.  In 
1818,  three  years  after  the  organization  of  Wayne,  and  one  year  after  the  organi- 
zation of  Monroe,  Macomb  County  was  erected  by  an  act  of  the  Territorial  Legis- 
ative  Council. 

For  some  years  previous  to  1818,  the  American  and  French  pioneers  built  their 
log  huts,  and  transformed  portions  of  the  forest  into  spots  of  pastoral  beauty. 
Many  acres  were  then  fenced  round,  and  the  stacked  harvest  of  the  preceding  year 
could  be  seen  by  the  traveler.  The  country  was  then  replete  in  beauty ;  the 
singularly  attractive  monotony  of  the  wild  woods  was  varied  by  tracts  of  cultivated 
land,  the  homes  of  the  settlers,  and  the  villages  of  the  aborigines. 

Solidarity  of  interests  joined  the  pioneers  in  a  bond  of  fraternity,  the  strength 
of  which  tended  to  render  their  loves  and  friendships  lasting.  Solidarity  of  inter- 
ests tauglit  the  pioneers  to  offer  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  their  savage  neighbors — 
the  Otchipwes ;  and  solidarity  of  interests  pointed  out  to  them  the  results  of  seek- 
ing for  the  organization  of  the  districts  in  which  they  lived  into  a  little  Republic. 

On  the  completion  of  the  farm  labors  of  1817,  those  white  inhabitants — those 
true  foresters — did  not  seek  repose  ;  but  turning  their  attention  away  from  manual 
labor,  embraced  mental  work,  to  the  end  that  their  political  condition  might 
advance  hand-in-hand  with  their  social  status. 


f> 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Before  the  spring-time  called  them  to  their  fields  again,  they  had  established 
for  themselves  a  county  and  a  county  government.  The  action  of  the  Legislative 
Council,  and  the  State  Legislature  in  regard  to  the  townships  of  Macomb,  is 
reviewed  in  the  following  acts  and  summarization  of  acts : 


ST.    CLAIR   TOWNSHIP. 

The  act  of  the  Legislative  Council,  approved  January  .5,  1818,  provided,  that 
the  district  beginning  at  the  opposite  shore  of  the  River  Huron,  including  the 
shore,  and  running  along  tlie  shore  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  to  tlie  mouth  of  the  river  St. 
Clair,  and  along  said  river  to  Fort  Gratiot,  and  extending  in  the  rear  as  aforesaid, 
shall  form  one  township,  and  be  called  the  Township  of  St.  Clair. 

MACOMB   COUNTY   ERECTED. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  Gov.  Cass,  signed  by  a  number  of  the  inhabitants 
of  tliis  Territory,  requesting  that  a  new  county  may  be  laid  out  therein  ;  which 
was  responded  to  as  follows  : — 

No'w  Therefore,  Believing  that  the  establishment  of  such  county  will  be  conducive  to  the  public  interest, 
and  to  individual  convenience,  I  do,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  in  me  vested  by  the  ordinance  of  Congress, 
passed  the  13th  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  entitled 
"  An  ordinance  for  the  government  of  the  Territory  of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the  river  Ohio,"  lay 
out  that  part  of  the  said  Territory  included  within  the  following  boundaries,  namely:  beginning  at  the  south- 
west corner  of  township  number  one,  north  of  the  base  line  (so  called),  thence  along  the  Indian  boundary  line 
north,  to  the  angle  formed  by  the  intersection  of  the  line  running  to  the  White  Rock  upon  Lake  Huron ; 
thence  with  the  last  mentioned  line  to  the  boundary  line  between  the  United  States  and  the  British  Province 
of  Upper  Canada ;  thence  with  the  said  line  southwardly  to  a  point  in  Lake  St.  Clair  due  east  from  the  place 
of  beginning;  thence  due  west  to  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  said  base  line;  and  with  the  same  to  the  place 
of  beginning,  into  a  separate  county,  to  be  called  the  county  of  Macomb. 

And  I  do  hereby  appoint  William  Brown,  Henry  J.  Hunt,  and  Conrad  Ten  Eyck,  Esquires,  commission- 
ers for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  said  county  of  Macomb,  and  of  reporting  to  me  where  it  is  the  most 
eligible  site  for  establishing  the  seat  of  justice  thereof. 

And  I  constitute  the  said  county  a  district  for  the  purposes  required  by  the  act  entitled  "An  act  to  adjust 
the  estates  and  affairs  of  deceased  persons,  estate  and  intestate,  and  for  other  purposes,"  passed  the  19th  day 
of  January,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eleven. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  caused  the  Great  Seal  of  the  said  Territory  to  be  hereunto  aflixed,  and  have 
signed  the  same  with  my  hand.  Given  at  Detroit  this  15th  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighteen,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America  the  forty- 
second.  LEWIS  CASS. 

By  the  Governor; 

William  Woodbridge,   Secretary  of  Michigan    Territory. 

LOCATING    THE   COUNTY   SEAT. 

"  Whereas  William  Brown,  Henry  J.  Hunt,  and  Conrad  Ten  Eyck,  the  com- 
missioners appointed  to  ascertain  the  most  eligible  site  for  the  seat  of  justice  of  the 
County  of  Macomb,  have  reported  to  me,  that  the  Town  of  Mt.  Clemens,  recently 


1^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


laid  out  upon  the  farm  of  Christian  Clemens,  Esq.,  in  the  said  county,  is  the  most 
eligible  site  for  that  purpose  ;  and  whereas  the  said  Christian  Clemens,  Esq.,  has 
conveyed  for  the  use  of  said  county,  the  lot  of  ground  designated  by  the  said  com- 
missioners, and  has  given  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  said  county,  his  obligation  for  the 
mon'ey,  work,  and  materials  required  by  them,  towards  the  execution  of  the  public 
building  ;  I  do,  therefore,  in  consideration  of  the  premises,  and  by  virtue  of  the 
anthorit}'  by  law  in  me  vested,  establish  the  seat  of  justice  for  the  said  County  of 
Macomb,  at  the  said  Town  of  Mt.  Clemens."  This  proclamation  was  signed  by 
Lewis  Cass,  March  11,  1818. 

ORIGINAL   TOWNSHIPS. 

A  proclamation  of  the  Governor  issued  April  8,  1818,  divided  Macomb  into  the 
following  townships,  viz  :  All  that  portion  of  the  county  soutli  of  a  line  drawn  due 
west  from  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  to  the  Indian  boundary  line,  shall  form  one 
township,  and  be  known  as  the  township  of  Huron  ;  all  that  portion  which  lies 
north  of  a  line  drawn  due  west  from  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  shall  form  one  town- 
ship and  be  called  St.  Clair.  Under  the  same  proclamation  all  that  portion  of  the 
town  of  Huron  (whicli  lies  south  of  the  base  line)  beginning  at  Forsyth's  farm, 
including  the  farm,  extending  along  the  shore  of  Lake  St.  Clair  to  the  River  Huron, 
and  west  to  the  United  States  lands,  was  attached  to  the  township  of  Hamtramck, 
in  Wa)'ne  County. 

Perry  Township  was  estaljlished  by  the  Act  Jan.  12,  1819.  It  comprised  the 
western  sections  of  Macomb,  all  the  unorganized  territory  north  to  the  treaty  line, 
and  west  to  the  meridian,  north  of  the  boundaries  of  Oakland. 

THE   NAME   HURON   CHANGED   TO   CLINTON. 

An  act  approved  July  17, 1821,  declared  that  confusion,  uncertainty,  and  incon- 
venience may  frequently  arise  from  the  variety  of  rivers  and  places  called  Hui-on, 
and  directed,  for  that  reason,  that  the  northern  town  of  Macomb,  which  was  estab- 
lished under  the  name  of  Huron,  Aug.  12,  1818,  should  be  called  Vlintoii ;  and  the 
river  running  through  said  town  into  Lake  St.  Clair,  commonly  called  the  Huron, 
should  be  named  Clinton. 

CHANGE   OP    BOUNDARY. 

The  boundaries  named  in  the  Act  establishing  this  county,  Jan.  15,  1818, 
were  changed  in  September,  1822,  as  shown  in  the  following  description  : 

"  Beginning  on  tlie  boundary  line  between  the  United  States  and  the  Province  of 
Upper  Canada,  where  the  northern  boundary  of  the  county  of  Wayne  intersects  the 
same  ;  thence  with  the  said  northern  boundary,  west,  to  the  line  between  the 
eleventh  and  twelfth  ranges,   east  of  the  principal  meridian  ;  thence  north  to  the 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


line  between  the  townships  numbered  five  and  six,  north  of  the  base  line  ;  thence 
east,  to  the  line  between  the  tliird  and  fourth  sections  of  the  fifth  township  north 
of  the  base  line,  in  the  thirteenth  range,  east  of  the  principal  meridian  ;  thence 
south  to  the  southern  boundary  of  the  said  township ;  tlience  east,  to  the  line  be- 
tween the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  ranges,  east  of  the  principal  meridian ;  thence 
south  to  Lake  St.  Clair ;  thence  in  a  dii-ect  line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Detroit,  this  tenth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-two,  and  of  the  Independence  of 
the  United  States  the  forty-seventh.  LEW.  CASS." 

ORGANIC   SUMMARY. 

Macomb  County  formed  a  portion  of  Wayne,  as  organized  in  the  days  of  the 
Northivest  Territory.  Old  Wayne  County  comprised  not  only  the  Lower  Peninsula, 
but  also  the  strip  of  land  along  the  western  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  all  west 
of  that  strip  so  far  as  explorers  migiit  jjenetrate.  Robert  F.  Eldredge,  in  his  paper 
styled  "A  Brief  Outline  of  tlie  History  of  Macomb  Co.,"  saj-s :  "  It  was  estab- 
lished as  a  county  in  Michigan  Territory  in  1815.  (Terr.  Laws,  Vol.1,  p.  323.)  It 
then  included  that  part  of  Michigan  to  which  tlie  Indian  title  Jhad  been  extin- 
guislied.  In  1805,  the  Territory  of  Michigan  was  constituted.  On  the  1st  of  July, 
1805,  the  government  of  the  Territory  was  organized  at  Detroit,  by  Gen.  William 
Hull,  as  first  governor.  The  Indian  title  to  the  lands  of  Macomb  County  was 
extinguished  by  the  treaty  of  1807.  At  that  time  the  Pottawatoraies,  the  Ottawas, 
the  Wyandots  and  the  Chippewas  ceded  to  the  United  States  a  tract  of  country 
bounded  south  by  the  Maumee  Bay  and  River,  north  by  the  principal  meridian, 
and  on  the  northwest  by  a  line  running  southwest  from  White  Rock,  cutting  the 
said  meridian  at  a  point  where  an  east  and  west  line  from  the  outlet  of  Lake  Huron 
intersects  the  same.  By  a  proclamation  made  by  Lewis  Cass,  Jan.  15,  1818,  all  the 
land  thus  obtained  from  the  Indians  wliich  lies  north  of  the  base  line  was  formed 
into  the  county  of  Macomb,  and  William  Brown,  Henry  J.  Hunt  and  Conrad  Ten 
E3^ck  were  appointed  commissioners  to  ascertain  the  most  eligible  site  for  the  seat 
of  justice  of  such  county.  The  county  seat  was  established  at  Mt.  Clemens  by 
proclamation  of  March  11,  1818.  May  4,  following,  the  Legislative  Council  of  the 
Territory  granted  $400  to  the  new  county,  to  be  expended  in  the  erection  of  a 
court-house  and  jail.  At  this  period  Macomb  comprised  all  the  territory  now  form- 
ing the  counties  of  St.  Clair,  Oakland,  Livingstone,  Genesee,  Lapeer,  large  por- 
tions of  Shiawassee,  Ingham,  Sanilac  and  Tuscola,  together  with  the  southeast 
corner  of  Huron,  and  a  portion  of  the  townships  of  Birch  Run  and  Maple  Grove, 
in  Saginaw  County. 


^^ — »- 


^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ESTABLISHMENT   OF   TOWNSHIPS. 

The  county  was  divided  into  townships  by  executive  decree,  published  April  8, 
1818.  That  portion  of  the  county  lying  north  of  a  line  drawn  due  west  from  the 
mouth  of  Swan  Creek  was  named  St.  Clair  Township,  while  the  portion  south  of 
such  a  line  was  called  the  township  of  Huron.  The  township  of  Harrison  was  laid 
off  Aug.  12,  1818.  The  establishment  of  Oakland  County,  Jan.  12,  1819,  was  the 
first  move  in  reducing  the  dominion  of  the  settlers  of  Macomb ;  yet  the  act  did  not 
come  into  effect  until  Jan.  1,  1823,  so  that,  virtually,  Macomb  ruled  Oakland  for  a 
term  of  four  years  after  the  establishment  of  that  county. 

Perry  Township  was  laid  off  Jan.  12,  1819.  St.  Clair  County  was  established 
March  28,  1820.  The  township  named  stretched  along  the  eastern  boundary  of 
Oakland,  northwards  to  the  Indian  treatj/  line,  and  westward,  south  of  that  line,  to 
the  principal  meridian,  including  what  forms  now  the  counties  of  Lapeer,  Genesee, 
Shiawassee,  and  portions  of  Sanilac,  Tuscola,  Saginaw  and  Shiawassee.  St.  Clair 
County  was  organized  May  8,  1820.  Sept.  10,  1822,  Gov.  Cass'  proclamation, 
establishing  the  boundaries  of  Macomb,  was  issued,  which  proclamation  is  given  in 
this  chapter.  The  principal  river  of  the  county  was  called  the  Huron  until  1824, 
when  the  name  was  changed  to  Clinton  by  the  act  of  July  17,  1824,  and  the  name 
of  Huron  Township  changed  to  Clinton  Township. 

The  act,  appoved  April  12,  1827,  laid  off  the  county  into  five  townships,  viz: — 
Harrison,  Clinton,  Shelby,  Washington  and  Ray.  In  1832  the  act  to  extend  the 
boundaries  of  Macomb  was  approved,  when  town  5  N.  of  R.  14.  E.,  and  the  east 
half  of  T.  5,  N.  of  R.  13  E.,  were  added  to  the  county  and  attached  for  govern- 
mental purposes  to  the  town  of  Ray.  March  9,  1833,  the  north  half  of  Washington 
was  formed  into  a  new  township  to  be  called  Bruce.  April  22,  1833,  town  5,  N.  of 
Ranges  13  and  14  E.,  were  laid  off  under  the  name  of  Arrnadia.  By  the  Act  of  March 
7,  1834,  Macomb  Township  was  established,  the  boundaries  of  Ray  were  extended, 
and  the  town  line  between  Clinton  and  Harrison  straightened.  March  17,  1835, 
town  2,  N.  of  R.  12,  E.  was  laid  off  as  the  township  of  Jefferson.  Hickory  and 
Grange  townships  were  laid  off  March  11,  1837;  Lenox  was  established  March  20, 
1837,  and  seven  days  previously  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  incorporated. 
An  Act  approved  March  6,  1838,  authorized  the  organization  of  the  town  of  Rich- 
mond, and  under  authority  of  the  same  act  the  name  Jefferson  was  abolished,  and 
the  town  called  Sterling.  The  Act  of  April  2,  1838,  ordered  that  sections  12,  13, 
24,  25  and  36  of  town  1  N.  R.  13  E.,  be  taken  from  Orange  and  added  to  Hickory, 
and  also  recognized  the  change  of  name  from  Hickory  to  Aba.  Romeo  was  incor- 
porated as  a  village,  March  9,  1838,  and  on  the  same  date  the  village  of  Utica 
received  authority  to  organize.  The  Act  of  March  26,  1839,  changed  the  name 
Aha  to  Warren.     On  Feb.  16,  1842,  the  township  of  Macomb  lost  its  eastern  half. 


s  ^ 


300  HISTORY  OP   MACOMB  COUNTY. 

henceforth  to  be  known  as  Chesterfield  ;  section  36  of  Warren  was  ceded  to  Orange, 
and  b}'  an  Act,  approved  March  9,  1843,  the  name  of  Orange  gave  place  to  that  of 
Erin,  by  which  name  that  picturesque  division  of  the  county  continues  to  be 
known. 

MISCELLANEOUS    ACTS. 

Under  the  act  of  Jan.  3,  1818,  the  inhabitants  of  that  portion  of  Wayne 
County,  comprehended  within  the  limits  of  the  District  of  Huron,  as  established 
by  that  act,  and  subsequently  altered,  should  meet  at  the  house  of  Christian  Clem- 
ens, under  the  superintendence  of  Christian  Clemens,  Daniel  Le  Roy  and  Francois 
Labadie,  to  vote  on  the  question  of  tiie  organization  of  a  General  Assembly  on  the 
third  Monday  of  February,  1818. 

On  the  26th  Feb.  1818,  the  Legislative  Council  decreed,  that  on  the  first  Mon- 
day of  February  and  the  second  Monday  of  July  in  every  year  the  County  Court 
for  the  County  of  Macomb  should  be  held. 

Macomb  County  Court  House.  The  Act  of  May  5,  1818,  appropriated  $400 
towards  the  erection  of  a  Court  House  and  Gaol  for  Macomb  County,  to  be  ex- 
pended by  the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  General  (Quarter  Sessions,  and  to  be  paid 
out  of  any  moneys  in  the  treasury,  not  otherwise  appropriated. 

The  Act  of  the  Legislative  Board,  approved  Aug.  26,  1819,  directed  that  all 
wills,  inventories  of  estates,  returns  of  administrators  or  executors,  bonds,  decrees, 
orders,  and  all  documents,  etc.,  connected  with  Macomb  County,  should  be  trans- 
mitted at  once  to  the  County  Register  from  the  Register's  office  of  Wayne. 

An  Act  of  the  Legislative  Council  was  approved  Aug.  4,  1824,  authorizing 
Christian  Clemens,  Ellis  Doty,  Justice  H.  Barker,  and  those  who  may  associate 
with  them  to  erect  a  dam  across  Clinton  River  at  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens,  with 
certain  provisos,  one  of  which  was  that  the  water  should  not  be  raised  higher  than 
three  and  one-half  feet  above  low  water  mark. 

The  county  commissioners  of  Macomb,  were  authorized,  under  an  Act  approved 
Aug.  4,  1824,  to  make  such  addition  to  the  tax  roll  for  that  year,  as  they  should 
deem  necessary  to  meet  the  expense  of  completing  court  house  and  gaol,  such  tax 
not  to  exceed  one-fourth  of  one  per  cent,  on  the  valuation  of  real  and  personal 
property. 

The  construction  of  a  territorial  road  from  Mt.  Clemens  via\  Romeo,  Lapeer, 
and  Saginaw  to  the  Sault  de  Ste.  Marie  was  authorized  March  4,  1831. 

The  road  from  Detroit  to  Port  Huron  was  laid  off,  under  legislative  authority. 
The  Act  approved  April  12,  1827,  authorized  Nathaniel  Millard,   Jonathan 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Kearsley,  Levi  Cook,  Cliarles  Larned,  Ellis  Doty,  John  P.  Slieldon,  Christian  Clem- 
rans,  Alfed  Ashley,  Jacob  Tucker,  Ignace  Morass,  Joseph  Hayes,  and  others  who 
may  associate  with  them,  a  company  to  remove  obstructions  from  the  Clinton 
River,  and  render  it  navigable  from  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  to  MacFs  Lower 
3Iill.  This  company  as  organized  was  known  as  the  Clinton  River  Navigation 
Company. 

Sept.  3,  1827,  the  counties  of  Macomb  and  St.  Clair  were  erected  into  one  dis- 
trict, and  authorized  to  elect  one  member  of  the  Legislative  Council. 

A  second  territorial  road  to  the  Clinton  River  from  Detroit  was  authorized 
under  the  Act  of  June  23, 1828.  This  commenced  at  Detroit,  continued  by  the  Old 
French  Church  to  a  \)o'u\t  on  the  Clinton  River,  betweeen  Nathaniel  Squire's  and 
Enoch  Huntley's  farms  in  Macomb  Count3\  William  Meldrum  and  James  Connor 
of  Macomb,  and  William  Little  of  Wayne  were  appointed  commissioners. 

The  Act  of  June  23,  1828  decreed  that  there  should  be  a  territorial  road  estab- 
lished, beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Oakland  County,  and  running  thence 
south  along  the  division  line  between  Macomb  to  Oakland  to  the  base  line; 
thence  continuing  south  until  it  intersects  the  turnpike  leading  from  Detroit  to 
Pontiac.  Francis  Cicot  of  Wayne,  Alexander  Faeles,  of  Macomb,  and  John  Todd 
of  Oakland  were  the  commissioners  appointed  under  the  Act. 

The  Clinton  Steam  Mill  Company  was  organized  at  Mt.  Clemens,  under  power 
granted  in  an  Act  approved  March  2, 1831.  This  act  points  out  that  the  capital 
stock  was  $20,000  in  shares  of  125  each.  The  subscriptions  toward  this  stock  were 
ordered  to  be  opened  at  Detroit,  the  first  Monday  of  Maj',  1831,  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Lewis  Cass,  Jonathan  Kearsley,  James  Abbott,  Innis  S.  Wendell, 
John  Palmer,  and  also  at  Mt.  Clemens,  under  Christian  Clemens,  Alfred  Ashley, 
J.  M.  Cummings,  and  Job  C.  Smith. 

An  Act  approved  June  18,  1832,  provided  that  within  six  months,  it  should  be 
lawful  for  Antoine  Dequindre,  Barnabus  Campau,  Jacque  Campau,  Gabriel  Cheine, 
Isidore  Cheine,  Rene  Marsac,  Isidore  Morin,  Dominique  Reopelle,  who  feel  ag- 
grieved by  laying  out  the  territorial  road  from  the  citj"  of  Detroit  to  the  river  Clin- 
ton so  far  as  the  Old  French  Church  in  the  township  of  Hamtramck,  to  state  their 
complaints  to  any  Circuit  or  County  Judge  in  writing,  when  three  disinterested 
freeholders  will  be  appointed  to  decide  and  assess  damages. 

The  Romeo  and  Mt.  Clemens  Railroad  was  incorporated  under  authority  given 
in  an  Act,  approved  April  16,  1833,  with  Gad  Chamberlain,  Gideon  Gates,  Asahel 
Bailey,  Lyman  W.  Gilbert,  Azariah  W.  Sterling,  Moses  Freeman,  Isaac  Powell, 
Noah  Webster,  Reuben  R.  Smith,  Norman  Perry,  Ansou  Bristoll,  James  C.  Allen, 


fe^ 


303  HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

Joel  Tucker,  Wm.  Canfield,  Christopher  Douglas,  and  N.  T.  Taylor.     The  capital 
stock  was  $150,000. 

Shelby  Liberal  Institute. — An  Act  to  incorporate  a  society  under  this  name  was 
approved  April  22,  1833,  granting  to  Daniel  W.  Phelps,  Peleg  Ewell,  Samuel  Ax- 
ford,  Samuel  Adair,  Samuel  Ladd,  Lyman  T.  Jenny,  Daniel  Hurston,  John  S.  Axford, 
Joseph  Lester,  Luther  R.  Madison,  John  Stockton,  and  Calvin  Davis,  power  to 
establish  in  the  township  of  Shelby  a  literary  institution,  and  appointing  the  men 
named  trustees  of  such. 

Romeo  Academy. — Under  an  Act  approved  Mai'ch  21,  1833,  Gad.  Cliamberlin, 
Nathaniel  T.  Taylor,  Gideon  Gates,  Norman  Perry,  Noah  Webster,  Reuben  R. 
Smith,  Hiram  Calkins,  John  S.  Axford,  Abel  Warren,  Asahel  Bailey,  John  Ben- 
nett, James  Starkweather,  James  Thompson,  Azariah  W.  Steel,  and  William 
Abbott  of  Macomb  County  were  constituted  trustees  of  Romeo  Academy,  with 
power  to  establish  such  an  institution  for  the  education  of  youth. 

The  Shelby  and  Detroit  Railroad  Company  was  authorized  March  7,  1831, 
with  Eurotas  P.  Hastings,  Levi  Cook,  Shubael  Couant,  Gordon  A.  Leach,  Daniel 
W.  Phillips,  Lyman  T.  Jenny,  John  S.  Axford,  Jacob  A.  Summers,  and  Peleg  Ewell, 
commissioners  under  tlie  direction  of  a  majority  of  whom  subscriptions  to  the 
amount  of  JflOOiOOO  capital  stock  miglit  be  received. 

An  Act  of  the  Legislative  Council  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  approved 
March  27,  1835,  ordained,  that  the  Supervisors  of  Macomb  County,  should,  if  they 
deem  proper,  discontinue  all  suits,  pending  in  the  Circuit  Court,  against  Nathan  B. 
Miller,  John  Elliott,  James  Meldrum,  and  Francis  Dequindre,  as  sureties  of  William 
Meldrum,  late  treasurer  of  the  county,  and  may  release  such  bondsmen  from  all 
liabilities. 

Richard  Butler  for  copying  returns  of  the  sheriif,  containing  6,400  inhabitants 
at  $3.00  per  thousand,  received  $18,02,  March  21,  1358. 

An  Act  approved  March  27,  1835,  authorized  the  inhabitants  of  Harrison  and 
Clinton  townships  to  erect  a  bridge  over  the  Clinton  River  at  or  near  the  village  of 
Mt.  Clemens,  under  the  superintendence  of  Christian  Clemens  and  Antoine  Chortier, 
and  authorizing  a  tax  to  be  levied  on  the  people  of  these  townships  to  meet  the  ex- 
penses of  the  work.  The  conditions  imposed  were  a  bridge  1-4  feet  wide,  with  a 
draw  in  the  center  of  not  less  than  36  feet,  and  to  be  considered  a  free  bridge  for 
ever. 

The  Act  to  incorporate  the  Clinton  Salt  Works  Company  was  approved  April 
3, 1838,  giving  authority  to  Robert  S.  Parks,  Lawson  S.  Warner,  Thomas  B.  Andrews, 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


■^ 


Charles  Hubbell,  and  Calvin   C.    Parks  to  form  such  a  company  and  carry  on  the 
business. 

An  Act  for  the  relief  of  the  township  of  Shelby  was  approved  March  9,  1838, 
dealing  with  the  former  absconding  collector  of  taxes,  and  enabling  the  new  collector 
to  receive  the  sums  of  money  unpaid  to  the  man  reported  as  absconding. 

An  Act  appointing  commissioners  to  establish  State  Roads  was  approved  Feb. 
28,  1838,  directing  that  a  State  road  from  Mt.  Clemens,  by  way  of  Crawford's 
Settlement  in  Macomb  Tp;  Chubb's  Settlement  in  Ray  Tp.,  to  Flower's  store  in 
Armada,  be  laid  out,  and  appointing  Wm.  Canfield,  Stewart  Taylor,  and  Azariah 
Prentiss,  commissioners. 

COTTNTY   OFFICERS   PAST   AND   PRESENT. 


SHERIFFS. 

James  Fulton 1818-22 

William  Meldrum. ..1S22-28 

N.  Nye 1828-30 

Addison  Chamberlain 1830-32 

William  Canfield 1S32-36 

Abraham  Freeland 1836-3S 

Calvin  Davis 1 838-40 

Amos  B.  Cooley 1 840-44 

John  G.  Dixon _ 1 844-46 

Varnum  Lutkin 1 846-4S 

Milo  SellecU .1848-50 

Walter  Porter 1850-52 

Thonjas  Colby _ 1852-56 

Charles C.  Lamb. 1856-60 

Joseph  Hubbard _ 1860-64 

Geo.  E.  Adair 1864-66 

Has  well  Church 1866-70 

Frederick  G.  Kendrick 1870-74 

Winfield  S.  Hathaway  _ 1874-7S 

Louis  Groesbeck 1878-80 

T.  W.  Newton 1880-82 

CLERKS. 

John  Stockton 1818-25 

Thomas  Brandon 1 825-26 

R.  S.  Rice 1826-28 

R.  P.  Eldridge 1828-30 

Richard  Butler 1830-36 

Amos  Dalby 1836-46 

Robert  Thompson „ 1S46-48 

Ira  Stout 1848-50 

Theron  Cud  worth __  1850-52 

John  S.  Fletcher 1852-54 


Perrin  Crawford .' 1854-56 

John  B.  Ellsworth ..1856-58 

Henry  O.  Smith 1858-64 

James  Whiting _ 1864-66 

William  M.  Connor 1866-70 

Charles  S.  Groesbeck 1870-78 

William  L.  Dicken 1878-82 

COUNTY    REGISTRARS. 

John  Stockton 1818-28 

William  Meldrum 1828-32 

Rodney  O.  Cooley 1832-38 

Amos  Dalby ..1838-44 

Henry  Teats 1844-48 

Robert  H.  Wallace 1848-52 

John  J.  Traver 1852-56 

Norton  L.  Miller 1856-60 

Geo.  W.  French 1860-62 

Thomas  L.  Sackett 1862-68 

Alonzo  M.  Keeler 1868-70 

Geo.  W.  Robinson 1S70-72 

Alonzo  M.  Keeler ^. 1S72-74 

Traugotte  Longerhausen 1874-80 

Judson  S.  Farrar 1880-82 

JUDGES  OF  THE  PROBATE  COURT. 

Christian  Clemens. .1818-36 

Prescott  B.  Thurston 1S36-40 

Porter  Kibbee 1840-48 

Prescott  B.  Thurston 1848-60 

Isaac  B.  Gilbert 1 860-64 

Henry  O.  Smith 1864-68 

Thomas  L.  Sacket 1868-76 

James  B.  Eldredge 1876-80 

James  B.  Eldredge 18 


rff- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


TREASURERS. 

Christian  Clemens iSiS-27 

John  S.  Axford 1827-32 

H iram  Calkins -.  .1832-34 

Horace  H.    Cady 1834-36 

Rodney  O.  Cooley 1836-40 

Henry  M.  Dodge 1840-42 

Thomas  M.    Perry 1842-48 

Allen  P.  Bentley 1848-52 

Joshua   B.  Dickenson. 1852-56 

Charles  B.  Matthews 1856-60 

Edward  C.  Gallup 1860-62 

Justus  R.  Crandall 1862-66 

Josiah  T.  Robinson 1866-68 

Joseph   Hubbard   1868.70 

Oliver   Chapaton 1S70-78 

Charles  Tackels 1878-82 

PROSECUTING   ATTORNEYS. 

EzraB.  Prescott 1S18-20 

Geo.  A.  O'Keefe 1820-28 

Alex.  D.   Frazer 1828-32 

Robert  P.  Eldridge _ 1S32-34 

Cornelius  O'Flynn 1834-38 

Dewitt  C.   Walker 1838-40 

John  J.  Leonard 1840-42 

I  larleigh  Carter 1 842-44 

\Vm.  T.  Mitchell .1844-46 


Andrew  S.  Robertson 1846-50 

Giles  Hubbard I S50-56 

Richard  Butler 1856-5S 

Giles  Hubbard 1 858-60 

Elisha   F.  Mead. ...1860-62 

Thomas  M.  Crocker 1862-64 

Giles  Hubbard 1864-66 

Edgar  Weeks 1 866-70 

James  B.  Eldredge. 1870-76 

Geo.  M.   Crocker 1876-S0 

Irving  D.  Hanscom iSSo-82 

[Mr.  Hanscom  moved  to  Marquette  in  June,  1082.] 

COUNTY    SURVEYORS. 

John  B.    HoUister 1830-32 

William  A.  Burt 1S32-34 

Ephraim  Calkins. 1S34-36 

Joel  Manley 1836-42 

Charles  F.    Mallory ...1842-50 

Ludwig  Wesolouski 1850-52 

Geo.   E.  Adair 1S52-56 

Addison  P.  Brewer 1856-60 

Geo.  H.   Fenner 1860-62 

Ludwig   Wesolouski 1862-64 

Oscar  S.  Burgess .1864-70 

Geo.  E.  Adair 1870-72 

Oscar  S.  Burgess 1872-74 

Clarence  Stephens .1874-76 

George  E.Adair... 1876-82 


SUPERVISOR  S   BOARD. 

The  first  record  of  the  Board  is  given  under  date  July  17,  1827.  Henry 
Taylor,  John  S.  Axford,  Josejjh  Lester,  Reuben  R.  Lester,  Job  C.  Smith,  super- 
visors, were  present.  One  of  the  resolutions  adopted  at  this  meeting  was  that  no 
bounty  should  be  allowed  for  wolf  or  panther  scalps  in  the  future,  and  that  14 
be  allowed  for  scalps  taken  under  the  law. 

In  October,  1827,  the  Board  ordered  that  tliere  should  be  raised  for  county 
purposes  one-third  of  one  per  cent,  upon  all  taxable  property,  which  equal- 
ized would  entail  a  tax  upon  Harrison,  $80  ;  on  Clinton,  170  ;  on  Shelby,  $50 ; 
Washington,  i70  ;  Ray,  $28.37. 

The  first  record  of  the  issue  of  county  orders  is  dated  October  15,  1827,  and 
is  as  follows:  "  B.  W.  Freeman,  for  services  rendered  the  United  States  versus 
Garret  Vand  der  Pool,  93  cents  ;  Moses  Freeman,  in  the  same  cause,  $i ;  Old  David, 
for  wolf  scalps,  $i  ;  William  Olds,  for  services  as  constable  and  crier,  $3.50  ;  Robert 
Townsend,  for  wolf  scalps,  $4  ;  Isaac  Andrews,  for  services  rendered  County  Com- 


|V1/^C0|^/1B    COU^fT/.CO^j)^T    HOUSL^   1881-2, 


te^ 


HISTORY  OP  MAUOJIB  COUNTY. 


missioners,  $3.50;  John  S.  Axford,  for  duties  as  late  County  Commissioner,  io; 
Asa  Huntley,  #2;  John  S.  Axt'ord,  as  Supervisor,  $6  ;  Joseph  Lester,  $6  for  services 
as  Supervisor ;  Reuben  R.  Smith,  for  similar  services,  fO  ;  Job  C.  Smith,  $4  ; 
Ezekiel  Allen,  late  C^lounty  Commissioner,  io;  Ephraim  McCall,  as  Clerk  of  Super- 
visor's Board,  $1.50  ;  Henr}'  Taylor,  ■|!4,  as  Supervisor  ;  John  S.  Axford,  for  wolf 
scalps,  $4. 

What  changes  have  taken  place  since  this  record  was  made  !  The  old  super- 
visors placed  a  quietus  on  the  wolf  hunters,  exercised  a  false  economy  in  every 
department  of  the  public  business  of  the  county ;  yet  they  were  honorable  men, 
and  acted  only  in  the  spirit  of  the  times.  A  few  years  later  they  were  among  the 
first  to  receive  the  teachings  of  the  new  immigrants  from  the  Eastern  States,  and 
since  1835  may  be  said  to  equal  in  public  enterprise  tlie  supervisors  of  the  counties 
erected  during  that  year. 

In  the  paper  on  county  organization,  prepared  in  1868  by  Edgar  Weeks,  the 
following  account  of  proceedings  is  given  : 

The  County  of  Macomb  was  organized  on  the  18th  day  of  Januaiy,  in  the 
year  1818.  Prior  to  tliat  date  Macomb  County  was  attached  to  the  Judicial  Dis- 
trict of  Huron,  and  its  limits  embraced  the  present  counties  of  Oakland,  St.  Clair, 
Lapeer,  and  several  other  more  northern  counties.  The  county  seat  was  estab- 
lished at  Mt.  Clemens,  where  it  has  remained  to  this  day.  On  the  organization  of 
tlie  county,  the  governor,  by  commissions  under  the  great  seal  of  the  territory, 
appointed  the  following  officers.  We  give  the  names  of  the  persons  appointed, 
the  dates  of  the  appointments,  and  the  titles  of  tlie  offices  :  1818,  Jan.  20 — 
Christian  Clemens,  Chief  Justice ;  Daniel  Leroy  and  V/illiam  Thompson,  Associate 
Justices;  John  Stockton  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  General  and  Quarter  Sessions ; 
Conrad  Tucker,  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  Elisha  Harrington,  Justice  of  the  Peace  ; 
Ignace  Morass,  Coroner;  John  Connor,  Constable  ;  Rufus  Hatch,  Justice  of  the 
Peace  ;  Feb.  9 — Daniel  Leroy,  Justice  of  the  Peace ;  Francis  Labadie,  Justice  of 
the  Peace ;  John  K.  Smith,  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  June  22 — John  Connor  and 
John  B.  Pettit,  Commissioners ;  Aug.  13 — James  Robinson,  Constable ;  Benoit 
Tremble,  Supervisor  of  Harrison  ;  Nov.  3 — Daniel  LeRo}',  Judge  of  Probate  ; 
John  Stockton,  Register  of  Probate  ;  Dec.  12 — John  Stockton,  Justice  of  the 
Peace.     18PJ,  Jan.  4 — Esra  Prescott,  Prosecuting  Attorney. 

Up  to  the  year  1827,  the  municipal  powers  of  the  county  were  exercised 
through  a  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  and  at  that  time  the  county  was 
territorially  divided  into  five  townships,  named  Harrison,  Clinton,  Shelby,  Wash- 
ington and  Ray.  These  townships  were,  geographicall}',  made  up  quite  differently 
from  their  present  boundaries.  We  will  not  stop  to  describe  more  than  our  own 
town  of  Clinton  as  it  then  stood.     In  the  old  town  of  Harrison  was  then  included 


IIISTOHY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


a  portion  of  what  is  now  Clinton,  and  what  now  constitutes  Chesterfield  and 
Lenox.  Clinton  then  comprised  what  is  now  Erin,  Warren,  Macomb  and  the  balance 
of  what  is  now  Clinton,  not  then  included  in  Harrison. 

The  first  election  in  this  township  was  held  at  the  Court  House,  in  Mt. 
Clemens,  and  Job  C.  Smith  was  elected  supervisor.  The  first  supervisor  of  Har- 
rison was  our  old  townsman,  Dr.  Henry  Taylor,  senior.  The  first  session  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  of  this  county,  was  held  at  Mt.  Clemens,  and  Robert  P. 
Eldredge  was  chosen  as  its  clerk.  The  apportionment  of  the  taxes  of  the  year 
1827,  cast  upon  this  town  the  burden  of  raising  the  sum  of  $70.00,  while  Harri- 
son was  compelled  to  contribute  $80.00,  Shelby  $50.00,  Ray  $"28.37,  and  Washing- 
ton $70.00,  a  total  for  all  purposes  in  the  county  of  $298.37. 

The  next  year  the  total  amount  of  taxes  raised  in  this  county,  was  $525.59,  of 
which  amount  Clinton  raised  $117.88.  A  resolution  of  the  Board  at  this  time,  was 
to  the  effect  that  the  improved  lands  of  Clinton  and  Harrison  be  valued  at  two 
dollars  per  acre,  while  the  same  lands  in  the  other  towns  were  valued  at  eight 
dollars  per  acre. 

Events  in  the  history  of  our  county  transpiring  subsequent  to  the  year  1827,  are 
preserved  in  the  records  of  the  County  Clerk's  office,  at  the  county  seat,  and  to  that 
repository  of  our  county  legislation  the  curious  reader  may  at  anytime  resort, 
and  assuage  his  curiosity,  or  satisfy  his  thirst  after  knowledge  of  matters  which 
are  interesting  to  the  statistician,  but  which  do  not  form  an  interesting  feature  for 
the  general  reader.  They  are  facts  which  bear  more  intimately  upon  the  physical, 
economical  and  industrial  advancement  made  by  the  people  of  the  county. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

POLITICAL    HISTORY. 

The  interest  manifested  in  public  affairs  by  the  people  of  Macomb  becomes 
evident  from  a  review  of  the  General.  State  and  County  elections,  an  account  of 
which  is  given  in  this  chapter.  For  many  years  the  political  battle  was  carried  on 
between  the  Democrat  and  Whig,  with  victory  almost  always  attending  the  former. 
As  times  moved  onward,  new  ideas  sprang  into  existence,  varying,  as  it  were, 
political  life,  and  urging  the  old  politicians  to  advance  in  the  paths  of  reform.  At 
{>ne  time  a  tendency  existed  to  cast  away  the  tyranny  oi party,  and  give  an  untram- 
meled  vote  for  the  man.  This  tendency  grows  stronger  with  years.  While 
acknowledging  the  gi-eat  benefits  conferred  upon  the  Republic  by  the  two  great 
parties  that  claim  to  be  President-makers,  yet  great  numbers  of  the  people  are  dis- 


*C  ® s^ 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


satisfied  ;  they  can  not  overlook  the  magnitude  of  the  abuses  which  have  entwined 
themselves  with  the  present  system,  and  which  contribute  to  lessen  that  great  name 
once  belonging  to  the  greatest  and  most  perfect  of  governments. 

The  adherents  of  party  in  this  county  have  not  been  silent  when  reform  was 
needed.  They  have  scanned  the  course  of  their  representatives  with  jealous  eye, 
and  rewarded  or  punished  just  in  such  measure  as  justice  poiutetli,  securing  thereby 
a  fair  representation  in  the  council  of  the  Republic  as  well  as  in  that  of  the  State. 
Nativeism,  sectionalism,  know-nothingism  and  demouism,  or  religio-political  big- 
otr3%  appear  to  be  on  the  margin  of  the  grave  ;  some  of  the  vices  are  already  buried, 
but  enough  remain  to  cause  some  little  disunion,  if  not  disaffection,  and  so  live 
to  destroy  what  would  be  otherwise  a  magnificent  solidarity  of  public  peace  and 
prosperity.  Mercy,  justice  and  patriotism  require  every  corner  of  this  land  for 
tenancy,  so  that  sectionalism  and  all  its  concomitant  vices  must  yield — must  give 
place  to  what  is  good  and  noble,  and  let  peace  rule  the  Republic  forever. 

During  the  first  years  of  the  county's  history,  party  bigotry  was  not  acknowl- 
edged, but  convention  and  caucus  were  held,  the  same  as  now,  to  select  a  man, 
not  to  serve  his  own  or  his  party's  interest,  but  that  of  the  people.  The  first  set- 
tlers were  attached  to  tlie  Jacksonian  political  school,  because  they  saw  in  the  old 
General  one  who  held  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  above  all  else.  When, 
in  1832,  South  Carolina  assumed  the  right  to  ignore  the  laws  of  the  United  States, 
and  to  oppose  the  collection  of  the  revenue,  Gen.  Jackson,  then  President,  acted 
with  his  usual  decision,  aud  told  the  South  Carolinians  that  the  Union  must  be 
preserved.  He  sent  United  States  troops  into  that  State,  instructed  the  revenue 
collector  at  Charleston  to  perform  his  duty,  and  notified  John  C.  Calhoun  that  he 
would  be  arrested  on  the  committal  of  the  first  overt  act  against  the  law.  TJiis 
decisive  action,  together  with  the  terms  of  his  proclamation,  cemented,  as  it  were, 
all  political  parties  under  one  leader.  "  The  power  to  annul  a  law  of  the  United 
States,"  he  says,  '"is  incompatible  with  the  existence  of  the  Union,  contradicted 
expressly  by  the  letter  of  the  Constitution,  unauthorized  by  its  spirit,  inconsistent 
with  eveiy  pi-inciple  on  which  it  is  founded,  and  destructive  to  the  great  object  for 
which  it  was  formed.  To  say  that  any  State  may  at  pleasure  secede  from  the 
Union,  is  to  say  that  the  United  States  are  not  a  nation ;  because  it  would  be  a 
solecism  to  contend  that  any  part  of  the  nation  might  dissolve  its  connection  with 
the  other  part,  to  their  injury  or  ruin,  without  committing  any  offence.  *  *  *  * 
The  States  severally  have  not  retained  their  entire  sovereignty.  It  has  been  shown 
that,  in  becoming  parts  of  a  nation,  they  surrendered  many  of  their  essential  parts 
of  sovereignty.  The  right  to  make  treaties,  declare  war,  levy  taxes,  exercise  exclu- 
sive judicial  and  legislative  powers,  were  all  of  them  functions  of  sovereign  power. 
The  States,  then,  for  all  of  these  important  purposes,  were  no  longer  sovereign. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


*  *.  *  *  The  duty  imposed  on  me  by  the  Constitution,  to  take  care  that  the  laws 
l)e  faitiifully  executed,  sliall  be  performed  to  the  extent  of  the  powers  vested  in 
me  by  law."  In  this  manner  President  Jackson  instructed  tlie  South  Carolinians 
in  the  principles  of  federal  government,  and  in  this  manner,  also,  did  he  notify 
them  of  the  intentions  of  the  United  States  in  the  event  of  their  persisting  in  the 
violation  of  any  of  its  laws. 

In  those  olden  times  a  man  was  chosen  on  his  merits,  and  entrusted  with  the 
true  representation  of  the  people  in  the  Legislature  as  well  as  in  the  Supervisor's 
Court.  A  reference  to  the  election  returns  will  prove  this  statement  precise  in 
every  particular.  Years  rolled  on,  and  still  party  lines  remained  unobserved.  In 
1836  there  was  an  apparent  tendency  to  draw  those  lines  closer ;  but  the  effort  was 
comparatively  a  weak  one.  Two  years  later,  in  1838,  the  doctrine  of  abolition  was 
received  with  evident  marks  of  disapprobation  in  this  county.  In  1840  Abolition. 
and  Liberty  created  some  political  excitement  here  ;  but  not  sufficient  to  lead  one 
to  conclude  that  within  a  quarter  of  a  century,  this  count}'  would  send  forth  thou- 
sands of  private  soldiers  and  officers  to  do  battle  for  the  principle,  which  it  held  so 
cheap  in  1840. 

In  1841  James  G.  Birney  was  called  from  his  quiet  liome  at  Lower  Saginaw  to 
enter  the  political  battlefield  against  Henry  Clay  on  one  ticket  and  James  K.  Polk 
on  the  other.  Birney  was  enthusiastic,  honest,  and  honorable.  As  a  politician  he 
lived  before  his  time,  and  as  a  result  did  not  occupy  the  Presidential  Office.  Ten 
j'ears  later  the  greater  number  of  those  who  followed  the  standard  of  the  Liberty 
Party,  acquiesced  in  the  doctrine  preached  under  the  oaks  at  Jackson,  and  the 
"  name  and  fame "'  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  were  henceforth  embosomed  in  tliat  party. 

Tlie  American  Party,  organized  immediately  afterward,  soon  passed  away.  In 
this  county,  its  impracticable,  unjust,  and  unholy  principles  were  stigmatized,  and 
to  the  credit  of  the  people,  may  it  be  said,  entirely  ignored.  It  was  no  more 
American  in  spirit,  than  was  the  Tea  Tax  and  the  other  principles  of  its  originators, 
which  roused  American  manhood  to  cast  off  all  connection  with  them. 

The  contest  between  the  humble  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  the  noted  Stephen  A. 
Douglass,  in  1860,  was  characteristically  interesting.  The  result  decided  the 
fate  of  the  slave-holding  Southerners,  and  gave  to  the  seventh  decade  of  the  nine- 
teenth century  a  nation  of  freemen — such  an  one  as  the  Fathers  of  the  Republic 
dreamed  of — such  an  one  as  the  world  liad  never  hitherto  known. 

In  1864  George  B.  McClellan  opposed  the  great  War  President.  The  claims 
of  the  former  were  many  and  much  appreciated  ;  but  he  who  proclaimed  the  aboli- 
tion of  slavery,  from  the  highest  seat  in  the  Union,  was  destined  to  occupy  that 
position,  and  would  doubtless  be  elected  and  re-elected,  had  not  the  foul  assassin 
snatched  from  him  a  life,  then  in  the  spring-time  of  its  fame. 


^^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Horatio  Seymour,  a  refined,  enlightened  Statesman,  was  nominated  by  tlie 
Democratic  Party  in  1868.  The  fortunate  Grant  was  nominated  by  the  Republican 
Part}'.  Notwithstanding  all  the  high  qualifications  for  that  office,  which  Mr.  Sey- 
mour possessed,  the  man  who  cast  thousands  upon  thousands  of  the  best  blood  of 
the  North,  against  the  columns  of  the  slave-holders  deserved  to  be,  and  was  elected. 
It  were  well  for  the  famous  General,  if  his  political  life  ended  in  1872;  but  it  was 
not  so  ordered,  evidently,  in  the  destiny  of  the  Republic. 

In  1872  Gen.  Grant  was  renominated,  to  oppose  Charles  O'Connor  on  the  Demo- 
cratic, and  Horace  Greeley  on  the  Liberal-Republican  tickets  ;  but  the  services  of 
the  soldier  were  too  well  remembered,  and  so  the  epauleted  Grant  was  returned  to 
the  White  House  for  a  second  term. 

In  1876  Samuel  J.  Tilden  representing  the  Democrats,  and  R.  B.  Hayes,  the 
Republicans,  sought  the  favors  of  the  people.  The  memory  of  that  contest  is  too 
fresh  to  require  further  reference.  Mr.  Hayes  reached  the  White  House,  and  held 
it  for  four  years.  Owing  to  his  quiet  administration,  and  the  return  of  prosperity, 
his  party  lost  little  ground,  although  many  said  the  disputes  and  uncertainties  of 
that  election  would  militate  against  Republican  success  in  1880. 

The  elections  of  1880  were,  perhaps,  the  most  enthusiastic  of  all  expressions  of 
the  popular  will.  Then  was  Greek  opposed  to  Greek  ;  Gen.  Hancock  won  distinc- 
tion on  the  battle  fields  of  the  .South, — his  service  was  magnificent.  Gen.  Garfield 
had  some  little  military  experience  ;  but  what  was  wanting  in  this  respect,  was  fully 
made  up  in  his  knowledge  of  public  economy  and  practical  knowledge  of  every-day 
life.  He  was  elected  ;  but  who  could  then  dream,  that  the  new  President  would 
fall  beneath  the  blow  of  an  assassin,  while  yet  his  Cabinet  was  unorganized? 
Almost  before  he  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  high  office,  he  fell  at  the  hands  of  an 
American,  and  from  this  fall  he  never  rallied,  until  death  ended  his  terrible  suffer- 
ings. His  death  placed  the  Republic  in  mourning  throughout  its  length  and 
breadth. 

Vice-President  Arthur  assumed  the  Presidential  Chair,  and  under  him  the 
troubles  in  the  Senate  were  smoothed  down,  and  the  Nation  allowed  to  resume  its 
ways  of  progress. 

Thi-oughout  the  various  political  campaigns,  from  1818  to  the  present  time,  the 
citizens  of  Macomb,  have,  as  a  rule,  given  a  popular  vote.  Previous  to  185-4,  the 
county  was  decidedly  Democratic.  From  1851  to  1870  it  may  be  said  to  have  given 
the  Republicans  a  majority;  and  since  1870  to  the  present  time  political  power  is  so 
equally  balanced  that  representatives  of  both  parties  sliare  the  confidence  of  the 
people.  A  desire  has  existed  and  does  exist,  to  witness  the  victory  of  virtue  over 
vice,  and  so  far  as  such  a  laudable  desire  could  be  effected,  the  people  were  re- 
warded in  their  contests. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


COUNTY   ELECTIONS. 

In  the  following  pages  the  results  of  the  various  elections,  so  far  as  this  county 
is  concerned,  are  given.  It  is  not  to  be  presumed,  however,  that  majorities  given 
for  candidates  for  the  United  States  Congress,  or  for  officers  of  State  resulted  in 
their  election.  The  vote  received  in  this  county  alone  is  only  given,  to  learn  who 
was  elected,  reference  must  be  made  to  the  State  History. 

The  county  officers  elected  in  1818,  1820,  1822,  and  1824  are  named  in  the 
Organic  Chapter.  The  election  returns,  with  the  names  of  candidates  before  the 
people  of  this  county  for  the  honor  of  office,  are  given  from  1825  to  the  present  time. 


1S25. 

Congress,  1S25.— Christian  Clemens,  52  ;  James 
Connor,  44;  John  Stockton,  63;  Joseph  Miller, 
57.  These  returns  were  certified  to  by  Chris- 
tian Clemens,  Chief  Justice  of  the  County  of 
Macomb;  Elisha  Harrington,  Associate  Justice  of 
Macomb  ;  Thomas  Ashley  and  Nathaniel  Squiers, 
Commissioners  ;  and  William  Meldrum,  Sheriff. 

Countv  commissioners,  1S25. — John  S.  Axford, 
30  ;  Ezekiel  Allen,  29  ;  Joseph  Hayes.  29. 

Treasurer,  1S25. — William  M.  Dannell,  10; 
Christian  Clemens,  12. 

Coroner,  1823. — Harvey  Cook,  22. 
Constables.  1825.— Daniel  B.  Webster,  24  ;    Isaac 
Andrus,  27  ;    Gideon  Gates,  6. 
1826. 
missioners,  1826. — Alexander  Tackles 
.  Davis  VF,  14. 

1S27. 
1827. — Ray  Township:  John  Biddle, 
18;  Austin  E.  Wing,  2  ;  Benj.  N.  Truman,  i.  Clin- 
ton Township  ;  John  Biddle,  31  ;  Austin  Wing,  6  ; 
Gabriel  Richard,  7.  Shelby  Township  :  John  Bid- 
dle, 15;  Austin  Wing,  26.  Harrison  Township: 
Gabriel  Richard,  -ai  ;  John  Biddle,  9  ;  Austin 
Wing,  45.  Washington  Township:  John  Biddle, 
34;  Austin  E.  Wing,  24. 

Member  Legislative  council,  1827. —  Clinton: 
John  Stockton  d.,  40;  Wm.  A.Burt  w.,  2;  John 
K.  Smith,  I  ;  Shelby:  John  Stockton  d.,  15  ;  Wm. 
A.  Burt  w,  17.  Ray;  Wm.  A.  Burt  w,  16;  John 
Stockton  d,  y.  Washington:  Wm.  A.  Burt  w,  40; 
John  Stockton  d,  30.  Harrison  :  John  Stockton, 
45.  John  Stockton  received  139,  and  Wm.  A.Burt 
75  votes. 


County  con 
d,  50 ;  Calvi 


Cong} 


Com; 


1829. — Harrison:  Gabriel  Richard,  89; 


John  Biddle,  31  ;  John  R.  Williams,  3.  Wash- 
ington :  Gabriel  Richard,  13;  John  R.  Williams,  I; 
Christopher  Arnold,  i  ;  John  Biddle,  I.  Clinton  : 
John  Biddle,  Jg ;  Gabriel  Richard,  5;  John  R. 
Williams,  I.  Shelby:  John  Biddle,  37;  Gabriel 
Richard,  g.     Ray  :  John  Biddle,  35. 

Member  Legislative  council,  i82g. —  Harrison  : 
John  Stockton,  110;  Wm.  A.  Burt,  13.  Clinton: 
John  Stockton,  14  ;  Wm.  A.  Burt,  12.  Shelby:  John 
Stockton,  32;  Wm.  A.  Burt  w,  12.  Washington: 
Wm.  A.  Burt,  73  ;  John  Stockton,  51.  Desmond, 
St.  Clair,  Coltrellville:  John  Stockton,  83;  Wm 
A.  Burt, 97.  Ray:  Wm.A.  Burt  w,  29  ;  John  Stock- 
ton d,  5. 

County  coroner,  1829. — Harvey  Cook,  Harrison, 
32  ;  Washington,  84  ;  Clinton,  44  ;  Ray,  29  ;  Shel- 
by,  2. 

Countv  Treasurer,  1S29. — Harrison:  Ezekiel  Al- 
len, 34  ;  John  S.  .'Vxford,  4.  Washington:  Ezekiel 
Allen.  iS  ;  John  S.  Axford,  S3.  Clinton:  John  S. 
Axford,  25  ;  Ezekiel  Allen,  39.  Ray  :  Ezekiel  Al- 
len. 4  ;  John  S.  Axford,  26.  Shelby,  John  S.  Ax- 
ford, 23 ;  Ezekiel  Allen,  8.  After  the  election  of 
1829,  Mr.  Burt  became  a  Democrat,  and  observed 
the  principles  of  that  party  ftntil  his  death  in  1858. 
1831. 

Congress,  1831. — Clinton  :  John  R.  Williams,  40; 
Sam.  W.  Dexter,  27  ;  Austin  E.  Wing,  44.  Ray  : 
Austin  E.  Wing,  i  ;  John  F.  Williams,  5  ;  Sam.  W. 
Dexter,  31.  Washington:  Sam.  W.  Dexter,  100; 
Austin  E.  Wing,  36  ;  John  R.  Williams,  22.  Harri- 
son :  John  R.  Williams,  69;  Austin  E.  Wing,  57  ; 
Sam  W.  Dexter,  3.  Shelby  :  Sam.  W.  Dexter,  49  ; 
Austin  E.  Wing,  16;  John  R.  Williams,  5. 

Member  Legislative  council,  1831. — -St.  Clair 
John  Stockton,  91 ;  Alfred  Ashley,  89.  Washington 
Alfred  Ashley,  122  ;   John  Stockton,  40.      Clinton 


^^ 


riv 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


t>L. 


John  Stockton,  54;  Alfred  Ashley,  57.      Ray:     Al- 
fred Ashley,   41;    John    Stockton,    25.     Harrison: 
Alfred  Ashley,  10;  John  Stockton,    121.       Shelby: 
Alfred  Ashley,  49  ;  John  Stockton,  36. 
•1832. 

l't>/c- on  expediency  of  State  Government,  October 
22,  1832. — Ray  Township  33  yes,  2  no;  Shelby 
Township  43  yes,  27  no  ;  Harrison  Township  I  yes, 
60  no  ;  Washington  Township  45  yes,  9  no. 

County  Treasurer  1832. — Shelby;  Hiram  Calkins 
49  ;  Ezra  B.  Throop,  ig.  Ray  :  Ezra  B.  Throop,  o; 
Hiram  Calkins,  46.  Harrison  :  Hiram  Calkins,  I  ; 
Ezra  B.  Throop,  76.  Washington  :  Ezra  B.  Throop, 
19;  Hiram  Calkins,  gg. 

Coroner,  1832.— Shelby  :  Anthony  King,  28  ;  Ray  : 
46;  Harrison  :  12  ;  Washington  :  43. 

1833- 

Congress,  1833. — Austin  E.  Wing,  36  ;  Wm.  Wood- 
bridge,  220  ;  Lucius  Lyon,  259. 

Members  Legislative  council,  1833. — Ralph  Wad- 
hams  d,  249  ;  John  Stockton  d,  402. 

1835. 

Treasurer.— U.  H.  Cady  d.,  499;  Syl.  T.  At- 
wood  w.,  278. 

Coroner. — Harvey  Cook  d.,  497  ;  Lyman  T.  Jenny, 
260. 

Registrar. — John  Stockton   d.,  487  ;  Richard  But- 
ler w,  271 ;  Rodney  O'Cooley,  12. 
1S36. 

Probate  Judge.— Vrescolt  B.  Thurston  w,  288  ; 
Christian  Clemens  d,  146  ;   Calvin  Davis  d,  201. 

Associate  Judges. — Ebenezer  Hall  w,  164  ;  Samuel 
S.  Axford  d,  550 ;  Horace  Stevens  d,  487  ;  Minot  T. 
Lane,  78. 

Sheriff. — Abram  Freeland  d,  507  :  Daniel  Chand- 
ler w,  109  ;  Orison  Sheldon  w,  18. 

County  clerk. —  Amos  Dolby  d,  447  ;  Aaron 
Weeks  w,  20;  Prescott  B.  Thurston  w,  119  ;  Benj. 
M.  Freeland  d,  2.  ' 

Registrar. — Amos  Dolby  d,  245  ;  James  Brown 
w,  107  ;  G.  W.  Knapt  d,  205  ;  Gideon  Gates  w,  92  ; 
Prescott  B.  Thurston  w,  9:  Richard  Butler  w,  i. 

Treasurer. — Rodney  O.  Cooley  d,  516;  Wm.  A. 
Burt  d,  5  ;  Aaron  Weeks  w,  102. 

Coroners. — William  Olds  d,  635  ;  Harry  B.  Teed 
d.  337  ;  Benj.  N.  Freeman  w,  79 ;  Norman  Perry  w, 
168. 

County  surveyors. — Joel  W.  Manly  d,  436  ;  Wm. 
A.  Burt  d,  192. 


Presidential  Electors. — David  C.  McKinstry,  397  ; 

Daniel  Le  Roy,  ;   Wm.    H.  Hoag, ;    Wol- 

cott  Lawrence,  44;  William  Draper ;   Wm.  H. 

Walsh, . 

Sci!ators.-]3.coh  Summers  d,  536 ;  William  Draper, 
w,  89  ;  Thomas  J.  Drake  w,  35  ;  Randolph  Manning 
d,  414  ;  John  Clarke  d,  408. 

Representatives. — Isaac  Munfore  d,  679  ;  Tinus 
S.  Gilbert  vv,  23S  ;  William  Canfield  d,  134  ;  Ephraim 
Calkins  d,  547  ;  Alfred  Goodell  d,  28S. 

1S37. 

Governof,  1S37. — Charles  C.  Trowbridge  w,  633; 
Stevens  T.  Mason  d,  426;  Ed.  D.  Ellis  — ,  88. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1837. — Daniel  S.  Bacon  w, 
607  ;  Edward  Mundy  d,  421  ;  John  Biddle  w,  138. 

Senafois,  1S37. — S.  V.  R.  Trowbridge  w,  617; 
Thomas  J.  Drake  w,  629;  Elijah  F.  Cook  d,  469; 
John  Barton  d.  463. 

Representatives,  1S37. — Richard  Butler  vv,  6l6  ; 
Orison  Sheldon  w,  6o3  ;  Caleb  Wilber  w,  loi  ; 
Minot  T.  Lane  w,  602  ;  Robert  P.  Eldredge  d,  488  ; 
Ephraim  Calkins  d,  371 ;  Alfred  Goodell  d,  472; 
Isaac  J.  Grovier  d,  47 ;  Calvin  Davis  d,  39  ;  Alex- 
ander Tackles  d,  42. 

Congress,  1837. — Isaac  E.  Crary  d,  265  ;  Heze- 
kiah  G.  Wells  w,  275. 

183S. 

Congress,  1S3S. — Isaac  E.  Crary  d,  704;  Heze- 
kiah  G.  Wells  w,  610. 

State  senators,  1S38. — Jacob  Summers  d,  677 ; 
Ebenezer  B.  Harrington  d,  671  ;  Reuben  R.  Smith 
w.  611  ;  Ira  Porter  w,  623. 

Representatives,  1838. — Isaac  J.  Grovier  d,  693 
Samuel  Axford  d,  661  ;  Alexander  Tackles  d,  678 
Richard  Butler  w,  565  ;  Henry  R.  Schetterly  d,  590 
Ornon  Archer  w,  536 ;  Minot  T.  Lane  w,  45  ;  Hiram 
Sherman  w,  3 ;  James  L.  Conger  w,  25. 

Sheriff',  1838. — Calvin  Davis  d,  706 ;  Orson  Shel- 
don w,  595  ;  Henry  M.  Dodge  d,  I. 

County  commissioners,  183S. — Sanford  H.  Corbin 
d,  692 ;  Ephraim  Calkins  d,  720 ;  Solomon  Porter 
d,  673  ;  Ebenezer  Hall  vv,  582  ;  Payne  K.  Leech  w, 
611;  Azariah  W.  Sterling  w,  613;  Capt.  Bachelor, 
I ;  Richard  Butler,  i. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1838. — Thomas  R.  Bourne  w, 
585  ;  Amos  Dalby  d,  719. 

County  clerk,  1S38. — Amos  Dalby  d,  745  ;  Calvin 
S.  Williams  vv,  557. 

Coroners,  1S38. — William  Lewis  d,  696  ;  Alfred 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Goodell  d,  6S9  ;  Isaac  Russ  w,  5gS  ;  Linus  S.   Gil- 
bert w,  601 ;   Ebenezer  Hall.  i. 

County  surveyor,  183S. — Joel  W.  Manley  d,  7S5  ; 
Orrin  Southwell.  4S0. 

County  Treasuiet.  Henry  M.  Dodge  d,  689  ;  Nor- 
man Perry  w,  610. 

1839- 

Governor,  1839. — William  Woodbridge  w,  Soy  ; 
Elon  Farnsworth  d,  7S6. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1839. — James  W.  Gordon  vv, 
807;  Thomas  Fitzgerald  d,  783. 

Senator,  1839.— Robert  ^-  Eldredge  d,  S19;  Jus- 
tin Rice  w,  735. 

Representatives,  1839. — Dewitt  C.  Walker  d,  797  ; 
Samuel  Axford  d,  792 ;  John  Stockton  d,  789 ; 
Azariah  W.  Sterling  w,  762  ;  Hiram  Andrews  w, 
761 ;  James  L.  Conger  w,  723 ;  Alexander  D. 
Thurston  d,  i  ;  Dexter  Mussey  w,  i ;  P.  B.  Thurs- 
ton w,  I  ;  Richard  Butler  w,  2;  Ebenezer  Hall  w, 
2;  Dr.  E.  Hall  w,  I. 

County  commissioners.  1839. — Ephraim  Calkins 
d,  S08;   Payne  K.  Leach  w,  718:   R.  Butler,,  i. 

Constitutional  Amemhnent,  1839. — For  amend- 
ment, 266  ;  against  amendment,  453. 

Court-House  Loan,  1S39. — For  the  loan,  242; 
against  the  loan,  1,024. 

1840. 

PresiJcntial  Electors,  1840.  —  Charles  Moran  d, 
Kinsley  S.Bingham  d,  Charles  E.  Stuart  d,  :r24; 
Thomas  J.  Drake  w,  John  Van  Fo<;sen  w,  Hezekiali 
G.  Wells  w,  9S2. 

Congress,  1840. — Alpheus  Felch  d,  H39  ;  Jacob 
M.  Howard  w,  973;  Asa  Avers  w,  i  ;  Richard  But- 
ler w,  I ;  Gardner  D.  Williams  w,  i. 

Senator,  1S40. — James  L.  Conger  w,  9S5  ;  Dewitt 
C.  Walker  w,  1121. 

Representatives,  1S40. — John  Stockton  d.  1156; 
Gurden  C.  Leech  d,  1122;  Josiah  Lee  d,  1128; 
Wm.  Henry  Warren  w,  947;  Hiram  Andrews  w. 
973  ;  Minot  T.  Lane  w,  971. 

Sheriff,  1840 — Lyman  B.  Price  d,  1137;  .■\zariah 
W.  Sterling  w.  975. 

Judge  of  Probate,  1840.— Peter  S.  Palmer  d, 
•1128  ;  Prescott  B.  Thurston  w,  982. 

Treasurer,  :840.  —  Henry  M.  Dodge  d,  I150; 
Joseph  Hubbard  w,  963. 

Comity  clerk,  1840. — Orson  Sheldon  w,  943;  Anios 
Dalby  d,  1163. 


County  Registrar,  1840. — Orson  Sheldon  w,  942  ; 
Amos  Dalby  d,  1162. 

County  Juilges,  1840. — Azariah  Prentis  d,  11 14; 
Hiron  Hathaway  d,  1139;  Ebenezer  Hall  w,  974  ; 
Justin  H.  Butler  w,  974. 

Coroners,  1840. — Daniel  Shattuck  d,  1140;  Masin 
Harris  d,  1 137;  Solomon  Lathrop  w,  975;  Valorous 
Maynard  w,  972. 

Surveyors,  1S40. — Joel  W.  Manley  d,  1168;  Joseph 
Cole,  940. 

County  commissioners. — Neil  Gray  d,  1:26;  Wm. 
M.  Willey,  976. 

1S41. 

Governor,  1S4T. — John  S.  B.irry  d,  1033  '.  Thilo 
C.  Fuller  w,  660;  Jnbez  S.  Fitch,  7. 

Lieutenant-Governor.  1840. — Origen  D.  Richard- 
son d,  1030;  Edmund  B.  Bostwick  w,  661. 

.Senators,  1841. — Jonathan  Shearer  d,  I0I2  ;  Ly- 
man Granger  d,  1014  ;  Joshiah  Snow  w,  678  ;  Syl- 
vester Warner  w.  663. 

Representatives,  1841. — Charles  B.  H.  Fessenden 
d,  994;  Hiron  Hathaway  d.  982;  Richard  Butler 
w,  705  ;  Geo.  Perkins  w,  640. 

County  commissioners,  1841. — Henry  Teats  d, 
1027  ;  Alfred  Ashley  w,  625. 

Jiiifye  of  Probate,  1S41,  to  fill  Vacancy. — Pres- 
cott B.  Thurston  w,  425;  Porter  Kibbee  d,  437; 
Charles  B.  H.  Fessenden  d,  237. 

1842. 

Senators,  1842. — Jonathan  Shearer  d,  809;  Neil 
Gr.ay,  Sr.,  d,  775  ;  John  Biddle  w.  635  ;  Minot  T. 
Lane  w,  658  ;  Harvey  .S.  Bradley  w,  46 ;  Neil 
Gray.  40. 

Representatives,  1 842. — Samuel  Axford  d,  846 
Horace  H.  Cady  d,  797  ;  Richard  Butler  w,  692 
Solomon  Lathrop  w,  605  ;  Linus  F.  Gilbert  f  s,  33 
Chauncey  Church  f  s,  40. 

Sheriff,  1842.— .^mos  B.  Cooley  d,  816:  Joseph 
Hubbard  w,  597  ;  Thomas  L.  Sackett  f  s,  44. 

Treasurer,  1842, — Thomas  M.  Perry  d,  S05  ; 
Prescott  B.  Thurston  w,  677  ;  Humphrey  Shaw,  40; 
Asa  B.  Ayres,  i. 

Registrar  of  recti s.  1842. — Amos  Dalby  d,  954 
Almerin  Tinker  w,  549 ;  Norton   L.  Miller,  40. 

County  clet k,  1842. — Amos  Dalby  d,  975;  Norton 
S.  Miller  w,  56S. 

County  Surveyor,  1S42. — Joel  W.  Manley  d,  946  ; 
CoUatinus  Day  w,  573. 

County  coroner,  1842. — Josiah  Lee  d,  8gi;  Daniel 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


4A 


Shattuck  d,  Sgo  ;  Benj.  T.  Castle  w.  6io;  David 
Stone  w,  606;  John  Sowle  f  s,  34;  Samuel  H. 
Miller  f  s,  40. 

1843. 

Governor,  1843. — John  S.  Barry  d,  SSg;  Zina 
Pitcher  w,  594;  James  G.  Birney  f  s,  72. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1S43. — Origen  D.  Richard- 
son d,  S72 ;  James  B.  Larne  w.  590  ;  Luther  F. 
Stevens,  71. 

Congress,  1843. — James  B.  Hunt  d,  S93  ;  Thomas 
J.  Drake  w,  487;  William  Canfield  f  s,  66. 

Senators,  1843. — Lorenzo  M.  Mason  d,  839;  True 
P.  Tucker  w,  656. 

Con.  Ret<reseniatives,  1843 — Dewitt  C.  Walker  d, 
7S8 ;  Philo  Tillson  d,  S6g  ;  James  L.  Conger  w,  702; 
Wm.  A.  Burt  w,  587  ;  James  H.  Green  56  ;  Chaun- 
cey  Church.  57. 

Constitutional  Amendments  of  1S42  submitted, 
1S43. — For  Amendment,  1069.  Against  Amend- 
ment, 79. 

1844- 

Presidential  Electors,  1844 — Parley  J.  Spalding  d, 
Louis  Beaufait  d,  Charles  P.  Bush  d,  1359;  George 
Readfield  d,  Samuel  Axford  d,  JohnBiddle  d,  Cogs- 
well K.  Greene  d,  James  L.  Conger  d,  Morton  H. 
Beckvvith  \v.  Darius  C.  Jackson  w,  964;  Arthur  L. 
Porter  f  s.  Chandler  Carter  f  s,  John  W.  King  f  s, 
Erastus  Hussey  f  s,  Chester  Gurney  I  s  140. 

Congtess,\%\\ — James  B.  Hunt  d,  1367  ;  George 
W.  Wisner  w,  977  ;  William  Canfield  a,  116. 

Senators,  1S44 — Abner  C.  Smith  d,  1313;  William 
Hale  d,  1362  ;  Richard  Butler  w,  1013  ;  Henry  B. 
Holbrook  w,  964 ;  James  H.Green  a,  114;  Rufus 
Thayer,  Jr. a,  118. 

Constitutional  Amendments  submitted  to  the  people 
1844 — For  amendments,  1257  ;  against,  143. 

Representatives,  1844 — Harlehigh  Carter  d,  1254  ; 
Calvin  Davis  d,  134S  ;  Henry  D.  Terry  w,  1025  ; 
Dexter  Mussey  w,  looi  ;  Pliny  Corbin  f  w  s,  loS  ; 
Chauncy  Church  f  w  s.  113  ;  Charles  Chappel,  6. 

County  sheriff,  1844 — John  G.  Dixon  d,  13S3  ; 
Payne  K.  Leach  w,  948  ;  James  H.  Rose  a,  I2t. 

County  clerk,  1S44 —  Amos  Dalby  d,  1390  ; 
Norton  L.  Mdler  w,  943  ;  Carlton  Sabin  a,  116. 

Registrar  of  Deeds  1844 — Henry  Teats  d,  1376  , 
Norton  L.  Miller  w,  951 ;  Carlton  Sabin  a,  n6. 

County  Treasurer,  1844 — Thomas  M.  Perry  d, 
1374  ;  Elias  Scott  w,  962  :  Humphrey   Shaw  a,  120. 


Jud'^e  of  Probate,  1844 — Porter  Kibbee  d,  1359; 
John  J.  Leonard  w,  953  ;  Humphrey  Shaw  a,  117. 

Associate  Judges,  1844 — Alexander  Tackles  d, 
1361  ;  Jacob  Summers  d,  1331  ;  Hiram  Andrews  w, 
967  ;  Solomon  Lathrop  w,  967  ;  James  McKay  a, 
117  ;  Hiram  Granger  a,  120. 

Coroners,  1844 — Abram  Freeland  d,  1334  ;  William 
"T.  Little  d,  1375  ;  Linus  S.  Gilbert  w,  967  ;  William 
Stevens  w,  963;  John  Soules  a,  117;  Jeremiah 
Sabin  a,  118. 

County  surveyor,  1844 — Charles  F.  Mallary  d, 
1305  ;  Collatinus  Day  w,  gi6  ;  Joel  W.  Manley  223. 

1S45. 

Governor.  1S45— Alphpus  Felch  d,  7S8  ;  Stephen 
Vickory  w,  559  ;  James  G.  Berney  a,  136. 

Lieutenant-Governor ,  1845 — William  L.  Greenly 
H,  787  ;  John  M.  Lamb  w,  560  ;  Nathan  M.  Thomas 
a,  133. 

Senators,  1845 — Gel  Rix  d,  S07  ;  Morgan  Bates  w, 
551  ;  William  Canfield  a,  120. 

Representatives,  1845 — Dewitt  C.  Walker  d,  709; 
Chauncey  G.  Cady  d.  674  ;  Payne  K.  Leach,  jr.  w, 
696  ;  Linus  S.  Gilbert  w,  607  ;  Humphrey  Shaw  w, 
no  ;  William  A.  Chapman,  22t. 

Messrs.  Cady  and  Gilbert  were  declared  elected  ; 
but  lost  such  seats  on  account  of  the  Committee  on 
Elections  deciding  that  the  votes  given  for  C.  G. 
Cady  could   not  be  counted  for  Chauncey  G.  Cady. 

1846. 

Congress.  1846 — Kingsley  S.  Bingham  d,  S77  ; 
George  W.  Wisner  w,  708  ,  William  Canfield  a,  126. 

Senators,  1846 — Robert  P.  Eldridge  d,  754; 
Andrew  T.  McReynolds,  d,  732  ;  Andrew  T. 
McReynolds  d,  58;  John  E.  Schwartz  w,  613  ;  John 
E  Schwartz  d,  149  ;  Jacob  M.  Howard  w,  691 ;  Eben 
J.  Perrinman,  687  ;  Linus  S.  Gilbert.  651  ;  Silas  M. 
Holmes,  123;  Wm.  S.  Gregory,  118;  Jeremiah 
Sabin,  120. 

Representatives,  1S46 — Jacob  Shooke  d,  900 
Lyman  B.  Price  d,  S37 ;  Alfred  Goodell  d,  764 
Hiram  Sherman  w,  697  ;  George  W.  Merrill  w,  71 1 
Giles  Hubbard  w,  730;  Robert  McKay  a,  126 
Daniel  Chandler  a,  116  ;  Nathaniel  Carter  a,  122. 

County  sheriff,  1846. — John  G.  Dixon  d,  757; 
Varnum  Lufkin  w,  Sio;  Humphrey  Shaw  a,  in. 

County  clerk,  1846. — Thomas  J.  Rutler  d,  737; 
Robert  Thompson  w,  838,  James  Vaughn   a,  114. 

County    Treasurer,   1846. — Thomas    M.  Perry   d. 


HISTORY   OP  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


_®|^ 


825;  Norman  Perry  w.  746;  John  R.  Tyson  a,  117. 
Seath  Brannock,   I. 

A\xh-lrar  of  Dffds,  1S46.— Henry  Teats  d,  840. 
Orin  Freeman  w,  721;  Mason  Cole  a,  loS. 

Jml^e  of  rouiity  court,  1846.—  Robert  P.  EI- 
dredge  d.  720,  John  J.  Leonard  w,  777;  William 
Canfield  a,  120. 

Second  Judge  Co.  court,  1846,— Charles  Marble 
Jr.  d,  848;  Isaac  B.  Gilbert  w,  705;  Pliny  Corbin  a, 
llg;  Charles  Marble  d,  27. 

County  coroners,  1846. — Asa  R.  Mosher  d,  823; 
Geo.  W.  Corey  d,  S72;  Thomas  F.  Dryer  w,  705; 
Asa.  M.  Harris  w,  6gg;  Daniel  Flagler  w,  ng; 
Joseph  T.  Foster  a,   ilg. 

County  surveyor,   1846. —  Charles   F.   Mallory  d, 
765;  Joel  W.  Manley  d,   225;  Ludwig  Wessalouski 
w,  2;  Orson  Inglesbee  w,  544. 
1847. 

Governor,  1847. — James  M.  Edmunds  w.  670; 
Epaphroditus  Ransom    d,  g72;  Chester  Gurney   a, 

39- 

Lieutenant-Governor  1847. — Hiram  L,  Miller  w, 
677;  William  M.  Fenton  d,  g67;  Horace  Hallock  a, 

39- 

Senators,  1847. — Eber.  Ward  w,  675;  Jacob  M. 
Howard  w,  67g;  Geo.  R.  Griswold  d.  g7r;  Charles 
A.  Loomis  d,  g70;  William  Gregory  a,  23;  Jeremiah 
Sabin  a,  24. 

Representatives.  1847. — Henry  D.  Terry  vv,  S46 
Geo.  W.  Merrill  w,  684;  Hiram  Sherman  w,  680 
John  B.  St.  John  d,  982;  Minot  T.  Lane  d,  gio 
Aldis  L.  Rich  d,  787. 

1848. 

Presidential  Electors,  1S4S.— John  S. Barry  d,  1340; 
Lorenzo.  M.  Mason  d,  1340;  Rix  Robinson  d,  1340; 
Horace  C.  Thirbur  d,  1340;  William  T.  Howell  d, 
1340.  Jacob  M.  Howard  w,  855;  Hezekiah  G. 
Wells  w.  855;  Henry  Waldron  w,  S55;  Henry  B. 
Lathrop  w,  S55;  Hiram  L.  Miller  w,  855.  F.  J. 
Littlejohn  204;  James  F.  Joy  204;  I.  V.  Christiancy 
204;  S.  B,  Treadwell  204;  Wm.  Gilmour  204. 

Congress,  1848. — Kinsley  S.  Bingham  d,  1237, 
Geo.  H.  Hazleton  w,  891;  John  M.  Lamb   a,   15S. 

Senators,  1848.— Titus  Dort  d,  1328;  Jacob  Sum- 
mers d,  1276;  William  Woodbridge  w,  1080;  Wm. 
M.  Campbell  w,   1068. 

Representatives,  1848. — Israel  Curtiss  d,  I32g; 
Chauncey  G.  Cady  d,  1326;  James  Flower  d,  I24g; 
Giles  Hubbard  w,  973;   Albert   E.   Leete  w,  gog; 


Alvin  L.  Gilbert  w,  8g7 ;  Joseph  Ayres  a,  177; 
Dan'l  Chandler  a,  177;  Jeremiah  Sabin  a,  i6g. 

Judge  of  Probate,  1848. — Lyman  B.  Price  d, 
1 184;  Prescott  B.  Thurston  w,  1188. 

County  sheriff,  1848. —  Milo  Selleck  d,  1137; 
Varnum  Luf  kin  w,   1004  ;  W.  R.  Blakeman,  214. 

County  cletk,  184S. — Ira  Stout  d,  1350;  Orin 
Freeman  w,  876;  Harlow  Green  a,  175. 

County  Treasurer,  1848. — Allen  P.  Bentley  d, 
1294;  Robert  Thompson  w,  934;  James  Alexander 

a,  173- 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1848. — Richard  Butler  w, 
940;  Robert  H.  Wallace  d,  125S;  Joseph  D.  Gilbert 
187. 

Associate  Judges,  1848.— Alfred  Ashley  w,  702  ; 
Hiram  Andrews  w,  704. 

County  coroners,  1S48.— Abraham  Freeland  d, 
1154;  Moses  T.  Smith  d,  1146;  Elon  Andrus  w, 
815;  Aratus  Smith  w,  7gg. 

County  surveyor,  1848.— Charles  F.  Mallary  d, 
1 164;  Justus  R.  Crandall  w,  783;  Joel  W.  Manley  a, 

183. 

iS4g. 

Governor,  18  19.— John  S.  Barry  d,_li76  ;  Flavins 
J.  Littlejohn,  748. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  iS4g. — William  M.  Fenton 
d,  1 177  ;  George  A.  Coe,  773. 

i'/rt^f /'"■«'«•,  i84g.— Rensselaer  Ingals,  1175; 
Hubbard  H.  Duncklee,  765- 

Senators,  1849.— Joseph  T.  Copeland  d,  1161  : 
Andrew  Harvie  d,  1175;  Daniel  Pittman  w,  765  ; 
True  P.  Tucker  w,  751. 

Representatives,  1849.— John  Stockton  d,  1098; 
Ilarlehigh  Carter  d,  997 ;  Cortez  P.  Hooker  d, 
1 172;  Richard  Butler  w,  6S9;  Chauncey  Church  w, 
751  ;  Alvin  L.  Gilbert  w,  778. 

Constitutional  Amendment  suhmitted  to  the  Peo- 
ple. 1849.— For  the  Amendment,  131 1  ;  against  the 
Amendment,  II. 

]'ote  on  calling  a  convention  to  make  a  general 
revision  of  the  constitution,  l84g.— For  the  Conven- 
tion, 1 106  ;  against,  126. 

1S50. 

Delegates  to  convention,  June  1850.— Pewitt  C. 
Walker  d,  6g2 ;  Charles  W.  Chappel  d,  663  ;  An- 
drew S.  Robertson  d,  669;  Hiron  Hathaway  d, 
696  ;  Payne  K.  Leach  w,  442  ;  Alonzo  A.  Goodman 
w,  437;  Alvin  L.Gilbert  w,  427;  Dexter  Mussey 
w,  442. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


fcv 


yudgi's  of  the  supreme  court,  1850. — Warner 
Wing  d,  1315  ;  Sandford  M.  Green  d,  1301  ;  Abner 
Pratt  d,  1300  ;  Henry  Chipman  w,  868  ;  Samuel  H. 
Kimball  w,  858  ;  Charles  Draper  w,  860. 

Auditor  General,  1850. — John  Swegles,  Jr.  d, 
1315  ;  Elisha  P.  Chapman  w,  836  ;  S.  J.  M.  Ham- 
mond a,  23. 

State  Treasurer,  1S50. — Bernard  C.  Whittemore 
ti.  1315;  James  Birdsall  w,  836;  Delemer  Duncan 
pro,  22. 

Secretary  of  state,  1850. — Charles  H.  Taylor  d, 
I3r4;  George  Martin  w,  837;  Joseph  Chudsey  a, 
24- 

A ttoniey  Genera/,  iSso. — William  Hale  d,  1319  ; 
Austin  Blair  w,  856. 

Superintendent  Public  Instruction,  1850. — Francis 
W.  .Shearman  d,  1319  ;  Samuel  Barston  w,  839; 
Dewitt  C.  Leech  a,  22. 

Senators.  1850. — Titus  Dort  d,  1307  ;  Henry  C. 
Kibbee  d,  1202;  Payne  K.  Leach  w,  915;  F.  Liv- 
ingstone w,  848. 

Congress,  1S50. — James  L.  Conger  w,  Illg  ; 
Charles  C.  Hascall  d,  944  ;  Kingsley  S.  Bingham  a, 
10. 

Representatives,  1850. — David  Shook  d,  1 192; 
George  Chandler  d,  1302;  Sanford  \\.  Corbin  d, 
ll92;Alonzo  A.  Goodman  w,  944;  H.  Burke  w, 
S5S  :  Aratus  Smith  w,  929. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1850. — Dewitt  C.  Walker 
d,  1018  ;  Giles  Hubbard  w,  1118. 

County  Judge,  1850.— Abner  C.  Smith  d,  1 138  ; 
John  J.  Leonard  \v,  997. 

Second  county  Judge,  \?:%o. — Samuel  P.  Canfield 
d.  1252;   Hiram  Andrus  w,  889. 

County  sheriff,  1850. —  Walter  Porter  d  1242; 
John  H.  Kaple  w,  904. 

County  cletk,  1850. — Theron  Cudworth  d,  1246  ; 
E.  L.  Freeman  w.  874. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1850.— Robert  H.  Wallace  d, 
1263  ;  Charles  A.  Lathrop  w,  895. 

County  Treasurer,  1850. — Allen  P.  Bentley  d, 
125 1  ;  Justus  R.  Crandrall  w,  S89. 

County  su>-ryor,  1850. — Harvey  Mellen  d,  998  ; 
Ludwig  Wesolouski  w,  1161. 

County  coroners,  1850. —  Ira  Spencer  d,  1207  ; 
David  H.  Brown  d,  1252  ;  William  A.  Edwards  w, 
904  ;  Orson  Ingoldsby  w,  901. 

Constitutional  Amendments,  1850.  —  For  the 
Amendments,  1294  ;  against,  582. 


Suffrage  to  colored  Persons.  1S50.— For  suffrage, 
448  ;  against,  1375. 

1851. 

Governor,  1851.  —  Robert  McClellan  d,  776; 
Townsend  E.  Gridley  w,  386. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1S51. —  Calvin  Britain  d, 
774  ;  George  H.  Hazleton  w,  3S7  ;  Gabriel  Yates 
—  2. 

Circuit  Judge,  1 85 1.— Joseph  T.  Copeland  d, 
1244  ;  Moses  Wisner  w,  923  ;  Origin  D.  Richardson 
d,  10. 

Regent  of  the  University,  1851.— Charles  H. 
Palmer  d,  1413  :  Marcus  H.  Miles  w,  756. 

1852. 

Presidential  Electors,  1852. — John  S.  Barry  d, 
1634  ;  Wm.  McCauley  d,  1635  ;  John  Stockton  d, 
1633  ;  Daniel  I.  Campau  d,  1S34  ;  Salmon  Sharpe  d, 
1096  ;  Abraham  Edwards  d,  1634  ;  John  Owens  w, 
1058  ;  George  A.  Coe  w,  1059  ;  Townsend  E.  Grid- 
ley  d,  1060 ;  Daniel  S.  Bacon  w,  1059  !  Alex.  H. 
Morrison  w,  1060  ;  Wm.  M.  Thompson  w,  1060  ; 
Chester  Gurney  a,  509 ;  Horace  Hallock  a,  509  ; 
S.  B.  Treadwell  a,  509  ;  Robert  R.  Beecher  a,  509  ; 
Nathan  M.  Thomas  a,  =109 ;  Dewitt  C.  Leach  a, 
509. 

Congress,  1852. — Hester  L.Stevens  d,  1631  ;  Geo. 
Bradley  w,  1 124  ;  Ephraim  Calkins  a,  424. 

Senator,  1852. — John  S.  Smith  d,  1590  ;  Ira  H; 
Butteifield  w,  1176  ;  Levi  W.  Stone  a,  412. 

Governor,  1S52.— Robert  McClellan  d,  164S  ; 
Zachariah  Chandler  w,  iioo  ;  Isaac  P.  Christiancy 
a.  449- 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1852. — Andrew  Parsons  d, 
1665  ;  David  S.  Walbridge  w,  918  ;  Erastus  Hussey 

a,  474- 

Secretary  of  state,  1S52. —  William  Graves  d, 
1656  ;  Geo.  E.  Pomeroy  w,  1069  ;  Francis  Denison 
a.  479- 

Auditor  General,  1S52. — John  .Swegles  d,  1653  . 
Whitney  Jones  w,  1071  ;    William   Wheeler  a,  419. 

State  Treasurer,  1852. — Bernard  C.  Whittemore 
d,  1657  ;  Sylvester  Abel  w,  1066  ;  Silas  M.  Holmes 
a,  478. 

Attorney  General,  \?ic,z. — William  Hale  d,  1651; 
Nathaniel  Bacon  w,  1073  ;    Hovey  K.  Clark  a,  477. 

Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1852. — 
Francis  W.  Shearman  d,  1654  ;  Joseph  Penney  w, 
1066  ;  Upton  T.  Howe  a,  482. 

Commissioner  state   Land   Office,    1852. —  Porter 


~a    "V 


316 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Kibbee  d,  1677;  Jonathan  R.  White  w,  1033; 
Nathan  Power  a,  482. 

Sfii/t-  Board  of  Educai'uni,  1S52. — Isaac  E.  Ciavy, 
d,  1522  ;  Gideon  O.  Whittemore  d,  1520  ;  Chauncy 
Toslyn  d,  1522  ;  Joseph  R.  Williams  w,  965  ;  Syl- 
vester Lamed  w,  965  ;  George  Spencer,  79  ;  James 
A.  B.  Stone,  441  ;  Edwin  B.  Fairfield,  440 ;  Enoch 
M.  Bartlett,  441 ;  Grove  Spencer  w.  884. 

Representatives,  1852. — Samuel  P.  Canfield  d, 
5 58  ;  William  Jenny  w,  526  ;  Arnold  Hardwood  w, 
i;  Oliver  Adams  w,  500 ;  Arnold  Hardwood  w, 
igg  ;  William  Jenny  w,  14  •  L.  I.  Wicker  a,  217  ; 
Wm.  A.  Burt  d,  504  ;  Hiram  Calkin  w,  281. 

Judge  of  Probate.  1852.— Harlehigh  Carter  d, 
136S  ;  Prescott  B.  Thurston  w,  1459  ;  Robert  Mc- 
Kay f  s,  345. 

Cireuil  court  coiiitnissiouers.  1852. —  Andrew  S. 
Robertson  d,  1645';  Prescott  B.  Thurston  w.  1256. 

Coitntv  sheriff — Thomas  Goldy  d,  1518;  Tru- 
man R.  Andrews  w,  1162  ;  James  Alexander  a,  437. 

County  clerk,  1852.— John  S.  Fletcher  d,  1654  ; 
Charles  Andrews  w,  1058  ;  Carlton  Sabin  a,  428. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1852. — Abner  C.  Smith  d, 
1434  :  Giles  Hubbard  w,  1442. 

Ref^islrar  of  Deeds,  1852. — John  T.  Traver  d, 
1517;  Robert  Thompson  w,  1214;  Henry  C.  Ed- 
gerly  a,  440. 

County  Treasurer.  1852. — Joshua  B.  Dickenson 
d,  1660 ;  Justus  R.  Crandall  w,  1034 ;  David 
Chandler  a.  481. 

County  surveyor,  1852. —  George  E.  Adair  d, 
1446;  Ludwig  Wesaloiiski  w,  1253  ;  Austin  Burt  a. 
467. 

County  coroners. — Abraham  Freeland  d,  1624  ; 
David  11.  Brown  d,  1635  ;  Jacob  P.  Davis  w,  1056  ; 
Lewis  Drake  w,  1054  ;  Herman  Palmerlee  a,  469  ; 
Ed.  I.  Wooley  a,  468. 

1S54. 

Governor,  1854, — John  S.  Barry  d,  1509;  Kings- 
ley  S.  Bingham  r,  1349. 

Lieutenant-Governor  1854. — William  A.  Rich- 
mond d,  1500;  Geo.  A.  Coe  r,  1328. 

Secretary  of  state,  1S54.— William  L.  Bancroft  d, 
1500;  John  McKenny  r,  1363. 

Auditoi  General,  1&S4- — John  Svvegles  d,  1499; 
Whitney  Jones  r,  1365. 

State  Treasurer,  1854. — Deraslus  Hinman  d,i4g6; 
Silas  M.  Holmes  r,  1368. 


Attorney  General,  1854.— Benj.  T.  H.  Witheral  d, 
1479;  Jacob  M.  Howard  r,  1362. 

Sup.  Pull.  Instruction,  1S54. — Francis  W.  Shear- 
man d,  1497  ;  Ira  Mahew  r,  1360. 

Cojnmissioner  state  Lands.  1854.  —  Allen  Good- 
rich d,  1501;  S.  B.  Treadwell  r,  1364. 

State  Board  of  Education,  1854. — Chauncey  Jos- 
lyn  d,  1499;  John  R.  Kellogg  r,  1366;  Elijah  H. 
Belcher  d,  1498  ;  Hiram  L.  Miller  r,  1367. 

Congress,  1854. — Geo.  W.  Peck  d,  1495;  Moses 
Wisner  r,  1 372. 

Senator,  1854. — Cortez  P.  Hooker  d,  1429;  Wm. 
Canfield  r,  1416. 

Representatives,  1854. — Hiron  Hathaway  d,  628  ; 
Isaac  Gilbert  r,  439  ;  John  L.  Beebe  r,  12  ;  Philander 
Ewell  d,  512  ;  John  L.  Bebee  r,  309;  Hiron  Hath- 
away d,  13;  Wm.  A.  Burt  d,  324;  Dexter  Mussey 
r,  60S. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  1S54. —  Abner  C. 
Smith  d,  1595  ;  Prescott  B.  Thurston  w,  1448. 

Sheriff.  1854.— Thomas  Golby  d,  1472;  Elisha 
Calkins  r,  1  347. 

County  clerk,  1854. — Perrin  Crawford  d,  1534; 
Alvin  L.  Gilbert  r,  1324. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1854. — Harlehigh  Carter  d, 
1301  ;  Giles  Hubbard  r,  1492. 

Registrar  of  Deeds.  1854. —John  Traver  d,  1524; 
John  D.  Standish  r,  1311. 

County  Treasurer,  1854. — Joshua  B.  Dickinson  d, 
14S7;  Thomas  L.  Sackett  r,  1344. 

County  surveyor,  1854. —  George  E.  Adair  d 
1492;  Austin  Burt  r,  1363. 

County  coroners.  1854. — Israel  Curtiss  d,  1492; 
D.  H.  Brown  d,  1499;  Herman  Palmerlee  r,  1367; 
Andred  I.  Heath  r,  1368. 

1S56. 

Presidential  Electors.  1856. — Michael  Shoemaker, 
d,  1,845;  Jonathan  ^-  l'^i"g  d,  1,846;  Robert  Crouse 
d,  1,846;  David  A.  Noble  d,  1,846;  John  C.  Blan- 
chard  d,  1,846  ;  Dewitt  C.  Walker  d,  1,844;  F- C. 
Beaman  r,  2,210;  Harmon  Chamberlain  r,  2,210; 
Chauncy  H.  Miller  r,  2,210;  Oliver  Johnson  r, 
2210;  William  H.  Withey  r,  2,210;  William  J. 
Drake  r,  2,210;  Rodney  C.  Paine,  30;  Peter  R. 
Adams,  30 ;  H.  W.  Wells,  30 ;  John  V.  Lyons,  30  ; 
Geo.  W.  Perkins,  30;  Abram  B.  Covell. 

Congress,  1856.— Dewitt  C.  Leech  r,  2,217  J  Geo. 
W.  Peck  d,  1861. 

Represeritatives,  1856. — Thomas    M.   Crocker   d, 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  JIACOMB   COUNTY. 


667;  Alonzo  A.  Goodman  r,  S27  ;  William  Brow- 
nell  d,  610  ;  Geo.  Moorhouse  r,  590  ;  Dexter  Mus- 
sey  r.  866  ;  Dewitt  C.  Walker  d,  4S2. 

Governor,  1S56 — Kingsley  S.  Bingham  r,  2,205  . 
Alpheus  Felch  d,  1,872. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1856 — Geo.  A.  Coe  r.  2.217; 
Edwin  H.  Lathrop  d,  1,867. 

Secretary  oj  slate,  1856 — John  McKenny  r,  2,- 
217;  F.  H.  Steven.s  d,   1867. 

Auditor  General,  1856.^ — David  B.  Dennis  d, 
1,867;  AY hltney  Jones  r,   2,215. 

Stale  Treasurer,  1856.— Robert  W.  Davis  d,  1,867; 
S.  M.  Holmes  r,  2,215. 

Attorney  General,  \%^t>. — Amos  Gould  d,  1,864; 
Jacob  M.  Howard  r,  2,215. 

Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1S56. — F. 
W.  Shearman  d,  1,864  ;   Ira  W.  Mayhew  r,  2,218. 

Commissioner  state  Land  Office,  1856.-- Allen 
Goodrich  d,   1,868  ;  S.  B.  Treadwell"  r,  2,213. 

Member  state  Board  of  Education,  1S56. — Daniel 
Blackman  d,  1,862  ;  George  Willard  r,  2,213. 

Senator,  1856. — William  Canfield  r,  2,293;  Alon- 
zo M.  Keeler  d,  1,761. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  1856. —  Harlehigh 
Carter  d,  1,780;  Eli^ha  F.  Mead  r,  2,281. 

Sheriff,  1856.— Robert  S.  Campbell  d.  1870; 
Charles  G.  Lamb  r,  2,202. 

County  clerk,  1856. — Julius  Rottman  d,  1,848  ; 
John  B.Ellsworth  r,  2,221. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1856. — Andrew  S.  Robert- 
son d,  i,8gi  ;  Richard  Butler  r,  2,l6S. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1S56. — Sanford  M.  Stone  d, 
1869;  Norton  L.  Miller  r,  2,208. 

Judge  of  Probate,  1856.— PhiloTillson  d,  1,789; 
Prescott  B.  Thurston  r,  2,268. 

County  Treasurer,  1856. — Robert  Teats  d,  1,862; 
Charles  B.  Matthews  r,  2,214. 

County  surveyor,  1856. — Ludwig  Wesalouski  d, 
i,g8S  ;  Addison  P.  Brewer  r,  2,192. 

County  coroners,  1856. —  Henry  O.  Taylor  d, 
1,871  ;  John  Milton  d,  1,869  !  Chauncey  G.  Cady  r, 
2,206;   Herman  Palmerlee  r,  2,200. 

1857- 

Chief  jFustice  supreme  court,  1 85 7. —  George 
Martin  r,   1,291;  Samuel  T.  Dougl.iss  d,   1,169. 

Associate  Justices,  1857. — Isaac  P.  Christiancy  r, 
1,292 ;  James  V.  Campbell  r,  1,292 ;  Randolph 
Manning  r,  1,296;  Warner  Wing  d,  I,i6g;  Abner 
Pratt  d,  1,152  ;  David  Johnson  d,   1,154. 


Circuit  Judge,  1857. — Sanford  M.  Green  r,  2,410; 
Harlehigh  Carter  d,   i. 

Regents  of  the  University,  iZ^l.-'G^o.  W.  Peck 
r,    1,287;  James  B.  Eldridge  d,  1,176. 


Governor,  1858. — Moses  Wisner  r,  1,791  ;  Charles 
E.  Stewart  d,   1,629. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1S5S. —  Edmund  B.  Fair- 
field r,  1,818  ;  Geo.  C.  Munroe  d,  1,622. 

Secretary  of  stale.  1858.— Nelson  G.  Isbell  r. 
1,807;  Jonathan  P.  King  d,   1,625. 

Auditor  General,  1S58. —  Daniel  L.  Case  r,  i.Sog  ; 
John  J.  Adams  d,  1,622. 

State  Treasurer,  1858. — John  McKinney  r,  1, 812; 
Edward  Carter  d,  1,620. 

Attorney  General,  1858. — Jacob  M.  Howard  r, 
1,809:  J.G.Sutherland  d,   1,622. 

Superintendent  Public  Instruction,  1S58. — John 
M.  Gregory  r,   1,813;  Dan.  C.  Jacokes  d,   1,617. 

Commissioner  state  Land  Office,  1858. — James  W. 
Sanborn  r,   1,806  ;  John  Ball  d,  1,622. 

State  Board  of  Education,  1858.— Wittier  J.  Bax- 
ter r,  1,810;  Andrew   N.  Moore  d,  1.622. 

Congress,  I S5S.— Robert  W.  Davis  d.  1,622  ; 
DeWitt  C.  Leach  r,   i,8ii. 

Senator,  1858.— William  Canfield  r,  I.813  ;  Wil- 
liam Brownell  d,   1,598. 

Representatives,  1858. — Robert  Thompson  r,  734; 
Geo.  F.Stewart  d,  597  ;  Henry  L.  Reeves  d,  597  ; 
Geo.  Bolam  r,  42S  ;  Dexier  Mussey  r,  687  ;  Har- 
vey Mellen  d,  35S. 

Circuit  court  commissioner,  1858. —  Elisha  F. 
Meade  r,  1,819;  Harlehigh  Carter  d,  1,590. 

County  sheriff,  1858. — Charles  C.  Lamb  r,  1.824  ; 
James  P.  St.  John  d,  1,593. 

County  clerk,  1858. — Henry  O.  Smith  r,  1,820  ; 
John  A.  Fletcher  d,  1,596. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1858. — Giles  Hubbard  r, 
1,844;  Andrew  S.  Robertson  d,  1,569. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1S5S.— Norton  L.  Miller  r, 
1,867;  Jackson  Freeman  d,  1,554. 

County  Treasurer,  185S. — Charles  B.  Matthews  r, 
1,827;  Justin  R.  Crandall  d,  1,593. 

County  surveyor,  1858. — Addison  P.  Brewer  r, 
1,813;  John  Mellen  d,  1, 616. 

County  coroners,  1858. — .\aron  B.  Rawles  r,  1,907  ; 
Robert  D.  Smith  r,  1,919;  Henry  O.  Taylor  d, 
1,623  ;  George  Chandler  d,  1,618. 


V 


HISTORY   OF  MAC0M15   COUNTY. 


tiL 


1859. 

Chief  yusticc  superior  court,  1859.  —  George 
Martin  r,  1,932;  Alpheus  Felch  d,  1,671. 

1S60. 

Presidential  Electors,  i860.— H.  G.  Wells  r,  Riifus 
Homer,  Geoige  W.  Lee.  Ed.  Donah,  Rhylota  Hay- 
den,  Augustus  Coburn,  2,534  ;  George  W.  Peck  d, 
Charles  E.  Stewart,  Augustus  Weideman,  Stephen 
G.  Clerk,  P.  H.  Hodenpyl,  Andrew  S.  Robertson, 
2,166  ;  Jacob  Beeson,  Robert  P.  Eldridge,  Barnabas 
Case,  Peter  Morey,  15  ;  W.V.Morrison,  II  ;  R.  W. 
Adams,  15;  H.  P.  Bridge,  14;  J.  R.  Jones,  15; 
George  Warner,  15;  Charles  E.  Niles.  14;  John 
Cooper,  15  ;  Henry  H.  Treadway,  14. 

Congress,  1S60. — Rowland  E.  Trowbridge  r,  2,537; 
Edward  H.  Thompson  d,  2,197. 

Governor,  1S60. — Austin  Blair  r,  2,523;  John  S. 
Barry  d,  2,213. 

Lieutenant-Governor,    1S60.  —  James     Birney   r, 
2,527;  William  M.  Fenton  d,  2,212. 
►    Seoetary  of  state,  i860. — James  B.  Porter,  2,534  ; 
William  Francis,  2,210. 

Auditor  General,  1S60. — Langford  G.  Berry,  2.535  ; 
Henry  Penoyer  d,  2,209. 

State  Treasurer,  i860. — John  Owen  r,  2,532  ; 
Elon  Farnsworth  d,  2,207. 

Attorney  General,  1S60. — Charles  Upton  r,  2,532; 
Chauncey  Joslyn  d,  2,211. 

Superintendent  Public  Imtruction,  1S60.  —  John 
M.  Gregory  r,  2,539;  Francis  W.  Shearman  d, 
2,201. 

Commissioner  state  Land  OJJice,  i860. — Samuel  S. 
Lacey  r,  2,533;  Samuel  L.  Smith  d,  2,210. 

Member  state  Board  Education,  i860. —  Edwin 
Willett  r,  2,532;  John  V.  Lyon  d,  2,210. 

Senator,  1S60. — Ira  H.  Butterfield  r,  2,516;  Geo. 
H.  Stuart  d,  2,210. 

Representatives,  i860. — Thomas  M.  Wilson  r, 
S89  .  Joshua  B.  Dickenson  d,  862  ;  Payne  K.  Leach 
r,  630;  William  Brownell  d,  820;  De.xter  Mussey 
f,  943;  Joshua  W.  Davis  d,  559;  Charles  Mal- 
lary,  3. 

Sheriff,  i860. — Joseph  Hubbard  r,  2,449;  John 
L.  Benjamin  d,  2,274. 

County  Treasurer,  1S60. —  Edward  C.  Gallup  r, 
2,474;  Jacob  Hitchler  d,  2,225. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1S60. — George  W.  French  r, 
2,480;  Justus  R.  Crandall  d,  2,225. 


County  clerk,  1S60. —  Menry  O.  Smith  r,  2,537; 
William  H.  Clark,  Jr.  d,  2,200. 

Judge  of  Probate,  i860.— Isaac  B.  Gilbert  r, 
2,466;  John  Stockton  d,  2,262. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  i860. — Elisha  F.  Mead  r, 
2,544;   Harlehigh  Carter  d,  2,169. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  i860. —  Samuel  S. 
Gale  r,  2,538;  Seth  K.  Schetterly  d,  2,205. 

County  surveyor,  1S60, — George  H.  Freeman  r, 
2.49S  ;  Milton  Nye  d,  2,251. 

County  coroners,  iZbo. — Aaron  B.  Rawles  r,  2,530  ; 
Chauncey  G.  Cady  r,  2,530;  John  B.  St.  John  d, 
2,101 ;  Joshua  B.  Dickenson  d,  2;205  ;  James  B  St. 
John,  106. 

State  Laivs,  1S60. — To  amend  banking  law,  yes, 
1,760;  to  amend  banking  law,  no,  295;  legislative 
sessions  law,  yes,  1,607  ;  legislative  sessions  law,  no, 
421;  Sec.  2,  Art.  18,  con.,  yes,  1,734;  Sec.  2,  Art. 
18,  con.,  no,  6g. 

1861. 

Associate  Justices  S.  C,   1861. — Randolph  Man- 
ning r,  1641  ;  Charles  I.  Walker  d,  iioi. 
1S62. 

Congress,  I'&iii. — Augustus  C.  Baldwin  d,  1794; 
Rowland  E.  Trowbridge  r,  1911. 

Governor,  1862. — Austin  Blair  r,  1903 ;  Byron  G. 
Stout  d,  igo6. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1862.  —  Charles  S.  May  r, 
1895  ;  Henry  S.  Ripley  d,  1825. 

Secretary  of  state,  1 862. — James  B.  Porter  r,  1 893; 
Wm.  R.  Montgomery  d,  1924. 

Auditor  General,  1862. — Emil  Anneke  r,  1899; 
Rodney  C.  Payne  d,  1922. 

State  Treasurer,  1862. —  John  Owen  r,  1884  ; 
Charles  C.  Trowbridge  d,  1925. 

Attorney  General,  1862.— Albert  Williams  r,  1895; 
John  T.  Holmes  d,  1924. 

Commissioner  state  Land  Office,  1862. —  Samuel 
S.  Lacey  r,  igo8  ;  Charles  F.  Herman  d,  1914. 

Superintendent  Public  Lnstruction,  i86j. — John 
M.  Gregory  r,  1898  ;  Thomas  H.  Sinex  d,  1918. 

Member  state  Board  Education,  1862. — Edward 
Dorsch  r,  1896;  Daniel  E.  Brown  d,  1923. 

Senators,  1S62. ^Andrew  S.Robertson  d,  192S  ; 
Ira  H.  Butterfield  r,  1884. 

Representatives,  1862. — James  B.  Eldredge  d,  720; 
Geo.  B.  Van  Eps  r,  6S2 ;  Charles  S.  Groesbeck  d, 
734  ;  A.  W.  Aldrich  r,  407  ;  Charles  F.  Mallary  r, 
817;  John  H.  Brabbd,  417. 


^-. 


>>, 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


319 


Liiw  and  constitutional  Ameniimints,  1S62.  — 
Banking,  Yes,  343 — No,  10  ;  Removals  from  Office, 
Yes,  213 — No,  4  ;  Regents  of  University,  Yes,  343 — 
No,  I  ;  Election  in  Upper  Peninsula,  Yes,  353 — 
No,  I ;  Constitutional  Amendments,  Yes,  341 — No. 
16. 

Sheriff,  1S62.— Joseph  Hubbard  r,  1927;  William 
Summers  d,  1888. 

County  clerk,  1S62. —  Henry  O.  Smith  r,  1927; 
Edwin  R.  Bentley  d,  1SS5. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1S62. — Thomas  L.  Sackett  r, 
193S  ;  Wm.  H.  Clark,  Jr.  d,  1873. 

County    Treasurer,   1862. —  Edward   C.    Galhip   r, 

1595  ;  Justus  R.  Crandall  d,  1915. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1862. — Elisha  F.  Mead  r, 
1S60  ;  Thomas  M.  Crocker  d,  1945. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  1S62. —  Samuel  S. 
Gala  r,  1S86;  Joseph  Chubb  r,  1S92  ;  Harlehigh 
Carter  d,  1914  ;  Seth  K.  Schetterly  d,  1927. 

County  Surveyor,  1862. — Geo.  H.  Cannon  r,  iSSS; 
Ludwig  Wesalouski  d,  1923. 

County  coroners,  1862. — Aaron  B.  Rawles  r,  1S92, 
Joshua   Dickenson    r,   189S;  John    Moorehouse   d. 

1596  ;  George  Mead  d,  1921. 

1863. 

Associate  Justices,  1S63. — James  V.  Campbell  r, 
1S19  ;  David  Johnson  d,  2006. 

Regents  of  University,  1S63. — Henry  C.  Knight 
r,  1812;  Thomas  D.  Gilbert  r,  1S14  ;  Edward  C. 
Walker  r,  1S07  ;  J.  E.  Johnson  r,  1814  ;  Geo.  W. 
Mead  r,  1S14  ;  James  A.  Sweezey  r,  1S12;  Alvah 
Sweetzer  r,  1S13  ;  Thomas  J.  Joslyn  r,  1814;  Oliver 
C.  Comstock  d,  2012  ;  Wm.  A.  Moore  d,  2015  ; 
Zina  Pitcher  d,  201S  ;  Nathaniel  A.  Balch  d,  201 1 ; 
Charles  H.  Richmond  d,  2011;  Adam  L.  Roof  d, 
201 1  ;  Elijah  F.  Burt  d,  201 1;  Joseph  Coulter  d, 
20U. 

Circuit  Judge,  :863. — Sanford  M.Green  d.  2004; 
Zephaniah  B.  Knight  r,  1838;  Robert  P.  Eldredge 
d,  5. 

1S64. 

Presidential  Electors,  lit^. — Samuel  T.  Douglass 
d,  2177  ;  Rix  Robinson  d,  2177;  Henry  Hart  d, 
2177;  Royal  T.  Twombley  d,  2177;  D.  Darwin 
Hughes  d,  2177;  John  Lewis  d,  2177  ;  Michael  C. 
Crofoot  d,  2177  ;  Richard  Edwards  d,  2177  ;  Robert 
E.  Beecher  r,  2041 ;  Thomas  D.  Gilbert  r,  2041 ; 
Frederick  Waldorf  r,  2041 ;  Marsh  Giddings  r,  2041; 


Christian  Eberbach  r,  2041  ;  Perry  Hannah  r,  2041 ; 
Omar  D.  Conger  r,  2041 ;  Geo.  W.  Peck  r,  2041. 

Congress,  1864. — Augustus  C.  Baldwin  d,  2177  ; 
Rowland  E.  Trowbridge  r,  2054. 

Justice  supreme  court,  1S64. — Thomas  M.  Cooley 
r,  2052;  Alpheus  Felch  d,  2180. 

Governor,  1864. — Henry  H.  Crapo  r,  2050;  Wm. 
M.  Fenton  d,  21S1. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1864. — Eben.  O.  Grosvenor 
r,  2052;  Martin  S.  Bracketts  d,  2180. 

Secretary  of  State,  1864. — James  B.  Porter  r,  2052; 
Geo.  B.  Turner  d,  21S0. 

Ajiditor-General,  1864. — Emil  Anneke  r,  2051  ; 
Charles  W.  Butler  d,  21S0. 

State  Treasurer.  1S64. — John  Owen  r,  2052  ;  Geo. 
C.  Munro  d,  21S0. 

Attorney  General,  1S64. — Albert  Williams  r,  2051  ; 
Levi  Bishop  d,  2180. 

Commissioner  Land  Office,  1S64. — Cyrus  Hewitt 
r,  2051  ;  Geo.  M.  Rich  d,  21S0. 

Superintendent  Public  Instruction,  1S64. — Ota- 
mel  Hosford  r,  2051  ;  John  D.  Pierce  d.  21S0. 

Member  Board  of  Education,  1S64. — Walter  J. 
Barden  r,  2151  ;  O.  C.  Comstock  d,  2180. 

Senator,  1864. — Giles  Hubbard  r,  2276  ;  Wm.  M. 
Cambell  d,  2204. 

Representatives,  1S64. — Peter  Schaes  r,  819  ;  Geo. 
H.  Stuart  d,  792  ;  James  B.  Eldredge  d,  2  Horace 
H.  Cady  d,  975  ;  Chauncey  G.  Cady  r,  4S0 ;  Chas. 
F.  Mallary  r,  902  ;  Philo  Tillson  d,  450. 

Sheriff,  1864.— Haswell  Church  r,  2256  ;  Geo.  E. 
Adair  d,  2226  ;  Charles  Barnes,  i. 

Judge  of  Probate,  1864. — Henry  O.  Smith  r,  2254; 
Thomas  M.  Crocker  d,  2232  ;  Henry  A.  Shaw,  2, 

County  cleik,  1S64. — William  M.  Connor  r,  2267; 
James  Whiting  d,  2217  ;  J.  R.  Crandall,  2. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  \i>(i\. — Thomas  L.  Sackett  r, 
2315  ;  Joshua  B.  Dickinson  d,  2175. 

County  Treasurer,  1864. — John  W.  Leonard  r, 
2223;  Justin  R.  Crandall  d,  2250;  Thomas  L. 
Sackett  r,   I. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1864. — Joseph  Chubb  r, 
2234  ;  James  B  Eldredge  d,  2245. 

County  surveyor,  1864- — Oscar  Burgess  r,  2263  ; 
Milton  Nye  d,  2226  ;  J.  B.  Eldredge,  i. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  1864.  —  Edgar 
Weeks  r,  225S  ;  David  E.  Earl  r,  2231  ;  Harlehigh 
Carter  d,  2214  ;  Seth  K.  Shetterly  d,  2217. 

County   coroners,     1S64. — Joshua     Dickinson     r, 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


'iL 


2255  :  Aaion  B.  Ravvis  r,  2258  ;    John   Moorehouse 
d,  2225  ;  John  Van  Horn  d,  2229. 

1S65. 

Associate  Justici-  supit-ine  court,  1865. — Isaac  P. 
L'hristiancy,  1374. 

Regents  of  the  University,  1865. — Edward  C. 
Walker,  1241  ;  George  Willard,  1241  ;  Ebenezer 
Wells,  172  ;  Oliver  Comstock,  172. 

1S66. 

Congress,  1S66.  —  Rowland  E.  Trowbridge  r, 
2475  ;  William  L.  Bancroft  d,  2i6g. 

Governor^  1S66. — Henry  H.  Crapo  r,  2461  ;  Al- 
pheus  S.  Williams  d,   2185. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1S66, — Dwight  May  r,  2465; 
John  G.  Parkhurst  d,  2193. 

Secretary  of  state,  l866. — Oliver  L.  Spaulding  r, 
2468;  Bradley  M.  Thompson  d,  21S1. 

Slate    Treasurer,    1S66. — Eben.   O.  Grosvenor  r, 

2467  ;  Luther  H.  Trask  d,  2182. 

Auditor  General,   1866. — William    Humphrey    r, 

2468  ;  George  Spaulding  d,  2182  ;  James  Whiting, 
I. 

Snpointendent  Pitblic  Instruction,  1S66. — Ora-* 
rael  Hosford  r,  246S  ;  Samuel  Clements,  Jr.  d, 
2182. 

Commissioner  state  Land  Office,  1866. — Benj.  D. 
Pritchard  r,  2469;  Louis  Dillman  d,  2182. 

Attornev  General,  1866. — William  L.  Stoughton 
r,  2468;  George  Grayd,  21S2. 

Member  Board  of  Education,  1866.  —  Edwin 
Willetts  r,  246S  ;  John  W.  Birchmore  d,  21S4. 

Revision  of  the  constitution,  1866. — For  revision, 
1224  ;  against,  459. 

Soldiers'  Voting,  1S66. — For  amendment,  1224  ; 
against,  375. 

Senator,  1866. — Charles  Andrews  r,  2453  ;  Har- 
vey Mellen  d,  2191. 

Sheriff,  1866. — Hasvvell  Church  r,  2462  ;  George 
E.  Adair  d,  2179. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1866. — Thomas  L.  Sackett  r, 
2559  ;  Joshua  B.  Dickenson  d,  2080. 

County  clerk,  1866.  —  William  M.  Connor  r, 
2508  ;  James  Whiting  d,  2140;  George  E.  Adair,  i. 

County  Treasurer,  1866. — Josiah  T.  Robinson  r. 
2360  ;  Justus  R.  Crandall  d,  2295. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  ]  866.  ■ —  Edgar  Weeks  r, 
2457  ;  James  B.  Eldridge  d,  2172. 

Circuit   court  commissioners,    1866. —  Arthur    L. 


Canfield  r,  2518;  Irving  D.  Hanscomb  r,  2479; 
Lorenzo  G.  Sperry  d,  2177;  Harlehigh  Carter  d, 
2091. 

County  surveyor,  1866. —  Oscar  S.  Burgess  r, 
2446;   Jdhn  Mellen  d,  2203. 

County  coroners,  1S66. — Aaron  B.  Rawles  r,  247I; 
Gilbert  Longstaff  r,  2470 ;  William  Summers  d, 
2183  ;  John  Milton  d,  2183. 

Representatives,  1866.— Sanford  M.  Stone  d,  783 
Peter  Schars  r,  991  ;  Seth  K.  Shetterley  d,  965 
Charles  S.  Hutchins  r,  560  ;  Elisha  F.  Mead  r,  878 
Oran  Freeman  d,  412. 

1S67. 

Delegates  to  constitutional  convention,  1867. — 
Oicar  S.  Burgess  r,  1762  ;  Dexter  Mussey  r,  1832  ; 
W.  W.  Andrus  r,  1828;  Thomas  M.  Crocker  d,  1S43; 
Sanford  M.  Stone  d,  1773.  Seth  K.  Shetterly  d, 
1751  ,  Hiram  Barrows,  i. 

Justice  of  the   supreme  court,    1867. —  Benjamin 

F.  Graves  r,  1S46  ;  Sandford  M.  Green  d,  1755. 
Regents  of  the    University,    1S67.— William    M. 

Ferry,  Jr.  d,  1747  ;  Ebenezer  Wells  d,  1747  ;  Thos. 
D.  Gilbert  r,  1858  ;  Hiram  A.  Burt  r,  1853. 

Circuit  Judge,  1867. — James  S.   Dewey  r,   1854; 
William  T.  Mitchell  d,  1738. 
iel  B.  Briggs  r,  1892  ;  James  Whiting  d,  170S. 

County  superintendent  of   schools,     1867. —  Dan- 

1S68. 
Presidential  Electors,  1868— Charles  M.  Crosswell 
r,  John  Burt    r,  William  Doellz   r,  C.  W.  Clisbee  r, 

C.  T.  Gorham  r,  B.  M.  Cutcheon  r,  2791  ;  Giles 
Hubbard  r,  2787  ;  M.  C.  T.  Plessner  r,  2791  ;  Peter 
White  d,  Fred  V.  Smith  d,  Ed.  Kanter  d,  George 
B,  Turner  d,  Fidus_  Livermore  d,  William  M.  Ferry 
d,  M.  E.  Crofoot  d.  William  R.  Stafford  d,  2668. 

Congress,  186S — Omar  D.  Conger  r,  2775  ;   Byron 

G.  Stout  d,  2704. 

Governor,  186S — Henry  P.  Baldwin  r,  2795  ;  John 
Moore  d,  2681. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  186S — Morgan  Bates  r, 
2790;  Salathiel  C.  Coffenberry  d,  2684. 

Secretary  of  state,  1 868 — Oliver  L.  Spaulding  r, 
2790;  Richard  Baylis  d,  2682. 

State  Treasurer,  1S68 — Ebenezer  O.  Grosvenor 
r,  2790;  John  F.  Miller  d,  2685. 

Attorney  General,  1868 — Dwight  May  r,  2789  ; 
Augustus  C.  Baldwin  d,  2686. 

Commissioner  state  Land  Office,  1868 — Benjamin 

D.  Pritchard  r,  2790 ;  Henry  Grinnel  d,  2685. 


c  1 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


LliL 


Auditor  General,  iS68 — William  Humphrey  r, 
2788  ;  Louis  Dillman  d,  2788. 

Superintendent  Public  Instruction,  1868 — Or.imel 
Hosford  r,  2791  ;  Duane  Doty  d,  2684. 

Member  itate  Boaid  of  Education,  1S68— Daniel 
E.  Brown  r,  2788  ;  Isaac  W.  Bush  d,  2686. 

Senator,  1868 — Charles  Andrews  r,  2751  ;  Harvey 
Mellen  d,  2726. 

Representatives,  1868 — Norton  L.  Miller  r,  10S4  ; 
Sanford  M.  Stone  d,  1815  ;  Florell  C.  McCoy  r,  643  ; 
Fred  G.  Kendrick  d,  1183  ;EUshaF.  Mead  r,  1023  ; 
Horace  H.  Spencer  d,  487. 

Sheriff,  1S68— Haswell  Church  r,  283S  ;  1.  Ward 
Davis  d,  2629. 

Judge  of  Probate,  1868 — Thomas  L.  Sackett  r, 
27S8,  Thomas  M.  Crocker  d,  2681. 

County  clerk,  1868 — William  M.  Connor  r, 
2S12  ;  Hiron  F.  Corbin  d,  263S. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1868 — Alonzo  M.  Keeler  r, 
2793';  James  Whiting  d,  2669. 

County  Treasurer,  186S — Joseph  Hubbard  r, 
2752  ;  Oliver  Chapaton  d,  2755, 

Piosecuting  Attorney,  186S — Edgar  Weeks  r, 
28i6;Seth  K.  Shetterly  d,  2635. 

County  surveyor,  1868 —  Oscar  S.  Burgess  r, 
2792  ;  Morgan  Nye  d,  2635. 

Ciicuit  court  commissioners,  186S — Arthur  L. 
Canfield  r,  2803  ;  Irving  D.  Hauscomb  r,  2804  ; 
Lorenzo  G.  Sperry  d,  2639  ;  William  H.  Clark  Jr.  d, 
2663. 

County  coroners,  1868 — William  R.  Sutton  r, 
2795  ;  Aaron  B,  Rawles  r,  2789  ;, George  St.  John  d, 
2680  ;  William  Roy  d,  2683. 

Revision  of  the  constitution,  etc.,  etc.,  1 863 — For 
adoption,  1570;  against,  2S77  ;  for  annual  sessions, 
178;  for  biennial  sessions,  1369;  for  Prohibition, 
1430;  against  Prohibition,  1977. 


Justice  of  the  supreme  court,  1869.— Thomas  M. 
Couley  r,  1891  ;  D.  Darwin  Hughes  d,  1926. 

Regents  of  the  University,  1869 — Jonas  H. 
McGowan  r,  1S7S  ;  Joseph  Estabrook  r,  i3o6  ;  John 
F.  Miller  d,  2013;  John  M.  B.  Sill  d,  1935. 

Circuit  Judge,  1869 — Elisha  F.  Mead  r,  137S  ; 
William  T.  Mitchell  d,  1953. 

County  superintendent  common  schools,  1869 — 
Daniel  B.  Briggs  r,  2012  ;  James  Whiting  d,  1632. 

County  drain  commissioner,  1869 — Jonathan 
Wells  r,  1886  ;  George  E.  Adair  d,  1915. 


2574; 


1870. 

Governor,  1870. — Charles    C.    Comstock  d, 
Henry  P.  Baldwin  r,  2382  ;  Henry  Fish,  38. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1870. — Jacob  A.  T.  Wen- 
dell d,  2579;  Morgan  Bates  r,  2379  ;  Emory  Cur- 
tiss,  35. 

Secietaiy  of  state,  1870. — Jonathan  W.  Flanders 
d,  2578  ;  Daniel  Striker  r,  2384  ;  John  Graves,  I  ; 
John  Evans.  33. 

Slate  Treasurer,  1870. — Andrew  J.  Bovvne  d. 
2579  ;  Victory  P.  Collier  r,  2382  ;  Oliver  Chapaton, 
2  ;  Luman  R.  Atpater,  32. 

Attorney  General,  1870. — JohnAtkinson  d,  2579; 
Dwight  May  r,  2304  ;  Eben  G.  Fuller,  32. 

Commissioner  state  Land  Office,  li-jo. — John  G. 
Hubinger  d,  25S0  ;  Charles  A.  Edmonds  r,  2385  ; 
James  H.  Ilartwell.  32. 

Auditor  General,  1870. — Charles  W.  Butler  d, 
2579  :  William  Humphrey  r,  23S4  ;  Charles  K.  Car- 
penter, 32. 

Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1S70. — 
Duane  Doty  d,  25S7 ;  Oramel  Hosford  r,  2879 ; 
Asa  Mahan,  31. 

Member  State  Board  of  Education,  1S70.— W. 
Irving  Bennett  d,  3582  ;  Witter  J.  Baxter  r.  23S3  ; 
Ebenezer  Hunt,  31. 

The  vote  on  allowing  Supervisors'  Boards  to 
raise  $2000  per  annum  for  the  repair  and  construc- 
tion of  public  highways,  buildings,  and  bridges  ;  the 
vote  for  amending  the  article  relating  to  the  appor- 
tionment of  Representatives,  and  the  qualifications 
of  electors,  the  vote  relative  to  salaries  of  State 
Officers  and  Judges  of  the  Circuit  Courts  ;  the  vote 
on  impartial  sufifrage  ,  the  vote  on  the  change  in  the 
law,  as  it  regarded  railroads,  were  severally  ap- 
proved or  condemned  by  the  people  of  Macomb  in 
1S70 — the  county  giving  an  affirmative  vote  ranging 
from  775  to  1337,  and  a  negative  vote  ranging  from 
4  to  2736. 

Congress,  1870. — Byron  G.  Stout  d,  2581  ;  Omar 
D.  Conger  r,  23S3  ;  James  S.  Smart,  25. 

Senator,  1870. — Horace  H.  Cady  d,  2457  ;  Gil- 
bert Hathaway  r,  2470. 

Representatives,  1S70. — Norton  L.  Miller  r,  952  ; 
Lucius  H.  Canfield  d,  946  ;  Hiram  D.  Runyan  d, 
991  ;  Gustavus  Schuchard  r,  568  ;  Seth  K.  Shetterly, 
53  ;  Deliverance  S.  Priest  r,  930  ;  Elias  W.  Lyon  d, 
506. 

Sheriff,     1S70.— Fred.     G.     Kendrick     d,     2637  ; 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Horace  A.  Lathrop  r,  2325  ;  Alonzo  M.  Keeler.'l  ; 
Henry  Meynell,  4. 

County  clerk,  1S70. —  Charles  S.  Groesbeck  d, 
2548  ;  William  M.  Connor  r,  2430. 

Registrar  cf  Deeds,  1870. — Geo.  W.  Robertson  d, 
2529  ;  Alonzo  M.  Keeler  r,  2445. 

County  Treasurer,  1S70. — Oliver  Chapaton  d, 
2703.  George  J.  Grovier  r,  2272. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  l&^o.—]s.me%  B.  Eldredge 
d,  2613;  Wm.  Jenny  Jr.  r,  2369. 

County  surveyor,  1S70. — Geo.  E.  Adair  d,  2567  ; 
Cortez  Fessenden  r,  2391. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  1870. — W.  H.  Clark 
Jr.  d,  25S4  ;  Geo.  M.Crocker  d,  2604;  Irving  D. 
Hanscom  r,  2364  ;  Arthur  L.  Canfield  r,  2401. 

County  coroners,  1S70. — Sanfoid  M.  Stone  d, 
2576  ;  Cortez  V.  Hooker  d,  2576  ;  Robert  A.  Barton 
r,  2406  ;  Levi  Hoard  r,  2407. 

1871. 

Justice  supreme  court,  1871. — James  V.  Campbell 
r,  1877;  D.  Darwin  Hughes  d,  2196  ;  Albert  Wil- 
liamsi  87. 

Regents  of  the  University,  1871. — Claudius  B. 
Grant  r,  1908  ;  Charles  Rynd  r,  1908;  I.  M.  B.  Sill 
d,  216S  ;  C.  B.  Fenton  d,  2168  ;  Wm.  W.  Baldwin, 
88;  Jos.  S.  Tuttle  88. 

County  superintendent  of  common  schaols,  1S71. — 
Daniel  B.  Briggs  r,  17S4;  Sidney  H.  Woodford  d, 
222S. 

County  drain  commissioner,  1871. — George  E. 
Adair  d,  2035  ;  James  S.  Lawson  r,  2005. 

1872. 

Presidential  Electors,  1S72.— Eber  B.  Ward  and  ten 
others  r,  2546;  Geo.  V.  Lathrop  and  ten  others  d, 
2161;  Charles  P.  Russell  and  ten  others  85;  Austin 
Wales  and  ten  others  72. 

Congress,  1872. — Omar  D.  Conger  r,  3487;  John 
H.  Richardson  d,  2314;  Squire  E.  Warren   Pro.,  61. 

Governor,  1872 — John  J.  Bagley  r,  2465;  Austin 
Blair  d,  2311;  Henry  Fish  pro,   70;  Wm.  M.  Ferry 

54- 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1872. — Henry  H.  Holt  r, 
2452;  John  C.  Blanchard  d,  2330;  Wm.  G.  Brown 
pro,  69  ;  Charles  Woodruff  54. 

Secretary  of  state,  1872. — Daniel  Striker  d,  2453; 
Geo.  H.  House  d,  2333;  John  Evans  68;  Thomas  C. 
Cutler  54. 

State  Treasurer,  1872.— Victor  P.  Collier  r,  2461; 


Jos.  A.  Holton  d,  2334;  Elias  C.  Manchester  69; 
Clement  M.  Davison  54. 

Auditor  General,  1872. — William  Humphrey  r, 
2454;  Neil  O'Hearn  d,  2333;  William  Allmon  68; 
Cyrus  Feabody  54. 

Attorney  General,  1S72.— Byron  D.  Ball  r,  2446; 
D.  Darwin  Hughes  d,  2332;  D.  P.  Sagindorph  68; 
Wm.  A.  Clark  54. 

Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  1872. — Dan- 
iel B.  Briggs  r,  253S;  Willard  Stearns  d,  2239;  M. 
A.  Daugherty  63;  A.  J.»Sawyer52. 

Commissioner  state  Land  Office,  1872. — L.  A.  Clapp 
r,  2454;  G.  H.  Murdock  d,  2333;  Joseph  S.  Tuttle 
68;  Ira  D.  Crouse  54. 

Member  State  Board  of  Education,  1872. — Edward 
Dorsch  r,  2445;  Edward  Feldner  d,  2330;  Martin  A. 
Brown  6g;  Christian  Vanderbeen  53. 

Sejiator,  1872,  vacancy. — Seymour  Brownell  d, 
1016;  J.  S.  P.  Hathaway  r,  S85. 

Senator,  No.  i,  1872. — James  S.  P.  Hathaway  r, 
2323;  John  N.  Mellen  d,  2461;  Lafayette  Warren 
50;  Riely  C.  Cone  40. 

Representatives,  1872. — Horace  H.  Cady  d,  1426; 
Payne  K.  Leech  r,  856;  James  M.  Payne  8;  D.  S. 
Priest  r,  1518;  J.  M.  Potter  d,  972;  Alex  Shelp  45. 

Sheriff,  1872. — Nelson  H.  Miller  r,  2269;  Fred  G. 
Hendricks  d,  2559;    James  Gass  45;  Peter   Ladors 

Judge  of  Probate,  1S72.— Thomas  L.  Sackett  r, 
2481;  Thomas  M.  Crocker  d,  2336;  Oran  Freeman 
53;  Morgan  Nye  53. 

County  clerk,  1872. — David  C.  Cobuvn  r,  2295; 
Charles  S.  Groesbeck  d,  2512;  Clark  Stephens  33; 
Watson  Lyons,  62. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1872. — Alonzo  M.  Keeler  r, 
24*1:  Geo.  W.  Robertson  d,  2411;  Theodore  Mosher 
29;  Wm.  R.  Sutton  44. 

County  Treasurer.  1872. — Geo.  B.  Van  Eps  r, 
2213;  Oliver  Chapaton  d,  2592;  Judge  Preston  37; 
Hiram  Squires  63. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1872. — Wm.  Jenny  Jr.  r, 
2365;  James  B.  Eldredge  d,  2438;  Lorenzo  G.  Sperry 
35;  Joseph  Chubb  62. 

County  Surveyor,  1872. — Oscar  S.  Burgess  r,  2450; 
Geo.  E.  Adair  d,  2308;  Morgan  Nye  64. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  1872. —  Dwight  N. 
Lowell  r,  2463;  Lewis  M.  Miller  r,  2463;  Wm.  H. 
Clark  Jr.  d,  2382;  (ieo.  M.  Crocker d,  2337;  John 
Starkweather  66;  Joseph  Cliubbs62. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


County  coroners,  1S72. — Martin  Buzzell  r,  2424; 
Stephen  S.  Merrill  r,  1577;  George  H.  Stuart  d, 
2382;  Cortez  P.  Hooker  d,  2249;  Hiram  H.  Kelsey 
64;  Alfred  Van  Voorhoes  65;  Geo.  N.  Nunnerly  40; 
Victor  A.  Morass  40;  Stephen  H.  Merrill  856. 

1873. 

Justice  Supreme  court,  1S73. — Isaac  P.  Christian- 
cy,  3952. 

Regents  of  the  University,  1873. — Duane  Doty  d, 
2044;  Andrew  M.  Fitch  d,  2039;  Edward  C.  Walker 
r,  1S6S  ;  Andrew  Climie,  Oscar  D.  Spaulding,  17  ; 
Reynold  Kelley,  41. 

County  Superintendents  of  Schools,  1873. — Spen- 
cer B.  Russell  d,  2073;  Robert  G.  Baird  r,  1S40. 

1874. 

Congress,  1874. — Enos  Goodrich  d,  2592  ;  Omar 
D.  Conger  r,  1S93  ;  Henry  Fish,  146. 

Governor,  1S74. — Henry  Chamberlain  d,  2638  ; 
John  J.   Bagley  r,   1S67;  C.  K.  Carpenter  p,  167. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1874. — Fred.  Hall  d,  2639  ; 
H.  H.  Holt  r,  1874;  T.  A.  Granger  p,  169. 

Secretaiy  of  State,  1874. — George  H.  House  d, 
2638  ;  E.  G.  D.  Holden  r,  1872  ;  Samuel  W.  Baker 
p,  16S. 

State  Treasurer,  1S74. — Joseph  M.  Sterling  d, 
2637  ;  W.  B.  McCreery  r,  1S71  ;  James  J.  Mead  p, 
169, 

Auditor  General,  1874. — John  L.  Evans  d,  2636; 
Ralph  Ely  r,  1872  ;  Joseph  Newman  p,  171. 

Attorney  General,  1874. — M.  V.  Montgomery  d, 
2637  ;  Andrew  J.  Smith  r,  1S72  ;  Albert  Williams  p, 
169, 

Superintendent  Public  Instruction,  1S74. — Duane 
Doty  d,  2631;  Daniel  B.  Briggs  r,  1S76;  John 
Evans  p,  159. 

Com'nissionee  State  Land  Offce,  1S74. — C.  W. 
Green  d,  2637  ;  L.  A.  Clapp  r,  1S74  ;  T.  S.  Skinner 
p,  i6g. 

Member  Board  of  Education,  1S74. — E.  W.  An- 
drews d,  263S;  Edgar  Rexford  r,  1S73  ;  John  D. 
Lewis  p.  169. 

Representatives,  1874. — Casper  P.  Schettler  d, 
1552;  Levi  J.  Stickney  r,  605;  Calvin  Bush  p,  99; 
Cortez  P.  Hooker  d,  1093 ;  Thomas  M.  Wilson  r, 
1124  ;  Charles  E.  Davis  p,  98. 

Senator,  1874. — John  N.  Mellen  d,  2855  ;  Norton 
C.  Miller  r,  1654  ;  Dwight  P.  Breede  p,  142. 


Sheriff,  :S74.— Winfield  S.  Hathaway  d,  2677; 
Robert  A.  Barton  r,  1824;  Harry  Briggs  p,  173. 

County  clerk,  1874. —  Charles  S.  Groesbeck  d, 
2741;  Perry  M.  Bentley  r,  1740;  Morgan  Nye  p,  155. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1874. — Traugott  Longers- 
hausen  d,  2390;  George  McCioskey  r,  2079  1  Wm. 
R.  Sutton  p,  159. 

County  Treasurer,  1S74.  —  Oliver  Chapaton  d, 
2642  ;  John  Otto  r,  1839;  Loren  Andrus  p,  148. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1S74. — James  B.  Eldridge 
d,  2720;  Wm.  Jenney,  Jr.  r,  1805  ;  Joseph  Chubb 
p.  109. 

County  Surreyor,  1S74. — Cl.irence  M.  Stephens  d, 
2709;  Oscar  S.  Burgess  r,  1791  ;  Albert  G.  Jepson 
P,  157- 

Circuit  court  connnlssioners,  1S74.  —  Geo.  M. 
Crocker  d,  2625  ;  Wm.  H.  Clark  d,  2611  ;  Dwight 
N.  Lowell  r,  1930;  Lewis  M.  Miller  r,  1699;  John 
L-  Starkweather  p,  i65  ;  Clark  Stanton  p,  157. 

County  coroners,  1S74. — Adam  Bennett  d,  2644; 
Geo.  H.  Stewart  d,  2637 ;  Amsey  W.  Sutton  r, 
1847  ;  John  H.  Williams  p,  171  ;  Hiram  Squiers  p, 
171  ;  Calvin  Davis  r,  1S60. 

1S75. 

Juilice  Supreme  court,  1875. — Benj.  F.  Graves  r, 
3984;  Lyman  D.  Norris  d,  2138  ;  Isaac  Marston  r, 
1S32. 

Regents  of  the  University,  1S75.  —  Samuel  T. 
Douglass  d,  2218  ;  Peter  White  d,  2203  ;  Samuel  S. 
Walker  r,  1748  ;  Byron  M.  Cutcheon  r.  1750. 

Ciicuit  Judge,  1S75. — Edward  W.Harris  r,  3966, 

1S76. 

Presidential  Electors,  1S76. — James  B.  Eldredge 
d,  and  ten  others,  3,453  ;  Wm.  A.  Howard  r,  and 
ten  others,  3,0:2  ;  Moses  W.  Field  g.b,  and  ten  oth- 
ers, 18  ;  Charles  K.  Carpenter  pro,  and  ten  others,  6. 

Congress,  1876. — Anson  E.  Chadwick  d,  3,499  ; 
Omar  D.  Congar  r,  2.981. 

Governor,  lS^6. — William  L.  Webber  d,  3,465  ; 
Charles  M.  Crosswell  r.    3,008  ;    Levi   Sparks  pro, 

14- 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1876. — Julius  Houseman  d, 
3,478;  Alonzo  Sessions  r,  3,012;  Emory  Curiiss, 
pro,  5. 

Secretary  of  Stale,  1876. — Geo.  H.  House  d, 
3,463;  E.  G.  D.  Holden  r,  3,011;  Albert  Stege- 
man  pro,  14. 

State    Treasurer,     1876. — Jolin    G.    Parkhurst  d. 


P  "V 


334 


HISTOIIY   OF  MA-COMB  COUNTY. 


3,474  ;  Willmm  B.  McCreery  r,  3>oi5  ;  Archibald  L. 
Cliubb  pro,  4. 

Auditor   General,    1876.— Fred  M.    Holloway  d, 
3,476;  Ralph  Ely  r,  3,012;  Daniel  J.Smith  pro,  5. 
Commissioner  Slate  Land  Office,  1876.— J.  B.  Fen- 
ton  d,  3,466;    Ben.    F.   Partridge  r,   3.001;    J.  H. 
Richardson  g.b,  14;  Emory  L.  Brewer  pro,  6. 

Attorney  General,  1876.— Martin  Morris  d,  3,463; 
OltoKirchner  r,  3,012;  Albert  J.  Chapman  g.b, 
14  ;  Dan.  Sagendorph  pro,  4. 

Superintendent  Public  Instruction,  1S76.— Zelotes 
Truesdel  d,  3,463  ;  Horace  S.  Tarbell  r,  3,025  ; 
.T.  W.  McKeever  pro,  5. 

Member  State  Board  of  Education,  1876.— Chas. 
J.  Walker  d,  3.465  ;  Witter  J.  Baxter  r,  3,009 ; 
Ethan  Ray  Clarke  g.b,  14  I  LukeR.  Damon  pro,  5. 
Amendments,  1876.— License  :  For,  1207  ;  against, 
907.  Salaries,  Circuit  Court  Judges;  For,  1626  ; 
against,  605.  Constitution,  For,  1447;  against,  152. 
Senator,  1S76.— John  N.  Mellen,  3,459  ;  William 
Jenny  Jr.  r,  3,006;  Crawley  P,  Drake,   i. 

Representatives,  1876.— Lucius  H.  Canfield  d, 
1,845;  Thomas  Dawson  r,  1,505;  Seth  K.  Shetter- 
ly  d,   1,554  ;  Crawley  P.  Drake  r,  1,533. 

Sheriff,  1876.— Winfield  S.  Hathaway  d,  3,533  ; 
Haswell  Church  r,  2,943. 

P'obate  Judge,  1876.— James  B.  Eldredge  d, 
3,337  ;  Edgar  Weeks  r,  3,125. 

County   clerk,    1876.— Charles    S,   Groesbeck    d, 
3,517;  Ezra  Nye  r,  2,946;  Jacob  L.  Keller,  130. 
•  Resistrarof  Deeds,  1876.— Traugott   Longerhau- 
sen  d,  3,444;  Peter  F.  H.  Schars  r,  3,035. 

County  Treasurer,  1876.— Oliver  Chapaton  d, 
3,407  ;  Wm.  Heine  r,  3,028. 

Prosecxiting  Attorney,  1876.— Geo.  M.  Crocker  d, 
3,458;  Irving  D.  Hanscom  r,  3,008. 

Circuit    court    commissioners,    iSjG.  —  Wm.    H. 

Clark,  Jr.  d,  3,436;  Chauncey  R.  Canfield  d,  3,450; 

Oscar  S.  Burgess  r,  2,999  ;  Frank  C.  Lamb  r,  3,076. 

County  Sunvyor.iS-jb.—Oarence    M.    Stephens 

d,  3,455;  Cortez  Fessenden  r,  3,023. 

County  coroners,  1876.— Adam  Bennett  d,  3,471; 
Geo.  H.  Stuart  d,  3,469;  Judson  C.  Mason  r, 
3,010  ;  Geo.  R.  Hoard  r,  3,020. 

1877- 

Justice  of  the   Sup)eme  court,   1S77.— Henry   F. 
Severens  d,  2088;  Thomas  M.  Cooley  r,  1848. 
Regents  of  the  University,  x'il'l. — Anson  E.  Chad- 


wick  d,  2088;  John  Lewis  d,  2088  ;  Victory  P.  Col- 
lier r,  1847  ;  George  L.  Maltz  r,  1847. 

Vote  on  Appointment  of  clerk  supreme  court, 
1S77.— For  the  appointment,  398;  against  the  ap- 
pointment, 29S. 

Vote  Relative  to  Law  of  corporation.— ¥ox  amend- 
ment, 358;  against  amendment,  34S. 
1878. 
Congress,  1878.— William  T.  Mitchell  d,  2,437  ; 
Omar  D.  Conger  r,  2,012  ;  Charles   F.    Mallary   n, 
617. 

Governor.  1878.— Orlando  M.  Barnes  d,  2,391  ; 
Charles  M.  Crosswell  r,  2,036;  Henry  M.  Smith  n, 
615  ;  Watson  Snyder  p,  36. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1878.— Alfred  P.  Swineford 
d,  2,393  ;  Alonzo Sessions  r,  2,036;  Lysander  Wood- 
ward n,  615  ;  Isaac  W.  McKeever  p,  35. 

Secretary  of  State.  1878.— George  H.  Murdoch  d, 
2.340;  William  Jenney  r,  2,112;  George  H.Bruce 
n,  591 ;  Travers  Phillips  p,  26. 

State  Treasurer,  1878.— Alexander  McFarlan  d, 
Benjamin  D.  Pritchard  r,  2,034  ;  Herman  Goeschel 
n,  617  ;  Darius  H.  Stone  p,  35. 

Commissioner  State  Lands,  1878.— George  Lord 
d,  2,393 ;  James  M.  Neasmith  r,  2,038  ;  John  A. 
Elder  n,  614;   William  G.  Brown  p,  35. 

Auditor  General,  1878.— W.  J.  B.  Schermerhorn 
d,  2,392;  W.  J.  Latimer  r,  2,038;  Levi  Sparks  n, 
614  ;  Leander  L.  Farnsworth  p,  35. 

Attorney  General,  1878.— Allen  B.  Morse  d,  2,399; 
Otto  Kercher  r,  2,019;  Frank  Dumon  n,  612; 
Daniel  Sazendorph  p,  41- 

Superintendent  Public  Instruction,  1S78.— Zelo- 
tes Truesdel  d,  2,390;  Cor.  A.  Gower  r,  2,040; 
David  Parsons  n,  613 ;   Martin  V.  Rourke  p,  35- 

Member  State  Board  Education,  1878.— Edwin  F. 
Uhl  d,  2,393;  George  F.  Edwards  r,  3,038  ;  George 
E.  Hubbard  n,  614  ;  Marlin  V.  Brown,  35. 

Senator,  187S.— John  M.  Wattles  d,  2,356  :  Joseph 
B.  Moore  r,  2,103  ;  John  J.  Watkins  n,  59I. 

Representatives,  1878.— Warren  Parker  d,  1,180; 
Arthur  N.  Grovier  r,  1,090;  Charles  C.  Lamb  r, 
369;  Alexander  Grant  r.  1,084;  David  C.  Greene 
d,  1,114  ;  Eli  G.  Perkins  n,  192. 

Sheriff,  1S78.— Louis  Groesbeck  d,  2,676  ;  Alfred 
Stewart  r,  1,905  ;  Seth  Davis  n,  454. 

County  clerk,  1878.  —  William  L.  Dicken  d, 
2,375;  George  F.  Adams  r,  2,160;  Ambrose  J. 
Hancock  n,  506. 


^^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


-4^ 


Registrar  of  Deeds,  1878. — Traugott  Longershau- 
sen  d,  2,358  ;  Charles  Steffins  r,  2,087  ;  Louis  A. 
Al'or  n,  599. 

County  Treasurer,  1878. — Charles  Tackles  d, 
-■399;  John  Otto  r,  2,031;  Adam  Bennett  n,  601. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1878. — George  M.  Crocker 
d,  2,S02  ;  Edgar  Weeks  r,  2,095. 

Circuit  court  commissioner,  1S78. — William  H. 
Clark,  Jr.  d,  2,511  ;  Chauncey  R.  Canfield  d,  2,468  ; 
Dwight  N.  Lowell  r,  2,059 '.  Silas  B.  Spier  r, 
2,050. 

C  unty  Surveyor,  1878. — George  E.  Adair  d, 
2,361  ;  Cortez  Fessenden  r,  2,084;  James  S.  Lawson 
n.  592. 

County  cotoners,  187S. — G.  H.  .Stuart  d,  2,391; 
Joshua  B.  Dickenson  d,  2,387  ;  GiUman  Whitten  r, 
2,061;  John  J.  Reimold  r.  2,066  ;  Charles  S.  Hutch- 
ings  n,  612  ;  William  M.  Campbell  n,  594. 

1879. 

yustices  of  the  Supreme  court,  1879. — John  B. 
Shipman  d,  2448 ;  James  V.  Campbell  r,  2287. 

Regents  of  the  University,  1879. — Geo.  P.  Sanford 
d,  2530;  Henry  Whiting  d,  2528;  Ebenezer  O. 
Grosvenor  \,  2271  ;  James  Shearer  r,  2275. 


Presidential  Electors,  1880.— Peter  White  d,  and 
ten  others,  3218  ;  Charles  P.  Peck  r,  and  ten  others, 
3136  ;  Augustus  Day  n,  and  ten  others,  201  ;  Jo.seph 
v.  Whiting  pro,  and  ten  others,  10;  Isaac  J.  Gray 
— ,  and  ten  others,  i. 

Congress,  1880. — Cyrenius  P.  Black  d,  3283  ; 
Omar  D.  Conger  r,  3090  ;  John  J.  Watkins  n,  1S4. 

Governor,  1880, — Frederick  M.  Holloway  d,  3266; 
David  H.  Jerome  r,  30S6  :  A.  Woodman  n,  193  ; 
Isaac  W.  McKeever  pro,  22. 

Lieutenant-Governor,  1880. — Edward  H.  Thorn- 
,ton  d,  3270;  Moreau  S.  Crosbe  r,  3082;  Sulivan 
Armstrong  n,  193  ;  Darius  H.  Stone  pro,  22. 

Secretary  of  Stale,  1880. — Willard  Stearns  d,  3142; 
William  Jenny  r,  3197  ;  I.  A.  Crouse  n,  igg;  John 
Evans  pro,  22. 

State  Treasurer,  iSSo. — Isaac  M.  Weston  d,  3220  ; 
Benj.  D.  Pritchard  r,  3126  ;  John  M.  Norton  n,  200; 
Arthur  Al.  Power  pro,  22. 

Auditor  General,  1880. — Richard  Moore  d,  3221  ; 
W.  Irving  Latimer  r,  3128  ;  Sylvester  B.  Heverle  n, 
200  ;  Watson  Snyder  pro,  22. 


Commissioner  State  Lands,  18S0. — James  I.  Davis 
d,  3220;  James  M.  Neasmith  r,  3129  ;  John  H. 
Elder  n,  200 ;  Porter  Beal  pro,  22. 

Attorney  General,  1880 — Henry  P.  Henderson  d, 
3221  ;  Jacob  J.  Van  Riper  r,  313S;  William  Newton 
n,  2D0;  Milton  N.  Burnham  pro.  22. 

Superintendent  Puilic  Instruction,  1880 — Zelotes 
Truesdel  d,  3222;  Cornelius  A.  Gower  r,  3127; 
David  Parsons  n,  200 ;  William  N.  Moore  pro, 
22. 

Members  Board  of  Education,  18S0 — Albert 
Crane  d,  3231  ;  Edgar  Rexford  r,  3128;  Volney  V. 
B.  Mervin  n,  209  ;  Uriah  R.  Evans  pro,  19. 

Senator,  10th  District,  t88o— John  N.  Mellen  d, 
3415  :  John  T.  Rich  r,  3094. 

Representatives,  1880 — Warren  Parker  d,  1726  ; 
Edgar  Weeks  r,  1669  ;  Thomas  W.  Newton.  I  ; 
Byron  J.  Flumerfelt  d,  1523  ;  Alexander  Grant  d, 
1579- 

I'ote  on  Bridging  the  Detroit  River,  1 880 — In 
favor  of,  901  ;  against  the  project,  567. 

Judge  of  Probate,  1880. — James  B.  Eldredge  d. 
3391  ;  Charles  Andrews  r,  3100. 

Sheriff.  1880. — Louis  Grosbeck  d,  3242;  Thos. 
W.  Newton  r,  3263. 

County  clerk,  1880. — William  L.  Dicken  d,  3354; 
William  W.  Vaughan  r,  3137. 

Registrar  of  Deeds,  1880. — Judson  S.  Farrar  d, 
3330  ;  Charles  Steffins  r,  3171. 

County  Treasurer,  1880.  —  Charles  Tackles  d, 
3271  ;  Jonathan  Stone  r,  3237. 

Prosecuting  Attorney,  1880. — George  M.  Crocker 
d.  3237  ;  Irving  D.  Hanscom  r,  3250. 

Circuit  court  commissioners,  1880.  —  Frank  F. 
Williams  d.  3136  ;  Franklin  P.  Montfort  d,  3301  ; 
.Silas  B.  Spier  n,  3221  ;  Addison  S.  Stone  n,  3325. 

County  Surveyor,  iSSo. —  George  E.  Adair  d, 
3294  ;  George  H.  Cannon  r,  3200. 

County  coroners,  18S0. —  Humphrey  Murphy  d, 
3301  ;  George  H.  Stuart  d,  3297  ;  William  G.  Terry 
r,  3215;   William  Norton  r,  3216. 

i8Sl. 

Congress,  1881. — Cyreni-us  P.  Black  d,  2545;  John 
T.  Rich  r,  2418;  John  Kenny  n,  61. 

Justice  of  Supreme  court,  l88l, — Augustus  C. 
Baldwin  d,  2534;  Isaac  Marston  r,  2495;  John  B. 
Shipman  x,  156;  Charles  G.  Hyde  pro,  27. 

Regents   of  the    University,     i88l.— Geo.    V.    N. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Lathrop  d,  2525;  Henry  Fralick  d,  2526;  James  F. 
Joy  r,  241 1;  Austin  Blair  r,  2401;  Charles  G.  Wil- 
lett  n,  156;  David  Parsons  n,  156,  Isaac  W.  McKee- 
ver  pro,  28;  Edward  C.  Newell  pro,  2S. 

Circuit  Judge,  iGth    J.    C,  1S81.— William   M. 


Mitchell  d,  2703;  Herman  W.  Stephens  r,  2246;  Val- 
entine A.  Saph  g.  b.  n,  14S. 

I'^aie  on  Loan  o/Slcooo.  iSSi. — For  the  tax  and 
loan  2341;  against  2179. 

Senator  20  Dis..  iSSl.— John  V.  Mellen  d,  4861. 


CHAPTER   XVII  I. 


THE  PRESS  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Tlie  newspa]ier  press  of  Macomb  may,  with  justice,  claim  to  be  tlie  true  expo- 
nent of  popular  ideas,  as  well  as  the  zealous  guardian  of  local  interests.  Seldom  has 
it  extended  recognition  to  terrorism  at  home  or  tyranny  abroad — never  knowingly. 
Possibly  there  may  have  been  a  few  instances,  where  ignorance,  pure  and  simple, 
caused  the  free  citizen  of  our  Union  to  wander  away  from  his  surroundings  and  en- 
ter the  circle  of  flunkyism ;  there  may  also  be  some  cases  where  the  people  were  so 
short-sighted  as  to  permit  an  immigrant  newspaper  writer  to  indulge  in  eulogies  on  the 
magnificence  of  trans-Atlantic  peoples.  Sometimes  cuttings  are  made  from  monarch- 
ical papers,  because  the  heading  conveys  an  idea  to  the  busy  editor  that. the  arti- 
cle is  newsy,  when  in  reality  it  is  only  a  fulsome  laudation  of  expiring  monarchy — 
an  attempt  to  gain  sympathy  for  that  hideous  principle.  This  article  appears  in  the 
columns  of  the  local  paper  without  even  a  qualifying  paragraph,  and  contributes  in 
a  degree  to  foster  a  taste  for  royalty,  pageantry,  and  all  such  criminal  nonsense  in 
the  minds  of  the  more  unthinking  portion  of  our  people.  Such  insulting  trash  should 
not  be  placed  before  the  public.  Even  though  this  unjustifiable,  foundationless 
praise  of  the  enslavers  of  Europeans,  of  all  their  glittering  palaces,  of  their  gorgeous 
parades,  could  win  any  serious  attention  from  any  other  than  the  most  imbecile 
of  ourpopulation,  it  is  not  fair  to  furnish  imbecility  with  fuel;  it  is  not  right  to  place 
before  it  new  subject  matter,  which  enables  it,  however  falsely,  to  extol  the  glories 
and  the  pageants  of  principles  and  men  who  cast  a  gloom  over  the  civilization  of 
our  day.  There  is  little  in  trans-Athintic  peoples,  and  much  less  in  their  govern- 
ments, which  hold  seven-eigliths  of  the  people  in  most  aliject  servitude,  to  commend. 
The  knowledge  of  this  state  of  affairs  in  Europe,  is  so  widespread  in  the  United 
States,  that  it  forms  a  full  safeguard  against  the  growth  of  that  foolish,  debasing, 
and  most  pernicious  vice  commonly  called  flunkyism.  The  people  understand  their 
duty  to  the  Republic,  and  none  among  them  more  so  than  the  indefatigable  men,  who 
identify  themselves  with  the  press  of  this  county. 

Macomb  has  reaped  a  rich  harvest  from  the  industry  and  honesty  of  her  news- 


rf* 


Ll^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


paper  conductors.  All  evidences  point  out  her  journalists  of  the  past  to  have  been 
as  truly  honorable  as  are  those  of  the  present ;  flunkyism  was  not  the  attribute  of 
any  one  of  them  ;  they  labored  late  and  early  in  providing  newsy  and  instructive 
reading  for  the  constituents  ;  and,  if  at  any  time,  a  ridiculous  eulogy,  on  all  that  is 
politicall}'  and  socially  false,  crept  into  their  columns,  they  were  the  first  to  denounce 
the  buffoon  who  penned  the  obnoxious  lines. 

The  press  conferred  inestimable  good  ujaon  this  disti-ict ;  it  oj^posed  premature 
innovations,  even  as  it  urged  necessary  reforms  ;  it  set  its  denunciations  of  arbitrary 
and  tyrannical  measures  in  black  letter,  stigmatized  moral  cowardice,  and  claimed  that 
from  the  village  council-room  to  the  chambers  of  the  National  Government,  vice 
should  be  subjected  to  rebuke  and  punishment,  aiid  virtue  doubly  cherished. 

Here  the  press  is  a  synonym  for  progress.  Prescribe  its  liberty  and  the  nation 
suffers.  Very  few  liberties  had  been  won  in  the  long  struggle  for  human  freedom, 
involving  more  far  reaching  and  momentous  consequences  than  that  which  secured 
the  constitutional  guaranty  of  freedom  of  speech  and  of  the  press.  The  antagonism 
between  a  despotic  government  and  the  j^rinting  press  is  as  natural  as  it  is  intense. 
The  heart  of  monarchy,  claiming  to  be  human,  loves  applause,  and  therefore  could 
not  willingly  feed  on  the  bitter  herbs  of  censure.  Neither  king  nor  minister, 
neither  cardinal  nor  general  desired  a  fair  review  of  his  official  acts,  nor  submitted 
to  reproof.  The  exercise  of  power  bred  confidence  in  the  hearts  of  rulers,  and 
begot  an  impatience  of  criticism  ;  hence  there  was  a  natural  inclination  to  restrain, 
what  those  in  authority  might  deem,  an  unwarrantable  freedom  in  the  discussion 
of  public  affairs.  On  the  other  hand,  the  intelligent  portion  of  the  population 
desired  to  inquire  into  the  proceedings  of  their  governors,  to  complain  of 
grievances,  and  to  suggest  reforms.  Free  thought  and  free  speech  were  of  little 
avail  without  free  publications,  and  to  suppress  publications  was  to  prevent  prac- 
tical results.  Thus  there  was  an  irrepressible  conflict  between  oppressive  govern- 
ments, whatever  their  form,  and  the  press — one  in  which  the  press  succeeded  in 
these  States,  one  in  which  it  is  still  engaged  in  the  eastern  hemisphere  up  to  the 
present  time,  and  which  is  likely  to  continue  until  the  sun  sheds  his  light  upon  a 
great  European  Republic. 

In  a  despotic  state  the  government  exercises  a  censorship  over  the  press,  while 
in  a  free  country  the  case  is  reversed,  and  the  press  is  the  censor  of  the  govern- 
ment. Both  forms  of  censorship  were  liable  to  abuse  ;  but  judging  by  the  past, 
the  excesses  of  the  press  for  a  thousand  years  would  be  trifling  in  evil  results, 
when  compared  with  the  iniquities  of  a  government  censor  for  a  single  genera- 
tion. If  the  people  are  to  govern,  or  take  any  active  intelligent  part  in  the 
government,  they  must  be  cognizant  of  every  fact  pertaining  to  their  country,  and 
be  in  a  position  to   give  full  expression  to   their  opinions  on  public  measures. 


-J    o 

r 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Tliose  entrusted  with  the  executive  authority,  those  appointed  to  promote  the 
general  welfare  in  accordance  with  the  public  will,  should  favor  the  most  free  and 
efficient  means  of  communication  with  those  for  whose  sake  government  is  intended 
to  exist — that  means  is  the  newspaper.  No  substitute  for  it  has  ,yet  been  devised 
— not  one  can  be  imagined.  Thus  the  newspaper  is  one  of  the  most  important 
agencies  of  a  free  people,  of  a  good  government.  Without  its  aid  in  instructing 
and  arousing  the  people,  the  national  government  could  neither  have  raised  the 
vast  armies,  nor  have  commanded  the  pecuniary  means  required  to  carry  on  the 
struggle  for  the  preservation  of  our  Union  against  the  wealthy  planters  of  the 
Southern  States  and  their  foreign  allies. 

The  modern  newspaper  is  not  merely  a  private  enterprise  ;  it  is  as  truly  public 
and  necessary  as  the  railroad  or  the  telegraph.  Enlightened  jurisprudence  de- 
clares that  the  newspaper,  encouraged  and  protected  by  the  highest  guarantees  of 
constitutional  law  as  indispensable  to  free  government,  is  subject  not  to  the  narrow, 
rigid  rules  which  appl)'  to  merely  private  enterprises,  but  to  broad  and  equitable 
principles  springing  out  of  its  relation  to  the  public,  and  its  duty  to  serve  the 
people  in  the  collection  and  publication  of  information  relating  to  the  public  good. 
The  business  of  journalism  is  no  longer  a  mere  incident  to  the  printer's  trade — it 
has  become  a  great,  profound,  and  learned  profession,  with  fraternal  organizations. 
It  has  become  the  great  educator  of  the  masses,  as  well  as  the  magnificent  agent 
of  social  and  political  reformation. 

Acting  harmoniously  in  their  respective  spheres,  free  government  and  a  free 
press  are  the  joint  conservators  of  good,  each  the  most  powerful  pillar  of  the  other. 
The  press  and  the  bar,  as  well  as  the  people  and  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  are  all  dependent  upon  one  another,  with  the  honest  press  as  leader. 
Therefore  let  us  cherish  the  newspapers,  stigmatizing  what  may  appear  corrupt  in 
them,  and  applauding  all  that  is  honorable  and  just.  This  is  due  by  the  people 
to  the  people  and  the  press. 

In  the  following  historical  sketches  a  full  effort  has  been  made  to  deal  with 
the  newspapers  and  newspaper  men  of  this  county — which  effort,  the  writer 
believes,  has  been  attended  with  success ;  being,  as  it  is,  an  extract  from  the  his- 
torical address,  delivered  December  28,  1881,  at  Armada,  by  Edgar  Weeks,  formerly 
connected  with  the  press  of  the  county. 

Forty  years  ago,  there  was  not  half  a  dozen  newspapers  in  Michigan,  and  not 
one  in  Macomb  County.  At  that  time  the  country  was  new  ;  the  telegraph  not 
wliat  it  is  to-day  ;  the  mails  were  slow,  painfully  slow,  postage  was  dear,  tlie 
people  poor.  In  that  day  it  took  ten  days  or  two  weeks  to  get  a  letter  from  New 
York  to  Detroit.  The  means  of  communication  was  confined  to  stage  coaches  and 
steamboats,  which  would  drive  a  modern  traveler  wild.      The  city  of  Detroit  was 


-^ 


HISTORY  OP  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


then  only  a  moderate  sized  village.  There  was  not  a  town  of  5,000  inhabitants  in 
the  State.  Mt.  Clemens  was  a  village  of  some  importance  as  tlie  future  of  Michigan 
then  looked.  It  was  the  seat  of  government  and  justice  for  all  Michigan  north  of 
Wayne  County.  It  numbered  among  its  people  some  few  enterprising  men  who 
looked  forward  to  a  large  city  where  Mt.  Clemens  now  stands. 

JOURNALS   OF   ROMKO. 

Way  back  in  the  history  of  Romeo,  there  was  published  there  a  paper  called 
the  Investigator.  The  files  of  this  paper  have  disappeared,  and  no  inquiry  which 
we  have  made  for  them  has  been  rewarded.  The  name  of  its  publisher  was  Thomas 
M.  Perry.     It  first  appeared  in  the  fall  of  1850  and  lived  about  two  j'ears. 

Another  paper  called  the  Romeo  Olive  Branch  was  also  published  there,  but 
we  have  been  equall}'  unfortunate  in  regard  to  it,  both  as  to  date  and  name  of  its 
publisher. 

In  the  year  1857  the  Romeo  Argus  appeared,  but  its  files  previous  to  May  18th, 
1861,  are  lost.  From  May  18th,  1861,  to  May  18th,  1802,  the  files  have  been  pre- 
served. The  Argus  was  started  in  1857,  in  Ma}',  by  Martin  V.  Bentley  and  John 
M.  Stone.  Mr.  Bentley  bought  out  his  partner  in  about  a  year  after  the  publica- 
tion began. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1861,  S.  H.  Ewell  bought  the  paper  and  published  it  about 
one  year.  It  was  edited  by  Ewell  and  Aiken.  It  was  then  leased  to  Hiram  J. 
Aiken  and  George  D.  Mussey.  In  February,  1864,  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The 
motto  of  the  Argus  was  "  The  agitation  of  thought  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom." 

A  State  Temperance  journal  was  started  by  John  Russell  sometime  in  1863. 
This  paper  was  really  the  old  publication  turned  into  a  new  channel,  and  was 
printed  by  Aiken  and  Mussey,  at  the  Argus  office.  It  was  called  the  Peninsular 
Herald,  and  was  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Prohibition  and  Total  Abstinence.  It  ran 
a  successful  career  for  some  time,  and  was  finally  removed  tb  Detroit,  where  it  en- 
joyed a  broader  field  in  journalism,  and  survived  a  brief  career.  Its  proprietor  is 
so  well  known  in  this  county  as  to  require  no  introduction  at  my  hands.  His 
prominence  as  a  temperance  agitator  gave  him  a  wide  reputation  and  secured  for 
him  the  nomination  for  the  Vice-Presidency  on  the  National  Temperance  Ticket  in 
1876. 

On  the  30th  of  May,  1866,  John  Russell  started  the  Romeo  Observer,  and  the 
history  of  newspapers  since  that  time  in  Romeo  is  almost  exclusively'  a  history  of 
the  Observer.  On  the  9th  of  August,  1866,  Irving  D.  Hanscom  and  Edward  A. 
Teall  became  its  proprietors.  They  improved  and  enlarged  the  paper  in  18G6,  and 
flung  to  the  breeze  the  patriotic  motto  "  Wiiere  libertj'  dwells,  there  is  my  country." 
Under  this  high  sounding  legend   the    Observer  flourished  until  March  9th,  1867, 


-r—>- 


HISTORY   OP  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


when  Edwin  A.  Teall  and  Lewis  N.  Moon  took  it  in  charge  as  publishers,  and 
printed  it  until  November  19,  1867,  when  Teall  &  Co.  became  its  proprietors,  the 
company  being  Harve}-  E.  Mussey.  This  Company  continued  until  November  11, 
1868,  when  Edwin  A.  Teall  became  sole  editor  and  proprietor. 

The  Observer  became  an  out  and  out  Republican  paper  in  October,  1861),  when 
it  adopted  as  its  motto  "  Republican  in  politics,  neutral  in  nothing." 

On  the  loth  of  October,  1869,  Irving  D.  Hanscom  again  became  proprietor  of 
the  Obsei-ver,  and  on  the  twentieth  of  the  same  month,  Samuel  H.  Ewell  entered 
into  co-partnership  with  him.  The  paper  flourished  under  their  management  about 
four  years  when  they  sold  out  to  Geo.  A.  "Waterbury  and  S.  H.  Ewell.  January 
14th,  1874,  Robert  G.  Baird  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Ewell  and  this  firm  con- 
tinued the  paper  a  little  over  one  year.  On  the  3d  of  February,  1875,  Mr.  Water- 
bury  became  sole  editor  and  proprietor,  and  has  so  remained  up  to  the  present 
time,  with  the  exception  of  a  single  year  during  which  time  the  establishment  was 
leased  to  S.  S.  Hopkins,  now  of  St.  Clair  City. 

During  all  these  yeai-s  the  Observer  has  either  been  an  "  out  and  out"  Re- 
publican paper,  or  had  a  decided  leaning  in  that  direction.  It  has  been  a  strong 
partizan  of  Romeo  in  all  her  local,  political,  social,  and  business  interests,  and  has 
been  rewarded  with  a  liberal  support  by  the  citizens  of  that  village.  The  Observer 
had  every  thing  its  own  way  (so  to  speak)  and  without  a  rival  to  molest  or  make 
it  afraid,  with  a  rich  field  for  country  journalism,  an  intelligent  class  of  citizens  for 
its  patrons,  was  happy  and  felt  satisfied. 

This  charming  condition  of  affairs  was  disturbed,  however,  on  the  1st  of  May, 
1880,  by  the  appearance  of  the  Romeo  Democrat,  Fred.  C.  and  C.  H.  Buzzel,  pro- 
prietors. The  Democrat  is  an  enterprising,  vivacious,  and  thoroughly  wide-awake 
country  paper.  Its  proprietors  are  young  men,  both  in  years  and  journalism,  but 
they  are  making  their  paper  an  important  figure  in  the  newspaper  coterie  of  this 
county.  • 

JOURNALS    OF    UTICA. 

A  paper  called  the  Enterprise  was  established  at  Utica  somewhere  about 
the  year  1837  or  1838,  and  was  published  by  Henry  Fish  and  R.  W.  Jenny,  with 
C.  B.  H.  Fessenden  as  editor ;  but  the  files  have  been  destroyed  and  we  have  been 
unable  to  ascertain  any  thing  more  connected  with  it. 

W.  H.  Marvin  started  the  Utica  Sentinel  about  five  years  ago,  and  has  pub- 
lished it  up  to  the  present  tine.  The  Sentinel  is  independent  in  politics,  is  a  good 
local  paper  and  has  every  appearance  of  a  successful  career  before  it. 

MOUNT   CLEMENS. 

In  1840  a  newspaper  called  the  Statesman  was  started  at  Mount  Clemens  by  a 


fev 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Mr.  Avery.  After  a  time  he  was  succeeded  by  a  Mr.  Brown,  and  he  by  John  N. 
Ingersoll.  The  Statesman  was  a  lively  and  influential  paper,  published  weekly. 
Its  editorials  were  characterized  by  ability,  and  it  was  noted  as  a  hard  fighter  in  the 
field  of  local  politics.  We  have  been  recently  shown  certain  political  cartoons  in 
caricature  of  John  N.  Ingersoll,  Richard  Butler,  and  other  lights  of  the  Whig 
party  of  that  day,  which  show  the  spirit  of  political  controversy  as  then  conducted. 
The  Statesman  was  intensely  Whig,  and  its  editor  was  then  a  leader  of  that  party 
in  this  State.  Mr.  Ingersoll  remained  in  Mount  Clemens  a  number  of  years,  active 
in  political  and  social  events,  but  finally  removed  to  Corunna,  Shiawassee  County, 
where  he  published  the  Shiawassee  American  until  his  death,  which  occurred  a  little 
over  a  year  ago.  We  can  not  state  accurately  the  date  of  the  demise  of  the  States- 
man. 

The  Macomb  County  Herald,  a  Whig  paper,  was  started  by  George  F.  Lewis 
in  1848  or  1849,  and  edited  by  Richard  Butler.  In  1850  or  1851  it  was  purchased 
by  Fred  B.  Lee  and  published  by  him  about  one  year,  when  it  was  sold  to  Thomas 
M.  Perry,  former  pul:)lisher  of  the  Patriot,  who  j^ulilislied  it  for  a  short  time,  when 
the  ofl&ce  was  burned  and  the  Herald  ceased  to  exist. 

The  Macomb  G-azette  was  started  by  Allen  P.  Bentley,  some  time  about  1849 
or  1850.  It  was  Democratic  in  politics,  and  so  remained  from  the  date  of  its  birth 
until  its  demise  in  1856.  After  a  short  time  Mr.  Bentley  sold  the  Macomb  Grazette 
ofifice  to  Abner  C.  Smith,  a  lawyer,  and  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  that  day  at 
the  county  seat.  The  writer  well  remembers  Mr.  Smith  as  a  tall,  intellectual- 
appearing  man,  who  alwa3's  wore  gold-bowed  glasses,  and  was  never  seen  except  in 
the  full  dignity  of  his  profession  of  law  and  journalism.  The  ofiice  of  the  Gazette 
was  on  the  south  side  of  Court  House  Square.  The  writer  was  employed  in  the 
office  as  a  printer's  "  devil "  at  a  very  tender  age,  and  at  that  time  its  foreman  was 
Martin  V.  Bentley  and  its  jours  John  Aiken  and  "  Trume  "  Griffin. 

On  the  breaking  up  of  the  Whig  party  the  Gazette  was  sold  by  Mr.  Smith,  who 
moved  to  Minnesota,  where  he  practiced  law  until  the  time  of  his  death,  a  few 
yeai-s  ago.  The  purchaser  of  the  Gazette  was  William  L.  Canfield,  who  rechrist- 
ened  his  paper  the  "  Rejiublican  Standard."  The  Standard,  as  its  name  implies, 
was  a  Republican  paper,  and  was  published  up  to  1866  by  Mr.  Canfield,  who  sold 
it  to  Walter  T.  Lee  and  the  writer,  who  enlarged  it  and  "  started  out "  under  the 
name  of  the  "  Mount  Clemens  Monitor." 

The  Monitor  was  also  Republican  in  politics.  It  was  a  folio  of  respectable  size, 
published  weekly,  and  met  with  very  good  success.  Tiie  writer  (Mr.  Weeks)  sold 
out  his  interest  some  time  in  1867  to  W.  T.  Lee,  who  continued  its  publication 
until  he  sold  to  D.  M.  Cooper.     Mr.  Cooper  finally  sold  to  a  Mr.  O'Brien,  who  soon 


s  ^ 


L^ 


333  HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


after  sold  to  J.  E.  Nellis  &  Son  who  are  now  publishing  the  Monitor,  and  publish- 
ing a  successful  and  acceptable  county  newspaper. 

We  have  followed  the  Statesman  through  all  its  clianges  and  vicissitudes  as 
the  most  convenient  way  of  treating  the  subject.  AVe  will  now  retrace  our  steps  to 
1840,  in  which  year  Thomas  M.  Perry  landed  at  Mount  Clemens  from  a  steamboat 
with  printing  material,  which  he  moved  to  the  old  frame  building  known  as  the 
Lewis  Building,  then  standing  on  the  site  of  the  present  new  and  elegant  countj^ 
jail  and  Slieriff's  residence,  and  commenced  the  publication  of  tiie  Mount  Clemens 
Patriot.  The  Patriot  was  a  Democratic  newspaper,  edited  and  conducted  in  the 
interest  of  the  local  Democracy,  with  more  than  the  ordinary  ability  bestowed  on 
country  newspapers.  Mr.  Perry  was,  in  his  way,  a  remarkable  specimen  of  pug- 
nacity and  tenacity.  He  had  seen  much  of  the  world,  and  was  entirely  absorbed 
in  his  editorial  profession,  was  a  practical  printer  and  would  stand  at  his  case 
and  put  his  leaders  in  type  without  manuscript  or  notes  before  him.  When  in  one 
of  Ids  frequent  tempests  of  passion  he  was  a  terror  to  every  one  around  him.  The 
Patriot  was  burned  out  in  one  of  the  big  fires  that  visited  Mount  Clemens.  It  was 
then  located  on  Pearl  Street,  when  Mr.  Perry  was  again  heard  from  as  a  publisher, 
and  where  he  remained  thereafter. 

Some  time  about  the  year  1854  another  paper  made  its  advent  in  Mt.  Clemens. 
It  was  brought  there  by  Geo.  F.  Lewis.  Lewis  had  been  a  publisher  at  Port  Huron, 
but  came  here  and  established  the  Peninsular  Advocate.  The  Advocate  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat paper,  and  its  office  was  located  in  wliat  was  known  as  the  "  Leviathan  " 
building,  which  stood  on  Front  street,  on  the  site  of  the  new  block  now  occupied 
by  the  post-office.  It  was  a  first-class  county  paper,  quite  pretentious  in  size  and 
appearance.  Its  editorial  management  was  first  class,  as  all  who  know  Fred  Lewis 
will  readily  concede.  During  the  first  years  of  the  civil  war,  the  Advocate  contin- 
ued to  be  published,  and  the  writer  was  its  "  war  correspondent "  from  the  army  of 
the  Potomac.  Mr.  Lewis,  however,  moved  to  Saginaw,  and  the  Advocate  ceased  to 
exist,  but  was  soon  followed  by  the  Mt.  Clemens  Conservative  Press,  under  the  man- 
agement of  Jas.  B.  Eldredge  and  Wm.Longstaff.  The  Mt.  Clemens  Press  had  its 
origin  in  the  old  Macomb  Conservative  Press,  which  was  established  in  1863  by  a 
stock  company.  The  material  was  mostly  purchased  second-hand,  and  is  sup- 
posed to  be  the  remnants  of  the  Peninsular  Advocate,  established  by  Mr.  Perry  some 
years  previous,  and  suspended.  Several  fonts  of  wood  type  still  remain  in  the  office 
in  almost  a  perfect  condition.  Messrs.  J.  B.  Eldredge  and  Wm.  Longstaff  became 
the  editors  and  general  managers  of  the  Conservative  Press,  and  continued  in  this 
capacity  until  1868,  when  John  Trevidick,  who  had  been  the  practical  head  of  the 
office  for  a  number  of  years,  became  the  publisher,  changing  the  name  to  the  Mt; 
Clemens  Press.     Mr.  Trevidick  continued  the   publication  until  December,  1882, 


;f^ 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.  333 

when  the  click  of  the  type  on  the  printer's  rule  ceased  in  the  Press  office.  "  Until 
further  notice,  no  paper  will  be  issued  from  this  office,"  was  the  "  special  announce- 
ment "that  greeted  its  readers  on  the  26th  day  of  December,  1872.  But  the 
further  notice  was  destined  to  come  from  other  quills  than  those  that  had  hereto- 
fore done  service  on  the  columns  of  the  Press.  In  the  following  spring,  May  1st, 
1873,  the  former  readers  of  the  paper  were  greeted  by  its  re-appearance  under  the 
management  of  S.  B.  Russell,  editor  and  proprietor. 

Among  the  earlier  pei'iodicals  of  Mt.  Clemens  we  must  mention  the  Masonic 
magazine  called  the  Ancient  Landmark,  which  was  published  by  A.  C.  Smith, 
before  mentioned,  from  the  Gazette  office.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  man  of  literary  taste 
and  an  enthusiastic  Mason.  Tlie  little  magazine  was  published  a  number  of  years, 
and  ceased  with  the  demise  of  the  Gazette  and  the  removal  of  Mr.  Smith  to  Min- 
nesota. 

About  1872  another  newspaper  was  started  at  Mt.  Clemens,  called  the  Me- 
porter.  Its  editor  and  proprietor  was  Lew.  M.  Miller,  and  tliougli  tlie  career  of  the 
Reporter  was  soon  cut  short  by  the  removal  of  Mr.  Miller  to  another  field,  it  will 
long  be  remembered  in  the  Republican  campaign  of  1872. 

Later,  Walter  T.  Lee  started  the  Mt.  Clemens  True  Record,  which,  after  a  brief 
and  unsuccessful  existence,  was  purcliased  by  W.  N.  Miller  &  Co.,  and  called  the 
Mt.  Clemens  RepuMican,  which  has  been  published  since  October,  1880.  The 
Republican  is  also  Republican  in  politics,  though  principally  devoted  to  matters  of 
local  interest. 

This,  we  believe,  completes  the  list  of  newspapers  and  periodicals  which,  from 
the  earliest  history  of  the  county  seat,  have  been  published  there.  However,  from 
time  to  time  special  publications  have  appeared,  one  of  whicli  was  a  holiday  picto- 
rial issued  by  Geo.  F.  Lewis  from  the  Advocate  office,  about  the  Christmas  of  1859 
or  1860.  The  pictorial  was  a  masterpiece  of  local  talent  and  skill.  Upon  its  pro- 
duction was  lavished  the  editorial  ability  of  Geo.  F.  Lewis,  Edgar  Weeks  and  Michael 
Stapleton,  whose  sketches  drew  heavily  upon  the  classics,  both  ancient  and  modern. 
The  artists  were  Edgar  Weeks  and  W.  T.  Lee,  whose  wood  engravings  rivaled 
those  of  the  Aldine  itself;  all  the  patent  medicine  cuts  in  the  offices  of  Mt.  Clemens 
were  utilized.  One  made  to  represent  the  Goddess  Juno  in  her  chariot  of  the 
Sun.  Another,  "before  taking"  was  made  to  represent  some  doleful  figure  in 
public  life,  while  the  "after  taking"  made  a  good  shift  for  the  physiognomy  of  some 
successful  and  self-satisfied  statesman,  whose  perennial  smile  was  the  principal 
feature  of  the  artistic  effort.  The  pictorial  was  a  great  local  hit  and  a  success.  We 
have  in  our  possession  a  copy  of  the  carrier's  address  to  the  patrons  of  the  Mt. 
Clemens  Patriot,  of  January  1st,  1842.  It  was  written  by  Miss  Lewis,  now  Mrs. 
N.  L.  Miller,  and  makes  mention  of  local  history  long  since  forgotten  by  most  of  the 


rv" 


fe^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


men  and  women  of  the  pi-esent  generation.  It  was  published  soon  after  the  death 
of  President  Harrison,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  political  changes  which  were  taking 
place  alludes  feelingly  to  the  recent  national  bereavement,  naturally  lauds  the  new 
President  and  finally  speaks  about  the  removal  of  the  recent  incumbents  of  the  Mt. 
Clemens  postoffice  and  deputy  coUectorship,  and  mentions  the  appointment  of  Giles 
Hubbard  to  the  first  and  Henry  D.  Terry  to  the  second  named  place.  The  poet 
says : 

Changes  political  are  few, 

But  yet  I  think  of  one  or  two  ; 

Our  good  Post-master  has  been  removed, 

Although  a  faithful  servant  proved. 

May  Giles,  who  fills  his  place  of  late 

His  bright  example  emulate. 

The  Custom  it  has  been  before, 

For  General  S to  watch  our  shore, 

But  the  Mayor  is  now  our  Collector — 
Of  smuggled  goods  a  safe  detector. 

Tliese  allusions  to  Giles  Hubbard,  John  Stockton  and  Henry  D.  Terry,  all  of 
tliem  once  prominent  in  the  social  and  political  events  of  the  country,  and  all  now 
lying  in  their  graves,  revive  a  sad  and  mournful  regret  over  the  memories  of  three 
men  whose  names  will  be  carried  down  into  the  distant  future  upon  the  public 
records  of  Macomb  County. 

During  the  years  over  which  our  sketch  has  extended,  other  men  have  figured 
in  the  newspaper  history  of  Mt.  Clemens,  prominent  among  them,  William  Long- 
staff,  once  a  practical  printer,  and  now  a  well-known  citizen  of  Mt.  Clemens.  John 
Atkins,  a  practical  printer  of  merit,  who  many  years  ago  removed  to  Council  Bluffs, 
Iowa.  Fred  B.  Lee,  also  a  practical  printer,  now  publisher  of  the  Monroe  Index. 
W.  T.  Lee,  of  whom  mention  has  been  made  before,  now  in  Monroe  engaged  in  his 
trade  as  a  printer.  Charles  H.  Lee,  now  proprietor  of  the  Saginaw  Republican,  at 
Saginaw  City.  David  A.  Stockton,  a  practical  printer,  who  removed  to  Canada 
some  years  ago.  W.  C.  Stockton,  a  practical  printer,  who  lives  in  Mt. 
Clemens.  Andrew  S.  Robertson,  once  one  of  the  foremost  lawyers  of  the  county, 
a  leading  politician,  a  State  Senator,  and  a  man  of  I'are  abilities  who  was  once  editor 
of  the  Peninsular  Advocate  ;  also  Mark  H.  March,  who  now  pursues  his  vocation  as 
a  job  printer  in  Detroit. 

These  reminiscences  are  written  largely  from  personal  recollections  and  may  be 
inaccurate  in  respect  to  some  of  the  dates.  These  can  be  hereafter  verified  by 
some  member  of  the  Pioneer  Society  who  may  have  leisure  to  devote  to  the  task,  and 
who,  we  trust  will  be  able  to  treat  the  subject  more  ably  than  the  j^resent  writer. 
To  those  men  who  have  had  charge  through  all  these  years,  of  that  powerful  engine, 
the  local  press,  the  city  and  county  owe  much  which  can  be  best  paid  by  preserving 


HISTORY   OF  5IAC0MB  COUNTY.  335 

in  the  ajchives  of  our  Pioneer  Society,  a  memorial  of  their  names  and  hiboi's,  for  the 
emulation  of  those  who  come  hereafter. 

NEW   BALTIMORE. 

Sometime  about  the  year  1853,  Tliomas  M.  Perry,  mentioned  as  the  founder  of 
the  Mt.  Clemens  Patriot,  started  a  paper  at  Ashleyville,  near  New  Baltimore.  It 
was  called  the  Ashleyville  Independent.  The  writer  was  employed  in  this  office 
part  of  the  first  year  of  its  publication.  Ashleyville  was  then  one  of  the  most  enter- 
prising and  promising  villages  in  the  county.  It  was  the  center  of  a  large  stave 
trade,  and  its  mills  gave  employment  to  a  large  population  of  laborers.  But  the 
Independent  did  not  long  survive,  and  we  believe  that  its  material  was  afterward 
brought  to  JMt.  Clemens  and  became  a  part  of  the  Peninsidar  Advocate,  under  George 
F.  Lewis,  as  heretofore  mentioned.  Some  time  afterward,  another  little  paper  bear- 
ing the  same  name  was  started  at  Ashleyville,  by  Martin  V.  Ferris,  then  a  practicing 
lawyer  there.  The  mechanical  work  was  done  by  Edgar  Weeks.  But  this  paper 
did  not  long  survive,  as  the  business  of  the  village  then  did  not  justify  the  venture. 
These  are  the  only  papers  ever  printed  in  New  Baltimore.  Mr.  Ferris  removed  to 
Indiana  and  pursued  tlie  practice  of  law  there,  where  he  died  a  few  years  ago. 

RICHMOND. 

The  Richmond  Herald  was  established  at  Richmond  on  the  8th  of  June,  1876, 
by  Del  T.  Sutton  and  George  W.  Kenfield.  Mr.  Kenfield  only  remained  in  the 
business  a  few  weeks,  but  Mr.  Sutton  continued  its  publication  until  November, 
1876,  when  he  sold  the  establishment  to  David  S.  Cooper. 

Mr.  Cooper  published  the  Herald  until  June,  1877,  when  the  publication  was 
discontinued.  The  good  people  of  Richmond  had  not  then  conceived  the  thought  of 
the  future  rapid  growth  of  their  little  city  and  the  Herald  was  born  before  its 
time.  But  Richmond  began  to  move.  Its  importance  as  a  manufacturing  center 
began  to  make  itself  apparent,  and  on  the  8th  day  of  November,  1877,  William  C. 
Walter,  an  enterprising  young  man,  started  the  Richmond  Review.  Walter  pub- 
lished the  Review  until  the  23d  of  November,  1879,  when  it  was  sold  to  Frank  S. 
Abbott,  then  a  practicing  attorney  at  Richmond.  Mr.  Abbott  continued  the  publi- 
cation of  the  Review  until  the  7th  of  August,  1880,  when  it  was  purchased  by  Del 
T.  Sutton,  its  present  editor  and  proprietor.  Mr.  Abbott  removed  to  Wyandotte, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  publishing  a  newspaper. 

The  Review  lias  alwajs  been  independent  in  politics,  and  devoted  to  the  local 
interests  of  the  village  of  its  nativity.  It  is  now  a  six-column  eight-page  paper,  suc- 
cessful, bright  and  enterprising,  and  a  fair  exponent  of  the  intelligence  and  thrift  of 
the  pleasant  village  of  Richmond. 


-fe* 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Armada  village  is  one  of  the  bright  enterprising  towns  of  the  county,  sur- 
rounded by  a  wealthy  and  intelligent  community,  and  inhabited  by  an  industrious 
and  thorough  class  of  business  men,  and  it  seems  a  good  field  for  a  newspaper. 

In  1874  the  Armada  Index  was  founded  by  Ed.  H.  Bently,  the  first  number 
appearing  in  October  of  that  year.  It  was  edited  and  managed  at  Armada  thougii 
printed  at  Detroit.  It  was  a  five-column  paper,  independent  in  politics  and  issued 
weekly.     Though  sprightly  and  intelligent  it  failed  to  survive  the  first  year. 

In  1876,  in  April,  Mr.  A.  F.  Stowe,  started  a  small  job  office  at  Armada,  and 
on  the  10th  of  May  published  the  first  number  of  the  Armada  Telegraph.  It  was  a 
small  four-column  pap$r,  quarto  in  form,  independent  in  politics.  In  the  vicissitudes 
of  its  early  career  it  was  reduced  in  size  to  a  four-column  bi-weekly  folio,  and  its 
publication  continued  by  Mr.  Stowe  until  January  1880,  when  he  sold  to  Charles  J. 
Seel3\  Mr.  Seely  immediately  enlarged  the  paper,  commenced  the  publication  of  a 
weekly  again,  enlarged  it  to  a  six-column  quarto  in  which  form  it  is  now  published 
by  Mr.  Seely,  with  every  appearance  and  prospect  of  success.  The  Telegraph  is  in- 
dependent in  politics.  In  August  1880,  J.  E.  Barringer,  the  enterprising  secretary 
of  the  Armada  Agricultural  Society,  commenced  the  publication  of  the  Armada 
Agriculturalist.  It  is  published  during  tlie  months  of  August,  September  and 
October  of  each  year,  and  is  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Agricultural  Society  of 
Armada  and  the  success  of  the  Armada  Fair  held  at  that  place. 

PEESONAL   NOTICES. 

Spencer  Boothe  Russell,  the  present  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Press,  is  the 
son  of  John  and  Ruth  Ann  Russell,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  immigrated 
to  the  United  States  when  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  settling  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death  in  1851.  He  was  a  hardy,  wiry 
si^ecimen  of  that  ancient  Celtic  race  of  whom  it  was  truly  said  "he  was  the 
straightest  man  in  the  county,  an  accomplished  athlete,  and  without  a  peer,  either 
in  the  harvest  field  or  in  the  garb  of  a  Christian."  His  wife  was  Ruth  Ann  Bur- 
ton, nee  Andrus.  The  Andrus  family  came  from  Rhode  Island  into  Yates  county. 
New  York  in  an  early  da3^  The  family  dates  its  origin  back  to  the  landing  of  the 
Pilgrims,  and  proudly  traces  its  progenitors  to  the  blue-blooded  Puritans  who  came 
over  in  the  May  Flower.  They  are  of  that  peculiar  type  of  Rhode  Island  yankee, 
whose  physiognomic  traits  and  Quakerish  drollery  of  dialect  are  all  present.  Not 
even  the  Celtic  blood,  the  quick  wit  and  ready  speech  of  a  North  of  Irelander,  have 
been  able  to  absorb  the  identit}^  of  the  Andrus  type  of  New  England's  sturdy 
stock.  The  town  of  Jerusalem,  Yates  Couuty,  N.  Y.,  became  the  home  of  the 
Russells,  and  here  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  November  24,  1846.    A  few 


M* 


IIISTOUY  OF  M.VCOMB   COUNTY. 


years  later  the  family  moved  to  Ontario  County  where  John  Russell  met  his  death 
from  the  effects  of  overwork  and  exposure.  The  widow  toiled  on  with  her  six 
fatherless  children  for  a  few  years,  and  then  moved  West,  landing  at  New  Balti- 
more, Macomb  County,  in  the  fall  of  1853.  The  poor  woman  but  journeyed  to  lier 
death;  for  after  a  brief  struggle  with  poverty  and  disease  of  the  new  West,  she, 
too,  entered  upon  that  long  journey  beyond  the  river,  bequeathing  her  six  little 
ones  to  the  world.  In  the  spring  of  1855,  the  subject  of  our  narrative,  being  left 
practically  homeless  and  friendless,  started  out  to  make  a  name  and  fortune  in  a 
world  of  which  he  knew  nothing.  Being  recommended  to  the  family  of  Abbot 
Van  Horn,  who  had  just  settled  in  the  woods  of  northeastern  Chesterfield  town- 
ship, he  went  to  the  home  of  that  settler,  and  entered  into  his  first  business 
transaction.  Van  Horn  agreed  to  furnish  him  a  home  and  give  him  what  advan- 
tages the  district  school  afforded,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  On  his  own  be- 
half the  boy  contractor  promised  to  stay  the  required  term  of  years,  to  give  his 
assistance  on  the  farm  in  summer  season  and  such  as  he  could  while  attending 
school.  No  contract,  signed  and  sealed  with  all  the  impressive  solemnities  and 
forms  of  law,  was  ever  more  sacredly  observed.  And  to  the  influence  of  this  Chris- 
tian home,  and  the  principles  of  business  integrity  and  morality  here  inculcated, 
Mr.  R.  credits  his  success  in  life.  After  the  expiration  of  his  contract  the 
next  few  years  were  spent  in  a  course  of  schooling  and  private  instructions  at  Mt. 
Clemens.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hubbard  &  Crocker, 
and  began  the  study  of  law,  which  was  continued,  with  the  exception  of  the  win- 
ter months  spent  in  teaching  district  schools,  until  August,  1868,  when  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  Macomb  Couuty.  His  examination  was  pronounced  by  the 
judge  and  bar  to  be  one  of  the  best  in  the  iiistory  of  the  circuit.  Visiting  his  native 
State  during  the  following  winter  a  little  incident  happened  that  may  not  be  out  of 
place  here.  The  reported  loss  of  a  party  of  sleigh-riders  while  crossing  a  lake,  led 
to  the  rumor  at  Mt.  Clemens  that  Mr.  Russell  was  one  of  the  number.  The  report 
spread  rapidly  and  gained  credence  wherever  it  was  told.  Many  were  the  expres- 
sions of  regret  that  so  promising  a  career  should  be  thus  suddenly  cut-off  in  the 
very  beginning.  "  One  day,"  says  Mr.  Russell,  "  there  came  a  letter  from  a  distant 
friend  less  credulous  than  those  at  Mt.  Clemens  informing  me  of  my  reported  death 
and  the  anxiety  of  friends  at  my  old  home.  The  anxious  friends  were  at  once  re- 
lieved, but  the  report  was  never  publicly  contradicted  until  my  appearance  ui^on 
the  streets  of  Mt.  Clemens  the  following  April.  I  shall  never  forget  the  look  of 
blank  astonishment  with  which  I  was  greeted  by  those  to  whom  my  appearance  was 
the  first  intimation  of  a  resurrection."  Instinctively  following  the  Star  of  Empire, 
Mr.  R.  took  his  flight  westward,  and  on  the  9th  of  May,  1869,  found  himself  in  the 
city  of  Omaha,  Neb.     But  a  longing  desire  to  enter  his  chosen  profession  never  de- 


D    fy 


4« 


338  IIISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 

serted  him,  and  the  following  January  he  hung  out  his  professional  shingle  at  Fort 
Scott,  Kan.,  upon  which  the  empire  star  was  at  that  time  shedding  its  most  effulgent 
rays.  But  that  season  was  very  unhealthy,  and  after  a  severe  attack  of  fever  fol- 
lowed by  the  Kansas  shakes  he  decided  to  forever  "  shake  "  that  country,  which  he 
did,  retiring  to  western  Michigan  in  the  fall  of  1870  very  much  broken  in  health, 
and  so  found  his  way  back  to  Mt.  Clemens  two  years  later.  In  the  spring  of  1873, 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  and  on  the  first 
day  of  May  assumed  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  also  the  editorial  management  of 
The  Press.  After  two  years  of  double  duty  the  Superintendency  Law  was  repealed, 
since  which  time  he  has  given  his  entire  attention  to  newsj^aper  work.  In  1878  he 
associated  his  brother  in  business  with  him,  who  still  shares  the  duties  of  manage- 
ment. 

Mr.  Russell  took  an  active  part  in  local  politics,  holding  several  minor  offices  in 
the  village,  afterwards  city,  until  the  spring  of  1881,  when  he  was  chosen  mayor  of 
the  city  over  a  formidable  opponent.  The  story  of  his  subsequent  removal  by  the 
Governor,  on  purely  technical  grounds,  his  re-nomination  and  re-election  as  given 
elsewhere  in  this  volume,  is  a  fair  and  impartial  recital  of  the  facts.  The  legal 
technicality  upon  which  the  Governor  based  the  removal  was  the  alleged  interest  of 
Mayor  Russell  in  a  contract  for  printing  between  the  city  and  the  firm  of  S.  B.  and 
H.  E.  Russell,  which,  as  shown  by  the  testimony,  amounted  to  less  than  $25  a  year 
and  was  entered  into  for  the  sole  benefit  of  H.  E.  Russell.  The  case  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  Press  throughout  the  State  and  never  was  the  official  act  of  an 
executive  more  severely  criticised  and  impartially  condemned.  Public  sympathy 
in  Macomb  Countj''  was  all  in  favor  of  Mr.  Russell  and  his  re-accession  to  tlie  may- 
oralty was  a  subject  of  congratulation  for  months  afterward.  Instead  of  the  stain 
which  a  few  political  enemies  had  confidently  hoped  to  bring  upon  his  public  record, 
it  proved  one  of  the  happiest  triumphs  of  his  whole  life.  No  more  appropriate 
woi'ds  can  be  used  in  closing  this  short  biographical  sketch  than  the  following  from 
the  pen  of  that  veteran  journalist  and  former  citizen,  Geo.  F.  Lewis.  The  article 
is  only  one  of  the  many  handsome  tributes  paid  Mr.  Russell  at  the  time  by  the  daily 
and  weekly  press  of  the  State.  It  appeared  in  the  Bay  City  Morning  Call,  of  which  Mr. 
Lewis  was  then  managing  editor,  and  may  form  a  very  apt  conclusion  to  this  sketch. 
"  Mr.  Russell,"  says  the  writer,  "  is  a  gentleman  of  no  small  individuality,  a  clever 
man  of  some  means,  decidedly  good  financial  ability,  undemonstrative  even  to 
reticence,  but  square  and  conscientious,  if  we  know  what  is  what  in  this  direction. 
He  is  far  from  that  morbid  sensibility  which  magnifies  every  trifling  trouble  into  a 
threatened  disaster,  and  satisfied  in  his  conscience  that  he  meant  to  be  fair  and 
honorable,  he  paid  very  little  attention  to  the  proceedings  which  were  taken  for  his 
removal. 


^' 


-4h. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


"Henry  E.  Russell  was  born  in  the  town  of  Jerusalem,  Yates  Co.,  N.  Y., 
in  1848.  Came  to  this  State  and  county  in  1852,  moved  to  Oakland  in  1860,  and 
to  Allegan  in  1863.  where  he  lived  until  the  late  rebellion.  He  enlisted  in  the  24th 
Michigan  Infantry  in  1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  the  war 
he  entered  the  Seminary  at  Allegan,  and  received  such  an  education  as  that 
institution  affords.  He  left  the  Seminar}^  in  1869.  Taught  schools  in  Allegan  up 
to  1872,  when  he  moved  into  Kent  County.  There  he  taught  school  in  Alpine  and 
Algoma  Townships  until  1874,  when  he  returned  to  Macomb.  He  passed  a  short 
time  at  Memphis,  this  county,  in  1874,  and  in  the  winter  of  that  j'ear  entered  the 
office  of  the  Press  at  Mount  Clemens.  In  1878  he  formed  a  partnership  with  S.  B. 
Russell.  He  is  a  practical  printer  and  superintendent  of  office.  Mr.  Russell  was 
married  to  Miss  Fanny  M.  Miller,  sister  of  Lew  M.  Miller,  of  Lansing,  April  23, 
1878." 

John  E.  Nellis,  publisher  of  the  Monitor,  was  born  at  Brantford,  Canada  West, 
August  80, 1828.  His  father,  John  Nellis,  was  born  in  New  York  State  about  1775, 
and  left  that  State  with  his  father,  who  was  one  of  the  U.  E.  Loyalists  of  that  time. 
Mr.  Nellis  was  educated  at  Brantford.  In  1856  he  began  mercantile  life,  which 
he  continued  in  Michigan  from  1866  to  1872,  when  he  entered  on  the  publication 
of  the  Wayne  County  Courier.  The  first  number  of  the  Courier  was  issued  in 
January,  1873.  Mr.  Nellis  published  the  journal  until  March,  1879,  when  he  dis- 
posed of  his  interest  therein,  and  moved  to  Mount  Clemens,  there  he  purchased  tlie 
Monitor  from  Edward  O'Brien,  and  entered  at  once  on  the  publication  of  that  jour- 
nal, which  now  is  considered  one  of  the  best  managed  and  edited  weekly  newspa- 
pers in  this  State.  He  has  filled  the  position  of  United  States  Custom  Officer  at 
the  port  of  Mount  Clemens  since  March,  1880.  Mr.  Nellis  married  Miss  Eleanor  R. 
Griffin  in  1855.  The  children  of  this  marriage  are  Georgiana,  born  in  1856; 
Frank  E.,  born  in  1857 ;  Jesse  M.,  born  1861 ;  Nellie  A.,  born  in  1863,  and  Grace 
R.,  born  January  7,  1874. 

Frank  E.  Nellis,  editor  of  the  Monitor,  boru  at  Watertown,  Canada,  Marcli  27, 
1857,  settled  in  Wayne  County,  Michigan,  in  1866.  He  attended  the  schools  of 
Wyandotte  until  1871,  wlien  he  entered  the  Enterprise  office,  where  he  learned  the 
art  of  printing.  When  his  fathei'  became  publisher  of  the  Courier  he  continued  to 
work  there  as  foreman  until  1875,  when  he  became  local  editor.  In  1878  he 
entered  the  Detroit  office  of  the  Courier.  He  remained  at  Detroit  until  March, 
1879,  when  he  came  to  Mount  Clemens  as  editor  of  the  Monitor,  in  which  journal 
he  claims  a  third  interest.  As  editor  of  this  journal  he  has  won  for  himself  the 
name  of  being  at  once  energetic,  industrious,  judicious  and  honest.  They  form  the 
main  characteristics  of  the  man.  Mr.  Nellis,  Sr.,  is  business  manager  of  the  [>aper^ 
which   position  is  admirably  filled.     Within   the  last  two  years  the  circulation  of 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  Monitor  has  inci'eased  from  300  to  1,000  copies  per  week  ;  while  the  value  of 
the  office  has  advanced  from  $1,200  to  $6,000. 

Lew.  M.  Miller,  formerly  connected  with  the  Press  of  Macomb,  was  born  in  Ray 
Township,  March  3, 1849.  In  the  summer  of  1868  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hub- 
bard &  Crocker.  Had  charge  of  school  at  Davis  or  Brooklyn  in  1869-70,  and  at 
Freeman's  Mill  in  1870-'71,  when  he  received  the  appointment  of  engrossing  clerk 
of  tlie  Mich.  H.  of  R.  Since  that  period  he  has  served  in  the  house  as  engrossing 
and  enrolling  clerk  or  journal  clerk,  during  three  extra  sessions  and  six  regular  ses- 
sions of  the  Legislature.  He  was  elected  Circuit  Court  Commissioner  for  Macomb 
in  1872.  In  the  summer  of  1873,  he  issued  the  Mount  Clemens  Reporter.  In  1875 
he  assumed  control  of  the  Big  Rapids  Magnet ;  but  severed  his  connection  with  that 
journal  in  1876.  Returning  to  Mt.  Clemens,  he  consolidated  the  Reporter  with  the 
Monitor,  the  latter  having  been  purchased  by  Tliomas  H.  Foster.  He  made  it,  what 
is  termed  a  "  red-hot  Republican  paper."'  In  1877  Forster  &  Miller  sold  their  inter- 
est in  the  Monitor  to  Cooper.  Since  1878  Mr.  Miller  has  made  Lansing  his  home, 
where  he  is  a  member  of  the  Secretary  of  State's  staff.  His  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  A.  Clippinger,  of  Lansing,  took  place  Feb.  3,  1875. 

George  Alvin  Waterbury,  son  of  John  C.  and  Lory  A  (Parks)  Waterbury,  was 
born  near  St.  Clair,  St.  Clair  Co.,  Aug.  11,  1847.  At  an  early  day  Mr.  Waterbury, 
Sr.,  and  family  came  to  Micliigan.  In  1845  he  removed  from  Calhoun  County  and 
settled  tinee  miles  north  of  Lexington,  in  Sanilac  County,  where  he  resided  until 
1852,  when  the  family  moved  into  Lexington  village.  There  George  A.  attended 
school  and  continued  there  until  1863,  when  lie  became  a  student  at  the  Dickinson 
Institute,  Ronieo.  He  attended  tluxt  institution  for  about  two  years;  before  it  be- 
came the  Union  school.  He  then  went  to  Oberlin  in  1865-'6,  which  college  he  at- 
tended until  1868.  In  1868  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  at 
Ann  Arbor,  where  he  graduated  in  1869.  On  leaving  college  he  entered  the  law 
office  of  Newbury,  Pond  &  Brown  at  Detroit,  where  he  remained  about  a  year. 
In  1871,  Mr.  Waterbury  was  connected  with  the  post-office  at  Lexington.  Sub- 
sequently he  traveled  extensively  until  June  1873.  In  Aug.  1873,  he  purchased 
tlie  office  of  the  Observer  from  I.  D.  Hanscom,  and  entered  upon  the  publication  of 
that  journal  the  same  month.  Mr.  Waterbury  married  Miss  Jennie  Killam  of 
Addison  Township,  Oakland  Co.,  daughter  of  Powell  C.  Killam,  formerly  of  Bruce, 
referred  to  in  the  historical  sketch  of  Bruce  Township. 

John  C.  Waterbury,  father  of  G.  A.  Waterbury  of  Romeo,  may  be  considered 
an  old  resident  of  Sanilac  County.  He  has  served  that  district  of  Michigan,  in  the 
Legislature  for  two  terms,  and  in  the  Senate  for  two  terms.  He  was  appointed 
United  States  Assessor  during  tlie  war  ;  elected  Judge  of  Probate  for  his  County, 
and  held  many  offices  of  trust  in  the  township  of  Lexington.     He  was  born  in  Del- 


j  ^ 
^ 


^V^ 


k^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


aware  County  N.  Y.,  in  1815,  came  to  Michigan,  and  settled  in  Calhoun  County  in 
1838 ;  moved  thence  to  St.  Clair  County  in  1840,  and  again  to  Sanilac  in  1847, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  married  Miss  Lory  Andrews  Parks,  in  1838.  This  lady 
was  born  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1815,  and  came  with  her  husband  to  Mich- 
igan in  1838. 

F.  C.  Buzzell  and  his  brother  C.  H.  Buzzell,  inaugurated  a  new  paper  in  1880 
under  the  name  of  the  Romeo  Democrat,  and  the  first  number  was  issued  May  1  of 
that  year.  As  individuals  the  Buzzells  are  strictly  Republican  in  politics;  yet 
their  journal  is  a  faithful  advocate  of  Democratic  principles.  The  first  named  pro- 
prietor, son  of  Martin  and  Julia  A.  (Wing)  Buzzell,  was  born  at  Romeo,  July  3, 
1856;  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  the  village,  entered  on  the  study  of  law  in  the 
office  of  J.  L.  Starkweatlier,  in  1876,  and  opened  a  law  office  in  1877,  the  business 
of  which  office  is  conducted  by  liim  at  present. 

Clyde  H.  Buzzell,  brother  of  F.  C.  Buzzell,  was  born  at  Romeo  in  1858.  He 
is  a  practical  printer,  and  holds  the  position  of  foreman  in  the  Observer  office  since 
April  1881.  In  connection  with  the  history  of  Romeo,  a  biographical  sketch  of 
this  family  is  given. 

William  H.  Marvin,  son  of  Milton  and  M.  A.  (Morse)  Marvin  natives  of  New 
York,  was  born  at  Ypsilanti,  Mich.,  Oct.  14, 1842.  He  attended  the  district  school, 
and  in  1866  entered  the  Normal  School  of  Ypsilanti,  where  he  studied  for  three 
years.  After  leaving  the  Noruial,  he  inaugurated  a  real  estate  and  insurance  office  at 
Ithaca,  Gratiot  Co.  There  he  continued  in  business  until  1871,  when  he  moved  to 
Toledo,  O.  After  some  time  devoted  to  insurance  business  at  Toledo,  he  pub- 
lished tlie  first  railroad  guide  ever  issued  there,  which  is  now  a  prosperous  publica- 
tion bearing  the  endorsement  of  all  the  i-ailroad  companies.  In  1873  he  entered 
the  office,  now  known  as  the  Northern  Ohio  Democrat.  Here  he  continued  until 
'1874.  During  that  year  he  opened  a  printing  office  in  company  with  E.  V.  E. 
Ranch.  In  1856  he  moved  to  Utica,  Mich.,  where  he  established  the  Utica  iS'ewime/, 
with  O.  B.  Culley  as  a  partner.  The  first  copy  of  this  paper  was  issued  Aug.  11, 
1876,  being  the  first  newspaper  published  in  the  village  since  the  collapse  of  the 
Utica  Enterprise  over  forty  years  ago.  In  1877  Culley  disposed  of  his  interest  in 
the  Sentinel,  and  removed  to  Marine  City.  This  journal  is  thoroughly  independent, 
well  conducted,  and  claimed  to  be  one  of  the  most  prosperous  newspapers  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Marvin  married  Laura  E.  Smith,  of  Ithaca,  Oct.  4,  1868.  The  chil- 
dren are  Luna,  born  Feb.  14,  1870,  and  Laura  P.,  born  Sept.  23,  1874. 

Ciiarles  J.  Seeley,  son  of  Burton  W.  and  Mary  (Curtis)  Seeley,  was  born 
in  Armada  village,  March  4,  1861.  Has  always  lived  in  the  village  and  has 
engaged  in  various  enterprises  until  Jan.  1,  1880,  at  which  time  he  purchased 
of  A.  F.  Stowe    the   Armada    Telegra2yh,  and  is  the  owner  and  manager  of  that 


:^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


paper  at  the   present   time.     It  is  published   in    the    interest  of  the    Republican 
party. 

Del.  T.  Sutton,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Richmond  Revieiv,  was  born  Oct.  1, 
1858.  The  greater  portion  of  the  first  seven  or  eight  years  of  his  life  was  spent 
on  a  farm,  in  what  is  known  as  the  Kellogg  neighborhood,  in  the  township  of  Ray, 
in  this  county.  He  then  removed  to  Richmond,  where  his  father  William  R. 
Sutton,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  Residing  at  that  place  for  some  ye.ars, 
he  removed  to  New  Haven.  He  lived  at  this  place  for  several  years  when 
he  returned  to  Richmond.  In  June,  1876,  in  company  with  George  W.  Kin- 
field,  he  started  the  Richmond  Ilendd.  After  an  existence  of  about  two  weeks, 
the  partnership  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Sutton  assuming  the  whole  business,  which  he 
continued  until  November  of  the  same  year,  when  he  sold  out  to  David  L. 
Cooper,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  for  about  eight  montlis.  He  then  assumed 
the  position  of  local  and  assistant  editor  of  the  Port  Huron  Da'thi  and  Wei'Mij 
Times,  where  he  remained  for  several  months.  His  next  enterprise  was  the  estab- 
lishing of  the  G^re.enhach  Sentinel,  a  campaign  journal.  In  October,  1878,  he 
removed  to  Homer,  Calhoun  Co..  to  edit  and  publish  the  Index.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Lillie  B.  Thompson,  of  Richmond,  Dec.  25,  1878.  In  August,  1880,  he 
returned  to  Richmond,  purchased  the  Richmond  Review,  of  which  journal  he  is 
now  editor  and  publisher. 

Geo.  F.  Lewis,  known  as  the  "genial  Saginawian,"  "  Fred"  Lewis,  etc.,  etc., 
was  born  at  Harvard,  Worcester  County,  Mass.,  June  7,  1828.  Came  with  parents 
to  Mt.  Clemens  in  18.35.  Set  first  type  in  office  of  Macomb  Statesman,  tlien  edited 
by  John  N.  Ingersoll.  Subsequently  held  positions  in  the  office  of  the  Mt.  Clemens 
Patriot,  in  1838;  the  Detroit  Daily  Commercial  Bulletin,  in  1848;  the  ATacomh  Co. 
Herald,  in  1849  ;  the  Port  Huron  Commercial,  in  1851 ;  the  Peninsular  Advocate,  in 
18.55.  In  March,  1868,  he  inaugurated  the  Daily  Courier,  at  Saginaw;  projected' 
the  Saginau'ian,  in  1869;  the  Mt.  Pleasant  t7b?<r«rtZ,  in  1880,  and  the'Daily  Morning 
Call,  at  Bay  City,  in  1881. 

We  have  now  given,  in  as  much  detail  as  the  subject  requires,  a  history  of  the 
newspapers  of  Macomb  County.  For  many  of  the  facts  the  writer  is  indebted  to 
friends  who  have  kindly  aided  him  with  memoranda  of  names  and  dates,  and  thus 
materially  lessened  the  labor  of  research.  Among  tliose  whose  kindness  in  this 
respect  we  desire  specially  to  acknowledge  are  Fred.  B.  Lee,  of  the  Monroe  Index  ; 
Del  T.  Sutton,  of  the  Richmond  B^euiew;  Chas.  J.  Seely,  of  tlie  Armada  Telegraph ; 
S.  H.  Ewell,  of  Romeo  ;  A.  J.  Heath,  of  New  Haven  ;  N.  L.  Miller,  of  Mt.  Clemens. 

Tlie  foregoing  is  but  a  sketch  of  the  subject.  There  remains  yet  to  be  told 
the  story  of  the  newspaper  man's  struggle  with  poverty;  the  bitter  disappoint- 
ment of  his  cherished  plans  and  hopes  when  liis  journal  proved  a  financial  disaster ; 


rfr 


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HISTORY   OP  ]\rAC0JII5   COUNTY.  343 

the  heart  burnings  born  in  the  midst  of  controversy ;  the  generous  feeling  of  for- 
giveness when  the  controversy  was  ended  ;  the  improvidence  of  the  printer  which 
led  to  financial  embarrassment ;  the  unappreciated  talent  expended  upon  a  too 
indifferent  public;  the  loyal  liberality  of  one  of  the  profession  toward  another, 
which  is  a  distinguishing  characteristic  of  the  trade  of  printing  and  journalism ; 
and  last,  the  many  happy  social  events  which  have  been  enjoyed  at  the  ancient  cel- 
ebrations of  Franklin's  birthday. 

It  was  once  a  rule  of  the  profession  in  tiiis  county  to  celebrate  the  birthday  of 
Benjamin  Franklin,  and  over  a  generous  banquet,  with  music  and  fair  speeches,  to 
laud  the  Printer,  Statesman  and  Patriot,  and  keep  green  the  memory  of  the  distin- 
guished men  who  have  in  the  past  adorned  the  printer's  trade  and  the  profession  of 
journalism.  In  the  midst  of  such  scenes  we  have  heard  the  ringing  oratory  of  An- 
drew S.  Robertson,  the  witty  response  of  Geo.  F.  Lewis,  the  quiet  good  sense  of 
Fred.  Lee,  and  the  eloquence  of  other  tongues,  some  of  which  are  sealed  with  the 
silence  of  the  grave. 

Our  county  has  had  tlie  services  of  these  men.  Their  hearts  and  brains  have 
been  taxed  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  people  of  this  county,  and  these  inter- 
ests have  been  generously  served  by  them.  There  are  many  personal  reminiscences 
which  belong  to  this  sketch,  but  the  time  at  our  disposal  prevents  our  entering  upon 
their  detail.  In  the  ranks  of  the  profession  have  been  numbered  the  political 
leaders  of  the  county,  the  leaders  of  our  legal  men,  the  leaders  of  the  advance  to 
social  and  practical  events  within  the  borders  of  our  county,  and  .the  fraternity  of 
to-day  can  look  back  over  the  past  history  of  their  profession  in  this  county  with 
a  just  pride  in  their  achievements,  tlieir  ability,  their  social  and  political  standing, 
and  claim  descent  from  a  noble  line  of  leaders.  May  we  hope  that  at  some  future 
gathering  of  the  Pioneer  Society  the  men  of  to-day  may  be  recognized  in  the  same 
way  by  our  followers,  "  and  that  the  good  we  do  may  live  after  us." 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

POETRY  OF  MACOMB. 

From  the  earliest  period  in  the  history  of  man,  poetry  has  maintained  a  relation 
to  him  at  once  remarkable  and  mysterious.  She  always  led  him  from  the  mate- 
rialistic longings  of  nature,  to  a  reverence  for  the  Invisible  Ruler  of  the  Universe. 
In  every  age,  in  every  land,  she  hesitated  not  for  a  moment  in  her  admiration  of  the 
world's  Great  Architect ;  she  always  believed  and  adored  the  Divinity,  without 
other  proof  than  faith,  without  other  demonstration  of  His  being,  than  that  which 


?P 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Nature  spreads  before  her.  In  this  poetry  is  alone  sublime.  Let  us,  for  an  instant, 
east  away  hope,  or  set  aside  our  belief  that  this  world  is  the  work  of  an  Almighty 
hand.  What  is  the  result?  Our  senses  become  enshrouded  in  a  cloud  which  seems 
to  damp  our  energies,  as  well  as  to  hide  tlie  beauties  of  Nature,  and  leave  the  animal 
side  of  our  own  cliaracters  alone  visible.  True  religion  and  poetry  have  ever  walked 
together.  Under  the  Old  Dispensation,  the  commands  of  our  God  were  entrusted 
to  her  regular  measures,  and  centuries  after  the  Prophets,  she  was  made  the  lan- 
guage of  the  New  Law.  Poetry  has  been,  is,  and  will  be  the  language  of  Heaven, 
the  language  which  at  once  soothes  and  elevates  the  soul  of  man,  the  language  which 
maj^  be  comprehended  and  felt,  in  a  word  the  language  of  refined  thought  which 
comprehends  by  faith,  and  points  out  the  end  from  the  beginning. 

The  propriety  of  introducing  this  chapter  can  not  be  questioned.  Not  only 
do  the  jioems  contribute  to  show  the  character  of  the  poetry,  which  flourished  in 
the  county  from  1860  to  the  present  time  ;  but  they  also  serve,  in  some  few  in- 
stances, to  recall  events  and  names  in  the  history  of  Macomb,  that  might  otherwise 
be  forgotten.  It  may  be  stated,  however,  that  no  effort  was  made  toward  a  special 
collection  of  verses,  tlie  few  which  do  appear  being  selected  from  a  very  limited 
repertoire. 


THE  WORLD'S  PIONEER. 

BY   JAMES   I.AWSON. 
"  Of  Arts  and  Arms,"  let  Virgil  sing, 

And  Homer  chant  heroic  lays  ; 
My  hands  shall  strike  a  nobler  string. 

The  world's  bold  pioneers  to  praise. 

"  Be  faithful,  multiply,  give  birth, 

Replenish  and  subdue  the  earth," 

Determined  in  the  Heavenly  plan 

The  life  and  destiny  of  man 

To  be  a  wanderer  ;  and  he. 

Clad  with  dominion,  conquers  sea 

And  land.     The  empire  of  his  reign, 

Tlie  world's  encircling,  wide  domain. 

If  Adam's  fall,  and  the  great  sin 

Of  disobedience  had  not  been, 

The  gates  of  Eden  would  in  vain, 

Have  barred  his  exit  to  the  plain 

Of  Edom.     If  from  branded  Cain 

Obedience  had  wiped  the  stain 

Of  murder,  the  submerging  flood, 

That  deluged  earth,  had  not  been  blood. 

The  wisdom  of  the  times  to  be 

Siill  hangs  upon  the  central  tree 

Of  knowledge.     Ignorance  will  taste 


The  fruit,  and  learn  at  bitter  waste. 

The  evil  with  the  good  inwrought 

For  ev'ry  blessing  man  has  sought 

The  wings  of  broken  law  have  brought 

Full  mated  with  the  punishment. 

But  time  and  mercy  have  been  lent 

The  tresp.isser  ;  the  respite  been 

Prolonged  beyond  the  day  of  sin. 

And  Enochs  gone  in  many  lands 

And  cities  builded  with  their  hands. 

Great  Nimrods  through  the  forests  strayed, 

And  Tubals  wrought  the  polished  blade. 

Subduing  wastes,  oceans  subdued 

Until  a  singing  multitude 

Has  peopled  earth,  repeopled  o'er 

Isles  of  the  seas,  and  distant  shore 

Of  continent.     The  waves  of  time 

Have  borne  his  seed  to  every  clime 

And  ebbed  and  flowed  in  end'ess  tide, 

Far  reaching  as  the  ambient  wide. 

Empires  been  founded,  passed  away. 

And  others  built  on  their  debris. 

Till  not  an  islet  lone,  or  glen. 

That  has  not  nursed  the  sons  of  men, 

And  every  step  the  present  tread 

To  where  the  past  has  laid  its  dead. 


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HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.                                                345 

(V 

And  foot-steps  of  the  coming  I'ace 

Long  time  his  little  fleet  sails  on. 

Will  soon  disturb  our  resting-place. 

Till  doubt  and  murmuring  faint  had  grown 

No  ocean  where  his  daring  prow 

To  mutiny.     A  coward's  soul 

Has  ventured  not,  or  ventures  now, 

Can  never  reach  a  higher  goal 

Where  yet  tlie  world  great  Argosies 

Than  its  own  littleness,  and  yet 

Are  searching  for  the  Golden  Fleece 

The  noblest  spirit  may  be  met 

Of  Colchis  ;  and  every  day 

And  baffled  by  the  meanest  churl 

Sees  other  Jasons  sail  away 

That  breathes.     Envy  would  hurl 

In  search  of  some  new  Colchian  shore 

The  pillars  of  the  noblest  fame 

Which  golden  skies  ate  flocking  o'er, 

That  genius  rears,  though  gods  were  slain. 

Some  Leon  seeking  for  the  Spring 

And  thousands  perished  in  the  fall  ; 

Whose  waters  youth  immortal  bring, 
Only  to  find  life's  voyage  o'er 

May  his  parched  lips  be  quenched  with  gall, 
While  fires  of  hell  consume  his  soul. 

Nepenthe  on  the  distant  shore 

Who,  envious  of  the  good  and  great. 

Of  sweet  forgetfulness.     The  cup 
Of  Death's  dark  fountain  lifted  up 

Would  rob  them  of  their  rightful  state. 
Though  chains  with  triple  steel  are  wrought, 

Unto  his  lips  ;  the  bitter  draught 
Of.Lethe's  stream  forever  quaffed 

They  have  no  power  to  fetter  tliought. 
Nor  daunt  a  hero's  breast.     Alone 

Some  Nordson  with  his  tattered  sails 

The  daring  pioneer  leads  on, 

Still  searching  for  Valhalla's  dales. 

With  thoughts  as  high  above  his  clan 

Or  Cartier  for  the  Acadian  shore. 

As  Alps  above  the  marshy  plain 

Which  restless  mortals  would  explore. 

Of  Lombardy.     Steadfast  his  faith. 

For  pleasures,  which  are  found  alone 

Amid  the  taunts  and  threats  of  death 

To  cluster  round  their  own  hearthstone, 

From  his  vile  crew.     On  bended  knee 

Some  Cook,  far  seeking  in  the  West 

For  three  days  more — for  only  three — 

The  Happy  Islands  of  the  Blessed, 

But  other  shores,  whose  feet  have  pressed 

He  pleads.     Momentous  days,  how  brief, 
What  anguish,  hope,  distrust  and  grief 

In  that  dark  sea  of  the  unknown. 

Are  crowded  there.     What  deed  sublime 

Whose  waves  in  ceaseless  sweep  roll  on. 

Hangs  on  that  little  space  of  Time. 

A  Moses,  with  a  wand'ring  band 

Thrice   at  the  close  of   day  the  sun 

Long  journeying  to  some  Promised  Land, 

Into  the  waste  of  waves  goes  down. 

Whose  weary  feet,  for  life  have  pressed 
The  desert  waste  and  found  no  rest 

And  yet  no  land.     And  can  there  be 
No  farther  shore  to  that  vast  sea. 

On  Nebo's  Mount,  sinks  down  at  last. 

Wide  spreading  as  immensity? 

The  Jordan  of  his  hopes  unpassed. 
Columbus  for  the  Eastern  seas. 

Dies  on  the  wave  the  midnight  bell  : 
'Tis  twelve  o'clock  and  all  is  well, 

Still  sailing  westward  with  the  breeze 

But  not  to  him,  who  sleepless  lies 

Of  autumn  late,  while  early  spring 
Perforce  was  spent  in  loitering. 

Upon  his  couch.     The  next  sunrise 
Is  life  or  death.     Sad  soul  be  calm  ! 

By  chance  may  gain,  not  what  he  sought. 

How  little  mortals  know  for  them 

But  objects  widest  of  his  thought. 

What  fate  awaits  ;  the  darkest  night 

Columbus  !     Bravest  of  the  brave, 

Will  often  break  with  rosy  light 

Bold  mariners  on  ocean's  wave  ; 

At  morn.     The  glass  has  marked  the  day 

With  brow  to  plan,  with  soul  to  dare. 

When  he  must  fruitless  turn  away 

Twin  born  with  Faith,  stranger  to  fear. 

From  his  long  search.     Ah  no  !  a  light 

With  three  small  ships  boldly  sets  sail. 
Where  never  keel  had  marked  a  trail 

Gleams  through  the  darkness  of  the  night. 
And  Hope  with  her  swift  pinions  bright. 

J 

0 

Upon  the  chart,  or  pilot  been 

To  guide  him  o'er  the  deep  unseen. 

Sits  perched  upon  the  Pinta's  prow. 
Faith  holds  a  steady  rudder  now, 

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346                                                 HISTORY   OP  MACOMB   COUNTY. 

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With  cautious  lead  they  stand  away. 

.  And  broader  fields  give  broader  view. 

And  anxious  watch  the  break  of  day. 

The  temple  by  the  school-house  stands. 

It  comes  at  last — the  mists  are  curled. 

Teacher  and  pastor  shaking  hands. 

And  shouts  proclaim  a  new  found  world. 

And  towns  and  homes  and  temples  stand, 

Crowned  with  success  the  very  morn 

The  triumphs  of  his  toiling  hand, 

Set  for  their  hopeless,  sad  return, 

And  Freedom's  banner  of  the  skies, 

Three  gallant  ships  securely  ride 

Floats  o'er  another  Paradise. 

At  anchor  on  Bahama's  tide. 

Another  spot  of  earth  subdued, 

Rebellion,  doubt,  distrust,  dismay. 

That  toil  has  wrung  from  solitude  ; 

Swept  with  that  morning's  mists  away, 

Where  at  the  closing  hours  of  day, 

And  he — so  late  derided,  jeered — 

Contentment  drives  dull  care  away  ; 

Honored  and  flattered  and  revered. 

And  Retrospection's  eyes  are  cast 

Unknown  upon  the  scroll  of  fame. 

Back  on  the  rugged  hill  that's  passed. 

Are  heroes  worthy  of  a  name 

While  Faith  points  onward  to  the  shore. 

And  place  in  history.     The  toil 

Where  Care  and  Sorrow  come  no  more. 

That  rings  rich  harvests  from  the  soil, 

Heaven's  blessings  on  their  gray  locks  rest. 

Reclaims  the  forests,  tills  the  plain, 

While  sinks  their  sunset  in  the  West. 

And  scatters  sheaves  of  golden  grain 
Upon  the  white  wings  of  the  sea. 
Is  worthy  honor,  more  than  he 

A  CHILD'S  PRAYER. 

Who  conquers  armies,  devastates 

BY    MRS.   L.    E.    CANNON. 

The  fnirest  re-ilms,  depopulates 

A  little  maiden  knelt  beside  her  bed  — 

Wliole  towns  and  cities;  renders  waste 

A  downy  couch  with  snowy  covering  spread — 

The  proudest  monuments  of  Art. 

Clasping  her  tiny  hands  with  reverent  mien. 

And  plays  "  the  conquering  hero's  part." 

Her  head,  with  golden  ringlets,  bowed  between. 

To  trample  with  the  hoofs  of  war, 

"  Dear  God,"  she  said,   "  my  mamma  says  that  you 

The  products  of  the  gleaming  share, 

Know  everything  we  think,  or  say  or  do  ; 

And  barracks  build  where  hamlets  stood. 

When  we  are  naughty  you  are  very  sad. 

Great  only  in  his  deeds  of  blood. 

.■\nd  then  when  we  are  good  it  makes  you  glad, 

Greater  who  builds,  though  but  a  cot. 

And  when  we  pray,  whatever  we  request, 

And  cultures  Peace  to  bless  his  lot; 

You'll  surely  grant  it  if  you  think  it  best." 

What  laurels  bring  ;  how  honor  here 

There  came  a  little  sob  and  then  she  said  ; 

The  gray-haired,  hardy  pioneer, 

■'  Please,  God,  my  dolly  needs  another  head. 

Who,  fronr  a  home  where  Eden  smiled. 

I  was  so  frightened  that  I  h.ad  to  run. 

Went  forth  into  a  rugged  wild 

'Though  mamma  says  the  dog  was  just  in  fun, 

With  faith,  new  homes  and  hopes  to  build. 

But  then  I  slipped  and  fell,  and  such  a  crash. 

The  forest  falls  beneath  his  stroke. 

And  my  poor  Rosa's  head  broke  all  to  smash. 

His  plow,  the  stubborn  fallow  broke. 

I  picked  the  pieces  up  and  cried  and  cried. 

His  thoughtful  hand  the  orchard  plants. 

For  mamma  is  so  poor  since  papa  died. 

His  industry  provides  for  wants. 

And  then  I  thought  I'd  tell  you  all  to-night, 

The  trail  grows  wider  with  his  feet. 

For  I  was  very  sure  you'd  make  it  right, 

And  fear  and  doubt  no  longer  meet. 

And  when  you  thought  how  lonely  I  would  be. 

And  sit  upon  his  threshold   rude 

You'd  surely  heed  a  little  girl  like  me. 

In  parlance  with  solicitude. 

I  have  no  brothers  now,  or  sister  dear. 

His  barns  with  garnered  store  are  filled,    ' 

But  poor  mamma  and  I  are  all  that's  here. 

The  hands  that  penury  had  chilled 

The  rest  are  with  you  up  in  heaven  you  know. 

Grow  warm  again  ;  his  wife  is  blessed. 

And  sometime  mamma  says  that  we  shall  go. 

The  children  of  their  love  caressed, 

So,  if  you'll  fix  my  dolly  up  till  then, 

J 

The  old  house  stands  behind  the  new, 

I'll  try  still  harder  to  be  good.     Amen." 

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HISTORY  OF   IMACOMB  COUNTY. 


A  LEGEND   OF  SHELBY  TOWNSHIP. 

BY   MRS.  L.  E.  CANNON. 

Long  years  ago — at  least  so  runs  the  story — 

There  lived,  not  far  away, 
A  chieftain,  covered  o'er  with  paint  and  glory, 

A  gorgeous  array. 

Where  rang  the  war-whoop  or  the  scalp-knife  glist- 
ened, 

fie  led  his  tribe  along, 
'Till  the  few  settlers  held  their  breath  and  listened, 

Hearing  their  barbarous  song. 

The  little  children's  eyes  grew  big  with  wonder 

At  mention  of  his  name  ; 
All  feared  they  should  from  friends  be  lorn  asunder. 

If  that  bold  chieftain  came. 

The  story  goes,  one  day  a  wee  small  maiden 

Of  summers  only  four 
Wandered  along,  with  fragrant  wild-flowers  laden. 

Far  from  the  cottage  door. 

The  old  chief  saw  the  tiny,  winsome  creature. 

And  gloried  in  his  might. 
Covered  with  war-paint,  every  hideous  feature 

Grew  harder  at  the  sight. 

He  snatched  her  up,  and  through  the  forest  bore  her. 
Where  no  pale-face  would  roam. 

And  all  their  faithful  search  could  ne'er  restore  her 
To  anxious  ones  at  home. 

The  mother's  heart  the  dreadful  loss  was  pondering 
'Till  resting  'neath  the  mound  ; 

The  father  vowed  he'd  never  cease  his  wandering 
Until  his  child  was  found. 

Meanwhile  the  chieftain  cherished  well  his  treasure. 

Humored  her  every  whim  ; 
Thought  nothing  wrong  that  gave  his  Bright-eyes 
pleasure, 

'Til  she  grew  fond  of  him. 

And  when  ten  times  the  snows  had  come  and  van- 
ished 

Slowly  from  off  the  earth, 
Their  different  ways  had  from  her  memory  banished 

All  knowledge  of  her  birth. 

Then  to  his  wigwam  with  its  gaudy  trappings 
He  led  her  by  his  side. 


Gave   her   bright   beads   and    shells,   with  furs   for 
wrappings. 
And  kept  her  for  his  bride. 

One  ornament  she  had,  a  necklace  golden. 
Clasped  round  her  throat  of  snow. 

The  only  link  that  bound  her  to  the  olden 
Strange  life  of  long  ago. 

Years  afterward,  an  old  man,  bent  and  ho.ary. 

Came  to  the  wigwam  door. 
Trying  in  broken  ways  to  tell  his  story. 

So  often  told  before. 

He  saw  the  chain,  and  with  a  cry  of  pleasure 

Started  to  reach  her  seat, 
Calling,  "Oh,  mother,  I  have  found  our  treasure." 

And  fell  dead  at  her  feet. 

They  buried  him  beside  the  river  flowing 
Through  forest  dark  and  wild. 

And  she  lived  on  in  ignorance,  not  knowing 
She  was  that  old  man's  child. 

Until  the  chief  from  age  and  wounds  lay  dying 

With  many  a  feeble  wail. 
Called  her  beside  the  couch  where  he  was  lying 

And  told  her  all  the  tale. 

And  she  forgave  him  then  for  the  great  sorrow 

She  could  not  understand. 
And  laid  him  by  her  father  on  the  morrow, 

Honored  by  all  his  band. 


WHO  DONGLES  THE  BELL? 

The  following  lines  were  written  by  Samuel  H. 
Ewell,  February  19,  1S67.  The  subject  of  this  hu- 
morous sketch,  Cyrus  Hopkins,  was  born  at  West 
Bloomfield,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  i8o2,  and  came 
to  Romeo  in  about  1838.  He  rang  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  bell,  which  was  the  first  church  bell 
of  Romeo,  from  the  time  it  was  hung,  for  thirty-two 
successive  years,  and  took  care  of  the  church  that 
entire  time.  He  ceased  ringing  only  about  three 
weeks  before  his  death,  which  occurred  November 
10,  1878:— 

There  is  a  man  with  white  whiskers  who  walks  in 

our  streets. 
With  a  smile  and  ajoke  foreach  man  that  he  meets. 
Though  his  head  has  grown  white  and  his  eye  has 

grown  dim. 


^ 


3)s                                                 HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 

He  still  tells  a  story  and  laughs  with  a  vim, 

And  thinks  not  though  I  wildly  stray 

Who  is  that  queer  man  ?  You  will  ask  me  to  tell, 

I  never  will  return — again  ; 

'  Tis  the  jolly  old  joker  who  dongles  the  bell. 

Oh,  no  !     Those  words  are  never  lost. 

A  mother  whispers  to  her  child, 

You  have  heard,  I  presume,  of  one  Cyrus  the  Great, 

The  mem'ry  puts  them  safely  by, 

Well,  this  is  cur  Cyrus,  not  second  in  rate. 

Enriched  with  pictures — how  she  smiled. 

He's  the  power  of  old  Cyrus,  or  even  the  Pope, 

For  he  draws  folks  to  meeting  by  pulling  a  rope. 

A  tribute  now  this  natal  day. 

And  he  struts  up  to  church  with  a  kind  of  a  swell. 

Thy  wayward  son  returns  to  you, 

When  he  goes  with  the  church  key  to  dongle  the 

Not  gems  from  islands  far  away. 

liell. 

Not  Eldorado's  golden  dew — 

Sut  words  of  love,  and  happiness. 

Cyrus    gazes   with   pride,   on   the  church,  and   the 

A  tribute  richly  due  to  thee. 

steeple, 

My  mother  dear,  to  whom  I  owe. 

That  holds  his  greater  talker,  who.se   tongue  moves 

All  that  I  am,  or  hope  to  be. 

the  people. 

On  Sundays  it  gives  them  a  sense  of  devotion. 

On  week-days  it  sets  the  whole  town  in  commotion. 

THE  GARDEN  OF  THE  HEART. 

Oh,  Cyrus  takes  pride  in  its  magical  .spell. 

«V  J.  K.  DAY. 

How  he  loves  to  go  up  there  and  dongle  the  bell. 

"  There  is  a  fragrant  flower  that  maketh  glad  the 

Sometimes  we  complain  that  he  works  like  a  botch, 

garden  of  the  heart." 

TUPPER. 

That  he  rings  by  his  dinner  instead  of  his  watch. 

But  what  should  we  do  without  Cyrus  to  chime  ? 

God  has  placed  a  beauteous  garden. 

We'll  overlook  his  faults  and  comply  with  his  time. 

In  the  power  of  man's  control ; 

For  Cyrus  we  know  means  to  do  his  work  well. 

And  has  told  us  how  to  fill  it, 

Success  then  to   Cyrus  who  dongles  the  bell. 

With  the  sweetest  flowers  of  soul. 

He  has  placed  a  wall  around  it  ; 

Cyrus  moves,  lives  and  breathes  where  much  talking 

Strength  and  beauty  are  combined. 

is  done. 

And  has  left  its  portals  guarded 

He  talks  by  his  fathers  but  rings  by  the  sun. 

By  the  strongest  powers  of  mind. 

He  has  rung  the  old  bell  since  the  day  it  was  hung. 

And   if   Cyrus   was   not  !     Why  !    it  could  not   be 

Sweet  within  the  terraced  arches, 

rung. 

Music's  echoes  wildly  ring. 

May  his  old  age  be  green,  if  'tis  green  I'll  not  tell. 

And  through  all  its  winding  alleys, 

So  long  as  he  likes  let  him  dongle  the  bell. 

Floats  the  breath  of  constant  spring. 

Through  its  midst  bright  crystal  rivers. 
O'er  their  pearly  bottoms  flow. 

MV  MOTHER. 

And  .along  their  shining  margins 

BY    H.    F.    PIIILLirS. 

Richest  flowers  spontaneous  grow. 

If  I  can  boast  a  manly  thought, 

Heavenly  place  !  If  well  we  till  it. 

A  pure  ambition,  shameless— free. 

As  the  Master  bids  us  do  ; 

To  soar  where  earthborn  spirits  ought. 

But  if  not  its  flowers  will  wither, — 

My  mother,  it  is  all  from  thee — 

Choked  by  weeds  of  bitter  woe. 

Where  first  I  learned  to  lisp  the  prayer, 

And  its  walls  are  soon  demolished. 

That  cradled  innocence  to  rest. 

Its  fair  streams  are  stained  with  sin. 

'  Twas  then  those  first  impressions  came. 

And  in  place  of  its  sweet  music. 

That  longest  stay — are  oftenest  blest. 

Swell  the  notes  of  keenest  pain. 

Vou  taught  me  then  the  lovely  way. 

And  its  alleys  once  so  pleasant, 

That  leads  beyond  this  world  of  pain, 

Tales  of  awful  misery  tell; 

-Jk 

1^     k. 

-A         <9  L> 

l>    w 

•• 

■J 

HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.                                                349 

And  the  air  at  first  so  balmy. 

HAPPY  TO-NIGHT. 

Seems  the  burning  breath  of  liell. 

BY   JOHN   E.    DAY. 

Let  us  then  improve  this  garden, 

I'm  happy  to-night,  and  this  is  just  why, 

Till  it  blossoms  pure  and  bright, 

The  cares  of  the  day  have  gone  quietly  by  ; 

And  our  work  will  end  with  pleasure. 

My  chores  are  all  done  and  my  supper  dispensed, 

In  a  home  of  pure  delight. 

And  the  joys  of  the  evening  are  fairly  commenced. 
My  wife,  with  her  sock  and  a  satisfied  smile. 

APRIL  STORMS. 

Sits  by  and  converses  serenely  the  while. 

BY  J.  E.  DAY. 

On  topics — the  old  as  well  as  the  new — 

Leaden  clouds  are  o'er  us  hanging, 

Most  important  to  me,  though  perhaps  not  to  you. 

Gloomily  the  rain  comes  down. 

My  little  pet  daughter,  so  pretty  and  gay. 

And  the  winds  are  sadly  wailing 

Has  dropped  all  her  playthings  and  left  off'  her  play. 

Nature's  universal  frown. 

Has  given  instructions  her  treasures  to  keep, 

Hushed  the  cheerful  hum  of  business, — 

Dropped  her  sunshiny  head  and  gone  sweetly   to 

Not  a  wagon  on  the  street. 

sleep. 

Nought  overhead  but  wind  and  water — 

And  now  it  may  be  that  the  tempest  of  life 

Mud  and  water  under  feet. 

Has  cast  o'er  her  dreams  the  first  warning  of  strife, 

Overcoats  and  wet  umbrellas. 

And  swells  her  young  bosom  with  pleasure   or  pain 

Flit  like  ghosts  from  place  to  place  ; 

As  it  rises  and  sinks  on  her  infantile  brain. 

Muddy  boots  and  spattered  garments, 

Who  can   tell  us  what  beautiful   thoughts   may  be 

Tell  of  hurry  more  than  grace. 

piled 

Ladies  closely  indoors  staying — 

High  up  in  the  dreams  of  the  innocent  child? 

Strive  the  dull  hours  to  beguile. 

What  thoughts  and  ambitions  of  embryo  size 

And  anon,  the  dark  clouds  watching — 

May   be   brought    by  the   goddess    who    closes  her 

Think  of  rain-di'aus  all  the  while. 

eyes? 

Cattle  looking  quite  demurely. 

What  care  we  what  pleasure  or  riches  may  bring  ! 

View  the  chilling  storm  with  dread. 

What  care  we  how  leisurely  time  moves  his  wing  ! 

And  their  sage  brain  doubtless  thinking, 

There  is  hope  in  the  Future  and  joy  in  the  Past, 

Something  must  be  wrong  overhead. 

And  a  strength  in  our  hearts  for  adversity's  blast. 

Sages  tell  us  oft,  that  April 

We'll  stand  by  each  other  whatever  betide. 

Augurs  well  the  life  of  man — 

And  pass  down  the  pathway  of  life  side  by  side : 

Lights  and  sh.-tdes  are  intermingled — 

Enjoy  what  we  can,  bid  adieu  to  the  rest. 

We  must  catch  them  as  we  can. 

And  receive  the  reward  of  the  Faithful  at  last. 

Every  year  must  have  its  April — 

There's  pleasure  in  life,  though  storms  may  arise  ; 

Every  life  its  rainy  day — 

In  the  end  we  will  find  them  but  friends  in  dis- 

Lo, the  sunshine,  quickly  turning 

guise  ; 

Stormy  April  into  May. 

My  hopes  may  be  blasted,  but  that  is  all  right ; 

So  the  storm  of  life  may  gather. 

My  Faith's  like  a  mountain — I'm  happy  to-night ! 

Darkly  o'er  my  onward  path 

And  around  my  heart  may  linger. 

THE  LONELY  GRAVE. 

Signs  of  elemental  wrath. 

BY   DR.   W.  H.  HAMILTON,    1S57. 

But  the  bow  of  faith  is  hanging 

Cloudy  is  the  day  and  cheerless. 

In  the  clouds  of  daily  strife, 

Moaningly  the  north  wind  grieves. 

And  Hope's  sunbeams  softly  gleaming — 

As  I  sit  and  watch  the  motions 

y 

Hush  the  April  storms  of  life. 

Of  the  faded,  falling  leaves. 

V 

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k. 


350                                                 HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 

While  they  slowly  flit  before  me, 

Lincoln,  the  patriot,  honest,  just,  and  true, 

Fancy  bears  me  o'er  the  wave, 

We  sigh,  we  weep,  we  mourn  most  sore  for  you 

And  I  see  them  falling  sadly 

0,  why  should  death  eclipse  thy  glory  bright. 

On  a  distant,  lonely  grave. 

And  pall  the  Nation  with  the  darkest  night. 

In  humble  life,  at  first,  thy  lot  was  cast, 

Dreamily  the  Past  arises. 

We  look  admiring  on  thy  history  past  ; 

Bringing  back  the  loved  one's  form, 

But  truth  and  fortune  led  thee  up  to  fame, 

And  again  his  eyes  beam  on  me 

And  on  its  summit  stamped  thy  noble  name. 

With  a  lovelight  soft  and  warm. 

When  storms  of  treason  and  bitter  hate, 

But  my  bosom  heaves  with  anguish 

Had  almost  'whelmed  our  ship  of  State  ; 

As  I  see  him  yield  his  breath. 

We  asked,  O,  God  !  a  noble  heart  and  hand, 

Hurried  from  his  near  and  dear  ones 

To  be  our  pilot,  and  to  take  command  ! 

By  a  sad  and  painful  death. 

God  gave  us  honest  Abe  that  he  might  be 

Our  gallant  captain  on  the  raging  sea. 

Then  appears  the  dreary  graveyard, 

Storms   fiercely  glared,    and     mountain    waves   us 

As  upon  that  gloomy  day 

tossed. 

When  our  cherished  one  was  buried 

So  high,  so  low, — at  one  time  all  seemed  lost. 

From  our  grief-dim'd  sight  away. 

Just  then,  with  beaming  eye,  he  spied  afar 

And  I  hear  the  plaintive  echoes 

Of  the  low,  funereal  hymn, 
Swelling  like  the  wind-harp's  music 

The  brilliant  rays  of  light  from  Freedom's  star. 

At  once  across  the  noble  ship  he  veered, 

And  for  the  light  with  steady  hand  he  steered. 

Through  the  forest,  old  and  dim. 

Just  as  the  storm  was  swiftly  giving  way. 

And  morn  was  dawning, — of  a  glorious  day — 

But  our  deep,  heart-breaking  sorrow, 

Behind  our  captain  stole  a  wretch  of  hell, 

Passion's  wild,  resistless  flow, 

And  by  his  bloody  hand  our  Lincoln  fell. 

All  our  spirits,  hid  in  struggles, 

Justice  flew  swift  along  the  villain's  track, 

Thou  alone,  O  God,  can  know. 

Her  fiery  sword  gleamed  o'er  a  crime  so  black — 

And  quickly  traced  him  to  the  hidden  spot, 

Thou,  who  knowest  all  our  frailties. 

And  like  a  guilty  dog  the  wretch  was  shot. 

All  our  doublings  and  our  fears, 

Cold  be  that  hand,  and  palsied  be  that  tongue. 

Strengthen  us  to  bear  our  trials. 

Who  dare  declare  they're  glad  the  deed   was  done  ! 

Comfort  us  amid  our  tears. 

I'm  sure  a  blacker  fiend  dwells  not  below. 

Light  our  darkened  understandings. 

Within  the  precincts  of  eternal  woe. 

Fill  our  souls  with  lively  faith, 

Lincoln,  though  now  with  thee  we  have  to  part. 

Till  the  mystery  is  unrivel'd. 

Thy  name,  for  aye,  we  treasure  in  our  heart, 

Life's  dark  problems  solved  in  death. 

And  swear  by  Heaven,  the  work  by  thee  begun, 

By  traitors'  hands  shall  never  be  undone. 
Hard  was  thy  task,  the  starry  flag  to  save. 

ON  THE   DEATH  OF    LINCOLN. 

Rest  quietly  now  within  thy  honored  grave. 

No  hostile  bullet  can  again  reach  you. 

BY  REV.  JAMES    H.  MORTON. 

Shot  by  Jeff.  Davis  and  accursed  crew. 

A  stai  has  fallen  from  our  Nation'ssky, 

The  spirit  pure  has  reached  its  home  above. 

It  rose  so  bright,  it  glistened  far  on  high. 

Entwined  for  aye  by  bands  of  kindred  love. 

But,  like  a  meteor,  suddenly  its  light, 

We  pledge  with  thee  the  joys  of  heaven  to  share, 

Has  been  eclipsed  within  the  folds  of  night. 

For  traitors  vile  can  never  enter  there. 

^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


PROGRESS    OF    EDUCATION. 


The  education  of  the  masses  is  one  of  the  leading  characteristics  of  a  good  govern- 
ment. It  is  the  guide  to  national  gi-eatness  and  to  salutaiy  reforms.  Without  education, 
the  people  would  be  less  than  the  Negroes  of  the  darker  days  of  the  Republic.  Without 
it.  man  cannot  sum  up  the  blessings  of  liberty;  cannot  understand  the  principles  of  a 
Federal  government;  cannot  fulfill  the  duties  of  citizenshija.  Though  men  maybe  always 
prepared  for  liberty,  yet  he  who  had  not  an  opportunity,  in  his  earlier  yeai-s,  to  attain 
even  the  rudiments  of  that  education  which  a  common  school  offers,  is  a  dangerous 
member  upon  whom  to  confer  liberty,  because  his  animal  passions  generally  overbalance 
his  good  intentions,  and  lead  him  from  vice  to  vice,  until  those  who  won  for  him  the  pre- 
cious are  forced  to  cry  out,  "Oh,  liberty,  what  crimes  are  committed  in  thy  name!" 
From  the  want  of  a  well -organized  educational  system,  many,  if  not  all  evils,  spring. 
The  teiTible  forces  with  which  the  dangerous  classes  often  threaten  to  annihilate  the  peo- 
ple are  recruited  from  the  haunts  of  ignorance  and  vice.  Again,  the  tyrant  may  subject 
an  imeducated  people  with  impunity — without  fear  of  encountering  any  disciplined  oppo- 
sition. All  the  shocking  crimes  which  tarnish  the  annals  of  glorious  revolutions  have 
their  origin  in  and  must  be  credited  to  ignorance.  The  hideous  Parisian  communist,  the 
blind  followers  of  sectionalism  in  politics,  the  inhiunan  religious  bigot,  all  draw  their 
inspiratio)!  from  ignorance,  and  by  it  are  lu-ged  on  to  those  terribly  foul  deeds  which 
darken,  as  it  were,  the  enlightenment  of  this  age,  and  stain  the  pages  of  its  history. 
Though  the  secret  tribunal  of  olden  times  comprised  men  of  fair  fame,  the  members  of  it 
were  led  to  acts  which,  to-day,  would  be  punished  in  the  most  severe  form  known  to  the 
law  of  the  country,  and  result  in  consigning  their  names  to  obloquy.  In  the  dim  past, 
such  men  were  heroes;  they  boasted  of  learning  and  cultm-e,  and  merely  acted  a  part  in 
the  di-ama  of  their  lives.  The  members  of  this  tribunal  dedicated  themselves  to  justice, 
and  seldom — never — failed  to  punish  the  guilty  and  avenge  the  innocent.  Yet  the  secret 
tribunal,  with  all  the  terrific  sublimity  which  sm-rounded  it,  all  the  high  characteristies 
which  belonged  to  its  members,  was  foimded  upon  ignorance.  In  recent  years — aye,  in 
om-  own  times — political  and  religious  parties  have  resorted  to  desperate  and  disreputable 
means  to  assert  supremacy.  This  could  not  occur  had  the  people  been  educated  up  to  the 
requirements  of  oiu-  duty.      All  the  evils  attendant  on  a  want  of   a  true  system  of  edu- 


^ 


A 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


cation  have  been  carried  down  to  the  present  time,  as  if  to  point  out  to  us  the  dangers  of 
ignorance  and  lead  us  far  away  from  the  shoals  whereon  it  has  wrecked  so  many.  It  is 
evident  here,  in  Macomb,  that  examples  of  ignorance  have  resulted  in  good;  crime  is 
merely  nominal  here;  a  peculiar  friendship  seems  to  exist  between  all  classes,  and  a  full 
desire  exists  in  the  hearts  of  young  and  told  to  study,  that  they  may  know  what  gives  prom- 
ise of  good  results  to  themselves  and  their  country. 

Macomb  County  has,  from  a  very  early  period,  bestowed  much  attention  on  all  mat^ 
ters  j)ertaiuing  to  education.  Throughout  this  work,  many  references  to  the  attempts 
made  by  pioneers  and  old  settlers  to  establish  schools  appear,  so  that  it  is  unnecessary  to 
treat  separately  each  school  and  school  building,  the  histoi'y  of  which  belongs  to  the  town- 
ships. However,  for  the  purposes  of  the  general  history  of  the  county,  what  has  been 
written  regarding  the  schools  first  opened  here  belongs  to  this  section  of  the  work,  and  for 
that  reason  is  subscribed  as  well  as  referred  to  in  the  township  history. 

Probably  the  first  white  settlement  in  the  limits  of  Macomb  County  was  made  between 
1790  and  ISOO,  in  the  present  township  of  Harrison,  on  the  banks  of  the  Clinton  River, 
about  three  miles  from  Mt.  Clemens.  The  settlement  was  then  and  is  now  called  the 
Tucker  settlement. 

It  was  here  that  the  first  school  was  taught  in  Macomb  County,  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Franklin  Tucker.  Between  1795  and  1800,  a  Mr.  Eoe,  great-grandfather  of 
Milton  H.  Butler,  swayed  the  rod.  Schools  were  kept  up  almost  continuously  in  this  set- 
tlement, but  little  can  be  learned  of  them  till  about  1816  or  1817,  when  Mi-.  Charles  Stew- 
ard taught  in  a  house  then  standing  just  below  the  present  residence  of  Lafayette  Tucker. 
Mr.  Steward  was  called  a  most  excellent  teacher  for  those  early  days,  when  he  was  sober ; 
but  he  was  exceedingly  fond  of  strong  drink,  and  his  sf)rees  were  not  few  nor  far  between. 
He  nearly  perished  by  freezing  dm'ing  one  of  his  carousals,  when,  attempting  to  cross  the 
river  on  the  ice,  he  fell  and  lay  for  sometime  in  the  snow. 

In  1820,  the  eccentric  Dr.  Dodge  was  employed.  Nothing  delighted  this  old-time 
teacher  more  than  to  dress  up  in  some  fantastic  costume  of  flaming  and  incongruous  col- 
ors. From  1820  to  1830,  some  of  the  teachers  in  the  Tucker  settlement  were  as  follows: 
Dr.  Chamberlain,  about  1S21;  an  old  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  about  1822;  Mr.  Richard 
Butlex',  now  living  one  mile  south  of  Mt.  Clemens,  aged  eighty-three,  in  1823;  a  Mr.  Haw- 
kins, who  was  fond  of  the  "  ardent,"  in  1825,  1826  and  1827;  Dr.  Hem-y  Taylor,  who  died 
in  Mt.  Clemens  in  1876,  about  1827 ;  Mrs.  McKinney,  whose  husband  was  at  the  same 
time  teaching  in  Detroit,  taught  a  private  school  in  her  own  house  in  1827  or  1828.  and  a 
Miss  Cook  in  1830. 

All  the  foregoing  record  relates  to  the  schools  of  Tucker  settlement.  Of  course  it  will 
be  understood  that  all  these  early  schools  were  in  the  strictest  sense  private,  public  schools, 
not  then  being  known  in  Michigan.  Each  pupil  was  required  to  jjay  a  stipulated  sum  per 
quarter  of  twelve  weeks,  the  teacher  making  his  own  collections  and  receiving  no  public 
aid. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  children  in  the  county,  in  1839,  between  the 


r 


^. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COrNTY- 


ages  of  five  and  seventeen  years,  together  with  the  amount  of  money  apportioned  by  the 
State: 

No.of  Children  be-  Amount  of  State 

Township.  tween  o  and  17  Tears.  School  Apportioned. 

Shelby 316  

Clinton 220  

Richmond 106  

Erin 170  

Lenox 54  

Macomb 176  


Bruce 

Armada 

Warren 

Sterling 

Washington. 
Harrison 


Total 2,624         §1.049  60 

The  value  of  this  table  rests  upon  its  comparative  antiquity,  and  the  opportunity 
which  it  gives  of  obtaining  an  insight,  into  the  school  statistics  of  the  county  near  half  a 
eentmy  ago. 

Similar  statistics  for  1881  show  that  the  amount  of  primary  school  funds  to  which 
the  county  is  entitled  is  $11,45436,  or  an  average  of  $1.06  to  every  scholar.  It  is  distrib- 
uted among  the  townships  as  follows,  Mt.  Clemens  being  counted  in  Clinton  as  of  yore: 

Townships.                                                                                                           No.  Children.  Amount. 

Armada 590  $625  40 

Bruce 817  866  02 

Chesterfield 927  982  62 

Clinton 1,542  1,634  52 

Erin 1.044  1,106  54 

Harrison 266  281   96 

Lenox 853  904  18 

Macomb 870  922  20 

Ray 417  442  02 

Richmond 988  1.047  28 

Shelby  730  773  80 

Sterling 582  616  92 

Warren 801  849  06 

Washington 379  401   74 


Total 10.806     $11,454  36 

The  amount  of  primary  school  fund  accruing  to  this  county  at  present  is  almost  eleven 

times  the  sum  granted  in  1839,  while  the  number  of  children  increased  from  2,624,  in 

1839,  to  10,806  in  1880,  being  4.118  as  many  as  the  cou.nty  could  boast  of  possessing  in 

the  years  immediately  following  the  Territorial  days. 

The  schools  of  Mt.  Clemens,  Romeo,  Utica   and  Disco,  together  with  the  township 

schools,  are  treated  in  the  histories  of  the  townships,  villages,  etc.,  of  the  county. 

S.iBBATH    SCHOOLS. 

A  Sabbath  school  was  organized  at  Mt.  Clemens  so  early  as  1823.  when  a  school  was 
held  in  an  old  building  used  for  the  manufactm-e  of  pottery.      It  occupied  a  place  where 


-kr- 


Alj 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  opera  house  now  stands.  The  organizer  was  Richard  Butler,  and  the  number  of 
scholars  was  twenty,  one  of  whom  was  Mrs.  H.  A.  Cady.  The  next  school  was  organized 
by  Samuel  Evarts  and  Chauncey  G.  Cady,  in  1825,  and  was  held  in  the  old  log  court 
house.  The  Episcopalian  Catechism  was  used  in  the  school;  probably  it  was  the  only  one 
that  conid  be  procured  at  that  early  day.  Mr.  Evarts  died  in  1826.  and  the  school  was 
scattered. 

In  1880,  William  and  Samuel  Canfield  and  R.  O.  Cooley  organized  another  school, 
which  was  held  in  the  coiu't  house.  Those  three  men  were  not  Christians,  but  the  early 
habit  of  attending  Sabbath  school  followed  them  to  the  far  West,  and  they  could  not  rest 
easy  under  the  state  of  things  they  found  here.  IVIr.  Canfield  went  to  Detroit  to  procure 
books,  but  could  get  nothing  better  than  small  primers,  and  they  were  distributed  among 
the  pupils.  There  seems  to  have  been  no  one  prepared  to  open  the  school  with  prayer,  so 
they  were  obliged  to  use  the  Episcopalian  prayer-book,  Mr.  Canfield  reading  the  prayer. 
The  teachers  were  Mrs.  Silas  Halsey,  Mrs.  R.  O.  Cooley,  Mi-s.  Ezekiel  Allen  and  Mrs.  Ch. 
G.  Cady.  Col.  J.  Stockton  was  one  of  the  oificers.  The  next  school  was  organized  by 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  1832.  It  was  held  in  a  schoolhouse 
occupying  a  position  near  the  present  home  of  George  Pelton.  It  afterward  became  more 
of  a  union  schdol — Baptists,  Congregational ists  and  Methodists  all  working  together. 
Elder  Booth,  M.is.  Hosia  Pratt,  Mrs.  Allen  and  others  were  teachers.  In  1834,  Rev.  Mi*. 
Eastman,  a  Presbyterian,  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  and  organized  the  first  church  of  that  de- 
nomination. The  following  summer  of  1835,  Mrs.  Eastman  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Hubbard 
organized  a  Sabbath  school  in  the  log  com-t  house.  Mr.  Eastman  was  Superintendent. 
The  Deacons  were  W.  H.  Warner,  Hosia  Pratt,  Mrs.  Eastman,  Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Hud- 
l)ard,  Mi-s.  E.  Mather,  Mrs.  R.  Butler,  Miss  M.  MeChesney  and  others.  This  was  not 
distinctly  a  Presbyterian  enterprise.  Churches  of  other  denominations  helped  in  the 
work.  About  the  year  1836,  the  denominational  schools  commenced.  The  Methodists 
held  a  school  in  the  schoolhouse  hitherto  referred  to;  the  Presbyterians  held  a  school  in 
the  covu't  house.  About  the  year  1840,  the  Methodist  school  was  in  a  fiom'ishing  condi- 
tion, the  teachers  being  Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Gary  Pratt,  John  Lutes,  Hosia  Pratt,  and  others. 
In  1841,  the  Presbyterian  Chm-ch  divided,  a  part  calling  themselves  the  Old  Line  and  a 
part  the  New  Line.  They  worshiped,  one  class  in  the  court  house,  and  the  other  over 
one  of  the  stores.  Soon  after,  the  New  Line  got  possession  of  the  church  building  now 
occupied  by  the  Presbyterian  society,  and  the  Old  Line  built  the  church  now  belonging 
to  the  Methodist  society.  The  New  Line  adopted  the  Congregational  form  of  government 
with  Rev.  Mi-.  Hamilton  as  minister,  and  W.  H.  Warner  or  Col.  Chandler,  first  Superin- 
tendent. The  teachers  were  William  Canfield,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  Warner,  Mrs.  D.  C. 
Williams,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  C.  High,  Samuel  Axtell  and  others.  The  Old  Line  retained 
the  Presbyterian  form  of  government,  their  minister  being  Rev.  Mr.  Wells.  James  H. 
Snook  was  an  earnest  worker  connected  with  this  church,  and  was  probably  the  first  Su- 
perintendent. Mi-8.  Wells,  Miss  J.  Hall,  Mrs.  Lucy  Mather,  Mrs.  Richard  Butler,  Miss 
Mary  MeChesney,  John  J.  Leonard,  were  teachers. 


'C'i 


:^ 


<9              t. 

J         <n 

i> 

1 

HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.                                           357 

9 

The  Baptist  Chiu-ch  was  built  in  1840.     The  main  workers  in  the  Sunday  school 

were  Elder  Hillis,  William  Jenney,  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Gilbert.      At  this  time,  there  were 

four  Sabbath  schools  in  operation,  viz.,  Congi'>egational,  Presbyterian,  Methodist  and  Bap- 

tist.     The  Presbyterian   and   Congregational   churches  re-united  under  Rev.  'Mi:  Foot. 

These  two  churches,  after  a  straggle  to  keep  up  a  separate  existence,  found  that,  after  all. 

there  was  not  p)ast  grievance  of  sufficient  moment  to  keep  them  longer  as  separate  organ- 

izations;   consequently,  they  are  now  working  together  as  a  Presbyterian   Chiu-ch.      The 

condition  of  the  Sabbath  schools  of  the  county  at  the  close  of  the   last  decade  is  set  forth 

as  follows   in  a  table  prepared  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Sunday  School  Association  of  the 

county,  John  E.  Day,  and  shows  the  reports  of  various  schools  for  the  year  1878 : 

NAMES  of  SCHOOLS. 

Names  of  Superintend- 

1 
< 

1 

•a 

i 

i 
i 

13 

1 

c 

Hymn  Book  Use.l. 

^ 

A 
^ 

s 

i 

o 

.£3 

< 
1 

•5 

< 

O 

c 

a 

1 

& 

B 

< 

Armada  Cong 

Armada  Baptist... . 
Bruce  and  Armada. 

215 

50 

85 

50 

30 

143 

160 

145 

70 

100 

60 

50 

66 

194 

6 
4 
3 
7 
2 
7 
3 
5 
6 
2 
4 
4 
6 
4 

19 
6 
5 
5 
5 
11 
14 
14 
10 
10 
6 
5 

ll 

134 
35 
55 
50 
20 
91 

102 

106 
40 
75 
50 
35 
50 

106 

4 
3 
2 
3 
0 
3 
3 
4 
3 

I 
2 
2 

4 

15 
3 
3 
2 
5 
8 
10 
10 

8 

\ 
4 
11 

12 
12 
12 
12 

6 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 

7 
10 
12 
12 

435 
150 
250 

75 
200 
280 
300 
175 
175 
182 

40 
103 
100 
560 

No.. 
No.. 
Yes 

Nr, 

|62  55 

Rev.  E.  N.  Selleck 
J.  E.  Day 

15  00  Gospel  Hymns. 
12  OO.Jov  Bells. 

P.  M.  Bentley 

.John  Common 

George  Robinson... 

.J.  W.  Porter 

S.  G.  Taylor 

H.  E.  Holcomb 

D.  M.  Mills 

George  Bottomley. 

Robert  Burns 

M.  H.   Dewitt 

M.  A.  Giddings.... 

Joy  Bells. 
S.  S.  Bell. 
Diadem. 

Welcome  Tidings. 
Brightest  and  Best. 

Welcome  Tidings. 
Diadem. 
Gospel  Hymns. 
Pure  Gold. 
Diadem. 

Erin  Presbyterian.. 
Mt.  Clemens  M.  E.. 
Mt.  Clemens  Pres.. 

Memphis  Cong 

New  Haven  Cong... 

New  Baltimore 

Ray  Union 

Richmond,  Dist.  12. 
Richmond  Baptist.. 
Romeo  Congregat'l. 

No.. 
No- 
No.. 
No.. 
No.. 
Yes 

No" 
No.. 
Yes 

1  60 
135  00 
85  00 
f)4  78 
15  00 
35  00 
10  43 
2"  00 
13  00 
43  46 

In  every  city,  township  and  village  of  Macomb,  progress — remarkable,  unusual,  mag- 

nificent— has  been  made.      No  reasonable  expense  has  been  sjtared  to  render  the  workings 

of  the  schools  perfect,  and  it  must  be  a  subject  for  congratulation  to  a  people  who  made 

much  sacrifice  of  time  and  money,  to  behold  the  results  of  their  own  earnestness  in  the 

matter,  and  the  zeal  manifested  by  both  township,  city  and  county  school  officials. 

It  must  not  be  thought,  however,  that  our  system  is  perfect.      It  is  wanting  in  many 

essential  qualities.      It  is.  in  a  measure,  better  adapted  to  a  community  of  plutocrats,  who 

can  bestow  upon  their  children  a  sufficient  wealth  to  pass  thi-ough  this  world  without  labor, 

than  to  a  community  of  men  who  labored  honestly  to  acquire  a  competence,  and  who  ex- 

e 

pect  that  for  all  time  their  children  will  be  honest  workers. 

^ 

"*          & 

r 

HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


^^ 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

THE    (CHURCHES    OF    MACOMB. 

That  there  exists  a  God  is  doubted  by  few,  and  so  generally  received  is  the  idea  of  the 
existence  of  a  Divinity,  that  millions  of  men,  called  wise  men,  continue  to  adore  Him, 
ceasing  their  inquiries  into  His  atti'ibutes.  A  writer  who  once  entered  the  I'egion  of  doubt 
which  leads  to  infidelity,  returned  to  a  calm  incjuiry,  after  the  mental  storm  which  swept 
over  him  subsided,  and  exclaimed  passionately,  "There  is  a  God!  "  We  see  that  Divinity 
in  everything  that  is  beautiful;  the  herbs  of  the  valley,  the  cedars  of  the  mountain,  bless 
Him;  the  insect  sports  in  His  beam:  the  bird  sings  Him  in  His  foliage;  the  thunder  pro- 
claims Him  in  the  heavens;  the  ocean  declares  His  immensity;  man  alone  has  been  the 
exception  in  denying  Him;  man  alone  has  said  there  is  no  God. 

Unite  in  thought  the  same  instant  the  most  beautiful  objects  in  nature.  Suppose  you 
see  at  once  all  the  hoiu's  of  the  day  and  all  the  seasons  of  the  year — a  morning  of  spring 
and  a  morning  of  fall;  a  night  bespangled  with  stars  and  a  night  darkened  by  clouds; 
meadows  enameled  with  flowers;  forests  hoary  with  snow;  fields  gilded  with  the  tints  of 
autumn — then  alone  you  will  have  a  small  conception  of  that  God  of  the  universe.  While 
yon  are  gazing  on  that  siin  which  is  plunging  in  the  vault  of  the  West,  another  observer 
achnires  him  coming  through  the  golden  gates  of  the  East.  By  what  inconceivable  power 
does  that  aged  star,  which  is  sinking,  fatigued  and  burning,  in  the  shades  of  the  evening, 
re-appear  at  the  same  instant,  fresh  and  humid,  with  the  rosy  dew  of  the  morning  ?  At 
every  hour  of  the  day,  the  glorious  orb  is  at  once  rising,  resplendent  as  noonday,  and  set- 
ting in  the  West;  or  rather  oiu'  senses  deceive  us,  and  there  is  properly  no  oast  or  west,  no 
north  or  south,  in  this  world. 

Poetry  never  yet  doubted  the  existence  of  the  Deity.  Some  of  the  most  astute  think- 
ers were  poets  and  Christians.  The  most  gifted  prose- writers  devoted  much  attention  to 
the  question  of  a  God,  and  proclaimed  the  existence  of  Him,  who  is  at  once  the  Omniscient 
and  Omnipotent  Ruler.  Every  thing  combines  to  prove  and  glorify  a  God.  Man  alone 
questions  His  reality.  But  hajjpily.  the  questioners  are  few  and  far  between,  and  still 
the  Christian  majority  here  grants  to  Jew,  Turk,  Atheist  and  heathen  Mongolian,  every 
toleration,  leaving  them  at  liberty  to  worship  at  their  respective  shrines. 

This  is  the  fii-st  principle  of  liberty;  its  protection  is  guaranteed  by  the  Republic,  and 
under  its  genial,  influence  the  Christian  and  non-Christian  are  enabled  to  make  just  such 
progi'ess  as  each  class  merits. 

In  this  county,  the  varied  forms  of  Christianity  have  made  great  advances.  Churches 
have  multiplied  until  every  village  and  town  show  their  spires  and  cupolas,  containing 
bells  of  harmony,  which  have  long  since  ceased  to  jieal  the  hymn  of  debasing  bigotry. 
The  centennial  of  Yorktown  witnessed  peace  throughout  the  land;  religious  dissensions. 


^^— ^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


savage  bigotry  entombed,  and  the  Kepublic  happy  in  the  possession  of.citizens  each  one  of 
whom  essays  to  serve  God  after  his  own  notion,  without  impertinent  interference  with  his 
neighbor's  faith.  The  people  have  evidently  realized  the  fact  that  the  evil  example  offered 
by  mt-mbers  of  every  religious  society  does  more  to  check  Christianity  than  all  the  sophis- 
try of  the  infidel,  the  arms  of  the  united  Mussulmans,  or  the  presence  of  one  hundred  thou- 
sand Mongolian  mandarins  and  high  priests.  Abuses  will  continue  so  long  as  the  world 
exists,  but  tha  nuuibar  may  b3  lesssned  if  each  section  of  the  Christian  Church  will  do  its 
duty  by  watching  its  interests  closely — by  minding  its  own  business. 

In  the  following  pages,  the  oi'ganization  of  each  church  in  the  county,  as  shown  in  the 
records,  is  given.  Tuere  are  no  public  records  to  base  data  regarding  the  ftrst  Catholic 
congregation  formed  in  this  county,  but  it  may  be  presumed  that  large  numbers  of  the 
French  missionary  fathers  visited  the  camping-grounds  of  the  Indians  along  the  Huron, 
erected  temporary  altars,  and  oft'ered  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  presence  of  the  wondering 
Red-men.  After  the  French  Canadians  made  settlements  here,  they  were  visited  regularly 
by  the  priests  of  Datroit  until  the  establishment  of  permanent  missions  here.  Since  the 
American  pioneer  period,  the  following  religious  societies  were  formed  within  this  county: 

The  Moravian  Church  established  a  mission  on  the  Huron  and  Clinton  about  1781. 
under  Rev.  John  Huckenwelder  and  sixteen  Delaware  Indians.  This  mission  existed  until 
1786,  when  Mr.  Huckenwelder  and  his  disciples  returned  to  Muskingum. 

The  Congregational  Church  society  of  Romeo  was  organized  February  6,  1832,  with 
Gad  Chamberlin,  Asa  Holman  and  N.  T.  Taylor.  Trustees.  The  church  was  formed  in 
1828. 

The  fii'st  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  organized  May  4.  1835,  with  Rod 
ney  O.  Cooley.  William  H.  Warner.  Daniel  Chandler.  Noadiah  Sackett.  Aaron  Conklin 
and  Joel  Brown,  Trustees. 

The  Baptist  Church  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  organized  October  14,  1836,  with  Horace  H. 
Cady.  C.  Flinn.  Benjamin  Gamber,  Manson  Farrar,  Ortin  Gibbs  and  John  Gilbert,  Trust 
ees  of  the  society. 

The  Bruce  and  Armada  Congregational  society  was  formed  November  19,  1835.  with 
Erastus  Day,  Joseph  Thurston  and  John  Taylor.  Trustees.  The  church  was  formed  in 
1832. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Utica  was  organized  January  6,  1837,  with  Gurdon 
C.  Leech,  Orson  Sheldon,  Albert  G.  Fuller,  Joseph  Lester  and  O.  Stevens,  Trustees. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  society  of  the  village  of  Utica  was  formed  March  19,  1839, 
with  Ralph  Wright,  Elias  Scott,  Peter  D.  Lerick,  Hiram  Squires  and  John  Stead,  Trust- 
ees.    A  record  of  re-organization  appears  May  11,  1844,  and  April  25,  1856. 

The  Catholic  Church  of  St.  Felicite  of  L'Anse  Cruse,  in  the  township  of  Harrison,  was 
organized  July  16,  1839.  with  Joseph  Pomerville.  Joseph  L.  Sansfaiicon,  Hubert  Forton. 
Trustees. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Romeo  was  organized  January  28,  1839,  with  James 
Starkweather.  Ai-iel  Pratt,  Job  Howell,  Sewell  Hovey  and  Samuel  Coolev,  Trustees. 


-As r- 


l\^ 


riV 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


First  Methodist  Episcopal  Chixrch  of  !Mt.  Clemeus  was  organized  January  15,  184:1, 
with  Edward  Tucker,  Chauncej-  G.  Cady,  E-  Gr-  Pratt,  Horace  H.  Cady,  John  Stockton,  B. 
T.  Castle  and  Robert  Little,  Trustees. 

The  first  Congregational  religious  society  of  the  township  of  Richmond  was  organized 
April  13,  1841,  with  Hugh  Gregg,  Araunah  Gilbert  and  Jeremiah  Sabin,  Trastees.  Re- 
organized Novembt'r  11,  1814,  and  January  8,  1867. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Utica  was  organized  March  1,  184'J,  with  Ephraim  Cal- 
kin, Benjamin  Morey,  Dan  W.  Phillips,  Daniel  St.  John,  Ralph  Sackett,  Cephas  Farrar, 
John  B.  St.  John,  Morris  Todd  and  Manson  Farrar,  Trustees. 

jThe  First  Christian  Church  of  Washington  was  organized  June  1,  1842,  with  George 
Wilson,  George  Hanscom,  Levi  Hoard,  Hiram  Andrews,  Conley  Bates,  Nathan  Keeler 
and  Zebulon  Hayden,  Trustees. 

The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  society  of  Washington  was  organized  November  25, 
1842,  with  Abel  Warren,  Benjamin  McGregor,  David  W.  Noyes,  John  Keeler,  Justin  H. 
Butler,  Elon  Audi'iis  and  Ephraim  Graves,  Trustees. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Chiirch  of  Ray  was  organized  February  4,  1844,  with  Jon- 
athan E.  Davis,  Duncan  Gass,  John  Inman,  John  Gass,  Jr.,  William  Lyons,  Robert  Mc- 
Gregor and  Horace  Myers,  Trustees. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  A\'arron  was  organized  November  24,  1845,  with 
Elijah  Johnson,  Isaac  Barton,  R.  D.  Smith,  Peter  Gillett,  H.  Leroy,  John  Wilson,  Will- 
iam TeiTV,  Trustees. 

The  first  union  society  was  organized  at  Mt.  Clemeus  September  1,  1845,  with  Pres- 
cott  B.  Thiu-ston,  Aaron  Weeks,  Isaac  J.  Grovier,  E.  AVright  Hall,  William  Beer  and  John 
J.  Leonard,  Trustees. 

First  Congregational  Church  of  ^Vmiada  was  organized  November  2(3,  1844,  with  Alvah 
Sibley,  Perrin  C.  Goodell,  Sumner  Pierce  and  Solomon  Stone,  Trustees. 

The  first  Baptist  .society  of  Romeo  was  organized  February  9,  1847,  with  David  Quack- 
enboss,  Nathaniel  Bennett,  Horace  Bogart,  Wiley  Bancroft,  David  Green  and  Philo  Will- 
son,  Trvistees. 

The  first  Baptist  Chiu'ch  was  organized  January  28,  1854. 

First  Baptist  Church  and  society  of  Mt.  Vernon  was  organized  May  23,  1848,  with 
Hiram  Calkins,  William  A.  Burt,  A.  G.  Benedict,  Lewis  G.  Tanner  and  Elisha  Calkins, 
Trustees. 

The  German  Evangelical  Lixtheran  (St.  Peter's)  congregation  of  Wayne  and  Macomb 
Counties,  formed  in  1846,  was  organized  as  a  society  under  State  law  Februaiy  6,  1849, 
with  Frederick  Reh.  George  Nauvmer,  Fred  S}5eirs,  Bernhard  Christoph,  Schroeder,  J.  F. 
Winkler. 

The  Baptist  society  of  Macomb  was  organized  January  22,  1849,  with  Benjamin  Gam- 
ber,  George  Hall,  John  Crittenden,  Jesse  Goodsell,  Leonard  Weston  and  J.  Hui^toon, 
Tnistees. 

First  Congregational  Church  of  Chesterfield  was  organized  June  2,  1S50,  with  Charles 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


B.  Matthews,  Eber  C.  Denison  and  Samuel  Coppernoll,  Trastees.  The  church  was  formed 
in  1847. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  society  of  Chesterfield  was  organized  November  15,  1S51. 
by  the  appointment  of  John  Hemman,  Stephen  Fairchild,  S.  B.  Simmons.  Roberts.  Craw- 
ford and  Andrew  Ross,  Trustees. 

First  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  organized  -July  3,  1854,  un- 
der the  name  of  Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Mt.  Clemens,  with  John  Vrocklen, 
J.  C.  Reimold,  Abram  Devantier,  J.  W.  Miller,  C.  Roekr,  John  I.  Murthum,  Trustees. 

The  Evangelical  Emaniiel  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  the  town  of  Macomb, 
October  9,  1854,  with  C.  F.  Schultz,  C.  F.  Pasner  and  J.  F.  W.  Randts,  Trustees. 

The  First  Congregational  society  of  Utica  was  organized  January  13,  1S55,  with  Payne 
K.  Leech,  Ira  H.  Butterlield.  George  W.  Giddings,  John  B.  Chapman  and  Oliver  Adams, 
TriTstees. 

The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  Chiu'ch  of  Macomb  was  organized  February  15,  1855, 
by  the  appointment  of  the  following  Trustees:  R.  S.  Crawford,  Samiiel  Fan-,  J.  A.  Craw- 
ford, L.  Bloss  and  Jacob  Ellis. 

First  Free-Will  Baptist  Chiu-ch  of  Bruce  was  organized  June  1'2,  1855,  with  James 
Hosner.  H.  Hosner,  Abram  S.  Powell,  Absalom  Brabb  and  Jacob  Hosner.  Trustees. 

The  Free-  Will  Baptist  society  of  Lenox  and  Chesterfield  was  organized  March  15. 
1856,  with  Benjamin  D.  Rogers,  Levi  S.  Bement.  Thadeus  Hazleton,  Allen  Farr  and 
George  MeCaul,  Trustees. 

First  Baptist  society  of  Ai-mada  was  organized  May  24,  1856,  with  Ezra  Torey,  Al- 
bei'tus  A.  Puison  and  Sanford  H.  Corkin,  Trustees. 

First  Congregational  Society  of  Ashley  was  organized  April  29,  1856,  with  T.  M. 
Willson,  L.  Haskins,  Charles  Terry,  S.   F.  Atwood,  A.  Ashley,   S.  B.  Farnham,  Trustees. 

First  German  United  Evangelical  society  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  formed  January  31, 
1859,  with  thirty-one  members. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Armada  was  organized  Feljraary  19,  1859, 
with  Allen  L.  Frost,  Joseph  Gleason,  Gideon  Draper,  Warren  Tibbits,  William  F.  Mallary 
and  Benjamin  Maybee.  Trustees. 

First  Presbyterian  society  of  Erin  Township  was  organized  January  7,  1861,  with 
John  Common.  James  McPherson,  Moses  Bottomley,  James  !Middletou.  George  Moore- 
house  and  Thomas  Common,  Trustees. 

"The  Church  at  Warren,''  presumably  of  the  denomination  known  as  the  "'Church 
of  Christ,''  was  organized  February,  1858,  with  Hazeu  Warner,  Sylvauus  B.  Royce  and 
Sylvester  Haiwey,  Tnistees. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Richmond  was  organized  February  12,  1858, 
with  Anisey  AV.  Sutton,  Asa  Allen,  Jen.  B.  Graves,  Middleton  Thompson  and  Hamilton 
Holly,  Trustees. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Biuce  was  organized,  with  Daniel  Smith,  Elijah 
Smith,  William  H.  Pool,  M  E.  Hunt,  Trustees. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


The  Protestant  Methodist  Chiirch  of  New  Baltimore  was  organized  June  15,  1863, 
with  Marvin  M.  Saunders,  Ransom  Fox,  William  Fralick.  A.  J.  Heath  and  James  House, 
Trustees. 

The  Protestant  Methodist  Church  of  Shelby  was  organized  April  13, 18<)3.  with  Will- 
iam Arnold,  William  Buxton,  Austin  McLellen,  Joel  Lewis.  James  McLellen,  Henry 
Decker  and  Heniy  Singer,  Trustees. 

First   St.  Peter's  United  Reform  Lutheran  Chm-ch  of  Lenox  was  organized   July  6. 

1863,  with  John  G.  Meyer,  Hemy  Remer  and  William  Beir,  Trustees. 

Seventh-Day  Adveutists  of  Memphis  organized  a  society  January  T).  1864.  with  James 
Potter,  Harford  Phillips  and  Mitchell  McConnell.  Trustees. 

First   St.  John's   Evangelical  Lutheran   Church  of  Erin  was  organized  February  8, 

1864,  with  Justus  Wormspecker,  John  Eberlein,  John  T.  Elierlein,  Trustees. 

The  Baptist  Church  of  Disco  was  organized,  and  the  following-named  Trustees  elected, 
December  18,  1865:     James  Payne.  Alson  Haines  and  Isaac  Montfore. 

The  Christian  Union  Association  of  Richmond  was  organized  Jamiary  2,  18<)6,  with 
Reuben  Burgess,  William  Lamphire,  Daniel  Gleason,  John  Hicks.  George  H.  Perkins, 
Harvey  G.  Trench,  Daniel  Flagler,  J.  M.  Hicks  and  Reuben  A.  Biu-gess,  Trustees. 

The  Religious  Philosophical  society  of  Sterling  was  organized  April  7,  1866.  with 
Justus  V.  Starkey,  James  Bentley  and  Calvin  More.  Trustees. 

The  German  United  Evangelical  St.  Paul's  Chm-ch  of  Warren  was  organized  June 
i:^,  1864,  with  Ct.  B.  Berz.  W.  E.  Hai-tsig,  John  B.  Jacob,  C.  Ringe  and  Louis  Hartsig, 
Trustees. 

St.  Emanuel's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Waldenburg  was  organized  April  28, 
1867,  with  Aug.  Weber,  Godlove  Klockow  and  Aug.   Posner,  Trustees. 

The  First  Christian  Church  of  Romeo  was  organized  October  12,  1867,  with  Nathan 
Keeler,  Robert  Hamilton,  Daniel  Flagler,  Stephen  Grinnell  and  Edward  Soule,  Trustees. 

The  first  religious  society  of  Ray  was  organized  February  K),  1869,  with  A.  B.  Shel- 
don, John  E.  Day,  Arad  Freeman,  S.  A.  Fenton,  A.  L.  Ai-mstrong,  R.  S.  Cairns,  George 
Bottomley  and  Oran  Freeman,  Trustees. 

The  First  Congregational  society  of  New  Haven  was  organized  November  17,  1868, 
with  John  Millard.  Adam  Bennett,  Morgan  Nye  and   James  F.  Dryer,  Trustees. 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  New  Baltimore  was  organized  in  January. 
1871,  with  F.  Miller,  W.  Heinemau,  A.  Stuth,  J.  Larch,  H.  Heidderck.  Fred  Harms, 
Trustees. 

First  Baptist  society  of  Richmond  was  organized  June  15,  1869.  with  Manson  Far- 
rar,  Harvey  French,  D.  J.  Stewart,  James  W.  Coo))er  and  H.  F.  Douglass,  Trustees. 

First  Methodist  Chiu-ch  of  Warren  was  organized  July  18,  1872,  with  Israel  Hudge, 
pastor;  Benjamin  B.  Smith,  Secretary:  John  L.  Beebe,  Elijah  Davy  and  Nelson  Tupper, 
Tnistees. 

The  Emanuel  Church  of  Lenox  was  associated  January  25,  1873,  with  William  Kuhn, 
Aug.  Kuhn.  William  Killman,  Cai'l  Furstnem  and  Fritz  Killman,  Trustees. 


'.^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


First  Free  Methodist  society  of  Richmond  was  associated  March  19,  1873,  with  Will- 
iam Carter,  C.  L.  Harris,  C.  H.  Coruuse,  Trustees. 

The  First  Independent  Methodist  Church  of  Warren  was  organized  March  12,  1873, 
with  Richard  Bai-ton,  Isaiah  Davy,  James  W.  Hoyt,  C.  Davy,  J.  Norris,  E.  W.  Halsey. 
Trustees. 

The  Methodist  Chui-eh  of  Shelby  Circuit  was  organized  Sejitember  22,  1875,  with  Al- 
fred Watters.  Putnam  McClellan,  Harmon  Vosbiu-g,  Trustees. 

The  Seventh-Day  Adventists  of  Armada  organized  their  society  October  18,  1873, 
with  D.  H.  Lamson,  S.  T.  Beardsley  and  William  Wellman,  Trustees.  ^ 

St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Chui-ch  of  New  Baltimore  was  organized  February 
23.  1875,  with  P.  F.  H.  Schars,  John  Johr.  Rev.  G.  M.  Skinner,  C.  L.  Bradish.  G.  L. 
Phelps  and  George  Elsey.  signers  of  agi-eement. 

The  Methodist  Chm-ch  of  Bay  was  incorporated  March  (J.  1876.  with  Dewitt  Pretty, 
Joy  Warran.  Abial  Green,  Trustees. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Trinity  Church  of  Clinton  was  organized  October  31,  1878, 
with  Henry  Marlow,  John  Meitz,  Charles  Dettrich,  Trustees. 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  November  8.  1878,  with 
F.  Kline,  Christ  Rieek  and  Fred  Hummell.  Trustees. 

St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Sterling  was  organized  and  rules  for  gov- 
ernment adopted  January  10.  1880,  with  F.  Schmidt.  A.  Newman.  J.  Beulet.  G.  Kukuk 
and  F.   Teller.  Trustees. 

The  Methodist  Protestant  Chm-ch  of  Warren  was  organized  ]\Iareli  15,  ISSO,  with 
Charles  Kidd,  Milo  Ames  and  Elijah  Davy.  Trustees. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Macomb,  in  the  town  of  Sterling,  was  incorporated  Feb- 
ruary 21,  1880.  with  John  Crittenden,  George  S.   Hall  and  Samuel  Goodsell,  Tnistees. 

The  Union  Church  society  of  Washington  was  organized  in  1880.  with  William  A. 
Stone.  W.  W.  Vaughn,  Henry  Bennett  and  Timothy  Lockwood,  Trustees. 

In  the  pages  devoted  to  township  histories,  an  effort  will  be  made  to  deal  fxilly  with 
each  of  these  organizations.  Here,  the  subject  of  county  churches  only  bears  a  general 
treatment  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  the  general  history  of  the  county  complete  in  this 
particular. 

In  1881,  John  E.  Day  prepared  a  history  of  the  churches  of  Macomb.  The  paper  is 
replete  with  historical  interest,  and  will  be  found  a  most  valuable  addition  to  this  section 
of  the  general  history.  In  the  year  1781.  all  the  Moravian  missionaries  laboring  at  three 
different  stations  on  the  Muskingum  River  in  Ohio  were  taken  prisoners  and  brought  be- 
fore Col.  De  Peyster  at  Detroit,  charged  with  treason  to  the-  English  Government  in  act- 
ing in  concert  with  United  States  troojis  at  Pittsburgh.  Early  in  July,  several  of  the 
Indians  who  had  been  connected  with  the  mission  arrived  at  Detroit,  among  whom  were 
Richard  Conner  and  his  family.  Col.  De  Peyster  was  much  interested  in  their  behalf, 
and,  through  his  influence  permission  was  obtained  of  the  Chippewas  to  settle  upon  their 
lands.     De  Peyster  then  advised   them  to  settle  upon  the  Hiu'on  (Clinton)  River,  and  to 


X^ 


IH^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


brini;r  thfir  Indian  couveiis  there.  He  furnished  thein  a  vessel  and  provisions  and  such 
utensils  as  they  needed,  together  with  two  milch  cows,  some  horses,  and  his  lady  also 
made  them  several  useful  presents,  Ou  the  20th  of  July,  1S71,  Zeisburger  and  .Jungman, 
with  their  families,  and  Edwards  and  Jungsiugle,  missionaries,  set  out  from  Detroit 
with  sixteen  Delaware  Indians,  and  arrived  at  their  new  home  on  the  Clinton  River  the 
next  evening.  They  named  the  place  New  Grnadenhutten,  in  remembrance  of  the  old  home 
on  the  Muskingum.  It  was  then  a  perfect  wilderness.  Soon  more  of  the  dispersed  con- 
verts were  gathered  to  them,  and  a  large  settlement  was  in  prospect.  On  the  10th  of  De- 
cember, 1783,  the  first  ordinance  of  baptism  was  administered  within  our  county.  Sus- 
anah,  daughter  of  Richard  Conner,  and  afterward  wife  of  Elisha  Harrington,  was  bap- 
tized at  the  mission.  She  was  the  first  child  of  white  parents  speaking  the  English  lan- 
guage born  within  the  county.  She  lived  always  in  the  cou.nty,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-tive  years.  Col.  De  Peyster,  in  treating  with  the  Chippewas,  had  arrans^ed  that  they 
should  remain  until  peace  was  established  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States. 
As  they  continued  to  remain  after  this,  the  Chippewas  became  jealous  of  them  and  as- 
sumed a  threatening  aspect,  and  on  the  20th  of  April,  1786,  the  whole  was  abandoned  and 
the  colony  scattered.  The  United  States  Government  gave  to  Mr.  Conner  a  deed  of  160 
acres  of  land  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that  he  had  occupied  it  prior  to  the  year  1796. 
Little  was  done  at  this  point,  now  called  Frederick,  until  after  the  war  of  1812.  During 
the  scenes  of  this  war,  the  Indians  and  the  British  soldiers  had  made  a  total  destruction 
of  the  settlement,  from  which  the  few  inhabitants  fled  at  their  approach.  They  bm-ned 
and  threw  down  the  buildings,  and  used  the  fruit  trees  as  hitching  posts  for  their  horses, 
thus  destroying  most  of  them.  Thus  was  closed  the  mission  of  this  remarkable  class  of 
reformers,  and  with  it  died  the  hope  expressed  by  one  of  their  most  noted  ministers,  that 
'•  the  Gospel  may  yet  find  an  entrance  among;  the  wild  Chippewa  tribes  inhabiting  those 
parts."  Next  we  find  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  taught  in  a  log  chapel  on  the  Clinton 
River,  in  1806. 

Turning  next  from  these,  the  first  missionary  of  which  we  find  any  record  is  a  Method- 
ist of  the  name  of  Case.  This  man  was  located  at  Detroit  in  the  early  days  of  Methodism 
in  Michigan,  about  the  year  1807.  In  that  year,  he  preached  repeatedly  in  the  house  of 
Mr.  William  Tucker,  in  the  township  of  Harrison.  He  also  preached  at  the  house  of 
Christian  Clemens.  But  no  organization  seems  to  have  been  effected  until  the  people  had 
somewhat  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  war  of  1812.  On  the  return  of  peace  to  cm- 
borders,  emigrants  came  from  the  East,  and  with  them  came  missionaries  of  the  Method- 
ist, the  Presbyterian  and  the  Episcopal  orders.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  com-t  house,  a 
log  structure  built  in  the  year  1818;  in  schoolhouses,  where  any  existed;  in  bju'us  and  in 
private  dwellings,  and  in  the  open  woods. 

In  December,  1821,  Piatt  B.  Morey,  a  Methodist  clergyman,  was  taken  sick  at  Mt. 
Clemens,  died,  and  was  buried  there,  but  whose  body  was  removed  to  the  cemetery  at  De- 
troit, where  it  now  rests.  He  was  the  first  Methodist  minister  whose  body  was  buried  in 
Michigan  soil. 


i  "V 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


In  1824,  a  class  was  formed  in  HaiTison;  in  1826,  one  at  Mt.  Clemens. 

Who  were  the  Moravians  ?  They  were  a  society  of  brethren  taking  their  name  from 
the  country  of  Moravia,  from  which  they  sprang  in  the  twelfth  centmy.  They  were  of  a 
quiet  and  loving  disposition,  and  so  united  were  they  in  their  beliefs  and  piu'poses  as  to 
gain  the  name  of  United  Brethren.  They  were  similar  in  religious  belief  to  Luther,  and 
were  remarkable  for  zeal  in  missionary  labors. 

Soon  after  1824,  preaching  was  enjoyed  at  Utica,  but  no  organization  was  formed  un- 
til some  years  later.  In  the  year  1825,  Abel  Warren,  who,  the  year  before,  had  settled  in 
the  township  of  Shelby,  began  to  preach,  and  without  doubt  held  meetings  in  the  vicinity 
of  Utica.  but  the  exact  dates  I  am  not  at  present  able  to  give.  At  Romeo,  religious  wor. 
ship  was  first  instituted  by  the  Methodists  previous  to  the  year  1824. 

Elias  Pettit,  who  at  that  time  had  charge  of  the  Deti'oit  Circuit,  came  out  as  far  as 
the  "  Hoxie  settlement "  (Romeo),  and  preached  in  the  houses  of  the  settlers.  This  pio- 
neer of  Methodism  in  Michigan  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  on  his  conversion  and  license 
to  preach,  was  sent  into  Canada  on  a  missionary  tour  for  some  years.  He  was  the  first 
minister  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge  as  preaching  in  the  northern  portion  of  the 
county.  He  was  a  powerful  man,  of  large  and  robust  frame,  and  powerful  lungs,  and  was 
what  the  brethi'en  of  those  times  were  wont  to  call  a  powerful  preacher.  It,  was  said  of 
him  that  he  would  travel  a  circuit  as  long  as  he  could  get  anything  to  eat  on  it.  and  then 
go  to  work  and  earn  something,  and  then  take  the  circuit  again.  He  died  in  Iowa,  in  the 
year  1860. 

Associated  with  the  above  as  a  local  preacher  was  Elder  Warren,  whose  memory  is 
still  fragrant  in  many  a  household.  This  man  was  the  first  who  was  licensed  to  preach  in 
the  State  of  Michigan.  He  was  not  a  man  of  classical  education,  but  brought  to  the  work 
what,  for  the  place  and  times,  was  better  still — a  kind  and  sympathetic  heart  and  a  large 
stock  of  sound,  i^ractical  common  sense.  In  the  early  years  of  the  settlements,  his  serv- 
ices were  often  in  requisition  far  and  near,  as  he  was  the  man  desired  to  officiate  at  fu- 
nerals, thus  becoming  endeared  to  nearly  every  family.  He  had  also  a  fine  musical  talent, 
and  was  usually  the  leader  in  the  service  of  song  on  most  occasions.  Albert  Finch,  then 
an  old  man,  was  the  pioneer  who  opened  his  house  for  the  religious  services  and  for  the 
entertainment  of  the  minister.  It  was  in  his  house  that  the  class  was  formed.  This  class 
consisted  of  Albert  Finch,  Joseph  Freeman,  James  Leslie  and  their  wives,  and  was  the 
first  chm-ch  of  Protestant  faith  formed  in  the  county.  In  the  year  1826,  a  remarkable 
revival  occurred  in  the  little  settlement,  at  which  many  young  peojjle  were  converted  who 
have  since  made  useful  members  of  society  and  lights  in  the  Christian  world.  The  per- 
sons forming  this  society  (class),  with  most  who  joined  at  the  time  of  the  first  revival,  have 
passed  away,  and  only  their  memory  and  the  fruits  of  their  toil  remain  (aliout  the  year 
1827).  This  was  very  early  in  the  history  of  Michigan's  religious  life,  for  a  report  of  the 
Detroit  Circuit,  three  years  jirevious,  gives  '•  one  circuit,  one  minister,  twenty  members 
and  one  log  meeting-house." 

About  the  year   1827,  a  minister  of  the  Congregational  order  visited   the  village  of 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUMTY. 


Romeo,  and  preached  in  such  places  as  seemed  most  convenient.  Although  living  at  Pon- 
tiac,  he  felt  an  interest  in  the  work  of  founding  new  churches  and  in  ministering  to  the 
spiritual  wants  of  those  who  lacked  the  means  of  grace.  He  used  regularly  to  make  the 
journey  on  foot  to  Romeo,  and  preach  at  this  and  iatermediate  points  once  in  four  weeks 
It  was  under  his  aid  and  advice  that  a  Congregational  Church  was  formed  in  1829,  the 
first  in  the  county  and  second  in  the  State,  consisting  of  eight  persons,  one  of  whom  still 
survives  (in  188 1).  His  wish  to  die  in  the  harness  was  gratified,  for  he  died  while  attend- 
ing General  Oongi'egational  Association  of  Michigan. 

As  Abel  Warren  was  the  pioneer  of  Methodism  in  this  county,  so  was  Mr.  Ruggles 
of  Congi'egationalism.  His  custom  was  to  visit  the  family  of  each  settler,  tind  out  their 
faith  and  denomination,  and  so  gather  together  those  of  his  belief  and  preach  to  them  un- 
til a  settled  minister  could  be  procured.  These  two  men  have  wrought  out  for  northern 
Macomb  a  religious  history  of  which  we  have  seen  the  blade  and  the  ear,  and  it  is  hoped 
we  may  yet  see  abundantly  the  full  corn  in  the  ear. 

The  church  planted  thus  in  the  woods  was  blessed  in  numbers  and  in  usefulness,  and 
was  the  City  of  Refuge  to  many  a  soul  seeking  escape  from  the  pursuit  of  sin.  The  lirst 
minister  to  the  chiu'ch  at  Romeo  was  Rev.  Luther  Shaw,  from  1830  to  1835;  afterward. 
Rev.  O.  O.  Thompson,  J  ames  B.  *Shaw,  Mr.  Kellogg.  Hurd  Ladd  and  others. 

In  1 835,  Episcopal  services  began  to  be  held  by  a  Rev.  Mr.  Holister,  which  services 
have  been  maintained  irregularly  to  the  present  time. 

In  1846,  a  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  Romeo,  with  nine  members,  of  which  Rev. 
E.  A.  Mather  was  for  a  long  time  pastor.  Still  later,  those  of  the  Christian  persuasion 
became  united,  under  the  care  of  Elders  Cannon  and  Richards,  and  built  a  chiu'ch. 

In  chru-eh  building,  the  Congregational  at  Romeo  takes  the  lead,  the  first  being 
erected  in  1834,  at  a  cost  of  about  1400.  Some  fifteen  years  later,  this  was  removed  and 
used  as  a  private  school,  and  a  more  commodious  house  erected  in  its  jilace.  In  1878,  this 
second  house  was  torn  down,  and  the  present  edifice  takes  its  place.  The  Methodists  built 
a  church  in  1839,  with  a  basement,  which  was  used  as  an  audience  room  one  year,  when 
the  body  of  the  house  was  completed.  In  1855.  it  was  found  necessary  to  enlarge  the 
building,  and  again  in  1867.  In  1872,  the  old  church  was  removed  from  the  ground  and 
the  present  church  edifice  erected. 

Still  another  of  the  early  workers  in  the  cause  of  religion  was  the  Rev.  John  Taylor, 
who  settled  in  the  township  of  Bruce  in  the  yeai'  1832.  He  was  thoroughly  educated,  re- 
fined in  his  tastes,  genial  and  noble  in  his  bearing,  and  of  kind  and  pleasing  address — a 
finished  scholar  of  the  old  school.  For  some  time  he  held  Sabbath  services  in  his  own 
house;  then  was  instrumental,  with  the  aid  of  his  neighbors,  in  building  ujwn  his  own 
land  a  small  building,  which  served  for  many  years  as  chui'ch  and  schoolhouse. 

The  Scotch  settlement  was  just  being  formed  at  this  time,  and  they  united  with  the 
people  of  Bruce,  and.  in  July,  1833,  a  church  was  formed,  of  six  persons  as  members, 
most  of  them  bringing  letters  from  churches  to  which  they  formerly  belonged.  Members 
were  received  into  this  church  from  Monroe  County,  N.  Y. ;  from  East  Hampton,  L.  I. : 


ri^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


from  Old  South  Church:,  Boston;  from  Marlboro,  N.  H. ;  from  Monroe,  N.  Y.,  and 
from  Brighton,  N.  Y. ;  and  many  from  the  Reform  Presbyterians,  or  Seceders,  in  Scotland. 
This  church  prospered  under  the  ministrations  of  Mi'.  Taylor,  and  reached  a  membership 
of  nearly  eighty.  In  the  year  1830,  a  division  arose,  the  history  of  which  may  be  of  in- 
terest. The  settlers,  as  mentioned  above,  were  largely  from  New  England,  and  brought 
with  them  the  habits  and  customs  of  their  native  States.  Among  these  customs  was  that 
of  commencing  the  keeping  of  the  Sabbath  upon  the  evening  of  the  day  previous,  and 
ending  at  sunset  of  the  Sabbath.  Another  was  that  of  meeting  upon  the  evening  of  the 
Sabbath  to  sing  and  practice  in  church  music.  Both  these  customs  met  the  disapproval 
of  the  Scottish  brethren,  and  a  breach  was  opened.  Added  to  this  was  the  fact  that  the 
Scotch  bretlu-en  clung  with  great  tenacity  to  the  use  of  the  Psalms  rendered  in  rhyme  for 
church  music,  and  objected  to  the  employment  of  any  instrument  of  music  in  the  church. 
These  differences  began  to  be  talked  about  and  agitated,  until  at  last  two  or  more  of  the 
Scotch  brethren  brought  the  whole  matter  to  an  issue  by  demanding  a  dismissal  and 
a  letter  of  recommendation.  The  ground  of  complaint  was  clothed  in  the  following  lan- 
guage: 1.  That  the  church  violate  the  Sabbath  in  attending  singing  schools  on  Sabbath 
evenings.  2.  That  the  church  make  use  of  and  sing  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns  in  public 
worship.  3.  That  some  of  the  church  consider  the  Sabbath  as  commencing  at  evening  and 
ending  at  evening,  and  so  violate  their  Sabbath. 

Discipline  was  followed  by  entreaty,  and  a  church  meeting  was  called  to  consider  the 
case,  and  was  adjourned  hoping  that  the  breach  would  in  some  manner  be  closed  up.  But 
such  was  not  the  case,  and  the  church  reluctantly  voted  to  grant  the  request  of  the  two 
brethren,  and  also  of  any  others  who  might  be  in  a  like  manner  disaffected.  The  gap 
thus  made  continued  to  widen  as  one  after  another  withdrew,  until  nearly  one-half  the 
members  had  withdrawn,  the  church  expressing  the  hope  that  "  when  they  have  more  thor- 
oughly weighed  and  considered  the  matter,  they  will  return  and  renew  their  covenant  and 
continue  to  enjoy  Christian  privileges  with  us."  The  Scotch  members  all  withdrew  at  this 
time,  and  formed  a  church  in  the  midst  of  the  Scotch  settlement,  in  the  township  of  Al- 
raont,  which  church  is  still  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

This  calamity  was  followed  by  another  of  greater  effect  upon  the  little  church,  which 
was  the  death  of  the  pastor,  who  had  borne  it  in  his  arms  thus  far.  He  died  suddenly,  in 
December,  1840,  di-essed  to  attend  chui'ch.  He  jsrepared  to  meet  his  God  in  the  earthly 
sanctuary,  bitt  met  Him  in  heaven.  They  were  now  children  without  a  father,  and  were 
to  continue  in  this  condition  for  some  years.  Still  another  cause  was  the  discipline«of  un- 
ruly members.  The  jiulpit  was  supplied  for  a  time  from  Romeo,  and  latterly  the  church 
at  Bruce  and  that  at  Armada  Village  acted  jointly,  and  the  same  minister  served  in  both 
places. 

This  was  continued  for  many  years,  with  mutual  satisfaction,  l)ut  at  length  the  mem- 
bership had  so  decreased,  and  a  change  of  pastors  occurring  at  Armada,  the  appointment 
at  this  place  was  di'oj)ped. 

In  1834,  a  Methodist  class  was   formed  at  what  is  known  as  the  center  of  Armada,  at 


368  HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


a  log  schoolhouse  lately  erected  at  that  place,  I  think  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Leonard 
Hill,  minister  in  charge  at  Romeo. 

Urial  Day  was  Class-Leader  of  this  class,  and  regularly  walked  from  his  house  three 
miles  to  meet  his  class.  A  Sabbath  school  was  also  held  here,  and  Mr.  Tenj'cke.  who  lived 
on  the  Andrews  farm,  and  Mr.  Elijah  Burke,  of  Armada,  were  regular  attendants  and  officers. 
After  two  or  three  years,  a  class  was  formed  at  West  Armada,  and  the  appointment  at  the 
Center  was  taken  ujj.  Urial  Day  was  made  leader  of  the  new  class.  The  class  at  West 
Armada  was  maintained  for  many  years,  and  preaching  regularly  supplied  from  Romeo, 
and  latterly  from  Armada.  A  Sabbath  school  was  held  in  connection  with  the  aj^point- 
ment  a  portion  of  the  time.  From  deaths  and  removals  of  members,  this  appointment 
was  taken  up  about  the  year  1860. 

At  an  early  day — the  date  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  fix — ^Rev.  John  Cannon,  of 
Washington  Township,  with  Mr.  H.  N.  Richards,  and  a  little  later,  with  Bro.  Reuben  R. 
Smith,  began  to  hold  meetings  of  Christian  order,  having  as  a  center  a  schoolhouse  four 
miles  north  of  Romeo,  on  the  Almont  road.  From  this  place  as  a  center,  meetings  were 
held  in  a  circle  of  ten  miles  diameter  for  many  years,  but  I  am  not  aware  that  any  church 
was  formed  until  that  at  Romeo,  about  the  year  1865,  soon  after  which  a  chm-ch  was  built' 
and  the  society  has  prospered.  In  the  year  1840,  Rev.  Elisha  D.  Andrews  took  uj)  his 
residence  at  the  center  of  Ai'mada.  and  aided  very  much  in  the  development  of  the  relig- 
ious sentiment  of  northern  Macomb.  He  heli.1  meetings  at  the  houses  of  the  settlers  or  at 
the  schoolhouse.  He  assisted  often  in  the  burial  service  for  the  settlers,  and  cheered  by 
his  counsel  and  comfort  the  sick  and  the  dying. 

The  first  preaching  in  the  village  of  Ai-mada,  in  the  house  of  Elijah  Bui-ke,  by  Isaac 
Ruggles,  of  Pontiac.  Services  had  been  held  previously  by  a  Baptist  minister  at  or  near 
Sanford  Corbin's.  A  church  organization  was  effected  at  this  place,  of  whom  Deacon 
Goodale  and  wife  and  Sanford  Corbin  and  wife,  as  also  Mrs.  Pliny  Corbin,  were  members. 

The  Baptist  Chm-ch  in  the  village  was  formed  in  the  year  1856,  and  the  appointment 
at  Deacon  Goodale's  taken  up.  Previous  to  this  time,  the  people  living  south  of  this  place 
attended  chiu-ch  at  Ray  Center.  The  Baptist  Church  at  Ray  was  formed  at  an  early  date) 
as  early,  I  think,  as  1830  to  1834.  The  place  was  then  known  as  the  Chubb  settlement, 
and  some  of  that  name  were  among  the  movers  or  the  new  organization. 

The  house  of  worship  at  the  Chiibb  settlement  was  a  frame  building,  about  18x26 
feet,  with  a  huge  stone  fire-place  in  one  end.  In  later  years,  when  it  was  concluded  to 
place  it  stove  in  the  building,  the  pulpit  was  placed  over  the  stones  of  which  the  hearth 
was  formed,  and  some  of  the  ministers  thought  it  was  a  sort  of  doing  penance,  standing 
and  kneeling  on  the  stones  during  the  service.  Mr.  Wright,  commonly  known  as  Elder 
Wright,  preached  at  this  house  for  some  time,  living  on  his  farm  some  two  miles  south  of 
the  church. 

A  Congregational  Church  was  also  formed  at  Ray  about  the  year  1834,  I  think  by 
Rev.  O.  C.  Thompson,  which  had  a  varying  degree  of  prosperity,  but  is  now  extinct.  The 
ohl  Baptist  Church  served  the  people  of  all  denominatioDS,  until   the  year  1868,  when  a 


i    "V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


division  arose  in  the  society  on  the  qiiestion  of  a  site  for  a  church.  The  people  living 
south  of  and  about  the  corners  on  vyhich  the  old  chui-ch  stood  felt  that  that  was  the  cen- 
tral place,  and  the  only  proper  place,  for  a  church  to  stand,  while  that  portion  of  the  so- 
ciety living  about  the  place  known  as  Freeman's  Mill,  could  not  consent  to  pay  most  of  the 
building  fund  and  travel  all  the  distance,  to  build  a  church  in  a  mud-hole  at  the  center. 
The  result  was  that  two  churches  were  built,  and  two  religious  societies  organized,  the  one 
at  the  center  as  Congregational,  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  England,  and  the  society  at 
the  mill  as  a  union  society,  with  a  sprinkling  of  nearly  all  denorbinations,  but  claimed  by 
the  i\Iethodists,  and  a  small  class  formed.  A  large  and  flom-ishing  Sabbath  school  was 
formed  at  the  Union  Chiu-ch,  or  rather  in  the  schoolhouse,  before  the  church  was  built. 
This  school  was  organized  through  the  efforts  of  J.  E.  Day,  who  was  its  Si^perintendent 
for  several  years-  Services  were  held  in  the  Union  Church  by  the  Free-Will  Baptists,  un- 
der Rev.  E.  E.  Clark,  and  Congregational  under  Rev.  E.  Gr.  Baird  and  Rev.  Samuel  Phil- 
lips. In  1879,  Rev.  J.  Young  Christian,  of  Romeo,  commenced  a  series  of  meetings, 
which  resulted  in  an  extensive  revival  and  a  greatly  enlarged  and  active  chm-ch  member- 
ship. 

The  Congi-egational  Church  in  Armada  Village  was  formed  in  1N35,  by  Rev.  John  B. 
Shaw,  of  the  church  at  Romeo,  who  ministered  to  it  in  spiritual  things  for  a  short  time, 
when  Rev.  S.'  A.  Benton  became  its  pastor,  which  position  he  held  for  fourteen  years,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  S.  M.  Judson,  then  by  R.  G.  Baird. 

The  Methodist  Class  in  Armada  was  formed  at  a  date  somewhat  later  than  that  of  the 
Congregationalist,  the  precise  time  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn.  It  was  for  some  time 
connected  with  the  class  at  Richmond,  the  records  of  which  do  not  come  to  hand.  The 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  edifice  was  built  in  the  year  1860  or  thereabout. 

Societies  were  formed  at  Memphis  at  a  date  not  long  after  that  at  Armada,  but  the 
exact  dates  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn.  Rev.  William  P.  Russell  settled  in  that  village 
in  1848,  and  remained  thirty- two  years,  met  the  religious  wants  of  a  very  large  commu- 
nity, in  whose  houses  he  was  often  seen  and  always  welcome.  In  growing  up  with  this 
people,  he  had  grown  into  their  very  hearts,  and  by  his  presence  at  every  scene  of  joy  or 
son-ow,  became  very  dear  to  them.  He  baptized  their  infants,  married  their  young,  and 
in  sorrow  and  with  sympathy  cheered  the  aged  and  the  sick^  and  buried  their  dead. 

And  here  let  us  drop  for  the  present  the  chain  of  history  of  religious  development  of 
Macomb  County,  to  be  made  more  full  and  complete  by  some  wiser  pen  than  mine. 

Were  there  better  men  and  women  then  than  now?  Self-denial  for  the  welfare  of 
Christ's  cause  was  more  common  than  it  is  to-day.  Father  Ruggles  could  walk  from  Pon- 
tiac  to  the  St.  Clair  River  and  retm-n — a  journey  of  more  than  one  hundi-ed  miles — every 
month,  to  preach  to  new-comers  who  had  no  other  means  of  supply,  and  his  coming  was 
anticipated  and  enjoyed  with  the  keenest  relish.  Welcomed  in  every  house,  he  blessed 
and  honored  every  one  which  he  entered.  Self-denial  was  practiced  to  attend  public  wor- 
ship. Women  and  men,  with  their  children,  walked  from  four  to  eight  miles  to  hear  the 
sermon. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  visit  of  the  minister  at  the  homes  of  the  settlers  was  an  event  to  be  remembered 
by  each  member  of  the  household,  for  he  talked  to  each  of  the  one  great  end  of  life  and 
their  prospects  for  a  ha]ipy  eternity.  The  minister  was  revered  then  more  than  now. 
The  very  name  preacher  carried  with  it  a  sacredness  not  now  felt. 

They  were  austere  in  their  lives,  earnest  in  their  work,  and  beyond  reproach  in  their 
lives.  The  duties  of  those  of  the  first  generation  in  this  county  were  of  a  formative  char- 
acter. It  is  to  them,  under  God,  we  owe  our  prestige.  Religiously,  morally,  education- 
ally, they  have  made  us  what  we  are.  The  duties  of  us  of  the  second  generation  are  of  a 
preservative  nature.  To  protect,  to  preserve  pure  and  to  perpetuate  are  no  less  important 
than  to  create.  God  grant  we  may  discharge  our  duties  as  well  as  they  have  done  theirs. 
If  we  do  this,  we  shall  see  not  only  the  blade  and  the  ear,  but  each  succeeding  year  will 
develop  abundantly  the  full  corn  in  the  ear. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION. 

In  former  pages,  full  references  are  made  to  the  action  taken  by  the  old  settlers  of 
this  county  in  the  military  afi'airs  known  as  the  war  of  1812,  the  Black  Hawk  war,  the 
Toledo  war  and  the  Mexican  campaign.  Here  let  us  deal  with  the  county  dm-ing  that 
eventful  period  in  the  nation's  history  when  the  Republic  demanded  a  first  sacrifice  from 
the  newly  erected  States — that  period  when  the  very  safety  of  the  glorious  heritage  be- 
queathed by  the  Fathers  as  a  rich  legacy  was  threatened  by  a  fate  worse  than  death — a 
life  under  laws  that  acknowledged  slavery,  a  civil  defiance  of  the  first  implied  principles 
of  the  constitution. 

Michigan  was  among  the  first  to  I'espond  to  the  summons  of  patriotism  and  register 
itself  on  the  national  roll  of  honor,  even  as  she  was  among  the  first  to  join  in  that  joyous 
hymn  which  gi-(>eted  the  Republic,  made  doubly  glorious  within  a  century  by  the  dual  vic- 
tory which  snatched  freedom  fi-om  the  hands  of  tyranny  at  Yorktown  in  1781,  and  won  the 
precious  boon  for  the  colored  slave  in  1865. 

The  history  of  the  great  rebellion  comes  next  in  importance  to  that  of  the  Revolution; 
but  yet  the  former  is  entwined  more  closely  with  the  newer  States  and  their  various  dis- 
tricts. For  this  reason  it  seems  just  that,  as  the  work  of  the  wi'iter  proceeds,  he  should 
pass  in  review  what  one  new  State  has  accomplished  in  the  interest  of  the  Union,  and  make 
special  reference  to  those  gallant  men  of  Macomb  County  who  left  their  homes  to  join  the 
thousands  of  defenders  from  Michigan,  who  appeared  upon  the  field  to  maintain  all  those 
precious  liberties  guaranteed  by  the  constitution;  to  preserve  the  most  sublime  political 
union  that  ever  existed;  to  bind  still  closer  the  peoples  of  our  gi-eat  States  together. 

In  April.  1861,  immediately  after  the  electric  wire  flashed  the  tidings  of  war  into 
every  citv.  town  and  hamlet  of  the  United  States,  the  President's  call   for  volunteers  was 


ir 


.,S«KS5»«St 


tr 


^^^^ 


t^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


made  known.  Then  hui'rying  thousands  from  all  parts  of  the  State  rushed  forward  to  re- 
spond; but  amidst  the  volunteer.s,  there  were  none  more  earnest,  more  enthusiastic,  than 
the  men  of  this  county.  Organization  was  pressed  forward,  ranks  were  tilled  up,  and, 
when  the  crisis  was  apparent,  few,  if  any,  counties  surpassed  Macomb  in  the  celerity  of 
military  movement,  or  in  the  number  and  quality  of  private  soldiers  and  officers  sent  forth 
to  the  field. 

In  this  history  of  Macomb  in  the  war  for  the  Union,  each  regiment  comprising  any 
telling  niunber  of  her  citizens  claims  a  very  full  notice.  This  is  due  to  the  people.  It  is 
also  necessai-y  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  the  history  of  that  important  period  more  fa- 
miliar, and  so  the  \vriter  deems  it  a  matter  of  the  greatest  importance  to  deal  with  the 
subject  as  extensively  as  the  plan  of  this  work  will  permit.  In  the  first  part  of  the  chap- 
ter, the  history  of  company  organization  is  given,  which  is  followed  by  regimental  sketches 
and  personal  references  to  the  troops  and  officers,  in  which  the  names  of  the  soldiers  of  this 
county  who  died  during  the  war,  or  survived  their  campaigns  to  receive  honorable  dis- 
charge, are  recorded.  To  this  section  much  attention  has  been  given,  and  if  an  en-or 
should  appear,  it  must  be  credited  to  a  generally  accepted  theory,  rather  than  to  a  want  of 
attention  or  carelessness  in  compilation. 

The  fall  of  Fort  Sumter  was  a  signal  for  the  uprising  of  the  State.  The  news  of  the 
calamity  was  flashed  throughout  the  world  on  April  14,  1<S(31,  and  early  the  next  morning, 
the  proclamation  of  President  Lincoln  was  telegraphed  to  the  chief  executive  officer  of 
each  State.  The  proclamation  of  Grov.  Blair,  adch-essed  to  the  people  of  Michigan,  was 
given  to  the  public  April  16,  1861,  and  on  the  same  day.  every  man  within  the  county  was 
prepared  to  act  a  citizen's  part.  Notwithstanding  the  unparalleled  enthusiasm,  the  great 
majority  of  the  people  retained  their  equanimity,  with  the  result  of  beholding,  within  a 
brief  ypace  of  time,  every  section  of  the  State  represented  by  soldiers  prepared  to  light  to 
the  bitter  end  in  defense  of  cherished  institutions,  and  for  the  extension  of  the  principles 
of  human  liberty  to  all  classes  within  the  limits  of  the  threatened  Union.  This,  their 
zeal,  was  not  animated  by  hostility  to  the  slaveholders  of  the  Southern  States,  but  rather 
by  a  fraternal  spirit,  akin  to  that  which  urges  the  eldest  brother  to  correct  the  persistent 
follies  of  his  juniors;  to  lead  them  from  criminal  ways  to  the  paths  of  family  honor;  to 
draw  them  far  away  from  all  that  was  cruel,  diabolical  and  inhuman,  and  instruct  them  in 
all  that  is  gentle,  holy  and  sublime  in  the  Republic.  Many  of  the  raw  troops  were  not 
only  animated  by  a  patriotic  feeling,  but  were  also  filled  with  the  idea  of  the  poet,  who, 
in  his  unconscious  republicanism,  said: 

"  I  would  not  have  a  slave  to  till  my  ground. 
To  carry  me,  to  fan  me  while  I  sleep 
And  tremble  while  I  wake,  for  all  the  wealth 
That  sinews  bought  and  sold  have  evfer  earned. 
No!  dear  as  freedom  is — and.  in  my  heart's 
Just  estimation,  prized  above  all  price — 
I  had  much  rather  be  myself  the  slave 
And  wear  the  bonds,  than  fasten  them  on  him." 


»^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Thus  animated,  it  is  not  a  matter  for  surprise  to  find  the  first  call  to  arms  issued  by 
the  President  answered  nobly  by  the  people. 

Previous  to  the  beginning  of  hostilities,  an  independent  military  company  was  organ- 
ized at  Mt.  Clemens.  Before  the  actual  fonnation  of  this  company,  war  meetings  were 
held  and  speeches  made  by  Andrew  A.  Robertson,  Giles  Hubbard,  Harleigh  Carter,  William 
M.  Campbell  and  others.  At  length,  a  company  was  organized,  with  George  C.  Fletcher, 
Captain.  This  compaoay  was  mustered  into  service  with  Judson  S.  Farrar,  Captain;  Edgar 
H.  Shook,  First  Lieutenant;  Henry  C  Edgerly,  Second  Lieutenant,  Edgar  Weeks,  then 
a  lawyer  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  elected  First  Sergeant;  James  Fenton  was  apjjointed  Drill 
Sergeant,  The  muster  roll  comprised  forty  names,  among  whom  were  William  M,  Con- 
nor, Sergeant;  Peter  Generous,  H.  \V.  Babcock,  Alexander  N.  Delano,  Capt.  William 
Tucker,  Nicholas  Lacroix,  Anson  C.  Town,  Owen  Cotten,  Martin  Conway,  W,  D*.  Lerick, 
Isaac  Lerick,  John  R,  Hubert,  and  others  mentioned  in  the  rosters. 

This  company  tendered  its  services  to  the  Governor  while  the  First  Michigan  Infantry 
(three  months)  was  being  organized,  but,  on  account  of  the  large  number  of  volunteers  who 
presented  themselves,  this  company  was  ordered  to  await  the  organization  of  a  second  reg- 
iment. The  uniform  was  gray,  with  green  facings  and  large  brass  l)uttons,  very  showy  in 
itself,  surmoitnted  with  a  tall  velvet  military  hat  trimmed  with  gi'een. 

The  company,  after  failing  to  be  incorporated  with  the  first  three  months'  regiment, 
was  disbanded,  and  the  commissioned  officers  and  musicians  entered  the  camp  of  instruc- 
tion at  Fort  Wayne,  and  remained  there  until  after  the  first  Bull  Run,  when  those  oiScei-s 
were  ordered  to  retiu-n  to  Mt.  Clemens,  recruit  the  company  at  that  place,  and  report 
at  Detroit.  This  instruction  was  carried  out,  and  on  August  28,  1861,  the  men  mustered 
into  service,  under  the  same  officers,  with  the  Fifth  Michigan  Infantry,  Col.  Henry  D. 
FeiTy  commanding.  This  was  among  the  first  military  companies  organized  in  the  north- 
eastern counties  of  this  State,  and  the  first  in  Macomb  County. 

APPOINTMENTS    AND    STATISTICS. 

Dexter  Mussey  was  appointed  Commissioner  to  carry  out  the  di'aft  ordered  by  the 
War  Department  July  9,  1861 . 

The  number  of  men  enrolled  by  the  Assessors  of  Macomli  County  September  1(\  186'2, 
was  3,485,  of  which  number  2,666  were  subject  to  draft,  and  819  exempt.  The  whole 
number  subject  to  draft  in  the  State  at  that  time  was  91,071, 

Col,  John  Stockton,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  received  authority  from  the  War  Dei)ai'tment,  in 
August,  1862,  to  form  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  which  authority  was  approved  by  Gov.  Blair, 
and  a  commission  issued  to  him  October  3,  1862. 

The  draft  of  February,  1863,  was  made  on  the  basis  of  the  census  of  1860.  The 
number  of  men  actually  drafted  in  Macomb  was  127,  of  whom  6-t  reported  at  the  rendez- 
vous, 44  enlisted  for  three  years,  and  2  for  nine  months  service.  This  di'aft  was  carried 
out  in  this  county  under  Dexter  Mussey,  Under  the  United  States  act  of  March,  1863, 
each  Congressional  district  was  formed  into  an  enrollment  canton.      Macomb  formed  a 

^C  s r~  —^ »|  "V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


portion  of  the  Fifth  District.  The  returns  point  out  that,  cKu-ing  the  summer  of  1804, 
there  were  2,068  white  men  and  11  colored  citizens  of  the  lirst  class  f5ubject  to  military 
duty,  aud  1,183  of  the  secoi^d  class  similarly  subject,  after  the  men  of  the  first  class  had 
been  called  out.  Up  to  January  1,  1864,  there  were  1,347  enlistments  reported  for  Ma- 
comb^County,  and  before  the  last  day  of  October  of  that  year,  760  more  names  were  added 
to  the  roll,  aggregating  2,107  men,  from  the  period  of  the  organization  of  the  three-years 
regiments  to  October  31,  1864,  not  including  the  niimber  who  joined  Col.  Doyle's  com- 
mand at  Detroit,  or  the  men  who  enlisted  in  the  three-months  regiments. 

Under  the  Presidential  call  of  December  19,  1864.  for  30(),000  men,  an  enrollment 
was  made  in  the  several  counties  of  the  State.  The  report,  dated  December  31,  1864, 
points  out  the  number  of  men  liable  to  military  service  in  Macomb  County  to  be  2.018, 
of  which  number  225  was  the  quota  of  the  county. 

From  November  1.  1864,  to  the  suspension  of  recruiting,  A]iril  14,  1865,  the  county 
was  credited  with  263  enlistments,  with  963  enlistments  under  the  system  of  district  en- 
rollment, making  a  total  of  1,216  men  from  September  19,  18(i3,  to  the  close  of  the  war. 
The  total  representation  of  Macomb  Coiinty  in  the  State  regiments  may  be  set  down  as  2,- 
500,  of  whom  900  enlisted  under  the  enrollment  system,  149  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  17 
entered  the  naval  service,  16  di'afted  men  commuted,  and  134  resulted  from  the  ch-aft. 
Of  th  is  number,  320  served  for  one  year,  2  for  two  years,  and  894  for  three  years.  The 
enlistments  previous  to  September  19,  1863  numbered  1,144  men,  which,  with  the  1,216 
referred  to  above,  give  a  grand  total  of  2,360  men.  At  least  140  men  entered  Illinois  and 
Indiana  regiments,  whose  names  are  not  given  in  the  reports  of  this  State,  though  ajipear- 
ing  in  the  military  records  of  the  States  refeiTed  to. 

The  military  vote  of  the  Michigan  troops  was  taken  November  7,  1864.  Under  the 
act  of  February  5,  1864,  the  Governor  was  authorized  to  appoint  a  nmnber  of  Commis- 
sioners to  take  this  vote,  which  authority  was  put  in  practice  October  14, 1864,  when  forty- 
one  appointments  were  made.  Among  the  Commissioners  was  William  Hulsart,  of  Ro- 
meo, to  whom  was  apportioned  the  labor  of  receiving  the  vote  of  the  Eighth  Michigan 
Cavalry,  then  at  Nicholasville,  Ky. ,  and  of  the  L  and  M  Batteries,  Michigan  Artillery, 
serving  with  the  Twenty-third  Ai'my  Corps  at  Cumberland  Crap,  Tenn.  The  vote  of  the 
Eighth  Cavah-y  was  105  for  the  Republican  Electors — Robert  R.  Beecher,  Thomas  D.  Gil- 
bert, Frederick  Waldorf,  Marsh  Giddings,  Chi-istian  Eberbach,  Perry  Hanuah,  Omer  D. 
Conger  and  George  W.  Pack.  The  Democratic  Electors  received  71  votes  from  the  same 
command.  The  roll  of  Electors  for  whom  this  vote  was  given  comprises  the  names  of  Sam 
T.  Douglass,  Rix  Robinson,  Henry  Hart,  Royal  T.  Twombly.  D.  Darwin  Hughes,  John 
Lewis,  Michael  E.  Crofoot  and  Richard  Edwards.  Battery  L  and  detachments  gave  200 
votes  to  the  Republican  Electoral  ticket,  and  57  to  the  Democratic  ticket.  Battery  M 
gave  49  votes  to  the  Republicans  and  3  to  the  Democrats. 

Hon.  Giles  Hubbard,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors of  the  Soldiei's'  aud  Sailors"  Monument  Association,  at  a  meeting  held  August  11, 
1865.      How  well  this  board  performed  its  duty  is  shown  in  the  sculptured  monument,  de- 


;t^ 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


signed  by  Randolph  Rogers,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  at  Detroit  in  less  than  two 
years  after  the  organization  of  the  association — July  4.  1867. 

The  amount  of  money  raised  directly  in  Macomb  County  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
on  the  war  was  $289,029. 69.  The  sum  of  direct  ex])enditm-es  from  1861  to  1867,  for  the 
relief  of  soldiers'  wives  and  children  was  no  less  than  $110,839.26.  The  subscription  to 
the  .f 28,000  fund  of  the  Michigan  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  to  that  of  the  Michigan  Soldiers" 
Relief  Association,  and  other  charitable  funds,  must  aggregate  not  less  than  $8,000,  while 
other  charities  of  a  like  nature  entailed  an  indirect  charge  on  the  county  amounting  to 
several  thousand  dollars. 

Previous  to  the  issue  of  the  Adjutant  General's  report,  December  24,  1862,  no  less 
than  841  men  from  this  county  were  in  active  service,  exclusive  of  the  number  enrolled 
on  the  roster  of  the  three-months  regiment,  or  recruits  joining  the  old  regiments  between 
July  1  and  December  24,  1862.  The  representation  of  the  county  in  the  regiments  of  the 
State  fi'om  the  formation  of  the  first  three-years  regiment  to  the  close  of  the  year  1862 
was  as  follows:  Twenty  men  belonged  to  the  First  Michigan  Infantry;  1  to  the  Second 
Infantry;  9  to  the  Fourth  Infantry;  93  to  the  Fifth  Infantry;  3  to  the  Sixth  Infantry;  16 
to  the  Seventh;  131  to  the  Ninth;  IS  to  the  Tenth;  2  to  the  Thirteenth;  34  to  the  Four- 
teenth; 3  to  the  Fifteenth;  18  to  the  Sixteenth;  8  to  the  Seventeenth;  255  to  the  Twenty- 
second;  3  to  the  Twenty-sixth;  5  to  the  Engineers;  50  to  the  First  Cavalry;  45  to  the 
Second;  10  to  the  Third;  10  to  the  Foiu-th;  90  to  the  Fifth;  2  to  the  Ninth  Battery ;  14 
to  Dygert's  Sharpshooters;  and  1  to  the  Stanton  Guard;  with  jirobably  50  to  other  com- 
mands then  organized. 

RECORD    OF    COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 

Aaron  L.  Abbey,  Armada,  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  Eighth  Cavalry,  No- 
vember 1,  1862;  First  Lieutenant,  June  16,  1864.  He  was  made  prisoner  August  5,  1864, 
during  Gen.  Stoneuian's  raid;  exchanged  March  1,  1865,  and  discharged  as  Second  Lieii- 
tenant  May  15,  1865. 

George  E.  Adair,  Utica,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  Second  Cavalry,  September 
2.  1861;  resigned  September  3,  1862. 

Louis  Allor,  New  Baltimore,  Sergeant  Company  E,  Twenty-second  Infantry,  July 
31,  1862;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  November  17,  1862;  First  Lieutenant, 
June  6,  1863;  Adjutant,  October  11,  1863,  which  position  he  held  when  the  command  was 
mustered  out,  June  26,  1865. 

Almiron  P.  Armstrong,  Armada,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  Eighth  Cavalry, 
November  1,  1862,  in  which  position  he  served  until  his  resignation  was  accepted,  Febru- 
ary 14,  1863. 

Alfred  Ashley,  New  Baltimore,  commissioned  Captain,  Twenty-second  Infantry,  July 
21,  1862;  resigned  November  27,  1862. 

Willard  H.  Ashley,  Sheridan,  Sergeant  Company  A,  Eleventh  Cavalry,  August  28, 
1868;  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  March  21,  1864;  he  resigned  on  account  of 
disability  June  10.  1865. 


fe^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Jnlian  H.  Axtell.  Mt.  Clemeus.  Sergeant  Company  B,  First  Infantry,  July  9.  1861 : 
wounded  in  action  near  Five  Forks.  Va.,  March  31,  1865;  commissioned  Second  Lieuten- 
ant May  30.  1865.  and  discharged  July  9,  1865. 

Samuel  Barton,  Armada,  Sergeant  Company  B,  Thirtieth  Michigan  Infantry,  Novem- 
ber 25,  1864;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  Jime  6,  1865:  and  discharged  June  30. 
1865. 

Hiram  Barrows,  Ai-mada,  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Ninth  Michigan  In- 
fantry, October  12,  1861:  First  Lieutenant,  December  10.  1861;  and  Captain,  October  13. 
186'2.  He  was  wounded  in  the  action  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. ,  July  13,  1862,  and  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  rebels.  His  exchange  or  release  oceuiTed  August  27,  1862.  He  served 
from  the  date  of  his  promotion  to  a  Captaincy  irntil  the  muster-out  of  the  command.  No- 
vember  16,  1864. 

Charles  Bassett,  Mt.  Clemeus.  Sergeant  Company  G.  Twenty-second  Infantry,  August 
12,  1862;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  December  5,  1862  ;  First  Lieutenant, 
February  21,  1863:  Captain,  October  14,  1864,  in  which  last  position  he  was  serving  at 
the  period  of  muster-out,  June  2(5,  1865. 

William  Belles.  Chesterheld,  commissioned  Captain  Thirtieth  Infantry  November  28. 
1864;  was  mustered  out  June  30,  1865. 

John  W.  Bennett,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant.  Eighth  Michigan 
Cavalry,  November  1,  1862;  First  Lieutenant,  August  31,  1863:  Captain,  December  1, 
1864;  was  mustered  out  with  the  command  September  22,  1865. 

John  Britton,  Ridgeway,  Sergeant  Company  F,  Twenty-sixth  Infantry,  August  12. 
1862:  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  November  22,  1864;  First  Lieutenant,  June  9. 
1865 :  and  was  mustered  out  as  Second  Lieutenant  June  4,  1865. 

Seymour  Brownell,  Ftica,  commissioned  Battalion  Quartermaster.  Second  Cavalry, 
September  2,  1861;  received  his  discharge  June  1,  1862,  and  on  October  28  of  the  same 
year,  was  commissioned  Captain  and  Assistant  Commissary  I'nited  States  Volunteers; 
this  position  he  resigned  October  15,  1864. 

Sylvanus  Bachelder.  Clinton,  entered  service  with  Fourteenth  Michigan  Infantiy: 
was  promoted  Second  Lieutenant  December  29,  1864;  First  Lieutenant,  :March  14,  1865, 
and  served  in  that  jaosition  to  the  close  of  the  wai\ 

William  Beekman,  Clinton,  promoted  from  the  ranks  to  a  Second  Lieutenancy  July 
3,  1865,  and  to  a  First  Lieutenancy  July  31,  1865:  was  mustered  out  with  the  command. 

Albert  D.  Benjamin,  Fowlerville,  was  promoted  Second  Lieutenant,  Thirtieth  In- 
fantry, November  28.  1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Charles  L.  Bissell,  Chicago,  was  commissioned  First  Lietitenant  and  Adjutant, 
Twelfth  Michigan  Infantry.  October  10.  1861.  This  soldier  died  at  Bolivar,  Tenn..  Oc- 
tober 26.  1862." 

William  Brownell,  Utica,  was  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon,  Second  Cavalry,  Sep- 
tember 2,  1861.  and  Surgeon  October  20.  1862,  which  position  he  occupied  when  the  com- 
mand was  mustered  out.  November  3,  1864. 


IV 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Axtgustus  H.  Canfield,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  appointed  Sergeant  Company  I,  Ninth 
Michigan  Infantry,  August  15,  1861;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  September  23, 
180'2;  First  Lieutenant  April  25,  18(33;  Adjutant,  October  14,  18fi4,  in  which  position  he 
was  serving  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out. 

'  i]  Stephen  B.  Cannon,  Disco,  Sergeant  Company  B.  Twenty-second  Infantry,  August 
9,  1862;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  October  14,  1864;  was  mustered  out  June  26, 
1865. 

'  JQEdwin  C.  Chubb,  llomeo.  Sergeant  Company  A.  Ninth  Infantry.  August  13,  1861 ; 
was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  October  13.  1862;  First  Lieutenant.  May  14,  1863; 
and  mustered  out  November  25,  1864. 

William  H.  Clarke.  Jr.,  Armada,  Sergeant  Company  G,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry, 
November  10,  1862;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  April  23,  1863;  wounded  at 
SweetwaterjOctober  26,  1863,  and  resigned  on  account  of  disability  February  8,  1864, 

John  L,  Cline,  Eomeo,  Sergeant  Company  L,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  March  8, 
1868;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  September   14,  1864,  First  Lieutenant  De- 
cember 27,  1864;  and  mustered  out  with  the  command  September  22.  1865. 
ji;'''t     Daniel  W.  Cole,  Romeo,  Sergeant  Major,  Ninth  Infantry,  August  13, 1861;  was  com- 
missioned Second  Lieutenant  July  15,  1865,  and  mustered  out  September  15,  1865. 

wOwen  W.  Cotton,  Mt.  Clemens,  Sergeant  Company  B,  Fifth  Infantry.  August  28,  1861; 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  September  12,  1862;  First  Lieutenant,  October  21, 
1862;  was  wounded  at  Chaneellorsville,  Va. ,  in  the  action  of  May  3,  1863,  and  resigned 
August  19  following. 

Martin  Conley,  New  Baltimore,  appointed  Sergeant  Company  B,  Third  Infantry,  Sep- 
tember 27,  1864;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  March  12,  1865;  First  Lieutenant 
November  28,  1865;  and  mustered  out  with  the  re-organized  Third  Infantry  June  10, 
1866;  he  served  with  Fifth  Infantry  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and  now,  as  a  member 
of  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Union,  is  in  charge  of  the  old  colors  of  the  Fifth. 

John  M.  Crawford,  Ray  Center,  was  commissioned  Captain,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavah-y, 
November  1,  18()2,  which  position  he  resigned  on  account  of  disability  June  16,  1864. 

layman  G.  Crawford,  Romeo,  commissioned  Second  Lientenant,  Third  Infantry,  July 
29,  1864;  First  Lieutenant  January  8,  1865;  Captain.  February  25,  1866;  was  mustered 
out  as  First  Lieutenant  June  10,  1866. 

Charles  D.  Culver,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  Battery  M, 
First  Light  Ai-tillery,  April  1,  1863,  which  position  he  resigned  October  26  following. 

Augustus  Czizek,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Twenty- second  In- 
fantry, July  31,  1862;  resigned  December  3.  1862. 

Crawley  P.  Dake,  Armada,  was  commissioned  Captain,  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry,  Au- 
gust 14,  1862;  Major,  December  31,  1862;  and  resigned  August  9,  1864. 

Lewis  P.  Davis,  Romeo,  Sergeant  Major,  Twenty-second  Infantry,  August  9,  1862; 
was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  November  7,  1864,  and  mustered  out  June  26, 
1865. 


L^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Jonathan  E.  Davis,  Macomb,  was  commissioned  Assistant  Siu'geon,  Twenty-seventh 
Infantry,  December  "23,  1S62;  resigned  Januar}'  4,  1S64. 

George  W.  Davenport,  Sergeant  Company  F,  Fifth  Cavalry,  August  15,  1862;  was 
commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  January  28,  1864,  and  mus- 
tered out  April  30  following. 

Alanson  P.  Dickenson,  Romeo,  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Ninth  Infantry, 
October  12,  1861;  First  Lieutenant,  June  23,  1862;  and  resigned  with  the  rank  of  Second 
Lieutenant.  January  17,  1863. 

Augustus  Ditman,  Eomeo,  Sergeant  Company  A,  Ninth  Infantry,  August  13,  1861; 
Second  Lieutenant,  November  23,  1864;  and  First  Lieutenant,  April  20,  1865;  mustered 
out  with  the  command  September  15,  1865. 

Charles  B.  Donaldson.  Roseville.  Sergeant  Company  K,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry. 
February'  8.  1863;  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  January  22,  1864.  and  resigned, 
on  account  of  disability,  Jiine  21,  1864. 

Winchester  T.  Dodge.  Orange,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Tenth  Michigan 
Cavalry,  October  15,  1862;  resigned  February  22,*1864. 

William  H.  Dimphy,  Memphis,  was  commissioned  Fii-st  Lieutenant,  Tenth  Infantry, 
October  1.  1861;  Captain,  March  31.  1863;  Lieutenant  Colonel.  February  24.  1865; 
Colonel.  June  7.  1865;  and  was  mustered  out  July  19,  1865,  with  the  rank  of  Lieiiten- 
ant  Colonel. 

Ai-thm-  L.  Eastman,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Eighth  Mich- 
igan Cavalry.  November  1,  1862;  wounded  at  Sweetwater  October  26,  1863;  he  received 
his  discharge  on  accoimt  of  disability,  February  9,  1865. 

Hem-y  C.  Edgerly,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant.  Fifth  Michigan 
Infantry,  January  19,  1862;  was  wounded  at  Chai-les  City  Cross  Roads.  Ya..  June  30, 
1862;  transferred  to  Eighth  Cavalry. 

Hemy  C.  Edgerly,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  commissioned  Major,  Eighth  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, November  17,  1862;  served  throughout  the  war,  and  resigned  on  account  of  disability 
January  8,  1865. 

Marcus  D.  Elliott,  Roseville,  Sergeant.  Battery  H.  First  Light  Artillery,  October  22, 
1861;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  March  15,  1863;  First  Lieutenant,  August  8, 
1863;  Captain,  January  8,  1864;  and  was  mustered  out  December  27,  1864. 

Judson  S.  i'arrar,  Mt.Clemens,  was  commissioned  Captain,  Fifth  Michigan  Infantry. 
June  19,  1861,  and  received  the  commission  of  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Twenty-sixth  Infantry, 
September  16,  1862. 

Amos  Finch,  commissioned  Lieutenant  January  22,  1865  ;  discharged  July. 
1865. 

Judson  S.  Farrar,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Twenty-sixth 
Infantry,  September  16,  1862;  Colonel,  October  9,  1863;  and  discharged  on  account  of 
disability  March  29,  1864. 

Triel  S.  Fan'ar,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  Firet  Lieutenant,  Twenty-sixth  Infantry, 


-&p 


V 


liL 


380 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


October  12,  1863,  and  Captain.  •Innc  U.  1864;  wa5  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  First 
Lieutenant  June  4,  1865. 

Thomas  A.  Fisher,  New  Baltimore,  Sergeant,  First  Engineers  and  Mechanics.  Novem- 
ber 26,  1861;  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  January  1,  1864,  and  mustered  out  Oc- 
tober 26.  1864. 

Edwin  Fishpool,  New  Baltimore,  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  First  Mich- 
igan Cavalry,  August  22,  1861,  and  resigned  January  80.  1862. 

Peter  Generoux,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Fifth  Michigan  In- 
fantry, September  12.  1862;  Captain.  September  16.  1862;  was  killed  in  the  action  of 
Gettysburg.  Penn..  July  2.  1868. 

Joseph  Goetz,  Mt.  Clemens.  Captain.  Twenty-second  Infantry,  July  81.  1862;  was 
discharged  on   account  of  disability  May  17.  1865.  after  a  period  of   almost  three  years. 


Jacob  Goodale.  liay  Center.  Sergeant.  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  November  1,  1862; 
Second  Lieutenant,  January  5,  1864;  First  Lieutenant,  June  21,  1864;  was  mustered  out 
at  the  date  of  consolidation  with  the  Eleventh  Cavalry.  July  20.  1865. 

Alexander  Grant.  Utica,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant.  Second  Cavalry,  Septem- 
ber 2.  1861 ;  resigned  June  4.  1862. 

Cyril  S.  Hicks,  Richmond,  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant.  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry, 
September  27.  1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

David  K.  Halsey,  Richmond,  Sergeant.  Fifth  Infantry.  August  28.  1861;  wa:s  com- 
missioned Second  Lieutenant  June  10,  1868. 

Edgar  B.  Harris.  Shelby.  Sergeant  Company  C.  Eighth  Cavalry.  December  18.  1862; 
was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  April  25.  1.S65,  and  mustered  out  September  22, 
1865. 

Delos  L.  Heath.  Ridgeway.  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon.  Seventeenth  Infantry. 
November  18,  1862;  was  transferred  to  Twenty-third  Infantry. 

Delos  L.  Heath,  Ridgeway.  commissioned  Surgeon,  Twenty-third  Michigan  Infantry. 
May  1,  1868;  was  discharged  for  disability  December  27,  1864. 

Matthew  M.  Hedges.  North  Branch,  entered  the  Tenth  Infantry  as  Sergeant.  Decem- 
ber 22,  1861:  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  June  7,  1865.  and  discharged  July 
18.  1865. 

Matthew  Holmes,  Baltimore,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Twenty-eighth  In- 
fantry, August  15,  1864;  was  killed  at  Wise  Forks.  N.  C,  March  8,  1865. 

Henry  H.  Houghtalin,  New  Baltimore,  mustered  into  service  with  the  Eighth  Cavalry; 
was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  June  17.  1864;  First  Lieutenant.  January  8,  1865; 
and  was  mustered  out  September  22,  1865. 

Irving  D.  Hanscom,  Romeo,  commissioned  officer  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry;  for  pro- 
motions, see  biographical  sketch. 

Henrj'  W.  Howgate,  Armada,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Twenty-second  In- 
fantrj-,  July  81,  1862:  First  Lieutenant,  December  31,  1862;  Captain,  June  7,  1864;  was 


i  1^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


commissioned  First  Lieutenant  United  States  Signal  Corps  August  17,  1864;  brevet  Cap- 
tain, United  States  Volunteers,  March  13.  18(55,  in  recognition  of  services  during  the  bat- 
tle of  Chickamauga:  brevet  Major  of  Volunteers,  March  13,  1865,  for  services  in  Georgia; 
Second  Lieutenant,  Twentieth  United  States  Infantry.  October  22,  1867:  and  First  Lieu- 
tenant, August  4,  1868.      The  rapid  advances  of  this  officer  were  remarkable  to  a  decree. 

William  A.  Hulsart,  Bruce,  was  among  the  commissioned  officers. 

Beckford  P.  Hutchinson.  Utica,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Fourth  Cavalry.  Xn- 
gust  13,  1862:  resigned  February  16,  1863. 

William  Jenny,  Jr..  Mt.  Clemens,  wa?  commissioned  Captain,  Ninth  Infantry,  October 
12,  1861;  Major,  February  6,  1863:  and  was  mus^ered  out  September  15,  1865. 

Charles  L.  Jenny,  Utica,  Sergeant  Compnny  H,  Fourth  Michigan  Infantry.  Sej)tem- 
ber  17,  1864;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  October  24,  1865,  and  discharged 
May  26,  1866. 

Charles  C.  Jennings,  Washington,  Sergeant,  Twenty-second  Infantry,  August  11, 
1862;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  February  21,  1863:  First  Lieutenant.  June 
11.  1864;  and  mustered  out  June  26,  1865. 

Nathan  Jersey,  Romeo,  enlisted  August  19,  1S61,  as  Sergeant  of  Company  A,  Ninth 
Infantry:  he  received  his  commission  as  Second  Lieutenant  March  25,  1802,  and  that  of 
First  Lieutenant  October  13,  1862.  This  soldier  was  wounded  at  Mui-freesboro,  July  13, 
1862,  and.  recovering,  served  until  August  5,  1864. 

J.  Delos  Jewell.  Vernon,  Sergeant  Company  A,  Tenth  Michigan  Infantry,  November 
4,  1861:  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  July  9,  1864:  Captain,  Febru- 
ary 24,  1865;  and  served  until  muster  out,  July  19,  1865. 

Miner  A.  Johnson,  Utica,  Sergeant  Company  H,  Second  Cavalry.  August  27,  1861; 
Second  Lieutenant,  October  1,  1862;  resigned  November  19,  1864. 

Theodore  Kath,  Ray,  Sergeant  Company  G,  Twenty-second  Infantry:  was  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  September  25,  1863.  and  mustered  out  June  26,  1865. 

Alonzo  M.  Keeler,  Shelby,  commissioned  Captain.  Twenty-second  Infantry,  July  31, 
1862;  Major,  October  14,  1864;  and  brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  United  States  Volunteers, 
March  13,  1865;  was  mustered  out  June  26,  1865.  This  soldier  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
rebels  at  Chickamauga,  Tenn.,  September  20,  1863:  was  paroled  March  1,  1865,  and  ulti- 
mately returned  to  his  command. 

James  S.  Kelly,  Disco,  Sergeant  Company  B.  Twenty-second  Infantry,  August  7, 1862; 
was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  December  31.  1862.  and  resigned^Februar}' 21.  1863. 

Benjamin  Kenny,  Sergeant  Battery  H,  First  Light  Artillery,  June  IS,  1862:  was 
commissioned  First  Lieutenant  April  25.  1864:  Captain,  December  27.  1864:  and  mus- 
tered out  July  22,  1865. 

John  W.  Kingscott,  Sergeant  Company  H.  Second  Cavalry,  August  24,  1861 :  First 
Lieutenant.  October  1,  1862:  Captain.  June  7,  1864:  was  mustered  out  December  27. 
1865. 

William  G.  Kingscott,  Sergeant  Company   H.  Second  Cavalry,  September  7.   1S61; 


r 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


First  Lieutenant,  September  20,  1864;  was  transferred  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth 
United  States  Colored  Infantry  June  2'2,  1805. 

Henry  F.  Lake,  Marion.  Sergeant  Company  H,  Twenty-second  Infantry,  August  9, 
1S6'-!;  Second  Lieutenant  Aj^ril  1,  1865;  was  discharged  June  9,  1865. 

Chai-les  C.  Lamb,  Mt.  Clemens,  Captain,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  November  1, 
1862;  was  discharged,  on  account  of  disability,  June  3,  1864. 

Charles  C.  Lamb,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Thirtieth  Infantry, 
November  28,  1864;  Captain,  March  16,  1865;  was  mustered  out  June  30,  1865. 

John  M.  Lamb,  Dryden,  Sergeant  Com])any  E,  Eighth  Cavalry,  December  4,  1862; 
was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  December  1,  1864,  and  mustered  out  September  22, 
1865. 

Seward  S.  Lampman,  transferred  from  Eleventh  Cavalry  and  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant,  Eighth  Cavalry.  July  20,  1865;  was  mustered  out  September  30,  1865. 

Erastus  W.  Lawrence,  Utica,  Commissary  Sergeant,  Second  Cavalry,  September  2. 
1861;  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  September  19,  1862;  he  acted  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant and  Commissary,  and  was  on  detached  service  when  the  command  was  mustered  out. 

Frederick  B.  Lee,  Mt.  Clemens,  Sergeant  Company  D,  Eighth  Cavalry,  December  22, 
1862;  Second  Lieutenant,  February  9,  1864;  was  wounded  during  the  affair  at  Baker's 
Ferry,  Ga.,  July  5,  1864;  he  was  mustered  out  with  the  command,  July  20,  1865. 

Isaac  N.  Lerick,  Utica,  commissioned  Captain,  Third  Infantry,  July  29,  1864,  and 
jaromoted  Major  June  14,  1865;  mustered  out  May  25,  1866. 

William  H.  Lowrie,  Romeo,  Commissary  Sergeant,  Ninth  Infantry.  August  13,  1861; 
Second  Lieutenant,  September  20,  1864;  First  Lieutenant  and  Quartermaster,  November 
16,  1864;  mustered  out  September  16,  1865. 

Muir  A.  McDonald,  Washington,  Sergeant  Company  D,  Eighth  Cavalry,  December 
8.  1862;  Second  Lieutenant.  August  31,  1863;  Captain,  January  18,  1864;  was  mustered 
out  September  22,  1865. 

John  B.  K.  Mignault,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  commissioned  Surgeon,  Eighth  Cavalry, 
November  6,  1862,  which  position  he  held  until  his  resignation,  on  account  of  disability, 
September  12,  1864. 

Michael  Nolan,  Mt.  Clemens,  Sergeant  Company  L,  Third  Cavalry,  September  20, 
1861;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  June  9,  1862,  and  mustered  out  August  24,  1864. 

George  Minnely,  Mt.  Clemens,  Sergeant  Company  D,  Eighth  Cavalry,  November  4, 
1862;  Second  Lieutenant,  May  14,  1864;  was  mustered  out  September  22,  1865. 

Edgar  A.  Nye,  Romeo,  Sergeant  Company  F,  Eighth  Infantry,  September  12,  1861; 
Second  Lieutenant,  April  20,  1864;  was  killed  in  the  action  of  Spotlsylvania,  Va.,  May 
12,  1864. 

Albert  Nye,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Ninth  Infantry,  October  12, 
1861,  and  Captain,  December  10,  1861;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. ,  June  23,  1862. 

Herbert  B.  Pearson,  New  Baltimore,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Twenty-sec- 
ond Infantry,  July  31,  1862;  resigned  June  5,  1863. 

"^1  '  ^     ^-^ 


^];^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUN-T-i'.  383 

Albert  L.  Power,  Mt.  Clemens,  Sergeant  Company  I,  Ninth  Infantry,  August  15. 
1861;  Second  Lieutenant,  October  10,  1863;  was  discharged  November  17,  1864. 

Ai-chibald  Preston.  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  Eighth  Michigan 
Cavalry,  August  81,  1863;  was  made  prisoner  during  Stonemau's  raid;  subsequently  ex- 
changed; rejoined  his  regiment,  and  served  until  its  consolidation  with  the  Eleventh  Cav- 
alry, July  20,  1865. 

Benjamin  F.  Pritchard.  Romeo,  commissioned   Chajtlaiu  Fifth  Infantry,  September 

12,  1862;  was  discharged,  on  account  of  disability,  December  5,  1863,  and  re-commissioned 
June  10,  186-1.      This  soldier  served  until  the  muster-out  of  the  command,  July  5,  1865. 

George  W.  Robertson,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Twenty-second 
Infantry,  July  31,  1862,  and  Captain,  November  17,  1863;  was  made  prisoner  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  September  20, 1863;  paroled  March  1, 1865:  and  mustered  out  with  his  command, 
June  26,  1865. 

Edgar  H.  Shook,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Fifth  Infantry,  June 
19,  1861,  and  Captain,  June  22,  1862;  was  discharged  February  8,  1863.  He  joined  the 
regiment  with  the  rank  of  Captain,  February  U,  1863,  and  was  commissioned  Major,  May 
21,  1864,  serving  in  that  position  until  the  muster-out  of  the  command,  July  5,  1865. 
This  soldier  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6.  1864. 

John  S.  Smith,  Armada,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  and  Quartermaster, 
Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  November  6,  1862,  and  resigned  December  23,  1863. 

William  A.  Smith,  Marion,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Twenty-second  In- 
fantry, Jiily  31,  1862  ;  Captain,  January  5,  1863;  and  died  of  wounds  received  at 
Chickamauga  October  1 1.  1863. 

Hiram  M.  Snell,  Armada,  was  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon,  Eighth  Cavalry, 
March  12,  1863,  and  died  August  18,  1863. 

Charles  A.  Snover,  Armada,  Sergeant  Company  E,  Fifth  Cavalry.  August  14,  1862; 
Second  Lieutenant,  April  14,  1863:  First  Lieutenant,  March  22,  1S65:  was  mustered  out 
July  22,  1865. 

Robert  F.  Selfridge,  Bruce,  entered  service  August  22,  1862,  as  Quartermaster  Ser- 
geant, Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry;  Second  Lieutenant,  August  26,  1864;  was  mus- 
tered oiit  June  26,  1863. 

Robert  O.  Selfridge,  of  Tecumseh,  after  a  brilliant  term  of  service,  was  commissioned 
Major  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  United  States  Volunteers.  July  14,  1863,  which 
position  he  resigned  in  1865. 

William  A.  Snook,  Mt.  Clemens,  Sergeant   Battery  M.  First  Light  Artillery,  April 

13,  1863:  Second  Lieutenant,  September  25,  1864;  was  mustered  out  August  1,  1865. 

John  Stockton,  Mt.  Clemens,  commissioned  Colonel  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  Octo- 
ber 3,  1862:  received  his  discharge  April  15,  1864. 

William  C.  Stockton,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Twenty-sec- 
ond Infantry,  July  31,  1862;  transferred  to  Eighth  Cavalry. 

William   C.  Stockton,  Mt.  Clemens,  transferred  from  Twenty-second  Infautrv  to  the 


"®1V 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COL'NTY. 


Eighth  Cavalry;  was  commissioned  Captain  in  the  latter  command  November  1,  1862.  and 
resigned  April  15,  1864. 

Addison   R.  Stone,  Memphis,  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon   Fifth  Cavalry,  Sep- 
tember 25,  1862;  was  discharged,  on  account  of  disability,  September  8,  1863. 
^      William  Sumner,  Utica,  Sergeant  Major,  Twenty-seventh  Infantry,  August  11,  1862; 
was  commissioned  First   Lieutenant  May  15,  1805,  and  served  iintil  muster-out,  -Tuly  26, 
1865. 

Horatio  Van  Sickle,  Utica,  Sergeant  Company  H,  Seventh  Infantry,  August  22,  1861; 
was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  June  22,  1863;  Major,  October  5,  1864;  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  November  18,  1804:  and  discharged  with  the  rank  of  Major,  May  15,  1865. 

Ezekiel  Van  Vliet,  Ridgeway,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  Thirteenth  Infan- 
try, October  3,  1861;  Captain,  July  13,  1862;  and  resigned  February  28,  1863. 

Edgar  Weeks,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  appointed  Sergeant  Company  B,  Fifth  Michigan 
Infantry,  August  28,  1861,  he  being  the  first  non-commissioned  officer  of  the  county.  A 
year  later,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Twenty- second  Infantry. 

Edgar  Weeks,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjiitant, 
Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry,  August  2,  1862,  and  Captain,  November  27,  1862, 
which  position  he  held  until  the  acceptance  of  his  resignation,  November  17,  1863. 

George  M.  Wilson,  New  Baltimore,  entered  Battery  E,  First  Light  Artillery,  Novem- 
ber 11,  1801:  Second  Lieutenant,  March  16.  1864;  First  Lieutenant,  March  27,  1865; 
was  mustered  out  July  20,  1865. 

n  William  AVilkiuson,  Romeo,  commissioned  Captain,  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry,  Octo- 
ber 12,  1861;  Major,  October  13,  1862;  Lieutenant  Colonel,  February  6,  1863;  brevet 
Colonel  United  States  Volunteers,  March  13,  1865;  was  mustered  out  September  15,  1865, 
after  a  term  of  brilliant  service.  This  soldier  was  made  prisoner  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn., 
July  13,  1862,  and  paroled  October  12,  1862. 

William  W.  Wilkinson,  Romeo,  was  appointed  Hospital  Steward,  Ninth  Michigan 
Infantry,  August  31,  1864:  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  August  10.  1865.  and  was 
mustered  out  without  rank  September  15,  1868. 

FIRST    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

The  organization  of  the  First  Infantry  began  June  28,  1861,  while  yet  the  three- 
months  regiment  was  in  the  field.  The  command  left  en  route  for  the  seat  of  war  Sep- 
tember 16.  1861,  under  Col.  John  C.  Robinson.  From  this  period  until  July  1,  1862,  it 
participated  in  the  affairs  of  Mechanicsville,  June  20;  Gaines'  Mill,  June  27;  Peach 
Orchard,  June  21):  White  Oak  Swamp,  June  30;  and  Malvern  Hill,  July  1.  Entering  the 
coi'ps  (Vnrmec  under  Gen.  Pope,  it  was  engaged  at  Gainsvillo  August  29,  and  at  Bull  Run 
August  30.  It  was  present  at  Fredericksbm-g  diu-ing  the  terrific  fighting  round  that 
position;  subsequently,  it  took  a  prominent  part  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville.  After  a 
series  of  brilliant  meetings  with  the  rebels,  it  arrived  at  Gettysbm-g  July  2,  1803,  and, 
during  that  and  the  two  succeeding  days,  added  to  its  laurels. 


:t* 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


To  notice  the  varied  service  of  this  cotamand  is  beyond  our  limits.  However,  the 
part  it  took  in  the  war  for  the  Union  will  be  evident  from  the  following  record  of  well- 
fought  fields:  Williamsport,  Md.,  July  12;  Wapping  Heights,  Va.,  July  21;  Culpepper, 
Va.,  October  13;  MineRim.  November 29,  1S63;  Wilderness,  Va..  May  5.  6  and  7;  Spottsyl- 
vania.  Va. ,  May  12;  Ny  River.  North  Anna,  Jerico  Mills,  Noel's  Tavern  and  Tolopotomy, 
between  May  20  and  30,  1864;  Magnolia  Swamp  and  Bethesda  Church,  June  1  and  2; 
Petersbui-g,  June  18;  Weldon  Railroad,  Va.,  August  19,  20,  21,  1864;  Hatcher's  Run, 
Five  Forks  and  Appomattox  Court  House,  in  February,  March  and  April,  1865. 

soldiers'  record. 

John  Baptiste.  killed  at  Gaines'  Hill  June  27,  1862. 

John  Ross,  killed  at  Gaines'  Hill  June  27,  1862. 

William  Biddlecomb,  killed  at  Fredericksburg  December  13,  1862. 

Frederick  Cady,  missing  at  Gaines'  Hill  June  27,  1862. 

Charles  Boyce,  missing  at  Malvern  Hill  July  1,  1862. 

John  Boss,  missing  at  Chickahominy  June  27,  1862. 

Fred  W.  Cady,  died  of  wounds  at  Chicago  July,  1880. 

Alexander  McElroy,  died  from  wounds  at  Washington,  June  2,  1864. 

John  Tremble,  missing  at  the  Wilderness  May  5,  1864. 

Discharged — Stephen  Pickel,  John  Myers,  Judson  R.  Smith.  Sam  F.  Crawford,  G. 
Riley  Granby,  Thomas  J.  Langtry,  John  Trombly,  Jared  E.  Pitts,  Samuel  F.  Crawford, 
Fred  W.  Cady,  Charles  Eldredge,  Cyrus  C.  Gregg,  George  Van  Antwerp,  John  Tremble. 

SECOND  MICHIGAN  INFANTRY. 

The  Second  Michigan  Infantry  left  its  rendezvous  at  Detroit  June  5.  1861,  and  was 
the  first  three-years  command  from  Michigan  to  report  at  the  front.  Its  strength,  per- 
fected July  1,  was  1,115  men.  From  Blackburn's  Ford,  Va.,  July  1861,  to  the  siege  of 
Petersburg,  Va.,  April  3,  1865,  it  participated  in  no  less  than  forty-two  general  actions. 
The  command  was  mustered  out  at  AVashington,  July  29,  1865,  and  reported  at  Detroit 
fdr  discharge  August  1,  1865.  Albert  E.  Gates  and  Michael  White  were  the  only  repre- 
sentatives reported  from  Macomb  in  this  command. 

THIRD    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Grand  Rapids,  accepted  May  15,  1861,  and  left  the 
city  under  Col.  Daniel  McConnell,  for  the  Potomac,  June  13,  1861.  It  was  consolidated 
with  the  Fifth  Infantry  June  13,  1864.  The  thirty-seven  battles  and  skirmishes  in  which 
it  participated  form  its  record.  The  principal  affairs  are:  Blackburn's  Ford,  July  18, 
1861;  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861;  the  siege  of  Yorktown.  April  4  to  May  5,  1862;  the  Wil- 
derness. Todd's  Tavern,  Po  River,  Spottsylvania,  North  Anna,  in  May,  1864;  Petersburg, 
June  16  to.  22,  1864;  Strawberry  Plains,  August  14  to  17,  1864;  Poplar  Spring  Church, 
September  30,  1864;  Hatcher's  Run  Februaiy  2  to  March  25,  1865,  ending  with  the  mill- 


■f- 


0^ 


386  HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

tiiry  aft'air  at  Appomattox.  April  9,  1865.  Duriug  its  service,  tlie  command  lost  foiu'  offi- 
cers and  ninety-six  privates  on  the  field;  forty-seven  men  died  from  wounds  received,  and 
two  officers  and  seventy-five  privates  died  on  account  of  disease.  A  partial  consolidation 
with  the  Fifth  Infantry  was  ordered  June  13,  18G4,  and  the  original  organization  mus- 
tered out  of  service  June  20,  1864.  The  Third  was  re-organized,  and  serv'ed  until  mus- 
tered out,  May  2f),  18(iB      The  command  was  disbanded  at  Detroit  June  10,  1866. 

soldiers'  record. 

Charles  H.  Bartlett,  died  at  Murfi'eesboro  January  17,  1865. 

Ransom  Paine,  died  at  Murfreesboro  January  17,  1865. 

AVilliam  C.  Paine,  died  at  Huutsville  January  17,  1865. 

Judson  Spaulding,  died  at  Vicksburg  June  22,  1865. 

James  H.  Han-ington,  died  at  Green  Lake,  Texas,  August  6,  1865. 

Samuel  Hedges,  died  at  Nashville  June  15,  1865. 

Luther  H.  Ward,  died  at  Murfreesboro  February  7,  1865. 

Discharged — Alonzo  Goss,  Dexter  M.  Hulsart,  John  D.  Hartman.  Amos  Trowbridge. 
Bernard  Pettit,  Rodman  Coolidge,  Harrison  Wood,  Lysander  W.  Evarts,  Eden  L.  Arm- 
strong, Hemy  A.  Davis.  Elijah  L.  Adams.  Dwight  A.  Babbitt,  William  Bickle,  Charles 
L.  Boughton,  Rudolph  Bm-gess,  William  J.  Cook,  Homer  C.  Everett,  Ira  A.  Fitch,  Will- 
iam Gunderman,  John  Hagnei',  N.  C.  Hays.  Jr.,  Sylvester  Hazleton,  William  Hines,  Mer- 
ritt  Hopkins,  Thaddeus  Hazleton,  Isaac  A.  Healy,  Hemy  Sandford,  Robert  M.  Still, 
William  Kettler,  Ira  A.  Rice,  Leonard  Hicks,  Clarence  H.  Crawford,  Fred  Foss,  Melvin 
Gi'egory,  Patrick  Horan,  Charles  E.  Ross.  Albert  Gillett,  Charles  H.  Ward,  Eugene  C. 
Cheeney,  Edwai-d  C.  Cross,  Oliver  B.  Freeman,  Robert  Freeiand,  Benjamin  Hockwell,  Eli 
Hollister,  Joseph  Stephenson,  Wan-en  Spink,  George  Talbot,  George  W.  Tinsman,  Frank 
Koltz.  John  Smith.  Roney  Engleman,  Henry  Burnham,  Philo  Beardsley,  Alex  Gunn,  H. 
F.  McKinzie,  Fletcher  P.  Wright.  Phillip  Emburg,  Moses  Moore,  Virgil  S.  Grant,  Joseph 
Rankin. 

FOURTH    MICHIGAN    INTANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Adi'ian,  and  mustered  into  service,  under  Col.  Wood- 
bury. June  20,  1861.  Its  term  of  service  expired  June  19,  186-t,  when  it  was  mustered 
out,  and  proceeded  to  Detroit,  where  it  arrived  on  June  26.  That  portion  which  remained 
was  consolidated  with  the  First  Infantry,  and  served  with  this  command  until  ordered  to 
join  the  Foiu-th  (re-organized)  Infantry,  June  24,  1865.  The  service  of  the  old  command 
was  principally  on  the  battle-fields  of  A^irginia.  From  the  period  of  re-organization  to 
the  close  of  the  war,  it  was  present  at  Decatiu",  New  Market,  Ala. ,  and  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.  The  command  was  mustered  out  at  Houston,  Texas,  May  26,  1866,  and  was  dis- 
banded at  Detroit  Jime  10,  1866. 

soldiers'    RECORD. 

Ezra  Bates,  missing  in  action  at  Meehanicsville  June  26,  1862. 

Clinton  M.  Farrar,  killed  in  action  at  Fredei  icksburg  December  13,  1862. 


ff^ 


BISTORT  OF  MACOMB  COU^TTT 


Homer  F.  Dodge,  died  at  XashviEe  ITareli  o.  1S65. 

MartiiL  L.  Dryer,  died  at  ITiirfreesboro  December  22.  1864. 

Erwin  O.  Fairbrotker.  died  at  Mnssej,  llich..  October  20.  lS6o. 

Norman  L.  Flower,  died  at  ilTirfreesboro  Jamiary  22,  1865. 

JTormaa  HoUt,  died  at  }s"asiiville  Decemier  ^.  1864. 

George  Robinson,  died  at  ilarfreesboro  April  26,  1865. 

Gardner  H.  Wells,  died  at  ICurfreesboro  February  IT,  1863. 

Walter  Clark,  died  at  Xaahville  February  15.  1865. 

lEadiaon  W.  Churchill,  died  at  ICurfreesboro  January  12,  lS6o. 

Discharged — WiUiam  K.  ITcClury,  C.  H.  Weatherwax.  John  Wheeler.  Alonzo 
Waite,  W.  H.  WUson.  Henry  W.  Birch,  John  H  Gibbs.  Charles  Kjng.  Lenzer  IL  Ams- 
den,  George  W.  Curtiss,  Simon  H  Heath.  Charles  L.  Jenny,  Benjamin  F.  Frost.  Daniel 
M.  Jones.  William  C.  Huggitt,  Amos  X.  Scott,  James  HI  BiiniilL  }Sewell  Bowen.  Jared 
Corey.  Peter  Churchill.  Isaac  Coddington.  Charles  H  Deilree.  Albert  C.  Ftmston.  JQbert 
Gillett.  Robert  Haire.  David  Hawkins.  Andrew  Hicks.  Joshua  Hill.  ^Nathan  Hnrd.  Sr..  R. 
O.  Jack  man.  William  Jackson.  Robert  Huttart,  John  Sailes.  Aug.  A.  Smith.  Joel  R.  Ste- 
phens. George  Stipe,  Daniel  Wilson,  W.  H  Wilson,  Albert  iL  Cook,  Andrew  Emerson, 
David  Hawkins.  Garrison  K  Smith.  Charles  T.  Denton.  Henry  Lort^ngen,  David  John- 
son, Jeremiah  A.  Sutton,  Oliver  Denton.  D.  ilcKenzie,  Hilton  E.  Fisher. 

FTFTH    MICHI&AS    OFAirrHT. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  mustere<l  into  the  Tnited  States 
service y  August  28,  1861.  It  comprised  the  following  commands:  Sherlock  (xuarde,  of 
Detroit,  Company  A:  Mt.  Clemens  Guard,  Company  B:  East  Saginaw  Yolunteers.  Com- 
pany C:  IjigersoU  Rifles,  Company  H:  Govsmors  Guard.  Com.pany  F:  Saginaw  City, 
Light  Infantry.  Company  K:  Livingston  Volunteers.  Company  I;  Washington  Guard, 
Company  G:  Pontiac  Volunteers.  Company  D.  and  Huron  Rangers,  Company  E.  The 
commissioned  officers  belonging  to  this  county,  who  went  into  service  with  the  regiment, 
were;  Capt.  Judson  S.  Farrar,  First  Lieut.  Edgar  H  Shook,  Second  Lieut  Henry  C. 
Edgerly.  The  strength  of  the  command  at  date  of  muster  was  9<iri  men  and.  officers,  un- 
der CoL  Henry  D.  Terry.  Previous  to  leaving  Fort  Wayne.  BukL  >rewland  Jt  Co.,  of 
that  village,  presented  the  regimental  color,  which  is  now  in  possession  c:)f  the  Soldiers' 
Society,  of  ilacomb  and  St.  Clair,  who  render  it  double  honor  on  account  of  the  service  it 
has^seen.  as  well  as  in  memory  of  the  ten  comrades  who  fell  in  its  defense.  The  Fifth 
Infantry  left  Detroit  en  route  to  the  front  September  11,  1861c  went  into  camp  near 
Alexandria:  sfcLrmished  with  the  rebels  at  Pohick  Creek.  January  y,  1862.  ami.  in  March, 
entered  upon  regular  duty  in  Berry's  Command,  of  PhiL  Kearney's  Division  of 
M!cClelland"s  Peninsular  Corps.  It  was  engaged  in.  the  siege  of  Torfctown  from  April  -t  to 
May  5.  1862.  losing  thizty-four  killed  and,  ll'j  wounded,  at  Williamsburg  May  o.  The 
place  of  honor  was  bestowed  on  the  Fifth  Infantry  that  day  by  Gen.  Eeamey,  which  place 
was  well  filled,  since  the  command  t(5ok  the  rebel  ritie  pit  at  the  bayonet's  pcDint.     Fair 


f 


'-^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Oaks  was  contested  May  31.  The  affairs  of  Peach  Orchard,  Glendale  and  Malvern  Hill 
took  place  June  29,  30  and  July  1,  1862.  At  Peach  Orchard,  thirty  men  were  killed  and 
]1V>  wounded.  Charles  H.  Hutehins  was  among  the  killed  and  Charles  S.  Traverse  re- 
ceived wounds  which  resulted  in  his  death  at  Washington,  July  22.  In  the  report  of 
Capt.  Farrar.  dated  Harrison's  Landing,  July  4,  special  mention  is  made  of  Capts.  Gillooly 
and  Matthews,  Lieuts.  Shook,  Ladue,  Edgerly,  Pomeroy,  Johnson  and  Adjutant  John  W. 
O'Callaghan.      Maj.  Fairbanks  died  of  wounds  at  Washington  July  25. 

The  Second  Bull  Run.  August  28,  Grovetown,  August  29,  and  Chantilly.  September 
1,  won  new  laurels  for  the  regiment.  At  Fredericksburg.  December  13.  Lieut.  Col.  John 
Gillooly.  its  commanding  officer,  was  killed,  with  nine  of  his  men.  The  body  was  searched 
out  by  Lieut.  H.  B.  Blackman,  uf  Howell,  who  brought  it  to  Michigan  for  burial. 

The  regiment  crossed  the  Rappahannock  May  1,  18(33,  participated  in  the  affair  of 
the  Cedars,  May  2,  and,  on  the  3d,  entered  the  battle  of  Chaucellorsville,  losing  in  those 
affairs  seven  killed  and  forty-three  wounded,  together  with  Lieut.  Col.  Sherlock,  who  fell 
at  Chancellorsville.  Gettysbui-g  was  fought  July  2  and  3;  Wapping  Jleights,  October  1 ; 
Kelly's  Ford,  November  20;  Locust  Grove,  November  27,  and  Mine  Run  November  29,  1863. 
In  the  affair  at  Gettysburg,  the  command  lost  nineteen  killed,  ninety  wounded  and  five 
prisoners.  It  suffered  a  small  loss  in  the  subsequent  engagements.  Among  the  killed  at 
Locust  Grove  was  Lieut.  Dan  B.  Wyker.  After  the  affair  at  Mine  Run,  the  Fifth  went 
into  camp  near  Brandy  Station.  Leaving  that  point  December  28,  1863,  with  177  officers 
and  men,  it  reached  Detroit  January  4,  1864,  where  a  furlough  of  thirty-six  days  was 
granted. 

The  regiment  recruited  at  Deti-oit,  and  again  left,  under  Col.  Pulford,  for  the  fi-ont, 
February  10,  1864,  and  arrived  at  Brandy  Station  February  14.  Crossed  the  Rapidan 
May  3,  and  entered  the  Wilderness  May  5,  at  Orange  Coiu-t  House.  In  the  opening  ac- 
tion of  the  campaign  of  1864,  Capt.  G.  W.  Rose  was  mortally  wounded,  and  Col.  Pulford 
and  Maj.  Matthews  severely  wounded.  On  the  6th,  Capts.  E.  H.  Shook  and  W.  W.  Waken- 
shaw  were  wounded,  yet  took  a  full  part  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  Capt.  Hiorlbut 
was  killed  at  Todd's  Tavern,  on  the  8th.  At  Po  River,  10th ;  Spottsylvania.  12th ;  North  Anna 
River,  23;  Tolopotomy.  30th  of  May,  1864,  the  regiment  well  sustained  its  name.  Lieut. 
Pierce  was  killed  at  North  Anna.  The  Fifth.  Michigan  Infantry,  as  organized  in  1861, 
may  be  said  to  have  lost  its  individuality  after  the  affair  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  2,  1864, 
for,  on  the  10th  of  that  month,  the  Third  Michigan  Infantry  was  consolidated  with  it. 

The  regiment  as  re-organized  entered  service  at  Petersburg,  June  16  to  22;  on  the 
25th  and  26th.  it  served  on  picket  and  fatigue  duty;  on  the  27th  and  28th,  was  present 
at  Deep  Bottom.  It  participated  in  the  affairs  at  Poplar  Springs  Court  House,  September 
30;  at  Boydton  Road,  October  27,  18()4.  After  this,  it  formed  the  garrison  of  Fort  Davis, 
on  the  Jerusalem  pike  road.  On  March  26,  1865,  it  was  present  at  Hatcher's  Run,  and 
at  Boydton  Road;  on  April  2,  on  service  wi<tti  the  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery.  Its 
share  in  the  cajjture  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  April  3,  1865,  cannot  be  overestimated.  Subse- 
quently, the  command  served  at  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6;  at  New  Store,  Ajn-il  8,  and  closed 


^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUXTY.  391 

a  term  of  magnificent  services  to  the  Union  at  Appomattox  Court  House,  Va.,  April  9, 
1865,  when  Gen.  Lee  surrendered.  The  command  participated  in  the  grand  military-  re- 
view at  Washington.  May  23,  1865:  was  mustered  out  -July  5:  arrived  at  Detroit  July  8, 
and  was  disbanded  July  IT,  1865. 

soldiers'  becord. 

John  E.  Hubert,  killed  at  Williamsbiug  May  5,  1862. 

Hiram  P.  Arnold,  killed  at  Fair  Oaks,  May  31,  1862.  J 

Augustus  Trombley,  killed  at  Charles  City  Cross  Roads  June  30,  1S62. 

Silas  PoUuck,  killed  at  Alexandria  December  22,  1862. 

Charles  L.  De  Wolf,  died  in  camp  February  23,  1862. 

Edwin  Everetts,  died  in  camp  February  28,  1862. 

Edward  Ford,  died  in  camp  February  23,  1862. 

George  Frederick,  died  at  Meridian  Hill  May  22,  1862. 

Tillman  Adams,  died  in  camp  February  23,  1862. 

John  Burt,  died  in  camp  Februaiy  15,  1862. 

Alonzo  A.  Doty,  died  at  Alexandria  March  9.  1862. 

Discharged,  1862 — Edgar  Weeks,  Harvey  G.  French,  John  "Sroman,  Henry  H.  Van  Du- 
sen.  -James  E.  Yan  Yoorheis,  Frank  Williams,  Martin  Conley,  George  Cottrell.  Joseph  -Jock. 
James  Potter,  Eli  Hollister,  Stephen  M.  Collidy,  Martin  B.  Clarke.  William  H.  Robinson, 
John  W.  Bennett,  Joseph  Le  Croix,  Edward  Shanley,  -John  Roberts. 

Jerome  Shook,  killed  at  Gettysburg  July  3,  1863. 

Charles  A.  Turner,  killed  at  Gettysburg  July  3,  1863. 

Alanson  Carpenter,  died  at  Camp  Pitcher  January  11,  1863. 

James  Decker,  died  at  Washington  March  15,  1863. 

Thomas  Berchall,  died  in  action  May  5, 1864. 

William  Dykeman,  died  at  Washington  June  25,  1864. 

Wilber  McKibbey,  died  June  1,  1864. 

Joseph  C.  Halsey,  died  May  19,  1864. 

William  F.  Lerich.  died  April  10,  1864. 

Discharged,  1863—1 — Zelotus  Fessenden,  Isaac  X.  Lerich,  Ii-a  A.  Blumburg,  Warren 
Spink,  Daniel  L.  Smith,  Nicholas  Le  Croix,  William  Belles,  Cortez  A  Hooker,  L,  Davis 
Owen,  John  Gasper.  Henry  Pretzer,  Heuiy  W.  Babcoek,  Charles  Hugot,  -John  J.  Casey, 
Alex  De  Land,  William  Tucker,  Luke  Stanton.  Edwin  R.  Smith.  Robert  D.  Shook,  George 
Taylor,  David  K  Halsey.  T.  J.  West,  George  Averson,  Amos  Button,  Hemy  Brad- 
ley, Anson  Baker,  N.  D.  Mussey,  Arthur  Giddings,  Allen  Hicks,  William  Lakon,  Patrick 
McCafli-ey,  Dan  A.  Mi llspaugh.  William  Rapp,  W.  A.  Rowley,  Hei-man  Schmidt,  Chancey 
Torrey.  George  Turner.  Theo  B.  Weldon.  W.  E.  T.  Wilson,  Michael  Stapleton,  Sr.,  H.  G. 
Samist,  William  R.  Bartlett,  Mai-ion  Dai-ling,  Steadman  B.  FaiTar,  James  Casey,  Oliver 
Damant.  William  H.  Halsey,  George  Galliard,  Edward  Ouillette,  Patrick  Xolan,  Thomas 
Gibson,  Josiah  Wellington.  Martin  L.  Wellington.  Solomon  Doty.  Sterling  Hannibal. 

Transferred  to  Yeteran  Resei-ve  Corps— David  K.  Halsey,  George  A,  Turner.  Sylvester 


^^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Boycp.  Herman  Schmidt.  W.  R.  F.  Wilson,  Henry  Bradley,  Abel  Butterfield,  Anson  H. 
Baker,  Charles  Chapman,  Zelotus  Fessenden,  Allen  E.  Hicks,  William  Lake.  Patrick  Mc- 
Caffrey, William  Rapp,  William  Robinson,  William  A.  Rowley,  George  Taylor,  Michael 
Stapleton,  Henry  P.  Siel,  W.  H.  McKibbey,  Charles  Pretzer. 

SIXTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

The  Sixth  Infantry  left  en  route  for  the  field,  with  944  officers  and  men,  August  30, 
1861,  adding  to  its  roster  within  the  half  year  130  recruits.  The  regiment  left  Balti- 
more for  New  Orleans  in  April,  1862,  and  formed  one  of  the  regiments  of  occupation. 
During  the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge.  August  5,  1862,  it  sustained  a  loss  of  sixteen  killed. 
During  the  year,  no  less  than  143  died  of  wounds  and  disease,  forty-eight  wounded  and 
seven  prisoners,  which,  together  with  losses'due  to  other  causes,  reduced  its  strength  to  756 
rank  and  tile. 

January  14.  1863,  the  command  aided  in  the  destruction  of  the  rebel  gunboat  Cotton; 
Ponchatoula  was  captured  February  23;  the  camp  at  Tangissaho  and  sixty  rebels  captured 
May  6;  the  capture  of  Port  Hudson  occurred  July  9,  in  all  of  which  the  Sixth  Infantry 
took  a  leading  part.  In  the  first  assault  on  Port  Hudson,  the  command  lost  one-third  of 
its  number.  A  regiment  of  Heavy  Ai'tillery  was  formed  out  of  the  material  of  the  Sixth 
Regiment,  July  30,  1863.  During  the  first  six  months  of  the  year,  there  died  115  men 
and  twenty-two  were  severely  wounded. 

The  varied  service  of  this  regiment  during  the  campaign  of  1864  was  of  no  ordinary 
character.  The  command  lost  three  men  killed,  155  died  of  disease  and  eighteeu  taken 
prisoners.  Diiring  the  last  months  of  service,  it  took  part  in  all  the  affairs  from  Ashton, 
Ark.,  July  24,  1864,  to  the  seige  of  Mobile,  April,  1865,  and  was  discharged  at  Jackson, 
September  5,  1865. 

John  C  H.  Klokow  was  discharged  August  20,  1865,  he  being  the  only  Macomb  vol- 
unteer reported  in  the  ranks  of  this  command. 

SEVENTH    INFANTRY. 

The  Seventh  Infantry  was  mustered  in  at  Munroe,  and  left  for  the  the  seat  of  war 
September  5,  1861,  with  884  men  and  officers,  to  which  number  214  men  were  added  before 
July  1,  1862.  It  participated  in  the  sanguinary  affairs  of  Ball's  Bluff,  Antietam  and  Fred- 
ericksburg. It  was  the  first  Union  regiment  to  cross  the  Rappahannock,  where  it  annihi- 
lated the  rebel  sharp-shooter  brigade. 

The  regiment  passed  through  the  Potomac  campaign  of  1863,  with  a  loss  of  sixty 
dead  and  eighty-three  wounded,  of  which  number  twenty-one  were  killed  and  forty-four 
wounded  at  Gettysburg  July  3. 

This  command  took  a  very  brilliant  part  in  the  campaign  of  1864.  with  the  Anny  of 
the  Potomac.  It  lost  forty-one  men  killed,  seven  who  died  from  the  effects  of  hardships, 
131  wounded  and  thirty-one  prisoners.  The  Seventh  Infantry  served  with  distinction  at 
Hatcher's  Run,  from  Febi-uary  5  to  March  29,  1865;  at  Cat  Tail  Creek,  April  2;  at  Farm- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ville,  on  the  7th,  and  at  the  siege  of  Petersburg  from  June  17,  1864,  to  Ajjril  3,  1865. 
The  command  was  mustered  out  at  Jefferson,  Ind.,  July  5,  and  was  disbanded  at  Jackson 
July  7,  1865. 

SdLDIF.R"'    RFCORII. 

William  H.  Clemens,  killed  at  Fair  Oaks  May  31,  1862. 

Ira  C.  Denton,  killed  at  Fair  Oaks  May  31,  1862. 

George  Webster,  killed  at  Spottsylvania  May  9.  18(i4. 

Discharged,  1862  -Joseph  H.  Dodge,  Bruce  Dengman,  George  Caton,  Lyman  Gilbert, 
Volney  Hicks,  Alfred  H.  Newcomer,  Levi  L.  Dudley,  James  H.  Gregg,  Cyinis  Hicks,  Porter 
Beebe.  George  Oaks,  James  Isghman,  Patrick  Morris,  William  Phillips,  Horatio  Van 
Sickle,  Isaac  Kelly,  Alex  Gordon,  .Joseph  Barclay,  Ferdinand  Worth,  .John  W.  Lamphei-e. 

EIGHTH    MICHIGAN    INTANTRY. 

The  Eighth  Michigan  Infantry  was  partially  organized  at  Grand  Rapids,  and  com- 
pleted organization  at  Fort  Wayne.  September  23,  1861,  when  it  was  mustered  into  serv- 
ice, and  left  for  the  held  September  27.  under  Col.  Fenton.  Its  first  engagement  was  at 
Port  Royal,  S,  C,  and  its  last  at  Petersbm'g,  Va.,  A.pril  3,  1865.  This  command  was 
singularly  fortunate  in  its  varied  travels,  and  gained  for  itself  the  name  "  Wandering 
Regiment.""  Having  participated  in  thirty-seven  important  engagements,  the  survivors 
of  the  war  returned  to  Detroit  August  1,  1865,  where  they  were  discharged  two  days 
later. 

Adolphus  Moore  died  at  Washington  September  20,  1864,  and  Anthony  Shettler  was 
discharged  June  1,  1865,  they  being  the  only  troops  reported  from  Macomb  in  this  regi- 
ment. 

NINTH    MICHIGAN    INT.^NTRY. 

This  command  left  the  camp  at  Detroit  en  route  for  Louisville,  October  25,  1861,  un- 
der Col,  W.  W.  Duffield,  with  913  officers  and  private  soldiers.  The  Ninth  was  the  first 
Michigan  regiment  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  Western  military  movements.  In  No- 
vember, 1861,  it  moved  to  Muldraugh  Hill,  where  it  acted  as  "engineers  and  mechanics" 
imtil  January  4,  1862,  when  it  entered  on  regular  field  duty.  From  Pulaski,  Tenn,,  and 
the  pursuit  of  Morgan,  in  May,  1862,  to  its  last  engagement  at  Jonesbsro,  Ga.,  September 
1,  1864.  the  record  of  the  command  is  e.xceptionally  brilliant.  The  number  of  battles  in 
which  it  participated  is  not  so  large  as  that  appearing  to  the  credit  of  other  regiments, 
yet  the  importance  of  those  great  contests,  and  the  round  of  duty  which  fell  to  the  com- 
mand, make  up  in  greater  measure  what  their  actions  want  in  number.  In  the  State 
records,  an  error  gives  credit  to  the  Ninth  for  being  present  at  Miu'freesboro  July  13, 
1861,  though  not  organized  until  October  of  that  year.  Beginning  with  Murfeeesboro  of 
July  13,  1862.  and  looking  over  the  list  of  battles,  we  find  that  the  Ninth  took  a  brilliant 
part  at  Jjavergne,  December  27,  1862;  at  Stone  River,  from  December  29,  1862,  to  Janu- 
ary' 3,  1863;  at  Chickamauga,  September  19  and  20,  and  Mission  Ridge,  November  25, 
1863;  at  Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  May  8;  Resaca,  May  14;   Dallas,  May  27;  Kenesaw.  June  25; 


■fT 


■^t^ — ^  -^ — "V^ 

394  HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 

Chattahoochie  River,  July  5  and  6;  siege  of  Atlanta,  July  22  to  August  25,  and  at  Jones- 
boro,  September  1,  1864.  The  regiment  left  Marietta,  Ga,  October  31,  1864,  for  Chatta- 
nooga, where  it  was  placed  on  guard  duty,  and  where  it  remained  until  transferred  to 
Nashville.  March  29,  1865.  There  it  was  mustered  out  of  service,  September  15,  1865, 
and,  returningto  this  State,  was  discharged,  at  Jackson,  September  27,  1865. 

soldiers'   record. 

Phili})  Cndworth,  Jr.,  died  at  West  Point,  Ky.,  December  6,  1861. 

Almou  Wright,  died  at  Murfreesboro  July,  1862. 

Clark  W.  Weston,  died  at  West  Point,  Ky.,  December  4,  1861. 

Franklin  Waite,  died  at  West  Point,  Ky.,  November  18,  1861. 

Earlman  Vaughn,  died  at  West  Point,  Ky. ,  January  18,  1862. 

Discharged — Henry  Chapman,  Edward  Ewolls,  August  Fullen,  Edwin  Leonard, 
Floyd  Lufkins,  Walter  T.  Lee,  Joel  Carpenter,  W.  H.  Taylor,  Archibald  Preston,  Barney 
McCaffrey,  Robert  Lee,  Richard  Trombley,  James  Remington,  Josiah  Remington,  Daniel 
Moran,  Jay  M.  Warren,  George  Pickering,  Elias  Robertson,  Hugh  Sutherland,  Andrew 
Luttenbaoker,  Lewis  Tiu-ner,  Horace  R.  Garlick,  Ludwig  Hintz. 

Among  the  large  number  of  volunteers  from  Macomb  County,  who  were  discharged 
from  the  Ninth  for  re-enlistment  as  veterans,  the  following  names  appear;  Stillman  Cran- 
dall.  Albert  L.  Power,  George  Wright,  James  M.  Woolvin,  Daniel  Hockey,  Charles  Jones. 
Pt)rter  L.  Harris  Philo  W.  Huminston,  Rowland  Crandall,  James  W.  Proper,  Richard 
Cliif,  Joseph  Barber,  Elijah  P.  Draper,  William  Hogle,  James  D.  Kellogg,  Benjamin  F. 
Linderman,  D.  J.  Sutherland,  Judson  Sturgis,  Solomon  Treadwell,  James  Venacker,  M. 
V.  Weldon,  Julius  E.  Barber,  Merrill  Fuller,  Samuel  Fuller,  Truo  Hai't,  Jason  Linder- 
man. Ed  D.  Prentiss,  Geoi-ge  M.  Phelps,  Jo.seph  H.  Smith,  Alonzo  Cushing,  Freeling 
Townsend,  Jacob  T.  Watrous,  Franklin  Whitlock.  Thomas  H.  Pool,  James  F.  Dove,  John 
]V[cKeel,  Nathan  H.  Lee,  Julian  Buzzell,  George  Wright,  Marcus  Buzzell,  James  New- 
man, Elias  D.  Drake,  Daniel  Hockey,  Jonah  H.  Carj)enter,  E.  AV.  Goodenough,  Joseph 
Hanchett,  Michael  S.  Howell,  Archibald  Houston,  William  G.  Miner,  C.  J.  Yager,  Ebe- 
aezer  Smith,  Edward  N.  Case,  Hamilton  Davis,  Isaac  Coleman,  Frank  B.  Stewart,  C.  W. 
Sylvester.  Charles  Jones,  Roland  Crandall.  Porter  L.  Harris,  Roswidd  Pitcher,  Isaac  N. 
Cook,  Henry  Wixon,  Philo  Humiston. 

Lemuel  Fillmore  died  at  Nashville  August  16;  Roland  Hicks  died  at  Chatt  anooga 
February  28,  and  John  B.  Bennett,  Sr.,  died  at  Detroit  August  28,  1865. 

TENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  command  was  organized  at  Flint,  under  Col.  E.  H  Thompson,  commandant  of 
camp.  It  was  mustered  into  service  Februaiy  6,  1862,  and  left  for  the  front  under  Col. 
Lum  April  22,  1862.  It  served  on  thirty  well-fought  fields,  from  Farmington,  Miss., 
May  9,  1862,  to  Bentonville,  N.  C,  March  19  and  20,  1865.  It  was  mustered  out  at 
Louisville,  Ky. ,  July  19,  and  disbanded  at  Jackson  August  1,  1865. 


■^ 


HISTOEY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


SOLIIIKKS'     RECORn. 

Hamilton  Holloway,  died  at  Nashville  March  '25,  1803. 

Hiram  E.  Barrett,  died  at  Farmington  August  11,  lSfi2. 

Aaron  Walters,  fell  on  the  Held  August  13,  1864. 

John  Derby,  fell  on  the  field  August  28,  1862. 

Miles  O.  Kugg,  fell  at  Mound  City  October  29,  1862. 

Franklin  Knapp,  fell  at  Nashville  November  13,  1S62. 

Joseph  Gleeson,  killed  at  Atlanta,  Ga. .  1865. 

Discharged,  1865 — Edward  McConnell,  Roland  H.  Hicks,  George  W.  Gordon,  Joseph 
Cudworth,  Josiah  Gibbs,  Charles  J.  Ashley,  Hem-y  Spencer,  Aaron  Walters.  Marvin  Len- 
nox, George  A.  Hanes,  George  M.  Richards,  James  Mclntyre. 

ELEVENTH    MICHIG.iN    INFANTRY. 

The  Eleventh  Infantry  left  White  Pigeon  December  9,  1861,  with  1,004  men  and 
officers,  for  Kentucky.  The  only  service  rendered  by  the  command  in  1862  was  the  repulse 
of  Morgan  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  August  13,  1862.  Previous  to  November  of  that  yeai',  no  less 
than  118  soldiers  of  the  Eleventh  succmnbed  to  disease. 

On  the  Slst  of  December,  1862,  and  the  2d  of  January,  1863,  the  regiment,  then  in 
the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  was  warmly  engaged  at  Stone  River,  losing  thirty -two  killed, 
seventy-nine  wounded  and  twenty-nine  missing,  a  total  of  140,  Soon  after  this  engage- 
ment, the  regiment  was  detached  to  act  as  provost  guard  at  Murfreesboro,  and  it  remained 
on  that  duty  until  the  advance  on  Tullahoma,  in  June.  On  the  1st  of  July,  it  was  en- 
gaged in  a  sharp  skirmish  at  Elk  River,  with  the  loss  of  one  officer,  taken  prisoner. 
After  the  conclusion  of  this  movement  of  the  army,  the  Eleventh  went  into  camp  at  De- 
cherd,  Tenn.,  where  it  remained  until  the  advance  into  Georgia,  on  the  1st  of  September. 
The  march  over  the  mountains  was  accomplished  under  gi'eat  difficulties,  and  at  a  test  of 
great  endiu'ance  on  the  pai't  of  the  troops.  On  the  11th  of  September,  the  command  was 
})resent  at  Davis"  Cross  Roads,  covering  the  retreat  of  Negley's  and  Bayard"  s  troops.  On 
the  19th  of  the  same  mouth,  the  regiment  lost  seven  killed,  seventy-six  wounded  and 
twenty-three  prisoners. 

The  total  number  of  deaths  in  the  ranks  during  the  year  was  ninety,  wounded, 
ninety,  and  prisoners,  forty-two.  At  Mission  Ridge  and  Graysville,  the  command  rendered 
good  service. 

During  the  year  1864,  the  regiment  took  a  most  important  pai't  in  the  Georgia  cam- 
paign, losing  thirty-seven  men  killed,  seventeen  died  of  disease-  and  eighty  wounded.  It 
was  honorably  discharged  Sejjtember  30,  1864,  after  a  term  of  brilliant  service.  The  men 
who  re-enlisted  as  veterans  remained,  and  served  with  the  new  Eleventh,  which  arrived 
at  Nashville  March  16,  1865.  The  command  was  discharged  at  Jackson  September  23, 
1865. 

William  Anderson  was  discharged  September  16,  1865,  being  the  only  representative 
of  Macomb  in  the  command. 


^U 


riv^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


TWELFTH    MICHIOAN    INFANTKY. 

The  organization  of  this  command  was  begun  under  Col.  Francis  Quinn,  at  Niles,  in 
Septemlser,  1861,  and  completed  February  '.i'l.  1S62;  moved  from  camp  for  Pittsburg 
Laudincr  March  18,  and  was  in  time  to  participate  in  the  action  at  that  point,  April  6  and 
7.  The  regiment  was  present  at  luka,  Miss.,  September  19;  Metamora,  October  5;  Mid- 
dleburg,  Tenn.,  December  24,  1802;  at  Mechanicsville,  Miss.,  June  4;  Vicksburg,  June 
and  July;  Little  Rock,  August  and  September;  Clarendon,  Ark. ,  June  26,  and  at  Gregory's 
Landing.  September  4,  1864.  The  command  arrived  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  February  27, 
1865,  and  was  disbanded  March  6,  1865. 

Discharged — Thomas  Reed,  Herman  Trombley,  Peter  Landschoot,  of  Macomb  County. 

THIRTEENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  under  Col.  Charles  E.  Stuart,  at  Kalamazoo,  and  mus- 
tered into  service  January  17,  1862.  The  command  left  for  Pittsburg  Landing  February, 
12,  1862,  which  point  it  reached  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  lighting.  Its  record  shows 
twenty-six  important  engagements,  beginning  with  Shiloh,  Tenn.,  April  7,  1862,  and  end- 
ing with  Bentonville,  N.  C,  March  lit,  1865.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Jackson,  Mich.. 
July  27,  1865,  where  it  was  discharged. 

William  Mitchell  was  discharged  May  25,  1862,  and  Albert  Little  July  25,  1865, 
they  forming  the  only  representatives  of  this  county  in  the  rank  and  tile. 

FOURTEENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  left  Ypsilanti  April  17,  1862,  for  Pittsburg  Landing,  with  a  force  of 
925  rank  and  tile.  Diu-ing  the  first  ten  months,  it  participated  in  numerous  engagements 
— in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  January  3,  1868,  it  won  an  enviable  reputation,  taking 
part  in  that  affair  after  a  march  of  thirty  miles  thi-ough  rain  and  mud.  It  formed  the  re- 
lief for  the  cavalry  at  Franklin,  from  the  8th  to  the  14th  of  March,  1862;  moved  to  Brent- 
wood April  8  and  retiu-ned  to  Nashville  July  3.  There  it  received  orders  to  relieve  the 
force  at  Franklin,  where,  on  September  6,  it  was  equipped  as  a  cavalry  regiment,  and 
eight  companies  sent  forward  to  Columbia.  The  service  of  this  command  was  exceptionally 
brilliant,  and  its  conduct  san>i  reproche.  Retui'ning,  it  ref>orted  for  discharge  at  Jackson, 
Mich.,  July  18,  1865,  and  was  disbanded  oq  the  29th. 

SOLDIKRS'     liECOIU). 

Peter  Connor  died  at  Monterey  July  22,  1862. 

George  W.  Stanley,  died  at  Nashville;  no  date. 

James  Branagan,  fell  at  Nashville  April  6,  1865. 

Benjamin  Getchell,  died  at  Detroit  March  15,  1864. 

Discharged— John  McGuire,  Matthias  Hal ler,  Daniel  Donahue,  Charles  Fuller,  Fran- 
cis Haganer,  William  Lamb,  Robert  F.  Montgomery,  Seth  Chase,  George  L.  Myers,  Fran- 
cis Cherboneau,  Charles  J.  Stephens,  William  Hockuell,  Richard  Lamb,  Aldest  L.  Hock- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


nell,  Joseph  Tourbot,  Henry  Gillespie,  Austin  S.  Phelps,  Patrick  Casey,  Amos  Armstrong, 
John  Franklin,  John  Cotterel,  Daniel  Donahue,  William  Lamb,  Robert  Montgomery.  Riehai'd 
Trombley,  Caleb  Boss,  George  Gordon,  Conroy  Collier,  Alex  McMillan. 

FIFTEENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

The  Fifteenth  Michigan  Infantry  was  organized  under  Col.  J.  M.  Oliver,  at  Monroe, 
and  mustered  into  service  March  20,  1862,  with  a  force  of  869  men.  The  command 
reached  Pittsburg  Landing  in  time  for  the  military  afifairs  at  that  place  April,  6  and  7, 
1862,  and  served  with  distinction  throughout  the  Mississippi,  Georgia  and  Carolina  cam- 
paigns, concluding  its  services  at  Bentonville,  N.  C,  March  19, 1865.  Arriving  at  Detroit 
September  3.  1865,  the  regiment  was  disbanded. 

soldiers'   eecord. 

Jeremiah  Wall,  died  at  Corinth  August  8,  1862. 

Discharged — Felix  Morreil,  James  W.Brown,  Ashel  Crawford,  Christian  Ohrens,  Carl 
Eckhart,  Lafayette  Giddings,  Wallace  Gamber,  Carl  Gloefk,  George  Hall,  Jacob  Bliss, 
Aug.  Behn,  George  C.  Heydenrick.  Joseph  Kader,  Anthony  Taylor,  JohnC.  Rowley,  Noah 
Sage,  Frederick  Waterman,  Louis  Grant,  David  Grant,  George  Scott,  Elias  Stockwell,  John 
Hartline. 

SIXTEENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

The  Sixteenth  Michigan  Infantry,  originally  known  as  Stockton's  Independent  Regi- 
ment, was  organized  at  Camp  Backus,  Flint,  by  Col.  T.  W.  B.  Stockton,  and  left  for  Vir- 
ginia September  16,. 1861,  with  761  officers  and  men.  This  command  took  part  in  no  less 
than  fifty-two  important  actions,  beginning  with  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  Va. .  April  4,  1862, 
and  concluding  with  the  siege  of  Petereburg  April  3,  1865.  The  regiment  was  mustered 
out  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  July  8,  1865,  and  reported  at  Jackson  for  discharge  July  12, 
where  it  was  disbanded  July  25,  1865. 

soldiers'  rkcord. 

Elijah  B.  Coffin,  killed  at  Bull  Run  August  30,  1862. 

Joseph  McNall,  killed  at  Gaines'  Hill  June  27,  1862. 

James  Stevens,  died  at  Gettysburg  July  2,  1863. 

Charles  H.  Bancroft,  died  at  City  Point  September  21,  1864. 

George  M.  Richards,  died  at  Andersonville  August  6,  1864. 

Charles  G.  Morris,  died  at  Hall's  Hill  February  21,  1862. 

Discharged — Oliver  Hopkins  James  H.  Sands.  James  Russell,  Cash  Megi'ove.  Charles 
Hetzler,  Jeflerson  L.  Hetzler,  James  Hollister,  Martin  Bertman,  AMlliam  Palmer,  Thomas 
J.  Hollister,  Hemy  G.  Lee,  Charles  H.  Bancroft,  J.  W.  Coykendall,  Robert  C.  Warts.  John 
Opfer.  William  R.  McCann.  John  Duggan,  John  Daly,  Thomas  Gilby,  Benson  McCall. 
Adam  Stefies.  Magliore  Cashway,  Henry  Rood,  Charles  Hetzler.  Jefi' L.  Hetzler.  Joachim 
Nieman.  Charles  L.    Harris,  James  R.  Moreland,  Robert  C.  Worts. 


Afz=z^ 


\iL 


HISTOllY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


SEVENTEENTH    MICHIGAN    REGIMENT. 

The  Seventeenth  Michigan  Infantry,  or  the  Stonewall  Regiment,  was  organized  at  De- 
troit in  May.  1862,  and  left  for  the  front  August  27,  under  Col.  William  H.  Withington. 
It  took  a  most  important  part  in  the  war  for  the  Union;  won  renown  at  South  Mountain, 
September  l-t,  1862,  and  finished  a  brilliant  career  at  Petersburg  April  3,  18(55.  The 
command  aiTived  at  Detroit  June  7,  1865.  where  it  was  disbanded. 

SOLDIRES'    r-ICC  iBD. 

John  T.  Fox,  killed  at  Antietam  September  18,  1862. 

John  M.  Robinson,  died  January  4    1863. 

DiBcharged — James  Noonan.   Frank  Bockman,  Alex  Mosher. 

EIGHTEENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

The  Eighteenth  Infantry  was  organized  at  Hillsdale  by  Hon.  Henry  Waldron.  and 
left  for  Cincinnati,  under  Col.  E.  Doolittle.  September  4,  1862.  The  force  comprised 
1.002  men  and  officers.  On  the  1st  of  November.  1862,  this  regiment  was  stationed  at 
Lexington.  Ky.,  and  remained  at  that  point  until  February  21.  1863.  when  it  marched  to- 
ward Danville,  arriving  on  the  22d.  On  the  24th  of  February,  1863,  with  the  forces  un- 
der Gen.  Carter,  it  retreated  from  Danville  to  the  Kentucky  River,  skirmishing  with  the 
rebels  under  Gen.  Pegram  during  the  retreat.  On  the  28th,  the  regiment  joined  in  the 
pursuit  of  Gen.  Pegram,  following  the  rebels  as  far  as  Buck  Creek,  making  a  long  and 
rapid  march,  partly  over  a  rough,  mountainous  road.  April  2.  it  returned  to  Stanford. 
On  the  7th,  it  was  ordei-ed  to  Lebanon,  and  thence  proceeded  by  railroad  to  Nashville,  ar- 
riving at  Nashville  April  14.  It  was  stationed  at  Nashville,  doing  duty  as  provost  guard, 
June  14. 

The  list  of  deaths  from  fatigue  and  hardships  of  war,  during  the  year,  was  eighty - 
nine.  There  were  thirty-live  made  prisoners.  From  November,  1863,  to  June  11,  1864, 
the  regiment  acted  as  provost  guard  at  Nashville.  From  July  to  September,  it  served  with 
distinction  in  Alabama.  At  Decatur,  on  September  24,  a  detachment  of  231  officers  and 
men  encountered  4,000  rebels  under  Forrest,  and,  for  hve  hours,  gave  battle.  The  de- 
tachment was  annihilated.  In  October,  the  regiment  played  a  most  important  part  in  the 
defense  of  Decatur.  It  remained  in  Alabama  until  June  20.  when  it  left  for  Tennessee, 
where  it  was  mustered  out,  at  Nashville.  June  26.  It  received  its  discharge  at  Jackson 
July  4,  1865. 

NINETEENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

The  Nineteenth  Infantry  was  organized  under  Col.  H.  C.  Gilbert.  atDowagiac.  August, 
1862;  left  for  the  front  September  14,  and.  entering  on  active  service  with  the  Army  of 
the  Ohio,  took  a  prominent  part  in  twelve  well-contested  fields  fi-om  Thompson's  Station, 
March  5,  1863,  to  Bentonville,  March  19.  1865.  The  command  was  musteredj  out  at 
Washington  June  10,  aud  disbanded  at  Jackson  June  13,  1865. 


lUl 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUXTY. 


TWENTIETH    MICHIGAN    INEANTRY. 

Israel  J.  Barry,  discharged  May  30.  1865.  was  the  only  soldier  from  Macomb  re- 
ported in  this  command. 

TWENTY-FIEST    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Ionia,  under  Commandant  J.  B.  Walsh,  in  July,  18*).3; 
niiustered  in  September  4.  and  left  for  the  seat  of  war,  under  Col.  Stephens,  September 
12.  Its  service  began  at  Perryville.  Ky..  October  8,  1862,  and  finished  at  Bentonville, 
March  19,  1865.      The  command  returned  and  was  disbanded  at  Detroit  June  27.  1865. 

TWENTY-SECOND    MICHIGAN    IfJEANTRY. 

The  story  of  this  command  was  graj)hically  related  by  Capt.  Edgar  AVeeks,  now  a  lawyer 
of  Moxmt  Clemens,  in  his  oration,  delivered  August  31.  1871,  before  the  members  of  the  old 
command,  then  assembled  at  Port  Huron.  From  his  sketch  of  the  regiment  the  following  is 
taken ;  ''  I  shall  never  forget  that  the  30th  of  July,  1862,  brought  me  my  commission  as  Adju- 
tant of  the  Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry,  together  with  an  order  from  the  Command- 
ant of  the  rendezvous  (the  lamented  Col.  Wisner)  to  report  at  once  for  duty,  at  Pontiac. 
That,  the  evening  of  the  same  day  found  me.  a  stranger  in  that  city,  receiving  orders  from 
my  superior  officer,  and  siuTounding  myself  with  the  cares  of  my  new  position. 

The  organization  of  the  regiment  commenced  about  that  day,  and,  under  the  super- 
vision of  Col.  Wisner,  was  rapid  and  successful,  and  who  of  us  will  ever  recall  with  any 
but  pleasant  emotions,  those  glorious  days  from  the  1st  of  August  to  ths  4th  of  September, 
1862,  which  we  spent  upon  the  fair  grounds  in  Pontiac,  teaching  ourselves  what  we  could 
of  military  discipline  and  preparing  for  the  unknown  duties  of  the  future.  Who  among 
us  will  cease  to  remember  the  crowds  of  friends  who  daily  came  to  visit  us,  bringing  with 
them  such  overwhelming  kindnesses,  and  departed  followed  by  such  boundless  thanks 
from  us.  Almost  every  new-comer  who  joined  our  ranks  was  welcomed  then  as  we  can 
fancy  the  armies  recruiting  for  the  conquest  of  Palestine  were  wont  to  welcome  each  high- 
born and  valiant  knight  who  joined  the  swelling  host  from  the  wide  ends  of  Christendom. 
The  scene  and  occasion  with  us  was  not  wanting  in  some  of  the  elements  of  that  romantic 
day,  for  those  were  loyal  ladies  at  Pontiac.  who.  upon  the  eve  of  our  departure,  gave  to 
the  Twenty-second  that  splendid  banner  which  was  to  lead  the  regiment  to  victory  and 
fame.  That  glorious  flag,  which  proved,  indeed,  a  '  harbinger  of  victory,'  and  whose 
folds  on  many  sanguinary  fields  became  '  The  sign  of  hope  and  triumph  high. ' 

It  was  on  the  4th  day  of  September,  1862,  that  we  bid  adieu  to  Pontiac  and  our  old 
camp  ground.  The  incidents  of  that  day  will  long  preserve  a"  place  in  our  memory,  for  it 
was  a  day  of  sad  partings  from  friends  and  from  homes.  A  thousand  tender  things  oc- 
curred which  we  shared  in  feeling  with  each  other;  a  thousand  hearts  throbbed  with  emo- 
tion at  separations,  which,  alas,  were  final  for  so  many.  But  with  farewells  to  those  dear 
relations  and  associations,  the  men  of  the  gallant  Twenty-second  embarked  for  the  perils 
and  chances  of  a  long  campaign  and  the  days  that  opened  then  were  days  which  possessed 
a  charm  which  separate  them  from   all  the  others  we  had  ever  known:  days  in  which  we 


■^ 


fe^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


enjoyed  the  romance,  as  well  as  realized  the  realities  of  wars  dangers  and  war's  sometimes 
harmless  alarms.  At  the  date  of  which  we  now  speak,  the  war  had  been  waged  with  various  suc- 
cesses for  seventeen  months,  and  the  rebels,  flushed  with  recent  victories  at  Richmond  and 
Lexington,  Ky.,  had  marched  across  that  State  and  were  laying  siege  to  Cincinnati  and  Cov- 
ington. Their  tlag  Haunted  in  the  breezes  of  the  Ohio,  and  was  almost  mirrored  in  its 
bosom.  The  whole  Northwest  was  tilled  with  alarm  at  the  prospect  of  an  invasion  of  the 
Free  States,  and  all  the  available  forces  of  the  country  were  being  hm'ried  to  the  scene  of 
apprehended  danger.  On  the  southern  bank  of  the  Ohio  were  gathered  the  loyal  sons  of 
the  Northwest  to  the  defense  of  their  "Queen  City '—men  from  Indiana,  Michigan,  Illi- 
nois and  the  '  Squirrel  Hunters  "  of  Ohio,  as  well  as  her  artisans  and  the  business  men  of 
her  cities.     The  Twenty-second  was  on  the  way  to  join  them. 

My  comrades  will  not  soon  forget  the  grand  ovation  that  welcomed  us  to  Detroit. 
The  martial  jiride  of  our  men  was  gratified  by  a  parade  through  the  streets  of  that  city, 
and  on  those  streets  were  throngs  of  people,  who  everywhere  cheered  and  greeted  us  with 
kind  enthusiasm.  Our  embarkation  that  night  on  the  steamer  '  Morning  Star,'  for  the 
trip  across  Lake  Erie,  was  the  last  act  performed  in  the  presence  of  our  friends,  and  we 
were  soon  receding  from  the  last  link  that  bound  us  to  them  and  to  home.  The  gleaming 
lights  of  the  city  were  soon  fading  away  over  the  dark  waters  of  the  river,  beyond  whose 
"widening  tide'  stood  mothers  and  sisters  and  friends,  to  whose  hearts — like  perhaps  to 
ours — was  rushing  a  new  and  quickening  sense  of  the  separation,  and  who  were  wafting 
adieus  to  us  in  the  same  breath  that  uttered  a  mother's,  a  sister's  or  a  father's  prayer. 

I  pass  hm-riedly  over  the  unimportant  incidents  of  our  arrival  at  Cleveland  on  that 
beautiful  September  morning,  after  the  quiet  trip  across  the  lake;  the  dusty  ride  by  rail 
to  Cincinnati,  the  midnight  arrival  there,  and  the  banquet  spread  for  our  reception  at  the 
market-house.  The  same  night  of  our  arrival  at  Cincinnati  saw  us  across  the  broad  Ohio, 
to  Covington,  and,  under  the  light  of  a  brilliant  moon,  which  beautified  the  scene  beyond 
my  ])ower  to  describe,  we  marched  into  Covington  and  found  ourselves  upon  the  '  dark 
and  bloody  ground  of  Kentucky."  Albeit  the  ground  was  anything  but  dark  and  bloody, 
and  our  slumbers  that  night  were  conducted  upon  the  stone  pavements  of  an  inhospitable 
city.  Prompt  to  the  necessities  of  that  stirring  and  dangerous  time,  the  very  next  morn- 
ing, breakfastless,  haggard  and  weary  indeed,  our  place  having  been  assigned  to  us  in  the 
long  line  defending  C  )vington,  we  marched  out  to  our  position  and  became  a  part  of  that 
irregular,  ill-organized  army  which  saved  Ohio  from  invasion,  Cincinnati  from  phmder  and 
destruction  and  the  whole  North  from  panic  and  disgrace.  The  incidents  of  that  remark- 
able time  are  yet  fresh  in  our  recollection.  It  was  a  time  wherein  the  country  witnessed, 
perhaps,  the  grandest  effort  of  patriotism  which  the  war  evolved.  Martial  law  prevailed 
in  Cincinnati,  and  we  saw  the  business  of  that  great  city  suspended  and  its  vast  ware- 
houses and  palatial  mercantile  establishments  closed  and  deserted,  that  its  leading  citi- 
zens, its  wealthy  merchants  might  march  to  the  rifle-pits  with  mattock  and  spade  to  build 
intrenchments,  while  the  actual  soldier  and  the  squirrel  hunter  watched  gi'imly  for  that 
hostile  advance  which  seemed  each  hour  ready  to  be  precipitated  upon  om"  lines. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Through  the  intolerable  heat  and  dust  of  those  days,  we  saw  gradually  arise  those 
frowning  earthworks  which  stayed  invasion,  and  from  behind  which  we  kept  at  bay  an  ex- 
ultant enemy,  out  of  which  at  last  we  marched  and  hurled  the  invader  back  to  the  Cum- 
berland Mountains.  The  limits  of  the  hour  forbid  my  enlarging  upon  the  story  of  our  labors 
and  adventures  on  that  line,  but  I  will  not  pass  unnoticed  the  famous  battle  of  the 
'Cabbage  Patch,"  a  faithful  and  minute  description  of  which,  under  hands  accustomed 
to  such  tasks,  might  be  made  to  rival,  if  it  did  not  pale  the  day  of  Hohenlinden  or  Water- 
loo. Neither  must  I  omit  to  mention,  as  we  pass  along,  the  day"s  excitement  in  om-  camp 
engendered  by  the  reported  capture  of  Company  A,  while  out  on  a  scout  under  he  leader 
ship  of  its  redoubtable  commanding  officer.  Prolonging  its  stay  beyond  the  time  limited 
by  orders  for  the  march,  a  rumor  spread  that  the  com[)any  had  been  siu-rounded  by  a  large 
body  of  the  enemy  and  compelled  to  siuTender.  Of  course,  the  greatest  regret  ruled  the 
bosoms  of  all  of  us  at  this  unfortunate  affair,  until  Col.  Wisner.  on  hearing  the  report,  allayed 
all  our  anxieties  liy  that  well-remembered  remark:  '  No  fear,  gentlemen;  Capt.  Hatten  cannot 
be  sun'ounded  by  any  body  of  rebels  out  of  which  he  will  not  talk  himself  with  the  great- 
est ease  and  in  the  shortest  possible  time. " 

And  sure  enough  Company  A  did  ajjpear  in  time  and  marched  gallantly  back  to 
quarters,  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

Days  of  heat  and  dust  on  those  dry,  sandy  hills;  of  marching  and  counter-marchiug; 
of  short  rations  and  anxiety,  followed  until  the  grand  march  through  the  heart  of  Kentucky 
to  'Snow's  Pond,'  that  delightful  'Siloam'  upon  whose  mai'gin  we  halted  for  a  few 
days  to  slake  oui-  thirst,  and  the  waters  of  which  we  shall  all  remember  to  our  dying  day, 
and  finally,  the  arrival  at  Lexington.  How  many  sad  and  how  many  cheerful  memories  com- 
mingle in  oui-  minds  at  the  mention  of  Lexington.  It  was  here  we  arrived,  the  ■2'2d 
of  October,  180'2,  and  here  we  remained  until  the '22d  of  March,  1863.  Our  delightful 
camp,  with  its  fondly  remembered  name,  'Camp  Ella  Bishop,'  where  that  close  friend- 
ship of  oiu's  was  formed  with  the  stiu-dy  One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Illinois,  command- 
ed by  that  Chevalier  Bayard,  Col.  Thomas  J.  Hender.son,  and  the  versatile  Eighteenth 
Michigan,  commanded  by  the  Chi'istian  soldier,  Charles  C.  Doolittle.  The  last-named 
regimert,  our  subsequent  companions,  and  always  close  but  jealous  friends  in  marches  and 
campaigns,  that  lasted  just  a  year  and  a  day. 

Our  first  sad  bereavement  met  us  here,  at  Lexington.  On  the  5th  of  January,  1863, 
after  a  brief  illness,  death  struck  from  our  muster  rolls  the  gallant,  self-sacrificing  and 
noble-hearted  Moses  Wisner,  our  leader  and  our  fi'iend.  What  feeble  words  of  om-s  can 
do  his  memory  justice  to  day.  A  man  of  iron  will,  yet  fjender  as  a  child;  of  sturdy  and 
ripe  intellect,  of  undoubted  patriotism  and  unmatched  abilities,  he  led  his  command  to  the 
front  of  the  war  with  as  pure  a  devotion  to  the  cause  of  his  imperiled  country  as  animated 
the  heart  of  any  patriot  who  ever  died  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  His  ungraceful  form  at 
the  head  of  his  command  always  recalled  the  mental  picture  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  leading 
his  'Ironsides'  regiment  to  victory.  Like  Hampden  and  Cromwell  of  an  earlier  time; 
like  Lincoln  and  Hamilton  of  Revolutionary  fame;  like  Alfi-ed  H.  Terrv  and  other  notable 


HISTORY   or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


examples  in  om-  own  gi-eat  war.  Moses  Wisner,  bred  in  the  arts  of  peace  and  perfect  in 
the  walk  of  a  statesman,  had,  at  the  outset,  but  crude  notions  of  the  military  art,  but,  when 
his  country  needed  him  on  the  field  of  war,  he  was  there  with  a  cool  head,  a  stout  heart 
and  a  will  to  do  all  that  presented  itself  to  be  done.  He  died,  at  his  post  of  duty,  sin- 
cerely lamented  by  every  one  in  his  command,  who  appreciated  the  man  and  his  motives, 
and  the  pageant  of  his  funeral  day  attested  the  sincere  respect  of  all  the  troops  on  duty  at 
the  post.  Not  less  lamented  by  his  circle  of  personal  acquaintances,  we  lost  there,  too,  a  less 
conspicuous,  but  not  less  noble,  officer,  Lieut.  John  Sackett,  of  Company  C,  who  died 
after  a  long  sickness,  regretted  by  those  who  knew  him  best.  It  was  at  Lexington  that 
the  men  in  the  ranks  of  the  Twenty-second  displayed  the  most  unconquerable  fortitude  in 
confronting  the  '  silent  terrors '  of  the  hospital  and  the  sickness  incident  to  a  winter  of 
exposure  with  insufficient  shelter  from  rains  and  cold.  We  sadly  remember  how  many 
brave  men  yielded  up  their  lives  there,  victims  of  disease.  No  less  heroes  in  dying  thus 
than  those  who  fall  amidst  the  roar  of  battle  pierced  by  the  bullet  of  an  enemy.  The  sad 
and  silent  procession  was  startlingly  frequent  during  this  winter,  and  we  paid  the  last  sad 
rites  to  many  a  comrade  whose  memory  is  cherished  by  every  one  of  us  who  survive  to 
gather  here  to-day. 

"While  lying  here  at  Lexington,  the  spring  of  18R3  opened  gloomily  for  the  Union 
cause  in  Kentucky.  A  mounted  force  of  rebels,  under  Gen.  Pegram,  emerged  from  East 
Tennessee,  crossed  the  Cumberland  Mountains  and  River,  and  gave  themselves  up  to  the 
plunder  of  Southern  Kentucky.  Ingenious  devices  were  resorted  to  by  this  foxy  com- 
mander to  exaggerate  his  armament  and  numbers  in  the  minds  of  the  helpless  people,  and 
the  greatest  alarm  sjwead  over  that  State.  We  all  remember  the  confusion  that  seemed 
tc  exist  on  our  own  side,  and  the  marching  and  counter-marching,  the  movements  hither 
and  thither  which  ensued.  At  last  a  plan  of  a  campaign  seemed  determined,  and  we 
marched  away  from  Lexington  on  the  2'2d  of  March,  1S()3,  and  traveled  that  wild  road  to- 
ward Cmnberland  Gap,  through  Crab  Orchard,  and  then  back  to  Danville.  It  was  at 
Danville  we  were  flanked  by  a  clever  enemy  and  had  the  lively  skirmish  in  which  Jen- 
nings, of  Company  B,  and  Hodgson,  of  Company  A,  were  wounded.  It  wa«  at  this  skir- 
mish at  Danville  that  oiu-  '  Contrabands  "  preferred  to  'scent  the  battle  from  afar  off,' 
and  so  incontinently  fled  the  scene.  It  was  during  this  bloody  fray  that  the  charger  was 
shot  beneath  the  Captain  of  Company  A,  and  following  these  movements  that  we  crossed 
the  Dix  River  and  the  Kentucky  River  on  that  most  singular  retreat,  which  subsequent 
history  demonstrated  to  have  been  the  result  of  weakness  in  the  General  who  commanded 
us  in  the  camjsaign.  But  we  marched  with  a  cheerful  tread  to  the  front  of  the  war  and 
on  the  wild  mountains,  amidst  the  snow  and  sleet  of  winter's  parting  compliments,  so 
nearly  took  part  in  the  final  overthrow  of  that  host  of  rebel  rough  riders. 

The  exigencies  of  the  service  soon  called  us  from  these  stirring  scenes,  and,  under 
orders  to  repair  to  Tennessee,  we  passed  through  and  across  Southern  Kentucky,  visiting 
Lancaster,  Stamford,  Danville.  Camp  Dick  Robinson,  we  headed  for  the  South.  .  Brigaded 
with  the  Eighteenth  Michigan,  we  marched  them  a  race  for  Lebanon.      And  it  was  amidst 


-(^ 


,:U 


'^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


adventures  like  these  that  we  reached,  at  last,  the  city  of  Lebanon,  where  we  waged  war 
for  a  day  with  high  officials  on  the  "'nigger"  question,  and  where  Kentucky  chivalry 
failed  to  drive  us  from  the  position  we  had  taken  on  that  subject. 

In  course  of  time,  we  reached  Nashville  (early  in  April),  and  there  we  remained 
doing  gai'rison  duty  until  the  following  September.  I  might  repeat  here  the  remark 
which  we  made  of  Lexington.  '  How  many  sad,  how  many  cheerful  recollections  start  up 
at  the  mention  of  Nashville.  It  was  here  we  lost  Capt.  Carleton,  of  Company  E,  whose 
sudden  and  tragic  death  cast  a  gloom  over  the  whole  command,  while  here  Capt.  Beards- 
lee,  of  Company  D,  died,  not  to  name  the  many  brave  men  who  fell  victims  to  the  diseases 
of  camj)  in  the  hospitals  of  that  city.  The  story  we  might  tell  of  each  humble  soldier's 
death,  would  but  be  the  same  recital  of  devotion  and  patience  and  heroic  submission. 

The  summer  we  spent  at  Nashville  is  not  remembered  by  any  startling  military  ad- 
ventiu'e  in  which  we  took  part,  but  its  recollection  is  not  embittered  by  a  consciousness  of 
any  duty  not  well  performed  by  the  regiment,  nor  by  any  act  of  vandalism  or  want  of 
military  discipline. 

It  was  tlirough  the  summer  of  1863,  that  the  crisis  of  the  war  was  reached  and  passed. 
The  glorious  but  valueless  victories  which  had  been  gained  heretofore,  had  but  served  to 
develop  the  strength  and  perversity  of  the  South,  but,  with  the  '  Battle  Summer '  of 
1863,  came  the  fall  of  Vicksbm-g  and  Port  Hudson,  the  great  victory  of  Gettysburg,  and 
finally,  in  September,  the  movement  from  Mm-freesboro  southward  by  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  under  the  leadership  of  Gen.  Rosecrans.  Speedily  was  all  the  country  con- 
quered that  lay  between  Nasliville  and  Chattanooga,  and  that  Ijand  of  veterans  led  by  the 
master  spirit  of  Stone  River  prepared  to  close  in  dubious  struggle  with  the  hosts  of  Bragg 
in  front  of  Chattanooga.  The  Twenty-second  received  orders  to  repair  to  the  front. 
Willingly  relinquishing  the  light  duties  and  pleasant  quarters  at  Nashville,  the  regiment 
embarked  for  the  field  of  active  work,  and,  on  the  "iOth  of  September,  took  part  in  the 
memorable  battle  of  Chickamauga,  one  of  the  most  gigantic  and  momentous  conflicts  of 
the  war.  A  battle  in  which  the  total  losses  on  the  Union  side  were  upward  of  ■20,000  men, 
and  in  which  the  rebels  admit  they  lost  18,00(^  men.  of  whom  16,000  were  killed  and 
wounded,  a  battle  in  which  the  rebels  reaped  a  questioaable  victory,  for  all  its  fi'uits  were 
gathered  on  the  battle-field;  a  battle  where  the  victor  won  the  actual  field,  but  when  van- 
quished, had  seciu'ed  the  gi'eat  strategic  object  of  the  campaign — Chattanooga — and  was 
abundantly  able  to  retain  and  defend  it;  and,  with  the  prize  of  Chattanooga,  we  possessed 
all  East  Tennessee,  the  Switzerland  of  America. 

I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe  the  part  taken  by  the  Twenty-second  in  that  battle. 
It  has  been  the  just  task  of  historians  to  hand  down  on  the  page  of  history  the  deeds  of 
that  great  day,  and  for  steady  com'age  and  reckless  heroism,  our  regiment  was  not  out- 
done on  all  that  bloody  field.  Yom-  deeds  that  day,  soldiers  of  the  Twenty-second  Michi- 
gan, made  the  name  of  Chickamauga  resplendent  with  the  glory  of  your  arms. 

But  oh!  the  price  at  which  victory  and  fame  had  been  piu'chased.  After  the  battle, 
nothing  remained  of   the  Twenty-second   Init  a  shattered  fragment  of  its  once  glorious 


L 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


line.     Where  these   noble  men  had   gone  was  a  tjuestion   that  needed  not  to  be  asked. 

Killed  on  the  field  of  battle,  many  lay  like  Capt.  Snell,  of  Company  D — wonnded  to  the 

death;  many  more,    like   noble-hearted    Smith,  the   leader  of   Company  H,   and  others, 

wounded  sorely  and   crippled    for  life  like   Sanborn,  while  the  dark  prisons  and  noisome 

pens  closed  around  other  brave  hearts  at  Anderson vi lie  and  Libby. 

"We  pause  to  pay  a  tribute  to  those   brave  comrades,  whose  lives   paid  the  forfeit  of 

their  patriotism  on  the  field  of   Chickamauga,  and  we  would  liken  the  task  to  that  of   the 

white-haired  Covenanter,  busied  in  removing  the   gathering   moss  from  the  gray  stones 

which  marked  the  resting-place  of  his  fallen  comi-ades  of  half  a  century  gone.      We  would 

stand  itncovered  in  the  presence  of  their  precious  memories  and  renew  with  our  chisel  the 

defaced   inscriptions   and  repair  the    emblems  of   death  with  which  their  monuments  are 

adorned. 

■  Wh}-  seek  we  wilh  unwearied  toil 

Through  death'.s  dim  walks  to  urge  our  way, 
Reclaim  his  long  asserted  spoil 

And  lead  oblivion  into  day." 

It  is  because  we  owe  it  as  a  debt  of  justice  to  pay  this  honor  to  those  who  have  de- 
voted their  lives  to  their  counti-y,  and  because  we  love  to  dwell  upon  the  virtues  and  patriot- 
ism of  these,  our  fallen  comrades.      Of  them,  how  just  to  say : 

"  Types  of  a  race  who  shall  the  invader  scorn, 

As  rocks  resist  the  billows  round  their  shore; 
Types  of  a  race  who  shall  to  time  unborn, 

Their  country  leave  unconquered  as  of  yore." 

We  turn  from  the  contemplation  of  their  deaths,  our  sadness  assuaged  by  the  thought 
that  in  the  great  hereafter  much  will  be  carried  to  the  credit  of  men  who  have  laid  down 
their  lives  in  defense  of  liberty  and  their  fellow-man. 

The  campaign  against  Atlanta  which  now  followed,  saw  the  Twenty-second  in  active 
and  heroic  service,  till  'Sherman's  march  to  the  sea '  practically  closed  the  war.  The 
struggle  lasted  a  few  months  after  that  great  march,  and  the  spring  of  1865  saw  the  fall 
of  the  gi-eat  strongholds  of  the  enemy,  the  captm'e  and  dispersion  of  his  armies  and  the 
inglorious  and  final  collapse  of  the  great  rebellion.  With  the  fall  of  Richmond  and  the 
captm'e  of  Lee's  army,  the  war  was  over  and  we  realized  the  words  of  the  old  song,  '  For 
Johnny  came  marching  home  again.'  At  Detroit,  on  the  29th  of  June,  18(55,  the  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  disbanded.  As  a  military  organization,  it 
ceased  to  exist.  Its  scarred  and  sacred  colors  were  folded  away  among  the  proudest  ban- 
ners of  the  State,  where  they  yet  remain,  the  silent  but  eloquent  witnesses  of  patriot- 
ism, with  the  record  emblazoned  on  their  folds  that  tells  the  story  of  Chickamauga,  of 
Rossville  and  Atlanta. 

SOLtilEBS'    RECOBD. 

George  L.  Bacon,  died  at  Lexington.  Ky.,  December  4,  1862. 
Michael  Woolven.  died  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  November  28,  1862. 
William  H.  Crandall,  died  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  December  12,  1862. 


rF^ 


Ll^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Louis  Pulcher.  died  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  December  24,  1862. 

William  A.  Senter,  killed  at  Chattanooga  October  14,  1868. 

Joseph  Swork,  killed  at  Chattanooga  Octobei-  14,  1863. 

George  H.  Canfield,  killed  at  Chickamauga  September  20,  1863. 

Ellery  S.  Eggleston,  died  at  Lexington  Ky.,  January  9,  1863. 

William  Ogden,  died  at  Lexington,  Ky. ,  March  3.  1863. 

Addison  B.  Rice,  died  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  March  10,  1863. 

George  R.  Adams,  died  at  Lexington.  Ky..  March  14,  1863. 

Robert  K.  Hulsarts,  died  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  April  23,  1863. 

Frank  R.  Smith,  died  at  Nashville  May  25,  1863. 

Watson  Norton,  died  at  Nashville  June  20,  1863. 

Wilbiu-  H.  Fairchild,  died  at  Lexington  January  5,  1863. 

Paul  Rattell,  died  at  Lexington  January  23,  1863. 

George  S.  Harris,  died  at  Lexington  January  16,  1863. 

John  Hartz.  died  at  Lexington  March  4,  1863. 

C.  W.  Ballard,  died  at  Lexington  March  24,  1863. 

WilliHm  H.  Waldron,  died  at  Nashville  May  9,  1863. 

George  N.  Saddler,  killed  at  Nashville  February  7,  1864. 

Timothy  German,  killed  September  24.  1863. 

James  Meyers,  killed  at  Chattanooga  November  19,  1863. 

Charles  W.  H.  Voss,  killed  at  Chattanooga  October  4,  1863. 

Fred  Hintz,  killed  at  Chattanooga  October  29.  1863. 

Zara  Parker,  killed  at  Chattanooga  September  20,  1863. 

George  Thompson,  killed  at  Chickamauga  September  20,  1863. 

Henry  Butzler,  killed  at  Chickamauga  September  20,  1863. 

Hugli  Mcllvaine.  died  July  20,  1864. 

Lewis  M.  Yerkes,  died  at  Nashville  August  31,  1863. 

Milan  M.  Drake,  died  at  Chattanooga  April  21,  1864. 

George  B.  Drake,  died  on  the  cars  August  21.  1864. 

A.  B.  Abernathy.  died  near  Atlanta  September  24,  1864. 

Charles  Mosher,  died  at  Bridgeport  November  22.  1865. 

James  H.  Pool,  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  January  6,  1864. 

Josiah  German,  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  January  3,  1864. 

Elisha  Chamberlain,  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  Febi-uary  14,  1864. 

Clarkston  Harvey,  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  January  18j  1864. 

Robert  Sudden,  died  at  Chattanooga  April  28,  1864. 

Rnfus  A.  Snook,  died  at  Chattanooga  May  11,  1864. 

Charles  Wrightman,  died  at  Chattanooga  June  16,  1864. 

Louis  Alband,  died  at  Chattanooga. 

Francis  Dedire.  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  June  16,  1864. 

W.  Shaper.  died  at  Andersonville  June  14.  1864. 


■^ 


rpv 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  C0U:NTY 


Calvin  Metz,  killed  at  Chickamauga  September  20,  1863. 

Theo  F.  Van  Vliet,  died  in  rebel  prison  September  18,  1864. 

Thomas  Moreland,  died  at  Chattanooga  September  17,  1864. 

Joseph  C.  Norton,  died  at  Chattanooga  May  28.  1865. 

David  C.  Barr,  died  at  Chattanooga  April  24,  1864. 

Ernest  Ai'ndt,  died  at  Chattanooga  April  24,  1865. 

Edward  E.  Ewolt,  died  in  Jackson,  Mich. ,  March  4,  1864. 

Lviuim  Gillett,  died  in  Andersonville  September  28,  1864. 

James  G.  Jackson,  died  in  Andersonville  July  29,  1864. 

Francis  Robinson,  died  in  Andersonville  September  2,  1864. 

Charles  W.  Scribner,  died  in  Indianapolis  February  28,  1865. 

Fred  Schimer,  died  in  Andersonville  August  30,  1864. 

William  Fritscho.  died  in  Andersonville  September  15,  1864. 

Charles  Biu'khart,  died  in  Ajidersonville  August  15,  1864. 

Theodore  Fisher,  died  in  Andersonville  July  20,  1864. 

Francis  Mueller,  died  in  Andersonville  September  1,  1864. 

Gotlob  Schaufler,  died  in  Andersonville  June  20,  1864. 

George  Walker,  died  in  Andersonville  September  5,  1864. 

Charles  S.  Jonas,  died  in  Chattanooga  April  1,  1865. 

James  Strong. 

Discharged  or  Transferred — Herman  Birch,  Peter  Rumph.  Antoine  Peltier,  James  H. 
Stanley,  Nathan  Soper,  W.  H.  Williams,  Alfred  B.  Adams,  Joshua  Deal,  George  W.  Wid- 
rig,  Benjamin  Albund,  Anthony  Bodie,  Henry  Chapaton,  William  Grebe,  William  Rott- 
man,  William  Morrison,  Charles  Hartgan,  Julius  Mandell,  Fred  Stienback,  C.  More,  John 
Hazely,  Peter  Monier,  W.  H.  Harwood,  B.  Mack  Miller,  Lyman  H.  Tewsbury,  Edward  E. 
Ewalt.  Leauder  A.  Cotton,  William  H.  Sutphin,  Oren  Vanderwort,  Lewis  Kuhne,  Augus- 
tus Mandell,  Lorin  G.  Norton,  William  M.  Smith,  Maj.  D.  Gorton,  David  B.  Leroy, 
Oliver  Yax,  Thomas  P.  Blasdell,  Charles  Lang,  Charles  Forton,  Silas  E.  Halsey,  Theodore 
Van  Fliet,  John  A.  Fisher,  Nelson  B.  Miller,  Norbert  Generous,  Mortimer  Hunter,  James 
Myers,  Timothy  German,  Elisha  P.  Chamberlain,  William  Caldwell,  Josiah  German,  Ly- 
man Gillett,  Austin  Gaines,  Florence  Hunter,  Clarkson  Harvey,  James  Jackson,  Calvin 
Metty,  James  Pool,  Francis  Robinson,  Zara  Pai'k«r,  Ernest  Stiger,  Dositee  Chortier,  Will- 
iam Fritche,  Chai'les  Bm-kheart,  Henry  Butzler,  Francis  Dictere,  William  Dubay,  Theodore 
Fisher,  Fred  Hintz,  Aug  Necker,  Gottlob  Peter,  Gottlob  Shatter,  Fred  Schriner,  Ckris- 
tian  Spawn,  Silas  Teats,  George  Thompson,  George  Walker,  William  H,  Voss,  Fortescue 
Wail,  John  B.  Waltz,  Francis  Miller,  Henry  M.  Smith,  Marcus  L.  King,  J.  D.  Merchant, 
Edward  Thompson,  Hem-y  Parish,  John  H.  McLeod,  Salmo  Lesperance,  James  Moore, 
Patrick  Spellman,  L.  J.  Comf)ton,  William  Newben-y,  George  W.  Guiles,  Albert  Weso- 
lowski,  Roswell  Petcher,  George  Hart,  Socrates  Addis,  James  R.  Briggs,  John  W.  Beat, 
Hugh  Smith,  Guy  M.  Young,  William  R.  Lockwood,  Peter  Thire,  Vivius  S.  Wood,  Jona- 
than Widi-ig,  Edward  D.  Bliss,  George    W.  Griffith,  Joseph  C.  Stark,  R.  L.  Mott,  D.  S. 


r 


-i^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Mott,  Francis  O.  Crocker,  John  C.  Reaves,  John  Walker,  James  McBride.  Edwin  L. 
Howe,  Thomas  F.  King.  Edwin  Than-att,  Royal  A.  Young,  Antoine  Ducklow.  Louis  Guy- 
ette,  John  Guyette.  Moses  Mai-tell.  Joseph  Peltier,  Petre  Peltier,  Napoleon  Papen,  Lorenzo 
E.  Sergeant,  George  W.  Wixon,  Martin  Allor,  Chai-les  Hogle.  I.  Smith,  Leander  A.  Cot- 
ton, Oren  Vandei-wort,  Ciilbert  P.  Noble,  William  F.  Hollister,  Daniel  W.  Lewis,  Oliver 
Ruby,  Joshua  Conklin,  Isaac  M.  Whitney,  William  S.  Church,  Stephen  B.  Wawen,  Jesse 
Grover,  Joseph  Inman,  James  M.  Widrig,  John  Norton.  Windsor  Norton,  Andi-ew  HaiTi- 
son,  David  B.  Leroy,  Henry  Bates,  Frank  Betwice,  John  D.  Chiu'ch,  Levi  M.  Withey, 
Isaac  Smith,  John  H.  McCracken,  William  S.  McCracken,  Samuel  M.  Leggett,  Reuben 
Mitchell,  George  Youngblood,  George  W.  Widrig,  William  Sheperd,  Edward  Payne, 
Charles  R.  Clements,  Augustus  Finnest,  William  Rose,  Vincent  Layland.  John  Moore, 
Leander  Rose,  Cyrus  HaiTis,  C.  F.  Wattensperger,  Jacob  Schrambling,  Alanson  A.  Aus- 
tin, William  Smith,  Byron  Rosecrans,  Reuben  A.  Howe.  Ii'a  P.  Jersey.  Robert  Kii-k- 
ham,  George  Jersey,  John  Stone,  John  J.  Snook,  Stewart  Gorton,  Ellery  C.  Cannon, 
Louis  Bonchai'd,  Alexander  Stevens,  Heniy  M.  Smith,  Clarence  Dixon,  Isaac  T. 
Newton,  William  F.  Drake,  Isaac  C.  Cross,  John  Cp-us  Cannon,  Levi  H.  Can- 
non, John  H.  Delisle,  N.  AVasher  Hartley,  Alonzo  Horey,  George  A.  Wright,  Crawford 
Austin,  Ed.  M.  Andrus,  Dwight  R.  Andrus,  David  B.  Andi-ews,  Alanson  Beardsley,  John 
Bird.  Greorge  G.  Bui-d,  Isaiah  Briggs.  John  M.  Bm-gett.  Gurdon  P.  Baird,  Thomas  R. 
Crawford,  Henry  D.  Coykendall.  Hamion  L.  Cm-tiss,  George  H.  Cannon,  James  S.  Covell, 
George  W.  Davidson,  George  D.  Frost,  W.  H.  Fitzpatrick,  James  B.  Fry,  Orlan  W. 
Green,  William  Hall,  Sylvester  P.  Harvey,  William  H.  Johnson.  William  L.  Lee.  George 
W.  Lockwood,  William  Mclntyre.  Hem-y  O.  Mon-ison,  B.  Mack  Miller,  Robert  D.  Owen, 
Frank  Phillips,  Roys  S.  Pearsol.  Frederick  A.  Roth.  Nathan  Rowley,  John  Storey,  R.  C. 
Schreeves,  Reuben  T.  St.  John,  Myron  St.  John,  Erastus  H.  Lipperly,  George  W.  Torrey, 
William  J.  Wellstead,  Reuben  Warrener,  George  Ai-nold,  George  Babcock,  Amander 
Ruby.  I.  K.  W.  Windt,  Orrin  Green,  Henry  Huderbray.  John  Dusser,  Adolph  Eckhai-t, 
Emanuel  Mandell,  Andrew  Ross.  Norbert  Generous,  Nelson  B.  Mi  lie)',  Orlando  Devereaux, 
Lyman  H.  Tewkesbusy,  W.  W.  Collins.  S.  H.  Ballai-d.  Aug  E.  Bacon,  Jerome  Foote,  My- 
ron Bates,  Anthony  Beach,  Anable  Beson.  Samuel  Beacham,  Aden  Card,  William  Cald- 
well. W.  A.  Fraligh,  Eugene  Geddings,  John  M.  Gilbert,  John  Henry,  George  Butzler. 
William  Dubay,  Horace  Miers.  Ed  M.  Monroe,  Geo.-ge  E.  Newberry,  William  H.  Sutphin, 
John  M.  Thompson,  Daniel  Sutherland.  Ira  Kniffin.  Elijah  Howard.  William  H.  MoitIs. 
Austin  M.  Rowley.  Sanford  A.  Rowley,  James  E.  Monroe.  Joseph  Inman.  Ernst  Steiger, 
Chari"ter  Dositer.  Louis  Kuehne,  James  Walker.  Ernest  Alband,  Philip  Ballard,  Thomas 
Ballard,  Joseph  Barnie.  John  Buetel,  Charles  Hintz,  Joseph  La  Cirafl'.  Louis  Letourneau, 
Francis  Letourneau.  Aug  Mandell.  "V\'illiam  Mar<iuardt.  Augustus  Necker,  Peter  Gotlob, 
Charles  A.  Rider,  Silas  R.  Teats,  Fortescue  Wail,  John  B.  Waltz,  John  Merritield,  Dan- 
iel Tucker,  John  Strong,  James  Strong.  Roselle  Widrig.  Burton  H.  Toueray,  Lafayette 
Carter,  Charles  Purschel,  Louis  Brockway,  George  C.  Whitney,  John  B.  Thomas,  John 
M.  Dubay,  '\\'illiam  Petzold.  Charles  Marguardt. 
26 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  ilACOMB  COUNTY. 


TWENTY-THIRD    MICHIGAN    INIANTBV. 

The  Twenty-third  Michigan  infantry  was  organized  at  Saginaw,  under  David  H. 
Jerome,  then  commandant  of  camp,  and  left  the  rendezvous  September  18,  1862,  under  Col. 
M.  W.  Chapin,  for  Kentucky,  with  a  force  of  983  officers  and  private  soldiers.  The  com- 
mand was  engaged  on  garrison  duty  until  the  summer  of  1863,  when  it  participated  in  the 
affair  at  Paris,  Ky.,  July  29.  Subsequently,  it  took  a  prominent  part  in  twenty-three  en- 
gagements, the  last  at  Goldsboro,  March  22,  1865,  and,  returning  to  the  State,  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Detroit,  July  20,  1865.      The  soldiers  of  the  command  from  Macomb  were: 

Frederick  W.  Miles,  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864. 

William  P.  Martin,  died  at  Nashville  April  12.  1864. 

John  Whitford,  transferred  to  Twenty-eighth  Infantry. 

Charles  J.  Wynne,  transferred  to  Twenty  eighth  Infantry. 

TWENTY-FOURTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  command  was  mustered  into  service  at  Detroit  August  27,  1862.  Among  the 
troops  were  the  following-named  soldiers  from  Maaomb:  John  W.  Hodgetts,  Reuben  W. 
Page,  Silas  Aurankerlin,  Adolphus  Nulett.  James  A.  Armstrong  and  William  Havens,  dis- 
charged June  30.  1865. 

TWENTY-FIFTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  command  was  organized  at  Kalamazoo,  under  Commandant  H.  G.  Wells,  l)y 
Col.  Orlando  H.  Moore,  and  mustered  into  service  September  22,  1862,  with  a  force  of 
896  officers  and  men.  Its  lirst  battle  was  at  Mumfordsville,  Ky. ,  December  27,  1862,  and 
its  last  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  16,  1864.  The  command  was  mustered  out  at  Sal- 
isbury after  the  surrender  of  the  rebel  Gen.  Johnson,  and,  returning  to  the  State,  re- 
ceived its  discharge  at  Jackson,  July  2,  1865. 

TWENTY-SIXTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Jackson  and  mustered  into  service  December  12,  1862. 
It  left,  en  route  for  Washington,  under  Col.  Judson  S.  Farrai",  of  Mount  Clemens,  Decem- 
ber 13,  with  a  force  of  903  officers  and  enlisted  men.  The  regiment  was  engaged  in  doing 
provost  duty  at  Alexandria,  Va. ,  until  April  20,  1863,  when  it  entered  on  regular  service, 
being  present  at  Suffolk,  from  April  22  to  May  14,  1863.  The  operations  of  the  command 
were  confined  to  Virginia,  in  which  State  it  won  laurels  on  no  less  than  twenty-seven 
fields,  concluding  a  term  of  brilliant  service  at  Petersburg,  April  3,  1865.  The  regiment 
was  mustered  out  at  Bailey's  Cross  Roads,  June  4,  and,  returning,  was  paid  off  at  Jackson 
June  16,  1865.  The  command  was  on  service  in  New  York  City  during  the  riots  of  1863. 
Under  its  Colonel,  it  was  subsequently  a  garrison  regiment,  at  Staten  Island,  from  July, 
1863,  imtil  October  of  the  same  year. 

TWENTY-SEVENTH    MICHIGAN    INFANTRY. 

This  command  was  organized  at  Ypsilanti  April  12,  1863.  The  nucleus  of  the 
Twenty-seventh  was  ordered  from  Port  Huron  to  the  former  point,  where  it  was  consoli- 


r^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


dated  with  the  Twenty-eighth,  under  the  name  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Infantry.  Eight 
companies  of  108  men  each  were  mustered  in  April  12,  1803,  and  ordered  to  report  at 
Cincinnati,  where  organization  was  completed.  This  command  was  stationed  at  various 
posts  in  Kentui;ky.  until  the  advance  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  to  which  it  was  attached,  into 
Mississippi.  From  the  battle  of  Jamestown,  Ky.,  June  2,  1863,  to  that  near  Kjioxviller 
Tenn.,  January  23,  1864,  its  service  was  confined  to  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  with  the 
exception  of  the  term  passed  before  Vicksbiu-g,  Miss.,  June  22  to  July  4,  1863.  It  entered 
the  Virginia  campaign  at  the  Wilderness,  May  5,  1S64,  and  closed  its  service  in  that  State 
before  Petersbiu'g,  April  3,  1865.  The  regiment  received  discharge  at  Detroit.  June  30, 
1865. 

Robert  Telfort,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ^lay  1,  1864,  and  Richard  Day, 
discharged  July  26,  1865,  were  the  only  volunteers  from  ilacomb  in  the  Twenty-seventh. 

TWENTV-EIGHTH    MICHIG.\N     INF.\NTRV. 

This  regiment  resulted  fi-om  the  consolidation  of  the  Twenty  eighth  rendezvoused  at 
Marshall,  under  Commandant  S.  S.  Lacey,  and  the  Twenty-ninth,  rendezvoused  at  Kala- 
mazoo, Commandant  W.  B.  Williams.  This  organization  of  ten  full  companies  left  Kala 
mazoo,  under  Col.  Delos  Phillips,  October  26,  1864,  and  arrived  at  Camp  Nelson,  Ky., 
November  10.  1864.  Its  regular  service  began  at  Nashville.  Tenn..  December  12,  1864, 
and  closed  at  Wise's  Forks,  N.  C  March  10,  1865.  The  command  was  mustered  out 
June  5,  1866,  and.  retm-ning.  received  its  discharge  at  Detroit.  June  8.  1866. 

TWENTY-NINTH    MICHIG.\N    INF.\NTRY. 

This  command  was  designated  as  the  Thirty -first  Michigan  Infantry  in  the  military 
orders  of  1864.  The  name  Twenty-ninth  was.  however,  given  to  it,  and  its  organization 
completed  under  Commandant  John  F.  Driggs,  at  Saginaw,  October  3.  1S64.  which  city 
it  left  October  6.  en  route  to  Nashville.  Tenn.,  under  Col  Thomas  Saylor.  The  command 
was  mustered  out  at  Detroit  September  12,  1865. 


Joshua  Conklin.  Jesse  Grover.  Peter  Tliise,  I.  C.  Stark,  W.  E.  R.  Lockwood,  James 
Pincomb.  Frank  Beetwee,  John  C.  Reenies  and  Antoine  Ducle  were  discharged  Septem- 
ber 6,  1865,  together  with  the  volunteers  from  Macomb  hithei-t.<i  transferred  to  this  com- 
mand. 

THIRTIETH    MICHIG.4N    INFANT'rY. 

This  regiment  was  raised  under  authority  from  the  War  Department,  for  si)ecial  sei-vice 
on  the  Michigan  frontier,  its  term  of  service  being  for  one  year;  and  by  orders  from  this 
department,  dated  November  7, 1864,  its  recruitment  commenced,  under  Col.  G.S.  Wai-ner, 
at  Jackson.  The  organization  was  completed  at  Detroit  January  9,  1865,  and  the  com- 
mand entered  on  service.  The  headijuarters  were  at  Jackson  first,  then  removed  to  Detroit, 
and   ultimately  established  at   Fort   Gratiot,  where  Companies  A   and  B  were  stationed; 


Lliu 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COL'NTY. 


Company  D  was  stationed  at  St.  Clair;  E,  at  Wyandotte;  K,  at  Jackson;  H,  at  Fenton; 
G.  at  Detroit,  and  C,  F  and  I  at  Detroit  Barracks.  The  regiment  performed  its  duty  well 
and  was  mustered  out  of  service  June  30,  1865.  Of  the  1,001  officers  and  private  soldiers 
belongiui^  to  the  command,  eighteen  died  of  disease  during  the  term  of  service. 

soldiers'   record.  ;^ 

George  H.  Dickenson,  died  at  Fort  Gratiot  June  12,  18B5. 

Discharged — Samuel  Barton,  Dan  Newkesberg,  Henry  Hagei-man,  Wintield  S.  Hath- 
away, Peter  Jackson,  Nathaniel  Barringer,  I.  A.  Andrews,  Nathan  Aldrich,  Alonzo  A. 
Aldi'ich,  Thomas  Baird.  Abel  Brown,  Vorces  Bump,  Charles  O.  Burton.  Dan  H.  Cm'tiss, 
Amos  L.  Cole,  William  L.  Cole.  James  J.  Cm-tiss,  William  E.  Corby,  Ed  Cutcher,  Porter 
Conyer,  Edward  Elmer,  Miles  Flower,  Justus  O.  Grout,  Scott  Hathaway,  Charles  Hen- 
derson, Ira  Henderson,  Alex  Henderson,  Josepha  Ingraham,  Daniel  Lewis,  Uriah  E. 
Lemon,  George  Maybee,  Joseph  Marshall,  Martin  M.  Mm-ray.  Albert  S.  Pierson,  New- 
berry Reynolds,  Dan  Rexford,  William  Smith,  Sidney  H.  Sumner,  Hem-y  C.  Stone,  John 
Van  Horn,  William  H.  Welden,  Eli  Summertield  Henry  Stevens,  Horace  J.  Whitney, 
Fi-ank  Allen,  Dexter  A.  Adams,  Charles  M.  Callow,  William  H.  Croker,  John  J.  Clure, 
Charles  Disbrow,  Joseph  Furton,  Ezra  Gardner,  Edwin  Gillespie,  William  H.  Landin, 
Sam  L.  Miller,  William  A.  Miller,  John  Milliard,  Daniel  McQuillan,  Eugene  O'Neil. 
Chauncey   J.    Payne,   James  White,  William  Yax. 

FIKST    MICHIGAN    COLORED    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1863,  under  Col.  Hemy  Barns, 
and  mustered  into  service  February  17,  1864.  The  command  left  Detroit  March  28, 
1864,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Bennett,  and  reported  at  Annapolis  early  in  April,  where  it  re- 
mained until  ordered  to  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  April  19,  1864.  Its  first  engagement  was  at 
Baldwin,  Fla,,  August  S,  1864,  and  its  last  Held  day  at  Singleton's  Plantation,  S.  C, 
April  19,  1865.      The  command  was  discharged  at  Detroit  October  17,  1865. 

SOI.DIPR.ii'    iircoRO. 

Discharged,  September  30,  1865:  Edwin  Lawson,  John  E.Taylor,  Andrew  J.  Rawles. 
Eli  Crockett,  Henry  Banks,  Jerry  Phtenix,  William  Pines,  Henry  Crump,  William  Mann, 
Henry  Daily,  Peter  H.  Ebo,  Daniel  Egbert,  King  Grampione,  George  Hall,  Lewis  Fish- 
er, Robert  Valentine.  Crawford  Byrd.  Richard  AValker,  W.  H.  Ferguson. 

FIRST    MICHIGAN    ENGINEERS    AND    MECHANICS. 

This  command  was  organized  at  Marshall,  under  Col.  W.  P.  Innes,  and  left  for  the 
front  December  17,  1861.  A  detachment  of  this  regiment  was  the  tirst  to  enter  Bowling 
Green.  October  31,  1864,  its  term  of  service  expired,  but  the  re-enlisted  veterans,  re- 
cruits and  officers  enabled  it  to  continue  in  the  service.  The  record  of  the  military  aifairs 
in  which  it  was  engaged  begins  with  Mill  Springs,  Ky.,  January  19,  1862,  and  concludes 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


with  Bentonville,  N.  C.  March  19,  1865.      The  command  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville, 
Tenn..  September  22,  and  disbanded  at  Jackson  October  1,  1865. 

SOLOIKRS'     ItFCOBI". 

Discharged — Hiram  M.  Rhodes,  Oscar  C  Rhodes,  William  H.  Fullerton,  Orson  Slo- 
ciimb,  Alfred  D.  Rice,  John  Dulack,  Miles  AV.  Davis,  Augustus  R.  Rowe,  Cornelius  Spain. 

FIRST    MIOHIOAN    CAVALRY. 

The  First  Michigan  Cavalry  was  organized  in  August,  1861,  under  Col.  T.  F.  Broad- 
head,  and  left  Detroit  for  Washington  with  a  force  of  1,144  oiScers  and  private  troops, 
September  29.  It  participated  in  all  the  actions  along  the  Upper  Potomac,  Shenandoah 
and  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  before  the  close  of  the  year,  with  the  result  of 
losing  thirty  men  killed,  fifty-eight  wounded,  sixty  who  died  of  disease  and  170  who  were 
made  prisoners.  During  the  early  part  of  the  year  1863,  the  regiment  was  engaged  on 
guard  duty  in  front  of  Washington  on  a  line  extending  fi'om  Edward's  Ferry  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Ope((uon  River.  The  duty  was  the  most  arduous  and  difficult  the  regiment  had  to 
perform,  requiring  incessant  watchfulness  and  vigilance;  but  while  twocavalrv  regiments 
fi'om^other  States,  who  were  sharing  in  the  service,  lost  each  about  200  men,  the  loss  of 
the^First  was  only  thirty.  During  the  rebel  Gen.  Stuai't's  raid  in  February,  a  detachment 
of  fifty-six  men  of  this  command  was  sent  forth  to  watch  his  movements;  near  Opeqoun. 
the  enemy  came  within  range  of  this  detachment  and  was  driven  back  in  confusion.  On 
June  27,  the  regiment  took  up  its  line  of  march  northward  in  the  Gettysburg  campaign, 
and  engaged  in  fifteen  battles  and  skirmishes  in  as  many  days.  It  met  Hampton's  Legion, 
July  3,  and  defeated  it  in  six  minutes,  losing  eighty  men  and  eleven  officers  of  the  300 
who  went  into  the  fight.  The  succeeding  day,  it  defeated  two  regiments  of  rebel  cavalry 
at  Fairfield  Gap;  at  Falling  Waters,  it  captm-ed  500  rebels  and  two  stands  of  colors  be- 
longing to  the  Fortieth  and  Forty-seventh  Virginia  Infantry.  The  number  of  men  car- 
ried away  by  disease  diu'ing  the  year  was  twenty-nine. 

The  operations  of  the  command  during  1864,  from  the  expiratiun  of  its  fm-lough  at 
Detroit,  February  7,  was  of  varied  brilliancy.  It  made  the  crossing  of  the  Rapidan  May 
4,  1864,  and  served  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  diu-ing  the  summer  of 
that  year.  In  August,  it  moved  into  Virginia,  and  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Mid 
die  Division,  iinder  Gen.  Philip  H.  Sheridan.  The  command  marched  1,645  miles  dm-ing 
the  year;  lost  eighty-two  men  in  battle,  had  102  wounded  and  thirty-three  who  died  of 
disease.  Dm-ing  the  winter  of  1864-65,  the  regiment  participated  in  the  following  en- 
gagements: Mount  Crawford,  Va.,  October  2,  1864:  Woodstock,  October  9;  Cedar  Creek, 
October  19;  Madison  Court  House,  December  24,  1864;  Louisa  Com-t  House,  March  8, 
186o;'Five  Forks.  Mai'ch  30  to  April  1:  South  Side  Railroad,  April  2;  Duck  Pond  Mills, 
April  4;  Ridge'sjor  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6;  Appomattox  Court  House,  April  8  and  9,  and 
Willow  Springs.  D.  T.,  August  12,  1865. 

The  command  re-enlisted  at  Fort  Bridger,  November,  1865,  and  consolidated  with 


"fv 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  Sixth  and  Seventh  Cavahy  Kegiments,  formiiiLr  the  First  Veteran   Cavahy.     There, 
also,  it  was  mustereil  out  AEareh  10,  1806. 

SOI.DIEBS'     UECOBl). 

Darius  Dibble,  killed  at  Cedar  Mountain  August  9,  18(52. 

Joel  Frost,  killed  at  Cedar  Mountain  August  9,  1862. 

Otis  J.  Ackerman,  died  in  Woodstock,  1862. 

Jeremiah  S.  Abbott,  died  October  7.  1861. 

Elisha  P.  Biitteriield.  died  November  21,  1861. 

Daniel  Young,  died  May.  18()2. 

Alexander  Buttertield,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  November  12,  1862. 
""     Henry  L.  Young,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Cor[)s  C)ctober  28,  1862. 

Elijah  L.  Bates,  discharged  January,  1862. 

"William  B.  Sweet,  discharged  July,  1862. 

Erin  Cleveland,  discharged  December,  18()2. 

Benjamin  Buttertield,  missing  at  Gettysburg  July  4,   1863. 

Alonzo  Smith,  missing  at  Rob  River  September  23,  1863. 

Benjamin  Buttertield.  regained,  and  discharged  July  5,  1863. 

John  Chapaton.  discharged:  no  date. 

Francis  Bush,  discharged  January  3. 

David  L.  Curtiss,  discharged  January  7,  1863. 

Thomas  Weightman,  James  B.  Lyon,  Edward  E.  Clark,  Jacob  H.  Hosmer,  Jesse  G. 
Hosmer,  William  H.  Phelps.  Alphonso  Chilson.  George  Hopkins,  were  transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  December  21,  1863. 

Charles  Bobbins,  fell  at  Todd's  Corners  May  <),  18(U. 

Alphonso  L.  Chilson.  fell  at  Yellow  Tavern  May  11,  1864. 

James  B.  Lyon,  fell  at  Washington  Jiine  4,  1864. 

W.  H.  Price,  fell  at  Trevillian  Station  June  11,  1864. 

James  Nesbitt,  fell  at  Trevillian  Station  June  12,  1864. 

Charles  Robinson,  died  at  Washington  March  23,  1864. 

N.  H.  Barnes,  died  in  Florence  Prison,  S.  C. ,  1864. 

J.  O.  Hicks,  died  March  22,  1864. 

Lyman  F.  Washer,  died  at  Frederick,  Md.,  August  26,  1864. 

Dwight  Coykendall,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  12,  1864. 

William  H.  Linton,  missing  at  Trevillian  -June  12,  1864. 

Lemuel  Skellinger,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  February  If),  1864. 

Charles  Mandell,  discharged  July  14,  1864. 

John  M.  Doubay,  discliarged  October  8,  1864. 

Jed  Predmore,  James  McPall,  George  E.  Bui-ke.  Hubbard  Smith.  David  C.  Smith, 
James  Alger,  Reuben  BiU'gess,  discliarged  August  22,  1864. 

Daniel  B.  Moses,  killed  at  Dinwiddie  March  13,  1865. 


■|V" 


,> 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Oliver  H.  Palmer,  died  at  Camp  Butler  December  2,  1863. 

John  J.  Bittmau,  died  at  Andersonville  October  24,  1864. 

Peter  Fiirtou,  died  at  Fort  Halleck  September  13,  1865. 

Jay  Gai-viu,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  11,  1864. 

Kicbard  Solan,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  11,  1864. 

A.  Thomas,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  11,  1864. 

August  H.  Miller,  missing  at  Gettysburg  July  3,  1863. 

George  M.  Clark,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  li,  1864. 

Lawrence  Doan,  missing  at  Trevillian  -June  1 1,  1864. 

Fred  Schramm,  transferred  to  Illinois  Cavalry,  1865. 

Discharged — Richard  Cramer,  Nathan  B.  Cleromer,  Erastus  E.  Barrett,  Feb  Lapparl, 
Volney  Peters.  Calvin  Sylvester,  David  Tucker,  John  Bobzine,  Nathan  Gilbert,  Wilbert 
Brown,  William  A.  Bai'rett,  James  Cui'l,  Edward  E.  Clark,  Elon  C.  Coles,  John  De  Witt, 
Elijah  Farrar,  Isaac  Labanty,  James  Lynch,  John  McCafTerty,  Thomas  Wartman,  Jacob 
H.  Hosmer,  Lemuel  L.  Harner,  A\'illiam  R.  Spencer,  Theo  S.  Biu'ke,  Fred  Beemer,  Hemy 
J.  Clark,  William  Robinson,  Edward  Odione,  Edwin  D.  Traver,  George  Woolven,  Edward 
Hasen,  John  M.  Doubay,  James  BrowTi,  Edward  Harris,  James  Noonan,  Ernest  Stein, 
John  H.  Wilkinson.  Augustus  Fennell,  Michael  Halman,  Charles  Hustgam,  Ignatius  Lu- 
tenbacker,  Robert  Robinson,  Isaac  Williams,  John  O'Neil,  John  F.  Seelys,  George  Bui'ke, 
Burton  H.  Chapman,  David  W.  Collis,  Benjamin  Ayer,  Hem-y  Bolensen,  Latham  Beach, 
Lyman  C.  Jalpin,  Joseph  Hartle,  Robert  Lee,  Elias  Robertson,  Alonzo  C.  Wait,  Alex 
Bevins.  David  Grant,  Gelbert  Preston,  George  B.  Sanford. 

SECOND  MICHIGAN  CAVALRY. 

The  Second  Michigan  Cavalry  was  organized  under  Col.  F.  W.  Kellogg,  at  Grand 
Rapids,  and  left  for  St.  Louis  November  14,  1861,  with  a  force  of  1,163  officers  and  men. 
In  December  and  January,  it  participated  in  the  raid,  under  Gen.  Carter,  into  East  Ten- 
nessee, severing  the  rebel  communications  and  destroying  his  stores.  During  this  duty, 
which  occupied  twenty-two  days,  the  command  was  engaged  in  several  severe  skirmishes. 
Dm-ing  February  and  March,  1862,  it  was  stationed  at  Murfreesboro  and  Franklin.  On 
February,  it  was  engaged  on  the  18th,  near  Milton;  on  the  19th,  at  Cainsville,  and.  on 
the  27th,  near  Spring  Hill.  On  the  4th  and  5th  of  March,  it  engaged  the  rebels  on  the 
Columbia  pike  road,  in  which  affair  it  lost  one  killed,  foiu-  wounded  and  one  prisoner. 
From  the  8th  to  the  12th,  it  participated  in  movements  which  resulted  in  driving  the  rebel 
force  across  the  Duck  River.  It  encountered  the  rebels,  under  Stearns  and  Forrest, 
March  25,  inflicting  on  them  severe  losses,  and  taking  fifty-two  prisoners,  with  commissary 
wagons,  etc.,  etc.  Again,  between  Franklin  and  Triune,  June  4,  it  lost  two  killed  and 
three  wounded.  On  the  23d,  it  was  engaged  at  Rover;  the  succeeding  day,  pm-sued  the 
enemy  thi-ough  Middletown,  and,  on  the  27th,  charged  the  rebels  into  Shelby ville;  July  2 
and  3,  it  assisted  in  di-iving  the  rebels  out  of  the  Elk  River  position  and  through  Cowan. 
During  the  fall,  it  pai'ticipated  in  the  Georgia  military  enterprises. 


■^ 


i. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


From  Danbridge,  December  24, 1863,  to  the  Alabama  battles,  in  October,  1865,  it  won 
many  bonori5.  During  December.  1864,  this  regiment  participated  in  the  battles  round 
Nashville,  Pulaski,  Richland  Creek  and  Sugar  Creek.  In  1865,  it  was  engaged  at  Price- 
ton  Yard,  Corinth,  Tuscaloosa.  Triune.  Bridgeville  and  Talladega.  After  a  magnificent 
sei'vice,  the  command  reported  at  Jackson,  and  was  discharged  August  26,  1865. 

■SULIllEKs'     lllii;(IHI>. 

John  Clark,  died  at  Farmington  February  26,  1862. 

Oscar  Smith,  died  at  Rienzi  August  4.  1862. 

Henry  C.  Rice,  discharged  March  10,  1862. 

Jacob  Hieppell.  discharged  October  1,  1862. 

Charles  Bittner,  discharged  October  31,  1862. 

John  Johnson,  killed  on  Sultana  April  27.  1865. 

Robert  -Johnson,  died  at  St.  Louis  in  December. 

George  Bentley.  drowned  in  West  Harpeth  River  May  15,  1863. 

A.  Lewis,  died  at  Livingston.  Mich..  18t)3. 

Discharged — William  Thomas.  Hem-y  Howard.  Reuben  Page,  James  Mason,  Fred 
Hartmann,  Benjamin  C.  Gamble.  George  St.  Johns,  Joshua  Ferry.  Henry  Koth,  Charles 
J.  Stephens,  William  H.  Scott.  L'win  W.  Benson,  Charles  Clark,  Hemy  A.  Clark,  Jerome 

B.  Harvey,  Henry  J.  Holstein.  Edgar  Johnson.  William  G.  Kingscott.  James  McCaffery, 
F.  C.  McCoy.  Heni-y  S.  Schuster.  George  W.  Tripp.  George  Wentworth.  Washington 
Ames,  J.  M.  H.  Finch,  Jerome  McWithey.  James  McCaffery,  Charles  Clark,   Benjamin 

C.  Gamble,  Jerome  B.  Harvey,  Henry  I.  Holstein,  Edgar  Johnson.  F.  C.  McCoy.  Alvis 
Rasch,  Charles  Burns,  Henry  Sinister.  William  Thomas,  Stephen  Curran.  Edward  Wilkins. 

THIRD    MICHIGAN    CAVAiRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Grand  Rapids,  and  left  for  the  front,  under  Col.  J. 
K.  Mizner,  November  28,  1861,  with  1,163  rank  and  tile.  It  entered  upon  full  service  at 
New  Mach'id,  Mai'ch  13,  1862,  and  concluded  its  th'st  and  brilliant  series  of  work  at  Coffee- 
ville  December  5,  1862.  During  the  first  twelve  months  its  losses  were  seven  killed,  forty- 
five  wounded.  104  died  of  disease  and  fifty-nine  were  made  prisoners.  In  1863.  the  com- 
mand was  prominent  in  almost  every  well- foiight  field  in  Northern  Mississippi  and  Western 
Tennessee.  In  the  affair  at  Grenada,  the  Third  Cavalry  was  in  the  advance,  and  gained 
po.s.session  of  the  town  after  a  sharp  engagement.  It  destroyed  at  that  point  over  sixty 
locomotives  and  400  freight  and  passenger  curs.  The  command  aided  largely  in  driving 
the  noted  rebels  Dawson.  Richardson  and  Cushman  from  Western  Tennessee,  together 
with  the  numerous  bands  of  guerrillas  infesting  that  district.  From  November  1,  1862, 
to  the  close  of  the  war,  the  Third  Regiment  captm-ed  1.100  privates  and  fifty  officers  and 
marched  10,800  miles.  August  1,  1864.  it  was  organized  as  a  veteran  regiment,  and.  during 
the  succeeding  twelve  months,  lost  eleven  men  killed  and  115  who  died  of  disease.  It 
formed  Maj.  Gen.  Canby's  escort  at  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Taylor,  and  was  subsequently 
attached  to  Sheridan's  army  until  mustered  oiit,  February  16,  1866. 


t)  i^ 


^r 


1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


SOLDIRBS      RECOBP. 

Aaron  G.  Park,  died  at  Corinth  Jnne  4,  1862. 

Philip  E.  Kelly,  died  at  Corinth  January  '28,  1862. 

Discharged — William  A.  Sheldon,  William  H.  Ormsbee,  James  H.  Hoffman,  Fred  La 
Force,  Paul  Beach,  Philip  Ouillett.  D.  R.  Orteal,  Ormall  Brown,  Virgil  Champagne,  Wel- 
lington Postal.  Ben  Van  Dam. 

FOURTH    MICHIGAN    CAV.\LRY. 

Thi.s  regiment  was  organized  at  Detroit  July  21,  1862,  under  Col.  R.  H.  G.  Minty, 
with  1,233  men  and  officers  fully  equipped.  The  command  left  for  Louisville  September 
26,  1862,  and  entered  at  once  upon  that  brilliant  service  which  may  be  said  to  end  with 
its  capture  of  Jeff  Davis.  It  participated  in  eight  general  engagements  and  over  a  hun- 
dred skirmishes  during  the  wai'.  The  command  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville  July  1, 
and  discharged  at  Detroit  July  10,  1865. 

S(JI.D1ERS'     KECllRll. 

Discharged — Angus  McDonald,  William  Hamilton,  John  RevTiolds,  George  Med- 
daugh.  Sam  St.  John,  Joseph  Stead,  Wakeman  L.  Grant,  Leslie  M.  Miller,  George  Spen- 
cer, Albert  Ra\Tnond,  Denis  Twohey,  Fred  Devenstien,  Francis  Elliott,  Heniy  C.  Ken 
yon,  Edward  Lowman,  Joseph  Lee,  John  Nelson,  Manuel  Brazen. 

FIFTH    MICHIGAN    CAVALRY. 

This  command  was  organized  under  Col.  J.  T.  Copeland,  in  August,  1862,  and  left 
for  Washington  December,  4.  A  battery  of  light  artillery  was  raised  in  connection  with 
this  command.  Dm-ing  the  tirst  months  of  its  service,  it  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Toward  the  close  of  1864,  it  belonged  to  the  Michigan  Cavalry  Brigade,  then 
operating  against  Gen.  Early,  under  Gen.  Philip  H.  Sheridan.  On  November  12,  1864, 
it  advanced  to  Newtown  and  engaged  a  brigade  of  rebel  cavalry,  which  it  drove  tlu-ough 
that  town,  when  the  enemy  being  re-enforced,  the  regiment  was  forced  back,  losing  one 
killed  and  three  wounded;  advancing  again  in  the  evening,  it  charged  the  enemy's  breast- 
works, and,  after  a  sharp  tight,  the  regiment  was  repulsed,  with  a  loss  of  two  killed  and 
foiu'  wounded,  when  it  returned  to  camp,  where  it  was  employed  on  the  usual  camp  and 
picket  duties,  until  February  27,  1865,  when  it  broke  camp  and  moved  with  the  cavalry 
corps,  toward  Stanton,  Va.,  being  the  commencement  of  Gen.  Sheridan's  celebrated  raid 
to  the  James  River.  On  the  8th  of  March,  the  regiment  became  engaged  with  a  portion 
of  Rosser's  C!avalry,  near  Louisa  Court  House,  assisted  in  routing  the  rebel  force,  and  capt- 
lu'ing  the  town,  in  which  was  destroyed  a  large  amo\int  of  property;  the  railroad  depot, 
with  rolling  stock  and  telegi'aph  office,  were  also  destroyed.  The  regiment  also  piu'ticipated 
in  tearing  up  the  track  and  burning  the  railroad  property  along  the  line  of  the  Lynchburg 
&  Gordonsviile  Railroad,  and  in  destroying  and  rendering  useless  the  locks,  aqueducts  and 
mills  on  the  line  of  the  James  River  Canal  The  command  reached  White  House.Landing 
on  the  19th  of  March,  and  soon  after,  with  the  cavalry  corps,  joined  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac and  proceeded  to  the  left  of  the  line.     On  the  30tli  of  March,  the  regiment  became 


^ 


'lA 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COINTT. 


engaged  with  the  rebel  cavalry,  and  assisted  in  driving  them  within  their  works  at  Fivi> 
Forks.  The  31st  of  March  and  1st  of  April,  it  was  engaged  with  •  the  enemy  at  Five 
Forks,  and,  on  the  2d,  at  the  South  Side  Railroad;  on  the  -Ith,  at  Duck  Pond  Mills;  on 
the  6th,  at  the  battle  of  the  Ridges,  or  Sailor's  Creek,  and  on  the  8th  and  Uth,  at  Appo- 
mattox Court  House.  After  the  sun'ender  of  Lee,  the  regiment  moved  with  tlie  cavalry 
corps,  to  Petersburg.  Va.,  where  it  remained  for  a  short  time  and  then  went  with  the  army 
into  North  Carolina;  thence,  it  marched  to  Washington,  D.  C. ,  and  participated  in 
the  review  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  on  the  23d  of  May,  and  iuuuediately  thereafter, 
with  the  Michigan  Cavalry  Brigade,  was  ordered  West,  and  proceeded  by  the  Balti- 
more &  Ohio  Railroad,  and  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivera,  by  steamer  to  St.  Louis,  and 
thence  by  steamer  by  the  Missouri  River,  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  where  the  men  of  the 
regiment,  having  two  years  or  more  to  sei^ve,  were  transferred  to  the  First  and  Seventh 
Michigan  Cavalry,  and,  on  the  22d  of  Jmie,  the  organization  was  mustered  out  of  service, 
and  immediately  thereafter  proceeded  to  Michigan.  An-iving  at  Detroit  July  1,  it  was 
paid  off  and  disbanded.     Its  I'ecord  of  battles  and  skirmishes  is  as  follows: 

1863 — Hanover,  Va.,  June  30;  Hunterstown,  Penn.,  July  2;  Gettysburg,  Penn., 
July  3;  Monterey,  Md.,  July  4;  Cavetown,  Md.,  July  5;  Smithtown,  Md.,  July  6;  Boons- 
boro,  Md.,  July  6;  Hagerstown,  Md.,  July  6;  Williamsport,  Md..  July  6;  Boousboro, 
Md.,  JulyS;  Hagerstown,  Md.,  July  10;  Williamsport,  Md.,  July  10;  Falling  Waters, 
Md.,  July  14;  Snicker's  Gap,  Va.,  July  lU;  Kelly's  Ford,  Va.,  September  13;  Culpep- 
er  Com-t  House,  Va. ,  September  14;  Raccoon  Ford,  Va. ,  September  16;  White's  Ford, 
Va.,  Septeml)er  21;  Jack's  Shop,  Va.,  Sejatember  26;  James  City,  Va.,  October  12;  Brandy 
Station,  Va..  October  13;  Buckland's  Mills,  Va..  October  19;  Stevensbiu-g.  Va.,  Novem- 
ber 11»;  Morton's  Ford,  Va. .  November  26. 

1864 — Richmond,  Va. ,  March  1;  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6  and  7;  Beaver  Dam  Station, 
Va.,  May  9;  Yellow  Tavern,  Va.,  May  10  and  11;  Meadow  Bridge,  Va.,  May  12;  Milford, 
Va.,  May  27;  Hawes'  Shop.  Va. .  May  28;  Baltimore  Cross  Roads,  Va..  May  29;  Cold 
Harbor,  Va.,  May  30,  June  1;  Trevillian  Station,  Va.,  June  11  and  12;  Cold  Harbor.  Va.. 
July  21;  Winchester,  Va. ,  August  11;  Front  Royal.  Va..  August  16;  Leetown,  Va.,  Au- 
gust 25;  Shepherdstown,  Va..  August  25;  Smithlield,  Va.,  August  29;  Berrj'ville,  Va., 
September  3;  Summit,  Va. ,  September  4,  Opequon,  Va.,  September  19;  AVinchester,  Va. , 
September  19;  Lm-ay,  Va. ,  September  24;  Port  Republic,  Va. ,  July  26,  27  and  28;  Mount 
Crawford,  Va. ,  October  2;  Woodstock,  Va. ,  October  9;  Cedar  Creek,  Va. ,  October  19; 
Newton,  Va. ,  November  12;  Madison  Court  House,  Va.,  December  24. 

1865 — Louisa  Court  House.  Va. ,  March  18;  Five  Forks.  Va,,  March  30,  31  and  April 
1;  South  Side  Railroad,  Va.,  April  2;  Duck  Pond  Mills,  Va.,  April  4;  Ridges,  or  Sailor's 
CVeek.  Va. ,  April  6;   Appomattox  Court  House,  Va. ,  April  8  and  9. 


Andrew  T.  Jackson,  fell  at  Brandy  Station  October  12,  1863. 
George  Hitchiler.  fell  at  Gettysburg  July  6,  1863. 


nr^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.  419 


Philip  H.  Hill,  fell  at  Gettysburg  July  3,  1S68. 

Dwight  Smith,  died  at  Fairfax  Court  House  February  27,  1863. 

Robert  F.  Sackett,  died  at  Washington  February  17,  1863. 

Heniy  Bisliee,  died  at  Marton's  Ford  November  27,  1863. 

John  North,  died  at  Marton's  Ford  March  28,  1863. 

Gan-ison  North,  died  at  Marton's  Ford  April  9,  1863. 

Dudley  Whitlock,  died  at  Marton's  Ford  April  15.  1863. 

Eben  K.  Wells,  died  at  Marton's  Ford  May  4,  1863. 

Stephen  North,  died  at  Fairfax  Court  House  May  23,  1863. 

Leonard  Defenbeck,  died  at  Fairfax  Court  House  May  28,  1863. 

Ezra  A.  Wood,  missing  at  Gettysburg  July  3.  1863. 

Patrick  Weldon.  missing  at  Emmettsburg  July  4,  1863. 

John  Fulton,  missing  at  Robinson's  River  September  17,  1863. 

Abel  Haines,  missing  at  Warrenton  Junction  August  8,  1863. 

Tompkins  Abbey,  discharged  January  23,  1863. 

William  Rogers,  discharged  November  14,  1863. 

Andrew  Abbey,  discharged  December  3,  1862. 

Ephraim  Roberts,  fell  at  Middletown  October  It),  1864. 

Ezra  A.  Wood,  died  at  Washington  February  7,  1864. 

E.  Van  Berger,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  11,  1864. 

O.  C  Wood,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  11,  1864. 

John  Dixon,  missing  at  Trevillian  June  11,  1864. 

L.  Spencer,  died  in  Libby  Prison.  1864. 

B.  F.  Giles,  died  in  Libby  Prison.  1864. 

Roswell  Burlsee,  missing  at  Falmouth  August  29,    18()4. 

Newton  ^Vymon,  missing  May  1,  1864. 

Ezekiel  Morris,  missing  May  1,  1864. 

Hiram  Winas,  missing   May  1,  1864. 

William  O.  Martin,  missing  at  Middletown  August  15,  1864. 

John  R.  Butterlield,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  January  15,  1864. 

Judson  A.  Barber,  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  March  15,  1864. 

William  Femer.  discharged  July  6,  1864. 

Fred  Eryell,  discharged  December  4,  1862 

Charles  A.  Gilbert,  discharged  February  13,  1863. 

Charles  A.  Ballard.  August  25,  1864. 

Amos  Finch,  July  25,  1865. 

John  A.  Huif,  died  of  wounds  Janiiary  23,  1N65. 

William  Blodgett,  died  at  Baltimore  December  3,  1865. 

William  V.  Stewart,  died  at  Andersonville  September  21,  1S65. 

Rosswell  Bugbee,  died  at  Andersonville  December  12,  1863. 

Elijah  Bates,  died  at  Andersonville  July  10,  1864. 


l\^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Horace  CLapman,  died  at  Andersonville  May  24,  1864. 

William  A.  Denton,  died  at  Andersonville  May  23,  1864. 

Ii-a  A   Parks,  died  at  Andersonville  April  27,  1804. 

"William  O.  Martin,  died  at  "Washington  April  27,  1865. 

Discharged  and  transferred — James  H.  Sands,  Austin  Mattingly,  Robert  A.  Hamilton. 
Frederick  Beemer,  Reuben  W.  Page.  Theodore  E.  Biu-ke.  Hem-y  J.  Clarke,  JohnD.  Fralegh. 
Milton  Landgridge,  Walter  L.  Cullen,  John  Cxager.  AVilliam  L.  Guiles,  Nathan  Gilbert,  John 
A.  Bedell,  Dighton  Voorhies.  Ephraim  Vanburger,  Isaac  Crawford,  James  J.  Boyd,  Ashley  A. 
Bi'own,  George  H.  Buzzell,  John  Dixon,  Isaac  W.  Jones,  Walter  Jones,  Joseph  Kimball, 
John  Laughlin,  William  McCauley,  John  M.  Overton,  John  F.  Reid,  Isaac  Robinson, 
Theophilus  Syan,[Oscarj  C.  Wood,  Collotion  AVatkins,  Orrin  Guiles,  G.  W.  Chapman, 
Oscar  Cook.  William  O'Connor,  John  L.  Dillon,  John  Simpkins,  Charles  DowTuan.  Hiram 
Winas,  Abel  Haines.  George  H.  Wilson,  Ezekiel  Morse.  Elias  North,  Norman  Smith,  Heze- 
kiah  Smith,  Sylvester  A.  Stone,  Jeremiah  Weatherwax,  Lyman  ^Villiams,  Leonard  W'oods. 

SIXTH    MICHIGAN    CAVALRY. 

The  Sixth  Michigan  Cavalry  was  organized  at  Grand  Rapids  by  F.  \V.  Kellogg, 
under  Col.  George  Gray,  and  proceeded  to  Washington  December  10,  1862.  During  the 
year  1863,  this  command  gained  distinction  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  losing  thirty- 
six  killed,  seventy-live  prisoners,  sixty-five  missing  and  forty-live  who  died  of  disease. 
In  Februaiy,  1864,  it  advanced  against  the  rebel  Kilj^atilck,  and  served  as  Gen.  Sheridan's 
escort  in  the  ride  after  Mosby's  Gurrillas.  The  Sixth  served  in  the  same  actions  as  the 
Fifth,  beginning  at  Hanover,  Va.,  June  30,  1868,  and  closing  at  Appomattox  Court  House 
April  9,  1865.  It  was  mustered  out  at  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  November  24,  1865,  and  dis- 
charged at  Jackson,  November  30,  1865. 

John  Lemon,  discharged  July  7,  1865,  is  the  only  soldier  fi-om  Macomli  reported  in 
the  ranks  of  the  command. 

SE%T:NTH    MICHIGAN    CAVALRY. 

This  regiment  entered  the  field  diuing  the  year  1863,  two  battalions  leaving  Grand 
Rapids  for  Washington  February  20  and  other  companies  joining  in  May.  This  regiment 
was  in  the  field  before  either  the  Fifth  or  Sixth  Cavalry,  and  remained  in  service  for  some 
time  after  the  discharge  of  the  latter  regiments.  The  command  was  mustered  out  at  Fort  Leav- 
enworth, Kan.,  and  anlved  at  -Jackson  December  20,  1865,  receiving  its  dischai-ge  Decem- 
ber 25,  1865.  The  soldiers  were  compelled  to  pay  $25  railroad  fare  home,  but  this  money 
was  allowed  them  subsequently.  Of  the  Macomb  solUers  serving  with  the  Seventh,  the 
names  of  William  Moore,  discharged  August  29.  1863,  and  William  L.  Guiles,  discharged 
August  11,  1865,  are  the  only  ones  appeai'ing  in  the  reports. 

EIGHTH    MICHIGAN    CAVALRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Mount  Clemens,  under  Col.  John  Stockton,  in  1862 
and  1863,  and  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  Union  May  2,  1863,  forming  a  command 


-e^'y 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  1,117  men  and  officers.  The  command  left  for  the  front  in  detachments,  eight  squad- 
rons being  sent  forward  to  Kentucky  May  12,  1808,  under  Lieut.  Gol.  Warner. 

The  officers  furnished  by  Macomb  County  to  this  regiment  were:  Col.  John  Stockton, 
Lieut.  Col  Henxy  C.  Edgerly;  Siu-geon,  John  B.  K.  Mignault;  Charles  G.  Robertson, 
Hiram  M.  Suell,  Edward  Fisbpool,  John  S.  Smith,  Benjamin  Treat,  Adolphus  C.  Stock- 
ton, Arthm-  Eastman,  John  AV.  Bennett,  Andrew  J.  Abbey,  John  M.  Crawford,  Almirou 
P.  Armstrong,  William  C.  Stockton,  Charles  C.  Lamb,  Aaron  L.  Abbey,  all  noticed  in 
the  section  of  this  chapter  devoted  to  officers  commissioned  from  Macomb  County. 

To  do  justice  to  this  command  would  require  a  volume  in  itself;  therefore,  it  will 
only  be  necessary  here  to  note  the  several  engagements  in  which''it  took  a  very  prominent 
part : 

1863 — Triplet  Bridge,  Ky.,  June  19;  Lebanon,  July  5;  Lawi'enceburg,  July  9;  Sal- 
viea,  Jvily  10;  Biiffington's  Island,  Ohio,  July  19;  Winchester,  Ky. ,  July  25;  Salineville, 
Ohio,  July  2(5;  Lancaster,  Ky. ,  July  30;  Stanford,  Ky. ,  July  31;  Kiagston,  Tenn.,  Sep- 
tember 1;  Cleveland,  Tenn,  September  18;  Calhoun,  Tenn.,  September  26;  Athens,  Sep- 
tember 27:  Loudon,  September  29;  Philadelphia,  October  23;  Sweet  Water,  October  26; 
Lenoir  Station,  November  12;  Cambells,  November  16;  Knoxville,  November  13;  Rut- 
ledge,  December  10;  Ream's  Station,  December  14;  New  Market,  December  25. 

1864 — Mossey  Creek,  Tenn.,  January  10;  Dandridge,  January  17;  Fair  Garden, 
January  24;  Sevierville,  January  27;  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  July  1;  Sweet  Water, 
July  3;  Chattahoochie,  July  4;  Moore's  Ridge,  July  12;  Covington,  July  28;  Macon, 
July  30;  Sunshine  Church,  July  31;  Eatonton,  August  1:  Mtilberry  Creek,  August  3; 
Heiu-yville,  Tenn.,  November  23;  Mount  Pleasant,  November  24;  Duck  River,  Novem- 
ber 24;  Nashville,  December  14  to  22. 

The  regiment  lost  during  its  term  of  service  no  less  than  321  men  and  officers,  of 
which  number  twenty-three  private  soldiers  and  one  officer  were  killed  in  action;  seven 
soldiers  died  of  wounds  received  in  action,  and  288  private  soldiers  and  two  officers  died 
from  diseases  caught  and  fostered  in  the  field. 

The  command  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Nashville,  in  September,  1865.  and,  on 
the  28th  of  that  month,  was  discharged  at  Jackson.  The  513  men  transferred  from  the 
Eleventh  Michigan  Cavalry,  July  20,  1865,  were  discharged  with  the  members  of  the 
original  Eighth. 

.SOLDIKBs'     RECORD. 

Henry  Harvey,  died  at  Hickman  Bridge  September  24,  1863. 

Edson  P.  Flint,  died  at  Hickman  Bridge  September  24,  1863. 

Luther  H.  Lyon,  discharged  April  1,  1863. 

Almon  S.  Carpenter,  Austin  Griffin,  minors,  discharged  April  1,  1863. 

Solomon  Cooley,  discharged,  1863. 

Robert  C.  Grayson,  discharged  Murch  19,  1863. 

Benejah  Maynard,  discharged  September  16,  1863. 

Charles  G.  Morse,  discharged  September  20,  1863. 


^ 


,•^1" — »-  .. -^ — "y^t 

422  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

Daniel  Lee.  discharged  May  17.  1863. 

George  N.  Watson,  discharged  May  6.  1863. 

William  Myers,  fell  at  Knoxville  Jiine  26,  1864. 

Alonzo  Maynard.  fell  at  Knoxville  Jime  20,  1864. 

Leon  Matt,  died  at  Camp  Nelson  October  7.  1863. 

Major  E.  Bartlett.  died  at  Camp  Nelson  March  6,  1864. 

Fred  De  Camp,  died  at  Mount  Sterling  March  20,  1864. 

Charles  Latimer,  was  killed  by  accident  at  Westport.  Ky.,  July  12.  1863. 

Timothy  Clark,  died  in  hospital  Junuary  15,  1864. 

Simeon  Parkea.  died  at  Camp  Nelson  December,  1863. 

Reulwn  Hamlin,  died  at  Knoxville  August  15,  1864. 

James  Smith,  died  at  Mount  Sterling  March  15,  1864. 

Truman  Sperry.  missing  at  Macon,  Ga.,  August  3,  1864. 

Samuel  Chapman,  missing  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  18,  1864. 

Egrew  Albertsou,  missing  at  Kaosville,  Tenu.,  November  18,*1864. 

Alvin  Fuller,  George  Kling.  William  Stroup,  Forest  Stock,  Elliott  Bacon,  Edward 
Shanley,  missing  in  raid  on  Macon    August  3,  1864, 

Richard  L.  Ford,  missing  at  Richmond  November  25,  1863, 

Thomas  Bleekman,  missing  at  Richmond. 

James  Stevenson,  missing  at  Annajjolis  April  2,  1864. 

Leander  Sprague,  missing  at  Richmond  February  12,  1864. 

Jacob  A.  Hunt,  missing  at  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  September  18,  1863. 

Benjamin  S.  Worts,  missing  on  Stoneman's  raid  August,  1864. 

Alvin  D.  Fuller,  killed  at  Sunshine  Church  July  31,  1864. 

Frank  M.  Campbell,  died  at  Knoxville  March  3,  1864. 

AVilliam  Stroup,  died  at  Annapolis  Mai-ch  11,  1865. 

Elliott  Bacon,  died  at  Camp  Chase  April  7,  1865. 
_     Agnew  Alberton,  died  at  Richmond  January  10,  1864. 

Gardner  Briggs,  died  at  Richmond  February  6,  1864. 

Forest  Stock,  died  at  Florence  January  24,  1865. 

Lewis  D.  Whitney,  died  in  rebel  prison  January  26,  1865. 

William  Wilson,  died  at  Mount  Clemens,  1863. 

Byron  Wilson,  died  January  20.  1864. 

Daniel  C.  Chase,  died  October  29.  1  864. 

Seth  Chase,  died  October  2,  1864. 

James  Watson,  died  1864. 

Allen  M.  Frost,  A.  D.  Stuset,  Nelson  Smith,  Norris  Lewis,  Lorenzo  Lutenbacker,  Lo- 
renzo Schoonover,  Lewis  D.  Whitney,  Webster  Dillrea,  R.  Waldron,  Cory  D.  Stone. 
Hem-y  Thede.  George  England,  Henry  Hardie,  Nathan  Lewis,  John  Day,  Charles  Fertz, 
died  at  Richmond  November  12,  1864. 

Antoine  Dubay,  missing  on  raid  to  Macon. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Chai-les  F.  Ciuillott,  died  at  Knoxville  January  23.  1864. 

Marion  Wade,  died  at  Spring  Place  June  18,  1804. 

Judson  W.  Wright,  died  at  Danbridge  June  19,  1864. 

William  Serl,  Henry  C.  Green.  John  Johnson,  Ethan  E.  Trim,  missing  on  raid  to 
Macon  August  3,  1864. 

Discharged  or  transferred — -John  A.  Eldred.  Loriu  Frink,  A.bner  Porter,  Henry  Wil- 
son, Lorin  Wade.  F.  C.  Munroe,  George  H.  Nutting.  William  H.  Wells,  Charles  Van 
Atter,  Chapman  Bullis,  Samuel  Clark.  William  E.  Dillrea,  John  Mok,  Levi  B.  Robinson. 
Victor  Willey,  Moses  Yax,  Albert  Fan-.  Stephen  B.  Rice,  Marion  Kellogg.  L.  Bradford. 
Victor  Miller,  James  S.  Smith,  Manual  J.  Peirera.  Harmon  Prieger,  Isaac  Newton  Willson. 
Aaron  Winchester,  Henry  Cook,  Daniel  Hazleton,  John  Carpenter,  Isaac  W.  Willson,  C. 
Harris,  Levi  Hoard,  James  H.  Farrand.  Hiram  W.  Cro./.er,  James  A.  Ornisby,  Eugene 
Debbault,  Charles  C.  Hulsart,  James  Walker,  Albert  Adams,  William  Gamber,  William  C. 
Lyon,  Charles  A.  Haywood.  Henry  Wilson,  Alexander  Snay,  Ambrose  West,  Stephen 
Bellow,  Antoine  Dubay,  Daniel  P.  Kitchen,  Lawrence  Lutenbacker,  Joseph  Shear,  Albert 
Woolvin,  Miles  Wait,  Rufus  Waldron,  Henry  Thede,  Jesse  Gray,  William  May.  Norris 
Lewis,  Charles  F.  Guillott.  Charles  Fritz.  Albert  W.  Crawford,  Warren  Cooley,  Samviel 
Cooley,  Webster  G.  Dillrea.  Talbot  L.  Owen,  Isaac  Buttorfield.  Abel  H.  Bla  ir,  Martin  V. 
Loucks,  David  Lanfier,  James  Marshall.  Albert  Stout,  William  Cargill.  Nelson  Blay.  Jo- 
seph Balloy,  Robert  Cochrane,  Franklin  Church.  Samuel  B.  Camj)bell.  John  Day.  Fran- 
cis Dubay.  Sr..  Francis  Dubay.  Jr..  George  W.  England,  Joseph  Fuller,  Ljnnan  Goodall. 
Josiah  Ct.  Hicks,  Isaac  Hall,  Anthony  Kirkier.  Frank  I.  Kellogg,  George  Kling,  Henry 
W.  Lathrop,  Richard  Le  Graff,  Benjamin  Miller.  Norman  W.  Nichols,  John  W.  Prince, 
Norman  B.  Phelps,  Lorenzo  Schoonover,  Charles  R.  AV'oodworth.  Milo  Warner.  James  V. 
Whitney,  James  L.  Horton,  Owen  Button.  J.  Homer  Fishpool,  Aug  A.  Koths,  William 
C.  Brown,  William  Serl.  Theo  C  Green,  Hemy  Green,  Royal  Brown.  James  Cochran, 
John  Johnson.  Samuel  Needham,  Myron  H.  Butterfield.  James  Huntley,  Sylvester  Widi-ig, 
James  Walton,  Jeremiah  Whaling. 

NINTH  MICHIGAN  CAVALRY. 

The  Ninth  Michigan  Cavalry  was  organized.  1862-63.  at  Coldwater.  and,  in  May, 
1863.  left  the  rendezvous*  for  Kentuckj'.  leaving  two  companies  to  follow  when  their  ranks 
would  be  filled.  This  regiment  sei-ved  in  fifty-six  well-fought  battles  and  skirmishes, 
losing  181  officers  and  private  soldiers  dm-ing  its  campaign.  Its  regular  service  began  at 
Triplett  Bridge.  Ky.,  June  24,  1863,  and  concluded  at  Morrisville.  N.  C,  April  13,  1865. 
It  was  mustered  out  at  Concord,  July  21,  1865,  and  reported  at  Jackson  for  discharge 
July  3t),  1865.     There  is  no  record  of  Macomb  vohinteers  serving  with  this  command. 

TENTH    MICHIGAN    CAVALRY. 

The  Tenth  Michigan  Cavalry  was  organized  at  Grand  Rapids,  under  Col.  Thaddeus 
Foote,  of  the  Sixth  Cavalry,  and  mustered  into  service  November  18.  1863.  with  912  men 


fe* 


HISTORy   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


and  officers.  The  regiment  left  for  Kentucky  December  1,  1863,  and  entered  upon  duty 
at  Burnside  Point  January  25,  1864,  subsequently  taking  a  prominent  part  in  fifty-fom- 
engagements  with  the  enemy,  and  ending  a  term  of  splendid  service  at  Newton,  N.  C, 
April  17,  1865.  The  command  was  discharged  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  November  15,  1865. 
Gavin  Hamilton,  discharged  November  11,  1865,  and  Tyler  Mason,  discharged  on  the 
same  date,  were  the  only  soldiers  from  Macomb  with  this  command. 

ELEVENTH  MICHIG.A.N  CAVALRY. 

The  Eleventh  Michigan  Cavaliy,  was  organized  under  Col.  S.  B.  Brown,  in  August, 
1863,  at  Kalamazoo,  which  place  it  left  for  Lexington,  Ky.,  December  17,  1863.  It  was 
consolidated  with  the  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry  July  20,  1865,  and  mustered  out  with  that 
command  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  September  22,  1865. 

Alfred  H.  Beens.  Alfred  Frost  and  John  Snyder  were  transferred  to  the  Eighth  Cav- 
alry from  the  Eleventh,  and  served  with  that  regiment  to  the  close  of  the  war. 

LIGHT    ARTILLERY. 

The  soldiers  of  Macomb  who  served  with  the  Michigan  Light  Artillery  were: 

Charles  R.  Cory,  who  died  at  Nashville,  November  23,  1864. 

Discharged  in  1865 — Jotham  J.  Braferd,  William  C.  Thayer,  Russell  Kenney,  James 
Wood,  Artemus  C.  Cook,  Isaac  E.  Riggs,  Josiah  Hulbert.  Frank  G.  Pearsall.  George  Pal- 
mer, Moses  Thomas  and  Charles  Gamble. 

With  Dygert's  Sharpshooters  were  Owen  M.  Higgins,  Geary  Lee,  Windsor  Norton, 
Barlow  Davis,  discharged  October  25,  1862;  Fred  A.  Smith,  killed  at  Chancellorsville 
May  4.   1863;  Nelson  Carlton,  and  Isaac  N.  Owen,  discharged  February  IS,  1863. 

STANTON    GUARDS. 

Frank  Kellogg,  the  only  Macomb  man  in  the  command,  was  mustered  out  September 
25,  1862. 

IOWA    CAVALRY. 

William  H.  Carey  entered  Company  A,  Iowa  Cavalry,  January  1,  1864,  and  served  to 
the  close  of  the  war. 

PROVOST    GUARD. 

The  Macomb  soldiers  were,  Calvin  Barnes,  discharged  May  9,  1865,  and  Andi'ew 
J.  Cutcher,  discharged  May  9, 1865. 

SOLDIERS    AND    SAILORS    OF    MACOMB    AND    ST.     CLAIR. 

This  organization  of  veterans  maybe  numbered  among  the  great  military  associations 
of  the  United  States.  Its  re-unions  are  characterized  by  a  desire  to  do  honor  to  the  past; 
to  keep  the  memory  of  fallen  comrades  green ;  to  lay  down  jjrecedents  for  the  future.  The 
society  may  be  said  to  date  its  organization  from  August  31,  1871,  when  the  members  of 
the  Twenty -second  Michigan  Infantry  assembled  at  Romeo  and  elected  the  following  offi- 
cers ; 


4V 


.•^' 

^  .      w. 

^         m 

>^ 

®1 

HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 

427 

President,  Gen.  William  Sanbom,  of  Port  Huron;  First  Vice  President,  Col. 

H.  S. 

Dean,  of  Ann  Arbor;  Second  Vice  President,  Prof.  O.  D.  Thompson,  of  Lapeer;  Secretary, 

Lieut.  E.  G.  Spaulding,  of  Port  Huron;  Treasurer,  Capt,  G.  W.  Robertson,  of  Mt. 

Clem- 

ens;  Orator,  Lieut.  Irving  D.  Hanscom,  of  Romeo 

Capt.  Edgar  Weeks  delivered  the  oration  on  that  occasion. 

The  re-unions  of  the  Twenty-second  and  Fifth  Michigan  Infantry,  and  of  the  Eighth      | 

Michigan  Cavalry,  since  that  time  have  been  held  at  various  places   in  Macomb,  St 

Clair 

and  Oakland   Counties.     The  following  poem,  by  William  H.  Clark,  was  read  before  the 

veterans  assembled  at  Mt.  Clemens,  August  31.  18S1: 

Why  meet  we  coiurades,  here  to-day,                          But  rail}',  sons  of  noble  sires. 

Why  gather  friends;  whj-  this  display?                        Light  up  your  homes  %vith  patriot  fires, 

War's  rade  alarms  are  past  and  gone.                            Wave  high,  the  Starry  Banner  higli. 

No  more  we  hear  the  warlike  dnmi.                             And  swear  its  fealty  to  stand  by. 

Or  fife's  shrill  ery.                                                                Tho'  death  has  sway. 

Why  burnish  up  our  memories  here'?                            Now  Wayne,  St,  Clair  and  old  Macomb, 

What  joys  or  sorrows  are  so  near,                                 With  Oakland,  Saginaw  and  Livingston, 

That  wake  to  life  .scenes  of  the  past.                            And  Shiawassee,  all  arise. 

Exciting  scenes,  dissolving  fast                                     The  fighting  Fifth  to  organize. 

In  days  of  fear.                                                            And  march  away. 

Full  twenty  years  have  passed  away,                            In  early  day,  down  to  the  front, 

The  time  seems  short,  aye,  but  a  day.                         To  meet  the  foe,  the  battle's  brunt. 

The  martyred  Lincoln  called  for  men                           Its  record  shining  mid  the  storm, 

Our  glorious  Union  to  maintain.                                    We  weep  to  find  four  hundred  gone. 

The  Nation's  stay.                                                            So  brave  and  true. 

A  Union  which  our  fathers  wrought.                           And  the  gallant  Twenty-Second,  too. 

A  land  for  us  so  dearly  bought.                                      Bravely  into  the  breach  it  flew. 

In  days  when  men  were  sorely  tried.                            On  many  a  hot  and  bloody  ground, 

Who  pledged  their  all,  and  nobly  died.                        Nobly  fighting,  always  found. 

Not  all  for  nought.                                                           A  good  name  wins. 

Columbia's  sons,  0  know  ye  not                                    And  next  the  hardy  Eighth  comes  on, 

That  traitors  would  with  hideous  blot,                         To  breast  the  waves  of  secession, 

Disgrace  the  Flag  that  patriots  made.                           With  stijrdy  ranks  and  hearts  so  true. 

Strike  out  the  stars  thereon  displayed,                         John  Morgan's  troops  to  interview 

In  tearful  fray.                                                                  And  gain  the  day. 

0  hear  ye  not  those  threat'ning  tones.                         And  we  surviving  comrades  now. 

Now  drawing  nearer  to  your  homes.                             With  wrinkles  gathering  on  eacli  brow, 

Observe  ye  not  the  coming  storm,                                 In^ mutual  toil,  privations  met. 

Now  bursting  near  with  loud  alarm,                             The  crown  of  victory  there  is  set, 

Then  why  delay.                                                           Without  display. 

Sons  of  Macomb,  and  broad  St.  Clair.                          While  mem'ry  brings  years  that  have  fled. 

0  see  ye  not  that  fearful  glare'?                                      Forget  not  those  now  with  the  dead. 

Which  lighted  up  Fort  Sumter's  wall,                          Who  bore  with  us  the  strife  and  heat. 

The  opening  strife  on  Southern  soil.                             On  silent  camping  grounds  they  sleep. 

L 

^ 

O  do  not  stay.                                                                   With  arms  at  rest. 
27 

^  . 

"7 

a        r 

428 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


It  is  with  joy,  comrades,  this  day. 

That  we  here  meet,  in  peaceful  way. 

And  in  each  face  rotiectinu:  bright. 

Preserved,  thougli  scarred  from  war's  sat]  blijrlit, 

All  hall  this  day. 


A  Country  saved,  united  land, 
A  Union  worthy  to  command 
True  freedom  In  its  broadest  sense, 
"  Liberty  and  Union  "  its  defense, 
Hail  glorious  land. 


The  meeting  held  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  September,  1881,  was  perhajis  the  largest  and 
most  enthusiastic  of  all  the  happy  re-unions  of  Michigan  troops.  Among  the  guests  were 
Capt.  W.  F.  Atkinson,  Col.  Wormer.  Col.  W.  D.  Wilkins,  Col.  Duffield,  Col.  Pulford  and 
others,  of  Detroit;  Col.  Dean,  of  Ann  Arbor;  Chaplain  Jacokes,  of  Pontiac;  George  F. 
Lewis,  and  others  from  home  and  abroad.  Several  old  battle-flags  stood  upon  the  stage, 
among  them  the  torn  banner  of  the  old  Fifth.  Col.  Farrar  was  President  of  the  Day. 
Mayor  Russell  made  an  address  of  greeting,  in  which  he  cordially  welcomed  the  visitors. 
He  considered  that  Mt.  Clemens  was  honored  by  their  presence;  the  homes  and  hospitali- 
ties of  her  people  were  at  their  disposal.  The  Mayor  touched  upon  the  pleasuVes  of  the 
re-union,  principal  among  such  being  the  renewing  of  old  friendships  formed  amid  the 
trials  of  war,  the  recital  of  the  experiences  of  camp  and  lield.  Veterans  of  the  Fifth  could 
fight  again  Fair  Oaks  and  the  Wilderness,  while  the  hearts  of  the  Twenty-second  would 
W'arm  once  more  as  they  told  of  Chattanooga. 

Capt.  W.  F.  Atkinson  delivered  the  following  oration: 

"  We  are  again  together,  not  so  many  as  of  old,  not  so  young  as  we  were,  but  with  the 
same  true  hearts,  with  the  same  love  for  our  country,  and  willing,  if  necessary,  to  risk  our 
lives  for  its  preservation.  As  the  good  citizens  of  Mt.  Clemens  kindly  entertain  ub,  we  will 
renew  the  friendships  of  the  camp,  and  march,  and  battle-field,  turn  back  on  memory's  golden 
wings  and  call  up  faces  long  since  among  the  missing;  tramp  again  over  the  hard  stone  roads 
and  hills  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Virginia,  and  sing  once  more  the  good  old  songs  that 
echoed  so  sweetly  on  the  Southern  air.  At  times  like  this,  we  can  forget  the  bones  that 
ached  and  the  heels  that  were  blistered,  and  remember  the  camps  in  beautiful  groves,  and 
the  mellow  squeak  of  the  Confederate  shoat  as  a  bayonet  sacrificed  him  on  the  altar  of 
liberty. 

The  delicious  odor  of  boiled  hen  and  sweet  potatoes  comes  to  me  now  as  sweetly 
fragrant  as  the  rose,  while  the  flame  from  the  top  rail  curls  gracefully  round  the  camp  kettle 
and  soars  upward  to  the  clouds,  where  the  spirits  of  departed  foragers  whift'  it  with  joy. 
We  will  be  boys  again  for  a  day,  and  let  the  world  take  care  of  itself. 

Michigan  sent  none  btit  good  regiments  to  the  war,  and  none  of  them  did  her  more 
honor  than  the  ones  you  represent.  There  is  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  a  great  love  for 
and  pride  in  the  fighting  Fifth.  Its  glorious  record  commenced  early  in  the  war,  and  on 
evei-y  battle-field  of  Virginia  new  laurels  were  won.  One  by  one,  sometimes  hundreds  at 
a  time,  brave  men  fell  from  its  ranks,  but  always  with  their  faces  to  the  foe.  Its  flag  was 
ever  seen  in  the  thickest  of  the  tight,  and  was  never  lowei-ed.  Many  a  brave  man's  blood 
was  given  for  that  flag,  and  it  is  to-day,  torn  and  tattered  though  it  be.  one  of  the  fairest 
jewels  in  Michigan's  crown  of  glory. 


■^S -r- 


-,^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


■•  'Tattered,  torn  is  the  beautiful  flair 
For  which  our  brotliers  fought  and  fell. 
Tattered,  it  loolis  like  a  very  rag. 
That  flag  they  loved  .so  well. 

•■  ■  But  wlien  on  resurrection  morn 
Gabriel  .sounds  tlie  reveille. 
In  answer  to  tlie  Angel's  horn 
A  gallant  sight  you'll  see. 

"  '  For  once  again  the  fighting  Fifth 
Their  glorious  banner  high  shall  lift. 
And  place  it  where  in  Heavenly  hall 
'Twill  wave  the  proudest  of  Iheni  all.' 

I  can  see  some  of  the  boys  smile  at  the  idea  of  Col.  Farrar  and  Maj.  Matthews  becoming 
angels,  btit  you  know  heaven's  ramparts  are  to  be  stormed  when  taken,  and  the  old  regiment 
will  go  at  them  and  over  them  as  it  did  over  the  rebel  breastworks  at  Gold  Harbor,  at  North 
Anna,  at  the  Wilderness  and  at  Petersburg,  where  its  Hag  was  fii-st  to  wave  on  the  rebel 
works.  On  a  May  day  nineteen  years  ago.  the  ladies  of  Mt.  Clemens  presented  to  a  cavalry 
regiment  then  just  organized,  a  silken  flag.  On  its  face  shone  a  star  for  every  State.  It 
was  the  flag  of  ^^'ashingtoll,  of  Jackson,  of  human  liberty — the  Stars  and  Stripes;  and  as 
the  eloquent  tongue  of  your  honored  citizen,  Kobert  P.  Eldredge,  told  them  to  take  and 
[)rotect  that  banner  for  the  sake  of  themselves,  their  homes,  and  the  generations  yet  to  be, 
every  man  of  the  gallant  Eighth  vowed  to  shield  it  with  his  life,  and  well  they  kept  that 
vow.  The  regiment  was  baptized  in  blood  before  it  was  out  a  week.  It  caj>ttired  John 
Morgan,  If  swept  over  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  carrying  death  in  its  path  to  the  rebel 
foe.  The  mountains  of  Georgia  heard  the  clatter  of  its  horses'  hoofs.  It  was  with  Stone- 
man  at  the  Chattahootchie  and  Macon,  and  it  faced  Longstreet  day  by  day,  when  the 
Union  army  fell  back  on  Knoxville,  It  was  in  thirty  nine  battles,  and  the  soil  of  four 
States  has  been  made  holy  by  the  blood  of  its  men.  What  has  become  of  its  beautiful 
flag  I  do  not  know,  but  the  ladies  who  gave  it  did  not  trust  in  vain.  Men  of  the  Eighth 
Cavalry,  you  may  well  feel  proud  of  yotu-  old  regiment,  and  I  did  not  wonder  wheu  I 
heard  that  your  brave  old  comrade,  Col,  Wormer.  claims  that  it  is  higher  honor  to  be  a 
member  of  the  Eighth  than  wear  the  stars  of  a  Major  General, 

Of  the  Twenty  second  Michigan,  what  can  I  say  that  will  even  faintly  do  justice  to 
that  splendid  regiment"?  Its  men  are  dearer  to  my  heart  than  those  of  any  other,  for  I 
shared  with  them  the  many  joys  and  sorrows  of  a  soldier's  life.  I  saw  them  as,  with 
proud  steps  and  gallant  bearing,  they  filed  out  of  t«he  fair-ground  at  Poutiac.  No  body  of 
men  were  ever  better  calculated  for  their  work,  and  never  in  the  trying  scenes  of  war  did 
they  falter  in  the  line  of  duty.  I  saw  them  day  by  day,  on  the  march  and  in  the  camp, 
on  the  skirmish  line  and  m  the  battle,  do  honor  to  their  country  and  their  State,  They 
helped  to  drive  the  rebels  from  Kentucky,  They  marched  with  Rosecrans  through  Tennes- 
see, They  forced  their  way  over  the  mountains  of  Northern  Georgia,  and  reached  Chick 
amauga  to  find  the  Union  army  on  the  retreat,  badly  beaten  and  demoralized.      They  were 


^1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ordered  to  the  front  to  stop  the  onward  march  of  the  victorious  rebels  while  the  rest  of 
the  army  formed  a  new  line.  You  all  know  the  history  of  their  terrible  fight.  You  have 
he;uxl  of  the  cjallaut  charge  they  made;  how. 


■  Sioruu'ii  al  by  shot  and  slu-ll 
Nobly  tlify  "fouaht  and  fell.  ' 


How  live  times  Lougstreet's  victorious  troops  were  hurled  against  them,  and  live  times 
driven  back.  You  have  heard  how  Col.  Sanborn  led  the  regiment  in  its  brilliant  charge, 
and  you  know  that  round  that  tiag  fought  and  fell  that  day  some  of  Michigan's  bravest 
men,  and  how  at  last,  its  ammunition  gone,  it  was  surrounded,  and  the  remnant  of  that 
heroic  band  taken  prisoners.  You  have  heard  of  their  sufferings  in  the  prisons  of  the 
South,  and  when  you  hear  of  the  Twenty-second  you  may  all  feel  proud,  for 

■  Sons  of  Macomb  and  broad  St.  Clair 
And  Oakland's  rolling  fluids  w^re  tluTo.' 

and  as  long  as  the  Union  lives,  their  names  will  be  remembered  in  honor." 

Upon  conclusion  of  the  speaking,  the  associations  met  at  their  headquarters  and  held 
business  meetings. 

The  Fifth,  of  which  there  were  150  members  present,  elected  officers  as  follows: 
President,  W.  D.  Wilkins;  First  Vice  President,  E.  H.  Shook;  Second  Vice  Presi- 
dent, DeWit  Walker;  Third  Vice  President,  D.  Owen;  Secretary,  T.  J.  West;  Treasurer, 
D.  P.  Ejse;  Historian,  H.  K.  Sweet. 

The  Twenty-second,  167  members  present,  elected  the  following  officers:  President, 
A.  M.  Keeler;  First  Vice  President,  S.  C.  Mead;  Second  Vice  President,  A.  P.  McCon- 
nell;  Secretary,  A.  E.  Collins;  Treasurer,  J.  J.  Snook. 

The  Eighth  Cavalry,  90  members,  elected:  President,  J.  H.  Riggs;  First  Vice  Presi- 
dent, G.  S.  Wormer;  Second  Vice  President,  A.  E.  Calkins;  Third  Vice  President,  H.  C. 
Wells;  Fourth  Vice  President,  W.  L.  Buck;  Treasurer,  C.  Crowely;  Secretary,  T.  M. 
Birdsall;  Historian,  J.  M.  Lamb;  Orator,  W.  H.  Clark;  Corresponding  Secretary,  E.  F. 
Allen. 

The  Macomb  an'l  St.  Clair  Association,  200  members  present,  elected  officers  as  fol- 
lows: President.  William  H.  Clark;  First  Vice  President,  Peter  Chiu-chill;  Second  Vice 
President,  James  Smith;  Third  Vice  President,  Porter  Beebe;  Fourth  Vice  President, 
William  Jonney;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  E.  A.  Jennings. 

Among  the  Presidents  of  the  Macomb  and  St.  Clair  Associations,  as  organized  in 
June,  1877,  were  Col.  Sanborn,  Maj.  A.  M.  Keeler,  Col.  J.  S.  Farrar,  and  the  present 
President,  William  H.  Clark,  Jr.  The  association  was  formed  in  1877,  by  lifty-one  sol- 
diei's  of  this  district,  to  which  number  seventy-six  have  been  added. 

CONCLUSION. 

In  the  foregoing  pages,  the  writer  has  essayed  to  give  a  measure  of  justice  to  the  sol- 
diers of  Macomb.     Of  those  who  labored  at  home,  something  must  also  be  said.     Imme- 


HISTORY   OP   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


diately  succeediiig  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  the  ladies  of  the  county  became  thor- 
oughly imbued  with  a  sense  of  that  duty  which  they  owed  to  their  country.  They  formed 
societies  of  aid  to  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  the  armies,  and  so  organized  them- 
selves as  to  be  able  to  render  most  effective  service. 

The  citizens  whose  days  for  Held  service  ended  with  the  close  of  the  tu'st  half  of  the 
century,  acted  well  their  part  at  home.  Their  co-operation  with  the  State  Military  Board 
resulted  in  most  important  aid  to  the  Republic. 

The  history  of  the  times  is  one  which  speaks  of  duty  done.  The  troops  of  Macomb, 
attached  to  the  various  regiments  sent  forward  from  Michigan,  were  soldiers  in  the  full 
acceptation  of  the  term.  When  they  are  considered,  with  what  pride  may  their  fellow- 
citizens  and  relatives  look  back  to  the  seventh  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century,  when 
such  a  number  of  gallant  men  went  forth  to  offer  themselves  upon  the  altars  of  patriotism 
— to  preserve  the  Republic.  The  most  terrible  fate  thi-eatened  the  truest  federalization 
upon  the  earth.  A  visible  enemy  from  within,  aided  by  unnumbered  enemies  of  liberty 
from  without,  entered  into  a  conspiracy  to  destroy  all  that  which  the  Revolution  acquired 
for  us.  The  soldiers  who  eombatted  the  powers  of  the  conspirators,  who  beat  down  every 
obstacle  which  the  wealth  of  the  slaveholders  and  their  aristocratic  allies  placed  before 
them,  must  live  forever  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  The  soldiers  of  1861-65  have,  next 
to  those  of  Lexington  and  Yorktovro,  left  names  wh-'ch  can  never  die  so  long  as  memory 
lives;  they  left  precedents,  illustrious  examples,  which  the  present  and  the  future  must 
always  observe  when  the  Republic  is  threatened.  Let  the  people  follow  in  their  tracks, 
and  transmit,  fi'om  generation  to  generation,  a  land  of  illimitable  possibilities,  a  patriotism 
incorruptible,  a  government  at  once  strong  and  just,  a  set  of  public  principles  honorable 
to  the  age,  that  so  happiness  may  reign  in  every  home  within  tln'  Union,  and  teach 
the  outside  world  the  value  of  Freedom. 


— i 


5 


IIISTOIJV   or   MACOMH  COUNTY 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

OI.DKN     KN'I'KKl'UlSKs. 

Thu  auciont  cities  of  Miu-oinl)  won>  soniothing  iiiore  than  papiT  villaijos.  Thorn  was' 
an  carnHstnesH  of  purposo  apparent  in  every  act  of  thoir  buililt<rs  which  niwitod  succosa-- 
n  commodity  never  granted  them,  at  least  in  their  town-huihling  entorpris(>s.  It  is  just 
possibles  that,  had  not  the  panic  of  1887  prostrated  enterprise,  stayed  immigration,  and 
plunged  (>nterpri8ing  men  into  a  lake  of  ruin,  Belvidero,  Frederick.  Wuisuw,  Marcellus, 
Frankfort,  and  other  villages  then  proposed  to  be  built  up,  would  (>xist  to  day.  as  proud 
and  prosperous  as  any  of  the  busy  centers  of  our  population. 


■I'HK    CITY    OK    ma.VIDEHK. 

This  city  was  a  creature  of  that  enterprise  which  marked  the  years  imniediatc^ly  pre- 
ceding the  panic  year  of  18157.  From  a  description  of  the  location,  [)ublished  under  direc 
tion  of  James  L.  Conger,  in  August,  18;{(i,  it  is  to  1m>  understood  that  the  city  was  situate 
about  twenty  live  miles  a\)ove  Doti'oit,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Clinton  lliver,  being  directly  on 
the  (jrcat  ami  only  route  of  iruicr  conniiiinic(itio)i  with  the  upper  lake  region  and  whole 
Western  country.  The  advc^rtisemeut  stated  further  that  "the  location  is,  beyond  all  (puw- 
tiou,  one  of  the  most  healthy  in  IMichigan:  and  the  surrounding  country  is  well  timbered 
with  th(<  finest  oak,  ma|>le,  bhick  wahiut,  whitewood,  and  other  trees,  to  be  found  in 
America.  In  f(>rtility,  richness  and  de|)th.  the  soil  is  not  surpassed  by  any  other  iu  the 
Western  Stales.  Along  the  margins  of  St.  Clair  and  the  various  rivers,  this  country  has 
been  setthul  and  W(^I1  improved  for  from  thirty  to  sixty  years,  and  exhibits  some  of  th(> 
linest  farms  in  the  world.  And  within  th(>  last  two  or  three  years,  n  flood  of  emigrants 
from  New  York  and  the  Eastern  States,  possessing  both  euterpi'ise  and  wealth,  liave  [HU'- 
chased  and  s(>ttled  ujion  netu'ly  a'l  the  lands  in  this  section  of  country.  A  railroad  com- 
pany, with  banking  ju'ivileges.  has  been  rec(>ntly  chartered  by  the  Legislature  of  Michigan 
to  constru(;t  a  railroad  from  Saginaw  to  Cliukm  Kiver;  and  anotlier  railroad  is  in  conteni- 
[)lation  to  connect  I'outiao.  Utica  and  other  villages  west,  with  Belvidere.  Clinton  Kiver. 
at  th(<  mouth  of  which  this  i)lace  is  located,  is  one  of  the  finest  rivers  that  .empty  into  tlie 
Western  lake'?,  being  wider  and  dei^per  than  the  Cuyahoga  River  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  its 
waters  being  beautifully  clear,  pure  and  limpid  in  this  i-espect,  like  the  waters  of  Lake  St. 
Clair,  Huron,  etc.  This  river  is  navigable  to  a  considerable  distance  into  the  interior  for 
vessels  of  any  size,  after  passing  th(<  bar  at  the  mouth,  which  has  now  about  six  and  one-half 
fi'ot  of  water.  At  the  last  session  of  ("ongress.  an  api)ro[)riation  of  !?-"), 000  was  made  to 
lemove  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  this  river,  and  no  doubt  is  entertained  of  obtaining,  at  the 


HISTOIty   OI'"   MACOMH  COLTNTy. 


^ 

(» 


ii«xt  HOHHiijii  of  tliJit  boily,  hiicli  furtliur  miiiiih  hs  iii.iy  1)"  n<!(f<wHury  tcj  Ijiiil'l  ;i  |>i<^r,  i!ii'<'t.  n 
lif^ht-hoiiw?,  and  tuaku  hucIi  othur  iiii|)rovniiii'iits  as  will  ruiidur  UiIh  liarhor  mjual  Ui  any  on 
the  W<!Hfc(!rn  lakoH. ' ' 

Tofjfithf'rwith  thiH  uotici-  of  th«  (rity,  tho  a(]vnrtiH<tiii<'iit  mft  forth  that  JOO  vilhif^i!  lotH 
wouhl  b<5  Hohl  at  atictioii  Octohor  JJ,  ISIW,  and  alHo  thu  Jiolvidom  Hotol,  thon  opriratod  by 
A.  Wilcox.  PurchaHerH  wuri'  to  pay  20  por  «nnt  cawh,  and  tho  balanco  in  four  payiiK^ntH 
of  20  per  c«nt  ((ach,  wh<«n  an  indiHpiitabl")  titl<^  and  warranty  duod  would  imhuh  from  thi- 
agent'H  ofiie<;. 

ThiH  auction  took  placi' on  thi-  aji|)oint<-i|  ilay.  Ahraliai/i  I'itchi^r,  of  f>anfaHt<'r,  Oliio, 
acted  aH  auctioneer,  and  Peter  A.  CaHHat  aw  Chsrk. 

The  following  Ik  a  HUininary  of  the  record  of  Hale; 


25 |HW  ff:<;t  on  CUiitoii  street 

SO 'lOfl  fi'Ct  on  Huprjrior  btrecl 

31 106  f<'<;t  on  Superior  street. . . . 

AZ 120  feet  on  Huperior  street, . . 

:« 102  feet  on  Hiiperior  street 

68 ST  feel  on  st<famlio:il  Unrljnf;. 

37 KW  feet  on  Clinton  strert 

18 150  fe<;t  on  (Unton  street 

1 ;104  feet  on  Clinton  street 

2 |104  feet  on  Clinton  street 

21 104  feel  on  Clinton  street 

28 Il04  feet  on  Clinton  street 


James  U.  Con/^er 

Tliomas  Wuterliouw!. . , 

.lames  I..  (Jon^er 

Conifer  and  Bhu^kweli, 

Zeras  .Maynard 

.James  I,,  (Jonger 

Tlionias  II,  Feck 

.James  I<.  Conger 

.James  \,.  Congi;r 

.James  \j.  Conger 

.James  \..  Conger 

.James  J>.  Conger 


$200 
lUO 
115 
325 
105 
l.Vl 
«10 
310 
120 
IW 
175 
178 


A  Bhanty,  a  short  time  [jreviously  in  the  poHiwHHion  of  T,  C,  Forhw,  wan  sold  to  JamoB 
L,  Conger  for  loo. 

Bhanty  No.  2,  occupied  by  Sam  (^uimby,  wan  wdd  {/>  Conger  for  $2*5, 

The  VV'<«t  barn,  with  the  cider-mill,  threshing  machine,  etf;.,  et^;,,  wi!r<!  wold  to  ■]  L. 
Conger  for  ^K!0. 

The  Tavf^rn  House,  or  Belvidere  Hotel,  lands  and  a|)purt<jnanc<»>,  were  ti(>ld  U)  Con 
ger  for  %iiJ>U),  with  the  underHtanding  that  the  hotel  should  be  wnnpleted  by  the  Uelvi- 
dere  Com[)any  in  the  Htyl<*  and  manner  explained  by  the  auctioneer  at  the  hhU',. 

t'nder  dat<!  November  lo,  1S80,  ThomaH  \Vat<jrhou«e  ti'anKferred  t'j  Conger  Lot  .Vo, 
iiO,  purchased  by  him  at  the  auction  sale.  On  Dofiember  8,  IH-W,  Zera  Miiymird  made  a 
similar  transfer  of  Lot  ;{:{,  and  on  December  27,  Thomas  H.  Peck  conveyed  his  lot,  No, 
o7,  to  .Jarnes  Ij.  C<jnger. 

liKI.VllJKIlK    l.\SI>    TITLES, 

In  giving  the  uam<«  of  [)atentees  of  the  "lands  on  which  the  city  of  IJelvidere  was 
platt^;d,  it  is  wjusidered  unnecessary  to  follow  iij)  the  various  dianges  in  ownership  from 
1811  U)  \HV).  In  the  section  of  this  work  devottxl  U)  the  [doneer  landholders,  that  s<iction 
of  Harrison  has  been  fully  regardexl.  The  land  forming  the  point  east  of  Alexis  Peltier's 
claim  was  patented  t(j  Ignace  Morass  Oct/jber  7,   1811. 

The   tract  .'idjoiiiiiig   this    ou    the    west    was   patent^jd    Ut   the    widow    and   heirs    of 


i>^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Alexis  Peltier  July  '24,  1811.  who  deeded  the  land  subsequently  to  Ign ace  Morass.  Morass 
conveyed  his  original  claim  and  the  tract  acquired  by  piu'chase  to  David  Conger  November 
3.  18H5.     This  property  covered  the  original  Belvidere  purchase. 

To  Julian  Forton,  as  assignee  of  Robert  Robertjean.  a  patent  issued  Aj)ril  20.  1811, 
for  his  claim  west  of  the  line  of  Alexis  Peltier's  farm.  This  tract  was  conveyed  to  David 
Conger  by  Julian,  Catherine,  Charles  and  Leonore  Forton,  November  '23,  1835.  Those 
original  owners  also  deeded  the  west  half  of  the  lands  descri'-ed  in  the  patent  to  David 
Congei',  at  the  same  time,  and  he  in  turn  deeded  this  last  tract,  or  west  half,  to  S.  G.  Lang- 
don  October  13,  1837. 

On  May  22,  1838,  Mr.  Conger,  Ed  R.  Blackwell,  Louis  Chapaton  and  A.  C.  Hatch 
visited  the  location  to  decide  ultimately  the  boundaries  of  the  Conger  and  Langdon  farms, 
as  pm'chased  in  1835  from  the  Forton  family. 

The  transfers  which  subsequently  marked  the  proprietary  of  the  lands  of  Belvidere 
up  to  1838  may  be  learned  from  the  following  notices: 

November,  1835.  David  Conger  to  James  L.  Conger,  three-fourths  of  the  Belvidere 
pm'chase.  or  Morass  and  Peltier  claiais:  also  one-eighth  of  the  same  to  Thomas  H.  Peck, 
one-sixteenth  to  Thomas  Bolton,  one-thirty-second  to  D.  B.  Conger,  and  one-thirty- second 
to  James  L.  Conger  and  T.  H.  Peck. 

Thomas  Bolton  transferred  his  interest  to  Erick  M.  Segur,  and  Elizabeth  Smith,  June 
6.  1836. 

James  L.  Conger  conveyed  the  one-thirty-seeond  part  of  Belvidere  to  Timothy  Ingra- 
ham  November  23,  1837;  gave  a  quit  claim  deed  to  S.  G.  Langdon  for  Lots  553,  360, 
205  and  200.  April  18,  1838,  and  one  of  the  Steam  Mill  Lot  February  12,  1838;  to  Tim- 
othy Andrews,  in  1837,  Lots  65  and  250;  to  Ralph  Clarke,  Lot  3-1:7,  April  13,  1837;  to 
Thomas  C.  Peck,  Lots  59  and  385,  January  12,  1838;  eight  lots  to  D.  Garnsey  March  5, 
1838. 

Thomas  H.  Peck  sold  the  one-sixty-fom'th  undivided  partof  Belvidere  to  CuUen  Brown 
January  13,  1836;  one-sixteenth  part  to  Richard  Hussey  March  7.  1837;  a  similar  part  to 
David  B.  Conger  May  9,  1837,  except  Lot  300.  which  he  deeded  to  Samuel  Lyon  May  9. 
1837.  He  transferred  thirty-one  lots  and  a  sixteenth  part  of  the  residue  of  the  Belvidere 
purchase  to  James  L.  Conger  January  12,  1838. 

David  B.  Conger  transferred  to  Thomas  H.  Peck,  December  15.  1837,  a  one-sixteenth 
part  of  the  Belvidere  purchase,  omitting  Lots  117  and  300.  and  adding  Lot  524  July 
15.  1836.  he  transferred  ten  lots  to  Royal  C.  Knapp.  and  Knapp  deeded  this  property  to 
Thomas  I.  Howell  November  11.  1836. 

During  June  and  Jul}'.  1838,  a  wholesale  transfer  of  property  to  James  L.  Conger 
took  place.  David  B.  Conger  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Smith,  Cullen  Brown  and  wife.  S.  G. 
Langdon  and  wife,  T.  H.  Peck,  NeLson  Oviatt  and  wife,  Erick  M.  Segm-  and  wife.  Tim- 
othy Ingi'aham  and  wife,  all  joined  in  what  appears  to  be  a  partition  deed.  June  29.  1838. 

The  siu-vey  of  the  city  of  Belvidere  was  made  by  Abel  Dickinson.  Wadsworth,  Medina 
Co..  Ohio,  and   the  plat  was  di'awn  at   the  same  time, by  James  L.  Conger,  of  Cleveland, 


f 


-^ 


B    J> 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COLXTY. 


Ohio,  in  November.  1835.  This  survey  began  near  the  upper  end  of  the  first  ox-bow  bend 
in  th    Clinton  River,  on  the  northern  side  of  that  river. 

The  main  thoroughfares  of  the  city  were  Clinton  street,  running  from  the  western 
limits  to  the  extreme  eastern  j)oint  of  land,  forming  the  north  banli  of  the  river,  forming 
an  angle  at  the  foot  of  Wayne  Btreet,  which  was  called  St.  Clair  place.  Conger  avenue, 
one  block  north  of  Clinton  street,  ran  west  from  Division  street  to  the  lake  shore.  The 
streets  running  east  and  west  north  of  Conger  avenue  were  named  James.  Madison.  De- 
troit. Morass  and  Colton.  Smith  street  ran  south  of  Clinton,  and  parallel  with  it,  on 
what  was  to  foiTn  the  north  bank  of  the  proposed  channel,  running  west  from  the  steam- 
boat landing  to  the  head  of  the  ox-bow.  On  the  south  bank  of  this  channel.  Nelson  street 
was  laid  off.  and  one  block  farther  south  was  Ewing  street.  The  three  streets  just  named 
extended  east  and  west  to  the  circular  road  round  the  ox-bow.  called  by  the  surs'eyor  River 
street. 

The  streets  running  north  and  south  were  named  Division  street,  forming  the  west- 
ern boundary;  Cleveland.  Alric,  Superior.  Peck.  Erie  and  Wayne  streets.  Washington 
Square,  a  space  300x232  feet,  was  on  the  north  side  of  Conger  avenue,  a  half- block  wide 
on  each  side  of  Superior  .street.  Jefferson  Landing  was  at  the  foot  of  Wayne  street;  the 
steamboat  landing,  at  the  foot  of  Peck  street;  in  a  word,  the  city  looked  majestic  on  paper. 

FREDERICK    OR    CASINO. 

The  village  of  Frederick,  formerly  called  Casino,  was  platted  for  Frederick  M.  and 
Horace  Stevens.  June  24.  1837.  The  location  was  on  the  old  Han'ington  farm,  where 
formerly  stood  the  Moravian  town  of  New  Gnadtenhutten.  The  village  tavern  and  mill 
survived  the  panic  and  prospered  for  many  years;  but  little  dow  remains  Ui  tell  of  its  ex- 
istence save  the  ruin  of  the  tavern,  which  building  was  blown  down  in  December.  1881. 
The  Stevens  and  Harrington  dwellings  are  still  there.  The  mill,  built  by  Job  Smith 
about  1828.  was  burned. 

OTHER    VILL.^GES. 

Warsaw.  Marcellus.  Frankfort  and  Clifton  are  all  villages  of  a  past  age.  Like  Fred- 
erick, they  flourished  for  awhile,  and  then  drooped  suddenly,  never  to  bloom  again.  Those 
were  all  villages  of  Clinton  Township.  Each  of  them  asjsired  to  excel  Mt.  Clemens,  and 
each  of  them  fell  in  the  attempt,  leaving  the  enterprise  which  prompted  their  establish- 
ment alone  to  be  admired. 

TREMBLE    CREEK. 

A  settlement  was  also  made,  as  appears,  by  a  Capt.  Franijois  Marsac.  in  about  1798, 
at  Tremble  Creek,  the  stream  just  this  side  of  New  Baltimore,  on  the  Ridge  road,  and 
also  prior  to  179(3,  at  Swan  Creek,  beyond  New  Baltimore  some  four  miles. 

From  the  early  settlement  of  that  section,  a  tradition  has  been  handed  down — and  this 
tradition  has  many  believers  even  now — that  an  English  Captain,  or  Lieutenant,  who  had 
been  largely  successful  in  gathering  together  a  quantity  of  bullion,  being  compelled  to 
flee  from  the  Indians,  buried  his  treasure  in  the  earth  about  a  mile  from  the  prasent  site 


IW 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  New  Baltimore;  that  he  was  either  killed  by  the  Indians  or  died  from  exposure,  and 
the  secret  of  his  treasure's  hiding-place  died  with  him.  Many  searches  have  been  made 
by  infatuated  individuals  after  this  treasm-e,  and  many  believe  that  the  i^hostly  shade  of 
the  deceased  Captain  guards  the  treasure  trove  so  jealously  and  has  such  power  of  mov- 
ing its  location,  that  all  search  is  in  vain. 

RAILROADS    AND    NAVIGATION. 

At  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  county,  the  thoughts  of  the  settlers  often  ad- 
verted to  the  existing  necessity  for  either  a  canal  or  railroad  to  lead  their  civilization  into 
the  bleak  interior.  The  ideas  of  the  settlers  were  theoretically  correct,  but  impracticable 
because  premature.  Many  great  works  were  completed  on  paper.  Not  only  was  a  canal 
to  lead  from  Mt.  Clemens  into  the  heart  of  the  wilderness,  but  also  a  railroad  was  to  con- 
nect that  little  city  with  the  land  of  the  fierce  Kishkawko.  A  few  of  the  day-di-eams  of 
the  period  assumed  practical  shape,  but  the  financial  crisis  of  1837  placed  a  quietus  on 
enterprise,  and  even  reduced  the  wild-cat  banks  to  nothingness.  For  a  few  years  the 
people  battled  manfully  with  the  trials  of  that  period  of  depression,  rose  superior  to 
them,  and  ultimately  succeeded  in  surpassing  even  the  highest  notions  of  their  earlier  years. 

F'ort  St.  Joseph  Road. — At  this  period — 1798-1800 — the  means  of  communication 
with  Detroit  was  by  way  of  the  river  and  lake.  The  Gratiot  Tiu-npike  had  not  then  been 
projected  or  opened.  This  was  siirveyed  long  after,  in  1827,  and  cut  through  the 
next  year  as  a  road  of  communication  between  Fort  Detroit  and  Fort  Gratiot,  at  Port 
Huron,  and  the  head  of  the  St.  Clair  River.  In  connection  with  the  history  of  this  tirni- 
pike,  the  traveler  of  modern  days  can  scarcely  appreciate  the  difficulty  of  the  opening  of 
this  highway.  We  need  not  tell  that  fi'oin  Detroit  to  Port  Hm-on  was  one  vast  stretch  of 
forest,  with  slough-holes,  pit- falls,  swails  and  mud,  at  such  free juent  intervals  as  would  appall 
the  traveler  of  to-day.  It  is  said  that  about  the  site  of  James  Patton'  s  house,  some  four  or 
five  miles  north  of  Mt.  Clemens  --now  a  high,  di-y  and  pleasant  location — the  road  passed 
through  a  swamp,  which,  in  the  wet  season,  fm-nished  the  wild  duck  and  swan  with  a 
swimming-place,  and  conseipiehtly  the  Indian  with  a  splendid  hunting-ground  for  bird 
game. 

A  few  rods  below  the  Carl  farmhouse,  three  miles  south  of  Mt.  (Uemens,  was  another 
slough,  that  would  have  compared  well  with  the  one  described  by  John  Bunyan  in  his 
"Pilgrim's  Progress.''  It  was  two  days'  journey  then  from  Detroit  to  the  settlement  at 
Hm'on  River  or  Mt.  Clemens.  This  was  then  a  trading-post  and  stopjiing-place  for  those 
whose  business  called  them  to  and  fi'om  Detroit  and  Port  Huron. 

The  Saginaw  &  Mt.  Clemens  Railroad. — So  early  as  1885,  these  villages  di-eamed  of 
great  deeds,  and  actually  witnessed  the  organization  of  a  company  having  for  its  object 
the  construction  of  a  railroad  from  Saginaw  City  to  Mt.  Clemens,  via  Lapeer.  The  capital 
stock  of  those  railroad  builders  was  !|1, 000,000.  With  this  sum  of  money,  the  company 
promised  to  begin  work  within  four  years  after  the  charter  would  be  granted;  to  complete 
ten  miles  of  the  track  within  eight  years;  forty-five  miles  within  fifteen  years;  and  the 


■^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


whole  distance  of  ninety  miles  within  forty  years.  This  company  operated  a  banking;  es- 
tablishment in  connection  with  its  railroad  business,  and  a  few  rods  of  the  road  were 
graded  at  Mt.  Clemens. 

De  Toequeville  visited  Mt.  Clemens  and  Indian  Village — now  Romeo — in  1831,  and 
pointed  out  almost  precisely  +he  railroad  routes  now  in  ojieration. 

In  1822,  the  first  stage  line  was  established  in  Michigan,  between  Mt.  Clemens  and 
Detroit,  in  connection  with  the  Steamer  Walk  in  the  Water. 

From  Mt.  Clemens  to  Sault  St.  Marie,  the  Territorial  road  from  Mt.  Clemens  up  the 
North  Branch  of  the  Clinton,  following  as  near  as  practicable  the  route  of  an  old  survey 
by  Romeo;  thence  on  the  most  eligible  and  direct  route  to  the  seat  of  justice  in  the  county 
of  Lapeer;  thence  to  the  town  of  Saginaw,  to  the  northern  extremity  of  the  peninsula,  and 
thence  to  the  Sault  St.  Marie,  in  the  county  of  Chippewa,  was  authorized  to  be  laid  out 
in  1839.  Horace  H.  Cady,  of  Macomb,  Daniel  Le  Roy  and  Nathaniel  Squires,  were  the 
Commissioners  appointed  to  carry  out  the  act. 

At  the  same  time,  there  was  ordered  to  be  laid  out  a  Territorial  road  from  Romeo  to 
Port  Hm-on.  Ro.=iwell  R.  Green,  Horace  Foot  and  Thomas  Palmer  were  the  Commission- 
ers appointed  to  establish  such  road. 

The  Clintnti  cf-  Kalamazoo  Canal. — The  amounts  appropriated  for  the  construction  of 
this  public  work  equaled  §40,000  in  1837;  $205,000  in  1838;  and  §60,000  in  1839;  ag- 
gi-egating  1305,000  Of  this  sum,  $115,202.92  were  expended  in  1838-39,  leaving  the  bal- 
ance, $189,797.08,  unexpended.  The  estimated  expense  of  connecting  the  head  of  the  canal 
from  Mt.  Clemens  to  Rochester,  in  Oakland  County,  a  distance  of  sixteen  miles  and  sixty- 
four  rods^  was  .■i253,919.  The  estimated  expense  of  connecting  the  head  of  the  canal  at  Mt. 
Clemens  with  Lake  St.  Clair,  by  way  of  the  river  between  Mt.  Clemens  and  the  city  of  Bel- 
videre,  was  $37,915.75.  The  amount  actually  expended  on  the  sixteen  sections  of  the  canal 
up  to  November  4,  1839,  was  $101,r)40.2S.  In  a  letter  dated  May  21,  1839,  Civil  Engineer 
Hurd  advised  the  cutting  of  an  aqueduct  across  the  little  peninsula  on  which  the  village  of 
Frederick  was  located,  which  advice  was  criticized  in  a  letter  signed  by  J.  M.  Berrien,  J. 
S.  Dutton  and  Tracy  McCracken,  under  date  July  8,  1839. 

Sault  St.  Marie  Canal. — Under  the  act  for  the  regulation  of  internal  improvement 
and  for  the  appointment  of  a  Board  of  Commissioners,  Rix  Robinson,  of  Kent  County,  was 
assigned  as  Commissioner  in  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  Northern  Railroad,  the  Sagi- 
naw Canal,  Sault  St.  Marie  Canal,  the  canal  round  the  rapids  of  the  Grand  River,  and  the 
improvement  of  the  Grand,  Kalamazoo  and  Maple  Rivers.  Tracy  McCracken  was  appoint- 
ed Engineer  on  the  Sault  St.  Marie  Cinal  and  other  improvements.  Fifty  thotisand  dol- 
lars were  appropriated  for  constructing  a  ship  canal  at  the  Sault  in  1837,  but  of  this  sum 
only  $2,952.93  were  expended  ujj  to  the  close  of  December,  1839.  although  it  is  reported 
that  a  siun  of  $5,000  was  advanced  to  the  contractors. 

This  subject  becomes  connected  with  the  history  of  this  county  on  account  of  the  con 
tractor,  and  the  gi-eater  number  of  his  men  being  old  settlers  here.  For  that  reason,  it 
obtains  something  more  than  mention  in  these  pages. 


*?)■? 


438  HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


THE    WEEKS    CONTRACT. 

'  'An  agreement  made  the  7th  day  of  September,  1838,  between  Jame.s  Smith  and  TJrial 
Driggs,  of  the  first  part,  and  Aaron  Weeks,  of  the  second  part,  the  party  of  the  first  part 
in  consideration  of  the  stipuhitiuns  herein  contained,  do  agree  to  assign  their  interests  to 
an  equal  and  undivided  third  of  a  certain  contract  executed  by  Rix  Robinson,  as 
(-'ommissiouer,  for  constructing  the  canal  at  the  falls  of  Sault  de  St.  Jklarie. 

"The  party  of  the  second  part,  in  consideration  of  such  assignment,  doth  agi'ee  to  turn 
into  the  said  company  the  vessel  called  the  Eliza  Ward,  of  seventy  or  eighty  tons,  to  be 
completely  rigged  and  seaworthy,  and  to  be  used  and  owned  by  the  said  parties  jointly. 

"The  second  party  also  doth  agree  to  bear  one-third  of  the  expense  of  constructing  the 
canal,  and  receive  one-third  of  the  net  profits,  in  case  there  should  be  any,  and  to  bear  one- 
third  of  the  net  loss.  He  also  agrees  to  devote  one-half  of  his  time  in  superintending 
construction  of  said  work,  to  furnish  Hour,  pork  and  other  materials  necessary  to  cai-ry  on 
such  work,  at  the  prime  cost  and  chai'ges,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  first  moneys  received  from 
the  said  Commissioner.''  This  agreement  was  duly  signed  by  James  Smith,  U.  Driggs,  A. 
Weeks,  on  the  day  named  above,  and  fiu'ther  signed  by  Rix  Robinson,  Acting  Commis- 
sioner of  the  Works,  at  Detroit,  April    lU.  lS3y. 

ACTION    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES    TROOPS. 

By  some  strange  oversight,  the  Executive  of  the  State  Government  ur  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Public  Improvements  permitted  the  contractors  to  repair  to  the  Sault  St.  Marie 
with  their  men  without  consulting  the  Indians,  who  were  owners  of  the  land  on  one  side, 
or  the  United  States,  the  owners  of  the  land  on  the  other  side.  The  affair  is  reviewed 
in  the  following  testimony  of  the  prime  actor  in  the  drama,  given  December  30,  1839, 
which  was  furnished    o  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury: 

"Aaron  Weeks,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  county  of  Macomb,  being  duly  sworn,  doth  depose  and 
say  that  he  is  one  of  the  contractors  on  the  Sault  de  St.  Marie  Canal:  that  in  April  last, 
he  employed  James  B.  Van  Rensselaer  to  assist  him  in  the  construction  of  said  work,  and 
to  take  charge  of  and  oversee  the  hands  on  the  same  during  his  absence;  and  that  the  said 
Van  Rensselaer,  with  about  fifty  men,  provisions,  tools  and  necessary  implements,  repaired 
to  the  Sault  a  few  days  before  this  deponent;  that  this  deponent  arrived  at  the  Sault  de 
St.  Marie  on  Satm-day  evening,  the  11th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1839;  that  on  Sundaj-  morning, 
the  12tli  of  May,  the  day  after  his  arrival  on  the  ground,  Lieut.  Root  called  on  this  de- 
ponent and  handed  him  a  written  notice,  prohibiting  him  to  proceed  with  the  work.  This 
deponent  then  went  and  conversed  with  Lieut.  Root  on  the  subject  of  commencing  opera- 
tions on  the  canal,  when  Root  replied  that  he  was  not  prepared  to  argue  the  question 
whether  it  would  be  an  injury  or  a  benefit  to  the  United  States,  but  he  should  not  go  on 
with  the  work,  as  his  orders  were  positive.  This  deponent  then  wrote  to  said  Lieutenant, 
and  received  a  letter-  in-  reply  from  Capt.  Johnson.  The  second  day  after  the  receipt  of 
this  letter,  this  deponent,  with  about  forty  men,  commenced  operations  on  the  canal  by  re- 
moving the  obstructions  on  the  line  and  by  commencing  digging,  when  Capt.  Johnson,  the 


4 


,^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


officer  in  command  at  Fort  Brady,  ordered  out  a  company  <'f  regulars,  armed  with  mus- 
kets and  bayonets,  and  marched  them  down  to  where  the  said  men  were  at  work.  The 
Captain  ordered  the  m3n  to  stop  work.  This  deponent,  in  reply,  remarked  to  him  that  he 
could  not,  as  he  was  under  contract  with  the  State  of  Michigan  to  complete  the  work  by  a 
certain  time;  that  Capt.  Johnson  then  marched  his  men  down  the  line  to  a  point  where 
Van  Rensselaer  had  some  men  at  work  digging,  and  commanded  the  men  to  desist  labor; 
some  of  the  men  felt  disposed  not  to  obey,  whereupon  Capt.  Johnson  stepped  up  to  one  of 
the  foremen,  James  Sherrill,  with  his  sword  drawn,  and  wresteil  from  him  the  spade  with 
which  he  was  working,  saying  that  his  orders  must  be  obeyed,  remarking  that  upon  one 
side  of  the  mill-race  was  an  Indian  reservation,  and  that  the  other  belonged  to  the  United 
States.  Upon  this,  the  men  ceased  work,  and  Johnson  marched  them  ofif  the  line  of  the 
canal.  And  this  deponent  would  further  say  that,  after  being  thus  interrupted  and  pre- 
vented in  the  prosecution  of  this  work,  and  finally  driven  from  the  ground,  through  the 
direct  interference  of  the  military  of  the  United  States,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  the 
work  and  leave  there  with  his  men." 

This  statement  was  sworn  and  subscribed  to  before  Richard  Butler,  Notary  Public, 
of  Macomb  County,  December  30,  1839.  '''^Sfli 

Similar  statements  were  made  by  James  B.  Van  Rensselaer  and  John  Levake,  sworn 
to  before  Justice  Richard  Butler.  In  Mr.  Weeks'  letter  to  Hon.  William  Woodbridgei 
dated  Mt.  Clemens,  December  11,  1839,  the  affair  was  very  fully  explained.  From  Octo- 
ber. 1838,  to  May  1'2,  1838,  he  estimated  his  expenditures  on  the  contract  at  $7,047.52. 

R.\ILR0.4IjS. 

Detroif  <f-  SlipJhy  Railroad. — The  line  from  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad  to  Utica  of  the 
Detroit  &  Bay  City  Railroad  runs  on  the  embankment,  thirty  years  old  in  1872,  construct- 
ed by  the  Detroit  &  Shelby  Railroad  Company.  An  embankment  was  built  so  long  ago  as 
far  as  Utica,  and  was  found  to  be  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  and  needed  but  slight 
changes  to  make  it  fit  for  the  modern  railway.  On  the  old  road,  flour  and  other  products 
were  brought  to  Detroit  from  Utica,  the  cars  being  drawn  by  horses,  and  the  old  Detroit  & 
Pontiac  depot  being  used  as  the  terminus.  The  road  was  something  of  a  primitive  affair, 
but  was  far  more  serviceable  than  the  ordinary  dirt  road,  which  was  visually  in  very  bad 
condition.  In  not  moi'e  than  two  or  three  spots  does  the  embankment  seem  1 1  have  been 
plowed  down,  and  over  this  section  of  the  line  neither  the  cutting  of  trees  nor  grubbing 
was  necessary.  Gurdon  C.  Leech.  Richard  L.  Clarke  and  others  were  the  projectors  of 
this  primitive  railroad. 

The  Michigan  Division  of  the  Grand  Trunk. — The  line  of  the  railway  known  as  the 
Poi't  Huron,  Detroit  &  Chicago  Branch  of  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway  was  completed  in  the 
autumn  of  1859.  The  entire  expense  of  construction  and  equipment  was  borne  by  the  gi- 
gantic corporation  known  as  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad  Company  of  Canada.  The  Mich- 
igan Division  enters  Macomb  County  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Richmond  Township,  and 
traverses  the  county  in  a  southwesterly  direction.     The  company  have  stations  at  the  fol- 


t 


N^ — «-  ^ — ^l>>, 

440  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

lowing  places:  Ridgeway,  Baltimore  Station  (now  New  Haven),  Mt.  Clemens  and  Utica 
Plank.  The  road  has  proved  of  substantial  advantage  to  every  j>art  of  the  State  and 
county  not  otherwise  accommodated  with  a  railway  outlet,  while  the  connection  has  proved 
invaluable  to  merchants  and  shippers,  and  thereby  to  producers  generally,  in  afford- 
ing a  competing  route  to  the  East,  as  well  as  connection  with  points  not  reached  by  any 
othei-  line.  The  main  branch  runs  from  Port  Sarnia  to  Portland,  Me.,  a  distance  of  802 
miles.  The  Michigan  Division  runs  from  Port  Huron  to  Detroit  Junction,  a  distance  of 
fifty-nine  miles,  making  a  total  length,  under  the  Grand  Trunk  corporation,  of  Sfi]  miles. 
-^The  Detroit  d-  Bay  City  Railroad. — This  railway  is  under  the  control  of  the  Mich- 
igan Central  Railroad  Company.  It  enters  Macomb  County  near  the  center  of  the  south- 
ern boundary  of  Warren  Township,  and  traverses  through  the  townships  of  Wai-ren,  Ster- 
ling and  Shelby,  in  a  northwesterly  direction.  It  leaves  the  county  about  the  center  of 
Ihe  western  boundary  of  the  latter  township,  and  enters  the  adjacent  coiinty  of  Oakland. 
The  stations  of  this  company  within  the  limits  of  Macomb  are  Warren,  Glenwood,  Spin- 
nings and  Utica.  This  division  is  115  miles  in  length,  and  passes  through  a  rich  agi'icult- 
ural  region,  while  the  lumber  and  silt  trade  contributes  very  materially  to  swell  its  traffic. 
The  Michigan  Air- Line. — The  Michigan  Air-Line  project  was  originally  designed  as 
a  short  line  from  Chicago  to  Buffalo,  and  was  intended  to  run  across  the  State  from  Chi- 
cago, striking  the  St.  Clair  River  just  above  the  town  of  St.  Clair,  and  there  connect  with 
what  is  known  as  the  Canada  Southern.  The  Michigan  Central,  which  aided  in  building 
so  much  of  this  line  as  lies  between  Jackson  and  Niles,  and  furnished  almost  the  entire 
capital  with  which  it  was  built,  finally  made  it  a  feeder  for  Detroit  and  the  Central.  This 
road  enters  Macomb  County  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Richmond  Township,  then  trav- 
erses the  townships  of  Armada  aud  Washington.  There  are  stations  on  this  line  within 
Macomb  County,  called  Ridgeway,  Armada.  Romeo  and  Washington.  This  branch  line  is 
twenty-six  miles  in  length.  It  cost  the  people  of  the  townships  through  which  it  runs  a 
snug  sum  of  money,  butjthe  benefits  which  will  be  derived  from  the  road  ultimately  will 
doubtless  compensate  in  a  large  measure  for  the  heavy  tax  its  construction  imposed  upon 
many  individuals.  That  railroads  in  general  are  a  benefit  no  one  will  deny,  but  some  are 
constructed  at  an  immense  sacrifice  to  property-holders,  and  the  remuneration,  in  actual 
value,  is  oftentimes  imperceptibly  slow  in  development.  But  on  the  whole,  railroad  en- 
terprises, when  conducted  by  persons  who  have  the  welfare  of  the  several  communities 
through  which  they  shall  pass  at  heart,  are  means  of  much  good,  and  vice  versa  when  in- 
stigated, carried  on  and  controlled  by  speculators,  who  look  only  to  their  own  personal 
aggrandizement.  As  a  public  emolument,  railroads  ought  to  become  as  popular  as  they 
are  generally  successful. 

CLINTON    RIVER. 

In  ISTO,  the  channel  of  entrance  to  this  river  was  very  shallow,  the  shoalest  place 
showing  only  thi-ee  and  a  half  feet  of  water,  while  the  river  was  ten  feet  in  depth.  A  proj- 
ect of  improving  the  river  was  adopted  in  LSTO,  the  object  being  to  afford  a  channel  fifty 
feet  wide  at  bottom,  with  a  depth  of  eight  feet,  and  in  the  execution  of  the  improvement, 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  amount  expended  has  been  $5,000.  Another  appropriation  of  $8,000  was  made  last 
spring,  and  this  money  is  to  be  applied  to  dredging  a  channel  cut  eight  feet  deep  and  sixty 
feet  wide  at  the  entrance  of  the  river.  An  appropriation  of  $25,000  was  asked  for  in 
1881,  which  is  supposed  to  complete  the  improvement.      This  sum  was  granted. 

HARBOR    OF    REFUGE.    BELLE    RIVER. 

After  a  survey  of  the  bar  at  the  mcuth  of  Belle  Kiver,  an  appropriation  of  $7,000 
was  made  for  its  removal.  Belle  River  is  about  one  hundi'ed  and  forty  feet  in  width,  and 
from  seven  to  nine  feet  deep  at  the  lower  reaches,  which  it  is  intended  to  improve.  The 
project  adopted  in  1880  is  to  afford  a  channel  fifty  feet  wide,  thirteen  feet  deep  to  the  first 
bridge,  and  twelve  feet  deep  to  the  second.  No  money  has  yet  been  expended  on  the  im- 
provement. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

COURTS  AND  BAR  OF  MACOMB. 

The  fu-st  session  of  the  Macop^b  County  Court  was  held  in  the  house  of  Christian 
Clemens,  at  Mt.  Clemens,  July  10,  1818.  Christian  Clemens,  Chief  Justice,  with  Daniel 
Le  Roy  and  William  Thompson,  Associate  Judges,  presided. 

The  first  case  brought  before  this  tribunal  was  the  admission  of  Ezra  Prescott  to  the 
bar  of  Macomb.  Having  produced  his  certificate  as  an  attorney  of  the  Supreme  Judicial 
Court  of  New  Hampshire,  it  was  ordered  that  he  should  be  admitted  an  attorney  and 
counselor  at  law  of  this  county.     John  Stockton  was  Clerk  of  the  Court. 

The  next  sitting  of  the  court  took  place  July  14,  1818.  The  Grand  Jury  made  no 
presentments,  and  was  discharged.  The  only  civil  suit  brought  before  the  Judges  was 
that  of  Mitchell  and  Leo  Trombley  versus  Joseph  Dupree,  on  appeal  from  Justice  Le  Roy's 
court  Mr.  Le  Roy  retired  from  the  bench  when  the  case  was  presented;  however,  on  ac- 
court  of  not  being  ready  for  trial,  the  cause  was  continued. 

The  session  of  1819  began  February  1,  with  the  same  Judges  presiding.  James  Fulton, 
the  Sheriff,  returned  the  names  of  twenty- foiu"  Grand  and  twenty-fom-  Petit  Jurors.  The 
following  are  the  names  of  the  Grand  Jm'ors  who  were  present:  Z.  W.  Bvince,  Oliver 
Record,  Andrew  "^'estbrook.  Baptiste  Yax.  William  Brown,  Joseph  Mini,  John  K.  Smith, 
Elisha  Hai-rington,  Edwai-d  Tucker,  Jacob  Tucker,  John  Connor,  Isaac  Russ,  H.  R.  Un- 
derhill,  PieiTe  Phenix,  Felix  Pelhy,  Baptiste  Nicla,  Hugh  McKay,  Julius  Forton,  Francis 
Labadie,  James  Graham,  John  B.  Beaubien,  Gideon  Olmstead.  This  jmy  retired  under 
care  of  Constable  J.  B.  Chapaton. 

The  cases  brought  before  the  coui't  were  as  follows: 

Mitchell  Trombley,  Supervisor  of  Huron  Township,  appealed  from  Justice  Harring- 


nv 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUJJTV. 


ton's  coiu't  his  complaint  against  John  Tucker,  which  was  ordered  discontinned.  His  com- 
plaints versus  Julius  Forton,  Louis  Chortier,  Charles  Peltier,  Edward  Tucker,  Francis  La- 
badie  and  Benjamin  Trombley.  The  other  cases  were  those  of  Andrew  Westbrook  versus 
A\'illiam  Austen,  an  appeal  from  Justice  Smith's  coiu't.  and  the  continued  case  of  Tromb- 
ley versus  Dupree,  which  were  continued. 

The  session  of  the  court  in  1820  was  merely  marked  by  the  granting  of  a  license  to 
the  Chief  Justice  of  that  court,  as  follows: 

Macomb  County,       ) 
February  Term.  1820.  f  "''• 

Christian  Clemens,  of  siiid  county,  having  made  application  to  said  court  for  a  license  to  keep  a 
tavern,  and  having  satisfied  said  court  that  a  tavern  is  nece.ssary  at  his  phice  of  residence  for  tlie  ac- 
commodation of  travelers;  that  he  is  of  good  moral  character,  and  has  sufficient  accommodation  for 
.sucli  purpose;  therefore  said  court  have  granted  him  this  license. 

William  Thompson, 

James  Fuller.  Daniel  Le  Roy, 

.JOSEPH  Hays.  '  Assistant  Justices  of  said  Counli). 

circuit  court. 

The  tii-st  record  of  the  Circuit  Court  shows  that  Joseph  Campau,  of  Wayne  County, 
sued  Charles  Peltier,  of  Macomb,  for  £54  14s.,  New  York  cuiTency,  due  the  late  Denis 
Campau,  of  whose  estate  Joseph  Campau  was  administrator.  William  Woodbridge,  Pre- 
siding Judge  of  the  Court,  held  at  Mt.  Clemens  July  21,  1828,  issued  an  order  for  the 
arrest  of  Peltier  and  his  safe  custody  until  the  opening  of  the  Circuit  Court  in  October  of 
that  year  at  Mt.  Clemens.     Judgment,  damages,  1185.36;  costs,  $15.50;  total,  $200.86. 

RETIREMENT    OF    JUDGE    MOKELL. 

Among  the  old  records  of  the  bar  of  Macomb  County  is  one  dealing  with  an  event  in 
its  histoi'y,  namely,  the  retirement  of  Hon.  George  Morell  from  the  judiciary  of  this  cir- 
cuit, April  4,  1843.  A  meeting  of  the  bar  was  held  within  the  old  court  house  at  Mt. 
Clemens,  which  was  presided  over  by  Hiron  Hathaway  as  Chairman,  and  Azariab  Pren 
tiss.  Vice  Chairman,  both  Associate  Judges  of  the  county.  Amos  Dolby,  Clerk  of  the 
Court,  was  appointed  Secretary.  The  meeting  as  organized  appointed  a  committee  of 
nine  on  resolutions,  the  members  of  which  were  Conger,  Butler,  Leonard,  Terry,  Smith, 
^^'alker,  Mitchell,  Eldredge  and  Carter.  This  committee  reported  the  following  resolu- 
tions, which  werii  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  Hon.  George  Morell  is  about  to  retire  from  the  Chief  Justiceship  of  this  State 
and  the  Presiding  Judgeship  of  this  circuit,  where  he  has  long  presided  with  honor  to  himself  and  the 
State,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  we  do  cheerfully  bear  testimony  to  the  abilit3',  fidelity,  promptness  and  impartiality 
with  which  he  has  ever  discharged  his  many  high  and  responsible  duties  as  Presiding  Judge  of  this 
Court  and  as  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  that  we  do  sincerely  regret  that  the  Judicial  re- 
latioiis  existing  between  us  will  terminate  with  the  present  session  of  this  court. 

The  reply  of  Judge  Morell  to  the  practicing  lawyers  was  pathetic  in  a  high  degree,  as 
well  as  a  high  testimony  to  the  old  bar  of  Macomb. 


.|i 


ff^^e'-f 


liL^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


THE  GRAND  JURY  AND  THE  JUDGE. 

After  submitting  the  presentments  to  the  court,  the  Grcand  Jurors  re- assembled  and 
adoj)ted  the  following  form  of  address: 

The  Grand  Jurors  of  the  county  of  Macomb  at  the  April  term  of  tlie  Circuit  Court  in  the  year 
1843,  having  completed  their  incjuiries  in  and  for  said  county,  would  respectfully  present  that,  in  com- 
mon with  their  fellow-citizens  of  said  county,  they  regret  that  this  term  of  this  court  terminates,  by 
the  expiration  of  his  temi  of  office,  the  judicial  labors  of  the  Hon.  George  Morell  as  the  Presiding 
Judge  of  .said  county;  that  they  have  long  regarded  hun  with  sentiments  of  sincere  esteem  and  respect: 
and  believing  that  he  has  ever  discharged  his  judicial  duties  with  impartiality,  integrity,  firmness  and 
ability,  they  present  to  the  court  here  this  tolven  of  their  continuing  esteem  and  unwavering  confidence 
in  him. 

Ephriam  Calkin,  Foreman,  Tai.mon  H.  Gray. 

Alfred  Goodell.  Henry  S.  Courter, 

Asa  Curtiss,  Orasnrts  Lathrop, 

Anthony  Chortier,  D.  W,  Noyes, 

Wu.LiA.M  Stevens,  Ciiancey  Goodrich, 

Henry  Jersey,  James  Cheney, 

G.  W.  Summers,  Heman  Nye, 

Justus  R.  Crand.vll,  John  Hicks. 

Jacob  Summers.  Stew.uw  Taylor,  Secretary. 

Sanford  M.  Green,  formerly  Judge  of  the  Macomb  County  Circuit  Court,  was  born  at 
Grafton,  Rensselaer  Co.,  N.  Y.,  May  30,  1807.  In  1S37,  became  to  Michigan  and  located 
lands  where  is  now  the  village  of  Owasso.  On  the  resignation  of  Judge  Ransom,  in  1848, 
and  the  transfer  of  Judge  Whipple,  Mr.  Green  was  appointed  Circuit  Judge  of  the  Fourth 
Circuit.  He  resigned  this  position  in  18(17.  In  June,  1872,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of 
the  Eighteenth  Circuit,  to  iill  vacancy.  In  1860.  he  published  a  hand-book  in  the  prac- 
tice of  the  Circuit  Cotrrts,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  revision  of  the  Statutes  of  Mich- 
igan.     He  also  puljlished  a  work  on  the  highway  laws  of  Michigan. 

In  the  history  of  St.  Clair  County,  references  will  be  made  to  Judges  Dewey.  W.  T. 
Mitchell,  E.  TV.  Harris  and  H.  W.  Stevens,  of  this  Circuit  Court. 

record    of    admissions    to    the    bar    of    MACOMB    COUNTY. 

Among  the  early  lawyers  of  the  county,  or  rather  those  practicing  in  the  County 
Com-ts,  were  Cornelius  GFlj-nn,  Alex  D.  Frazer.  R.  P.  Eldredge,  B.  F.  H.  Witherell.  O. 
D.  Richardson,  William  A.  Fletcher,  Charier  W.  Whipple,  Backus.  Jacob  M.  How- 
ard, Thomas  Ashley,  Ezra  Preseott  and  James  F.  Joy. 

The  record  of  persons  admitted  as  attorneys  and  coimselors  at  law  of  this  (bounty 
shows  the  following  names  and  dates: 

Ezra  Preseott,  July  10,  1818;  Thomas  Ashley,  June,  1820;  Spencer  Coleman,  Feb- 
ruary. 1821;  George  McDougall,  February  4,  1823;  Jacob  M.  Howard,  July  16.  1833; 
Franklin  Sawj-er,  Jr.,  July  10.  1833;  James  F.  Joy,  April  12,  1837;  Dewitt  C.  Walker, 
April  12,  1837;  Royal  P.  Grouse,  April  13,  1837;  Harlehigh  Carter,  Preseott  B. 
Thurston,  April  13,  1837;  Solomon  Lathrop,  April  12,  1837;  Edward  W.  Han-is, 
October  12,  1837;  H.D.  Terrj-,  April  11,  1838;  Peter  S.  Palmer,  October  17.  1839;  John 


i^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


A.  Hillis,  October  10,  1839;  John  J.  Leonard,  October  16,  1839;  Abner  C.  Smith,  Octo- 
ber 16.  1839:  Amos  Dolby,  appointed  October  28,  1839;  H.  D.  Terry,  appointed  Decem- 
ber 9,  1839;  Amos  Dolby,  apjjointed  April  8,  1839;  Richard  Butler,  appointed  October  8, 
1839:  R.  P.  Eklredge,  appointed  May  13,  1839;  James  L.  Conger,  April  15,  1840:  C.  B. 
H.  Fessenden.  April  16,  1840:  Sylvester  Larned,  April  4,  1845:  Giles  Hubbard,  April  5, 
1843;  Andrew  S.  Robertson,  October  4,  1846:  Lafayette  L.  Jones,  October  7,  1851;  Per- 
rin  Crawford,  June  20,  1854;  James  B.  Eldredge,  June  15,  1858;  Thomas  M.  Crocker, 
Januaiy  17, 1859;  Spencer  Coleman,  of  New  York;  Dayton  Andrews,  October  24, 1859;  Edgar 
Weeks  and  Wm.  A  Lewis,  October  17,  1860;  Irving  D.  Hanscom,  April  4,  1866;  Michael 
Stapleton,  October  19,  1867;  Wm.  Jenney,  Jr.,  June  28,  1867;  Spencer  B.  Russell,  Au- 
gust 28,  1868:  James  Reardon,  June  15,  1869;  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  June  15,  1869;  Will- 
iam  M.  Connor,  October  28,  1869;  George  M.  Crocker,  April  12,  1870;  Lewis  M,  Miller, 
November  14,  1871;  Franklin  S.  Abbott,  November  14,  1871;  Chauncey  R.  Canfield,  Feb- 
ruary 5.  1873;  Dewit  C.  Merriam,  February  2,  187.');  Samuel  S.  Babcook,  May  3,  1876; 
Oscar  S.  Boi-gess,  February  17,  1875;  Frank  C.  Lamb,  August  3,  1876;  Charles  G.  Con- 
ger, May  2,  1877;  Silas  B  Spier,  May  16,  1877;  W.  E.  Leonard,  May  20,  1878;  Frank 
F.  Williams,  February  11,  1879;  Giles  H.  Hubbard,  May  4,  1880:  Addison  G.  Stone, 
May  4,  1880;  William  Self  ridge,  May  4, 1880;  Charles  H.  Hutchin,  August  4, 1880 :  Mar- 
tin Crocker,  August  24,  1880;  James  G.  Tucker,  August  24,  1880;  Ai-thur  L.  Sleeper, 
May  10,  1881, 

Anson  Bm-lingame,  the  negotiator  of  the  treaty  of  that  name,  and  United  States  Min- 
ister to  China,  was  admitted  an  attorney  at  law  before  the  Circuit  Court  of  Macomb 
County. 

Henry  B.  Hutchins  was  admitted  as  an  attorney  at  law  on  a  certificate  issued  from 
the  Law  Department  of  the  University  of  Michigan. 

Arthur  L.  Canfield  was  admitted  by  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  iluring  the 
spring  term  of  1866,  in  session  at  Lansing. 

The  following  references  to  the  first  session  of  the  County  Court,  to  the  lawj-ers  of 
the  period,  and  to  the  old  court  house,  weie  made  by  Mr.  Weeks,  of  the  present  bar,  and 
Judge  J.  B.  Eldredge: 

The  first  court  for  the  trial  of  causes  and  the  transaction  of  general  business  was  held 
at  Mt.  Clemens,  at  the  residence  of  Christian  Clemens,  Chief  Justice,  on  the  10th  day  of 
July,  1818,  and  was  presided  over  by  the  Chief  Justice  and  his  two  Associates,  whom  we 
have  already  named  in  the  list  of  appointments  for  this  county.  At  this  session  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice  Ezra  Prescott,  of  New  Hampshire,  whose  appointment  to  the  office  of 
Prosecuting  Attorney  is  also  recorded  in  the  list  above  mentioned. 

The  first  suit  mentioned  in  the  records  is  that  of  Mitchell  and  Leo  Trombley  versus 
Joseph  Dupree-,  which  was  an  appeal  from  a  Justice's  court,  involving  about  $35,  and 
which  was  continued  to  the  next  term.  This  closed  the  labors  of  the  court  for  that  term. 
Johu  Stockton  was  Clerk.  The  next  term  was  held  at  the  same  place,  commencing  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1819.      The  first  indictment  found  by  the  Grand  Jury  of  this  county  was  for  as- 


r:v* 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


sault  and  battery  against  John  Hurson.  The  first  trial  of  a  cause  was  at  the  second  term, 
and  was  the  case  above  mentioned  of  Trombley  and  Trombley  versus  Dupree,  in  which  was 
rendered  a  verdict  liy  a  jiu-y  for  the  plaintiffs  of  126.50.  This  verdict  was  rendered  by 
the  first  Petit  Jury  of  which  any  record  is  preserved,  and  their  names  are  as  follows: 
Nathan  Coggswell,  James  Thorrington,  William  Smith,  Harren  ITnderhill,  Ezekiel  Allen, 
Levi  Blount,  James  A  Claris,  Robert  Stockton,  John  Tucker,  Benjamin  Trombley,  John  B 
Vernier  and  Louis  Chapaton.  The  third  term  of  the  coiu't  was  held  at  the  same  place 
February  7,  1820.  At  this  session  considerable  business  was  transacted;  eleven  indict- 
ments were  found,  two  of  which  were  against  one  Henry  Cottrell  for  "contempt  of  law." 
This  is  an  offense  unknown  to  the  books,  either  of  common  or  stattitory  law,  though  a 
wholesome  "contempt  of  law  "  has  always  been  entertained  by  the  great  mass  of  the  peo- 
ple. 

While  the  educated  legal  mind  tiu-ns  back  with  a  sensation  of  pride  and  satisfaction 
through  the  pages  of  history  in  the  contemplation  of  the  majestic  system  of  our  jurispru- 
dence, and  makes  the  gi-and  assertion  that  "law  is  the  perfection  of  human  reason,''  we 
find  here  a  recorded  case  of  the  popular  ojiinion  that  "  law  is  an  injustice  and  a  humbug. " 
The  record  of  the  next  term  of  the  eourb  shows  that  a  court  house  had  been  built,  and 
therein  the  court  sat.  This  court  house  was  built  of  logs,  and  stood  for  some  years  on 
the  site  of  the  present  court  house.  At  this  term  was  admitted  to  practice  as  an  attorney 
B.  F.  H.  Witherell,  who  died  recently  in  Detroit,  then  occupying  the  bench  in  that  county 
as  Circuit  Judge.  There  was  at  the  same  time  admitted  one  Spencer  Coleman,  who  pre- 
sented the  certificate  of  Hon.  James  Kent,  Chief  Justice  of  New  York  (author  of  Kenfs 
Commentaries),  that  he  (Coleman)  was  an  attorney  of  that  State.  We  cannot  give  the  date, 
but  the  fact  exists  that  about  this  period  there  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Macomb  County 
a  lawyer  whose  name  and  fame  have  since  become  familiar  to  the  world.  We  refer  to  Anson 
Burlingame,  oiu'  recent  Minister  to  China,  known  to  all  the  treaty  powers  of  the  world. 
Hon.  C.  I.  Walker,  one  of  the  Professors  in  the  Michigan  University  Law  Department, 
was  admitted  here,  as  was  also  the  late  Cornelius  O'Flynn,  who  died  recently  in  Detroit. 
It  was  this  court  that  admitted  to  citizenship  Alexander  D.  Frazer,  the  oldest  member 
of  the  Michigan  bar. 

THE    PRESENT    BAR. 

The  jiresent  bar  of  Macomb  County  comprises  twenty-five  lawyers,  or  one  legal  ad- 
viser for  every  1,264  persons  dwelling  within  the  boundaries  of  the  county.  The  names 
of  these  gentlemen  at  law  are  as  follows: 

Robert  P.  Eldredge,  Thomas  M.  Crocker,>  James  B.  Eldredge,  Edgar  Weeks,  Arthur 
L.  Canfield.  George  M.  Crocker,  H.  B.  Hutchins,  Sponcer  B.  Russell.  Silas  B.  Spier. 
William  Selfridge,  James  G.  Tucker,  Martin  Crocker  and  Franklin  P.  Montfort,  all  of 
Mt.  Clemens:  Ii-ving  D.  Hanscom,  now  of  Marquette:  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  John  L.  Stark- 
weather, and  A.  L.  Sleeper,  of  Romeo;  Seth  K.  Shetterly  and  F.  F.  Williams,  of  Utica; 
Lorenzo  G.  Sperry,  of  Memphis;  William  H.  Clark,  Ji-.,  and  Bert  C.  Preston,  of  Armada; 
Joseph  Chubb,  O.   S.  Bm-gess  and  A.  G.  Stone,  of  Richmond. 


'i— 


4^ 


idL 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  officers  of  the  Circuit  Court  iu  18S1  were:  Edward  W.  Harris,  Circuit  Judge; 
Thomas  W.  Newton,  Sheriff;  William  L.  Dicken,  Clerk;  Iriving  D.  Hanscom,  Prosecut- 
ing Attorney;  William  Longstafl"  and  George  Butchler,  Constables;  F.  P.  Montfort  and 
A.  G.  Stone;  Circuit  Com't  Commissioners;  and  J.  B.  Mcllwain,  Stenographer. 

The  elections  of  1882  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Hon.  H.  W.  Stevens,  of  Port  Huron, 
for  Circuit  Judge. 

IMP0RT.\NT    TRIALS. 

Among  the  civil  cases  brought  before  the  courts  of  the  county,  few  claimed  moi-e  im- 
portance than  those  referred  to  under  this  head.  These  causes  are  selected  on  account  of 
their  historical  character,  one  being  on  the  election  of  a  county  officer,  one  on  the  privi- 
leges of  executors,  and  one  on  the  rights  of  a  railroad  corporation.  The  first  is  interest- 
ing to  those  who  would  preserve  the  pm-ity  of  the  ballot  box;  the  second,  to  those  who 
desire  to  fulfill  the  wishes  of  a  philanthropist;  and  the  third,  very  instructive  to  all  who 
love  to  rely  on  the  justice  of  a  corporation.  The  first  arrests  for  murder  were  made  by 
Silas  Halsey.  Sheriff,  and  Chauucey  G.  Cady,  Deputy,  in  1827.  near  Detroit.  The  crim- 
inals, named  respectively  Schneider  and  Rickett,  were  supposed  to  have  murdered  Donald- 
sou,  at  the  Turnpike  Crossing  at  Salt  Eiver.  They  were  confined  in  the  old  jail,  tried  be- 
fore Judge  W'oodbridge  at  Mt.  Clemens,  and  acquitted. 

ELECTIONEERING    IN     187:1 

The  case  of  Alonzo  M.  Keeler  versus  George  W.  Robertson,  involving  the  title  to  the 
office  of  Registrar  of  Deeds  for  Macomb  C'ounty,  was  tried  before  the  June  term  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court,  1873,  Judge  E.  W.  Harris  presiding.  The  case  for  the  plaintift' rested  mainly  on 
the  fact  that,  out  of  a  total  of  246  votes  cast  in  Sterling  Township,  A.  M.  Keeler  was 
credited  with  fifty-four,  while  no  less  than  115  freeholders  made  affidavit  that  each  of 
them  recorded  his  vote  for  Keeler.  The  action,  too,  of  Town  Board  of  Inspectors  appears 
to  have  been  of  the  strangest,  if  not  of  the  most  illegal,  character.  They  counted  the 
votes  a  few  times,  each  coimt  resulting  in  an  increasing  majority  for  Mr.  Robertson.  The 
Coimty  Canvassers,  on  counting  the  general  vote  of  the  county,  found  that  an  equal  num- 
ber of  votes  was  recorded  for  each  candidate,  and  resorted  to  the  lottery  plan  for  the  pur- 
poses of  declaring  an  election.  Mr.  Robertson  drew  the  successful  slip,  ami  received  the 
certificate  of  his  election  from  the  County  Clerk. 

Proceedings  on  the  natiu'e  of  quo  warrnnfo  were  instituted  in  the  Supreme  Coiu-t, 
where  issues  were  framed  and  ordered  to  be  tried  before  the  Circuit  Court  of  Macomb 
County,  which  trial  resulted  in  a  judgment  for  Robertson,  the  finding  being  said  to  have 
been  directed  by  Judge  Harris.  The  findings  of  the  jury,  etc.,  etc.,  were  placed  before 
the  Sujn-eme  Court,  when  the  judgment  of  the  Circuit  Judge  was  reversed,  and  one  de- 
claring Mr.  Keeler  elected,  rendered.  This  celebrated  case  was  conducted  by  Edgar  Weeks, 
assisted  by  A.  B.  Maynard  and  E.  W.  Meddaugh,  on  the  part  of  Keeler,  while  the  defense 
was  carried  out  by  Robert  P.  Eldredge,  Giles  Hubl)ard,  A.  C.  Baldwin  and  James  B. 
I'jl  dredge. 


VN 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


THE   HATHAWAY  ESTATE   IMBROGLIO. 

The  Hatheway  estate  imbroglio,  wherein  Crockett  McElroy  was  complainant,  and  James 
S.  P.  Hatheway,  Cortez  P.  Hooker  and  Ichabod  L.  Quimby,  defendants,  began  in  October, 
1871. 

The  lawyers.  Edgar  Weeks  and  E.  F.  Conely,  representee^  McElroy;  Messrs.  Crocker 
and  Huchins  represented  Hooker;  and  Lyman  D.  Norris  and  F.  Uhl,  of  Grand  Eapids, 
represented  Hatheway  and  Quimby.  The  case  was  continued  up  to  188(1,  when  the  a])pel- 
lant  appealed  from  the  ruling  of  the  Circuit  Coiu't  here  to  the  Su}jreme  Court.  The  judg- 
ment given  in  the  lower  court  was  contiimed. 

THE   AIK-LINE   SUIT. 

The  litigation  between  the  Michigan  Air-Line  Railroad  Company  and  IJellens  and 
Tackels  resulted  in  a  verdict  for  the  railroad  company. 

In  1877,  the  Mellens  and  Tackels  brought  an  ejectment  snit  in  the  Circuit  Com't  of 
this  county  against  the  Michigan  Air-Line,  claiming  title  to  the  depot  lands  at  Eomeo. 
The  company  then  filed  a  bill  in  chancery  to  restrain  by  injunction  the  prosecution  of  that 
suit,  and  further  claiming  that  the  lands  in  question  were  purchased  by  Harvey  Mellen, 
John  N.  Mellen  and  John  Phelps  (from  whom  Tackels  derived  title),  in  trust  for  the  Mich- 
igan Air-Line  Railroad  Company,  the  gi-antor  of  the  present  company,  and  that  Manag- 
ing Director  McNaughton,  in  1870,  delivered  to  Harvey  Mellen  township  aid  bonds  to  the 
amount  of  $2,500,  in  payment  of  all  claims  for  depot  grounds  and  buildings.  The  de- 
fendants' answer  denied  the  purchase  as  alleged,  and  set  up  the  fact  that  the  lands  were 
purchased  through  an  understanding  and  agreement  with  J.  E.  Young  that  they  were  to 
procure  the  land  to  themselves,  and  proceed  and  erect  suitable  buildings;  and  that  the 
company,  within  two  years,  would  reimburse  them  and  gi-ant  them  certain  exclusive  privi- 
leges for  handling  gi-ain.  Defendants  further  claimed  that  the  bonds  received  by  Hai-^'ey 
Mellen  were  not  received  by  him  in  payment,  but  simply  as  an  officer  of  the  road  to  see  if 
they  could  be  used  in  payment  of  the  expenditures  made,  and  that  upon  the  refusal  of 
Tackels  and  John  N.  Mellen  to  so  accept  them,  he  reported  the  fact  to  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors, and  that  he  would  hold  the  bonds  and  account  for  them  when  the  company  might 
wish  to  settle  with  him  for  some  $4,000  advanced  by  him  (aside  from  the  depot  purchase) 
for  the  construction  of  the  road.  The  present  company  thus  claimed  that  the  bonds  should 
be  applied  in  payment,  and  the  defendants  that  they  had  not  been  so  applied.  The  de- 
fendants further  avowed  their  willingness  to  deed  to  the  company  upon  fulfillment  of  the 
contract  as  they  claimed  it  to  be.  " 

The  bill  for  an  injunction  was  argued  before  the  Circuit  Court  in  Februai-y  and  dis- 
missed. 

The  railroad  thereupon  appealed  the  case,  with  result  as  above  stated.  The  lit- 
igation was  a  long  and  expensive  one,  involving  an  expenditure  of  several  thousand  dol- 
lars on  both  sides.  I.  D.  Hanscom  and  E.  W.  Meddaugh  were  attorneys  for  the  Air-Line; 
J.  B,  Eldi-edge.  D.  N.  Lowell  and  A.  B.  Maynard,  for  Tackels  et  al. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  CO  LINT  Y. 


THE  COnNTY  COURT  HOUSE. 

Tile  history  of  the  establishment  of  the  county  seat  is  already  told.  That  of  the  livst 
and  second  houses  built  for  the  purposes  of  public  busine.ss  has  been  referred  to  in  the 
able  historical  address  of  George  M.  Crocker.  Here  it  will  be  only  necessary  to  regard 
the  battle  between  the  northern  and  southern  citizens  of  Macomb — the  former  seeking  a 
relocation  of  the  seat  of  justice,  the  latter  protesting  against  such  a  relocation.  On 
February  20,  1879,  the  Supervisors  intimated  that  the  board  would  receive  the  petition  of 
the  people  of  Romeo.  This  document  was  presented  by  Irving  D.  Hanscom.  It  was 
signed  b\'  Harvey  Mellen  and  12fi  others,  under  date  Romeo,  February  24,  ISTU.  and  was 
couched  in  the  following  terms: 

Ti>  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  tlie  county  of  Macomb:  Your  petitioners  hereto 
ri'spcctfully  represent  that  tliey  are  citizens  and  taxpayers  of  said  county  of  Macomb,  and  recognize 
the  expediency  of  having  a  new  com't  house  and  jail  for  the  use  of  this' county.  They  further  repre- 
sent that  the  citizens  of  Rom'io  and  vicinity  have  subscribed  upward  of  $:M,000  as  a  free  gift  to  the 
county  if  county  .seat  shall  be  located  at  said  village  of  Romeo.  Thereby  relieving  the  inhabitants  of 
the  county  from  the  imposition  of  a  heavy  tax  for  the  erection  of  said  buildings. 

Your  petitioners  further  represent  that  the  full  sum  of  |30.()0()  has  been  guaranteed  to  be  paid 
according  to  the  terms  of  said  subscription  and  at  the  time  therein  specified,  by  wealthy  citizens  of 
Romeo,  representing  a  capital  of,  at  least,  $,500,000,  your  petitioners  would  therefore  iu  consideration 
of  the  premises,  respectfuUj-  petition  and  ask  your  honorable  Ijody  to  submit  the  question  of  removal  of 
the  county  seat  of  Macomb  County  from  the  village  of  Mount  Clemens  to  the  village  of  Romeo  at  the 
next  annual  township  meeting  to  be  held  in  the  several  townships  of  the  county  to  a  vote  of  the  quali- 
Jied  electors  of  said  county  and  your  petitioners  will  ever  pray,  etc. 

Supervisor  Nimms  then  moved  the  following  resohttion: 

'-^  Whereas,  Certain  citizens  of  the  county  of  Macomb,  of  the  village  of  Romeo  and  vicinity  in 
said  county,  being  desirous  of  procuring  a  removal  of  the  county  seat  of  said  county  to  the  said  village 
of  Romeo,  have  by  subscription  promised  to  pay  to  the  said  county  the  several  sums  therein  subscribed 
by  them,  and  aggregating  the  sum  of  more  than  .|30,000.  provitled  said  county  seat  shall  be  removed  to 
the  village  of  Romeo  as  stated  iu  said  subscription. 

Where.\s,  Certain  citizens  of  Romeo  and  vicinity,  in  order  to  insure  to  said  county  the  prompt 
payment  of  said  above-mentioned  subscription  to  the  amount  of  |30,000  provided  said  county  seat  of 
said  county  shall  be  removed  to  the  village  of  Romeo,  have  signed  an  obligation  b}'  which  obligation 
guarantee  the  payment  of  fSO.OOO  of  said  subscription  to  said  county  as  stated  in  said  obligation. 
Therefore 

Re.iolped.  That  the  Board  of  Suiiervisors  of  said  count}'  deem  it  expedient,  in  view  of  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, to  accept  such  subscription  and  oliligation  of  guarantee,  and  do  hereby  accept  the  same  for 
the  purpose  therein  stated. 

Resolned,  That  the  county  .seat  of  said  Macomb  County  be  removed  from  the  village  of  Mount 
Clemens  to  the  village  of  Romeo  in  said  count}-. 

Mr.  GofE  moved  the  resolutions  be  adopted,  which  was  lost  by  yeas  and  nays  as  follows: 
^,      Ayes— Messrs.  Coyer,  Ayers,  Bennet,  Xye,  Goff,  Murphy  anil  Nimms. 

Nays— Messrs.  Farrar.  Parker,  Dedenback.  Teats,  Stewart.  Perkins  and  Lefever. 

The  character  of  that  memorable  meeting  of  the  Supervisors'  Board  of  Macomb 
County  is  outlined  in  the  following  telegram  to  the  papers  of  the  State,  dispatched  about 
the  time  Mi\  Mavnard,  of  Romeo,  entered  on  his  argument  in  favor  of  relocation: 


>   ""y 


•♦ 


A 

±J^ ^  -» ^b>, 

HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUKTY.  451 

"  At  9  o'clock  this  morning,  every  Supervisor  was  in  his  seat,  and  in  less  than  twenty 
mimites  the  coui-t  house  was  jammed  full  of  citizens  and  Romeo's  representatives  and 
lobbyists,  to  see  the  court  house  removal  tight.  The  proposition  of  the  Romeo  people  was 
presented  to  the  board  by  I.  D.  Hanscom.  They  want  the  Supervisors  to  vote  to  have 
the  coimty  seat  removed  to  Romeo,  and  then  submit  it  to  the  people  at  their  spring  elec- 
tion. On  motion,  the  legal  gentlemen  were  invited  to  address  the  board.  A.  B.  Maynard, 
for  Romeo,  made  the  opening  speech,  and  asked  for  the  closing  speech.  Granted.  He 
was  followed  by  T.  M.  Crocker,  J.  B.  Eldridge,  Edgar  Weeks,  William  M.  Campbell  and 
,  H.  H.  Cady  for  Mt.  Clemens.  Campbell  said:  '  Lay  aside  yom-  $30,000  and  submit  the 
question  to  the  people  without  a  gift  and  see  if  they  demand  a  removal.'  Also  that 
'  Romeo  was  not  willing  to  shake  the  dice  in  a  fair  way,  but  came  down  here  with  loaded 
dice.'  Maynard  commences  his  closing  speech  at  1:30.  after  which  a  vote  will  probably 
be  reached.     The  excitement  here  is  intense." 

The  board  at  length  voted  the  question;  the  gift  of  Mt.  Clemens  and  the  $5,000  con- 
tribution of  the  citizens  were  accepted,  and  as  a  result,  the  corner-stone  of  the  maguilicent 
building  known  now  as  the  new  county  com-t  house  was  laid  October  21,  1880. 

MEETING    OF    ROMEO    CITIZENS. 

A  citizens'  meeting  was  held  at  Gray's  Opera  House,  Romeo,  January  11,  1879.  I. 
D.  Hanscom  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  D.  N.  Lowell  was  elected  Secretary.  The  object 
of  the  meeting  being  merely  to  get  matters  in  shape  for  the  raising  of  the  $30,000  prom- 
ised for  the  erection  of  new  county  buildings  should  the  county  seat  be  removed  to  Romeo, 
a  working  committee  to  solicit  subscriptions  was  appointed  at  once.  The  following  gen- 
tlemen were  selected:  Harvey  Mellen,  J.  Mahaflfy,  H.  H.  Spencer,  of  Ai-mada;  E.  S. 
Snover.  Charles  Fillmore.  F.  S.  Crisman,  J.  T.  Robinson,  W.  W.  Andrus.  Samuel  Cooley, 
Ira  Killam.  Hon.  A.  B.  Maynard,  being  present,  adch'essed  the  meeting  briefly,  explain- 
ing the  object  and  purposes  of  the  citizens  of  Romeo  in  the  matter  under  consideration. 
He  asserted  what  all  ought  to  undei-stand,  that  in  this  movement  there  is  not  the  slightest 
feeling  against  Mt.  Clemens;  that  Romeo  is  simply  exercising  undoubted  and  unquestioned 
right,  in  a  business  point  of  view;  if  she  succeeds,  all  right;  if  she  fails,  there  is  no  harm 
done.  Ml'.  Maynard  spoke  about  ten  minutes,  and  his  remarks  were  evidently  well  received. 
Although  no  eftbrt  was  made  at  this  meeting  in  the  way  of  subscriptions,  voluntary  sub- 
scriptions to  the  amount  of  S6,000  were  recorded.  The  following  gentlemen  signed  the 
roll:  J.  H.  Brabb,  $1,000;  Henry  Stephens,  $1,000;  A.  B.  Maynard,  $1,000;  Harvey 
Mellen,  $1,000;  James  Gray,  $1,000;  Hugh  (X  Gray,  $1,000. 

Subsequently,  other  citizens  followed  the  example  of  the  original  signers,  and  within 
a  short  time  the  entire  sum  of  $30,000  was  forthcoming. 

LOGIC    OF  THE   CONSEEV.iTIVES. 

Before  passing  away  from  this  subject,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  give  a  re- 
view  of   the  situation,  previous   to  the  day  on  which  the   Supervisors'   Board  resolved 


-K 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


to  maintain  the  spat  of  justice  at  Mt.  Clemens.  A  contributor  to  the  Mt.  Clemens  Presn 
said: 

''A  proposition  to  move  the  county  seat  of  this  county  has  been  sprung  by  certain 
persons  in  Romeo,  and  a  great  deal  of  discussion  is  going  on,  many  meetings  being  held 
and  large  subscriptions  of  money  talked  about,  until  many  people  are  found  who  already 
look  upon  the  removal  as  an  accomplished  fact.  We  propose  to  discuss  the  question  fairly, 
and  show  whv  the  present  location  should  be  retained;  why  it  would  be  impolitic  and  im- 
practicable to  designate  Romeo  as  the  future  seat  of  our  county  government. 

In  the  first  place,  the  present  excitement  originated  in  a  proposition,  submitted  at  the 
October  session  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  to  build  a  new  county  jail.  This  proposition 
was  made  by  Supervisor  Farrar,  of  Clinton.  It  is  a  fact  which  may  as  well  be  conceded 
at  once  that  Macomb  County  ought  to  have  a  new  jail.  The  present  structure  is  without 
one  redeeming  featui-e,  and  is  a  disgrace  to  the  county.  Immediately  upon  this  proposi- 
tion being  submitted,  there  arose  a  great  howl  in  certain  quarters  of  the  county  about 
the  biu'den  of  expense  this  would  impose  upon  the  tax-ridden  people  of  this  county.  The 
howl  was  the  opening  chorus  of  the  grand  concert  we  are  now  being  treated  with.  A  de- 
cent and  suitable  jail  can  be  erected  for  about  $6,000,  and  it  is  easy  to  figure  upon  the 
basis  of  equalization  adopted  at  the  October  session  of  the  board  what  this  will  add  to  the 
burden  of  individual  tax-payers  of  the  county.  The  whole  taxable  property  of  the  county 
was  estimated  at  $6,258,000.  And  the  figures  show  that  if  each  tax-payer  of  the  county 
is  assessed  10  cents  on  each  $100  of  his  assessed  valuation,  the  sum  of  $6,258  is  realized 
— an  amount  sufficient  to  build  a  good  jail  and  suitable  Sheriff's  residence.  Now,  sup- 
pose a  system  of  public  buildings  be  built  at  a  cost  of  only  $30,000.  on  the  same  basis 
this  would  add  48  cents  on  every  $100  assessed  valuation.  Thehistoi'v  of  our  county  seat 
shows  that  this  is  the  third  or  fourth  time  this  "tempest  in  a  teapot "'  has  raged,  and  we 
believe,  when  the  subject  is  carefully  considered,  it  will  end  now  as  it  always  has  hereto- 
fore. Mt.  Clemens  is  the  oldest  settlement  in  the  county,  and,  as  the  saying  is,  'all  roads 
lead  to  Rome,'  so  all  roads  in  Macomb  County  lead  to  Mt,  Clemens.  Examine  the  map 
of  the  county  and  it  will  be  easy  to  see  that  the  systemjof  roads  and  the  location  of  the 
Grand  Trunk  Railway  favors  this  as  the  most  central  point  in  the  county. 

The  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  lies  within  six  miles  of  the  geographical  center  of  the 
county.  We  call  the  corner  of  Section  15,  16.  21  and  22  of  the  town  of  Macomb  the  geo- 
graphical center  of  the  county.  It  is  accessiljle  by  railway  communication  with  the  most 
populous  jiart  of  the  towns  of  Richmond,  Lenox,  Chesterfield  and  Erin,  and  accessible  by 
good  roads  at  all  times  with  Erin,  Warren.  Harrison,  Macomb,  Chesterfield,  Sterling, 
Shelby  and  Clinton,  as  well  as  every  other  town  in  the  county.  For  the  piu'poses  of 
illustrating  the  grounds  we  take,  we  grouji  the  towns  of  the  center  as  follows:  As  inter- 
ested in  retaining  the  county  seat  at  Mt.  Clemens,  Lenox,  Chesterfield,  Macomb.  Clinton, 
Sterling,  Harrison,  Erin  and  Wai'ren.  As  favorable  (because  of  geography  simply)  to 
Romeo,  we  take  Bruce,  Washington,  Ai-mada,  Ray,  Shelby  and  Richmond.  We  give  the 
population  of  these  townships  according  to  the  census  of  1870: 


r^ 


l±^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Clinton 5,358 

Macomb I,8it5 

Harrison 605 

Erin '2,466 

Warren 1.938 

Sterling 1,.549 

Lenox 2,547 


Chesterfield 2.175 

Armada 2,215 

Bruce 2,145 

Wa.shington 2,057 

Ray 1,555 

Richmond 2,566 

Shelby 1.695 


Total 30,676 

This  shows  that  iu  the  group  we  assume  as  interested  in  the  county  seat  remaining 
at  Mt.  Clemens  there  was  in  1870  an  excess  of  population  over  the  other  group  of  6,210. 

Now,  it  is  well  understood  that  population  has  been  rapidly  increasing  in  the  group 
of  towns  fii'st  given,  while  in  the  other  towns  population  is  not  rapidly  increasing.  And 
it  is  shown  by  the  foregoing  census  table  that  the  excess  of  population  is  equal  to  the 
population  of  a  good-sized  eonnty.  We  take  the  same  group  of  towns  to  show  the  fact 
in  regard  to  comparative  wealth.  The  equalization  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  October, 
1878,  is  as  follows: 

1360.000  Leno.v |3."w,000 

760,000  Armada 44.5,000 

98,000  Bruce 660,000 

295,000  Washington 705,000 

345,000  Ray 370,000 

410,000  Richmond 445,000 

Shelljy 340,000 


Macomb  . .  . . 

Clinton 

Harrison.  . .  . 

Erin 

Warren 

Chesterfield. 


Sterling 340,000 

Total .f  6.028.000 

Here  the  figures  show  that  the  excess  of  valuations  fixed  by  the  Supervisors  is 
$98,000.  We  take  the  same  grouping  of  towns  to  illustrate  still  further.  In  the  equal- 
ization of  county  taxes  at  the  last  October  session  of  the  Supervisors,  the  following 
figiu'es  were  made: 


Clinton $2,8.53  95 

Macomb 1,3.51  87 

Harrison 368  00 

Erin 1,483  30 

Warren 1.295  .54 

Sterling 1.276  77 

Chesterfield 1..539  63 


Lenox i^i.Hm  09 

Armada 1,671  06 

Bruce 1,8.53  95 

Washington 2,8.53  95 

Ray 1,389  43 

Richmond 1,671  06 

Shelln- 1,764  95 


Total 124.706  55 

Showing  an  excess  of  taxes  paid  for  county  piu-poses  by  the  group  which  are  claimed 
would  be  most  interested  in  retaining  the  county  seat,  though  the  excess  is  small. 
The  foregoing  tigiwes  are  important  to  consider  in  connection  with  the  erection  of  county 
buildings,  providing  it  is  done  by  public  tax. 

The  great  cry,  however,  of  those  who  advocate  a  removal  to  Romeo  is  that  Komeo 
people  will   donate  §30,000   for  this  purpose.     Mt.  Clemens  has  not  yet  been  heard  from 


^^ 


iiL^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


on  that  subject,  nor  do  we  think  it  necessary  to  play  any  game  of  bluff  of  that  kind. 
When  the  time  comes,  this  part  of  the  county  will  be  found  ready  to  do  all  that  is  just  and 
right.  We  are  considering  the  question  of  removal  with  reference  to  the  public  conven- 
ience, and  we  again  assert  that  no  point  in  the  county  will  accommodate  so  well  the  ma- 
jority of  our  population  as  Mt.  Clemens. 

When  we  come  to  consider  the  coat  of  new  buildings  which  are  to  cost  say  130,000; 
then  when  we  show  that  every  tax-payer  who  pays  on  $100  valuation  will  have  just  48 
cents  added  to  this  amount,  and  when  we  consider  that  those  who  pay  |10  valuation  will 
have  to  pay  jvist  4/|j  cents,  additional,  we  demonstrate  to  a  large  majority  of  the  tax- 
payers of  this  county  that  there  is  a  '  great  cry  over  a  very  little  wool '  on  the  subject  of 
expense  and  taxation,  and  that  the  expense  would  be  far  more  than  offset  by  the  incon- 
venience of  removal  to  a  large  majority  of  the  people  of  the  county.  Don't  forget  that 
4/^  cents  on  every  |10  of  assessed  valuation  will  raise  130,138.40  for  county  buildings. 
A  set  of  men  representing  $6,258,000  assessed  valuation,  which  is  only  about  one- 
fourth  of  the  actual  value,  should  not  stop  one  moment  to  consider  a  proposition,  or  ask 
that  a  few  private  citizens  should  contribute  from  their  own  private  purses  a  sum  sufficient 
to  erect  buildings  for  the  use  of  as  wealthy  a  county  as  Macomb,  and  we  look  upon  a  pro- 
position of  that  kind  as  a  direct  insult  to  the  board  of  and  the  inhabitants  of  one  of  the 
wealthiest  counties  of  the  State — a  coimty  which  has  not  built  a  public  building  in 
twenty-five  years,  except  a  county  poor  house,  which  was  inexpensive,  and  that,  too,  some 
ten  or  twelve  years  ago. ' ' 

The  arguments  brought  forward  by  the  people  of  Romeo  and  adjoining  townships 
were  very  forcible  and  clear;  yet  they  did  not  prevail;  the  representatives  of  the  northern 
townships  were  destined  to  lose  all  chance  of  obtaining  for  many  years — perhaps  forever 
— the  boon  for  which  they  struggled  so  earnestly;  yet  they  won  for  the  county  a  sum  of 
$20,000  from  the  citizens  of  Mt.  Clemens. 

LAYING  THE  OOENEK  STONE. 

October  21,  1880,  was  a  day  that  will  be  long  i-emembered  in  Mount  Clemens,  and 
that  will  adorn  one  of  the  brightest  pages  of  her  history.  The  elements  that  all  the  week 
have  been  inauspicious,  forgot  their  anger  Thursday  morning,  and  gave  a  bright  and 
gentle  October  day,  well  adapted  indeed  for  the  great  event  of  that  day,  the  laying  of  the 
corner  stone  of  Macomb  County's  new  court  house.  The  enterprising  and  patriotic  citi- 
zens, more  particularly  the  business  men,  had  a  full  appreciation  of  what  was  required  of 
them,  and  early  in  the  moi-ning  the  court  house  scjuare  and  Pearl  street  were  gay  with 
decorations.  Bunting  and  dags  adorned  the  front  of  every  business  house,  and  swayed 
across  the  streets.  Peoj^le  began  entering  town  at  9  o'clock,  coming  on  trains,  in  car- 
riages and  wagons,  and  when  the  ceremony  took  place  there  were  between  two  and  three 
thousand  strangers  in  the  city.  Grand  Master  McGrath  came  up  on  the  early  train,  at- 
tended by  different  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Port  Huron  band  arrived  at  the 
same  time.     The  music  furnished  was  of  the  highest  order.     The  beautiful  melodies  were 


HISTORY    OF   MACOMB   COU>"TY. 


rendered  to  the  great  delight  nf  the  large  concoursB,  aud  withal  were  generously  dispensed. 
The  band  played  almost  incessantly  the  whole  day  through.  The  Monitor  counts  itself 
among  the  fortunate  ones  that  were  honored  with  an  esjiecial  serenade.  The  arrangements 
of  the  day,  in  the  hands  of  the  Masons,  were  without  fault,  and  progressed  without  unto- 
ward happening  to  a  successful  consummation. 

At  12  o'clock  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Supervisors,  the  Council,  and  Mount  Clemens 
Lodge,  assembled  in  the  opera  house.  They  formed,  and  with  the  baud  at  their  head. 
iiOok  up  the  line  of  march.  The  order  of  the  procession  was  as  follows: 
['  3  Baud;  Grand  Sword  Bearer,  with  drawn  sword;  Grand  Standard  Bearer;  Grand  Mas- 
ter, supported  by  two  Grand  Deacons,  with  black  rods:  Grand  Pursuivant;  a  Past  Master, 
carrying  the  Book  of  Constitutions;  Deputy  Graud  Master,  carrying  the  golden  vessel  with 
corn;  Senior  Grand  Warden,  carrying  the  silver  vessel  with  wine;  Junior  Grand  Warden, 
carrying  the  silver  vessel  withoil;'Bible,  Square  and  Compass,  carried  by  a  Master  of  a  lodge, 
supported  by  two  Stewards,  with  white  rods;  Grand  Chaplain;  (Irand  Treasurer;  Grand 
Secretary;  Grand  Architect  and  assistants,  with  Square,  Level  and  Plumb;  Grand  Stew- 
ards, with  white  rods;  Grand  Tiler,  with  drawn  sword;  Mount  Clemens  Lodge,  No.  6,  in 
reverse  order;  members  of  Board  of  Supevisors;  members  of  Common  Council. 

The  pageant  moved  slowly  round  the  square,  and  stojjped  at  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  building,  where  the  ceremony  began.  When  all  were  disposed  upon  the  jjlatform, 
the  Graud  Master  rapped  silence.  Hon.  George  M.  Crocker,  the  Mayor,  then  advanced 
aud  addressed  the  large  assembly. 

HISTORICAL    ADDRESS,   BY  MAYOR    G.    M.     CROOKER. 

We  are  met  together  upon  this  occasion  for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  the  ceremony  of 
the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  our  new  court  house.  A  mere  ceremony,  it  is  true,  yet  it  is 
a  ceremony  that  is  fraught  with  interest  and  importance  to  the  whole  people  of  Macomb 
County,  and  particularly  to  the  citizens  of  Mt.  Clemens — a  ceremony  that  probably  not 
one  of  us  alive  to-day  will  ever  witness  again. 

The  spot  of  ground  upon  which  we  are  assembled  to-day  is  sacred  ground — sacred 
because  it  is  more  intimately  connected  with  the  past  3nd  present  history  of  our  county 
than  any  other  spot  within  its  limits.      It  has,  in  fact,  more  of  a  history  itself. 

The  history  of  this  spot  of  ground  commences  with  the  title  page  of  the  history  of 
Macomb  County — away  back  in  the  dim  past,  when  Mt.  Clemens  was  but  a  straggling 
hamlet  upon  the  banks  of  the  river  Huron;  when  all  of  the  surrounding  country  was  a 
trackless  wilderness;  when  there  were  but  few  cabins  here  and  there;  when  Detroit  her- 
self, now  Michigan's  pride,  was  but  a  mere  village;  when  the  only  neighbors  Mt.  Clemens 
had  were  the  Indian  settlements  on  the  north  and  east,  and  Detroit  on  the  south ;  when 
the  only  means  the  settlers  had  of  getting  to  Detroit  was  by  the  batteaux  that  slowly  crept 
down  the  crooked  river,  and  thence  through  Lake  St.  Clair — or  to  follow  the  trail  along 
the  river  bank  to  the  shore  of  the  lake  and  thence  along  its  margin:  when  the  only  trade 
worthy  of  mention  was  the  fiu'  trade. 


456  HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

Then  it  was  that  the  hardy  pioneers  of  that  day,  a  race  of  strong,  determined  men 
— men  who  came  here  determined  to  subdue  the  difficulties  that  surrounded  them,  met  to- 
gether and  resolved  that  they  must  have  a  forum  where  disputes  should  be  legally  settled, 
and  the  rights  of  themselves  and  their  descendants  maintained  and  kept  inviolate —and 
this  was  the  spot  then  selected. 

On  the  first  page  of  Liber  "A"'  of  deeds,  in  the  Register's  office,  the  first  book  of 
rejDrds,  you  will  find  a  deal  of  this  spot  of  land  from  Christian  Clemens,  the  founder  of 
Mt.  Clemens.  This  deed  ran  to  the  Governor,  not  of  the  State  of  Michigan,  but  of  the 
Territory  of  Michigan,  in  trust  for  Macomb  County.  The  main  consideration  in  the  deed 
is  that  the  court  house  be  located  here,  upon  this  spot;  the  date  of  that  deed  is  March  10, 
1818.  History  tells  us  that  Maj.  Gen.  Macomb,  after  whom  this  county  was  named,  se- 
lected and  designated  this  as  the  spot  where  the  Hall  of  Justice  should  be  located — and 
here  ever  since  that  time  has  Justice  had  her  seat.  It  is  true  that  the  justice  of  that  day 
was  a  crude  and  primitive  justice,  yet  it  was  rugged  justice.  It  is  true  that  you  find  the 
courts  of  those  days  solemnly  determining  that  "  Christian  Clemens,  their  Chief  Justice, 
had  the  ability  to  keep  a  tavern,  and  that  he  be  granted  leave  to  keep  a  tavern  in  his  res- 
idence for  one  year."  It  is  true  that  you  will  find  in  their  records  indictments  for  assault 
and  battery  against  some  of  the  lawyers  and  officers  of  the  court:  I  had  almost  said  against 
the  court  itself.  It  is  true  that  you  do  not  find  the  voluminous,  lengthy  records  and  files 
of  the  courts  of  to-day,  true  that  you  could  almost  put  the  journal  of  the  court  in  your 
pocket;  yet,  my  friends,  all  these  things  were  but  the  natm'al  incidents  of  the  times. 
And  no  man  can  sit  down  and  read  over  those  old  records  candidly,  and  fail  to  see  that 
they  ever  honestly  aimed  at  the  right,  and  they  almost  invariably  hit  the  bird  in  the  eye. 

My  friends — all  roads  lead  to  the  coiu-t  house.  Here,  since  1818,  have  the  people 
come  fi-om  every  nook  and  corner  of  the  county  to  settle  their  disputes.  Here  have  they 
sat  and  listened  to  the  trials,  and  anxiously  waited  for  the  verdict.  Here  have  been  pre- 
served the  evidences  of  the  titles  of  the  people  to  their  houses.  Here  have  been  admitted, 
and  here  have  pleaded  a  galaxy  of  lawyers  that  made  the  bar  of  Macomb  County  the  peer 
of  any  in  the  State.  Here,  in  da^'s  gone  by,  have  come  as  applicants  for  admission  to 
the  bar  a  number  of  young  men  from  other  places,  who  subsequently  carved  out  for  them- 
selves brilliant  records  as  lawyers,  and  some  of  them  have  written  their  names  upon  the 
enduring  pages  of  their  country"  s  history.  Upon  this  spot  of  ground  has  been,  to  a  certain 
extent,  the  index  of  our  county's  prosperity;  a  gauge  telling  of  our  advancement  before 
the  days  of  steam  and  electricity,  before  the  days  even  of  highways,  when  the  people 
chiefly  lived  in  cabins,  when  the  face  of  the  county  showed  little  else  but  forests  and 
marshes.      Then  the  log  court  house  was  here. 

In  1840,  when  the  county  began  to  be  partially  cleared  up,  and  the  inhabitants 
had  more  comfortable  dwellings,  then  the  old  log  court  house  gave  way  to  one  of  brick, 
which,  at  the  time  of  its  construction,  was  deemed  good  enough  to  meet  the  demands  of  a 
future  age. 

And  now,  here   in   1881,  when  our  county  has  grown  rich,  and  fairly  teems  with  fer- 


l\^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tility.  and  abounds  with  good  buildings  and  finely  cultivated  farms,  we  are  erecting  this, 
our  new  coui-t  house,  which,  though  elegant  in  appearance,  solid  and  firm  in  structure,  is 
not  out  of  keeping  with  the  steady  current  of  our  advancement.  And  while  we  are  glad 
in  our  prosperity,  while  we  are  justly  proud  of  our  present  strength,  and  are  strongly  con- 
fident of  future  growth  and  progress,  while  we  are  to-day  looking  forward  to  a  futui'e  that 
bids  fair  to  be  golden,  let  us  not  fail  to  stop,  reverently  uncover  our  heads,  look  back  and 
remember  with  gratitude,  those  who  were  here  before  us — those  who  struggled  to  transmit 
oui'  present  blessings  to  us. 

And  it  is  but  fit  and  proper  that  I  should  read  to  you  from  the  history  written  forty 
years  ago,  and  kept,  until  recently,  in  the  safe  and  solid  confines  of  the  corner  stone  of 
the  coiu't  house  of  1840.  Kept  by  a  solid  custodian  that,  after  having  been  itself  a  sup- 
port for  forty  years  of  the  second  coiu't  house,  to-day  is  placed  in  this,  the  chief  corner 
of  our  third  court  house,  and  forms  a  part  of  its  solid  masonry,  and  unites  the  age  of 
1840  with  that  of  1880. 

The  record  says  that  the  court  house  was  built  May  12.  1840;  that  the  contractor 
was  T.  P.  Castle;  the  mason,  William  Phelps.  'That  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  was 
tii-st  settled  by  Jiulge  Clemens,  in  the  year  of  oui-  Lord  1805.  The  first  plat  was  made 
by  Mayor  Cien.  Macomb,  in  the  year  1818.  At  that  time  Lewis  Cass  was  Governor  of  the 
Territory  of  Michigan.  Gen.  Macomb  selected  this  spot  as  the  location  of  the  court  house 
for  this  county.  Christian  Clemens  was  the  first  Judge  appointed  for  the  county  of  Ma- 
comb, and  presided  as  such  Judge  for  foiu'teen  yeai's.  He  was  a  native  of  Philadelphia, 
in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  the  greatest  land-owner  of  the  village.  His  age 
is  seventy  years,  and  he  is  now  present  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  this  building.' 

A  business  directory,  deposited  at  that  time,  tells  us  that  the  following  wei'e  the 
business  men  of  that  day: 

Attorneys— R.  P.  Eldredge,  Richard  Butler,  A.  C.  Smith,  H.  D.  Terry,  P.  B.  Thurs- 
ton, and  J.  J.  Leonard;  blacksmiths — D.  Chandler,  George  Dixon,  J.  &  S.  Parks;  tailors 
— William  Roy,  and  J.  &  C.  Williams;  cabinet  makers — C.  Spaulding,  William  G.  Page; 
physicians — Henry  Taylor,  George  Lee,  Jr.,  Philo  Tillson,  Ebenezer  Hall;  merchants — 
H.  M.  Dodge,  -Tohn  Stevens,  Porter  Kibbe,  Eastman  &  Gallup,  Hall  &  Grovier,  Green  & 
Freeman;  grocers — John  Conner,  M.  Stapleton,  V.  Maynard;  inn-keep)ers — Joseph  Hub- 
bard, Alfred  Ashley,  Jabez  Hammond,  Silas  Hblsey;  glass  manufacturers — Hall  &  Grovier; 
shoemakers — William  Lewis,  J.  &  S.  Dixon,  E.  L.  Atkinson;  wagon-makers — C.  N.  Mather, 

Crittenden;     printers  —  T.    M.    Perry,    J.    Ingersoll;    Treasm-er  —  H.    M.    Dodge; 

Coroner — William  Lewis;  Postmaster — A.  C.  Smith;  Justices — John  Stockton,  P.  B. 
Thm'ston;  Presbyterian  pastor — Rev.  C.  Dudley;  Chui-ches — Presbyterian,  Methodist,  one 
Baptist  Society. 

My  friends,  since  that  record  was  made.  Time,  the  change-maker,  has  not  been  idle. 
Chi'istian  Clemens,  who  was  more  closely  and  prominently  allied  with  the  interests  of  Ma- 
comb County  than  any  man  of  his  time,  whose  generous  heart  swelled  with  gratitude  and 
emotion  as  he  witnessed  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  building  that  marked  another 


;^ 


HISTOUY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


epoch  in  the  prosperity  of  the  community — a  prosperity  that  he  labored  so  hard  to  secure 
— has  gone  from  you.  He  has  long  since  solved  the  grand  question.  Where  are  the 
lawyers  mentioned  in  that  record?  The  voices  of  the  versatile  and  eloquent  Terry  and  the 
rugged  John  J.  Leonard  are  hushed  in  death.  All  of  the  others  are  dead  except  R.  P. 
Eldi-edge  and  Richard  Butler,  who  are  not  in  practice  to-day.  Where  are  the  physicians 
of  that  day?  They  are  all  dead  except  Philo  Tillson,  who  is  now  a  venerable  resident  of 
Romeo.  None  of  the  merchants  mentioned,  in  that  record  are  in  business  here:  most  of 
them  are  dead,  and  those  that  are  alive  live  elsewhere. 

And  in  fact,  most  of  the  business  men  mentioned  in  that  directory  have  crossed  the 
dark  and  silent  river.  A  majority  of  those  who  are  now  living  with  us  have  retired  from 
the  strife  of  active  life,  and  are  now  sitting  in  easy  places,  the  cradle  of  reposing  age  be- 
ing rocked  by  hands  that  then  were  baby  hands.  Only  two  of  the  men  now  living  with  us 
whose  names  are  upon  that  record  ai"e  to-day  pursuing  the  same  avocations  they  were  pur- 
suing flirty  years  ago.  The  one  is  our  neighbor,  D.  C.  Williams,  a  tailor,  who  still  plies 
the  needle  and  handles  the  shears.  The  other  is  William  Phelps,  then  recoi'ded  as  mason 
of  that  building,  and  to-day  the  ring  of  his  trowel'  may  be  heard  ujson  this  building, 
keeping  perfect  time' with  the  trowels  of  those  who  are  his  juniors  by  at  least  forty  years. 

My  friends,  while  we  pause  and  realize  that  our  county  has  greatly  changed,  and 
that  a  new  lot  of  men  have  by  the  force  of  crowding  events  come  to  the  front,  and  now 
carry  on  and  administer  the  business  duties  of  life,  let  us  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that 
soon  we  all  will,  by  a  new,  young  and  ever  onward  pressing  life  and  by  the  ravages  of 
time,  be  forced  into  oblivion,  and  that  these  places  that  now  know  us  so  well  shall  know 
us  no  more  forever.  The  action  of  Mt.  Clemens  and  her  near  neighbors  in  building  this 
court  house  is  no  new  thing.  This  duty  seems  to  have  been  linked  with  the  blessings  to- 
day enjoyed,  and  to  have  been  transmitted  to  us  by  the  regular  line  of  descent.  It  is  as- 
serted by  those  who  were  here  forty  years  ago,  and  the  assertion  I  have  not  heard  seriously 
denied,  that  the  second  court  house  was  built  by  Mt.  Clemens  and  vicinity,  and  that  the 
building,  like  this,  was  but  a  monument  upon  the  old  spot  telling  to  the  world  the  unan- 
imity of  feeling  between  Mt.  Clemens  and  her  neighbors,  telling  of  the  sacrifices  which 
'Mt.  Clemens  and  her  friends  had  made  and  are  still  making  to  keep  the  Hall  of  Justice 
upon  the  old,  time  honored  spot. 

It  is  not  my  pui'pose  to  enter  into  the  details  of  the  struggle  in  relation  to  that 
building.  Those  things  are  of  the  ]:)aHt.  But  I  can  say  for  the  peoi)le  of  Mt.  Clemens 
that  they  do  not  cherish  any  feelings  of  animosity  toward  their  neighboring  sister  for  en- 
deavoring to  get  this  building  located  there.  We  recognize  that  in  doing  that  Romeo  did 
nothing  but  to  make  an  honest  endeavor  to  protect  her  own  interests.  We  do  not  forget 
that  Romeo  is  our  sister,  and  we  rejoice  in  her  solidity  and  prosperity.  We  remember 
the  fact  that  we  are  all  but  parts  of  one  common  and  prosperous  county,  and  we  never 
can  forget  the  kindly  and  generous  treatment  that  we  received  at  the  hands  of  the  Super- 
visor who  lives  within  the  limits  of  Romeo;  and  I  know  T  but  faintly  echo  the  feeling  of 
the  people  when   I  say  that  we  hope  and  trust  the  most  amicable  and   friendly  relations 


w 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


may  ever  exist  between  the  two  towns.  And  to  you,  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors, I  desire  to  publicly  say  that  the  city  thanks  you  for  the  straightforward,  upright 
and  coiu-teous  line  of  conduct  you  have  displayed  toward  us.  and  we  particularly  thank 
you  for  your  generosity  in  assuming  the  responsibility  of  paying  the  architect  and  super- 
intendent of  this  building. 

To  the  friends  and  neighbors  of  Mt.  Clemens,  whohave  come  to  om-  assistance,  who 
donated  $5,000  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  this  building,  I  desire  to  here  publicly 
on  the  part  of  Mt.  Clemens,  thank  you  for  your  generosity.  We  have  caused  every  name 
you  have  signed  to  be  copied,  and  propose  to  have  this  list  deposited  in  this  8tone,:so  that 
in  the  far-off  futm-e,  when  a  sm'ging  progress  shall  force  this  stone  from  its  bed  of  mortar, 
and  this  list  shall  come  to  light  again,  your  descendants  can  see  and  read  the  names  of 
the  persons  who  recognized  that  we  were  all  united  by  one  common  interest,  that  the  pros- 
perity of  one  was  the  prosperity  of  another,  and  that  the  lines  of  oiu-  incorporation  were  but 
imaginary.  And  now  to  you,  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  the  State  of  Mich- 
igan, the  chief  executor  of  a  brotherhood  that  is  almost  as  ancient  as  the  ceremonj'  of  lay- 
ing corner  stones,  I  renew  the  request  heretofore  made  on  the  part  of  the  city,  "  That  you 
will  lay  this  corner  stone  according  to  the  customs  and  usages  of  your  ancient  order.'' 

Following  came  a  prayer  by  the  Grand  Chaplain,  and  then  a  list  of  the  articles  placed 
in  the  stone  was  read.      It  ran  as  follows: 

1.     Proposition  of  city  of  Mt.  Clemens  to  build  court   bouse,  and  vote  of  Council 


thereon. 

2.  Resolution  and  vote  of  Board  of  Supervisors  accepting  proposition  of  Mt.  Clemens. 

3.  Vote  upon  the  proj)osition  by  the  city  electors  April  5,  1880. 

4.  Memorandum  of  bonds  issued  by  the  city  for  the  payment  of  the  $20,000  voted  by 
the  city. 

5.  Vote  of  Council  and  Board  of  Supervisors  accepting  plans  and  specifications  of 
N.  J.  Gibbs,  architect,  and  date  of  contract  with  builders. 

6.  List  of  names  of  persons  who  subscribed  money  toward  the  $5,000  raised  over 
and  above  the  .$20,000  voted  by  the  city. 

7.  List  of  the  business  men  and  firms  now  doing  liusiness  in  the  city. 

8.  Names  of  the  present  Board  of  Aldermen  and  officers  of  the  city, 
y.  Names  of  present  members  of  Board  of  Supervisors. 

10.  One  copy  of  Detroit  Daily  Post  and  Tribune. 

11.  One  copy  of  Detroit  Daily  Free  Press. 

12.  One  copy  of  Mt.  Clemens  Pces.s. 

13.  One  copy  of  Mt.  Clemens  MonHor. " 

14.  One  copy  of  RoTneo  Obserrer. 

15.  One  copy  of  Mt.  Clemens  Republican. 

IH.  List  of  officers  and  membei's  of  Ladies'  Literary  Society. 

17.  List  of  officers  and  members  of  Mt.  Clemens  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. 

18.  List  of  officers  and  members  of  Grand  Lodge. 


4 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


19.     List  of  officers  and  members  of  Odd  Fellows  Lodge. 

'20.      Ijist  of  oificers  and  members  of  the  German  Working  Men's  Society. 

21.  Programme  of  day's  proceedings. 

22.  Proceedings  of  Grand  Lodge  F.  &A.  M.  of  Michigan,  and  Grand  Chapter,  1880. 
28.      Memorial  of  the  Juvenile  Templars. 

24.  One  copy  of  Romeo  Democrat. 

25.  One  copy  of  Detroit  Evening  New.t. 

2().      Old  coin  taken  from  corner  stone  of  old  court  house,  dated  1781. 

The  striking  ceremony  proceeded  in  regular  form  until  its  close.  The  acts  of  the 
Grand  Officers,  with  the  responses  of  the  craft,  the  music  and  sm'ronndings  served  to  con- 
stitute an  interesting  and  impressive  service.  It  was  entirely  new  to  many  of  the  audience 
Upon  its  conclusion  came  an  addi-ess  by  tho  Grand  Master.  This,  a  brief  history  of  Ma- 
sonry, its  accomplishments  and  aims,  was  an  eloquent  and  masterly  effort. 

A  Masonic  ode  followed,  and  then  the  benediction,  which  signaled  the  end.  The  crowd 
dispersed.  The  Masons  with  their  guests  again  assembled  in  the  Opera  House.  Here  they 
formed,  and  took  up  the  march  to  the  Avery  House,  where  dinner  was  served.  Fully  200 
took  seats  in  the  splendid  dining  room  of  the  hotel,  and  a  fine  collation  awaited  them. 
The  banquet  occupied  more  than  an  hour,  and  consisted  of  six  com'ses.  Many  of  the  visit- 
ors were  in  the  house  for  the  first  time,  and  were  surprised  by  its  size  and  beauty.  The 
dance  at  the  Opera  House  the  same  evening  was  a  great  success.  It  was,  with  one  excep- 
tion, the  lai-gest  party  of  its  kind  held  in  Mt.  Clemens.   ' 

The  Committee  on  Appropriations  reported  in  favor  of  allowing  the  architect  of  the 
court  house  11,000  for  his  plans,  and  for  superinteading  the  work,  of  which  amount  $750 
should  be  paid  at  once.  The  total  cost  of  the  building  and  fiu-niture  cannot  be  much  be- 
low the  sum  of  152,000.  The  work  has  been  performed  well,  and  another  beautiful  ad- 
dition to  the  public  buildings  of  the  State  was  formally  opened  in  November,  1881. 

The  members  of  the  Court  House  Building  Committee  were  Charles  Ulrich,  John 
Otto  and  E.  W.  Lewis,  representing  the  Common  Council  of  Mt.  Clemens  City,  and 
James  Ayi'es,  L.  H.  Cantield  and  Thomas  Dawson,  rejiresenting  the  Supervisors'  Board. 
The  Committee  organized  by  appointing  James  Ayres,  Chairman,  and  John  Otto,  Clerk. 
June  18,  1880.  The  Clerk  was  excused  from  acting  on  Committee  July  7,  1880,  and 
Thomas  Dawson  was  appointed  Secretary.  This  Committee  continues  to  act  at  date  of 
writing,  and  will  i-eport  when  the  building  and  furnishing  are  reported  complete. 


THE    COUNTY    JAIL. 

Reference  has  been  made,  in  Mayor  Crocker's  address,  to  the  old  county  jail.  This 
relic  is  in  existence  yet;  and,  as  described  in  the  following  letter,  must  be  a  terrible  place  for 
habitation:  ''As  we  entered  the  vault  (it  deserves  no  better  name),  a  damp,  sickening  smell 
weighed  down  the  atmosphere,  and  the  chilly  air  fairly  penetrated  one  to  the  marrow. 
The  main  apartment  of  the  jail  runs  the  entire  length  of  the  building,  and  even  then  it  is 
hardly  large  enough  to  dance  a  French  fom'  in.     This  room,  in  which  the   prisoners  are 


''-*'<^: 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


allowed  to  stay  during  the  day  and  hug  the  stove  in  order  to  keep  from  freezing,  is  flanked 
on  either  side  by  a  row  of  cells.  There  are  five  in  all,  foui'  of  them  being  about  6x8  feet 
in  size,  the  other  probably  7x12.  In  each  cell  there  are  a  few  boards  thrown  together, 
which  answer  for  beds.  In  the  larger  cell  there  are  two  of  these  luxurious  couches.  Be- 
sides the  cells  there  are  two  small  cubby-holes,  one  of  which  is  used  for  a  wood  room,  and 
the  other  for  a  water  closet,  and  a  jslace  to  stow  away  ashes.  The  walls  were  all  reeking 
with  dampness,  and  in  one  of  the  cells  a  coating  of  ice  covered  the  floor,  the  water  from 
which  it  was  formed  having  oozed  out  from  the  side  of  the  building.  There  is  not  a  win- 
dow in  the  entire  structure  to  admit  light  to  the  inmates,  and  consecj^uently  they  are  com- 
pelled to  remain  in  utter  darkness,  except  when  the  iron  door  which  closes  over  the  grat- 
ing at  the  entrance  is  thrown  open.  The  only  places  for  ventilation,  discernible  to  the 
naked  eye,  is  a  small  hole  in  the  ceiling  of  each  cell  about  the  size  of  the  muzzle  of  a  shot 
gun — not  large  enough,  to  tell  the  truth,  to  carry  off  the  odor  of  a  rose  leaf." 

.4.  man  from  Armada  sojourned  there  for  a  short  time.  On  returning  home,  one  of  his 
neighbors  asked  him  how  he  got  out.  "'Why."  replied  the  es-prisoner,  "the  craik  in 
the  wall  was  so  large,  I  fell  out. " 

The  county  tolerated  this  building  for  almost  half  a  century.  In  1880,  the  people 
determined  to  build  a  new  jail,  and  consequently  voted  $10,000  for  that  purpose.  The  ques- 
tion was  submitted  to  the  people  in  March,  1881,  when  the  following  vote  was  recorded 
for  and  against  such  an  outlay  for  such  a  purpose; 


Mount  Clemens filW 

Sterling 14.") 

Warren '306 

Erin 30.i 

Clinton 284 

Harrison 98 

Macoml) 186 

Chesterfield 206 


Ray 15 

83        Shelby 64 

40         Richmond 126 

■">        Washington 6 

4        Bruce 3 

Armada 43 

88        Lenox 33 


Ag'st 

270 
222 
193 
341 
397 
249 
373 


Totals 2,342 


^ 


The  majority  in  favor  of  this  project  was  only  IBH. 

This  vote  cannot  be  taken  as  the  true  voice  of  the  people  of  Macomb.  In  fact,  tue 
large  number  who  voted  against  the  project  were  animated  with  a  desire  to  show  their 
dissatisfaction  with  the  action  of  the  Supervisors'  Board  in  not  showing  a  willingness  to 
submit  the  (juestion  of  relocating  the  county  seat  to  the  people.  Immediately  after  the 
voice  of  the  poople  declared  itself  favorable,  plans  and  specifications  were  called  for,  and 
the  bttilding  contracts  made. 

The  jail,  as  designed  by  Mr.  Gibbs,  is  a  very  handsome  and  substantial  structure, 
and  will  be  built  to  harmonize  with  the  court  house.  In  general,  it  will  be  constructed 
after  the  ideas  of  the  Committee.  It  will  consist  of  two  parts,  the  dwelling  and 
the  jail  proper,  the  latter  being  toward  the  river.  The  dwelling  faces  on  Front 
street,  and  will  have  a  frontage  of  forty-two  feet.  The  measurement  from  front  to  rear  is 
29 


5  v^ 


fe^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


thirty  feet.  The  dimensions  of  the  jail  part  will  be  30x32.  The  dwelling  will  have  two 
stories  and  a  basement.  The  basement  will  have  two  cellars,  kitchen  and  dining  room, 
and  one  bedioom.  On  the  first  floor  will  be  the  Sheriff's  office,  parlor,  sitting-room  and 
one  bedroom.  On  the  second  floor  will  be  foiu-  chambers,  a  bath-room,  closet,  etc. 
Height  of  ceilings,  ten  feet.  The  jail  part,  on  account  of  the  slope  of  the  gi-onnd,  will 
have  three  stories,  taken  up  with  cells,  of  which  there  will  be  room  for  eighteen. 

A  Biiilding  Committee,  consisting  of  Supervisors  Thomas  Dawson,  William  E.  Hall  and 
Harvey  Mellen,  was  appointed,  April  25,  1881.  This  Committee  organized  with  Harvey 
Mellen,  President,  and  Thomas  Dawson,  Secretary.  This  Committee  made  a  first  inspec- 
tion of  the  builder's  work  September  1"2,  1881,  and  continue  up  to  the  present  time  to  ex- 
ercise a  careful  supervision  over  the  work.  The  cost  of  the  building,  etc.,  maybe  set  down 
at  $11,000,     This  Committee  reported  finally  in  Mai'ch,  1882. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

COUNTY    FINANCE.S    AND    .ST.VTISTICS. 

There  is  no  more  certain  index  to  the  condition  of  a  Free  State  than  its  public  ac- 
coimts.  So  it  is  with  any  portion  of  the  State  where  the  people  manage  their  own  affairs, 
for,  as  a  general  rule,  the  governing  board  of  a  county  exercises  sound  judgment,  and  is 
always  slow  to  authorize  any  outlay  which  is  not  justified  by  necessity,  or  which  does  not 
give  promise  of  future  profit.  The  annual  exhibit  of  the  Coiinty  Treasurer  is  a  safe  basis 
on  which  to  rest  a  review  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  county;  but  to  realize  its  de- 
velopment, the  retm-us  of  Assessors  have  to  be  considered.  The  tabulation  of  the  sums 
resulting  annually  from  taxation  is  of  little  consequence  beyond  the  chance  it  oflers  the 
curious  of  ascertaining  the  amount  of  money  contributed  directly  by  the  people  for  the 
purpose  of  County,  State  and  General  Government.  The  indirect  taxation  accruing  to  the 
General  Government  is  much  more  extensive  than  our  direct  county  taxes;  but  the  possi- 
bility of  obtaining  reliable  figures  in  this  regard  is  so  far  removed  that  the  subject  could 
only  be  treated  in  a  speculative  manner.  Therefore,  the  reader  must  be  content  with  a 
knowledge  of  what  is  certain,  viz. :  That  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  directly  and 
indirectly,  pay  as  mu',h  as  should  render  the  General  Government,  State  Government  and 
local  Government  as  great  as  the  principles  of  pure  and  simple  Republicanism  require 
them  to  be,  and  which  they  are  not;  as  mindful  in  guarding  and  honoring  the  legacy 
which  the  fathers  of  the  Revolution  left  us  as  it  should  be  honored,  and  as  it  is  not;  as 
paternal  in  character,  and  as  solicitous  for  the  public  good  as  a  Republican  Government 
ought  to  be,  and  which  it  is  not.  It  is  considered  that  the  Republic  under  which  we  live 
is  the  most  liberal,  the  one  alone  under  which  man  has  attained  his  level   in  the  universe, 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


and  the  nearest  approach  to  perfect  government  known  to  the  civilization  of  our  day.  To 
make  it  what  it  is  capable  of  being  made,  and  to  surround  it  with  that  halo  of  truth  and 
honesty  which  alone  should  pertain  to  a  Republic,  is  all  that  is  required.  Official  perhdy 
should  be  stigmatized,  and  the  guilty  never  allowed  to  escape,  but  punished,  not  nomi- 
nally, but  severely;  for  he  who  would  prove  unfaithful  in  an  office  bestowed  by  a  free 
people  deserves  chains,  not  liberty — a  refuge  among  slaves  rather  than  a  home  among 
freemen. 

TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES. 

POPULATION    1S.50. 
Whit...       Ci'loved.  Wliite.     f'olorel. 

Armada.  Armada  Village 1.14.5  1  Ma<'onili 744          13 

Bruce 1.5.54  1  Hay 1,232 

Clie.sU'riield !»»5  7  Richmond.  Memphis 1,000 

Clinton 2,224  0  Shelby 1,482 

Mount  Clemen.^ 1.297  .5  Sterling 876 

Erin 974  ..  Warren 700 

Harrison 483  ..  Washington ■. 1,540            1 

Lenox,  New  Haven 6.52 

MACO.MB  COUNTY,    IS-'lO. 

Number  of  acres  of  improved  land,  50,056.V;  number  of  acres  sowed  with  wheat, 
1849,  12.536i;  nimiber  of  bushels  of  wheat  raised  in  1849,  97,867;  number  of  bushels  of 
other  grain  raised  in  1849,  289,935J;  number  of  horses,  2,412;  number  of  neat  cattle, 
8,782;  number  of  swine,  4.772;  number  of  sheep,  27.491;  number  of  pounds  of  wool,  71,- 
792i;  number  of  steam  saw-mills,  2;  number  of  water  saw-mills,  7;  number  of  steam  and 
water  saw-mills,  14;  number  of  feet  of  lumber  sawed,  1849,3,746,725;  capital  invested, 
$17,150;  number  of  hands  employed,  65;  number  of  flouring  mills.  8;  number  of  runs  of 
stone,  13;  number  of  ban-els  of  Horn- manufactured.  1849,  "23,900;  capital  invested,  $48,- 
600;  number  of  hands  employed,  19;  two  tin  and  coppersmiths,  one  cabinet  and  chair 
factory,  one  pearlash  factory,  one  carding-mill.  one  foundry  and  machine  shop,  one  stave 
factory,  one  window  glass  factory,  one  leather  factory,  one  pmnp  factory — employing  101 
men;  capital  invested,  $53,000;  value  of  products,  1849.  §92,000;  number  of  pounds  of 
sugar  made  in  1849,  44,022;  merchandise  imported  for  sale,  1849.  $160,631:  number  of 
insane,  deaf,  dumb,  and  blind.  10. 

TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES. 

PdfULATIOX    I860. 
Wliite        ro1,.reii.  While-      Colored 

Armada,  Armada  Village 1 ,48  )  8  Maeomb 1 .357  1 

Bruce 1,806  1  Ray 1.544 

Chesterfield 2.1.56  1  Richmond.  Memphis 1.683  2 

Clinton.  Mount  Clemens 2.867  26  Shelby 1.068  7 

Erin 1,975  ..  Sterling 1,077  5 

Harrison .545  1  Warren 1,333  2 

Leno.x,  New  Haven 1,4.52  1  Washington 1.837  8 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUJJTY. 


TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES. 

POPULATION   1870. 


Armiida 

Aniiiida  Village. 

Biuco 

C'hestci'tield 

Clinton 

Muuut  Olemeus. 

Erin 

Harrison 

fieno.x 

New  Haven 


Total. 

Native. 

Foreign. 

Wllite. 

Col'd. 

1.731 

1,371 

350 

1,706 

15 

494 

398 

96 

4H1 

13 

3,145 

1.672 

473 

2,143 

3 

3.1751   1,644 

531 

3,175 

3,.590!   3,458 

1,133 

3,564 

26 

1.768   1.331 

437 

1,757 

11 

3,466    1,543 

924 

2,466 

605;      558 
3,1341   1.543 

47 

604 

1 

592 

3,115 

19 

413 

333 

80 

413 

Macomb  .  . . 

Ray 

Richmond.  . 
Memjihis  . . . 

Shelby 

Sterling. .  . . 

Warren 

Washington 


Native.   Fereign.    White.  Cord, 


805  1 

.555  1 

1811  1 
385' 

6951  1 

5491  1 

938'  1 

0571  1 


30,676! 


601 
348 
566 
141 
303 
472 


1,805 
1,555 
2,165 
379 
1,695 
1,533 
1,932 
3,040 


30..528   133 


STATISTICAL,    1870. 

The  entire  population  of  Macomb  County,  according  to  the  general  State  Census, 
taken  in  1870,  was  27,619.  Of  this  population  the  priucijial  elements  are  the  agricultural, 
financial,  mechanical  and  industrial.  Of  these  four  items  we  propose  to  present  a  few 
tigui'es,  the  above  quoted  work  being  our  authority. 

There  was,  in  1870,  153,691  acres  of  improved  land;  91,988  acres  of  wood  land:  and 
of  other  unimproved  land  12,869  acres,  at  a  total  cash  value  of  $11,985,486.  The  farming 
improvements  and  machinery  were  valued  at  1485,946.  •  The  amount  paid  in  wages  during 
the  year,  including  value  of  board,  $284,388.  Value  of  all  farm  products,  including  bet- 
terments and  additions  to  stock,  $2,243,983.  Forest  pi-oducts  realized  S  103,038.  Of  the 
various  products  the  following  quantities  were  returned:  Spring  wheat,  19,991  bushels; 
winter  wheat,  865,985  bushels;  rye,  7,482  bushels;  Indian  corn,  811,277  bushels;  oats, 
494,044  bushels;  barley,  29,872  bushels;  buckwheat,  20,817  bushels;  peas  and  beans,  16,- 
027  bushels;  potatoes,  240,931  bushels;  hay,  41,988  tons;  clover  seed,  671  bushels;  grass 
seed,  146  bushels;  hops,  140,756  pounds. 

Live  stock  returns  repi'esented  by  the  following  figures:  Horses,  7,961;  mules  and 
asses,  26;  milch  cows,  9,040;  working  oxen,  407;  other  cattle,  7,899;  sheep,  64,694; 
swine,  11,089;  total  value  of  all  kinds  of  live  stock,  $1,616,087;  value  of  animals 
slaughtered  or  sold  for  slaughter,  $371,282;  wool,  320,591  pounds;  dairy  products — but- 
ter, 880,969  pounds;  cheese,  33,360  pounds;  milk  sold,  875  gallons;  value  of  orchard 
produce,  $81,010. 

Total  of  all  taxes,  $124,049,  divided  as  follows:  State  taxes  of  all  kinds,  $13,018; 
county  taxes  of  all  kinds,  $32,373;  township,  village  and  city,  of  all  kinds,  $78,658. 

The  principal  business  of  the  county  is  its  lumber  interest.  In  this  branch  of  in- 
dustry there  are  in  the  county  twenty-seven  mills,  of  which  thirteen  are  propelled  by 
steam,  eleven  by  water,  and  thi'ee  by  horse-power.  Value  of  material  used,  $67,187; 
wages  paid  for  the  year  ending  June  1,  1870,  $21,715;  capital  invested  in  lumber,  $87,- 
500;  expenses  for  material  and  labor,  $88,902;  value  of  total  products,  $148,090;  number 
of  feet,  7,859,000.     Of  other  mills  there  are  in  the  county  eleven,  all   flouring.     In  addi- 


k^ 


HISTORY   OF    ■MACOMB   COUNTY. 


tion  to  the  above  we  find  the  following  industries  and  manufactures  represented:  One  tan- 
nery, six  breweries;  capital  invested  in  latter,  §22.500;  one  salt  works,  capital  invested, 
$12,000:  establishments  of  all  kinds  in  county,  208;  number  of  persons  employed  per 
month,  832;  months  of  labor.  7,929;  wages  paid.  §228,891;  capital  invested,  §659,160. 


TOWNSHIPS  AND  VILLAGES. 

rOITLATION    1880. 
Etiunieratiir  Enumerator. 

Ai-niada 1,734.  ..Vbram  S.  Hall.  Rav l,54;i.Bela  R.  D.avis. 

In  Village 5.56.  .Almim  S.  Hall.  RiHimond 2,611 .  ..Julin  C.  Keeler. 

Bruce 2,103.  .Alexander  H.  Shelp.  In  .Smith  Memphis.  ..      367.  ..Tnhii  C.  Keeler. 

In  North  Romeo. . . .      921.  .Alexander  H.  Shelp.       In  Kichinond 750.  .John  C.  Keeler. 

Chesterfield 2,352.  .Cli:iilr<  C.iinor.  Shelhv 1,650.  .William  S.  Andrus. 

In  New  Baltimore...   1,024.  .('linlr,  <  Minior.  In  Disco 100.  .William  S.  Andrus. 

Clinton 2,002.  .Auuii>i  llCanticUl.         In  North  Utica 316.  .William  S.  Andrus. 

I  .loliii  E.  Foster.  Sterlins 2.088.  .Richard  H.  Sliter. 

Mount  Clemens 3.051  ■  Robert  Irvine.  In  South  Ulica 177.  .Richard  H.  Sliter. 

/  Arthur  N.  Grovier.  Warren 2,401.  .G.  B.  Walker. 

Erin 2,695. '.  Gustave  Sehuchard.  In  Beebes  Corners.  . .      106.  .  G.  B.  Walker. 

Harrison 740. . Fredrick  C.  Porton.         Washington 3,053.  .Jonathan  Stone. 

Lenox 2,516.  .Ed.  L.  Raymond.  In  South  Romeo 705.  .Jonathan  Stone. 

In  New  Haven 600.  .Ed.  L.  Raymond.  

Macomb 2.046.  .Alfred  Stewart.  Total 31.603 

The  following  is  the  report  of  the  cereal  products  of  Macomb  County  for  1877-78: 


Townships. 

Acres  Wheat 
raised  in  1877 

Bushels    Wheat 
in  1877. 

Acres  .m 
Ground  in  1878. 

Acres  Corn. 

Acres  Oats. 

Acres  Barley. 

3491 

2816 
15,59 
1411 
1783 
1538 
1839 
1776 

855 
1435 
1683 

443 
1035 

81990 
65166 
35023 
28958 
36328 
32018 
43659 
29606 
17492 
30135 
392.50 
9643 
34773 

3940 

3099 
^3056 
1789 
3390 
3155 
2386 
2389 
1:323 
1503 
2162 
668 
1:^38 
1338 

1444 
1.560 
1439 

987 
1443 

964 
1467 
1829 
1349 
1378 
1280 

556 
1631 
1516 

1453 
1304 
2536 
2340 
1625 
1898 
1638 
1434 
i:i54 
1382 
1726 
639 
2054 
1983 

342 

113 

305 

396 

Rav 

108 

198 

Shelliy 

13 

Sterling • 

91 
97 

Chesterfield 

Harrison 

Erin 

337 
109 
53 

Warren 

FARM  STATISTICS. 

The  following  statistical  information  is  taken  from  the  report  of  the  Secretary  of 
State,  dealing  with  the  farms  and  farm  products  of  Michigan  for  the  year  1880.  relating 
to  this  county: 

Horses,  8,829;  milch  cows.  9,549:  other  cattle.  S,527;  hogs,  11,761;  sheep,  104,871; 
acres  devoted  to  apple  orchards,  5,821;  to  peach  orchards,  1,131;  acres  under  clover.  4,274; 
under  barley,  2,178;  peas,  1,215;  potatoes,  2,847:  hay,  29,792;  wheat,  34,308;  corn,  18,- 
010;  oats,  21,035;  number  of  acres  of  improved  land,  158,746;  of  unimproved,  83,629; 
total  number  of  acres,  242,375;  number  of  farms.  3.083;  average  number  of  acres  per  farm 
78.62, 


Ml 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  taxes,  as  apportioned  for  1880-81,  are  set  forth  in  the  following  table: 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Statf  Tax. 

County  Thx. 

Town  Tax. 

$1372  51 
1871  -2', 
1018  80 
103.5  M4 
1.81)0  82 
8-,Hi  XH 
112(i  00 
lOli'j  ti.T 
>Htl   70 
1851   40 
1148  54 
lOOO  05 
\-i:]K  10 
mri  25 
450  80 
481  32 
271  60 

$2039  65 
3158  75 
1623  50 
1660  60 
3093  07 
533  45 
1805  00 
1714  75 
15.S8  40 
3106  00 
1841  10 
1714  75 
1984  50 
3158  75 
732  00 
770  73 
433  00 

$    500  00 

12032  52 
2200  00 

Chesterfield 

600  00 

Erin. 

2i.5  66 

565  00 

776  68 

Ray 

1150  00 

675  00 

Shelby 

700  00 

Sterlin;,' 

600  00 

450  00 
800  00 

Mniuil  CI. -Ill 
M. .111,1    CI. -Ill 

Mount  Cli^iii 

•IIS.  First  Ward 

■lis.  Scc.iiid  Ward 

•ns,  Third  Ward 

3501  85 
8738  20 
2109  95 

Total.. 

$18096  02 

$29000  00 

.$30114  20 

The  total  tax  levy  in  this  county  for  the  years  1881-82  is  $81,105.51,  which  sum  is 
■divided  as  follows:  State  tax,  $21,161.70;  county  tax,  $85,650;  town  tax,  $26,2y3.75. 


EQUALIZED    V.^LUATION- -1842    TO    1881. 


TOWNS. 

184-2. 

1849. 

1851.      1       IS.'jS. 

18.59. 

1869. 

1875. 

1881 

Richmond 

Harrison 

$45,519, 
23,928 
31.987 
70,427 
83,950 
5'.l,0i; 
OII.'^Cl 

45,111(1 
42,  SI'.' 
42.1011 
49. Sim 
59.s,-,i; 

$46,048  $ 
25,132 
34,420 
117,978 
40,1»!»0 
0:',,T00 
ss.ii:;i 

liir,  ::!i! 
s,s  t;.'i5 
IS, OS? 
81, ■,':!? 
4(I.:!8S 
5il.^js7 
r,  1,01 14 

47,161  $231,70:! 
33.8.S!)  115, .580 
40,604    280,4211 

110. Oil  ;:lo,s|0 
(iO.OOO  8s-,'.s,"i7 
07,5(iS  ::s,-,.fj,-, 
HI. -.'IIS    05::.:|:;8 

I|:'..5s0  5;8.771 
s;.0|:;  5^J7,485 
41l,SSil    ■J72.:U1 

:'.5,i):;2    -.'iiKKo 
i:i,225    ■,",'i,i;^,-,> 
5:;, lis;     -.'CO, 510 

>;256,.551) 
111,21)7 
2:W,1)72 
07s,7ri 
:il)S,871) 
4ii;l,4SO 
01)1,1)25 
5SI  1,178 
140,1 '■.5 

■.'0  1,  ■.'s,-, 

•.'r.',oiHi 

■.'70,721 
80,',71l 

>;8T4,S-J0 
97,0s  1 
:!4(),0i)0 
01)7,71)1) 
42:!, Olio 

110, DIM) 

712,550 
HC.s.ir.o 
H15,^Ji)0 
:;|o.:;i,s 
■.'HI.  1100 
815. Olio 

8si;.4::o 

>;4:iO,oi)l) 
OS, 0011 

:!S5,0()() 
7:!(),0()i) 
110,01)1) 
441). 000 

i;o'oiio 

810,(100 

:;  III, 01)0 

850^000 
:lSi),()00 

$1202,000 
2ss,oiio 
1121,01)0 

Washiimlon 

Cliisicrtleld 

Armada 

Bruce 

Clinloii 

I  78S,000 
914,000 
1 122,000 
I7ss,0(ii) 
SIM  000 

Shelbv 

1014,000 

1)7:1,000 

1014  000 

1)118,000 

953,000 

Ray 

894,000 

Note  —In  niUliiiun  lo  t   e  liguces  for 

.SSl.tl.,-  .■■!. 

,li/...l   V..I.I:, 

i...i  ..1    III.   .  uv  "1    Mt 

.'Ci,..-.,-  > 

a.  sl,„!,j,.„ 

.. 

Tho   li(jiiur  tax   in  this  county,  as   tinally  reported   and   collected.    December,    1881, 
stands  as  follows: 


Cilv  of  Mount  Clemens $3735  43 

Uticii  Village 665  00 

Richmond  Village 766  66 

New  Baltimore  Village 578  75 

New  Haveu  Village 130  00 

Romeo  Village 800  00 

Armada  Village 1.83  34 


Memphis  Village 175  00 

Warren  Township 935  00 

Erin  Township 9.80  00 

Clinton  Township 65  00 

Lenox  Township 65  00 

$8069  18 


vl^ 


V 


.^1 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


The  population  of  the  district,  organized  as  Macomb,  from  1810  to  1880,  is  estimated 
at  follows: 


Year. 

P..p,.lHti..n. 

Colored. 

Year. 

Poijulation. 

r,>i..r..,i 

1810 

580 

1850 

15530 

29 

1820 

898 

2 

1860 

22843 

63 

1830 

2418 

1 

1870 

27616 

118 

1840 

981() 

33 

1880 

31603 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

AUlMcrLTrUE    AXI)   FARMERS    A.SSOCIATIOXS. 

A  man  may  wander  into  remote  parts  of  the  earth  as  a  traveler,  where  for  the  time 
being  he  will  lose  sight  of  farms,  and  where  he  will  be  obliged  to  deny  himself  the  food 
and  comforts  they  aflbrd.  He  may  consent  to  prdsecute  a  lucrative  business  in  an  inhos- 
pitable clime,  or  where  farming  is  wholly  neglected,  and  its  products  can  only  be  obtained 
by  long  transportation  at  exorbitant  prices,  but  he  will  not  prolong  his  sojoiu-n  after  he 
has  satisfied  his  curiosity,  or  succeeded  in  his  temporaiy  purpose. 

Permanent  and  successful  agriculture  prs-suppose-^  the  local  existence  of  every  con- 
dition essential  to  popular  enjoyment  and  prosperity.  Whatever  else  of  value  may  distin- 
guish a  place,  them  can  be  no  substitute  for  this.  Agriculture  is  necessary  for  the  eco- 
nomical development  and  to  the  localization  of  the  proceeds  ef  every  other  resource. 
However  rich  any  locality  may  be  in  timber,  salt  water,  or  other  substance  convertible  into 
marketable  commodities,  it  cannot  afford  to  ignore  agriculture.  It  is  true  that,  beyond 
the  vicinage  of  a  farmer,  lumber  may  be  minufautured,  mines  disemboweled  and  salt  pro- 
duced; put  the  money  which  is  realized  will  take  to  itself  wings.  Such  an  undertaking 
will  require  the  exportation  to  a  foreign  sovu'ce  of  a<(i'icultm'al  supplies,  of  the  means  nec- 
essary to  procure  them.  The  large  sums  paid  for  them,  instead  of  going  into  the  pockets 
of  those  who  reside  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  consumer  to  be  thei-e  expended  in  improve- 
ments, in  supporting  other  branches  of  industry,  and  in  sustaining  an  increased  trade, 
go  to  the  remote  producers. 

AGRICULTrR.\L    DEVELOPMENT. 

A  paper  on  the  development  of  the  agi'icultm-al  interests  of  Macomb  County  was  read 
before  the  Farmers'  Institute,  at  Utica,  by  Judge  James  B,  Eldredge.  The  subject,  as 
treated,  is  replete  in  data  and  event,  and  therefore  forms  a  valuable  addition  to  this  section 
of  the  work.  '  Our  county,'  says  the  Judge,  '  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  State,  yet  it  is  barely 
a  half-century  old.  As  to  its  agriculture,  it  was  organized  in  1818,  and  then  comprised,  in 
addition  to  its  present  territory,  a  part  of  Oakland.  Lapeer  and  Sanilac  and  all  of  St. 
Clair.  The  probable  first  settler  was  a  Frenchman,  one  of  a  body  of  emigi-ants,  sent  over 
by  the  French  in  1756.  to  settle  about  the  fort  at  Detroit  to  strengthen  it.  We  learn 
fi-om  the  •  State  papers  '  that  along  the  shores  of   Lake  St.  Clair  in  this  county,  were  set 


;t^ 


4- 


HISTOKY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tied  here  and  there  French  families  in  1796,  and  that  in  that  year  were  found  houses  so  old 
as  to  be  untenantable  from  decay  at  various  points — one  at  Point  Aux  Grapeaux,  near  the 
present  site  of  New  Baltimore.  This  body  of  immigrants  was.  on  starting  out.  fiu-nished 
with  a  full  supjtly  of  grain,  seeds  and  fruits  to  enable  them  to  test  the  soil  of  the  new 
land.  Early,  these  Frenchmen  located  homes  along  the  watery  highway,  cleared  a  few 
acres — very  few — erected  log  houses,  tested  seed  and  planted  fruit  trees;  but  it  is  well 
known  that  such  were  the  enticements  of  the  chase,  that  farming  was  not  a  material  part 
of  their  labors.  The  gun  and  spear  were  of  tener  used  than  the  plow  or  spade.  The  woods 
and  waters  more  easily  fiu'nished  food  and  raiment  than  the  field.  The  early  aettlers  had 
no  market  but  their  own  mouths,  no  care  but  their  own  enjoyment.  Agricultiu'e  did  not 
thrive  in  those  days.  The  canoe  was  the  only  vehicle,  the  stream  and  lake  the  only  high- 
way. The  labors  of  the  day  consisted  in  the  sports  of  the  chase.  Food  and  raiment  were 
gathered  from  the  woods  and  waters.  This  state  of  affairs  continued  in  the  main  until 
the  year  1820.  Prior  to  this  time,  nearly  all  the  settled  lands  in  the  county  were  held 
either  as  squatters  or  as  purchasers  from  the  Indians,  or  as  "  private  claims. '  Those  set- 
tlers who  could  show  a  possession  in  themselves  or  grantors,  back  to  1796.  were  allowed 
by  the  United  States  to  survey  off  not  to  exceed  640  acres,  and  to  receive  a  patent  there- 
for. Those  private  claims  fronted  on  the  river  or  lake,  and  were  mainly  held  by  descend- 
ants of  the  immigrants  of  1796.  Now  and  then  one  of  another  nation  had  taken  title  to 
these  private  claims,  or  had  set  down  beside  the  Frenchmen,  like  the  (3onners  and  Tuckers, 
who  were  early  on  the  Clinton  River.  It  was  not  until  about  the  year  1720  that  there  be- 
gan a  flow  of  farmers  into  the  county — men  who  came  to  clear  and  build,  and  plow,  an  d 
cultivate — and  it  is  from  that  year  we  may  date  the  commencement  of  the  development  of 
the  agricultm'al  interests  of  our  county. 

The  land  outside  of  the  private  claims  was  surveyed  into  sections  about  the  year 
1817.  and,  as  a  matter  of  ciu'iosity,  we  go  to  the  records  and  note  who  were  the  first  to 
take  up  lands  thus  surveyed  into  sections.  Let  us  see  who  were  the  first  locators  outside 
of  the  private  claims  in  each  town  and  where  they  chose.  This  will  enable  us  to  form 
some  idea  of  where  the  first  settlements  and  farming  began.  It  is  doubtless  true  that  the 
first  lands  taken  up  were  not  in  all  cases  the  first  improved,  but  it  was  so  mainly.  Bear- 
ing in  mind  that  along  the  lake  shore  and  up  the  Clinton  River  a  few  miles  was  a  string 
of  hamlets,  whose  occupants  were  not  farmers,  but  hunters  and  fishers,  with  little  garden 
spots  and  a  few  fruit  trees,  we  strikeout  into  the  wilderness  of  sections  and  see  where  farm- 
ing in  the  county  began. 

We  table  the  first  three  locations  in  each  township,  by  whom  and  when.  Some  of 
them  were  mere  speculators,  but,  as  I  name  them,  many  of  you  will  recall  them  as  pio- 
neers.    I  take  the  towns  in  order  of  time; 

Clinton — Daniel  Leroy,  September  7,  1818,  Section  14;  D.  G.  Jones.  February  18, 
1822,  Sections  3  and  10. 

Erin — Christian  Clemens.   October  7,  1818.  Section  14:  Villiam  Forsyth.   May   11, 


1820.  Section  22. 


■fv*- 


i^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Macomb — G.  and  D.  Greichir.  August  12.  1820,  Section  35:  Alfred  Ashley.  June  26. 
1821,  Section  35;  David  B.  Ford.  May  22.  1822,  Section  25. 

Chesterfield — Robert  Jean.  August  28,  1820.  Section  11;  James  C.  Edgerly,  June 
24,  1823,  .Section  30;  Antoine  Rivard.  September  8,  1824.  Section  21. 

Washington — Asahel  Bailey.  July  3.  1821,  Section  33;  Gideon  Gates,  July  5. 
1821,  Section  27;  George  Wilson.  September  1,  1821.  Section  33. 

Sterling — Eleazer  Scott,  September  1,  1821,  Section  3;  James  C.  Underwood,  Au- 
gust 12,  1823,  Section  24;  Andrew  Leon,  October  4,  1823,    Section  24. 

Shelby — James  Hazard,  November  20,  1821,  Section  5;  Ezra  Burgess,  May  13,  1822, 
Section  7;  George  Hanscom,  June  8,  1822,  Section  3. 

Bruce— Daniel  Hill,  November  20,  1821,  Section  35;  A.  Bailey,  April  16,  1822,  Sec- 
tion 35;  Leander  Trombly,  September  4,  1822,  Sections  29  and  20. 

Armada — John  Proctor,  November  4,  1823,  Section  31:  Peter  Daniels,  .June  23, 
1824,  Section  31;  Chauncey  Bailey,  June  23,  1824,  Section  3(». 

Ray — Benjamin  N.  Freeman.  June  23.  1824,  Section  5;  Joseph  Chubb,  October  14, 
1824,  Section  22;  Nathaniel  Thompson,  October  18,  1824,  Sections  8  and  9. 

Warren — Charles  \V.  Groesbeok,  June  24.  1830.  Section  33;  Charles  Rivard,  June 
18,  1831.  Section  35. 

Lenox — Phineas  D.  Pelton,  June  4.  1831,  Section  6;  Joseph  Comstock,  Septem- 
ber 19.  1831.  Section  33;  Roswell  Green,  August  13.  3831.  Section  33. 

Richmond — John  Hale.  December  1,  1832,  Section  30:  Edwin  B.  Rose,  December  1. 

1832,  Section  30;  Anson  Pettibone,  May  13,  1833,  Section  19. 

Let  us  picture  to  ourselves  these  settlers  over  so  widely  scattered  locations.  What  a 
map  we  have!  These  men,  I  dare  say,  did  not  quarrel  about  line  fences.  Around  these 
locations,  in  time,  collected  neighborhoods;  forests  were  cut  down,  buildings  erected, 
fields  cleared,  harvests  grown,  needed  mills  sprang  into  existence,  markets  and  larger  har- 
vests followed;  churches  and  schoolhouses  sprang  up  first  among  the  buildings,  to  the 
great  surprise  of  the  French,  who  had  been  in  a  line  from  Detroit  to  Lake  Huron  for  a 
half -century  and  over.  From  the  opening  of  these  locations  to  1840.  the  progi-ess  of  this 
county  was  marked  by  many  improvements  in  lands  and  buildings,  and  the  growth  of  in- 
creased crops  was  rapid  and  surprising.  In  1827,  the  county  consisted  of  five  townships, 
viz.,  Washington.  Shelby,  Ray,  Clinton  and  Harrison.  Improved  lands  in  Harrison  and 
Clinton  were  valued  at  $10  per  acre,  and  in  the  other  towns  at  $8  per  acre,  and  all  wild 
lands  at  $2  per  acre.      The  county  tax  of  that  yeai'  was  $557.59. 

In  1832,    the  first  towns  were  valued,  real  and  personal  together,  at  $263,304:  in 

1833.  at  $314,872;  in  1834,  at  $366,902;'  in  1835,  at  $474,678;  in  1838,  $1,226,962. 
Quite  evident  here  we  can  see  the  influence  of  being  the  '  eastern  end  '  of  the  Clinton  & 
Kalamazoo  Canal.  'Wildcat'  days  jumped  the  value  of  the  county  from  $474,670,  in 
1835,  to  $1,250,000,  in  1837.  I  have  been  unable  to  find  any  reliable  statistics  prior  to 
the  United  States  census  of  1840.  I  know  that  figures  are  dry,  but  in  no  other  way  can 
we  so  plainly  place  iu  view  the  growth  of  the  past,  as  by  a  table  showing  the  amount  of 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY, 


various  agricultural  products  raised  in  the  county  at  periods  of  ten  years,  from   1840  to 
the  present  time: 


PRODUCTS. 

184n. 

1850. 

1863. 

187U. 

1879 

Wheat,  bushels 

81,064 
67,792 
71,538 
13,037 

1,482 
7,198 
8,958 

97,367 

230,733 

385,476 

494,044 

311,377 

330,591 

7,961 

17,346 

64,694 

153,601 

$5,864,073 

532,730 
802,060 

232,988 

300,588 

6,363 

16,073 

83,663 

106,077 

103,500 

71,792 
2.667 
9,443 

33,762 

57,876 

339  390 

Horses 

Cattle 

2,329 

19,426 

64,373 

158,746 

Value,  real  and  personal 

1-16,191,981 

This  table  teaches  us  that  since  1840  the  crop  of  wheat  has  increased  over  600  per 
cent,  oats  over  1.000  per  cent,  corn  ever  1,000  per  cent;  the  number  of  our  horses  over 
600  per  cent,  cattle  over  300  per  cent  and  sheep  over  800  per  cent,  whose  fleece  has  in- 
creased in  weight  nearly  400  per  cent.  The  county  was  equalized  in  1882  at  $263,805, 
and,  in  1879,  at  $19,191,981—  an  increase  of  wonderful  magnitude,  and  mainly  because 
of  the  development  of  its  agricultural  interests. 

At  the  time  of  this  assessment,  the  plan  was  adopted  of  assessing  at  the  cash  value. 
Previous  to  this  time,  the  rate  had  been  at  two-third  cash  value. 

Statistics  of  the  various  business  interests  of  the  county  at  large  show  us  that  of  mer- 
chants not  to  exceed  3  per  cent  make  money  and  die  wealthy.  Of  the  professions,  not  10  per 
cent  more  than  merely  live,  and  it  is  about  the  same  with  the  various  trades.  Surely  the  young 
man  who  wishes  to  insure  certain  success  financially,  when  he  leaves  the  farm  and  goes  to  the 
city  or  village,  leaves  a  business  that  is  almost  certain  of  financial  increase,  to  engage  in 
one  where  the  percentage  of  success  is  exceedingly  small.  Recui-ring  to  the  history  of 
the  past  development,  has  not  the  farmer  of  this  county  cause  to  be  proud  of  his  achieve- 
ments and  proud  of  his  county"?  Yet,  while  thus  we  regard  our  part  with  pride,  the  query 
comes  up,  Have  we  reached  our  highest  point  of  development"?  Is  it  necessary,  or  is  it 
our  duty,  to  stop  or  decrease  the  rate  of  progress  and  stand  still?  Is  there  anything  in 
the  idea  that  we  have  now  exhausted  the  virgin  strength  of  our  soil,  and  henceforward 
must  resort  to  artificial  manures  to  keep  up  the  yield  of  our  crops,  so  expressive  that 
farming  here  cannot  keep  pace  vrith  other  departments  of  life'?  These  and  kinth'ed  ques- 
tions are  important.  We  learn  that  in  countries  of  much  less  fertility,  countries  cultivat- 
ed for  hundreds  of  years,  by  the  exercise  of  a  judicious  system  of  farming,  agricultm-e  is 
made  to  thrive  and  jirosper. 

It  may  be  that  we  need  to  exercise  more  care,  learning  and  skill,  to  continue  on  in 
the  rapid  pace  of  the  past,  but,  whether  we  need  to  do  so  or  not.  ought  to  be  unimportant. 
Doing  so  will  add  to  our  prosperity,  elevate  farming  and  ennoble  us  as  individuals,  and  as 
a  class  farmers  should  need  no  other  incentive.  The  question  with  us  should  not  be.  Is 
it  necessary,  but.  Is  it  well  to  do  so?  Situated  as  our  county  is,  climatically  considered, 
it  must  be  deemed  favored  land;  while  "blizzards."   grasshoppers  and   long  droughts  in 


Hr   i 


w 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  West  make  farming  uncertain,  and  floods  and  epidemics  destroy  whole  communities 
in  the  South,  and  the  sterility  of  soil  in  the  East  makes  farming  almost  impracticable,  the 
farmer  of  Macomb  County  stands  as  upon  holy  land,  where  good  crops  form  the  rule,  where 
there  is  fi-eedom  from  epidemics  and  devastating  storms,  where  nature  has  placed  no  such 
obstacle  as  absence  of  timber,  want  of  water  or  unhealthy  climate.  Situated  as  we  are, 
there  is  no  need  to  stay  the  speed  of  our  progress  at  all,  and  we  hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of 
all  to  so  combine  thought  and  action  that  greater  results  may  be  reached." 

THE    MACOMB    COUNTY    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

The  Macomb  County  Agricultural  Society  was  organized  in  1849,  with  Payne  K. 
Leech  as  President;  William  Canfield,  Secretary;  A.  W.  Sterling,  Treasurer.  The  officers 
then  elected  ware  continued  in  ISoO      Since  that  time  the  officers  have  been: 

Presidents — James  B.  St.  John,  1851;  William  Canfield,  1852  and  1853;  ^larsliall 
Hadley,  1854;  Ira  H.  Butterfield.  1855  and  1856. 

Secretaries —R.  P.  Eldredge,  1851;  Dexter  Mussey.  18.")2  and  1863;  J.  H.  Kaple, 
1854:  Charles  F.  Mallary,  1855  and  1856. 

Treasurers — Norman  Periy,  1851;  P.  K.  Leech,  1852-54;  Charles  Weston,  1856. 

The  first  fair  was  held  at  Utica,  in  September,  1850,  opposite  the  site  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church.  At  this  time,  there  were  no  fences,  buildings,  race-track,  or,  in  fact, 
anything  which  now  is  considered  necessary  to  contribute  to  the  success  of  such  a  meeting. 
After  the  meeting  of  the  society,  a  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  to  Ira  H.  Butterfield,  Ira 
Phillips,  P.  K.  Leech  and  other  stock-raisers  for  their  efforts  to  improve  the  stock  of  the 
county. 

The  three  men  just  mentioned,  together  with  John  B.  St.  John  and  R.  P.  Eldredge, 
pledged  themselves  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  society,  hut  tli?ir  liberal  offer  was  not 
requisitioned. 

The  agricultural  society  was  re-organized  at  Brooklyn  March  10,  1857.  for  the  object 
of  promoting  the  interests  of  the  agriculturists  and  horticulturists  of  Macomb  County. 
The  first  officers  of  the  re-organized  society  were:  Ira  H.  Butterfield,  President;  Dexter 
Mussey,  Vice  President;  Charles  F.  Mallary,  Secretary;  Charles  W.  Weston,  Treasurer: 
Harlehigh  Carter,  Andrew  Sutherland,  Sr.,  Allen  P.  Bentley,  James  Flower,  Truman  R. 
Andrus,  James  Crawford,  Carlos  W.  Brown,  Directors.  The  charter  members  were  Tru- 
man R.  .\ndrus,  Payne  K.  Leech,  G.  St.  John,  Loren  Andrus,  Elam  Chajiin,  Oran  Free- 
man, Charles  F.  Mallary,  H.  Carter.  I.  H.  Butiertield.  D.  ^Y.  Noyes.  Leonard  Lee,  James 
Flower  and  Calvin  Davis. 

The  Presidents  of  the  society  since  1n57  are  named  as  follows:  Ira  H.  Butterfield, 
1857:  Harlehigh  Carter,  1858;  George  W  Phillips,  1859  and  1860;  Loren  Andrus,  1861; 
Harvey  Mollen,  1862  and  1863:  Charles  C.  Leech,  1864;  Charles  Andrews.  1865  and  1866: 
George  W.  Phillips,  1867  and  1868;  WiUiardA.  Wales,  1869;  P.  M.  Bentley,  1872:  Silas 
Colby;  Era-stus  Day,  1875,  and  William  W,  Andi-us,  the  present  President. 

The  Secretaries  of  the  society  have  been  Charles   F.  Mallary,  John  Wright,  Charles 


>S^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


W.  Westou.  C.  W.  Whitney.  Daniel  B.   Briggs.  Dwiglit  N.  Lowell.  Henry   W.  Babeock 
and  A\'.  H.  Acker. 

THE    UNION    farmers"    CLUB. 

This  organization  sprang  into  being  on  the  27th  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1S70,  at  the 
call  of  a  few  intelligent  agriculturists,  who  had  in  some  way  become  impressed  with  the 
idea  that  an  exchange  of  views  aad  opinioas,  in  regard  to  any  occupation,  is  beneficial, 
and  especially  so  in  the  occupation  of  farming.  The  charter  members  of  this  society,  as 
well  as  those  who  have  united  later  in  its  history,  are  men  of  energy  and  forethought,  the 
bone  and  the  sinew  of  the  land.  They  are  men  whose  hands  are  better  acquainted  perhaps 
with  the  neb  of  the  scythe,  hoe  and  plow  than  with  the  neb  of  the  pen.  Men  who  believe 
the  earth  was  given  to  man  as  a  bountiful  mother,  who  gives  freely  and  abundantly  the 
support  of  her  sons.  Not  a  stingy  and  reluctant  mistress  who  must  be  coaxed  and  driven 
into  the  giving  of  the  scantiest  subsistence,  earned  by  sweat  and  toil  and  discouragement. 
They  are  men  who  regard  practical  results  as  better  than  brilliant  theory,  and  who  dignify 
the  labor  of  the  farm  by  participating  in  it.  believing  that 

"  He  by  plowins  wlifi  would  thrive, 
Himself  must  either  hold  or  drive." 

They  are  men,  who,  having  labored  faithfully  and  with  persevering  faith  in  the 
promise  that  the  harvest  should  follow  the  seed  time,  so  long  as  the  world  should  stand, 
can  afford  to  wait.  Intelligent  thoughts  and  energetic  action  have  ever  been  fruitful  of 
gi'eat  results. 

Upon  the  first  organization,  sixty  members  were  enrolled,  consisting  of  forty-six 
working  members,  seven  honorary  members  and  seven  ladies.  The  residences  of  a  portion 
of  this  membership  have  changed  and  others  have  dropped  out  for  various  reasons,  one  has 
been  removed  by  death,  and  the  ladies  have  left  because  we  did  not  hokl  out  to  them  suffi- 
cient inducement  to  remain.  We  are  less  in  numbers  than  at  the  outset,  but  our  practical 
working  force  is  larger  than  ever.  Since  the  organization,  the  society  has  held  forty 
meetings.  We  have  been  favored  with  six  original  addresses,  and  have  considered  upward 
of  twenty  topics  on  some  of  the  branches  of  practical  agriculture.  In  these  debates,  it 
has  not  been  the  purpose  of  the  club  to  draw  the  lines  of  parliamentai'y  usages  too  closely 
for  fear  it  might  cut  off  a  certain  freedom  of  expression  so  desirable  in  all  social  inter- 
course. Our  debates  have  taken  an  extended  range,  sometimes  bearing  u})ou  the  subject 
in  question,  and  sometimes  bearing  nowhere  in  particular.  Whenever  we  have  struck  the 
flint,  sparks  of  wit  and  eloquence  have  been  seen  to  follow.  We  have  received  seeds 
from  the  department  to  the  amount  of  about  seven  bushels,  contained  in  upward  of  500 
packages.  The  department  has  been  notified  of  the  results  of  the  tests  to  which  the  seeds 
have  been  put.  Some  of  them  have  been  of  real  value,  and  many  have  been  worthless  in 
our  climate  and  by  our  moie  of  cultivation.  Prominent  among  the  successful  onej  ma}' 
be  mentioned  the  "  Sohonen '"  oats  and  various  varieties  of  Mangelwortzels. 

We  have  gathered  a  library  of  nearly  100  volumes,  and   have  received  from  various 


"i^f 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


agricultural  and  horticultural  societies  and  the  department  at  Washington  more  than  300 
volumes  for  the  use  of  members. 

Four  plowiu'T-matches  have  been  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  society,  at  which 
commendable  skill  has  been  exhibited.  At  these  matches  $107  in  cash  have  been  vfon,  and 
paid  by  the  society,  and  other  property,  through  its  means,  in  the  aggregate  $120.  But 
better  than  this,  vre  have  raised  the  standard  of  achievement  in  agriculture  to  a  higher 
plane,  by  jogging  the  sensibility  of  our  members,  and  setting  them  in  a  train  of  original 
thinking.  Our  iixduence  has  been  felt  in  the  community.  Crooked  furrows  have  grown 
straight,  ends  and  corners  have  been  brought  to  a  neater  finish,  business  has  been  rendered 
more  systematic  through  our  plan  of  statistics,  which  requires  each  member  to  know  what 
he  has  accomplished  upon  his  fai'm.      This  much  for  the  past. 

At  present,  we  are  in  a  prosperous  condition,  with  a  strong  working  membership  and 
money  in  the  treasury.  We  have  gained  in  experience  and  iniluenee,  and  stand  high  in 
reputation  with  the  public.  We  are  recognized  and  aided  by  agricultm-al  and  other  kin- 
dred associations  throughout  the  State  and  at  the  national  capital.  The  duties  of  the  fut- 
iire  lie  before  us.  Let  progress  and  improvement  be  our  motto.  Profiting  by  the 
experience  of  the  past,  let  us  act  wisely  in  the  future. 

George  W.  Phillips  is  the  President;  George  W.  Phillips,  Jr.,  Secretary,  and  John 
H.  Wilson,  Treasiu'er, 

THE    GRANGE. 

As  we  look  at  the  order  to-day,  we  find  it  has  yielded  nothing  to  the  drones. 
It  has  disappointed  those  whose  chief  idea  was  that  it  would  break  down  middle- 
men and  be  a  money- making  institution.  But  it  has,  in  numberless  instances, 
more  than  fulfilled  the  expectations  of  its  best  friends.  There  are  fewer  gran- 
gers to-day,  but  they  are  better  ones.  There  are  thousands  of  farmers  now  in  the  order 
who  have  learned  to  speak  in  public,  to  preside  at  public  meetings,  and  to  think  and  to 
reason  as  they  never  did  before.  There  are  many  who  are  readers  and  thinkers,  and  who 
are  becoming  leaders  and  educators  through  the  influence  of  the  order.  A  regular  plan 
of  work  has  been  laid  out  and  questions  of  farm  management  and  home  comfort  are  regu- 
larly discussed  in  their  meetings.  More  agricultural  papers  are  read,  and,  in  many  neigh- 
borhoods, libraries  are  established  and  lecture  coiu-ses  siistained  by  the  order.  We  speak 
that  of  which  we  have  personal  knowledge,  in  affinning  that  in  many  neighborhoods  the 
Grange  has  accomplished  wonders.  It  has  softened  political  asperities  by  bringing  those 
of  opposite  parties  together;  it  has  cultivated  the  social  nature,  educated  the  young  in 
music,  and,  to  a  lai'ge  extent,  in  literature.  Hundreds  of  Grange  halls  have  been  built 
and  furnished,  and,  as  the  object  of  the  order  has  been  shown  to  be  the  education  of  the 
farmer,  rather  than  war  on  other  callings,  the  public  have  come  to  respect  it. 

MACOMB  CODSTY  GRANGE. 

The  Grangers  of  this  county  met  at  Grange  Hall,  Mt.  Clemens,  November  30,  ISSl, 
and  organized  the  Macomb  County  Grange.     The   attendance  was  large,  and  the  lodge 


m, 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


was  organized  by  James  Cook,  of  Acb'ian,  a  De]>uty  of  the  State  Grange.  Officers  as  fol- 
lows: M..  A.  H.  Cantield;  O.,  W.  S.  Hart;  Secretary,  T.  J.  Shoemaker;  Lectm-er,  John 
McKay;  Treasurer,  H.  D.  Atwood;  Steward,  W.  A.  Stone;  Assistant  Steward,  A.  J.  Leon- 
ardsou:  Chaplain,  J.  C.  Cady;  Gate-keeper,  Albert  Fuller;  Ceres.  Mrs.  A.  H.  Canfield; 
Pomona.  Mr.-;.  W.  S.  Hart;  Flora,  Mrs.   J.  C.  Cady;  Steward,  A.  J.  Leonardson. 

FINE    STOCK. 

One  of  the  great  industries  of  the  county  is  that  known  as  tine  stock-raising.  From 
an  early  day  in  the  history  of  Macomb,  the  attention  of  the  farming  community  has  been 
directed  to  the  growth  of  fine  stock,  and,  perhaps,  in  no  other  county  of  the  State  has  this 
attention  been  attended  with  higher  results.  Throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  Ma- 
comb, the  stock-raiser  is  found  to  have  attained  an  excellence  in  his  art,  which  has  won 
for  the  county  an  enviable  name. 

First  among  the  breeders  of  Short-Horu  cattle  was  Ira  Phillips,  deceased.  His  son, 
G.  W.  Phillips,  continues  what  was  so  well  begun  by  his  father.  The  history  of  the 
Phillips  herd  is  as  follows:  In  1847,  G.  W.  Phillips,  of  Romeo,  commenced  the  breeding 
of  Short-Horns.  The  cows  that  were  at  the  foundation  of  this  herd  were  from  the  impor- 
tations of  Thomas  Weddle,  of  Rochester.  N.  Y.,  and  T.  A.  Newbold,  of  Conewagus,  near 
Avon,  N.  Y.  The  first  bull  used  was  Young  Splendor  8611.  This  bull  is  said  to  have 
been  an  extra  good  one,  both  in  quality  and  make-up,  and  for  which  Mr.  Phillips  refused 
liberal  offers  from  parties  who  desired  to  return  him  to  his  native  State,  New  York. 
Young  Splendor  won  first  premium  at  the  first  State  fair  held  in  Detroit,  in  1849,  being 
led  there  by  President  Phillips  when  a  boy,  and  continued  to  win  first  premium  at  each 
successive  State  fair  until  quite  an  aged  bull.  Following  Splendor  came  Col.  Fremont, 
187(1;  then  came  the  Thirteenth  Duke  of  Oxford.  8881;  then  Llewellyn  6956,  Sheldon's 
Duke,  7260,  Hotspur  4030,  Gloster  of  Ingham  17184,  Rufus  1S275,  allot  which,  except 
Splendor,  are  the  descendants  of  the  famous  Duke  of  Gloster. 

Cattle  from  this  herd  have  been  sent  into  the  Eastern,  Western  and  Sjuthern  States, 
where  they  have  formed  the  basis  of  a  new  stock. 

John  McKay  commenced  the  raising  of  Short-Horn  cattle  in  1869.  At  that  time  he 
purchased  Phcenix  11,  from  Mr.  Phillips,  and  subsequently  made  additions  to  the  same 
family.  At  the  head  of  this  herd,  on  the  male  side,  is  Wild  Eyes,  No.  25167,  bred  by 
Avery  &  Murphy,  of  Port  Huron.  Mr.  McKay  is  a  successful  breeder  of  cattle,  and  is 
building  up  a  reputation  in  this  department  of  agriculture.  Among  others  equally  noted 
as  cattle-raisers  are  John  Hagerman,  Robert  N,  McKay.  William  H.  Reed.  Robert  Milli- 
ken,  B.  F.  Poole,  William  Rowley,  Lewis  Drake.  P.  K.  Leech,  George  Townsend,  W.  H. 
Campbell,  B,  F.  Poole  and  others.      Mr.  Poole  established  his  stock  in  the  fall  of  1866. 

SHEEP-KAISERS. 

One  of  the  first  to  introduce  an  improved  breed  of  sheep  into  this  county  was  Hiram 
Taylor,  who   imported  fi'om  Vermont  several  fine  Spanish  msrinos.      After  him,  the  late 


^^ 


HISTOKY   or   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Xathaa  Dickenson  and  John  Taylor  made  important  importations.  Foremost  among  the 
sheep-raisers  of  the  pre.sent  time  is  A.  D.  Taylor.  .-Vbout  1848,  he  purchased  a  number  of 
sheep  from  Taft,  of  Bloomiield,  N.  Y. ,  derived  from  the  Avery  flock  of  pure  Atwood  stock. 
He  imported,  also,  from  the  Vermont  flocks  of  L.  P.  Clark  and  O.  H.  &  W.  Bascomb,  and 
from  E.  S.  Hall,  of  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  all  of  the  finest  breed.  In  February,  1879, 
he  pm'chased  a  ewe,  aged  ten  years,  for  vrhich  he  paid  $150.  Within  three  months,  this 
ewe  produced  a  pair  of  lambs,  which  sold  for  $250  each.  In  December  following,  a  ewe 
lamb  was  produced,  which  sold  for  $150.  In  the  spring  of  1881.  a  pair  of  lambs  was 
produced,  valued  at  $200,  making  a  net  profit  of  $850  in  three  years.  The  pair  of  lambs 
was  sent  to  Vermont  and  thence  to  the  National  Exposition  at  New  York.  Recently,  one 
of  the  sheep  from  the  Taylor  flock  was  shipped  to  Australia. 

Eli  G.  Perkins  is  another  successful  sheep-breeder.  He  entered  upon  this  branch  of 
farming  in  1870,  when  he  purchased  forty  of  the  Taft  flock  from  A.  D.  Taylor.  These  he 
sold  in  1873,  and  supplied  their  place  by  a  flock  from  Lusk,  of  Bitavia,  N.  Y.,  to  which 
he  has  added  since,  so  that  his  sheep  now  number  seventy  Addison  ewes.  He  and  his  son 
are  careful  sheep-raisers. 

John  C.  Thompson  established  a  flock  in  the  fall  of  1870,  by  the  pui'chase  of  twenty 
ewes  from  A.  D.  Taylor.  In  January,  1878,  he  purchased  from  the  Sanfords,  and  from 
Bascomb,  of  Vermont,  some  tine  breeds.  In  February,  1879,  he  purchased  a  stock-ram 
from  Atwood,  of  Vermont,  and  also  from  Ellsworth,  of  Middlebury,  Vt.,  a  flock  of 
twenty-nine  ewes.  The  .itock-ram  Addison  was  purchased  in  1881  from  Clark,  of  Ver- 
mont.     He  has  made  very  important  additions  to  his  flock  from  time  to  time. 

Fulton  P.  Goyer  purchased  of  J.  C.  Thompson  ten  Michigan  merino  ewes,  and  es- 
tablished a  flock  in  1881;  subsequently,  he  bought  twenty-eight  ewes  from  the  same 
grower,  together  with  seven  ewes  from  A.  D.  Taylor,  at  a  cost  of  $700.  He  also  purchased 
fourteen  ewes  from  Mr.  Taylor  in  1882,  all  tracing  back  to  the  Atwoods  and  noticed  in 
the  Vermont  Sheep  Registry,  and  has  thus  founded  a  flock  which  gives  promise  of  equal- 
ing that  of  any  other  breeder  of  the  time  in  Michigan.  Among  the  noted  sheep-breeders 
of  the  county,  the  names  of  the  following  are  given:  Tim  Lockwood.  Chester  Andrus,  the 
Thoringtons,  P.  M.  Bentley,  Edward  Randall  and  others.  Mr.  Bentley  is  a  prominent 
breeder  of  Spanish  merino  sheep;  for  the  past  twenty-two  years.  He  established  his  stock 
by  the  purchase  of  Michigan  merino  sheep,  to  which  he  added  a  number  imported  from 
from  Western  New  York. 

F.IEMERS"    MUTUAL    FIRJE    INSUR-iNCE    COMPANY. 

In  the  summer  of  1874,  a  number  of  prominent  citizens  of  Macomb  County  assembled 
at  the  village  of  Washington  to  consider  the  advisability  of  forming  a  Mutual  Fire  In- 
surance Company,  insuring  farm  property  and  detached  residences,  in  Macomb  County  ex- 
clusively. No  definite  action  was  taken  at  this  meeting.  The  proposition,  however,  was 
agitated  thi'oughout  the  fall  of  1873  and  the  winter  of  1874  and  1875.  During  the  sum- 
mer of  1875,  the  matter  began  to  assume  shape,  and  100  citizens  had  engaged  with  Loren 


:^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Andrus  and  Wm.  W.  Vaiighan  to  insure  their  property  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  $200,- 
000,  in  a  company  organized  as  above  indicated.  As  a  preliminary  step  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  company,  as  required  by  law,  the  following  declaration  was  published: 

We,  the  undereigned.  citizens  of  Macomb  County,  in  the  State  of  Michigan,  do  hereby  declare 
our  intention  to  form  a  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  agreeable  to  the  provisions  of  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  of  this  State,  entitled.  An  act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation  of  Mutual  Fire  Insurance 
Companies,  and  defining  their  powers  and  duties.     Approved  April  1.5,  A.  D.  1873. 

This  declaration  was  signed  by  Loren  Andrus,  Washington;  Horace  H.  Cady,  Macomb; 
John  B.  St.  John,  Sterling;  Arnold  Harword,  Warren;  Robert  McKay,  Bruce;  P.  M. 
Bentley,  Macomb,  and  Willard  A.  Wales,  Shelby. 

A  meeting  of  the  corporators  was  held  in  the  village  of  Washington  August  '22,  1875, 
at  which  a  charter  and  set  of  by-laws  were  adopted,  and  the  following  officers  of  the  com- 
])any  elected:  President,  Robert  McKay;  Vice  President,  Horace  Cady:  Treasurer,  T.  S. 
Crissman;  Secretary,  William  W.  Vaughan;  Directors,  John  B.  St.  John,  Loren  ,\ndrus, 
P.  M.  Bentley,  Ai-nold  Harwood,  Willard  A.Wales. 

Soon  after  this  meeting  and  preivous  to  the  commencement  of  business,  T  S.  Ciissi- 
nau  and  Willard  A.  Wales  severed  their  connection.  Charles  Andrus,  of  Armada,  was 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Willard  A.  Wales,  and  Andrew  J. 
Sykes  that  of  T.  -S.  Crissman.  The  charter  was  submitted  to  the  Attorney  General  and 
certified  to  by  him  as  being  in  accordance  with  Act  No.  382,  Session  laws  of  1873.  Same 
was  approved  by  the  Commissioner  of  Insurance  November  20,  1875.  The  Farmers'  Mu- 
tual Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Macoinb  County  was  an  assured  fact,  and  its  first  jwlicy 
was  issued  on  this  day  to  Robert  McKay,  President  of  the  association.  The  statistics  of 
the  company,  taken  from  the  annual  reports  to  the  Co  mmissioner  of  Insurance  will  illus- 
trate its  growth  and  present  popularity:  they  also  indirectly  indicate  the  formation  of  this 
association  to  be  the  result  of  an  actual  need  felt  by  the  farmers  of  Macomb  County : 

NnniWr  AniHunl  Am.innt  Number  Amount  Amount 

Tear.  of  Mpmbrra.  of  Ki«k.  of  .\83es-ment.  Year.  of  Membera.  of  Risk.  of  .iasesament. 

1875  100  $    -.378,000            1879  976  $1,80.5,069  *1,700  41 

1876  499  1,031,91.5            1S80  1,1.53  2,062,379  857  00 

1877  666  1,347,896            1S81  1,2:^0  2,156,329  3,86146 

lb78  801  1.529,409  f3,455  57 

Asfipssments.  — Four  assessments  have  been  levied  up  to  this  date.  In  1878,  $2  jier 
$1,000  insured;  in  1879,11.14;  in  1880,48  cents;  in  1881,  $1.94.  An  average  cost  of 
92  cents  per  year  on  each  $1,000  insured  since  the  commencement  of  business,  November 
20,  1875. 

The  present  officers  of  the  company  are:  President,  Robert  McKay:  Vice  President, 
Charles  Andrews;  Treasurer,  Andrew  J.  Sykes:  Secretary,  William  W.  Vaughan:  Direc- 
tors, P.  M,  Bentley,  C.  Cady,  Loren  Andrus,  T.  L.  Common,  William  H.  Harvey  and 
William  C.  Milton. 

The  company  holds  an  aanual  meeting  for  the  election  of  officers  the  first  Wednesday 
in  February  each  year. 


--i^W7/&  cM^^rry^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


NAMES  OF  LOSERS. 


J.  J.  Crissman 

Charles  Davis 

Geo.  E.  Broman.... 
William  Harling.... 

F.  Prieho 

A.  Klein 

G.  E.  Graves 

J.  E.  Crawford 

P.  Gaghgin 

George  Mulvey 

EdvFard  Pettibone. 
Albert  D.  Baker  .. 


.IWashington 20 

.Ray  31 

.  .A.rniada t  8 

.jSterling 

.^Clinton ^>0 

.IWarren J  2. One  oow 

.Washington  j30lDaraage  to  Barn 

.  Sterling |33;DwelliDg  and  contents 

.Erin i32|Barn  and  contents 


Three  hogs 

Dvpelling 

Dwelling 

Dwelling  and  contents 
One  sheep 


16  Wm.  A.   Warwick 

17C.  C.  Crisman 

18  Robert  McKay 

191.  B.  Vaughan 

20  David  Fogo 

21  0.  and  P.  L.  Harris.. 

22  C.  G.  White 

23  Henry  Moyers 

24  Frederick  Schroeder 
2.5  H .  and  A.  E.  De  Grotf. 

26  Albert  Hovey 

27  David  G.  Farr 

28J.  and  C.  Treufant... 

29'Jo8eph  Emerson 

30'Mahaffy  &  Knox 

SllHenry  Wales 

32lDaniel  E.Frost 

SSlThomas  F.  Dryer 


.jClinton 

.!RicUmond  .... 
•  iRay 

.Bruce 

.  Wa'ihington.. 

.Warren 

.  Chesterfield., 
.!  Washington., 
.jBruce , 

Washington. 

Richmond  ... 

Lenox 

Washington. 

Washington. 

Erin 

Ray 

Washington. 

Chesterfield. 

t^linton 

Sterling 

Bruce 

Erin 

Washington. 

Lenox 


31Colt 

19'Barns  damaged 

8!  Barns      and     contents 
and  stacks  of  grain.. 

2  Damage  to  house 

ll|Damageto  house 

6:  Damage  to  house 

23  Damage  to  barn 

'i9'Daiiiage  to  house  aid  content! 

HjBarn  and  contents 

33' 
19 
2(i: 
17 
21 
21 


Lightning ., 

Fire 

Fire 

Fire 

Lightning., 
Lightning., 
Lightning., 

Fire 

Fire 

Lightning ., 
Lightning .. 


Aug.  1,  1876 
November.  187*i 
April  26,  1877 
May  19,  1877.. 
July  12,  1877.. 
Aug.  31,  1877.. 
Aug.  31,  1877.. 
Feb.  27,1878,.. 
March  14,  1878, 
Aug.  1,  1878, 
Aug.  1,  1878, 


Damage  to  contents  honse.. 

Damage  to  contents  honse 

Outside  cellar 

Damage  to  barn 

Damage  to  barn 

[iarn  and  contents 

29'  Barn,  shed  and  contents 

2  Damage  to  house 

IJiDamage  to  house 

8|BarD,  contents  and  straw  stack. 

8, Tenant  house 

24  House  and  contents  — 

20!  Damage  to  house 

13jDamageto  house 

18  Four  sheep 


Fire 

Cbimnej  burning  out 
Sparks  from  chimnej. 
Sparks  from  cbimnej. 

Ligntning 

Fire 

Fire 

Fire 

Fire 

Fire 

Lightning 

Lightning 

Lightning 

Lightning 

Fire 

Fire 

Fii-e 

Fire 

Fire 

Fire 

Fire 

Lightning 


Date  of  Lo89. 


Aug.  18,  1878. 
,Ian.  1  1879.... 
March  16,  1879, 
Feb.  14,  1879... 
July  11,  1879.. 
Dec.  14.  1879.. 
Jan.  30,  1880.. 
Jan.  :'.l,  1880.. 
Jan.  30,  1880.. 
Feb.  19,  1880.. 
July  10,  188U.. 
July  10,  1880.. 
July  10,  1880.. 
Aug.  19,  1880.. 
Nov.  15,  1880.. 
Nov.  17,  1880.. 
Nov.  30,  1880.. 
Feb.  29,  1881.. 
.March  10,  1881 
April  5.  1881... 
May  28,  1881.. 
July  12,  1881. 


Totol  amount  losses  paid  since  organized,  to  December  31,  1881., 


$50  00 

300  00 

900  00 

300  0(1 

3  00 

23  IK) 

25  '10 

308  00 

425  00 

90  00 

40  00 

730  02 
25  00 

1  00 
6  26 
6  00 

2  00 
250  00 

2  60 

6  00 

10  00 

1  45 

8  00 

100  00 

911   76 

125  00 

16  91 

795  00 

500  00 

629  45 

8  00 

6  58 

8  00 

1.512  87 


r.4RMEKS'   MUTUAL    FIRE    INSURANCE    COMPANY. 

The  FaiTQers'  Mutual  Fire  Insiu-ance  Company  of  Macoml)  and  St.  Clair  Counties  was 
organized  at  the  Ridgeway  Hotel,  or  Beebe  House,  August  1,  1<S63.  Robert  Irwin  pre- 
sided, with  Samuel  Goodsell  Secretary.  After  the  adoption  of  the  charter,  the  following 
officers  were  elected;  Aratus  Smith,  Presidei;tt;  James  S.  Durfee,  Vice  President;  Robert 
Irwin,  Secretary;  C.  D.  Crittenden,  Loren  Ani:h-us,  J.  S.  Kimball,  A.  W.  Freeman  and 
Manson  Farrar,  Directors.  The  charter  members  were  Loren  Andrus,  P.  W.  Bentley, 
Calvin  Davis,  George  W.  Phillips,  Erastus  Day,  George  H.  Cannon,  Charles  C.  Leech, 
William  Canfield,  Hemy  Fries,  Aratus  Smith.  Norman  Peny,  Hiram  Taylor,  Abraham 
Wells,  George  N.  Chillser,  Cornelius  -Jeffers,  James  C.  Cox.  Ales  S.  Barnard.  Peter  F. 
Brakeman,  Charles  McMullan  and  James  O.  Roberson. 

3° 


nv 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Aratus  Smith  continued  President  until  1865,  when  Joseph  C.  High  was  appointed. 
Mr.  High  was  elected  in  1866,  and  held  the  office  until  1868.  when  R.  H.  Jenks  was  elected. 

The  Secretaries  of  the  company  were  Robert  Irwin,  elected  in  1863;  W.  B.  Bartlett, 
1870;   Watson  W.  Lyons,  elected  in  1874;  holds  the  po.sition  at  present. 

The  Directors  have  been: 

1864 — J.  C.  High,  C.  S.  King,  Amos  N.  Freeman,  Charles  McMullan,  Loren  Andrus. 

1865 — Same  officers. 

1866 — H.  H.  Cady.  R.  H  Jenks,  Charles  Andrews,  William  A.  Parsons,  L.  S.  King, 
A.  W.  Clark. 

1867— H.  H.  Cady.  C.  S.  King,  W.  A.  Parsons,  George  H.  Stuart. 

1868— Michael  Plant,  Silas  Hart,  E.  W.  True,  Samuel  Jones,  Mason  Cole. 

1869 — Officers  re-elected. 

1870 — David  Weeks,  S.  Jones,  M.  Plant,  Henry  Fries,  S.  S.  Hart,  James  Dnrfee. 

1871  —Albert  Sperry,  D.  S.  Priest. 

1872— David  Weeks.  C.  D.  Crittenden. 

1873— G.  Schuchard,  M.  Plant. 

1874— D.  S.  Priest,  John  M.  Hart. 

1875— P.  D.  Smith,  C.  S.  King. 

1876— M.  Plant,  G.  Schuchard. 

1877— D.  S.  Priest  Myron  Kinyon. 

1878— C.  S.  King,  George  H.  Cannon. 

187U  -Gustave  Suchard,  M.  Plant. 

1880— D.  S.  Priest.  Myron  Kenyon. 

1881— L.  M.  Sperry,  Stephen  B.  Cannon. 

The  following  table  points  out  the  progress  made  since  1869.  The  statistics  for  the 
previous  years  are  not  given,  but  it  may  be  said  that  the  same  ratio  of  advance  marked 
the  transactions  of  the  company  from  1863  to  1868: 


Year. 

No.  of  Mrmbcrs 

Risks. 

Ad.ied. 

1869 

1,830 

1:3.818,2.55 

1870 

3.300 

3,«00,000 

$681,745 

1871 

3,800 

3,800,000 

506,000 

1873 

3.383 

5,308,809 

433,135 

1874 

3,419 

5,014,765 

196,770 

1875 

3,415 

4,936,685 

78,080 

Year. 

No.  of  Members. 

Risks. 

Added. 

1876 

3,415 

|4,964,.590 

if   27,905 

1877 

3,990 

5,631,044 

6.56,4.54 

1878 

4,271 

5,646,384 

566.673 

1879 

4,496 

5,790,395 

.539,774 

1880 

3,839 

4.809,302 

325,918 

1881 

4,125 

5,073.786 

.363,577 

Agricultural  statistics  will  be  found  in  the  chapter  of  county  finances  and  statistics. 

THE    sheep-shearers'    ASSOCIATION. 

This  society  was  organized  a  few  years  ago.  Its  second  annual  meeting  was  held  May 
2,  1882  in  the  Lirge  building  at  the  Fearnaugbt  Driving  Park,  Romeo.  Owing  to  the  ex- 
treme coolness  of  the  weather,  two  or  three,  at  least,  of  our  sheep  men,  declined  to  shear 
their  sheep  after  their  an-ival  on  the  grounds.  Notwithstanding  this  and  other  drawbacks, 
the  exhibition  in  point  of  attendance,  and  in  quality  of  stock  exhibited,  was  the  finest  ever 
held  in  this  part  of  the   State.     There  were  many  exhibitors,  although   all   did  not  have 


^  s r- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOi[B  COUNTY. 


their  sheep  sheared.  There  were  nineteen  shearers  engaged  the  greater  part  of  the  day, 
seven  of  whom  competed  for  the  prize.  Outside  of  the  building,  the  agricultural  men  had 
everything  their  own  way  and  exhibited  their  improvements  to  large  crowds  of  interested 
people.  Among  the  visitors  from  abroad  were  Editor  Gibbon  of  the  Michigan  Fanner; 
Butterfield.  of  the  Post  and  Trihnnr:  J.  M.  Norton  and  J.  Van  Hoosen,  of  Avon,  T.  M. 
Wycoii'.  of  the  Pontiac  Gazette;  J.  Evarts  Smith,  of  Ypsilanti,  a  noted  breeder  of  merino 
sheep 

A  citizens"  purse  of  §10  was  competed  for  by  the  shearers  with  the  following  result: 
First  prize,  Corueel  Lewis,  $4;  second  prize,  David  Tucker,  §3:  thir.l  prize.  E.  F.  Thomas. 
12;  fom-th  prize,  Levi  W.  Cole,  $1. 

The  whole  number  of  sheep  exhibited  was  ninety-three.  The  following  is  the  tabu- 
lated statement  of  the  result  of  the  shearing': 


123 
.55 


122 
.56 
65 
315 
313 
104 
266 
256 
63 
41 
378 
401 
27 


9 
336 


34 
69 
170 


J.  W.  Thorington  c 

AV.  E.  Mvers  i- 

P.  M.  Bentk-v  &  Son  e 

P.  M.  BuiitlrV  &  Son  e 

P.  P.  Andrew.s  r 

C.  E.   Lockwood  r 

J.  W.  Thorington  r 

J.  M.  Thorington  e 

J.  M.  Thorington  e 

J.  C.  Thompson  r 

J.  C.  Thompson  r 

A.  D.  Taylor  c 

A.  D.  Taylor  e 

J.  C.   Thompson  e 

W.  E.  Myerse 

J.  C.  Thompson  e 

!J.  E.  Lockwood  c 

A.  Taylor  and  J.  M.  Thorington  r. 

J.  G.  "Perkins  r '. 

Bishop  tt  Chapin  r 

A.  D.  Taylor,  Genesee  r 

J.  A.  Paton  r 

P.  M.  Bentley  e 

J.  G.  Perkins  r 

,1.  W.  Thorington  e 

P.  P.  Andrews  e 

J.  >[.  Thorington  r 

J.  W.  Thorington  c 

P.  M.  Bentley  r 

A.  D.   Tavlorr 

J.M.    Thorington  e 

J.  M.  Thorington  e 

Ed  Randall  r 

Dawson  West  r 


352 
383 
345 
345 
413 
395 
352 
375 
395 
401 
381 
356 
356 
.355 
380 
355 
352 
875 
426 
352 

395 
395 
365 

353 
357 
353 
395 
352 
375 
375 
357 
346 


14 

1 
lOi 
11 

6 

3i 


i 
2i 
8 

15 
3i 

14+ 

15 

13 
9i 
6A 


13A 

4 

2 
10 
14i 

U 

1 


110 

101 
79i 
78" 

105 

'88 

78+ 

77i 

87 

67 
114+ 

86i 

91 

57 

68 

71i 

92+ 
109i 
112 
15U 

93 

69 

m 

96 
71 

114 
98 
81+ 
92 
96+ 
96i 
91i 

115+ 


Mr.  John  C.  Thompson,  of  Romeo,  exhibitea  a  fleece  shorn  a  day  or  two  before 
the  exhibition,  from  a  two-year-old  ram,  which  weighed  thirty-one  and  three-fourths 
pounds. 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY 


CHAPTER    XX  VII. 

NECIIOI.OGY. 

In  the  chapter  devoted  to  township  history  and  biography,  reference  is  made  to  the 
pioneers  and  old  settlers  of  Macomb  who  are  gone  to  the  land  beyond  the  grave.  To  insure 
a  more  precise  notice,  their  names  are  grouped  under  this  heading,  and,  in  a  great  num- 
ber of  instances,  a  brief  sketch  is  given,  while  in  other  cases,  the  name  of  the  pioneer  is 
merely  subscribed.  From  the  records  of  the  Pioneer  Society,  it  is  learned  that  the  necrol- 
ogy of  the  pioneers  comprises  the  following  names: 

Chi'istian  Clemens,  Augustus  Richards,  Ashael  Bailey,  William  Abbot.  Nathaniel 
Bennett,  N.  T.  Taylor,  Isaac  Thompson.  James  Thompson.  George  Smith.  Reuben  R. 
Smith,  John  Smith,  Ai-atus  Smith,  Isaac  Powell.  Abram  Powell.  George  Powell,  Joseph 
Sikes,  Jonas  Crissman,  John  Proctor,  Josiah  Hamlin,  Normaij  Perry.  Hosea  Northrup. 
Darius  Sessions,  Seaman  Fillmore,  Alva  Sibley,  A.  Draper,  Charles  Davis,  A.  Pettiboue, 
Solomon  Dewey,  Solomon  Lathi-op,  Nathan  Adams,  Horace  Heath,  Michael  Devine,  Sam- 
uel Snover,  Silas  Scott,  Silas  Hayden,  Nathan  Nye,  Jefferson  Nye,  Albeit  Nye,  Henian 
Nj'e,  John  Garvin,  Prescott  B.  Thurston,  Aaron  B.  Rawles.  Thomas  Eldred. Good- 
ing,   Goodyear,  Azariah  Prentiss,  John  Townsend,  William  Baker,  James  Sharpstien, 

John  Stranahan,  Crippen,   Alexander  Tackles,  John  Taylor,  Joseph  Chubb,  John 

Crawford,  Charles  Fowler,  Elder  Warren,  George  Bowerman,  Z.  Hayden.  Russell  Day, 
Daniel  Day,  Nathan  Dickinson,  Carlton  Newbury,  Rev.  Taylor,  Dr.  Neil  Gray,  B.  Free- 
man, Sr. ,  Osni   Miller,  G.  Powell,  Sr., Wood,  Sumner  Pierce,  Colatinus  Day,  Deloss 

Conklin,  John  Armstrong,  Myron  Armstrong. Whitbeck,  Minot  T.  Lane, Bisho]>, 

Sr.,  Cyrus  Hopkins,  Chauncey  Throop,  George  Throop,  Nathan  Keeler,  Squire  Parmellee, 

Henry  Collins, Gould.  William  Allen, Howaa-d,  Isaac  Taft,  Elisha  Smith,  John 

Soule,  Clinton  Soule,  Squire  Lawi-eoce,  Hiram  Hopkins,  Roswell  Webster,  Albert  Finch, 
Ezra  Finch,  Sylvester  Finch,  James  Leslie,  Benjamin  Leslie.  Gideon  Gates,  Se\vell  Hovey, 
A.  Sterling,  Noah  Cooley.  Benjamin   CooJey,  George  Brabb.    Isaac  Brabb.  Marvel   Shaw, 

James  Thorington, Cusiek,  James  Hosner,  Aden  Taft, Deusing,  John  Holland, 

— —  Wilbiu-,  Stitt,  Ed  Ai-noM,  Joel   Turrell,  Philip  Price,  Hem-y  Price.  John  Price, 

Peter  Price.  Noah  Webster.  Benjamin  Freeman,  Moses  Freeman,  William  Hall,  Carpus 
Redway,  Andrew  Southerland,  David  Southerland,  Charles  Chamberlain,  Joseph  Peters, 
Asa  Curtis,  Parker  Adams.  Asa  Palmer,  Asa  Holmau.  Levi  Holman,  Nathaniel  Cole, 
Charles  Marble,  Henry  Lee,  Deacon  Goodell,  Williard  Church.  Wiley  Bancroft,  Ira  Phil- 
lips, George  Chamberlain, Chamberlain,  James  Starkweather.    Job  Howell,  Albert 

Edget,  Peter  Edget,  Iddo  Warner,  Sylvester  Warner,  Edmund  Stewart,  Peter  Woodbeck, 
Joseph  Donaldson.  James  Donaldson,  David  Donaldson,  Rev.  Andrews.  Peter  Aldi-ich, 
Fred  Akh-ich,  Ira  Aldrich,  Darius  Finch,  Tobias  Finch.  Melanchton  Ghamberlin,  Chaun- 
cey Chambei-lin,  Albert  Aldrich,  Elijah  Burke,  Norman  Biu'ch,  Allen  Frost,  John  Hall, 
William  A.  Burt,  Deacon  Calkins,  Ben  McGregor,  Ben  Crissman,  Lazarus  Green,  Bur- 
chard  Thi-oop,  George  Wilson.  Otis  Lamb,  and  Messrs.  Haines  and  Moyers. 

In  the  followins  list,  a  l;u"ge  number  of  the  deceased  old  settlers  of  JIacomb  ai'e  treated 
biographically,  and  the  list  brought  down  to  the  present  time: 

Reuben  R.  Smith,  of  Ray  Township,  died  April  27,  1866,  aged  sixty-nine  years. 


V 


]±^ 


IIISTOKY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Mrs.  Mary  Matthews  died  May  T),  I8f36.  aged  seventy-one  years. 

Mrs.  Mercy  A.  Giddings  died  November  22,  1866,  aged  fifty- two  years. 

Stephen  Giles,  of  Ray,  died  suddenly  March  18.  1867. 

Dr.  Benjamin  G.  Sutherland  died  at  his  home  in  Ray  Township,  January  81.  1867.  in 
the  fifty-seventh  year  of  his  age.  He  was  born  in  Rutland  Gounty,  Vt.,  June,  1810.  He 
studied  medicine  at  Lewiston,  N.  Y..  came  to  Michigan  in  1836,  and  settled  near  Romeo. 

George  Chandler  died  at  Romeo  Febraary  18.  1867,  aged  sixty-six  years.  He  located 
there  in  1845. 

Asa  Curtiss,  of  Ai-mada,  died  of  ai)oplexy,  at  Romeo.  March  15,  1867. 

Mrs.  Matilda  "Ward,  wife  of  Andrew  Ward,  of  Armada,  died  suddenly  March  19, 
1867. 

Chaiincey  H  Whitney,  Secretary  of  the  Goiinly  Agricultural  Society,  died  at  Utica 
April  21,  aged  fifty-five  years. 

Joshua  Smith  died  at  Almont  July  29,  18(57,  aged  eighty  years. 

James  Benjamin  fell  forty  feet  from  the  staging  of  a  church  at  Dryden,  Lapeer 
County,  and  was  instantly  killed,  September  12,  1.S67. 

E.  L.  Stone,  of  Washington  Township,  died  November  7,  1867. 

Wesley  Willey,  of  Ray.  died  suddenly  January  25,  1868. 

Mrs.  Hugh  Norton  died  in  Macomb  Township  February  14,  1868. 

Joseph  Moyres  died  in  Washington  Township  in  April,  1866. 

Mrs.  Elijah  Thorington  died  suddenly  March  21,  1868. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Beekman  died  March  31,  1868,  aged  seventy-five  years. 

Eli  Mussey,  father  of  Dexter  Mussey.  died  August  18,  1868,  aged  eighty-eight  years. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Harvey  died  suddenly  September  19.  1868.  aged  sixty-eight  years.  She 
was 'born  at  Morristown,  N.  J. 

William  Chandler,  formerly  of  Romeo,  was  aceidentallv  killed  at  Cleveland.  Ghio, 
October  10,  1868. 

Mrs.  James  Starkweather  was  killed  a  few  miles  north  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  November 
16,  1868,  by  being  run  over  by  the  cars.  She  was  born  at  Clarkson.  N..  Y.,  July  14,  1807, 
and  came  to  Michigan  in  June,  1825. 

Dr.  Neil  Gi-ay  died  December  14,  1868.  He  was-born  at  Kenwilligg,  Ayrshire,  Scot- 
land, in  1802,  and,  thirty  years  later  located  the  Gray  farm  in  Macomb  County. 

Dr.  Reuben  Nims  died  at  his  home  in  Washington  Township  February  2.  1869,  in 
his  seventy-fifth  year.      He  was  born  in  Berkshire  County,  Mass. 

Gmxlon  Hoveydied  at  Romeo  June  11,  1870.      It  is  stated  that  he  was  a  centenarian. 

Mrs.  Celia  Van  After  died  at  the  home  of  A.  M.  Leach,  Romeo,  December  13,  1870. 
aged  seventj^-five  years. 

Mrs.  Emma  Lathrop,  of  Armada,  died  March  21,  1871,  aged  seventy-five  yeai's. 

Luther  Farrar  died  March  12,  1870. 

Mrs.  Clarissa  Goff  died  in  Shelby,  Mich.,  April  8,  1871,  aged  eighty-one  years.  She 
was  the  wife  of  Harvey  Goff,  and  daughter  of  Squire  Goff,  the  first  Baptist  preacher 
who  settled  at  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.      She  was  born  near  Hartford,  Conn, 

William  M,  Connor,  a  soldier  of  theUnited  States  in  the  late  war,  died  at  Mt.  Clem- 
ens May  14,  1871. 

Neil  trray,  son  of  Dr.  Neil  Gi'ay,  died  at  Romeo  June  10,  1871. 

Mrs.  Lemrock  Bailey  died  August  7,  1871,  at  Union,  Canada  West.  As  Miss  Mary- 
ette  Curson,  she  was  favorably  known  to  old  settlers. 

Mrs.  Eliza  Carpenter,  aged  sixty-one  years,  died  tragically  August  25.  1871. 

Manly  Thurston  met  a  tragic  death  in  1870. 

Aaron  B.  Rawles,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Romeo,  and  one  of  its  most  prominent  citi- 


n^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COTXTY. 


z<»ns,  died  April  4,  1872.  He  was  born  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  1812.  and  came  to  Detroit  in 
18:32,  and  to  Romeo  in  1834. 

Mrs.  Levi  D.  Chamberlain  died  at  Romeo  June  27,  1872.  She  was  born  in  Schenec- 
tady County,  N.  Y.,  Jiine  15,  17y;3.      In  18  Ki,  she  was  married  to  Levi  D.  Chamberlain. 

Charles  Peltier,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  died  at  Mt.  Clemens  June  27,  1872.  He 
served  with  the  L'ish  and  French  under  Richard  Smvthe  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  settled 
at  Mt.  Clemens  in  1814. 

Mi's.  Fannie  Baldwin  was  born  in  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  in  1794;  married  Nehemiah 
Baldwin,  who  died  in  1832;  came  to  Michigan  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Jeremiah  Ayres, 
in  1841,  and  died  at  Romeo  August  24,  1872. 

Dr.  0.  E.  Davis  was  born  in  Shelby  Township  in  1825;  settled  in  Macomb  Township 
as  a  practicing  physician  about  forty  years  ago,  and  died  there  August  23,  1872. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Adams  Buzzell  died  at  the  house  of  her  son,  Martin  Buzzell,  November 
10,  1872,  aged  eighty-seven  years.  The  lady  was  born  in  1787,  being  the  tirst  white 
child  born  in  the  town  of  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.     She  came  to  Romeo  in  1831. 

Jeremiah  Curtiss  died  in  Shelby  Township  November  3,  1872,  aged  eighty  years. 
He  was  born  near  Albany,  N.  Y.,  August  2.  1793;  served  in  the  war  of  1812;  married 
Mercy  Ewell  June  10,  1817;  moved  West  in  1832  and  settled  in  Shelby,  where  he  lived 
continuously  until  his  death. 

Aaron  Stone  died  in  Washington  Township  November  28,  1872,  aged  eighty-two 
years.     He  settled  in  Washington  Township  in  1820,  and  dwelt  there  until  his  decease. 

Isaac  Moniore  died  April  28,  1871,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  at  his  resi- 
dence in  the  village  of  Disco. 

Mrs.  Sue!  Hovey,  formerly  Lucinda  Holmes,  was  born  at  Derby,  Vt.,  October  13. 
1798;  married  Suel  Hovey  in  January,  18i8,  and,  coming  with  her  husband  and  family 
to  Michigan  in  May,  1826,  settled  in  Macomb  County  in  June  of  that  year.  She  died 
August  31,  1877. 

George  Hovey,  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1819,  came  to  Michigan  about 
1829;  was  married  in  1843,  and  deceased  November  25,  1879.  His  death  was  sudden. 
Having  left  for  the  timber  lands  of  Nathan  Eldred,  for  the  purpose  of  chopping  logs,  at 
an  early  hour,  and  not  returning,  his  daughters  induced  some  neighbors  to  go  in  search 
of  him.     Those  searchers  found  him  in  the  woods  dead. 

Mrs.  Ruth  Thurston,  wife  of  B.  H.  Thurston,  died  March  1,  1873.  She  was  born  in 
Madison,  N.  Y.,  in  1814. 

Suel  Hovey.  born  at  Lebanon.  N.  H.,  March  9,  1875,  died  at  his  residence,  one  mile 
north  of  Romeo,  March  2.  1873.  The  deceased  moved  westward  in  advance  of  the  civil - 
izers,  and  was  from  his  boyhood  a  pioneer.  After  the  war  of  1812,  he  became  acquainted 
with  Lucinda  Holmes,  and  married  her  January  25,  1818. 

John  Wesley  Shaw,  born  in  Canada  October  3,  1839,  died  at  Romeo  March  3,  1873. 
He  was  married  to  Maggie  Overton  April  17,  18<37. 

Miss  Sophia  Chamberlin,  formerly  of  Romeo,  died  in  Alabama  December  2,  1872. 

James  Starkweather  was  born  October  26,  1801,  at  Norwich,  Conn.  He  came  to 
Michigan  in  September,  1824,  and  settled  in  the  township  of  Washington;  moved  into 
Bruce  in  182(5,  and  to  Romeo  in  1872,  where  he  died  February  10,  1873. 

Hannah  Jliller,  wife  of  Daniel  Miller,  died  March  8,  1873.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Phillips.  She  was  born  at  Rush,  Mom-oe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  May  9,  1811.  In  1833,  she  mai'ried 
Nicholas  Wheeler,  and  with  him  moved  to  Chicago,  111.  He  dying  in  1841  left  her  at 
liberty  to  marry  Daniel  Miller,  October  9,  1843,  with  whom  she  came  to  Macomb  County. 

William  P.  Washer,  father  of  George  Washer,  died  suddenly  April  25,  1873.  The 
deceased  was  born  in  Sussex  County,  N.  J,,  in  1801. 


^1 


' ' 


^^=4^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Mrs.  William  McKay  died  suddenly  while  attending  a  meeting  at  M.  E.  Church,  June 
8.  1873.  at  Komeo. 

George  Wilson  died  in  Washington  Township  July  17,  1873,  aged  eighty-six  years. 
He  visited  Detroit  in  1810. 

The  sudden  death  of  Mrs  Charles  Washburne,  of  Armada,  was  recorded  August  18, 
1873. 

Miss  Elizabeth  FaiTar,  formerly  of  Romeo,  died  at  Detroit  August  24,  1873,  aged 
seventy  years. 

John  S.  Smith,  father  of  Mrs.  Samuel  H.  Ewell,  was  born  at  Galon,  Monroe  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  June  4,  1809;  came  to  Michigan  in  February,  1832,  and  located  near  Tremble's  mill, 
in  Bruce,  moving  subsequently  into  Lapeer.     He  died  August  22,  1873. 

Asa  Jenner,  of  Ray  Township,  died  September  3,  1873,  at  the  age  of  seventy-foiu- 
years.       He  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  lived  in  Uay  for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Ewell  died  at  Romeo  September  4,  1873.  She  was  born  in  Worcester 
County,  Mass.,  March  15,  1781;  married  Samuel  Ewell  December  13,  1806.  She  came 
to  Romeo  with  her  husband  in  May,  1836. 

Abram  T.  Powell  died  September  9,  1873.  He  settled  in  Washiugton  Township  in 
1827. 

James  Maher  died  at  Romeo  September  7,  18(3.  aged  sisty-two  yeai's.  He  was  born 
in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. 

John  Reynolds,  of  Bruce,  died  September  10,  1873,  aged  seventy-six  years.  He  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1797. 

John  Campeau,  one  of  the  soldiers  of  the  war  of  1812,  died  at  his  home,  in  HaiTison 
Township,  September  21,  1873,  aged  eighty-seven  year.s.  He  was  born  at  Detroit  Jan- 
uary 9,  1786,  and  served  in  Mack's  company  of  Michigan  infantry  in  1812. 

Peter  Price,  born  at  Rush.  N.  Y.,  January  16,  1806,  settled  in  Washington  Township 
in  1823,  and  died  at  Brousou,  Branch  Co.,  Mich.,  October  22,  1873. 

Dr.  Caleb  Carpenter  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mich.,  October  19,  1873.  He  settled  at  Romeo 
in  1830,  and  resided  there  until  he  removed  to  Almont,  in  1835. 

Mrs.  Cynthia  A.  (Luman)  Preston,  born  at  Ridgeway,  Orleans  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1826, 
settled  in  Macomb  County  in  1836;  maiTied  Luman  Preston  October  14,  1847:  died  No- 
vember 15,  1873. 

Valaria  E.  French,  daughter  of  Harvey  G.  and  Mary  S.  French,  born  in  Lenox,  Ma- 
comb Co..  Mich.,  July  18,  1842,  died  November  12,  1873,  fi-om  the  efl'ects  of  poison  ad- 
ministered by  her  own  hand. 

The  wife  of  Joel  Thompson  died  December  30.  1873.  Her  request  that  she  should 
uot  be  buried  for  a  week  after  her  death  was  comj)lied  with. 

G.  G.  Deshon  died  at  Utica  December  27.  1873.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  1831, 
accompanied  by  his  brother,  A.  G. ,  and  the  Hon.  H.  P.  Baldwin,  both  shoemakers. 

Edmund  Thompson,  an  old  resident  of  Armada,  died  February  3,  1874,  aged  sixty- 
nine  years.      He  was  born  in  Cayuga  County.  N.  Y.      He  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war. 

John  Townsend  died  January  5.  1874.  He  was  born  in  Greene  County,  N.  Y. .  July, 
1793;  came  to  Washington  in  1832  and4ocated  lands  in  Bruce  Township. 

Van  R.  Ames,  of  Romeo,  died  January  10,  1874.  aged  thirty-seven  years,  thirty-three 
years  of  which  were  passed  in  that  village. 

Mrs.  Mercy  Curtiss,  born  at  Norwich.  Mass.,  September  20.  1798,  died  at  Shelby, 
Macomb  Countv,  Jauuarv  8.  1874,  aged  seveutv-six  years.  She  was  an  immigrant  of 
1832, 

E.  W.  True  died  at  Armada  January  18,  1874.  He  was  born  at  Durham,  Me.,  Octo- 
ber 4,  1806;  came  to  Michigan  in  1845,  and  located  at  Armada  in  1848. 


:^ 


HISTORY  OP   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


liL 


Thomas  C.  Oolles.  formerly  a  resident  of  Ray  Center,  died  at  St.  Louis.  Mo..  Jan- 
nary  21,  1874. 

John  Garvin,  boru  at  Hartwick,  Vt.,  in  1789,  came  to  Michigan  in  1833.  and  died  at 
his  home,  in  Washington  Township,  April  23,  1874. 

Harriet  Stanton  died  at  the  residence  of  her  son,  El)er  Deuison,  Osford,  A])ril  20. 
1874.  in  her  seventy-fifth  year. 

Manilla  L.  Freeman,  aged  foi'ty  years,  died  May  1,  1874.  She  was  an  old  resident 
of  Washington  Townshi}}. 

Mi's.  Raymond  died  June  12,  1874.  She  came  to  Romeo  in  1838,  and  made  it  her 
home. 

Mrs.  Margaret  A.  Foe,  aged  sixty-sis  years,  died  at  Armada  June  22,  1874. 

Darius  Sessions  died  at  his  residence.  Armada,  June  30,  1674.  He  lived  in  the 
township  for  forty-eight  years.     He  was  born  May  8. 1804,  a  native  of  Tolland  County,  Vt. 

George  Bowerman,  an  old  settler  of   Washington  Township,  died  February  3,  1875. 

David  Greene  died  February  18,  1875.  He  was  born  at  Berlin.  Rensselaer  Co..  N. 
Y. .  in  1808,  and  settled  in  Michigan  in  1845. 

Albert  Finch,  the  senior  member  of  the  Finch  family,  was  borji  in  Dutchess  County,  N. 
Y.,  in  1775.  In  1800,  he  moved  to  Ontario  County,  where  he  located  near  the  families  of 
Bailey  and  Gates,  whose  names  are  so  closely  interwoven  with  the  history  of  Romeo.  In 
1823-24,  he  located  at  Indian  Village,  near  or  on  the  site  of  the  fair-grounds.  The  family 
was  progressing,  when  their  son.  Alanson,  was  reported  missing.  From  that  moment, 
sorrow  and  despair  seem  to  hold  possession  of  the  household,  until  the  father  and  mother 
of  the  lost  child  were  relieved  of  their  sorrows  by  the  grave.  The  sub-chief,  Kanobe.  was 
always  looked  upon  liy  these  pioneers  as  the  principal  agent  in  the  abduction. 

Isaac  Taft.  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Bruce,  died  March  18,  1875,  aged  seventy  years. 

Hugh  Morton,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Union  Farmers'  Club,  died  in  March,  1875. 

ilrs.  Mary  S.  Johnson  died  March  lU,  1875.  aged  sixty-five  years. 

Mrs.  John  Orr,  formerly  Mrs.  Weldon,  died  March  21,  1875,  aged  seventy-two  years. 
She  came  from  New  York  State  at  an  early  date,  and  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Rich- 
mond. 

Joseph  A.  Holland  died  at  Romeo  A])ri]  23.  1875.  He  was  born  in  Washington 
Township  November  3,  1828. 

Mrs.  George  D.  Hovey  died  April  26.  1878,  aged  about  sixty  years. 

Mrs.  Phcebe  Sikes,  formerly  a  resident  of  Macomb,  died  at  TaV)le  Grove.  Fulton  Co.. 
111.,  May  1.  1875. 

Hiram  Calkins  died  at  Imlay  City  June  4,  1875,  aged  eighty-three  years.  His  re- 
mains were  inten-ed  at  Mt.  Vernon.  Macoml.)  County. 

Mrs.  Castor  died  at  Richmond  June  19, 1 875. 

Mrs.  Larzalier  died  at  Lakeville  June  30,  1875. 

T.  L.  Saokett.  Judge  of  Probate,  died  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  July.  1875. 

Dr.  Lewis  Berlin,  formerly  of  Romeo,  died  July  18.  1875. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Thorington  died  July  25.  1875,  in  her  thirty-ninth  year.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Sarah  Cole. 

Jeremiah  Jewell,  of  Ray.  died  September  29,  1875.  aged  seventy-two  years.  He 
came  to  Michigan  in  1831  and  located  in  Ray  Township. 

Mrs.  W.  J.  French,  Mrs.  Henry  Thurston  and  Mrs.  George  Parmelee  died  in  Octo- 
ber. 1875. 

Thomas  Axford  died  near  Disco  November  24,  1875. 

Austin  Day.  of  Macomb  County,  died  at  Utica,  N.  Y..  Februaiy  21.  1876. 

Azariah  W.  Sterling  died  at  his  home  in  Washington  Township   February  27,  1876, 


L^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


ajed  sevanfcy-nin?  years.  He  was  bira  at  Saybrook.  Cjnn.  In  1831.  he  settled  in  Wash- 
ington Township. 

George  D.  Saudford  died  at  Romeo  March  18,  1876.  aged  tifty-three  years.  He 
served  in  the  war  of  1861-65,  and  afterward  in  the  Western  Territories,  against  the  In- 
dians. 

Mrs.  Mason  Cole,  formerly  Miss  Charity  Gamble,  died  May  24,  1876.  aged  tifty-four 
years. 

Albert  Edgett  died  March  16,  1876.  aged  seveuty-one  years.  He  lived  two  miles 
northeast  of  Romeo,  in  Bruce  Township,  since  1826. 

James  Hosner  died  in  July,  1876.    He  settled  in  Washington  Township  at  an  early  day. 

Sylvester  Seeley  was  born  in  New  York,  in  June  18,  1807;  learned  the  trade  of 
carpenter  in  Niagara  County:  removed  to  Macomb  in  1881,  and  settled  on  land  on 
Section  19.  now  owned  by  J.  S.  Warner.  Mr.  Seeley  worked  at  his  trade  and  at  farming 
in  the  county,  except  two  years,  u[)  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  March  27, 
1878;  married.  September  16,  1827,  to  Julia,  oldest  child  of  Joseph  Thurston,  a  native 
of  Vermont,  born  January  11,  1808;  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  living.  Mr.  Seeley 
was  an  active  man  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  new  settlement.  The  mother  still  lives  in 
.irmada  Village. 

Moses  Freeman,  son  of  Joseph  Freeman,  of  Berkshire,  Vt. .  was  born  May  4,  1801; 
married  Ann  Powell  August  2.  1829.  and  had  four  children;  removed  to  Armada  Town- 
ship in  1824.  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  locate  land  in  Armada  Township,  which  was  a 
part  of  Section  31,  now  owned  by  Abuer  Lemon.  Mr.  Freeman  was  a  military  man.  hav- 
ing held  foiu-  commissions  of  militia,  all  signed  by  Stevens  T.  Mason — Lieutenant,  Cap- 
tain. Major  and  Colonel.  He  was  an  energetic  and  busy  man  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  took  place  October  4,  1871.      The  wife  died  June  17.  1871. 

Beekman  Chamberlin  was  born  in  Canada  June  20,  1793;  arrived  in  Macomb  County 
in  1834:  took  up  and  cleared  160  acres  of  land,  and  spent  most  of  his  life  in  the  county; 
married  Malinda  Adams,  a  native  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ,  and  had  ten  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  still  living.  She  died  on  the  homestead  in  1875.  Mr.  Chamberlin  died  in 
1870:  served  in  the  war  of  1812  a  short  time. 

William  Young,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  in  1801.  married  Zobida  Masters,  of 
same  place;  removed  to  Macomb  in  1833.  and  lived  twenty  years  in  Bruce  Township,  then 
in  Washington  six  years,  then  to  Armada  Village,  where  he  died  October  Iti,  1863.  His 
wife  died  eight  days  previously.     He  was  a  blacksmith  in  each  place  mentioned. 

Timothy  Adams,  son  of  Isaac  Adams,  was  born  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1813. 
His  father  and  mother  were  natives  of  Massachusetts.  He  settled  in  Ai-mada.  Section  12. 
in  the  year  1842,  on  a  fai'm  which  he  cleared  up  and  made  his  home  till  the  time  of  his 
death.  September  19.  1865.  He  married,  in  1842,  Betsey,  daughter  of  Justus  Grant,  a 
native  of  Vermont,  and  had  eight  childi-en.  one  of  whom  sitrvives.  Mi's.  Adams  lives 
upon  the  homestead.      Her  father  was  a  survivor  of  the  war  of  1812. 

Roswell  Webster,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  came  to  Macomb  in  1825,  and  took  ninety- 
six  acres  in  Washington,  now  lying  in  the  village  of  Romeo;  had  six  childi'en,  and  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812:  was  wouuded-at  the  battle  of  Fort  Erie,  and  received  a  pension: 
died  at  his  home  in  Romeo. 

Joseph  Goodin  was  born  in  Bloomtield,  N.  Y. ;  was  a  pensioner  of  the  war  of  1812; 
came  with  his  father  to  Romeo  in  1830:  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  Bruce,  upon  which  both 
father  and  son  died.  They  were  masons  by  trade,  and  had  miVch  to  do  with  the  building 
in  the  earlier  days  of  Romeo. 

Warren  Tibbits,  familiarly  known  as  "Squire  Tibbits,"was  born  in  Vermont  in  1802; 
moved  while  a  child  to  Canada,  and  remained  till    1837;  he  then  removed  to  Armada 


liL 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Township,  where  he  lived  till  shortly  before  his  death,  when  he  removed  to  the  village, 
and  died  Deceiulier  '-*4,  ISfil.  His  death  was  the  result  of  disease  of  the  heart,  and  was 
very  sudden.  His  wife,  Polly  Hart,  died  January  '2.2,  1S75,  at  the  age  of  seventy-live  years. 
Ml'.  Tibbits  was  a  successful  school-teacher  in  Canada,  and  a  faithful  officer  in  the  town- 
ship many  years. 

Ira  Spencer,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Armada,  died  February  (5,  1876,  aged  eighty- 
foui-  years.  He  came  into  the  couaty  at  an  early  day,  and  was  well  known  as  a  Univer- 
salist  preacher.  He  said.  "  I  was  born  a  Democrat,  and  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  shall  die 
a  Democrat. " 

Mrs.  WilliaiQ  Crittenden  died  April  4.  187t),  from  injuries  received  in  an  ettbrt  to 
subdue  the  flames  which  destroyed  her  house  that  morning. 

Isaac  Brabb  died  at  Romeo  April  13.  1S7Q,  aged  eighty- one  years.  He  was  one  of 
the  old  settlers  of  Macomb. 

Nathan  G.  Bates  died  at  his  home  in  Washington  Township  April  S,  187(5,  aged  forty 
years. 

Mrs.  Maria  Maynard  Spaalding  died  June  6,  1S76,  aged  fifty-one  years. 

Mi-s.  Aratus  Smith  died  June  9,  1876,  at  Reading,  Mich. ,  and  her  remains  brought  to 
Romeo  for  burial. 

Mrs.  Anna  Wilcox  died  Jiily  7,  1876,  iu  her  eighty-second  year.  She  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  1831,  and  settled  in  Washington  Township. 

Duncan  Gass,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  died  August  1,  1876.  at  his  home  iu  Ray 
Township.     He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that  township. 

Mrs.  Frances  Curtiss  Smith,  wife  of  Caivin  Smith,  died  August  18,  1876,  at  her  home 
in  Armada. 

Henry  Lawrence  died  August  16,  1876,  in  his  forty-foui'th  year. 

Marvel  Shaw,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Macomb  County,  died  September  17,  1876.  He 
settled  at  Romeo  in  1830. 

Ai-galius  Streeter  died  in  Bruce  October  18,  1876. 

Mi-s.  Stitt.  wife  of  Dr.  Stitt.  died  at  Romeo  in  June.  1876. 

Giles  Hubl)ard  died  suddenly  November  6.  1876.  aged  fifty-three  years.  He  was  one 
of  the  old  settlers  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  a  leading  lawyer  of  the  State. 

J.  Banghart,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb,  died  at  Romeo  November  5,  1876. 

Oratus  Hulett.  aged  seventy-seven  years,  died  at  Armada  Septemder  25.  1876. 

E.  R.  Bentley,  of  Armada,  died  November  18,   1876. 

Jonas  Crissman  died  at  his  residence  December  15,  1876.  aged  ninety-one  years.  He 
was  one  o'  the  pioneers  of  Macomb. 

Mrs.  Diadema  Crippen  died  January  16,  1877,  in  her  eighty-ninth  year.  She  was 
born  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  September  '20,  1783. 

Frances  Day,  wife  of  Porter  M.  Lathrop.  died  January  "J.  1877.  She  was  born  at 
Dryden  March  5.  1838,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  W.  Day.  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
that  town. 

David  Mansfield  died  January  20.  1S77,  in  his  seventy-seventh  year.  He  was  among 
the  first  settlers  of  Memphis  in  1836. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Rix,  wife  of  Oel  Rix,  settled  at  Memphis  in  1840;  died  January  4,  1877, 
aged  sixty-two  years. 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Kingsbury  died  March  11,  1S77.      She  was  an  old  resilient  of  Disco. 

Mrs.  Marv  Ann  Gilliert  died  March  18,  1877,  aged  seventy-five  vears.  Her  husband, 
L.  S.  Gilbert, "died  in  1.S67. 

Mrs.  C.  M.  Palmer,  formerly  of  Romeo,  died  at  San  Francisco,  Cal..  March  12,  1877. 
aged  forty- two  years. 


nv 


.^ 


HISTOKY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stone  died  at  Richmond  in  Febrnaiy,  1S78.  aged  eighty-six  years. 

Mrs.  Smith,  mother  of  H.  O.  and  G.  S.  Smith,  of  Macomb  County,  died  at  Madison. 
Ind.,  Febnxary  6,  1878,  in  her  ninety-second  year. 

Rev.  Daniel  J.  Poor,  formerly  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Foxboro,  and 
teacher  of  the  schools  at  Romeo,  died  at  Lexington,  111.,  Januaiy  29,  1878. 

Mrs.  Mariah  Donaldson,  wife  of  Joseph  Donaldson,  died  at  the  residence  of  her  niece, 
in  Detroit.  November  14,  1877.  Mrs.  Donaldson  was  qnite  well  known  in  Macomb  County, 
having  resided  for  a  number  of  years  in  Romeo.  She  ha  I  reached  the  extreme  age  of  sev- 
enty years.     Her  remains  were  taken  to  Marshall  for  burial. 

Mrs.  Palethorpe  died  November  27.  1877. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Wilkes  L.  Stuart,  of  Newaygo,  in  this  State,  died  November  29,  1877. 
Mrs.  Stuart  was  the  last  sm-viving  sister  of  Mr.  Cyrus  Hopkins,  of  this  place,  and  will  be 
remembered  by  many  of  the  older  residents  of  this  section  as  having  been  a  resident  of 
Romeo  in  its  early  days,  settling  here  in  1825.  She  was  seventy-three  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  her  death. 

Arnold  P.  Sykes,  brother  of  A.  J.  Sykes,  of  Macomb  County,  died  at  Saginaw  Decem- 
ber 14,  1877.      He  served  in  the  United  States  Navy  for  thi-ee  years. 

Frisbie  Spencer  died  in  January,  1878,  at  Detroit,  on  his  way  home  from  California, 
where  he  had  been  for  his  health. 

James  Reside  died  in  California  in  January,  1878. 
-    Mi-s.    Josephine  B.  Stansbury,  widow  of   the  late   Edwin  A.  Stansbury,  died  at  the 
residence  of  Hon.  A.  B.  Maynai'd  in  June,  1878. 

Greorge  Scott,  an  old  resident  of  Mt.  Clemens,  eighty-four  years  of  age,  died  Septem- 
ber 9,  1878. 

Almon  D.  Manley  died  fi'om  brain  disease,  at  Romeo,  on  the  10th  of  September,  1878. 
He  was  the  only  son  of  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  J.  W.  Manley;  was  born  in  Macomb  Township  Au- 
gust 4,  1844;  his  parents  were  among  the  oldest  settlers  of  Shelby  Township.  He  was 
an  inventor,  and  much  of  his  machinery  is  now  in  practical  use. 

Mrs.  Taylor,  wife  of  Thomas  Taylor,  died  at  her  home  in  the  town  of  Bruce  Septem- 
ber 30,  1878.      She  was  sixty-seven  years  of  age. 

Mrs.  Mary  Brooks  died  September  30,  1878,  aged  seventy  years;  wife  of  E.  Brooks, 
of  Armada.    * 

Elisha  Briggs  died  at  his  residence  in  Davis.  October  7,  187N,  after  a  long  and  pain- 
ful illness,  aged  fifty. 

Mrs.  Caroline  Hartung,  mother  of  Greorge  Hartung,  died  October  20,  1878.  Mrs. 
Hartung  was  seventy-eight  j^ears  of  age,  and  the  mother  of  twelve  childi-en,  nine  of  whom 
survive. 

Cyrus  Hopkins  died  November  10,  1878,  aged  seventy-six  years.  He  was  born  in 
Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1802.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  1830,  and,  with  the  exception 
of  some  two  years,  has  been  a  resident  of  Romeo  since  that  time.  Previous  to  the  build- 
ing of  the  new  Congi-egational  Church,  he  was  for  more  than  thirty  years  the  sexton. 

Joseph  Sikes,  who  died  at  his  residence  two  miles  south  of  Romeo,  November  5,  lS7iS, 
had  owned  and  lived  on  the  same  farm-for  thirty-seven  years — along  period  for  the  West. 
He  was  well  known  to  the  )ieo]5le  as  a  most  industrious,  honorable,  enterprising  and 
successful  farmer. 

Miss  Adelia  M.  Miller,  born  at  Warsaw.  N.  Y..  April  18,  1820,  settled  with  her  i)ar- 
ents  in  Washington  Township  in  June,  1822;  died  December  11,  1878. 

Mrs.  Grilbert  Conklin  died  December  3.  1878,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  She  dwelt  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Mt.  Vernon.  Macoml)  County,  for  a  period  extending  over  forty 
years. 


"Tt^- 


V 


:±=^iL 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Mrs.  Kimball,  mother  of  Mrs.  W.  Coykendall,  died  at  the  latter's  residence  December 
1,  1878.     The  deceased  was  quite  aged,  being  about  eighty-three. 

Col.  John  Stockton,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  a  pioneer  of  Macomb,  and  one  of  the  early  states- 
men of  Michigan,  died  November  26,  1878. 

Charles  Moser  died  at  Mt.  Clemens  February  2().  1878. 

Albert  Ely  Leete  was  born  in  Stamford,  Dutchess  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  1.  1802,  and  died 
at  Romeo.  Mich..  February  24,  1878.  He  was  the  seventh  generation  and  lineal  descend- 
ant of  William  Leete.  who  came  to  this  country  from  England  in  lfi;^9,  as  Governor  of 
the  Colony  of  New  Haven.  After  the  consolidation  of  New  Haven  and  Connecticut  Colo- 
nies under  the  name  of  Connecticut,  in  1G65,  Gov.  Leete  was  chosen  as  Governor  of  the  two 
united  colonies,  and  held  that  honorable  and  responsible  place  till  his  death,  in  IfiSS. 
Dr.  Leete" s  mother.  Clarinda  Gal^,  was  also  descended  from  one  of  the  old  and  reputable 
families  of  Connecticut.  Dr.  Leete  was  married,  March  17,  1831,  in  Palenville,  N.  Y. , 
to  Miss  Catherine  Palen.  Seven  chikhen — four  sons  and  three  daughters — are  the  fruit 
of  this  marriage.  Two  sons  have  died — one  at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half  years,  the  other 
in  military  service  in  18()4.  Mrs.  Leete.  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  siu'vive  to  mourn 
his  loss. 

George  Washer  died  suddenlv  April  8,  1878,  for  many  years  a  celebrated  auctioneer. 

Mrs.  Beagle,  widow  of  Charles  Beagle,  died  April  20,  1878. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Morrison  died  in  Shelby  April  24,  1878,  <iged  seventy-eight  years. 

Una  Miller  died  May  2,  1878,  after  a  long  and  very  painful  illness  of  that  terrible 
disease,  cancer  of  the  throat.  He  was  an  honored  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
society,  and  universally  respected.  The  parents  were  the  first  permanent  settlers  in  Wash- 
ington, coming  in  June,  1822,  and  the  deceased  is  siipposed  to  have  been  the  first  white 
male  child  born  in  the  town.  He  was  born  in  the  spring  of  1823,  and  was  accordingly 
fifty-five  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

The  wife  of  William  Pool,  an  old  resident  of  Bruce,  died  May  5,  1878.  aged  sixty 
six  years.      She  came  to  Michigan  in  1848.  settling  on  the  farm  on  which  she  died  on  the 
5th  of  Jlay,  1878.      She  was  married  on  the  7th  dav  of  May,  1829,  and  was  buried  on  the 
8th  of  May.  1878. 

Henry  Collins  died  May  8,  1878,  at  the  residence  of  M.  I.  Brabb.  Mr.  Collins  was 
seventy  years  of  age,  and  was  an  old  pioneer  in  this  section,  settling  here  hi  1831.  He 
was  a  man  highly  esteemed  by  his  neighbors  and  friends.  He  was  one  of  the  sti'ongest 
Democrats  in  the  town  of  Bruce. 

John  H.  Williams,  born  in  Washington  County.  N.  Y.,  in  1815;  died  in  Macomb 
County,  Mich..  May,  1878. 

Mrs.  M.  A.  Dickinson,  a  former  prominent  resident  of  Romeo,  died  on  the  25th  of 
April,  1878,  at  the  residence  of  her  son-in-law,  D.  L.  Gillette,  at  Westfield,  Mass.,  at 
the  age  of  seventy  one  years.  Mrs.  Dickinson  was  a  pioneer  in  this  section,  coming  to 
Romeo  with  her  husband,  Nathan  Dickinson,  about  the  year  1838.  and  remaining  here  for 
some  years  after  that  gentleman's  death,  in  1861,  going  hence  in  1869,  and  making  her 
home  with  her  daughter  at  Westfield  until  her  death. 

Mrs.  Charles  Kennett,  Sr.,  died  June  2,  1878,  aged  seventy-nine  years. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Lamb  Andrus,  of  Washington  Township,  born  at  Wilbraham,  Mass..  No- 
vember 15,  1790,  died  June  19,  1878,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  her  age. 

Sylvester  De  Land,  after  a  severe  sickness  of  a  few  weeks,  passed  away  December  8, 
1878.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  1833;  lived  for  a  short  time  in  Romeo,  then  in  Ray,  but 
finally  pui'chased  land  near  Memphis,  where  he  resided  about  thirty  years.  For  the  past 
ten  years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Memphis  Village.  He  was  sixty-seven  years  old,  and 
left  a  wife  and  six  children. 


4^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


An  old  man  seventy-eight  years  of  age  passed  away  from  ns  January  29,  1879.  In 
liis  voutli,  he  had  married  the  lady  of  his  choice.  He  was  a  Catholic,  and  she  was  a  Prot- 
estant. The  marriage  ceremony  was  not  performed  by  a  priest.  Dm-ing  his  last  sickness, 
a  few  days  before  his  death,  a  priest  called,  and,  finding  that  he  wished  to  die  in  the 
Catholic  faith  and  be  bmied  in  their  consecrated  grounds,  decided  that,  in  order  to  have 
this  favor,  he  must  be  mai'ried  according  to  the  reijuirements  of  the  chui'ch,  by  one  of  their 
priests.  The  old  lady  presented  the  wedding  ring  which  she  had  received  in  her  youth, 
and  the  two  were  married  by  the  priest.  The  husband  soon  died,  and  his  remains  were 
bmied  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  at  Kenockee. 

Lester  Giddings,  a  pensioner  in  the  war  of  1812,  died  January  2,  1879,  in  the  eighty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age.  He  was  born  in  June,  1792,  at  Granvill  ,  Washington  Co.,  N. 
Y. ,  to  which  place  his  father,  Niles  Gidding.s,  moved  from  Hartland,  Conn.,  soon  after  the 
Revohitionary  war. 

Broughton  Adams,  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Macomb,  died  on  Christmas  Day,  1879, 
at  Decatur.  Van  Buren  Co.,  Mich.,  aged  seventy-nine  years. 

Mrs.  Green  Freeman  was  born  in  Meriden,  Conn..  September  15,  1816,  and  was  nearly 
sixty-thi-ee  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death,  which  occmTed  last  Saturday  morning, 
January,  11,  1879.  She  was  man-ied  July  7,  1842,  moving  immediately  West,  locating  at 
Mt.  Clemens,  Macomb  Co..  Mich.:  moved  to  Poiitiac  in  iSGo.  She  leaves  a  husband  and 
six  children  to  mourn  her  loss.     Her  death  was  very  sudden  and  unexpected. 

Orrin  Southwell,  an  old  resident  of  Romeo,  died  at  Wenona,  111.,  February  21,  1879. 

iVIrs.  L.  D.  Owen  died  at  Romeo  from  heart  disease  April  8,  1879. 

Joshua  B.  Dickenson,  Mayor  of  Mt.  Clemens,  died  in  May,  1879. 

Yarnum  Lufkiu,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  died  January  9,  1880,  aged  seventy  years. 

Mi-s.  Nancy  Palmerlee,  born  at  Goshen,  Litchfield  Co.,  Conn.,  August  4,  1786;  died 
in  Bruce  Township  December  30,  1879,  in  her  ninety-foiu'th  year.    She  settled  there  in  1832. 

Orsel  Dudlev,  born  in  New  York  State  March  21,  1800,  died  near  Romeo  January 
18,  1880. 

Mrs.  Ezekiel  Allen  died  at  Mt.  Clemens  January  25,  1880,  aged  eighty  years.  She 
located  there  in  1821. 

]Mi-s.  Mary  Crocker,  mother  of  T.  M.  Crocker,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  died  in  May,  1880,  at 
New  Baltimore. 

M.  A.  Holcomb,  a  former  resident  of  Romeo,  died  at  Oxford  November  2,  1880. 

Hiram  Bancroft  died  November  7,  1880,  aged  fifty-eight  years. 

Mrs.  Anna  Cooley,  relict  of  the  deceased  Noah  Cooley,  died  at  the  old  homestead 
November  16,  1880,  aged  seventy-six  years.      Her  husband  died  in  1877. 

Joseph  B.  Hart  died  November  10,  1880.  aged  about  sixty  years.  He  was  a  resident 
of  Romeo  for  over  forty-eight  years. 

Joseph  Yates,  of  Washington  Township,  died  November  17,  1800,  aged  seventy  years. 

Mrs.  Anne  Lockwood  died  November  21,  1880.  For  a  period  of  forty-four  years,  she 
had  been  a  resident  of  Mt.  Vernon,  this  county. 

Mrs.  Uriah  Haines  died  suddenly  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Bently,  in  Bruce  Town- 
ship, December  10,  1880. 

Mrs.  Cornelius  Everett,  of  Bruce,  sister  of  Amos  and  Lucius  Palmerlee,  died  Decem- 
ber 11,  1880. 

Rev.  W.  P.  Russell,  born  August  1,  1812,  at  Milton,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y..  settled  at 
Memphis,  Macomb  Countv,  in  LS-tS,  where  he  remained,  with  the  exception  of  one  year, 
tmtil  his  death.  May  11,  1880. 

Col.  Noi-man  Perry,  born  in  Northumberland  Townshij),  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  April 
20,  1796;  died  July  19,  1880. 


rt* 


A 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Dr.  James  P.  Whitney,  one  of  the  early  physicians  of  Northern  Macomb,  died  in 
California  November  25,  1880. 

Benjamin  Cooley,  of  Bruce,  died  on  the  7th  of  January,  1881.  He  was  born  in  Ver- 
mont August  7.  1811:  moved  to  Michigan  in  1832:  cleared  up  a  large  farm,  and  died  on 
the  farm  which  he  located  nearly  half  a  century  ago. 

James  Brooks,  an  aged  citizen  of  Romeo,  died  in  January,  1881. 

Hugh  Hosner,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb,  died  Jamiary  29.  1881,  aged  sixty-eight 
years.      He  was  born  in  New  York  November  4,  1808. 

Mrs.  Theodosia  Lamb  died  February  2,  1881.  aged  eighty-nine  years.  She  was  born 
at  Bennington,  Vt. .  March  26,  1792.  She  came  with  her  husband,  Otis  Lamb,  to  Mich- 
igan, in  1824.      Her  husband  died  in  185fi. 

Mrs.  Laiu'a  Lowell,  an  old  resident  of  Northern  Macomb,  died  at  Adrian  February 
9,  1881.  aged  seventy- two  years. 

The  oldest  citizen  of  Macomb  County,  Jacques  Thibault,  died  at  his  home,  in  Har 
rison  Township,  March  6.  1881,  aged  one  hundred  and  five  years. 

J.G.  Stranahan,  an  old  resident,  died  March  It),  1881,  aged  seventy-one  years. 

James  Sharpstein.  an  aged  citizen  of  Bruce,  died  March  13,  1881,  in  his  seventy-first 
year. 

Asa  Austin,  a  survivor  of  the  Mexican  war,  aged  seventy  years,  died  at  Romeo  March 
23,  1881. 

Mrs.  Lucinda  Overton,  aged  sixty-seven  years,  died  in  Richmond  Township  March 
11,  1881, 

David  Anderson,  of  Bruce,  died  March  9,  1881,  aged  seventy-two  years, 

Samuel  Waycntt,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb  County,  died  April  3,  1881. 

Mrs.  Stephen  Bailey  died  April  16,  1881,  in  Romeo.    . 

Mrs.  Helen  Harvey  died  at  Utica,  Mich.,  in  April,  1881. 

Mrs.  Bailey,  widow  of  the  late  Asahel  Bailey,  and  one  of  the  first  white  women  in 
Romeo,  died  at  her  residence  July  4,  1881,  in  her  eighty-third  year.  She  was  the  mother 
of  a  number  of  children,  the  most  of  not  all  of  them  reside  in  this  ]ilace. 

Mrs.  John  Varney  died  July  23,  1881,  aged  fifty  years. 

J,  Jackson  Crissman,  an  old  resident  of  Washington  Township,  died  xYugust  5,  1881, 
aged  sixty-two  years. 

Mrs.  C.  P.  Glaspie,  daughter  of  Joseph  Atkinson,  of  Romeo,  died  in  August,  1881, 
at  Detroit. 

Mrs.  Levi  F.  Giddings,  daughter  of  P.  M.  Beutley,  died  in  Shelby  Township,  Sep- 
tember, 1881,  aged  thirty-five.  She  was  born  in  Ontario  County.  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Ma- 
comb County  with  her  parents  in  1846. 

Mi-s.  Sarah  E.  Taylor,  wife  of  Hiram  Taylor,  born  in  Rutland  Co.,  Vt.,  August  23, 
1836,  died  in  Armada,  Mich.,  September  24,  1881,  in  her  forty-sixth  year. 

Ezra  Nye  died  October  9,  I88I,  aged  forty-five  years. 

Mrs.  Leah  Kiel  was  born  in  1823;  died  October  1,  1881. 

Mrs.  Le  Roy  died  in  East  Saginaw  October  12,  1881. 

Mi-s.  Susan  Mahaflfy.  born  in  Tyrone.  Ireland,  November  11.  1807,  married  Hugh 
MahafFy,  and  with  him  came  to  Michigan  forty-nine  years  ago;  died  October  29,  1881, 

John  Bough  ton,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb  Townshij).  died  November  4,  1881. 

Michael  R.  Sutton  died  November  12,  1881,  in  his  eighty-fom-th  year. 

Hugh  Harper,  an  aged  citizen  of  Romeo,  died  suddenly  November  28,  1881,  aged 
sixty-five  years. 

Mrs.  Nancy  S.  Axtell.  died  December  4.  1881 .  She  was  born  at  Mendham,  Morris  Co. , 
N.  J.,  December  23,  1792.     Her  husband  died  in  1855. 


^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Frank  Tremble,  or  Trombley.  of  Erin  Township,  died  April  25,  1881.  aged  seventy- 
one  yeai-o.  He  was  one  of  the  old  residents  of  Macomb  County,  and  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Catholic  Church. 

John  Stephens,  who  died  in  Detriot  October  31,  1881,  was  a  gentleman  well  known 
to  the  older  resi "  "-nts  of  Macomb  County.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1 838.  and,  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother,  Moore  Stephens,  went  into  general  merchandise.  They  made  a 
large  fortune.  In  1852,  Mr.  Stephens  went  to  Detroit  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  gro- 
cery business. 

IVIrs.  J.  C.  High,  mother  of  William  and  John  High,  died  November  24,  1881,  in  her 
eighty-sixth  year.  Mrs.  High  was  an  old  resident  of  this  city,  and  a  most  estimable  lady. 
She  was  for  many  years  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Jacob  Allmond  died  in  Erin  October  17,  1881,  in  his  seventy-tirst  year.  Mr.  Allmond 
was  born  in  France,  and  came  to  this  city  in  1856.  settling  in  the  township  where  he 
died.  He  was  a  well-known  and  highly  esteemed  citizen,  to  which  fact  a  f  imeral  proces- 
sion neai'ly  a  mile  long  attested. 

William  Gass,  one   of  the   earliest  settlers   in   this  vicinity,  died  on  Decenlber  31, 

1881,  at  his  home  in  the  town  of  Ray. 

Hugh  Gray  died  January  1,  1882.  He  was  born  in  Ayreshire,  Scotland.  December 
31,  1806.  He  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  in  1832.  He  was  brought  up  a  farm- 
er in  his  native  county,  and  he  located  a  farm  near  Romeo  upon  his  arrival.  With  his 
brother.  Neil  Gray,  he,  for  a  number  of  years  successfully  operated  a  flouring-mill  at  Clif- 
ton a  few  miles  southwest  of  Romeo.  Subsequently,  he  removed  to  the  latter  place,  where, 
as  we  have  said,  he  interested  himself  actively  in  good  works.  Next  to  the  chiu-ch,  the 
temperance  cause  interested  him,  and,  during  the  last  thirty  years,  he  has  been  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  Society.  In  1837,  he  mairied  Emma  A.  Buit, 
formerly  of  Coimecticut,  who  still  siu-vives. 

Mrs.  Orpha  Adams,  wife  of  A.  B.  Adams,  of   Utica,  departed  this  life  February  15, 

1882,  aged  seventy-six  years.      The  funeral  was  held  at  the   Methodist  Chm-ch  on  Sun- 
day morning  at  10:30.      Mrs.  Adams  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens. 

Elias  Hall,  who  lived  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Washington,  died  in  1882.  aged 
eighty-three  years.  Deceased  came  to  Macomb  County  in  1832.  and  lived  on  the  same 
farm  ever  since. 

Anson  Grinnell  died  Februai-y  5,  1882.  He  was  born  in  New  York  State  Jauuaiy 
21.  1807,  moved  to  Michigan  in  1827  and  was  a  resident  of  Davis  for  fifty-five  years. 
Mr.  Wright,  another  old  settler,  died  the  same  month. 

Catherine  Dickenson,  daughter  of  Joshua  B.  Dickenson,  first  Mayor  of  Mt.  Clemens, 
and  wife  of  Georsre  M.  Crocker,  died  Februarv  7,  1882.  She  was  born  at  Mt.  Clemens  in 
1848. 

David  Casey,  an  old  resident  of  Romeo,  died  June  12,  1882,   aged  fifty-seven  years. 

Hannah  Book,  a  mute,  residing  at  Clifton,  near  Romeo,  set  her  house  on  tire  and 
ofifered  herself  a  victim  to  the  flames.  May  29,  1882. 


4« 


LiL 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER    XXVIil. 

CHRONOLOGY. 

It  is  essential  that  the  principal  happenings  should  befnllyand  impartially  recorded, 
and  a  mention  made  of  every  event  possessing  even  the  least  historical  merit.  The  writer 
timls  it  just  possible  to  obtain  such  data  as  would  enable  him  to  deal  specially  with  the 
great  chapters  of  this  record  book — with  the  most  important  items  in  the  history  of  this 
county.  Notwithstanding  all  diligence  in  inquiry,  all  the  valuable  co-o])eration  rendered 
by  the  survivors  of  early  settlement,  as  well  as  of  the  citizens  of  the  present  time,  many 
facts  would  escape  notice,  had  not  the  chronological  table  been  prepared  for  their  recep- 
tion. To  render  this  valuable,  an  effort  has  been  made  to  notice  the  happenings  of  our 
own  time,  and  mention  the  j^rincipal  events  of  early  years.  The  data  given  may  be  ac- 
cepted as  coiTect  in  every  particular;  for  a  great  portion  of  it  has  been  abridged  fi'om 
written  records,  while  all  that  is  legendary  and  circumstantial  point  directly  to  the  oeciu-- 
rences  and  men  concerned. 

The  histories  of  the  city,  villages  and  townships  of  the  county,  together  with  the 
pioneer  chapter  of  the  general  history,  contain  a  great  deal  of  items  which  would  offer  a 
full  chronological  table  from  the  organization  of  the  county  to  1866,  when  the  present  re- 
view may  be  said  to  begin.  Yet.  to  avoid  repetition,  such  items  are  allowed  to  appear  in 
that  section  of  the  work  devoted  to  the  locality  where  they  belong. 

The  massacre  of  the  Sauks  by  the  Otchipwes  took  place  in  1520.  Eev.  Brebosuf  and 
Daniels  visited  the  district  in  1634-38.  The  great  snow  fell  in  1755.  Allouez  and  Du- 
vall,  or  Dablon,  came  in  1665.      The  Griffin  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  in  1674. 

Louis  Pateuaude  located  here  in  1751,  and  built  a  log  cabin  in  1758.  The  OtchipweB 
marched  to  the  aid  of  Pontiac  in  1762.  Many  of  the  Indians  left  the  valley  of  the  Huron, 
or  Clinton,  to  assist  La  Balme  in  his  enterprise  against  the  British  post  at  Detroit,  in 
1780.  The  Moravians  arrived  at  New  Gnadtenhutten  in  1781.  Numerous  settlements 
were  made  in  the  county  from  1781  to  1795. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  county  among  the  American  pioneers  was  that  of  Richard 
Conner  and  Mary  Myers  in  1781. 

The  first  white  child  boi-n  in  the  district  now  known  as  Macomb  County  was  the 
daughter  of  Richard  Connor,  or  O'Connor,  and  Mary  Myers,  the  captive  of  the  Otchipwes. 
This  child  gi-ew  up  and  was  one  of  the  contracting  parties  in  one  of  the  first  matrimonial 
affairs  among  the  American  pioneers. 

The  first  tree-jilanting  in  Macomb  County  was  upon  the  banks  of  the  Clinton  (then 
Hm-on)  River,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  CJlumens,  one  hundred  years  ago.  This  orchard  was 
probably  planted  by  the  Moravians,  who  had  moved  from  the  Muskingum,  in  Ohio.  These 
first  trees,  some  of  which  are  still  standing,  show  marks  of  great  age,  ai'e  of  very  large 
size  and  of  a  kind  of  fruit  with  which  the  orchardists  of  the  present  day  are  not  acquaint- 
ed. At  this  time,  a  family  by  the  name  of  Tucker  settled  on  the  Hm-on  River  and  un- 
doubtedly planted  fruit-trees. 

Richard  Connor,  the  first  English  speaking  settler  in  Macomb  County,  located  here  in 
178L 

William  Tucker  made  a  permanent  location  in  the  county  so  early  as  1784,  when  he 
brought  his  family  from  Detroit  hither. 


Q^^.£,-€^i^^ji.  ^-2^-^?-^^^  x:^(2). 


{  dece/sed) 


i)  > 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  first  house  of  worship  was  the  Catholic  Church,  erected  a  short  time  previous  to 
1795,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Huron,  four  miles  distant  from  Mt.  Clemens. 

The  first  Baptist  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1843.  Two  years  previously,  the 
Presbyterians  erected  their  ehiu'ch  at  Mt.  Clemens. 

Frani;ois  Tremble  left  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  for  the  north,  was  stabbed  by  the  Sag- 
inaws,  and.  in  an  effort  to  retm-n  to  his  home,  was  lost  in  Lake  Hm'on,  1792. 

Onabouse,  a  fierce  Otchipwe,  was  made  captive  near  Mt.  Clemens  in  1806,  taken  to 
Detroit,  convicted  of  many  murders,  and  hanged. 

Louis  Cam[)eau  and  Jacob  Smith  passed  some  months  in  this  county  in  ISll,  trading 
with  the  Indians. 

The  Boyer  faniily,  made  captive  near  Mt.  Clemens  during  the  war  ot  1812,  were  res- 
cued by  Jacob  Smith  from  their  brutal  jailors  at  the  great  camp  of  Saginaw. 

The  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  named  by  Gen.  Macomb  long  before  its  incorpora- 
tion, in  honor  of  the  pioneer.  Christian  Clemens. 

Macomb  County  was  named  at  the  suggestion  of  Christian  Clemens  in  1818,  in  recog- 
nition of  Gen.  Macomb's  services  to  Michigan  and  the  "Union. 

The  first  fi'ame  sti'uctm-e  in  the  county  was  raised  in  1817  for  John  Stockton.  It  was 
an  addition  to  the  log  house  in  which  Judge  Clemens  dwelt,  the  attachment  to  his  house 
being  accounted  for  by  the  conciliating  fact  that  immediately  prior  to  its  building  Col. 
Stockton  maiTied  Mile.  Allen,  the  Judge's  step-daughter. 

The  sqviatters  on  the  lands  in  Macomb  County  were  summoned  to  Detroit  in  1808-10 
to  prove  their  occupancy  of  claims  previous  to  1796. 

Macomb  CoTinty  was  organized  in  1818. 

The  Black  Day  rose  over  the  county  November  8,  1819. 

Kiskako,  of  Saginaw,  the  terror  of  Macomb,  committed  suicide  at  Detroit  in  18'J5. 

In  1830.  the  Indians  of  the  Clinton  River  entered  on  a  Western  movement. 

In  1837,  an  Indian  of  the  Riley  band,  was  killed  by  a  falling  tree.  After  months  of 
searching,  the  body  of  the  savage  was  found. 

In  1837-3,8,  small-pox  decimated  the  lodges  of  the  Indians. 

In  1836,  the  Bank  of  Macomb  received  a  charter  fi-om  the  Legislature.  Under  the 
law  of  1837,  the  State  Banking  law  was  passed,  when  Representative  Monfore,  of  Macomb, 
was  one  of  the  four  members  who  opposed  the  dangerous  law. 

A  bill  of  complaint  was  filed  for  violation  of  law  against  the  Hm'on  River  Bank, 
I^raying  for  injunction  and  appointment  of  Receiver.  The  prayer  was  gi-anted  by  the 
Commissioners. 

Digby  Y.  Bell,  writing  December  30,  1839,  states:  '"The  Macomb  County  Bank,  it  is 
said,  has  not  closed  its  doors,  and  the  amount  of  its  circulation  is  very  limited  and  trifling, 
which  they  redeem  on  presentation." 

Of  the  1.060  muskets  received  by  the  military  authorities  of  the  Territory  of  Mi_ihi- 
gan,  from  Lieut.  J.  Howard,  of  the  United  States  Army,  in  May  and  June,  1S32.  only 
450  stand  could  be  found  in  1839,  of  which  number  fifty  were  in  the  armory  or  distributed 
among  the  people  of  Mt.  Clemens 

The  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  Macomb  left  their  land  forever  in  1838. 

Anthony  Wells,  of  Memphis,  a  pioneer,  was  killed  by  his  horse  in  1841. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  erected  a  church  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  1841. 

Mrs.  Hoag  was  killed  about  the  year  1850  by  the  splinters  of  a  boiler  which  exploded 
in  the  Hoag  saw -mi  11. 

Rev.  Mr.  Case,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Detroit,  was  the  first  minister 
of  the  Protestant  denomination  who  visited  Macomb  County,  coming  into  the  Tucker  set- 
tlement in  1807. 


^ 


3  J 


!K 


The  First  German  Evangelical  Chxirch  building  was  constructed  in  1860. 

The  Macomb  Democrat  was  first  issued  at  Mt.  Clemens  November  5,  1835. 

Abraham  Donaldson  was  crushed  to  death  by  a  falling  tree,  April,  1838. 

Harry  Day.  a  son  of  Erastus  Dav.  aged  about  three  years,  was  drowned  in  a  well  May 
27,  1844. 

The  first  copy  of  the  Romeo  Argus  was  issued  May  10.  1857.  Among  the  first  cor- 
respondents was  J.  E.  Day,  of  Armada,  who  says:  "After  an  interval  of  six  years'  press- 
less  silence,  we  are  rejoiced  with  the  prospect  that  the  village  of  Romeo  will  soon  be  her- 
alded by  a  weekly  journal."' 

In  July,  1863,  Col.  Farrar,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  in  command  of  a  division  of  the 
troops  ordered  out  to  suppress  the  anti-draft  riots  in  New  York. 

The  tournament  and  celebration  at  Mt.  Clemens,  July  3  and  4,  l'S'68,  was  participated 
in  by  over  5,000  people. 

A  meteor  passed  over  the  county  November  1,  1857.  The  visiting  comet  was  seen 
June  30,  1861. 

The  trains  ran  over  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad,  through  Macomb  County,  in  1859. 

The  Mt.  Clemens  Press  was  established  under  the  name  Macomb  Conserrative  Press 
in  the  year  1864.  Spencer  B.  Russell  assumed  control  of  the  joiu-nal  May  1,  1873,  and  has 
published  it  since  that  time.  Lewis  M.  Miller  iuaugm-ated  the  Mt.  Clemens  Reporter  in  1873. 
The  Investigator  was  first  published  at  Romeo  in  December,  1850.  The  first  number  of 
the  Romeo  Observer  was  issued  May  3,  1866,  J.  Rnssell,  editor  and  publisher. 

An  old  lady  living  within  four  miles  of  Romeo  settled  in  the  county  at  a  very  early 
day,  j'et  visited  Indian  Village  only  once  in  thirty  years,  this  visit  being  i)aid  in  the  year 
1844. 

Charles  Bentley,  son  of  Samuel  Bentley,  aged  fourteen  years,  left  home  April  8,  1866, 
and  was  not  heard  of  for  some  time. 

The  citizens  of  Utica  held  a  meeting  June  2,  1866,  for  the  purpose  of  raatiu-ing  plans 
for  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from  Detroit  to  their  village. 

The  German  Lutheran  Church,  of  W'aldenbiu-g,  was  dedicated  June  24^  1866. 

The  stoi-m  of  June  14,  1866,  resulted  in  the  loss  of  500  sheep  in  the  northern  towns 
of  Macomb,  together  with  the  numerous  losses  to  persons  and  property. 

A  son  of  Mr.  Geno,  residing  fom-  miles  southeast  of  Brooklyn,  was  accidentally  shot 
by  a  bo}'  named  Ellis  July  5.  1866. 

In  July,  1866,  Col.  William  Wilkinson  received  from  the  military  department  his 
commi-ssion  as  Brevet  Colonel  United  States  Volunteers,  for  distinguished  services  during 
the  war. 

Freedom  Mom-oe,  of  Romeo,  patented  a  land-leveler,  invented  by  him,  April  17,  1866. 

The  squirrel-hunting  match  between  Washington  and  Ray  came  oft'  September  2, 
1866.  The  whole  number  of  squirrels  killed  was  1,680.  Ray  claimed  180  squirrels  over 
their  antagonists. 

The  Bottomley  hoop-skirt  factory  was  inaugurated  at  Romeo  in  Sei)tember,  1866. 

Pearsall's  stage,  running  between  Ridgeway  and  Romeo,  was  upset  September  10, 
1866,  and  each  of  the  nine  passengers  injured. 

A  barn  owned  by  the  Widow  Pierce,  of  Washington  Township,  was  destroyod  by  fire 
September  11,  1866.  The  day  previous,  the  dwelling-house  of  Richard  Jersey,  two 
miles  east  of  Romeo,  was  j^artially  destroyed  by  fire. 

The  Boys  in  Blue  signed  a  declaration  of  unswerving  fidelity  to  the  Union,  and  reiter- 
ated their  credo,  "  no  rebel  bread  and  butter  in  our  haversacks,"  September  15.  1866. 

The  great  addi-ess  to  the  followers  of  the  Republican  party  of  Macomb  was  issued  in 
September,  1866,  signed  by  Edgai-  Weeks,  Irving  D.  Hanscom  and  T.  M.  Wilson. 


Jt^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


The  Washington  and  Ray  Wolverine  Sporting  Chib  met  September  '22,  1866,  when 
4,265  squirrels  were  killed,  of  which  number  the  \\"ashiiigtoniaas  killed  2. 14-U,  and  the 
boys  of  Ray,  2.116. 

The  Soldiers"  Convention  was  held  at  Brooklyn  in  October.   1 S66. 

The  Johnsonian  policy  of  reconstruction  created  some  excitement  thioughout  Macomb 
County  in  September  and  October,  1866.' 

George  Cameron  and  Barton  Bromley  broke  jail  at  Mt.  Clemens  November  5,  1866. 

Charles  G.  Tinsman,  of  Washington  Township,  husked  122  biishels  of  coin  in  the  ear 
out  of  the  shock  within  ten  hoiu's,  in  November,  186(i. 

In  November.  1866,  Col.  \\'illiam  Wilkinson  entered  a  suit  for  $10,000  damages 
against  Ira  8.  Pearsall,  on  account  of  injuries  received  while  traveling  in  a  stage  coach 
owned  by  the  defendant.  The  plaintitf  employed  A.  B.  Maynard  and  E.  F.  Mead  as  at- 
torneys. 

A  child  of  William  H.  Brabb  was  rescued  from  a  terrible  death  by  bmming.  owing 
to  the  timely  arrival  of  his  mother,  November  18,  1866. 

The  stage-drivers  between  Romeo  and  Almont  and  Romeo  and  Ridgeway,  in  1866, 
were  called  dniukards. 

William  McBride  attempted  suicide  within  the  State  prison  December  U,  1866. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  ]\racoml3  County  Agi'icultiu-al  Society  was  held  at  the 
house  of  Stephen  H.  Davis,  at  Brooklyn.  December  13,  1866. 

Dwight  R.  Andrus,  son  of  Loren  Andrus,  of  Washington  Township,  was  accidentally 
shot  at  Central  City,  Colo.,  in  November,  1866.      The  wounds  were  not  fatal. 

The  poisoning  of  the  Culver  family  at  Ripon,  Wis.,  was  recorded  December  25,  1866. 
The  Culvers  were  formerly  citizens  of  Washington  Township. 

Daniel  B.  Briggs,  of  Romeo,  was  appointed  Clerk  to  the  House  Judiciary  Committee, 
in  January,  1867. 

The  Young  Men's  Association  of  Romeo  was  organized  January  16,  1867. 

George  W.  Powell,  a  youth  of  nineteen  years,  hanged  himself  February  13,  1867. 

Degree  Temple,  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars,  was  organized  at  Romeo 
March  2,  1867. 

A  man  named  Armstrong,  employed  by  Ignaee  Morass,  attempted  to  cut  his  throat 
February  24.  1867,  which  act  his  employer  prevented.  Two  days  later,  however,  he  svic- 
ceeded  in  drowning  himself. 

Henry  Seals  was  ch-iving  a, team,  loaded  with  hay,  past  the  Rice  farm,  February  25, 
1867.  when  the  wagon  glided  from  the  slippery  highway  into  the  ditch,  overturning  th« 
load  and  bmying  his  wife  and  infant  child,  who  were  seated  on  the  hay,  beneath  it.  The 
infant  was  drowned,  while  the  mother  bai-ely  escaped  a  similar  death. 

Major  Heciw  Howgate,  who  succeeded  Capt.  William  Hulsart  as  Postmaster  at  Ro- 
meo, was  superseded  by  Col.  William  Wilkinson,  in  March,  1867. 

A  horse  thirty-two  years  old  was  shot  by  the  owner,  Nathan  Rowley,  of  Armada,  in 
March.  1867. 

An  infant  child  of  Charles  Howland  received  a  feed  of  blue  vitriol  from  its  little 
sister,  and  died  March  Ki,  1867. 

The  $10,000  action  for  damages  entered  by  Col.  Wilkinson  versus  Ira  Pearsall 
was  settled  amicably  in  April,  1867,  by  a  pajTneut  of  $1,000  and  a  free  pass  over  the  stage 
line  for  life  by  the  latter. 

F.  Pole,  a  stranger  in  Macomb  County,  was  drowned  in  Cusiek  Lake,  April  29,  1867. 

A  lodge  of  Crood  Templai-s  was  organized  at  Washington  Village  Ai)ril  30.  186/. 
The  Good  Templars'  Convention  was  held  at  Armada.  May  14  and  15.  1867. 

A  German  named  Hartwig  was  accidentally  killed  at  Clifton  May  2,  1867. 


/ 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


A  son  of  Thomas  Oliver  fell  into  the  Clinton  River  at  Mt.  Clemens,  May  23,  1S67, 
and  was  drovpned. 

A  man  named  Carley  shot  an  adversary  named  McCall  near  Memphis,  May  21,  1807. 
Death  was  instantaneous. 

A  Good  Templars  Lodge  was  formed  in  Macomb  Township,  May  23,  18(37. 

The  Robinson  tract,  near  Mt.  Clemens,  was  sold  September  20,  18(37,  the  lands  bring- 
ing from  SjioO  to  1125  per  acre. 

James  Benjamin,  an  old  resident  of  Romeo,  was  killed  at  Dryden,  Lapeer  County, 
September  12,   18(37.  by  a  fall  from  a  church  steeple  to  the  roof  of  the  building. 

The  barn  of  Sanford  Corbiu,  the  house  of  B.  B.  Redtield  and  that  of  J.  J.  Bentley 
were  all  damaged  by  lightning  diu'ing  the  storm  of  October  2,  18(37. 

The  county  ])oor  house  was  destroyed  by  lire  October  22,  1867.  The  Phelps  House, 
one  of  the  oldest  buildings  at  Mt.  Clemens,  was  totally  destroyed  December  11.  1867. 
It  was  built  by  Alfred  Ashley  in  1822,  as  a  hotel,  for  which  purpose  it  was  used  up  to  the 
date  of  its  destruction. 

James  Weightman,  a  soldier  in  the  war  for  the  Union,  and  a  printer  at  Romeo,  died 
February  13,  1868. 

Freedom  Alonroe  ofl'ered  to  the  Grand  Truuk  Railroad,  of  Michigan,  March,  1868,  the 
model  of  his  patent  bridge,  provided  such  comj)auy  would  adopt  this  system  of  bridge- 
building  on  the  new  railroad. 

William  McRoy  committed  suicide  by  hanging  himself,  April  30,  18(38. 

Mrs.  Robert  Ramsey,  living  near  Richmond,  was  fouud  drowned  in  Belle  River,  May 
y.  18(58. 

The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  organized  at  Romeo,  May  9,  1868.  with  Col. 
Wilkinson,  Commander. 

William  Manchester,  of  Richmond,  a  boy  nine  years  old,  was  killed  May  17,  18(38,  by 
a  failing  tree. 

The  Romeo  brass  band  was  organized  July  16,  1868. 

The  fifth  annual  meeting  of  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  Ma- 
comb and  St.  Clair,  was  held  at  Richmond  Jtme  U,  1868. 

A  fire  at  Armada,  July  28.  1868,  destroyed  the  E.  F.  Sibley  building. 

^Villiam  B.  Sutton  committed  suicide  at  Brooklyn  August  22,  1868. 

A  large  brick  building  being  erected  for  Dr.  J.  S.  Smith  and  Capt.  Hiram  Barrows 
fell  in  September  19,  1868.      Dr.  Smith  was  killed  and  Marion  Grout  injured. 

The  first  charter  election  of  Armada  Village  took  place  January  14,  1868. 

Albert  Weightman.  son  of  William  Weightman.  of  Romeo,  was  drowned  in  Cusiek 
Lake,  November  13.  1868. 

Charles  Phillips  shot  one  of  his  employes,  named  Robert  Wirtz,  in  December,  1868. 
The  wound  was  slight. 

A  street  preacher  by  the  name  of  Clemens  was  arrested  in  Toledo  in  January,  1869. 
The  following  is  the  charge  against  him:  '"One  Alfred  C.  Clemens  did  unlawfully  make 
a  gi-eat  noise,  outcry  and  clamor,  to  the  annoyance  and  disturbance  of  divers  good  and 
]ieac(<able  citizens."  He  is  the  same  gentleman  who  harangued  the  people  of  Macomb  in 
1868  upon  his  peculiar  religious  views.  He  is  a  nephew  of  the  late  Judge  Clemens, 
founder  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  quite  wealthy.  Aside  fi-om  a  slight  derangement  on  the 
subject  of  religion,  he  is  a  gentleman  and  a  scholar. 

Nearly  7,000  cords  of  hard  wood  were  shipped  from  Mt.  Clemens  to  Detroit  during 
the  season  of  1868  by  the  following  jiarties:  William  Hines,  1,000  cords;  O.  Chajiaton, 
3,500  cords;  J.  Hubbard  and  Traver  &  Van  Eps,  750  cords;  C.  Barley,  1.200  cords;  other 
parties,  500  cojds.     Also  about  400,000  feet  of  hard  wood  lumber. 

A,  _   :4^ 

^  £ r  "T ©   V 


The  Mt.  Clemens  salt  works  were  leased  to  Charles  Lamb  and  E.  Wright  Hall,  in 
January,  1869.  These  gentlemen  ran  the  well,  giving  the  company  one-seventh  part  of 
the  salt  mannfactiu'ed  for  the  privilege.  The  works  were  shut  down  for  the  winter  in 
order  to  put  uji  additional  tanks,  etc.,  but  commenced  running  early  in  March  following. 

A  man  named  Felix  Laforge.  residing  in  the  town  of  Chesterfield,  near  New  Balti- 
more, committed  suicide,  January  11,  ISfi'J,  by  shooting  himself  through  the  heart  with  a 
shot-gun  He  was  poorly  provided  with  the  goods  of  this  world,  and,  having  a  large 
family  of  little  childi-eu  dependent  upon  him  for  support,  he  became  discouraged  and 
tired  of  life,  and.  in  a  fit  of  depression,  adopted  this  means  to  free  himself  of  earthly 
trouble.  On  the  morning  in  question,  he  took  his  gun  and  started  for  the  woods,  with 
the  avowed  intention  of  going  out  hunting.  He  was  accompanied  by  his  little  son. 
When  arrived  in  the  woods,  he  ordered  his  son  home.  On  refusing  to  go,  he  threatened 
to  shoot  him  if  he  longer  disobeyed  his  command.  In  fear  of  his  life,  the  boy  at  length 
started.  On  his  way  home,  he  met  a  neighbor,  to  whom  he  communicated  the  unusual 
manner  in  which  his  father  had  treated  him.  The  two  then  started  toward  the  woods  in 
the  direction  where  the  boy  said  he  had  left  his  father,  and  had  proceeded  but  a  short 
distance  when  the  report  of  a  giui  was  heard.  Hastening  forward,  they  soon  ai-rived  at 
the  spot  where  the  unfortunate  man  lay  dead.  He  had  deliberately  fastened  the  giui  to 
the  trunk  of  a  tree,  and,  placing  the  muzzle  against  his  heart,  fii-ed  the  fatal  shot. 

Col.  Alonzo  M.  Keeler  engaged  in  the  work  of  preparing  abstracts  of  title  to  all  the 
lands  in  Macomb  County.  April,  1869. 

Lewis  Tanner  committed  siiicide  by  cutting  his  throat,  April  15,  1869. 

The  M.  E.  Chiu-ch  of  Chesterfield  was  dedicated  October  3,  1869. 

Rev.  P.  R.  Hui'd,  Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Chm-ch,  Romeo,  for  two  decades, 
resigned  in  October,  1869. 

The  second  annual  re-union  of  the  Eighth  Michigan  CavaliT  was  held  at  Mt.  Clemens 
October  26,  1869. 

Samuel  H.  Ewell  became  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Observer  October  20,  1869. 

A  son  of  Aratus  Pool,  of  Bruce,  fell  from  a  wagon  and  dislocated  his  neck.  He  died 
October  19,  1869. 

Mary  Jane  Terry  died  suddenly  April  22,  1869,  at  Romeo. 

The  dwelling  house  of  Rev.  W.  P.  Russell,  of  Memphis,  was  destroyed  by  fire  April 
24,  1869. 

The  examination  of  Dr.  Thomas  Stitt,  charged  with  the  murder  of  Mary  Jane  Teiry, 
on  April  22,  1869,  took  place  before  C.  F.  Mallary.  May  7,  1869. 

The  explosion  of  a  Grand  Trunk  Raihoad  locomotive.  May  29,  1869,  at  Ridgeway. 
resulted  in  the  death  of  Joseph  Grinnell,  Robert  Davis,  and  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Warren. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  New  Haven,  formerly  Baltimore  Station, 
was  laid  June  16,  18(')9. 

Dwight  N.  Lowell  and  James  Beardon,  of  Romeo,  were  admitted  to  the  bar  of  ]\Ia- 
comb  County  June  22,  1869. 

George  Ironmonger,  Barbara  Stow  and  Eliza  White  were  drowned  in  Aldrich's  mill 
pond,  near  Utica,  July  6,  1869. 

The  foundation  for  the  Gray  Block,  at  Romeo,  was  laid  in  July,  1869. 

A  destructive  storm  swept  over  Macomb  County  July  15,  186Vt. 

Arthiu-  Bottomlev,  aged  eight  vears,  was  killed  bv  a  kick  from  a  horse,  August  4, 
1869. 

Green  Bigsbv's  dwelling,  in  Washington  Township,  was  destroyed  bv  fire  August  13, 
1869. 

The  comet  of  1869  was  visible  in  Macomb  County. 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


-r^ 


A  sou  of  Robert  Rood  was  drowned  in  the  race  near  Proctor's  Mill.  August. 25.  1869. 

Dinah  Smith's  will  was  established  befoi-e  Judge  Sackett,  September  0,  1869. 

An  extensive  conflagration  at  Richmond,  Seiiteuiber  13,  1869,  resulted  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  property  valued  at  S5,0"0. 

Luther  W.  Farrar  died  March  12,  1870. 

All)ert  Graham  was  accidentally  shot  by  Ira  WiM^ks,  in  Richmond  Township,  April  T). 
ISTO. 

A  child  of  Mr.  Rice,  of  Memphis,  fell  into  a  pail  of  boiling  water,  April  6,  18/0,  and 
was  scalded  to  death. 

A  tire  broke  out  in  the  old  Brabb  warehouse  April  21.  1871,  entailing  a  total  loss  of 
$13,000;  insurance,  $11,200. 

A  siu'vey  of  the  Romeo  &  Almont  Railroad  was  made  in  April.  1870,  by  Fessenden 
&  Mellen. 

The  old  well  bored  at  Memphis  in  1865  proved  to  l)e  a  magnetic  well  in  187(), 

The  mill-race  of  N.  W.  Gray,  in  the  town  of  Ray,  bm-st  its  confines  during  the  rain- 
storm of  July,  1870. 

The  house  of  George  Johnson,  at  Mt.  Vernon,  was  torn  to  pieces  by  the  storm  of  July, 
1870. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Robeson  passed  through  Romeo  in  183  \  en  route  to  her  husband's  land, 
four  miles  northwest,  since  which  time  she  never  revisited  the  village,  nor  had  she  ever 
seen  a  railroad  up  to  1870,  though  theu  sixty-nine  years  old. 

The  grist-mill  built  at  Romeo  in  1856,  by  S.  H.  Ewell  and  O.  W.  Hopkins,  was  burned 
in  April,  "l  870. 

The  celebration  of  Memorial  Day,  1870.  was  creditable  to  Macomb  County. 

The  Neil  Gray  steam  grist-mill  was  inaugurated  in  September,  1870. 

A  young  man  suffered  from  religious  mania  at  Memphis,  as  a  result  of  attending  a 
camp-meeting  in  Wales  Township.  During  the  first  days  of  September,  1870,  it  required 
the  strength  of  five  men  to  hold  him. 

The  number  of  volumes  in  the  public  and  private  libraries  in  several  villages  of  Ma- 
comb County,  in  1870,  were  as  follows:  New  Baltimore.  2,800;  Memphis,  1,000;  Armada 
Village,  1,400;  Romeo,  9,757;  Mt.  Clemens,  9,000;  not  heard  from  Ttica. 

There  is  church  capacity  in  this  county  for  seating  about  one-sixth  of  the  population, 
and  nearly  one-half  of  the  room  is  unoccupied  on  an  average.  If  these  figures  are  cor- 
rect, only"  about  one  person  in  ten  attends  church  on  an  average.  Statistically  speaking, 
even  the  jieojde  of  this  Christian  county  ai'e  irreligious,      1870. 

Manley  Thurston  hanged  himself  March  3,  1870. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Protestant  Ei)iscopal  Church  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  laid  Sep- 
tember 8,  1870. 

The  Rejuiblican  County  Convention  was  held  at  Brooklyn  September  28,  1870. 

The  Democratic  County  Convention  was  held  at  New  Haven  October  4,  1870. 

The  new  Congregational  Church  of  Ray  Center  was  dedicated  November  2,  1870. 

During  the  earthquake  of  October  20,  1870.  the  shock  was  felt  at  Utiea  by  Prof. 
Briggs,  au(l  ai?  Uomeo  by  Ben  Cityler. 

The  new  M.  E.  Church  of  New  Baltimore,  built  at  n  cost  of  $4,000,  was  dedicated 
October  26,  1870. 

Mary  E.  Garry  committed  suicide  at  Jackson.  Mich.,  October  27,  1870.  She  was 
formerly  a  resident  of  Romeo. 

The  criminal  charges  against  the  patent- right  men.  Auimon  F-  Webster  and  Frank 
M.  Kimball,  of  Jackson,  were  inquired  into  by  Justices  Sackett  and  Crocker,  at  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, in  October,  1870,  and  the  parties  sent  for  trial. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


R.  F.  Selfridge,  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Michigan  Homestead  Colony,  left  for 
Kansas  December  8,  1870,  to  locate  lands. 

The  fire  at  New  Baltimore,  December  "21,  1870,  resulted  in  the  destruction  of  projierty 
valued  at  $37,500. 

At  the  annual  re-union  of  the  Gass  family,  held  in  Ray  Township  December  29,  1870, 
of  the  '281  members  then  liviucr,  154  were  present,  representing  five  generations. 

The  re-union  of  the  Cannon  family  was  held  December  31,  1870,  at  the  residence  of 
E.  J.  Cannon,  in  Shelby  Township.  It  was  stated  then  that  no  divorce  was  ever  applied 
for  or  obtained  by  any  member  of  the  family. 

The  Christian  Chapel  at  Romeo  was  dedicated  February  10,  1871. 

Patrick  Redmond  was  killed  at  Utica  Station  January  30,  1871,  by  being  run  over  by 
the  cars. 

C.  F.  Mallary  was  elected  a  Director  of  the  Romeo  &  AVestern  Railroad  February  4, 
1871. 

A  deficiency  of  $3,400  was  reported  in  the  accounts  of  Postmaster  William  Wilkin- 
son, of  Romeo,  in  February,  1871. 

The  Utica  Cheese  Factory  was  inaugurated  in  April.  1871. 

A  Democratic  victory  in  April,  1870,  varied  the  monotonj' of  Macomb  County  politics. 

The  (piestion  of  building  a  new  M.  E.  Church  was  agitated  at  Romeo  in  April.  1871. 

Fleshout.  a  farmer  of  Erin  Township,  was  killed  April  12,  1871.  by  his  runaway 
team. 

The  Greneral  Association  of  the  Congregational  ministers  and  churches  of  Michigan 
convened  at  Romeo  May  17,  1871. 

Palmer,  Bottom  ley  &  Co.  recovered  .SI.  285  from  the  Michigan  Air-Line  Railroad 
Company,  the  amount  sued  for  before  the  Macomb   County  Circuit  Court,  in  Api-il,  1871. 

The  Macomb  County  Teachers'  Institute  met  at  Ai-mada  .\pril  20,  1871. 

Giles  Hubbard  removed  from  Mt.  Clemens  to  Chicago,  April.  1871,  yet  without  giv- 
ing up  the  practice  of  law  at  Mt.  Clemens. 

The  machine  y  for  May  &  Moser's  woolen-mill  arrived  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  May. 

The  steam  fire-engine  was  brought  into  the  village  of  Romeo  May  23,  1871. 

Randolph  Reynolds  died  from  the  effects  of  injiiries  caused  by  the  running  away  of 
his  horses.  May  17,  1871. 

The  St.  Clair  war  created  some  escitement  in  May,  1871. 

The  potato  bug  visited  the  county  in  swarms  during  May,  1871. 

Decoration  Day  of  1871  was  not  observed  at  Romeo. 

The  Union  Club  had  a  plowing  match  on  George  W.  Phillips'  farm  June  15,  1N71. 

The  Grays.  A.  B.  Rawles  and  Ketcham  Bros,  commenced  work  on  their  new  brick 
blocks  in  June,  1871. 

The  subject  of  a  railwav  from  Detroit  to  Bay  Citv  via  Utica  was  agitated  in  June, 
1871, 

William  J.  French,  Mary  French,  Jane  Carter,  Daniel  McLean,  James  French,  Selena 
French,  W.  H.  French.  Jennie  A.  Gates,  Susan  Buttertield,  Philander  Fillmore,  Electa 
McLean  and  Matthew  French  gave  notice  of  taking  French  leave  from  the  membership 
of  the  Chi'istian  Chiu-ch  of  Romeo,  June  I'J,  1871. 

The  '"wild  horse"  of  Brooklyn  attacked  Edwin  Smith,  Charles  Whitney  and  others, 
in  June,  1871,  and  inflicted  severe  injuries  on  the  men  named. 

The  CoTincil  of  the  First  Christian  Chm-ch  of  Romeo  convened  May  24.  1871. 

During  the  wool  season  of  1871.  158.500  pounds   of   wool  were  purchasfd  at  Romeo. 

The  fourth  anniversary  of  the  Romeo  High  School  was  observed  June  21  and  22, 
1871.     Jliss  Lou  M.  Raid  delivered  a  discourse  on  the  newspaper. 


i 

506  HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 

Josiah  Sanborn's  barn  was  burned  Jnly  3.  1871.  The  fire  was  supposed  to  be  the 
result  of  an  incendiary's  mania. 

The  Mt.  Clemens  City  Mills  were  destroyed  by  fire  June  28,  1871.  The  citizens 
offered  to  assist  Hess,  Kellogg  &  Co.  in  rebuilding  the  concern. 

John  R.  Webster,  convicted  of  murder,  was  sent  from  this  county  to  the  State  Prison 
in  1854.  under  a  life  sentence,  and  died  in  prison  June  22.  1871. 

The  Romeo  District  Camp  Meeting,  which  closed  -June  29,  1871.  was  the  largest  ever 
held  here. 

The  stockholders  of  the  Romeo  &  Western  Railroad  met  at  the  American  Hotel  July 
11,  1871. 

The  re-union  of  the  Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry  took  place  at  Romeo  August 
31,  1871. 

Rev.  J.  WaiTen  Weeks  was  arrested  on  a  charge  of  slander  July  24. 

MorrisK.  Henry,  of  Utica,  shot  S.  M.  Loveridge,  at  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  July  19,  1871. 

Joseph  French.  Cashier  in  the  office  of  the  Detroit  Advertiser  and  Tribune,  was 
drowned  in  the  Sydenham  River  July  30,  1871.  He  was  engaged  in  the  milling  business 
at  Clifton,  this  county,  and  was  a  resident  since  1833. 

The  hoop-skirt  factory  of  Bottomley  &  Gray  was  inaugurated  at  Romeo,  August  1871. 

The  first  engine  house  was  built  at  Romeo  in  May,  1871. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Society  was  organized  by  the  ladies  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  the  first  (piarterly  meeting  held  August  11,  1871. 

The  question  of  boring  for  artesian  water  was  first  discussed  at  Romeo  in  August, 
1871. 

The  pioneers  of  Romeo  and  vicinity  met  September  fi,  1871,  for  the  ]>urj)oes  of  organ- 
izing a  society. 

James  Shingleton,  formerly  a  resident  of  Romeo,  was  killed  at  Clinton,  lovra,  August 

21,  1871,   owing  to  the  caving-in  of  a  stone  quarry.      He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
18()1,  and  located  with  his  uncle  in  Ray  Township. 

The  Michigan  Baptist  Association  held  an  anniversary  meeting  at  Romeo  September 
19  and  20,  1871. 

Mellen,  Tackels  &  Co.  began  operating  the  steam  mill  for  grist  work  and  iiouriug  in 
September,  1871,  at  Clifton. 

The  subscrijjtion  books  of  the  Northern  Michigan  Railroad  Company  were  opened  at 
the  office  of  C.  F.  Mallary.  of  Romeo,  in  September,  1871. 

The  Macomb  County  Agricultural  Society  held  the  annual  fair  at  Romeo,  September 

22,  1871. 
The  modern  tire  departiuent  of  Romeo  was  organized  in  1871. 
The  foiu-th  annual  session  of  the  Romeo  District  Sunday  School  Institute  was  held  at 

Mt.  Clemens  October  24  and  25,  1871. 

During  that  month  of  tires,  October,  1871,  a  few  houses  were  destroyed  near  Ridge- 
way. 

A  sum  of  Si, 500  was  raised  in  Romeo  in  aid  of  th-  fire  sufferers  in  October,  1871. 

The  first  agricultural  exhibition  of  the  Armada  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Club  was 
held  October  19,  iS71,  at  Ai-mada. 

Charles  Mignault,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  lost  in  the  wreck  of  the  steamer  Coburn,  on 
Lake  Huron,  October.  1871. 

David  Moore,  of  Warren  Tovynship,  shot  himself  September  28,  1871. 

The  Rosa  D'Erina  concerts,  and  the  Laura  Cuppy  Smith  lectures,  were  the  principal 
entertainments  given  in  the  village  of  Romeo  in  November,  1871.  Miss  Smith's  lecture 
on  Spiritualism  was  disturbed  by  members  of  the  orthodox  chiu'ches. 

•c^ls r-  ~n 9  nT 

t 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COL'NTY. 


Gilbert  L.  Hathaway  willed  $15,000  to  the  village  of  New  Baltimore,  to  be  applied 
on  the  building  of  a  nnion  school,  in  November.   1871. 

The  Romeo  Musical  Union  was  organized  November  25,  1871,  with  Watson  Loud, 
President:  H.  O.  Smith.  Vice  President;  G.  D.  Mussey,  Secretary;  and  L.  G.  Norton, 
Conductor. 

The  council  of  the  Christian  churches  of  the  E.  C.  C.  of  Michigan  met  at  Romeo 
Decemlier  27,  1871. 

Dr.  J.  G.  Holland  delivered  a  lectiii'e  at  Tlomeo  January  15.  1872. 

In  JanuaiT.  1872,  there  was  but  one  criminal  in  the  county  jail. 

January,  1872.  was  something  similar  to  January,  1882.  Little  or  no  snow  fell  until 
the  15th  of  that  month. 

The  Eastern  Convocation  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the  Diocese  of  Michigan  was 
held  at  Romeo  in  January,  1872. 

George  Francis  Train  came  to  lecture  the  Romeans  March  4,  1872. 

The  charter  election  of  officers  for  the  village  of  Romeo  took  place  March  5.  1872. 

The  dwelling  house  of  James  Jones,  Macomb  Township,  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire 
February  27,  1872. 

The  contract  for  building  the  new  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Romeo  was  granted 
to  J.  C.  Kanmeir.  of  Adrian,  at  $27,465,  in  February,  1872. 

Frederickia  Meitz,  a  young  girl  in  the  employ  of  the  Ulrichs,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  com- 
mitted suicide,  March  21.  1872.  by  taking  strychnine. 

A  large  number  of  Macomb  County  citizens  visited  Detroit.  April  9,  1872.  to  par 
ticipate  in  the  ceremony  of  unveiling  the  soldiers'  monument. 

John  W.  Cowles,  a  resident  of  Romeo,  lost  his  life,  April  3.  1872,  while  braking  on 
the  Marquette  &  Iron  Mountain  Railroad. 

A  verdict  for  $10,000  in  favor  of  James  Starkweather,  in  his  suit  against  the  Balti 
more  &  Ohio  Railroad  Company,  was  recorded  April   13,  1872.      The  cause  rested  on  the 
fact  that  Mrs.  Starkweather  died  from  the  result  of   injuries  received  November  18.  1868, 
through  the  negligence  of  the  company's  servants. 

The  Liberal  Chi'istian  Union  Society  was  organized  at  Romeo  in  April.  1872. 

An  accident  on  the  Grand  Tnmk  Railroad,  April  21,  1872,  between  Ridgeway  and 
Smith's  Creek,  resulted  in  the  death  of  two  men. 

A  county  convention  was  held  at  Mt.  Clemens  May  2,  1872. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Arbeiter  Hall,  Mt.  Clemens,  was  laid  May  20,  1872. 

Decoration  Day  of  1872  was  observed  at  Armada. 

During  the  spring  of  1872,  a  few  eases  of  smallpox  were  reported  throughout  the 
county. 

The  annual  convention  of  members  of  Macomb  County  Sunday  School  was  held  at 
Mt.  Vernon  June  4,  1872. 

The  dedication  of  the  Union  Church  at  Ray  took  place  June  27,  1872. 

Benjamin  C.  Gunn,  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  in  this  county,  was  tried,  in  June, 
1872,  for  neglecting  to  account  for  public  moneys  said  to  have  been  received  by  him. 
Two  judgments  were  rendered  against  him — one  for  $5,'J18.03.  and  one  for  $1,601.32. 

Joseph  Chubb  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  State  Central  Prohibition  Committee 
June  12,  1872. 

Asahel  Bailey  and  John  Holland,  of  Romeo,  were  born  in  the  same  State,  in  the  same 
county,  on  the  same  day  and  month,  and  both  came  to  Michigan  about  the  same  time.  ^Ii'. 
Bailey  was  the  first  settler  in  the  town  of  Bruce.  For  some  years  prior  to  1872,  the  two 
friends  were  accustomed  to  visit  each  other  on  their  birthday.  In  1860,  Bailey  visited 
Holland,  and,  upon  leaving,  said,  "It  will  be  your  turn  to  visit  me  nest  year."     At  the 


•<*    i 


apjiointed  time,  Holland  went  to  the  Bailey  house,  but  it  was  to  attend  the  funeral  of  his 
life-long  friend. 

Incendiaries  set  fire  to  the  house  and  barn  of  Joseph  Marshall,  at  the  Corners,  two 
miles  north  of  Romeo,  June  29,  1872. 

The  suit  of  Joseph  E.  Young,  of  Chicago,  to  recover  $25,000  on  account  of  railroad 
aid  bonds,  gi'anted  by  the  township  of  Washington,  was  discontinued  in  June,  1872. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Met.hodist  E[)iscopal  Church  of  Romeo  was  laid  July  8u,  1872. 

The  son  of  Rev.  J.  S.  Smart,  of  Romeo,  was  drowned  in  Procter's  mill  pond  June  1"), 
1872. 

The  officers  of  the  E[)iscopal  society  of  Rom9o  wei-e  appointed  by  Rev.  A.  M.  Lewis 
July  3,  1872. 

An  attempt  to  kill  Dr.  William  Brownell,  of  Utica,  was  made  by  Lewis  C.  Butler, 
June  24,  1872.      The  would-be  murderer  is  a  native  of  Troy,  Oakland  County. 

Harry  Warrington,  of  Sterling,  died  while  under  the  influence  of  strong  drink,  at 
Mt.  Clemens,  November  21,  1872. 

Marshal  D.  Ewell,  formerly  of  Romeo,  was  elected  Judge  of  Probate  for  Mason 
County,  Mich. .  November,  1872. ' 

The  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Union  was  organized  at  Memphis  in  December,  1872. 

Mrs.  Pamelia  Lamphere,  of  Ridgeway,  was  accidentally  shot  by  her  daughter  in  Sep- 
tember, 1872. 

The  Detroit  &  Bay  City  Railroad  was  opened  for  regular  traffic  ou  October  7.  1872, 
between  Detroit  and  Rochester. 

The  horse  disease  made  its  aitpearance  in  Macomb  in  November,  1872. 

Lentz's  brewery,  at  Mt.  Clemens,  was  burned  December  31,  1872. 

1873. — The  heaviest  snow-storm  that  passed  over  Michigan  within  the  last  half-cen- 
tury was  that  of  January  23  and  24,  1873. 

The  electric  wire  was  laid  between  Romeo  and  Ridgeway  January  31,  1873.  The 
lirst  message  was  one  from  the  })eople  of  Ridgeway  to  those  of  Romeo,  sent  by  F.  Walker, 
H.  Berlatotte,  and  William  J.  Elliott.  The  second  was  Romeo's  reply,  sent 'by  Thomas 
Robb,  P.  H.  Casey  and  Eugene  Sovereen. 

A  shocking  accident,  resulting  from  the  careless  use  of  gunpowder,  happened  near 
Mt.  Clemens  July  28,  1873.  Five  little  boys — Charlie  Drake,  Earnest  Rottman,  George 
Ormsby,  Joseish  Dahm  and  Reuben  Ullrich — went  up  the  river  in  a  boat  to  a  point  just 
the  other  side  of  the  Frederick  bridge.  On  the  bank  of  the  river  they  built  a  lire,  and 
for  some  reason  they  tried  to  pour  a  quantity  of  gunpowder  from  a  flask  into  the  fire.  As 
a  natural  consequence,  an  explosion  of  all  the  powder  in  the  flask  was  the  i-esult.  Char- 
lie Drake  and  Earnest  Rottman  were  severely  burned  on  the  hands  and  face.  Young 
Rottman  was  so  crazed  by  the  pain  that  he  jumped  into  the  river.  A  double-barreled  pis 
tol  in  the  hands  of  George  Ormsby  exploded  at  the  same  time,  lodging  three  shot  in  the 
boy's  leg.  not  inflicting  any  very  serious  injury,  however.  The  other  two  boys  were  un- 
hurt, Reuben  Ullrich  being  in  the  boat  at  the  time.  On  their  way  home,  they  were  over- 
taken by  Dr.  Hayward,  who  brought  young  Drake  and  Rottman  home  with  him  and 
dressed  their  wounds. 

So  recently  as  April,  1873,  wrestling  bouts  were  common  in  the  stores  of  Romeo. 

The  citizens  of  Mt.  Clemens  subscribed  $25,000  toward  the  establishment  of  a  na- 
tional bank  there  in  April,  1873. 

The  result  of  the  elections  of  April,  1873,  in  this  county,  was3,U52  votes  for  Chris- 
tiancy;  the  Democratic  majority  for  Regents  of  the  State  University,  171;  and  for  S.  B. 
Russell  as  Superintendent  of  Schools,  233  majority. 

The  brick  work  and  roof  of  the  M.  E.  Church  of  Romeo  were  finished  April  22,  1873. 


k^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  Mt.  Clemens  Pre.-is  re-appeared  May  1,  1873,  with  S.  B.  Russell  as  editor. 

Aeeordiug  to  the  Mt.  Clemens  Monitor,  Romeo  struggled  to  become  the  great  fashion 
center  of  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of  1S73. 

The  Masonic  Hall  at  Brooklyn  was  biu'ned  May  14,  1873. 

The  United  States  Collector's  office  for  the  Fifth  Michigan  District  was  removed  to 
Romeo  in  May,  1873,  and  opened  at  that  place,  under  Maj.  C.  P.  Dake,  on  May  2(). 

The  case  of  Keeler  versus  Robertson  was  carried  before  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
State  June  18,  1873. 

The  Mt.  Clemens  Bath  House  was  opened  to  the  juiblic  July  10,  1873. 

The  body  of  Robert  A.  Barton,  of  Erin,  was  found   in  Lake  St.  Clair  July  13,  1873. 

The  wool-buying  season  closed  at  Romeo  in  August,  1873,  when  a  total  of  211, "jOO 
pounds  of  wool  was  reported. 

The  steamer  Emma  Dwyer  was  launched  at  Mt.  Clemens  August  23,  1873. 

The  body  of  a  man  supposed  to  be  John  Miller,  of  Royal  Oak,  was  found  in  the  woods 
of  Warren  Township  August  21,  1873. 

The  Cxerman  fanners  of  \\*ayne  and  Macomb  Counties  met  at  Mt.  Clemens  October 
30,  1873,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  German  Farmers'  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Asso- 
ciation. 

The  twenty-fourth  annual  fair  of  the  Macomb  County  Agricultiu'al  Society  was  held 
at  Romeo  in  September,  1873. 

The  first  fair  of  the  Armada  Agricultural  Society  was  held  at  Armada  October  S,  9 
and  10,  1873. 

A  Grand  Trunk  Railroad  accident,  near  Mt.  Clemens,  October  28,  1873,  resulted  in 
the  death  of  fifty  hogs.      None  of  the  managers  of  that  railroad  were  among  the  deceased. 

While  the  railroad  train  was  making  its  down  trip,  July  18,  1872,  nine  horses  came 
on  the  track  about  a  mile  east  of  Arjnada,  and,  in  spite  of  the  screaming  engine,  that 
threatened  them  with  a  speedy  death  if  they  didn't  get  off  the  track,  they  insisted  on  a 
trial  of  speed  as  far  as  Armada.  The  race  was  very  even  and  quite  exciting,  but.  when 
the  horses  came  to  the  bridge  near  Armada  Station,  one  of  the  luckless  racers  fell  through 
and  hung  to  the  timbers.  The  engineer  had  anticipated  this,  and  stopped  the  train  in 
time  to  save  the  horse's  life.  The  train  hands  and  passengers  rolled  them  on  their  sides 
and  slid  them  off  the  bridge  with  no  other  damage  than  a  few  slight  bruises.  The  horses 
belonged  to  R.  Bailey. 

A  party  of  citizens,  comprising  Edgar  Weeks,  H.  W.  Babcock,  George  Crocker,  Dan 

iel  C.  Tilden,  Frank  Tucker, Brown,  left  the  village  June  4,  1873,  in  pm-suit  of  the 

sail-boat  Belle,  which  was  stolen  the  previous  night.  The  lioat  had  reached  mid-channel 
when  one  of  those  hurricanes  jieculiar  to  the  Lake  and  River  St.  Clair  sprang  up,  capsiz- 
ing the  craft  one-half  mile  south  of  the  Detroit  Club  House.  The  affair  was  witnessed 
from  that  house  by  a  boy  named  George  Warner,  who  pushed  off"  in  a  small  skiff  to  the 
rescue  of  the  men.  Warner  reached  the  wreck,  when  Tilden  and  Crocker  got  into  the  little 
boat,  while  Babcock  held  on  to  the  stern,  and  the  gallant  boy  pulled  for  the  light-house 
where  he  landed  the  trio.  The  propeller  Mary  Jarecki  sent  out  a  boat  to  the  rescue  of  the 
others,  on  which  Weeks  and  TuQker  embarked.  Brown,  the  owner  of  the  capsized  yacht, 
remained  on  the  wreck  until  help  arrived.  He  succeeded  in  saving  both  himself  and  his 
boat. 

A  son  of  Charles  Eilbert,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  poisoned,  October  24,  1873,  by  eating 
henbane  seeds.      He  died  on  the  25th  of  that  month. 

Mrs.  Ann  Lavine's  trial  for  the  murder  of  Anson  Henderson,  at  Ar-mada,  on  the 
night  of  November  5,  1873,  came  before  Judge  Han-is  at  the  November  session  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court.     The  Jury  returned  a  verdict  of  not  guilty. 


V* 


,u 


510  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  biogi-aphical  sketches  of  the  Chamberlins  began  to  be  published  January  7,  1874. 

The  foiu-th  annual  meeting  of  the  U.  F.  C.  of  Armada,  was  held  at  the  Day  School- 
house  January  13,  1874. 

A  number  of  houses  were  burned  in  the  county  during  January.  1874. 

The  Ai-mada  Agricultural  Society  held  its  second  annual  meetino-  at  Armada.  January 
18.  1874. 

The  annual  session  of  the  Macomb  County  Simday  School  Association  was  held  at 
Richmond  January  20,  1874. 

The  fourth  annual  meeting  of  the  Union  Temperance  Association  was  held  at  Romeo 
February  29.  1874. 

The  Romeo  Pioneer  and  Historical  Society  was  organized  March  14,  1874. 

Rev.  J.  Weeks  resigned  the  charge  of  the  Christian  Church  of  Romeo  May  1,  1874. 

The  Washington  Grange  was  instituted  April  18.  1874.  with  William  A  Stone,  Master. 

The  pledge  was  circulated  in  Armada  Village  April  1, 1874. 

A  marine  engine,  built  at  Romeo  by  Morton  &  Hamblin.  for  a  Clinton  River  barge, 
was  finished  May  2.  1874. 

The  new  M.  E.  Church  of  Romeo  was  dedicated  June  7,  1874. 

Frederick  Hebblewhite,  of  .irmada,  was  drowned  in  Norway  Lake,  near  Lapeer,  June 
1'2,  1874. 

The  comet  of  July,  1873,  caused  much  speculation. 

Drs.  Gi-eenshields  and  Tillson  amputated  the  entire  bi-east  of  Mrs.  Gibson,  June  9, 
1874.     The  lady  sm'vived  the  ojieratiou  until  November  29,  1874.  when  she  died. 

The  electric  storm  of  August  25  and  26.  1874.  was  the  most  terrific  remembered  by 
the  American  settlers  of  this  county. 

The  council  of  the  Granges  of  Macomb  County  was  organized  September  2.  1874. 
with  Henry  Bennett,  Washington,  Master. 

In  September,  1874.  Samuel  Aldrich.  of  Armada,  possessed  a  hen  aged  twenty-one 
years. 

The  twenty-fifth  annual  meeting  of  the  Macomb  County  Agricultural  Society  was 
hold  at  Mt.  Clemens  September  30,  1874. 

In  October.  1874,  Lee  &  Stockton  enlarged  the  Mt.  Clemens  Monitor. 

The  annual  re-union  of  the  Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry  was  held  at  Mt.  Cle  n- 
ens  September  26,  1874. 

In  October,  1874,  Rev.  J.  E.  Davis,  of  Macomb,  was  the  oldest  Mason  in  the  State. 
He  entered  the  organization  in  1818,  and  was,  in  1874,  eighty-seven  years  old. 

The  M.  E.  Church  of  Romeo  was  the  first  public  building  heated  by  steam  in  Ma- 
comb County,  October  11.  1874. 

Miss  Rush,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  committed  suicide  October  6,  1874. 

John  Wilkinson,  son  of  Col.  Wilkinson,  of  Romeo,  died  at  Fort  Gi-iffin.  Texas,  No- 
vember 5,  1874,  He  received  a  pistol  bullet  in  the  knee;  amputation  was  necessary:  but 
even  this  extreme  course  failed  to  postpone  death  more  than  one  day. 

The  transit  of  Venus.  December  8.  1874,  caused  much  speculation  in  the  little  repub- 
lic of  Macomb.      The  people  offered  no  resistance  to  the  transit. 

Miss  Keturah  Walker  and  a  Mrs.  Lockwood,  both  sisters,  assaulted  their  aged  mother, 
and  were  fined  $5  each  by  Justice  Snover,  December  28,  1874. 

The  Mt.  Clemens  Monitor  began  agitating  the  citv  charter  question  in  December, 
1874. 

The  first  sleighing  parties  of  the  winter  of   1874-75  tm-ned  out  January  24,  1875. 

William  E.  Preston's  mill,  northwest  corner  of  Richmond,  was  destroyed  by  fire  in 
the  last  week  in  January,  1875. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


John  Chapman's  house,  in  Kav  Township,  was  destroyed  bv  tire  Febiiiary  13, 
1876. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Union  Farmers'  Club  was  in  February,  187:1 
James IWhite,  proj)rietor  of  the  old  Hoag  Mill,  of  Lenox,  was  caught  in  the  machin- 
ery and  killed.  1875. 

Stephen  S.  Merrill  hanged  himself  at  Utioa  Janiiary  26,  1875. 

Among  the  Indians  encamped  near  Borneo  in  September.  1875,  was  one  who,  accord- 
ing to  his  own  statement,  hunted  oyer  this  section  of  country  more  than  fifty  years  ago. 
The  people  did  not  fail  to  note  the  starting  tear  in  the  eye  of  this  aged  hemlock  as  he  re- 
counted the  glories  of  the  departed  days,  before  railroad  taxes  became  a  bm-den  and  street- 
sprinklers  a  necessity,  and  when  the  chief  occupation  of  the  citizens  consisted  in  slinging 
arsenicated  arrows  into  the  bodies  of  the  stately  moose  and  elk,  amid  the  dim  aisles  of  the 
gi-aud  old  forest.  They  were  constrained  to  agi'ee  with  our  aged  friend  Lo  that  those 
were  halcyon  days. 

Ihe  Congregationalists  of  Romeo  agitated  the  Tjuilding  of  a  new  church  March  23, 
1875. 

A.  B.  Sheldon,  of  Ray.  met  a  tragic  death  at  his  own  hands  April  21,  1875. 

An  insane  man,  called  by  the  people  the  wild  man,  roamed  oyer  the  county  in  May, 
1875. 

The  farewell  seryices  in  the  old  Congregational  Chiu'ch  of  Romeo  were  held  June 
15,  1875. 

On  June  22,  1875,  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad  fi-eight  train  was  thrown  from  the 
track,  the  engine  and  a  number  of  cars  wrecked;  Matthew  Bartle,  the  engineer,  and  Mor- 
rison, the  tii'eman,  fatally  scalded. 

Foster  Galbraith,  formerly  of  Romeo,  was  drowned  in  the  Saginaw  at  Bay  City  in 
June,  1875.     His  remains  were  found  and  shipped  to  Romeo  for  interment. 

The  Mt.  Clemens  Reporter  was  resurrected  in  June,  1875,  with  Messrs.  Keeler  & 
Miller,  publishers. 

The  Proctor  saw-mill  was  destroyed  by  tii-e  July  4.  1875. 

Dr.  Balfom-  left  Romeo  on  Thureday  night.  July  22,  1875. 

Abner  Miller,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  shot  himself  accidentally  in  September,  1875.  It  ap- 
pears he  was  hunting  and  boating,  when,  through  some  carelessness,  the  charge  in  his 
fowling  piece  exploded  and  entered  his  body  beneath  the  ribs. 

In  September,  1875,  a  number  of  Indians  yisited  Mt.  Clemens  and  Romeo,  among 
whom  was  Tipikaw.  one  who  liyed  in  this  county  forty  years  preyious. 

The  Atlas  of  Macomb  County  was  published  in  September,  1S75.  It  proved  a  yery 
useful  work. 

The  Conger  dwelling  house,  on  the  line  between  Sterling  and  Clinton,  was  destroyed 
by  fii-e  Noyember  15,  1875,  and  a  child  four  years  old  so  badly  burned  that  she  died  the 
same  day. 

A  case  of  small-pox  was  i-eported  in  the  neighborhood  of  Romeo  November  26,  and  at 
Mt.  Vernon  in  December,  1875. 

Early  in  1876,  the  people  in  this  district  of  Michigan  thought  of  utilizing  the  old 
Clinton  &  Kalamazoo  Canal  in  connection  with  the  new  canal  then  proposed. 

The  judgments  against  the  town  of  Washington  on  railroad  aid  bonds  were  settled 
in  January,  1876,  save  a  §1,00(1  bond. 

The  small-pox  raged  around  Mt.  Vernon  during  the  close  of  1875  and  beginning  of 
1876. 

The  fii'st  meeting  of  the  Michigan  Agricultural  Institute  was  held  at  .\i-mada  January 
11  and  12,  1876. 


y-. 


^ 


liL 


The  aunnal  meeting  ef  the  Macomb  County  Sunday  School  Association  was  held  at 
the  Congregational  Church,  New  Baltimore,  January  25,  1876. 

John  Keeler  and  Maria  Fellows  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  marriage 
January  8,  1876.  at  Disco. 

A  lire  broke  out  in  Flumerfelt  &  Frost's  store  Janiiary  19,  1870,  which  spread  to  C. 
N.  Coe's  store,  and  resulted  in  damage  to  property  estimated  at  $20,000.  The  tire  depart- 
ment alone  saved  the  j^roperty  in  the  neighborhood. 

Another  tire  broke  out  at  Gray's  Opera  House  February  12,  187<),  which  destroyed 
Messrs.  Hanscom's.  D.  N.  Lowell's  and  Maj.  Dake's  offices,  the  Masonic  Hall,  Mrs.  Hor- 
ton's  rooms,  etc. 

The  electric  fluid  entered  the  M.  E.  Chm-ch  building  at  Romeo  February  27,  1876, 
and  there  played  some  extraordinary  freaks. 

The  biu'ning  of  William  Crittenden's  house,  April  4,  1876,  resulted  in  the  death  of 
Mi's.  Crittenden.  The  lady  made  a  superhuman  effort  to  extinguish  the  flames,  but  was 
enwrapped  by  them,  and  would  doubtless  have  been  Vrarned  to  a  cinder  had  not  her  hus- 
band rescued  her.     She  died,  however,  the  same  morning. 

Cyril  Hicks,  located  on  the  line  between  Richmond  and  Lenox,  hanged  himself  June 
17,  1876. 

The  Chippewas  of  Walpole  Island  visited  Romeo  June  19,  1876,  and  defeated  the 
Continentals  in  a  game  of  base-ball. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Congregational  Church  was  laid  July  4,  1876. 

Frank  Buzzell  tlied  at  Romeo  July  16.  from  the  effects  of  sunstroke. 

Philip  Jersey's  house  was  burned  at  Romeo  August  1,  1876. 

The  frost  of  August  20,  1876,  did  much  damage  to  the  crops  in  Northern  Macomb 
and  St.  Clair  Counties.  A  heavy  thunder-storm  contributed  to  render  the  damage  even 
more  serious. 

Col.  John  Atkinson,  of  PortHirron  and  Detroit,  addressed  the  citizens  of  Romeo  Sep- 
tember 28.  1876. 

A  ferocioiis  Bengal  tiger  eloped  from  Barnum's  Menagerie  January  22,  1877,  then  at 
Richmond.  The  presence  of  this  animal  and  the  small-pox  kept  the  people  in  a  state  of 
alarm  for  some  time. 

Mai'shall  D.  Ewell  wrote  his  hand-book,  '"Ewell  on  Fixtm-es,"  in  1877. 

Matilda  C.  Shaw  poisoned  herself  February  24,  1877. 

Z.  H.  Daniels,  formerly  of  Romeo,  was  reported  to  have  been  killed  by  Indians  at 
Stilhvater,  Montana,  in  February,  1877. 

I.  D.  Hanscom  resigned  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institute,  at 
Flint,  in. March.  1877. 

On  the  12th  of  November,  1877.  one  of  those  fatal  accidents  which  thrill  a  whole 
community  occuiTed  near  Memphis.  Two  young  lads  about  eighteen  years  of  age  went  to 
the  woods  for  a  hunt.  In  crossing  a  small  stream,  James  Dawson,  one  of  the  lads,  slipped 
from  a  log  into  the  water.  In  order  the  more  conveniently  to  climb  again  upon  the  log, 
he  passed  his  gun  to  his  companion,  Henry  Castle.  He,  taking  the  gun  with  the  muzzle 
toward  him,  di-ewit  through  some  bushes.  In  doing  this,  the  loaded  gun  was  discharged, 
and  the  whole  contents  entered  his  left  side,  making  a  feai'ful  wound,  severing  the  large 
blood-vessels  in  the  vicinity  of  the  heart  and  causing  almost  instant  death. 

The  nephew  of  E.  F.  Sibley,  of  Armada,  who  shot  himself  in  the  head  while  tempo- 
rarily insane,  died  July  6,  1878.  The  ball  passed  nearly  thi-ough  the  brain,  when  it  re- 
traced its  course,  and  was  found  in  the  top  of  the  head. 

The  descendants  of  Lewis  and  Nancy  Davis,  about  seventy  in  number,  met  at  the 
residence  of  Charles  Davis  for  their  annual  re-union  July  4,  1878.      There  are  nine  chil- 


r 


Lk. 


dren — MJrs.  L.  Andrus,  Mi's.  D.  G.  Stewart  Mrs.  J.  Curtis,  Homer  and  Charles  Davis, 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Ewell,  of  Borneo;  Mi's.  Rev.  S.  E.  Warren,  of  Farmington:  Barlow  Davis,  of 
Evart:  and  Rev.  L.  P.  Davis,  of  Plymouth. 

The  Romeo  town  clock  was  placed  in  position  August  14,  187M. 

A  teiTible  storm  of  hail  swept  though  a  portion  of  the  town  of  Richmond  August  1(3, 
1878.  The  fruit  in  the  path  of  the  storm  was  entirely  destroyed.  Someof  the  hail-stones 
were  more  than  live  inches  in  circumference. 

An  aged  citizen  of  Disco  committed  suicide  in  September,  1878. 

Diu-ing  the  yellow  fever  epidemic  at  Memphis.  Tenn.,  in  1878,  the  sum  of  S'264  was 
subscribed  b\^  Romeo  people  toward  the  relief  of  the  sufferers. 

The  electric  fliiid  played  havoc  on  the  preinjses  of  William  Brabb,  about  two  miles 
northwest  of  Romeo,  September  25.  1878.  A  large  barn  filled  with  wheat  was  struck  early 
in  the  evening,  and,  together  with  its  contents,  was  totally  destroyed.  One  or  more  stacks 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  were  also  destroyed.  The  loss  was  ."jl.OOO,  upon  which  there 
was  no  insurance. 

The  first  accident  on  the  Michigan  Air-Line  Railroad  occurred  December  8,  1878. 
The  death  of  Beecher  Gates  resulted. 

Cornelius  IVLller,  well  known  in  Macomb  County,  was  sujjposed  to  have  committed 
suicide  bj'  drowning,  at  Detroit,  in  October,  1878. 

James  Whalen,  of  ^Varren,  was  run  over  and  instantly  killed  on  the  night  of  the  24th 
of  Octob^,  1878,  by  a  Grand  Trunk  train.  He  was  literally  torn  to  pieces.  Deceased  was 
twenty-six  years  old. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  office  of  Irving  D.  Hanseom,  November  23,  1878,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  an  association  for  the  apjuvhension  of  horsethieves. 

The  death  of  jMi's.  C.  N.  Chamberlin  and  her  two  daughters,  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
in  October,  1878,  drew  forth  much  sympathy  from  their  friends  in  Macomb. 

Benjamin  Crissman  had  his  feet  crushed  by  the  tumbling-rod  of  a  clover-mill  De- 
cember 18,  1878,  which  necessitated  amputation. 

The  jury  in  the  case  of  Sarah  Finkle.  charged  with  the  murder  of  Alice  Jackson, 
September,  1878,  by  aiding  her  to  commit  suicide,  rendered  a  verdict  of  not  guilty,  diu'ing 
the  present  tenn  of  com't.  The  jury  required  but  one  and  one-half  hours  to  come  to  their 
decision.      The  case  was  one  of  the  most  peculiar  on  record  in  this  circiiit. 

Mrs.  August  Bliss  took  a  dose  of  paris  green  in  April,  1878,  and  died  from  its  effects 
before  medical  aid  could  be  summoned. 

Clara  Heater,  a  girl  of  eighteen,  living  in  the  family  of  Albert  Hovey,  took  fifteen 
grains  of  morphine,  and  died  April  20,  1878. 

Riley  J.  Sjiencer  was  crushed  to  death  bv  the  falling  of  the  plates  of  a  barn,  near 
Romeo,  May  29,  1878. 

Beecher  Gates,  who  met  his  death  in  the  Air-Line  disaster,  was  biu'ied,  December, 
1878. 

In  Oliver  Optic's  story,  "  Oi;t  West,"  a  part  of  the  surprising  adventures  of  the  hero 
are  laid  in  Macomb  County.  Mt.  Clemens  is  re  fenced  to  as  "Mt.  Mercy;"  the  Clinton 
River  as  "  Glinton  '"  River.  The  Sherman  House  is  mentioned  by  name:  also  New  Balti- 
more, and  the  club  house  at  tbe  mouth  of  the  river.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Mr. 
Adams  spent  a  few  weeks  here  in  1877. 

There  is  living  at  Davis,  in  the  township  of  Ray,  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Davis,  who  was 
ninety -one  years  old  the  1st  of  February,  1879.  He  has  been  for  many  years  a  resident 
of  that  place.  On  his  ninetieth  birthday,  he  preached  a  senaon  in  the  M.  E.  Church  at 
Davis.     Until  a  few  weeks  ago,  he  cut  his  own  fii-ewoocl  and  took  care  of  his  own  horse. 

That  narrow  gauge  railroad  from  Detroit  to  Grosse  Point,  thence  to  New  Baltimore, 


:V 


^1^ 


514  HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


St.  Clair  and  Port  Huron,  at  the  latter  place  to  connect  with  the  Port  Huron  &  North- 
Western,  was  sti'ongly  agitated  duriug  the  winter  of  LSTU-SO. 

Mt.  Clemens  was  visited  by  a  |f3,r)(H)  tire  duriug  the  last  week  of  Jauuai-y,  1879. 
The  buildino-  destroyed  was  a  large  frame  dwelling  house  on  the  corner  of  Robertson  and 
Grant  streets,  owned  Ijy  F  G.  Kendrick  and  occupied  by  G.  H.  Crane,  the  proprietor 
of  the  principal  drug  store  in  the  place.  Both  of  the  parties  were  insured  to  some  ex- 
tent. 

John  E.  Nellis  entered  on  the  publication  of  the  Monitor  in  March,  1879. 

The  bill  incorporating  the  city  of  Mt.  Clemens  passed  March  17,  1S7U. 

The  members  of  the  Cannon  family  assembled  at  the  old  homestead,  where  Pearl  and 
Mary  Cannon  located  in  1831.  New  Yeai-'s  Day,  1880. 

The  third  re-union  of  the  Gass  family  was  held  at  Davis  January  2,  1880. 

The  childi-en  and  grandchildren  '^f  Elijah  Thorington  celebrated  his  seventy-first 
birthday  January  9,  1880. 

Warren  LavvTence  cut  the  old  landmark  on  his  farm  known  as  the  square-top  pine  in 
January,  1880.  This  made  fifteen  saw-logs,  the  shortest  being  ten  feet,  the  longest  sev- 
enteen "feet  long.  All  gi-ew  on  one  stump,  about  five  feet  across,  and  branched  out  twenty- 
foui  feet  above  the  gi-ound  into  three  great  branches. 

The  following-named  persons  were  appointed  to  take  the  census  of  1880  in  Macomb 
County:  Armada,  A.  S.  Hall:  Bruce.  A.  H.  Shelp:  Chesterfield,  Charles  Connor;  Clin- 
ton, a"  H.  Canfield:  Mt.  Clemens,  G.  C.  Forster.  Robert  Ii'win,  A.  N.  Crovier:  Erin,  G.  S. 
Schuchard;  Harrison,  F.  C.  Forton:  Lenox,  E.  L.  Raymond;  Macomb.  Alfi-ed  Stewart; 
Ray,  B.  R.  Davis;  Richmond,  J.  C.  Keeler;  Shelby,  W.  S.  Andi-us;  Sterling,  R.  H.  Sliter; 
Warren,  G.  B.  Walker;  Washington,  J.  R.  Stone. 

A  son  of  Charles  Evans,  of  Richmond,  was  crushed  to  death  beneath  a  land -roller, 
September,  1880. 

The  Chautauqua  Club,  of  Romeo,  was  re-organized  in  October,  1880. 

Mrs.  Rose,  of  Armada,  while  out  driving,  October  17,  1880,  was  thrown  fmm  the  car- 
riage and  received  such  injuries  as  resulted  in  her  death  on  the  18th  of  the  same  month. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  court  house  was  laid  October  21,  18S0. 

The  Michigan  Air-Line  Railroad  Company  ordered  a  regulai-  train  to  run  over  the 
road  in  October,  1880. 

George  Connor,  of  Richmond,  was  killed  in  the  lumber  woods  in  January,  1881,  and 
his  body  brought  to  Armada  for  interment. 

Surveyor  W.  W.  Duffield  and  party  were  engaged  in  running  a  line  for  the  proposed 
narrow  gauge  railroad  through  Macomb  Coimty  in  January  and  February,  1881. 

The  location  of  the  Romeo  mineral  well  was  decided  upon  in  February,  1881. 

The  sudden,  if  not  tragic,  death  of  Miss  Ann  Reid,  formerly  a  student  of  medicine 
at  Ann  Arbor,  took  place  in  February,  1881.  Prior  to  ridding  herself  of  mortality,  she 
vsTote  a  letter  to  her  mother,  giving  her  resolve  to  try  another  world. 

A  cane  was  presented  to  Joseph  Ayres  by  the  members  of  the  Supervisors'  Board,  of 
which  he  was  a  member  for  twenty-five  years,  in  February,  1881. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  appropriated  $10,000  for  the  building  of  a  new  jail  in  Feb- 
ruary. 1881. 

Peter  McEachroii,  in  1845  a  carpenter  in  AVashiugton  Township,  died  at  Saginaw 
February  24,  1881. 

L.  E.  Cannon  returned  from  his  surveying  expedition  in  the  neighborhood  of  Point  St. 
Ignace,  in  March,  1881. 

The  first  annual  shearing  festival  of  the  Macomb  County  Sheep-Breeders"  and  Wool- 
Growers' Association  was  held  at  Romeo  May  11,  1881.  . 


V 


^.  y/'^'iMtZi.] 


■'/^ 


Cd  ECE/.iiED) 


tit, 


HISTORY    OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


The  Methodist  Ministerial  Associaion  of  Port  Huron  District  held  the  anuual  meeting 
at  Mt.  Clemens  May  31,  1871. 

The  pioneers  met  at  Romeo  September  17,  1881. 

The  contribution  of  the  citizens  of  Romeo  and  vicinity  to  the  sufi'erers  by  fire  in 
Northeastern  Michigan  exceeded  $5,000  at  the  close  of  September,  1881. 

T.  P.  Kennedy  celebrated  his  golden  wedding  in  Octobor,  1881.  He  is  now  in  his 
eighty-first  year. 

The  telephonic  connection  of  Detroit  and  Mt.  Clemens  was  established  September  1 , 
1881. 

M.  H.  Butler,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  robbed  of  $1,200  while  waitiEg  for  a  train  at 
Woodward  Avenue  Station,  September  1,  1881. 

Capt.  Howgate  was  arrested,  August  15,  188 J,  at  the  Avery  House,  Mt.  Clemens,  on 
a  charge  of  embezzlement  and  taken  to  Washington. 

September  26,  1881,  was  observed  by  all  classes  throughout  the  county.  Mourning 
emblems  may  be  said  to  have  enwrapped  Macomb  in  honor  of  Garfield's  funerel. 

Chauncy  G.  Cady,  of  Sterling,  paid  a  visit  to  Mt.  Clemens  October  2,  1880.  Sixty 
years  ago  that  <lay  Mr.  Cady  first  saw  Mr.  Clemens.  There  were  then  four'  log  houses 
there.  An  old  bridge  spanned  the  river,  and  on  the  shore  thereof  was  a  whisky  still. 
Mr.  Cady  was  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Macomb  County,  and  has  been  a 
resident  of  the  county  over  since.      He  has  lived  on  his  farm  in  Sterling  forty  years. 

Mr.  William  Beer  celebrated  his  ninetieth  birthday  December  7,  1881. 

Charles  C.  Foote  was  appointed  guardian  of  Charles  Foote,  the  Memphis  centena- 
rian, in  December,  1881. 

Mrs.  Lewis,  of  Lenox,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  was  eighty-nine  years  of  age  January  1, 
18S2.  She  is  also  a  pensioner,  her  husband,  Laban  Lewis,  having  been  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812.  "  Grandma,"  as  all  call  her,  has  learned  the  happy  faculty  of  growing  old 
cheerfully  and  joyfully,  having  a  heart  large  and  warm  enough  to  embrace  the  world  of 
mankind,  and  send  a  ray  of  liope  and  cheerfuln&ss  to  all  with  whom  she  associates.  Her 
hands,  though  having  been  enijiloyed  for  nearly  eighty  years,  are  actively  engaged  in 
some  useful  labor.  Within  the  past  three  years,  she  has  pieced  eighty  bed-quilts.  Since 
she  was  eighty,  she  has  made  a  spread,  on  which  she  has  taken  two  first  premiums  at  the 
Armada  Agricultural  Fair,  where  there  are  always  large  shows  of  fancy  and  needle  work. 
She  has  been  the  hajipy  mother  of  fifteen  children,  eleven  of  whom  lived  to  years  of  ma- 
tiu-ity ;  eight  are  still  living,  the  youngest  being  forty  years  of  age.  Five  are  residents  of 
this  county,  viz.:  Wesley  Lewis,  of  Mt.  Clemens;  Nelson  Lewis  and  Cliste  M.  Wilder, 
of  Lenox;  Mrs.  Harriet  S.  Wilder,  of  Ri(;hmond;  and  Mrs.  Emeline  McCain,  of  Mt.  Ver- 
non. 

The  citizens  of  Shelby  tm-ned  out  200  strong,  October  28.  1881,  and  followed  the 
tracks  of  a  bear  three  miles.  They  found  Bruin  docilely  following  a  couple  of  tamj  In- 
dians. 

Dogs  seriously  interfered  with  the  rimming  of  the  train  on  the  St.  Clair  &  Midland 
Railway  in  the  winter  of  1881-82.  It  is  said  they  ran  out  from  farmhouses  along  the 
line  and  licked  the  gi-ease  off  the  journals,  thus  bringing  the  cars  to  a  stand.  At  the  next 
annual  meeting,  the  Board  of  Directors  will  ask  that  they  be  authorized  to  adulterate  the 
axle  grease  with  strychnine.  The  stockholders  say  they  will  indorse  this  or  some  other 
scheme,  as  they  are  bound  to  make  eouneotions,  even  if  it  is  necessary  to  bond  the  road 
and  hire  a  boy  to  run  on  ahead  and  tie  up  the  dogs. 

The  Democrat,  of  Romeo,  stated  there  is  less  whisky  sold  in  Romeo  than  in  any  other 
town  of  its  size  in  the  State,  and  a  Mt.  Clemens  editor  who  has  sampled  the  Romeo 
brand  says  this  statement   is  correct  and  easily  accounted  for.      In  reply,  the  Romeo  Ob- 


9  ^  ' 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


server  said:     "We  don't  brag  on  the  quality  of  oiu-  whiskj'.      We  are  frank  to  admit  that 
Mt.  Clemens  can  beat  us  in  that  regard.      The  quality  is  regulated  by  the  demand." 

Jacob  Reimold.  of  Harrison,  was  at  Mt.  Clemens  December  24,  1881,  and  created  a 
great  sensation.  He  was  drawing  a  stone  boat  through  the  main  streets,  with  a  huge  box, 
on  which  was  painted  something  like  this: 

CITY   OP   U.\RKISON. 

LEAVES 

MARKET   STREET  EVEKY   FIVE    MONTHS. 

BY    ORDER   OF    COMMON    COUNCIL, 

S.  B.  Russell,  Mayor. 

Mr.  Reimold  tried  to  get  some  of  the  Aldermen  as  passengers,  but,  with  a  strange 
persistency,  they  all  declined  the  friendly  invitation  of  the  jovial  Charon.  This  morning, 
a  large  sign  is  up  to  the  foot  of  Market  street,  on  which  is  painted.  ''  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
of  Hosts,  'Behold.  I  will  deliver  my  people  from  the  east  country!'  "  A  large  hand  points 
in  the  direction  of  Harrison. 

The  eclipse  of  the  moon  occurred  at  midnight,  Jiuie  11-12,  1881.  By  some  strange 
freak  of  nature,  the  jjeople  of  Macomb  were  favored  with  a  tropical  Christmas;  but,  to 
remind  them,  as  it  were,  that  they  were  still  north  of  the  Torrid  Zone,  the  Northern 
Lights  shone  in  all  their  brilliancy  on  the  night  of  December  24,  1881. 

The  city  election  of  Mt.  Clemens  took  place  December  13,  1881 ,  with  the  following  result : 
First  Ward — Fries,  Republican,  40;  Russell,  Democrat,  60;  Russell's  majority,  20.  Sec- 
ond Ward— Fries,  64;  Russell,  92;  Russell's  majority,  28.  Third  Ward— Fries,  29; 
Russell,  87;  Russell's  majority,  58.  Russell's  majority  in  the  city,  106.  The  election 
was  made  necessary  owing  to  the  summary  action  of  Gov.  Jerome.  It  appears  that  Mr. 
Russell,  as  Mayor  of  the  city,  entered  into  one  or  more  contracts  with  the  city,  contrary  to 
law  regai'ding  city  otficers.  The  work  contracted  for  was  faithfully  done,  yet  there 
remained  some  justification  for  even  a  summary  execution  of  the  law  in  the  case.  Mr. 
Russell's  re-election  was  the  surest  sign  of  his  popularity  and  business  integrity. 

In  December,  1881.  Winsor  Dixon,  a  former  resident  of  Macomb  County,  and  well 
known  to  the  residents  of  Richmond  Township,  murdered  a  cattle- buyer  of  the  name  of 
Phillips,  in  Sanilac  County,  and  robbed  him  of  $5,000  in  money.  Dixon  was  soon  arrest- 
ed, and.  the  night  succeeding  his  arrest,  committed  suicide  by  taking  poison.  He  died 
the  next  day. 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  February  10.  1882,  an  effigy  was  seen  suspended 
above  the  main  street  of  Romeo,  of  one  who  was  charged  with  a  heinous  offense. 

The  Romeo  Magnetic  Well  was  inaugurated  in  January,  1882. 

Early  in  February,  1882,  there  was  an  organic  revival  of  the  Grange  in  Macomb 
County,  occasioned  princii)ally  by  the  visit  of  C.  L.  Whitney,  G.  L.  of  the  State  Grange. 

January  18,  1882,  the  children  and  intimate  friends  of  Mrs.  G.  W.  Preston  met  to 
celebrate  her  sixty-fourth  birthday.  Mrs.  Preston  came  with  her  parents,  when  a  child  of 
ten  years,  fi-om  the  town  of  Rush,  county  of  Mom-oe,  New  York,  to  a  home  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  Macomb,  in  1828.  She  was  a  school-teacher  at  seventeen,  and  a  bride  at  nineteen 
years  of  age.  Miss  Anise  Ai'nold,  who  was  present  at  her  marriage,  was  also  married  in 
this  count}',  and,  while  accompanying  her  husband  to  the  West,  is  supposed  to  have  per- 
ished, with  her  whole  party,  in  the  Mountain  Meadow  massacre. 

Charles  B.  Gillem.  aged  seventeen  years,  living  four  miles  east  of  Armada,  killed  his 
mother  February  28,  1882. 

The  iron  for  the  new  bridge  across  the  Clinton  at  Mt.  Clemens  was  placed  on  the 
banlc  of  the  river  March  11,  1882.  The  stone  pier  for  the  turning-table  of  the  bridge  was 
completed  in  February,  1882,  and  the  bridge  opened  in  May,  1882. 


"V 


liL 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Fred  C.  Buzzell.  editor  of  the  Romeo  Democrat,  was  married  to  Miss  Agnes  M.  Sis 
son.  daughter  of  Orrin  M.  Sisson.  of  Romeo.  March  \'A,  ISS'i.  The  ceremony  was  per- 
formed at  the  Church  of  Our  Father  (Universalist).  Detroit,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Rexford. 

lu  May,  1881!.  the  house  of  Bruno  Van  Landerghem.  at  Mt.  Clemens,  was  entered 
and  ransacked  by  biu-glars,  who  stole  a  $'200  gold  watch  and  a  sum  of  money,  the  amount 
of  which  is  not  stated. 

A  ]iroject  was  discussed  of  boring  a  third  mineral  well  at  Mt.  Clemens  and  carrying 
the  water  by  a  pijie  line  into  the  Biddle  House,  Detroit,  which  would  be  converted  into 
a  vast  sanitarium,  in  May.  188"2. 

GJ-eorge  Manning,  of  Detroit,  leased  the  Romeo  mineral  well  for  live  years,  from  May, 
188'2.  Mr.  Manning  will  build  a  large  bath-house  just  south  of  the  American  House,  on 
Main  street,  and  fit  it  up  in  first-class  style. 

John  Teats,  son  of  Edward  Teats,  of  Harr'sou,  living  a  mile  down  the  river,  was 
killed  April  4,  1882,  in  a  strange  manner.  He  was  leading  a  fractious  horse  fi-om  the 
barn  to  the  water-trough.  Members  of  the  family,  who  chanced  to  be  watching  him.  saw 
the  horse  make  a  violent  jumii  to  one  side.  Then  Teats  droi)]>ed  the  halter  and  fell  to 
the  ground.     He  was  picked  up  dead  with  a  broken  neck. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

MT.  CLEMENS  CITY. 

What  jirogi-ess  has  been  made  within  the  last  decade  by  the  people  of  Mt.  Clemens 
is  almost  conveyed  in  the  words  which  form  the  heading  or  title  of  this  sketch.  Here  we 
have  a  city  of  over  3.000  inhabitants,  holding  the  place  of  the  pleasant  little  village  of  a 
few  years  ago;  of  the  little  distilleiy  hamlet  which  marked  the  spot  at  the  beginning  of 
the  century:  of  the  Indian  village  which  induced  the  first  American  pioneers  to  select  it 
as  a  most  eligible  site  for  a  hamlet,  a  village,  a  city.  Here  did  the  beginnings  of  Macomb 
County  take  root.  Hither  did  the  honest  statesmen  of  Michigan's  Territorial  days  hie  for  rest 
and  recreation,  to  find  both  amid  the  boundless  hospitality  of  her  first  white  citizens.  She  is 
not  so  old  as  Detroit,  Fort  Gratiot,  Mackinaw  or  St.  Ignaee:  there  is  no  distinct  account  of  her 
being  visited  by  the  exploring  j^riest.  Manpiette  or  Nicolet.  or  Menard:  yet.  apart  from  all 
this,  she  has  a  histoiy  distinct  from  all  her  sister  cities  of  the  State,  in  the  peculiarly  quiet, 
imostentatious  way  she  leaped  from  her  humble  position  to  hold  a  high  place  among  the 
cities  of  the  Union.  Having  once  made  this  leap,  she  followed  up  her  success,  and  con- 
tinues to  advance,  slowly  but  steadily,  to  that  point  which  her  resources  and  geographical 
position  render  her  capable  of  attaining.  What  Mt.  Clemens  may  be  when  her  centennial 
year  comes  round  cannot  be  prophesied;  but,  if  the  same  progress  which  marked  the  past 
decade  of  her  history  is  upheld,  the  same  enterprise  which  now  characterizes  many  of  her 
citizens  fostered,  and  the  same  intelligence  which  guides  her  people  far  away  from  jeal- 
ous bigotry  continried,  the  centennial  day  of  platting  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  will 
dav^u  upon  a  community  great  and  prosperous  beyond  the  brightest  day  dreams  of  the 
present  times. 

EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

Some  years  ago,  the  good  work  of  compiling  a  history  of  the  county  was  begun  by 
R-^v.  H  N.  Bissell.  Sinc3  that  tima,  the  special  papers  of  Judge  J.  B.  Eldredge,  Edgar 
Weeks,  John  E  Day  and  others,  have  shed  much  light  on  the  history  of  this  county.      The 


^ 


following,  extracted  from  Mr.  Weaks'  history  of  Mt.  Clem=^ii3,  brings  us  back  to  those 
olden  times  when  the  beginnings  of  Mt.  Clemens  began  to  take  form:  ''It  is  interesting, 
at  times,  to  survey  the  history  of  the  country  which  every-day  life  makes  so  familiar  to 
us,  and  throughout  the  entire  Northwest  Territory  no  section  afibrds  so  many  interesting 
relics  to  those  having  an  antiquarian  turn  of  mind  as  the  country  around  Detroit  and 
these  great  hikes. 

In  searching  among  the  dusty  records  of  ancient  surveys  and'travels,  it  is  singulai' 
to  note  the  early  opinions  of  those  who  made  this  immediate  section  a  study.  Detroit, 
with  its  varied  story  of  Indian  warfare  and  treachery,  its  recollections  of  Red  Jacket  and 
Pontiac,  the  chieftains  of  the  tribes  inhabiting  the  vast  wilds  which  have  now  given  way 
to  civilization  and  the  graces  of  cultivation.  The  dark  story  of  Bloody  Run.  the  wild 
adveutiue  of  the  e;irly  settler,  who  planted  himself  upon  the  outer  selvage  of  civilization, 
sustaining  himself  by  the  precarious  chances  of  the  chase  and  the  hardly  less  profitable 
proceeds  of  the  fisheries,  while  agriculture  planted  in  the  rich  soil  bordering  upon  our 
lakes  labored  under  a  want  of  skill  which  most  conspicuously  marked  the  early  Canadian 
inhabitants  of  the  frontier — all  these  things,  nearly  or  quite  forgotten  in  the  whirl  and 
business  of  our  own  day — have  a  rosy  tinge  of  romance  that  speaks  the  voice  of  silent 
woods,  of  slothful  streams,  of  mm'shes  and  unknown  places.  We  recall,  as  we  look  around 
uj)on  the  improvements  which  years  of  toil  have  brought  about,  the  majestic  grandeur  of 
solemn  loneliness  which  long  ago  reigned  here,  disturbed  only  by  the  prowling  wolf  and 
panther,  or  by  the  not  less  savage  aborigines.  Many  still  live  in  our  own  vicinity  whose 
memories  carry  them  back  to  the  first  struggle  made  to  plant  a  settlement  at  Mt.  Clem- 
ens Our  graceful  Clinton  River,  which  now  bears  upon  its  quiet  bo.som  the  commerce  of 
om-  village,  or,  perchance,  the  graceful  barge  of  the  pleasiu'e-seeker,  was  then  the  Huron 
River,  whose  glassy  wave  broke  the  prow  of  the  bark  canoe  freighted  for  its  brief  voyage 
with  the  squaw  and  the  papoose  of  the  migratory  Indian;  later,  the  element  that  buoyed 
u])on  its  bosom  the  "  dug-out "  of  the  trapper  or  the  settler  on  his  errand  of  trapping  and 
fishing.  We  can  fancy  the  scenes  that  animated  the  landscape  then — the  startled  swan, 
swinging  into  view,  and  soaring  away  to  some  more  secret  haunt;  the  otter  (plentiful  then) 
and  the  muskrat — game  sought  for  and  highly  prized;  the  forests  resounding  to  the  cry 
of  the  bird  careering  wildly  into  the  dark  wood,  and  the  wild  deer  bounding  away  over 
the  now  site  of  cultivated  farms  and  teeming  villages.  We  can  fancy  how  the  quiet  hills 
and  glades  echoed  the  shot  of  the  wild  huntsman;  and  the  silence  that 

'■  '  seltk'd  wick'  and  still. 

On  the  lone  wood  and  mighty  hill,'" 

when  no  human  being  was  there  to  invade  nature's  wide  domain. 

Again,  when  night,  the  '  sable  goddess,'  swayed  her  leaden  scepter,  and  the  deep 
gloom  of  the  untrodden  forest  was  peopled  only  with  the  fantoms  that  ride  upon  the 
solemn  stillness  of  the  night.  And  yet  again,  when  the  glad  day  beamed  from  the  portals 
of  the  morning,  bringing  no  retiu-u  of  husbandman  to  waving  harvest  fields;  no  opening 
up  of  the  fresh  furrows  to  the  busy  plow.  These  are  the  scenes  that  fancy  brings  to  the 
recollection. 

The  earliest  settlement  of  the  country  immediately  surrounding  this  village  was  in 
the  year  1781.  In  178S,  there  were  thirty-i'om"  families  in  all  the  settlements  from 
the  mouth  of  the  River  Hui'on  e.xtending  up  the  stream  some  nine  miles.  These  people, 
we  ascertain,  were  tolerably  well  situated,  but  extremely  poor,  and  lacked  greatly  in  agri- 
cultural skill.  The  settlers  were  all  of  this  description  save  four,  who  were  said  to  be 
Englishmen  of  industry  and  enterprise. 

Twenty  of  the  farms  were  purchased  of  the  Indians  in  1788  ;  ten  in  179:1  171*0  and 
1796;  and  four  settled  in  the  year  1800,  without  authority  of  any  kind. 


'^7r 


We  ascertain  tbat,  between  Milk  River  and  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  River,  a  dis- 
tance of  twelve  miles,  and  being  the  strip  of  lake  shore  now  known  as  L'ans  creuse, 
there  were,  in  1797,  thirty  settlers.  They  were  exceedingly  poor,  and  were  considered  as 
unfortunate  in  their  location.  They  were  even  ignorant  of  the  number  of  acres  they  jios- 
sessed,  and  achieved  a  scanty  subsistence  by  the  chances  of  the  chase,  their  traps  and  fish- 
ing. These  people  came  into  possession  of  their  lands  without  authority  even  of  the  In- 
dians. 

Prior  to  1808,  and  about  17114,  a  settlement  had  been  made  of  a  tract  of  land  on 
the  northwest  side  of  the  present  village,  near  what  is  now  Frederick;  a  saw-mill,  a  sHll 
and  a  grist-mill  had  been  erected.  After  some  years  of  occupation,  this  tract  of  laud 
passed  into  the  hands  of  James  Connor,  who,  after  the  organization  of  the  Government 
by  the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  and  after  the  session  of  this  territory  to  the  General 
Government  by  the  State  of  Virginia,  obtained  a  patent  and  a  recognition  of  his  title, 
which  was  a  grant  from  the  Indians.  We  find  this  recognition  was  made  by  the  Commis- 
sioners of  the  Government  in  ISOU.  This  was  the  first  openiug-uj)  of  the  country  on  that 
side  of  this  village.  As  a  curiosity  to  our  citizens,  we  give  below  what  is  believed  to  be 
a  copy  of  the  conveyance  to  Christian  Clemens  of  a  part  of  the  present  site  of  this  village: 

"  Know  aiAj  men  by  these  presents:  That  I  Henry  Tucker,  of  River  Huron,  and  Territory  of 
M'uhigan,  in  consideration  of  the  sura  of  |100,  to  me  in  hand  paid  by  Christian  Ch'mens,  of  tlie  .same 
Dislri'<l  ;ind  T.iritnrv  af..n-;iid.  tin-  icc-i].!  U'linvuf  I  ,hi  licni.v  aiknowlr,!-,.,  hav,'  n  iiUM-d,  released 
and  foivviM-  iiiiilii'd  cLiiiii,  ,iiid  ,|..  I.\'  thr-c  invsi-ni^  ivmUc  ivlra^c  and  loiT\Tr  .|iiii  rl:iiiu  unto  Christian 
Cleniiii-,  hi-  Ih'ir-  :iiid  a--imi~  Iniw.T,  all  thai  (■'•rlaiii  li'a.1  nr  I,.|  of  bind  siiuatr,  1\  Jul;  and  being  on 
the  River  Huron,  in  .said  Di-lrin,  wliieli  farm  or  Irari  nf  land  is  huuinled  mi  flu-  MUitli  liy  said  River 
Huron,  on  tlie  east  In'  huaU  of  Tohias  Newcomer,  and  running  up  said  river  fifteen  and  a  half  acres, 
and  the  usual  depth  of  forty  ai  r.  ^  hack  ;  I  do  hereby  release,  and  forever  quit-claim  all  my  improve- 
ments, right  to  said  tract  or  lot  of  land  to  have  and  to  hold  th('  same  to  him  the  said  Christian  Clem- 
ens, his  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

In  witness  whereof.  I  have  hi-reunto  set  mv  hand  and  seal  this  fourth  day  of  Mareh.  in  the  vear 
of  our  Lord  1808.  "  Henry  Tucker,   [i..  s.]" 

In  ])resenee  of  j 

Robert  Tait. 

John  I.   Xeweomer.  \ 

John  Brooks  came  in  and  built  a  distillery  about  the  year  1797.  It  used  to  stand 
where  Hess  &  Kellogg' s  grist-mill  is.  This  was  the  first  improvement  made  within  the 
village  corporation.  Brooks  continued  the  business  until  Clemens  and  Wisewell  came 
here  and  bought  the  propei'ty  of  him.  The  business  is  said  to  have  flom-ished  until  there 
became  a  scarcity  of  the  raw  material,  when  the  proprietors  procured  a  quantity  of  rye, 
which  they  distribtited  among  the  farmers  of  the  neighboring  cotintry,  the  same  to  be  re- 
turned after  harvest.  This  was  before  the  modern  crusade,  and  no  objections  were  raised. 
A  log  house  stood  down  the  river  near  the  site  of  the  old  glass  factory  (now  discontinued). 
Another,  built  by  Mr.  Clemens,  stood  on  the  corner  near  the  site  of  the  storefi  owned  by  E. 
J.  Tucker,  on  Pearl  street  A  log  house  was  also  built  over  the  river,  opposite  Hess  & 
Kellogg's  grist-mill.  A  distillery,  also  a  log  house,  stood  a  little  above  the  ship-yard  of 
J.  Saunders,  built  liy  Henry  Connor  and  a  Mr.  Grey.  These  improvements  constitiited  the 
village  previous  to  the  war  of  1812. 

Many  of  the  old  families  hail  branched  off  and  begun  improvement  above  and  below 
the  village.  Dm'ing  the  war  of  1812,  many  outrages  were  committed  by  hostile  Indians. 
To  such  an  extent  were  these  depredations  carried  that  many  families  sought  safety  by 
moving  to  Detroit.  Mr.  Clemens  joined  the  army,  and  did  good  service  for  this  country. 
He  returned  with  his  family  to  this  place  immediately  after  the  close  of  the  war.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1817.  John  Stockton  came  to  Mt.  Clemens,  having  married  one  of  Judge  Clemens' 
daughters  diu'ing  the  sojourn  of  the  family  in  Detroit.     The  first  frame  structure  erected 


V 


kT«- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


was  an  addition  to  Judge  Clemens'  honse,  built  in  1817.      The  remnants  of  it  stood  oppo- 
site the  gate  of  the  old  burial -ground. 

The  growth  of  the  town  from  the  organization  of  the  county  to  the  present  has  been 
as  rapid  and  steady  as  circumstances  would  admit  The  old  log  court  house  was  erected 
in  1819,  and  after  the  seat  of  justice  was  permanently  established,  the  general  prosperity 
of  the  village  increased 

The  first  whisky  manufactured  in  the  county  was  that  by  John  Brooks,  who  built  a 
distillery  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  171)7  The  iirst  license  to  sell  spirituous  li(iuor  granted  by 
the  County  Court  was  that  to  Chief  Justice  Clemens,  in  1818. 

The  iiirst  newspaper  published  in  the  county  was  the  Macomb  Detnocraf,  with  J.  K. 
Averill  managing,  the  tirst  copy  of  which  was  issued  November  5,  1835. 

The  tirst  marriage  celebrated  after  the  organization  of  the  county  was  that  of  Syl- 
vester Finch  and  Miss  Almeda  Webster,  June  4,  1818,  before  Justice  John  K.  Smith. 
The  ceremony  was  performed  at  Mt.  Clemens. 

Ambrose  Tremble,  or  Trombley,  actually  improved  Claim  695  in  1774,  and  continued 
to  make  it  his  home  until  his  decease,  in  180r>.  He  was  the  second  French  pioneer  of  Ma- 
comb County. 

The  third  bona  tide  settler  was  Louis  Groesbeck,  who  improved  the  lands  subsequently 
known  as  Claim  2.7-  in  1780. 

Eichard  Connor,  or  O"  Connor,  was  the  tirst  actual  English-speaking  settler.  He  came 
here  in  1781,  with,  or  about  the  same  time,  as  John  Huckenwelder.  the  Moravian  patri- 
arch. 

The  Moravians  came  in  1781,  a  day  or  two  after  De  Peyster's  council  at  Detroit,  and 
settled  near  Mt.  Clemens. 

The  ne,xt  was  George  Baker,  in  1785,  whose  dealings  in  land  at  that  time  are  sur- 
rounded with  mystery. 

John  Askin  and  Maj.  William  Ancram.  of  the  British  garrison  at  Detroit  jmrchased 
Claim  068  from  the  Moravians  in  1786,  and  rented  the  land  to  Robert  Dowler  the  same 
year.  Neither  Askin  nor  Ancram  ever  settled  on  this  laud,  as,  a  few  years  later,  they  sold 
it  to  Todd  &  Co. .  of  Montreal. 

Joseph  Socier  located  on  Claim  585  in  1788,  and  the  same  year  Louis  Ciriffard  began 
improving  Claim  183. 

The  Moravians  left  the  Huron  River  settlement  in  1781).  some  for  Canada,  and  a  few 
for  their  old  home  at  Muskingum. 

The  village  of  New  Gnadtenhutteu  was  the  first  center  of  population  in  the_county. 

The  tirst  frame  house  raised  in  the  county  was  that  by  John  Stockton,  in  181  i,  form- 
ing an  addition  to  Judge  Clemens'  log  house.  Alfred  Ashley  and  the  Cady  brothers  raised 
the  Iirst  entire  frame  building. 

Th(!  tirst  log  house  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village  was  built  by  Nicholas  Patenaude,  in 
1758-5'.). 

Oliver  Newberry  opened  a  supply  store  early  in  18'22,  for  he  use  of  his  men.  who  were 
engaged  in  building  the  boat  La  Grange. 

Ellis  Doty,  a  native  of  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  was  the  tirst  regular  merchant,  or 
rather  store-keeper,  of  the  county.  He  opened  a  small  business  house  at  Mt.  Clemens  in 
1822.  A  small  store  was  inaugurated  nearly  opposite  the  Flummer  mill  in  1821,  but  the 
ovmer's  name  is  forgotten. 

The  tii-st  regular  physicians  of  the  county  were  Drs.  Chamberlain  and  Thompson. 
They  remained  here  so  long  as  Gens.  Cass,  Brown,  Clark,  Judge  Woodward,  and  the  old 
friends  of  Christian  Clemens,  made  it  a  custom  to  visit  this  point. 

The  tirst  banks  were  the  Macomb  County  Bank,  the  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Clinton  & 


f 


Oj^V 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Kalamazeo  Canal  Bank,  and  the  Huron  River  Bank.  Those  financial  concerns  will  be 
regarded  in  another  section  of  this  work. 

The  first  census  of  that  district  now  forming  Macomb  County  was  taken  in  1810,  for 
the  General  Government,  while  yet  it  formed  a  portion  of  the  civil  district  of  Hm-ou. 
From  Mt.  Clemens  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  offered  subject  for  the  enumerator. 

The  first  Congregational  Church  was  organized  in  1832. 

The  first  Baptist  Church  was  established  here  October  17,  1834. 

The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  October  27,  1836. 

The  first  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  was  established  in  1819,  under  Rev.  Edward 
McGee. 

The  German  Evangelical  Cluu'ch  was  legally  established  in  1860,  when  the  society, 
which  had  been  previously  organized,  pm-chased  the  academy  and  fitted  it  up  as  a  house 
of  worship. 

The  first  physician  who  made  the  county  his  home  was  Dr.  Robert  S.  Rice,  who  es- 
tablished an  office  at  the  county  seat  in  1823. 

The  first  lawyers  were  Corney  O'Flynn,  George  Alexandre  O'Keefe,  Ezra  B.  Prescott, 
AJex  D.  Frazer  and  Robert  P.  Eldi'edo-e.  Thomas  Ashley  practiced  for  a  short  time  in 
1820-21. 

The  first  Judges  were:  Judge  Woodward,  of  the  Territorial  Supreme  Court;  Chief 
Justice  Clemens,  of  the  County  Court;  Associate  Judges  Daniel  Le  Roy  and  William 
Thompson;  Justices  Richard  Butler  and  John  K.  Smith. 

The  first  regular  train  passed  through  the  county  over  the  Port  Huron  &  Detroit 
Branch  of  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad  in  lSr)9. 

The  first  post  office  was  established  at  Mr,.  Clemen=  in  1818,  with  John  Stockton  as 
Postmaster. 

In  1825  or  1826,  Dr.  Heni-y  Taylor  lo -ated  at  Mt.  Clemens.  Previously,  he  was  a 
practitioner  at  Stoney  Creek.  Dr.  Hall,  whose  son  and  daughters  are  now  residents  of 
the  city,  was  one  of  the  early  physicians  of  this  district.     His  death  took  place  in  1865. 

DENTISTS    AND    DENTISTRY. 

The  first  dentist  who  located  at  Mt.  Clemens  was  Dr.  Jared  Kibbee,  who  came  in 
May,  1847,  and  opened  an  office  east  of  the  old  American  House,  on  Shelby  street.  Dr 
Kibbee  continued  practice  here  until  May  1,  1854,  when  he  moved  to  Detroit,  and  thence 
to  Port  Huron  in  1853.  Dr.  William  Warren  came  in  1866.  and  ojsened  an  office  in  the 
old  woolen-mill,  where  the  new  jail  now  stands.  He  remained  two  years.  Dr.  White 
was  the  next  dentist.  He  made  regular  visit  to  the  village,  and  made  headquarters  at  the 
American  House.  Dr.  S.  B.  Axtell  came  in  1868  and  practiced  here  until  his  death,  in 
1870.  George  Rackham,  called  by  some  citizens  "  the  alleged  dentist,"  practiced  here  for 
a  few  months.     Dr.  Hutchins  located  here  in  the  fall  of  1872. 

PLATTING    THE    VILLAGE. 

The  original  plat  of  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  made  by  Christian  Clemens  in  1818. 
Itcomprisedsixtybuildinglots  northeast  of  Macomb  street,  extending  to  Gratiot  street  (no>v 
Market),  together  with  the  slope-to  the  river:  tweuty-one  lots  south  of  Cass  street  (now  Shelby 
street),  and  twenty-six  lots  between  Court  street  on  the  east,  Cherry  street  on  the  north- 
west, Cass  or  Shellsy  street  on  the  south,  and  Macomb  street  on  the  northeast.  The  court 
house  lot  extended  fi-om  Court  street  to  Front  street.  The  last-named  street  was  platted 
along  the  bank  of  the  river  from  Gratiot,  now  Market  street,  to  a  point  where  the  saw  and 
spoke  mill  stands,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  south  of  the  brewery.  Since  1818,  no  less 
than  seventeen  additions  have  been  made  to  the  original  plat,  viz. :     Mullett's,  the  city  of 


rV^ 


JA 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Warsaw.  Robertson's,  Eldredge's,  Hubbard's,  Ashley's.  Ferrin's.  Morass',  Welts'.  Weeks' 
Eldredge's  Second  Addition.  Weeks'  Subdivision,  Greener's,  Butler's,  Beyne's,  Lewis'  and 
Groesbeck's  Subdivision,  and  the  Dickenson  Addition,  south  of  the  river. 

A  deed  granted  to  the  people  of  Macomb  hj  Christian  Clemens,  dated  March  10. 
1818,  conveyed  2,934  square  feet  of  land  to  the  county  in  consideration  of  the  village  be- 
ing made  the  location  of  the  county  seat.  This  tract  is  what  is  now  known  as  the  public 
square.  The  deed  bears  the  signatiu-es  of  Christian  Clemens  and  his  wife.  Elizabeth,  to- 
gether with  those  of  the  witnesses,  Charles  Seymour.  Isaac  L.  Webb,  John  Stockton  and 
James  Fulton.  A  deed  of  two  lots  for  the  uses  of  church  and  school  buildings  was  made 
at  the  same  time. 

A  lot  on  Sect'on  No.  1.  forming  the  northwest  corner  of  Front  and  Macomb 
streets,  was  deeded  by  Christian  Clemens  to  Adam  H.  Staring,  of  Herkimer  County.  N. 
Y..  July  17.  1818.  in  consideration  of  $100.  Lot  No.  7.  Section  2.  of  the  village,  now 
just  north  of  the  brewery,  on  Front  street,  was  sold  to  George  McDougall.  of  Detroit,  for 
$50,  November  20,  1818.      Ezi-a  Prescott  made  the  second  purchase  August  12.  1818. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  act  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  approved  March  13,  1837,  set  off 
the  land  embraced  within  the  following  limits  under  the  name  the  Village  of  Mount 
Clemens:  Beginning  at  a  point  on  the  Clinton,  where  the  west  line  of  the  farm  of  George 
Kellogg  intersects  the  same;  thence  along  the  border  of  th&  Clinton  to  a  i)oint  where  the 
farm  of  Alfred  Ashley  strikes  the  river:  thence  north  on  the  east  line  of  the  Ashley  farm 
to  a  point  whence  a  line  due  east  would  intersect  the  south  line  of  the  William  Canfield 
farm;  thence  east  on  the  range  of  'Canfield" s  line  to  the  intersection  of  the  west  line  of 
George  Kellogg's  farm,  and  thence  down  this  line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  act  au- 
thorized the  election  of  a  President,  Recorder  and  six  Tnistees;  but,  owing  to  the  number 
of  changes  which  marked  the  fii'st  year  of  the  panic,  as  well  as  to  the  total  prostration  of 
enterprise,  the  terms  of  the  act  were  not  observed. 

The  act  of  the  Legislature,  approved  April  -t.  1851.  ordained  that  the  territory  with- 
in the  following  boundaries  should  be  known  as  the  village  of  Mount  Clemens,  viz.:  Com- 
mencing at  a  point  in  the  center  of  the  Clinton,  on  the  line  between  Harrison  and  Clin- 
ton; thence  following  the  center  of  the  river  up  stream  to  a  i)oint  where  the  westerly  line 
of  P.  C.  139.  originally  jiatented  to  Richard  Patterson,  strikes  the  center  of  the  river;  thence 
northwardly  to  a  point  from  which  a  line  running  due  east  will  form  the  south  line  of  the 

farm  owned  by  the  heirs  of Mitchell;  thence  easterly  to  the  line   between  Clinton 

and  Harrison,  and  along  that  line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  subject  of  amending  the  act 
of  1851  was  introduced  into  the  State  Senate,  March  10.  1875.  by  Senator  Mellen.  This 
amendatory  act  provided  that  the  following  boundaries  should  constitute  the  limits  of  the  vil- 
lage: Commencing  at  a  [)oint  in  the  center  of  the  Clinton  River,  where  the  line  between 
the  township  of  Harrison  and  Clinton  intersects  the  center  of  river;  thence  along  the  cen- 
ter of  the  river  up  stream  to  a  point  between  the  lands  owned  by  Cam|)l)ell  and  Sackett 
and  the  lands  of  Samuel  Wood;  thence  north  three  degrees  east,  parallel  with  the  west  line 
of  Private  Claim  541.  along  the  line  between  the  lands  of  Campbell  and  Sackett  and  the 
lands  of  Samuel  Wood,  and  also  between  the  lands  of  said  Campbell  and  Sackett  and  the 
lands  of  William  PaiTot,  and  the  lands  of  Nicholas  Demmer,  to  the  nortln^ast  corner  of 
the  lands  of  Campbell  and  Sackett,  in  Private  Claim  116;  thence  easterly  at  right  angles 
along  the  line  between  the  lands  of  Robert  Little  and  Nicholas  Demmer  to  a  point  on  the 
west  line  of  Private  Claim  541;  thence  northerly  along  the  west  line  of  Claim  541  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  that  claim:  thence  easterly  along  the  north  line  of  Claim  541  to  its 
northeast  corner;  thence  southerly  along  the  east  line  of  claim  to  a  point  on  the  line  be- 


t 


W 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tween  the  lands  of  Giles  Hubbard  and  Andrew  Griner;  thence  easterly  at  right  angles 
along  the  line  between  the  lands  of  Giles  Hubbard  and  Andrew  Griner,  and  also  along 
the  north  line  of  lands  of  Andrew  Griner  to  the  center  of  the  North  Branch  road;  thence 
southerly  along  the  center  of  that  road  to  a  point  on  the  line  between  the  lands  of  Fran- 
ces Mitchell  and  James  Canfield;  thence  south  85^  45'  east,  along  the  line  between  the 
lands  of  Mitchell  and  Cantield  to  the  center  of  the  Fort  Gratiot  Turn])ike:  thence  south 
21"  15'  west  along  the  center  of  said  tm-npike  to  a  point,  the  center  of  John  street;  thence 
south  37°  east  along  the  center  of  John  street  and  continuation  of  the  center  line  of  John 
street  to  a  point  on  the  line  between  the  townships  of  Clinton  and  Harrison;  thence  south- 
erly along  the   town  line  to  the  place   of   beginning. 

1851 — President,  Daniel  Liite;  Recorder,  George  Scott;  Treasurer,  Koljert  Thomson. 

1852 — President,  Benjamin  Robertson;  Recorder,  Robert  Thomson:  Treasurer,  George 
C.  Fletcher. 

1853— President,  Ed  C.  Gallup:  Recorder,  John  S.  Fletcher;  Treasurer,  D.  C.  Will- 
iams. 

1854 — President,  John  Stockton;  Recorder,  Joel  C.  McDonald;  Treasurer,  George  C, 
Van  Eps. 

1855 — President,  John  S.  Parks;  Recorder,  George  Scott;  Treasiirer.  Silas  Dixon. 

185G — President.  Eben  W.  Hall;  Recorder,  Sam  A.  Fitch:  T)'easiu'er,  Wesley  Hin- 
man. 

1857 — President,  -Joshua  B.Dickenson;  Recorder,  John  S.  Fletcher;  Treasiu'er,  Silas 
Dixon. 

1858 — President,  Joshua  B.  Dickenson;  Recorder,  James  B.  Eldredge;  Treasurer,  D. 
C.  Williams. 

1859 — President,  Giles  Hubbard:  Recorder,  James  B.  Eldi-edge;  Treasiu-er.  Abe 
Wise. 

1860 — President,  William  S.  Robinson;  Recordar.  Oliver  Gbapaton:  Treasm-er,  J.  H. 
C!onnor. 

1861— President.  William  S.  Robinson:  Recorder,  Oliver  Chapaton;  Treasurer,  John 
E.  Van  Eps. 

1862 — President,  George  B.  Van  Eps;  Recorder,  Oliver  Chapaton:  Treasurer,  Joseph 
Hubbard.  • 

1863 — President,  John  E.  Van  Eps;  Recorder,  Ira  Stout;  Treasiu-er,  Robert  Shook. 

1864 — President,  Joshua  B.  Dickenson:  Recorder,  Ira  Stout;  Treasurer,  Oliver  Cha- 
paton. 

1865 — President,  Oliver  Chapaton  ;  Recorder,  William  S.  Robinson  :  Treasurer. 
Oliver  Chapaton. 

1866 — President,  Judsou  S.  Farrar;  Recorder,  William  S.  Robinson:  Treasurer. 
William  Flummer. 

1867— President,  Thomas  W.  Snook;  Recorder,  T.  C.  Bradford:  Treasurer,  G.  B.  Van 
Eps. 

1868 — President,  George  B.  Van  Eps;  Recorder,  William  S.  Robinson;  Treasm-er, 
Silas  Dixon. 

1869 — President,  Oliver  Chapaton;  Recorder,  T.  J.  West:  Treasurer,  T.  W.  Snook. 

1870— President,  F.  W.  Sackett;  Recorder,  W.  S.  Rolnuson:  Treasurer,  E.  J.  Tuckai-. 

1871 — President,  John  H.  Connor;  Recorder,  Jlyron  White;  Treasurer,  John  Otto. 

1872 — President,  Myron  White;  Recorder,  Charles  S.  Groesbeck;  Treasurer.  John 
Otto. 

1873 — President,  James  B.  Eldredge;  Recorder,  -Tames  M.  Heath;  Treasurer,  Paul 
Ulrieh. 


)  ^ 


■^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


1874-77 — President,  Thomas  M.  Crocker;  Recorder,  Hemy  W.  Babcock;  Treasurer," 
Robert  Shook. 

1875 — President,  Thomas  M.  Crocker:  Recoi'der.  Heurv  W.  Babcock;  Treasurer. 
William  E.  Hall. 

1876 — President.  Thomas  M.  Crockt^r;  Recorder,  Heurv  W.  Babcock;  Treasurer. 
William  E.  Hall. 

1878 — President.  Charles  S.  Groesbeck:  Recorder,  Henry  W.  Babcock;  Treasurer. 
Charles  Moser. 

TRUSTEES. 

1857  -.John  E.  Van  Ejjs,  A.  L.  Gurber,  W.  L.  Rutter,  Benjamin  Rol)ertson,  Giles 
Hubbard. 

1858 — Henry  Taylor,  Sr.,  Francis  Latourueau,  George  Nicholls.  Ed  J.  Tucker,  D.  C. 
Williams. 

1859 — George  B.  Van  Eps,  Charles  ;\Iosor,  Oi-rin  W.  De  Lano,  Abe  Wise,  Loren 
Phelps. 

186(^ — John  H.  Connor,  Elisha  West,  Myron  White,  Joshua  B.  Dickenson,  Henry  H. 
Huntington. 

1861— Myron  White.  Dennis  MeCaffertv,  Elisha  West,  J.  H.  Connor,  John  E.  Van 
Eps. 

186'i — David  Shook,  John  Tucker,  Joseph  Hubbard,  John  M.  Sanders,  Loren  Phelps. 

1863 — Varnum  Lufkin,  Bruno  Van  Landeghem,  George  O.  Nicholls,  Robert  Shook, 
Aug  Dahm. 

1864  --C.  Generous,  Dennis  McCafferty,  William  Flummer,  Fred  Hatch,  Oliver  Cha- 
paton. 

1865— Elisha  West,  W.  S.  Donaldson,  Charles  Ulrieh,  John  I.  Eraser,  G.  O.  Nicholls. 

1866 — William  Flummer,  J.  E.  Van  Eps,  Michael  Stapleton,  Varnum  Lufkin,  John 
Roskop. 

1867— Silas  Dixon,  A.  Strong,  G.  B.  Van  Eps,  Varniun  Lufkin,  Alvin  Brandy. 

1868 — Silas  Dixon.  Varnum  Lufkin,  A.  Brandv,  Alex  Strong,  Thomas  W.  Shook. 

1869— Theo  Traver,  A.  T.  Donaldson.  J.  E."Van  Eps.  William  M.  Connor,  T.  W. 
Snook. 

1870-*S.  Dixon,  William  Flummer,  P.  P.  Griner.  M.  Peltier. 

1871— Varnum  Lufkin,  Robert  Hunt.  William  Heine,  John  Otto.  D.  MeCaft'erty. 

1872 — Ed  Lewis,  John  Otto,  William  Heine,  W.  S.  Donaldson.  Varnum  Lufkins. 

1873 — Robert  Shook,  Paul  Ulrieh,  John  Rosskop,  Edward  Tremble,  C.  S.  Groesbeck. 

1874 — Robert  Shook.  Caspar  Peters,  C.  D  Crittenden,  Emanuel  Mandel,  J  M.  Heath. 

1875— C.  S.  Groesbeck.  E.  J.  Tucker,  B.  B.  Hess,  D.  C.  Tilden,  G.  W.  Robertson,  J. 
Rossko]),  William  Heine,  G.  R.  Law. 

1876 — B.  Van  Landigham,  V.  Lufkin,  F.  G.  Kendrick,  G.  W.  Robinson.  John  E.  Van 
Eps ,  Josejsh  Lonsby. 

1877 — John  Otto.  John  E.  Van  E})s,  William  S.  Donaldson,  Joseph  Lonsby. 

1878 — Jacob  Roessel,  Ed  W.  Lewis,  Ed  Trojnbloy,  Henry  Fries. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  Village  Board  was  held  April  10,  1879,  for  the  jtm-pose  of 
canvassing  the  votes  given  at  the  first  election  of  city  officers,  April  7, 1879.  The  Council 
declai-ed  the  following-named  citizens  elected  to  till  the  offices  of  the  city  government: 
Joshua  B.  Dickenson,  Mayor;  Hemy  W.  Babcock,  Clerk;  Jacob  W.  Shook,  Treasiu'er; 
Moses  Savage,  Marshal;  George  H.  Pelton,  Collector;  James  A.  Savage,  Street  Commis- 
sioner; T.  M.  Crocker,  J.  B.  Eldredge,  William  J.  Daly,  School  Inspectors;  John  E.  Van 
Eps.  James  G.  Tucker,  F.  C.  Kettler,  C.  S.  Groesbeck,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  John  Otto, 
Fred  G.  Kendrick,  Aldermen  at  Large;  Philip  H.   Shook,  Edward  ^^\  Lewis,  William  S. 


fe^ 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Donaldson,  John  W.  Portei',  Ferdinand  Miller,  Julius  Koehler,  Aldermen;  Judson  S.  Far- 
rar,  James  A.  Canlield,  Arthur  E.  Van  Eps,  Superviors:  William  L.  Rutter,  William 
Longstafi",  Mitchel  Peltier.  Constables. 

The  members  of  the  old  Council  present  were  Charles  Groesbeck.  President;  H.  W. 
Babcock,  Clerk;  William  S.  Donaldson,  John  Otto,  John  E.  Van  Eps,  Joseph  Lonsby, 
Jacob  Roessell,  Ed  W.  Lewis  and  Henry  Fries,  Trustees. 

The  city  officers  for  ISSO  were:  George  M.  Crocker,  Mayor:  James  G.  Tucker, 
Clerk;  George  H.  Pelton,  Treasurer;  Moses  Savage,  Mar.shal;  A.  C.  Brandy.  Street  Com- 
missioner; S.  B.  Russell,  Justice  of  the  Peace;  Charles Ulrich,  Alderman  at  Large;  James 
B.  Eldredge,  School  Inspector.  The  i-epresentatives  on  the  city  board  were  Philip  H. 
Shook,  Martin  C.  Kelly,  William  Heine,  Aldermen.  The  representatives  on  the  county 
board  were  Judson  S.  Farrar,  H.  W.  Babcock,  Arthur  E.  Van  Eps,  Supervisors;  William 
L.  Rutter,  William  LongstaS"  and  John  B.  Heath,  were  elected  Constables. 

The  oificers  elected  for  1.SS1-S2  were:  Spencer  B.  Russell,  Mayor;  Augustus  C.  Dahm, 
Clerk;  J.  W.  Shook,  Treasm-er;  Ferdinand  Miller,  Marshal;  George  H.  Pelton,  Collector; 
R.  Widrig,  Street  Commissioner;  F.  C.  Kettler,  Justice  of  the  Peace;  John  Dankers,  Al- 
derman at  Large:  J.  B.  Eldredge,  School  Insiiector.  The  representatives  to  Council  are: 
Martin  Crocker,  John  Kuljue,  J.  E.  Brehler.  Aldermen.  The  members  of  Supervisors' 
Board  were  William  E.  Hall.  Henry  W.  Babcock  and  Arthur  E.  Van  Eps.  The  Constables 
elected  in  1881  were  George  Bulzter,  William  LongstaiF  and  J.  B.  Heath. 


MT.    CLEMENS   ELECTION- 


CANDIDATES. 

1st  Ward. 

2d  Ward. 

:)D  Ward. 

T..A.. 

Majority. 

Mayor, 
Rus.scll    D     

89 

66 

98 
63 

91 
67 

106 
55 

98 
62 

63 
93 

94 
70 

82 
74 

94 
66 
91 

154 
106 

163 
102 

154 

107 

164 
101 

180 
86 

139 

116 

160 
107 

138 
115 

160 
96 

158 

148 

47 

153 
42 

136 
39 

143 

48 

146 
43 

126 
59 

140 
53 

123 

64 

139 
46 

140 

386 
319 

414 
207 

;88i 

213 

413 

204 

424 
191 

328 
268 

394 
230 

343 
253 

393 

207 
389 

167 

Gale,  R 

Maushal, 
Miller  D 

207 

Skillnian  R  

Tkeasuker. 
Shook    D  • 

168 

Clp:rk, 
Rutter,  D 

209 

Dahm  R 

Collector, 
Peltou,  I)  

2:^3 

Shackleton.  R 

Street  Com.mlssioner. 
Guic'tte,  D 

40 

Wiihiff,  R 

JfsTicE  op  the  Peace. 

Tucker,  D 

164 

Saulsburv,  R 

Alderman  at  Laroe, 

Barr.  D 

90 

White,  R 

School   Inspector, 
Eldredge,  D 

186 

Spier,  R '. 

Kettler,  D 

Supervisor, 

Hall,  R 

Montford,  D  . 


FIRST   WARD. 


.100—  38 

.  62 


"^' 


Alderman. 

Shcfffilv,  D 86—  13 

Lewis.  R 78 

Constable, 

Butzelcr,   II 79 

Huttcr,  I) 79 

SECONI>  WAUD. 

Supervisor, 

Groesbeck.  D W)—  87 

Cantield,  R 118 

Alderman, 

Roessell,  D 171—  82 

Mathews,  R 89 

Constable, 

Lonffstaff ,   D 1 68—  78 

Simms,  R 90 

THII!I)    WARD. 

Supervisor, 

VanEps,  D 168—130 

Roliinson,  R 43 

Alderman, 

Dahm,   D 140—  83 

Koehler.  R 67 

The  following  temperate  review  of  the  last  city  election  is  taken  from  the  Mount 
Clemens  Monitor:  " The  election  in  Mount  Clemens  was  painfully  Democratic.  It  was 
also  an  eye-opener  to  those  who  have  been  singing  for  '  law  and  order. "  Mr.  Russell  for 
Mayor,  Miller  for  Marshal  and  Tucker  for  Justice  of  the  Peace — three  men  especially  ob- 
noxious to  the  self-styled  '  law  and  order '  element,  were  re-elected  by  largely  increased 
majorities,  and  they  took  the  remainder  of  the  Democratic  ticket  with  them.  It  is,  we 
hope,  now  clear  to  all.  as  it  has  been  from  the  start  to  reasoning  men,  ihat  the  '  law  and 
order"  issue  was  ill-judged.  It  failed  because  there  was  no  aroused  sentiment  at  its  back. 
And  why  should  there  be?  Saloons  are  open  in  Mount  Clemens,  as  in  99  out  of  100 
other  towns  in  Michigan  during  proscribed  hours.  Despite  this  Mount  Clemens  is  a  very 
quiet,  law-abiding  city.  It  is  incontestably  true  that  there  have  been  many  violations  of 
the  liquor  law  diu'ing  the  past  yeai-,  but  they  have  been  no  more  flagrant  than  those  of 
other  years.  While  his  was  the  case  and  the  peace  of  our  streets  remained  secure,  an 
agitation  for  a  more  stringent  enforcement  of  law  was  doomed  to  fail.  Public  temper  is 
patient  and  long  suffering,  and,  as  a  general  thing,  must  be  grossly  and  e.Ktraordinarily 
abased  before  it  is  thoroughly  aroused.  Fiu-thermore,  the  'law  and  order'  people  did 
nothing  while  they  had  a  chance.  The  Republican  candidates  for  Mayor,  Marshal  and 
Justice  were  acceptable  to  them,  but  they  received  very  little,  if  any,  assistance  frojn  the 
very  men  whom  they  were  nominated  to  please.  On  the  other  hand,  the  whole  liquor  in- 
terest, unnecessarily  alarmed,  as  it  seems,  turned  in  for  the  Democratic  ticket,  which,  it 
muy  be  observed,  was  on  other  grounds  generally  acceptable  to  the  party." 

The  Greenbackers"  ticket  polled  forty-three  votes  for  Mayor,  and  from  ten  to  seven- 
teen votes  for  their  ward  candidates. 

The  death  of  Mayor  Joshua  B.  Dickenson,  in  May,  1879,  occasioned  a  special  meeting 
of  the  Council.  Aid.  Otto  moved  a  resolution  of  condolence,  from  the  preamble  of  which 
the  following  historical  paragraph  is  taken:  "Mr.  Dickenson  came  to  Moiuit  Clemens  at 
an  early  day,  and  from  the  tii'st  has  been  prominently  connected  with  the  interests  of  this 
comnnuiity.  The  gi-owth  of  om-  town  has  been  his  pride:  the  individual  success  of  her 
citizens  to  him  has  been  an  apjiarent  source  of  gratification.  It  was  fitting  that  the  suf- 
frages of  om-  people  should  make  him  our  first  Mayor."  The  election  of  George  M. 
Crocker  as  Mayor  of  the  city  took  place  in  June,  1879,  and  his  re-election  in  April,  1880. 


'-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


During  Mayor  Crockei'"s  administration,  the  building  of  the  county  court  house  was 
begun.  The  dismissal  of  Mayor  Russell,  in  1881,  and  his  subsequent  re-election,  referred 
to  in  other  ])ages,  mark  the  history  of  the  jiresent  time. 

.\MEEIC.\N    SETTLKKS    IN     1821-22. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  American  settlers  of  Mount  Clemens  in  1821-22,  as  re- 
membered by  H.  H.  Cady,  who  arrived  in  1821:  Christian  Clemens,  tanner,  farmer  and 
hotel-keeper;  John  Stockton,  coimty  officer;  Thomas  Ashley,  farmer;  Ezekiel  Allen,  tan- 
ner, currier  and  shoemaker,  had  a  shoj)  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  where  the  Butler  and 
Ulrich  Blocks  are  now  located:  Ellis  Doty  operated  a  store  where  the  Sherman  House  now 
stands;  Henry  Halsey.  pottery  manufacturer,  having  his  shop  where  is  now  the  opera 
house;  Silas  Halsey  worked  in  the  potter  shop;  James  Connor  resided  two  miles  west,  on 
the  William  Campbell  farm;  Harvey  Cook  was  located  on  the  present  H.  H.  Cady  home- 
stead; Eichard  Butler  lived  on  the  Gratiot  road,  a  block  south  of  the  public  square; 
Chauncey  G.  Cady,  step-son  of  Thomas  Ashley,  lived  in  the  Ashley  House,  at  the  corner 
of  Shelby  and  Front  streets,  opposite  the  new  jail:  Caj^t.  Russ  was  engaged  building 
the  Harriet  of  Mount  Clemens  at  the  time;  Israel  Nobles  and  his  wife.  Miss  Halsey, 
dwelt  a  short  distance  east  of  Flummer's  grist-mill.  In  1821,  Rev.  Mi-.  Morey,  a  Method- 
ist preacher,  visited  IMount  Clejuens,  was  entertained  by  Nobles  and  died  at  the  Russ 
homestead  a  week  or  so  after  his  arrival;  Nun  Moe  was  the  village  cooper;  he  had  his  shop 
where  the  Hall  lumber  yard  is  now  located. 

FIRST    FLOURING    MILL. 

The  tirst  mill  at  Mount  Clemens  was  neither  a  water  nor  steam  mill.  It  was  simply 
a  primitive  something  run  by  horse-power.  It  contained  one  run  of  stone  about  two  feet 
in  diameter.  Its  capacity  was  about  eighteen  bushels  per  twenty-four  hours.  After  the 
building  of  the  Cady  or  Haskins  Mill,  on  the  North  Bi-anch,  the  Clemens  concern  fell  into 
disuse,  and  the  little  millstones  were  appropriated  by  the  new  Hour  manufacturers. 

FIRST    ORCHARDS. 

The  first  attempt  at  gardening  within  the  city  was  made  by  Chi-istian  Clemens,  who 
set  out  apple  and  pear  trees  shortly  after  settlement.  The  principal  oi'chards  extended 
from  the  present  AVilliam  Tucker  homestead  to  the  Morass  House,  near  the  mouth  of  the 
river.  The  fu-st  large  orchard  set  out  was  that  by  Jim  Allen,  a  step-son  of  Judge  Clemens, 
between  the  years  1837  and  184(_).  This  orchard  still  exists  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
river,  opposite  the  Avery  House.  The  property  belongs  to  George  Roberston,  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Snook  &  Robertson,  stave  manufactiu-ers.  The  Clemens  orchard  referred 
to  ju-eviously  was  located  close  to  the  house  on  Front  street,  a  little  southwest  of  the  Flu- 
mer  mill.  The  Tucker  orchard  of  ten  acres  was  the  first  set  out  in  the  county  by  native 
Americans.  Charles  Tucker  was  the  owner  and  to  him  customers  came  from  Oakland  and 
St.  Clair  to  obtain  su])])lies  of  fruit. 

FIRST    CEMETERY. 

Henry  Halsey  was  the  first  person  bui-ied  in  the  old  cemetery  on  the  Gratiot  Turnpike. 
Jim  Allen,  H.  H.  Cady,  C.  G.  Cady  were  the  first  grave-diggers.  Judge  Clemens  accom- 
panied the  funeral  and  pointed  out  the  spot  where  the  grave  was  to  be  made. 

SENIOR    SETTLER. 

The  oldest  living  American  settler  in  Macomb  County  is  Chauncey  G.  Cady,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Macomb  Pioneer  Society,  who  settled  in  Mount  Clemens  in  1820.  Richard 
Butler,  of  Mounc  Clemens,  and  Elder  Davis,  of  Macomb,  are  the  senior  old  residents. 
Hiram  Squires,  born  outside  the  United  States,  is  the  oldest  settler. 


■■j£^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COI'NTY. 


THE    GLASS    FACTORY. 

A  class  factory  was  established  here  by  Hall  &  Grover  early  in  the  fourth  decade  of 
this  century.  The  factory  was  located  where  the  mineral  works  are  now  situated.  U.  H. 
Cadv  remembers  the  works  uja  to  1837,  when  he  moved  into  the  town  of  Macomb.  He 
states  that  the  works  were  in  full  blast  then,  and  continued  in  operation  for  some  five  or 
six  years  later. 

THE    FIRST    SAW    MILLS. 

The  first  saw-mill  was  that  known  as  the  Plank  Road  Mill,  erected  about  1841).  It  is 
operated  by  the  Plank  Road  Company.  The  road  was  laid  out  by  the  State;  the  company 
received  a  charter  subsecjuently,  erected  this  saw-mill  and  from  it  tiu-ned  out  the  plank 
necessary  for  building  the  road.  The  charge  over  this  highway  is  1  cent  per  mile,  for  one 
horse,  and  2  cents  for  two  horses.  So  recently  as  1882,  it  was  a  common  practice  among  the 
new  settlers  of  Macomb  to  attach  two  loaded  wagons  and  have  them  di-awn  over  this  road 
by  the  same  team.  This  was  done  to  efifect  a  saving  of  40  cents,  the  charge  for  the  second 
team.  C.  Gr.  Cady  seems  to  think  that  a  saw-mill  stood  a  little  north  of  the  present  min- 
eral springs  long  l)efore  the  plank  road  concern  was  built.      However,  it  jiroved  a  failure. 

INAUGUHATING    THE    CANAL. 

The  opening  of  work  on  the  Clinton  &  Kalamazoo  Canal  was  celebrated  at  Mount 
Clemens  with  Col.  Stockton  presiding.  Gov.  Mason.  Conrad  Ten  Eyck  and  others  were 
guests  of  the  villagers.  Everyone  in  the  county — men,  women  and  children — was  sup- 
posed to  visit  Mount  Clemens  on  that  day.  The  supposition  was  very  near  correct,  as 
lai'ge  numbers  of  the  people  were  present  on  the  occasion. 

The  first  sod  was  dug  by  Gov.  Mason,  a  few  speeches  were  made,  after  which  the  visit- 
ors to  the  village  were  bantpieted  by  the  people.  The  banquet  table  was  spread  where 
now  is  Shelby  street,  opposite  the  present  com;t  house.  It  is  estimated  that  at  least  200 
people  participated  in  the  dinner.  About  the  dinner-hour,  there  were  a  few  s]nritful 
souls  in  the  village  who  ajipeared  on  the  table  and  under  it  about  the  same  time.  There 
are  a  few  old  settlers  still  here  who  may  reiilize  the  description.  The  present  residence 
of  Thomas  Foster,  built  by  Dr.  Hall  in  the  summer  of  1837.  is  considered  to  be  one  of 
the  first  brick  dwellings  erected  in  the  citj'. 

Miss  Hall,  daughter  of  Dr.  Hall,  states  that  the  salt  wells  were  not  begun  until  1805. 
Then  a  well  was  bored  nearer  the  river  than  the  present  one;  but.  on  account  of  the  flow  of 
surface  water,  the  directors  changed  the  machinery  about  twenty  feet  farther  from  the 
river  bank. 

MT.     CLEMENS    IN    18()8. 

The  large  number  of  dwelling-houses  which  were  erected  in  the  year  1808  is  a  pleasing 
evidence  that  the  village  was  in  a  jsrosperous  condition  and  rapidly  increasing  in  population 
and  wealth.  The  worst  thing  that  can  be  said  of  a  town  is  that  the  rents  are  low  and  there 
are  plenty  of  houses  to  let — a  thing  that  certainly  could  not  be  said  of  Mount  Clemens  then. 
To  prociu-e  anything  in  the  shape  of  a  dwelling-house  here  a  person  had  to  pay  an  exorbitant 
price,  while  respectable  residences  could  not  be  had  for  love  or  money.  Dwellings  were  con- 
tinually going  up  on  all  hands,  and  yet  the  demand  for  houses  to  rent  remained  undimin- 
ished. In  glancing  over  the  list  of  the  many  new  buildings  which  have  been  erected 
here  in  1N07-8,  the  following  are  noted:  On  Gratiot  street  south,  Mr.  Schutt 
built  himself  a  two-stovy  residence  (wood),  while  nearly  opposite  a  two-story  brick 
dwelling,  owned  by  W.  B.  Hubbard,  stands  nearly  completed.  A  shore  distance  from 
this  on  the  same  side  of  the  street.  Potter  and  Henry  Cook  have  both  erected  cottages 
of  a  story  and  a  half.      The  former  gentleman  intended  next  season  to  build  a  more  com- 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ruodious  dwelling  in  front  of  the  one  he  then  occupied.  On  the  same  street.  William  Jen- 
ney  greatly  improved  his  residence  by  completely  repairing  the  same  at  a  cost  of  some 
$3,000,  making  it,  in  point  of  style  and  beauty,  attractive.  On  Gratiot  street,  north,  a  num- 
ber of  new  houses  have  been  put  u})  and  extensive  repairs  made  in  old  ones.  John  Guy- 
ette  and  W.  J.  Canfield  have  each  built  good  substantial  dwellings,  while  E.  J.  Tucker, 
Henry  Connor  and  others  fitted  up  their  respective  residences  so  that  they  now  jjresent 
as  fine  an  apjiearance  as  if  brau  new  throughout. 

On  Shelby  street,  Dr.  H.  K.  Babcock  had  in  an  advanced  state  of  completion  a  resi- 
dence which,  when  finished,  will  be  the  most  beautiful  of  the  many  that  now  adorn  our 
village.  It  is  of  brick,  built  in  the  Gothic  style,  highly  ornamental  in  all  its  apjioint- 
ments,  and  reflects  not  only  credit  upon  the  architect  who  designed  the  model,  but  is  a 
monument  to  the  good  taste  and  liberality  of  the  Doctor.  A  short  distance  from  this, 
Mrs.  Joseph  Goetz  built  a  handsome  two-story  frame  dwelling.  Dwelling-houses  have 
also  been  put  tip  on  Shelby  street.  Many  improvements  have  been  made  in  the  way  of 
new  fences,  painting,  ornamenting,  etc.,  which,  though  small  in  themselves,  taken  as  a 
whole  add  much  to  the  general  good  appearance  of  the  place.  Altogether  the  past  season 
has  been  one  of  unusual  activity  in  building  improvements,  and  citizens  could  review 
the  same  with  feelings  of  just  pride  and  satisfaction. 

Among  the  principal  business  men  of  the  village  were  D.  G.  Williams,  dealer  in  dry 
goods;  Joseph  Hubbard,  successor  of  High  &  Hubbard;  Phelps  &  Shook,  produce  mer- 
chants; John  Otto,  flour  dealer;  F.  H.  Bentley,  jeweler:  J.  H.  Snook,  stationer  and  Post- 
master; Mrs.  J.  Mintonye,  milliner;  Charles  Wiuegar,  boots  and  shoes;  John  Rosskop, 
butcher;  J.  Batty,  photographer;  S.  Dixon,  gi-ocer;  R.  Waterson.  furniture  dealer:  the 
Sherman  House,  together  with  a  number  of  minor  business  houses. 


PROGRESS    IN     ISNO. 

The  first  symptoms  of  the  boom  were  noticeable  in  the  summer  of  1N79.  when  return- 
ing confidence  and  2:)rosperity  in  the  country  generally,  the  fine  business  done  here  by 
merchants  and  manufacturers,  and  the  continued  development  of  the  springs,  made  every 
one  good-natiu-ed  and  speculative.  Money  began  to  be  loosed  in  men's  pockets,  and  the 
first  indication  of  a  general  disposition  to  invest  in  new  enterprises  became  evident. 
There  has  been  an  immense  amount  of  talk  from  that  time  to  this,  and  even  now,  after 
much  of  the  talk  has  crystallized  into  tangible  and  substantial  results,  there  is  about  as 
much  as  ever. 

The  building  ojjerations  in  Mount  Clemens  during  the  year  18S0  surjaassed.  almost 
bej-ond  comparison,  those  of  any  year  in  her  history.  The  building  business  is  always 
spasmodic.  There  was  a  big  run  of  it  a  few  years  previous:  then  came  a  lull  and  again 
came  great  activity.  Everybody  who  can  wants  to  build.  Nothing  contributes  more  to 
the  advantage  of  a  place  than  building.  A  town  is  beautified  and  substantially  enriched 
by  it.  Money  is  set  loose,  labor  employed  and  a  new  impulse  given  to  trade  in  all  direc- 
tions.     The  following  is  a  list  of  the  principal  buildings,  with  the  estimated  cost  of  each: 

Court  House ifS.S.OOO 

New  hotel ^ 30.000 

German  church.  iil)out 10,000 

Butler  Block 4,000 

M.  E.  Church 3,500 

Bath  house 1,.500 

Hagen,  residence '.  .  3,000 

Sherman  House  addition,  residences,  repairs,  etc 14,000 

Total 190. 00( ) 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


THE    ERA    OF    ADVANCEMENT. 

Early  iu  1^81.  the  fiill  tide  of  prosperity  retui'ued  to  Mount  Clemens.  The  outlook 
was  never  brighter.  The  extraordinary  activity  and  growth  which  made  1880  memoraljle 
iu  her  annals  will  be  fully  equaled  in  the  season  which  the  cheerful  weather  of  the 
spring  of  1881  fairly  opened.  The  boom  continued  and  was  mai'ked  by  the  same  solidity 
that  characterized  it  from  the  start;  it  was  a  normal  and  necessary  growth.  The  most 
substantial  token  of  prosperity  in  a  place  is  the  building  operations.  They  are  the  sign 
of  increase  in  wealth  and  population.  Every  stick  of  timber  and  every  stone  and  brick 
formed  and  put  in  place  are  so  mucli  clear  gain.  They  represent  money  paid  into  the 
hands  of  laborers,  mechanics  and  merchants,  that  before  sought  other  channels.  They 
give  an  impetus  to  trade  and  result  in  permanent  benefit  to  the  entire  community.  It  is  a 
matter  for  congratulation  that  the  building  ojierations  in  Mount  Clemens  this  year  will  be 
unprecedented  by  those  of  any  yeai'  in  her  history,  with  the  probable  exception  of  ISSO, 
when  they  footed  up  in  the  vicinity  of  $90,000. 

The  principal  building  erected  this  year  was  the  new  jail,  the  cost  of  which  was  SIO,- 
000.  The  Supervisors  met  in  special  session  to  take  steps  in  the  direction  of  its  erection. 
Different  sites  for  the  structure  were  discussed,  among  them  William  Moser"s  lot,  on  the 
southeast  corner  of  Front  and  Shelby  streets,  and  the  Phelps  property  on  South  Gratiot. 
These  are  but  two  of  many  sites  that  were  in  the  market. 

On  the  corner  of  Front  and  Macomb  streets,  John  W.  Porter  and  Charles  Ullrich 
built,  although  not  iu  conjunction,  a  large  three-story  block.  Each  building  is  20x70. 
strong  and  handsome. 

On  the  lot  on  Macomb  street,  between  Hemmeu's  and  John  Roskopp's,  covered  by  a 
low  wooden  structure,  Anthony  Dahm  erected  a  tine  two-story  block. 

A  large  force  of  men  was  engaged  in  moving  off  the  old  building  adjacent  to  the 
Avery  House,  where  the  new  corner  is  now  built  up.  This  corner  cost  about  14,000,  and 
is  in  harmony  with  the  remainder  of  the  structure,  after  plans  made  by  Mr.  Gibbs,  under 
whose  direction  the  building  was  constructed. 

A  large  number  of  new  residences  were  under  contract  in  Mount  Clemens  ami  imme- 
diate vicinity.     Hall  &  Shook  alone  furnished  lumber  for  the  following; 

Charles  Wood,  two  houses  on  Grand  Trunk  avenvie;  Oliver  Roberts.  Lewis  Roberts 
and  Charles  Moore's  liouses  on  Moross  avenue;  William  Marquardt's house  on  South  Gra 
tiot;  MinardBarr's  house,  corner  Front  and  Ferry  streets;  Jacob  Hubbard's  house  on  Clin- 
ton street;  Chris  Hempke's  house  and  part  on  Grand  Trunk  avenue;  John  Barr^-'s  house 
just  west  of  city  limits:  Patrick  Quinn's  brick  house  on  Gratiot  road;  Jacob  W.  Miller's 
on  Canal  road;  Fred  Gossmire's  house  on  Macomb  and  Clinton  town  line;  Fred  Cline 
smith's  house  at  Cadv;  Lemuel  Shattuck's  house  in  Macomb. 

The  same  firm  supply  lirmber  for  a  considerable  number  of  smaller  buildings  in  town, 
and  for  houses  at  Eraser,  Utica  and  other  contiguous  points. 

Lonsby  Bros,  sold  material  for  a  number  of  buildings;  among  them  John  Duby's 
house  on  Front  street,  a  large  house  on  Shelby  street,  the  name  of  whose  builder  could 
not  be  learned. 

S.  S.  Gale  has  decided  upon  the  erection  of  a  large  house  in  ])lace  of  his  present 
residence  on  Clinton  street. 

These  were  the  building  projects  so  far  as  definitely  settled.  Other  and  important 
ones  are  almost  certainties.  In  addition  to  the  new  buildings,  a  large  amount  of  repair- 
ing was  done.  Property  owners  all  over  the  city  made  great  improvements.  The  opera- 
tions as  above  set  foi-th'foot  up  nearly  $40,000.     The  total  jirobably  exceeded  150,000. 

A  [a-omiuent  indication  of  the  growth  of  Mount  Clemens  is  the  addition  which  Don 
M.  Dickenson  is  laying  out  across  the  river.     It  is  being  regularly  platted  in  streets  and 


JOSH<JA     B.    DICKlfslSOI^I 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


blocks,  aud  the  erection  of  half  a  dozen  houses  entered  upon, 
time  to  be  one  of  the  finest  residence  parts  of  the  city. 


The  addition  promises  in 


THE    TELEPHONE    EXCHANGE. 

The  Telephone  Exchange  is  steadily  spreading  out  in  Mount  Clemens  and  now  em- 
braces the  following  jjlaces:  Babcock's  drug  store,  central  office:  bath-house;  G.  T.  R.  R. 
Depot;  Dr.  M.  C.  Kelly,  residence:  Law  cV  Shook,  gi-oceries;  Avery  &  Saekett.  boots  and 
shoes;  Donaldson  Bros.,  manufactory;  John  Rosskopp,  meat-market;  James Brennan,  livery: 
William  Flummer,  grist-mill;  H.  Lodewyck.  livery;  E.  J.  Olde  &  Co.,  diy  goods;  Dr.  V>'. 
D.  Wilson;  Calkins  &  Dahm,  druggists:  Sherman  House;  Avery  House;  William  Moser. 
meat-market;  William  Campbell,  Belvidere.  The  Avery  alone  is  in  direct  communica- 
tion with  Detroit.      These  additions  to  the  ways  of  progi-ess  date  back  only  to  1881. 

T.\XATION. 

Among  the  principal  taxpavers  of  the  city,  in  1882,  the  following  may  be  named: 
Mrs.  Catharine  Crocker,  8338.0]  '  Hem-v  Connor,  1219.96;  O.  Chapaton,  §295:  Mrs.  Julia 
Debate,  8111.26:  R.  P.  Ekb-edge,  8139.05:  Mrs.  E.  Moser,  8118.76;  John  W.Miller, 
8128.75:  Don  M.  Dickenson,  .$112.50:  Mrs.  Mary  Saekett, 8146.25;  Eugene  Shook,  8100.- 
02:  Mrs.  Charlotte  Trufant.  8252,50;  Charles  Ullrich,  8434.45;  Paul  Ullrich,  $121.98; 
S.  S.  Gale.  8120.21:  Grover  Bros.,  8133.54;  Mrs.  Giles  Hubbard,  8103.19;  F.  G.  Ken- 
drick,  8152.12;  Mount  Clemens  Savings  Bank,  8133.54;  John  Roskopp,  8160.99;  T.  W. 
Snook,  8105.01:  B.  Van  Landeghem.  8176.66;  Van  Eps  &  Co.,  $149.09;  C.  Winegar, 
8104.43;  John  E.  Brehler,  $158.80;  J.  B.  Dickinson  estate.  $102.97;  Avery  House.  8192.- 
48;  William  Flummer,  $103.40;  P.  P.  Greiner,  $114.03;  E.  J.  Olde,  i96.24;  T.  M. 
Crocker.  $111.58;  James  A   Canfield.  .$91.05. 

From  the  following  statement  of  finances  of  the  city  of  Mount  Clemens,  from  April 
8,  1880,  to  and  including  April  7,  1881,  an  idea  of  what  the  people  have  to  pay  for  city 
government  may  be  gleaned: 

treasukek's  .\CC0rNT.  DR. 

Balance  on  hand.  April  8.  1880 ■*  2.007  37 

Cash  for  b.inils  sold 20,.5li0  00 

Liquor  Tax  i >f  County  Treasurer 2,222  Oil 

Pines  from  .Justice  of  the  Peace 50  01) 

Licenses  and  impouudins; 83  60 

Sidewalk  tax ■: 90  48 

Order  issued  not  redeemed 10  00 

Cash  for  stove  sold 6  '^"' 

Cash  from  City  Collector 9.-113  30 

Total P5,049  83 

cit. 

Orders  drawn  on  several  funds f 20..347  30 

Interest  on  bonds  paid _  800  00 

Balance  to  be  accounted  for 13,903  .53 

Total ^ f 35.049  82 

THE    CLINTON    EIVEE. 

The  volume  of   the  commerce  of  Clinton  River  is  vastly  greater  than  many  people 

.  suppose,  and.   with  the  river  properly   improved,  it  would  steadily  and  largely  increase 

from  year  to  year.     As  it  is  one  of  tlie  chief  contributors  to  the  prosperity,  growth  and 

business  importance  of  Mount  Clemens,  every  effort  to  increase  its   usefulness  should  be 

made.     To  this  end  little  is  necessary  but  some  eompai-atively  slight  and  inexpensive  im- 


"S  ""V  ' 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   C0U2STY. 


provements  in  the  channel.  The  need  of  these  has,  each  season,  for  the  past  decade, 
been  more  and  moi-e  pressing.  The  north  channel  of  Lake  St.  Clair,. sweeping  in,  strikes 
at  right  angles  the  channel  extending  out  from  the  month  of  Clinton  River,  and  since 
this  was  dredged  some  years  ago.  the  lake  current  has  unintermittingly  been  piling  sand 
into  it.  Tlie  channel  has  now  a  depth  of  little  over  five  feet,  and,  unless  improved,  the 
day  is  not  far  distant  when  the  river  will  be  isractically  closed  to  the  entrance  of  all  ves 
sels  but  those  of  the  lightest  draft.  Two  barges,  the  Monitor  and  Louis  Gilbert,  were 
sold  recently  for  the  simple  reason  that  they  could  not  conveniently  enter  the  river. 

The  river  boats  best  known  since  the  time  of  the  Harriet,  of  Mount  Clemens,  were 
the  steamers  Ida,  Florence,  Mayflower,  Ida  Burton.  Monitor.  Rouge.  Mackinaw  and 
Noyles;  steam  vachts  Euua  and  Marietta;  scows  Matilda.  Snowball,  Hero.  Garibaldi, 
Enreight,  Forster,  Home,  Aunt  Ruth  and  Curlew. 

Tlie  boats  now  on  the  river,  together  with  others  on  the  stocks,  for  the  lake  and  river 
trade,  swell  this  list  considerably. 

The  shipments  from  this  port  form  a  considerable  item.  Last  yeai',  thousands  of  bar- 
rels of  headings,  millions  of  staves  and  thousands  of  cords  of  wood  were  shipped  hence. 
The  recent  appro])riation  of  $25.(X)(>  for  the  improvement  of  the  river,  the  construction  of 
a  new  draw-bridge  at  Moimt  Clemens  and  the  removal  of  the  pontoon  bridge  all  jioint  to 
the  fact  that  a  determination  exists  to  draw  forth  all  the  advantages  which  the  ri^  er  offers 
to  the  city  and  to  the  county. 

THE    DEATH    OF    FOUB    CITIZENS. 

The  last  boundary  of  liuman  affairs  is  death,  or,  as  the  beautiful  language,  which, 
through  some  mystery,  is  allowed  to  lie  almost  dead,  would  have  it.  mors  idfima  linea 
rernm  est.  April  27,  18S1,  will  be  remembered  in  the  history  of  Mount  Clemens  as  a  day 
which  witnessed  the  death  of  four  of  her  citizens,  each  well  known  and  deservedly  popu- 
lar. It  appears  from  the  Monitor's  report  of  the  calamity  that  George  H.  Snook,  Dr.  W. 
D.  Decker,  Charles  Wood  and  Morey  Ajctell  went  forth  on  a  fishing  expedition.  Proceed- 
ing to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  they  borrowed  a  small  boat  fi'om  AVilliam  Tucker,  in  which 
they  ventm'ed  out  on  the  waters  of  the  lake.  Al;)out  3:06  in  the  afternoon,  they  reached 
Strawberry  Island,  thi-ee  miles  east  of  the  mouth  of  the  Clinton,  where  they  purchased  a 
few  fish  from  the  fishermen.  Re-entering  their  dangerous  craft,  they  pulled  for  the  moiith 
of  the  river.  The  ice  was  running  fast,  which  alone  rendered  the  trip  a  very  hazardous 
undertaking.  To  add  to  the  misfortune,  one  of  those  terrific  squalls,  well  known  by  the 
lake  fishermen,  swept  across  the  icy  waters,  capsized  the  little  boat,  engulfed  fom-  human 
beings,  created  a  little  world  of  sorrow  among  widows  and  children,  among  fathers, 
mothers,  brothers  and  sisters,  a  season  of  mourning  and  gloom  in  their  coiinty  and  a  thrill 
of  sympathy  throughout  the  State. 

Search  for  the  bodies  of  the  missing  men  was  at  once  instituted.  On  Thursday  and 
Friday,  28th  and  29th  of  April,  the  eastern  part  of  the  lake  was  traversed,  with  the  result 
of  finding  a  jug,  partly  filled  with  cider  and  identified  as  one  taken  by  the  missing  men. 
On  April,  the  tug  Perkins  resumed  the  tour  of  the  lake,  and,  at  2  o'clock,  the  explorers 
saw  a  boat  in  the  distance,  floating  low  upon  the  water.  Proceeding  toward  this  ominous 
tell-tale  of  tragedy,  it  was  soon  found  that  in  it  was  the  dead  body  of  Morey  Axtell.  The 
body  lay  athwart  the  seats  in  the  water,  which  almost  filled  the  boat,  while  his  head  hung 
over  the  side.  It  was  surmised  that  the  little  craft  swamped,  that  the  men  one  by  (me. 
lost  hold  of  it  and  sank,  Axtell  alone  remaining  to  fight  death  a  V oiitrnnce.  At  length, 
overcome  by  cold  and  weakness,  he  fell  forward  into  the  water-logged  boat  and  was 
drowned. 

Robert  Morris  Axtell  was  born  in  the  township  of  Macomb  November  22,  1858.  He 
attended  the  Saunders  Institute  at  Philfidolphia.  in  1870  and  1871,  thence  to  Morristown, 


w 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


N.  Y.,  to  learn  the  carpenter  trade,  whei'e  he  remained  until  his  return  to  Mount  Clemens, 
in  1870.  He  was  the  only  son  of  E.  S.  and  F.  M.  Astell.  He  was  a  cousin  of  his  fellow- 
excui'sionist.  Postmaster  Snook,  and  a  bosom  friend  of  Charles  H.  Wood,  with  whom  he 
learned  his  trade  at  Morristown  and  with  whom  he  perished  in  Lake  St.  Clair. 

The  bodies  of  Wood,  Snook  and  Decker  were  not  found  up  to  May  22,  and  all  hope 
of  finding  their  remains  was  almost  lost,  when  the  waters  themselves  yielded  up  one  after 
another. 

Following  the  example  of  Rev.  Clarence  Eddy,  in  his  memorial  sermon,  we  will  here 
give  a  brief  biographical  notice  of  the  deceased  citizens,  Messrs.  Decker  and  Snook. 

Creorge  H.  Snook  was  born  in  the  township  of  Clinton.  April  20,  1852.  He  attended 
Sanders"  Institute  at  Philadelphia  one  year,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  county  and 
entered  upon  the  school-teacher's  profession.  Subsequently,  he  entered  the  Cornell  Uni- 
versity, at  Ithaca.  N.  Y.  as  a  student  of  engineering,  but,  owing  to  a  disease  of  the  eyes, 
was  forced  to  give  up  study  and  return  to  the  walks  of  ordinary  life.  Resolutions  of  con- 
dolence and  respect  were  passed  by  the  Rescue  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  by  the  Trustees 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and,  in  reality,  by  every  family  in  the  county. 

Dr.  Wilhelmus  Decker  was  born  at  the  village  of  Ontario,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  July, 
1846.  His  father  removed,  with  his  family,  to  Shelby,  in  this  county,  early  in  the  year 
1856,  and  with  him  the  deceased  lived  until  1864.  when  he  was  appointed  teacher  in  one 
of  the  townshi[)  schools.  He  studied  medicine  in  the  State  University,  winning  a  grad- 
uate's certificate  to  the  scientific  course  so  early  as  1873,  and  a  diploma  in  1878.  From 
1878  to  1878  he  devoted  his  time  to  school  teaching  and  study.  In  September.  1878,  he 
established  an  office  at  Mount  Clemens  and  married  December  28,  1875. 

The  body  of  Mr.  Snook  was  found  June  2,  1881,  and,  a  few  hours  later,  on  the  same 
dav,  that  of  Charles  H.  Wood  was  discovered.  The  remains  of  Dr.  Decker  were  found 
May  30,  1881. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The  first  and  perhaps  the  most  important  industry  of  the  city  is  that  which  centers 
round  the  old  salt  wells.  Here,  in  the  early  days  of  the  county,  were  the  old  glass  works: 
still  later,  the  oil  refinery  of  Call  &  Culver,  and  again,  the  salt  factory.  The  first  well  was 
bored  by  Charles  Stefifens,  now  of  Fraser,  and  a  second  boring  efi'ected  by  Parke,  now  re- 
siding at  Saginaw.  The  well  project  was  undertaken  in  1862,  with  the  hope  of  striking 
oil ;  but  the  attempt  proved  unsuccessful  in  that  direction,  although  the  salt  brine  which  it  was 
found  to  yield  would  undoubtedly,  if  treated  economically,  reward  the  enterprise  of  the 
owners. 

A  manufactmnng  association  was  formed  at  Mount  Clemens  January  31,  1865,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  on  an  J  conducting  the  manufacture  of  salt  under  the  style,  "  The 
Mount  Clemens  Halt  Company."  The  charter  of  the  association  pointed  out  the  extension 
of  its  term  to  March  1.  1890,  and  the  amount  of  capital  stock  $10,000  in  400  shares  of  $25 
each.  The  stockholders  were  Thomas  W.  Snook,  Thomas  L.  Sackett,  Joshua  B.  Dicken- 
son, Charles  Moser,  Bruno  Van  Landingham,  Orsin  W.  De  Lano,  twenty  shares  each; 
Manuel  Hymen,  P.  H.  Stuart,  August  Czizik,  ten  shares  each;  Henry  Connor  and  Jacob 
Roskopp,  eight  shares  each ;  Theodore  Traver,  Geo.  B.  Van  Eps.  seven  shares;  John  E.  Van  E]is, 
six  shares;  Jas.  B.  Eldredge,  S!  S.  Ciale.  five  shares  each;  Dennis  McCafiferty,  Anthony  Beyne. 
William  Jones,  Andrew  Greiner,  Henry  Taylor,  Aug.  Dahm,  T.  M.  Crocker,  Varnum  Lufkin, 
Joseph  Hubbard,  Joseph  Knall,  George  Murdook,  George  Weitz,  Benjamin  Robinson,  Chas. 
Winegar,  Charles  Ulrieh,  William  Flummer,  William  Miller,  Thomas  Puicher,  Auglot 
Tuscaney,  Adam  Godice,  Anthony  Dahm,  F.  Miller,  Justus  R.  Crandall,  Clement  Borden, 
Joseph  Lusk.  John  Otto,  Henry  Fries,  E.  (J.  Gallop.  William  Jenny,  Judson  S.  Fan-ar. 
Sam  Wood,  four  shares  each;  Mrs.  James  Williams,  C.  W.  Robinson,  three  shares  each; 


^ 


T 


HISTORY   OF   MAOOMI?   COUNTY. 


John  Egloff.  E.  B.  Drake.  Edgar  Weeks.  John  Tucker.  William  J.  Can  field,  James  F. 
Brennan.  Edwin  R.  Beutley.  Wesley  Lewis,  James  A.  Cantield,  Harlehigh  Carter.  Darius 
G.  Williams,  Catherine  Stephens,  William  Hart,  Elijah  Robinson,  Francis  X.  Pheuenf,  G. 
G.  Albaut.  Lewis  Arnill,  Richard  Johnson.  Thomas  Oliver.  Elisha  West,  T.  Gilbert,  M. 
Peltier.  A.  Heuguenett.  Jr..  Sam  Donaldson,  A.  AVise,  Julius  Mandell.  two  shares  each; 
I.  O.  Ferris,  S.  White.  H.  C.  White,  F.  Lufkin.  W.  C.  Tanner.  L.  N.  Phelps,  one  share 
each. 

The  manufactiu-e  of  salt  was  carried  on  for  about  five  years,  though  at  a  disadvan- 
tage. The  large  proportion  of  foreign  minerals  existing  in  the  water,  as  well  as  the  ques- 
tion of  fuel,  presented  serious  obstacles  to  a  successful  competition  with  other  mannfactiu'- 
ing  points.  The  method  pursued  seems  to  have  been  very  wasteful,  as  a  large  quantity  of 
salt  was  thrown  away  with  the  mother  liquor,  here  termed  bitter  water,  for  want  of  the 
proper  knowledge  to  aid  in  its  recovery.  The  discovery  of  the  medicinal  properties  of  the 
water  was  brought  about  under  the  following  circumstances: 

A  Frenchman  living  on  East  street  foundered  his  horse  so  badly  that  he  turned  him 
out.  The  horse  took  shelter  from  the  sim  under  the  north  si  le  of  the  tank.  Here  his 
daily  stamping  soon  resulted  in  the  formation  of  a  foot  bath,  as  the  water  drippings  from 
the  tank  filled  the  hole  thus  formeJ.  The  horse  was  soon  cured,  which  proved  the  first 
discovery  of  the  medicinal  properties  of  the  water.  At  this  time,  Dorr  Kellogg  was  man- 
ager and  stockholder  of  the  floiiring-mill  on  the  river  bank,  corner  of  Market  and  Front 
streets.  He  was  afflicted  with  salt  rheum  and  skin  eruptions.  It  occurred  to  him  from 
his  esperieuce  with  the  effects  of  salt  air  and  water  on  ocean  voyages  that  the  water  would 
be  beneficial  in  his  case.  He  used  the  water,  October.  1870.  in  a  pail;  afterward,  in  the 
vat  itself,  and,  obtaining  much  relief,  finally  Bad  a  bath-tub  constructed  on  the  grounds 
and  contimied  the  treatment  until  entirely  cured.  Mr.  Kellogg  is  still  living  at  Mount 
Clemens.  Another  gentleman,  a  Mr.  Tremble,  also  a  resident,  obtained  like  results. 
About  two  years  afterward,  a  bath-house  was  erected,  various  citizens  contributing  money 
toward  the  enterprise — in  all  about  $l,f)()0  or  .$1,800.  Dr.  H.  Taylor  &  Son  commenced  it 
with  a  few  tubs. 

The  bath-house  passed  through  various  hands,  among  whom  were  Messrs.  Thui'ber  & 
Carl  and  North  &  Johnson,  continually  gi'owing  in  favor  and  importance.  The  present 
owners  of  the  well  are  Seth  D.  North,  of  Hancock,  Mich.,  and  Charles  B.  Johnson,  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  The  lessees  are  the  Mount  Clemens  Mineral  Spring  Company,  Limited, 
who  leased  the  concern  for  a  term  of  thirty  years,  fi-oui  July  1,  1880.  The  managers  are 
Morris  Richter.  Charles  Avery,  James  F.  Avery  and  A\'illiam  L.  Avery,  with  the  chemist. 
Prof.  Hem-y  F.  Meir. 

The  experience  gained  in  the  use  of  the  water  during  the  past  ten  years  has  been 
sufficient  to  indicate  the  precise  classes  of  diseases  to  which  it  is  adapted  and  to  bring 
thousands  of  invalids  yearly  to  be  cured.  The  well  from  which  the  water  is  obtained 
has  a  dejjth  of  1,380  feet,  with  a  capacity  of  1,000  barrels  per  day,  the  water  rising  to  a 
level  of  fifteen  feet  below  the  surface.  From  the  well  the  water  is  pumped  into  large 
covered  wooden  tanks,  elevated  seventeen  feet  above  the  ground,  from  which  tanks  it  is 
conveyed  to  the  bath-house  in  pijjes  laid  on  the  ground.  No  precautions  are  needed  to 
protect  it  in  winter,  as  the  water  reejuires  a  lower  temperatiu-e  than  is  met  with  here  to 
cause  freezing.  Before  describing  its  uses  as  a  curative  agent,  it  may  be  well  to  consider 
its  jihysieal  and  chemical  properties  and  composition. 

When  issuing  from  the  pump,  a  sample  of  the  water  appears  slightly  colored,  which 
is  principally  due  to  .sulphui'et  of  iron  in  fine  suspension  or  quasi  solution.  After  a  time, 
this  subsides,  leaving  the  water  colorless.  Its  taste  is  brackish  and  bitter,  with  a  liberal 
fiavor  of  sulphm-etecl  hydrogen.      Its  temperature  averages  about  59°  F.,  being  at  present 


4 


'^ 


HI.>5T0RY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


writing,  March  3,  1882,  56|'  F.  It  has  a  specific  gravity  of  l.llG,  which  indicates 
the  presence  of  about  10  per  cent  of  mineral  ingredients.  When  exposed  at  ordinary 
temperatures,  the  greater  portion  refuses  to  diy,  only  a  small  part  crystallizing  out. 
Its  boiling  point  is  216  '  F.  A  decided  smell  of  sulphui'eted  hydrogen  pervades  the  at- 
mosphere in  the  vicinity  of  the  well  and  tanks,  which  varies  in  intensity  with  the  weather. 
It  has  also  been  noted  that  atmospheric  conditions  influence  the  amount  of  suspended  mat- 
ter (black  iron  sulphide)  contained  in  the  water,  to  such  an  extent  that  observers  claim 
the  ability  to  foretell  a  storm  by  the  appearance  of  the  water.  Tlie  atmosphere  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  well  does  not  appear  to  be  deleterious  to  healthy  persons,  as  the  gas  exists  in 
a  much  dil^^ted  condition,  though  sulphm-eted  hydrogen,  when  inhaled  in  large  quantities, 
produces  fatal  results.  One  such  case  occiu-red  here  diu'ing  the  cleaning  of  the  tanks. 
Two  workmen  had  entered,  and,  neglecting  proper  ventilation,  one  was  brought  out  a 
corpse  and  his  companion  almost  inanimate.  The  composition  of  the  water,  as  ascertained 
by  Prof.  Duffield,  is  given  in  the  geological  chapter  of  the  general  history. 

Keeeut  investigations  have  also  shown  the  presence  of  iodine  (in  combination)  and 
traces  of  ammoniiun  and  potassium  salts.  An  examination  of  the  blackish  sediment  ob- 
tained from  the  water  showed  it  to  consist  of  sulphiu'ets  of  iron  and  copper,  the  latter  in 
small  quantity.  A  new  analysis  is  promised  shortly,  which  may  discover  traces  of  still 
other  elements  present.  A  contirmatiou  of  the  presence  of  iodine  is  the  fact  that  sensi- 
tive jiatients  are  able,  after  a  bath,  to  recognize  the  peculiar  metallic  taste  jwoduced  by 
iodides,  showing  that  a  definite  number  of  the  ingredients  are  absorbed.  This  water  cor- 
rodes most  of  the  metals  and  blackens  silver,  copper  and  iron,  forming  on  them  a  sulphu 
reted  siu'faee.  Silver  coins  and  watches  QU'ried  in  the  pockets  of  patients  bathing  in  or 
drinking  the  water  are  discolored.  The  hair  and  nails  ai'e  sensibly  darkened  after  bathing 
or  washing  in  the  water,  while  the  skin  and  hair  of  patients  retains  for  a  time  a  slight  but 
perceptible  smell  of  the  water.  A  property  of  the  water  which  deserves  mention  is  that 
it  renders  wood  uninflammable.  White  lead  jaaint  is  discolored  by  the  atmosphere  of  the 
well  and  bath-rooms.  At  the  latter  place,  where  the  atmosphere  is  saturated  with  steam, 
a  disagreeable  effect  of  the  gases  is  experienced  by  the  attendants,  who  are  frequently 
afflicted  with  soreness  of  the  eyes.  This  effect  is  probably  due,  not  so  much  from  the 
sitlphureted  hydrogen  as  to  a  product  of  its  oxidation  (sulphui'ous  acid  gas),  which  has 
irritating  j)roperties.  In  fact,  the  odor  at  the  bath-rooms  differs  perceptibly  fi'om  that  at 
the  well,  and  a  practiced  nose  can  readily  detect  the  presence  of  the  latter  gas. 

The  water  has  still  other  properties  which  render  it  valuable  for  special  purposes, 
such  as  a  disinfectant.  It  exercises  a  most  beneficial  influence  upon  various  diseases, 
effecting  a  pei-manent  ctu-e  in  many  instances  where  all  other  known  remedies  failed. 

The  bath-house  is  connected  with  the  Avery  House  by  a  heated  hallway,  and  is 
equipped  with  all  needed  arrangements  for  the  comfort  of  patients. 

At  present,  fifty-four  tubs  are  in  use,  with  the  business  increasing  at  such  a  rate  that 
fiu'ther  enlargements  ai'e  contemplated.  Recently,  a  company  has  been  formed  for  the 
manufacture  of  medicinal  products  from  the  water,  under  the  style  of  ■'  The  Mount  Clem- 
ens Sulpho-Mineral  Salt  Compan}' Limited,'' which  is  already  doing  an  extensive  business. 
The  members  of  the  company  are  Henry  F.  Meier,  Charles  Avery,  Lyman  B.  Avery  and 
Lizzie  A.  Avery.  Their  manufactures  consist  of  Sulpho-mineral  soap  for  the  treatment  of 
skin  diseases;  bath  salts,  for  reproducing  th*^  water  for  bathing  purposes;  an  effervescing 
water,  termed  Sprudel  water,  and  a  catarrh  cure,  for  the  treatment  of  which  affection  the 
water  has  long  been  held  in  esteem. 

HOTELS. 

Early  in  the  winter  of  1879-80,  there  came  to  this  place  from  New  York  a  retired 
legal  gentleman  bv  the  name  of   Judge  Averv.      He  came  here  to  take  baths  for  rheuma- 


rfv^ 


t 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY 


tism.  and  was  immensely  benefited.  Necessarily,  he  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  great 
medicinal  (qualities  of  the  water.  He  took  a  comprehensive  view  of  the  business,  saw  that 
an  almost  unlimited  development  was  possible  here,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  a  big 
hotel,  beautiful  grounds  and  a  large  bath-house  would  be  paying  things  to  invest  in. 
Senator  North,  from  Hancock,  and  C!.  B.  -Johnson,  from  New  York,  members  of  the  spring 
company,  came  to  attend  the  annual  meeting  a  short  time  later,  and  the  matter  came  up 
between  the  parties.  Negotiations  were  begun  looking  to  the  objects  above  named.  Judge 
Avery  and  his  partners  secured  the  whole  block  on  East  street,  where  the  Mineral  Springs 
Hotel  now  is,  and  the  corresponding  block  on  the  river.  This  large  lot  of  land  was  im- 
[)roved  and  devoted  wholly  to  bath-house  and  hotel  piu'poses. 

The  hotel  structure  is  of  magnificent  proportions,  and  without  doubt  by  far  the  larg- 
est of  its  kind  in  Michigan.  It  fronts  on  each  side  of  the  large  block,  three  stories  high, 
with  a  mansard  roof,  equivalent  to  a  fourth  story;  length,  2.S6  feet;  width,  I2S  feet. 
There  are  SS;")  rooms,  and  accommodations  for  fully  500  guests.  A  spacious  double  veranda 
surrounds  the  building.  It  is  substantially  and  carefully  built,  and  every  care  is  taken 
as  to  architectural  beauty. 

The  hotel  was  built  in  sections,  and  the  tii'st  of  these,  containing   100   rooms,  was  ■ 
ready  for  opening  June  1,  1880.      The  south  wing  of  the  building  was  opened  in  Febru- 
ary,'1881. 

The  late  pro})rietor  of  the  Avery  House  was  Morris  Richter.  Seymour  Smith,  favorably 
known  in  connection  with  the  hotel  circles  of  the  State,  was  manager.  The  hotel  is  tele- 
phonically  connected  with  Detroit.  The  Avery  House  passed  into  the  control  of  Mr.  P.  B. 
Bradt  April  1,  1882.  For  many  years  this  gentleman  was  a  well-lcnown  landlord  in  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y.,  having  kept  the  Exchange,  Globe  and  other  hotels  iu  that  vicinity.  Although 
a  Syraeusan,  Mr.  Bradt  is  well  known  at  Detroit,  where  he  lived  for  several  years.  He  is 
a  quiet,  genial  gentleman,  a  thorough  hotel  man,  and  the  Avery  House  already  begins  to 
feel  the  effect  of  new  management.  Mr.  Bradt  has  taken  the  precaution  to  surround  him- 
self with  able  assistants,  and  the  management  of  the  otfice  is  entirely  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Jerome  Haight,  late  of  the  Vanderbilt  House,  Syraciise.  Mr  Haight  seems  to  have  been 
born  to  his  calling,  and  has  the  happj''  faculty  of  making  guests  understand  that  it  is  a 
pleasure  to  attend  to  their  wants.  He  is,  moreover,  a  thorough  disciplinarian,  a  great 
requisite  in  the  manager  of  a  hu'ge  hotel  like  the  Avery.  The  steward  under  the  new 
management  is  Mr.  H.  R.  Johnson,  late  proprietor  of  the  Crawford  House,  in  Windsor. 
Mr.  Johnson  has  been  a  practical  hotel  man  nearly  a  (juarter  of  a  century. 

Cfnt.ral  Park  Ilotrl. — This  house  was  erected  in  1879  by  Louis  Shoman,  who  leased 
it  to  the  present  proprietor,  August  Rose'iburg.  in  1881.  It  is  located  on  the  old  William 
Cantield  lot,  contains  twenty-eight  well-furnished  rooms,  together  with  the  accommoda- 
tion which  two  large  residences  adjacent,  belonging  to  the  hotel,  can  offer.  The  Central 
is  near  the  mineral  springs  and  steamboat  landing,  is  said  to  be  a  most  comfortable 
house,  well  conducted,  and  a  favorite  with  all  who  have  made  a  stay  there.  Mr.  Rosen- 
burw,  the  proprietor,  was  born  in  Germany,  came  to  Detroit  in  1870.  visited  Texas  in 
1878.  and  located  at  Mount  Clemens  in  1881. 

Clifton  House. — The  Clifton  House  was  erected  in  1875  by  John  E.  Brehler.  who  oc- 
cupied it  as  a  I'esidence  until  1878.  Additions  were  made  in  that  year,  when  it  was  con- 
verted into  a  hotel  by  North  &  Elliott.  John  E.  Brehler  operated  the  house  from  the 
fall  of  1S7U  to  May,  1880,  when  J.  C.  Elliott  became  lessee.  In  May,  1881,  B.  R. 
Jackson  assumed  control,  and  operated  the  hotel  until  the  advent  of  the  present  proprie- 
tor, J.  J.  Strong,  March  1 ,  1882.  The  house  is  centrally  located,  standing  on  ornamental 
ground,  solid  brick  structure  and  one  of  the  best  managed  hostelries  in  the  State,  The 
proprietor,  Mr.  Strong,  is  a  n;itive  of   Canton,  111. ;  was  a  resident  of   Chicago  for  seven 


fc 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


years  and  fully  conversant  with  tho  management  of  a  first-class  hotel.  Under  him  the 
Clifton  was  re-opened,  March  7,  1882. 

Sherman  Houfte.  — This  important  hotel  was  erected  in  the  summer  of  18fi5  by  Henry 
Conner,  and  opened  to  the  public  in  August,  1866.  The  house  is  100x54  feet,  three-story 
brick  structure,  containing  forty-three  rooms,  together  with  jjarlors,  etc. :  is  specially  ar- 
ranged for  the  purposes  o"  a  first-class  hotel,  is  well  conducted  and  Mnquestionably  the 
only  important  commercial  house  between  Detroit  and  Romeo.  Mr.  Connor,  the  proprie- 
tor, has  been  in  the  hotel  business  for  the  last  thirty-five  years;  is  an  old  resident  of 
Mount  Clemens  and  one  of  her  most  enterprising  citizens. 

Shnckleton  House. — This  hotel  was  built  in  the  s  .mmor  of  18S1,  one  block  east  of 
bath-house,  by  Thomas  Shackleton.  It  is  the  only  'temperance  hotel  "  in  the  city,  and 
gives  promise  of  being  conducted  on  the  temperance  plan  so  long  as  its  builder  lives. 
The  hotel  is  now  operated  by  John  W.  Cleveland,  proprietor. 

RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 

The  Catholic  Church.  -Reference  has  been  hitherto  made  to  the  first  Catholic  mis- 
sionaries who  visited  Michigan  previous  to  1776.  The  Ijidl  of  Pope  Clement,  dated  Jan- 
uary 21,  1776,  suppressed  the  order  of  St.  Ignatius  of  Loyola,  and  deprived  Michigan  of 
the  services  of  its  faithful,  wise  and  intrepid  members.  Subsequently,  the  whole  territory 
was  placed  in  charge  of  one  priest — the  Transigrant  Pere  RecoUet,  who  acted  as  a  priest 
of  the  Bishopric  of  Quebec,  founded  in  1660.  The  teachings  of  Christianity  within  the 
district  now  known  as  Macomb  County  may  be  said  to  be  introduced  liy  this  remarkable 
and  pious  man  in  1776.  although  many  missionary  priests  visited  the  Hurons  here  pre- 
viously. Father  Recollet  was  a  regular  visitant  to  the  county  >ip  to  171*3.  Revs.  Marin, 
Louis  Lefranc  and  Pierre  du  Jaimay  were  known  to  the  whites  and  Indians  of  the  Upper 
Hni'on  in  1764;  liut  their  stay  in  the  district  was  of  very  short  duration,  as  they  left  for 
Mackinaw  in  1 71'),"). 

In  179U,  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard,  refen-ed  to  in  one  of  the  first  chajiters  of  the  county 
history,  came  to  the  Territory,  and  among  the  first  missions  which  he  established  was  one 
within  the  i)i'esent  limits  of  Macomb,  at  L'Anse  Creuse.  A  small  wood  chapel  was  erected 
there,  five  miles  from  Mount  Clemens.  There  that  venerable  jiioneer  was  accustomed  to 
meet  his  congregation.  On  one  occasion,  struck  with  the  negligence  and  spiritual  cold- 
ness of  his  people,  he  warned  them  to  reform,  or  otherwise  the  very  church  in  which  they 
worshiped  would  be  swept  away  by  the  waters,  and  the  very  land  on  which  it  stood  hid- 
den from  their  sight.  This  prophecy  of  Michigan's  old  Congressional  Delegate  .vas  lit- 
erally fulfilled.  After  Pere  Richard  came  the  Rev.  Vincent  Baden,  and,  succeeding 
him,  came  lather  Boheim.  Some  time  about  the  period  of  the  organization  of  the  county, 
a  chapel  was  built  on  the  Clinton,  three  miles  east  of  Mount  Clemens,  which  was  attended 
regularly  by  Rev.  Dejean.  Subsequently,  Chi-istian  Clemens  granted  a  lot  to  every  re- 
ligious denomination  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  church  thereon,  and  thither  the  little 
church  of  the  Clinton  was  moved.  At  this  time,  there  were  al)out  fifty  Catholic  families 
in  the  neighborhood.  Rev.  Father  Kenny,  the  first  resident  priest  of  this  city,  came  in 
1843.  The  Abbe  Maret  came  in  1845.  During  his  administration,  the  fi-ont  part  of  the 
ehiu'ch  was  built,  and  the  old  chapel  converted  into  a  pastoral  resideuce.  Revs.  Lawi-ence 
Kilroyaud  Father  Kendekins  attended  the  mission  until  184<),  when  Rev.  H.  Van  Renther- 
ghem  was  appointed  resident  priest.  He  was  a  Belgian,  ordained  March  15,  1845.  by 
Bishop  Lefevre.  He  officiated  one  year  at  Mackinaw,  after  which  he  came  to  Mount 
Clemens  and  was  pastor  of  the  churches  of  L"  Anse  Creuse,  Utica,  Erin,  New  Baltimore  and 
Mount  Clemens  for  some  years.  Under  him  an  addition  to  the  chiu-ch  building  was  com- 
pleted and  a  small  schoolhouse  built.      This  priest  died  in  November,  1869.     Dm-ing  the 


•|V" 


.. 


l^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


closing  years  of  Father  Van  Eentherghem"  s  life,  he  was  assisted  by  Rev.  C.  Maes,  a 
student  of  the  American  College  at  Louvain.  The  latter  was  appointed  pastor  in  1869, 
and  under  him  St.  Mary"s  schoolhoiise  was  built,  which  is  now  iu  charge  of  three  sisters 
of  the  Monroe  Convent.  Rev.  C.  Ryckaert,  ordained  at  Cihent,  Belgium,  in  1S47,  was  ap- 
pointed pastor  in  1871,  vice  Rev.  Maes,  removed  to  Monroe.  Mich.  Father  Ryckaert 
erected  a  pai'ochial  residence  in  1875.  Early  in  1882,  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  pre- 
pai-ing  to  build  a  new  church  at  an  estimated  cost  of  $20,000.  Among  the  principal  con- 
tril)utors  to  the  building  fund  are  Bruno  Van  Landegham,  Oliver  Chapaton,  Antoine  De 
Hate.  John  Roskopp,  Andrew  Greiner,  Mrs.  C.  Letourneau,  Michael  Benbennock,  Louis 
Charbonneau,  John  Irwin,  Patrick  Quinn  and  Andrew  Quiun.  Rev.  Father  Ryckaert  gives 
14,000  on  condition  that  the  people  subscribe  the  remaining  $16.(t00.  The  plans  for  the 
building  are  not  yet  perfected,  but.  from  what  can  be  learned  of  them,  the  building  will 
be  Gothic  with  central  tower  and  spire,  flanking  turrets,  chapel  and  vestries.  The 
architect  in  charge  is  Mr.  Wood,  of  Detroit.  It  will  be  the  finest  edifice  of  its 
size  and  cost  in  the  State,  and  will  be  the  first  architectural  ornament  of  Mount  Clemens. 
The  plans,  prepared  by  Scott  &  Co.,  Detroit,  show  a  beautiful  structure  of  brick  and 
stone,  highly  ornamented,  and  built  iu  a  most  substantial  fashion.  The  extreme  measure- 
ments of  the  building  are  60x158,  affording  a  seating  capacity  for  between  800  and  900 
pHople.  The  auditorium  is  fifty-six  feet  wide  and  ninety- six  feet  long  fi-om  vestibule  to 
sanctuary,  sacristies,  etc.  The  gallery  is  above  the  vestibule,  which  has  dimensions  of 
8x56.  Back  of  the  main  building  is  a  chapel  16x44.  A  beautiful  tower  rises  from  the 
front  center  of  the  chm-ch  to  the  lofty  height  of  184  feet.  It  is  built  of  brick  and  stone 
half  its  height,  the  remainder  wood.  The  building  will  be  heated  by  furnaces  in  the 
basement.  It  will  be  lighted  with  stained  glass  windows  and  the  interior  will  be  marked 
by  rich  and  elaborate  adornment. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — This  church  may  be  said  to  havt-  been  organized  at 
Mount  Cleniens  in  1820,  when  Rev.  John  P.  Kent  preached  to  the  Methodists  in  a  house 
at  Frederick,  two  miles  west  of  the  present  Methodist  Episcopal  Chm-ch  building.  Piatt 
B.  Morey  came  in  1822.  but,  dying  within  nine  days  after  his  arrival,  his  place  was  sup- 
plited  by  Samuel  Barker  and  Alfred  Briinson.  Since  that  time,  the  following-named  gentle- 
men have  served  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Mount  Clemens;  Elias  Pettit. 
and  B.  O.  Plymton,  in  1823;  Pettit  and  J,  C.  Hunter,  in  1824;  John  A.  Baugh- 
man  and  Solomon  Manier,  1825;  John  Jones,  1826;  Jones  and  "William  Revnolds.  182/; 
W.  T.  Snow,  1828;  Arzo  Brown.  1829:  Brown  and  William  Sprague,  1830.'  From  1830 
to  1835,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  a  number  of  visiting  preachers.  In  1836,  AVilliam 
Herr  was  Presiding  Elder,  and  Hiram  trearing,  preacher;  A.  B.  Elliott,  in  1837;  Richard 
Lawi-ence  in  1838;  Jonathan  Hudson  and  D.  McCrregor,  1839;  Josiah  Drakeman.  1840; 
J,  Blanchai-d  and  George  F.  Hemingbay,  1841 ;  Elijah  PiJeher,  William  C.  Comfort  and 
H.  Hall.  1N42;  John  Gray  and  Joseph  Jennings.  1843:  F.  B.  Bangs  and  F.  W.  Warren, 
1844;  S.  D.  Price  and  H.  N.  Brown,  1845;  Hudson  and  E.  W.  Borden,  1846;  John  Rus- 
sell, 1847-48;  Seth  Reed,  1849;  W.  Worthington.  1850;  D.  C.  Jacokes,  1851-52;  H. 
Morgan.  1853;  E.  House  and  J.  C.  Wortlev.  1854;  Wortley  and  R.  Ward,  1855;  J.  A. 
Baughman.  1856;  AdamMinnis,  1857-58;  D.B.  Tracev,  1859;  A.  Allen.  1810;  Wm.  Taylor, 
1861 ;  Wm.  Havener,  1802-64 ;  F.  M.  May,  1865-67 ;  Isaac  Crawford,  1868 ;  B.  S.  Taylor.  1 869- 
72;  J.  T.  Haukinson,  1872-73;  Charles  Simpson,  1873-76;  Calvin  Gibbs,  1876-(7;  B,  S. 
Taylor,  1877-79;  I.  F.  Berry,  1879-80;  J.  M.  Gordon,  1881-82.  The  number  of  com- 
municants belonging  to  this  church  is  129.  The  true  organization  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Chiu'ch  society  was  perfected  October  27,  1836,  with  J.  F.  Seaman.  J.  Tuex- 
buiy,  J.  E.  Hall,  D.  T.  Bishop  and  H.Pratt,  first  officers.  A  church  Iniilding  was  erected 
in  1841,  which  is  to  give  way  to  the  new  house  of  worship  now  being  built.     The  Sabbath 


i' 


7f^ 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


school  in  connection  with  the  chiu'cb  is  in  a  floiu'ishing  condition.  The  new  Methodist 
Church  will  be  one  of  the  handsomest  buildings  in  Monnt  Clemens.  It  is  to  built  after 
plans  fiu'nished  by  ai'chitects  connected  with  the  Church  Extension  Society,  and  will  be 
distinguished  by  an  unique  design  and  great  convenience  of  arrangement.  The  structure 
will  face  Shelby  street,  and  will  have  dimensions  as  follows:  Over  all,  44x102;  audi- 
torium, 44x80:  vestibule,  lSs24;  height  of  ceiling,  28  feet:  height  of  tower.  UO  feet.  In- 
gi-ess  will  be  had  from  Fraser  street,  into  an  open  porch,  thence  into  the  ve-stibule. 
Above  the  latter  will  be  the  gallery,  to  be  so  arranged  that  it  can  be  shut  off  by  window 
paneling  from  the  body  of  the  church,  ant.  thus  used,  whenever  desired,  for  a  class- 
room, or  for  other  circumscribed  purposes.  The  building  will  have  a  double  roof  and 
stained  glass  windows  throughout.  The  auditorium  will  have  a  seating  capacity  of  400, 
the  gallery,  SO;  the  choir  will  occupy  a  raised  platform  back  of  the  pulpit. 

First  Presbyterian  Church. — This  church  was  formally  organized  May  4.  1885.  un- 
der Rev.  M.  Eastman.  From  that  period  up  to  1841,  services  were  held  in  the  old  log 
coiu't  house  or  other  church  buildings.  In  1841,  a  commodious  building  was  erected 
which  served  as  a  house  of  worship  until  1844,  when  the  chiu'ch  divided,  and.  the  mi- 
nority forming  a  congregational  society,  built  the  church  in  which  the  Presbyterians  now 
worship,  corner  of  Walnut  and  New  streets.  Rev.  A.  S.  Wells  was  then  delegated  as 
pastor.  The  pulpit  was  vacant  for  some  months  previous  to  the  coming  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Foster,  in  1845;  he  served  as  stated  supply  until  1849.  Under  Mr.  Foster,  the  Con- 
gregationalists  and  Presbyterians  united  and  ageed  to  wor.ship  together  in  the  Congrega- 
tional, now  the  Presbyterian,  house,  which  agreement  is  still  observed.  Rev.  George 
Newcomb  suceeeded  Mi'.  Foster,  anl  continued  pastor  until  the  coming  of  Rev.  H.  N. 
Bissell,  in  1854.  Mr.  Bissell  served  the  church  here  for  a  jieriod  bordering  on  a  quarter 
century;  is  still  a  resident  of  the  county  and  one  of  its  most  esteemed  citizens.  Rev.  Mr. 
Ellis  occupied  the  jiulpit  dimng  the  last-named  pastor's  leave  of  absence,  and,  when  Mi-. 
Bissell  resigned,  in  1878,  was  stated  supply.  Ellis  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Eddy, 
now  of  St.  Clair.  Since  ilr.  Eddy"s  time,  a  number  of  people  have  filled  the  pulpit  of 
this  chm'ch,  until  the  coming  of  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Ireland,  in '  September, 
1881.  Among  the  prominent  members  of  the  church  since  its  establishment,  the  names 
of  W'illiam  Canfield.  of  Elders  Sackett.  Snook.  Bush,  Shear.  Drake,  G.  B.  Van  Eps.  Ram- 
say, Hubbard,  of  the  Donaldson  brothers.  A.  Rowley,  E.  Teats,  Greorge  Grovier,  Theodore 
Traver  may  be  mentioned.  T.  W.  Snook  was  Clerk  from  1849  until  a  few  years  ago. 
The  number  of  members  belonging  to  this  society  approximates  100  and  the  congregation 
about  400. 

The  Episcopal  Church. — The  above  religious  body  was  first  established  at  Mount 
Clemens  in  the  year  1849.  The  first  services  were  held  in  the  com't  house,  under  the 
ministrations  of  the  Rev.  Edwai'd  McGee,  who  held  the  charge  until  1851.  From  this 
time,  the  interest  in  the  chiu'ch  was  allowed  to  slumber,  but  not  to  die.  for,  in  1867,  we 
find  it  again  revived.  The  Rev.  Milton  Ward,  from  Detroit,  held  irregular  services.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hyde,  who  was  the  lu'st  resident  minister  since  Mr.  McGee. 
The  present  commodious  and  beautiful  sacred  edifice  was  erected  and  dedicated  to  the 
service  of  God  in  the  year  1870.  Since  its  erection,  the  following  reverend  gentlemen 
have  officiated:  Woodward.  Martin.  Skinner,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Rafter,  the  latter  being  the 
jaresent  incumbent.  The  present  officers  are:  Wardens.  Daniel  C.  Tilden.  Dr.  W.  C. 
Tenuant;  ^'estrymen.  Thomas  M.  Crocker.  George  R.  Law  and  John  Trufant.  The  con- 
gi'egation  now  numbers  210.  and  is.  in  every  respect,  nourishing  and  prosperous. 

The  Baptist  Church. — The  Baptist  (Jhm'ch  was  organized  on  the  17th  of  October, 
1834,  with  a  total  enrollment  of  thirteen  members.  The  pastor  who  was  first  regularly 
ordained  to  officiate  was  the  Rev.  John  Booth.    The  services  for  several  years  were  held  in 

^^'\         _  iC-» 

^  s         r-  — < $>  1^ 


the  old  court  house.  As  the  demands  of  the  congregation  increased  rapidly,  it  was  deemed 
expedient  to  build  a  church,  and  the  present  edifice  was  erected  in  the  year  1843.  The 
fu-st  pastor  who  ministered  in  the  new  edifice  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fult(in.  The  present  offi- 
cers ai'e:  Rev.  William  A.  Kingsbmy,  Pastor;  George  Wood  and  Harry  Briggs,  Deacons; 
Thomas  Gilbert,  Clerk.  There  is  a  jirosperous  Sabbath  school  connecttjd  with  the  church, 
with  Samuel  Wood,  Superintendent.  The  total  enrollment  of  scholars  at  the  end  of  the 
year  1874  was  fifty.  The  congregation  of  the  church  now  numbers  about  300  souls.  The 
first  baptism  in  the  Baptist  Church  was  that  of  Martha  Haines,  now  known  as  the  Widow 
Stewai't,  residing  near  Prattsbm-g,  N.  Y.  This  lady  donated  1500  toward  the  erection  of 
a  parsonage  as  a  memorial  of  her  attachment  to  the  First  Bajitist  Church  of  Mt.  Clemens. 

(ierman  Evangelical  Church.  —In  the  year  1S47.  the  members  of  about  twenty  Ger- 
man families,  then  settled  at  Mount  Clemens  and  neighborhood,  assembled  at  Mount 
Clemens  to  hear  the  services  of  the  German  Evangelical  Chui'ch  in  their  own  language. 
The  first  religious  meetings  were  held  in  the  court  house,  or  in  the  homes  of  the  mem- 
bers, until  May  4,  LSB'i,  when  they  pm'chased  the  old  training  barracks,  formerly  used  by 
the  Methodist  Episcoi)al  Church  society,  erected  in  1835  for  school  purposes.  The  base 
ment  was  fitted  up  as  a  residence  for  the  pastor.  This  building  was  used  as  a  house  of 
worship  until  the  dedication  of  the  present  German  Church  building,  December  19,  1880. 
In  1870,  a  parsonage  was  built.  The  Sabbath  school  was  inaugurated  in  1870,  and  the 
same  year  the  denominational  school  was  opened. 

Among  the  traveling  and  permanent  pastors  of  the  church  since  1847  were  Rev.  L. 
Hartmann,  1847;  Winkler,  1849;  Krause,  1850;  Grebner,  1858-55;  Krauschert,  1856;  Her- 
man,  1859.  Rev.  H.  Hoff,  the  first  permanent  pastor,  came  in  1859;  Rev.  J.  Keis,  18fi2- 
64,  and  Rev.  Hermann  Gundert,  April  24.  1864.  who  is  the  present  pastor.  The  salary- 
paid  Rev.  H.  Hoif  was  $250  per  annum;  that  now  paid  is  $600,  together  with  house,  fuel 
and  fees.  In  January,  1880,  the  subject  of  building  a  new  church  was  discussed.  Be- 
fore the  close  of  the  year,  a  modern  Gothic  structm-e,  42x82,  with  tower  eighty-two  feet 
high,  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  $9,000.  The  building  was  designed  by  Henry  Shefierly. 
of  Mount  Clemens,  and  liuilt  from  his  plans  by  Minard  Barr.  The  officers  of  the  society 
in  1880  were:  Charles  Ulrich,  President;  William  Flummer.  Secretary;  Jacob  Wolf,  Treas- 
urer; J.  Bannow,  William  Conlon,  G.  Baenke,  Ernest  Okie,  A.  Schrade.  William  Mar- 
quardt  and  Paul  Ullrich.  Trustees.  The  membership  is  about  114.  The  Sabbath  school 
numbers  120. 


SCHOOLS  OF  MT.   CLEMENS. 
BV     I'KdF.    .SKARS. 


This  history  is  most  resjjectfully  dedicated  to  the  ••interviewed."  who,  with  long 
suffering  patience,  have  been  plied  with  the  numerous  questions  of  the  historian;  and 
who  have  "racked  their  brains'"  to  call  up  the  information  which  has  made  the  history 
possible:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  J.  Tucker,  Richard  Butler,  J.  B  Eldredge.  J.  S.  Farrar,  Mrs.  Cuf- 
ver  and  Miss  Tucker,  Maj.  William  Jenney,  W.  J.  Daley,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Campbell, 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor,  Robert  Shook,  G.  W.  Robertson," H,  W.  Babcock,  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  N. 
L.  Miller,  William  Rutter,  Jlrs.  Dr.  Babcock,  Mrs.  P.  M.  Pratt.  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  T.  W. 
Snook,  George  and  Ed  Grovler,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  H.  Cady,  J.  W.  Shook,  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Thomas  Forster,  Miss  Zemira  Hall,  W.  S.  and  A.  T.  Donaldson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James 
Williams,  Miss  Dr.  <^\j-nold.  Mi-s.  J.  C.  High.  Mrs.  Potter,  Mi-s.  Harriet  Eastman.  Fred  G. 
Kondrick.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Cantiehl,  Miss  Ella  Lee,  Mrs.  Hubbard.  S.  S.  Gale.  Edgar 
Weeks,  G.  B.  Van  Eps,  A.  L.  Cantield,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  E.  Van  Eps.  Mrs.  E.  C.  Gallup. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  O.  Chapaton.  Charles  Williams.  William  Longstafl'.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  M. 
Crocker,  Mrs.  James  Snook.  Rev.  Father  Ryckaert,  Rev.  H.  Gundert. 


»'!r 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Before  entering  upon  the  history  proper  of  the  Mount  Clemens  schools,  it  may  be 
well  to  state  for  the  understanding  of  the  reader  some  of  the  difficulties  under  which  the 
historian  has  labored.  When  I  was  asked  to  prepare  the  history,  I  readily  acceded  to 
the  request,  .supposing  that  all  the  information  I  should  desire  might  be  obtained  by  sim- 
ply consulting  the  early  records.  My  surprise  was  consequently  great,  when,  upon  in- 
vestigation, I  discovered  that  not  a  single  line  of  the  records  of  the  school  districts  of 
Mount  Clemens  could  be  found.  It  is  a  question  in  my  mind  whether  the  officers  of  those 
early  schools  left  any  permanent  records.  Had  they  done  so,  it  is  probable  that  the  rec- 
ords would  have  been  turned  over  to  the  present  imion  school  district  at  its  organization. 
As  a  consequence,  not  a  word  of  record  can  be  found  antedating  the  organization  of  the 
union  school  in  1857.  Upon  learning  of  this  state  of  things,  the  historian  had  about  decided 
to  write  only  a  brief  history  of  the  present  schools,  but,  after  further  consideration,  he  con- 
cluded to  tap  the  memories  of  old  residents  of  the  place  and  ascertain  what  facts  could 
be  produced.  The  dedication  of  this  history  will  show  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  the 
facts  and  figures  here  contained. 

The  plan  of  procedure  has  been  substantially  as  follows:  After  learning  all  the  opin- 
ions, probable  and  improbable,  of  those  interviewed,  if  any  discrepancies  have  been  ob- 
served. I  have  weighed  the  testimony  according  to  my  best  judgment  and  woven  what 
seemed  to  be  the  facts  into  the  present  nan-ative.  No  doubt  there  are  those  who  will  dis- 
pute some  of  the  data,  and  possibly  the  occuri-ence  of  some  of  the  events;  but  if  I  have 
succeeded  in  getting  things  doubtful  within  reasonable  bounds  of  aecui'acy  and  time  of 
events,  I  shall  feel  that  my  labors  have  not  been  wholly  improfitable.  I  have  endeavored 
to  make  this  history  an  impartial  story  of  all  the  past  and  present,  ]iublic,  private  and 
denominational  schools  of  this  town.  Should  any  who  may  read  these  pages  be  able  to 
positively  assert  that  any  fact  has  been  erroneously  stated,  or  should  any  event  of  interest 
not  herein  stated  be  recalled  by  any  person,  I  shall  be  only  too  glad  to  make  such  altera- 
tions or  additions  as  can  be  positively  affirmed. 

Schoolhouses  were  a  luxury  unknovni  in  the  school  history  of  Mount  Clemens  pre- 
vious to  about  1838  or  1835.  All  schools  previous  to  that  time  were  taught  in  private 
buildings  fitted  up  temporarily  for  school  piu'poses,  and  also  in  the  old  log  court  house-- 
the  first  court  house  and  jail,  combined,  that  Macomb  County  ever  called  her  own.  It 
was  built  upon  the  site  of  the  present  Macomb  County  Court  House,  the  fu-st  tloor  being 
used  for  jail  purposes  and  the  second  floor  served  the  triple  purpose  of  court  room,  school 
room  and  church.  It  was  built  in  1819  and  biu^ned  in  1839,  being  set  on  fii'e  by  one  of 
the  prisoners. 

The  lu-st  school  taught  in  Mount  Clemens  was  held  in  a  building  then  standing  on 
the  west  side  of  Front  street,  about  opposite  M.  Peltier's  blacksmith-shop.  The  teacher, 
also  singing-master,  was  Mr.  Prescott.  He  taught  in  1818  or  1819.  The  school  was  of 
short  dm-ation,  he  having  only  three  pupils,  one  of  them  being  Mrs.  Gallup,  now  living 
on  North  Gratiot  street,  and,  as  a  conseqiience,  he  became  disgusted  with  the  prospective 
literary  attainments  of  Mount  Clemens  and  left  in  "high  dudgeon."  In  18'2(>,  Samuel  B. 
Beach — a  poet — afterward  a  lawyer,  taught  in  the  log  com't  house.  He  had  a  large  school 
for  that  early  day  and  was  a- successful  teacher. 

Soon  after  this  time — probably  about  1821 — a  girl  by  the  name  of  McCall  taught  in 
the  court  house.     James  C.  Edgerly  was  teacher  in  1S22  or  1823  in  the  coiu't  house. 

Richard  Butler,  whose  name  appears  in  the  history  of  the  schools  in  the  '"Tucker 
Settlement,'"  came  to  this  part  of  the  counti-y  in  1823.  He  first  taught  in  a  building 
standing  near  where  Mrs.  Czizek's  house  now  is,  on  Court  street.  In  1824,  the  spring  of 
the  year,  he  taught  in  a  school  building  that  was  called  the  "old  potter^'."  The  building 
stood  on  the  present  Opera  House  site.      The  first  floor  of  the  building  was  used  for  mak- 


X. 


J> 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


iiig  a  coarse  kind  of  earthenware:  the  second  floor  was  used  for  school  purposes.  Mr. 
Butler  afterward  taught  in  the  Detroit  schools  a  number  of  years.  Linus  Moore  taught 
a  school  in  18"24.  in  the  court  house.  In  182(j.  the  Cooley  Building,  a  hewed-log  affair, 
was  standing  on  Front  street.  Just  south  of  Mr.  Heine's  present  stores.  For  a  number  of 
years,  one  of  the  rooms  in  that  building  was  used  for  a  school  room.  In  1820,  a  Mr. 
Hamlin  taught  there.     After  completing  his  school,  he  returned  to  Warsaw,  N.  Y. 

Mr.  Warner,  quite  an  old  gentleman  at  that  time,  taught  in  the  coiu't  house  in  1827  or 
1828.  He  had  a  large  school  —twenty-five  or  thirty  pupils.  He  taiight  several  "quai'ters" 
of  twelve  weeks  each.  He  was  a  man  especially  fond  of  mushrooms,  and  his  gathering 
and  taking  them  to  his  boai'ding  places — of  course  he  "boarded  around" — to  be  cooked, 
used  to  be  a  caiise  of  much  wonderment  among  the  children.  In  the  summer  season,  for 
(pite  a  number  of  years,  probably  about  1828  to  1835,  Miss  Lucy  Mather  taught  school 
in  the  building  on  Front  street,  opposite  M.  Peltier's  blacksmith  shop,  where  Mr,  Pres- 
cott,  the  first  Mt.  Clemens  teacher,  taught.  James  Crouk  taught  in  the  court  house  about 
1830.      Mr.  Richardson  probably  taught  in  the  same  place  about  1830  or  1831. 

From  1830  to  1840,  the  interest  of  the  jieople  in  schools  seemed  to  materially  in- 
crease. It  was  during  this  period  that  the  foundation  of  the  present  school  system  was 
laid,  and  the  schools  became,  to  a  certain  extent,  public.  Those  who  peruse  this  history 
cannot  but  observe  the  multiplicity  of  places  where,  at  some  time  or  another,  schools  have 
been  taught.  By  careful  computation,  it  has  been  ascertained  that  no  less  than  fifty 
places  are  mentioned  in  this  history,  wherein  schools  have  been  held  in  this  town.  Cer- 
tainly we  ought  to  be  a  most  intellectual  people,  using  this  fact  as  a  basis  for  our  judg- 
ment. The  old  log  court  house  was  still  the  most  prominent  of  school  buildings.  The 
names  of  the  teachers,  so  far  as  could  be  ascertained,  who  taught  there  from  1830  to  1840, 
are  the  following:  Miss  Parker,  in  about  1833;  Mrs.  Joel  Tucker,  in  1833  and  1834; 
Daniel  Daniels,  in  1834  and  1835;  Dr.  Campbell,  in  1835;  Miss  Zemira  Hall,  in  the 
summers  of  1830  and  1838;  Dr.  Philo  Tillson,  in  the  winters  of  1837  and  1838,  and  1838 
and  18311;  Miss  Dana,  in  1839.  Miss  Parker  was  a  most  genteel  lady,  and  afterward 
married  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  by  the  name  of  A\'hite.  Joel  Tucker  removed  here  from 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  merchant,  doing  business  on  Front  street,  near  the  site  of  Mil- 
ler's Brewery,  Mrs.  Joel  Tucker  teaching  in  the  meantime.  Mr.  Tucker  and  Mr.  Daniels 
afterward  removed  to  Algonac,  where  they  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  milling  business. 

The  historian  is  especially  indebted  to  Miss  Zemira  Hall  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Foster  for 
accurate  information  of  the  schools  of  this  period.  Philo  Tillson  is  at  present  a  resident 
of  Romeo.  Miss  Zemira  Hall  had  about  thirty-five  puj)ils  belonging  to  her  school.  The 
tuition  charged  was  $2  per  pupil  for  a  quarter  of  twelve  weeks.  In  1832,  Richardson 
taught  in  the  Cooley  building,  on  Front  street.  This  school  was  a  spring  and  summer 
term.  Mi-s.  John  Gilbert  had  a  private  school  in  the  Gilbert  House,  on  New  street,  in 
1835  and  1830,  the  building  in  which  she  taught  standing  on  the  site  of  the  present  Pin- 
gree  property.  Her  school  numbered  about  twenty  or  twenty-five  pupils.  She  probably 
taught  in  that  place  for  a  number  of  years — from  1835  to  1838  or  1839.  Miss  Adeline 
Rutter,  now  Mi-s.  John  James,  of  Detroit,  taught  a  school  in  1837  or  1838.  in  a  liuilding 
then  standing  on  Market  street,  near  the  site  of  Heine's  tailor-shop. 

The  Brown  building,  on  the  present  site  of  Jacob  Shock's  store  and  John  Roskojip's 
meat  market,  was  another  school  location.  A  room  in  this  building  on  the  second  floor 
was  fitted  up  for  school  and  church  pui'poses.  Norton  tau_^ht  a  small  select  school  in  this 
place  in  1837  and  1838.  He  was  a  good  teacher,  and  afterward  probably  kept  a  school 
on  Fi-ont  street,  about  the  site  of  M.  Peltier's  blacksmith  shop.  In  the  winter  of  1840-41, 
Mr.  Cilley  had  a  school  in  the  Brown  building. 

From  about  1838  to  1840  or  1841,  there  was  a  school  in  Marcellus,    South  Gratiot 

<^l®         r~  — ^        i>  "V 

T  ^ 


street,  presided  over  by  Oran  Freeman  and  Robert  Thompson.  Others  taught  in  the  same 
place,  but  the  names  of  the  teachers  are  not  to  be  ascertained.  Miss  Delia  Smith,  after- 
ward Mrs.  Dr.  Babeock,  taught  a  school  in  the  Fiero  House,  on  Front  street,  in  the 
winter  of  1889-40.  She  taught  a  twelve  weeks'  term,  enrolling  forty-six  pupils,  averag- 
ing about  forty  per  day.  From  1840  to  1843,  Miss  Mary  Bacon  taught  school  in  the  Gil- 
bert House,  on  New  street,  and  in  the  Lee  House,  on  Market  street. 

From  the  records  in  the  office  of  Register  of  Deeds,  I  learn  that  Christian  Clemens, 
in  November,  1834,  deeded  to  School  District  No.  7  the  southwest  corner  lot  at  the  junc- 
tion of  New  and  Cheriy  streets.  Mr.  Pelton's  i-esidence  now  occupies  the  site.  The  con- 
sideration was  $1,  with  the  proviso  that  the  same  be  used  forever  for  school  purposes. 

The  officers  of  the  district  at  that  time  (1834)  were  John  Stockton.  Joel  Tucker  and 
R.  O.  Cooley.  I  shall  call  this  district  Old  No.  7,  in  contradistinction  to  New  No.  7,  which 
had  an  existence  afterward.  The  district  jirobably  included  all  the  village  of  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, with  considerable  surrounding  country.  The  schoolhouse'  was  probably  built  in 
1834.  It  was  a  good  school  building  for  those  early  days.  The  seats  were  placed  around 
the  walls,  with  desks  in  front,  and  another  row  of  seats  in  front  of  the  desks.  As  to  the 
time  this  district  had  an  existence,  there  seems  to  be  some  controversy.  Mrs.  Dr.  Bab- 
cock  thinks  the  schoolhouse  burned  in  1841,  and  seems  positive  that  she  is  right,  as  she 
was  teaching  there  at  that  time.  Others  assert  quite  as  positively  that  the  house  was  not 
burned  until  1843.  The  preponderance  of  testimony  seems  to  favor  the  latter  opinion. 
The  district  was  probably  organized  in  1834,  and  merged  into  New  No.  7  in  1843  or  1844. 

The  date  of  the  grant  to  the  district  hj  Mr.  Clemens  would  seem  to  fix  the  first  date. 
Some  think  that  the  house  was  not  originally  intended  for  school  purposes,  but  had  to  be 
made  over,  so  to  sjseak.  for  school  uses.  From  what  I  regard  as  the  most  positive  author- 
ity, I  incline  to  the  belief  that  the  house  was  built  for  a  school.  The  fu-st  schools  laught 
here  were  of  the  same  character  as  those  previously  taught  in  other  places  in  town.  The 
new  school  law  was  not  enacted  until  1837  or  1838,  after  which  time  the  school  became, 
to  a  certain  extent,  public.  The  first  teacher  was  Thomas  Richardson.  The  wages  of 
teachers  were  raised  by  subscription,  all  who  were  interested  in  maintaining  the  school 
paying  what  they  thought  they  were  able  for  the  support  of  the  schools. 

The  names  of  the  other  teachers  so  far  as  learned,  of  old  No.  7.  were  Ii'a  Stout,  1834 
or  1835;  Miss  Prudence  Cook,  now  Mrs.  Pratt,  in  1835;  Mi-s.  John  Gilbert,  in  1835;  Cary 
Worden,  probably  in  1835  and  1836  (one  term  only);  Mr.  William  Campbell,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1836 — 37.  About  1837  or  1838,  a  gentleman  who  was  nicknamed  "Our  Oruament." 
The  true  name  could  not  be  remembered.  He  was  lather  unpopular,  but  had  been  spoken 
of  at  a  prayer  meeting  as  an  ornament  to  the  town — hence  the  cognomen.  Jefi'eries  in 
1838  or  1839;  Jones  in  the  fall  of  1839  or  winter  of  1840;  Miss  Delia  Smith  (Mrs.  Dr. 
Babeock),  in  1841;  Miss  Elizabeth  Sacket  (Mrs.  William  Campbell),  in  1841  or  1842,  for  a 
year  or  more;  Miss  Sarah  Murray,  now  Mrs.  McDonald,  of  Detroit,  in  1843.  It  is 
claimed  that  when  Miss  Mm-ray  was  teaching,  the  schoolhouse  burned,  being  set  on  tire  by 
ashes  left  in  a  barrel  in  the  vestibule.  Of  these  teachers  named,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell, 
Mrs.  Pratt  and  Mrs.  Dr.  Babeock  live  on  Shelby  street.  Mr.  Campbell's  school  numbered 
from  90  to  120. 

Cary  Worden  was  excessively  fond  of  strong  drink.  It  is  said  that  he  would  so  far 
forget  his  dignity  as  a  teacher  as  to  get  gloriously  drunk,  then  go  to  the  schoolhouse  and 
there  sleep  oft"  his  deljauch — sometimes  in  school  hom's.  When  he  awoke  from  his  di-unk- 
en  stupor,  almost  invai'iably  he  would  beat  the  fkst  pupil  he  saw  for  some  imaginary 
ofi'ense.  The  pupils  at  one  time  by  preconcerted  action,  gave  him  a  good  sound  drulibing 
in  payment  of   "old  scores." 

At  the  time  the  new  school  law  went  in  force,  there  was  much  opposition  to  it  because 


i    V 


.^ 


dA 


it  was  surmised  that  expenses  of  maintaining  schools  would  be  increased.  Under  the  new 
law.  Mr.  James  Williams  was  elected  Moderator.  He  did  much  to  assure  the  people  that 
the  cost  would  not  be  increased,  while  the  gain  in  superior  school  facilities  would  be 
liU'gely  augmented. 

Even  at  what  may  appear  a  rather  late  date  (1836  to  1840),  the  Indians  were  very 
plentiful  in  this  part  of  the  State.  They  used  to  assemble  in  quite  large  numbers,  build 
their  camp-fu-es  and  execute  their  war  dances  on  the  site  of  the  present  Methodist  Church. 

Apropos  to  this  subject,  an  interesting  event  occurred  while  William  Campbell  was 
teaching  in  No.  7.  The  boys  and  girls  used  to  have  separate  recesses.  The  boys  at  their 
recess  time  were  in  the  habit  of  going  to  an  old  barn  situated  in  the  woods,  about  opposite 
the  present  residence  of  A.  T.  Donaldson,  on  North  Branch  street,  to  play.  One  day 
while  there,  William  Rutter  and  Floyd  Allen,  two  school-boys,  came  unexpected  u])on  the 
dead  Ijody  of  an  Indian  covered  by  hay  and  straw.  Of  course,  they  did  uot  remain  long 
to  investigate,  but  had  a  sudden  call  elsewhere.  The  whole  town  soon  knew  of  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  finding,  and,  upon  investigation,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  body  was 
one  that  had  been  decently  interred  only  a  short  time  before.  The  Indians  were  very 
wroth  and  suspected  that  Dr.  Campbell  and  Dr.  Henry  Taylor  were  instrumental  in  resur- 
recting the  body  for  purposes  of  dissection.  The  suspicion  growing,  the  Indians  began 
to  mutter  threatenings  until  they  became  so  loud  that  Dr.  Campbell  sought  safety  in  a 
foreign  locality  and  Dr.  Taylor  kept  himself  secreted  for  a  time  until  the  excitement  had 
abated. 

Other  versions  are  given  to  this  Indian  story.  One  is  to  the  effect  that  the  doctors 
named  did  emj^loy  a  man  to  provide  them  a  cadaver  for  dissection.  The  wi-ong  body  was 
obtained  and  secreted  in  the  barn.  The  Indian  chief  was  called  from  Salt  Kiver  who 
pacified  his  people,  and  those  who  were  regarded  by  the  Indians  as  the  sinners.  ])urchased 
their  pardon  with  a  gallon  of   "'fire-water." 

^Ir.  Jeffreys  was  a  severe  disciplinarian.  He  used  to  offer  jtiayer  twice  a  day.  at 
opening  and  closing  of  school.  During  one  of  the  prayers,  the  hat  of  one  of  the  pupils, 
Granville  Chappell  by  name,  blew  out  of  the  window.  Granville,  not  wishing  to  lose 
his  hat,  followed  through  the  window.  Mr.  Jefl'erys  sent  the  guilty  youth  after  some 
switches,  which  were  emjsloyed  in  teaching  Granville  proper  decoriun  diu'ing  prayers. 

Mrs.  Babcock  received  as  tuition  of  pupils  piu-suing  the  common  English  branches, 
gi-ammar,  arithmetic,  geography,  etc.,  $2  per  quarter  of  twelve  we^ks.  For  primary  pu- 
pils, $1.50  per  quarter  was  charged.  Mrs.  Babcock  states  that  while  she  was  teaching, 
in  1841.  the  house  burned,  and  she  completed  the  term  in  a  house  then  standing  near  the 
present  old  jail.  The  house  has  since  burned.  Thus  endeth  the  history  of  old  School 
District,  No.  7. 

Note. — Previous  to  thu  building  of  Mount.  Clemens  cliuiciirs.  clninli  services  were  held  in  some 
of  the  numerous  .sehool-roonis  of  the  town.  The  Presbyteriiiii-  \v.ii^lii|,((l  in  the  log  court  house.  The 
Methodists  worshiped  in  the  schoolhouse  of  old  No.  7.  The  Haiitisis  worshiped  in  an  old  log  building 
situated  about  on  the  present  site  of  E.  J.  Okie's  store.  The  Episcopalians  afterward  used  the  log 
court  house,  and  the  Presbj'terians  went  to  the  "Brown  building." 

I  shall  treat  of  the  history  of  the  schools  from  1840  to  1857  as  a  unit,  because  diu-ing 
this  period  several  new  schools  were  organized,  and  afterward  (1857)  they  were  all  merged 
into  the  union  school. 

The  order  of  discussion  will  be;  1.  Private  Schools  ;  2,  the  .Academy  :  3.  the 
District  Schools. 

PRIV.iTE    SCHOOLS 1840    TO    1857. 

From  ISHil  to  about  1841,  Mrs.  John  Dudley,  wife  of  the  then  officiating  Presby- 
terian clergyman,  taught  a  young  ladies'  school,  first,  in  Lawyer  O'Flynn's  office,  situated 


'ix: 


:tbout  on  the  present  site  of  Biewers  brewery;  second,  in  a  building  standing  nearly  op- 
posite the  Sherman  House,  and  third,  in  the  Goldby  House,  new  standing  in  the  rear  o( 
the  Robinson  block.  She  was  assisted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Dudley,  and  it  is  said  they  taught  a 
most  excellent  school. 

In  184 1  and  184'2,  Miss  Frances  Lewis  (Mrs.  Norton  L.  Miller)  and  Miss  Hall  (Mi-s. 
Thomas  Forster)  together  taught  a  private  school  in  the  Lewis  House,  only  recently  torn 
dovm  to  make  way  for  the  new  Macomb  County  jail.  Just  previous  to  this  (1840)  Miss 
Hall  (Mrs.  Forster)  had  been  teaching  in  the  Cady  District  just  north  of  Mount  Clemens. 

In  the  winter  of  1841-42,  Miss  Zemira  Hall  (Mrs.  Forster's  sister,  taught  a  term  in 
the  Dryer  Settlement,  in  the  township  of  Lenox.  The  schoolhouse.  which  was  a  poor  old 
log  affair,  burned  during  the  term.  It  must  have  been  about  1840  or  1842  when  Simon 
S.  Hall  taught — probably  in  the  Brown  building. 

Miss  Delia  Grosvenor  (afterward  Mrs.  Goodman  and  now  Mrs.  Magee.  wife  of  Rev 
Mr.  Magee,  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  of  Detroit),  for  a  number  of  years,  from  1840  to  1845 
or  1846,  taught  in  various  places  in  town — in  the  Goldby  Hoiase,  in  the  Lewis  House,  in 
the  Lee  House,  in  James  Williams'  shop  (about  on  the  site  of  Mr.  Bentley's  jewelry-store), 
in  a  building  about  on  the  site  of  Mr.  T.  W.  Snook's  store,  and  finally,  as  Mrs.  Goodman, 
she  taught  in  the  academy.  Her  school  was  chiefly  for  young  ladies.  She  was  regarded 
as  a  teacher  of  a  high  order. 

Miss  Eliza  Hillis  (afterward  Mrs.  William  Jenney),  in  1842  to  1844  or  1845,  taught 
a  private  school  in  her  own  house  just  back  of  Father  Ryckaert's  residence  on  Pine  street, 
and  also  in  the  Lee  House.  Miss  Ada  Traver  (Mi-s.  J.  E.  Van  E])s)  taught  a  private 
school  in  the  Lee  House  about  1842  or  184:1  Miss  Harriet  Allen,  in  1842  or  1843,  taught 
a  private  school  on  East  street,  in  the  house  now  occujued  by  Charles  King.  In  1842  or 
1843,  Miss  Dana  taught  a  school  in  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Patton  on 
Pine  street.  In  1847.  Miss  Hannah  Brovsoi  taught  a  private  school  on  Fraser  street. 
Miss  Annette  Ward  taught  a  private  school  in  1847.  In  the  spring  of  1850,  Miss  Gregory 
taught  a  private  school  in  the  Fenton  House  on  Shelby  street.  The  front  room  on  the 
first  floor  was  used  as  the  school-room. 

Either  late  in  the  40's  or  early  in  the  50's,  Miss  Sarah  Murray  (now  Mrs.  McDonald) 
taught  a  private  school  in  a  yellow  house  now  standing  on  the  site  of  Van  Eps  &  Co.'s 
store.  Slie  also  taught  in  a  house  on  Shelby  street  near  the  i)resent  residence  of  Mrs. 
Axtell.  About  this  time  Miss  Margaret  Cook  taught  a  private  school  on  Macomb  street. 
Miss  Clara  Fulton,  in  about  1849  or  1850.  taught  a  private  school  in  the  building  which 
stood  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  A.  Jacobi.  The  school  was  held  on  the  second  floor. 
At  a  time  not  far  from  this.  Miss  Vaughan,  who  had  previouslj'  taught  in  the  academy, 
taught  a  private  school  in  the  Mershon  House,  one  door  north  of  Mr.  DeHate's  residence. 
North  Gratiot  street.  In  about  1850  or  1851,  Miss  Mary  Power  (afterward  Mrs.  Henry 
Wales,  recently  deceased),  taught  in  the  upper  story  of  Brehler's  wagon-shop,  on  North 
Gratiot  street. 

In  about  1840,  Miss  Mary  Fiero  taught  a  private  school  in  the  old  tannery,  formerly 
standing  on  the  site  of  Snook  &  Robinson's  stave-mill.  She  also  taught,  about  the  same 
time,  another  school  in  a  yellow  house  formerly  standing  on  the  present  Avery  House  site. 

The  last  of  the  private  'Schools,  previous  to  1857,  of  which  I  have  any  record,  was 
taught  by  Miss  Dr.  Arnold,  now  of  Detroit.  Let  me  introduce  to  the  reader  Miss  Arnold 
and  permit  her  to  speak  for  herself.      Copy  of  letter  received  from  Miss  Ai-nold: 

Detroit,  Mrcn.,  September  9,  1881. 

Prof.  8e.\r.s — Sir :  During  the  spring  of  18.57,  the  union  school  system  of  Moimt  Clemens  was 
adopted,  and  the  three  districts  made  one.  The  plan  met  witli  much  opposition  and  it  was  thought 
best  to  experiment  a  few  months  on  tlie  workings  of  the  system  using  tlie  old  buildings  before  levying 
tax  for  new  buildings?     During  the  three  j'ears  previous  to  this  I  had  been  teaching  a  large  academic 


^IV 


HISTORY    OF   MACOMB  COrXTY. 


school.  The  first  year  in  the  old  academy  building,  the  building  being  in  a  rather  dilapidated  con- 
dition, I  rented  and  fitleil  up  a  private  building  which  stood  directly  in  front  of  the  Presbyterian 
Cliurch.  and  continued  ti-.irhin^  there  until  the  spring  of  1857.  I  then  reluctantly  yielded  to  the  im- 
porliinities  of  thesclini.l  hoiinl  to  help  start  them  off  under  the  new  organization.  I  taught  in  the 
building  near  Mr.  Eldn'ili;i'<  iisidence  in  the  rear  of  the  Methodist  Church.  My  brother,  S.  O.  Arnold, 
taught  in  I  hi-  lower  district  and  a  Mr.  Coppernoll  in  the  middle  district,  where  Mr.  Bingham  had  for  a 
number  of  years  taught.  The  older  scholars  of  the  town  were  almost  universally  my  pupils  in  private 
si-hddl,  hi-iice  it  was  thought  best  by  the  board  to  allow  those  who  desired  from  tlie  other  districts  Xv  at- 
tend my  schiiol.  The  result  was.  I  bail  on  my  list  over  150  pupils  with  one  assistant.  My  salary  was  fol 
per  mimth  which  was  thought  to  lie  i:ener,,ii-,  A-2S  being  the  highest  price  paid  before  this.  I  taught 
si.x  raoMths  except  two  weeks,  being  nleaMil  lur  that  time,  with  salaiy  paid,  to  enable  me  to  start  for 
Philadelphia  in  time  to  enter  my  first  course  of  medical  lectures. 

A  part  of  the  questions  asked  I  cannot  answer,  but  you  should  have  no  difficulty  in  securing  the 
desired  information  and  probabi}'  will  not. 

Yours  respectfullj-,  Licv  M.  Ahxold. 

ii  West  Columbia  Street. 

The  three  districts  of  which  Miss  Arnold  speaks  in  the  above  letter  will  be  discussed 
immediately  after  the  history  of  the  academy  has  been  disposed  of. 

HISTORY    OF    THE    ACADEMY. 

If  your  historian  were  to  attempt  to  write  the  history  of  the  barbarons  tribes  of  Cen- 
tral Africa,  he  conldlind  but  little  less  authentic  record  than  he  has  been  able  to  ascertain 
concerning  the  academy  of  Mt.  Clemens.  No  one  seems  to  know  when  its  career  began, 
who  began  it,  how  it  was  commencecl.  how  it  was  afterward  managed,  nor  what  was  the 
order  in  rotation  of  the  instructors.  The  idea  has  Ijeeome  pretty  well  fixed  in  the  histor- 
ian's brain,  that  if  evolittion  is  a  natural  process,  it  was  most  eminently  true  of  the 
academy,  viz.,  it  began  itself,  ritn  itself,  and,  when  it  rnu  itself  ottt,  died  a  jVeaceful  and 
natiTral  death. 

The  academy  building  was  the  original  Methodist  Chiu'ch  of  Mt.  Clemens,  lately 
owned  iiy  the  German  Church  and  recently  torn  down  to  make  room  for  their  present 
brick  edifice.  The  bttilding  was  constructed  with  a  basement,  which,  for  some  time,  was 
used  for  school  purposes.  It  seems  as  far  back  as  early  in  the  40's,  the  school  was  called 
an  academy,  but  that  title  did  not  properly  ajiply  to  it  until  later,  probably  about  1850. 
From  an  old  school  record,  lately  handed  me  by  E.  "\^'right  Hall,  and  belonging  to  Old  Dis- 
trict Xo.  I — yet  to  be  discussed — I  find  that  in  18-t3  to  1846.  District  No.  1  rented  the 
basement  of  the  building  in  which  to  hold  its  district  school.  The  building  vvas  rented  of 
Robert  Thompson,  btit  was  then  owned  by  the  Methodists.  I  incline  to  the  opinion  that 
Mr.  Thomi)son  had  a  lease  to  the  building  for  a  term  of  years,  and  that  he  had  previously 
(1840—42)  taught  a  school  there.  From  records  in  the  county  register's  office,  it  appears 
that  the  Methodists  did  not  dispose  of  the  property  ttntil  1850.  It  was  then  purchased  by 
a  corporation  that  styled  itself  the  Clinton  Instittite.  The  Trustees  of  said  institute  were 
A.  C.  Smith.  "William  Jenney,  John  I.  Traver,  John  Stephens,  H.  H.  Cady  and  David 
Shook.  Probably  previous  to  this  time  (1850),  the  schools  taught  in  the  building  were 
private  schools,  except  when  District  No.  1  rented  it. 

It  had,  however,  in  some  way,  aei|uired  the  name  of  academy,  and  that  had  seemed 
to  be  its  designating  term,  but  it  was  not  until  after  1850  that  so  worthy  a  title  belonged 
to  it.  From  1850  to  about  1853,  the  academy  saw  its  palmiest  days.  After  the  Clinton 
Institute  purchased  the  building,  up  to  1862  or  1863,  when  the  Germans  bought  it,  the 
property  passed  through  several  hands,  being  owned  at  one  time,  about  1856  or  1856,  by 
William  Jenney. 

Early  in  the  40's  (1840-42).  it  appears  that  one  Eobert  ("  Bob ")  Thompson  com- 
menced teaching  in  the  academy  building.  Probably  his  was  nothing  more  than  an  ordinary 
private  school,  he  renting  the  building  of  the  Methodists  and  teaching  on  his  own  responsi- 
bility.     He  evidently  allowed  considerable  latitirde  to  the  wild  career'  of  his  pujails,  and 


^-^^—^ 


-i 


HIGH    SCHOOL    BL'LDIWG^      V1T,    CLI 


HISTORY    OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


hence,  when  Mr.  Chase  aftei^ward  taught,  he  being  a  sharp  disciplinai'ian.  the  boys  really 
and  titily  agi-eed  that  that  was  "no  Bob  Thompson's  school,  but  an  academy." 

After  Prof.  Chase,  some  of  the  teachers  were  the  following:  S.  B.  Axtell,  about  1844 
or  1845;  Carlos  Bacon,  about  1845  or  1846;  Mrs.  Goodman,  about  1846  or  1847;  Justin 
Fuller,  about  1847  or  1848:  Luther  Taylor,  about  1848  or  1849;  Nathaniel  Culver,  about 
1849  or  1850;  the  Newcombs,  in  1851  to  1853;  Miss  Dr.  Arnold,  in  1854-55.  Mi-.  Chase 
had  for  assistant  teachers  Mrs.  Forster,  Miss  Mary  Bacon  and  Miss  Vaughn.  Mr.  Chase 
was  considered  a  good  organizer  and  manager.  He  was  so  jealous  of  his  reputation  as  a 
disciplinarian  than  rather  to  pei-mit  his  honor  in  that  regard  to  suffer,  he  would  soundly 
flog  a  boy  foiu-  times  in  a  half  day,  one  of  Mt  Clemens'  prominent  professional  men  being 
a  party  to  the  transaction.  S.  B.  Axtell  has  since  been  prominently  connected  with  the 
political  afi'airs  of  New  Mexico  and  Utah  TeiTilories,  at  one  time  being  their  Governor. 
Mrs.  Goodman  has  been  previously  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  private  schools  of 
this  period.  Carlos  Bacon  besides  teaching  in  the  academy  also  conducted  one  of  the  dis- 
trict schools  aftei-ward.  Justin  Fulton  is  now  a  prominent  Baptist  clergyman  of  Boston 
(formerly  of  New  York).  Nathaniel  Culver  was  especially  esteemed  by  the  fair  sex.  He 
was  an  exemplary  young  man,  not  radically  strict  upon  discipline,  but  probably  better 
liked  on  that  account.  Miss  Catharine  Traver  (now  Mrs.  T.  M.  Crocker)  and  Miss  Lucy 
Post  were  his  assistants. 

"When  the  Newcombs  conducted  the  academy,  it  saw  its  most  prosperous  days. 
George  and  Hemy  Newcomb,  assisted  by  their  father.  Rev.  SL'.  Newcomb,  the  j^astor  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  were  the  principal  teachers.  They  were  ably  seconded  by  Miss 
Catharine  Traver  and  Miss  Julia  Mui'dock  as  assistants,  and  Miss  Tregent  as  music- 
teacher.  At  this  time,  the  school  was  quite  well  supplied  with  school  ajjparatus  and  it 
partook  of  the  nature  of  the  seminary.  The  higher  branches  were  taught,  including 
ancient  and  modern  languages.  During  this  period,  William  Jenuey,  father  of  William 
Jenney,  present  Secretary  of  State,  was  an  earnest  supporter  of  the  institution  and  did 
much  to  advance  its  interests.  Henry  Newcomb  is  now  a  lawyer  of  Ludington  and  George 
Newcomb  a  lawyer  at  East  Saginaw. 

Miss  Arnold  afterward  used  the  academy  building  for  a  year,  but  her  school  was  a 
private  one.  The  Newcombs  were  the  last  teachers  of  the  academy.  Its  light  went  out  in 
darkness,  and,  as  it  apparently  came  into  existence  without  an  eftbrt,  at  least  so  far  as 
known,  so  it  came  to  its  decease  without  a  struggle. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  schoolhouse  in  old  No.  7  was  burned  in  1843.  Dating 
from  about  this  time  (1843  to  1845).  there  were  three  districts  organized,  including  ^bout 
the  present  territory  of  Mt.  Clemens  with  some  adjacent  country.  These  districts  were 
numbered  1,  7  and  12.  The  schoolhouse  in  No.  1  was  built  in  1846  at  an  expense  of 
§30(\  Previous  to  this,  however,  District.  No.  1  had  maintained  a  school  for  several 
years  in  the  basement  of  the  academy  building,  renting  it  of  Robert  Thompson  as  already 
related. 

No.  1  Schoolhouse  was  located  on  North  Gratiot  street,  about  on  the  site  of  A.  E. 
Van  Eps'  residence. 

No.  7  Schoolhouse  was  located  on  Fraser  street,  south  of  the  Methodist  Chui'ch. 

No.  12  Schoolhouse  was  located  on  Jones  street  near  the  jjresent  location  of  the  Avery 
House  barns.  The  school  buildings  were  thought  to  be  pretty  good  for  those  times. 
Nos.  1  and  7  were  built  of  wood;  No.  12  of  brick.  The  old  school  building  of  No.  1  is 
now  used  by  Charles  Lamb  for  a  work-shoj).  It  stands  just  back  of  his  residence  on  the 
same  lot.  The  No.  7  Schoolhouse  is  preserved  in  form  and  appearance  without,  and  with- 
in it  has  been  fitted  up  for  dwelling  pui'poses  and  is  used  for  a  residence.  It  stands  on 
its  old  site.      The  schoolhouse  of  No.  12  was  larger  and  more  modern  than  the  others.     It 


was  destroyed  by  lire  iu  1848  or  1849.  but  was  rebuilt  and  used  continuously  for  school 
pm'poses  until  1857,  since  which  time  it  has  been  torn  down. 

From  Mt.  Clemens'  present  business  and  professional  men  much  has  been  learned  of 
the  secret  history  of  these  early  primary  schools.  They  recall  with  a  shudder  the  stripes 
received;  but,  with  a  keen  relish,  they  relate  the  circumstances  attending  the  tlu'owing  of 
a  teacher  out  of  doors  or  compelling  his  unconditional  surrender. 

Upon  one  of  these  occasions,  in  No.  7,  as  the  boys'  story  goes,  after  the  master  had 
been  obliged  to  run  for  his  life,  he  retm-ned  to  the  schoolhouse  where  the  boys  were  hold- 
ing the  fort,  and.  putting  his  head  in  at  the  door,  shouted:  "  O,  boys,  yoix'll  catch  it  for 
this!"  But  what  cared  the  boys.  School  was  out  for  the  day,  and,  theyprobably  reasoned, 
take  no  thought  for  the  morrow. 

Considerable  jealousy  existed  among  the  boys  of  the  various  districts  and  not  unfre- 
quently  pre-arranged  p)itched  battles  were  fought  on  the  commons  near  the  school  build- 
ings. In  that  barbarous  fashion  they  tested  their  comparative  prowess.  Woul  .  it 
not  have  been  more  civilized  had  they  fought  with  their  brains,  rather  than  with  their 
hstsy  It  was  customary  among  the  teachers  to  visit  each  other  at  their  school-rooms  and 
compare  notes.  In  this  manner,  they  enlarged  their  own  ideas,  while  at  the  same  time 
they  rendered  assistance  to  each  other.  The  means  for  acquiring  the  theory  and  art  of 
teaching  were  very  meager,  but  of  the  teachers  who  were  employed  in  these  districts  not  a 
few  used  every  aid  in  their  power  to  perfect  themselves  for  their  work — marks  of  true 
teachers.     Om-  modern  school-teachers  should  emulate  their  example. 

The  record  fiu'nished  by  Wright  Hall  has  rendered  me  valuable  assistance  in  wi'iting 
the  history  of  this  district.  It  was  organized  in  December,  1843,  Dv.  Henry  Taylor  serv- 
ing the  notice  on  the  taxable  inhabitants  of  the  district,  as  required  by  law.  The  school 
meeting,  and  afterward,  the  school,  was  held  in  the  basement  of  the  academy  building. 
The  first  officers  were:  William  Cantield,  Moderator;  John  S.  Park,  Assessor,  and  W.  H. 
Warner,  Director. 

No  fui-ther  record  of  the  district  is  found  until  1845,  when  another  notice  was  served 
on  the  taxable  inhabitants  and  a  meeting  held  in  May  of  that  year.  A  three  months' 
school  was  ordered  for  the  summer.  This  district  usually  maintained  nine  or  ten  months' 
school  dm'ing  the  year,  but,  in  1848,  a  vote  was  jsassed  to  have  a  twelve  months'  school  for 
the  ensuing  year.  This  vote,  however,  was  afterward  rescinded.  It  was  quite  generally 
the  custom  of  this  district  to  levy  a  tax  of  .Ijil  per  scholar  tipon  the  taxable  property  of  the 
district  for  defraying  the  ex2iense  of  teachers'  wages.  The  schoolhouse  was  ordered 
Iniilt  in  1847,  on  a  lot  situated  on  the  tuxnpike,  195  feet  north  of  E.  J.  Tucker's  lot. 

The  officers  of  the  district  were  the  following:  William  Canheld,  Moderator,  1843, 
1844,  1845-47.  1853-1854.  Director,  185(»-1851,  1856-1857;  W.  H.  Warner,  Di- 
rector, 1843-44,  Moderator,  1848-49;  John  S.  Park,  Assessor,  1843-44,  lS45-4();  C.  Van 
Dusen,  Director,  1845-46;  W.  S.  Robinson,  Director,  1846-48;  Moderator,  1851-53;  Ed- 
ward J.  Tucker,  Assessor,  1846-48;  Dr.  Henry  Taylor,  Moderator.  1847-4S.  Director,  1848- 
49;  John  I.  Traver,  Assessor,  1848-49.  Director,  1849-50,  1851-53;  Hiram  Bentley,  Assessor 
in  1849  by  appointment;  D.  W.  Phillips,  Moderator,  1849-50;  Richard  Stapleton,  Assess- 
or, 1849-50:  E.  C.  (lallup.  Moderator,  1850-51;  Assessor,  1854-55;  John  Tucker,  Assess- 
or, 1850-51;  George  C.  Fletcher,  Director,  1851-52;  Dennis  McCaffrey,  Assessor,  1851- 
53;  Hosea  Pratt,  Director,  1853-54;  E.  L.  Raymond,  Assessor,  1853-55,  1857;  E.Wright 
Hall,  Director.  1855-56;  J.  C.  McDonald,  Moderator,  1855-56;  T.  J.  Rutter,  Moderator, 
1856-57. 

The  teachers  of  No.  1,  so  far  as  learned,  were  the  following;  Pettibone,  1843  or 
1844;  Millard  about  1844  or  1845;  Norman  Geddes,  1845—46,  now  a  prominent  lawyer 
of  Adi-ian;    Mervin  Tabor,  1846-47,    resigned   in   March.    1847;    Joseph  Corwin,   about 


^^ 


1847  to  1849,  two  years;  Miss  Josephine  Cook,  about  1849-51:  H.  A.  Lathi-op,  1851;  Miss 
Delia  Canfield,  about  1850;  Miss  Catharine  Traver  (Mrs.  Crocker).  1851,  snininer  terra; 
Miss  Kearney  (Mrs.  O.  Chapaton),  185'2,  summer  term:  A.  L.  Bingham,  1852  to  1855: 
Mrs.  Mclntyre,  Miss  Woodi-uff,  Miss  Liva  Beach,  Miss  Sarah  Ormsby,  Miss  Scranton.  as- 
sistants to  Bingham;  Dunlap,  1853  or  1854;  Mr.  D.  Abbey,  about  1853;  Miss  Julia  Dick- 
inson, about  1854;  Miss  Fiero.  1854-55;  Gilbert  Bates,  1855-56,  one  year:  G,  W.  Cop- 
pernoll,  1856-57,  one  year.  I  have  been  informed  that  Norman  Geddes  taught  in  the 
academy.  The  school  of  No.  1 ,  which  he  taught,  was  held  in  the  basement  of  that  build- 
ing, hence  I  incline  to  the  ojiinion  that  he  did  not  conduct  the  so-called  academy.  Corbin 
was  a  first-class  teacher.  He  did  not  believe  in  committing  rules  to  memory,  but  believed 
that  if  a  jnipil  could  solve  a  certain  class  of  problems,  he  could  state  a  rule  for  the  pro 
cess,  a  fallacy  which  can  easily  be  proved.  The  house  was  seated  in  an  old-fashioned 
way — seats  running  around  the  walls  of  the  room.  It  is  stated  that  Corbin  was  obliged  to 
enlarge  the  house,  because  of  the  number  of  pupils,  which  he  did  by  building  a  rough  ad- 
dition to  one  side  of  the  building.  My  informant  rather  thinks  that  Corbin  did  this  at 
his  own  expense,  but  is  uot  sure  that  he  was  not  aided  by  the  district.  Miss  Josephine 
Cook,  now  Mrs.  Ashley,  is  at  present  a  very  successful  teacher  in  the  pul)lic  schools  of 
Cohimbus.  Ohio.  Dunlap  was  a  red-headed  man  with  a  crippled  baud.  During  his 
reign,  the  boys  did  about  as  they  pleased.  Upon  rhetorical  exercise  days,  after  each  ex- 
ercise the  pupils  would  cla]i  their  hands  and  stamp  their  feet.  It  is  proper  to  say  that 
each  pupil  was  greeted  with  a  round  of  applause.  At  one  time,  to  add  eclat  to  the  scene, 
one  of  the  boys  threw  a  large  bottle,  which  he  had  brought  for  the  purpose,  upon  the 
stove,  breaking  it  into  a  thousand  pieces,  thus  increasing  the  "bedlam."'  Dunlap  sent 
out  Hosea  Pi-att  for  some  switches  one  day,  and  Hosea  brought  in  some  rose-bush  stalks 
covered  with  prickles.  It  is  not  related  whether  he  used  them  on  Hosea  as  he  deserved. 
It  is  stated  on  good  authority  that  the  pupils  respected  Miss  Traver  very  highly,  and  that 
her  influence  over  them,  not  only  in  the  school-room,  but  upon  the  street,  vras  most  salu- 
taiy.  Miss  Kate  Kearney  was  the  true  type  of  a  teacher,  enthusiastic  and  earnest.  She 
also  taught  in  No.  7.  A.  L.  Bingham  is  sjjoken  of  by  all  as  a  very  excellent  teacher. 
He  has  followed  the  profession  of  teaching  almost  continuously  until  the  present,  and,  in 
fact,  is  now  teaching  at  Freeland,  near  Saginaw.  He  lives  at  East  Saginaw  and  has  held 
offices  of  trust.  I  wrote  to  Bingham  for  information  in  regard  to  his  work  here  as  a 
teacher.  He  did  not  seem  inclined  to  comply  with  the  retjuest,  and  stated  as  one  of  his 
reasons  as  follows:  "'It  is  far  from  being  a  pleasant  subject.  When  poor  and  in  debt, 
needing  all  my  hard-earned  wages,  a  Mt.  Clemens  school  board  refused  to  pay  me  a  lial- 
ance  of  $100  honestly  due  me.  when  I  left  to  labor  with  a  peoj)le  who  did  and  who  still  do 
pay  their  teachers." 

While  he  was  teaching  at  Mt.  Clemens,  there  was  to  be  a  teachers'  institute  at  TJtica. 
Bingham  endeavored  to  prevail  upon  other  teachers  in  town  to  make  up  a  wagon-load  and 
go  over  with  him.  All  to  no  avail.  Those  teachers,  like  some  of  those  at  the  present, 
probably  thought  they  "  knew  it  all,''  and  had  nothing  fm'ther  to  acquire.  Bingham  went 
alone  and  on  foot.  The  others,  who  had  refused  to  go.  hearing  of  what  he  had  done,  re- 
pented, got  up  their  load  and  siTrprised  him  by  their  attendance  upon  the  institute.  Bing- 
ham used  to  make  Washington's  birthday  a  sort  of  gala  day.  when  his  school  pre]iared 
exercises  to  speak  and  read,  and  addresses  were  delivered  to  the  |iupils  by  prominent  men 
in  town.     It  was  a  sort  of  "  W'ashingtou's  Memorial  Day.'" 

In  March,  1855,  a  teachers"  institute  was  held  at  Mt.  Clemen^,  which  was  largely 
attended  and  very  successful. 

Gilbei't  Bates  had  formerly  taught  in  No.  12,  and  was  well  liked.  He  was  an  e.wel- 
lent  mathematician.     He  afterward  became  a  surveA'or  and  gave   much  attention  to  civil 


rrv* 


556 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


engineering.  He  was  elected  County  Surveyor  in  one  of  the  northern  counties  of  this 
State,  a  few  years  since.  He  died  a  few  years  ago.  Coppernoll  was  a  good  man  and  a 
good  teacher. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Geddes,  who  is  Probate 
Judge  of  Lenawee  County.      I  give  it  in  full; 

Probate  Court  Lenawee  County,  Nok-Man  Geddes,  Judge.       •     / 
Adkian,  Mich..  November  1,  1881.  S 

Mr.  Wesi.ky  Seahs,  Mount  Clemens — Dear  Sir :  Oii  my  return  home  after  an  absence  of  two 
weeks.  I  fear  yours  t>{  ilie  l.Sth  ult.  I  hasten  to  reply,  but  find  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  ijve  you  any 
information  that  will  lie  of  service.  I  went  to  Mount  Clemens  in  184::i  and  remained  until  \^^l>  ;  was  a 
student  in  the  office  of  Richard  Butler  and  also  of  the  late  Ciles  ilubbard.  While  there.  I  taught  three 
terms  in  what  I  think  was  called  the  north  district,  oci-upyin;;-  the  basement  of  a  Methodist  Church, 
which  then  stood  in  a  northwesterly  direction  from  the  cniiri  Inmse,  not  far  from  the  residence  of  the 
late  Dr.  Henry  Tajior  and  Dr.  Babcock,  both  of  whom  \m  iv  ikiMmus.  I  do  not  know  who  preceded  or 
succeeded  me.  It  is  my  recollection  that  there  were  two  districts,  in  one  of  which  the  late  Andrew  S. 
Robertson  taught  at  the  same  time.  I  know  that  Mr.  Robertsim  and  I  roomed  together  while  we  were 
teaching  in  the  village.  We  were  friends  and  kept  up  a  correspondence  for  several  years.  I  have 
known  many  able  men  in  my  time,  but  have  never  known  or  associated  with  any  man  intimately,  for 
whom  1  had  such  admiration  as  for  Andrew  S.  Robertson.  His  knowledge  of  En.glish  literature  was 
very  extensive  ;  his  taste  and  appreciation  of  the  beautiful,  of  the  higliest  order.  He  was  a  generous, 
warm-hearted  friend,  and  I  shall  always  remember  iT.y  association  with  him  and  the  time  spent  in 
>[ount  Clemens  as  one  of  the  most  delightful  memories.  In  the  school  taught  by  me,  only  the  English 
branches  were  taught.  I  think  Mr.  Roiicrtson  had  a  L.itin  <  la^s.  luu  it  was  very  small.  We  each  re- 
ceived $18  permon'h  and  board  among  the  patrons  if  we  chose  to  avail  ourselves  of  it.  Think  I 
averaged  some  thirty  pupils;  that  Gen.  Canfleld,  Dr.  Babcock  and  Dr.  Taylor  were  ofticcf^  of  the  dis- 
trict. I  cannot  ri.'C  the  exact  time  in  which  I  taught,  but  think  it  was  in  1845  or  1846.  Their  wi-  no 
academy  at  Mount  Clemens  while  I  was  there,  at  least  I  have  no  recollections  of  theic  U<'iu-^  -iicli. 
Among  my  pupils  now  living  I  only  recall  young  Dr.  Taylor.  A  Mr.  Axtell  was  teaching  ciijin  l.ciore 
or  after  I  tau.i,dit,  but  I  am  not  ciiinin  whether  in  the  village  or  not.  I  regret  that  I  ctuiiiot  gi\i'  you 
anything  of  interest,  liut  the  tm  t  is  that  neither  Robertson  nor  I  taught  school  save  a^  ,i  means  to 
something  else,  and  were  alway-  i;lad  when  the  quarter  ended  and  we  could  draw  our  large  ( '.')  salaries. 
Hoping  you  may  be  more  successful  in  other  quarters,  I  am 

Very  truly  yours.  Noumax  Geddes. 

The  sehoolhouse  of  District  No.  7  was  located  on  Fraser  street,  south  of  the  Method- 
ist Church.       The  building  still  stands  on  the  same  site  and  is  used  for  a  dwelling-hotise. 

Teachers  of  No.  7 — Andrew  S.  Robertson,  1845  or  IS-tH,  assisted  by  Miss  Amorette 
Childs;  Rev.  Mr.  Hudson,  about  184(5:  Thomas  Patton,  about  1846  or  1847;  Carlos  Ba- 
con, about  1848  to  1850,  assisted  by  Jeannette  Lufkin  and  Josephine  Cook:  Mr.  Pettibone, 
about  1848  to  1850,  assisted  by  Miss  Helen  Dunham;  A.  L.  Bingham,  1850-53.  assisted  by 
Miss  Cynthia  Cole  and  Misa  Leonard;  Charles  Dennison,  1853,  in  the  fall  of  the  year, 
until  the  fall  of  1854,  assisted  by  Miss  Catharine  Kearney  (Jlrs.  O.  Chapatou)  and  Miss 
Mary  Dixon;  Edward  Bentley,  about  1854  or  1855;  Robert  Campbell,  about  1855  or  1856. 

The  district  was  organized  about  1845.  Some  of  its  officers  were:  Moore  Stephens, 
at  one  time  Moderator;  William  Longstaif,  at  one  time  Director;  William  Roy.  at  one 
time  Assessor;  John  Dixon,  at  one  time  Assessor;  Silas  Dixon  and  A.  C,  Smith. 

A.  S.  Robertson,  if  he  ivas  not  the  first  teacher  in  No.  7,  w;is  certainly  one  of  the 
tirst.  He  afterward  was  one  of  Mt.  Clemens'  prominent  professional  and  business  men. 
also  State  Senator,  and,  for  a  long  time,  was  connected  with  the  union  scliool  as  an  officer. 
He  was  a  thorough  teacher  and  well  liked.  Hudson  was  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Church 
at  the  time  he  taught.  Thomas  Patton  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Mt.  Clemens.  He 
afterward  returned  to  New  York  State,  where  he  soon  after  died  of  consumption.  Carlos 
Bacon,  also  a  teacher  at  one  time  in  the  academy,  was  not,  strictly  speaking,  a  success  in 
disciplining.  His  failure  in  this  respect  resulted  in  sending  some  of  the  ••unrulies"  to 
the  Romeo  Academy,  then  a  branch  of  the  State  University.  It  is  not  reported  that  the 
said  "  unrulies"  ever  succeeded,  or  even  attempted,  to  Hog  the  Principal  of  that  institu- 
tion.     Miss  Lufkin  is   now  JVIrs.  Benjamin,  of  Romeo.     Miss   Josephine  Cook  has  been 


^^ 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


mentioned  in  connection  with  the  schools  in  No.  1.  Ezra  Pettibone  taught  in  No.  7  a 
year  or  more,  1849 — 50.  A.  L.  Bingham  was  the  same  thorongh-going  teacher  in  No.  7  as 
in  No.  1.  Miss  Leonard,  since  Mrs.  J.  Brigg,  of  Chesterfield,  died  in  1880.  Miss  Cyn- 
thia Cole  is  now  Mrs.  Melville  Pashal,  of  Bay  City,  Mich.  Charles  Dennison  is  now  a 
prominent  lawyer  of  Bay  City,  and  qiiite  a  politician  withal.  He  commenced  teaching  in 
the  fall  of  1853.  and  continued  the  school  till  about  Thanksgiving.  1854.  He  then  left, 
and  his  assistant.  Miss  Kearney,  assumed  control,  with  Miss  Mary  Dixon  as  her  assistant. 
The  board  earnestly  re<piested  Miss  Kearney  to  teach  a  year,  but  she  prefen-ed  to  teach  at 
Bed  Run,  where  she  had  formerly  lived,  and  where  her  services  were  also  in  great 
demand.  She  conducted  a  school  at  Bed  Run  in  the  winter  of  1854-55.  When  Miss 
Kearney  was  assistant  teacher,  her  wages  were  $3  per  week;  when  Principal  of  the 
school,  they  were  raised  to  §5  per  week.  Her  board-bill  had  to  be  paid  out  of  these 
wages.  Board  cost  in  those  days  from  $1.25  to  $1.50  per  week.  Wages  were  low, 
board  low  and  clothing  cheap.  Miss  Kearney  was  a  most  enthusiastic  teacher.  She 
has  now  in  her  possession  some  of  the  contracts  and  certificates  upon  which  she  used 
to  teach.  Edward  Bentley  recently  died  at  Armada.  Robert  Campbell  is  now  a  farmer 
near  Utiea.     No.  7  was  merged  into  the  Union  School  District  in   1857. 

The  schoo'house  of  No.  12  was  situated  near  the  present  site  of  the  Avery  House 
barns.  It  was  a  brick  building  and  was  built  in  1845.  This  was  the  largest  district  of 
the  town,  the  eni'ollment  of  pupils  usually  reaching  the  respectable  number  or  90  to  100. 
No.  12  was  organized  as  a  district  in  1843,  schoolhouse  built  in  1845,  biu-ned  in  1848  or 
1849  and  immediately  rebuilt  with  improvements,  making  it  by  far  the  best  schoolhouse 
then  in  Mt.  Clemens. 

Teachers  of  No.  12- Miss  Zemira  Hall,  in  the  winter  of  1843-44;  Miss  Eliza  Hall 
(Mrs.  Thomas  Forster),  in  the  winter  of  1844-45;  Miss  Josephine  Cook,  one  year,  1845- 
46;  Miss  Marv  MiuTav,  about  1846  or  1847;  Miss  May  Fiero,  about  1847,  one  term  only; 
Miss  Jane  Dodge,  about  1847  or  1848;  Mr.  Gibbs,"  about  1847  or  1848;  Mr.  Corbin, 
about  1847  or  1848;  Miss  Rich,  about  1848  or  1849;  Mr.  Sibley,  about  1848  or  1849; 
Ml-.  Flowers,  about  1849  or  1850;  Mr.  Mason  Cole,  about  1850  or  1851:  Mr.  Perrin  Craw- 
ford, about  1850  or  1851;  Mr.  Samuel  Estabrook,  about  1851  or  1852;  Mr.  Levi  Craw- 
ford, about  1851  or  1852;  Mr.  Gilbert  Bates.  1852-55;  Mr.  John  Barry,  1855-56:  Mr. 
Asahel  Crawford,  about  1855  or  1856;-  Mr.  Arnold,  1856-57. 

Miss  Zemira  Hall  and  Miss  Eliza  Hall  taught  in  No.  12  before  the  schoolhouse  was 
built:  Miss  Zemira  Hall  in  the  ''Brown  building"  and  Miss  Eliza  Hall  in  what  was  for- 
merly known  as  the  "  Roskopp  House,''  now  remodeled  and  forming  the  i-ear  of  the  Cen- 
tral Park  House.  Miss  Josephine  Cook  was  the  first  teacher  in  the  schoolhouse.  After 
Mr.  Ciibbs  completed  his  school,  he  was  acting  fi-eight  agent  on  the  steamboat  dock.  He 
afterward  went  East.  During  Miss  Rich"s  school,  the  house  took  fire  from  ashes  in  a 
barrel  standing  in  the  vestibule  of  the  building.  The  janitor  at  the  time  was  James  Ma- 
gany,  who  cared  for  the  building  and  took  his  pay  in  ashes  from  the  school  fires.  The 
historian  is  unable  to  say  whether  he  was  allowed  to  claim  the  ashes  of  the  building. 
Miss  Rich  finished  her  school  in  what  was  called  the  "pot-room"'  at  the  glass  factory,  lo- 
cated on  the  site  of  the  Mt.  Clemens  Mineral  Spring.  The  room  was  fitted  up  for  tem- 
porary use  only.  The  walls  of  the  old  school  building  were  not  seriously  injured,  and 
were  largely  used  in  the  new  house.  The  school  in  this  district  was  larger  than  usual 
about  this  time,  because  of  the  increase  in  the  number  of  families,  due  to  the  munerous 
employes  of  the  glass  works.  Ctjrbin  has  already  been  mentioned  in  connection  with  the 
school  of  No.  1.  He  is  now  an  Episcopal  clergyman.  Mr.  Sibley  was  obliged  to  give  up 
his  school  fi-om  failing  eyesight.  Flowers  was  somewhat  of  a  musician.  He  used  to  lead 
the  singing  with  the  violin.      At  the  close  of  the  term,  his  school  had  a  picnic.     They  pa- 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


railed  the  streets,  brought  up  at  the  schoolhouse,  '"  spoke  pieces,  sang,  picnicked  "  on  the 
school  lawn,  and  had  a  grand  time  in  general.  Flowers  is  laconically  described  by  one  of 
Mt.  Clemens"  merchants  as  "business.''  Mr.  Cole  lives  in  the  northern  part  of  Macomb 
Couutv,  and  is  somewhat  of  a  politician.  He  had  some  trouble  with  a  b(j}'  named  John 
O'Neil.  Said  John  was  so  effectually  scai'ed  by  the  declaration  that  "'there's  power  in 
that  right  ai'm"  he  (John)  fled  from  the  schoolhouse  in  terror. 

Perrin  Crawford  was  the  first  of  three  brothers  who  taught  in  No.  12.  He  read  law 
at  the  same  time  in  the  (jffice  of  Eldredge  &  Hubbard.  He  taught  one  or  two  years,  and 
died  soon  after  at  Mt.  Clemens.  Just  previous  to  teaching  in  Mt.  Clemens,  Estabrook 
graduated  from  the  State  University,  having  been  assisted  in  acquiring  his  education  by 
his  brother.  He  was  not  averse  to  using  the  birch,  as  some  of  Mt.  Clemens'  business 
men  well  recollect.  Levi  Crawford  was  Crawford  No.  2.  An  event  occurred  while  he 
was  teaching  which  few,  if  any,  of  his  pupils  ever  forgot.  One  afternoon  at  rece.ss,  some 
red  pepper  was  thrown  upon  the  hot  stove.  The  ascending  fumes  caused  irritation  to  the 
lungs  and  produced  violent  coughing.  Crawford  asked  each  pupil  if  he  did  it.  All 
said  •"No,  sir,''  of  eoiu'se.  He  accused  some  of  falsifying,  said  he  knew  it  was  one  of  three 
boys.  The  circumstance  necessitated  the  close  of  school  for  the  afternoon.  In  the  light 
of  later  events,  it  appears  that  three  boys  wore  the  guilty  jsarties.  Darius  Conner  fur- 
nished the  money  to  buy  the  pepper,  George  Wyles  (now  book-keeper  for  Viger,  the  De- 
troit coal  dealer)  bought  the  pepper,  and  William  Walker  put  it  on  the  stove. 

William  Walker  was  a  soldier  in  the  rebel  army.  He  lost  a  leg  in  a  battle,  from  the 
effects  of  which  he  died.  These  three  Crawford  probably  had  in  mind  when  he  said  he 
knew  who  did  it.      Bates  was  one  of  the  best  of  teachers.      He  also  taught  in  No.  1. 

John  Bany  could  wield  the  birch  with  evident  relish.  Some  of  his  pupils  can  feel, 
in  imagination,  the  sting  of  the  rod  even  now.  His  punishment  of  Nelson  Edwards  and 
Richard  Conner  caused  considerable  excitement  and  nearly  a  law-suit.  Barry,  while 
teaching,  was  a  clerk  in  the  County  Register's  office,  doing  his  writing  in  the  evening. 
He  is  now  a  lawyer  in  London,  Ont.  Asahel  Crawford  was  Crawford  No.  3.  Ai-nold  was 
the  last  teacher  in  No.  12  (1857).  He  after wai-d  went  out  West  and  since  died;  some  say 
he  committed  suicide. 

Some  of  the  officers  of  No.  12  were:  James  Snook,  Cornelius  Swartout.  John  Conner, 
Isaac  Grovier  and  C.  Generous.      The  latter  was  a  good  officer,  but  could  not  write. 

PRIVATE    SCHOOLS. 

There  have  been  but  few  private  schools  for  this  period,  and  these  chiefly  for  children. 
Miss  Emily  Allen  (Mrs.  William  Tucker,  now  deceased)  taught  a  private  school  in  the  old 
academy  building  about  18G0.  In  about  1861  or  1862,  Miss  Alice  Traver  (now  Mrs.  Har- 
rington, of  Detroit)  taught  a  private  school  in  a  building  standing  about  on  the  present  site  of 
the  Cliftim  House.  Miss  Scott  taught  a  school  for  children  on  South  Gratiot  street,  in  a 
building  then  standing  on  the  present  location  of  Kimmeritz's  cigar  manufactory,  in  about 
1863,  1864  and  1865.  Mrs.  Campbell,  in  about  1868,  taught  a  private  school  for  children 
in  the  engine-house,  a  short  summer  term.  Miss  Cobb  taught  in  the  engine-house  in 
1869.  A  ])rivate  school  was  taught  in  Mrs.  Eastman's  house,  commencing  1868  and  con- 
tinuing for  some  time.  Children  under  ten  years  of  age  were  admitted.  Mrs.  E.  M.  As- 
tell,  at  one  time  a  teacher  in  the  Union  School,  taught  a  private  school  at  her  own  home 
on  Shelby  street,  fi-om  about  1872  to  1875.  It  was  a  school  for  children.  In  1877,  Miss 
Kate  Skinner  taught  a  school  for  children  in  Arbeiter  Hall,  South  Gratiot  street.  En- 
rolled about  twenty  pupils.  Term  continued  eighteen  or  twenty  weeks.  Tuition,  25 
cents  per  week.  Miss  Kittie  Shepard,  now  Mrs.  Simms,  also  taught  a  private  school  in 
Arbeiter  Hall  in  the  summer  of  1880.      In  the  summer  of  1881,  Miss  Jennie  Phelps  taught 

V'I'i r-  -^ ®  \ 


4^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


a  private  school  for  children  in  Arbeiter  Hall.      Enrollment,  nineteen.      School  continued 
for  a  few  weeks  only.     Tuition,  13  per  quarter. 

End  of  history  of  jsrivate  schools  for  1857  to  1881. 

DENOMINATIONAL    SCHOOLS. 

From  Rev.  H.  Gundert  I  learn  the  following  facts  concerning  the  German  School:  It 
was  established  in  1860.  It  does  not  in  the  least  conflict  with  the  work  of  the  public 
schools,  as  the  common  branches  are  not  taught  there.  The  aim  of  the  school  is  to  teach 
the  German  language  and  to  give  religious  instruction.  All  exercises  are  conducted  in 
German.  The  school  is  maintained  only  during  the  months  from  November  to  Ajsril. 
All  who  desire  can  attend.  Frequently  American  children  attend  to  learn  the  German 
langiaage.  Instruction  is  given  in  church  history  also.  The  enrollment  usually  reaches 
about  forty-five  or  fifty.  The  school-room  is  located  in  the  rear  end  of  the  church  build- 
ing. 

I  am  indebted  to  Rev.  Father  Ryckaert  for  the  following  facts:  St.  Mary's  Catholic 
School  is  a  parochial  school,  established  in  1870  and  annually  enrolling  about  170  pupils. 
The  instructors  are  three  Sisters  of  Mary,  from  Monroe,  Mich.  They  receive  $500  per 
year,  besides  a  fiu'uished  house,  wood  and  lights.  Instruction  is  given  in  all  the  elemen- 
tary branches,  and  church  doctrine  is  thoroughly  taught.  After  completing  their  work  ia 
this  school,  many  of  the  pupils  enter  the  public  school,  being  usually  classified  in  the 
sixth  grade,  sometimes  in  the  fifth  and  sometimes  in  the  seventh,  depending,  of  course, 
upon  their  attainments.  So  far  as  your  historiau  is  aware,  no  jealousy  exists  between  the 
public  and  the  Catholic  schools.  The  work  of  the  one  scarcely  clashes  with  the  work  of 
the  other. 

I  have  received  the  following  letter,  which  will  throw  some  additional  light  upon  the 
history  of  the  academy.      I  give  it  in  full: 

Macomb,  November  2.3,  1881. 

Prof.  Se.\rs.  Mount  Cle.mens — Sir  :  I  have  l)een  very  much  interested  in  reading  your  com- 
muniralioiis  to  the  Monitor  containing  all  that  can  be  ascertained,  of  a  reliable  nature,  of  the  history 
of  education  in  Mount  Clemens  during  the  prehistoric  era.  In  the  chapter  on  the  Academy  I  observe 
you  speak  with  uncc-rtainty  about  the  time  that  the  school  was  under  the  control  of  the  Hon.  S.  B.  Axtell. 
As  I  was  an  assistant  during  a  part  of  the  time  of  his  Mccupaiii  y  of  tin-  school-room,  I  can  speak 
with  certainty  in  regard  to  the  date  of  his  teaching.  He  niii.cl  t\i'r  r.iMin  c.f  "Bob"  Thompson,  who 
had  leased  tlie  first  story  of  the  building  for  a  term  of  viar-  lud  liiii~li' d  it  off  for  school  purposes, 
and,  I  believe,  taught  a  term  of  school  in  it  himself.  Aly  lirotlier  rominmred  his  school  in  the  latter 
part  of  August  or  beginning  of  September,  1844.  I  was  his  assistant  during  the  winter ,  ,f  iS44-4,i.  I  can- 
not say  when  he  discoutiniTed  the  school,  as  I  went  to  New  Jersey  early  in  tlie  spriiin  and  did  not  return 
imtil  .autumn,  when  he  was  in  other  business.  At  this  distant  day,  I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  only 
a  few  of  the  pupils.  Among  them  were  William  and  Edgar  Weeks,  Henry  and  .Seymour  Taylor  and 
.1.  B.  Eldredge.  There  were  some  Canfleld  bo\'s  in  the  school,  but  I  do  not  remember  their  names. 
The  Taylor  brothers  u.sed  to  recite  their  Latin  grammar  to  me.  Miss  Hillis  taught  a  select  school  a 
short  distance  from  the  academy  at  the  same  time,  and  she  was  teaching  as  i-eccntly  as  1,S4T. 

In  your  list  of  teachers  in  No.  13,  you  omitted  the  name  ,of  Miss  Kinliiic  Willi.iins,  of  Akron, 
Ohio,  a  sister  of  the  wife  of  Gov.  S.  B.  Axtell.  She  spent  the  summer  of  184*;  ,,r  1847  in  Mount 
Clemens  and  taught  one  term  of  school  in  the  Stephens  house. 

E.  S.  Axtell. 

UNION    SCHOOL. 

The  organization  of  the  iJnion  School  District  met  with  much  opposition  from  vari- 
ous sources.  Although  the  system  had  been  successfully  tested  in  several  parts  of  the 
State,  still  Mt.  Clemens  hesitated  a  long  time  before  choosing  between  the  old  and  the 
inferior  and  the  new  and  superior.  Some  excuse  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  for  quite 
a  ntunber  of  years  the  "  academy  "  had  furnished  opportunities  for  acquiring  a  knowledge 
of  the  higher  branches. 

By  the  consolidation  of  Districts  Nos,  17  and  12,  of  Clinton   Township,  the  present 


riV* 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Union  School  District  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  formed.  The  organization  bears  date  of  Feb- 
marv'  20.  1857.  The  limits  of  the  district  and  the  boundary  of  the  city  of  Mt.  Clemens  are 
not  coincident,  a  portion  of  the  district  being  in  the  town  of  Clinton,  outside  the  city. 
The  district  should  properly  be  called  "  Fractional  No.  1."  of  city  of  Mt.  Clemens  and 
Clinton  To^Tiship. 

The  first  annual  meeting  was  held  March  9.  1857.  The  resohition  for  building  a 
schoolhouse  to  cost  !?1 1,000  passed,  at  a  regular  annual  meeting  of  the  district.  Septem- 
ber 26,  1859. 

Previous  to  1861 — the  schoolhouse  not  being  built  until  1860 — the  school  was  taught 
in  the  old  academy  building  and  in  No.  7  Schoolhouse.  The  building  is  three  stories 
high,  fifty-seven  feet  long  and  forty-six  feet  wide.  It  contains  two  rooms  on  first  floor 
for  primary  departments,  two  on  second  floor  for  gi'ammar  departments,  and  on  the  third 
floor  one  large  room,  formerly  used  for  the  high  school,  one  recitation-room  and  library 
room. 

The  third  story  was  entirely  burned  in  1861.  The  fire  probably  caught  from  light- 
ning, as  it  seemed  to  stai't  in  the  tower.  The  flames  were  subdued  before  reaching  the 
second  storj'. 

While  the  house  was  being  repaired,  the  schools  were  carried  on  in  the  present  Bap- 
tist Church  and  in  the  old  No.  7  Schoolhouse.  At  the  church,  the  body  of  the  house'  was 
occupied  Ijy  the  high  school,  the  vestibule  and  gallery  being  used  for  lower  grades. 

The  resolution  for  Ijuilding  the  second  house  was  passed  at  a  special  school  meeting 
June  30.  1875.  The  house  was  ready  for  occupancy  the  year  following.  The  building 
is  fifty-seven  feet  long  and  forty-six  feet  wide,  two  stories  in  height.  It  has  two  rooms 
on  the  first  floor,  now  occupied  by  primary  departments,  two  rooms  on  the  second  floor, 
besides  recitation-rooms  now  used  by  the  high  school. 

A  nucleus  for  a  library  was  started  in  1865  or  1866  by  Prof.  Wood;  since  that  time 
it  has  grown  till  at  the  present  time  it  numbers  710  well- selected  volumes,  including  en- 
cyclopedias and  books  of  reference. 

TEACHERS — UNION    SCHOOL 1857    TO    1882. 

1857-58 — S.  S.  Gale,  Principal:  James  Jenney,  Elizabeth  Stanton,  Benjamin  Eckler, 
Miss  Eice,  Mary  McLeod. 

1858-59— S.  S.  Gale,  Principal;  Miss  Eice,  Esther  Jones,  Mary  McLeod,  Miss  M. 
Dixon.  Miss  Crawford. 

1859-60 — O.  A.  Hotchkise.  Principal:  Ed  S.  Jenney.  Lucy  Giddings.  Alice  Traver. 
Esther  Jones,  Lorain  Pratt,  Mrs.  Phillips.  Miss  Dixon. 

1860-61 — William  Campbell,  Principal:  Miss  Newman,  Miss  Bryan,  Miss  Dixon.  Mrs. 
Phillips.  Miss  Jennie  Dean. 

1861-62 — Silas  Wood,  Principal;  C.  J.  Wood,  Miss  Hitchcock,  Miss  Beebe,  Miss 
Brvan,  Miss  Davis. 

1862-63— Silas  Wood,  Principal;  Mi-s.  Wood,  Miss  H.  M.  Hale,  Miss  Smith,  Miss 
Jennie  Dean,  Mr.  Harley,  Jane  McChesney,  Miss  Allen,  William  Campbell,  Mrs.  Phillips. 

1863-64 — Andrew  Montgomery.  Principal ;  Mary  McLeod,  Lizzie  Moon,  Mary  Smith, 
Esther  Culver,  Mrs.  E.  Shook.  Lizzie  Gleason.  Frances  Buck. 

1864-65 — Andrew  Montgomeiy.  Principal:  Frances  Buck,  Helen  Buck,  Esther  Cul- 
ver, Mary  Montgomery,  Isabell  Eoss. 

1865-66— Silas  Wood.  Principal:  Isabell  Eoss,  Lucy  Nichols,  Mrs.  O.  E.  Verrall, 
Mary  Wood. 

1866-67 — Silas  Wood,  Principal;  Isabell  Eoss,  Mary  Wood,  Helen  Buck,  Anna  Euck- 
man.  Lurk  Nichols. 


t 


riV 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


1867-68 — Silas  Wood.  Priucipal;  Mary  Wood,  Minnie  Gibbs,  Martha  Harvey.  Helen 
Buck.  Maggie  Blackwood.  Theresa  Sterling.  Mrs.  S.  "Wood.  Elinina  Morton,  Olive  Dixon, 
Rev.  H.  Gundert. 

186S-6y — Slias  Wood.  Principal:  Elmina  Morton.  Fannie  CTilbert.  Olive  Dixon,  Mary 
Wood,  Lizzie  McGovern.  Rev.  H.  Gundert. 

1869-70 — F.  A.  Herring.  Principal:  L.  D.  Culver.  Sarah  Green,  Lizzie  McGovern, 
Fannie  Gilbert.  Mary  Wood,  Elmina  Morton. 

1870-71 — F.  A.  Herring,  Principal:  Mary  Wood,  Fannie  Gilbert,  L.  D.  Culver,  Miss 
C.  L.  Smith.  Fannie  Loucks. 

1871-72 — D.  B.  Briggs,  Principal;  Carrie  Richardson,  Fannie  Gilbert,  Mary  Wood, 
L.  D.  Culver,  Susie  Watterson,  Fannie  Loucks,  Mary  Crocker,  Mary  Siegel. 

1872-73 — J.  E.  Bissell,  Principal;  Carrie  Richardson,  Maiy  Wood,  Fannie  Loucks, 
Mary  Siegel,  Susie  Watterson. 

1873-74 — J.  E.  Bissell,  Principal;  Miss  Turner,  Mary  Wood,  Mary  Forster,  Susie 
Watterson,  Miss  C.  Smith.  Fannie  Loucks. 

1874-75 — S.  S.  Babcock,  Principal;  Elmina  Morton,  Mrs.  S.  S.  Babcock,  Mary -Fors- 
ter, Susie  Watterson,  Miss  C.  Smith,  Fannie  Loucks,  Miss  M.  Allen. 

1875-76 — S.  S.  Babcock,  Principal:  Elmina  Morton,  Mrs.  S.  S.  Babcock.  Mary  Fors- 
ter, Mrs.  E.  M.  Axtell,  Caroline  Smith,  Fannie  Loucks,  Marie  Van  Eps. 

1876-77 — Wesley  Sears,  Principal:  Miss  Hari-iet  Culver,  Mary  Foi-ster,  Maria  Tate, 
Maria  Mills,  Emma  Snook,  Florence  Dixon,  Fannie  Loucks. 

1877-78 — Wesley  Sears,  Principal;  Han-iet  Culver,  Mary  Forster,  Maria  Tate,  Mercie 
Briggs,  Marie  Van  Eps.  Cary  Knox.  Fannie  Loucks. 

1878-79 — Wesley  Sears.  Principal:  T.  Forster,  Mary  Forster.  Marie  Tate,  Lilian 
Norton.  Mercie  Briggs.  Marie  Van  Eps,  Carrie  Knox,  Fannie  Lou.ck8. 

1879-80 — Wesley  Seai's.  Priucipal;  Maria  J.  Tate,  Lilian  Norton,  Mercie  Briggs, 
Eliza  Wood,  Mai'ie  Van  Eps,  Carrie  Knox.  Fannie  Loucks. 

1880-81 — Wesley  Sears.  Principal;  Maria  J.  Tate,  Eliza  Wood,  Mercie  Briggs.  Ruth 
Russell,  Carrie  Knox,  Marie  Van  Eps,  Julia  Gundert,  Fannie  Loucks. 

1881-82 — Wesley  Sears.  Principal;  Maria  Tate,  Eliza  Wood  (Tucker),  Mercie  Briggs, 
Ruth  Russell,  Carrie  Knox,  Minnie  Martell,  Julia  Gundert,  Fannie  Loucks. 

OFFICERS    AND    TEDSTEES. 

E.  Wright  Hall,  Moderator  and  Director,  1857. 

Moore  Stephens,  Director  and  Moderator,  1857,  1860,  1862;  Trustee,  1862,  1863. 

E.  L.  Ravmond,  Assessor,  1857,  1864;  Trustee,  1864,  1865. 

J.  E.  Vaii  Eps,  Moderator,  1857,  1860. 

A.  S.  Robertson,  Director,  1857,  1863. 

Silas  Dixon,  Trustee,  1857,  1862;  Moderator,  1862,  1864. 

W.  S.  Robinson,  Tnistee,  1857.  I860;  Moderator.  1864,  1866;  Assessor,  1867,  1870; 
Trustee,  1866,  1867. 

W.  A.  Edwards,  Tri;stee,  1857,  1858. 

Giles  Hubbard,  Trustee.  1857,  1864. 

J.  B.  Ekh-edge,  Tnistee.  1867,  1864,  1865  and  1875:  Director,  1864.  1865. 

Norton  L.  Miller.  Trustee.  1858,  1859. 

August  Czizek.  Trustee,  1863,  1864,  1867,  1868:  Assessor,  1864,  1867. 

S.  S.  Gale.  Director.  1862.  1864.  1867.  1869,  1875:  Moderator,  1866.  1867.  1877, 
1882;  Trustee,  1864,  1866,  1876,  1877. 

T.  M.  Crocker.  Director.  1865,  1867:  Trustee.  1864.  1865;  Moderator,  1867.  1876. 

H.  Carter.  Moderator.  1866,  1867;  Trustee,  1865,  1866. 


^J '^  k.      ^  <^\s^ 


O.  Chapaton.  Trustee,  1867,  1870;  Assessor,  1870,  1875. 

T.  W.  Snook.  Trustee,  1866,  1867;  Director.  1869,  1875. 

G.  B.  Van  Eps,  Trustee,  1867,  1868,  1871,  1875;  Assessor,  1875,  1882. 

Dr.  L.  Younghusband,  Trustee,  1868,  1871. 

William  Flumer,  Trustee,  1870,  1876. 

William   Canfiekl,  Trustee,  1875,  1876;  Moderator,  1876,  1877. 

Edgar  Weeks,  Trustee,  1875,  1879;  Director,  1878,  1882. 

T.  H.  Forster,  Director,  1876,  1879. 

F.  G.  Kendi-ick,  Trastee.  1876,  1882. 

G.  M.  Crocker,  Trustee,  1877.  1882. 
A.  T.  Donaldson,  Trustee,  1879,  1882. 

ST.aiTISTICS. 

No  records  of  attendance,  enrollment,  averages,  per  cents,  etc.,  have  been  j^reserved 
that  antedate  1865.  From  1865  to  1869,  the  record  is  not  quite  as  full  as  since  that  time. 
The  statistics  of  greatest  imjjortance  since  1869  have  been  preserved  in  tabulated  form. 
It  is  the  opinion  of  the  historian  that  this  table  will  give  a  satisfactory  idea  of  the  method 
now  piu'sued  in  preserving  the  records,  and  hence  will  not  go  back  further  than  that  date 
(1869).      The  table  is  given  in  full  on  the  following  page; 


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HISTOKY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  average  per  capita  cost  for  superintendence  and  instruction,  based  on  "average 
number  belonging."  has  been  as  follows:  1874-75,  $13.55;  1875-7fi,  $12.70;  1876-77, 
$9.45;  1877-78.  $iU3;  1878-79,  $9.68;  1879-80,  .18.82;  1880-81.  $7.92. 

All  records  are  kejit  in  a  satisfactory  manner  in  the  high  school.  The  exact  standing 
of  each  pupil  in  every  branch  is  on  file. 

5IASONI0. 

Lebanon  Lodge,  No.  7.  was  proposed  at  Mt.  Clemens  May  5,  1841.  Among  the  mem- 
bers present  were  A.  C.  Smith.  Ebeu  Hall,  Henry  M.  Dodge,  J  S.  Parke,  Allen  Fish, 
Thomas  M.  Perry,  Dan  Shattuck,  Joseph  Cole.  The  lodge  was  organized  June  7,  1841: 
Ebeu  Hall,  W.  M.;  J.  S.  Parke,  S.  W.;  A.  Fish.  J.  W.;  H.  M.  Dodge,  Secretary. 

The  principal  olficers  elected  since  that  time  were: 

Worshipful  Masters— Eben  Hall,  1842-43;  A.  C.  Smith.  1844;  Eben  Hall,  1845-47; 
John  S.  Parke,  1848:  Allen  P.  Bentlev.  1849:  A.  C.  Smith,  1850-51:  O.  B.  Smith,  1852; 
Harelehigh  Cai'ter,  1853;  Eben  Hall,  1854;  Harelehigh  Carter,  1855;  Henry  Taylor,  Sr., 
1856. 

Recorders— A.  G.  Parke,  1842-16;  Allen  P.  Bentley,  1847;  Eobert  P.  Eldredge,  1848; 

A.  G.  Parke,  1849;    A.  P.  Bentley,  1850;    James  Fenton,   1851-52:    A.   C.    Smith,  1853; 
Harelehigh  Carter.  1854;  A.  C.  Smith,  1855;  W.  S.  Robinson,  1856. 

Mf.  Clemens  Lodge,  No.  6,  was  organized  September  4,  1857: 

Worshipfiil  Masters- Robert  P.  Ekkedge,  1857-60;  William  S.  Robinson.  1861-62; 
R.  P.  Eldredge,  1863-66:  T.  M.  Crocker.  1867 ;  Cephas  Farrar,  1861;  James  B.  Eldredge, 
1869-70;  James  Kurn,  1871:  G.  W.  Robertson,  1872-78;  A.  E.  Van  Eps,  1879-80;  Wes- 
ley Sears,  1881-82. 

Recorders — William  S.  Robinson,  1857-58;  Judson  S.  Farrar.  1861;  R.  P.  Eldredge. 
1862;  Theo  Traver,  1863;  H.  B.  Hall,  1864;  W.S.Robinson,  1865-71:  L.  D.  Culver, 
1872;  James  M.  Heath,  1873;  L.  E.  Woodruff,  1874-75;  Joseph  Lonsby,  1876;  A.  E. 
Van  Eps,  1877;  George  M.  Crocker,  1878;  T.  H.  Foster,  1879;  G.  W.  Robertson,  1880; 
G.  AV.  Rol)ertson,  1881-82. 

The  ])resent  officers  are:  Wesley  Sears,  W.  M. ;  G.  M.  Crocker,  S.  W.;  Joseph  Lons- 
by J.  W. ;  Alex  Jacobi,  S.  D.;    Philo  Wiilrig,  Jr.,  J.  D.;  G.  W.   Robertson,  Secretary;  G. 

B.  Van   Eps,  Treasurer:    John   Allmand,  Tiler;  E.  W.  Lewis  and  F  A  Keith,  Stewards 

The  Mt.  Clemens  Chapter,  R.  A.  M..  was  organized  February  28,  1870.  with  R.  P. 
Eldredge,  H  P.  The  High  Priests  elected  since  that  time  were:  R.  P.  Eldredge, 
1870-75:  G.  W.  Robertson.  1875-77;  S.  B.  Russell,  1877-78;  T.  \V.  Newton,  1878-79; 
W.  C.  Teunant,  1879-80.  The  officers  elected  December  8,  1S81,  are:  Joseph  L'pleger, 
H.  P. ;  T.  W.  Newton,  K. ;  Alfred  Stewert,  S. ;  E.  W.  Lewis,  C.  of  H. ;  A.  E.  Van  Eps, 
P.  S. ;  F.  Lonsby,  C.  of  G. :  Abner  Hayward,  M.  of  3d  V. ;  William  G.  Crittenden,  M.  of 
2d  v.;  Alex  Jacobi.  M.  of  1st  V.;  Paul  Ulrieh,  Treasurer;  G.  W.  Robertson,  Secretary: 
and  John  Allemand,  Sentinel. 

I.   O.   O.    F. 

Macomb  Lodge.  No.  13,  was  organized  under  disjiensation  March  9,  1846,  in  response 
to  the  petition  of  Henry  D.  Terry,  C.  G.  Cady,  Henry  C.  Kibbee.  Joshua  B.  Dickenson 
and  Horace  K.  Dickenson.  The  lodge  was  installed  March  11,  1846,  by  Most  Worshipful 
Grand  Asher  S.  Kellogg.  The  first  officers  were:  C.  H.  Carey.  N.  G. ;  H.  D.  Terry,  V. 
G. ;  H.  C.  Kibbee,  Secretary;  J.  B.  Dickenson,  Treasurer.  This  lodge  continued  in  exist- 
ence until  June  30,  1854.  Subsequently,  the  charter  was  revoked  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
which,  on  the  re-organization  of  No.  13.  March  20,  1874.  was  returned,  with  the  effects  of 
the  old  lodge,  by  Deputy  Harris.  The  first  officers  of  Macomb  Lodge,  No.  13.  re-organ- 
ized, were:  John  E.  Van  Eps,  N.  G.;  C.  C.  Lamb,  V.  G. ;  George  B.  Van  Eps,  Secre- 
tary; Hem-y  Connor,  Treasurer;  J.  C.  Ross,  P.  S. :  William  Roy,  Conductor. 


rrf" 


The  Noble  Grands  from  1874  to  1882  were:  John  Van  Eps,  1874;  Charles  C.  Lamb 
and  Edgar  Weeks.  1875;  F.  C.  Lamb  and  John  E.  Van  Eps,  1S7(k  F.  C.  Lamb  and  F.  H. 
Bentley.  1877:  John  Trnfani  and  Adolph  J.  Okie.  1878;  M.  L.  Skillman  and  H.  E.  Rus- 
sell, 1879;  Julius  Koehler  and  Hiram  D.  Atwood,  1880;  James  Broderick  and  E.  J.  Okie, 
1881-82.  The  officers  serving  at  present  with  INIi'.  Okie  are:  Frank  Ramsay,  V.  G. ; 
Charles  Fluemer,  Secretary;  R.  Oesterich,  Permanent  Secretary;  and  Gustave  Waltzer, 
Treasiu"er.  The  term  for  which  these  officers  are  elected  expires  July  1,  1882.  The 
number  of  members  belonging  to  Lodge  No.  13  is  forty-five.  The  financial  condition 
compares  favorably  with  any  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  in  the  State,  and  the  greatest  harmony 
prevails.  Since  1874,  it  has  taken  a  very  important  part  in  the  benevolent  work  which  it 
is  formed  to  carry  on. 

Camp  No.  8'1,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  established  in  August,  1881,  with  B.  Rush  Jackson, 
Chief  Patriarch;  Julius  Koehler,  S.  W. ;  R.  Oesterich.  Scribe;  Adolph  J.  Olde.  Treasurer; 
H.  D.  Atwood,  H.  P.  The  officers  of  the  camp  at  present  are:  Julius  Koehler,  C.  P.; 
Richard  Stone,  H.  P.;  E.  J.  Olde,  S.  W.;  James  Broderick,  Scribe:  Gustave  Waltzer, 
Treasiu'er.  The  charter  members  numbered  fifteen,  to  which  five  have  been  added.  Like 
the  lodge,  the  camp  is  a  prosperous  organization. 

Mt.  Clemens  Grange  is  one  of  the  most  im])ortant  associations  in  the  county.  Its  offi- 
cers at  the  present  time  comprise:  A.  H.  Cautield,  M. ;  H.  D.  Atwood,  O. ;  G.  J.  Shoe- 
maker, Lect.;  J.  J.  Kelley.  S. ;  G.  H.  Little,  Asst.  S.:  Mrs.  T.  Cantield.  Chaplain:  Will- 
iam Nunnelv,  Treasurer:  J.  C.  Cadv,  Secretary:  H.  Carter.  G.  K. ;  Mi-s.  H.  Canfield,  C. ; 
Mrs.  William  Nunnely,  P.;  Mrs.  J.  R.  Trufant,  F. :  Mrs.  William  Green,  L.  A.  S. 

The  sporting  circles  of  the  city  are  represented  by  the  Mt.  Clemens  Hunting  and 
Fi.shing  Club,  of  which   James  B.  Eldredge  is  President,  and  H.  "W.  Babcock,  Secretary. 

MANUF.^CTURING    INDUSTRIES. 

Van  Eps  &  Co.'s  tannery  was  established  in  1839,  by  Hotchkiss  &  Moody,  who  disjsosed 
of  their  interests  to  the  present  firm  in  1844.  The  tannery  was  destroyed  by  tire,  again 
built  and  destroyed,  rebuilt,  and  again  burned  June  5, 1881.  The  main  building  is  40x80 
feet,  two  stories  high,  with  engine  house.  The  product  is  about  three  thousand  hides  an- 
nually, valued  at  SI  5. 000.  The  members  of  the  firm  are  J.  E.  Van  Eps  and  G.  B.  Van 
Eps.  The  former  sujierintends  the  tannery,  while  the  latter  manages  the  boot  and  shoe 
store,  harness-shop  and  leather  store,  located  on  the  public  square. 

Donaldson  Bros.,  manufacturers  of  can-iages,  wagons  and  agricultm'al  implements 
and  castings,  established  this  industry  in  1859.  During  that  yeai-,  W.  S.  Donaldson 
opened  a  blacksmith-shop.  In  1860.  he  tiu'ned  out  a  few  wagons.  Subsequently,  the 
business  so  increased  that,  in  1865,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  his  brother.  Andrew 
Donaldson,  entered  on  the  manufacture  of  wagons  extensively,  and  established  a  horse- 
shoeing shop  in  the  old  Chandler  building.  Thomas  Donaldson,  who  died  in  1869.  be- 
came a  partner  in  1868.  In  1870.  the  foundry  and  agricultural  implement  departments 
were  added.  In  1874,  the  large  brick  factory  building  was  erected,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1881,  the  brick  foundry  building  was  raised.  The  main  building  is  40x50  feet;  the  foun- 
dry 45x62,  with  addition  1 2x22,  together  with  a  number  of  wooden  buildings  and  a  large  brick 
structui'e  now  proposed.  This  manufacturing  industry  gives  employment  to  thirty  skilled 
workmen,  is  growing  yearly  in  popular  esteem,  and  gives  promise  of  still  greater  advances. 

C.  S.  &  L.  Groesbeck's  stave  factory  was  established  by  Charles  A.  Groesbeck  in  the 
fall  of  1880.  The  machinery  employed  is  known  as  Greenwood's  latest  improved,  which 
is  driven  by  a  thirty-five  horse-power  engine.  The  capacity  of  the  factory  is  5.000.000 
staves  annually,  the  manufactm-e  of  which  gives  employment  to  from  twenty-five  to  thirty 
men.      The  elm  and  basswood  used  are  obtained  from  the  Canadian  forests. 


^l^ 


5G6  HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COU>'TY. 

The  Groesbeck  saw-mill,  at  Wallacebm-g,  Canada,  where  bolts  ai'e  prepared  for  the 
stave-mill,  as  well  as  hard  and  soft  lumber  for  the  Detroit  and  Buffalo  markets,  must  be 
considered  a  branch  of  the  Mt.  Clemens  establishment. 

Mt.  Clemens  City  Mills  were  built  in  1869,  by  William  Flummer  &  Co.:  were  bui-ned 
in  1!S7] ;  rebuilt  the  fall  of  the  same  year  by  S.  Kellogg  &  Co.  Mr.  Flummer  purchased 
the  interests  of  his  partners  in  1879.  The  mills  contain  three  sets  of  buhi-s.  Cosgrove 
rollers,  etc.,  etc.  The  machinery  is  driven  by  a  seventy-five  horse-power  engine.  The 
building  is  three  stories  high,  with  basement,  supplied  with  all  the  modus  operandi  of  a 
tirst-class  mill  necessary  for  ciistom  and  merchant  work. 

Van  Landeghem  &  Son's  stave  factory  was  erected  in  the  winter  of  1862-63,  by  Bruno 
Van  Landeghem.  The  building  is  -10x50  feet,  supplied  with  (i-reenwood,  Dougherty  & 
Trevor  machinery,  drivej  by  a  thirty  horse-)>ower  eugine.  The  product  equals  7,000  cords 
annually-  The  factory  and  vard  are  valued  at  §11,0]  10.  The  additions  made  in  1881  are 
valued  "at  *rj,000. 

The  saw-mill,  hub  and  spoke  factories  now  operated  by  this  firm  were  purchased  from 
Hall  &  Shook  in  1881.  The  mill  wbs  built  in  1871,  by  the  last-named  firm.  The  pres- 
ent operators  hHve  converted  the  hub  and  spoke  department  of  the  concern  into  a  stave 
factory.  -  The  lumber  used  is  principally  Canadian  growth,  and  is  rafted  up  the  river  to 
the  saw-mill,  where  it  is  px-epared  for  the  stave  factory.  The  mill  has  a  custom  trade  of 
5,000  cords  annually,  together  with  1.0'J0,000  feet  of  lumber.  A  seventy  horse-power 
engine  drives  the  machinery.  During  the  summer  months,  these  industries  give  emjiloy- 
meut  to  125  hands. 

Snook  &  Robinson's  stave  factory  was  erected  in  1868  by  Snook  &  White,  who  ope- 
rated it  until  1873,  when  it  became  the  property  of  the  present  owners.  The  concern  was 
burned  in  March,  1875,  entailing  a  net  loss  of  $12,000.  It  was  rebuilt  by  T.  W.  Snook 
as  a  stave  and  heading  factory  immediately  after.  The  owners  were  among  the  first  to  in- 
troduce the  Tomlin.son  patent  hoop  machinery  in  1874.  The  saw-mill  was  built  in  1881, 
with  all  the  advantages  at  the  command  of  the  firm.  It  is  stated  that  orders  already  in 
from  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh  and  Detroit  insure  a  steady  business  until  Jidy, 
1883.  Last  year's  product  was  8,750,000  staves,  together  with  the  same  number  of  head- 
ings. Steam  power  is  used.  The  raw  lumber  is  rafted  to  the  mill,  and  there  prepared 
for  the  factory. 

Lewis  Brehler  &  Co.'s  sash,  door  and  blind  factory  was  established  August,  1868,  by 
Potter  &  Ai-msby.  The  latter  sold  to  Lewis  in  the  fall  of  1868.  Five  years  later.  Groes- 
beck purchased  Potter's  interest,  and,  in  partnership  witli  Lewis,  operated  it  until  1878. 
when  the  concern  was  purchased  by  the  present  firm.  It  is  the  pioneer  sash,  door  and 
blind  factory  of  the  city.  In  its  early  days,  it  was  a  small  shed,  standing  on  elm  posts; 
to-day,  it  is  a  two-story  "building,  40x58  feet,  with  wing  20x20,  shed  18x40,  and  storeroom 
20x60  feet,  giving  employment  to  fourteen  men.  A  full  line  of  best  machinery,  including 
the  Tompkins  planer  and  matcher,  is  in  use.  The  machinery  is  driven  by  a  fifteen  horse- 
power engine. 

Kendi-ick's  sash,  door  and  blind  factory  and  i)laniiig-mill  is  one  of  the  principal  man- 
ufactm-ing  industries  of  the  county.  It  was  erected  in  the  winter  of  1874-75,  by  Benedict 
&  Betts.  In  the  summer  of  1875^  Benedict  sold  his  interest  to  Allor  &  Betts.  who,  a  few 
months  later,  sold  to  F.  G.  Kendrick.  Allor  disposed  of  his  interest  to  the  present  owner 
in  April,  1881.  The  laain  building  is  40x60  feet,  two  stories  high,  with  an  addition 
26x78,  and  a  wing,  now  being  built.  22x60  feet.  The  concern  furnishes  timber  for  build- 
ing purposes,  together  with  manufacturing  articles  of  furniture  Steam  power  is  used  in 
the  various  departments.     The  laud,  buildings  and  machinery  are  valued  at  $11,000. 

Clinton  River  Brewery,  established  in  1873  by  Aug  Biewer,  has  a  capacity  of  1.000 


S)  \ 


jy± 


^Uv 


barrels  per  annum.  Trade  is  principally  local.  The  main  building  is  90x45.  with  ice 
house  '20x'24.  and  store  20x28.     The  grounds  have  161  feet  frontage. 

Mt.  Clemens  Lime  Kilns  were  established  in  1846.  by  Ed  J.  Tucker.  He  is  the  pres- 
ent owner  of  tne  works,  and  a  dealer  in  land  plaster,  calcimine  plaster,  cement,  cut  hair, 
sheathing  paper,  etc. 

Lufkin's  Brickyard  was  established  about  lS5o,  by  Varuuiu  Lufkin,  who  operated  it 
successfully  until  his  death,  in  January.  1880.  I*-  is  now  managed  by  Floyd  Lufkin. 
During  1881.  675,000  bi'ick  were  made.  The  Quaker  brick  machine  has  been  recently  in- 
troduced; also,  Pallet's  drying  system  is  used,  being  the  only  yard  whei'eiu  it  is  in  use  in 
this  State.      The  capacity  of  the  factory  is  2,000,000  annually. 

This  record  of  progress  is  very  conciliating:  but  yet  much  remains  to  be  done  The 
first,  and  perhaps  most  important,  work  in  which  the  city  could  engage,  is  that  of  laying 
down  a  wooden  pavement  from  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad  depot  to  the  public  s(piare, 
round  the  square  itself,  and  thence  easterly  to  the  line  of  Harrison  Township.  The  con- 
dition of  the  public  thoroughfares  of  Mt.  Clemens  from  November,  1881,  to  the  beginning 
of  the  summer  of  1882  was.  to  say  the  least,  one  which  might  characterize  a  village  of  the 
last  centmy.  The  winter  was  a  very  exceptional  one  indeed.  Throughout  Macomb 
County,  the  atmosphere  seemed  to  shower  down  mud,  and  when  the  atmospheric  phenom- 
enon ceased,  the  very  earth  appeared  to  be  undergoing  a  process  of  muddleizatiou.  A  street 
railway  and  paved  thoroughfares  are  now  the  only  rer[uisites  to  prove  that  this  city  keeps 
pace  with  the  Century.  In  the  personal  history  of  the  city,  references  are  made  to  these 
and  other  industries. 


CLINTON     TOWNSHIP. 

So  much  has  been  said  and  written  already  of  this  division  of  the  county,  that  little 
remains  to  l)e  told.  Within  the  limits  of  Clinton,  the  Moravian  missionaries  and  their 
converts  of  the  Delaware  Indians  made  their  fli'st  settlement  in  Michigan.  Here,  too,  the 
lu-st  American  pioneers  located,  and  hither  may  be  said  to  come  all  the  white  Americans 
who  made  the  county  their  home  previous  to  its  organization.  The  beginnings  of  Ma- 
comb County  were  made  here,  and  here  stands  to-day  that  well-built  jiile,  the  county  court 
house,  to  show,  as  it  were,  that  the  spot  which  the  first  American  settlers  dedicated  as  the 
seat  of  justice  for  their  county,  is  still  guarded  by  their  descendants  and  the  many  v.-ho 
have  reaped  the  rewai-d  of  their  early  enterprise  and  industry. 

In  the  following  brief  sketch  of  the  township's  history,  the  names  of  the  priucii)al 
town  of&cers.  from  date  of  organization  to  the  present  time,  are  given.  It  is  beyond  the 
range  of  practicability  to  refer  to  the  various  acts  of  the  different  town  boards  or  adminis- 
trations. That  the  well-being  of  this  division  of  the  county  was  their  object  cannot  be 
doubted,  since  the  present  pros]ierous  cordition.  the  growth  of  its  educational  affairs,  and. 
we  might  add,  the  very  habits,  manners  and  customs  of  its  population  tell  of  precedents 
laid  down  by  these  township  legislators  and  followed  liy  their  constituents. 

OEG.\NIZATION. 

Clinton  Township,  or  Town  1,  in  Range  12.  and  Towns  1,  3  and  part  of  2.  in  Ranges 
18  and  14.  was  erected  April  12.  and  the  first  town  meeting  ordered  to  be  held  in  the 
court  house  at  Mt.  Clemens  May  2S.  1827.  At  the  meeting  held  on  the  latter  date,  Will- 
1am  Olds  presided  as  Moderator,  with  Ephraim  McCall,  Clerk.  The  election  resulted  as 
follows:  Job  C.  Smith,  Supervisor;  Thomas  Ashley,  Town  Clerk;  William  Olds.  Collector; 
Harvey  Cook,  Joseph  Hayes  and  Joseph  Sansfacon,  Assessors;  James  Connor  and  Elisha 


*^ 


t 


568  HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 

Harringtou,  Overseers  of  the  Poor;  Ezekiel  Allen,  James  Connor  and  Elisha  Harrington, 
Commissioners  of  Hiuhways;  Silas  Haley  ami  William  Olds,  Constables;  James  Connor, 
William  Olds,  Ephraim  McCall  and  Peter  Alor.  Overseers  of  Highways;  Hiram  Atwood, 
John  Miller  and  Charles  Pivard.  Fence  Viewers;  ^^'illiam  McDonald,  Poiuid  keeper. 

A  special  meeting  was  called  June  16,  1827.  when  Alfi'ed  Ashley  was  erected  Clerk, 
vice  Thomas  Ashley,  resigned.  Baptiste  Eattell  was  chosen  Pound-master,  vice  William 
McDonald,  resigned;  John  Cotteral  was  elected  a  third  Constable,  and  John  Rhodes 
elected  Overseer  of  Highways,  vice  James  Connor. 

TOWN    ROSTER. 

Supervisors— Job  C.  Smith,  1827-28;  James  Connor,  1828-29;  Harvey  Cook.  1829- 
30;  John  Stockton,  1830-33;  Christian  Clemens,  1833-35;  Rodnov  O.  Cooler.  1835-36; 
Richard  Butler,  1836-37;  Rodney  O.  Coolev.  1837-38;  Richard  Butler.  1838-39;  Pres- 
cott  B.  Thiu-ston.  1839-40;  Chauncev  G.  Cadv,  1840-41;  Isaac  J.  Grovier,  1841-42; 
Richard  Butler,  1842-43:  Porter  Kibbee.  1843-45;  David  Shook,  1845-49;  Anth-ew  S. 
Robinson,  1849-50;  Charles  H.  Carey,  1850-51;  Chauncey  G.  Cady,  1851-52;  Wesley 
Hinmau,  1852-54;  Lemuel  Sackett,  1854-56;  Andrew  S.  Robertson,  1856-57;  John  1. 
Trevor,  1857-59;  Thomas  L.  Sackett,  1859-62;  Joshua  B.  Dickenson,  1862-63;  August 
Czizek,  1863-65;  Thomas  L.  Sackett,  1865-68:  John  I.  Trevor,  1868-69 :  Thomas  L. 
Sackett,  1869-70;  George  W.  Robertson,  1870-75;  Judson  S.  Farrar,  1875-79;  Alfred  W. 
Little,  township,  Judson  S.  Farrar.  citv,  James  A.  Cantield,  Ai-  hur  Van  Eps.  1879-80; 
William  A.  Rowley,  township,  Judson  S  Farrar,  citv.  Heurv  W.  Babcock.  citv,  Ai'thur  E. 
Van  Eps,  city;  1880-81;  William  A.  Rowley,  township,  William  E.  Hall,  city,  Henry  W. 
Babcock.  citv,  Arthur  E.  Van  Ejis.  city,  1881-82. 

Clerks— Thos.  Ashley,  Alfred  Ash  lev,  1827;  Eobt,  P.  Eldi-edge.  1828;  Richard  Butler, 
1829-31;  Rodney  O.  Cooley.  1832-34;  Elisha  L.  Atkins.  1835;  Prescott  B.  Thurston.  1836- 
38;  Henry  U.  Terry,  1839;  Ira  Stout,  1840-41;  Giles  Hubbard.  1842;  Ira  Stout,  1843-45; 
Andrew  S.  Robertson,  1846;  Sam  B.  Axtell.  1847;  Jesse  Kibbee.  1848;  Edward  Fishpool. 
1849-50;  George  Scott,  1851-57;  Charles  B.  Lee,  1857;  Theo  O.  Leonard,  1858;  George 
Scott,  1859-60;  Abram  Wise,  1861;  George  Scott.  1862-65;  Charles  Wood.  1866;  F.  H. 
Beney.  186^;  George  H.  Pelton.  1868-71;  John  Trevidick.  18(1;  Henry  W.  Babcock. 
1872-79;  Joseph  Lumens,  1879-80;  Leslie  H.  Duncan.  1880-81;  John  T.Weiss,  1881-82. 

Collectors— William  Olds.  1827-30;  James  C.  Allen,  183(1;  Hiram  Atwood,  1831; 
William  Olds.  1832;  Charles  S.  Mather,  1833;  Horace  H.  Cadv.  1834;  Charles  S.Mather, 
1835;  Joseph  Hubbard,  1836-38. 

'  Treasurers — William  Henry  Wai-ner,  1839;  Charles  A.  Emerson,  1840-41 ;  Eleazer  L. 
Goodman,  1842;  Sylvanus  Leonard,  1843-45;  William  Roy,  1846;  George  Dixon,  1847; 
Hiram  Bentley,  1848-49;  Harvey  Kibbee,  1850-51;  Dennis  McCaffrey,  1852-53;  James  Feu- 
ton,  1854;  John  Bany,  1855;  Varnmn  Lufkin.  1856-57;  MjTon  White,  1858-59;  A. 
Czizek,  1860-62:  R.  Steiger,  1863-64;  John  C.  Riemold,  1865-68;  Casper  Peters,  1868- 
69;  Edward  Tremble,  1870-71:  Trangott  Lungerhausen,  1872-74;  Victor  A.  Morass, 
1874-77;  William  E.  Hall.  1877-78;  George  H.  Pelton,  1878-79;  John  V.  Wiegaud, 
1879-81;  JohuPriehs,  1881-82. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — The  Justices  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  the  Territory  pre- 
vious to  1836  are  referred  to  in  the  pages  of  the  general  history.  William  H.  Warner. 
Prescott  B.  Thurston,  Elisha  L.  Atkins,  Israel  Curtiss,  1836;  Richard  Butler.  Joseph 
Cole,  1837;  Thomas  R.  Boiu-ne.  A.  B.  Adams,  1839;  John  Stockton,  Robert  Welter, 
1840;  Chauncey  G.  Cady.  1841;  T.  B.  Thm-ston.  1842;  R.  Weltes.  1843-17;  John  Stock- 
ton. 1844;  Chauncey  G.  Cady,  1845;  Allen  P.  Bentley,  1845-48;  Lemuel  Sackett,  John 
Stockton.  Fred   Hatch,  1849;  Porter  Kibbee,   1850;  Fred  Hatch,  1851;  Lemuel  Sackett, 


l>4^>fe^ 


Jf 


,u 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


1853:  Kobert  B.  Granbv,  1854;  Fred  Hatch,  1855-59;  John  Stockton,  1856-57;  Henry 
P.  Mitchell,  1857;  Robert  B.  Grauby.  1858;  John  Stockton,  1860;  Harlehigh  Carter, 
1862;  Fred  Hatch,  1863;  Robert  B.  Granby,  1864;  John  Stockton,  1865;  James  Whiting, 
1866;  Lemuel  Sackett,  Charles  Cox,  1867:  Fred  Hatch.  1868.  John  Stockton,  1869; 
George  M.  Crocker.  1870;  John  Mitchell,  1871;  William  L  Cvirtiss,  1872;  Charles  S. 
Groesbeck,  John  T.  Weiss,  1873;  George  M.  Crocker,  1874;  Patrick  O'SuUivan,  1875; 
Chai-les  S.  Gioesbeck,  1876;  John  T.  Weiss,  1877;  Spencer  B.  Russell.  1878;  Lewis  A, 
Fox,  Horace  R.  Beebe,  1879;  Louis  A.  Fox,  1880;  August  Dietrich,  1881.  Henry  D. 
Terry  was  elected  attorney  for  the  township. 

SCHOOLS. 

Reference  is  made  to  the  early  schools  of  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  historj^  of  that  city. 
The  first  record  of  township  school  matters  appears  under  date  April  9,  1839,  when  Ebe- 
nezer  Hall,  Henry  Taylor  and  Henry  D.  Terry  formed  the  Board  of  School  Inspectors.  A 
second  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  May  22,  1839,  when  it  was  ascertained  that  the  rec- 
ord of  schools,  if  such  ever  existed,  could  not  now  be  found  in  the  Clerk's  office,  and  the 
board  resolved,  '"that  there  is  no  legal  school  district  organized  in  the  township  of  Clin- 
ton.'' A  second  resolution  provided  for  the  division  of  the  township  into  school  districts, 
which  latter  resolution  was  given  effect  to  May  25.  1839,  when  the  township  was  laid  off 
into  eight  districts,  the  temtory  in  and  adjacent  to  the  incorporated  village  of  Mt.  Clemens 
forming  No.  1  District.  The  amount  of  first  school  and  library  moneys  apportioned  to  Clin- 
ton Township  was  only  $90.40,  the  notice  of  apportionment  being  made  in  February,  1840. 

SCHOOL    .STATISTICS    OF    THE    PRESENT. 

The  township  is  laid  off  into  seven  school  districts  and  one  fractional  district.  The 
directors  for  the  year  1881-82  are  Edgar  Weeks,  of  the  Mt.  Clemens  School,  known  as 
District  No.  1:  Meudon  Dunham,  of  No.  2:  Charles  Dans,  of  No.  4;  Robert  E.  Miller,  of 
No.  5;  Ernest  Hagan.  of  No.  6;  Michael  Barry,  of  No,  7,  and  Norton  Savage,  of  No,  10. 
Alfred  Stead  is  Director  of  School  No.  3.  The  total  number  of  children,  aged  between 
five  and  ten  jears,  enumerated  in  the  school  returns  as  belonging  to  the  township,  is  1,552, 
of  whom  935  are  in  District  No.  1;  75  in  District  No.  2;  66  in  District  No.  4;  174  in 
District  No.  5;  42  in  District  No.  6;  54  in  District  No.  7;  114  in  District  No.  10,  and  92 
in  fractional  District  No.  3.  The  two  school  brick  buildings  at  Mt.  Clemens,  with  other 
school  property,  are  valued  at  S22,0OO.  The  other  seven  buildings  in  the  township  are 
valued  at  $3,500,  showing  the  total  value  of  school  property  in  1882  to  be  $25,500.  The 
total  sum  paid  the  teachers  of  the  township  for  the  year  ending  September,  1881,  was  $4,- 
195,  of  which  sum  the  teaching  staff  at  Mt.  Clemens  received  $3, 180.  The  total  expendi- 
tures for  the  year  ending  September,  1881,  amounted  to  $7,454,68.  The  public  school 
fund  yielded  $1,634.52,  the  1  mill  tax,  $1,565.65  and  the  balance  received  from  the  ordi- 
nary school  revenue  of  the  township. 

VILLAGES    OF    THE    TOWNSHIP. 

The  village  of  Cady,  or  Cady's  Corner,  is  a  small  settlement  composed  chiefly  of  Ger- 
man farmers  and  their  families,  dating  from  1834.  It  is  on  Clinton  River,  in  the  center 
of  a  rich  agi'icultural  region,  about  seventeen  miles  above  Detroit,  five  southwest  of  Mt. 
Clemens,  the  county  seat,  and  near  Eraser  Station,  on  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  to  which 
depot  goods  should  be  shipped.      It  has  a  German  Lutheran  Chiu'ch  and  common  school. 

Mt.  Clemens  was  established  an  incorporated  village  in  1837.  Warsaw,  Frankfort, 
Marcellus,  Frederick  and  other  little  centers  of  population  wished  to  he  incorporated. 
The  first  allowed  its  village  charter  to  lapse,  and  did  not  re-seek  incorporation  until  1851; 


r 


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^^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  other  villages  died  away  in  Mo.  The  last  building  of  Frederick  is  now  a  total  wreck, 
its  debris  of  timber  and  brick  reminding  the  traveler  of  what  the  city  of  Mt,  Clemens 
might  have  been  had  not  the  following  citizens  laid  the  foundations  on  which  its  present 
citizens  built  and  continue  to  build:  Christian  Clemens.  John  Stockton.  Giles  Hubbard, 
Robert  P.  Eldredge,  Thomas  L.  Sackett,  William  Cantield.  Henry  R.  Babcock,  M.  D., 
Heniy  Taylor,  Sr.,  M.  D.,  George  Lee,  M.  D.,  Pemn  Crawford,  Dr.  Hall.  J.  B.  Dickinson, 
T.  M.  Cix)cker,  Thomas  Ashley,  James  L.  Conger,  Henry  Harrington,  Aaron  Weeks.  Varnum 
Lufkin,  John  Dixon,  Abner  C.  Smith,  Thomas  M.  Perry.  Frederick  Hatch,  Henry  D.  Terry, 
Andi-ew  S.  Robertson.  William  Jenny.  .John  Stephens,  Moore  Stephens.  Henry  M.  Dodge. 

PERSONAL    HISTORY. 

History  is  a  relation  of  facts,  while  biography  is  actually  a  history  of  the  lives  and 
characters  of  those  men  who  caused  such  facts  to  have  an  existence.  One  should  be  in- 
separable from  the  other;  and  so  apjaarent  is  this,  so  apparent  has  it  been,  that  for  some 
years  we  made  it  a  practice  to  deal  fully  with  the  people  who  have  made  subject  for  the 
histories  of  our  counties,  and  particularly  with  those  whose  intelligence  now  guides  them 
to  place  couiidence  in  our  work,  to  realize  its  value,  to  take  an  especial  pride  in  its  success. 
In  the  following  sketches,  it  will  be  evident  to  the  reader  that  an  effort  has  been  made  to 
deal  fairly  with  the  people  of  this  city.  We  owe  them  a  bona  fide  history  for  the  special 
support  they  have  given  the  work.  We  owe  them  our  thanks  for  the  hearty  co-operation 
extended  to  ourselves  and  to  our  employes. 


MOUNT     CLEilENS    AND    CLINTON     TOWNSHU'. 

LOUIS  A.  ALLOR.  son  of  Louis  Allor.  of  Trois  Rivieres,  near  Quebec  City,  was 
born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  October  2,  1835;  came  to  St.  Clair  County,  Mich.,  in 
November,  1852;  to  Macomb  County  in  18t)5  and  settled  in  Ray  Township;  was  foreman 
in  Schmoors  stave  and  sawmill,  in  St.  Clair  County,  for  two  years;  in  Cooper  &  Lathrop's 
mill,  at  Richmond,  for  one  year;  farmed  in  Ray  for  a  few  years;  in  Snook  &  White's  stave 
and  heading  mill  for  about  two  years;  in  Hazleton's  heading  factory,  at  Baltimore  Station, 
for  about  two  years;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1875,  and  was  partner  with  F.  G.  Kendrick, 
in  sash,  door  and  blind  factory,  until  1881,  since  which  time  he  has  had  charge  of  the  ma- 
chinery in  Lewis  &  Brehler's  j)laning-mill.  Pi-evious  to  18G2,  he  held  the  offices  of  Super- 
visor, Justice  of  the  Peace  and  School  Inspector,  and  was  Notary  Public  for  fom-  years, 
and  taught  school  in  one  district  for  ten  terms  before  the  war.  In  18(52,  he  enlisted  in 
Comj)auy  E.  Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry;  promoted  Orderly  Sergeant  at  muster-in; 
Second  Lieutenant '  October,  18()2;  First  Lieutenant,  July,  1803;  Adjutant,  June,  1804; 
was  commissioned  Captain  by  President  Lincoln,  but  declined;  was  appointed  Assistant 
Adjutant  General  Reserve  Brigade,  Division  of  the  Cumberland,  in  1804,  which  office  he 
held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  A  reference  to  the  military  history  of  the  county  will 
point  out  the  varied  services  of  this  soldier.  Mr.  Allor  was  married,  in  1850,  to  Miss 
Octavia  Landi-y,  who  died  in  1859.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Jean  some  time  after,  to  whom 
were  born  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Nellie  and  Elmer.  Rolla  was  killed  at 
the  age  of  fifteen  yeai-s  by  falling  on  a  8hai-)>  stick  in  a  hay  rack;  Ellen  died  from  natural 
causes^  Fabien  Jean,  father  of  Mrs.  Allor.  was  born  in  Clinton  in  1805,  and  died  October 
20,  18  /8.  He  man-ied  Miss  Magdaline  Sear  at  an  early  date,  and,  after  her  death,  married 
Miss  V.  Grilfard.  He  was  the  father  of  six  children  by  his  first  wife  and  eight  by  his 
second.     In  the  history  of  Chesterfield,  a  full  reference  is  made  to  this  native  pioneer. 

HIRAM  ATWOOD  (deceased),  son  of  Peter  Atwood,  was  born  in  Vermont  June  9, 
1801;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Vermont  and  Canada;  settled  on  Section  1, 


iL, 


Clinton  Township,  in  1822,  at  a  time  when  bear,  deer  and  wolf  would  come  leisurely  to 
the  dooryard.  Mr.  Atwood  married  Miss  Fannie  Cook,  Maivh  K',  lS2r).  They  were  the 
parents  of  three  boys  and  one  girl.  After  the  death  of  this  lady,  he  married  Miss  Aurilla 
A.  Douglass,  July  7,  1S38.  to  whom  were  born  three  boys  and  one  girl.  Of  Mr.  Atwood's 
children,  Alonzo,  Adeline,  William  and  Phoebe  A.  are  living:  Charles,  Sylvester,  Richai-d 
and  Hiram  D.  Atwood  are  deceased.  Hiram  D.  Atwood  was  bom  in  Clinton  Township. 
Macomb  County,  November  29,  1888;  educated  in  Mt.  Clemens  schools  and  was  a  farmer. 
He  married  INIiss  Allie  M.  Watterson,  in  1865,  daughter  of  Robert  Watterson,  of  Vernon. 
N.  Y.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children — Mary  C,  Agnes  C.  and  Luallie.  Mr. 
Atwood  died  December  HI.  1881. 

FRED  S.  AVERY,  partner  with  F.  M.  Sackett,  born  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  is  a  son  of 
Frederick  Avery,  the  original  proprietor  of  the  Cook  House,  at  Ann  Arbor,  and  now  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  the  Mt.  Clemens  Mineral  Springs.  He  was  educated  at  Ann  Arbor 
and  at  Helmuth  College.  London.  Ontario;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1879.  and  mai-ried 
Miss  Jennie  Sackett,  daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  Thomas  Sackett,  May  8,  1881.  Sackett  & 
Avery's  boot  and  shoe  store  was  established  in  the  spring  of  1879,  by  George  C.  Fenton, 
who  sold  his  interest  to  F.  M.  Sackett  soon  after.  The  present  firm  took  charge  of  busi- 
ness in  May,  1881 :  keep  a  good  assortment  of  line  goods,  and  pay  that  attention  to  busi- 
ness which  insures  succes'% 

HENRY  M'.  BABCOCK  was  born  at  Mt.  Clemens  December  1,  1842:  son  of  Henry 
R..  deceased,  an  early  settler  of  Macomb.  Mr.  B.  was  educated  at  Mt.  Clemens  and  at 
the  normal  school  of  Ypsilanti:  served  three  years  in  the  wai"  he  enlisted  as  a  drummer- 
boy  in  Company  C,  Fifth  Michigan  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Trowbridge,  of  Saginaw; 
served  in  the  regiment  nine  moaths  and  left  after  the  seven  days'  tight  at  Harrison's 
Landing.  He  then  went  into  the  hospital  at  Harrison's  Landing  as  dispensing  clerk; 
went  thence  to  Craney  Isle,  Va. ,  where  he  tilled  the  same  office  for  a  few  months;  then 
detailed  on  transport  service  for  two  mouths,  and  the  remainder  of  the  time  (three  years) 
was  in  Medical  Purveyor's  office,  under  Dr.  J.  Bernard  Brinton.  Assistant  Surgeon  United 
States  Army:  retiu-ning  subsequently,  he  tilled  the  same  office  as  a  civilian  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  purchased  a  drug  store  in  l8t)5  from  J.  S.  Farrar,  in  Metropolitan  Block, 
where  he  still  continues  the  business.  Mr.  Babcock  was  manager  of  the  Western  Union 
Telegraph  office  here  for  twelve  years;  was  Town  Clerk  four  yeai-s,  Corporation  Recorder 
for  three  years  and  City  Clerk  for  two  years.  He  was  also  Secretary  of  the  Macomb 
County  Agricultural  Society  four  years.  He  is  now  Siipervisor — second  term.  Mr.  Bab- 
cock married.  May  10,  186"),  Miss  Maria  F.  Bonnie,  a  niece  of  Lemuel  Sackett,  a  pio- 
neer of  Macomb  County.  They  are  the  parents  of  sis  children  —  Bernard  B. .  Blanche  B. , 
Delia  F.,  Henry  R.,  Frank  and  Courtney  G.  The  drug  business  of  -Mr.  B.  amounts  to 
about  $8,000  annually.  Dr.  H.  R.  Babcock  died  Thursday.  September  28,  187<),  aged 
sixty-two:  was  the  father  of  six  children,  of  whom  two  are  living — H.  W.  Babcock  and 
Mi-s.  J.  H.  Westendorf.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  year  1887:  graduated  at  Fairfield 
Medical  College,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  was  one  of 
the  first  original  members  of  the  Macomb  County  Medical  Association:  he  carried  on  the 
drug  business  in  connection  with  his  profession  from  the  year  1848  up  to  1861:  was  Post- 
master twelve  years. 

JOSEPH  BARNEY,  owner  of  fish  market,  was  born  at  Chatham.  Canada.  May  1 T), 
1848:  son  of  Joseph  Barney,  of  Quebec,  a  French  Canadian,  who  settled  at  Detroit  in 
1844.  !Mr.  Barney  was  engineer  on  a  lake  boat  for  many  years.  In  1857.  the  family 
moved  to  Mt.  Clemens.  In  June,  LStil,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fifth  Michigan  In- 
fantry, and  served  with  that  famous  command  until  his  discharge.  He  was  made  prisoner 
at  the  Wilderness,  held  for  five  months,  when  he  was  exchanged.      He  was  again  taken  at 


^Rr 


■k 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Gettysburg,  and  passed  some  time  in  Libby  and  Belle  Isle  Prisons;  was  wounded  and 
carries  a  bullet  in  lower  limb.  He  married  Miss  Jane  E.  Sawyer,  of  Canada,  December  S, 
ISIi'.t,  to  whom  six  children  were  born.  Three  are  living — Joseph  W.,  Jane  and  James. 
Mr.  Barney  established  the  first  regular  fish  market  in  the  city  in  1878.  Previous  to  that 
time,  peddlers  supplied  the  villagers.  A  toy,  notion  an'l  candy  store  is  connected  with 
the  market. 

MINARD  BARR  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  within  four  miles  of  Detroit,  August 
29,  18;52.  His  father  was  Reuben  C.  Barr.  of  New  York,  In  184."),  Mr.  Barr  left  home 
to  seek  employment  at  Detroit.  There  he  worked  at  the  cabinet  trade  for  two  years;  sub- 
sequently, he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  followed  it  until  l8r)4,  when  he  left  De- 
troit. He  came  to  Macomb  County  in  1857,  having  devoted  the  previous  two  years  to 
extensive  travel  throughout  the  States. 

GEORGE  H.  BEATY  was  born  at  Burlington,  Vt.,  May  20,  1822,  locating  in  Ma- 
comb in  18r)r);  in  1857,  he  brought  his  family  hither.  He  was  married,  in  1849,  to  Miss 
Jane  Gilbert,  of  Vermont,  to  whom  two  children  were  born  —Charles  B.  and  Carrie.  The 
former  married  Miss  Pearl  Van  Fleet,  and  resides  on  homestead.  The  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Protestant  Episcojjal  Church. 

HORACE  R.  BEEBE,  born  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  November  28,  1828;  son  of 
Horace  Beel^e,  of  Massachusetts,  who  settled  in  New  York  at  an  early  day,  and  who  came 
with  his  family  to  Wayne  County,  Mich.,  in  1884;  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Wayne 
— at  that  time,  when  a  log  cabin  and  slab  benches  formed  the  district  school-room.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  1857,  and  located  lands  on  Section  28,  Clinton,  where  he  now  owns 
a  farm  of  forty  five  acres.  He  was  married,  in  1858,  to  Miss  Philancia  Bras,  to  whom 
eight  children  were  born — Bela,  Cora  E..  Ina  E.,  Samuel  H.,  Lucy  E.,  Ira  W. ,  Bertha  L. 
and  Eva  V.  Mr.  B.  is  a  member  of  Grange;  has  been  Highway  Commissioner  for  about 
nine  years,  and  is  running  for  second  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  together  with  filling 
other  offices. 

WILLIAM  BEER,  born  in  Somersetshire,  England,  in  December,  1791;  came  to 
New  Jersey  in  I81f),  and  to  New  York  City  in  1817.  He  retui'ued  to  New  Jersey  in 
1828,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until  he  went  to  Macomb  County,  in  l885; 
here  he  entered  land  fi'om  the  Government  and  brought  his  family  late  in  188'); 
engaged  in  the  saw-mill  business  in  the  fall  of  188(),  building  a  mill  in  company  with 
James  Shook.  He  took  contracts  on  the  canal  in  1889,  and  constiiicted  all  the  locks  be- 
tween Mt.  Clemens  and  Utica.  He  was  one  of  the  company  that  built  the  first  fiouring- 
raill  at  Mt.  Clemens,  which  was  afterward  burned.  Mr.  B.  was  mairied  in  England  in 
1811,  to  Sai'ah  Hollidge,  to  whom  sis  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are  living — 
Mary  A.  (Hall),  William  and  Hemy.  Mrs.  B.  died  at  an  early  day.  He  maiTied  his 
present  wife  in  1820,  who  is  still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  celebrated  their  golden  wed- 
ding in  1870.  Mr.  B.  was  one  of  the  tir.st  officers  of  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens;  has 
been  always  identified  with  its  interests,  and  is  supposed  to  be  the  senior  in  ago  of  all  the 
old  folks  in  the  village, 

MICHAEL  BENBENNEK,  sou  of  Michael,  deceased,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany, 
October  11,  1828;  came  to  Macomb  County  in  185t),  and  located  in  Erie  Township  ou  a 
farm  which  he  rented  for  three  years.  In  1859,  he  bought  thirty  acres  of  timbered  land 
in  Sterling  Township,  which  he  cleared  and  sold,  buying  another  tract  of  forty  acres;  of 
this  he  cleared  twenty  four  acres,  built  a  house  and  barn  and  planted  an  extensive  orchard. 
He  located  on  a  rented  farm  in  Clinton  in  18r)8,  remaining  there  two  years,  until  his  pur- 
chase of  eighty  acres  on  Section  28,  where  he  now  owns  a  well-cultivated  farm  of  100  acres. 
He  was  man'ied,  in  1848,  to  Miss  Josephine  Ketchmark.  Of  eleven  children  born  to  this 
union,  seven  are  living — Au^uat,  Hermann,  Michael,  Albert,  Mina,  Elizabeth  and  Emma. 


^Fc 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUXTY. 


iL^ 


The  three  older  bovs  and  Mina  are  married.  The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic 
Church. 

FRANCIS  H.  BENTLEY.  jeweler,  was  born  in  Scottsville,  near  Rochester,  N.  Y. , 
Januaiy  2."),  IS-iT:  son  of  Hiram,  native  of  Western  New  York.  Mr.  B.  came  with  his 
family  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  fall  of  1840,  and  established  the  second  jewehy  store  in  the 
village,  which  he  conducted  until  his  death,  in  iSaS.  Francis  H.  Bentley's  father.  Hiram 
Bentley,  was  born  December  22,  1811:  died  January  81,  1858.  His  mother,  Mrs.  AnneC. 
(Fosmire)  Bentley,  was  born  April  8,  1818.  Their  children  were:  Francis  H.  Bentley, 
born  .Januar_y  25,  1887;  Albert  M..  born  June  11.  18-12,  and  Alice  S..  born  November  14, 
1848.  F.  H.  B.  at  his  father's  death  took  charge  of  the  business,  and  has  conducted  it 
since,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  passed  at  Rochester.  He  married  Miss  Maria 
Lovell.  of  England,  in  December.  18fi2.  daughter  of  Levi  Lovell:  they  are  the  parents  of 
two  children — Susie  and  Jenny.  He  has  been  Town  Clerk  one  term;  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Chvirch. 

A.LVIN  C.  BRANDY,  son  of  Alvin  Bi^andy,  a  native  of  Vermont,  of  German  ex- 
traction, was  born  four  miles  above  BixJekviTle.lSanada,  on  St.  Lawrence  River,  November  5, 
1828.  He  came  with  his  family  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1880,  and  settled  in  Clinton  Town- 
ship, where  he  was  educated.  He  visited  California  in  1858,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
mining  and  farming  until  185M.  when  he  returned  to  Mt.  Clemens.  He  mastered  the  car- 
penter's art  without  instruction,  aud  followed  that  trade  with  success.  He  was  married, 
in  September,  18()0.  to  Mi-s.  Olive  McCall,  daughter  of  Daniel  Frink,  to  whom  three  chil- 
di-en  were  born.  viz..  Greorge.  E.  Belle  and  Jennie,  the  latter  deceased.  Mr.  B.  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  R.  A.  M. ;  has  held  the  offices  of  Marshal  and  Street  Com- 
missioner of  Mt.  Clemens,  where  he  has  been  favorably  known  for  the  last  half  centm-y. 

ALBERT  BREHLER,  born  at  Prussia.  Germany,  April  28,  1840,  son  of  Andre.v 
Brehler,  of  Prussia,  who  settled  in  Canada  in  1847,  aud  at  Detroit  in  18(')4,  came  to  Ma- 
comb County  in  IHCtiK  Mr.  B.  married  Miss  Rosena  Weiss,  June  14.  18(14,  to  whom  were 
born  eight  children — Edward.  John,  Mary,  Josephine,  Katie.  Francis,  Joseph  and  An- 
drew. He  has  been  connected  with  the  sash,  door  and  blind  factory  since  August.  1878. 
The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic  Chm-ch. 

JOHN  E.  BREHLER.  son  of  Andrew  Brehler.  who  came  to  America  in  the  year 
1847,  and  settled  in  the  county  of  Waterloo,  Canada,  was  born  September  19,  188(). 
Coming  to  Detroit  in  the  year  1854,  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  continuing  the 
same  until  1808;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  and  located  on  a  farm  three  miles  west  of  Mt. 
Clemens;  lived  on  the  farm  two  years;  came  to  Mt  Clemens  in  1870,  where,  in  partnershij) 
with  his  brother.  Thomas  B.  Brehler.  he  started  the  hrst  regular  can-iage  manuf actiu-ing  shop 
in  Mt.  Clemens:  in  LS78,  he  sold  his  interest  in  the  concern  to  his  brother;  bought  the 
half  interest  of  Charles  Groesbeck  in  the  sash.  door,  and  blind  factory  of  Lewis  &  Groes- 
beck.  in  1875,  which  he  owns  at  the  present  time;  in  April.  ISSl,  he  0]>ened  a  dry  goods  store, 
in  company  with  Arthur  Deziel,  to  whom  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  January.  1882. 
John  E.  Brehler  married  Miss  Charlotte  A.  Campau,  daughter  of  Maj.  James  Campau,  of 
Detroit.  November  12.  1861;  ili-s.  John  E.  Brehler  died  February  20,  1.SS2;  leaving  a 
family  of  six  children  living:  Belle  C.  Lula  M.,  Maud  E.,  Alex  A.,' Blanch  M..  Edgar  C. 
"Mi.  Brehler  was  elected  Aldenuau  in  ISSl.  His  record  shows  him  to  be  a  man  of  thor- 
ough enteii^rise.     The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic  Chiu'ch. 

HARRY  BRIGGS  was  born  at  Potter,  Yates  Co.,  N.  Y..  July  18,  1882;  son  of  Abel 
Briggs.  deceased,  from  one  of  two  brothers  who  came  from  England  early  in  the  seven- 
teenth century.  Mr.  B.  lived  on  the  old  homestead  until  thirty-two  years  of  age;  worked 
for  some  time  at  the  car])enter  and  joiner's  trade;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1872.  and 
brought  his  family  hither  in   1878.      He  was  a  dealer   in  fruit  trees  here  for  over  three 


fc. 


years:  is  now  auctioneer  at  public  sales,  and  is  said  to  be  the  senior  as  well  as  the  best 
patronized  salesman  in  the  county.  He  was  married,  in  18()4,  to  Miss  Elvira  H.  Stephen- 
sou,  daughter  of  Daniel  B.  Stephenson,  of  New  York,  to  whom  one  child  was  born.  Mr. 
B.  is  a  Deacon  in  the  Baptist  Church,  a  member  of  F.  &  A.  M.  and  a  Good  Templar. 

WILLIAM  BROOME;  son  of  Thomas  Broome,  of  Shi'opshire,  England,  was  born  in 
that  country  in  December,  1828;  was  educated  there  and  resided  there  until  ](S52,  when 
he  left  for  Canada.  In  the  fall  of  1853  he  came  to  Michigan.  In  1881,  he  was  ap- 
pointed  Deputy  Sherifi",  which  position  he  now  occupies.  Mr.  Broome  was  married  to 
Miss  Catharine  Bolty,  April  21,  ]8()<),  to  whom  were  born  three  children,  of  whom  two 
are  living — Mary  M.  and  Thomas  H.  Mrs.  Broome  died  in  1878;  in  1N74,  he  married 
Mrs.  Catharine  Conner,  who  is  the  mother  of  one  child — Lillian  E.  Broome.  The  family 
belong  to  the  Methodist  Ejuscopal  Church. 

CALVIN  BUSH,  sou  of  Orry  Bush,  of  Massachusetts,  was  bom  in  Rensselaer  County. 
N.  Y.,  July  4,  1824.  In  181)5,  moved  to  Livingston  Couuty,  N.  Y..  where  he  was  -Ugaged 
in  manufacturing  paper  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Mt.  Clemens.  He  serv  d  in  th  late 
war  as  First  Lieutenant,  Company  E,  Ou'  Hundred  and  Tweuty-tifth  New  York  Infantry. 
In  1870,  he  engaged  in  lumbering,  rafted  logs  from  Lake  Huron,  manufactured  lumber 
at  Mt.  Clemens  mill,  in  which  he  had  an  interest,  and  continued  in  this  business  until 
1870.  He  was  married,  in  1858,  to  Miss  Maiy  E.  Janes,  of  the  historic  Janes  family,  to 
whom  were  born  two  children — William  A.  and  Lizzie  M.  The  former  is  a  citizen  of  Green- 
wood Couuty,  Kan. 

RICHARD  BUTLER  was  born  on  Grosse  Island,  of  the  river  of  Detroit,  April  1, 
1797,  and  removed  to  Gostield,  Canada,  soon  after  with  his  parents.  Owing  to  the  death 
of  his  father,  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  Pennsylvania  Dutch  farmer  in  1802,  for  whom  he 
labored  until  he  obtained  his  majority.  During  all  those  years,  his  employer  denied  him 
all  chances  of  education,  requiring  from  him  an  incessant  round  of  hard  work.  Mr.  But- 
ler entered  upon  a  course  of  self- instruction  in  1821;  moved  to  Detroit  September  22  of 
that  year,  where  he  continued  his  studies;  subseqixeutly,  taught  school  there  for  a  term 
of  years,  which  school  was  attended  by  the  childi-en  of  Gen.  Cass  and  many  others,  who 
are  now  prominent  citizens  of  Detroit.  Mr.  B.  also  taught  school  at  Mt.  CJemens  and  at 
other  places  within  this  county;  he  entered  mercantile  life  in  Detroit  and  pm'sued  it  for  a 
short  time,  imtil  his  removal  to  Mt.  Clemens,  in  1828.  He  was  commissioned  County 
Clerk  in  1829  by  Gen.  Cass;  soon  after,  appointed  Justice  of  the  Peace,  holding  each 
office  for  a  term  of  four  years;  he  was  appointed  Register  of  the  United  States  land  office 
at  Sault  de  St.  Marie  by  Milhu-d  Fillmore,  which  office  he  held  diu-ing  that  administra- 
tion. Mr.  B.  studied  law  without  the  aid  of  instructors  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Macomb  County  in  1884,  from  which  time  until  1865,  he  made  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion very  success  Eul;  he  inaugurated  the  Macomb  Statemuaii  in  1887;  held  the  office  of 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  as  noticed  in  the  organic  chapter:  was  admitted  to  the  Supreme 
Com't  of  the  United  States,  at  Washington,  and  elected  member  of  the  State  Legislatm-e, 
particulars  of  which  election  are  given  in  the  political  chapter  of  the  general  histoiy. 
His  marriage  with  Miss  Abigail  Hayes  took  place  in  August,  1827,  to  whom  were  born  fom- 
children,  one  of  whom — Milton  H.  I5utler~- dwells  on  the  old  homestead,  immediately  south 
of  Mt.  Clemens  City.  Mr.  B.  is  now  in  his  eighty-fifth  year,  and  only  sufi'ei-s  deafness 
occasioned  by  a  fall  in  1805.  His  visits  to  Mt.  Clemens  are  made  almost  daily,  he  per- 
forming the  joiu-ney  on  foot.  During  his  sixty-four  years'  citizenship  of  Macomb 
County,  he  has  proved  a  leader  in  all  matters  which  promise  good  to  the  county,  and  now 
in  his  old  age  looks  back  to  the  past  with  pleasure  and  forward  to  the  future  with  higher 
hopes. 

CALKINS  &  DAHM,  druggists,  purchased  the  business  established  in  1870  by  L.  H. 


~5>    V 


L^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Duncan,  from  George  H.  Crane,  the  owner  since  1878,  in  January,  1882.  The  stock  kept 
by  this  iirm  is  large  and  well  selected;  drugs,  medicines,  toilet  articles,  bathers'  and  fish- 
ers" supplies,  soda  fountains,  etc.,  go  to  make  up  a  store  which  compares  favorably  with 
the  general  retail  di'ug  stores  of  om'  large  cities.  The  offices  of  the  Atlantic  &  Pacific  and 
Western  Union  Telegraph  Companies  are  located  in  the  store;  it  also  connects  with  the 
Telephone  Exchange.  H.  W.  Calkins,  member  of  the  firm  of  Calkins  &  Dahm.  was  born 
at  Howell,  Mich.,  in  June,  1851');  graduated  P.  H.  C.  from  Ann  Ai-bor  in  1878;  engaged  in 
the  di'ug  business  at  South  Lj'on.  Mich.,  until  forming  a  partnership  with  ]VIi\  Dahm.  in 
December,  1881.      He  was  maiTied  to  Miss  Mattie  McNaines.  of  Ann  Arbor,  in  1878. 

WILLIAM  M,  CAMPBELL  was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  September  27, 
1817;  son  of  John  Campbell,  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1794,  and 
died  in  1827.  Mi".  Campbell's  battles  with  the  world  began  in  his  youth.  After  the 
death  of  his  father,  he  vowed  never  to  use  intoxicating  liquor  or  tobacco,  which  vow  has 
been  religiously  observed  by  him.  He  labored  on  a  farm  iintil  seventeen  years  old.  Came 
to  Mt.  Clemens  m  188(),  where  he  taught  school  for  one  year;  then  retiu-nedto  New  York, 
where  he  lived  on  a  farm  dm-ing  summer  and  taught  school  dm'ing  winter.  In  the  fall  of 
1842,  he  settled  permanently  in  Macomb,  taught  the  Cady  District  School  that  winter; 
subsequently,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  piunps  at  Mt.  Clemens;  was  traveling 
agent  for  about  twenty  years,  but  throughout  has  given  a  marked  attention  to  agriculture. 
He  made  the  first  Free-Soil  speech  ever  made  in  Michigan,  on  the  public  square  of  Mt. 
Clemens,  and  received  the  nomination  for  State  Senator  from  Free-Soilers  and  Whigs, 
when  he  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket.  Mi'.  Campbell  married  Mary  E.  Sackett,  of  Mom-oe 
County.  N.  Y.,  January  17,  1844,  to  whom  was  born  one  child — William  T.  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.     Mr.  Campbell  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

WILLIAM  T.  CAMPBELL  was  born  at  what  was  once  known  as  the  village  of  Fred- 
erick, Clinton  Township,  August  14,  1849:  is  the  son  of  William  M.  Campbell,  referred 
to  in  these  pages.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Hubbard,  daughter  of  the  late  Giles 
Hubbard,  December  15,  1870.  They  are  the  pai-ents  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  are 
living  —Bessie,  Blanche  and  George.  Mr.  Campbell  devotes  much  attention  to  the  train- 
ing of  fast  horses,  and  keeps  sixtv-five  cows  in  connection  with  a  dairy. 

ARTHUR  L.  CANFIELD,'member  of  the  Macomb  County  bar,  was  born  at  Mt. 
Clemens  January  27,  1844.  Mr.  C.  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, graduating  fi-om  the  Union  School  in  1862.  He  studied  at  the  Ypsilanti  Seminary 
for  two  years;  subsequently,  entered  the  law  office  of  Giles  Hubbard  and  completed  his 
com-se  of  law  studies  under  Knight  &  Jennison,  of  Detroit;  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
before  the  Supreme  Court  in  1866;  located  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  1867,  where  he  has  since 
resided  and  where  he  has  made  the  practice  of  law  a  complete  success.  He  held  the  po- 
sition of  Circuit  Court  Commissioner  for  fom'  years;  was  nominated  by  the  Republicans 
for  Senator  in  187<>,  but  declined  the  honor;  was  City  Attorney  for  three  years;  above  all, 
he  is  a  lawver,  to  which  busiue.ss  he  gives  his  undivided  attention.  His  father,  William 
Canfield,  was  an  old  resident  of  Mt.  Clemens,  who  located  in  the  little  village  in  1829. 
He  married  a  daughter  of  Judge  Clemens,  the  founder  of  the  village,  and  made  the  vil- 
lage his  home  until  his  decease. 

AUGUSTUS  H.  CANFIELD.  sou  of  William  Canfield.  who  died  in  1877,  was  born 
on  the  homestead  adjoining  the  city  limits  on  North  Gratiot  street,  June  11,  1841;  was 
educated  at  Mt.  Clemens  and  at  the  Agricultural  College.  Lansing;  entered  the  United 
States  military  service  with  the  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry;  was  transferred  in  1862  to 
Company  G,  and  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant;  in  the  fall  of  1862,  he  was  transferred 
to  Company  H,  and  commissioned  First  Lieutenant;  in  186H,  he  was  commissioned  Ad- 
jutant, and  discharged  with  that  rank  in  1864.      After  a  stay  of  three  months  at  home,  he 


11^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


left  for  Chattanooga.  Tenn.,  wiiere  he  remained  one  year.  He  visited  New  York  City,  in 
October.  1S()0.  and  entered  the  em))loy  of  the  wholesale  hat,  cap  and  fnr  house  of  Will- 
iams »fc  Wliittlesey,  whom  he  rej)resented  in  Michigan  for  live  years.  In  1871.  he  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  business  at  Detroit;  sold  his  stock  in  1878,  and  entered  the  employ 
of  Ives,  Miu'phy  &  Gore,  of  New  York  City,  whom  he  represented  in  Michigan  for  two 
years,  retiu'uing  to  the  homestead  in  1875,  where  he  now  follows  farming.  Mr.  C.  was 
maiTied  to  Miss  Alice  Benton.  His  first  wife  was  the  mother  of  Guy  M.  Cantield.  He 
was  the  first  Master  of  the  County  Grange  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  is  now  holding 
the  same  jiosition. 

OLIVER  CHAPATON,  a  leading  citizen  of  Macomb  County  for  fifty-two  years,  and 
one  of  the  most  energetic  and  enterprising  business  men  of  Mt.  Clemens  City,  was  born  at 
Detroit  January  18.  I82(j.  He  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Dr.  Louis  Chapaton,  surgeon,  at- 
tached to  the  French  Army  of  Occupation,  who  arrived  in  Detroit  about  171 '2.  Oliver 
Cha])aton  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  fall  of  1880,  while  yet  it  was  a  hamlet  of  a  dozen 
small  houses.  He  was  a  merchant  for  thirteen  years ;  Treasui-er  of  Macomb  ten  years,  and 
is  now  part  owner  of  the  steamers  City  of  Mt.  Clemens  and  S.  H.  Johnson,  engaged 
in  the  carrying  of  lumber  between  Saginaw  Bay  and  other  lake  ports.  Mr.  C.  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  Mt.  Clemens  Savings  Bank  in  1877.  He  was  its  first  President, 
with  J.  W.  Porter,  first  Cashier.  He  still  holds  the  same  position,  while  G.  A.  Skinner  is 
now  Cashier.  The  capital  stock  of  the  bank  is  $50,000.  The  business  is  well  managed 
and  is  a  very  important  factor  in  the  economic  concerns  of  the  city. 

REV.  M.  A.  CHURCHILL,  sou  of  Charles  P.  Churchill,  of  Vermont,  now  of  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  was  born  at  Buffalo.  July  0,  1845;  graduated  from  Rochester  University,  New 
York,  in  1871,  and  from  Rochester  Theological  Seminary  in  1874;  he  served  as  missionary 
of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  in  China  for  three  years,  leaving  for  that  post 
in  September,  1874,  and  returning  to  the  United  States  in  January.  1878,  on  account  of 
illness;  he  was  pa.stor  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Northville.  Mich.,  from  September,  1878, 
to  September,  1870;  he  took  charge  of  Hope  Mission  at  Buffalo.  January  1.  1880;  he  con- 
tinued there  until  January,  1881;  became  pastor  of  Mt.  Clemens  Baptist  Church  May  1, 
1881.  He  was  mai-ried,  June  25,  1874,  to  Miss  Jennie  R.  Hoyt.  of  Penn  Yan.  N.  Y.,  to 
whom  was  born  one  child — Charles  Hoyt.  This  lady  died  at  Yokohama.  Japan,  Decem- 
ber 17,  1S75.  October  80,  1878,  he  mai-ried  for  his  second  wife.  Miss  Eleanor  E.  Ches- 
nutwood,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  then  of  Buffalo,  to  whom  were  born  two  children — Mary  A. 
and  Sue  O. 

JOHN  M.  CLEVELAND,  proprietor  Shackleton  House,  was  born  at  Thorold.  On 
tario,  October  8,  1821:  son  of  the  late  Joshua  Cleveland,  a  native  of  Connecticut.  Mr. 
C.  is  a  cooper,  but  has  not  worked  at  the  trade  since  1872.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in 
1870,  and  sold  the  Howe  Sewing  Machine  here  for  eight  years.  Together  with  his  hotel 
business,  he  holds  the  position  of  janitor  of  the  city  school  buildings.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Margaret  Swayze  in  184t).  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  childi-en,  four  of 
whom  are  living — MaiT,  Phcebe,  Seward  and  Searford.  the  latter  twins.  Mr.  C.  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Chm-ch. 

JOSEPH  COLE  (deceased)  was  born  in  .Saratoga  County,  N.  Y. ,  January  24,  1/92; 
came  to  Macomb  County  in  1884,  and  located  lands  in  Clinton  Township.  He  was  one  of 
the  early  sm-veyors  of  the  county.  Mr.  Cole  married  Miss  Sarah  Macomber,  of  Greenfield, 
N.  Y.,  February  25,  1812,  daughter  of  Mr.  Macomber,  of  Columbia,  N.  Y.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eleven  children,  viz.,  Catharine  A,  Ann.,  Jeanette,  Lydia  P.,  Martha, 
Sai-ah  M.,  Cynthia  M.,  Emily  L.,  Sans  L.,  Harriet,  Phoebe  E.  Mrs.  Martha  Stout,  of 
Alpena,  Mich.,  is  one  of  the  children  of  this  old  settler.  Mr.  Cole  died  while  visiting  his 
daughter  at  Bay  City,  July  81,  1878. 


4 


M- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


JULIUS  F.  COULON  was  born  at  Newgen,  Prussia,  October  2(1.  184r):  camf  to  the 
United  States  iu  lSo<).  and  settled  in  Clinton  Township.  He  married  Miss  Cathai'ine 
Kaiser.  November  21.  1872.  who  was  born  August  IH.  LS4U.  They  are  the  parents  of 
three  children — Otto,  aged  eight  years.  Alloin  E. .  live  years,  and  William  C.  Mr.  Coulon 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Xewgen;  was  a  soldier  in  the  Regular  Prussia  Infantry  for 
twenty-two  months,  from  which  he  was  honorably  discharged.  In  this  township,  he  has 
held  the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  for  two  years.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Chiu'ch  congregation. 

HENRY  CONNER  was  born  on  the  Conner  homestead,  one  mile  from  Mt.  Clemens. 
October  25,  1818,  now  proprietor  of  the  Sherman  House:  is  the  son  of  John  Conner,  a 
veteran  of  the  war  of  1812,  who  was  made  prisoner  by  the  British,  taken  to  Halifax,  ex- 
changed after  the  treaty  of  peace,  and  died  at  Romeo,  aged  ninety  years.  In  the  general 
history  of  the  county,  a  full  reference  is  made  to  the  pioneer,  Richard  Conner,  who  was 
uncle  of  John  Conner  and  father  of  Heniy  Conner.  Henry  Conner  married  Anna  Cran- 
age, January  20,  1848.  to  whom  were  born  five  children — Mary  E. ,  Edward  H..  Helen  R., 
Walter  J.  and  Han-v  A. 

CHARLES  D."  CRITTENDEN,  born  in  Ontario  County,  Phelps  Township,  N.  Y., 
April  10,  182  i ;  son  of  John  C.  of  Massachusetts,  who  went  to  Rhode  Island  when  sixteen 
years  old  and  to  Orleans  County,  N.  Y..  in  1S14.  and  of  Ph<ebe  Goodi'ich.  of  whom 
Charles  D.  Crittenden  is  the  third  son:  came  with  his  family  to  Chesterfield  in  1S81,  and 
settled  on  Section  18,  where  his  father  still  lives,  aged  eighty-six  years.  Mr.  C.  resides 
on  part  of  the  old  homestead.  For  fifteen  winters  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumbering  busi- 
ness, devoting  his  attention  to  farming  dm-ing  the  summers;  he  married  Miss  Knight, 
March,  1855,  to  whom  three  children  were  born — Thurston,  Frank  and  Nettie.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order;  was  Supervisor  two  years.  Township  Treasurer,  two  years, 
Superintendent  of  the  Poor,  eight  years,  and  is  the  owner  of  :i24  acres  of  valuable  land  iu 
this  county. 

EDWIN  F.  CRITTENDEN,  born  at  Junius.  Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y..  Jamiary  22.  1.^24; 
is  the  son  of  John  Crittenden,  of  Massachusetts,  who  came  to  New  York  in  18ir),  and  set- 
tled with  his  family  in  Michigan  in  1881.  Mr.  C  Sr.,  is  still  a  resident  of  the  county, 
and,  though  aged  eighty-six  years,  is  compai'atively  active.  E.  F.  Crittenden  was  raised 
on  the  fann  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  experienced  all  the  joys  and  sor- 
rows of  pioneer  life:  he  married  Miss  Henrietta  Wilson  in  1851.  who  was  the  mother  of 
William  W.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Briggs.  of  Penn 
Yan,  N.  Y.,  December  7,  186S.      The  family  moved  into  Mt.  Clemens  in  1S7(). 

WILLIAM  G.  CRITTENDEN  was  born  iu  Chesterfield  Township  January  10,  1835, 
son  of  John  C,  of  Massachusetts,  who  still  resides  in  Chesterfield,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
six.  His  grandfather,  John  Crittenden,  died  in  this  county  about  1852  or  1853,  aged 
ninety  years  and  five  months.  John  C.  came  to  Macomb  in  1831.  William  G.  Crittenden 
engaged  in  business  in  1855;  ran  threshing  machine  for  foiu'teen  years:  taught  school 
during  nine  winter  terms;  bought  forty  acres  of  timber  land  in  185(),  which  he  sold  in 
1862;  built  a  steam  sawmill  in  Lenox  Township,  in  company  with  R.  R.  Robinson,  in 
18f)2;  sold  his  interest  to  Robinson  in  18()3;  bought  pine  land  in  Midland  County,  Mich., 
in  1864,  and  lumbered  thence- from  the  winter  of  that  year  until  1870.  He  piu'chased  an 
interest  in  600  acres  of  pine  land  in  Saginaw  in  1869,  and  carried  on  hmiber  operations 
there  for  one  winter.  This  land  he  sold  to  difl'erent  parties.  During  the  next  three 
years,  he  worked  on  the  farm  and  at  the  carpenter's  bench  during  summers,  and  in  the 
lumber  woods  diu'ing  the  winters,  until  1874.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1875:  worked 
at  carpenter's  trade  until  1876,  when  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  grain  trade,  with  H. 
C.  M^hite  as  partner.     He  established  a  large  hardware  store  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  Septemljer. 


^^ 


:(^ 


iht. 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


1880,  with  Robert  Posner  as  partner.  Mr.  Crittonden  married  Miss  Jane  Hathaway, 
daughter  of  Julius  Hathaway,  an  old  settler  of  Armada,  in  January,  1879,  to  whom  two 
children  were  born.  The  Crittenden  &  Posner  hardware  store  is  replete  in  the  amount 
and  variety  of  stock  carried.     It  is  estimated  that  the  annual  sales  amount  to  $30. ()(•<). 

GEORGE  M.  CROCKER,  son  of  Samuel  Crocker,  of  Vermont,  was  born  at  Green- 
ville. Bond  Co.,  111.,  August  9,  184S.  His  father  settled  in  Illinois  about  1840,  where  he 
was  Sheriff  of  Bond  County  for  several  years.  Mr.  Crocker  was  educated  in  Greenville, 
again  at  the  Normal  at  Bloomington,  and  lastly  at  Newbmy,  Vt.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clem- 
ens in  18()7,  where  he  entered  the  law  office  of  his  uncle,  T.  M.  Crocker,  who  was  then 
Probate  Judge.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  April,  1870;  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  Circuit  Coiu't  Commissioner  same  year;  Prosecuting  Attorney  in  187();  re- 
elected in  1878;  Mayor  of  Mt.  Clemens  City  in  1879;  re-elected  in  1880.  He  married 
Katharine,  daughter  of  Joshua  B.  Dickinson,  September  6,  1870,  to  whom  wei'e  born  six 
children,  live  of  whom  are  living — George  D. ,  Katharine,  J.  R.,  Margaret  and  Mary.  Mr. 
Crocker  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  with  the  Romeo  Com-  ^ 
maudery  of  Knights  Templar.  His  record  since  coming  to  Mt.  Clemens  points  out  dis- 
tinctly a  man  who  has  secured  popular  esteem  by  industry  and  integrity. 

THOMAS  MARTIN  CROCKER  was  born  in  Pawlet,  Rutland  Co..  Vt.,  November 
-!8.  1825.  He  was  the  youngest  of  five  children  born  to  Thomas  Crocker  and  Maiy 
Hooker,  who  were  married  in  December.  1814.  The  Crockers  were  among  the  earliest 
settlers  in  Plymouth  Colony,  Mass.  The  exact  date  of  their  immigration  cannot  now  with 
certainty  be  determined,  bi;t  they  were  in  the  colony  as  early  as  1034,  and  the  branch  from 
which  he  descends  soon  after  that  date  settled  in  Barnstable  County,  Mass.  Mary  Hooker, 
the  mother,  was  a  descendant  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hooker,  who.  with  the  people  of  his 
church,  took  their  flocks  and  herds  through  the  wilderness  from  Massachusetts  and  foimded 
the  Hartford  colony  in  Connecticut  in  1(535.  Mr.  Crocker  was  early  taught  to  work  upon 
the  farm,  and  here  he  formed  the  habits  of  industry  which  still  remain  with  him.  The 
common  schools  of  Pawlet  and  Granville  not  affording  all  the  advantages  desired,  he  was 
sent  for  several  terms  to  a  private  school  taught  by  Lyman  Chandler,  a  graduate  from 
Vermont  University.  He  removed,  in  April,  1844,  to  Macomb  County.  In  1846  and 
1847,  he  attended  the  school  taught  by  Peter  Moyers,  at  Rochester,  Micli.  In  May,  1849, 
he  was  married  to  Fandira  Emery,  with  whom  he  reared  a  family  of  fine  children.  He 
removed  to  New  Baltimore  in  December,  1851.  In  the  spring  of  1852,  he  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  served  a  term  of  fotir  years.  In  that  then  changing  and  increas- 
ing population,  there  was  much  litigation,  and  he  had  many  suits  brought  before  him. 
Finding  his  knowledge  of  tne  law  unsatisfactory  to  himself,  he  purchased  a  small  law  library 
and  commenced  in  earnest  the  study  of  his  future  profession,  and  so  careful  was  he  in  the 
consideration  of  the  cases  submitted  for  his  judgment  that  no  case  where  an  appeal  was 
taken  from  his  decision  was  reversed  in  either  the  Circuit  or  Supreme  Court.  At  the  Jan- 
uary term  in  1859.  Mr.  Crocker  applied  for  admission  to  the  bar.  The  com-t  was  then 
held  by  the  Hon.  S.  M.  Green,  who  appointed  the  venerable  Richard  Butler,  the  Hon. 
Andrew  S.  Robertson  and  Giles  Hubbard  as  Committee  of  Examination.  After  his  admis 
sion.  he  entered  ujion  an  active  and  large  practice,  and  he  has  frequently  been  heard  to 
remark  that  business  came  to  him  as  rapidly  as  he  could  properly  qualify  himself  to  attend 
to  it.  In  the  general  election  in  18()"2.  he  was  elected  Prosecuting  -Vttorney.  having  a  ma- 
jority of  eighty-five  votes  over  his  popular  competitor,  the  Hon.  E.  F.  Mead.  In  Novem- 
ber. 18(34,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  Probate,  and  served  one  term  of  four  year's.  He  failed 
to  be  re-elected  in  18()8,  as  the  party  to  which  he  belonged  was  then  in  the  minority.  In 
November,  18(>2,  the  Hon.  Giles  Hubbard  proposed  to  him  a  co-partnership,  which  was 
accepted,  and  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Mt.  Clemens.      The  business  relations  then 


T 


sjV 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


entered  upon  between  him  and  Mr.  Hubbai'd  continuetl  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Hubbard, 
November  (i,  187(i.  In  ISfiT,  Mr.  Crocker  was  elected  n  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention.  Acting  with  the  minority,  he  took  part  in  the  deliberations  of  that  body, 
whose  labors  were  so  signally  defeated  by  the  people  upon  the  submission  of  the  constitu- 
tion to  them.  He  served  twelve  years  on  the  Mt.  Clemens  School  Board,  taking  an  active 
part  in  raising  the  grade  and  character  of  the  school.  He  was  elected  President  of  the 
village  in  1S74,  and  served  four  successive  terms.  He  has  been  City  Attorney  since  the 
adoption  of  the  city  charter,  and  in  whatever  capacity  he  has  served  the  people,  he  has 
steadily  and  unfalteringly  advocated  systematic  progress.  Mi'.  Crocker  has  been  twice 
m;uTied,  his  present  wife  being  the  second  daughter  of  the  late  John  I.  Traver,  and  widow 
of  the  well-known  Moore  Stephens.  Upon  the  death  of  Mi'.  Hubbard,  Mr.  Crocker  formed 
a  copartnership  with  H.  B.  Hutchius,  the  husband  of  his  eldest  daughter,  which  copart- 
nership still  continues.  As  an  attorney,  Mr.  Crocker  stands  in  the  front  rank.  He  was 
gifted  by  nature  with  a  logical  mind,  which  has  been  developed  by  study  and  discipline. 
If  Mr.  Crocker,  in  the  ])resentation  of  cases,  is  noted  for  one  thing  more  than  another,  it 
is  his  habit  of  independent  reasoning  from  tirst  principles.  Although  an  earnest  student 
of  reported  cases,  he  is  in  no  sense  a  case  lawyer.  He  looks  npon  the  law  not  as  a  mere 
budget  of  decisions,  but  rather  as  a  comprehensive  fi-ame  work  of  principles.  Thoroughly 
devoted  to  his  profession,  active,  industrious  and  untiring  in  his  work,  he  has  always  en- 
joyed the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  clients,  and  the  respect  and  friendship  of  his  asso- 
ciates at  the  bar.  Mr.  Crocker  has  ever  been  a  Democrat,  Ijelieving  the  elementary  princi- 
ples of  that  party  those  best  calculated  for  the  safety  and  prosperity  of  our  Government. 
He  has  been  on  several  occasions  ofl'ered  the  nomination  for  Congress  in  this  district,  but 
his  duties  to  his  family  and  his  clients  have  so  far  prevented  him  from  accepting  the 
honor. 

AUGUSTUS  CZIZEK,  son  of  Yensel  Czizek,  of  Bohemia,  was  liorn  in  Prussia  Septem- 
ber 17,  183:-^;  came  to  Detroit  in  1854,  andtoMt.  Clemens  in  1S5<.):  he,  in  partnership  with 
Charles  Ulrich,  operated  the  fii'st  butcher-shop  in  the  village,  and,  buying  Mr.  Ullrich's  in 
terest,  managed  the  business  until  his  death,  April  4,  ISfiS.  Mi'.  Czizek  was  married,  No- 
vember '22,  18ot\  to  Gertrude  Rosscopp,  daughter  of  John  Rosscopp,  who  came  to  Detroit 
fi'om  Germany  in  1854.  andtoMt.  (Jlemens  in  18")<).  Of  ten  children  born  to  this  marriage, 
five  ai'e  living,  namely:  Annie,  now  ISIi's.  B.  Yanlandeghem,  Jr.;  Anthony,  John,  Jacol) 
and  Caspar.     The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic  Church. 

ZEPHANLAH  DAYISON,  a  native  of  Vermont,  married  :Mi's.  Olive  Davison,  a  native 
of  Bethel,  Vt..  at  Pittsford.  N.  Y.,  February  18,  1825.  The  following  year,  they  moved  to 
Michigan,  and  located  in  Ray  Township  some  time  later.  In  1844,  the  family  moved  to 
Mt.  Clemens,  where  Mr.  Davison  died  three  years  ago,  and  Mrs.  Davison  April  20,  1882. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  childi'en,  six  of  whom  are  living. 

J.  D.  AEiTHUR  DEZIEL,  owner  of  dry  goods,  ladies'  fur  and  notion  store,  established 
in  spring  of  1881  by  Brehler  &  Deziel.  was  born  at  Montreal.  Canada;  was  educated  at 
Point  Levis,  opposite  Quebec:  came  to  Detroit  in  18(59.  where  he  served  as  clerk  in  the 
(h-y  goods  store  of  L.  A.  Smith  &  Co.  for  a  period  of  twelve  years  previous  to  his  settlement  at 
Mt.  Clemens  in  the  spring  of  1881.      Mr.  Deziel's  trade  is  estimated  at  §2(),()()0i)er  annum. 

WILLIAM  L.  DIC;KEN.  County  Clerk,  was  born  in  Ray  Township  October  8.  1883, 
son  of  John  Dicken,  of  England,  who  settled  in  York  State  in  181S,  and  in  Ray  Township 
in  1831.  William  L.  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Ray,  and  also  of 
Disco,  in  Shelby  Tovmship.  He  learned  harness-making  in  1852;  established  a  shop  at 
Ray  in  1855,  and  operated  it  until  1878,  when  he  was  elected  County  Clerk.  He  married 
Miss  America  H.  Harris,  daughter  of  Lovell  Harris,  June  3(t,  18(i(),  to  whom  were  born  five 
chikh-en,  of  whom  three  are  living — Carrie  L.,  Je.ssie  B.  and  Hugh  W.      The  former  is  a 


Vll 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COT'NTY. 


graduate  of  Mt,  Clemens  High  School,  class  of  1881.  During  Mr.  Dicken's  residence  in  Ray' 
Le  has  been  honored  with  a  few  of  the  principal  township  offices.  His  services  as  Clerk  of  Ma- 
comb County  are  marked  by  strict  attention  to  the  affairs  of  his  office  and  a  genial  method 
of  transacting  public  business. 

JOSHUA  B.  DICKINSON,  deceased,  was  born  December  U.  1811,  in  Orange  County, 
Vt.  He  received  a  good  common-school  education,  and  passed  his  j'ounger  days  in  the 
Eastern  States,  variously  engaged.  In  1841.  he  came  to  Michigan,  locating  at  Detroit. 
One  year  later,  he  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens,  which  was  his  home  fi'om  that  time  until  his 
death.  He  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  upon  coming  here,  but,  after  some  years, 
confined  himself  chiefly  to  real  estate.  He  was  one  of  the  builders  of  the  old  Romeo  & 
Mt.  Clemens  Plank  Road.  By  his  thrift  and  good  judgment,  he  accumvilated  a  consider- 
able fortune.  He  had  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends  in  every  town  in  the  county.  In 
politics,  he  was  a  stanch  Democrat,  being  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee  for  many 
years.  In  185'.!,  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer,  and  was  re-elected  in  1854,  and  was 
subsequently  elected  Register  of  Deeds,  ^\'hen  Mt.  Clemens  became  a  city,  he  was 
elected  as  the  first  Mayor,  an  honor  that  he  highly  appreciated.  At  different  times,  he 
was  placed  in  other  positions  of  trust,  and  filled  them  all  honorably  and  creditably.  He 
joined  the  Odd  Fellows  in  Buffalo  in  1843,  and  was  a  charter  member  of  the  society  here 
when  organized  in  1847,  and  we  l)elieve  at  different  times  occupied  the  various  official 
chairs  of  the  lodge.  Mr.  Dickinson  was  married,  in  1846.  to  Katharine  Lee,  daughter  of 
George  Lee  and  granddaughter  of  Judge  Christian  Clemens.  Ten  years  later,  his  wife 
and  three  of  his  children  died.  The  loss  of  his  wife  and  children  was  a  crushing  blow  to 
Mr.  Dickinson.  He  never  recovered  from  its  effects.  He  never  remarried,  and  the  great 
object  of  his  life  was  in  watching  over  and  caring  for  his  remaining  child,  Katharine  L. 
His  efforts  in  this  direction  were  gilded  with  sunshine.  They  were  never  separated  dur- 
ing his  life,  and  this  child  proved  a  kind,  devoted,  loving  and  reverential  daughter  to 
him.  She  developed  into  a  pure  and  attractive  woman.  She  married  George  M.  Crocker 
in  Septembei',  187(1.  She  was  a  constant  and  affectionate  wife,  and  was  a  fond  and  ever 
watchful  mother.  Her  sudden  and  seemingly  untimely  decease,  which  occim-ed  in  March, 
188'2,  was  received  with  the  deepest  regret  by  all  who  knew  her.  Mr.  Dickinson  died  in 
May,  187U.  The  news  of  his  death  was  received  with  unfeigned  regret  by  the  entire 
county.  The  Circuit  Court  adjoiu-ut^d  out  of  respect  for  his  memory.  The  Common 
Coimcilof  Mt.  Clemens  attended  his  funeral  in  a  body;  also  the  Odd  Fellows'  society,  and 
many  of  the  business  places  of  the  city  were  draped  in  moiu-ning.  As  to  the  character  of 
MJr.  Dickinson,  the  testimony  oE  all  agrees.  He  was  a  kind  and  good  man  at  home,  cotir- 
teous  and  considerate  to  all.  He  bore  his  trials  with  fortitude:  was  the  young  man's 
friend  and  adviser;  was  open-handed  in  philanthropic  endeavor,  and  public-spirited  in  a 
high  degree.  He  was,  in  short,  a  true  citizen.  To  not  many  men  can  be  given  greater 
praise  than  this.  Early  identified  with  Mt.  Clemens,  he  was  ever  solicitous  of  her  wel- 
fare, and  lost  no  opportunity  to  advance  the  town  in  growth  and  improvement.  It  was 
indeed  fitting  that  he  should  be  elected  her  fir.st  Mayor. 

SILAS  DIXON,  son  of  John,  a  ship-carpenter,  son  of  "William,  was  born  at  Chatham, 
Conn..  February  "i'J,  ISl'^;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1834,  while  Shelby  sti-eet  was  still  a 
wilderness,  and  opened  a  shoemaking  shop,  which  he  operated  for  several  years.  He  es- 
tablished his  gi-ocery  business  in  1848,  and  continued  it  with  success  for  twenty  years. 
He  was  appointed  United  States  Revenue  Collector  here,  and  held  the  position  for  twelve 
years;  was  Village  Trustee,  and  a  Treasm-er  for  several  years,  and  in  early  days  was  Con- 
stable for  four  years.  He  was  married.  May  •'),  1834,  to  Miss  Harriet  Loomis.  to  whom 
two  childi-en  were  born.  Mi-s.  Loomis  Dixon  died  August  21.  1837.  Mr.  Dison  married 
Miss  Harriet  Cleggett  February  9.  1831t.  to  whom  ten  children  were  born.      He  is  a  mem- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


.k 


ber  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  one  of  the  sm-viving  old  settlers  of  the 
village. 

ANDREW  T.  DONALDSON,  of  the  Donaldson  firm,  was  born  in  North  Ii-eland  Sep- 
tember 1^1),  1S48;  eame  with  his  father  and  family,  in  1S44.  to  the  United  States,  and  set- 
tled with  them  in  Macomb  County.  He  was  man-ied,  November  9,  1S09.  to  Miss  Olive 
Dixon,  daughter  of  Silas  Dixon,  an  old  settler  of  the  county.  They  are  the  parents  of 
three  childi-en — Meta  and  Harry  S. ;  a  third  child  is  deceased.  Mr.  Donaldson  has  bet-n 
honored  with  position  on  the  City  Council  Board,  in  the  Masonic  Order,  and  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.,  of  which  he  is  a  member. 

WILLIAM  S.  DONALDSON,  son  of  James  Donaldson,  who  came  with  his  family 
from  North  of  Ireland  in  1844  and  settled  at  Cady's  Corners,  was  born  in  Ireland  October 
10,  1841.  ^Villiam  S  was  raised  and  educated  at  Mt.  Clemens,  and  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade  in  his  father's  shop  there.  He  maiTied  Miss  Sarah  Leonard,  daughter  of 
the  late  Sylvester  Leonard,  September  5,  18<)5,  to  whom  was  born  Arthur  L.  After  the 
death  of  this  lady,  he  married  Miss  Eliza  L.  Harrington,  daughter  of  HaiTy  Harrington, 
an  old  settler  of  Macomb  County.  Mr.  Donaldson  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order;  has 
been  Alderman  of  the  city,  and  one  of  the  most  enterprising  citizens. 

CAPT.  WILLIAM  DULAC,  son  of  Louis  and  Josephine  (Peltier)  Dulae,  the  latter 
born  at  Detroit  in  1798.  was  born  in  Han-ison  Township  December  '21,  1887.  The  family 
moved  into  Mt.  Clemens  previous  to  1840.  In  1849,  Capt.  Dulac  began  his  lake  voyages; 
was  cabin  boy  and  pilot  successively,  and  Captain  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  centiuy.  He  is 
the  builder  of  live  boats,  two  of  which  were  constructed  in  the  winter  of  1881-82 — one  180 
feet  long,  with  ii'I  feet  beam;  the  other,  65  feet  long,  with  1(5  feet  beam,  is  a  tug-boat. 
The  Captain  has  charge  of  the  passenger  and  freight  steamboat  the  .\.  Weston,  from  Man- 
istee to  Tonawanda,  N.  Y.  He  was  married,  January  20.  186H.  to  Nancy  Peltier,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Peltier,  of  Harrison.  They  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  fom-  of  whom 
are  living,  namely:  Adele,  Ai-thui-,  Emma  and  Berton.  The  family  belong  to  the  Cath- 
olic Chiu'ch. 

ROBERT  F.  EASTMAN  was  bom  at  Chelsea,  Vt.,  in  1814;  eame  to  Mt.  Clemens  in 
1835,  and  was  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  the  village  for  many  years.  Mr.  East- 
man was  twice  married.  His  second  wife.  Hairiet  M.  Rutler.  a  native  of  Philadelphia, 
came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1S;!9.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Rutler.  a  Captain  in  the 
United  States  Navy,  who  died  in  Africa  in  18"_'8.  Mrs.  Eastman  is  the  mother  of  fom- 
children — Frederick,  Ai-thur.  Fannie  and  Julia.  Arthur  served  in  Company  I.  Ninth 
Michigan  Infantry;  made  jwisoner;  exchanged  company ;  Second  Lieutenant  Eighth  Mich- 
igan Cavalry;  and  lastly.  First  Lieutenant,  which  position  Le  held  when  discharged  in 
18(55,  on  account  of  wounds  received  at  Sweetwater.  Frederick  served  in  the  Second 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry;  passed  seven  months  in  Libby,  Charleston  and  Macon,  and,  in 
18(J3.  was  commissioned  Captain,  which  position  he  held  when  discharged. 

JOHN  EBERLEIN,  son  of  John  L..  was  born  in  Bavaria.  Germany:  April  25,  1828, 
He  came  to  Detroit  in  1854,  and  to  Clinton  Township  in  185(5,  when  he  paid  $275  for 
a  tract  of  twenty-five  acres,  since  increased  to  130  acres.  Section  31,  Clinton  He  was 
married,  at  Detroit.  June  3,"  1854,  to  Miss  Catherine  Smith.  They  were  the  parents  of 
nine  ehildi'en,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Barbara.  George.  Fred,  Caroline.  Mary.  John 
and  Leonard,  ^hc.  Eberleiu  has  not  sought  for  public  positions.  The  family  belong  to 
the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

JAMES  C.  EDGERLY  was  born  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts  November  22,  1791,  of 
English  parentage,  his  father  being  a  son  of  one  of  the  early  colonists  of  New  England; 
his  mother's  maiden  name.  Hannah  Chadwick,  a  daughter  of  the  younger  son  of  the  Earl 
of  Chadwick  of  England.      The  Edgerly  family  moved  to  Vermont;  subsequently,  to  Gen- 


"TT 


W 


esee  Couuty.  N.  Y.,  1814.  James  C.  Edgerly  served  three  months  in  the  war  of  1812,  inKel- 
logg's  company,  of  militia  vohmteers,  taking  the  place  of  an  older  brother  who  was  drafted. 
Married  in  December  of  the  same  year;  engaged  in  mercantile  business;  failed  in  1821 : 
settled  uj)  business  and  went  to  Canada;  stayed  sis  or  eight  months;  bought  lumber  at 
Runnel's  Mill,  rafted  it.  moved  on  to  the  raft,  his  family  and  household  goods  lioth  being 
small;  weighed  anchor,  floated  to  the  mouth  of  the  Thames;  sent  raft  to  Detroit;  hired  a 
row-boat  to  bring  him  to  Mt.  Clemens,  the  Captain  and  crew  of  the  boat  being  compo.sed 
of  one  man  and  small  boy;  arrived  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  spring  of  1822;  entered  eighty 
acres  of  laud  now  known  as  Mosher  farm;  soon  made  a  small  opening  in  the  dense  forest, 
where  he  planted  potatoes,  etc. ;  potatoes  yielded  abundantly  and  of  excellent  quality,  but 
blackbirds,  squirrels  and  many  other  natives  of  the  country  took  the  largest  share  of  the 
corn,  leaving  but  little  to  the  disappointed  planters.  He  stayed  on  the  place  two  or  three 
years;  concluded  to  take  his  chance,  on  Judge  Clemens'  farm,  as  the  Judge  wanted  some 
one  to  take  charge  of  it,  so  moved  into  town;  this  consisted  of  eight  dwellings  and  one 
store;  the  whole  stock  in  trade,  whisky  and  all,  could  have  be«n  cairied  away  in  a  small 
market  wagon;  there  were  also  a  shoemaker's  shop,  a  blacksmith's  shop  and  a  cooper's 
shop,  a  court  house  and  jail,  all  in  one,  built  of  square  timber.  It  was  in  this  coiu-t  house 
that  the  first  school  ever  taught  in  Mt.  Clemens  held  its  session.  Miss  Jane  Everett,  teacher; 
this  was  in  the  summer  of  1S25;  the  following  winter,  J.  C.  Edgerly  taught  school  in  the 
same  place.  In  April  of  the  same  year,  received  the  a[)pointment  of  Lieutenant  in  the 
militia  of  the  Territory,  from  Lewis  Cass,  then  Governor  of  the  Territory;  in  December, 
182r>,  was  appointed  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  county  of  Macomb  by  Gov.  Cass;  two 
yeai's  later,  bought  and  moved  on  the  farm  now  known  as  the  Parker  farm,  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life;  died  of  heart  disease,  after  a  few  hours'  illness,  November  14,  1851. 
HON.  R.  P.  ELDRIDGE,  born  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  town  of  Greenwich,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  18(18;  winter  of  1814-15,  his  father  moved  to  Lebanon,  Madison  County, 
and  thence  to  Hamilton  Township,  on  east  side  of  West  Branch  of  Chenango  River,  in 
same  county.  In  his  fifteenth  year,  he  entered  the  Hamilton  Academy.  New  York,  to  pre- 
pare for  college,  but  his  mother  died  when  he  was  sixteen.  The  ehikU'en,  eight  in  number, 
were  separated;  he  taught  in  winter  and  studied  in  summer  while  attending  college,  from 
necessity.  At  the  request  of  his  father,  he  bi'gan  the  study  of  law  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
under  Stowe  &  Girdly.  the  most  eminent  law  firm  of  Madison  County,  while  they  were 
required  to  labor  hard  at  copying  tables;  at  close  of  school,  in  spring  of  182H,  he  had  $20 
in  cash,  with  which  he  started  for  the  Territory  of  Michigan;  with  no  references  except  in 
teaching,  he  landed  in  Detroit  May  26.  182(),  poorly  clad,  and  with  10  shillings;  taught 
school  in  the  debtor's  room  of  the  Detroit  Jail  six  weeks,  at  18  a  scholar  per  quarter,  lint 
was  taken  sick  and  abandoned  it.  He  went  to  Pontiac  the  same  year,  and  taught  there 
dm'ing  the  winters  following,  and  devoted  his  evenings  and  Satui-days  to  recording  deeds  in 
the  Register's  oflice;  was  afflicted  the  same  winter  with  sore  eyes,  which  cost  more  than  his 
teaching  brought  him.  He  rode  to  Mt.  Clemeus  on  a  borrowed  horse  in  the  spring  of 
1827,  and  located  here  in  July,  walking  the  whole  distance  from  Pontiac;  worked  for  his 
board  for  a  Mr.  Ashley,  a  merchant;  the  next  fall,  received  some  law  books  from  his  fa- 
ther which  he  read.  He  began  keeping  bachelor's  hall  in  the  fall  of  1827  in  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, and  read  law;  admitted  to  the  bar  by  examination  in  open  coui-t  in  the  fall  of  1828; 
on  that  occasion,  stopped  at  Uncle  Ben's  Steamboat  Hotel  in  Detroit,  and.  in  passing  from 
there  to  the  old  capitol  building ,  where  the  court  was  convened,  he  did  not  pass  a  pedes- 
trian or  pass  a  house;  retiu'ned  to  Mt.  Clemens  and  hung  out  his  shingle,  being  the  tu"st 
lawyer  in  Macomb  County.  The  people  were  industrious  and  peaceable,  and  his  prospects 
were  gloomy;  would  have  sought  other  location,  but  poverty  held  him  there.  The  county 
improved  rapidly,  settlers  increased  and  grew  wealthy,  and  other  lawyers  located  in  the 

V^  S r-  -^         ^['y 


u^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMli   COUNTY. 


coiinty,  and  many  Buddenly  discovered  that  they  had  received  injiu'ies  at  the  hands  of  their 
neighbors,  which  duty  to  themselves  and  to  society  required  them  to  have  righted.  From 
this  lime  Mr.  Eldridge  found  it  easy  to  support  himself  and  family.  He  soon  took  active 
parts  in  politics;  being  a  Democrat,  was  a  warm  supporter  of  Jackson  and  Van  Bui'en,  an;i 
Democratic  nominees  for  State  and  county  offices;  in  February,  1842,  was  appointed  Secre- 
tary of  State  by  Gov.  Barry,  which  office  he  held  four  years:  in  the  fall  of  1846,  was  elected 
to  the  Senate,  and  attended  first  session  of  Legislatiu-e  at  Lansing  in  1847;  left  politics 
at  the  close  of  the  session;  when  his  term  of  office  as  Secretary  of  State  expired,  he  re- 
sumed law  practice  at  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  which  he  successfully  pursued  for  many  years. 
He  looked  upon  the  law  as  a  noble  science,  and  loves  its  practice,  esteems  and  reverences 
it,  and  has  occupied  an  eminent  position  among  the  oldest  attorneys  of  Michigan,  but  has 
recently  retired  from  active  life,  and  resides  quietly  at  Mt.  Clemens.  He  was  man-ied,  in 
October,  18;U,  to  Miss  Louise  Crittenden,  to  whom  thi'ee  children  were  born-— Catharine, 
James  B.  and  Carrie.  After  the  death  of  Mrs.  L.  C.  Eldridge,  he  married  Miss  Jane  A, 
Leonard,  who  is  the  mother  of  Miss  Emma  Eldridge,  In  the  organic,  pioneer,  law,  ]iolit- 
ical  and  other  chapters  of  this  woi'k,  the  connection  between  this  old  resident  and  Macomb 
C'ounty  is  fiilly  set  forth. 

JAMES  B.  ELDRIDGE,  Judge  of  Probate  for  Macomb  County,  was  born  at  Mt. 
f Uemens  November  25,  1885.  His  father,  Robert  P.  Eldridge,  one  of  the  few  sm-viving 
old  residents  of  the  city,  one  of  the  early  lawyers  of  the  county  and  a  well-knowa  citizen  of 
the  State,  confeiTed  on  him  many  of  those  educational  advantages  which,  in  common  with 
the  American  pioneers,  he  esteemed.  The  Judge  having  passed  some  years  in  attending 
the  Mt.  Clemens  school,  was  transferred  to  the  Romeo  Academy,  then  affiliated  with  the 
Michigan  University.  He  graduated  from  Ann  Ai-bor  with  the  class  of  1855;  studied  law, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Macomb  County  in  June,  1858.  In  1S()2,  he  was  elected 
Representative;  two  years  later.  Prosecuting  Attorney;  this  latter  office  he  also  held  from 
1870  to  187*);  when  he  was  elected  Judge  of  Probate.  In  188(1,  he  was  re-elected  Probate 
Judge,  which  position  he  now  holds.  Judge  Eldridge  was  married  to  Miss  Helen  S.  Fitch 
January  27,  1859,  daughter  of  Samuel  Fitch.  They  are  the  parents  of  two  children — Julia 
L.  (Spier),  and  Robert  F..  now  a  student  of  the  Michigan  University.  A  reference  to  the 
organic,  law  and  political  chapters  of  the  general  history  will  show  the  part  taken  by 
Judge  Eldridge  in  the  affiiirs  of  the  county,  A  review  of  the  organic  and  society  sketches 
of  Mt.  Clemens  will  show  his  public  connection  with  the  city. 

ALOIS  EYTH,  born  at  Binsdorf,  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  March  HO,  1850;  came  to 
Mt.  Clemens  in  1872.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  Miller,  of  Alsace,  November  29, 
1877.      They  are  the  parents  of  Alois  and  Caroline  Eyth. 

JUDSON  S.  FARRAR,  Register  of  Deeds,  was  born  at  Mt,  Clemens  August  23,  1836. 
His  father,  Manson  Farrar,  of  New  York,  is  an  old  settler  of  Macomb,  now  a  resident  of 
Lenox  Township.  Col.  Farrar's  military  record  will  be  foiuid  in  the  history  of  the  war 
for  the  Union,  and  his  political  record  in  the  political  and  organic  chapters.  As  a  soldier 
and  citizen  he  is  known  throughout  the  State.  He  man-ied  Miss  Cari'ie  Eldridge,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  P.  Eldridge,  in  June,  18(54,  to  whom  were  born  five  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living. 

JESSE  O.  FERRIS,  son  of  Jonathan  Ferris,  was  born  in  Cortland  Township,  N. 
Y.,  December  8,  1800.  He  was  educated  in  the  subscription  school  in  Westchester  County; 
subsequently  was  clerk  in  store  of  Clark  &  Haight,  of  Peekskill,  from  1817  to  1819;  in 
1820.  settled  at  Big  Sodus  Bay,  on  Lake  Ontario;  in  1823,  bought  a  half-interest  in  canal- 
boat,  while  his  cousin,  named  Hubbell,  bought  a  second  interest.  This  boat  he  ran  on  the 
Erie  Canal  in  1823  and  1S24.  He  engaged  in  grocery  business  at  Lyons,  N.  Y..  for  about 
two  years,  then   in  the  diy  goods  trade  for  two  years;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1831,  and 


rN^ 


584  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


boarded  at  Ashley's  Tavern  for  two  years.  He  superintended  the  construction  of  several 
miles  of  Gratiot  Turnpike,  and  ultimately  settled  the  homestead  on  Section  1.  Clinton 
Township.  In  December,  18;^:{,  Mi'.  Ferris  visited  his  father,  who  was  a  Captain  in  the 
war  of  IHI'2.  He  served  ten  days  in  the  Toledo  war.  He  was  mairied,  February  17, 
l<SH;i,  to  Jane  S.  Ed^erly.  daughter  of  James  C,  who  settled  in  Chesterfield  Township  in 
spring  of  18'2"2,  while  it  was  yet  a  wilderness.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children — 
Martin,  who  was  a  lawyer  at  Brownstown,  Ind..  died  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in  Septem- 
ber, 18(59;  Marion  A.,  James  E.,  Jennie  and  Frank.  Mr.  FenuF  was  Assessor  of  Clinton 
in  ]8;^2;  was  Road  Commissioner  for  many  tei-ma,  and  one  of  the  County  Superintendents 
of  the  Poor  when  the  County  Farm  was  purchased. 

MARTIN  FERRIS  was  born  June  7,  1884.  He  attended  the  district  school,  also 
select  school,  at  Mt.  Clemens.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Ferris 
&  Frost,  of  Peekskill,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  three  years;  returned  to  Michigan  in 
1855,  read  law  in  Detroit  thi'ee  months,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1855.  He  went 
South  in  185().  and  opened  a  law  office  at  Brownstown,  Ind. ,  in  1857,  and  was  soon  ad- 
mitted to  all  the  higher  courts  of  the  State.  He  was  highly  successful  in  business  until 
18()5,  when,  his  health  beginning  to  fail  on  account  of  throat  disease  and  bronchitis,  in 
June,  18()8,  he  came  home  for  the  last  time.  In  August  of  that  year,  he  went  to  Minne- 
apolis. Minn.,  for  his  health  and  business,  and  died  September  8,  1868.  He  was  buried  at 
Brownstown,  Ind. 

(lEORGE  C.  FLETCHER,  son  of  Jesse  Fletcher,  of  Ludlow,  Windsor  Co.,  Vt.,  was 
born  June  18,  1817;  came  to  Newark,  Ohio,  with  parents,  in  18l!'J;  visited  New  Y'ork  City 
in  \H'24,  and  Ludlow  in  1825,  and  lived  with  his  grandfather  Fletcher;  passed  some  time 
at  Keeseville,  N.  Y. ;  in  1888,  came  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,,  to  Detroit  in  1884,  and  to  Mt. 
Clemens  in  188(i,  where  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  life  for  twenty-two  years.  In  18(51, 
much  of  his  property  was  destroyed  by  fire.  His  valuable  farm  of  180  acres,  on  North 
Gratiot  street,  in  Clinton  Township,  is  an  evidence  of  the  success  which  waited  upon  his 
labors  since  that  time.  Mi-.  Fletcher  was  married,  in  188(5,  to  Eliza  G.  Hough,  to  whom 
four  children  were  born,  namely:  Emma,  Betsy  C.  Sydney  M.  and  George  W.  Of  these 
children,  Sydney  is  dead.  Mr.  Fletcher  is  the  owner  of  stock  in  the  Detroit  Placer  Min- 
ing Company,  now  operating  in  Idaho. 

WILLIAM  FLUEMER,  son  of  Charles  Fluemer,  of  Prussia,  German  Empire,  was 
born  February  8,  1825;  came  to  Philadelphia,  Penn. ,  in  1844,  and  to  Macomb  County, 
Mich.,  in  1850.  Here  he  engaged  in  farming  until  18(50.  when  he  moved  into  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, opened  a  confectionery  store,  which  he  operated  for  nine  years,  until  the  completion 
of  his  fiom-iug  mill.  Mr.  Fluemer  married  Miss  Mary  Dierlam,  of  Philadelphia,  in  184(5, 
to  whom  Were  born  eight  childi-en,  of  whom  five  are  living,  namely;  Mary,  William,  Charles, 
Amelia  and  Lewis. 

REV.  THOMAS  FORSTER,  born  at  Harrisburg,  Penn.,  November  15,  1812,  son  of 
Gen.  John  Forster,  of  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  educated  at  Dickinson  College,  of  Car- 
lisle, Penn.,  where  he  graduated  in  1829.  He  graduated  from  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary  at  Allegheny  City,  Penn.,  in  1889.  He  was  educated  first  for  law;  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1888,  and  practiced  for  a  short  time.  He  united  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  1884;  was  licensed  and  ordained  in  184()  to  preach  at  Margaretta  Furnace,  York 
Co.,  Penn.,  where  he  labored  two  years,  then  went  to  Wellsboro,  P«nn.,  where  he  remained 
a  short  time,  and  in  1845  came  to  Mt.  Clemens;  was  supply  of  the  chiu'ch  here  for  five 
years,  until  he  removed  to  Monroe,  Mich.,  in  1850,  where  he  was  stated  supjily  for  about 
two  years;  was  pastor  at  Middletown.  Del.,  for  three  yeai's:  retm'ned  to  Michigan  in  1857, 
where  he  was  stated  supply  at  Southfield  for  nine  and  a  half  years.  He  returned  to  Mt. 
Clemens  in  18(57,  where  he  still  resides.     Mr.  Forster  was  married,  in  February,  1848,  to 


^^=^^ 


/Y^/^fp/l^k-/(; 


l\^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Miss  Eliza  R.  Hall,  daughter  of  Dr.  Hall,  deceased.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren— Mary  E.,  Thomas  H.,  John  E.  and  George  Chalmers.  Thomas  H.  is  married  and 
resides  at  Lansing,  where  he  is  clerk  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  office. 

LEWIS  A.  FOX,  son  of  Gustavus  Fox,  an  early  settler  of  Macomb,  was  born  in  Clin 
ton  Township,  Section  9,  September  It),  18:^5.  His  early  experiences  may  be  summed  up 
as  follows:  Limited  school  facilities,  hard  work;  picked  brush,  rolled  logs,  made  staves, 
cut  and  hauled  wood  to  Mt.  Clemens — the  hauling  being  done  with  aid  of  oxen,  and  the 
wood  being  sold  for  50  cents  per  cord;  morning  calls  made  with  aid  of  lumber  drawn  by 
oxen;  mother  accustomed  to  carry  a  blazing  brand  to  restrain  the  wolves  from  seizing  the 
boy;  Indian  playmates,  etc. ,  etc.  Mr.  Fox  survived  these  olden  days:  married  Miss  Sarah, 
daughter  of  David  Tucker,  of  Harrison  Townshij).  November  K),  18(U,  to  whom  five  chil- 
dren were  born,  namely:  Herbert,  Elizabeth,  Alice,  Gertrude  and  Ai-thur.  He  has  a  valua- 
ble farm  of  sixty-five  acres;  is  a  member  of  Grange,  and  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
past  five  years. 

GUSTAVUS  FOX,  son  of  Joel  Fox,  was  born  in  Connecticut  April  11,  1810.  Joel 
settled  near  Batavia.  N.  Y. ,  in  1815.  and  moved  to  Canada  in  1825.  Mr.  Fox  came  to 
Macomb  County  in  IHH'Z,  worked  for  a  short  time  at  Mt.  Clemens,  and  then  entered  sixty- 
eight  acres  on  Section  9,  Clinton,  which  is  the  homestead  farm.  He  experienced  all  the 
vicissitudes  of  pioneer  life,  and,  like  the  pioneers,  overcame  all  obstacles.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  1885,  to  Miss  Sarah  Burnham,  to  whom  eight  children  were  born — Lewis  A., 
George  W..  Sarah  E..  Margai-et  J.,  John  G.,  Hen'ick  W.,  Henrietta  M.  and  Robert  B. — 
all  living,  the  youngest  being  twenty-eight  years  eld. 

HENRY  FRIES,  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  June  3,  1827,  son  of  John  A,  of 
same  county,  and  Margaret  Mink,  of  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Fries  was  educnted 
in  the  schools  of  Dutchess  County.  He  moved  to  Wayne  County,  N.  Y. .  in  1843,  and  to 
Macomb  County,  Mich.,  in  1851,  whei'e  he  resided  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  Township,  as 
agriculturist  and  stock-raiser,  until  1877,  when  he  sold  and  removed  to  city  of  Mt.  Clem- 
ens. He  was  married,  in  March,  1853,  to  Mrs.  Gertrude  Shook,  daughter  of  William 
Phillips,  to  whom  were  born  five  childi'en  by  first  husband,  three  of  whom  are  living — 
Jacob,  Elizabeth  (Hall)  and  Ada  (Chasej.  Mr.  Fries  was  County  Superintendent  of  the 
Poor  for  over  twenty  years. 

S.  S.  GALE.  Over  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  year-  ago.  there  came  to  the 
United  States  fi-om  England  thi-ee  brothers  named  Gale,  all  of  whom  are  supposed  to  have 
landed  at  New  York  City.  William,  presumably  the  senior,  was  the  father  of  five  sons, 
well-known  settlers  of  Dvitchess  County,  N.  Y. — William,  John,  Noah,  Roger  and  Joseph. 
The  first  was  born  in  1732.  and  died  in  1804.  He  was  the  father  of  eight  sons — William, 
Isaac.  Joseph,  Reuben.  Nathaniel.  Ira,  Rufus  and  Jeremiah.  William  was  born  in  175B, 
and  died  in  1780.  He  had  one  son,  William,  who  was  the  father  of  Samuel  S.  Gale.  He 
was  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Conn.,  May  25,  1780;  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Welch, 
of  Westchester  County,  N.  Y. ,  in  May,  1804.  To  them  were  born  John  P. ,  James  M. , 
Peter  B.  and  Samuel  S.  His  daughters  were  Betsy,  Maria  and  Hannah  Ann.  After  the 
death  of  his  first  wife,  William  Gale  married  Miss  Lydia  Smith,  to  whom  were  born  Zenas 
S.,  William  W.,  Manly  P.,  Polly,  Eliza,  Thirza  J.,  Amelia  D.  and  Mary  E.,  of  whom 
Polly  and  Eliza  died  in  infancy.  S.  S.  Gale  was  born  at  Genoa,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Jan- 
uary 4,  1819.  His  father  was  a  teacher,  a  builder  and  a  farmer.  He  moved  into  the 
wilderness  of  Lock  Township  in  1822,  and  there  young  Samuel  lived  to  see  that  wild  tract 
converted  into  fertile  fields.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  yeai's.  he  entered  life  on  his  own  ac 
count.  In  1837,  he  visited  his  brother.  John  P.,  at  Mt.  Morris,  N.  Y.,  where  he  worked  at 
cai'pentry  and  joinery  for  one  year.  In  1838,  he  returned  to  the  homestead,  and  soon 
after  entered  Groton  Academy,  where  he  studied  for  four  years,  giving  most  of  his  time 


2J^ 


in  winter  to  teaching,  and,  during  vacations,  to  manual  labor.  In  his  third  year  of  acad- 
emical study,  he  was  elected  School  Inspector  for  Groton  Township.  During  the  build- 
ing of  the  new  academy,  he  took  the  contract  for  roofing,  by  which,  with  other  work  on 
tlie  building,  he  realized  a  sum  sufficient  to  pay  his  school  expenses  for  the  ensuing  year. 
Returning  to  Mt.  Morris  after  completing  his  academical  com'se,  he  worked  a  short  time 
for  his  brother,  and  then  entered  the  law  office  of  Wisner  &  Fitzhugh,  in  1<S41.  In  1S4'2, 
he  came  to  Michigan  with  a  purse  of  $25.  Arriving  at  Detroit  June  7,  leaving  his  trunk 
there,  he  pushed  on  foot  to  Pontiac,  passed  the  cars  on  the  Milwaukee  Railroad  at  Bir- 
mingham, and  an'ived  there  that  evening.  On  this  journey,  he  exchanged  some  good 
Eastern  money  for  Pontiac  bank  bills,  which  proved  entirelyvForthless.  It  was  a  valuable 
lesson  in  Western  Unances.  At  Pontiac  he  introduced  himself  to  George  M.  Wisner, 
brother  of  Wisner  of  Mt  Morris.  He  succeeded  Prof,  ^^'illiams  as  Principal  of  Pontiac 
Academy,  and  opened  it  as  a  high  school,  with  two  pxipils,  which  number  increased  to  thirty 
before  the  close  of  the  term.  He  conducted  the  high  school  for  four  years,  at  the  same 
time  pursiiing  law  studies  in  the  office  of  the  Wisners.  He  was  admitted  an  attorney  at 
law  before  Judge  Whipple,  December  11,  1840,  at  Pontiac.  In  1847,  he  opened  a  law 
office  at  Farmington,  Oakland  County.  There  he  married  Miss  Mai-y  Collins,  daughter  of 
George  W.  Collins,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Oakland,  November  27,  IS.")!).  This  lady  was 
born  at  East  Bloomtield,  N,  Y.,  November  8,  1822.  They  are  the  parents  of  George  C, 
born  at  Farmington  July  29,  1852,  and  Cynthia  Maria,  both  now  residents  of  Mt.  Clem- 
ens. G.  C.  Gale  married  Miss  Florence  Dixon  October  10,  1878.  In  the  fall  of  1852, 
Mr.  Gale  was  Princijml  of  the  North  City  School  at  Ann  Arbor.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  the  School  Re-organization  Committee,  which  originated  the  idea  of  primary  ward 
schools  and  a  central  high  school.  After  three  years  at  Ann  Ai'bor,  Mi-.  Gale  returned 
with  his  family  to  Farmington  and  entered  business  as  dry  goods  salesman.  When  the 
Union  School  of  Mt.  Clemens  was  organized,  he  was  asked  to  become  its  Princii)al,  which 
office  was  accepted.  In  the  fall  of  l8()(l,  he  was  elected  Circuit  Court  Commissioner,  and 
as  such  was  engaged  in  the  celebrated  cause  of  Gilbert  Hathaway  versus  William  Jenny. 
About  two  months  before  the  termination  of  his  office  as  Circuit  Court  Commissioner.  No- 
vember ly,  18r)2,  he  entered  a  partuershi]>  with  Stui-tevant,  the  hardware  merchant,  and. 
January  1,  lSn8,  became  an  active  pai'tner  in  the  concern.  March  21.  18l)4,  Sturtevant 
sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Gale,  and  since  that  time  the  latter  has  carried  it  on  successfully. 
A  reference  to  the  school  history  of  Mt.  Clemens  will  ])oint  out  Mr.  Gale's  relation  to  the 
School  Board.  In  the  organic  chapter,  reference  is  made  to  his  appointment  as  Judge  of 
Probate.  In  reviewing  the  foregoing  notice.  i>ne  must  be  forciV>ly  reminded  of  all  that 
which  earnestness  and  energy,  directed  by  principles  of  honor  and  honesty,  are  capable  of 
achieving.  After  a  number  of  years  devoted  principally  to  what  are  known  as  the  learned 
professions — professions  which  won  for  Mr.  Gale  both  honors  and  emoluments — we  find 
him   entering  commercial   life   and  making  a  marked  success  therein  within  a  few  years. 

EDWARD  C.  GALLUP,  deceased,  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1814;  came  to  Mt. 
Clemens  in  18:)4.  and  married  Mrs.  Eliza  Hawkins,  daughter  of  Judge  Clemens,  in  1838. 
He  engaged  in  dry  goods  trade  here;  subsequently  became  wool-buyer,  which  business  he 
followed  until  his  death,  in  August,  1878.  His  wife  and  one  daughter,  Mi's.  Mai-tha  (Gal- 
lup) Crittenden,  are  living.  The  former  is  in  possession  of  letters  written  to  Judge  Clem- 
ens as  early  as  1804,  and  of  an  account  of  a  journey  made  b)'  Gen.  Cass  and  himself  to 
negotiate  a  treaty  with  the  Indians  on  the  lake  shore. 

DR.  VALENTINE  GARDNER,  physician  and  sm-geon,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  German 
Empire,  September  19,  1821,  son  of  Adam  Gardner,  who  settled  in  Ohio  in  1885.  Dr. 
Gardner  attended  school  in  Bavaria  until  1840,  when  he  visited  his  father's  home  in  Ohio. 
In  the  s|7i-ing  of  1841    he  returned  to  Europe,  where  he  remained  until   1843.  when  he 


*:?. 


A 


came  to  Ohio.  There  he  attended  the  Cleveland  schools  for  some  years:  graduated  from 
the  Erie  Medical  College  in  ]  S4S'.  His  practice  at  Cleveland  was  continued  for  several 
years,  until  his  removal  to  Defiance.  Ohio,  where  he  was  a  practitioner  until  November, 
1879,  the  date  of  his  settlement  at  Mt.  Clemens.  Dr.  Gardner  married  Miss  Catherine 
Hursh.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children,  viz — Mary.  Jennie.  Valentine  and  Charley. 
Dr.  Gardner  has  built  up  for  himself  a  good  practice. 

NORTHUP  J.  GIBBS.  Architect  and  Superintendent  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  born  in 
Sterling  Township.  Macomb,  July  "2.  ISHS.  His  father.  Orton  Gibbs,  of  Albany,  N  Y., 
located  in  this  county  in  1826.  Mr.  Gibbs  labored  in  the  homestead  farm  and  attended 
the  district  schools  until  he  entered  the  Agricultural  College  at  Lansing  In  1857,  he 
began  to  take  lessons  in  art  and  drawing,  under  Prof  I.  T.  Smith,  of  Detroit.  In  1859, 
he  entered  the  United  States  Army  for  service  during  the  INIormon  troubles.  In  the  late 
war,  he  served  until  1S()4,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  the  United  States  troops  at 
St.  Augustine  Springs,  Texas,  August  27.  18()1.  Lyand's  command  was  paroled  on  the 
gi-ound  and  ordered  to  Fort  Craig,  thence  marched  to  Leavenworth,  Kan.  After  his  dis- 
charge, he  located  at  St.  John's,  Mich.,  and  ojiened  an  ai'chitect  office  there.  He  settled 
at  Mt.  Clemens  in  1874.  while  it  was  still  an  old-time  French  hamlet,  and  now  holds  the 
position  of  City  Siuweyor  and  Civil  Engineer.  What  improvements  have  been  effected 
under  his  direction  are  evident  to-day  in  the  uew  residences,  hotels,  county  coiu-t  house, 
jail,  etc.  Mr.  Gibbs  married  Miss  Emma  Davy,  daughter  of  Charles  Davy,  of  Warren 
Township,  .in  iSfU.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  child.  Mr.  Gibbs  is  deservedly  popu- 
lar, and  his  architectural  designs  are  widely  esteemed. 

SAMUEL  GIBBS,  deceased,  was  born  in  New  Ham])shire  in  October,  1/95.  son  of 
Samuel  and  grandson  of  Samuel,  of  English  ancestry,  who  were  di'iven  from  their  homes 
diu-ing  the  religions  persecution  of  Cromwell.  Mr.  Gibbs  settled  in  Cattaraugus  County 
in  18(14:  came  to  Washington,  Macomb  County,  in  1881:  was  married,  in  June.  1824,  to 
MisB  Hannah  Rowell.  to  whom  live  children  were  born — Charlotte.  Samuel  M..  Ogilvie. 
Marv  and  Sarah.     Mr.  Gibbs  died  Julv  V-l  1880. 

^  "rev.  J.  M.  GORDON.  Pastor  of"  M.  E.  Church,  was  born  at  Lyons.  Wayne  Co..  N. 
Y..*  November  12,  1834,  son  of  Samuel  Gordon,  of  Scotch  descent,  and  a  native  of  Wayne 
County.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Canada,  Michigan,  and  at  the  Union 
Schooi  of  Detroit:  took  a  four-years'  theological  eoiu'se  in  Detroit  Conference,  from  18()8 
to  1867:  began  as  local  preacher  about  1800,  on  the  old  Farmington  Circuit;  entered  the 
regular  ministry  in  18(58:. was  two  years  at  South  Saginaw,  where  he  organized  the  M. 
E.  Church  in  a  schoolhouse,  and  built  the  chm-ch  in  1S()H:  moved  to  Hancock,  Mich.,  in 
the  fall  of  I8(i5.  and  to  Flushing  in  1S()7.  He  was  pastor  of  the  two  chiu-ches  at  Peters- 
bm-g  and  Deertield.  Mich.,  in  the  fall  of  18()9:  appointed  Presiding  Elder  of  Lake  Super- 
ior District  in  1871,  where  he  served  four  years.  He  was  stationed  at  Morenci,  Mich.,  in 
1875:  at  Howell  in  1878;  and  came  to  Mt."  Clemens  in  1880,  where  he  is  now])astor.  Mi-. 
Gordon  married.  December  80,  185(),  Julia  D.  Ross,  of  Wayne  County,  Mich.,  to  whom 
foiu-  childi-en  were  born.     Ella  E..  Livingston  R.  and  Frank  L.  are  living. 

JOHN  B.  GOULD,  born  at  London,  Canada  West.  August  14,  1854,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  that  citj-:  came  to  Detroit  in  1874,  and  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  same  year. 
He  entered  on  the  trade  of  carriage-maker  at  the  age  of  sixteen  yeai-s,  at  which  he  con- 
tinues to  labor.  His  marriage  with  Miss  Martha  Biddlecomb  took  place  in  March.  187(1 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  childi-en  -Ethel  E.,  Frances  M.  and  Carling  J.  Mr.  Gould 
is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

PETER  P.  GRHINER  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Mich.,  February  22,  1840,  son  of 
John  Greiner,  who  came  from  France  in  1S83,  settled  in  W'ayne  County,  and  died  in  1855. 
ISh:  Greiner's  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead,  aged  eighty-two  years.     The  old 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


lady  is  healthy  and  active,  aud  has  over  one  hundred  and  thirty  children,  grandchildren  and 
great-grandchildi-en.  Mr.  Greiner  received  a  common -school  education:  passed  one  year 
in  the  Lake  Superior  lumbering  woods,  and  returned  in  the  fall  of  1S()4  to  Wayne,  where 
he  farmed  two  years;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  ISIil)  as  clerk  for  Joseph  Knoll,  whose  in 
terest  he  purchased  in  -January,  IStiT.  He  operated  a  livery  for  five  years,  aud  in  ISSO 
resumed  grocery  business.  He  mairied  Miss  Amelia  Knoll  in  l'S()5,  to  whom  were  born 
nine  children,  one  of  whom,  Albert,  was  drowned,  in  August,  18.S1,  while  returning  from 
a  jileasure  trip  on  the  lake  with  his  parents  aud  others.  Mi'.  Greiuer  was  Village  Trustee 
and  De})uty  Marshal  for  four  years. 

CHARLES  S.  GROESBECK  was  born  in  Warren  Township  November  3,  1S88,  son 
of  Louis  Groesbeck,  who  was  born  near  Detroit,  and  settled  on  Section  28,  in  Warren 
Township,  in  ISi^l,  buying  his  land  from  the  Cxovernment  at  10  shillings  ])er  acre.  This 
old  settler  died  in  18."),-).  Charles  S.  Groesbeck's  gi-andfather,  Walter  G.,  came  from  Hol- 
land in  the  pioneer  days  of  Detroit.  Mr.  Groesbeck  was  educated  in  the  Detroit  public 
schools;  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in  1S()2,  and  served  till  1804;  elected  County 
Clerk  in  1S70,  which  position  he  held  eight  years:  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  this  county 
for  over  twenty  years.  He  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  May,  1871,  where  he  now  resides; 
owns  two  farms  in  Warren  Township;  is  a  dealer  in  real  estate;  was  engaged  in  manu- 
factiu-e  of  sash,  doors  and  blinds  for  four  years,  and  is  now  manufactm'ing  lumber  and 
staves  at  Mt.  Clemens.  He  was  married,  April  20,  1805.  to  Miss  Lydia  D.  Beebe,  a  na- 
tive of  Illinois.  Of  eight  children  born  to  them,  seven  are  living  -Rosie.  Jose])hiue. 
John,  Frank,  Maud.  Henry  and  Anna  B.  The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic  Chui-ch. 
Mr.  Groesbeck  was  Supervisor  of  Warren  Township  several  years,  and  has  always  taken  a 
deej3  interest  and  active  part  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  this  county. 

ERENST  HAGEN,  son  of  John  aud  Christina  (Ronge)  Hagen,  was  born  in  Prussia 
October  18,  1822.  He  was  educated  in  a  religious  school.  Coming  to  the  United  States 
in  1854,  he  located  at  New  Baltimore,  Macomb  County,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
In  185(),  he  moved  into  Sterling  Township,  and  in  1859  to  Clinton  Township.  He  passed 
two  yeai's  in  Clinton,  anil  then  came  to  Mt.  Clemens,  where  he  resided  six  mouths.  Mov- 
ing to  Wyandot,  he  made  that  village  his  home  for  a  half-year,  when  he  returned  to  Clin- 
ton and  took  up  his  residence  on  his  farm  of  170  acres.  This  tract  of  land  he  cleared 
and  brought  under  cultivation.  He  married  Miss  Finch  in  1847,  to  whom  ten  children 
were  born,  of  whom  seven  are  living,  viz. :  Rudolph,  Amelia,  August,  Miner,  Siner,  Annie 
and  Paulina.  Mr.  Hagen  served  in  the  Schleswig-Holstein  wa;-  of  1847,  and  was  a  soldier 
for  two  aud  one-half  years  in  the  Prussian  infantry.  He  has  held  the  position  of  School 
Director  for  two  and  one-half  years.  His  removal  into  Mt.  Clemens  City,  which  he  pur- 
poses making  his  home,  took  place  in  April,  1882. 

WILLIAM  E.  HALL  is  a  son  of  E.  Wright  Hall,  who  established  the  glass  works  at 
^It.  Clemens  at  an  early  day.  Mr.  Hall  was  raised  and  educated  here;  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  in  18();!,  which  continued  until  1871.  He  was  the  express  and  telegraph  agent, 
and  the  tirst  to  remove  these  offices,  from  the  depot  into  the  city.  In  partnership  with.  Mr. 
Shook,  he  erected  a  saw-mill  aud  hub  and  spoke  factoi'y  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  1871 :  he  also 
dealt  extensively  in  hard-wood  lumber  until  1877.  In  1880,  Mr.  Hall  and  Mr.  Kandt 
built  the  steam  barge  William  Rudolph;  is  now  building  the  two  large  boats.  Mr.  Hall's 
lumber  business  averages  8,000,000  feet  annually.  He  was  elected  Township  Treasurer 
in  1N7(),  and  is  now  Supervisor  of  the  First  Ward  of  the  city.  He  married  Miss  Letitia 
J.  Shook,  daughter  of  the  late  Robert  Shook,  December  10,  18(j8.  They  are  the  ])arents 
of  live  children — William  R.,  Eugene  E.,  Harrv  W.,  Nelly  B.  and  Blanche. 

WINFIELD  S.  HATHAWAY,  son  of  Hon.  Hiron  Hathaway,  was  born  at  Bristol, 
Ontai'io  Co.,  N.  Y.,  December  25, 1882.     His  father,  son  of  Seth  Hathaway,  of  Massachu- 


'-K^ 


HISTUKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


setts,  of  English  descent,  was  born  June  5.  1799.  The  family  came  to  Richmond  Town- 
ship in  ISHC),  where  Mr.  Hathaway  was  educated.  In  1S()7,  he  held  the  position  of  lum- 
ber-sealer for  Horace  Perkins  &  Sons  until  1S7-").  He  was  elected  Sheriif  in  November, 
1S74,  and  entered  on  the  duties  of  that  office  in  January,  1S75,  serving  through  two  terms. 
After  retiring  fi'om  this  office,  he  managed  his  farm,  two  miles  south  of  the  city,  for 
two  years.  He  married  Miss  Jane  Dixon,  daughter  of  Richard  Dison.  of  Detroit,  in  1IS57. 
The  three  children  of  this  marriage  are  deceased.  Hiron  Hathaway  was  elected  to  the 
Legislatiu'e  in  1N41;  and  in  IsriTi  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  at  Lan- 
sing: in  ISoO  was  Associate  Judge  of  Macomb;  in  1889  was  Supervisor  of  Richmond  and 
in  1S52,  President  of  Armada  Village.  W.  S.  is  a  member  of  Mt.  Clemens  Chapter, 
R.  A.  M. ,  and  verj^  jropular  throughout  the  county. 

DR.  ABNER  HAYWARD.  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  at  Johnson,  R.  I.,  Seji- 
tember  '-!6,  1S29.  His  father,  Robert  G.  Hayward,  of  English  descent,  was  born  at 
Thompson,  Conn.,  March  10.  1800.  His  mother,  Eliza  Cornell,  niece  of  Ezra  Cornell, 
founder  of  the  Cornell  University,  was  born  at  Somerset,  Md.,  December  1.  1801.  His 
fathei-  was  engaged  in  a  cotton  factory  in  Rhode  Island  for  several  years:  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  1880  and  settled  in  Monroe  County;  moved  to  Ingham  County  in  1887.  after  which 
he  devoted  his  attention  to  farming.  Dr.  Hayward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  received 
such  advantages  as  the  country  school  afforded,  after  which  he  attended  the  Hillsdale  Col- 
lege, and  subsequently  the  Michigan  Union  College.  He  taught  school  six  terms:  read 
medicine  under  Drs.  Watts  &  Chubb,  and  attended  medical  leotiu'es  at  the  university  at 
Ann  Arbor,  in  1S59  and  180O.  Having  his  attention  called  to  the  homoeopathic  method 
of  administering  medicine,  he  became  convinced  of  its  sujieriority,  and,  after  having  prac- 
ticed medicine  four  years  at  Aurelius,  Mich.,  he  attended  lectures  and  graduated  from  the 
Homceopathie  Hospital  College  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  18()().  He  then  located  at  Romeo, 
Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  and  built  up  a  fine  practice  where  allopathic  opposition  was  so  strong 
it  was  supposed  a  homoeopathist  could  not  live.  After  remaining  there  five  years  and  a 
half,  he  removed  to  Mt.  Clemens,  and  has,  during  a  residence  of  moro  than  ten  years,  been 
engaged  in  an  extensive  practice.  He  maiTied  Miss  Alice  J.  Smith,  a  native  of  Barring- 
ton.  Orange  Co. .  N.  Y. ,  who  was  then  a  resident  of  Jackson  County.  She  was  educated 
in  the  Michigan  Union  College,  and  taught  school  several  terms,  in  which  she  was  very 
successful.  Since  her  man-iage,  she  has  read  medicine  with  her  husband,  attended  the 
medical  college  at  Detroit,  and  is  a  skillful  practitioner.  They  are  the  parents  of  foiu' 
children,  of  whom  Maude  Louise  and  Frank  H.  are  living;  Lillie  J.  K.  and  Charlie  C 
died  in  infancy.  Dr.  Hayward  is  a  member  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy, 
and  also  of  the  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of  Michigan. 

JOHN  HEMMEN.  deceased,  was  born  in  Luxemburg,  CTermany,  December  25,  1825; 
came  to  Detroit  in  185G,  where  he  was  in  the  service  of  Michigan  Central  Railroad  for  sev- 
eral years.  He  was  proprietor  of  City  Hotel,  opposite  Milwaukee  depot,  for  twelve  years; 
came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1871,  and  took  charge  of  hotel  on  northeast  corner  of  square, 
which  he  called  the  Hemmen  House,  and  operated  until  his  death.  July  14.  18S0.  He 
married  Miss  Frederica  Vogt  March  10,  1858.  to  whom  were  born  five  children,  of  whom 
Lizzie  and  Laura  are  living.  Mrs.  Hemmen  came  to  the  United  States  alone  in  1852. 
The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Hemmen  was  also  a  member. 

GOTHOLD  HEMME.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  son  of  Andrew  Hemme,  who  was 
born  in  Saxe  Weimar,  September  7,  1822;  settled  in  Wayne  County  in  1854,  and  in  Ma- 
comb County  in  April,  1859.  He  is  the  owner  of  twenty  acres  in  Section  81,  Clinton,  and 
by  tfade  a  carpenter.  He  was  married,  in  1854,  to  Miss  Caroline  Apel,  to  whom  five  chil- 
dren were  born,  namely:  August,  Charles,  Louise,  Elizabeth  and  Minnie.  Mrs.  Hemme 
died  in  1868.      He  married   Miss  Sophia  Dietzsch   in  1871.  to  whom  two  children  were 


l^ 


HISTOKY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


boru.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Hemme  is  Secretary  of 
German  Farmers'  Insiu'ance  Company  of  Macomb  County. 

WESLEY  HINMAN  was  born  in  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  March  •.:i2,  1^5 lO;  came 
to  Mt.  Clemens  in  May,  ISHO,  where  he  married  Mis.s  Alice  Connor,  daughter  of  John  Con- 
nor, July  10,  lSi5;l  This  lady  died  in  ISh'I.  He  married  Mrs.  Catherine  Cole  Wyckoff 
May  4,  isr)4,  to  whom  was  born  one  child,  Clarence  W.  Hinman.  Mr.  Hinman  was  Super- 
visor of  Clinton,  and  filled  other  offices,  as  given  in  organic  histor'y  of  Clinton. 

GILES  HUBBAED,  deceased,  son  of  Quartus  Hubbard,  of  Marbletowu,  Ulster  Co., 
N.  Y.,  was  born  in  January,  IN]?.  He  served  at  the  cooper's  trade  until  1.S29,  when  he 
visited  his  uncle,  Daniel  Davis.  After  passing  one  year  there,  he  traveled  through  New  York 
and  Ohio,  working  at  different  points.  In  the  summer  of  l>i--il.  he  made  a  jom'ney  South, 
and,  on  account  of  the  yellow  fever  epidemic,  turned  his  steps  northward,  and  arrived  at 
Mt.  Clemens  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  He  read  law  in  the  office  of  Judge  Thurston,  with 
whom  he  entered  in  partnership  for  one  year.  He  formed  a  partnership  with  R.  P.  El- 
dredge,  which  continued  for  fifteen  years;  subseqviently  formed  a  partnership  with  Thomas 
M.  Crocker,  which  was  observed  for  several  years.  He  was  appointed  Postmastei  at  Mt. 
Clemens  under  Harrison  in  1IS4();  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney,  as  shown  in  the  political 
chapter;  elected  Senator,  as  referred  to  in  same  chapter;  refused  the  appointment  of  Col- 
lector of  Internal  Revenue  for  the  district,  and  also  nomination  for  Congress.  Mr.  Hub- 
bard married  Miss  Euphemia,  daughter  of  Homer  and  Mary  Atwood  Bingham,  September 
■-!H,  1842.  To  them  were  born  seven  childi'en,  five  of  whom  are  living — Mary,  Giles, 
Cxeorge,  Julia  E.  and  Barton  H.     Mrs.  Hubbard  still  lives,  aged  eightv-tive  years. 

JOSEPH  HUBBARD,  an  old  settler,  boru  at  Mai'bletown,  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y.,  August 
4,  liSl4,  son  of  Quartus,  native  of  Litchfield,  Conn.,  and  Elizabeth  Davis,  the  former  of 
English  descent  and  the  latter  of  Holland  descent.  He  settled  with  his  father,  in  Ontario 
County,  N.  Y. ,  in  1827,  his  mother  having  died  before  they  left  Ulster  County;  came  to 
Mt.  Clemens  in  1888;  resided  at  New  Baltimoie  for  five  years;  engaged  in  stave  business, 
and  then  came  back  to  Mt.  Clemens,  He  was  married,  March  10,  18;^7.  to  Thankful  S. 
Weeks,  to  whom  were  born  five  children,  of  whom  are  living  William  B.  and  Martha  E. , 
now  Mrs.  High.  He  kept  hotel — Clinton  House — at  Mt.  Clemens  from  1838  to  1841, 
where  the  American  House  now  stands;  was  in  the  stave  business  until  18(j0,  wh^n  he  was 
elected  Sherifi';  held  the  office  four  years;  appointed  County  Treasurer  in  February,  1805, 
and  held  that  office  about  two  years;  held  office  of  Constable  and  Collector  six  years;  in 
early  days,  was  the  first  Village  Marshal  at  Mt.  Clemens;  also  took  its  first  census  in  1838. 
He  represents  five  first-class  insurance  companies;  is  also  engaged  in  sewing  machine 
agency.  Mr.  Hubbard  was  charter  member  of  the  first  Odd  Fellows'  Lodge  here;  member 
of  temperance  societies;  attends  Presbyterian  Chiu'ch,  to  which  the  family  belong.  Diir- 
ing  the  last  two  years  of  the  late  war,  he  was  Deputy  Provost  Marshal  for  Macomb  County. 

WILLIAM  B.  HUBBAED,  boru  at  Mt.  Clemens  May  4,  1844,  is  son  of  Josephine 
Hubbard,  of  New  York,  who  settled  here  in  1833.  Mr.  Hubbard  married  Miss  Lizzie 
Shook  in  October.  18().j,  to  whom  were  born  three  children — Robert,  Catherine  and  Dun- 
can. Mr.  Hubbard  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war;  served  on  gun-boat  Forest  Rose;  was  a 
resident  of  New  Baltimore  for  several  years,  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  undertaking  trade 
with  Robert  Shook,  as  established  in  1879.      The  family  belong  to  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

H.  B.  HUTCHINS,  born  at  Lisbon,  Grafton  Co.,  N.  H..  April  8,  1847;  prepared  for 
college  at  Newbury  Seminary,  Vermont;  entered  Michigan  University  September,  18(57; 
graduated  from  thei-e  June,  1871;  was  Superintendent  of  the  Owosso  City  Schools  from 
September,  1871,  to  July,  1872;  in  June  of  1872,  was  appointed  Instructor  in  History  and 
Rhetoric  at  Michigan  University,  which  position  he  held  until  June,  1873,  when  he  was 
appointed  Assistant  Professor  of  English  and  History  at  Michigan  Univereity,  which  posi- 

«^  (a r-  ~^ ©  ^ 

T 


A 


4>t 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


tion  lie  held  until  July,  1876,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Ann  Ai'bor,  and  came  at 
once  to  Mt.  Clemens,  where  lie  has  since  been  located. 

DR.  JESSE  E.  HUTCHINS,  dentist,  born  in  Oakland  County,  Mich.,  October  14, 
1S42.  son  of  Chai'les  S.  Hutchins,  of  New  York  State,  was  educated  at  Watseka  and 
Jacksonville,  111. ;  studied  medicine  under  Drs.  Mowry  and  Black,  of  Jacksonville.  Pre- 
vious to  beginning  his  studies,  he  conducted  district  schools  for  four  terms;  moved  to 
Danville  in  ISliS,  where  he  practiced  dentistiy  until  187)^,  when  he  located  at  Mt.  Clem- 
ens. Dr.  Hutchins  married  Miss  Nellie  Moore,  October  24.  1S78,  to  whom  was  born  one 
child — Charles  W.  Hutchins. 

REV.  EBENEZER  IRELAND,  son  of  John  Ireland,  was  born  in  Northampton, 
England,  September  1,  1889;  was  educated  at  the  Congregational  College,  Nottingham, 
and  ordained  at  Dronheld.  England,  in  1870;  he  was  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational 
Clim-ch  at  DrouHeld  until  the  fall  of  1878,  when  he  was  appointed  the  pastor  of  the 
chm-ch  at  Brockville.  Canada.  After  a  term  of  two  years,  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Danville,  Canada,  where  he  remained  until  187N;  he  sup- 
plied Pine  Grove  Church,  near  Toronto,  Canada,  for  a  short  time,  when  he  came  to  Rich- 
mond, Macomb  County,  in  1879,  as  pastor  of  the  chm-ch  at  that  village  In  August,  1881, 
he  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  as  supply  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  now  the 
regular  pastor.  Mr.  Ii-eland's  connection  with  the  church  is  of  the  happiest  character;  he 
is  a  Christian  minister  in  reality  as  well  as  in  name. 

ROBERT  JEAN,  son  of  Joseph  Jean,  a  native  of  Grosse  Point  and  grandson  of 
Robert  of  that  locality,  was  born  in  Harrison  Township,  May  2o,  1883,  His  father  was  a 
well-known  trader  among  the  Indians,  could  speak  their  language,  hunted  and  fished  with 
them  and  was  their  trusted  friend.  The  family  moved  to  Clinton  Township  in  1847. 
Ml'.  Jean  is  the  owner  of  100  acres  of  land  on  Sections  21  and  22,  Clinton;  engaged  in 
Horn-  and  feed  trade  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  1880  and  1881.  He  was  married,  August  8,  18ri(), 
to  Catherine  Norton,  daughter  of  Hugh  Norton,  now  of  Macoml)  Corners,  an  old  settler 
and  an  old  man  of  eighty-five  summers.  To  them  seven  children  were  born,  of  whom  Eva, 
Frank  R.,  Charles,  Jennie  and  an  infant  son  are  living. 

HON.  WILLIAM  JENNEY,  present  member  of  Legislature,  was  born  at  Pough- 
kee^jsie,  N.  Y.,  June  18,  1S87.  He  came  to  Macomb  County,  with  his  parents,  in  1848, 
and  settled  at  Mt.  Clemens.  Mr.  Jenney  i-eceived  his  education  in  Brown  Universitj', 
Providence,  R.  I.,  where  he  graduated  in  1859.  Returning  to  Mt.  Clemens,  he  studied 
law,  and  was  prepared  for  admission  to  the  bar  in  18()1,  when  the  war  called  for  his  ser 
vices.  Dm'ing  that  year,  he  raised  Company  I,  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry,  and  was  mus- 
tered into  service  as  Captain  of  that  company.  In  18(i8,  he  was  commissioned  Major, 
and.  in  18H5,  was  raised  to  a  Colonelcy  by  Gov.  Crosswell.  His  company  was  recruited  at 
a  time  when  it  appeared  that  the  county  had  exhausted  her  men.  which  fact  of  itself  won 
great  credit  for  the  organizer.  A.  reference  to  the  military  chapter'  will  point  out  at  once 
the  military  record  of  Col.  Jenney  and  the  commands  with  which  he  was  connected.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  ISIKi.  and  enjoyed  a  good  praciice  until  1876,  when  his  elec- 
tion to  the  State  Senate  m'ged  him  to  retire.  His  intention  was  to  resume  the  practice  of 
law,  but  his  health  would  not  permit.  Col.  Jenney  was  elected  Secretary  of  State  in 
1878,  which  position  he  now  holds.  In  the  political  chapter  full  references  are  made  to 
his  election.  Among  the  delegates  present  at  the  memorable  convention  of  1880,  held  at 
Chicago,  he  was  present.  Col.  Jenney  was  married  to  Miss  Cora,  daughter  of  the  late 
Judge  Horace  Stevens,  in  February,  1866.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  child — William 
S.  Jenney. 

WILLIAM  JENNEY  (deceased)  was  born  in  Middlesex  Couaty,  Mass.,  in  March, 
1^12.      Traveling  westward,  he   located  at   Mt.  Clemens  in  1848,  where  he  built  the  first 


■^ 


JiL 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   f'OU>JTY. 


stave-mill,  tbe  maciiinery  of  which  he  moved  to  New  Baltimore  In  other  pages  of  this 
work,  the  part  taken  by  the  late  Mr.  Jenney  in  the  commercial  and  social  development  of 
Macomb  County  is  regarded, -and.  in  the  necrological  chapter,  a  notice  of  his  decease  given. 

RUDOLPH  J.  KANDT,  the  eldest  of  eight  brothers,  was  born  in  Niagara  County. 
N.  Y.,  October  HI,  18-19  (son  of  Fred  Kandt,  a  native  of  Germany):  settled  in  Macoml) 
with  his  parents  in  isr)7;  he  received  a  common-school  education;  was  a  clerk  in  a  gro- 
cery store  for  four  yeai's;  in  ISTT).  he  establislied  a  grocery  house  at  Mt  Clemens,  which 
he  conducted  until  1880.  During  the  winter  of  1879-80,  he  was  partner  with  AVilliam 
E.  Hall  in  building  a  steam  barge,  which  he  managed  during  the  seasons  of  1880  and 
1881.  In  May  of  the  latter  year,  he  re-engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  and  now  has  a 
large  and  daily  increasing  trade.  He  sold  his  interest  in  the  boat  in  the  fall  of  1881. 
Mr.  Kandt  married  Hattie,  daughter  of  Henry  Rose,  of  Everett,  Mich.,  January  28,  1879. 
This  lady  is  a  native  of  Macomb. 

JOHN  KEILS.  son  of  Gerhard  Keils,  was  born  in  the  Rhine  Province.  Germany. 
February  11.  18;:!"2:  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  Prussian  Infantry  from  April  1.  18r)4,  to  Sep- 
tember 27,  1857:  he  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  July  22,  1861,  and  uas  made  the  city  his  home 
since  that  time;  he  labored  on  a  farm  in  18<)1 ;  next,  entered  the  emjiloy  of  O.  W.  Delano 
as  clerk,  which  position  he  held  for  two  years;  afterward,  was  in  the  employ  of  T.  W. 
Snook  &  Co.  for  eight  yeai's:  in  1872,  he  visit«d  Germany;  on  his  retm-n.  in  1873,  he  es- 
tablished his  present  business  of  flour,  feed  and  grain,  and  has  carried  it  on  since  that 
time  successfully.  Mr.  K.  married  Miss  Anna  M.  Dahm,  December  29,  18()li,  to  whom 
was  born  one  child,  since  deceased. 

DOR  KELLOGG,  son  of  Alpheus  Kellogg,  a  miller  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y. .  was 
born  in  Cayuga  County,  June  11,  1822:  came  to  Oakland.  County,  Mich.,  in  1839,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  milling  business  at  Clarkston  for  five  years;  in  1844  or  1845,  he  re- 
turned to  New  York;  came  to  Litchfield,  Mich.,  in  18(i0.  and  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1870. 
Miv  K.  has  identified  himself  with  the  flom-milling  interests  of  the  city  since  that  time; 
he  married  Miss  Harriet  McLean,  July  4,  1844;  this  lady  died  in  1852;  in  1853,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Eliza  A.  Dutcher,  to  whom  were  born  three  children — Carrie  C,  Hattie  E.  and 
Anna  C.      Mi*.  K.  is  religiously  a  Baptist. 

MARTIN  C.  KELLY,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the 
county,  was  born  at  Dexter.  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  February  4,  1851 ;  his  father  was  a 
native  of  Ireland;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1844.  and  died  in  1803;  he  was  a  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  minister  until  1855,  when  he  became  a  minister  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Chiu'ch.  In  18()(),  Dr.  Kelly  moved  to  Ann  Arbor  with  his  mother,  where  he  gi'aduatod 
in  pharmacy,  in  1871,  and  in  medicine  in  1875.  He  located  at  Mt.  Clemens  the  same 
year  and  ojaened  an  office  there,  May  18,  where  his  j^ractice  is  fully  established.  His  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Alice  Snook,  daughter  of  T.  W.  Snook,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  celebrated 
May  29.  1877,  to  whom  three  childi-en  were  born — William  T..  Ai-thur  H.  and  Charles  D. 
Kelly.  The  Doctor  represents  the  Second  Ward  in  the  City  Council;  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order  and  an  ardent  supporter  of  every  movement  to  advance  the  interests  of  Mt. 
Clemens. 

FREDERICK  G.  KENDRICK  was  born  at  Schlotheim,  in  Schwarzbm-g,  Germany, 
May  14.  183(');  came  to  this  country,  with  his  parents,  from  Germany,  in  1844;  they  set- 
tled at  Belvidere,  Macomb  County;  from  there  they  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens;  fi'om  there  to 
Marine  City,  St.  Clair  County.  Mr.  K.  was  educated  in  this  country.  From  Marine,  he 
moved  to  the  township  of  Erin,  Macomb  County,  and  became  a  fsirmer  and  cattle  broker. 
Took  part  in  politics,  held  several  tovsmship  offices  of  trust;  was  elected  member  of  the 
State  Legislature  in  1808.  In  1870,  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Macomb  County  for  two 
terms.      Removed  to  the  city  of  Mt.  Clemens  and   engaged  in  hardware  business  and  in 


^7=r- 


Lix: 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.  o9:! 

the  manufaetiu'e  of  sash,  doors,  blinds,  etc.,  and  contractor  of  buildings,  in  ISTT),  in 
which  he  is  still  successfully  engaged.  He  has  an  extensive  sawmill  in  the  township  of 
Taymouth,  where  he  manufactures  his  lumber.  He  has  taken  full  part  in  the  social,  po 
litical,  and  industrial  advancement  of  the  county.  He  was  married.  May  5,  1802,  to  Hen- 
rietta Elsey,  daughter  of  Henry  Elsey,  from  Leipsi'".  Germany.  Mr.  K.  and  wife  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  sis  of  whom  are  alive — live  daughters  and  one  son — oldest 
daughter,  Caroline:  Hattie,  Emma,  Bertha,  Julia  and  youngest  son,  Frank.  The  family 
belong  to  the  German  Episcopal  Lutheran  Church. 

WILLIA.M  KLEIN,  sou  of  Andrew  Klein,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  September 
27,  188(5;  came  with  his  family  to  Niagara,  N  Y..  in  1852,  and  settled  in  Erin  Township, 
Macomb  County,  in  l!sr):l  Mr.  K.  was  head  sawyer  for  several  years  in  saw-mill,  and 
foreman  for  foiu'  years.  j)assing  eighteen  years  in  mills  at  Hamtramek.  He  was  married, 
January  1,  1861.  to  Miss  Augusta  Meir.  to  whom  five  children  were  born — Amelia,  Charles, 
Minnie,  Willey  and  Augusta.  He  resides  on  his  farm.  Section  'A\,  Clinton,  where  he  owns 
seventy-two  acres  well  improved.  He  is  at  present  Drain  Commissioner.  Tlie  family 
belong  to  the  Cxerman  Lutheran  Church. 

ALEXANDER  KNIGHT  (deceased),  son  of  Robert,  was  born  at  Edinburgh,  Scotland, 
June  y,  180'J;  came  to  Rochestei',  N.  Y.,  iu  1833,  and  to  Detroit  in  1834;  he  was  a  black- 
smith by  trade  and  did  all  the  smithing  for  the  C.  &  K.  Canal  in  its  course  through  Ma- 
comb County.  During  this  time,  his  family  remained  at  Detroit.  After  coming  to  Mt. 
Clemens,  he  was  very  successful:  at  one  time,  he  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  at  Detroit 
and  several  blocks  in  the  center  of  Mt.  Clemens:  he  was  a  dealer  in  real  estate,  a  house 
builder,  a  business  man  at  New  Baltimore  and  an  active,  industrious  and  honest  citizen. 
He  was  married  in  Scotland  in  1S32,  to  Miss  Annie  Anderson,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  a  few  months  after  her  husband.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living — Jeannette,  Margaret,  Mary  A.,  Alex,  Rowena  and  Devena.  Mr.  K.  was 
tax  collector  for  some  time.      His  death  took  place  August  o,  1881. 

JULIUS  KOEHLER,  son  of  John  Koehler,  of  Germany,  was  born  at  Detroit  October 
27,  1843:  his  parents  came  to  Detroit  from  Germany  in  1839  or  1840:  moved  to  Mt. 
Clemens  in  18r)3.  Mr.  Koehler  came  here  with  his  family  and  has  made  the  city  his 
home  since  that  timi^.  save  six  years  passed  at  Detroit  learning  blacksmith's  and  wagon- 
maker's  trades  and  working  at  these  trades.  He  established  a  wagon,  carriage  and  black- 
smith shop  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  18()8.  beginning  on  a  small  sxiaieand  gradually  building  up 
a  good  business,  giving  employment  to  five  or  six  skilled  workmen.  He  was  married,  De- 
cember 17,  1874.  to  Miss  Pauline  Winkler,  to  whom  three  children  were  born — Clara, 
William  E.  and  Julius  M.  Mrs.  K.  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Chiu-ch.  Mr.  K.  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. ,  in  which  order  he  has  passed  all  chairs,  and  represents  the 
Mt.  Clemens  Lodge  in  the  Council  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  He  was  elected  first  Alderman 
of  the  Third  Ward  of  the  city  in  1879,  and  served  two  years. 

JOHN  KUHN  was  born  November  30.  1842,  at  Niederwald,  Hessen,  Germauv.  His 
father's  name  was  Frantz  Kuhn;  he  attended  the  common  schools  at  home,  from  1848  to 
1857.  He  served  his  apprenticeship  in  a  book  and  stationery  store  in  Marburg  for  three 
years,  and  served  them  for  teji  years  after  his  apprenticeship.  After  leaving  Marbiu'g,  he 
went  to  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  and  entered  a  merchant  and  tailoring  establishment  as 
a  salesman  for  three  years:  thence  with  the  banking  house  of  Seligmann  &  Co.,  as  col- 
lector, with  which  firm  he  remained  until  1N()5,  when  he  emigrated  to  America:  arrived  at 
Detroit,  Mich.,  in  November.  1865.  and  accepted  an  engagement  with  G.  Doeltz  &  Bros., 
where  he  remained  as  salesman  for  nine  years;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  year  1874,  and 
entered  into  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  P.  Ulrieh.  under  the  firm  name  of  P. 
Ulrich  &  Co:  since  then,  this  firm   has  dissolved   partnership   and  continues   in  the  same 


^rv" 


L^ 


line  of  business  under  the  name  of  Ulrich,  Kuhn  &  Co.  He  was  married,  in  1S70,  to  Miss 
Catherine  Elizabeth  Ulrich.  There  were  born  to  them  four  children,  two  sons — Frantz 
and  John — and  two  daughters  —Laura  and  Matilda.  He  was  elected  Alderman  of  the 
Second  Ward,  in  ISSl:  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Lutheran  Chui'ch  of 
Mt.  Clemens;  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  the  same  place;  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Arch  Chapter:  also  a  member  of  the  Knight  Templar  Commandery,  of  Romeo, 
No!  f). 

FRANCIS  LETOURNEAU  (deceased)  was  born  in  Harrison  Township,  two  and  one- 
half  miles  below  Mt.  Clemens,  December  2,  ISOO;  his  grandfather  was  a  native  of  France 
and  his  father  a  native  of  Canada.  In  IS] 2,  Mr.  L.  located  at  Detroit,  where  he  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade;  he  subsequently  studied  architecture.  He  was  married,  in  liS21.  to 
Clotilde  Girardin,  born  at  Detroit  November  7,  1797,  daughter  of  James  Girardin,  of 
Lower  Canada.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  childi'en — Moses  F. ,  deceased,  was  or- 
dained priest;  Emily,  married  Aug.  Henquenet;  Charles  R. ,  deceased;  Louis  J.,  was  or- 
dained priest,  now  of  Notre  Dame  College,  Indiana;  Josephine,  married  the  late  Mr.  Par 
quette;  Sarah,  resides  at  home,  and  Timothy  and  EJeanor,  deceased.  Mr.  L.  came  to  Mt. 
Clemens  in  1S54,  and  made  the  village  his  home  until  his  death,  in  ISfiO.  He  built  the 
Michigan  Exchange  at  Detroit  in  18H2,  superintended  the  building  of  Fort  Wayne  and 
several  light-houses  for  the  United  States  Government,  built  the  steamboats  knovra  as  the 
Michigan,  the  Detroit  and  the  Illinois,  together  with  many  other  boats;  di-ew  the  plans 
for  St.  Peter  and  Paul's  Catholic  Church  and  St.  Ann's  Chiu'ch,  Detroit,  and  was  a 
prominent  builder  and  contractor  of  the  State.  He  held  the  position  of  Village  Trustee 
for  one  year;  was  a  most  estimable  citizen  and  a  native  pioneer  of  Macomb  County,  The 
Letourneau  family  have  always  been  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

EDWARD  W.  LEWIw'  born  in  Macomb  Township  July  17,  1844;  son  of  Wesley 
and  Hannah  Lewis,  of  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  educated.  He  was  married,  in  May, 
ISBS,  to  Anna  Dutton,  a  native  of  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  and  daughter  of  Ransom 
Dutton,  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children — Jessie,  Eddie,  Hattie  and  Harry.  Mr. 
L.  has  been  Councilman  for  four  years  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and  of  I. 
O.  G.  T, 

WESLEY  LE^VIS,  born  in  Jefiersou  County,  N.  Y.,  August  2-2.  1S14,  son  of  Labin 
Lewis,  of  New  Hampshire;  he  was  educated  in  Massachusetts,  to  which  State  his  parents 
moved  when  he  was  still  yoimg;  located  in  Genesee,  N,  Y.,  in  ISHO,  and  in  Macomb 
County,  in  1888,  for  a  short  time:  he  visited  again  in  1831),  and  located  permanently  in 
1840;  he  followed  agi'iculture  in  Lenox  for  four  years;  kept  the  county  house  one  yeai'; 
labored  for  some  time  at  Mt,  Clemens;  shared  in  building  the  lighthouse  at  Point  Bargue, 
Lake  Huron,  in  co  apany  with  Harrison  Warren;  bought  Mt.  Clemens  saw-mill  in  1848  or 
1849,  which  he  sold  in  1852,  remaining  as  foreman  of  the  mill  until  1877.  He  was  mar- 
ried, to  Miss  Hannah  Warren,  in  1842;  they  are  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom 
Mary,  Edward,  George  H.  and  Frank  W,  are  living. 

WILLIAM  LITTI,E  was  born  in  Colchester  Township,  Essex  County,  Canada,  on 
the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  where  he  was  educated;  he  caiTied  on  a  farm  there  until  185H, 
when  he  came  to  Clinton  Township,  Macomb  County:  here  he  farmed  until  1S65,  when 
he  returned  to  Canada.  In  July,  187VI,  he  came  to  Mt,  Clemens  and  opened  a  private 
boai'ding-house;  subsequently,  he  Ijecame  proprietor  of  the  St.  Cloud  House,  which  he  now 
conducts.  He  was  married,  in  March,  1851,  to  Sarah  Butler,  to  whom  five  children  were 
born:  Delos,  Charles,  and  Adelaide  are  living:  one  daughter.  Georgia  A, ,  died  December  14, 
18S1,  aged  twenty-one  years.      Mrs.  Little  is  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Chiu-ch. 

HENRY  LODEWYCK  was  raised  and  educated  at  Detroit;  he  came  to  Mt.  Clemens 
in  1S72;  in  1879,  be  established  his  e.xtensive  and  well-managed  livery  concern,  valued  at 


»rv 


'-^ 


HISTORY    (JF   MACOMli   COUNTY. 


$6,000,  together  with  buildings  and  grounds.  This  livery  ih  connected  by  telephone  with  all 
the  principal  hotels  of  the  city.  In  February,  LS70,  Mr.  L.  mari-ied  Pauline  Rivard,  to  whom 
were  bora  seven  children,  live  of  whom  are  living — Ida,  Henry,  Caroline,  Rose  and  Fran- 
cis. Aftpr  the  death  of  Mrs.  L.,  he  married  for  his  second  wife  Rose  Rivard,  in  1880,  to 
whom  one  child  was  born-  Arthur  Lodewyck. 

JOSEPH  LONSBY,  an  extensive  dealer  in  lumber,  shingles,  laths,  cedar  posts  and 
part  owner  of  the  steamer,  Ida  Burton,  and  the  barge,  S.  H.  Johnston;  established  his 
business  here  in  1875,  where  he  continued  until  ISSl,  when  he  moved  south  of  the  river. 
Mr.  Lonsby  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1887;  his  father,  Peter  Lonsby, 
was  a  native  of  Canada.  Mr.  L.  came  to  Michigan  in  isr)4;  clerked  at  Pine  Run,  Gen- 
esee County,  for  three  years,  was  engaged  in  lumbering  in  Alcona  County  for  live  years, 
until  coming  to  Mt.  Clemens,  in  1875.  He  married  Miss  Lucy  Ann  Webster,  of  Ohio,  in 
18()0,  to  whom  were  born  Charles  and  John  Lonsby,  the  latter  of  whom  is  dead.  Charles 
entered  into  partnership  with  his  father  in  1SS2.  Mr.  L.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  R. 
A.  and  a  Master  Mason. 

FLOYD  LUFKIN,  son  of  Varnum  Lufkin,  an  old  and  respected  citizen  of  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, was  born  in  the  village  September  15,  1S45;  was  educated  here,  and  labored  in  the  brick 
factory  until  18(U,  when  he  went  to  Kansas,  Colorado,  Utah  and  Montana,  returning  to 
Mt.  Clemens  in  18r)7.  He  was  married,  December  81.  18(jy,  to  Miss  Mary  Walker, 
daughter  of  the  late  George  Walker,  of  Mt.  Clemens.  They  are  the  parents  of  Blanche, 
Kittie  and  Varnum. 

TRANGOTT  LUNGERSHANSEX,  born  at  Ai-tern,  Prussia,  July  1,  1888,  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1S52,  where  he  leai-ned  the  carpenter  trade,  at  which  he  worked  in 
Detroit  for  a  term  of  four  years;  after  that,  he  was  farming,  until  1871,  when  he  opened 
a  flour  and  feed  store  at  Mt.  Clemens;  subsequently,  a  hardware  store,  which  he  operated 
until  his  election  as  Register  of  Deeds,  in  1874.  He  was  re-elected  in  187(')  and  187S, 
holding  the  office  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  county  until  ISM,  when  Col.  Farrar 
succeeded  him,  under  whom  he  is  now  Deputy  Register  of  Deeds.  Mr.  L.  married  Miss 
Emily  Stechert,  in  January,  185fi,  to  whom  six  children  were  born,  live  of  whom  are 
livincr. 

T.  F.  MARRIOTT,  born  in  Wayne  Counjty,  N.  Y.,  November  8,  18(>7,  son  of  T.  F. 
Marriott,  of  England,  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  January,  1881 ;  has  been  employed  by  Mi-. 
Peter  Greiuer  as  clerk  since  March  14  of  that  year. 

CHARLES  MASON,  sou  of  Thomas  Mason,  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  Octo- 
ber 18,  1850:  came  with  his  family  to  Canada  in  1852,  where  he  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1873,  where  he  worked  for  Van  Eps  &  Co.  one  year. 
In  1874,  he  visited  Louisville,  Ky. ;  from  there,  he  went  to  Brownsville,  Tenn.,  thenceto 
Memphis,  Tenn,,  in  September,  1875,  and  returned  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  spring  of  lS/6, 
where  he  established  his  boot  and  shoe  house.  He  was  married,  in  May,  1880,  to  Matilda 
Wood,  daughter  of  Samuel  Wood,  of  Mt.  Clemens. 

ALMANZO  MATTHEWS,  son  of  Sidney  Matthews,  was  born  in  Fairtield  Township, 
Lenawee  County,  Mich.,  July  7,  1844.  He  was  educated  in  Macomb  County,  whither  he 
removed  with  his  parents  in  1S49.  Mr.  M.  served  in  Company  G.  Eighth  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, for  three  years,  and  participated  in  the  brilliant  services  of  that  command.  He  was 
wounded  at  Knoxville  and  subsequently  served  in  hospital  duty  until  transferred  to  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  at  Chicago,  in  the  fall  of  18(U.  He  learned  the  mason's  trade  in 
LSfK)  and  l.S()7,  at  wnich  he  has  worked  almost  since  that  time.  He  moved  from  his  farm 
to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1875,  He  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Sheldon  in  Janu;yy,  ISIili. 
This  lady  is  the  daughter  of  the  late  Amariah  Sheldon,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb.  They 
are  the  parents  of  three  children — Angeline,  Nettie  A.  and  Frank  B. 


1^ 


^k 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


HENRY  F.  MEIER,  Professor  of  Chemistry,  with  the  Mt.  Clemens  Sulpho-Mineral 
Salt  Company,  son  of  the  late  Dr.  Henry  F.,  a  prominent  physician  of  Philadelphia;  was 
born  in  Mecklenburg.  Crermany.  in  April.  1S4S:  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  par- 
ents in  1S,")1:  was  educated  in  Philadelphia;  entered  the  di'ug  business  in  18<)2:  studied 
at  the  New  York  College  of  Pharmacy,  and  has  been  engaged  as  a  manufacturing  chemist 
since  his  arrival  at  Detroit,  in  the  fall  of  ISfiO.  where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Swift 
Bros,  and,  subsequently,  in  that  of  Parke,  Davis  &  Co.:  he  located  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  July. 
ISSl,  and  connected  himself  with  the  Mineral  Springs  Company  as  chemist.  To  him  is 
due  much  of  the  valuable  information  given  to  us  on  the  subject  of  constituents  of  mineral 
waters,  of  Mt.  Clemens. 

DYKES  MILLAR,  son  of  John  Miller,  of  Scotland,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  N. 
Y. ,  March  12,  ISOH:  came  with  his  father  to  Macomb  in  1881.  and  located  land  on  Section 
19,  Clinton,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river.  He  encountered  all  the  obstacles  of  the  pio- 
neer. He  Iniilt  a  log  house  in  1N32,  the  walls  of  which  are  still  standing.  In  January, 
1838,  he  married  Miss  Emma  Harvey,  to  whom  four  children  were  born,  three  of  whom 
are  living — John.  James  and  Robert;  the  daughter.  Belle,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-foui' 
years.  Mr.  Miller  was  Major  on  Gen.  Stockton's  staff  diu'ing  the  Toledo  war,  and  more 
recently  has  tilled  the  quieter  ofiSces  of  Notary  Public  and  Highway  Commissioner. 

NORTON  L.  MILLER,  born  in  Berkshire  County,  Mass.,  December  2,  1815,  was  son 
of  Ozni  Miller,  of  Connecticut,  son  of  Samuel  Miller,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  son  of 
Miller  who  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Connecticut  prior  to  the  Revolution.  Ozni 
Miller  and  family  left  Massachusetts  in  1818  ;uid  located  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  ten 
miles  south  of  Rochester;  in  1882,  the  family  settled  in  Ray  Township,  this  county,  where 
the  elder  Mr.  Miller  died  in  1840.  Norton  L.  taught  school  during  the  winter  terms, 
but  labored  principally  at  his  trade  as  miller  until  18()<v.  he  was  elected  County  Register 
of  Deeds,  in  ISof),  and  re-elected  in  18r)8  He  bought  the  Lakeville  mills,  in  Oakland 
Coimty.  in  December,  1801,  and  operated  them  for  five  years:  he  was  Postmaster  at  Lake- 
ville for  four  years,  under  apjsointment  of  the  Lincoln  administration.  He  retiu-ned  to 
Mt.  Clemens  in  June,  1867;  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Michigan  Legislatui'e  in  18(i8, 
and  re-elected  in  1870:  he  married  Miss  Frances  E.  Lewis.  July  4.  1848;  they  are  the 
parents  of  six  children;  Fred  C.  served  in  Company  I,  reorganized  Third  Infantry,  and 
died  in  the  late  war;  L.  M.  Miller  is  clerk  in  the  Government  office  at  Lansing:  the  other 
children  are  Fannie  M..  Abner  P.,  William  N.  and  Millie  Miller.  Mrs.  Miller,  daughter 
of  William  Lewis,  and  sister  of  George  F.  Lewis,  of  Saginaw  and  Bay  City,  was  born  at 
Harvard,  Mass.,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  Macomb  in  1885:  William  A.  Lewis,  ano- 
ther brother,  is  a  resident  of  Everett,  Mich. 

ROBERT  E.  MILLER,  son  of  Dykes  Miller,  was  born  in  Clinton  Township,  August 
K),  1842.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Shanley,  February  22,  18()5:  this  lady  was  a  daughter 
of  Edward  Shanley,  who  came  from  Detroit  to  Macomb  County  in  1852.  They  are  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  living—  Emma.  Edward,  Mattie.  Florence,  Rob- 
ert and  Mar}-.  In  his  early  years,  the  Indian  children  then  camped  near  his  father's 
house  were  his  playmates:  with  them  he  hunted  and  jjassed  his  childhood  days:  subse- 
quently, he  attended  common  schools  and  laboi'ed  on  a  farm.  He  has  been  School  Di- 
rector for  several  years. 

WALTER  W.  MITCHELL  (deceased)  was  born  at  Chester.  Conn.,  son  of  William 
Mitchell,  sea  captain,  who  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1845  and  settled  on  North  Gratiot 
street,  adjoining  the  village.  He  was  married,  in  1837.  to  Frances  Cantield.  daughter  of 
Joel  Cantield.  To  them  were  born  two  sons — William  W.,  a  partner  in  the  banking  house 
of  Fisher  &  Preston.  Detroit,  and  Henry  T.,  who  manages  the  farm.  Both  brothers  deal 
in  tine   short-horned    cattle.      The   leading  feature  of  their   herds  is   the  young  Aelrie 


~®  |V 


4. 


Duchess,  the  only  calf  of  Duke  of  Aelrie  and  Duchess,  now  in  Michigan,  and  only  full- 
blood  Duchess  in  the  State.  She  was  bought,  when  a  few  days  old.  from  Avery  &  Murphy, 
of  Port  Hiu-on,  for  $5,500,  in  June,  1881.  They  have  some  full-blood  Dui-hams  on  the 
Brooks  farm,  at  West  Novi,  Mich.  W.  W.  Mitchell  and  this  Mr.  Brooks  own  the  Duke 
of  Lexington.  Henry  T.  is  the  owner  of  Lady  Duchess,  from  Old  Splendor,  imported 
from  New  York. 

FRANKLIN  P.  MONFORT,  son  of  Isaac  Monfort,  one  of  Shelby's  pioneer  farmers, 
was  born  June  (>,  1842,  in  Shelby;  received  his  early  education  at  the  Disco  Academy  and 
Oxford  Institute,  under  Profs.  A.  M.  Keeler  and  S.  A.  Taft;  attended  the  State  Normal 
and  Union  Schools  at  Ypsilanti.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Jacob  Bowers, 
of  Addison,  Oakland  County,  May  l:i  1808;  they  have  one  child — Merton  B. ;  he  taught 
school  in  several  places  in  Oakland  and  Macomb  Counties,  dtu'ing  the  winters,  and  farmed 
diu'ing  the  summers;  i  ntered  the  law  department  at  the  Michigan  Univei'sity,  in  1878, 
gi-aduated  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1880;  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Circuit 
Court  Commissioner  the  same  year,  and  has  since  been  practicing  law  at  Mt.  Clemens. 

OLIVER  MOORE,  son  of  Si"mon  M. ,  of  Harrison  Township,  was  born  in  Clinton 
Township  February  20.  1840:  his  grandfather.  Lawi-ence  Moore,  was  forced  into  the 
British  service  in  Quebec  during  the  Revolution,  fi-om  which  service  he  and  two  co'urades 
escaped,  and,  walking  to  a  point  opposite  Port  Hiu-on.  crossed  the  river  and  was  among 
the  iirst  settlers  in  Harrison  Township,  where  he  bought  land  from  the  Indians.  Oliver 
Moore  maiTied  Miss  Catherine  Taylor  April  IH,  18f)0.  May  22,  1870,  he  man-ied  Miss 
Erzelia  Rivard;  the  childi-en  of  the  fii-st  marriage  were  Victoria,  Oliver,  William  and 
James;  the  children  of  the  second  marriage  were  Louis  B. ,  Gilbert,  Nettie,  Hattie, 
Frank.  Josephine  and  Louise. 

JOHN  MORDHORST.  proprietor  of  the  Detroit  House,  formerly  the  City  Hotel, 
took  charge  of  it  in  October.  1879.  Mi-.  Mordhorst  was  born  at  Kiel,  Holstein,  in 
1842;  came  with  his  parents  to  Detroit  in  1856;  went  to  Missom-i  in  1862;  served  in 
Company  A,  four  months'  militia,  principally  on  provost  duty,  until  bis  retui'n  to  Detroit 
in  1864;  subsequently,  he  visited  the  Lake  Superior  District,  and  there  manufactured  the 
tii-st  cigars  ever  made  in  Keweenaw  County.  Mich.,  in  18()():  retm-ned  to  Detroit  in  186/, 
and  was  cigar  manufacturer  there  until  1879,  when  he  came  to  Mt.  Clemens.  He  was 
maiTied,  April  14,  1868,  to  Bertha  Hochral,  to  whom  three  children  were  born — Clara, 
John  and  Rosa. 

IGNACE  A.  MORASS,  son  of  Anthony  and  grandson  of  Ignace  Morass,  was  born  at 
Belvidere.  Macomb  County,  September  1,  1827;  his  father  and  gi-andfather  were  born  at 
Hamtramck,  on  Detroit  River;  former  in  1796  and  the  latter  in  1771;  his  great-grand- 
father came  from  France  in  the  military  corps  under  Montcalm;  was  at  the  surrender  of 
Quebec  in  1759  and  among  those  banished  to  Detroit.  The  grandfather  helped  to  build 
Fort  Gratiot  during  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  one  of  the  best  carpenters  in  the  Northwest 
Territory.  He  also  built  h  saw-mill  on  Black  River,  which  was  the  first  mill  used  to  saw 
round  logs.  The  Morass  family  moved  to  Macomb  in  1805.  G.  T.  Ignace  Morass  raised 
2,000  bushels  of  wheat  some  years,  and  su^jplied  the  settlers  with  seed  wheat,  oats  and 
barley — in  fact,  he  was  the  ijiost  extensive  farmer  in  Michigan.  With  the  exception  of 
a  ride  across  the  river  into  Canada,  and  his  visit  to  the  Centennial,  the  present  Mr.  Morass 
has  never  left  his  native  State.  He  was  married.  Februai-y  20.  1855,  to  Miss  Margaret 
Stapleton,  daughter  of  William  Stapleton.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children — 
Olive,  Mary,  Anna,  Ignace.  Florence,  Elizabeth  and  Joseph,  are  living.  The  family  be- 
long to  the  Catholic  Chui-eh. 

CHARLES  MOSER  (deceased)  was  born  near  Paris,  France,  in  July,  1805;  came  to 
Philadelphia  in  1823;  moved  to  Juniata  County,  Penn. .  shortly  after,    and  was  engaged 


^. 


r 


liL 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


in  mercantile  work  until  185."),  when  he  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens.  That  year,  he  opened  a 
money  office  and  also  established  a  meat  mai-ket  here.  Mr.  Moser  mai'ried  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Middlesworth,  a  dauojhter  of  Christian  Fall,  in  March,  18:11.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children — Clotilda.  Isaac.  Jackson,  Lydia  A.,  Edward,  Mary  M.,  Jennie  E.  and 
A^'illiara  H.      Mrs.  Moser  had  one  child  by  her  previous  marriage — John  Middlesworth. 

WILLIAM  H.  INIOSER  was  born  "at  Mt.  Clemens  July  2(j,  1857:  son  of  Charles 
Moser,  who  came  from  Pennsylvania  to  this  city  in  1855;  was  educated  here;  has  been 
engaged  in  handling  cattle  since  his  youth,  and  has  made  a  success  of  the  meat  market 
which  he  established  in  1S78.  Mr.  Moser  was  married  in  October,  1S7N,  to  Miss  Minnie 
Rutz,  of  Detroit. 

SAMUEL  R.  MULVEY,  son  of  Joseph  Mulvey,  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  Montreal, 
Canada,  when  young,  was  boi-n  at  Rochester.  N.  Y. ,  May  14.  IX'M.  Samuel  came  to  Ma- 
comb with  his  parents  in  1887,  and  located  in  Sterling  Township.  Joseph  Mulvey  was 
a  farmer  of  Clinton  until  his  death,  in  the  fall  of  1872.  S.  R.  Mulvey  was  married  to 
Miss  Susan  Riley,  daughter  of  Michael  Riley,  in  1868;  to  them  five  children  wore  born 
— Mary  A.,  Mattie  E.,  George  E.,  Emma  and  Robert  S.  He  now  lives  on  the  farm  that 
Joseph  Mulvey  owned,  ninety  acres  on  Sections  150,  81  and  82,  Clinton:  was  Constable  for 
seven  years  and  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  town  of  Clinton.  The  family  belong 
to  the  Catholic  Chiu'ch. 

THOMAS  W.  NEWTON,  Sheriff  of  Macomb  County,  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  En- 
gland, December  (i,  1889.  His  father,  Luke  Newton,  now  residing  at  Bloomtield  Center, 
Oakland  County,  located  at  Detroit  in  1851.  Thomas  AV.  passed  his  earlier  years  at  his 
father's  home  in  England,  where  also  he  was  accustomed  to  walk  three  miles  to  school 
and  make  the  ivturn  trip  every  day;  he  left  home  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  labored  in  vari- 
ous employments,  was  engineer  of  one  of  the  Lake  Superior  copper  mines  for  over  two 
years,  worked  at  the  cai'penter's  trade  for  a  time,  opened  a  butcher  shop  for  mining  trade, 
shipped  cattle  to  the  lake  region  and  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  cattle  shijjping  trade 
until  his  election  as  Sheriff  of  Macomb  County,  in  1880.  Mr.  N.  is  a  member  of  the  Mt. 
Clemens  Masonic  Lodge  and  also  of  the  chapter.  He  married  Miss  Rebecca  French,  De- 
cember 81,  1867,  of  England,  to  whom  were  born  two  children — Ada  M.  and  Hany  T. 
Newton. 

ERNEST  J.  OLDE,  merchant  of  Mt.  Clemens,  established  his  house  on  North  Gra- 
tiot street  in  1874.  In  1869,  he  engaged  in  business  with  Paul  Ulrich,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Ulrich  &  Okie.  Mr.  Olde  does  a  trade  of  $80,000  annually.  His  dry  goods 
warehouse,  wool  department  and  business  at  Port  Huron  are  all  well  conducted,  purchase 
for  cash  being  one  of  his  leading  characteristics  or  principles.  It  is  his  intention  to  add 
a  first-class  grocery  and  provision  store  to  his  Mt.  Clemens  establishment  at  an  early  day. 
Mr.  Olde  was  born  in  Holstein,  Germany,  in  184(5:  settled  at  New  Baltimore,  Macomb 
County,  in  1854;  moved  to  East  Saginaw  in  1860  and  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  18(')2.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Matilda  Bulte,  in  1871,  to  whom  were  born  five  chilcken — Grace,  Hemy,  Walter, 
Alice  and  Odella.  Mr.  Olde  is  a  man  of  business,  worthy  and  judicious  in  all  matters, 
and  determined  to  succeed  in  any  enteri)rise  he  may  embai'k  in. 

JOHN  OTTO,  born  in  Prussia.  Germany,  January  1,  1882.  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1854:  worked  in  a  Buffalo  brick-yaixl  for  four  months  and  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  Oc- 
tober, 1854.  In  1858.  he  entered  the  store  of  Sackett  &  Dickinson:  on  the  dissolution  of 
partnership.  Mi-.  Otto  continued  under  Mr.  Sackett,  and  entered  into  partnership  with  him 
in  1861.  He  continued  his  bvisiness  until  1871,  >vhen  he  sold  his  interest  on  account  of 
ill  health.  He  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Mt.  Clemens  by  the  Arthirr  administration, 
and  took  po.ssession  of  the  office  November  1,  1881.  Mi-.  Otto  was  married,  in  Germany, 
in  1854,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Schneider.      This  lady  died  April  22.  1872.     He  married  for 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


liis  second  wife  Miss  Sophia  Dubois,  November  2(),  1878.  Frederica  K.  and  John  are  the 
childi'en  of  the  first  marriage.  Mr.  Otto  has  served  as  Trustee  of  the  village  for  four 
years  and  Alderman  for  two  years.      This  family  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Chui'ch. 

GEORGE  PAEEOTT  was  born  in  Bedfordshire,  England.  July  8,  1832:  a  son  of 
Daniel  of  same  shire,  who  came  to  America  in  ISri-t.  Mj-.  P.  came  to  Redford,  Mich.,  in 
1852;  worked  by  the  month  there  until  he  came  to  this  county,  in  1859,  when  he  located 
in  Clinton  Township,  four  and  one-half  miles  from  Mt.  Clemens;  he  fanned  for  thirteen 
years;  removed  to  the  suburbs  of  Mt.  Clemens  in  1872;  he  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser 
and  the  owner  of  two  farms.  He  married,  December  25.  185(),  Miss  Elizabeth  Simms,  of 
England,  to  whom  eight  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are  living  Wallace,  Ellen,  Elsie. 
Horace,  Lewis,  Charlie  and  Leonard.  The  family  belong  to  the  Methodist  Church,  called 
the  Protestant  Methodist. 

ELDRIDGE  G.  PRATT  (deceased),  son  of  Joel  and  nephew  of  the  Peter  Pratt,  who 
compiled  the  Pratt  genealogy,  was  born  at  South  Boston.  Mass.,  June  ](),  1805;  came  to 
Eocliester,  N.  Y.,  when  a  young  man  and  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1832,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business.  He  entered  mercantile  life  here  in  1835  and  followed  it  success- 
fully until  his  death,  September  2(5,  18IU.  Mr.  Pratt  was  married  March  (i.  1835,  tx)  Miss 
Prudence  M. ,  daughter  of  Phineas  Cook,  of  Connecticut,  descended  from  one  of  three 
brothers — John — who  came  from  Northampton,  England,  early  in  the  seventeenth  ceutiuy- 
Their  names  were  Richard,  John  and  George.  In  1N23,  the  Cook  family  showed  forty, 
three  collegiate  graduates.  Mrs.  Pratt  was  born  July  ICi,  1819,  in  Otsego  Count}',  N,  Y. 
She  is  the  mother  of  Almeda  and  Lorain  Pratt,  the  former  IVIi-s.  T.  C.  Bell,  of  Lansing, 
the  latter  a  graduate  of  the  Philadelphia  School  of  Elocution.  Mr.  Pratt  built  a  frame 
house  on  Walnut  street  in  1833,  which  still  stands  near  the  engine-house.  He  organized 
a  Methodist  class  here  and  was  the  first  class  leader  after  coming  here.  He  was  charitable 
in  all  things,  a  faithful  Christian.  He  counted  only  thirty  dwellings,  stores,  barns,  etc, 
in  Mt.  Clemens  in  1832. 

REV.  WILLIAM  WALLACE  RAFTER,  Rector  of  Grace  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  born  on  the  19th  of  April,  A.  D.  1842,  in  the  parish  of  St. 
Lin,  P.  Q.  His  father,  William  Rafter,  a  native  of  Queens  Coimty,  Ireland,  came  to 
Canada  in  1829  with  his  family.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  about  ten  years  old, 
after  which  he  lived  with  his  aunt  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  subsequently,  he  was  sent  to  a 
select  school  in  New  Haven,  Conn. ;  in  1857,  he  was  sent  to  the  grammar  school  at  Gam 
bier,  Ohio,  and,  in  1859,  entered  the  Freshman  class  in  Kenyon  College,  Gambler:  in  the 
fall  of  1803,  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Nashotah,  Wis.,  and  was  ordained 
Deacon  by  Bisho})  Kemper,  on  Trinity  Sunday.  June,  1805.  He  immediately  entered 
upon  his  duties  as  Rector  of  St.  Matthew's  Chm'ch,  Kenosha,  Wis.,  and  was  advanced  to 
the  priesthood  on  the  27th  of  December  of  the  same  year.  In  the  spring  of  18()G,  he  was 
elected  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Chui'ch,  Kankakee,  111.,  and  in  the  spring  of  18()7  was 
called  to  the  rectorship  of  Christ  Church,  La  Crosse,  Wis.  In  the  summer  of  18fiS,  he  ac- 
cepted an  urgent  call  to  the  rectorship  of  Trinity  Chiu'ch.  Alpena,  Mich. :  while  there, 
he  built  up  a  large  and  prosperous  parish:  in  August,  1878,  he  was  sent  by  the  ecclesi- 
astical authority  of  the  dioeese  to  lay  the  foundation  for  a  new  parish  in  Cheboygan. 
He  rented  the  town  hall  for  his  Sunday  services  and  soon  gathered  round  him  a  congrega- 
tion. At  the  close  of  the  first  year,  he  had  a  Sunday  school  nimibering  100  scholars  and 
twelve  teachers:  by  the  end  of  the  second  year,  a  new  church  had  been  built  and  conse- 
crated. In  the  fall  of  188l),  he  removed  to  Saginaw,  where  he  remained  until  he  was 
called  to  the  rectorship  of  Grace  Church,  Mt.  Clemens.  June  12,  1881.  Mr.  Rafter  mar- 
ried Miss  Annetta  Bradley,  daughter  of  B.  L.  Bradley,  M.  D..  of  Woodstock,  Ontario, 
May  14,  1873,  to  whom  were  born  three  ehildi-en — Josephine,  Annetta  and  Emeline  Cath- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


erine,  both  deceased,  and  Mary  Adele,  uow  in  her  seventh  year.  Mr.  R.  is  a  Mason  and 
a  member  of  tht  Philomathian  Literary  Society,  and  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Psi 
Chapter  of  the  Chi  Phi  fraternity  in  Kenyon  College. 

CfEORGE  ROBINSON,  of  "the  firm  of  Snook  &  Robinson,  was  born  in  Montcahn 
County,  Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  February  7,  184'i;  son  of  William  and  Jane  A. 
(Peyton)  Robinson,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland.  Mr.  Robinson  moved  with  his  parents 
into  I^pper  Canada  in  isr)4.  where  he  resided  until  May,  IST^S,  when  he  came  to  the 
lUiited  States  and  located  at  Mt.  Clemens.  Since  that  time,  he  has  been  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  city.  He  married  Miss  Sabrina  Tomlinson, 
November  '),  1870;  this  lady  is  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  Tomlinson,  of  the  Toronto  Dis 
trict,  Canada,  and  gi-auddaughter  of  the  British  Captain,  Osborne,  who  owned  700  acres 
on  the  site  of  Washington  City,  which  was  declared  confiscated  after  the  Revolutionary 
war  and  its  claimant  driven  to  Canada. 

JOHN  ROSKOPP,  proprietor  of  Mt.  Clemens  meat  market,  was  born  in  Prussia  Oc- 
tober 25.  lS;!t);  son  of  John  Roskopp,  who  came  from  Prussia  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  October, 
LSr)4,  and  still  resides  there.  Mr.  R.  went  to  Chicago  in  1855.  to  St.  Louis  in  1857,  and, 
retm-ning  in  1801,  entered  into  partnership  with  A.  Czizek  and  established  a  meat  market  in 
18()5;  this  partnership  was  dissolved  subsequently  ;  he  gave  an  interest  to  his  brother 
Jacob;  since  1870,  Mr.  R.  has  conducted  the  meat  business  alone.  Since  Stevens'  patent 
refrigerator,  charcoal -lined  walls  and  large  supply  of  ice  enable  him  to  keep  a  large  stock 
of  the  finest  meats,  his  packing  business  for  home  and  lake  trade  is  extensive.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Margaret  Stapleton  in  1804.  They  are  the  parents  of  six  children — two  daugh- 
ters and  four  sons.  Mr.  Roskopp  is  doing  a  very  successful  business.  He  uses  steam 
power  for  sausage  making  and  lard  rendering. 

WILLIAM  A.  ROWLEY,  son  of  Ransom  M.,  of  Monroe  County,  N.  Y..  who  came  to 
Macomb  County  about  18H2,  was  born  in  Shelby  Township  November  8,  184H;  he  enlisted 
in  Company  B.  Fifth  Infantry,  in  July,  18()1;  re-enlisted  in  18(54,  and  served  till  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  one  of  the  musicians  attached  to  the  command  from  its  organi- 
zation. He  was  married.  December  5, 1805,  to  Miss  Theodosia  Adams,  daughter  of  Oliver 
Adams,  an  early  settler  of  Macomb;  the  lady  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  died  here  in 
January,  1807.  February  10,  ISOO,  he  married  Miss  Mattie  M.  Phillips,  daughter  of  the 
[>ioneer,  Ezra  Phillips,  deceased;  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children — Maud,  Mattie 
and  Mary.  Mr.  R.  was  Treasurer  of  Shelby  in  1808-09;  came  to  Clinton  Township  in 
1870.  of  which  he  has  been  Supervisor  for  the  past  three  years;  is  an  extensive  dealer  in 
and  breeder  of  pure  Holstein  cattle;  has  three  thoroughbreds,  two  of  which  were  imported 
from  Holland;  he  also  deals  in  fine  Berkshire  hogs,  paying  as  high  as  $()0  for  one  to  its 
owner,  near  Toronto,  Canada;  he  imported  Prince  Bismarck,  in  May.  1879,  from  North 
Holland,  the  animal  Ijeiug  then  four  years  old  and  weighing  2,400  pounds. 

F.  W.  RUTTER,  born  near  Oxfo"rd,  England,  June  24,  1850.  son  of  Robert  Rutter, 
who  came  with  his  family  to  Wayne  County.  Mich.,  in  1853,  and  to  Macomb  County  in 
1859;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Mayhew's  Business  College,  Detroit, 
where  he  graduated  in  1870;  he  was  book-keeper  for  John  Clancy,  of  Detroit,  for  six 
months:  clerk  for  George  Law,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  for  some  time;  fai'mer  from  1875  to  1881, 
when  he  established  the  99-ceut  store  in  this  city.  Here  he  keeps  a  little  stock  of  every- 
thing, and  has  a  well-conducted  and  prosperous  business.  Mr.  R.  married  Miss  Marion  E. 
Seely,  October  20,  1874,  to  whom  were  born  two  children — Maud  M.  and  Leslie  F. 

WILLIAM  H.  RUTTER.  born  at  Philadelphia  August  28,  1828,  is  the  son  of 
Thomas  Rutter,  of  Maryland,  who  was  a  sea  captain  and  one  of  the  I'^nited  States  survey- 
ors of  the  lakes  in  early  days,  and  also  died  about  1882  or  I83;l  William  L.  came  to  Mt. 
Clemens  with  his  mother  in  1884,  and   made  the  city  his  home  ever  since,  with  the  excep- 


"Hv 


tion  of  a  few  years  passed  in  Ohio  with  his  uncle.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  and  joiner's 
trades  in  1848,  and,  for  the  last  thirty-four  years,  has  aided  in  building  up  the  village  of 
Mt.  Clemens.  He  attended  school  and  ehm-ch  in  the  old  log  coiu-t  house,  witnessed  the 
progress  of  education  and  religion  since  that  time,  was  one  of  the  first  Trustees  of  Mt. 
Clemens  Village,  in  1851,  and  was  Constal)le  of  the  village  for  twenty  three  years  success- 
ively and  an  old  and  esteemed  member  of  the  Masonic  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  Societies.  Mr. 
Butter  married  Miss  Emma  Campbell,  March  i:^,  ISfiO,  to  whom  were  born  two  children 
— W.  Harry  and  Frederick;  the  former  is  Clerk  in  the  Coiu't  of  Probate,  in  which  position 
his  efficiency  and  business  qualities  continue  to  win  him  hosts  of  friends. 

EEV.  CHARLP:S  RYCKAERT,  pastor  of  St.  Peter's  Catholic  Chiu-ch,  Mt.  Clemens; 
was  bom  in  Belgiimi  August  15,  1820;  was  educated  in  the  College  of  Flanders;  was  or- 
dained priest  of  the  Catholic  Chiu-oh.  at  Ghent,  Belgium,  in  1847.  Father  R.  served  ten 
years  in  the  ministry  of  the  church  in  Belgium.  In  1857,  he  went  to  Sauvain,  Belgiiun, 
to  help  in  establishing  the  American  Seminary  there,  and,  in  1858,  left  for  the  United 
States,  arriving  here  in  April  of  that  year;  he  was  appointed  priest  of  the  church  at  Hills- 
dale, Mich.,  where  he  remained  for  a  term  of  thirteen  years;  in  April,  1871,  he  was  ap- 
j)ointed  pastor  of  the  St.  Peter's,  at  Mt.  Clemens:  his  administration  of  the  parish  has 
been  marked  with  the  highest  results;  the  denominational  system  of  education  has  grown 
to  some  importance  >inder  his  direction,  church  property  has  been  improved,  the  congre- 
gation has  advanced  in  knowledge  and  prosperity.  The  new  chm-eh  was  projected  by 
him  and,  under  his  superintendence,  will  be  carried  through  to  completion. 

LEMUEL  SACKETT  (deceased),  sou  of  Lemuel  Sackett,  of  English  descent,  was 
bom  near  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  November  8.  1808;  came  with  his  parents  to  Pittsford,  N.  Y., 
in  182'2,  and  to  Clinton  Township,  Macomb  County,  in  1829;  he  cleared  up  a  good  farm 
here,  which  he  cultivated  until  1854,  when  he  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens;  he  lived  in  the  city 
until  his  death,  January  Ki,  1882.  Mr.  S.  married  Miss  Mary  Miller,  daughter  of  John 
Miller,  a  Scotchman,  March  9,  1S29;  the  lady  i- as  born  in  New  York  State;  they  were  the 
parents  of  sis  children,  thi-ee  of  whom  are  living — Lemuel,  Frances  Campbell  and  jVTartha 
Travers;  two  sons,  John  and  Robert  F.,  died  of  disease  in  the  war  of  I8()l-t35.  Mrs.  S. 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Chm-ch,  of  which  her  husband  was  a  Deacon  for  over  a 
quarter  of  a  century.  She  is  seventy-fom-  years  of  age  and  in  the  enjovTnent  of  good 
health. 

LEMUEL  M.  SACKETT,  son  of  Lemuel  Sackett,  of  Massachusetts,  who  came  to 
Michigan  in  1828,  was  born  in  Clinton  Township  May  1,  1881,  and  was  educated  in 
the  township  and  Mt.  Clemens  schools;  taught  school  for  two  winter  terms;  began  survey- 
ing in  1852,  went  to  Port  Huron  in  1855,  and  was  foreman  in  the  lumber  yard  of  A.  &  H. 
Fish  for  three  years;  dm'ing  the  winters,  he  scaled  for  the  firm  in  the  kunber  woods;  re- 
turning to  Macomb,  he  followed  agriculture  until  1877,  when  he  settled  at  Mt.  Clemens: 
during  the  past  thi-ee  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  surveying.  He  was  married,  in  No- 
vember, 1863,  to  Miss  Emily  L.  Cole,  daughter  of  Joseph  Cole,  who  settled  in  the  woods 
of  Clinton  in  1884.  and  died  in  July,  1878;  to  this  marriage  one  child  was  born — Robert 
L.      Mr.  S.  was  elected  Clerk  of  Harrison  Township  for  two  terms. 

EDGAR  J.  SALISBURY,  manager  for  the  Singer  Manufactiu-ing  Company,  was 
born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  March  20,  1S44;  came,  with  his  widowed  mother,  to  La- 
peer, in  1852,  where  he  was  educated.  The  family  moved  to  North  Branch  Township, 
Lapeer  County,  where  Mr.  S.  laid  out  for  himself  a  farm  of  120  acres:  subsequently,  he 
lumbered  for  several  years,  and  ultimately  engaged  with  the  Singer  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany in  1876.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  February,  1881.  and  took  charge  of  the  office 
in  March  of  the  same  year.     He  married  Miss  Louisa  C.  Hosner,  daughter  of  Jacob  Hos- 


1>^ 


ner,  an  old  settler  of  Bruce,  October  8,  1873.  to  whom  has  been  born  one  child.  Mr.  S. 
has  live  branch  offices  in  the  county,  and  takes  an  important  part  in  building  up  the  trade 
of  the  company  which  he  represents  here.  The  Singer  factory  has  produced  561,036 
machines  during  the  year  1881. 

JOHN  A.  SANDERS,  son  of  Russell  Sanders,  descendant  of  a  family  by  that  name 
who  came  from  Wales  in  the  seventeenth  century,  was  born  in  Westerly,  Washington 
County,  February  19,  1806.  He  followed  the  sea  during  his  minority,  aud  then  learned 
his  trade,  that  of  ship  carpenter,  at  Providence,  R.  I. ;  came  to  Macomb  County  in  1886, 
and.  in  1837,  served  in  the  Clinton  Guards,  called  out  by  Gov.  Mason.  He  bought  a 
farm  in  Lenox,  where  he  remained  for  eleven  years,  part  of  the  time  working  at  his  trade. 
He  then  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens,  where  he  built  the  following  vessels:  Schooners  Mariner, 
Euphemia,  Sea  Bird.  Elydia:  sloop  Francis:  scows  Argus.  Dan  Tucker.  Mary  Jane,  Pike, 
John  A.  Sanders,  Union,  Harriet,  Lily  Dale.  Emily:  steam  barges  Nevada.  Arizona.  Flor- 
ence, Ida,  Morning  Star,  Louis  Gilbert.  He  also  repaired  and  superintended  the  building 
of  many  others.  He  was  married,  in  1828,  to  Lavinia  Crandall,  who  died  in  1854.  He 
then  married  Mvs.  Anna  L.  Ryan,  the  daughter  of  John  Russell,  and  a  native  of  Lanca- 
shire, England.  He  has  one  daughter — Georgiana  Sanders,  and  a  step-son,  the  Rev.  A. 
AV.  Ryan. 

ADOLPH  H.  SHEFP'ERLY,  foreman  of  Kendrick  planing-mill.  sash,  door  and  blind 
factory,  was  born  at  Detroit  November  (i,  1851;  son  of  John  Sheiferly,  who  came  from 
Switzerland  to  Detroit  in  1848.  IVIr.  S.  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  January,  1876,  and  at 
once  entered  in  charge  of  the  factory:  he  is  a  practical  architect,  having  designed  the 
Lutheran  Church  building,  the  Porter  Block,  Dahm's  store.  S.  M.  Stone's  residence  at 
Ridgeway,  and  many  of  the  finest  residences  of  Mt.  Clemens,  inclu  ing  E.  J.  Olde's  resi 
deuce:  he  was  a  member  of  the  building  firm  of  Shefferly  Bros.,  of  Detroit,  for  eight 
years:  he  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Cluu'ch.  He  was  married,  June  .!(),  ]878.  to  Mary 
Ann  Kappeler.  who  was  born  in  Switzerland:  has  one  son — Robert  Joseph  Shefterly,  born 
March  lU,  187U;  lost  one  son — Clarence  Henry  Shefi"erlv.  He  was  elected  Alderman  for 
the  First  Ward  early  in  18S'2. 

CHARLES  (CARL)  SCHROEDER.  born  in  Mecklenbiu-g,  Germany.  February  To, 
1842,  son  of  Frederick,  who  died  in  1851:  came  to  Wayne  County,  Mich.,  in  1859,  where 
he  labored  on  a  farm  for  seven  years;  he  was  farm  superintendent  for  Mr.  AVilcox  fom- 
years,  after  which  he  bought  the  farm  and  conducted  it.  He  located  in  Clinton  Town- 
ship in  1873,  where  he  now  owns  180  acres,  on  Section  29,  well  improved.  Mr.  S.  married 
Miss  Minnie  Buckmau  in  1866;  of  seven  childi-en  born  to  this  luiion,  five  are  living — 
William,  Charles,  Fred,  Minnie  and  Bertha.  Mrs.  Schroeder  died  February  6,  1880. 
For  his  second  wife,  he  married  Miss  Dorothea  Siferliue,  to  whom  one  girl — Caroline — 
was  born.     The  family  belong  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

PROF.  WESLEY  SEARS,  son  of  the  late  David  Sears,  of  Monticello.  Wis.,  was 
born  in  Knox,  Waldo  Co.,  Me.,  October  22,  1851.  Prof.  Sears  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Green  County,  Wis.,  in  1854;  thence  to  Hillsdale,  Mich.,  in  June,  1866:  in  August,  1870. 
the  family  returned  to  Wiscimsin,  with  the  exception  of  Prof.  Sears,  who  remained  at 
Hillsdale  College  and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1874;  during  the  six  years  that  he 
studied  at  this  college,  he  taught  school  for  three  winter  terms.  After  graduating,  he 
took  charge  of  the  Eaton  Rapids  School,  in  the  fall  of  1874,  remaining  there  until  the 
fall  of  1876,  when  he  received  the  appointment  of  Principal  of  the  Mt.  Clemens  Schools, 
a  position  which  he  has  since  held.  Prof.  Sears  married  Miss  Nellie  Law,  December  29, 
1880;  this  lady,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Hiram  La>y,  was  formerly  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  Eaton  Rapids  and  Centerville,  Mich. 

MRS.  SARAH  SHARBONEAU  was  born  in  Canada  in  1832:  came  with  her  parents 


#* 


.4—^ 


to  Marine  City,  Mich.,  in  1835,  and  to  ML  Clemens  in  1844.  She  was  married  to  Joseph 
Sharboneau  in  18;i'2;  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children — Edward,  George  and 
Charles  B.,  all  of  whom  are  married.  Mi-s.  C.  is  the  owner  of  the  Star  laundry,  of  Sit. 
Clemens,  established  by  hor  in  1881. 

THOMAS  SIL^civLETON.  owner  of  the  Shackleton  House,  was  born  at  Lowell, 
Mass.,  November  4.  1841:  son  of  John  Shackleton,  of  England,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  when  a  young  man.  The  family  moved  to  Danwich  T^ownship,  Elgin  County,  On- 
tario, in  1848,  where  Mr.  S.  was  educated;  since  ISCt'I,  he  has  alternately  resided  in  ihe 
United  States  and  Canada:  in  187H,  he  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  and  was  engineer  at  the  salt 
works  for  Snook.  Bush  &  Moser;  he  returned  to  Canada,  where  he  remained  vmtil  his  set- 
tlement here  in  1875:  he  built  five  houses  in  the  city,  together  with  the  Shackleton  House, 
built  in  1881.  Mr.  S.  is  a  painter  by  trade  and  also  a  licensed  steamboat  engineer;  he 
married  Miss  Nancy  Gilbert  in  Canada.  July  Ifi,  1874. 

EUGENE  SHOOK,  of  the  meroantilefirm  of  Law  &  Shook,  was  born  in  Dutchess 
County,  N.  Y.,  April  6,  1855.  His  father.  Robert  Shook,  of  Dutchess  County,  came  to 
Michigan  in  1856,  and  located  at  Mt.  Clemens:  here  Mr.  Shook  was  educated.  After 
leaving  school,  he  was  book-keeper  for  George  R.  Law;  from  1876  to  1880,  he  traveled 
through  the  Southern  and  Northwestern  States.  He  was  married,  to  Mary  B.  Williams, 
of  Romeo,  January  1,  1880,  at  Racine,  Wis.:  in  February,  1882,  he  entered  into  part- 
nershiji  with  Mr.  Law  in  the  grocery  trade.  This  business  was  established  by  Mr.  Law 
in  1871.  Now  the  amount  of  sales  is  e.stimated  at  125,000  annually,  with  prospects  of 
even  greater  advance. 

JACOB  W.  SHOOK,  dealer  in  groceries,  grain,  feed  and  agricultural  implements; 
was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  in  February,  1840;  son  of  Theron  Shook,  who  came 
with  his  family  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1848.  Jacob  W.  resided  on  the  farm  until  nineteen 
years  old,  when  he  visited  Colorado  and  Montana  au'l  was  engaged  in  mining  for  eight 
years.  In  1867,  he  returned  to  Mt.  Clemens  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  feed  busi- 
ness with  L.  N.  Phillips,  which  partnership  continued  until  1878.  That  year  Mr.  Shook 
assumed  sole  control  of  the  business  and  also  engaged  in  the  sale  of  agricultm-al  imple- 
ments. This  latter  branch  of  his  business  is  made  a  specialty  in  the  summer  seasons. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Wilson,  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.,  daughter  of 
George  Wilson,  deceased.  Mr.  Shook  has  held  the  position  of  City  Treasurer  for  the  last 
three  vears  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

ROBERT  SHOOK,  born  in  Dutchess  Coimty,  N.  Y,.  Aiigust  '24,  1848:  son  of  the  late 
Robert  Shook,  who  came  with  his  family  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1854;  was  educated  at  Mt. 
Clemens.  Here,  in  partner.ship  with  William  E.  Hall  and  Philii)  Shook,  he  engaged  in 
the  hub  and  spoke  manufacture.  Sold  his  interest  in  1874,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber 
trade  for  one  year;  in  1875,  he  entered  on  the  manufacture  of  furniture,  and,  in  1879.  in 
partnership  with  W.  B.  Hiibbard,  added  the  business  :>i  undertaker.  Mr.  Shook  was  mar- 
ried, October  6,  1868,  to  Miss  Alice  Roy,  daughter  of  the  late  William  Roy,  of  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, to  whom  was  born  five  childi-en,  of  whom  Robert  E.,  Letha  Belle  and  Grace  are  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Shook  has  been  Trustee  of  the  village  from  1872  to  1874,  and  Treasurer  in 
1874.     He  is  a  member  of  the  L  O.  O.  F. 

THOMAS  SMITH,  son  "of  Thomas,  was  born  in  Staffordshire,  England,  Juue  18, 
18lii;  he  came  to  Wayne  County  in  1848;  then  located  in  Huron,  Ohio,  in  1845.  and  re- 
tui-ned'to  Wayne  County  in  1847;  a  y(  ar  later,  he  made  his  home  in  Ohio;  in  1849.  he 
located  at  Deti-oit.  visited  England  in'  1858  and  located  in  Clinton  Township  (m  his  retm-n 
in  the  fall  oi  the  latter  year.  Mr.  S.  was  married,  in  1858,  to  Miss  Ann  Shenton;  of  her 
three  children,  Fr-ank  S..  born  August  18,  1859,  survives.  IVIrs.  Smith  died  April  12. 
1860.     Mr.  Smith  married  Miss  Dorothea  Franklin,  January  8.  1861;  to  her  six  children 


^^ 


'J^ 


HISTORY    OF   MACOMB   COINTV. 


were  born,  of  whom  Sidney,  Clara  J.,  Henry  F.,  Alfred  and  Anna,  are  living.  The  home- 
stead farm  comprises  sixty-three  acres.  'Mr.  S.  has  held  the  oifices  of  Highway  Commis 
sioner  and  School  Director. 

JAMES  H.  SNOOK  (younger  brother  of  John  B.,  celebrated  builder,  12  Chambers 
street,  New  York),  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Sayer)  Snook,  was  born  in  St.  Bride's,  Lon- 
don, England,  November  13,  ISIH;  he  came  with  his  parents  to  New  York  in  June,  1S17; 
removed  with  them  to  Cranberry  (near  Princeton),  N.  J.,  in  1881;  joined  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  ISS");  came  with  his  parents  and  eight  brothers  and  sisters  to  Mt.  Clemens, 
in  June,  183(1;  here  he  assisted  his  father  and  William  Beer  to  build  and  run  the  first 
steam  saw-mill  in  Eastern  Michigan.  In  June,  183U,  he  married  Sarah  Ann,  eldest 
daughter  of  Samuel  L.  Axtell,  of  Mendham,  Morris  Co.,  N.  J.,  soon  returning  to  Mt. 
Clemens  for  a  permanent  home.  In  1840,  he  took  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  Clinton  & 
Kalamazoo  Canal  to  build;  the  work  required  the  employment  of  fi'om  thirty-five  to  fifty 
men  at  once,  and  in  those  days  it  was  generally  believed  that  such  work  coidd  not  be  done 
unless  the  men  were  furnished  regular  rations  of  whisky,  but  J.  H.  S.  and  wife  were  strict 
teetotalers,  so  she  went  to  the  "  shanty  "  with  him,  and,  by  her  superintending  the  board- 
ing-house and  sanitary  arrangements  and  his  just  and  urbane  treatment  of  the  men,  the 
"temperance  job"  became  very  popular  with  workmen,  and  none  ever  left  it  because 
whisky  or  whisky-drinkers  were  not  employed.  J.  H,  in  \SV2,  bought  400  acres  of  land 
in  the  west  part  of  Clinton  Township,  and  lived  on  it  till  his  appointment  as  Postmaster 
in  Mt.  Clemens,  1S()8,  which  he  held  till  his  death,  July  S,  18S0;  he  was  teacher  in  the 
Sabbath  school  and  member  of  the  choir  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  without  a  break,  from 
July,  183(),  till  his  last  illness;  also  Ruling  Elder  and  Deacon,  from  1841.  His  character 
was  noted  for  lu'banity,  firmness  and  purity;  his  children  .all  joined  his  chui'ch  before 
reaching  majority;  they  were  John  J.,  born  1842,  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-second  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  l8r)2.  married  in  lSl')6,  farmer;  Mary  S. ,  born  1844,  man'ied  Dr.  T.  \V. 
Hitchcock,  liiC)'),  widowed  in  1877;  Rufus  A.,  born  in  1S4(),  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-second 
Volunteer  Infantry,  February  18()4,  died  May,  18()4;  Kate  S.,  born  1848,  married  J.  W. 
Davis,  1872,  widowed  1879;  George  H.,  1852,  married  1874,  Postmaster  and  Elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  Chm'ch  in  1880,  drowned  April  27,  1881;  Samuel,  born  IST)"),  died  Fel)- 
ruary,  1858;  James  E. ,  born  1801,  still  living  in  Mt.  Clemens. 

GEORGE  H.  SNOOK  (deceased),  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Axtell)  Snook,  was  born 
near  Mt.  Clemens  April  20,  1852.  He  married  Miss  Nellie  N.  Slight,  daughter  of  George 
Slight,  now  of  Sterling  Township,  to  whom  were  born  two  chikkeu — George  J.  and  Mar- 
gery Ethel.  This  estimable  citizen  was  drowned  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  April  27,  1881,  a  full 
reference  to  which  is  made  in  the  history  of  Mt.  Clemens. 

THOMAS  W.  SNOOK,  of  the  firm  of  Snook  &  Robinson,  son  of  James  and  Mary 
Sayer  Snook,  of  England,  was  born  in  New  York  City  -4.pril  10,  1822;  parents  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1816;  T.  W.  came  with  his  parents  to  Michigan  in  183(3;  entered  mer- 
cantile life  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  May.  1849,  which  continued  until  April,  1870;  married 
Miss  Emily  A.  Hubbard,  April  K),  1844;  the  lady  died  in  August,  1859;  he  married  for 
his  second  wife  Hairiet  J.  Rice,  May  1,  18(31.  Mr.  S.  has  been  President  of  the  village 
for  one  year;  Director  of  the  School  Board  for  six  years;  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  for 
thirty  years;  is  now  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  and  of  the  Masonic, 
Odd  Fellows  and  Good  Templars  Societies. 

SILAS  B.  SPIER,  son  of  Samuel  Spier,  of  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  who  settled 
in  Kalamazoo  County,  Mich.,  in  1860,  and  died  there  in  1875,  was  born  in  Ontario 
County,  N.  Y.,  January  8,  1854;  came  to  Michigan  with  his  parents  in  1S60;  attended 
the  schools  at  Kalamazoo;  passed  one  year  at  the  Agricultural  College  of  Lansing,  and 
gi-aduated  from  Olivet  College  in  1876.     He  read  law  in  Mr.  A.  L.  Canfield's  office,  passed 


sifV 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


examination  in  open  com-t  aud  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  in  May.  1S77.  and  entered  at  once 
upon  th«?  practice  of  his  profession.  Uis  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  L.  El  dredge,  daughter 
of  Judge  J.  B.  Eldredge.  took  place  May  21,  ISSO. 

HENRY  H.  STEEVENS  was  born  in  Clermont,  Columbia  Co.,  N.  Y.,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Hudson.  September  14,  IS^fi:  came  with  his  parents  to  Michigan  in  18H5,  and  was 
educated  here:  he,  with  W.  J.  Canfield.  started  the  tirst  Republican  journal  of  Macomb 
County.  Ml-.  S.  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Miller,  daughter  of  Milton  Miller.  January 
1,  1N5S:  they  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living. 

HORACE  STEEVENS  (deceased),  born  at  Sharon.  Conn..  August  'I'd,  1/99;  came  to 
Macomb  County  in  ISHI^,  and  made  a  settlement  at  Frederick,  which  he  named  after  his 
brother.  Frederick,  of  Detroit,  and  platted  in  1835:  he  and  his  brother  purchased  the 
Frederick  mills  and  in  many  other  respects  did  much  to  develop  the  industrial  resources 
of  the  county;  live  of  his  children  are  living.  Judge  S.  died  in  March.  1S4U.  A  reference 
to  the  political  and  organic  chapters  of  general  history  will  point  out  Mr.  S.'s  services  as 
Associate  Judge  of  Macomb  County. 

CHARLES  TACKELS.  Treasurer  of  Macomb  County,  was  born  at  Romeo  November 
22,  1S27;  son  of  Alex.  Tackels,  noticed  iu  the  general  history  of  the  county,  who  died  in 
1861.  IMr.  T.  left  home  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  passed  fifteen  years  lumbering,  was  a 
dealer  in  real  estate,  grain,  etc..  for  some  years,  until  his  election  as  County  Treasurer  in 
1878;  his  re-election  in  1880  was  another  evidence  of  popular  esteem,  as  deserved  as  it 
was  freely  accorded.  IVir.  T.  married  Cynthia  King,  daughter  of  Alexis  King,  deceased, 
August  20.  1866;  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children —Charles  M.,  book-keeper  in  the 
First  National  Bank,  "of  Romeo,  and  Louise  C.  Since  his  election  to  the  County  Treas- 
urership.  Mr.  T.  makes  Mt.  Clemens  his  home. 

HENRY  TAYLOR,  M.  D.,  is  a  soq  of  the  late  Dr.  Henry  Taylor,  who  came  from 
New  York  State  to  Oakland  County  in  1824,  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1826,  and  a  leading  phy- 
sician here,  as  well  as  the  senior  practitioner  in  the  State  until  his  death,  I>ecember  18, 
1876.  The  present  Dr.  Taylor  was  born  at  Mt.  Clemens  February  14.  1882;  was  educated 
here,  studied  medicine  under  his  father  and  graduated  at  Ann  Arbor  in  the  class  of  1855; 
retm-ning  to  Mt.  Clemens,  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  he  con- 
tinued up  to  the  present  time.  Dr.  Taylor,  Sr..  was  the  first  to  have  the  mineral  waters 
analyzed,  and,  in  conjunction  with  his  son.  erected  the  first  bathhouse  at  the  springs. 
Dr.  T.  is  a  member  of  the  N.  E.  Medical  Association  and  also  holds  a  membership  in  the 
State  Medical  Society.  His  marriage  with  Miss  Marion  A.  Ferris  took  place  in  October, 
1859;  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children— Harry  F.  and  Jesse  M.  Taylor. 

J.  C.  THOMSON,  born  in  Toronto.  Canada,  in  August.  185:i,  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1869;  was  employed  as  Deputy  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  in  Mississippi 
for  several  years:  came  to  Detroit.  Mich.,  in  1873;  was  employed  as  commercial  traveler 
in  boot  and" shoe  business  to  the  present  time;  opened  a  clothing,  boot  and  shoe  store  in 
Mt.  Clemens  in  September,  1880;  business  successful,  and  now  occupies  two  stores;  is  the 
son  of  William  Thomson,  of  Barrie,  Ontario;  grandson  of  the  late  Col.  E.  W.  Thomson, 
of  Toronto. 

EMORY  TRUFANT,  d«ceased,  grandson  of  Trufant,  of  La  Fayette's  French  troops 
of  the  Revolution,  and  son  of  John  Trufant,  was  born  at  Harvard,  Mass..  in  1814.  His 
father  died  in  1814,  so.  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  Mr.  Trufant  had  to  enter  on  th-  realities  of 
life;  in  1828,  owned  one-half  interest  in  stage  line,  and  drove  from  Harvard  to  Charleston, 
Mass.:  sold  stage  line,  bought  interest  in  canal-boat  on  Erie  Canal,  and  came  to  Mt. 
Clemens  in  US^S.  He  was  one  of  the  first  white  men  who  wintered  on  Lake  Superior  since 
the  French  explorers  of  early  days.  He  passed  a  few  years  there  as  overseer  of  the  copper 
mines.      Of  late  years,  he  has  dealt  extensively  in  pine  and  farming  lands,  and,  at  the  time 

^  « r-  ~^ a>    'V 


,k 


of  liis  death,  was  President  of  the  First  National  iiauk,  Greenville,  Mich.  Mr.  Trufant 
was  married,  July  2'i,  1847.  to  Miss  Charlotte  Gibbs,  a  native  of  Cattaraugus  County,  N. 
Y.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Gibbs.  deceased.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children — John 
R.,  Florence*  J.  and  Alice  M.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  orders. 
His  death  took  place  April  'IH,  1874. 

JOHN  R.  TRUFANT.  son  of  Eniury  B.  Trufant  (deceased),  was  born  in  Clinton 
Township  June  (),  1848.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  district;  labored 
on  the  farm,  and  passed  several  wintei's  in  the  lumber  woods  of  Montcalm,  where  his 
father  had  a  saw-mill  at  Trufant  Village.  John  R.  resides  on  the  old  homestead.  Private 
Claim  188,  where  he  owns  a  farm  of  220  acres.  He  was  married,  in  May,  1871,  to  Miss 
Annie  &.  MeChesney,  daughter  of  Wallace  McChesney.  They  were  the  parents  of  four 
children,  of  whom  three  are  living — Arthur.  Catherine  and  John.  Mr.  Trufant  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Masonic,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Grauge  and  R.  A.  societies.  He  traveled  through  Dakota,  Ne- 
braska, Minnesota  and  Manitoba  in  1880. 

CAPT.  ALBERT  H.  TUCKER,  son  of  Henry  Tucker,  was  born  in  Harrison  Township 
November  18,  1889.  His  earlier  years  were  passed  on  the  farm;  since  1858  or  1854,  has 
been  engaged  in  lake  navigation.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  was  Captain  of  the  scow 
Presque  Isle,  and  has  held  the  position  of  Captain  on  various  boats  almost  uuiuteiTuptedly 
since  that  time,  being  now  in  charge  of  the  Ida.  He  has  run  between  Mt.  Clemens  and 
Detroit  for  the  last  twelve  seasons.  Capt  Tucker  was  married,  November  24,  1878.  to 
Miss  Maggie  Lacey,  daughter  of  Michael  Lacey.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  living — Arthur  J.  and  Frank  H. 

EDWARD  J.  TUCKER,  son  of  John  Tucker,  was  the  first  white  male  child  born  in 
the  county  of  Macomb;  was  born  in  Harrison  Township  January  18,  18ir).  Regarding 
the  family,  a  full  sketch  is  given  in  the  pioneer  chapter  of  the  general  history.  Edward 
J.  Tucker  located  in  Mt.  Clemens  in  1888,  where  he  engaged  in  the  building  business; 
was  a  merchant  for  six  years,  and  established  the  lime  manufacture  in  184(),  which  is  his 
present  business.  Mr.  Tucker  married  Sarah  B.  Snooks,  of  New  York  City,  September 
24.  1840.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  City  Council;  is  a  strong  temijerance  and  anti- 
tobac(!0  man.  and  is  numbered  among  the  enterprising  men  of  the  city.  He  is  descended 
on  his  mother's  side  of  Frencdi  ancestors,  from  Dr.  Chapaton,  a  surgeon  of  the  army  of 
occupation,  posted  at  Detroit,  at  the  time  of  surrender  to  the  British. 

GEORGE  A.  S.  TUCKER,  son  of  E.  J.  Tucker,  was  born  on  North  (Jratiot  street,  Mt. 
Clemens,  June  5.  1851;  he  is  a  carpenter  and  joiner.  He  was  manned,  May  15,  1878,  to 
Miss  Cari'ie  C.  Kellogg,  daughter  of  Dor  Kellogg,  to  whom  were  born  two  children,  of 
whom  Edward  D.  is  living. 

■JAMES  G.  TUCKER,  attorney  at  law  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  born  at  Mt. 
Clemens  November  80,  1855.  His  father.  Rev.  James  G.  Tucker,  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  as 
cashier  of  the  old  Macomb  County  Bank.  Mr.  Tucker  moved  with  his  parents  to  New 
Orleans  in  1800.  where  he  resided  until  1870.  His  mother  died  in  that  city  in  1N07; 
father  died  there  in  1871,  one  year  after  James  G.  and  his  sister,  Miss  Mary  B.,  returned 
to  Mt.  Clemens.  Here  he  conducted  school  for  four  years;  passed  some  years  in  office  of 
Probate  Judge;  was  elected  Township  Superintendent  of  Schools  in  April,  187N;  Justice 
of  the  Peace  in  1879;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1880,  and,  the  same  yeai-.  was  elected 
Clerk  of  Mt.  Clemens  City.  His  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza  B.  Wood,  a  teacher  in  the  city 
schools,  took  place  September  9,  1881. 

CHARLES  ULLRICH  was  born  November  27,  188(>,  in  the  village  of  Diemerode,  in 
the  kingdom  of  Hesse,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Ullrich.  He  attended  school 
in  Eiu'ope  until  he  was  foui'teen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  left  school  and  worked  upon 
a  farm  until  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  when  he  concluded  to  leave  the  Old 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


World  and  try  his  fortune  in  the  New.  He  landed  in  the  country  comparatively  without 
means,  and  a  stranger  to  the  people  and  their  language.  He  came  to  Detroit,  and  at  once 
went  to  earning  his  livelihood  by  working  at  the  butcher's  trade:  worked  there  six  months, 
and  then  removed  to  Chicago,  remaining  there  about  one  year.  The  following  year,  he 
worked  in  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans.  At  each  of  the  last-named  places,  he  carried  on 
the  business  of  butchering.  He  finally  returned  to  Detroit,  and,  after  a  short  time,  came 
to  Mt.  Clemens,  and,  on  the  "idth  of  September,  1857,  he  entered  into  a  copartnership  with 
August  Czizek,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  opened  a  meat  market.  They  conducted  this  business 
for  two  and  one-half  years,  when  Mr.  Ulrich  sold  out  his  interest  to  his  partner,  and  at 
once  went  into  the  live  stock  business,  which  trade  he  carried  on  for  a  number  of  years, 
and,  during  the  war,  he  took  many  heavy  contracts  from  the  United  States  Government 
for  furnishing  horses  for  the  cavalry.  In  many  of  these  contracts,  and  in  pine  land  spec- 
ulations, he  was  connected  with  the  late  J.  B.  Dickinson.  He  finally  abandoned  the  live 
stock  business  and  went  into  the  real  estate  business,  buying  and  selling  farms  and  city 
property,  which  business  he  now  devotes  his  time  to.  Mi-.  Ullrich  married  Margaret  S. 
Miller,  daughter  of  John  W.  Miller,  November  "JT,  ISriS,  and  now  has  three  children^ 
William  J.,  now  in  his  twenty-second  year;  Reuben  C,  aged  nineteen;  and  Frank  P., 
aged  sixteen.  He  was  elected  Alderman  of  the  city  of  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  year  ISSO, 
which  position  he  held  for  two  years.  As  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  he  was  one  of 
the  most  active  and  efficient  workers;  served  upon  many  of  the  most  important  and  stand- 
ing committees,  and  was  one  of  the  most  able  and  prominent  members  of  the  Special 
Building  Committee,  who  had  the  matter  of  erecting  the  new  court  house  in  cliar.e.  He 
has,  by  thrift  and  economy,  amassed  quite  a  large  fortune;  is  the  owner  of  some  of  the 
finest  and  choicest  property  in  the  city  of  Mt.  Clemens.  He  is  recognized  as  a  man  of 
remarkably  good  judgment  and  very  quick  perception,  in  this  and  adjoining  counties,  where 
he  is  well  and  favorably  known. 

PAUL  ULLRICH,  a  brotherof  Charles,  was  born  in  Diemerode,  Hesse,  March  3,  1845. 
He  attended  school  in  Europe  until  he  reached  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  concluded 
he  would  follow  his  brother  Charles  to  America,  his  entire  family  being  opposed  to  the 
idea.  He  persisted,  however,  with  the  scheme,  and  finally  started  alone  for  America, 
which  country  he  reached  before  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens 
and  attended  the  Union  School  for  two  terms,  when  he  commenced  working  for  his  Iwother 
Charles,  which  employment  he  continued  for  eight  years.  When  he  was  twenty -three 
years  of  age.  he  went  into  the  dry  goods  trade  with  E.  J.  Olde.  and.  although  he  was 
young  and  unacquainted  with  the  business  when  he  commenced,  it  was  not  long  before 
he  had  made  a  success  of  it.  and  he  at  once  came  to  the  front  rank  of  the  Mt.  Clemens 
business  men — a  position  which  he  has  ever  since  held.  The  copartnershi))  with  Olde 
lasted  about  five  years,  when  it  was  dissolved,  and  John  Kuhn  became  a  partner.  This  firm 
continued  to  March  I),  ISS'j,  when  it  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Ullrich  retiring.  He  was  manned 
to  Matilda  Miller,  daughter  of  John  W.  Miller,  January  11,  INTO.  He  has  three  living 
children — Paul  Ullrich,  eleven  years  of  age;  Marcus,  three  years  old;  and  Leslie,  one  year 
of  age.  He  lost  his  son  Carl,  who  died  Janiiary  2,  1880,  being  in  his  sixth  year.  Mr. 
Ullrich  has  never  entered  the  political  arena,  l)ut  has  strictly  attended  to  business,  without 
any  cessation.  He  is  a  Mlison,  having  taken  the  various  degrees  up  to  and  including  that 
of  Knight  Templar  being  a  memlser  of  Romeo  Commandery.  Mr.  Ullrich  is  a  young  man 
of  untiring  enei'gy.  a  remarkably  good  judge  of  values,  quick  to  see  a  point  and  act  at 
once  upon  his  own  judgment.  He  has  made,  by  his  own  efforts,  quite  a  fortune,  and  is,  at 
the  date  of  this  vsriting,  jireparing  to  open  a  banking  office.  Of  both  Charles  and  Paul 
Ullrich  it  may  be  said  that  they  are  living  examples  of  what  it  is  possible  for  the  foreigner 
to  attain  in  America.      They   both  clearly  demonstrate  that  it  is  not  only  possible  for 


.iU 


608  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

strangers  to  seek  our  shore,  and,  by  their  own  single-handed  exertions,  lay  u])  a  goodly 
fortune  of  this  world's  goods,  but  that  they  may  attain  etninent  and  prominent  stations  in 
the  business  and  social  fabric  of  the  country,  thus  storing  up  for  their  descendants  the 
best  possible  of  legacies. 

JOSEPH  F.  UPLECtER,  member  of  the  firin  of  Ullrich,  Kuhu  &  Co.,  was  bom  in 
Parchow.  Mecklenbiu'g,  January  M,  1.S47;  eniigrated  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States 
Ajiril  ITi.  LSn:!,  arriving  at  Mt.  'Clemens  July  1,  IH.');!;  settled  on  the  farm  of  F.  H.  Wacker, 
one-half  mile  north  of  Haskius,  now  known  as  the  Deuwith  Flouring-Mills.  on  the  North 
Branch  of  the  Clinton  River,  three  miles  n  irth  of  Mt.  Clemens.  Of  this  farm  his  father 
subsequently  became  the  owner,  and  is  living  there  at  this  writing:  received  his  primary 
education  in  the  district  schools:  entered  the  German  school  at  Waldenburg,  preparatory 
to  contiriuation,  in  ISfiO:  was  appointed  student  of  the  Missouri  Synod  College  at  St. 
Louis:  resigned  the  appointment  and  completed  his  education  at  the  high  school  of  Mt. 
Clemens:  entered  the  mercantile  pursuit  in  18()2,  with  John  Schott.  at  Waldenburg;  went 
to  Flint,  in  Michigan,  in  1S()3,  and  accepted  a  position  as  time-keeper  under  Contractor 
Hilliker,  of  the  Flint  &  Holly  Railroad;  entered  into  Government  service  in  18(54,  in  the 
Western  Engineer  and  Construction  Department:  served  in  several  capacities  on  the  Mis- 
souri, Pacific  &  Leavenworth  Railroad,  and  returned  in  1867,  but  soon  after  entered  the 
employ  of  D.  C.  Williams,  general  store:  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Upleger  &  Bol- 
ensen,  successors  to  D.  C.  Williams,  in  1871;  closed  out  business  in  November,  187t:i;  con- 
tinued his  pursuit  as  salesman  for  Freedman  Bros. ,  of  Detroit,  and  Pulchero  Zange,  Mt. 
Clemens,  uni-il  l87(i,  when  he  began  his  service  with  Paul  Ulrich  &  Co.,  of  which  firm  he 
was  admitted  a  member  in  March,  188"2.  He  was  married,  January  8,  187!^,  and  has  a 
family  of  two  childi-en. 

GEORGE  L.  VOLKENING,  born  in  Prussia,  German  Empire,  January  15,  18:^1, 
came  to  New  York  City  in  1847:  to  Newark,  N.  J.,  in  1848,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade 
as  jeweler  until  1850,  when  he  came  to  Macomb  County.  He  was  engaged  in  farming  in 
Macomb  Township  until  1870,  when  he  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens,  where  he  now  owns  two 
stores,  a  residence  on  Gratiot  street,  the  farm  in  Macomb  Township,  with  several  houses 
and  lots  scattered  through  the  city.  Mr.  Volkening  married  Miss  Christina  Bleidorn,  to 
whom  were  born  three  children — Charles,  Mary  and  William. 

GEORGE  B.  VAN  EPS,  born  in  Madi.son  County,  N.  Y..  October  1^0,  1S28,  son  of 
John  Van  Eps,  of  Kinderhook,  came  to  Detroit  with  parents  in  1SH4.  There  his  father 
became  very  ill,  sold  his  horses  to  Gov.  Cass,  and  returned  to  Orleaus  County,  N.  Y.,  same 
year,  with  his  family.  George  B.  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  New  York;  returned 
to  Michigan  in  1N44:  located  in  Mt.  Clemens;  bought  interest  in  tannery  in  1845,  and 
has  been  engaged  here  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  since  the  fall  of  1S44,  being  the  (mly 
surviving  firm  of  all  doing  business  here  in  that  year.  He  was  married,  August  '2>i,  184'), 
to  Maria  A.  Ashley,  who  died  June  "28,  1847;  married  for  second  wife  Mai\v  E.  Robertson, 
March  17,  1849,  who  died  July  4,  1851 :  on  August  2,  1852,  married  Miss  M.  A.  Fitch,  of 
Albion,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Van  Eps  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  the 
Masonic  Lodge  and  Chaj)ter;  has  been  President  of  the  village  and  Aldei'man  of  the  vil- 
lage: member  of  the  Board  of  Education  for  the  past  eighteen  years,  and  is  the  senior  in- 
surance agent  of  the  city,  having  represented  several  companies  since  185U.  Mr.  Van  Eps 
was  a  member  of  the  well-known  dry  goods  firm  of  Graden,  Van  Eps  &  Co.,  fi-om  January 
1,  18(i4,  to  January  1,  1873,  and  sold  more  goods  in  that  time  than  were  ever  sold  before 
in  Mt.  Clemens.  The  present  firm  of  Van  Eps  &  Co.  is  now  actively  engaged  in  manu- 
facturing aud  dealing  in  boots  and  shoes,  findings,  leather,  harness,  etc. 

JOHN  E.  VAN  EPS,  of  Van  Eps  &  Co.,  son  of  John  Van  Eps,  of  Kinderhook,  N.  Y., 
i"a«  born  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  January  15.  1S22:  raised  on  the  farm,  and  educated 


t\iL 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COrNTY. 


at  Oak's  Corners,  N.  Y.  He  learned  the  tannery  business  at  Fort  Byron.  N.  Y.,  nnder  Rob- 
ert Little:  settled  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  in  1S43:  worked  at  trade  there  until  ]S44.  when  he 
came  to  Mt.  Clemens,  where  he  has  carried  on  the  tannery  business  ever  since.  He  mar- 
ried Ada  I.  Traver.  a  New  York  lady,  in  February,  1S47,  to  whom  were  born  nine  children, 
of  whom  six  are  living,  namely:  John  F. .  Arthur  E. .  Catherine  A.,  Ada  B. ,  Effie  and 
Maud  M.  Alice  M.  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  Mr.  Van  Eps  has  held  positions 
on  the  Village  Board  and  in  the  City  Council,  and  has  been  Mayor  of  Mt.  Clemens:  is  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace,  and  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

ARTHUR  E.  VAN  EPS,  son  of  John  E.  Van  Eps,  was  born  at  Mt.  Clemens  March  5, 
1S51.  He  was  educated  in  the  ".chools  of  the  village;  learned  the  tanner's  trade  at  his 
father's  works,  and  continues  the  manufacture  of  leather  in  the  large  brick  tannery  of  Van 
Eps  &  Co.  Mr.  Van  Eps  was  married,  October  '28,  18SI),  to  Miss  Hattie  M.  Church, 
daughte)-  of  Haswell  Church,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb  Township. 

BRUNO  VAN  LANDEGHEM,  born  in  Belgium  November  1 '2,  ISIS,  son  of  Jacob  Van 
Landeghem,  a  native  of  Belgium,  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1S4S:  operated  the  North  Branch 
Flouring  Mills  for  seven  years;  engaged  in  the  gi-ain  and  poi'k  business  at  Mt.  Clemens 
in  IST)!);  next,  in  the  manufacture  of  staves,  in  \S')9.  which  business  he  has  continued 
down  to  the  present  time.  He  married  Malanie  Vanrenterghem  in  1S50,  to  whom  were 
born  thii-teen  children,  of  whom  two  are  living — Bruno.  Jr.,  and  Frank.  Mrs.  Van  Lan- 
deghem died  in  1S7;1  One  daughter,  who  married  Joseph  Winkler,  died  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  years.  Mi-.  Van  Landeghem  has  been  Alderman  of  the  city  for  three  years:  is 
one  of  the  best  citizens  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  deservedly  popular  with  all  classes. 

BRUNO  VAN  LANDEGHEM.  Jr.,  of  the  iirm  of  Van  Landeghem  &  Son,  was 
born  at  Mt.  Clemens  March  (i.  isru.  He  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Notre 
Dame,  Ind.  He  became  partner  with  his  father  in  1875,  in  the  manufacture  of  staves, 
headings  and  lumber.  He  married  Miss  Annie  Czizek  in  September.  1875;  family  belong 
to  the  Catholic  Church.  He  is  prominently  connected  with  the  industries  of  the 
city. 

EDGAR  WEEKS,  one  of  the  pioneer  lawyers  of  Macomb  County,  son  of  Aaron 
Weeks,  an  old  settler  of  the  county,  was  born  at  Mt.  Clemens  August  3,  1889.  In  1854, 
he  was  obliged  to  leave  school  and  seek  a  position  in  a  printing  office  then  established  at 
New  Baltimore.  In  1855,  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Lake  Superior  Journal,  at  Sault  de 
St.  Marie.  In  1S57,  he  labored  at  Detroit  in  both  the  Tribune  and  Free  Press  offices,  and, 
returning  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1858,  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Eldi'idge  &  Hub- 
bard. He  was  admitted  as  an  attorney  and  counselor  of  the  Macomb  County  bar  in  IStil, 
by  Judge  S.  M.  Green.  During  the  previous  year,  he  participated  in  the  Lincoln  cam- 
paign, and  when  hostilities  began,  he  was  among  the  tirst  to  share  in  the  labor  of  organ- 
izing a  militaiy  company.  A  reference  to  the  military  chapter  of  the  general  history  will 
be  sufficient  to  show  the  part  which  this  soldier  took  in  the  war  for  the  Union.  After  his 
resignation  on  account  of  disability  in  IS(i4,  he  retmrned  to  his  home  and  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  law.  The  same  year,  he  established  the  Monitor,  in  company  with  W.  T. 
Lee.  He  was  elected  Circuit  Court  Commissioner  in  18B4.  but,  on  account  of  the  soldiers' 
vote  being  declared  unconstitutional,  he  retired.  In  ISfjtt,  he  was  elected  Prosecuting 
Attorney,  and  re-elected  in  ISfiS.  He  was  appointed  Judge  of  Probate  in  1875,  vice 
Thomas  L.  Sackett,  deceased.  In  the  Congressional  Convention  of  Mai-ch.  1S81,  through 
forty-two  ballots,  he  stood  second  to  John  T.  Rich,  who  was  finally  nominated  and 
elected.  Mr.  Weeks  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  educational  matter.s,  and  remains  to  day 
one  of  the  strongest  supporters  of  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city.  His  record  as  a 
stanch  Republican  is  fully  sustained  by  twenty  years  of  active  labor  with  his  party,  while 
his  professional  record  is  marked  by  attention,  integrity   and  ability.     Mr.  Weeks  was 


Is 


ri^ 


married  to  Miss  Mary  S.  Campbell,  by  Rev.  William  McCorkle,  of  the  Duffield  Presbyte- 
rian Churcli,  Detroit.  July  '20,  1807.     They  are  the  parents  of  live  children. 

JOHN  T.  \VELSS,  son  of  Anthony  Weiss,  of  Alsace,  France,  was  born  May  :^0,  18:^1'; 
came  to  New  York  City  May  -M),  18.j"2;  went  thence  to  Upper  Canada  same  year;  to  Noble 
County,  Ind.,  in  1854;  to  Fort  Wayne  in  1855,  where  he  cast  his  first  vote.  In  1857,  he 
returned  to  Canada;  settled  in  Huron  County,  Mich.;  in  18()l),  revisited  France,  where  he 
passed  one  year;  returned  to  his  home  in  Huron  County  and  remained  there  until  1867, 
when  he  located  in  Macomb.  He  was  married,  in  1807,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Clore,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Pflimlein,  a  Roman  Catholic.  Mr.  Weiss  served  as  School  Director  for  twelve 
years;  Justice  of  the  Peace,  eight  years;  Drain  Commissioner,  three  years;  then  Clerk  two 
years,  which  position,  with  that  of  Notary  Public,  he  now  holds. 

MYRON  WHITE,  son  of  Elihu  White,  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  was  born  in  Yates 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  '1'2,  182:);  came  with  parents  to  Chesterfield  Township  in  1888, 
and  settled  on  .Section  0.  At  that  time  there  were  no  roads;  they  had  to  clear  a  space  on 
which  to  erect  their  dwelling.  There  were  a  few  bears  prowling  around,  and  numerous 
packs  of  wolves.  Mr.  White  attended  school  in  the  log  cabin  of  the  period.  In  1889  or 
1840,  he  left  home,  learned  the  carpenter's  and  joiner's  trade.  He  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in 
1848;  worked  at  his  trade  until  1848,  when  he  purchased  a  stock  of  goods  and  opened  a 
store  at  Vienna,  now  known  as  Mead  Post  Office.  After  eighteen  months,  he  retiu'ned  to 
Mt.  Clemens,  and  in  1850  opened  a  grocery  store  there;  subsequently  connected  a  meat 
mai'ket  with  it,  both  of  which  he  operated  until  1859.  He  was  engaged  in  the  manufact- 
ure of  headings  and  staves  for  twelve  years.  He  built  two  stave-mills,  the  first  in  part- 
nership with  Mr.  Stiger,  which  was  run  until  ISOIJ,  and  continued  in  partnership  with  T. 
W.  Snook  until  1872.  He  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Snook  in  1872,  worked  for  the  new 
purchaser  one  year,  and  since  that  time  attends  to  his  property.  Mr.  White  was  married, 
February  11,  1846,  to  Miss  Elmira  Gary,  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y'.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  three  children,  of  whom  Henry  C.  and  Stephen  are  living;  and  Adelaide  J.,  de- 
ceased. 

JOHN  V.  WIEGAMT.  son  of  Eckart,  was  born  in  Hessen,  Germany,  February  8, 
1828.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849,  aod  located  at  Detroit  in  July  of  that  year. 
He  labored  at  various  employments;  was  blacksmith  in  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad 
shops  at  Detroit  for  two  year.s;  came  to  Macomb  in  1858,  and,  locating  on  Section  88, 
Clinton,  made  the  first  clearance  in  that  district.  His  original  entry  he  sold,  and  pur- 
chased land  on  Section  27.  in  1855.  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married,  in  1858,  to 
Miss  Eva  Wenneg,  to  whom  nine  children  were  born — Olive.  Henry.  John.  Louise,  Min- 
nie, Mary  and  William.  He  filled  the  position  of  Highway  Commissioner  for  eight  years, 
and  Township  Treasurer  and  Collector  for  two  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  W.  A.  S.  of 
Mt.  Clemens;  family  belong  to  Presbyterian  Church. 

PHILO  WIDRIG,  Superintendent  County  Poor  Farm,  son  of  Michael  G.  Widrig, 
was  born  in  Herkimer  County.  N.  Y.,  March  28.  1821.  Mr.  Widrig  was  raised  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county.  In  1848,  he  traveled  West. 
and  located  in  Ray  Township,  where  he  farmed  until  1865.  when  he  moved  to  Macomb 
Township.  He  remained  on  a  farm  there  three  years,  and  then  purchased  160  acres  of 
timbered  land  in  Clint(jn  Township,  which  he  converted  into  an  excellent  farm  In 
March.  IS70,  he  took  charge  of  the  County  Poor  Farm,  and  continues  to  manage  the  in- 
stitution well  and  eooaomically.  Mr.  Widrig  was  married,  January  17,  1841.  to  Miss 
Sally  Burt,  to  whom  twelve  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Rozell.  Sylves- 
ter. Mary  J..  Philo.  Harbow.  Rose  and  Barlow.  Philemon  died  in  November,  1881,  aged 
thirty-thi-ee  years,  leaving  wife  and  one  child.  Rozell  served  in  Twenty-second  Infantry, 
and  Sylvester  in   Company  G,  Eighth   Michigan  Cavalry,  during  the  war   for  the  Union: 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  latter  was  made  prisoner  at  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  and  was  an  inmate  of  Libby  and  Belle 
Isle  Prisons  for  eicfht  months.  Subsequently,  lia  was  sick  in  the  hospital  of  Patterson 
Park,  Baltimore,  whither  his  father  went  and  took  him  home. 

JOHN  H.  WILKINSON,  sou  of  Thomas  J.  Wilkinson,  of  Litchfield.  Conn.,  was  born 
in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  December  25,  ISHSJ.  His  father  was  born  January  14,  1790; 
served  in  the  war  of  IS  1 2 ;  came  to  Macomb  Couuty  in  I  S.5( ),  where  he  resided  until  his  death, 
April  11,  IS79.  John  H.  came  here  in  I.S.IO,  and  worked  at  the  mason's  trade  until  August, 
ISni,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry.  He  was  discharged  for 
disability  in  18()2.  He  enlistel  in  the  First  Sliehigcan  Cavalry  in  18l)8-,  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  July  21;  discharged  in  Marc  >,  1865.  He  man-ied  Miss  Sarah  E.  Wait 
June  2(),  1S59,  to  whom  were  born  seven  children — Hattie  M.,  Philomelia,  Ammitta,  Sarah 
A.,  Samuel  E.,  Katie  J.  and  Nan.  Mr.  Wilkinson  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Good  Templars,  and  also  of  the  .Vlt.  Clemens  Reform  Club  and  Baptist  Church. 

LOUIS  Wolf,  adopted  son  of  Jacob  F.  Wolf,  was  born  at  Philadelphia.  Penn. ,  Au- 
gust 10,  1849.  His  original  name  was  Louis  Fastnacht,  but,  on  Jacob  F.  becoming  his 
stepfather,  the  name  Wolf  was  applied.  He  was  married,  June  4.  1879,  to  Miss  Caroline 
Essig.  They  were  the  parents  of  one  child,  who  died  February  2f),  1882.  The  family 
reside  on  Section  8,  Clinton,  where  Mr.  Wolf  owns  a  farm  of  eighty-three  acres.  The_y 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

OEORGE  WOOD,  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  February  Id.  18 Ki,  son  of  James 
Wood,  of  that  shire,  came  to  Macomb  County  in  the  fall  of  1848  and  located  land  on  Sec- 
tions 4  and  5,  Clinton  Townshii).  He  was  married,  in  November,  1845.  to  Miss  Fannie 
Miller,  daughter  of  the  late  James  Miller,  a  Franco-Canadian,  and  a  soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children — Elizabeth  (Wolvin).  Mary  (WaiTen). 
Fannie  (Kohler).  Eliza  (Tucker),  Sarah,  .Jennie,  Martha  and  James  G. 

WILLIAM  WOOD,  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  July  8.  1851,  son  of  Samuel  Wood, 
came  with  his  parents  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1852.  In  his  early  days,  he  labored  on  a  farm. 
In  1874.  he  engaged  in  mauufactiu'ing  tile  with  his  father,  which  industry  he  still  carries 
on  successfully.  He  was  married  to  Mrs.  Letilia  Cole,  daughter  of  Sanford  King,  June  1, 
1877.  Both  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Wood  is  Clerk.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

SAMITEL  WOOD,  son  of  James  Wood,  of  Yorkshire,  England,  was  born  in  Yorkshire 
November  14,  1820;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1852,  and  has  made  the  county  his  home 
since  that  time.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising;  was  a  brick  manufacturer  for 
six  years,  and  now  has  a  tile  factory  in  connection  with  his  farm.  He  was  married,  Feb 
ruary  18.  1845,  to  Miss  Eliza  Armitage,  to  whom  six  children  were  born,  foui'  of  whom 
are  living — Ann,  William,  Augusta  and  Matilda.  He  is  the  owner  of  seventy^eight  acres 
of  land  within  the  city  limits;  has  been  a  member  of  Mt.  Clemens  Baptist  Chm-ch  for  over 
a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  a  Deacon  of  that  church  for  eight  or  nine  years. 


"711 


612  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

HOMEO. 

From  that  day  in  the  fii'st  year  of  the  third  decade  of  the  Nineteenth  C^entmy  when 
the  first  settlements  were  made  by  American  pioneers  on  the  site  of  the  present  village  of 
Romeo,  progress  has  been  made  which  eclipses  even  the  brightest  day  dreams  of  the  old 
residents.  The  locality  has  had  every  ad vantige:  nature  made  it  beautiful;  the  American 
pioneer  made  it  useful.  The  former  conferred  upon  the  district  a  rich  soil;  the  latter 
utilized  it.  transforming  the  virgin  earth  into  well-cultivated  fields  and  flowery  gardens. 
The  many  changes  which  have  marked  the  years  of  progress  must  exercise  feelings  of  just 
pride  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  Few  of  the  early  occupiers  live  to  realize  the  changes 
which  have  taken  place;  the  greater  number  of  old  settlers  do  not  regret  the  transformation; 
but  there  are  yet  living  men  and  women  who  look  back  to  the  never- forgotten  past  and 
moiu'n  the  loss  of  those  good  old  times  when  contentment  waited  on  labor,  and  mourn  the 
olden  manners  and  customs  which  have  been  so  effectually  revolutionized  by  the  modern- 
izers. 

The  people  of  Romeo  have  from  the  earliest  times  paid  much  attention  to  educational 
matters.  From  the  pioneer  era  to  the  2:)resent  time,  the  school  has  been  the  theme  of  gos- 
sip and  inquiry.  A  love  of  education  formed  a  leading  characteristic  of  the  people.  It 
has  always  been  fostered  and  cherished  by  them.  It  has  been  raised  up  from  a  very  mod- 
est beginning  to  great  heights,  until  now  the  establishments  devoted  to  it,  the  high  order 
of  its  teachers  and  the  number  of  its  votaries,  render  the  name  of  Romeo  synonymous  with 
that  of  cultm-e. 

The  varied  forms  of  Christianity  have  steadily  advanced.  Churches  have  multiplied 
until  their  spires  or  minarets  are  visible  from  every  quarter  of  the  village.  Their  bells  do 
not  now  bespeak  intolerance  or  savage  bigotry;  they  merely  peal  forth  to  remind  the  peo- 
ple of  prayer,  or  perchance,  summon  a  set  of  worshipers  to  meeting. 

The  literary  circles  of  the  village  have  held  a  high  place  almost  from  the  first  years 
of  settlement.  The  organizations  of  the  present  time  boast  of  a  high  excellence  and  good 
government.  They  afford  many  instances  of  the  dignity  which  attaches  itself  to  cultivated 
nature  in  its  highest  form,  and  thus  prepa;re  the  way,  by  precedent,  for  others  to  follow. 

The  press  of  Romeo  is  ably  conducted.  The  wi'iters  of  the  Observer  and  Democrat 
have  risen  above  flunkeyism.  and  deal  justly  by  the  civilization  of  our  days.  They  oppose 
innovation,  when  such  does  not  afford  positive  proof  that  greater  results  must  follow. 
They  stigmatize  moral  cowardice,  and  teach  the  truth  that  from  the  village  Council  room 
to  the  chambers  of  the  National  Government  virtue  should  be  doubly  cherished,  and  vice 
subjected  to  rebuke  and  punishment. 

The  streets  of  the  village  are  laid  out  at  right  angles,  graded,  and  )uany  of  them 
shaded  by  a  double  line  of  thrifty  ti-ees.  The  neat,  and.  in  many  instances,  elegant,  resi- 
dences of  the  people  spread  out  in  all  directions.  A  few  of  the  churches  are  stately  in 
appearance;  all  of  them  large,  substantial  buildings.  The  hotels  and  business  houses  are 
metropolitan  in  character,  and  it  may  be  said  of  the  entire  village  that,  for  cleanliness, 
freedom  from  rubbish  and  poor  buildings,  it  will  more  thun  compare  with  any  similar 
center  of  population  in  the  Union. 


^■" 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


NAMING    THE    VILLAGE. 

In  1829,  N.  T.  Taylor  had  reached  Romeo.  He  had  obtained  that  portion  of  the 
Hoxie  fai'in  lying  east  of  Main  street,  and  a  comer  lot  west,  from  Asahel  Bailey,  upon 
which  to  place  his  store.  Maj.  Larned,  of  Detroit,  had  possession  of  the  Hoxie  tract  west 
of  Main  street,  and  Asahel  Bailey  owned  the  balance  of  the  corners. 

In  the  fall  of  1829.  conference  was  had  between  these  several  parties,  which  resulted 
in  the  employment  of  Col.  Hoi  lister,  then  County  Surveyor,  in  the  spring  of  1830,  to  lay 
out  a  village.  That  was  the  basis  of  the  present  plat.  Main  and  St.  Clair  streets  were 
established  as  now,  and  lots  four  rods  by  eight  in  size,  and  appropriate  streets  and  alleys, 
were  designated,  though  not  opened,  in  many  instances,  until  many  years  later. 

^\'hen  the  proper  survey  had  been  made  and  the  place  was  pronounced  a  village,  the 
great  question  was  to  tind  a  name  for  it.  The  conference  was  at  Mr.  Taylor's,  and  linally, 
when  the  gentlemen  failed  to  suit  themselves.  Mrs.  Laura  Taylor  ventured  to  suggest  the 
name  of  Romeo,  as  being  short,  musical,  classical  and  uncommon.  The  suggestion  was 
acted  upon — the  name  was  adopted. 

ORGANIC. 

The  act  incorporating  the  village  of  Romeo  was  approved  March  9,  1838.  The  bound- 
aries were  Section  2  and  the  east  half  of  Section  3.  in  the  township  of  Washington,  and 
the  south  half  of  Section  34  in  the  township  of  Bruce.  On  the  first  Monday  of  May  fol- 
lowing, the  electors  assembled  at  the  schoolhouse,  when  Dexter  Mussey  and  Horace  A. 
Jennison  were  appointed  Judges,  and  Asa  B.  Ayres,  Clerk  of  Election.  Oel  Rix  was 
elected  President;  Dewitt  C.  AValker,  Recorder;  Linus  S.  Gilbert.  Dexter  Mussey,  Aza- 
riah  Prentiss,  Denis  Scranton,  Wilkes  L.  Stuai't  and  Gad  Chamberlain,  Trustees.  These 
officers  took  the  oath  of  office  May  12,  1838,  and  entered  upon  their  duties  by  appointing 
a  committee  to  draft  rules  for  the  government  of  the  Village  Board,  etc.,  etc.  The  report 
of  this  committee  was  considered  June  11.  1838,  and  a  set  of  by-laws,  comprising  seven- 
teen articles,  adopted.  At  the  meeting  held  on  the  latter  date,  Amos  Palmer  and  John 
W.  Dyar  were  elected  Assessors;  Martin  F.  Southwell,  Marshal;  and  Horace  A.  Jennison, 
Treasurer.  The  Assessors  failed  to  qualify,  so  that,  on  September  18.  they  were  re-elected. 
The  tirst  important  resolution  of  the  board  is  recorded  under  date  September  29,  1838. 
It  provided  for  raising  a  tax  of  one-half  of  1  per  cent  upon  real  estate  within  the  corporate 
limits,  and  to  apply  the  sum  accruing  to  the  purchase  of  such  land  in  the  town  of  Bruce  as 
might  be  required  to  render  Main  street  100  feet  wide.     This  resolution  was  adopted. 

The  second  annual  meeting  was  not  held  in  May,  1839.  as  provided  for  in  the  act, 
but  was  held  over  until  Se[)tember  16,  1839,  when  the  freeholders  met  within  the  store  of 
Nathan  Dickenson  &  Co.,  under  the  Judges  of  Election,  Dexter  Mussey  and  Azariah  Pren- 
tiss.     The  result  of  this  election  was  as  follows: 

President — Aaron  B.  Rawles,  27  votes;  Nathan  Dickenson,  4;  Dexter  Mussey,  4; 
Asahel  Bailey,  2;  D.  C.  Walker.  1;  H.  Van  Atter,  1. 

Recorder — Dewitt  C.  Walker,  35  votes;  A.  B.  Rawles,  1;  Denis  Scranton.  1;  E.  W. 
Giddings.  1;  Dexter  Mussey,  1. 

Trustees — Asa  B.  Ayres,  35  votes;  Almerin  Tinker,  33;  Dexter  Mussey,  32;  William 
Hulsart,  31;  Edward  S.  Snorer.  30;  Waldo  Barrows.  27;  Jacob  P.  Smith,  14;  A.  B. 
Rawles,  6;  Azariah  Prentiss,  6:  Asahel  Bailey,  4;  M.  F.  Southwell,  3;  John  W.  Dyar,  3; 
Nathan  Dickenson,  3;  D.  Scranton,  2;  E.  W.  Giddings.  1;  A.  Pratt,  1;  Nathan  Palmer. 
1;  Oel  Rix.  1;  H.  Vankluk,  1;  A.  Holman.  1. 

The  officers  elected  annually  since  1840  are  referred  to  in  the  following  pages: 

1840— President,  Minot  T.  Lane,  31  votes;  Recorder,  Algeron  Tinker,  30  votes; 
Trustees.  Ariel  Prall,  32  votes;  Amoa  Palmer,  30;  Hiram  Hopkins.  29;  Horace  A.  Jen- 
nison, 29;  Jeremiah  B.  Ayres,  28;  Aaron  B.  Rawles,  28. 


>Rr" 


4^ 


HISTOKY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  officers  elected  in  1840  held  their  positions  until  May,  1844.  when  Gideon  Gates 
was  chosen  President;  Henry  W.  AVilliams.  Recorder;  Edward  S.  Snover,  John  Maitland. 
William  Hulsart,  Dexter  M^issey.  Nathan  Dickenson  and  James  P.  Whitney. 
Tnistees. 

H.  W.  Williams  transcribed  the  old  records  in  1S44,  shortly  after  his  election  as  Re- 
corder of  the  village.  A  set  of  by-laws  was  adopted  July  15,  1844,  and  for  the  first  time 
since  organization,  the  government  of  Romeo  assumed  regular  form.  Henry  O  Smith  was 
Deputy  Recorder,  and  E.  NewbeiTy,  Treasiu-er. 

1849 — The  election  of  1849  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Charles  F.  Mallary,  President; 
Watson  Loud,  Recorder;  Philo  Tillson,  George  Chandler,  Amos  Palmer,  Nathan  Dicken- 
son, Joseph  Ayres  and  Aaron  B.  Rawles,  Trustees.  Carlton  B.  Newberry  was  elected 
Treasurer;  Henry  O.  Smith.  Marshal:  Edwin  W.  Giddings  and  Edward  S.  Snover,  As- 
sessors. Newberry  and  Smith  declined  to  accept  offices,  when  Horace  Bogart  and  Dexter 
Mussey  were  chosen  to  fill  their  respective  positions. 

1850 — Charles  F.  Mallary,  President;  Watson  Loud,  Recorder;  Nathan  Dickenson. 
George  Chandler.  Joseph  Ayres,  Aaron  B.  Rawles,  Amos  Palmer.  Philo  Tillson,  Trustees; 
Horace  Bogart,  Treasurer;  George  Washer,  Marshal. 

1851 — Nathan  Dickenson.  President;  Watson  Loud,  Recorder;  Charles  F.  Mallary, 
Joseph  Ayers.  Heni-y  Collins,  John  W.  Dyar,  Amos  Palmer.  Aaron  B.  Rawles.  Trustees: 
Horace  Bogart,  Treasurer;  William  Hulsart.  Marshal;  Marvel  Shaw  and  Edward  S.  Sno- 
ver. Assessors. 

1852 — Gideon  Gates,  President;  Luman  Beebe,  Recorder:  Hem-y  Collins,  George  P. 
Newbury,  D.  H.  Buel,  Jacob  P.  Smith.  Edwin  C.  Owen,  Denis  Scranton,  Trustees;  Martin 
Buzzell,  Treasurer;  Luman  Beebe,  Marshal:  George  Chandler  and  Charles  F.  Mallary, 
Assessors;  D.  C.  Walker,  Attorney. 

1853 — Officers  re-elected.  In  1854,  the  board  appears  to  have  been  made  up  of  the 
same  men  who  were  elected  in  1852.     The  case  was  similar  in  1855. 

1856 — Edward  S.  Snover,  President;  Charles  F,  Mallary,  Recorder;  George  Washer, 
Marshal;  H.  M.  Case,  H.  A.  Jennison,  A.  B.  Rawles.  Watson  Loud,  George  Washer,  Mar- 
tin Buzzell,  Trustees;  M.  Buzzell,  Treasurer;  D.  Mussey  and  John  W.  Dyar,  Assessors. 

1857 — Ed.  S.  Snover,  President;  Charles  F.  Mallary.  Recorder;  Horace  A.  Jennison, 
A.  B.  Rawles,  Watson  Loud,  Martin  Buzzell,  George  Washer.  H.  M.  Case.  Trustees;  Mar- 
tin Buzzell.  Treasurer;  George  Washer.  Marshal. 

1858 — Ed.  S.  Snovei'.  President;  A.  B.  Rawles.  Recorder;  Albert  E.  Leete.  George 
H.  Holman,  A.  M.  Grover,  George  Washer,  Alex.  H.  Shelp.  C.  L.  Hoyt,  Trvistees;  An- 
di"ew  M.  Grover.  Treasm-er:  A.  E.  Leete  and  G.  A.  Holman.  Assessors:  George  Washer, 
Marshal. 

1S59 — Alljort  H  Leete,  President:  Charles  F.  Mallary,  Recorder;  Dexter  Mussey. 
G.  H.  Holman,  C.  L.  Hoyt.  Elisha  Calkins,  A.  B.  Rawles,  A.  H.  Shelj),  Trustees;  Charles 
L.  Hoyt,  Treasiu'er;  George  Washer,  Marshal. 

INfiO — The  same  officers  were  re-elected  with  the  exception  of  Dexter  Mussey  and  C. 
L.  Hoyt,  whose  jilaces  were  bestowed  on  A.  M.  Grover  and  L.  C.  Mclntyre.  Mr.  Holman 
was  elected  Treasurer. 

1861 — Officers  re-elected. 

1862 — Levant  C.  Mclntyre,  President;  George  B.  Norton,  Recorder;  Sam  H.  Ewell, 
T.  A.  Smith.  A.  B.  Bnell.  S."  W.  Beller.  Robert  F.  Selfridge.  John  McGill. 

REORGANIZED    BOARD 

1863 — Levant  C.  Mclntyre,  President:  Martin  Buzzell.  Clerk:  Joseph  Ayres,  Assessor ; 
Ed  S.  Snover,  Street  Commis  ioner;  Henry  Rawles,  Marshal ;  Caleb  Nye.  Treasurer:  Will- 


i^ 


_®  L> 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


iam   Weyhlman,  Pound  Master:  Sydney  Eggleston.  Fire  Warden;  T.  A.  Smith,  Joel    P. 
Mussey.  Abijah  Palmer,  S.  W.  Belles.'  C.  B.  Newbury,  George  B.  Morton,  Trustees. 

1864 — Joel  P.  Muzzey.  Pi-esident;  Solomon  O.  CTiddings,  Clerk:  Joseph  Ayres,  As- 
sessor: C.  F.  Mallary,  Treasurer:  A.  M.  Grover,  Street  Commissioner:  Henry  Rawles, 
Marshal:  S.  Eggleston,  Fire  Warden;  Cvrus  Hopkins.  Pound  Master:  Joseph  Newman, 
T.  A.  Smith.  G.  B.  Morton,  Abijah  Palmer.  .•^.  W.  Belles.  John  McGill.  Trustees. 

1865— James  Harvey,  President;  Joseph  A.  Holland.  Clerk;  T.  A.  Smith.  Treasurer: 
Joseph  Ayres,  Assessor:  Dan  Buzzell,  Street  Commissioner;  S.  Eggleston,  Fire  Warden; 
John  P.  Smith.  Pound  Master:  Elisha  Calkins,  S.  H.  Ewell,  Alex  H.  Shelp,  O.  Nichols, 
John  A.  Ketchum.  Worden  Fennor,  Trustees. 

]86() — Moses  A  Giddings,  President;  Irving  D.  Hanscom.  Clerk:  Josei)h  Ayres,  As- 
sessor; C.  F.  Mallary,  Treasui'er:  John  P.  Smith,  Marshal  and  Pound  Master;  W.  S.  Tur- 
ner, Street  Commissioner:  S.  Eggleston,  Fire  Warden;  Kandolph  S.  Bancroft,  Aratus 
Smith,  Ed  C.  Newbury,  Robert  F.  Sel fridge,  Aaron  B.  Rawles.  William  R.  Owen,  Trustees. 

1867 — Aratus  Smith,  President;  Edwin  A.  Teal.  Clerk:  C.  F.  Mallary,  Treasurer; 
Isaac  Crawford.  James  Harvey.  Albert  Kennedy.  Abijah  Palmer,  George  Washer,  George 
D.  Muzzev.  Trustees. 

1868"-William  Wilkinson.  President;  E.  A.  Teal.  Clerk;  C.  F.  Mallary.  Treasm-er; 
Amos  Palmer.  Edwin  W.  Giddings.  Henry  O.  Smith,  Elisha  Calkins,  Joel  P.  Muzzey. 
George  Spice.  Trustees. 

1869 — William  Wilkinson,  President;  Joseph  Newman,  Clerk;  Abijah  Palmer,  Sam 
H.  Ewell,  James  Boden,  Charles  Fillmore.  Albert  Kennedy,  George  Hartung,  Trustees:  C. 
F.  .^lallary.  Treasurer. 

1870 — William  Wilkinson.  President:  Joseph  Newman.  Clerk:  C.  F.  Mallary.  Treas- 
urer: John  L.  Benjamin.  Milton  Thompson.  John  H.  Brabb.  Noah  W.  Gray,  James  Bear- 
don.  Charles  Fillmore.  Trustees. 

1871 — David  H.  Rowley,  President;  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  Clerk:  Isaac  J.  Carpenter. 
Treasurer;  Timothy  Smith,  .James  E.  Price,  James  Harvey,  Trustees. 

1872--David  H.  Rowley,  President:  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  Clerk;  Henry  O.  Smith.  Treas- 
urer; James  Gray,  Albert  Kennedy  and  John  L.  Stai-k weather.  Trustees. 

1873 — Irving  D.  Hanscom,  President;  Dwight  N.  Lowell.  Clerk:  Henry  O.  Smith. 
Treasurer;  Timothy  A.  Smith.  Da-\id  H.  Rowley  and  James  E   Price,  Trustees. 

1874 — Irving  D.  Hanscom,  President:  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  Clerk;  Henry  O.  Smith, 
Treasurer;  Samuel  H.  Ewell,  Philo  Tillson  and  Nicholas  Lazalier,  Trustees. 

1875 — Irving  D.  Hanscom,  President;  D.  W.  Lowell,  Clerk;  Henry  O.  Smith.  Treas- 
xu'er;  James  Gray,  Henry  Rawles  and  Moses  A.  Giddings,  Trustees. 

1876 — Irving  D.  Hanscom.  President:  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  Clerk:  Henry  O.  Smith, 
Treasiu-er:  Isaac  Crawford,  Amos  W.  I'almer,  Erastus  Day.  Trustees. 

1877 — Ii-ving  D.  Hanscom,  President;  Charles  C.  Bradley,  Clerk;  Samuel  A.  Reade. 
Treasurer:  Ii-a  F.  Pratt.  CTeorge  G.  Hartung.  William  Gray,  Trustees. 

1878 — Ii-ving  D.  Hanscom,  President:  Charles  C.  Bradley,  Clerk;  Samuel  A.  Reade. 
Treasurer:  Thomas  D,  Coe,  John  D.  Elliott  and  William  S.  Turner,  Trustees. 

1879 — Irving  D.  Hanscom,  President:  Charles  N.  Coe,  Clerk:  Samuel  A.  Reade, 
Treasurer;  Edward  S.  Snover, "Albert  Kennedy  and  Edwin  Starkweather,  Trustees. 

1880 — Irving  D.  Hanscom,  President;  Charles  N.  Coe,  Clerk;  S.  A.  Reade,  Treas- 
lu-er;  Samuel  H.  Ewell,  Thomas  D.  Coe,  Byron  J.  Flummerfelt,  Trastees. 

1881 — Irving  D.  Hanscom,  President;  Charles  C.  Bradley,  Clerk;  Albert  Kennedy, 
Edward  C.  Newbuiy,  Edwin  Starkweather,  Trustees;  Samuel  A,  Reade,  Treasurer;  Charles 
Fillmore,  Marshal:' O.  W.  Hopkins,  Street  Commissioner;  J.  R.  Moreland,  Fire  Warden; 
Charles  Washington.  Pound  Master:  Joseph  Ayres.  Assessor. 


»)  X* 


^- 


1882-83 — Irving  D.  Hanscom,  President;  Charles  Tillman,  Street  Commissioner  ; 
Joseph  Ayres,  Assessor;  Thomas  R.  Crawford,  Marshal;  S.  A.  Reade,  Treasurer;  Mort  P. 
Owen.  Fire  Warden;  Charles  Washington,  Pound  Master;  Samuel  H.  Ewell,  James  B. 
Harvey.  Byron  J.  Flummerfelt,  were  elected  Trustees.  I.  D.  Hanscom  was  opposed  by  J. 
L.  Starkweather,  who  failed  to  obtain  a  majority  of  votes. 


FIRST    SETTLERS. 


It  is  said  that  a  man  by  the  name  of  Jeremiah  Allen  struck  the  tirst  blow  of  any 
white  man  in  Romeo.  He  came  here  alone  in  1821,  his  family  remaining  near  where 
Washington  Village  now  stands.  He  put  up  a  log  house,  biit,  becoming  sick  of  his  enter- 
jM-ise,  he  sold  his  improvements  to  Asahel  Bailey  for  $50,  who  then  purchased  the  land  of 
the  Government.  In  January,  1822,  Asahel  Bailey  and  wife,  Chauncey  Bailey,  his  cousin, 
whose  wife  was  a  sister  of  A.  Bailey,  came  to  Romeo,  and  both  families  lived  in  the  same 
house  about  two-years.  In  1824,  Chauncey  Bailey  settled  on  the  farm  where  Nathan  El- 
dred  now  lives.  He  soon  sold  his  claim  and  took  up  land  near  Farrar's  Mill,  in  Ai-mada 
Township,  and  was  the  tirst  settler  in  that  township. 

The  Hoxie  family  came  to  Romeo  eleven  mouths  after  the  Baileys.  The  first  frame 
building  was  erected  by  the  Hoxies.  and  was  one  of  the  many  installments  of  what  was 
afterward  known  as  the  Red  Tavern,  which  stood  near  the  sovith  end  of  the  block,  where 
the  First  National  Bank  Building  is  now  located.  It  has  been  said  by  many  who  are  con- 
sidered worthy  of  credence  that,  soon  after  the  war  of  1812.  Hoxie  made  his  way  into  this 
wilderness  and  located  on  the  Hamngton  farm;  next  moved  to  Utica,  then  to  Washing- 
ton, and  next  to  the  eighty  upon  which  nearly  the  whole  south  half  of  Romeo  now^  stands. 
He  was  formerly  a  lumberman  upon  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  which  occupation  he  cast 
aside  to  indulge  in  that  life  which  a  home  in  the  wilderness  of  Michigan  oflered. 

The  first  military  organization  was  that  of  the  Territorial  militia.  Gen.  John  Stockton, 
of  Mt.  Clemens,  was  the  ranking  General  of  this  whole  division  of  the  State.  Old  William 
Caufield  was  his  efficient  Aid.  Col.  John  B.  Hollister  commanded  the  regiment  mustered 
in  Northern  Macomb  and  the  adjacent  counties.  The  th-st  grand  military  review  in  this 
county  was  held  in  1880.  It  was  called  -'The  Three-Days' Training. "  The  gayly  attired 
officers  and  plumed  j^rivates  bivouacked  in  the  Big  Field.  Tents  were  duly  pitched,  field 
orders  came  and  went;  there  was  no  trouble  in  the  camp,  biit  there  was  a  deal  of  fun, 
which  resulted  in  many  a  story  of  those  nights,  I'epeated  in  confidence  for  years  afterward. 

The  tirst  frame  building  was  the  barn  of  old  Mr.  Finch,  where  many  of  the  larger 
religious  meetings  were  held  for  several  years.  The  second  was  the  first  section  of  the 
old  Red  Tavern.  Its  frontage  was  sixteen  feet,  and  it  contained  only  two  small  rooms. 
This  building  was  enlarged  lo  thirty-two  feet,  and  later  to  thirty-two  feet  frontage,  with 
an  upper  story,  and  an  extensive  piazza  was  added.  The  first  landlord  was  Hiram  Wil- 
cox, who  afterward  built  the  Wilcox  Mill,  near  Tajishire,  now  Almont,  Keeler,  Vaughan 
and  others  succeeded  Wilcox. 

The  first  sign-board  was  raised  upon  a  hickory  jwle.  six  inches  in  diameter  and  ten 
or  twelve  feet  high,  and  stood  nearly  in  front  of  the  tavern,  beside  the  old  well.  It  was  a 
single  board,  twelve  <.>r  fourteen  inches  wide,  four  feet  long,  and  painted  white;  upon  it 
in  black  were  the  glaring  letters,  "'INN."  To  what  extent  people  were  taken  wt  is  not 
stated. 

The  third  frame  building  was  the  store  of  N.  T.  Taylor,  on  the  corner  west  of  Mr. 
Bailey's.  It  was  afterward  moved  a  little  north,  and  was  occuj)ied  by  Mr.  Niles,  with 
Henry  Smith  in  charge,  and.  for  a  long  time  afterward,  by  Maitland  and  Howarth.  Who 
of  that  olden  time  does  not  recall  the  name,  ••Taylor's  Store,"  jjainted  on  the  south  side 
of  the  building  in  large  black  capitals? 


lilnilMilr'^"'"- 


y 


ihL^ 


HI^STORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Next  was  built  the  frame  residence  of  Mr.  Taylor,  diagonally  across  from  his  store. 
This  house,  still  standing,  was  for  a  long  time  the  residence  of  Elihu  Newbury. 

Nathaniel  T.  Taylor  was  the  first  merchant  in  the  place.  He  opened  his  store  in  the 
fall  of  1829.  His  clerks  were  John  Conklin,  Alexis  Winchell  and  John  W.  Day.  Mar- 
tin Buzzell  added  the  second  in  1832,  perhaps  in  1831. 

The  fii-st  regular  stage  line  to  Detroit  was  established  in  1830,  by  N.  T.  Taylor. 

The  first  millwrights  were  William  A.  Bm-t  and  John  Allen,  of  the  Foiu-th  town.  They 
built  the  saw-mill  for  Capt.  Chamberlin  (afterward  Bancroft's)  in  1827.  Of  the  building 
of  Webster's  mill,  on  the  Branch,  there  is  no  record. 

The  first  shoemaker  was  John  Becraft,  then  living  near  the  Leslies.  The  family 
lived  later  near  the  cemetery.  He  was  succeeded  by  Azariah  Prentiss,  who  early  gave  heed 
to  the  understandings  of  men.  first  by  culturing  heads;  next,  by  covering  feet.  He  was  a 
man  for  extremes. 

The  first  village  tailor  was  Daniel  Buzzell,  deferring  later  to  Winans  and  Jacob 
Smith. 

The  first  tannery  in  the  settlement  was  that  of  Squii-e  Lamb,  down  in  Washington. 

The  tLrst  distillery  was  built  by  Horatio  Nye,  in  1S2G.  It  was  situated  a  half-mile 
west  of  the  cemetery.  Thither  a  man  eonld  carry  a  bushel  of  rye  and  liarter  for  a  gallon 
of  whisky.  Happily,  the  institution  took  but  feeble  root  and  was  short-lived.  It  disap- 
peared with  the  wolves  and  Indians. 

The  fii-st  cabinet-maker  was  Mr.  Benjamin.  His  shop  was  at  Bancroft's  mill.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Williard  Guild  at  an  early  day. 

Milling  was  done  at  Webster's  and  at  Bancroft's,  though  the  chief  dependence  for 
flour  was  upon  the  mills  at  Stony  Creek  and  at  Rochester. 

The  fii'st  of  the  village  blacksmiths  was  Josiah  Hamlin. 

Among  the  earliest  of  the  carpenters  was  Daniel  Day,  the  father  of  Colatinus  Day. 
He  came  in  1827,  with  Capt.  Chamberlin.  raised  some  buildings  for  him,  and  then  re- 
turned East.  The  next  year  he  came  West  to  live,  and  settled  in  Bruce.  There  Colati- 
nus Day  died. 

The  first  wheelwright  was  Darius  Ewell.  His  shop  and  home  were  where  William 
Hulsart  lived  so  many  years. 

The  fii'st  cooper  was  George  Perkins.  Jacob  Beekman  purchased  his  shop  and  lot 
in  later  years,  rebuilt  the  house  and  occupied  it  until  the  time  of  his  sudden  and  lament- 
able death. 

The  first  temperance  pledge  was  circulated  by  Deacon  Rodgers  in  1830.  Those  who 
not  only  abstained  from  rum.  and  whisky,  and  brandy,  but  discarded  wine  and  beer  also, 
had  a  T  before  their  names. 

Tiie  first  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  1830.  N.  T.  Taylor  had  been  to  New  York 
to  buy  goods.  He  brought  a  little  library,  the  production  of  the  Sunday  School  Union. 
The  Sabbatli  school  was  soon  organized,  and  he  was  made  the  first  Superintendent.  Will- 
iard Guild  succeeded  him  in  that  position. 

Singing  schools  were  the  pride  of  the  settlement  as  early  as  1828.  Gideon  Gates  had 
a  sweet  falsetto  voice ;  it  could  compass  any  notes  within  mortal  range,  and  such  was  its 
clearness  as  readily  to  be  mistaken  for  that  of  a  female.  Asahel  Bailey  was  a  remarkably 
fine  bass  singer.  Each  was  a  ready  reader  of  the  old  patent  buckwheat  notes.  Mrs. 
Chamberlin  and  her  daughters,  Mrs.  Hollister  and  Aunt  Lucy  Gates,  were  all  good  sing- 
ers. Mr.  Abbott,  too,  was  very  fond  of  music.  Many  others,  too,  might  be  numbered 
with  these,  so  that,  when  music  was  the  order  of  the  day,  there  was  no  lack  in  quantity 
and  quality.  Amos  Hewitt,  coming  later,  was  one  of  the  first  to  give  thorough  elemental 
instruction  in  music,  and  the  singing  in  religious  service  was  always  creditable, 
38 

^  a         r  ^^ e)  \  " 


The  first  partial  benefaction  was  the  giving  of  his  best  corner  lot  by  Asahel  Bailey. 
This  was  intended  for  the  piirposes  of  a  church,  and  is  the  same  as  that  on  which  the  pres- 
ent Congregational  Church  stands.  The  consideration  was  a  pew  in  the  church  for  the  use 
of  himself  or  others,  as  he  might  think  proper. 

The  first  village  lot  was  sold  by  Asahel  Bailey  to  N.  T.  Taylor  for  $\'2.  On  the  same 
lot  was  the  store  of  Newbury  Bros,  in  1882. 

Dr.  Hollister,  a  former  resident  of  Romeo,  in  his  historical  address  entitled  "The 
Beginnings  of  Romeo,''  says:  You  know  with  what  interest  and  scrupulous  care  the  citi- 
zens and  historical  societies  of  the  old  New  England  towns  are  alreadj"  gathering  up  the 
minutest  details  which  pertained  to  their  oldest  inhabitants;  to  the  first  plantings  of  their 
churches,  their  schools  and  their  social  institutions.  Already  they  begin  to  summon  home 
their  absent  sons  and  daughters  to  grand  reunions,  as  their  bi-centennial  and  semi-centen- 
nial come  around.  The  time  is  not  far  distant  when  Romeo  may  celebrate  her  fiftieth 
birthday.  All  along  since  the  time  when  oiu'  clustering  residences  assumed  the  dignity 
of  an  incorporated  village  there  have  dwelt  those  among  us  who  better  than  I  can  write 
the  history  of  this  dear  old  town.  And  were  it  not  that  its  fii'st  beginnings  and  oldest 
history  might  be  lost,  I  should  not  presume  to  |)lace  upon  the  records  these  memories, 
which  span  the  period  of  forty  years  and  more.  Indeed,  there  still  remain  a  few  whose 
recollections  may  serve  them  better  than  mine  have  done,  and  who,  if  they  would,  covild 
better  do  this  work.  But  they  are  not  many,  for  nearly  all  of  that  old  time  have  passed 
on  before  us  to  return  no  more.  And  lest  these  remaining  neglect  the  task,  I  venture  to 
refer  to  such  events  and  persons  as  I  think  it  would  most  interest  the  people  of  to-day 
and  the  futiu'e  to  know  about.  Yet  how  can  I  do  all  justice  after  these  long  years  ?  Some 
who  should  stand  in  the  center  and  foregroimd  of  my  picture  may  be.  perhaps,  unmen- 
tioued,  because  now,  for  the  moment,  forgotten,  or  else  to  me  unknown.  Neither  time 
nor  opportunity  permit  me  to  consult  authorities  and  thus  to  verify  my  dates.  Nor  can 
I  certify  impressions  by  conference  with  old  friends;  hence,  here  and  there,  a  name  and 
date  will  doubtless  need  correction,  as  I  must  trust  alone  to.  memory. 

The  dusky  sons  of  the  forest  were  not  uinnindful  of  the  worth  as  well  as  beauty  of 
the  plateau  upon  which  our  village  rests.  The  uplands  of  the  ^^'est  and  the  timbered 
forests  of  the  East  were  wedded  at  our  feet.  There  was  a  wealth  of  soil  by  the  union, 
which  neither  alone  possessed.  Grand  old  forest  trees  here  and  there  reared  their  great 
forms,  indicative  of  the  fertile  plains,  and  here  and  there  were  beautiful  prairie  spots, 
where  little  toil  removed  the  slender  shnibs,  and  gave  to  the  Indian  his  coveted  field  for 
corn.  Along  our  western  slopes  the  antlered  stag  led  the  timid  doe  by  night  to  graze 
upon  the  first  green  foliage  in  the  early  spring-time,  seeking  again  the  tangled  dells  and 
groves  just  east  of  you  for  more  secure  retreat  as  the  day  di-ew  on.  His  ways  were  beaien 
paths,  and  hither  the  hunter  was  liu'ed  by  reason  of  abundant  game,  and  here  beside  their 
pathway  he  pitched  his  tent  and  made  his  winter  home.  Here,  too,  along  our  eastern 
border  was  that  grand  belt  of  lofty  maples.  Their  wealth  of  swtets  gave  pleasing  answer 
to  his  toils  and  hu-ed  him  hither  till  the  bxtrsting  l)nds  told  that  the  siigar  days  were 
passed.  Then  came  the  planting-time,  and  all  along  on  either  side  of  the  beautiful  ridge 
upon  which  oiu'  Main  street  runs,  the  Indian  corn-hills  were  visible  for  a  long  time  after 
the  white  man's  invasion — in  fact,  until  his  plowsh;u'e  uptiu'ued  and  laid  most  of  them 
in  the  cultured  earth.  Like  the  white  man,  the  Indian,  too,  had  faith  that  harvest  should 
be  born  of  plantings,  and  so  with  patient  toil  each  year  he  piled  afresh  those  little  mounds 
of  earth,  and  in  the  summit  of  each  mound  dropped  the  corn-seeds,  counting  the  days  of 
sunshine!,  of  early  and  later  rains,  till,  returning  from  the  summer's  hunting,  he  should 
gather  for  his  winter's  store  the  ripening  ears. 

The  planting  season  past   and  summer  drawing  on,  the  Indians  were  wont  to  strike 


1 

^y^ — ^  -^ — "i^, 

HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY.  019 


their  t  nts.  gather  upon  their  patient  burden-bearing  wives  and  ponies  the  wealth  of 
their  encampments  and  phmge  deeper  into  the  forests,  in  quest  of  more  abiindaat  game, 
or  along  the  banks  of  streams  and  shores  of  lakes,  to  add  their  treasures  to  their  slender 
store.  Thus  wending  their  way  by  old  frequented  trails,  to  cherished  haunts  they  made 
their  annual  rounds.  Happy  the  years  when  no  wampum  belt  was  sent  from  lodge  to  lodge 
to  summon  the  warriors  to  council,  and  from  council,  perhaps,  to  bloody  battles.  Happy 
the  years  when  only  friendly  greetings  were  in  store  and  pipes  of  peace  were  smoked  in 
formal  round;  when  as  the  annual  greeting  of  the  bands  came  round,  for  days,  whole 
tribes  were  joined  in  gladsome,  festive  and  religious  rites.  Those  joyous  meetings  and 
those  gi-eetings  passed,  hither  these  wanderers  came,  for  now  the  corn  harvests  were  at 
hand,  and  now  the  home  thanksgiving  feasts  began. 

The  Indian's  Maniton,  like  ours,  was  worshiped  for  the  harvest  gifts.  The  younger 
pitch  their  lodges  beside  their  fathers"  or  the  elder  brothers'  tents.  Feasting,  dancing, 
joyous  sports  and  sacred  rites  found  each  a  place,  and  this  one  feature  marked  it  best  of 
all.  The  fortunate  and  famished  were  alike  fed.  While  the  feast  lasted,  whosoever 
would  might  eat  his  till.  The  richest  ones  could  do  no  more,  and  thus  for  once  each  had 
enough  and  more.  Come  back,  then,  ye  lovers  of  good  thanksgiving  dinners,  learn  from 
these  forest  sons  that  it  is  not  enough  that  your  tables  groan  beneath  their  weight  of 
tempting  viands.  l)ut  that  for  one  day  in  the  year,  at  least,  whenever  the  good  old  customs 
shall  prevail,  there  shall  be  such  sending  of  portions  to  the  poor  that  hunger  for  the  time 
shall  be  unknown. 

Hither  again  the  Chippewas  were  accustomed  to  return  from  their  summer  wander- 
ings, and,  on  the  veiy  spot  where  Romeo  stands,  tradition  tells  of  many  a  winter  home; 
curling  among  the  branches  of  stately  trees,  since  destroyed,  the  smoke  from  hundreds  of 
camp-fires  was  lost  in  the  blue  above;  so  that,  when  lirst  the  white  man  looked  in  iipon 
the  great  scene,  h.'  gave  it  the  name  which  our  first  post  office  bore — the  name  of  Indian 
Village. 

The  peace  of  181(5  had  been  secixred.  The  plottings  of  the  brilliant  aad  brave  Pon- 
tiac  had  failed.  The  disgrace  of  Hull  and  the  surrender  of  Detroit  had  been  atoned  for 
by  the  victory  of  Tippecanoe  and  the  fall  of  Tecumseh.  The  batteaux  of  the  voyagenrs 
were  giving  place  to  the  sailing  vessels  on  the  lakes;  the  first  of  the  steamers  had  cut  the 
crystal  waters  of  the  Hxu'on,  and  the  old  pioneer  steamboat,  Walk-in-the  Water,  was  ply- 
ing its  regular  trips  away  to  the  far  Northwest — away  to  Mackinac.  I  have  now  in  my 
possession  one  of  her  shijtping  receipts,  dated  August,  1S20,  in  which  is  jn-omised  the 
safe  delivery  of  480  bales  of  furs  and  pelts  to  parties  at  Black  Rock  (for  Buffalo  had  not 
then  the  precedence),  on  account  of  the  American  Fur  Company,  the  providence  of  God 
and  the  danger  of  the  sea  excepted,  and  not  impeding.  The  commerce  of  the  lakes  was 
multiplying  every  year.  Detroit  and  Mackinaw  were  wakening  with  new  life  and  vigor. 
Around  the  latter  grouped  a  swarm  of  adventm-ous  travelers  and  traders.  From  the  for- 
mer spread  Westward  trains  of  eai"nest  workers,  who,  settling  with  their  families,  counted 
the  cost  and  set  themselves  to  the  task  of  replacing  the  forests  with  fruitftil  fields.  A\'ith 
this  tide  of  travel  came  iacreased  facilities  for  their  transit.  The  Walk-in  the- Water 
was  no  longer  the  only  Erie  gteamer,  but  the  old  Superior,  the  old  United  States,  the  Con- 
stitution and  others  with  them  were  soon  busy  in  the  canying  trade  of  the  Western  immi- 
gration. Slowly  the  t  de.was  turned  northward  also.  Resting  places  for  worn  and  hungry 
pioneers,  often  rude  huts,  dignified  with  the  name  of  tavei-n.  marked  the  site  where  Royal 
Oak  naw  stands,  were  scattered  along  the  old  Paint  Creek  road  or  along  the  trail  from 
Piety  Hill  (Birmingham)  on  to  Pontiac,  Flint  and  Saginaw.  As  earlyas  1820,  the  towns  of 
Troy,  Pontiac,  Rochester,  Stony  Creek  were  sparsely  settled  and  were  the  nuclei  of  a  very 
limited  trade,  furnishing  to  the  incoming  peo])le  the  all-important  items  of  fiomnng-mills. 


:f^ 


" 


\^ — ^ 


.1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Far  older  thau  any  of  those  was  the  French  settlement  at  Mount  Clemens.  It  had 
the  impress  of  an  old  Fi'ench  town,  boasting  much  of  age,  but  giving  very  indifferent  evi- 
dence of  thrift  or  enterprise.  By  position,  as  well  as  age,  it  should  have  been  the  life 
and  soul  of  our  county;  but,  despite  the  efforts  of  a  few,  she  patiently  enjoyed  the  prog- 
ress suited  to  her  French  progenitors;  while  wealth  and  enterprise  were  turned  to  other 
points  and  she  was  fossilized. 

The  most  important  events  connected  with  our  early  history,  previous  to  our  christen- 
ing, center  in  the  years  1824  to  1881,  both  inclusive.  It  was  dm'ing  this  period  that  habi- 
tations came  to  be  within  hailing  distances,  and  the  region  round  about  to  assume  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  sparsely  settled  neighborhood.  During  this  time,  many  of  those  families 
settled  here,  which  contributed  largely  to  the  character  our  village  was  destined  to  assume. 
During  this  period,  oiu-  first  school  was  established,  our  first  churches  were  planted,  our 
first  mechanics  came  to  supply  the  various  public  wants  and  society  generally  to  take  on 
its  lu'st  rude  forms  of  organization.  Not  more  to  the  Romans  were  Romulus  and  Remus 
than  were  those  pioneer  families  to  us. 

THE    OLD    INHABIT.A.NTS. 

Dr.  Hollister  states,  that  the  pioneer  of  this  settlement  was  old  Mr.  Hoxie, 
who  died  in  1827,  and  was  buried  beside  the  road  in  the  Big  Field,  on  the  way  to 
Capt.  Sterling's.  The  traces  of  his  grave  have  long  since  been  oBliterated.  His 
son.  Job  Hoxie,  remined  on  the  homestead  but  a  short  time  and  then  settled  near 
Utica  in  the  south  part  of  the  county.  Not  pleasm-able,  but  quite  probable,  are  the 
stories  of  this  man's  bloody  adventm'es  in  his  earlier  years,  and  this  then  remote 
retreat  was  to  him  a  welcome  home,  to  share  which,  he  deemed  a  dire  calamity, 
a  clear  invasion  of  his  rights.  Not  a  few  were  the  marvels  recited  of  this  old  man, 
and  to  us  who  gazed  upon  his  featm-es  in  life,  there  never  was  a  wish  by  one  of  us 
that  he  should  re-appear,  especially  when  we  were  passing  by  his  resting  place  after  night. 
Hoxie  must  have  settled  here  sometime  between  1818  and  1822.  Two  young  men  visited 
him  here  in  1823.  They  were  Samuel  Chamberliu,  of  Lima,  N.  Y. ,  and  Edward  Brew- 
ster, of  Riga,  N.  Y.  They  came  West  by  waj'  of  the  lakes,  landed  at  Detroit,  came  to 
Mount  Clemens,  procured  ponies  and  came  on  to  Hoxie's,  retiirning  to  Detroit  through  the 
present  town  of  Troy.  When  Farmer  issued  his  sectional  map  of  Michigan,  in  1828,  he 
marked  the  present  site  of  Romeo  as  Hoxie's  Settlement,  but  the  postoffice.'established 
in  1826,  bore  the  name  of  Indian  Village.  It  is  understood  distinctly  that  Asahel  Bailey 
was  the  pioneer. 

Gideon  Gates,  who  had  formerly  served  in  the  postoffice  depai'tment  at  Washington, 
was  appointed  the  first  Postmaster,  with  Jonas  Cutler,  the  mail  carrier,  between  this  point 
and  Mount  Clemens. 

In  the  year  1823,  or  earlier,  Asahel  Bailey  located  his  farm,  which  is  now  a  large 
part  of  our  village.  As  section  lines  would  have  it,  the  village  corners  should  have  been 
upon  the  hills  west  of  us;  but  the  ridge  afforded  such  a  natural  highway  that  the  estab- 
lished road  was  made  to  follow  the  old  Indian  trail,  and  so  the  corners  were  estffljlished 
near  the  middle  of  his  eighty,  which,  lying  north  of  St.  Clair  street,  was  afterward  in- 
cluded in  the  town  of  Bruce,  so  that  two  of  the  ioiiv  village  corners  in  the  olden  time  be- 
longed to  him. 

If  I  should  call  the  roll  of  early  settlers,  few  would  now  give  answer,  bvit  as  I  remem- 
ber them  located,  say  in  1827,  their  names  would  appear  by  families  something  as  follows: 

The  Hoxie  family  disappeared  in  1827,  and.  therefore,  can  hardly  be  counted  in. 

Asahel  Bailey  had  settled  on  the  Corners  on  the  same  spot  he  occupied  so  many 
yeai-s. 


^  « r~ 


'A 


Albert  Fincla  had  locate;!  his  eighty,  I  thiak.  as  early  as  1823.  and  had  erected  the 
first  frame  barn  on  the  site,  occupied  for  a  long  time  afterward  by  Samuel  Ewell.  Part 
of  his  family  were  grown  and  married.  Ezra,  the  oldest,  had  married  Miss  Becraft;  John 
married  Miss  Hopkins;  Martha  married  Burchard  Throop,  and  lived  down  in  the  Foiu-th 
Town.  The  younger  sons  were  George,  Alpheus,  Addison  and  Alanson,  the  little  boy  who 
was  lost. 

Squire  Gates  had  located  his  farm — the  same  he  occupied  for  many  years.  His  wife 
was  a  Miss  Biinn.  and  here  were  born  to  them  Jane,  Wilbiu-.  Martha.  John,  Lucy.  Ann, 
Hubert  and  Barton. 

Capt.  Gad  Chamberlin  had  this  year  (1827)  arrived  at  the  head  of  a  large  family, 
which,  with  accompanying  neighbors  and  friends,  formed  a  colony  of  some  sixty  souls. 
He  bought  out  Ebenezer  Kittredge  and  settled  on  the  farm  next  north  of  Asahel  Bailey. 
His  oldest  daughter  was  the  wife  of  Col.  John  B.  Hollister,  who  was  one  of  the  younger 
and  moving  spirits  in  the  settlement  till  his  death,  in  1831.  A  son,  Ste])hen  Piatt  Cham- 
berlin. was  married  to  a  Miss  Parkhm-st.  and  they  numbered  one  of  the  colony  founders. 
Addison  Chamberlin  married  Miss  Leach,  and  they  formed  another  of  the  group.  The 
younger  children  of  Capt.  Chamberlin  were  Electa,  afterward  Mrs.  Snow,  Julia,  who 
married  Rev.  Luther  Shaw;  the  brothers,  Harvey,  Joseph,  Nelson  and  Jaines.  are  names 
all  familiar  to  the  old  settlers. 

Erastus  Day,  with  his  family,  came  West  in  company  with  Cajtt.  Chamberlin.  Mr. 
Day  located  just  east  of  the  Leslie  farm.  His  sons  were  Ei-astus,  Russell,  John,  Daniel, 
Levi  and  an  only  daughter,  Lucinda. 

The  Leslies"  located  where  they  lived  and  died.  The  father's  name  was  James.  The 
sons  were  James  and  Benjamin,  and  the  daughter.  Roxanua.  The  latter  married  James 
Starkweather  and  subsequently  lived  on  her  husband's  farm  over  west.  This  was  the  first 
marriage  in  the  settlement. 

Another  newly-married  couple  at  that  date  was  Freedom  Monroe  and  Miss  Mary 
Cooper,  who  worked  in  the  family  of  Capt.  Chamberlin.  Monroe  located  at  that  time  on 
the  fai'm  where  he  has  since  lived. 

Next  north  of  him  lived  Suel  Hovey.  His  sons  were  George  and  Albert;  his  daugh- 
ter's name.  Betsey.  They  occupy  the  old  homestead  yet.  On  the  road  south  of  James 
Starkweather,  and  a  mile  "west  of"  Romeo,  lived  Horatio  Nye.  His  children  were  Eliza, 
Ann,  George  and  several  younger  out's. 

On  the  hill  opposite  "the  cemetery  lived  Roswell  Webster.  His  wife  was  a  Goodwin. 
His  children  were  ChaiJes,  Cyrenus.  Wheeler,  Lucius,  Marietta  and  Emily. 

William  Abbott  lived  one'-half  mile  west  of  the  Corners.  His  first  v/ife  was  Miss  Bur- 
bank.  His  children  by  this  wife  were  Franklin,  Norman.  Isaac,  Jane,  Elizabeth  and 
Maiy.    , 

"Dr.  Richards,  the  first  physician,  located  east  of  Abbott.  His  children  were  Mary 
Jane,  Guy  and  others  whose  names  I  cannot  recall.  East  of  these  were  the  families  of 
Thompson.  Bennett,  Radway,  Reuben  R.  Smith.  Benjamin  and  John  Proctor  and  Noah 
Webster,  who  built  in  that  direction  the  first  saw-mill,  and  subsequently,  the  first  tlouring- 
mill.  Mrs.  ^V'ebster  was  afterward  married  to  Dr  Gray,  who  improved  that  property  and 
there  amassed  a  fortune. 

South  of  the  Corners,  there  we.'-e  no  houses  until  you  came  to  Mi'.  Foot's.  He  parted 
with  his  farm  to  Azai-iah  Sterling  about  1830,  when  his  family  removed  to  Troy.  He  had 
several  children,  the  oldest  of  whom  was  Jane.  Capt.  Sterling  came  later  to  occupy  this 
place.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Leah,  elder  sister  of  Mrs.  Addison  Chamberlin.  Mr.  Sterling 
was  fi-om  a  large  and  influeutiai  family  in  Lima,  Livingston  Co..  N.  Y.  His  children 
were  Julia,  Charlotte.  Caroline.  Esther,  Lydia,  Hai-riet  and  one  son. 


r 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Gurdon  Hovey,  who  died  in  1870,  lived  west  of  Mr.  Sterling's.  His  childi-en  were 
Samuel,  Augustus,  Emeline  and  Alouzo. 

South  of  this  lived  Alexander  Tackels,  formerly  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  of 
\whom,  in  connection  with  old  John  Soules,  who  lives  over  west,  I  have  a  story  to  tell 
.when  I  get  time.  Beyond  these  were  other  denizens  of  the  Fourth  Town,  among  whom 
were  the  Prices,  Myers,  Duciugs,  John  Holland,  Squire  Andinis,  Dr.  Cooley,  Elder  War- 
ren, Judge  Thurston,  and,  over  west,  the  Thorntons.  Soules,  and,  a  little  later.  Marvel 
Shaw,  with  others,  whose  names,  perhaps,  I  ought  to  insert  with  the  above. 

On  the  hill  west  of  Squire  Gates',  Deacon  Rogers  lived.  His  wife  was  a  Taft.  They 
were  fi'om  Lima,  N.  Y.  Their  children  were  Charles,  Audi-ew,  William,  Roxford  and 
JVIary  Jane. 

North  and  west  of  Indian  Village  lived  at  this  time  James  and  Samuel  De  Nean,  and, 
a  little  later,  the  Bristols,  the  Hinx  families,  Renif,  Eldei-kin,  George  Throoj),  Mark  Win- 
chell,  Bancroft,  the  Trembles,  or  Trombleys  (a  French  family  who  built  a  saw-mill),  Ben- 
jamin, Hopkins  families,  Rufus  Hall  and  others. 

By  the  year  1831,  so  numerous  had  been  the  additions  that  time  nor  space  will  per- 
mit me  more  tlian  to  name  the  families.  Now  Judge  Prentiss  had  arrived,  N.  T.  Taylor 
and  others  laid  out  Romeo,  and  he  was  active  in  merchandise.  The  Buzzells  were  here, 
Daniel  was  knight  of  the  sheai's,  and  Martin  was  getting  his  store  ready  and  paying  at- 
tentions to  Miss  Clarissa  Winchell,  the  sister  of  Mrs.  N.  T.  Taylor.  Now  John  Taylor 
was  opening  up  his  farm.  Possibly  this  was  in  183'2.  The  Scotch  settlement  was  being 
made,  as  the  Wileys,  Grays.  Crawfords  and  other  Scotch  families  settled  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  Fifth  Town,  now  Bruce.  About  this  time  came  to  this  vicinity,  besides  Rev. 
John  Taylor  and  his  son.  the  Parmelees,  Collins,  Bishops,  Thurstons.  Donaldsons,  Ira 
Phillips,  the  mighty  hunter;  Bushuell,  who  kept  the  Three-Mile  House;  Luke  Fisher, 
Porter,  Rufus  Prentiss,  the  Staudish  family,  Daniel  and  CoUatinus  Day,  and,  on  the 
branch,  were  located  M.  T.  Lane,  Asa  Holman,  Charles  Farrar,  Willard  Guild  and  fami- 
lies, and,  beyond  them,  the  Aldrich  settlement. 

Now,  too,  the  volume  of  village  population  was  rapidly  augmented.  Dr.  Cyrus 
Baldwin  and  family  and  many  others  came.  The  arrival  of  Lyman  W.  and  Lems  S.  Gil- 
bert was  a  matter  of  moment.  If  I  should  span  on  to  or  beyond  1886,  with  the  coming 
of  Rix  and  Kidder,  Dexter  and  Joel  Mussey,  Nathan  Dickenson  and  before  them  of  Major 
Aaron  B.  Rawles,  John  W.  Dyar,  D.  C.  Walker,  Calvin  G.  Shaw,  Asa  B.  and  Jerry  Ayers, 
Beckman,  Dr.  Sabin  and  brother.  Dr.  Whitney,  the  Southwells,  the  Ewells,  the  Palmers, 
Scranton,  the  Skillmans,  Jacob  Smith,  there  would  still  be  left  such  a  multitude  that  no 
man  could  number  them.     I  go  back,  then,  to  18'2y. 

Roads  were  being  opened  and  improved;  sunshine  and  showers  gladdened  many  a 
little  household,  and  fruitful  farms  were  just  coming  to  the  light.  Men  aspired  to  the 
ownership  of  horses  as  well  as  farms,  and  women  not  only  to  tidy  homes,  but  to  many  a 
cherished  little  keepsake  of  boughten  goods.  People  multiplied  on  every  hand.  Society 
was  fast  taking  on  its  permanent  forms  of  organization,  modern  improvements  were  being 
introduced,  the  Indians  were  fast  disap})earing.  It  was  the  Indian  Village  no  longer. 
What  should  the  new  name  be  l" 

COKnECTIONS    .\NI)    ADDITIONS. 

Before  passing  awiiy  from  the  first  part  of  this  review,  it  is  well  to  notice  that  Dr. 
Hollister  omitted  a  few  important  items  in  his  brilliant  paper,  which  are  given  or  amend- 
ed in  the  following: 

Among  the  families  missed,  who  were  living  here  previous  to  1883,  there  were  living 
half  a  mile  south  Nelson  Lowell   and  his  wife,  and,  a  little  farther  west  and  north,  Ste- 


3P1 


V 


^^t, 


i^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


phen  Goetchius,  a  widower,  and  his  sons,  William,  Henry  D. ,  Irving,  James,  Thomas  and 
his  daughters,  Mrs.  Race,  Mrs.  Taylor  and  a  young  girl.  Phoebe. 

On  the  east  and  northeast  were  the  families  of  Col.  Perry,  Mr.  Hamblin,  Albert  Ed- 
gett.  Job  Howell  and  Iddo  ^^'arner.  Roswell  Webster  had  three  daughters  not  mentioned 
— Mrs.  Sylvester  Finch,  Mrs.  Jonas  Cutler  and  Mrs.  Henry  Vancleet;  in  the  Leslie  family 
Mrs.  Burt  and  Mrs.  Alverson,  in  Suell  Hovey's  family,  Chaimcey,  Perry  and  Susan;  in 
Gurdon  Hovej^'s  family,  Hiram,  the  oldest,  who  died  in  Texas,  and  the  Widow  Scott. 
In  the  Finch  family,  Sylvester.  Hoxie  was  not  buried  in  what  has  been  known  as  the 
'■  Big  Field."  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  but  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  very  near 
where  Stephen  Bailey's  house  now  stands;  and  the  family  disappeared  from  the  place  in 
1829  instead  of  1827. 

The  first  physician  was  not  Dr.  Richards,  but  a  Dr.  Green,  who  lived  near  the  dwell- 
ing-house now  owned  by  John  McGill,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  village.  Rumor  at 
this  late  day  gives  him  the  name  of  hurrying  two  of  the  early  settlers  over  the  silent  rivei'. 
The  two  persons  were  Mr.  Healy  and  Mi\  Webster.  Mr.  Healy  was  the  first  white  man 
that  died  in  this  vicinity.  He  was  bui'ied  a  little  over  one  mile  south  of  Romeo,  on  a  knoll, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  on  Benjamin's  farm. 

THE    FIRST    POST    OFFICE. 

The  nrst  post  office  was  named  Indian  Village,  up  to  1820,  although  letters  addi-essed 
to  Hoxie's  settlement  were  just  as  sure  of  their  destination.  The  first  Postmaster  was  Gid- 
eon Gates.  For  many  years,  he  distributed  the  mail  at  his  house,  a  half  mile  north  from 
the  Corners,  He  usually  wore,  except  in  midsummer,  a  large  bell-crowned  hat,  and 
wrap])ed  in  a  red  bandana  handkerchief,  in  that  hat  he  was  wont  to  can-y  imdistributed 
letters  belonging  to  the  settlement.  If  by  chance  you  met  the  Squire,  you  came  upon  the 
post  office  too.  and  he  had  only  to  summon  his  memory,  or  perchance  tiu-n  the  parcel  to 
determine  who  had  letters  and  who  had  not.  Of  coiu'se,  he  was  a  man  much  sought 
after,  and,  fortunately,  he  was  easy  to  find.  A  s])ecial  event  was  the  ai  rival  of  the  weekly 
mail.  The  old  red  chest,  ujxjn  which  the  contents  of  the  pouch  were  cast  was  often  sur- 
rounded theu,  as  such  a  one  might  be  now,  with  palpitating  hearts,  waiting  to  be  glad 
or  sad,  as  something  or  nothing  was  in  store  for  them.  There  were  lovers  then  as  now, 
and.  to  them  as  these,  the  mails  were  slow  coaches.  There  were  politicians,  too,  j>anting 
for  the  latest  news — all  alive  to  learn  whether  Adams  ur  Jackson  was  the  victor. 

And  then  there  were  those  lonely  hearts  who  had  left  the  dear  old  homes  far  away  to 
the  eastward,  who  never  ceased  to  dwell  upon  the  memories  of  their  childhood  and  to 
think  of  dear  ones  left  behind.  At  eventide  in  more  than  one  little  hamlet,  when  tlie 
tinkling  of  the  cow-liell  and  the  song  of  the  whip-poor-will  were  just  beside  the  door,  and 
the  ci-icket  sang  his  hearth  song,  dew-di-oj)s  were  falling  outside  and  tear-th'ops  within. 

Usually  a  visit  afterward  to  the  old  homestead  was  a  panacea  for  all  these  ills,  and 
most  returned  from  the  Eastern  visit  weaned  from  the  old  home  and  ever  after  hapjiy  in 
the  new. 

Letters  in  such  days  as  these,  how  precious  they  were;  read  and  reread;  worn  out  by 
reading;  worn  into  the  memory.  Letters  then  were  of  joyful  import,  and  then,  as  now, 
letters  breathing  saddest  soitows,  telling  them  as  ouly  stricken  hearts  can  sometimes  write 
when  griefs  are  too  gi-eat  for  other  utterance.  Then  as  now  these  were  anxiously  sought 
after,  and  that  bell-crowned  hat  was  a  central  idea  to  more  hearts  than  one. 

The  names  of  the  Postmasters  since  Gates'  time  have  been:  Philoman  Cook,  Orin 
Southwell,  Azariah  Prentis-s,  18-14;  Charles  F.  Mallary,  1846;  A.  E.  Leete,  1849;  George 
Chandler,  Philo  Tilson,  D.  Green,  William  Hulsart,  Henry  Howgate,  William  Wilkinson, 
Milton  Thompson  and  James  Gray. 


-^ 


^"^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


PIONEER    PHYSICIANS. 

The  pioneer  among  them  was  Dr.  Cooley — a  man  of  fine  form,  good  mind,  well  in- 
formed, and,  withal,  a  little  eccentric  in  his  habits.  He  resided  until  his  death  in  the 
south  part  of  Washington.  His  home  was  here  as  early  as  1826;  perhaps  earlier.  His 
services  were  in  requisition  for  long  distances  in  all  this  region  of  country;  few  names 
were  better  known  here.  The  Doctor  was  specially  fond  of  the  study  of  botany,  and  his 
herbarium  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  best  classified  that  ever  was  gathered  in  the 
Territory  of  Michigan.  His  eccentricities  of  dress,  his  flowing  unshorn  ciu'ls,  luxuriant 
and  beautiful  as  a  woman's,  gave  partial  evidence.  He  was  a  good  physician  and  rendered 
invaluable  service  to  the  early  settlers.  He  died  where  he  so  long  lived,  widely  known 
and  much  respected. 

Dr.  Carpenter  came  in  1828.  He  boai'ded  for  a  time  in  the  house  of  Capt.  Chamber- 
lin.  A  little  later,  he  maiTied  Miss  Freeman,  a  sister  of  Asahel  Bailey.  He  built  a  neat 
little  residence  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street,  a  little  north  of  N.  T.  Taylor's  store,  and 
engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine.  He  succeeded  well,  but  removed  from  the 
village  at  an  eai'ly  day.  An  exploit  of  his  adventurous  rooster  used  to  be  well  told.  The 
Doctor  was  accustomed  to  prepare  his  own  medicines.  He  placed  a  lot  on  aboard  outside 
the  door  to  diy.  At  length  he  heard  a  gentle  tapping.  Was  it  a  child?  Was  it  some 
timid  patient  who  sought  his  aid  with  only  half  resolve?  The  Doctor  went  forth  to  see, 
when,  to  his  hon'or,  he  found  the  rooster  just  in  the  act  of  eating  the  last  pill,  and  walk- 
ing proudly  away.  It  was  indeed  a  fowl  proceeding;  but  the  incensed  doctor  could  only 
wish  their  full  efl'ect  upon  the  thievish  bird.  The  rooster  lived  long,  esteemed  it  a  good 
joke  and  only  crew  the  louder.  And,  after  all  it  gained  a  credit  for  the  Doctor  as  being 
a  safe  j^rescriber.  It  surely  might  be  safe  to  take  the  medicine  which  could  not  kill  a 
chicken. 

Dr.  Cyrus  Baldwin  came  in  1830,  bringing  his  family  with  him,  and  dwelt  here  for 
many  years.  Baldwin  was  advanced  in  years,  but  was  a  man  of  sterling  value  and  an 
ardent  supporter  of  all  that  was  for  the  jiublic  good.  After  several  years  of  successful 
[iractiee.  he  removed  to  Grand  Blanc,  and  there  died  at  a  very  advanced  age. 

Dr.  AVebster,  son-in-law  of  Baldwin,  located  at  Utica  in  1830.  There  he  became  ill, 
was  brought  to  Romeo,  and  died  after  a  short  time.  He  was  a  young  man  of  rare  2:)ro- 
fessional  attainment,  and,  had  he  lived,  would  be  widely  known  and  prized.  He  died 
the  first  year  after  his  arrival,  and  was  buried  in  the  village  grounds,  near  Mi\  Finch's 
house. 

Drs.  Sabin,  Whitney,  Powers.  Andr'.nvs  and  Teed  were  among  the  old  settlers  of 
Borneo :  others  may  be  mentioned  in  this  work,  but  the  men  just  named  form  the  rank  and 
file  of  the  pioneer  doctors  of  Romeo. 

REMINISCENCES    OF    EARLY    TIMES. 

The  occurrence  of  religious  worship  was  a  stated  means  of  friendly  meeting,  so  that 
most  of  the  settlers  were  in  the  habit  of  attending,  although  they  were  not  all  professors 
of  religion.  To  enjoy  such  meetings  many  came  long  distances.  Nor  were  they  so  deli- 
cate nor  so  daintily  dressed  that  a  threatening  cloud  kept  them  at  home.  Perhaps  it  was 
on  funeral  occasions  that  social  sympathy  found  most  conspicuous  expression.  Few  of 
the  settlers  were  absent  at  such  times.  There  was  no  officiating  sexton,  no  pall,  no  hearse 
then.  The  people  met  at  the  house  of  the  bereaved,  then  formed  in  double  file  and  slowly 
wended  their  way  to  the  schoolhouse,  where  services  were  held.  In  procession,  the  able- 
l)odied  men  went  first  as  bearers,  and,  by  successive  changes,  carried  on  their  shoulders 
the  rude  bier  on  which  rested  the  coffin.  The  services  over,  the  processionists  resumed 
their  march,  and.  with  silent  tread,  proceeded  to  the  open  grave.      Here  thanks  were  given 


:fv^ 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


to  the  attendants  by  the  clergy  in  behalf  of  mourning  friends.  Then  followed  timely  ad- 
monition and  the  fervent  prayer,  the  tilling  of  the  grave  by  the  same  strong  hands,  then 
the  benediction  and  then  the  wending  of  ways  to  the  sad  homes  of  those  who  mourned 
and  of  those  who  most  sincerely  sympathized. 

The  biu'ial  of  the  tirst  Mrs.  Abbott  was  such  a  scene.  She  was  a  woman  of  talent 
and  culture,  the  sister  of  Deacon  Burbank,  of  Rochester.  She  had  lived  here  but  a  little 
while;  yet  her  death  was  a  sad  loss,  not  only  to  her  young  family,  but  also  to  the  whole 
settlement. 

The  funeral  of  Clarissa  Williams,  an  orphan  girl  of  eighteen  summers,  was  another 
of  those  old-time  meetings.  This  girl  lived  with  the  Finch  family.  She  fell  upon  the 
ice  and  injui-ed  her  head,  which  resulted  in  her  death.  Elder  Warren  presided  over  the 
funeral  services. 

The  death  and  burial  of  old  Mr.  Finch  and  the  decease  of  his  wife  immediately  after 
caused  deep  mourning. 

The  death  of  Dr.  ^^'ebster  and  that  of  the  second  wife  of  William  Abbott  drew  forth 
demonstrations  of  sympathy  which  can  never  be  forgotten  by  the  participants. 

Again  the  death  of  N.  T.  Taylor's  child,  and  her  burial  in  the  garden  close  by  the 
Taylor  dwelling,  were  events  which  excited  the  sympathies  of  those  warm-hearted  early 
residents.  After  the  body  was  placed  in  the  coSin,  a  white  dove  flew  into  the  house  and 
alighted  on  the  coHin. 

The  sudden  death  of  Col.  Hollister  and  the  accidental  killing  of  Jacob  Beekman, 
formed  subjeet-i  for  most  impresssve  demonstrations  of  sympathy  and  sorrow. 

LEISURE    HOURS. 

About  1832,  the  settlement  was  all  astir  by  the  arrival  of  the  lirst  menagerie.  The 
canvas  was  about  fifty  feet  in  diameter  and  had  no  awning.  The  animals  comprised  an 
elephant,  a  young  lion,  a  camel,  a  few  guinea  pigs,  some  Shetland  ponies  and  a  monkey. 
This  was  a  great  show  indeed!  The  orchestra  comprised  a  fiddle,  a  bag-pipe  and  a  clar- 
ionet. The  occasion  was  so  important  that  one  of  the  most  respected  citizens — Martin 
Buzzell — was  asked  to  play  the  last-named  instrument. 

The  three  days"  training  farce  was  another  periodical  amusement.  The  boys  con- 
tinued to  meet  until  they  laughed  themselves  to  death,  and  so  their  meetings  ceased.  The 
old  ^Miigs  of  the  settlement  were  commanded  by  Gideon  Gates,  Capt.  Chamberliu  and 
N.  T.  Taylor.  The  powerful  Jackson  Democrats  were  often  marshaled  under  Col.  Hollis- 
ter and  Gen.  John  Stockton. 

A    FEW    WELL-REMEMBERED    SETTLERS. 

Jonas  Renter,  who  owned  the  lot  now  owned  by  Earl  Hamlin,  was  killed  in  I82r)  by 
a  limb  falling  upon  him  in  the  woods.  As  he  was  in  the  habit  of  spending  his  Sabljath 
away  from  his  boarding-house,  no  search  was  made  for  him  until  Monday, when  he  was 
found  beneath  the  limb.  To  all  appearances,  he  was  killed  instantly  by  the  branch  falling 
from  the  tree  he  was  chopping. 

Julius  Millard  carried  the  first  mail  to  and  from  Detroit  by  way  of  Stony  Creek. 
David  Froat  carried  the  mailfrom  Romeo  to  St.  Clair;  made  the  trip  down  and  back  in  a 
day.      One  Cutler  afterward  performed  the  same  feat. 

In  1822,  one  Jennings  lived  in  a  little  hut  near  where  the  Sterling  House  now  stands. 
His  pretended  wife  was  a  squaw,  and  his  time  was  devoted  to  inflation  of  ciuTency,  and 
so  proficient  was  he  in  the  business  that  his  money  passed  at  par  at  the  land  office.  He 
soon  passed  to  other  regions  and  his  departiu-e  was  not  regretted.  This  Jennings  is  re- 
ferred to  in  the  Bailey  reminiscences.  He  was  blacksmith,  trap-maker,  bee-hunter,  gun- 
smith.     He  caught  the  first  bear  in  Washington  Township,  in   a  tamarack  swamp   on 


'-i^ 


Marcus  Nye's  land.  It  appears  that  Junnings  just  found  a  swarm  of  bees  out  in  the  swamp 
in  an  old  hollow  tamarack  tree  near  the  ground.  At  the  same  time,  a  bear  found  the 
swarm  and  carried  it  off  before  the  hunter  could  appropriate  it.  Jennings  contented  him- 
self with  setting  a  ti-ap  that  night,  which  resulted  in  trapping  the  bear  on  the  following 
day. 

Old  Uncle  Wilson,  a  lone,  taeitiu-n.  well-read,  intelligent  Scotchman,  settled  in  Wash- 
ington in  1824.  He  a[)[)eared  to  be  an  exile  on  account  of  religious  or  political  intoler- 
ance in  his  own  land,  but  never  offered  a  word  of  ex]3lanation  regarding  his  reason  for 
coming  here.  When  John  Bates,  with  his  mother  and  sisters,  were  coming  to  Macomb, 
in  1832.  they  met  the  old  man  traveling  toward  Detroit,  since  which  time  his  career  i^ 
wrapped  in  mystery. 

Lyman  Squires  and  Daniel  Smith  moved  to  Romeo  in  1824,  built  a  small  log  house 
near  the  middle  of  the  Piatt  Chamberlin  lot,  and  made  a  commencement  about  half  a  mile 
north  of  the  fair  grounds  and  set  out  a  few  fruit  trees,  some  of  which  are  still  standing. 
Squires  sold  to  James  Leslie  and  moved  to  Dryden.  where  his  descendants  now  reside. 
Smith  owned  the  Chamberlin  lot,  also  a  lot  southwest  of  the  village  a  few  _\ears,  aad  also 
moved  to  Dryden. 

Cajit.  Buell  came  to  Romeo  from  Vermont  in  1825,  was  a  bachelor  and  lived  with  the 
Kittredge  family;  afterward  with  Col.  Perry.  He  was  killed  at  the  creek  one  morning, 
as  he  was  washing  his  face,  Ijy  a  stone  thrown  l)y  some  person  who  wished  to  startle  him. 
His  was  the  first  grave  made  in  the  Proctor  Graveyard. 

ROMEO  IN  18;-56-37. 

In  183B,  the  streets  were  cumbered  with  stumps,  and  the  traveler  was  brought  to  a 
stand-still  on  dark  nights  too  suddenly  to  enjoy  any  pleasure  in  the  arrangement.  The 
only  back  streets  at  the  time  was  one  running  from  the  American  House  west  to  Holman 
&  Farrar's  shop;  thence  north  to  St.  Clair;  and  one  running  south  from  Amos  Palmer's 
shop  to  the  brick  wagon-shop;  thence  west  to  Main  street.  The  first  plank  was  not  then 
laid  for  a  sidewalk.  The  road  then  north  of  the  steam  mill  was  a  mere  lane,  so  narrow 
and  full  of  knolls  it  was  difficult  to  pass  through  with  an  empty  wagon.  In  the  sunnner 
of  1886,  sheep  were  killed  by  wolves  within  a  few  rods  of  the  site  of  G.  H.  Holman's 
present  residence,  and  the  boys  killed  coons  in  the  corn-lields  within  forty  rods  of  where 
Isaac  Brabb's  house  now  stands.  A  buggy  or  a  cai-riage  was  among  the  unknown  luxiu"ies 
of  those  early  days.  At  that  time,  the  hardware  store  of  A.  B.  Rawles  was  the  best  and 
almost  the  only  good  house  in  town.  Stage-coaches  were  only  seen  in  the  dim  futirre, 
while  plank  roads  seemed  so  far  down  the  river  of  time  that  the  eye  of  faith  could  not  reach 
them,  and  but  few  expected  to  live  long  enough  to  see  the  day  dawn  on  that  era. 

In  June,  1826,  the  whole  number  of  frame  dwelling  houses  was  thirty;  log  houses, 
three;  frame  barns,  twenty-one;  log  barns,  one;  small  Congregational  Church,  visited 
once  in  two  weeks  by  Rev.  Mi\  Taylor,  father  of  John  Taylor,  and  Rev.  IMr.  Hollister,  of 
the  Episcopal  Chiu'ch.  once  in  two  weeks  Revs.  Shaw  and  Richard,  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  preached  once  every  four  weeks  in  1837,  or  about  that  time;  one  small  school- 
house;  an  academy  was  opened  in  the  church  in  1836  or  1837.  by  Oman  Archer;  the 
Romeo  Exchange,  kept  by  Keeler;  the  American  Hotel  was  l)uilt  in  1840,  by  Aaron  B. 
Rawles,  and  opened,  July  4,  by  A.  Streeter;  physicians,  Sabin  and  Tead.  in  1836,  and 
Whitney  in  1838;  three  dry  goods  stores,  kept  by  A.  B.  Rawles,  Rux,  Kidder  &  Co.  and 
N.  T.  Taylor:  Shaw  &  Dyar,  A.  B.  Ayers  and  Dickenson  &  Mussey  commenced  in  1837, 
and  Dickenson  &  Giddings  in  1838;  Pratt  &  Price,  in  1839;  Dickenson,  Giddings  &  Newbm-y, 
in  1840;  Mallary  &  Stei)heus,  in  1843;  Amos  Palmer  and  W.  &.  B.  Barrows,  wagon-shops; 
J.  P.  Smith,  tailor  shop;  Cuyler's  tinshop;  Noyes'  tannery  and  shoeshop;  Isaac  Skillman, 


^f 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


furnace  foundiy;  Hemy  Van  Atter  and  B.  L.  Perkins,  cooper-shops;  L.  Sage  and  C. 
Chamberlin's  carpenter-shops;  Emory  &  Wilcox,  chair  factory;  Gideon  Gates  was  Post- 
master and  Justice  of  the  Peace;  there  was  a  mail  every  two  weeks;  H.  A.  Jennison  com- 
menced the  joiners  business  in  the  fall  of  1830,  and  William  Hulsart  opened  ashoeshopin 
1837. 

E.  W.  Giddings  &  Sons,  proprietors  of  the  house  established  in  1888  or  1839  by 
Dickenson,  Giddings  &  Newbuiy. 

C.  F.  Mallary  &  Co..  successors  to  Stephens  &  MaUary,  who  established  their  hard- 
ware house  in  May,  1843. 

Loiid  &  Newbury,  successors  to  C.  B.  Newbury,  "who  established  the  hoiise  in  1848. 

Giddings,  Rowley  &  Co.,  successors  to  the  business  established  in  October,  1856,  by 
H.  O.  Smith  and  M.  A.  Giddings. 

Holland  &  Reade,  owners  of  the  drug  store  established  in  1855  by  B.  T.  Castle. 

T.  A.  Smith  inaugiu-ated  his  general  store  May  '.i3,  1803. 

Price  &  Flumerfelt's  general  store  was  established  by  J.  E.  Price  September  15, 
1862. 

Phelps,  Newman  &  Co.  commenced  business  in  April,  1857. 

George  Washer  combined  the  business  of  auctioneer  and  harness-maker,  establishing 
himself  here  as  early  as  1850. 

W.  R.  Owen  succeeded  to  the  business  established  in  1852  by  A.  B.  Ayers,  in  1861. 

H.  P.  Piper  commenced  the  jewelry  business  November  1,  1869. 

I.  M.  Wilkinson  &  Co.  established  a  news  agency  and  book  store  here  August  1, 
1869. 

Durand  &  Mussey  succeeded  Chester  &  Dui-and  in  the  drug  trade  April  11,  1867. 

Daniel  McCoy,  grain  dealer,  succeeded  J.  F.  Jackman,  April,  1868. 

I.  P.  Muzzy,  successor  to  Muzzy  &  Bro.,  opened  a  tlour  and  feed  store  in  1869. 

■James  H.  Boden  opened  a  carriag(>  and  wagon  shop  in  July,  1866. 

Caleb  NVe  and  H.  A.  Jennison  inaugurated  the  crockerv  and  glassware  business  in 
March,  1868." 

Price  &  Smith  opened  a  crockery  and  grocery  store  in  1868  or  1869. 

C.  E.  Sutherland,  dealer  in   musical  iustraments  and  sewing-machines,  was  here  in 


J.  G.  Trpmaine,  produce  buj'er,  opened  his  store  December  15,  1869. 

C.  W.  Edson  succeeded  L.  B.  Gray  in  the  livery  business  December  5,  1868. 

E.  Coykendal  succeeded  John  Cawker  as  proprietor  of  the  American  House  February 
1.  1868. 

A.  B.  Ellithorpe  opened  the  Peninsular  House  July  1,  1869. 

John  B.  Dyar  succeeded  to  his  father's  dry  goods  business  in  1868.  John  W.  Dyar 
established  the  house  in  1839. 

Ayers  &  Sibbet  comnienced  the  business  of  machinists  in  1852.  Holman  &  Carrar 
purchased  their  interests  in  i860,  who  sold  to  Anson  Hamblin  in  1864,  and  he  in  turn  to 
Hamblin  &  Bates,  January  2,  1869. 

The  First  National  Bank  was  presided  over  by  E.  ^\'.  Giddings  in  1869. 

Dr.  J.  Douglass  commenced  the  practice  of  dentistry  in  March.  1852. 

Dr.  R.  S.  Bancroft  opened  a  dentist's  office  in  May,  1852. 

Dr.  Hay  ward  was  the  homeopathic  physician  here  from  1866. 

C.  M.  C.  Snover  made  a  plat  of  Romeo  in  1869-70.  This  he  loaned  to  Mr.  Lowell; 
who  loaned  it  to  one  of  the  men  connected  with  the  Atlas  in  1875.  A  copy  of  this  plat 
appeared  in  the  Alias,  which  was  signed  by  O.  F.  Waegon,  C.  E.,  when  it  should  bear 
the  name  of  the  original  draftsman. 


nv 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  First  National  Bank  was  organized  March  30,  I8fi4,  with  Neil  Gray  as  President. 
He  held  the  office  until  his  death,  Decemlier  14,  18GS.  L.  C.  Mclntvre  was  first  Cashier, 
which  office  he  resigned  April  3.  1865.  Henry  O.  Smith  succeeded  him  in  1865.  E.  \V. 
Giddings  was  elected  President  January  7.  1S6U.  The  Directors  then  elected  were  E.  W. 
Giddings.  Hugh  Grav.  Alvin  B.  Ayer. 'M.  A.  Giddings,  E.  F.  Mead.  Amlrew  M.  Grover, 
John  Smi^h,  Jr.,  John  H.  Brabb,  Noah  W.  Gray  and  H.  O.  Smith. 

ROMEO    IN     18S1. 

How  far  superior  Romeo  of  today  is  to  the  village  of  1853  may  be  learned  from  the 
following  list  of  Romeo  taxpayers  who  are  down  on  the  books  for  $97  and  upward:  John 
W.  Dval^  $240.63:  Hugh  Gray,  $395.69:  E.  \V.  Giddings,  $455.59:  Charles  Burr,  $158.- 
88:  A.  B.  Ayer.  $104.60:  Alden  Giddings.  $2^7.11;  James  Gray,  $120.50:  M.  A.  Gid- 
dings. $122! 95:  H.  C.  Gray,  $253.03:  William  Grav,  $105.60:  Watson  Loud,  $210.17; 
Newbury  Bros..  $283.46:  E.  S.  Snover,  $192.45:  A.  J.  Sykes.  $176.39:  Romeo  Carriage 
Company,  $124.53:  Jerome  Benjamin.  $203.73:  A.  B.  Maynard.  $357.30;  Newbury  Es- 
tate. $119.84;  James  Thompson.  $168.18:  Haryev  Eldred.  $116.29:  G.  G.  Hartung, 
$110.61:  H.  A.  Shaw,  $129.53;  J.  L.  Benjamin.  $153.26;  J.  H.  Brabb,  $120.95;  J.  M. 
Thorington.  $192.17:  Hiram  Eldred.  $109.29;  Cynthia  Bailey.  $98.78;  Andrew  Winter- 
mute,  $97.87;  Snover  Crissman.  $245.17. 

SCHOOLS    .^ND    SCHOOL    TEACHERS. 

Gideon  Gates  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace,  the  first  Postmaster,  and  also  the 
first  schoolmaster.  In  many  respects,  he  was  well  fitted  in  his  yonnger  years  for  that  po- 
sition. He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  attainment  for  those  times;  was  of  quick 
discernment  and  lively  turn  of  manner,  which  fitted  him  far  better  than  others  to  be  the 
country  schoolmaster. 

Through  the  enterprise  of  Capt.  Chamberlin,  Asahel  Bailey  and  Gideon  Gates,  the 
first  schoolhouse  was  erected  in  1828.  It  served  as  the  district  schoolhouse  for  many 
years,  and  was  located  on  the  roadside  between  the  residences  of  Asahel  Bailey  on  the 
south,  Gideon  Gates  and  Capt.  Chamberlin  on  the  north,  and  of  old  Mr.  Finch  on  the 
northeast,  where  the  north  district  schoolhouse  stands.  The  same  site  was  for  many  years 
later  occupied  by  a  much  better  building  for  a  similar  purpose.  The  original  house  was 
aboiit  twenty  by  thirty  feet,  an  ample  entry  way  reducing  the  school  room  to  aboxit  twenty 
feet  square.  This  too  was  the  country  meetinghouse  for  many  years,  and  here,  by  mutual 
agreement,  the  various  denominations  of  Christians  held  religious  services. 

Hither  was  gathered  the  first  school  in  the  winter  of  1828-29.  Gideon  Gates,  as 
schoolmaster,  was  not  a  man  of  unnecessary  activity.  He  'isually  sat  perched  ixpon  a  lit- 
tle stool,  nearly  in  the  center  of  the  little  room,  and  ruled  his  little  kingdom,  not  with  a 
little  rod  of  iron,  but  with  a  tremendously  long  hazel  switch.  Michigan  can  beat  the 
world  on  hazel  switches,  and  the  largest  of  them  grew  right  roun^  that  schoolhouse.  The 
lai'gest  matured  in  1828,  and  went  into  service  that  winter.  The  master  seldom  rose  from 
his  seat:  the  extended  rod  could  reach  to  the  farthest  scholar,  and  the  blows  fell  thick  and 
heavy  in  each  rebellion  until  there  was  unconditional  surrender.  The  classics  were  not 
even  pursued,  but  the  King's  English  was  captured,  and,  at  times,  pretty  badly  handled. 
Still,  it  is  our  pride  to  write  the  first  school  a  success,  and  the  first  schoolmaster  more 
than  equal  to  the  situation. 

The  next  teacher  was  Miss  Jnlia  Chamberlin,  a  daughter  of  Gad  Chamberlin,  who  sub- 
sequently married  Luther  Shaw.  Her  remains  rest  in  thf>  cemetery  on  the  hill  since 
1835.     She  taught  in  1828.  and  also  in  1829. 

Azariah  Prentiss  became  head  master  of  the  school  in  1830.     Summer  and  winter  he 


7(^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


supervised  the  studies  with  marked  success.  True,  his  afternoon  nap  in  the  long  summer 
days  was  a  little  prolonged,  and  the  boys  gained  many  an  extra  recess,  yet,  during  his 
waking  hours,  there  was  a  spun'ing  on  in  study  which  compensated  fully  for  lost  time. 

Miss  Sarah  Baldwin,  daughter  of  Dr.  Baldwin;  Miss  Hopkins,  sister  of  Cyrus  Hop- 
kins; Miss  Sophrouia  Ewell  and  Miss  Standish,  taught  schools  during  the  summer  from 
1830  to  1835,  while  the  winter  schools  were  presided  over  successively  by  Judge  Prentiss, 
Gideon  Gates,  Halleck,  Brown,  Allen  Buzzell,  and  perhaps  another.  There  was  a  turbu- 
lent spirit  prevailing  at  that  time  among  the  youth;  yet  the  school-teachers  of  the  past 
preserved  order  and  maintained  a  standard  much  above  the  average  of  district  schools. 

Among  the  best  educators  of  that  time  was  iMiss  Jerusha  Shaw,  best  known  among  the 
little  ones  as    •'Aunt  Jerusha."     She  was  the  sister  of  Rev.   John  B.  and   Liither  Shaw. 


FIRST  SPHUOL  UUlsE  IN  ROIILU 

As  early  as  1834,  the  need  of  a  higher  grade  of  instruction  than  the  district  school 
afforded  was  very  generally  felt.  The  boys  were  growing  rapidly  to  manhood,  and  there 
were  no  schools  near  at  hand  where  hopeful  daughters  could  receive  the  finishing  touches 
of  a  liberal  education.  The  advent  of  Ormou  Archer  marked  a  new  era  in  the  history  of 
schools  at  Romeo.  He  was  originally  from  Grandville,  N.  Y.,  a  graduate  of  Williams 
College,  and  had  been  Principal  of  a  seminary  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years.  His  acad- 
emy was  established  here  in  1835.  It  continued  until  1839,  during  which  time  it  pro- 
duced some  of  the  l^est  students  to  be  found  iu  the  State  at  that  time.  Among  the  pupils 
were  the  younger  members  of  the  Chamberlin  family,  the  childi-en  of  N.  T.  Taylor,  of  the 


Al« — *- ^r= 

630  HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 

Abbott  family,  the  members  of  Ei'astus  Day's  family,  all  the  younger  members  of  the 
Ewell  family,  of  the  Holman,  of  the  Hollister,  of  the  Gilbert,  of  the  Bailey,  families, 
with  the  Biu'banks  of  Rochester,  the  Comstocks  from  St.  Clair,  the  Benedicks  from  "  over 
west,"  Green  and  Oran  Freeman  of  this  district,  Hurd  and  Bancroft  of  Detroit,  H.  H. 
Wells.  D.  R.  Shaw,  the  Lookes,  Harvey  Fuller,  Peter  Myers,  the  Thnrstous.  and  many 
others  fi'om  the  neighborhood. 

Profs.  Nutting  and  Palmer  are  remembered  among  the  early  teachers.  To  these  and 
their  immediate  successors,  next  to  the  liberal  and  enlightened  course  pursued  by  the  peo- 
ple of  Romeo,  the  enviable  success  of  the  schools  here  is  largely  due. 

THE    ROMEO    ACADEMY. 

The  Romeo  Academy  has  been  one  of  the  mast  notable  schools  of  learning  in  the 
State.  It  was  the  development,  after  the  New  England  pattern,  of  the  district  school 
into  a  higher  institution  of  learning,  and  was  in  its  day  well  known  and  patronized  through- 
out all  this  region  of  the  State.  From  its  halls  have  gone  forth  many  men  and  women 
now  active  antl  prominent  in  all  the  walks  of  life.     This  academy  was  opened  in  J835. 

Dr.  Hollister,  speaking  of  the  academy  in  1878,  recalled  the  names  of  Asahel  Bailey 
and  Mr.  Finch,  of  Gad  Chamberlin.  Gideon  Gates  and  Roswell  Webster,  and  the  location 
of  the  old  schoolhouse  nearly  midway  between  them,  while  farther  north  was  Sewell 
Hovey,  northwest  was  Deacon"  Rogers,  east  was  Erastus  Day.  southeast  William  Abbott, 
south  Mr.  Foot  and  Gurdeon  Hovey,  and  a  few  other  families,  active  in  the  formation  of 
the  fii'st  district  school,  variously  located,  in  the  spring  of  1828. 

When,  in  the  fullness  of  time,  the  academy  was  to  be,  he  recited  the  names  of  many 
of  the  old  citizens,  whose  families  were  already  growing  up  and  in  present  need  of  such 
an  institution.  Among  those  named  were  Jacob  Beekman.  N.  T.  Taylor,  Asahel  Bailej', 
the  Gilbert  family.  Willard  Guild,  Samuel  Ewell.  William  Abbott,  Capt.  Chamberlin, 
Elijah  Look,  Henry  Wells,  Asa  Holman,  Standish.  Erastus  Day,  Jacob  Skillman.  Sr. ,  the 
Buzzell  family,  Raymond,  A.  W.  Sterling,  and  many  others.  Then  he  gave  a  list  of  the 
younger  married  men,  who.  while  yet  their  families  were  young,  still  gave  to  the  uew  en- 
terprise their  hearty  support.  Among  those  named  were  M.  T.  Lane.  Charles  Farrar,  Dr. 
Jeremiah  Sabin,  Dr.  J.  P.  Whitney,  Amos  Palmer,  Dennis  Scranton,  Martin  Southwell, 
Mr.  Winans,  Mr.  Sage,  John  Maitland,  Henry  Howarth,  William  Hulsart,  Martin  Buzzell, 
Linus  Gilbert,  Isaac  Gilbert,  Amos  Hewett,  Darius  Ewell.  Gel  Rix. 

And  still  another  was  a  class  of  young  men,  all  marriageable,  whose  needs  were  all 
jirospective,  the  very  mention  of  whom  is  to-day  a  little  amusing  as  coming  under  this 
list.  AiBong  them  as  named  were  Aaj'on  B.  Rawles,  John  W.  Dyar,  Calvin  A.  Shaw,  D. 
C.  ^^'alker,  Dexter  Mussey,  Asa  and  Jerry  Ayers,  Dr.  H.  B.  Teed,  Grin  Southwell.  Abijah 
Palmer.  Nathan  Palmer,  Allen  Buzzell,  Carlton  Sabin,  Silas  McKeen.  Charles  Chamber- 
lain. Sidney  M.  Kidder,  Horace  Bogart.  James  Snover,  Jacob  Smith,  Blake  Barrows,  Jo- 
seph Gilbert. 

Under  the  head  of  teachers,  reference  was  specially  made  to  Miss  Jerusha  Shaw,  later 
Mrs.  Owen,  as  the  originator  of  the  first  private  school,  and  to  her  personal  agency  in  se- 
curing a  Principal  for  the  academy  that  was  to  be. 

He  referred  very  fully  to  the  coming  to  Romeo  of  Oman  Archer  as  the.  first  Principal 
of  the  Romeo  Academy,  and  to  the  organization  of  that  school  in  the  fall  of  1835. 

The  Doctor  ventured  to  recount,  as  far  as  memory  would  serve,  the  families  repi-e- 
sented  in  that  school:  Of  the  Abbotts.  Franklin.  Norman,  Isaac.  Jane,  Elizabeth  and 
Mary;  of  the  Beelnnans,  James,  Caroline  and  John;  of  the  Buzzells,  Allan  and  Stephen; 
of  the  Baileys,  Prudence  and  Maria;  of  the  Chamberlains,  Joseph,  Nelson  and  James;  of 
the  Days,  Daniel.  Levi  and  Lucinda;  of  the  Dodges,  Julia;  of  the  Ewells,  Holbrook,  Hall, 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Jane  and  Nancy:  of  the  Gilberts,  Joseph  and  Ira;  of  the  Parrars.  Merrill  and  Charles; 
of  the  Holmans,  Sumner,  George.  Lura.  Elizabeth  and  Cynthia;  of  the  Looks.  Asher. 
James  and  Eliza;  of  the  Raymonds,  Samuel  and  younger  sisters;  of  the  Skillmans,  Jacob, 
Abram,  Isaac  and  three  sisters;  of  the  Standishes.  Susan:  of  the  Wellses,  Henry.  From 
another  list  of  those  coming  out  of  town,  he  noted  the  following;  The  Thirrstons,  Stock- 
ton, Bancroft,  Hiu-d,  Freemans,  Fuller.  Benedict.  Peter  Myers.  Ducing  and  others.  Among 
the  young  ladies  mentioned  were  Miss  Juliette  McKeau.  the  Misses  Bm-bank.  the  Misses 
Comstock.  Miss  Westbrook,  Miss  Louisa  Benedict.  Miss  Bancroft.  Miss  Lucesda  M;u-k- 
ham,  and  perhaps  others. 

The  Doctor  spoke  of  the  ladies'  school  of  Miss  Martha  Makepeace,  later,  Mrs.  E.  W. 
Giddings,  refen-ing  to  the  cultiu-e  of  the  lady  and  of  the  remembrances  that  are  to-day  still 
cherished  by  her  pupils.  He  then  spoke  of  his  three  years'  absence  pm^suing  his  studies 
elsewhere,  and  of  his  tinding,  upon  his  retm-n,  the  school  re-organized  and  flourishing  un- 
der the  direction  of  Prof.  Nutting  and  his  estimable  wife,  and  his  daughter,  Miss  Marcia. 
He  named  some  of  the  pupils  in  Prof.  Nutting's  school:  Andrews,  Johnson,  the  Trow- 
bridges,  the  Parks.  Wattles.  Allison,  Donaldson.  Cooper.  Poppleton,  Welch,  Hall.  Lane, 
the  Holmans,  Farrars,  Sexton.  Leete.  Ames,  the  Chandlers,  the  Hodges,  the  Harts.  Ker- 
chival.  the  Brownrows.  the  Biu-ts,  the  Taylors.  Nuttings,  ^^'ells.  Newbmy.  Beekmans, 
Parmelee.  Owen,  and  of  the  young  ladies,  Misses  Dickinson,  Mary  Taylor,  Delia  Newbiu-y. 
Mary  Mack.  Lorissa  Prentiss,  the  Misses  Leete,  Maria  Holenbeck,  Kate  Trowbridge,  Caddy 
Beekman,  Augusta  Abel,  the  four  Windiates.  Miss  Henry.  Melissa  Crittendens.  the  Bron- 
sons.  Miss  Cole,  Miss  Calkins  and  others.  Up  to  Prof.  Nutting's  time,  school  was  held  in 
the  First  Congregational  Chiu-ch  building,  when  the  clnu'ch  was  moved  west  and  called 
the  academy.  Nutting  purchased  this  property  and  occupied  it  as  long  as  he  remained. 
The  school  was  called  the  academy  during  Prof.  Nutting's  time.  He  was  assisted  by 
the  members  of  his  own  family. 

Charles  H.  Palmer  succeeded  Prof.  Nutting  as  Principal  of  the  school.  He  conducted 
it  for  many  years  successfully. 

Isaac  Stone,  son  of  Isaac  Stone,  an  old  settler  of  Ray  Township,  was  the  next  Prin- 
cipal. During  his  term,  the  principal  citizens  of  Romeo  organized  a  body  corporate,  under 
the  name.  "  The  Dickenson  Institute."  This  name  was  adopted  in  honor  of  Nathan  Dick- 
enson, who  donated  three  acres  of  land  for  educational  pruposes  on  the  present  site  of  the 
Union  School.  The  Legislature  had  not  previously  provided  for  the  organization  of  edu- 
cational bodies,  so  that  the  school  was  organized  under  the  lyceum  act. 

Then  the  school  building,  as  now  used,  facing  on  Prospect  street,  was  built.  The 
style  of  architecture  was  rather  ecclesiastical,  and  the  cost  of  building,  over  $3,000,  to- 
gether with  §1,000  presented  to  Mr.  Dickenson,  which  sum  he  donated  toward  the  build- 
ing of  the  school.  The  Trustees  were  Edward  S.  Snover.  P.  R.  Hurd.  Dexter  Mussey, 
E.  W.  Giddings  and  Neil  Gray,  Sr.  These  gentlemen  continued  to  hold  the  office  of 
Trustee  until  educational  affairs  here  were  organized  under  the  general  law. 

The  first  union  school  was  formed  after  much  opposition  from  a  few  members  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Dickenson  Institute. 

Prof.  D.  B.  Briggs,  noc  Deputy  Secretary  of  State,  succeeded  Mr.  Stone  in  the  win- 
ter of  1855.  •  He  remained  imtil  the  close  of  the  spring  term  of  1857,  when  Prof.  G.  W. 
Perry,  now  of  Chicago,  succeeded  Mr.  Briggs.  He  conducted  the  school  from  the  fall  of 
1857  to  1859. 

Daniel  Poor  was  the  next  Principal.  AL-.  Poor  died  recently  at  Wenona.  111.  His 
stated  salary  as  teacher  of  the  school  here  was  S500  per  year,  together  with  tuition  fees. 
He  remained  until  Prof.  K  B.  Wood  took  charge  of  the  school,  and  he  remained  until  the 
arrival  of  Prof.  Jepson.      Prof.  A\'ebster  was  the  next  teacher. 


'[' ^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  principal  students  of  the  school  during  Mi\  Palmer's  time  were:  I.  Hubbell, 
Member  of  Congi-ess;  A.  S.  Welch,  Moses  Coit  Taylor;  A.  W.  Meaddaugh,  lawyer; 
France.  William  and  Bruce  Chandler,  Knox  Gavin,  William  A.  Throop,  D.  J.  Davidson, 

Cortez   Fessenden,  I.   S.  Newberry. Johnson. Setterlee.  Gelucia  A.  Gibbs,  S. 

W.  Fowler.  David  N.  Cooper;  James  B.  Eldredge.  present  Judge  of  Probate;  Henry  and 
Theodore  Chase,  C.  P.  and  Edward  Leete,  Milton  H.  Butler. 

In  Stone's  time:  J.  C.  Lowell,  now  of  Jackson.  Mich.;  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  a  la^vj'er 
of  Romeo;  Irving  D.  Hanscom.  Prosecuting  Attorney;  George  P.  Andrews,  now  a  physi- 
cian at  Detroit;  Hugh  James  and  Neil  Gray;  Henry  and  Jacob  Rawles — the  latter  a  Major 
in  the  United  States  Army — and  A.  B.  Chandler.  J.  P.  Poppleton  was  one  of  the  teach- 
ers in  Prof.  Palmer's  time.  Dr.  Hamilton  studied  under  Briggs.  This  gentleman  is  at 
present  Treasurer  of  Lapeer  County.  Rufus  P.  Palen,  now  a  lawyer  of  Santa  Fe,  studied 
here  under  Prof.  Poor. 

All  the  records  of  the  Romeo  school  district  were  burned  February  U2,  ]87().  A  dec- 
laration made  by  Albert  E.  Leete,  M.  A.  Giddings,  Harvey  Mellen,  and  the  Director,  Irving 
D.  Hanscom,  certified  that  the  Trustees  elect,  and  the  time  of  the  expiration  of  their  terms 
of  office,  at  the  time  the  records  were  bui'ued,  were  as  follows: 

Albert  E.  Leete,  term  expires  1877;  Samuel  A.  Reade,  term  expires  1877;  Moses  A. 
Giddings,  term  expires  1876;  Timothy  A.  Smith,  term  expires  1876;  Harvey  Mellen.  term 
expires  1878;  Irving  D.  Hanscom.  term  expires  1878. 

This  board  held  the  first  regular  meeting  at  the  office  of  Irving  D.  Hanscom  October 
5.  1875.     Since  that  time,  the  officers  of  the  board  have  been: 

1875 — A.  E.  Leete,  Moderator;  Irving  D.  Hanscom,  Director;  Samuel  A.  Reade,  As- 
sessor and  Treasiu'er. 

1876 — A.  E.  Leete.  Moderator;  I.  D.  Hanscom.  Director;  Samuel  A.  Reade.  Assessor. 

1877 — The  same  officers  were  reelected. 

1878 — M.  A.  Giddings,  Moderator;  James  Newman,  Director;  Samuel  A.  Reade,  As- 


sessor. 
1879- 


-M.  A.  Giddings,  Moderator;  Irving  D.  Hanscom.  Director;  Samuel  A..  Reade, 


The  officers  elected  in  1879  were  re-elected  in  18S1. 


RELIGIOUS. 

Coiiyrcgational  Church.  —The  chm-ch  was  organized  here  in  a  log  schoolhouse  August 
16,  1828.  The  town  then  consisted  of  a  handful  of  houses  of  most  jarimitive  architectvu-e, 
and  was  called  the  Indian  Village.  Rev.  Isaac  W.  Ruggles,  a  missionary  bearing  a  com- 
mission from  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  residing  at  Pontiac,  came  into 
this  settlement  and  looked  up  the  few  scattered  sheep,  and  organized  them  into  a  chm-ch, 
and  froin  time  to  time  thereafter  came,  always  on  foot,  by  an  Indian  trail,  from  Pontiac, 
and  broke  to  the  little  church  in  the  wilderness  the  bread  of  life. 

The  corporate  members  were  only  seven  in  number,  viz.:  Zelotus  Stone,  Gad  Cham- 
berlain, Deacon  and  ili-s.  Rogers.  William  Abbott,  Mi-s.  James  Leslie  and  Chauncy  Thorpe. 
All  these  have  tinisheil  their  earthly  pilgrimage  except  Mi\  Stone,  who  resides  in  the  town 
of  Ray. 

The  church  has  had,  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period  each,  the  services  of  eleven  differ- 
ent ministers:  .J.  W.  Ruggles,  L.  Shaw.  P.  Barber,  J.  B.  Shaw.  S.  Hardv,  R.  R.  Kel 
logg.  O.  C.  Thompson.  G.  W.  Newcomb,  P.  R.  Hurd,  H.  O.  Ladd,  T.  B.  Haskell,  and  the 
present  pastor,  M.  W.  Fairfield.  Fom'  of  these  were  duly  installed — Mr.  Kellogg,  in 
184:3;  Ml-.  Hm-d,  February  12,  1851;  Mr.  Ladd,  February  16,  1870;  and  Mr.  Fairfield, 
May  4,  1875. 


1 


^a 


A 


^ 


^ 


^ 


Eight  brethren  have  served  in  the  office  of  Deacon:  Nathan  Rogers,  Dexter  Mussey, 
Seth  L.  Andi-ews,  Ai-aunah  Gilbert.  Asa  Hohnan,  Watson  Loud,  M.  A  Giddings  and  H. 
O.  Smith.  Of  these,  three  have  "fallen  asleep" — Deacons  Rogers.  Gilbert  and  Hol- 
man. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  early  in  the  history  of  the  church,  but  at  what  pre- 
cise date  is  unknown.  It  has  always  been  a  prominent  and  Hom-ishing  department  of  the 
chiu-ch  work.  Fom-teeu  different  brethren  have  served  in  the  office  of  Superintendent: 
Rev.  L.  Shaw,  Mr.  Giles  O.  Archer,  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.  Musaev,  Prof.  Poor,  M.  T.  Lane,  Mr. 
Mclntyi-e,  U.  T.  Nichols,  W.  F.  Abbott,  N.  Dickenson,  C.  "f.  Mallary,  W.  Loud,  M.  A. 
Giddings,  O.  C.  Thompson — who  is  the  present  efficient  Superintendent,  in  his  tenth  year 
of  service.  Brethren  Giles.  Lane  and  Dickinson  have  been  transferred  to  the  Great 
Teacher's  school  above. 

In  addition  to  ordinary  religious  interest  and  increase  of  membership  by  conversion 
from  time  to  time  in  connection  with  the  usual  means  of  grace,  there  have  been  sis  seasons 
of  special  revivals,  when  considerable  numbers  have  been  hopefully  converted  and  gathered 
into  the  chiu-ch,  and  the  church  been  specially  strengthened.  These  revivals  occui'red  in 
the  years  1832,  1838,  1852,  1866,  1871  and  1876.  At  these  times,  the  pastor  has  been 
acceptably  aided  by  ministerial  brethren  from  abroad,  both  pastors  and  evangelists.  The 
special  meetings  resulting  in  these  revivals  have  sometimes  been  held  by  the  church  alone, 
but  ordinarily  and  the  most  powerful  have  been  union  services. 

It  is  with  satisfaction,  proud  though  sad.  that  we  recall  to-day  the  fact  that  this  con- 
gregation has  not  been  wanting  in  self-sacrificing  jsatriotism. '  For  the  preservation  of  the 
integrity  of  the  Union,  and  for  the  maintenance  of  the  national  life  against  armed  rebell- 
ion, it  furnished  thirty-six  brave  men,  whose  names  we  do  well  to  cherish:  Amos,  Elam 
and  Sabin  Abbott,  Lyman  B.  Holman,  Nathan  D.  Mussey,  Jeduthan  Predmore,  Jacob  T. 
B.  Skillman.  Hem-y  Wells,  Jr.,  John  S.  Raymond.  William  A.  Frazier.  William  Chand- 
ler, R.  F.  Selfridge,  Frederick  Rath,  S.  D.  Raymond.  Cyras  Y.  Dm-and.  G.  L.  Crawford, 
William  Hulsart  and  his  three  sons — Dexter,  Robert  and  Charles — A.  H.  Leete.  Thomas 
and  James  Moreland.  Hannibal  Nims.  Jacob  Rawles.  C.  P.  Dake,  I.  D.  Hanscom.  David 
and  Dwight  Smith.  Frank  Barber,  Eugene  and  Oscar  WTiite,  W.  H.  Pool,  and  Thomas, 
James  and  Albert  Weigh tman. 

Of  these,  the  thi'ee  Abbotts,  L.  B.  Holman,  A.  H.  Leete,  Robert  Hulsart,  Thomas 
Moreland.  Hannibal  Nims,  Dwight  Smith  and  Eugene  and  Oscar  WTiite  died  in  the  serv- 
ice— nearly  one-third  of  the  whole  number.  The  names  of  all  these  soldiers,  and  espe- 
cially of  these  eleven  dead  heroes  and  martyrs  for  liberty — the  liberty  of  their  country  and 
of  all  mankind — ai-eamost  precious  and  highly  prized  legacy  of  this  Christian  congi-egation. 

The  service  of  song  has  always  received  special  attention,  and  there  have  been  brought 
to  it  more  than  ordinary  musical  "talent  and  culture.  Great  harmony  has.  for  the  most  part, 
characterized  the  choir,  and  marked  fidelity  and  enthusiasm  in  their  work. 

When  such  names  as,  in  the  earlier  choir,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  B.  Newbury.  Mrs.  N. 
Dickinson.  Mr.  and  :Mi-s.  M.  T.  Lane,  A.  Bailey.  A.  B.  Rawles.  W.  Hulsart,  Dr.  Leete, 
H.  O.  Smith,  S.  H.  Ewell.  Charles  Farrai-,  Dr.  Loud,  and  in  the  later  choir,  Mr.  and 
Mi-s.  W.  R.  Owen.  E.  C.  Newbury.  John  Ford.  J.  Yaughan.  H.  O.  Smith.  Dr.  Loud,  Miss 
Mary  Smith,  Miss  Mattie  Owen.  Miss  J.  Mussey  and  Mi-s.  Rolls,  are  recalled,  this  fidelity 
and  success  will  occasion  no  sui'prise. 

We  statedly  contribute  to  the  Foreign  Missionary  cause  tlu-ough  the  American  Boai-d: 

to  the  Home  Missionary  cause  through  the  American  Home   Missionary   Society;  to  the 

Southern  work  through  the  American   Missionary  Association;  to  the  church  Iniilding 

cause  thi-ough  the  Congregational   Union:  and  to  the  Bible  cause  through  the  American 

:39 

^  ft)  I  ' I  «'  ^^ 

'^(,        r  -^ ®  "V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COLTNTY. 


Bible  Society.  Our  contributions  to  these  various  causes  have  been  considerable,  but 
could  be  wisely  increased,  as  we  hope  that  they  will  steadily  be. 

There  are  connected  with  this  chm-ch  a  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  a  Dorcas  So- 
ciety, and  Children's  Missionary  Society — "'Little  Sunbeams."  These  societies  are  all  in 
good  working  oixler  and  doing  satisfactory  service. 

We  have  had  three  meeting-houses  —the  first  erected  in  1833.  by  Charles  Chamber- 
lain, builder;  the  second,  in  1842,  by  Mr.  Wilcox;  and  the  present  commodious  and  taste- 
ful one  was  completed  in  May,  1877.  These  have  all  been  on  the  same  lot.  and  no  loca- 
tion could  be  more  desirable  in  the  town. 

The  house  is  gothic  in  style,  with  a  commanding  tower,  and  all  most  thoroughly  and 
satisfactorily  built.  The  work  is  first-class  work  fi*om  foundation  to  tiuTet.  inside  and 
out.  The  building  embraces  the  audience  room.  65sr>'2  feet,  seating  fiUO  persons,  and  can 
easily  accommodate  80U  people  by  bringing  in  extra  seats;  a  chapel,  which  seats  200,  and 
can  be  made  to  seat  300  by  throwing  back  the  sliding  doors;  a  ladies'  parlor,  a  library 
room  and  a  Dorcas  room — all  these  oq  the  first  floor.  There  are  furnace  and  domestic 
apartments,  cisterns,  etc.,  in  the  basement.      The  building  is  lighted  throughout  with  gas. 

The  entire  cost  of  this  structm-e.  including  the  fiu-nishing,  gas  works,  clock  in  tower, 
etc.,  is  about  $32,0t)0.  It  is  probably  as  good  and  as  handsome  a  building  as  has  ever 
l)een  erected  in  the  State  for  this  amount  of  money.  We  are  particularly  happy  in  saying 
that  it  is  all  absolutely  paid  for,  and  paid  for  in  voluntary  contributions  in  sums  ranging 
from  25  cents  to  $6,200. 

The  Methodist  Church. — In  1824.  Albert  Finch,  then  an  old  man.  was  the  pioneer 
who  first  opened  his  house  in  this  district  for  religious  worship.  He  made  his  home  the 
abode  of  the  first  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  his  house  a  chiu'ch,  while  yet  there  were 
neither  churches  nor  hotels.  At  his  house  the  first  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  1824. 
Two  circuit  ministers  were  assigned  to  this  and  other  points  adjacent,  viz.,  Isaac  C  Hun- 
ter and  Elias  Pettit.  The  first  Presiding  Elder,  being  for  1824,  was  Z.  H.  Carter.  The 
pastors  for  1825-20  were  John  James  and  James  Armstrong;  for  1826-27,  John  James; 
for  1827-28,  William  Runnells  and  John  James;  for  1828-29,  William  T.  Snow;  for 
1829-30,  W.  T.  Snow  and  Curtis  Stoddard,  Presiding  Elder;  for  1831,  William  Sprague 
and  Mr.  Browning. 

From  1824  to  1828,  nieetings  were  held  at  the  house  <jf  Mr.  Finch,  until  the  school- 
house  was  completed,  in  the  winter  of  1828.  The  first  quarterly  meeting  and  conference 
ever  held  here  was  assembled  in  that  schoolhouse  in  Febniary,  1829.  The  second  quar- 
terly meeting  was  at  Niles'  Corners,  in  Troy. 

From  1831  to  1835,  Rev.  Leonard  Hill  and  Rev.  Luther  Whitney  wers  stationed  on 
this  circuit  successively.  In  1835.  Henry  Brakeman  came.  The  pastors  since  that  time 
were  Revs.  Comfort;  Luther  Whitney,  second  term,  in  1839;  H.  Brakeman,  1841;  Thomas 
Fox.  1843;  John  Russell,  1845;  L.  D.  Price,  1847;  David  Thomas,  1849;  M.  B.  Cambiu-n, 
1850;  J.  Jennings,  1852;  William  Bigelowand  Luther  Shaw,  Presiding  Elder,  1853; 
George  Taylor,  1855;  John  Biu-nham,  1857;  E.  W.  Borden,  1859;  William  Mahon,  1860; 
S.  Clements,  1862;  Elisha  Pilchor,  1865;  AVilliam  Bigelow,  second  term,  1868;  J.  S. 
Smart.  1871;  E.  E.  Caster,  1873;  A.  J.  Bigelow,  1875;  John  Kelley,  1878;  Thomas 
Stocker,  1879;  and  H.  S.  White,  1881-82. 

The  principal  men  connected  with  the  building  of  the  new  chm-ch  were  John  A.  Tins- 
man,  James  Starkweather;  E.  S.  Snover,  though  not  a  member  of  the  church,  was  a  most 
liberal  subscriber.  The  movement  to  build  this  house  of  worship  was  originated  byT.  P. 
Kennedy.  J.  A.  Tinsman  and  James  Starkweather.  The  Trustees  of  the  church  at  the 
time  were:  T.  P.  Kennedy,  Chairman;  Alex  Shelj),  Secrotai-y;  E.  S.  Snover,  Treasiu-ev; 
James  Starkweather  and  John  A.  Tinsman.  members  of  board.      The  corner-stone  was  laid 


\^  4 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


in  June,  1872,  and  the  house  was  dedicated  June  8,  1874.  The  total  cost  of  building  and 
furniture  was  142,000.  The  society  numbers  235  members.  The  Sabbath  school  numbers 
about  225. 

The  Trustees  are:  Rev.  S.  S.  White.  Chairman:  T.  D.  Coe,  Treasiu-er;  T.  P.  Ken- 
nedy, J.  A.  Tinsman.  Isaac  N.  Brabb.  G.  W.  Brabb.  William  Braljb,  James  W.  Thoring- 
ton.  James  Keel,  Lyman  Keudrick,  with  Alex  Shelp,  Steward  and  Secretary. 

The  first  church  edifice  was  built  in  1840.  Since  that  time,  the  society  has  made 
marked  progress.  In  numbers,  it  compares  favorably  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  socie- 
ties of  the  county.  The  new  chm-ch  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  imposing  structures  in  the 
county,  and  is  an  evidence  of  that  just  zeal  which  characterizes  the  Methodists  of  the  village. 
Christia)!  Church. — This  church  owes  its  origin  to  and  is  the  outgrowth  of  several 
societies,  gathered  and  organized  within  the  limits  of  the  county,  as  follows,  viz.:  Elder 
John  Cannon,  now  living  in  the  town  of  Shelby,  and  known  as  the  pioneer  preacher  of  the 
Christian  denomination  in  Eastei-n  Michigan,  first  came  into  the  county  in  1832.  In  1833, 
he  settled  in  the  town  of  Shelby,  and  began  preaching  in  the  towns  of  Shelby  and  Wash- 
ington, extending  his  circuit  as  far  south  and  west  as  Ypsilanti,  Washtenaw  County.  The 
first  baptism  administered  by  him  was  in  the  town  of  Macomb,  May  23,  1835.  The  first 
organization  was  effected  in  the  tovni  of  Shelby,  June  27,  1835.  consisting  of  seven  mem- 
bers, with  John  Cannon,  Pastor:  Edward  Hoard,  Deacon;  Levi  Hoard,  Clerk.  This  so- 
ciety continued  to  prosper,  and  in  1842  transferred  its  place  of  meeting  to  the  town  of 
Washington,  near  where  the  village  of  Washington  is  now  located.  Elder  Cannon  contin- 
ued as  pastor  of  this  society  mainly  up  to  the  year  1853,  but  it  enjoyed  the  labors  also  of 
Elders  James  Knight,  Horatio  N.  Richards,  Thomas  Mclntyre  and  others. 

The  second  organization  was  in  the  town  of  Bruce,  March  21,  1858,  under  the  labors 
of  Elder  John  Cannon,  who  was  its  fii-st  Pastor,  succeeded  bv  Elder  Horatio  N.  Richards, 
Stephen  Fellows,  Caleb  Mosher.  The  third  was  formed  in  the  Stroup  settlement,  town  of 
Macomb,  the  same  year,  by  Elder  Cannon,  and  was  afterward  merged  into  the  chiu^ch  of 
Chesterfield,  and  removed  its  place  of  meeting  to  that  town.  Over  this  society  Elder  Can- 
non presided  as  pastor  for  nearly  twenty  years. 

The  fourth  organization  was  formed  in  the  town  of  Richmond,  of  which  the  record  is 
not  at  hand. 

All  these  societies,  except  the  one  in  Chesterfield,  have  a  representation  in  the 
present  church  of  Romeo,  which  was  organized,  with  nine  members,  July  6,  1867,  by  El- 
der Cornelius  Bearing,  with  Stephen  Grinnell  and  Robert  Hamilton,  Deacons,  and  Edward 
Soule,  Clerk:  Cornelius  Dearing,  Pastor.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  the  list  of  membership 
was  twenty-nine.  In  the  year  1868,  the  present  chm-ch  edifice  was  begun,  and  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  in  February,  1871.  at  which  time  the  membership  was  fifty-six. 
Original  cost  of  building,  $12,000.  The  pastoral  relation  between  Elder  Dearing  and  the 
church  was  this  year  dissolved,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Elder  J.  Warren  Weeks,  of  Day- 
ton. Ohio,  under  wiiose  labors  the  church  enjoyed  much  prosperity  and  succeeded  in  li(|ui- 
dating  the  debt  yet  resting  upon  the  church  building.  The  membership  at  the  close  of  J. 
W.  Weeks'  pastorate,  which  terminated  in  March,  1874,  was  eighty-eight.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  father.  Elder  Joseph  AVeeks,  who  continued  with  the  church  but  one  year, 
and  was  followed  by  Elder  John  A.  Yoimg.  of  Omi-o,  Wis. .  who  has  been  with  them  seven 
years,  since  June.  1875.  with  prospects  of  continuance.  Present  membership,  eighty- 
four.  J.  A.  Young,  Pastor:  B.  H.  Thurston  and  Alanson  Sleeper,  Deacons:  Miss  Mary 
L.  Cannon.  Clerk.  As  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained  from  records  at  hand,  the  whole  num- 
ber of  persons  holding  membership  in  this  church,  from  the  earliest  date  of  its  organiza 
tion  until  the  present,  is  about  fom-  hundred;  the  highest  number  reached  at  any  one  time, 
one  hundred  and  five;  present  nimiber.  eighty-four. 


^ 


-4> 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


The  Bnpfi.-tt  Cliitrcli. — The  first  Baptist  Claureli  of  Romeo  was  organized  June  16, 
1840,  at  the  house  of  Ira  Phillips,  in  the  town  of  Armada.  Members  present  were:  Ida 
Wariser.  Sophia  Warner.  Nathaniel  Bennett,  Mary  Bancroft,  Jehial  Campbell,  Jane  Camp- 
bell, Phcebe  Barnes,  Hiram  T.  Bancroft,  Wily  Bancroft,  Lydia  Becraft,  Lucinda  Bennett, 
Julia  Warner,  Cynthia  Le.slie,  Amelia  Bancroft;  Rev.  William  Tuttle,  Chairman:  Wiley 
Bancroft,  Clerk.  September  20,  1846,  the  brethren  and  sisters,  under  the  leadership  of 
Rev.  Supply  Chase,  met  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Nancy  Ewell,  in  Romeo,  where  articles  of 
faith  were  adopted.  January  3,  1847,  David  Green  chosen  Clerk;  David  Quackenboss, 
Treasiu-er,  May  28,  1847;  Jarvis  Green  chosen  Deacon  September  28,  1847.  The  chui'ch 
was  recognized  as  a  regular  Gospel  church  by  a  council  composed  nf  delegates  from  the 
chiu'ches  of  Almont.  Stony  Creek,  Washington.  Ray,  October  3,  1847.  The  church  ap- 
plied for  admission,  and  was  admitted  into  the  Michigan  Baptist  Association,  July  1, 
1853.  Rev.  A.  E.  Mather  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  chm-ch:  J.  D.  Standish  and 
David  Green  were  appointed  to  locate  a  site  and  act  as  a  building  committee.  August  5. 
1853,  J.  D.  Standish  elected  Clerk  and  Treasurer.  August  28.  Wiley  Bancroft  and  Jarvis 
Green  were  elected  Deacons.  September  4.  Sunday  school  organized;  A.  H.  Peck.  Super- 
intendent; J.  D.  Standish,  Assistant;  C.  B.  Standish,  Librarian.  December  16.  1853, 
dedication  services  were  held  in  the  new  church;  cost  of  church,  $3.00t);  cost  of  parson- 
age, $801):  cost  of  lots,  $500;  indebtedness  at  date.  $900.  June  27,  1857,  Rev.  C.  R. 
Nichols  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church.  November  27,  1859,  Rev.  William 
Wilkinson  was  chosen  Pastor.  June  7,  1863,  Rev.  J.  C.  Baker  was  chosen  Pastor.  Au- 
gust 19,  1806,  Rev.  T.  S.  Wooden  was  chosen  Pastor.  December  14,  1870,  Rev.  J.  E. 
Bitting  was  chosen  Pastor.  August  12,  1872,  Rev.  A.  D.  Martell  was  chosen  Pastor. 
April  27,  1875,  Rev.  C.  H.  Richardson  was  chosen  Pastor.  December  11,  1878,  Rev.  Mr. 
Marshall  was  engaged  as  a  supply.  July  3,  1881,  Rev.  Mr.  Ewell  was  chosen  Pastor,  who 
is  now  in  charge  of  the  church.  Membei'ship  at  date,  100.  Elisha  Calkins.  A.  J.  Sikes 
and  the  Pastor  are  Trustees,  with  A.  J.  Sikes,  Clerk. 

Prote.fiiaiit  Episcopal  Chwch. — As  early  as  1834  or  1835,  Asahel  Bailey  and  Mr. 
Freeman,  with  their  families,  together  with  other  early  residents,  were  active  in  support 
of  Episco|)al  worship  here.  A  Rev.  Mr.  Holland  was  located  here  for  awhile,  but  no 
formal  organization  of  a  church  was  effected.    Rev.  Mr.  Lewis  preached  here  for  some  time. 

LIBBARIES    AND    MUSEUMS. 

The  most  certain  evidence  of  culture  is  a  carefully  selected  library.  The  love  for 
books  is  still  only  in  its  youth.  Year  after  year  we  see  its  growth  and  results.  In  almost 
every  American  home  in  this  county,  the  table  or  book-case  manifests  this  fact.  In  the 
villages,  private  enterprise  has  gathered  important  books  under  its  fold.  In  the  law  offices 
of  Romeo  an  example  is  set  in  this  direction  well  worth  following.  The  book  collec- 
tions of  D.  N.  Lowell,  I.  D.  Hanscom  and  John  L.  Starkweather  form  valuable  libraries, 
vieiug  in  variety  and  extensiveness  with  the  best  law  libraries  of  the  State.  Among  the 
antiquarians  of  Romeo  may  be  named  Dr.  Andrews,  George  A.  Waterbiuy  and  Dr.  Doug- 
lass.     Their  collections  are  valuable. 

S(_)CIETIES. 

The  Romeo  Chapter.  R.  A.  M..  No.  li .  was  organized  in  1857,  and  chartered  January 
14,  1858.  E.  P.  Bentley,  John  Nichols,  R.  P.  Eldi'idge,  Charles  Terry.  Greenleaf  Wad- 
leigh,  A.  B.  Ayres,  H.  M.  Case.  George  E.  Funston  and  S.  B.  Allen  were  the  petitioners. 
Funston  did  not  become  a  member. 

The  present  officers  of  Chapter  17  are:  A.  E.  Palmer,  H.  P.:  James  Gray,  K. ;  M. 
C.  Hunt,  S.;  C.  F.  Newberrv.  C.  H.;  R.  W.  Titus,  P.  S.;  John  McCafferty,  R.  A.  C;  S, 
H.   Ewell,  G.  M.  Ist  V.;  R.  "S.  M.  Rittor,  2d   V.;  William  E.   McDowell,    3d  V.;    O.   D. 


~|^ 


lU\ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Thompson,  Chaplain;  Harvey  Mel len,  Treasurer;  James K.  McFarlane,  Secretary.  Among 
the  High  Priests  of  the  chapter  since  organization  were:  Asa  B.  Ayres,  H.  M.  Case.  A. 
E.  Palmer,  Isaac  Crawford.  Dwight  N.  Lowell. 

The  Romeo  Council  was  organized  under  dispensation,  March  9,  1860,  with  R.  P.  El- 
dredge.  T.  I.  G.  M. ;  William  Corbin.  T>.  I.  G.  M.;  and  D.  B.  Tracey.  P.  C.  W.  The 
petitioners  praying  for  a  dispensation  were:  Abijah  E.  Palmer,  Asa  B.  Ayres.  \V.  W. 
Gray,  William  Mahon,  C.  C.  Lamb,  S.  A.  Fitch  and  William  McDonald.  The  present 
officers  of  the  council  are:  Abijah  E.  Palmer,  T.  M. ;  James  Gray,  D.  M  ;  C.  F. 
Newbury,  P   C.  VV. ;  Harvey  Mellen,  Treasurer;  and  Dwight  N.  Lowell,  Secretary. 

Romeo  Chaj^ier,  No.  52,  of  the  Egyptian  Masonic  Rite,  was  organized  January  22, 
1879,  with  eighteen  members.  Calvin  E.  Burt,  of  Jackson,  M.  W.,  presided.  The  elec- 
tion of  officers  resulted  as  follows:  Most  Wise,  L-ving  D.  Hanscom:  Senior  Warden,  C. 
R.  Greene;  Junior  Warden,  William  Gray;  Orator,  William  Greenshields:  Prelate,  Rev. 
John  Kelly;  Conductor,  C.  F.  Newbury;  Treasm-er,  H.  Mellen:  Secretary,  M.  I.  Brabb; 
C.  G.,  James  Gray;  G.  S.,  W.  S.  McDowell. 

The  Blue  Lodge  was  chartered  Januaiy  9,  1851,  with  the  following  officers:  Asahel 
Bailey.  Brewer  Dodge,  Trowbridge  Benedict.  The  present  officers  are:  W.  C.  McDowell, 
AV.  M.;  R.  W.  Titus,  S.  W. :  O.  D.  Thompson,  J.  W. ;  Oel  J.  Smith,  Secretary:  Harvey 
Mellen,  Treasm-er;  Lester  Edson,  S.  D.;  and  S.  M.  Bitter,  J.  D.  The  W.  M.'s  of  the 
lodge  since  organization  comprised  Asahel  Bailey,  Trowbridge  Benedict,  Greenleaf  Wad- 
leigh.  Asa  B.  Ayres,  H  M.  Case,  A.  E.  Palmer,  Isaac  Crawford,  S.  Bellows,  I.  D.  Hans- 
com, Dwight  N.  Lowell,  Milton  Thompson  and  William  McDowell. 

The  Romeo  Com.mandcri/.  No.  (i.  K.  T.,  was  organized  April  30,  1858.  At  the  first 
regular  meeting  held  iinder  the  charter,  Asa  B.  A^Tes  was  elected  E.  C. :  H.  M.  Case,  G. : 
W.  P.  Beach,  C.  G.;  L.  P.  Mason,  Prelate:  R.  P.  Eldredge.  S.  W. ;  Charles  Terry,  J. 
W. ;  A.  P.  Brewer,  R.  and  T. ;  H.  Carter,  S.  B. ;  C.  C.  Lamb,  S.  B.  and  W.  From  1858 
to  the  disbandment  of  the  command,  in  1862,  Asa  B.  Ayres  continued  lirst  officer.  From 
1862  to  1869,  the  lodge  did  not  exist.  This  was  due  to  the  fact  that  almost  its  entire 
membership  was  enrolled  under  the  banners  of  the  Union  in  the  wiir  for  the  Union.  Four 
years  after  the  war,  the  commandery  was  re-organized,  under  the  restored  charter,  with 
Abijah  E.  Palmer,  E.  C.  Since  that  time,  the  command  has  been  held  by  Irving  D.  Hans- 
com, 1870-71;  James  Harvey,  1871-72;  John  Ford,  1872-74;   and  James  Gray,  1874-82. 

The  present  officers  are:  James  Gray,  E.  C. ;  I.  D.  Hanscom,  Generalissimo;  C.  F. 
Newbury,  C.  G. ;  O.  D.  Thompson,  Prelate;  M.  I.  Brabb,  Recorder:  Harvey  Mellen, 
Treasiu-er;  William  Gray,  Senior  Warden;  D.  N.  Lowell,  Junior  Warden;  A.  E.  Palmer, 
Standard -Bearer;  John  Green,  Sword-Bearer ;  William  C.  McDowell.  Warden;  James  H. 
Boden,  Sentinel;  John  N.  Mellen,  1st  G. ;  John  Ford,  2d  G. ;  George  M.  Crocker,  3d  G. 

The  membership  niimbers  fifty-foiu-.  The  attendance  at  the  Chicago  Conclave  in 
1880  comprised  M.  I.  Brabb,  I.  D.  Hanscom,  James  Gray,  William  Gray,  M.  C.  Kelly,  G. 
W.  Robertson,  J.  F.  Ferguson,  N.  B.  Ekhedge  and  a  few  others.  They  accompanied  the 
Port  Hui'on  contingent. 

Romeo  Lodge,  No.  'JH.  I.  O.  O.  F..  was  organized  March  23,  1847,  with  Minot  T.  Lane, 
N.  G. ;  Philo  Tillson,  V.  G.;  jC.  F.  Mallary,  Secretary;  Henry  Stephens,  Permanent  Sec- 
retary; Asa  B.  Ayres,  Treasiirer.  The  members  admitted  were:  Abijah  E.  Palmer,  J.  B. 
Chamberlin,  S.  H.  Williams,  Ed  C.  Owen,  T.  Y.  Jennings,  Albert  E.  Leete.  John  R. 
Sharpsteen. 

The  lodge,  as  then  organized,  continued  in  existence  iintil  January,  1860,  when  the 
members  ceased  to  meet  regularly.  In  1878,  an  effort  was  made  to  re-organize,  which 
effort  was  a  success  January  4.  The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows:  Abijah  E. 
Palmer,  N.  G. ;  Ed  S.  Snover",  V.  G.;  C.  F.  Mallary,  Secretary;  Chester  Cooley,  Treasiirer; 


rRT 


038  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Abijah  E.  Palmer,  Representative  to  Grand  Lodge:  M.  S.  Hadley,  D.  D.  G.  M.  The 
present  officers  are:  Joseph  Ayres,  N.  G. ;  E.  M.  Bickford,  Y.  G. ;  A.  E.  Palmer,  Secre- 
tary and  Permanent  Secretary;  Chester  Cooley,  Treasurer.  Among  the  l)est-kaown  Presi- 
dents of  the  lodge  were  M.  T.  Lane.  Philo  Tillson,  A.  E.  Palmer,  Joseph  Ayres.  A.  E. 
Leete,  C.  F.  Mallary,  Ed  S.  Snover,  Asa  B.  Ayres. 

K)iiglittt  of  Honor. — The  K.  of  H.  was  organized  February  5,  1877,  by  District 
Dejnity  R.  A.  MeCarty,  with  the  following  charter  members:  James  Harvey,  M.  D.,  R. 
Selfridge.  William  H.  Rolls,  C.  P.  Dake,  S.  Sib  Hopkins.  C.  G.  Conger.  J.  L.  Starkweather, 
B.  J.  Flumerfelt,  I.  D.  Hanscom,  Esq.,  P.  H.  McParland.  The  following  were 
elected  for  it,  first  term,  ending  June  30:  J.  L.  Starkweather,  Dictator;  C.  G.  Conger, 
Reporter:  S.  Sib  Hopkins,  Financial  Reporter;  James  Harvey,  M.  D.,  Treasiu'er.  Num- 
ber of  lodge,  4-48.  The  second  semi-annual  election  of  officers  re.sulted  as  follows:  Dic- 
tator. O.  D.  Thompson,  Professor;  Reporter,  Charles  G.  Conger;  Financial  Reporter.  S. 
Sib  Hopkins;  Treasurer,  James  Harvey,  M.  D.  Third  semi- annual  election  of  officers, 
same  as  last,  with  the  exception  of  Reporter,  J.  K.  McPharlane  being  elected  Represen- 
tative to  the  Grand  Lodge,  J.  L.  Starkweather,  with  C.  P.  Dake,  Alternate. 

At  the  fourth  semi-annual  election:  Dictator,  S.  S.  Hopkins;  Reporter,  R.  F.  Self 
ridge;  Financial  Rejiorter,  C.  Y.  Durand;  Treasurer,  James  Harvey,  M.  D.  Lodge  now 
numbered  thirty-three  members.  R.  F.  Selfridge  resigned  during  this  term,  and  A.  S. 
Pool  elected  Reporter  to  fill  vacancy. 

October  25,  1878,  fifth  semi-annual  election,  elected  Dictator,  S.  S.  Hopkins;  Re- 
porter, A.  S.  Pool;  Financial  Reporter,  C.  Y.  Eurand;  Treasurer,  James  Harvey,  M.  D. ; 
Representative  to  Grand  Lodge,  S.  S.  Hopkins;  Alternate,  O.  D.  Thompson,  Professor. 
Lodge  now  numbered  thirty- eight  members. 

Sixth  semi-annual  election,  elected  the  following:  Dictator,  G.  W.  Spier;  Reporter, 
A.  S.  Pool;  Financial  Reporter.  C.  Y.  Durand;  Treasurer,  James  Harvey,  M.  D. 

At  about  this  time,  the  lodge  voted  50  cents  per  member  for  the  relief  of  Knights  of 
Honor  in  the  South  suffering  with  yellow  fevej-. 

Seventh  semi-annual  election  elected  as  follows:  Dictator.  O.  D.  Thompson;  Re- 
porter, A.  S.  Pool;  Financial  Reporter,  C.  Y.  Durand;  Treasui'er,  James  Harvey.  M.  D. : 
Representative  to  Grand  Lodge.  G.  W.  Spier,  with  Alternate,  S.  S.  Hopkins. 

The  eighth,  ninth  and  tenth  semi-annual  meetings  resulted  in  a  re-election  of  old 
officers.     R.  J.  Hosner  was  elected  Representative  to  Grand  Lodge. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  at  the  eleventh  semi-annual  meeting:  Dictator, 
James  B.  Harvey;  Reporter.  A.  S.  Pool:  Financial  Reporter,  R.  H.  Weller;  Treasurer, 
James  Harvey,  M.  D. ;  Representative  to  Grand  Lodge.  R.  J.  Hosner.  with  Alternate.  J. 
L.  Starkweather.  The  membership  at  present  is  thirty-two.  Not  one  death  has  been 
reported  since  its  organization. 

United  Woykmen,  Union  Lodge,  ■'>■').  was  organized  September  3.  1878,  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers:  James  Harvey.  P.  M.  W. ;  Isaac  Douglas,  M.  "\V.;  Levant  Bedell,  G.  T. ; 
T.  R.  Crawford,  Overseer:  Thomas  Marshall,  Recorder;  R.  B.  Owen,  Financier;  James 
Gray.  Receiver;  Frank  W.  Dash,  Guide;  Charles  D.  Hunt,  J.  W. ;  P.  H.  McParland,  O. 
W. :  H.  Vanberger,  James  B.  Harvey  and  G.  B.  Loud,  Trustees. 

The  charter  members  comprised:  James  Mulvey,  John  Trueworthy,  James  Dickin- 
son, G.  H.  Bristol,  James  H.  Bodeu,  Henry  Rawles,  John  White,  William  Hamblin, 
Charles  C.  Bradley,  S.  S.  Hopkins,  John  Mellen.  O.^car  Hopkins,  Albert  Kennedy.  D.  P. 
Page,  J.  K.  Taylor  and  B.  B.  Ketchum. 

Dr.  Douglass.  L.  Bedell  and  Dr.  James  Harvey  have  served  as  P.  M.  W.'s  of  the 
lodge.  The  officers  for  term  commencing  January,  1882,  are  :  F.  W.  Dash,  P.  M.  W. ; 
E.  Vanberger,  M.  V>.;  E.    P.  Sanford,  G.  T. ;  J.  Trueworthv,  O.  ;•  W.  A.  Taylor,  G. ;  O. 


riV 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Bentley,  Recordei- :  R.  B.  Owen,  T. ;  J.  R.  Moreland,  Receiver:  W.  J.  Page,  I.  W. : 
Thomas  Weightmau,  O.  W. :  E.  Vanberger,  Trastee;  L.  Bedell,  R.  G.  L. 

Royal  Arcanum. — R.  A.  McCarty  completed  the  organization  of  a  Council  of  Royal 
Arcanum  at  Romeo  July,  1878.      The  following  officers  were  elected  : 

Past  Regent,  J.  L.  Starkweather;  Regent,  John  Ford;  Vice  Regent,  J.  Newman; 
Orator,  Irving  D.  Hanscom;  Secretary,  C.  Y.  Durand;  Collector,  T.  D.  Coe;  Treasurer,  S. 
A.  Reade;  Guide,  L.  Bedell;  Chaplain.  R.  F.  Selfridge;  Warden.  Ira  F.  Pratt:  Sentry, 
Dr.  William  Greenshields;  Trustees,  Dr.  William  Greenshields.  L.  Bedell.  R.  J.  Hosner. 

The  officers  elected  for  1879  were:  Past  Regent,  John  Ford;  Regent.  Joseph  New- 
man; Vice  Regent,  Aratus  S.  Pool;  Orator,  C.  H.  Richardson;  Chaplain,  Geoi-ge  B.  Loud; 
Secretary,  C.  Y.  Durand;  Collector,  T.  D.  Coe;  Treasurer,  S.  A.  Reade;  Guide,  R.  J. 
Hosner;  Wardon,  G.  G.  Hartuug;  Sentinel,  James  Mulvey;  Representative  to  Grand 
Lodge,  John  L  Starkweather. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Romeo  Literary  Society:  I.  D.  Hanscom,  President;  O. 
D.  Thompson,  S.  R.  Dunlap  and  William  A.  Frazer,  Vice  Presidents;  Frank  N.  White, 
Secretarv;  Charles  M.  Tackles,  Assistant  Secretary;  Edwin  Starkweather,  Treasui'er — 
November  25,  1881. 

Among  the  other  societies  of  Romeo,  the  Literary  Club,  the  Chautauqua,  the  Women's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  the  Grange,  hold  a  high  place.  The  religious  societies 
in  connection  with  the  various  churches  are  ably  conducted. 

THE    ROMEO    CAERIAGE    COMPANY. 

In  the  spriQg  of  1865,  the  Peninsvilar  Carriage  and  Wagon  Mauufactory  was  estab- 
lished by  .John  A.  and  Beujainin  B.  Ketcham.  Their  business  gradually  extended  from 
a  small  beginning  to  pi'oportions  which  secured  for  it  an  unequaled  reputation  throughout 
Michigan  and  the  West.  The  proprietors  conducted  their  business  connections  in  the 
strictest  integrity,  and  when  the  linancial  stringency  of  1872  and  the  five  following  years 
engulfed  and  crippled  all  business  interests,  they  withstood  the  shock,  but  finally,  in 
1878,  being  unable  to  make  collections,  they  succumbed.  It  was  a  disastrous  day  for 
Romeo  and  the  seventy-five  employes  thrown  out  of  work.  The  contingency  was  one  that 
appealed  strongly  to  the  public  spirit  of  the  citizens  of  Romeo,  and  the  Romeo  Carriage 
Company  was  organized,  its  members  including  M.  I.  Brabb,  John  N.  Mellen,  H. 
C.  Gray,  James  Gray  and  Benjamin  B.  Ketcham.  Since  the  interests  of  the  concern  have 
been  managed  by  these  gentlemen,  its  repute  has  widened,  until  it  ranks  fairly  with  the 
best  similar  institutions  of  the  United  States.  None  but  skilled  workmen  are  einployed,  and 
only  first-class  work  is  placed  before  the  public.  The  works  have  a  capacity  for  turning 
out  2.000  vehicles  per  annum,  and  the  yearly  orders  call  for  the  manufactixre  of  twelve  to 
fifteen  huudi'ed  c:uTiages,  of  nearly  every  known  pattern  and  description,  including  all 
kinds  of  buggies  and  carriages,  phaetons  (two  and  three  spring),  side  bars,  elliptic  and 
Concord  springs,  and  everything  thai  the  trade  demands.  The  factory  is  in  the  village 
of  Romeo,  and  comprises  three  large  two-story  brick  buildings,  besides  warehouses,  shops, 
and  all  needed  accessor*-  structures.  The  company  repi'esent  a  large  amount  of  capital, 
and  can  carry  the  business  to  any  e.xtent.  The  field  of  patronage  includes  the  entire  West, 
extending  to  California. 

ROMEO    MINERAL    WELL. 

A  few  of  the  citizens  of  Romeo  inaugurated  a  subscription  paper  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  a  fund  to  defi-ay  the  expense  of  boring  a  well.  The  sum  so  obtained  was  to  be 
held  until  $5,000  was  subscribed.  On  October  2,  1880.  the  sum  named  was  subscribed, 
when  a  meeting  of  thos"  who  contributed  to  the  stock  was  called.  It  was  determined  to 
appoint  a  committee,  with  full  power  to  act  in  regard  to  contract,  to  collect  money  and 


^-. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


complete  the  work  connected  with  the  jiroposed  mineral  well.  The  members  of  the  com- 
mittee were  Ed  S.  Snover,  Marvel  I.  Brabb  and  Dwight  N.  Lowell. 

This  committee  contracted  with  Matthew  Porter  to  bore  a  well,  beginning  the  work 
April  1,  IbSl,  and  proceed  with  the  work  expeditiouBly.  The  consideration  was  $2  per 
foot  for  l.fiOO  feet,  Porter  to  furnish  cast-ii'on  casing  and  boring  machinery.  The  com- 
mittee retained  the  privilege  of  stopping  the  work  at  any  point,  but  bound  the  subscribers 
to  pay  for  900  feet  at  least.  The  pump  rod,  pumja  and  land  were  to  be  purchased  by  this 
committee.  Porter  finished  the  well  to  a  depth  of  1,545  feet  December  12,  1881,  when 
the  committee  accepted  the  work  and  jiaid  him  $3,(IU(I.  The  pump  and  tubing  were  pur- 
chased by  Porter  for  the  committee. 

The  lot  was  purchased  in  March,  1881.  from  J.  S.  Flummerfelt.  the  condition  being 
that,  if  the  well  was  not  satisfactory,  the  contract  should  be  declared  null  and  void.  Re- 
cently, the  sum  of  $500  wa.s  paid,  and  a  deed  given  to  the  committee  for  the  lots. 

The  stockholders  or  promoters  of  this  well  are  Henry  Stephens,  who  subscribed  |500; 
John  AV.  Mellen,  A.  B  Maynard.  A.  A.  Briggs  and  Newbury  Bros..  $150  each;  Harvey 
Mellen,  Thomas  D.  Coe,  James  Gray,  J.  L.  Benjamin  and  N.  Larzelier,  .f  100  each.  The 
following  citizens  subscribed  $125  each:  D.  H.  Rowlov,  M.  A.  Giddings.  M.  I.  Brabb, 
S.  A.  Reade,  Ed  S.  Snover,  N.  W.  Gray,  E.  W.  Giddings.'  P.  C.  Killam,  Amos  Palmer  and 
Elisha  Calkins,  John  H.  Brabb.  J.  S.  Flummerfelt  &  Son,  A.  J.  Sykes.  A.  B.  Ayer,  Alden 
Giddings,  John  Smith,  Jr.  The  following-named  citizens  took  two  shares  each,  of  $25  each 
share:  Wellington  Jersey,  I.  R.  Moreland.  Albert  Kennedy,  H.  C  Gray,  M.  Kelley,  Ira  F. 
Pratt,  Eber  J.  Dudley,  James  Harvey,  S.  O.  Giddings,  I.  D.  Hanscom,  W.  R.  Owen,  John  W. 
Dyar,  Isaac  Douglass.  The  under-named  citizens  subscribed  $1)50.  representing  thirty- 
eight  shares  of  $25  each:  R.  B.  Owen.  Charles  Stranahan,  R.  W.  Coykendall,  Henry 
Rawles.  John  Dawson.  Isaac  N.  Owen.  Frank  Culver.  Amos  O.  Crissman,  C.  F.  Mallary. 
W.  H.  Tiusman.  Edwin  Starkweather,  Neil  G.  Reid,  James  Kell,  Hai'vey  Eldi-ed.  Charles 
N.  Coe,  F.  V.  Tedmon,  James  Burlison.  James  B.  Lucas,  S.  H.  Ewell,  Joseph  Newman, 
Al)ijah  E.  Palmer,  C.  Y.  Durand.  J.  L.  Starkweather.  Charles  Fillmore.  James  Ayi-es,  D. 
N.  Lowell,  Ben  Cuyler,  Oscar  Hopkins.  William  Greenshields,  J.  B.  Fares,  R.  J.  Hosner, 
M.  S.  Hadley.  G.  A.  Waterberry.  Cornelius  Virgil,  John  Ford,  G.  W.  Brabb,  Nathan  H. 
Lee,  H.  H.  Bradley.  A  reference  is  made  to  this  enterprise  at  close  of  chronological 
chapter. 

The  record  of  boring  and  original  analysis  of  water  are  referred  to  in  the  geological 
chapter.     The  following  is  a  description  of  the  casing,  tubing,  etc. : 

The  five  and  a  half  inch  casing  extends  to  the  depth  of  170  feet,  driven  through 
sand  and  gravel.  At  the  depth  of  123  feet  inside  the  five  and  a  half  inch  casing  begins  an- 
other string  of  casing,  extending  down  to  200  feet  and  resting  on  a  shoulder  in  the  rock. 
A  third  string  of  four-inch  casing  beginning  at  the  surface  and  extends  to  the  depth  of  1,100 
feet,  supported  by  a  ring  on  the  outside  of  the  casing,  and  resting  upon  the  upper  end  of 
the  four  and  a  half  inch  casing,  which  is  belled  at  the  upper  end.  Inside  of  the  four- 
inch  casing  is  the  pump  tubing,  extending  down  to  the  depth  of  1.420  feet  and  resting  on 
a  shoulder  rif  the  rock.  Inside  the  pump  tubing  is  the  pump  rod,  a  three-fourth  inch  gas 
pipe  extending  to  the  depth  at  which  the  pump  is  set.  The  rock  hole  is  four  and  one-half 
inches  in  diameter  to  the  depth  of  1,420  feet,  and  three  and  a  half  to  the  depth  of  1.- 
545  feet  from  the  1.420  feet  level.  The  building  now  in  use  is  simply  the  derrick-shaped 
pumping  house,  known  so  well  in  the  salt  and  oil  well  districts. 

hosner's  iron  foundry. 
The  iron  foundiy  now  controlled  by  Riley  J.  Hosner  holds  an  important  place  among 
the  industries  of  the  county.     The  work  is  first-class  in  every  particular. 


-a)[V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


KENNEDY    SASH  AND    BLIND    FACTORY. 

The  f'lunder  of  this  factory  was  George  H.  Hohiian,  who  built  it  in  1844,  at  the  north 
end  of  the  villacre,  in  the  rear  of  the  house  he  occupied  as  a  dwelling.  He  afterward  sold 
an  interest  in  the  factory  to  Charles  C.  Farrar,  and  in  1858  these  gentlemen  moved  the 
building  to  the  center  of  the  village,  on  the  corner  of  Rawles  and  La  Fayette  streets,  hav- 
ing bought  an  iron  works  and  foundry  known  as  the  Sibbets  property,  and  ran  their  fac 
tcry  in  connection  with  it.  In  1805,  the  business  passed  into  the  hands  of  Albert  Ken- 
nedy and  Joseph  Weller,  who  continued  to  run  the  business  that  was  so  well  established. 
In  1868,  the  factory  was  destroyed  by  tire,  the  gentlemen  meeting  with  a  loss  of  110,000, 
and  in  ninety  days  they  had  a  new  building  erected  so  as  to  begin  operations  again.  The 
work  was  pushed  ahead,  and  soon  had  everything  in  better  order  than  it  was  before.  New 
machinery,  with  all  the  latest  improvements,  were  put  into  the  building,  and  was  able  to 
increase  their  capacity  of  doing  business.  The  building  is  in  the  shape  of  an  L,  the 
south  wing.  20x71,  and  the  west  wing,  22x50  feet,  two  stories  high.  The  boiler  and 
engine  room  is  20x40  feet,  besides  an  office  and  outsheds.  On  the  same  block  is  an  iron- 
shop  24x76  feet,  and  the  whole  machinery  is  run  by  a  twenty-five  horse-power  engine. 
The  stock  of  lumber  on  hand  generally  averages  from  $2,000  to  $3,000,  and  the  cost  of 
the  building  and  outfit  is  $15,0OO,  which  furnishes  employment  for  eight  to  fifteen  men. 
The  partnership  with  Mi-.  Weller  closed  in  1871,  when  his  interest  was  purchased  by 
Samuel  Wayeott,  who  continued  in  the  business  until  the  spring  of  ISSO.  Mr.  Kennedy 
then  purchased  his  interest,  and  has  since  been  the  sole  owner  and  manager  of  the  fac- 
tory. 

Alexander  A.  Briggs,  proprietor  of  tie  American  House,  Romeo,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich., 
was  born  November  27.  1841,  in  Colchester,  Canada  "West.  On  November  13, 1878.  he  pur- 
chased the  American  Hotel,  with  which  he  has  since  been  connected.  In  the  summer  of 
1881,  an  addition  was  built  of  brick,  three  stories  in  height,  with  basement,  100  feet 
long  by  40  in  width.  It  is  lighted  with  gas,  heated  by  steam  throughout,  and  is  fitted 
with  all  the  modem  improvements  of  first-class  hotels.  The  first  floor  includes  kitchen, 
dining  room,  private,  bath,  billiard  and  sample  rooms,  parlor  and  office;  on  the  second 
floor  are  twenty-one  handsomely  furnished  sleeping  rooms;  on  the  third  floor  are  also 
twenty-five  well-fitted  rooms.  The  house  is  admirabh"  situated  for  the  accommodation  of 
summer  boarders,  and  forms,  with  the  natural  attractions  of  Romeo,  a  most  desirable  re- 
sort for  the  class  who  seek  rest  and  recreation  in  country  retreats.  As  a  landlord.  Mr. 
Briggs  is  deservedly  popular  in  Romeo  and  with  the  traveling  public. 

The  Commercial  House  was  built  by  Jacob  Skillman  for  a  livery  stable  about  1855. 
A  few  years  latei'.  it  was  opened  as  the  Peninsular  House.  Skillman  disposed  of  his  in- 
terest in  the  hotel  to  Norman  Perry,  Jr.,  who  in  tm-n  sold  his  interest  to  P.  C.  Killam  in 
1877.  The  latter  rebuilt  the  hotel  in  1880.  The  house  has  been  conducted  by  the  Jarvis 
Brothers,  next  by  Miles  Bigsby,  next  by  William  H.  Van  Inwagen,  who  opened  it  November 
20,  1879,  and  is  now  conducted  by  the  present  lessees.  The  hotel  is  well  managed,  and 
may  be  classed  among  the  most  comfortable  hostelries  of  the  State. 

PERSONAL    HISTORY. 

Much  has  been  already  written  on  the  settlement  and  progress  of  Romeo.  This  vil- 
lage of  sixty-one  summers,  still  in  its  youth,  claims  an  interesting  and  instructive  history 
— one  which  would  form  a  large  volume  in  itself.  To  deal  with  it  minutely  was  found  to 
be  impracticable;  yet.  to  do  justice  to  its  story,  the  best  citizens  have  been  asked  to  aid 
the  general  historian,  to  which  request  they  acceded  cheerfully.  Early  in  December,  1881, 
W.  M.  Bucklin  entered  on  the  labor  of  collecting  the  personal  history  of  the  village;  to- 
ward the  close  of  February,  1882,  his  work  was  taken  up  by  Mr.  H.  O.  Brown,  who  com- 


'  •<*'  a 


^^ 


HLSTOUY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


pleted  the  collecfcion  of  biogi"aj)hical  matter  there  March  2,  1882.  His  sketches  were  all 
rewritten,  again  reviewed  by  the  writer  of  the  general  history,  and  in  many  instances 
submitted  to  the  per.son  whom  they  concerned.  In  this  manner  we  believe  we  have  suc- 
ceeded in  compiling  a  sketch  of  Romeo  and  her  peojjle  which  is  destined  to  give  satisfac- 
tion. 

W.  F.  ABBOTT  was  born  July  m,  lSl:i  at  Haverhill,  N.  H. :  is  son  of  William  and 
Patience  (Burbank)  Abbott.  His  father  was  a  native  of  the  same  place,  and  came  to  Oak- 
land County  with  his  family  in  May.  1827,  where  they  remained  until  March,  1828.  when 
they  took  possession  of  the  homestead  of  ninety-six  acres  in  Washington,  contiguous  to  the 
eastern  limit  of  Romeo.  The  senior  Abbott  died  January  1,  18()2;  his  wife,  June  11, 
1829;  t!ie  former  aged  seventy-three,  the  latter  forty-two  years.  Mr.  Abbott,  of  this 
sketch,  left  home  at  the  age  of  eighteen  and  began  his  struggle  with  the  "wide  world." 
He  found  employ  as  a  farm  hand,  etc..  and,  in  the  spring  of  18:^8,  he  returned  to  the 
homestead,  which  he  has  managed  since,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  when  he  rented 
the  farm.  He  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Martin  Van  Bm-en.  In  1840,  he  became 
a  tariff  man,  and  voted  for  Harrison.  He  act-vd  with  the  Whigs  until  the  merging  of  the 
factious  into  the  Republican  party,  with  whom  he  has  since  been  identified.  He  has  been 
elected  to  some  minor  township  positions,  but  preferred  the  quiet  of  a  jirivate  career.  He 
was  married,  June  1,  1845,  at  Romeo,  to  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Brewer  Dodge,  who  settled 
in  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1838.  They  have  two  children — Franklin  S. .  man-ied 
Emma  Abbott,  a  distant  connection,  now  editing  the  Wyandotte  Hfrahl :  and  Julia  A., 
wife  of  Irving  D.  Hanscom,  Acting  Prosecuting  Attorney  of  Macomb  County.  Mr.  Abbott 
iinited  with  the  Congregational  Church  of  Romeo  in  1838,  and  is  a  highly  respected  mem- 
ber of  the  communitv.  He  has  been  a  sufierer  from  paralysis  since  the  spring  of 
1879. 

FRANKLIN  ARNOLD,  }'oungest  son  of  Edward  and  Martha  Arnold,  was  born  in 
Washington,  Macomb  County,  March  20,  1830.  He  was  educated  while  at  home,  and 
spent  his  early  life  on  his  father's  farm.  He  was  maiTied,  in  October,  184:8,  to  Sarah  Par- 
dee, of  Kalamazoo  County,  a  native  of  New  York  State,  born  April  18,  1831.  She  died 
September  20,  1873.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  had  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  now 
living  -Amanda  M.,  born  September  2,  1849,  now  Mi-s.  George  Dibble,  of  Bull  Citj',  Os- 
borne Co.,  Kan.;  Hannah  L.,  born  April  15.  1852.  now  Mrs.  William  Covu't,  near  Romeo, 
Macomb  Co.,  Mich.;  Martha  A.,  born  November  25,  1855,  now  Mrs.  William  H.  Fowels, 
Terry  Station,  Bay  Co..  Mich.;  George  F. .  December  23.  1859,  died  when  seventeen  days 
old;  Evaline,  May  10,  1861,  now  Mrs.  W.  H.  Hovey,  Warsaw,  Wyoming  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  Ed- 
ward D.,  boru  February  17,  1864;  Everette  R.,  born  August  28.  1869;  and  Sarah  A.,  born 
August  4,  1873.  Mr.  Arnold  was  again  married,  September  22.  1N74,  to  Mi's.  Sarah  A. 
Smith.  They  have  one  child,  F.  Beecher,  born  January  25,  1876.  Mrs.  Ai-nold  was  born 
at  Holton,  Warren  Co.,  N.  J.,  October  9,  1835.  She  was  married.  May  1,  1855,  to  George 
Stai-kweather,  and  had  one  daughter,  Almeda  S.,  born  April  13,  185(5.  She  resides  with 
her  mother.  Mr.  Arnold  lived  on  his  father's  farm  for  about  fifty  years,  and,  in  the  spring 
of  ISSO.  although  he  still  managed  the  farm,  he  came  to  Romeo.  Their  fine  residence  on 
South  Main  street  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1N79.  He  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  has 
belonged  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1S62.  Edward  Arnold,  deceased,  was  boi'n  in 
1790,  in  Eastern  New  York,  and  was  the  son  of  William  Arnold,  of  English  descent.  He 
was  married,  in  Moni-oe  County,  to  Mrs.  Martha  Woodman,  and  in  1823  came  to  Macomb 
County,  Mich.,  and  patented  24(*  acres  of  land  from  James  Monroe,  situated  on  the  south- 
east quarter  of  Section  15.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  were  the  parents  of  five  children.  The 
first  town  meeting  of  the  township  of  Washington  was  held  in  1827,  in  a  log  schoolhouse 


^- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


on  tlie  south  end  of  his  farm.  He  was  a  Democrat.  Mrs.  Arnold  had  one  son  by  her  first 
marriage.  He  settled  in  Ray,  one  mile  west  of  Brooklyn,  where  he  died.  Horace  Aimold, 
the  oldest  son,  resides  at  Decatm-,  Van  Bnren  (^ouaty.  George,  second  son,  died  in  Wash- 
ington, aged  twelve  years;  Rebecca,  third  ';hild,  died  on  the  homestead,  aged  eighteen 
years.      Mr.  Arnold  died  in  1S()5.      Mrs.  Arnold  died  in  ISoH. 

SETH  L.  ANDREWS,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Putney.  Vt,  born  June  24,  1809.  His 
father.  Rev.  Elisha  D.  Andrews,  was  born  in  Southington,  Conn.,  and,  after  fitting  for  the 
ministry,  was  settled  as  Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Putney,  Vt.,  for  more 
than  twenty  years;  resided  a  few  years  in  Central  New  York,  and  ultimately  came  with  his 
family  to  Michigan;  in  1S4(),  located  a  central  section  in  Ai-mada,  and  organized  a  church. 
He  preached  occasionally  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  which  terminated  in  January, 
1.S52,  at  Ai-mada.  His  wife,  Betsy  Lathrop  Andrews,  died  there  in  18(i().  aged  seventy-two 
years.  Dr.  Andrews  received  his  elementary  education  in  his  native  place,  and  in  182S, 
matriculated  at  Dartmouth  College.  Hanover,  N.  H.,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1881. 
He  went  to  reside  at  Pittsford.  N.  Y.,  and  commenced  to  study  for  his  profession,  attend- 
ing lectures  at  Fairfield  Medical  College:  took  his  degree  from  that  instittition  in  the 
spring  of  188(5,  and  at  once  entered  upon  practice  at  Lancaster,  N.  Y.,  where  he  continued 
but  a  short  time,  and,  in  the  winter  of  lS85-8(),  attended  medical  lectures  at  Philadel- 
phia. In  188<),  he  was  married  to  Parnelly,  daughter  of  Simeron  Pierce,  of  Woodbury, 
Conn.  December  14  of  the  same  year,  he  sailed  for  the  Sandwich  Islands  as  a  missionary 
of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions.  He  resided  twelve  years 
at  Kailua.  Hawaii,  where  his  wife  died  September  21),  184l>.  He  also  buried  there  three 
children,  and  retui-ued  to  the  United  States  in  1S4S,  bringing  with  him  his  son,  George 
P.  Andi-ews,  now  a  physician  of  Detroit  Dr.  Andrews  attended  a  course  of  medical  lec- 
tures in  New  York,  and  in  1852,  married  Miss  Amelia  T.  Dike.  Januaiy  12,  1858,  he  lo- 
cated at  Romeo,  Mich.,  and  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
until  the  past  few  years.  He  has,  on  account  of  his  years,  somewhat  reduced  his  business. 
His  adopted  daughter.  Carrie  E.,  married  John  H.  Potter,  of  Delaware,  Ohio.  George 
P.  Andrews,  of  Detroit,  married  Sarah  G.,  daughter  of  John  W.  Dyar,  a  pioneer  of  Ma- 
comb. Dr.  Andrews  has  a  tine  museum  of  natural  history,  a  large  proportion  of  which 
was  collected  on  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

ALVAN  B.  AYER  was  born  in  York  County.  State  (jf  Maine,  December  IS.  1809. 
He  was  the  son  of  Aaron  and  Ruth  Merrill  .Iyer,  who  were  both  natives  of  Elaine,  and  of 
English  origin.  His  father  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years,  and  his  mother  at  the 
age  of  eighty.  He  was  reared  in  the  State  of  Maine;  followed  the  business  of  a  carpenter 
in  early  life';  subsequently  engaged  in  lumbering  in  the  eastern  part  of  Maine ;  was  mar- 
ried, in  Massachusetts,  in  1885,  to  Martha  Lyon,  born  in  Vermont  August  17.  ISIO.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Amos  and  Abigail  Greenwood  Lyon,  both  of  English  origin.  They 
have  had  four  chikU-en,  named  as  follows:  Sarah  F.,  who  died  in  1S()0:  Lucy  M..  wife  of 
Adrian  D.  Taylor,  of  Bruce:  Charles  M. ;  and  AbbieL.,  wife  of  Daniel  McCoy.  Mr.  Ayer 
came  to  Michigan  in  1852  and  engaged  in  lumbering,  managing  ihe  business  in  the  woods, 
and  became  part  owner  of  a  mill  in  Detroit.  At  the  age  of  sixty-eight,  he  retired  from 
active  business.  He  cast  his  lu-st  Presidential  vote  for  Gen.  Andi-ew  Jackson,  but  joined 
the  Republicans  when  that  party  was  organized.  He  has  been  connected  with  the  First 
and  Citizens'  National  Banks  in  the  village  of  Romeo  since  their  organization. 

JOSEPH  AYRES  was  born  in  Dover,  Morris  Co.,  N.  Y..  November  18,  1812.  He  is 
the  second  son  of  William  Ayres  and  Abigail  Lewis,  natives  of  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Ayres 
grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  State.  He  learned  the  boot  and  shoe  trade  in  Orange, 
Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.,  receiving  but  a  limited  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  in  the  city  of  New  York.      Six  yeai's  after,  he  removed 


rnr 


>L 


^1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


to  Michigan,  locating  in  the  valley  of  Romeo,  Macomb  County,  leaving  his  native  State, 
New  York,  on  the  17th  of  June,  1841,  and  arriving  in  Romeo  July  17,  after  a  month's 
travel.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  1841,  he  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  at  Romeo. 
A  few  years  later,  he  combined  harness-making  with  his  other  business.  In  1S45,  he 
added  a  small  farm,  located  near  the  village,  which  ho  has  managed  in  connection  with 
his  business  in  the  village.  He  has  been  prosperous  the  most  of  the  time,  but,  owing  to 
a  disposition  to  assist  friends,  has  met  with  serious  losses  that  have  crippled  him  much. 
He  has  always  been  ready  to  lend  his  aid  to  every  movement  that  was  calculated  to  elevate 
society  in  the  church  and  outsid^)  of  it.  He  was  engaged  a  few  years,  in  company  with 
other  parties,  as  an  iron  manufacturer;  conducted  a  fm'nace  and  made  castings  of  all 
kinds.  He  was  "  Free-Soil "'  in  political  principles  when  he  came  to  Michigan,  and  has 
been  identified  with  the  Republicans  since  the  organization  of  the  pai'ty.  He  has  served 
his  generation  as  Sujiervisor  in  the  aggregate  twenty-live  years;  has  also  been  Village  As 
sessor  and  member  of  the  corporation.  He  was  married,  in  New  Jersey,  to  Elizabeth 
Thompson,  a  native  of  Morris  County,  who  died  August  '28,  1845,  and  left  two  children, 
both  of  whom  are  dead.  September  IS.  185(*,  he  was  again  married,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
H.  Sutton,  of  Sussex  County.  N.  J.  They  have  two  children  living  at  Detroit — Josephs., 
practicing  law,  and  Augusta,  wife  of  P.  A.  Billings.  In  1S56,  when  the  business  portion 
of  the  village  was  nearly  destroyed  by  tii-e,  Mr.  Ayres  suffered  the  loss  of  a  double  frame 
three-story  building.  The  brick  structure  now  occupied  by  him  was  erected  by  Sutton  & 
Ayres  in  18(57. 

WILLIAM  T.  BADGER  was  born  at  Albui-gh.  Grand  Isle  Co.,, Vt..  June  VI,  \H2:i. 
His  parents,  James  and  Eleanor  (Manning)  Badger,  were  natives  of  the  same  place.  His 
father  died  in  181)1;  his  mother  is  now  living  in  Vermont,  where  he  was  brought  up.  In 
1850,  he  went  to  Norwalk.  Ohio,  where  he  remained  a  year,  and  came  to  Romeo  in  1851. 
He  learned  the  business  of  painter,  which  he  has  made  the  vocation  of  his  life.  He  has 
seen  Romeo  grow  fi'om  its  wild  state  to  its  present  prosperity.  Mr.  Badger  was  married 
to  Asenath  Hill,  a  native  of  Vermont.  She  died  at  Romeo.  They  became  the  parents  of 
five  children,  foiu'  of  whom  are  living  and  married.  The  eldest  son.  Willard,  died;  the 
second,  William  Anson,  I'esides  at  Detroit;  Sanford  is  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  with 
J.  L.  Benjamin;  Sarah  Jane  and  Georgiana  live  at  Romeo.  Mr.  Badger  was  married 
again,  to  Mrs.  Sophia  McKinsey,  a  native  of  Scotland,  where  she  was  reared.  Mi\  Badger 
cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  James  Buchanan,  and  has  always  been  a  Democrat. 

ASAHEL  BAILEY  was  born  January  29,  1789,  in  Haddam.  Conn.  He  was  the  son  of 
Stephen  and  Lydia  Freeman  Bailey.  His  grandparents  were  Stephen  and  Eunice  Crooks  Bai- 
ley, the  latter  of  Scotch  origin.  Stephen  was  the  name  of  four  paternal  ancestors  in  a  direct 
line.  The  family  came  from  England.  Mr.  Bailey  had  three  sisters  and  two  brothers.  His 
parents  were  Presbyterians  in  early  life,  but  became  communicants  in  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church.  Mr.  Bailey  was  a  churchman,  and  studied  with  Rev.  Alanson  W^elton,  with  the 
intention  of  applying  for  holy  orders;  but  his  health  failed  from  a  life  of  inactivity,  and 
he  engaged  in  manufacturing,  teaching  at  intervals,  and  later  became  a  farmer.  He  mar- 
ried his  cousin,  Cynthia  Freeman,  at  Richmond,  N.  Y.,  in  1819,  Elder  Wright,  a  Method- 
ist Episcopal  preacher,  officiating.  Mrs.  Bailey  was  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sylvia 
Newman  Freeman,  and  was  Welsh  by  maternal  descent.  The  Freemans  came  from  En- 
gland to  Caj)e  Coil,  and  thence  to  Chatham,  Conn.  The  parents  of  Joseph  were  Moses 
and  Susan  Brooks  Freeman.  His  father  was  a  sea  captain;  was  lost  with  his  vessel  and 
crew  when  his  soq  was  a  child.  The  only  trace  of  the  wreck  was  a  blanket  marked  with 
his  name.  Mrs.  Bailey  was  born  in  Berkshire,  Vt.,  September  IS.  1798.  Her  parents 
were  ^Methodists.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Mi*,  and  Mrs.  Bailey 
came  from  Richmond,  N.  Y.,  in  1821,  to  the  Territory  of  Michigan.      They  crossed  Lake 


-^ — »W " 


.. 


.^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Erie  in  the  Walk-in-the-Water,  the  first  steamer  on  the  lake.  They  reached  Detroit  Sep- 
tember 14,  and  started  from  there  in  a  small  boat,  intending  to  reach  Mt.  Clemens,  then  a 
small  French  settlement,  that  day,  bnt  their  boat  sprang  a  leak,  and,  after  vain  efforts  to 
bail  out  the  water,  they  calked  the  boat  with  their  handkerchiefs.  They  lost  so  much  time 
that  all  hope  of  reaching  their  destination  died  out.  The  sun  was  low  when  they  discov- 
ered a  log  house  in  the  woods  and  landed.  They  met  with  faint  welcome  from  the  French 
settlers,  who  had  but  slight  knowledge  of  English.  The  man  of  the  house  was  absent, 
and  the  woman  refused  to  prepare  them  supper,  saying:  ■"  Cook  you  own  vit  for  you  own 
peep,'"  and  no  offer  of  money  could  change  the  decision.  In  the  morning,  Mr.  Bailey 
tried  in  vain  to  induce  the  man  to  carry  his  wife,  sister  and  baggage  four  miles  to  Mt. 
Clemens.  While  deliberating.  Judge  Clemens  rode  up.  Mr.  Bailey  had  become  ac- 
quainted with  him  during  prospecting  the  previous  spring.  He  directed  Latisau,  the 
Frenchman,  to  accept  the  offered  reward  for  the  required  service,  and  sent  the  party  to  his 
house,  and  they  set  out  in  an  ox-cart,  the  proprietor  running  beside  his  team,  which  he 
ui-ged  into  a  run.  It  was  a  fearful  joiu-ney,  and  one  of  great  fatigue,  but  they  remained 
at  Judge  Clemens'  until  they  were  well  rested,  when  they  procured  horses  and  a  wagon 
and  set  out  for  their  final  destination.  They  had  to  make  a  road  many  times,  and  there 
was  one  of  the  worst  of  Michigan  mud-holes  on  the  route.  When  near  it,  they  met  Mayor 
Cook,  of  Detroit.  He  was  on  horseback,  and  rode  back  to  see  them  through  it  in  safety. 
He  insisted  on  adding  his  horse  to  their  team,  though  Mr.  Bailey  feared  that  the  beast 
would  lie  down.  As  they  made  the  venture,  Mr.  Cook  shouted,  ''  Lick  them,  Bailey!  lick 
them! "  and  Mr.  Bailey  obeyed  the  high  authority,  and  the  horse  lay  down  and  rolled  over: 
but  they  finally  made  their  way  through,  and  reached  Town  4,  now  A^'ashington,  in  safety, 
where  a  few  persons  had  already  settled,  and  they  remained  until  January,  1822.  Jere- 
miah Allen  had  made  some  improvements  in  Town  5,  now  Bruce,  and,  becoming  discoui-- 
aged.  was  anxious  to  dispose  of  his  acquisitions- — an  ivutinished  log  house  and  an  unstoned 
well.  Mr.  Bailey  offered  him  iSoO  in  boots  and  shoes,  which  was  gladly  accepted.  Mr. 
Bailey  completed  the  building,  and,  in  January,  1822,  took  possession,  with  his  wife  and 
their  new  daughter,  born  December  1  'J,  1821,  of  their  new  home  in  Indian  Village,  then  the 
only  dwelling  in  what  is  now  Romeo.  The  Hoxies  came  eleven  mouths  later.  Mr.  Bail- 
ey's house  was  the  home  of  all  travelers,  without  compensation,  as  he  was  so  desirous  of 
promoting  the  growth  of  Indian  Village.  He  and  his  family  became  fast  fi-iends  with  the 
Indians,  who  trusted  "Asa  Billy"  implicitly,  ili'.  Bailey  went  twice  a  year  to  Detroit 
for  letters,  paying  25  cents  postage  on  each,  and  Pontiac  was  the  nearest  milling  place. 
They  exchanged  equal  measure  of  supplies  with  the  Indians  for  blackberries,  whortleber- 
ries and  cranberries,  which  were  abundant,  and,  as  soon  as  practicable,  a  place  was  pre- 
pared for  an  apple  orchard.  Sickness  had  attacked  the  family,  and  Mr.  Bailey,  hardly 
able  to  ride,  drove  his  ox  team  to  Mt.  Clemens,  procm-ed  apple  trees  at  25  cents  each,  small 
and  closely  trimmed  by  sheep,  but  gladly  acquired,  and  he  and  his  wife  set  them  out  in 
the  rain,  jn  what  is  now  the  north  side  of  East  St.  Clair  street.  Afterward,  they  set  out 
another  orchard  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street.  Mi-.  Bailey  sm-veyed  the  first  public  roads 
in  Macomb  County,  i-unning  to  Mt.  Clemens  and  St.  Clair.  He  was  paid  in  county  orders, 
good  only  for  tax-paying.  In  1S:i2,  the  village  of  Romeo  was  surveyed  by  John  B.  Hol- 
lister,  and  platted  by  Mr.  Bailey  and  N.  T.  Taylor.  When  the  (pxestion  of  building  a 
meeting-house  came  before  the  community,  Mr.  Bailey  gave  the  Congregational  society  a 
suitable  site,  and  on  it  have  been  built  their  houses  of  worship.  The  first  schoolhouse  was 
built  on-land  given  by  Mr.  Bailey,  and  it  is  the  present  location  of  the  North  Primary 
Grade  of  the  Union  School.  He  was  one  of  the  first  School  Inspectors  of  the  township  of 
Bruce.  In  Februaiy,  18:^7,  Mi-.  Bailey  sold  his  farm  in  Romeo  and  bought  a  tract  of  new 
land,  which  he  called  Goshen,  and  is  now  Berlin  Township,  but  the  parties  failed  in  their 


^1 


k. 


agreement,  and.  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  family,  they  returned  to  their  old  home 
at  the  end  of  three  months.  Mr.  Bailey  obtained  the  lumber  for  his  first  frame  house  by 
long  and  repeated  journeys  to  tlie  north  woods,  with  his  oxen,  for  logs.  It  was  finished 
in  the  fall  of  ISSri.  Their  third  dwelling,  at  the  south  end  of  the  village,  was  completed 
in  185iS,  and  occupied  by  the  family  January  1,  1S59.  It  is  now  the  residence  of  the 
daughters  who  survive.  Mr.  and  ilrs.  Bailey  had  seven  children — Prudence  Cynthia, 
Maria  Matilda,  Stephen,  Lois  Curtis,  Newman,  Lydia  and  Phebe  Jane.  Newman  died 
in  infancy:  Prudence  died  April  17,  1S7'2;  Stephen  maiTied  Isabella  Harriet  Davis,  of 
Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  at  Strawberry  Point.  Clayton  Co.,  Iowa,  December  HI,  1^56.  He  was 
engaged  in  fanning  for  a  time  in  Iowa,  and  afterward  in  mercantile  business,  and,  in 
Mai'ch,  liS(U(,  went  to  Pike's  Peak,  returning  in  December  following  to  Romeo.  They  had 
two  children — Edith  Maud  and  Clai-a  Marinda.  The  latter  died  March  11,  18S1.  Mrs. 
Isabella  Bailey  died  April  IB,  lySl.  Mr.  A.  Bailey  died  at  Romeo  January  27,  1862,  and 
was  biiried  on  his  birthday,  Januaiy  29.  Mrs.  Bailey  smvived  her  husband  more  than 
nineteen  years.      H(>r  death  occurred  Ji;ly  4,  1881. 

CHAUNCEY  B.4.ILEY  was  born  February  28.  I7U7,  in  Connecticut;  was  the  son  of 
Edward  Bailey  and  the  grandson  of  Stephen  and  Eunice  Crooks  Bailey.  His  mother  died 
when  he  was  young,  and  the  childi'eu,  ('hauncey,  Eliphalet  and  Harriet,  were  separated. 
Chauncey  was  married  to  Amanda  Freeman,  sister  of  Mrs.  Asahel  Bailey,  December  25, 
182(1,  at  Richmond,  N.  Y.  She  was  born  March  18,  1808,  at  Berkshire,  Vt. :  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church.  They  accompanied  the  Baileys  to  Michigan  in  1821.  nnd  lived 
some  time  with  them,  and  later  located  about  one  mile  north  and  west  of  the  Indian  Vil- 
lage. Their  daiighter  was  born  February  27,  1822,  in  the  tii'st  dwelling  in  Bruce:  was  the 
first  white  child  born  in  that  township.  Mi-.  Bailey  sold  his  first  location  and  took  Tip 
land  farther  east,  near  the  location  of  the  Farrar  saw-mill.  After  several  changes,  they 
removed  to  Iowa,  and  afterward  to  Fairmont,  Martin  Co.,  Minn.,  where  Mi-.  Bailey  died 
in  February,  1880.  Mrs.  Bailey  is  still  living.  They  had  five  childi-en,  tiiree  of  whom 
sm'vive. 

JOHN  L.  BENJAMIN  was  born  December  8,  1827,  in  the  State  of  New  York.  Sara- 
toga County,  son  of  Seth  and  Sarah  Watkins  Benjamin,  of  same  place;  came  to  Michigan 
in  J\ine,  1831,  and  to  Romeo  in  December,  1S48;  commenced  in  the  gi'ocery  trade  June, 
1849:  was  married  to  Jane  A.  Lufkin,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  December  IB,  1850.  They  had  a 
family  of  nine  children- -Arthur  H.,  born  April  7,  1852;  Florence  A.,  born  September  IB, 
lN5;idied  January  24,  187();  Varnum  L.,  born  May  >i.  1855,  died  May  20,  1872:  Jenney 
L. .  born  August  10,  1858.  died  December  18,  18(58;  Frank  C.  born  June  N.  lSfi7;  J.  L., 
born  September  2B,  1869;  Ira  H,,  born  July  22,  1871;  Monta,  born  August  17,  1872,  died 
September  21,  1872;  Emley  S.,  born  January  24,  187(5.  John  L.  Benjamin  moved 
one  mile  south  of  Romeo  in  April,  1875,  and  there  made  for  himself,  family  and  friends, 
a  lasting  monument  in  the  way  of  fish  ponds  and  other  improvements.  He  has  always 
been  a  trxie  friend  to  the  poor  and  all  laboring  classes,  a  true  Union  Democrat  of  the  old 
Jackson  stamp:  never  took  much  stock  in  priests  or  their  selfish  schemes  to  get  a  fat  liv- 
ing out  of  others'  hai'd  earnings.  He  believes  in  but  one  God  of  love  and  justice,  from 
whom  all  good  comes.  He  believes  by  his  true  record  he  must  stand  or  fall.  A  God  of  just- 
ice demands  that  we  must  suffer  for  all  laws  broken,  natural  or  spiritual,  here  and  here- 
after.    He  is  a  true  believer  in  a  future,  and  that  man  never  dies,  and  so  let  it  be  recorded. 

JESSE  BISHOP  was  born  May  24,  1S08,  at  Pittstown.  now  Richmoud,^  Ontario 
Co..  N.  Y.  He  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Lucinda  Short  Bishop.  The  former  was  born  in 
Blandford,  Conn. ;  the  latter  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and 
pursued  that  vocation  all  his  life.  He  died  Sejttember  9.  1S58,  at  Canada,  Ontario  Co., 
N.  Y.     His  mother  died  January  4,  1859,  in  Portage,  Livingston  Co..  N.  Y.      Mr.  Bishop, 


"SrV 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  this  sketcli.  lived  on  bis  father's  farm  in  Ontario  County  until  he  was  nineteen  yeai's 
old,  wHen  he  set  out  to  make  his  own  way  in  life.  September  4.  1S"25.  he  was  married  to 
Abigail  Fox,  a  native  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.  He  bought  a  small  place  near  his  father 
and  went  to  work  as  a  carpenter,  where  he  remained  tmtil  he  came  to  Michigan.  June 
7.  ISril,  he  left  Ontario  County  for  the  West  by  wagon  to  Pittsford,  thence  by  canal  to 
Buflalo,  where  he  took  passage  on  the  Henry  Clay  for  Detroit.  Fi-om  there  he  went  by 
wagon,  following  the  trail  to  Troy,  Oakland  County,  arriving  June  14.  June  18,  he 
bought  1()0  acres  of  land  in  Bruce.  It  was  in  its  primeval  condition,  and  Mr.  Bishop 
invaded  the  wilderness  with  his  eS'ective  as.  cut  down  trees,  cleared  the  land  and  built  a 
house.  In  1852,  he  sold  the  place  and  bought  a  small  one  three  miles  northeast  of  Romeo, 
where  he  remained  until  his  wife's  death,  July  9,  lHi\2.  She  left  nine  childi-en.  three  of 
whom  are  dead.  On  the  death  of  his  wife,  he  sold  his  place  and  returned  to  New  York  on 
a  visit.  He  was  married  at  Dansville,  November  15,  1865,  to  Rhoda  F.  Southwick,  of 
Richmond,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y'^.  He  bought  a  grist-mill,  in  company  with  his  brother,  in 
Argentine.  Genesee  Co..  Mich.,  which  he  operated  a  year  and  then  sold  out.  He  bought 
his  present  property,  corner  of  Bailey  and  Lafayette  streets.  Romeo,  where  his  second 
wife  died  November  '21.  18fi9.  He  was  married.  May  24.  1870,  to  Susan  H.  Webster,  a 
native  of  Ray,  Macomb  County.  Her  father,  Mai.  Webster,  is  an  old  pioneer  of  that 
town.  Mr.  Bishop  cast  his  fii-st  vote  in  New  Y'ork  for  Andi-ew  Jackson,  but  was  a  Whig, 
and  remained  in  the  Whig  party  until  the  organization  of  the  Republican  [larty.  Mr. 
Bishop  was  a  radical  temperance  man,  which,  in  those  days,  was  a  much  more  venture- 
some matter  than  now.  Such  an  event  as  a  raising  without  whisky  was  one  to  arrest  and 
hold  in  abeyance  nearly  every  consideration,  exclusive  of  one  of  life  and  death,  and  Mr. 
Bishop  believed  that  it  could  be  done,  and  in  1882,  he  engineered  such  an  enterprise  on 
the  farm  of  W.  F.  Abbott,  just  east  of  the  village.  The  general  invitation  there  was  re- 
sponded to,  even  though  the  conditions  were  understood,  and  the  thing'was  accomplished. 
Mr.  Bishop  is  in  his  seventy-ninth  year,  in  good  general  health,  though  obliged  to  walk 
with  a  cane  on  account  of  an  injiu-y  received  by  a  fall  October  2,   1871t. 

JOHN  H.  BRABB,  son  of  Isaac  and  Hannah  Hudson  Brabb,  was  born  in  Yorkshire, 
England,  November  5,  1820:  his  jjarents  came  to  America  when  ten  years  old,  making  the 
route  via  Quebec  to  Detroit,  where  they  remained  for  a  few  weeks  and  then  settled  in 
Oakland  County,  on  the  old  Sheldon  farm,  near  Rochester.  They  made  the  joiu-ney  be- 
fore there  was  any  direct  highway  to  that  point,  via  what  was  called  the  old  Crook  road. 
The  wolves  gave  nightly  expressions  of  their  opinions  upon  the  invasion  of  the  intruders, 
and  necessitated  extra  precautions  for  the  protection  of  calves  and  pigs.  Dm'iug  their 
residence  there,  Govs.  Cass,  Porter  and  Mason  were  entertained  at  the  hospitable  pioneer 
home.  Fom'  years  later,  in  l'S84,  they  settled  in  Washington  Township,  on  a  farm  which 
is  still  retained  in  the  family.  Mr.  Brabb  was  married,  November  12,  184H,  to  Sarah  A., 
daughter  of  Marvil  Shaw,  an  early  pioneer  of  the  county,  and  soon  after  this  event  set- 
tled upon  a  farm  in  Bruce,  where  he  remained  for  fourteen  years,  which  resulted  in  his 
being  the  o\vner  of  several  fanns  in  the  neighborhood.  In  1857,  he  came  to  Romeo,  and 
for  eight  years  handled  gi'ain,  wool,  pork  and  other  i:>i-oduce  with  reasonable  success,  dis- 
continuing about  the  close  of  the  war.  He  has  been  Dii-ector  of  the  First  National  Bank 
for  the  past  twelve  years  and  has  officiated  as  its  Vice  President  for  six  years.  He  is  Di- 
rector in  the  Detroit  Union  Iron  Company,  and  is  one  of  the  heaviest  financial  operators 
in  this  section.  His  only  son,  M.  I.  Brabb.  is  also  a  Director  in  the  First  National  Bank 
and  negotiates  loans  extensively.  Mi*.  B.  is  a  Democrat,  with  much  iiitiuence  in  political 
circles.  His  integrity  in  his  business  transactions  has  insured  him  a  well-deserved  popu- 
larity in  the  commercial  communitv. 

COLLINS  BRADLEY  was  born  Januarv  19.  INOS,  in  Bennin.rton  Coimtv.  Yt.      He 


sff 


^ 


648 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


is  the  son  of  Ethan  Allen  and  Ghristiany  Wood  Bradley;  his  paternal  grandfather,  Lem- 
uel Bradley,  was  born  in  llytO,  and  was  a  Captain  in  the  Federal  army  and  fought  in  the 
battle  of  Bennington,  Vt. ;  he  died  in  1800.  Ethan  Allen  Bradley  was  born  in  1774; 
lived  in  Vermont  and  served  several  terms  in  the  Legislature  of  that  State,  dying 
in  IN-tS.  Mr.  Bradley  of  this  sketch  lived  in  his  native  county  until  the  age  of  twenty, 
when  he  went  to  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  for  eight  years;  five  years  of  this 
time,  from  1882  to  1886,  he  was  engaged  in  the  importing  and  mauufactiu'ing  house  of 
P.  Hayden  &  Co.,  and,  from  1886  to  1888,  with  the  Hon.  W.  H.  Seward,  as  cashier  and 
general  book-keeper  in  the  land  office,  located  at  Westtield,  Chautauqua  Co..  N.  Y.;  from 
1888  to  1840,  he  was  employed  in  the  same  business  with  P.  Hayden  &  Co.,  at  Columbus, 
Ohio:  in  1840,  he  opened  a  branch  house  in  Detroit.  Mich.,  as  a  partner  with  P.  Hayden 
&  Co;  in  1846,  he  came  to  Macomb  County  and  located  a  farm,  partly  in  Bruce  and 
partly  in  Washington,  where  he  lived  for  twenty-seven  years.  During  his  stay  at  Detroit 
and  on  the  farm,  he  entertained  Mi'.  Seward  as  his  guest  on  two  occasions.  Mr.  Seward 
spent  one  night  at  his  house  while  he  was  United  States  Senator.  Mr.  B.  was  married,  in 
1886,  at  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  to  Julieite  E.  White,  who  was  born  January  11,  1811,  at  Canaan, 
Conn.;  they  had  live  childi-en — Helen,  born  in  1887,  lived  two  years  and  died,  lS8'.t,  at 
Columbus,  Ohio;  Henry  W.  was  born  1889,  and  Charles  C.  in  l840;  Alice  M.,  in  1846, 
and  Francis  H.,in  1849.  Henry  and  Charles  are  partners  in  an  extensive  tobacco  business 
in  Romeo,  Mich.  In  1850,  Mr.  Bradley  and  wife  united  with  the  Baptist  Church,  at  Mt. 
Vernon,  and,  in  1878,  took  letters  and  unite  1  with  the  Baptist  Church  in  Romeo;  they 
moved  to  Romeo  in  1878,  and  located  on  Pleasant  street,  where  they  now  live. 

ALEX.  A.  BRIGGS,  proprietor  of  the  American  House,  was  born  at  Colchester, 
Canada  West,  November  27,  l841;  he  purchased  the  principal  hotel  building  at  Romeo, 
November  18,  1878,  and  has  since  that  time  made  Michigan  his  home;  his  hotel  is  noticed 
in  the  history  of  Romeo.  He  moved  to  Detroit  in  1853,  and  made  that  his  home  until  he 
moved  to  Romeo. 

DANIEL  B.  BRIGGS,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  at  Adams.  Berkshire  County,  Mass.. 
February  18,  1829;  his  parents  were  natives  of  the  same  State;  after  pm-suing  for  some 
years  an  academic  coiu-se  of  study,  he  entered  Williams  College,  Mass.,  in  1844,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1848;  he  immediately  commenced  the  study  of  law,  and  was  ad- 
mitted in  1850  to  practice  in  the  com-ts  of  the  commonwealth.  About  the  close  of  that 
year,  his  native  town  established,  in  compliance  with  the  Legislative  enactment,  a  free 
high  school,  and  Mr.  Briggs  was  chosen  to  the  Priucipalship,  which  position  he  held  for 
thi-ee  years.  During  this  time,  he  also  did  service  as  a  member  of  the  School  Committee 
of  the  town.  In  March,  1854,  he  removed  to  Detroit,  and,  in  the  month  of  May  follow- 
ing, located  at  Romeo,  Macomb  County,  Mich.,  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law. 
The  following  year,  he  became  Principal  of  the  Dickinson  Institute — formerly  a  branch  of 
the  State  University — located  at  that  place,  and  was  connected  with  that  institution  for 
three  years.  During  the  years  1858,  1859  and  1860,  he  held  the  position  of  Superintend- 
ent of  Public  Schools  in  the  citv  of  Ann  Arbor;  from  thence  he  removed  to  Jackson,  where 
he  held  a  similar  position  for  five  years.  On  leaving  school  work  in  the  summer  of  1865, 
he  returned  to  Macomb  County  and  engaged  in  farming.  During  the  Legislative  session 
of  1867,  he  acted  as  Clerk  of  the  Judiciary  Committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and,  in  the  month  of  .4pril  of  that  year,  was  elected  County  Superintendent  of  Schools  for 
Macomb  County  and,  on  the  1st  of  May  following,  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  that 
office,  in  which  he  served  four  years.  During  his  last  official  term,  he  was  made  President 
of  the  State  Association  of  County  Superintendents  of  Schools.  He  was  Director  of  the 
Romeo  Union  School  District  for  eight  years,  and,  for  about  the  same  length  of  time,  was 
Secretary  of  the  County  Agricultural  Society;  he  also  had  charge  of  the  public  schools  of 


"»  "V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY 


d>^. 


Mt.  Clemens,  the  county  seat  of  Macomb  County,  for  the  school  year  1871-72;  in  Novem- 
ber, 1S72,  he  was  elected  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  which  office  he  re- 
tained for  four  years,  having  been  re-elected  at  the  close  of  his  first  term,  in  1874.  In 
1879,  Mr.  Briggs  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  Deputy  Secretary  of  State,  which  official 
position  he  still  occupies.  Mr.  B.  cherishes  the  welfare  of  old  Macomb,  and  during  all 
of  his  absence  he  has  never  lost  his  residence  in  the  county. 

MAETIN  BUZZELL  was  born  May  16,  1811,  at  Boston,  Lower  Canada;  is  the  son 
of  Daniel  and  Lydia  (Adams)  Buzzeli,  the  former  born  in  New  Hampshire,  the  latter  in 
St.  Johnsbm-y,  Vt. ,  the  tii'st  white  child  born  there;  her  ancestors  belonged  to  the  old 
Plymouth  Colony  of  Massachusetts.  The  family  went  to  Derby,  Vt.,  soon  after  the  birth  of 
Mr.  B.  of  this  sketch,  and,  in  1 81 7,  to  Honeoye  Falls,  Monroe  Co. ,  N.  Y.,  where  they  resided 
until  1831,  when  he  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  at  Grand  Blanc,  Genesee  County,  ili-. 
B.  came  to  Romeo  in  July  of  the  same  year,  where  his  parents  afterward  joined  him;  his 
father  died  at  fifty-one,  his  mother  at  eighty-five,  years  of  age.  He  was  married,  Novem- 
ber 4,  1832,  to  Clarissa  T.  Winchell:  she  died  in  the  autumn  of  1836,  leaving  one  son— - 
Julius  C,  who  married  Phebe  Hamlin:  they  buried  three  children  in  infancy.  Mr.  B. 
was  married  again  in  1843,  to  Hairiet  Burk:  she  died  in  1846,  and  left  one  living  son — 
Marcus  H,  who  maiTied  Mary  Rogers;  they  have  one  child — Helen  M.,  born  February  14, 
1880;  one  child  was  biuied  in  infancy.  Mr.  B.  was  mairied,  to  Julia  A.  Wing,  April  26, 
1849;  four  children  of  this  marriage  siuwive — Fred  C,  editor  of  the  Romeo  Democrat, 
bom  July  3,  1855;  Clyde  H.,  foreman  of  the  Romeo  Observer.  February  27,  1857;  Ida  L. 
and  Eva  R.  (twins),  November  2-1,  1S59;  Eva  is  the  wife  of  George  E.  Strauahan,  and  was 
mai-ried  August  7,  1878,  they  have  one  son — Claude  M.,  bom  December  16,  1879;  Frank 
M.  was  born  March  12,  1850  and  died  July  16,  1876;  Helen  C,  September  27,  1851;  died 
March  2,  1880;  Byi'on  L.  and  Biu-ton  S.  (twins),  born  September  26,  1854;  died  August  7 
and  17,  1855;  Malcom  W. ,  born  December  Kt,  1863;  died  March  1,  1880;  he  and  his 
sister  were  buried  in  one  day.  Mrs.  B.  is  a  native  of  Missisqiioi  County,  Province  of 
Quebec;  on  coming  to  Romeo,  Mr.  B.  engaged  in  mercantile  business  as  a  clerk;  in  the 
fall  of  1837,  he  went  to  Natchez,  Miss.,  and  was  similarly  employed  until  the  fall  of 
1840,  when  he  returned  to  this  county  and  was  on  a  farm  a  few  years,  in  Ai'mada,  remov- 
ing to  Romeo  in  1845;  he  was  the  first  Town  Clerk  of  Bruce,  and,  in  1861,  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  serving  two  terms  in  Bruce;  in  July,  1872,  he  was  elected  to  the 
same  office  fi'om  Washington  and  has  tilled  the  office  continuously  since.  He  is  in  the  in- 
surance business,  also,  which  he  has  been  operating  since  1861. 

ELISHA  CALKINS,  son  of  Hiram  and  Abigail  (Lockwood)  Calkins,  was  born  Octo 
ber  1,  1816,  in  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.  His  father  was  born  in  Connecticut,  his  mother  in 
New  York.  In  1825,  his  parents  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Washington  Township, 
where  his  father  located  160  acres  of  Government  land,  to  which  he  subsequently  made 
considerable  additions;  he  died  in  June,  1875.  On  coming  to  Romeo,  Mr.  Calkins  en- 
gaged about  eighteen  months  in  general  merchandise,  when  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Sault 
Ste.  Marie,  and  had  the  management  of  a  portion  of  the  canal  construction  two  yeai's, 
after  which  he  retm-ned  to  Romeo  and. opened  a  mercantile  enterprise  in  connection  with 
A.  McLeod,  which  he  pursued  two  years.  In  1861,  he  embarked  in  the  drug  business, 
selling  out  six  years  later,  and'  going  to  Detroit,  engaged  in  the  Union  L'on  Company,  in 
which  he  still  holds  an  interest.  He  was  connected  with  Amos  Palmer  in  the  fiu-nitiu-e 
business,  from  March,  18N0.  to  May,  1881:  he  inherited  Democratic  principles  and  voted 
for  one  President  in  accordance  with  them,  but,  being  a  Radical  in  his  views  generally,  he 
became  an  earnest  supporter  of  the  Republican  party  on  its  organization.  He  was  elected 
Supervisor  of  Washington  Townshijs,  in  1848,  and  has  held  the  office  five  years;  has  also 
been  Village  Trustee.  In  1850,  he  engaged  in  lumbering  in  Lapeer  County,  where  he 
40 


»  ^ 


-^ 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


continued  two  years.  In  the  spring  of  1(S88,  he  was  married  to  Caroline  Wales  (born  in 
Lower  Canada),  who  died  in  1852:  from  this  marriage  there  were  three  children — Horace, 
who  died  when  two  years  old;  Orpha  and  Abigail,  both  deceased.  Mr.  Calkins  was  juar- 
I'ied  again,  in  the  spring  of  1854.  to  Eliza  Wales,  sister  of  his  first  wife:  they  have  one 
child — Cora  G.  Mr.  Calkins  owns  village  property  at  Romeo;  also  at  Lnlay  City,  La- 
peer Conntv. 

CHARLES  N.  COE,  jeweler,  was  born  in  Milford.  Pike  Co.,  Penn.,  July  28,  1848;  he 
is  the  son  of  Charles  R.  and  Lucetta  (Wells)  Coe;  when  he  was  three  years  old,  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  a  farm  two  miles  west  of  Oxford,  Oakland  County,  they  removed  to 
Romeo  two  years  later,  where,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
he  has  since  resided:  he  is  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  the  jewelry  trade,  on  Main  street; 
the  concern  was  first  established  in  1858  in  a  small  building  on  West  St.  Clair  street,  by  H. 
P.  Piper,  and  was  removed  a  short  time  after  to  the  present  location  of  the  restaurant  of  J. 
L.  Benjamin:  its  second  removal  was  to  its  present  quarters,  in  Ciray's  block.  About  that 
date,  Mr.  Piper  associated  Capt.  Milton  Thomjison  with  himself,  and  they  continued  in 
the  partnership  until  November  26.  1873,  when  C.  N.  Coe  became  its  pro])rietor  by  piu-- 
chase. 

THOMAS  D.  COE  &  CO..  ch-uggists.  The  drug  house  of  Coe  &  Co.  was  established 
originally  by  a  man  named  B.  F.  Castle;  several  years  later,  in  1856,  it  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Pool  &  Hosner.  by  whom  it  was  managed  until  August  4,  1857.  when  the  fii-m 
style  became  Pool.  Tilson  &  Hubbard,  by  whom  the  business  was  prosecuted  until  early 
in  1860,  when  Mr.  Hubbard  retired  and  it  became  Pool  &  Tilson:  February  20  of  that 
year,  another  change  was  made  to  Pool  &  Calkins,  and  soon  after,  on  the  death  of  the 
junior  partner,  the  concern  became  E.  &  L.  Calkins;  in  September,  1861,  Joseph  Holland 
succeeded  L.  Calkins  by  purchase,  and  the  firm  became  Calkins  &  Holland;  September  20. 
1866,  another  change  occiu'red,  and  the  house  did  business  under  the  name  of  Holland  & 
Reade;  T.  D.  Coe  &  Co,  succeeded  lo  the  proprietorship,  March  22.  1875;  predecessors 
remained  as  silent  pai'tners  until  the  death  of  Holland,  about  a  month  after,  since  which 
Mr.  Reade  has  occupied  that  position  alone.  T.  D.  Coe  was  born  in  Pike  County,  Penn., 
June  29,  1846:  is  the  son  of  Charles  R.  and  Lucetta  (Wells)  Coe;  his  parents  moved  to 
Michigan  when  he  was  five  years  of  age  and  settled  in  Oakland  County,  on  a  farm,  coming 
to  Romeo  two  years  later.  Mr.  C.  entered  the  drug  store  of  Calkins  &  Holland  in  1861, 
and  has  been  in  the  di'ug  business  ever  since,  finally  succeeding  to  the  proprietorship  of 
the  established  and  reliable  house  where  he  began  to  familiarize  himself  with  the  details 
of  his  life's  pursuit.  He  was  married,  Februarj'  16,  1874.  to  Anna  Washer,  a  native  of 
New  Jersty.     Mr.  Coe  has  a  residence  on  Prospect  street 

MASON  COLE  was  born  November  5,  1819,  at  Bristol,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.:  is  the  son 
of  Nathaniel  and  Sally  (Mason)  Cole;  the  former  was  a  direct  descendant  from  the  pil- 
grim stock  of  New  England,  and  was  born  at  Rehoboth,  Bristol  Co.,  Mass..  in  1794;  his 
wife  was  born  at  Attleboro,  Bristol  Co.,  Mass.,  in  1798,  also  of  English  Puritan  lin- 
eage. Jime  16,  1837,  Mr.  Cole's  father  set  out  for  Michigan,  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  six  children;  the  overland  joiu-ney  consumed  eighteen  days  (Mr.  Cole  slept  every 
night  in  the  wagon).  They  located  on  the  north  line  of  Ray  Township,  where  the  father 
bought  200  acres  of  land  and  they  entered  ujion  pioneer  life,  clearing  away  the  timber 
and  imjjroving  the  farm.  They  brought  a  year's  provisions,  consequently  their  first  ex- 
periences were  comparatively  free  from  difficulties,  but  the  next  year,  1838,  many  hard- 
ships overtook  them,  consequent  upon  the  large  influx  of  emigrants,  which  rendered  sup- 
plies insufficient  There  was  money  enough,  but  everything  must  be  brought  from  De- 
troit and  no  one  had  time  to  spare.  During  that  year,  Mr.  Cole  sometimes  wore  shirts 
without  sleeves,  and  subsisted  on  roasted  corn  with    milk — if   the  cow  could  be  found. 


•i*"  i 


f- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


He  was  seventeen  when  his  parents  came  to  Michigan,  and  until  he  was  twenty -one  he 
had  no  opportunities  for  an  education.  After  that  age,  he  exerted  himself  to  acquire 
such  attainments  as  he  foresaw  he  should  require  to  become  a  successfiil  business  man. 
He  taught  school  thirteen  consecutive  terms,  in  Macomb  County — terms  ranging  from 
three  to  six  months.  During  eighteen  months  of  this  time,  he  was  troubled  with  fever 
and  ague,  and  had,  besides,  a  school  of  seventy  pupils  on  his  hands,  but  he  made  no 
stop,  save  for  an  occasional  half  day.  The  gleanings  from  pioneer  experiences  show  how 
advantageous  to  the  human  mind  is  the  necessity  for  struggle  to  attain,  not  the  benefits 
of  the  world,  but  the  discipline  that  prepares  a  man  to  justly  estimate  his  own  value 
among  men.  Mr.  Cole  studied  law  two  years  for  the  express  purpose  of  managing  his 
business  intelligently.  He  was  by  heritage  and  training  a  Democrat,  and,  while  a  mem- 
ber of  that  party,  was  a  delegate  to  five  conventions;  he  adopted  Free-Soil  principles  and 
eventually  became  a  Republican,  assisting  in  the  organization  of  the  party  in  Macomb 
County;  was  once  delegate  to  the  Republican  State  Convention,  and  twice  a  delegate  to 
the  Eighth  Republican  District  Convention;  since  1^54,  he  has  been,  with  two  excep- 
tions, a  delegate  to  every  County  Convention;  he  has  been  identified  with  the  politics  of 
this  count}'  since  1840;  he  was  School  Inspector  of  Ray  eight  years,  and,  in  1866,  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace;  was.  during  the  time,  elected  Highway  Commissioner,  serv- 
ing four  years;  in  1879,  was  again  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  but  resigned  on  coming 
to  Romeo;  he  has  served  as  juryman  on  occasions  for  thirty-five  years  in  this  county,  and 
one  term  on  the  United  States  jury  at  Detroit.  He  was  married,  in  1847,  to  Charity 
Gamber,  a  native  of  Ontario  County,  N,  Y. ;  she  died  May  '24,  1877,  leaving  two  sons — 
Simeon  G.  (married  Ida  Parker,  and  resides  on  the  farm  in  Ray)  and  William  B.,  a  grad- 
uate of  Kalamazoo  College.  Mr.  Cole  was  married  a  second  time,  January  2,  1878,  to 
Mrs.  Ann  Eliza,  widow  of  Burchard  Throop;  he  has  been  Director  of  the  Macomb  and  St. 
Clair  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  for  two  yeai's. 

CHESTER  COOLEY  was  born  June  19,  1817,  in  Cambria,  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y,;  he  is 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  Polly  (Dyke)  Cooley;  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  in  the  fall  of  1835, 
he  settled  with  his  parents  in  the  town  of  Bruce.  He  was  married,  August  24,  1838,  to 
Jane,  daughter  of  Jacob  Kisoe,  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ;  by  request  of  his  father,  it  was 
arranged  that  the  patrimonial  estate  should  revert  to  him,  consequently  it  was  his  home, 
and  he  cared  for  his  father  and  mother  through  their  declining  years;  in  1868,  he  left  his 
homestead  and  bought  his  residence  on  Main  street,  north,  where  he  has  since  resided;  he 
still  owns  200  acres — the  old  farm  in  Bruce,  a  jiart  inherited  fi'om  his  father  and  the  rest 
purchased  from  the  several  heirs;  also  owns  two  farms  in  Ray,  including  227  acres;  also 
cedar  and  pine  lands  and  village  property  in  Romeo.  He  was  an  inherent  Democrat,  to 
which  party  he  adhered  until  the  rise  of  the  Free-Soil  party,  and  afterward  became  a  Re- 
publican; they  have  seven  children — Noah,  Polly,  Anna,  Chester  Dike,  Sarah  Jane, 
Eunice  Beach  and  Mauley  Benjamin.  Samuel  Cooley  was  born  November  14,  1775,  in 
Vermont;  his  father  was  Benjamin  Cooley,  a  Colonel  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  with 
Ethan  Allen  when  he  demanded  the  surrender  of  Ticonderoga,  in  the  name  of  the  Great 
Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Congress;  Col.  Cooley  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Ver- 
mont, from  Massachusetts,  and  was  for  years  a  Representative  in  the  Vermont  Legislature; 
he  was  Clerk  of  his  county,"and,  being  a  leading  member  of  the  M.  E.  Chui'ch,  he  was 
foremost  in  holding  open  doors  for  the  entertainment  of  the  itinerancy  of  that  body  of 
Christians;  on  one  occasion,  when  a  quai'terly  meeting  was  in  session  at  CoL  Cooley" s 
home,  it  took  fire  and  was  destroyed,  the  county  records  being  preserved  only  through  the 
most  strenuous  eiforts.  Samuel  Cooley  was  the  second  son;  he  came  to  Vermont,  and.  as 
soon  as  he  was  eligible,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  continued  to  serve  there 
until  1X15,  when  he  went  to  Cambria,  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.     He  was  married,  in  Vermont, 


.^« r- 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


October  o,  1797,  to  Polly  Dyke,  born  August  4,  1781 ;  he  followed  the  occupeatiou  of  farm- 
ing in  New  York  State  until  the  fall  of  1882.  when  he  came  to  Michigan  and  entered  '■i'20 
acres  of  land,  receiving  his  patent  of  ownership  from  Andrew  Jackson;  on  this  farm  he 
lived  and  died;  he  made  the  route  to  Michigan  overland  through  Canada,  bringing  with 
him  his  wife  and  foui-  sous;  on  the  organization  of  the  State,  Mi'.  C.  was  urged  to  accept 
a  nomination  as  Representative  in  one  of  the  first  Legislatures,  but  he  declined;  he  was 
a  Democrat,  acted  as  Assessor  for  Bruce  for  a  number  of  years;  he  laid  out  the  first  road 
of  any  extent  in  that  township;  he  died  February  2,  1848;  Mrs.  C  died  September  10,  1888. 

AMOS  O.  CRISSMAN  was  born  October  8,  1818,  in  Warren  County,  N.  J.;  his 
parents,  Benjamin  and  Mary  (Kern)  Crissman,  were  both  natives  of  New  Jersey,  of  Ger- 
man descent;  they  settled  in  Washington,  Macomb  County,  in  1880,  and  purchased  240 
aci-es  of  land  having  some  improvements,  afterward  adding  to  it  until  it  included  600 
acres;  the  father  died  in  1861,  the  mother  in  1855;  there  were  six  sons  and  one  daughter. 
The  estate  was  inventoried  at  $20,000  on  the  father's  death.  Mrs.  Crissman  acted  as  the 
administrator.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  tweuty-eight  years  old;  after  he 
reached  his  majority,  he  received  $110  a  year,  with  board  and  clothes;  he  was  married, 
in  1846,  to  Abigail  Pettinger,  a  native  of  New  York;  with  the  money  he  had  earned,  he 
bought  eighty-seven  acres  of  land  in  Washington,  which  he  afterward  traded  for  a  farm  of 
120  acres,  in  Brace,  where  he  lived  eighteen  months.  In  the  winter  of  1868,  he  bought 
his  property — six  acres — in  Romeo.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crissman  have  had  three  childi'en, 
one  of  whom  died  when  an  infant;  two  daughters — Mary  F.  and  Addie  L. — reside  at 
home.  Mr.  Ci'issman  was  formerly  a  Whig  but  is  now  a  Republican;  he  is  one  of  the 
substantial  citizens  of  Romeo  and  represents  a  considerable  amount  of  property  vested  in 
mortgages,  notes,  etc. 

WILLIAM  B.  CUYLER,  photographic  artist,  was  born  March  22,  1847,  East  Guil- 
lumbui-y.  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada;  is  the  son  of  William  E.  and  Julia  A.  (Purdy) 
Cuyler;  his  father  was  born  in  Vermont,  June  28,  1809,  his  mother  in  New  York,  June 
1."),  ISI).-);  they  had  seven  children — three  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mr.  Cuyler,  Sr. ,  died 
A[>ril  2>i,  1876;  he  was  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Thompson)  Cuyler.  Mrs.  Cuyler 
is  still  living;  she  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Philinda  (Vieder)  Pm-dy,  of  Holland 
extraction.  'Mr.  Cuyler's  paternal  ancestors  were  of  English  lineage.  Mi'.  Cuyler  of 
this  sketch  was  trained  to  the  vocation  of  a  machinist  in  his  native  town,  which  he  pur- 
sued until  1869;  he  came  to  Michigan  in  1865,  locating  at  Attica,  obtaining  employment 
at  his  trade;  in  1869,  he  began  the  preliminaries  of  his  profession  and  was  under  instruc- 
tions until  1871,  when  he  opened  business  independently  in  his  present  quarters,  at  Ro- 
meo, where  he  has  since  continued.  Mr.  Cuyler  is  entitled  to  distinctive  notice  as  a  sci- 
entific empiricist  in  his  profession,  consequently  his  work  exhibits  merits  of  much  more 
than  ordinary  pretension;  he  keeps  pace  with  all  modern  progress  in  the  art  and  is  always 
in  readiness  to  exhibit  to  his  patrons  the  latest  and  best  styles  of  pictures.  He  was  mar- 
ried, April  18,  1872,  to  Hattie  E.,  daughter  of  Eli  and  Catharine  (Rooney)  Woodrow, 
born  in  Norwich,  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada,  April  15.  1858;  they  have  three  children 
— N.  Kitty,  born  September  19,  1878;  Mauviette,  March  27,  1876;  Zoe,  August  8,  1881. 
Mr.  Cuyler  adheres  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  faith.  Mr.  Woivdrow  was  born 
May  14,  1809;  his  wife  January  31.  1807. 

FRANK  W.  DASH  was  born  September  26,  1849,  in  Oxford  County,  Ontario,  Can- 
ada; is  the  son  of  Charles  and  Louise  Dash;  came  to  the  States  April  28,  1868,  when  he 
came  to  Romeo;  by  occupation  he  is  a  tinsmith;  learned  his  trade  in  Canada;  is  now 
foreman  of  the  tin  department  of  Henry  Rawles'  hardware  establishment.  June  5,  1872, 
Mr.  Dash  married  Irene  Washer,  of  Romeo;  wife  born  January  5,  1852;  she  died  Sep- 
tember 30,  1878;  had  one  child,  Carl  W.,  born  September  17,  1878.      Mr.  Dash  married 


HISTOBY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


for  his  second  wife  May  E.  Washer,  sister  of  his  first  wife:  were  married  June  10,  ISSO; 
his  wife  was  born  November  23.  1.S53;  she  was  the  daughter  of  George  and  Isabel  Wash- 
er, of  Romeo;  they  have  one  child — Frank  G.,  born  November  I'J,  ISSl.  Mr.  Dash  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dash  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church  of  Komeo;  politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

ISAAC  DOUGLAS,  D.  D.  S..  was  born  in  Troy,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich.,  May  25,  1830; 
he  is  the  third  son  of  Nathan  Douglas,  son  of  Rev.  Caleb  Doiiglas,  of  New  London, 
Conn.  Nathan  Douglas  came  from  Whitestown.  N.  Y..  in  1824,  and  settled  in  Troy,  hav- 
ing six  mouths  previously  been  united  in  marriage  with  Frances  Smith,  of  Whitesboro; 
he  located  in  the  primal  wilderness,  cleared  a  space  and  built  a  log  home,  in  which  they 
lived  four  weeks  before  doors  and  windows  could  be  procured.  The  time  was  made  inter- 
esting by  the  screeching  of  owls  and  howling  of  wolves;  they  reared  eight  children  to  ma- 
turity; after  the  marriage  of  the  youngest,  in  1864,  the  farm  was  sold  and  the  parents 
went  to  reside  with  their  second  son — William — in  Otisoo.  Ionia  County,  where  Mr. 
Douglas  died  December  6,  1874;  he  and  his  wife  celebrated  their  fiftieth  wedding  anni- 
versary March  8  of  the  same  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  were  two  of  the  constituent  mem- 
bers of  the  Troy  Baptist  Church,  having  been  dismissed  from  the  Pontiae  Church  for  that 
purpose.  Mrs.  D.  died  at  Pewamo,  Ionia  Co..  Mich.,  January  18,  1882;  the  ancestry  of 
Dr.  Douglas  is  reliably  tr.iced  to  Deacon  William  Douglas,  who  came  from  Scotland  in 
1640,  with  his  wife,  Ann  Mattie  Douglas,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  16;-(6,  at  Ringstead, 
England;  they  are  the  ancestors  of  the  now  famous  New  London  family,  which  has  spread 
to  all  parts  of  this  country;  the  line  descends  to  Dr.  Douglas  as  follows:  William,  Robert, 
Thomas,  John,  Caleb  and  Nathan;  it  is  taken  from  a  genealogical  history  of  the  Douglas 
family.  Dr.  D.  had  in  early  life  only  the  advantages  for  education  common  to  the  sons 
of  Michigan  pioneer  farmers;  during  his  twentieth  summer,  he  studied  dentistry  with 
his  brother  Caleb,  who  settled  in  Romeo  at  the  season's  close,  and  continued  to  study  with 
him  until  March,  1852,  and  remained  with  him  until  his  death,  in  June,  1852,  and  suc- 
ceeded to  his  business;  he  felt  that  he  needed  a  knowledge  of  medicine  of  a  wider  scope 
than  was  to  be  obtained  from  dental  books  and  he  began  to  read  with  Dr.  Wyker,  of  Ro- 
meo; in  1854,  his  health  failed  and  he  abandoned  his  profession,  partly  to  receive  medical 
treatment,  which  he  did  a  year  and  one-half,  under  the  old-school  treatment,  without 
benefit:  he  tested  homeopathic  remedies  and  method,  and  in  four  weeks  resumed  the  du- 
ties of  his  profession  at  Romeo  and  commenced  the  study  of  homeopathy,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Drs.  Ellis  &  Drake,  of  Detroit;  in  the  winter  of  1858,  he  entered  the  college  at 
Cleveland.  Ohio;  here  he  passed  all  the  examinations  and  ranked  among  tbe  highest  in 
his  class;  he  returned  to  Romeo  in  1859.  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine,  together 
with  dentistry,  which  he  continued  until  1865,  since  which  time  he  has  confined  his  at- 
tention to  dentistry  as  closely  as  circumstances  would  allow;  since  that  date,  he  has  given 
instruction  to  a  number  of  young  men  in  dentistry,  homeopathy  and  allopathy,  who  are 
practicing  in  their  professions.  As  a  dentist.  Dr.  Douglas  has  been  signally  successful ; 
from  January  1,  1866,  to  January  1,  1872,  he  put  in  4.394  fillings  with  but  seventeen  re- 
placements within  two  years  of  the  first  operation;  February  1,  1852,  he  made  his  first 
experiment  in  removing  nerv.es  and  filling  nerve  canals  in  roots,  with  a  three-rooted  tooth, 
which  was  in  good  condition  twenty-three  years  afterward:  April  9,  1859,  he  exerted  his 
skill  for  the  first  time  in  filling  ulcerated  teeth;  the  experiment  has  proved  a  success  to 
this  date,  twenty-thi-ee  years  after.  Dr.  D.  is  one  of  the  organizing  members  of  the 
Michigan  Dental  Association,  seldom  tailing  to  attend  its  meetings,  coutributing  greatly 
to  their  interest  by  verbal  or  written  discussions,  or  both;  has  occupied  or  declined  every 
official  position;  he  assisted  in  organizing  the  Michigan  Homeopathic  Institute,  and  was 
a  member  until  its  dissolution,  in  May,    1877;  he  was  constituted  a  member  of   its  sue- 


-Ti. 


^^ 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


cesser,  the  Michigan  Homeopathic  Medical  Society:  in  recognition  of  his  experi- 
ence, reputation  and  as  a  contributor  to  dental  science,  the  Ohio  College  of  Den- 
tal Surgery  conferred  upon  him,  in  March,  1S71,  the  degree  of  D.  D.  S.  He  con- 
nected himself  with  the  Baptist  Church  at  Troy,  Oakland  County,  in  1S43,  and  at 
sixteen  was  appointed  one  of  the  church  committees;  in  \HThi,  he  transferred  his  mem- 
bership to  the  Baptist  Church  in  Itomeo;  in  1S72,  his  connection  with  that  denomination 
was  severed,  in  consequence  of  a  change  of  his  views,  and  he  has  since  united  with  the 
Congregational  Church;  he  was  Deacon  of  the  Baptist  Church  seven  years,  and  for  live 
years  was  a  leading  member,  paying  from  one-tenth  to  one-eighth  of  the  current  expenses 
of  the  society;  he  was  Superintendent  of  the  Mission  Sabbath  School,  near  Eomeo,  seven 
summers,  and  has  always  been  a  generous  contributor  to  Christian  societies  of  various  de- 
nominations, adding  materially  to  the  advancement  of  the  same  in  his  locality;  he  is 
known  for  his  professional  benevolence,  moderating  his  charges  to  the  circumstances  of 
his  patients,  and  rendering  gratuitous  services  when  the  case  requires;  he  is  temperate  in 
habits  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  was  married,  October  2,  IS52,  to  Elizabeth 
Clarke,  a  native  of  England,  who  emigrated  with  her  parents  from  Bedford  in  1884;  they 
were  on  the  ocean  twenty-one  weeks  and  were  wrecked  ofi'  New  York  harbor,  escaping 
only  with  their  lives;  Dr.  and  Mrs.  D.  have  had  three  daiighters  and  one  son;  two  daugh- 
ters and  the  son  are  now  living. 

EBER  J.  DUDLEY,  third  son  of  Orsel  Dudley,  was  born  June  1-4,  18:30,  in  Wash 
ington,  Macomb  County;  he  received  a  common-school  education  and  lived  on  a  farm  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  old;  after  that  age,  he  came  to  Romeo  and  attended  school  and 
afterward  taught  about  six  yeare;  in  1861,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  in  Brook- 
hn,  Ray  Township,  and,  three  years  after,  came  to  Romeo,  entering  the  employ  of  John 
W.  Dyar  as  clerk;  after  a  year  and  a  half,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Joseph  Newman, 
which  relation  existed  nine  years;  in  1876,  he  began  business  where  he  is  at  present  es- 
tablished; he  has  a  very  tine  assortment  of  goods,  selected  in  the  best  of  taste  as  to 
quality  and  variety  to  suit  his  large  trade;  he  deals  exclusively  in  ladies'  goods;  he  and 
Mrs.  Dudley  give  their  attention  exclusively  to  their  business,  and  both  are  highly  esteemed 
by  their  customei-s.  Mr.  Dudley  was  married,  November  27,  1863,  to  Elizabeth  Warren, 
born  in  New  York;  they  have  one  son — Frank  W.,  seven  years  old.  Mrs.  Dudley's  father 
was  a  Methodist  minister  of  her  native  State.  Politically,  Mi'.  Dudley  is  a  Republican, 
though  not  very  active  or  aggressive;  he  served  as  School  Inspector  of  Ray,  and  three 
vears  as  Township  Clerk  of  Washington. 

ORSEL  DUDLEY  (deceased)  was  born  in  EastBloomtield,  N.  Y,  March  24, 1800;  came 
to  Macomb  County  in  May,  1S8(),  and  settled  in  Washington;  he  was  married,  May  30, 
1822,  in  New  York,  to  Lucinda  Jones,  a  native  of  Pompey,  Onondaga  Co.,  N  Y. ;  she 
now  lives  with  her  son,  aged  eighty.  Mr.  Dudley  had  small  opportunities  for  education, 
but  he  had  a  passion  for  books,  and  acquired  a  liberal  education  thi'ough  reading;  he  lo- 
cated 168  acres  of  Government  laud,  which  he  sold  afterwai'd  and  bought  eighty;  there 
were  five  childi'en,  four  of  whom  are  now  living;  their  record  is  as  follows:  Jerome,  de- 
ceased; Olive,  living  in  Wasliington;  Eber  (see  sketch);  Leonai'd,  residing  in  Mason,  Ing- 
ham County;  Yelora,  wife  of  James  Gass,  of  Ray.  Mr.  Dudley  was  a  man  of  equable 
temperament,  which  made  his  judgment  valuable  to  his  friends;  a  strong  advocate  of 
temperance,  interested  actively  in  politics,  leaving  the  Democratic  for  the  Republican 
party  when  slavery  became  an  issue;  he  died  suddenly  of  apoplexy,  January  18,  1880. 

EDWARD  R.  EATON  was  born  December  1,  1828,  in  Union,  Tolland  Co.,  Conn.;  he 
is  the  son  of  William  and  Fannie  Sessions  Eaton;  his  father  was  born  September  16, 
17U3;  his  mother  August  14,  1795;  the  former  came  to  Michigan  in  February,  1836,  and 
bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Washington  preparatory  to  establishing  a  home  for  his  family, 


rnr 


i^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


consisting  of  his  wife,  live  daughters  and  two  sons,  who  followed,  July  8,  1836;  the  par- 
ents lived  on  the  farm  until  their  deaths,  the  father  dying  in  1861  and  the  mother  in 
1875.  Ml'.  Eaton  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  when  he  en- 
gaged as  a  farm  hand  until  April  8,  1856,  when  he  was  married  to  Harriet  Nichols,  of 
Macomb,  Macomb  County;  he  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  iu  Macomb,  where  he  lived 
seven  years  and  cleared  nearly  the  whole  of  it,  when,  iu  1S63,  he  sold  out  and  bought  a 
farm  of  140  acres  in  Washington,  which  he  has  increased  l)y  pui'chase  to  215  acres;  in 
the  fall  of  1881,  he  removed  to  Romeo.  Mr.  and  Mi's.  Eaton  have  had  foui-  children — a 
daughter,  Fidelia,  died  in  February,  1864,  nearly  two  years  old;  Van  W.,  is  married  and 
managing  his  father's  farm;  Fannie  is  married,  and  William  lives  at  home.  Until  1861, 
Ml-.  Eaton  was  a  Democrat,  and  has  since  voted  the  Republican  ticket;  he  was  Constable 
and  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Macomb  County. 

SAMUEL  HOLBROOK  EWELL  was  born  January  :},  18  IU,  at  Middlebmy,  Wyo- 
ming Co.,  N.  Y. ;  his  parents,  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Hoyt)  Ewell,  were  both  natives  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, the  former  born  at  Norwich,  Hampshire  County,  March  22,  177U,  Scotch  par- 
entage, the  latter  at  New  Braintree,  Worcester  County,  of  Welsh  extraction;  in  1802, 
Samuel  Ewell  and  his  brother  Henry  moved  te  the  •'Holland  Purchase,"  now  the  town- 
ship of  Middlebury,  Wyoming  County,  and  were  the  iii'st  two  of  the  settlers  in  the  dis- 
trict who  paid  for  their  pre-emption  of  160  acres  from  the  products  of  the  land.  Mr.  E. 
was  married,  in  1806,  in  Chesterfield,  Mass.,  to  Nancy  Hoyt,  and  moved  to  Middlebiuy 
the  same  year;  he  came  to  Michigan  in  1836,  and  died  at  Romeo  June  16,  1842,  and  his 
wife  died  September  4,  1873,  in  the  ninety-third  year  of  her  age;  both  were  baptized  and 
united  with  the  West  Baptist  Church,  in  Middlebmy,  July,  1818,  a  membership  which 
lasted  all  their  lives;  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  childi'en,  whose  record  is  as  follows: 
Apphia  died  at  Alexandi'ia,  N.  Y.,  aged  seventy-one:  Laura  died  at  Adi-ian,  Mich.,  Febra- 
ary  \>.  1881,  aged  seventy-two;  Sophronia,  Widow  Mix,  lives  at  Aurora,  111.;  Samuel  H. 
has  lived  at  Romeo  since  May  28,  1836;  Aaron  Hall  resides  in  Dakota;  Jane  Hoyt  is  the 
wife  of  Dr.  J.  Avery,  of  Greenville,  Mich.;  Nancy,  Alvina  and  Sophia  reside  at  Romeo; 
Loranie  died  at  three  months  old.  'Mr.  E.  of  this  sketch  came  to  Michigan  with  his  par- 
ents at  the  age  of  seventeen;  he  attended  the  high  school  three  winters,  and  afterward 
worked  at  the  cabinet-maker's  trade  three  years,  with  the  Messrs.  Palmer;  in  IS'43,  he 
commenced  working  on  his  father's  farm,  near  the  village,  where  he  remained  until  1857; 
he  spent  thiee  and  one-half  years  in  a  grist-mill,  and,  in  1S60,  went  to  Pike's  Peak;  re- 
tui'ned  and  purchased  the  Romeo  Argus;  a  year  after,  it  was  biu-ned,  with  no  insurance; 
he  went  to  work  in  a  wagon-shop,  where  he  remained  three  years,  and,  in  LSGU,  iu  com- 
pany with  Irvin  D.  Hanscom,  purchased  the  Romeo  Obserner,  and  they  continued  its 
publication  until  1874;  in  1877,  he  built  a  grist-mill  on  the  corner  of  St.  Clair  and  Bailey 
streets,  where  he  has  since  operated;  he  was  married,  in  December,  1S43,  to  Lucinda 
Wilcox,  who  died  in  July,  1845;  in  September,  1857,  he  was  married  to  Cordelia,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Smith,  of  Almout;  they  have  one  daughter — Leoua,  burn  April  1,  1S60;  she 
is  a  young  lady  of  scholarly  attainments  and  graduated  with  honor  at  the  normal  school  in 
June,  1881;  a  son,  vSamuel  Leon,  born  November  1,  1870,  is  pursuing  his  studies  at  Ro- 
meo. Mr.  E.  was  in  old  times  a  Whig  and  became  an  active  and  aggressive  Republican;  in 
1863,  he  was  enrolling  officer  for  the  t<^wnship  of  Bruce,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Village  Trustees  several  terms;  until  the  age  of  thirty-five,  he  was  liberal  iu  his 
religious  views,  and  at  that  time  became  a  Spiritualist;  in  temperament,  he  is  social  and 
genial  and  inspires  those  whom  he  meets  with  a  feeling  of  ease  and  confidence;  he  owns 
village  property  and  a  small  farm  within  the  corjioration  line,  which  he  manages  himself;  in 
temperance,  he  is  a  radical,  using  neither  whisky,  tobacco,  tea,  coftee  or  other  stimulants. 

SEAMON  FILLMORE  (deceased)  was  born  February  11,  17UU,  in  Genesee   County, 


,^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


N.  Y. ;  was  the  son  of  John  and  Ada  (Simmons)  Fillmore,  the  former  of  Irish  descent, 
the  latter  of  Scotch  lineage;  he  came  to  Michigan  in  September,  1832.  and  located  in 
Ray.  Macomb  County,  taking  np  two  eighty- acre  tracts  of  Government  land  on  the  line 
between  Ray  and  Armada;  it  was  all  dense  forest  and  Mr.  Fillmore  entered  resolutely  at 
oucc  upon  the  self-imposed  duties  of  the  pioneer,  clearing  away  the  timber,  improving  the 
land  and  making  every  preparation  for  the  support  and  comfort  of  his  family:  this,  at 
that  time,  included  his  wife  and  three  children,  which  number  increased  to  nine;  all  sur- 
vive but  two.  Mr.  Fillmore  was  married,  to  Philinda  Ashley,  in  New  York,  February 
16,  1828;  she  was  born  September  10,  1S06,  and  is  still  living  at  Romeo,  corner  of  Bailey 
and  Washington  streets.  Mr.  Fillmore  was  a  Whig,  but  took  only  a  moderate  interest  in 
politics;  he  died  October  2.  184H.  aged  fortv-five  vears. 

CHARLES  FILLMORE  was  born  September  14,  1830,  in.  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.; 
is  the  son  of  Seamon  and  Philinda  (Ashley)  Fillmore;  when  he  was  two  years  old,  his 
parents  settled  in  Ray,  Macomb  County,  where  he  remained  on  the  homestead  farm  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  set  out  for  his  single-handed  struggle  with  the  world. 
In  1856,  he  took  charge  of  the  Selleck  Hotel,  at  Armada  Corners,  then  a  popular  and 
prominent  resort  on  account  of  location;  he  managed  the  house  two  years,  and,  diu-ing 
the  time,  November  U,  1857,  was  married  to  Hannah  Lyons,  a  native  of  Canada;  he  en- 
listed in  the  civil  war,  in  1861,  in  Company  A,  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry,  as  a  musician. 
The  regiment  was  ordered  to  West  Point.  Ky.,  where  it  was  stationed  during  the  winter; 
in  the  spring  of  1862,  it  was  transferred  to  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. ;  he  was  there  appointed 
Drum  Major  of  the  band  and  held  music;  July  12.  1862,  he  was  captiu-ed  at  Murfrees- 
boro, and  was  soon  after  paroled,  and  was  discharged  about  the  1st  of  August  after  for 
sickness  and  disability;  he  returned  to  Romeo  and  engaged  with  George  Washer  in  the 
manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes,  where  he  remained  nearly  nine  years.  Politically,  Mr. 
Fillmore  is  a  Democrat;  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Macomb  County  in  1873, 
and  held  the  position  six  years;  in  March,  1876,  he  was  elected  Marshal  of  Romeo,  and 
continues  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office,  in  connection  with  which  he  is  acting  as 
Constable,  a  position  he  has  tilled  at  different  times  since  attaining  his  majority.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fillmore  have  had  four  children,  three  of  whom — all  sons — they  have  lost;  a 
daughter.  Julia,  still  survives. 

STEPHEN  H.  FITCH  was  born  July  17,  1807,  at  Kinderhook.  Columbia  Co.,N.  Y.; 
his  parents,  Abel  and  Patty  (Barnard)  Fitch,  were  both  natives  of  Connecfticut,  of  English 
descent;  at  sixteen,  he  went  to  Victor,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
went  to  Cattaraugus  County,  where  he  remained  three  years;  he  came  to  Michigan  in 
1831,  and  settled  in  that  part  of  Washington  which  is  now  included  in  Bruce;  previous  to 
coming,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  but.  on  seeing  it.  was  disappointed,  sold  it  and 
bought  another  farm  of  eighty  acres,  three  miles  north  of  Romeo,  adding  forty  acres  by 
purchase  afterward;  in  April.  1864,  he  bought  his  present  property  at  Romeo,  including 
six  and  one-fourth  acres,  and  moved  into  the  village;  in  1868.  he  located  a  farm  in  Jack- 
son County,  Ala.,  where  he  built  a  house  and  moved  his  family;  he  spent  about  live  years 
there  preparing  a  home  for  his  family,  who  were  with  him  two  years;  in  1873.  they  re- 
turned to  Romeo.  He  was  married,  in  July,  1831.  to  Louisa  Collins,  of  Erie  County,  N. 
Y. ;  she  died  in  1844.  leaving  three  of  four  children  living — Martha.  Henry  C.  and  Ste- 
phen. Mr.  Fitch  was  man-ied  again,  in  1847.  to  Julia  Chamberlain,  a  native  of  Dela- 
ware County.  N.  Y. ;  they  had  one  son — George  B.  Mr.  Fitch  cast  his  first  Presidential 
vote  for  Andrew  Jackson,  and  has  always  belonged  to  the  same  party;  he  was  Assessor  in 
Bruce  in  1836,  and  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  afterward. 

WILLIAM  V,'.  GIBBS  was  born  December  21,  1824.  in  Livonia.  Livingston  Co., 
N.  Y. :  his  parents,  David  and  Ruth  (Woodruff)  Gibbs,  were  both  of  English  descent;  his 


J4V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


father  was  born  iu  Massachusetts,  his  mother  in  Connecticut,  where  they  were  married; 
they  moved  to  Chenango  County.  N.  Y. ,  and  afterward  to  Livingston  County;  they  had 
twelve  children,  one  of  whom  died  at  the  age  of  two  years:  the  rest  lived  to  mature  years; 
the  father  was  a  carpenter  and  died,  in  lS;-!5.  from  lockjaw,  caused  by  a  pistol-shot  in  the 
foot:  the  mother  died  in  1841.  Mr.  Gibbs  remained  at  home  until  his  mother's  death 
when  he  was  sixteen  years  old:  he  worked  about  eight  years  at  gunsmithing, and  then 
began  studying  as  a  portrait  painter  and  came  to  Michigan,  in  1S4U,  locating  at  Kalama- 
zoo, where  he  remained  until  June  6.  1!S52.  at  which  date  he  came  to  Armada:  January  1, 
185H.  he  came  to  Romeo  and  has  folloived  his  profession  since,  acquiring  considerable 
celebrity  both  as  a  portrait  and  landscape  painter.  Mr.  Gibbs"  sketches  and  studies  in 
color  exhibit  him  as  an  artist  of  legitimate  genius  and  taste,  and  one  who  fully  merits  all 
the  success  and  fame  he  has  won.  He  was  married,  in  September,  1867,  to  Jane,  daugh- 
ter of  Oliver  A.  and  Eliza  Jane  Lewis,  of  Dryden,  Lapeer  Co.,  Mich.:  she  was  born  in 
that  town:  they  have  one  son — Willie — aged  ten  years;  they  lost  a  daughter — Alice — 
when  twenty  months  old.  Mr.  G.  has  been  a  Republican  since  the  formation  of  the  party; 
he  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  for  many  years  and  an  interested  witness  of  its  growth 
and  development.  Some  of  the  original  paintings  of  Mr.  G.  that  may  be  referred  to  are 
the  portraits  of  Henry  Stephens  and  Miss  Jennie  Mellens,  of  Romeo;  J.  Henry  AVhitte- 
more,  wife  and  child,  and  Miss  Jessie  Fox,  of  Detroit;  family  group  of  John  Mellens: 
ideal  sunset  in  the  mountains,  owned  by  Mr.  Stephens,  Jr,,  Romeo;  hunters'  camp  in  the 
pine  plains  in  Crawford  County,  Mich.,  and  moonlight  on  the  ocean,  owned  by  George  H. 
Waterbury. 

EDWIN  W.  GIDDINGS  was  born  June  11,  1815,  at  Preston,  New  London  Co., 
Conn. :  is  the  son  of  Jabez  W.  and  Lydia  (Alden)  Giddings;  his  parents  were  of  English 
descent;  his  mother  was  born  in  Stafford,  Tolland  Co.,  Conn.;  thej'  removed,  in  1880,  to 
Hartford,  Conn.,  where  Mr.  Giddings  passed  the  succeeding  four  years  on  a  farm,  with 
limited  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education.  He  was  married,  October  18,  1840,  to 
Martha  S.  Makepeace,  of  Brookfield,  Mass.,  who  died  June  16,  1841.  Mi-.  Giddings  was 
married,  November  28,  1848,  to  Mercy  A.  Leach,  of  Honeoye  Falls,  N.  Y. ;  they  had  two 
sons  and  foiu-  daughters.  Mrs.  Giddings  died,  November  22,  1866.  In  November,  1888, 
Mr.  Giddings  came  to  Michigan,  with  Nathan  Dickinson,  a  merchant  of  Romeo,  and  an 
extensive  owner  of  pine  lands;  they  formed  a  partnership  January  1,  188U,  under  the 
style  of  M.  Dickinson  &  Co.,  a  relation  which  existed  imtil  the  death  of  Mr.  Dickinson, 
in  1859;  after  that  event.  Mr.  Giddings  continued  in  the  mercantile  business  with  his 
sons  and  others  until  1874;  on  the  organization  of  the  First  National  Bank,  he  was  elected 
Vice  President,  and,  on  the  death  of  Neal  Gray,  in  1868,  was  elected  President:  in  1870, 
he  organized  a  banking  house  under  the  name  of  Giddings  &  Moore,  resigning  his  po- 
sition in  the  First  National  Bank;  in  1874,  Giddings  &  Moore  re-organized  as  the  Citi- 
zens' National  Bank,  with  Mr.  Giddings  as  President,  a  position  he  still  retains:  August 
80.  1878,  be  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Commission  under  the  joint 
resolution  of  the  Legislature,  approved  April  24,  1878,  Mr.  Giddings  became  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  and,  in  1889,  connected  himself  with 
that  society  in  Romeo. 

M.  A.  GIDDINGS  was  born  at  Preston.  Conn.,  May  24,  1824;  he  is  the  son  of  Jabez 
W.  and  Lydia  (Alden)  Giddings,  natives  of  Connecticut.  In  1830  his  father  removed 
his  family  to  Hartford  Conn.,  where  he  remained  iintil  1846,  when  Mr.  G.  settled 
at  Romeo  and  opened  mercantile  transactions  on  a  limited  scale.  Persistent  at- 
tention to  business  and  careful  management  have  extended  his  relations  and  rendered 
them  successful.  He  commenced  operations  in  an  old  building  previously  occupied 
bv  J.  S,  Jenness,  and  was   associated  for  several    vears   with   H.    O.    Smith:    afterward 


658  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

the  firm  style  became  M.  A.  Giddings  &  Co.;  in  1856,  their  new  frame  building,  together 
with  a  considerable  portion  of  the  business  houses  of  Eomeo,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  when 
the  brick  block  now  occupied  by  the  company  was  erected.  IVL  A.  Giddings  &  Co.  became 
Giddings,  Mussey  &  Co.,  and  afterward,  succeeded  by  M.  A.  <&  A.  Giddings;  this  connec- 
tion continued  for  seven  years,  and,  in  ISIjU,  the  present  house  of  Giddings,  Rowley  & 
Co.  was  established;  it  is  one  of  the  strongest  business  firms  in  the  place;  on  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  First  National  Bank,  in  the  fall  of  1S68,  Mr  G.  was  one  of  the  original  incor- 
porators and  is  one  of  the  Directors;  he  was  elected  President  in  1871,  which  position  he 
still  fills;  he  also  owns  stock  in  the  Union  Iron  Company,  of  Detroit;  he  was  a  stanch 
Whig  and  became  a  Republican  in  later  days,  and  has  since  been  deeply  interested  in  all 
the  i.ssues  of  politics;  in  ISGG,  he  was  elected  President  of  Romeo,  and  afterward  served 
for  one  term  as  Trustee;  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  School  Board  for  six  years;  acted 
as  its  chief  officer  two  years;  he  united  with  the  Congregational  Church  soon  after  mov- 
ing here,  and  has  been  Sunday  School  Superintendent  for  thirteen  years;  he  was  married, 
in  1855,  to  Cai'oline.  daughter  of  Jacob  Beekman,  a  pioneer  of  the  county;  they  have  one 
son  and  two  daughters. 

DR.  WILLIAM  GREENSHILDS,  of  Romeo,  was  born  in  the  parish  of  Canui- 
chael,  Lauai'kshire,  Scotland,  April  1,  1886;  he  received  a  thorough  preparatory  education 
in  the  schools  of  Lesmahagow  and  entered  the  University  of  Glasgow  in  1852,  and  re- 
mained there  as  a  student  until  1S5U.  then  took  his  diploma  from  the  faculty  of  physicians 
and  surgeons  of  Glasgow,  after  a  rigid  examination,  in  April,  1859;  immediately  there- 
after, commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  the  town  of  Douglas,  in  the  parish  of  his 
birth;  receiving  the  appointment  of  surgeon  to  Riggside  &  Gillespin  Coal  AVorks,  which 
position  he  filled  for  five  years,  besides  having  a  large  private  practice;  in  the  month  of 
March,  1864,  he  emigrated  to  America,  settling  in  the  village  of  Romeo,  and  established 
himself  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  which  he  has  since  continued  to  the  present 
time;  for  four  years,  he  was  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  N.  E.  District  Medical 
and  Scientific  Association;  he  is  a  jnember  of  the  American  Medical  Association  and 
health  officer  of  Bruce  Township  for  many  years;  he  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M. 
and  Royal  Arch  and  Knight  Templar;  he  is  examining  smgeon  for  several  insurance  com- 
panies and  enjoys  an  extensive  general  practice;  he  is  a  careful  physician  and  a  surgeon 
of  more  than  ordinary  skill.  He  was  married,  February  21,  1866,  to  Mary,  oldest  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  McKay,  of  Bruce  Township;  she  was  born  in  Brace  February  1,  1845;  their 
children  are:  John,  born  December  H,  18(56;  Jennie  G.,  born  May  ■^,  1870;  Robert  McK., 
April  2S,  1878.  Dr.  G."s  father  was  born  in  Scotland,  in  June.  171(8,  emigrated  to  America  in 
1866,  located  on  the  Carpenter  farm,  in  Orion  Township,  Oakland  County,  where  he  still 
resides;  he  has  a  family  of  five  children,  of  whom  the  Doctor  is  the  fourth. 

IRVING  DUANE  HANSCOM  was  bom  in  Shelby,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  June  80, 
1S4();  he  is  the  son  of  George  and  Sarah  (Van  Bruudt)  Hanscom;  his  father  was  born  in 
Gorham,  Me.,  in  17'J6;  his  mother  was  a  native  of  the  Empire  State,  of  Dutch  extraction, 
her  parents  being  natives  of  Amsterdam,  Holland.  Mr.  H.'s  parents  came  to  Macomb 
County  in  1820,  and  took  up  160  acres  of  land  in  Shelby,  on  Sections  8  and  4,  which  was 
the  homestead  until  their  father's  death,  in  June,  1N55;  the  mother  survived  more  than 
twenty  years  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four;  they  had  five  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Alfred  H.  Hanscom,  the  eldest  son,  was  a  lawyer  and  politician  of  considerable  promi- 
nence. In  1S42,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Michigan  Legislatui-e.  and,  in  January  of  that 
year,  was  elected  Speaker  of  the  House;  he  was  then  twenty-two  years  old;  in  1850.  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  and,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1859, 
he  was  United  States  District  Attorney  for  the  Upper  Peninsula  of  Michigan.  Andrew 
J.  Hanscom   is   also  a  lawyer,  and  resides  at  Omaha,  Neb. ;  he   was  Speaker  of  the  first 

t^  la  ^  ^^ 


V£ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


House  of  Representatives  in  the  Territory  of  Nebraska.  Mr.  Hanscom  of  this  sketch  was 
the  youngest;  he  was  sent  to  Detroit  to  school  at  eight  years  of  age,  where  he  remained 
for  three  years;  he  subsequently  attended  the  high  school  at  Disco,  Prof.  A.  M.  Keeler; 
the  Dickinson  Institute,  at  Romeo,  Prof.  Isaac  Stone,  and  Dr.  Selden's  high  school  at  De- 
troit; at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  entered  Antioch  College,  Ohio;  the  next  year,  he  went 
to  Omaha  and  began  to  read  law  in  the  oifice  of  Poppletou  &  Lake,  then  the  leading  at- 
torneys of  that  city.  He  remained  one  year,  and,  becoming  infected  with  the  excitement 
growing  out  of  the  discovery  of  gold  at  Pike's  Peak,  and,  yielding  to  a  desire  to  visit  the 
gold  fields,  he  left  Omaha  for  a  short  rest  and  vacation  and  to  see  the  newly  famous  re- 
gion, but  he  did  not  readily  detach  himself  from  the  influences  of  the  limitless  prairies, 
the  exhilarating  atmosphere,  the  wild  adventures  and  the  spirit  of  unrest  fostered  by  his 
smToundings  there,  and  he  forgot  Blackstone;  when  the  mines  pi-oved  a  myth,  he  resolved 
to  solve  the  secrets  of  the  siuiset  side  of  the  continent,  and,  instead  of  retracing  his  steps 
with  the  myriads  who  had  failed  to  tind  their  El  Dorado  at  Pike's  Peak,  he  set  out  on  foot 
for  the  Pacific  coast  and  walked  2,000  miles.  On  the  '24th  of  August,  185U,  he  reached 
Sacramento  in  a  terribly  demoralized  state,  physically  considered — barefoot,  clothes  in 
tatters  and  nearly  starved;  he  improved  his  condition  by  working  in  tlie  mines  and  after- 
ward visited  places  of  interest  in  California,  and  proceeded  to  Mexico,  Central  America 
and  Cuba  and  thence  home;  soon  after,  he  entered  a  law  office  in  Detroit.  August  U,  1862, 
previous  to  a  contemplated  examination  for  admission  to  the  bar,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Twenty-second  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry;  in  six  months,  he  was  made  Orderly  Sergeant 
by  a  vote  of  the  company  and  was  subsequently  promoted  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant, 
and,  during  the  last  year  of  service,  was  in  command  of  Company  G;  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged with  his  regiment,  in  July,  1S65.  He  then  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  Elisha 
F.  Mead,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  x^pril.  1S66,  by  examination  before  Judge  San- 
ford  M.  Green,  and  at  once  opened  an  office  at  Romeo;  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Cir- 
cuit Com't  Commissioner  two  successive  terms,  was  nominated  by  the  Republicans  as 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  in  the  campaign  of  1S76,  but  was  defeated,  the  county  being 
strongly  Democratic;  he  was  again  nominated,  in  18N0,  for  the  same  office,  and,  notwith- 
standing the  strength  of  the  ruling  party,  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  thirteen  votes 
over  his  former  competitor.  He  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Bagley  a  Trustee  for  the  State  Insti- 
tute for  the  Deaf,  Dumb  and  Blind,  at  Flint,  and  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Board, 
which  position  he  resigned  four  years  later  because  of  the  press  of  his  own  business;  he 
is  Acting  President  of  Romeo,  to  which  he  has  been  elected  eight  times  in  succession;  he 
is  also  Director  of  the  Union  School,  and  has  been  for  a  long  time  Trustee  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church;  at  the  burning  of  Gray's  opera  house  block,  in  1876,  he  lost  a  fine  li- 
brary, which  constituted  the  bulk  of  his  possessions,  together  with  all  his  papers,  office 
tiles  and  accumulations  of  yeai's.  He  was  married,  January  17,  1S67,  to  Julia  Alice  Ab- 
bott; they  have  one  child — Bessie  A.,  fourteen  years  of  age  and  of  unusually  brilliant 
promise.  Mi-.  Hanscom's  character  maybe  inferred  from  his  record  ;  genial,  indomitable, 
persistent,  generous,  he  holds  his  friendships,  compels  respect  and  wins  the  confidence 
of  all.  Irving  D.  Hanscom  was  the  recipient  of  the  following  complimentary  letter  from  the 
Macomb  County  bar,  June,  1882,  previous  to  his  departure  for  his  new  home:  '•  Dear  Sir 
— You  have  been  on  trial  at 'the  bar  of  this  county  for  some  sixteen  years;  you  cannot  be 
permitted  to  escape  to  new  fields  of  practice  without  having  passed  upon  you  oiu'  delib- 
erate judgment  of  you.  A  brother  lawyer  of  this  county,  you  have  been  well  and  fairlj' 
tried,  and  we  shall  as  fairly  j)ronounce  sentence.  It  is,  by  us.  after  due  deliberation,  con- 
sidered, inasmuch  as  we  have  ever  found  you  in  all  our  association  and  interooui'se,  at  the 
bar  and  elsewhere,  an  honorable,  able  and  courteous  gentleman  and  attorney,  that  j'ou 
should  bear  with  you  in  the  future,  not  only  this  oui-  earnest  indorsement  of  you  as  an  able 

>^<s        r-  —^ a)  V 


IL^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


and  honest  lawyer,  worthy  of  the  confidence  of  clients  and  attorneys,  but  also  our  hearty 
and  sincere  wishes  that  the  future  of  you  and  yours  may  be  as  full  of  happiness  and  suc- 
cess as  one's  very  best  friends  could  suggest.  Yours,  etc.,  T.  M.  Crocker,  A.  L.  Canfield, 
D.  N.  Lowell,  Ct.  M.  Crocker,  H.  B.  Hutchins,  Edgar  Weeks,  S.  B.  Russell.  F.  P.  Mont- 
ford,  A.  B    Mavnard." 

GEORGEG.  HARTUNG  was  born  March  28,  1S85,  in  Warren  County,  N.  J. ;  he  is 
the  son  of  William  and  Caroline  Hartung,  both  natives  of  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  the  former 
of  German  and  the  latter  of  English  descent.  William  Hartung  was  the  son  of  Capt.  Henry 
Hartung:  the  latter  mai-ried  Mary  Kunkle,  daughter  of  Adam  Kunkle.  of  Sussex  County,  N. 
J.,  both  Germans.  The  mother  of  George  G.  Hartung  was  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Jabez  Gwin- 
nup.  an  Englishman,  born  in  Morristown.  N.  J.  At  the  age  of  fifty-five,  William  came  to 
Michigan  and  located  in  Oakland  County,  where  they  remained  until  advancing  age  made 
the  care  of  their  children  necessary,  and  they  gave  up  housekeeping.  Mrs.  H.  died  at  the 
residence  of  her  son  George.  October  20,  1878;  Mr.  H.  is  still  living  with  his  son,  in 
Calhoun  County,  aged  eighty-one  years;  there  were  twelve  children  in  the  family,  all  of 
whom  reached  mature  years;  three  are  deceased.  Mr.  H.  of  this  sketch  located  on  160 
acres  in  Addison.  Oakland  County,  in  1855.  which  land  he  still  retains  with  other  pur- 
chases, making  the  aggregate  255  acres.  He  was  married.  December  17,  1857.  to  Matilda 
C  daiighter  of  Marvil  Shaw,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb  County;  after  his  marriage,  he 
moved  on  another  farm  in  Oakland  Township,  where  he  lived  for  three  years  and  sold 
out:  he  bought  140  acres  in  Shelby.  Macomb  County,  and  resided  on  it  for  three  years, 
when  he  again  fixed  his  residence  in  Washington,  west  of  Romeo,  on  a  farm  of  200  acres, 
given  to  Mrs.  H.  by  her  father;  three  years  after,  they  moved  to  Romeo,  where  they  have 
since  resided:  they  first  bought  a  place  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Pleasant  streets  and 
occupied  it  three  years,  when  he  purchased  the  homestead  of  Dr.  Tilson.  Politically, 
Mr.  H.  is  a  Republican;  he  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Fremont  in  1856,  and  has 
served  thi-ee  terms  as  a  Village  Trustee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  have  two  daughters — Vinnie 
Ream  and  Annie  Brabb,  both  at  home. 

JAMES  HARVEY,  M.  D..  was  born  in  Canada  West,  August  21),  1886;  his  parents, 
William  and  Drusilla  (Mills)  Harvey,  were  farmers;  Dr.  Harvey  remained  in  the  Do- 
minion until  seventeen  years  old,  and  acquired  there  his  early  ed'jcation  and  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  E.  E.  Duncorab,  of  St.  Thomas;  he  attended  a  course  of 
lectures  at  the  Medical  College  of  Castleton.  Vt. ;  went  to  Ann  Arbor,  and,  after  one 
coiu'se  in  the  medical  department  of  the  University,  returned  to  Castleton,  where  he  took 
his  degree  in  1857.  He  began  practice  in  De  Witt,  Clinton  Co.,  Iowa,  where  he  re- 
mained until  July,  1862,  when  he  was  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Eighteenth 
Regiment.  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  bj'  Gov.  Samuel  J.  Kirkwoud:  his  commission  bore 
date  August  8.  1N62.  and  he  held  his  position  one  year,  when  he  was  obliged,  by  ill- 
health,  to  resign.  In  Sejitember,  1868.  he  came  to  Romeo,  where  he  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  general  ])ractice;  he  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  and  also 
a  meiuber  of  the  Northeastern  District  Medical  Association,  of  Michigan,  of  which  he  has 
been  Vice  President  and  Secretary.  Dr.  Harvey  was  President  of  the  village  of  Romeo  in 
1865.  He  was  married,  in  185U.  at  Ann  Arbor.  Mich.,  to  Hattie  E.,  daughter  of  Isaac 
Pennoyer.  of  that  place;  they  have  four  children — two  sons  and  two  daughters.  His  ances- 
tors were  Quakers;  his  father's  line  came  to  America  fi'om  England  under  the  grant  to 
William  Penn,  and  settled  with  the  colony  on  lands  included  in  the  celebrated  treaty:  his 
mother's  forefathers  came  from  Holland. 

ORMAN  W.  HOPKINS  was  born  February  24,  1817,  in  Middlebury,  Genesee  Co., 
N.  Y. ;  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Sally  (Lee)  Hopkins,  the  latter  descended  from  the  Lees 
of  Revolutionary  notoriety;  she  died  in  New  York  in  1828;  his  father  removed  his  family 


W 


to  Washington  Township  in  1S26,  and  died  three  months  after  his  arrival,  leaving  seven 
childi-en.  Mr.  Hopkins  of  this  sketch  being  the  sixth.  The  family  remained  on  their 
father's  farm,  and  he  continued  there  six  years,  when  he  moved  to  the  west  part  of  Ro- 
meo; he  was  among  the  pioneers  and  associated  with  the  Indian  lads,  whose  language  he 
soon  spoke  with  the  fluency  of  a  native;  he  was  married.  December  24,  1838,  at  Romeo, 
to  Matilda  Turrell,  born  in  Rush,  Mom-oe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  they  have  three  children — -Merritt  A. 
and  Emmett  (twins)  and  Eva  M. :  Merritt  married  Celestia  Snover;  Emmett  mairied  Sarah 
Beach;  all  reside  at  Romeo.  Mr.  Hopkins  worked  as  a  mason  some  years,  and,  in  1856, 
conjointly  with  a  partner,  built  a  steam  grist-mill,  which  he  operated  foui-  years;  he  has 
been  engaged  during  the  last  ten  years  as  au  engineer  in  a  grist  and  saw  mill;  he  spent 
one  summer  in  gold  hunting  in  the  Rocky  Mountains — a  season  of  pleasure  and  experi- 
ence, if  not  of  profit;  his  earliest  political  views  coincided  with  the  principles  of  the  Whig 
party,  and  since  he  has  been  an  active  supporter  of  Republican  doctrines;  has  served  one 
year  as  Constable  of  Romeo;  his  residence  is  on  Minot  street,  which  has  been  his  home 
sixteen  vears. 

STEPHEN  SIBLEY  HOPKINS,  printer,  was  born  at  Romeo  June  4,  1847;  his 
father,  Cyrus  Hopkins,  descendant  of  the  signer  of  the  Declaratiim  of  Independence  (Step 
Hopkins);  was  a  longtime  resident  of  Romeo,  and  is  the  subject  of  a  poem,  found 
in  the  poetical  chapter  in  this  volume;  his  mother,  M.  C.  Parker,  a  native  of  New  York, 
still  lives  at  the  village;  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  Sibley  became  connected  with  the 
paper.  Romeo  Argus,  and  followed  the  fortunes  of  that  jiaper  through  various  names  and 
administrations  for  about  twenty  years,  a  portion  of  the  time  being  editor  and  publisher; 
in  the  fall  of  1881,  he  removed  to  the  city  of  St.  Clair,  and  became  connected  with  the  Re - 
publiran,  which  position  he  still  holds.  He  married,  October  20,  1868,  Gertrude,  daugh- 
ter of  ^Yilliam  Maj-nard,  of  Romeo;  her  parents  were  natives  of  Western  New  York,  who 
removed  to  Michigan  in  1844,  and  have  been  residents  of  Romeo  for  the  past  twenty  years; 
they  have  had  one  child  born  to  them,  which  died  in  infancy;  they  are  members  of  the  M. 
E.  Church  and  he  is  Republican  in  politics. 

JAMES  HOSNER  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  March  29,  1811,  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Monroe  Couuty,  N.  Y'.,  about  1816;  was  married  to  Fanny  Spencer  in  1882;  in 
that  year,  they  moved  to  Michigan  and  settled  at  Clifton,  Macomb  County,  on  the  present 
site  of  the  Clifton  Mills;  in  1836.  he  exchanged  his  land  for  a  tract  owned  by  Wilkes 
Stuart,  in  Bruce;  on  this  he  remained  until  within  a  short  time  before  his  death,  when 
he  moved  one-half  mile  west,  in  Biiice;  he  died  June  11,  1876.  Mrs.  Hosner  was  the 
daughter  of  iVi-nold  and  Lavina  (Hay den)  Spencer:  her  father  was  born  at  East  Haddam, 
Conn.,  in  1788,  and  died  in  1841;  her  mother  was  born  in  1790.  near  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
died  in  1852.  Arnold  Spencer  was  the  son  of  Timothy  aud  Sarah  Spencer.  James  Hos- 
ner was  the  son  of  Hugh  and  Hannah  (Snyder)  Hosner,  the  former  born  in  1788,  in 
Dutchess  County,  N.  Y".,  died  in  1889.  Hannah  Hosner  was  the  daughter  of  Jacob  Snyder, 
born  in  1785.  in  Dutchess  County,  and  died  in  1S68.  Hugh  Hosner  was  the  son  of  Nich- 
olas and  Fanny  Hosner.  Mi-.  Hosner  of  this  sketch  was  the  parent  of  nine  children,  born 
as  follows:  William  L..  Mav  18.  1885,  died  December  2,  1856;  Fidelia  E.,  January  15, 
1888;  Louisa,  July  14.  1840.  died  December  26.  1S40;  Daniel  A.  December  6.  1841; 
Oscar  N.,  July  6,  1844:  James  R..  June  29.  1846;  Emma  L..  May  7.  1848.  died  Septem- 
ber 24,  1876;  John  E.,  July  18,  1850;  Frank  F.,  March  29,  1858.  Mrs.  Hosner  still  re- 
sides on  the  place  where  her  husband  died.  Mr.  Hosner  was  Deacon  of  the  Bruce  Union 
Chm-ch  over  twenty  years,  which  he  joined  in  1845;  he  was  a  radical  Republican  in  po- 
litical views. 

RILEY  J.  HOSNER,  son  of  James  and  Fanny  (Spencer)  Hosner,  was  born  in  Bruce 
Township  June  29,  1846;  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and 


-^ — "W 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY 


later,  attended  the  Commercial  College  of  Detroit;  being  of  a  mechanical  turn  of  mind 
and  tastes,  and,  being  disabled  for  farm  labar.  he  gave  his  attention  to  machine  work  iu 
iroa  and  brass;  this  continued  in  a  small  shop  on  the  farm  for  three  years,  with  growing 
success  and  profit.  On  the  10th  of  November.  IN? 4.  he  purchased  the  machine  shop  of 
Morton  &  Hamlin,  in  Romeo.  This  business  he  has  jirosecuted  with  profit  to  himself  and 
satifrfaction  to  his  patrons  to  the  present  time;  his  skill  and  success  are  the  result  of  his 
own  study  and  industry,  as  he  has  never  labored  in  any  shop  but  his  own  and  served 
no  apprenticeship;  he  has  built  up  a  good  business  in  all  of  its  various  branches.  Mr. 
Hosner  is  unmarried;  a  member  of  the  K.  of  H.  and  Royal  Arcanum,  a  man  of  temper- 
ance principles,  and,  in  politics,  a  Repubican. 

JAMES  KEEL  was  born  December  17.  1S21.  in  Somersetshire.  Engand:  in  1S80, 
his  parents,  John  and  Hannah  (Board)  Keel,  with  five  children,  came  to  America;  they 
went  first  to  Rochester.  N.  Y..  where  they  remained  until  1S86,  and  then  came  to  Detroit; 
in  1S8S,  Mr.  Keel  of  this  sketch  came  to  Clifton,  Macomb  County,  and  worked  in  the  Clif- 
ton Mills,  until  they  were  destroyed  by  tire,  in  1S44.  when  he  went  to  Albion,  Calhoun 
County,  and,  two  years  later,  bought  a  farm  of  120  acres,  in  Oakland,  Oakland  County, 
where  he  lived  until  1S78;  in  the  fall  of  that  yeiff.  he  removed  to  Romeo,  being  employed 
in  the  Clifton  Mills,  which  had  been  rebuilt  by  Hugh  Gray.  Mr.  Keel  cast  his  first  vote 
for  James  K.  Polk,  in  IS44.  and.  up  to  the  date  of  the  rebellion,  was  a  Democrat;  his  last 
Presidential  vote  on  that  ticket  was  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas;  since  the  breaking-out  of 
the  civil  war.  he  has  acted  with  the  Republican  party;  he  was  married,  in  1S44.  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  James  East,  an  old  settler  of  Macomb  County;  she  died  in  1S5S.  leaving  two 
sons  and  two  daughters;  he  was  married  again  to  Leah  Pierce,  native  of  England;  she 
died  October  1.  ISSl.  Mr.  Keel  has  a  residence  on  St.  Clair  street;  his  children  are — 
Omar,  lives  in  Bruce;  Alma,  wife  of  Eugene  Brown,  of  Addison,  Oakland  County;  Elva, 
wife  of  John  Hipp,  and  Francis,  resides  in  Kansas. 

ALBERT  KENNEDY  was  born  August  S,  1S33,  in  Mendon.  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.  He 
is  the  son  of  Theoj)hilus  P.  and  Jane  Caroline  Johnson  Kennedy,  the  former  of  Scotch 
extraction,  and  the  latter  of  mingled  Irish  and  Dutch  ancestry.  His  parents  settled  in 
Macomb  County  when  he  was  one  year  old.  and  located  on  the  farm,  which  originally  in- 
cluded 200  acres,  but  was  afterward  divided  between  his  father  and  brother-in-law.  Mr. 
Kennedy  was  reared  there  to  the  age  of  sixteen,  working  on  the  farm  summers  and  attend- 
ing the  district  school  winters.  He  then  placed  himself  with  experienced  buildere  and 
acquired  the  details  of  the  joiner's  trade,  and  began  work  on  the  Selleck  Hotel,  east  of 
Romeo. 

About  two  and  one-half  years  later,  he  returned  home  and  built  a  house  for  his 
father,  and  followed  the  calling  of  a  builder  for  many  yeai's,  and  constructed  buildings  in 
diiFerent  parts  of  the  county.  In  the  spring  of  18()1,  he  engaged  in  the  sash  and  blind 
factoiy  of  Holraan  &  Fai-rar.  In  ISfiS,  he  and  his  brother-in-law,  Joseph  A\'eller.  pur- 
chased the  factoi-y,  which  was  bm-ned  in  ISfiS,  at  a  loss  to  them  of  $10,000.  Within  ninety 
days  they  were  again  running,  and,  shortly  after,  their  entire  works  were  in  complete  order, 
with  new  and  improved  machinery.  (See  chapter  on  manufactures.)  In  1871,  Samuel 
Waycott  pm'chased  the  intei-est  of  Mr.  Weller,  selling  in  the  spring  of  ISSO  to  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy, who  still  continues  in  the  Inisiness.  The  factory  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Rowles 
and  La  Fayette  streets.  Mr.  Kennedy  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Fremont,  and  has 
acted  since  with  the  Republican  party.  In  1S()9.  he  became  a  member  of  the  Boai'd  of 
Trustees  of  Romeo,  a  position  he  has  held  for  eight  years.  He  was  married,  February  5, 
1S57,  to  Sarah  Gibbs,  a  native  of  Miicomb  County.  They  have  thi-ee  children — Nettie, 
Josie  L.  and  Eber  L. — all  residing  at  home.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Honor,  and  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.     He  is  held  in  high  estimation  by 


0^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COrNTY. 


his  townsmen,  and  resides  on  Tilson  street.     His  father  and   mother  are  living  on  Bailey 
street,  Romeo.     The  former  was  born  in  18()(i,  the  latter  in  LSI  2. 

WATSON  LOUD.  M.  D..  was  born  July  3,  ISOO,  at  West  Hampton,  Hampshire  Co., 
Mass.:  is  son  of  Caleb  and  Jerusha  Clark  Loud.  His  father  was  born  October  5,  1772, 
and  died  June  11,  1839.  His  mother  was  born  February  17,  1775,  and  died  May  8,  1851. 
He  went  to  school  at  Westtield.  Mass.  January  1,  1828,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  at 
Northampton.  In  the  winter  of  1828-29,  he  attended  a  coui'Me  of  lectures  at  Boston; 
in  the  fall  of  1829-30,  he  taught  school,  and,  during  the  summer,  acted  as  Dep- 
uty in  the  post  office  at  Northampton.  In  the  fall  of  1832,  he  went  to  Philadelphia 
and  attended  a  winter  and  summer  course  of  medical  lectures,  and  graduated  in  July, 
1833,  at  Jefferson  Medical  College.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Had- 
ley.  Mass,  in  the  winter  of  1835,  where  he  remained  until  June  1,  1840:  located  at  La- 
peer, Mich.,  in  October,  1840;  he  came  to  Romeo  and  practiced  medicine  until  1852;  in 
that  year,  he  fonned  a  copartnership  with  C.  B.  Newbm-y,  as  C.  B.  Newbury  <fe  Co.,  which 
relation  existed  until  18()5.  when  he  engaged  in  business  with  E.  C.  Newbury,  under  the 
style  of  Loud  &  Newbmy.  In  1870,  Dr.  Loud  retired  fi-om  commercial  life,  and  in  1S73 
commenced  operations  in  insurance.  He  was  married,  June  24,  1835,  at  Northampton,  to 
Mary  Ann  Clark.  She  was  born  December  11,  1808,  and  died  February  8,  1876.  Four 
of  eight  childi'en  are  living:  George  B.  married  Helen  A.  McCandlish.  is  engaged  in  the 
nursery  business  at  Romeo;  Julia  C.  is  the  wife  of  John  Hevenor,  a  merchant  of  Lapeer; 
Charles  W.  is  a  book-keeper  at  Grand  Rapids,  married  Sai-ah  E,  Dodge:  Flora  M.  resides 
with  her  father. 

D  WIGHT  N.  LOWELL  was  born  in  Washington,  one  mile  south  of  Romeo,  January  15, 
1843.  His  descent  on  his  father's  side  is  traced  from  Percival,  who  came  to  Anierica  from 
Bristol,  England,  in  1639,  and  settled  near  Newbtu-yport,  Mass.  His  mother,  Lam-a  Ewell 
Lowell,  was  a  descendant  from  John  Ewell,  who  emigi-ated  from  Scotland  in  1751  and  settled 
near  Scituate,  Mass.  Mr.  Lowell  was  the  youngest  of  four  chikb-en.  He  spent  the  summers 
on  his  father's  fai'm  and  attended  the  district  schools  winters  until  be  was  twelve  years 
old,  when  the  opening  of  the  Dickinson  Institute  in  the  new  school  building  at  Romeo 
occuiTed,  and  he  attended  school  there  winters  until  1S59,  when  he  commenced  his  i)rep- 
arations  for  college  with  Prof.  D.  J.  Poor.  He  stiidied  with  him  until  the  end  of  the 
spring  term  of  l862,  going  in  the  fall  of  that  year  to  Jackson  to  complete  his  studies  at 
the  high  school,  under  the  management  of  Prof.  D.  B.  Briggs;  matriculated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan  in  September,  1863,  and  was  graduated  A.  B.  Jime  2(i.  18()7.  In  the 
Senior  year,  he  was  elected  poet  of  his  class.  He  delivered  a  poem  on  class  day.  May  29, 
1867,  in  the  Presbyterian  Chiu-ch,  and  was  elected  as  one  of  the  twelve  from  the  class 
numbering  forty-three  to  deliver  an  oration  at  the  graduating  exercises.  He  spent  about 
two  months  in  canvassing  for  life  insurance,  and.  in  September,  1867,  entered  the  law 
ofiSce  of  Hon.  E.  F.  Mead,  at  Romeo,  where  he  remained  until  November,  18(59,  He  was 
examined  in  open  court,  before  Judge  James  S.  Dewey,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  June 
15,  1869.  The  following  winter  and  a  part  of  the  summer  of  1870.  he  officiated  as  Clerk 
of  the  Judiciary  Committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives  at  Lansing.  November  1, 
1869,  he  opened  an  office  in  the  third  story  of  the  brick  block  occupied  by  Giddings,  Row- 
ley &  Co.,  his  law  libraiy  cotisisting  of  Green's  Practice  and  a  copy  of  the  compiled  laws 
of  Michigan.  March  10,  1870,  he  established  his  business  in  an  office  on  the  second  floor 
of  Gray's  Block,  then  just  completed,  where  he  has  since  continued.  From  June  15,  1881 
to  November  15  of  the  same  year,  he  was  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Sm-veyor  General's  office  at 
Yankton,  D.  T.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held  the  position  of  Circuit  Com-t 
Commissioner  one  term:  has  been  Clerk  of  Romeo  three  terms,  and  a  short  time  acted 
as  Treasiu-er  of   that  village.     He  was  for  some   time   Secretary  of  the  Macomb  County 


Fl® ^ 


v 


L^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Agricultviral  Society,  and  is  now  President  of  the  village  of  Romeo,  and  Prosecuting  At- 
torney of  Macomb  County,  having  been  appointed  by  Judge  Stevens  May  2(5,  1882, 
to  till  the  unexpired  term  of  I.  D.  Hanscom.  The  Lowells  are  descendants  from  Percival 
Lowell — originally  spelled  Lowle — who  came  from  Bristol,  England,  with  his  wife,  Re- 
becca, and  sons,  John  and  Richard,  and  daughter,  Joanna.  Percival  was  the  eldest  son 
of  a  Richard  Lowell,  son  of  John  Lowle,  who  maiTied  a  Percival  and  drew  his  descent 
thi'ough  eight  generations,  by  the  eldest  son  of  each,  from  Walter  Lowle,  of  Yardley,  in 
county  of  Worcester,  England.  Dwight  N.  Lowell  is  the  youngest  son  of  Nelson  Lowell, . 
born  March  31,  ISIO,  who  was  the  son  of  Josiah  Lowell,  born  in  1755.  who  was  the  son 
of  David  Lowell,  Sr.,  burn  in  1710,  who  was  the  son  of  John,  born  1682,  son  of  Benjamin, 
born  lf)42,  son  of  John,  born  1595.  His  grandfather's  grandfather  came  from  England, 
but  whether  he  was  the  John  or  Richard  above,  or  a  son  of  one  of  them,  is  not  known, 
as  each  was  mairied  when  they  emigrated  to  this  country.  The  fii'st  settlement  was  made 
bv  Percival  and  his  two  sons  in  Newbui'y,  Mass.,  in  1639,  and  all  the  Lowells  in  this 
country,  so  far  as  can  be  traced,  claim  their  ancestry  from  this  point.  The  change  in  the 
family  name  was  made  by  the  Rev.  John  Lowell,  the  first  ordained  minister  of  Newbury- 
port,  and  consisted  in  a  change  of  spelling,  as  indicated,  from  Lowle  to  Lowell. 

AARON  B.  MAYNARD  was  born  in  Peru,  Windham  Co.,  Vt,  October  22,  1816.  He 
is  the  son  of  Timothy  and  Sarah  Wliitman  Maynard.  His  grandfather  was  a  native  of 
Massachusetts.  In  his  early  years,  his  parents  went  to  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
when  he  was  sixteen  they  moved  to  Saratoga  County.  Two  years  later,  they  went  to  Cam- 
bridge, Yt.  He  fitted  for  college  at  Jericho,  and  entered  Middlebm-y  College  in  1836, 
remaining  dmung  the  fall  and  winter  terms,  going  the  next  spring  to  the  L'niversity  of 
Vermont,  at  Biu-lingtou.  where  he  spent  two  years.  He  went  to  Talbot  County,  Md. ,  and 
passed  three  years  as  a  tutor  in  two  families,  and  reading  for  his  profession  as  opportunity 
served  He  returned  to  Vermont  in  PS41  and  studied  law  with  Albert  G.  Whittemore, 
and,  in  the  fall  of  1842,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Chittenden  County,  and  opened  an 
office  at  Richmond,  in  that  county.  He  was  maiTied,  October  12,  1843,  to  Julia  Edmunds, 
sister  of  Senator  Edmunds,  of  Vermont.  He  practiced  law  in  that  State  until  1855,  when 
he  removed  to  Michigan  and  established  his  business  at  Detroit.  5Ii'.  jNIaynard  has  a 
wide  celebrity  in  civil  practice,  and  is  rated  as  one  of  the  most  successful  jury  lawyers  in 
the  State.  He  was  United  States  District  Attorney  during  the  administration  of  Grant, 
and  is  still  in  practice.  He  has  a  tine  farm  of  150  acres  in  Raj',  where  he  spends  much 
time,  and  where  are  the  tinest  farm  buildings  in  the  county.  His  family  have  resided  at 
Romeo  since  1855.  His  daughters,  Mrs.  E.  W.  Meddaugh  and  Mrs.  John  B.  Dyar.  reside 
in  Detroit. 

HARVEY  MELLEN  was  born  in  Middlebury,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y..  April  3,  1822. 
His  parents.  Leander  and  Cynthia  (Selleck)  Mellen,  were  both  born  in  Hubbardton,  Vt. 
His  father  died  in  Lenox.  Macomb  County,  in  18()4.  The  family  came  to  this  county  in 
1837,  settled  in  Washington,  and,  in  1841.  located  on  a  farm  of  1(>0  acres  in  Lenox,  the 
old  homestead,  where  his  mother  is  now  living.  Since  the  age  of  twelve,  Mr,  Mellen  has 
received  six  months'  schooling.  There  were  nine  children  in  his  father's  family,  and,  be- 
ing in  straitened  circumstances,  they  all  had  to  aid  in  the  general  welfare.  At  eighteen, 
he  left  home  to  earn  his  own  living.  In  May,  1840,  he  joined  a  party  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Judge  Bui-t,  who  was  making  public  siuweys  in  the  Upper  Peuinsvila,  and  ope- 
rated with  them  four  years.  In  1S48,  he  made  a  Government  contract  for  public  siuweys 
in  the  iron  region  of  Manjuette.  He  was  compassman  in  the  corps  of  Judge  Burt  when 
the  discovery  of  iron  was  made.  His  contracts  were  renewed  from  year  to  year.  He  spent 
his  winters  in  working  as  a  carpenter.  He  was  married,  in  1849,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Michael  Bowerman,  a  native  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  and  reared  in   Washington. 


4 


b^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Her  father  was  a  pioneer  settler  of  Macomb  County.  Soon  after  this  event,  he  located  on 
a  farm  three  miles  northeast,  in  Bruce,  and  pursued  farming,  which  he  has  carried  on 
since,  in  addition  to  his  other  business.  In  1870,  he  engaged  in  lumbering,  in  company 
with  Henry  Stephens,  at  Fish  Lake  (now  Stephens).  Three  years  after,  he  sold  his  in- 
terest to  his  partner.  Previous  to  this,  he  had  been  engaged  seven  years  in  lumbering  iu 
Tmlay,  Lapeer  County.  While  on  the  farm,  he  managed  his  Government  contracts  simi- 
mers,  and  his  himbering  interests  winters.  He  has  a  large  mill  on  Otsego  Lake,  Otsego 
Co.,  Mich.,  which  has  a  capacity  of  40,000  feet  per  day.  Mr.  Mellen  is  a  Democrat,  and 
has  always  voted  the  general  ticket,  but  consults  his  own  judgment  in  many  things  con- 
nected with  politics.  He  served  as  Supervisor  of  Bruce  in  1851  and  1852;  in  the  spring 
of  1881,  was  again  elected  to  the  same  office  over  his  competitor,  who  had  held  the  office 
twenty-five  years.  He  has  run  twice  for  State  Legislatvire,  and  once  for  Senator.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mellen  have  lost  one  son,  Herschel  H..  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years.  The 
daughters  are  Helen  E.,  who  has  been  engaged  as  teacher  in  the  public  schools  about 
eight  years;  Sarah  J.,  wife  o^  Henry  Stephens,  Jr.  .of  St.  Helens,  Roscommon  Co. ,  Mich. ; 
and  Marian. 

HON.  JOHN  N.  MELLEN  was  born  in  the  town  of  Gerry,  Chautauqua  Co.,  N.  Y., 
September  30,  1831.  His  father,  Leander  Mellen,  was  born  at  Shaftsbiu-y,  Bennington 
Co..  Vt. .  February  17,  1797.  The  family  removed  to  Macomb  County  in  1837  and  settled 
in  Washington  Township,  and  in  1841,  removed  to  Lenox  Township.  Mr.  Mellen  received 
a  thorough  common- school  education,  and  in  1869,  settled  in  Romeo,  in  his  present  home. 
From  1847  to  1853,  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  Government  sm'veys  of  the  Upper 
I'eninsula,  and  explored  the  wild  and  pictiuresque  scenery  of  the  upper  lake  region.  Soon 
after  this,  he  made  a  two-years'  visit  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  made  himself  familiar  with 
the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people  of  that  wild  region;  also  was  one  of  the  Richard- 
son party  of  the  topographical  survey  of  Northern  California,  Oregon  and  Washington  Ter- 
ritory; in  1857,  was  engaged  in  the  Government  siu'vey  at  the  head  of  the  Red  River  of 
the  North,  in  Minnesota,  and  in  18(50,  in  Wisconsin.  He  was  employed  in  the  early  sui'- 
veys  of  Dakota  Territory,  under  G.  D.  Hill,  Surveyor  General.  Since  then,  he  has  spent 
much  time  in  exploring  the  unsettled  portions  of  our  own  State  and  Wisconsin,  in  search 
of  pine  and  mineral  lands,  in  which  he  is  sn  explorer  and  dealer.  In  1881  and  1882,  he 
was  engaged  on  the  Government  survey  of  the  Territory  of  Dakota.  In  1870,  he  was 
elected  Senator  for  the  Twenty-third  Senatorial  District  of  this  State.  He  was  married, 
March  7,  1860,  to  Lucy  M.  French,  who  was  born  in  Erie  County,  Peun. ,  April  30,  1838. 
Her  parents  were  natives  of  Wyoming  County.  N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Macomb  in  1842,  and 
were  residents  of  Lenox  Township  for  thirty  years.  The  children  of  Mi',  and  Mrs.  Mellen 
are  Jennie  L.,  born  August  16,  1864;  Ira  and  Ila,  twins,  born  November  1,  1868;  Margie 
H.,  born  at  Romeo  July  22,  1870;  Leander  Harvey,  born  at  Romeo  August  26,  1872: 
John  M..  born  at  Romeo  June  10,  1876.      Mr.  Mellen  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party. 

DANIEL  MILLER  was  born  February  18,  1798,  at  Brookfield,  Madison  Co..  N.  Y. 
He  was  left  motherless  when  a  child,  and  at  the  age  of  eight  years  was  sent  to  Sherbiu-ne, 
Chenango  Co.,  N.  Y.  October  16,  he  went  to  Covington,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  re- 
mained until  the  age  of  twenty-thi-ee.  He  had  to  depend  upon  himself,  and  worked  his 
nwn  way  in  the  world,  which  left  him  little  time  and  opportunity  for  obtaining  an  educa- 
tion, in  1819,  he  married  Miss  Lueinda  Hulbm-t,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  in  1822  lo- 
cated in  the  township  of  Washington.  He  is  the  oldest  married  man  who  came  to  the 
county.  At  that  time,  there  was  but  one  house  in  Romeo.  After  spending  ten  years  on  a 
farm  in  Washington,  he  bought  one  of  nearly  two  hundred  acres  in  Macomb,  where  he 
resided  about  thirty  years.  His  wife  died  in  1842,  leaving  four  childi-en — Eveline,  now 
Mrs.  D.  Cowles;  William  M.,  married  Lorinda  Austin;  Marian  M.,  now  Mrs.  N.  R.  Sut- 
41 


'f^ 


,^ 


ton;  and  Nelson  M.,  married  Caroline  Dixon,  residing  at  Ml.  Clemens.  Mr.  Miller  was 
married,  in  1N4'2.  to  Miss  Hannah  Wheeler.  He  moved  to  Romeo  in  ISCu,  and  in  18n9 
bought  his  present  residence  on  Benjamin  street.  His  wife  died  in  1.S73.  He  was  a 
third  time  married,  in  1873,  of  Mrs.  Joanna  Smith,  daughter  of  Jacob  Beekmau.  Mr. 
Miller  was  a  Democrat  about  thirty  years  of  his  life,  but  later  he  became  a  Republican. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  sixty-four  years.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  same  chiu'ch.  Mr.  Miller  has  experienced  all  the  vicissitudes  of  pioneer  life, 
and  observed  and  participated  in  the  advancement  of  this  portion  of  the  country  to  its 
present  creditable  and  prosperous  state.  He  is  a  zealous  temperance  advocate;  was  a  sol 
dier  of  the  war  of  1812;  enlisted  in  1S14,  just  before  it  closed,  for  which  service  he  re- 
ceived a  pension  under  act  of  March  U,  1878.  His  religion  is  of  a  tyj)e  that  will  and  has 
endured  the  test  of  trial. 

J.  R.  MORLAND  was  born  May  3.  1839,  in  town  of  Berlin,  St.  Clair  Co.,  Mich.  His 
parents  were  natives  of  Ii'eland.  His  father  died  in  the  year  1858,  and  his  mother  is  now 
living  at  Romeo,  at  the  age  of  sixty-thi'ee  years.  In  1840,  Mr.  Morland  came  to  this 
country,  and  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools,  and  was  bred  a  farmer  until  he 
was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  January  7,  18(')2, 
as  a  sharp-shooter;  served  three  years;  his  period  of  enlistment  expired  just  before  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  following  engagements;  Yorktowu,  Hanover  Court 
House,  Gaines"  Hill,  Malvern  Hill,  and  all  through  the  seven-days'  battle  before  Richmond. 
Chancellorsville,  Alder,  Middlesbiu-g,  Gettysburg.  His  regiment  marched  forty  miles  in 
one  day.  reaching  Gettysburg  in  time  to  help  check  the  advance  forces  of  the  rebels,  and. 
after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  over,  drove  the  retreating  rebels  across  the  Rappahan 
nock.  The  next  engagement  was  at  Mine  Run,  and  then  the  regiment  fell  back  to  the 
Rappahannock  River  and  went  into  winter  quarters.  The  next  engagement  was  in  the 
spring  of  18fi4.  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  which  lasted  three  days;  and  next  a  flank 
movement  was  made  to  Laurel  Hill,  where  they  encountered  the  rebel  force  and  fought 
them  two  days,  and  the  second  day  the  battle  lasted  until  10  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and 
ended  in  a  hand-to-hand  contest  in  the  darkness.  The  regiment's  next  engagements  were 
at  Spottsylvania  and  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg.  Erecting  large  forts  on  the  lines  of  breast- 
work, they  were  under  fire  at  the  latter  place  about  sixty  days,  and  next  made  a  flank 
movement  and  captured  and  held  the  Waldon  Railroad.  The  next  engagement  was  near 
South  Side  Railroad,  where  they  succeeded  in  routing  the  enemy,  and  captured  a  fort, 
with  a  loss  of  Col.  Walsh,  commanding  his  regiment;  he  was  struck  with  a  rifle  ball  in 
the  head  and  killed  instantly.  This  was  the  last  engagement.  Mr.  Morland's  time  of 
enlistment  expired  shortly,  and  he  was  honorably  discharged  January  20,  1865,  and  re- 
turned to  Romeo,  and,  after  a  short  visit  to  Oil  City,  retvu'ned.  He  bought  a  half  inter- 
est in  a  general  mercantile  enterprise,  in  which  he  was  engaged  about  thirteen  years,  when 
he  disposed  of  his  interest,  and,  shortly  after,  embarked  in  the  hardware  trade,  in  1878. 
He  has  a  full  line  of  goods;  carries  a  large  stock,  and  is  having  a  reasonably  successful 
trade.  He  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  acted  with  the  party.  He  was  elected  Vil- 
lage Marshal  for  four  years;  was  married,  January  25,  1872,  to  Avis  Humphrey,  a  native 
of  Almont,  Lapeer  Co.,  Mich.  They  have  four  children — Myrtle,  Howard,  Grace  and 
Lue.     His  residence  is  on  First  street,  Romeo,  Mich. 

MATHEW  atORTON,  son  of  James  Morton,  a  native  of  Scotland,  was  born  in  Ayi-- 
shire  May  5,  1830;  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  emigrated  to  America  with  his  parents,  set- 
tling on  Section  7,  Armada,  where  he  resided  until  attaining  his  majority,  attending  the 
schools  of  the  locality.  His  tastes  and  inclinations  were  mechanical,  and  the  leisure  time 
of  his  youth  was  spent  in  the  study  and  erection  of  some  piece  of  machinery,  often  to  the 
vexation  and  against  the  wishes  of  his  father.      Soon  after  arriving  at  age,  he  engaged  in 


#♦ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  business  of  foundry  and  machine-sho]>  at  Armada  Village  about  one  year;  from  here 
he  removed  to  Lapeer  City.'engaLjing  on  a  larger  scale  in  the  same  business  (building  and 
repairing  engines),  which  he  continued  fourteen  years,  a  portion  of  the  time  in  connection 
with  other  parties:  in  1871.  he  removed  to  Romeo  and  engaged  in  engine  and  railroad 
work,  in  eompaay  with  A.  Hamblin:  his  first  engine  was  built  in  181)1,  for  a  party  in  La- 
peer City,  on  a  conditional  contract:  when  it  was  completed,  it  filled  all  the  conditions, 
and  is  still  in  use:  he  made  the  drafts  and  patterns,  melted  the  iron  and  executed  the 
mechanical  work,  and  set  it  running  unassisted;  on  the  completion  of  his  first  marine 
engine,  the  contracting  parties  made  him  a  voluntary  bonus  of  $100;  in  18(0, he  made  an 
improvement  in  the  engine  of  a  fioiuing-mill  in  Detroit,  by  which  a  saving  was  gained  of 
half  in  fuel,  and  more  than  half  in  time;  upon  two  weeks'  notice,  he  invented  and  made  a 
machine  with  which  he  bored  out  fom-  cylinders  for  locomotives  in  twenty  hours — a  saving  of 
75  per  cent  in  time,  and  making  as  fine  a  job  as  could  be  made  in  any  lathe.  In  187-'), 
the  company  (Morton  i^:  Hamblin)  removed  their  business  in  St.  Clair,  and  continued  for 
three  and  a  half  years,  retm-niug  at  that  time  to  Eomeo.  In  May,  1S7U,  he  invented  a 
check  valve,  on  which  he  was  granted  letters  patent,  and  soon  after  a  company  was 
organized  for  this  manufacture,  which,  together  with  the  manufacture  of  tread-powers, 
upon  which  he  also  secured  a  patent,  forms  the  work  of  the  company  at  the  present  time; 
the  valves  are  now  used  upon  the  rolling-mills  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  the  Mississippi,  in  Col- 
orado and  Australia,  and  are  veiT  popular.  1VL-.  Hamblin  retired  from  the  firm  in  1879. 
Mr.  Morton  was  married,  July  4,  ISaO,  to  Sarah  T.,  daughter  of  Lorenzo  and  Harriet 
Strong,  of  Lapeer  City,  born  April  29,  1841 :  the  fi'uit  of  this  marriage  has  been  Han-iet, 
born  April  3,  18(i0,  manied  J.  Milliken  and  lives  in  Lapeer  County;  Henry  E.,  born  Sep- 
tember l(i,  1863;  and  Mason,  born  August  29.  1S73.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morton  connected 
themselves  with  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church  in  1859,  and  are  still  in  sympathy  with  it. 
FREEDOM  MUNROE  was  born  January  24.  1796.  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y. ;  is 
son  of  Lemuel  and  Anna  (Potter)  Munroe.  His  father  was  of  Highland  Scotch  descent, 
and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  fought  through  sis  campaigns;  he  was  also  in 
the  wai-  of   1812.  and   fought  at  Queenstown.     He  died  at  Howell,  Livingston  County,  in 

1853.  aged  ninety-six  years:  his  wife  died  a  few  years  previous.  Mr.  Munroe's  parents 
moved  to  Otsego.  N.  Y..  when  he  was  six  yeai-s  old.  and  six  years  after  to  Bloomfield,  On- 
tario County.  In  bS16.  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  retxuming  after  a  short  time  to 
Bloomfield  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  1824.  In  the  spring  of  that  year,  he 
came  to  Michigan,  crossing  Lake  Erie  in  the  steamer  Superior,  the  only  one  then  run- 
ning. He  located  in  Bruce  and  took  up  160  acres  of  land,  built  a  shanty  and  lived  alone 
two  and  a  half  years.  He  was  married,  in  1827,  to  Mary  E.  Cooper,  of  Lima.  N.  Y.  They 
had  seven  daughters  and   three  sons,  all  of  whom  are  living.     His  wife  died  October  8, 

1854.  and  he  was  again  married.  September  30.  1867,  to  Mrs.  Lucinda  Doty,  of  Ohio.  In 
1868.  he  sold  his  farm  and  came  to  Romeo,  where  he  now  resides,  with  his  daughter, 
Charlotte  H..  wife  of  Ephraim  Vanburger.  He  is  eighty-six  years  old;  cast  his  first  Pres- 
idential vote  for  Harrison,  and  joined  the  Republican  party  on  its  formation.  He  served 
a  term  as  Postmaster  of  Bruce;  never  used  tobacco  in  any  form. 

DEXTER  MUSSEYwas  born  in  Worcester  County,  Mass.,  January  12,  1811.  He 
is  the  son  of  Eli  and  Persis  Prontey  Mussey.  whose  ancestors  were  the  first  settlers  in  that 
county  and  State.  He  was  reared  there,  and  educated  as  liberally  as  the  facilities  of  that 
day  allowed,  and  spent  five  jears  in  Lowell.  Mass.  In  the  fall  of  1836.  he  came  to 
Michigan,  and  in  January,  1837,  settled  at  Romeo.  In  1845,  he  entered  public  life,  and 
was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  office  he  has  filled  continuously  ever  since.  In 
1854.  he  was  elected  by  the  Republicans  to  represent  this  district  in  the  Legislature,  re- 
taining the  position  for  eight  years.     In  the  sessions  of   1861  and  1862,  he  served  as 


*7^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Speaker  of  the  House.  He  was  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  for  this  district  during  the 
war,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  local  politics.  He  was  a  raelnber  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  lSt)7,  to  revise  the  constitution  of  the  State.  He  has  acquired  much  pojni- 
larity  in  his  native  neighborhood,  and  all  throughout  the  State,  through  his  disinterested 
eiiorts  for  the  permanent  benelit  of  the  people.  He  was  married,  in  I83().  m  Lowell, 
Mass.,  to  Lydia  Russell.  They  have  three  sons  and  three  daughters.  Mr.  Mussey  was 
chosen  Deacon  of  the  Congi'egational  Chm-ch  of  Romeo  in  1838. 

CHARLTON  B.  NEWBURY,  deceased,  was  born  June  9,  180'J,  at  Mansfield,  Tolland 
Co.,  Conn.  About  the  year  1832,  he  went  to  Amherst,  Mass..  and  in  1840  settled  at 
Romeo,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  October  2,  183],  he  man-ied  Mary  H. 
James,  of  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  and  they  had  a  family  of  four  children,  rearing  three  of  them 
to  maturity.  Mr.  Newbury  came  to  Romeo  with  Nathan  Dickinson,  an  old  settler  and 
prominent  business  citizen  of  Romeo,  and  they  formed  a  copartnership  with  E.  W.  Gid- 
dings.  under  the  style  of  Dickinson,  Giddings  &  Co.,  which  existed  about  eight  years. 
.On  the  dissolution  of  the  tirm,  Mi'.  Newbury  established  his  well-known  mercantile  house, 
and  in  1852,  associated  with  himself  Watson  Loud.  In  18(35,  Mr.  Newbury  retired,  and 
Edward  C.  Newbury,  his  son,  became  junior  partner  of  the  concern.  Five  years  later, 
Charles  F.  Newlsury  pm-chased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Loud,  and  the  firm  of  Newbury  Bros, 
was  organized.  This  is  a  business  house  of  known  and  tested  probity.  Their  stock  com- 
prises a  large  and  line  assortment  of  dry  goods,  carpets  and  clothing,  representing  a  capital 
of  $20,000.  Edward  C.  Newbury,  senior  member  of  the  tirm  of  Newbury  Bros. ,  was  born 
November  13,  1838,  at  Amherst,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Romeo  with  his  parents.  He  was 
educated  there,  and  received  his  business  training  in  his  father's  store,  to  the  proprietorship 
of  which,  with  his  brother,  he  eventually  succeeded.  He  was  married,  September  14,  18(54, 
to  Lucy  Doan,  of  Kenosha,  Wis.  They  have  three  daughters.  Mr.  Newbury  has  always 
been  a  Republican.  Chai'les  F.  Newbury  was  born  August  19,  1845,  at  Romeo,  where  he 
obtained  his  education  and  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  clerk  with  Loud  &  Newbury  live 
years,  and  ar'terward  purchased  the  interest  of  the  former.  He  was  married,  at  Kenosha, 
Wis.,  May  8,  18(57,  to  Ella  M.  Doan.  He  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  in  187(5  was 
elected  Warden  of  the  village  fii'e  department;  at  present,  is  First  Assistant  Engineer  of 
the  Romeo  steamer. 

GEORGE  P.  NEWBURY,  son  of  Elihu  and  Rhoda  (Phelps)  Newbury,  was  born  No- 
vember 24,  1817,  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Connecticut.  He 
was  reared  to  the  age  of  fifteen  in  New  York,  and,  in  the  autumn  of  1832,  went  to  Detroit, 
remaining  until  the  summer  of  1833,  when  he  went  to  the  city  of  New  York.  There  he 
engaged  in  the  coast  service  about  six  years,  meanwhile  making  a  trip  to  London.  In  the 
autumn  of  1841,  he  came  to  Romeo,  where  he  has  since  resided,  with  the  exception  of  two 
years,  which  he  spent  on  the  lakes.  In  ]845,  he  learned  harness -making,  in  which  bus- 
iness he  has  since  been  engaged.  He  was  married  in  New  York,  to  Active  C.  Boynton, 
a  native  of  Oswego  County,  N.  Y.  After  her  death  Mr.  Newbmy  was  married  again,  to 
Rebecca  Ann  Scramlin,  of  Macomb  County.  They  have  six  children — John  S..  George  E., 
Minnie  P..  Alfred  M.,  Fannie  E.  and  Margaret  A. — all  at  home  but  the  eldest,  who  is  in 
Detroit.  Mr.  Newbm-y  was  an  adherent  of  the  Whig  party  until  the  fusion  of  political 
elements  in  which  it  was  merged,  when  he  became  a  Democrat.  Dm'ing  the  rebellion,  he 
was  special  agent  of  the  Provost  Marshal,  looking  after  deserters.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Village  Trustees. 

JOHN  F.  NICHOLS  was  born  March  9,  1809,  in  Fort  Ann,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.: 
he  was  married,  March  29,  1832.  to  Louise  Terril,  born  June  12,  181(5,  in  Pittsford,  Mon- 
roe Co.,  N.  Y, ;  their  children  were  born  as  follows:  Fidelia,  July  1,  1834;  Ham-iet,  De- 
cember 3,  183(5;  David,  March  13,  1838;  Isabell,  April   14,  1840;  James,  November  16, 


.> 


1842;  John  F.,  Julv  1.  1S45;  Georgiana,  February  4.  1S4S:  Manless.  March  IS,  1851; 
Thyrza,  November  17.  1S58:  Wallace,  April  28,  "l 857.  Elisha  Nichols,  father  of  the 
above,  was  born  January  10,  1778:  his  wife,  Mary  Hyde  Nichols,  was  born  September  8, 
1776;  her  maiden  name  was  Bolton;  she  married  Rawsel  Hyde,  and  had  one  child — An- 
nie. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nichols  moved  from  Middlebury,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  September  8, 
1824,  and  reached  Detroit  September  1 1 ;  they  settled  at  Curtiss  Corners,  Shelby.  Macomb 
County.  Ml'.  N.  died  January  2U,  1S47;  Mrs.  N.  died  August  10,  1851;  their  children 
were  born  as  follows:  Huldah,  April  2,  17119;  Lucinda,  October  211.  1802;  Philena,  Sep- 
tember 6,  1808;  William,  February  6.  1805;  Weltha,  July  21,  1806;  Daniel  B., 
September  30,  1807;  John  F.,  Mai-ch  1),  18011,  died  April  14.  1878;  Ona,  October  7,  1810: 
Minerva,  July  12,  1811. 

ISAAC  N.  OWEN  was  born  in  Genesee  County.  N.  Y.,  November  12,  1823;  is  son  of 
Abijah  and  Sally  (Davis)  Owen.  In  June.  1825,  his  father  settled  in  Shelby.  Macomb 
Co.,  Mich.,  taking  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1837.  His 
mother  reared  seven  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  on  the  farm  which  passed  into  the  hands 
of  her  son,  L.  D.  Owen,  of  Romeo,  with  whom  she  resided  until  the  end  of  her  life,  in 
September,  1880.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  Mr.  Owen,  of  this  sketch,  began  to  learn  the 
chair-maker's  trade  at  Rochester,  Oakland  County,  at  which  he  worked  several  years,  after- 
ward learning  the  business  of  a  wood-turner,  which  he  piu-sued  twenty  years.  In  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  Brady's  Sharp-shooters,  commanded  by  Col.  Dygart,  of  Detroit,  and  attached 
to  the  Sixteenth  Michigan  Infantry.  He  was  discharged  in  Febraary,  1863,  having  been 
disabled  June  27,  1862,  in  the  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy.  He  receives  a  pension. 
Mr.  Owen  was  a  Democrat  at  the  outbreak  of  his  political  career,  but  has  adopted  the 
principles  and  measui-es  of  the  Republican  party.  He  has  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff  of 
Macomb  County  two  years,  and  for  several  tei-ms  as  Constable,  which  office  he  still  holds; 
also  was  Assistant  Census  Marshal  in  1870.  He  was  married,  September  5.  18r)7.  to  Mind- 
well  A.  Tindall,  a  native  of  Michigan,  and  the  following  yeai',  built  his  present  residence 
on  Bailey  street.  Mi-.  Owen  came  to  this  county  among  the  pioneers,  and  has  ob- 
served its  gi-adual  development  from  its  primeval  condition  to  its  present  prosperous  state. 
There  were  Indians  in  those  days,  and  the  younger  aborigines  were  the  playfellows  among 
their  peers  in  years  among  the  white  settlers. 

AMOS  PALMER  was  born  January  2().  1810,  at  Granville,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y. ; 
is  son  of  Amos  and  Laura  White  Palmer,  the  former  a  native  of  Connecticut,  the  latter 
born  in  New  Y'ork.  Both  died  in  the  Empire  State  at  an  advanced  age.  Mr.  Palmer 
spent  the  first  twenty-five  years  of  his  life  in  Granville,  and,  in  the  autumn  of  1835,  lo- 
cated at  Romeo,  Mich.  His  first  business  enterprise  was  in  wagon-making,  which  he  pur- 
sued one  year.  In  1838,  he  established  a  cabinet-shop,  which  he  operated  successfully, 
and  sold  out  a  prosperous  business  in  May,  1881.  His  brother.  Abijah  Palmer,  was  asso- 
ciated with  him  twelve  years.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  manufactm-e  of  patent  window- 
shades,  of  which  he  is  making  a  specialty.  He  belongs  to  the  Republican  party.  He  was 
man-ied,  in  September,  1835.  in  the  State  of  New  York,  to  Lydia  M.  Felch,  who  died  in 
August,  1836.  In  1837.  Mr.  Palmer  was  married  to  Ruth  Barker.  Their  only  surviving 
son,  Amos  W.  Palmer,  resides  ^t  Romeo;  married  Lucretia  Dake;  they  have  one  daugh- 
ter. A  son,  John  B. ,  died  at  Milwaukee  in  1859,  aged  twenty-one  years.  Mr.  Palmer's 
residence  is  in  the  north  part  of  the  village. 

IRA  S.  PEARSALL  was  born  August  1.  1810,  in  Cayuga  County.  N.  Y.  He  is  the 
son  of  Henry  and  Phcebe  Sommerton  Pearsall,  the  former  a  native  of  Saratoga  County.  N. 
Y..  and  the  latter  of  Connecticut.  They  had  a  family  of  four  sons  and  two  daughters, 
and  in  1831  they  settled  in  Troy,  Oakland  Co..  Slich.  ilr.  Pearsall  was  in  a  law  office  in 
Moravia,  Cayuga  County,  six  years,  and,  on  coming  to  Michigan,  he  settled  in  Washington 

g'     'J'  . 

Vis— — ^--  "s        «)Pv 


l^ 


HI8T011Y  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Township,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  business;  afterward  located  a  farm  in  Shelby,  where 
lie  lived  for  thirty-fom-  years,  engaged  in  agricultiu-al  and  other  pursuits.  He  carried  the 
mail  for  two  years  fi-om  Koyal  Oak,  Oakland  County,  through  Rochester,  Orion,  Oxfortl  and 
Metamora  to  Lapeer,  which  place  he  furnished  with  all  the  mail  received  there.  He  went  on 
horseback,  and  was  also  engaged  extensively  in  stage  contracts,  driving  from  Port  Huron  to 
Lexington  and  Port  Sanilac.  In  this  he  continued  for  four  ye;irs.  In  1  SHU,  he  gave  his  farm 
to  his  children  and  came  to  Romeo,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  stage  mail  routes 
through  this  part  of  the  State.  He  was  married,  in  1835,  to  Celia  White,  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  moved  to  Cleveland,  Ohio;  she  died  in  1867.  They  had  three  children — Dwight 
E.,  married  Mary  Smith,  of  Missouri,  and  lives  on  the  homestead;  Adelia  W.,  wife  of  John 
M.  Snook,  of  New  York  City,  resides  at  Jackson,  Mich.;  Celia  A.,  died  at  thirteen  years  of 
age.  Politically,  Mi\  Peai-sall  was  in  early  life  a  Whig,  but  identified  himself  with  the 
Republican  party,  and,  though  not  an  oliice-seeker,  has  always  taken  a  lively  interest  in 
politics.  He  has  been  connected  with  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow  orders  many  years. 
He  was  married,  in  1809,  to  Augusta  V.  Lake,  a  native  of  Macomb  County.  Mi-.  Pearsall 
is  a  highly  respet^ted  citizen  of  the  county,  and  is  spending  the  latter  days  of  his  life  in 
well-eaincd  coiiifort.     His  residence  is  on  Benjamin  street. 

JAMES  PHELPS  was  born  October  2,  1821,  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.  He  was 
the  son  of  David  and  Mary  Merritt  Phelps.  They  moved  to  Michigan  October  24,  1829, 
and  bought  I  <30  acres  of  land,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Of  their 
family  of  nine  children,  three  are  living.  The  father  died  in  Romeo,  in  April,  1808;  the 
mother,  in  February,  1800.  Mr.  Phelps  remained  on  hie  father's  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-seven  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Lapeer  County,  on  a  farm  in  Dryden,  180  acres, 
where  he  remained  fom'teen  years.  He  was  married,  December  30,  1848.  to  Esther  Dus- 
ing,  and,  after  leaving  Dryden,  moved  to  Washington,  on  the  farm  owned  by  his  wife's 
mother,  then  a  widow,  adding  to  it  other  land  adjoining.  The  family  moved  thither  to 
take  care  of  Mi's.  Dusing  in  her  old  age,  and  resided  there  eighteen  years.  In  Februai'y, 
1881,  he  l)uught  his  present  residence  on  Benjamin  street.  His  political  views  are  of  the 
Independent  stripe.  He  represents  the  issues  of  no  party,  and  votes  as  his  judgment  dic- 
tates, irrespective  of  part}'.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phelps  have  reared  three  children — Christina 
M.,now  Mi-s.  Smith  Taft;  Helen  E.  and  Eugene  V.  John  J.  died  December  24,  1851,  and 
Frederick  died  October  4,  1855. 

IRA  F.  PRATT  was  born  August  29,  1844,  at  Romeo,  Mich.  He  is  the  son  of  Ariel 
and  Harriet  Hopkins  Pratt  His  father  was  born  November  12,  ISOl,  at  Bridgewater,  Vt. ; 
went  early  in  life  to  Middlebuiy,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  was  there  married.  May  18, 
1820,  to  Harriet  M.  Ho2:)kins.  He  went  to  Eden,  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  afterward  came  to 
Romeo,  where  he  opened  a  general  store.  After  a  few  years,  he  engaged  in  farming  in 
Bruce,  two  miles  north  of  Romeo,  where  he  remained  until  1858;  retiu'ued  to  Romeo  and 
stayed  until  1802,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  Laingsbiu'g,  Shiawassee  County. 
In  1NG4,  he  went  to  Lansing,  and,  foiu-  years  later,  to  Cedar  Creek,  Muskegon  County, 
where  he  died  on  his  farm,  October  1,  1870.  He  had  two  sons  and  two  daughters:  the 
daughters  are  deceased.  Mr.  Pratt,  of  this  sketch,  was  brought  up  and  educated  at 
Romeo.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  entered  a  dry  goods  house  at  Detroit  as  a  clerk,  but, 
after  two  months,  went  to  Laiugsburg,  Shiawassee  County,  where  he  embarked  in  mer- 
cantile business  with  his  brother.  Emory  A.  Pratt,  under  the  firm  style  of  E.  A.  &  I.  F. 
Pratt.  In  1S04,  they  sold  out  and  went  to  Lansing,  and  opened  a  drug  store  under  the 
name  of  Pratt  Bros.  They  were  burnt  out  in  the  spring  of  ISO*),  but  immediately  started 
business  again.  I.  F.  Pratt  sold  out  April  1,  1806,  came  to  Romeo  and  went  into  trade  in  com- 
pany with  T.  A.  Smith.  After  three  years,  he  engaged  with  Mr.  Smith  on  a  salary,  and  in 
1N7-I    bought  out  the  crockery  store  of  Caleb  Nye,  where  he  has  since  been  in  business. 


'  ^  a 


fc. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


He  has  built  up  a  prosperous  trade,  and  carries  a  finely  selected,  valuable  stock  of  goods. 
He  was  mairied.  April  5,  1865,  to  Cornelia  A.  Prentiss,  daughter  of  Azariah  Prentiss. 
They  have  three  sons — Clarence  A.  I.,  Frank  and  Herbert  P.  They  have  buried  one 
child.  Alfred  D..  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Pratt  is  a  Republican.  His  residence  is  on 
St.  Clair  street. 

JAMES  E.  PRICE  was  born  October  IS,  1830,  in  Washington  Township.  His  par- 
ents. Peter  and  Emma  (Hopkins)  Price,  were  old  settlers  in  the  county,  coming  here  fi-om 
New  York  in  1824.  Peter  Price  came  to  Washington  when  he  was  seventeen  years  old, 
and  married  a  sister  of  Ormau  W.  Hopkins,  of  Romeo.  He  purchased  a  farm  of  160  acres 
from  the  Government  August  1,  1S31.  patented  by  Andrew -Jackson.  In  1838,  he  removed 
his  family  to  Romeo,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  under  the  tii-m  style  of 
Pratt  &  Price.  This  relation  existed  until  1844.  In  the  spring  of  that  year,  he  started 
a  foundiy  in  Almont,  which  he  operated  until  1850,  when  he  moved  on  the  old  Philip 
Price  farm,  three  miles  south  of  Romeo.  January  2,  1868,  he  went  to  Bronson,  Branch 
County,  where  he  died  in  October,  1873,  in  his  sixty-seventh  year.  His  wife  is  now  living 
with  her  son,  aged  seventy-two.  Mr.  Price,  of  this  sketch,  was  associated  with  his  father 
in  the  foundry  at  Almont,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1850,  went  to  Rochester,  Oakland  County, 
and  entered  the  employ  of  -Jennings  &  Bro..  merchants,  and  remained  until  November, 
1853,  when  he  went  to  California.  After  about  two  years  in  the  gold  regions,  he  returned, 
in  June.  1855.  He  spent  a  few  months  in  Wisconsin,  and  then  returned  to  the  employ  of 
Jennings  &  Bro.  at  Rochester.  He  was  married,  in  November,  1857,  to  Ella  Duncan,  a 
native  of  this  county,  who  died  July  26,  1861.  They  had  a  daughter,  the  wife  of  Elliott 
R.  Wilcox,  of  Pontiac,  Oakland  County.  In  April,  1859,  he  went  a  second  time  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  returned  to  his  old  employ  at  Rochester  April  15,  1861,  coming  to  Romeo  Sep- 
tember 15,  1862,  going  into  company  with  O.  W.  Hopkins  in  crockery  and  gi-ocery  store. 
He  sold  out  February  20,  1863,  and  afterward  opened  a  store  in  the  frame  building  south 
of  the  Commercial  House,  where  he  did  business  twenty  months.  April  22,  1865,  he  bought 
the  premises  where  he  is  now  located,  called  the  Chapman  property.  Here  he  was  mar- 
ried again.  September  10,  1867,  to  Lucy  A.  Van  Blarcom,  of  Newton,  New  Jersey.  They 
have  one  daughter,  Lulu  A.,  twelve  years  old.  Mi'.  Price  has  always  been  a  Republican. 
From   1870  to  1874,  he  was  Village  Trustee;  resides  on  Chandler  street. 

AARON  B.  RAWLES,  deceased,  was  born  April  14,  1812,  near  Albany,  N.  Y.  His 
mother  was  born  in  New  England;  his  father  was  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Rawles  was 
brought  up  and  educated  in  Albany,  and  served  an  apprenticeship  in  the  crockery  and 
glass  store  of  Henry  L.  Webb.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  he  came  to  Detroit  and  engaged  in 
the  di'ug  store  of  -John  Truax.  While  there,  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  a  young  men's 
society  devoted  to  literary  pursuits.  In  1834.  he  came  to  Romeo  and  opened  a  general 
merchandise  house,  which  he  operated  a  few  years  and  closed,  engaging  in  the  purchase 
of  i)ine  lands.  He  owned  a  mill  north  of  Almont,  where  he  manufactured  a  great  amount 
of  lumber.  Three  years  after,  he  disposed  of  his  lumber  interests  and  opened  a  hardware 
store  at  Romeo,  which  he  managed  as  long  as  he  lived.  Mr.  Rawles  took  a  zealous,  active 
interest  in  politics  and  temperance,  and  was  concerned  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the 
public  welfare.  He  was  Commissioner  for  the  construction  of  the  turnpike  road  from 
Capae  to  Clyde,  St.  Clair  Ccfunty;  was  County  Coroner  several  terms;  was  delegate  in 
county  and  State  conventions  on  several  occasions,  and  always  shunned  wire-pulling  and 
trickeiy  of  political  factions.  He  was  an  adherent  of  the  Republican  pai-ty  after  the  decline 
of  the  Whigs,  whose  principles  he  previously  adopted.  He  was  a  radical  in  temperance 
affairs,  and  never  lost  an  opportunity  to  further  the  cause.  When  he  traveled,  he  patron- 
ized temperance  houses,  and  built  the  American  House  at  Romeo,  inDecember;  1837,  with 
the  intention  of  establishing  a  temperance  hotel,  but  sold  it  before  completion.     He  was 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


one  of  the  pi'ojectors,  stockholders  and  Directors  <>t  the  plank  road  from  Romeo  to  Detroit 
via  Mt.  Clemens,  which  was  an  opening  for  this  entire  section  of  country.  He  was  mar- 
ried, N  .vember  13,  1S38,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Jacob  Beekman,  a  pioneer  of  Macomb 
Coimty.  They  had  six  childi'en,  live  of  whom  are  living  -Henry  and  Jacob  B.,  twins, 
Aaron  B.,  James  D.  and  Caroline.  Jacob  is  a  Major  in  the  United  States  Army:  Aaron 
resides  at  Cadillac,  Mich. ;  James  D.  lives  at  Boston,  Mass. ;  Caroline  resides  with  her 
mother  at  the  family  residence  on  St.  Clair  street,  built  in  1872,  and  not  completed  at  the 
time  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Rawlos,  April  4,  1872.  He  was  early  in  life  an  attendant  upon 
the  Episco|ial  Church,  but  eventually  connected  himself  with  the  Congi'egational  Church 
at  Romeo.     Mrs.  Rawles  is  in  her  sixtieth  year. 

HENRY  RAWLES,  son  of  Aaron  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Beekman)  Rawles,  was  born  at 
Romeo  August  4,  1839,  in  the  old  frame  building  on  Main  street,  where  his  father  kept 
store  and  resided.  He  was  brought  up  and  educated  at  Romeo,  and  in  1857  went  into 
business  with  his  father,  continuing  with  and  succeeding  to  him  on  his  death,  April  4, 
1872.  He  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  and  carries  a  complete  stock  of  stoves, 
tinwai'e  and  hardware,  representing  a  cash  value  tf  $10,000.  He  also  does  a  large  amount 
of  business  in  agricultural  implements.  Mr.  Rawles  is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1860.  In  1876,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Village  Board  of 
Trustees,  and  has  served  one  term  as  Marshal.  He  was  mai-ried,  June  16,  18/9,  to  Miss 
M.  M.  Seymoiu",  of  Marquette,  Mich.     They  have  one  son,  upward  of  two  years  old. 

D.  H  ROWLEY  was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y,  April  18.  1831.  He  is  the 
son  of  Hezekiah  and  Clarissa  Anthony  Rowley,  the  latter  a  native  of  Connecticut,  the  for- 
mer of  New  York.  Mr.  Rowley  was  educated  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  in  Oakland 
County,  Mich.,  whither  his  father  removed  in  1835.  In  1839,  on  the  death  of  his  mother, 
he  was  sent  to  Connecticut,  remaining  with  his  relatives  there  for  two  years.  In  1845,  he 
entered  the  dry  goods  establishment  of  his  father  at  Orion,  Oakland  County,  where  he 
acquired  experience  preparatory  to  his  present  business  enterprise.  In  1853,  he  settled  at 
Romeo  and  entered  the  employ  of  M.  A.  Giddings  as  a  clerk,  where  he  remained  for  ten 
years.  In  1863,  he  went  to  Pennsylvania  and  engaged  in  oil  interests,  which  he  operated 
successfully,  returning  to  Romeo  in  1869,  and  formed  a  copartnership  with  Mr.  Giddings, 
which  still  continues.  Mr.  Rowley  is  a  Republican;  has  acted  for  two  years  as  President 
of  the  village,  and  two  years  as  Trustee  of  Romeo.  He  was  tendered  the  position  of 
Cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  its  organization,  but,  being  in  oil  transactions  in 
Pennsylvania,  declined.  He  was  married,  in  Oakland  County,  in  1852,  to  Eliza  A.,  daugh- 
ter of  Needham  Hemingway,  a  prominent,  citizen  and  early  settler  in  that  county.  They 
have  three  children — E.  P.  Rowley,  eldest  son,  is  a  lawyer  in  Detroit;  Bruce  M.  is  Gov- 
ernment Clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Surveyor  General  at  Yankton,  D.  T.;  Helen,  the  only 
daughter,  resides  at  home. 

HENRY  O  SMITH  was  born  January  1,  1817,  at  Hatfield,  Hampshire  Co..  Mass. 
He  is  the  son  of  Obadiah  and  Susan  Norton  Smith,  the  former  a  native  of  Hadley,  Mass., 
and  the  latter  of  Ashtield,  same  State.  Mr.  Smith  lived  at  Hatfield  until  the  age  of  four- 
teen, where  and  at  Amherst  he  acquired  his  education.  He  was  in  the  mercantile  house 
of  Sweetser  &  Cutter,  of  the  latter  place,  nine  years  previous  lo  his  settling  in  Romeo  in 
1840.  Here  he  remained  twelve  years,  serving  some  time  as  clerk  with  N.  Dickinson  & 
Co.,  and  afterward  was  associated  in  business  with  M.  A.  Giddings  for  several  years.  In 
1852,  he  commenced  mercantile  operations  at  Armada,  under  the  style  of  Lathrop  &  Smith, 
which  continued  four  or  five  years,  when  he  formed  a  business  connection  with  Dr.  John 
S.  Smith.  In  the  fall  of  1858,  he  was  elected  County  Clerk,  and  went  to  Mt.  Clemens, 
and  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office  six  years,  being  twice  re-elected.  In 
the  autumn  of  1864,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  Probate,  and,  after  a  service  of  three  months, 


^^ — ®Pv ' 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


resigned,  and  was  recalled  to  Romeo  to  All  tbe  position  of  Cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  which  he  still  iiolds.  In  the  days  when  the  Whig  party  existed,  Mi-.  Smith  sup- 
ported its  measures,  but,  on  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  he  identified  him- 
self with  it,  and  has  ever  since  advocated  and  sustained  its  principles.  He  was  married, 
in  December,  1843.  at  Armada,  to  Jane  M.  M.,  daughter  of  Edward  Lathrop,  of  Armada. 
They  have  four  daughters  and  three  sons.  Mr.  Smith  is  attending  carefully  to  the  educa- 
tion of  his  children,  and  securing  for  them  the  best  advantages.  His  entire  family  be- 
long to  the  Congregational  Church.  He  has  owned  a  line  residence  on  West  St.  Clair 
street  since  1865. 

EDWARD  S.  SNOVER.  son  of  Frederick  and  Charlotte  (Squier)  Snover,  was  born 
in  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  April  5,  1813.  His  paternal  ancestry  was  of  German  origin,  and 
on  the  mother's  side,  English.  His  life,  previovis  to  his  coming  to  Michigan,  was  passed 
in  his  native  county,  with  the  exception  of  one  year.  There  he  received  his  ediication  in 
the  common  schools.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  1837,  reaching  Detroit  May  20,  and  locat- 
ed in  Oakland  County,  where  he  remained  one  year.  In  May.  1838,  he  started  tor  a  trip 
westward  to  the  Mississippi  River,  and,  retm-ning  in  August,  settled  at  Romeo.  He  had 
learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  and  opened  a  shop  in  the  village,  where  he  carried  on 
business  for  twenty  years  in  that  line,  and  added  other  interests  as  his  means  increased. 
To  his  shop  he  added  a  tm-ning-lathe,  and  afterward  a  furnace  and  wagon-shop,  and  en- 
gaged extensively  as  a  manufaetiu-er.  He  also  operated  as  a  money-loaner,  buying  mort- 
gages and  speculating  in  various  ways.  Mr.  Snover  was  a  Whig,  and  transfened  his  po- 
litical views  and  influence  to  the  Republican  party,  in  whose  issues  and  measiu'es  he  has 
since  been  zealously  interested^  He  has  served  several  terms  as  President  and  Trustee  of 
the  village;  in  I860,  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  office  he  held  twelve  years. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Romeo,  and  was 
actively  concerned  in  its  organization,  and  connected  with  it  for  six  years,  when  he  dis- 
posed of  his  interest  therein.  During  his  period  of  office  as  magistrate,  he  served  two 
years  as  executor  on  the  Dickinson  estate,  and  afterward  acted  five  years  as  agent  in  its 
management.  His  resources  comprise  bonds  and  mortgages,  and  upward  of  one  thousand 
acres  of  land.  His  outfit  was  S300,  the  savings  of  his  own  industry  after  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old.  He  was  married,  June  10,  1841,  in  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  to  Ann  Cook, 
also  a  native  of  that  county.  They  have  had  eight  children.  Alice  (Mrs.  George  Parme- 
lee)  died  October  19.  1877,  leaving  two  children.  Following  are  the  names  of  those  liv- 
ing: Charlotte,  wife  of  F.  A.  Scott,  resides  in  Washington:  Josephine,  widow  of  J.  H. 
Reed:  Cassias,  married  Ella  Hulshart,  resides  at  Yankton,  D.  T. ;  Horace  G.,  married 
Nellie  Williams,  resides  at  Port  Austin.  Mich.;  Harriet  S.,  Mrs.  Harkman  Cornell,  of 
Bruce;  Edward  J.,  Detroit;  Emma  C.  resides  with  her  parents. 

EDWARD  SOULE  was  born  at  Middlebury.  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y,  May  15,  1817.  He 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Sally  Ward  Soule.  both  natives  of  Massachusetts.  His  father  was 
of  French  descent,  and  came  to  Michigan  in  June,  I8ii5,  and  located  160  acres  of  Gov- 
ernment land  in  Washington  Township,  which  was  patented  by  Andrew  Jackson.  The 
family,  including  seven  children,  followed  in  September.  They  took  the  steamer  Supe- 
rior from  Buffalo  to  Detroit.  ,and  made  their  route  thence  overland.  The  same  year,  the 
father  purchased  eighty  acres  more,  and  increased  his  landed  estate  to  1,500  acres,  situat- 
ed in  different  parts  of  the  State.  He  died  in  September,  1871,  at  the  age  of  eighty-foiir; 
his  wife,  in  March,  1865,  at  the  age  of  seventy-iive  years.  Mr.  Soule  was  a  man  of  fine 
physical  proportions,  stood  six  feet  in  his  stockings,  and  weighed  200  pounds.  He  pos- 
sessed powers  of  keen  discriminating  observation,  which  supplied  him  with  a  valuable 
knowledge  of  the  world.  He  read  extensively,  and  acquired  the  best  mental  discipline 
from  well-selected  books.     He  took  the  greatest  interest  in  politics  and  their  bearing  on 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  well-being  of  the  country;  voted  the  Democratic  ticket  until  the  Free-Soil  issues  arose, 
when  he  became  a  Republican.  The  progress  of  his  own  county  was  foremost  in  his  in- 
terest, and  he  held  open  doors  for  all  strangers  seeking  homes.  Mi'.  Soule,  of  this  sketch, 
was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Washington  until  twenty  years  old,  when  he  located  in  Addison, 
( )aklan(l  County,  where  he  spent  one  year,  and  returned  to  the  home  farm,  remaining  for 
two  years.  He  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Skidmore,  bora  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y..  Decem- 
ber 30,  LS-tO.  She  came  to  Macomb  County  in  1S46  with  her  parents,  John  and  Sally 
Bishop  Skidniore,  who  settled  in  Washington  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Soule  took  up 
their  abode  on  the  farm  in  Oakland  County,  where  they  lived  for  nine  years.  In  1S4U. 
they  changed  their  residence  to  Washington,  settling  on  a  portion  of  the  homestead  farm. 
In  ISTO,  they  came  to  Romeo,  where  they  pm-chased  village  property.  They  have  had 
four  children,  but  one  of  whom  survives.  John  C.  Soule  is  a  graduate  from  Meadville. 
Penn.,  and  an  ordained  minister  of  Washington,  Macomb  County.  He  resides  on  the 
farm  in  Washington.  Another  son.  -James  E.  Soule,  also  graduated,  an  ordained  minis- 
ter, died  in  March,  1N74,  aged  twenty-nine  years.  Two  children  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Soule  is  the  sole  remaining  member  of  his  father's  family  in  Macomb  County.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  for  forty-four  years,  and  has  held  office  in  the 
church  nearly  all  this  time,  and  his  sons  were  ordained  in  its  service.  Mrs.  Soule  is  a 
member  of  the  same  society.  In  politics,  Mr.  Soule  was  first  a  Democrat,  and  became  a 
radical  Republican.  He  has  been  Constable  of  Washington  for  twelve  years,  and  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  eight  years,  having  been  twice  elected  to  the  office. 

JOHN  L.  STARKWEATHER,  attorney,  was  born  October  4,  1844,  in  Bruce,  Ma- 
comb County;  was  the  eighth  child  of  James  and  Roxana  Leslie  Starkweather.  (See 
sketch.)  Until  he  reached  manhood,  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  summers  and  attend- 
ed school  in  the  winter  at  Romeo,  until  1863.  He  commenced  teaching  in  the  winter  of 
that  year.  He  taught  two  conseciitive  winters,  and  took  a  course  of  study  at  Eastman's 
Commercial  College,  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  graduated  December  23,  1865.  He  was 
elected  President  of  his  class.  He  took  just  piide  in  working  and  earning  his  way  through 
the  commercial  and  afterward  the  law  college,  wholly  through  his  own  exertions.  In  1866, 
1867  and  IS6S,  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Romeo  part  of  the  time,  as  part- 
ner, devoting  every  spare  moment  to  reading  law.  He  has  been  all  his  life  prominently 
identified  with  all  temperance  movements  and  societies.  In  1863,  he  joined  the  independ- 
ent Order  of  Good  Templars,  and  held  all  positions  of  trust  successively;  was  District 
Deputy  Grand  Worthy  Chief  Templar  of  Macomb  County,  and  several  times  represented 
the  county  organization  in  the  Grand  Lodge.  He  joined  the  Sons  of  Temperance  in  1874, 
and  has  represented  his  local  division  in  the  Grand  Division  of  the  State  every  year  since. 
In  1870,  he  was  a  representative  at  the  National  Division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  held 
at  Washington,  D.  C,  a  position  to  which  he  has  been  elected  annually  since.  He  was 
elected  G.  W.  A.  of  the  State  organization  of  Sons  of  Temperance  in  1878,  and  became 
Acting  G.  W.  P.  in  1879.  He  was  elected  G.  S.  of  the  Grand  Division  in  18S].  but  re- 
signed through  pressing  professional  business.  Mi'.  Starkweather  became  a  member  of  the 
Phi  Delta  Phi  of  the  LTniversity  of  Michigan  in  1870;  of  the  order  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  in  1867;  the  Knights  Templar  in  1868;  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in 
1877;  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Honor  and  Royal  Arcanum;  has  served  several  times 
as  representative  of  the  two  last-named  orders  in  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Michigan.  In  1876, 
he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Romeo,  and  has  Ijeen  one  of  the  officers  of 
the  society  ever  since.  He  has  been  a  Trustee  of  Romeo,  and  twice  elected  to  the  Board 
of  Education,  to  which  body  he  now  belongs.  In  1868,  he  entered  the  Law  Department 
of  the  University  of  Michigan,  where  he  was  established  some  weeks  before  his  determi- 
nation was  known  by  his  parents  or  friends.     He  graduated  in  the  class  of   1870,  and 


rrr 


'^^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUKTY 


opened  an  office  in  the  same  j'ear  at  Romeo,  where  he  has  since  prosecuted  a  successful 
and  increasing  business.  He  was  examined  in  open  court,  in  Washtenaw  County,  Mich., 
and  admitted  to  the  bar  March  27,  1869.  .  He  spent  the  following  summer  in  the  Law 
Library  of  Congress  at  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  wrote  his  thesis  and  prepared  a  brief 
in  the  railroad  case  brought  against  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  Company  by  his 
mother's  heirs  for  indemnity  for  the  accident  by  which  she  was  killed.  (See  sketch  of 
James  Starkweather)  He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  United  States  Court  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  November  11,  1S69.  He  married  Laura  E.  Spencer,  of  Armada,  June  14, 
1871.  They  have  had  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  eldest  child  died  at  the  age  of 
two  years.  Mr.  Starkweather  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  citizens  of  Romo.  He  is  public- 
spirited,  generous,  sympathizes  with  movements  for  the  advancement  of  the  general  wel- 
fare, and  is  a  zealous  promoter  of  the  moral  and  religious  interests  of  the  community,  and 
a  man  whose  worth  and  integrity  exert  a  strong  influence  upon  the  best  interests  of  society. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  zealous  and  earnest  Republican. 

JAMES  STARKWEATHER,  deceased,  was  born  in  Preston,  New  London  Co.,  Conn., 
October  25,  1801.  His  paternal  ancestry  was  of  Scotch  and  English  lineage,  and  his 
father  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  The  circumstances  of  the  family  were  such  as  to 
compel  the  younger  members  to  make  early  acijuaintance  with  the  struggle  necessary  to 
accomplish  any  career  of  merit  in  the  world — a  condition,  be  it  remarked,  that  has  wrought 
noble  results  in  Macomb  as  well  as  other  counties  in  Michigan.  At  the  age  of  seventeen, 
Mr.  Starkweather  turned  his  face  westward,  with  his  small  possessions  in  a  small  bundle 
at  his  back.  He  sought  and  found  employment,  and  in  IS'i-l  found  himself  able  to  visit 
two  brothers  in  Pennsylvania.  He  went  thence  to  visit  a  sister  in  We.stern  New  York, 
and  started  for  Detroit,  where  he  ai-rived  October  9.  He  prospected  thi'ough  Oakland  and 
Macomb  Counties,  and  tixed  upon  Hoxies.  uow  Romeo,  as  his  ultimatiuu,  and,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1825,  located  160  acres  of  land  near  the  village.  lu  the  following  June,  he  was 
taken  with  fever  and  ague,  and,  becoming  disheartened,  he  abandoned  his  land  prepara- 
tory to  returning  East.  He  was  fairly  started,  but  met  a  man  who  gave  him  $250  for  his 
claim.  With  renewed  courage,  he  set  out  on  another  prospecting  expedition.  He  wan- 
dered in  the  forest  some  days,  and,  July  4,  1825,  came  to  Trombley's  Mountain,  where 
he  spent  the  night.  From  that  point  he  took  a  view  of  the  surroiinding  country,  and 
once  more  located  160  acres  near  the  village,  where  he  spent  all  his  life,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  six  months  before  his  death,  when  he  resided  in  Romeo.  He  was  married,  Sep- 
tember 6,  1827,  to  Roxana  Leslie,  of  the  State  of  New  York.  She  was  a  woman  in  every 
way  worthy,  and  together  they  braved  the  vicissitude  .  and  struggles  of  more  than  forty 
years.  Fortune  was  at  last  propitious,  and  they  experienced  the  reward  of  coQscientious, 
laborious  and  well-directed  exertions.  September  1.  186>!.  they  set  out  to  visit  distant 
friends,  going  to  Alabama,  and  returned  via  Washington,  D.  C.  They  took  passage  No- 
vember 17,  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad.  During  the  night,  they  were  obliged  to 
change  cars  at  the  Relay  House,  ten  miles  from  Baltimore.  While  crossing  to  the  other 
line,  Mrs,  Starkweather  was  stnick  by  an  incoming  train  and  crushed.  She  lived  but  three 
hours.  Mr.  Starkweather  was  maiTied  again,  June  18,  1872,  to  Mi-s.  Adeline  Mulligan,  of 
Washington,  D.  C.  He  died  February  10.  1873.  The  pioneer  element  of  Michigan 
stands  statuesque  in  the  panoramic  view  of  her  history  during  the  last  seventy  years,  and 
no  one  appears  to  better  purpose  than  that  of  James  Starkweather.  He  knew  all  the  pos- 
sibilities C/f  his  life  and  character;  he  recognized  all  his  responsibilities,  inherent  and  as- 
smned,  and  he  bent  his  will  and  purpose  only  to  the  command  of  duty.  He  met  trial  with 
Christian  coiu-age,  adversity  with  the  hopefulness  of  integrity,  and  success  with  the  hu- 
mility of  a  true  greatness  of  sjsirit.  His  career  is  held  in  honored  remembrance  l)y  his 
friends,  and  regarded  as  a  blessed  legacy  by  his  children. 


1^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ELIJAH  THOKINGTON  was  born  June  9,  1809.  at  Ontario.  Canada.  His  father, 
James  Thorington,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island;  his  mother,  Sarah  Phillips,  was  born 
in  Vermont.  They  settled  in  Oakland  County.  Mich.,  when  their  son  was  seven  years  old. 
and.  a  year  later,  removed  to  Shelby.  At  that  time  (IS IN),  the  county  was  in  an  almost 
primeval  condition,  and  the  surveying  officers  of  the  Government  wei-e  deciding  limitation 
lines  between  the  towns  of  Clinton  and  Shell)y.  The  family  were  in  straitened  circum- 
stances, and,  the  following  spring  went  to  the  township  of  Washington  and  lived  forty 
years  on  a  farm  in  a  district  known  as  the  Thorington  settlement.  January  18.  1836, 
James  Thorington  died:  his  wife  died  in  March,  1853.  Mr.  Thorington  lived  on  his  home- 
stead farm  of  240  acres  until  1870.  when  he  bought  his  present  residence  on  South  Clark 
street.  He  was  married.  February  6.  1834,  to  Lydia  Brown,  a  native  of  New  York.  They 
had  three  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mrs.  Thorington  died  March  19,  1868.  and.  in  April. 
1879.  Mr.  Thorington  was  married  to  Mrs.  Phoebe  (Lockwood)  Mackey.  She  died  in  April, 
1874.  Mr.  Thorington  belongs  to  the  pioneer  element  of  the  coimty.  and  has  ever  ranked 
among  its  most  respected  citizens.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote 
for  Jackson  He  has  accumulated  a  fine  jtroperty,  and  was  the  owner  of  several  farms, 
which  he  has  divided  among  his  children.  He  has  always  been  known  as  a  plain,  firm, 
outspoken  man.  and  his  judgment  accepted  as  reliable. 

NORTON  B.  THROOP  was  born  in  Bruce.  Macomb  County.  February  2.  1842;  is 
eon  of  Cxeorge  and  Mary  (Nye)  Throop.  George  Throop  was  born  in  Lima,  N.  Y.,  in 
1810.  and  was  son  of  Birchard  and  Martha  Throop.  He  was  married,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  to  Mary  P.  Nye,  and  in  bS30  came  to  Macomb  County.  They  had  two  sons  and 
three  daughters;  one  of  the  latter  is  deceased.  Mr.  Tlu-oop  located  160  acres  of  Govern- 
ment land  in  Bruce,  which  he  cleared  and  improved.  In  1851.  he  moved  to  Romeo,  where 
he  died  in  1874,  in  his  sixty-fifth  year.  Mrs.  Throop  died  in  1877.  aged  sixty  two.  Mr. 
Throop  was  a  Whig  in  early  life,  and  joined  the  Democratic  ranks  when  the  exigencies  of 
public  affairs  brought  new  issues  to  the  siu'face.  At  the  raising  of  the  First  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  thci  village,  he  broke  his  leg  by  a  fall.  Mr.  Throop.  of  this  sketch,  came 
to  this  village  with  his  parents  when  biit  nine  years  old.  and  in  youth  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools.  In  1864  (May  14),  he  was  married  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  William  Hamilton, 
a  Scotchman.  He  took  charge  of  the  homestead  farm  in  Bruce,  where  he  stayed  three 
yeai-s,  and  sold  in  1876,  engaging  in  teaming,  which  he  prosecuted  until  1878,  when  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  F.  V.  Tedman  in  the  grocery  and  provision  business,  locating  on 
the  west  side  of  Main  street.  Nine  months  later,  he  embarked  in  the  same  business  alone, 
which  he  pursued  a  year  on  the  east  side  of  Main  street,  then  changing  his  quarters  to  his 
present  stand  on  the  Wf^st  side  of  the  street.  He  carries  a  fine  line  of  fancy  groceries  and 
confectioners"  goods,  and  is  doing  a  prosperous  and  steadily  increasing  business.  He  is 
not  a  partisan  politician,  and  only  takes  sufficient  interest  in  party  measures  to  give  his 
support  to  the  man  approved  by  his  judgment  in  any  party.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Throop  have 
one  son,  John  W.,  born  in  1S73. 

W.  H.  TINSMAN  was  born  August  21.  1836,  in  Washington,  Macomb  County.  His 
parents,  John  A.  and  Sarah  A.  (McCracken)  Tinsraan,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey,  came 
to  this  county  in  1S32  and  settled  in  Washington  Township,  where  his  father  still  lives 
on  the  same  farm  where  he  at  first  located.  His  mother  died  about  ten  years  ago.  Mr. 
Tiusman  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  the  township,  and 
also  attended  the  high  school  at  Romeo.  He  was  a  farmer  previous  to  his  embarking  in 
mercantile  business  at  Romeo.  He  came  to  this  village  in  1871.  August  2S,  1880.  he 
organized,  with  Charles  Willert,  a  mercantile  establishment,  which  ranks  fairly  with  other 
business  concerns  in  town.  He  was  married,  in  1858.  to  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  the  late 
Hugh   Hosner,  of  Macomb  County.     They  have  four  children   living — three  sons  and  a 


-B)fv 


»i> 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


daughter — Charles  W.,  Homer  E..  '^L  Florence  and  J.  Lewis.  The  two  first  named  are 
at  the  University  of  Michigan.  Edith  died  in  1870.  Mi-.  Tinsman  owns  a  farm  of  200 
acres  on  Section  1(3.  in  Washington.  He  has  been  leader  of  the  choir  in  the  Methodist 
Chiu'ch  eight  years,  and  a  member  of  the  choir  thirty  years;  also  has  charge  of  a  musical 
society  in  town.     Mi\  Tinsman,  politically,  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  R.  TURRELL  was  born  April  22,  ISll,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  His 
birth-place  was  on  the  Susijuehanna  River.  He  is  son  of  Joel  and  Mary  (Gray)  Turrell, 
the  former  a  native  of  Connecticut,  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  They  went  to  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  Mr.  Turrell  was  reared  to  the  age  of  twenty  and  bred  to  the  profes- 
sion of  farmer.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  LS31  and  located  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in 
W.ishington.  east  of  Romeo,  but  he  lost  his  health,  and,  not  being  able  to  work  his  fai-m. 
disposed  of  it  and  worked  at  Jobbing,  chopping,  etc..  as  opportunity  presented.  In  183(5, 
he  went  to  Port  Hm-on  and  opened  a  groceiy  and  j^rovision  store,  where  he  operated  thi'ee 
years,  going  thence  to  Grand  River  Rapids.  He  was  afterward  engaged  in  grocery  and 
provision  trade  in  Ionia,  selling  out  at  the  end  of  tlu-ee  years,  and  then  peddled  some 
years,  finally  returning  to  Romeo.  He  was  man-ied,  December  27,  1842,  to  Nancy  Dus- 
ing,  born  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.  He  then  bought  a  farm  in  Addison,  Oakland  County, 
where  he  I'emained  a  year,  and  afterward  engaged  in  threshing  about  three  years.  He 
worked  a  farm  on  shares  in  Lapeer  County  some  years,  and  then  took  the  Dusing  farm  in 
Washington.  In  1S()2,  he  settled  at  Romeo.  His  wife  died  in  March,  1877,  having  be- 
come the  mother  of  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  He  was  man'ied  again,  Au- 
gust 28,  1878,  to  Mary  Ann  Galloway,  a  native  of  Canada.  Mi-.  Turrell  is  a  hale,  strong 
man,  and  has  seen  many  hardships.  He  has  been  a  Republican  since  the  organization  of 
the  party,  and  has  served  a  term  as  Street  Commissioner  of  Romeo. 

EPHRAIM  VANBURGER  was  born  April  4,  1.S33,  in  New  York;  is  son  of  Amos  and 
Mahala  (Andrews)  Vanburger.  They  came  to  Michigan  in  1S3(5  and  settled  at  Silver  Lake, 
Oakland  County.  The  father,  Ephraim,  and  a  brother  and  three  sisters,  had  the  small- 
pox. All  recovered.  Mr.  Vanbiu'ger  came  to  this  county  in  1848,  and  in  1852  settled  at 
Romeo,  working  as  a  carpenter  about  two  yeai-s.  He  was  then  engaged  five  years  in  sur- 
veying and  examining  land,  and  then  worked  as  a  shoemaker  until  August,  18(52,  when  he 
enlisted  in  the  civil  war  for  three  years.  He  was  captured  in  Virginia,  June  11,  18(34, 
and  was  a  prisoner  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  and  Florence,  S.  C,  and  honorably  discharged 
June  11,  1865.  He  was  married,  August  6,  1865,  to  Charlotte  H.  Munroe.  They  have 
had  two  children — Levant,  born  March  19,  1869,  died  April  3(\  1880,  of  hip  disease;  and 
Ella,  born  July  25,  1875.  Mr.  Vanburger  is  a  radical  Republican;  has  followed  the 
joiner's  trade  since  the  war. 

LEVI  B.  VANDECAR  was  born  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y,  September  15,  1850; 
received  his  education  in  the  primary  schools  of  his  native  tovpn,  and  learned  the  brick- 
layer's trade,  after  which  he  removed  to  Macomb  County,  arriving  in  the  year  1868.  He 
followed  the  mason's  trade  at  Romeo  and  at  Imlay  City,  Lapetr  County,  also  at  Oxford, 
Oakland  County,  and  at  Lapeer  City,  a  few  years,  and  in  1N79  removed  to  Isabella  County, 
where  he  located  land  and  resides  at  the  present  time;  man-ied,  February  15,  1871,  to 
Nancy  H.,  youngest  daughter  of  Erastus  Day,  of  Armada  Township.  She  was  born  Sep- 
tember 1,  1851.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  have  been:  Harry,  born  at  Lapeer  City 
June  12,  1872;  Frank,  born  at  Oxford  May  18,  1879.  While  living  at  Imlay,  the  family 
suffered  loss  by  fire  of  their  dwelling  house  and  contents,  which  calamity  was  repeated 
Dhree  years  later  at  Oxford.  His  present  business  is  general  merchant  and  dealer  in  tim- 
ber, in  which  he  has  been  verj'  successful.  A  post  office  has  been  established  at  his  store, 
and  he  is  the  Postmaster,  and  the  office  bears  his  name.  He  is  forward  in  all  society 
matters,  and  is,  in  form  of  worship,  a  Baptist,  of  which  both  himself  and  wife  are  members. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOJIB   COUNTY. 


CORNELIUS  VIRGIL  was  born  February  1,  1S34,  in  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y. ;  is 
son  of  Ira  and  Betsey  (Van  Inwagen)  Virgil.  He  remained  in  his  native  eounty  until  the 
age  of  twenty-three.  At  nineteen,  he  went  to  Newlield,  same  county,  to  leai'n  the  trade 
of  blacksmith.  He  served  three  years,  and  in  lNr)7  came  to  Michigan  and  located  at  New 
Baltimore,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  nearly  two  years.  He  then  went  on  a  farm  in 
Ray,  where  he  remained  upward  of  three  years.  He  was  married,  August  22,  1S()1,  to 
Polly,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Maria  Chubb,  a  native  of  Ray.  In  August.  ISOl,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  A.  First  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  served  about  six  months.  The  regiment 
went  to  Washington,  then  to  Maryland.  Mr.  Virgil  was  taken  sick  at  Capitol  Hill.  Wash- 
ington, and  was  discharged.  December  1,  1861,  at  Frederick  City,  Md.,  for  disability.  He 
returned  home,  and.  after  recovering  his  health,  he  went  fc  >  Ray.  where  he  spent  two  years 
fc'u'ming  one  summer  and  working  at  his  trade  the  balance  of  the  time.  In  the  spring  of 
18(34,  he  came  to  Romeo  and  went  into  business  with  Gilbert  Burnett,  who  had  a  shop  in 
operation,  and  continued  with  him  about  six  months,  when  he  engaged  with  Alexander 
Shelp  and  worked  with  him  now  and  then  for  two  years.  In  1S6N,  he  went  to  Oxford, 
Oakland  County,  and  had  a  blacksmith  shop  there  five  years.  In  1S73,  he  opened  a  shop 
at  Romeo,  which  he  has  managed  eight  yeai's.  He  jim'chased  his  present  residence,  on 
Benjamin  street,  in  1S66.      Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

JOSEPH  WELLER  was  boru  July  4,  1S81,  in  Chesterfield,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich. ;  is 
son  of  Elisha  and  Maria  (Vannatta)  Weller.  His  father  was  boru  July  23,  ISOO,  and  his 
mother  in  1(S02,  the  former  in  ^^'alTen  County,  N.  J.,  the  latter  near  Philadelphia.  They 
settled  in  Chesterfield  in  the  spring  of  1S31,  located  three  ''eighties'"  of  Government  land, 
but  retained  but  one  of  these  tracts.  The  mother  died  March  25,  1N()3,  aged  sixty-one 
years.  The  father  is  still  living,  in  his  eighty-second  yeiir. .  They  were  German  by  de- 
scent. Mr,  Weller  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm,  where  he  passed  thirty-five  years 
of  his  life.  His  early  educational  advantages  were  very  limited,  owing  to  the  unsettled 
state  of  the  country.  In  addition  to  agriculture,  he  engaged  in  threshing  some  mouths 
in  each  year  for  fifteen  years,  saving  sufficient  from  his  earnings  to  buy  eighty  acres  adjoin 
ing  his  father's  farm,  which  he  brought  to  an  advanced  state  of  improvement,  and  sold  in 
ISOP).  He  was  married,  January  26,  1865,  to  Jeanuette,  daughter  of  Theophilus  Kennedy, 
a  pioneer  of  the  county.  In  October  following,  he  moved  to  Romeo,  formed  an  association 
with  Albert  Kennedy,  and  bought  the  sash  and  blind  factory  of  Holman  &  Farrar,  which 
they  Continued  until  187 1.  Mr.  Weller  has  since  been  engaged  as  a  carpenter.  In  the 
fall  of  1866,  he  purchased  a  residence  on  Benjamin  street,  to  which  he  made  an  addition 
in  1869,  and  entirelv  I'emodeled  in  1878.     Politicallv,  he  is  a  Republican. 

ROBERT  WHITE  was  born  December  25,  1815!  in  Donegal,  Ireland:  is  son  of  Da- 
vid and  Jane  Elliott  A\'hite.  His  father  died  in  1826.  He  is  the  oldest  <>f  six  children, 
and  came  to  .America  in  1841,  bringing  with  him  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Robinson  White,  and 
four  children.  They  located  at  Romeo,  and,  four  years  later,  he  bought  twelve  acres  of 
wild  land,  cleared  a  space,  wherein  he  built  his  house,  and.  with  the  aid  of  his  childi'en, 
has  thoroughly  improved  the  entire  place,  not  a  trace  of  a  stump  remaining.  At  the  time 
he  bought  his  land,  Main  street  was  inconveniently  devoted  to  stumps,  and  one  day  he 
took  up  four  large  ones,  receiving  $1  for  each  one.  Another  party  had  refused  $3  for  the 
job.  In  the  fall  of  1853,  Mr,  Whiie  pm'chased  eighty  acres  north  of  the  fair  grounds, 
which  is  in  a  state  of  advanced  improvement.  He  is  a  mason,  and  worked  at  his  trade 
more  or  less  until  1867,  when  he  met  with  an  accident  and  broke  his  shoulder,  which  ne- 
cessitated the  abandonment  of  severe  labor.  Mrs.  White  died  May  17,  1863,  in  her  fiftieth 
year.  She  became  the  mother  of  nine  children.  Their  records  are  as  follows:  Eliza 
resides  at  Petrolia.  Canada;  David,  twin,  lives  in  Detroit  and  has  five  children;  George, 
twin,  died  December   1,  1879,  leaving  six  children;  Robert  lives  at  Lapeer,  and  has  two 


;t^ 


iii. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


childi'en;  James  is  on  the  farm,  and  has  one  child;  John  lives  in  Romeo,  has  two  children; 
Anna  Maria  lives  at  Almont,  and  has  five  children;  the  others  are  Lydia  and  Martha;  the 
latter  died  in  October,  ISfil;  all  are  maiTied  but  Lydia.  There  are  twenty  grandchildren. 
Ml-.  'White  was  maiTied  again.  April  16,  1S65.  to  Mi-s.  Susan  M.  Drake,  born  in  County 
Armagh,  Ireland.  They  have  one  daughter,  Mary  M.,  who  lives  at  home.  Four  of  Mr.  White's 
sons  are  masons,  taught  by  himself;  two  are  carpenters.  He  has  always  been  an  adherent 
of  the  Republican  party.  He  and  Lis  wife  are  enjoying  the  reward  of  frugal,  well-ordered 
lives,  and  passing  their  last  years  in  comfort. 

ROBERT  A.  Y01TNG,"D.  D.  S.,  was  bom  March  4.  bS55,  at  Lodi,  Columbia  Co.. 
Wis.  His  parents,  John  A.  and  Elsie  (Erwin)  Young,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  His 
father  was  Principal  of  the  High  School  at  Lodi.  which  he  attended  until  he  was  nineteen 
years  old.  June  3.  1S74,  he  came  to  Romeo  with  his  parents,  where  his  father  is  pastor 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  where  he  attended  school.  In  the  fall  of  1S7H.  he  began 
the  study  of  dentistry  with  Dr.  Isaac  Do\iglass,  D.  D.  S.  He  attended  the  university  at 
Ann  Arbor  two  years,  and  graduated  with  honor  in  March,  ISSO,  entering  upon  dental 
practice  in  September  following.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  Dental  Society,  and  belongs 
to  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  He  has  tine  rooms  on  Main  street,  handsomely  fitted;  is  a 
gentleman  of  social,  genial  character,  and  popular  as  a  mechanical  operator  and  as  a  citi- 
zen. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 


In  the  compilation  of  the  histories  of  the  townships,  care  has  been  taken  to  exclude 
all  descriptions  which  have  been  fully  dealt  with  in  the  general  history-  of  the  county. 
The  fact  that  large  numbers  of  the  people  who  made  subject  for  history  are  treated  bio- 
graphically,  in  connection  with  the  history  of  the  township  to  which  they  belong,  ren- 
dered an  extensive  historical  sketch  unnecessary,  because  in  the  jiersonal  history  inci- 
dents and  names  are  given  so  intimately  associated  witli  the  township,  and  withal  so 
apjiropriate  to  the  biography  in  which  they  occur,  that  to  separate  or  remove  the  one  would 
have  a  tendency  to  destroy  the  other.  For  this  reason,  a  great  portion  of  the  history  of 
each  tovraship  will  be  found  woven  with  the  sketches  of  its  principal  inhabitants. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  to^vnship  of  Annadia,  or  Armada,  was  organized  under  a  legislative  enact- 
ment, approved  April  22,  1833,  laying  off  from  the  surveyed  townships.  Town  5  north, 
Ranges  13  and  14  east  of  the  meridian,  and  ordering  the  first  township  meeting  to  be 
held  at  the  house  of  Edmund  Stewart  the  first  Monday  in  April,  1834.  The  formal  meet- 
ing of  the  people  to  consider  the  question  of  organization  was  held  in  the  year  1832,  at 
Armada  Corners  (Selleck's),  and  the  organization  was  strenuously  opposed,  as  uncalled 
for  and  unnecessary,  but  was  carried  later  in  the  day.  When  the  subject  of  a  name  came 
up,  but  little  time  remained.  Several  names  were  proposed  which  did  not  meet  with 
approval,  until  Hosea  Northi-up  jumped  up  and  shouted  the  name  Ai-mada.  The  name 
was  earned  at  .once,  and  probably  without  a  knowledge  of  its  meaning  or  its  fitness. 

THE    FIRST    TOWN    MEETING. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  April  7,  1834.  in  accordance  with  the  statute.  Henry 
B.  Ten  Eyck  presided,  with  Roswell   W.  Green,   Clerk;  Darius   Sessions   and  Minot  T. 


^1 


^A=±z. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Lane  were  Inspectors  of  Election.  The  officers  chosen  were:  Alfred  Goodell,  Supervisor; 
Leonard  Lee,  Clerk;  Erastus  Day,  Eden  Ai-mstrong  and  Iddo  Warner,  Assessors:  Edmund 
Stewart  and  Norman  Burk,  Overseers  of  the  Poor:  John  Proctor.  Chauncey  Bailey  and 
Hosea  Northrup,  Commissioners  of  Highways;  Asa  Palmer,  Constable;  Martin  Buzzell, 
Alfred  Goodell,  Mino:  T.  Lane,  School  Commissioners;  Aden  Ai-mstrong,  E.  Steward,  M. 
Buzzell,  Asa  Holman,  Charles  Farrar,  School  Inspectors;  Henry  B.  Ten  Eyck,  A.  Goodell 
and  Darius  Sessions,  Pound  Masters;  Joel  Cartwi'ight,  Job  Howell,  Peter  Woodbeitz,  Jos- 
eph C.  Donaldson,  A  Go<xlell,  Benoni  Knapp  and  Nathaniel  Carter,  Overseers  of  High- 
ways.     Justices  were  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  the  Territory. 

Roll  of  Supervisors— Alfred  Goodell,  1833  to  1836;  Minot  T.  Lane.  1836  to  1839; 
Solomon  Lathi-op,  1840  to  1844;  Norman  Perry.  1844  to  1852;  Darius  Sessions,  1852  to 
1854;  Norman  Perry,  1854  to  1856;  Warren  Tibbetts,  1856  to  1859;  Charles  An di-ews, 
1859  to  1864;  Erastus  Dav,  1864  to  1866;  George  E.  Burke,  1866  to  1867;  Hiram  Bar- 
rows, 1867  to  1869;  Gideon  Draper,  1869  to  1870;  Charles  Andrews,  1870  to  1873;  Gid- 
eon Draper,  1873  to  1874;  Hollv  Goyer,  1874  to  1880;  Charles  Anckews,  1880  to  1881; 
Charles  Andrew,  1881  to  1882.  " 

Clerks — Leonard  Lee,  1834;  Chauncev  Bailev.  1835-36;  James  Flower,  1837;  Urial 
Dav,  1838-39;  Ira  Selleck,  1840-11;  Charles  W.  "chamberlain,  1841;  James  McCracken. 
18-12;  Charles  W.  Chamberlain,  1843;  James  McCracken,  1844-45;  Andrew  Ward,  1846- 
51;  George  Andrews.  1852-53;  Andrew  Word,  1854-55:  Winfield  Wisner,  1856;  Charles 
A.  Lathrop,  1857;  Crawley  P.  Dake,  1858;  Winiield  Wisner,  l^i59-  NathanAdams,  1860; 
Michael  R.  Weir,  1861;  Nathan  Adams,  1862-64;  Henry  C.  Aldrich,  1865-66;  George 
McClusky,  1867;  Perrin  C.  Goodell,  1868-70;  Charles  A.  Snover,  1871;  James  E.Vin- 
cent, 1872;  David  H.  Barrows,  1873-75;  Robert  B.  Vibbert,  1876;  George  F.  Adams, 
1877-81. 

Treasurers— Asa  Palmer,  1834;  George  T.  Powell,  1835;  J.  S.  Becraft,  1836;  Abner 
Barrington,  1837-38;  Minot  T.  Lane.  1839;  Sanford  H.  Corbin.  1840:  Joseph  C.  Don- 
aldson, 1841;  Elijah  Bm-ke,  1842-44;  Samuel  Wizner,  1845-50;  Pen-in  C.  Goodell, 
1851-52;  John  Johnson,  1853:  David  T.  Pratt,  1854-57;  Thomas  M.  Gould,1858;  Benja- 
min F.  Kellam,  1859:  Daniel  D.  Dunham,  1859;  Dounce  D.  Dunham,  1860;  Crowley  P. 
Dake,  1861:  H.  H.  Spencer,  1862;  Bm-ton  W.  Seeley,  1863;  Beach  G.  Whitney,  1864; 
Burton  W..  Seeley,  1865-67;  Thomas  Proctor,  1868-69;  Michael  R.  Weir,  1870-71; 
George  F.  Adams,' 1872-73;  John  E.  Barringer,  1874-75;  David  H.  Barrows.  1876-77; 
Elisha  D.  Lathrop,  1878-79;  David  H.  Barrows.  1880-81. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Minot  T.  Lane,  1836;  Joseph  C.  Donaldson,  1836;  Alvah 
Sibley,  1836;  Elijah  Bm-ke,  1836;  M.  T.  Lane,  1837;  Darius  Ses8ion.s,  1838;  Sanford  H. 
Corbin,  1838;  Erastus  Day,  1839;  Darius  Sessions,  1840;  Solomon  Lathrop.  1840-41 ; 
Warren  Tibbits,  1842;  Daniel  W.  Day.  1843;  Darius  Sessions,  1844;  John  P.  Hall,  1845; 
Wan-en  Tibbits,  1846;  Urial  Day,  1847;  Amassa  W,  Sutton,  1S48;  Charles  Farrar,  1848; 
John  P.  Hale,  1849;  Joseph  P.  Foster,  1849;  Warren  Tibbits,  1S5():  Gideon  Draper,  1850; 
Seth  Aldrich.  1851;  A.  W.  Sutton,  1852;  Erastus  Day,  1853;  Holly  Goyer,  1853;  Timothy 
Adams,  1855;  AVarren  Tibbits,  1855;  Henry  O.  Smith.  1855;  Erastus  Day,  1857;  Warren 
Tibbits,  1858:  Horace  H.  Spencer,  1856:  "Gideon  Draper,  1859;  H.  H.  Spencer,  1860; 
Erastus  Day,  1861;  Michael  R.  Weirs,  1862;  Charles  A.  Lathi-op,  1862;  Gideon  Draper, 
1863;  H.  H.  Spencer,  1864;  William  H.  Clark,  1864;  Eleazer  W.  True,  1865;  David  Mc- 
Crossan,  1866;  Gideon  Drai)er,  1867;  H.  H  Si>eneer,  1868;  Nathan  Adams,  1869:  Eli  G. 
Perkins,  1870;  Nathan  Adams,  1870;  Henry  A\'.  Bradley,  1871;  Gideon  Drai)er,  1871; 
Louis  Granger,  1872;  Erastus  Day,  1872:  Louis  Granger,  1872,  Merril  P.  Farrar,  1873; 
Horace  H.  Spencer,  1874;    Gideon  Draper,  1875;  Abram  S.  Hall,  1876;  Merrill  P.  Far- 


.^ 


\. 


4 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


rar,  1877;    Horace  H.  Speacer,  1878;    Gideon  Draper,  1879;    John   E.  Barringer.  1879; 
Albert  F.  Stowe,  1880;  E.  Wells  True,  1880;  Merril  P.  Farrar,  1881. 

In  this  town  the  whole  Republican  ticket  was  elected  in  1882,  as  follows:  Super- 
visor—  Charles  Andrews,  Republican,  196;  A.  H.  Peabody,  Democrat,  98;  Sabin  O. 
Stump,  Greenback,  23;  Andrews'  plurality,  98.  Clerk — B.  C.  Preston,  Republican,  181; 
Thomas  A.  Flower,  Democrat,  118;  Preston's  majority,  03.  Treasurer  —  Hiram  J.  Bar- 
rows. Republican,  187;  G.  F.  Hebblewhite,  Democrat,  113;  Barrows'  majority,  74. 
•Justice  of  the  Peace — George  F.  Adams,  Republican,  156;  H.  H.  Spencer,  Democrat, 
148;  Adams"  majority,  8. 

PIONEERS    OF    ARMADA. 

Among  the  first  settlers  of  the  township  were  John  Proctor,  Erastus,  Day.  Nathan 
Rowley.  Neil  Gray,  Norman  Pen-y.  Eri  Buttertield.  Elisha  D.  Andi-ews.  Elijah  Burke, 
Norman  Bui'ke,  Chauucey  Bailey,  Leonard  Lee.  Darius  Sessions,  Israel  G.  Belknap  and 
Daniel  Draper,  and  a  man  named  Aldi-ich. 

A  trip  fi-om  the  Eastern  States  to  Armada,  so  late  as  1831  was  one  attended  with 
many  difficulties.  The  usual  vicissitudes  of  canal  travel  fi'om  Rochester  to  Buffalo,  and 
thence  per  steamer  to  Detroit,  had  to  be  experienced.  The  jom-ney  from  Detroit  via  Royal 
Oak  to  Armada,  so  well  known  by  many  an  old  settler,  was  traversed;  Mother  Handsom's 
house  was  visited,  and  the  nucleus  of  Romeo  sui'veyed.  S.  H.  Corbiu  and  other  settlers 
came  in  1831.  After  a  short  time  passed  at  Romeo,  the  land-hunters  pushed  forward  by 
the  locations  of  Leslie.  Day.  Edget.  Farrar.  Iddo  Warner,  Job  Howell,  and  stayed  that 
night  with  a  man  named  Belknap,  whose  log  shanty  stood  on  the  corner  of  Section  29. 

The  travelers  next  packed  the  necessaries  for  a  two-days'  journey,  and  jjroceeded  en 
route  to  Section  25,  driving  their  oxen  in  the  yoke.  The  only  houses  on  the  trail  at  that 
time  were  Edmund  Stewart's  and  Andrew  Ward's.  Previous  explorers  had  cleared  a  road 
as  far  east  as  Belle  River,  and  so  the  present  travelers  had  comparatively  few  obstacles  to 
encounter.  They  camped  on  the  site  of  Holly  Goyer's  house,  where  they  were  entertained 
by  whip-poor-will  songs  and  the  hum  of  the  ubiquitous  mosquito.  Goodell,  who  formed 
one  of  the  i^ai'ty,  is  inclined  to  think  there  were  no  less  than  one  hundred  whip-poor-wills 
and  ten  millions  of  mosquitoes  round  their  camp-tire  that  night.  The  next  day,  the  party 
was  joined  by  Goodell,  Sr.,  who  brought  his  family  to  Romeo  fi'om  Detroit  the  day  pre- 
vious. Within  a  few  days,  the  family  went  out  to  their  future  home,  and  entered  the  pro- 
verbial log  house  of  the  pioneer  June  17,  1831,  just  one  month  after  they  left  the  old 
homestead  in  York  State.  Here  they  found  themselves  in  the  position  of  Robinson  Crusoe. 
Leonard  Lee  was  the  nearest  neighbor,  two  miles  distant,  and  his  home  unknown ;  the 
Wards  were  three  miles  westward,  and  Peter  Aldrich  was  living  on  the  John  Corbin  farm. 
There  were  no  settlers  between  them  and  the  Tittabawassee  River  on  the  northwest.  Lake 
Huron  on  the  northeast,  and  St.  Clair  River  on  the  east.  Mrs.  Goodell  did  not  see  the  face 
of  a  white  woman  for  almost  three  months,  until  Mi-s.  Nathaniel  Carter  and  her  sister 
came,  in  the  latter  part  of  September,  and  passed  a  portion  of  a  day  with  her.  The  In- 
dians were  frequent  visitors  during  the  summer,  and  at  one  time  they  were  in  camp  close 
by  for  nearly  two  weeks.  Those  savages  came  from  their  village  west  of  Romeo.  They 
brought  with  them  about  live  bushels  of  whortleberries  in  bark  mocacks.  which  they  traded 
for  flom'  and  meal.  At  this  time,  the  forest  was  full  of  strawberries  and  blackljerries,  so 
in  this  respect  the  pioneers  were  fully  supjilied.  Diu-ing  the  smumer.  an  acre  of  land  was 
cleared  round  the  house,  and  on  July  1.  1832.  a  tract  laid  down  under  oats.  During  the 
fall,  six  acres  were  cleared,  and  timber  prepared  for  a  story-and-a-half  house.  18x24  feet. 
This  house  was  boarded  and  shingled,  the  lumber  being  proom-ed  at  the  Treml)le  Mill, 
three  miles  from  Romeo.  Steward,  Sessions  and  Mather  came  to  assist  the  Goodells  in 
raising  this  house. 
42 

^^.— r- — ^=^ 

T 


LkL 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Leonard  Lee  was  appointed  Postmaster  about  that  time.  Richards  was  mail-carrier 
between  Romeo  and  St.  Clair,  over  the  Hoxie  trail. 

S.  H.  Corbin  left  the  Goodell  settlement  for  Rochester,  to  follow  his  trade  of  house- 
builder.  In  1832,  he  revisited  the  place,  and  aided  Mr.  Goodell,  Sr.,  in  getting  out  tim- 
ber for  his  barn. 

In  the  summer  of  1832,  Ira  Butterfield  and  Hinckman  Bntterfield  located  just  north 
of  the  Goodells.  In  the  winter  of  1832-33.  Erwin  Rose  came  in.  Elijah  Biu'ke  came  in 
April.  1833,  and  piu-chased  the  S.  H.  Corbin  house  frame,  previously  prepared,  now  form- 
ing a  portion  of  William  H.  Clarke's  barn.  Ingraham  came  in  September.  1833.  About 
the  same  time,  S.  H.  Corbin  revisited  the  settlement,  and,  in  partnershi])  with  one  of  the 
first  settlers,  raised  the  mill  there,  and  inaugurated  the  industry  in  1834.  The  wheat 
crop  of  1833  was  remarkably  good,  so  that  the  new  mill  was  a  most  useful  addition  to  the 
industries  or  the  entire  district.  Dui'ing  that  year,  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  the  extraor- 
dinary precautions  taken  by  Asahel  Bailey,  troubled  the  settlers  more  or  less. 

The  district  settled  very  fast  from  1833  to  1838.  Perrin  Goodell  cut  a  corner  on  log 
houses  every  month  in  those  years,  and  sometimes  assisted  in  raising  four  houses  per 
month. 

The  neai'est  schoolhouse  to  the  Goodell  settlement  was  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Nor- 
man Perry's  farm  until  1834,  when  a  school  building  was  erected  and  Miss  Betsy  Day  ap- 
pointed first  teacher. 

From  1831  to  1840,  the  roads  through  the  timber  lands  were  almost  impassable  in  the 
spring  and  fall.  The  Fort  Gratiot  Turn))ike  was  built  by  the  State,  and  was  laid  out  fi'om 
Detroit  into  the  town  of  Lenox  in  1831,  and  finished  as  far  as  Port  Huron  in  1833. 

Elijah  Bui'ke  and  a  few  neighbors  laid  out  the  Ridge  road  iu  September,  1834,  cut- 
ting a  wagon  road  from  the  Parker  Adams  farm  to  the  lands  of  Phillip  Cudworth.  This 
road  soon  became  famous,  and  formed  a  part  of  the  immigrant  road  from  Port  Huron  to 
Romeo,  so  that  the  Burke  location  was  known  to  great  numbers  of  immigrants  as  Burke's 
Comers,  now  Armada  Village. 

During  the  years  1834,  ]83r)  and  1836,  the  $5,000,000  loan  created  excitement,  and 
settlers  looked  for  railroads  in  every  direction.  One  line — the  Northern  Michigan  Rail- 
road— was  rnn  through  on  the  quarter  line  of  the  south  tier  of  sections  in  Armada  Town- 
ship. It  was  the  era  of  paper  enterprises,  yet  settlers  continued  to  come  in  great  num- 
bers, and,  as  a  inile,  had  to  {iass  through  "  The  Narrows."  The  immigrants  had  a  certain 
amount  of  money — just  enough  to  jiurchase  a  forty  or  eighty  acre  tract  of  laud,  build  a 
log  shanty  and  begin  housekeeping.  Then  they  found  their  means  were  exhausted,  and 
that  they  had  to  work  for  others.  Many  of  them  performed  the  duties  of  day  laborers 
until  sufficient  cash  was  saved  to  enable  tliem  to  proceed  with  the  clearing  and  cultivation 
of  their  land.  During  this  time,  their  waxdi'obes  were  very  limited,  and  the  bottom  of 
their  (lour  and  pork  ban-els  easily  found.  However,  there  were  only  five  cases  where  peo- 
ple actually  suffered,  the  interchange  of  kindnesses  preventing  anything  like  a  famine. 
Whenever  a  deer  was  killed,  portions  of  the  meat  were  distributed  throughout  the  district. 

After  Hinckman  Butterfield  had  been  here  some  three  years,  he  miscalculated  his  re- 
sources, and  found,  to  his  sm'prise,  that  his  provisions  could  not  last  beyond  June  I.  He 
was  equal  to  the  occasion.  Without  means  to  buy  flom-,  he  still  {possessed  two  good  cows, 
and,  with  the  milk  which  they  produced,  and  boiled  basswood  leaves,  this  settler  contrived 
to  eke  out  an  existence  for  thirteen  days.  Subsequently,  he  borrowed  $10  from  a  neigh- 
bor, which  sum  he  invested  in  five  bushels  of  corn. 

On  another  occasion,  two  brothers  drove  to  N.  B.  Freeman's  store,  intent  upon  piu'- 
chasing  a  barrel  of  flour.  They  had  no  money,  so  they  said  nothing  on  financial  affairs 
until  tiie  flour  was  placed  in  their  wagon,  when  one  drove  off  with  it,  leaving  the  other  to 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


^ 


explain  to  Mr.  Freeman  that  they  had  no  money  just  then,  biit,  so  soon  as  they  would  ob- 
tain some,  the  barrel  of  flour  should  lie  paid  for.      Freeman  had  no  alternative  but  to  wait. 

In  1832  or  1833,  there  was  a  small  grocery  store  established  at  the  Branch.  The 
owner  was  generally  employed  clearing  land  in  the  vicinity.  To  render  himself  equal  to 
the  work  of  watching  two  things  at  the  same  time,  he  himg  a  dinner-horn  on  the  door, 
with  a  notice  below,  stating.  '"If  no  one  is  here,  blow  the  horn." 

The  winter  of  1842-43  was  known  as  the  hard  winter.  The  weather  continued  severe 
from  ■'  Cold  Friday,"  in  Novem!)er,  imtil  the  fii-st  Monday  of  April.  1843.  when  the  snow 
was  two  and  one-half  feet  deep  on  the  level. 

The  fii'st  child  born  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  was  Solomon  Buttertield. 

The  first  death  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  was  that  of  Mrs.  David  Page.  She 
was  buried  with  her  head  to  the  north,  on  a  spot  where  the  old  cemetery  of  years  ago  was 
located. 

The  number  of  acres  of  improved  land  in  the  township  in  185(1  was  <.600;  of  imim- 
proved  lands,  9.711;  total  cash  value  of  same.  $222,880.  Agricultm-al  products:  Wheat, 
8,615  bushels;  corn,  20,070  bushels;  oats,  25,186  bushels;  all  other  kinds  of  grair.  2.960 
bushels;  potatoes,  5,696  bushels;  wool,  11,632  pounds.  Dairy  products:  Butter,  23,- 
916  pounds;  cheese,  7,410  pounds.  Value  of  orchard  produce,  1729.  Live  stock: 
Horses,  230;  milch  cows,  486;  working  oxen,  215;  other  neat  cattle,  657;  sheep,  5.191; 
swine,  1.112;  total  value  of  live  stock,  f 34. 820. 

The  above  is  quite  a  creditable  showing,  but  appears  somewhat  meager  when  com- 
pared with  the  statistical  report  as  returned  by  the  Supervisor  in  the  spring  of  1874.  We 
quote:  "Number  of  acres  of  improved  land  in  occupied  farms,  11,922;  wood  and  other  un- 
improved  land,  9,340  acres;  cash  value  of  farms,  $935,895.  Agi-icultural  products: 
Wheat,  20,751  bushels;  corn,  32,126  bushels;  oats,  43,800  bushels;  all  other  kinds  of 
grain,  13,891  bushels;  potatoes,  10,932  bushels;' wool,  34,577  pounds;  pork  marketed,  73,- 
211  pounds.  Daii-y  products:  Butter,  45,070  pounds;  cheese,  9,420  pounds;  cheese,  9,- 
420  pounds.  Live  stock:  Horses,  605;  milch  cows,  625;  working  oxen,  17;  mules,  3; 
number  of  neat  cattle  (other  than  oxen  and  cows).  830;  sheep,  16,592;  swine,  875:  value 
of  live  stock  of  all  kinds,  $130,653." 

These  figures  show  an  average  increase  of  250  per  cent  for  the  past  quarter  of  a 
century.  The  population  of  the  township  in  1880  was  1,734,  inchiding  Armada  Village.  800. 
Li  1850,  there  were  only  1,146  inhabitants:  in  1874.  1,562. 

.\RM.\D.\    VILLAGE. 

Armada  is  a  thriving  incorporated  village  of  800  inhabitants,  settled  in  1830,  and 
pleasantly  situated  in  Armada  Township,  JIacomb  County,  about  midway  between  Romeo 
and  Ridgeway.  It  is  on  the  Michigan  Air-Line  Railway,  and  is  the  «enter  of  a  prosper- 
ous farming  region.  It  has  no  water-power,  and  its  manufacturing  enterprises  are  lim- 
ited, embracing  a  stave  and  handle  factory,  sash  and  blind  factory,  cheese  factory  and  a 
flouring-mill.  Ai-mada  has  four  chm-ches— Methodist.  Cougi-egational,  Baptist  and  Ad- 
ventist.  The  Telegraph  is  published  by  C.  J.  Seely.  A  good  hall  in  connection  with  the 
National  Hotel  h  s  recently  been  built.  Grain,  flour,  apples,  cheese,  staves  and  handles 
constitute  the  principal  shipments. 

Among  the  principal  business  men  of  the  village  are  :  Hiram  Barrows,  Postmaster, 
general  store-keeper  and  cheese  manufactvu-er;  Elbert  M.  Cook.  C.  A.  Lathrop,  Theodore 
H  Hinchman.  J.  W.  Jackmau.  E.  D.  Latlirop,  G.  C.  Phillips.  William  E.  Preston,  Rob- 
ert F.  Robertson,  S.  B.  Shaw,  R.B.  Stevens.  A.  H.  Telfer  and  Ephraim  A.  Jennings,  mer- 
chants: Edward  Bailey,  operator  of  a  grist-mill  and  foundry,  three  miles  east  of  the  vil- 
lage; Lewis  Granger,  proprietor  of  Evaporated  Fruit  Factory:  Horace,  William  and  Albert 


TV 


_2)  ^ 


Pt-rkins,  owners  of  the  stave  and  handle  factory;  Henry  Thomson,  flom-  and  grist  mill  ope- 
rator. The  professions  are  represented  by  John  E.  Barringer,  S.  T.  Beardsley,  Charles 
H.  Lincoln,  physicians;  William  H.  Clai'k,  Jr.,  lawyer;  Gurdon  H.  Millard,  dentist; 
Charles  J.  Seely,  editor;  Rev.  Messrs.  D.  H.  Lamson.  of  the  Adventist;  Silas  Finn,  of 
the  Baptist;  Rev.  H.  N.  Bissell,  of  the  Congregational;  J.  L.  Av'alker,  of  the  Methodist, 
are  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel. 

The  village  of  Armada  was  organized  under  authority  given  by  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors, October  15,  180'J.  The  original  plat  of  the  village  comprised  the  northeast  quar- 
ter of  Section  28:  the  east  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  23;  the  northwest  quar- 
ter of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  33;  the  northwest  qviarter  of  Section  24;  the  west 
half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  24;  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  southwest  quar- 
ter of  Section  24,  in  Town  5  north,  of  Range  13  east,  or  the  township  of  Armada.  The 
act  of  incorporation  ordered  the  lirst  election  to  be  held  at  the  National  Hall,  on  the  sec- 
ond Tuesday  in  January,  or  January  14,  1808,  under  the  superintendence  of  William  H. 
Clark,  Jr..  William  E.  Preston  and  Francis  M.  Grout.  The  record  of  this  election  is  set 
forth  as  follows: 

President — Hiron  Hathaway,  45  votes. 

Trustees — Elisha  Davis,  19  votes;  William  E.  Preston,  47;  James  Flower,  51;  Eben- 
ezer  Brooks,  32;  J.  E.  Barringer,  31:  Cyrus  S.  Farrar,  31;  Silas  Finn,  31;  Charles  A. 
Lathrop.  20;  Allen  L.  Frost,  16. 

Assessor — Hiram  Barrows,  30  votes;  Eben  Brooks,  19. 

Marshal  and  Treasurer — George  McCluskev,  50  votes. 

Clerk— William  H.  Clark.  Jr..  32  votes;  Ezra  F.  Sibley,  15;  William  H.  Clark.  4. 

Fire  Warden — Alfred  Watson.  31  votes;  Samuel  Barton,  19. 

Street  Commissioner — Elisha  Davis,  31  votes;   F.  M.  Grout,  17;  Spencer  Phelps,  1. 

Pound  Master — Hiron  F.  Corbiu,  38  votes;  Corbin  received  the  entire  vote  under 
various  names. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board,  held  February  1,  1868,  a  series  of  twenty-seven  rules  was 
adopted. 

President -Hiron  Hathaway,  1868;  F.  M.  Grout,  1869;  Hiron  Hathaway.  1870; 
Charles  Lathrop,  1871;  H.  F.  Corbin,  1872;  John  E.  Barringer,  18 < 3;  William  E.  Pres- 
ton, 1874;  John  E.  Barringer,  1875;  James  Flowers,  1876;  John  E.  Barringer,  1877; 
Hiram  BaiTows,  1878;  David  H.  Rarrows,  1879;  L.  H.  Lincoln,  1880;  H.  H.Spencer,  1881. 

Recorder ^William  H.  Clark,  Jr.,  1868;  E.  B.  Bentley,  1869;  Chai-les  A.  Snover, 
1870;  Charles  A.  Snover,  1871;  George  F.  Adams,  1872;  D.  H.  Barrows,  1873;  D.  H. 
Barrows,  1874;  D.  H.  Barrows,  1875;  D.  H.  Barrows,  1876;  Albert  F.  Stone.  1877;  Albert 
F.  Stone,  1878;  Ephraim  A.  Jennings,  1879. 

Treasm'er— George  McCluskev,  1868;  Joseph  P.  Seeley,  1869;  Theo  D.  Bui'ke,  1870; 
Elisha  D.  Lathrop,  1871;  W.  E.'Preston,  1872;  W.  E.  Preston,  1873;  E.  D.  Lathrop, 
1874;  E.  D.  Lathrop,  1875;  Robert  B.  Vibbert,  1876:  William  E.  Preston.  1877;  Elbert 
M.  Cook.  1878;  Elbert  M.  Cook,  1879. 

The  officers  for  1882-83  are:  Horace  H.  Spencer,  Village  President;  and  George 
C.  Phillips,  Edwin  A.  Frost,  Samuel  T.  Beardslee,  Elisha  D.  Lathi'op,  A.  B.  Palmerlee 
and  Dan  C.  Day,  Trustees. 

Trustees  —1868,  William  E.  Preston.  James  Flower,  Ebenezer  Brooks,  John  E.  Bar- 
ringer, C.  S.  Farrar,  Silas  Finn;  1869,  Jabez  Hebbelwhite,  Cullen  B.  Clark,  S.  T.  Beards- 
ley,  Perrin  C.  Goodell,  Allen  S.  Frost,  Henry  Mullen;  1870,  James  Flower,  Aug  A.  Smith, 
C.  A.  Lathrop,  A.  L.  Frost,  Charles  Macauluy.  Winlield  S.  Hathaway;  1871,  William 
Youngs,  James  Mahafly,  J.  Hebbelwhite,  Charles  Macaulay,  W.  S.  Hathaway,  Allen  Frost; 
1872,  Lewis  Granger,  W.  J.  Brown,  B.  W.  Ormsby,  James  E.  Vincent,  James  Mills,  D. 


W 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


H.  Barrows;  1873,  Ebenezer  Brooks,  Seth  Smith.  J.  M.  Mills.  Elisha  D.  Lathrop,  George 
McCluskey,  B.  W.  Ormsby:  1874,  Ezra  F.  Sibley.  Charles  E.  Marble.  Culleu  B.  Clark, 
Fred  M.  Garlick.  George  McCluskey.  Seth  Smith;  1875,  Cyi'us  S.  Farrar,  Jonas  Sutton, 
Bela  W.  Ormsby  (for  one  year).  Nathan  Hurd,  James  Flowers.  William  F.  Preston  (for 
two  years):  1876,  Charles  W.  Willett.  Charles  A.  Lathrop.  C.  W.  Millet,  Nathan  Hurd, 
Cvms  S.  Farrar.  Jonas  Sutton;  1877,  William  H.  fJlai-k,  Jr.,  Cullen  B.  Clark.  J.  Hebble- 
white,  Elbert  M.  Cook,  Rufus  Small,  R-.  F.  Robertson:  1878.  John  England,  Elisha  D. 
Lathrop.  William  H.  Clark.  Jr.,  Rufus  Small.  J.  Hebbelwhite,  W.  H.  Youugs;  1879, 
George  F.  Adams.  William  E.  Pi-eston.  J.  Neeper,  George  Barnes.  N.  H.  Pillsbury,  Will- 
iam Lewis. 

POST  OFFICE. 

The  first  post  office  of  the  village  was  established  in  1843,  by  the  appointment  of 
Solomon  Lathrop,  Postmaster,  and  the  office  in  the  house  of  Rev.  Samuel  A.  Benton,  the 
Congregational  Pastor  of  that  place.  Previous  to  this  time,  the  nearest  office  was  at  the 
''Branch,"  five  miles  away,  from  which  mail  was  brought  by  any  person  whom  business 
called  in  that  direction,  or  else  a  boy  astride  a  horse  was  sent  for  it.  The  postage  on  a 
letter  from  beyond  the  boundaries  of  the  State  was  25  cents,  and  often  was  not  prepaid. 
Letters  were  valuable  in  those  days,  from  the  fact  that  they  cost  so  much,  and  also  that 
they  did  not  come  very  often.  The  revenue  of  the  office  was  so  exceedingly  small  that  it 
was  taken  rather  because  some  one  must  have  it  than  because  of  any  honor  or  emolument 
it  might  bring.  From  Solomon  Lathrop  it  jiassed  to  the  bauds  of  John  P.  Hall,  who  lived 
near  the  middle  of  the  village,  and  who  removed  it  from  the  house  of  Mr.  Benton  to  his 
own  house.  This  continued  some  years  (abovit  1S48),  when  Charles  A.  Lathrop  became 
Postmaster,  and  established  the  office  at  his  store.  This  was  the  first  of  its  having  a  po- 
sition in  a  public  building.  Dr.  Snell  succeeded  Mr.  Lathrop,  and  the  office  was  kept  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  village  square.  From  his  hands  it  passed  to  William  H. 
Clark,  Jr.,  who  kept  it  in  the  same  jiiace.  He  was  succeeded  by  Burton  W.  Seeley,  who 
kept  it  ou  the  south  side  of  Ridge  street.  Mr.  Hiram  Barrows,  the  present  incumbent,  then 
succeeded  to  the  office,  and  it  was  removed  to  the  "  Corner  Brick."  and  made  a  money 
order  office,  on  which  basis  it  has  since  been  continued. 

Till',    ARM.\D.\    AGRICULTITTI.\T,   SOflETY. 

The  Armada  Agricultural  Society  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  Armada  Farmers'  and  Me- 
chanics' Club,  of  the  same  place,  which  was  organized  at  the  call  of  a  few  men.  who 
thought  to  improve  their  occupation  by  free  discussion  of  topics  connected  with  their  bus- 
iness. The  organization  was  effected  in  1870.  with  Hiron  J.  Hathaway.  President;  J.  E. 
BaiTinger.  Secretary;  and  Nathan  Adams.  Treasurer.  Meetings  were  held  monthly  for 
discussion,  and  a  plowing  match  was  held  each  year.  The  last  two  years  of  its  existence 
as  a  club,  a  fair  was  held  at  the  village  of  Armada,  at  which  no  entrance  fee  was  chai'ged 
and  no  cash  premiums  were  paid — simply  a  ribbon  to  designate  a  preference.  The  offi- 
cers the  second  year  were  the  same  as  the  first.  The  third  year,  John  Paton,  Sr. .  was 
chosen  President,  and,  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Adams,  C.  A.  Lathi'op  succeeded  him  as 
Treasurer. 

In  February,  1873,  a  meeting  was  held  responsive  to  a  call  of  citizens  for  the  purpose 
of  forming  an  agricultural  society  upon  a  broader  basis,  and  capable  of  becoming  an  in- 
corporated body.  All  being  favorably  inclined,  the  object  was  effected,  and  the  Armada 
Agricultm-al  Society  began  its  existence  with  Hon.  Charles  Ancb-ews,  President;  John  E. 
BaiTinger.  Secretaiy;  Charles  A.  Lathrop.  Treasurer:  and  a  Board  of  Directors  as  follows: 

The  first  fair  of  this  society  was  held  at  the  society's  grounds  during  the  first  week 
in  October.  1873.      The   number  of  entries  was  800,  and  the  amount  paid  in  prizes  about 


-IB  IV 


jyj 


$300.  The  society  paid  all  premiums  and  expenses,  and  had  a  balance  left  in  the  treas- 
ury. The  society  was  organized  on  the  basis  of  a  jnirely  agi'icultnral  fair,  and  no  race- 
track is  provided,  and  no  premiums  oflered  for  speed.  The  people  have  supported  it  with 
great  liberality,  and  each  year's  finances  have  been  a  token  of  the  success  of  the  enter- 
prise. The  grounds  are  tastily  arranged  with  evergreen  and  forest  trees,  nicely  fenced, 
and  provided  with  hue  offices,  buildings  and  sheds,  and  the  society  has  funds  in  its  treas- 
m-y. 

The  following  gentlemen  have  acted  as  Presidents:  Charles  Andrews,  six  years; 
John  McKay,  two  years;  W.  D.  Fettibone,  one  year;  George  W.  Phillips,  at  present. 
John  E.  Barringer,  Secretary  fi'om  the  organization.  Treasiu'er:  Charles  A.  Lathrop, 
thi'ee  years;  James  Steven,  two  years;  W.  D.  Pettiboue,  one  year;  Charles  Andrews,  one 
year;  H.  Barrows,  one  year;  George  C.  Phillips,  Treasurer  at  present. 

Number  of  entries  last  fair,  2,050;  amoimt  paid  out  in  premiums,  $548. "25. 

THE    AKMADA    C.  L.  S.  C. 

The  Armada  Branch  of  the  Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scieutihc  Circle  was  organized 
in  the  fall  of  LSSO.  The  circle  consists  of  two  classes  of  members — the  regular,  who  are 
members  of  the  central  oi'ganizatiou,  to  which  they  are  accountable  for  the  amount  of 
reading  done;  and  the  local,  who  are  simply  members  of  the  local  circle,  and  in  no  way 
responsible  to  the  central  society,  and  who  are  at  liberty  to  carry  on  the  full  course  of 
reading  or  not,  as  they  see  tit. 

A  four-years'  course  of  reading  is  designated,  which  "  embraces  the  general  subjects  of 
histoiy.  science,  literatm-e  and  the  Bible  study,"  and  a  diploma  is  given  to  the  regular 
members  who  complete  the  course  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  The  regular  charter  membern 
were:  iVIi's.  H.  Barrows.  President;  Miss  Lizzie  Fletcher,  Secretary  and  Treasurer;  Mrs.  A. 
Lincoln,  Mrs.  A.  E.  Johnson,  Miss  Jennie  Macauley,  Dr.  C.  H.  Lincoln.  Mrs.  Charles 
Carter,  Miss  Hattie  Andi-ews,  Miss  Sophia  Cryderman,  H.  J.  Rarrows. 

The  local  charter  members  were:  Rev.  J.  L.  Walker,  Mrs.  E.  W.  Fletcher,  Mrs.  N. 
H.  Pillsbury,  John  E.  Day,  Mrs.  W.  D.  Pettibone,  William  H.  Yoimgs,  George  C.  Fletcher. 

Additions  have  been  made  to  both  classes  of  members  from  time  to  time,  and  the 
prospects  seem  to  indicate  for  the  future  the  same  increase  of  interest  that  has  marked  its 
history  thus  far.  The  circle  meets  every  week  for  the  discussion  for  the  required  reading 
for  the  week,  and  listening  to  original  papers  upon  subjects  pertaining  to  the  lesson. 

The  officers  at  the  present  time  are:  Mrs.  Charles  A.  Lathroj).  President;  Mrs. 
H.  J.  Barrows,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

BRUCK    .\.\I)    .Mi.M.VU.^    I.ITEUAEY    .SOCIKTY. 

The  young  people  met  at  the  residence  of  G.  W.  Phillips  December  11,  1S78,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  a  literary  society.  A  committee  of  three,  consisting  of  R.  J.  Craw- 
ford, T.  JVL  Stephen  and  C.  E.  Phillips,  were  appointed  to  form  a  constitution  and  by-laws. 
Saturday  evening,  December  24,  187S,  met  at  residence  of  J.  E.  Day  and  adopted  the  con- 
stitution, and  also  elected  charter  officers,  viz.:  President,  J.  E.  Day;  Vice  President,  G. 
W.  Phillips,  Jr.;  Treasm-er.  T.  M.  Stephen;  Secretary,  C.  E.  Phillips;  Librarian.  Mrs.  J. 
E.  Day. 

THE    AltJlADA    EITEUAHY    SOI  lETV. 

The  Armada  Literary  Society  was  organized  as  the  Athenoeum  in  1877,  with  Hiram 
J.  Barrows,  President,  and  Albert  Stow,  Seoretaiy.  In  1878,  it  was  re-organized,  under 
the  name  of  the  Armada  Literary  Society,  with  Hiram  J.  Barrows,  President.  With  this 
organization  the  Ladies'  Literary  Society  of  the  village  consolidated  in  January,  1880 
Amonu:  the  members  who  have  held  the  office  of  President  are  Hiram  J.  Barrows,  Bert  C. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Preston,  Albert  F.  Stowe,  Sterry  J.  Lamson,  Elisha  D.  A.  True,  Lewis  M.  Smith.  The 
society  has  a  collection  of  tifty  volumes. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  tirst  schoolhouse  in  Armada  Township  was  situate  on  the  land  of  Col.  Peny,  near 
Armada  Corners,  built  of  logs,  cut  and  put  up  by  a  "bee,"  and  covered  with  lumber  do- 
nated by  Noah  Webster — 1,000  feet.  The  deficiency  was  sup]>lied  with  slabs.  The  name 
of  the  first  teacher  is  not  remembered.  The  second  house  was  a  log  one,  near  the  house  of 
Alfred  Goodale.  A  school  had  been  kept  in  the  barn  of  that  gentleman  by  Miss  Harriet 
Perkins.  Miss  Betsey  Day,  now  wife  of  Erastus  Day,  taught  the  second  school.  This 
was  in  183*5.  About  this  time,  a  schoolhouse  was  built  at  the  village.  This  house  was 
built  of  slabs  stood  up  endwise,  spiked  to  a  frame  made  of  poles,  and  covered  with  slabs. 
The  first  teacher  in  this  school  was  a  Miss  Day.  who  came  from  Massachusf^tts,  and  soon 
returned  lo  that  State.  The  first  male  teacher  in  this  school  was  George  Lathrop,  son  of 
Solomon  Lathrop.  in  1838  or  1839.  He  was  followed  by  Miss  Anielia  Bancroft,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Joseph  Goodell.  This  young  man  was  exceedingly  tall.  auJ  it  is  said 
that,  when  he  jumped  the  rope  with  the  children,  his  head  appeared  above  the  ridge  of  the 
building.  Charles  A.  Lathrop  was  a  teacher  in  this  school.  In  1843,  Rev.  S.  A.  Benton, 
who  had  lately  arrived  from  Vermont,  where  he  had  received  a  classical  education,  had  a 
class  of  .seventeen  pupils  in  the  parlor  of  his  house,  in  which  he  was  assisted  by  Dr.  J. 
P.  Gleason.  This  lasted  one  term,  soon  followed  by  Rev.  Eleazer  \V.  True,  a  fully  edu- 
cated man  from  the  East,  who  opened  a  private  academy  in  a  building  erected  for  that 
pm'pose  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  village.  This  school  was  successfully  conducted  from 
1848  to  1853,  and  was  the  last  of  the  select  schools  of  Ai'mada. 

Rev.  Ml'.  Benton  was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Armada  several  years; 
removed  to  Iowa,  where  he  died  about  the  year  1870.  Rev.  Mr.  True  died  in  Armada 
Township  in  1874.  Of  the  teachers  in  the  public  school,  it  is  impossible  to  even  mention 
all.      The  following  are  some  of  them:     Edwin  Pettiljone,  Clark   Hall,  S.    E.  AN'hitney, 

Stowe,  E.  M.  Plunkett,  A.  S.  Hall. Kidder,  A.  M.  Keeler.      The  first  structure 

soon  gave  place  to  a  frame  Ijuilding,  anj  was  superseded  by  a  brick  building.  This  was 
enlarged  to  m^et  the  growing  demands  of  the  school,  which  is  at  present  in  a  thi'iving  con- 
dition. 

KIOKKAI'in'. 

This  most  important  branch  of  township  history  must  commend  itself  to  every  one. 
That  it  necessarily  contains  much  valuable  information,  and  the  relation  of  a  series  of 
events  more  or  less  historic,  must  be  conceded.  Therefore,  it  is  considered  just  and  proper 
that  anything  which  should  clai)n  a  place  in  the  pages  devoted  to  it  should  be  passed 
lightly  over  in  the  foregoing  chajiters  in  order  to  avoid  repetition,  and  to  intermingle  with 
these  interesting  sketches  the  more  comjilete  facts  gleaned  from  the  party  who  knows  them 
best. 

EDWARD  ADAMS,  son  of  Nathan  and  Margaret  A.  (Smith)  Adams,  was  born  Au 
gust  7,  1S36;  he  became  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  at  which  he  engaged  for  five 
terms;  was  married.  May  10.  lN5i),  to  Elizabeth  Coykendall,  daughter  of  Emanuel  Coy- 
kendall,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ;  they  had  two  children,  both  of  whom  are  living  on  the 
homestead — Charles  E.,  born  April  12.  18(51;  Ella.  December  1,  1859.  Mrs.  A.  was  born 
July  19,  1839,  in  Ontario  County.  N.  Y.  Mi-.  A.  is  a  successful  farmer,  takes  a  great  in- 
terest in  the  schools  of  the  township  and  is  politically  a  Republican. 

NATHAN  ADAMS,  son  of  John  and  Susanna  (Morse)  Adams,  natives  of  Massachu- 
setts, was  born  in  Cheshire.  N.  H..  November    1.  1809;  married  Margaret  A.  Smith,  Octo- 


i  V 


bw  i;i.  1S8H.  and  moved  to  Macomb  in  the  full  of  1N;!4.  aud  settled  on  Section  18,  in  Ar- 
mada Townshi]).  where  he  took  from  the  Government  UiO  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved 
and  occupied  niitil  his  death,  which  occiu'red  Se|)tember  12.  1NT2;  they  ha<l  ten  children, 
three  of  whom  ;u'e  living.  Mrs.  A.  was  born  December  2().  IM  1;  she  was  the  daughter  of 
Isaiah  Smith,  a  native  of  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  nesu-  West  Point,  aud  died  December  27. 
ISfelO,  on  the  homestead.  Mr.  A.  was  the  first  Town  Clerk  of  the  town  of  Armada,  and 
has  held  responsible  town  offices  since  that  time,  and  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  the  time 
of  his  death;  he  was  Treasurer  of  an  Agricultural  Society:  was  forward  in  all  the  im- 
provements of  the  coxuity. 

SETH  ALDRICH  was  born  in  Berkshire  County.  Mass.,  November  2.  1804:  removed 
to  Macomb  County  in  1  S;i8.  and  bought  of  the  Government  two  lots  since  known  as  the 
Briggs  farm,  on  Section  U,  Ai'mada;  this  he  sold  before  moving  his  family,  and,  in  1835, 
bought  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives,  consisting  first  of  eighty  acres,  to  which  he  after- 
ward added  \'M)  acres;  he  married  Rachel  Burlingamo,  a  native  of  Berkshire,  and  had 
three  children,  all  married  aud  living  in  Armada  Township.  Mrs.  xlldrich  died  in  1844:, 
and  he  again  married,  Louisa  Wyman,  of  Ontario,  N,  Y.,  and  had  one  son — Charles — who 
lives  on  the  homestead.  The  grandfather  of  the  present  Mrs.  Aldrich,  Isaac  Page,  served 
in  the  war*  of  the  Revolution  and  received  a  pension  for  faithful  services. 

CHARLES  ANDREWS,  son  of  Rev.  Elisha  D.  Andrews  and  Betsey  Lathrop,  was 
born  August  28.  1821  •,  at  Putney,  Vt. :  the  family  removed  to  West  Bloomlield.  N.  Y..  in 
1828;  lived  there  one  year,  and  then  removed  to  Mendon,  two  years;  then  to  Pittsford, 
Monroe  County,  for  ten  years;  they  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  1841,  and  settled  on 
Section  21,  where  they  had  previously  piu'chased  800  acres  of  land;  this  land  had  been 
improved  by  a  man  named  Tenyck,  who  was  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Andrews;  he  afterward 
added  to  this  same  400  acres  more.  As  an  illustration  of  the  strife  to  locate  land  in  those 
early  days,  it  is  told  that  Mr.  Andrews  and  a  neighbor  named  Hulett.  wanted  the  same  lot 
and  both  started  for  the  office  at  Detroit  at  the  same  time  to  locate  it.  Mr  Andrews  had 
a  team  and  the  neighbor  was  on  foot;  the  I'oaiis  were  fearful,  but  the  team  won  the  race. 
Mr.  A.  made  the  required  deposit,  when  Hulett  came  up  out  of  wind  and  short  of  patience, 
but  too  late,  when  it  was  discovered  that  they  were  not  after  the  same  lot  at  all ;  both  went 
home  satisfied.  Charles  Andrews  settled  on  his  present  farm  in  1845,  which  consisted  of 
840  acres.  170  cleared  and  a  log  house  and  a  frame  barn;  a  few  years  later,  he  built  his 
present  farm-house  and  more  barns;  he  has  lived  here  since  that  time,  with  the  exception 
of  about  seven  years  spent  in  Ai-mada  Village;  he  was  made  an  officer  in  the  township  in 
an  early  day,  and  was  made  Supervisor  in  1850.  which  office  he  held  for  eleven  years, 
with  satisfaction  to  the  people,  and  is  holding  it  at  present;  he  was  elected  State  Senator 
in  186G.  and  served  for  two  terms;  he  was  then  appointed  Deputy  United  States  Collector 
for  Macomb  County  for  four  years.  Mr.  A.  was  an  organizer  and  first  Director  of  the  Ma- 
comb County  and  Armada  Agricidtiu'al  Societies,  and  was  the  first  President  of  the  Armada 
society,  which  office  he  held  six  sviocessive  year's;  he  was  married,  January  20,  1845,  to 
Charlotte  Hewitt,  daughter  of  Edmund  Hewitt,  of  Ypsilanti,  Mich,;  she  was  born  in  Pitts- 
ford.  N.  Y..  in  1821;  they  had  one  son — Edmund  H..  born  November  14.  1845.  married 
and  lives  in  Ypsilanti.  Mrs.  A.  died  at  that  place  May  27.  1846;  married  again.  October 
24,  1840,  to  Mary  M.  Elliott,  daughter  of  Andi-ew  Elliott,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire;  by 
this  marriage,  they  had  two  childi'en — Minnie  A.,  born  January  20,  1855.  married  H.  L. 
Kendi'ick,  and  lives  at  Detroit,  Mich.;  Hattie  B.,  born  October  10,  1858,  married  H.  J. 
Barrows,  aud  lives  in  Armada.  The  present  Mrs.  A.  was  born  December  14,  1825,  at 
New  Castle,  Me. ;  her  grandfather  Elliott  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  the  family  are  descendants  of  the  apostle  John  Elliott;  her  brother,  the  Rev.  John 
Elliott,  was  a  minister  in  the  Presbyterian  Chiurch,  and  was  long  a  missionary  to  the  Tus- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


carora  Indians;  they  have  been  members  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Armada  for 
many  years.  Mr.  A.  has  always  taken  a  prominent  part  in  all  the  interests  of  his  town- 
ship: he  has  been  a  leader  and  a  teacher  of  music  since  twenty  years  of  age,  and  is  at 
present  a  leader  of  the  music  in  church  and  Sauday  school. 

WILLIAM  H.  BAKER,  son  of  Samuel  Baker,  of  New  England,  was  born  Noviember 
'I(\  171HJ.  in  Albany,  N.  Y.  He  was  married,  January  3.  182G,  to  Huldah  Pettit,  of  Ben- 
ton, Herkimer  Co..  N.  Y.,  who  was  born  May  21,  ISdII;  they  came  to  Macomb  County  in 
the  fall  of  1!S27;  settled  in  the  town  of  Ray.  on  Section  S.  With  the  assistance  of  some 
of  his  neighbors,  he  built  a  small  log  cabin  and  went  into  it  without  door  or  window. 
His  doors,  window  frames  and  sash,  chairs,  table  and  bedsteads  were  the  work  of  his  own 
hands,  without  ])aint  or  varnish.  Their  only  neighbors  within  sight  were  wild  beasts, 
such  as  deer  and  wolves,  which  came  around  their  dwelling  in  abundance.  One  night, 
Mrs.  Baker  was  engaged  in  boiling  sap  to  relieve  her  husband,  who  was  tired  out  with  con- 
stant work,  day  and  night.  She  had  with  her  her  little  son,  James,  who  was  about  five  years 
of  age.  He  soon  fell  asleep,  lying  on  a  quilt  beneath  a  tree  near  the  boiling-place.  Soon 
after  beginning  her  work  of  the  evening,  the  wolves  came  so  near  she  could  hear  them 
walking,  and  see  their  eyes  sparkling  in  the  darkness.  She  kept  the  long-handled  dipper 
in  the  hot  sajs  and  the  fire  burning  brightly,  and,  after  howling  about  an  hour  or  two, 
they  went  off,  and  the  brave  woman  kept  on  with  her  work  until  relieved  by  her  husband. 
They  had  four  children,  one  of  whom  still  lives.  In  1841,  they  went  back  to  New  York 
to  take  care  of  Mrs.  Baker's  parents.  In  1844,  they  retiu-ned  to  Michigan  and  settled  in 
St.  Clair  County,  at  a  place  afterward  called  Baker's  Corners,  where  they  remained  for  ten 
years.  The  rest  of  his  life  was  spent  in  various  places  in  Macomb  County.  They  were 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Chui-ch.  In  1853,  Mr.  Baker  was  licensed  to  exhort,  and  shortly 
after  was  gi-anted  local  license,  and  followed  this  calling  until  his  death.  He  died  in 
1870,  July  9,  six  miles  northwest  of  Ai-mada  Village.  ]Mi-s.  Baker  still  survives,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two.     Mr.  Baker  is  remembered  with  the  kindest  of  feelings. 

MARIA  L.  BAKER,  the  second  daughter  of  William  H.  Baker,  and  the  only  sTirviv- 
ing  one,  was  born  February  18,  1829.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  she  began  life  as  a  teacher 
in  the  public  schools,  which  continued  twenty-three  terms.  She  taught  the  first  school  in 
the  Frost  District  School,  consisting  of  nine  scholars,  five  belonging  to  Mr.  Frosfs  family. 
The  school  was  kept  in  Mr.  Frost's  house.  She  was  married,  September  6,  1865.  to 
Charles  M.  Lamphere,  and  lives  on  Section  4,  Armada;  has  one  daughter,  Nettie,  born 
August  18,  1860,  and  living  at  home. 

DANIEL  BABNES,  son  of  Simon  and  Rachel  (Skinner)  Barnes,  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship July  1,  1797;  mai-ried  Mrs.  Phoibe  (Smith)  Becraft,  August  11,  1S24,  and  moved  to 
Macomb  in  1835;  lived  on  the  Holman  farm  eight  years;  moved  into  Armada,  where  they 
now  reside.  Mrs.  Barnes  was  born  in  New  York,  at  Augusta,  December  15,  1792:  was 
married  to  Isaac  Smith,  by  whom  she  had  seven  children,  two  of  whom  ai'e  living;  after 
her  second  marriage,  six  children  were  born,  five  of  whom  are  living. 

DR.  JOHN  E.  BARRINGER  was  born  in  Bristol,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y..  July  16,  1841; 
received  his  primary  education  in  New  York  and  at  the  Canandaigua  Academy,  and  began 
teaching  in  the  public  schools  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  which  was  followed  with  suc- 
cess for  four  years;  studied  medicine  four  years  with  Dr.  D.  J.  Mallery.  at  Bristol,  N.  Y. ; 
then  entered  the  Michigan  University,  from  which  he  removed  to  Ai-mada.  in  November, 
1863.  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  practice;  was  married,  August  7,  1864,  to 
Antinette,  daughter  of  Moses  Perkins,  of  Bristol,  N.  Y. ;  has  two  children — Horace  P. , 
born  May  12,  1866:  Alice  A.,  born  Jime  11,  1870.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  August  7,  1839. 
Dr.  B.  has  held  several  important  offices  in  the  township  and  society:  he  attends  the  Con- 
gregational Church  and  Sabbath  school:  in  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


^ 


t±^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


HIRAM  BARROWS,  son  of  David  and  Ruth  Barrows,  both  of  Massachusetts,  was 
born  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y.,  October  II,  IS24;  removed  with  his  father's  family  to 
Wisconsin,  remaining  for  four  years.  Mr.  B.  came  to  ]Macomb  County  in  1 S4S,  and  set- 
tled on  Section  H,  Ray  Township,  which  ])lace  he  imjiroved  and  occupied  until  ISfir),  ex- 
cept the  time  spent  in  the  army;  he  was  twice  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace;  also  Super- 
visor for  some  years:  be  was  married.  September  15,  1N46,  to  Bathsheba  C.  Hathaway,  a 
native  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ;  she  was  born  March  20.  1(S22;  the  children  ai-e — David 
H. ,  born  November  S,  bSSO,  and  Hiram  J.,  born  April  2.  1S5S.  both  married  and  living 
in  Armada.  Mrs.  BaiTows  died  June  12.  ISfiO.  Mi-.  B.  married  again,  April  It,  1S6S. 
Mrs.  Agnes  Little  Brownlee.  of  Mt.  Clemens;  she  is  still  living;  they  have  one  daughter 
— Ruth — born  December  <>,  1S6U.  Mi-s.  B.  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  July  11,  lS34; 
she  had  one  daughter — Marion  Little — born  at  Mt.  Clemens  August  20,  1^55.  married 
Charles  Carter  and  lives  in  Armada.  Mr.  B.  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Michigan  Regiment 
Infantry,  Comjjany  A;  was  elected  by  the  company  Second  Lieutenant;  made  First  Lieu- 
tenant December  10,  ISOl;  was  wounded  in  action  and  taken  prisoner  at  Murfreesboro 
July  13,  1S62:  exchanged  August  27;  made  Captain  October  18,  lSfi2;  mustered  out  No- 
vember 16,  1S04;  returned  home  in  March.  1SB5.  The  regiment  was  engaged  in  twelve 
battles,  in  all  but  one  of  which  Mr.  B.  himself  was  engaged.  Soon  after  the  war,  he,  with 
Dr.  Smith,  began  the  erection  of  the  first  brick  block  in  the  village  of  Armada,  upon  the 
completion  of  which  he  commenced  mercantile  business;  he  was  appointed  Postmaster, 
in  February,  ISGl),  which  office  he  still  holds;  in  1S75,  in  company  with  Cyrus  Farrar,  he 
commenced  the  manufacture  of  cheese  in  the  village,  but  he  soon  bought  out  the  partner, 
and  has  since  successfully  prosecvited  the  work;  he  was  elected  Deacon  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  of  Armada  in  lS4y;  also  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school  soon  after, 
both  of  which  positions  he  still  holds;  in  politics,  he  is  a  steadfast  Republican;  the  sons 
are  engaged  in  business  with  their  father,  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  Barrows  &  Sons. 

DR.  SAMUEL  T.  BEARDSLEE,  son  of  Thomas  Beardslee  and  Rachel  Tuttle, 
daughter  of  E.  Tuttle,  of  Sussex,  N.  Y.,  was  born  iii  New  Jersey  August  lU,  1S2N;  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Oakland  County  in  1.S32;  they  cleared  up  a  farm  in  the  township  of 
Independence,  after  which  Samuel  Beardslee  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr. 
Paddock,  of  Poutiac,  and  attended  the  medical  course  at  Ann  Arbor  two  terms  and  a 
course  in  chemistry;  graduated  from  the  Albany  Medical  Institute  in  1S56;  in  IS")?,  came 
to  the  village  of  Armada  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  he  has  prosecuted 
without  interruption  to  the  present  time.  Married,  December  IS,  1S7(),  Betsey  A.,  daughter 
of  James  McCanley,  of  Ontario  Comity,  N.  Y. ;  she  was  born  January  3,  1844.  and  has  one 
child — J.  Allen,  born  December  11,  LSTS.  Dr.  Beardslee  has  a  fine  residence  in  the  vil- 
lage and  a  farm  in  Berlin  of  257  acres;  this  property  he  has  accumulated  by  his  close  at- 
tention to  his  practice.     Li  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

REY.  HENRY  N.  BISSELL,  son  of  Anson  Bissell  and  Joanna  Dart,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Dart,  of  Vernon,  Conn. ;  his  father  was  a  native  of  East  AVindsor,  Conn. ,  and  a  Deacon 
of  the  Congregational  Church  of  that  place;  he  died  December  28,  1S72,  at  Milan,  Ohio, 
aged  eighty-five  years;  the  mother  died  at  the  same  place  October  28, 1846.  aged  sixty-one 
years.  The  family  are  direct  descendants  of  John  Bissell,  the  first  of  that  name  in 
America,  who  came  from  Somersetshire,  England,  and  settled  on  the  Connecticut  River  at 
Windsor,  where  many  of  the  same  name  still  reside.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
at  East  Windsor,  Conn.,  June  2,  1816;  he  entered  the  Sophomore  class  of  Yale  College  in 
1886  and  graduated  in  188i);  taught  in  the  Huron  Institute,  in  Milan,  Ohio,  three  years; 
then  entered  the  Theological  Department  of  the  Western  Reserve  College,  of  Ohio,  sup- 
porting himself  and  a  brother,  who  afterward  Ijeeame  a  missionarj'  in  India;  he  spent  the 
first  eight  years  of   ministerial  work  in  Lyme,  Huron  Co.,  Ohio;  then  as  acting  pastor  for 


■^ 


,> 


HISTORY    OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


twenty-seven  years  at  Mt.  Clemens.  Macomb  County,  from  1S54;  moved  to  Armada  as 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  ISSl.  He  was  married.  May  5.  1846,  in  Man- 
chester, Conn.,  to  Elizabeth  Hale,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Hubbard,  a  native  of  Bolton, 
Conn. ;  they  have  no  children.  Mr.  B.  has  directed  the  education  and  assisted  in  bearing 
the  expenses  of  two  nephews,  sons  of  the  brother  in  India,  who  are  now  in  the  ministry  in 
this  State;  he  is  and  always  has  been  a  man  of  great  energy  and  a  hard  worker  and  stu- 
dent, and  is  firm  in  the  faith  of  the  orthodox  church;  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

EBENEZER  BROOKS,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Tamar  (Ross)  Brooks,  natives  of  Wor- 
cester County,  Mass. ,  was  born  January  15,  ISOy,  in  Poultney,  Vt. ;  came  to  Macomb 
Coimty  in  1S34;  remained  one  year,  and  then  returned  and  married  Eliza  P.  Davis,  daugh- 
ter of  Elisha  Davis,  of  Lancaster.  Mass.;  she  was  born  October  2,  ISOU;  he  took  eighty 
acres  of  Government  land  on  Section  7.  Lenox  Township,  which  he  improved  and  sold  in 
1868,  moving  to  Armada  Village,  where  he  now  resides;  had  one  child — Charles  D. — born 
May  5,  1886,  died  September.  1S5U.  Mr.  Brooks  took  an  active  part  in  all  the  interests  of 
the  county;  was  forward  in  promoting  chiu'ch  and  Sabbath  school  work,  and  a  Deacon  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  both  in  Lenox  and  at  this  place.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Whig,  Free- 
Soiler  and  Republican.  Grandfather  William  Brooks  served  his  country  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  being  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  and  died  of  disease  resulting 
from  the  war. 

WILLIAM  H.  BUMP  was  born  in  Mariden.  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  29,  1827;  he 
is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Cjmthia  Btimp.  The  family  moved  to  Romeo  Village,  May  1 5, 
1884.  where  they  remained  one  and  a  half  years.  Robert  Bump  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade  and  worked  in  a  shop  with  Judge  Prentice  and  in  the  families  of  the  settlers,  going 
from  home  to  home,  a  common  practice  of  that  day,  styled  whipping  the  cat;  they  moved 
to  their  farm,  on  Section  85,  -li-mada,  in  October,  1885;  the  mother  died  in  1864,  and  the 
father  fom-  years  later.  Mr.  B.  was  married.  November  2,  1856,  to  Martha,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Caroline  Kelley,  of  Ontario;  they  have  one  daughter — Geneva,  born  August 
4.  1857.  residing  at  home.  Mr.  B.  has  always  been  a  Democrat  in  political  faith  and 
practice. 

ELIJAH  BTJRK  is  a  native  of  Mexico.  N.  Y.,  born  June  18,  1S07;  he  lived  in  Western 
New  York  as  a  farmer  until  1888,  when  he  removed  to  Macomb  County,  settling  on  what 
is  now  the  village  of  Armada;  his  brother.  Norman  Biu'k,  had  settled  near  the  center  of 
Armada  Towushiii  two  years  before.  Mr.  Bm-k  moved  through  Romeo,  thence  to  his 
brother's  and  cut  his  road  from  there  to  his  land.  He  was  married,  December  20.  1S2U, 
to  Betsey  A.  Burdick,  a  native  of  Cajiiga  County.  N.  Y.,  born  in  1812,  and  had  four  chil- 
di-en,  all  living;  two  sons  served  in  the  civil  war.  Mr.  Bm-k  was  forwai-d  in  all  that 
would  benefit  the  new  settlement;  the  first  religious  services  were  held  at  his  house  and 
he  was  a  willing  helper  in  the  Sabbath  school  and  other  means  of  moral  growth  —always 
a  strong  temperance  man  and  a  Whig  in  politics.  Mr.  Bm'k  is  remembered  with  great 
affection  by  the  old  settlers  of  Armada,  for  his  house  often  sheltered  them  till  one  could  be 
built  for  them.  Though  poor  himself,  he  would  always  divide  with  those  more  needy:  a 
neighbor  lost  a  cow ;  Mr.  B.  gave  him  the  use  of  one  of  his  cows  till  the  loss  could  be  repaired ; 
his  team  was  freely  used  by  any  who  needed  it,  and  people  said:  "If  all  men  were 
like  Mr.  Burk.  much  of  the'  hardship  of  settling  a  new  country  would  not  be  felt."  He 
died  at  his  home  in  Armada  in  1S48. 

NATHANIEL  CARTER,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Eunice  (Lincoln)  Carter,  of  Leomin- 
ster, Mass..  was  born  at  that  place  February  20.  1806;  his  grandfather.  Nathaniel,  was  a 
Captain  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  his  great-grandfather,  Nathaniel,  was  one  of  the 
fii'st  settlers  of  New  England.  The  name  Nathaniel  has  run  through  five  generations. 
They  are  of  English  extraction.     Mi-.  C.  left  Massachiisetts  for  the  State  of  Michigan,  Sep- 


^ 


HISTORY    OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tember  '20,  ISHl,  arriving  in  Macomb  County  after  a  journey  of  twenty-five  days;  lie  lo- 
cated eighty  acres  of  land  on  Section  H-t.  and  afterward  bought  eighty  acres  adjoining, 
on  which  he  has  made  his  present  farm  and  has  lived  upon  it  continuously  fifty-one  years; 
in  the  month  of  March  I'l,.  1888,  he  was  married  to  Chloe  Stewart,  daughter  of  Edmund 
Stewart,  and  has  had  three  children — George  N.  Cai'ter,  born  March  31,  1S34,  who  resides 
upon  the  old  home  farm;  Mary  J.,  born  Ajsril  4,  1S58.  died  in  infancy;  Eddie  B.,  born 
November  12,  1859,  died  July  6,  1863.  Mr.  C.  has  been  a  Republican  from  the  birth  of 
that  party  and  has  held  several  imjjortant  township  oiSces;  he  has  given  much  thought 
and  study  to  the  subject  of  mechanism,  and  had  at  one  time  a  mowing  machine  in  opera- 
tion before  the  present  mower  was  invented ;  he  has  also  studied  much  ui)on  the  subject  of 
aerial  navigation,  and  also  a  plan  to  propel  canal-boats  by  means  of  compressed  air — an 
idea  which  has  since  been  put  into  successful  operation;  he  built  a  saw-mill  on  Coon 
Creek,  in  1833,  being  the  second  one  east  of  Stony  Creek;  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church  thirty  years;  in  1858,  a  candidate  on  the  Free-Stjil  ticket  for  leg- 
islator. George  N.  Carter,  son  of  the  above,  was  born  March  31,  1834,  in  Ai-mada  Town- 
ship: has  always  lived  upcm  the  home  farm;  was  married,  February  6,  1856,  to  Mary  A. 
Simons,  daughter  of  Charles  Simons,  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. :  they  have  had  fom-  children 
— Charles  C,  born  May  4,  1857,  who  married  Marion  Little,  August  19,  1880,  and  is  now 
in  business  in  Armada  Village;  Lottie  J.,  born  April  30,  1864,  and  died  June  19,  1866; 
Eva  B.,born  October  4,  1867;  Mary  E.,  born  September  16,  1874.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  have 
been  members  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Armada  for  many  years.  Mrs.  C.  was  a 
successful  teacher  in  the  public  schools.     He  is,  in  political  belief,  a  Republican. 

CHAUNCY  R.  CHAMBERLIN,  son  of  Beekman  Chamberlin,  born  in  Armada  Feb. 
3,  1836;  lived  with  his  father's  family  on  the  homestead,  on  Section  4,  Armada  Township, 
and,  in  company  with  his  brother  David,  still  occupies  it.  He  was  married,  October  25, 
1S63,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  John  C.  Morris,  of  Pennsylvania;  the  children  of  this  marriage 
are:  Chauncy,  born  November  C>,  1865:  Susan,  born  August  3,  1867;  John,  born  March 
24,  1870,  died  in  infancy:  Phebe,  born  August  IN,  1871:  Wilfred,  born  July  25,  1873; 
also  an  infant,  who  died  March  9,  1875.  Mrs.  Chamberlin  was  born  January  22,  1845. 
Mr.  C.  and  brother  are  favorably  known  to  the  early  settlers  of  the  county  as  threshers  for 
manv  years;  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

'MRS.  DOROTHEA  (THOMPSON)  CHAMBERLIN,  daughter  of  Isaac  Thompson, 
formerly  of  Yates  County,  N.  Y. ,  born  at  that  place  October  2,  1814;  moved  with  her  parents 
to  Macomb  County  October  1,  1825,  and  lived  in  Bruce  Township,  neai'  Romeo,  until  Febru- 
ary 29,  1840,  when  she  was  married  to  Charles  W.  Chamberlin,  and  settled  on  Section  33, 
Armada  Township.  Mr.  Chamberlin  died  on  this  farm  August  22,  1844;  they  had  three 
children — Oscar,  born  June  28,  1841,  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry, 
at  Armada,  served  three  years,  and  was  honorably  discharged:  he  is  married  and  now 
lives  in  Ray  Township:  Jane  E.,  born  Sejitember  28,  1842.  married  E.  ^V.  True,  and  lives 
at  Ai-mada  Village;  Charles  W.,  born  November  29,  1844,  now  lives  upon  the  homestead. 
Charles  W. ,  son  of  above,  was  married  December  1,  1869,  to  Mary  J.  Jury,  of  England; 
is  farmer  on  the  homestead  and  has  two  children — Adelbert,  born  September  17,  1871.  and 
Fanny  D.,  born  July  30,  1876.  The  Chamberlins  hoid  to  the  doctrine  of  universal  salva- 
tion, and,  politically,  are  Republicans. 

GALEN  CH.\\IBERLIN,  son  of  Beekman  Chamberlin.  was  born  in  Ontario  Couuty, 
N.  Y.,  May  12,  1817;  removed  to  Macomb  County  in  1834;  from  1850  to  the  present  time, 
he  has  owned  fai'ms  in  various  places  in  Armada  Township,  and  at  present  lives  on  Sec- 
tion 9;  was  married,  in  1851,  to  Millia,  daughter  of  Stephen  Harrington;  he  has  one  son 
and  one  daughter,  both  at  home.  Beekman  C,  son  of  the  above,  born  October  17,  1852, 
has  always  lived  at  home;  was  man-ied,  September  17,  1876,  to  Hattie  House,  of  St.  Clair 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


County,  and  lias  one  child — Myi-tie  Belle,  born  August  '21,  187S;  botli  the  Chamberlias 
are  well  known  as  threshers  for  many  years;  they  are  Republicans  in  politics. 

WILLIAM  H.  CLARK,  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Wilson)  Clark,  was  born  in  Hop- 
kinton,  Mass.,  August  4,  1805.  His  father,  Peter  Clark,  was  a  native  of  Newton,  Mass., 
and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  Lived  at  that  place  until  seventeen  years  of  age, 
and  then  moved  to  Medway,  Mass.,  as  an  apprentice  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  machin- 
ery; followed  this  business  for  fifteen  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  di-y  goods  trade, 
at  Springfield.  Mass.,  now  Chicopee,  seven  years;  from  here  he  moved  to  Michigan;  in 
1S45.  settled  in  Elba,  Lapeer  County,  as  a  farmer,  on  a  new  farm  near  the  Chippewa 
Indian  Mission,  and  lived  on  this  place;  was  Treasurer  of  Lapeer  County  for  six  years; 
moved  to  Macomb  County  in  1S(W,  and  settled  on  the  ridge  one  mile  west  of  Armada  Vil- 
lage, called  the  Chamberlin  place,  where  he  now  resides.  He  married  Frances  Martin, 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Rodgers  Martin,  natives  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H. ;  she  was  a  de- 
scendant of  the  martyr,  John  Rodgers:  they  had  ten  children;  six  are  living;  his  wife 
died  at  Lapeer  City  September  10,  187(3. 

WILLIAM  H.  CLARK,  Jr.,  is  the  son  of  William  H.  Clark,  of  Massachusetts;  he 
was  born  in  Dover,  N.  H. ,  December  1'2,  1828;  educated  at  Chicopee,  Hampton  Co., 
Mass.,  in  the  common  schools;  from  the  age  of  foui'teen  to  eighteen,  he  engaged  in  a 
wholesale  commission  house  in  Boston;  in  1846,  he  came  to  Lapeer  County,  being  one  of 
the  pioneers;  he  lived  on  a  farm  for  two  years:  he  began  the  study  of  law  at  Lapeer, 
Mich. ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  August  term  of  the  Circuit  Court,  held  at  Lapeer  in 
1858;  he  came  to  Ai-mada  in  November,  1858,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits:  at  the 
end  of  four  years,  he  enlisted,  November  10.  18(52,  in  Company  G,  Eighth  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, of  which  he  was  Sergeant;  he  was  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,  and  was  in  active 
service  until  March,  1864,  at  which  time  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health;  wasengaged 
in  eighteen  battles  and  skirmishes  and  once  wounded;  on  returning  home  and  recovering 
his  health,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  the  courts  of  Macomb  County,  in  which 
business  he  still  continues;  he  held  the  office  of  Circuit  Com-t  Commissioner  for  six  years 
and  Postmaster  of  Armada  for  four  years;  has  always  interested  himself  in  agriculture; 
was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Armada  Agi-icultural  Society  and  a  director  in  the  same. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  was  married,  October  ID,  18")2,to  Mary  Shafer,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Shafer,  a  pioneer  of  Lapeer  County:  they  have  four  children — Mary  F.,  born 
May  14,  1856,  married  K.  S.  Buck,  and  living  in  St.  Clair  County;  William  E.,  born  De- 
cember 2,  1858.  died  February  24,  18(54;  Emma  E.,  born  November  (5,  18()5,  living  at 
home:  Josephine,  born  November  26,  1871.  Mrs.  Clark  was  born  June  U,  1828,  in  Hills 
dale,  Columbia  Co.,  N.  Y.:  her  father,  who  died  February  22,  1SS2,  located  the  land  on 
which  part  of  the  city  of  Lapeer  now  stands,  and  made  a  plat  of  the  city  on  record  of 
Shafer's  plat. 

JAMES  CRA.WFORD.  son  of  Robert  Crawford,  of  Scotland,  was  born  in  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  June  24,  1827;  emigrated  to  America  in  18:51;  they  stopped  at  Buffalo  two 
years,  where  the  mother  died  of  cholera:  the  family  then  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Romeo, 
and  lived  two  years  there;  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  on  Section  17,  to  which  the 
family  removed;  the  father,' Robert  Crawford,  was  a  farmer  and  gardener  in  the  mother 
country;  he  was  born  August  4,  1796,  and  still  resides  on  the  homestead.  James  Craw- 
ford was  married.  June  28,  1S56.  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Thomas  Borland,  of  Scotland, 
and  had  three  children — Robert  J.,  born  September  1,  1857.  a  public  teacher;  Thomas, 
born  December  10,  1858;  Anna  E.,  born  April  28,  1N62,  died  February  15,  1876.  Mr. 
Crawford  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser;  has  a  hop-yard  which  yields  annually  1500;  there  is 
a  pioneer  on  this  farm  in  the  person  of    "  Old  Nig" — a  horse — which  has  reached  the  age 


^1 


of  twenty-eight  years,  call  of  which  he  has  spent  on  the  farm.      Mr.  Crawford  is  a  Ropuli- 
lican  in  politics. 

PHILIP  C.  CUDWORTH,  son  of  David  and  Mary  Cudworth,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Richmond.  Ontario  Co..  N  Y.,  March  HO,  ISll;  the  grandfather  on  the  mother's  side 
served  in  the  war  of  the  Revohition,  and  both  were  of  English  origin:  he  moved  to  Ma- 
comb County  in  October,  1S;^5,  and  settled  on  Section  -54,  in  Richmond  Township,  and 
gave  the  name  to  that  town;  moved  to  his  present  farm  in  Ai-mada  Township  Ncivembei-, 
iSa^:  was  married,  October  1,  \8-io,  to  Tamsin  Tnbbs,  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ;  they 
have  liad  six  children,  five  of  whom  still  live — Xenophon  O.  ,born  April  IQ,  1887,  mar- 
ried Martha  Hicks  and  lives  on  Section  36,  Armada:  Philip,  born  December  24,  J839,  en- 
listed in  Company  A,  Ninth  Regiment,  Michigan  Infantry,  under  Col.  Wilkinson,  and 
died  at  West  Point,  Ky.,  of  fever:  Harriet,  born  November  10,  1842,  married  L.  Fillmore 
and  died  in  Lenox  November  28,  1801;  Gerusha  A.  born  Junuary  H,  1844.  married 
Charles  Chapman,  and  now  lives  in  Iowa;  Mary,  born  April  18,  1847,  married  Peter  Scott 
and  now  resides  at  Decatur,  Iowa,  in  the  town  of  Grand  River,  and  built  the  tirst  house 
in  that  village:  David  S.,  born  May  20.  1850.  married  Ilinda  Fillmore,  and  lives  on  Sec- 
tion 8.  Ray  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cudworth  have  been  members  of  the  Methodist 
Church  for  thirty-eight  years;  he  voted  the  Democratic  ticket  twice,  siuee  which  time  he 
has  been  a  Republican.  He  was  the  first  Postmaster  in  Richmond,  Mich.,  when  the  office 
supplied  mail  to  six  townships;  the  route  was  from  Lakeville  to  St.  Clair,  and  postage 
was  from  10  to  25  cents  per  letter  and  Canada  letters  a  good  deal  more.  The  gi-andfather 
of  Mrs.  Cudworth  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier;  her  family  were  of  English  and  Scotch 
blood. 

XENOPHON  O.  CUDWORTH,  son  of  Philip  and  Tamsin  (Tubbs)  Cudworth,  was 
born  in  Richmond  Township  April  10.  1887;  moved  with  his  parents  to  Armada  Town- 
ship in  1852.  Was  married,  December  25.  1858.  to  Martha  Hicks,  and  has  three  children 
— Philip  Elton,  born  February  14,  1862,  now  living  at  home;  Burton  H. .  born  October 
26,  1866;  Frank  S..  born  February  21,  1868.  Mr.  Cudworth  worked  a  farm  on  shares,  in 
Richmond  Township  one  year,  then  purchased  a  farm  of  Mr.  William  Abbey,  in  Ai'mada 
Township.  Section  86.  paying  therefor  the  sum  of  $2,250;  in  186U.  he  built  a  substantial 
and  tasty  brick  residence,  in  which  he  now  resides;  he  has  held  responsible  offices. 

JAMES  DAVIDSON,  son  of  William  Davidson,  of  Ontario,  Province  of  Canada,  was 
born  in  the  Dominion  August  14,  1829;  removed  to  Michigan  in  1856,  to  St.  Clair  County, 
and  to  Macomb  in  May,  1862;  settled  in  Section  8.  Armada  Township,  where  he  now  re- 
sides; now  owns  and  works  a  farm  of  115  acres.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  was 
married,  October  12.  1855,  to  Lucinda  Russell,  of  Ontario,  who  was  born  April  20.  1881; 
they  have  four  childi-en — Loder,  born  August  20,  1856,  died  October  22,  1862;  Elvira, 
born  June  28,  1858;  AVilliam.  Jime  18,  1860;  Agnes,  May  12,  1862;  James,  June  17. 
1864.  Mr.  D.  has  made  many  improvements  in  his  farm,  and  has  succeeded  as  a  farmer; 
he  is  a  Republican. 

CHARLES  DAVIS  was  born  in  Rhode  Island  March  7,  17'.)8;  was  the  son  of  Benja- 
min Davis,  who  was  a  pensioner  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  died  in  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island  in  the  year  1800;  the  wife  of  Benjamin  enjoyed  the  pension  for  some  years, 
and  died  in  Macomb  County  about  the  year  1840,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years.  Charles 
Davis  removed  his  family  to  Macomb  in  1886,  and  settled  on  Section  19,  Richmond,  which 
was  then  a  wilderness;  he  died  in  Armada  Village  in  May,  1880.  Mrs.  Davis  died  in  1888; 
he  married  again,  Lucinda  AVhite,  who  still  lives  in  the  village.  Mr.  Davis  had  seven 
rhiklren,  five  of  whom  are  still  living. 

RILEY  DAVIS,  son  of  Charles  and  Chelsa  H.  (Dodge)  Davis,  of  Rhode  Island  and 
New  Hampshire,  was  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  April  26,  1836;  removed  to  Macomb 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


July,  1836:  lived  ia  Eichmond  till  attaining  his  majority.  Was  married  in  1865.  to  Eliza 
Berry,  of  Ontario,  Canada:  married  again.  February  16.  1881,  to  Mrs.  Charles  Snover. 
n6e  Dulmadge:  has  one  child— George  R.  Davis,  born  December 4.  1881:  was  a  farmer  in 
Richmond  Township  until  187U,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Ai-mada  Village  and  engaged 
one  year  in  a  market;  he  still  resides  in  the  place  and  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party. 

SETH  DAVIS,  son  of  Charles  Davis,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  Chelsa  (Dodge)  Davis,  of 
New  York,  was  born  in  Richmond  Township  July  13,  184(1:  lived  on  the  homestead  until 
1863:  then  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Michigan  Provost  Guards;  was  sent  to  the  Upper 
Peninsula,  stayed  one  summer  there,  and  then  went  as  commissioned  officer  with  Capt. 
Cioodell;  left  the  State,  October  22,  for  Alabama;  was  in  active  service;  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant  and  discharged  in  three  years,  June  10, 1866.  He  returned  to  a  farm  in  Eichmond, 
on  Section  16,  and  was  married,  in  September,  1867,  to  Lois  E.,  daughter  of  William  Gil- 
bert, of  Iowa;  she  was  born  April  13,  1846;  their  children  were:  Ada  M.,  born  February 
1,  1870;  Nellie  B,,  May  22.  1873;  Bert  C,  May  26.  1879;  Harry  G.,  September  17,  1881. 
June  10,  1873.  Mr.  Davis  left  the  farm  and  kept  a  hotel  in  Annada  Village  one  year; 
then  built  a  residence  in  the  village,  where  he  now  resides;  politically,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Greenback  party. 

DANIEL  C.  DAY,  son  of  Russell  and  Charlotte  (Smith)  Day,  was  born  in  Bruce 
Township  December  U.  1849;  always  lived  at  home;  was  married,  January  14,  1880.  to 
Belle  Quick,  of  Macomb  County,  daughter  of  Henry  Quick,  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  born 
July  17,  18r)7;  has  one  child — Clarence,  born  June  1,  1881.  Mr.  D.  resides  in  the  village 
of  Armada,  manages  a  small  farm  and  engages  in  the  packing  and  sale  of  small  fruit;  in 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican.  Elizabeth  Day  Bennett,  sister  of  the  above,  born  January 
19,  1842,  married,  February  14,  1865,  to  Watson  Bennett,  who  died  in  Illinois  by  an  ac- 
cident, March  4,  1873:  she  has  one  daughter  and  lives  in  Macomb  County.  Russell  Day 
(deceased),  son  of  Erastus  and  Lucy  Willard  Day,  natives  of  Dalton,  Mass..  was  born  at 
Leeds,  Elizabeth  Co.,  C.  W.,  May  24,  1813.  The  family  made  but  a  short  stay  in  Canada; 
moved  to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. ;  the  family  removed  to  Romeo,  Macomb  Coimty,  in 
1828,  a'--d  settled  on  land  near  Romeo;  on  the  death  of  his  father,  he  a.ssumed  the  home 
fai-m  until  1843.  He  was  married.  March  1,  1841,  to  Miss  Charlotte  Smith,  daughter  of 
Isaiah  Smith,  of  Aurelius,  Cayuga  Co..  N.  Y. :  she  was  born  September  15,  1815:  they  had 
eight  children,  of  whom  six  are  living,  all  in  Macomb  County;  in  1843,  he  exchanged  the 
old  farm  for  land  on  Section  19,  .Armada:  soon  exchanged  this  for  a  farm  on  Section  24, 
in  Bruce,  where  he  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  life:  in  1860,  he  sold  this  farm  and 
bought  on  Section  13.  Bruce,  where  he  lived  sixteen  years;  went  to  a  small  place  in  Ai-- 
mada  Township,  Section  30,  two  years;  then  to  Ai-mada  Village,  where  he  died  June  13, 
1880.  Mi-s.  D.  still  lives  in  Armada  Village.  He  was  a  genial,  kind-hearted  man,  foi-ward 
in  improvements  and  right  in  all  moral  questions;  in  politics,  a  Republican. 

URIEL  DAY,  son  of  Harry  Day,  of  Dalton,  Mass.,  and  Nancy  Chamberlin.  of  the 
same  place,  was  born  in  Otsego  County.  N.  Y.,  December  10,  1810':  lived  nine  years  in 
Pennsylvania  and  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  1833,  and  cleared  a  farm  on  Section  7,  Af- 
mada  Township,  on  which  he  still  resides.  He  was  married,  September  12,  1833,  to  Olive 
Sperry,  who  was  born  August  22,  1812:  they  haa  four  children — Emily,  born  June  25, 
1834, "married  S.  Hulett,  andlives  in  Armada  Township:  Cordelia,  born  June  8,  183/, mar- 
ried H.  Howgate,  and  lives  in  Washington,  D.  C. :  Caroline,  born  December  16,  1839,  married 
Robert  McKay,  and  lives  in  Bruce  Townshij);  Lucinda  E.  ,born  October  16,  1862,  married 
John  McKay,  and  lives  in  Annada  Township.  Mr.  Day  has  been  a  prominent  man  in  the 
early  history  of  Macomb  County,  and  is,  in  politics,  a  Republican:  he  has  been  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  and  assisted  in  building  churches  at  Romeo  and 
Armada. 


:t^ 


S't^" 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


GIDEON  DRAPER  was  born  Juue  16,  1812,  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.;  came  with 
the  family  of  his  father  to  Maoomb  County  in  18H1 :  his  father  was  Daniel  Draper,  born 
in  the  town  of  Rupert,  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  ou  the  18th  of  October,  1778;  he  was 
married  in  that  place  and  had  one  child:  in  iSO'i.  he  moved  to  the  State  of  New  York, 
and  had  eight  other  children:  three  of  his  children  still  survive:  he  owned  and  improved 
laud  in  several  places  in  Armada  Township,  and  died  in  18()(\  Mrs.  D.  died  three  years 
later.  On  arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  Gideon  Draper  bought  land  in  Armada  which 
he  sold  to  Uriel  Day,  and  again  bought  on  Section  ■"),  at  the  rate  of  $")  per  acre;  this  he 
converted  into  a  home  and  occupies  it  at  present.  September  1."),  18>!6,  he  married  Eliza, 
daughter  of  Phebe  Benedict,  a  native  of  New  York,  and  they  had  seven  children — Adam 
C.  born  December  IT),  1887.  Adamantha  C,  born  March  8,  183',*:  Cvnthia  J.,  Januarv  1, 
1841;  Elijah  P. ^  June  L'H,  1848;  Gideon.  December  23,  1845;  Alice,  June  13,  1847, 
died  June  '24,  18/3:  Milton  W.,  born  March  12,  1849,  served  in  the  late  war,  as  did  also 
his  brother  Elijah;  Milton  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  March  6,  1865.  Mrs.  D.  died  at  the 
homestead  May  23,  1877.  aged  sixty-one  years.  Mr.  D.  ha.^  been  a  member  and  steward 
in  the  M.  E.  Church  forty-four  years,  and  held,  most  of  the  time,  an  office  in  the  church, 
and  contributed  to  the  erection  of  chm'ches  in  several  places;  an  officer  in  the  township 
and  society,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  twenty-two  years;  politically,  a  Republican. 

ORSON  C.  DUNHAM,  son  of  Daniel  Dorreiice  Dunham  anil  Julia  A.  (Clark)  Dun- 
ham, was  born  January  11,  1836,  at  Rockport,  Cuyahoga  Co..  Ohio;  moved  from  Ohio 
with  his  parents  to  Macomb  County  and  settled  on  Section  36,  Armada  Township,  where 
he  lived  two  years  and  then  moved  to  the  west  side  of  the  same  section,  where  they  made 
their  home  until  1876,  when  they  moved  to  their  present  home,  on  Section  35.  same  town- 
ship; the  father  died  at  this  place  November  11,  1867.  Orson  was  man-ied,  November  13, 
1864.  to  Salina  Walton,  of  Richmond  Township,  and  has  one  child — (!harles,  born  Feb- 
ruary 2.  1874.  The  great-grandfather  on  the  mother's  side  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier, 
and  the  grandfather  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  mother  is  still  living  with  him  on 
the  old  farm.      Politically,  Mr.  Dunham  is  a  Republican. 

THE  FARRAR  FAMILY.  Phineas  Farrai-  was  a  native  of  Marlboro,  N.  H. ;  mar- 
ried to  Abigail  Stone,  of  the  same  jjlace,  and  all  his  children,  ten  in  number,  were  born 
at  that  place;  he  was  a  farmer  in  New  Hampshire,  from  which  he  i-etired  in  the  year 
1850.  and  removed  to  Macomb  with  his  son  Charles,  and  died  September  24,  1855;  his 
wife  died  in  New  Hampshire  some  years  before.  Charles  Farrar,  son  of  the  above,  was 
born  November  10,  1796;  he  spent  his  younger  yeai's  in  Boston  as  a  carpenter  and  came 
to  Macomb  County  June  I'J,  1832,  and  settled  on  Section  30,  Armada  Township,  and  be- 
gan at  once  to  develop  the  water-power,  since  known  as  Farrar" s  Mill;  he  tirst  put  in  ma- 
chinery for  the  manufactui'e  of  hand-rakes:  afterward  added  the  manufacture  of  clothes- 
pins, broom-handles,  etc. ;  after  two  years  started  a  saw-mill,  and  in  these  branches  of 
business  he  was  engaged  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  April  26,  1863.  j\Ir. 
Farrar  was  married.  March  11,  1822,  to  Dorcas,  daughter  of  Abram  Cooledge,  of  Troy,  N. 
H.,  and  had  three  sons — Merrill  P.,  born  at  Boston  May  19,  1823,  now  living  on  the  home- 
stead; Charles  C,  born  at  Boston  October  26,  1825,  now  living  in  the  city  of  Flint;  Cyrus 
S  .  born  at  Boston  October  16,  1831,  now  at  East  Saginaw,  Mich.  Mrs.  Farrai'  died  at 
the  homestead  May  12,  1855.  Mr.  Farrar  was  afterward  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  D.  Bar- 
bour, who  still  survives.  Merrill  P.  Farrar,  son  of  the  above,  was  born  May  19.  1823; 
came  to  Maeoml)  County  with  his  parents  in  1S;)2,  and  became  a  farmer  upon  the  home- 
stead. He  was  married,  September  12,  1848,  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Moses  Perkins,  of  Troy, 
N.  H.,  and  had  two  children — Mary  B.,  born  Jul}'  19,  1849,  died  at  home  December  10, 
1871;  Hattie  M.,  born  July  17,  1851,  married  Frank  L.  Day,  September  2,  1873,  died  at 
the  old  homo  February  27,  1880.     Mrs,  Farrar  died  January  19,  1854,     Mr,  Farrar  again 


i  V 


4^ 


married.  Ann  M.  Pringle,  April  80,  1856.  Han-iet  Farrar,  daughter  of  the  above,  mar- 
ried Frank  L.  Day,  and  had  two  childi'en — Harry,  born  September  24,  1874:  Hattie  E.. 
born  November  11.  1S77.  The  family  has  always  been  Congi-egational  and  Repiiblican 
in  polities,  and  Mr.  Merrill  Farrar  has  held  responsible  township  offices  many  j-ears. 

HEZEKIAH  FARRINGTON.  the  son  of  James  and  Nancy  (Ames)  FaiTiiigton.  was 
born  in  Canada  January  '29,  1882;  his  parents  were  natives  of  New  England;  his  mother 
died  in  Ai-mada  Febraary  ■">.  186(3;  his  father  lives  at  present  at  Almont,  Mich.,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-eight  years.  Mr.  Farrington  settled  on  a  farm  near  the  center  of  Armada  Town- 
ship; the  mother  died  in  Armada  Township  Februarys.  1865.  Mr.  F.  was  a  sailor  on  the 
lakes  from  tif teen  to  twenty-five  yeai's  of  age.  He  man-ied  Alvira,  daughter  of  A_rchibald  Dun- 
ham, of  Macomb  County,  March  18,  lSr)7,  who  died  in  Ai-mada  Township  January  5,  1861; 
married  again.  October  1."),  1868,  to  Theresa  Pomeroy,  daughter  of  Oscar  Pomei-oy,  of  New 
York,  who  died  in  Ai-mada  Township,  Mich.,  in  1850;  they  have  one  child — Austin,  born 
March  6,  1865 ;  Mr.  F.  moved  to  his  present  farm  in  1861  and  has  occupied  it  since  that  time. 
Mrs.  Pomeroy.  daughter  of  Hinksman  Butterfield.  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  was  born 
at  Alden.  Erie  Co..  N.  Y.,  February  20,  1826:  she  came  with  her  parents  to  Macomb  in 
the  fall  of  1882;  her  husband,  Daniel  O.  Pomeroy,  was  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.. 
August  10,  1821:  they  were  married  March  1 1,  1844:  his  father,  John  Trumbull  Pomeroy. 
was  born  in  Yennont  April  4,  17U4,  and  died  in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1888;  the  par- 
ents of  Mrs.  Pomeroy  located  in  Anuada  Township,  where  the  family  have  since  resided; 
her  father  died  November  12,  1865;  her  mother  still  lives,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six.  Mrs. 
Pomeroy  had  four  children,  two  of  whom.  Mrs.  Farrington  and  Mr.  Pomeroy.  are  living  in 
Ai'mada  Township.  The  family  removed  fi'om  New  York  to  Tecumseh.  Mich.,  with  oxen 
and  wagon  and  one  of  the  inconveniences  lii'st  felt  was  the  want  of  a  spring  wheel;  their 
own  was  left  at  Detroit,  and  no  other  could  be  obtained.  After  moving  to  Macomb,  the  But- 
tertields  were  in  straitened  circumstances,  and,  for  a  short  time,  in  188(i.  lived  on  buds 
and  young  leaves  gathered  in  the  woods,  boiled  and  eaten  with  milk  and  butter,  of  which 
they  "had  plenty.  After  the  death  of  the  father.  John,  the  Pomeroy  family  removed  from 
Ontario.  N.  Y..  to  Macomb,  and  settled  in  the  townships  of  Ray  and  Ai-mada:  they  are 
Yermout  people  and  have  resided  in  various  places  in  that  State  and  in  others:  a  mem- 
ber of  the  family.  Mortimer  C.  is  now  living  in  St.  Clair  County. 

AMOS  FINCH,  son  of  Sylvester  and  Almeda  Finch,  was  born  in  Armada  Township 
July  11.  1886:  enlisted  in  the  army  July  25,  1862.  in  Company  E.  Fifth  Cavalry:  spent 
three  months  in  di-ill  at  Detroit;  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Buckliu  Mills;  here  all  the 
officers  of  the  company  and  many  privates  were  taken  prisoners,  and  many  died.  Mr. 
Finch  was  elected  Coi-poral  at  Detroit,  and  promoted  to  Sergeant  at  Washington;  to  Lieu- 
tenant on  July  3.  1865.  and  was  mustered  out  at  Leavenworth.  Kan.,  June  27,  1865;  took 
part  in  three  battles,  and  endured  much  hardship;  upon  leaving  the  army,  he  re- 
turned to  the  old  homestead,  in  Armada  Township,  upon  which  he  has  always  lived.  He 
was  married.  September  24.  1867.  to  Anna  Smith,  daughter  of  Isaiah  Smith,  of  New 
Y'ork.  Mi's.  Finch  was  born  September  24.  1847:  they  have  three  children.  Sylvester 
Finch,  son  of  Albert  and  Chloe  (Knapp)  Finch,  was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y..  March 
1,  1805;  came  to  Romeo  in  1824  with  the  Finch  family:  in  1828.  he  bought  land  of  the 
Government,  on  Section  80.  Armada  Township,  which  he  partly  cleared,  and  sold  in  1885. 
and  located  on  Section  15.  where  he  died  November  2,  1875;  JIi-s.  F.  was  born  in  West 
Bloomlield.  March  1,  1810;  she  was  the  daughter  of  Roswell  Webster,  a  native  of  Connec- 
ticut; she  still  lives  on  the  homestead;  they  had  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living. 

JAMES  FLOWER,  son  of  William  and  Eunice  (Kilbourn)  Flower,  was  born  in 
Delhi  October  IS,  1808;  his  father  was  a  native  of  Ashiield,  Mass.,  and  his  mother  of  the 
same  place.  Mi-.  F.  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  the  fall  of  1854;  opeueil  a  store  of  gen- 
43  '  


.1^ 


698 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


eral  merchandise  at  the  branch,  now  called  Armada  Corners,  in  1835,  in  which  he  continued 
for  three  years;  in  1838,  he  bought  \'20  acres  of  laud  on  Section  3(t,  Richmond  Township, 
which  he  cleai-ed  up  and  made  his  home  uutil  1874.  adding  to  the  original  purchase  167 
acres:  iu  1S74,  he  removed  to  Armada  Village,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married, 
DfCfiubcr  'I'l.  1834,  to  Eliza,  daughter  of  Asa  Ingraham,  of  this  county:  they  had  six 
children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  F.  was  born  in  1810,  and  died  iu  Armada  No- 
vember 4,  1881.  Mr.  F.  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  in  1849;  has  held  offices  in  the 
township  for  many  years  and  was  prominent  in  the  advancement  of  the  new  country;  he 
has  always  been  a  Democrat  in.  politics. 

AMOS  N.  FREEMAN,  son  of  Joseph  and  Syhia  (Newman)  Freeman,  born  in  Onon- 
daga County.  N.  Y. ;  moved  to  Macomb  in  1824.  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Ai-mada  Town- 
ship; in  the  year  18"i0.  he  bought  a  tract  of  wild  land,  where  he  spent  most  of  his  life; 
he  was  man-ied,  in  1843,  to  Maria  R.  Fraleigh.  and  raised  a  family  of  six  children;  his 
wife  died  in  1875,  and  he  married  Mrs.  Cordelia  Leviugs,  of  Richmond  Township;  they 
are  now  living  in  Armada  Township;  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  Methodist  in  religion. 

ARCHIBALD  FREEMAN,  son  of  Moses  and  Anna  (Powell)  Freeman,  born  in  Wash- 
ington Township  November  23.  1830;  lived  at  home  till  the  twenty-seventh  year  of  his 
age.  He  then  married  Emily  Jewell,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Jewell,  November  o.  1857;  then 
[)m-chased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  December  26,  1857,  linown  as  the  John 
AVai-ner  farm:  they  have  two  children,  viz ,  Adna  J.,  born  February  11,  1860;  Hattie, 
born  September  5,  1864,  both  of  whom  are  now  living  on  the  homestead;  in  186(\  he 
built  the  residence  in  which  the  family  at  present  reside;  has  good  and  tasty  barns  and  all 
the  appliances  of  a  siiccessful  business. 

NEWMAN  FREEMAN,  son  of  Moses  and  Anna  (Powell)  Freeman,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington Township  April  27,  1832;  has  always  lived  on  the  farm  inherited  by  his  father; 
was  married,  June  2,  1864,  to  Mary  A.  Frost,  of  Armada  Village,  and  has  one  child,  Elva 
A.,  born  January  22,  1867,  now  living  at  home.  Mr.  Freeman  is  a  successful  farmer;  has 
a  fine  and  commodious  residence  and  good  surroundings.  Mr.  Freeman  voted  at  the  birth 
of  the  Republican  party  for  J.  C.  Fremont  and  has  since  voted  with  that  party. 

EDAVIN  A.  FROST,  son  of  Aljen  L.  and  Judith  E.  (Phelps)  Frost,  born  in  Armada 
•lanuary  11,  1848;  always  lived  on  the  homestead,  except  three  years  spent  in  Richmi.nd 
Township;  man'ied.  May  23.  1872,  to  Miss  Laura  J.,  daughter  of  David  B.  Grout,  of  On- 
tario County.  N.  Y.,  and  has  the  following  children:  Hattie  E.,  born  February  15.  1873; 
Joel  E.,  February  1.  1877.  Mr.  F.  owns  and  occupies  the  homestead  near  the  village  of 
Armada;  he  is  prominently  connected  with  several  organizations  of  the  county;  in  politics, 
he  is  a  Republican.  Allen  L.  Frost  (deceased),  son  of  Bezaleel  and  Nancy  (Luce)  Frost, 
natives  of  Massachusetts,  was  born  at  Williamsburg,  June  28,  1804;  moved  to  New  Y'ork 
while  a  boy.  thence  to  Macomb  County,  in  1835,  where  he  bought  and  cleared  up  a  farm 
and  made  it  his  home  for  a  life-time.  He  was  married,  at  Gainesville,  N.  Y.,  January  2U, 
1828,  to  Mary  Smith,  and  had  a  family  of  four  children,  one  of  whom  still  lives.  Mi-s.  F. 
died  October  2,  1844,  when  he  married  Judith  Phelps,  September  4,  1845,  who  has  three 
children — sons — Edwin  A.,  born  January  11.  1848;  Walter  I.,  born  July  24.  1851;  Fred 
R.,  born  July  U.  185(i,  a  medical  graduate.  Mr.  F.  was  ])ersonally  identified  with  all  the 
imi)rovements  of  the  new  county,  an  organizer  of  the  M.  E.  Chiu'ch  of  Armada  and  a  life- 
long member  of  the  same:  a  strong  supjiorter  of  the  anti-slavery  party  and  a  firm  Repub- 
lican; his  second  son,  Joel,  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  was  killed  at  Cedar 
Mountain  August  U,  1862;  an  uncle  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  in  the  retreat  from 
(ijuebec,  and  suffered  all  the  hardships  of  that  time.  Mr.  F.  died  at  the  homestead  April 
24.  1874. 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY.  699 


HORACE  GARLICK,  fifth  son  of  Samuel  and  Lucy  (Mead)  Garli-k,  natives  of  Bos- 
ton, was  born  in  Boston  October  12,  180U.  Samuel  Oarlick,  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  ISI'J, 
served  until  the  clos^of  the  war.  His  grandfather  was  born  in  England.  Horace  Garlick 
moved  with  the  family  to  Connecticut;  here  the  father  owned  a  tide-mill,  which  was  sold 
in  1818,  and  the  family  moved  to  Auburn,  N.  Y. ;  the  father  died  in  Oakland  County  in 
1830,  the  mother  in  Jackson  County  in  1846.  Mr.  G.  was  in  Black  Rock,  now  Buffalo, 
seven  years,  as  miller:  in  Ingham  County,  Mich.,  on  a  farm  of  120  acres,  in  1837:  re- 
mained two  years:  retiu-ning  to  Buffalo,  engaged  in  a  flouring-mill:  then  to  Jackson, 
Mich.,  in  a  grocery  store,  two  years:  thence  to  Macomb  County,  and  engaged  in  milling  at 
Mt.  Clemens  in  18-1:.").  He  was  married,  September  20,  1SH2,  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y., 
to  Delila  Warner,  who  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  living — Mrs.  Fitch,  of  Mt. 
Clemens.  Mrs.  G.  died  April  7, 1847.  at  Jackson,  Mich. ;  he  married.  September  7,  1848, 
Mrs.  Nancy  L.  House:  had  one  child.  Dr.  Fred  M.  Garlick.  of  Richmond.  Tlie  second 
wife  died  at  Mt.  Clemens  May  31,  LS.'jI;  married.  February  10,  1853.  Mrs.  Sarah  Litfkin 
Goodale.  a  native  of  New  York,  liorn  February  10.  1820;  they  had  one  child —Lizzie  E., 
born  March  20,  18uU,  died  iu  Romeo  August  lU,  18G0;  Mr.  G.  remained  in  Romeo  foiir 
yeai's.  managing  the  Garlick  House:  in  the  fall  of  1860.  came  to  Ai'tnada,  where  he  has 
since  remained,  being  in  the  hotel  five  years:  then  retired  to  a  private  residence  of  twenty- 
one  acres  of  land  in  the  village  of  Armada;  the  father  and  six  boys  were  millers  and  en- 
joyed the  reputation  of  being  first-class  workmen;  in  politics,  a  Whig  and  then  a 
Republican.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  G.,  Sarah  Goodale.  was  born  in  17U6,  March  lU,  on 
the  Hudson  River,  at  Charleston,  N.  Y. ;  is  now  living  with  her  daughter  in  Armada:  she 
is  the  mother  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living. 

FULTON  PAGE  GOYER,  son  of  Holly  and  Mary  L.  Goddell  Goyer.  was  born  Octo- 
ber 31,  1851.  His  father  died  at  the  homestead  in  Ai-mada  Township,  May  3,  1880.  His 
mother  died  at  the  same  place  July  2U,  1860.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  left  home  at  the 
age  of  seventeen,  and  worked  with  his  uncle,  Perrin  C.  Go'xlell,  at  raih'oad  carpentering, 
on  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad,  two  years,  then  worked  eighteen  months  for  the  same 
company  as  locomotive  fireman:  at  the  ex^Jiration  of  the  time  named,  changed  to  the  Tole- 
do, Wabash  k,  Western  Railroad,  occupying  the  same  position  nearly  three  years.  He  then 
returned  to  his  father's  fai-m,  and  was  maiTied,  May  10.  1875,  to  Sarah  E.  Herbert,  a  na- 
tive of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  child,  Herbert,  born  October  13,  1878. 
Mr.  Goyer  is  at  present  a  farmer,  and  is  making  the  breeding  of  fine  Spanish  Merino  sheep 
a  specialty. 

LEWIS  GRANGER,  son  of  Thaddeus  and  Julia  E.  Granger,  natives  of  Massachu- 
setts, was  born  March  K',  1N26,  near  Ala-on,  in  Portage  County,  Ohio.  The  father  served 
a  short  time  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  having  enlisted  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  neai-  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  died  in  September,'  1S25,  and  the  mother  received  a  land  warrant 
for  his  services.  She  died  in  Memphis,  this  county,  in  1S6N.  Mr.  Granger  is  a  third 
cousin  of  the  Postmaster  General,  Gideon  Granger,  who  was  one  of  the  first  to  hold  that 
position  under  the  United  States  Government;  also,  a  relative  of  Lord  Dudley,  of  England, 
who  lived  a  centur}'  or  more  ago..  Mr.  Granger  removed  to  Macomb  County  in  1S46;  set- 
tled at  Memphis  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  about  twelve  years;  removed 
to  Armada  Village  in  1871.  and  again  engaged  in  mercantile  business;  was  man-ied,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1S47,  to  Sarah  J.  Perkins,  of  New  York,  who  died  February  24,  1853,  leaving 
one  child,  Hettie,  born  September  25,  1852,  who  married  H.  C.  Mansfield,  of  St.  Clair 
County,  present  Register  of  Deeds  for  that  county,  formerh-  Modos.  ^Ir.  Granger  mar- 
ried, November  22.  1854,  Han-iet  A.  Brownell,  of  New  York.  They  have  had  fom-  cliil- 
di-en — Frank,  born  Mav  5,  1856,  died  in  infancy;  Francis  B.,  born  August  12,  1S59; 
Charles  L..  born  Septeiinber  6,  1861;  Libbie,  born  July  27,  1863.      In  February,  1880, 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Mr.  Granger  sold  his  store,  and,  after  a  short  Irasiness  engagement  in  Detroit,  again  com- 
monceil  business,  in  a  fruit  evajwrating  establishment  at  Armada,  which  he  still  pursues. 
The  building  devoted  to  this  is  114x40  feet,  a  portion  of  which  is  frost-proof.  The  estab- 
lishment is  capable  qf  using  annually  20. 000  bushels  of  green  fruit,  and  of  employing 
forty  persons.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Congregational  Sabbath  school  of  this 
village;  late  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance.  In  polities,  he 
is  a  Republican  of  the  old  anti-slavery  type. 

ZARA  GRANGER,  son  of  Zara  and  Sally  (Richardson)  Granger,  was  born  on  Grosse 
Isle,  Detroit  River,  August  4.  1S30.  His  father  was  a  native  of  New  York:  mother,  of 
Maine:  moved  to  Macomb  in  1830  and  settled  in  township  of  Chesterfield,  near  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, where  they  cleared  up  a  farm.  The  father  died  in  1878;  the  mother,  in  1874.  In 
November,  1878.  Mi-.  Granger  bought  a,  farm  in  Richmond  Township,  which  he  kept  till 
1881,  when  he  sold  it,  and  removed  to  Armada  Village  and  engaged  in  a  meat  market; 
married,  February '2(),  1851,  to  Miss  Marilla  Maybee,  and  had  seven  children —Elenor.  born 
December  1,  1855,  died  an  infant;  George  L..  born  August  31,  1857;  Henrietta,  torn  in 
April.  1860;  Ella,  born  in  April,  186"2;  Addie,  born  in  October,  1864;  Clara,  born  in  Jan- 
uary, 1870:  Biirt,  born  in  September,  1874.  Mr.  Granger  has  been  a  thresher  of  grain 
thirty-live  seasons;  in  politics,  a  Republican. 

ASA  B.  HAMLIN,  son  of  Trmnau  and  Anna  (Bowen)  Hamlin,  was  born  at  Greenfield, 
Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  5,  1813.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island  and  his 
mother  of  Connecticut.  They  both  moved  to  Jeft'erson  County,  N.  Y.,  while  young,  and 
died  there.  His  father  served  by  proxy  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
lived  with  his  parents,  in  Saratoga  County,  till  coming  to  Macomb  County,  which  took 
place  in  1866,  stopjiing  a  season  in  Romeo.  He  then  purchased  the  farm  in  Armada 
Township,  Section  29.  known  as  the  Priest  Shaw  farm,  on  which  he  now  resides;  was 
married  to  Lora  Ann  Wheeler,  daughter  of  William  Wheeler,  of  Jeflerson  County,  who 
died  at  her  native  place  jNIarch  7,  1859.  He  afterward  married  Miss  Maria  F.  Merriam, 
a  native  of  Jeflerson  County,  who  was  born  July  11.  1820,  now  living.  His  children  are 
Lydia  Ann,  born  February  28,  1841,  married  and  living  at  Romeo  Village;  William  T. , 
lx)rn  November  10,  1847.  now  living  at  Port  Huron,  Mich.;  Ella  B.,  born  June  17,  1855, 
married  and  lives  in  Armada  Towushiji;  Abigail  S.,  born  March  5,  185U,  married  and 
living  at  Armada  Village.  The  children  were  all  by  the  former  wife,  and  were  born  in 
Jeilerson  County.  Mrs.  Hamlin's  parents  (Merriam)  were  formerly  of  Connecticut,  and 
moved  to  Jefler.sou  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1806,  when  that  place  was  a  wilderness,  and  were 
forward  in  the  development  of  it.  The  family  name  of  the  mother  was  Ca  ly  (Eunice). 
She  died  in  September,  1862.  The  father  died  July  20,  1860.  He  served  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  was  honorably  discharged.  Mr.  Hamlin  is  Christian  in  form  of  worshij),  and 
was  a  Whig,  transferring  his  allegiance  to  the  Republican  party  at  its  birth.  He  is  and 
has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  makes  the  manufacture  of  clieese  a  sjjecialty.  His  cheese 
has  always  met  with  approval,  and  has  commanded  the  highest  market  price. 

ALFRED  HARRINGTON,  sou  of  Morey  Harrington,  was  born  in  Ontario  County, 
N.  Y..  July  12,  182(X  and,  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  went  to  work  by  the  month  till  the  fam- 
ily moved  to  Macomb,  in  1839,  after  which  he  spent  ten  years  clearing  land  for  other  peo- 
ple, when  he  bought  the  farm  he  now  owns:  married,  in  1838,  Abigail  Beach,  of  Ontario, 
N.  Y.,  and  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Harrington  died  in  March, 
1876;  married  again.  February,  1877,  to  Mary  M.  Webb,  who  still  survives.  Mr.  Har- 
rington joined  the  M.  E.  Church  in  1859,  and  for  the  last  sixteen  years  has  been  a  local 
and  itinerant  preacher  of  that  denomination. 

MOREY  HARRINGTON  was  born  at  Rutland,  Vt ,  December  29,  1794.  He  moved 
to  Macomb  Cottnty  in  1839,  and  settled  on  Section  30,  Armada,  on  the  farm  since  known 


as  the  Howell  place,  where  he  stayed  but  a  short  time,  then  settled  on  Section  5,  which 
he  improved,  and  where  he  died  in  1S59.  He  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children,  five  of 
whom  still  live;  was  a  local  preacher  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  connection  for  forty  years, 
and  aided  in  the  development  of  religious  sentiment  in  Northern  Macomb.  His  wife  died 
at  the  homestead. 

HIRON  J.  HATHAWAY,  son  of  Chandler  and  Dency  (Jones)  Hathaway,  born  at 
Carthage.  Genesee  Co..  N.  Y..  August  15,  1S20.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Ontario 
County,  N.  Y'. ;  grandparents,  of  Vermont.  The  mother's  jjeople  were  from  Massachu- 
setts. Several  uncles  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  father  died  in  New  Y'ork  in  1820: 
the  mother,  in  March,  1881,  at  Ai'mada  Village.  Hiron  J.  came  to  Macomb  in  1841  and 
settled  on  Section  35.  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married,  September,  1841,  to  Cath- 
arine, daughter  of  Allen  Briggs,  of  Ontario.  N.  Y.,  who  served  in  the  war  of  1812  and 
died  in  Macomb  County  in  185(1.  Mr.  Hathaway  had  three  children — Chandler,  born  Au- 
gust 24,  1842:  Dency  A.,  born  November  KX  1844.  married  Rock  Bailey,  and  died  in 
June,  1865:  Sarah  J.,  born  October  5,  1847,  married  William  Crittenden  and  lives  at 
Mt.  Clemens.  Chandler  Hathaway,  son  of  above,  maiTied,  July  14,  1863,  to  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Richard  Bailey,  has  two  children — Dency,  born  March  31, 1872;  Jennie,  born 
February  21,  1879.  He  resides  on  the  homestead,  and  has  always  been  a  fanner,  except 
about  thi'ee  years,  when  he  was  engaged  in  the  inauufactiu'e  of  brooms  in  Romeo.  He  has 
a  hop-yard,  and  makes  the  culture  of  that  crop  a  specialty,  in  which  he  has  met  with  good 
success.     In  political  affinity,  he  has  always  been  a  Democrat. 

MIRON  S.  HOLMAN  is  the  son  of  Asa  and  Nancy  Farrar  Holmau,  was  born  March 
28.  1820.  at  Marlboro,  N.  H.  His  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  re- 
moved at  an  early  date  to  Roxbm-y.  N.  H. ,  where  his  son  Asa  was  born  in  17U3.  The 
family  removed  to  Macomb  County  in  1831:  settled  on  Section  29,  where  he  lived  for  six 
years,  when  he  removed  to  Romeo,  where  the  father  died  October  Id,  l.Sf)8.  The  mother 
was  born  in  Maidboro.  N  H.,  in  1795.  and  died  at  Owosso.  Mich.,  December  25.  1867. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  some  years  in  the  South,  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade, 
then  engaged  in  building  in  Romeo  Village  for  about  two  years;  he  then  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  Detroit  for  about  twelve  years,  and  in  185()  made  a  trip  to  California,  during  the 
height  of  the  gold  excitement:  his  health  failing,  he  soon  returned,  and  then  purchased 
the  Farrar  mill  property  in  1857,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
horse  and  hand  rakes.  He  was  married,  September  11,  1845,  to  Anna  C,  Quackenboss, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Abigail  Quackenboss,  natives  of  New  York.  They  removed  to 
Detroit  when  she  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  Her  gi'eat-grandfather  served  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  and  her  grandfather  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812,  Vnit,  being  under 
age,  was  rejected  upon  examination.  They  have  had  children,  as  follows:  Olin  Q.,  born 
May  20,  1847.  now  living  in  Iowa,  at  Creston;  Sarah  E.,  born  April  8,  1853,  died  in  in- 
fancy: Carrie  G. .  born  July  7,  1854,  died  January  5,  1857:  RoUin  G.,  born  Januaiy  31, 
1861,  living  in  Creston,  Iowa:  Abbie  L.,  born  February  7,  1873.  Mr.  Holman  still  owns 
and  occupies  the  old  factory,  making  good  work  out  of  the  best  material.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  a  Congregationalist  in  his  form  of  worship. 

S.  SMITH  HOLMES,  deceased,  was  bom  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y..  October  4, 
1811 ;  removed  to  Macomb  in  1834.  and  lived  some  years  near  Armada  Village,  then  moved 
to  Section  4.  Armada  Township,  where  he  lived  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
November  5,  1876;  married,  in  182'.(,  Sally  A.,  daughter  of  Beekman  Chamberlain,  and 
had  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Holmes  was  born  August  12,  181*).  and 
died  December  18.  1876.  Mr.  Holmes  was  a  blacksmith,  and  had  a  shop  in  connection 
with  his  farm. 


^« 


rr^ 


HISTOltY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


NEWTON  HULETT,  son  of  Oratus  Hulett  and  Eunice  (Carpenter),  was  born  in 
Armada  Township  September  7,  1845,  and  has  always  lived  on  the  homestead.  He  has 
added  to  it  120  acres,  and  now  owns  240  acres,  with  good  buildings,  and  all  in  tine  con- 
dition for  profitable  work.  He  was  married,  January  23,  1808,  to  Huldah,  daughter  of 
John  Corbiu,  of  Macomb  County,  and  has  children  as  follows:  Minnie,  l)orn  November  6, 
1808;  Orvy,  born  November  13,  1874;  John  N.,  born  September  10,  1871:  Narina  B. , 
born  January  28,  1877;  Cora  A.,  born  January  9,  1873;  Orris,  born  May  12,  1881.  Mi'. 
Hulett  is  a  successful  farmer,  and  strives  to  be  at  the  head  of  his  profession;  in  politics, 
a  Eepiiblican. 

ORATUS  HULETT,  son  of  Paul  Hulett,  of  Vermont,  of  Scotch  descent,  was  b.jrn  at 
Eutlaud,  Vt.,  January  10,  1800:  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  1830  and  settled  on  land 
purchased  of  Government,  on  Section  20,  Armada,  which  he  occupied  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  took  place  September  25,  187(5.  He  was  married,  first  to  Sally  Spaulding, . 
of  Vermont,  September  21,  1820,  who  died  March  20,  1829;  by  this  marriage  he  had  three 
children,  all  of  whom  are  dead.  He  then  married  Miss  Eunice  Carpenter,  of  Rutland, 
Vt.,  January  ,14,  1830;  by  this  marriage  he  had  seven  children,  foiu-  of  whom  still  sur- 
vive. Mrs.  Hulett' s  ancesters,  the  Newtons,  were  siu'vivors  of  the  Revolution,  and  later, 
those  of  the  same  name  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  They  were  a  hardy  people,  and  lived 
to  extreme  age. 

SAMUEL  HULETT,  son  of  Oratus  and  Eunice  Hulett,  was  born  in  Rutland,  Vt.,  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1833;  moved  with  his  father's  family  to  Macomb  County  in  1835.  Mr.  Hulett,  in 
company  with  his  brother,  carried  on  his  father's  farm  for  about  eleven  years,  then  bought 
a  farm  on  Section  10,  Armada,  which  piu-chase  was  made  in  1803.  This  farm  was  known 
as  the  Taylor  place.  The  same  year,  he  bought  the  Johnson  place,  adjoining  his  own. 
His  farm  now  comprises  520  acres.  He  was  married,  July  22,  1800,  to  Emily,  oldest 
daughter  of  Uriel  Dav,  of  Armada  Township.  They  have  five  children — Ivy,  born  Jan- 
uary 31,  1802;  Uriel," born  November  4,1865;  Burton,  born  August  18,  1868;  Eddie, 
born  February  i,  1871:  Bruce,  born  January  1,  1876.  Mrs.  Hulett  was  born  in  Armada 
Township  June  25,  1834.  Mr.  Hulett  is  a  large  dealer  and  feeder  in  fat  stock;  has 
erected  a  fine  brick  residence,  and  has  a  good  farm,  wind-mill.  etc.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Rei)ublican.      Mr.  Hulett  has  a  family  horse  which  is  more  than  thirty  years  old. 

W.  IRVING  HULETT.  son  of  Oratus  and  Eunice  Hulett,  was  born  November  23, 
1834;  has  always  lived  on  the  land  which  was  secured  by  him  at  the  time  of  his  marriage, 
which  is  on  Section  20,  known  as  the  Bancroft  farm.  He  was  married,  January  14,  1862, 
to  Anna  McCati'erty,  of  Bruce  Township.  They  have  foiir  children,  all  living  at  home. 
Mrs.  Hulett  was  born  February  17,  1844.  Mr.  Hulett  is  a  prosperous  farmer,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Republican  l)arty. 

NATHAN  HURD  was  born  in  Welland  County,  Canada  West,  August  7,  1825.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and,  in  the  year  1834,  removed  to  Lapeer  County.  This 
was  at  that  time  a  wilderness,  inhabited  only  by  wild  beasts  and  Indians.  The  nearest 
commercial  point  at  that  time  was  Pontiae,  a  small  village  of  two  or  three  stores  and  a 
grist-mill,  to  which  they  made  a  weary  pilgi'image  at  long  intervals  for  their  grists  and 
scanty  gi-oceries.  He  lived  here  till  1853,  then  moved  to  Macomb  County  and  settled  in 
Ai-mada  Township.  In  1800,  he  removed  to  St,  Clair  County,  and  enlisted  in  Company 
H,  Fourth  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  did  service  in  the  army  one  year:  in  1877, 
returned  to  Armada  and  engaged  as  general  blacksmith  and  carriage-maker,  and  is  so  en- 
gaged at  present;  married,  in  Armada,  September  3,  1849,  to  Diana  M.  Perry,  of  Massa- 
chusetts: she  was  boi-n  in  October,  1831,  and  has  thi-ee  children — Alice,  Celia  M.  and 
Adelia  J.     He  has  buiit  a  tine  house,  and  is  a  careful  and  industrious  mechanic. 


i>  'V^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUXTY. 


JOSEPH  A.  INGRAHAM  was  bom  in  Outario,  N.  Y.,  September  7,  1S2S;  lived  some 
years  in  Ohio,  thence  removed  to  Lapeer  Conntj,  and,  in  1850,  settled  in  Ai-mada,  Sec- 
tion 3,  where  he  now  resides;  was  married.  February  9,  1852,  to  Amanda,  daughter  of 
Abel  Sumnei%  a  native  of  New  Brunswick.  The  children  of  this  marriage  are  Edmund 
L.,  bom  August  30,  1852;  Charles  E.,  born  September  20,  1854;  William  I.,  born  May 
23,  1858;  Ruth  M.,  born  September  13,  1860;  Elizabeth  M.,  born  October  9,  1863;  Rosa 
v..  bom  January  6,  1868,  died  June  15,  1869;  Andrew  J.,  born  January  23,  1870.  Mr. 
Ingraham  is  a  carpenter  and  cooper,  a  close  workman,  and  has  a  fann  connected  with  his 
business;  in  politics,  a  Democrat. 

GEORGE  R.  KIDDER,  son  of  Sidney  M.  and  Lorette  Fisher  Kidder,  born  in  Berlin 
Township  April  26,  1846,  commenced  business  as  a  cari)enter  in  Almont:  bought  a  farm 
■  in  Dryden  and  went  to  fanning;  from  there  to  Capac  as  a  gi-ain  merchant,  then  as  a  keeper 
of  a  gi'ocery  store:  afterward  bought  a  farm  in  Berlin;  from  there  as  a  cabinet-maker  in 
Brace;  then  to  Armada  as  a  butcher;  in  1877,  invented  a  land-roller,  upon  which  be  ob- 
tained a  patent;  in  1S78,  took  out  letters  patent  on  barn  door  roller,  which  has  become 
very  popular  both  in  the  United  States  and  Canada ;  also  invented  a  farm  gate.  ^Ir.  Kidder 
mai'ried,  May  4,  1870.  Lora  Dodge,  daughter  of  Stephen  Dodge,  of  St.  Clair  County.  They 
have  two  childi-en — Mattie.  born  February  22,  1871;  Ruth,  born  August  22,1873.  Mrs. 
Kidder  was  born  March  4,  1847.  Mr.  Kidder  now  lives  in  Armada  Village,  and  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Democratic  party. 

SIDNEY  KIDDER,  deceased,  was  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year 
1810;  removed  to  Romeo  in  1836;  began  life  as  a  country  merchant  in  the  village  of  Ro- 
meo; a  few  years  later  went  in  company  with  Mi\  Oel  Ris  and  formed  a  partnership  for  the 
prosecution  of  the  same  business;  from  there  went  to  Berlin,  St.  Clair  County,  on  a  farm, 
then  back  to  Bruce  for  six  years  on  a  farm.  He  was  living  in  St.  Clair  Count,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occun-ed  with  his  own  hands;  in  1857,  married  Lorette,  daughter 
of  Luke  Fisher;  they  had  three  children,  all  living.      Mrs.  Kidder  died  in  February,  1868. 

CHARLES  A.  LATHROP,  son  of  Edward  and  Emma  Andrews  Lathrop,  was  born  in 
West  Springfield,  Mass..  October  25,  1816.  His  father  and  grandfather  were  natives  of 
the  same  place,  his  great-grandfather,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  descendant  of  Rev.  John  Lath- 
rop, of  Barnstable,  England,  who  settled  in  Bai'nstable,  Mass.,  where  he  was  the  head  of  a 
colony.  Mr.  Lathrop's  father  died  at  Ai-mada  Village  September  11,  1863;  mother  died 
several  years  later.  They  had  eleven  children,  all  living  but  two.  In  1847,  Mr.  Lathrop. 
in  company  with  his  brother,  opened  a  store  of  general  merchandise,  it  being  the  second 
in  the  place.  The  first  bill  of  dry  goods  amounted  to  190,  and  was  pm-chased  of  Zach 
Chandler,  of  Deti-oit.  Two  lirothers  have  been  with  him  in  the  business,  but  both  have 
retired,  and  Mr.  Lathrop  conducts  it  alone.  He  was  married,  in  May,  1858,  to  Rachel  A. 
Youngs,  of  Armada,  and  they  have  had  two  children — Charles  E.,  born  June  17,  1859,  is 
in  the  store  with  his  father;  Lillie  A.,  born  October  1,  I860,  married  Edwin  F.  Phillips 
and  lives  in  Armada  Village.  Mrs.  Lathrop  was  born  January  (5,  1832.  Mr.  Lathrop  was 
an  early  officer  in  the  township  and  the  village;  in  politics,  fii-st  a  Whig  and  now  a  Re- 
publican. 

DAVID  McCROSSIN,  M.  D.,  son  of  James  McCrossin,  of  Leland,  was  born  in  Ontario 
County,  N.  Y.,  November  13,  1813;  came  direct  to  Michigan,  arriving  December  7,  1854. 
He  had  visited  this  county  some  years  before  and  bought  land  on  Section  11,  Armada 
Township;  moved  the  family  in  1854,  and  settled  in  Berlin,  St.  Clair  County,  remaining 
twelve  years;  then  to  Armada  Village,  where  he  still  resides:  moved  from  Ontario  County 
through  Canada  with  wife  and  one  child,  three  trunks,  and  a  hencoop  lashed  on  behind, 
in  which  were  two  Shanghai  chickens,  the  tii'st  of  the  kind  introduced  in  these  ))arts.  Mr. 
McCrossin  studied  medicine  at  Springwater.  Livingston  County,  with  Dr.  Arnold  Grey; 


:f^ 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


admitted  to  practice  in  Ontario  County  in  1829,  which  avocation  he  pursued  dimng  his 
active  life:  married,  June  '2.  1831,  Amanda  Short,  who  died  February  5,  1851:  four  chil- 
dren, all  living:  married,  Septeaiber  '27),  1851.  Mary  L.  Wait,  of  Washington  County,  N. 
Y.,  and  has  one  child,  Dora,  born  Jiine  14,  1854,  living  at  home.  Mrs.  McCrossin  was 
born  September  8,  1825.  Mr.  McCrossin  was  successful  in  his  practice:  in  politics,  a 
Whig,  afterward  joining  with  the  Republican  party.  The  fathers  of  both  Mi-,  and  Mrs. 
McCnissin  served  in  the  war  of  IS] 2,  and  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  McCrossin,  Peleg 
Wait,  was  a  Kevolutionarj'  soldier.     The  families  were  from  Vermont  and  Khode  Island. 

THOM.^S  McIL WRICK  was  born  in  Paisley,  Scotland,  December  24.  1826:  served 
the  regular  term  of  five  years  as  a  cabinet-maker,  and  came  to  America  in  1848.  The 
vessel  in  which  he  came  was  four  months  and  eight  days  between  ports.  He  worked  a 
short  time  in  Detroit,  then  reached  the  "Scotch  settlement"  in  Bruce,  and  labored  in  the  ' 
trade  of  house  carpentering  eight  years;  married  Eliza  Learmont,  who  was  born  in  En- 
gland June  21,  1833,  and  have  no  childi-en,  except  an  adopted  daughter.  In  LS51,  he 
bought  land  on  Section  6,  Ai-mada  Township,  and  began  to  be  a  farmer,  in  which  he  has 
succeeded.  He  has  several  relics  of  the  old  country  of  great  age;  Republican  in  politics, 
and  Presbyterian  in  form  of  worship. 

JOHN  McKAY,  son  of  Robert  and  Jean  (Gray)  McKay,  was  born  in  Bruce  Township 
August  Ifi,  1843 ;  married  February  2 1,  186*5,  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  Section  19,  Armada, 
known  as  the  Joseph  Bennett  farm,  on  which  he  has  resided  since  that  time.  His  wife 
was  Lucinda,  youngest  daughter  of  Uriel  Day,  of  Armada  Township;  was  born  October 
16,  1842.  Their  children  are:  Robert  U.,  born  July  24,  1868:  Olive  J.,  born  January 
11,  1871.  Mr.  McKay's  farm  consists  of  300  acres,  in  fine  cultivation;  makes  a  sj^ecialty 
of  Durham  cattle,  of  which  he  has  a  superior  herd.  He  has  held  responsible  offices  in 
township  and  society:  a  charter  member  of  the  Grange,  No.  414:  also  of  Pomona  Grange, 
of  Macomb;  a  member  of  several  agricultural  organizations,  and  President  several  terms, 
also  a  member  of  the  Executive  Board  of  the  State  Short-Horn  Breeders'  Association; 
Congregational  in  worshij),  and  Republican  in  politics. 

GURDON  H.  MILLARD,  son  of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  (Hopkins)  Millard,  he  of  Ohio 
and  she  of  New  York,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Detroit  February  2,  1841;  learned  the  trade 
of  fine  coopering  at  Clarkston  two  years;  entered  the  army  in  August,  1861,  Company  H, 
Fifth  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry:  was  discharged  November  25,  I8f)2,  and  again  pur- 
sued his  trade  at  Clarkston  eight  years:  in  1872,  begin  the  study  of  dentistry;  was  licensed 
to  practice  by  Detroit  Dental  Association;  pursued  this  business  at  Clarkston,  at  Birming- 
ham, and  in  1875  came  to  Armada,  where  he  is  still  in  practice.  His  business  is  lai'gely 
on  the  increase,  and  his  work  first-class.  He  married,  October  15,  1863.  Elizabeth  Low- 
rie,  of  Oakland  County,  who  was  born  May  25.  1844.  They  have  two  children — Fred  A., 
born  February  6,  1867;  and  Frank  G.,  born  January  1,  1872.  Mr.  Millard's  father  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Mohawk  war;  his  mother  was  a  relative  of  the  Hojjkins  of  Revolutionary  fame. 

GEORGE  M.  MILLS,  son  of  Asii  and  Lucetta  (Banister)  Mills,  natives  of  Orange 
County,  N.  Y. ,  was  born  in  Richmond  Township  September  9,  1839.  LTntil  arriving  at 
majority,  he  lived  on  the  homestead  and  attended  the  schools  of  the  place.  He  then 
bought  forty  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  added  140  in  Richmond.  He  sold  this  property 
in  1872,  and  bought  the  Erie  Buttertield  farm,  Armada,  which  is  his  present  home.  He 
was  man-ied.  May  15,  1867,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  McGreggor.  daughter  of  Robert  McGreggor, 
of  Ray,  She  was  born  in  Ray  June  16,  1848.  Their  children  ar=^  as  follows:  Elmer, 
Viorn  January  24,  1868,  died  March  24,  1873;  Lillian,  born  February  25,  1873;  Delmer, 
bom  April  6,  1875.  Mr.  Mills  has  held  offices  in  township;  a  member  of  the  order  of 
Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  Democratic  in  politics.  His  farm  lies  in  the  outskirts  of  the 
village  of  Armada,  and  consists  of  KiO  acres  of  fertile  land. 


n* 


w 


U\ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


MAETIN  M.  MILLS  is  the  son  of  Asa  D.  and  Lueetta  Banister  Mills,  natives  of 
New  York  State;  he  was  born  in  Bruce  Township,  Section  'Ju;  was  married  to  Emma  Gonld 
March  11.  ISdd;  lived  one  year  in  the  village  of  Almont.  thence  to  Armada  Village,  thence 
to  Richmond  Township,  where  he  lived  for  eight  years;  then  to  the  township  of  Shelby 
four  years:  then  to  Ai'mada  Township.  Section  3<'),  where  he  now  resides.  They  have  tonr 
childi-en  —  John,  born  October  3.  ISOli;  Eddie,  born  June  3.  18(i9:  George,  born 
July  15.  1873;  Delia  M.,  April  3,  1880.  Mr.  Mills' parents  were  of  American  origin.  He 
is  a  farmer  in  easy  circumstances,  and  pro.sperous.  He  makes  the  diseases  of  cattle  and 
horses  a  study,  and  his  services  are  often  required  in  the  neighborhood  where  he  lives. 
Grandfather  Timothy  Banister  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  received  a  pension.  , 

REV.  JAMES  H.  MORTON,  son  of  James  Morton  and  Margaret  Borland,  natives  of 
Scotland,  was  born  April  11,  1833,  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland;  came  to  Macomb  July  18,  1844; 
settled  on  Section  7,  Armada  Township;  attended  school  at  the  Romeo  Academy  some 
years;  taught  in  the  public  schools  winters  until  reaching  majority;  afterward  entered 
Jetferson  College,  of  Cannonsburg.  Penn. ,  a  short  time;  again  engaged  in  teaching:  in 
company  with  a  brother,  carried  on  a  fountlry  business  in  Armada  Township;  also  at  La- 
peer City:  in  1858.  entered  the  local  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  connection:  then 
entered  the  conference  of  the  same  chttrch,  which  relation  was  maintained  for  sixteen  years 
— three  years  in  AVestern  New  York,  and  thirteen  yeai's  in  Eastern  Michigan.  In  the 
autumn  of  1875,  he  severed  the  connection  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  and 
tmited  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chuirh,  which  relation  still  exists.  He  is  at  present 
Pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chiu-ch  of  Ai'mada  Village.  Mr.  INIorton  was  married. 
November  19,  1857,  to  Harriet  L..  daughter  of  Henry  Strong,  of  Lapeer,  formerly  of  Con- 
necticut. She  was  bora  in  1838,  and  died  May  1,  1859:  one  son  died  in  infancy:  married 
again,  March  19.  18<)3.  to  Mrs.  Anna  Silsby,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Elliott,  of  Lenawee 
County,  Mich.:  six  children,  live  living  at  home:  the  oldest.  John,  died  May  12, 1882. 
Mrs.  Morton  was  born  January  20,  1843.  Mr.  Morton  has  been  connected  with  the  litera- 
ture of  the  county,  and  is  an  acceptable  minister  in  the  church  to  which  he  belongs:  in 
politics,  faith  and  practice,  always  a  Republican.  In  1878,  he,  with  his  wife,  made  a 
visit  to  the  old  home  in  Scotland,  and  spent  some  v/eeks  in  reviewing  the  scenes  of  his  child- 
hood.     A  series  of  twelve  letters  written  by  him  were  published  in  the  papers  of  the  State. 

THEODORE  G.  MOSHER,  son  of  Jabez  and  Ann  Tubbs  Mosher.  natives  of  New 
York,  was  born  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y,  October  23,  1832;  removed  with  the  family  to 
MacomVj  and  settled  on  Section  2,  Armada,  in  1840;  married,  October  23,  1854,  to  Urilla 
Eaton,  of  Connecticut:  she  died  July  17,  185');  maiTied,  April  5,  1858,  Jane  C.  Eaton,  a 
sister  of  his  former  wife,  born  February  7.  1835;  one  child,  Everett,  born  October  23,  1859, 
living  at  home.  Mr.  Mosher  began  business  life  as  a  farmer:  located  on  the  land  on  n^hich 
he  noTT  lives  in  1805 :  the  farm  now  consists  of  300  acres.  Sections  1  and  2.  Armada  Town- 
ship. In  1875.  he  erected  a  tine  residence,  and  has  surrounded  himself  with  all  that  is 
necessarv  to  a  prosperous  business.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JAJBEZ  MOSHER,  deceased,  was  born  in  Western  New  York  February  28,  1800.  He 
removed  to  Macomb  County  in  1840  and  settled  on  land  in  Section  2,  Armada  Township, 
which  he  recovered  from  a  -cilderness  and  added  120  acres;  married  Ann  Tubbs,  a  native 
of  the  same  place;  raised  a  family  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  still  live.  He  was  a 
prompt  and  energetic  man.  thoroughly  alive  to  all  the  interests  of  the  new  county,  and  a 
member  of  the  Whig  party.  He  died  where  he  had  lived,  on  the  homestead,  January  23, 
1855,     Mrs.  Mosher  died  October  1.  1870,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 

ELI  Ct.  PERKINS,  son  of  Conde  Perkins  and  Hannah  GriiSths,  he  of  Connecticut 
and  she  of  Vermont,  was  born  in  Canada,  August  1,  1822.  His  father,  Conde  Perkins,  was 
a  volunteer  of  1812;  started  for  the  battle  of  Plattsbiu'g,  but,  the  conflict   being  over,  was 


discharged.  Grandfather  Nathan  Griffiths  served  during  the  entire  term  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  being  at  the  headquarters  at  Valley  Forge,  and  jiarticipating  in  all  its 
scenes.  He  was  under  the  immediate  command  of  ^\'ashingt(in,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged at  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Perkins  came  to  Macomb  in  !March,  1S38;  made  a 
clearing  on  his  land  in  1844;  subsequently  opened  a  cooper-shop  in  Richmond  Township, 
which  he  operated  until  1853,  when  he  went  to  Iowa;  he  returned  after  a  short  stay  there, 
rented  the  Gower  farm:  subsequently  located  on  Section  14,  Richmond  Township,  where 
he  lived  four  3ears,  and  next  on  Section  "J,  Armada,  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Perkins 
married  Miss  M.  A.  Mosher,  daughter  of  Jabez  Mosher,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ,  September 
16,  1844.  There  were  six  children  by  this  marriage — James  G.  B.,  born  April  22,  1845: 
Gleason  A.,  November  5,  184(5;  Helen  M.,  March  7,  184U,  died  December  14, 1854;  Ro- 
setta  A.,  March  28,  1851:  Eli  E.,  January  10,  1853,  died  October  11,  1854;  Eli  F.,  born 
March  4,  18515.  Mrs.  Perkins  was  born  in  Richmond,  Ontario  County,  in  1825.  Mr.  Per- 
kins has  a  farm  of  135  acres,  well  cultivated.  His  sheep-farming  operations  have  been  a 
success.  Politically,  he  is  a  Gi-eenbacker.  Freeman  Perkins,  brother  of  Eli  G. ,  served 
in  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry;  was  taken  prisoner  at  Gettysburg,  and  died  from  harsh 
treatment  while  in  the  Confederate  hotel  at  Andersonville,  on  his  joiu'ney  homeward. 

COL.  NORMAN  PERRY  was  born  in  Northumberland,  Saratoga  Co.,  X.  Y.,  April 
20,  17UI5.  In  18l<),  he  accompanied  his  father's  family  to  Leroy,  Genesee  County,  where 
they  took  up  new  land,  and  where  Norman  lived  eight  years.  In  the  fall  of  1824,  he 
started  for  Michigan;  found  the  Hoxie  settlement,  and  located  eighty  acres  of  land  east  of 
the  village  of  Romeo,  at  a  place  since  known  as  the  ■"  Branch."  Upon  this  land  he 
erected  his  cabin,  built  of  logs,  floored  with  puncheon  and  shingled  with  "shakes,"  and 
cleared  about  four  acres.  Having  accomplished  this,  he  returned  to  Genes'  e  County.  In 
March,  1825,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Scott,  and  started  a  few  days  after  for  his  new 
home.  Mrs.  Perry  was  the  daughter  of  Capt  David  Scott,  the  iirst  settler  in  the  county 
of  Clinton,  Mich.,  a  lady  remarkably  gifted  in  those  qualities  which  made  the  pioneer 
life  one  of  contentment  and  comi)arative  happiness.  In  their  jom-ney  they  were  accom- 
panied by  Reuben  R.  Smith,  who  settled  on  a  farm  close  by.  The  journey  to  Buffalo  was 
made  with  teams,  taking  two  days,  over  roads  which  were  both  difficult  and  dang-erous  to 
travel.  At  Buffalo,  they  took  passage  on  the  steamer  Superior  for  Detroit.  From  this 
j)lace  they  proceeded  by  way  of  Royal  Oak  in  search  of  Bailey's  or  the  Hoxie  settlement, 
which  point  they  reached  aftei  two  days"  floundering  in  the  mud,  and  over  logs  and  cause- 
ways for  twodays.  They  remained  over  night  at  the  settlement,  and  in  the  morning  set  out 
to  find  the  cabin  at  the  Branch.  They  had  no  sooner  reached  it  than  they  found  that,  in 
order  to  institute  housekeeping,  the}'  had  to  go  back  to  the  village  for  the  necessary  arti- 
cles. While  he  was  gone,  the  young  wife  left  alone  in  the  hut  in  the  woods,  went  nY>  in  the 
chamber  of  the  cabin  and  lay  down  upon  some  boughs  to  rest.  AVhile  there,  two  men, 
who  had  built  further  down  the  creek,  came  along  the  path  to  the  village,  and,  seeing 
that  the  house  was  open,  stopped  to  see  how  neighbor  Perry  was  getting  along.  One  of 
the  men  stepped  up  the  ladder,  and,  looking  into  the  chamber,  exclaimed,  • '  Great  heav- 
ens! there's  a  woman  here!''  This  was  the  young  lady's  Iirst  introduction  to  her  neigh- 
bors. They  had  purchased  a  cow  on  the  way  to  Detroit,  and  driven  it  to  the  fann,  but 
the  first  night  the  animal  became  homesick  and  returned.  Mr.  Perry  followed  her  twenty 
miles  or  more,  but,  finding  her  still  ahead,  and  gaining  on  him,  he  gave  up  the  chase  and 
returned.  Mr.  Perry  always  lived  upon  the  farm,  and  died  Jul}'  I'J,  1880,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four.  He  was  a  frugal  and  industrious  man,  a  good  manager,  and  forward  in  all 
the  necessary  works  of  improvement  in  the  new  settlement,  and  many  of  the  meetings  for 
the  transaction  of  township  business  were  held  at  his  house.  Noah  Webster  settled  a  lit- 
tle  farther  down   the  creek   in  1825,  and  in  the  following  spring,  Josiah  Hamlin  built  a 


-^ 


'-^ 


blacksmith  shop,  and  was  a  great  help  to  the  settlers.  The  oldest  child  of  Mr.  and  Mi-s. 
Perry,  now  Mrs.  John  Selleck,  was  the  fii'st  child  born  east  of  Romeo.  Mr.  Perrj  was  a 
member  of  the  State  militia,  and  received  a  Lieutenant's  commission  in  April,  1829,  bear- 
ing the  signature  of  Gen.  Gass.  In  July,  1830,  he  was  made  a  Captain  of  State  militia 
by  Gen.  Cass;  in  September,  1831,  was  advanced  to  Major  by  Stevens  I.  Mason,  and  pro- 
moted Lieutenant  Colonel  in  Februaiy,  1832,  by  Mason,  Governor  of  the  Territory. 

MRS.  SUSAN  (SCOTT)  PERRY,  daughter  of  Capt.  David  Scott,  of  Clinton  County, 
Mich.,  was  born  at  Shoreham,  Vt.,  Februaiy  21, 180'2;  moved  with  her  parents  to  Le  Roy, 
N.  Y. ,  thence  to  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y. ,  and,  after  six  months,  retm-ned  to  Le  Roy ; 
after  a  few  years,  moved  to  Covington,  N.  Y. ,  and  lived  until  1825;  in  March  of  that 
year,  marrie  1  Norman  Perry,  and  moved  to  Macomb  County  and  settled  at  the  Branch, 
two  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Romeo,  Mich.,  on  Section  31,  Armada  Township.  Mr.  Perry 
bought  320  acres  of  laud,  which  is  still  occvijjied  by  the  family;  have  had  seven  children, 
all  of  whom  still  live — Delia,  born  January  I'.J,  182(5.  married  John  Selleck,  and  now  re- 
sides in  Ray  Township,  and  was  the  first  child  born  in  the  township  of  Ai-mada:  Ozni  S., 
born  October  3,  1827,  now  at  the  old  jilace;  Elem  Maria,  born  January  10,  1831,  married 
James  Sanford  (deceased),  now  lives  at  Charlotte,  Eaton  Co.,  Mich.;  Manly  C. ,  born  Jan- 
uary 4,  1833,  lives  in  Richmond  Township);  Norman,  born  August  7,  1840,  married  Ellen 
Warner  and  lives  at  the  old  home;  Norton  M. ,  born  October  20,  184(^,  maixied  and  lives  at 
Lansing,  Mich.;  Marshall,  born  August  10,  1844,  who  is  unman-ied,  and,  with  Norman, 
owns  and  occupies  the  homestead.  Mrs.  Perry  is  a  hapjiy  and  cheerful  old  lady,  full  of 
neighborly  deeds  and  kindnesses. 

W.  DURFEE  PETTIBONE,  son  of  Anson  and  Hannah  (Blakely),  was  born  July  24, 
1834.  His  father,  a  native  of  Vermont,  was  born  at  Bennington  April  15,  17U4.  His 
mother  was  a  native  of  the  same  place,  born  June  8,  17y7.  The  family  moved  from  Ver- 
mont to  New  York,  and  settled  on  a  new  farm  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y. ,  and  lived  till 
1845.  In  the  year  1831,  he  had  visited  Macomb  County  and  located  620  acres  on  the 
ridge  near  where  the  village  of  Armada  now  stands.  This  farm  he  improved  and  occu- 
pied to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took  place  April  20,  18*U.  He  was  married,  January 
1,  1822,  to  Hannah  Blakely.  and  had  six  childi-en,  two  living.  Mi-s.  Pettibone  also  died 
at  Ai-mada.  The  suljject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  early  yeai's  on  the  homestead  farm,  and 
attended  school  in  the  public  schools  of  the  village,  and  taught  school  one  year.  He  was 
mai-ried,  March  28, 1800,  to  Annie  A.,  daughter  of  Edward  Lathrop,  born  in  Pittsford,  N.  Y., 
April  27,  1837.  Their  children  were— William  E.,  born  September  13,  1864,  died  Mai-ch  4, 
1874;  Jennie,  born  December  11,  1866,  died  February  3, 18()7;  Eda,  born  June  23.  1868, 
died  December  11,  1869:  Fanny,  born  June  4,  1870;  an  infant  daughter  died  October 
12,  1875;  Robert  E. ,  born  April  20, 1878.  Mr.  Pettibone  inherited  300  acres  of  the  home- 
stead, and  has  added  200  acres,  erected  tasty  and  complete  buildings,  good  fences,  etc. 
He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Armada  Agricultural  Society,  and  an  officer  therein;  an 
officer  in  village  and  district;  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  Sabbath  school, 
and  a  Republican  in  politics;  a  strong  temperance  man. 

EDWARD  PETTIBONE,  son  of  Anson  and  Hannah  (Blakely)  Pettibone.  natives  of 
Vermont,  was  born  July  10,  1828,  in  Wyoming  County,  N.  Y. ;  came  with  bis  father's 
family  to  Macomb  in  1845;  has  always  lived  on  the  homestead,  situated  on  Sections  24 
and  19,  Armada  and  Richmond  Townships;  married,  January  1,  18(')0,  Antoinette  Butler, 
daughter  of  William  Butler,  of  Buffalo;  she  was  born  May  19,  1824;  has  one  child,  Mary, 
born  January  1(5,  1862.  Mr.  Pettibone  received  from  his  father's  estate  300  acres,  and 
has  purchased  sixty  acres  in  addition  —one  of  the  best  locations  in  the  town  on  "  the  Ridge  " 
near  the  village  of  Armada;  always  voted  with  the  Republican  partv.  Mrs.  Pettibone 
died  March  (>,  1874. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


AUSTIN  H.  PHILLIPS,  son  of  John  H.  and  Clarinda  Briggs  Phillips,  was  born  in 
Armada  Anciist  IT,  1854.  He  attended  school  at  Armada,  lived  on  the  homestead,  and 
was  mai-ried.  December  30.  ISTIi,  to  Lillian,  daughter  of  Ezra  Sibley,  of  Armada.  She 
was  bom  May  1,  iS'iU.  They  have  two  children — William  Sibley,  born  June  Id.  ISTS: 
John  Alva,  born  February  18.  ISSO.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  farmer,  meeting  with  good  success. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Chm-ch  of  the  village,  and  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath 
school.      He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

JOHN  H.  PHILLIPS,  son  of  John  Phillips,  was  born  in  Lima.  Livingston  Co. .  N.  Y. , 
February  17.  1811.  He  was  a  farmer  in  New  York,  and  moved  to  Macomb  in  1848.  He 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Armada,  in  Section  1  7,  which  he  kept  for  three  years.  He  then  re- 
moved to  a  farm  adjoining  the  village  of  Armada,  consisting  of  '21 K)  acres,  which  he  kept 
until  his  death,  which  took  place  May  IH,  1879.  His  wife,  Clarinda  S.  Briggs  of  Livings- 
ton County,  N.  Y. .  was  born  in  1824;  she  died  in  May,  18()4.  They  had  nine  children,  eight 
of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Phillips  was  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance,  having  taken  the 
pledge  when  a  small  boy,  and  kept  it  sacred;  a  Baptist  in  religion,  and  anti-slavery  in 
politics. 

GEORGE  W.  PHILLIPS,  son  of  Ira  and  Martha  (Day)  Phillips,  of  Livingstou 
County.  N.  Y. ,  was  born  at  that  place  July  17.  1829.  His  father  was  born  in  October, 
1802.  A  farmer  in  the  East,  he  sought  the  West  to  pursue  the  same  calling,  arriving  in 
Macomb  County  September  fi,  1831,  and  immediately  entered  upon  K'lO  acres  of  land  in 
Section  19,  Armada  Township,  where  he  reared  a  family  of  three  sons,  and  died  on  the 
homestead  September  4,  1855.  Mrs.  Phillips  died  July  14,  ISfiO.  G.  W,  succeeded  his 
father  on  the  homestead:  was  married,  in  1856,  to  Lydia,  daughter  of  A.  W.  Sterling,  of 
Romeo,  and  has  children  as  follows:  Carrie  E.,  born  December  Ifi,  1857  ;  Frank  I., 
bom  May  24.  1859:  George  W.,  born  July  24,  IStii:  Charles  J.,  born  Ajiril  29.  18()3: 
Hattie  M.,  born  July  17.  I8fi(i;  Fanny  S.,  born  May  22.  1870:  John  S..  born  March  17. 
1872:  L.  Minnie,  born  June  8.  1874.  Mr.  Phillips  has  always  been  foremost  m  the  agricult- 
ural interests  of  the  county:  a  charter  member  of  the  county  agricultural  society,  and.  from 
the  third  year  of  its  existence  an  officer,  and  seven  times  its  President;  an  officer  of  the 
State  Agricultural  Society  twenty-two  years,  and  President  in  1880  and  1881:  a  member 
of  the  State  Board  of  Agricultiu'e  eleven  years;  also  a  leading  officer  in  the  Armada  Agri- 
cultural Society  and  the  Union  Farmers'  Club.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  fine  musician,  a  promi- 
nent man  in  society,  and  a  Republican, 

HENRY  PRATT,  sou  of  Josiah  Pratt,  a  native  of  Vermont,  was  born  in  Westminster, 
Upper  Canada,  February  13,  1845;  moved  with  his  father's  family  to  Section  1,  Armada 
Township,  in  1850;  man-ied,  March  17,  to  Helen,  daughter  of  John  Stonehouse;  one  child, 
Nellie  S.,  born  March  25,  1881.  Mrs.  Pratt  was  born  in  Canada  October  14.  1843.  Mr. 
Pratt  has  added  fifty-two  acres  to  the  homestead,  built  a  fine  residence,  and  has  brought 
the  farm  into  good  condition  for  general  farming,  in  which  he  has  met  with  good  success; 
grandfather  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  as  a  soldier,  and  was  discharged  at  its  close. 

JOSIAH  PRATT,  deceased,  son  of  Josiah  Pratt,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  was  born 
in  Vermont  January  8,  1793;  spent  a  portion  of  his  life  in  Canada,  and  removed  to  Ma- 
comb County  in  1850.  He  was  married,  first  to  Rebecca  R.  Jackson,  who  died  in  1837: 
married  Maria  Gilbert,  who  died  January  8,  1847;  he  then  married  Charlotte  Waun,  who 
died  July  10,  1870.  Mr.  Pratt  died  at  the  homestead  some  years  since.  He  was  the  fa- 
ther of  twenty-three  children,  fifteen  of  whom  <ire  living.  The  elder  Pratt  was  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution,  and  was  granted  a  pension  to  himself  and  his  widow.  The  sou  was 
drafted  by  the  British  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  served  a  short  time  reluctantly. 

WILLIAM  E.  PRESTON,  son  of  Earl  C.  and  Harriet  Fox  Preston."  was  born  at 
Eastford.  Conn.,  June  20,  1822.      His  father  was  a  native  of  Eastford.  and  his  mother  of 


^  s r- 


1^ 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB  COr>'TY. 


^^'oodstock,  iu  the  same  State.  The  family  are  descendants  from  one  Preston,  who  left 
England  for  America  in  lfi40,  but  of  whom  very  little  is  known.  His  descendant,  John 
Preston,  of  Andover.  Mass.,  who  is  the  fifth  lineal  ancestor  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  married"  iu  ITOC).  to  Mary  Haynes,  of  Newbury.  Mass.,  and  afterward  settled  in  Win- 
dom.  Conn.  Said  Mary  Haynes  was  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  Haynes,  of  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  of  which  family  the  following  bit  of  history  is  related:  On  the  15th  day  of  Au- 
gust, ItiiK),  he  and  his  four  children — thi-ee  boys  and  the  said  daughter  Mary — were  in 
the  field  near  their  house,  the  father  reaping  and  the  childi-eu  picking  lieans.  While  thus 
engaged,  the  Indians,  who  were  at  war  with  the  whites,  surprised  them  and  carried  them 
all  to  Pennacook,  now  the  city  of  Concord,  N.  H.  There  they  separated,  one  paxtj  going 
to  Maine,  taking  the  father  and  one  of  the  boys,  Thomas  by  name;  the  other  going  to  their 
home  in  Canada,  and  taking  with  them  the  other  three  children.  The  father  and  Thomas 
succeeded  iu  esca])ing.  They  pursued  their  way  through  the  forests,  making  toward  home 
as  best  they  could.  The  old  man  gave  out,  and  could  go  no  farther,  and  sank  down  to 
die.  The  boy.  in  despair,  climbed  a  high  hill  and  looked  around.  Nothing  but  the  in- 
temiinable  forests  met  his  vision.  In  his  trouble,  the  little  fellow  cried  aloud,  and  the 
only  response  was  an  echo.  At  length  his  ears  caught  a  familiar  sound — that  of  a  saw- 
mill. He  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  and  at  length  came  to  a  white  settle- 
ment on  the  Saco  River.  Here  he  got  help  and  rescued  his  father,  who  soon  recovered 
strength  sufficient  to  pursue  his  jOurney  home.  The  other  children  were  taken  to  Canada 
aud  sold  to  the  French.  Maiy  was  afterward  redeemed  by  IdO  pounds  of  tobacco,  which 
WHS  hauled  to  Canada  on  a  hand-sled.  The  boys  never  came  back.  They  were  seen  fifty 
or  sixty  years  afterward  by  troops  from  Haverhill  diu'ing  the  invasion  of  Canada  in  the 
French  and  Indian  war.  They  were  wealthy  farmers,  and  one  of  them  asked  for  his  sis- 
ter; said  that  he  remembered  her,  and  that  one  of  her  fingers  had  been  cut  off  by  a  little 
boy  when  a  child,  which  was  true.  William  E.  Preston  was  married,  in  1S46,  to  Lovinia 
Leonard,  the  daughter  of  Halsey  Leonard,  of  Woodstock.  Conn.  Their  children  are 
Charles  C,  born  November  5,  1847:  Mary  L.,  June  21.  1S.")0;  John  L.,  April  15.  1853; 
Hattie  L.,  April  (>,  ISod;  Bert  C,  January  2,  185'.);  Anna  C.  April  20,  1801.  Mr.  Pres- 
ton came  to  Macomb  in  1855,  settling  on  a  farm  two  miles  south  of  Armada  Village,  which 
he  afterward  sold.  and.  removing  to  Armada  Village  in  lS(u,  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business,  in  which  he  still  continues.  The  family  of  both  Mr.  aud  Mrs.  Preston  are  from 
a  long-lived  New  England  ancestry. 

BENJAMIN  F.  PROCTER  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Freeman  Procter;  was  born 
iu  Armada  Township  June  24, 1832.  He  attended  the  schools  of  Romeo  and  worked  upon 
the  farm,  aud  in  18f)5  went  to  Pontiac  aud  joined  the  firm  of  Procter  &  Co.,  merchant 
aud  custom  millers,  whose  mill  was  situated  on  the  Clinton  River  near  the  city.  This 
continued  for  about  six  years,  when  he  purchased  the  farm  in  Armada,  known  as  the  Howell 
farm,  on  which  he  is  still  living.  He  also  owns  a  large  farm  iu  St.  Clair  County.  He 
was  married,  in  Pontiac,  Mich.,  October  2,  18<)5,  to  Sarah  A.  Barkham.  They  have 
children  as  follows:  Ada  A.,  born  August  11,  1867;  Edmond  J.,  born  April  13,  IStiU; 
Reed,  born  September  4,  1871;  Clarence,  February  14.  1874.  Mrs.  Procter  was  born 
September  3.  1833;  her  father  brought  his  family  fi'om  England,  and  settled  in  Can- 
ada, and  fi-om  there  moved  to  Michigan  iu  183(1;  settled  iu  Rochester,  as  a  miller,  in 
which  business  he  is  still  engaged.  Mi*.  Procter  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  having  voted 
for  Fremont  in  1850. 

JOHN  L.  PROCTER,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  .^-mada  Township,  was  born  at  Alstead, 
N.  H.,  July  18.  17Uy.  He  was  the  son  of  Benjamin  Procter,  of  New  Hampshire,  whose 
wife,  Sarah  Freeman,  of  Berkshire,  Vt,,  was  born  April  13.  1805.  He  removed  to  Ma- 
comb in  1824.  settled  on  Section  31,  Armada  Township,  on  land  now  occupied  by  the  family. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


He  was  married  in  1827;  had  seven  ciiiklren,  six  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  deed  of 
bis  land  bears  date  as  first  jmrchased  in  the  township.  The  farmhouse,  one  of  the  first  in 
the  locality,  is  a  monument  of  stability,  having  withstood  the  storms  of  more  than  forty- 
eight  years,  and  is  still  in  good  condition.  John  L.  Procter,  son  of  the  above,  inherited 
the  homestead:  is  unmarried,  and  lives  with  his  two  sisters.  He  is  asuecessfiU  farmer,  and 
a  dealer  in  fine  cattle  and  sheep  for  Eastern  markets. 

JOSEPH  ROWLEY  was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  February  i:^,  ISTJ.  He 
is  the  son  of  Erastus  and  Lydia  Richai'dson  Rowley,  of  Westfield,  Conn.  The  father 
started  to  move  to  Michigan  in  1S85,  but  died  on  the  way,  in  Ohio,  and  was  bmied  there. 
The  mother  died  in  Ai'mada  Townshi]i  in  IStU.  Mr.  Rowley  bought  land  on  Sections  7 
and  8,  in  Armada,  on  which  he  still  resides.  He  was  mai'ried,  August  4,  183U,  to  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  A.  Smith,  and  they  were  the  first  couple  married  in  Berlin  Township, 
St.  Clair  County.  Their  children  ,ire  Oi-y,  born  November  12,  1840:  Polly  B.,  born 
June  (i,  1842:  Marianna,  born  August  17,  1844,  died  December  "5,  ]8n5:  Franklin,  born 
August  2('..'184();  George  H.,  born  August  20,  1848:  Joseph,  born  -June  1,  1850;  Nettie 
O.,  born  February  11.  1852;  Sarah  E.,  born  May  I,  1854,  died  June  30.  1881;  Elias, 
born  May  21),  1851',;  Lydia,  born  October  9,  1858;  Willie  J.,  born  June  22,  1801.  Mr. 
Rowley  was  a  keen  and  successful  hiinter.  He  killed  180  deer  the  first  three  seasons  on 
the  place,  and  thirty  per  season  for  many  years  after.      He  is  a  Jackson  Democrat. 

NATHAN  ROWLEY  was  the  son  of  Erastus  Rowley,  of  Westfield,  Conn.,  and  was  born 
May  17.  1802.  He  removed  to  Macomb  County  in  June,  1831,  and  was  married.  November 
5,  1834,  to  Abigail,  daughter  of  Frederick  Alch'ich.  In  183(),  he  took  up  land  on  Sections 
7  and  8.  Armada,  which  he  improved,  and  where  he  lived  up  to  1880.  He  died  at  Good- 
rich, Genesee  County,  July  27,  1881.  Mrs.  Rowley  was  born  in  Canandaigua  County,  N. 
Y.,  August  12,  1800,  and  died  October  5,  1877.  The  grandfather  is  a  survivor  of  the  Rev- 
olution, and  they  are  from  a  long-lived  race  of  people. 

LIBERTY  ROWLEY  was  born  at  Armada  Township  October  10, 1838.  He  was  the 
son  of  Nathaniel  and  Abigail  Rowley,  of  same  place;  was  married,  December  25,  18(i3,  to 
Mary  L.  Banfill,  who  was  born  at  Ypsilanti,  Mich.,  December  20,  1847.  Their  children 
are  as  follows:  Arthiu-  T..  born  October  31.  1805,  died  Aiigust  7,  1872:  Carrie  E..  born 
December  2,  1871;  Rubie.  born  Januar}-  21,  1874,  died  in  November.  1875;  Mary  L.,  born 
November  8,  1878,  Mr.  Rowley  purchased  a  }iart  of  his  father's  farm,  on  Section  8,  Ar- 
mada, on  which  he  lives,  and  keeps  a  stock  of  general  merchandise.  Mr.  Rowley  and  wife 
have  been  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  for  fifteen  years,  and  he  has 
always  been  a  Republican. 

SAMUEL  SHEPARDSON,  son  of  Samuel  Shepardson,  a  native  of  Vermont,  was  born 
in  Windham  County,  in  that  State,  November  10,  1810.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one.  he  re- 
moved to  Canada,  and  thence  to  Macomb  County,  arriving  in  the  spring  of  1 853.  He  pur- 
chased a  farm  on  Section  3,  Armada  Township,  where  he  ha.s  lived  ever  since.  He  has 
cleared  up  the  farm,  built  all  the  buildings  and  added  forty  acres.  He  married.  January 
13,  1853,  Elizabeth  M..  daughter  of  Abel  Siimner,  of  New  Brunswick.  They  have  no  chil- 
dien.  Mr.  Shej)ardson  is  a  cheese-maker,  and  has  turned  his  farm  to  the  production  of 
that  staple.  He  has  fiu-nished  a  store  in  Romeo  with  cheese  for  the  past  eighteen  years. 
His  father  served  his  country  in  1812,  and  was  honorably  discharged. 

ALVAH  SIBLEY  was  Isorn  in  Berkshire.  Mass.,  in  March,  1 790,  where  he  lived  un- 
til he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  removed  to  Brighton,  Mom-oe  Co.,  N.  Y., 
where  he  was  niiu-ried  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Joseph  Corbin.  of  Woodstock,  Conn.  She 
was  liorn  March  4.  1803.  Her  parents  were  pioneers  of  Western  New  York.  Mr.  Sibley 
removed  his  family  to  Macomb  County  in  October,  1835.  and  settled  on  Section  25,  town- 
ship of  Armada,  where  his  widow  still  resides.     His  father,  Ezra  Sibley,  was  a  Revolu- 


r 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tionaiy  soldier,  having  served  in  the  conflict  for  seven  years,  diu'ing  six  of  whicli  he  passed 
without  sleeping  outside  of  camp.  His  gi-andfather  was  a  British  officer  in  the  AVest  India 
ser^  ice,  and  died  of  yellow  fever.  The  family  are  of  Norman  origin.  Mr.  Sibley  was  a  man  of 
stern  principles  of  honesty  and  adherence  to  the  Christian  faith:  a  Deacon  in  the  Congrega- 
tional Chiu'ch  of  Ai'mada  from  its  organization  until  his  death,  which  occun-ed  in  February, 
1870.  Deacon  Sibley  is  remembered  with  afl'ectionate  regard.  His  family  consisted  of 
three  sons — Alfred  I.  Sibley,  born  in  Brighton.  X.  Y..  September  18.  1824.  and  is  now  a 
resident  of  Cass  County,  Iowa:  Ezra  F.  Sibley,  still  a  resident  of  Armada:  and  William 
H.  Sibley,  born  in  Annada  December  2.  1838.  He  remained  with  his  father's  family  and 
attended  school  at  Mt.  Clemens  and  Komeo  until  the  commencement  of  the  civil  war,  when 
he  laid  aside  his  great  ambition  for  an  education  and  went  forth  in  defense  of  his  country. 
He  enlisted  in  Company  A.  Ninth  Michigan  Infantiy,  under  Col.  Duffield.  and  died  of 
typhoid  fever  in  January,  18()2,  at  Elizabethtowu,  Ky.  He  is  remembered  as  a  worthy 
Christian  soldier. 

EZRA  F.  SIBLEY,  son  of  Alvah  and  Mary  Sibley,  was  born  in  Brighton.  N.  Y, 
November  '2U.  1827.  He  removed  T\dth  his  father's  family  to  Macomb  County  in  1835. 
where  he  attended  school  and  remained  at  home  until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  then 
began  working  at  the  carpenter's  ti'ade  for  a  few  years,  and  was  man-ied.  September  13, 
1853.  to  Adaline  A.  Pierson,  a  native  of  Eush.  Mom'oe  Co..  N.  Y.  In  185U,  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  business,  in  company  with  William  H.  Clark,  in  Armada  Village,  and  at 
the  opening  of  the  civil  war.  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry,  under 
Col.  Duffield;  served  as  a  musician  most  of  the  time,  and  was  captm-ed,  July  13.  18()2, 
by  Gren.  Forrest:  was  paroled,  and  soon  after  discharged  by  general  order  mustering  out 
all  regimental  bands  from  the  service.  He  again  engaged  in  carpenter  work  until  1809, 
when  he  was  appointed  station  agent  on  the  Michigan  Air-Line  Eailroad  at  Armada. 
Mich.,  which  office  he  has  held  since  that  time.  His  family  consists  of  two  daughters — 
Lillian  M.  Sibley,  born  May  1,  185U,  married,  187(),  to  Austin  H.  Phillips,  and  resides  in 
Ai'mada:  Minnie  A.  Sil)lev.  born  August  22.  I8n7. 

COLBY  AND  PHILIl'  SHORT,  born  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.  Their  father's  name 
was  Colby  Short,  who  died  in  Ontario.  Colby  was  born  January  11,  1838;  Philip,  De- 
cember 25,  183U.  Colby  came  to  Macomb  in  the  autumn  of  IStHh  Philip,  in  18H2;  set- 
tled on  Section  12:  afterward  bought  laud  on  Section  2,  Armada  Township,  where  they 
now  live.  Philip  married,  July  10,  18* u.  Angeline  Woolman,  born  at  Mt.  Clemens  Sep- 
tember 20,  1S4(>:  had  five  childi'en,  four  of  whom  are  now  living.  Colby  is  ni^t  married. 
They  are  extensively  engaged  in  the  sale  of  farm  implements.  Colbj'  enlisted,  September 
lit,  l8(il,  in  Company  L,  First  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  served  four  yeai-s:  was  Gen.  Banks' 
Private  Orderly  three  months.  The  company  was  body  guard  to  Gen,  Banks  one  year. 
He  reached  home  in  August,  18()5. 

LEWIS  SMITH,  son  of  Calvin  Smith,  was  born  in  Tolland  County,  Conn.,  Decem- 
ber 27.  1832:  came  with  his  father's  family  to  Macomb  County  in  1842:  was  engaged 
ujjon  raih'oads  three  years,  and  then  retiu-ned  to  the  homestead,  where  he  uow  lives:  mar- 
ried, July  y,  1864.  Frances  Curtiss.  daughter  of  Harrj'  Curtiss,  of  Richmond  Town- 
ship. They  had  one  child,  which  died  in  infaney.  Mrs.  Smith  died  August  18,  18711, 
He  man-ied  again,  April  3,  1877,  Anna  Skidmore,  of  Troy,  Oakland  County ;  no  children. 
Mrs,  Smith  was  born  June  28,  1837.  'Mi:  Smith  has  held  offices  in  township  and  agri- 
eultm-al  societies.  He  liuilt  a  good  house  on  his  farm,  and  added  eighty  acres  to  the  same. 
Before  the  war.  he  was  a  Democrat  in  politics:  since  that  time,  he  has  been  a  Republican. 
His  great-grandfather.  James  McNary.  was  in  the  war  between  England  and  France.  Be- 
ing taken  prisoner,  he  was  confined  in  the  hold  of  a  vessel  for  seven  days  without  food, 
except  a  pair  of  calf -skin  boots,  which,  being  cut  in  small  pieces,  was  eaten  by  himself 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


and  his  comrades.  They  afterward  overpowered  the  crew,  brought  the  vessel  to  America, 
entered  the  American  Army  and  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  being  honorably  dis- 
charged at  its  close;  was  also  in  the  war  of  1812. 

CALYIN  SMITH  was  born  in  Tolland  County,  Conn.,  in  171)3:  entered  the  army  in 
1812  as  a  private,  and  was  promoted  to  Sergeant  in  1814;  served  during  the  war,  and  was 
discharged  with  a  land  warrant,  which  he  located  in  St.  Clair  County;  moved  to  Macomb, 
and  stopped  a  short  time  in  Ray  Township,  then  settled  on  a  farm  in  Section  12,  which 
he  cleared  up,  and  where  he  died  in  1853.  He  was  married  to  Mary  McNary.  of  his  native 
place,  by  whom  he  had  eight  childi-en,  three  of  whom  survive.  She  died  at  the  homestead 
in  1872,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  His  father,  David  Smith,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  and  two  of  his  sons  served  in  the  civil  war,  and  in  the  Indian  troubles  in 
Minnesota,  and  were  wounded  there. 

SETH  SMITH,  son  of  Asa  Smith,  was  born  June  10,  l.S2o,  at  Dightou,  Mass.;  moved 
to  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ;  thence  to  Michigan  in  September,  18(')3;  settled  in  Lenox  Town- 
ship three  years;  moved  to  Armada  Village  in  18(>(),  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  was 
married,  July  2(1,  1852,  to  Sarah  S.  Htibbell,  of  Ontario  County,  who  was  born  September 
4,  1834.  They  have  six  childi-en.  The  gi-andfather  of  Mrs.  Smith,  Nathan  West,  served 
in  the  war  of  1812.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  a  dealer  in  fat  stock.  In  polities,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat. 

DR.  JOHN  S.  SMITH  was  born  March  2l).  1822.  His  father,  Asa  Smith,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Massachusetts,  and  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  1854,  and  settled  on  Section  24, 
Ai'mada.  where  he  died  in  18(55.  Dr,  John  Smith  graduated  fi'om  the  Medical  School  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1844;  practiced  medicine  at  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  two  year.s,  then 
removed  to  Macomb  County  in  1847  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Ai-- 
mada  Village.  This  was  continued  until  18()().  In  1858,  he  read  and  studied  law,  and 
the  same  year  began  the  practice  of  law.  He  graduated  from  the  Law  De^iartment  of 
Ann  Arbor,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar;  in  the  spring  of  1S(')3,  entered  the  army  as 
Quartermaster  and  remained  for  one  year.  On  retiring,  he  engaged  in  farming  and  as  a 
dealer  in  hops,  buying  annually  large  quantities  and  sending  them  to  distant  markets.  In 
18()7,  in  company  with  Mi-.  H.  Barrows,  he  began  the  erection  of  a  brick  block  in  Ai-mada 
Village,  which  was  to  be  completed  the  next  year;  when  the  walls  were  nearly  completed, 
they  fell,  and  Dr.  Smith  was  killed.  This  took  place  September  19,  18()8.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  1845,  to  Linda  B.  Jones,  of  Ontario,  N.  Y.  They  had  no  children.  Dr.  Smith 
was  always  ready  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  village  and  tovraship;  was  an  houoralile 
man,  and  a  consistent  Democrat. 

HORACE  H,  SPENCER,  of  Armada,  was  the  son  of  Ii-a  and  Sally  (Earl)  Spencer, 
and  was  born  in  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  June  17,  1822.  His  father  was  a  native  of 
Speucertown,  N.  Y.,  and  gave  the  name  to  that  place.  The  family  removed  to  INIacomb 
in  1S3U,  and  settled  in  Richmond  Township,  where  the  father  died  in  187(),  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five;  the  mother  died  in  18()(5.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married,  June  12, 
1844,  to  Mary  Chamberlin,  who  was  born  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  March  18,  1818. 
After  mai-riage,  he  bought  land  on  Section  27,  Armada,  which  "he  partly  cleared,  and  then 
sold,  buying  again  on  Section  14,  which  he  kept  till  1871,  when  he  removed  to  the  village 
of  Armada,  where  he  still  resides:  have  had  seven  children,  foiu-  of  whom,  sons,  are  still  liv- 
ing. Mr  Spencer  has  held  office  in  the  township  twenty-eight  years  (Justice  of  the 
Peace);  always  a  Democrat,  but  often  elected  by  Republicans. 

JAMES  STEPHENS,  son  of  James  Stephens,  of  Scotland,  was  born  in  that  country 
September  2,  1817;  left  his  fatherland  in  1841  to  become  a  farmer  in  Michigan.  He 
Ijciught  land  in  Lapeer  County,  on  the  line  of  Macomb,  in  1848,  where  he  resided  some 
yi'ars.     He  afterward  bought  a  farm  on  Section   7,  Armada  Township,  where  he  now  re- 


it^ 


HISTORY   or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


sides.  Married,  Janiiaiy  0,  1848,  Anna  Morton,  daughter  of  James  Morton.  Their  chil- 
dren's record  is  as  follows:  Margaret,  born  November  11,  1848,  mamed  and  lives  in 
Ai-mada  Tovmship  :  Agnes  W.,  born  August  27.  1850.  married  and  lives  in  Bruce 
Township;  James  B. ,  born  March  16,  18<i(),  married  and  lives  in  Romeo;  Thomas  M., 
born  November  24,  1855,  married  and  lives  in  Vassar,  Mich. ;  Anna  M.,  born  March 
23,  1858,  man-ied  and  lives  in  Bruce  ToANTiship;  Andrew  H.,  born  April  3,  1860;  John 
W..  born  May  21,  1863;  Mertou  H..  born  September  8,  1866;  George  B..  born  September 
28.  1868.  Mrs.  Stephens  was  born  January  28,  1825,  in  Scotland.  Mi'.  Stephens  is  a 
fanner,  and  owns  325  acres,  and  is  a  successful  grower  of  whoat.  He  has  been  a  promi- 
nent member  of  several  organizations;  a  professor  of  religion,  with  his  wife,  for  many 
years;  a  leader  in  Sundav  school,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 

JOHN  H.  STUMP,  "son  of  Levi  Stump,  of  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  was  born  in  Ai-- 
mada  Township  Ajjril  23,  1855;  moved  to  his  present  farm,  known  as  the  Albert  Aldi'ich 
fann,  consisting  of  140  acres,  in  the  fall  of  1877;  was  married,  August  21),  1877,  to  Fran- 
ces A.  Ai-nold,  of  Ai-mada;  they  have  no  children.  He  is  a  general  farmer  and  dealer  in 
grain.     Mrs.  Stump  was  born  April  15,  1858. 

ABEL  SUMNER,  born  in  New  Brunswick  June  17,  1793.  In  early  life  he  moved  to 
Vermont,  thence  to  Canada,  coming  to  Macomb  in  1841;  settled  on  land  on  Section  2, 
Ai'uiada  Township,  which  he  improved  and  occupied  previous  to  1871,  since  which  time 
he  has  lived  with  a  daughter,  Mi's.  Ingi-aham.  Mi-s.  Sumner,  formerly  Miss  Ruth  Orms- 
by,  born  at  Middlebuvy,  Vt.,  in  1803,  died  in  Armada  February  10.  1860,  at  tifty-seven 
years  of  age.  The  children  of  this  marriage  are  live  in  number,  four  now  living.  Mr. 
Sumner  is  a  pensioner  of  the  war  of  1812;  was  a  musician  at  that  time,  and  is  still  liv- 
ing. 

DR.  JOHN  M.  SUMNER,  sou  of  Abel  and  Ruth  (Ormsby)  Siunner.  was  born  in  Lon- 
don, Westminster,  Canada  West,  September  3,  1836;  was  a  farmer  till  i-eaching  the  age 
of  twenty-foiu*,  when  he  liegan  the  practice  of  medicine  as  the  result  of  his  own  study  and 
observation,  and  is  engaged  in  practice  at  the  present  time.  December  11,  ]85'.>,  he  mar- 
ried Julietta  Holms,  and  has  two  childien — Sarah  J.,  born  September  15,  1865,  and  John 
S. ,  born  August  H>,  1867.  Mrs.  Sumner  was  born  in  Armada  January  27,  1838.  The 
Doctor  has  a  small  farm  in  connection  with  his  practice. 

JONAS  S.  SUTTON,  son  of  Amsey  and  Abigail  (Dowd)  Sutton,  he  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  she  of  Connecticut;  was  boi-n  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y..  March  17,  1835;  removed 
to  Macomb  County  in  1837,  with  the  family,  and  settled  in  Ray  Township,  where  they  lived 
for  eight  years,  then  to  Section  32  in  Armada  and  lived  nine  years,  then  to  Richmond  ^nd 
lived  for  eighteen  years,  then  again  to  Ai'mada,  where  he  has  lived  the  past  twelve  years. 
Married,  March  20,  1856,  Calista,  daughter  of  Asahel  Bernard,  who  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut;  she  was  born  March  9,  1835;  their  childi'en  are  as  follows:  Hattie  A.,  born 
January  18,  1857,  died  March  26,  1858;  Hattie  J.,  born  April  27,  1858,  died  November 
18,  18r;2:  Willie  A.,  born  August  27,  1864;  Eddie  W.,  born  July  24,  1866.  After  his 
marriage,  Mr.  Sutton  engaged  in  business  as  a  machinist  and  engineer  for  twenty  years; 
since  that  time,  has  followed  the  occupation  of  a  painter.  He  is  a  tine  singer,  and  teaches 
music,  and  leads  thechiu'ch  music.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican.  Mrs.  Sutton's  parents 
were  natives  of  .Connecticut,  and  moved  to  Macomb  in  1844;  father  died  in  1866,  and 
mother  died  in  1872. 

HIRAM  TAYLOR,  son  of  Levi  and  Rhoda  Madison  Taylor,  of  Connecticut,  was  born 
at  Rutland,  Vt.,  September  10,  1811.  His  mother's  people  were  from  Rhode  Island,  and 
were  of  English  descent;  came  from  the  to^vnship  of  Clarendon,  Vt.,  to  Maeoml)  County, 
Mich.,  June  17,  1846,  and  bought  a  farm  of  200  acres  on  Section  32,  Armada  Township, 
for  which  he  paid  $3,601),  on  which  he  still  resides.  Mr.  Taylor  was  married,  October 
44 


#- 


31,  1834,  to  Ann  Melissa  Walker,  of  Clarendon,  Rutland  Co.,  Vt.  They  have  had  two 
children — Melissa  Ann.  born  at  Clarendon,  Rutland  County,  March  19,  1836,  married  Mr. 
Moses  WjTnan,  of  Ontai'io  County.  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  October,  1872:  she  married  again, 
Andi'cw  Adams,  and  now  resides  in  Aubui'n,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich.;  Sarah,  born  August  23, 
1837,  and  died  September  24,  ISSI,  at  the  old  home.  Mrs.  Taylor  died  October  4.  1873, 
aged  tifty-eight.  When  Mr.  Taylor  moved  from  Vermont,  he  brought  forty  thorough 
Merino  sheep,  for  which  he  paid  from  $U>  to  $15  a  head.  He  has  been  a  careful  breeder 
of  fine  sheep,  and  has  made  several  importations,  at  a  later  date  bringing,  at  one  time,  a 
flock  of  nearly  one  hundred  sheep.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Vermont, 
and,  although  not  uniting  with  any  church  here,  his  preference  has  been  toward  that 
church;  cast  his  tirst  vote  for  Jackson,  and  has  been  a  Democrat  since. 

MRS.  MARCIA  THURSTON,  daughter  of  Jesse  Bishop,  of  Bruce  Township,  was 
bom  March  K),  1845:  married  to  Manly  Thm'ston,  sou  of  B.  H.  Thurston,  October  15, 
18H2;  after  marriage,  resided  on  the  farm  of  his  father  one  year,  then  bought  the  farm 
on  Section  18  known  as  the  Donaldson  farm,  on  which  the  family  still  reside.  Mr.  Thurs- 
ton died  March  3.  1870.  They  had  four  childi-en,  three  of  whom  are  still  living  on  the 
homestead.  Mrs.  Thm-ston  has  erected  a  tine  and  commodious  residence,  and  has  a  tine 
and  prosperous  farm  business.  She  is  and  has  for  many  years  been  connected  with  the 
Christian  Chiu'ch  of  Romeo:  a  fine  musician,  vocal  and  instrumental,  and  a  prominent 
worker  in  the  Sabbath  school.  Lillian,  born  October  29,  18(53,  died  October  24,  1879; 
Henry  J.,  born  August  2,  1865;  Abbie  L.,  born  September  27,  1867;  Manly  W.,  born  Jan- 
uary <),  1870. 

"  BENJAMIN  H.  THURSTON,  son  of  Joseph  Thurston,  was  born  October  22,  1816; 
removed  from  New  York  to  Macomb  with  his  parents  about  1832  and  settled  on  Section 
19,  in  Armada  Townshij):  spent  his  boyhood  at  home  and  received  the  homestead  farm; 
was  married.  September  29,  1839,  to  Electa  Sperry,  of  Pennsylvania,  who  was  bo)'n  Sep- 
tember 14,  1820.  They  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  still  living.  Mrs.  Thurston 
died  June  14.1849.  He  then  married  Mrs.  Ruth  B.  Brown.  April  28.  1852.  who  died 
March  1,  1873;  married  again.  September  23.  1873,  to  Mi-s.  Caroline  Hamilton,  who  died 
October  20.  1875.  Mr.  Thurston  has  always  been  a  tii'm  supporter  of  the  anti-slavery 
movement,  and  a  Christian  in  foiin  of  worship. 

SETH  E.  WALKER,  youngest  son  of  Richard  Walker,  was  born  in  Armada  May  21, 
1851.  He  came  into  possession  of  the  home  farm  in  1872.  and  still  occupies  the  same. 
It  consists  of  200  acres,  situated  on  Section  16,  Armada  Townshij).  He  was  married, 
November  16,  1875,  to  Carrie  I.  Draper,  of  Warsaw.  N.  Y.  They  have  one  child,  Charles 
R.,  Ijorn  September  13,  1877.  Mr.  Walker  is  a  successful  farmer,  and  has  always  been  a 
Republican  in  folitics,  and  Congregational  in  form  of  worship. 

RICHARD  AVALKER,  deceased,  was  born  at  Georgetown,  Md..  September  4,  1797, 
removed  with  his  father's  family  to  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  man-ied  Elenor, 
daughter  of  .John  Ray,  of  the  latter  place,  and  removed  to  Macomb  County  in  the  spring 
of  184  4  and  in  night  a  large  fann  on  Section  16,  Armada,  which  he  cleared  and  improved, 
and  where  he  died  April  23,  1879.  Mrs.  Walker  was  born"  in  Bennington  County,  Vt. , 
who  died  at  the  home  in  Armada,  and  he  afterward  married  a  Mips  Tibbits.  who  still 
survives.      They  had  ten  children,  fom*  of  whom  still  live. 

IDDO  WARNER,  son  of  John  Warner,  of  Vermont,  was  born  Februan-  11,  1796, 
and  came  to  Macomb  June  12,  1824,  in  Washington  Township,  where  he  lived  three  years, 
then  moved  to  Ai-mada  and  settled  on  Section  31,  on  the  North  Branch  of  the  Clinton 
River,  where  he  lived  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took  place  August  15,  1852. 
He  was  married.  July  13,  1819.  to  Sophia  Phillips,  at  Lima,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  and 
had  three  children — Julia,  born  August  1.  1820,  married  J.  Smith,  and  died  July  9,  1878; 

•^  G f—  -^ 5)   ^  ' 


i 


jyj 


James,  born  September  11,  1824,  living  in  Armada  Township;  Elizabeth,  born  March 
U.  1835,  married  Robert  Coykendall  and  lives  at  Romeo.  IVL's.  Warner  still  lives  with 
her  son. 

JAMES  I.  WARNER,  son  of  Iddo  and  Sophia  (Phillips)  Warner,  was  born  at  \^'ash- 
ington  Village,  Macomb  County.  September  11,  1824;  moved  with  the  family  to  the  farm 
on  the  "  Branch,"  where  he  lived  till  June.  LSoO,  when  he  piu'chased  the  Gates  farm.  Section 
IS,  Armada,  where  he  still  resides;  was  married,  June  2'K  1847,  to  Spedee  Bishop,  who 
was  born  at  Ontario  County.  N.  Y. ,  and  died  July  1).  1852.  They  had  two  children — 
Ellen,  born  April  22, 1848,  man-ied  Norman  Peny  and  lives  in  Armada  Township;  Georg© 
I.,  born  June  2f).  1852,  and  lives  in  Armada  Township;  married  again.  June  28,  1854.  to 
Jane  Walton,  who  died  Aiaril  13,  18()(l;  had  one  child,  Terry,  born  November  '.).  1857,. 
died  April.  18(')2;  again  married,  July  2,  1872,  to  Phcebe  Wilder,  of  Armada  Township. 
Mr.  Warner  has  added  to  the  original  purchase  of  land  784  acres,  situated  in  various  parts 
of  the  State.  He  has  erected  one  of  the  finest  and  most  substantial  farmhouses  in  the 
county,  good  bai'ns  and  sheds,  wind-mills,  and  all  the  requirements  for  a  first-class  farm 
business:  in  politics,  alwavs  a  RepiTblican. 

REUBEN  WAKRENER  was  born  at  Royal  Oak,  Oakland  County.  July  2U.  1832. 
He  is  the  son  of  John  Wan'ener,  of  Brighton,  near  London,  England.  Reuben  came  to 
this  county  in  1855,  and  married,  Jtily  4,  1855,  Lydia,  daughter  of  Nathan  Rowley,  and 
bought  a  portion  of  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law,  where  he  now  resides.  Section  7.  Armada 
Township.  They  had  two  children — Maiy.  born  October  5,  185<),  died  Janiiary  11,  1857; 
Abbie,  born  July  25,  1802,  married  E.  J.  Cross  and  lives  on  the  homestead.  Mi\  War- 
rener  enlLsted,  August  Vl,  18(')2,  in  Company  B.  Twenty-second  Michigan  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  served  three  years.  He  participated  in  six  engagements,  and  served  in  military 
prison,  and  contracted  diseases  from  which  he  still  suffers;  is  Republican  in  his  politics, 

STEPHEN  S.  WELLS  was  born  November  3,  1813,  in  Ulster  County,  N.  Y.  His 
father,  Charles  Wells,  of  the  same  place,  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  1828;  settled  one 
and  a  half  miles  south  of  Romeo;  after  some  years,  removed  to  Section  8,  Armada,  which 
he  cleared  from  the  stump,  and  where  he  died  in  1844.  Mrs.  Wells  was  Anna  Hood,  a 
relative  of  Thomas  Hood,  the  poet,  and  was  born  in  Ulster  County,  and  died  in  1859. 
They  had  nine  children,  fom-  of  whom  still  live.  On  the  death  of  his  father,  Stephen  as- 
sumed control  of  the  homestead,  and  maiTied  Sarah  Stiles  in  1S38;  she  dying,  he  married 
Sarah  Hunt,  who  died  in  1847;  next  married  Isabella  Tuttle,  in  18()0;  he  then  mai-ried 
Lemira  Church,  who,  with  her  Husband,  still  lives  on  the  farm.  They  have  had  six  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  still  live. 

JOHN  AVILDER,  son  of  Artemus  and  Catherine  Sherburne  Wilder,  was  born  at  Lan- 
caster, N.  H..  January  1,  1812.  His  grandfather,  Artemus  Wilder,  a  native  of  England, 
was  a  Major  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  served  to  its  close,  and  died  at  Lancaster  in 
1808.  The  father  was  born  at  Lancaster  in  1707  where  he  lived  imtil  the  year  1810,  then 
removed  to  Quebec,  thence  to  Kingston  when  that  place  was  a  small  village,  surrounded 
by  a  brush  fence,  and  was  engaged  in  the  business  of  butchering.  He  died  of  cholera  in 
1832.  His  mother  was  a  native  of  Portland.  Me.,  daughter  oi  Harry  Sherburne,  of  that 
place,  of  English  descent.  -She  died  at  Wolf  Island,  St.  Lawrence  River,  in  1858.  John 
moved  with  the  family  to  Kingston,  where  he  lived  till  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which 
took  place  August  8,  1835,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Hemy  and  Hannah  (Wright)  Harvey,  of 
English  descent,  who  came  to  Kingston,  Canada,  in  1822.  Mary  was  boi-n  September  25, 
1815.  When  he  moved  to  Wolf  Island,  St.  LawTence  River,  he  cleared  u)i  a  farm  of  fifty 
acres  from  a  wilderness,  which  he  bought  for  $5  per  acre  and  sold  for  §52  per  acre.  As 
a  sample  of  what  Macomb  people  can  do,  we  mention  the  following:  Reaching  Wolf 
I.-^land,  Mr.  Wilder,  with  his  wife,  moved  into  a  fisherman's  hut,  which  had  a  fire-place  in 


^' 


716  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


one  comer  and  a  hole  in  the  roof  through  which  the  smoke  might  escape.  Soon  after,  he 
got  the  help  of  neighbors  and  built  a  log  house  13x20,  and  had  lumber  enough  to  cover 
half  the  roof  and  half  the  floor;  diu'ing  the  tirst  summer,  had  neither  door  nor  window, 
but.  used  a  bed-ijuilt  to  hang  before  the  hole  where  there  ought  to  be.  These  were  at  last 
provided,  second-hand,  fi'om  an  old  building  in  the  vicinity.  Wolves  were  fierce  and 
plenty,  and  at  one  time  attacked  Mr.  Wilder's  cattle,  which  at  once  formed  in  a  circle, 
the  calves  and  young  cattle  in  the  center,  and  the  cows  and  oxen  on  the  oiitside.  One 
wolf  was  shot,  and  the  others  Hed.  Mrs.  Wilder  worked  at  clearing  laud  all  day,  with  a 
baby  in  a  cradle  near  at  hand,  and  with  a  small  lioy  with  a  bell  on  his  neck  to  keej) 
him  from  being  lost.  The  wolves  were  at  length  driven  fi'om  the  island  by  a  raid  of  all 
the  inhabitants.  After  selling  the  farm  on  the  island,  Mr.  Wilder  pm'chased  land  in 
Wales,  St.  Clair  Co.,  Mich.,  but,  on  account  of  his  wife's  ill  health,  concluiled  to  pm-chase 
an  imjtroved  place.  After  consiilerable  search,  he  bought  the  farm  of  about  one  hundred 
acres  on  Section  27  of  Armada  Township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Wilder's  fam- 
ily consists  of  the  following:  John  W.,  born  at  Kingston  July  8,  183(i,  died  at  home 
February  11,  I8t)l;  Henry  L.,  born  at  Kingston  January  13,  1837,  now  living  in  Armada 
Township;  Catherine  H.,  born  on  Wolf  Island  December  2,  1839,  maiTied  and  living  in 
llomeo  Village;  William  H.,  born  on  Wolf  Island  December  4,  1841,  served  in  the  war  of 
of  the  rebellion,  and  died  at  home  in  July,  1874;  Jonas  W.,  born  on  Wolf  Island  August 
6,  1843,  married  and  lives  in  Armada  Township;  Phebe  E.,  born  on  Wolf  Island,  Septem- 
ber 14,  1845,  married  and  lives  in  Armada  Township;  Samuel  S.,  born  on  Wolf  Island  Sep- 
tember 25.  1847,  married  and  lives  in  Armada  Tovmship;  Artemas  T.,  born  on  Wolf  Island 
August  24.  1S51,  married  and  living  in  Armada  Township;  Albert  P. ,  born  on  Wolf  Island 
1  )c(i'iiil>i'i'  S.  \S'i:].  married  and  lives  in  Armada  Township;  Almira,  born  on  Wolf  Island 
Fel)ruary  in.  IS.'iC),  died  at  the  homestead  February  17,  1874;  Isaac  11.,  born  at  Ai-mada 
June  10,  18<)(),  died  April  li),  18()1.  Mr.  Wilder  has  always  been  a  liepublican  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  Methodist  in  i-eligion.  Mr.  W^ilder  favors  the  Established  Chm-ch.  She  boasts 
of  having  fiu-nished  from  her  family  seven  votes  for  Garfield.  Mr.  Wilder  is  a  hale  and 
hearty  man;  never  has  taken  a  dose  of  medicine  in  his  life.  He  has  never  drunk  intoxi- 
cants nor  used  tobacco  in  any  form — an  example  followed  by  all  his  large  family.  He  has 
one  of  the  most  sightly,  pleasant  and  commodious  places  in  Armada  Township.  His  farm 
is  supplied  with  a  wind-mill,  good  barns,  and  all  the  necessary  appendages  of  a  prosper- 
ous business,  and  is  makinjj  the  product  of  milk  a  leading  feature. 

JOHN  H.  WILSON,  son  of  John  Wilson,  was  born'  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  Octo- 
ber 12,  1834;  he  came  to  St.  Clair  County  with  his  father's  family  in  1842,  vrho  settled 
in  the  woods  in  Berlin  Township,  in  St.  Clair  County,  in  a  bark-covered  hut.  In  1858, 
John  H.  bought  forty  acres  of  land  on  Section  (i.  Armada,  Macomb  County,  the  same  on 
which  he  now  resides.  He  was  maiTied.  October  13,  18(>0,  to  Mary  Shepherd,  who  was 
born  in  Perthshire,  .Scotland,  Octobers.  1839.  Their  childi'en  were  as  follows:  Albert  N., 
born  July  21,  1801;  Cyrus  T.,  born  May  0,  18()3,  died  March  17,  18<U;  Peter  H.,  born 
December  31,  1804;  Mary  J.,  lioru  January  7,  1807;  John  T.,  born  October  20.  1808; 
Robert  A.,  born  June  1,  1872;  Sarah  A.,  born  July  3,  1875;  David  S.,  born  June 
23.  1877;  James  W.,  born  October  4,  187U.  Mr.  Wilson  has  increased  the  acreage  of  his 
farm  by  125  acres;  has  a  tine  new  residence,  barn,  etc.;  he  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  a 
Qtiaker  in  religion;  he  is  also  connected  with  several  organizations. 


-I  "g 

5   "V 


■*      ^  )^. 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

SHELBY     TOWNSHIP. 

The  township  is  well  watered,  the  principal  stream  being  the  (Jlinton  River,  which 
enters  the  township  about  the  center  of  its  western  boundary,  and  traverses  the  southwest 
quarter  of  the  township  until  it  enters  Sterling.  Next  in  importance  as  a  stream  and 
water-power  is  the  race,  which  was  made  out  of  the  old  Clinton  &  Kalamazoo  Canal. 
This  canal  was  projected  in  1837,  and  constructed  in  1888.  It  was  the  original  intention 
of  the  constructors  to  complete  it  from  Mt.  Clemens  to  Kalamazoo,  a  distance  of  about  172 
miles,  but  it  was  never  finished  farther  than  Rochester,  in  Oakland  County,  and  never 
navigated  but  from  Mt.  Clemens  to  Utica,  some  twelve  miles.  It  has,  since  its  discontin- 
uance as  a  navigable  thoroughfare,  been  used  as  a  race  to  sujiply  motive-jiower  to  the 
Utica  mills,  for  which  purpose  it  is  practically  adapted.  The  land  is  level  and  fertile. 
In  some  sections,  however,  it  may  be  considered  slightly  undulating  and  sandy. 

In  1850,  the  amounts  of  cereals,  grain  and  general  agricultural  productions  were  as 
follows:  Wheat.  10.286  bushels;  corn,  30,073  bushels:  all  other  kinds  of  grain,  princi- 
pally oats,  barley  and  lye,  12,991  bushels;  potatoes.  12,174  bushels;  wool.  19,509  pounds. 
Dairy  products — butter,  28,940  pounds:  cheese,  3,548  pounds.  Contrasted  with  there- 
turns  made  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1873,  the  showing  stands;  "Wheat,  12,011 
bushels;  com,  38,000  bushels;  all  other  kinds  of  grain,  41,170  bushels:  potatoes,  14,380 
bushels;  wool,  20,010  pounds.  Dairy  products — butter,  37,086  pounds;  cheese,  15,575 
pounds.     The  largest  increase  is  shown  in  wool  and  dairy  produce. 

In  1850,  the  population  was  set  down  at  1,482.  Thirty  years  later,  in  1880,  it  was 
1,650.  The  advance  in  population  has  not  been  remarkable,  but  the  increase  of  wealth, 
of  production  and  the  social  advances  made  form  a  higher  testimony  in  favor  of  the  in- 
habitants. They  prove  that  it  is  not  the  number,  but  rather  the  quality,  of  the  laborers 
that  builds  up  a  State  or  any  section  of  a  State. 

The  first  American  settlers  of  the  township  were  Nathaniel  Squier,  George  Hanscom. 
Elias  Wilcox,  Joseph  Miller,  Ezra  Burgess,  Elder  Abel  Warren,  Peleg  Ewell,  Ii-a  Preston, 
Joseph  Lester,  the  Axfords,  Owens  and  others,  whose  names  are  recorded  in  other  pages  of 
this  work. 

Thomas  Squier  was  the  first  white  inhabitant  who  died  in  the  town  of  Shelby.  He 
was  a  brother  of  Hiram  Squier,  by  whom  he  was  buried.  Joelamy  Squier,  a  half-sister 
of  Thomas  Squier,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  township,  her  birth  occmring  in 
July,  1817.  She  married  James  Muir  at  an  early  day.  and  is  now  known  as  the  Widow 
Muir.  of  Almont,  where  she  still  resides. 

ORGANIC. 

The  township  of  Shelby  was  erected  under  authority  given  in  the  legislative  enact- 
ment of  April  12,  1827.  and  the  first  town  meeting  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  house  of 
Perez  Swift,  the  last  Monday  in  May  following.  Shelby  originally  comprised  Towns  2 
and  3  north,  in  the  twelfth  range  east. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Shelby  for  the  purpose  of  electing  town  officers 
was  held  at  the  house  of  Perez  Swift.  Calvin  Davis  presided,  with  Abijah  Owen,  Clerk. 
The  result  of  this  election  was  the  choice  of  Joseph  Lester,  for  Supervisor:  Abel  Warren, 


^^ 


Clerk;  Solomon  Wales,  Jedediah  Messenger,  William  A.  Davis,  Assessors;  Eleazer  Scott, 
Amasa  Messenger  and  Rnssell  Audrns,  Overseers  of  the  Poor;  William  Arnold  and  Isaac 
Russ,  Constables;  Nun  Moe  and  Elias  Wilcox,  Overseers  of  Highways;  Enoch  Huntley, 
Isaac  Russ,  Elon  Dudley,  Orison  Withey,  Road  Commissioners ;  Eleazer  Scott  and  George 
Hanscom,  Pound-keepers;  Joseph  Lester,  Abel  Warren,  Solomon  Wales,  William  A.  Davis 
and  Jedediah  Messenger  presided  as  Inspectors  of  Elections. 

TOWN    KOSTER. 

Supervisors —Joseph  Li^ster,  1827-28;  Samuel  Axford,  1828-35;  Ephraim  Calkins, 
1835-88;  County  Commissioners,  1838-43;  Oliver  Adams,  1843-45;  Pavne  K.  Leech, 
1845-46;  Oliver' Adams,  1840-48;  Jacob  Scrambling,  1848-49;  Philander  Ewell,  1849- 
57;  WiUard  A.  Wales,  1857-60;  Philander  Ewell.  1860-61;  Pavne  K  Leech,  1861-62; 
Willard  A.  Wales,  1862-63;  Chauncey  W.  Whitney,  1863-65;  Philander  Ewell,  1865- 
66;  Willard  A.  Wales,  1866-68;  Phillip  Price,  1868-69;  VVillai-d  A.  Wales,  1869-71; 
Pavne  K.  Leech,  1871-73;  James  S.  Lawson,  1873-74;  Albert  L.  Gofi".  1874-82. 

Clerks— Abel  Warren,  1827-28;  John  Chapman,  1829;  Solomon  Wales,  1830;  Will- 
iam A.  Davis,  1831-33;  P.  B.  Thurston,  1834;  D  M.  Price,  1835-36;  Orson  Sheldon, 
1837;  Orville  Morrison,  183S;  James  B.  Carter,  1839;  C  .W.  Chappel,  1840;  Hareligh, 
Carter,  1841-42;  D.  M.  Price,  1843-44;  Jacob  Summers,  1845;  Francis  B.  Chappel,  1846; 
Giu-donG.  Deshore,  1847;  Francis  R.  Chapel,  1848;  Hareligh  Carter,  1849;  W.  W.  An- 
drus,  1850;  Philip  Price,  1851;  Hareligh  Carter,  1852;  Chauncev  W.  Whitney,  1853; 
William  Browuell,  1854;  Elan  Chapin,  1855;  P.  H.  Knight,  1856;  C.  W.  Weston,  1857- 
58;  John  O.  Smith,  1859;  Alonzo  M.  Keeler,  1860;  Marvin  Satler,  1861;  Josiah  Kings- 
bury, 1862-63,  Albert  L.  Goff,  1864;  Isaac  Monfore.  1865;  Philip  Price,  1866-67;  James 
S.  Lawson,  1868-70;  Aug.  E.  Bacon,  1871-73;  M.  C.  Keller.  1874;  Milton  B.  Salter, 
1875;  George  T.  Connor,  1876;  William  S.  Andrews,  1877;  Gm-don  C.  Leech,  1878-80; 
Frank  F.  Williams,  188L 

Treasm-ers— Elias  Wilcox,  1827-28;  Nun  Moe,  1829;  Josiah  Lockwood,  1830;  Na- 
thaniel Squiere,  1831;  Joseph  Lester,  1832;  A.  D.  Yemmons,  1833;  Josiah  T.  Robinson, 
1834;  George  E.  Adair,  1835;  Albert  G.  Fuller,  1836;  Jesse  B.  Gridley.  1837;  Josiah 
Price,  1838-42;  Layman  B.  Price,  1843-45;  Jacob  Summers,  1846;  George  Price,  1847; 
James  B.  St.  John,  1848;  Walter  Porter,  1849;  George  W.  Summers,  1850;  George  St. 
John,  1851;  James  Cheney,  1852;  William  Brownell,  1853;  John  G.  Marsh,  1854;  P. 
H.  Knight,  1855;  Jervis  Winaus,  1856;  George  King,  1857;  Isaac  C.  Cross,  1858;  Ste- 
phen s;  Merrill,  1859;  Orrin  Goflf,  1860;  Haswell  H.  Church,  1861-62;  Ephraim  Par- 
menter,  1863;  Cyros  C.  Ladd,  1864;  John  W.  Master,  1865;  Samuel  Ladd,  1866;  Alson 
Haines,  1867;  William  Rowley,  1868-69;  David  B.  Aiidrews,  1870;  Milo  Bacon,  1871; 
Gurdon  C.  Leech,  1872-73;  Ralph  Wilcox,  1874;  Reuben  T.  St.  John,  1875-70;  George 
T.  Connor,  1877;  Reuben  T.  St.  John,  1878-79;  William  S.  Andrus,  1880;  Martin  C. 
Keeler,  1881. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Daniel  W.  Phillips,  Orson  Sheldon,  John  Chapman,  Russell 
Goff,  1836;  Daniel  W.  Phillips,  1837:  Orson  Sheldon,  1838;  Harlehigh  Carter,  1839; 
Russell  Goff,  1840;  C.  B.  H.  Fessenden,  James  Cheeney.  1841;  Carey  Worden,  1842; 
Hareligh  Carter,  1843;  Layman  B.  Price,  1844;  Jacob  Summers,  1845;  Carey  Worden, 
1846;  Jacob  N.  Merrill,  1847;  Elam  Chapin.  Hareligh  Carter,  1848;  Jacob  Summers, 
1849;  O.  Morrison,  Harlehigh  Carter,  1851;  Joshua  Price,  Orvill  Morrison,  Timothy  J. 
Marvin,  1853;  Edmund  P.  Adair,  1854;  Orrin  Wilcox,  1857;  Joseph  Moser,  1858;  La- 
fayette Warren,  1859;  Alonzo  M.  Keeler,  1856;  Alonzo  M.  Keeler,  1860;  C.  W.  Whitney, 
1801;  James  S.  Kelly,  1802;  Lafayette  Warren,  1863;  Alex  W.  Warner,  Oliver  Adams, 
1864;  David  W.  Price,  Chester  Andrews,  John  Lintz,  1865;  C.  W.  Whitney,  Isaac  C. 
Cross,  1866;    Alonzo  M.  Keeler,  1867;    Alex  Grant,   Isaac  C.   Cross,   1868;    Palmer  N. 


r 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Baker,  Hiram  D.  Runyan,  1869;  Alexander  Grant,  1870;  Samuel  W.  Phillips,  1871 
Isaac  C.  Gross,  1872;  Palmer  N.  Baker,  1873;  James  H.  Boughton,  P.  Price,  1874;  J, 
Newton  Montfort,  Harvey  Wilcox,  1875;  Alexander  Grant,  1876;  George  H  Cannon,  M 
Firman,  1877;  J.  H.  Boughton,  A.  B.  Adams,  1878;  William  Moe,  1879;  James  Williams 
William  Moe,  1880;   Harvey  Wilcox.  1881. 

The  elections  of  1882,  resulted  as  follows:  Supervisor,  A.  L.  Goft'.  Democrat,  194 
Haswell  Church,  Republican,  155;  Democratic  majority,  39.  Clerk,  W.  H.Marvin,  Repub- 
lican, 185;  R.  J.  St.  John,  Democrat,  167;  Republican  majority,  18.  Treasurer,  H.  J.  Swit- 
zer,  Republican,  265;  D.  E.  Pearsall,  Democrat,  79;  Republican  majority,  186. 

scnoOL.s. 
The  schools  of  Shelby  Township  are  singularly  fortunate  in  management.  From 
that  time  referred  to  in  the  chapter  of  pioneer  history,  when  the  education  of  youth  was  a 
matter  of  great  difficulty,  the  peoj)le  have  attended  to  school  interests  in  a  manner  marked 
by  solicitude.  To-day,  there  are  seven  school  districts,  each  possessing  a  good  school 
building.  No.  1,  comprised  in  Utica,  claims  a  brick  schoolhouse  valued  at  if  10,000.  The 
number  of  children  enrolled  is  339.  No.  3  building  is  valued  at  .fUOOO,  $800  of  which 
sum  is  due.  Number  of  children,  sixty-four.  No.  4  (fractional)  is  attended  by  sixty- 
three  pupils.  The  building  is  valued  at  $1,500.  No.  5  is  a  brick  structure  valued  at  $1,- 
400,  and  capable  of  seating  forty-seven  pupils.  No.  5  (fractional),  a  frame  building,  val- 
Tied  at  $450.  This  school  is  attended  by  122  children.  No.  6  claims  sixty-one  children 
of  sohool  age,  and  a  frame  building  valued  at  $1,000.  No.  8  (fi'actional)  has  a  brick 
building,  vahied  at  $1,000.  The  number  of  children  belonging  is  thirty-three.  The  total 
number  of  children  of  school  age  in  the  town  of  Shelbj'  in  1881  was  729,  of  which  nmn- 
ber  about  80  per  cent  attended  school. 

UTICA    VILLAGE. 

The  present  village  of  Utica  was  named  Harlow  by  Joseph  Stead.  In  1833,  a  num- 
ber of  Americans  who  had  settled  in  the  neighborhood,  assembled  at  Elias  Scott's  house  to 
adopt  a  name  for  the  village,  when  Gm'don  C.  Leech  proposed  the  name  Utica,  which 
name  was  adopted.  Among  the  settlers  in  1831  were  John  James,  Gurdon  C.  and  Payne 
K.  Leech,  William  A.   Davis  and  family,  William  Smith,    Ethan  Squiers,  Elias   Scott, 

Joseph  Stead,  George  E.  Adair,  E.  P.  Adair,  Lyman  Wentworth. Sparks,  the  Chapel 

brothers,  B.  L.  Watkins.  B.  Kittridge,  Peter  Moe,  Lyman  T.  Jenny,  Job  Hoxie,  Jedediah 
Messenger,  Amasa  Messenger,  Asa  Huntley, .  Jonathan  Allen,  Joseph  Lester,  Luman 
Squiers  and  Anthony  King.     In  1832,  a  large  number  located  in  the  neighborhood. 

William  Smith  was  the  first  Postmaster;  Benjamin  Kittridge  kept  the  first  tavern. 
A.  B.  Cooley,  who  afterward  settled  at  Oshkosh,  Wis.,  was  considered  one  of  the  tii'st  and 
most  expert  counterfeiters  of  Utica. 

Previous  to  1828,  a  log  schoolhouse  stood  on  Cass  street.  Near  the  depot  was  a 
second  log  house,  in  which  school  was  taught  for  a  number  of  years.  One  of  the  best  re- 
membered teachers  of  this  time  was  Prescott  B.  Thurston. 

Adam  Price  built  a  grist  and  saw  mill  in  1828-29.  The  saw- mi  11  was  erected  in  1827 
by  Jacob  Price,  where  the  Utica  mills  now  stand.  At  the  same  time,  he  constructed  a 
race  from  the  river,  a  distance  of  thirty  rods,  which  gave  a  six-foot  fall. 

William  A.  Davis  built  a  distillery  at  Utica  previous  to  1828,  on  the  site  now  occu- 
pied by  Lyman  Fuller's  house.  Payne  K.  Leech  erected  the  second  distillery  about  1831. 
This  was  located  opposite  the  present  Utica  mills.  James  Stephens  built  the  third  dis- 
tillery about  1843  or  1844.  In  1845,  Charles  W.  Chapel  built  the  fom-th  distillery  on  the 
canal.  Mr.  Wentworth,  at  present  of  Utica,  and  one  of  its  most  enterjn-ising  citizens, 
was  connected  with  one  of  those  early  industries. 


720  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

Richard  L.  Clarke,  President  of  the  Utica  Bank,  was  well  known  in  those  early  days. 
The  company  redeemed  all  notes,  enabling  the  people  to  state  that  "  it  was  a  very  good 
bank  for  a  wild-cat  bank." 

The  Library  Association  was  formed  at  Utica  about  1S3(5,  a  few  years  before  the 
Utica  Lyceum  was  organized. 

The  Utica  foundry,  operated   by  James  Carter   and Covell,  stood  on  the  site  of 

the  Clinton  House.     The  upper  Hoor  formed  the  meeting-house  of  the  Presbyterians. 

In  1846,  D.  M.  Price  and  C.  W.  Chapel  built  the  Canal  Mills,  It  was  a  general 
thins  to  turn  out  10(1  barrels  of  Hour  every  morning.  This  continued  until  the  construc- 
tion of  the  jilank  road  via  New  Baltimore  diverted  trade. 

Under  an  act  apjiroved  March  9,  1838,  that  portion  of  Shellty  and  Jefferson  (Ster- 
ling) Townships,  comjirisiug  the  northwest  corner  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  33, 
in  Town  3  north.  Range  12  east,  running  thence  east  one  and  a  half  miles  to  the  northeast 
corner  of  the  northwest  corner  (quarter)  of  Section  3,  in  Town  2,  north,  of  Range  12  e.ist; 
thence  westoneand  ahalf  miles,  to  thesouthwestcornerof  the  northwest  ijuarter  of  Section  4 
in  that  township,  and  thence  north  one  mile,  was  erected  with  a  village  to  be  named 
Utica,  and  the  tirst  village  meeting  was  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  schoolhouse  the  fii-st 
Monday  in  May,  1838.  Organization  was  eflected  under  this  act,  but  its  body  corporate 
ceased  to  have  an  actual  existence  after  a  short  time. 

In  the  general  history  of  Macomb,  reference  is  made  to  a  few  Canadians  who  squatted 
on  the  HaiTington  farm  during  the  absence  of  its  owner  at  Detroit,  and  remained  there 
until  Harrington  retm-ued  to  claim  his  land,  when  they  ijuietly  pushed  forward  westward 
and  located  on  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Utica.  Among  those  settlers  were  Mr. 
Hoxie,  referred  to  in  the  history  of  Komeo,  and  Mr.  Squiers,  the  oldest  resident  of  Shelby 
Township.  It  is  related  that  the  former  was  connected  with  the  lake  pirate — the  Black 
Snake — and  that  after  the  war  of  1812  was  over,  he,  with  a  few  companions,  sought  a 
refuge  in  the  wilds  north  of  Detroit.  Mr.  Squiers  arrived  in  1817.  The  Cowies,  Chapa- 
tons,  Siunmers,  St.  Johns  and  others  mentioned  in  the  list  of  original  land  purchasers, 
followed,  and  the  nucleus  of  the  village  was  formed. 

Utica  was,  years  ago,  connected  with  Detroit  by  a  railway  line  then  known  as  the 
Detroit  &  Shelby  Railroad,  a  strap  railroad,  operated  by  horse-power.  It  is  on  the  old 
Clinton  &  Kalamazoo  Canal,  which,  though  not  now  in  use,  affords  excellent  water-power 
for  oj)erating  two  large  Hour-mills  and  a  pulp  factory.  The  D.  &  B.  C.  R.  R.  passes 
through  the  village,  placing  it  twenty-fom-  miles  north  of  Detroit.  Mt.  Clemens,  the 
county  seat,  in  nine  miles  east.  The  village  contains  three  chiu'ches — Catholic,  Congre- 
gational and  Methodist — graded  school,  employing  five  teachers,  two  good  hotels — the 
"Exchange"  and  the  Clinton  House.  William  H.  Marvin  publishes  a  weekly  newspaper 
known  as  the  Utica  Sen/inel.  The  post  office  is  conducted  by  Mrs.  Julia  P.  Grant.  A 
Masonic  lodge,  a  musical  society  and  a  number  of  religious  associations  connected  with  the 
various  churches  are  in  existence.  The  Union  Schoolhouse  is  one  of  the  principal  evi- 
dences of  progress  within  the  village.  This  building  is  valued  at  !{il(),()0(),  and  points  out 
very  distinctly  the  intuitive  love  of  education  entertained  by  the  inhabitants. 

The  population  of  the  village,  according  to  the  census  of  1880,  is  ^uO.  Among  the 
business  and  professional  men  of  Utica,  in  the  past  and  present,  are  found  the  names  of 
Wm.  W.  Andrus,  Wm.  Bridges,  AVm.  Brownell,  Seth  K.  Shetterly,  Frank  F.  Williams,  Elam 
Moe,  William  Summers,  George  Wilkins,  James  Williams,  John  N.  Young,  Ralph  Wilcox, 
Edmund  P.  Adair,  Dominick  Chapaton,  Martin  Firman,  Alex  Grant,  Philip  A.  Knight, 
George  A.  Ladd,  James  Gramby,  Adam  Wagner,  John  Ruby,  Daniel  Robinson,  Peter 
Montfort,  C.  O.  Burgess,  James  Messmore,  M.  J.  Rorick,  James  H.  St  John,  Samuel  P. 
St.  John.  F.    J.  Simmons,  Gui-don  C.  Leech,   Lyman   Wentworth,  George  E.  Adair  and 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Charles  P.  Smith.  The  location  of  Utiea  is  very  favorable.  In  early  years,  the  place 
was  made  famous  by  its  enterprises.  It  was  the  last  settlement  in  Michigan  to  snifer  un- 
der the  effects  of  the  financial  crisis  of  1837.  and  ainong  the  fii-st  to  show  evidences  of  a 
business  revival.  Its  early  banking  institutions,  newspapers,  churches,  schools,  all  re- 
ferred to  in  other  sections  of  this  work,  point  out  Utica  to  bs  once  the  home  of  progi'ess. 
In  later  years,  it  seems  to  have  reached  the  limit  of  its  growth  but  more  recently  the  citi- 
zens have  shown    a  desire  to  advance   their  village,  which  desire  is  being  made  practical. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  village  of  Utica  was  incorporated  a  second  time,  May  10,  1877,  with  J.  N.  Young, 
President;  Alex  Grant.  Clerk:  S.  L.  DeKay,  Marshal;  Mes.s'rs.  E.  P.  Adair,  W.  H.  Har- 
vey, James  Kapps,  J.  H.  St.  John, Ladd  and Mitchell,  Trustees.      The  officers 

for  1878  were:  William  W.  Anckus.  President:  Alex  Grant,  Clerk;  E.  P.  Adair,  J.  H. 
St.  John,  J.  S.  Hollister,  Martin  Firman.  Elam  Moe,  AV.  H.  Harvev,  Trustees. 

The  officers  for  1879  were:  William  W.  Ancb-us,  President:  Frank  F.  W'illiams,  Sec- 
retary: James  H.  St.  John.  Daniel  Robinson,  ^^'.  H.  Harvey,  Marvin  Abernethy,  Elam 
Moe,  Trustees:  Gurdon  C.  Leech,  Treasurer;  S.  L.  De  Kay,  Street  Commissioner;  Stuart 
Beatty,  Constable;  Ralph  AA'ilcox,  Assessor. 

The  officers  for  1880  were:  William  W.  Andrus,  President:  F.  F.  Williams,  Clerk; 
J.  S.  Hollister,  M.  Firman,  Alex  Grant,  W.  H.  Harvey,  D.  Robinson,  J.  H.  St.  John, 
Trustees:  Gm-don  C.  Leech.  Treasurer:  R.  E.  Rogers,  Assessor. 

The  officers  for  1881-82  were:  William  H.  Hai-vey,  President:  F.  F.  Willams,  Clerk; 
CTurdon  L.  Leech,  Treasiu-er;  George  E.  Adair,  Assessor:  James  Kapps,  David  Robinson, 
James  H.  St.  John,  Maitin  Firman;  J.  S.  Hollister  and  Alex  Grant,  Trustees. 

The  village  officers  for  1882-83  are:  W"m.  H.  Harvey,  President;  Jehial  S.  Hollister, 
Charles  O.  Bm-gess,  Ralph  Wilcox,  Trustees;  Erastus  W.  Lawi-ence,  Clerk;  Stephen  D. 
Adams,  Treasm'er:  George  E.  Adair,  Assessor;  Andrew  T.  Sopher.  Street  Conamissioner; 
Francis  O.  Crocker,  Constable. 

DISCO  VILLAGE. 

The  hamlet  of  Disco  was  platted  in  1849.  The  owners  intended  that  the  place 
should  become  an  academical  town,  and  carried  out  that  intention.  The  men  interested 
in  this  laudable  enterprise  set  apart  ten  acres  of  land  and  an  endowment  fund  of  $1,000. 
In  1850,  the  academy  biiilding  was  erected,  and  Aloiizo  M  Keeler  appointed  Principal. 
Subsecjuently,  the  common  school  of  the  district  was  taken  under  the  academical  wing, 
and  so  the  building  continued  in  the  service  of  high  and  primary  education  until  1864, 
when  the  lower  floor  was  given  to  the  School  Trustees  and  the  upper  to  the  religious  so- 
cieties of  the  neighborhood. 

The  village  is  located  on  the  Middle  Branch  of  the  Clinton  River,  fourteen  miles 
northwest  of  the  county  seat  and  four  miles  north  of  Utica.  its  shipping- point.  Its  popu- 
lation is  110. 

The  principal  industries  of  the  village  are  comjirised  in  a  wooden  bowl  factory,  feed- 
mill,  cider-mill  and  jilaning-mill.  Among  the  business  and  professional  men  are  A.  E. 
Bacon,  physician;  G.  T.  Darby,  grocer;  J.  H.  Bell,  bowl  manufactiu'er;  John  C.  Adams, 
dealer  in  produce:  George  Brown,  wagon-maker;  James  Cole,  hunber  manufacturer:  Cross 
&  Payne,  wagon-makers,  eider  manufactiu-ers  and  planing-mill  operators;  M.  J.  Monfore, 
agricultm-al  implements:  H.  N.  Orcutt,  James  Ray  and Selfridge,  blacksmiths. 

The  first  settlers  of  Disco  were  John  Keeler,  Alonzo  M,  Keeler,  Isaac  C.  Cross,  James 
B.  Fry  and  Henry  Skerritt.  John  Russell,  the  temperance  lectm-er,  is  named  among  the 
first  settlers.  Mrs.  H.  J.  Salter  had  charge  of  the  post  office  until  the  appointment  of 
Miss  Emma  A.  Keeler. 


^         ttPV 


,> 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


TIIK  i;TICA    LYCEl'M. 

This  association,  for  the  promotion  of  education,  was  orgfanized  November  1,  1839. 
The  original  members  were  Hareligh  Carter,  Peter  S.  Palmer,  J.  B.  Carter,  M.  H.  A. 
Evans,  D.  M.  Price,  H.  0.  Bronsou,  C.  S.  Madison,  C.  B.  H.  Fessenden,  Gurdon  C. 
Leech,  N.  D.  Stebbins,  C.  \V.  Chapel,  F.  D.  Watkins,  Orson  Sheldon,  John  James,  L.  T. 
Ten  Eyek,  H.  R.  Schetterly,  J.  C.  McKisson,  James  Stephens,  John  Gray,  G.  W.  Men-ill, 
Gary  Worden,  A.  E.  Fuller  and  Orville  Stevens.  The  first  meeting  of  the  association  was 
held  in  the  Presbyterian  session  room,  with  Orson  Sheldon  in  the  chair  and  P.  J.  Palmer, 
Secretary.  A  committee  on  constitution  reported  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  held  December 
'2,  1839,  when  a  series  of  rules  for  the  government  of  the  lyceum  was  adopted.  The  first 
officers  were;  O.  Sheldon,  President:  N.  D.  Stebbins,  Vice  President:  C.  B.  H.  Fessenden, 
Secretary:  J.  B.  Carter,  Treasui'er:  C.  W.  Chapel,  Collector;  R.  L.  Clai-ke,  Librarian: 
J.  C.  McKisson,  F.  D.  Watkins  and  G.  W.  Merrill,  Committee  of  Arrangements.  The 
first  question  discussed  was,  •'  Should  the  laws  of  Usiu-y  be  abolished'!""  The  last  record 
of  the  association  is  dated  January  9,  185S,  and  signed  by  C.  L.  Jenny,  Secretary.  Pre 
vious  to  the  organization  of  the  lyceum.  the  Utica  Library  Association  existed. 

The  Mammoth  Hotel  was  built  at  Utica  in  1839,  and  opened  for  business  January 
1,  1840.  Numbers  of  people  from  all  parts  of  the  county,  as  well  as  from  Oakland, 
AVayne  and  St.  Clair  Couaties  were  jjresent. 

THE  CONfillEOATION.M.  CHirRcni. 

Rev.  William  Piatt  commenced  labor  in  Utica,  Mich.,  on  the  first  Sunday  in  June, 
1854.  Januaiy  11,  1855,  ''the  scattered  fragments"'  of  a  Presbyterian  Church  and  a  few 
others  "were  organized  by  Council  into  a  Congregational  Chiu-ch. "  The  original  mem- 
bers of  this  church  numbered  sixteen.  John  B.  Chapman  and  Oliver  Nichols  were  the 
first  Deacons.  Ths  first-named  still  resides  at  Utica,  and  is  at  this  date  (February,  18S2) 
the  sole  Deacon  of  the  church.  Rev.  William  Piatt  was  the  first  pastor,  and  continued 
to  hold  that  office  until  his  voluntary  retirement,  in  the  summer  of  1871.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded in  August  of  the  same  year  by  O.  Hobbs,  whose  ministry  lasted  six  months.  From 
the  1st  of  February,  1872,  to  the  latter  part  of  September,  there  was  no  pastor,  but  meet- 
ings were  held,  the  ("lerk  of  the  church  reading  sermons.  Dr.  Payson  Breede,  a  young 
man.  commenced  labors  with  the  church  as  minister  Sejitember  22.  He  continued  to  be 
pastor  Tintil  A])ril  1.  1877.  During  this  ministry,  the  chiu'ch  made  considerable  additions. 
The  house,  though  decorated  within  and  fm'nished  with  a  f lu'uace  and  pipe-organ,  remains 
essentially  the  same  as  when  first  built,  if  we  except  a  small  addition  made  in  the  rear  for 
the  accommodation  of  th?  new  organ.  During  the  earlier  history  of  the  church,  it  was 
aided  by  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society.  Some  years  since,  however,  it  ceased  to 
receive  this'aid,  and  is  at  present  supported  wholly  by  funds  from  Utica  and  the  sur- 
rounding country.  In  the  building  of  its  house  of  worship,  the  church  received  the  aid 
of  the  Congregational  Union.  The  seats  are  at  present  mostly  owned  by  individuals. 
The  present  (February,  1882)  resident  membership  is*  about  sixty. 

HIOGRAPIIICAL. 

The  personal  history  of  the  township  constitijtes  a  very  essential  part  of  the  history 
of  the  county.  It  is  the  record  of  industry,  of  enterprise  and  of  duty  done.  This  most 
important  branch  of  local  history  has  been  treated  extensively,  every  effort  was  made  to 
render  it  full  and  correct,  and  therefore,  we  have  pleasure  in  referring  oiu*  readers  to  the 
pages  devoted  to  it  in  this  volume: 

WILLIAM  BROWNELL,  P.  O.  Utica.  Mr.  B.  was  born  November  1(5,  1830,  in 
Farmington,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich. ;  is  the  son  of  George  and  Clarissa  Grant  Brownell:  his 


#* 


'A 


father  was  one  of  tlie  pioneer  settlers  of  Oakland  County,  was  born  in  New  Lisbon,  Otsego 
Co..  N.  Y. ,  and  died  August  1"),  ISTit;  his  mother  was  born  January  'i.  l^O'l,  in  the  State 
of  New  York,  and  died  September  17,  18."),");  in  the  spring  of  IS.M,  Dr.  Brownell  came  to 
this  county  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  he  has  since  continued,  with 
the  exception  of  three  years"  service  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  as  Sui'geon  of  the  Second 
Regiment  Michigan  Cavalry;  he  was  married,  May  10,  IS.jf),  at  -Jackson,  Mich.,  to  Jane 
E.  Scudder,  born  September  13,  1834,  at  Utica:  two  of  thi'ee  children  born  to  them  are 
living — Lizzie  M. ,  born  May  21,  1851),  died  Sejjteraber  28,  1862;  Kate  G. ,  February  23, 
1865,  and  William  S.,  May  14,  1868.  Dr.  B.  was  elected  to  represent  his  district  two 
terms  in  the  Legislature:  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  School  Board  of  Utica  fifteen 
years,  and  has  been  its  President  since  1867;  has  been  actively  connected  with  school  in- 
terests thirty  vears:  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

IKA  h!  BITTTERFIELD,  Sr.,  was  born  December  6,  1812,  in  Perry,  Wyoming  Co., 
N.  y. ;  removed  permanently  to  Michigan  in  November,  1838,  where  he  settled  on  Section 
32,  township  of  Shelby;  there  he  resided  continuously  until  the  spring  of  1866,  when  he 
removed  to  Lapeer,  Lapeer  County,  where  he  still  resides.  Mrs.  Rachel  McNeill  Butter- 
field  was  born  in  Antrim,  N.  H.,  in  1811,  and  was  a  direct  descendant  of  the  Scotch-Irish 
people  who  settled  Londonderry,  N.  H.  They  were  married  in  1838,  just  before  settling 
in  Michigan;   this  lady  died  iu  October,  1846. 

IRA  HOWARD  "BUTTERFIELD,  Jr.,  was  born  December  22,  1840,  on  Section  32, 
township  of  Shelby,  one  and  one-half  miles  northwest  of  the  village  of  Utica,  where  he 
lived  until  the  spring  of  1861,  when  he  went  to  California  overland,  with  stock,  remaining 
away  nearly  thi-ee  years:  was  then  two  years  at  Utica  on  his  father's  farm;  iu  the  spring 
of  1866,  removed  to  Lapeer,  Mich.,  and  purchased  a  farm,  and,  up  to  May,  187U.  was  en- 
gaged in  stock-raising  and  farming;  since  then  and  at  present  he  is  a  Deputy  Collector 
and  Inspector  of  Customs  at  Port  Hm-on,  Mich. ,  and  is  also  one  of  the  Directors  of  the 
State  Agricultm-al  Society.  August  21.),  18()6,  he  married  Miss  Olive  F.  Davison,  who  was 
born  August  8,  1842,  in  the  township  of  Atlas,  Genesee  County,  Mich. ;  her  father  was 
Oliver  P.  Davison,  a  native  of  Nev,-  York,  who  settled  in  that  township  in  1831;  they  were 
the  parents  of  fiiur  childi-en,  two  of  whom  died  young;  two  boys  are  now  living — Kenyon 
L. ,  born  in  IStiS.  and  Clinton  D.  in  1878. 

ELIPHALET  J.  CANNON,  P.  O.  Washington,  farmer.  Section  3,  was  borp  Novem- 
ber 18,  1812,  in  Shrewsbury.  Rutland  Co.,  Yt. ;  he  is  the  son  of  Pearl  and  Mary  (Fuller) 
Cannon  (see  sketch  of  Gen.  G.  H.  Cannon).  Mr.  C.  came  to  this  county  in  September. 
1806,  and  purchased  eighty  three  acres  of  land:  he  now  owns  164  acres  of  first-class  land 
with  good  dwelling  and  commodious  and  substantial  buildings.  Mr.  Cannon  was  mar- 
ried, November  30.  1834,  to  Tryphouia  M.  Prouty,  a  native  of  Granville,  Washington  Co.. 
N.  Y. ;  her  mother  was  born  July  4,  1793.  in  Hartford,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  her  father 
in  1775,  in  Worcester  County,  Mass. ;  her  gi-andfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cannon  have  had  six  children,  whose  record  is  as  follows:  Mary  J.,  born 
March  19.  183r);  Anna  M.,  January  9.  1837,  died  January  23,  185.");  Paulina  f.,  July  4, 
1839,  married  James  S.  Lawson.  May  22.  1861:  Juliette  I.,  April  25,  1842.  died  June 
17,  1862;  Levi  E.,  April  21,  1844,  married  Lucelia  M.  Manley,  December  16,  1868:  Ella  A., 
October  23.  1847,  married  Martin  C.  Williams,  July  16,  1872,  died  April  19,  1880.  Mr. 
C.  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Chi-istian  Chiu-ch, 
of  Romeo.  Levi  Cannon,  only  son  of  Eliphalet  and  Mahala  Cannon,  of  English  and  Ger- 
man descent,  was  born  April  21,  1844,  in  Day,  Saratoga  Co..  N.  Y. :  removed  witli  his 
parents  to  Shelby,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  in  October,  185r);  married,  Decemlier  16.  1868,  to 
Lucelia  M.  Manley,  second  daughter  of  Joel  W.  and  Julia  Manley,  of  English  and  Irish 
descent,  bora  June  28,  1846,  in  Shelby,  Macomb  County;  they  have  always  been  residents 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  Shelby  and  have  no  children.  Mr.  C.  is  a  farmer  and,  for  the  past  ten  years,  has  de- 
voted considerable  time  to  locating  and  estimating  pine  and  hardwood  lands  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  States:  latterly  he  is  in  the  employ  of  the  D.,  M.  &  M.  R.  R.  Company  of 
the  Upper  Pennisiila. 

GEORGE  HENRY  CANNON,  P.  O.  Washington,  was  born  in  Day,  Saratoga  Co., 
N.  Y.,  December  HO,  1820;  he  is  the  son  of  Pearl  and  Mary  (Fuller)  Cannon,  natives  of 
Warwich.  Mass.;  the  latter  was  born  April  10,  178(),  the  former  in  1784;  they  were  mar- 
ried in  1805,  and  had  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  siu'vive,  as  follows.  Rev.  John  Can- 
non. September  21,  1808;  Rev.  Isaiah  Fuller  Cannon,  September  1(5,  1810;  Eliphalet 
Johnson.  November  IS,  1812;  Maiy\  July  Ki,  J8l8:  George  H.,  December  HO,  1S2<);  Levi 
Hathaway,  April  lU,  1880,  and  Sarah,  April  11,  18H2.  The  senior  Cannon  removed  his 
family  to  Saline,  Washtenaw  County,  in  18HH,  and,  fom-  years  later,  to  Bruce,  Macomb 
County,  settling  in  Shelby  in  184():  he  died  in  that  township  January  '),  18r>2,  and  his 
wife  died  March  '2.7),  18()2;  both  grandsires  of  Mr.  Cannon  were  engaged  in  the  country's 
earliest  struggle  for  existence,  and  their  descendants  have  preserved  names  guiltless  of 
divorce  or  criminal  records.  Mr  C.  is  a  creditable  sample  of  what  a  man  may  make  of 
himself:  in  his  youth,  Michigan  had  no  free  schools,  and  he  obtained  his  education  through 
his  own  exertion,  working  nights  and  mornings  for  his  board  and  for  the  teacher  at  the 
close  of  his  term  to  pay  his  tuition;  at  nineteen,  he  entered  the  service  of  a  party  explor- 
ing in  the  Lake  Superior  regions,  with  whom  he  remained  one  year,  meantime  coasting  in 
an  open  boat  nearly  around  that  lake.  The  record  of  his  travels  were  publishea  in  a  series 
of  letters  soon  after  his  retiu'n;  he  attended  the  academy  at  Rochester,  Oakland  County,  two 
years:  the  institution  was  under  the  charge  of  Peter  Moyers,  of  Washington  Township, 
during  the  lirst  year:  he  died  and  was  succeeded  by  Prof.  R.  C.  Kedzie,  now  Professor  of 
Chemistry  of  the  Agricultural  College  at  Lansing:  after  leaving  the  academy,  Mr.  C. 
taught  two  winters  in  Oakland  County  and  two  in  Macomb  County ;  in  the  spring  of  1849. 
he  was  employed  by  Judge  W.  A.  Burt,  in  company  with  others,  in  making  an  examina- 
tion of  a  district  north  and  west  of  the  Saginaws:  in  18r)0,  he  had  chai-ge  of  the  surveys 
for  Mr.  Burt.  and.  during  that  season,  made  the  sub-divisional  lines  of  about  ten  tovvn- 
ships;  on  the  Itth  day  of  August,  he  was  appointed  United  States  Deputy  Siu'veyor,  in 
which  capacity  he  has  performed  a  large  amoiuat  of  surveying  on  the  Government  lands 
as  embraced  in  nine  contracts,  including  the  Grand  Traverse  Region,  many  towns  near 
Cheboygan  and  the  islands  of  Saginaw  Bay:  he  also  did  much  work  on  the  Upper  Penin- 
sula and  examined  by  appointment  the  condition  of  the  surveys  in  the  territory  between 
Lakes  Superior  and  Michigan,  and  from  the  meridian  line  as  far  west  as  the  pictured 
rocks,  consuming  two  seasons  in  the  vFork  and  crossing  the  peninsula  from  lake  to  lake 
several  times;  he  was  also  appointed  to  survey  an  extensive  district  of  township  lines  on 
the  north  shore  of  Lake  Superior  in  Minnesota,  which  extended  to  Pigeon  River,  the 
national  boundary  line.  During  the  summer  of  185(),  he  made  the  survey  of  an  extensive 
Indian  Reservation;  since  the  closing  of  the  public  siu"veys,  he  has  been  largely  engaged 
in  examining  and  selecting  pine  and  farming  lands  in  Michigan  and  W'isconsin.  Mr. 
Cannon  resides  on  Section  4:  besides  his  homestead,  he  owns  extensive  lands  in  several 
counties  of  this  State;  he  was  married,  October  81,  1852,  to  Lucy  Marie,  daughter  of 
Isaac  Cole,  of  Erie  County,  N.  Y. :  their  children's  record  is  as  follows:  Alice,  wife  of  Dr. 
A.  Clarke,  of  Caunonsbm-g,  Kent  County,  bom  August  10,  1858;  Eber  P.,  born  January 
20,  1855,  deceased;  George  Lee,  November  18.  1850,  deceased:  Frank  E.,  June  24,  1800, 
deceased;  Howard  B.,  February  5,  1808,  and  William  A..  September  28,  1870.  Mr.  C. 
is  a  man  of  quiet  and  retiring  manners,  yet  sufficiently  mindful  of  his  inherent  obligations 
as  an  American  citizen  to  respond  cheerfully  to  the  summons  of  his  peers  to  official  duty. 
Since  the  days  of  Fremont,  he  has  been  an  unwavering  supporter  of  the  principles  of 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Republicanism  aud  au  uncompromising  Union  man  during  the  rebellion  and  is  always 
found  in  the  service  of  practical  Christianity;  he  contributed  generously  to  the  erection 
of  the  Union  Church  at  Washington,  and  is,  with  his  wife,  a  non-resident  member  of 
the  Mt.  Vernon  Baptist  Church:  his  religious  views  are  characterized  by  tolei-ance  of  the 
opinions  and  beliefs  of  others;  he  is  a  warm-hearted  friend  to  all  worthy  humanity  and 
entertains  his  guests  with  a  marked  generosity:  his  moral  character  is  without  a  stain ; 
his  word  is  a  bond  and  his  judgment  in  practical  business  life  is  considered  justly  uner- 
ring. 

REV.  JOHN  CANNON  (autobiography).  I  was  born  in  the  town  of  New  Salem, 
Mass.,  September  21,  1808,  and  was  the  eldest  child  of  Pearl  Cannon  and  Mary  Fuller, 
his  wife;  both  parents  were  of  English  ancestry;  my  paternal  and  maternal  grandfather 
each  served  diu'ing  the  Revolutionary  war;  my  family  moved  westward,  to  New  Hamp- 
shire, in  1810;  thence  to  Vermont,  in  18'2():  thence  to  Day,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.  I  shared 
the  toils  and  hardships  incident  to  a  pioneer's  life  in  the  rocky,  mountainous  portion  of 
Eastern  New  York,  om-  chief  occupation  being  lumbering,  shaving  shingles  and  ••  peeling 
tanbai-k."  March  '28,  1830,  I  married  Sally  Cook,  daughter  of  Stephen  Cook,  of  Welsh 
descent,  and  Thankful  Creal,  whose  parents  came  from  Holland:  we  have  raised  a  family 
of  seven  childi-en — Stephen  B. ,  born  September  30,  1832  (see  sketch):  Sarah  M,,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1834;  John  W.,  Jan.  17.  183H;  Hannah  M.,  April  10.  1838;  Ellery  C,  December 
28,  1842:  Mary  L.,  August  21,  1846;  Thedee  A.,  August  30,  1841t.  The  "year  following 
our  marriage,  we  began  to  hear  of  the  land  of  "  milk  and  honey,"  where  porkers  ran  about 
ready  roasted,  with  carving-knife  and  fork  stuck  in  their  back,  and  money  grew  on  bushes 
— even  the  Territory  of  Michigan;  being  tired  of  climbing  hills  and  desirous  of  obtaining 
a  home,  we  left  om-  kindred  aud  set  out  for  the  promised  land.  After  a  weary  joiu-uey, 
we  arrived  in  Washtenaw  County,  in  the  fall  of  1831;  the  following  year,  we  purchased 
land  near  Ypsilanti,  building  a  comfortable  frame  house,  and,  feeling  much  elated  with 
our  success,  began  to  improve  om'  home.  I  had  been  converted  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and 
united  with  the  Christian  Church,  whose  creed  is  the  Bible,  and  had  early  been  impressed  that 
it  was  my  duty  to  preach  the  word  to  a  perishing  world.  After  much  prayer,  I  laid  the 
matter  before  my  faithful  wife,  who,  with  her  accustomed  bravery,  answered:  "Do  what 
is  yovu-  duty,  and  I  will  do  all  1  can  to  help  you."  In  the  year  1834,  we  sold  our  home 
and  moved  to  Royal  Oak.  Oakland  County.  I  now  gave  my  time  to  the  work  of  traveling 
and  preaching,  while  my  family  lived  upon  short  rations  and  fared  hard,  as  the  pioneer 
minister's  wife  and  children  are  often  obliged  to  do.  My  circuit  embraced  Wayne,  La- 
peer, Macomb  and  part  of  Washtenaw  Counties;  my  road  lay  through  the  forest,  following 
bridle-paths,  or  old  trails,  always  on  horseback,  preaching  on  an  average  250  sermons  a 
year  and  traveling  3.000  miles.  From  the  year  1838  to  1842,  I  held  meetings  each  day 
in  the  year.  The  people  thronged  to  hear  the  Word,  and  in  many  a  log  schoolhouse,  or 
simple  settler's  cabin,  precious  seasons  of  revival  and  wondrous  outpourings  of  God's 
power  were  manifested.  Since  the  beginning  of  my  ministry,  I  have  baptized  nearly  UOO 
believers,  married  210couj)les  and  attended  419  funerals.  In  1838.  we  pm-chased  a  small 
place  in  Shelby,  Macomb  County,  aud  have  resided  in  the  county  ever  since.  By  means 
of  farming  aud  other  mechanical  pursuits,  and  the  small  remuneration  I  received  for  my 
preaching  (having  never  received  a  salary),  we  brought  up  om-  children,  and  now,  in  1882, 
remain  an  unbroken  family  circle.  My  wife  and  I  celebrated  om-  "  golden  wedding  " 
March  28.  1880,  ou  which  occasion  we  were  generously  remembered  by  a  host  of  kind 
friends.  As  an  illustration  of  the  difficulties  we  encountered  in  those  early  days,  I  relate 
the  following  incident:  Having  an  appointment  to  till  at  Ridgeway,  Lenawee  County, 
while  proceeding  thither  on  horseback,  I  arrived  at  Ypsilanti  and  found  that  the  high 
water,  caused  by  a  June  freshet,  had  carried  away  the  bridge  over  the  Huron  River;  they 


had  made  a  temporai'y  bridge  to  accoinmodate  foot  passengers,  by  placing  saw-horses  at 
proper  intervals,  and  placing  a  single  plank  from  one  to  the  other;  on  account  of  the  high 
bank  on  one  side  of  the  river  and  the  low  land  on  the  other,  this  frail  bridge  was  in  some 
places  several  feet  from  the  water.  I  must  cross  this  bridge  with  my  pony,  or  fail  to 
reach  my  appointment  at  the  hour,  as  this  was  the  direct  roiite.  My  horse  had  walked  logs 
when  lying  lengthwise  over  miry  places,  so  I  resolved  to  try  her  on  the  bridge.  I  dis- 
mounted, and  removed  the  saddle  and  indisjsensable  saddle-bags.  A  crowd  came  out  to 
witness  the  strange  spectacle.  I  started  out  on  my  strange  journey,  the  pony  following, 
nothing  daunted  by  the  unusual  path,  and  we  reached  the  shore  in  safety,  amidst  the 
cheers  of  the  crowd.  Thits  by  hard  paths,  and  through  manifold  trials,  God  led  the  pio- 
neers of  Michigan  in  all  safety,  imtil  we  who  are  left  to  tell  the  story  of  our  simjile,  la- 
borious life  of  trials  and  triumphs,  see  our  children  and  childi'en's  children  inheriting  a 
goodly  land,  and  we  look  forward  to  "a  better  country,  whose  Builder  and  Maker  is  the 
Lord." 

ALFRED  CARLTON,  farmer.  Section  1',  P.  O,  Disco,  was  born  August  21.  IN-iC),  iu 
Monroe  County,  N.  Y. :  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Lucinda  Whitney  Carltou;  his  father 
was  born  December  2.").  1TS4.  in  Orange  County,  Yt.,  and  was  of  English  ancestry;  his 
mother  was  born  in  the  same  county  in  ITSH,  and  was  of  French  extraction;  they  removed 
to  Macomb  Cotuity,  Mich.,  in  October,  18H'2,  and  died,  the  former  in  1862,  the  latter  in 
18()(i.  Alfred  Carlton's  grandfather  was  born  in  Connecticut;  his  name  was  Richard 
Carlton  and  he  married  Ruth  Baker,  of  Tolland,  Vt. ;  he  served  live  years  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  under  Gen.  Washington:  ho  died  at  Brooldield,  Vt.,  in  1824,  and  his  wife 
followed  him  in  18H7.  The  gi'eatgrandfather"s  name  was  also  Richard  Carlton;  he  was 
born  in  Vermont  and  married  Hannah  Hutchins,  of  the  same  State.  Alfred  Carlton  was 
six  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved  to  Michigan:  he  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of 
seven  children,  whose  names  and  ages  are  as  follows;  William  Carlton,  born  August  11, 
181I-5:  Aaron  Carlton,  August  9,  1815;  John  A.  Carlton.  August  22,  1817;  Henry  Carlton, 
November  21.  ISIU;  Eliza  Carlton.  June  .">,  1821;  Hannah  Carlton.  August  21.  1824;  Al- 
fred P.  Carlton,  August  20.  l!S2t').  When  twenty-two  years  of  age,  Mr.  C.  purchased 
fifty  acres  of  land  in  the  township  of  ^Vashington,  which  he  afterward  sold  and  bought 
sixty-seven  acres  in  another  locality;  ho  now  owns  120  acres  of  valuable  land  under  culti- 
vation; he  was  married  to  Eliza  A.  Preston,  daughter  of  Ira  and  Deborah  Preston,  Seji- 
tember  Ifi,  1852;  they  have  two  children — Emma  D. .  born  January  28,  18()2;  EttaL., 
August  HO.  ISfiC).  Mr.  C.  held  the  office  of  Drain  Commissioner  and  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order:  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

ELAM  CHAPIN  (deceased)  was  bom  February  IS,  1811.  in  Steuben  pounty,  N  Y. ; 
was  the  son  of  Johnson  and  Phebe  (Gaston)  Chapin,  respectively  of  Welsh  and  English 
descent;  he  came  to  this  county  in  1S82  and  purchased  ninety  acres  of  land  two  years 
later;  he  afterward  bought  eighty-three  acres  of  partially  improved  land,  now  owned  by 
his  widow;  he  married,  for  his  first  wife,  Lavaucha  S.  Davis,  born  in  Covington,  Genesee 
(now  Wyoming)  Co.,  N.  Y.,  November  24,  1818;  her  father,  Calvin  Davis,  was  born  April 
27.  17yH.  in  Worcester  County,  Mass;  his  wife,  Sylvia  (Beardsley)  Davis,  was  born  in 
Cherry  Valley,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y..  February  lit,  1798;  they  were  man-ied,  January  21), 
1815,  and  have  one  child — Andrew  B..  born  April  5,  lS;-?9.  He  married,  for  his  first  wife, 
Josephine  H.  Rose;  they  had  thi-ee  children — Elam  P..  Lavancha  M.  and  Andrew  B.,  Jr. 
His  second  wife  was  Alice  Osborn;  he  was  a  sm-geon  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  from 
October,  1802.  to  its  close;  was  with  Gen.  Butler  in  his  expedition  up  the  James  River. 
He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  is  a  Knight  of  the  Red  Cross;  also  is  a  member 
of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  Mr.  Chapin  of  this  sketch  was  in  the  Toledo  war  and  was  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics:  he  died  February  24.  18r)(i. 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUKTY. 


HASWELL  H.  CHUECH,  P.  O.  Utica,  fanner,  on  Section  2U,  was  born  March  7, 
1S21,  in  Jericho.  Chittenden  Co.,  Vt. ;  is  the  son  of  Ezra  and  Lucinda  (Mead)  Church;  his 
father  was  boru  in  March.  ITU'J.  in  Chelsea.  Vt.,  and  died  in  August,  ISSl;  his  mother 
was  born  in  171)7,  in  Underbill,  Chittenden  Co.,  Vt.  .and  died  in  January,  18'2ri.  Mr. 
Church  came  to  the  township  of  Macomb,  this  county,  in  September,  1848,  and,  a  few 
years  after,  pm'chased  eighty  acres  of  wild  land  on  Section  4,  which  he  afterward  sold, 
and  pm'chased  forty  acres  on  Section  1,  in  Shelby;  this  he  also  disposed  of  and  bought 
eighty  acres  in  Kay,  selling  again  and  buying  his  present  homestead  of  120  acres.  He 
was  married,  January  5,  184S,  to  Maiy  A.  Davis,  a  native  of  Shelby  Township,  born 
January  5,  1828:  they  have  had  ten  children,  sis  of  whom  are  living,  born  as  follows: 
Frank  S..  December  28.  1848,  in  Shelby,  mai-ried  Millie  H.  Carter,  January  11, 
1870;  Hattie  M.,  March  4,  IS')"),  in  Macomb,  married  Ai'thur  E.  Van  Eps,  October  28, 
1881:  Calvin  D..  September  5,  1858:  Libbie  L..  January  7.  18r)2;  Jennie  L..  February 
H,  181)4;  Florence  V.,  July  15, 18Hr).  The  ionr  last  named  were  born  in  Shelby  Township. 
Mr.  Church  is  a  man  whose  whole  life  has  secui-ed  the  confidence  of  his  townsmen 
wherever  he  has  lived:  he  was  School  Director  of  Macomb  several  terms;  has  been  Sheriff 
two  entire  and  a  fraction  of  a  third  term:  has  also  served  as  Treasui-er  of  Shelby  two 
yeai's.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican;  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  a  Granger. 
Mrs.  Chm-ch  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  Utica. 

JOHN  CLARK,  Utica,  son  of  Thomas  and  Matilda  (Wooley)  Clark,  born  September 
16,  18.J8,  in  Lincolnshire,  England:  removed  with  his  parents  when  eighteen  months  old 
to-  Detroit,  Mich. ;  removed  from  Detroit  in  the  fall  "of  18<)2,  with  his  parents,  to  Saginaw 
County,  Mich. :  lived  at  a  munber  of  places  in  the  State  until  the  sjaring  of  18<')5,  when  he 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Sterling  Township,  Macomb  County,  Mich. .  where  he  has 
lived  until  the  present  date,  February  20,  18S2:  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  and 
followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  to  the  present  time. 

SYLVESTER  DARLING  (deceased),  was  born  June  2,  178.".,  in  Oneida  Coun- 
ty. N.  Y. :  he  was  married  July  4,  1814,  to  Amy  luman:  she  was  born  May  2(5,  1  i'.t<, 
in  Greene  County,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Darling  came  to  this  county  in  October,  1828,  and  jnir- 
chased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  Section  4,  where  his  widow  now  resides;  they  had  eleven 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living;  they  were  born  as  follows:  Orpha,  October  28,  1820: 
John,  October.  1818;  Mary,  May  20,  1S22;  Nathan,  November  14,  1S28;  Heniy,  October 
2U,  182(5:  Clarissa.  November  8,  1881;  Martha  Matilda,  March  25,  1.S87:  Francis  Mar- 
ion, January  80,  1889;  Abner,  November  7,  1^114:  Samuel,  December  2^  1815:  Emily 
was  born  May  80,  1817,  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.:  she  was  married  to  Elisha  Went- 
worth,  June  28,  188<);  he  was  born  August  4.  1812,  and  they  live  on  the  homestead  with 
Mrs.  Darling.     Mi-.  Darling  was  a  soldier  of  1812  and  his  widow  draws  a  pension. 

JOSEPH  EilERSON,  P.  O.  Utica.  son  of  Elemuel  and  Lydia  (Emerson)  Emerson, 
born  December  10,  1S28,  in  Kennebec  County.  Me. :  removed  to  Section  8,  Macomb. 
Mi(5h.,  in  June,  bS4S;  has  lived  in  Macomb  County  until  the  present  time;  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  Maine  in  his  younger  days:  worked  in  a  brickyard,  and  at  farming, 
and  in  running  logs  down  the  Kennebec.  Penobscot.  ^lerrimack  and  St.  John's  Rivers, 
and  in  the  lumber  business  in  Western  Pennsylvania;  since  removing  to  Michigan,  he  has 
been  engaged  in  farming  and  dealing  in  sheep,  cattle,  hogs  and  real  estate,  and  is  now 
dealing  in  r^al  estate.  He  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Hanscom,  of  Monroe  County.  N. 
Y.,  daughter  of  Cyrus  and  Martha  (Matthews)  Hanscom.  December  18,  18()8,  in  Utica, 
Mich.:  their  child's  name  is  Kate  Emerson,  born  October  80,  18()5.  His  ancestors  came- 
from  England  about  100  years  ago,  and  settled  at  Irish  Hill,  Me. 

JAMES  N  EAVELL.  P.  O.  Utica.  farmer,  on  Section  1 7.  was  born  November  20. 
1882.  in   Shelbv.  Macomb   County,  where  Le   has  resided  all  his  life:     is  the  son  of    Phi- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY 


lander  and  Lydia  A.  (Wells)  Ewell.  April  1,  1855,  he  located  on  the  farm  where  he  has 
since  resided;  he  piu'chased  195  acres  in  LSiiO,  and  now  owns  'iSO  acres  of  choice  land  in 
an  advanced  state  of  improvement,  with  good  buildings.  Mr.  Ewell  was  married,  April 
15.  1S55,  to  Elsie  A.- Cannon;  she  was  born  in  Day  Township,  Saratoga  Co..  N.  Y. ;  her 
father  was  of  Scotch  lineage,  her  mother  of  Welsh  parentage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ewell  have 
had  five  childi'en.  as  follows:  Lydia  M. ,  July  27,  1S5(),  died  October  7,  1N7H;  Herbert  t'.. 
January  "i^i,  lS(i"2;  Ada  M. ,  Avigust  ;^1,  lS(i5:  George  N. ,  September  '.!•),  1,S71;  Frankie, 
August  9,  1S76,  died  December  9,  1S7<).  Mr.  Ewell  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has 
b^en  Road  Commissioner  three  terms.  Both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  Church,  of  Rochester,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich.  Mr.  Ewell  has  been  and  still  is  an 
active,  energetic  man,  and  has  l)eeu  zealoiasly  interested  in  the  prosperity  of  the  schools 
and  educational  interests  of  the  township.  When  a  boy,  seated  on  a  slab  for  a  seat  in 
the  old  log  schoolhouse,  where  he  obtained  his  early  education,  he  hoped  aud  believed  he 
should  live  to  see  a  good  school  in  a  comfortable  building.  When  the  money  was  raised 
to  build  the  present  schoolhouse,  pai'ties  to  take  the  contract  were  wanting,  and  Mr. 
Ewoll,  in  company  with  Mr.  Wells,  assumed  the  charge,  and  the  result  is  one  of  the 
hnest  and  most  substantial  l>rick  schoolhouses  in  the  county. 

JESSE  GILLETT,  P.  O.  Washington,  fruit  farmer  on  Section  5,  Shelby,  was  born 
December  10,  181(1,  in  Cairo,  Greene  Co.,  N.  Y, ;  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Asenath 
(Grimes)  Gillett;  his  father  was  of  French  descent,  born  June  27,  1755,  and  died  Septem- 
ber 28,  18H8;  his  mother  was  of  Engli.sh  extraction,  born  October  22,  1789,  and  died  No- 
vember H,  18t)4.  Mr.  Gilleit  came  to  this  county  June  1,  18H/5,  and  purchased  120  acres 
of  wild  land — eighty  on  Section  21  and  forty  on  Section  14;  he  afterward  sold  this  and 
purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  in  July,  1S55.  February  4,  18H8,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Anna  Mook,  of  Ohio;  she  died  November  12,  1857;  they  had  live  childi-en — Maria, 
born  March  5,  1839;  Asenath  K.,  December  2,  1844;  Euella,  March  10,  1850;  Anna  F., 
September  10,  1855;  Benjamin,  February  21,  1847,  died  August  80,  1.S50.  Mr.  Gillett 
was  married,  a  second  time,  January  81,  1859,  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Johnson)  Hawley,  born 
April  2(),  18;!4,  in  Wheatland,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  her  parents  were  natives  of  New  En- 
gland; they  have  two  childi-en — Jesse,  born  July  1(),  lS(i5,  and  Nellie  M.,  October  80, 18()7. 
Mrs.  Gillett' 8  first  husband,  Edgar  J.  Hawley,  was  born  September  5,  1S2(),  and  died 
December  •),  185(5;  they  were  married,  February  2(),  1851,  and  became  the  parents  of 
three  children,  born  as  follows:  Lucy  A.,  March  11,  1858;  Olive  E.,  Sejjtember  12.  1854; 
Ellen  J.,  December  8,  185().  Mr.  Gillett  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  liberal  in  his 
religious  views. 

ORRIN  GOFF,  aged  seventy  years,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  N,  Y.,  May  10, 
1812:  his  parents,  Roswell  and  Fanny  Goflf.  were  natives  of  Connecticut,  Mr.  Goflf  re- 
moved from  Monroe  County  to  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years;  he  re- 
sided there  until  188(),  then  removed  with  his  parents  to  Utica,  Mich.;  he  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Monroe  and  Orleans  Counties,  N.  Y.  He  was  married,  in  November, 
1887,  to  Sarah  Eddy,  aged  twenty  years,  of  Orleans  County.  N.  Y..  daughter  of  Osmer  and 
Hannah  Eddy.  Mr.  Goff  settled  in  November,  1887,  at  his  present  residence  on  Section 
10.  Shelby,  where  he  has  lived  since  that  time;  has  had  two  children,  one  son,  born 
December  80,  1840,  and  one  daughter,  born  December  9,  184<);  the  daiighter  died  March 
17,  18()1,  at  the  age  of  foui-teen  years  and  three  months;  her  name  was  Amelia  J.  Gofi'; 
the  son  is  now  living  on  the  old  homestead;  is  Supervisor  of  the  township  and  a  very  es- 
timable member  of  the  County  Board.  Mr.  Gofi",  Sr.,  is  a  plownnaher  by  trade,  which  bus- 
iness he  pm'sued  until  about  18()2,  since  which  time  he  has  been  farming.  When  he 
located  in  Shelby,  the  nearest  house  was  one  mile  distant;  the  surrounding  country  was 
a  wilderness;  game  was  plenty  and  wolves  were  everywhere;  the  nearest  store  or  mill  was 


^^/f5 


J-o-^^^^rz^^^..^-*^^- 


^t 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


five  and  a  half  miles  distant,  and  the  whole  neighborhood  seemed  as  primitive  as  did  this 
continent  to  its  first  Genoese  discoverers. 

ALEXANDER  GRANT,  son  of  James  and  Cynthia  (Larnardi  Grant,  was  born  at 
Y]isilanti,  Mich.,  March  24,  1838;  in  184U.  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Livonia,  N.  Y., 
where  he  received  a  common-school  education;  in  1855.  he  returned  to  Michigan,  working 
in  a  store  and  teaching  school  at  Birmingham,  removing  to  Utica  in  1858,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  maiTied  Miss  -Jidia  P.  Deshon,  daughter  of  Albert  and  Julia  Deshon, 
of  Utica.  natives  of  Moravia,  N.  Y.,  November  5,  1S()1 ;  has  two  chikh-en.  a  son  and  a  daugh- 
ter— James  Alber.  born  November  22.  1802.  and  Mary  E.,  July  (>.  18li5.  Mr.  Grant's 
father  was  a  native  of  East  Bloomfield.  N,  Y,  and  his  mother  of  Sin-ingfield,  Mass.;  his 
grandfather.  Thomas  Grant,  emigrated  from  the  North  of  L-eland  at  the  close  of  the  last 
centm-y.  Mr.  Grant  held  the  office  of  Postmaster  at  Utica  ft-om  April.  187H,  until  1881, 
being  the  longest  time  that  any  person  held  that  position,  at  which  time  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  nomination  to  the  Legislature,  to  which  body  he  was  elected  November  2, 1881, 
by  a  majority  of  fifty-sis.  being  the  first  Republican  ever  elected  in  the  district;  has  held 
the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  eight  years;  has  been  a  Trustee  for  the  village  of 
Utica  for  three  years,  is  a  member  of  the  School  Board  and  of  the  Macomb  County  Repub- 
lican Committee;  he  cast  his  fii'st  vote  for  Aljraham  Lincoln,  and  has  since  been  unswerv- 
ing in  his  fealty  to  the  Republican  party  and  its  principles;  is  a  member  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  Municipal  Corporati(3us.  on  Engrossment  and  Enrollment,  of  the  special  Committee 
on  Appointment  of  the  present  Legislature.  Mr.  Grant  enlisted  in  the  Second  Michigan 
Cavalry,  Augirst,  18()1,  and  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant,  Company  H.  in  which  capacity 
he  sei-ved  until  April,  1862,  at  which  time  he  resigned;  had  two  brothers,  Weitman  L. 
and  Thomas  L.  ( deceased).     W.  L.  was  present  at  the  captiu'e  of  Jeff  Davis. 

WILLIAM  GRIFFITH,  P.  O.  Disco,  son  of  Daniel  Griffith,  was  born  inOutario, 
C.  W..  October  lt>,  1815;  his  father.  Daniel,  was  born  in  New  York  State,  IdJO,  and 
moved  to  Canada  abon.t  181(t.  not  as  a  loyalist,  as  the  British  impressed  him  into  service, 
and  he  desei-ted,  seeking  a  home  in  his  native  State;  in  1840.  he  left  New  York  for  Mich- 
igan, where  his  son  William  had  been  located  since  188();  his  mother  was  Lois,  daughter 
of  George  McNiel,  of  Johnstown.  Canada,  where  she  was  married  to  Daniel  Griffith. 
William  Griffith  attended  the  common  schools  of  Florida  Township.  Montgomery  County, 
N.  Y.,  until  1835,  when  he  moved  with  his  father  to  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.  The  year 
following,  he  traveled  west  to  Pontiac,  and  purchased  forty  acres  in  Orion  Township,  Sec- 
tion 31,  Oakland  County;  he  located  four  farms  in  Oakland,  built  four  houses,  planted 
four  orchards  and  lived  there  for  twenty-two  years.  In  185'.),  he  settled  a  part  of  the  Van 
Dorn  farm,  moving  to  his  present  land,  on  Section  12,  in  LSCiO.  He  was  married  to  Rachel 
C.  Bardwell,  of  Ontario  County.  N.  Y.,  in  1835;  this  lady  died  in  Oakland  County  in 
1853;  in  1854,  he  man-ied  Hannah  B.  Dewer,  of  Rose  Township,  Oakland  County.  He 
was  married  to  Jane  Kiles,  of  Macomb  Towushi]).  in  18ti(>;  this  lady  died  in  November, 
1878,  and  on  July  5,  187U,  he  married  Maria  Sloat.  of  Pontiac.  Mrs.  Bardwell  Griffith  was 
the  mother  of  six  children,  and  Mrs.  Kiles  Griffith  of  three  children,  all  living.  Mr.  G. 
is  a  member  of  Shelby  Methodist  Protestant  Chm-ch.  and  is  politically  independent. 
His  childi-en  are  Adelia.  now  residing  at  Greenville;  Lucius,  at  Fairplain;  Elizabeth 
resides  at  Greenville,  Montcalm  County;  G.  W.  Griffith  resides  in  Shelby;  Philip  is  an 
extensive  farmer  on  Section  14.  of  Shelby;  James,  a  farmer  at  Greenville,  Montcalm 
County,  and  Henry.  Irving  and  Elmer,  all  residing  in  Shelby.  George  W.  Griffith  en- 
listed as  recniit  in  the  Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry;  Lucius  enlisted  in  Twenty- 
second  Michigan  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in  with  the  command  in  18()1,  serving  until 
the  regiment  was  disbanded. 
4.5 


— frr*' 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


HOEL  WOSTER  HAINES  (deceased),  son  of  Uriah  and  Amy  (Perkins)  Haines, 
born  March  11.  1831,  in  the  town  of  Hnnter,  Greene  Co..  N.  Y. ;  removed,  in  the 
spring  of  183(),  to  the  town  of  Bruce,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  with  his  parents,  where  he  lived 
until  March,  180."),  when  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Shelby,  whore  he  lived  until  his 
death,  May  18,1877:  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  the  academy  in  Romeo, 
Macomb  County;  married  to  Ancis  Decker,  daughter  6f  Oliver  and  Mary  Cheever  Decker, 
June  17),  18()1;  her  parents  were  natives  of  Wheatland.  Moni-oe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  Mr.  H.  taught 
school,  when  a  young  man,  diiring  the  winter  time,  and  worked  on  a  farm  during  the  sum- 
mer, until  the  year  18()<),  after  which  time  he  pursued  the  occupation  of  farmer  until  his 
death;  his  ancestors  came  from  Holland  about  the  middle  of  the  last  centiuy  and  settled 
in  Greene  Couoty.  N.  Y.  Mr.  H.  left  a  family  of  six  children,  whose  names  and  birth  are 
as  follows:  Mary  Estella,  born  April  11,  18<):2;  Laura  Adelaide,  November  2U,  1863: 
Edward  Beecher,  October  22,  18()r);  Amy  Elizabeth,  November  18,  18()7;  Willie  Mahon, 
July  22,  1870,  died  November  17,  187(1:  Hoel  AVoster,  March  4,  1872;  Benjamin  Chee- 
ver, January  t),  187-"). 

JONATHAN  W.  HARRIS,  Disco,  Section  11,  township  of  Shelby,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 7.  1820,  in  Covington,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.;  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Ozial 
Harris:  his  father  was  born  April  10,  17U1,  in  New  Paltz,  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  died 
.June  13,  18<)4;  his  mother  was  born  January  1,  17U2,  in  Monroe  County,  Penn.,  and  died 
November  27,  1872.  They  came  to  this  State  from  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  via  Detroit, 
arriving  at  that  village  on  the  steamer  Henry  Clay,  May  14,  1830;  they  put  up  at  a 
private  house  owned  by  a  Frenchman,  where  Mr.  H.  left  his  family  and  went  after  help 
to  move  them  and  his  goods  to  a  temporary  abode  near  the  240  acres  of  wilderness  on 
Section  3"),  Washington  Township,  which  he  had  located  and  purchased  of  the  Govern- 
ment the  year  before,  his  <leed  bearing  the  signature  of  Andi'ew  .Jackson.  He  obtained 
the  services  of  Wilkes  L.  Stuart  and  two  other  men,  each  with  his  jiony  team,  and  returned 
to  Detroit,  when  they  started  on  their  journey,  going  by  way  of  Rochester  and  arriving 
in  Washington  after  two  days  of  tiresome  travel.  Their  log  cabin  was  soon  built;  here 
they  labored,  bearing  patiently  all  the  trials  of  pioneer  life  until  the  dense  forest  was 
transformed  into  fruitful  fields,  until  scarcely  anything  was  left  of  the  heavy  timber 
where  the  echo  of  the  woodman's  ax  resounded  upon  so  many  frosty  mornings  of  winter, 
so  many  sultry  days  of  summer:  in  due  time  they  built  a  commodious  dwelling  near  the 
site  of  the  old  log  cabin.  One  incident  of  pioneer  life  is  worthy  of  mentiou.  In  the  year 
1831,  Mr.  H..  in  company  with  Braiuard  Rowley  and  Bm'chard  Troop,  made  a  trip  to  De- 
troit with  ox-teams  for  i\o\\r  and  salt;  the  time  occu])ied  was  one  week;  the  price  paid  for 
flour  $!•)  per  barrel  in  gold.  Here  they  died.  siuTounded  by  a  family  of  foiu'  sons  and 
four  daughters — Jonathan  W..  Milton,  Darius,  Cyrus,  Cynthia,  Rose  A.,  Sarah  A.  and 
Amanda.  Jacob  Harris  was  one  of  the  eleven  children,  one  of  the  seven  sons  of  Hemy 
and  Polly  Harris.  Hemy  H.  was  born  in  17()1,  in  New  Paltz,  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  he  en- 
tered the  American  Ai-my  at  the  age  of  fom-teen,  and  served  in  Washington's  division  until 
the  close  of  the  Revolution.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  wiU',  for  his  faithful  services,  he 
received  a  grant  of  800  acres  of  land  in  Eastern  New  York.  Joseph  Harris,  one  of  Hemy 
Harris'  seven  brothers,  moved  West  and  settled  at  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  when  that  town  was 
but  a  military  station.  Henry  H.'s  father  was  born  in  White  Plains,  Westchester  Co.,  N. 
Y. ;  his  grandfather  came  from  England  and  settled  on  Manhattan  Island  when  it  was  in 
the  possession  of  the  Dutch;  here  he  purchased  ninety  acres  of  land,  where  Broadway  is 
now:  this  he  leased  for  village  lots  and  moved  to  White  Plains;  this  tract  recently  came 
into  the  possession  of  those  descendants  of  the  paternal  ancestors,  who  still  reside  at 
White  Plains.  Perhaps  no  family  has  been  more  numerous,  hardy  or  persevering,  always 
aiding  the  move   "Westward."     Jonathan  W.  Harris  pm-chased  10(1   acres  where  he  now 


'i''  « -^ 


■rr-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


resides  in  1847:  he  married  Priscilla  M.  Crrover,  December  31,  18r)0;  she  was  born  May 
2(1,  1830,  in  Naples.  Livingston  Co..  N.  Y. ;  thev  have  had  ten  chikb-en,  born  as  follows: 
Adelbert  O..  April  10,  1852:  Amanda  I.,  May  3.  1854;  Arthur  D.,  May  10,  1857;  Alice 
E.,  November  1).  1858;  Agnes  L.,  September  30,  18fi0,  died  January  23,  18()1;  AnnellaB., 
March  23.  1862:  Antoinette  E.,  March  25,  18()4;  Andrus  E.,  December  21t.  1865;  Addi- 
son A.,  September  0,  18<')8.  Amanda  I.  was  married,  December  31,  187(),  to  Austin 
Rowley;  they  have  one  child— Cena  M..  born  December  25,  1880.  Mi-s.  H.  died  March 
30,  1873.  one  week  after  the  death  of  an  infant  child.  She  was  a  kind  and  indulgent 
mother,  ever  laboring  for  the  happiness  of  her  husliand  and  children,  even  under  the 
keenest  ti-ials.  To  know  her  was  but  to  love  her,  and  the  mention  of  her  name  ought  ever 
to  jH-ove  to  her  ehikii-en  a  safeguard  fi-om  all  evil,  a  beacon  to  success,  waking  as  it  does, 
only  thoughts  of  the  deepest  parental  affection  and  the  pm-est  precepts  of  a  mother's  heart. 
Mr.  H.  is  a  Republican  in  jwlitics:  he  is  of  English  and  German  descent. 

J.  L.  HETZLER,  P.  O.  Utica.  son  of  Fi-ederick  (t.  and  Julia  Ann  Hetzler  (Benedict), 
born  in  Dundas  Village.  AVentworth  Co.,  Canada,  November  U,  ]837:  removed  from  Can- 
ada with  his  parents  in  the  winter  of  1838,  to  the  State  of  New  York,  near  Batavia;  re- 
mained there  until  the  fall  of  1845,  at  which  time  he  removed  with  his  father  and  step- 
mother to  the  town  of  Erin,  Macomb  County,  Mich. :  has  lived  in  Macomb  County  until  the 
present  time;  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  of  Macomb  County;  has  pursued  the 
occupation  of  a  painter,  farmer,  brick-maker  and  canvasser,  and  is  at  present  a  painter 
in  the  village  of  Utica;  his  ancestors  came  from  Hamlnu'g,  Germany,  about  the  middle  of 
the  last  centm-y.  Mr.  H.  assisted  in  laying  out  the  first  Ten-itorial  road  that  was  sur- 
veyed out  from  St.  Cloud  to  Boyes  Deson.  Minn. ;  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Sixteenth  In- 
fantry Michigan  Volunteers,  on  March  22,  18(i2,  and  served  until  July  1,  1862,  at  which 
time  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  disability  from  injm-ies  received  while  building  a 
ponton  bridge  near  Yorktowu,  Va. ;  was  in  the  battle  and  siege  of  Yorktown.  He  married 
Artimesia  Cline.  daughter  of  John  and  Mai-garet  (Wilkens)  Cline,  December  30,  1863: 
they  have  had  fom-  children— Etta  Bell,  born  Mai-ch  22,  18(58;  Maiy  Margaret,  October 
22,  1871,  died  January  2,  1882;  Bertha  Ii-ene,  January  6,  1876,  died  Januaiy  3,  1882; 
Charles  Lindsley,  August  20,  1878,  died  January  31,  1882. 

LYMAN  THOMPSON  JENNEY  (deceased)  was  born  Jidy  27,  1798,  at  Leicester, 
Addison  Co.,  Vt.;  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Chloe  (Parker)  Jenney,  natives  of  New  Bedford, 
Mass. :  his  ancestors  emigrated  from  England  at  an  early  day  and  settled  at  or  neai-  New 
Bedford:  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Vermont  until  he  acquired  sufficient 
education  to  teach  school,  by  studying  at  nights  and  at  leism-e  hovu's,  he  qualified  himself 
for  teaching,  working  on  a  farm  in  summer  time  and  teaching  in  winter  until  about  the 
year  1823,  when  he  entered  the  "University  Building,''  Burlington,  Vt. ,  where  he  re- 
mained until  August  10.  1S25,  at  which  time  he  graduated,  receiving  his  diploma  as  M. 
D.;  he  then  removed  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  where  he  remained  for  a  short  time;  then  removed 
to  Washington,  Macomb  County,  where  he  commenced  practicing  medicine  in  the  spring 
of  1826,  being  the  first  regular  "physician  who  settled  in  Macomb  County;  he  continued  to 
practice  until  November,  1830,  when  he  removed  to  Utica,  where  he  continued  to  practice 
until  February,  1843,  when  he  removed  on  to  a  farm,  one  mile  north  of  Utica,  where  he 
resided,  practicing  medicine  occasionally,  until  August  23,  185U.  at  which  time  he  died 
suddenly  of  heart  disease,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  He  mairied  Elvia  A.  Wyckoff, 
daughter  of  Edward  and  Martha  A.  (Parks)  Wyckoff.  residents  of  Washington,  Mich..  De- 
cember 30.  1826;  his  widow  is  now  living  in  Utica.  aged  seventy-two  years;  their  children 
are  Martha  A.,  born  November  3.  1828,.  died  February  13.  1873;  Charles  L..  bom 
September  14,  1830,  now  residing  in  Midland  City,  Mich.;  Rollin  A,  February  12,  1839, 
resides  in  Detroit.  Mich. ;  Helen  E.,  April  7, 1841,  resides  at  Utica,  Mich. ;  Emma  A. ,  Jrme 


l^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB   COUNTY. 


1,  1846,  died  May  28,  1881;  Edward  B.,  May  27, 1S4U,  married  to  Lucy  Pierson,  Juue  12, 
1872,  residence  Goodrich.  Genesee  Co.,  Mich;  Martha  A.,  nian'ied  John  W.  Ewiug, 
March,  184i),  who  died  in  June,  185:5;  man-ied  to  Sihis  S.  Abernethy.  September  10,  1857; 
Charles  L.,  married  Miss  Chira  A.  "Williams  (Crampton),  March,  1868;  Rollin  Jeuney 
married,  July  20,  1880,  to  Mary  N.  Ryerson;  Emma  A.,  married,  April  14,  1879,  to  John 
Wesley  Parmeter;  L.  T.  Jenuey  served  as  surgeon  in  what  was  known  as  the  "  Toledo 
war,"'  in  the  year  183.""(;  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  number  of  years;  he 
was  also  one  of  the  original  organizers  and  incorporators  of  the  Utica  Lyceum,  which  was 
the  first  lyceum  organized  in  the  county  (organized  November  21, 1831) );  was  elected  Pi-esi- 
dent  of  the  organization  November  4.  1843;  took  an  active  part  in  jwlitical  matters  as  a 
Democrat,  and  supported  Gen.  Cass,  until  the  publication  of  his  celebrated  Nicholson 
letter,  when  he  withdrew  from  the  Democratic  party  and  identified  himself  with  the  Free- 
Soil  branch  of  the  Whig  party,  to  which  he  was  attached  until  the  organization  of  the 
Republican  party,  when  he  became  a  strong  supporter  of  that  party. 

MARTIN  C.  KEELER,  P.  O.  Disco,  bom  in  Washington  Township  November  V-K 
1848,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Keeler;  removed  with  his  parents  to  Disco  in  1850,  which 
village  he  has  since  made  his  home;  he  married  Miss  Flora  Preston,  daughter  of  "\\'ash- 
ington  and  Sarah  Preston,  May  2,  1871;  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son — Louis  W. 
Keeler,  born  August  18,  1877;  a  reference  to  the  organic  history  of  .the  townshij)  shows 
that  Mr  K.  holds  the  office  of  Town  Treasiu'er;  unlike  his  brother,  of  Armada,  he  bestows 
much  of  his  attention  on  agriculture  and  has  made  farming  a  success.  John  and  Mary 
Keeler,  parents  of  Martin  C.  and  Alonzo  M.  Keeler,  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Shelby. 
Reference  is  made  to  the  members  of  this  family  in  the  general  history;  but,  to  complete 
the  family  history  and  at  the  same  time  notice  the  origin  of  Disco  Village  and  academy, 
the  following  facts  are  given:  In  July,  1S4U,  Alonzo  Keeler  was  teaching  school  in  Wash- 
ington when  a  proposition  was  made  to  him  by  three  farmers  then  owning  the  land  on 
which  Disco  now  stands,  whose  names  were  Isaac  Monfore,  John  Noyes  and  Chauncey 
Chm'ch.  The  proposition  was  for  A.  M.  Keeler  to  go  to  Shelby  and  help  to  start  a  school 
which  was  designated  as  the  Disco  Academy;  he  went  and  suijerintemied  the  building  of 
the  house  now  used  for  the  district  school.  The  building  was  commenced  January  1, 
18.50,  and  the  following  June  was  so  far  completed  that  A.  M.  Keeler  began  to  teach  the 
school  therein  upon  a  five  years'  contract,  the  conditions  of  which  were  that  he  was  to 
teach  the  district  schools  in  connection  with  the  academy,  for  which  he  was  to  receive  the 
common  district  wages  for  schools  of  same  size;  he  was  to  have  the  tuition  of  all  foreign 
scholars,  and,  if  h(>  fulfilled  his  part  of  the  five  year.s'  contract,  was  to  have  a  deed  of  ten 
acres  of  land  from  the  above-named  farmers,  located  on  the  four  corners  of  Sections  V(,  10, 
15  and  16,  where  Disco  now  is,  excepting  one  acre  for  sohoolhouse  site  reserved  on  the 
corner  of  Section  If).  The  contract  was  fulfilled  by  all  parties.  The  first  term  of  school 
was  attended  by  eighteen  scholars  and  one  to  the  academy;  but  the  school  increased  so 
rapidly  that  in  1852  it  required  two  assistant  teachers — Dr.  J.  M.  Chapman  and  Maria 
Febris  assisted  Mr.  Keeler  that  year.  Some  time  previous  to  this,  John  Keeler  came  into 
possession  of  a  fortune,  which  was  left  him  by  a  rich  uncle  who  lived  and  died  on  one  of 
the  islands  of  Lake  C'hamplain,  he.  John  Keeler,  was  also  ]iersuaded  to  go  to  help  form 
the  school;  he  left  his  farm  in  Washington  in  the  fall  of  1850,  and  built  a  dwelling-house 
for  A,  M.  Keeler  and  a  boarding-house  for  the  accommodation  of  students  of  the  academy; 
the  latter  is  what  is  now  used  for  the  hotel;  he  also  bought  the  faiTa  owned  by  the  above- 
named  J.  Noyes,  upon  which  he  still  lives.  From  time  to  time,  his  means  have  been  used 
to  erect  buildings  in  the  jilace,  five  dwellings  of  which  are  now  standing;  also  one  store 
and  the  main  part  of  the  hotel  named,  besides  an  interest  in  the  academy  building.  This 
fortune  he  freely  used  to  benefit  those  about  him",  both  in  advancing  the  educational  p)rivi- 


Afc 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


leges  aud  in  striving  to  build  u]i  the  little  village  that  now  is.  They  reared  a  family  of 
five  boys  and  two  girls  to  manhood  and  womanhood;  four  sons  aud  oue  daughter  are 
still  living.  A.  M.  Keeler,  the  oldest,  has  spent  a  life  in  the  school-room,  as  he  is  now 
over  fifty  years  old  and  still  follows  teaching,  being  at  present  Principal  of  the  Ai-mada 
Union  School ;  two  sons,  younger,  are  practicing  law  in  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  the  young- 
est is  on  the  old  homestead  at  Disco,  where  the  remaining  daughter  also  resides. 

DANIEL  P.  KETCHAM,  P.  O.  Rochester,  was  born  in  Brownsville,  Jefferson  Co., 
X.  Y..  Mai-ch  30,  1811:  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Macomb  County  November  "25, 
isrc^,:  removed  to  Oakland  County  in  ISdfi,  where  he  still  resides,  ilr.  K.  enlisted  in  the 
Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  November  24.  lSf)2:  served  almost  two  years,  when  he  was  dis- 
chai-ged  on  account  of  disability,  April  23,  1S()4;  be  was  married  to  Catharine  Woolson. 
born  August  lU.  1815,  at  Poughkeepsie.  N.  Y.,  Februaiy  Ifi.  1830:  they  are  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  thi-ee  sons  and  six  daughters.  John  Q.  and  Helen  E.  Ketcham  are  num- 
bered among  the  dead.  Regai'diug  the  settlers,  it  must  be  said  tl^at  in  18()(),  Oakland 
gained  a  good  citizen  while  Macomb  lost  one. 

PAYNE  K.  LEECH,  farmer.  Section  31.  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  January3i;  1809.  in 
Bloomtield.  Ontario  Co..  N.  Y. :  is  the  son  of  Payne  K.  and  Joanna  (Clark)  Leech;  he 
came  to  this  county  in  Octolier.  1839,  and.  with  his  brother,  pm-chased  a  gi-ist  and  saw- 
mill, both  in  a  somewhat  dilapidated  condition:  they  proceeded  to  repair  and  put  them  in 
good  running  order,  and.  in  the  spring  of  1832,  IMJf.  L.  purchased  his  brother's  interest 
and  continued  in  the  business  until  September.  1836,  when  he  purchased  KU)  acres  of 
partially  improved  land,  where  he  resides.  He  now  owns  24(1  acres  on  Sections  30,  31  and 
32,  all  under  good  cultivation  and  with  fine  buildings;  he  was  married  to  Melinda  Fuller, 
April  25,  1833;  she  was  born  April  30,  1811,  in  the  State  of  New  York;  they  had  ten 
children,  fom-  of  whom  are  living,  as  follows:  Gordon  C,  born  February  9,  1845;  Francis 
J.,  December  4.  1847;  Albert  F.,  September  19,  1851:  Martha  T.,  November  3.  1853. 
Mrs.  Leech  died  May  10,  ]S(>0,  and  Mr.  Leech  was  man-ied,  December  2".l,  ISfUl,  to  Sarah 
Gillette;  she  was  born  December  U,  1.S29,  in  Lyme.  New  London  Co..  Conn.,  and  was  a 
teacher  in  her  native  State  and  in  Michigan  some  years.  IVIr.  Leech  laid  the  first  track  on 
the  Detroit  &  Utica  Railroad,  at  Utica.  about  the  year  1835;  he  was  formerly  a  Whig  in 
politics,  but.  on  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  allied  himself  to  it;  has  held 
the  office  of  Supervisor  four  terms  and  was  in  the  Legislature  in  the  winter  of  1845-4(i. 
Mrs.  L.  belongs  to  the  Congregational  Church  of  Utica.  Mr.  L.  is  engaged  in  the  rearing 
of  Devonshire  cattle,  iu  addition  to  his  agrieultiu-al  interest. 

PETER  D.  LERICH.  farmer.  Section  29,  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  in  Warren  County. 
N.  J..  May  20,  1810;  is  the  son  of  Isaac  aud  Elizabeth  Daniels  Lerich;  the  former  was 
born  in  Bucks  County,  Peuu.,  of  English  lineage:  the  latter  was  of  English  and  German 
descent,  born  in  1785,  in  Northampton  County,  Penn.  Mr.  L.  came  to  this  county  May 
19,  1835,  and  purchased  220  acres  of  partially  improved  land  on  the  northeast  quarter  of 
Section  29,  and  afterward  bought  ll)0  acres  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  the  same  section: 
the  aggregate  constitutes  his  homestead;  he  owns  also  130  acres  on  Sections  4  and  5,  in 
Sterling;  sixty-nine  acres  in  Avon,  Oakland  County;  twenty  acres  on  Section  Ifi,  Shelby, 
and  eighty  acres  in  Reed  Township,  Will  Coimty.  111.,  making  iu  all  (u9  acres;  his  home- 
stead property  is  first-class  land,  under  advanced  improvements,  with  commodious  aud 
substantial  buildings.  He  was  married,  April  18,  1835,  to  Sarah  F.,  daughter  of  Jo.seph 
Fishbaughand  Margaret  Oglethorpe  Fishbaugh;  her  father  was  of  Gennan  parentage,  her 
mother  of  English  and  Scotch  descent;  her  gi-eat-grandf  ather  was  Gen.  James  Oglethorpe, 
founder  of  Georgia:  her  grandparents  v^ere  among  the  first  white  settlers  of  Pennsylvania. 
where  her  great-grandmother  was  killed  by  the  Indians,  and  her  son,  Mrs.  Lerich's  great- 
imcle,    ^as  captmred  and  kept  by  them  thirteen  years;  the  maternal  grandfather  of   Mr. 


^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Lerich  Daniels,  was  a  soldier  in  tlie  war  of  the  Revolution;  at  its  close,  he  had  a  con- 
siderable sum  of  Continental  money,  and  went  to  New  Jersey,  where  he  purchased  a  large 
tract  of  laud  and  secured  to  himself  and  posterity  a  handsome  property.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L 
had  ten  children,  six  "of  whom  are  living,  boru  as  follows:  Cleantha  A.,  born  Mav  1"), 
1838;  William  F.,  March  lo,  1840;  Isaac  N..  August  10,  1S42;  Liberetta  E.,  January  20, 
184,");  Sarah  J.,  July  27  1848;  Lilian  A.,  July  H,  1854.  Mr.  L.'s  father  died  in  Septem- 
ber, 181fi,  his  mother  September  4,  1835;  the  father  of  Mrs.  L.  died  in  September,  1817, 
her  mother  in  the  fall  of  1845.  The  two  surviving  sons  served  with  distinction  in  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  Isaac  rising  by  his  own  merits  alone  from  the  rank  of  private  to  that 
of  Major,  and.  at  the  close  of  the  war,  was  in  command  of  his  regiment:  he  married  an 
excellent  lady  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  where  he  still  resides.  Both  of  these  soldiers  were 
wounded  and  both  confined  for  months  in  Libbj'  Prison.  Mr.  L.  is  widely  known  as  a 
man  of  sterling  merit  and  enterprise;  he  is  of  unimpeachable  integi'ity,  never  belonged  to 
a  secret  society  and  never  owned  a  gun  or  dog;  he  belonged  to  the  old  anti-slavery  element, 
and  was  one  of  foiu*  who  first  represented  that  issue  in  the  towaship;  the  others  were  N. 
C  Narambre-.  Albert  Fuller  and  Benjamin  Lee;  all  are  dead  except  Mr.  L. ;  he  is  a  Re- 
liublican  and  lias  been  Road  Commisr>ionei'.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  formerly  belonged  to  the 
Methodist  Ejuscojial  Church,  of  Utica;  the  latter  has  been  W.  C.  Templar  for  several 
terms  and  is  still  a  strong  advocate  for  the  cause. 

HIRAM  L.  LINTZ,  farmer,  Section  8,  P.  O.  Rochester,  was  born  April  1).  1847, 
in  Washington,  Defiance  Co.,  Ohio;  he  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Rebecca  (Dull)  Lintz. 
both  of  German  extraction.  Mr.  L.  came  to  this  township  March  14,  18(58,  and,  in  1875, 
purchased  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  acres  of  land,  subsequently  increasing  his  lauded  iirop- 
erty  to  133  acres:  he  was  man'ied,  February  22,  1874.  to  Leora  V..,  daughter  of  Smith  and 
Polina  K'urtis)  Davis;  she  was  born  February  24,  1850.  in  Brighton,  Winnebago  Co., 
Wis.;  her  father  was  born  December  10,  1820,  in  the  State  of  New  York;  he  lived  in  this 
county  about  thirty  years  and  died  September  4,  1851);  her  mother,  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
Curtis,  was  born  Se|)tember  22,  1825;  was  married,  February  22.  1848,  and  died  October 
15.  1880.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lintz  have  two  children — Jessie,  born  September  12,  187(\  and 
Tressie,  November  2,  1881.  Mr.  L  is  a  Rejmblican  in  jiolitics.  Mr.  L.  and  wife  are 
l>a]itists. 

JOEL  W.  MANLEY,  P.  O.  Washington,  was  born  February  li),  1810,  in  Chittenden, 
Rutland  Co.,  Vt. ;  he  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  B.  (Jackson)  Mauley:  his  parents 
were  born  in  Massachusetts  and  came  to  Vermont  in  1800,  wliere  they  were  married  in 
1802:  his  mother  was  a  successful  teacher;  his  father  became  Captain  of  the  militia  in 
1812;  was  afterward  a  Magistrate  and  a  member  of  the  Assembly.  Mr.  M.  of  this  sketch 
came  to  Michigan  in  1834,  took  up  Government  land  on  Section  8,  of  Macomb  Township, 
and  at  once  entered  upon  the  work  of  improving  it  for  a  home;  he  was  married,  November 
2*),  1835,  to  Olive  E.  Martin,  of  Underhill,  Chittenden  Co.,  Vt.,  who  died  December  4, 
183().  At  the  fall  elections  of  183(),  Mr.  M.  was  chosen  County  Sm-veyor  and  held  the  po- 
sition eight  succe.ssive  years;  has  also  held  the  offices  of  School  Inspector  and  Sujiervisor. 
Road  Commissioner  and  Assessor  until  the  office  was  abolished;  was  also  a  grand  juror 
many  terms  of  the  Circuit  Court.  He  was  a  second  time  married,  to  Julia  Wilcox,  of 
Shelby,  April  13,  1840;  she  was  born  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  October  13,  1822;  her 
j)arents,  Elias  and  Nancy  Wilcox,  came  to  Michigan  in  1825,  and  took  up  land  on  Section 
3.  of  Shelby.  Mr.  Manley  had  five  children — Olive  Eliza  wan  born  December  3.  1841,  be- 
came a  school-teacher  and  musical  instructor,  and  was  married,  November  23,  18(')4,  to 
Isaac  N.  Brabb,  of  Washington  Township;  Almon  D.,  born  August  4,  1844,  became  a 
skilled  mechanic  and  inventor,  and  died  September  10,  1878;  M.  Lucelia,  born  June  28. 
184(),  was  married,  December   16,  1868,  to  Levi  Cannon,  of  Shelby;  she  has  been  a  sue- 


#* 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


c.essful  teacher  aud  an  interesting  and  acceptable  contributor  to  the  local  press;  N.  Ade- 
laide was  born  June  1'.),  1849,  and  died  January  31,  1854;  Florence  A.,  Mrs.  Leman  H. 
Chapman,  of  Cannonsbiu'g,  Kent  County,  married  September  'I'Z,  1874,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 3,  18r)4,  and  became  a  fine  scholar  and  good  musician.  ]VIrs.  M.  was.  in  addition  to 
her  household  responsibilities,  an  apiarist  of  some  note  for  about  thirty  years,  having  at 
one  time  had  the  charge  and  managemeut  of  eighty-live  colonies  of  bees.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
M.  moved  to  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  3.  in  the  township  of  Shelby,  in  the  spring 
of  184-"),  where  they  now  reside.  Mr.  M.  is  at  this  writing  in  his  seventy-second  year;  he 
has  been  all  his  life  a  student  of  the  Bible  and  actively  interested  in  Sunday  school  and 
Bible  instruction. 

ORESTES  MILLERD.  P.  O.  Rochester,  born  January  U,  ]8(t8.  in  Cayuga  County, 
N.  Y. ;  settled  in  Michigan  in  May,  l<S"i3,  and  located  in  Shelby  Township  in  October, 
1827;  he  married  Miss  Webster  the  previoiis  month;  they  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
di'en,  each  of  whom  must  be  considered  a  pioneer  of  Shelby.  At  the  period  of  Mr.  M. 's 
coming  to  this  State,  he  says  that  there  was  not  a  foot  of  sidewalk  in  Detroit,  nor  a  vil- 
lage in  the  northern  portion  of  the  county,  save  that  known  as  Indian  Village;  he  got  the 
first  tickets  printed  in  the  Territory  for  election  purposes.  Mr.  M.  is  now  in  his  seventy- 
fifth  year;  from  1827  to  the  present  time,  he  has  taken  an  important  place  in  the  economy 
of  the  county;  he  cleared  3(50  cares  of  laud  in  Shelby,  has  aUvays  been  identified  with 
the  Democratic  party  aud  religiouslv  is  a  Baptist. 

ISAAC  MONFORE  (deceased),  was  born  September  14.  1803.  in  Delaware 
County,  N.  Y. ;  was  the  son  of  Peter  and  Olive  (Conerkoven)  i\Ionfore,  natives  of  New 
Jersey;  his  father  was  born  September  U.  17r)7,  of  English  and  French  parentage,  and 
was  a  soldier  of  the  Revjlutiou:  his  mother  was  born  January  27,  1758,  of  Holland  ex- 
traction; they  were  married  October  27,  1779.  Mr.  M.  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of 
1828,  and  purchased  KiO  acres  of  wild  land  in  Ray  Township,  and  returned  to  RiLsh,  Mon- 
roe Co.,  N.  Y.;  came  back  to  Michigan  in  1831,  and  purchased  IfiO  acres  on  Sections  15 
and  10,  in  Shelby:  he  increased  his  estate  to  500  acres;  his  widow  resides  on  the  home- 
stead of  227  acres.  He  was  married,  July  15,  1836,  to  Mary  D.  Curtis,  of  Shelby,  l)orn 
May  30,  1818,  in  Middlebury,  Wyoming  Co..  N,  Y. ;  they  had  five  children,  whose  record 
is  as  follows:  Milton  J.,  born  July  H,  1837.  married  Maria  A.  Black,  of  Detroit,  Mich,  De- 
cember 2y,  1875;  Franklin  P.,  June  (>,  184tt,  man-ied  Sarah  E.  Bowers,  May  13,  18r)4; 
Mary  A.,  November  14.  1844:  Isaac  N.,  July  10,  1848,  married  Effie  E.  Brooks,  July  4, 
1871:  Ann  J.,  born  February  Vt,  1858,  married  Isaac  Newton  Gillespie,  of  Pavilion,  N.  Y., 
May  17,  1882.  Mr.  M.  studied  for  the  profession  of  law  and  practiced  for  a  short  time; 
he  was  a  Democrat  in  early  life,  but  became  a  Republican  after  the  admission  of  Michigan 
as  a  State;  he  was  Rei)resentative  in  the  Legislatm-e  in  1835-3<)  aud  1837;  he  held  the 
township  offices  of  Supervisor,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Town  and  County  Clerk,  etc, ;  lir^th 
himself  and  wife  belong  to  the  Baptist  Church  of  Mt.  Yernon. 

MILTON  J.  MONFORE,  sou  of  Isaac  and  Mary  D.  (Curtis)  Moufore,  born  in  Shelby, 
Macomb  County,  Mich..  July  ti.  1837.  where  he  lived  until  the  pi-eseut  time;  was  educated 
at  the  common  schools;  has  followed  the  occupation  of  farmer,  and,  during  the  last  eight- 
een years,  has  dealt  in  agi'icultm'al  implements;  married,  to  Maria  Black,  of  Detroit,  De- 
cemljer  25,  1874. 

ALLEN  S.  PEARSALL.  farmer,  P.  O.  Disco,  residing  in  the  township  of  Shelby,  was 
born  Januai-y  10, 1818,  in  Sempronius,  Cayuga  Co..  N.  Y. :  he  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Phebe 
Summertou  Pearsall:  the  formf-r  died  November  15,  1850,  the  latter  May  13,  1837;  both 
wei-e  of  English  descent.  Mr.  P."s  father  located  in  Troy,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich.,  and  piu-- 
chased  1<)0  acres  of  partly  improved  land,  where  he  settled  in  1832.  Allen  S.  Pearsall 
was  married,  January  31.  1844,  to  Miss  Lydia  Ann  Andi-ews,  daughter  of  Hiram  and  Anna 

'"7l<» r~  "■* B    > 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Andi-ews.  a  native  of  Hamilton.  Madison  Co..  N.  Y..  bora  December  25,  1824:  they  have 
one  child — Helen  M..  born  September  2,  184"),  and  married  Llewellyn  Chapel,  who  was 
born  August  13,  1840;  they  have  one  child — Carrie  M..  born  September  12,  1871.  Mr. 
P.  purchased  his  farm  in  Shelby  in  1847.  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mrs.  P.  is  a  lady 
of  favoraljle  repute  as  a  lecturer  on  temperance,  woman's  rights  and  Spiritualism;  she  and 
her  husband  are  members  of  the  Grange. 

DWIGHT  E.  PEARSALL,  P.  O.  Disco,  son  of  Ii-a  S.  Pearsalh  native  of  Genesee 
County,  N.  Y.,  was  born  in  Washington  Townshij),  January  15,  183  <;  the  parents  were 
Ira  S.  Pearsall.  born  August  1.  1810,  son  of  Henry  Pearsall,  and  Celia  (White)  Pearsall. 
daughter  of  Mr.  White,  of  Ohio,  born  September  1,  1817.  Mi-.  Pearsall.  Sr.,  came  to 
Washington  at  an  early  date,  with  his  father's  family,  and  here  m?.rried  Miss  Wiite.  Oc- 
tober lU,  1831):  they  were  the  parents  of  thi-ee  childrea.  viz.,  D.  E.  Pearsall.  referred  to 
above,  residing  on  the  homestead  farm;  Adelia  W..  born  April  10.  1831).  married  Morris 
Snook  May  U.  185U.  now  living  at  Jackson.  Mich. :  and  Celia.  born  December  30.  1847,  de- 
ceased. Dwighc  E.  Pearsall  was  raised  and  educated  in  Shelby:  attended  the  Disco 
Academy  until  1854,  when  he  directed  attention  toward  farming.  In  1857.  he  entered  on 
a  Western  journey  and  traveled  through  it  for  tliree  years.  He  was  married,  in  McDonald 
County,  Mo..  May  <>.  18(10.  to  Miss  Mary  S.  Smith,  daughter  of  John  Smith,  of  Vermont, 
then  a  citizen  of  McDonald  County:  this  lady  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine  years.  Novem- 
ber 22,  1879;  to  this  marriage,  three  children  were  born — Ira  S..  born  May  22,  18(')1 ; 
Fannie  E..  January  25.  bS('i3.  and  Allen  D..  March  3.  1872,  the  latter  living  at  Jackson, 
Mich.  The  faiiu  now  owned  by  Mr.  Pearsall.  on  Section  3.  Shelby,  contains  320  acres, 
250  acres  of  which  are  cultivated,  with  good  improvements.  The  water-course  comprises 
two  living  streams.  Together  with  the  agricultural  interest,  Mr.  Pearsall  has  devoted 
much  attention  to  horses,  cattle  and  sheep.  He  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  for 
several  years,  at  Disco,  the  interest  in  which  he  sold  to  John  Sweetzer,  in  188(1.  and  re- 
turned to  his  farm.     Politically,  Mr.  Pearsall  is  a  Democrat. 

IRA  PRESTON  (deceased)  was  born  March  U.  17S5,  in  Wallingford.  Conn. :  was  the 
son  of  Samuel  Preston;  he  moved  to  Rush.  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y..  when  a  young  man.  He 
was  married  to  Deborah  Gofl",  and  lived  there  about  fourteen  years :  she  was  born  February 
11,  17U3:  in  182fi,  he  came  to  Michigan  and  jsurchased  320  acres  of  land,  on  Sections  1, 
2  and  13,  when  he  returned  to  New  York;  in  1827.  he  came  back  to  the  wilderness  of 
Michigan,  with  his  family,  reaching  Detroit  the  last  of  May:  he  brought  with  him  his 
household  furniture  and  a  supjily  of  provisions  and  a  cart;  he  jiurchased  a  yoke  of  oxen, 
made  a  rack  for  the  cart,  which  he  freighted  with  his  possessions,  and  with  his  childi'en 
and  a  party  of  twenty  friends  and  relatives  set  oiit  for  his  anticipated  home;  at  thfe  end 
of  two  days,  he  arrived  at  the  place  of  Elias  Wilcox,  on  the  north  line  of  the  township 
of  Shelby,  where  his  party  spent  the  night  and  the  following  day  underbrushed  a  road 
two  miles  through  the  woods  to  the  location  of  Mr.  Preston;  they  set  about  building  a  log 
house,  and.  in  al^out  a  week,  were  settled  in  2^ioneer  life.  The  ring  of  the  ax  made  their 
music  by  day  and  the  howl  of  the  wolves  by  night:  their  table  was  bountifully  supplied 
with  venison,  and  the  neighboring  Indians  kept  them  from  loneliness  and  monotony;  in  1828, 
Mr.  P.  built  a  saw-mill,  the  irons  for  which  he  brought  with  him  from  New  York,  on 
what  is  called  the  Middle  Branch,  the  only  one  for  miles,  and  operated  by  himself  and 
sons  for  forty-four  years;  in  the  course  of  fifteen  years.  Mr.  P.'s  farm  was  well  improved, 
and  he  had  completed  all  the  buikling  re<|uired,  including  two  frame  houses.  The  pio- 
neer's privation  and  endurance  were  ended,  and  the  outlook  of  his  remaining  years  was  one 
of  ease  and  comfort;  in  1856,  he  distributed  his  real  estate  among  his  children,  giving  the 
homestead  to  his  daughter.  Mrs.  Carlton,  with  whom  he  and  his  wife  remained  during  the 
rest  of  their  lives;  he  died  August  20, 1872,  aged  eighty-seven  years.    Mrs.  P.  died  January 


^ 


H,  LS*).'),  aged  seventy-two  years;  she  was  helpless  twelve  years,  with  palsy.  Mr.  P.  could 
never  be  induced  to  ride  on  a  railroad:  he  fii-st  saw  the  ears  and  a  locomotive  at  Mt.  Clem- 
ens in  1S()8:  his  gratified  surprise  at  the  sight  of  them  is  most  pleasantly  remembered  by  bis 
children;  it  was  indeed  an  event  to  a  man  who.  for  many  years,  had  never  been  but  a  few 
miles  fi-om  home.  While  the  Bay  City  road  was  being  built,  he  was  jsersuaded  by  his 
son.  E.  S.  Preston,  to  go  to  a  railroad  picnic,  near  ITtjca.  on  the  completion  of  the  road  to 
that  place,  and  he  rejoiced  heartily  in  its  construction  through  the  town  in  which  he  had 
lived  tifty-tive  years.  He  died  a  few  months  after,  leaving  his  seven  children  to  mourn 
their  irreparable  loss.  September  28,  1828,  Emily,  the  eldest  daughter,  married  Daniel 
Kniflin,  who  began  pioneer  life  with  her  father;  they  settled  two  miles  from  ]VIi-.  Preston 
in  the  woods.  October  8.  1837.  George  W.  Preston  was  married  to  Sally  Goff,  daughter 
of  Russell  Golf,  a  neighboring  pioneer;  he  also  went  into  the  wilderness  to  make  his  life 
struggle.  Ajiril  2(1,  1841,  Riley  S.  Preston  was  married  to  Eliza  Carlton,  and  occupied  one 
of  his  father's  houses  several  years;  his  wife  died  February  28,  1852.  Minerva  Preston 
was  maiTied  to  John  Carlton  November  7,  1844,  and  settled  about  two  miles  fi-om  home. 
Ira  L.  Preston  was  married  to  Cynthia  Allen,  October  14.  1847;  purchased  some  land  and 
settled  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  hjme.  Eliza  Ann  Preston  was  mari-ied  to  Alfi-ed 
Carlton,  September  Ki.  18r)2.  and  located  in  Brooklyn,  four  miles  distant.  -Judge  S. 
Preston,  youngest  son.  was  married,  November  1,  18.")3,  to  Caroline  A.  Bartlett;  he  was 
born  January  l(^  1831,  and  his  wife  was  born  December  7,  1834;  they  remained  three 
years  on  the  homestead  in  charge  of  the  pioneer  father  and  mother. 

J.  LUMAN  PRESTON,  P.  O.  Disco,  was  born  February  21.  182r),  in  Rush.  Monroe 
Co.,  N.  Y. :  he  was  two  j'eai's  old  when  his  parents  came  to  this  county,  where  he  has  since 
resided;  he  was  in  the  saw-mill  business  twenty-one  years  and  is  now  piu-suing  agricult- 
ure: he  owns  ninety-five  acres  of  land,  with  fifty-five  under  cultivation,  and  the  remainder 
is  choice  timber.  He  married  Cynthia  Ann  Allen,  October  14,  1847;  she  was  born  June 
18.  1820.  in  Ridgeway.  Orleans  Co..  N.  Y. ;  she  died  November  la,  1873;  they  had  four 
children,  born  as  follows:  Ella  V.,  March  29.  18.")].  died  September  iS,  18r)4;  Eli  V.,  born 
July  21,  18r>r).  married  May  Cooley.  October  31.1877;  Metta  Y.,  born  August  ri.  18.")U, 
maiTied  E.  R.  Wilcox,  Angust  11,  1878;  Jennie  A.,  born  January  2(),  18(U.  Eli  V.  has  two 
ehikh-en — Clara  C,  born  August  14,  1878,  and  Zoe  M.,  born  Februai-y  15.  1882.  Mettle 
V.  has  one  daughter — Gertie  M.,  born  July  8.  1881.  December  20,  1874.  Mi-.  Preston 
married  Rachel  C.  Hough,  a  native  of  Bristol.  Hartford  Co.,  Conn.,  born  June  8.  1840. 
ilr.  Preston  was  married  a  second  time.  December  20,  1874,  to  Rachel  E.  Hough,  of  Bris- 
tol. Hartford  Co.,  Conn. 

JUDGE  S.  PRESTON,  P.  O.  Disco,  farmer.  Section  1,  was  born  January  16.  1831. 
in  Shelby;  is  the  son  of  Ira  L.  aad  Deborah  (Goff)  Preston  (see  sketch  of  Ira  L.  Preston), 
Judge  S.  Preston  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  1854:  it  was  partially  improved  and 
is  now  in  a  state  of  advanced  cultivation,  with  fine  buildings;  he  was  married,  November 
1,  1853.  to  Caroline  A.  Bartlett,  born  December  7.  1834.  in  Gates.  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  she 
came  to  Macomb  County  in  October,  183U;  they  have  five  chihh-eu,  as  follows:  Lynd  B., 
November  18,  1855;  Helen  A.,  January  10,  1862;  Charles  E.,  July  16,  186)6;  May  A., 
May  5,  1871;  John  M.,  February  7,  1876.  Mr.  P.  has  held  the  position  of  Drain  Com- 
missioner two  years;  held  the  office  of  Notaiy  Public  fom-  years;  has  also  been  School  Di 
rector.  Moderator  and  held  other  township  offices;  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  be- 
longs to  Grange.  No.  334,  Disco. 

GEORGE  SEAMAN,  P.  O.  Disco,  farmer.  Section  5,  was  born  September  4.  1821; 
in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.;  he  is  the  son  of  Doty  and  Lydia  (Fish)  Seaman;  both  parents 
were  of  English  descent.  Mr.  S.  came  to  this  county  in  May,  1835,  and  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  the  township  of  Ray;  in  1844.  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Oakland  Countv; 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


l^ 


fifteen  years  later,  he  purchased  240  acres  on  Section  35,  in  Ray,  and  on  Section  2,  in  Ma- 
comb, which  he  sold,  and  located  on  100  acres  on  Section  18,  in  Lenox;  he  again  sold  out 
and  located  100  acres  on  Section  ">,  in  Shelby,  where  he  Jiow  resides;  his  farm  is  under 
cultivation,  well  stocked  and  with  good  buildings.  He  was  married,  September  ."),  1844, 
to  Almira,  daughter  of  Enoch  Crawford;  they  have  nine  children,  born  as  follows:  Mary, 
July  14,  184-"),  married  Andrew  Seeley,  March  20,  1871;  Robert,  born  August  2U,  1853; 
Lydia,  August  28,  1855,  mai-ried  George  Dunkley  March  22,  1878;  Phebe,  June  14,  1857. 
married  Virgil  K.  Dryer  July  2,  1874;  Charity  A.,  March  18,  185U;  Lovina,  April  18, 
1801;  Josephine,  May  13.  1803;  Doty,  March  28,  1865;  John,  October  17,  1807.  Mr.  S. 
is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

HIRAM  SQUIER  was  born  July  8,  1800,  near  Montreal,  Canada,  son  of  Nathaniel 
and  Jemima  (Dilno)  Sqnier.  the  latter  born  in  Vermont,  the  former  in  Connecticut,  in 
1752;  his  father  came  to  this  county  in  May,  1817,  from  Westminster.  Canada,  and,  in 
partnership  with  John  Cook,  located  040  acres  on  Section  28,  Shelby,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  in  Febrnai'y.  1832:  his  mother  died  in  1811.  Nathaniel  Squier  served  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Hiram  Squier  purchased  120  acres.  Section  34,  Shelby,  in 
1831.  where  he  dwelt  until  September,  1881.  He  maiTied  Mahala  Moe,  widow  of  Fowler, 
who  died  in  February.  1810;  he  subsequently  married  Maria  Harris,  born  at  Toronto. 
Canada,  March  20.  1810.  Mr.  Squiers  attended  the  first  town  meeting  held  in  Shelby  in 
1827;  he  attended  the  first  English  school  in  the  county  in  18 111,  which  was  taught  by  Asa 
Hadsell;  helped  to  raise  the  first  mill  at  Stony  Creek,  and  to  build  the  first  three  homes 
in  Shelby.  He  was  a  Democrat  until  1840,  when  he  accepted  the  platform  of  the  Aboli- 
tionists. In  1850,  he  voted  for  John  C.  Fremont,  and,  in  1870.  for  the  Prohibitionist 
candidates.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Squier  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  heard  the 
first  sermon  preached  in  the  township,  in  1817,  which  was  against  intemperance.  To 
this  day.  this  old  man  is  a  Prohibitionist. 

DAVID  SUMMERS,  P.  O.  Utica.  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  in  1824;  married 
Caroline  Aldrich,  October  2,  1850;  they  are  the  parents  of  thirteen  children — Mary  Alice, 
born  in  1851;  Ella  F.,  in  1853;  Jacob  L.  in  1855;  Whipple  G.  in  1850;  Victoria  Jose- 
phine, in  1858;  William _R.  in  1800;  Albert  B.,  in  1802;  Livingston  L.,  in  1803;  Evelena, 
in  1805;  Riverdy,  in  180< ;  Margaret,  in  180t);  George  F..  in  1873  and  Clayton  in  1878,  all 
of  whom  are  living,  with  the  exception  of  George  F.  The  head  of  the  Summers  family, 
John  Summers,  came  from  Germany  in  1752,  accompanied  by  his  five  sons,  of  whom  the 
names  Jacob  and  John  are  remembered;  the  former  was  a  Judge  of  Records  in  Philadelphia, 
where  he  settled;  the  latter  settled  in  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  where  he  was  Circuit  Judge 
for  over  twenty  j'ears.  Jacob  Summers,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
youngest  son  of  five  born  to  Judge  Jacob  Summers  and  his  wife.  Mary  Hiles;  he  settled 
in  Shelby  Township  in  1831;  was  elected  Supervisor  in  1830;  was  chosen  Representative 
and  subsequently,  was  elected  Senator  for  three  terms  in  succession.  Befoi'e  the  office  of 
Associate  Judge  was  abolished,  he  held  the  position  while  Judge  Goodwin  was  Presiding 
Judge  of  the  circuit.  The  pioneer  of  Shelby  died  July  25.  1803;  his  children  are  as  fol- 
lows: Phebe.  who  married  Samuel  Axford,  in  1830;  Ann  married  Jacob  Price;  George 
died  in  1877;  Barbara  died  in  1801;  Rebecca  married  Morgan  Axford,  and.  for  her  sec- 
ond husband.  Dr.  V/illiam  Beach,  of  Coldwater;  David  married  Caroline  Aldrich.  October 
3,  1850;  the  other  children  were  John.. Margaret  and  William.  As  old  residents  of  Shel- 
by, the  members  of  this  family  are  held  in  high  esteem. 

GEORGE  SWITZER.  farmer.  Section  20,  P.  O.  Disco,  was  born  August  15.  1811. 
in  Bavaria.  Germany;  he  came  to  America  in  1837;  the  passage  was  one  of  long-continued 
storm  and  peril,  lasting  seventy-two  days;  their  provisions  failed  and  starvation  was  close 
upon  them;  he  came  from  the  State  of  New  York,  Erie  County,  to  this  country;  to  Ma- 


^«^  « 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


comb  County,  Mich.,  in  18r)S,  and  purchased  forty-seven  acres  on  Section  7.  which  he 
afterward  sold  and  piu'chased  lU,")  acres  of  first-class  land,  where  he  now  resides;  his  farm 
is  nearly  all  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  tine  buildings.  He  was  married,  No- 
vember 1,  1842,  to  Elizabeth  Fisher,  a  native  of  Bavaria,  born  May  14,  18'2();  they  have 
had  twelve  children,  of  whom  nine  are  living ;  their  record  is  as  follows ;  Mary  E. ,  born 
August  1"),  1844,  married  Charles  Andi'ews,  November  1,  1866;  George,  January  8,  1846, 
married  Caroline  George  Januarv  27,  1867:  John  W.,  January  7,  1847;  Fanny  C. ,  June 
10,  1848,  married  Perry  Everett,"  October  11,  1868;  Charles  E.,  April  2H,  1850,  married 
Mary  Wal win;  Hemy J. ,  December  2."),  1851,  married  Myrtie  Smith;  Abraham  F.,  August 
8,  185:-j;  William  F..  February  22,  1855,  married  Delia  Dickens;  Lucius  E.,  August  HO. 
1856,  married  Matilda  Burd;  Perry  R, ,  January  ll,]S5y,  died  September  15,  1868;  Elmer 
P.,  March  6,  1861,  died  November  20,  1861;  Lydia  Q,,  November  IH,  1862,  died  October 
8,  186:1  Mr.  S.  is  a  Republican  in  political  views,  and  has  been  elected  School  Assessor 
seven  years;  he  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  townsmen  as  an  honorable  and  upright  man  and 
citizen. 

WILLIARD  A.  WALES,  aged  sixty-two  years,  was  born  in  Covington,  Genesee  Co. , 
N.  Y.,  December  7,  18111;  son  of  Solomon  and  Urania  Wales,  natives  of  Vermont.  AV.  A. 
Wales  married  Amy  Ann  Chapman,  April  10,  184H,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Chapman, 
born  August  21, 1822,  in  the  township  of  Livonia,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.  The  children 
of  this  marriage  were  born  as  follows:  William  Wert,  May  24,  1845;  Heni-y  Lee,  July  18, 
1849;  Amos  Emmet.  June  3,  1852.  died  August  22,  1868;  Earl  Wright,"  December  13. 
1853;  Mary,  September  1,  1856;  Ellie  May,  November  29,  1864,  died  January  8,  1880. 
Mr.  Wales  removed  to  Shelljy,  Macomb  County,  in  May,  1828,  with  his  parents,  where  he 
has  resided  since  that  time;  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  and  has  pursued  the  oc- 
cupation of  a  farmer  to  the  present  date;  has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  for  ten  years; 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  State  Grange  for  two  years; 
wrote  and  circulated  the  first  call  for  a  Republican  convention  in  the  county,  in  1854. 
Mr.  W.  recollects  seeing  the  Chief  Wadson  when  a  boj',  at  which  time  Romeo  was  called 
the  Indian  Village,  and  bears  and  wolves  were  numerous;  at  that  time,  his  mother  spun 
and  wove  linen  and  flannel  to  clothe  the  family. 

ABEL  WARREN,  deceased,  was  born  in  Hampton,  Washington  County,  State  of 
New  York,  .iugust  8,  1789,  where  he  grew  to  manhood;  enlisted  and  served  in  the  war  of 
1812;  held  the  office  of  Sergeant;  was  seriously  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle 
of  Queenstown  Heights;  was  paroled  and  retui-ued  to  his  home,  and  was  married  to  Sarah 
Hooker,  of  Poultney,  Vt. ,  January  16,  1814,  and,  in  1816,  moved  to  Covington,  Genesee 
County,  in  his  native  State;  in  1820.  he  came  to  Michigan  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land,  near  Pontiac,  but  subsequently  sold  it,  and,  in  lS24,  he  moved  with  his  family  to 
Michigan  and  purchased  an  eighty-acre  lot  on  Section  4,  Shelby.  Macomb  County,  where 
he  lived  and  died;  he  was  converted  in  Covington  February  28,  1817,  and  joined  the  M. 
E.  Church;  held  for  a  time  the  office  of  Class-leader,  and  subsequently,  was  licensed  to 
exhort,  which  relation  he  held  when  he  moved  to  Michigan:  was  licensed  to  preach  at  a 
(juarterly  meetiug  held  in  Detroit,  in  June,  1825;  in  1880.  he  was  ordained  Deacon  at  a 
conference,  held  in  Lancaster,  Ohio,  and  subsequently,  was  ordained  Elder;  he  was  the 
first  man  licensed  in  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  and  no  doubt  preached  at  more  funerals  and 
maiTied'more  couples  than  any  other  one  man  in  the  county  of  Macomb,  as  when  well,  he 
was  always  ready  at  a  moment's  call  for  either,  frequently  leaving  the  haytield  and  going 
ten  or  fifteen  miles  to  attend  a  funeral,  and,  as  horses  in  those  days  were  very  scarce,  not 
unfrequently  making  the  Journey  on  foot.  As  a  f)ioneer  local  preacher,  he  was  abundant 
in  labors,  traveling  on  foot  at  times  twenty-four  miles  on  the  Sabbath  and  preaching  three 
times,  and  that  after  a  hard  week's  work  on  the  farm,  and  preaching  as  regularly  as  any 


stationed  preacher,  and  spending  most  of  the  winters  in  special  revival  work,  in  Macomb, 
St.  Clair  and  Oakland  Counties,  in  which  hundreds  were  converted,  thus  helping  to  lay 
the  basis  on  which  rests  the  magnificent,  moral  and  social  superstructure  of  this  beautiful 
region  of  country.  And  in  reference  to  him,  the  language  of  the  wise  man  seems  appro- 
priate—  ''The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed:  for  he  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  his  memorj'  will  be  cherished"  while  our  present  civilization  lasts.  AVith  refer- 
ence to  his  character  as  a  man  and  minister,  I  quote  from  his  biographer:  His  chief  en- 
dowment was  strong  common  sense ;  he  had  a  quick  perception  and  was  a  remarkably  good 
judge  of  human  nature,  and  could  addiess  men  in  public  or  private  so  as  to  reach  their 
better  natiu'es,  without  arousing  their  prejudices:  his  education  was  very  limited,  but  his 
language  was  always  chaste  and  quite  correct,  and.  his  manner  very  imjjressive;  an  Epis- 
cojial  clergyman,  after  hearing  him,  said-  "He  has  neither  education  nor  eloquence,  but 
something  far  better — the  j)ower  to  convince  and  move  men."  He  was  genial  and  sym- 
pathetic, could  weep  with  those  that  wept,  or  rejoice  and  smile  with  the  cheerful  and 
happy,  and  thus  was  a  welcome  guest,  either  at  the  wedding  festival,  at  the  sick-bed  or 
funeral  obsequies.  He  had  nine  children,  four  sons  and  five  daughters:  one  son  died  in 
infancy,  the  rest  living  to  maturity;  two  of  the  sons  are  in  the  ministry,  and  the  other 
holds  important  official  positions  in  the  church,  and  one  daughter  is  the  wife  of  a  promi- 
nent minister  of  the  Michigan  Conference.  Elder  Warren  died  September  5,  18()2,  in 
the  seventy-ftmrth  year  of  his  age;  his  wife  smwived  him  eleven  years,  and  died  December 
('),  1S73.  Four  only  of  the  children  are  now  living,  the  rest  having  passed  with  the  par- 
ents to  the  home  beyond.  Many  incidents,  quite  novel  and  of  interest,  might  l)e  given,  of 
Elder  Warren's  early  history  in  the  county  and  Territory,  but  a  few  must  suffice.  At  the 
conference  held  in  the  court  house  at  Pontiac,  twenty-two  years  ago,  in  the  love  feast, 
two  or  three  of  the  old  ministers  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  there,  but,  after  giving 
their  dates,  he  said  he  was  ahead  of  all  of  them;  that,  in  1S2(*,  stopping  in  town  for  the 
night,  he  came  out  into  the  brush,  just  about  where  the  court  house  stood,  for  secret 
prayer,  and  the  wolves  gathered  around  and  commenced  to  liowl,  and  he  held  a  prayer- 
meeting  with  them.  One  Salibath  evening,  while  passing  through  the  woods  over  an  In- 
dian trail,  he  saw  just  ahead  of  him  a  huge  bear.  The  animal  seemed  inclined  to  dispute 
the  right  of  way;  without  apparent  fear,  the  traveler  picked  up  a  stick,  saying,  "If  you 
be  good,  I  will,  but  otherwise  we  will  try  titles."'  The  bear  stepped  aside  and  the  Elder 
piished  forwanl  on  his  journev. 

HARMON  A.  WELLS,  P.  O.  Rochester,  farmer.  Section  7,  was  born  April  19,  1827, 
in  Steuben  County,  N,  Y, ;  is  the  son  of  Samuel  D.  and  Lvdia  (Parmenter)  Wells;  his 
father  was  born  March  24,  17811,  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  died  August  12,  1883; 
he  was  of  Welsh  extraction  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  Mr.  Wells'  mother  was 
born  August  2,  17U2,  at  Oakham,  Mass.,  and  died  September  22,  IS"),');  her  lineage  was 
English.  The  senior  AVells  came  to  this  country  in  August,'  1829,  and  located  on  24(* 
acres  of  land  on  Sections  ti  and  7,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  Mr.  W.  of  this  sketch 
piu-chased  14(1  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  which  he  has  placed  under  the  best  state  of 
cultivation,  and  which  is  supplied  with  good  dwellings-aud  convenient  accessoiy  buildings. 
Mr,  Wells  married  Roxelnna  Cannon,  a  native  of  Day,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  born  May  8, 
1832.  Seven  children  have  been  born  to  them,  as  follows:  Mary  A.  Wells,  born  January 
28,  1859;  Frank  D..  September  19.  ISfi] :  Alice  M.,  September  IT).  18()3;  George  S.,  De- 
cember 26,  18(>('.;  Byron  S..  May  23,  18()9;  Emma  M.,  May  28,  1S72;  Lydia  M.,  January 
9,  187(i;  Mary  A.  Wells  died  February  11.  1862.  Mr.  Wells  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  has  held  the  j)osition  of  Road  Commissioner  four  terms.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wells  hold  tt) 
the  principles  of  the  Universalist  Chirrch. 

HARVEY    WILCOX,    P.    O.    Washington,    farmer,    Section  2,    was   born    August 


-J)  \> 


44 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


8,  1828,  in  Eusli,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  he  is  the  sou  of  David,  and  Anna  (Brainard) 
Wilcox,  both  parents  descendants  of  the  English:  his  father  was  Itorn  October  1.  178U, 
in  Connecticut,  his  mother  October  22,  17U4.  in  Maine.  Mr.  D.  Wilcox  came  to  Michi- 
gan in  May.  1831,  and  settled  on  the  farm  of  178  acres,  now  under  good  improvements 
and  with  commodious  buildings,  on  which  H.  Wilcox  now  resides.  H.  Wilcox  was  mar- 
ried to  Maria  Hughes.  April  7,  18"i2:  she  was  born  July  2(5,  1826,  in  Canada  West;  they 
have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living — E.  R.,  born  July  2-"),  IS.")",  and 
Cxeorge  L.,  August  18,  18(51.  E.  R  was  married  to  Metta  N.  Preston.  August  11,  1878; 
she  was  born  August  ."),  1S.")'.I;  they  have  an  infant  child,  born  July  8,  1881.  Mrs.  H.  Wil- 
cox's father  died  June  16,  1871,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years  eight  months  and  fifteen 
days,  and  her  mother  July  7,  1876,  at  the  age  of  eighty-ono  years  eight  months  and  six- 
teen days.  The  former  served  nine  months  in  the  war  of  1812.  Mr.  Wilcox  of  this  sketch 
has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  two  yeai-s,  and  entered  on  his  second  term 
of  four  years;  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  Master  of  Grange.  No.  403. 

JAMES  WILLIAMS.  P.  O.  Utica,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Deputy  Town  Clerk, 
Utica,  was  born  November  IT),  1807,  in  Essex  County,  Ontario:  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  (Loomis)  Williams;  his  father  was  born  in  1760,  in  Maryland;  he  was  a  soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812,  and  was  with  Mad  Anthony  Wayne  in  the  Wabash  and  Miami  Indian 
war.  and  also  with  Cien.  Harrison  at  the  building  of  Forts  Dehance,  Wayne  and  Meigs. 
Mr.  Williams  came  to  this  covmty  in  1832,  and  located  at  Mt.  Clemens,  where  he  did 
business  as  a  tailor  and  dry  goods  merchant;  he  was  engaged  for  a  time  in  oil  specula- 
tion, at  Oil  Springs,  Ontario;  in  October,  1879,  he  came  to  Utica,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  married,  in  October,  1832,  to  Adelia  Ann  Cook:  they  had  two  children,  one  of 
whom.  Mrs.  Mary  H.  Wooley,  is  now  living  in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Williams  died  in  Febru- 
ary, 18-32,  and  Mr.  Williams  was  married,  in  January,  I8r)3,  to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Green;  they 
have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Frank  F.,  married  Miss  Hudson;  Julia 
M.,  married  James  McGarvy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AMUiams  belong  to  the  Congregational 
Church  of  Utica.  Mr.  W.  is  a  thoroughg<iing  Eepuljlican,  and  a  jnember  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity. 

BYRON  WRIGHT,  P.  O.  Utica,  farmer.  Section  28,  was  born  February  2."),  1830, 
at  Honeoye  Falls,  Monroe  Co..  N.  Y. ;  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Lany  Scramlin  Wright. 
Mr.  W.  settled  in  the  count}-  in  184*5,  and  purchased  120  acres  of  land,  which  had  been 
partially  improved;  it  is  now  his  homestead  and  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with 
fine  and  substantial  buildings.  He  was  married,  Augiist  lo,  1880,  to  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Beech,  born  February  21,  1830.  at  Rochester.  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  in  1850,  Mr.  Wright 
went  to  California,  and  remained  there  eighteen  years;  he  had  an  adventurous  passage 
home,  there  being  several  cases  of  yellow  fever  on  the  boat,  a  severe  storm  oft'  Cape  Hat- 
teras.      Mr.  Wright  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 


rF 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER    XXXill. 

BHUCE  TOWNSHIP. 

On  one  of  the  lirst  days  of  April,  183'i,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Foiu-th  Town  met  in  a 
log  schoolhouse  on  the  corner  four  miles  north  of  Romeo,  and  half  a  mile  west  of  Parme- 
lee's  house,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  township.  Mr.  Goodi'ich  was  called  to  the  chair, 
and  Martin  Buzzell  was  chosen  Clerk. 

Various  names  for  the  new  township  were  proposed,  which,  each  in  tiu-n,  met  with 
various  objections,  until  one  of  the  Grays  proposed  the  name  of  Bruce,  in  honor  of  Scot- 
land's renowned  chieftain.  The  name  being  short,  easily  written  and  pronounced,  com- 
mended itself  to  the  people  at  once,  and  was  accepted. 

That  portion  of  Macomb  County  comprised  in  sm-veyed  Township  5  north.  Range  l'^ 
east,  was  erected  into  a  township  under  the  name  of  Bruce  March  'J,  18H3,  and  the  first 
town  meeting  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  schoolhouse  near  James  Bushnell's,  the  iirst  Mon- 
day in  April,  1833. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  schoolhouse  near  James  Bushnell's  house,  April 
1,  1833.  Gideon  Gates  was  Moderator,  and  Martin  Buzzell,  Clerk.  The  election  resulted 
in  the  choice  of  CJ-ideon  Gates.  Supervisor;  Martin  Buzzell,  Clerk;  Isaac  Thompson,  J.  W. 
L.  Collins  and  Jesse  Bishop.  Assessors;  Erastus  Day,  George  Throop  and  Hemau  Holmes, 
Commissioners  of  Highways;  Gad  Chamberlin,  Poor  Director;  Asahel  Bailey.  Treasm-er; 
Hiram  Ho]>kins.  Collector  and  Constable;  Erastus  Day,  Ezra  Finch.  Lure  Hovey,  Rho- 
minah  Bancroft.  Daniel  Olverson,  Levi  Washburn  and  Mark  ^Viuchell,  Overseers  of  High- 
ways. 

The  municipal  officers  elected  since  that  time  are  named  as  follows: 

Supervisors — Gideon  Gates,  1833-35;  Isaac  Thomp.son,  1835-37;  Herman  Parmalee, 
1837-38;  County  Commissioners,  1838-43;  Minot  T.  Lane,  1843-45;  Hiram  Sherman, 
1845-50;  Hugh  Gray.  1850-51;  George  Chandler,  1851-53;  Harvey  Mellen.  1853-55; 
Joseph  Avres,  1855-59;  Hiram  Sherman,  185U-60;  Joseph  Ayres,  1800-81;  Harvey  Mel- 
len, 1881-82. 

Clerks— Martin  Buzzell.  1833;  Henry  Porter,  1834:  James  Bushnell.  1835-36;  Gid- 
eon Gates,  1837-38;  Cornelius  Everts.  1839;  Colatinus  Day,  1840-41;  Oliver  Canfield, 
1842-44;  Joseph  A.  C.  Leech,  1845-46;  Ebenezer  French,  1847-48;  Watson  Loud.  1849; 
Oliver  Canlield,  1850;  Watson  Loud,  1851-52;  Jose])h  Ayres,  1853;  Dexter  Mussey.  1854; 
Martin  Buzzell.  1855;  William  A.  Frazier,  1856-60;  Levant  C.  Mclntyre,  1861-63;  Sam- 
uel A.  Reade.  1864;  Charles  Jones,  1865;  William  A.  Frazier.  1866-68;  George  D.  Muz- 
zey,  1869-71;  Henry  P.  Piper,  1872-73;  Charles  N.  Coe,  1874-82. 

Troasurers-Asahel  Bailey,  1833-36;  John  W.  Day,  1835-36;  Jeremiah  Miller, 
1837-38;  Hiram  Hopkins,  1839;  Cornelius  Everts,  lS4b;  James  Starkweather,  1841; 
Hemy  Howm-th,  1.S42;  Martin  T.  Southwell.  1843;  Samuel  H.  Ewell.  1844;  Jeremiah  B. 
Ayres,  1845-4S:  Nathan  Palmer.  1849;  Lewis  D.  Owen.  1850-52;  William  B.  Sutton, 
1853-56;  Martin  Buzzell,  1857;  William  B.  Sutton,  1858-64;  Almagi-o  Pai-melee,  1865-(m; 
Robert  Turner.  1872-74;  George  D.  Muzzey,  1875-77;  Jed  Predmore,  1878-79;  Ejthraim 
Van  Burger.  1S80-82. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Justices  of  the  Peace — Gideon  Gates,  1831);  William  Allen,  1N:^(};  William  Cooley, 
liS3H;  Denis  Scranton,  183(3:  Ezra  Standisli,  1887:  Hem-y  Porter,  1.S37:  Martin  Buzzell, 
1837:  Hiram  Sherman,  1838;  Jesse  Bishop,  183S;  Rufus  Prentiss.  ISMS;  Hiram  Sherman, 
1839:  Azariah  Prentiss,  1S40;  Jesse  Bishop,  1841;  Gideon  Gates,  1S4"J;  Hiram  Sherman, 
1843;  Martin  F.  Southwell.  1844;  Dexter  Mussey,  1845:  Jesse  Bishop,  1845;  Gideon 
Gates,  lS4(i;  Hiram  Sherman,  1847:  Dexter  Mussey,  1848:  Jesse  Bishop,  1849;  George 
Chandler,  1850;  Gideon  Gates,  1851;  Stephen  H.  Fitch,  185'.^:  Dexter  Mussey,  1853; 
Robert  McKav,  1.S54:  Asa  B.  Avres,  1855:  Joseph  P.  Foster,  18o():  Dexter  Mussey.  1857; 
Robert  McKay,  1S5S:  A.  B.  Ayres,  1859;  Joseph  P.  Foster,  ISliO,  Robert  Hamilton,  18<il; 
Martin  Buzzell,  ISiU;  Dexter  M.  Mussey,  1802;  Robert  McKaj',  18(52;  Edward  S.  Snover, 
18C.3: -Robert  Hamilton,  18()4;  Martin  Buzzell,  18(55;  Robert  McKay.  18(3(5;  Achish  H.  Pool, 
18()();  Edward  S.  Snover,  18(57:  Chester  Cooley,  18(5S:  Robert  Hamilton,  1S(5S;  Hiram 
Sherman,  18(59;  Dexter  Mussey.  1870:  Robert  McKay,  187(1;  Edward  Snovel,  1871; 
Thomas  Dawson.  187'2:  John  Smith,  Jr.,  1873:  Daniel  Wooden,  1873;  Robert  McKay, 
1874;  Dexter  Mussey,  1875:  William  7.  French,  187(5:  Daniel  Woodiu,  1877;  Alburtius 
Pierson,  1878;  Robert  McKay,  1878;  Dexter  Mussev,  1879  ;  Georcre  Townsend,  1879; 
George  Townsend.  1880:  Daniel  Woodin,  1881-82. 

The  election  of  1882.  resulted  as  follows:  Supervisor,  Mellen,  Democrat,  187;  Avers, 
Republican,  172;  Democrat  majority,  15.  Clerk,  F.  N.  White,  Republican,  193;  James 
McFarlane,  Democrat,  1(58;  Republican  majority,  25.  Treasurer,  A.  H.  Shelp,  Republican, 
198:  Charles  Fillmore,  Democrat;  Republican  majority,  3(3. 

OKANl>   TRUNK    E.\ILROAD   OK    MKIIIOAN. 

A  resolution  was  adopted,  at  a  meeting  of  tax-payers  held  February  12,  18(58,  grant- 
ing a  loan  of  $33,000  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the  Grand  Trank  Railroad  of  Michigan. 
The  vote  stood  201  in  favor  of  the  loan,  and  2((  dissenting. 

MICHIGAN    AIR-LINE   RAILROAD. 

On  June  9,  1869,  a  meeting  of  tax-payers  was  held  at  Romeo,  when  239  votes  were 
recorded  in  favor  of  a  loan  of  .125,000,  and  8(3  votes  against  such  loan. 

.SCHOOLS. 

In  this  township  there  are  six  district  and  five  fractional  district  schools.  The  Direct- 
ors for  the  year  1881-82  comprise  Irving  D.  Hauscom,  H.  B.  Cornell,  Lawrence  Hosner, 
Enoch  Wilson,  John  C.  Thompson.  Lucius  Parmelee.  M.  D.  Closson,  Oscar  C.  Wood, 
Charles  Schanck,  Carey  Eldred  and  John  Smith,  Jr.  The  number  of  children  of  school 
age  in  these  districts  is  831,  of  which  number  544  belong  to  No.  1  School.  There  are 
thirteen  frame  school  buildings,  valued  at  $13,(500.  The  amount  paid  teachers  for  the 
year  ending  September,  1881,  was  $5,225,  while  the  aggregate  expenditure  was  $8,922. 
The  corps  of  teachers  comprised  four  males  and  twenty  three  females. 

THE   SCOTCH    SETTLEMENT. 

In  the  year  1830  or  1831,  the  portion  of  the  township  known  as  the  "  Scotch  Settle- 
ment "  began  to  be  occuj)ied.  One  or  two  families — Crawford  and  Wylie,  also  David 
Tayloi? — were  there  previously.  Dr.  Neil  Gray  and  his  brother  Hugh  came  to  Romeo, 
and.  acting  on  the  advice  of  Jesse  Bishoj),  located  the  tract  since  known  as  the  Gray  farm. 
The  relatives  of  the  Grays  came  over  fi'om  the  country  of  Robert  Burns  and  settled  near 
the  Gray  farm.  The  Resides.  Reids,  Hopkinses,  Muirs,  Wassons,  Hamiltons,  Borlans, 
Stephenses  and  many  others  soon  followed.  Josiah  T.  Sanborn,  one  of  the  iu'st  settlers 
of  Bruce,  still  resides  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  township. 


nOUNTY  FOR  WOLF  SCALPS. 

At  the  jseriod  of  organization,  the  northern  and  eastern  sections  of  the  township  were 
S|)arsel y  settled,  and  were  infested  with  wolves  and  other  forest  animals.  Sheep  and  hogs 
could  not  be  kept  at  all,  unless  closely  watched  by  day  and  safely  secured  by  night.  The 
State  oflered  a  bounty  of  i^S  for  the  destruction  of  each  wolf,  and  the  county  added  to  this 
the  sum  of  $8,  in  order  to  stimulate  our  hunters  to  greater  exertion.  The  various  town- 
ships offered  bounties  of  from  $3  to  $5  for  each  wolf  scalp  brought  to  the  Town  Treasiu-er. 

In  times  past,  the  treasvu'y  of  Washington  suffered  from  the  action  of  a  man  who  pro- 
duced a  whole  litter  of  wolves,  in  the  most  helpless  state  ox  infancy.  Bruce  made  it  a 
rule  to  provide  against  such  an  outlay  by  ordaining  that  the  bounty  of  13  should  not  be 
paid  to  wolf -slayers  who  could  not  produce  the  scalp  of  a  wolf  which  was  not  able  to  stand 
and  walk  alone. 

A  bounty  for  wolf  scalps  was  offered  in  this  township,  as  well  there  might  be,  for,  in 
the  summer  of  1836,  sheejj  were  killed  by  wolves  within  twenty-five  rods  of  where  ]\Ir. 
Wilkinson  now  resides,  and  the  boys  killed  coons  in  those  days  in  a  cornfield,  within 
forty  rods  of  the  present  residence  of  Isaac  Brabb. 

The  principal  natiu'al  cm-iosities  of  Bruce  are  the  miniatiu'e  lakes,  of  which  there  are 
four  or  five.  The  largest  of  them  is  called  "  Cusic  Lake,"  and  is  located  al)out  three  miles 
west  of  Romeo.  It  contains  about  twenty-five  acres,  and  is  always  full  of  clear  water. 
The  next  in  size  is  Hall's  Pond,  which  covers  about  ten  acres.  Cusick  Lake  is  on  the  line 
between  Washington  and  Bruce  Townships,  and  gives  promise  of  being  a  most  pojiular  re- 
sort before  many  years. 

The  township  is  watered  by  the  North  Branch  of  the  Clinton  River  and  Leslie's  Creek. 
There  are  some  saw-mills  and  other  industrial  institutions  situated  on  these  streams. 


STATISTICAL. 

In  1850,  the  township  contained  ]3r(  farms,  containing  11.851)  acres  of  improved  land, 
with  l),ll!8  acres  of  wood  and  other  unimproved  land,  the  cash  value  of  which  was  esti- 
mated at  |3iy,330.  In  live  stock,  it  exceeded  any  township  in  the  county,  as  indeed  it 
did  ia  the  above  enumerations.  Of  horses  there  were  230  (only  one  ass,  and  no  mules); 
milch  cows,  4S();  working  oxen,  '21ir,  other  cattle,  038;  sheep,  o.fiS'i;  swine,  T'JU;  total 
value  of  live  stock,  $44,520 ;  wheat,  34,98(1  bushels;  rye,  430  bushels;  Indian  corn,  20,1)95 
bushels;  oats,  1(3,024  bushels;  barley,  052  bushels;  buckwheat,  2,141  bushels;  potatoes, 
2,231  bushels;  w  ol,  10,270  pounds.  Value  of  oi-chard  products,  |99(;.  Dairy  produce: 
Butter,  23, 115  pounds;  cheese,  9,2()5  pounds;  maple  sugar,  2,255  pounds.  Contrasted 
with  the  statistical  showing  of  1874,  it  makes  the  following  comparison:  Number  of 
farms,  205;  acres  improved,  16,30()|;  wood  and  other  unimproved  land,  7,()75;  total  cash 
value  of  same,  §1,228,970.  In  live  stock,  the  following  figures  are  given:  Horses,  714; 
mules  and  asses,  6;  milch  cows,  514;  working  oxen,  10;  other  cattle,  595;  sheep,  10,523: 
swine,  579;  total  value  of  live  stock,  $145,834.  Wheat,  50,0)00  bushels;  rye,  40  bushels; 
Indian  corn,  33,803  bushels;  oats,  48,450  bushels;  barley,  8,405  bushels;  buckwheat.  850 
bushels;  potatoes,  10,747  bushels;  wool,  57,790  jiounds.  Dairy  produce:  Butter,  48,815 
pounds;  cheese,  1,048  pounds.  Maple  sugar,  345  pounds.  Value  of  orchard  jjroduce, 
$11,72().  Pork  marketed,  90,(^07  pounds.  The  statistics  for  1880-81  show  a  still  more 
remarkable  advance.  The  jjopulation  of  the  township  in  1850,  including  that  portion  of 
Romeo  north  of  Main  street,  was  1.555;  in  1873.  the  number  increased  to  2.045:  and  in 
INSO,  to  2,112. 

THE    LOSS   OF   TlIK   RFSIDE   CHILD. 

In  the  sjsring  of  183().  or  about  that  time,  John  Reside,  a  Scotchman,  living  in  the 
northern  portion  of   Bruce,  was  engaged   in  sugar-making  in  the  woods,  and  in  the  after- 


j^9 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COU>TY. 


noon  of  one  day,  his  little  daughter,  Jane,  about  five  years  of  age,  who  had  spent  the  after- 
noon with  her  father,  started  to  go  home  alone,  and  became  lost  in  the  woods.  The 
mother,  supposing  the  child  to  be  with  her  father,  felt  no  alarm,  and  the  father  knew  not 
of  her  loss  till  his  return  late  in  the  evening.  Search  was  soon  made,  and  neighbors 
flocked  in  to  give  such  aid  and  sympathy  as  they  could,  but,  owing  to  the  darkness  in  the 
timber,  the  search  was  unsuccessful. 

The  weather  was  (|  uite  cold,  and  a  storm  threatening.  The  men,  however,  kept  in  the 
woods,  and,  by  lights  and  incessant  shouting,  kept  the  beasts  away.  In  the  morning,  Luke 
Fisher  came  with  a  dog,  which  was  allowed  to  smell  a  stocking  worn  by  the  child.  The 
dog  soon  traced  the  way  the  girl  had  gone,  and,  followed  by  his  master,  soon  came  upon 
her.  She  had  become  completely  exhausted  and  overcome  by  the  cold,  and  had  fallen  on 
her  face  upon  the  ground.  Her  uncle,  a  doctor,  was  at  hand,  and  she  was  restored  to  life 
and  brought  home.  Her  hands  were  frozen,  and  the  complete  use  of  them  never  fully  re- 
tiu-ned.  She  still  dimly  remembers  the  scenes  of  that  terrible  night,  and  never  forgets  that 
she  owes  her  life  to  the  sagacity  of  a  faithful  dog. 

PKK.SONAL  HISTORY. 

In  the  personal  history  of  Bruce  are  given  brief  biogi-aphical  notices  of  prominent  citi- 
zens and  old  settlers  of  the  town.  They  will  prove  as  instructive  and  interesting  as  the 
legitimate  history  of  the  district,  since  they  form  the  history  of  those  who  raised  it  to 
its  present  prosperous  condition. 

RUSSELL  BATES,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  May  30,  1840,  in  Chestertield,  Macomb 
Co.,  Mich.  He  is  the  son  of  Russell  and  Elsie  Bates,  natives  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
His  father  died  June  3,  1842;  his  mother  died  December  10, 1881,  aged  sixty-seven  years. 
Mr.  Bates  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  business  life,  except  six  years  when  he  was  engaged 
in  trade  at  Romeo.  In  1875,  he  settled  on  the  fai-m  where  he  now  lives,  including  the  100 
acres  of  fine  land  on  Section  31,  well  stocked  and  supplied  with  a  good  home  and  suitable 
buildings.  He  was  married.  March  23,  1801,  to  Fidelia  H. .  daughter  of  James  and  Fanny 
Hosner,  of  Bruce.  She  was  born  January  15,  1838,  in  Bruce.  They  have  had  two  chil- 
dren— La  Fayette  H..  born  March  17,  1866;  and  Alice,  April  17,  1873,  died  September 
25.  1873.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bates  are  members  of  the  Free-Will  Baptist  Chm-ch  of  Bruce. 
Mr.  Bates  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party. 

GILBERT  S.  BISHOP,  P.  O.  Almont,  was  bom  July  30,  1841,  in  the  township  of 
Brace,  Macomb  Co. ,  Mich.  He  was  the  sou  of  Truman  and  Mary  Bishop.  Truman  was 
born  in  1806,  Livingston  County,  township  of  Richmond;  died  in  the  township  of  Bruce, 
Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  in  July,  1850.  His  wife,  Mary,  was  born  in  Richmond,  Livingston 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  August,  1811.  She  died  in  Bruce  in  September,  1850.  They  came  to 
Michigan  about  the  year  1837  and  settled  in  Macomb;  the  same  year,  bought  the  farm  on 
which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  now  lives,  which  now  consists  of  200  acres  of  choice  land, 
with  good  dwelling  and  outbuildings,  on  Section  5.  September  24,  1S02,  Mr.  Bishop 
married  Angeline  Patch.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Anson  B.  and  Ann  L.  Jewell 
Patch;  wife  was  born  June  4,  1842,  in  the  township  of  Ray.  Macomb  Co.,  Mich;  her  fa- 
ther was  bom  in  Massachusetts  in  1814;  mother,  born  in  New  York  in  the  same  year: 
died  in  Oakland  County,  Mich.,  in  1846.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bishop  have  had  live  childi-en, 
as  follows:  Frank  L.,  born  January  27,  1864;  Mary  A.,  born  September  10,  1865;  Flor- 
ence L..' August  25,  1867.  died  May  4.  1875;  Jennie  M.,  born  November  22,  1S7<»;  Emma 
C,  born  August  30,  1880.  They  are  members  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of  Al- 
mont.    Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

THOMAS  BORLAND,  of  the  township  of  Almont,  Lapeer  County,  was  born  in  Cragie 
Parish,  Ayrshire,  Scotland.  Octolser  15,  1826.  His  father.  Thomas,  was  a  farmer  in  that 
46 


country,  and  died  there.  Soon  after  coming  of  age,  Thomas,  Jr.,  having  received  an  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  ])arish,  took,  in  accordance  with  the  custom  of  that 
country,  UOd  acres  of  the  estate  of  the  Duke  of  Argyle.  This  was  a  farm  ada})ted  to  the 
dairy  and  grazing  business.  A\'hile  moving  from  the  old  home  to  this  new  one,  the  drove 
of  cattle,  consisting  of  sixty  head,  became  scattered,  and  one  cow  was  lost,  and  was 
taken  up  by  a  farmer  and  secured  in  his  barn.  She  was  soon  recovered,  and.  soon  after 
reaching  the  faim,  was  seized  with  the  disease,  pleiu'o-jmeiunonia,  and  soon  died.  The 
disease  soon  spread  through  the  herd,  and  forty  head  were  saeriiiced  to  the  disease,  many 
of  them  worth  $75  to$l(K)  each.  The  loss  extended  into  the  second  year,  and  the  income 
of  both  years  became  a  total  loss.  This  so  aft'ected  his  calculations  that  he  could  not  re- 
cover, and  so  conceived  the  idea  of  coming  to  America.  Taking  the  benefit  of  a  small 
patrimony  of  Mrs.  Borland,  they  took  passage,  and  arrived  in  Macomb  County  May  It, 
1853,  with  good  health  and  very  little  means.  On  leaving  the  old  country,  his  chamber- 
lain gave  bin;  a  letter  highly  complimentary  to  his  character  and  management,  which  was 
an  uncommon  thing  for  a  landlord  to  do.  Spending  a  couple  of  years  as  laborer  on  the  farm  of 
John  Taylor,  of  Bruce,  he  bought  forty  acres  of  land  in  Armada,  which  he  kept  foiu-  years. 
This  he  sold,  and  spent  a  year  on  a  farm  near  Almont,  and  then  bought  eighty  acres  in 
Bruce,  on  Section  8,  which  he  kept  live  years,  and  sold  at  an  advance  of  $'2,(HH).  He  then 
bought  a  farm  on  the  county  line,  in  Lapeer  County,  of  I'iO  acres,  adding  afterward  230 
acres.  He  has  erected  tine  buildings  on  this  farm,  and  is  out  of  debt,  and  prosperous — 
showing  that  industry  and  perseverance  are  svu'e  to  be  rewarded.  He  was  maiTied,  in 
1848,  in  Scotland,  to  Janet  AVilsou,  who  was  born  January  13.  1S27.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  David  Wilson,  fanner,  of  Haining  Mains,  Ayrshire,  Scotland.  Of  this  marriage  there  were 
live  boys,  three  of  whom  sui-vive — David  W.,  born  May  11,  1850,  married  and  living  on 
the  homestead;  Thomas  J.,  born  July  0,  18(34;  James  W.,  born  December  1,  1866;  also 
two  sons  who  died  in  childhood.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  various 
political  questions  of  the  day,  and  has  always  been  a  Republican,  voting  lii-st  for  Lincoln  in 
1860.  Ml',  and  Mrs.  Borland  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which 
Mr.  Borland  is  an  Elder. 

ALEXANDER  BRAID  WOOD,  farmer,  of  Bruce  Township,  was  born  in  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  in  January,  1818.  In  Scotland  he  was  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store,  and  also  clerk 
in  a  ship-building  yard  in  the  city  of  Troon.  In  the  year  1842,  in  company  with  two 
brothers,  emigrated  to  America  and  located  on  the  north  line  of  the  county  in  Bruce  Town- 
ship, Section  2,  in  the  Scotch  settlement,  and  has  since  resided  there;  was  married,  in 
1847,  to  Mary  Milliken,  daughter  of  John  Milliken,  of  Scotland;  she  was  born  in  Ayrshire 
March  17,  1828  ;  they  have  had  ten  chikh'en,  fom'  of  whom  are  married  and  set- 
tled in  Lapeer  County,  and  six  still  at  the  homestead.  Mr.  Braidwood  has  been  a  suc- 
cessful farm(>r  and  breeder  of  fine  cattle,  having  330  acres  of  fertile  land,  with  good  build- 
ings and  otlicr  things  necessary  to  a  profitable  business.      In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

CHESTER  D.  COOLEY  was  born  Sei^tember  15,  1845,  in  Bruce,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich. ; 
is  son  of  Chester  and  Jane  Kisor  Cooley  (see  sketch  of  Chester  Cooley),  of  Romeo.  Mr. 
Cooley  was  married,  June  22,  1873,  to  Hannah  M.,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Rhoda  S.  Cole 
Ingalsbe,  of  Ray,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  natives  of  New  York;  the  former  was  born  Sep- 
tember 26,  1823,  in  Camless,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  died  August  16,  1877;  the  latter 
was  born  August  28,  1829,  in  Jerusalem,  Yates  Co.,  N  Y.,and  is  still  living.  Mrs.  Cooley 
was  born  August  11,  1851,  in  Lenox,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooley  have  one 
child.  William  M.,  born  July  28.  1875,  in  Bruce,  Macomb  County  They  reside  on  Sec- 
tion 21,  Bruce  Township.  Mr.  Cooley  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  41,  of  Ro- 
meo, and  is  ])olitically  a  Republican.  Mrs.  Cooley  is  a  member  of  the  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry. 


^T 


S.  B.  COOLEY  W!is  born  in  Bruce  Township,  Macomb  County,  July  1,  1S33.  His 
father.  Benjamin  Cooley,  referred  to  in  these  pages,  came  to  Michigan  in  October.  1832. 
Here  Mr.  Cooley  was  educated  and  at  the  Romeo  Academy.  In  1855,  he  left  for  Minnesota, 
where  he  located  155  acres,  near  Mantorville,  and  remained  thirteen  months:  returning, 
he  bought  the  Willett  farm,  on  Sections  lU  and  20.  May  4.  1864,  he  entered  on  his  West- 
ern trip  to  the  gold  mines,  reaching  the  Montana  mines  June  1.  1865,  he,  with  his  party, 
wintering  at  Salt  Lake  City,  where  he  disposed  of  a  §2,000  stock  of  boots  and  shoes,  piu-- 
ohased  at  Chicago,  in  company  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  George  Schenck  He  returned 
to  Macomb  County  in  June.  1866.  and  resumed  farming.  In  1870,  he  inherited  the 
homestead  farm,  consisting  of  280  acres,  on  Sections  17  and  18,  Bruce,  which  he  has  con- 
ducted since  that  time.  This  landed  projjerty  in  Macomb  is  640  acres,  of  which  400  acres 
are  under  cultivation.  Recently,  he  has  built  farm  laborers"  houses,  or  tenant  houses. 
His  stock  consists  of  375  sheep,  eighty  hogs,  twenty-two  horses  and  mules.  Mr.  S.  B. 
Cooley  is  a  member  of  the  Blue  Lodge.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Almont.  and  of  the  Romeo  Com- 
mandery  and  Chapter;  is  a  charter  member  of  Romeo  Grange,  and  member  of  the  Pomona 
Grange.  Mrs.  Clarissa  Wood  Cooley,  a  native  of  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. ,  born  in  1814, 
came  to  Michigan  with  her  husband,  Benjamin  Cooley. 

SAMUEL  G.  COOLEY.  P.  O.  Almont,  was  borii  September  20,  1853,  in  the  township 
of  Bnice,  Macomb  Co. .  JMjoh.  He  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  IMaretta  Cooley.  His  fa- 
ther was  born  in  Pittsbteg^  Vt.,  March  7,  1804;  died  November  0.  1872,  in  the  township 
of  Bruce.  His  father  came  to  Michigan  in  1832,  and  first  settled  in  Washington.  Macomb 
County;  left  Washington  in  1840  and  settled  in  Bruce,  on  ]67i  acres  of  land  on  Section 
6;  on  this  he  lived  until  his  death.  Samuel  Cooley,  father  of  this  sketch,  was  married, 
November  15,  1850,  to  Maretta  Wood;  they  had  one  child.  Samuel  G.,  born  September 
20,  1853;  his  mother  was  born  in  Boonville,  Oneida  Co..  N.  Y.,  March  211,  1808.  On  the 
death  of  his  father.  Samuel  G.  came  into  possession  of  the  homestead.  December  10, 
1872,  he  was  married  to  Ada  Bell  Lane,  of  Dryden,  Lapeer  Co,,  Mich.  His  wife  was 
born  July  26,  1858.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Charles  and  Elmina  Lane.  They  have 
three  children — Saumel  M.,  born  August  28, 1874;  Maretta  May,  born  September  30, 18/6; 
Charley  Elwin,  born  December  28,  1880.  They  have  on  their  homestead  120  acres  of 
choice  land,  with  good  dwelling  house  and  outbuildings.  Politically,  he  is  an  Independ- 
ent. Chai-les  Lane,  Sr.,  was  born  in  the  year  1793,  in  the  town  of  Queensbiu-y,  Wairen 
Co.,  N.  Y.  He  moved  to  Michigan  and  died  in  1856.  Charles  Lane,  son  of  the  senior, 
was  also  born  in  Warren  County,  in  1814.  and  died  May  20, 1882,  in  Dryden,  Mich.,  aged 
sixty-seven  years  and  seven  months.  When  he  was  twenty-three  years  old,  he  came  to 
Michigan,  and  finally  settled  in  Lapeer  County.  At  the  age  of  twenty-eight  or  twenty- 
nine,  he  married  Elmina  Gould,  who  was  born  in  New  York  State  in  1828,  and,  with  her 
parents,  moved  to  Michigan  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  she  was 
married  to  Mr.  Lane.  Ada  Bell  Lane  was  born  iii  the  year  1858,  in  Lapeer  County,  town 
of  Dryden,  Mich.      At  the  age  of  foiu-teen,  she  maiTied  Samuel  G.  Cooley. 

WILLIAM  COOLEY  was  born  June  26,  1808.  in  Pittsford,  Rutland  Co.^Vt.;  is  son 
of  Samuel  and  Polly  Dike  Cooley.  The  former  was  born  November  14,  1(75.  in  Pitts- 
ford,  Vt.,  and  died  in  Bruce,  Micli.,  Februai-y  2,  1843;  the  latter  was  born  in  Chittenden, 
Rutland  Co.,  Vt.,  August  4,  1781,  and  died  September  10, 1838,  in  Bruce.  Samuel  Cooley 
left  Vermont  in  1816,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Cambria,  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  in 
1832  settled  in  Bruce,  Mich.  Mr.  Cooley.  of  this  sketch,  was  employed  as  a  carder  and 
cloth-di-esser  in  Niagai'a  County,  N.  Y.  In  1832,  he  came  to  Michigan  and  purchased  120 
acres  of  land  in  Bruce,  returning  to  New  York  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  intending  to  re- 
main. He  was  persuaded  to  come  back  with  his  father,  to  whom  he  sold  his  land  and 
bought  eighty  acres  more,  on  which  he  has  since  pursued  the  vocation  of  a  farmer.     He 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


has  been  the  owner  of  several  farms  and  a  considerable  amount  of  timber  land.  He  was 
married,  January  1,  1S3.J.  to  Lucretia  Hiudz,  of  Cambria,  N,  Y.,  a  native  of  Vermont. 
She  was  born  February  22,  1812.  They  have  one  child,  James  H.,  born  October  18,  183"), 
and  died  September  5,  1837.  Mrs,  Cooley  died  June  23,  1836,  in  Bruce.  Mr.  Cooley 
was  married,  January  2'.),  1840,  to  Henrietta  L.,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Diadamia  Scran- 
ton  Crippen,  of  Washington,  Macomb  County.  She  was  l:)orn  March  1,  1821,  in  Coving- 
ton, Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  child,  Charles  D.,  born  January  13,  1842,  in 
Bruce,  Mrs.  Cooley  belongs  to  the  Free  Baptist  Church  of  Bruce.  Mr.  Cooley  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  orders  of  Masonry  and  Odd  Fellows.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat.  His  farm 
includes  160  acres  of  land,  well  improved  with  a  substantial  frame  house  and  accessory 
buildings. 

AARON  CORNELL,  P.  O.  Romeo,  born  May  1,  1822,  in  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  was  son  of 
Richardson  and  Anna  M.  (Moshcr)  Cornell,  both  parents  natives  of  New  York,  father 
born  May  9, 17U1,  died  in  1878,  in  Wisconsin;  mother  born  June  8,  17U6:  she  died  March, 
1834  This  old  couple  were  married  May  26,  1814:  They  had  the  following  children: 
Aletta  K,,  born  April  25,  1817;  Dorcas. born  September  7,  181U;  Aaron,  born  Mayl,  1822; 
Hannah  W..  born  September  5,  1824;  William  D.,  born  April  1,  182',),  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Lefever  Septemlser  U,  1844;  from  this  marriage,  had 
two  childi'en — Hartmon  R,  and  Allace  Josephine,  both  of  whom  are  now  living;  wife  died 
September  4.  1870.  Mr.  Cornell  married  for  his  second  wife  Lucy  Streeter  August  22, 
1871;  she  died  March  14,  1880.  January  12,  1882,  Mr.  Cornell  married,  for  his  third 
wife,  Elizabeth  Ann  Sanford,  widow  of  George  Sauford,  of  Flint,  Mich.;  she  was  born 
July  28, 1830;  she  was  a  daughter  of  Denis  and  Delia  (Palmer)  Scranton.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  is  a  farmer,  and  came  to  Michigan  aad  to  the  town  of  Bruce  in  April,  18G7; 
the  same  year  of  his  arrival  in  Michigan,  boiight  his  present  homestead,  which  consists  of 
145  acres  of  choice  land  on  Section  14,  with  large,  commodious  dwelling  house  and  good 
barns;  farm  is  on  gravel  road  leading  to  Almont,  four  miles  north  of  Romeo.  Mr.  and 
Mrs,  Cornell  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  politically,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, 

ALBERT  EDGETT,  (deceased),  born  February  3,  1805,  in  Gorham,  New  York, 
was  the  son  of  Peter  and  Rhoda  (Finch)  Edgett.  Peter,  his  father,  was  born  in  En- 
gland in  1770;  he  died  in  Bruce,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  in  the  yeai-  1832;  his  son  died 
March  16,  1876,  in  Bruce,  Macomb  Co..  Mich.  His  mother  was  Holland  Dutch,  and  they 
were  married  in  the  State  of  New  York,  Schoharie  County.  Albert  Edgett  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  1827  and  settled  on  what  is  now  Bruce,  on  Section  36,  where  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land,  where  the  family  have  since  lived.  January  1,  1828,  Albert  mai'ried  Lucy 
Adams;  wife  born  in  Langdon,  Cheshire  Co.,  N.  H. ,  April  22,  1807;  she  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Susan  (Morse)  Adams.  From  this  marriage  they  have  seven  children — 
Cleora,  born  March  U,  1821),  now  the  wife  of  Samuel  Babcox,  of  Orford,  Mich;  Phcebe 
Paulina,  born  February  21,  1831;  Harriet  L.,  born  December  13,  1832;  Maryett,  born 
October  25,  1834;  Jul iett,  born  March  20,  1837;  Martha  Jane,  born  June  25, 1831);  Albert, 
born  August  21,  1841.  The  daughter  Martha  is  now  the  wife  of  Levi  W.  Cole,  of  Bruce; 
they  were  man'ied  November  7,  1878.  Mr.  Cole  now  lives  on  the  homestead  of  his  wife's 
father.  Mr.  Cole  was  born  September  22,  1846,  in  Biu-ford.  Brant  Co.,  Province  of  On- 
tario, Canada;  was  son  of  Nicholas  and  Anna  (Richort)  Cole.     Mr.  Cole  is  a  Republican. 

LEONARD  ELDRED,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  July  3,  1818.  in  Crafttown,  Otsego 
Co.,  N.  Y. ;  is  son  of  Thomas  and  Phcebe  (Myers)  Eldred;  the  former  was  born  in  June, 
17U4;  the  latter.  April  5,  1800.  They  had  nine  childi'on — Nathan,  Leonard,  Olive,  Ansel, 
Thomas,  Margaret,  Betsey,  James  and  Hiram;  moved  to  Clarence,  Erie  Co..  N.  Y. .  and 
afterward   to  Michigan,  in  1836,  and  located  on  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Bruce,  which  he 


iiL^ 


purchased  of  the  Government,  and  whei-e  he  resided  till  his  death.  September  17,  1857; 
his  wife  died  November  17.  187(1.  Mr.  Eldred  came  to  Michigan  with  his  parents.  He 
is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  which  he  pvu-saed  about  ten  years.  He  was  married  to  Emily, 
daughter  of  I.  W.  S.  and  Permelia  (Stranahan)  Collins.  February  18,  1844;  she  was  born 
in  Aurora,  Erie  Co..  N.  Y..  February  12.  1824;  her  father  was  born  December  21.  1791; 
was  son  of  Levi  and  Nabby  (Stanton)  Collins,  who  were  the  parents  of  ten  children;  the 
father  died  April  10,  1837;  the  mother  died  September  18,  1831.  Permelia  Stranahan 
was  daughter  of  John  and  Annie  (Crego)  Stranahan,  natives  of  New  York,  who  came  to 
Michigan  in  1836  and  settled  in  Bruce.  I.  W.  S.  Collins  came  to  Michigan  in  1832, 
with  his  wife  and  eight  children;  three  were  afterwai'd  born  to  them;  their  names  were 
Seymour,  Hamet.  Cornelia,  Julia,  Emily,  Cyrenus,  Jackson.  Lafayette,  Annie,  Ruth  and 
James.  Of  these.  Seymour.  Julia.  Jackson  and  Annie  are  dead.  Mr.  Collins  died 
September  7.  1855;  his  wife  died  February  25.  1877.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eldred  have 
thi-ee  children — Permelia  A.,  born  April  24,  1845;  mamed  to  James  Hosner  in  November, 
1862:  they  have  had  three  children — Emma.  Eva  (deceased)  and  Clare;  Peter  P.,  born 
October  1(1.  1846,  married,  January  1.  1876,  to  Annie,  daughter  of  Andi-ew  and  Catherine 
(Falkner)  Nickerson;  they  have  one  child,  Fred  C,  born  September  S,  1877;  Cary 
J.  Eldred  was  born  September  18.  1848;  was  mairied,  in  July,  1870,  to  Emma,  daughter 
of  James  and  Fanny  (Spencer)  Hosner;  they  had  two  childi-en — Fanny  L.  and  Carrie  E. ; 
Mrs.  Eldred  died  in  September,  1876;  her  husband  was  married,  in  November,  1877,  to 
Emma,  daughter  of  Edmund  and  Mary  Gould;  they  have  one  daughter,  Florry,  born  April 
18,  1880.  Mr.  Eldred,  lives  on  his  homestead  of  150  acres  on  Section  33,  where  he  located 
December  25,  1872.  His  son  Peter  owns  a  farm  of  upward  of  one  hundred  acres  on  Sec- 
tion 28,  the  original  possession  of  Leonard  Eldred. 

CORNELIUS  EVERETT,  son  of  Elihu  Everett,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  was  born 
in  Washington  County,  N.  Y. .  December  27.  1800.  His  mother.  Betsey  Derl)y.  a  native 
of  the  same  place,  died  in  Washington.  The  father  died  in  18()0,  in  Cattaraugus  County, 
N.  Y.  Mr.  Everett  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Western  New  York  several 
years,  and  removed  to  Macomb  County  in  the  fall  of  1833,  and  taught  school  the  first  sea- 
son of  his  stay.  In  the  spring  of  1834,  he  bought  a  lot  of  land  on  Section  14  of  Bruce 
Township,  and  made  it  his  fu'st  home.  In  the  year  1855,  he  added  the  Fisher  farm, 
which  was  situated  across  the  street.  He  was  mamed,  August  U,  1828,  to  Climena. 
daughter  of  Heman  Palmerlee,  of  Connecticut.  She  was  born  at  Shorehara,  Vt.,  May  23, 
1811.  Their  children  were  Leonard,  born  in  New  York  August  16,  1830,  married  Annie 
Collins  and  lives  at  Battle  Creek,  Mich.;  Elizabeth.  September  6,  1833.  married  S.  Daniels 
and  lives  in  Detroit;  Mar\%  born  September  9,  1838,  maiTied  William  Daniels  and  resides 
in  Chicago,  111.;  Homer  C.  B.,  September  1'),  1845.  Mrs.  Everett  died  December  11, 
1880.  Mr.  Everett  has  been  an  active  and  energetic  man  and  a  prosperous  farmer;  a 
member  of  the  Democratic  party.      Mr.  Everett's  father  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 

HOMER  C.  EVERETT,  son  of  Cornelius  Everett,  born  in  Bruce  Township  Septem- 
ber ly,  1845;  remained  at  home  and  attended  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood  and  at  Ro- 
meo until  becoming  of  age;  married,  October  21,  1874,  Lorena,  daughter  of  Abel  Shel- 
den,  of  Lenox  Township;  they  have  two  sons — Floyd,  bom  September  21,  1.S77;  Clarence, 
Augusts.  187U;  also  one  daughter  died  in  infancy.  ]VIr.  Everett  resides  on  the  homestead, 
and  is 'meeting  with  success  as  an  agricultmnst;  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  enlisted,  in  1864,  in  Company  G.  Third  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry;  rcmiained  nearly 
two  years,  and  was  honorably  discharged.  He  lived  three  years  in  the  townships  of  Lenox 
and  Ray,  and  retuiTied  to  the  homestead  in  the  fall  of  1880. 

HENRY  D.  GOETCHIEUS,  P.  O.  Almont,  was  born  January  1.  1815,  in  Shawangunk, 
Ulster  Co. ,  N.  Y. .    He  is  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Catherine  Goetchieus.     Stephen  Goetchieus 


"♦         1*1^ 


was  born  in  New  York;  his  wife,  Catherine,  in  the  State  of  Virginia.  His  father  came  to 
Michigan  in  1837;  settled  in  Washington,  Macomb  County;  father  died  in  Almont.  Lapeer 
County,  October  20,  1854,  aged  seventy-fom-  years.  His  son  Henry  came  to  Michigan 
with  his  father.  He  had  learned  the  trade  of  tailor  in  the  State  of  New  York.  On  his 
arrival  at  Romeo,  he  opened  a  tailor-shop  and  followed  this  business  about  eight  years, 
and  then  kept  a  hotel  in  what  was  the  old  Red  Tavern.  This  house  was  burned  after  he 
had  occupied  it  some  four  years.  On  the  same  ground  he  built  a  new  hotel,  called  the 
Romeo  Exchange;  kept  this  house  about  eight  years,  then  sold  the  house  to  J.  L.  Benja 
min  for  $6,000,  and  with  this  money  he  came  to  Bruce,  and  bought  his  present  homestead 
about  1850,  which  consists  of  200  acres  of  choice  land  on  Section  4,  with  good  dwelling 
and  barn.  On  this  farm,  near  his  dwelling,  he  has  a  fine  fish  pond  of  about  one  acre, 
tilled  with  pickerel,  and  with  nearly  every  kind  of  fish  that  inhabits  the  lakes  or  Michigan. 
January  27,  1848,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Phuebe  Cardnell,  of  Almont.  She 
was  born  May  16,  1822,  in  Genesee  County.  N.  Y.  From  this  maiTiage  they  have  the  fol- 
lowing children:  lone,  born  January  9,  1843,  now  the  wife  of  George  Braidwood,  of 
Bruce;  Edwin  E.,  June  IS,  1S44,  now  lives  at  Grand  Rapids;  Phcebe  L.,  born  March  6, 
1846,  wife  of  Abram  Hagar  Marlette,  of  Sanilac  County;  Jay  W..  born  May  15,  1848; 
Ivan,  born  December  1,  1840,  died  May  1,  1850;  George  M.,  November  4,  1851,  lives  in 
Bruce  and  occupies  part  of  the  homestead;  Unita  C,  born  March  11,  1854,  at  home,  sin- 
gle; Julia,  born  October  3,  1858,  at  home,  single.  Mr.  Goetchieus'  forefathers  lived  in 
Holland.  Mr.  Goetchieus  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Democrat.  The  son,  Jay  W.,  lives  with  his  parents  on  the  homestead.  November  10, 
1876,  Jay  was  married  to  Ittary  E.  Miles,  of  Almont,  Lapeer  Co.,  Mich.  They  have  two 
chikh-en— Phoebe  Ann,  born  June  8,  1878;  Hem-y  D.,  born  May.  12,  1881.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

ROBERT  GRAY,  deceased,  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  May  12,  1816;  came  with 
his  parents  to  this  county  in  1832,  where  the  family  now  reside,  in  the  same  old  house, 
with  additions.  He  was  married,  in  1851.  to  Miss  Isabella  Fogo,  a  native  of  Scotland. 
They  had  four  children— Neil  W.,  William  M,  Belle  F.  and  Hugh  J.  D.  William  is 
married  to  Belle  Mahaffy,  and  has  one  child.  Robert;  Belle  F.  is  the  wife  of  James  Coch- 
lane.  Mr.  Gray  was  a  prominent  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  was  very  successful.  He 
died  October  5,  1877,  respected  by  all.  Noil  Gray,  deceased,  the  father  of  the  above,  was 
also  a  native  of  Ayrshire,  Scotland;  brought  his  family  to  America  in  1832,  and  settled  on 
Section  11,  Bruce  Township,  this  county,  where  his  descendants  still  live.  He  was  the  father 
of  ten  children,  all  dead. 

WILLIAM  HAMILTON,  P.  O.  Almont,  born  May  31,  1800,  in  Muirkirk,  Ayrshire, 
Scotland;  was  the  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Simm)  Hamilton.  Robert  Hamilton,  fa- 
ther of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1784,  and  died  in  1845,  in 
township  of  Bruce,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  William,  was  also  born 
in  Scotland,  in  1785,  and  died  in  Bruce  in  186S.  They  had  six  children,  two  of  whom 
are  now  living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  the  year 
1830;  landed  at  port  of  Boston  and  settled  in  North  Andover,  Mass.;  parents  lived  in 
Andover  some  two  years,  when  they  went  to  Simsbury,  Conn.,  where  they  lived  some  five 
years,  then  came  to  Bruce,  Mich.,  in  the  year  1837.  William  Hamilton  commenced  busi- 
ness life  for  himself  in  a  woolen-mill  in  Andover,  Mass;  worked  in  this  place  some  two 
years,  then  went  to  the  State  of  Connecticut,  to  town  of  Simsbury,  where  he  learned  the  trade 
of  carpet- weaver  in  the  carpet  factory  of  Livennore  &  Kendall;  followed  this  occupation 
five  years;  was  engaged  in  weaving  ingrain  carpets.  May  ,  1833,  Mr.  Hamilton  married 
Mary  Meloine,  of  New  York  City.  She  was  born  in  Port  Patrick,  Scotland,  February 
10,  1810;  came  to  America  in  1833;  landed  at  port  of  New  York.     She  was  the  daughter 


i. 


'i:>^ 


tif  John  and  Mary  (McCracken)  Meloine;  from  this  man-iago,  had  eight  children,  as  fol- 
lows; Robert  A.,  born  March  25,  1834.  in  State  of  Connecticut,  township  of  Simsbury; 
Eliza  Ann,  born  in  Connecticut,  township  of  Simsbury,  December  3,  1885;  Mary  Jane, 
in  Bruce,  Mich.,  June  27,  1844;  Matilda  E.,  born  June  21,  184(5;  Charlotte  A.,  born 
September  17,  184U;  William  W, ,  born  May  (5,  1851;  John  M.,  born  December  6,  1853. 
The  subject  of  this  came  to  Michigan  with  parents;  farmed  with  his  father  some  two 
years;  in  the  year  1841,  bought  a  farm  of  120  acres  of  land  on  Section  !•;  on  .this  land 
has  since  lived;  homestead  now  consists  of  eighty  acres  of  choice  land,  with  good  dwelling 
house  and  outbuildings.  Mr.  Hamilton  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church;  has 
taken  considerable  interest  in  common  schools,  and  held  several  school  offices;  politically, 
is  Republican. 

JACOB  H.  HOSNER  was  born  in  Clarkson.  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1841.  His  par- 
ents  came  to  Michigan  in  1843  and  located  in  Bruce  Township,  where  they  now  reside. 
Mr.  Hosner  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  en- 
listed in  the  Fir.st  Michigan  Cavalry.  He  was  enrolled  Augu.st  21,  1861,  and  served  until 
the  12th  day  of  June,  1864,  when  he  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Trevilian  Station,  Va. 
He  was  in  the  hospital  in  consequence  until  June  2,  1865.  when  he  received  honorable 
discharge.  Mr.  Hosner  was  one  of  Michigan's  most  valiant  sohiiers,  and  one  whom  his 
fellow-citizens  name  with  pride  and  honor.  He  was  in  every  action  in  which  his  regiment 
was  engaged  during  the  lirst  two  years  of  service,  and  was  under  ixve  at  Yorktown,  Will- 
iamsburg, Seven  Pines,  Fair  Oaks,  Mechanicsville,  Cold  Harbor,  Malvern  Hill,  Cedar 
Mountain,  Second  Bull  Run,  Harper's  Ferry,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Falling  Waters, 
Brandy  Station,  etc.  Mr.  Hosner  was  married,  in  1866,  to  Lucy  M.,  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Harriet  (Cusick)  Taft,  born  in  Bruce  in  1844.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taft  were  natives  of 
Clarkson,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y..  and  were  both  born  in  1807.  They  came  to  Michigan  in 
1835,  and  accumulated  several  farms  and  considerable  village  property  in  Romeo.  They 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  Taft  died  March  18,  1875:  Mrs.  Taft  died  Oc- 
tober 28.  1877.  Mr.  Hosner  owns  120  acres  of  fu-st-class,  finely  situated  land,  in  Bruce, 
on  Sections  2U  and  30.  His  residence  is  on  Section  2U,  and  his  place  is  well  supplied 
with  accessory  farm  buildings;  has  recently  built  a  barn  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  Mj.  and 
Mrs.  Hosner  have  had  two  children — Hiram  Judson,  born  April  2U,  1868,  died  September 
18.  1879;  and  Hattie  May,  born  March  1,  1870,  and  died  September  14,  1879,  of  malig- 
nant diphtheria.     The  son  died  of  paralysis  of  the  heart  succeeding  diphtheria. 

JAMES  M.  HOSNER  was  born  July  28,  1838,  in  Clarkson,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  is 
son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  Thompkins.  His  father  is  son  of  Hugh  and  Hannah  Hosner. 
natives  of  New  York,  the  former  born  in  1780,  and  died  in  1839;  the  latter  born  in  1783 
and  died  in  1867.  Mr.  Hosner  came  to  Michigan  in  1841.  He  was  man-ied.  in  1863. 
to  Permelia  A.,  daughter  of  Leonard  and  Emily  Eldred.  They  have  had  three  children — 
Emana  E.,  born  May  20.  1864,  in  Bruce;  Eva'May,  May  1,  1870,  in  Bruce,  died  July  14, 
1870;  Clare  J.,  August  2,  1877,  in  Bruce.  Mr.  Hosner  owns  210  acres  of  good  laud  on 
Section  30,  with  tine  home  and  accessory  farm  buildings;  in  addition  to  farming,  buys 
and  sells  cattle  and  sheep  for  the  Eastern  markets. 

JOHN  E.  HOSNER  was  born  July  13,  1850;  is  son  of  James  and  Fanny  (Spencer) 
Hosner.  His  father  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1811;  removed  to  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y..  in  1816.  He  was  married,  in  1832,  to  Fanny  Spencer.  She  was  born  in 
Otsego  County.  N.  Y. ,  in  1813;  moved  with  her  parents  to  Monroe  County  in  1816.  They 
came  to  Michigan,  purchased  the  land  where  the  Clifton  Mill  now  stands:  exchanged  the 
property  for  land  in  Bruce,  one  mile  north  and  one-fom-th  mile  east  of  his  former  loca- 
tion, where  he  remained  imtil  April,  1876.  He  then  moved  one-half  mile  west  to  another 
tract  of   land;   he  died   June  11.  1876;  his  widow  lives  on  the  place  where   he  died.      Mr. 


^Tv 


^1 

1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Hosner,  of  this  sketch,  was  married,  October  16,  1870,  to  Caroline,  (laughter  of  John  and 
Chariot  e  (Hartung)  Albertson,  born  in  WaiTen  County,  N.  J.,  December  25,  1851;  her 
father  was  born  in  New  Jersey  September  2,  ISIV);  her  mother  was  born  in  New  York 
March  3,  1823;  they  were  maiTied  September  15,  1844:  came  to  Michigan  in  1852,  and 
located  at  Addison,  Oakland  County,  where  they  spont  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mrs. 
Albertson  died  July  fi,  1868;  Mr.  Albertson  died  May  15,  1875.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hosner 
have  one.  child,  Mary  Lee,  born  in  Bruce  December  U,  1877.  Mr.  Hosner  occupies  the 
homestead  of  his  parents,  160  acres  on  Section  32;  he  is  engaged  in  agriculture,  and  also 
in  breeding  thoroughbred  Spanish  Merino  sheep  and  Short-Horn  Durham  cattle:  his  Hock 
and  herd  are  of  recorded  jiedigree — the  former  fi-om  celebrated  Vermont  stock. 

THEODORE  F.  HOSNER.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Washington  Township  in  1845; 
was  married,  March  24,  18611.  to  Amanda  Schooley,  of  Addison  Township,  Oakland  County; 
their  childi'en  are  Frances  May  Hosner,  born  in  1870:  and  Amie  E.,  Ijt)rn  in  ]875.  He  is 
a  prosperous  and  successful  farmer  of  the  township  of  Bruce. 

ALBERT  HOVEY.  P.  O.  Romeo,  born  October  10.  1822.  in  Warsaw.  Wyoming  Co.. 
N.  Y. ;  was  the  son  of  Suel  and  Lucinda  (Holmes)  Hovey;  Suel  was  of  English  extraction 
and  his  wife.  Lucinda,  of  Scotch  extraction;  Suel  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. 1785;  died  in  Bruce  March  2,  1871:  his  wife,  Lucinda,  born  in  Vermont,  October 
13,  17yy.  and  died  in  Bruce,  Mich..  August  30,  1879.  Josiah  Hovey.  father  of  Suel,  was 
born  in  England  in  the  year  1754;  came  to  America  when  but  seventeen  years  of  age;  he 
was  always  a  farmer  and  lived  his  life  in  this  county,  in  New  Hampshire  and  New  York; 
he  died  in  Warsaw,  Wyoming  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  in  the  year  1824;  his  son  Suel,  the  father  of 
this  sketch,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Michi- 
gan. June.  1S2(),  with  his  parents;  his  father  bought  eighty  acres  of  good  land,  on  Sec- 
tion 2().  township  of  Bruce;  the  same  farm  is  now  the  present  homestead  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  which  now  consists  of  185  acres  of  choice  land,  with  large  commodious 
dwelling  house  and  good  barns  and  outbuildings.  A.  Hovey  located  on  thp  road  leading  from 
Romeo  to  Almont.  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Romeo.  April  14,  1856, 
Mr.  Albert  Hovey  married  Eliza  A.  Carpenter,  of  Almont,  Lajieer  C,  Mich.;  she  was  born 
October  27,  183(),  in  Armada.  Macomb  Co..  Mich;  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sabria 
(Perkins)  Carpenter:  both  her  parents  were  natives  of  Rutland.  Vt. ;  father  still  living  in 
Oregon.  Lapeer  Co..  Mich.  From  this  marriage,  there  are  live  children  living — Carson 
F..  born  January  31,  1857:  Elmer  A..  November  15.  1858;  Samuel  C.  February  25, 
1861;  Cora  B.,  November  28.  18(13:  Lena  S..  September  23,  18(>5,  died  June  4,  1867; 
Emma  S..  June  21,  1867,  died  December  29,  1870;  Myrtie  L,  May  21,  1873,  all  born  in 
the  township  of  Bruce,  Mich.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hovey  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.     Politicallv.  he  is  a  Republican. 

FRANKLIN  JONES,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  April  24,  1851,  in  Bruce,  Macomb 
County;  he  is  the  son  of  Charles  and  Abigail  Killam  Jones,  the  former  born  February  1, 
181 1,  in  New  York,  and  died  January  6,  1873,  in  Dryden,  Lapeer  County;  the  latter  was 
born  March  23,  1815,  in  Wheatland,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  her  parents  were  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Ml'.  Jones'  parents  were  married  October  9,  1838,  in  Wheatland;  his  mother 
had  eight  brothers  and  sisters,  four  of  whom  are  living;  six  of  her  seven  chikh-en  are 
now  living;  their  record  is  as  follows:  Eunice  L.,  born  August  14,  1840.  disd  September 
24,  1846;  Maria,  December  4,  1842;  Charles  K.,  February  6,  1846;  Emma,  Mav  15,1848; 
Franklin.  April  24,  1851;  Evelyn,  June  19,  1853;  Ella  A.,  March  23,  1855.  "Mr.  Jones 
was  married,  March  24,  1880,  to  Eva.  daughter  of  Rev.  Lester  and  Susan  Clark,  of  May- 
iicld,  Mich  :  the  former  was  born  in  Rutland,  Vt.,  April  22,  1883:  the  latter  was  born  in 
rpper  Canada  May  21,  1840;  they  were  married  July  9,  1855.  The  parents  of  Rev. 
Lester  Clark  were  Amasa  Clark,  who  was  born  January  18,  1812,  in  Rutland,  Vt. ;  and 


4 


^* 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUKTY. 


Roxalana  Carpenter,  bora  May  16,  1812,  in  Ira,  Vt. ;  they  were  married  April  8.  1830. 
The  parents  of  Airs.  Susan  Smith  Clark  were  Albert  Smith,  born  in  New  York  State  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1804:,  and  Lovina  Atwell,  born  in  the  same  State  September  10,  1812;  they  were 
married  January  25,  182U;  Lovina  Smith  died  September  6, 1857;  Albert  Smith  died  June 
3,  1880.  The  childi-eu  of  Rev.  Lester  and  Susan  Clark  are  as  follows:  Eva,  born  Mai-ch 
3,  1858;  Roxie,  July  26,  1860;  Lovina  A.,  November  11»,  1862,  died  September  15,  1866: 
Jason  S.,  February  28,  1865;  Carrie  Belle.  March  26,  1868;  Annette  C.  M.,  October  6, 
1870,  died  November  12,  1871;  Allie  May,  May  25.  1SJ3;  and  Lester.  Jr.,  August  5, 
1881.  Mr.  Jones  now  owns  his  father's  homestead  of  200  acres  on  Section  lU,  in  a  state 
of  advanced  improvement,  with  good  outbuildings.  The  senior  Jones  settled  in  Rose. 
Oakland  County,  and  in  1844  located  in  Bruce,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
Mr.  Jones  is  a  Democrat  in  political  sentiment. 

FRED  P.  KILLAjr  was  born  in  Bruce  Township  April  10.  1853;  his  father.  Powell 
C.  Killam.  and  mother.  Margaret  Ferguson,  came  to  Bruce  Township  at  an  early  day, 
from  Wheatland,  Caledonia  Co..  N.  Y. ;  his  grandfather,  Charles  Killam,  did  not  move  to 
Michigan.  In  1873,  he  took  [wssession  of  165  acres  on  Sections  I'J  and  30.  previously 
purchased  from  Harvey  Reid  by  Powell  C.  Killam.  where  he  now  makes  his  home.  He 
married  Miss  Zella  Partch  December  14,  1875.  daughter  of  Enos  Purtch,  born  in  Vermont, 
who  settled  in  Michigan  about  1867;  and  Abba  (Stone)  Partch,  a  native  of  New  York; 
they  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Hallie.  born  January  18,  18.'";  Bessie, 
born  August  10,  1878;  and  Jessie,  born  November  21,  1880.  Mr.  Killam's  grandfather 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  while  Mrs.  Killam's  father  served  in  the  New  York  Vol- 
unteers during  the  late  war,  while  her  Grandfather  Stone  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Mrs.  F.  P.  Killam  was  born  September  12,  1852. 

IRA  KILLAM,  farmer,  on  Section  18,  township  of  Bruce,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  was 
born  April  23.  1822.  in  Wheatland.  Mom'oe  County.  State  of  New  York;  was  the  son  of 
Charles  and  Sarah  (Bingham)  Killam.  Both  Chai-les  and  Sarah  Killam  were  nati\es  of 
Pennsylvania.  Chai'les  Killam  died  in  May,  1859.  His  wife,  Sarah,  the  mother  of  this 
sketch,  is  now  living  with  her  son  Ira;  is  in  her  ninetieth  year,  and  a  remarkably  well- 
preserved  old  lady.  The  subject  of  this  came  to  Michigan  in  1845.  settled  on  the  farm  on 
which  he  now  resides,  which  now  consists  of  32(_)  acres  of  choice  land,  with  good  dwelling- 
house  and  outbuildings.  Mr.  Killam  was  married,  September  20,  1847,  to  Christie  A. 
Stewart,  of  Wheatland,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  she  was  the  daughter  of  Donald  and  Christie 
Stewart;  wife  born  December  11,  1822,  in  Caledonia,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  from  this 
marriage,  there  were  live  childi-en,  as  follows — "William  S. .  Delia  and  Zelia  (twins),  Donald, 
Ira,  Jr.      Politically,  is  Democratic. 

ROBERT  McKAY,  born  March  4,  1813,  in  Renfrewshire,  Johnston,  fourteen  miles 
from  Cxlasgow,  Scotland,  was  son  of  John  and  Jane  McKay;  father  born  in  the  year  1(83; 
his  wife,  the  mother  of  Robert,  born  in  the  year  1790;  both  born  in  Scotland.  They  came 
to  America  in  the  year  1836;  landed  at  port  of  New  York;  came  on  to  Michigan  the  same 
year,  and  settled  in  Oxford.  Oakland  Co..  Mich.,  where  he  piu-chased  1,300  acres  of  good 
land;  on  this  land  they  lived  till  the  time  of  their  death,  which  occurred  as  follows:  Fa- 
ther died  July,  1861;  mother,  in  the  year  1858.  They  had  six  sons  and  three  daughters, 
two  of  whom  are  now  living.  Robert,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to  .Imerica  six  y^ars 
previous  to  his  parents,  and  spent  the  first  thr  e  years  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and 
three  in  Nashville,  Tenu. :  was  engaged  during  this  time  in  mercantile  business  and  publish- 
"  ing  house;  when  his  parents  came  to  Michigan,  he  came  on  to  meet  them,  and  has  since  re- 
sided in  Michigan;  came  to  Macomb  County  in  the  year  1841;  settled  on  the  farm  on 
which  he  now  resides,  which  now  consists  of  610  acres  of  choice  land  on  Section  12,  with 
good  dwelling-house   and  outbuildings.      December   16,  1841.  Mr.  McKay  married  Jane 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Gray;  from  this  marriage,  there  were  five  children — three  daughteis  and  two  sons — four  now 
living;  wife  died  January  24,  1861.  April  24.  1805,  he  married  Caroline  M.  Day,  born  De- 
cember 16,  183'.),  in  Armada,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.;  have  six  children  living,  four  sons  and 
two  daughters.  Mr.  McKay  is  Republican  in  politics,  he  being  one  of  the  original 
Abolitionists;  in  the  year  1842,  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  the  Abolition  party,  when  it  had  only 
two  anti-slavery  votes  in  town;  never  cast  any  other  than  an  anti-slavery  vote  in  his  life; 
has  lived  to  see  the  complete  triumph  Of  the  principles  he  so  early  identified  himself  with 
on  coming  to  Michigan;  has  always  beeji  a  zealous  worker  in  the  temperance  reform,  and 
so  remains  to  this  day;  was  identified  with  the  Underground  Railroad,  so  called,  and  as- 
sisted many  a  poor  slave  to  Canada  soil  to  enjoy  that  freedom  denied  to  them  in  this  boasted 
land  of  fi'eedom;  keeps  600  sheep;  wheat  and  sheep  are  his  specialties  in  farming:  is 
Director  in  Citizens'  Bank;  is  President  of  Mutual  Fire  Insui-ance  Company  of  Macomb 
County. 

ROBERT  N.  McKAY,  P.  O.  Romeo,  son  of  Robert  McKay  and  Jean  (Gray),  of  Bruce, 
Macomb  County,  was  born  in  Bruce  October  15. 1S47;  was  married  November  1, 1870,  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  B.  H.  Thurston,  of  Armada,  and  for  three  years  lived  on  the  Thurston  farm; 
then  bought  the  fai'm  on  which  he  now  lives,  known  as  the  Campbell  farm,  on  Section  24, 
in  Bruce  Township.  This  farm  consisted  of  120  acres,  to  which  forty  acres  have  been 
added.  He  has  good  buildings  and  tine  thoroughbred  stock,  and  has  been  remarkably  suc- 
cessful in  the  cultivation  of  wheat,  which  for  many  years  past  has  averaged  twenty-two 
bushels  per  acre.  Mrs.  McKay  was  born  January  26,  1846,  and  has  two  childi'en — Electa, 
born  October  27,  1876,  and  an  infant  son.  Mr.  McKay  has  always  voted  with  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

JOHN  C.  MILLER,  P.  O.  Almont,  born  September  8,  1814,  in  Hunter,  Greene  Co. , 
N.  Y.;  was  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Bruudrige)  Miller;  his  father  was  born  in 
Portsmouth.  England,  August  14,  1763;  he  married  Margaret  Brundrige,  who  was  born 
Dec.  2U,  1770,  in  Nova  Scotia;  they  were  married  August  20, 1786.  William  Miller  came 
to  America  about  the  year  1782.  After  their  man-iage,  they  settled  in  Hunter,  Greene 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  they  reared  a  family  of  ten  children.  In  the  year  1833.  he  left  Hunter 
and  came  on  to  Michigan,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Bruce,  Macomb 
County,  where  he  took  up  120  acres  on  Section  4,  it  now  being  the  farm  occupied  by  John 
Hagerman;  the  same  year,  he  took  up  160  acres  on  Section  -4,  on  which  he  built  himself 
a  house  and  home,  and  where  he  and  his  wife  resided  till  their  vleath  William  Miller 
died  March  25,  1851);  Margaret  died  June  1,  1851.  -John  Miller  bought  his  father's  farm 
in  the  year  1837,  and  with  him  the  parents  resided  till  their  death.  .John  has  since  lived 
on  the  farm,  which,  in  1882,  consists  of  140  acres  of  choice  land,  with  good  house  and 
outbuildings.  November  10,  1838,  he  married  Sarah  M.  Cusick,  of  Attica,  Lapeer  Co. , 
Mich.;  she  was  born  June  22,  1817;  had  four  children — John  T.,  born  October  22,  1831), 
died  September  30,  1853;  Ann  E.,  born  August  21,  1844;  Hiram  C,  born  October  2,  1846; 
Alice  E.,  born  May  4,  1840,  now  the  wife  of  H.  H.  Williams,  of  Almont;  they  have  two 
children — Jennie  B.,  born  May  17,  1873;  Clara,  born  December  3,  1875.  Hiram  was 
married  to  Martha  King,  of  Almont,  December  31,  1860,  and  has  three  children- -Lizzie 
A.,  born  February  27,  1870;  Estella  L.,  born  January  1,  1874;  John  H.,  born  October 
15,  1877;  first  wife  died  March  18,  1853.  June  8,  1853.  Mr.  Miller  man-ied  Lydia  J. 
Classon,  of  Almont,  Lapeer  Co.,  Mich.;  wife  born  March  12,  1831,  in  Jefl'erson  County, 
N.  Y. ;  she  was  the  daugther  of  Amasa  and  Sabina  (Red  way)  Closson;  bad  four  chil- 
dren— Truman  B.,  born  August  25,  1856,  died  March  11,  1874;  Sarah  M..  born  October 
21,  1858,  now  the  wife  of  John  H.  Dodds,  of  Lapeer,  Lapeer  Co.,  Mich.,  married  May  21, 
1870;  Martha  J.,  born  December  24,  1862,  died  March  17,  1864;  David  P.,  born  November  13, 
1871.     l[r.  Miller  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Chiu-ch:  politically,  he  is  Re[)ublican. 


ht. 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ROBERT  MILLIKEN  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  February  23.  182(5;  the 
family  were  farmei's  iu  that  country  and  emigi'ated  to  America  in  1845,  whou  he  engaged 
as  clerk  in  the  store  of  Dickinson  &  Giddings,  in  Romeo,  in  which  business  he  was  em- 
ployed for  a  period  of  three  years;  in  the  year  IS-'jO,  he  bought  the  farm  on  which  he 
now  resides,  on  Section  2,  of  Bruce.  Before  leaving  Scotland,  he  was  married  to  Jean- 
uette  Smith,  who  died  in  Almont  Township  in  the  year  1847.  By  this  marriage,  there 
were  two  children,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  He  married  again.  July  12.  1848,  to 
Ellen  Hopkin.  daughter  of  John  Hopkin,  of  Scotland;  she  was  born  in  the  year  1821); 
there  were  seven  children  in  all.  live  of  whom  are  still  living  in  the  locality  of  the  home- 
stead, save  one.  In  the  year  1870,  Mr.  M.  engaged  in  the  nursery  business,  in  whicli  he 
has  gained  an  extensive  trade,  his  sales  amounting  to  $."'),000  annually,  embracing  both 
fi-uit  and  ornamental  trees.  He  is  also  a  breeder  of  fine  horses  and  Dui'ham  cattle;  he 
has  made  his  farm  a  fertile  one.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

CYRUS  A.  M£LLS  was  born  iu  the  Province  of  Ontario.  Canada.  February  15,  1845; 
is  son  of  George  and  Margaret  Mills;  he  came  to  Michigan  in  186U  and  settled  at  Elk 
Rapids;  in  187U,  he  moved  to  Washington,  Macomb  County,  and  a  year  later  settled  in 
Bruce,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married,  September  26,  1871.  to  Emily  L.,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Sarah  A.  Richardson,  of  Elk  Rapids,  Mich,;  they  have  had  three  chil- 
dren— Walter  A.,  born  October  28,  1873.  died  August  10.  1875:  Alice  May,  November  21. 
1876;  Charles  E.,  April  27.  1878.     Mr.  Mills  is  a  Republican. 

LEWIS  D.  OWEN,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  August  16,  1815,  in  Covington,  Genesee 
(now  Wyoming)  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  he  is  the  son  of  Abijah  aad  Sally  Davis  Owen.  In  1825,  his 
father  came  to  Macomb  Coimty  with  his  famil}'  of  live  children,  which  number  afterward 
increased  to  eight;  they  located  in  Shelby,  known  in  those  days  as  the  •'Third  Town," 
where  his  father  took  uj)  eighty  acres  of  Government  land  and  remained  there  until  his 
death,  in  June,  1837.  Mr.  Owen  left  home  in  1831.  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  to  make  his  own 
way  in  the  world,  engaging  as  a  clerk  at  Utica  with  P.  &  G.  Leach,  remaining  imtil  1833, 
when  they  closed  their  business  connections,  and  he  engaged  with  John  James,  of  the 
same  place,  who  was  also  a  merchant  there.  A  year  later,  in  May.  1834,  he  came  to  Ro- 
meo and  opened  a  stock  of  goods  for  Johnson  Niles,  of  Troy.  Oakland  County  ;  he  remained 
until  June,  1835.  when  he  went  to  Mi-.  Niles'  store  in  Troy,  and  remained  oiie  year  with 
him.  He  received  a  proposition  from  his  former  employer.  G.  C.  Leach,  to  embark  in  a 
business  enterprise  at  Utica.  Mr.  Leach  became  a  silent  partner  in  the  concern,  managed 
under  the  style  of  Sheldon  &  Owen;  his  connection  with  this  tirm  continued  for  two  and 
a  half  years.  In  1837.  he  was  married  to  Jane  E..  daiighter  of  Liicy  Ann  and  Gideon  Gates, 
of  Romeo,  and  in  the  fall  of  1838  moved  to  this  village.  He  became  Deputy  under  his 
uncle.  Calvin  Davis,  then  High  Sheriff  of  the  county,  and  served  in  the  same  jjosition  with 
his  successor;  also  acted  as  Collector  and  Constable  of  Bruce  up  to  June,  1S42,  when  he 
moved  with  his  family  upon  the  homestead  farm  in  Shelby,  buying  out  the  other  heirs. 
This  was  his  first  experience  as  a  farmer  since  his  boyhood.  Here  he  remained  for  two 
years,  going  with  his  brother-in-law  to  manage  the  farm,  near  Romeo,  of  his  father-in-law, 
who  then  moved  into  the  village  of  Romeo,  He  resided  on  the  place  for  eight  years,  at 
the  same  time  conducting  his  own  estate  in  Shelby,  where  his  mother  still  lived.  In 
1852,  he  sold  out  the  property  there  and  bought  the  premises  of  the  late  James  Leslie, 
Jr.,  120  acres,  including  three- fourths  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  35,  in  Bruce, 
of  which  he  still  retains  seventy-six  acres,  and  where  he  reside.s.  He  cast  his  first  Presi- 
■  dential  vote  for  Martin  Van  Bm-en,  in  1836.  He  was  a  Democrat  until  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party  in  1854,  when  he  joined  its  ranks.  Mrs.  Owen  was  born  iu  Rich- 
mond, Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  May,  181(3,  and  died  in  187U.  in  her  sixty-fourth  year.  They 
had  nine  children — eight  sons  and  one  daughter;  five  sons  are  deceased;  those  living  have 


±h^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  following  record:  L.  Davis  was  born  at  Komeo  January  lU,  1841;  Robert  Dale  in 
Shelby.  January  80.  1843;  John  F.,  in  Bruce,  in  March,  1856;  and  Rosa  May.  wife  of 
Emanuel  Coykendall.  in  September.  1861.  Sally  Davis  Owen,  daughter  of  Bela  and  Ruth 
Davis,  was  born  in  Hubbai'dston.  Mass..  September  17,  17U1.  Bela  Davi:?,  father  of  Sally, 
was  th,'^  son  of  Eliezer  and  Sarah  Ward  Davis,  who  once  lived  in  Holdeii.  Mass.,  but  w(> 
have  no  further  record  of  them  or  their  son  Bela.  The  family  record  of  Lewis  D.  and 
Jane  E.  Owen  is  as  follows:  They  were  married  in  Pontiac  December  20,  1837;  their  eld- 
est son,  M.  Bliun  Owen,  born  in  Romeo  December  23,  1838;  L.  Davis  Owen,  born  in  Ro- 
meo January  lil,  1841;  Robert  Dale  Owen,  born  in  Shelby  Januaiy  30.  1843;  William 
Wirt  Owen,  born  in  Romeo  December  12,  1S4U;  Ralph  K.  Owen,  born  in  Romeo  January  20. 
1852;  Hibbard  Owen,  born  in  Brace  September  27,  1853.  Lewis  D.  Owen,  son  of  Abijah 
and  Sally  Owen,  born  in  Covington,  N.  Y..  August  16.  1S15;  Abijah  Owen,  son  of  Fi-ed- 
erick  and  Peggy  Owen,  at  Orwell,  Vt..  November  11,  17'.t2;  Frederick  Owen,  born  at  Tol- 
land. Conn..  Febroary  27,  1752;  Peggy  Hibbard  Owen,  born  in  Windom.  Conn..  Septem- 
ber 16,  1757;  Jane  E.  Gates  Owen,  daughter  of  Gideon  and  Lucy  Gates,  born  in  Victor. 
N.  Y.,  May  7,  1816;  Gideon  Gates,  son  of  Aiu'on  and  Elizabeth  Gates,  born  June  2'.t.  178'.*; 
Lucy  Gates,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Honor  Blinn.  born  May  22.  17il2;  M'ilbur  B. 
Gates,  son  of  Gideon  and  Lucy  Gates,  born  December  1,  1813;  Jane  E.  Gates,  daughter 
of  Gideon  and  Lucy  Gates,  born  May  7.  1816,  in  Victor,  N.  Y. ;  John  B.  Gates,  son  of 
Gideon  and  Lucy  Gates,  was  born  October  6,  1818;  Martha  Gates,  daughter  of  Gideon 
and  Lucy  Gates,  born  July  0,  1821.  The  following  is  the  military  record  of  Mr.  Owen's 
three  soldier  sons;  L.  Davis  Owen  was  private  in  Company  B,  Fifth  Michigan  Volunteer 
Infantry;  mustered  into  service  in  August,  1861.  at  Fort  Wayne.  Mich.,  under  Hemy  D. 
Ferry.  Colonel,  and  Judson  S.  FaiTar.  Captain,  both  of  Mt.  Clemens;  arrived  at  the  seat 
of  war  in  Virginia  in  September  following;  being  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
was  engaged  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Peninsula,  commanded  by  Gen.  McClellan,  also  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  No.  2,  under  Gen,  Pope,  and  at  Fredericksburg,  under 
Bm-nside.  and  at  Chancellorsville.  under  Gen.  Hooker,  and  Mead,  at  Gettysbm-g.  as  well 
as  all  the  subsequent  battles  and  military'  movements  engaged  iu  by  the  Anny  of  the  Poto- 
mac, including  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  the  whole  number  amounting  to  not  less  than 
twenty-five  or  thirty,  and.  during  the  three-years'  service,  in  many  of  the  hardest  battles, 
and  received  no  injiu-y  fm-ther  than  a  slight  wound  upon  the  eyebrow  from  a  spent  ball, 
which  had  struck  a  limb  overhead  and  glanced  downward;  was  mustered  out  of  service  the 
23d  of  August.  1864.  at  camp  near  Petersburg.  Va.  M.  Blimi  Owen,  now  deceased,  at  the 
time  the  war  broke  out  was  a  resident  of  New  York  City,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Seventh 
New  York   Militia  Regiment,  who  were  called    to  Washington  by  the  President  in  June, 

1861.  to  guard  the  capital,  and  were  encamped  on  Arlington  Heights  for  six  weeks,  then 
returned  to  New  York,  and,  in  the  fall  received  a  captain's  commission  from  the  Governor 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  raised  a  company  for  the  Fifty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, which  were  assigned  to  the  same  division  to  which  his  brother,  L.  Davis,  belonged, 
and  served  during  the  Peninsular  campaign,  but  soon  thereafter  resigned  his  commission. 
he  having  received  so  severe  a  shock  from  the  bursting  of  a  shell  that  he  regarded  his 
physical  condition  as  inadequate  to  the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  and  his  death,  although 
it  did  not  occur  until  some  years  after  that,  was  j)robably  to  be  attributed  to  the  injury 
then  received.  Robert  Dale  Owen  enlisted  under  Lieut.  William  Hulsheart,  and  A.  M. 
Keeler.  Captain,  in  Com2)any  B,  Twenty  second  Michigan  "\'olunteer  Infantry.  August  U, 

1862,  at  Pintiac.  which  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  the  seat  of 
their  operations  being  confined  mainly  to  Tennessee  and  Georgia,  being  at  the  surrender 
of  Atlanta;  but  he  was  more  generally  detailed  as  teamster  or  wood-chopper,  and  was 
sometimes  sent  to  Washington  with  lunatics;  therefore,  he  was  not  much  engaged  in  bat- 


V*l®~ 


'i^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


tie.  but  from  the  kick  of  a  mule  received  a  breach,  for  which  he  now  receives  a  half -pen- 
sion; was  mustered  out  of  service  in  June,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

GEORGE  H.  PALMERLEE,  son  of  Lucius  and  Louisa  (Stone)  Palm.<rlee,  was  born 
June  22,  1S47.  He  has  always  remained  upon  the  homestead,  receiving  the  educa- 
tion aflbrded  by  the  school  of  the  district  and  the  academy  at  Romeo;  married,  June 
1,  1871,  to  Alice  M.,  daughter  of  E.  S.  Snover,  of  Romeo;  she  was  born  at  Romeo  December 
5,  1849;  their  children  are  George  H.,  Jr.,  born  May  II,  1872;  Emma  Ct.,  born  May  0, 
1874.  Mi's.  Palmerlee  died  October  lU,  1875.  The  homestead  consists  of  175  aci-es,  in 
tine  state  of  cultivation,  with  all  things  needed  for  a  successful  business.  He  is  a  meia- 
ber  of  the  Congregational  Chiu-eh  of  Romeo,  and  in  politics  is  Republican. 

HEMAX  PALMERLEE,  deceased,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Litchfield.  Conn.,  and 
his  wife  in  Goshen,  in  1786;  they  lived  in  Granville,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  eighteen 
years  after  they  were  mairied;  in  Erie.  Penn. ,  one  and  a  half  years;  and  now,  in  1882, 
his  farm  has  been  the  home  of  the  Palmerlees  for  fifty  years.  They  were  blessed  with 
ten  children,  all  of  them  living  to  grow  up  to  manhood  and  womanhood.  They  came  into 
Bruce  with  eight  of  their  family,  the  oldest  daughter  being  married  and  living  in  Gran- 
ville, and  Joseph,  the  oldest  son,  remaining  with  her  until  the  next  spring,  and  in  the  au- 
tumn, the  sister,  with  her  family,  arrived  at  the  new  home  in  Bruce.  All  were  having  a 
gay  time  when  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  gun  hushed  their  sport  by  killing  Joseph.  Mi\ 
Heman  Palmerlee  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Postmaster  a  number  of 
years.  He  was  a  man  of  strict  integi'ity,  but  not  a  member  of  any  church;  his  wife  was  a 
member  of  the  Congi'egational  Chirrch.  He  died  in  1851*;  his  wife,  the  2yth  of  December, 
187U.  Amos  Palmerlee,  the  youngest  son,  still  lives  at  the  old  home;  he  was  born  in 
Granville,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1826;  was  married,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven,  to 
Mary  Kidder,  who  lived  with  him  six  years,  and  left  one  son,  Charles  Sumner;  he  was 
married  again,  in  1860,  to  Clara,  daughter  of  James  R.  and  Adelia  Makepeace  Taylor;  the 
foimer  was  born  in  Westtield,  Mass.,  in  1811,  and  died  March  28,  1880;  the  latter  was 
born  in  West  Brooklield.  Mass.,  April  5,  1815,  and  died  November  4,  1859.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Palmerlee  have  seven  children — Mary,  Adelia,  Alva  M. ,  Martha,  Knight  L.,  Amos  B., 
Clara  B.,  Heman  Viek. 

LrCIUS  PALMERLEE,  son  of  Heman  and  Nancy  (Brooks)  Palmerlee,  natives  of 
Litchfield.  Conn.;  was  born  November  20,  J818;  his  father  was  born  in  Connecticut  Sep- 
tember 21,  1786;  removed  to  Macomb  May  7.  1832;  settled  on  Section  14,  Bruce,  and 
died  September  5,  1859;  his  mother  was  born  August  4,  1786.  and  died  in  Romeo  Decem- 
ber 30.  1879.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  with  his  parents  and  attended  the 
schools  of  his  native  place  till  coming  of  age;  and  for  six  years  afterward  made  that  his 
home,  when  he  moved  to  the  farm  on  Section  14,  which  has  from  that  time  been  his  home. 
He  was  man'ied,  November  20,  1845,  to  Louisa,  daughter  of  Solomon  Stone,  of  the  town 
of  Richmond;  she  was  born  in  Blonroe  County,  N.  Y. ,  October  22,  1N18;  her  parents  were 
pioneers  of  Macomb  County.  The  only  child  of  this  marriage  was  George  H. ,  born  June 
28,  1847.  living  on  the  homestead.  Mrs.  Palmerlee  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  her 
native  county,  and  also  had  the  advantage  of  Gaines  Academy,  Orleans  Co.,  and  the  ISIon- 
roe  Female  Seminary.  She  is  one  of  the  pioneer  teachers  of  the  county,  having  taught 
two  years  in  Macomb,  and  eight  years  previous  to  coming  to  the  State.  ]Mi'.  Palmerlee 
is  also  an  old  teacher,  a  man  of  literary  tastes  and  acquirements,  and  a  ])rosperous 
farmer;  in  form  of  worship  he  is  a  Congregationalist;  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 
,  Mrs.  Palmerlee  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Romeo. 

JA:MES  PARKER  was  born  at  Hartford,  Mass..  June  17,  1788,  and  removed  to  Ma- 
comb County  in  1830,  and  located  a  farm  on  Section  24,  on  which  he  lived  to  the  time  of 
death,  which  took  place  January  18,  1861.     Mrs.  Parker  was  a  daughter  of  James  Adams, 


rpv* 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  Rutland,  Vt,  and  second  cousin  to  John  Quincy  Adams;  she  still  lives  on  the  homestead 
and  is  remembered  by  the  old  settlers  as  a  kind-hearted  and  benevolent  person,  a  valuable 
nvu'se  in  all  cases  of  want  or  sicijness.  far  and  neai\  and  a  conscientious.  Christian 
woman.  Mr.  Parker  was  a  jovial,  generous-hearted  man.  full  of  kind  words  and  deeds 
and  remembered  with  the  kindest  of  feeling.  They  had  ten  children,  all  but  one  born 
in  Ontario  County.  N.  Y. .  six  of  whom  are  still  living. 

ALBERTUS  A.  PIERSON  was  born  June  14,  1S2S,  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.;  is 
a  son  of  Joseph  and  Rachel  Dunham  Pierson,  the  former  born  in  Darbj',  Conn. .  May  4, 
1780,  and  died  in  February,  ]86iS;  his  grandfather,  Joseph  Pierson,  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier,  born  February  18,  1754;  his  wife  was  born  July  21.  1756.  Mr.  Pierson  settled 
in  Armada,  Mich.,  in  1855;  in  October,  18()2.  he  returned  to  the  State  of  New  York,  and, 
seven  years  later,  settled  in  Bruce,  Mich.,  buying  107  acres  of  land  on  Section  10;  he  has 
a  good  farm,  with  every  evidence  of  being  a  ])rosperous,  thrifty  Michigan  farmer:  his 
buildings  are  in  good  order,  and  everything  about  the  place  is  well  regulated.  He  was 
married.  September  15,  1853,  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Rebecca  (irinnell,  of 
Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. :  she  was  born  October  31,  1833,  in  Grove,  Allegany  Co.,  N. 
Y.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pierson  had  ten  chikh-en — Flora  R. ,  born  July  28,  1855;  George  A., 
September  20,  1857;  Charlie  A.,  April  30,  1850,  died  October  8,  1864;  Ida  M..  May  25. 
18(31:  Ruby  E.,  Jime  1,  1863;  Marv  C„  August  13,  1865:  Emma  A.,  June  20,  1867;  Clar- 
ence A.,  July  6,  1870:  Wallace  B.",  November  15,  1872;  Alice  A.,  September  20.  1874. 
Mrs.  Pierson  died  October  23,  1S74.  in  Bruce  Township.  Mr.  Pierson  was  married  again, 
April  10,  1877.  in  Ciolden,  Oceana  Co.,  Mich.,  to  Betsey,  daughter  of  Anson  and  Ann 
Jewell  Patch,  in  Golden.  She  was  born  July  31,  1830,  in  Ray  Township.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pierson  are  Baptists  in  religious  sentiment.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Road  Com- 
missioner, and  is  a  Republican  in  jwlitics. 

WILLIAM  H.  POOL,  born  in  Ashtield,  Mass.,  Januaiy  0,  1808.  He.  with  his  wife, 
Irena  Smith  Pool,  born  in  Williamstown,  N.  Y.,  January  28,  1810,  and  family  of  five  children 
moved  from  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  to  Bruce  Township.  Macomb  Co..  Mich.,  in  1848,  hav- 
ing recently  jiurchased  the  farm  known  as  the  Seward  Walter  farm,  on  which  he  still  lives; 
Mrs.  Pool  having  died  May  5,  1878,  beloved  and  mourned  by  her  family  and  friends, 
having  proved  herself  a  kind  companion,  a  loving  mother,  a  friend  to  the  needy:  she  was 
sister  to  Aratus  Smith,  the  well-known  Supervisor  of  Washington  Township.  Achish 
Pool,  Sr.,  father  of  William  H.  Pool,  was  born  in  Ashfield,  Mass.,  August  27.  1776,  serv- 
ing in  the  war  of  1812;  his  wife,  Susannah  Hersey  Pool,  was  born  in  Massachusetts  Sep- 
tember 28,  1783.  They  selected  them  a  home  in  Lewiston,  N.  Y..  about  1810,  and,  though 
they  were  driven  off  by  the  British  and  Indians,  retui'ned  and  remained  there  while  they 
lived,  Mr.  Pool  reaching  the  age  of  soventy-six;  Mrs.  Pool,  eighty-eight.  The  home- 
stead is  still  owned  by  their  descendants. 

ABRAM  TEN"BR0ECK  POWELL,  deceased,  was  born  in  Springtield,  Otsego 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  December  23,  1803;  he  was  the  sou  of  Archibald  and  Sarah  Ten  Broeck 
Powell;  the  former  was  born  in  1763.  and  was  a  carriage-builder  by  trade,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 8,  1836;  the  latter  was  bora  February  22,  1766.  and  died  February  27, 1855.  The 
mother  of  Archibald  Powell  was  of  Scotch  and  Iri.sh  descent;  the  Powells  were  of  En- 
glish origin.  The  ancestors  of  the  mother  of  Abram  Powell  were  fi-om  Holland.  Her 
mother's  family  name  was  Vaness,  and  she  had  two  brothers,  Wassel  and  George,  and  one 
sister,  Nellie.  Archibald  Powell  and  his  wife  were  married  February  0,  1702,  and  had 
three  sons  and  three  daughters — Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Isaac  Skillman;  Maria,  Mrs.  Isaac  An- 
derson; Anna,  Mrs.  Moses  Freeman;  Isaac,  Abram  and  George.  They  moved  from  Otsego 
County  to  Mendon,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1827  located  in  Washington,  Macomb  Co., 
Mich.,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.     In  the  spring  of  1826,  Abram  T, 


'44^ 


Powell  came  to  Michigan  with  Isaac  Skillman:  returned  to  New  York  in  the  fall;  was 
married  to  Calista  Rose  December  25,  1866,  and,  the  following  spring,  moved  to  Michi- 
gan, locating  in  Washington,  thi'ee  miles  east  of  Romeo.  His  wife  died  August  21,  1827, 
and  he  was  married  in  August.  1832,  to  Hannah  H.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Pelton,  of  New 
York.  She  had  two  brothers,  Samuel  and  Edwin,  and  one  sister,  Angeline.  A  daugh- 
ter, Sarah  C,  was  born  June  IT),  1833,  and  Mrs.  Powell  died  the  following  July  T).  Mr. 
Powell  was  married, «AugiTst  21,  1834,  to  Sai-ah  A.,  daughter  of  Joseph  A.  and  Phcebe 
Wellman  Field,  born  September  6,  1812.  in  East  Guilford.  New  Haven  Co..  Conn.  Her 
father,  son  of  Joseph  Field,  was  born  in  the  same  place;  his  brothers  were  Wickham, 
John.  Nathan.  Joshua  and  Harvey;  his  sisters.  Hannah  Crittenden.  Louie  Kelsie.  Sal- 
lie  Merrill.  Esther  Parish  and  Ann  Turner.  Mr.  Field  was  a  ^hip  carpenter;  his  father 
moved  from  Connecticut  to  Bergen.  Genesee  Co..  N.  Y. .  in  1812,  where  he  died.  Phcebe 
Wellman  was  born  December  2.  1771.  in  Killingsworth.  Middlesex  Co..  Conn.;  she  had 
five  brothers  and  three  sisters ^Zadoc,  John.  Joaathan.  David  and  Horace.  Hannah  Davis 
Betsey  Cramton,  and  Jemima;  she  was  married  to  Joseph  A.  Field  in  17Uri;  they  had  six 
children — Elias.  Horace.  Joseph.  Betsey  Patterson.  Clarissa  Judson  and  Sarah  A.  Powell. 
Mrs.  Field  died  in  East  Guilford.  Conn.,  in  January.  1830.  Sarah  A.  Field  went  from 
Connecticut  to  Brockjiort.  N.  Y..  to  live  with  her  brother.  Horace.  In  September.  1833. 
she  came  with  her  brother  Elias  to  Bruce,  where  she  was  married  to  Abram  T.  Powell. 
The  latter  bought  a  farm  on  Section  7.  in  Bruce,  and  took  possession  of  it  the  following 
year;  he  made  additions  to  it  until  he  owned  820  acres,  all  of  which,  except  sixty  acres. 
is  still  in  the  possession  of  his  children;  he  died  at  his  residence  in  the  town  of  Bruce 
September  G,  1873.  of  paralysis.  The  following  is  the  record  of  Mr.  Powell's  children. 
Sarah  C.  the  only  child  of  his  first  wife,  was  born  June  1">.  1833,  and  married.  Febru- 
ary 23.  1853,  to  Wesle)  Miller;  they  have  had  live  children — Edwin  S..  born  January  23, 
1854;  James  A..  August  15,  1855;  Hannah.  April  15.  1858;  Anna  P..  July  6,  1862;  Ca- 
lista, November  23.  1868.  died  March  4.  186U.  Joseph,  born  July  25.  1835.  married. 
October  21,  1860.  Lucinda  Hosner:  they  have  had  six  children — Marv  E..  born  June  23. 
1863,  died  September  27.  1863;  Elsworth.  June  27.  1864;  Ezra  A..  June  19.  1S67:  Clark, 
June  4.  1872;  Fred.  January  U.  1876:  and  Neil.  June  16.  1860.  Ai-chibald  Powell  was 
born  Se])tember  22.  1837:  was  married.  June  6.  1860.  to  Sarah  L.  Hosner;  they  have 
three  children — Abram  Ten  Broeck.  born  February  23.  1861;  Lizzie.  May  5,  1865;  and 
Hugh  H. ,  October  6.  1872,  Hannah  M.  was  born  April  5.  1840.  and  married,  Septem- 
ber 20.  1858.  to  Abram  Skillman:  they  have  two  children — Alice,  born  June  23.  1862; 
and  Fred.  March  2.  1N68;  Abram  C.  was  born  October  7,  1842;  he  enlisted  in  the  First 
Michigan  Cavalry.  Compam'  A.  in  Augiist,  1861;  went  with  his  regiment  to  Washington, 
D.  C.  where  he  died  December  13.  1861.  Anna  E.  was  born  June  21.  1844.  and  mar- 
ried. July  19,  1861,  to  John  F.  Hagaman;  they  have  had  three  children — A.  Powell,  born 
September  24.  186U;  Carl.  February  27.  1875.  died  March  27,  1875;  John  Bert  Frederic, 
October  7.  1876.      Caroline  L.  Powell  was  born  May  5.  1851. 

NEIL  GRAY  REID.  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Gray)  Reid,  natives  of  Ayi-shire, 
Scotland,  was  born  in  Bruce  Township  January  14.  1841;  he  attended  school  in  his  native 
town  and  aided  his  father  on  the  farm  until  becoming  of  age,  except  six  mouths  spent  in 
a  select  school  at  Birmingham,  Mich.,  and  one  term  spent  in  District  No.  10,  Armada, 
Mich.,  as  teacher;  in  1862,  he  bought  the  farm  known  as  the  Jesse  Bishop  farm,  on  Sec- 
tion 12,  in  Bruce  Township,  where  he  still  resides;  to  the  original  purchase  he  has  added 
seventy  acres;  he  was  married.  September  9,  1863,  to  Annie,  daughter  of  John  Hopkins, 
a  native  of  Scotland:  she  was  born  in  Almont  Township,  Lapeer  County,  October  21. 
1841:  three  children  were  born — Mary  G. ,  born  May  14,  1864;  Jennie  H. ,  September 
21,  1866;  Annie  E.  J..  July   22.  1871.     The  parents  of  Mrs.  R.  emigrated  from  the  old 


A 


country  in  1833,  and  the  father  still  lives  near  Almont  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years; 
her  mother  died  in  1S()8.  The  parents  of  Mr.  R.  came  from  Scotland  at  an  early  day, 
and  his  father  still  lives  in  Brvice  Township;  his  mother  died  in  the  year  ISTjlJ.  Mr.  R. 
is  a  prosperous  and  successful  farmer,  makes  the  raising  of  wheat  a  specialty,  in  which 
he  has  met  with  remarkable  success,  and  his  average  crop  for  some  years  has  lieen  twenty- 
two  bushels  per  acre;  he  has  line  outbuildings  and  a  fertile  farm;  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 

AVILLIAM  REID,  a  farmer,  native  of  Scotland,  was  boru  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  in 
April,  1814;  was  a  farmer  in  the  old  country  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1883,  stopping 
a  short  time  in  New  York  State;  thence  to  Ohio  about  one  year;  thence  to  Macomb,  in 
183.");  in  1836,  he  bought  land  in  Lapeer  County,  which  he  kept  about  two  years  and  then 
sold  this,  and  then  bought  in  the  eastern  portion  of  same  county;  this  he  soon  sold  and  set- 
tled on  Section  12,  Bruce  Township,  in  1831),  which  is  his  present  home.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  the  year  183U,  to  Mary  (Iray,  daughter  of  Neil  Gray,  of  Scotland;  she  was  born 
in  Scotland  in  180U,  and  came  to  America  with  the  Gray  family  in  1832:  their  children 
were  Neil  G. ,  born  January  14,  1841;  Joseph,  December  21,  1842,  oi'dained  as  a  Presby- 
terian minister,  and  died  while  mini.stering  to  the  church  at  Vassar,  Mich.,  September  ll. 
1877;  William  H..  February  1,  1847,  a  farmer  of  Macomb.  Mrs.  R.  died  June  17, 
185^;  he  married  again  October  27,  18()2,  Annie  Borland,  born  in  Scotland  June  21), 
1828;  their  children  are  Thomas  B.,  bom  September  U,  1863;  John  L..  September  20, 
186();  James  H.,  July  30,  1873.  Mr.  Reid  has  cleared  his  farm  from  a  state  of  nature  to 
one  of  gi'eat  fertility,  and  has  surrounded  himself  with  all  the  comforts  of  life;  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  Scotch  settlement;  also  his  wife  for  many 
years.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  Mi's.  Reid's  mother  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scot- 
land, in  October,  1801,  and  lives  with  her  daughter;  her  husband  died  in  Scotland  in 
1841. 

WILLIAM  H.  REID  was  born  February  1,  1847,  in  Bruce,  Macomb  County,  Mich.; 
was  the  sou  of  William  and  Mary  (Gray)  Reid;  father  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland;  his 
wife  Mary  was  boru  in  Ayr.shire,  Scotland,  April  211,  180U;  died  Jime  17,  18,")',),  in  Bruce, 
Macomb  County,  Mich.  Mary  Reid's  parents,  Neil  and  Mary  Gray,  cauie  from  Scotland 
in  the  year  1832,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Bnice,  the  same  yeai',  on  Section 
11,  where  they  lived  till  the  time  of  their  death.  October  6,  1864,  William  Reid,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  mai-ried  for  his  wife  Janet  A.  Reside;  wife  born  May  4,  1844,  in  the 
township  of  Bruce,  and  on  the  same  farm  on  which  she  now  resides;  she  was  the  daughter 
of  James  and  Margaret  (Gray)  Reside;  both  her  parents  were  natives  of  Ayrshire,  Scot- 
land, the  father  born  in  the  year  178il,  died  November  14,  1859,  in  Bruce;  mother  born 
December  8.  1804;  she  died  October  12,  1868,  in  Bruce.  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Reid  have  hve 
children  living — William  J.,  born  August  14,  186-");  James  M.,  December  30,  186(5;  Robert 
G.,  December  27,  1868;  Neil  E.,  April  24,  1871;  Janet  A.,  December  28, 1872.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Reid  and  their  three  oldest  sons  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  is  a  Republican,  politically.  Mr.  Reid  is  now  on  the  homestead  of  his  wife's  parents, 
on  Section  1,  which  now  consists  of  27-"")  acres  of  choice  land,  with  good  dwelling-house 
and  outbuildings.  Mr.  Reid  is  in  a  limited  way  engaged  in  breeding  thoroughbred  Short- 
Horn  Durham  cattle. 

JOHN  R.  ROBERTSON  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  November  3,  1830;  emigrated 
from  Scotland  in  June,  1S33  and  settled  in  the  "  Scotch  settlement "  in  the  edge  of  Lapeer 
County,  where  he  lived  about  live  years.  In  1838,  he  bought  land  in  Bruce,  on  Section 
2,  and  made  it  his  home.  The  father  died  on  this  farm  in  l8.")2;  the  mother  died  in  1840. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  at  home  and  came  into  possession  of  the  homestead, 
and  has  made  it  a  very  productive  farm.      He  married,  in  November,  l8r)4,  Sarah,  daugh- 


vn<»    ^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COU^^TY. 


ter  of  Andrew  Braidwood,  of  Connecticut;  she  was  born  in  Scotland  in  18:56.  Her  fatLer 
died  in  Connecticut.  They  have  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living 
and  at  home.      Mi'.  Robertson  is  a  farmer,  as  were  his  ancestors  in  the  mother  country. 

CHARLES  A.  SCHANCK,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  August  7,  1843,  in  Bruce,  Macomb 
County;  he  is  the  son  of  David  and  Ellen  (Sutphen)  Schanck;  his  parents  were  born  in 
Monmouth  Coimty.  N.  J.,  respectively  December  1.  1798.  and  October  fi.  1807:  they  died 
in  Bruce  January  21,  ISfi?,  and  November  17,  187B.  William  and  Anna  Sutphen,  Mr. 
Schanck's  gi-andparents,  were  natives  of  New  Jersey;  the  latter  was  born  about  1783,  in 
Monmouth  County,  and  died  in  Wayne  County.  Mich.,  November  24, 18")3;  the  former  died 
September  7,  1847,  in  Macomb  County.  Mich.  David  Schanck  went  from  New  Jersey  to 
Wayne  Coixnty  and  Monroe  County,  in  New  York,  where  he  spent  several  yeai-s,  and, 
about  1834.  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Washtenaw  County;  eight  years  later,  he 
located  in  Bruce,  Macomb  Coimty.  He  and  his  wife  were  mai-ried  in  W^ayne  County,  N. 
Y..  and  had  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  are  now  living,  born  as  follows:  Jane.  February 
26,  182(5;  Mary.  March  30.  1828.  died  October  10,  LS2'.t;  John.  January  SI,  1830;  Martha 
A.,  September6.  1831 ;  Elizabeth.  June  It,  1833;  William  H.,  Jime  2, 1835:  George,  Febru- 
ary 10.  1^38:  Ally  M.,  March  3,  1839;  Sarah  A.,  September  14,  1841;  Charles  A.,  August 
7,  1843;  Lydia  D..  May  22,  184--).  W^hen  David  Schanck  settled  in  Bruce,  he  boiight 
eighty  acres  of  land  on  Section  30,  and  afterward  purchased  sixty-five  acres  across  the 
road  on  Section  19,  where  the  dwelling  stands  in  is^hich  he  died.  The  homestead  is  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Schanck  of  this  sketch,  who  has  made  an  addition  of  eighty  acres,  making 
an  aggregate  of  195  acres  of  first-class  farming  land.  He  was  maiTied,  October  1,  1873, 
to  Celia,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Julia  (Lloyd)  Ketcham.  of  Bruce;  the  former  waa  a  na- 
tive of  New  York  and  lives  in  Laingsburg,  Mich. ;  the  latter  died  about  seventeen  years 
ago.     Mrs.  Schanck  was  born  March  11,  1851.  in  Connecticut;  she  is  the  mother  of  two 


born  September  12.  18 < 4.  and  Vernon  J.,  July  18,  1876.      Mr  S.  is  u 
•rnal  grandfather  was  Tunis  Schanck.  born  July  27.  1770,  and  died 


childi-en — David  V.,  bori 

Democrat.     His  maten 

September  3.  1806;  his  wife,  A.Vandevere,  was  born  August  12.  1777.  and  died  October  22, 

1826:  they  were  married  December  13,  1792. 

HIRAM  SHERMAN  was  born  March  9,  ISIO.  in  Greenfield.  Sai-atoga  Co..  N.  Y.:  _was 
the  son  of  Levi  and  Prudence  (Denison)  Sherman;  his  father  was  born  in  Januaiy,  17S0, 
probably  in  the  State  of  New  York;  died,  in  1819.  in  Richmond.  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  his 
wife.  Prudence,  was  born  in  Stonington.  Conn..  April  27,  1786;  she  died  February  8. 
1873.  in  Bruqe,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.  Levi  Sherman  and  Prudence  Denison  were  married 
April  2.  1809,  in  Saratoga  County.  N.  Y.  Caleb  Sherman,  father  of  Levi  Sherman,  was 
born  jirobably  in  Rhode  Island:  his  wife  Mary  was  born  about  the  year  1752.  probably  in 
New  York;  she  died  December.  1841.  in  Greenfield.  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.  Hiram  Sherman 
was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  W.  Harris,  of  Almont,  November  11.  1851 ;  Mrs.  Sherman  ^'as 
born  July  21,  1812,  in  Pittsford,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.;  she  was  the  daughter  of  Solomon  and 
Martha  Clai-k  Stone.  Solomon  Stone  was  born  in  Halifax,  Vt.,  and  died  in  Richmond, 
Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  February  3.  1853;  his  wife  was  born  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  and  died 
in  Pittsford,  Monroe  Co.,  N."Y.  in  1814,  the  same  year  as  the  birth  of  her  daughter  Mary, 
who  is  now  Mi's.  Sherman,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Elias  Stone,  grandfather  of  Mr. 
Sherman,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  died  in  Pittsford,  Mom-oe  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  about  the  year  1S15.  Mi-.  Sherman  settled  in  Michigan  in  1836;  has  held  the  office  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  also  the  office  of  Supervisor.  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Sherman  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  Chm'ch,  of  Almont.  Lapeer  Co.,  Mich. 

ANDREW  J.   SIKES  was  born  May  19,  1829,  at  Granville,  Washington  Co..  N.  Y. : 
his  ])areuts,  Salmon  and  Betsey  (Crippeu)  Sikes,  were  both  natives  of   the  same  county; 
his  mother  died  when  he  was  eight  years  old,  and  he  stayed  in  his  native  place  until  March 
47  


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


19,  1852,  when  he  started  for  California  in  search  of  gold,  and  sailed  from  the  city  of 
New  York  April  1,  1852,  in  the  ship  Empire,  via  Cape  Horn.  The  passage  consumed  135 
days  and  they  reached  San  Francisco  August  13,  1852.  He  remained  in  the  Golden 
State  until  May  20,  1857;  engaged  in  mining  all  the  time  save  three  months.  At  the  date 
named,  he  took  steamer  for  New  York:  his  father  had  died  in  1855,  and  the  family  were 
scattered.  He  spent  four  weeks  there  and  decided  to  come  West,  having  a  brother  at  Ro- 
meo; he  arrived  here  August  1,  1857.  and  found  a  number  of  relatives  and  concluded  to 
remain  and  invest  his  money.  He  was  married.  November  23.  1858,  to  Sarah  C. ,  daugh- 
ter of  Jonas  Crisman.  and  the  next  spring  bought  a  farm  of  234  acres  on  the  western  out- 
.skirts  of  Komeo,  also  ten  acres  of  timber  four  miles  southeast  of  the  village.  He  is  chiefly 
engaged  in  farming,  and  has  also  been  Treasurer  of  the  Macomb  County  Insurance  Com- 
pany since  its  organization,  in  1876;  has  also  been  connected  with  the  County  Agricult- 
ural Society  for  sixteen  years;  has  been  Treasurer  eight  years  and  one  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  eight  years;  has  been  sexton  of  the  Romeo  Cemetery  three  years,  and  a  member 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  since  April.  1858 ;  has  been  Clerk  of  the  church  since  June,  1858. 
He  oast  his  first  L-'residential  vote  for  James  Buchanan  while  in  California.  His  farm 
is  in  an  advanced  state  of  improvement  and  finely  located  for  a  residence.  His  habits  of 
good  taste  and  order  add  much  to  the  natural  advantages  of  his  place,  and  the  general  ap- 
pearance is  apjjreciated  bv  the  public.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sikes  have  one  daughter  living — 
Hattie  H.,  born  March  7.  1872:  a  son— Willie  \V.  born  July  20.1860,  died  June  13,  1876. 

JOHN  SMITH.  Jr..  was  born  in  Lancashire,  England,  of  Scotch  parentage,  June  17, 
1828;  is  a  son  of  John  and  Anna  Smith,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1837. 
and  with  them  settled  at  Hudson.  N.  Y..  where  he  went  to  work  in  the  Calico  Print 
Works  for  about  two  and  two-thirds  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  same  business  at 
North  Adams.  Mass.,  for  two  and  a  Ijalf  years;  from  there,  in  the  fall  ef  1842,  went  to 
Lake  County,  III.  to  work  on  a  farm  for  twenty  months,  and  came  from  there  here  in 
1844,  his  father  having  bought  a  farm  on  Sections  15  and  I'i.  in  Bruce,  upon  which  he 
went  to  work,  eighty  acres  of  which  he  now  owns.  He  was  married,  in  March.  '1854,  to 
Nancy  A.  Black,  of  Bruce,  and,  for  about  one  year,  lived  in  Texas;  in  March,  1855, 
bought  130  acres  of  the  farm  he  now  lives  on;  has  since,  at  various  times,  bought  270 
acres  in  addition,  making  480  acres  in  one  body;  he  has  about  700  acres  of  other  lands  in 
Michigan;  in  1863,  he  became  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Romeo,  and 
still  remains  so;  was  one  of  its  Directors  until  1874,  when  he  helped  organize  the  Citi- 
zens' National  Bank,  of  Romeo,  of  whicn  he  has  been  a  Director  and  Vice  President  since 
that  time,  but  residing  on  his  farm,  on  Section  3.  about  six  miles  from  Romeo:  his  wife 
died  in  October,  1855.  and  left  him  with  four  children — Agnes  M.,  born  Jamiary  5, 
1858;  Florence  N. ,  January  26,  18(51:  Edward  J.,  June  25,  1866:  Philip  Cameron,  June 
18,  186<). 

OBED  SMITH,  Sr.  His  wife's  father  was  born  at  Ashfield.  Mass.,  .\pril  6.  1770: 
with  his  wife,  Rhoda  Sears  Smith,  born  at  Yarmouth.  Mass.,  in  May,  1771,  moved  about 
IN  12  to  Lewiston.  N.  Y.,  remaining  in  that  vicinity  during  their  life.  The  live  children 
of  William  H.  and  Irena  S.  Pool  were  all  born  in  Lewiston,  N.  Y.  Achish  Pool.  March 
3.  1830.  married  (jertrude  S.  Tillson.  of  Romeo.  Mich..  November  25.  1858;  are  now 
living  in  Buffalo  County.  Neb.  Aratus  S.  Pool  was  born  January  11,  1832;  married  Per- 
melia  A.  Hosner.  of  Bruce.  Mich..  M;u-ch  27.  1856.  now  living  at  Romeo.  Mich.  Will- 
iam H.  Pool,  born  March  17.  1844,  married  Eva  Hoyt  Williams,  at  Oil  City,  Pt:nn..  July 
11.  1872,  now  living  in  Buffalo  County,  near  Kearney.  Neb.;  B.  F.  Pool.  September  2'.(, 
1N37;  and  Hattie  M.  Pool.  March  12,  1846.  still  reside  with  their  father  on  the  home- 
stead, unmarried.  William  H.  Pool  participated  in  Navy  Island  troubles,  which  manv  in 
Macomb  County  remember.      The  Methodist  Church  is  and  has  been  the  family  chm-ch. 


i*~^ 


-- ^[ 


\r 


.. 


•^ 


SAMUEL  B.  SPENCER,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  boru  June  2.  1807,  in  Springiielfl,  Otsego 
Co..  X.  Y. :  be  is  the  sou  of  Ai'uold  aud  Laviua  Speucer.  the  former  a  native  of  Couuecti- 
eut  and  the  hitter  of  New  York:  they  came  to  Michigan  in  1S34  aud  settled  iu  Washing- 
ton. Macomb  County,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Spencer's  pa 
ternal  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  present  at  the  siu'render  of 
Cornwallis  at  Y'^orktown.  Mr.  Spencer  came  to  Michigan  in  l.SSH  and  settled  in  Washing- 
ton, where  he  bought  1"2(1  acres  of  Government  land  with  John  Hosner,  and  about  a  year 
after  the  purchase,  the  latter  sold  his  half,  and  Mr.  Spencer  added  eighty  acres  to  his 
possessions;  nearly  fifteen  years  later,  he  sold  out  aud  piu-chased  280  acres  of  land  on 
Sections  16  and  17,  in  Brace;  the  deed  is  dated  in  ISIS:  this  land  is  under  tne  best  of 
cultivation  and  has  a  good  dwelling,  commodious  barns  and  other  accessory  buildings. 
Mr.  S.  was  married,  August  fi,  1835,  to  Lucena  Graves,  of  Batavia.  X.  Y'. :  she  was  born 
November  25.  1S14:  they  have  had  tivo  children  two  of  whom  are  living;  their  record  is  as 
follows:  William  R.,  borfi  November  26.  1886,  now  resides  in  Jackson,  Grundy  Co.,  Mo., 
engaged  iu  farming;  he  enlisted  iu  the  First  Michigan  Cavalry  and  served  for  four  years: 
he  lost  his  right  arm  at  Petersburg  and  was  discharged  in  July  following;  Lucena  was 
born  November  21.  1838.  and  died  in  infancy:  Lucian  H..  boru  December  15.  1839,  enlisted 
August  18,  1862.  in  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry  aud  served  until  June  11.  1864,  when  he 
was  taken  prisoner  at  Trevilian's  Station,  Va.,  transported  to  Libby  Prison,  Richmond, 
Va.,  thence  to  Andersonville  and  Milieu.  Ga.,  and  finally  to  Florence,  S  C. :  he  was  taken 
very  ill  with  fever  and  was  prostrated  when  the  order  came  for  the  transfer  of  every  man 
who  eoiild  walk  to  the  cars  to  be  sent  toGoldsboro,  N.  C.  Oscar  Wood  (see sketch)  refused 
to  leave  his  helpless  comrade  and  townsman,  but  was  di'iven  by  a  guard  of  armed  rebels 
to  the  waiting  train;  no  further  intelligence  was  ever  received  from  the  brave  Lueiau  H. 
Spencer,  whose  memory  is  held  most  sacred  by  the  friends  of  his  youth  aud  the  com- 
panions of  his  sulferings  for  the  integrity  of  his  country's  flag;  Luciuda  S.,  born  March  8. 
1842,  died  December  13,  1855;  Adelia  E.,  November  II,  1846.  now  Mrs.  John  A.  Robinson, 
of  Jackson.  Grundy  Co.,  Mo.  Mrs.  Spencer  died  September  3,  1854.  Mr.  S.  was  mar- 
ried again,  September  13.  1855,  to  Mary  J.  Meeker,  of  Bruce,  who  died  in  the  summer 
of  1866.  Mr.  S.  w.as  again  man-ied.  March  12,  1867,  to  Julia  E.  Miller,  of  Dryden.  La- 
peer Co..  Mich. :  she  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Miller,  and  was  born  July 
31.  1836.  in  Greene  County,  N.  Y.  Mr.  S.  is  a  Republican  in  iiolitics:  both  himself  aud 
wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

A.  D.  TAYLOR,  sou  of  John  Taylor  and  Phebe  Leech,  was  born  at  Mendon.  N.  Y., 
in  1831;  his  father,  John  Taylor,  was  born  in  Deertield,  Mass.,  June  30,  17112;  his  grand- 
father, Rev.  John  Taylor,  was  born  at  Westfield,  Mass..  in  1762,  graduated  at  Y^ale  Col- 
lege in  1784,  was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Deerfield  nineteen  years.  Los- 
ing his  voice  in  1802,  when  as  missionary  to  the  Indians  iu  Northern  New  York,  he 
removed  to  Enfield,  and  from  thence  to  Mendon,  N.  Y'.,  where  he  was  for  several  years  ac- 
tive in  the  ministry;  in  1832,  at  the  age  of  seventy,  he  removed  with  his  sou  John  to 
Michigan:  h,is  father.  Sir.  E.  Taylor,  served  the  State  many  years  aud  died  on  his  way  to 
the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts:  his  grandfather.  Rev.  Edward  Taylor,  left  England  for 
America  iu  16''\  on  account  of  the  sufferings  of  the  dissenting  clergy,  after  the  restora- 
tion of  Charles  II:  he  was  the  first  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Chxu'ch  at  Westfield. 
Mass.,  ministering  for  nearly  sixty  yeai-s  and  helping  also  to  carry  the  young  colony 
through  the  perilous  wars  of  King  Philip.  Mr.  Sibley's  second  volume  of  "Harvard's 
Graduates"  contains  a  full  account  of  him.  After  having  purchased  a  tract  of  laud  five 
miles  from  Romeo,  where  Mr.  N.  T.  Taylor  was  already  located,  John  Taylor  began  to 
develop  the  resources  of  the  wilderness,  where  he  made  their  novr  home.  The  Rev.  John 
Taylor  soon   gathered  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  to  that  home  for  divine  service. 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


and  there  helped  to  foi-m  the  Brvice  and  Armada  CongTegational  Church,  of  which  he  was 
pastor  until  the  time  of  his  death,  December  20,  1M4();  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Eliz.Lhi'th  Terry,  died  September  16,  1848,  at  eighty-two  years  of  age;  his  son,  John  Tay- 
lor, was  married  iu  Lima,  N.  Y.,  to  Phebe  Leech,  May  30,  1827;  their  children  were:  M. 
E.  Taylor,  born  March  5.  1S28,  and  who  lives  at  home;  A.  D.  Taylor,  was  born  July  1, 
IS;]1,  he  was  married  to  Lucy  M.  Ayer,  of  Romeo,  Mich.,  in  1804,  and  they  also  live  upon 
the  home  farm;  Martha  M.  Taylor,"  born  September  20,  183S,  died  July'll,  1853  Mr, 
John  Taylor  was  actively  engaged  in  all  the  interests  of  his  neighborhood,  and  was  Deacon 
of  the  cliiu-ch  of  Bruce,  continuing  so  until  the  time  of  his  death.  May  21,  1865.  Mrs. 
T.  died  January  14,  1877.  The  children  of  A  D.  Taylor  are  Martha  Lyon  Taylor,  born 
June  10,  1867,  "and  Mavy  Elizabeth  Taylor,  born  June  12,  1875. 

JAMES  THOMPSON  (deceased),  familiarly  known  as  "  Scotcb  Thompson."  resided  on 
the  county  line;  was  l)orn  iu  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  about  1803;  emigrated  to  America  in  1834, 
and  bought  laud  on  the  county  line,  which  was  his  home  until  187'),  when  he  removed  to 
Almout  Village,  where  he  died  in  March,  1881.  He  was  a  printer  of  calico  in  the  city  of 
Kilmarnock,  and  worked  at  that  business  in  the  city  of  Philadeljihia  a  short  time;  he  was 
never  married;  he  was  something  of  an  artist  and  a  poet,  rather  inclining  to  the  terrible 
in  imagination  and  description;  he  was  a  great  lover  of  line  horses,  and  made  the  breeding 
of  them  a  specialty:  his  peculiarities  of  disposition  and  erratic  temperament  often  made 
trouble  with  his  neighbors.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  Hardier  Hospital,  of  the  city  of  De- 
troit, received  a  benetit  of  more  than  $10,000. 

JOHN  0.  THOMPSON,  P.  O.  Romeo,  farmer  of  Bruce  Township,  was  born  in  Ca- 
yuga County,  N.  Y.,  June  29,  1845;  his  father,  Jarvis  Thompson,  born  iu  Cayuga  County. 
N.  Y.,  in  1820,  removed  to  Macomb  in  1857,  and  died  iu  Bruce  Township  iu  1865,  April 
'•I;  his  mother.  Alma  Eldridge,  of  the  same  county,  resides  in  Romeo  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
three  years.  John  C.  remained  at  home,  and,  on  the  death  of  his  father,  bought  the  farm 
known  as  the  Prentice  place,  in  Bruce,  and  remained  on  it  six  years;  he  then  went  to  the 
homestead,  on  Section  25,  Bruce,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married,  Sejitember 
27,  1865,  to  Phebe,  daughter  of  Russell  Day;  she  was  born  May  22,  1848;  the  childi-en  of 
this  marriage  are  Myrtle  May,  born  November  27,  1870;  Hattie,  December  21),  1873. 
Mr.  T.  is  a  successful  farmer  and  breeder  of  Merino  sheep;  a  history  of  his  flock  is  fouud 
in  the  agricultui'al  chapter  of  this  work;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directoi's  of  the 
Macomb  County  Agricultm'al  Society,  a  member  of  the  Vermont  Merino  Sheep  Breeders' 
Association;  also  of  that  of  the  State  of  Michigan,  and  the  Sheep  Breeders"  and  Wool 
Growers'  Society  of  Macomb  County;  also  a  member  of  the  A,  O.  U.  W. ;  in  form  of  wor- 
ship, he  is  a  Baptist. 

JAMES  ^VEED  THORINGTON  was  born  October  15,  1,S3'.>.  iu  ^^"ashington.  Macomb 
Co.,  Mich. ;  is  the  son  of  Elijah  and  Lydia  Thorington;  his  father  was  born  iu  Canada  in 
1801);  his  mother  was  born  in  Monroe  County.  N,  Y.,  in  1818,  and  died  in  Washington, 
Mich  ,  iu  March,  1868,  Mr.  Thorington  is  engaged  in  agricultm-e  and  owns  140  acres  of 
choice  laud  on  Sections  33  and  34,  and  good  dwellings  and  commodious  barns  and  out- 
buildings; he  is  extensively^  eugaged  iu  raising  Spanish  sheep,  bred  from  the  famous 
Taylor  flock,  of  Macomb  County,  and  from  that  of  L.  P.  Lusk.  of  New  York;  by  careful 
altentiou  to  breeding  and  giving  sheep  the  best  of  care  summer  and  winter.  Mr,  T.  ex- 
hibits a  fiock  second  to  few,  if  any.  in  the  State.  He  was  married,  February  6.  1861,  to 
Miss  Martha,  daughter  of  James  and  Roxauna  Leslie  Starkweather;  she  was  born  March 
23,  1841,  and  died  February  10,  1803;  was  again  married,  March  10,  1864,  to  Maria  S., 
sister  of  his  former  wife,  born  March  5,  1843;  thev  have  an  adopted  son — Lean  H. .  born 
April  2.  1874.      Both  Mr.  and  Mivs.  T.  belong  to  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  Romeo.     Mr.  T.  is 


-!^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


a  temperance  man   in  principles  and   action,  voting  only  for  candidates  for  office  of   de- 
clared temperance  proclivities. 

JOHN  TOWNSEND.  of  Brnce  Township,  was  born  July  20.  17114.  in  Dutchess  County. 
N.  Y. ;  in  his  early  life,  he  was  /.  tanner  by  trade,  which  business  he  conducted  with  suc- 
cess for  many  years  In  1832.  he  visited  Macomb  County  and  located  1.400  acres  of  land 
on  Sections  4,  5  and  8;  also  a  small  tract  in  Addison  Townshiji.  Oakland  County,  and  re 
turned  home,  closed  out  his  business  and  removed  his  family  to  his  purchase,  and  made 
that  his  home  to  the  time  of  his  death:  he  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  perseverance  and 
stern  integrity  and  at  the  front  of  all  the  improvements  of  that  locality  in  which  he  lived. 
Both  Mr.  and"  Mrs.  Townsend  were  active  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  for  many  years, 
which  connection  was  maintained  to  the  time  of  his  decease;  his  family  consisted  of  live 
sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  living,  save  one  son  and  one  daughter.  Mr.  T. 
died  January  5.  1874.  Mrs.  T.  (.\nn  Miller)  still  survives  at  the  age  of  eighty.  George 
Townsend.  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Miller)  To^^Tisend.  was  born  in  Bruce  Township.  Sep- 
tember 11,  1836;  he  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  for  some  years 
conducted  the  home  farm,  and.  in  1860.  bought  the  Hopkins  farm,  in  Bruce,  which,  after 
four  years,  he  sold  and  bought  a  jiortion  of  the  homestead  located  on  Section  8,  which  is 
his  present  home.  He  was  married.  February  12,  1862.  to  Charlotte,  daughter  of  James 
Ballard,  of  Lapeer  County;  she  was  born  Jamiary  23.  1842:  they  have  one  child — Gracie 
B..  born  Ajjril  22.  1872.  Mr.  Townsend's  farm  consists  of  300  acres  of  land  in  good  fer- 
tility and  is  a  pleasant  home.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics.  Mr.  John  Townsend  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  and  drew  a  pen- 
sion a  few  of  the  latter  years  of  his  life. 

EZRA  WOOD  (deceased)  was  born  September  7.  1800,  in  Booneville.  Oneida 
County.  N.  Y. ;  he  was  the  sou  of  Andrew  and  Azubah  (Adams)  Wood:  the  father  was 
born  August  24,  1783.  in  Middlebury.  Mass,  and.  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  moved  to  Pitts- 
town.  Rensselaer  Co..  N.  Y.,  and,  several  years  later,  went  to  Booneville,  where  he  was 
married  in  1806  or  1807.  Mrs.  Wood  was  born  in  Fairfield  Town  and  County,  Conn. 
Lemuel  Wood,  father  of  Andrew,  was  left  an  orphan  at  an  early  age,  and.  at  fourteen, 
was  serving  at  Fort  Stanwix.  now  Rome,  N.  Y.,  as  captain's  waiter,  and  was  afterward  in 
the  Revolutionary  war.  He  married  Rebecca  Warner,  of  Middlebury,  Mass. :  they  have 
had  eight  children,  of  whom  Andrew  was  the  youngest  son.  Lemuel  ^^'ood  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six:  his  wife  in  1822,  at  the  age  of  eighty.  Azubah  Adams  was  the 
daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Rebecca  (Sherwood)  Adams,  who  had  three  sons  and  six  daugh- 
ters. Eplu-aim  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  cf  the  Revolution,  and  died  when  about  eighty- 
three  years  old:  his  wife  died  when  tifty-three  years  of  age.  Ezra  Wood  went,  in  1831. 
to  Wilson.  Niagai-a  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  and.  five  years  later,  came  to  Bruce.  Macomb  Co..  Mich.: 
he  had  two  brothers  and  four  sisters — iVIaretta.  Andrew,  Marcus.  Clarissa.  Perlina  and 
Eliza.  He  was  married,  March  1.  184(\  in  Bruce,  to  Phebe  C. ,  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  Hasbrouck  Cusick:  the  former  was  born  December  25,  1770,  the  latter  Decem- 
ber 11,  17U2:  they  were  maiTied,  December  18,  1813:  their  childreti  were  born  as  follows: 
Hiram,  March  11*.  1815;  Sarah  Maria.  June  24,  1717;  Phebe  C.  was  born  April  1._1820. 
in  AVoodstoek.  Ulster  Co..  N.  Y.,  and  moved  into  Bruce.  Macomb  County.,  in  183/:  two 
years  later,  he  went  to  Attica,  Lapeer  County,  where  he  died  in  1852.  Ezra  Wood  and 
"wife  had  ten  childi-en — Oscar  C.  (see  sketch);  Ezra  A.,  born  October  27,  1842,  enlisted 
August  18,  1862,  in  Company  A.  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry,  served  as  a  private  and  corporal; 
died  of  t\i3hoid-pneuraonia,  in  Douglas  Hospital.  "Washington,  D.  C.,  February  7,  1864: 
Hiram  C,  born  January  28,  1845.  married,  in  1860,  and  went  to  Grundy  County,  Mo.: 
died  July  20,  1870;  Eliza,  born  June  17.  1847,  died  September  20,  1854;  Ida,  born  Janu- 
ary 16,  1852,  died  September  16,  1854:  Ai-thur  A.,  August  20,  1854:  Andrew  H..  Decern- 


HlSTOllY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


bor  22.  ISaC).  These  bvotliers  together  own  the  homestead  in  Bnice.  and  a  considerable 
tract  of  land  in  Missouri.  Clara,  born  November  11.  1851t,  married  Duane  Wales,  of 
Almont,  Lapeer  County.  December  2.  187U;  Hattie,  born  March  26,  1868,  died  February 
13,  1865;  MeClellan,  born  September  1"),  1805;  Ezra  Wood,  died  June  3,  1873,  of  malig- 
nant erysipelas:  Oscar  C.  Wood  was  born  December  31,  1840,  in  Bruce;  he  enlisted  Au- 
gust IS.  1862,  in  Company  A,  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry:  served  as  a  private  and  Corporal 
until  June  11,  1864.  when  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Treviliau  Station.  Va.. 
and  spent  iipward  of  nine  months  in  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  and  in  the  stockade  pens 
of  Andersonville  and  Millen.  C4a. ,  and  Florence,  S.  C.  Mr.  Wood  is  a  member  of  the 
Andersonviile  Siu'vivors"  Association  and  says:  "  I  have  read  many  accounts  of  the  hor- 
rors of  the  stockade  prison  at  Andersonville,  biit  never  saw  one  that  was  exaggerated." 
He  was  paroled  at  Cxoldsboro.  N.  C,  February  25,  1865;  went  to  Annapolis,  thence  to 
Columbus,  and  received  a  thirty  days"  furlough  and  came  home.  An  order  was  issued  for 
the  discharge  of  paroled  prisoners,  and  he  was  discharged  May  30,  1865,  at  Detroit:  he 
was  married,  December  31,  1866.  at  Wayne,  Mich.,  to  Belle,  daughter  of  Ira  and  Mary 
Ann  Sever  Munson;  they  had  four  children,  born  as  follows:  Perry  E.,  August  14,  1868; 
Louis  I..  September  23,"  1870;  Hattie,  September  25,  1872;  Casius  H.,  April  25.  1878; 
all  were  born  in  Bruce.  Hiram  C.  ^A'ood  married  Lydia  Schanck.  of  Bruce,  November 
10.  1868;  their  children  were  born  as  follows:  Minnie,  June.  1872;  Cora,  in  1876.  died 
in  January,  1878;  Dora.  July  4,  1878,  in  Grundy  County.  Mo.  Mrs.  Belle  ^\'ood  was 
born  January  11,  1842.  in  Bloomtield.  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  she  has  one  brother  and  two 
sisters — Louis  R.  Munson,  born  August  18.  1836,  in  Lima,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  married 
Henrietta  Stewart,  of  Wayne,  Mich..  March  4, 1866;  their  childi'eu  are  Stewart,  born  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1867;  William,  born  August  10,  1868;  Helen  Munson,  June  21,  1840;  married 
Jacob  Chamberlain,  of  Addison.  Oakland  (!ounty,  September  14,  1865;  Clara  Munson. 
born  October  25.  1853:  married  William  Seeley,  of  Wayne,  Mich.,  April  24.  1872;  they 
have  one  son — Jacob,  born  January  25,  1873;  Ira  Munson  was  born  in  Hebron,  Washing- 
ton Co.,  N.  Y. ,  July  17,  1810;  went  to  Western  New  York  and  married  M.  A.  Seaver, 
January  20.  1834;"  in  the  fall  of  1842.  settled  in  Clifton,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.;  they 
moved  to  Oxford.  Oakland  Co..  Mich.,  in  1S()1:  lived  there  five  years,  then  moved  to 
Wayne,  where  he  still  resides. 

ORRIN  WOODBECK  was  born  August  26,  1.S37,  in  Armada.  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.; 
is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Finch)  AN'oodbeek.  natives  of  the  Empire  State,  the  former 
born  in  1808  inCojjake.  N.  Y..  and  died  September  lU,  1863,  in  Armada,  Macomb  County; 
the  latter  was  born  in  1816.  near  Honeoye  Lake,  N.  Y.,  and  is  still  living  in  Armada. 
Mr.  A\()odbeck  was  married,  September  12,  185VI,  to  Matilda  Killam,  of  Armada;  she  was 
born  in  New  York  July  6.  1840.  and  died  August  15.  1863.  in  Armada,  leaving  a  son — 
Franklin  P. .  born  March  18,  ISIiO.  Mr.  Woodbeck  was  married  a  second  time.  Janitsuy 
1.  1.S66.  to  Polly,  daughter  of  Chester  and  Jane  Cooley  (see  sketch  of  Chester  Cooley.  of 
Romeo);  she  was  born  February  14,  1842.  in  Bruce,  in  the  same  house  where  she  now 
lives;  they  have  three  "children — Peter,  born  December  4,  1866;  Chester  D.,  November 
28.  1868;  Ellnora.  April  10.  1872.  Mr.  Woodbeck  is  a  farmer  and  resides  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father-in-law.  wliich  consists  of  200  acres  of  land,  on  Sections  21.  17.  18  and 
5,  in  Bruce;  he  owns  ninety-five  acres  of  first-class  land  on  Section  28,  in  Ai'mada:  he  is 
a  Republican  in  politics. 

JOHN  B.  YOFNGS.  P.  O.  Romeo,  son  of  Robert  and  Hannah  (Hunuiwell)  Youngs, 
was  born  at  Livonia.  N.  Y..  September  1.  1S23:  his  father  was  a  native  of  England,  and 
his  mother  of  New  England.  The  family  moved  to  Oakland  County  and  lived  a  short 
time;  then  went  to  Cleveland.  Ohio.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Macomb  County 
in  September,  1851,  and,  in  company  with  his  brother,  bought  160  acres  on  Section  '.>, 


TV 


Y 


^ 9 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


which  he  cleared  partly  and  sold  out.  He  was  married,  January  "2.  IS54,  to  Martha. 
youugest  daughter  of  James  Parker,  of  Macomb  Couuty.  and  has  no  children;  he  has 
spent  about  nine  years  in  Oakland  Coiinty  in  farming,  and  has  been  lai'gely  engaged  as  a 
salesman  and  collecting  agent  of  agricultiu'al  implements.  He  at  present  resides  on  the 
Parker  farm,  in  Armada  Township.  !Mr.  and  Mrs.  Youngs  have  been  for  many  years 
members  of  the  Christian  Chtu'ch  in  Romeo;  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

M.VCOMl}  TOW'Nsnil'. 
This  town  was  settled  in  1881.  Among  its  first  settlers  were  Calvin  Davis,  Daniel 
Miller  (now  of  Romeo  I,  Daniel  Kniifeu  and  Lester  Giddings,  the  latter  being  the  only 
representative  left  here  now.  It  was,  prior  to  the  forming  of  the  Repulilican  party,  the 
banner  Democratic  town  in  the  county,  there  being  only  ten  Whig  voters  in  the  township. 
Within  the  past  fifteen  years  it  has  increased  rapidly  with  the  German  element  and  now 
numbers  over  400  voters.  The  German  element  is  mostly  Democrat.  There  are  five 
stores  and  five  churches  in  the  town.  One  of  the  oldest  men  in  the  county,  William 
Todd,  who  is  ninety-seven  years  of  age,  does  all  the  work  on  a  farm  of  thirty  acres 
of  land  and  bids  fair  for  a  number  of  years  yet.  There  is  also  a  centennial  tree 
of  the  buttonwood  order,  which  measures  twenty-seven  feet  in  circumference.  Among 
the  okl  settlers  of  Macomb  County  who  have  done  much  toward  the  prosperity  of  the 
township  ai'e  Zephaniah  Campbell,  Manson  Farrar.  Lester  Giddings,  Calvin  Davis,  Daniel 
Knilfin.  Daniel  Miller,  Samuel  Whitney,  Charles  Crittenden,  Horace  H.  Cady  and  many 
others.  The  tu-st  Sunday  school  established  in  this  township  was  that  by  Chauncey 
Church,  of  Vermont.  Church  brought  with  him  his  own  library  and  placed  it  at  the  disposal 
of  the  pupils.  The  school  was  held  in  a  building  which  stood  on  the  site  now  occupied 
by  the  Macomb  Chiu'ch. 

FIRST    SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  was  that  in  the  Davis  settlement,  Sections  17  and  18.  Macomb  Town- 
ship. The  second  was  in  the  Crawford  settlement,  referred  to  in  the  sketch  of  Ray  Town- 
ship. Among  the  pupils  attending  the  fii'st  schools  were  the  Giddings,  Davises,  Knifiins 
and  Millers.  The  children  of  No.  8  District  who  attended  the  school  in  Peatman's  dwell- 
ing-house, about  the  year  1887,  were  James  M.  Rensallaer,  Gordon  H.  Wade,  J.  H.  C. 
Garvin,  Mehelah  Stroup.  Susan  and  Jane  Perkins,  Frank,  William  and  Abigail  Warner. 
This  school  was  taught  by  Miss  Minerva  Olds. 

FIRST    SETTLERS. 

In  the  Stroup  settlement  wei'e  George  Stroup,  H.  H.  Wade,  John  Garvin,  Sam  Whit- 
ney, Reuben  Warner,  Elias  M.  Beach,  James  Perkins.  The  first  blaL-ksmith  was  Stephen 
Hewey.  In  the  Davis  settlement  were  Dan  Kuiffiu,  Lester  Giddings,  Calvin  Davis, 
Daniel  Miller,  Chauncey  Church.  In  the  Cady  settlement  were  the  Cooks,  Atwoods,  Halls, 
Haskius.     The  Cadys,  of  Mt.  Clemens,  were  represented  here  shortly  after. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  township  of  Macomb,  comprising  Town  3  north.  Ranges  18  and  14  west,  was 
erected  under  authority  of  the  Legislative  Council,  ajiproved  March  7,  1884,  and  the  first 
meeting  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Daniel  Shattuck.     Chesterfield  was  established 


IV 


L^ 


by  the'act  of  February  16,  1842,  setting  off  the  eastern  half  of  Macomb  'Township  into  a 
township  of  that  name. 

TOWN    OFFICERS. 

Supervisoi-s — Flaver  Greenleaf,  1834-35;  Calvin  Davis.  1835-38;  County  Commis 
sioners.  1838-43;  Joel  W.  Manley,  1843-45;  Stewart  Taylor.  1845-47;  William  Mc- 
Donald, 1847-49:  Stewart  Taylor.  1849-50:  Calvin  Davis.  1850-51;  Hiram  M.  Jenny, 
1851-54;  Perry  M.  Bentley.  1854-55;  Hiram  M.  Jenny.  1855-56;  Samuel  Whitney. 
1856-57;  Orange  Foot.  1857-58;  Samuel  Whiting.  1858-59;  Horace  H.  Cady.  1859-78; 
Jacob  Stroup.  1873-78;  Alfred  Stewart.  1878-79;  Jacob  Stroup.  1879-82.  John  C. 
Bolty.  1882. 

Clerks— James  Meklrum.  1834;  Daniel  Shattuck,  1885;  Charles  F.  Witt,  1838:  Dan- 
iel P.  Shattuck,  1839;  Samuel  P.  Canfield,  1841;  David  Stroup.  1842;  H.  R.  Wilder. 
1849;  C.  P.  Crittenden,  1853;  Damon  B.  Weston,  1854-55;  J.  H.  C.  Garvin,  1856;  William 
Gamber.  1857;  Jacob  Stroup,  1858-60;  Cyrus  B.  Rice,  1861;  Jacob  Stroup,  1862-64; 
H.  A.  Haskin.  1865;  Elisha  L.  Atkms.  1866-68;  John  Boltv.  1869;  Jacob  Stroup.  1870- 
72;  Gordon  H.  Wade,  1873-74;  Elisha  L.  Atkins,  1875;  Gordon  H.  Wade.  1876-83. 

Treasurers — Alucius  Haskin,  1834;  Daniel  Miller  and  Charles  Van  Horn  held  the 
office  for  a  nvunber  of  years;  John  Bacon.  1854;  Benjamin  Gamber,  1855;  Dan  Gid- 
dings,  1856-57;  John  Jackson,  1858-29:  Havilla  H.  Wade,  1860-61;  W^illiam  Norton, 
1862-63:  Charles  Briggs,  1864:  Fred  Jasmund,  1866-68:  John  Klokow,  1869:  Aug  C. 
Posner,  1870-77:  Carl  Jeungel.  1878-79;  Fred  Jasmund,  1880-82.    C.  Jeungle. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Daniel  Shattuck,  (Jalvin  Davis.  Harvey  Cook.  Robert  P. 
Lewis,  1836:  L.  Haskins,  R.  P.  Lewis,  D.  Shattuck,  1837;  Sam  Whitney.  1838;  F. 
Greenleaf.  1839;  J.  D.  Burgess.  1840;  Sam  P.  Cantield.  1841;  Elias  M.  Beach.  Calvin 
Davis,  Stewart  Taylor.  1842;  F.  Greenleaf,  1843;  Horace  H.  Cady.  Calvin  Davis,  1844; 
Jacob  E.  Hall,  1845;  Elias  M.  Beach,  Stewart  Taylor.  1846;  William  McDonald,  1847; 
(Jalvin  Davis,  Havila  H.  Wade,  1848;  Stewart  Taylor,  1849;  Jesse  Whitney,  1850;  Joseph 
Huntoon.  Philo  McDonald,  1851;  Calvin  Davis,  1852;  Phi lo  McDonald,  1853;  O.  Foote, 
1855:  Hiram  Haskins,  1855;  Havila  H.  Wade,  1855-57,  Benjamin  Gamber,  1857-58; 
E.  L.  Atkins,  1859;  Calvin  Davis,  1856;  Richard  Wiltes,  1860;  John  B.  Rice.  1861;  H. 
H.  Wade,  1861-65;  James  Jones,  1862-66;  Elisha  L.  Atkins,  1863;  Edwin  R.  Eaton, 
1864;  Aug  Wegener,  1867-68;  John  Kepsel,  1869;  James  Jones,  1870;  C.  F.  Crittenden, 
1870;  E.  L.  Atkin.s,  1871;  Charles  Deitrich,  1871;  Aug  Wedeuer,  1872;  C.  P.  Crittenden, 
Chai'les  Deitrich,  Leonard  Shattiick,  1873;  Gustave  H.  Strezman,  1874;  Elisha  L.  Atkins, 
John  Norton.  1875:  Carl  Jeungel.  Charles  Schram.  1876;  Julius  Drexler,  1877; 
G.  T.  Strezman,  Francis  Furton,  John  Kepsel,  1878;  John  C.  Cady.  1879;  Elisha  L.  At- 
kins, 1880;  Francis  Frn'ton,  1881. 

PHYSICAL    AND    STATISTICAL. 

The  laud  in  Macomb  Township  is  very  level,  and  the  soil  generally  very  fertile  and 
productive.  It  is  watered  by  the  Middle  and  North  Branches  of  the  Cbntou  River,  which 
afford  a  plentiful  su]iply  formilling  and  agricultural  [>urposes.  The  township  isasexteu- 
sively  drained  as  any  tuwnshij)  in  theci  lunty .which  adds  mat cri ally  to  its  agricultural  facilities. 

In  1850,  less  than  a  decade  after  the  organization  of  the  township,  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing statistics  authoritatively  given:  Acres  of  improved  land,  3,187;  unimproved  land, 
6,098;  cash  value  of  same,  $97,925.  Live  stock — horses,  165;  milch  cows,  203;  working 
oxen,  98;  other  neat  cattle.  311;  sheep.  1.248:  swine.  447;  value  of  livestock.  $15,472, 
Agricultural  products — wheat,  2,685  bushels;  corn,  9,820  bushels;  all  other  kinds  of 
grain,  10,247  bushels;  potatoes,  3,291  bushels;  wool,  3,932  pounds.  Dairy  products — 
butter,  14,785  pounds;  cheese,  1,450  pounds.     Value  of  orchard  produce,  $285. 


^       *_, 

^          « 

•^ 

HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY.                                              709 

r 

After  the  lapse  of  about  a  (jnarter  of  a  century,  the  showing  is  as  follows,  in  1S74: 
Number  of  acres  of   improved  land,  10,000;  woodland,   8,004;  other  unimproved   laud, 
2.014  acres;  cash  value  of   same.  $776,305.      Live  stock — horses,  024;  milch  cows,  894; 
working  oxen,  8;  other  neat  cattle,  524;  sheep,  2,510;  swine,  982;  total  value  of  same, 
$124,490.     Agricultural  products — wheat,  22,412  bu.shels;  corn,  30,357  bushels:  all  other 
kinds  of  grain,  47,416  bushels;  potatoes,    18,296  bushels;  wool,  10,141   pounds.     Dairy 
pro  lucts — butter,  74,220  pounds;  cheese,    500  pounds.     Pork  marketed,  67,113  pounds. 
Value  of  orchard  produce.  $3,922. 

Macomb  has  always  ranked   among  the  foremost  townships  in  the  county,  in  respect 
to  agriculture.     At  an  eai'ly  day.  a  general  influx  of  German  citizens,  of   the  industrious 
and  economical  class,  came  in.      With  a  laudable  zeal  in  cultivating  the  soil  and  bringing 
forth  the  best  that   its  fertility  afforded,  they,  in  conjunction  with  the  American  farmers 
already  in  the  township,  succeeded  in  developing  the  resources  of  the  township  to  the  best 
l^ossible  advantage. 

The  population  of  the  township  in  1850  was  757;  in  1874,  it  had  increased  to  1,-791, 
and.  in  1880.  reached  2.046. 

SCHOOLS. 

There  are  ten  buildings  devoted  to  education  in  the  township.      The  denominational 
system  is  adopted  in  a  few  of  them.     In  the  following  table,  the  present  condition  of  the 
sshools  is  shown,  with  the  exceptioa  of  th.^  small  number  of  pupils  reported  in  attendance 
dm'ing  the  year  ending  September.  18S1; 

Xo.  of  Uistrict.                                      Director.                       |  No.  Pupils.       Building. 

Value. 

Expenditure   for   18S1. 

>fo.  1  District L.  W.  Giddings 106 

Xo.  2  District .Jo.scpli  Klukow 59 

No.  3  District Hiram  Stroup >          38 

No.  10  District .luiiatlian  Widrig 61 

No.  1  Fractional  District  H.  B.  Hall !          96 

1  frame 
1  frame 
I  brick 
1  frame 
1  frame 
1  frame 
1  frame 
1  frame 
1  frame 
1  frame 

Vo 

$  250 
400 

1000 
500 
100 
400 

1000 
600 

1200 
100 

$6550 

1  424 
235 
326 
202 
351 
401 
431 
243 
1455 
247 

$4315 

No.  3  Fractional  District  (  \irl  .Tu.n-rll ,        188 

No.  4Fraction:il  DiNtrici  .\ltiv.l  Sirwarl 1           38 

No.  T  Fractional  District  (i,  nrnv  S.  Hall 84 

No.  11  Fractional  District  Evandcr  Chapman 44 

872 

J 

M.\COMB    VILL-\GE. 

In  1830.  a  po.st  office  was  establi-shed  atid  a  village  started  under  the  name  of  Ma- 
comb.    This  spot  was   one  of  the  most  eligible  in  the  cotinty,  being  centrally  located  on 
the  Middle  Br.inch  of  the  Clinton  River,  nine  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Mt.  Clemens,  on 
the  railway,  same  distance   from  XJtica,  on  the  D.  &  B.  C.  R.  K.,  both  used  as  shipping 
points,  and  thirty  from   Detroit.     It  has  gone  into   premature  disuse,  however,  the  post 
office  having  been  removed  to  Waldenburg.      Frederick  Jasmond  was  the  th-st  Postmaster, 
There  is   still  a  general  store  at  the  original  site  of  Macomb.     The   jilace  was  started  by 
Daniel  Kniffin,  Calvin  Davis.  Daniel  Miller  and  Lester  Giddings.      E.  S.  Axtel  was  Post- 
master for  a  number  of  years.     Among  the  best-known  citizens  of  the  hamlet  are  E.  S. 
Axtel,  Notary  Public;  Calvin  Davis,  farmer;    Joseph  Denel,  general   store;  L.  W.    Gid- 
dings,  farmer;  A.  W.    Kniffin.  farmer;    John  Longstaff,   farmer;    N.   H.  Miller,  farmer; 
'      W.  Norton,  farmer. 

Waldenburg  is  a  country  post  office   m  Waldenburg  Township,  Macomb  County,  six 
miles  northwest  of  Mt.  Clemens  Court  House,  connected  by  semi-weekly   mail  line  and 

.^_fc 

> 

•^ 

(a          r- 

HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


via  which  it  is  thirty-one  miles  above  Detroit.  Has  a  steam  saw  and  planing  mill  and 
ships  crrain  and  lumber.      The  population  is  set  down  at  150  in  the  census  of  1880. 

Mead  is  a  post  office  for  a  farming  community  of  about  200  people,  in  this  township, 
thirty  miles  from  Deti-oit.  eight  above  Mt.  Clemens  Court  House  and  four  north  of  Mil- 
ton, on  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  connecting  by  weekly  mail  route;  ship  to  New  Haven 
on  same  line,  about  same  distance.  In  the  vicinity  are  two  churches  and  a  new  district 
school.  Arthur  E.  Collins,  Postmaster.  The  business  community  is  made  up  as  follows: 
M.  Bentley.  shoemaker;  George  Boden.  blacksmith;  Arthur  E.  Collins,  general  store; 
Samuel  Foster,  blacksmith;  Francis  Furton,  Justice  of  the  Peace;  Rev.  E.  W.  Howe. 
Methodist  minister;  Robert  Warner,  Justice  of  the  Peace;  Erasmus  S.  Wolvin,  blackmiths. 

The  German  Church  organization  purchased  five  acres  of  land  on  the  corner  south  of 
Stephen  Whitney's,  and.  in  February,  18S2,  commenced  to  erect  a  church  and  parsonage. 
The  building  will  be  of  wood,  32x52  feet,  with  burying-ground  adjacent. 

In  the  pages  devoted  to  biographies  are  many  personal  notices  of  citizens,  whose  lives 
have  been  more  or  less  identified  with  the  history  of  the  township. 

ELISHA  L.  ATKINS  was  born  in  Broome  County.  N.  Y..  town  of  Owego,  May  3, 
1803;  he  is  the  son  of  Hezekiah  W.  and  Mary  Lewis  Atkins;  his  father  was  an  Irish 
American,  born  in  Connecticut;  his  mother  was  born  during  the  passage  of  her  folks  from 
France  to  America.  Mr.  Atkins  lived  in  Elmira,  N.  Y. .  until  twenty  years  of  age;  had  a 
common-school  education;  during  this  time,  he  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade;  he  went  to 
Bath,  Steuben  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  and  afterward  traveled  over  several  States;  he  was  married 
there,  September  2,  182U,  to  Margaret  Mather,  a  native  of  Bath,  Steuben  County;  he  came 
to  Michigan  in  1831,  located  at  Mt.  Clemens,  bought  104  acres  of  land  in  Clinton  Town- 
ship, although  he  lived  in  the  village  most  of  the  time;  in  1832,  he  was  appointed  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  Mt.  Clemens,  and  served  fifteen  years;  he  was,  while  in  Mt.  Clemens. 
one  of  the  four  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  the  State  under  the  constitution  of  1836:  in  1848. 
he  moved  to  Macomb  Township;  the  following  spring,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  of  Macomb  Township,  which  position  he  has  held  ever  since;  has  always  voted  a 
Democratic  ticket  up  to  ISSO,  when  he  voted  a  Greenback  ticket;  he  was  Town  Clerk  of 
Macomb  about  six  years;  his  wife  died  about  lSli2,  leaving  four  children — Maria,  born 
1830,  in  Bath,  Broome  County,  wife  of  Alexander  Gibson:  John  B.,  born  at  Mt.  Clemens 
May  29,  1836.  married  Lydia  Allen,  residing  in  Council  Blufls,  Iowa;  Charles  S,,  born 
July  15,  1838,  residing  in  Wyoming  Territory;  Lucy  M. .  born  at  Mt.  Clemens  May  1. 
1845,  wife  of  Charles  J.  Harrison,  residing  in  Wayne,  Mich.  On  the  21st  of  March. 
1838,  he  was  appointed  Captain  of  the  Second  Division,  Fourth  Brigade,  Third  Regi- 
ment, M.  S.  F.,  by  Gov.  Stephen  F.  Mason;  he  was  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  Legislature 
of  the  Territory  of  Michigan  at  Detroit. 

GEORGE  BACON,  Macomb,  was  boru  January  1,  l.S2(),  in  St.  Lawi-ence  County. 
N.  Y. ;  moved  to  Ohio  at  tiie  age  of  seven  years;  lived  there  ten  years  and  then  removed 
to  Michigan,  and  settled  on  school  section  in  Washington;  he  moved  to  Section  3,  Ma- 
comb, where  he  now  resides;  went  to  California  in  1858;  settled  at  Diamond  Springs, 
El  Dorado  County;  i-eturned  home  in  1862,  and  resumed  life  on  the  farm.  He  was  mar- 
ried, July  12,  1864,  to  Miss  Hannah  M.  Myers,  of  Macomb;  she  died  June  20,  1874. 
leaving  five  children— William  E. ,  born  June  17,  1864;  Carrie  E.,  May  31,  1866:  Alvah 
R..  October  17,  18()U:  Minnie  A..  September  5.  1871;  George  W..  died  in  infancy.  Some 
time  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  he  married,  January  22,  1876,  Jerusha  Bates,  of 
Chesterfield;  her  father,  Alfred  Bates,  was  born  February. 17,  1S17,  in  New  York;  her 
mother.  Laney  Wright  Bates,  was  born  August,  30,  1812.  Mr.  Bates  died  December  3, 
1881.      Mrs.  Bates  died  October  17,  1881.      Mr.  Bacon  owns  eighty  acres  of  land;  never 


h^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


sued  a  man;  never  was  sued  but  once;  in  politics,  he  is  a  Republican;  in  religion,  he  is 
a  Free  Methodist, 

PERRY  M,  BENTLEY  was  born  August  10,  IS  11),  in  Richmond.  Ontario  Co,,  N. 
Y. ;  is  the  son  of  Preston  D,  and  Sophia  James  Bentley;  his  parents  were  natives  of 
Rhode  Island,  and.  in  ISIS,  settled  in  Ontario  County,  N,  Y. ;  in  1841.  they  came  to 
Michigan  and  settled  on  Section  6,  Macomb  Tovvnshiji.  vhere  the  father  died.  April  8. 
1851,  aged  sixty-three  years:  the  mother  afterward  mai-ried  Rev,  Jonathan  E,  Davis,  and 
died  July  11),  LSSO,  aged  eighty-seven  years;  in  L'So'J,  Mr,  B,  came  to  Michigan  and  took 
his  father's  farm,  but  bought  out  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs,  and  still  resides  on  the 
old  homestead.  He  was  married.  May  '23.  1844.  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Wheeler  and  Han 
nah  Reed;  she  was  one  of  the  family  of  twenty  childi'en;  her  pai'ents  wei-e  natives  of  Ver- 
mont, who  settled  in  Ontario  County,  N,  Y,,  in  17'.)0,  Mi',  and  Mrs,  B,  have  had  six 
chii  ren,  whose  record  is  as  follows:  Mar}'  Augusta,  Mi-s,  L,  F.  Giddings,  born  March  25, 
1846,  in  Richmond,  N,  Y. :  died  August  30,  1S81:  Preston  M,,  born  in  Richmond  Sej)- 
tember  1,  1851;  Frank  Reed,  born  in  Macomb  September  4,  1853;  Ada  M,,  born  in  Ma- 
comb, January  17,  1855:  Mary,  born  in  Richmond  August  10,  1850,  died  sis  weeks  after 
birth:  Carrie,  born  in  Richmond  May  11,  1861,  lives  at  home.  All  the  members  of  the 
family  belong  to  the  M,  E,  Church,  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  was  Supervisor 
of  Macomb  in  1854:  he  has  greatly  improved  his  farm  in  Macomb  and  added  fine  and 
commodious  buildings. 

HOR.iCE  H,  CADY,  P,  O,  Mt.  Clemens,  formerly  fi-om  the  First  District,  Macomb 
County,  was  born  in  Hadley,  Windham  Co,,  Conn,,  February  20,  1801,  Mr,  C,  received  a 
common-school  education;  in  1821,  he  emigrated  t<j  Michigan,  embarking  at  Black  Rock  on 
the  famous  steamboat  Walk-in-the- Water,  He  was  one  whole  week  in  getting  fi'om  Buffalo 
to  Detroit,  and  he  related  that  it  took  twelve  yoke  of  oxen  and  one  span  of  horses  to  tow  the 
boat  over  the  rapids  belov?  the  mouth  of  Buffalo  Creek.  Mr,  C.  upon  arriving  in  Michi- 
gan, settled  in  the  village  of  Mt,  Clemens;  in  1821,  he  removed  to  Macomb  Township, 
where  he  now  resides;  he  has  been  Supervisor  of  the  township  for  fifteen  years.  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  one  term  and  County  Treasurer  for  two  years;  was  a  member  of  the  House 
when  the  State  capital  was  located  at  Detroit;  was  a  member  of  the  House  in  1805,  Mr, 
C's  occupation  was  that  of  a  farmer:  he  has  always  been  a  Democrat;  cast  his  first  Presi 
dential  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson;  his  father  was  Joseph  Cleveland  Cady,  a  native  of  the 
same  county  and  State:  his  mother  was  Lucy  Hutchins.  also  a  native  of  Hadley.  Mr.  C, 
was  married,  June  '.),  1.S25,  to  Susau  E,  Conner,  a  lady  born  in  Detroit  in  1806:  they  have 
had  five  children,  four  of  them  living — Celia  A,,  wife  of  Thomas  J,  Rutter,  residing  near 
Chicago;  John  C,  married  to  Mary  E,  Smith,  living  on  the  homestead;  Cornelia  A,,  wife 
of  Henry  B,  Castle,  residing  on  the  homestead:  Fannie  C,  widow  of  David  B,  Jordan, 
residing  at  Chicago;  Henry  C,  died  when  only  two  years  old.  Mr.  C's  father  died 
in  1806,  and  left  the  boys  to  take  care  of  themselves;  H,  H,  Cady  was  bound  as  an  ap- 
prentice two  different  times  before  he  was  of  age ;  in  his  education,  he  probably  went  to 
school  100  days  in  all;  had  to  depend  upon  himself  when  young;  he  began  keeping  hotel 
in  Mt,  Clemens  in  1831,  and  kept  it  until  1837,  when  he  moved  to  his  farm  in  Macomb; 
he  has  100  acres  on  Section  35:  he  is  the  oldest  living  American  settler  in  Macomb  County, 

ARTIfUR  E,  COLLINS,  Postmaster  of  Meade  Post  Office,  Macomb  Township,  was 
born  January  6,  1842,  in  Wayne  County,  Mich, :  is  the  son  of  William  and  Ann  E,  Collins: 
his  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  British  service  nearly  thirty  years,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of 
Quartermaster:  he  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo;  his  mother 
was  the  daughter  of  Sergt,  Mai-tin,  of  the  Royal  Ai-tillery.  and  was  born  on  the  Island  of 
Malta,  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  Mr,  C,  enlisted  June  8,  1861,  in  Company  A,  Twenty- 
third  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Lexington,  Mo,,  where  he  was  captured 


"7F 


'\)t^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


by  Gen.  Price,  September  20.  and  paroled.  The  following  summer,  lie  re-enlisted  in 
Company  A,  Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry,  and  was  again  captm-ed  at  Chickamauga, 
September  '10,  1868,  he  was  a  prisoner  nineteen  months  and  eight  days  at  Richmond, 
Danville,  Andersonville.  Millen,  Blackshire  and  Thomasville.  He  was  promoted  to  Ser- 
geant of  his  company  while  in  prison,  and  was  mustered  oiit  of  the  service  at  Camp  Chase. 
Ohio.  June  'J.  18(55,  when  he  came  to  Macomb  County,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  married,  March  31,  INTO,  to  Mary  A. . 
daughter  of  William  and  Ann  Crreen,  of  Mt.  Clemens;  her  parents  were  natives  of  En- 
gland and  came  to  America  in  1852,  and  settled  in  Oakland  County.  Mich.,  re- 
moving to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1862.  Mr.  C.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  for 
several  years  has  been  Master  of  Macomb  Lodge,  No.  64.  F.  &  A.  M  He  has  held  the 
office  of  Postmaster  nearly  seventeen  years:  in  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

HON.  CALVIN  DAVIS  (deceased)  was  born  at  Hubbardstou,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass.. 
April  27,  1798;  at  the  age  of  eleven,  he  came  to  the  wilds  of  Western  New  York,  with  his 
widowed  mother:  settled  at  Covington,  N.  Y. .  where  he  remained  until  1815,  when  he 
married  Miss  Sylvia  Beardsley.  they  being  the  first  white  couple  married  in  the  town;  in 
1824,  came  to  Shelby  Township,  and  pm-chased  a  farm:  in  1826,  was  appointed,  by  Gov. 
Lewis  Cass,  Associate  Justice  of  the  County  Court,  which  he  held  until  the  coiu't  was 
abolished  a  few  years  after:  in  1832,  he  removed  to  the  adjoining  township  of  Macomb, 
where  he  purchased  a  large  and  heavy  timbered  farm:  there  were  very  few  settlers  in  this 
part  of  the  country,  few  neighbors  nearer  than  Mt.  Clemens,  ten  miles  distant;  in  1838, 
Judge  Davis  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Macomb  County,  being  jsrior  elected  to  the  position 
under  the  State  constitution  in  the  county;  in  1841,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature;  he 
also  held  the  office  of  Postmaster  twenty-thi'ee  years,  at  Macomb,  and  twenty- four  years 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  six  of  which  were  under  appointments  by  Gov.  Stephens  F.  Mason 
and  George  B.  Porter;  few  men  in  Eastern  Michigan  ever  became  more  closely  identified 
with  the  interests  of  the  State  than  he,  and  none  more  favorably  known;  he  is  a  man  of 
more  than  ordinary  sound  judgment  and  mind:  is  a  zealous  worker  in  the  cause  of  truth 
and  religion;  he  is  a  Methodist  and  a  true  friend  and  neighbor:  became  a  Free  and  Ac- 
cejited  Mason  in  1824;  in  politics.  Judge  Davis  is  a  firm  Republican,  having  left  the 
Democratic  j)arty  in  1856:  he  died  February  10,  1870:  his  children  were  George  W,,  born 
September  8,  1816;  Lavancha,  November  24,  1818:  Smithy  December  10.  1830;  Eunice, 
March  22, 1828;  Jonathan  A.,  August  30.  1825;  Mary  A.,  Januarv  5, 1828;  Levi  B.;  March 
12.  1830;  Calvin.  July  27.  1832;  Sylvia.  May  1.  1835.  and 'Victoria.  September  17, 
1837:  George  W.  died  May  6,  1843;  Smith  died  September  4,  1856;  Eunice.  January  15, 
1854,  and  Jonathan,  August  23,  1872.  Calvin  Davis,  son  of  the  settler  just  referred  to, 
was  born  July  27,  1832;  he  mari-ied  Miss  Rosa  Phillips,  a  native  of  Vermont,  March  13. 
1867.  by  whom  he  had  three  children.  Mrs.  D.  died  April  7.  1N76;  a  year  later,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Julia  E.  Hayes,  of  Greene  County.  N.  Y..  to  whom  three  children  were  born;  the 
two  youngest  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  D.  is  politically  a  Republican.  Mr.  D.  is  a  strong 
temperance  man  and  always  foremost  in  matters  affecting  the  well  being  of  the  town;  his 
farm  and  home  are  on  Sections  5  and  8.  pleasantly  located. 

JOHN  A.  FRIES,  born  in  Milan,  Dutchess  Co..  N.  Y..  April  18.  1S07:  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Margaret  Mink.  September  14.  1856:  she  was  born  March  2.  1N09.  in  Livingston 
County:  to  them  weie  born  ten  children,  all  of  whom  are  living  and  all  natives  of  New 
York — Henry,  born  June  3.  1827;  Catharine  E.,  September  10,  1829;  Andrew,  June  17, 
1831;  John.' Jr..  Septembers.  1833:  Mary  Jane.  July  30.  1836;  William.  May  6.  1S3S: 
Lewis.  October  (\.  1840;  Louisa,  October  10,  1842;  Jacob  F.,  February  IS,  1845;  Charlie 
E.,  June  10,  1S50.  John  A.  Fries,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Germany;  when  a  boy  he  was  stolen,  brought  to  New  York.  sold,  and  served  three 


f 

HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.  773 

years  for  his  liberty;  then  he  settled  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.  Andrew,  father  of  John 
A.  Fries.  Jr.,  was  born  there  and  settled  in  Dutchess  County:  he  married  Christina  Shraut. 
of  Dutchess  County.  N.  Y. ;  he  died  April  12.  1S17.  at  the  age  of  tiftyone  years;  his  wife 
died  February  25,  ISyO,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  are  the  grandparents 
of  thirty-five  children  and  thirteen  gre.atgraudehildren.  In  1S40.  Mr.  F.  moved  to  Wayne 
County.  N.  Y. :  lived  there  nineteen  years;  in  1861.  he  moved  to  Michigan,  and  settled 
in  Mt.  Clemens:  from  thex-e  he  moved  to  the  town  of  Macomb,  bought  a  farm  of  100  acres 
of  good  land,  and  now  has  a  good  home.  Mr.  F.  is  an  honest,  upright  man,  and  he  and  his 
family  are  much  respected  b}'  their  neighbors.  He  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  Church. 

JOHN  H.  C.  GARVIN  was  born  December  18.  1826.  in  Genesee  Coimty.  N.  Y..  near 
Rochester:  son  of  John  and  Olive  (Bacon)  Garvin,  both  natives  of  Vermont,  who  came 
into  New  York  State  at  an  early  date.  The  family  came  to  Michigan  in  1S32;  settled  in 
Ray;  afterward,  in  the  spring  of  1835,  moved  to  Macomb  and  located  160  acres,  forming 
the  southwest  (quarter  of  Section  2:  this  land  they  piu'chased  from  the  Government;  his 
father  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner;  he  built  the  house  of  Col.  Norman  Perry,  in  1831. 
which  is  among  the  first  frame  buildings  jjut  up:  he  followed  carpentering,  which  was  his 
main  business;  worked  at  ship  building  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  the  winter  of  183-J:-35.  walking 
from  his  home  in  Macomb  to  the  village  in  the  morning  and  back  at  night,  taking  his 
sujiplies  of  provisions,  etc..  on  his  back.  Mrs.  Garvin  died  August  30,  1865,  in  her  sev- 
enty-fourth year:  she  was  born  April  12,  1T'.)2.  Politically,  he  was  a  Whig,  and,  in  later 
years  a  Republican;  he  came  here  with  a  family  of  two  daughters  and  one  son,  the 
daughter  being  among  the  first  teachers  in  this  part  of  the  country;  they  lost  two  children 
by  death:  both  his  father  and  mother  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church  after  it  was 
organized;  two  daughters  were  also  members  of  the  same  chui'ch;  his  father  was  well  versed 
in  the  Bible;  h'ad  a  strong  mind  and  memory,  and  was  accustomed  to  give  a  great  deal  of 
time  to  reading;  was  posted  in  all  general  matters,  and  carried  a  strong  argument  in  his 
debates.  He  cut  the  road  from  Ray  to  his  farm  in  Macomb,  so  that  he  could  move  his 
personal  property  to  his  home.  John  remained  on  the  farm  until  his  father  sold  it  and 
moved  to  Washington,  when  he  went  to  work  with  his  father;  having  learned  the  carpenter 
trade  of  him,  he  followed  it  as  a  business  for  fifteen  years,  and  has  done  some  work  at  it 
since.  He  was  married,  December  15,  ISol,  to  Rosanuah  Harris,  a  native  of  Lester 
County.  N.  Y..  who  came  to  Michigan  in  1830  with  her  father.  Jacob  Harris,  an  old 
settler  of  Washington;  in  1850.  he  bought  the  homestead  farm  in  Macomb  Township,  and 
resided  there  until  March.  1S81:  he  has  been  a  Republican  and  a  warm  supporter  of  the 
cause;  has  been'Clerk  of  Macomb  one  year:  takes  great  interest  in  gaming  and  sporting; 
has  killed  a  great  many  deer  and  turkeys,  and  otherwise  contributes  to  keep  the  spirit  of 
the  old  hnutiug  days  living. 

LESTER  GIDDINGS  (deceased)  was  l)orn  June  28,  17'.»2.  at  Granville,  Washington 
Co.,  N.  Y. ;  in  1810,  he  located  at  Warsaw,  Wyoming  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  remained  there  until 
1825,  when  he  settled  in  Michigan  Township;  he  purchased  eightj'  acres  in  the  town  of 
Washington,  Macomb  County,  from  the  Government,  in  1823;  returned  to  New  York  and 
settled  here  in  1S25:  lived  there  until  April.  1831.  when  he  settled  in  Macomb  Town- 
ship. Section  5,  on  his  first  purchase  of  eighty  acres,  and  afterward  took  up  twenty  acres 
more :  the  county  was  a  wilderness  with  only  one  family  in  the  neighborhood ;  he  lived  on  the 
place  until  he  died.  January  2,  187U.  He  married  Rebecca  E.  Miller,  in  Warsaw,  N.  Y.; 
came  here  with  a  family  of  five  childi'en.  and  five  more  were  born  in  this  country,  two  of 
whom  are  dead;  his  wife  died  November  15,  1868.  Politically,  he  was  a  Republican- -a 
man  who  thought  a  great  deal  of  his  family;  had  a  strong  mind  and  was  well  posted — 
both  on  things  that  have  taken  place  in  the  past,  as  well  as  on  more  recent  events:  was  well 


ihought  of  by  all  his  neighbors  and  was  very  patriotic;  served  in  the  war  of  18]  2.  for  which 
he  received  a  pension;  his  children  are — Niles;  Delia  L..  who  died  October  20.  1875:  Dur 
M..  who  died  December  25,  1S76;  Levi.  Adeline  C  Lucy  E..  Lafayette  W..  Adam  Clark. 
Ai'thiir  E.  and  C.  Eugene.  Lafayette  A\'.  Giddings.  son  of  Lester  and  Rebecca  Miller 
(iiddings.  was  born  iu  the  town  of  Washington.  June  2.  1880;  April.  1831.  his  parents 
removed  to  Macomb  Township,  where  he  was  raised  and  has  lived  most  of  the  time  on  the 
old  homestead,  which  passed  into  his  hands  after  the  death  of  his  father.  He  was  mar- 
ried. October  17.  1855.  to  Mary  A.  Pryor.  a  resident  of  Oakland  County,  town  of  Mil- 
ford;  she  died  July  7.  185fi;  was  maiTied  again,  October  4,  18()6,  to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  (Dryer) 
Sutherland,  a  native  of  Lenox  Township;  they  have  a  family  of  four  children — Cleora. 
George  R..  Delia  and  Fisk  C.  ilr.  G.  is  a  Democrat,  though  not  strictly  adhering  to  any 
particular  jjarty. 

COLUMBUS  C.  HALL  was  born  in  1840  at  the  Hall  homestead.  Section  80.  Macomb 
Township;  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  C.  Shook,  to  whom  were  born  four  children — Ger- 
trude W..  Florence  A..  Howard  J.  and  Columbus  C,  Jr.  Mi-.  Hall  is  the  owner  and  cul- 
tivator of  a  100-acre  farm,  just  north  of  Mt.  Clemens  City  boundary,  in  Macomb  Township. 

NELSON  H.  MILLER  was  born  July  27.  1832.  in  Washington  Township:  son  of 
Daniel  and  Lucinda  (Hulbert)  Miller:  his  parents,  when  he  was  a  year  old.  I'emoved  to 
Macomb.  Section  8.  where  his  father  took  up  160  acres  from  the  Government:  he  lived  on 
the  place  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  when  he  had  the  gold  fever  in  1850.  and  went 
o  California:  traveled  over  the  greater  part  of  the  State,  mostly  in  the  central  and  north- 
era  mines;  spent  most  of  his  time  in  Sierra  County;  retiu'ned  in  1854,  after  an  ab.sence 
of  nearlj'  live  years,  his  farm  being  mostly  the  homestead  he  purchased  while  he  was  in 
California;  he  started  to  Pike's  Peak,  got  nearly  there,  when,  being  satisfied  from  report 
that  it  was  a  mere  speculation  more  than  anything  else,  he  returned.  In  ■18()2.  August 
U.  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Twenty-second  Michigan  Infantry;  he  went  with  his  com- 
mand to  Kentucky,  thence  to  Nashville.  Tenn. :  next,  to  Chattooga,  thence  he  went  into 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  where  he  was  captured  bv  the  enemy,  September  20.  1863;  he 
was  taken  from  Atlanta  to  Belle  Isle,  thence  to  Richmond.  Ya. ;  next,  to  Danville,  and 
subsequently  to  Andersonville;  next,  to  Charleston,  and  lastly,  to  Florence.  S.  C. ;  at 
Florence,  he  was  exchanged  as  nm'se  for  the  sick  and  wounded;  rt'ent  back  to  Charleston. 
and  thence  to  Annajiolis.  Md. ;  then  home  on  a  thirty  days'  furlough,  making  in  all  about 
fifteen  months'  imprisonment;  he  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Chattooga:  soon  after  he  ar- 
rived there,  he  was  detailed  in  charge  of  twenty  men  on  board  the  steamer  Chickamaiiga, 
and  served  on  the  steamer  until  the  regiment  returned  home;  he  first  enlisted  as  Sergeant 
and  served  as  such  through  his  time;  returned  July.  1865.  He  has  been  on  the  farm 
since;  politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  was  married.  September  12.  1855,  to  Caroline 
I,  Dixon,  daughter  of  Silas  Dixon,  an  old  settler  of  Mt.  Clemens,  iu  18511:  they  have  had 
seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living-  Charles  F.,  Hattie  L,,  Lena  M. .  Carrie  I..  Flor- 
ence E..  Willie  H.  and  Daniel  N.;  the  oldest  son — Charles  F. — died  while  Mr.  M.  was  in 
the  war.  Mi-.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  1850.  Mrs. 
M.  is  also  a  member. 

JOHN  NORTON  was  born  in  New  Jersey  January  8.  1776;  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Benjamin  October  21.  1802;  moved  to  Macomb.  Mich.,  in  November.  1834.  and 
died  September  2,  1861 :  Elizabeth  Benjamin  Norton  was  born  Angust  27,  1787,  died  No- 
vember 2U.  1875;  to  them  seven  children  were  born.  viz..  Anna.  January  1.  1805;  Jesse, 
Ain-il  17,  1807;  Sarah  W..  August  27,  180',);  Lucinda,  January  5,  1812:'  John  N„  March 
U.  1810;  Sylvia  D.,  April  13,  1822:  Loring  G..  October  2s;  1828;  Sarah  died  June  3, 
187'.);  John  N.  died  May  14.  1867.  Loring  G.  Norton  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-second 
Michigan  Infantry  as  Drum  Major  when  the  regiment  was  organized,  and,  at  the  battle 


-^ 


^1 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


of  Chickamauga,  hf  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  left  shoulder  while  he  was  picking  up 
the  wounded  on  the  battle-field;  he  was  the  fifth  man  of  the  command  who  fell  from  a  rebel 
who  was  secreted  in  a  tree.  A\'hen  the  sharpshooter  was  discovered,  twelve  men,  with  Sharp's 
rifles,  fired  on  him,  every  bullet  taking  effect.  Mr.  Norton's  occupation  is  a  musical  teacher 
and  dealer  in  musical  instruments. 

ALFRED  STEWARD  was  born  April  -24,  1828;  sod  of  Chai-les  and  Elizabeth  Stew- 
ard, the  former  born  in  17!)1,  died  March  5,  1S55,  the  latter  born  in  ITUT,  died  Aup;ustl8, 
1860:  Chai-les  S.  came  from  Mt.  Morris.  N.  Y..  to  Detroit,  in  the  summer  of  1811,  and 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  liquor;  he  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Hull:  was  made 
prisoner,  paroled,  joined  Harrison's  corps  and  marched  with  the  troojis  to  Moravianville, 
on  the  Thames,  in  Canada;  in  1817,  he  settled  in  St.  Clair  County,  Clay  Township,  where 
he  was  married,  in  181U,  to  Elizabeth  Peck,  a  native  of  the  district,  eight  miles  below 
Chatham,  in  Canada,  daughter  of  Col.  Richard  Peck,  of  the  British  Army.  Daniel  Erway 
was  born  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1806,  and  came  to  Michigan  in  1854:  his  wife,  Hi- 
lah  Clark  Erway,  was  also  a  native  of  Seneca  County;  they  were  the  parents  of  one  daugh- 
ter— Mrs.  Amelia  Erway  Steward,  born  October  I'd,  1835,  and  maiTied  to  Alfred  Stewart, 
at  Ai-mada,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Shaw,  December  13,  1855.  The  following-named  children  of  this 
marriage  are  living:  Willie  I.  Steward,  born  March  15,  1851);  Ida  S..  born  February  16, 
1861:  Eugene  S.,  December  27,  1863:  Estella  S.,  November  25,  1874;  Nora  D.,  December 
16,  1872;  Eai-nest  A.,  August  27,  1876.  The  following-named  are  deceased:  Fred,  died 
October  15,  1868;  Guy,  May  2,  1858;  Byron,  October  U.  1866;  Sherman,  September  6, 
1868;  Grant,  April  4,  186U;  Elmer,  September  6,  186i).  Mr,  Steward  held  some  town 
offices  previous  to  his  removal  from  Columbus  Township,  St.  Clair  County,  to  Macomb 
Township,  in  185'.*:  in  1871,  he  located  at  Otsego  Lake,  Otsego  County;  he  was  honored 
with  a  few  township  offices  and  elected  County  Surveyor  in  1875:  his  salarj-,  while  em- 
ployed by  Smith,  KelLim  &  Dwight.  ranged  from  •§2,000  the  first  year,  to  .$2,500  the  sec- 
ond: he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Macomb  in  June,  1876:  here  he  was  elected  Supervisor 
in  April,  1878:  received  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  convention  in  nominating  Sheriff  in 
1878.  and  was  beaten  by  his  nominators,  as  he  received  a  large  Democratic  vote;  he  was 
commissioned  Census  Enumerator  for  the  Twenty-eighth  District  in  1880.  Mi',  S.  has 
lived  in  five  different  school  districts,  and  served  as  a  Director  in  each.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Republican:  his  farm  of  200  acres  is  numbered  among  the  best  cultivated  and  im- 
proved farms  in  the  county, 

JACOB  STROUP  was  born  March  26,  1811.  in  Seneca  County.  N.  Y.;  his  father  was 
George  Stroup,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  of  German  descent;  his  mother  was  Susan 
Rigel  Stroup.  also  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  of  German  descent:  they  moved  to  the  State 
of  New  York  in  17it6;  his  mother  died  in  New  York  State  in  1825.  leaving  a  family  of 
thirteen  childj-en:  one  of  the  childi-en  died  in  New  York  State  in  1S33;  five  children  moved 
to  Michigan  in  1827  and  1S28:  his  father  married  again  and  moved  to  Michigan,  in  1834, 
with  a  family  of  seven  children:  of  this  family  seven  are  now  living — three  sons  and  four 
daughters.  George  Strouji  located  in  Macomb  Township,  Section  10,  soTitheast  quarter; 
took  up  240  acres  of  land,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  October  31,  1858,  in  his  eighty- 
second  year  Mr.  S.  received  his  education  in  New  York  State.  He  was  married.  Sep- 
tember 16.  1841,  to  Betsey  Jane  Perkins,  a  native  of  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  whose  parents 
came  to  Michigan  in  1837;  he  is  a  Democi-at  and  has  never  changed  his  political  views; 
in  1840,  when  the  town  of  Macomb  comprised  that  of  Chesterfield,  he  was  elected  Consta- 
ble; in  1842,  he  was  elected  Town  Clerk,  the  first  one  elected  after  the  division  of  the 
township:  in  1873,  he  was  elected  Supervisor  of  Macomb,  and  has  held  the  office  eight 
years.  Mr.  S.  is  an  influential  man  in  the  town,  and  carries  a  great  deal  of  weight  in 
political  matters;  the  office  of  Clerk  he  has  held  for  twenty -three  years  at  different  times. 


A^ 


Mr.  S.'s  family  comprises  five  children — Paulina,  George  M..  Samuel  J.,  Charles  M.  and 
Frank  L.  The  daughter  is  residing  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.  Samuel  J.  resides  in  Mt. 
Clemens,  and  the  others  in  the  town  of  Macomb;  he  was  Inspector  for  several  years,  and 
continues  to  take  a  deep  interest  in  ])olitieal  matters,  as  he  does  in  the  social  ■well-being 
of  his  division  of  the  countv. 

GEORGE  STROUP  was  born  September  UJ,  1806,  in  Fayette,  Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y. 
(The  history  and  names  of  his  father  and  mother  can  be  found  in  Jacob  Stroup"s  sketch. ) 
He  was  raised  in  Seneca  County  until  seventeen  years  jld;  his  father  moved  to  Potter, 
Yates  County;  September,  1831,  he  left  Y^ates  County  for  Michigan;  lauded  at  Detroit 
September  cS;  from  Detroit,  on  the  (Jratiot  Turnpike,  then  a  wilderness  road  all  the  way 
through,  with  the  exception  of  a  half-way  house,  kept  by  an  American;  traveled  all  the 
distance  on  foot  and  carried  his  rifle  to  Mt.  Clemens;  left  Detroit  about  U  o'clock  and  got 
to  Mt.  Clemens  between  4  and  5  in  the  afternoon,  a  distance  of  twenty-sis  miles  by  road; 
located  in  Macomb  on  Section  14;  this  was  an  eighty-acre  farm;  he  afterward  exchanged 
forty  acres  of  this  lot  for  the  south  forty- acre  lot  on  Section  13,  just  across  the  road;  he 
took  the  laud  from  the  Government;  he  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner  for  two 
years  after  he  came  here.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Aaron  Conklin,  Jr.,  in  1833; 
she  died  July  1".^,  INGG;  the  family  comprised  seven  children,  of  whom  four  are  living; 
viz.,  Leander,  Lorin,  Lorinda  (twins)  and  Hiram;  Lorin  resides  in  Shiawassee  County, 
Loriuda  resides  at  Detroit;  Leander,  in  town,  and  Hiram  at  home;  Susanna  died  when  six 
months  old,  December,  1836;  Alcina  died  April  20,  1852;  Nancy,  February  13,  1854. 
Mr.  Stroup  has  always  been  a  Democrat;  was  School  Inspector  soon  after  he  settled  in 
the  town. 

NOBLE  R.  SUTTON,  born  February  IS,  1821,  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y..  son  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Anna  (Ward)  Sutton;  his  father  was  of  English  and  French  descent:  the  father 
died  when  Noble  was  four  years  old;  was  brought  up  a  fai-mer;  in  1842,  he,  with  his 
mother  and  an  elder  brother,  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Macomb,  where  he  bought 
sixty  acres  of  land,  on  Section  8;  in  October,  1S44,  he  maiTied  Marion  M.  Miller,  daugh- 
ter of  Dani-el  Miller,  an  old  settler  of  the  county;  his  mother  lived  with  him  during  the 
latter  years  of  her  life,  and  died  May,  1878,  in  the  ninety-first  year  of  her  age;  she  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Western  New  York;  in  1853,  he  kept  toll-gate  on  the  Mt.  Clemens 
&  Romeo  plank  road  for  two  years,  and  returned  to  the  farm  in  1856,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  Politically,  Mr.  Sutton  is  a  Republican;  he  never  has  been  an  office  seeker; 
they  have  three  children,  all  living — Mary  A.,  Nelson  B.,  Corydon  D.  Mary  A.  is  the 
wife  of  T.  M.  Giddings.  residing  at  St.  Louis,  Mich.;  Nelson  B.  married  Ida  Clukey;  in 
1878,  he  made  an  addition  to  his  farm,  and  now  has  viinety-six  acres  under  cultivation. 

JOHN  WHITNEY,  born  October  25.  1801),  in  Middlesex,  Ontario  Co. .  N.  Y„  now 
Yates  County,  Potter  Township,  son  of  Isaac  and  Susanna  (Turnbach)  Whitney;  his  father 
was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  his  mother  in  Pennsylvania.  Isaac  Whitney  left  Massa- 
chusetts and  emigrated  to  New  York  at  an  early  date  and  died  in  1817;  his  mother  died 
February  0,  1882,  in  Ray  Township;  the  family  came  to  Michigan  and  landed  in  Detroit 
September  2,  1834,  from  Pennsylvania,  where  they  passed  about  two  years  previous  to  his 
coming  to  Michigan.  In  1836.  he  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  owns;  bought  his  place  of 
Caleb  Culver,  when  in  the  wilderness  state;  worked  hai'd  and  has  now  100  acres  improved 
and  fertile  lands.  He  married  Phebe  Nelson  May  17,  1838.  daughter  of  Richard  and 
Ann  Vaughn  Nelson,  of  Chesterfield  Township.  Richard  Nelson  was  born  in  England  in 
1780;  Ann  Vaughn  Nelson  was  born  in  England  in  1783;  Phebe  Nelson  Whitney  was 
born  December  24,  ISIU.  in  Biohnor,  Kent,  England;  she  came  to  America  in  June,  1831; 
her  mother  died  in  Chesterfield.  Macomb  County,  October  20,  I860;  her  father  died  De- 
cember 3,  1860;  seven  childi-en  wei-e  born  to  ^Ii-.  Whitney — Sarah  Ann  Hartw.iy,  born 


VI®- 


•!l^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


May  20,  1839,  died  September  21,  1876:  Mary  B.,  Augusts,  1842,  died  September  13. 
1805;  Electa  M.  Axtell.  December  26,  1845,  married  March  15,  1864,  to  Julien  H.  Ax- 
tell,  M.  D.;  he  served  four  years  in  the  rebellion,  was  honorably  discharged  from  the 
First  Michigan  Infantry,  on  account  of  the  wound  received  at  the  battle  of  Five  Forks; 
Stephen  was  born  May  12.  1850;  Florence  G. .  September  7,  1853,  died  October  15,  1865; 
Charles,  September  13,  1S56,  died  October  4.  1865.  and  Courtland.  born  August  23,  1862. 
Ml-.  W.  in  politics  is  a  Republican.  Mrs.  John  Whitney  was  one  of  a  family  of  twenty- 
three  children,  all  of  one  father  and  mother. 

SAMUEL  WHITNEY,  born  July  U.  1811,  in  the  town  of  Middlese.x,  Ontario 
County,  now  Potter.  Yates  Co..  N.  Y..  son  of  Isaac  an<l  Susanna  (Tm-nback)  Whitney; 
his  father  was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  his  mother  was  born  in  Pennsylvania;  his  father 
died  when  Samuel  was  six  years  of  age.  Isaac  Whitney  left  Massachusetts  and  emigrated 
to  New  York  at  an  early  date  and  died  in  1S17;  his  chances  for  education  in  the  early 
days  were  limited,  probably  his  attendance  at  school  not  exceeding  in  all  two  years;  his 
mother  died  February  U.  1867.  in  Ray  Townshij);  the  family  came  to  Michigan,  landed 
in  Detroit  September  2.  1834.  from  Pennsylvania,  where  they  passed  about  two  years 
previous  to  coming  hero;  he  located  in  Macomb  Township  on  an  eighty-acre  lot.  piu'ohased 
from  the  Government;  the  next  yeai"  he  added  forty  acres  more  of  (irovernment  land;  in 
1S53,  he  added  eighty  acres  more,  making  in  all  a  farm  of  200  acres:  when  he  first  came 
in,  George  Stroup  was  his  nearest  neighbor,  and  Mr.  Whitney  cut  a  road  from  the  Sti'oup 
farm  to  his  own;  he  made  all  his  improvements  himself.  He  was  married.  April  21, 
1836,  to  Ann  Stroup.  daughter  of  George  Stroup.  The  Indians  were  plenty,  often  called 
and  stayed  overnight.  The  wolves  were  also  very  plenty  and  committed  depredations  on 
his  yoimg  stock  many  times,  carrying  off  a  fine  sheep  or  calf.  Politically.  Mr.  Whitney  is 
a  Whig,  and  has  always  tried  to  fight  the  Democratic  party  all  the  way  through;  since  the 
Whig  party  went  down,  he  was  one  of  the  first  members  of  the  Republican  pai'ty.  When 
the  town  was  connected  with  Chesterfield,  he  was  elected  one  of  the  School  Inspectors;  in 
1842.  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  he  held  four  years:  in  1S5(),  he  was 
elected  Supervisor  of  Macomb,  and  again  ran.  in  1857.  but  lost  it  by  four  votes,  owing  to 
his  strict  temperance  principles,  which  were  opposed  by  many  of  the  Germans  of  the  town; 
in  1858,  he  was  elected  Supervisor,  which  he  held  one  year;  he  was  a  strong  temperance 
man  and  has  done  all  in  his  power  to  advance  that  cause;  he  is  a  good  friend  and  neigh- 
bor and  has  been  a  witness  of  the  advance  of  the  county  from  its  wilderness  condition:  he 
is  the  father  of  thirteen  childi-en,  nine  sons  and  four  daughters — Sophronia.  Vv'illiam  II., 
Esther  Ann,  wife  of  Warren  Crawford,  of  North  Branch,  Lapeer  County;  Jason  C,  mar- 
ried Elida  Barney,  residing  at  Fort  Sanilac;  William  H..  man-ied  Mary  E.  Kellogg,  of 
Maple  Grove,  Barry  County;  George  C.  man-ied  to  Martha  J.  Friese.  resides  in  Macomb 
Township;  Milton  J.,  married  Elizabeth  Fuller,  resides  in  Negaunee.  Principal  of  the 
school  thero;  Samuel  E..  Principal  of  the  Hancock  High  School:  Lora  A.,  wife  of  .ra  H. 
Briggs.  resides  in  Macomb  Township;  Allen  S.,  teaching  the  Quincy  School,  near  Han- 
cock: Eugene  C. ,  Loton  D..  Milo  H..  Floi-euce  H. ;  two  of  the  sons — Milton  J.  and  George 
C. — were  in  the  war  and  honorably  discharged  at  its  close.  When  Mr.  W.  raised  his  house, 
which  was  one  of  the  first  m  the  county,  he  was  told  it  could  not  he  put  uj)  without  the  use 
of  liquor;  he  made  three  efforts  to  raise  the  building  without  success,  and  finally  went  up 
in  the  Macomb  neighborhood,  told  the  people  the;-e  the  circumstances  of  his  case,  and  they 
turned  in  and  raised  the  house,  which  was  the  first  temperance  building  put  up  in  the 
Whitney  neighborhood. 

STEPHEN  H.  WHITNEY  was  born  May  12.  1850,  son  of  John  Whitney  and  Phebe 
Nelson  Whitney;  his  mother  was  born  in  England,  and  came  to  this  country  with  her 
parents  when  she  was  voaug;  his  father  was  a  native  of  Yates  County,  N.  Y.;  he  came  to 
48       "  


\^s r- 


-^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Michigan  at  an  early  age.  and  boiight  his  land  from  the  Government,  in  Macomb;  Stephen, 
the  oldest  son.  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm,  in  a  log  house;  grew  up  to  manhood, 
attended  a  district  school  when  opportunity  offered,  and  lived  on  the  farm  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old.  He  was  married,  April  11,  1S72,  to  Emma  S.  Immen, 
born  in  New  Baltimore  August  28.  l!Sr)4.  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Frances  Taylor  Immen, 
earl}'  settlers  in  Chesterfield;  he  then  went  on  a  rented  farm  of  forty  acres,  on  the  turn- 
pike I'oad.  one  mile  north  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  lived  there  two  years;  at  the  expiration  of 
this  time,  he  moved  back  on  his  father's  place,  on  Section  15.  and  worked  there  for  one 
year;  in  1(S75,  he  had  an  opportunity  of  buying  his  farm,  consisting  of  166f  acres,  on 
Section  8,  then  owned  by  Broughton  Adams,  originally  purchased  from  the  Government  by 
Chauncy  Church;  his  investment  was  a  good  one  in  every  particular:  he  takes  special 
pride  in  having  everything  in  good  order,  and  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  this  section 
of  the  country.  Politically,  he  has  been  and  is  a  Republican;  their  family  consists  of 
four  childi-en — Florence  L..  born  August  17.  1S73;  Clara  E..  November  7.  1N75:  Bertha 
F..  March  27.  1878;  Grace  P..  April  23.  1881. 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

HICHMONL)    TOWNSHIP. 

The  township  of  Richmond  was  organized  under  Legislative  authority  March  6,  1838. 
The  new  township  comprised  within  its  boundaries  Town  5  north,  of  Range  14  east.  The 
first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  oi  George  Perkins,  or  rather  on  the  wood-pile  close  by. 
The  name  of  the  township  was  ]iroi)Osed  by  Phillip  Cudworth.  Hiron  Hathaway  was  elect- 
ed Supervisor;  George  Perkins.  Clerk:  Durfee  Simmons.  John  Hicks  and  Jesse  Hufif. 
Assessors;  William  Simmons  and  John  Goodar,  Overseers  of  the  Poor:  Jesse  Welden  and 
Russell  Peters,  Commissioners  of  Highways;  Jesse  Welden,  James  Flower,  Horace  Ewell 
and  W.  P.  Simmons,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  Jeremiah  Robinson,  J.  S.  Durfee,  Constables; 
Jeremiah  Robinson,  Collector;  Dm-fee  Simmons,  Pliney  Corbin  and  Ben  Elsworth,  Com- 
missioners of  County  Schools;  P.  Cudworth,  C.  C.  Davis  and  H.  M.  Curtiss,  Fence  View- 
ers; and  John  Bates,  Poundmaster. 

The  first  clearing  made  in  what  is  now  called  Richmond  was  in  Section  30.  by  Edwin 
Rose.  The  entry  of  this  land  bears  date  December  1,  1832,  and  has  since  been  known  as 
the  Goodar  farm  on  Clay  street.  Another  entry  is  made  on  the  same  day,  and  located  on 
the  same  section,  by  John  Hale.  The  next  entry  is  dated  May  13.  1833.  by  Anson  Petti- 
bone,  still  owned  by  the  family.  Charles  Hicks  settled  on  the  ridge  in  1834.  and  Phillip 
Cudworth  in  1835.  John  Hicks,  the  Beebes.  Mr.  Halt  Perkins  and  others  moved  in  soon 
after.  The  tovsrasLiij)  was  organized  and  named  after  the  township  of  the  same  name  in 
Ontario,  N.  Y  ,  at  the  suggestion  of  Phillip  Cudworth.  This  was  done  in  the  spring  of 
1838,  on  the  wood-pile  of  Mr.  Perkins,  who  had  settled  on  the  ridge.  The  meeting  to  or- 
ganize the  town  was  called  to  meet  at  his  house,  and,  the  house  being  small  and  the  meet- 
ing large,  it  was  adjoiu-ned  to  the  wood-pile,  where  elbow  room  wasplenty,  and  the  young 
township  was  brought  into  being  and  pioperly  named  there. 

The  land  on  which  the  village  of  Richmond  is  situated  was  mostly  taken  from  the 
Government  by  Erastus  Beebe,  in  1835.  and  constituted  for  a  long  time  his  farm.  The 
location  was  well  chosen,  being  a  joint  where  the  ridge  running  north  crosses  that  extend- 
ing from  east  to  west,  and  a  little  more  than  one  mile  from  the  Gratiot  Turnpike.     Eras- 


^i: 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.  779 

tus  Beebe  erected  a  shanty  south  of  the  village  and  kept  bachelor's  hall  for  a  season,  when, 
getting  tired  of  this,  he  concluded  to  get  married.  He  was  in  possession  of  a  large  white 
mare  and  an  Indian  pony  of  small  size  and  malicious  disposition,  and  of  these  the  bridal 
cortege  was  made  up.  Placiug  his  bride  upon  the  white  mare,  he  bestrided  the  pony,  and, 
as  the  i-oads  were  not  of  sufficient  width  to  admit  of  riding  side  by  side,  he  took  the  lead 
through  the  woods,  she  meekly  following,  in  search  of  Squire  Granger,  who  had  just  set- 
tled some  two  or  three  miles  to  the  northeast.  They  found  the  Squire  at  work  on  his  fal- 
low, who  came  to  the  house,  washe<l  his  face,  and  in  due  form  pronounced  the  pair  man 
and  wife,  instead  of  husband  and  wife.  On  their  return  home,  the  neighbors  came  in, 
and  they  had  a  feast.  Whether  the  wife  was  mai'ried  more  than  her  husband  does  not 
matter  now. 

The  fii'st  school  was  taught  in  the  house  of  Daniel  Hall,  a  ijuilt  being  hung  across 
the  room  for  the  purpose  of  partition.  This  school  consisted  of  one-half  dozen  scholars, 
taught  by  Mahala  \\'eeks.  The  following  year,  a  small  log  schoolhouse  was  built  neai'  the 
Hall  house,  and  Jliss  Lucinda  Clough  became  teacher.  This  gave  place  to  the  present 
house  in  the  Hall  District  in  1852. 

That  portion  of  the  township  known  as  the  Ridge  was  the  first  to  be  settled  from  the 
trail  and  from  the  settlement  at  Ai'mada  east,  and  then  that  between  the  villages  of  1-tich- 
mond  and  Memphis  north  of  Daniel  Hall  were  the  Simmonds.  Cxeorge  H.  Stuart  and  the 
Gilberts,  and  the  vacant  spaces  between  their  farms  filled  up  fast.  One  of  the  first  exhi- 
bitions of  commercial  enterprise  was  shown  by  George  H.  Stuart,  whose  domestic  depart- 
ment was  in  a  state  of  emptiness — or  nearly  so.  He  took  his  oxen  and  wagon,  and,  going 
to  a  mill  on  Mill  Creek,  he  bought  a  load  of  cleai-  pine  lumber  on  credit  With  this 
he  started  south  toward  Birmingham.  Having  friends  along  the  I'oad,  he  found  ready 
and  gi'atuitous  entertainment  until  he  reached  that  j)lace,  where  he  exchanged  the  lumber 
for  three  barrels  of  superfine  floiir,  about  as  white  as  a  good  quality  of  shorts-  ought  to  be. 
This  flour  he  brought  home,  and  with  one  he  paid  for  his  lumber,  and  had  two  barrels  left. 

As  the  country  began  to  be  still  more  developed,  the  corner  at  Beebe' s  was  seen  to  be 
central,  and  symptoms  of   a  village   began  to  appear.     A  blacksmith  shop  was  ]n\t  up  by 

Erastus  Beebe   and  a  grocery  store  by  Jesse ,  and  H.  P.  Beebe  a  general  store. 

After  a  few  years,  the  Richmond  Post  Office  was  kept  by  Phillip  Cud  worth;  afterward,  as 
follows:  David  Ward,  Hiram  Biu-k,  H.  P.  Beebe.  James  M.  Hicks.  H.  P.  Beebe,  D.  G. 
Gleason,  Seth  Lathroj).  H.  P.  Beebe — the  present  incumbent. 

The  filace  was  known  as  Beebe's  Corners  until  1879.  when  an  election  was  held  under 
a  village  charter  just  granted.  This  was  on  the  31st  of  March  of  that  year,  and  A.  M. 
Keeler  was  elected  President:  A.  G.  Stone,  Clerk:  and  W.  H.  Acker,  Treasurer.  The 
succeeding  Presidents  have  been  Thomas  Conway  and  Sanford  M.  Stone.  Del  T.  Sutton 
succeeded  A.  G.  Stone  as  Clerk,  and  W.  H.  Acker  has  been  Treasurer  from  the  first. 

Upon  the  building  of  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  the  village  began  to  grow  and  busi- 
ness to  thrive,  and  when,  some  years  later,  the  Michigan  Air-Line  Railway  made  this  a 
terminus,  a  still  greater  growth  was  manifest.  Manufactories  have  sprung  up  and  trades 
have  multiplied.  The  stavo-mill,  started  by  J.  W.  Cooper,  made  a  market  for  timber  and 
furnished  employment  to  a  large  number  of  men.  It  has  twice  been  destroyed  by  fire, 
and,  with  remarkable  promptness,  has  been  rebuilt,  and  is  still  in  operation.  The  manu- 
factories of  Theo  Miller  also  fill  a  large  place  in  the  industries  of  the  illage.  The  same 
is  also  true  of  Freeman  &  Knight's  packing  establishment,  and  other  industries.  A  more 
extended  history  of  the  school  will  follow. 

TOWN    ROSTEK. 

Supervisors  -Hirou  Hathaway,  1838-43:  James  Flower,  1843-45;  Linus  S.  Gilbert, 


■jPy 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


1845-46;  Plinv  Corbiu,  1846-47;  Isaac  B.  Gilbert,  1847-52;  Hiron  Hatliawaj,  1852-53; 
Isaac  B.  CHlb'ert,  1S53-54;  George  H.  Stewart,  1854-56;  Isaac  B.  Gilbert,  1856-59; 
Daniel  Flagler.  1859-62;  Oscar  A.  Burgess,  1862-67;  Isaac  B.  Gilbert,  1867-68:  Daniel 
Flagler,  1868-69;  Charles  J.  Heath,  1869-70;  Hiram  Burke,  1870-71;  George  H  Stewart, 
1871-72;  Daniel  Flagler,  1872-74;  Thomas  Dawson,  1874-78  ;  George  L.  Perkins, 
1878-79;  Thomas  Dawson.  1879-82. 

Justices  of  the  Peace  -William  P.  Simmons,  1838;  Jesse  Welden,  1838;  James 
Flower,  1838;  Horace  Ewell,  1838;  Isaac  B.  Gilbert,  1839;  James  Flower,  1839;  Pliny 
Corbin,  1840;  Isaac  B.  Gilbert,  1842;  Jesse  Welden,  1842;  James  Flower,  1843;  Plinv 
Corbin,  1844;  Daniel  Hall,  1845,  Abel  Sabin,  1846;  Jesse  Welden,  1847;  George  Per- 
kins, 1848;  Daniel  Flagler,  1849;  Daniel  Hall,  1849;  Linus  S.  Gilbert,  1850;  James 
Henderson,  1850;  James  Sage,  1871;  Caleb  Miller,  1851;  D.aniel  G.  Stowe.  1852;  Sey- 
mour Allen,  1853;  AVilliam  S.  Smith,  1853;  Samuel  S.  Ealsie,  1854;  Ira  Spencer.  1855; 
John  Hicks,  1855;  Amassey  W.  Sutton,  1855;  Pendleton  Ogden,  1856;  Isaac  B.  Gilbert, 
1857;  Randolph  Arnold,  1858;  Daniel  Flagler,  1859;  George  L.  Perkins,  1859;  A.  W. 
Sutton,  1859;  O.  S.  Burgess,  1860;  C.  S.Arnold.  1860;  Willard  Chiu-ch,  1861 ;  George  L. 
Perkins,  1861;  Lovell  Arnold,  1862;  Daniel  Flagler,  1863;  Oscar  S.  Burgess,  1864; 
William  D.  Walton,  1864;  Fayette  Harris,  1864;  Oscar  S.  Bm-gess,  1865;  George  L. 
Perkins,  1865;  George  H  Stuart,  1866;  James  S.  Durfee,  1866;  William  D  Walton, 
1867;  David  H.  Olney,  1868,  O.  L.  Bui-gess,  186)8;  A.  W.  Sutton,  1869;  Josiah  Kings- 
bury, 18()9;  J.  S.  Dm-fee,  1870-73;  I.  H.  Sutton,  1871;  O.  S.  Burgess,  1872;  Chester  L. 
Dudley,  1873;  James  S.  Durfee,  1874;  Sanford  M.  Stone,  1875;  William  H.  Morris, 
1876;  Sherman  S.  Eaton  and  Gilbert,  1877:  Manlv  C.  Perry,  A.  G.  Stone,  1880;  S.  S. 
Eaton,  1881. 

Clerks-  Henrv  P.  Beebe,  1856-57;  Oscar  S.  Burgess,  1858;  Henry  P.  Beebe,  1859-62; 
Charles  J.  Heath,  1863-68;  James  M  Hicks,  1869;  Simon  H.  Heath,  1870;  George  Peck, 
1871;  John  G.  Aiken,  1872;  Thurston  C.  Knight,  1873;  H.  A.  Haskiu,  1874;  George  M. 
Granger,  1875-76;  H.  A.  Haskins,  1876-78;  James  S.  Hasting.s,  1879;  Simon  H.  Heath, 
1880-82. 

Treasurers  John  B.  Ellsworth,  1856;  Jerome  B.  Graves,  1857  59  ;  Russell  E. 
Combs,  1860-61;  James  L.  Sutton,  1862;  Alfred  H.  Newcomer,  1863-64;  William  M. 
Eaton,  1865-66;  Simon  H.  Heath,  1867-')9;  Reuben  Burgess,  1870-71;  James  H.Sutton, 
1872-73;  Simon  H.  Heath,  1874-77;  Israel  Drver,  1878;  George  W.  Carman,  1879-80; 
Frank  W.  Fenner,  1881-82. 

In  Richmond  there  was  no  opposition  to  the  Republican  ticket  in  1882.  Thomas 
Dawson  was  elected  Supervisor.  S.  H.  Heath,  Clerk,  and  F.  W.  Fenner,  Treasm'er. 

The  agricultiu-al  products  of  Richmond,  according  to  the  Supervisors'  report,  com- 
pleted in  the  spring  of  1874.  were  as  follows:  Wheat,  20,099  bushels;  corn,  22,044  bush- 
els; all  other  kinds  of  grain,  61.489  bushels;  potatoes.  10,413  bushels.  All  other  yields 
in  like  proportion.  The  statistics  of  the  last  few  years  show  a  most  remarkable  advance 
in  production. 

In  1850,  Richmond  contained  a  population  of  1.000;  in  1S73.  it  had  increased  to  2.- 
105,  and  in  1880,  to  2,611. 

With  the  villages  and  the  large  agricultural  interests  of  the  township,  Ricnmoud 
forms  a  most  important  portion  of  the  county.  The  township  is  plentifully  supplied  with 
chiu'ches,  schoolhouses,  and  industrial  and  manufacturing  institutions,  which,  combined, 
conduce  to  the  morality,  intelligence,  wealth  and  prosperity  of  its  inhabitants.  Blessed 
with  these  various  sources  of  general  worth,  Richmond  cannot  f;iil  to  increase  in  popula- 
tion and  value  in  the  future,  with  even  greater  rapidity  than  has  characterized  it  in  the 
past. 


RrCIIMOXD   VILLAGE. 

Tliis  village  was  settled  ia  1832.  It  is  located  near  the  junction  of  the  Michigan 
Air-Line  and  Grand  Trunk  Railroads,  thirty-nine  miles  northeast  of  Detroit,  foiu-teen 
northeast  of  Mt.  Clemens,  seventeen  miles  west  of  the  St.  Clair  River,  and  five  miles  south 
of  Memphis.  The  IMethodist.  Baptist,  Free  Methcdist  and  Congregational  societies  have 
houses  of  worship  within  the  village.  A  weekly  newspaper  named  the  Richmond  Review 
is  published  by  Del  T.  Sutton.  The  post  office  is  conducted  by  Henry  P.  Beebe.  Among 
the  business  men  of  the  village  are  W.  H.  Acker,  George  W.  Kenfield,  D.  T.  Obert,  Orrin 
B.  Reed,  John  G.  Akin,  B.  F^  Doty,  R,  S.  Freeman,  Daniel  G.  Gleason,  Hosea  Fuller,  D. 
L.  Harrison,  John  M.  Johnson.  James  W.  Coojier,  David  L.  Raoelye.  Alex  Caster,  A.  B. 
Batty,  J.  L.  Sutton,  D.  J.  Lathrop,  Theo  Miller.  A.  W.  Reed',  Joseph  Connell,  W.  E. 
Walton,  John  A^'elsh,  A.  Y.  Wright,  Thomas  A.  Leach,  Seth  Lathrop,  Christian  Kihen  and 
Simon  H.  Heath. 

TOWNSHIP  sriiooi.s  IN  1881. 

The  first  district  school  was  organized  April  7.  1838.  The  three  pupils — James  M. 
Hix,  Eliza  A.  Hix  and  William  Hall — with  two  other  chikb-en,  studied  under  Miss  Mahal 
la  Weeks,  the  first  teacher. 


District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 
District 

Totals. 


1  (fractional). 


4  (fractional). 

5 

6 


Number  Pupils.  „  ,,  ^^'T'" 
^      School   Moil 


9  (fractional). 
10  (fractional). 

11 

12  (fractional). 
13 


292 
60 
59 
65 
59 


IT 
25 
29 
54 
202 


$309  83 
63  67 
62  60 
68  97 
62  60 
30  77 
46  ()9 
.■>5  18 
18  04 
26  .53 
30  77 
57  30 
214  33 


H  90 
1  00 


I  09 
99 


29 

42 

49 

91 

3  38 


$314  73 
64  67 
63  59 
70  06 
63  59 
31  26 
47  42 
56  05 
18  33 
26  95 
31  26 
58  21 
217  71 


$1047  28 


116  .55 


$1063  83 


Note— Tlie  ilirect  tax  fcr  sch.icl  purposes  for  the  year  188t-82  Wivs  $:!,322.36,  which  added  to  the  above  makes  a  grand  total  of 
»4,3sei9. 

The  taxes  assessed  in  Richmond  Township  for  the  year  1881-8'-'  are  as  follows:  State 
and  county  taxes,  $4,567.97;  township  tax,  1785;  di-ain  tax,  $188.60,  assessed  to  town, 
drain  tax  to  individuals,  1167.      The  school  district  taxes  and  the  mill  tax  was  $3,322.36; 

The  professions  are  represented   by  Oscar  S.  Bm-gess,  Chauncey  R.  Canfield,  Joseph 

Chubb  and  Addison  G.  Stone,  lawyers;  Daniel  G.  Gleason.  O.  F.  Reed, Garlick, 

Clark,  Clement  L.  Chandler,  I.  Mills  and  Mrs.  Sarah  F.  Kenfield,  physicians;  D.  M.  Clark 
and  Frank  Emerson,  dentists. 

Among  the  business  enterprises  of  the  village  may  be  mentioned  the  egg  and  butter 
trade  of  Freeman  &  Knight.  This  was  inaugurated  in  1872,  under  the  fii-m  name  of 
Knowlton  &  Freeman  (John  A.  Knowlton  and  Hariiip  Freeman),  dealing  in  both  butter 
and  eggs  the  entire  season  in  Western  New  York  and  in  Macomb.  This  continued  fonr 
years,  when  the  New  York  branch  was  dropped,  and  the  firm  became  Freeman  &  Doty. 
This  continued  one  year,  when  Doty  retired,  and  Cooper  &  Knight  entered  the  firm  for  a 
term  of  two  years.'  The  style  of  the  business  at  present  is  H.  Freeman  &  Co.  in  the 
butter  branch,  and  Freeman  &  Knight,  of  the  egg  branch.  The  business  has  gi-own  fi-om 
an  annual    shipment  of  600  to  700  barrels  to  3,000  to  4,000  barrels  of  eggs,  and  250,000 


~®  "V 


4^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


pounds  of  butter,  requiring  an  expenditure  of  $120,000  annually,  and  giving  constant  em- 
])loyment  to  twenty-five  men  and  five  teams.  They  annually  preserve  in  solution  100,000 
dozen  of  eggs,  and  hold  an  equal  quantity  in  cold  storage.  The  buildings  are  situated  on 
Main  street,  and  consist  of  a  refrigerator,  a  brick  building  26x56,  with  basement;  a  ware- 
house 26x80,  two  stories  high  and  basement;  and  have  in  contemplation  a  brick  ware- 
house 26x40;  have  also  a  storing  cellar,  capable  of  storing  2,000  barrels,  and  a  large  re- 
packing cellar;  also  an  ice-house,  whose  capacity  is  700  tons. 

The  Richmond  Post  Office  was  established  in  1840,  with  Phillip  Cudworth  as  first 
Postmaster.  David  Wai'd  was  appointed  in  1844;  Hiram  Burk,  in  1848;  H.  P.  Beebe. 
in  18,-)!,  James  M.  Hicks,  in  1854;  H.  P.  Beebe,  in  1860;  D.  G.  Gleasou,  in  18(56;  Seth 
Lathrop,  in  1869;  and  H.  P.  Beebe,  in  1872. 

THK    li.Vl'TIST    (IIU'KCII    OF    RI('[I.\IO.VD    VILL.\GE. 

Previous  to  the  year  1869,  the  residents  of  the  village  who  were  of  the  Baptist  per- 
suasion worshiped  in  private  houses,  and  at  such  times  as  circumstances  seemed  to  favor. 
Prayer  meetings  were  held  in  a  small  building  rented  by  Dr.  8.  F.  Teall,  and  a  Sabbath 
school  was  organized  at  about  the  same  time,  with  seven  scholars.  This  building  is  now 
the  Lenox  Post  Office.  The  organization  of  the  church  was  efi'ected  June  15,  1869,  with 
Manson  Farrar,  Deacon;  H.  F.  JDou  'lass.  Clerk;  and  D.  Stewart,  Treasurer;  and  a  Board 
of  six  Trustees;  Rev.  Silas  Finn,  pastor,  and  a  membership  of  twelve  persons. 

March  1,  1870,  a  meeting  was  held  preparatory  to  building  a  house  of  worship,  which 
was  almost  immediately  commenced,  and  was  completed  February  25,  1871.  It  was  sit- 
uated on  a  lot  donated  for  the  purpose  by  the  late  Mr.  Gillet.  The  annual  meetings  of 
the  society  were  regularly  observed  till  1880,  when  the  society  re-organized  under  the  new 
law.  August  17,  1880,  a  lot  was  bought  of  Thomas  Conway  for  $100,  on  which  the  society 
proceeded  to  erect  a  parsonage.  This  building  was  completed  the  same  year,  at  a  cost  of 
$600.  Mrs.  A.  W.  Reed  was  the  financial  agent  to  raise  this  fund,  and  met  with  remark- 
able success.  The  society  is  provided  with  an  organ,  a  bell,  horse-sheds,  and  other  reqiiire- 
ments  for  the  good  of  the  religious  service,  and  is  out  of  debt.  Estimated  value,  $5,000. 
The  other  religious  societies  of  Richmond  are  fully  regarded  in  the  general  history  of  the 
county. 

MUMI'IIIS    \'ILL.\<ii;. 

Memphis  was  settled  in  1835,  and  incorporated  as  a  village  in  1865.  In  1878,  its 
[)opulation  was  stated  to  be  800,  while  at  present  that  portion  of  it  in  Macomb  County 
is  only  600.  This  village  is  prettily  located  on  Belle  River,  on  the  line  between 
Macomb  and  St.  Clair  Counties,  twenty-seven  miles  northeast  of  Mt.  Clemens,  twenty- 
two  miles  southwest  of  Port  Hm-on,  and  seven  miles  north  of  Richmond,  and 
about  the  same  distance  northeast  of  Ai'mada.  There  are  three  churches  in  the  vil- 
lage, viz.:  The  Congi'egational,  Methodist  and  Adventist,  with  a  graded  school. 
The  first  efibrt  to  reclaim  the  land  now  occupied  by  the  village  of  Memphis  was  made 
by  the  Wells  family,  one  member  of  which  still  lives  just  north  of  the  village.  James 
Wells,  the  father,  was  boi'n  in  Albany  in  1772,  a  descendant  of  one  of  two  brothers  who 
emigrated  fr.^m  England  and  settled  in  New  York  shortly  prior  to  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. His  family  consisted  of  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  one  son  and  one 
daughter  are  living.  Their  house,  a  comfortable  log  one,  covered  with  shingles,  was  the 
first  structure  oi  any  kind  to  succeed  the  wigwams  of  the  Indians,  and,  in  good  old  pio- 
neer style,  for  all  pm-poses  of  hospitality  or  for  meetings,  the  latch-string  was  always  out. 
The  family  had  dealings  to  considerable  extent,  and  learned  much  of  tlieir  ways,  and  bear 
testimony  that  in  nearly  all  instances  they  were  honest  in  their  dealings  and  faithful  to 
their  promises.     Especial  mention  is  made  of  the  good  qualities  of  John  Riley,  the  Chip- 


Ik, 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.  "f?83 

pewa  chief.  His  family  and  that  of  Black  Cloud,  with  some  others,  were  leading  spirits 
among  them.  At  this  time  (1835),  the  former  owned  a  tract  of  land  granted  by  Govern- 
ment at  what  is  now  Port  Hui-on,  on  the  south  of  Black  River.  Only  two  houses — one  log 
and  one  frame—  were  to  be  seen  at  that  point.  John  Riley  was  born  in  the  Mohawk  Val- 
ley, of  a  Cxerman  father  and  Indian  mother,  and  possessed  greater  intelligence  than  the 
full  Indian.  He,  with  many  of  his  tribe,  made  annual  visits  to  the  wonds  near  the  vil- 
lage for  the  purpose  of  making  maple  sugar,  coming  in  February  or  March,  and  retm-n- 
ing  when  the  season  was  over.  In  the  spring  of  1836,  he  came  early  for  this  purpose, 
and  one  pleasant  Sunday,  as  he  would  not  allow  any  work  to  be  done  that  day,  he  took  a 
walk  in  the  woods,  accompanied  with  a  boy.  Coming  upon  a  large  hollow  log,  which 
had  the  appearance  of  being  the  home  of  some  animal,  he  said  to  the  boy,  ''  Abs-co-in, 
Hash-a-pun"'  (John,  a  raccoon)!  directing  the  boy  to  crawl  in  the  log  and  investigate. 
The  young  Abs-co-in  soon  came  out  with  great  speed,  shouting  "  Mo-quash!  mo-quash" 
(A  bear!  a  bear)!  Riley  drew  his  hatchet,  and,  as  the  bear's  head  appeared,  struck  her  a 
powerful  blow  with  the  edge  of  the  weapon,  burying  it  in  her  brains.  She  weighed  over 
fom-  hundred  j)Ounds,  and  furnished  material  for  a  continuous  feast.  The  Indians  gave 
names  to  the  whites  to  correspond  with  some  habit  or  commemorate  some  gift.  The  elder 
Mr.  Wells  they  called  "  Mo-quash  "  (bear)  because  he  was  a  hunter  of  that  animal.  Abram 
Wells  was  "  Caw-ke-chee  "  (porcupine);  he  had  given  them  a  porcupine,  the  flesh  of  which 
they  relish.  Anthony  Wells  was  "  Mish-a-wah  "  (elk):  William  Wells.  '•  Wah-wa-cash  " 
(deer):  Mr.  Welch,  " Mus-co-dance ' '  (Indian  hole  or  clearing),  from  the  fact  that  he 
bought  land  on  which  there  was  an  Indian  field,  on  which  there  were  bearing  apple  trees 
when  the  whites  arrived.  Riley  afterward  retired  to  the  Saginaw  country,  where  he  died 
in  lNfi2.  His  lirst  wife  was  buried  on  land  since  known  as  the  ''  Fitz  Patrick  "  place,  and. 
as  the  roads  came  to  be  straightened  and  worked,  her  body  was  e.^humed  and  stolen  away. 
One  of  the  chiefs  of  this  tribe,  Macompte,  went  to  England  previous  to  this  time,  and  per- 
formed the  feat  of  shooting  an  apple,  held  in  the  lingers  of  one  of  the  royal  family,  with 
his  rifle.  The  bullet  pierced  the  apple,  and  the  hand  was  unhurt.  Tip-se-co.  an  Indian 
well  known  to  the  settlers  of  Macomb,  also  made  a  visit  to  the  same  country.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  speed  and  skill  in  wrestling,  his  principal  feat  being  to  run  to  a  stake  ten 
rods  away  and  retiun  before  a  horse  and  rider  could  make  the  like  trip.  This  Indian  is 
still  living  in  Isaliella  County. 

The  next  family  in  the  place  was  that  of  Potter;  then  Welch,  Moore,  Slater.  Mansfield, 
etc.  The  first  death  was  that  of  Bird,  the  first  school-teacher,  who  was  born  in  a  lot  a 
little  south  of  the  Congi-egational  Chiu'ch.  which  Wells  had  designed  for  a  cemetery.  The 
wife  of  Joshua  Eaton  was  the  next  to  be  bm-ied  here.  Her  body  was  afterwai-d  removed, 
but  that  of  Bird  still  lies  where  it  was  placed. 

In  the  winter  of  1836-37.  an  Indian  went  out  hunting  and  did  not  return.  A  hea\7 
snow-storm  prevailing  at  the  time  obliterated  all  traces  of  him,  and,  although  a  thorough 
search  was  made,  he  could  not  be  found.  One  day  in  spring,  1837.  as  Hartford  Phillips 
was  piloting  a  few  lumberers  through  the  woods,  a  gun  was  discovered  standing  by  a  tree, 
and,  near  by.  the  body  of  the  missing  Indian,  crushed  beneath  the  fallen  tree,  which  he 
had  chopped  down.  "The  Indians  identified  the  body  and  bvtried  it.  Tliree  years  later, 
the  httfe  settlement  was  called  to  mom-n  its  first  fatal  accident — the  death  of  Anthony 
Wells.  About  this  time.'  Carleton  Sabin  jmrohased  of  Wells  the  eighty-acre  lot  on  which 
the  southwest  corner  of  the  village  is  located,  and  lots  were  generally  sold  over  the  plat. 
It  was  discovered  that  an  excellent  water-power  existed  here,  which  was  developed  in  1840 
by  Oel  Rix  and  Dr.  Sabin.  The  latter  built  a  saw-mill,  while  the  former  built  a  flom-ing- 
mill.  The  nearest  post  office  was  six  miles  distant,  at  Phillip  Cudworth's;  but  now  the 
Memphians  sought  for  an  office  of  their  own,  which  they  did   not  succeed  in  obtaining 


;t^ 


until  eio-ht  years  later-  The  naming  of  the  village  was  then  taken  up.  Belle  River 
passes  through  the  northern  portion  of  the  village,  and  so  some  of  its  inhabitants  urged 
the  adoption  of  the  name  Belleview.  Others,  who  admired  James  G.  Birney  and  his 
party,  desired  it  should  be  named  Birney;  while  others  urged  the  name  Riley,  in  honor 
of  the  Indian  chief  who  resided  there.  The  name  Memphis  was  suggested  at  length,  and 
adopted.  The  first  physician  was  Dr.  Sabin,  who  came  in  1844,  and  remained  there  until 
1854.      He  was  succeeded  in  practice  by  Dr.  Cole. 

The  first  religious  services  held  in  the  "  Wells  Settlement"  was  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Wells,  and  was  conducteil  by  Mrs.  Chilson,  whose  son  now  lives  in  the  village.  This  wo- 
man was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and,  having  the  ability  to  adckess  an  audience 
in  public,  she  thought  herself  called  to  preaching,  which  she  did  on  many  occasions.  This 
was  in  the  year  of  1S37.  Soon  after  this.  Elder  Simons  also  preached  in  the  house  of 
Mr.  Wells.  In  1839,  a  Baptist  Church  was  formed  at  the  house  of  William  Smith,  who 
lived  south  of  the  village.  The  members  at  theorgauization  were  William  Smith.  William 
Wells,  George.  William  and  Deborah  Simmons  and  their  mother,  Mrs.  William  Smith, 
Johanna  Eaton  and  wife,  J.  Eaton,  Jr.,  and  wife,  Soloman  Eaton,  old  Mrs.  Wells  and 
Durfee  Simmons,  who  was  chosen  Deacon.  A  house  of  worship  was  built  for  the  church 
just  formed,  in  the  south  part  of  the  settlement,  on  the  east  side  of  the  street.  This  was 
a  small  building,  and  was  afterward  removed  south  and  turned  into  a  dwelling  house.  No 
other  edifice  of  that  denomination  has  since  been  erected.  Dm-ing  the  summer  of  1837, 
a  Sabbath  school  was  organized,  which  was  not  imder  the  care  of  any  denomination,  but 
joined  in  by  all.   Sabbath  school  exercises  have  been  held  almost  continuously  since  that  time. 

The  Methodist  class  was  the  next  to  be  formed,  and  in  1840  the  Congregational 
Church  was  formed.  This  was  eflected  at  the  house  of  Deacon  A.  Gilbert,  under  the  ad- 
vice and  direction  of  Rev.  Seth  Hardy,  of  Romeo. 

Seventeen  members  constituted  the  chui-ch  at  its  organization,  six  of  whom  were  from 
Romeo.  Their  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1842.  The  Methodist  house  was  erected  a 
few  years  later.  The  first  pastor  of  the  Congi-egational  Chm-ch  was  Rev.  Charles  Kel- 
logg, in  1841.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  AV.  P.  Russell,  who  labored  with  the  church 
for  the  welfare  of  the  community  from  July,  1848,  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1880. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  jVIr.  Bird,  in  a  small  log  schoolhouse  which  stood  on 
the  west  side  of  the  village,  in  the  town  of  Riley.  This  man  was  a  great  believer  in  the 
efficacy  of  the  "birch"  in  subduing  the  total  depravity  of  average  childhood,  and  it  was 
perseveriugly  applied  on  the  slightest  provocation.  The  first  female  teacher  was  Harriet 
Stewart. 

Marriages  were  undoubtedly  celebrated  at  an  early  date,  but  who  was  first  doth  not 
yet  a})pear.  Miron  Salisbury  and  Amelia  S.  Ellenwood  were  the  fii'st  couple  married  by 
Rev.  W.  P.  Russell,  and  he  did  his  work  in  so  satisfactory  a  manner  that  he  was  called 
upon  afterward  to  unite  the  fates  of  396  pairs. 

The  first  frame  building  was  a  barn  erected  for  Anthony  Wells;  the  first  house,  a 
small  frame  one,  by  Mr.  Rix;  but  the  first  substantial  residence  was  that  of  Lewis  Gil- 
bert, in  1840,  which"  is  doing  good  service  still.  The  first  store  was  that  of  Oel  Rix,  who 
had  a  small  stock  of  goods  to  meet  the  needs  of  his  workmen.  Among  the  fu-st  settlers  of 
Memphis  still  living  among  us  may  be  mentioned  Hartfort  Phillips,  who  was  born  in  Chen- 
ango County,  N.  Y.,  in  1809.  and  came  to  Memphis  in  1836,  having  lived  here  continu- 
ously since  that  time.  His  wife,  Polly  Wade,  of  Rhode  Island,  a  descendant  of  Roger 
Williams,  of  Pm-itan  fame,  died  in  1879,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  There  are 
others  also  who  have  given  the  helping  hand  to  all  the  industries  and  improvements  of 
the  village,  and  to  them  all  we  say,  peace  to  the  closing  days  of  life,  and  joy  in  the  bright 
hereafter. 


^1 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.  785 

The  village  of  Memphis  was  incorporated  in  the  South  Schoolhovise,  on  the  4th  day 
of  April,  1865.  The  name  was  given  some  ten  years  previously.  A  portion  of  the  citi- 
zens wished  the  young  village  to  have  the  name  Birney,  after  J.  G.  Birney.  Others 
wanted  the  name  Belleview,  as  the  Belle  River  passed  tlu-ough  the  place.  The  name  Mem- 
phis, however,  prevailed,  which  was  given  after  the  Egyptian  city,  and  custom  has  made 
firm  the  name  then  suggested.  An  election  was  hekl  on  the  date  above  given,  at  which 
the  following  were  chosen:  Sherman  S.  Eaton.  President:  Lewis  Granger,  Linus  Gilbert, 
Oel  Rix,  Solon  Spafford,  Joseph  M.  Beach.  Hiram  Bm'ii,  Trustees;  L.  G.  Sperry.  Clerk: 
Orrin  Granger,  Treasurer. 

The  principal  village  officers  from  18f5G  to  the  persent  time  ai'e  as  follows: 

1866 — Sherman   S.  Eaton,  President:  Clark  B.  Hall,  Clerk;  O.  Granger,  Treasm-er. 

1867 — W.  P.  Russell,  President;  Ezra  Hazen,  Clerk;  George  L.  Perkins,  Treasurer. 

1868 — R.  B.  King,  President:   Joseph   H  Dutton,  Clerk;  Orrin  Granger,  Treasurer. 

1869 — Lewis  Granger,  Pre.sident;  .Joseph  H.  Dutton,  Clerk:  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treas- 
urer. 

1870  -Augustus  M.  Hodges,  President;  H.  C.  Mansfield.  Treasurer;  J.  H.  Dutton, 
Clerk.  _ 

18(1— A.  M.  Hodges.  President;  J.  H.  Dutton,  Clerk;  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treasurer. 

1872 — Hiram  Burk.  President;  J.  M.  Dutton,  Clerk;  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treasurer. 

1873 — Sherman  Eaton,  President;  J.  H.  Dutton,  Clerk;    H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treasurer. 

1874 — Sherman  S.  Eaton,  President;  J.  H.  Dutton,  Clerk;  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treasurer. 

1875 — George  L.  Perkins,  President;  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Clerk;  Chester  S.  Gilbert, 
Treasurer. 

1876— G.  L.  Perkins,  President;  J.  H.  Dutton,  Clerk;  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treasurer. 

1877 — Francis  E.  Spencer,  President;  J.  H.  Dutton,  Clerk;  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treas- 
urer. 

1878  —Sherman  S.  Eaton,  President;  J.  H.  Dutton.  Clerk;  H.  C.  Mansfield,  Treasurer. 

1879 — Sherman  S.  Eaton,  President:  George  W.  Carman,  Clerk;  Chester  S.  Gilbert, 
Treasurer. 

1880 — Joseph  H.  Dutton,  President;  George  H.  Carman.  Clerk;  C.  S.  Gilbert.  Treas- 
urer. 

1881  —J.  H.  Dutton,  President:  G.  W.  Carman,  Clerk:  C.  S.  Gilbert,  Treasurer. 

The  village  election  passed  oft'  very  quietly  in  April,  1882.  There  were  three  tickets 
in  the  field,  designated  the  Village,  People's  and  Flag.  Only  175  tickets  were  cast,  of 
which  28  were  straight — Village.  19;  People's  5;  Flag,  4.  A  large  amount  of  slipping 
was  done  by  different  candidates.     Below  is  the  result  of  the  election: 

For  President — Sanford  M.  Stone  (village),  132;  Oscar  S.  Bm-gess  (people's),  H(); 
scattering,  4. 

For  Trustees — Adam  W.  Reed  (village  and  flag),  91;  Zenas  Corey  (village  and  flag), 
136;  Theodore  Miller  (village  and  flag),  99;  August  Beier  (people's),  29;  John  M.  Johnson 
(people's),  92;  George  \V.  Weston  (people's),  74;    scattering.  2. 

For  Clerk — Adelbert  T.  Sutton  (village).  108:  Addison  G.  Stone  (people's),  57:  A. 
Martin  Keeler  (flag),  7;  scattering.  3. 

For  Treasm-er — William  H.  Acker  (village),  138;  Thomas  Conway  (people's),  37. 

For  Assessor  —Simon  H.  Heath  (village),  133;  William  D.  Clark  (people's).  30;  John 
^1.  Johnson  (flag),  ID;  scattering,  2. 

For  Street  Commissioner — -James  L.  Sutton  (village),  120;  Ambrose  J.  Hancock  (peo- 
ple's), 54;  scattering,  1. 

For  Constable — William  E.  Jarvis  (village),  137:  James  M.  Hicks  (people's).  35; 
Israel  Dryer  (flag).  K';  scattering,  1. 


^1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


This  leaves  the  Council  the  same  as  in  1881,  with  the  exception  of  John  M.  Johnson 
in  the  place  of  E.  S.  Hunt.      The  result  seems  to  give  General  satisfaction. 

The  Memphis  Post  Office  was  established  in  1S48,  with  Harry  Rix  as  first  Postmaster. 
His  successors  in  office  were:  F.  E.  Gilbert.  L.  S.  Gilbert,  Thomas  Robson.  George 
Robson,  S  P.  Spaliford.  James  M.  Beach,  William  Jenkinson,  Orrin  Granger,  H.  C. 
Mansfield,  and  George  W.  Carman,  the  present  Postmaster. 

PEUSONAL   ULSTORY. 

We  complete  the  history  of  this  township  with  the  biographies  of  many  of  its  most 
I)ul)lic-spirited  and  best  citizens.  In  the  pages  devoted  to  them,  much  that  is  historically 
valuable  is  given. 

MRS.  SANFORD  C.  ALLEN  (Helen  Stone),  daughter  of  Solomon  Stone,  of  Richmond 
Township,  was  born  November  27,  1822;  commenced  teaching  school  in  New  York 
at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  taught  several  terms;  man-ied,  in  184U,  to  Sanford  C.  Allen,  a 
native  of  Tompkins  County.  N.  Y.,  who  engaged  in  the  business  of  a  furniture-dealer  at 
Almont,  Lapeer  County,  where  he  died  in  1852;  one  son,  Sanford  C.  Allen,  born  Octo- 
berlS  ,  1852:  and  a  son  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Allen  again  engaged  in  teaching 
most  of  the  time  for  fifteen  years  of  her  residence  at  Almont.  In  1872,  Mrs.  Allen  en- 
gaged as  teacher  in  the  school  at  Armada  two  years  of  her  residence  at  that  place;  re- 
moved to  Richmond  Village  in  1875,  where  she  now  resides.  Mrs.  Allen  has  been  a  faith- 
ful and  efficient  teacher,  and  is  kindly  remembered  by  her  numerous  pupils.  S.  C.  -lllen 
was  born  October  18,  1852;  received  an  education  at  the  village  of  Almont.  and  was  in  the 
drug  store  uf  Vincent,  at  Armada,  three  years,  and,  on  removing  to  Richmond,  engaged 
in  various  pursuits  in  the  village;  was  married,  July  4.  1880,  to  Clara  Gorshin.  of  Can- 
ada: she  was  born  December  20,  18r)2;  they  have  one  child.  Charles  B.,  born  April  8, 
1881.      Mr.  Allen  is  a  thoi'ough  and  active  business  man,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 

ASA  ALLEN  was  the  son  of  Barber  Allen,  a  native  of  Vermont,  who  afterward  re- 
moved to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y..  and  died  in  1838;  his  mother  was  Mary  Peiry,  a  native  of 
Vermont.  Asa  was  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  Le  Roy  Township,  October  4,  1825; 
in  1850,  married  Ellen  Sanford,  of  Genesee,  and  at  once  removed  to  Lenawee  and  located 
100  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved  and  sold,  going  to  Eaton  County,  Mich.,  and  bought 
300  acres  near  the  village  of  Yermontville,  which  he  soon  sold,  and  retm-ned  to  New  York; 
in  1857,  again  took  the  Michigan  fever,  and  arrived  in  Macomb  County  March  15  of  that 
year,  and  bought  land  in  Lenox  Township,  which  he  kept  eight  years,  then  bought  a  farm 
near  Richmond  Village,  and  set  out  1,100  apple  trees  and  a  large  quantity  of  other  fruits. 
While  living  on  this  farm,  his  wife  died,  January  25,  18()7.  Frank  E.,  born  September 
18,  1852:  Emma  J.,  born  April  1,  1856,  died  in  1878;  Kate  Alida,  born  March  10,  1858; 
Harley  F.,  born  October  26,  1862.  The  three  oldest  are  now  living  in  Oregon.  In  March, 
1877,  he  sold  the  farm  and  erected  a  residence  in  the  village  of  Richmond,  and  entered 
on  the  biisiness  of  house  carpentering  three  years  then  engaged  in  the  sale  of  agricultural 
implements;  he  is  at  present  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade  in  the  village.  Mr.  Allen  helped 
to  cut  down  the  first  tree  used  in  the  erection  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  has  been  a  mem 
ber  since  that  time;  in  politics,  a  Republican.  Father  Barber  Allen  served  in  the  war  of 
1812,  at  the  siege  of  Buffalo;  grandfather  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  married  again, 
Mrs.  D.  A.  Terry.  September  18.  18<)7;  she  is  a  native  of  Wyoming,  N.  Y. ;  one  son,  Charles, 
born  July  26,  1862. 

REV.  WILLIAM  ALLINGTON  was  born  in  England  July  15.  1822;  was  educated 
in  his  native  country,  and  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Church;  came  to  America 
May  12,  1853,  and  became  Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Maumee,  Ohio;  then  went  to 
East  Toledo,  and,  in  1861),  to  Macomb  County,  staying  one  yeai'  in  Ai-mada  Village  as 


Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church;  he  then  removed  to  Richmond  Village,  where  he  now  re- 
sides; during  this  time,  he  has  traveled  over  many  of  the  States  and  Canada,  lecturing  on 
scientific  and  literary  subjects,  and  has  maintained  services  in  a  great  many  places  in  our 
country,  and  is  still  so  engaged.  He  was  married,  in  England,  to  Miss  Passmore;  mar- 
ried, again.  Miss  Thompson,  of  England,  in  ISHfi,  at  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  has  three  children 
— William,  born  in  September,  1853,  now  manager  of  the  telephone  and  telegraph  com- 
panies of  La  Salle,  111.;  Harriet,  born  December  2,  1868;  Sarah,  July  !'.»,  1870.  He  en- 
tered the  army  as  Chaplain  of  the  Ninety- fourth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry;  was  engaged 
in  twelve  battles  and  skirmishes,  and  injured  in  three  of  them;  served  three  and  one-fourth 
years.  He  and  others  had  raised  this  regiment  at  Clark  and  neighboring  counties,  and  he 
should  have  been  elected  Colonel,  for  which  he  was  well  fitted,  having  been  educated  in 
the  military  maniial  of  England:  but  in  his  absence,  political  influence  was  brought  to  bear, 
and  another  man  was  chosen,  and  he  became  Chaplain.  His  creed  in  politics  is  "  the  best 
man  in  the  best  place." 

ERASTUS  M.  BEEBE,  brother  of  Henry  P.  Beebe,  was  born  in  Lewis  County,  town 
ship  of  Denmark,  October  1 1 .  1801).  He  took  up  laud  here  from  the  Government  under 
the  Presidency  of  Martin  Van  Buren.  He  owned  the  land  whereon  the  village  of  Rich- 
mond now  stands,  and  laid  out  the  plat  of  the  town,  and  sold  lots  therein  to  the  value  of 
$25,000  and  upward.  He  was  married,  by  Elisha  Granger,  in  the  township  of  Columbus, 
March  2U,  1838,  to  Sophronia,  daughter  of  Consider  Ewell,  of  Massachusetts.  At  the 
time  of  this  marriage,  the  contracting  parties  went  in  search  of  a  Justice  on  a  couple  of 
ponies  bought  of  Black  Cloud,  father  of  the  famous  Tipseco;  the  road  was  not  wide 
enough  to  drive  side  by  side,  so  they  went  Indian  file;  they  found  the  Justice  at  work  in 
the  fallow;  he  came  to  the  house  and  washed  his  face  and  performed  the  ceremony,  when 
they  returned  to  their  shanty  and  held  a  pioneer  feast.  They  had  nine  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living — Helen  T..  born  February  1,  1839:  Henry  C.,  born  September  18,  1840; 
Porter  E.,  born  October  25,  1843:  Marion  S.,  born  March  27,  1S40:  Rhoda  A.,  born  Octo- 
ber 1,  1847:  Eliza  M.,  born  August  22,  1850;  William  S.,  born  December  22,  1853;  May 
R.,  born  October  27,  1854;  Sarah  R.,  born  June  2(i,  1858.  Mrs.  Beebe  died  August  l", 
1867.  He  was  married  again,  to  Mrs.  Helen  A.  Stowe,  of  New  York.  Mr.  Beebe  has 
never  used  tobacco  in  any  form,  and  never  drank  a  glass  of  li(jUor,  nor  paid  for  one  for  any 
one  else  to  drink.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church.  Mrs.  Erastus  Beebe  was  a 
davighter  of  John  Adams,  of  Dutchess  County.  N.  Y. ;  his  father.  Ebenezer  Adams,  was  born 
in  Quincy,  Mass.,  and  was  a  relative  of  John  Quincy  Adams:  she  was  born  April  25,  1811 : 
was  married,  in  1829,  to  D.  B.  Stow,  a  native  of  Columbia  County,  N.  Y'.,  also  a  Massa- 
chusetts man;  he  died  in  1852,  in  Kingston,  N.  Y'  ;  she  remained  a  widow  twenty  years, 
and,  in  1872,  married  E.  Beebe,  and  has  remained  in  Richmond  Village  since  that  time; 
she  is  a  woman  of  culture  and  refinement;  on  her  mother's  side,  she  is  a  descendant  of 
Chancellor  Livingston,  of  N.  Y. ,  and  is  also  a  grand-niece  of  Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  first 
Governor  of  New  York;  she  witnessed  many  of  the  scenes  of  the  anti-rent  troubles  on  the 
Hudson;  she  was  born  in  Hudson,  N.  Y..  and  passed  much  of  her  life  in  that  vicinit}'. 

ALEXANDER  BEEBE,  brother  of  E.  M. ,  came  to  Macomb  County  late  in  the  same 
year,  and  located  land  in  another  part  of  the  town;  he  kept  the  hotel  in  this  place  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  married  PriscillaComstock  September  14,  1832;  raised  a  family  of  four 
children,  and  died  June  2,  1879;  Mrs.  Beebe  died  September  23,  18r)7;  their  childi-en  were 
Eliza  J., born  October  2.  1833,  married  May  :,  1855;  Martha  M.,born  February  15,  1835, 
man-ied  February  25,  1857;  Almira,  born  May  12,  1840,  married  February  25,  1857:  Ann 
Beebe,  born  December  17,  married  March  11,  1866. 

HENRY  P.  BEEBE.  son  of  Henry  and  Betsey  Archer,  he  a  native  of  Chatham,  N. 
Y. ,  and  she  of  Springfield,  Mass. :  his  father  died  at  Gainesville,  N.  Y.,  at  the  age  of  fifty 


years;  the  mother  died  at  Richmond  December  24,  1859,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine:  was 
born  in  Chatham.  Cohimbia  Co.,  N.  Y.,  November  29,  1817;  in  the  year  1818,  moved  on 
the  Holland  Piu-chase,  N.  Y. ;  April,  1S3<'),  Chauncy  Smith,  Sr.,  and  son,  Chester,  H.  M. 
Cm'tis,  John  Knssell.  Hiram  Burke,  E.  Palmer  (who  afterward  went  to  Jackson  County), 
H.  P.  and  Erastus  Beeb<s.  these  started  from  Gainesville  on  foot  for  Cleveland;- this  journey 
was  made  in  eight  days;  then  took  passage  on  the  steamer  Robert  Fulton  for  Detroit, 
then  to  Mt.  Clemens  on  foot,  to  Ai-mada,  to  the  house  of  Elijah  Burk;  located  the  Beebe 
land  in  Richmoud  Township,  where  the  village  of  Richmond  now  stands;  at  a  point  where 
the  ridge  which  runs  east  and  west  crosses  the  one  running  north  and  south,  expecting  that 
a  village  would  be  located  here  at  some  time,  in  which  they  were  correct;  the  others  locat- 
ed near  by;  they  cut  the  bridge  road  eight  miles  form  Armada  to  get  here.  Mr.  Beebe 
was  married,  September  22,  1850,  to  Ellen  M..  daughter  of  Jeny  Norton,  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut; she  was  born  February  27,  1830.  in  Portage  County.  Ohio;  they  have  had  three 
childi-en — J.  Asher,  born  July  8.  1851,  and  living  at  Fort  Gratiot;  Stella  E..  born  August 
5,  1852,  married  and  lives  in  Chicago,  III.;  May  E.,  born  June  5,  1865.  Mr.  Beebe  was 
Postmaster  of  the  village  for  thirtj^  years,  except  about  six  years,  and  still  holds  the  oiSce. 
At  first,  he  was  a  Whig,  but  is  now  a  strong  Republican.  Mi-.  Beebe  was  engaged  for  two 
years  in  the  copper  mines,  in  1S47  and  1848.  Mrs.  Beebe  has  been  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Chm-ch  for  many  years. 

LEMUEL  BISSELL,  sou  of  Lemiiel  Bissell  and  Mary  Beaumont,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 20,  1853,  at  Ahmednuggui',  India;  his  father,  a  native  of  Counecticut,  was  born  at  East 
Windsor  in  that  State;  he  graduated  from  the  Western  Reserve  College  of  Ohio,  and  went 
as  a  missionary  to  India  in  1851,  under  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  where  they  are  both  still  en- 
gaged. The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  the  first  ten  years  of  his  life  in  India;  lived  two 
years  in  Milan,  Ohio,  then  removed  to  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  to  live  with  his  uncle,  attended 
the  schools  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  was  under  the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  H.  N.  Bissell  six  years; 
entered  the  Western  Reserve  College:  graduated  fi-om  that  institution  in  1876;  he  then 
taught  in  public  schools  in  Kansas;  spent  three  years  in  Yale  Divinity  School;  graduated 
from  this  institution  in  1880,  and  at  once  located  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church 
at  Memphis,  Mich.,  in  which  place  he  is  still  located.  He  was  mairied,  Octoter  20.  1880. 
to  Miss  Anna  A.,  daughter  of  Alfred  Wolcott.  of  Boston,  Summit  Co.,  Ohio;  she  was  torn 
February  23,  1856;  her  mother,  Mary  A.  Scoville,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut;  the  father, 
of  Ohio:  IVL's.  Bissell  attended  the  union  schools  of  the  county  and  the  seminaries  of  Hud- 
son; spent  four  years  in  Lake  Erie  Female  Seminary  at  Gainesville,  graduating  in  1879. 

EGBERT  L.  BRIGGS.  Principal  of  the  Union  School  of  Richmond  Village,  was 
born  at  Chesterfield  Township,  Macomb  County,  December  27,  1855;  he  is  the  son  of  Jer- 
rub  Briggs  and  Harriet  Leonard,  natives  of  Y'ates  and  Seneca  Counties,  N.  Y.,  who  were 
pioneers  of  that  township:  his  mother  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Southern 
Macomb  for  a  number  of  years  prior  to  her  marriage.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received 
the  elements  of  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  township,  then  attended  the  Union 
School  at  Utica,  this  county;  thence  went  to  the  university  in  1880  and  1881 ;  taught  four 
terms  in  the  public  schools,  and  two  years,  1875  and  1876,  at  New  Haven  Village;  then 
became  Principal  of  the  Union  School  of  the  village  of  Richmond  three  years;  at  the  close 
of  this  engagement,  he  entered  the  university  as  student:  in  September,  1881,  again  ac- 
cepted the  Principalship  of  the  Union  School  of  Richmond  Village,  in  which  he  is  now 
engaged.  Mr.  Briggs  is  thoroughly  identified  with  the  work  of  education  in  the  couuty, 
an  active  member  and  officer  in  its  educational  organizations,  and  a  member  of  the  State 
Teachers"  Association.  In  political  preferences,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  church  rela- 
tionship, a  Congrtgationalist. 

HIRAM  BURK,  son  of  Elijah  and  Hannah  (Root)  Burk,  was  born  in  Oswego  County, 


tht. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


N.  Y.,  February  17,  1810;  his  father,  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  at  Woodstock:  removed 
to  Macomb  in  the  spring  of  1833;  lived  some  years,  and  retm'ued  to  New  York,  where  he 
died  about  18()0,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven;  his  mother,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  at 
Windsor,  died  at  Gainesville,  Genesee  Count}',  in  1829;  the  relatives  did  protective  duty 
both  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
ceived his  scanty  schooling  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  worked  upon  the  farm 
until  1836,  when  he  removed  to  Macomb,  locating  land  near  the  village  of  Richmond, 
which  he  cleared  up  and  provided  with  suitable  buildings,  and  occupied  about  twenty 
years,  and  then  sold;  remove  ,  to  Memphis  Village,  buying  there  a  farm  and  tannery, 
which  he  soon  sold,  buying  again,  in  the  same  locality,  land  on  which  he  now  lives;  on 
this  place  he  has  erected  a  fine  residence  and  surrounded  himself  with  all  the  comforts  of 
life;  was  married,  in  1838,  to  Harriet  Woodruff,  of  Genesee  County;  she  was  born  in 
Litchfield,  Conn.,  in  1815,  July  18.  Hortense,  born  September  22.  1845,  died  November 
15,  1848;  Francelio,  born  August  23,  1849,  married  J.  D.  Turnbull  and  lives  at  Alpena, 
Mich.,  a  member  of  Legislatui'e;  Eugene,  born  March  t),  1854,  living  at  home.  Mrs. 
Burk  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church.  For  many  years  Mr.  Bui-k,  was  an  officer 
in  his  township;  he  vvas  a  Whig,  and  became  a  Republican  at  the  formation  of  that  party. 

JOSEPH  G.  CARMAN,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mina  (Leete)  Carman,  she  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut and  he  of  Eastern  New  York,  was  born  in  Greene  County,  N.  Y.,  May  1,  1819; 
came  to  Macomb  September  15,  1853;  lived  in  Romeo  a  short  time,  and  settled  in  Mem- 
phis in  1854,  as  a  farmer,  near  the  village,  where  he  lives  at  the  present  time.  He  was 
married,  September  1 5,  1846,  to  Susan  Louisa  Cirould,  of  Essex  County,  N.  J. ;  she  was 
born  in  January,  1819;  they  had  five  sons,  only  one  of  whom  survives.  Mrs.  Carman  died 
November  4)  l856.  George  W.  was  born  in  New  York  August  28,  1852;  lived  at  home, 
except  three  years  which  he  spent  in  lake  survey,  until  his  marriage.  October  25,  1876,  to 
Harriet  H,  Lacy,  of  New  York  State,  Livingston  County,  born  June  18.  1856;  they  have 
two  children— Ruth,  born  July  23,  1877;  and  Francis  L.,  born  August  19,  1880.  Mr. 
George  W.  Carman  has  been  Treasurer  of  the  township  of  Richmond  two  years,  aud  has 
been  Postmaster  of  the  village  same  time,  aud  holds  the  office  at  the  present  time.  The 
mother  of  Joseph  Carman,  Mina  Leete,  is  a  direct  descendant  of  Gov.  William  Leete,  of 
Guilford.  Conn.,  who  was  Governor  of  Connecticut  provioixs  to  1683.  The  Carmans  were 
descended  from  two  brothers  who  came  from  England  in  16)31,  and  settled  at  Roxbuiy, 
Mass. 

ALEXANDER  CASTER,  son  of  John  Caster,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in 
Canada  February  3,  1829;  with  his  father,  he  removed  to  Michigan  about  1851,  aud  set- 
tled in  Sanilac  County;  here  his  father  died  in  the  year  1859;  his  mother  died  a  few  years 
previous.  Mr.  Caster  began  life  for  himself  as  a  blacksmith;  afterward  as  a  farmer  in  that 
county,  and  as  engineer  of  the  mills  of  that  and  other  places;  removed  to  Macomb  in 
1855,  and  was  an  engineer  some  years;  also  owned  a  farm  in  Richmond,  near  the  village. 
In  1873,  December  18,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Solomon  Stone,  of  Rich- 
mond Township;  they  have  iwo  children — Mabel,  born  November  3.  1875;  Charles  A., 
July  21,  1879.  In  1876,  he  erected  a  tine  residence  on  Ridge  street,  in  which  he  now 
lives.      In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

WILLLiM  CASTER  was  born  in  Canada  May  2,  IS  19;  his  parents  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  at  Lexington.  Mich. ;  Mr.  Caster  removed  to  Sanilac  County  in 
1843,  and  bought  a  lot  of  land,  which  he  improved  and  sold  in  1^53,  and,  the  following 
spring,  removed  to  Richmond  Township,  where  he  bought  a  farm;  this  he  soon  sold,  and 
then  removed  to  the  village  of  Richmond,  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Caster  was  married, 
in  1843,  to  Miss  Jane  Elliott,  who  was  born  in  August,  1823;  they  have  no  children;  they 
are  prominent  in  the  Free  Methodist  Church  in  the  village,  and  he  is  a  Republican. 


t 


-siV 


J, 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUKTY. 


JOSEPH    CHUBB. 

CHAUNCEY  CHURCH,  son  of  Asa  Church,  was  bom  in  Chelsea,  Vt.,  February  10. 
1805:  Asa  Church  was  born  in  Mansfield.  Conn..  May  16,  1766:  his  wife  was  Juliaette 
Humphrey,  of  Winchester,  N.  H.,  and  of  English  origin.  Chauncey  Church  was  married 
to  Laura  Martin  February  20,  1.S29;  she  was  born  in  Underhill,  Vt,  April  14,  ISOS.  Mr. 
Chiu-ch,  with  his  wife  and  one  child,  Lucy  Ann — now  Mrs.  A.  M.  Keeler — moved  to  Mich- 
igan in  1S84:  he  bought  a  farm  in  the  township  of  Macomb,  Macomb  County,  in  the  Davis 
settlement,  where  they  had  three  children  more— Marlin,  born  October  11,  1S36:  Emily, 
liorn  April  '10,  1889;  Emma  A.,  born  May  2S,  1844.  The  last  three  are  not  living.  He 
brought  from  Vermont  a  Sabbath  school  library,  and  the  same  year  organized  one  of  the 
first  Sunday  schools  in  Macomb  County:  was  an  active  member  of  the  first  Bible  society: 
outspoken  in  temperance:  was  prominent  among  the  first  anti-slavery  agitators;  he  moved 
to  the  township  of  Shelby  in  1845.  where,  in  1850,  he  became  a  Trustee,  and  took  an  effi- 
cient part  in  the  organization  and  support  of  the  Disco  Academy.  His  wife  died  January 
23.  1853.  and  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  Bentley  Aken  July  21,  1864,  who  was  born 
January  10,  1813,  in  Greenfield,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.  After  having  been  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  church  for  more  than  sixty  years,  he  died.  March  28,  1881.  leaving  his  wife  and 
Mrs.  Keeler  sole  surviving  member's  of  his  family. 

DR.  W.  D.  CLARK  was  born  in  the  town  of  Clarkson.  Mom-oe  Co..  N.  Y.,  August 
21:  1841:  his  father.  Harley  C.  Clark,  was  a  native  of  New  York;  his  mother,  Julia  Lor- 
ing,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  both  of  English  descent;  his  grandfather,  Steven  Clark, 
served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  W.  D.  received  his  early  education  in  a  district 
school  at  Webster's  Mills,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  moved  to  Roch- 
ester, N.  Y.,  and  there  graduated  at  No.  14  High  School;  in  1859,  commenced  the  study 
of  dentistry  with  Briggs  &  Doolittle,  in  Albion,  N.  Y. ;  after  three  years'  study,  removed 
to  Erie.  Penn..  and  there  worked  for  Dr.  Chapin  one  year;  while  there,  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  (allopathic);  in  1863,  received  a  call  from  Dr.  S.  Barns,  of  the  United 
States  Ai'my,  and  joined  his  staff  as  an  assistant.  In  1866,  he  came  to  Michigan  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  dentistry  at  Monroe,  at  the  same  time  taking  up  the  study  of 
homoeopathy  with  Dr.  A.  S.  Sanger:  in  the  fall  of  1866-67,  also  in  1867.  attended  lect- 
ures at  Ann  Arbor  (Michigan)  University;  in  1872,  February  12,  he  graduated  f'-om  the 
Cleveland  Hospital  College,  where  he  also  received  an  extra  diploma  for  his  supei-ior  skill 
as  a  surgeon;  he  then  returned  to  Monroe,  Mich.,  and  continued  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery  with  Dr.  A.  S.  Sanger,  his  former  i>reeeptor,  for  fo\u'  years  ;  the  17th  of 
March,  1882,  he  came  to  Richmond,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.  Dr.  Clark  was  among  the  first 
to  organize  the  State  Homceopathic  Society,  and  held  the  Chairmanship  of  the  Board  of 
Censors  for  several  years;  he  still  belongs  to  the  above  society:  he  has  built  up  a  large 
practice  in  this  place,  and  has  been  very  successful  as  a  practitioner,  and  especially  noted 
as  a  surgeon.  He  was  married,  January  31.  1871,  to  Miss  Emma,  daughter  of  Lyman 
Cummings.  of  Ontario  County.  N.  Y. :  his  children  are  Abigail,  born  January  28.  1873; 
Bertha,  May  22,  1876;  Harley  C,  born  December  1,  1881.  Mrs.  Clark  was  born  in  On- 
tario County,  N.  Y. ,  April  4.  1848. 

JAMI<]S  W.  COOPER,  a  merchant  of  Richmond  Village,  was  liorn  in  Herkimer 
County,  N.  Y. ,  September  30,  1819,  son  of  Fred  Cooper,  of  New  England,  and  Hannah 
Sterling,  of  same  place.  Mr.  Cooper  attended  school  in  the  common  schools  of  the  place: 
worked  at  the  builders'  trade  seventeen  years;  in  1857,  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  feed 
business  in  the  city  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y. .  two  and  a  half  years,  and  returned  with  a  loss  of 
all  he  had  invested;  he  then  removed  to  Richmond  Village  and  er^aged  in  the  business 
of  buying  and  selling  hoops;  this  he  made  a  profitable  business;  after  three  years,  built  a 
stave  mill   in  the  village,   and  soon  after  engaged    in  mercantile  pursuits,    with  other 


men  as  partners  at  various  times:  tlie  stave  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1.S70;  the  same 
business  was  destroyed  eight  years  later;  in  187S.  He  was  principal  in  the  erection  of  the 
Cooper  Block  in  the  village;  the  next  year,  in  company  with  Theo.  Miller,  he  erected  the 
Cooper  &  Miller  Block;  in  addition  to  this,  he  has  added  a  fine  hotel  and  a  complete  stock  of 
dry  goods,  fancy  goods,  boots,  shoes,  etc.,  which  he  owns  in  compau_y  with  his  son,  James  P. 
Cooper.  He  was  married,  December  1,  1 S47,  to  Miss  Louisa  B.  Allen,  born  August  24,  1 823,  in 
Vermont.  Their  children  are  — Alfloutta,  born  Jan.  1.  IS")!),  died  Feb.  4,  185(5:  Frances  H., 
born  in  Oswego  Feb.  23.  1N53.  mai'ried  and  lives  in  Romeo:  Ella,  born  in  Oswego  June  13, 
1854,  married  and  lives  in  Toronto;  James  P.,  born  in  Syracuse  August  24,  1858.  James 
P.  Cooper,  son  of  above,  in  company  with  his  father  in  the  store,  was  married,  October 
16,  1880,  to  Mary  Stevens,  daughter  of  William  Stevens,  of  Riley  Center;  she  was  born 
Februarys,  I860.  Howard,  born  October  14.  I  SSI.  Mi-.  Cooper  is  still  in  the  stave  man- 
ufacture in  company  with  Rapelye;  is  connected  with  the  Richmond  Driving  Park  Asso 
elation,  and  President  of  the  same.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

THOMAS  DAWSON  was  born  in  Lancashire.  England,  in  the  cotton  manufacturing 
districts  of  that  country.  May  2,  1820;  emigrated  to  Canada  in  1840,  where  he  lived  near 
Toronto.  Canada  West,  seventeen  years,  as  a  farmer,  currier  and  school-teacher;  was  mar- 
ried, in  Canada,  October  29.  1843,  to  Mary  Brooks,  a  native  of  Canada,  and  had  seven 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living,  two  on  the  homestead.  Mrs.  Dawson  died  January  27, 
1878:  was  married  again,  March  23,  1S7U.  to  Mrs.  Belinda  Braddock  (Champion),  a  j>alive 
of  Lyme,  Conn,  born  March  26,  1829;  her  first  husband  died  in  Philadelphia:  second 
died  in  Bay  City;  removed  to  Michigan  in  February,  1857,  and  settled  in  Great  ±Jer- 
ville,  St.  Clair  County,  where  he  was  a  farmer  twelve  yearc;  from  here  he  remosed  to  the 
vicinity  of  Romeo,  where  he  bought  the  Caufield  and  Snover  farms,  near  the>-lllage,  wbicli 
he  kept  four  years:  he  then  sold  this  and  purchased  the  Linus  Gilbert  f^ffm.  at  Memi)liis. 
Mich.,  and  removed  to  that  place,  where  he  now  lives;  previous  to  coipring  to  Macomb,  he 
was  Supervisor  of  Grant  Township  seven  years:  also  in  Macomb  ^ght  years,  except  one 
year;  was  the  Secretary  of  all  committees  connected  with  the  builOiing  of  court  house  and 
jails  of  Macomb  County  from  1880  to  18S2.  and  has  been  a  valuuble  aid  to  them  all:  also 
owns,  together  with  his  son,  the  Rochester  Flouriug-Mill  of  Oakland  County:  first  became 
a  voter  in  1859,  and  has  been  identified  with  the  Republican  party  since  that  time. 

ERASTUS  DAY,  SR.,born  at  Dalton,  Mass.,  in  August,  1780:  he  is  the  son  of  Daniel 
Day,  born  July  21,  1747;  of  Benjamin,  born  February  7  1709;  of  John,  born  1677:  of  John 
Day,  of  Hartford,  the  son  of  Robert  and  brother  of  Thorn,  j  Uay,  who  emigrated  to  America  in 
April.  1634,  with  his  wife,  Mary,  and,  on  arriving  settl^^d  at  Newton,  now  Cambridge, 
Mass.  Erastus  Day  was  a  farmer  in  MassachusetU:  while  still  young,  he  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  was  married  to  Lucy  Willard,  ol  Worcester, 
Mass.,  at  the  close  of  the  year  1807.  In  1812,  Mr.  ]/>ay  moved  into  Canada — not,  how- 
ever, as  a  U.  E.  Loyalist,  as  he  refused  to  join  the  Brftish, troops:  he  remained  in  Canada 
several  years:  next  made  his  home  at  Lima,  N.  V.,  for  a  fpw  years,  and  came  to  Michigan 
in  May,  1826,  locating  lands  on  Section  26,  Bruce, /where  he  resided  until  he  died,  July 
12,  1836.  His  children  were  Erastus,  now  residing';  in  Richmond  Township:  John  W., 
a  resident  of  Mason,  Ingham  County :  Russell,  died' at  Armada  June,  ISSO;  Dan.  W.,  liv 
ing  at  Greenville,  Montcalm  County;  Levi,  a  physician  of  Grandville.  Kent  County;  Lu- 
cinda.  who  maiTied  Volney  Day.  a  resident  of  Kalamai;oo;  and  Lucy,  who  died  at  home, 
in  New  York,  in  infancy.  i\Lr.  Day's  early'settjiement  in  Macomb  is  alluded  to  in  the 
general  history  of  the  county,  as  well  as  in  that  jbf  the  northern  townshii>s.  Mrs.  Day, 
born  in  August,  17S0,  formerly  Miss  Lucy  Wiilard,  died  in  1S55,  aged  seventy-five  years; 
her  remains  were  brought  from  Kalamazoo,  where  she  was  staying  with  her  daughter,  and 
interred  in  the  cemetery  near  where  she  first  settled  in  Michigan. 


ERASTUS  DAY,  Jr.,  son  of  the  old  settler  just  referred  to,  was  born  in  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  October  15,  1808;  settled  with  his  pai-ents  on  Grenadier  Island,  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  River,  in  1812:  returned  to  Lima.  N.  Y.,  in  1822,  and  remained  there  until 
December.  1825,  when  he  left  Lima  for  Michigan,  in  company  with  Addison  Chamberlin, 
Svlvanus  Taft  and  a  young  physician,  who  located  in  Rochester:  the  trip  was  made 
overland  through  Canada  on  a  sleigh,  via  Detroit,  to  a  point  two  miles  northwest  of  Ro- 
meo; tbe  streams  and  rivers  were  fi-ozen,  so  that  the  incidents  of  s]iriug  or  fall  travel 
were  not  experienced;  the  party  took  possession  of  a  log  shanty,  built  the  year  previous 
bv  Capt.  Oad  Chamberlin  and  his  son.  who  visited  the  place  in  1824:  here  they  made 
their  winter's  home,  played  cards  for  the  privilege  of  cooking  johnny-cake,  and  so  amused 
themselves  until  spring-time,  when  they  began  to  prepared  for  the  coming  of  their  fami- 
lies. Mr.  Day,  Sr.,  and  his  family,  an'ived  in  June.  1820.  and  lived  for  two.months  in 
the  shanty  erected  by  the  Chamberlins.  Mi-.  Day,  Jr.,  received  a  promise  from  his  father 
that,  if  he  would  l)uy  him  a  yoke  of  cattle,  his  time  would  be  given:  the  proposition  was 
accepted,  and,  to  perform  his  part,  he  entered  the  employ  of  Capt.  Chamberlin  at  ipU  per 
month,  and,  after  a  period  of  seven  months,  a  yoke  of  oxen  was  given  him,  which  was 
equivalent  to  his  jiay  for  that  time,  which  oxen  he  delivered  to  his  father.  Before  he  at- 
tained the  age  of  twenty -one,  he  purchased  a  yoke  of  steers  and  eighty  acres  of  land  locat- 
ed north  of  Almont,  together  with  the  oxen  presented  to  his  father,  all  resulting  from  his 
own  labors.  After  his  term  of  employment  with  Capt.  Chamberlin  was  concluded,  he 
chopped  fifteen  acres  of  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  John  Mellen's  residence,  at  Romeo, 
ami  previously  took  an  important  part  in  clearing  the  site  of  that  village;  he  purchased 
an  eigiw^-acre  lot  north  of  St.  Clair  street  and  east  of  the  railroad,  of  which  he  cleared 
lift.H-n  acres,  in  ii'4l:  this  land  he  sold,  and  bought  150  acres  now  known  as  the  Thomp- 
son lovm,  Whlteh  t-  "Id:  in  183H,  he  purchased  165  acres  on  Section  18,  Armada, 
where  L  •  built  th.  ?  in  the  northern  sections  of  that  township,  now  occupied  by 
George  M  i.rner:  cl  :ty  he  owned  until  March  17,  187U,  when  he  sold  it  to  the  pres- 
ent occupant.  Mc^^^*.  was  married  to  Mi-s.  Catherine  Donaldson  Smith,  widow  of  Alan- 
son  Smith,  of  Men^*".  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  the  ceremony  was  performed  at  Romeo,  by 
Rev.  Luther  Shaw, Tt  bruary  6.  1838,  in  the  old  Hoxie  log  house;  to  this  marriage  two 
daughters  were  born-  -Lucy,  who  married  Levi  W.  Crawford,  and  who  is  now  a  resident 
of  Stanislaiis  County,  Cal.;  and  Mary,  married  James  Palmer,  died  January  31,  18()0. 
Mrs.  Day  died  October  17,  l835.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Betsey  Day,  daughter 
of  Capt.' Han-y  Day,  of  Erie  County,  Penn.,  September  13,  1836;  to  them  six  children 
wore  born,  throe  of  whom  are  Hiring— John  E..born  January  11,  1838;  Malvina,  born  May 
22.  1839:  and  Nancy,  S^ptembsf  1,  1851.  The  former  resides  in  Richmond  Township; 
Malvina  married  F.  L.  Beckwith,  is  now  a  resident  of  Oakland,  Cal. ;  Nancy  married  L. 
B.  Vandecar.  of  Isabella  County.  Of  the  children  deceased,  Harry  was  drowned  May  27, 
1S44:  Sarah  died  in  infancy  in  l.'~i43;  and  Martha  died  August  30,  1873.  During  the 
trying  years  fi'om  1864  to  186(),  he  was  Supervisor  of  Armada;  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace  from  1839  to  1872:  was  the  fi'rst  Assessor  of  the  town  in  1S34:  he  has  filled  many 
other  town  offices,  and  has  taken  a  very  important  place  in  the  building  up  of  the  north- 
ern townships  for  the  last  fift}- -seven  years;  also  served  as  Captain  of  the  Independent 
Rifle  Company  of  Macomb  in  the  Toledo  war,  and  succeeded  in  drawing  one  month's  2)ay; 
previous  to  this  war.  he  served  in  the  itnil'.tary  commands  of  his  county,  and  was  promoted 
gradually  until  the  period  when  peace 'yeas  declared  between  Ohio  and  Michigan,  when  he 
was  mustered  out.  Mrs.  Day  taught  ;bcLoo1  in  Erie  County,  and,  after  coming  to  Ma- 
comb, in  1835.  taught  the  first  school  dn  District  No.  8  of  Ai-mada.  Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Day 
belong  to  the  Congregational  ChuVch,  aixd  are  Republicans. 

JOHN  E.  DAY.  son  of  Erastus  Dpv.  Jr..  was  born  in  Armada  Township  Januai-y 


7^^ — ^ 


■=^^.^4^^    '^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


4^ 


11.  1838;  from  that  time  until  1865.  he  resided  with  his  parents,  devoting  his  attention 
to  agriculture  and  education:  he  attended  the  district  school  until  1855.  when  he  went  to 
the  Romeo  Academy,  under  Daniel  B.  Briggs.  and  continued  to  study  until  1859.  From 
this  period  until  18()5.  he  was  engaged  on  the  farm;  in  August  of  the  latter  year,  he  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  Alex.  Shelp.  and  opened  a  carriage,  wagon  and  fanu  imple- 
ment factor}-  at  Romeo,  which  proved  very  successful,  and  would  doubtless  have  continued 
to  advance  had  not  the  tirns  of  July,  1867,  destroyed  the  building,  machinery  and  stock; 
the  tirm  rebuilt  and  established  the  factory,  which  was  operated  until  February,  1868, 
when  J.  E.  Day  sold  his  interest  to  Milton  H.  Thomson,  receiving  in  consideration  the 
tract  of  ninety-two  acres  known  as  the  Thomson  faim,  in  Ray  Township;  for  the  succeed- 
ing six  years,  Mr.  Day  carried  on  this  farm,  until  its  sale  to  A.  H.  Shelp  in  187-1;  in 
1875.  he  removed  back  to  the  homestead  in  Armada,  and  lived  there  until  March,  187U, 
when  he  located  on  the  James  Flower  fai-m.  Section  30,  Richmond  Township.  Mi\  Day's 
connection  with  the  schools  of  Armada  and  Richmond  is  of  the  happiest  chavactor;  he  was 
elected  School  Inspector  in  1859;  held  that  office  continuously  until  the  Inspectorship 
was  abolished;  in  1877,  he  was  elected  Township  Supervisor  of  Schools,  which  position 
he  now  holds:  in  1876,  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Sunday  School  Association,  Macomb, 
and  Secretary  of  the  Macomb  County  Pioneer  Society  in  188t).  Mr.  Day  has  held  the 
office  of  Secretary  of  the  Historical  Society,  Union  Farmers"  Club,  and  Director  of  the 
County  Agricultm-al  Society.  With  the  spirit  born  of  education,  he  has  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  the  history  of  his  native  county,  and  has  for  a  niimber  of  years  contributed 
interesting  historical  sketches  to  the  press  of  Michigan,  as  well  as  to  the  archives  of  the 
State  Pioneer  Society.  Since  1877,  he  has  been  associated  v/ith  the  press  of  the  county. 
He  was  mairied.  December  30,  1861,  by  Prof.  John  Morgan,  D.  D. .  to  Miss  Sarah  C. 
Judson.  daughter  of  Isaac  Judson.  of  Oberlin.  Ohio,  bom  at  Wakeman.  Hui-on  Co.,  Ohio, 
October  23,  1842;  they  have  three  childi-en — Nellie  M..  born  Januaiy  6,  1867;  Erastus, 
May  25,  1868;  and  Fanny,  June  4.  1872;  a  fourth  child.  Flora  D..  born  October  7,  1862, 
died  June  19,  1865.  Isaac  Judson,  father  of  Mrs.  Day.  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born 
at  Woodbury  in  1797.  Mr.s.  Judson  was  also  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  settled  iu  Hu- 
ron County.  Ohio,  with  her  family,  about  the  year  1831;  she  died  Seplemder  21.  1851, 
aged  forty-foiu-  years.  Mr.  Judson  is  a  tine  type  of  the  old  Puritan  stock — lirm  in  the 
orthodox  faith,  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and  anti-slavery  in  politics.  Both 
Ml',  and  Mrs.  Day  are  members  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Armada,  and  are  Repub- 
lican in  politics. 

BENJAMIN  F.  DOTY,  son  of  Elias  and  Zeviah  ( Jayne)  Doty,  was  born  in  Oakland 
County,  town  of  Rose,  January  14,  1852;  spent  his  early  life  on  a  farm  in  Oakland  County; 
he  engaged  in  breaking  up  new  land,  it  not  being  in  condition  for  culture;  he  attended 
the  public  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  and  entered  the  Union  School  at  Fentonville  at 
the  age  of  sixteen;  then  attended  the  Detroit  Commercial  College,  received  his  diploma  in 
1871.  and,  the  following  year,  engaged  in  the  store  of  Cooper.  Heath  &  Co.,  Richmond. 
Mich.,  as  book-keeper,  until  1879;  he  erected  a  store  in  the  Cooper  Block,  and  tilled  it 
with  a  new  stock  of  boots  and  shoes  and  groceries;  soon  after,  entered  into  partnership 
with  C.  S.  Knight  in  the  diy  goods  line;  this  continued  one  year;  at  this  time,  he  bought 
the  interest  of  his  partner,  and  continued  in  the  trade  alone;  he  has  two  stores  devoted  to 
the  business,  and  keeps  a  fine  stock  and  desirable  goods;  aside  from  this,  he  conducts,  in 
company  with  Theodore  Miller,  a  clothing  store  in  the  Miller  Block  since  1880.  He  was 
married.  June  11,  1874,  to  Miss  Marilla  H.  Gleason,  daughter  of  Mathias  Gleason,  of 
Pennsylvania;  she  was  born  December  19,  1850,  at  Townville;  Edna,  born  March  26, 
1878.     Her  father  was  a  soldier  of  the  rebellion;  served  two  years,  and  was  discharged  at 

4!l 


:V* 


HISTOKY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


liL 


the    close  of  the  war;  her  grandfather  was   a  soldier  of  the  Revolution;  in  politics,  a 
Republican. 

ALFRED  A.  DRESSER,  son  of  George  Dresser,  was  torn  in  Canada  October  10. 
1S62;  his  father  moved  to  Macomb,  settling  on  Clay  street,  Richmond  Township,  where 
he  died  in  ISTl!.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood;  is 
a  persevering  student,  a  constant  reader,  and  a  young  man  of  good  habits  and  princijiles. 

MRS.  RACHEL  DRESSER,  widow  of  Geoi-ge  Dresser,  was  born  in  Canada  Decem- 
ber 3.  1845;  she  is  the  daughter  of  William  McLane.  of  Canada;  she  was  married  in  Can- 
ada, and  removed  to  Macomb  in  18(58,  settling  on  a  farm  on  Clay  street,  on  Section  3".!. 
where  she  still  resides;  her  childi'en  are  Robert  V..  boru  January  1^3,  1869;  William,  born 
March  !:!8,  1871:  and  a  step-son.  Alfred  A.  Dresser,  born  October  10,  l8r)2.  She  conducts 
the  farm  of  eighty  acres;  she  has,  by  good  management,  provided  herself  with  all  the 
comforts  of  life.  In  form  of  worship,  she  is  a  Baptist.  Her  husband  died  Februarv  H). 
1876. 

MRS.  CHESTER  L.  DUDLEY  (Lydia  Leete  Carman)  was  born  in  Cxreene  County, 
N.  Y.,  June  18,  1816;  came  to  Memphis  with  the  Carman  family  in  185-4;  she  had  been 
a  teacher  of  young  ladies  in  New  Jersey.  She  was  married,  August  29,  1866,  to  Chester 
L.  Dudley,  at  Almont.  Lapeer  County  and  removed  to  Memphis  in  1867,  where  Mr.  Dud- 
ley died  June  24,  1879.  Mrs.  Dudley  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Chm'ch  of  the 
village  and  a  worker  in  the  Sabbath  school  and  in  society.  Mr.  Dudley  was  born  in  Berk- 
shire Mass,  July  4,  1806;  came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Memphis  in  1855;  he  was  a 
prominent  man  in  all  the  interests  of  the  society,  village  and  township. 

SHERMAN  S.  EATON,  son  of  William  and  Hannah  P.  Shattuck,  was  born  in  Jef 
ferson  County,  N.  Y..  September  25.  1822;  his  parents  were  natives  of  New  Hampshire: 
they  moved  from  New  Hampshu-e  to  the  State  of  New  York  in  the  year  1818.  and  settled 
in  Jefferson  County,  where  Sherman  was  born;  they  moved  from  there  to  Niagara  County. 
New  York,  in  1827;  the  father  died  in  Tomjikins  County,  N.  Y..  in  1845;  the  mother 
died  in  1850.  in  Essex,  Essex  Co..  N.  Y.  Sherman,  when  but  a  boy.  commenced  working 
in  a  woolen  factory  at  Burlington.  Vt. .  in  the  year  1833:  he  and  his  mother  then  renioved 
to  the  head  of  Lake  Champlaiu,  on  the  place  now  known  as  'Whitehall;  ho  then  com- 
menced to  di'ive  on  the  tow-path  oa  the  Erie  Canal,  aad  rose  fi-om  the  position  of  driver 
to  that  of  Captain  in  the  year  1845:  ia  the  meantime,  he  had  acquired  some  skill  in  the 
art  of  molding,  and.  in  the  year  1846.  on  the  12th  day  of  June,  he  arrived  in  Michigan 
and  worked  two  and  a  half  years  for  Dexter  Mussey  as  a  molder;  he  then  started  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  in  a  small  foundry  at  Armada;  he  succeeded  in  accumulating  some  prop- 
erty there,  and,  in  the  year  1852,  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Memphis.  Macomb  County: 
when  he  came  to  Memphis,  there  was  but  one  shop,  a  blacksmith,  which  was  kept  by 
William  Betts,  and  a  small  store;  the  first  year,  Mr.  Eaton  was  obliged  to  go  to  Ai-mada 
for  supplies  to  live  upon;  he  continued  his  bixsiness.  which  proved  a  success,  and  it  is 
now  a  leading  enterprise  in  the  village.  His  wife,  Eliza,  was  the  daughter  of  Andrew 
Conklin,  of  Herkimer  Coimty.  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  May  14,  1827;  they  had  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — Emeroy,  born  March  K),  1862.  Mrs.  Eaton 
died  JanuiU-y  15,  1868,  at  Memphis.  He  was  married  again,  November  24,  1869,  to  Miss 
Katie  A.,  sister  of  the  former  wife.  He  has  held  important  offices  in  the  township  and 
society:  he  belongs  to  the  enterprising,  industrious  class  of  citizens.  Politically,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party. 

WILLIAM  F.  FENNER,"son  of  Turner  Fenner,  of  Connecticut,  was  born  January 
27,  1803,  in  Onondaga  County,  N.    Y. ;  he  moved  to  the  township  of  Washington  about 
1N36.  and  located  a   farm  there;  this  he  sold  in  1853  and  removed  to  Richmond  Town 
ship,  settling  on  Section  14,  on  a  farm  of  160  acres;  also  owned  120  acres  close  by.      He 


~i>    ^V 


was  married,  in  New  York  State,  to  Emily  Amesbtiry,  and  had  a  family  of  live  children, 
all  at  home.  His  wife  died,  and  he  afterward  married  Betsey  Martin  Graves,  a  native  of 
Western  New  York.  Cayuga  County;  she  was  born  December  24.  1800.  Of  the  last  fam- 
ily, there  were  three  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living.  Mrs.  Fenner  died  May  .^0, 
1880.     Mr.  Fenner  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years. 

FRANK  W.  FENNER,  son  of  W.  Fenner.  was  born  in  the  township  of  Washington 
May  ly,  1848;  at  the  age  of  live  years,  his  parents  moved  to  the  township  of  Richmond, 
where  he  attended  school  in  the  neighborhood,  and  at  Memphis,  under  the  tuition  of  Clark 
Hail,  and  gave  his  attention  to  farming;  he  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  homestead, 
and  was  married,  September  30,  1874,  to  Miss  Frank  E.  Ambrose,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Reed,  of  Moni'oe  County,  Mich. ;  she  was  born  May  31,  1850:  they  have  one  adopted  child, 
Edna,  born  March  31,  1874.  Mr.  Fenner  is  an  intelligent  and  prosperous  farmer,  making 
the  raising  of  horses  a  specialty.  He  was  elected  Treasurer  tjf  the  township  of  Richmond 
in  1881,  which  office  he  still  holds.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican;  religiously,  he  is  a 
Baptist.     The  relatives  on  the  mother's  side  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolution. 

DANIEL  FLAGLER  was  born  in  Albany  County,  N.  Y.,  May  14,  ISU;  he  is  the 
son  of  John  and  Gertrude  Bogart  Flagler;  are  natives  of  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.  In 
1835,  Ml-.  Flagler  moved  to  Canada,  and,  in  the  fall  of  1836,  came  to  Ar-mada,  Mich.  In 
April,  1838.  he  settled  on  his  farm  on  Section  31.  Richmond  Township,  where  he  haf 
since  resided.  He  was  married.  May  2.  1835.  to  Serena  Smith,  a  native  of  Albany  Count}', 
N.  Y.  The  record  of  their  seven  children  is  as  follows:  George,  born  May  30.  1836. 
died  October  24,  1836:  Alonzo,  born  May  16,  1838,  married  Jane  Lemon  and  lives  in  Oak- 
land County,  Mich. :  Myron,  born  August  14,  1840.  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Murfrees- 
boro  in  1862;  Emma  E..  born  May  7,  1845.  married  Carleton  N.  Brown  and  resides  in 
this  township;  Henrietta,  born  July  1.  1849;  Winfield.  born  October  29.  1850,  married 
Mary  A.  Thomas  and  resides  at  Y'^ellow  Springs.  Ohio;  Louisa,  born  October  9,  1852, 
married  Timothy  P.  Tiu-ner  and  resides  on  the  homestead.  Mr.  Flagler  has  been  a  Re- 
publican since  the  organization  of  the  party;  he  has  served  several  successive  years  as  Su- 
pervisor of  the  townshij).  and  has  been  Ju.stice  of  the  Peace  for  twelve  years.  In  1840,  he 
joined  the  Union  Church,  and  afterward  connected  himself  with  the  Christian  society. 

CHARLES  S.  GILBERT,  son  of  Isaac  and  Rhoda  A.  (Sage)  Gilbert,  was  born  at 
Memjjhis  January  13,  1842;  his  father,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  was  born  in  1810;  the 
mother  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1811;  both  are  living  at  Ypsilanti.  Mich.  Charles 
Gilbert  spent  his  early  life  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born:  attended  schook  at  the  vil- 
lage, and  was  married,  in  18G6,  December  IX,  to  Matilda  Pierce,  daughter  of  Isaac  C. 
Pierce,  a  native  of  England,  where  Mrs.  Gilbert  was  born  February  13,  ISSU.  Their  chil- 
dren are  as  follows;  Leah,  born  January  31,  1868;  Lilie.  born  April  II,  18(19;  Burton 
I.,  born  July  5,  1870;  Halmer,  born  November  IN,  1871;  Jessie,  born  November  4,  1873: 
Emma,  born  July  26.  1875;  Georgiana.  born  February  2(1.  1877.  Mr.  Gilbert  received  a 
portion  of  the  homestead  farm,  situated  just  south  of  the  village  of  Memphis,  on  which 
he  has  resided  since  that  time,  having  made  many  improvements  upon  it;  a Congregation- 
alist  in  worship,  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  Mrs.  Gilbert  received  her  primary  educa- 
tion at  the  schools  of  St.  Clair  City,  and  entered  the  Albion  Female  College  in  1S57,  and 
remained  two  yeai's;  on  leaving  the  school,  she  engaged  as  teacher  of  the  public  schools, 
a  calling  in  which  she  had  previously  been  engaged;  she  taught  in  all  nineteen  terms. 
and  always  with  satisfaction  to  pupils  and  patrons;  she  has  for  many  years  been  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  Chiu'ch  of  the  village.  Mr.  G.  enlisted  in  Company  E.  Fifth  Cavalry, 
and  serve!  seven  months;  discharged  on  account  of  an  accident. 

DR.  DAVID  G.  GLEASON,  son  of  Joseph  Gleason  and  Margaret  (Francisco),  na- 
tives of  Vermont,  was  born  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y. ,  September  26,  1825;  the  family 


A 


moved  into  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  1834;  stayed  nine  years,  then  removed  to  Liv- 
ingston County,  N.  Y.,  where  David  attained  majority;  studied  at  Middlobury  Academy 
and  at  Birmingham,  Mich. ;  stndied  medicine,  and  began  pi-actice  in  the  township  of 
Chestertield,  Macomb  Couuty,  in  1S4S;  continued  the  practice  at  this  place  seventeen 
yeai's,  then  removed  to  the  village  of  Richmond,  bought  a  piece  of  land  on  Main  street 
and  built  a  house  and  store,  and,  sis  years  after,  bought  the  farm  known  as  the  Norton 
fiU'm,  a  little  north  of  the  village,  which  he  conducts,  together  with  his  ju'actice;  at  the 
time  of  the  pm'chase  of  the  fai'm,  he  was  engaged  in  the  business  of  general  store,  a  black- 
smith shop  and  a  livery  stable,  besides  his  practice  of  medicine,  thus  making  business  to 
thrive  antl  giving  employment  to  a  large  number  of  people;-  he  afterward,  in  1N69,  built 
the  first  In'ick  block  in  the  village,  which  he  still  owns;  he  was  one  of  the  originators  of 
the  cheese  factjry  in  the  village,  and  owns  one-third  of  the  same;  in  1878,  he,  in  company 
with  Lathrops,  built  the  second  block,  making  three  stores  owned  by  Gleason;  one  of  these 
lie  occupies  as  a  drug  store,  aud  the  other  two  are  rented.  He  was  married.  January  27, 
1851.  to  Miss  Lucretia  Mathews,  daughter  of  Charles  B.  Mathews,  of  Chestertield,  native 
of  Oswego  County,  N.  Y. ;  she  was  born  in  Chestertield  February  24.  1886 :  Elmer  P. , 
born  February  18,  1855;  Ella,  born  February  IN,  1S55  (a  twin),  died  May  fi.  1858;  Allie, 
born  June  6.  1ISG2.  Mrs.  Gleason"  s  people  were  pioneers  of  Chesterfield,  having  moved  to 
that  township  and  erected  a  large  log  hotel,  which  was  on  the  first  Gratifit  Tiu'npike.  just 
then  bein^  built;  this  was  made  the  point  at  which  the  Indians  of  that  locality  received 
their  annual  appropriations  from  the  Government,  and  was  often  the  scene  of  much  ex- 
citement. Mr.  Mathews  died  May  5,  ISfiiJ.  at  the  age  of  sixty-sis;  his  wife  died  in  1878, 
aged  seventy  years;  both  died  at  the  Doctor's  house,  in  Richmond.  In  politics,  the  Doc- 
tor is  a  Democrat. 

DR.  FRED  M.  GARLICK.  son  of  Horace  and  Nancy  (House),  was  born  at  Detroit. 
Mich.,  June  15,  1849;  he  received  his  primary  education  at  Romeo,  under  the  tuition  of 
D.  B.  Briggs,  and  at  Aj'mada;  entered  the  Medical  Dejiartment  of  the  University  of  Mich- 
igan in  1869;  graduated  from  the  Detroit  Medical  College  June  28,  1871,  and  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Waterford,  Oakland  Co. .  Mich.,  one  year;  thence  removed 
to  Armada,  where  he  remained  about  three  years;  from  there  to  Port  Sanilac,  where  he 
remained  till  1881,  when  he  took  np  his  residence  in  Richmond,  where  he  is  still  in  the 
ju'actice.  On  leaving  Waterford.  the  citizens  of  that  place  presented  him  a  paper  express- 
ing confidence  aud  esteem  in  the  ability  and  worth  of  the  Doctor  as  a  citizen  and  a  physi- 
cian, and  r«grets  for  his  leaving  them,  and  expressing  a  hope  of  a  return  to  that  place; 
this  was  signed  by  more  than  fifty  of  the  citizens  of  the  village;  letters  of  a  like  character 
are  in  receipt  by  the  Doctor  from  other  places  where  he  has  lived.  He  was  married.  May 
20,  1872.  to  May  Bentley.  daughter  of  E.  R.  Bentley;  she  was  born  at  Marcellus.  this 
county.  Sejstember  13.  1852;  children  as  follows:  May  E..  born  June  6.  1873;  Edwin 
H..  born  in  Sanilac  June  24,  1877,  died  November  7,  1N79;  Edith  M.,  born  in  Sanilac 
June  12,  1879;  Fred  B  ,  born  March  1,  1881.  Mr.  Garlick  is  a  young  man  of  energy 
aud  skill  in  his  practice;  a  member  of  the  Detroit  Academy  of  Medicine;  in  belief,  a  Con- 
gregationalist.  and  in  politics,  a  Republican. 

OKRAN  GRANGER,  son  of  Thaddens  and  Julia  E.  (Manly),  was  born  in  Akron, 
Ohio,  August  2(),  1823;  his  father  was  born  in  Sandisfield.  Mass.;  moved  to  Ohio  about 
1810.  and  died  in  1826;  the  mother,  a  native  of  same  place,  died  in  Memphis  Village  in  1866. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  carriage-painter,  having  learned  that  business  in  Ohio; 
left  the  business  and  the  State  in  1848.  arriving  in  Memphis  in  July  of  that  year,  and 
engaged  in  mercantile  trade  two  years,  then  was  a  traveling  salesman  eight  years,  at  which 
time  he  again  engaged  in  trade,  in  company  with  his  brother  Lewis,  three  years;  then 
engaged  in  the  same  line  of  ti'ade  alone,  in  which  he  is  still  employed;  the  business  has 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


grown  from  an  investment  of  $500  to  $12,000.  He  was  married.  July  19.  1840.  to  Miss 
Harriet  Rose,  of  Cuyahof^a  Falls,  born  in  September.  1823:  CTOorge  M. .  born  Jnly  19. 
1841.  living  in  Detroit;  Charles  W. .  AugiTst  1 5.  1843.  living  in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Granger 
died  in  1847.  Mr.  Granger  was  married  again.  October  4.  1S49.  to  Sarah  A.  Ashly, 
daughter  of  David  Ashly.  of  Vermont;  she  was  born  November  14.  1828;  Isabella,  boru 
July  17.  1850,  died  September  12,  1850;  Herbert  A..  February  23.  1852,  died  May  12, 
1853;  Carrie  A.  Granger,  born  October  2.  1854.  living  at  Memphis;  and  an  adopted  child. 
C.  Gus.  born  June  18,  1865.  An  officer  in  village  and  in  society:  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity;  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  prominently  identified  with  the  improvements  of 
the  village. 

DANIEL  HALL,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Beulah  (Fowler)  Hall,  born  in  North  Guil- 
ford. New  Haven  Co.,  Conn..  October  26.  1807.  His  gi-andfather,  William  Hall,  came 
from  England  in  1699.  in  company  with  one  Thomas  Norton,  and  Grace,  his  wife,  and 
settled  on  the  present  site  of  North  Guilford.  His  mother.  Beulah  Fowler,  was  of  Dutch 
descent.  Daniel  Hall  was  married,  in  December.  1831.  to  Sarah  D..  daughter  t  f  Jeny 
Norton,  of  Ohio;  she  was  then  visiting  friends  in  Connecticut.  In  the  following  spring, 
the  young  couple  went  out  to  Ohio;  here  their  eldest  sou.  Edward  W..  was  born;  also  two 
childi'en  who  died  in  infancy.  After  a  four-years'  stay  in  Burton,  Ohio,  they  moved  to 
Macomb  County  and  settled  on  land  taken  from  the  Government,  cutting  a  road  one  and 
a  half  miles  to  reach  the  place.  Mr.  Hall  immediately  began  to  develop  the  new  farm 
and  make  his  home;  on  this  place  the  family  still  reside;  shortly  after  coming  to  Michi- 
gan, they  lost  another  infant  child;  their  other  childi'en  were  as  follows:  Daniel  Web- 
ster, born  in  North  Cxuilford,  Conn.,  while  his  parents  were  there  on  a  visit,  now  deceased; 
Eunice,  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years;  Adaline.  born  May  30,  1840,  married  T.  Ward 
and  lives  at  Richmond  Village;  Emma,  born  January  24.  1843.  married  Ransom  Odeon, 
now  living  at  Romeo;  Cai'oline.  born  August  16.  1848,  married  Charles  Mills  and  lives  in 
Richmond  Townshij);  Joseph  A.  and  Benjamin  R..  twins,  born  March  20,  1851;  the  for- 
mer lives  on  the  homestead,  and  the  latter  on  a  farm  adjoining.  The  first  school  in  this 
part  of  the  town  was  kept  in  a  part  of  Mr.  Hall's  house,  partitioned  off  by  a  blanket;  this 
school  is  referred  to  in  the  general  history.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Hall  were  pioneers  of 
Ohio,  and  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  1835;  her  father  died  in  Ohio  in  1866,  and  her 
mother  in  Macomb  in  1875.  Mr.  Hall  died  January  22.  1880;  Mrs.  Hall  still  lives  on  the 
home  farm,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three;  she  has  been  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Chm-ch  for 
forty-eight  years.  Webster,  son  of  Mi'.  Hall,  enlisted  in  the  Fifteenth  Michigan  Volun- 
teer Infantry  in  the  late  war;  served  four  years,  and  was  honorably  discharged;  retiu'ned 
to  his  home,  married  and  gathered  around  him  a  family  and  many  of  the  comforts  of  life; 
he  was  killed  by  a  threshing  machine  in  1875.  In  the  fall  of  1860.  the  family  suffered 
loss  by  lire;  the  dwelling  house  ami  much  of  its  contents  were  bm'ued:  the  next  summer 
they  built  the  present  residence;  the  situation  is  one  of  the  most  pleasant,  and  the  farm 
a  very  fertile  one.  When  the  cemetery  at  Richmond  was  laid  out.  thirty  years  ago.  Mr. 
Hall  was  the  first  sexton,  and  acted  in  that  capacity  for  three  years;  since  then,  his  son, 
Edward  W.  Hall,  has  been  the. sexton — a  period  of  twenty-seven  years. 

JOHN  HICKS,  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Macomb  County,  was  born  in  Ontario  County, 
town  of  Bristol.  N.  Y. .  October  15.  1803;  his  father.  Otis  Hicks,  was  a  native  of  Attle- 
boro,  Mass. ;  his  mother,  Betsey  Dunham,  was  a  native  of  the  same  place.  Otis  Hicks  be- 
came sixteen  years  of  age  just  in  time  to  enlist  for  the  defense  of  the  courts  of  his  native 
town  from  the  Hays  men,  who  had  bunded  to  prevent  the  sitting  of  the  courts.  The 
family  are  descended  from  three  brothers,  who  were  Pilgrims,  and  arrived  from  England 
soon  after  the  landing  of  the  Mayflower;  was  engaged  as  a  farmer  in  New  York;  moved  to 
Michigan  in  1836,  amving  in  Macomb  in  May  of  that  year;  the  *amily  arrived  in  the  fol- 


A 


J^l 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


lowing  autnmn:  started  from  Detroit  the  12th  day  of  October,  with  a  team  hired  for- the 
purpose,  at  the  rate  of  iST  per  day;  the  journey  required  three  days,  and,  when  within  one- 
half  mile  of  the  end  of  the  jom'ney,  the  driver  upset  the  wagon  and  left  the  goods  in  the 
woods,  refusing  to  load  them  up  again;  the  load  consisted  of  the  household  efi'ects  of  the 
famil}',  the  wife  and  three  children,  who  went  on  foot  most  of  the  way.  Mr.  Hicks  located 
on  eighty  acres  of  land  on  Section  ;55.  in  Richmond,  one-half  of  which  is  now  covered  by 
the  village  of  Richmond.  He  was  married,  December  1,  1885,  to  Catherine  Emmons; 
she  was  born  in  Northumberland,  Saratoga  Co.,  N,  Y.,  December  1,  1804:  have  had  nine 
.children,  six  of  whom  died  young,  and  three — James  M.  Hicks,  born  August  17,  1830; 
Eliza  A.  Hancock,  November  20,  ISH'I;  Ophelia  Corbin,  Januaiy  14.  1846.  Mr.  Hicks 
has  lived  in  the  village  of  Richmond  since  1836,  except  eleven  years  spent  in  Aimada 
Township;  he  has  aided  in  the  development  of  the  county,  and  seen  it  emerge  from  the  wil- 
derness to  the  fruitful  land;  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  in  Bristol,  and  trans- 
ferred his  relations  from  that  to  the  same  church  here;  Democrat;  voted  first  for  Jackson. 
Mrs.  Hicks  died  November  'II.  1875. 

JOHN  M.  JOHNSON  was  born  in  County  York.  Ontario.  April  28.  1845,  where  his 
people  were  farmers;  moved  to  Macomb  County  in  March,  1868,  and  settled  on  a  farm, 
March,  1869,  Section  3.  Richmond  Township,  known  as  the  old  Feuton  farm,  where  he 
remained  ten  years;  thence  to  Richmond  Village  March  8.  1879,  and  engaged  in  the  fur- 
niture and  undertaking  business,  which  he  is  still  engaged  in;  was  married,  February  7, 
1869,  in  Canada,  to  Mary  A.  Baker,  who  died  May  20,  1877;  was  again  married,  May  6, 
1879.  to  Josie  S.  Gilbert,  daughter  of  Lines  Gilbert,  of  Memphis;  she  was  born  Septem- 
ber 15,  1843;  they  had  no  children.  Mr.  Johnson  is  at  Richmond,  still  in  the  same  line 
of  trade,  and  merits  the  patronage  of  the  vicinity  in  which  he  lives;  in  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican. 

ALONZO  M.  KEELER,  sou  of  John  and  Mary  M.  (Fellows)  Keeler,  natives  of  Mon- 
roe County,  N.  Y.,  she  of  Schoharie  County;  the  father  was  born  March  16,  1802;  the 
mother,  November  N,  1806;  they  moved  to  Washington  Township  in  1826  and  settled  on 
Section  35;  lived  on  his  farm  until  1854,  then  moved  to  Disco,  where  he  still  resides;  they 
have  been  prominent  in  the  development  of  the  new  country,  and  have  been  perhaps  the 
onh'  ones  of  the  new  settlers  left  to  each  other's  company.  Mr.  Alonzo  Keeler  received 
the  elements  of  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  neighboi'hood  where  he  lived,  which 
was  further  pursued  at  Rochester,  Mich.,  and  at  Oberlin.  Ohio;  at  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
he  began  life  as  a  teacher;  taught  his  first  school  in  the  Brindle  Schoolhouse,  and  after- 
ward took  the  Priucipalship  of  the  Disco  Academy  from  1850  to  1856.  then  went  to  Roch- 
ester and  taught  one  year,  when  he  returned  and  taught  two  years  in  Utica.  Mr.  Keeler 
taught  the  first  school  in  the  old  brick  school  building  in  tHica  Village,  and  then  the  last 
one.  and  also  taught  the  first  term  in  the  new  building.  August  7,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  B,  Twenty-second  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry;  raised  a  company  of  115  men 
in  five  days,  and  took  them  into  camp;  on  the  mustering  in,  Mr.  Keeler  was  elected  Cap- 
tain, was  taken  prisoner  at  Chickamauga,  and  remained  a  prisoner  at  Libby  and  Macon, 
Ga.,  one  and  a  half  years;  was  one  of  the  600  under  fire  at  Charleston;  on  release  fi-oin 
prison,  went  to  parole  camp,  and  entered  active  service  May  15,  1865;  was  promoted,  -Ian.  ]. 
1865,  to  Major,  and  afterward  to  brevet  Lieut.  Colonel  and  brevet  Colonel;  was  mustered  out 
July  12, 1865;  retiu-ned  home  and  began  teaching  again;  he  was  elected  Register  of  Deeds 
for  the  county  in  1868  one  term;  during  this  time  and  immediately  afterward,  he  pre- 
pared an  abstract  of  the  county — a  costly  and  very  valuable  work;  in  April.  1875.  he  re- 
moved to  the  village  of  Richmond  and  engaged  as  the  Principal  of  the  Armada  Public 
School,  in  which  place  he  has  since  been  engaged.  He  was  married,  December  31,  1849, 
to  Miss  Lucy  A.,  daughter  of  Chauneey  Church;  she  was  born  in  Vermont  March  7,  1831, 


V 


Ml 


HISTORY  or   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


and  they  have  had  six  children— A.  Martin,  born  December  19,  1850;  Flora  L.,  born  April 
12,  1852:  John  C,  born  February  22,  1859:  Ezra  Bruce,  born  December  25.  18(50:  Ella 
B.,  born  November  6,  18G2;  Henry  A.  born  November  4,  1867.  Mr.  Keeler  and  wife  have 
been  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  for  the  past  thirty- hve  yeara:  he  has  been  an  officer 
in  the  same,  a  leader  in  th-^  choir,  and  the  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  and 
Trustee  in  the  society;  vras  appointed  Collector  of  the  Fifth  District  under  Andrevp  John- 
son, and  would  not  subscribe  to  "'my  policy;"  the  nomination  was  not  confirmed:  has 
alwavs  been  a  Republican  since  the  war,  and  was  a  Democrat  before. 

ROBERT  KNIGHT.  He  is  the  son  of  Edward  and  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  L.  Worth, 
of  New  Hampshire:  was  born  in  Stafford.  N.  H..  June  1.  1806;  moved  at  an  early  age  to 
Vermont,  where  he  lived  until  the  death  of  his  pai'ents,  when  he  removed  to  Orleans 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  married,  in  1828,  to  Cloe  Wage,  of  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y. : 
they  have  one  son,  Charles  S.  Mrs.  Knight  died  in  Orleans  County  in  August,  1884; 
married  again,  April  14,  1835,  to  Miss  Lois  R.  Chase,  of  Addison  County.  Vt.,  Ijorn  De- 
cember 2,  1815.  Soon  after  the  second  marriage.  Mr.  Knight  took  his  wife  and  son,  and, 
in  company  with  a  brother  and  brother-in-law  and  their  families,  i-emoved  to  Michigan, 
arriving  in  Macomb  County  in  the  fall  of  1835,  and  located  a  farm  in  Chesterfield  Town- 
ship, on  Section  15;  built  a  log  shanty,  with  shake  i-oof  and  split  basswood  for  a  floor, 
and  a  quilt  for  door  and  windows,  and  thus  began  life  in  the  new  county:  he  sold  this  farm 
and  bought  another  near  by  which  he  still  owns,  and  on  which  a  son  is  still  living.  In 
1878,  Mr.  Knight  left  the  farm  and  removed  to  the  village  of  Richmond,  where  he  still 
resides:  has  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  ai'e  living  in  the  county.  Mr. 
Knight  was  an  officer  in  the  early  history  of  Chesterfield,  active  in  building  roads  and  in 
the  improvement  of  the  place:  tu'st  a  Whig,  and  afterwai'd  a  Republican. 

CHARLES  KNIGHT,  son  of  Robert  Knight,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Cloe 
Wage  Knight,  of  New  York,  was  born  in  Orleans  County  in  April.  1821);  removed  with 
his  father's  family  to  Macomb  County  in  1885:  lived  with  his  father's  family  until  mar- 
riage, which  took  place  Mav  4.  1S5V),  to  Miss  Helen  C.  Haskin;  she  was  born  August  26, 
1840,  and  died  November  17,  18f)6;  they  had  one  child,  Mary  E.,  born  July  29,  1862;  mar- 
ried again.  May  7,  1868.  to  Mrs.  Maggie  G.  Hotchkiss;  she  was  born  October  26,  1834, 
and  died  October  2,  1873:  their  children  are  Addie  L.,  born  February  27,  1869,  died 
April  13,  1871:  Gleason  C,  September  22,  1873.  died  November  12,  1873;  married  again, 
February  18,  1875,  to  Abbie  J.  Crittenden;  she  was  born  November  17.  1.S36;  she  is  the 
daughter  of  Levi  Crittenden,  of  Massachusetts,  who  moved  to  Oakland  County  in  an  early 
day;  her  grandfather  was  a  participant  of  the  Revolution.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Knight 
engaged  in  farming  until  1S65,  when  he  removed  to  Richmond  Village  and  engaged  in 
merchandise  at  that  village  and  at  White  Lake,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich.,  where  he  remained 
two  years;  he  engaged  in  this  business,  together  with  the  stave  and  heading  business,  with 
Cooper  some  years:  in  1879,  sold  this  store  and  engaged  in  the  butter  and  egg  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Freeman  &  Knight,  in  which  he  is  at  present  engaged.  Mr.  Knight 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  eleven  j'ears.  and  is  now  Deacon  of  the 
church  of  that  faith  in  Richmond  Village:  is  also  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school, 
and  u'as  an  officer  of  the  township  of  Chesterfield :  always  been  a  Republican. 

SETH  LATHROP.  son  of  Edward  and  Emma  Andrews  Lathrop,  was  boi-n  July  1, 
1818,  at  West  Springfield,  Mass.;  arrived  m  Macomb  County  in  1837:  lived  in  Armada 
until  1842,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farm  labor  principally  until  1846.  then  built  the 
Lathrop  stoi-e;  in  company  with  Charles,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  until  1S(;2, 
when  he  moved  to  Richmond  and  engaged  in  the  same  business,  in  which  he  is  still  en- 
gaged. He  was  married,  December  24.  1849,  to  Polly,  dauc^hter  of  Richard  Walker;  she 
was  born  in  New   York  April    1.  1827,  and  died  July  18.  1854:  they  had  two  children — 


IIISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


died  in  iufancy.  He  was  married  again,  in  ISaG.  to  Lydia  C.  McAllister,  daughter  of 
George  McAllister,  of  New  Hampshire;  she  was  born  in  Rockingham  County.  N,  H. , 
March  U],  18;i2:  Alice  E.,  born  March  27.  1851);  Seth  D.,  born  February  3,  ISrU;  an 
infant.  September  28,  ISft-t;  Emma  J.,  January  20,  18(')8;  Clarence  Eugene,  March  7. 
1870.  died  March  S,  1873;  Mary  E. ,  October  4,  1873.  IVIr.  Lathrop  was  for  many  years 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  the  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school  at  Armada  Village,  and,  after  moving  to  Richmond,  took  a  prominent  jiosition 
in  the  Congregational  society  at  that  place.  Mrs.  Lathrop  is  a  leader  in  the  temperance 
cause,  and  belongs  to  the  Sabbath  school  of  the  place.  Mr.  Lathroj)  owns  a  large  farm 
just  at  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  and  has  erected  a  line  residence  on  Main  street.  He 
is  a  Republican.     Mrs.  Lathrop's  relatives  were  engaged  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 

THOMAS  A.  LEACH,  .son  of  f!apt.  Thomas  Leach  and  Electa  (Abbot)  Leach:  his 
father  was  a  wealthy  Captain  on  the  lakes;  he  owned  vessels  on  Lake  Ontario,  one  of 
which  he  was  Master  of  several  years;  he  at  last  left  the  scenes  of  the  lakes  and  returned 
to  a  farm  in  Oakville,  Ontario,  where  he  died  in  1848.  His  mother  was  born  in  Toronto, 
whose  ancestors  were  jiioneers  of  the  city  of  Toronto,  Canada,  and  whose  farm  is  now  in- 
closed in  the  city  limits;  she  is  still  living  in  this  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  Oakville,  Ontario,  November  14,  1847;  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  town, 
and  removed  thence  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  had  a  position  as  clerk  in  a 
retail  store  in  that  city,  where  he  remained  two  years;  while  in  this  store,  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  first-class  bnsiness,  whei-e  he  received  a  thorough  biisiuess  education;  then 
purchased  a  store  and  embai'ked  in  the  same  line  of  trade  for  him.selE,  in  which  he  met 
with  remarkable  success  for  eight  years;  he  sold  his  entire  stock  and  removed  to  the  village 
of  Richmond.  Macomb  County,  where  he  established  himself  in  the  produce  and  commis- 
sion business,  being  the  fii'st  to  establish  a  cash  market  for  all  kinds  of  produce,  dealing 
heavily  in  all  kinds  of  fruit,  potatoes,  butter,  eggs,  etc.;  this  was  continued  two  years,  then 
adding  to  tht)  business  the  grocery  trade,  including  the  stock  {)m'chased  of  Bui-gess  Bros. ; 
he  soon  found  his  trade  too  large  for  his  rooms;  he  pm-chasod  the  large  stock  of  grocery 
and  crockery  ware  of  Cooper  &  Son,  and  entered  into  business  in  the  store  known  as 
Cooper  Block;  remained  at  the  place  one  and  a  half  years,  then  sold  his  entire  stock,  in- 
tending to  go  out  of  the  grocery  trade;  soon  after,  changing  his  purpose,  he  bought  the 
stock  of  S.  H.  Heath,  and  added  to  it  fine  groceries,  crockery  and  glasswai'e,  in  which  he 
still  continued,  together  with  the  jjroduce  business.  He  was  married,  April  1'5,  1878,  to 
Emily  J.  Day,  daughter  of  Capt.  Augustus  Day  and  Julia  A.  (Miner),  of  Detroit,  Mich. ; 
she  was  born  in  Detroit  October  l(j,  184il;  attended  the  jjublic  schools  of  that  city  until 
18(51,  then  entered  the  Detroit  Female  Seminary  and  remained  until  1871,  graduating  with 
high  honors;  one  child.  Norwood  A.,  born  February  27,  1880.  Previous  to  his  mai'riage, 
Mr.  Leach  had  purchased  a  house  and  lot  in  the  village,  and,  soon  after,  bought  a  farm 
of  forty  aci'es  near  the  village,  which  his  mother  now  occupies;  he  is  an  energetic,  ag- 
gressive man,  and  is  gaining  a  very  extensive  trade;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Honor,  and  also  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  has  held  all  the  oflices  couferable  by  the 
lodge;  he  is  a  Repulilican  in  politics;  he  was  elected  Trustee  of  the  village  by  a  large 
majorit\,  which  office  he  now  holds. 

RICHARD  MKLLENS. 

THEODORE  MILLER,  son  of  Caleb  Miller  and  Almica  ^Nhitcomb,  was  liorn  in 
1842,  July  11.  Orleans  County,  N.  Y. ;  his  father  arrived  in  184(),  bought  a  farm  on  Sec- 
tion 34,  in  Richmond,  which  he  kept  one  year,  then  moved  to  Section  20,  on  the  Ridge, 
and  bought  a  farm  now  owned  by  the  family;  in  1860,  built  a  founchy  and  plo\"  factory, 
in  which  he  gained  a  wide  reputation;  in  18(58,  added  a  grist-mill,  rim  by  steam-power; 
in  1874,  moved  the  founcky  to  Richmond  Village;  in  1878,  sold  the  mill,  when  the  busi 


^ 


ness  was  all  taken  to  the  village.  Mr  Miller  died  at  the  farm,  in  July,  1878.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  married,  October  5.  1868,  to  Ellen,  daughter  of  Shephard  Smith, 
who  was  born  June  20,  1838.  Mr.  Theodore  Miller  removed  to  the  village  of  Richmond 
in  August.  1873,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  agi'icultui'al  implements;  erected  his 
house,  and,  in  1878,  erected  one-third  of  the  Cooper  Block,  and  placed  there  a  complete 
stock  of  hardwai'e—  the  best-fiu'uished  stock  in  the  place,  with  which  his  brother  is  in 
company;  the  following  season,  in  company  with  James  W.  Cooper,  built  the  Cooper  & 
Miller  Block,  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street,  in  which  he,  with  B.  F.  Daty,  have  a  cloth- 
ing store;  the  manufacture  of  implements  is  still  carried  on,  and  is  an  important  branch 
of  industry  in  the  village.  He  has  three  children — Adelbert,  thirteen  years:  Nellie,  eleven 
years;  and  Annie,  eight  j'ears. 

JOHN  A.  PATON,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  Wilson  Paton,  natives  of  Scotland, 
was  born  near  Amherstbui'g,  Ontario.  March  IL',  1849;  came  to  Macomb  County  with  his 
parents  when  fifteen  years  old;  they  settled  on  Section  12,  Armada  Township;  he  worked 
rented  land  mostly  for  about  seven  years  after  attaining  his  majority,  and,  in  the  spring 
of  1870,  he  bought  the  farm  he  now  occupies,  on  Section  3'2,  Richmond  Township,  and 
afterward  added  to  it.  Mr.  Paton  was  married.  March  2G,  1878,  to  Maggie  A.,  daughter 
of  David  Paton,  of  Lapeer  County;  they  have  two  children — Charlotte,  born  January  17, 
187U;  and  Florence  E.,  born  October  13,  18S1.  Mr.  Paton  is  a  farmer  of  great  energy 
and  has  made  the  raising  of  tine  cattle  and  draught  horses  a  prominent  branch  of  his  busi- 
ness; he  has  also  a  large  Hock  of  sheep,  and  will  in  the  futm'e  enlarge  upon  this  branch; 
he  has  also  fifteen  acres  oE  apple  orchard  of  the  most  choice  varieties.  Mi\  Paton  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Congregational  Church.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  votes  for  hon- 
est temperance  men. 

BARTLETT  PERKINS,  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  S.  (Goddard)  Perkins,  was  born 
at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  January  S.  1828;  came  to  Macomb  with  parents  in  May,  1831.  and  lo- 
cated at  Romeo,  where  he  woi'ked  for  N.  D.  Taylor;  he  moved  to  Richmond  Township 
February  8,  1830,  where  his  father  died.  Bartlett  Perkins  resided  on  a  portion  of  the 
homestead  lands  until  1871),  when  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Richmond.  He  was  married, 
in  January,  1853.  to  Amanda  A.  Ellenwood,  of  Jeflfert-on  County,  N.  Y. :  two  childi-en  were 
born  to  them— Franklin  L..  October  2U,  1853,  died  February  3.  1865;  and  Eddie  B.  ,born 
September  13.  INOO.  Mrs.  Perkins  died  July  10,  1870.  Mr.  Perkins  married  Mi-s.  J.  L. 
Barnard  (Sutton),  born  at  Stratford,  N.  Y.,  September  23,  1833,  to  whom  three  children 
were  born,  one  of  whom  is  living.  Mr.  Perkins  has  always  been  a  successful  farmer,  and 
a  member  of  the  Republican  party. 

CHARLES  H.  PERKINS,  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  S.  Goddard  Perkins,  was  born 
in  Richmond  Township,  Section  28,  May  25.  1840;  the  parents  were  natives  of  Plymouth, 
Mass.;  came  to  Macomb  County  in  May.  1831.  stopping  in  Romeo  for  five  years;  he  bought 
eighty  acres  of  land  west  of  the  village;  also  built  a  house  and  shop,  where  he  carried  on 
the  cooper's  trade;  from  the  village  of  Romeo  he  moved  to  the  Township  of  Richmond 
and  bought  land  on  Section  28.  where  Charles  now  resides;  their  house  was  two  miles 
from  the  neighbors,  and  several  of  the  elections  were  held  there.  The  father  died  August 
20,  1876,  at  the  homestead;  the  mother  still  lives,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  yeare.  Mr. 
Charles  H.  Perkins  has  always  lived  on  his  farm,  and  was  maiTied.  January  5,  I860,  to 
Miss  Adelaide  Selleck.  daughter  of  Ira  Selleck,  of  New  York  State;  they  have  four  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Emma  J.,  born  November  15,  1860;  Mary  E.,  born  July  21.  1862;  Nora  L., 
born  August  6,  1866;  Hiram  A.,  born  Mai-ch  t).  1869.  All  are  living  at  home.  The  fam- 
ily have  always  been  Methodist  in  form  of  worship,  the  mother  having  been  a  member  of 
that   chui'ch   for  many  years.      Mr.  Perkins  has  made  the  raising  of  fruit  a  specialty,  in 


"TU 


HISTOUY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


which  he  has  met  with  remarkable  success,  apples,  peaches  and  strawberries  being  of  ex- 
traordinary size  and  excellence. 

REV."  DANIEL  A.  PERRTN,  A.  B..  Pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Richmond  Village,  was  born  near  Brantford,  Ontario,  March  21,  188U:  his  father,  Col. 
Thomas  Perrin,  was  a  native  of  Pittsljurgh,  Penn. ,  who  emigi-ated  to  Canada  in  1804,  and 
carried  on  general  merchant  and  milling  busine.ss  for  many  years  in  the  village  of  Mt. 
Vernon,  Ontario;  he  died  in  1870.  His  mother.  Mary  A.  Peet,  was  a  native  of  Almira,  N. 
Y.,  who  emigrated  to  Canada  in  1810;  she  died  near  Brantford,  Ontario,  January  10. 18(30. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  early  education  at  the  Central  School,  Gralt,  and  at 
the  Mt.  Pleasant  Academy;  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  entered  the  university  of  Victoria 
College.  Cobm-g,  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  May,  1861;  in 
1859,  while  a  student,  he  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church,  in  which 
body  he  remained  eleven  years,  filling  important  positions;  in  18()U,  he  severed  his  con- 
nection with  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  of  Canada,  and  removed  to  the  State  of 
Kansas.  United  States,  and  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
where  he  remained,  in  connection  with  the  Kansas  and  South  Kansas  Conference,  eight 
years,  filling  both  literary  and  ministerial  positions;  in  1878,  he  was  received  into  the  De- 
troit Conference,  and  has  been  successively  stationed  at  Hamburg.  Washington  and  Rich- 
mond. Macomb  County,  where  he  still  remains.  He  was  mai-ried,  June  23,  1863.  to  Miss 
Annabella  Tyler,  of  Erin.  Ontario,  who  was  born  July  12.  1840.  in  Lockport.  N.  Y..  and 
died  in  Kansas  November  23.  1876;  the  issue  of  this  marriage  were  Hedley  V..  born  De- 
cember 16.  1864.  and  died  August  7.  1865;  and  Frederick  Tyler,  born  September  2.  1866. 
He  was  again  married,  to  Miss  Aehsah  R.  Perrin,  Mistress  of  English  Literature  and 
graduate  of  Bordentown  Female  College.  Jane  11.  1875);  she  is  the  daughter  of  James 
W.  Perrin.  of  Freehold.  N.  J.,  and  was  born  March  1.  1841);  by  this  marriage  he  has  one 
son.  Willard  Scott,  born  April  lU,  1880.  The  father  of  Mr.  Perrin  was  a  Captain  in  the 
militia  of  Canada  in  1837,  and  was  afterward  jjiomoted  to  be  Colonel,  which  honor  he 
wore  till  the  day  of  his  death.  Mr.  Pen-in  is  an  acceptable  Pastor  of  his  church,  and  a 
Republican  in  politics. 

EDWARD  RANDALL,  son  of  Felix  and  Maria  Jngraham  Randall,  born  in  Rich- 
mond August  3,  184U.  lived  on  the  homestead  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  he  town- 
ship until  1876:  he  then  purchased  the  old  village  place  on  Clay  street,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  was  married.  February  2*),  1876.  to  Miss  Etta,  daughter  of  Hiram  Goodar; 
the  children  of  this  marriage  are  Ethel  E.,  bornApril  25.  1878;  Arthur  M..  liorn  January 
16.  1881;  and  Anna  D..  born  November  18.  1876.  died  August  24.  1878.  Mr.  Randall 
is  a  farmer  and  breeder  of  fine  sheep,  having  purchased  of  J.  C.  Thompson,  in  187U. 
twenty  ewes  of  his  best  breeding;  afterward  bought  of  the  same  party  six  in  addition;  in 
January.  1882.  he  purchased  of  Taylor  &  Chapman,  of  Middlebury.  Vt..  ten  ewes,  all 
registered  in  the  Vermont  Sheep  Registry;  he  also  bought  of  Thompson,  in  1881,  a  ram- 
Pathfinder,  recorded  in  Vermont  Registry,  grandson  of  Bismarck,  who  took  the  sweep, 
stake  prize  at  the  Centennial  Exposition,  and  yields  twenty-five  pounds  of  wool;  he  believes 
in  raising  the  best  sheep  only;  together  with  this  in  ustry.  he  cultivates  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres. 

FELIX  RANDALL,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Smith  Randall,  natives  of  Orange  County, 
N.  Y..  was  born  at  that  place  October  S.  IS] 2;  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  his  parents 
moved  to  Canada,  where  they  remained  for  thirteen  years;  they  removed  from  Canada  to 
Ohio  in  1833.  where  the  father  died  in  1858.  aged  sixty-seven  years;  the  mother  died  in 
Illinois,  in  1873,  aged  eighty-four  years.  Felix  Randall  arrived  in  Macomb  in  the  winter 
of  1837;  he  had  visited  the  county  two  years  jn-eviously  and  located  120  acres  of  land  on 
Sections  31  and  32,  Richmond,  on  which  he  now  resides;  he  moved  from  Talmage  Town- 


liL 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


ship,  Portcage  Co.,  Ohio,  with  an  ox  team  and  wagon,  with  a  chest  of  tools,  clothes,  and 
a  barrel  of  pork;  married,  June  1,  LS38,  Maria,  daughter  of  Asa  Ingraham,  of  Canada; 
she  was  born  in  Canada  April  18.  1818;  their  children  are  as  follows:  Climenia.  born 
June  7,  188it,  now  Mrs.  Harris,  of  Eichmond  Township;  Sarah  M. .  born  October  23, 
1841,  married  Mr.  Abbey,  now  of  Iowa;  Rhoda  M.,  born  December  17.  1843.  married 
Mr.  Hodges,  of  Richmond;  Robert  A.,  born  May  5.  1847,  married  and  lives  in  Lenox 
Townshi]);  Edward,  born  August  3,  184U.  lives  in  Richmond  Township;  Phoebe,  born 
April  1,  1842,  married  Marion  P.  Bates,  now  a  resident  of  Richmond;  Helen,  born  No- 
vember 17.  1855.  died  at  home  March  22,  1856;  Arthur  F..  born  November  3,  1858.  mar- 
ried and  living  on  the  homestead.  Mi-.  Randall  has  always  lived  on  the  land  first  taken 
from  the  Government:  he  redeemed  it  from  the  wilderness,  and  has  made  it  a  fertile  farm; 
he  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  all  the  advancements  of  society,  as  an  officer  of  the 
township  and  a  strong  temperance  man;  by  industry  and  economy,  he  has  acquired  a  com- 
petency for  his  declining  years.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Randall  died  Februaiy  1.  185U,  at 
the  farm  in  Richmond;  her  father  died  at  Mt.  Clemens  in  1864,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three. 
Politically,  Mr.  Randall  is  a  Republican. 

ORL  RIX,  a  native  of  Vermont,  was  born  at  Royalton  August  1,  1804;  his  father 
was  a  native  of  the  same  State;  his  mother  also:  both  removed  to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.. 
where  she  died  some  forty  years  ago;  he  died  in  Memphis,  in  April,  1867.  Mr.  Orl  Rix 
removed  to  Romeo  in  1835  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade;  this  lasted  about  five 
years,  when  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Memphis  and  established  himself  as  a  miller,  bulki- 
ng first  a  saw-mill,  and  soon  after  a  grist-mill,  now  occupied  and  i-un  by  S.  G.  &  A.  D. 
Taylor,  from  1856  to  185U:  the  family  removed  to  Romeo,  and  then  returned  to  the  vil- 
lage of  Memphis.  He  was  married,  in  1836,  to  Lydia,  daughter  of  Noah  Sage,  of  Ver- 
mont; she  was  born  at  Shaftsbnry,  Vt.,  in  1814;  they  had  a  family  of  live  children,  three 
of  whom  are  still  living — Mrs.  East.  Mrs.  Taylor  and  George  H.  Rix,  of  Lawton.  Van  Bu- 
ren  Co.,  Mich.  Mrs.  Rix  died  in  Kalamazoo,  and  was  buried  in  Memphis,  in  1877.  Mr. 
Rix  died  September  8,  1880;  he  was  a  member  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  Legislature. 

xMRS.  WILLIAM  P.  RUSSELL  (Miss  Lucinda  G.  Stevens),  daughter  of  Deacon  O. 
S.  Stevens,  of  Clinton,  Lenawee  Co..  Mich.,  was  born  in  Livingston  County.  N.  Y.,  May 
16,  1831;  removed  to  Clinton  May  16,  1831);  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place, 
and  afterward  under  the  tuition  of  Prof.  Estabrook.  now  of  the  Olivette  College;  she  be- 
gan to  teach  in  the  public  schools  of  the  State  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  which  she  fol- 
lowed for  three  yeai-s.  She  was  married,  August  27,  1874,  to  the  Rev.  W.  P.  Russell,  of 
Memphis,  Mich.,  and  still  lives  at  that  place;  her  father  was  born  at  Claremont,  N.  H.. 
and  moved  to  Michigan  in  an  early  day,  and  has  spent  his  active  life  in  this  State;  he  now 
lives  with  his  daughter,  Mi-s.  Russell,  and  is  in  good  health,  at  the  age  of  eighty  live  years; 
her  mother  died  March  Ki,  1.S66,  at  Clinton,  Mich.;  her  maiden  name  was  Matilda  Goss: 
she  became  a  member  of  the  Congregational  C!hurch,  then  Pre.sbyteriau,  of  Clinton,  Mich., 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  which  membership  was  transferred  to  the  chm-ch  at  Mem- 
phis, and  she  is  still  an  active  member,  a  Clerk  of  the  church,  and  a  faithful  worker  in 
the  Sabbath  school. 

JOHN  K.  SMITH,  a  native  of  Vermont,  rendered  a  most  important  service  to  his 
countrj-'s  troops  in  1813;  was  afterward  appointed  a  Forage  Master  of  a  United  States 
regiment,  and  served  with  the  command  until  discharge;!  at  Detroit  in  1816;  the  same 
year,  he  visited  Stromner's  Island,  leased  the  old  Laughton  House  thereon  from  David 
Laughton,  and  inaugurated  the  Smith  Pottery  there  in  May,  1S17;  in  the  winter  of  1818, 
he  taught  school  on  Harsen's  Island,  in  a  j)art  of  Jacob  Harsen's  house,  at  the  same  time 
being  engaged  in  trade  with  the  Indians,  in  company  with  D.  Laughton;  he  was  commis- 


^1 


1 


sioned  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Macomb  County  May  17,  181S,  by  Gov.  Cass;  was  the  first 
Postmaster  in  St.  Clair  County,  being  appointed  in  charge  of  an  office  at  Plainfield  Au- 
gust 26,  18'2(),  and  Special  Commissioner  of  St.  Clair  April  20,  1S27,  first  Custom  Inspec- 
tor on  the  St.  Clair  River  May  J,  1832;  and  was  the  first  Probate  Judge  of  St.  Clair,  being 
elected  in  1835;  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  from  1818  until  his  death,  in  1855.  Through- 
out the  chapters  of  the  general  history,  the  name  of  John  K.  Smith  is  given  in  close  con- 
nection with  the  aflairs  of  Macomb  County  in  1818,   1819  and  1821. 

ADDISON  G.  STONE,  son  of  George  H.  and  Melinda  Farewell,  natives  of  New  York 
and  Ohio,  was  born  at  the  village  of  Albion,  Orleans  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  March  16,  1S4U;  he  re- 
ceived a  primary  education  in  his  native  place,  and  then  entered  Eastman's  Commercial 
College,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  then  to  Georgetown  College,  of  Washington,  D.  C, 
where  he  gi'aduated  from  the  Law  Department  in  June,  1875;  was  admitted  to  the  prac- 
tice of  law  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  District  of  Columbia  June  l-t,  1875.  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  once,  which  was  continued  one  year;  on  leaving  AVash- 
ington,  he  went  South,  and  was  in  Savannah  during  the  rage  of  the  yellow  fever,  and  was 
one  of  the  sufferers;  then  he  removed  to  Rutland  County,  Vt.,  and  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law  at  that  place  about  two  years,  where  he  was  a  member  of  the  bar  fur  that  county. 
He  removed  to  Macomb  County  December  12,  1878,  locating  in  Richmond  Village,  where 
he  still  resides,  and  is  engaged  in  his  profession.  He  was  married,  September  10,  1873, 
to  Lucretia  M.  Kent,  a  native  of  Wallingfqrd,  Vt. ;  she  was  the  daughter  of  E.  W.  Kent, 
a  farmer  of  that  place;  they  have  no  childi'en.  At  the  township  meeting  next  succeeding 
his  arrival  in  the  township,  he  was  elected  a  magistrate,  which  office  he  still  holds;  in 
1880,  he  was  elected  Circuit  Court  Commissioner  of  the  county,  and  is  still  in  office.  Mr. 
Stone  is  well  up  in  his  profession,  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics:  was  elected  by  the  larg- 
est majority  of  any  one  on  the  ticket.  Mrs.  Stone  was  born  in  Wallingford.  Vt. ,  Mai-ch 
31,  1850.  Mr.  Stone  was  Clerk  of  the  village  of  Richmond  for  two  years  succeeding  its 
organization  and  incorporation — 1870  and  1880. 

SANFORD  M.  STONE,  son  of  Solomon  and  Betsey,  daughter  of  Amos  Bradley,  was 
born  October  22,  1828,  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y. :  came  to  Macomb  with  his  father's  fam- 
ily in  1843;  lived  at  home  until  attaining  the  age  of  twenty  years,  then  attended  private 
school  at  Armada  Village  from  this  time  until  1857,  when  he  was  a  public  teacher  in  the 
schools  foui'teen  teims;  then  he  bought  land  on  Section  26,  Richmond;  he  soon  added 
to  the  farm  and  improved  it;  he  sold  in  1863;  since  that  time,  he  has  been  engaged  in 
agriculture  in  various  places,  and  now  owns  several  farms;  was  mari-ied,  March  16,  185U, 
to  Caroline  A.  Halleck,  daughter  of  Hinsdale  Halleck,  a  native  of  Orleans  County.  N.  Y. ; 
she  w^s  boi"n  in  Lapeer  County  April  26,  1810;  they  have  fom'  children — Alice  J.,  born 
September  6.  1861;  Mary  E..  June  21.  1863:  Hiram  H..  November  1,  1865.  died  March 
25,  1866;  Wan-en  S.,  born  September  23,  1860;  Phoebe  C,  September  7,  1873.  After 
marriage,  Mr.  Stone  lived  on  the  farm  six  years,  then  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Rich- 
mond, and  has  since  resided  there:  in  1878,  he  built  a  residence,  which  at  that  time  was 
the  finest  residence  in  the  place;  he  has  been  a  towi^shi[)  officer  at  several  times;  also  an 
officer  under  the  village  char+er  from  the  beginning,  and  at  present  is  its  President:  a 
dealer  in  real  estate  and  securities,  and  always  a  Democrat:  an  officer  at  the  organization 
of  the  Union  School  of  the  village. 

SOLOMON  STONE.  Was  born  January  17.  1788:  he  was  the  son  of  Elias  Stone, 
a  native  of  Massachusetts.  Solomon  was  married  first  to  Martha  Stanton  Clark,  who 
died  after  a  few  years.  A  few  years  after,  he  married  Betsey  Bradley,  who  was  born  in 
Salem,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  they  had  one  child,  Mi's.  Sherman,  of  Bruce  Township; 
by  the  two  marriages  there  were  twelve  chiklren,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Stone  was 
a  farmer,  having  taken  land  from  the  Government,  on  which  he  lived  until  the  time  of  his 


el 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


^1^ 


death,  which  occurred  February  2,  185B.  on  the  homestead.  Mi-s.  Stone  died  in  Rich- 
mond Village  February  1.  1878.  All  but  one  are  living  in  the  count}';  came  to  Macomb 
and  located  his  land  and  moved  his  family  in  September.  1843. 

DAVID  STOXE,  one  of  the  old-time  residents  of  Macomb,  a  fuller  and  carder  by 
trade,  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  171)3.  He  distinctly  remembers  the  scenes  of  Wash- 
ington's death,  and  the  fact  of  his  parents  going  to  attend  funeral  service.s,  which  were 
held  at  many  places;  also  the  terrible  shock  attending  the  death  of  Hamilton  at  the  hands 
of  Aaron  Burr:  during  the  war  of  1812,  was  called  out  with  the  militia  for  defense.  He 
moved  from  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.,  to  Macomb.  Mich.,  about  the  year  183(3,  and  became 
a  pioneer  of  that  region,  establishing  himself  in  the  trade  of  carder  of  wool  and  dresser 
of  cloth;  this  business  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  soon  after,  his  wife,  only  son  and  two 
daughters  died.  His  present  home  is  at  Lapeer  City.  He  became  a  Christian  early  in 
life,  joining  the  Congregational  Church,  of  which  he  is  still  a  devoted  and  consistent 
member;  he  is  an  active  politician,  and  has  voted  for  every  President  since  1815;  always 
Whig  and  Republican.  His  only  surviving  daughter  is  Mrs.  Dr.  Hamilton,  of  Lapeer, 
with  whom  is  his  present  home. 

GEORGE  H.  STUART,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Susan  (Hale)  Stuart,  was  born  in  West 
Bloomtield,  N.  Y.,  October  20,  1813;  his  parents  were  natives  of  Massachusetts;  his  father 
removed  to  Ontario  County,  N.  Y. ,  and  died  there  in  1817:  his  mother  died  at  Detroit  in 
1858,  at  the  age  of  seventy-live.  Mr.  Stuart  passed  his  early  life  in  Richmond,  in  the 
family  uf  Mr.  Xathan  Hicks,  attending  school  and  working  on  a  farm;  in  April,  18-1:2,  he 
removed  to  Macomb,  having  been  married  the  December  previous  to  Miss  Betsey  A.  Jones, 
of  the  same  i)lace,  who  accompanied  her  husband  to  his  new  home;  they  located  on  land 
previously  purchased,  on  Section  10,  Richmond,  on  which  he  has  continuously  resided 
since  that  time.  Mrs.  Stuart  was  born  May  18,  1817;  she  is  the  daughter  of  Seth  Jones, 
of  Bristol,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  they  have  no  children.  Mr  Stuart  has  held  important 
oflSces  in  township  and  society,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party:  he  brought  his 
laud  fi'om  a  state  of  nature  to  a  pleasant  and  productive  farm. 

D.   T.   SUTTON. 

BYRON  SUTHERLAND,  sou  of  Andrew  and  Naomi  (Cooley)  Sutherland,  was  born 
in  Cambria,  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.,  February  4,  1824;  his  parents  were  natives  oT  Rutland 
County,  Vt,  who  removed  to  Western  New  York  and  died  in  1836;  he  was  a  soldier  of  the 
war  or  1812,  and  was  promoted  to  the  Colonelcy  of  a  regiment,  and  was  discharged  with 
honor;  his  mother  died  at  Romeo  in  1871.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  removed  to  Ma- 
comb in  the  year  18411,  and  located  land  on  Section  10,  in  Richmond  Township,  which  is 
a  portion  of  his  present  farm.  He  was  married,  January  1,  184U,  to  Sarah  A.,  only  child 
of  Noah  Cooley,  of  Washington  Township:  she  was  born  in  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1824;  the  fruits  of  this  marriage  have  been  Sarah,  born  November  26,  1841), 
married  H.  Woodward  and  lives  in  Flint;  Andrew  B.,  born  September  9,  1851,  married 
Lou  DeLand  and  lives  in  Memphis  Village;  Emma  A. ,  born  January  13,  1854,  living 
with  a  brother  at  Romeo;  Noah  C,  born  August  13.  1S56,  married  Stella  Skillman  and 
lives  near  Romeo;  Anna  N.,  born  July  0,  1858,  lives  at  home;  William  D.,  born  Novem- 
ber ly,  1860,  lives  at  home;  Elmer  B. ,  born  June  22,  1862,  lives  at  home;  Irving  C,  and 
Earnest  A.  (twins),  born  March  25,  1865,  also  at  home.  Mr.  Sutherland  has  been  an  offi- 
cer of  the  township,  and  is  the  owner  of  a  well-situated  and  fertile  farm  of  250  acres. 
The  father  of  Mrs.  Sutherland  was  born  at  Rutland,  Vt. ,  November  26,  1804;  moved  to 
Romeo  in  1S31  and  cleared  the  homestead  farm,  where  he  died  April  10,  1877,  Her 
mother  was  born  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  Noveiuber  14,  1807,  and  died  at  Romeo  No- 
vember 16,  '18S0j~iier  ancestors  toolv_^>ai't  in  the  Revolution. 


^1 


806  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

STEPHEN  G.  TAYLOR,  son  of  Elijah  and  Clarissa  Taylor,  a  native  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  and  bis  mother's  gi'eat-grandfather  was  Lord  Granville,  of  England.  Mr.  Stejiheu 
Taylor  was  born  in  Carroll  County,  N.  H.,  October  13,  1835.  one  of  eight  children,  all  liv- 
ing but  one;  also  their  father  and  mother,  in  their  native  State,  had  lived  together  for 
fifty-sevan  years.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  1856;  was  a  school-teacher  near  Baltimore  one 
term,  and  then  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  diy  goods  store  until  185U,  when  he  removed  to 
Mem])his  and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  trade  in  that  village;  this  was  continiied  for  a  few 
years,  when  Orl  Ris  became  associated  with  him,  which  partnership  was  continued  until  the 
business  was  closed  out  in  1864.  At  this  time,  Mr.  Taylor  engaged  in  the  milling  busi- 
ness with  Ml'.  Rix,  and,  on  Mr.  Rix  retiring  in  1877,  Mr.  A.  D.  Taylor  became  a  partner, 
which  continues  at  the  present  time.  Mr.  Taylor  was  married,  in  August,  1861,  to  Sarah 
A.,  daughter  of  Orl  Rix,  of  Royalton,  Vt. :  she  was  bora  at  Memphis  July  13,  1843:  their 
childi'en  are  as  follows:  Charles  R.,  born  February  4,  1863,  now  in  Detroit:  Adrian  G., 
born  May  20,  1867:  May  L.,  born  September  6.  1877.  Mr.  Taylor  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  Chm'ch  of  the  village  for  sixteen  years,  and  a  Deacon  of  the  same: 
Mrs.  Taylor  has  also  been  a  member  the  same  length  of  time.  He  has  been  for  a  long  tiane 
connected  with  the  Sunday  school,  and  active  in  all  the  improvements  of  the  village.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

W  .V.sil  IXGT(  >X    'l'{  )WNSII  I  P. 

The  meeting  to  organize  the  township  of  Washington  was  held  at  the  house  of  Alvin 
Nye  (where  Emulous  Stone  lived  in  1877)  in  April,  1827.  Daniel  Thurston  was  called 
upon  to  preside,  and  Otis  Lamb  was  chosen  Clerk.  It  was  then  proposed  that  some  one 
would  propose  a  name:  many  names  wei-e  given  and  passed  over,  until  at  length  the 
Chairman  said:  "I  move  that  we  name  the  town  in  honor  of  the  father  of  our  country." 
The  name  was  accepted  enthusiastically,  and  confirmed  by  act  of  organization.  At  that 
time  there  were  not  over  forty  families  in  the  township. 

oi;ct,\.\i/,.^tio.\. 

Washington  Township,  comprising  Towns  4  and  5  north,  in  the  twelfth  range  east, 
was  erected  under  powers  given  in  the  act  of  April  12.  1827,  and  the  first  town  meeting 
was  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  John  Holland,  the  last  Monday  in  May,  1827^ 
The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  schoolhouse,  near  John  D.  Holland's,  May  28,  1827. 
Gideon  Gates  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  Isaac  Andrns,  Clerk.  The  election  resulted  in 
the  choice  of  John  A.  Axford,  for  Su^jervisor:  John  D.  Holland,  Clerk:  Daniel  B.  Web- 
ster, Collector  and  Constable:  Asahel  Bailey,  John  Bennett  and  Nathan  Nye,  Assessors: 
Alexander  Tackles,  John  Bennett,  James  Starkweather,  Commissioners:  Albert  Finch  and 
Joseph  Miller,  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  Alvin  Nye,  Constable;  Asahel  Bailey,  Elon  An- 
drus,  Edward  Arnold,  Poundmasters:  (ieorge  Wetson,  Otis  Lamb,  Robert  Townsend. 
Nathan  Nye,  Daniel  Haydeu.  William  Allen.  Philip  Price,  Albert  Finch  and  Isaac  Skill- 
man,  Overseers  of    Highways,  appointed  by  the   County  Commissioners  in  March,   1827. 

Among  the  first  acts  of  the  new  board  was  that  to  raise  $25  for  the  support  of  the 
poor.  On  August  15,  1827,  a  special  election  was  held  to  select  a  Constable  and  Collector, 
vice  Daniel  B.  Webster,  resigned,  when  William  Price  was  chosen.  The  principal  town- 
ship officers,  elected  since  the  year  of  organization,  are  named  in  the  following  list: 


-^ 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.  807 

TOM'X  liOSTEK. 

Supervisors— John  S.  Axford,  1S27-2S:  Gideon  Gates,  1828-33:  Caleb  Wilbor,  1833 
-38:  Coiiutv  Commissioners,  1838-43:  John  Keeler.  1843-44:  Erastus  Smith.  1844-45: 
John  Kf  eler.  1845-47:  Noah  Coolev,  1847-49:  Erastus  Smith,  1849-50:  Elisha  Calkins, 
1850-51:  Noah  Cooler,  1851-53:  Elisha  Calkins.  1853-55:  Marshall  S.  Hadley.  1855-56; 
George  H.  Fenner,  18-"6-57:  Hugii  Gray,  1857-58:  Eraslns  Smith,  1858-72:  Jerome 
AV.  Nyms,    1872-81;   Stephen  B,  Cannon, "1881-82. 

In  the  foregoing  list  of  Supervisors,  it  must  be  remembered  that  from  1818  to  the  date 
of  township  election,  in  1827,  the  county  was  governed  by  Commissioners;  from  that 
period  until  1838,  by  Supervisors:  from  1838  until  early  in  1843,  by  County  Commission- 
ers, when  the  Supervisors'  Board  was  reestablished. 

Clerks— John  D.  Holland,  1827-31:  Horace  Foote.  1831-32;  James  Starkweather, 
1832-33;  John  D.  Holland,  1833-45;  Otis  Lamb,  1836-50:  Albert  Nve,  1850-51:  Otis 
Lamb.  1852-53:  George  Washer,  1853-54:  Charles  F.  Mallary,  1854-58:  A.  H.  Poole, 
1858-59;  Albert  E.  Leete,  1859-60;  C.  F.  Mallary,  1860-70;  Nathan  G.  Bates.  1870-71: 
Charles  C.  Bradlev,  1871-76;  Collins  Bradley.  1876-77:  Byron  J.  Flumerfelt,  1877-78; 
Eber  J.  Dudley,  1878-82. 

Treasurers— Daniel  B.  Webster,  1827:  William  Price.  1828:  Alvin  Nye.  1829;  Gad  - 
Chamberlin.  1830:  Hiram  Calkins.  1831-33:  H.  Van  Kleek,  1834;  James  H.  Rose  1837; 
Hiram  Calkins,  1840;  Orin  P.  Southwell.  1842:  James  H.  Eose,  1844;  Orsel  Dudley, 
1851;  Marvin  Wilbur.  1855:  Morgan  Nye,  1857:  Truman  R.  Andrus.  1858:  John  Cannon, 
1861:  Emulias  Stone,  1863:  Theron  Cole,  1865;  Elias  L.  Stone,  1867;  Theron  Cole, 
1868;  James  H.  Rose,  1870;  Aaron  B.  Rawles.  1875;  Jonathan  Stone,  1877:  Edward  W. 
Andras,  1879;  Jonathan  Stone,  1881. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Ezra  B.  Throop.  1827:  Gideon  Gates,  1829;  Otis  Lamb,  John 
Bennett,  1830;  J.  B.  Hollister.  1831:  Alexander  Tackles,  1832;  Wells  Waring,  1833; 
Azariah  Prentiss,  1834:  Alexander  Tackles.  M.  Shaw,  D.  W.  Noyes,  Orsel  Dudley.  C.  F. 
Snover,' Wells  Waring,  1836:  Hiram  Sherman,  1837;  John  Lawrenc  ,  Justin  H.  Butler. 
Alexander  Tackles.  1838:  John  Lawi-ence,  1839;  Orsel  Dudley,  1840;  Justin  H.  Butler! 
Thomas  \Vheeler.  1841;  Azariah  W.  Sterling,  1842:  John  Lawi-ence.  Cortez  P.  Hooker, 
1843:  Orsel  Dudley.  1844:  Cortez  P.  Hooker.  1845:  Azariah  W.  Sterling.  John  Bates, 
1846:  William  Park.  1847:  John  Bates,  1848;  Caleb  W^ilbm-,  1849;  Orsel  Dudley,  Azariah 
AV.  Sterling,  1850;  William  Park,  1851;  Orsel  Dudley,  C.  C.  Lamb.  1853;  A."  W.  Ster- 
ling. 1854:  William  Park.  1855:  Aaron  Stone,  James  N.  Cole,  1857;  A.  W.  Sterling, 
1858;  William  Park,  1859:  S.  H.  Burlingham.  1860;  William  A.  Stone,  1861;  A.  W. 
Sterling,  1862;  William  Park,  George  W.  Knapp,  1863;  George  W.  Knapp,  1864;  C.  F. 
Mallary,  James  M.  Vaughan,  1865:  Azariah  W.  Sterling,  1866;  Edward  Soule,  1867; 
Chai-les  F.  Mallard.  1868:  James  M.  Yaughan.  1869:  James  M.  Vaughan,  Azariah  W. 
Sterling  1870;  Martin  Buzzell,  1871;  John  V.  Rush,  1872;  Edward  Soule,  1873:  Azariah 
W.  Sterling,  1874;  Martin  Buzzell.  1875:  John  J.  Snook,  Cortez  Fesseuden,  1876;  Albert 
Yates,  1877;  Cortez  Fessenden,  187S ;  Martin  Buzzell.  1879;  John  J.  Snook.  1880;  James 
M.  Vaughan.  1881. 

The  officers  elected  in  April,  1SS2.  were  Supervisor,  S.  B.  Cannon,  Republican.  225; 
Chas.  T,  Mallory.  Democrat,  71:  Republican  majority,  154.  Clerk.  E.  J.  Dudley.  Re- 
publican. 212;  William  S.  Badger.  Democrat.  90;  Republican  majority.  122.  Treasiu'er. 
Jonathan  Stone.  Republican,  220:  J.  L.  Benjamin.  Democrat,  78;  Republican  major- 
ity.  142. 

(ilt.VXI)   Tl;UNM<    U.Mr.ROAD   OK    JIlrHIO.VN. 

A  petition  to  Supervisor  Aratus  Smith,  dated  January  8,  1868.  requesting  him  to  call 
a  meeting  of  Washington  Township,  was  acceded  to  January  16,  and  the  meeting  convened 


SI     fy 


i  A 

808  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

February  13,  1868.  The  jieople  voted  a  loan  of  $33,000  to  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway  of 
Micliicran  for  the  purpo,ses  of  constructintj  a  raih-oad  from  Kidgeway.  or  Richmond,  to 
Pontiac:  230  freeholders  voted  for  the  loan,  while  lOfi  o{)posed  it. 

.^Il(  IIKi.VN    .\I1M.INE    UAILIKI.MI. 

On  May  15,  18()U,  a  petition,  signed  by  thirty-two  citizens  of  Washington,  to  Aratus 
Smith,  asking  him  to  convene  a  meeting  of  freeholders  to  consider  the  question  of  grant- 
ing aid  to  the  Michigan  Air-Line  Railroad,  was  acceded  to  and  a  meeting  called  June  10, 
llSfU).      Two  hundred  taxpayers  voted  a  loan  of  $25,000,  while  li)()  opposed  such  a  loan. 

A  i;i:.Mi\i.srE.\ci';  of  kaklv  day.s  i\  WAsiiiN(;'r(>x. 

The  gi-eatei  portion  of  the  families  named  in  the  following  paper  came  from  the  State 
of  New  York  in  the  years  1822,  1823  and  1824;  each  piu-chased  from  SO  to  100  acres, 
generally  at  $1.25  per  acre,  and  commenced  clearing  up  the  land  for  permanent  homes. 

In  the  year  1824,  in  the  fall,  it  was  deemed  advisable  by  the  few  settlers  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town  of  'Washington  to  establish  a  school;  consecjuently,  a  site  for  a 
house  was  soon  decided  upon,  a  log  edifice  built,  and  a  young  lad  named  Silas  Scott  in- 
stalled as  teacher.  The  house,  which  was  at  the  time  designed  to  be  centrally  located,  on 
Freeborn  Healy's  land,  was  built  in  the  woods,  one  mile  and  a  half  south  of  the  present 
village  of  Romeo,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  on  the  hill,  just  beyond  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Benjamin  Model  Farm.  The  number  of  pupils  in  attendance  in  the  year  1824  was 
twenty-seven  or  twenty-eight,  coming  in  from  two  or  three  miles  in  difi'erent  directions 
thrt)ugh  the  almost  unbroken  wilderness.  The  principal  roads  at  that  time  were  Indian 
trails.  There  was  also  an  Indian  encampment  at  that  time  on  the  east  side  of  the  road 
nearly  opposite  this  schooUiouse,  near  where  the  railroad  now  crosses  the  brook.  The 
gathering  of  so  many  children  seemed  to  greatlj  puzzle  the  natives,  and  frequently  they 
would,  after  ornamenting  themselves  with  nose  and  ear  jewelry,  paint  and  feathers, 
steal  up  to  the  windows  of  the  schoolhouse  to  take  a  peej)  at  the  scholars.  The  scholars 
of  18'^4  were  three  sous  and  one  daughter  of  Philip  Price — Samuel,  Polly.  Philip  and 
James.  Those  of  other  families,  Horace  Arnold,  Robert  Arnold,  Phtebe  Arnold,  Thomas 
Woodman,  Horace  Tackles.  Horton  Healy,  Paulina  Healy,  Rosanna  Chandler,  Orsamus 
Webster,  Samantha  Webster,  Edwin  Gould,  Adelia  Gould,  Elijah  Thorington.  Miranda  Thor- 
ington.  Lucy  Phelps,  Jed  Smith,  David  Smith,  George  Finch,  Alpheus  Finch,  Wesley  Finch ; 
these  Finch  boys  were  brothers  of  the  lost  child:  Harrison  Kittridge,  Jane  Gates  and  Wilber 
Gates.  About  one-half  of  the  number  are  still  living.  Silas  Scott,  the  teacher,  after 
closing  his  school  in  the  spring  of  1825,  purchased  a  farm  in  sight  of  Romeo  Village, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  a  few  years  ago,  leaving  one  son,  Frank  Scott,  who,  at  the 
present  writing,  resides  on  the  same  farm,  and  is  also  at  the  present  time  teaching  school 
in  the  same  neighborhood  that  his  father  taught  fifty-seven  years  ago.  With  three  or  four 
exceptions  (the  familes  of  Thorington,  Scott  and  Arnold),  the  early  settlers  at  that  time 
have  either  died  or  removed,  and  others  have  taken  their  places.  Large,  well-cultivated 
fields,  nice  residences  and  splendid  roads  are  now  to  be  seen  on  every  hand,  instead  of 
Indian  encampments,  trails  and  dense  forests.  And  the  trials  and  privations  endured  by 
those  early,  hardy  settlers  are,  by  the  present  generation  in  their  abundance,  scarcely  re- 
membered. 

Till';  (  KISS.MAX   sriiooi  . 

The  Crissman  School  District  was  organized  February  12,  1848,  from  fractions  taken 
from  the  surrounding  districts.  The  first  school  meeting  was  held  February  26,  1848,  at 
the  house  of  J.  J.  Crissman.  when  the  following  officers  were  elected:  F.  S.  Crissman, 
Moderator;  Clinton   Sowles,   Assessor;  John  Bates,  Director.      The  first  schoolhouse  was 


^ 


biiilt  by  Alvin  Baldwin,  and  was  finished  September  15,  1851.  The  size  of  this  building 
was  20x25  feet,  and  its  cost  $238. 88.  The  first  district  school  was  taught  by  Miss  Laura 
Parrish  (now  Mrs.  Chai'les  Crissman,  of  Mt.  Vernon)  for  a  consideration  of  |2  per  week. 
She  taught  fifteen  weeks  and  had  twenty-seven  pupils.  The  schoolhouse  in  use  at  the  present 
time  was  built  by  William  H.  Jersey  during  the  summer  of  1869.  The  cost  of  this  build- 
ing was  $1,000,  and  its  location  close  by  the  site  of  the  old  house. 

.SCHOOLS. 

There  are  five  district  schools  and  three  fractional  district  schools  in  the  township. 
The  Directors  for  the  year  1881-82  were  Samuel  C.  Ritter.  I.  N.  Brabb,  D.  T.  Smith,  M. 
H.  Crissman,  Ira  Wood.  W.  H.  Balesole,  W.  W.  Vaughan  and  E.  Rowley.  Tiiere  are 
six  frame  and  two  brick  school  buildings,  valued  at  $6,590.  During  the  year  ending 
September,  1881,  no  less  than  fourteen  teachers  were  engaged,  to  whom  the  sum  of  $1,- 
559.50  was  paid.  The  number  of  children  of  school  age  in  the  township  in  1880-81  was 
370,  of  which  number  only  264  attended  school.  The  total  expenditm'es  of  the  township 
for  school  purposes  diu-ing  the  year  ending  September  5,  1881.  was  $2,713.73,  of  which 
sum  $357.38  accnied  from  the  State  school  fund. 

A  reference  to  the  schools  of  Bruce  will  point  out  the  fact  that  a  niunber  of  children 
belonging  to  Washington  Township  are  enumerated  as  belonging  to  the  Union  School  of 
Romeo,  and  noticed  in  the  Bruce  school  statistics. 

A    TEMPER.\N(  E   BUILDING. 

The  first  building  raised  in  this  vicinity  without  the  use  of  whisky  was  the  present 
residence  of  J.  R.  Manley,  in  1838.  The  architect  and  builder,  the  late  Chauncey 
Chm'ch,  was  interested  in  the  temperance  cause  and  would  have  no  spirituous  liquors  at  any 
of  his  raisings.  After  the  work  on  this  occasion  was  done,  he  mounted  on  the  topmost 
timber  and  delivered  the  following  original  toast: 

"This  frame  is  of  oak,  it  stands  upou  rocks, 
'Twas  framril  tipim  lioiior  for  Elias  Wilcox, 
And  since  it  is  raised  and  tliinn's  are  all  right. 
Tis  Elias'  home  and  Nancys  delight. 
We've  had  no  whisk}-,  we  don't  care  for  that, 
We'll  have  something  better  than  rum  or  wild  cat. 
So  let  us  be  merry,  both  Democrat  and  Whig. 
And  we'll  go  to  the  house  and  get  some  baked  pig." 

MENTION   OF    A    ¥KV>'   OLD   SETTLERS. 

In  August,  1823,  Mrs.  Nancy  Anne  Lamb  Andrus  and  her  husband,  with  John 
Holland,  Polly  Greene  and  Laiu-a  and  Atu'illa  Miller,  formed  the  tu'st  Methodist 
class  in  Washington  Township,  meeting  from  bouse  to  house,  often  several  miles 
apart,  for  seasons  of  prayer  and  praise.  They  were  models  of  hospitality  and 
all  were  made  welcome,  particularly  the  traveling  ministers,  and  their  houses  were 
known  for  many  year's  as  the  preachers'  home.  The  Andrus  house  was  also  the  head- 
quarters for  all  the  land-lookers  and  travelers,  and  hundreds  were  ted  and  lodged  within 
their  small  but  hospitable  dwelling.  They  struggled  through  almost  incredible  hard- 
ships, but  reared  all  their  ten  children  and  saw  them  all  married.  Mr.  Andrus  died  io 
July,  1865,  and  the  widow  has  since  resided  with  her  daughter-in-law,  having  lived  to 
witness  many  changes  in  church  and  society,  and  never  losing  her  interest  in  either,  al- 
though for  a  few  years  she  has  been  unable  to  leave  home.  She  retained  her  faculties, 
except  hearing,  to  the  last,  and,  until  a  few  weeks  of  her  death,  she  sewed  as  many  hours 
in  a  day  as  any  seamstress,  and  her  work  was  always  very  nicely  done.  Five  of  the  chil- 
dren have  outlived  the  parents  —Mrs.  Laura  Hamlin,  of  Rochester;  Dr.  W.  W.  Andrvis, 
50 


^ 


ot  Utica;  Loren  Andi-us,  Mrs.  S.  A.  Babbitt  and  Mrs.  J.  M.  Vaughan.  Mrs.  Andrus  be- 
longed to  a  family  remarkable  for  their  longevity,  and  there  is  one  sister  now  living  who 
does  her  own  work  at  the  age  of  ninety- four. 

KHMINDKKS   OF   THE    I'.\.ST. 

There  was  I'egiilar  circuit  preaching  here  before  there  was  any  schoolhouse  built  in 
this  town.  The  minister's  name  was  Petit,  not  Pattee,  and  he  used  to  preach  at  the  house  of 
Joseph  Miller,  standing  on  the  ground  where  the  hotel  now  stands.  The  going  to  Utica 
was  on  quarterly  meeting  occasions,  and  they  used  to  go  with  ox  teams  or  on  foot.  The 
first  schoolhouse  was  built  about  a  hundred  rods  from  the  corners  south,  and  on  land  be- 
longing to  George  Wilson,  nearly  opposite  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Marquis  Nye.  The  next, 
on  the  corners  where  the  brick  one  now  stands,  three  miles  south  of  Romeo.  The  third 
was  opposite  the  cemetery. 

METHODI.ST  (UrnCH. 

The  original  class  of  Methodists  was  formed  here  in  1823,  consisting  of  six  persons — 
John  Holland,  Elon  Andrus,  Nancy  Andrus,  Polly  Greene,  Aurilla  Miller  and  Laura  Mil- 
ler. They  met  at  tirst  in  prayer-meetings  from  house  to  house,  the  nearest  jsreaehing  be- 
ing at  Utica,  where  they  occasionally  went,  until  the  building  of  the  log  schoolhouse  op- 
posite the  present  cemetery.  Rev.  Elias  Petit  is  siipposed  to  have  been  the  tirst  minister, 
and  his  circuit  extended  nearly  500  miles.  After  a  few  years,  a  log  schoolhouse  was  built 
on  the  main  road,  and,  in  1839,  a  frame  schoolhouse  was  erected,  nearly  opposite  the 
residence  of  Loren  Andi'us,  and  religious  services  were  conducted  there  until  the  building 
of  the  present  church  edifice  in  1846.  There  were  always  two  ministers  on  the  charge, 
and  Ebenezer  Steele  and  Nelson  Barnum  were  stationed  here  then.  There  is  no  record 
of  anything  pertaining  to  the  society  previous  to  the  building  of  the  church,  but  under 
date  of  Fel)ruary  12.  1846,  we  find  the  following:  "The  Trustees  for  the  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  Washington  contracted  with  Chauncey  Chm-eh  to  build  a  meeting- 
house for  said  M.  E.  Church,  on  the  west  side  of  Section  24,  in  said  towushiji,  opposite 
Dr.  Cooley's  garden,  said  house  to  be  36x50  feet,  without  a  belfry,  to  be  finished  by  the 
1st  day  of  January,  1847,  for  the  sum  of  $1,150."  This  was  signed  by  Elon  Andrus,  Abel 
Warner,  Benjamin  McGregor,  David  W.  Noyes,  John  Keeler. 

The  same  Trustees  afterward  contracted  with  L.  D,  Cowles  to  build  a  belfry,  to  be 
completed  at  the  same  time,  for  $150.  The  necessary  money  was  raised  for  the  building 
b}^  the  sale  of  slips,  the  prices  ranging  from  $10  to  $40,  and.  of  the  forty  slips  thus  sold, 
but  four  of  the  original  pm-ehasers  are  here  to  claim  their  property — Jesse  Norton,  J.  W. 
Manley.  Loren  Andrus  and  J.  M  Vaughan.  The  building  was  accepted  and  paid  for  on 
December  28,  1846.  at  which  time  it  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  Mi-.  Crane,  at  that  time  Pre- 
siding Elder  of  this  district. 

Many  changes  were  effected  in  the  church  building.  In  1854,  a  bell  was  donated  by 
J.  Z.  Kelsey.  Other  improvements  were  made  in  1869.  On  January  80,  1878,  the  reno- 
vation of  the  house  was  completed  and  its  re-dedication  accomplished. 

THE  WASHINGTON   I'NION  fllTTRCH   S0CIP:TY. 

For  many  years  previous  to  the  organization  of  this  society,  all  religious  services 
were  held  in  the  church  building  dedicated  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  society,  then  the 
only  house  of  worship  in  the  village  of  Washington.  The  church,  although  dedicated  by 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  society,  the  expense  incurred  by  extensive  repairs  and  the  erec- 
tion of  suitable  sheds  adjoining  was  shared  in  by  the  entire  community,  without  regard 
to  religious  belief. 

In  the  spring  of  1879,  the  Trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  society  asserted  their 
legal  right  to  the  exclusive  control  and  use  of  the  property,  soon  after  closing  their  doors 


-^1 


T 


\  s- 


-^ 


HI.STORY  OF  :\IACOMB  COUNTY. 


against  a  denomination  on  account  of  its  creed.  This  society  was  tlien  organized,  July  5, 
1879,  adopted  the  following:  '"Any  ehm-ch  building  that  now,  or  that  may  hereafter,  be 
owned  by  this  society,  shall  always  be  free  from  sectarian  control,  and  no  religious  society, 
or  any  claiming  to  be  such,  orthodox  or  unorthodox, shall  be  denied  the  use  of  said  chuceh 
building,  simply  on  account  of  its  religious  belief."  The  lirst  Trustees  were  Timothy 
Lockwood,  William  A.  Stone,  Henry  Bennett.  Edward  W.  Andrus  and  William  W.  Yaughan. 
Diu'ing  the  fall  of  1879.  the  society  erected  a  commodious  structm-e  at  an  expense  ex- 
ceeding $3.00l).  which  was  formally  dedicated  February  26,  1880.  Religious  services  are 
held  each  Sabbath,  the  Rev.  C.  W.  Knickerbocker,  of  Wayne,  alternating  with  Rev.  John 
Young,  of  Romeo,  and  Rev.  W^illiam  Arlington,  of  Richmond.  The  society  has  a  large 
membership  and  is  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

son  II  lUT.i.M.-oiiorNP. 
The  aft'airs  of  the  South  Burial-Ground  Society  were  at  a  stand-still,  as  there  has  been 
no  gathering  of  that  association  for  twenty-two  years,  or  since  March,  1860.  until  the 
Clerk,  J.  M.  Yaughan,  called  a  meeting  for  A|)ril  29,  1882.  The  Trustees  of  that  long- 
ago  time  have  all  passed  away,  but  the  officers  were  re-elected,  and  a  new  fence,  with  other 
improvements,  will  be  the  result  of  the  gathering,  the  new  and  old  officers  standing  as 
follows:  President,  Loren  Andrus;  Clerk,  J.  M.  Yaughan;  Collector,  C.  M.  Bates;  Sex- 
ton, Michael  Widrig;  Assistant  Sexton,  John  Dotsert;  Trustees,  E.  W.  Andrus,  Elijah 
Wilson,  Albert  Yates. 

VILLAGES  OF   THE   TOWNSHIP 

Washington  Village  contains  225  inhabitants.  The  locality  was  first  settled  in 
1818.  The  village  is  sixteen  miles  northwest  of  Mt.  Clemens  and  thirty  miles  north  of 
Detroit,  with  which  cities  it  is  connected  by  the  Michigan  Air-Line  and  Grand  Trunk 
Railroads.  Formerly,  its  nearest  shipping-point  was  Utica.  seven  miles  south,  on  the  D.  & 
B.  C.  E.  R.,  and  with  which  it  was  connected  with  a  daily  line  of  stages.  It  has  Method- 
ist Episcopal  and  Union  Chm'ches,  a  graded  school.  ex]iress,  daily  mail,  east  and  west. 
Principal  exports,  wheat,  wool  and  fruit.  The  business  circle  of  the  village  is  made  up 
as  follows:  Charles  Bennett,  blacksmith;  Thoma?  Brabb,  capitalist;  George  H.  Cannon, 
civil  engineer;  Miss  L.  Davis,  music-teacher;  Ida  Lamb,  teacher  of  public  school:  Jay 
Miller,  wind-mill  agent;  Byron  Norton,  pianos  and  music -teacher:  W,  W.  Norton,  pianos 
and  organs;  H.  &  M.  Roberts,  hotel  and  furnitTU-e  dealers;  J.  H.  Rose,  carpenter  and 
builder;  Abram  Shepherd,  boot  and  shoemaker:  David  G.  Stewai't,  carpenter:  Adelbert 
Stone,  general  store  and  express  agent:  Stone  Bros. ,  general  stort> ;  Isaac  Terpening,  wind- 
mill agent;  William  W.  Yaughan,  insurance  agent  and  Notary;  George  A.  Woodward, 
teacher  in  public  school;  Albert  Yates,  physician. 

Mt.  Yernon  is  a  small  post  office  village  in  Washington  Township,  Macomb  County, 
seventeen  miles  northwest  of  Mt.  Clemens  Court  House  antl  five  northeast  of  Roches- 
ter, on  the  D.  &  B.  C.  R.  R.,  its  nearest  shipping-point  connection  therewith  by  semi- 
weekly  mail.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  are  two  churches — Baptist  and  Methodist — 
and  district  school.  The  businsss  men  of  the  village  are  named  as  follows:  Alpheus 
Baldwin,  Constable;  Jeremiah  Cole,  blacksmith;  J.  N.  Fangboner,  painter;  Mark  Fang- 
boner,  wagon-maker;  Joseph  McCluer,  live  stock;  John  ilajor,  live  stock;  E.  J.  Mann, 
painter;  Rev.  W.  H.  Mills,  Baptist;  J.  J.  Snook,  Notary  and  Justice;  M.  L.  Townsend, 
live  stock  dealer. 

The  number  of  farms  in  the  township  in  1850  was  116:  of  acres  under  cultivation, 
10,825;  of  bushels  of  wheat  raised,  27,436;  of  corn,  26,983;  of  all  other  kinds  of  grain, 
15,945  bushels;  of  potatoes,  5,775  bushels;  of  wool,  19,495  pounds;  of  butter,  28,710 
pounds;  of  cheese,  11,424  poimds. 


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HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Twenty-four  years  later,  in  1874,  there  were  196  farms,  containing  16,404  acres  of 
improved  land,  valued  at  11.215,990.  There  were  34,004  bushels  of  wheat  raised;  35,- 
5()0  bushels  of  corn,  and  42,040  bushels  of  other  grains.  The  potato  crop  yielded  9,873 
bushels.  The  product  of  the  dairy  was  55.905  pounds  of  butter;  10,300  pounds  of  cheese; 
34,922  pounds  of  wool  were  sent  to  market,  and  70,675  ppunds  of  pork  sold  outside  the 
township. 

The  population,  in  1850,  including  the  southern  half  of  Romeo,  was  1.541;  in  1874. 
it  reached  2,099,  and,  in  1880,  distinct  from  Romeo,  contained  a  population  of  2,052. 

i;kjiixisckn<p:s  ok  c.  iiai:i,o\v  gi:kkn. 

From  an  adikess  delivered  before  the  Macomb  County  Pioneer  Society,  at  Washing- 
on.  May  26,  1881,  by  C.  Harlow  Green,  the  following  references  to  the  early  times  in 
Washington  are  extracted:  "In  the  fall  of  1824,  a  log  schoolhouse  was  built  south  of 
Washington  Village  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  just  beyond  the  hollow,  where  a  stream- 
let flowed,  nearly  opposite  the  village  residence  of  the  late  Marcus  Nye.  Evidences  of 
this  building  were  found  scattered  around  even  in  1881.  The  teacher  for  that  summer 
was  Miss  Emeliue  Allen,  a  younger  sister  of  the  early  settlers — William  and  John  Allen. 
During  the  winter  of  1824-25,  Isaac  Andrus,  a  brother  of  Elon  Andrus,  presided  over  the 
school.  During  the  summer  of  1825,  Miss  Allen  was  employed  as  teacher,  and  the  suc- 
ceeding winter  she  was  succeeded  by  Isaac  Andi'us.  The  winter  schools  of  1826-27  and 
of  1827-28  were  conducted  by  Nathaniel  Augustus  Baldwin,  an  old  settler  near  Rochester. 

John  Chapman,  the  mathematician — the  man,  who,  back  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
was  equal  to  and  performed  the  principal  portion  of  the  work  in  compiling  Ostrander's 
arithmetic,  while  Tobias  Ostrander  managed  to  get  all  the  credit — taught  the  school  in 
1828-29.  During  the  winter  term  of  1829-30,  Abel  AVebster,  a  younger  brother  of  Price 
B.  Webster,  presided  over  the  school.  Among  the  pupils'  of  the  sohool,  the  following 
names  are  remembered:  Elias  and  Julia  Wilcox;  Sylvester,  Emily,  Orpha  and  John  Dar- 
ling; Arba,  Alphonso,  Orlando,  Arba,  Jr.,  Calvin  and  James  Richards;.  John,  Mary,  Jane, 
Amy  Ann,  Chauncey  and  Joseph  Chapman;  Lester  Niles;  Dm'r  and  Adelia  Giddings;  Abel, 
Laura,  Elizabeth,  Fayette,  Olier,  Mary  and  Squire  Warren;  Jeremiah,  Electa,  Ai-manda, 
William,  Timothy,  Maria  and  Rhoda  Ann  Lockwood;  Solomon,  Eunice,  Harriet,  Amarilla, 
Almeron  and  Amos  Wales;  George,  Alfred,  Eliza,  Marvin,  Jane  Hauscom;  Geoi'ge  Steb- 
bins;  Abram,  Mary  and  Horace  Wilson;  Daniel  and  Eveline  Miller;  Elon,  Laura,  Jeri;sha, 
Clarissa,  Truman;  Loren,  Calista,  William,  Elon,  Jr.,  and  Nancy  Andrus:  Joseph,  Levi. 
Worcester,  Laura  and  Adela  Miller;  Iddo  and  Julia  Warner;  John,  Harvey,  Harry,  Har- 
mon and  Hiram  Bennett;  Sardis.  Orman,  Sardis  Hand  and  Mary  Burlingham;  Barnabas, 
Cyrus,  Ransom  and  Edwin  Miller;  Charles,  Emeliue,  Lois  and  Maria  Dudley  Beagle; 
Otis,  Linus,  Eliza,  Hiram  and  Emily  Lamb:  Ezra,  Samantha,  John  and  Ezra,  Jr..  Bel- 
lows; Lazarus  Green;  C.  Harlow  Green;  Price  B.,  Harvey,  Harlow  and  Hubbard  Webster. 
The  names  of  the  teachers  best  remembered  ;u-e  Isaac  Montfore.  Isaac  Andrus,  John  Chap- 
man, John  D.  Holland,  Baldwin,  Webster,  Dalby,  Noyes,  Price  and  Miss  Allen. 

The  tu'st  circuit  ministers  were  Rev.  Messrs.  Plympton  and  Petit.  The  next  was  Mr. 
Jones.  He  it  was,  who,  in  a  sermon  in  the  Holland  Schoolhouse  about  the  year  1826, 
gave  the  tii'st  sjiecimen  of  a  radical  temperance  speech  in  Washington.  In  alluding  to 
the  whisky  manufacturer,  he  called  the  distillery  the  "Devil's  tea-pot. '"  There  was  also 
in  those  days  a  circuit  preacher  named  Reynolds — a  sleek  young  man  with  red  hair,  who 
prized  a  good  horse.  A  little  later,  came  Frazee,  a  man  of  singular  manner,  sharp  and 
ready  for  an  emergency.  Brother  Baughman  was  also  on  the  circuit  about  this  time. 
Brother  Elliott  came  next.  He  preached  his  farewell  sermon  at  the  old  Arba  Smith 
Schoolhouse,  but  retiu-ned  to  the  circuit  for  another  year. 


HISTOKY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


For  a  few  years,  from  1834  onward,  the  Xlniversalists  employed  a  Mr.  Wheeler  to 
preach  for  them  in  the  neighborhood.  The  Universalists  were  not  veiy  numerous,  so  that 
the  support  of  their  2:)ast  r  fell  upon  only  a  few.  As  report  has  it.  Uncle  George  Hanscom 
finally  became  tired  of  paying  out  money,  and  declared  that  before  he  would  continue  to 
pay  otit  money  for  preaching,  as  he  had  done,  he  would  bell  his  soul  and  tiu'u  it  out  to  grass."" 

From  1N29  to  1S33,  there,  were  a  few  Fi'ee-Will  Baptists  and  Christian  ministers  in 
the  townships,  staying  among  the  brethren  of  the  community,  particularly  with  the  Howard 
and  Carpenter  families.  Elders  Shearer,  Lambarker  and  Thomas  visited  the  district  in 
early  years.  Elder  Thomas  went  to  Ohio,  where  he  adopted  the  doctrine  of  Alex  Camp- 
bell, and,  retm-ning  here,  declared  himself  a  disciple  of  Campbell  faith. 

John  and  his  father.  Joseph  Holland,  were  in  the  town  dm-ing  the  summer  of  1823. 
The  latter  is  well  remembered  among  the  old  settlers.  Other  early  preachers  are  referred 
to  in  the  pag(?s  devoted  to  county  history. 

BIOGliAPHUAL   .SKETCHES. 

In  the  sketches  of  the  pioneers  and  leading  men  of  the  township  may  be  found 
many  instructive  and  entertaining  incidents  of  settlement.  The  foregoing  historic 
sketch  embraces  much  subject  of  a  valuable  character,  but  to  prevent,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  repetition  of  facts,  nothing  that  has  been  fully  treated  in  the  biographical  collection 
is  introduced  into  the  historic  sketch  of  the  township. 

JOHN  ALLEN,  a  direct  descendant  of  Ethan  Allen,  the  hero  of  Ticonderoga,  located 
in  Washington  at  a  very  early  date  in  the  history  of  the  county.  In  IS  lit,  he  traveled 
Westward  to  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  in  the  general  history,  reference  is  made  to  him  as  being 
the  builder  of  many  of  the  early  mills  of  Macomb;  he  is  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  highly 
esteemed  and  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  Masonic  order  in  this  State.  Mr.  Allen  is 
now  aged  ninety  years,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health;  he  resides  with  his  son.  Lee- 
man  Allen,  of  Clarkston.  Oakland  Co..  Mich. 

KEY.  GEORGE  A.  AMES,  P.  O.  Mt.  Vernon,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  Mt. 
Vernon  (Washington),  was  born  December  11,  1826,  in  Fenner,  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  he 
was  educated  at  Madison  University  and  entered  the  ministry  in  1850;  in  January,  1851, 
he  was  ordained,  at  Stockbridge,  Madison  County;  he  has  filled  the  pastorate  of  the 
chiu-ches  at  Sterling,  Carthage,  Gouverneur,  Belleville  and  Pulaski,  in  the  State  of  New 
York;  McKeesport  and  Mt.  Pleasant,  Penn. :  Sturgis,  Northville  and  Jackson,  Mich.  In 
1864  and  1805.  he  was  engaged  in  publishing  the  Christian  Herahl,  at  Kalamazoo.  He 
entered  upon  the  pastorate  of  the  church  at  Mt.  Vernon,  in  September,  1879;  he  was  mar- 
ried, in  August,  1850,  at  Lenox  Furnace,  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y.,  to  Julia  A.,  second  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  A.  Palmer;  she  died  in  Ju.ne,  1860,  He  was  married  again,  to  Martha, 
daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Betsey  Cline,  of  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y. ,  in  July,  1863;  she 
was  born  December  8,  1835;  her  father  was  a  native  of  New  York,  her  mother  of  Rhode 
Island.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ames  have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Eliza  Isa- 
bella, born  in  McKeesport,  Penn.,  September  12,  1808;  and  James  N.  B.,  in  Pulaski,  N. 
Y.,  Aiigust  15,  1873.  The  father  of  Mr.  Ames,  Rufus  Ames,  was  born  in  Tunkhannock, 
Penn.,  in  May,  1797;  his  ancestors  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Massachusetts  at 
an  early  day;  his  mother  was  a  descendant  of  the  house  of  Staft'ords,  Staft'ordshire,  En- 
gland. Sophia  Blanchard,  the  mother  of  Mi-.  Ames,  was  born  in  April,  1798,  in  Rhode 
Island;  her  mother  was  Elizabeth  Ballon,  descended  from  the  Rev.  Maturin  Ballon,  a 
Huguenot  refugee,  who  found  an  asylum  in  the  colonv  of  Roger  Williams  from  the  perse- 
cutions of  the  mother  country. 

ISAAC  ANDRUS  undoubtedly  was  cotemporary  with  John  and  Mary  Anth-ews  (An- 
drus),  who  settled  in  Hartford  County,  Conn.,  previous  to  1672.     The  name  appears  as 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


A 


Andrews,  AiKiras,  Andriiss.  Isaac.  Jr.,  settled  in  Shaftsbury.  Vt.  Isaac,  Jr.,  son  of 
Isaac,  Jr.,  removed  to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. ;  Lis  family  consisted  )f  six  children,  as 
follows:  Elon,  Linns,  Truman,  Russell.  Isaac  and  Horace.  Elon  Anclfus  was  born  Poult- 
ney,  Vt.,  April  4,  178(5;  he  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Gad  and  Jerusha  (Ripley)  Lamb, 
born  in  Tioga  County,  Penn..  November  15,  1791;  her  brothers'  and  sisters'  names  were 
Daniel,  Harry,  Sally.  Patty,  Jerusha.  Lorain.  Clarissa,  Maria  and  Ebenezer.  In  Sep- 
tember, 18J1,"  Elon  Andi-us  left  the  State  of  New  York  to  find  a  homo  in  the  Territory  of 
Michigan,  and  located  lands  as  now  known  in  Washington  Township.  Section  33;  the  fol- 
lowing fall,  he  embarked  with  his  family  from  Bufl'alo,  N.  Y.,  on  the  steamer  Walk-iu-the- 
Water;  an  accident  occurred  to  the  boat  near  what  was  then  called  Fairport,  near  the 
mouth  of  Black  River,  Ohio;  the  passengers  sailed  thence  via  schooner  to  Detroit,  where 
om- pioneers  were  met  by  friends,  and  with  ox  teams  were  "toted"'  to  their  destination. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrus  early  in  life  joined  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  remained  firm  in  the 
faith  to  the  end  of  their  days;  the  former  died  July  16,  1865.  '■  Grandma ""  Andrus,  as 
she  was  known  to  all  acquaintances,  survived  him  thirteen  years;  she  died  at  the  old 
homestead  the  V.hh  of  July,  1878.  Their  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom 
they  saw  married.  The  seven  oldest  were  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. ;  the  remaining 
three  in  Macomb  County;  their  names  are  as  follows:  Lam'a,  born  September  '.29.  1809. 
married  to  John  F.  Hamlin,  of  Avon,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich. ;  children — John  F.  (died),  Adol- 
phus,  Caroline,  Belle  and  Laura;  Jerusha,  born  December  J,  1810,  married  Hiram  Wil- 
cox: children— Solon  H..  Otho  and  Virginia  (died);  Clara,  born  July  12,  1812.  married 
Dr.  Dennis  Cooley;  Mr.  Cooley  practiced  medicine  for  many  years  in  Washington,  and 
during  his  life  accumulated  an  extensive  botanical  collection,  now  at  the  Agrieultm-al  Col- 
lege, in  Lansing;  he  died  May  1.  1862;  two  years  later,  Mrs.  Cooley  was  married  to  Dr. 
S.  A.  Babbitt,  of  Ypsilanti;  Loren,  born  June  25,  1816;  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  was 
employed  as  Assistant  Engineer  in  the  survey  of  what  was  then  called  the  Clinton  & 
Kalamazoo  Canal;  two  years  later,  he  was  on  the  survey  of  the  raih-oad  between  Port 
Huron  and  Flint;  at  twenty-five,  he  was  married  to  Lucina,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Nancy 
(Kuapp)  Davis;  she  was  born  May  1,  1821,  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. ;  children — Flora, 
born  October  19.  1S41,  died  Januarv  31.  1847;  Dwight,  July  23,  1844:  Frank  D.,  August 
21,  1N50;  L.  Ward,  July  13,  1852;  Mary.  December  5,  1N54;  Nancy  D..  March  6,  1860; 
Alice  and  Agnes,  February  12,  1862;  Calista  E.,  born  December  3,  1818  (see  sketch  of  J. 
M.  Vaughan);  Truman  R..  born  August  3,  1814,  married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Richard 
Hothaml  childi-en  -Helen  (died),  Edwai-d  W.,  George  F..  Fred  H..  Charles  L.,  Austin 
(died).  Truman  B.  died  February  9.  1866;  William  W..  born  July  25.  1821,  married 
Ellen,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Summers,  February  1,  1849;  children— Rosette,  Will- 
iam S.,  Truman  M.  (died),  Hemy  J.  (died)  and  John  C;  Mr.  Andrus  practiced  medicine 
for  a  number  of  years  iu  Utica,  where  he  now  resides;  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  at  Lansing,  in  1867;  is  the  present  State  Senator  from  the  Twentieth  Disti'ict: 
Elon  A.,  born  July  14,  1823.  married  to  Avu-elia  Eggleston;  one  child,  Ada;  he  has  not 
been  heard  from  for  the  past  ten  years;  supposed  he  died  in  California:  Nancy  M. ,  born 
July  14,  1823,  mairied  lo  Milo  M.  Davis,  June  16,  1844;  children— Albert  E.  (died),  Lu- 
celia  L.,  Marion  B.,  Flora  L.,  Ida  M.  and  Clara  B. ;  she  died  October  4,  1871;  Rosette, 
born  July  14.  1S23,  married,  November  2(),  1846,  to  Dr.  Myrou  C.  Kenney;  died  October- 
17,  1847.      The  Andrus  family,  politically,  are  Republican. 

JOHN  BABBITT  (pronounced  Bah-bay),  a  Frenchman,  with  his  wife,  an  English 
woman,  came  from  England  between  1600  and  1625,  and  settled  in  Massachusetts;  his 
son.  John  Babbitt,  was  born  in  1(564;  Seth,  1()90;  Nath,  1731;  Uri,  ndO;  Samuel  A.,  Oc- 
tober 4,  1811;  Darwin,  January  15,  1845;  brother  of  the  above,  A.  Dwight,  January  13, 
1850,  died  of  yellow  fever,  at  New  Orleans,  October  20,  1878. 


^ 


^RT 


FRANK  BAILEY,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  November  10.  1855,  in  Oxford,  Oakland 
Co..  Mich.;  is  the  son  of  James  F.'  and  Frances  (Suover)  Bailey;  bis  father  was  bom  in 
18'24,  in  Delawai-e  County.  N.  Y. ;  he  was  the  son  of  John  and  Millie  Bailey,  born,  re- 
spectively, in  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts;  Frances  Snover  Bailey  was  born  in  1832, 
in  Hiu-on  County,  N.  J. ;  was  the  daugther  of  Charles  F.  and  Susanna  Snover,  and  died 
March  14,  1S77:  her  father  died  November  25,  1851,  aged  sixty;  her  mother  died  April 
11,  1N37,  aged  forty-two  years.  Frank  Bailey  of  this  sketch  was  married,  March  20,  187VI, 
to  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  William  L.  and  Mary  A.  (McKibbin)  Markle,  of  Oxford,  Oak- 
land Co.,  Mich.,  born  December  24,  1837,  in  the  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada:  her  father 
was  a  native  of  Canada,  born  in  1825.  son  of  John  M.  and  Hannah  Markle;  her  mother 
was  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Sterling)  McKibbin,  born  in  1832.  Mr.  McKib- 
bin was  born  in  1808;  his  wife  in  1801),  in  Scotland;  her  father,  Archie  Sterling,  was  a 
native  of  Scotland.  Mi'.  Bailey  is  by  occupation  a  farmer,  and  has  a  farm  on  Section  15. 
Washington  Township. 

ISAAC  N.  BRABB.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  August  23.  1832,  in  Avon,  Oakland  Co  , 
Mich. ;  his  father.  Isaac  Brabb,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  in  17U4.  and  came  to 
America  in  1830.  settling  in  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  with  his  wife  and  tive  children, 
all  of  whom  are  living;  after  a  few  mouths'  stay  in  Detroit,  he  rented  a  farm  near  Roch- 
ester, Oakland  County,  and,  foiu*  years  later,  bought  and  located  on  the  place  known  as 
the  old  Brabb  farm,  on  Section  4.  in  Washington  Township,  where  he  lived  for  twenty- 
three  years;  he  then  removed  to  Romeo,  where  he  died,  April  13,  1S70;  his  wife,  Hannah 
Hudson  Brabb,  was  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  England,  born  in  17U'.(,  and  died  at  Romeo 
March  24,  1872.  Mr.  B.  has  been  mainly  occupied  as  a  farmer,  but  had  also  been  en- 
gaged to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  real  estate,  and  operating  some- 
what as  a  capitalist.  His  home  estate  in  Washington  includes  180  acres  of  tii-st-clasB  land, 
on  Section  4,  with  line  and  substantial  dwelling  and  all  necessary  outbuildings.  Mi\  B. 
is  a  fine  type  of  the  thoroughgoing,  enterprising,  public-spirited  agriculturist — one  of  the 
sort  of  men  who  form  the  substance  of  American  manhooc?;  all  enterprises  for  the  benefit 
of  the  whole  of  mankind  engage  his  earnest  interest:  in  18<)2,  he  went  to  England  to  visit 
the  place  of  his  ancestors'  birth  and  to  attend  the  World's  Fair,  held  at  London  that  year; 
he  attended  the  Centennial  celebration  held  at  Philadel])hia  and  the  Atlanta  Exposition 
of  Georgia.  Mr.  B.  was  married,  November  23,  1864,  to  Olive  Eliza,  daughter  of  Joel 
W.  and  Julia  Wilcox  Manly:  she  was  born  in  Macomb  Township  December  3,  1841;  her 
father  was  born  February  10,  ]81(),  and  is  now  living  in  Shelby  Township;  her  mother 
was  born  in  Riish.  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  October  13.  1822;  they  have. three  children,  born 
as  follows:  Earnest  Manly,  May  0,  181)7;  Howard   S.,  August   1,   1871;  Robert  H.,  Jime 

4.  LS73;  they  have  also  an  adopted  daughter,  Agnes  M. ,  born  December  24,  1S74.  Both 
parents  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  of  Romeo.  Mr.  B.  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 
Mrs.  B.  was  a  teacher  for  five  vears. 

THOMAS  BRABB  was  born  January  22,  1820,  in  Yorkshire,  England:  he  is  thf  son 
of  Geoi'ge  and  Elizabeth  Brabb;  the  f oi-mer  was  born  in  England  March  U,  1700;  he  came 
to  America  in  1831;  they  landed  at  Quebec  after  a  voyage  of  fom-teen  weeks  and  one  day; 
the  ship's  crew  lost  their  bearings  in  a  ten  days'  fog,  and  di-ifted  northward  until  they 
found  themselves  among  icebergs  and  whales  in  great  numbers;  it  was  July  and  August, 
but  it  was  so  far  toward  the  pole  that  winter  wraps  were  a  necessity.  M'\  Brabb,  Sr.,  set- 
tled in  Washington,  Macomb  County,  in  October,  1S32,  on  forty  acres  of  land,  on  Section 

5,  where  he  built  a  house  which  was  his  home  for  about  eight  years,  when  he  piu-chased 
land  adjoining,  on  which  he  erected  a  more  substantial  dwelling;  he  continued  to  add  to 
his  landed  possessions  until  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  April,  1S()4,  he  owned  322  acres 
of  srood  laud.      His  wife  was  born  January  23,  170il,  in  England,  and  died  in  Washing- 


IV 


ton,  December.  1S35.  Mr.  Brabb  lived  with  his  parents  until  the  age  of  fourteen,  when 
he  became  mail  messenger  from  Mt.  Clemens  to  the  light-house  at  Port  Huron,  via  Utica, 
Washington,  Romeo  and  St.  Clair:  he  made  one  trip  each  week;  he  resumed  farming, 
and,  in  1X55,  bought  a  small  farm,  on  Section  33;  in  ISfiS.  he  bought  forty  acres  on  Sec- 
tion 27;  in  ISSa.  he  engaged  in  shoemaking  and  mercantile  transactions  on  a  limited 
scale,  which  he  continued  until  ISIiS.  Mr.  Brabb  was  married.  June  lU.  184fi,  to  Phcebe 
R.  Batchelder,  of  Romeo;  she  was  born  in  Utica,  this  county,  September  1,  LS'iS,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  Asa  and  Mary  R.  Batchelder,  the  former  of  New  England  stock,  the  lat- 
ter born  in  Canada,  of  French  lineage.  Mr.  Batchelder  died  in  1N56;  his  wife  is  still 
living.  Mr.  Brabb  is  a  member  of  the  Patrons  of  Hiisbandry  and  is  a  Republican;  he  has 
led  a  life  of  fi'ugal  and  persevering  industry,  and  is  moving  down  the  sunset  side  of  life 
in  a  competency  which  is  the  result  of  his  own  efforts  and  good  judgment;  he  has  re- 
tired from  active  life  and  lives  on  a  small  place  of  sixteen  acres. 

STEPHEN  B.  CANNON  was  born  in  Lodi,  Washtenaw  Co..  Mich.,  September  30, 
1832;  his  parents,  the  Rev.  John  Cannon  and  Sallie  (Cook)  Cannon,  moved  to  Macomb 
County,  where  they  have  since  resided,  in  1834:  on  the  paternal  side,  Mr.  Cannon's  an- 
cestors was  English:  his  maternal  lineage  is  Welsh.  He  was  married,  October  13,  1853, 
to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Wellborne  and  Jane  (Littlewood)  Twaddill;  she  was  born  Octo- 
ber 22,  1833,  in  Scarboro,  England:  her  parents  were  born  in  the  same  place  in  England, 
and  her  father  in  1801.  and  died  in  Montreal,  August  8,  1834;  her  mother  was  born  May 
20,  1803,  and  married  to  Wellborne.  son  of  John  Twaddill,  October  16,  1830,  at  Scarboro; 
her  second  husband  was  Jeremiah  Lock  wood,  who  died  December  10, 1856:  she  died  June 
10,  1857.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cannon  have  had  five  children,  born  in  the  following  order:  Ar- 
thiu-  W.,  March  22,  1855;  M.  Jane.  November  12,  1S57;  Heber  L.,  Axigust  1,  1862,  died 
September  18.  1S63:  Irving  D.,  October  1,  1866;  H.  Bell,  October  13,  186il.  Mr.  Cannon 
occupies  a  tine  fann  of  160  acres,  on  Section  34,  township  of  W.ishington,  and  is  Acting 
Supervisor  at  this  date,  January,  1882;  he  is  a  genial,  companionable  gentleman,  prepos- 
sessing in  personnel,  with  a  warmth  of  temperament  and  generosity  of  impulse  that  present 
his  character  in  a  strikingly  favorable  light;  he  wins  and  holds  the  confidence  of  his 
friends,  is  a  promoter  of  all  worthy  charities  and  contributed  greatly  to  the  gi'owth  and 
perpetuation  of  the  Union  Chm-ch  Society  in  his  vicinity.  Mr.  Cannon  is  most  liberal  in 
his  religious  opinions,  conceding  to  all  the  right  of  private  judgment  and  sympathizing 
little  with  any  form  of  ecclesiastical  hierarchy;  he  has  always  been  a  Republican.  Enlisted 
August  9,  1862.  in  the  civil  war,  in  Company  B,  Capt.  Keeler.  Twenty-second  Michigan 
Infantry:  he  was  mustered  into  the  United  Stairs  service  August  22;  went  into  camp  at 
Pontiae,  Oakland  County,  leaving  for  the  front  Sc|itcinlic'r  4,  18()2,  es-Gov.  Moses  Wisner, 
Colonel,  commanding:  the  regiment  served  mainly  in  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Georgia; 
at  the  terrible  battle  at  Chickamauga,  it  became  practically  annihilated,  going  into  the 
engagement  with  60(^  rifles  and  mustering  about  fifty  at  its  termination,  with  most  of  its 
officers  in  tlu<  hands  of  the  enemy,  where  they  remained  some  months.  Mr.  Cannon  held 
an  honorable  jiosition  in  his  regiment,  was  frequently  promoted  and  honorably  discharged 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Cannon  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  and  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic order. 

GILBERT  F.  CONKLIN,  P.  O.  Washington,  was  born  September  IS,  1806,  in 
Orange  County,  N.  Y. ;  is  the  son  of  Gilbert  and  Mary  Conklin;  his  parents  were  natives 
of  New  York,  of  Engli.sh  and  French  lineage;  in  1S32,  Mr.  Conklin  bought  fifty  acres  of 
land  on  Section  32,  in  Washington,  which  he  has  increased  to  150  acres  by  purchase;  at 
the  time  of  his  settlement,  the  countiy  was  in  its  primeval  condition,  and  Mr.  Conklin  en- 
countered all  the  struggles  and  j^rivations  of  the  early  pioneer,  which  awakened  all  his 
energy  and  perseverance  to  overcome,  but  he  made  a  success  of  his  contest  with  circum- 

-^  ^~  .jen 


stances,  and  ranks  among  the  best  element  of  Macomb  County.  He  was  married,  March 
n,  1S30,  to  Ennice  Thompson,  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y. ;  they  have  had  three  children — 
John,  born  March  13,  1S81,  died  April  5,  1836;  Peter  T.,  born  October  N,  1,S35,  and  Mary 
Jane,  July  IN,  1S37;  they  have  also  an  adoj^ted  daughter.  Hannah,  born  August  11,  1S52; 
his  wife  died  December  5,  187S.  He  was  a  second  time  married,  November  ().  1881,  to 
Mrs.  Phoebe  J. .  widow  of  Noah  Baker,  of  Mentz.  Cayuga  Co. ,  N.  Y. ;  she  is  the  sister  of 
his  lirst  wife,  born  August  17.  1817.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conklin  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  of  Mt.  Vernon;  he  is.  politically,  a  Democrat  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Andrew 
Jackson. 

DR.  DENNIS  COOLEY  (deceased),  the  son  of  Chloe  Allen,  who  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Caleb  Allen,  who  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Allen,  who  was  the  son  of  Edward  Allen, 
who  was  the  son  of  one  Allen  who  emigrated  to  America  from  Scotland  about  the  year 
16()0.  Edward  married  Mary  Painter;  Samuel  married  Hannah  Hawks;  Caleb  married 
Judith  Hawks;  Chloe  married  Eli  Gooley;  Dennis  married  Elizabeth  Anderson,  of  Deer- 
Held,  Mass.,  and,  in  1836,  married  Clara  Andrus,  of  Macomb  County.  Dr.  Dennis  Cooley 
was  born  at  Doerfield,  Mass.,  February  18,  178U;  received  his  primary  and  ^preparatory 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  completed  his  studies  at  the  Medical 
College  of  Berkshire.  Mass.,  from  which  he  graduated  in  August,  18"22.  The  Massachu- 
setts Medical  Society  admitted  him  to  practice  in  his  jirofession  by  a  complimentary  note 
in  the  same  year;  he  soon  after  went  South  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
in  Georgia,  live  years;  retui:ning  from  that  State,  he  remained  at  home  one  year,  and  then 
removed  to  Macomb,  in  July,  18'27,  and  located  in  Washington  Township,  where  he  re- 
sumed bis  practice,  in  which  he  continued  until  the  year  1856,  when  failing  health  caused 
him  to  relinquish  his  business;  he  was  a  great  lover  of  science,  a  skilled  botanist,  and  had 
collected  a  line  and  large  cabinet  of  natural  and  scientific  objects.  The  older  residents  of 
the  county  remember  him  with  feelings  of  respect  and  greatest  good  will.  He  married. 
May  If),  1N30,  Elizabeth  Anderson,  of  Deerfield,  Mass.,  by  whom  be  had  two  children — 
Etta,  born  September  6,  1831,  died  June  2,  1834;  Belle;  born  February  <),  1834,  died 
January  12,  1844.  Mrs.  Cooley  died  October  lU,  1834.  He  married  again.  May  13.  1886, 
Clara,  daughter  of  Elon  Andrus,  of  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. ;  she  was  born  at  that  place 
July  27,  1812;  her  father  removed  to  Macomb  in  1822,  and  lived  here  till  his  death,  about 
the  year  18()3.  Dr.  Cooley  died  at  his  home,  in  Washington  Village.  September  8,  1860; 
the  widow  was  married  to  her  present  husband.  May  1,  1862;  she  has  no  children;  in 
form  of  worship,  a  Methodist.  Mr.  Samuel  A.  Babbitt  was  born  at  Danville,  V^t.,  Octo- 
ber 4,  1811;  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  State,  and,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two,  gave  his  attention  to  the  study  of  medicine  and  physiology,  attending  the  college 
courses  devoted  to  that  science,  and  afterward  gave  lectures  on  physiology  and  hygiene 
in  various  places  in  the  States  of  Michigan,  Ohio  and  Indiana,  for  ten  years.  In  the  year 
1862,  he  married  the  widow  of  Dr.  Cooley,  and  since  that  time  has  resided  at  Wiishington 
Village.  Dr.  Cooley  was  ajipointed  Postmaster  of  Washington  Township,  July,  183(), 
being  the  successor  of  Otis  Lamb,  the  first  incumbent,  which  he  held  continuously  twenty- 
three  years  under  several  administrations. 

CHARLES  C.  CRISSMAN.  P.  O.  Mt.  Vernon,  son  of  Benjamin  Crissman  and 
grandson  of  John  Crissman,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  Susan  (Kern)  Crissman,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania;  he  is  one  of  the  most  }>ros[)erous  agriculturists  of  Washington 
Township.  In  the  Crissman  family  history  can  be  found  a  more  extended  reference  to 
Mr.  Crissman.  Mrs.  C.  C.  (Parish)  Crissman,  daughter  of  Harvey  Pai-ish.  and  grand- 
daughter of  Jeremiah  Parish,  born  in  Connecticut  February  17.  17(')5,  and  of  Abott 
Sykes  Parish,  born  in  Bethel,  Vt. .  February  16.  17()9,  is  referred  to  in  the  personal  sketch 


5)  "^ 


1 


HISTORY   OF   MAC0M15   COUNTY. 


of  Mrs.  J.  J.  Crissman,  and  again  in  that  of  the  Sykes  family;  her  sons,  Jehiel  and  Jo- 
seph, are  extensive  sheep  farmers  in  Kansas. 

DAVID  H.  CRISSMAN,  P.  O.  Washington,  was  born  July  15,  lS2;i  in  Warren 
County.  N.  J.,  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  (Keru)  Crissman,  both  natives  of  New 
Jersey  (see  sketch  of  M.  H.  Crissman);  they  came  to  Michigan  in  1883,  and  settled  in  the 
Township  of  Washington,  on  l!40  acres  of  land,  on  Section  2U,  where  they  lived  until  the 
father's  death,  May  7,  1<S()2.  Mr.  Crissman  of  this  sketch  commenced  farming  for  himself 
about  twenty-nine  years  ago,  and  bought  120  acres  on  Section  2IS,  which  he  has  increased 
to  177  acres,  and  brought  to  an  advanced  state  of  improvement,  with  commodious  dwell- 
ing and  other  fai-m  buildings.  He  was  married,  December  2S,  1S4S,  to  Olive  M.  Meeker, 
of  Bruce,  Macomb  County;  she  was  born  June  21,  1S31,  in  Rochester,  N.  Y  ;  they  have 
tive  children  living — Benjamin  A.,  born  December  4,  1S4'.»;  M.  Jav,  October  25,  1857; 
John  I.,  June  12,  185U;  Charles  O..  January  28,  I8r)2;  Mertie  E.,"  December  28,  1867. 
Politically,  Mr.  C.  is  a  Democrat. 

ETtl'O  J.  CRISSMAN,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  July  S,  ISuC),  in  Washington,  Macomb 
Co.,  Mich.;  is  the  son  of  Frederick  S.,  and  Eliza  (Smith)  Crissman.  the  former  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  the  latter  of  England  (see  sketch  of  F.  S.  Crissman).  Mr.  Crissman  has 
followed  the  vocation  of  farmer  all  his  life;  his  estate  comprises  1(50  acres,  on  Sections 
15,  1(5  and  21;  his  new  and  elegant  dwelling  is  situated  on  Section  l(i,  and  was  recently 
constructed,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  He  was  married,  December  17,  1878,  to  Nellie  D.*, 
daughter  of  Israel  A.  and  Margaret  (Moon)  Park,  of  Oakland  Township,  Oakland  County, 
born  June  10,  1857,  in  Lapeer  County,  Mich.;  her  father  is  a  native  of  Michigan;  her 
mother,  of  England.      Mi-.  Crissman  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

FREDERICK  SNOVER  CRISSMAN,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  at  Sandiston,  Sussex 
Co.,  N.  J.,  March  5,  1817;  his  paternal  grandparents.  Charles  and  Margaret  (Snover) 
Crissman,  were  natives  of  Germany  and  emigrated  to  America  a  few  years  prior  to  the 
Revolution,  as  did  his  maternal  ancestors.  Both  grandsires  were  engaged  in  the  struggle 
for  independence,  his  mother's  father  having  a  fort  on  his  place  garrisoned  for  frontier 
duty.  Jonas  Crissman,  father  of  Mr.  C.  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Knowlton,  Sussex 
(now  Warren  County),  N.  J.,  in  1781,  and  died  December  14,  1S7H,  in  his  ninety-fifth 
year.  Susan  (Snover)  Crissman,  wife  of  Jonas,  was  born  in  the  same  nlace,  in  17U1,  and 
died  April  211,  1858;  three  of  their  ten  children  survive;  they,  with  three  daughters,  are 
bui-ied  in  the  cemetery  at  Romeo.  Mr.  F.  S.  Crissman.  with  his  sister,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Sikes, 
of  Romeo,  has  erected  to  their  memories  a  handsome  monument  of  Vermont  granite,  at  a 
cost  of  $l,00t).  The  Crissman  family  set  out  for  Michigan  in  September,  1836.  The 
father  had  bought  thi-ee  "  SO's  ■"  in  June  previous,  in  Oreon.  Oakland  County.  F.  S.  and 
his  brother  proceeded  to  Bufl'alo  with  a  horse  and  wagon,  where  they  expected  to  join  the 
family  party  traveling  by  water,  but  the  latter  was  delayed  by  a  break  in  the  canal,  and 
the  sons  took  passage  on  the  "'  Charles  Townsend ''  for  Detroit,  driving  their  team  thence 
to  their  destination.  The  family  arrived  two  weeks  later.  Mr.  Crissman  was  dissatisfied 
with  his  father's  purchase  and  exjire-ssed  his  opinion  of  the  stony,  unpromising  character 
of  the  land  without  reserve,  which  resulting  in  his  securing  the  means  of  making  a  pur- 
chase of  the  northeast  (piarter  and  south  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  20, 
Washington.  His  father  offered  him  -15300  for  his  bargain,  and  promised  to  buy  for  him 
the  southwest  quarter  of  the  school  section  {](>}  when  it  came  into  market,  if  he  would 
remain  at  home  until  that  period.  This  arrangement  was  partly  consummated,  and  Mr. 
Crissman  holds  the  patent  from  the  Government  for  the  possession  of  his  homestead  of 
1()0  acres.  It  was  virgin  soil,  and  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  clearing  in  January,  1840; 
in  September  the  same  year,  the  wheat  crop  was  in,  and  the  harvest  the  following  yeai- 
yielded  8,340  bushels  of  grain,  which  he  sold  at$l  a  bushel.    In  the  winter  he  "got  out'' 


^V 


'f 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  lumber  for  his  honse  and  bara,  both  of  which  stnictures,  remodeled  after  modern 
method,  the  family  now  occupy.  He  was  married.  March  31.  184'2,  to  Eliza,  daughter  of 
Francis  and  Dinah  (Day)  Smith,  born  in  England  Januaiy  !28,  1S'20;  her  paternal  ances 
tors  were  natives  of  Thetford;  those  on  her  mother's  side  lived  in  INlinting.  Lincolnshire, 
England;  her  father  sailed  for  America  with  his  family  in  February,  1S31:  she  was  a 
child  of  eleven  years  and  remembers  distinctly  the  mai'ked  incidents  of  the  passage,  which 
lasted  seven  weeks,  during  two  of  which  a  severe  storm  raged,  the  hatchways  being  closed 
and  the  ship  lighted  by  side-lamps,  which  were  kept  burning;  there  were  two  deaths  on 
board;  the  burial  service  was  read  by  the  Captain  and  the  bodies  ent<3mbed  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  waters.  They  landed  at  Staten  Island;  proceeded  to  the  city  of  New  York,  up  the 
Hudson,  via  canal  to  Pittsford.  and  thence  to  Mendon,  Jlonroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  in  October, 
1837.  they  went  to  Rochester,  and  traveled  by  canal  and  lake  to  Detroit;  thence  over  cor- 
duroy roads  to  Royal  Oak,  and  eventuality  to  Washington,  the  journey  consuming  a  week. 
Mr.  Smith  died  May  31,  ISdC).  aged  seventy-two  years;  his  wife  December  15,  ISCiT.  at 
the  age  of  seventy.  Following  is  the  record  of  the  childi-en  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crissman; 
Lorissa,  born  February  lit.  lS-13,  died  July  31.  1S75;  Justina  C,  March  5,  1S44:,  died 
August  29,  LS77;  Emma  C,  March  2S,  I.SIS,  died  August  27,  1845;  Marsha  E..  April  16, 
184(i;  Ferdinand  S,  November  22,  1847,  died  June  14,  1877;  Francis  J.,  May  18.-1841); 
Marium  S.  D.,  Febi-iiary  5,  1N53;  Etho  J.,  July  8,  1855;  Edwin  S.,  September  7,  1857, 
died  December  31,  1874;  infant  son,  June  23.  I860,  died  July  U;  Albert  J.,  December  2, 
1862.  Mr.  Crissman  is  rated  one  of  the  most  substantial  citizens  of  Macomb  County;  he 
has  added  to  his  real  estate  and  personal  possessions,  has  been  Director  in  the  Citizens' 
National  Bank,  of  Romeo,  since  its  organization  and  holds  stock  in  the  First  National 
Bank.  Mi-s.  Crissman  enjoys  a  handsome  heritage  from  her  father's  estate;  she  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  at  Mt.  Vernon.  Mr.  C.  was  an  uncompromising  Abolitionist, 
and  has  been  known  for  years  as  a  zealous  advocate  of  temperance.  The  family  monu- 
ment stands  in  the  Central  Cemetery,  of  Washington,  where  five  children  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Smith  are  buried;  it  is  four  feet,  eight  inches  square  at  the  base,  and  with  die,  cap,  dra- 
pery, spire  and  Grecian  urn  with  drapery  stands  twenty-one  feet.  It  is  of  Vermont  gran- 
ite and  cost  $1,400;  the  coping  is  about  35x17  feet,  with  corner  and  joint  caps,  and  cost 
$700. 

JAMES  J.  CRISSMAN  (deceased)  was  born  July  U,  ISl'.t.  in  the  township  of  Sand- 
iston,  Sussex  Co.,  N.  J. :  was  the  son  of  Jonas  and  Susan  (Suover)  Crissman;  the  former 
was  born  in  1781,  in  Knowlton.  Sussex  (now  Warren)  Co.,  N.  J.,  and  died  Deecember 
14,  1876,  in  his  ninety- fifth  year:  his  wife  was  a  native  of  the  same  place  and  was  born  in 
1791,  and  died  April  29,  1858;  the  ancestral  lines  of  both  parents  were  German.  Mr. 
C.  came  to  Michigan  in  1836,  making  the  trip  with  his  brother.  F.  S.  Crissman,  to  Oak- 
land County,  where  his  father  had  previously  purchased  land,  and  not  long  after  the  family 
settled  in  Washington.  He  was  married,  in  Washington,  October  30,  1845,  to  Mary  Par- 
ish, a  native  of  Pike,  Allegany  Co.,  N.  Y.  In  1846,  Mr.  C.  came  into  possession  of  286 
acres  in  Sections  3,  20  and  22.  on  which  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life;  he  died  August 
7,  1881.  Mr.  and  JIi-s.  C.  had  a  family  of  eleven  children,  born  as  follows:  Catalina  E.. 
November  16.  1846,  died  August  21.  1847:  Sarah  C,  December  4,  1847,  died  October  22, 
1864;  Susan  A.,  May  7,  1849:  Elmina  A..  September  23.  1850;  Alma  E.,  April  6.  1852. 
died  September  8,  l's67;  Jonas  H..  March  22,  1856;  CaiTie  E.,  July  7,  1858;  Ida  May, 
September  13.  1860.  died  May  7,  1866;  Clark  J.,  October  4.  1862:  Mai-y  E..  December  4, 
1865.  died  October  4.  18()6;  Estella  M..  November  22.  1868;  they  were  all  born  on  their 
father's  f ami.  and  have  never  resided  elsewhere.  Mi-s.  Crissman  was  born  February  21, 
1826,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Sybil  (Sikes)  Parish,  the  former  born  in  Bethel, 
Windsor  Co.,  Vt..  August  29.  1796.  the  latter  in  Granville.  Washington  Co..  N.  Y..  January 


rpi- 


5.  1(S00:  tliey  came  io  Michigan  in  ()ctol)er.  1S43,  and  lived  on  a  farm  two  miles  south  of 
Romeo,  until  1S5'2.  when  they  moved  to  Addison,  Oakland  County,  where  they  passed  the 
remainder  of  their  lives;  they  had  eight  daughters  and  one  son.  Mr.  P.  died  June  S. 
1S81.  Mrs.  P.  died  June  20.  INTO.  Jeremiah  Parish,  father  of  Harvey,  was  born  in 
Connecticut  February  17.  1765.  Thankful  Abbott  Parish,  his  wife,  was  born  in  Bethel, 
Vt..  February  16,  176*,);  they  had  four  daughters  and  five  sons;  the  remoter  ancestors 
were  natives  of  Connecticut;  they  were  married  August  3.   I  S23. 

MICHAEL  HETZEL  CRISSMAN.  P.  O.  Washington,  was  born  in  Blairstown, 
Warren  Co..  N.  J,,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  (Kern)  Crissman,  both 
natives  of  Warren  County,  N.  J.;  the  ancestors  on  each  side  were  natives  of  Germany; 
Benjamin,  the  son  of  John  and  Johannah  Schoonover  Crissman.  John  Crissman  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolution.  Benjamin  was  born  June  IS.  17M  :  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and 
married  Mary  Kern.  November  12.  IS  12;  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
born  as  follows:  Henry  K.,  March  21.  IS13;  John.  November  21.  1814;  Susannah.  Sep- 
tember 14.  1S16;  Amos  O..  October  U.  ISIS;  Charles,  November  10,  1820;  David  H. 
July  15,  1823.  and  Michael  H..  March  21.  1827.  Mr-.  C.  moved  to  the  Ten-itory  of  Michi- 
gan in  1833.  and  settled  thirty  miles  north  of  Detroit,  whei-e  he  purchased  of  Benjamin 
Tubbs  three  eighty- acre  tracts,  with  a  comfortable  log  house  on  one.  which  was  known  as 
the  ■■  Buckhorn  Tavern."  and  had  for  a  sign  a  huge  pair  of  antlers  fastened  to  a  pole;  it 
was  at  the  junction  of  three  roads — the  old  Territorial  road  from  Detroit  throtigh  Royal 
Oak.  Rochester  and  Romeo,  to  Almont,  then  called  Tapshire;  the  second  was  known  as 
the  Tromley  trail,  from  a  French  settler  who  owned  land  in  Mt.  Clemens  and  Bruce;  the 
latter  was  known  as  Tromley  Mountain;  the  third  road  ran  from  Hui'sey  Mill  to  Washing- 
ton Post  Office;  these  roads  are  now  all  vacated.  M.  H.  Crissman  of  this  sketch  now  owns 
and  occupies  his  father's  farm.  He  was  married,  March  13,  1S55,  to  Margaret  Kern,  of 
Wantage,  Sussex  Co.,  N,  J,;  the  following  is  the  i-ecord  of  their  children's  births:  Irene 
(Mrs.  Denison).  January  5.  1857;  Mellie  (Mrs.  Eaton).  December  29.  1858;  William  L.. 
February  IS.  ISfil;  C.  Elmer.  April  2fi.  1863;  OraG..  October  2.  1865;  Loretta.  Febru- 
ary 1.  1S()S;  Laura.  August  23.  1870;  Alice.  April  2'J.  1S73;  Margaret.  September  28. 
1S75.  and  Michael  Hugh.  September  2S.   lS7y. 

EDWARD  O.  CURTIS.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  November  11.  1843.  in  Oakland. 
Oakland  Co. .  Mich.;  he  is  the  son  of  Zurial  and  Amanda  Curtis,  both  natives  of  New 
York;  he  was  trained  to  the  vocation  of  a  farmer,  which  calling  he  has  pursued  all  his 
life;  he  resides  on  Section  8.  of  the  town  of  AVashington.  where  he  owns  120  acres  of  the 
best  quality  of  land,  purchased  by  him  in  1870.  He  was  married.  April  2f).  1869.  to  Julia, 
daughter  of  Elijah  and  Lydia  Thorington,  of  Washington  (see  sketch  of  George  W. 
Thorington);  .she  was  born  July  24.  1849.  in  the  house  where  she  now  resides;  they  have 
one  child — Vernon,  born  March  26.  1881.  JiL's.  C.  is  a  member  of  the  Mt.  Vernon  Baj) 
tist  Church.  Mr.  C.  adheres  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party;  he  has  acted  as 
School  Director  for  three  years  and  four  terms  as  Road  Commissioner. 

OLIVER  C.  DUDLEY.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  October  14.  1822,  in  Washington. 
Macomb  Co..  Mich.;  is  the  son  of  Orsel  and  Lucinda  Dudley,  both  natives  of  the  State  of 
New  York.  Mr.  Dudley  is  a  farmer,  which  has  been  his  vocation  through  life.  In  1Sr)7. 
he  became  the  owner  of  160  acres  of  land,  near  Romeo  Village,  which  constitutes  the 
family  homestead;  it  is  well  improved  and  judiciously  managed,  well  stocked  and  has  a 
substantial  dwelling,  with  creditable  accessory  buildings.  Politically.  Mr.  Dudley  is  a 
Republican.  He  was  married.  May  1.  1834,  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mtiria 
Anderson,  natives  of  New  York;  they  came  to  Michigan  in  1832,  and  bought  160  acres  on 
Sections  13  and  14.  Mr.  Anderson  was  born  February  9.  1793.  and  died  November  16. 
1859;  his  wife  was  born  November  18.  1795.  and  died  September  13.  1877.     Mrs.  Dudley 


A 


1^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


was  born  in  Washington  June  3,  1S33.  Elijah  Anderson  and  Sally  (Lyon)  Anderson,  her 
paternal  grandparents,  were  born  in  New  Jersey.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dudley  have  four  chil- 
dren, born  as  follows:  Martha,  November  11,  1S5B  (Mrs.  Thaddeus  Hazleton;  see  sketch); 
Wesley  A..  February    U.  IS.jD;  Manlev  J..  October  11.  INOO;  HattieM..  May  30.  ISBS, 

WAKNER  H.  EATON,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Union,  Tolland  Co.,  Conn.,  No- 
vember 20,  1N3(J,  and  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to 
mature  years;  his  father,  William  Eaton,  was  born  in  Connecticut  September  16,  1793. 
In  1822,  he  was  married  to  Fannie  Sessions,  a  native  of  Tolland  County,  Conn,  born  Au- 
gust 14,  1795.  In  February,  ]S37,  he  set  out  for  Michigan,  in  consonance  with  the  idea 
that  the  new  State  oflfered  better  advantages  for  so  large  a  family;  he  bought  a  farm  in 
Washington  and  sent  East  for  his  family;  the  character  of  Mrs.  Eaton  can  be  readily  con- 
jectured from  the  fact  that  she  made  her  way  from  Connecticut,  more  than  a  thousand 
miles,  alone,  with  seven  children,  the  eldest  only  twelve,  the  youngest  a  babe  of  six 
months;  she  came  through  safely  with  her  children  in  five  weeks,  reaching  her  destina- 
tion July  S,  The  staple  product  of  Michigan  was  wolves,  and  they  were  more  familiar 
than  agreeable  to  the  new  settlers,  but  Mr.  Eaton  managed  to  captiu-e  five  in  various  ways, 
securing  the  Government  and  other  bounty  of  $13  a  head,  which  was  a  feat  held  in  high- 
esteem  by  his  fellow-pioneers,  in  view  of  its  having  been  accomplished  by  a  Yankee  from 
the  land  of  wooden  nutmegs.  Mr.  Eaton  entered  courageously  upon  the  work  of  improv- 
ing his  farm,  having  only  his  strorig  arms  to  help,  no  team  nor  farming  tools  being  then  in 
his  possession.  He  died  in  March.  LS(j2,  having  nearly  reached  man's  allotted  years;  he 
was  an  indulgent  father,  an  upright,  sympathetic  neighbor,  a  conscientious  adherent  to 
principles  in  all  matters  of  whatever  importance;  he  was  a  radical  Democrat  and  a  con- 
servative in  religious  opinions;  his  wife  was  in  every  way  worthy  and  met  her  responsi- 
bilities as  a  pioneer's  wife  with  all  the  required  strength  and  firmness  of  purpose;  she 
died  in  November,  1.S75.  W.  H.  Eaton  was  bred  a  farmer;  he  attended  the  di.strict 
school  winters  and  helped  on  the  farm  summers,  until  the  fall  of  1N5S,  when  he  went  to 
California:  he  was  in  El  Dorado  County  until  April  ISCil,  when  he  left  for  Michigan,  arriving 
home  May  2.  July  -i  following,  he  was  married  to  Alma,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Deborah 
(Banister)  Aldrich,  born  in  Armada  February  1-1,  1S43.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eaton  reside  on 
the  farm  where  his  parents  lived,  whither  he  was  carried  a  babe  of  six  months  by  his 
courageous  mother  from  her  far-away  Eastern  home;  thev  have  three  children,  born  as 
follows:  Cappie,  October  21,  18(U;  Mary,  February  19,  1860:  Warner  H.,  Jr.,  April  29, 
1880.  Mr.  Eaton  is  giving  his  childi-en  educational  advantages  in  accordance  with  his 
obligations  as  a  kind  and  judicious  father:  he  is  a  Democrat  and  a  conservative  in  relig- 
ious views. 

HARVEY  ELDRED,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  July  28,  1841,  in  Bruce.  Macomb  Co.. 
Mich. ;  he  owns  a  fine  farm  of  240  acres  in  a  state  of  advanced  improvement,  with  sub- 
stantial frame  house  and  outbuildings;  it  is  situated  adjoining  the  corporation  of  Romeo; 
he  also  owns  another  farm  of  240  acres,  one-half  mile  north  of  Romeo.  He  was  married, 
in  March,  1861,  to  Rachel  Shaw,  of  Washington;  she  died  in  March,  1874,  leaving  one 
child — Ratie,  born  March  7,  1873.  Mr.  E.  was  married  again,  in  November,  1874,  to 
Virginia  Sholes,  of  Bruce;  they  have  one  child — Gracie,  born  April  1,  1882.  Mrs.  El- 
dred  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.     Politically,  Mr.  E.  is  a  Democrat. 

EMORY  P.  EWELL  was  born  in  Sciota,  Shiawassee  County,  April  12,  1859:  is  the 
son  of  Samuel  Day  Edgar  and  Sarah  (Lintz)  Ewell;  his  mother  is  the  daughter  of  Simon 
and  Elizabeth  Lintz,  natives  of  the  Empire  State,  where  the  former  still  lives,  aged  ninety- 
one.  Mr.  Ewell  traces  his  paternal  line  of  descent  to  1734,  when  his  earliest  authenti- 
cated ancestor,  John  Ewell,  was  born  in  Scotland;  the  latter  came  to  America  in  1759, 
and  entered   upon  a  seafaring  life,  settling  at  Scituate.  Plymouth  Co.,  Mass.;  he  became 


^i 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  father  of  nine  children.  Mr.  Ewell  of  this  sketch  is  Lis  sixth  descendant.  James 
Ewell.  first  son  and  child  of  John,  enlisted  with  his  father  in  the  Revolutionary  service. 
He  was  the  fifth  in  Mi'.  EwelTs  ancestral  line.  Following  is  a  list  in  regular  descent: 
John.  James,  Peleg.  Philander,  Samuel.  D.  E.  aud  Emory.  The  family  record  clearly 
traced  by  Edwin  H.  Ewell.  son  of  an  elder  brother  of  Peleg  Ewell.  is  contained  in  a 
neatly  printed  and  carefully  compiled  volume,  from  which  these  statements  were  culled. 
The  family  name  is  one  of  honor,  and,  in  many  instances,  of  distinction.  Samuel  D.  E. 
Ewell  was  born  September  27,  1835,  in  Shelby,  Macomb  County,  and  died  April  12.  ISTN; 
his  son,  E.  P.  Ewell,  succeeded  to  the  management  of  the  patrimonial  estate,  comprising 
102  aci'es  on  Section  2S.  Washington.  He  was  married,  October  21.  1N79.  to  Clara  A., 
daughter  of  Alvin  and  Margaret  Baldwin,  (natives,  respectively,  of  Vermont  and  New  Jer- 
sey), of  Avon,  Oakland  County.  Mrs.  Ewell  was  born  July  29,  ISfiO,  in  that  county,  and 
is  a  member  of  ^he  Mt.  Vernon  Baj^tist  Chm-ch.  Mr.  Ewell  is  a  Democrat  in  political 
views;  he  has  two  brothers,  born  as  follows:  Samuel  D.  Ewell.  August  19,  18(iO,  and  Ervin 
E.  Ewell,  October  2l).  ISliT;  the  foiTuer  is  a  resident  of  San  Francisco.  Cal.:  the  latter 
resides  with  his  mother  at  Rochester,  this  county. 

DANIEL  E,  FROST,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Brookline,  Windham  Co,.  Vt.,  July 
2iS,  1818:  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Bixby)  Fros,t  the  former  born  in  Massachu- 
setts, the  latter  in  Connecticut.  Mr.  Frost  is  one  of  a  family  of  twelve  children,  ten  boys 
and  two  girls;  ten  of  their  children  are  living,  the  eldest  seventy  two  years  of  age,  the 
youngest,  forty-six  years  old;  his  j>arents  moved  to  Bolivar,  Allegany  Co.,  N,  Y.,  when 
he  was  six  years  old,  and  thi'ee  years  later  went  to  Ceres,  McCane  Co..  Penn. ;  in  1830, 
they  went  to  Covington,  Genesee  Co,,  N.  Y. ;  seven  years  after.  Mi",  Frost  settled  in  Oak- 
land County,  Mich.,  where  he  was  married,  January  22,  1844,  to  Margaret  Jarvis;  she 
died  June  4,  1N48,  leaving  one  son,  James  J.,  born  November  21.  1844.  ]\Ir.  Frost  was 
again  married.  Jannarj'  30.  1849,  to  Belinda  Brownson;  she  died  August  4,  18(51,  leaving 
three  children,  born  as  follows:  Willard  A.,  January  5,  1S50;  Margaret  A..  March  4, 
1852,  and  William  K.,  July  24,  1854.  Mr.  Frost  was  again  married.  March  6.  1802,  to 
Mi's;  Mary  (Eaton)  Sholes,  who  had  one  daughter — Virginia,  born  May  12,  1855.  Mrs. 
Frost  was  born  November  9,  1832,  in  Union,  Tolland  Co.,  Conn. :  the  family  moved  to  St. 
Clair  County  in  1849,  and,  eighteen  years  after,  to  Romeo,  where  they  resided  seven 
years  and  a  half;  in  the  fall  of  1874,  they  bought  a  farm  of  280  acres,  three  miles  south 
of  Romeo,  where  thev  have  since  resided. 

OILMAN  E.  GRAVES.  P.  O.  Rochester,  Oakland  County,  was  born  November  20. 
1839,  in  Washington,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.;  is  the  son  of  EphiHuu  and  Persis  (Hall)  Gravies; 
his  father  was  born  in  Vermont  and  his  mother  in  Consictiicnt;  both  descended  from  na- 
tives of  those  States.  His  parents  came  to  Michigan  i:i  June,  1827,  and  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  on  Section  32,  in  Washington,  where  liirf  father  died  September  5,  1 8(53. 
Mr.  Graves  of  this  sketch  succeeded  to  the  possession  of  the  homestead,  to  which  he  has 
added  eighty  acres,  making  a  fine  fai-m  of  160  acres;  on  this  property  there  has  never 
been  an  incumbrance  from  the  day  of  the  original  purchase.  Mr.  Graves  was  married. 
February  20,  1800,  to  Jeanette  Healy,  of  Shelby;  she  died  September  16,  i860,  and  Mr. 
Graves  was  married  a  second  time.  May  1,  1862,  to  Haniiah  E.,  daughter  of  Lockwood 
and  Emeretta  Russell;  her  father  was  a  native  of  New  York,  her  mother  of  Connecticut; 
both  probably  descended  from  English  ancestry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves  have  had  fom- 
childi-en,  born  as  follows:  Howard  H.,  March  25.  1865;  Jeanettie  E.,  Novemb'^r  10,  1867; 
Adalettie  W.,  September  22,  1869,  died  October  10,  1870;  Kezza  L.,  January  17,  1877. 
Mi-s.  Graves  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  of  Washington.  Mr.  Graves  is  an  ac- 
tive and  zealous  member  of  the  Macomb  County  Agricultm-al   Society,  and  has  been  for 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


years  considered  among  the  best  authorities  on  breeding  ponltry.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  po- 
litical views. 

JOHN  C.  GRAVES,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  August  22,  1S2S.  in  Leroy.  Genesee 
Co..  N.  Y. ;  is  the  son  of  Ames  and  Betsey  (Martin)  Graves,  natives  of  New  York;  his 
parents  came  to  Michigan  in  1S32.  and  settled  in  Washington;  his  father  located  on  240 
acres,  on  Section  7.  on  which  he  lived  four  years,  when  he  sold  10(1  acres  and  went  to  Mc. 
Clemens,  where  he  engaged  in  keeping  hotel  and  sold  liquor  three  months;  he  then  estab- 
lished a  temperance  house  and  continued  its  management  to  the  cLd  of  the  year,  when  he 
went  to  Oakland,  Oakland  County,  and  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  followed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life;  he  died  January  2.  1S37;  his  wife  died  in  May.  ISSO.  in  Richmond, 
Macomli  County.  Mi-.  Graves  of  this  sketch  was  married,  November  12,  1S5().  to  Ann 
Eliza,  daughter  of  William  and  Fanny  Park,  of  Washington,  Macomb  County;  she  was 
born  March  6,  1S32,  in  Onondaga  County.  N.  Y. ;  her  parents  settled  on  Section  7,  in 
Washington,  in  1836,  and  engaged  in  farming;  in  May.  1877,  they  moved  to  the  village 
of  Romeo,  where  they  now  reside.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves  have  four  children,  born  as  fol- 
lows: Frances  E.,  August  23,  1S52;  Alice  M..  October  24,  1853;  Park  C.  April  10.  1.S56; 
Carrie  L.,  Febi-uary  15.  lS(iO.  Park  was  married,  March  13,  1877,  to  Cora  A.  Thoring- 
ton,  of  Washington,  and  resides  with  his  parents;  Can-ie  is  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Albertson, 
of  Oxford,  Oakland  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
Mr.  Graves  is  a  Republican  in  politics;  he  has  been  all  his  life  a  farmer,  and  owns  205 
acres  of  tirst-class  land,  with  good  dwelling  and  convenient  sulistantial  outbuildings. 

LEVI  P.  HAINES,  P.  O.  Romeo,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Betsey  Haines,  was  born  in 
Mendon,  Mom'oe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  November  14,  1N21;  the  parents  reared  a  family  of  twelve 
children,  six  boys  and  six  girls ;  both  died  at  seventy-two  years  of  age,  the  father  in  1 85S, 
the  mother  in  1S65;  thev  came  to  Michigan  in  1S32  and  bought  160  acres  of  land  on  Sec- 
tions 15  and  22,  in  Washington.  When  Mj.  Haines  reached  his  majority,  he  bought  160 
acres  of  what  is  known  as  "  speculators"  land.'"  and  began  himself  to  clear  it  for  a  farm; 
three  years  after,  he  made  an  exchange  with  a  younger  brother  (James  H.  Haines)  for  the 
homestead  faiTU  in  W^ashingtou,  his  present  home.  December  29.  1853,  he  was  married 
to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  and  Betsey  Flumerfelt:  she  was  born  in  Oxford,  War- 
ren Co.,  N.  J.,  Januaiy  16,  1828;  her  parents  came  to  Oakland.  Oakland  County,  \Fhere 
her  father  now  lives,  aged  eighty-two  years.  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haines  have  three  children, 
born  as  follows:  Mary  Josephine,  February  21.  1857;  B.  Frank.  February  27.  IMiO;  Will- 
iam L.,  February  10,  1N65. 

GILBERTE,  HALL,  P.  O.  Washington.  Elias  Hall  was  born  in  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire  Febniary  U,  17'.)'.);  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  the  State  of  New  York,  where 
he  was  man-ied  to  IMi-s.  Lydia  Rood  in  the  year  IM'.t;  he  came  with  his  family  to  Michi- 
gan, in  1832,  where  he  settled  on  a  farm  owned  by  John  Price,  two  miles  south  and  one- 
half  mile  west  of  Romeo;  here  he  lived  one  year;  he  then  moved  on  a  farm  owned  by  a 
Mr.  Porter,  where  he  lived  three  years.  With  the  mistaken  idea  that  the  timbered  land 
was  going  to  be  the  easier  cleared  and  the  Ijetter  wheat  land,  he  pm-ehased  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres,  five  miles  south  and  one-half  mile  east  of  Romeo.  On  this  farm  he  resided 
until  his  death,  a  period  of  forty-six  years.  His  trade  was  that  of  a  blacksmith;  in  thfv 
early  settlement  of  Macomb  County,  he  was  the  only  man  in  the  ci>unty  who  could  make 
edged  tools.  IVIr.  Hall  was  a  respected  and  loved  neighbor  and  friend,  living  a  quiet 
home  life  and  one  of  industry;  he  was  a  Freemason,  and  a  Repuljlican  in  politics:  he  was 
of  English  descent;  he  died  in  his  eighty-fourth  year  at  the  home  of  his  youngest  son, 
Gilbert,  he  having  had  the  farm  on  condition  of  caring  for  his  parents;  the  date  of  this 
pioneer's  decease  is  Februarj'  12,  1882.  Lydia  Whitney  was  torn  in  Vermont  March  5, 
1795;  she  was  man-ied  to  Horace  Rood,  of  New  York  State,  in  1815;  she  had  two  children 


""^^f^ 


*M^ 


824  HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 

— Laura,  born  at  Pittsbnrgli,  in  IS  If),  and  Hannah,  born  at  Pittsburgh,  in  bSbS.  Her  lirst 
htishand  died  in  ISIS.  She  married  Eh' as  Hall  in  ISIU,  and,  after  a  residence  of  thirteen 
years  in  New  York,  came  to  Michigan,  in  1S32:  she  was  a  good  and  true  wife,  and  labored 
as  only  such  a  woman  can  to  make  a  home  and  bring  up  her  childi-en;  she  was  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church;  she  died  September  20,  1S76,  having  passed  her  eighty  lirst 
birthday.  To  her  seven  children  were  born  by  her  last  husband — Horace,  born  at  Rush, 
N.  Y.,  in  1S2J,  died  in  the  Chattanooga  Hospital  in  bS64;  Cynthia,  born  in  Rush,  in 
1S2;-].  died  in  infancy;  Hiram,  liorn  at  Rush  in  1S26,  is  now  a  resident  of  Lamotte, 
Sanilac  Co.,  Mich.;  Sarah,  born  at  Rush,  in  1829.  died  at  the  home  of  her  husband, 
Harry  Kimball,  in  Washington.  Mich.;  Minerva,  born  in  Rush,  in  1831,  is  now  a  resident 
of  Marlette.  Mich. ;  Cyrus.  Iwrn  in  Washington  Township,  1833,  was  killed  at  the  battle 
near  Warrentown  Junction,  Ya. ;  Gilbert,  born  in  Washington  Township.  1836,  is  now 
a  resident  of  Washington.  Of  the  tirst  two  daughters — Laura  and  Hannah — Laura  died 
at  the  home  of  her  husband,  Anson  Grinnell,  in  Washington  Township.  The  present 
residence  of   Hannah  (Pen-y)  Rood  is  Fentonville,  Mich. 

P'RANK  C.  HARPER.  P.  O.  Romeo,  son  of  Francis  Harper,  was  born  in  Tyrone 
(Jouuty.  Leland.  near  Castlederg.  June  2,  1857;  he  attended  the  national  schools  in  te- 
land  for  a  year,  when  he  came  with  his  mother,  six  sisters  and  iive  brothers  to  the  United 
States.  The  father,  Francis  Harper,  was  born  in  Tyrone  County,  Ireland,  in  181(3,  and 
lived  in  that  county  until  1864,  when  he  came  to  tho  United  States;  he  was  a  son  of  Hugh 
Harper,  also  a  native  of  Tyrone.  Francis  Harper  was  married  to  Miss  Esther  Bovaird,  of 
Castlefinn,  Donegal  Co.,  Ireland,  March  31,  1841;  the  children  of  this  marriage  were 
Hugh,  born  February  22.  1S42;  Sarah,  February  16.  1844;  William,  January  9, 
184();  Mary  Jane.  November  5.  1848,  died  August,  18(35;  Maggie,  December  2,  1851; 
John.  January  9,  1853;  Lizzie  and  Elliott   (twins),  Febiiiary  22,  1855;  Frank  C,  June 

2,  1857;  Rebecca.  June  27,  1859,  died  June  12.  1880;  Esther  and  George  (twins).  May 
31,  1862,  all  born  in  Ireland,  and  Matilda,  born  at  Hibernia,  N.  J.,  July  18.  1866.  Mr. 
Harper.  Sr. ,  came  to  Michigan  with  his  family  in  April,  1868,  and  resided  at  Romeo  un- 
til 1871,  when  he  bought  the  Sisson  farm  of  seventy  acres,  in  Washington  Township; 
here  Mr.  Harper  resided  until  his  death.  November  29,  1879,  when  the  property  passed 
into  the  possession  of  Frank  C.  the  present  owner.  Hugh  married  Mary  Faulkner,  and 
resides  at  Syracuse;  Sarah  inarried  George  Wadley,  and  resides  in  Florida;  William  mar- 
ried Eliza  Spring,  and  lives  in  Sanilac;  Maggie  married  James  Hamilton,  and  resides  in 
Lapeer;  John  married  Mina  Fox,  and  resides  in  Lapeer;  Lizzie  married  Charles  Oibbs, 
and  resides  in  Gladwin  County;  Elliott  is  a  blacksmith  at  Disco.  Shelby  Township;  Es- 
ther is  unmarried  and  residing  at  Lapeer  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Hamilton;  George  resides 
in  Oakland  County,  and  Matilda  lives  with  her  mother  and  brother  on  the  homestead. 
Mrs.  Harper,  the  mother  of  this  family,  was  born  at  Castlefinn.  Ii'eland.  December  25, 
1821 ;  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Chui-ch.  Hugh  and  Sarah  Harper  were  the  pioneers  of 
the  family  in  the  United  States;  they  arrived  in  Michigan  in  1863.  one  year  before  their 
father  immigrated.     Mr.  Harper,  politically,  is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  R.  HAZARD.  P.  O.  Mt.  Vernon,  was  born  in  Shelby.  Macomb  County,  Au- 
gust 14,  1822;  he  is  the  son  of  James  and  Hannah  (Beebe)  Hazard,  the  former  born  in 
Russell,  Mass.,  July  26,  1796,  the  latter  in  Bennington,  Vt..  July  18,  1798;  she  died  July 

3.  1845.  Mr.  H.  of  this  sketch  came  to  Michigan  and  lived  for  a  time  on  the  Hiu-on 
River,  near  Detroit;  the  land  had  not  come  into  market,  and  he  came  to  Macomb  County, 
where  he  bought  ninety  acres  of  Government  land,  and,  on  the  K^th  of  July.  1823,  he 
received  his  patent.  No.  108,  signed  by  President  Monroe;  here  he  lived  the  remainder  of 
his  life;  his  death  occurred  in  1825.  Mr.  H.  of  this  sketch  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  has 
made  agi'iealture  the  business  of  his   life;  he  owns   164  acres  of  improved  land,  which 


<. 


.1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


came  into  his  possession  in  1N57.  This  farm  was  formerly  the  homestead  of  Judge  Hiirt. 
who  purchased  it  in  1S22,  and  remained  its  owner  until  INST.  Mr.  H.  was  married.  No 
vemher  15,  1S53.  to  Almira.  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Persis  Graves  (see  sketch  of  G.  E. 
Graves),  natives,  respectively,  of  Vermont  and  Connecticut.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  have  had 
two  children — John  O..  born  May  22,  1S59,  and  Alma  V.,  June  1^4,  LS()I.  Mr.  H.  is  a 
Republican,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Chui'ch,  of  Mt.  Ver- 
non. In  1S79,  Mr.  H.  built  an  elegant  and  substantial  residence  on  his  farm  at  a  cost  of 
nearlv  S5.000. 

RUSSELL  T.  HAZELTON,  Superintendent  of  H.  R.  Hazelton's  lumber-mills  at 
Washington,  Macomb  County,  was  born  in  Ray  Township,  this  county.  May  1 1.  1849,  and 
is  a  son  of  Thaddeus  Hazelton,  who  was  born  in  Canada  September  12,  1812,  and  came  to 
Macomb  County  in  1838.  Thaddeus  Hazelton  married  Louisa  Roberts,  born  in  Connecticut 
in  1819;  they  had  eight  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  seventh.  At  the  age  of  fif 
teen,  he  left  his  parental  roof  and  lived  with  his  brother,  Hiram  R.,  in  whose  employ  he 
still  remains,  on  a  large  salary.  He  was  married,  in  October,  187(1,  to  Miss  HaiTiet  Du- 
sett,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  one  living,  Jessie  ]j.  Mrs.  Hazelton  died  September 
17,  1877,  and  he  again  maiTied,  January  1,  1879,  this  time  to  Miss  Ida  S.  Jones.  Mr. 
Hazelton  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  New  Haven;  he  has  worked  his 
way  up  by  his  own  efforts:  is  a  self-made  man,  a  shrewd  business  man,  and  very  ingen- 
ious, and  successful  in  all  his  undertakings. 

THADDEUS  HAZELTON,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Ingham  County,  Mich.,  June 
25,  1845;  came  to  Macomb  County  in  1849,  and  went  with  his  father's  family  to  Missouri 
in  1857,  returning  to  Michigan  in  1861.  He  enlisted,  when  twenty  years  old,  at  Pontiac, 
in  the  Third  Michigan  \'olunteer  Infantry,  Company  G,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
at  Knoxville,  Tenn.  He  commenced  farming  as  an  occupation  in  18()S.  November  9, 
1871,  he  was  married  to  Martha,  daughter  of  Oliver  Dudley,  born  December  11,  1S55:  they 
have  two  sons — Orsel.  born  December  18,  1872:  and  Ransom,  born  September  14.  1874. 

RANSOM  HAZELTON  was  born  November  21, 1807.  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
went  to  Canada  with  his  ])arents  when  nine  years  old.  In  October,  1829,  he  was  married 
to  Polly  Whiting,  a  native  of  the  State  of  New  York;  they  came  to  Michigan  in  Febraary, 
1837,  and  reached  Detroit  just  in  time  to  participate  in  a  celebration  in  that  city  on  the 
admission  of  Michigan  as  a  State;  they  settled  in  Aiu-elius,  Ingham  County,  where  they 
encountered  all  the  vicissitudes  and  privations  of  pioneer  life,  and  reared  eight  children — 
Allen,  Delia,  Adaline,  Mary,  David,  Thaddeus,  Sylvester  and  Clan-ie.  Mr.  Hazelton  drew 
the  fii-st  load  of  lime  to  Lansing  for  the  building  of  the  capitol.  In  March,  1849.  he  set- 
tled in  Ray.  Macomb  County,  where  he  remained  until  1857,  when  he  went  to  Missouri 
and  lived  until  the  rebellion  broke  out,  and.  being  a  decided  Union  man,  he  was  obliged 
to  secm-e  safety  by  change  of  locality,  and.  with  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  moved  his  family 
back  to  Michigan,  which  was  no  sooner  accomplished  than  he  enrolled  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Fifth  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry,  Company  F.  enlisting  March  19,  1862,  at  Mt.  Clem- 
ens; he  was  afflicted  with  goiter,  and  was  discharged  February  11,  1863,  at  Camp  Pitcher: 
he  re-enlisted,  November  1,  1863,  in  the  First  Michigan  Cavalry,  Company  A,  and  was 
discharged  June  19.  1805,  at  Cumberland,  Md..  on  the  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability 
from  wounds  received  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness;  he  was  in  the  several  actions  at 
Williamsbiu-g,  Fair  Oaks,  Malvern  Hill,  Seven  Pines,  Wilderness  and  Fredericksburg. 
He  ret  u-ned  to  Macomb  County,  where  ho  has  followed  the  vocation  of  a  farmer;  he  is 
now  seventy-four  yeai's  old.  and  lives  with  his  son  Thaddeus. 

IRA  P.  HOLCOMB.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Hartland,  Niagara  County,  N.  Y., 
September  24,  1817;  is  .son  of  Apollos  and  Mehitable  (Bunnell)  Holcomb;  the  former  was 
.51 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COT'NTY. 


born  in  1701;  was  a  soldier  of  18]  2.  and  wounded  at  the  burning  of  Bnifalo  by  the  Brit- 
ish in  1814:  a  bullet  struck  his  uplifted  arm  and  sped  to  the  shoulder;  the  ■"  knuckle" 
of  the  elbow  joint  was  cut  off  and  came  out  of  the  wound,  which  was  in  a  state  of  suppm-- 
ation  two  years,  occasionally  capping  over;  one  day.  he  remarked  to  his  son  that  he  l>elieved 
the  bullet  had  returned  to  the  place  of  entry,  and.  taking  his  knife,  probed  the  cavity  and 
took  out  the  bullet,  which,  with  the  fragment  of  bone,  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Hol- 
comb,  of  this  sketch.  His  father  died  October  16,  1828,  in  Hartland.  Micha  Holcomb, 
father  of  Apollos  Holcomb.  was  born  in  1752;  served  in  the  Revolution,  and  died  in 
1840.  in  Washington.  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.:  his  wife  was  Hannah  Hays.  Mr.  Holcomb 
came  to  Michigan  at  nineteen,  and,  after  some  prospecting,  settled  in  Dryden,  Lapeer  Co., 
Mich.  He  was  raan-ied  to  Elizabeth  B.,  fifth  daughter  of  Eben  and  Elizabeth  (Corey) 
Taft,  of  Kingsville,  Ashtabula  Co.,  Ohio:  she  was  born  in  Harrison.  Cortland  Co.,  N.  Y., 
Mai'ch  1.  1S21.  Mr.  Taft  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire;  was  a  man  of  singularly 
noble  and  upright  character;  he  became  deaf  fifteen  years  before  his  death,  which  occurred 
at  Kingsville  September  21),  1849;  he  felt  his  affliction  most  acutely,  but  only  expressed 
regret  at  being  depriv(»d  of  the  privilege  of  hearing  the  Gospel  preached:  he  used  to  say, 
with  tears,  that  he  had  never  expected  to  belong  to  the  "stay-at-home"'  class.  He  was 
seventy-eight  years  old.  His  wife  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  died  at  Kingsville  Novem- 
ber 10,  1858,  aged  seventy-five  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holcomb  have  five  children  born  in 
Dryden  as  follows:  Frank  H.,  June  S,  1847:  Horace  A.,  November  i;j,  1N52:  Ira  P.,  Jr., 
December  29,  1854;  Sarah  J.,  March  6.  1,S57;  Clara  E.,  November  17,  1860.  Mr.  Hol- 
comb removed  his  family  to  Romeo  December  1,  1S68,  and.  a  year  later,  settled  two  miles 
south  on  Washington  Center;  after  a  stay  of  four  and  a  half  years,  he  went  to  a  farm  of 
160  acres  on  Section  10.  township  of  W^ashington.  which  is  the  present  homestead.  The 
patriot  ancestor  of  Mr.  Holcomb  left  in  the  family  three  varieties  of  ancient  buttons — 
one  stamped  with  the  '"  Mayflower; '"  one  a  relic  of  the  Revolution,  with  the  ""  eagle,  "' 
and  another  sort  whose  date  and  meaning  are  unknown. 

AUGL'STUS  M.  HOVEY.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  November  27.  IS  10.  in  Warsaw. 
Genesee  Co..  N.  Y  .:  is  son  of  Gurdon  and  Anna  (Starkweather)  Hovey;  the  former  was 
born  June  6,  1779.  and  died  June  11,1870;  the  latter  was  born  in  "Williamstown,  Mass., 
March  25,  1789,  and  died  March  21,  18f)9;  they  came  to  Michigan  in  1S25  and  settled  on 
Section  2,  Washington  Township,  buying  eighty  acres  of  Government  land,  where  they 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Hovey  has  always  pursued  the  calling  of  his 
father:  at  his  death,  he  succeeded  to  the  estate,  and,  in  addition  to  agi'iculture,  has  been 
engaged  some  years  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber  in  Lapeer  County.  He  was  maiTied, 
January  10,  1886,  to  Malvina  Humphrey,  of  Almont.  Mich. ;  they  had  six  children — Jul- 
iette, born  February  17, 1837;  Hiram  A.,  December  8, 1838;  Lavinia,  September  13,  1840, 
deceased;  Asa  M.,  August  24,  1842;  Lovina  E.,  August  23,  1847:  Martha  E.,  August  24, 
1 N53.  Mrs.  Hovey  died  September  20,  1 N58.  Mj\  Hovey  was  married  a  second  time,  to 
Margaret  Harper,  born  in  Ireland  May  21,  1S3N:  both  belong  to  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr. 
Hovey  is  a  Rejjublican  in  politics. 

JASON  E.  INMAN  was  born  September  16,  1856,  in  Ray,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.;  is 
son  of  William  and  Harriet  Inman.  both  of  whom  were  born  in  New  York,  and  are  still 
living  in  this  township.  (See  sketch  of  Mr.  Inman.)  Mi-.  Inman,  of  this  sketch,  was 
married,  September  U>,  1879,  to  Mattie  E.,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Amanda  Shaw,  who 
are  residing  in  the  village  of  Romeo;  Mr.  Shaw  was  born  at  Johnstown,  N.  Y.;  Mrs.  Shaw 
is  a  native  of  Onondaga.  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Inman  was  born  September  9,  1859,  in  Washington, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Romeo.  Mr.  Inman  is  a  Republican  in  polit- 
ical views. 

WILLIE  J.  INMAN.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Ray,  Macomb  County,  February  13. 


-^fn= 


rfxT 


l\^ 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB   COl'NTY. 


1863;  is  son  of  William  and  Harriet  (Teller)  Inman;  his  father  was  born  May  3,  1S31,  in 
Greene  County.  N.  Y. :  his  mother  was  third  child  of  Jefferson  J.  and  Margaret  (Miller) 
Teller,  born  February  24.  bS82.  in  Greene  County.  N.  Y.,  and  mari-ied  January  1.  1S52. 
They  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  had  four  children,  viz. :  Florence  C. .  born 
in  Ray  Township  August  6.  1S53,  is  an  artist:  Jason  E. ,  born  in  Ray  September  Ifi.  lS[)f), 
married  Mattie  B.  Shaw  (see  sketch);  Willie  J.;  Cassius  M.  was  born  September  K),  ISfiS, 
in  Washington,  is  at  school.  James  Teller,  father  of  Jefferson  J.,  was  born  in  Holland 
in  175U;  was  only  son  of  Jacobus  Teller,  who  died  while  he  was  young.  James  accom- 
panied an  uncle  to  America,  and  was  a  patriot  of  the  Revolution,  serving  in  the  commis- 
sary department,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Stony  Point,  on  the  Hudson  River;  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  business  of  a  furrier  afterward,  and  was  drowned  in  1S07.  while  crossing 
Lake  Erie;  his  wife,  Sarah  (Woolsey)  Teller,  was  born  near  Marlboro.  N.  Y. ;  thej'  settled 
at  Waterford,  N.  Y. ;  the  husband  died,  and  the  wife  married  Joshua  Sutton,  a  member  of 
the  Society  of  Friends;  she  came  to  Michigan  in  IN3(),  and  died  at  her  son  Jefferson's  in 
1810.  William  Miller,  maternal  grandfather  of  Harriet  Teller,  was  born  in  Portsmouth, 
England,  August  14,  17H3;  he  was  a  marine  in  His  Majesty's  (King  George)  service,  and 
was  appointed  Master  of  Arms  on  board  the  Rhinoceron  in  17S2,  and  on  the  Nestal.  Briti.sh 
frigate,  in  the  Revohitionary  war;  after  his  discharge,  he  was  licensed  to  exhort  in  the 
Methodist  Church.  His  wife.  Margaret  Brundige,  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia  December  20, 
1770.  and  died  June  1,  1S51 :  they  came  to  Michigan  from  Hunter,  Greene  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and 
settled  in  Bruce.  Macomb  County,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr. 
Miller  died  March  25.  1859.  They  had  seven  sons  and  f oiu-  daughters.  Jefferson  J.  Tel- 
ler was  born  October  20.  1805.  in  Greene  County.  N.  Y. ;  came  to  Michigan  in  1824  and 
settled  in  Addison,  Oakland  County,  and  was  for  many  years  a  local  preacher  in  the  Protest- 
ant Methodist  Church.  Margaret  (Miller)  Teller  was  born  February  14,  1805.  in  Greene 
County,  N.  Y. .  and  married  in  1820.  Jefferson  Teller  died  in  Richfield,  Genesee  Co., 
Mich..  February  14,  1875;  they  had  seven  daughters  and  two  sons.  John  Inman,  father 
of  William  Inman,  was  born  in  Greene  County,  N.  Y..  November  23.  1801.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Jane  Gass  October  20,  1820,  and  settled  in  Ray  Townshiji  in  October.  1831,  and 
died  December  22.  1843.  William  and  Eleaner  Gass  came  from  Scotland  to  America  in 
1774,  and  settled  in  Lexington.  Greene  Co..  N.  Y. ;  a  son,  John  Gass,  was  born  in  1770, 
who  married  Rebecca  McGregor,  of  Scotch  parentage;  they  had  seven  sons  and  seven 
daughters,  one  of  whom  was  Jane,  who  married  William  Inman;  they  settled  in  Ray  in 
1837;  thirteen  children  gi-ew  to  maturity  and  settled  adjacent  to  each  other,  and  formed 
the  ■•Gass  settlement.'"  The  descendants  by  direct  lineage  and  intennarriages  number 
330,  of  whom  275  are  living,  and  200  of  whom  attended  a  Gass  re-union  of  recent  date, 
held  at  Davis,  Macomb  Countv. 

WILLIAM  INWOOD,  P.  0.  Romeo,  was  born  February  28.  1701,  at  Headley  Park. 
Hampshire,  England;  is  son  of  James  and  Mary  Inwood,  the  former  a  native  of  Hamp- 
shire. England,  the  latter  of  Batts'  Corners.  Surrey.  England.  William  Inwood  and  his 
wife,  grandparents  of  Mi'.  Inwood  of  this  sketch,  were  born  in  the  same  shire  in  England. 
Mr.  Inwood  was  maiTied,  in  March.  1N21,  to  Charlotte  Remnent.  of  Surrey,  England;  of 
ten  children  born  to  them,  seven  are  still  living — three  sons  and  four  daughters,  viz. : 
Ruth.  Mi's.  Andrew  Wood,  of  Feutonville.  Genesee  County;  James,  living  in  Cannon. 
Kent  Co..  Mich. :  Mary.  Mi-s.  Henry  Douglass,  of  Fentonville,  Mich.;  Esther,  Mrs.  Penn- 
ington, of  Rockford,  Kent  Co.,  Mich.;  William,  farmer  in  Washington;  Henry  and  Ara- 
minta,  residing  with  their  parents.  Mr.  Inwood  landed  at  New  York  in  the  spring  of 
1837,  and  settled  in  Washington,  where  he  has  spent  the  majority  of  his  time,  working  at 
his  trade  of  mason  and  bricklayer;  about  twenty  years  ago,  he  located  on  200  acres  of 
land,  which  constitutes  his  present  homestead;  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Bap 


■^y 
^ 


'liL 


HISTOHY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tist  Church.  Mr.  Inwood  is  the  second  oldest  man  in  the  town,  and  is  ninetj-one  years 
old:  he  served  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  and  his  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  British 
army  during  the  entire  struggle  between  Great  Britain  and  the  Colonies.  Mr.  Inwood  is  a 
Republican  in  political  views. 

HENRY  JERSEY  (deceased),  was  born  January  2S,  17i)l;  was  scm  of  Richard 
and  Isabelle  (Palmer)  Jersey:  they  vpere  natives  of  New  York;  the  former  died 
February  10.  ISSl.  aged  seventy-two:  the  latter,  July  10,  1833,  at  seventy-two  years  of 
age.  He  was  married  to  Sophia  Price,  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  in  liS23  came  to 
Michigan;  he  took  up  120  acres  of  Government  land  in  Washington,  being  the  third  set- 
tler in  that  township;  everything  was  in  a  state  of  jarimeval  wilderness,  and  he  built  a 
log  house;  the  family  lived  in  it  about  eighteen  years,  when  Mr.  Jersey  built  a  dwelling 
of  brick,  made  by  himself  from  clay  beds  on  his  farm;  they  were  worked  until  about  1.S75, 
and  supplied  brick  for  the  construction  of  many  buildings  in  the  village  of  Romeo.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jersey  had  three  childi'en  when  they  came  to  this  township,  and  the  fom-th  child, 
Mary  Jane  -Jersey,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  Washington;  live  others  were  born  to 
them,  and  all  remember  the  wandering  bauds  of  Indians  who  were  as  plenty  as  the  forest 
leaves  iu  their  young  days;  the  trail  of  the  dusky  throng  who  made  their  trips  to  Detroit 
for  their  payments,  while  Cass  was  Governor,  crossed  the  Jersey  farm.  Mrs,  Jersey  was 
born  in  Frederick  City,  Md.,  January  '23,  ITitU,  and  died  Se2itember  7,  18()7;  she  was 
entirely  blind  sixteen  years;  her  parents.  Philip  and  Ann  Maria  Price,  were  of  German 
extraction:  they  took  up  100  acres  of  land  in  Washington,  and,  iu  1824,  built  a  log  house, 
now  occupied  i)y  William  W,  Jersey,  the  oldest  house  in  the  township).  Mr.  Jersey  and 
his  wife  wei-e  adherents  of  the  Uaiversalist  Church;  with  the  first  money  ($5)  he  earned 
when  a  boy.  he  bought  a  Bible,  which  is  still  preserved  in  the  family;  his  knowledge  of 
its  contents  was  wonderful;  he  was  never  known  to  err  in  the  place  and  diction  of  a  quo- 
tation from  it.  His  pioneer  experiences  were  as  striking  as  others  that  have  been  related; 
he  once  shot  a  wolf  from  his  open  door,  and  at  one  time,  when  boiling  sap  in  the  woods 
alone  at  night,  he  heard  a  gang  of  wolves  overpower  and  kill  a  deer  not  far  away;  he  took 
a  biu-ning  brand  and  hurried  home,  and  the  next  night  caught  one  of  the  marauders  in  a 
trap  baited  with  the  remains  of  the  deer,  which  he  found  in  the  morning.  Mr.  Jersey 
died  April  IK,  ISSU.  The  family  burial-place  is  in  the  Central  Cemetery  of  the  township; 
all  the  gi'andparents,  the  parents  and  deceased  children  are  bm-ied  there.  Following  is 
the  record  of  the  children:  Betsey  Ann  was  born  March  20,  1819:  mai-ried  Samuel  Way- 
cott,  a  native  of  London,  England,  a  cai'penter  and  joiner;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  died  July  4,  18(51.  James  Harlow  was  born  February  25.  1.821 ;  he  was 
a  teacher,  and  married  Julia  A.  Davison;  settled  on  IfiO  acres  in  Hadley.  Lapeer  County; 
in  liSSS,  he  went  to  Pike's  Peak;  was  heard  from  the  next  fall,  since  which  time  there  is 
no  trace  of  him,  William  W.  was  born  April  2S,  1822;  he  married  Emily  Beebe.  a  na- 
tive of  Rush,  N.  Y.,  and  is  a  carpenter.  Mary  Jane  was  born  February  12,  1S24;  she 
lives  on  the  old  homestead,  where  she  has  spent  her  life  thus  far.  Peter  Hazzard  was 
born  September  2(5,  1825;  married  Margaret  Smith,  and  is  a  marble  engraver.  George 
Alonzo  was  born  March  13,  1S28;  married  Lydia  Dudley  and  settled  in  Hadley.  Lapeer 
County;  he  died  January  (j.  187(5;  like  his  father,  he  was  remarkably  well  versed  in  the 
Bible.  Ransom  Wellington  was  born  August  23.  18211;  mairied  Sarah  Kennedy,  and  is 
a  marble-dealer  in  Romeo.  Sarah  Ann  was  born  July  14,  1831;  man-ied  J.  P.  Sisson,  a 
farmer  of  Aa-mada,  in  March,  18(51,  Philip  Price  was  born  December  28,  1833;  married 
Augusta  Redtield;  he  was  a  musician  in  Gale's  Band,  of  Pontiac,  in  the  civil  war;  he  is  a 
music  teacher  and  marble  engraver;  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Henry  Jersey 
was  a  soldier  of  1812;  the  last  ••  general  training''  in  the  township  of  Washington  was 
held  on  his  farm. 


4 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


RICHARD  JERSEY,  son  of  Richard  and  Mablp  (Palmer)  .Jersey,  was  born  October 
\'I.  17U7:  his  parents  were  early  settlers  of  Wiudom  County,  N.  Y..  where,  on  the  Catskill 
Mountain  farm,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  Mr.  .Jersey  immigrated  in  I.S'24.  and 
located  a  tract  of  land  on  Section  12,  Washington  Township.  Seven  years  previously,  in 
1<S17.  he  married  Miss  Sallie  P.  Reed,  daughter  of  Nathan  Reed,  who  was  murdered  at 
Black  Rock.  N.  Y. ;  they  are  the  parents  of  six  children.  Old  residents  of  Washington 
may  remember  the  sale  of  Mi'.  Jersey's  lauds  for  taxes  during  his  absence  from  the  home- 
stead; fortunately,  this  early  settler  of  Macomb  possessed  a  receipt  of  all  the  taxes  sup- 
posed to  be  due  on  the  land,  and  to  this  circumstance  he  in  a  great  measm-e  owes  his  pres- 
tnt  valuable  fai'm.     Politically,  Mr.  Jersey  is  a  Democrat. 

NATHAN  KEELER  (deceased),  was  born  October  13.  ISOS,  in  Rush,  Monroe 
County,  New  York:  he  was  son  of  Ezra  and  Hannah  (Inman)  Keeler:  he  came  to 
Michigan  aliout  the  year  1N83  and  bought  120  acres  of  Government  land  on  Section  3;"). 
where  he  lived  until  1850,  when  he  jnu'chased  240  acres  on  Sections  21  and  2S:  a  few 
years  later,  he  sold  eighty  acres,  leaving  100  in  the  present  homestead,  where  he  lived 
until  his  death,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  which  he  spent  in  Romeo,  where  he 
owned  valuable  property:  he  died  April  1,  1800.  He  was  married,  September  1,  IS^."). 
to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Brown)  Bates,  of  Washington,  the  former  a  na- 
tive of  New  York,  the  latter  of  Vermont.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Keeler  have  thi-ee  chiltlren  liv- 
ing— Hannah,  widow  of  Joseph  Moyers,  born  June  3,  1836;  Mary  M. ,  July  10.  1S40;  and 
Zeolide  L. .  December  9,  1848;  the  two  last  named  reside  with  their  mother,  and,  with 
her.  belong  to  the  Patrons  of  Husbandi-y.  Mrs.  Keeler  and  her  daughter  Hannah  are 
members  of  the  Chi-istian  Church,  to  which  Mr.  Keeler  also  belonged.  He  was  a  Repub 
lican. 

FREDERICK  KNIGHT,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Surrey  Coiinty,  England,  July 
31.  1S28;  he  came  to  America  in  1854  and  i-eached  New  York  March  11:  he  came  to 
Michigan  the  same  year  and  settled  in  Washington  Township,  where  he  has  since  been 
occupied  in  fai'ming,  with  the  exception  of  eight  years,  which  he  spent  in  Ray;  four  years 
of  that  time  he  worked  at  this  U'ade,  that  of  a  mason;  he  liought  forty  acres  of  land  on 
Section  28  in  Ray,  which  he  cleai'ed  from  the  stump,  together  with  eighty  acres  inherited 
by  his  wife:  he  finally  settled  on  his  wife's  fathei-'s  farm,  on  Section  23.  in  Washington: 
he  still  owns  his  original  purchase  in  Ray.  and  thirty  acres  in  this  township.  He  was 
married.  December  31,  1854.  to  ULartha  Maria,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Clark) 
Moyers:  she  was  boi-n  February  7.  1825,  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co..  N.  Y.  IVIr.  and  Mrs. 
Knight  have  two  children  -Albert  C,  born  September  8,  1800;  and  Gilbert,  February  0, 
1804,  both  born  in  Ray.  Mr.  Knight  is  a  Republican.  Mi-,  and  Mrs.  ]\Ioyers  were  na- 
tives respectively  of  Ha'gerstown.  Md.,  and  HarrisbiU'g.  Penn. :  the  former  was  born  June 
31.  17.S3.  and  died  June  7. 1840;  the  latter  was  born  May  27,  1702,  an  died  Decembers, 
1874.  They  had  nine  children,  as  follows:  Anna,  deceased;  Peter  Moyers  lived  until 
the  age  of  thirty ;  he  was  a  gi-adnate  of  Hudson  College  (Ohio) ;  founded  the  Rochester 
(Oakland  County)  High  School,  and  was  its  Principal  at  the  time  of  his  death;  he  was  a 
man  of  line  character  and  abilities,  a  zealous  advocate  of  temperance,  and  strong  in  his 
anti-slaveiT  principles;  John  Moyers,  deceased,  was  a  farmer  in  Oxford,  Oakland  County; 
owned  730  acres  of  land;  was  an  educated  man,  and  a  teacher  some  years;  he  was  Super- 
visor and  School  Inspector  several  terms  in  his  township;  Henry  (see  sketch);  Adam  (see 
sketch);  Maria;  Joseph,  deceased:  George,  residing  in  Memphis,  Tenn..  is  a  claim  agent; 
Gilbert,  of  Washington.  D.  C. .  was  gi-aduated  from  the  Law  Department  of  Poughkeep- 
sie.  and  is  a  lawyer  and  claim  agent:  he  enlisted  as  Captain  in  the  Third  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, and  reached  the  rank  of  Colonel;  two  other  children  were  bom.  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Moyers  settled  on  Section   23,  this  township,  June  1,   1825;  took  up  480 


^1 


l^ 


HISTORY   or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


acres  of  Goverument  land,  and  occupied  160  acres  of  the  same  until  their  deaths.  Alex 
ander  Clark,  Mrs.  Moyer's  brother,  accompanied  them  to  Michigan,  and  lived  with  them 
until  his  death,  in  18(iS.  aged  eighty-six  years.  Mr.  Movers  was  a  man  well  fitted  by 
uatiu'al  ability  for  a  jiioneer;  he  understood  nearly  all  mechanical  trades,  and,  when  his 
new  brick  house  replaced  the  log  cabin  of  his  early  pioneer  life,  he  did  with  his  own 
hands  all  the  work  but  lay  the  brick,  which  he  made  on  his  own  farm.  Mrs.  Knight's 
maternal  grandsire  (Clark)  was  murdered  by  the  desperado,  Morgan,  who  could  not  be 
identified  at  the  time,  but,  when  about  to  suffer  the  death  penalty  for  horse-stealing  and 
murder,  confessed  the  killing  as  the  only  one  of  nine  he  regretted.  Mr.  Clark  started 
from  Presque  Isle  for  the  Alleghany  Mountains  with  his  wife  and  two  children  (Marga- 
rette  and  Alexander),  leaving  two  older  children  with  his  father;  the  joiu-ney  was  made  on 
horseback,  and  Morgan  followed  them  nine  days,  vainly  trying  to  secm'e  possession  of  a 
beautiful  mare;  he  at  last  decoyed  Mr,  Clark  into  a  ravine  and  shot  him,  and  took  the 
mare,  which  he  was  riding;  the  almost  distracted  wife  sent  for  her  husband's  father,  who 
came  with  the  other  children  and  helped  in  the  search  for  his  son's  body;  it  was  found 
after  a  search  of  forty  days,  and  buried,  and  the  party  went  on:  the  wife  went  back  after- 
ward for  the  bones,  riding  2()()  miles  on  horseback;  at  that  day.  a  superstition  existed  that 
if  a  bone  of  a  murderer's  victim  was  preserved,  it  would  aid  in  identification,  if  the  mur- 
derer was  in  the  vicinity,  and  the  collar-bone  of  Mr.  Clark  was  not  bm'ied;  when  the  par- 
ties had  all  passed  away,  the  bone  was  and  still  is  in  tlie  possession  of  Mi's.  Knight.  A 
brother  of  Mrs.  Knight's  mother  (Margaret  Clark)  was  mm'dered  by  his  father-in-law  in 
an  altercation  about  property.  The  pai'ents  of  Mr.  Knight,  Reuben  and  Louisa  Knight, . 
were  born  in  Surrey  Covmty,  England,  respectively  in  17S2  and  3792;  they  were  married 
in  1812,  and  had  nine  childi-en;  the  olde.st  died  at  the  age  of  three  years;  following  is 
the  list:  Reuben,  Anne,  Esther.  Louisa,  Frederick,  Cyrus,  Ellen  and  Caroline.  The 
parents  died  in  England.  Mr,  Knight's  sister  Anne  came  to  America  with  him,  and  died 
here  in  1S74. 

EDWIN  LAMB,  P.  O.  Washington,  was  born  April  10.  1S25,  at  Washington,  where 
he  received  a  common-school  education.  He  was  married,  June  2U,  1S51,  to  Caroline 
Stone;  they  have  five  children — Eugene  H.,  born  March  25,  1852,  married  Ida  M.  Davis 
March  25,  lS7y,  resides  at  home,  and  has  one  child,  Leona,  born  July  4,  1880;  Metta  A. 
was  born  May  30,  1857;  married  Isaac  Terpenning  March  2S,  1877:  has  one  child,  Leroy, 
born  July  20,  1880;  Ida  A.  was  born  eptembor  (\.  18()0;  completed  a  full  com-se  of  study 
at  the  State  Normal  School  in  1881,  and  is  now  teaching  at  Northville,  Wayne  Co.,  Mich. ; 
Elmer  E..  born  January  29,  1862;  and  Aura  R.,  March  22,  1864,  and  attending  the  Romeo 
High  School. 

OTIS  LAMB  was  born  in  Greenville,  Mass.,  October  H),  1790;  he  received  a  com- 
mon-school education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  yeai's  removed  to  Durham,  province  of 
Quebec,  Canada,  where  he  engaged  in  tanning  and  ciu-rying.  He  was  there  married,  Au- 
gust 3,  1814,  to  Theodotia  Wales,  born-in  Bennington,  Vt.,  March  26,  1792;  at  six  years 
of  age,  she  went  with  her  parents  to  Canada;  the  wedding  ceremony  was  conducted  in  the 
old  English  style;  two  years  after  their  marriage,  they  went  to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y., 
where  Mi'.  Lamb  purchased  a  farm;  the  period  was  shortly  after  the  war  of  1812,  when 
produce  was  high,  and  Mr.  Lamb  expected  to  pay  for  his  farm  in  a  short  time  by  raising 
wheat;  but  prices  lowered,  and  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  his  plans;  he  worked  at  tanning 
until  he  obtained  sufficient  money  to  bring  his  family  to  Michigan,  where,  in  1S23,  he 
purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Washington,  Macomb  County,  and  settled  with  his  wife 
and  four  childi'en  in  1824:  the  place  was  a  wilderness,  and  they  encountered  all  the  pri- 
vations common  to  the  pioneer  of  that  day;  on  one  occasion,  when  night  fell,  the  last  bit 
of  food  was  gone,  and  had  absolutely  nothing  for  breakfast;  but  they  had  the  good  fortune 


HISTOKY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY.  831 


to  capture  a  raccoon,  which  supplied  their  needs  until  more  could  be  obtained.  Mr.  Lamb 
worked  at  tanning  and  farming  for  a  niunber  of  years.  Before  the  organization,  Mr.  Lamb 
was  appointed  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  held  the  office  a  number  of  years;  he  was  the 
first  Postmaster  of  the  town,  and  was  Town  Clerk  for  twenty  years;  he  died  February  'I. 
18S1.  They  had  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Linus.  Itorn  May  "io,  1M5, 
resides  at  Groveland.  Oakland  Co.,  Mich. ;  Eli^a,  July  ".^S.  1817,  lives  at  Lindeu,  Genesee 
Co.,  Mich.;  Hiram,  August  1.  INl'J,  resides  at  Holly,  Oakland  County;  Emily.  December 
18,  1820,  died  in  Kose,  Oakland  County,  in  1858;  Edwin  (see  sketch):  Dennis,  born  Oc- 
tober 14,  1827,  lives  in  Washington;  Caroline.  April  29,  1830,  died  November  1 1 ;  Almeda. 
March  29,  .1838,  died  October  2,  1853.  Mrs.  Theodotia  Lamb  was  born  Miu-ch  21),  17U2. 
at  Barington,  Vt.  In  rehearsing  the  pioneer  experiences  of  a  countj',  it  is  customary  to 
treat  the  subject  in  such  a  way,  so  to  speak,  that  renders  strict  justice;  in  a  half  sense,  the 
heavier  trial  rests  on  the  half  not  considered  in  too  many  cases;  a  man's  pioneer  routine 
is  outlined;  a  woman's  pioneer  history  is  one  of  small  exigencies,  minor  details,  and  seem- 
ingly insignificant  trifles;  but  a  want  of  forethought,  a  carelessness  of  the  wants  of  her 
husband  might  be  the  trifle  that  lost  the  king  his  crown.  On  Mrs.  Lamb  devolved  the 
responsibilities  usual  to  the  common  settler's  wife;  her  husband's  time  and  attention-  were 
monopolized  by  the  duties  to  which  he  was  called  by  his  fellows,  and  she  bore  her  double 
burdens  with  credit  to  herself  and  honor  to  her  husband;  she  lived  on  the  farm  where  she 
went  in  her  yoiing  married  life,  for  fifty-six  years,  and  lived  to  see  a  mansion,  with  all 
modern  comforts,  where  she  first  saw  a  small  log  house,  and  blooming  fields  in  place  of 
the  wilderness,  and  a  railroad  where  was  an  Indian  trail.  The  improvements  of  Macomb 
Coimtv  are  the  enduring  monuments  of  its  pioneers. 

ALONZO  D.  LEE,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  December  10,  1841.  in  Euclid.  Cuyahoga 
Co.,  Ohio;  is  a  son  of  Rowland  H.  and  Almira  Lee;  the  former  was  born  in  Roxbury, 
Mass..  September  20,  1805;  his  parents,  Elias  and  Lavu'a  Lee.  moved  to  Cuyahoga  County, 
Ohio,  in  1811,  making  the  entire  joxu'ney  with  an  ox  team,  bringing  with  them  their 
household  goods  and  nails  to  use  in  building;  they  sold  the  nails  for  the  first  boat  for 
lake  service  built  in  the  city  of  Cleveland.  Elias  Lee  bought  1, '.»()(»  acres  of  land  in  Cuya- 
hoga County,  and  he  and  his  wife  lived  and  died  there;  he  was  a  son  of  Capt.  Benjamin 
Lee,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  French  war.  Mr.  Lee,  of  this  sketch,  has  in  his  possession 
a  huge  powder-horn,  once  the  property  of  his  warlike  ancestor;  it  is  an  heirloom,  and  has 
been  owned  successively  by  one  generation  after  another;  it  is  of  a  light  yellow  color,  and 
is  covered  with  carving  and  inscriptions,  most  remarkable  of  which  is  the  River  Hudson, 
with  the  city  of  New  York  represented  as  a  fort;  the  British  coat  of  arms,  with  G.  R. 
sui-mouuting,  and  the  following,  proving  its  identity  and  genuineness:  ••Captain  Benge- 
man  M.  Lee  his  born  Fort  Edward 31,  1758."  The  spelling  is  the  same  as  present- 
ed. A.  D.  Lee  was  married,  July  23,  1865.  in  East  Cleveland.  Cuyahoga  Co..  Ohio,  to 
Viola  J.,  daughter  of  William  and  Emily  Jersey,  of  Washington.  Macomb  Co..  Mich.  In 
Mav,  18<)8.  Mr.  Lee  removed  his  family  to  Washington;  they  have  six  childi'en.  born  as 
follows;  William  H.,  July  11,  18(ifi:  Arthur  D.,  February  2(^  18()8;  Charles  E..  January 
15,  1872;  Emily  A.,  August  Hi,  1873;  Viola  M..  September  5,  1878;  Lucy  Luella,  July 
6,  1881.  The  two  eldest  were  born  in  East  Cleveland,  Ohio;  the  others,  in  "Washington. 
Mr.  Lee  served  three  years  in  the  rebellion,  and  was  honorably  discharged. 

C.  E.  LOCKWOOD,  P.  O.  Washington.  About  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
three  brothers  named  Lockwood  emigrated  to  America  from  Scotland.  One  of  them. 
Timothy,  settled  in  Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  and  reared  a  family  of  six  sons  and  one  daughter 
— Stephen,  Henry,  Nathaniel,  Timothy,  Titus,  Ebeuezer  and  Abigail.  He  served  during 
the  Revolution,  under  a  Captain's  commission;  three  of  his  sons  were  soldiers  under  him, 
and  Timothy,  aged  foiu-teen,  was  a  drummer  boy  in  the  body  guai'd  of  Gen.  Washington. 


■>  ^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Capt.  Lockwood  died  iu  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  in  17U5.  Timothy,  fourth  son.  was  born 
in  Dutchess  County  in  17(>3;  he  married  Mi-s.  Esther  (Townsend)  Mead,  who  died  in  May, 
1S4N:  he  went  to"  Greene  County,  N.  Y..  and,  in  February,  ISll,  to  Cayuga  County, 
where  he  died  in  March.  IS  12:  he  was  the  father  of  nine  children — Jeremiah.  Polly, 
Lydia,  Lebbeus,  Abigail,  Lucinda.  .Jane,  Zebulon  and  Stephen;  the  first  six  were  born  in 
Dutchess  County,  the  last  three  in  Greene  County;  Abigail  and  Stephen  are  now  living; 
Jeremiah,  eldest  son,  was  born  January  21,  17S5,  and  married.  January  15.  IHOS,  to  Han- 
nah Arnold;  in  1822,  they  came  to  Michigan  and  located  on  Section  33,  in  Washington, 
Macomb  County:  they  reared  ten  children-  Electa,  born  October  6,  1808,  married  Daniel 
Nichols,  and  died  September  12,  1842;  Harry,  October  8,  1810,  died  October  12.  1812; 
Amanda,  February  <).  1813.  married  Zimri  Curtis,  resides  in  Addison,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich. ; 
Wdliam,  November  2'J,  1  SI 4,  married  Mary  Winslow,  resides  near  Saginaw.  Mich. ;  Maria, 
September  11,  1820.  man-ied  Calvin  Parker,  living  in  Avon,  Oakland  Co..  Mich.;  Rhoda, 
January  lo,  1823.  married  Chester  Andrews,  resides  in  Shelby,  Macomb  County:  Lydia, 
February  27,  1827,  died  April  15,  1844;  Hiram,  July  13,  1829,  died  in  18(>»);  Cyrenus, 
August  27,  1832,  drowned  in  the  Straits  of  Mackinaw  October  22.  1851;  Thomas  L.,  Jan- 
uary!, 183U,  died  August  20.  1842:  Welburn,  May  4.  1841,  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  and  died  at  Hospital  No.  3,  Jackson.  Tenn. .  January  Ifi.  18(')3.  Mi-.  Lock- 
wood's  wife  died  March  8.  1835.  He  was  married  again.  October  7.  1837.  to  Mrs.  Jane 
(Littlewood)  Tweddell:  she  died  June  (>,  18(57,  leaving  two  children:  he  died  December 
10,  185H,  and  is  buried  in  the  Washington  south  burial  ground.  Timothy,  fifth  child 
and  third  son,  was  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.  November  lU.  1817:  married  Mabel, 
daughter  of  Pelog  Evvell,  February  2,  I84r)  (see  sketch  of  E.  P.  Ewell).  Mi-.  Lockwood 
settled  on  Section  32.  Washington.  Macomb  Co..  Mich.,  where  he  resided  until  the  fall  of 
1878,  when  he  purchased  his  present  residence  on  Section  33.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lockwood 
have  had  five  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Following  is  their  record:  Murray, 
born  December  7,  184().  married  Lucinda  Lintz  January  2R.  1867,  and  lives  in  Oakland, 
Oakland  Co.,  Mich. :  Thomas  J..  June  1,  184S,  married  Clara  Dairs  October  lU,  1S((), 
lives  near  Portland,  Ionia  Co.,  Mich.:  Flora  G.,  September  O,  1851,  married  T.  C.  Miller 
March  10, 1S71.  resides  on  Section  33,  Washington;  Cyi-enus  E.,born  December  14,  1855, 
married  Ida  F.  Dairs  October  2.  1878:  resides  on  the  old  homestead,  Section  32,  Wash- 
ington; Clara  I.,  born  August  10,  185H. 

JOHN  S.  MAJOR,  P.  O,  Mt.  Vernon,  was  born  February  29.  1841,  in  Warren  County, 
N.  J.;  is  son  of  Conrad  and  Elizabeth  Major.  He  came  to  Oakland.  Oakland  Co,  Mich., 
in  1855,  and  engaged  in  farning;  in  iSril).  he  bought  110  acres  on  Section  18,  in  Wash- 
ington. Macomb  County:  besides  the  management  of  his  farm,  he  is  engaged  to  consider- 
able extent  in  buying  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  for  the  Detroit  and  Eastern  markets.  He 
was  married.  December  31, 18()2,  to  Lanah  V.  Cole,  of  Oakland:  she  was  born  October  31, 
1842,  and  is  daughter  of  Christian  and  Sarah  Cole;  her  parents  were  born  in  Warren 
County,  N.  J.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Major  have  four  children — Frank  R.,  born  June  (i,  18()4; 
Sadie  E.,  March  27,  iSf)*):  Melvin  D..  November  10,  I8()8:  John  M, March  3.  1S71.  Mr. 
Major  is  a  Democrat.  His  farm  is  finely  situated,  in  the  near  vicinity  of  the  post  office 
and  village  of  Mt.  Vernon,  in  Washington  Township. 

JAMES  MASSIE.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  December,  1821,  in  Aberdeenshire, 
Scotland:  is  son  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  Massio,  natives  of  the  same  place.  Mr.  Massie 
was  married.  December  12,  184f),  to  Christian  Tayler,  of  the  parish  of  St.  Fergus,  Scot- 
land; she  is  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  fayler.  and  was  born  in  October,  1821. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Massie  have  eight  children,  born  in  "  Auld  Scotia,"  as  follows:  William, 
April  4,  1847;  Mary,  June  10,  1849;  James,  August  U"),  1852;  Alexander,  July  29,  1855; 
Margaret,  December  23,  1858;  John,  July   14,  18fj0;  Robert,  April  P>.  1862:  and  Susan, 


^a 


HISTOBY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


April  '2,  1865.  They  have  au  adopted  son,  James,  horn  in  Scotland  April  22,  1869.  The 
family  landed  at  Quebec  in  June,  1872;  they  lived  in  Canada  about  three  years,  and  then 
located  on  a  farm  on  Section  6,  in  Washington.  Mr.  Massie  has  always  been  a  farmer,  as 
was  his  father  before  him.  Mrs.  Massie  is  a  daughter  of  a  farmer,  but  her  forefathers 
were  fishermen. 

ADAM  C.  MOYERS,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  January  7,  1S22,  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co., 
N.  Y. ;  was  fourth  son  and  fifth  child  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Clark)  Moyers  (see  sketch 
of  Frederick  Knight).  He  came  to  Michigan  with  his  parents  in  1825,  when  about  four 
years  of  age:  his  father  liought  KiO  acres  of  land  in  Washington,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  was  reared  to  the  calling  of  a  farmer,  which  he  has  pursued  through  life.  Mr. 
Moyers  purchased  ISO  acres  of  valuable  land  on  Section  21  about  thirty-two  years  ago, 
which  is  his  present  homestead.  He  was  married.  February  H.  bS52,  to  Elsie,  daughter 
of  Elisha  and  Mary  M.  Smith,  natives  of  New  Jersey;  she  was  born  April  3.  1S8H,  in 
Warren  County,  N.  J.;  they  have  six  children,  born  as  follows:  Margaret  E..  November 
1,  1854:  Mary  M.,  March  21,  1856;  Harriet  E.,  October  2(),  1857;  Cassius  E.,  October  2, 
18<)0:  Judson  C,  August  :!,  1S('6;  Neil  O.,  June  5.  1871.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moyers  belong 
to  the  Baptist  Church  of  Mt,  Vernon.      Mr.  Moyers  is  a  Republican  in  political  views. 

HENRY  MOYERS,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Rush,  Monroe  Co..  N.  Y..  February 
1.  1S21;  he  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Margaret  Clark  Moyers  (see  sketch  of  Frederick 
Knight).  They  came  to  Michigan  in  1825  and  settled  on  Section  23,  in  Washington, 
where  they  purchased  a  farm  of  160  acres,  and  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their 
lives.  Mr.  Moyers  of  this  sketch  purchased  his  first  landed  possessions  in  Oxford,  Oak- 
land County,  including  105  acres  of  land;  he  lived  on  it  about  six  years,  and  sold  out, 
buying  his  present  homestead,  on  Section  21,  in  Washington,  where  he  owns  140  acres  of 
first-class  land,  situated  about  two  miles  from  the  post  office  of  Mt.  Vernon  and  five  miles 
from  the  village  of  Romeo;  he  also  owns  forty  acres  in  the  township  of  Ray.  He  was 
married,  March  17,  1834,  to  Cynthia  Shoemaker,  of  Oxford.  Mich.:  they  had  three  chil- 
dren—Eva, born  August  10.  18*54:  Clarissa.  May  26,  1857:  Margaret  M.,  August  2,  1859, 
died  February  8,  1863.  Mi-s  Moyers  died  September  15,  1863.  Mr.  Moyers  was  man-ied 
again,  March  13.  1872,  to  Mary  L.,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Hannah  M.  Warren,  born 
March  21,  1849,  in  Newport,  Mich.;  her  father  was  born  in  New  York,  and  her  mother  is 
a  native  of  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moyers  have  two  children—  Ward  A.,  born  October 
10.  1877;  and  Beecher  V.,  August  30.  1879.  Mr.  Moyers'  father  was  a  German  orator; 
his  mother  was  of  Irish  extraction;  the  former  was  born  June  3.  1783.  died  June  1.  IS46; 
the  latter  was  born  May  27,  1792,  and  died  June  18.  1874:  Alexander  Clark,  her  brother, 
was  born  in  1775,  and  died  December  29,  1S()8. 

J.  W.  NIMS.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  September  28,  1X39.  in  Huntington,  Vt. ;  is  the 
son  of  Dr.  Eeul].>u  and  Sophia  Whiton  Nims:  in  1854,  his  parents  settled  in  Lexington, 
Mich.,  and.  a  year  after,  came  to  Macomb  County  and  bought  120  acres  of  land  on  Sec- 
tion 1,  where  his  father  died  February  2.  1N()9;  his  mother  was  born  March  15.  1799.  in 
Montague,  Franklin  Co.,  Mas.s.  She  was  married,  May  13,  1824,  in  Lee.  Mass..  and  be- 
came the  mother  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  survive:  she  is  living  on  the  homestead 
with  her  son.  Mr.  Nims,  of  this  sketch,  to  whom  the  patrimonial  estat""  descended  on  his 
father's  death,  and  which  now  comprises  145  acres.  Mi-.  Nims  has  held  the  position  of 
Supervisor  for  nine  years,  and  other  minor  township  offices:  politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 
Hannibal  H.  Nims,  his  brother,  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  three  years;  was  Captain 
of  Company  K,  Tenth  Michigan  Volunteur  Infantry,  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  at  Jones- 
boro,  Ga. 

SILAS  NYE,  P.  O.  Romeo,  son  of  Jefferson  Nye,  who  was  born  at  Pittsford.  N.  Y., 
January  9,  1802,  was  born  June  21,  1832,  in  Washington  Township,  Macomb,  whither  his 


>|^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


parents  came  in  1S24;  the  grandfather  Nye  was  named  Nathan,  a  native  of  Salem,  Mass., 
whose  parents  are  supposed  to  have  come  from  England;  Grandmother  Nye  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Stone  family,  of  Massachusetts,  and  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  IS  12.  Jefferson 
Nye  married  Hannah  Hayden  April  2H,  1N2();  this  lady  was  a  native  of  Rush,  N.  Y.,  born 
October  9,  ISO."),  daughter  of  Silas  and  Bebecca  Hayden,  of  Connecticut,  the  former  serv- 
ing nearly  six  years  in  the  Revolution.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  viz. : 
Alice,  born  March  H,  1S27,  now  living  on  the  homestead  where  she  was  born:  Amelia, 
born  August  U>,  1S2S,  died  October  Ki.  lS4r):  Norton  B.,  May  14,  ISHO,  living  at  Fenton- 
ville,  married  to  Miss  Sarah  C.  Smith,  daughter  of  Jacob  Smith,  of  this  county,  formerly 
of  New  York  State;  Silas  Nye,  born  June  21,  1882,  now  residing  on  the  homestead  farm; 
Daniel  H.,  born  May  fi,  1884,  died  September  20,  \HH')\  Delora,  born  September  4,  ISIJT. 
died  October  22,  1844;  Viola,  born  March  27,  1848.  died  July  80,  184r)^all  born  in 
Washington  Township.  Silas  Nye  was  married,  February  (1.  18()(),  to  Miss  Jane  Eliza- 
beth Hopkins  born  February  19,  188."),  daughter  of  Hiram  M.  Hopkins,  born  at  Middle- 
bury.  N.  Y..  in  1S08,  died   February  2,  1842,  and  of  Polly  (Price)  Hopkins,  born  October 

18,  1810,  at  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  both  settling  in  Macomb  about  1824;  the  parents  of 
Mrs.  Polly  (Price)  Hopkins  were  Phillip  Price,  born  at  Frederick.  Md.,  October  U>.  liSO; 
and  Anna  Maria  Sulzer,  born  at  Frederick  about  the  year  1781:  they  came  to  Michigan  in 
1824;  the  former  died  August  2(),  18.")8,  and  the  latter  February  4.  18.J7.  Mr.  Nye  and 
wife  are  the  parents  of  Alvin  Jefferson,  born  June  10,  ISIJS;  Hiram,  infant  son  of  Silas 
Nye,  born  December  7,  died  December  12,  1871.  The  children  of  Hiram  and  Polly  (Price) 
Hopkins  are  Charles,  born  March  9,  1884;  Jane  E.  (Mrs.  Silas  Nye),  born  February  19, 
183");  Maria,  born  October  28,  1887;  George  M.,  born  June  18,  1889— all  natives  of 
Washington  Township,  Macomb  County.  Mr.  Nye  owns  two  fiu-ms  in  Macomb  County — 
one  of  eighty  acres  and  one  of  forty  acres — together  with  200  acres  of  wild  land  in  Section 

19,  Township  2  south.  Van  Biu-en  County,  Mich. ;  he  devotes  his  time  principally  to  agri- 
culture and  stock-raising;  his  nursery  is  one  of  the  best-selected  and  kept  in  Michigan; 
flowers,  shrubs  and  trees  are  cultivated  with  great  care,  and  meet  with  ready  sale  thi-ough- 
out  Macomb,  Oakland  and  counties  adjacent;  he  never  sought  for  public  office.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  family  are  represented  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  Congregational,  Baptist  and 
Universalist  societies  of  Shelby  and  Washington:  the  Hopkins  family  belong  principally 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  both  the  Nye  and  Hopkins  family  ai-e  stanch  sup- 
porters of  the  Republican  party. 

ADDISON  G.  PRATT,  P.  O.  Davis,  farmer.  Section  8-"),  Washington  Township,  was 
born  August  14,  1848,  in  Clinton,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.;  is  son  of  Luther  and  Sarah  Pratt, 
the  former  a  native  of  Vermont  and  the  latter  born  in  the  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada; 
they  settled  in  the  township  of  Clinton  in  an  early  period  of  the  history  of  the  county. 
Mr.  Pratt,  of  this  sketch,  was  married,  August  4,  18()7.  to  Melissa,  daughter  of  Samuel  D. 
and  Mercy  (Briggs)  Sbattuck,  of  Chestertield,  Macomb  County;  she  was  born  July  II, 
l84o,  in  that  township;  her  iather  was  born  in  Hampshire  County,  Mass.,  February  1-"), 
1811;  her  mother  was  born  in  Middlesex,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  22,  1818;  the  former 
died  June  28,  18-11,  in  Chesterfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pratt  have  one  child.  Pearl  L..  born 
in  Lenox  March  29,  187-").  Mr.  Pratt  is  a  member  of  Macomb  Lodge  of  Brooklyn,  No. 
64,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  he  adheres  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 

LUTHER  PROCTER,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Armada,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  May 
10,  1830;  is  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Freeman  Proctor;  the  former  was  a  native  of  Alstead. 
N.  H.,  born  July  18,  1799:  the  latter  was  born  in  Berkshire.  VL,  April  18.  ISO.');  his  par- 
ents came  to  Michigan  and  bought  120  acres  on  Section  81.  in  Armada,  where  they  settled 
October  11,  1824;  the  father  died  August  8,  lS()t);  the  mother,  December  28,  18()2.  Mr. 
Procter  has  been  a  fanner  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  seven  years,  when  he  operated 


jda 


^4^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUKTY. 


a  gi'ist-mill  in  Ray  Township.  April  24.  LS(i4,  he  bought  his  present  homestead  of  eighty 
acres  in  Washington,  to  which  he  has  added  by  purchase  until  he  owns  114  acres  of  lirst- 
class  land,  lying  one  mile  east  of  Romeo  Village.  He  was  married,  April  H),  1861),  to 
Harriet  L.,  daughter  of  Azariah  W.  and  Miranda  Leach  Sterling,  of  Washington  Tp. ;  she 
was  born  April  U>.  1S3();  her  parents  were  natives  of  Lima,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Procter  have  one  child,  Charles  S.,  born  March  21,  ISOT.  Mr.  Procter  is  a  Re- 
publican in  political  views. 

BENJAMIN  PROCTER,  born  in  Gloucester.  Mass.,  August  21,  \Hu.  died  at  Al- 
stead,  N.  H.,  March  20,  1854;  his  wife,  Susanna  Lowe  Procter,  born  at  Ipswich,  Mass.. 
January  21,  1773,  died  at  Alstead,  N.  H.,  April  ~>.  18-'')8;  the  mother  of  Benjamin  Procter 
was  Rachel  Woodbiuy,  and  his  wife's  mother,  Martha  Story;  the  great-grandfather  of  Lu- 
ther Procter,  of  Washington  Township,  was  John  Procter,  who  sold  his  farm  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary  days,  took  his  pay  in  Government  money,  and  lost  all;  subsecjuently,  he  settled 
with  his  brother  on  Isle  of  Canchon,  and,  after  the  drowning  of  his  brother  Benjamin, 
inherited  that  property.  John  removed  to  Alstead,  where  the  grandfather  of  the  present 
Procters,  Benjamin,  lived  many  years,  until  his  death,  in  18r)4.  Rufus  Choate,  a  relative 
of  the  family,  was  born  in  the  island:  the  present  Rufus  Choate  makes  the  locality  his 
home. 

DAVID  B.  RIBBLE,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  April  10,  181(),  in  Warren  County,  N. 
J. ;  is  son  of  David  and  Sarah  Ribble,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey,  of  German  pai'entage. 
Ml-.  Ribble  was  married,  January  4.  184<),  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  Albert- 
sou,  both  natives  of  Holland;  they  had  two  childi-en — Albert,  born  August  30.  l847;  and 
Sarah,  born  July  20,  1S4U.  Mi-s"  Ribble  died  February  4.  1850.  Mi-.  Ribble  was  again 
married,  April  27,  1854,  to  Margaret  Ann,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizal)eth  Buchner.  of 
Sussex  County,  N.  J.;  the  record  of  their  childi-en  is  as  follows:  Watson  F.,  born  May 
25,  1856;  Edwin  C,  July  2,  1859;  Lizzie  F.,  August  2,  18()5;  Anna  Mary,  May  25,  1868; 
Carrie  E.,  June  24,  1872;  Evangeline,  October  12,  187(').  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ribble  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Episcopal  Church.     Mi-.  Ribble  is  a  Reimblican  in  politics. 

S.  M.  RITTER,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  February  10,  1833; 
is  son  of  John  and  Susan  Ritter,  natives  oE  Lancaster  County,  Penn.  Mr.  Ritter  came  to 
Michigan  August  19,  186)4,  and  settled  in  Avon,  Oakland  County,  where  he  was  engaged 
three  years  operating  a  grist-mill:  on  leaving  Avon,  he  went  to  Mt.  Clemens,  and  was  em- 
ployed there  as  a  miller  three  years;  he  next  engaged  in  a  mill  in  Ray,  and,  three  years 
after,  came  to  Washington,  where  he  is  now  foreman  in  the  Clifton  Mill,  located  on  Section 
7,  a  position  he  has  tilled  eight  years.  He  was  married.  June  27,  1856,  to  Sarah  Ann, 
daughter  of  Reuben  and  Maria  Lintz,  of  Erie  County,  N.  Y. ;  both  her  pai-ents  were  natives 
of  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Ritter  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  July  6,  1840.  Following  is 
the  record  of  their  childi-en's  births:  Lucy  A.,  April  29,  1857;  John  H.,  September  28, 
185,S;  Reuben,  July  26,  IStiO;  Franklin  S.,  January  5,  18()2;  Charlotte  M.,  August  2(). 
18<)();  Rosalie  E.,  February  14,  18()8;  Ai'thiu-,  December  12,  18  lO;  Elmer,  December  11, 
1871:  James  B.,  February  9,  1S77;  Olive  P.,  August  9,  ISSl;  Amelia  A.,  born  December 
24,  1864.  Mr.  Ritter  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  acts  with  the  Republican 
party. 

JAMES  H.  ROSE  was  born  November  12.  1797.  in  Bloomtield.  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  is 
the  son  of  Nathan  and  Elizabeth  Rose,  both  natives  of  Massachusetts;  the  former  was 
born  in  1783.  and  died  in  1N4S;  the  latter  died  in  1800.  Ml-.  Rose  came  to  Michigan  in 
March.  1826,  and  settled  in  Washington,  on  Section  2<),  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
land  and  lived  one  year  on  it;  by  occupation  he  is  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  and,  after  his 
father's  death,  he  retiu-ned  to  New  York  to  settle  the  estate;  he  remained  there  fifteen 
years,  and  came  back  to  Washington,  where  he  has  since  lived:  he  has  held  the  office  of 


Constable  and  Collector  fourteen  years;  he  has  also  been  Town  Treasurer  four  years;  pu- 
liticaliy,  he  is  a  Republican;  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers,  and  was  present  at  the 
first  town  meeting,  and  suggested  the  name  of  Washington  for  the  name  of  the  town;  he 
is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  which  hi>  joined  in  1S4");  \vas  formerly  connected  with 
the  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  belongs  to  the  Washington  Grange.  He  was  married.  De- 
cember 'iH,  1817,  to  Phcebe  Keeler,  a  native  of  Kush,  N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Han- 
nah Keeler;  they  have  four  childi-en,  born  as  follows:  Myrm  H.,  July  11,  1818;  Sabuna, 
September  27,  1820;  John.  September  8,  1822,  died  April  .">,  1845;  and  Mary  Ann.  born 
March  2,  1825.     Mrs.  Rose  died  September  8,  1821),  in  Washington. 

JOHN  V.  RUSH.  P.  O.  Mt.  Vernon,  was  born  April  IS,  1821,  m  Oxford.  Warren  Co., 
N.  J. ;  is  son  of  Peter  and  Esther  Rush,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey;  the  former  was  born 
in  1785,  and  died  July  8,  1N41 ;  the  latter  was  born  in  1787,  and  died  April  fi,  1848.  The 
paternal  grandsire  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  lived  more  than  eighty  years,  dy- 
ing in  Warren  County,  when  Mr.  Rush,  of  this  sketch,  was  about  eighteen  years  of  age, 
his  wife  having  died  some  fifteen  years  previous  to  that  event.  Mr.  Rush  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  1S44  and  settled  in  Macomb  County;  he  bought  110  acres,  his  homestead,  on  Sec- 
tion 18.  ^Vashington,  in  1850,  where  he  is  pleasantly  situated;  his  farm  is  in  a  jirogres- 
sive  state  of  cultivation,  and  has  a  substantial  dwelling  house  and  accessory  buildings. 
Mr.  Riish  was  married,  December  7,  184S,  to  Samantha,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Harriet 
Fangboner,  of  Washington;  Mrs.  Rush  was  born  December  8,  1827,  in  Oxford.  Warren 
Co.,  N.  J.;  her  father  was  born  in  the  same  county  October  20,  1S()4;  her  mother,  April 
211,  1804.  Ml-,  and  Mrs.  Rush  have  six  children  living — Alma,  born  September  28.  1849, 
wife  of  J.  L.  Petty,  of  Lansing;  Lee,  February  2,  1N57;  Katie,  December  15,  1858;  Emma 
A.,  August  13,  18()l;  Maggie  E.,  November  21,  18()H;  and  Susie.  March  25,  ],S()();  all  but 
one  live  with  their  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rush  ai-e  members  of  the  Baptist  Church  of 
Mt.  Vernoji.     Mr.  Rush  is  a  Republican,  and  has  acted  three  vears  as  Road  Commissioner. 

JOHN  SANBORN,  P.  O.  Almont. 

FRANKLIN  E.  SCOTT.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Washington.  Macomb  County, 
August  25,  18Hy;  is  the  son  of  Silas  and  Persis  Scott,  the  former  a  native  of  Canada,  who 
came  to  Macomb  County  in  181();  the  latter  of  Connecticut;  his  father  took  up  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Washington  in  1824,  adding  to  his  estate  by  purchase  until  his  farm  ag- 
gregated 120  acres;  he  died  in  1870.  Mr.  Scott  was  married,  October  31,  18(>5,  to  Char- 
lotte E.,  daughter  of  Edward  S.  and  Ann  Suover.  natives  of  New  Jei-sey.  Mrs.  Scott  was 
born  June  13,  1842.  They  have  six  children,  born  as  follows:  Josephine  L..  July  15. 
1868;  S.  Franklin.  June  5.  1870;  E  Ann,  September  18.  1871;  C.  M.  Clay,  March  4, 
1874;  William  E..  xMay  25.  187C):  Charlotte  E..  April  20,  1880.  Mrs.  Scott  is  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Romeo.  Mr.  Scott  is  a  Republican,  and  both  himself  and  wife 
belong  to  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.      The  family  reside  on  the  old  homestead. 

LY SANDER  K.  SHAW,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  June  11.  1827,  in  Jefferson  County, 
N.  Y. ;  is  son  of  Marvil  and  Roxana  (Kennedy)  Shaw,  natives  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
The  parents  came  to  Michigan  (probably)  about  1833.  and  took  up  forty  acres  of  Govern- 
ment land  in  the  township  of  Washington,  Section  5;  they  afterward  added  to  their  estate 
by  purchase  until  the  homestead  possessions  included  30O  acres  of  selected  land;  he  also 
purchased  400  acres  in  Oxford,  Oakland  County;  520  acres  neai-  Romeo;  and  1.200  acres  in 
Wisconsin.  5()0  of  which  were  improved.  Marvil  Shaw  was  born  August  22,  1802,  in  Ful- 
ton County,  N.  Y. ;  died  September  17,  1S7().  in  the  village  of  Romeo:  he  left  3,020  acres 
of  land  to  his  heirs,  and  $35,94(5  in  notes  and  mortgages.  Mr.  Shaw,  of  this  sketch,  has 
been  a  farmer  all  his  life;  he  began  his  contest  with  the  world  on  140  acres  of  land  be- 
longing to  his  father,  and  purchased  120  acres  adjoining;  on  the  death  of  his  father,  he 
became  ovraer  of  the  whole,  and  on  this  farm  has  lived  twenty  years;  he  removed  to  Ro- 


^' 


fe^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


meo  and  spent  six  years,  and  then  took  up  his  abode  where  he  now  lives,  comprising  3S() 
acres,  with  good  dwelling  and  suitalale  and  commodious  accessory  buildings.  He  was 
married,  January  27.  INSO,  to  Mai-garet,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Belinda  (Bronson)  Frost, 
of  Washington;  she  was  born  March  S,  1S52,  in  Berlin.  St.  Clair  County.  By  a  former 
marriaga,  Mr.  Shaw  has  three  children.  He  has  distributed  among  them  about  $8(),0()(), 
establishixig  them  in  comfort.     He  is  an  adherent  to  the  principles  of  Democracy. 

JOSEPH  SIKES  (deceased),  was  born  March  13,  IS09.  in  Granville,  Washington 
Co..  N.  Y. ;  was  the  sou  of  Noah  and  Mehitable  (Smith)  Sikes;  both  parents  died  before 
Mr.  Sikes  attained  his  majority,  leaving  two  children — Joseph  and  Sybil.  Joseph  Sikes 
came  to  Michigan  in  1S81.  and  worked  some  years  at  his  trade  of  millwright.  He  was 
manied.  OcLober  27.  183f).  to  Electa  Wilcox,  of  Rochester,  Oakland  County;  she  died 
March  24,  1S39.  leaving  a  daughter,  now  Mi-s.  Smith  Cahoon,  born  December  1,  1838. 
In  October.  1841,  Mr.  Sikes  bought  a  farm  in  Washington,  where  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  was  a  second  time  married,  to  Mrs.  Emily  (Turrell)  Throop,  March  29, 
1846;  her  parents  were  Joel  and  Mary  Grey  Turrell,  the  former  born  in  Connecticut, 
January  10,  1785,  the  latter  February  27,  1791,  in  Pemisylvania;  they  were  married  Feb- 
ruary 3, 1810,  and  a  few  years  after  removed  from  Pennsylvania  to  the  State  of  New  York. 
Mr.  Turrell  was  a  mechanic.  His  wife  was  distinguished  for  her  earnest  interest  in  the 
cause  of  temperance  before  the  |>ublic  agitation  of  the  question.  Their  trip  to  the  Em- 
pire State  wes  by  the  Susquehanna  River,  and  Mrs.  Turrell  was  much  annoyed  by  the 
drunkenness  of  the  sailors.  The  Captain  noticed  her  discomfitui'e,  and,  taking  posse-ssion 
of  the  passing  bottle,  discharged  its  contents  into  the  stream  and  presented  it  to  her. 
Her  daughter,  Mi's.  Sikes,  still  preserves  the  flask  as  a  memento  of  her  mother's  devotion 
to  principle.  An  incident  preserved  in  the  family  tradition  was  the  capture  of  the 
grandmother  of  Mrs.  Sikes,  in  the  early  period  of  the  county's  history,  by  the  Indians. 
Her  captivity  lasted  seven  years,  when  she  was  restored  to  the  possession  of  her  supposed 
parents,  but  complete  identification  was  never  established.  Joel  TiuTell  and  his  wife 
moved  to  Washington,  Macomb  County,  in  1835;  the  former  died  March  3,  1867:  the  lat- 
ter July  19,  1874.  They  had  sixteen  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Sikes  was  sixth  in  order; 
she  was  born  in  Henrietta,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y..  January  21,  1M8,  and  was  married,  April 
11,  1837,  to  Burchai'd  Ezra  Throop,  of  Washington,  Macomb  County;  Mr.  Throop  died 
November  24,  1838,  leaving  a  son,  Burchard  Ezra  Throoj),  Jr,,  born  April  7,  183S; 
the  latter  grew  to  manhood,  and,  in  the  fall  of  1861,  was  married  to  Annie  E. 
Ackerman,  and  soon  after  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Michigan  Infantry;  he  was  dis- 
charged at  the  expiration  of  five  mouths,  permanently  disabled;  he  died  in  Omro.  Wis., 
Jul}'  13,  1864,  leaving  one  son — Willie,  born  February  14,  IS63.  Mr.  Throop,  Jr..  died 
among  sti'angers  of  an  acute  disease,  but  smTounded  by  all  the  care  and  kindness  of  inter- 
ested friends.  Delays  in  telegrams  prevented  the  arrival  of  his  wife  until  after  his  burial. 
Mr.  T.  B.  Shipman,  at  whose  house  he  stopped  by  chance,  paid  the  highest  tribute  to  his 
character  as  evidenced  in  his  last  hours.  Joseph  Sikes  and  his  wife  Emily  (Turrell 
Thi'oop)  Sikes  became  the  parents  of  four  childi'en,  born  as  follows;  M;iry  Ellen,  October 
10,  1849;  Mai'sha  Emma,  Sei)tember5.  1851,  died  January  2,  1853;  Mattie  Elynn,  Novem- 
ber 5,  1853,  married  to  Homer  J.  Oxford,  of  Pontiac.  Oakland  County.  April  16.  1879; 
Charles  B.,  December  24,  1S62.  Mr.  Sikes  died  November  5,  187N;  in  the  character  of 
Mr.  Sikes  was  one  to  command  the  best  esteem  of  his  associates;  he  was  upright,  honor- 
able and  industrious,  a  most  successful  farmer,  unblemished  in  character  and  of  decidedly 
religious  inclinations,  though  not  a  member  of  any  church.  Mrs.  Sikes  belongs  to  the 
Baptist  Church;  her  childi'en  are  connected  with  the  Congregational  Society. 

DANIEL  T.  SMITH.  P.  O.  Borneo,  farmer.  Section  15,  Washington,  was  born  Feb 
ruary  11,  1841.  in  Washington;  is  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Mary  (Tinsman)  Smith;  he  is 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


the  fifth  of  nine  children:  was  maiTied  to  Marcia  H..  daughter  of  James  M.  and  Calista 
E.  Vaughan  (see  sketch):  she  was  born  May  150,  I.S4().  in  AVashingtou:  the  marriage  was 
solemnized  by  Rev.  William  Campbell.  December  IS,  ISOP).  at  the  Washington  Church, 
which  was  raised  on  the  day  of  her  birth,  and  is  the  only  instance  of  a  marriage  ceremony 
within  its  walls;  they  have  four  children,  born  as  follows:  Mildred  Belle.  September  IS, 
1S()7;  Edna  Louisa.  April  28.  INTO;  Lulu  Maud.  February  13.  1872:  Daniel  Tinsman, 
January  -JO.  1N75.  Mr.  Smith  was  reared  a  farmer  and  educated  at  Romeo:  he  owns  a 
farm  of  1()()  acres,  tinelv  situated,  on  Sections  10  and  15;  he  was  engaged  about  twelve 
years  as  a  stock-buyer  for  Eastern  markets;  in  18(19,  he  bought  the  Washington  Hotel,  of 
his  father-in-law.  and  nine  months  later  exchanged  it  for  the  Fenton  Mill  projierty  in 
Ray  Township,  where  he  was  associated  a  short  time  in  business  with  his  brother:  he  has 
since  been  engaged  in  agricultiu-e  and  lumbering,  which  latter  he  has  been,  since  ISSO, 
prosecuting  in  Washington,  under  the  style  of  Preston  &  Smith. 

ELISHA  SMITH  (deceased),  was 'born  May  18.  1807.  in  Wan-en  County.  New 
Jersey;  he  was  the  sou  of  John  and  Elsie  SmitJi.  both  of  whom  were  from  New 
Jersey.  Mi".  Smith  came  to  Michigan  in  the  spring  of  1889.  and  settled  in  Washing- 
ton on  1()0  acres  of  land,  on  Section  17,  which  he  had  bought  three  years  previously,  and 
where  he  lived  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  March  14.  l875:  he  was  married, 
December  4,  iS28,  in  Hope.  Warren  Co..  N.  J.,  to  Mary  M..  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  Tinsman:  the  former  was  born  November  10,  1788,  in  New  Jersey,  and  died 
December  (*).  1852:  the  latter  was  born  May  15,  1787,  in  New  Jersey,  and  died  March  2, 
18(')8.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Smith  had  nine  children,  born  as  follows:  Elizabeth  T.,  February 
10,  1880:  Elsie.  April  8,  1888;  Sarah  A..  October  9,  1885;  Harriet,  May  28,  1S8S; 
Daniel  T,,  February  11,  1841;  John  W..  December  19,  1848:  Rachel  M..  January  4, 
1847;  Lorissa  Jane,  December  2S,  1.S4N,  and  Emma  L. .  June  9,  1852.  Mr.  Smith  be- 
longed to  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  same  society,  and  resides 
with  her  daughter  Emma  (Mrs.  F.  J.  Crissman)  on  the  homestead  property.  Francis  J. 
Crissman  was  born  May  18,  1848,  in  Washington  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  have  had  four  chil- 
dren, born  as  follows:  Mary  M.,  April  80,  1S75;  Eliza  S..  June  10,  187G;  Nina  E., 
March  11.  18()8,  and  Bruce,  January  14,  1880,  died  September  15.  1881.  Mrs.  Crissman 
belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Church. 

JOHN  J.  SNOOK.  P.  O.  Ut.  Vernon,  farmer,  and  author  of  the  ■■  The  Centennial 
Trip  in  Rhyme."  was  born  April  1(5.  1842,  in  Clinton.  Macomb  County:  his  great-grand- 
father, John  Snook,  was  born  in  Wellington.  England;  his  grandfather.  James  Snook, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  place,  born  January  5.  1794;  he  reached  New  York,  June  8.  1817. 
and  settled  in  Clinton.  Macomb  County.  June  8,  1886.  James  H.  Snook,  father  of  J.  J  . 
of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  London.  November  18,  1810.  Mr.  Snook's  mother.  Sarah  Ann 
R.  (Axtell)  Snook,  was  born  March  8.  1817.  at  Columbus.  Ohio:  her  earliest  traced  an- 
cestor was  Henry  Axtell.  born  in  1(541,  in  England.  Following  is  the  direct  line  from 
him:  Daniel.' born  in  1()78.  in  Massachusetts;  Henry,  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1715; 
Maj.  Henry  Axtell,  of  Revolutionary  fame,  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1788;  Silas,  born  in 
Mendham,  N.  J.,  in  17()9;  Samuel  L..  born  November  11.  1790,  in  Mendham,  N.  J., 
father  of  Mrs.  S.  A.  R.  Snook.  J.  J.  Snook  was  married.  December  25.  18(>(_i.  to  Ella  C. 
daughter  of  Jacob  P.  and  Maria  S.  (Davis)  Davis,  of  Clinton,  Macomb  County,  whore  she 
was  born.  August  10,  1844.  J.  P.  Davis  was  born  July  18,  1798,  in  Shokan,  Ulster  Co., 
N.  Y. ;  he  located  in  Clinton  in  1841,  and  was  the  son  of  Peter  and  Theodocia  Davis,  who 
both  died  in  Shokan,  aged  ninety-seven  years.  Mrs.  Snook's  mother  was  born  May  24, 
1812,  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y. :  her  grandfather,  Jason  Davis,  was  born  in  the  same 
county,  September  20,  1782,  and  was  the  son  of  John  Davis.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snook  are 
the  happy  parents  of  five  children,  born   as  follows:  Nellie  M,,  October  16.  1867:  J.  Eu- 


^] 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


gene.  October  26.  1870:  John  H..  May  6.  1874:  Burton  Davis.  June  18.  1878:  Clai-ence 
Gr.,  October  15,  1881.  Mr.  Snook  is  an  intelligent,  scholarly,  tbiukintr  man,  and  is  Acting 
Justice  of  the  Peace. 

ANDREW  K.  SNOYER  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  J..  September  7,  bSi;5,  the 
son  of  Moses  and  Margaret  (Keen)  Snover:  they  came  to  Michigan  in  18;^:i,  and  settled  in 
Oakland  County:  the  greatgi'andparents  came  from  Germany  about  KUO,  and  settled 
near  Philadelphia.  Mi-.  Andi-ew  K.  Snover  was  married,  in  February,  1845,  to  Acelia, 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Deiadama  (Scranton)  Crippen,  of  Washington;  she  was  born 
April  "21,  ININ.  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y..  and  came  to  Macomb  County  in  18;!4  with 
her  parents.  Charles  Crippen  died  in  1S42.  aged  sixty-five  years;  he  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812:  his  father.  Joseph  Crippen.  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution;  he  died  at 
Qinety-six  years  of  age.  in  Washington  County.  N.  Y..  about  1N30.  The  earliest  ancestors 
of  whom  Mrs.  S.  has  any  knowledge,  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Massachusetts  in 
its  earliest  days:  they  were  Baptists  in  religion:  in  politics,  Whigs.  In  bS4y.  Mr.  S. 
pm'chased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  on  Section  11.  near  Romeo,  the  old  homestead  of  his 
wife's  pai'ents.  where  his  family  still  reside.  Mr.  and  Ikli's.  S.  have  one  daughter  and 
three  sons. 

SAMUEL  STERLING-  was  born  at  Lyme.  Conn.,  September  11.  nCiO,  and  died  Au- 
gust 27.  183H:  his  wife,  Mahetable  Whittlesey,  was  born  at  Saybrook,  Conn.,  March  29. 
17*)9;  she  died  February  15.  1N()4:  they  were  married  November  29,  1792;  moved  to  Lima, 
Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  the  family  was  composed  of  five  sons  and  four  daughters:  of  the 
sons,  Azariah  W.  Sterling,  a  pioneer  of  Macomb  County,  was  the  third;  he  was  bo)-n  in 
Lima  June  29.  1797;  reference  is  made  to  Mr.  Sterling  in  the  general  history  of  the  county, 
as  well  as  in  the  sketches  of  the  northern  townships;  (me  of  the  daughters  is  the  wife  of 
Luther  Procter,  noticed  in  the  sketch  of  that  old  resident. 

AAKON  STONE  (deceased),  was  born  in  Pittsford.  Monroe  County.  New  York. 
June  HO.  1790;  he  was  married.  January  80.  bS14.  to  Margaret  Hayden.  of  Pitts- 
ford;  they  came  to  Macomb  County.  District  of  Detroit,  in  1^2:1  where  Mr.  Stone  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land,  and  lived  on  the  same  until  his  death,  in  1872;  they 
had  ten  children;  the  following  is  their  record:  Alma  Ann,  born  October  15.  1815. 
and  died  August  14.  1.S17.  Henry.  March  ;50,  1817;  he  became  a  cooper  and  followed  that 
trade  uotil  his  death  of  typhoid  "fever.  July  25,  1846.  Emulous.  April  18,  1821:  he  is  a 
farmer,  located  a  mile  south  of  his  father's  fai'm;  man-ied  Aurelia  Bates,  and  has  had 
four  children — Adelbert.  was  the  Postmaster  and  merchant  of  Washington,  a  young  man 
of  much  promise;  he  died  of  heart  disease,  March  24.  18S1,  aged  twenty-seven  years; 
Eva  Adel.  died  of  heart  disease.  April  18, 1N76,  aged  nineteen:  John  C.,aged  twenty-fom-. 
was  in  partnership  with  his  brother  and  continues  the  business:  Frank,  the  youngest  son, 
was  born  in  18(59.  Alma  Ann,  second,  was  born  December  7.  1N22,  and  died  of  di-opsy. 
October  4,  11S45.  William  A.  was  born  November  2fi.  1824:  he  was  married  to  Caroline 
Lamb,  of  Washington,  December  80,  1857:  he  has  served  as  Justice  of  his  township  and 
in  several  minor  offices;  he  has  four  children,  born  as  follows:  Helen,  Januai-y  28,  18-)9; 
William  Addison,  December  15,  18()8;  Ai-thui-  Wales,  January  20,  18(55,  and  Omar  Thomp- 
son, March  5,  I8fi7;  the  mother  died  November  11,  18t)9.  Mr.  S.  was  again  married, 
July  10,  1878,  to  Alice  M.  Garvin;  they  have  one  daughter— Lottie  Minette.  born  May 
26,  1875;  Helen  graduated  at  the  State  Normal  School  and  is  a  teacher  at  Cassopolis. 
Caroline  Stone  was,  born  September  9,  1826,  married  Edwin  Lamb  and  has  five  children, 
viz.,  Eugene  H.,  married  Ida  M.  Davis;  he  has  one  daughter — Leona:  Metta  A.  mai-ried 
Isaac  Terpenning.  of  Jackson,  lives  in  Washington,  and  has  one  son — Roy;  Ida  graduated 
at  the  Normal  School,  and  is  teaching  at  Northville,  Mich. ;  Elmer  E.  and  Aura  R.  attend 
school.     Addison  Ray  Stone  was   born  May  21.  1S28:  he  has  been  a  practicing  physician, 


"^^^ 


•P 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  Almont,  Mich.,  tweuty-eight  years,  and  was  married.  May  7,  IS^T,  to  Ellen  G.  Jenness 
of  Detroit;  they  have  one  adopted  son.  Minerva  Stone  was  born  March  11,  18:29,  and 
died  April  1,  IHi'I.  Margaret  A.  Stone  was  horn  March  8.  1S3"2;  Aurora,  born  July  15, 
1833,  is  a  milliner  at  Marquette,  Mich. 

CLINTON  SOULE  (deceased),  was  born  May  L'O,  18l!l,  in  Wyoming  County, 
N.  Y. ;  he  was  the  son  of  John  and  Sally  Soule,  natives  of  Massachusetts;  the  former 
■was  born  in  1788.  and  died  in  1871;  the  latter  was  born  in  1789,  and  died  March 
I'i.  1865;  they  settled  in  Michigan  in  1825,  and  took  up  120  acres  of  land  in  Washington, 
on  Section  17,  buying  additional  tracts  until  they  had  seven  farms;  he  transferred  land  to 
his  children  until  at  the  time  of  his  death,  he  had  deeded  all  his  real  estate  to  them;  the 
homestead  came  into  the  hands  of  Clinton  Soule,  of  this  sketch;  he  was  married,  to  Sabra 
A.  Glaspie,  daughter  of  David  and  Ruth  Glaspie,  of  Oxford.  Oakland  County;  she  was 
born  December  19,  1830,  in  Si)afford.  Onondaga  Co..  N.  Y. :  her  father  was  a  native  of 
the  Empire  State;  her  mother  was  born  in  Vermont.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Soule  had  six  chil- 
di-en.  born  as  follows:  Dennis  M..  May_n.  18411;  Vilatia  F.,  October  20,  1850;  Ruth  E.. 
December  9.  1852.  died  October  31.  LSm:  Emma  A..  March  S,  1S57;  George  D..  March 
10,  1S65.  died  July  16.  1S()6;  Belle,  November  4,  1867.  Mr.  S.  died  December  11. 
1865;  his  widow  owns  the  homestead,  on  Section  17  and  18.  comprising  225  acres,  with 
good  substantial  building  and  in  an  advanced  state  of  improvement.  She  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church  of  Mt.  Vernon. 

DENNIS  M.  SOULE,  P.  O.  Mt.  Vernon,  was  born  May  6.  1 849.  in  Washington.  Ma- 
comb County;  is  the  son  of  Clinton  and  Sabra  Soule  (see  sketch  of  Clinton  Soule);  he 
w^as  married.  November  28,  1873,  to  Margaret  E..  daughter  of  Adam  C.  and  Elsie  Moyers. 
born  November  1,  1854;  they  have  one  son — Burton  A.,  born  November  7.  1877.  in  Oak- 
land, Oakland  Co,,  Mich.  Mr.  Soule  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  Constable  one  term. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  Mr.  Soule  is  a 
farmer  and  owns  forty  acres  of  land,  on  Section  20;  besides  his  stated  business  of  farm 
ing,  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements;  makes  a  specialty 
of  wind-mills. 

NOAH  C.  SUTHERLAND.  P,  O.  Romeo,  was  born  August  13,  1856,  in  W'ashington, 
Macomb  County;  is  the  son  of  Byron  and  Sarah  A.  Sutherland,  the  former  a  native  of 
Vermont,  the  latter  born  in  New  York,  September  30,  1825.  Mr.  S.  was  married,  Novem- 
ber 15,  1881,  to  Stella  E.,  daughter  of  Jacob  B.  and  Louis  H.  Skillman,  a  graduate  of 
the  Union  School  at  Romeo.  Mi-.  S.  owns  a  farm  of  seventy  acres,  about  a  mile  from 
Romeo;  it  is  in  an  advanced  state  of  imjarovement,  with  good  dwelling  and  substantial 
buildings  requisite  for  the  convenience  of  the  thrifty,  prosperous  Michigan  farmers.  Mr. 
S.  is  a  Democrat  in  political  principles. 

ADON  TAFT.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  at  Rush,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  August  16, 
1800;  he  was  married,  November  13,  1823,  to  Hannah  Wood,  born  in  Connecticut  July  4, 
1804;  in  the  spring  of  1830,  they  settled  on  a  farm,  adjoining  that  now  occupied  by  Viras 
Wood,  and  while  there  purchased  land  on  Section  26,  in  Washington,  where  ho  built  a 
log  house,  and  moved  into  it  in  1835;  in  1844-45,  he  built  a  frame  house  across  the  road. 
Mrs.  Taft  died  October  4,  1869,  and,  in  January,  1871,  he  married  Abigail  Goss,  a  na- 
tive of  New  York;  she  died  August  7,  1877;  he  was  in  a  feeble  state,  but  survived  her 
until  May  13,  1879;  by  his  first  wife,  he  had  seven  children — Sylvanus,  born  January  6, 
1825;  Daniel,  August  12.  1826;  Andrew,  July  7,  1828;  Smith,  August  27,  1831;  Smith 
T.,  May  22.  1833;  Emery,  August  31,  1836;  ^.da  H.,  September  6,  1872;  Smith  died  in 
infancy;  Daniel  died  a  few  years  ago;  Smith  T,  Taft  married  Christina  Phelps,  May 
13,  1880:  they  have  one  child— L.  Finney,  born  July  14,  1881;  Mrs.  Taft  is  a  daughter 
of  James  and   Esther  (Dusing)  Phelps;  her  father  was  born  October  4,  1821,    in  Rush, 


4 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  was  the  son  of  David  and  Mary  Phelps.  He  was  married  December 
30.  1JS48.  Mrs.  Phelj^s  was  born  October  3,  1S23,  in  Rush;  she  was  the  daughter  of 
Joshua  and  Christina  Dusing;  they  have  had  four  children — Christina  (Mrs.  Taft).  born 
July  ."),  1853;  Frederick  J..  December  'I'l,  1S54;  Ellen  E. ,  December  4.  IS.jO;  Eugene  V.. 
December  2t),  1S()5.  Joshua  Dusing  was  born  July  4,  177*),  at  AVarwick,  Lancaster  Co.. 
Penn.,  died  Febiiiary  3,  1853.  He  was  married,  March  17,  1^13,  to  Christina  Moyers. 
and  moved  to  Michigan  in  1832,  settling  in  Washington.  Christina  Moyers  was  bom 
April  1,  1787,  at  Chambersburg.  Penn.,  and  died  August  14,  187(5,  aged  ninety  years;  two 
of  their  eight  children  are  living. 

NEHEMIAH  THOMPSON,  P.  O.  Mt.  Vernon,  was  born  June  18,  1854,  in  Oakland, 
Oakland  Co..  Mich.:  is  the  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Ellen  Thompson,  both  of  whom  were  na- 
tives of  New  York.  Mr.  Thompson  was  married,  April  29,  1876,  to  Ellen  A.  Lusk,  of 
Chesterfield,  Macomb  County;  she  was  born  June  16,  1850,  in  Chesterfield,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Aldi'ich  and  Amanda  Lusk.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  have  two  childi-en — 
George  M.,  born  July  25,  1877,  and  Frank  Austin.  June  17.  1881.  Mrs.  Thompson  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  Rochester;  JIi-.  Thompson  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  is  a  farmer  on  Section  30,  Washington  Township. 

GEORGE  W.  THORINGTON,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  January  15,  1846,  in  Wash- 
ington. Macomb  County;  he  is  the  son  of  Elijah  P.  and  Lydia  Thoriugton.  the  former  a 
native  of  Vermont,  and  the  latter  of  New  York.  Mr.  T.  is  a  farmer  and  owns  a  farm  of 
140  acres  on  Section  8;  he  is  engaged  in  raising  sheep  of  excellent  grade,  and  has  re- 
cently erected  tiDe  large  commodious  barns  adapted  to  the  needs  of  his  stock;  he  has  a 
first-class  herd  of  cattle  and  two  horses  of  the  noted  Magna  Charta  breed,  celebrated  for 
strength  and  symmetry.  Mr.  T.  was  married,  March  3,  1867,  to  Martha  Barnaby,  of 
Washington;  she  was  born  September  13,  1847;  they  have  two  children — Lydia  M. ,  born 
May  24,  1870,  and  Cassius  W..  born  August  13,  1877;  both  parents  belong  to  the  Baptist 
Church  of  Mt.  Vernon.      Mr.  T.  is  a  Democrat. 

JAMES  M.  THORINGTON.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  January  26,  1837,  in  Washing- 
ton, Macomb  County;  he  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sally  Brown  Thoriugton:  his  father  was 
born  in  Ira.  Rutland  Co..  Vt,  and  settled  in  Oakland  County  about  fifty  yeai's  ago.  re- 
maining there  but  a  short  time,  when  he  came  to  Washington  and  took  up  a  farm,  on 
which  he  lived  for  about  thirty  years:  engaged  in  agi-iculture  and  buying  land;  when  he 
retired  from  active  life,  he  owned  700  acres  of  land;  he  was  the  first  to  import  the  cele- 
brated Merino  sheep,  of  Vermont,  into  Michigan;  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Romeo, 
where  he  died  April  11,  1877.  Mr.  J.  M.  Thoriugton  was  married,  December  22,  1857, 
to  Mary  C,  daughter  of  James  and  Roxanna  Leslie  Starkweather,  of  Bruce;  their  chil- 
dren's record  is  as  follows:  Ceylon,  born  August  21.  1860;  Martha  G.,  June  24,  1862; 
Charles  C,  July  16.  18(54;  James  A..  February  13,  1N70.  died  May  30,  1874;  Homer  O.. 
October  22,  1871,  died  May  22,  1874.  Mr.  T.  has  an  estate  of  320  acres  of  first-class 
farming  land  on  Section  8,  with  all  modern  equipments  and  conveniences;  he  makes  a 
specialty  of  raising  pure-blooded  Merino  sheep,  of  which  he  has  an  assorted  flock  of  over 
100,  and  makes  sales  to  all  parts  of  the  countiy;  he  has  also  a  herd  of  Short-Horn  Dm-- 
ham  cattle  and  a  brood  of  eleven  Hambletouian  horses.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.     Mr.  T.  is  a  Democrat  in  political  sentiment. 

WILLIAM  W.  THORINGTON,  P.  O.  Mt.  Vernon,  was  born  March  22,  1835,  in 
Washington,  Macomb  Co..  Mich. ;  is  the  son  of  Elijah  and  Lydia  Thoi-ington;  he  was 
married.  May  8,  1856,  to  Elizabeth  Cole,  born  in  1837;  there  were  three  childi-eu  born  to 
them — James  W..  October  24,  1854,  died  January  9,  1868;  Cora  A.  (Mrs.  P.  C.  Graves), 
September  9,  1860,  and  Willie,  February  9,  18(53.  Mr.  Thorington  was  married  a  sec- 
52 


^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


ond  time,  April  9.  l(S7iS,  to  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Jacob  W.  and  Nancy  Metz,  botli  natives 
of  Warren  County.  N.  J.  Mrs.  Thorington  was  born  October  Ki.  184S,  in  Warren 
County.  N.  J.  Mr.  Thorington  has  followed  the  vocation  of  farming  all  his  life,  and  owns 
1<S7  acres  of  first-class  laud,  on  Section  19.  which  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with 
good  dwelling  and  accessory  buildings.  He  is  engaged  in  rearing  Short-Horn  Durham 
cattle.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  W.  VAUGHAN,  P.  O.  Washington,  was  born  in  AVashington  April  lH, 
185'2;  is  the  son  of  James  M.  and  CalistaE.  Vaughan;  he  received  his  elementary  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  spent  two  years  in  study  at  Utiea  and  two  years 
at  Hillsdale  College,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in  business  in  Chicago  and  Fort  Wayne, 
Ind.,  and  returned  to  Washington  in  June,  1875;  he  was  married,  October  1,  187.!.  at  La 
Porte.  Ind.,  to  Ida  Bell,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Henrietta  (Prouty)  AVhitford;  her  mother 
is  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Hugh  T.  Prouty,  who  was  drowned  in  184<)  while  attempting  to 
pass  the  rapids  of  the  Sault  de  Ste.  Marie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vaughan  have  two  children — 
Harry  Andrus,  born  May  9,  1874.  in  Fort  Wayne,  and  Daisy  Belle,  born  December  10, 
I87().  in  Washington. 

JAMES  M.  VAUGHAN  was  born  July  2').  1819,  at  Manchester.  Bennington  Co., 
Vt. ;  is  the  son  of  David  Vaughan  and  Ann  Thompson ;  the  former  was  born  at  Manches- 
ter. Vt. .  October  18.  1778.  and  died  February  11,  bS.").'),  and  was  buried  in  the  Washing- 
ton Society  burial-ground,  Macomb  County,  his  grandfather,  James  Vaughan.  was  the  son 
of  one  of  three  brothers,  who  came  from  Wales  about  1720;  his  father  located  in  Rhode 
Island,  the  others  in  Nova  Scotia,  near  Halifax,  in  1770.  This  James  Vaughan  rode  on 
horseback  from  Manchester  to  Boston,  and  went  thence  by  sloop  to  Halifax,  where  he  re- 
ceived £8")  sterling  as  his  share  of  the  estate  left  by  one  of  the  two  brothers — a  bachelor. 
The  preceding  ancestry  is  not  definitely  known;  the  name  is  reliably  traced  in  AVales 
from  A.  D.  1(39.")  to  the  battle  of  Agincomi.  in  1415;  In  17(55.  James  Vaughan  removed 
from  Scituate,  R.  I.,  to  the  Hampshire  grants  in  Vermont,  where  he  purchased  land,  and 
died  July  "24.  1S19;  Ann  Thompson  Vaughan  was  born  August  IH,  17S5,  at  Johnson, 
Montgomery  Co.,  N.  Y. :  was  the  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Thompson,  who  removed  from 
Connecticut  to  Johnstown.  N.  Y. .  and  thence  to  Manchester,  Vt. ;  he  served  in  the  Revo- 
lution under  the  immediate  command  of  Cxen.  Washington:  was  in  the  battles  of  Mon- 
mouth, Trenton,  Brandywine  and  others.  James  Vaughan  was  one  of  the  Vermont  minute- 
men.  James  M.  Vaughan  came  to  Romeo,  Macomb  County,  in  the  fall  of  18H9.  where  he, 
with  an  older  brother,  kept  a  hotel  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  First  National  Bank, 
of  Romeo;  October  IS,  184:-!,  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Washington:  he  was  engaged 
from  1844  to  1847,  under  the  style  of  Hayden  &  Vaughan,  in  a  general  store,  kejit  in  a 
one-story  frame  building,  then  standing  on  the  corner  opposite  the  residence  of  S.  A. 
Babbitt,  in  Washington.  Mi-.  Vaughan  was  in  active  business  from  1847  to  1869,  keep- 
ing a  store  in  a  building  erected  by  himself  and  now  occupied  by  J.  C.  Stone,  in  Wash- 
ington, manufacturing  potashes  and  having  in  charge  a  tailor,  harness  and  shoe  sho])s  and 
the  hotel  projierty;  the  latter  he  kept  as  a  public  house  until  the  spring  of  18(59.  when  he 
built  his  present  residence,  about  sixty  rods  east.  He  was  married.  May  1.  1845,  to  Ca- 
lista  Edwards,  daughter  of  Elon  and  Nancy  (Lamb)  Andrus,  born  at  Middlebmy,  Genesee 
Co.,  N.  Y. ,  December  '2;j,  1819.  Elon  Andrus  came  to  Michigan  in  1821  and  located  a 
farm  on  Section  HH.  in  Washington.  Macomb  County,  where  he  settled  in  the  spring  of 
1822.  Mr.  and  IVIrs.  Vaughan  had  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters — Marcia 
H.  born  May  80,  184(3;  Mark  K,  September  23.  1850,  died  December  24.  1850:  William 
W.,  April  12,  1852;  John  F,,  May  30,  1855,  died  December  27,  1859:  Mary  W..  June 
29.  185(1 

WALLACE  WESTBROOK,P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  April  16,  1824,  in  Sussex  County, 


Bp; 


:±=^^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


N.  J. :  his  parents,  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  Westbrook.  were  natives  of  New  Jersey,  of 
Grerman  extraction.  Mi*.  Westbrook  settled  in  Bruce  in  the  fall  of  ISriC),  on  Section  '2'), 
where  he  lived  for  about  eight  years,  and  then  piu'chased  '240  acres  on  Section  8,  in  Wash- 
ington, where  he  now  lives;  he  has  a  first-class  farm,  with  the  facilities  and  improvements 
of  the  modern  farmer;  he  is  making  a  specialty  of  blooded  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs, 
in  which  line  of  business  he  designs  to  rank  among  the  leaders  in  the  county.  Mr.  W. 
was  married.  October  10,  lSr)4,  to  Jane  A.  Howell,  of  Armada;  she  died  December  19, 
IS.")."),  leaving  an  infant  son — Chilon  F.,  born  September  >50.  IS').").  Mr.  W.  was  married 
again,  October  30,  IS.'id,  to  Betsey  E..  daughter  of  Sewell  and  Lucinda  Hovey.  of  Romeo. 
Mrs.  Westbrook  was  born  in  Warsaw,  N.  Y. .  May  -">.  IS'i.");  her  father  was  a  native  of 
Lebanon,  N.  H.,  her  mother  of  Franklin  County,  Vt. ;  her  paternal  grandsiro  was  born  in 
England  July  '25,  ITo*).  and  died  in  IS'20;  his  father  was  a  minister  of  the  Church  of 
England;  her  grandmother  was  also  an  Englishwoman.  Mi-,  and  Mrs.  A\'.  have  had  two 
childi'on — Cassius  M.,  born  January  7,  1859,  and  Frederick  W. .  June  IS,  lSli5.  died  March 
25,  1S()H;  both  parents  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mi's.  Westbrook  was  educated 
in  the  normal  school  of  Ypsil^ti,  and  was  a  teacher  foui'teen  years;  she  joined  the  chiu'ch 
when  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  herself  and  brother  Albert  are  the  only  sui-viving  members 
of  the  chm'ch  of  that  period.  Mr.  Westbrook  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held  the  position 
of  Road  Commissioner. 

FRED  C.  WHITE.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Foughkeepsie,  Dutchess  Co..  N.  Y.. 
July  10,  lS();-i;  is  the  son  of  Otis  and  Hannah  (Atwell)  White,  the  former  was  born  near 
Boston  and  was  a  blacksmith:  he  belonged  to  the  Puritan  New  England  stock,  and  was  a 
descendant  of  Peregrine  White,  the  tu-st  white  child  born  in  America;  he  died  in  Osceola. 
Mich.,  aged  seventj'-two  years:  his  wife  died  in  Swansea.  N.  H,  aged  thirty-eight;  she 
became  the  mother  of  eleven  childi-en,  six  of  whom  survived  her.  Mi-.  White  is  the  only 
living  representative  of  his  fathers  family.  Circumstances  rendered  labor  necessai-y  to  all 
the  family  as  soon  as  old  enough,  and  Mr.  White,  at  seventeen,  entered  upon  an  apprentice- 
ship with  a  shoemaker,  and  received  $20  a  year;  he  served  a  second  year  with  another  in- 
structor, and  began  business  for  himself  at  Newark,  in  Arcadia,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  he 
was  married,  April  4.  1824,  to  Abagail  Adams,  of  Manchester,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. .  where 
she  was  born  December  29,  1804;  in  October,  1830,  Mi-.  White  started  for  Michigan:  he 
met  N.  T.  Taj  lor,  of  Romeo,  at  Buffalo,  and  came  with  him  to  Macomb  Countj-;  his  busi- 
ness proved  unfortunate,  and.  on  settling  with  his  creditors,  he  found  himself  S300  in 
debt,  with  no  resources  and  shattered  health.  But  his  friends  were  lenient,  and  gave  him 
time,  as  he  says,  ''to  die  or  become  able  to  pay  them.''  He  found  suitable  land  fom-  miles 
east  of  Romeo,  in  Armada,  proceeded  to  Detroit  and  secured  it  and  went  home:  he  set  out 
again  for  Michigan  the  next  spring  with  his  wife  and  four  children.  Reaching  Buffalo 
by  canal,  they  found  the  city  full  of  emigrants  and  the  lake  full  of  ice.  Three  weeks 
later,  they  left  for  Detroit,  which  they  reached  in  three  days.  A  man  brought  them  to 
their  place  of  destination  for  110  and  an  ax,  and  when  he  was  paid  Mr.  White  had  not 
a  cent  left.  Darius  Sessions  took  the  family  into  his  home,  and  in  two  days  Mi-.  White 
had  a  shanty  for  his  family  fui-nished  with  two  chairs  and  a  little  Hour,  ten  pounds  of 
pork  and  a  few  di-ied  apples;  but  the  humble  home  was  the  house  of  prayer,  and  whatever 
else  was  wanting  faith  in  God  was  abundant.  Mi-.  White's  trade  soon  made  the  family 
comfortable,  and  they  have  never  since  suffered  from  privation,  although  a  large  amount 
of  sickness  and  death  has  overtaken  them,  and  twelve  children  have  been  reared  to  ma- 
tiu-ity.  The  lirst  year,  he  managed  to  chop  three  acres  of  laud,  and  projected  a  "bee" 
for  the  logging,  but  an  objection  arose;  he  was  a  temperance  man.  and  sacrificed  no  prin- 
ciple to  profit,  and  men  would  not  work  without  it.  On  the  day  appointed  men  and  teams 
were  on  the  ground  and  a  good  dinner  avraited  them,  but  trouble  was  apparent  at  the  out- 


-*>|v 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


set.  A  neighbor  informed  Mr.  White  that  they  were  bound  to  put  down  the  temperance 
movement  in  the  bud,  and  if  he  would  furnish  a  pint  of  whisky,  the  logging  would  be  done 
in  short  order.  He  refused,  and  part  of  the  men  j)ut  up  aboiit  an  acre  of  logs,  the  rest 
built  a  log-pen  ten  feet  high,  set  a  pole  thirty  feet  high,  and  named  the  pile  White's 
monument,  and  drank  from  a  bottle  of  their  own  providing.  Mi'.  White  is  the  only  one 
living  of  the  participants  of  that  day,  but  their  places  are  tilled  by  intelligent,  temperate, 
Christian  men.  About  three  years  after,  sickness  and  disaster  overtook  Mr.  White,  and  he 
accepted  an  ofter  of  $r)00  for  his  place:  he  paid  his  debts  in  his  native  State,  and  settled 
on  wild  land  two  miles  farther  east.  He  cleared  fifty  acres  and  just  as  prosperity  seemed 
about  to  dawn,  his  wife  died  and  left  six  children.  In  a  few  mouths,  Mr.  White  married 
the  widow  of  Lyman  Boughtou;  her  maiden  name  was  Julina,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Mary 
(Gray)  Turrell;  she  was  born  in  Geneva,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  November  -\),  IS].");  her  par- 
ents settled  in  Macomb  County,  in  1^83,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  respectively. 
Following  is  the  list  of  Mr.  White's  children:  Mary,  Eliza,  William,  Charlotte,  Eugene, 
Oscar  and  Maria  Antoinette;  these  were  the  children  of  his  first  wife,  and  the  two  last 
were  born  in  Armada;  Emily  Adelaide  was  born  in  Almout,  Lapeer  County:  Matilda  J., 
in  Armada;  Frank  M.,  Almira,  Louisa  and  Fred  C.  were  born  in  Bruce;  all  have  been 
married  but  the  last.  Mr.  White  has  seventeen  grandchildren  and  ten  great-grandchil- 
dren; his  eldest  son,  William,  was  killed  at  the  raising  of  a  barn  in  St.  Clair:  Eugene 
and  Oscar  were  killed  within  ten  minutes  of  each  other  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion;  Char- 
lotte died  with  the  scarlet  fever  and  Almira  with  consumption;  five  sons-in-law  are  de- 
ceased. Mr.  White  became  a  Christian  in  IS^SO,  and  joined  the  Presbyterian  Chui'ch  in 
Newark.  He  transferred  his  membership  to  the  Congregational  Chm'ch,  in  Romeo,  the 
next  year;  his  wife  and  four  daughters  belong  to  the  same  chiu'ch. 

DK.  ALBERT  YATES,  P.  O.  Washington,  of  Washington  Village,  was  born  in  Lin 
colnshire,  England,  September  13,  1842;  emigrated  to  America  in  1849.  and  settled  in 
Wentworth  Covmty,  Ontario,  where  the  Doctor  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools 
of  Canada,  and  entered  the  Medical  College,  of  Detroit,  having  previously  studied  medicine 
in  Canada  under  a  preceptor;  graduated  from  the  college  July  10,  1S7'2;  he  returned  to 
Canada  and  entered  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  the  village  of  Bismarck,  which  he 
continued  two  years:  he  then,  November,  1874,  removed  to  Macomb  County  and  estab- 
lished an  office  at  Washington,  where  he  is  still  in  practice;  his  father,  Richard  Y'ates, 
lives  in  Ontario  at  the  age  of  sixty -six,  a  carpenter  by  trade;  his  mother  died  in  1854. 
The  Doctor  was  married,  March  9,  18(34,  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  Joel  Eastman,  of  Can- 
ada; she  was  born  May  31,  1844,  and  died  May  5,  1878;  their  chikb'en  were  Henry  W., 
February  24,  18()7;  Minnie  A.,  January  7,  1869;  Albert  E.,  May  10,  1874;  May  M., 
April  20,  1878.  He  was  married  again,  July  23.  1879,  to  Clara  B.  Davis,  daughter  of 
Milo  Davis,  of  Washington  Township;  she  was  born  January  -j,  1860.  Dr.  Yates  is  Sec- 
retary and  Treasui'er  of  the  Northeastern  District  Medical  and  Scientific  Associations, 
since  February.  1870,  and  Superintendent  of  Schools  for  the  township  in  which  he  lives 
and  Magistrate  of  the  same.  Both  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  ai'e  members  of  the  M.  E. 
ChiU'ch,  and  he  is  in  politics  a  Republican;  he  has  a  very  pleasant  home  and  a  remunera- 
tive and  increasing  practice. 

JOSEPH  YATES  (deceased)  was  born  Jvily  11,  181 1,  in  Charlestown,  Montgomery 
Co.,  N.  Y. ;  was  the  son  of  Abraham  P.  and  Cornelia  (Van  Every)  Gates;  the  former  was 
born  in  Charlestown,  N.  Y. ,  July  27,  1787,  and  died  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  March  9,  1803;  the 
latter  was  a  native  of  Canajoharie,  Montgomery  Co.,  N.  Y.,  born  July  4,  1788;  was  mar- 
ried, June  8,  1800,  and  died  March  17,  18-j4;  Peter  Yates,  father  of  A.  P.  Yates,  was  born 
in  1752,  in  New  York;  married  Catherine  Docstator,  of  Holland  descent,  in  1776,  and 
died  in  1822.     Joseph  Yates  was  one  of  three  brothers  who  came  to  America  in  1(301  dui'- 


-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.  845 


ing  the  rebellion  in  the  last  year  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  They  belonged  to  the 
nobility,  and  the  family  coat  of  arms  is  iu  the  possession  of  the  descendants;  the  estates 
were  confiscated.  Mr.  Yates  was  educated  at  the  academy  at  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  and  at 
sixteen  he  engaged  as  a  clerk  with  Mr.  Ehle  in  Canajoharie,  N.  Y.  In  1<S8'2,  he  was 
married  to  Jane,  daughter  of  William  and  Lucinda  (Culver)  Kyte,  of  Utica,  N.  Y. ;  four 
children  were  born  to  them,  viz.,  Francis  J.  (still  living  in  Washington);  Abraham  P., 
died  in  bSdS;  William  K.,  died  in  18()9;  Joseph  C,  living  in  Washington:  he  was  named 
for  Joseph  Christojjher  Yates,  sixth  Governor  of  New  York.  In  1S41,  Mr.  Yates  went  to 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and,  in  1852,  to  Detroit,  Mich.:  he  had  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
brother,  R.  Y.  Yates,  of  Utica,  N.  Y. ,  for  the  manufacture  of  clothing  at  Syi-acuse;  they 
opened  business  houses  at  Utica  and  Detroit.  Mr.  Yates  managed  the  latter  until  the 
death  of  two  of  his  sons,  which  occurred  ten  months  apart,  when  he  relinquished  his  busi- 
ness and  piu-chased  lliO  acres  of  land  one  mile  east  of  the  village  of  Romeo,  known  as  the 
Kelsey  farm,  to  gratifj'  the  inclination  of  his  youngest  son,  who  chose  the  vocation  of 
farmer.  Mr.  Yates  was  in  the  clothing  business  over  forty  years;  his  last  stand  in  Detroit 
was  on  the  present  site  of  the  Chandler  block;  he  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Masonic 
orders,  and  was  made  a  Sir  Knight  in  \S'^9.  He  died  in  Washington,  of  apoplexy,  in  his 
seventieth  jear.  Novemlier  14.  I88(t.  The  record  of  Mrs.  Yates  is  as  follows:  She  was 
born  in  Ontai'io,  N.  Y.,  December  28.  1814:  AVilliam  Kyte  was  born  in  Bath,  England, 
in  1787.  came  to  the  United  States  in  1794  and  settled  in  Whitesbiu-g.  N.  Y. ;  was  mar- 
ried, in  1811.  and  died  in  Niagara,  N.  Y.,  June  1,  18(U:  his  father,  William  Griddings 
Kyte,  was  born  iu  England  in  1747,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1794,  and  died  in  X^tica 
in  1882;  Jane  (Hollway),  his  wife,  was  born  in  Bristol,  England,  in  1749,  and  died  in 
1791,  in  Cazenovia,  N.  Y. ;  Lucinda  (Culver),  wife  of  Williani  Kyte,  was  born  in  Ontario 
County,  N,  Y.,  in  1798,  and  died  June  2,  187(i,  buried  in  Richmond,  Canada.  Joseph  C. 
Yates  came  to  Macomb  County  with  his  parents  in  March,  1S74;  he  was  bora  in  Detroit 
May  14,  1857,  and  married  Charlotte  E.  Secord.  June  18,  1879;  they  have  one  child  — 
Joseph  Maltby  Yates,  born  in  Macomb  Coimty,  April  28,  1881.  Mrs  Yates"  parents  are 
Levi  P.  and  Jane  (Laycock)  Secord,  the  former  born  in  Niagara,  Ontario,  died  May  31, 
1878,  in  Richmond,  Ontario;  the  latter  was  born  in  Princeton,  Ontario,  in  1885,  and  died 
in  Richmond.  October  25,  1871.  Levi  P.  Secord  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Electa  (Page) 
Secord,  the  former  was  born  in  Monti'eal  in  1789.  and  died  in  Niagara.  Ontario,  in  188(i: 
the  latter  was  born  at  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  in  1800,  and  was  married  in  1814;  Jane,  wife  of 
L.  P.  Secord,  was  the  daiighter  of  Joseph  H.  and  Eliza  (Earnshaw)  Laycock;  the  former 
was  born  in  Colne,  Yorkshire,  England,  iu  ISOO,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1835.  and 
died  March  l*^').  1872.  in  Richmond.  Ontario:  the  former  was  born  in  Manchester.  England, 
in  180(\  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  husband  and  died  January  25.  1872,  at  Rich- 
mond, Ontario. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 


STERLING  TOWNSHIP. 
This  division  of  the  coimty  is  similar  in  many  respects  to  the  township  of  Shelby 
and  Clinton.  The  Clinton  River  enters  the  town  at  the  head-waters  of  the  hydraulic 
canal  in  the  village  of  Utica.  flows  through  a  tortuous  channel  southeast  and  leaves  the 
township  in  Section  24.  Plum  Brook  flows  parallel  with  the  Clinton.  This  creek  forms 
a  confluence  with  Red  Run  Creek,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  25,  and  the  united 
streams  enter  the  Clinton  just  east  of  the  town  line.  Bsaver  Creek  waters  the  southwest- 
ern sections  and  flows  southeast  to  the  waters  of  Red  Run.  The  soil  is  very  productive, 
generally  level  and  carefully  cultivated. 

THE    FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  tii'st  settlers  include  the  names  of  Henry  R.  Schetterly,  Chauncey  G.  Cady,  Elea- 
zer  Scott,  Peter  Moe,  Asa  Huntley,  John  B.  St.  .Tohn,  Jesse  Soper,  John  Gibson,  Oliver 
Crocker,  Henry  J.  Stead,  David  Stickuey,  Washington  Adams,  Charles  Hutchins,  Richard 
Hotham,  John  B.  Chapman,  the  Skinner  family,  John  Wright  and  others  referred  to  in 
the  biographical  history. 

Sterling  has  always  been  up  to  the  average  standard  as  a  productive  and  fertile  town- 
ship. The  amounts  of  agricultural  products,  as  given  in  the  respective  statistical  reports 
of  1850  and  1873,  are  as  follows:  In  1850— wheat,  4,410  bushels;  corn,  12,695  bushels; 
all  other  kinds  of  grain,  including,  principally,  oats,  barley,  rye,  etc.,  14,076  bushels;  po- 
tatoes, 3,679  bushels;  wool,  4,582  pounds.  Dairy  produce  —  butter,  17,885  pounds; 
cheese,  1,450  pounds.  Value  of  orchard  produce,  $319.  Live  stock — horses,  108;  milch 
cows,  289;  sheep,  1,521;  swine,  370;  other  neat  cattle,  230;  working  o.\en,  70.  Number 
of  acres  of  improved  occupied  farms,  4,314.  In  1873 — wheat,  9,241  bushels;  corn,  18,- 
315  bushels;  all  other  kinds  of  grain,  39,645  bushels;  potatoes,  12,165;  wool,  9,269 
])ounds.  Dairy  produce — butter,  23,745  pounds;  cheese,  4,020  pounds.  Value  of  orchard 
produce,  $2,205.  Live  stock — horses,  553;  milch  cows,  733;  other  neat  cattle  (other  than 
oxen  and  cows),  407;  shee]),  2,228;  swine,  504;  working  oxen,  18.  Number  of  acres  of 
improved  laud  in  occupied  farms,  9,500;  whole  amount  of  taxable  land,  22,703  acres. 
During  the  year  1881,  the  severe  ch'oughts  caused  very  serious  damage  to  crojis  of  all  de- 
scriptions. It  was  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  townshij)  that  such  an  unfortunate 
event  could  be  recorded. 

ORO.^NIZATION. 

lefferson  Township  was  organized  under  authority  of  an  act  approved  March  17, 
1835,  and  the  first  town  meeting  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  T.  Allen. 
The  district  known  in  the  United  States  survey  as  Township  2  north.  Range  12  east, 
formed  the  new  division  of  the  county.  Under  the  act  ap])roved  March  6,  1838,  the  name 
of  the  township  of  Jeflerson  was  changed  to  that  of  Sterling. 

THE    FIRST    ELECTION. 

The  ofiicers  elected  April  6,  1835,  were:  William  A.Davis,  Supervisor;  John  M.  Chip- 
man,  Clerk;  John  St.  John,  Elias  Scott,  Orton  Gibbs,  Assessors;  Abraham  Freeland,  Col- 


'A 


lector:  Jolin  T.  Allen  and  Russell  Audrus,  Directors  of  the  Poor;  Samuel  Merrill,  Lewis 
Drake,  Joseph  Stickney.  Commissioners  of  Highways;  Abraham  Freeland,  Constable; 
Nathan  B.  Miller,  Elias  B.  Jackson  and  Cordello  Curtiss,  School  Commissioners:  Curtiss, 
Gibbs.  Ober,  Tooley,  Miller,  Scott,  Kennedy,  Merrill,  Pathmasters  and  Fence  Viewers; 
Alex  Warner  and  William  A.  Davis,  Poimdmasters.  The  officers  elected  since  that  time 
are  named  in  the  following  lists; 

ROSTER    OF    OFFICERS. 

Supervisors — William  A.  Davis,  1835-36:  Hilan  Ober,  1830^38:  County  Commis- 
sioners, 1838-43;  William  A.  Davis,  1843-44;  John  B.  St.  John,  1844-49;  Hilan  Ober, 
184U-51;  Eli  S.  Scott,  1851-52;  John  B.  St.  John,  1852-56;  Leonard  M.  Caster,  1856- 
57;  John  B.  St.  John,  1857-60;  Benjamin  C.  Gunn,  1860-61;  A.  W.  Aldrich,  1861-62; 
John  B.  St.  John,  1862-70;  Samuel  H.  St.  John,  1870-71;  Seymour  Brownell,  1871-73; 
Humphrey  Murphy.  1873-82. 

Clerks— James  Wallace.  1836-37;  Lvman  T.  Jenny,  1838-39;  C.  B.  H.  Fessenden, 
1840;  Chester  W.  Phelps,  1841-46;  Julius  A.  Smith,  1847;  William  Cowie,  1848;  George 
E.  Adair.  1849;  Elias  Scott,  1850;  James  Abernethy,  1851-53;  L.  L.  Bailey,  1854;  Seth 
K.  Shetterly,  1855:  George  Brownell,  1862;  Elam  Moe,  1869;  George  Brownell,  1870-71; 
George  W.  Abernethy,  1872;  George  Brownell,  1873-76;  George  W.  Abernethy,  1877; 
George  Brownell,  1878;  Seth  K.  Shetterly,  1879-80;  Erastns  W.  Lawrence.  1881-82. 

Treasurers— Abram  Freeland,  1836-37;  Eleazer Edgerton.  1S38;  James  A.  Hicks,  1839; 
C.  McKisson,  1840;  Elias  Scott,  1841;  Amos  B.  Cooley,  1842;  Ralph  Wright,  1843;  Wal- 
ter Porter,  1844:  Hilan  Ober,  1845-46;  George  E.  Adair,  1847;  Hilan  Ober,  1848;  John  B. 
St.  John,  1849:  Cranson  Belden,  1850:  C.  L.  Rice,  1851;  A.  H.  Welden,  1852;  Elias 
Scott.  1853;  George  M.  Davis.  1854;  W.  H.  Lester.  1855;  Eleazer  Edgerton,  1856;  Gil- 
bert Rice,  1857:  Phineas  Andi-ixs,  1858-59:  John  B.  Wright,  I860:  Charles  S.  Hutchins, 
1861:  Aug  H.  Morrison.  1862-63;  Francis  Wright.  1864-()5;  William  N.  Soper,  1866- 
69;  George  M.  Davis,  1870-72;  George  Upton,  1873-74;  Louis  Burr.  1875-77;  Henry 
P.  Mitchell,  1878-79;  David  Y.  Robinson,  1880-82, 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Benjamin  L.  Watkins,  Eleazer  Edgerton.  Ralph  Runyan, 
Jonathan  T.  Allen.  Chester  Naramour,  Joseph  Northrup,  1836;  Lyman  T.  Jenny,  1837; 
John  A.  Wood,  1838;  Peter  S.  Palmer,  Elea'^er  Edgerton,  1839;  Peter  S.  Palmer,  John 
B.  St.  John,  1840;  James  B.  Carlter,  Abraham  Freeland,  Orson  Sheldon,  1841:  William 
Wright.  1842:  Eliakim  Ober,  John  B.  St.  John.  1843;  A.  W.  Aldrich,  1844;  Hiram  Skin- 
ner. 1845;  John  B.  St.  John,  James  Abernethy,  1846;  Eliakim  Ober,  1847;  Robert  D. 
Smith.  1848;  John  B.  St,  John,  1849:  A.  W.  Aldi'ich,  1850;  Hiram  Ober,  1851;  Alex 
Marvin,  1853;  Eleazer  Edgerton,  1853;  Seth  K.  Schetterly,  Jedediah  Millard,  1854;  Cal- 
vin Moore,  1855:  Eleazer  Edgerton.  Channcey  G.  Cady,  1856;  John  B.  St.  John,  1857; 
Sylvester  Hovey,  Seth  K.  Schetterlv.  1858;  Eleazer  Edgerton,  A.  H.  Morrison.  1859; 
Hilan  Ober.  I860;  Charles  S.  Hutchins,  P.  W.  Sumner,  1861;  Seth  K.  Schetterly,  1862; 
George  Brownell,  1863:  Eleazer  Edgerton,  1864;  Joseph  Jennings.  1865;  S.  K.  Shetter- 
ly, 1866;  G.  Brownell,  J.  Jenning.s,  1867;  E.  Edgerton,  B.  C.  Back,  1868;  Louis  Burr, 
1869:  Emanuel  Case,  John  B.  St.  John,  1870;  S.  K.  Schetterly,  G.  Brownell,  1871;  Frank- 
lin P,  Moutfort,  1872:  Seth  K.  Schetterlv.  1873;  Charles  Gust,  1874,  George  Brownell, 
1875:  John  C.  Priehs,  1876;  Seth  K.  Schetterly,  1877:  John  B.  St.  John,  1878;  George 
Brownell,  1879;  John  C.  Priehs,  Emanuel  Woodie,  1880;  Seth  K.  Schetterly,  1881. 

In  1882,  this  township  was  Democratic  as  usual,  although  the  Republicans  elected  a 
Treasm-er;  Supervisor.  H.  Murphy.  Democrat.  177;  Edward  Hacker,  Republican,  113; 
Democatic  majority.  64.  Clerk.  E.  W.  Lawi'ence.  Democrat.  171;  M,  Abernethy.  Repub- 
lican. 110;  Democratic  majority.  61.  Treasurer,  M.  Finan.  Republican,  148:  G.  Miller. 
Democrat.  135;  Rejsublican  majority.  13. 


^         g) 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUlSTY. 


The  schools  of  Sterling  ai-e  six  in  number.  Charles  S.  Hutchins  presides  over  District 
No.  1.  as  Director.  The  uumberof  children  belonging  is  seventy-five,  of  which  number  fifty- 
one  attended  school  diu-ing  the  year  endins  September,  1881.  The  expenses  incurred 
were  §397.  District  No.  2  claims  117  pupils,  of  whom  forty-one  attended  school.  The 
expenditures  were  $321.  This  district  is  under  the  direction  of  0.  C.  Dubois.  Wintield 
S.  Drake,  Director  of  School  No.  3,  reported  ninety-six  childi-eu  belonging,  of  which 
number  thirty-six  attended  school  during  the  year  1881.  The  expenditures  amounted  to 
$353.  George  P.  Berz,  of  Warren,  Director  of  No.  4,  reported  13(3  children  belonging, 
of  whom  eighty-three  attended  school.  The  expenditm-es  were  $484.  Lewis  T.  Cady, 
Director  of  School  No.  8  (fractional),  reported  165  pupils  belonging,  of  whom  thirty- 
nine  attended  school  during  the  year  1881.  The  total  expenditures  for  school  purposes 
was  $689.46.  No.  9,  fractional,  with  G-urdon  Hoard,  Director,  claimed  sixty-seven  chil- 
dren enrolled,  of  whom  forty- four  attended  during  the  year.  The  expenditures  were  $601. 
The  school  buildings  comprise  one  brick  and  five  frame  houses.  Schoolhouse  No.  8  is 
valued  .it  $1,500,  and  No.  1,  a  brick  structure,  at  $1,000.  The  total  value  of  school  prop- 
erty in  the  township  is  $3,900.      The  schools  of  Sterling  are  not  graded. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

The  personal  sketches  of  old  settlers  and  other  citizens  form  an  essential  part  of  the 
history  of  this  district.  They  contain  the  minutiip  of  its  history;  therefore  to  these 
sketches  the  attention  of  the  reader  is  directed. 

W.  J.  ADAMS. 

CHARLES  ACKLEY,  P.  O.  "Utica,  was  born  May  2,  1829,  in  Yorkshire,  England; 
in  1834,  he  came  to  Wayne  County,  Mich.,  with  his  parents,  William  and  Martha  (Pres- 
ton) Ackley,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Ackley  was  married, 
July  in,  1864,  to  Amelia  Watson,  whose  parents  were  natives  of  England,  and  came  to 
Detroit  in  1X57.  In  ]1S7(),  Mr.  Ackley  came  to  Sterling,  Macomb  County,  where  he  owns 
thirty-nine  acres  of  land;  he  also  owns  eighty  acres  in  Hamtramck,  Wayne  Co.,  Mich. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ackley  have  had  eight  children;  all  but  the  two  youngest  were  born  in 
Hamtramck;  their  record  is  as  follows:  Martha  E.,  born  March  18,  1856,  died  October 
18,  1N56;  Laura  A.,  December  31,  1867;  Cordelia.  March  17, 1S68;  infant,  June  20,  1870. 
died  same  year;  Ark  A.,  June  9,  1872;  Adelbert  P.,  September  2,  18/5;  Ethel  M.,  March 
12,  1879;  Bessie  L.,  Jime  27.  18S().      Mr.  Ackley  is  a  Republican. 

C.  «.  CADY. 

JOHN  CLARK,  P.  O.  Utica,  sou  of  Thomas  and  Matilda  Clark,  was  born  September 
IC),  1848,  in  Lincolnshire,  England;  removed  with  his  parents,  when  eighteen  months  old 
to  America,  settling  in  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  in  the  fall  of  1852,  came  with  his  parents  to  De 
troit.  Mich. ;  removed  from  Detriot  in  the  spring  of  1862,  with  his  parents,  to  Sterling 
Township.  Macomb  Co.,  Mich,  where  he  has  lived  until  the  present  date — Februarj-  20, 
1882;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  always  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer. 

LEWIS  DRAKE.  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  January  ]  3.  1801,  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y. ; 
is  son  of  Thomas  and  Phoebe  (Conklin)  Drake;  his  parents  were  natives  of  New  Jersey, 
and  his  father  was  a  direct  descendant  of  Sir  Francis  Drake.  Mr.  Drake  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  the  fall  of  1N32,  and  took  up  a  farm  of  Govermnent  land,  for  which  he  paid  18 
shillings  an  acre;  it  was  located  on  Section  14,  in  Sterling  Township;  there  was  at  the 
time  but  one  house  between  Frederick  and  Utica,  and,  as  an  incident  illustrative  of  the 
times,  Mr.  Drake  relates  that  two  of  his  younger  sons  tried  to  coax  a  wolf  into  the  house, 
under  the  supposition  that  it  was  a  neighbor's  dog.      He  and  his  wife   attended  the  wed- 


1^ 


" 


— ^^ 

HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.  849 


(Jing  of  John  James  (now  a  noted  merchant  at  Detroit),  at  Utica,  going  there  in  a  cart 
drawn  by  oxen,  and  Mr.  Drake  remembers  it  as  more  enjoyable  than  many  later  pleasure 
trips  in  his  family  can-i  age.  He  was  married,  in  January,  1825,  to  Mary  Broad  well;  they 
had  ten  children,  born  as  follows:  Bronsou  B..  November  10,  1S'2():  Julia  B..  August  10, 
1S2S:  Lewis  B..  May  18,  1830;  Milton  M..  May  U,  1882;  Sybil  M,.  August  19,  1834; 
Byron,  February  27,'l83S;  Mary,  March  19,  1S39;  George,  June  21,  1S41;  Francis,  March 
24,  1844.  Mr.  Drake  was  married  a  second  time,  December  2,  184H,  to  Charity  Frippin; 
thev  have  had  live  children — Helen  E.,  born  September  11,  1S47,  died  November  2fi, 
1879:  Orton  D.,  December  5.  1S48:  Milton  B..  April  2.").  18r)l:  Jettora  B.,  July  Ki,  1S54: 
Ernest  B.,  August  11,  1X57.  Mr.  Drake  owns  1S()  acres  of  finel)"^  situated  and  improved 
land  on  Section  14.     He  is  a  Republican. 

ELEAZER  EDGERTON,  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  June  Ki,  1801),  in  Oneida  County, 
N.  Y. ;  is  a  son  of  Raswell  and  Sarah  (Shelden)  Edgerton.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  1829, 
returning  the  next  winter  to  New  York;  in  the  spring  of  1830,  he  came  again  to  this 
county  and  located  1(50  acres  of  Government  laniL  He  was  married,  in  1833,  to  Nancy 
Hurlbut;  her  parents  were  natives  of  Connecticut.  They  had  nine  children — Lovina, 
born  August   18,  1837,  died   December  21,  18(53;  Amorilla,  April   8,  1838,  died  April  8, 

1869;  Jay  R.,  April  14,  18()7,  died  same  day; ,  December  13,  1S42:  Francis, 

March  12,  1845.  died  April  21,  18(>4;  Lorenzo,  March  17,  1S47,  died  March  (>,  1871; 
Orrin,  March  31.  1849;  James;  April  14,  18")! ;  Charles.  September  2."),  18."):).  The  latter 
went  on  a  sea  voyage  for  his  health,  and  was  obliged  to  leave  the  steamship  at  the  Cape 
Verde  Islands:  this  was  the  last  intelligence  from  him,  and  it  is  supposed  he  died  there  or 
on  the  passage  home.  Mr.  Edgerton  now  owns  190  acres  of  Section  23.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  several  years;  he  is  considered  one  of 
the  substantial,  reliable  pioneer  citizens  of  Macomb  County;  besides  his  farming  interests, 
he  is  engaged  in  bee  cultui'e  to  a  considerable  extent.  ]Mi'.  Edgertnn's  father  died  in  New 
York,  aged  seventy  years:  his  mother,  at  the  age  of  seventy- five. 

EDWIN  HAFF,  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  in  1S14;  is  son  of  Isaac  and  Susanna  (New- 
ton) Haff;  his  pai-ents  settled  in  Troy,  Oakland  County,  in  1831 ;  he  took  possession  of  his 
l^resent  location,  in  Section  (5,  in  1N4(\  He  was  married,  in  1837.  to  Lorenath  Newton; 
they  have  foiu-  children — Susan,  Amelia,  Phcebe  and  Lorenzo;  the  latter  was  married, 
November  22,  1877,  to  Prudence,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Elvira  (Howe)  Soper;  they  have 
two  children — Laura  L..  born  December  (i,  1880;  and  Emily  M.,  November  24,  1881. 
Ml'.  Haff  and  his  sons  are  Republicans.  He  owns  a  magnificent  farm,  under  first-class 
improvements. 

DR.  FRANCIS  HILL,  Veterinary  Surgeon,  was  bom  October  30,  1814,  in  Broxboiu-ne, 
England;  is  son  of  Francis  and  Margaret  (Powell)  Hill;  he  was  educated  in  his  native 
country  for  his  profession,  and  was  married,  in  the  old  church  of  Sheffield,  Yorkshire, 
England,  to  Sarah  W.  Cooper;  they  came  to  America  in  1840,  with  three  children  under 
four  years  of  age;  they  landed  at  New  York,  where  they  remained  until  the  canal  opened, 
in  the  spring  of  1841,  when  they  proceeded  to  Detroit,  and  reached  the  place  of  an  uncle, 
in  Shelby,  Macomb  County,  May  10,  ISll;  he- bought  a  farm  of  Cornelius  Crowley,  un- 
der improvement,  and  has  since  sold  it,  and  prosecuted  his  business  as  a  veterinary  sur- 
geon, which  he  has  practiced  fifty  years;  he  has  twenty  grandchildren;  is  a  jolly,  true- 
heai'ted  type  of  his  nationality.      He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

E.  W.  LAWRENCE,  P.'  O.  Utica,  was  born  December  22.  180."),  in  Montgomery 
Coiinty.  N.  Y. ;  is  son  of  Benjamin  and  Louisa  (Elliot)  Lawrence;  his  father  was  born  in 
1780,  and  died  at  Glen's  Falls.  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1N70,  aged  ninety  years;  his 
mother  was  bom  in  17S7,  and  died  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seveu.  Mr.  Lawrence  is 
able  to  trace  his  line  of  descent  from  John  and  Marv  (Townlev)  Lawrence,  who  came  to 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


America  in  1713;  they  settled  in  Massachusetts,  and  left  but  one  son.  named  Jonathan* 
the  genealogy  has  been  obtained  from  descendants  living  in  Massachusetts,  and  is  pre- 
served in  a  library  in  Detroit.  Mr.  Lavn-ence  was  married,  in  January,  18'28,  to  Julia  E. 
Russell,  born  in  IMOS;  they  have  tive  children — Cornelius,  Henry  M.,  Benjamin  S.,  Helen 

E.  and —-.     Mr.  Lawi'enee   came   to  Michigan  in  the   spring  of   1838.  with  his  wife 

and  four  children;  he  first  settled  in  Pontiac,  Oakland  County,  and.  in  the  fall  of  1S49, 
went  to  Rochester,  same  county,  where  he  remained  six  years;  was  Postmaster  four  years. 
under  Polk's  administration.  In  18r)0,  he  came  to  Utica,  and  in  LS."),")  started  for  Califor- 
nia, he  spent  three  years  in  the  mines  with  pick  and  shovel,  after  which  he  traveled  two 
years  with  his  son.  then  eighteen  years  old,  and  visited  Oregon,  Washington  Territory. 
New  Mexico  and  the  Sandwich  Islands,  returning  home  in  18(iO.  In  18B1,  he  volunteered 
as  a  private  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  was  in  active  service  four  years;  he  was  com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant,  and  served  under  it  three  years;  he  received  honorable  dis- 
charge for  disability  from  exposiu'e,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Detroit  in  18*55. 
Ho  returned  home  and  engaged  in  agriculture  for  a  time,  but  is  now  leading  a  quiet  life, 
free  hum  arduous  labor;  he  has  served  a  term  as  Town  Clerk;  politically,  is  a  Democrat, 
and  lx>liings  to  the  Masonic  order. 

WILLIAM  PETTS.  P.  O.  Utica.  was  born  September  19.  1829;  is  son  of  Thomas 
and  Jane  (Joice)  Petts,  natives  of  England;  his  mother  died  in  184'2;  his  father,  in  1852. 
In  18,57,  Mr.  Petts  came  to  Sterling  and  bought  the  S.  D.  Adams  farm,  on  Section  8.  He 
was  married,  in  1857.  to  Ann.  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Robinson,  natives  of  En- 
gland; they  have  four  children — Mary  J.,  boi-n  May  15,  1858;  Christiana,  May  31,  18()(); 
Robert  W..  November  1.  18B1;  George  R. ,  May  13,  1S()5.  All  the  children  reside  at 
home.  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Petts  and  their  family  are  all  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  of  Utica. 
Mr.  Petts  is  a  Republican  in  politics;  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor,  and  owns  a  fine 
farm  of  eighty  acres. 

GILBERT  RICE.  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  January  24,  1819.  in  Greene  County,  N.  Y. ; 
is  son  of  Ira  and  Nancy  (Avery)  Rice;  they  came  to  Michigan  in  1837,  and  settled  in 
Sterling,  Macomb  County,  on  Section  15,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives; 
his  father  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-one;  his  mother,  at  sixty-three  years  old.  He  was 
mairied.  in  1844,  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Amelia  (Seaman)  Chapman;  they 
have  had  tive  children,  born  as  follows:  Amelia.  February  12.  184(J;  Oscar  W..  Septem- 
ber 29,  1847 ;_ George  L.,  September  20.  1849;  Viola  C.  July  23.  1853;  Carrie  N.,  Au- 
gust 17,  1857.  Mr.  Rice  was  married  a  second  time.  March  24,  1858,  to  Lydia  A.. 
daiighter  of  John  L.  and  Esther  Chase;  they  have  had  four  children — Lora  B.,  April  15. 
1854;  Mary  F.,  May  14,  1862;  Isa  L.,  January  2,  1877:  and  an  infant.  Mr.  Rice  owns 
a  snug  farm  of  sixty  acres,  all  first-class  land,  on  Section  11;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  and  is  a  Republican. 

GARDNER  H.  RUNYON,  P.  O.  Utica.  was  born  May  K),  1831,  in  New  Jersey;  is' 
son  of  Ralph  and  Mary  (Gardner)  Runyon.  natives  of  New  Jersey.  His  parents  came  to 
Michigan  in  1834.  and  located  a  farm  of  Government  land  in  Sterling.  Mr.  Runyon  was 
married,  in  1864,  to  Estella,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Steed;  they  have  three  children 
— Cora,  born  June  27,  18()3;  Jennie,  January  27,  18()<);  Bruce.  September  10.  1875.  Mr. 
Runyon  is  a  Democrat.  He  enlisted  in  the  civil  war  in  1862.  in  the  band  of  the  Fourth 
Michigan  Cavalry,  and  returned  in  1864.  after  twenty  months'  service;  his  hearing  was 
much  impaired  by  the  concussion  of  the  air  in  action  from  explosion  of  shells.  He  is  a  car- 
penter and  joiner  by  trade,  and  owns  a  pleasant  place  on  South  Cass  street,  at  Utica,  with 
fine  dwelling. 

CYRUS  SCHOONOVER,  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  March  6,  1812,  in  Mom-oe  County, 
N.  Y. ;  is  son  of   Jacob  and  Luba  Sikes  Schoonover.     He  came  to  Michigan  in  1847  and 


Lkl^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY.  851 

settled  on  a  farm  on  Section  ."),  in  Sterling  Township.  Macomb  County.  He  was  maiTied, 
in  1S42,  to  Elizabeth  Wood;  they  have  had  tive  children — James,  born  May  7,  1848;  Lo- 
renzo, 184.");  Phfebe,  1S41;  Mary,  1847;  John.  IS'yj..  James  enlisted,  in  August,  l>i(V2. 
in  Comj>auy  E.  Twenty-sixth  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry;  he  was  enrolled  in  l/ivingston 
County  for  thi'ee  years,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  June  4,  1865;  Lorenzo  enlisted 
in  the  war  of  the  rebellion;  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  rebels;  suffered  all  the  hoiToi-s  of 
the  Acdersonville  stockade  prison,  came  home  and  died.  Mr.  Schoonover  and  his  sons 
ai'e  zealous  Republicans.  There  are  two  more  sons — Cyrus  A.,  bom  October  (i.  1858; 
Fred,  bom  April  18,  1850. 

SETH  K.  SHETTERLY.  P.  O.  Ttica.  son  of  Dr.  Henry  R.  and  Susannah  Keeley 
Shetterly.  was  born  October  15,  182(1,  in  Union  County,  Penn.  His  parents  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  August,  1882,  and  he  obtained  his  elementary  education  in  the  district  schools; 
in  1840,  his  father  moved  to  Ann  Arbor,  and  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Miles,  Ramsdell 
&  Wilson;  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1848,  and,  June,  1844.  opened  a  law  office  at 
Utica.  He  was  married,  February  11, 1848,  to  Harriet  H.Wright,  who  died  April  2,  1849. 
He  was  mari'ied  again,  May  25,  1858,  to  Amelia  Sterns,  of  Howell,  Mich.,  who  died  Sep- 
tember 20,  1858;  and  he  was  again  married.  June  2,  1859,  to  Clara  A.  Wright,  his  pres- 
e!it  wife.  Mr.  Shetterly  has  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  born  as  follows:  Marion  T., 
April  80,  1844,  died  May  22,  1882;  Francis,  in  1848,  who  died  in  infancy  these  are  the 
childi'eu  of  his  first  wife;  Letitia  J.,  August  11,  1854;  Francis  M.,  September  18,  185S, 
are  the  children  of  his  second  wife:  Clara  A.,  March  (5,  18(52,  died  March  17,  1802;  John 
B.,  M_ay  80,  18(^8,  died  August  2,  18(58 ;_  Charles  K,  October  11,  ISfU;  Nettie  H,  Novem- 
ber 2(.  1878;  Jessie  A.,  Au.gust  10,  18i();  Daisy  C.  December  ('),  1878.  Mr.  Shetterly  is 
a  Democrat  in  political  sentiments,  and  has  been  in  active  service  almost  thirty  years;  he 
was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  April.  bS54,  and  has  held  the  office  ever  since;  in  18()2, 
he  was  elected  Circuit  Com-t  Commissioner  for  Macomb  County,  and  re-elected  in  1804; 
in  18(57,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislatiu'e  from  the  Southern  District,  and  in  1876  from 
the  Western  District;  in  1846,  he  was  appointed  a  Master  in  Chancery  by  Gov.  Barry.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  for  twenty-five  years,  and  belongs  to  Utica  Lodge. 
No.  75.  Mrs.  Shetterly  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Dr.  H.  R.  Shetterly  was  born 
July  29,  1798;  in  18(51,  he  was  appointed  keeper  of  the  light-house  at  Northport,  Mich., 
where  he  died  in  1873,  aged  seventy-five;  his  wife  died  March,  18(59,  aged  seventy-five 
years. 

RICHARD  H  SLITER,  P.  O.  Utica.  was  born  February  9.  1848;  is  son  of  Cieorge 
and  Perlina  (St.  John)  Sliter;  his  j)arents  were  of  G-erman  descent,  and  came  to  Michigan 
October  20,  1S40;  they  bought  a  farm  in  Oakland  County;  his  father  died  November  10, 
187(5,  aged  seventy-eight  years;  his  mother  is  still  living,  aged  seventy-seven.  Mr.  Sliter 
was  married,  in  1862,  to  Jennie  Charter;  they  had  two  childi'en — George  E.,  born  August 
14,  1868;  and  Elmer,  born  July  28,  1865.  He  was  a  second  time  married.  December  1. 
1872.  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  William  and  Ann  Green;  her  parents  were  born  in  England 
and  came  to  America  in  1851;  she  was  born  in  LS50;  they  have  one  child,  Perlina,  born 
November  8,  1879.  Mr.  Sliter  owns  a  valuable  farm  of  157  acres,  with  elegant  house  and 
other  fine  farm  buildings;  he  is  a  Republican  in  political  sentiment;  is  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements  at  Troy,  Oakland  County. 

S.  P.  ST.  JOHN,  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  January  6,  1840;  is  son  of  James  B.  and  Me- 
linda  (Summers)  St.  John;  his  parents  were  natives  of  New  York,  and  came  to  Michigan 
in  the  spring  of  1830;  their  three  children  were  born  in  Michigan;  the  father  died  March 
22,  1877,  aged  sixty-seven;  he  was  born  in  1810;  the  mother  was  born  in  March,  1816, 
and  died  in  1879,  aged  sixty-seven.  Mi-.  St.  .John,  of  this  sketch,  married  Emma  A., 
daughter  of  Isaac   S,  and  Almira  Hurlbut;  they  have  one  child,  Marion,  horn  August  9, 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


1868.  Mr.  St.  John  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity;  he  belongs  to  a  business  firm 
largely  engaged  in  handling  grain  and  lumber;  he  is  well  and  widely  known,  and  greatly 
esteemed  for  his  qualities  as  a  neighbor  and  citizen;  he  is  a  Democrat  in  political  senti- 
ment. 

DAVID  STICKNEY,  P.  O.  Cady's  Corners,  was  born  in  Weybridge,  Vt.,  March  8, 
180'j;  is  son  of  Lemuel  and  Martha  (Scoville)  Stickney,  and  is  one  of  eleven  childi-en; 
his  father  was  bom  February  Ifi.  ITfil,  in  Massachusetts;  was  a  soldier  of  the  Rovolution, 
and  was  shot  through  the  body;  recovered,  and,  again  enlisting,  served  through  the  war; 
he  died  in  Franklin  County,  N.  Y.,  at  eighty -two;  his  wife  died  in  Macomb  County,  Mich. , 
aged  ninety-two;  she  was  born  in  Connecticut  June  14,  17()0.  Mi-.  Stickney  came  to 
Michigan  in  iXi'A.  and  settled  on  Government  land  when  Andrew  Jackson  was  President; 
he  reached  Detroit  May  1,  1881,  having  consumed  two  weeks  on  the  jom-ney  from  the 
State  of  New  York  to  Detroit.  He  was  married.  February  2o,  1842,  to  Catherine  Theresa 
O'Sullivan;  her  parents  were  natives  of  Ireland;  they  had  but  one  child,  Levi  J.,  born 
October  14,  1848:  he  was  married.  December  9,  18(U),  to  Delia  Savage;  they  have  had  three 
children — Mary  M..  born  June  '20,  1871,  died  November  18,  1874;  Betsey  C,  September 
28,  1872,  died  August  14.  1878;  Harry  L.,  September  9,  1875.  Mrs.  Stickney  died  July 
13,  1881,  aged  sixty-eight.  Mr.  Stickney  is  a  Republican.  He  has  a  genealogical  me- 
moir of  the  descendants  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Stickney,  earliest  known  ancestoi"s,  cov- 
ering a  period  from  1()87  to  ]8()9. 

WILLIAM  UPTON.  P.  O.  Utica,  was  born  Jamiary  8,  1885,  in  Leicestershire,  En- 
gland; his  parents,  John  and  Elizabeth  (Mitchell)  Upton,  came  to  America  in  the  fall  of 
1841,  with  seven  children;  they  settled  first  at  Detroit  and  remained  four  years,  when  they 
removed  to  Sterling,  Macomb  County,  and  located  on  a  farm  on  Section  14;  his  father  died 
in  1854,  aged  fifty-two;  his  mother,  in  18()7,  aged  sixty-three.  Mr.  Upton  was  married, 
September  8.  1861,  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Whipple  and  Polly  Aldi-ich,  born  March  5, 
1844;  her  fa*"her  died  in  1863;  her  mother  is  still  living,  at  Fenton,  Mich.,  aged  seventy- 
four.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Upton  have  had  foiir  children — Charles  W..  born  August  4,  1862; 
Frank  E.,  March  15,  1864;  Kena  J.,  August  21,  1868,  died  August  21,  1879,  aged  eleven; 
Victor  Floyd,  August  5,  1877.  Mr.  Upton  has  a  valuable  farm  of  150  acres,  finely  located 
on  Sections  14  and  15,  with  one  of  the  best  dwellings  in  Macomb  County,  and  supplied 
with  other  commodious  and  convenient  farm  buildings;  he  is  a  genial  and  much-esteemed 
citizen,  prominent  in  the  general  interests  of  the  town;  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
belongs  to  tue  Masonic  order,  LTtica  Lodge,  No.  75. 

E.  WOOUIE. 


CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

WAHREN  TOWNSHIP. 
The  township  of  Warren  was  erected  under  the  name  of  Hickory  March  11,  1837. 
Under  an  act  approved  April  2,  1888,  all  that  portion  of  Macomb  known  as  Sections  12, 
13,  24,  25  and  36,  in  Township  1  north,  of  Range  12  east,  was  set  off  from  the  town  of 
Orange  and  annexed  to  the  town  of  Hickory.  Under  the  same  act,  the  name  of  the  town- 
ship of  Hickory  was  changed  to  that  of  Aba.  It  retained  this  name  until  March  25,  1838, 
when  it  received  its  present  title — Warren.  The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house 
of  Louis  Groesbeck,  April  3,  1837,  with  Avery  Dennison,  Moderator;  Samuel  Gibbs, 
Clerk;  Louis  Beaufait,  Alonzo  Haight  and  Jenison  F.  Glazier,  Inspectors  of  Election. 
Samuel  Gibbs  was  elected  Supervisor;  Alonzo  Haight,  Clerk:  Louis   L.  Beaufait,    Col- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


lector;  Harris  Corey,  Loving  Hawley,  L.  L.  Beaufait,  Assessors;  Peter  Gillett,  Jolin  H. 
Barton.  Loring  Hawley,  Commissioners  of  Highways;  Northrap  Jones  and  Louis  Groes- 
beck.  Overseers  of  the  Poor;  James  X.  Bruce,  with  Beaufait  and  Corey,  were  elected  Con- 
stables. Avery  Dennisou.  Sam  Gibbs.  Lyman  E.  Rhodes.  Commissioners  of  Schools. 
The  principal  town  officers  elected  since  1S37  are  named  in  the  following  lists: 

TOWN    OFFICERS. 

Supervisors — Samuel  Gibbs,  1837-39;  John  H.  Barton.  1839-40;  Henry  W.  Larra- 
way,  1840-4'2;  George  Bolam.  1842-4t);  Alonzo  Haight.  1846-47;  George  Bolam,  1847- 
49;  John  L.  Beebe.  1849-54;  George  W.  Corey,  1854-57;  George  Bolam.  1857-60; 
Louis  Groesbeck.  1860-63;  Joseph  T.  De  Coninck,  1863-65;  Louis  Groesbeck.  1865-67; 
Charles  S.  Groesbeck,   1867-71;  Louis  Groesbeck.  1871-79;  Paul  Lefevre,  1879-82. 

Clerks— Alonzo  Haight.  1837;  Daniel  A.  Denison,  1838-40;  George  W.  Corey,  1840 
-42;  Loring  Hawley,  1842-48;  George  W.  Corey,  1849-51;  William  C.  Groesbeck,  1852- 
53;  Louis  Groesbeck,  1854-56;  Charles  S.  Groesbeck,  1857-61;  Francis  E.  Groesbeck, 
1861-64;  N.  H.  Brown.  1865-()6;  William  J.  Enright,  1867;  John  Kaltz.  1868;  John 
W.  Kingscott.  1869;  Royal  A.  Jennv.  1870;  John  Kaltz.  1871-72;  George  W  Adair, 
1873:  Paul  Lefevi-e,  1874-77;  Henry" W.  Miller.  1878-82. 

Treasm-ers-  -Louis  L.  Beaufait,  1837-40:  Loring  Hawley,  1840-42;  Avery  Dennison, 
1842;  Cornelius  Fehan,  1843-46;  Avery  Dennison,  1846;  Cornelius  Fehan,  1847;  Elisha 
W.  Halsey.  1848;  Cornelius  Fehan.  1849-51;  Samuel  Jones.  1852;  Loring  Hawley, 
1853;  Joseph  Tobiu,  1854;  Prosper  Le  Due,  1855;  Fred  H.  Walker.  1856;  AVilliam  E. 
Hartsig.  1857-58:  Ai-nold  Hardwood.  1859;  John  W.  Kingscott.  1860-61;  John  Ward- 
hoflf,  1862-66;  Peter  Rotarius,  1867;  George  H  Briukers,  1868;  Lewis  Hartsig,  1869-71; 
Mathias  J.  Hoffman,  1872-74;  Vincent  Tremble,  1875-77:  Mathias  Hoffman,  1878-79: 
Lewis  Hartsig,  1880;  Peter  Miller,  1881. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Samuel  Gibbs,  John  H.  Bai-ton,  L.  F.  Rhodes,  Alonzo  Haight, 
1837:  Loring  Hawley,  Samuel  Gibbs,  1838;  R.  D.  Smith,  1839;  H.  W.  Laraway,  Harris 
Corey,  Louis  L.  Beaufait,  1840;  E.  W.  Halsey,  1841;  Jeremiah  W.  Wetson,  Sylvester 
Royes,  1842:  Horace  P.  Jennv,  George  W.  Corev,  Libertv  Hartwell.  1843;  Robert  J. 
Mitchell,  1844;  Cornelius  Felian,  1845;  George  W.  Corey'  1846:  Aiartin  Blunt,  1847; 
R,  J.  Mitchell,  Liberty  Hartwell,  1848;  George  'W.  Glazier.  Robert  Morris,  1849;  Corne- 
lius Fehan,  George  W.  Corey.  1850;  Ai-nold  Harwood.  Charles  Davy,  1851;  Robert  D. 
Smith,  1852;  Hazel  Horner,  George  Bolam,  1853;  George  W.  Corey,  1854;  L.  Hartzig, 
Francis  Groesbeck,  George  Eberth,  1855;  George  Bolam.  Almond  D.  Jenny.  1857;  S.  W. 
Rovce.  1858;  Charles  Groesbeck,  1859;  George  Bolam.  1860;  A.  D.  Jenny. "l861;  Prosper 
La' Due.  1862:  Casper  Schettler,  1863:  N.  B.  Brown.  1864;  C.  S.  Groesbeck,  George 
Bolam,  1865:  N.  B.  Brown,  1866;  John  Bucklev.  John  W.  Kingscott,  1867;  Anthony 
Schettler.  A.  D.  Jenny,  1S68:  Charles  S.  Groesbeck,  1869;  George  Bolam,  1870;  Ai-nold 
Harwood,  Michael  Schanherr,  1871;  M.  K.  Plummer,  William  Simonds,  John  Buckley, 
1872;  John  Hartman.  1873;  M.  Schanherr,  1874;  Lewis  Hartsig.  1875;  William  Si- 
monds, 1876:  John  Hartman.  1877:  H.  Engelman,  1878:  Victor  Schanherr,  John  Hart- 
sig, 1879. 

There  was  no  opposition  to  the  Democratic  ticket  in  this  town  in  1882.  and  the  vote 
was  small.     Paul  Lefever  was  re-elected  Supervisor,  Henry  Miller.  Clerk,  for  1882-83. 

VILLAGE    OF    WARREN. 

The  village  of  Warren  in  this  township  was  settled  at  an  early  day.  It  is  twelve 
miles  southwest  of  Mt.  Clemens  and  fourteen  north  of  Detroit.  Its  location  is  within  a 
half  mile  of  the  D.  &.  B.  C.  R.  R. ,  which  renders  the  place  a  suburb  of  Detroit.      It  ia  a 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


fine  agricultural  section,  which  is  devoted  to  farming,  mai'ket  gardening,  grain,  vegetables 
and  fruit.  There  are  Methodist  and  Lutheran  Churches,  a  district  school  and  a  steam  feed 
mill  and  foundry  in  the  hamlet.  Its  conservatism  in  respect  to  population  is  remarkable. 
The  census  returns  of  1880  credit  it  with  being  the  center  of  150peof)le.  Similar  returns 
for  years  past  have  accorded  to  the  little  hamlet  precisely  the  same  number.  Among  the 
early  settlers  were  the  Groesbecks.  Joseph  Jei'ome,  Harris  Corey,  Joseph  Mosho  and 
George  Bolam,  many  of  whom  have  left  families,  members  of  which  still  reside  in  the 
township.  Among  the  business  and  professional  men  of  the  village  are  John  Ames.  Milo 
Ames,  Oliver  Barton,  J.  L.  Beebe,  C.  Davy.  AVilliam  Cole.  D.  L.  Case.  Frink  &  Mur- 
thum,  L.  Groesbeck,  Silas  E.  Halsey,  John  Hartman,  Rev.  A.  Harwood.  W.  Helzeuger, 
E.  Lawrence.  F.  McCall.  William  McMullen,  Judson  C.  Mason,  E.  Mores.  C.  Sanderson, 
Edward  Tharrett.  G.  B.  Walker,  G.  Whitten,  Rev.  AVilliam  Young. 


TOWNSHIP    SCHOOLS. 

There  are  six  district  schools  in  the  tovvnshi]),  attended  by  8L5  childi'en.  The  school 
buildings  are  frame,  valued  at  $4,00().  The  total  expenditures  of  the  township  for  school 
purposes  dm'ing  the  year  1881  were  $8.0911.15.  The  school,  in  connection  with  the  Cath- 
olic Church  at  Center  Line,  is  one  of  the  leading  educational  establishments  of  the  town- 
ship.    The  Lutheran  school  is  another  denominational  establishment. 

ST.  Clement's  catholic  church. 
The  Catholic  congregation  of  St.  Clement's  parish  was  founded  in  1854,  when  the  new 
church  was  consecrated  under  permission  of  Bishop  Lefe\Te.  The  growth  of  the  congre- 
gation necessitated  an  addition  to  the  church  building  in  18<)S.  The  senior  membei's  of 
the  congi'egation  were  Charles  Groesbeck.  Joseph  Cramer,  Josejjh  Miller  and  a  few  otliers. 
The  church  was  attended  successively  by  Rev.  Father  Van  den  Driesche.  of  the  Church  of 
the  Assumption  at  Connor's  Creek,  next  by  the  priests  of  the  Detroit  Cathedral,  again  by 
the  Redemptorist  Fathers  of  St.  Mary's.  Detroit.  The  first  resident  priest  was  Rev.  H. 
Hueffels.  now  of  Anchorville,  who  came  in  1857;  he  was  succeeded,  in  1868,  by  Rev.  W. 
J.  V.  Hendricks.  At  that  time,  140  families  formed  the  congregation.  Under  Father 
Hendricks,  an  extensive  addition  was  made  to  the  church  building,  a  new  pipe  organ  was 
introduced,  a  cemetery  laid  out.  which  was  blessed  by  Bishop  Borgess,  May  10,  1871. 
The  schoolhouse  was  also  enlarged  by  him,  and  a  dwelling  for  the  organist  and  teachers 
erected.  On  January  fi.  1880,  he  proposed  the  building  of  a  new  chm-ch;  the  people 
acted  promptly,  so  that  on  July  5,  he  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  building.  The 
big  work  was  commenced  September  3.  1880,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  by  Bishop 
Borgess  November  6,  1881.  The  total  cost,  $18,000,  was  paid  up  in  May,  1882.  The 
length  of  the  building  is  13(5  feet,  the  width  54  feet.  There  are  five  entrances  to  the 
building,  fifteen  stained  glass  windows,  a  number  of  well-executed  paintings,  chaste  fres- 
coes, rendering  the  building  one  of  the  most  perfect  sacred  edifices  in  the  county.  The 
parish  of  Centerline  is  one  very  difficult  to  administer,  simply  on  account  of  the  various 
nationalities  represented;  the  pastor  is  obliged  to  preach  in  the  American,  French,  Bel- 
gium and  German  languages,  and  in  every-day  life  has  to  transact  the  duties  of  his  office 
in  so  many  different  tongues  and  with  so  many  different  peoples.  The  number  of  families 
belonging  to  St.  Clement's  congregation,  in  1880,  was  210.  which  niimber  has  met  with 
many  additions  since  that  time. 

PERSONAL      in.STOliY. 

The  biographical  sketches  of  citizens  of  Warren,  given  in  this  volume,  contain  much 
that  is  specially  interesting.  Each  one  of  these  sketches  is  a  lesson  in  itself,  pointing  the 
way  to  progress. 


ISAAC  BRACE,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  (Green)  Brace,  of  Hertfordshire.  England, 
was  born  October  28,  1837;  his  parents  came  to  the  United  States  in  lS;:i4:  lived  for  two 
years  at  Detroit,  one  year  in  Canada,  then  at  Royal  Oak,  Oakland  Co.,  Mich.,  where  his 
mother  died  in  1859;  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  went  to  the  Marquette  iron  mines;  next 
passed  some  time  in  the  lumber  regions;  engaged  in  fishing  at  St.  Joe  for  one  year;  next 
worked  on  a  farm  and  in  a  brick  factory,  and,  in  18(j'2.  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  Michigan 
Cavalry,  went  into  service  at  East  Capitol  Hill,  and  finished  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan. , 
with  the  muster-out  of  the  command;  a  reference  to  the  regimental  history  will  show  the 
principal  affairs  in  which  this  soldier  was  engaged.  After  the  wai-.  he  bought  an  eighty- 
acre  farm  at  Troy.  Oakland  County,  where  he  made  his  home  until  1881;  he  then  engaged 
in  the  dry  goods  trade:  sold  his  interest  therein,  and  retired  to  his  pleasant  home  in  War- 
ren Township.  He  married  Mrs.  Louisa  Dewandeler,  a  native  of  Belgium,  who  settled 
with  her  parents  in  Warren  in  18(17  or  18(iS;  they  ai-e  the  parents  of  Mary,  Julia  and 
Amelia  Brace.     Mr.  Brace  is  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  in  Troy,  Oakland  Cotinty. 

JOSEPH  ('RAMER.  Jk.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Magdalene  (Aut)  Cramer,  was  born  Au- 
gust 14,  1857;  his  parents  were  natives  of  Prussia,  Germany,  who  immigrated  in  1842, 
settling  at  Pontiac.  Oakland  Co.,  Mich.;  he  worked  on  the  Detroit  &  Michigan  Railroad 
for  some  time,  and  then  located  eighty  acres  on  Section  22,  Warren.  Mr.  Cramer,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  educated  at  the  Cincinnati  Catholic  College  one  year;  at  St. 
Vincents,  near  Pittsbm-gh,  Penn.,  one  year;  at  Sandwich,  Canada,  two  years;  and  at 
Milwaukee  College  three  years;  he  taught  school  for  four  years,  retiring  on  account 
of  ill  health.  He  married  Miss  Catherine,  daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  (Cas- 
peres)  Otto,  natives  of  Prussia.  August  lU,  1879;  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children — 
Catherine  and  Gertrade.  Mr.  Cramer  is  engaged  in  business  at  Center  Line.  The  fam- 
ilv  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

LAVINrS  DE  SMET,  P.  O.  Ceutei'  Line,  sou  of  L.  and  Celia  (Fromdefelia)  De 
Smet,  was  born  at  Hoist,  Belgium,  December  25,  1818.  his  father  died  in  November,  1821, 
and  his  mother  in  1829;  fi-om  this  period  until  1839  he  lived  with  his  uncle;  there  he 
learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade,  and  worked  at  it  for  about  thi'ee  years;  he  immigrated 
in  1845:  aiTived  at  Detroit  and  located  in  Warren  Township  the  same  year,  on  a  forty- 
acre  tract  of  unimproved  land;  this  land  he  cleared  and  drained,  raised  dwelling  house 
and  farm  buildings,  planted  an  orchard,  vinery,  etc. ;  he  was  accompanied  by  his  sister, 
who  was  married  in  Belgium.  Mi-.  De  Smet  man-ied  Miss  Elizabeth  Dunne,  daughter  of 
John  and  Rosie  (O'Brien)  Dunne,  natives  of  Ireland,  to  whom  were  born  five  children — 
Maggie,  Julia.  Elizabeth,  Phillip  and  Peter.  After  the  death  of  his  fii-st  wife,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  D.  King,  a  native  of  Holland,  to  whom  two  children  were  born.  The  family 
lielong  to  the  Catholic  Chiu-ch.  Mr.  De  Smet  is  a  practical  agricultm-ist,  fruit  and  vine 
gi-ower,  and  also  superintends  a  wagon  and  blacksmith  shop. 

ARNOLD  HARWOOD,  sou  of  Ahaz  and  Polly  Carver  Harwood,  was  born  in  Rutland 
County,  Vt.,  August  25.  1816;  his  father  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1/91.  and  his 
mother  in  Vermont  in  1800;  they  settled  in  Marshall.  Calhoun  Co..  Mich.,  in  1839.  Arnold 
moved  to  Richmond  Township.  Macomb  County,  in  1843;  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1844,  where 
he  worked  imtil  184();  he  bought  a  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Warren  Township,  which  he 
partially  cleai-ed  and  sold:  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  on  which  he  cleared  thirty,  on 
which  he  lived  for  ten  years;  he  was  engaged  in  locating  lands  for  a  land  company;  lo- 
cated 12.000  acres  for  Gov.  Crapo  in  1852,  and  carried  on  his  farm  at  the  same  time;  he 
sold  his  farm  in  18()3.  and  purchased  12f)  acres  of  improved  lands  on  Section  4.  where  he 
now  resides;  he  established  a  lumber-yard  at  Warren  Station,  and  in  other  ways  has  taken 
an  active  part  in  the  development  of  the  township;  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  18o3; 
appointed  a  Notary  by  Gov.  K.  S.  Bingham  in  1855,  which  office  he  still  holds;  and  High- 


r 


^1 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


way  Commissioner  in  ISTT).  He  was  mamed,  in  ISiJS,  to  Elvira  Crosier,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Rhoda  Orvis  Crosier,  natives  of  Halifax,  Vermont,  to  whom  eight  children 
were  born.  He  was  married  a  second  time.  May  10,  ISfiO.  to  Elizabeth  C,  daughter  of 
Frederick  and  Sarah  A.  Higgins  Van  Fleet,  to  whom  four  childi'en  were  born.  His  family 
belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Chm-ch,  of  which  Mr.  Harwood  was  local  preacher  for  a  quarter 
of  a  centiiry. 

HENRY  HENDRICKX  was  born  in  the  Province  of  Limbiu-g,  Holland;  his  parents 
were  natives  of  North  Brabant;  father  died  in  1871;  the  mother  in  1S.")2.  Mr.  Hendrickx 
was  educated  in  colleges  in  Belgium  and  Holland:  after  his  father's  death,  he,  with  two 
brothers,  came  to  the  United  States  in  187"2;  continued  studies  at  Cincinnati,  and  at  West- 
moreland County,  Penn. ;  settled  in  Warren  Township,  where  he  established  a  large  gro- 
cery house.  In  1S74,  Mr.  Hendrickx  married  Miss  Gertrude  Raltz,  daughter  of  John  Jo- 
seph Rahz,  a  native  of  Germany  and  a  farmer  of  Warren;  they  are  the  parents  of  live 
childi'en. 

REV.  W.  J.  V.  HENDRICKX  descended  from  the  Hendrickx  and  Sassen  families 
of  Holland,  was  born  August  US,  184:-!;  at  the  age  of  eleven,  he  was  sent  to  the  C.  B.  Col- 
lege of  Kuwenerg,  North  Brabant,  Holland;  in  185(),  he  matriculated  at  St.  Michael's 
Seminary,  near  Bois  Le  Due,  where  he  was  educated  for  the  priesthood;  diiring  six  years, 
he  studied  Latin,  Greek,  French,  Dutch  and  German  languages;  in  18H'2,  he  entered  his 
two-years'  study  of  philosophy,  and  in  18()4  began  the  study  of  theology  at  Roermond, 
Province  of  Limburg;  there  he  was  ordained  priest  by  Bishop  Paredis,  March  "iS,  1868. 
July  y  of  that  year,  he  left  his  native  country  for  the  United  States,  and  arrived  here  July 
19,  18()8;  he  was  welcomed  by  the  late  Bishop  LefevTe,  who  appointed  him  assistant  to 
Rev.  Van  Den  Dreische,  at  Connor's  Creek;  there  he  labored  until  appointed  Pastor  of  St. 
Clemens  Parish,  of  Center  Line,  January  '27,  18(5'.);  in  18S(),  May  1,  the  foundation  of  the 
beautiful  St.  Clemens  Church  was  laid,  and  finished  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  Borgey  on 
November  (i,  1881;  the  church  cost  about  flfi.OOO,  which  smn  has  been  paid  already.  It 
may  be  said  with  truth  that  this  priest  loves  his  people;  and  they  return  his  love  unmeas- 
ured. 

ALMON  D.  JENNEY,  son  of  Ebenezer,  of  New  Hampshire,  was  born  in  Addison 
County,  Vt.,  September  25,  181(5;  came  to  Macomb  County  in  183(5;  taught  school  at 
Stony  Creek  in  ]8H(5  and  18l!7;  in  the  neighborhood  of  Utica  and  Romeo  for  live  or  six 
winters,  and  entered  his  farm  in  1838.  three  miles  south  of  Utica,  on  which  he  located  in 
1841;  in  IM.JO,  went  to  Oakland,  where  he  remained  till  1852,  when  he  located  on  Section 
3,  Warren  Township;  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  fifteen  years;  has  been  Notary  Pub- 
lic for  many  years  past;  Commissioner  of  Highways  for  three  years,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order;  married,  July  1,  1841,  Miss  Zadia  N.  Haff.  a  native  of  Rensselaer 
County,  N.  Y. ;  were  the  parents  of  nine  chikli-en,  seven  of  whom  are  living. 

ROYAL  A.  JENNEY,  son  of  Almon  D.  Jenney,  formerly  of  Vermont,  was  born  in  Ster- 
ling, Macomb  County,  June  27,  1845;  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twenty  second  Michigan 
Volunteer  Infantry,  in  ]8(i5;  he  taught  school  in  Wayne  County  and  Macomb  County  for 
seven  years;  in  1870,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Union  Iron  Company  of  Detroit,  and 
the  same  year  piu-chased  an  interest  in  the  concern;  he  is  now  Assistant  Secretary  of  the 
comjiany;  superintends  the  manufacture  of  charcoal,  and  is  one  of  the  managers  of  the 
firm.  He  was  married,  in  December,  1871,  to  Miss  C.  Hoxsey,  daughter  of  Edward  Hox- 
sey;  their  childi-eit  are  Edith,  Estelle,  Pearl  and  Lee.  Mr.  Jenney  was  Township  Clerk 
for  one  year,  and  is  a  meml^er  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Utica. 

PAUL  LEFEVRE,  P.  O.  Center  Line,  son  of  .John  and  Amelia  (Vandamme)  Lefevre, 
was  born  in  Passchendaele,  Belgium;  was  educated  in  the  township  schools  until  18(58, 
when  he  entered  the  college  of  Trelinghien;  in  18(54,  he  entered  the  high  school  at  Zoun- 


liL 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY.  85T 

cbeke,  Belgium.  In  1805,  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents,  at  Grosse  Point, 
Wayne  Co.,  Mich.;  there  his  father  died  in  18()7.  Paul  remained  on  the  homestead  until 
lN7"i,  when  he  moved  to  Warren  Township.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Tremble, 
daughter  of  Eustache  and  Cecilia  (Rivard)  Tremble,  of  Wayne  County,  July  IT),  1S73-, 
they  are  the  parents  of  foiu'  chikiren,  viz. :  Edmund  E.,  Amelia  E.,  Alfonso  D.  and  Delia 
R.  Mr  Lefevre  was  elected  Clerk  of  Warren  in  1874,  and  served  until  1878,  when  he  was 
elected  member  of  Supei-visors'  Board  from  that  township;  he  has  been  repeatedly  re- 
elected, and  holds  the  office  at  present.  Mr.  Lefevre  and  family  belong  to  the  Catholic 
Church.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

J.  C.  MASON,  son  of  Ichabod  and  Maiy  (Beals)  Mason,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  was 
born  January  8,  1884;  father  died  in  February,  18H4;  and  mother,  in  August,  1841.  In  his 
fifteenth  year,  he  commenced  working  on  a  farm  by  the  month;  continued  until  1854, 
when  he  began  to  leara  blacksmithing  in  New  York;  continued  his  trade  in  Oakland 
County,  Mich.,  and  established  himself  permanently  in  Warren  Township,  Macomb  County. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Elizalieth  Davy,  daughter  of  Elder  Charles  and  Mary  Davy,  Feb- 
ruary 10,  18')7,  to  whom  six  children  were  born,  of  whom  two  are  dead.  The  family  be- 
long to  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mason's  wagon,  buggy  and  iron  working  shops  were  estab- 
lished March  18,  I8.3O;  he  began  work  as  a  blacksmith  on  a  small  scale,  and,  as  business 
increased,  added  one  department  after  another,  until  now  his  business  includes  the  manu- 
factiu-e  of  buggies,  wagons,  a  smithy,  paint-shop,  foundry,  feed-mill,  saw-mill;  he  deals 
in  agricultural  implements,  and  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  property. 

EDWARD  H.  PECK,  son  of  William  and  Ellen  (Case)  Peck,  natives  of  New  York, 
former  of  Ontario  County,  latter  of  Montgomery  County,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Phelps 
December  0,  1850;  he  was  employed  on  the  State  Scow,  Seneca  River  Canal  for  two  years; 
in  1874,  he  came  to  Sterling  Township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  lived  for  foiu- 
years;  he  visited  his  New  York  home  in  187S,  and,  in  June,  1879,  purchased  a  farm  in 
Warren  Township,  and  located  there:  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  1 10  acres  on  Sec- 
tion 5.  Ml-.  Peck  was  married,  March  (>,  1877,  to  Miss  Martha,  daughter  of  Franklin 
Ames  and  Sarah  (Moffit)  Ames;  this  lady  died  November  27,  1878.  He  married  Miss  Celia 
J.,  daughter  of  Oixin  Benson  and  Lydia  M.  (Perkins)  Benson,  natives  of  Vermont,  January 
15,  1880.  The  family  are  inclined  to  the  Baptist  Church.  Politically,  Mr.  Peck  is  a 
Democrat. 

ABRAJI  VAN  FLEET. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

KAY   TOWNSHIP. 

This  towTiship  is  generally  level,  with  very  little  flat  land,  and  no  swamps  nor  marshes- 
The  varieties  of  timber  common  to  Michigan  formerly  grew  in  large  quantities  in  the 
township,  and  a  fair  proportion  of  mo.st  kinds  still  exists.  The  principal  streams  are  the 
North  Branch  of  the  Clinton  River,  which  traverses  the  township  near  its  eastern  bound- 
aiy,  due  north,  and  enters  Armada  near  its  southwest  corner;  Coon  Creek,  which  runs 
through  the  township  northerly.  Besides,  there  is  Healey  Brook,  which  rises  on  the 
Lofvell  farm,  in  Washington  Township.  Ray  is  a  line  agricultiu'al  locality,  yielding  an- 
nually above  the  average  of  the  principal  farm  productions.  From  the  returns  of  1873, 
the  following  figures  are  gleaned,  as  representing  the  amounts  of  the  various  staple  arti- 
53 


■^ 


HI.STORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


cles  raised  during  that  year,  being  a  fair  general  criterion:  Wheat,  18. 555  bushels;  corn, 
38.000  bnshels;  all  other  grain,  principally  oats,  barley  and  rye,  41,170  bushels;  potatoes, 
14,69r3  bushels.  The  population  of  Ray  Township,  according  to  the  census  (special)  of 
1873,  was  1,485.     In  1880,  it  was  reported  to  be  1,543. 

Joseph  Chubb,  in  his  paper  on  the  early  settlement  of  Ray,  states  that  among  the  first 
settlers  was  Joseph  Chubb,  in  the  year  1825.  His  patent  of  one  section  of  land  was  signed 
by  John  Q.  Adams.  At  about  this  time.  Zelottes  Stone,  John  Gass,  Duncan  Gass,  Na- 
thaniel Thompson,  Benjamin  Freeman,  J.  T.  Robinson  and  Samuel  Buttertield — with  the 
largest  family  in  Ray  for  many  years — also  settled  there.  The  first  schoolhouse  was 
erected  near  what  is  now  known  as  Ray  Center  in  1834.  The  first  church  building  erected 
in  Ray  was  in  1839.  for  the  Close  Communion  Baptist  society.  Their  first  settled  minis- 
ter was  William  Tuttle,  and  among  its  first  members  were  Andrew  Sutherland,  Russell 
Roberts,  Hiram  Roberts  and  Josiah  Parks.  The  Baptist  Chiu'ch  proper  was  organized 
in  1837.  The  first  Congregational  Church  in  Ray  was  organized  on  the  13th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1838,  by  the  Rev.  Philander  Barber,  of  Romeo.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the  house 
of  David  Stone,  who  was  elected  Clerk.  The  members  who  joined  at  that  time  were  David 
Stone  and  wife,  William  Stone.  Theophilus  Stone.  Zelottes  Stone,  Orrilla  Weltou.  Orsa- 
mus  Lathrop  and  wife.  Thomas  E.  Dryer,  Carlos  W.  Brown.  As  we  understand  it.  both 
churches  still  exist.  Joseph  Chubb  buried  his  wife — the  first  adult  person  biu'ied  in  Ray 
— January  9.  IS'27.  Edgar  Freeman  was  the  first  male  child  born  in  Ray.  and  Lucinda 
Chubb  the  first  female.  Among  the  first  settlers  who  were  heads  of  families  now  living 
are  John  Gass,  Zelottes  Stone,  John  Dicken,  J.  T.  Robinson,  Moroiah  Chubb  (widow  of 
Joseph  Chubb),  Electa  Louck  (widow  of  William  Louck)  and  John  Goodell. 

In  addition  to  this  statement.  John  E.  Day  relates  that,  at  the  time  of  its  organiza- 
tion, the  township  included  Armada  and  Lenox  in  its  boundaries.  It  was  named  by  Noah 
Webster,  and  the  name  was  spelled  Rhea,  after  the  Latin  name  of  a  river  in  Euro])e. 
After  two  or  three  years,  the  spelling  was  changed  to  Ray.  On  the  Uth  of  July,  1827, 
John  Biddle  was  elected  Delegate  to  Congress,  receiving  from  this  township  sixteen  votes. 
November  5.  1827,  William  A.  Burt  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature, 
receiving  sixteen  votes.  There  were  only  two  road  districts.  Job  Howell  presiding  over 
the  work  in  one.  and  Joseph  Chubb  in  the  other.  Joseph  Chubb  and  Chauncy  Bailey 
held  the  responsible  oflSce  of  Fence  Viewers. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  township  of  Ray,  erected  April  12,  1827,  comprised  all  the  county  of  Macomb 
north  of  the  third  townships,  and  in  the  13th  range,  and  the  first  meeting  was  held  at  the 
house  of  Noah  Webster,  the  last  Monday  in  May,  1827.  The  act  of  March  7.  1834,  directed 
that  surveyed  Township  4  north.  Range  14,  be  attached  to  and  form  a  part  of  the  town  of 
Ray:  and  that  the  division  botween  the  townships  of  Clinton  and  Harrison  should  there- 
after  be  the  line  dividing  the  13th  and  14th  ranges.  The  act  of  June  22,  1832,  attached 
Township  5,  Range  14  east,  and  the  east  half  of  Township  5,  in  Range  13  east,  to  Macomb 
County,  and  directed  that  the  country  so  annexed  should  form  a  portion  of  the  town  of  Ray. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Noah  Webster  May  28,  1827.  Reu- 
ben R.  Smith  was  chosen  Moderator;  Edmund  Steward,  Clerk.  The  ele^^tion  resulted  in 
the  choice  of  Reuben  R.  Smith,  Supervisor:  Edmund  Steward,  Clerk;  Chauncey  Bailey, 
William  Stephens  and  John  Proctor,  Assessors:  Norman  PeiTy,  Job  Howell,  Nathaniel 
Thompson,  Commissioners:  Moses  Freeman,  Constable  and  Collector;  Joseph  Chubb,  Sr. , 
William  Hall  ^nd  Josiah  Hamblin,  Overseers  of  the  Poor;  Joseph  Chubb,  Chauncey  Bai- 
ley, Fence  Viewers;  Job  Howell  and  Joseph  Chubb,  Pathmasters. 

The  first  resolution  of  the  Town  Board  was  opposed  to  raising  any  money  for  the  sup- 


^?^=^ 


J^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


port  of  the  poor.      The  board  authorized  the  expenditiu'e  of  $5  on  a  record  book,  and  a])- 
pointed  Noah  Webster  Poundmaster. 

TmVN    liOsTKl;. 

Supei'visors — Reuben  R.  Smith,  1827-38;  County  Commissioners,  1838-43;  Charles 
Marble,  1839-40;  Josiali  Lee,  1840;  Alexander  Taejjles,  1842-43;  Neil  Grav.  1843-44; 
Jacob  A.  Crawford,  1844-45:  Reuben  R.  Smith,  1845-46;  Jacob  A.  Crawford,  1840-48; 
JohnM.  Crawford,  1848-49:  Jonathan  E.  Davis,  1849-50;  John  M.  Crawford,  1850-51; 
Charles  Marble,  1851-52;  JohnM.  Crawford,  1852-54;  Joel  Thompson,  1854-55;  Hiram 
Ban-ows.  1855-5(J:  Joel  Thompson,  1850-58;  Deliverance  S.  Priest,  1858-59;  Elias  W. 
Lyons,  1859-60;  Joel  Thompson,  1860-61;  Deliverance  S.  Priest.  1861-62;  JohnM. 
Crawford,  1862-63;  Deliverance  S.  Priest,  1863-70;  Ezra  Nve,  1870-81;  Watson  W. 
Lvons,  1881-82. 

Clerks-Edmund  Steward,  1827-29;  Noah  Webster,  1830-35;  Duncan  Gass,  1836: 
David  Stone,  1837-39;  W.  M.  Welley,  1840;  Josiah  T.  Robinson,  1841;  W.  M.  Welley, 
1842;  David  Stone,  1843;  Oran  Freeman.  1844-45;  Joseph  Sutherland,  1846;  William 
M.  Lee,  1847-48;  Joel  Thompson,  1849-51;  Daniel  F.  Lake,  1852-53.  William  M.  Lee. 
1854;  Joseph  Chubb,  1855;  John  Tewksbmy,  1856;  Oran  Freeman,  185 /-58;  Joel 
Thompson,  1859;  John  W.  Goodell,  1860;  Ezra  Nve,  1861-64;  Wesley  W.  Welley, 
1865-66;  Ezra  Nye,  1807-70;  Norman  Crawford.  1871 ;  William  L.  Dicken,_1872 :  Nor- 
man Crawford,  1873;  William  L.  Dicken,  18i4-i0;  Norman  Crawford,  18((~i8;Milo 
W.  Davis,  1879-81. 

Treasurers —Moses  Freeman,  1827;  Normas  Perry,  1828-29;  Cai  pus  Redway.  1830; 
William  Hall,  1831;  Apollos  A.  Fuller,  1832;  Norman  Pen-y,  1833;  Eli  H.  Webster, 
1834-36;  Elijah  Stone,  1837-38;  Wilson  W.  Miller,  1839-40';  Benjamin  Miller.  1841; 
David  Sutherland,  1842;  Joseph  Sutherland.  1843;  Elijah  Stone,  1844;  Orsamus  Lath- 
rop,  1845-46;  Elias  W.  Lyons,  1847-48;  James  H.  Siitton,  1849;  Thomas  G.  Omans, 
1850;  James  Gass,  1851;  Robert  Sutherland,  1852-53;  John  Goodell,  1854;  John  E. 
Butterfield,  1855;  Nelson  Gass,  1856;  Charles  Fillmore,  1852;  Elias  Stone,  1858;  Elias 
L.  Stone.  1859;  William  L.  Dicken,  1860;  Elias  L  Stone.  1861;  William  D.  Thompson. 
1862;  Myron  Thompson.  1863-64;  Wesley  W.  Wellev.  1865;  Nelson  Gass.  1860;  R.  M. 
Stitt,  1867-08;  George  W.  Garvin.  1869-70;  Russell  B.  Bratton.  1871-72;  Daniel  T. 
Chubb,  1873-74;  Orrin  J.  Gass,  1875;  Voluey  N.  Ai-nold.  1876-77;  Eugene  W.  Miller. 
1878.  Myron  Thompson,  1879;  Eugene  W.  Miller,  1880-81. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Duncan  Gass,  1836;  Charles  W.  Brown,  1836;  George  W. 
Knapp,  1836;  William  H.  Baker,  1836;  L.  Sharpstien.  1837;  Duncan  Ctes,  1837;  David 
Stone,  1837;  Duncan  Gass,  1838;  Charles  Marble,  1838;  L.  Sharpstien.  1838;  Duncan 
Ciass,  1839;  Charles  Marble,  1840;  Josiah  Lee,  1841;  Alexander  Tackles,  1842;  William 
M.  Welley,  1843;  Charles  Marble,  1844;  Jonathan  E.  Davis,  1845;  Alexander  Tackles, 
1846;  William  M.  Welley,  1847;  Deliverance  S.  Priest,  1848;  Norton  L.  Miller.  1848; 
Elias  W.  Lyons,  1849;  Jonathan  E.  Davis,  1850;  J.  T,  Robinson,  1850;  Theron  Cad- 
worth,  1850;  Jacob  A.  Crawford,  1851;  Hiram  Nye,  1851;  William  M.  Welley.  1852; 
Hiram  Barrows,  1853;  William  Willey,  1854;  Barlow  Davis,  1855;  J.  T.Robinson,  1857; 
James  D.  Roberts,  1858;  Hiram  Barrows,  1858;  Dan  Tewksbuiy,  1858;  Joseph  T.  Robin- 
son, 1859;  J.  \V.  Davis,  1859;  Chauncey  Sheldon,  1800;  Milton  Thompson.  1800;  Hiram 
Barrows,  1861;  A.  Sutherland,  1862;  J.  T.  Robinson,  1862;  Albert  Lincoln,  1863;  John 
N.  Sellick,  1863;  William  R.  Sutton,  1804;  Robert  Warner,  1864;  Stephen  H.  Davis. 
1865;  Josiah  T.  Robinson.  1806;  Milton  Thompson,  1866;  Mason  Cole,  1867;  William 
M.  Dorie,  1868:  Stephen  H.  Davis,  1869;  Joseph  T.  Robinsou,  1870;  Bela  R.  Davis,  1871; 
E.  L.  Kendi-ick,  1871;  William  M.  Dove,  1872;  J.  J.  Bentley,  1873;  D.  Tewksbury, 
1873-74;  Robert  Warner,  1875;  Josiah  T.  Robinson,  1876;  Bela  R.  Davis,  18 n;  Daniel 


"IV 


i, 


^: 


Tewksbiiry,  187S;  Robert  Warnev,  1879;  Mason  Cole.  1880;  Bela  R.  Davis,  1881;  Helm 
Hazleton,  1881. 

In  1882.  W.  W.  Lyons.  Deniocrat.  was  elected  Supervisor;  the  remainder  of  the 
ticket  is  Republican:  Supervisor.  W.  W.  Lyons.  Democrat,  142;  A.  Hazelton.  Republi- 
can. 129;  Democratic  majority,  1:1  Clerk,  M.  W.  Davis,  Republican.  179;  William 
Dove.  Democrat.  85;  Republican  majority,  94.  Treasurer,  J.  Gass,  Republican.  151;  W. 
T.  Switzer.  Democrat.  122;  Republican  majority,  29. 

ECCEN'TKICITIES   OF    THE   TOWN    BOAIID. 

The  vote  of  the  township  on  the  question  of  State  government,  taken  October  3,  1832, 
was  thirty-three  for  and  two  against. 

The  survey  of  the  Armada  &  St.  Clair  Plank  Road  was  made  in  April,  1853. 

In  I860,  the  Town  Board  granted  a  bounty  of  25  cents  on  every  crow  killed  within 
the  township.  Under  this  rule,  one  Orrin  Gass  received  in  one  payment  no  less  than 
$5.25;  Orsamus  Lathrop,  $1.25;  George  Rowley,  §1;  D.  Sutherland.  50  cents;  and  Mun- 
son  E.  Lyons,  75  cents.      Ray  Township  escaped  the  bonus  of  a  railroad  tax. 

TE.\CHERS'   ASSOCIATION. 

The  first  Teachers'  Educational  Association  organized  in  the  county  was  that  in  1847, 
in  Ray  Township.  Dr.  Philo  Tillson  was  President;  Mason  Cole,  Secretary.  Prof.  Nut 
ting  delivered  the  inaugural  address.  The  first  meeting  was  held  in  the  Baptist  Church, 
Ray  Center.  At  the  second  meeting,  held  the  same  winter,  in  the  Congregational  Church. 
Romeo,  Peter  Moyers,  a  native  of  Washington  Township,  and  a  graduate  from  Oberlin 
College,  addressed  the  teachers.  The  association  existed  for  five  years,  when  it  mei'ged 
into  the  Teachers'  Institute. 

THE    PATRIOT    WAK. 

The  Canadian  patriots  claimed  the  sympathy  of  the  early  settlers  of  Ray.  So  intense 
was  the  feeling  of  the  Americans,  that  Great  Britain  was  about  to  declare  war  against  the 
United  States.  The  people  of  Ray  were  among  those  prepared  to  treat  Great  Britain  to 
another  Yorktown.  Weekly  drill  was  held  for  six  weeks  under  Capt  Willey.  of  Mt.  Clem- 
ens.    The  Ray  company  was  present  at  the  review  held  at  Mt^  Clemens  May  12,  1838. 

THE   CUAWFOKD   SCIIOOl.. 

The  schoolhouse  of  the  Crawford  settlement  was  located  almost  on  the  line  of  Ray 
and  Macoml).  It  was  built  in  1839.  Among  the  early  teachers  were;  Mary  E.  Garvin, 
Sarah  O.  Garviu,  Mr.  Thurston,  in  1844-45.  In  1846,  Mason  Cole  took  charge  of  the 
school.  He  says,  speaking  of  the  school  of  that  time:  '"  It  was  the  most  interesting  school 
that  was  ever  in  Ray,  because  the  material  composing  the  school  was  probably  superior 
to  what  was  there  before,  and  what  has  been  there  since."  In  1846-47,  algebra  was  in- 
troduced into  the  school  at  Crawford,  being  its  first  introduction  into  the  district  schools  of 
Macomb  County.  Among  the  pupils  were  the  Crawford  brothers,  Henry  Castle,  the  Misses 
Wycoff,  the  Misses  Hall,  Jones,  Charles  and  Lorenzo  Culver,  the  Misses  Woodard,  R. 
AVycofi". 

.KcuooLs  iM  1881-83. 

The  School  Directoi-s  for  1881-82  were:  George  W.  Garvin,  Amos  Van  Horn,  George 
Bottomley,  John  J.  Hartway,  Oscar  Chamberlin,  Elijah  Co.star,  Joseph  A.  Mclnnes  and 
Harrison  Stone,  presiding  over  Districts  1,  3,  4,  5  and  6,  and  Fractional  Districts  2,  8  and 
15,  respectively.  The  number  of  children  of  school  age  in  the  township  in  September, 
1881,  was  429.  There  are  eight  frame  school  buildings  valued  at  $3,250.  The  total  ex- 
penditure of  the  town  on  account  of  schools   during  the  year  ending  September,   1881. 


-^ 


l\±, 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


amounted  to  $2,130,  of  which  sum  $1,070  was  paid  to  teachers.  The  people  speak  hifjhly 
of  their  schools,  and  seem  to  be  thoroughly  satisfied  with  the  new  order  of  school  affairs 
under  the  recent  amendment  of  school  act. 

R.VY    CENTKR. 

Ray  Center  is  situated  near  the  center  of  Ray  Township,  as  its  name  implies.  It  is 
a  place  of  no  growth  now,  even  compared  with  what  it  was  years  ago.  It  is  five  miles 
northwest  of  New  Baltimore  Station,  or  Milton,  twelve  north  of  Mt.  Clemens,  and  forty- 
two  above  Detroit.  The  hamlet  is  situated  on  the  North  Branch  of  the  Clinton  River,  in 
a  level  and  fertile  grain-producing  region.  There  is  a  post  office  at  Ray  Center:  also  a 
Congregational  Church  and  a  common  school.  The  population  of  the  place  is  about  one 
hundi'ed.  Rev.  John  Gillam  combines  the  dual  office  of  Methodist  Pastor  and  village 
physician.  F.  W.  Miller  operates  a  saw  and  floiu-  mill.  The  water-power  of  the  North 
Branch  of  the  Clinton  is  utilized  at  this  point.  H.  Freeman  is  owner  of  a  lumber  manu- 
facturing concern. 

D,4vrs. 

Davis  contains  about  twenty-five  buildings,  one  general  store,  two  blacksmith  shops. 
a  hotel,  one  saw-mill,  one  cider-mill,  one  cooper-shop.  There  is  a  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  a  district  school.  The  hamlet  is  located  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  town- 
ship, within  half  a  mile  of  the  corners  of  the  torn  townships  of  Shelby,  Macomb,  Wash 
ington  and  Ray.  It  contains  about  one  himdredand  fifty  inhabitants,  with  good  prospects 
of  a  rapid  increase.  This  place  has  been  alternately  known  as  Brooklyn  and  Davis.  The 
post  office  is  administered  by  B.  R.  Davis. 

The  churches  of  the  township,  referred  to  in  the  general  history,  comprise  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal.  Free  Methodist,  Congregational,  and  a  union  chiu-ch,  now  attended  by  a 
Rev.  Mr.  Young,  of  Romeo. 

The  Macomb  Lodge,  No.  64,  F.  A.  M.,  was  organized  on  the  '29th  day  of  April,  1853, 
by  Allen  P.  Bentley.  George  W.  Knapp.  Calvin  Davis,  Sr.,  Jedediah  Millard,  J.  E.  Davis, 
Oliver  Adams,  Ira  F.  Pearsall,  William  Bullock,  James  Kiles  and  Charles  Bennett,  Mas- 
ter Masons.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Daniel  Benjamin,  in  Macomb,  on 
the  evening  of  the  29th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1853,  Allen  P.  Bentley  acting  as  Worshipful 
Master;  George  W.  Knapp,  Senior  Warden;  Oliver  Adams,  Junior  Warden;  Calvin  Davis, 
Sr.,  Treasiu-er:  J.  E.  Davis,  Secretary.  William  Bullock,  Senior  Deacon;  Charles  Ben- 
nett, Junior  Deacon;  and  L.  Hoard,  Tiler. 

The  names  of  the  principal  officers  since  organization  are  as  follows: 

1853 — Allen  P.  Bentley,  Worshipful  Master;  J.  E.  Davis,  Secretary;  Calvin  Davis, 
Treasurer. 

1854 — Allen  P.  Bentley,  Worshipful  Master:  William  Bullock,  Secretary:  Calvin 
Davis,  Treasurer. 

1855 — Allen  P.  Bentley,  Worshipful  Master;  H.  F.  Keeler,  Secretary;  Calvin  Davis. 
Treasirrer. 

1856 — Allen  P.  Bentley,  Worshipful  Master;  George  W.  Knapp,  Secretary;  Calvin 
Davis,  Treasurer. 

1857 — John  Nichols.  Worshipful  Master;  George  W.  Knapp,  Secretary;  Niles  Gid- 
dings.  Treasurer. 

1858 — -Barlow  Davis,  Worshipful  Master;  Albert  Lincoln,  Secretary;  Niles  Giddings, 
Treasurer. 

1859 — J.  E.  Davis.  Worshipful  Master;  Albert  Lincoln,  Secretary;  Francillo  Davis, 


Treasurer. 


-H B   V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


1 860—  Charles  Bernett.  Worshipful  Master;    S.  G.  Cole,  Secretary:    Barlow   Davis, 
Treasurer. 

1N61 — George  W.  Knapp,  Worshipful  Master;  J.  D.  Rice,  Secretary:  Josiah  Terwil- 
liffor.  Treasurer. 

1862 — Charles  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  A.  H.  Miller,  Secretary;  Jousithan  Ter- 
williger.  Treasurer. 

1863 — Albert  Lincoln,  AVorshipful  Master;  John  G.  Atken,  Secretary;  Barlow  Davis, 
Treasurer. 

1864 — Hemy  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Albert  Lincoln,  Secretary ;  Barlow  Davis, 
Treasm-er. 

1865 — Hemy  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Elisha  Briggs.  Secretary;  Myron  Thomp- 
son, Treasiu'er. 

1866 — Barlow  Davis.  Worshipful  Master;  Elisha  Briggs,  Secretary;  Myron  Thomp- 
son, Treasui'er. 

1867 — Henry  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Herschal  Gass,  Secretary;  Barlow  Davis, 
Treasu^rer. 

1868 — C.  F.  Apling,  Worshipfiil  Master;  Oran  Freeman,  Secretary;  Barlow  Davis, 
Treasurer. 

1869 — Henry  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Oran  Freeman,  Secretary;  Barlow  Davis, 
Treasarer. 

1870 — Henry  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Oran  Freeman,  Secretary;  Myron  Thomp 
son,  Treasm-er. 

1871 — Hemy  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master:  Oran  Freeman,  Secretary;  Myron  Thomp- 
son, Treasm-er. 

1S7"2 — Hem-y  Bennett.  Worshipful  Master;  Oran  Freeman.  Secretary  ;  Hoswell 
Church,  Treasiu-er. 

1873 — Henry  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Ezra  Nye,  Secretary;  Hoswell  Church, 
Treasurer. 

1874— Henry  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Ezra  Nye,  Secretary;  Hoswell  Chm-ch, 
Treasurer. 

1875 — Hem-y  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Ezra  Nye,  Secretary;  Hoswell  Church, 
Treasurer. 

1876  Henry  Bennett.  Worshipful  Master;  Ezra  Nye,  Secretary;  Hoswell  Church, 
Treasurer. 

1877  Henry  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master:  Ezra  Nye,  Secretai-y;  Hoswell  Church. 
Treasurer. 

1878- A.  E.  Collins,  Worshipful  Master;  Charles  Bennett,  Secretary:  George  Garvin, 
Treasm-er. 

1879  Henry  Bennett,  Worshipful  Master;  Charles  Bennett,  Secretary;  George  Gar- 
vin, Treasui-er. 

1880  A.  E.  Collins,  Worshipful  Master:  Watson  W.  Lyons,  Secretary;  Myi-on 
Thompson,  Treasm-er. 

1881-  A.  E.  Collins.  Worshipful  Master;  Watson  W.  Lj'ons,  Secretary;  Myron 
Thompson,  Treasurer. 

ISS-J  -A.  E.  Collins,  Worshipful  Master;  Watson  W.  Lyons,  Secretary;  Charles  Beu- 
n(>tt,  Treasurer. 

I'KRSONAL   .SKliTCHES. 

In  the  pages,  devoted  to  personal  history,  are  given  the  biogi-ajihieal  sketches  of  the 
pioneer  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  township.     This  very  important  section  of  the 


TP 


d^ 


HISTORY  or  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


woi"k  has  been  very  fully  treated;  so  that  the  history  of  this  district  may  be  said  to  be 
complete    in  every  respect. 

SAMUEL  ALDRICH.  P.  O.  Davis,  son  of  Peter  Aldrich,  was  born  April  12,  \SV2,  in 
Ontario,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  June.  183(j,  and  settled  in  Armada,  where  he  re- 
mained twelve  years.  He  was  married.  March  1,  188(5,  to  Deborah  Bannister;  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  eight  children — Peter,  married  Lucinda  Johnson,  of  Ray:  Armada, 
married  Charles  Curtis,  and  afterward  Samuel  Reed;  Alma.  Mr.s.  \V.  H.  Eaton,  of  Wash- 
ington (see  sketch):  John,  married  Lydia  Bannister,  resides  in  Washington;  James  Z., 
maiTied  Dora  Loomis.  resides  in  Armada;  Ella.  Mrs.  George  Ames,  of  Armada;  Alden, 
resides  in  Ray.  Mr.  Aldrich  has  always  been  a  Democrat;  he  is  a  ])ioneer  of  Ray  Town- 
ship, and  owns  !()()  acres  of  land,  which  he  acquired  by  hard  labor,  economy  and  persever- 
ance. His  tirst  wife  died  September  5,  ISTO,  and  he  was  married  again,  in  1S7'2.  to  Mrs. 
Sarah  Rawlings,  a  native  of  Mom-oe  Cou.nty.  N.  Y. ;  they  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Chm'ch. 

ISAAC  ANDERSON,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  August  23.  182(5,  in  Cambria.  Niagara 
Co..  N.  Y.  In  May.  l'S2it,  his  parents  came  to  Michigan,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Wash- 
ington Township,  and  afterward  removed  to  St.  Clair  County.  He  was  married,  Januaiy 
25.  184(5.  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Viras  Wood;  she  was  born  in  Washington  Township  Feb- 
ruary 1(),  1830.  they  have  had  nine  children,  as  follows:  Sally  Ann.  born  March  (>,  1847. 
maiTied  Royal  Beals.  of  Berlin,  St.  Clair  County;  Maria,  born  January  14,  lN4y.  now  Mrs. 
Alonzo  Hoover,  of  Berlin;  Deborah,  born  October  17.  1S")2,  died  March  2,  LS58;  Ellen, 
born  February  9.  18ri4,  now  Mi-s.  Andrew  Thompson,  of  Ray;  Sarah  T..  born  May  17,18ri"), 
died  March  2".  l8f5rn  Ira,  July  81,  18(50;  Isaac,  July  2(5,  18fi2;  George.  February  5.  18(54; 
Samuel.  December  i,  18(59.     Mr.  Anderson  has  always  been  a  Democrat. 

CHARLES  F.  APLING,  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  September  1,  1884,  in  Seneca 
County,  N.  Y. ;  is  a  son  of  Israel  and  Mary  (Gilbert)  Apling;  the  parents  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  went  to  Niagara  County,  N.  Y.,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  lives;  his  father  died  in  18."i9,  aged  sixty-five  years;  his  mother,  in  18(50.  Mr.  Ap- 
ling came  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Ray  Township  in  185ri.  He  was  married,  November 
20.  18(50,  to  Emily  E.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sally  A.  Woodman,  natives  of  New  York, 
who  came  to  Michigan  in  1884  and  settled  on  Section  80.  in  Ray  Township:  Mrs.  Apling 
was  born  in  Ray  July  2(5,  1889;  they  have  one  child.  Herman  D..  born  June  (5,  18(58; 
Leslie  L.  was  born  in  August.  18(52,  and  died  September  80.  18(58:  another  child  was  born 
October  12,  18(58.  and  died  August  21,  18(54:  another  child  was  born  August  12.  1878.  who 
did  not  live.  Mr.  Apling  enlisted,  at  the  time  of  the  civil  war.  in  the  Thirtieth  Michigan 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  service  on  the  border  of  Canada.  He  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  Lodge  No.  (54,  Macomb;  in  political  faith,  is  a  Republican. 

J.  J.  BENTLEY,  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  April  28.  1829.  in  Richmond.  Ontario  Co.. 
N.  Y. ;  is  a  son  of  Preston  D.  and  Sophia  James  Bentley:  his  parents  were  natives  of  Rhode 
Island;  they  came  to  Macomb  County,  where  his  father  died  in  18')1.  aged  sixty-three;  his 
mother  was  married  again,  to  Rev.  J.  E.  Davis  (see  sketch  of  B.  R.  Davis),  and  died  July 
19,  1879,  aged  eighty-five.  Mr.  Bentley,  of  this  sketch,  came  to  Michigan  with  his  father 
in  1841.  when  twelve  years  of  age.  He  was  mai'ried.  November  28.  1858.  to  Cynthia, 
daughter  of  Bissell  Robinson,  born  September  29,  1884:  her  father  was  born  in  Massa- 
chusetts January  15,  1805,  and  came  to  Michigan  in  1881.  and  is  still  living  in  Oxford. 
Oakland  County;  her  mother  was  a  native  of  New  York,  born  February  9,  1811.  and  died 
March  10.  18()7.  Mi".  Bentley  and  wife  have  thi-ee  children — Fred,  born  November  22, 
1857;  Effie.  June  11,  18(51  (Mrs.  McGregor);  Cora  G.,  May  29,  18(5(>,  resides  at  home.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  in  Davis,  Ray  Township.     Mr.  Bentley  sold  his 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


farm  in  Ray,  and  owns  a  house  and  lot  in  Davis.       He  acts  with  the  Republican  party, 
and  has  served  four  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

GIOOIMJK  BOTTOMLEY,  of  Romeo,  was  born  in  Manchester,  England.  January  '1\, 
1825,  and  was  the  son  of  .Enos  and  Mary  Bi>ttora]ey;  they  moved  from  England  in  1880, 
and  came  to  Macomb  County,  where  they  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  township  of  Erin.  He 
mai-ried  Sarah  Martin  April  2,  1849;  they  had  nine  children,  viz.:  Mary  Jane,  born  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1850,  man-ied  Joel  Ingalsbee  October  1,  1871,  and  now  lives  in  Sanilac  County; 
Sarah  Maria,  born  September  8,  1857,  married  James  Smith  June  5,  1873,  lives  in  Ray; 
Edwin  Joseph,  born  July  2,  1853,  married  Anna  Brothers  January  2,  1878,  resides  at  Chi- 
cago; Ellen,  born  August  23,  1855,  man-ied  "William  Smith  December  28,  1875,  lives  in 
Lapeer  County;  Hannah  Clara,  born  September  21,  1857,  man-ied  John  Varney  January  24, 
1879,  resides  at  Romeo:  George  Alfred,  born  January  17,  1860;  William  Charles,  born 
November  2fi,  ISfil:  Walter  John,  born  April  25,  18(54;  Alice  Elizabeth,  born  August  27, 
18r)().  Mr.  Bottomley  was  drafted  in  1S(U,  and,  but  for  a  large  family  dependent  upon  him 
for  support,  would  have  gone  to  the  war;  he,  however,  fiu-nished  a  substitute,  jiaying  !j()50. 
Mr.  Bottomley  has  always  been  a  Republican;  has  been  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
for  thirty  years,  and  has  taken  a  prominent  part  as  a  class-leader,  exhorter  and  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school.  He  moved  to  Ray  and  settled  on  his  farm  in  Section  8, 
Rav  Townshij),  November  25,  18fi5,  where  he  still  resides. 

"  ROBERT  S.  CAIRNS  was  born  in  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  December  6,  1827;  is  a 
son  of  Robert  B.  and  Susanna  (Nephew)  Cairns;  his  father  was  born  in  Seneca  County, 
N.  Y.,  April  5,  1798,  and  moved  to  Michigan  about  18fil,  where  he  died  in  December, 
1880;  his  mother  died  in  18(i(i.  Mr.  Cairns  was  married,  March  6,  1852,  to  Mary  Reed, 
who  died  February  24,  1880;  they  had  ten  children — John  E.,  born  June  8.  1853,  resides  in 
Kalamazoo,  Mich.;  Jane  E.,  born  June  25,  1855,  man-ied  BjTon  Chm-ch  January  7,  1875, 
lives  in  Richmond  Township;  Robert  A.,  March  2,  1857,  married  Sophronia  Pennock  in 
November,  1878,  resides  in  Oceana  County,  Mich. ;  Clarence  E.,  born  January  1,  1859; 
Willard  W.,  bom  May  4,  18()1;  Mary  A,  June  7,  1803;  Eda  E..  April  29,  I8«i5,  died,  Au- 
gust 20,  18H<i;  Charles  and  Charlotte  (twins),  born  July  29,  18()7;  Hattie  L..  born  January 
29,  1870.  Mr.  Cairns  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  has  been  actively  engaged  in 
the  Methodist  Church  as  a  class-leader,  and  is  a  consistent  member  of  that  society. 

JOHN  CALDWELL,  P.  O.  Ray  Center,  was  born  October  3,  1845,  in  Ray.  Macomb 
County;  is  the  son  of  Jame?  and  Delight  (Vitas)  Caldwell,  natives  of  Seneca  County,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  Caldwell  was  man-ied,  January  1,  18H4,  to  Matilda,  daughter  of  John  and  Louisa  Smith, 
natives  of  New  York;  they  have  two  children — Estella,  born  May  11,  18()5;  and  Flora, 
born  October  1,  1878;  George  (North)  Caldwell  was  born  March  4,  1876,  and  adopted  in 
1879.  Mr.  Caldwell  is  a  Democrat  in  political  faith,  and  owns  a  farm  of  100  acres  on 
Section  14,  Ray  Township. 

OSCAR  CHAMBERLAIN,  P.  O.  Ray  Center,  was  born  June  28,  1840;  is  the  son  of 
Charles  W.  and  Dorothy  (Thompson)  Chamberlain,  the  former  born  in  Michigan,  the  lat- 
ter in  New  York.  In  1801,  Mr.  Chamberlain  enlisted  for  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  in 
Company  A,  Ninth  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry,  organized  at  Detroit  and  ordered  to  re- 
port at  West  Point,  Ky.;  the  regiment  was  in  Buell's  raid  the  next  spring,  and  under 
Thomas  until  the  expiration  of  its  term  of  enlistment:  Mr.  Chamberlain  was  in  action  at 
Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  July  4,  1802,  in  the  skirmish  with  Foster's  cavalry;  was  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner;  five  entire  companies  were  captured,  the  wounded  paroled,  officers 
and  privates  were  held  prisoners,  the  latter  being  sent  to  Camp  Chase,  Ohio;  Mr.  Cham- 
berlain's wound  was  in  the  left  leg,  below  the  knee;  a  spent  ball  went  through  his  cap 
and  made  a  cut  in  his  head;  he  came  home  on  a  thirty-days"  furlough;  returned  to  Camp 
Chase,  where  he  remained  until  exchanged.     He  was  paid  ofi"  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  sent 


9    ^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


to  Cincinnati,  and  thence  to  Bowling  Green.  Ky. :  the  regiment  was  next  ordered  to  Stone 
River,  Tenn..  where  it  was  guarding  supply  trains  and  prisoners,  and.  after  the  tight, 
marched  to  the  old  Ceim])ing-ground  at  Murfreesboro.  where  it  remained  until  the  re-or- 
ganization of  the  army,  and  went  into  winter  quartprs  at  Chattanooga;  in  the  spring,  the 
regiment  Joined  in  the  Georgia  campaign,  during  whi«h  its  period  of  enlistment  expired. 
Ml'.  Chamljerlain  was  mustered  out  of  service  October  !.">.  18()4,  and  returned  to  his  home. 
He  was  married.  March  1,  lS(>r>.  to  Julia  Shattuck;  their  four  childi'en  were  born  as  fol- 
lows: Eugene.  May  2H,  18(>7;  Charles.  October  'I'4,  187(1;  Lily.  August  15.  1873:  Mary 
J..  March  10,  1877.  Mr.  Chamberlain  owns  thirty  acres  of  land  on  Sections  1")  and  "-'8, 
in  Ray  Township;  he  is  a  Republican  in  political  views,  and  is  Postmaster  of  Ray. 

ENOCH  CRAWFORD,  P.  O.  Mead,  was  born  October  Ifi,  18lZ6,  in  Cohocton.  N.  Y.; 
is  a  son  of  Enoch  and  Content  (Parks).  Crawford;  he  came  to  Michigan  with  his  father  -July 
2,  1884:  the  latter  located  a  farm  of  Government  land  in  Section  3().  a  section  of  the  town- 
ship known  as  the  Crawford  settlement,  having  been  settled  by  different  members  of  the 
family.  February  18,  1851,  Mr.  Crawford,  of  this  sketch,  was  married  toMary  B.Ben- 
nett; they  have  seven  children,  born  as  follows;  Omar,  August  ".^5,  1852,  married  Louisa, 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Barbary  Butler;  Rollin,  October  9,  185;-i;  Mary,  July  14,  1851), 
married  to  George  Gantield;  Burton,  August  9,  1859;  JohnB.,  September  15,  18li4;  Fanny, 
January  81,  18(i7;  Hiram.  November  28.  18()9.  Mr.  Crawford's  father  bought  his  land  of 
the  Government;  he  settled  in  that  pai't  of  Ray  known  as  Crawford  settlement;  he  died 
May  20,  1872;  his  wife.  December  7, 1869.  Mr.  Crawford  belongs  to  the  pioneer  element 
of  Ray:  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  votes  according  to  his  judgment;  he  owns  115 
acres  of  land  on  Section  8H. 

WILSON  CRONK,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  Mai'ch  18,  1822,  in  Pittstown,  Rensselaer 
Co.,  N.  Y. ;  is  the  son  of  James  and  Laura  (Wilson)  Cronk;  his  parents  went  to  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  when  he  was  ten  years  old,  they  moved  to  Perinton,  Monroe  Co..  N. 
Y.,  and  in  1854  he  came  to  Michigan,  and  settled  where  he  now  resides  in  December.  1855. 
He  was  married,  in  April,  1851,  to  Jeanette  Cronk,  who  died  December  1,  1858,  and  was 
married  again,  February  19,  1855,  to  Julia,  daughter  of  George  S.  Collins,  of  Perinton, 
N.  Y. :  they  have  two  children — Carrie,  born  October  22,  1857;  and  Lovilla  M..  October 
10,  18')0.  Mr.  Cronk  is  a  Republican,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Commissioner  in  Ray 
Township. 

DAVID  T.  CHUBB,  P.  O.  Ray  Center,  was  born  November  17.  1881,  at  Ray  Center, 
Macomb  County;  he  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Maria  Stevens  Chubb.  He  was  mar- 
ried, September  24,  1864,  to  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  Parker  Hart;  they  have  six  childi-en, 
born  as  follows;  Fred  L.,  September  5,  18(')();  Ai-chie,  July  12,  18()8;  Chettie,  May  2<, 
1872;  Lena,  April  22.  187();  Henry  J.,  August  28,  1878;"  L.  Guy,  July  7,  1881.  Mr. 
Chubb  was  formerly  a  Democrat,  but,  since  the  election  of  Lincoln,  has  been  a  Repub- 
lican. He  lives  on  the  family  homestead  with  his  mother.  Maria  (Stevens)  Chubb  was 
born  in  Chateaugay,  Franklin  Co.,  N.  Y..  May  12.  180();  she  accompanied  a  brother-in- 
law  to  Michigan  mthe  spring  of  1825.  and  settled  on  Section  22,  Ray  Township,  May  8. 
She  was  man-ied.  May  20.  lS27,  to  Joseph  Chubb,  who  died  May  27,  1889;  they  had  six 
childi-en,  whose  record  is  as  follows:  Lucinda,  born  June  (,  1828,  man-ied  Elias  Lee 
January  7.  184(),  and  lives  in  Ray;  Lucretia,  born  January  4,  1880,  married  Daniel 
Tewksbury  and  lives  in  Ray;  David  T.  (see  sketch):  Polly  A.,  born  August  24.  1884, 
married,  Attgust  22,  18fil,  to  Cornelius  Virgil,  of  Romeo  (see  sketch);  Elijah  N.,  born 
January  81.  1887,  married  Emma  Tewksbury  and  resides  at  Utica  Junction;  Edwin  C, 
born  January  2,  1840,  married  Ai-abella  Robinson  August  17,  18(i2,  and  lives  in  Ray. 
Mrs.  Chubb  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Ray,  built  about  1837;  her  early  expe- 
riences in  Michigan  were  those  of  the  pioneers  of  that  day.     In  moving  from  Mt.  Clemens 


;f* 


J^± 


HISTOKY   OF  MAC0M15   COUNTY. 


to  Ray.  they  were  obliged  to  cnt  roads  through  the  forest,  build  bridges,  and  where  they 
settled  it  was  primeval  wilderness — not  a  stick  had  been  previously  cut. 

MARIA  CURTIS,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  November  11, 
1797:  she  is  the  daughter  of  John  andOdra  (Simons)  Fillmore,  and  was  married,  June  IH, 
[8'21,  to  Asa  Curtis;  they  came  to  Michigan  September  ;i(l,  \H'-il\,  and  took  a  farm,  where 
they  remained  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Curtis,  March  IT),  1S()7.  Mrs.  Cm-tis  is  eighty- four 
years  old,  and  is  still  an  active,  energetic  person;  she  has  been  the  mother  of  ten  chikh-en, 
born  as  follows:  Marietta,  January  !•),  1828;  Louisa,  October  IT),  1824,  died  December 
14,  1856:  William  W..  October  21,  182();  Clarissa,  January  31,  1829;  Edwin  Mar,  May  21, 
ISlU;  Harriet,  April  10,  1838,  died  August  24,  18-"j4:  Caroline,  March  28,  183r);  Sylves- 
ter, Ajiril  28,  1887,  died  July  14,  1887;  James  A.,  June  4,  1888;  Matilda,  born  and  died 
October  2,  1840.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curtis  are  meml)ers  of  Christ  Church;  also  their  daughter. 
Marietta;  the  latter  o.\ns  a  farm  of  fifty  acros  on  Section  4,  Ray,  and  her  mother  resides 
with  her. 

BELA  R.  DAVIS,  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  in  Covington,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Jiily  24, 
1829;  in  the  spring  of  1848,  he  came  to  Michigan  with  his  parents;  his  father,  Jonathan 
E.  Davis,  was  born  in  Hubbardton,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass. ,  February  1.  1788  (Bela  R.  went 
to  California  in  November,  1852,  and  remained  until  June,  185(5),  and  now  lives  with  his 
Sons;  he  is  one  of  the  oldest  Methodist  ministers  in  the  State;  was  licensed  to  preach  in 
1815,  and  was  traveling  preacher  frem  that  date  to  1848;  he  is  ninety-four  years  old,  and 
the  oldest  Mason  in  the  State;  was  installed  in  1818.  Mr.  Davis,  of  this  sketch,  was  mai'- 
ried,  in  April,  1852,  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  Duncan  Gass;  they  have  had  six  children — 
Belle  S..  born  March  2,  1858.  died  November  5,  1877;  Milo  W.,  April  24,  1857;  Fred  G., 
November  4,  1859;  Ella  B..  December  Ki,  18(12,  died  Augxist  9,  1878;  Willie.  April  19, 
18()5,  died  August  K),  ISGC);  Hattie  E.,  July  24,  187(').  Mr.  Davis  is  a  Reimblican,  and 
has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  jjolitics;  has  been  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  three 
terms.  He  enlisted,  in  September,  1862,  in  the  Twenty-second  Michigan  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  was  discharged  for  disability  in  December  following;  he  was  appointed  Post- 
master of  Davis  in  March,  1876,  and  still  holds  the  office;  he  and  his  wife  are  active 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

JOHN  DICKENS.  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  in  Shropshire,  England,  about  1811.  He 
emigrated  to  America  about  1827.  and  first  settled  near  the  Catskill  Mountains,  in  New 
York.  He  moved  to  Michigan  in  the  spring  of  1882,  and  located  on  Section  IS,  in  Ray, 
where  he  now  resides;  he  received  his  deed  from  President  Jackson.  He  was  married, 
about  1881,  to  Jemima  Gass:  she  was  born  in  New  York,  and  died  in  185U;  they  have 
had  eight  children;  Andrew,  Nelson,  Charlotte  and  Lewis  are  dead;  John  man'ied  Alice 
Bannister  and  resides  in  Brooklyn;  Andrew  married  Eleanor  Skellinger  and  resides  in 
Ionia  County,  Mich,;  William  married  America  Harris,  and  is  now  County  Clerk,  and 
resides  at  Mt.  Clemens ;  Jane  married  Mr.  Crawford,  and  resides  in  Ionia  County.  Mr. 
Dickens  is  inde[)endent  in  political  action,  but  inclines  to  Democratic  principles;  has 
held  several  township  offices. 

ARAD  FREEMAN.  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Onondaga  County  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Febru- 
ary 2(),  1N15;  he  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Hannah  Green  Freeman;  the  family  went  to 
Ontario  County,  N.  Y,  and  came  to  Michigan  June  1,  1825,  buying  a  fann  in  Section  5, 
Ray  Township;  the  mother  died  in  March,  1852,  an  1  the  father  died  about  three  years 
later.  In  1888,  Mr.  Freeman  married  Catherine  Jewell,  and  began  life  as  a  pioneer  in 
the  wilderness,  fifteen  miles  from  Grand  Rapids;  a  year  later,  he  moved  to  this  county 
and  bought  a  farm  on  Section  1(),  Ray  Township,  where  he  has  since  resided;  his  father 
built  the  first  house  and  barn  in  Ray.  and  he  built  the  first  house  and  barn  in  his  section; 
he  contributed  largely  to  the  building  of  the  Union  Chiu'ch  in  Ray,  and  became  a  member 


^^ 


fk 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  the  same.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman  have  two  children — Lucius  L..  born  May  20,  1841, 
and  was  mamed  to  Adelaide  Thompson;  he  was  married  a  second  time,  to  HattieWaiTen, 
and  lives  in  Pontiac,  Mich. ;  Elvira  A.,  born  December  'iS,  1846,  lives  at  home.  'Mr.  Free- 
man was  a  Whig,  and  has  since  voted  with  the  Republican  party;  he  has  been  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  three  years;  he  was  a  practical  miller  twenty  years. 

MOSES  FREEMAN,  about  the  year  17()0,  left  his  native  country  with  his  wife  and 
four  young  sons,  to  make  a  home  on  the  American  continent;  the  little  vessel  in  which 
they  sailed  was  his  own,  and.  after  a  long  and  perilous  voyage,  they  landed  at  Cape  Cod 
Bay,  and  settled  at  Chatham,  Conn. ;  the  father  made  his  family  as  comfortable  as  possi- 
ble, and  left  them  for  another  seafaring  trip,  which  he  ]>romised  should  be  his  last,  in- 
tending, on  his  return,  to  sell  his  vessel  and  enter  upon  a  farmer's  life;  he  never  retiu-ned; 
but  a  wreck,  with  a  blanket  marked  with  his  name,  was  fotmd.  which  told  the  story  of  his 
fate.  The  mother  struggled,  for  her  children's  sake,  to  live  and  care  for  them,  but  died 
in  a  short  time,  and  the  four  sons  were  separated  and  pilaced  in  the  care  of  kind  families, 
losing,  eventually,  all  trace  of  each  other.  Joseph  Freeman,  the  youngest,  was  taken  by 
a  family  named  Newman,  by  whom  he  was  brought  up  with  religious  care;  he  joined  the 
M.  E.  Church  while  yoiing,  and  remained  a  zealous  member  more  than  fifty  years.  In 
ITlin,  he  married  Silvia  Newman  and  went  to  Vermont,  where  he  lived  for  twenty  years, 
and  then  removed  to  Pompey,  Onondaga  Co. ,  N.  Y. ;  he  remained  there  nearly  ten  years, 
but,  not  being  able  to  obtain  land,  Joseph  Freeman  and  his  son  Benjamin,  with  Edward 
Steward  and  John  Howell,  removed  with  their  families  to  Richmond,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. , 
where  they  piu'chased  land  articles  and  held  them  for  four  years.  Asahel  and  Chauncy 
Bailey  had  previously  removed  to  Romeo,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  and  there  their  favorable 
report  induced  the  father  and  son  Benjamin  to  sell  their  articles  of  land  and  move  to 
Michigan;  they  came  in  1824,  when  the  Territory  was  nearly  all  a  howling  wilderness; 
they  went  to  Buffalo  with  teams,  and  drove  a  flock  of  sheep.  Moses  Freeman,  the  younger 
son,  in  company  with  two  sons  of  Albert  Finch,  was  sent  through  Canada  the  fall  before 
with  the  cattle  and  a  span  of  horses;  they  wore  seven  days  crossing  the  lake  to  Detroit; 
came  to  Romeo,  and  soon  after  bought  farms.  Joseph  Freeman  settled  near  Farrar's  Mill. 
Benjamin  located  near  Gray's  Mill,  in  Ray — the  first  settlers  east  of  Romeo.  Joseph 
Freeman  had  seven  daughters  and  three  sons — CjTithia  married  Asahel  Bailey  (see  sketch 
of  Romeo);  Benjamin  N.,  born  in  1791,  mari-ied  Hannah  Green;  they  had  ten  children, 
nine  of  whom  survive;  came  to  Michigan  in  1824;  died  in  1854;  Clary,  born  in  1793,  mar- 
ried Edward  Steward;  had  eight  children;  came  to  Michigan  in  1.82(i;  died  in  1867; 
Phcebe,  born  in  1796,  married  Job  Howell;  had  foiu-  children;  came  to  Michigan  in  1826; 
died  in  1865:  Moses,  born  in  180],  married  Ann  Powell;  had  foiu-  ehildi-en;  came  to 
Michigan  in  1828;  died  in  1871;  Amanda,  born  in  ISOIJ,  is  yet  living;  came  to  Michigan 
in  1824:  Sarah,  born  in  180."),  mamed  John  Pi'oc tor;  had  seven  children;  came  to  Mich- 
igan in  1824;  died  in  18()2;  Marilla,  born  in  1805,  still  living;  married  John  Rattery; 
came  to  Michigan  in  1824;  Mila,  born  in  1808,  married  John  Warner;  had  live  children; 
came  to  Michigan  in  1824;  he  is  still  living.  Matilda,  born  in  1812,  died  in  1832;  came 
to  Michigan  in  1824:  married  Dr.  Carpenter;  Amos  N.,  born  in  18ir),  married  Maria 
Fralich;  they  had  five  children;  came  to  Michigan  in  1824:  still  living.  Oran  Freeman 
is  the  son  of' Benjamin  Freeman.  Joseph  Freeman  was  born  in  176/,  and  died  in  182."): 
his  wife  was  born  in  1769  and  died  in  1831. 

GEORGE  W.  GARVIN  was  born  August  26,  1835,  in  the  town  of  ■\\'ashington,  Ma- 
comb County,  Stat"^  of  Michigan:  he  is  the  son  of  Anch-ew  Stitt,  who  married  Rhoda  In- 
man  in  the  year  1812,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  moved  to  the  State  of  Michigan  (or 
Territory)  in  the  year  1827,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Washington;  his  wife,  Rhoda,  died 
September   3,  1835;  George  was  then  adojated  by  Nathaniel  and  Lydia  Garvin,  who  were 


r^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


settled  on  Section  21,  iu  the  town  of  Ray.  Mr.  Garvin  was  married,  January  19,  1861.  to 
Elizabeth  Ackerman ;  they  have  five  children — Nellie  F. ,  born  June  1 3, 1  SCi'I ;  Julia  E. ,  April 
3(1.  18f>4:  M.  Jennie,  January  14,  ISCC);  Wynne  C,  December  8,  18(>7;  Emilia  B.,  April 
23.  1874.  j\Ir.  Garvin,  of  this  sketch,  succeeded  to  the  possession  of  the  farm  of  100  acres, 
on  which  he  now  lives,  in  ISfil;  he  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  has  been  Consta- 
ble for  twenty-one  years,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Treasiu-er  and  Clerk  of  the  town;  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Union  Chiu-ch.  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  religious 
and  Sunday  school  work.  Mrs.  Garvin's  mother,  Emilia  Ackerman,  is  now  living  with 
them;  she  is  eighty-two  years  old,  having  lived  in  Michigan  fifty-seven  years. 

JAMES  GASS.  P.  O.  Davis,  youngest  son  of  John  Gass,  was  born  January  fS,  1823. 
in  Lexington.  Greene  Co.,  N.  Y, ;  his  fattier  was  born  in  ITTfi,  and  had  fourteen  sons;  he 
came  to  Michigan  in  July,  1837,  bought  the  property  of  Eli  Webster  on  Section  30,  in 
Ray,  where  he  died  December  17,  18<U,  aged  eighty-eight;  his  wife  was  born  September 
25,  184(1,  and  died  in  April,  1881.  Mr.  Gass,  of  this  sketch  went  to  Osceola,  where  he 
lived  eight  years,  and  then  settled  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  32,  and  bought  a 
store  in  Brooklyn.  He  was  married,  January  2'),  1843,  to  VeloriaM.,  daughter  of  Orsel 
Dudley,  of  "Washington:  they  have  had  ten  children — Belle  L. ,  born  June  12,  1844,  died 
August  17,  1864:  Lucinda  Y.,  born  June  15.  1840,  died  September  21,  18()4:  Rebecca, 
born  August  23,  1848,  married  Rev.  Alonzo  Whitcomb  and  resides  at  L'Anse,  Upper  Pen  - 
insula:  North,  Februaiy  10,  1851.  married  Florence  Baker  and  resides  in  Oakland  County; 
Victoria  E.,  November  3,  1853,  married  Charles  E.  Waffle,  of  Evart.  Osceola  County:  East, 
June  19,  1856,  married  Elena  Miller,  of  Macomb;  South,  June  15,  I860,  died  May  7,  1862; 
Lydia  L.,  October  16.  1S63:  South  West.  January  15,  1S(;6;  Kitty  J..  June  5.  18()g. 
The  three  last  named  reside  at  home.  Until  the  civil  war,  Mr.  Gass  was  a  Republican, 
and  since  then  has  been  a  Prohibitionist:  was  a  zealous  adherent  of  the  anti-slavery  ele- 
ment: he  has  held  the  positions  of  Constable  and  Treasurer  a  number  of  years  past.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gass  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Chtu-ch. 

JOHN  GASS,  P.  O.  Davis,  son  of  John  Gass,  was  born  in  Lexington.  Greene  Co..  N. 
Y.,  October  13,  1808.  He  came  to  Michigan  November  14,  183(\  and  made  his  home  with 
Daniel  Haydens,  of  Ray,  and,  in  June,  1832.  settled  on  Section  29.  Ray  Township,  his 
present  residence.  He  was  married  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  Andi'ew  Stitt,  who  settled 
in  Michigan  in  1825:  they  have  had  nine  childi-en,  as  follows:  Andrew  J.,  born  Decem- 
ber ](■),  1836,  married  Mary  Richards,  of  Illinois:  James  H.,  born  March  15,  1839,  died 
September  3,  1861;  Lorenzo  W. ,  born  February  9,  1M41,  married  Cynthia  Thompson,  of 
Lapeer;  Herschel  R.  and  Marshall  T.  (twins),  born  March  7,  1844:  Marshall  married  Grace 
Bussy  and  lives  at  Flint;  Herschel  lives  at  Jonesville;  John  Wesley,  born  May  13,  1846, 
married  Sarah  A  Sutton,  of  Romeo;  Rhoda  A.,  born  August  7,  1S48.  married  Samuel  N. 
Gass.  of  New  York,  who  was  killed  November  9,  1881,  at  Hazelton's  Mill;  lives  in  Ray, 
Sarah  J.,  born  April  N.  1850,  man-ied  Truman  Gass,  of  Ray;  Frances  M.,  born  March  19, 
1852,  married  John  Switzer,  of  Disco.  Mr.  Gass  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  and 
his  wife  have  been  members  of  the  M.  E.  Chiu-ch  for  more  than  forty  years.  Mr.  Gass 
left  the  Empire  Slate  when  there  were  but  fifteen  miles  of  railroad  in  the  United  States: 
he  started  on  foot,  and  walked  most  of  the  way  to  Buffalo:  he  has  encountered  all  the 
privations  and  hardships  of  a  pioneer  life. 

JACOB  GOODELL.  P  O.  Ray  Center,  was  born  December  11,  1S33.  in  the  town- 
ship of  Darien,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y. :  he  is  a  son  of  John  Goodell,  and  accompanied  his  [)ar- 
ents  to  Michigan  in  1S37.  In  1.S62,  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  in  Company 
D,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry;  after  a  year's  service,  he  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  Second 
Lieutenant  in  Company  M.  and,  five  months  later,  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  of 
Company  H;  his  regiment  was  in  service  three  years,  and  was  mustered  out  July  20,  1865, 


'J^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


at  Pulaski,  Tenn.  Mr.  Goodell  was  married,  January  1,  18<V2,  to  Hannah  Lee;  they  have 
two  childi'en — Theda,  born  June  1,  18H7;  and  Flora,  September  3(1,  1809.  Mr.  Groodell  is 
a  Democrat  in  political  faith. 

ABIAL  B.  GREEN,  P.  O.  Mead,  son  of  Francis  and  Polly  (Stevens)  Green,  of  New 
York  State,  was  born  January  10,  1832;  his  parents  immigrated  to  Michigan  about  the 
year  1S47,  and  located  a  farm  in  Ray  Township.  Mr.  Green  married  Louisa  De  GroflF 
February  1,  1855,  and  located  on  his  present  farm.  Section  34,  Ray.  in  the  spring  of  1856; 
the  family  comprises  six  childi-en — John  H. ,  a  resident  of  Ray;  Emily,  wife  of  Ales  Me - 
Innes.  of  Ray;  Adelbert,  Ada,  Gertrude  and  Carrie.  The  political  faith  of  Mr.  Green  is 
Republican. 

ALLEN  HAZELTON,  P.  O.  Ray  Center,  was  born  October  21,  1830,  in  Canada;  is 
a  son  of  Ransom  and  Polly  (Whiting)  Hazelton;  his  parents  came  toMichigan  in  March, 
183fi,  and  settled  in  Aurelius  Township,  Ingham  County;  thirteen  years  later,  in  the 
spring  of  1849,  they  moved  to  Ray  and  located  on  Section  21,  where  the  mother  died  De- 
cember 27,  1852.  Mr.  Hazelton  was  man'ied,  January  1,  1854;  he  has  a  family  of 
three  childi'en — Parsons,  born  April  17,  1858,  married  Austin  P.  Gofl',  at  Oxford. 
Oakland  County:  Zelia  P.,  born  November  1, 185();  and  William  S.,  born  Mai'ch  12,  1877. 
In  1854,  Mr.  Hazelton  located  on  Section  10,  in  Ray;  moved  to  Section  23.  and  thence  to 
Section  30,  Riley  Township;  he  went  from  there  to  Lenox  Township,  Section  21;  thence 
to  Section  18,  Washington;  and  next  engaged  in  keeping  a  store  at  Ridgeway  Corners;  he 
next  moved  to  Section  1,  Lenox,  then  to  Section  3.  Raisin  Township,  Lenawee  County; 
thence  to  Section  10,  Hudson;  thence  to  Tecumseh,  and  tinally  to  his  present  location. 
His  farm  includes  110  acres  on  Section  23,  in  Ray  Township,  Mr.  Hazelton  is  a  Repub 
lican,  and  has  been  Commissioner  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Ray. 

JOHN  HOOVER.  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  November  1(5, 
1810;  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  B.  (Singer)  Hoover;  his  parents  were  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and,  early  in  life,  settled  in  the  State  of  New  York;  his  father  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-one  years.  Mr.  Hoover  cartie  to  Michigan  in  September,  1850,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Shelby;  in  18()7,  he  moved  to  his  present  home,  on  Section  31,  in  Ray.  He  was  mar- 
ried, December  11,  1834,  to  Fanny,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  Guamsey;  her  parents 
were  natives  of  England;  she  was  born  August  30,  ISll.  Mrs  Hoover  died,  and  Mr. 
Hoover  was  married,  January  30,  1842,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth 
Fesler.  Following  is  the  record  of  children  born  to  Mr.  Hoover:  John  G.,  October  5, 
1835;  Mary,  wife  of  Samuel  Apling  December  12,  183(5;  Nancy,  August  15,  1838;  Jeffer- 
son, September  24,  1844,  died  in  Missouri  November  28.  LS71;  Cordelia,  August  19,  184(>; 
Emma  C,  March  25,  1852,  died  July  8,  1854;  Henry  D.,  July  3,  1854,  died  January  4, 
1870;  Sarah  A.,  Mi's.  Joseph  Ackei'man,  February  2,  18(33.  Mr.  Hoover  is  a  Republican 
in  political  sentiment;  he  owns  a  line  place,  with  residence,  in  Davis,  Ray  Township. 
Mrs.  Hoover  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Chiux-h. 

ELIJAH  W.  HOWE,  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  March  29,  1823,  in  Marcellus,  N.  Y.,  and 
went  with  his  parents  to  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  and,  in  the  fall  of  1830,  to  Oakland 
County,  Mich. ;  six  years  after,  he  went  to  Lapeer  County,  and  from  there  to  Macomb 
County,  settling  on  Section  27,  in  Ray  Township,  in  184().  He  was  married.  May  30, 
184(3,  to  Jane  Miller;  they  have  two  children — Precontia,  born  April  30,  1848,  mamed 
Joy  Warner  and  resides  in  Ray;  and  Elva,  born  October  24,  1852,  married  John  M.  Green 
and  resides  on  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Howe  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  has  been 
a  local  preacher  twenty  years;  he  is  a  Republican  in  political  views.  Mrs.  Howe  is  a  na- 
tive of  New  York,  and  came  to  Macomb  County  when  but  three  years  of  age;  her  parents 
settled  on  the  place  where  is  now  her  residence;  she  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Chiuch. 

WATSON  W.  LYONS,  P.   O.    Davis,  was  born  in  Ray  Township  September  26, 


"Pv 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


1S89;  liio  father.  William  Lyons,  came  from  New  York  in  the  fall  of  1S37,  and  settled  on 
Section  33;  he  died  in  August,  1S4().  aged  thirty-four  years;  his  wife  is  still  living  on 
the  homestead.  In  1S7(>,  he  commenced  operating  in  insurance  business,  and,  in  1S7"2. 
was  appointed  Deputy  Secretary  of  Macomb  ;ind  St.  Clair  County  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany; in  June,  1S74,  was  elected  Secretarj'.  and  still  holds  the  position.  Mr.  Lyons  is  a 
Democrat;  has  been  Road  Commissioner  and  Constaljle  several  terms,  and  now  holds  the 
office  of  Supervisor. 

JOHN  McCAFFERTY,  P.  O.  Romeo,  is  a  son  of  John  and  Fanny  (McManegal)  Me- 
Cafferty;  bis  father  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  township  of  Bruce,  where  he 
located  in  the  fall  of  1N2(5.  Mr.  MeCafferty  was  born  October  20.  1S8S.  and  lived  at  home 
until  the  age  of  twenty-one,  when  he  settled  in  Armada.  January  1-1.  1S()2,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Louisa,  daughter  of  Horatio  Hulett.  of  Armada.  In  ilarch,  1S78,  he  moved  to  his 
present  farm  on  Section  1),  Ray  Township;  he  has  always  voted  the  Democratic  ticket. 

JOHN  McINNIS.  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  in  Ireland  March  IT).  1821.  He  came  to 
Canada  in  1S2S,  and  remained  there  until  INC),"),  when  he  settled  in  his  present  location,  on 
Section  21,  in  Ray  Township,  on  a  portion  of  the  Joseph  Chubb  estate.  He  was  maiTie<3. 
January  fi.  isr)3,  to  Susan  Hogg,  a  native  of  Canada.  Following  is  the  record  of  their 
nine  children:  Margaret  J.,  born  November  22.  ISW^.  married  Alfred  Bliss  and  resides 
in  Benzie  County;  James  A.,  born  March  (>,  IS,"),"),  married  Emma  Green  and  resides  in 
Ray  Township;  Thomas  K..  boi-n  March  24,  1^57;  Mathew  H.,  born  November  2S.  IS.^S, 
died  December  22.  ISliO;  Rachel  A.,  born  May  5,  LSfil;  Susan,  August  1,  lSfi2;  Charlotte 
E.,  January  IS,  INC)");  John  H..  born  December  2S,  1,SC)S.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mclnnis  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  Chm'ch.  and  were  actively  interested  in  building  the  church 
at  Ray  Corners.     Mr.  Mclnnis  is  a  Republican,  and  is  at  present  Road  Commissioner. 

MRS.  MARIA  J.  NYE  was  born  July  S,  1SH7;  she  is  the  daughter  of  Ira  and  Betsey 
Virgil.  Mrs.  Nye  was  a  native  of  the  State  of  New  York;  she  came  to  Michigan  in  1S."]2, 
and  was  married.  December  7,  IN-")*),  to  Ezra  Nye.  of  Ray.  Mi\  Nye  was  born  October 
1(1,  1N3C),  and  died  October  9,  ISSl.  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born,  at  the  age  of 
forty-five;  he  was  the  son  of  Heman  and  Mary  Ann  Nye;  they  were  natives  of  the  State 
of  New  York.  Ezra  Nye  was  a  Republican,  and  held  the  office  of  Town  Clerk,  to  which 
he  was  elected  in  ISIil,  ten  years,  with  the  e.xception  of  two  years  within  that  time;  he 
was  elected  Supervisor  in  1S71.  and  held  the  position  ten  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nye  had 
eight  children,  born  as  follows:  Burt,  born  May  13,  1S.")S;  Mary,  born  July  10,  IS")'.), 
married  to  Arthur  Flint  October  ."),  IN'U;  May,  born  March  11,  1S()2;  Frank,  born  Januarv 
23,  1SC)4;  Fred,  born  November  N,  1SC)S;  Ofive,  born  September  14,  1870,  died  May  19, 
1S71;  Olive  (second),  born  September  13,  1875;  Ivy,  born  November  21,  1876.  Mrs.  Nye 
owns  a  farm  of  180  acres,  situated  on  Sections  17,  20  and  21. 

THOMAS  PAINE,  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  November  0,  1S0(),  in  the  State  of  New 
York;  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Sally  Hartman  Paine;  the  parents  were  natives  of  New  York. 
In  1832,  he  came  to  Michigan  with  his  mother,  his  father  having  previously  died,  Thomas 
took  up  four  lots  of  Grovornment  land — two  for  his  mother  and  two  for  himself;  it  was  in 
the  heart  of  the  wilderness;  not  a  tree  had  fallen  by  the  white  man's  ax,  and  they  were 
obliged  to  cut  a  road  to  reach  their  possessions.  Mr.  Paine  has  experienced  all  the  vicis- 
situdes of  the  Michigan  pioneer  in  the  Territorial  days.  He  was  married,  in  1832,  to  Eliz- 
abeth, daughter  of  Duncan  and  Margaret  McGregor,  natives  of  Scotland;  Mrs.  Paine  was 
born  in  Greene  County,  N.  Y. ;  they  have  had  seven  children,  born  as  follows:  Duncan, 
September  4,  1833  (see  sketch);  Benjamin,  July  IS.  183();  Sarah,  May  IS,  1838;  Ran- 
som, November  14,  1840;  James.  November  1,  1S42;  Zaohary,  July  2"),  lS4."n  Margaret  A., 
February  25,  lSr)3.     Ransom  was  a  soldier   in  the  civil  war,  and  died  in  the  hospital  at 


Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  of  typhoid  fever,  January  17,  1862.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paine  are  mem- 
bere  of  the  M.  E.  Church;  he  is  a  Republican;  owns  a  line  farm  of  I'iO  acres. 

DUNCAN  PAINE,  P.  O.  Davis,  son  of  the  above,  was  married,  June  "iS,  1,S()8.  to 
Alvira.  daughter  of  Crosby  and  Olive  Wilber  Gregory,  natives  of  New  York:  they  have 
four  children — Jesse  M.,  born  May  II,  1S(U):  Olive  E..  August  18,  1871;  Lewis  C.  Decem- 
ber 7,  1878;  Ida  M.,  February  "io.  1S7<>.  Mr.  Paine  is  a  Republican,  and  owns  lOO  acres 
of  land  on  Sections  li)  and  "ilt. 

NELSON  PERRY,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  King  Perry,  was  born  May  9,  1808,  in 
Saratoga  County,  N.  Y. ;  his  parents  moved  to  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  where  they  passed 
the  remainder  of  their  lives.  In  the  spring  of  1888.  Mr.  Perry  came  to  Michigan  and 
settled  where  he  now  resides,  on  Section  1,  Ray  Township.  He  was  married,  in  1881. 
to  Aiu-elia  Clark,  who  died  July  2'.).  188o,  leaving  one  child.  Clark,  born  November  22. 
1882;  he  maiTied  S;u'ah  Powell  and  lives  in  Lynn,  St.  Clair  County.  Mr.  Perry  was  mar- 
ried a  second  time,  to  Susan  Burlson,  February  18,  188U;  they  have  five  children — Min- 
erva, born  June  4,  1841,  married  Henry  Ward  October  5,  1861 :  Lucy,  April  8,  1843,  mar- 
ried Archibald  Powell  November  12.  18r)S:  Manley,  August  18,  1846,  married  Emily  Butter- 
held:  John  S.,  February  26,1848,  married  Sarah  Cooley  January  1,  1S()S;  Phoebe  J.,  Jan- 
uary 12.  18r)4,  married  Thomas  Benson  July  8.  LS6y,  died  January  It,  LSSO.  All  the 
chilcb'en  are  living  on  or  near  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Perry  has  always  been  an  adherent  of 
the  Democratic  party. 

D.  S.  PRIEST  was  born  August  7.  1S14.  at  Arlington,  Beuniagton  Co.,  Vt. ;  he  is 
the  son  of  Thomas  Priest  and  Marj^  Ann  Squires;  his  parents  moved  to  Monroe  County, 
N.  Y.,  when  ]ie-'Was""iive" years  of  age:  they  gave  him  a  good  common-school  education, 
and,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  commenced  teaching  school  winters  and  working  on  the 
fann  in  summer  for  fourteen  years,  and  boarded  around  the  most  of  the  time.  He  lived 
in  the  State  of  New  York  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old,  when  he  moved  to  Michigan 
and  bought  a  farm  on  Section  8,  in  the  township  of  Ray,  in  the  fall  of  1887.  He  was 
mairied,  September  28,  1S41.  to  Charity,  daughter  of  Isaac  Thompson;  they  have  had 
three  children — Chester  S.  Priest,  born  March  12.  1848.  married  to  Mary  Adelia  Allen  in 
January,  186S,and  now  lives  on  the  homestead;  Laiu-a  C.  Priest,  born  November  20.  iSlil. 
died  February  28,  18r)0;  MvTonD..  bom  August  1,  18r)8,  and  died  March  27.  186U.  Mr. 
Priest  was  an  old-time  Whig,  and  was  in  the  merging  of  the  political  issues  which  signal- 
ized the  end  of  the  party:  he  became  a  Republican;  lie  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  and 
was  elected  a  Re])resentative  in  the  State  Legislature  from  Macomb  County  in  the  fall  of 
186U,  and  again  in  1871:  he  held  that  office  two  terms,  in  all,  four  years,  accejttably  to  his 
constituents.  When  he  first  came  to  Michigan  to  live,  he  was  elected  fi-om  time  to  time 
School  Insjaector.  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years,  regardless  of  party  ascendency ; 
they  also  elected  him  Supervisor  from  time  to  time  for  thirteen  years:  he  has  been  one  of 
the  Directors  of  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Fire  Insm-ance  Company  of  Macomb  and  St.  Clair 
Counties  for  several  years,  and  is  now  Chairman  of  the  board.  He  is  a  farmer,  and  they 
own  211  acres  of  valuable  and  finelv  improved  land. 

THOMAS  READ,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Ely  September  22.  180,");  he 
is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Read,  natives  of  England.  He  was  married  to  Sarah 
Poole  in  April.  1827:  they  had  one  child.  Maiy  Ann,  born  January  .">,  1828.  who  died  in 
1848.  Mr.  Read  piu-sued  the  occupation  of  farrier  in  all  its  branches  while  in  England. 
He  left  his  native  country  for  America  in  June.  1884,  landing  in  New  York;  he  settled  in 
Lockwood,  N.  Y.,  and.  the  same  fall,  moved  to  Michigan  and  located  in  Erin.  Macomb 
County,  where  he  resided  for  thirty-three  years,  and.  January  81.  1867.  removed  to  his 
farm  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  4.  in  Ray.  containing  ninety-seven  acres.  He 
was  married  again,  to  Ann.  daughter  of  vEneas  and  Maiy  Gibson  Bottomly.  of  Yorkshire. 


it  \  ' 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Enf^land;  they  have  had  six  children,  born  as  follows:  Joseph,  September  29,  1840,  died 
in  ISfif);  Sarah,  born  September  12.  1841,  married  Nicholas  Smith  and  lives  in  Illinois; 
Thomas,  born  August  11,  1844,  married  Mary  Amine;;  she  left  two  children  at  her  death; 
her  husband  married  Alice  Freeman  and  now  lives  in  Ray;  Elizabeth,  born  December  2:^, 
1847.  married  P.  B.  Cade,  of  Ray  Township.  Mr.  Read  voted  one  Democratic  ticket  in 
this  country,  then  acted  with  the  Whigs  and  Free-Soil  pai'ty  until  the  organization  of  the 
Republican  party,  when  he  became  an  adherent  of  that  political  element;  he  has  held  the 
position  of  Constable  several  successive  years;  he  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  petition 
to  Congress  for  the  admission  of  Michigan  as  a  State;  he  was  foiToerly  a  Methodist,  and, 
during  his  membership,  held  the  office  of  Steward,  and  took  an  active  part  as  a  class- 
leader;  he  is  now  a  member  of  the  Christian  Chm-ch:  Mr.  Read  was  a  Presbyterian  in 
early  life,  but  now  belongs  to  the  Christian  society. 

'  NORiMAN  REMINGTON  was  born  April  4,  1818,  in  Mom-oe  County.  N.  Y  ;  is  the  son 
of  Daniel  and  Hannah  (De  Groif)  Remington,  natives  of  Connecticiit;  they  settled  in 
Niagara,  N.  Y.,  where  the  mother  died  in  l8:^tt,  and  soon  after,  the  father,  with  his  son 
Norman,  came  to  Michigan,  where  they  took  up  a  farm  in  Washington  Township,  and 
another  on  Section  18,  in  Ray  Township.  His  father  was  married  again,  in  Mich- 
igan, to  Hannah  Shepard,  since  deceased.  Norman  Remington  was  married,  in 
184(),  to  Polly  Gass;  they  have  seven  children — R.  J.  (see  sketch);  Rufus  E. ,  born 
February  2,  18r)2;  Elvira;  Palmyra,  February  2,  18fiO;  Harriet.  1859,  died  February  4, 
18(U;  Arthitr,  1S()1,  died  in  1804;  Elmer,  November  9,  1867.  All  were  married  but 
Elmer.  Mr.  Remington  is  a  Republican  in  jwlitical  faith.  Daniel  Remington  died  at 
ninety-six  years  of  age;  he  was  a  smart,  active  man.  and  died  from  the  effects  of  an  in- 
jury in  a  saw-mill  from  a  Hying  slab. 

R.  J.  REMINGTON,  P.  O.  Romeo,  sou  of  Norman  and  Polly  Gass  Remington,  was 
born  February  4,  1849.  Was  married,  October  17,  1877,  to  Ellen,  daughter  of  Reuben 
and  Fanny  Cole,  born  December  4.  1852.  They  have  had  two  childi-en — Leroy,  born 
September  ;^0,  1878,  died  September  5,  1881;  and  Nellie,  born  August  23,  1881.  Mr. 
Remington  owns  a  farm  of  1()()  acres,  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

DONALD  RCJBERTSON,  M.  D.,  P.  O.  Armada,  was  born  in  Aberfeldie,  Scotland. 
November  14,  1822;  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Susan  (McDonald)  Robertson.  He  received 
his  medical  education  at  Edinbm'gh  in  the  medical  college  under  the  instruction  of  Profs. 
Knox,  Jamison  and  others,  and  received  his  diploma  in  1840.  He  was  maiTied,  August 
24  ,  1840,  to  Catherine,  daughter  of  William  and  Isabella  Fogo,  who  accompanied  her  to 
America.  After  he  graduated,  he  went  on  a  voyage  to  China  and  Hindostan.  and  while 
on  the  voyage  discovered  the  cause  of  the  aurora  borealis.  He  sailed  with  his  family  for 
America  in  1849,  and  arrived  in  the  port  of  New  York.  He  came  to  Michigan  the  same 
year  and  settled  at  Gray's  Mill,  in  Ray,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  two  years,  and 
then  settled  on  his  present  farm  on  Sections  11  and  12;  he  owns  250  acres  of  land,  well 
improved,  with  a  saw-mill  and  stave  and  heading  manufactory;  he  has  retired  from  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  devotes  his  time  to  his  agricultiu-al  and  other  interests. 
They  have  two  children —Robert,  born  in  Scotland  Avigust  11,  1848,  married  Irene  Rich- 
ards and  is  a  hardware  merchant  iu  Ai'mada;  William,  born  August  18,  1854.  Mr.  Rob- 
ertson was  a  Democrat  when  he  came  to  this  country,  but  the  slavery  question  changed  his 
views,  and  he  has  voted  latterly  with  the  Republicans.  Dr.  Robertson  has  held  the  office 
of  Commissioner  one  year.  Mr.  Robertson  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Scotland,  and  ]\Irs.  Robertson  united  with  the  Congregational  Chm-ch  at  Ar- 
mada about  twenty  years  ago. 

JOSIAH  T.  ROBINSON,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  January  2,  1807,  in  the  township 
and  county  of  Otsego,  N,  Y. ;  is  the  son  of  David  and  Cattern  (Tripp)  Robinson;  the  latter 


i  "V 


t 


te- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


was  daughter  of  Lot  Tripp.  He  married  Roxada  Nye  January  "^(5,  1S2V(,  and,  in  May, 
1831,  he  moved  to  Deti-oit;  he  then  located  two  miles  from  Brooklyn,  Macomb  County, 
where  he  remained  one  year,  and  removed  to  Hanscom's  Corners  and  kept  a  public  house 
a  year;  dui'ing  the  winter  of  188."i-8<i.  he  went  East,  retm'niug  in  the  spring,  and,  -July 
'2(),  18>i(),  bought  his  present  farm,  on  Section  21,  Ray  Towushiji;  he  moved  to  Armada 
October  12,  1888,  and  opened  a  hotel  and  grocery,  where  he  remained  eight  years;  in 
March,  1846,  he  went  to  his  farm.  and.  five  years  later,  to  the  village  of  Baltimore;  after 
a  stay  of  over  two  years,  he  took  up  his  residence  again  on  his  farm.  Mrs.  Robinson  died 
April  21,  1881,  leaving  three  children — Mortimer,  born  July  15,  1829,  married  Martha 
Heath  and  resides  in  Armada;  Ruth,  born  July  ."),  188"2.  married  Charles  R.  Corey  and 
resides  in  Ray;  Arabella,  born  February  2,  1845,  married  Edwin  C.  Chubb  and  resides  on 
her  father's  homestead.  Mr.  Robinson  cast  his  hrst  vote  for  .Indrew  Jackson,  and  voted 
the  Democratic  ticket  until  185(),  when  he  voted  for  John  C.  Fremont,  and  has  acted  with 
the  Republicans  until  the  last  Presideutial  election,  when  he  voted  for  James  B.  Weaver. 
For  the  last  twenty-nine  years  he  has  been  a  strict  temperance  man,  and,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one  year,  has  held  colmty  or  township  offices.  In  1872.  he  moved  to  Now  Haven, 
where  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  remained  two  years:  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law  in  this  county  for  thirty  years  He  has  been  a  believer  many  years  in  the 
theory  of  mind  controlling  mind  at  any  distance.  When  he  came  to  this  county,  he  was 
entirely  destitute  of  means,  but.  by  thrift  and  energy,  has  worked  his  way,  until  he  owns 
3(111  acres  of  land.  He  was  made  a  Mason  in  1888.  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Romeo 
Chapter. 

JOHN  N.  SELLECK,  P.  O.  Romeo,  son  of  Jonas  and  Rhoda  Nickols  Selleck,  was 
born  February  17,  1808,  at  Middlebui-y,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  about  181(i,  his  parents  weut 
to  Avon,  Livingston  Co.  NY.  Mr.  S.  went  to  Honeoye  Falls,  and  there  learned  the  trade  of 
carpenter  and  joiner;  in  the  spring  of  1837,  he  moved  to  the  place  of  his  present  home, 
on  Section  5,  Ray  Township.  He  was  married,  in  the  spring  of  1841,  to  Lucinda  ]VL 
Davis,  who  was  born  July  2(5,  181().  and  died  October  15,  1844.  Mi'.  Selleck  was  again 
married,  November  20,  l849,  to  Delia,  daughter  of  Col.  Norman  Perry;  they  have  had 
six  children — Auston,  born  December  14,  1850,  died  February  17,  1876;  Susan  L.,  born 
November  28,  1852;  Harvey,  born  February  15,  1855,  resides  in  Wisconsin;  Rhoda  B., 
born  April  17,  1857,  married  Bruce  Rowley  and  resides  at  Yankton,  D.  T. ;  Hattie  E., 
born  August  28,  1859;  Charles,  bom  December  6,  1861,  lives  in  Wisconsin.  About  1852, 
Mr.  Selleck  commenced  keeping  a  public  house,  which  he  managed  twenty-five  years,  on 
temperance  principles;  he  has  been  Postmaster  for  six  years;  he  was  a  Democrat  by  in- 
heritance, but,  since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  he  has  been  one  of  its  ad- 
herents; he  has  acted  as  Chairman  on  the  Committee  on  Bread,  Butter,  Cheese,  etc.,  at  the 
Macomb  County  Agricultural  Fairs  for  more  thau  twenty  years  in  succession  and  was,  by 
vote  of  the  society,  tendered  a  diploma  for  long  and  faithful  services. 

MRS.  AUGUSTA  SHELDEN,  daughter  of  Harvey  Parish,  of  Vermont,  was  born  May 
28,  1883,  in  Portville,  Cattaraugus  Co.,  N.  Y.  She  accompanied  her  parents  to  this 
county  in  L848.  where  she  attended  school,  under  the  tuition  of  Dr.  Chapman,  of  Balti- 
more, Mich.,  and  Prof.  Alonzo  M.  Keeler,  of  Armada,  Prof.  Stone  and  wife,  of  Oberlin, 
Ohio.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  she  entered  the  normal  school  at  Ypsilanti,  under  the  care 
of  Profs.  Welsh.  Sill,  Mayhew  and  Frike,  and  was  taught  music  and  drawing  by  Profs. 
Goodison  and  Foote.  Thus  prepared,  she  entered  upon  the  career  of  a  professional 
teacher,  which  she  piu'sued  with  success  in  Romeo,  Oxfoi-d  and  Rochester;  at  the  latter 
place,  she  was  associated  with  the  celebrated  poet.  Will  H.  Carleton.  During  her  career 
as  a  teacher,  she  guided  the  elementary  education  of  some  twelve  hundi'ed  pupils,  manj' 
of  whom  are  holding  prominent  positions  in  life.  She  was  married,  November  23,  1868, 
.54 


^ 


to  A.  B.  Shelden,  and  lias  two  childi-en — Henry  A.,  born  December  31. 1804:  and  Edward 
J.,  born  March  24.  18()(i — both  of  whom  are  attending  the  high  school  at  Romeo.  Mrs. 
Sheldeu  became  a  Christian  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Z.  Coleman,  of  the  Baptist  Church 
of  Mt.  Vernon,  and  subse<juently  united  with  the  Congregational  Church  of  Romeo;  she 
has  been  actively  engaged  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work  since  she  was  sixteen  years 
of  age;  many  of  her  scholars  in  Sunday  school  have  become  consistent  Christians,  and 
some  of  them  are  preparing  for  the  ministry;  her  Bible  class  at  present  includes  tweuty- 
foiu-  persons.  She  owns  and  occupies  the  Milton  Thompson  farm,  on  Section  17,  Ray 
Township,  where  her  husband  died. 

JAMES  SMITH,  P.  O.  Romeo,  was  born  in  Yates  County.  N.  Y  .  August  15,  1835; 
he  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Hall  Smith;  his  father  died  December  8,  1838,  leaving 
a  family  of  eight  children  in  rather  limited  circumstances,  and,  in  1842,  Mr.  Smith  came 
to  Macomb  County  to  live  with  William  Hall,  his  uncle,  who  was  one  of  the  first  pioneers 
of  the  county,  locating  on  Section  1)  in  1827,  with  whom  he  resided  until  1858;  he  then 
located  24(*  acres  of  land  and  several  village  lots  in  the  Grand  Traverse  eountrj',  remain- 
ing two  years,  teaching  school  winters  at  Elk  Rapids.  In  1S()1,  the  war  breaking  out, 
Mr.  Smith  returned  to  Macomb,  and,  on  August  15.  lS(il.  was  enrolled  at  Mt.  Clemens  in 
Company  I,  Ninth  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry,  Capt.  William  Jenny;  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  West  Point,  Ky.,  where  Mr.  Smith  suiTered  from  a  prolonged  attack  of  typhoid 
fever,  with  pneumonic  symptoms,  and  was  placed  on  detached  duty,  acting  as  Hospital 
Steward.  March  25,  18()2,  he  was  ordered  by  Col.  John  G.  Parkhiu'st,  commanding  post, 
to  remove  the  sick  to  Louisville,  Ky. ;  after  the  transfer  of  the  sick,  he  was  ordered  to 
report  to  his  regiment  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where,  on  April  1,  he  was  again  detached,  by 
order  of  Maj.  Gen.  Buell.  to  act  as  Captain  in  exchange  or  convalescent  camp,  where  he 
remained  about  eight  months,  when  the  cam])  was  removed  to  Gallatin.  Tenn.,  where  he 
vyas  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major;  by  his  refiuest,  he  was  relieved  from  duty  here,  and, 
November  25.  lS(i"J,  ordered  by  Maj.  Gen.  Rosecrans  to  report  for  duty  to  Lieut.  Irvin  as 
Clerk  in  the  Quai'termaster  s  Department  at  Nashville,  Tenn..  where  he  remained  until 
October  10.  18()3;  his  position  here  was  such  that  he  began  to  get  an  insigtt  into  the  de- 
vices TO  rob  the  Government,  and  the  Chief  Clerk,  Mr.  Bull,  of  Louisville,  having  strong 
rebel  sympathies,  and.  as  was  believed,  aiding  and  abetting  the  rebels,  called  out  strong 
denunciations  from  Mr.  Smith,  which  caused  Mr.  Bull  to  feel  uneasy  lest  their  rascality 
might  be  exposed,  and  he  did  his  utmost  to  get  rid  of  him,  and  he  was  ordered  by  Gen. 
Rosecrans  to  report  to  his  regiment  at  Chattanooga.  Tenn.  Deceml.ier  25,  18fi3,  he  was 
ordered  by  Maj.  Gen.  Palmer  to  report  to  Capt.  E.  Marble  as  Clerk  in  the  Subsistence 
Department,  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  where  he  remained  until  nmstered  out  of  service  at 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  October  2U,  18()-i.  The  following  is  the  consolidated  recommendations  of  his 
superior  officers:  "Headquarters  of  the  Fourteenth  Anny  Corps,  Galesville,  Ala.,  October 
25,  18<)4 — Being  jiersonally  acquainted  with  James  Smith,  who  has  been  my  Issuing  Ser- 
geant for  the  past  six  months,  I  take  pleasure  in  recommending  him  as  being  a  man  of 
most  excellent  business  qualities,  perfectly  moral,  honest,  ujiright,  and  in  every  respect 
capable  of  filling  any  position  that  may  be  given  him.  He  has  served  his  country  as  a 
soldier  and  patriot  three  years  faithfully,  never  failing  to  do  his  duty  in  every  respect, 
■which  entitles  him  to  the  highest  commendation  of  all  true  Americans. — A.  L.  Messmore. 
Captain  and  A.  C.  S. — freely  concurred  in  by  W.  Wilkinson.  Lieutenant  Colonel  com- 
manding Ninth  Michigan  Infantry.''  Mr.  Smith  was  married.  June  5.  1S73,  to  Maria, 
daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  Bottomley.  He  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  taken 
a  prominent  position  in  church,  Sunday  school  and  all  branches  of  Chi'istian  work.  In 
18()5.  Ml'.  Smith's  mother  came  from  the  old  home  in  New  Y'^ork  State,  and  the  family  set- 
tled on  Section  10  of  Ray  Township,  where  they  still  reside. 


Ll^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


MINER  STONE,  P.  O.  Romeo,  son  of  Isaac  Stone,  was  boru  in  PittsforJ,  Monroe  Co., 
N.  Y.,  March  IC),  LSI.").  In  October,  18/51,  he  came  to  Michigan  with  his  parents  and  set- 
tled in  Ray.  He  was  married.  May  5,  184'.!,  to  Rusha  Ann,  daughter  of  Anson  and  Mary 
Ann  Bristol;  she  was  born  Maj'  28,  1810;  became  the  mother  of  four  childi-en,  born  as 
follows:  Gilbert,  April  8,  1848,  died  February  1:!,  184,");  Hannah,  October  ;!1,  184o,  died 
June  2<),  1871;  William,  March  0,  18r)l,  married  Roxada  Willey  and  lives  at  home;  Oscar 
D..  May  7.  18.").").  married  Josephine  Rowley.  Deborah  Bristol,  grandmother  of  Mrs.  Stone, 
lived  to  the  age  of  ninety-six,  and  left  fom-  generations  of  descendants  to  the  niunber  of 
287;  she  died  in  Flint,  Genesee  County.  Mr.  Stone  is  a  farmer  on  the  east  half  of  the 
southwest  quarter  of  Section  7;  he  settled  on  a  wholly  unimproved  farm,  which  he  has 
placed  under  good  cultivation;  was  a  Whig  before  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  since  that  time  has  been  an  adherent  to  its  principles. 

WELTON  A.  TAFT,  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  August  29.  18.");5,  in  Ray,  Macomb  County; 
is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Haines)  Taft,  natives  of  Vermont,  as  were  their  parents. 
Daniel  Taft  and  Mary  Haines  were  married  in  1850,  and  had  five  children,  born  as  follows: 
Bm-ton  J.,  Jauuarv  7,  18.")1;  Welton  A..  August  29,  18-"):i;  Weston  L. ,  February  22,1855; 
Leora  E.,  January"  10,  1858;  Hannie  E.,  June  1,  ISOS,  died  August  2().  18()8.  "Mr.  Taft, 
of  this  sketch,  was  married,  January  2.  1878,  to  Nellie  Cawker,  a  native  of  Canada;  she 
came  to  Detroit  in  18()2;  they  have  two  childi-en,  Leoi-aE..  born  June  14.  1880,  and  Glen 
E.,  March  7.  1882.  Mr.  Taft  lives  on  the  homestead,  wher?  he  was  born;  it  is  a  splen- 
did farm,  and  includes  eighty  acres  in  Section  20.      Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

ROBERT  WARNER  was  born  December  22,  1811,  in  the  State  of  New  York.  Some 
time  before  he  left  his  native  State,  his  father  died,  leaving  a  wife  and  family  of  eight 
children.  The  principal  business  at  this  place,  where  he  spent  eleven  years  of  his  youth, 
was  chopping  and  clearing  land.  Mr.  W.  now  looks  back  with  regret  upon  the  mis-spent 
hovu-s  that  passed  in  that  period  of  his  life.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  and  in  the 
last  year  of  his  stay  here,  he  worked  diu-iug  the  summer  for  John  B.  Norton,  a  doctor  liv- 
ing in  Spring  Water  Valley,  a  few  miles  above  the  head  of  Hemlock  Lake,  which  lies  be- 
tween two  mountains.  This  was  in  the  summer  of  1829.  In  the  winter  of  this  year  he 
stayed  with  his  brother  and  attended  school.  In  the  spring  of  18H0,  he  went  to  Richmond 
and  worked  a  short  time  for  Lesse  Stout  He  then  worked  for  Barton  Stout  until  about 
May  10,  when  he  started  for  Michigan  and  walked  as  far  as  Bufi'alo  on  foot,  arriving  on 
the" morning  of  the  r2th.  Having  missed  the  boat,  he  was  obliged  to  wait  until  the  next 
day.  While  waiting,  he  met  Lesse  Stout  and  Mr.  Crooks,  who  were  also  going  to  Michi- 
gan. They  took  passage  on  the  steamer  Peacock.  They  landed  in  Detroit  May  16,  1880. 
In  the  i-dl\,  he  came  to  Macomb  County,  where  he  has  since  lived.  His  present  farm  is 
situated  on  a  section  corner,  and  embraces  a  part  of  Sections  29,  27.  84  and  3o,  and  con- 
tains 305  acres.  Mr.  W.  was  maiTied  February  14,  1833,  to  Lois  Willey,  who  was  born 
March  24,  1813.  They  have  six  children,  three  daughters  and  three  sons — Clarissa,  borii 
December  14,  1833,  married  to  Nathan  Hinkley  January  24,  1854;  Robert  H.,  bom  July 
3,  1836.  mamed  Almeda  Houghton  March  8,  1864;  Milo,  born  November  28,  1838,  mar- 
ried Mary  Hate  February  19,  1864;  Rosetta,  born  December  15,  1841,  married  Eli  Myres 
February  22,  1866;  Lauretta,  born  September  li,  1844,  man-ied  William  Ellis_April  30. 
1865;  Riley,  born  November  29,  1850,  married  Lovina  Willey  December  31,  1874. 

MAJOR  WEBSTER,  P.  O.  Davis,  was  born  August  28,  ISOl.  in  Pittsford,  Monroe 
Co. ,  N.  Y. ;  is  the  son  of  Ransford  and  Triphena  (Vaughn)  A\'ebster.  In  M  ay,  1825,  he  came 
to  Michigan,  and  located  a  farm  of  Government  land  on  Section  19,  Ray  Township.  In 
February!  182(),  he  was  man-ied  to  Diana  Grossman,  and  not  long  after,  they  set  out  for 
their  pioneer  home;  they  made  the  route  from  Detroit  with  an  ox  team,  the  fu-st  ever  di'ivea 
through  that  part  of  the  country.      When  IVIrs.  Webster  was  informed  that  she  had  reached 


^ 


Ml 


876  HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 

home,  she  responded,  courageously:  ''Home  it  ia,  and  home  it  shall  be;"  and  it  has 
been  ever  since.  Not  long  after  their  arrival,  a  letter  came  for  them  from  the  East;  in 
those  days,  the  postage  on  a  letter  was  '25  cents,  due  at  the  end  of  the  route;  Mr.  Webster 
ovyned  but  18  cents:  he  spent  nearly  a  day  trying  to  obtain  some  money,  and  finally  found 
a  neighbor  who  loaned  him  a  dollar,  which  he  repaid  weeding  onions  at  50  cents  a  day. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  "Webster  have  ten  children,  born  as  follows:  Caroline  J.,  January  27,  1827, 
the  first  white  child  born  in  Ray  Township;  Mary  M.,  November  28,  1821);  Charles  H., 
August  4,  ISai;  Horace  M  ,  June  8,  1838;  Susan,  March  30,  1835;  Alice  M..  January  7, 
1837;  Ransford  M.,  January  4,  1839;  Diana  E.,  August  13,  1840;  Aui-ora  V.,  November 
4.  1844;  Hardy  E.,  March  12, 1849.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webster  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Chm'ch.      Mr.  Webster  is  a  Democrat  in  political  faith. 

GEORGE  WHITING,  son  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Champion)  Whiting,  was  born 
August  lU,  1833,  in  the  Gratiot  Light  House,  St.  Clair  County,  Mich.;  his  father  was 
born  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  January  1,  17U1,  and  moved  to  St.  Clair  County  in  1818, 
where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  millwright:  he  died  March  29,  1880.  Mr.  Whit- 
ing's mother  still  lives  with  her  son,  aged  eighty-one.  In  18G1,  an  excitement  regard- 
ing the  supposed  discovery  of  petroleum  broke  out  in  the  neighborhood  where  Mr.  Whit- 
ing was  living,  and  he  sold  his  farm  for  a  considerable  amount,  and  removed  to  Macomb 
County  Sejitember  H  of  that  year,  and  purchased  a  farm  on  the  North  Branch  of  the 
Clinton  River,  known  as  the  James  Thompson  farm,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Jane,  daughter  of  Nathan  B.  Elliott,  of  St.  Clair  County,  September  18,  1859;  they 
have  had  ten  children — Mary,  born  February  24,  18(Jl,  married  Zachaiy  Payne  and  resides 
in  Ray;  George  C.  was  born  January  19,  18()3.  and  died  February  14,  18()3;  Emma  E., 
April' 22,  J8(')4;  Elmer  U.,  June  1,  18(;r;;  Lillie  A.,  June  11,  18(iS;  Eddie  E.,  June  19, 
1870;  Ruby,  Febraary  22,  1875;  Hugh  C,  June  18,  1877;  Neil,  March  20.  1879;  Jennie. 
October  5,  1881.  Eight  children  are  living  at  home.  Mr.  Whiting  has  always  been  a 
Republican,  and  has  held  various  positions  of  trust  in  his  township.  Both  himself  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Chiu'ch. 

WILLIAM  M.  WILLEY,  deceased,  was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y..  September 
30,  1808.  He  went  to  Pittsford,  N.  "V.,  and,  in  1830,  settled  on  Section  21.  Ray  Town- 
ship. He  afterward  bought  on  Section  27.  December  9,  1838,  he  married  Susan  Gear; 
they  had  eight  children,  whose  record  is  as  follows:  William  Wesley,  born  November 
1(5,  1839,  married  Irena  Myers,  resided  in  Ray,  and  died  January  25,  1808;  Henry  H., 
January  25.  1841,  resides  at  home;  Volney,  January  3,  1843,  married  Harriet  Van  Horn, 
resides  in  Ray;  Mary  J.,  March  21.  1845,  married  William  Bliss  and  resides  in  Macomb; 
David  H.,  September  10,  1847;  Roxada,  Mai'ch  10,  1849,  married  Gilbert  Stone  and  re- 
sides in  Ray;  Lavina  Y..  April  5,  1851,  married  Rilej' Warner,  and  resides  in  Ray;  Ange- 
line  C,  October  2<5,  1855.  Mr.  Willey  was  a  Republican,  and  held  several  positions  of 
trust  during  his  life;  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  sixteen  years  in  succession;  he  was 
Captain,  and  afterward  Major,  in  the  home  iliilitia;  was  administrator  and  guardian  for 
orphans  a  number  of  years;  he  died  October  17,  1871;  his  widow  still  survives  him. 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER    XL. 

LENOX    TOWNSHIP. 

The  principal  stream  in  Lenox  is  Salt  River,  which  runs  due  south  through  the  east- 
ern part  of  the  township,  affording  motive-power  for  several  mills  along  its  coui'se;  next 
in  importance  comes  Deer  Creek  and  some  of  its  minor  tributaries,  which  afford  water  for 
agricultm-al  and  other  purposes.  With  these  streams  the  townshiji  is  fairly  watered. 
Pui-e  spring  water  is  obtainable  by  digging  a  few  feet  in  almost  any  spot  in  the  township. 

The  original  settlers  of  the  township  were  men  of  sterling  worth,  of  great  enterprise 
and  of  untiring  industry,  .imong  those  who  have  left  their  names  as  the  proudest  portion 
of  the  history  of  the  township  are  Abner  Stevens,  Phineas  D.  Pelton,  Richard  D.  Bailey, 
Lanson  Flowers.  Ebenezer  Brooks,  John  Church.  Beverly  Robinson,  Thomas  F.  Dryer, 
Apolas  A.  Fubler,  Owen  Sheridan,  Silas  Leonai-d.  J.  R.  Crandall  and  many  others  of 
equal  prominence.  The  descendants  of  the  larger  part  of  the  above  are  still  inhabitants 
of  the  township,  though  many  of  them  are  to  be  found  throughout  the  entire  county. 

ORG.\NIZATI0N. 

The  township  of  Lanos  was  organized  in  the  year  1837.  The  first  township  election 
was  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  dwelling-house  of  Sterling  Case.  There  came  a  call  from 
the  Legislature  through  Linus  Gilbert  for  the  organization  of  the  town  in  1837.  It  was 
proposed  by  the  inhabitants  that  the  three  oldest  men  in  the  town  should  give  the  name. 
Benjamin  Haight,  Mason  Harris  and  Israel  Dryer  were  selected,  each  selecting  a  name. 
The  choice  of  Messrs.  Haight  and  Harris  was  similar  to  those  of  other  townships  in  the 
State.  The  choice  of  Israel  Dryer  was  adopted,  and  the  name  of  Lenox  confirmed.  The 
members  of  that  committee  died  in  the  town  at  an  advanced  age,  Mr.  Dryer  being 
near  eighty-eight.  Of  the  first  voters,  about  forty  in  number,  only  five  are  liv- 
ing, viz.,  Oliver  Cromwell,  Hiram  O.  C.  Harris,  Justus  R.  Crandall,  Thomas  F.  Dryer,  of 
Lenox,  and  Ebenezer  Brooks,  of  Armada.  First  Supervisor,  Benjamin  Haight;  Thomas 
F.  Dryer,  first  Clerk,  served  eleven  consecutive  years.  In  the  absence  of  all  political 
lines,  peace  and  harmony  prevailed  for  many  years.  Regarding  the  profits  of  office  in 
those  early  days,  Mr.  Dryer  thinks  the  whole  township  business  was  done  for  several  j'ears 
for  $100  per  year,  or  less,  and  his  charges  as  Clerk  did  not  exceed  $10.  He  also  had  the 
pleasure  of  boarding  the  three  Highway  Commissioners  about  three  days  each  year  free  of 
charge.  The  early  settlers  had  a  flourishing  town  library,  which  was  well  read  for  several 
years. 

FinST    MEETING. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Sterling  Case,  April  3,  1837.  Will- 
iam Francis,  Thomas  F.  Dryer  and  Simon  P.  Miller  were  Inspectors,  with  Alanson 
Flower,  Clerk.  The  election  i-esulted  in  the  choice  of  the  following  officers:  Benjamin 
Haight,  Supervisor;  Thomas  F.  Dryer,  Clerk;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  Collector;  Jacob  E. 
Hall,  Mason  Hairis,  Justin  Corey,  Eben  Carl,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  A.  T.  Corey,  A. 
Flower,  Jacob  E.  Hall,  Assessors;  Eben  Carl,  Abner  Stevens,  Eben  Brooks,  Road  Com- 
missioners; Carlos  W.  Brown,  Justus  R.  Crandall,  James  M.  Millard,  School  Commis- 
sioners: Oliver  Bates,  William  Miller,  Poor  Directors;    Mason  Harris,  W'illiam   Miller, 


s^ — ^ 

m  HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Alan.  Flower,  T.  F.  Dryer,  School  Inspectors;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  Justus  Elsworth,  Con- 
stables; Allen  Haeket,  A.  Flower,  Eben  Brooks,  C.  W.  Brown,  William  Miller,  Jacob  E. 
Hall,  Lyman  Bates,  Silas  Leonard,  William  Warner,  Overseers  of  Highways.  The  prin- 
cipal officers  elected  annually  since  1837  are  named  as  follows: 

TOWN    ROSTEK. 

Supervisors — Benjamin  Haight,  1S37;  B.  Wright,  1838;  County  Commissioners, 
1838-43;  Aldis  L.  Eich,  1843-45;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  1845-48;  Leander  Millen,  1848- 
49;  Carlos  W,  Brown,  1849-50;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  1850-52;  Aldis  L.  Rich,  1852-53; 
Thomas  F.  Dryer,  1853-54;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  1854-5r>;  Carlos  W.  Brown,  1856-57; 
Justus  R.  Crandall.  1857-58;  George  W.  French,  1858-59;  Justus  R.  Crandall.  1859- 
63;  Milo  Selleck,  1863-(>4;  Daniel  Bates.  1864-70;  Lucius  H.  Cantield.  1870-77;  Adam 
Bennett.  1877-80;  Lucius  H.  Canfield,  1880-82. 

Clerks -Thomas  H.  Drver,  1837-47;  John  Haire.  1848-50;  Justus  R.  Crandall, 
1852;  N.  C.  Knott,  1853;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  1854;  William  G.  Carl,  1855;  Mason  Har- 
ris, 1856;  Milo  Selleck,  1857-58;  Daniel  Bates,  1858;  William  H.  Mellen,  I860;  Abram 
S.  Devall,  1861-63;  John  W.  Leonard.  1864-65;  Benjamin  L.  Bates,  1866-67;  William 
H.  Sutfin,  1868-69;  Adam  Bennett,  1870;  Isaac  N.  Cook,  1871-73;  Elias  Duvall,  1874; 
Theo  M.  Giddings,  1875;  Isaac  N.  Cook,  1876;  Clarence  E.  Fenton,  1877;  William 
Wiethoff,  187S:  Chester  S.  Fenton,  1879;  Avander  H.  Shafer.  1880-81. 

Treasurers— Justus  R.  Crandall,  1837;  William  A.  Edwards,  1838;  Gabriel  Cox, 
1839-40;  Israel  Dryer,  1841;  Carlos  W.  Brown,  1842;  John  Church,  1849;  Russell  W. 
Green.  1850;  Leander  Millen.  1851;  Alvin  Davis.  1852-54:  M.  Van  Winkle,  1855;  John 
Chiu-ch,  1856;  Sabiu  Harris,  1857;  Alvin  Adams,  1858;  Martin  L.  Drver,  1859-60;  Asa 
Blanchard,  1861-63;  Tolcot  Bates,  1864-65;  Elijah  Sutfin,  1866;  David  L.  Carl,  1867- 
68;  Benjamin  L.  Bates.  1869-70;  Ephraim  Fullerton,  1871;  James  M.  Rowley,  1872; 
Adam  Bennett,  1873-76;  E.  P.  Fullerton,  1877;  Russell  T.  Hazleton,  1878;  Denis  La 
Fiu-gey,  1879-80:  Calvin  A.  Smith,  1881. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Ebin  Carl,  Justus  Corey.  Jacob  E.  Hall,  Mason  Harris,  1837; 
Gabriel  Case,  1838;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  Hanson  Flower,  1839;  Abner  Stephens,  1840, 
Aldis  L.  Rich,  1841;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  1S42;  Mason  Harris.  1843;  Apner  Stephens, 
1844;  Benjamin  Haight.  1845;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  1846;  Aldis  L.  Rich,  1847;  Leander 
Millen.  1848;  Thomas  J.  Goodsell,  1849;  Justus  R.  Crandall,  1850;  Elias  Suttin,  1851; 
Leander  Millen,  1852;  C.  W.  Brown.  1853;  J.  R.  Crandall.  1854;  Elias  Suttin.  1855; 
William  Hare.  Mason  Harris,  1857;  J.  R.  Crandall,  1858;  C.  W.  Brown,  1859;  Leander 
Millen,  1856-60;  John  Church.  1861;  J.  R.  Crandall,  1862;  Walter  C.  Hulett,  1863; 
Daniel  Tewkesbury,  Newell  H.  Roberts,  1864;  David  L.  Carl.  C.  W.  Brown,  Edward  L. 
Raymond,  1865;  Orland  T.  Green,  J.  R.  Crandall,  1866;  Daniel  Tewkesbury,  1867;  O. 
T.  Green,  1868;  Edwai'd  L.  Raymond,  1869;  William  R.  Sutton,  1870;  Daniel  Tewkes- 
bury, 1871;  J.  R.  Crandall.  1872;  Orlando  T.  Green,  1872;  Leslie  L.  Miller,  Josiah  J. 
Robinson,  1873;  Clarence  E.  Fenton,  1874;  Justus  R.  Crandall.  1875;  James  B.  Davis. 
1876;  Asa  Blanchard.  1877;  Isaac  Lemmon,  1878;  Clarence  E.  Fenton.  1879;  Zenas 
Corey.  1880;  Jared  O.  Jackson.  1881. 

The  agi'icultural  production  at  the  end  of  the  first  decade  after  its  organization  ex- 
hibits a  fair  proportion.  We  <[uote  from  a  good  authority:  There  were  seventy- nine 
farms,  with  2,637  acres  of  improved,  and  5.147  acres  of  unimproved  land,  at  a  total  cash 
value  of  $51,700.  In  live  stock  the  showing  was  as  follows:  Horses.  74;  milch-cows, 
291;  working  oxen,  128;  other  neat  cattle.  253;  sheep,  1.111;  swine.  39();  value  of  live 
stock.  112,330.  Wheat,  1,910  bushels;  corn,  7,590  bushels;  all  other  kinds  of  grain. 
9,468   bushels;   potatoes,    1,849  bushels;    wool,  2,800  pounds.     Dairy  products — butter. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.  879 

15,700  pounds;  cheese,  7,900  pounds.  Value  of  orchard  produce,  $201.  The  showing 
at  the  end  of  the  second  decade  from  the  above  was:  Acres  of  improved  land,  10,018; 
woodland,  9.840;  other  unimproved  land.  19  acres;  cash  value,  $711,640.  In  live  stock 
the  subjoined  is  a  correct  statement:  Horses,  571;  milch-cows,  728;  working  oxen.  24; 
other  neat  cattle  (other  than  oxen  and  cows),  704;  sheep,  888,  swine.  663;  total  value  of 
live  stock,  S120.905.  Of  agricultural  products  there  were:  Bushels  of  wheat,  19,902; 
corn.  19.265:  all  other  kinds  of  grain  (principally  oats,  barley  and  rye),  59,717:  potatoes. 
12,483  bushels;  wool,  14,917  pounds.  Dairy  products — biitter,  53,940  pounds;  cheese, 
4.340  pounds.      Value  of  orchard  products,  $4,005,      Population,  1880,  2,516. 

.'ICHOOLS. 

The  school  of  District  No.  2,  Lenox,  was  organized  from  the  original  territory.  The 
first  officers  were:  Charles  Coi'ey.  Moderator;  Thomas  Warwick,  Assessor;  David  Burt, 
Director.  The  tirst  schoolhouse  was  built  of  wood,  with  a  board  roof.  16x17  feet  in  area, 
and  cost  $67.  It  was  built  by  David  Burt  in  1851.  The  old  house  was  burned  in  1860, 
and  a  new  frame  building  erected  on  the  samesite,  in  1861,  ata  costof  $650.  The fu'st teacher 
was  Jane  Harris,  now  the  wife  of  Robert  Haore,  of  New  Haven;  her  salary  was  9  shillings 
per  week,  for  which  sum  she  had  to  superintend  the  education  of  seven  pupils.  The  early 
schools  of  the  township  are  referred  to  in  the  following  reminiscences  of  Mrs.  Amelia 
Bancroft  Crawford.  This  lady's  first  essay  in  school-teaching  was  made  in  Lenox  in  1840. 
The  Isuilding  was  a  primitive  log  one,  located  just  west  of  Thomas  Dryer's.  In  riding  on 
horseback  twelve  miles  to  reach  her  school,  she  had  to  pass  over  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile  of  submerged  land  and  many  other  places  of  less  distance  in  like  condition.  The 
next  day  after  her  arrival,  she  was  examined  by  Justus  Crandall,  Mason  Harris  and  Alan- 
son  Flower.  The  day  following,  in  order  to  commence  her  school,  she  crossed  the  stream 
on  a  fallen  tree,  and  then  to  reach  the  schoolhouse  had  to  hold  to  the  fence  for  a  distance 
of  forty  rods.  This  was  owing  to  the  condition  of  the  stream,  occasioned  by  a  heavy 
storm  and  the  lack  of  a  bridge.  In  order  to  attend  church,  she  had  to  travel  "  afoot  and 
alone  "  thi'ee  miles  to  the  old  Baptist  Church  at  Ray  Exchange.  About  the  year  1846, 
while  retiu-ning  home  fi'om  the  Gould  Schoolhouse.  at  Berlin  (a  distance  of  eight  miles), 
while  crossing  a  small  stream,  the  girth  liroke,  and,  although  we  give  the  name  of  terra 
firma  to  the  place  where  she  landed,  her  wai'drobe  was  so  well  drenched  that  the  prospect 
of  a  winter  ride  of  six  miles  in  the  evening  was  indeed  uninviting  ever  afterwards.  She 
took  charge  of  the  Hall  School  in  I860.  There  she  enjoyed  the  most  active  school  term 
in  her  school  experience  of  thirty-live  yeai's.  She  enjoyed  molding  the  juvenile  mmds  of 
one  school  in  Britce  for  five  consecutive  summers.  Some  of  her  pupils  graduated  at  the 
Romeo  Academy  and  one  at  Ypsilanti  Normal  School. 

The  schools  of  the  present  time  n>imber  nine,  one  of  which  is  graded.  The  Directors 
are  Alonzo  Claggett,  Albert  E.  Burt,  F.  M.  Grout,  C.  Klopstock,  John  S.  Parker,  Asa 
Blanchard,  Robert  Carpenter,  Zonas  Corey,  Matthew  McClatchie.  School  No.  1  was  at- 
tended diu'ing  the  year  ending  September,  1881,  by  thirty  pupils,  the  entire  number  of 
pupils  being  fifty-one.  The  expenditure  for  the  year  was  $308.82.  No.  2  (Fractional 
District)  claims  sixty-two  children,  of  whom  fifty  attended  school.  The  expenditm-e  was 
$300.  District  No.  4  claimed  fifty-two  pupils,  of  whom  forty  attended  school,  at  an  ex- 
pense to  the  tovm  of  $290.  The  niunber  of  children  belonging  to  Fractional  District  No. 
5  was  105,  of  whom  sixty  fom*  attended  school,  the  expense  being  $371.  District  No.  6 
claimed  101  pupils,  of  whom  sixty-nine  attended  school,  the  e.xpenditiu'e  for  the  year  being 
$431.  Fractional  District  No.  9  holds  the  only  graded  school  in  the  town.  The  number  of 
pupils  belonging  is  219,  of  whom  192  attend  school.  The  expenditures  for  1881  amount- 
ed to  $1,409.42.     Di.strict  No.  1()  School  was  attended  by  fifty  pupils,  the  expense  being 


HISTOBY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


$336.  District  No.  11  claimed  forty-nine  childi-en.  of  whom  thirty-eight  attended  school 
during  the  year  18S1.  Expenditure.  $277.  District  No.  12  claimed  121  pupils,  of  whom 
ninety-one  attended  school.  The  expenditure  for  school  purposes  in  this  district  for  the 
year  ending  September  5,  1881,  was  $020. 

New  Haven  was  fonnerly  known  as  New  Baltimore  Station.  It  is  situated  on  the 
Cxrand  Trunk  Railway,  thirty  miles  northeast  of  Detroit  and  ten  miles  northeast  of  Mt. 
Clemens.  The  village  contains  a  population  estimated  at  620  inhabitants.  It  is  distant 
from  the  village  of  New  Baltimore  five  miles.  The  principal  exports  of  the  place  ara 
lumber  and  general  agricultural  products.  Its  chief  manufactures  are  lumber, 
flour  and  heading.  The  village  contains  live  general  stores,  one  diy  goods  store, 
two  boot  and  shoe  stores,  one  drug  store,  one  stove  and  tinshop,  one  harness  shop,  two 
wagon-shops,  one  cooper-shop,  two  blacksmiths,  one  livery  stable,  one  grist  and  one  saw 
mill  and  a  good  hotel.  The  resident  physicians  are  M.  Bates.  A.  Gunn,  Peter  McGregor, 
Ed  N.  HaiTis  and  Ed  B.  Hanis.  Tolcott  Bates  is  the  present  Postmaster.  The  depot  of 
the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  with  a  settlement  called  Ridgeway,  is  partly  in  Lenox  Town- 
ship and  partly  in  Richmond.  The  village  contains  three  churches — Baptist,  Congrega- 
tional and  Methodist-  -and  a  graded  school.      Fruit,  grain  and  lumber  are  the  shipments. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  New  Haven,  under  the  village  charter  of  1869, 
was  held  at  the  Lake  Hall,  May  3,  1869.  Morgan  Nye  and  Adam  Bennett  were  Inspectors  of 
Election  and  William  H.  Sutphin.  Clerk.  Benjamin  L.  Bates  was  elected  President;  W. 
H.  Sutphin,  Recorder;  Morgan  Nye.  Treasiu'er;  Isaac  Cook,  Adam  Bennett,  Assessors: 
Ephraim  Fullertou,  Conrad  H.  Gordon.  Myron  Bates,  John  Millard  and  William  G.  Carl, 
Trustees. 

1870  -President,  Ephraim  Fullerton;  Recorder,  William  Sutphin;  Treasurer,  Myron 
Bates. 

1871 — President,  Morgan  Nye;  Recorder.  William  G.  Carl;  Treasurer,  Niles  Gidding. 

1872-75 — President,  Justus  R.  Crandall;  Recorder,  Clarence  E.  Fenton;  Treasurer, 
Jacob  D.  Seaman. 

1875-76 — President,  Adam  Bennett;  Recorder,  Justus  R.  Crandall:  Treasiu-er,  Jacob 
D.  Seaman. 

1877 — President,  Adam  Bennett:  Recorder,  Justus  R.  Crandall;  Treasurer,  Russell 
T.  Uazleton. 

1878 — President,  Clarence  E.  Fenton:  Recorder,  Justus  R.  Crandall:  Treasurer,  Rus- 
sell T.  Hazleton. 

1879-82 — President,  Adam  Bennett:  Recorder,  Justus  R.  Crandall;  Treasurer,  Rus- 
sell T.  Hazleton. 

Burton  Nye  was  elected  Clerk  in  1881,  and  was  succeeded  by  Justus  R.  Crandall,  the 
present  Clerk. 

1882-83— President,  Charles  H.  Sears:  Clerk,  J.  R.  Crandall;  Treasurer,  J.  D.  Sea-' 
man;  Assessor,  John  C.  Bates;  Street  Commissioner,  Benjamin  L.  Bates;  Constable, 
Oscar  Slocum;  George  Welz,  Isaac  N.  Cuok,  C.  A.  Smith  and  D.  C.  Rowley,  Trustees. 

PEI:.S( )XA I.   SKKT( 'IIES. 

The  biographical  sketches  given  in  other  pages  deal  with  the  personal  history  of 
many  of  the  pioneers,  together  with  that  of  old  settlers  and  others,  whose  history  is  closely 
identified  with  this  township. 

ADAM  BEXNETT. 

ZENAS  COREY,  P.  O.  Lenox,  son  of  Archibald  J.  Corey,  v?ho  was  a  native  of  Vermont, 
and  Mary  Granger  Corey,  daughter  of  Elisha  Granger,  a  native  of  Vermont.  She  was 
born  in  Sodus,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  was  married,  and  emigi-ated  with  her  husband  to  Mich- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY.  881 


igan.  In  1833,  they  settled  in  what  is  now  Chestertield,  and  from  there,  in  Febniarv.  1837, 
they  went  to  Lenox  and  settled  on  Section  11.  They  reared  a  family  of  nine  children  under 
trying  circumstances,  two  of  whom  enlisted  in  the  Union  service — George  B.  Corey,  Fifth 
Infantry:  Jared  Corey,  Twenty-second  Infantry.  Mary  Granger  Corey  still  resides  on 
the  old  homestead,  which  belongs  to  Zenas  and  Elisha  Corey.  They  were  both  di'afted; 
Zenas  substituted  by  payment  of  $125;  Elisha  was  not  called  out,  as  the  war  closed. 
Zenas  was  born  in  Chesterfield  September  '22.  1834.  and  married  May  8, 1857,  to  Mary  L. 
Johns,  of  French  descent;  born  at  Frederick,  Mich.,  October  21,  1842.  They  have  resided 
in  Lenox  since  that  time,  he  having  tilled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  other  town 
offices:  is  now  Postmaster  in  Richmond  Village  and  Lenox  Post  Office;  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  Lenox  in  February,  1837;  was  sixteen  yeai-s  old  before  he  ever  had  a  new  pair  of 
boots  or  shoes,  consequently  could  not  chase  wolves  and  bears  in  the  winter.  They  were 
very  plenty.  Many  times  he  had  to  live  on  boiled  wheat,  hulled  corn,  potatoes  and  milk 
(if  they  could  get  them).  In  1842-43,  he  had  a  new  milch  cow.  and  used  to  gather  moss 
and  twigs  from  trees  to  feed  the  cow.  In  the  fall  befoi'e  the  hard  winter,  Mrs.  Corey  was 
left  with  nine  children  on  a  new  place,  where,  by  working  out  on  the  place,  washing,  sew- 
ing, and  such  other  work  as  she  could  obtain  in  a  new  settlement  of  poor  people,  she  man- 
aged to  keep  the  family  all  together  to  the  years  of  maturity.  Logging  bees  and  log  rais- 
ings constituted  the  principal  holiday  amusements.  Sometimes  at  the  log  raisings,  there 
would  be  a  Corey  on  each  corner.  Their  fii'st  school  was  in  a  little  log  house,  standing 
within  the  present  corporation  of  Richmond,  about  1839,  having  to  go  one  and  one-half 
miles  through  the  woods  on  trail:  no  road  cut.  In  order  to  slide  on  the  ice,  they  would  lit 
wood  to  their  feet  and  make  holes  with  bui'ning-irons  to  fasten  them  on  to  their  bai-e  feet. 
Their  first  skates  were  made  of  wood  bv  Tipsico,  the  big  Indian,  and  jiresented  to  Zenas. 

JUSTICE  E.  CRANDALL.  P.  O.  'New  Haven,  He  is  the  sou  of  Rowland  Crandall 
and  Rhoda  (Crandall)  Crandall.  Rowland  was  the  sou  of  Benjamin  Crandall  and  Alice 
(Kinyon)  Crandall,  both  natives  of  Washington  County.  R.  I.,  and  among  the  first  settlers. 
Mi-s.  Crandall  was  born  April,  173f),  in  Washington  County.  Rowland  was  born 
in  1709,  in  Hopkinton.  Washington  County,  R.  I.  Rhoda,  born  in  Westerly,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  R.  I.  Justice  R.,  born  in  Hojikinton,  Washington  Co.,  R.  I.,  February  23, 
1807;  man-ied  November  28,  1830,  to  Violet  Beattie,  who  was  born  May  19.  ISIO.  in 
Langholm,  Scotland,  a  daughter  of  John  Beattie.  who  was  born  in  Langholm,  Scotland, 
in  1778.  His  mother,  Sai'ah  Ray  Beattie,  was  born  September  1,  1742,  in  Langholm, 
Scotland,  and  -died  February  20,  1846,  aged  one  hundred  and  three  years,  five  months 
and  nineteen  days.  Justus  R.  was  married  to  Violet  Beattie  Crandall  November  28,  1S30, 
in  Foster,  Providence  Co..  R.  I.;  came  to  Michigan  in  1835,  and  settled  in  Lenox  May 
13.  in  the  town  then  called  Ray.  He  was  elected  Town  School  Inspector,  and  the  first 
Constable  and  fjollector,  in  the  first  town  meeting,  in  1S37;  elected  Justice  in  1838:  ap- 
pointed Supervisor  in  1844;  elected  in  1845.  and  has  served  in  various  offices  up  to  the 
present  time;  was  married  the  second  time  to  Miss  Helen  Harris.  She  was  born  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  May  22,  INCH,  and  was  the  widow  of  the  Rev.  Lovell  F.  Han-is,  who  has  been  mis- 
sionary among  the  Indians  and  the  Negroes. 

ROBERT  S.  CRAWFORD.  P.  O.  New  Haven,  was  born  in  Oppeuheim.  Montgomery 
Co.,  N.  Y..  November  18,  1809:  son  of  Robert  Crawford,  Sr..  who  was  born  in  Poundi-idge. 
N.  Y.,  February  1,  1770.  and  was  man-ied  to  Hannah  Albright  December  25.  179S,  and  in 
1824  removed  to  Richmond,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  with  a  family  of  seven  sons  and  two 
daughters,  all  of  whom  lived  to  years  of  matiu-ity.  One  of  Robert  S.'s  uncles,  John  Craw- 
ford (from  whom  the  settlement  took  the  name),  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  re- 
moved from  Benton.  Yates  Co..  N.  Y. .  to  the  township  of  Clinton.  Macomb  County,  in 
1830,  having  no  neighbors  nearer  than  four  or  five  miles.      Robert  S.  and  Jacob  A.  Craw- 


'k 


ford  came  to  Michigan  in  May,  1S32,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  Crawford 
settlement.  A  few  days  after,  Jacob  and  Robert  arrived.  John  had  the  tirst  barn  raised 
in  that  settlement,  requiring  all  the  help  that  could  be  obtained  within  a  radius  of  eight 
miles.  Robert  thinks  they  had  whisky,  also  about  five  feet  and  eight  inches  of  brandy,  in 
the  form  of  the  boss  workman.  Robert  belonged  to  the  Mt.  Clemens  Rifle  Company,  J.  O. 
Ferriss,  Captain,  and  was  called  into  service  and  served  faithfully  through  the  great 
Toledo  war,  in  1835,  by  which  Michigan  obtained  that  great  store  of  wealth  contained  in 
the  Upper  Peninsula,  and  although  Uncle  Sam  paid  the  State  so  well  for  that  little  strip 
of  little  Lucas  land,  claimed  by  Ohio,  he  has  never  given  him  a  pension.  After  the  strug- 
gle was  over,  Robert  returned  to  the  ])eaceful  occupation  of  clearing  up  his  land  in  the 
Crawford  Settlement,  in  Macomb  Township.  Feeling  in  need  of  help  in  his  struggle  for 
a  home,  and  some  one  to  enjoy  it  with  him,  he  was  married  to  Charity  Ann  Seaman  March 
27,  1S3<),  by  Calvin  Davis,  Esq.  Mrs.  Crawford  cheerfully  and  faithfully  shai'ed  the  ioi\s 
and  hai'dships  of  clearing  a  new  farm  and  raising  a  family  of  fom'  children,  and  died 
August  23,  1873,  aged  fifty-nine  years.  Mr.  Crawford  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Ban- 
croft, of  Bruce  Township,  September  9,  1874.  Of  his  children,  Hannah,  the  oldest  daughter, 
is  now  comfortably  settled  in  New  Hampshire,  and  is  the  wife  of  John  J.  Edwards. 
Lydia  A. ,  the  second  daughter,  being  a  deeply  pious  young  lady,  and  desirous  to  fit  her- 
self for  lal)or  in  the  missionary  field,  went  to  Albion  College  in  September,  181)5.  She 
commenced  her  studies  on  Thui'sday,  and  a  week  fi'om  the  following  Sunday  was  taken 
sick,  and  after  thiiteen  days"  suffering,  passed  to  higher  joys.  Her  stay  at  the  college, 
though  so  brief,  so  much  endeared  her  to  the  faculty  and  pupils  that,  when  she  was  con- 
veyed to  the  train  at  the  solemn  hour  of  midnight,  they  showed  their  appreciation  of  her 
and  sympathy  for  her  grief -stricken  friends  by  following  her  to  the  depot  in  silent  proces- 
sion. Jacob,  the  first  son,  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  resides  on  Section  31,  in  Lenox.  Al- 
vin,  the  second,  a  worthy  representative  of  the  Crawford  family,  now  resides  on  the  farm 
cleared  and  owned  by  his  father.  In  connection  with  developing  a  new  farm,  Mr.  Craw- 
ford has  aided  much  to  the  building  up  of  the  religious  and  educational  interest.  As 
Chairmau  of  the  Building  Committee,  he  bore  the  burden  of  the  position,  and  paid  $120 
toward  building  the  tirst  Methodist  Episcopal  Chiu'ch  in  the  vicinity,  viz.,  Crawford  set- 
tlement; next  aided  liberally  in  building  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Chesterfield; 
also  in  building  the  chiu'ch  in  New  Haven,  where  he  now  resides. 

THOMAS  F.  DRYER,  P.  O.  New  Haven,  son  of  John  Dryer,  who  resided  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  emigrated  to  Junius,  Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y..  in  1808.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  had  one  uncle  killed  in  battle.  His  grandfather  was  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  and  there  died,  Thomas  F.  was  born  in  the  town  of  Richmond,  Berkshire 
Co.,  Mass.,  May  17,  1801;  had  a  very  limited  district  school  education;  was  married  to 
Cleora  Ann  Brown  December  30,  1824,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Anna  Brown, 
of  Rome,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.  Thomas  F.  and  Carlos  Brown  piu'chased  land  in  1833,  on 
Sections  18  and  I'J,  Town  4  north,  and  Range  14  east.  Mr.  B.  came  on  to  his  land  in 
1834.  Thomas  F.  came  on  to  his  land  on  Section  19,  in  the  spring  of  1^3(5,  after  raising 
a  log  house,  with  all  the  help  obtained  within  a  radius  of  five  miles,  and  hiring  the  road 
underbrushed  for  three  miles  to  enable  him  to  get  his  family  and  goods  to  his  new  home, 
where  he  now  resides  in  hapjiy  old  age.  Said  road  was  surveyed  by  Judge  Burt  in  183y. 
Cleora  Ann  Brown  Dryer  died  July  3,  18()1,  and  is  buried  in  the  Union  Cemetery,  in  the 
township  of  Richmond.  They  reared  a  family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters  — John 
F. ,  of  Lenox;  Nathan  W.,  deceased,  and  buried  by  the  side  of  his  mother  by  his  request; 
(jreorge  Dryer,  of  Lenox;  Chester  Dryer,  of  Lenox;  Almira  Di-yer  Bates,  deceased;  Anna 
Maria  Dryer  Bates,  of  New  Haven,  and  Mary  Ann  Dryer  Giddings,  of  Macomb  Township. 
Thomas   F.    Dryer  was  maiTJed  to   Elect  B.  Condit  Brown   Herbert,   daughter  of  Moses 


^■? 


^1 


Condit  and  Electa  Ball  Condit,  of  Phelpstown,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Dryer  came  to 
Michigan  with  her  first  husband,  Carlton  N.  Brown,  who  tanght  the  first  public  school  in 
Romeo,  in  1833-34,  and  settled  on  the  Hix  farm  in  Ai'mada  in  September,  1834,  and  died 
March  "i'i,  1838.  She  had  one  son,  Mjtou  C.  Brown,  of  Lapeer  City,  by  Mr.  Brown. 
Subsequently,  she  married  Thomas  D.  Herbert  in  New  York,  and  had  one  daughter,  Mrs. 
Sarah  E.  Herbert,  wife  of  Fulton  P.  Goyer,  of  Armada. 

MANSON  FARRAR,  son  of  Sullivan  and  Charity  Judd  Farrar,  was  a  native  of  Mas- 
sachiisetts,  and  married  there  and  removed  to  Pitcher,  Chenango  Co. ,  N.  Y. ;  subsequently 
to  Homer,  Cortland  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  Manson  was  born  September  14,  1809.  They  re- 
turned to  Pitcher,  where  they  lived  until  they  came  to  Michigan  in  1834,  and  settled  in 
Mt.  Clemens.  He  and  his  father  took  a  half-section  of  land  in  Macomb.  Manson 
continued  to  live  in  Mt.  Clemens,  and  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1835,  he  went 
to  Tully,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  married  October  20.  1835,  to  Miss  Sibbil 
Smith,  daughter  of  Dean  Uriel  and  Sibbil  Smith.  He  was  born  in  Buckland,  and  she  in 
Colerain,  Mass.  The  young  people  retiu'ned  to  Mt.  Clemens,  and  resided  there  until  1848. 
He  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  Mt.  Clemens  Rifie  Company,  and  called  out  by 
Gov.  Mason  for  the  Toledo  war.  They  had  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  Mr.  F.  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Baptist  Chiu'ch  at  Pitcher,  N.  Y. ;  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  brought 
a  letter  from  the  church  in  Pitcher  and  joined  the  Baptist  Chiu'ch  at  Mt.  Clemens,  His 
wife  was  also  a  Baptist  from  ten  yeai's  of  age.  and  broitght  a  letter  from  Tully  Chiu'ch, 
and  united  with  the  Mt.  Clemens  Church.  They  aided  in  building  the  present  chiu'ch 
edifice  as  well  as  aiding  largely  in  its  spiritual  interests,  and  also  engaged  largely  in 
Sabbath  school  and  temperance  work,  etc.  They  went  to  Detroit  in  1848,  where  he 
worked  for  two  years  for  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad  Company,  and  helped  to  build 
the  round  house;  also  "200  farm  gates  to  be  used  by  the  company  at  the  farm  crossings. 
He  united  with  the  Baptist  Church  at  Detroit  in  1850.  He  removed  to  Columbus,  St, 
Clair  County,  on  Belle  River,  two  miles  from  Gratiot  Tiu'npike,  where  he  lived  for  nine- 
teen years.  He  found  not  only  a  forest  of  trees,  but  still  worse,  a  mural  waste,  as  many 
will  remember,  when  the  name  of  Coltunbus  was  a  terror;  but,  believing  in  the  power  of 
the  Gospel  of  love,  he  immediately  went  to  work  in  the  Sunday  school  and  the  temperance 
cause,  holding  the  Sunday  school  in  his  and  Deacon  Topping's  houses.  The  first  temper- 
ance society  was  formed  in  the  schoolhouse.  The  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  his 
house  September  15.  1851,  called  the  First  Baptist  ('hurch  in  Columbus,  Mr.  Farrar  was 
chosen  Deacon,  he  having  served  in  that  cajiacity  in  Mt.  Clemens.  The  church  edifice 
was  built  in  1858.  Here  he  lived  to  see  the  Sabbath  school,  temperance  cause  and  relig- 
ious meetings  well  established,  and  a  more  healthy  moral  tone  pervade  the  community,  when 
he  came  to  Lenox  and  located  on  Section  1.  Here  they  were  among  the  charter  members 
in  the  organization  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Richmond  Village,  and  he  is  acting  as  Deacon, 
They  have  also  aided  in  building  a  church  and  defraying  many  other  heavy  expenses,  as 
well  as  the  other  necessary  work,  01  their  children,  the  fom-  sons  went  into  the  Union 
army.  Col.  Judson  S.  served  through  the  war,  and  is  now  Register  of  Deeds  in  Macomb 
County;  Clinton  M.,  color-bearer,  was  killed  at  Fredericksbiu-g;  Capt,  Uriel  S.  was  on 
Gen.  Mile  '  staff,  and  was  in  Libby  Prison  and  Dansville  sis  months.  Stedman  B.  was 
discharged  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  on  account  of  sickness.  The  two  eldest  daughters, 
Helen  A.,  wife  of  John  Parker,  of  New  Haven,  and  Delia  T.  Craudall,  of  Lenox,  were 
school  teachers;  Sybil  E.  AVescott.  music  teacher,  and  died  at  her  father's  in  Lenox,  May 
20,  1877.     The  family  still  live  at  their  pleasant  home  in  Lenox. 

H.  FREEMAN,  P.  O,  Lenox,  general  produce  dealer  of  the  village  of  Richmond,  is 
the  son  of  D.  C,  Freeman  and  Sarah  M.  (Vosburg)  Freeman.  H.  Freeman  was  born  at 
Summer  Hill,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  August  22,  184'.». 


1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


GEORGE  W.  FRENCH,  deceased,  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  Frencli,  who  emigrated 
from  New  Hampshire  with  his  own  family  and  father  and  mother,  and  settled  on  the  Hol- 
land purchase,  town  of  Weathersfield.  Wjomiug  Co..  N.  Y.  Here  he  cleared,  by  the  help 
of  his  sons,  a  large  farm  and  filled  offices  of  responsibility,  and  died  at  an  advanced  age 
in  Hermitage,  Wyoming  Co..  N.  Y.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Cleavland.  George  W. 
was  born  in  New  Hampshire  March  1,  1S16,  and  was  brought  when  an  infant  to  New  York, 
After  working  on  the  farm  iiutil  twenty  years  of  age,  he  attended  the  Middlebnry  Academy 
one  or  two  terms  and  taught  several  schools  successfully.  He  was  married  to  Mary  G. 
Bernard  February  14,  183'J.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Asahel  Bernard,  from  Vermont, 
and  Mary  Dean  Bernard,  a  native  of  Connecticut.  They  came  to  "Warsaw.  Wyoming  Co., 
N.  Y..  and  from  there  to  Gainsville  and  Weathersfield,  of  the  same  coiinty:  from  there  to 
Richmond,  Macomb  Co..  Mich.,  in  October.  1844.  where  he  settled  and  lived  until  his 
death.  George  W.  French  came  to  Lenox,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich.,  in  September,  1843,  and 
settled  on  Sections  8  and  4.  Prior  to  coming  to  Michigan,  he  worked  at  several  branches 
of  mechanical  work:  then  he  devoted  his  time  to  clearing  a  new  farm,  and  erected  needed 
farm  buildings.  He  filled  the  office  of  Supervisor  one  or  two  terms  in  Lenox.  He  was 
elected  lvei;ister  of  Deeds  of  Macomb  County  in  ISfiO,  and  soon  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens. 
He  tilled  his  office  creditably  up  to  his  death,  which  occurred  October  2,  18(52.  His  only 
daughter,  Jenette  M. .  who  aided  her  father  in  the  office,  died  about  twenty-  fom-  hours 
previous  to  her  father,  and  they  were  both  bm'ied  at  the  same  time,  in  Richmond.  Maret 
D.  French,  his  only  siuwiving  son,  was  married  October  (i,  1874,  to  Cai-rie  H.  Welding, 
daughter  of  Oliver  Welding  and  Mary  (Taylor)  Welding.  Oliver  Welding  was  born  in 
Bucks  County,  Penn.,  and  Mary  Taylor  in  the  same  county.  They  came  to  Elgin  County, 
Ontario,  where  Carrie  was  born  July  27,  1841.  She  came  with  her  parents  to  Richmond, 
Macomb  Co..  Mich.,  in  18()r>.  Mary  G.  French  resides  on  the  same  farm  whei-e  she  first 
settled  with  Maret  D.  French  and  his  wife,  Carrie  H.  French,  and  their  children,  Gi-ace 
and  Mark. 

€HARI.ES  FURSTEIVAX. 

WILLIA:\r  H.  HALSEY.  P.  O.  New  Haven.  He  is  the  sonof  Silas  Halsey,  who  was 
born  in  Middlebury,  Vt.,  and  Lucy  M.  Cady  Halsey,  born  in  Batavia,  N.  Y..  in  1805. 
William  H.  was  born  in  Mt.  Clemens  March  20,  1830.  He  lived  with  his  father,  who 
kept  hotel.  His  first  license  dates  1832.  William  attended  the  school  in  Mt.  Clemens 
between  thirteen  and  seventeen  years  of  age:  then  went  to  Cincinnati  and  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade;  came  back  to  his  father,  and  then  went  to  Lenox  in  1852;  then  went  to 
New  Baltimore  and  worked  for  William  Jenny;  was  married  there  September  25,  1853, 
to  Miss  Charlotte  Lamjihere,  Her  parents  were  natives  of  New  York.  She  was  born 
November  15,  1830,  in  Niagara,  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  came  to  Michigan  in  1852.  They 
lived  in  Lenox  one  year.  Subsequently,  he  was  located  in  Richmond  Village,  and  asso- 
ciated with  his  brother  Joseph  and  his  brother-in-law,  James  M.  Hick,  running  stage 
from  Ridgeway  Station  to  Romeo.  August  13,  IStil,  he  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Michigan 
Infantry  as  Sergeant;  remained  with  them  until  1802,  when  he  was  dischai-ged,  and  was 
recniiting  officer  from  that  time  until  ISIU.  when  here-enlisted  in  the  Fifth  Infantry, 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  His  wife  died  September  3,  18(4.  He  was  mar- 
ried, May  13,  1875,  to  Mrs.  Martha  D.  Shattuck  Dryer,  daughter  of  Dwight  Shattuck  and 
Mercy  (Briggs)  Shattuck;  Dwiizht  born  February  15,  LSll,  in  Massachusetts;  sulisei|Uinitly 
lived  in  Junius,  Wayne  Co..  N.  Y. ;  came  to  Mt.  Clemens,  and  was  married  to  Miss  ^lerey 
Briggs.  daughter  of  Abel  Briggs  and  Martha  (Dickinson)  Briggs.  Abel  Briggs  was  a  native 
of  Rhode  Island,  and  came  to  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Shattuck  came  to  Macomb,  Ma- 
comb Coimty,  when  it  was  in  its  early  stages:  was  the  first  settler  on  his  land  in  Macomb 
County.     Mrs.  Martha  Halsey  was  born  in  Macomb  December  5,  183(3.     Dwight  and  Mercy 


^ 


HISTOKY    OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Briggs  were  married  in  January,  1835.  Martha  Shattuck  married  Nathan  Dryer,  son 
of  Thomas  Dryer,  April  '24,  1S5(J.      He  died  Februaiy  19,  1869. 

H.  R.  HAZELTON,  P.  O.  New  Haven.  The  stave  and  himber  man  of  New  Haven 
was  born  near  Brantford,  Canada,  April  5,  1S35,  and  is  a  son  of  Thaddeus  Hazelton.  of 
Lenox  Township,  who  came  with  his  family  to  Macomb  County  in  1S3S,  settliug  in  Ray 
Township.  It  was  here  oui-  subject  was  brought  up  in  the  woods,  and  early  learned  to 
sling  the  ax  and  grubbing  hoe.  He  attended  school  in  a  round  log  cabin  and  sat 
on  a  slab  bench.  The  family  residence  was  a  round  log  cabin,  with  a  stick  chim- 
ney, and  the  old  fashioned  fire-place.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  Mr.  H.  left  his  paren- 
tal roof,  and  went  to  New  Baltimore,  this  county,  where,  the  same  year,  in  company  with 
Reuben  R.  Stewart,  he  built  a  sash  and  blind  factory.  The  latter  died  in  1855,  and  our 
subject  rentetl  it  to  other  parties  one  year.  He  then,  having  obtained  his  majority,  took 
hold  of  the  business  himself,  ninning  it  successfully  for  several  years.  In  the  fall  of 
ISOC).  he  traded  his  factory  for  a  farm  in  Lenox  Township;  remained  on  the  farm  until 
the  spring  of  18(5",  when  he,  with  two  others,  erected  a  hardwood  lumber  mill  at  New 
Haven.  In  1870.  he  pm-chased  their  interests,  and  afterward  added  an  extensive  stave 
and  heading  department  to  it.  In  this  mill  he  employs  constantly  forty  men,  and  at  times 
over  one  hundred.  The  daily  capacity  of  the  mill  is  "25,000  feet  of  lumber,  20,000  shingles 
and  eighty  barrels  of  heading.  In  1876,  he  erected  a  fine,  large  store  building,  in  which 
he  keeps  a  first-class  general  store,  doing  a  business  of  §40,000  anmially,  on  a  capital 
stock  of  $18,000.  During  the  summer  of  18S1,  Mr.  Hazelton  built  an  extensive  lumber 
and  stave  mill  on  the  Air  Line  Railroad,  near  Romeo.  His  brother,  Russell  Hazelton, 
superintends  the  latter  mill,  where,  with  a  120  horse  power  engine,  they  make  large  quan- 
tities of  lumber  and  staves,  besides  a  car  load  of  stave  wood  daily.  He  also  has  a  store, 
boarding  house  and  blacksmith  shop  established  at  the  new  mill.  He  keeps  eighty  men 
constantly  on  his  pay  roll.  His  barn  at  New  Haven  is  said  to  be  the  largest  in  Macomb 
County.  In  it  is  a  fountain  of  living  watei-,  which  flows  constantly.  The  hay  is  cut  for 
feeding  by  steam  cable  power  from  the  floui-ing-mill  near  by.  But  few  men  have  started 
on  nothing,  as  did  Mr.  Hazelton,  and  by  hard  work  and  energy  risen  to  the  fu-st  rank  of 
wealth  and  popularity  in  the  county.  His  profits  from  his  business  for  the  year  1S81, 
were  a  little  rise  of  $16,000.  When  he  began  to  manufacture  sash  and  doors  at  Baltimore, 
he  employed  but  one  man,  and  that  was  only  a  portion  of  the  time,  doing  most  of  the 
work  himself.  In  the  fall  of  1855,  he  married  Miss  Adelia  L..  daughter  of  Alanson  Dusett, 
of  New  Haven.  She  was  born  in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  as  also  was  Mr.  Dusett.  They 
have  had  seven  children,  of  whom  five  are  living — Allison  H.,  Frank  B.,  Delia  M.,  Lottie 
Bell  and  Arthm-  D.  Those  deceased  are— Jennie  M.  and  Edna.  Mr.  Hazelton  owns  a 
farm  of  115  acres  near  New  Haven,  and  rents  200  acres  adjoining,  making  a  farm  of  315 
acres  of  which  his  son  Allison  has  charge.  The  other  son  Frank  B.,  assists  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  business  at  the  new  mill. 

WILSON  JUNE,  foreman  in  Hazelton's  saw  and  stave  mill  at  New  Haven,  was  born 
near  Montreal,  Canada,  September  4,  1.S39,  aud  is  a  sou  of  Robert  June,  a  native  of 
New  York  State,  The  latter  resided  on  a  f  ai-m,  and  owned  an  ashery,  in  which  our  subject 
began  to  work  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  continued  in  that  ca])acity  several  years.  He 
came  to  Macomb  County  in  1S65,  and  for  the  ten  years  following  worked  for  Austin  Wales 
in  Erin  Township.  He  then  came  to  New  Haven  and  engaged  with  Mr.  Hazelton  as 
foreman  in  the  woods  at  getting  out  logs.  On  June  4,  1875,  Mr.  June  married  Mrs.  So- 
phia Meartield,  daughter  of  Joel  Cartwright.  Mi-.  J.  is  an  industrious  man  and  a  useful 
citizen. 

JOHN  G.  LEONARD,  P.  O.  New  Haven,  of  Lenox,  son  of  Silas  Leonard  and  Mar- 
garet (Berdan)  Leonard,  both  born  near  or  at  Newark;  Silas,   born  in  1787,  and  his  wife 


88U  HLSTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 

in  1789.  Both  died  at  eighty  years  of  age.  John  G.  was  born  in  Pheli)B.  Ontario  Co., 
N.  Y.,  October  21),  ISlfi;  lived  there  iintil  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  came  with  his 
father  to  Michigan  in  1833;  settled  in  Chesterfield,  northeast  settlement;  was  man-ied  in 
Ray  December  fi,  -1842,  to  Eliza  A.  Crawford,  of  Ray,  daughter  of  Enoch  Crawford,  of 
Ray,  and  Content  (Parks)  Crawford.  Content  was  born  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y. ;  Eliza, 
born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  April  11,  1822;  came  with  her  parents  to  Michigan  in 
1834;  died  March  2(),  1875.  John  G.  married  April  22.  1879.,  to  Catharine  Bates,  relict 
of  Henry  Bates.  Catharine  was  born  in  Delaware  County.  N.  Y.  Religious  reminiscence 
by  Mr.  Leonard:  First  preaching  in  Crawford  settlement  by  Rev.  Booth,  Baptist;  second, 
William  Tuttle,  Baptist;  third,  John  Cannon,  Christian;  first  revival  meeting  by  Elder 
Hemmiugway,  assisted  by  Charles  Wicof  and  John  D.  Seeman;  first  sermons  in  private 
houses;  very  small  and  uncomfortable;  afterward  circuit  preaching  established  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Chiu'ch;  they  still  continue  schools;  first  school  in  1831-32,  Will 
iam  Greeuleaf,  teacher;  wages  SI 2  per  month;  second  by  John  D  Seeman,  These  were 
in  small  log  houses,  covereil  with  elm  bai'k;  houses  known  as  mud  schoolhouses.  They 
used  to  go  live  miles  to  logging  bees,  log  raisings,  and  these  were  the  holiday  amusements; 
used  to  go  eight  or  ten  miles  to  attend  the  sick  at  Isaac  L,  Estic's  and  Harley  Beemau"s,  of 
Lenox;  these  families  were  sick  and  entirely  destitute,  and  attended  by  Dr.  Filson,  of  Mt. 
Clemens.  Through  his  intercession.  Christian  Clemens  sent  each  family  a  barrel  of  flour 
twelve  miles  over  Indian  trail;  no  road  cut  out. 

HENRY  LOWELL,  P.  O.  New  Haven,  son  of  Peter  Lowell,  a  native  of  Sweden: 
pressed  into  naval  service  and  deserted  at  New  York,  and  went  to  Vermont,  and  married 
Nanc}'  Smith  Lowell,  a  native  of  Vermont.  Peter  and  his  wife  lived  in  Vermont  several 
years,  where  they  lost  all  their  property;  had  thi-ee  children — Henry,  Mary  Lowell  Scovell 
and  Smith  Lowell,  who  was  in  the  cavalry  service  during  the  rebellion;  died  of  disease 
contracted  there,  Henry  Lowell,  born  September  2'),  1825;  came  with  his  mother  to 
Ohio;  then  to  Illinois,  Rockford,  Winnebago  County,  on  Rock  River;  thence  to  Mt.  Clem- 
ens and  Baltimore;  then  to  Lenox  in  1850,  and  located  on  Section  22;  was  married  to 
Sarah  Warwick,  in  Chesterfield,  January  12.  1853,  She  was  the  daughter  of  Richard  War- 
wick and  Mary  (Randal)  Warwick,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  England,  and  married  in 
England  September  10,  1825.  Henry  Lowell  and  his  wife  still  i-eside  on  their  farm  iu 
Lenox,  which  they  are  developing  into  one  of  the  best  iu  the  township  by  a  thorough  sys- 
tem of  under-draining.  They  lend  their  influence  to  build  up  religious  and  scientific  in- 
stitutions, as  all  good  citizens  should. 

GILBERT  R.  LOVEJOY,  P.  O.  Lenox,  son  of  Julius  Lovejoy.  who  was  born  in 
New  York  in  1808.  and  Elizabeth  A,  (Parker)  Lovejoy,  who  was  born  in  Porter,  Niagara 
Co..  N.  Y.,  June  27.  1818,  and  married  to  Julius  Lovejoy  in  1837.  (Record  burned). 
The  Lovejoy  family  came  to  Michigan  in  1842,  or  1843,  and  located  in  Columbus, 
St.  Clair  County,  and  remained  there  up  to  18()9;  then  came  to  their  present  residence, 
Lenox  (Richmond  Village),  Macomb  County,  Two  of  her  sons.  John  M.  and  Almesou  M. 
Lovejoy  were  in  the  army  in  1862,  and  died  at  home  of  sickness,  John  in  186/  and  Al- 
meson  in  1871.  Fom-  of  her  sons  are  yet  living — William,  mechanic,  at  Memphis;  Henry 
E.,  conductor  on  Grand  Trunk  Railroad.  Gilbert  was  the  tirst  Village  Marshal  elected  in 
Richmond  Village,  and  served  one  year  and  a  half,  and  resigned  and  went  as  foreman  on 
grade  construction  on  the  Michigan  Air  Line  Railroad  between  Rochester  and  Poutiac; 
commenced  as  general  auctioneer  in  1879,  which  business,  in  connection  with  other 
branches,  he  is  conducting  successfully.  He  is  one  of  the  firm  of  Lovejoy  Brothers,  in 
the  agi'icultiu-al  imj)lement  business,  in  Richmond;  also  partner  in  the  firm  of  Perkins 
&  Lovejoy.  coal,  lime  and  building  materials.  Julius  Ii-a,  who  also  resides  with  his 
mother,  is  a  general  produce  dealer.     The  only  daughter,  wife  of  Mi",   Stoddard,   died  in 


t 


1874,  and  is  buried  in  Memphis  cemetery.  Reminiscences  of  ancestry:  Mrs.  Lovejoy 
thinks  she  is  a  grand-daughter  of  Gen.  Lee.  of  the  Revolution.  Her  mother's  name  was 
Hildah  Lee.  youngest  daughter  of  Gen.  Lee.  Soon  after  coming  to  Michigan,  their  house 
and  all  its  contents,  including  family  records,  was  burned,  leaving  the  family,  consisting 
of  parents  and  three  childi'en,  destitute,  and  as  there  were  only  ten  or  fifteen  families 
within  a  radius  of  ten  miles,  they  commenced  life  again  alone,  and  by  dint  of  close 
economy  and  hard  labor  and  suffering  privations,  have  succeeded  in  securing  a  good  home 
and  comfortable  living. 

A.  lAJTTENBACHEK. 

JOHN  S.  PARKER.  P.  O.  New  Haven,  sou  of  John  V.  Parker,  who  was  born  m 
Mansfield.  Windham  Co.,  Coun..  and  Harriet  (Sandford)  Parker,  born  in  Coventry,  Tol- 
land Co. .  Conn.  John  U.  Parker  emigrated  from  Connecticut  to  Homer,  Cortland  Co. . 
N.  Y..  in  1817.  John  S.  was  born  in  Mansfield,  Windham  Co..  Coun,  May  li.  1810. 
and  was  man-ied  to  Delia  Palmer  Januarv  18.  1832:  was  born  in  Coventry,  Tolland  Co.. 
Conn..  December  13.  ISll.  They  removed  to  Michigan  in  September,  1835,  and  located  m 
Clinton,  now  Warren,  on  Sections  21  and  22;  from  there  to  Columbus,  St.  Clair  County,  on 
the  Gratiot  Turnpike,  in  1838;  one  of  the  first  County  Commissioners  elected  in  St.  Clan- 
County,  and  for  three  years  held  the  office.  He  cleared  up  two  good  farms,  one  of  which 
he  sold  in  18t)6,  and  bought  a  hotel  in  New  Haven,  which  he  still  conducts  for  the  good 
of  hmnanitv,  without  the  aid  of  liquor. 

CALVIN  A.  SMITH  was  born  in  London,  Canada  West.  June  13,  184 1,  and  is  a  son 
of  Thomas  G.  Smith.  The  elder  Smith  was  born  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  and  moved 
with'TTis' family  from  London,  Canada,  to  this  country  in  1854.  Om- subject,  C.  A.  Smith, 
spent  the  younger  part  of  his  days  on  his  father's  farm,  and  received  a  good  education. 
He  worked  in  his  father's  stave-mill  for  several  years.  This  mill  was  biu-ned  m  18(1. 
He  began  work  for  Mr.  H.  R.  Hazelton,  of  New  Hdven,  in  1874,  at  scaling  and  measuring 
timber"  He  is  the  chief  stave  cutter,  and  when  his  time  is  not  occupied  at  the  mill,  he  is 
salesman  in  Mr.  Hazelton's  extensive  store.  He  was  married  November  14,  18(Ht,  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  McNellie.  by  whom  he  has  five  children— Rettie  J..  Lilly  May,  Hattie  Bell,  Burc 
A.  and  Gertrude  L.  "Mi-.  Smith  is  now  serving  his  second  tenu  as  Treasurer  of  Lenox  R. 
P.  He  is  one  of  the  Village  Council,  and  is  a  member  of  the  New  Haven  Cornet  Band, 
and  a  member  of  the  K.  of  H.  , 

ABNER  W.  STEPHENS  P.  O.  New  Haven,  is  the  son  of  John  Scjuire  Stephens, 
of  Richmond  Village,  of  Irish  descent,  and  Anna  (Woodi-uff)  Stephens,  who  was  born  m 
Connecticut.  Thev  were  married  January  5.  1  .93.  Aimer  W.  was  born  in  Canaan,  Litch- 
field Co.,  Conn.,  Jime  26,  1801.  and  emigrated  to  Pompey.  Onondaga  Co..  N.  \..  m  March, 
1807.  He  had  a  very  limited  education,  but  plenty  of  hard  work,  in  a  new  country.  He 
was  married  to  Abigail  Resseguie  October  5,  1825,  in  Verona,  Oneida  County.  He  soon 
removed  to  Van  Bm-eu,  Onondaga  County,  where  they  resided  until  they  came  to  Michi- 
gan. He  came  and  t'-ok  up  240  acres  of  Government  land  on  Sections  1  and  12.  Town  4 
north.  Range  14  east,  Lenox.  He  came  with  his  family  in  1836.  There  was  not  a  farm 
taken  up  within  three  miles.  He  and  his  brother  John  lived  in  a  turnpike  shanty  while 
buildinir  his  first  house.  The  shanty  was  burned  while  they  were  at  work  on  the  house. 
and  then-  provisions,  watch,  rifle  and  most  of  their  clothing,  and  some  money,  amounting 
to  170.  were  consumed.  They  had  to  go  to  Mt.  Clemens,  fifteen  miles,  for  supplies,  ihe 
town  was  called  Ray.  He  was  so  far  from  town-meeting  that  he  never  voted  until  Lenox 
was  organized  He  voted  for  the  first  town  officers,  when  no  political  lines  were  drawn. 
He  voted  the  first  Republican  ticket  in  the  town,  and  has  continued  on  that  line.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  Highway  Commissioners;  served  one  year  as  Assessor,  and  eight  years  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  fi^m  1840.     He  says  they  had  to  use  all  the  basswood  m  town  to  fall 


^F 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tli«  ollieiis.  In  the  fall  of  1  S:!0,  his  monov  and  provisions  wore  all  gone  and  nothing  raised. 
Willi  a  family  of  a  wif<>  and  six  childrmi  ho  care  for,  th(<  future  looked  gloomy.  As  the 
only  resort,  and  by  request  of  A.  f.  I'aird.  himlierman  of  St.  Clair  County,  and  some  of 
his  neighbors,  he  consented  to  open  a  pulilic  house  on  the  Gratiot  Turnpike.  He  was 
furnished  his  lirst  barrel  of  flour  for  it  by  Lyman  Grangt^r,  of  Lenox,  and  forty  bushels 
of  potatoes  by  Mr.  Simons,  of  Li<uox,  <'ight  miles  away.  Ho  had  to  be  trusted  by  a 
stranger.  After  navigation  closed,  he  had  plenty  to  do,  and  succeeded  in  living  and 
rearing  a  family  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  He  cleared  up  a  good  farm, 
anil  is  now  i-elired  anil  enjoying  the  fruit  of   his  toil  in  ]ieuceful  old  age. 


CHAPTER    XLI. 


II.MililSON    TOWNSIIir 

In  the  chai)ters  of  the  general  history,  the  early  settlement  of  this  township  is  very 
fully  treated.  So,  also,  is  the  story  of  the  dead  city  of  Uelvidere.  Hero  it  will  be  merely 
necessary  to  review  its  organic  history  and  perhaps  mak(>  a  few  special  references  to  its 
present  inhabitants 

The  first  meeting  was  hold  May  28,  1827,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  act, 
with  William  Meldrum,  Moderator;    Francis  Labadie,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and   Henry 


Taylor,   Clerk.      The   lirst  otlicers  elected  were:  James  Meldrum,  Clerk:    Jacob  Tucker, 
Collector;    Charles  Tucker,    B.    Thomas  and  F.    Labadie,   Commissioners  of  Highways: 
Charles  I'letier,  Sr.,  Overseer  of  the  Poor:  John  B.  Chapnii 
given  for  th(>  office  of  Supervisor.      A  special   election  was- 


^  supervisor.      A  speci 

suited  in  the  choice   of   Henry  Taylor  to  fill  that  ofll( 

since  1827  are  named  below; 


iiys : 

an,  Constable.     A  tie   vote  was 

as  held  June  '.),  1827,  which  ro- 

Thi'  iirincipal  township  officers 


TOWN    KO.STKl;. 


Supervisors— Henry  Tavlor,  1827-29;  Jacob  T\icker,  1829-38;  David  Lyon,  1888- 
?,'.)-.  George  Kellegg,  1839-10;  Heman  Beal,  1840-41;  Henry  J,  Tucker,  1841-42;  Henry 
Teats,  1842-45;  William  J,  Tucker,  1845-48;  Antoine  Chortior,  1848-49;  Alouzo  A. 
Goodman,  1849-50;  Robert  Teats  1850-55;  William  J.  Tucker,  1855-01;  Alonzo  A. 
Goodman,  18(31-63:  Edward  Teats,  18(33-()4:  William  J.  Tucker,  1804-08;  Edward  Teats, 
18(')8-73;  Frederick  C!.  Forton,  1873-75;  John  FilUn-,  1875-77;  Edward  Teats,    1877-82. 

Clerks — James  Meldrum,  1827-33;  Valorous  Maynard,  1834-35;  Robert  Moldinim. 
1835-38;  A.  C.  Hatch,  1839;  A.  W.  Flagg.  1840;  Henry  Teats,  1841;  Henry  J.  Tucker, 
1842-43;  Robert  Teats,  lS44-4();  Alonzo  A.  Goodman",  1847-48;'  Robert  Teats,  1848; 
Jacob  Tucker,  1850;  David  Tucker,  1851-53;  Hom-y  Van  Allen,  1854-50;  Randolph 
Stiger,  1S57;  Robert  Teats,  1858-59;  Edward  Teats,  1800-02;  Simon  Eackham.  1803- 
00;  Dositee  Chortier,  1807-70;  John  Feller,  1871  72;  Henry  Frie.s,  1873-74;  Lemuel 
M.  Sackett.  1875:  Henry  Campau,  1870-77;  Stephen  Lawtoii,  1878-80;  Francis  Chor- 
tier,  I<SS1    S3. 

Justit'es  of  the  Peace — David  B.  Conger,  David  Lyons,  1837;  Hemy  Teats,  Asher 
Wilco.t.  183S:  A.  C.  Hatch,  Alfred  C.  Hatch,  John  Connor,  Nelson  Oviatt,  Aaron  W.  Flagg, 
1S39:  Asher  Wilco.v  1839  10;  George  Kellogg,  1840-U;  Henry  Teats,  Robert  Meldrum, 
1S42;  Tliomas  Lough,  Robert  Meldrum,  1843;  Asher  Wilcox,  Edward  Tuckar,  Homen 
Boal,  1841;  Thomas  Rowso,  1845;  Henry  Teats,  1840;  Edward  Tuckar,  1847;  Joseph 
Demati-essa,  1848;  Samuel  Shear,  1849;  Nathan  Mosher,  1850;  Jeremiah  Johnson,  1851; 


-'4> 


Sam  Shear,  Homer  Beal,  Henry  Van  Allen,  1858;  Alonzo  A.  Goodman,  1S54;  Sam  Shear, 
Henry  Van  Allen,  1855;  Robert  Teats,  Henry  Frego,  1857;  Alonzo  A.  (ioodman,  Henry 
Fre<^e,  Samuel  Shear,  1858:  Henry  Teats,  Samuel  Shear,  1859;  S.  Raekham,  1.S5U  (iO; 
Joshua  Dickins(m,  1801;  Samuel  Shearer,  1S62;  H(>nry  Teats,  ISfili;  Robert  Meldrum, 
1S()4:  Joshua  Dickinson,  1S(15;  David  Tucker.  ISfiO;  Richard  Chotier,  18()7;  Sam  Sh(<iU', 
John  Fuller,  1808;  Philip  Ballard,  LSfUl;  David  Tuck-r,  John  A,  Fries,  18(i<l-70;  Sam 
Shear,  1870;  Fred  Fint(m,  Henry  Teats,  1871;  Phili|i  J3aUard.  William  J.  Tucker,  1872; 
Robert  Meldrum,  1878;  Andrew  Mayhew,  1N74:  Itii-hard  Tremble,  1S75;  David  Tucker, 
IS70;  Thomas  J.  Shoemaker,  IS77;  Jaeol)  Hazenljuhlen,  William  J.  Tucker,  IS7S:  Jo 
seph  P.  Ballard,  1879;  Thomas  J.  Shoemaker.  1S80;  John  J.  Reimold.  IS8I. 

In  this  township  two  tickets  were  run  in  1882.  the  Union  and  Township,  with  Henry 
Canipau  at  the  head  of  each.  The  I'nicm  ticket  was  successful  except  for  Clerk.  Frank 
Chortier.  on  the  Township  ticket,  beiny  elected  over  Thomas  J.  Shoemaki^r.  liy  one  major- 
ity.     Jacob  Hetzeubuhler  was  eltu'ted  Treasurer  over  John  (Jampau  \>y  one  majority. 

OKOAMZATION. 

In  acquiesence  with  the  prayer  of  citizens  of  Macomb  County,  the  district  which  lies 
east  of  a  line  between  a  tract  (jf  laud  confirmed  to  John  Tucker  and  James  Connor,  and 
extending  to  the  Salin(»  River  on  the  north  side  of  the  River  Huron,  and  all  the  counti-y 
which  lies  east  of  a  line  betwtien  a  tract  confirmed  to  Lewis  Peltier  and  a  tract  confirmed 
to  Pierre  Phenix.  on  the  soitth  side  of  the  River  Huron,  iiKduding  the  settlements  north- 
east of  the  base  line,  near  Milk  River  on  the  lake  shore,  to  the  mouth  of  the  said  River 
Huron,  was  erected  into  a  township  under  the  name  of  Harrison.  This  act  was  ap[)roved 
August  12,  1818. 

Harrison  Township,  as  erectc^d  under  legislative  enactment.  .-Vpril  12,  1827,  comprised 
all  the  country  between  the  county  lin(?  of  Macomb  and  St.  Clair,  on  the  town  line  be- 
tween Town  4,  Range  13,  and  Town  4,  in  Range  14,  running  south  to  the  lake,  near  the 
faiTU  of  Joseph  Sansfacon.so  as  to  include  his  farm  in  the  town  of  Clint(m.  which  includes 
Towns  4,  8  and  a  part  of  2,  in  Range  14,  was  named  Harriscm,  and  tlie  first  town  meeting 
was  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Charles  Peltier,  Jr..  the  last  Monday  in  May,  1827. 

The  first  house  of  worship  erected  in  the  county  was  the  Catholic  Church,  in  1775. 
This  old  house  stood  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Clinton,  about  four  miles  below  the  site  of 
Mt  Clemens,  in  Harrison  Township. 

The  first  marriage  among  the  white  settlers  is  supposed  to  be  that  of  Nicholas  Paten- 
aude,  in  1758  or  1759.  The  second  that  of  Richard  Connor,  or  O'Connor,  and  Mary  My- 
ers, the  Indian  captive,  in  17S1. 

The  first  white  female  child  born  in  the  county  was  Susanna  Cotmor,  daughter  of 
Richard  Connor,  who  maiTied  Elisha  Hairington. 

The  first  white  male  children  were  the  sons  of  Patenaude  and  the  son  of  l{ichar<l 
Connor,  who  was  claimed  by  the  Indians  as  their  adopted  child. 

The  tirst  school  organiziid  in  the  county  was  that  under  Joseph  Rowe,  in  Harrison  in 
17Vt4.  A  room  in  William  Tucker's  dwelling  formed  the  school-room.  Rowe  remained 
t«n  years  in  the  settlement,  leaving  in  ISOl. 

I'llVSK  AI.  (  iiai:A(  Ti;l!ISTII  s. 

Han-ison  contains  a  sufficient  ([uanlity  of  the  best  varieties  of  timber,  including 
white  and  black  oak,  black  walnut,  hickory,  beech  and  maple.  The  land  is  about  equally 
divided  between  rolling  and  level.  Near  the  mouth  of  the  river  it  is  inclined  to  be  flat, 
and,  in  some  pla'ces,  swampy,  l)ut.  on  the  whole,  very  little  irredeemable  land  exists  within 
its  boundaries.  The  Clinton  divides  the  township  into  two  equal  parts.  The  creeks 
55 


rV 


t 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


known  as  Tucker  sund  Venire  rle  Bd'uf  drain  the  sonthern  sections  of  the  town,  while  a 
small  creek  flowing  northeastward  into  the  lake,  waters  the  northeastern  sections. 

As  an  agriciilhiral  region,  Harrison  ranks  with  the  foremost  townships  in  the  county. 
In  all  of  the  staple  agricultiiral  productions  it  shows  a  fair  proportion.  The  site  of  the 
fallen  city  of  Belvidere  is  an  evidence  of  the  progress  of  agricultural  science.  Here, 
where  once  a  city  was  di'owned  out,  the  model  farm  of  Messrs.  Campbell  &  Sackett  exists. 

The  importance  and  value  of  land  in  Harrison  Township  is  greatly  enhanced  by  its 
close  proximity  to  the  county  seat.  It  is  bounded  on  the  west  by  Clinton  Township,  and 
the  corporation  limits  of  Mt.  Clemens  also  touch  its  western  boundary.  Its  citizens  gen- 
erally are  an  industrious  class  of  people,  hospitable  and  good  fanners,  under  whose  guid- 
ance the  prosperity  of  the  township  is  assured. 

East  of  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  River,  commencing  at  the  now  site  of  the  "ruins  of 
Belvidere,"  and  between  that  point  and  St  Clair  River,  the  only  two  Canadian  families 
had  settled.  These  men  had  "squatted"  at  a  point  neai'  the  bank  of  Salt  River,  and  had 
possessed  themselves  there  of  a  salt  spring.  This  salt  sjiring  was  regarded  by  them  as 
the  future  source  of  considerable  wealth.  The  salt  spring  is  now  well  known  by  our  people 
as  the  one  in  the  little  glen  where  the  plank  road  bridge  crosses  Salt  River,  about  four  miles 
up  the  stream  from  the  lake.  The  spring  was  looked  upon  as  of  gi'eat  value  and  impor- 
tance by  the  agent  of  the  United  States  Government,  who  was  sent  out  to  investigate  and 
survey  (he  Government  interest  here  in  1S04,  and,  in  a  communication  to  Thomas  Jeffer- 
son, Secretary  of  State,  we  find  mention  made  of  this  "  Salt  Interest "'  by  C.  Jouett,  the 
then  Indian  agent  at  Detroit.  In  this  report  the  agent  says:  "' From  experiments  that 
have  been  made,  I  am  justified  in  saying  that  this  spring  deserves  the  public  attention. 
It  was  wrought  some  time  by  a  couple  of  men,  who,  owing  to  their  want  of.  capital,  were 
incapable  of  conducting  the  business  on  an  advantageous  plan.  By  those  men  I  have 
been  assiu'ed  that  a  quart  of  water  did  with  them  tm-n  out  a  gill  of  salt;  and  in  all  their 
trials  with  greater  quantities  it  never  failed  to  produce  a  like  proportion.  There  is  asuffi 
cient  (quantity  of  water  to  supply  works  to  any  extent."  This  salt  spring  was  claimed  by 
a  firm  whose  names  are  recorded  in  the  State  papers  at  Washington,  as  Meldrum  &  Pai'ks, 
and  whose  title  had  been  obtained  from  the  Indians  in  some  such  manner  that  the  Govern- 
ment refused  to  recognize  their  claim  as  of  any  validity-,  affecting,  as  it  did,  so  important 
an  interest. 

FIRST    EVENTS. 

The  lii-st  settlers  were  the  Sauks  up  to  1520.  The  Otchipwes  came  in  1520,  and 
drove  out  the  small  bands  of  Wyandots  and  Miamis. 

William  and  Joseph  Tuckar  and  Maiy  Myers  are  supposed  to  be  the  first  English- 
speaJcing  visitors  to  the  district  now  comprised  in  Macomb  County.  They  were  caiTied 
into  captivity  by  the  Otchipwes  from  their  homes  in  Virginia,  while  yet  the  elder  brother, 
William,  was  only  eleven  years  of  age — about  the  year  1754. 

Joseph  Tuckar  died  on  a  desolate  island  in  the  upper  lake  region  some  time  after  his 
arrival  here,  and  must  be  considered  the  first  white  man  known  to  the  Indians  of  the  Huron 
who  deceased. 

The  first  actual  white  settler  was  Nicholas  Patenaude,  who  acquired  and  improved 
Claim  273.  fronting  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  in  175S.  In  his  testimony  before  the  United 
States  Land  Commissioners,  in  1S08,  he  substantiated  his  statement  under  oath  and  by 
witness. 

LITERAKV   AND   EDITC  \TIONAL. 

The  litertuy  privileges  of  the  early  settlers  were  on  neither  an  exalted  nor  advanta- 
geous footing  for  many  years.  Many  localities,  while  yet  in  their  infancy,  both  east  and 
west  of   this  county,  were   far  better  situated   in   this  respect.     Here  the  increased  and 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


manifold  privations  debaiTed  the  pioneers  of  our  county  from  erecting  either  the  primitive 
log  schoolhouse  or  the  equally  original  sanctuary.  But  when  the  harassing  circumstances 
of  their  situation  would  permit,  they  exerted  every  energy  toward  the  development  of 
intellectual  and  moral  cultme.  At  first,  very  little  concert  of  action  could  be  obtained, 
partly  because  of  the  strangeness  of  the  new  situation,  and  partly  because  many  enter- 
tained doubts  as  to  whether  they  '.vould  permanently  remain  in  their  new  homes.  Yet 
those  who  had  families  with  them  manifested  a  praiseworthy  and  zealous  regard  for  the 
futm-e  of  their  offspring.  Doubtless  the  first  schools  taught  in  the  county  were  those 
taught  by  the  Moravian  missionaries,  those  brave  and  heroic  champions  of  religion  and 
learning,  justice  and  jiiety,  whose  works  have  left  an  indelible  impress  on  the  history  of 
every  settlement  in  this  Western  country.  The  first  school  taught  in  the  English  language 
of  which  we  have  any  definite  authority  was  under  the  teaching  of  Joseph  Rowe,  in  the 
house  of  William  Tucker,  in  Harrison  This  was  eighty-one  years  ago.  Edwai'd  Tucker 
was  one  of  the  scholai's  in  the  primary  department.  The  teachers'  wages  were  $10  per 
month,  with  board,  washing  and  mending  included.  Mr.  Eowe  acted  in  the  capacity  of  a 
savant  whenever  an  occasion  ofiered.  He  frequently  read  the  Episcopal  burial  service 
at  funerals,  as  there  were  none  present  to  conduct  any  other  exercises.  He  remained 
about  ten  years  in  this  vicinity.  After  jieaee  again  pervaded  the  settlement,  the  families 
residing  on  the  river  east  of  Mt.  Clemens  built  a  log  schoolhouse  a  few  rods  from  the  site  of 
the  residence  of  Lafayette  Tucker.  This  was  the  first  schoolhouse  in  the  county.  Benjamin 
P.  Dodge,  a  British  Tory,  was  one  of  the  first  teachers  who  occupied  it.  Richard  Butler 
taught  school  in  it  as  early  as  1S24,  and  Dr.  Henry  Taylor  in  IS'27.  The  school  drew 
scholars  from  the  distance  of  five  miles.  Hemy  Harrington  was  one  of  Dr.  Taylor's  pupils. 
Robert  Tate,  a  Scotchman,  taught  school  in  this  county  as  early  as  1S0(3.  It  was  a  family 
school,  gathered  at  the  house  of  William  Clemens.  After  he  had  fulfilled  his  mission 
here  as  a  pedagogue,  he  returaed  to  Canada,  whence  he  came.  After  the  war,  Ezra 
B.  Prescott  employed  his  spare  time  in  advancing  the  interest  of  education.  He  built  a 
house  just  below  the  residence  of  John  Stockton.  To  show  his  versatility  of  talent,  he 
lived  the  life  of  a  bachelor  and  kept  house  for  himself.  "■  The  school  was  a  literary  cen- 
ter for  the  settlers,  and,  for  want  of  artificial  carriages  to  reach  it,  the  children  resorted  to 
those  which  natm-e  afibrded.  John  Hays,  then  a  lad,  would  mount  his  pony,  take  on  two 
of  his  sisters  behind  him,  and  away  to  school,  giving  his  pony  the  limits  of  ranging 
through  the  hours  of  study.  When  their  daily  task  was  done,  they  retiu-ned  by  the  same 
conveyance." 

PRESENT   .SCHOOLS. 

There  are  three  district  schools  in  the  township,  now  under  the  direction  of  David 
Tucker,  James  Perry  and  Edward  Teats.  The  buildings  are  frame,  valued  at  $1,70). 
The  total  expenditure  of  the  township  for  school  purposes,  diu-ing  the  year  ending  Sep- 
tember 5.  INSl,  was  about  .?  1,100.  $292  of  which  were  paid  to  the  teachers.  The  number 
of  children  of  school  age  in  the  township  is  285,  of  which  number  170  atteaded  school 
regiilarly  during  the  yeai-.  The  primary  school  interest  fund  amounted  to  $2S3;  the  1 
mill  tax  to  $292.52,  and  the  balance  derived  fi-om  other  sources. 

B10GP.\PIIirAL. 

The  history  of  this  township  is  continued  in  the  personal  sketches  of  its  most  i)rom- 
inent  citizens,  given  in  the  pages  devoted  to  that  branch  of  local  history. 

CHARLES  BOOTZ.  P.  O.  Mt.  Clemens,  Box  ir.9,  was  born  in  Northern  Germany, 
September  7,  1824:  he  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  received  the  education  which  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Germany  afford;  he  lived  with  his  parents  until  1S4H,  when  he  bought  a 
farm  for  himself,  and  the  same  veai"  married  Miss  Anna  Kunstman,  Mav  27:  there  were 


-71 


^4« — «- 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


nine  cliildron  born  to  them  in  Germany — Minnie,  Riecka,  Alwine.  Fred,  Emily,  Anna, 
Charli's,  Emil  and  Mary,  of  whom  two  are  married — Minnie  and  Riecka.  Mr.  B.  and 
family  left  Germany  May  HI,  1S7"2,  and,  arrived  at  New  York  June  IS:  goiufj-  West,  they 
reached  Detroit,  where  they  remained  until  1N74,  when  they  moved  to  Macomb  County  and 
located  on  seventy-one  acres  on  P.  G.  1()7;  this  proi)erty  is  estimated  to  be  worth  .f-i.oOO. 

RICHARD  B.  CONNOR,  P.  O.  Mt.  Clemens,  born  at  Detroit  January  IS,  1849;  was 
educated  at  the  University  of  Notre  Dame.  South  Bend,  Ind.  After  leaving  college,  he 
entered  on  the  life  of  an  agriculturist  and  stock-raiser,  which  he  has  made  a  success.  He 
married  Miss  Archange  Rivard,  daughter  of  Ferdinand  and  Pauline  Rivard.  Feb.  1,  1870. 
To  them  eight  children  were  born,  of  whom  Isabelle,  Richard  P.,  Allen  R.,  Mary  A.  and 
Frances  C.  are  living.  The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic  Chm'ch.  Mr.  Connor  has  been 
Superintendent  of  the  Schools  of  Harrison;  filled  other  town  offices  and  is  the  possessor  of 
a  valuable  farm  of  sixty-two  acres,  on  P.  C.  1()3. 

ARNOLD  JOBSA,  P.  O.  Mt.  Clemens,  a  native  of  Holland,  settled  at  Ontario,  Wayne 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year  1844;  he  came  to  Macomb  in  18()7,  and  located  his  farm;  his 
wife,  Miss  Nellie  Johnston,  is  a  native  of  Holland.  Louis  Jobsa  was  born  March  '2^>.  1839; 
was  raised  on  a  farm;  received  a  common-school  education;  has  been  elected  Town  Treas- 
urer and  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  resides  with  his  father. 

FRANCIS  LETOITRNEAU,  P.  O.  Box  No.  (588,  Mt.  Clemens,  father  of  Mrs.  Jose- 
phine Paquette.  was  born  in  Macomb  County  in  1800:  he  labored  on  the  farm  until  ISl."), 
when  he  began  the  trade  of  ship  and  house  builder.  Mi's.  Josephine  Paquette  was  born 
Jixne  1,  1833,  at  Detroit,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  subsequently  studied  in 
her  father's  house.  The  family  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1S.")4,  where  Miss  Josephine 
Letourneau  was  married  to  Jarvis  Paquette,  at  Mt.  Clemens.  June  If).  18-")7,  by  whom  she 
had  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Mary  C,  Joseph,  Francis.  Louis, 
Marie,  Charles  and  Fred;  her  husband  was  instantly  killed.  February  18,  1878,  by  a  fall- 
ing tree  or  limb.  The  Paquette  family  resided  at  Detroit  from  1857  to  1874,  when  they 
located  on  P.  C.  No.  17"),  where  the  family  now  live:  the  property  is  valued  at  $3, (UK), 
being  seventy-two  acres,  with  dwelling-house  and  improvements. 

JAMES  PERRY,  P.  O.  Mt.  Clemens,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Kelly)  Perry,  natives  of 
Ireland,  was  born  Mareh  4,  183(5;  he  was  educated  in  Ireland,  and  completed  his  studies 
in  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  his  parents  settled  in  the  Canadas  in  1841,  moved  to  Rochester,  N. 
Y.,  where  James  Perry  joined  them  in  1848;  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade  and  followed 
it  for  four  years,  until  18")4;  he  married  the  daughter  of  John  A.  and  Margaret  (Mink) 
Fries,  September  '2'\  IS.")."),  when  they  moved  to  Macomb  County:  they  are  the  parents  of 
twelve  children — John  H. ,  Ella  R..  Eugene,  Lucy  and  Lewis,  twins,  James,  Mar- 
garet. Maiy  J.,  Edith  and  Eva.  Mr.  Perry  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church;  he 
owns  100  acres  on  P.  C.  17'2;  he  makes  a  specialty  of  horse-raising;  two  of  his  animals 
were  awarded  the  first  prize  for  two  years  at  the  State  Fair,  and  always  take  the  first  pre- 
mium at  the  county  fairs. 

JOHN  J.  REIMOLD,  son  of  John  J.  and  Catharine  Reiraold,  natives  of  Germany, 
was  born  at  Wurtemberg  October  (5,  IS'iS;  received  a  liberal  education  and  left  his  home 
for  the  United  States  in  lSr)3;  arriving  at  Mt.  Clemens,  he  resumed  farming,  and  then 
entered  the  butchering  business,  which  he  continued  until  18(j3.  He  married  Miss  Pris- 
cilla  Moser,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Elizabeth  Moser,  February  18,  IS-")?;  they  are  the 
parents  of  eight  children — Alice,  Fred,  Rosa,  Mary,  Sarah,  Charles,  Henry  and  Jennie. 
Mr.  Reimold  holds  the  offices  of  Justice  and  Drain  Commissioner;  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Mt.  Clemens  Grange,  Lodge  (337;  owner  of  13"2  acres  in  P.  C.  '229,  Harrison;  is  an  exten- 
sive stock-raiser  and  a  thorough  agricultiu-ist. 


^1 


'i>^ 


T.  J.  SHOEMAKER.  P.  O.  Mt.  Clemens,  resides  on  French  Claim  229,  settled  origi- 
nally in  lT9"i.  by  John  Loveless,  who  sold  to  Joseph  Eobertjeau  in  179N. 

"FRANCOIS  "X.  STARK,  P.  O.  Mt.  Clemens,  was  born  in  the  Kingdom  of  Bavaria 
April  I.  1840.  Jacob  Stark,  who  brought  his  family  to  this  country  in  lS5>i.  died  shortly 
after  his  arrival.  The  family  located  on  a  farm  (ju  Swan  Creek,  where  they  lived  for  two 
years,  then  removed  to  New  Baltimore,  where  two  more  years  were  passed:  next,  to  Sjiring 
Wells,  Wayne  County,  and  ultimately,  to  Harrison,  where  Mr.  Stark's  mother  and  sister 
have  a  farm  of  :^30  acres,  on  P.  C.  129.  F.  X.  Stark  married  Miss  Mary  Livernois,  of 
Wayne  County,  in  1<S()9;  they  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  seven  are  living 
— Mary  E.,  Francis  M.,  Frances  S.,  Joseph,  Charles  A..  Mary  E.  and  Edward  F.  Mr. 
S.  carried  on  a  brick  factory  at  Spring  Wells  for  seven  years  previous  to  his  coming  to 
Harrison  Township. 

EDWARD  TEATS.  Supervisor  of  HaiTison,  was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y..  No- 
vember 27.  1829.  Henry  Teats,  who  came  to  this  county  abovit  18;-i7,  was  County  Register 
of  Deeds  for  two  terms;  he  moved  to  Dickinson  Coimty,  Kan.,  in  the  spring  of  18S0,  and 
died  there  the  same  year,  aged  eighty- fom-  years.  Edward  Teats  came  to  Macomb  in 
1841,  and  now  resides  on  Private  Claim  107,  Harrison  Township,  where  he  owns  eighty- 
four  acres  of  fertile  land.  Mr.  Teats  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  He  was  married,  in 
18-"Jl.  to  Harriet  Rackham,  of  England,  who  came  with  her  parents  to  Detroit  about  1840, 
and  to  this  county  in  1849;  they  are  the  ])ai'ents  of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living 
— Rhoda  M. .  Elizabeth,  Kate,  Ai-thui',  John.  Florence.  Belle.  Olive  and  Grace.  A  refer- 
ence to  the  organic  section  of  the  sketch  of  Harrison  Towship  will  show  the  positions 
which  he  has  held. 

NORRIS  TUCKER,  P.  O.  Mt.  Clemens,  a  member  of  the  pioneer  family  of  that 
name,  is  referred  to  in  the  general  history  of  the  county,  where  the  Tucker  family  is 
treated  historically. 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

EIUX    TOWX.slIIP. 

The  same  references  that  have  been  made  to  the  settlement  of  Harrison  apply  eijually 
to  Erin.      Here  some  of  the  first  French  squatters  located. 

Erin  is  one  of  the  most  thickly  settled  townships  in  the  county.  In  point  of  popula 
tion,  it  ranks  second.  In  1874,  the  census  shows  the  number  of  inhabitants  to  be  2,400: 
number  of  families.  448,  and  of  dwellings  433.  The  population  in  1N80  was  2,095.  The 
township  is  a  fine  agricultm-al  region:  the  product  in  the  following  staple  articles  being, 
in  1874,  winter  wheat,  14.565:  rye.  1.858;  corn.  30.(511;  oats,  42.0S0;  barley,  2,5N3:  jio- 
tatoes,  20,119.  The  township  has  a  fair  proportion  of  timber,  including  the  be.st  Michi- 
gan varieties.  The  principal  stream  in  the  township  is  Milk  River,  which  rises  in  Wayne 
County,  and  traverses  Erin  Township  in  a  northeasterly  direction,  and  empties  into  Lake 
St.  Clair,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  township. 

ORfiANIZATION. 

Erin  Township  was  organized  under  the  name  of  Orange,  by  authority  given  in  the 
act  of  March  11,  1837.  It  comprised  all  of  Township  1  north,  of  Range  13  east,  together 
with' Sections  12.  13.  24.  25  and  30.  of  Township  1  north,  of  Range  12  east.      Section  36 


-Tj® T^ 


^V 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


of  Warreu  was  added  to  this  township  iu  February,  1S42.  and  a  year  later,  March  9. 
I  S4;!,  the  name  of  the  district,  as  organized,  was  changed  to  Erin.  This  change  of  name 
is  said  to  be  due  to  the  fact,  that  in  the  year  1S4:1  a  hirge  influx  of  Irish  citizens  had 
come  to  Orange,  and,  the  name  not  corresponding  to  their  Hibernian  ideas  of  propriety, 
they  had  it  changed  to  Erin,  after  their  native  isle. 

TOWNSHIP   OFFIl'KK.S. 

Supervisors — John  B.  Cottrell.  1837-88;  County  Commissioners,  1S;!S-1:3;  Israel 
Curtiss,  1S48-44;  Solomon  Porter,  1.S44-45;  Israel  Cm-tias,  1845-52;  William  Stevens, 
1852-58:  Peter  McGovern,  1858-55;  Henry  L.  Reeves,  1855-59;  Jacob  Hetchler,  1859- 
(52;  James  Whiting,  1862-65;  Jacob  Hetchler,  1865-66;  Austin  Wells,  1866-67;  James 
Whiting,  1867-78;  Robert  A  Barton,  1878-76;  John  Dedenbach,  1876-81;  Robert  A. 
Barton,  1881-82. 

Ju.stices  of  the  Peace — Allen  Winslow,  John  R.  Rivard,  Moses  Conn,  Thomas  Kailey, 
1887;  Allen  Winslow,  Israel  Curtiss,  Isaac  Hall,  1S38;  John  Ready,  Elias  Stern,  1889; 
Thomas  Willett,  1840;  Israel  Cm-tiss,  Solomon  Porter,  1841;  Henry  Diegel,  1842;  Austin 
Wales,  Charles  Constantine,  1844;  Israel  Curtiss,  1845;  Jacob  Harder,  Thomas  Kailey, 
Elias  Stone,  1846;  Sam  W,  May,  1847;  Silas  Aldrich.  Elias  Stone,  1848;  Israel  Curtiss. 
1849;  Peter  McGovern,  Thomas  Kailey,  1850;  Peter  McGovern,  1852;  John  Reddy,  John 
Morehouse,  1858;  Israel  T.  Curtiss,  1854;  Benjamin  May,  Henry  L.  Reeves,  1855;  John 
Brownlee,  1856;  John  B.  Cottrell,  1857;  Levi  C.  Lyon^  1858;  "Moses  Bottomley,  1856; 
Henry  Deagel,  Peter  McGovei-n,  William  H.  Smith,  1859;  John  Brownlee,  M.  Bottomley, 
I860;"  Henry  Blake,  1861;  Austin  Wales,  Peter  McGovern,  1862;  William  L.  Curtiss, 
George  Mead,  1868;  Francis  De  Fer,  Henry  Deagel,  1864;  Peter  McGovern,  1864-65; 
Austin  Wales,  Hugh  McCaiTon,  1865;  Francis  Ellair,  John  Strieker,  186('>:  George  C. 
Mead.  John  F.  Eberline,  James  Whiting,  1867;  Joseph  Williams,  186S-6;);  Jac(jb  Ketch 
ler,  George  C.  Mead,  1870;  James  Whiting,  Charles  Cox,  1871;  Casper  A.  Schettler, 
Robert  A.  Barton.  1872, 

The  election  of  1882  resulted  as  follows:  Supervi.sor,  R.  A.  Barton,  Republican,  191; 
John  Dedenbach,  Democrat,  155;  Republican  majority,  36.  Clerk,  Henry  Bloss,  Demo- 
crat, on  both  tickets.  Treasui'er,  Chai-les  Freehauf,  Democrat,  196:  William  Bottomly, 
Jr.,  Republican,  148;  Democratic  majority,  48. 

TOWNSIIir   SCHOOLS. 

District  No.  5  was  organized  in  1850  by  Benjamin  Wheat.  After  much  difficulty  in 
selecting  a  location,  a  site  was  agreed  upon,  when  the  first  log  schoolhouse  was  erected. 
Each  one  in  the  district  furnished  his  quota  of  logs.  The  first  officers  were:  Francis  De 
Fer,  Sr.,  Director;  Nelson  Labadie,  Moderator,  and  Louis  Frazer,  Assessor.  The  first 
teacher  emjdoyed  was  Mrs.  Catharine  Moran.  Her  salary  was  $14  per  month.  The  dis- 
trict comprises  a  French  jiopulation.  Through  the  influence  of  the  teacher — Charles 
Domini,  who  has  been  employed  since  1866 — a  new  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1870. 

\lI,LA(:i:S. 

The  village  of  Frazer,  in  Erin  Township,  is  a  country  post  office  and  station  on  the 
Grand  Trunk  Railway,  six  miles  southwest  of  Mt.  Clemens  Court  House  and  nineteen  out 
from  Detroit.  The  depot  is  one-quarter  mile  distant  from  the  post  office  In  the  vicinity, 
there  is  an  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  a  district  school  and  steam  stave  and  heading 
factory,  the  products  of  the  latter  forming  the  only  exports.  The  business  aud  profes- 
sional circles  of  the  hamlet  comprise  about  a  dozen  persons.  The  post  office  is  conducted 
by  F.  C.  Kollmorgen.      The  principal  business  is  conducted  by  the  stave  and  heading  fac- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


tory.  There  are  some  other  manufactories.  The  Canadian  Express  Company  and  the 
Western  Union  Telegi-aph  Company  do  business  here. 

The  village  was  founded  in  1S57  by  Alex  Frazer.  The  first  store  was  established  by 
Fred  Eberlein.  a  Bavarian,  who  settled  there  in  185(5.  A  stave-mill  was  built  by  Eberleiia 
&  Co.  in  ISI)."),  who  operated  it  two  years,  when  the  company  sold  to  F.  Eberlein  and  Will- 
iam Beauclerc.  The  concern  was  sold  to  John  Gapt,  who  sold  his  interest,  in  1S72,  to 
Charles  Knorr  and  John  Gutow,  and  the  latter  selling  to  Charles  Steffias  resulted  in  the 
formation  of  the  present  fii-m.  The  company  manufacture  at  present  staves,  headings,  hard- 
wood lumber,  ax-handles,  whiffletrees,  neck-yokes,  and  also  operate  a  feed-mill. 

The  first  blacksmith  shoj)  was  that  of  F.  Eberlein,  established  in  1S56.  Frazer  is  a 
German  village.  A  Lutheran  Church,  which  sustains  a  large  gi-aded  school,  is  in  a  pros- 
perous state.      The  schoolhouse  now  Ijeing  built  is  estimated  to  cost  $2,000. 

One  of  the  most  complete  wood-working  mills  in  this  part  of  the  State  is  that  of 
Knorr  &  Stefleus,  at  Frazer.  The  establishment  includes  a  large  stave  and  heading  mill, 
a  saw-mill  and  an  ax-handle  factory,  and  gives  employment  to  fifty  hands.  The  firm 
finds  itself,  at  the  season's  end,  with  $'2r),000  in  dry  stock  on  hand,  from  which  it  will 
realize  a  handsome  profit.  Their  business  may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that  last  year  they 
paid  no  less  than  $S,000  in  freight  to  the  Grand  Trunk.  Enterprising  manufactiu-ers  like 
Knorr  &  Stefleus  are  a  solid  advantage  to  any  community. 

There  is  a  small  and  steadily  growing  settlement  called  the  Junction.  It  is  located 
at  a  point  where  the  Utica  plank  road  intersects  the  Gratiot  road. 

Roseville  is  a  village  of  400  inhabitants,  in  Erin  Township,  Macomb  County,  four 
and  a  half  miles  south  of  Frazer,  on  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  three  miles  from  Lake 
St.  Clair,  nineteen  miles  above  Detroit  and  ten  south  of  Mt.  Clemens.  The  place  con- 
tains six  chiu'ches—  one  Catholic,  thi-ee  Lutheran,  MetJiodist  and  Presln-terian — and  several 
schools.      Fruit,  grain,  hay  and  potatoes  ai'e  the  exports.     Gustave  Schuchard  is  Postmaster. 

Rev.    Messrs.    J.    S.  Schimdt,  J.    List  and Amdt,  of  the   Lutheran   Churches: 

Rev.  Andi'eas  Meyer,  of  the  Methodist,  and  Rev.  J.  Van  Straken,  of  the  Catholic  Church, 
are  the  only  resident  pastors.  The  physicians  are  James  Yates  and  Henry  Feldman. 
There  are  three  potash  manufacturers,  one  stave  factory,  eleven  stores,  two  saloons,  one 
hotel,  with  a  number  of  wagon-makers  and  blacksmiths. 


I'KIisOXAL    IIl.STORY. 

The  biographical  sketches  of  many  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the  township, 
ajjpeariug  in  subsequent  pages,  contain  many  valuable  references  to  the  history  of  this 
township. 

HENRY  ACKERMAN,  P.  O.  Roseville,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  Ackerman,  who 
came  fi'om  Germany  to  New  York  City  in  lS2t),  to  Wayne  County  in  1S82,  where  the  for- 
mer died  in  August,  INTO,  and  the  latter  in  OctoVier,  ISH;!  Henry  was  born  November 
IS,  18-t2,  in  Wayne  County,  which  he  made  his  h<ime  until  twenty-eight  years  old.  He 
was  married,  October  29,  1S70,  to  Miss  Rebecca,  daughter  of  D.  McFarland  and  Eliza 
Apling,  former  of  Scotland,  latter  of  England;  this  lady  was  born  August  V),  lS4r);  they 
were  the  parents  of  two  childi'en,  one  of  whom  is  dead.  Mr.  Ackerman  is  the  owner  of 
fifty- eight  acres  on  Section  8L 

STEPHEN  ALLARD,  P.  O.  Roseville,  son  of  Louis  and  Therissa  (Bellor),  was  born 
in  Wayne  County,  Mich.,  February  8,  1880;  his  father  died  in  1888,  and  his  mother  in 
18r)8:  was  educated  in  France  school;  was  raised  on  the  farm;  he  inherited  twenty-two 
acres  and  now  owns  eighty  acres  on  Private  Claim  ()2r).  Erin  Township.  Mr.  Allard  was 
maiTied,  June  28,  1S")1,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Chapien,  to  whom  were  born  twelve  children 
— James,  Moses,   Benjamin,  Therissa,  Stephen,    Pontiff,  Augu.st.   Charles,   Mary,   Julia, 


Elleu  aud  Josepli.  James  Allarcl  was  married.  November  '21,  1S77,  to  Miss  Mary  Piett, 
(laughtor  of  Michel  and  Eliza  (Nurzel)  Piett ;  they  are  the  parents  of  three  childi'en,  two 
of  whom  are  dead.      The  family  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Church. 

ROBERT  A.  BARTON,  P.  O.  RoseviUe.  was  born  in  Hudson,  N.  Y..  May  S,  1824; 
his  fath(>r  was  born  in  Georgia,  and  held  the  position  of  Second  Lieutenant,  First  Dra- 
goons, under  Col.  Backus,  and  subsequently  Captain  of  the  Forty-sixth  United  States  In- 
fantry, during  the  war  of  LS12;  he  received  the  latter  commission  from  Pi-esident  Madison; 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  he  settled  at  Hudson,  where  he  married.  In  1S;^H,  he  moved  to 
^lichigan.  where  he  died;  his  family  consisted  of  eight  children — Frederick,  James,  John 
L..  Elizabeth.  Robert  A.,  Theodore,  Thomas  J,  and  Henry  C.  Robert  A.  was  married, 
May  29.  1849.  to  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Pierrs  Gouiu.  of  Grosse  Point.  Wayne  Co..  Mich.; 
this  lady  died  April  8,  18()S;  he  married  Miss  Polly  Vernier,  of  Erin  Township,  who  died 
February  1,  bS72.  Mr.  B.  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  for  1872-7ij  and  1S81-S2;  he 
has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  twelve  years:  he  is  the  owner  of  si.xty  acres  on  Private 
Claim  H2r),  where  he  made  his  home.  James.  Louisa  and  Rhoda  are  the  chiklren  by  the 
first  marriage;  Abraham,  Thomas,  Henry  S.  and  Robert  by  the  second  marriage. 

HENRY  BLOSS.  P.  O.  Roseville,  was  born  September  2.'),  184S;  his  father,  Thomas 
Bloss.  and  mother,  Catharine  Mershel,  natives  of  Germany,  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1847,  and  were  married  the  same  year.  Henry  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  received  a  Ger- 
man and  English  education;  in  18()9,  he  went  to  Bay  City,  where  he  worked  in  a  saw-mill 
until  ]N78;  in  the  latter  year,  he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Erin  Township;  in  1878,  he  pm-- 
chased  the  Charles  Rehfeld  store,  where  he  now  conducts  a  general  business.  He  was 
man'ied,  in  Mav,  1878;  he  was  elected  Town  Clerk  in  1879.  which  position  he  now  holds. 

THOMAS 'common,  P.  O.  Fraser,  son  of  Richard  and  Jennette  (Laing)  Common, 
natives  of  Scotland,  who  were  married  July  N.  1814,  was  born  August  17,  18:58;  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  Detroit,  in  1.S44,  and  lived  there  until  1S4H;  his  mother  died  June  28, 
1845,  his  father  April  11,  1852.  Mr.  Common.  Sr.,  while  working  as  a  mason  at  Detroit, 
purchased  eighty  acres  in  Erin  Township,  and  settled  on  this  farm  in  1847.  Mr.  C,  Jr., 
was  raised  partly  in  Scotland,  at  Detroit  and  in  Erin:  he  served  one  year  in  a  drug  store 
before  moving  to  his  farm;  at  that  time,  neighbors  were  from  four  to  six  miles  apart;  his 
fu'st  farming  ojierations  were  attended  with  success,  and  down  the  years  to  the  present 
time  rich  harvests  have  always  attended  his  labors.  He  was  married,  September  27,  1857, 
to  Miss  Marion,  daughter  of  Samuel  D.  and  Mercy  (Briggs)  Shattuck,  the  former  born  in 
Chesterfield,  Hampshire  Co.,  Mass.,  February  15,  1811,  the  latter  born  at  Potter,  N.  Y., 
July  22,  1818;  ten  childi-en  were  born  to  this  marriage.  The  family  belong  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  Mr.  Common  visited  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  in  1877.  leaving  home 
July  4.  and  retiu-ning  in  September. 

CHARLES  DEMRICK.  P.  O.  Roseville,  son  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  Demrick, 
was  born  in  Germany  November  19,  1888;  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in 
1852,  and  settled  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. ;  four  years  later,  the  family  located  the  home- 
stead on  Section  lit,  Erin  Township,  where  Charles  Demrick  now  lives.  Mr.  D. ,  Sr. ,  died 
August  25,  lSfi9,  and.  on  July  IS,  1880,  his  mother  deceased.  Mr.  D.,  Jr.,  was  married, 
November  18.  INtw.  to  Miss  Amelia,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Maiy  A.  Savage,  the  former 
born  in  New  York,  and  the  latter  in  England.  Mi-s.  D.  was  born  June  27,  184();  they  had 
six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Almon  H.,  Ray  E.,  Edgar,  Carl  and  Minerva. 

JACOB  A.  GAUKLER,  P.  O.  Roseville,  Macomb  Co.,  Mich. ;  he  is  the  son  of  Jacob 
and  Barbara  (Wuneh)  Gaukler,  was  born  at  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  June  8,  1845.  The 
family  came  to  the  United  States  in  1858,  and  located  at  Detroit  for  a  short  time,  and  in 
Erin  Township.  In  1854,  Mr.  G.,  Sr.,  purchased  one  iicre  and  a  house;  in  1855,  he 
opened  a  small  gi'ocery  store  and  meat  market;  subsequently,  moved  to  Gaukler's  comer, 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUJsTY. 


where  his  son  Jacob  A.  Gauklei-  now  carries  on  his  extensive  business.  He  was  married, 
January  2(),  ISliV).  to  Miss  Josephine  Weber,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Elizabetli  Weber, 
of  the  city  of  Detroit,  Mich.;  they  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living 
— Mary  E.,  Victor  P.,  Arthur  H.  and  Frank  O.  I.  Mr.  G.  owns,  together  with  his  busi- 
ness, MO  acres  of  land;  he  has  been  Clerkof  the  township  for  seven  successive  terms  and 
delegate  to  conventions  and  prominent  in  all  matters  connected  with  the  township.  The 
familv  belong  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

JOHX  HOUGHTON.  P.  O.  Roseville.  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Giles)  Houghton, 
was  born  in  Yorkshire.  England,  January  81,  1S21;  he  came  to  the  United  States  June  9, 
11S44,  and  located  within  iive  miles  of  Detroit;  subsequently,  he  rented  a  farm,  which  he 
worked  for  two  years,  and  next  located  a  farm  on  Gratiot  road,  where  he  operated  a  brick- 
yard. April  1.  185(5,  he  moved  to  Erin  Tovraship,  where  he  now  owns  and  cultivates  ViO 
acres  on  Section  20.  and  ten  acres  on  Section  '2'\  Warren,  joining;  he  is  also  the  owner  of 
a  farm  of  tifty  acres  at  Troy.  Oakland  County,  and  is  an  extensive  stock-raiser.  Mi-.  H. 
married  Miss  Margaret  Galtry.  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Mary  Thomson  Gal  try,  March 
1.  1S44.  to  whom  were  born  four  children.  In  October,  1 855,  he  married  his  second  wife. 
Miss  Mary  A.  Hersey,  to  whom  were  born  eight  children;  lastly,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Goodwin." daughter  oE  Elijah  and  G.  Hall  Goodwin,  to  whom  were  three  children  born;  of 
the  fifteen  children,  there  are  thirteen  living. 

MATTHEW  T.  HOUGHTON.  P.  O.  Roseville.  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Galtry) 
Houghton,  was  born  September  11,  1845;  he  married  Miss  Prudence,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Mary  A.  (Reed)  Savage,  January  14,  18(')8,  to  whom  was  born  one  child.  Mrs.  Sav- 
age died"  April  17.  187(1.  For  the  four  succeeding  years.  ;Mi-.  Houghton  traveled  a  good 
deal.  He  man-ied  Miss  Mary  A.  Whiting,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Young)  Whiting, 
April  11,  1872,  to  whom  was  born  one  son— Ai'thur  Houghton;  in  lS7;i  he  pm'chased 
forty  acres,  on  Section  9,  Erin.  Mi-s.  Houghton  died  in  her  new  home  March  21,  187(); 
he  subsequently  married  Miss  Catharine  Teats,  daughter  of  Edward  Teats,  who  is  the 
mother  of  Elmer  Houghton.  Mr.  H,  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  a  member  of  the 
Presbvterian  Church. 

CHARLES  KNORR,  P.  O.  Fraser.  born  in  Germany  June  2H.  1 840.  is  the  son  of 
Christian  Knorr;  he  came  to  Detroit  in  lS(i4.  and  to  Macomb  County  in  18(2,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  staves,  headings,  handles,  etc.,  with  Mr.  Steffens.  He  was 
married,  in  lS6(i.  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Schmidt,  a  native  of  Germany;  to  them  ten  children 
were  bom,  seven  of  them  now  living— Maiy,  John,  Caroline,  George,  Hermann,  Julia 
and  Frederick.     The  family  belong  to  the  Lutheran  Chui-ch. 

DENNIS  O'CONNELL.  P.  O.  Roseville.  bom  in  Cork  County,  Ireland,  in  181  <, 
came  to  Montreal.  Canada,  in  1847;  to  Burlington.  Vt.,  in  1S48,  and  to  Detroit  in  1850. 
IVIr.  O'Connell  received  a  liberal  education  in  Ireland,  where  he  was  teacher  in  the  schools. 
On  coming  to  Detroit,  in  1850,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  public  works;  in  1852.  he 
resumed  the  position  of  schoo' -teacher,  which  he  held  until  18rM),  when  he  retired  to 
a  farm,  which  he  purchased  on  Section  19,  Erin,  where  he  now  lives.  IVIr.  O'Connell  was 
married  to  Miss  Tamsin  Smith,  in  October,  1N4(,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Connelly,  of  the  Cathedral, 
Montreal.  He  became  acquainted  with  the  lady  on  board  the  vessel  which  brought  him  to 
this  continent,  in  1S47;  she  died.  September  2.  1859;  she  was  the  mother  of  five  chil- 
dren, the  voungest  of  whom  resides  with  his  father. 

LEONHARD  SCHNEIDER,  P.  O.  Eraser,  this  enterprising  blacksmith  and  wagon 
manufacturer  was  born  in  Milwaukee.  Wis.,  May  9.  1858;  he  is  the  son  of  George  Schnei- 
der, a  native  of  Germanv.  who  emigrated  fi-om  his  native  country  to  Wisconsin  m  early 
life.  When  Leonhard  was  a  small  boy,  the  family  removed  to  Lyon.  Iowa,  where  they 
remained  antil  18(55,  when  thev  came  to  Macomb  Coimty.      The  following  year,  our  sub- 


^F's r~ 


ject  began  to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade;  in  1S74,  ho  began  business  for  himself;  he  pur- 
chased the  old  shop  of  Fred  Heisner,  at  Fraser,  and,  in  the  fall  of  ISTC),  built  a  new  one, 
47x30  feet;  he  carried  on  the  business,  which  has  so  rapidly  increased,  that  he  built  an 
addition  in  ISS'i,  44x10  feet;  he  has  recently  taken  his  brother  George  as  a  partner  in  the 
business;  there  is  a  wagon-shop  in  connection  with  his  shop,  which  makes  in  all  a  very 
extensive  manufactory.  Mr.  S.'s  business  is  constantly  increasing;  in  addition  to  his 
shop  and  factory,  he  is  doing  a  very  extensive  business  in  the  sale  of  all  kinds  of  agricult- 
ural implements.  In  1874,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Odoerfer,  by  whom  he  has  two  boys  and 
three  girls;  their  names  are  as  follows:  Anna,  Elizabeth,  George,  Magdalena  and  Fred- 
erick. 

GUSTAVE  SCHUCHARD,  P.  O.  Roseville,  is  the  son  of  George  F.  and  Anna  M. 
(Lipp)  Schuchard.  natives  of  Ulrichstein,  Darmstadt,  Germany,  was  born  November  1^7, 
lfS29:  his  father  was  collector  of  taxes  in  Germany  for  fifty  years  previous  to  his  death, 
January.  IS.IS;  his  mother  died  May  20,  1847.  Gustave  attended  school  vintil  1848;  in 
184t),  he  entered  the  military  school,  where  he  studied  until  IHo'l.  save  with  the  term  of 
service  with  the  ai'tillery  in  the  revolution  of  1848;  he  was  jH'omoted  to  commissioned 
officer;  received  a  medal  for  meritorious  conduct  from  the  Duke  of  Baden  and  one  from 
the  Duke  Ludevig,  together  with  a  picture  of  the  latter;  he  holds  all  his  old  school-books, 
together  with  a  certificate  for  military  honors.  He  was  married  to  Magdalene  Spengler, 
daughter  of  the  collector  of  internal  revenue,  at  Hesse-Darmstadt,  April  1),  1 8,") "2 ;  this  lady  was 
born  August  S,  1829.  at  the  city  of  Worms,  and  started  the  day  after  her  marriage  with  her 
husband  for  the  United  States;  they  settled  in  Erin  Township,  where  he  began  work  July  4, 
18r>2,  and  worked  six  years  in  saw-mills;  saw  hai'd  times  by  clearing  up  a  piece  of  land 
and  received  no  pay  for  it;  then  started  in  the  peddling  business,  and  then  was  engaged 
in  operating  a  thre.shing  machine;  in  1858.  he  cleared  some  land  and  became  a  trader  and 
fai'mer;  next,  operated  a  threshing  machine,  and  ultimately  inaugm-ated  his  store  at  Rose- 
ville; he  was  appointed  Postmaster  in  1N()(),  Notary  in  INliU,  Census  Enumerator  in  1880; 
he  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  since  1871;  School  Director  three  terms  and  Director  of 
Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Macomb  and  St.  Clair  Counties  for  six  years; 
he  received  Hr)0  majority  vote  for  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1881.  and  served  foiu- 
years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schuchard  are  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  and  members 
of  the  Evangelical  Chm-ch.  The  Benevolent  Society  of  Roseville  was  organized 
by  Mr.  S.  and  charter  given  from  this  State,  July,  187(),  being  Secretary  from  beginning 
of  said  society,  and  still  holds  said  office.  The  meetings  will  be  held  in  the  hall  free  of 
charge  diu'ing  the  existence  of  said  society. 

GEORGE  J.  SEIFFERLEIN.  son  of  George  and  Frederica  (Purnberg)  Seiffijrlein. 
was  born  in  Bavaria.  Germany.  December  2.  188)5.  Mr.  S.  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1852.  and  located  in  Macomb  County;  he  woi-ked  at  the  carpenter  trade  until  the  stave- 
mill  at  Fraser  was  established,  and  afterward,  until  18<)2:  during  that  year,  he  purchased 
a  threshing  machine,  and  to  this  business  and  farming  he  devoted  his  attention;  in  1879, 
he  purchased  a  steam  thresher.  His  marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Measel  took  ])la3e  in 
1858;  they  had  twelve  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living — Dorothea,  aged  twenty-four 
years;  Louisa  L..  aged  seventeen;  George,  fifteen;  John,  thirteen;  Christ,  eleven;  Rosa 
M.,  nine;  Leouhard,  five,  and  Frederica,  seven  months.  Mr.  S.  held  the  office  of 
Township  Trea.surer  in  IS80-M.  and  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  100  acres,  in 
Erin  Township. 

CHARLES  STEFFENS.  P.  O.  Fraser;  he  is  the  son  of  Adolph  and  Mary  (Magee) 
Steffeus.  who  was  born  July  12.  1835.  at  Dusseldorf,  Prussia,  where  he  received  a  normal 
school  education;  he  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  where  he  was  joined  by  his 
parents  in   1857.      He  married  Miss  Aning,  in  18()2,  to  whom  were  born  six  children — 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUKTY. 


Charles  W.  is  dead;  Matilda  E.,  Mary,  George,  Kosa  and  EmiUe  are  living.  He  married 
Miss  Caroline  K.  Hoffmeyer,  November  80.  1875.  to  whom  foiu-  children  were  born — Fred 
W.  G..  Ella,  Clara  D.  and  Andi'ew.  Mr.  S.  is  now  engaged  in  the  mannfactui'e  of 
staves,  headings  and  hardwood  lumber,  his  trade  aggregating  $:iO,0()0  per  annum;  the 
factory  was  established  in  1ST8;  the  company  formerly  belonged  to  a  company  of  six, 
comprising  John  and  Fred  Eberlein,  W.  Beau.clair,  H.  Knorr,  G,  Seiferlein  and  F.  Rein- 
dell.  Mr.  S.  now  owns  250  acres  of  land  in  the  county,  together  with  the  Eraser  stave 
factory. 

JOHN  STKICKER,  P.  O  Roseville,  son  of  Jacob  and  Louise  (Roechs)  Strieker,  na- 
tives of  Germany,  was  born  January  18,  1825;  the  family  came  to  Detroit  and  remained 
there  six  months,  then  moved  to  a  farm  at  Grosse  Point,  in  1834,  where  the  mother  died; 
in  August,  185(),  Jacob  Strieker  passed  away.  In  his  early  days.  John  Strieker  assisted 
in  clearing  the  homestead  farm,  and  also  attended  the  publi,;  school  established  near  his 
home,  in  1N>57-H8.  IVIi\  Strieker  married  Miss  Louise,  daughter  of  Heniy  and  Eliza 
(Schweinee)  Strieker,  born  June  10,  182tt;  her  i)arents  came  to  the  United  States  in  1S4<), 
and  located  in  Wai'ren  Township,  where  her  father  died  in  A|)ril,  and  her  mother  Decem- 
ber 25,  1878. 

GAZETTE  VERNIER,  P.  O.  Roseville.  was  born  February  22.  1843;  he  is  the 
son  of  Leon  and  Archange  (Tremble)  Vernier,  natives  of  Michigan,  who  were  married  in 
1818;  his  grandparents  were  natives  of  Montreal.  Canada;  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  Mr.  V. 
assisted  in  the  United  States  survey  of  the  city  of  Green  Bay,  Wis.,  in  which  duty  he 
was  engaged  for  two  years;  he  was  married,  November  30,  1805,  to  Euphonia,  daughter 
of  James  and  Jane  (Galloway)  Rankin,  who  came  from  Scotland  in  1838;  they  were  the 
])arents  of  ten  childi'en,  of  whom  seven  are  living — James  R,  L.,  John  S.,  David, 
Jane  A..  Gideon  G..  Ennis  M.,  Francis  J.  Mr.  V.  inherited  eighty  acres,  Private  Claim 
025. 

HENRY  VERNIER.  P.  O.  Roseville,  son  of  Antoine  and  Adeline  (Socier)  Vernier, 
was  born  January  12,  1847;  his  earlier  years  were  devoted  to  the  farm  and  school,  until 
1807,  when  he  was  married.  Mr.  Vernier  owns  twenty  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  to  which 
he  added  twenty  acres,  making  a  valuable  farm;  his  dwelling-house  and  farm  buildings 
form  valuable  additions  to  this  property.  He  still  carries  on  the  farm  and  operates  the 
Lake  St.  Clair  store,  founded  in  1872.  Mr.  Vernier  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight 
childi'en,  foui'  of  whom  died  while  rpiite  young;  the  names  of  the  living  are  Louis,  Frank 
W,,  Henry  J.  and  Frederick. 

HENRY  A.  WALES.  P.  O.  Roseville,  son  of  Austin  and  Amy  (Wilber)  Wales,  was 
born  Jane  1,  1834;  he  passed  his  youth  at  Detroit,  where  he  received  a  fair  education;  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  Erin  Township  in  1849,  where  his  father  purchased  700  acres  of 
good  timber  and  built  a  sawmill.  Hemy  A.  worked  in  connection  with  the  mill  for  some 
time,  then  returned  to  Detroit  to  continue  his  studies,  and,  after  nine  months,  took  charge 
of  the  concern  in  Erin;  there  he  remained  until  1804.  when  he  went  to  Detroit;  return- 
ing, he  had  charge  of  the  mill  until  its  destruction  by  lire,  when  he  became  a  farmer  and 
veterinary  surgeon.  He  was  married.  August  4,  1853,  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Sul- 
livan L.and  Lucy  A.  Power,  the  former  born  at  Troy,  N.  Y..  1815.  died  in  January, 
1871;  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania  in  1811.  died  in  December,  1880,  both  settling  in  Mt. 
Clemens  in  1841.  Mi-s.  Wales  was  born  November  27,  1835,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  died 
Mav  20.  1881;  she  was  the  mother  of  three  children —Cornelia  L.,  Willie  H.  and 
JuHa  D. 

JAMES  YATES,  M.  D..  P.  O.  Roseville,  son  of  Richard  and  Caroline  (Nicholson) 
Yates,  the  former  born  May  19,  1810,  the  latter  born  June,  181(5,  in  England,  was  born 
]\[arch  25,  1840;  came  to  Canada   with  parents  in  1850,  where  his  mother  died,  June 


22,  185():  he  learned  tlie  carpenter's  trade  from  his  father,  at  which  trade  he  worked, 
together  with  farm  work,  until  1857.  when  he  visited  Illinois.  He  married  Miss  Caroline 
Leraux.  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  (Grantier)  Leraus.  May  5.  IS.j'J;  this  lady's 
grandfather  came  from  France  in  the  vessel  which  brought  Gen.  La  Fayette  to  our  shores; 
her  father  was  born  at  Boston:  served  in  the  war  of  1812;  again  under  Gen.  Winfield 
Scott.  After  his  marriage,  he  returned  to  Canada,  in  18(.)0;  in  181)1,  he  bought  a  100- 
acre  farm,  which  he  worked  for  eight  years;  in  1870,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine, under  Dr.  Allen  Crawford,  of  Duart.  Canada;  in  January.  1872.  he  entered  the 
Medical  College  of  Detroit,  from  which  he  received  a  diploma.  March  4,  1874;  he  began 
2>ractice  the  same  year  at  Clarkston.  Oakland  County;  continued  at  Waterford.  returned 
to  Clarkston.  and  finally,  locateol  in  Erin  Township,  in  1875;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Both- 
well  (Canada)  Lodge,  179,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  was  Sei-geant  in  the  Canadian  militia  for  some 
time.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yates  were  the  parents  of  live  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — 
Florence  J.,  Benjamin,  Josephine  and  Carrie  G. 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

CHESTERFIELD    TOWNSHIP. 

Throughout  this  State  there  cannot  be  found  a  more  beautifully  located  township  than 
Chesterfield.  Within  its  limits  many  of  the  early  French  settlers  made  their  homes. 
There  also  that  natm-al  locator,  the  Indian,  built  his  wigwam,  and  squatted,  so  to  speak, 
in  the  midst  of  [tleuty.  The  lake  and  streams  of  the  townshi])  offered  the  lazy  red  men 
their  wealth  of  fi.sh;  the  forest,  its  game:  and  the  soil,  the  wild  fruits,  herbs,  and,  in  some 
cases,  corn. 

So  many  references  have  been  made  to  the  town  of  Chesterfield  in  the  general  history 
of  the  county,  and  so  complete  are  the  biographical  sketches  of  its  citizens,  little  remains 
to  be  written  here  beyond  the  special  items  pertaining  directly  to  the  township. 

The  fii-st  exodus  of  the  Indians  of  the  Macompte  band  took  place  in  1S;30.  The  rem- 
nant of  the  band  left  the  county  in  1S38. 

Among  the  earliest  and  most  prominent  settlers  of  Chesterfield  Township  were  the 
Ashleys.  Louis  La  Forge  (who  died  in  1872.  nearly  one  hundred  years  old).  Francis  Yax, 
the  Miltons,  John  Horriman.  Robert  W.  Knight,  William  Little,  Elisha  Weller,  John  and 
Stephen  Fairchilds,  Zej^haniah  Camj)bell.  Zai'a  Granger.  Joseph  Horriman  and  John 
Lusk. 

The  first  actual  white  settler  in  Chesterfield  was  Charles  Jennar,  born  at  a  point  in 
Harrison  Township  now  called  Liverpool,  in  1816.  He  came  with  his  grandfather,  Charles 
Seer,  in  1819,  to  an  Indian  village  then  located  one  half  mile  below  New  Baltimore,  where 
Seer  bought  some  land  and  there  settled.  Shortly  after  this,  other  pioneers  came  and  lo- 
cated near  the  Indian  village,  then  standing  by  the  Riviere  Aux  Vase. 

Among  the  first  German  settlers  in  Chesterfield  were  Mr.  Barker,  father  of  William 
Barker,  of  New  Baltimore; Seifert,  Ai'mand  Rabe, Krause;  Reumen,  who  set- 
tled on  Salt  River  in  1853:  and  J.  J.  Wuestenberg,  who  settled  on  Section  10,  in  1854. 
The  family  of  the  latter  settler  numbered  twenty-one.  including  children  and  gi-andchil- 
dren. 

The  first  post  office  in  Chesterfield  was  established  in  1837.  with  Robert  O.  Milton. 
Postmaster.     The  office  was  kept  at  his  hoTtse,  and  bore  the  name  New  Haven  Post  Office. 


^1 


1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


This  was  moved  to  New  Haven  Village,  and  another  established  at  Milton,  now  conducted 
by  Alfred  D.  Kice. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  fractional  township  of  Chesterfield  was  organized  in  the  year  l.S4'J.  It  was  taken 
from  Macomb  Township,  and  the  first  election  was  ordered  to  be  held  at  the  schoolhouse 
near  the  residence  of  Charles  B.  Matthews. 

TOWN    EOSTEB. 

Supervisors — County  Commissioners,  1842^3;  Samuel  P.  Canfield,  1843—1:4;  Ben- 
jamin T.  Castle,  1844-46;  Cyrus  B.  Symmons,  1846-48;  Chai-les  B.  Matthews,  1848^9; 
Cyrus  B.  Symmons,  1849-50;  Samuel  P.  Canfield,  1850-51:  Eber  C.  Denison,  1851-53; 
Samuel  P.  Canfield,  1853-54:  Eber  C.  Denison.  1854-55;  Charles  B.  Matthews,  1855-56; 
Joshua  C.  Parker.  1856-57:  Joseph  Hubbard,  1857-59;  Parker  Hart.  1859-60;  Charles 
D.  Crittenden,  1860-61;  John  Milton,  1S61-65;  Ford  L.  Milton,  1865-66;  Parker  Hart. 
1866-67;  Joel  Hart,  1867-70:  Charles  D.  Crittenden,  1870-71;  Joel  Hart.  1871-72: 
John  Milton,  1872-77:  Warren  Barker,  1.S77-79;  Joel  Hart,  1879-80;  William  Baker, 
1880-81;  William  C.  Jones.  18S1-82. 

Clerks— Kobert  A.Milton.  1842;  Robert  W.  Knight.  1843;  Charles  B.  Matthews, 
1844-46:  Joshua  C.  Parker.  bS48;  Hiram  Denison,  1849:  Robert  O.  Milton,  1N50-53; 
Livingston  Ax  ford,  4854;  Hiram  Denison,  1855;  William  D.  Holt,  1S56:  Rodolphus  Kern, 
1857;  D.  N.  Taylor,  1858;  James  Macaulay.  1861;  Albert  Hendilcks,  1861;  John  J. 
Crocker,  1^62;  Andrew  J.  Rose,  1863-64;  Erastus  Q.  Chamberlin.  1865;  Andrew  J.  Rose, 
1866;  Francis  Johr,  1867;  William  Randall,  1868;  C.J.Glenn.  1869;  Lewis  Rose.  1870; 
Eda  W.  .Shattuck,  1871:  C.  L.  Braddish.  1872;  Sidney  O.  Knight.  18(3;  C.  L.  Braddish, 
1874-75;  P.  F.  H.  Schars,  1876;  John  Hansien,  187"7-7.S:  .Joseph  M.  Wilson,  1879-80; 
Christian  Schnover,  1881-N2. 

Treasurers— Zalmon  M.  Gray,  1S42:  John  Bates,  1843;  Joshua  C.  Parker,  1844-46: 
Parker  Hart,  1847-49;  Charles  B.  Matthews,  1850-51;  John  Milton,  bS52-53;  Robert 
A.  King.  1854-55;  Charles  D.  Crittenden,  1856-57;  Charles  S.  Knight,  1858;  Joel  Hart, 
I860;  D.  M.  Mills,  1861-62;  L.  H.  Canfield,  1863-64;  Moses  K.  Bortree,  1865;  Amos 
Van  Horn.  18()6;  George  W.  Douglass,  1S67:  William  Baker,  186S-69;  Addis  L.  Hack- 
nell.  1870-71;  William  Baker,  1872-78;  Sidney  O.  Knight,  1879-SO;  William  Baker, 
1881-82. 

Justices  of  the  Peace— Robert  Douglass,  bS42;  Daniel  Shattuck,  1S42;  Sam  D.  Shat- 
tuck, 1843;  Robert  Thompson,  IS44;  Zalmon  Gray,  1845:  David  Meldrum.  1845:  Robert 
W.  Knight,  1846;  Joshua  C.  Parker,  1847;  DanielHedges,  184S:  Robert  P.  Crawford,  1849;« 
Samuel  Goodsell,  Stephen  Fairchild,  Thos.  M.  Crocker.  1852;  Hiram  Dennison,  1853;Chas. 
D.  Crittenden.  William  T.  Little.  1S55;  Robert  Thompson,  1857;  Josiah  D.  Bm-gess, 
1858;  John  Bates.  1859:  Ferdinand  Morrell,  I860;  Jackson  Freeman,  1861;  Cortez  P. 
Hooker,  1861;  James  F.  Buffixm,  1S62;  Alonzo  Gilxson,  1863;  Josiah  D.  Burgess,  1S63: 
George  L.  Phelps,  1864;  Cortez  P.  Hooker,  1865;  J.  D.  Burgess,  1866;  John  Bates, 
1867;  George  L.  Phelps.  186S:  Cortez  P.  Hooker,  1869;  D.  Milo  Heath,  1870;  Josiah  D. 
Burgess,  IST'O;  Warren  Parker,  1871;  J.  S.  P.  Hathaway,  1872;  D.  M.  Heath,  1873;  S. 
P.  Fuller,  1874;  Josiah  D.  Burgess,  1874;  George  Wallers,  1876;  Ford  L.  Milton,  187  (: 
William  C.  Jones,  1879;  John  McCinch,  1880;  D.  M.  Heath,  1880:  D.   M.  Heath,  1881. 

The  elections  of  1882  resulted  as  follows:  Supervisor,  Warren  Parker.  Democrat,  241; 
George  Walter,  Republican,  141 :  Democratic  majority.  100.  Clerk.  Christian  Schlosser. 
Republican.  202;  G.  C.  Walker,  Democrat,  183;  Republican  majority,  19.  Treasurer, 
William  Baker.  Democrat.  247;  J.  L.  Thompson.  Republican.  13  c  Democratic  majority, 
110. 


^- 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


CHURCHES. 

The  Catholic  Cburch  of  New  Baltimore  was  built  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Theo- 
philus  Buyse,  in  LS71.  The  parochial  house  was  erected  in  1S77,  by  Rev.  A.  J.  Lambert, 
and  to  him  also  is  due  the  credit  of  erecting  the  Catholic  school  buildings  in  ISSl.  The 
early  history  of  this  chiu'ch  is  identical  with  that  of  L'anse  creuse  and  Mt.  (Clemens. 
The  congi'egation  is  large. 

St.  John's  Lutheran  Church,  N.  B.,  was  organized  under  Rev.  Mr.  Engel.  Rev.  An 
drew  Birsset  became  pastor  in  1879.  This  church  is  referred  to  in  the  general  history  of 
the  county. 

St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  New  Baltimore  was  organized  by  Rev. 
Milton  Ward  in  1.S55.  The  congi-egation  never  had  a  house  of  worship,  nor  a  permanent 
rector,  but  has  been  attended  by  different  clergymen  from  time  to  time.  The  present 
minister  is  Rev.  A.  B.  Flower,  of  Marine  City.  The  membership  is  small,  but  very  ear- 
nest and  faithful. 

The  Congi-egational  Church  at  New  Baltimore  was  organized  .Ipril  29,  ISSfi. 

The  Congregational  Chiu-ch  of  New  Haven  was  founded  October  '20,  1S68. 

The  Free-Will  Baptist  Chiu'ch  and  Methodist  Episcoj^al  Church  at  New  Haven,  and 
the  Baptist  Chiu'ches  of  Macomb  and  Chesterfield  were  subsequently  organized. 

The  Congregational  Chiu'ch  at  Chesterfield  was  organized  February  18,  1S47.  The 
first  Methodist  Episcojial  clas.-*  was  organized  in  1833.  The  first  meeting  held  in  this 
town,  and  the  first  sermon  preached,  were  recorded  in  183".^.  Rev.  Mr.  Coe,  a  missionary 
sent  out  by  the  Presbyterian  Board,  held  this  meeting  at  the  house  of  Elisha  M'eller. 

s";hools. 
The  following  table  will  be  sufficient  to  prove  the  interest  taken  in  educational  aS'airs 
by  the  people  of  Chesterfield.    The  school  building  at  New  Baltimore  is  one  of  the  proudest 
monuments  to  educational  zeal  in  this  State: 


DISTRICTS. 


Number  of        D'-scrii'ti.tn  of  Vwlue  of 

Pupils.  S  hool  Build'gs.  Sclioul  Build'gs. 


District  No.    1 

District  No.    2 

Di.strict  No.  3  (fractional) 

District  No.   4 

District  No.  5  (fractional) 

District  No.   6 

Disirict  No.  7  (fractional) 

District  No.   8 

Lake  School  District 

Totals 


Frame. 
Frame. 
Frame. 
Brick  . 
Brick  . 


$150 
1250 
1400 
,-)00 
300 


275  74 
310  48 
343  85 
327  53 
257  97 


89 

Frame 

.1            1000 

343  07 

35 

Frame. . . . 

.;              1.50 

259  52 

36 

Frame. . . . 

.1            600 

224  6r. 

398 

Brick  .... 

.'         2400S 

2790  59 

878 

.i      129350 

i    $5133  36 

MASONIC. 

The  Lake  St.  Clair  Lodge.  F.  &  A.  M. ,  No.  S'l,  was  organized  tinder  dispensation  June 
2(i,  1855.  with  S.  B.  Famham.  W.  M. ;  J.  P.  Fuller,  S.  W. ;  R.  B.  King,  J.  W. ;  J.  L. 
Thompson.  S.  D.;  J.  McChesuey.  J.  D. :  S.  F.  Atwood.  T.;  J.  M.  Chapman,  Secretary: 
and  John  Lutz,  Tiler.  The  present  officers,  as  installed  by  Past  Master  William  Randall, 
are:  D.  Hedges,  W.  M. ;  S.  A.  Knight,  S.  W. ;  A.  H.  Shafer.  J.  W. :  M.  M.  Sanders,  T. ; 
William  Randall.  Secretary;  E.  F.  Haight,  S.  D. ;  C.  Burgess,  J.  D.;  and  Abel  Davis, 
Tiler. 

NEW    BAt.TIMORK. 

New  Baltimore,  formerly  called  Ashley,  contains  l.HXt  inhabitants.  Its  location,  on 
the  lake  shore,  north  of  Anchor  Bay,  is  very  desirable.      The  village  is  thirty  miles  above 


-^- 


Detroit,  aud  four  and  one-half  southeast  of  New  Haven,  on  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  its 
nearest  shipping  point.  The  village  has  four  churches — Catholic,  Congregational.  Epis- 
copal and  Lutheran — and  a  school  known  as  the  Hatheway  Institute,  built  at  a  cost  of 
§22,000,  bequeathed  by  Gilbert  Hatheway,  deceased.  Among  its  Inisiness  men  are 
James  S.  P.  Hatheway,'  William  Baker,  Milo  D.  Heath,  William  W.  Howe,  AVilliam  W. 
Parker.  Horace  Perkins,  H.  Petipren,  C.  Schlosser.  C.  Schnoor.  John  A.  Smith,  C.  Tor- 
nay.  E.  Willain.  Hemy  Rose,  Joseph  Busch  and  R.  Teichman.  The  professions  are  rep- 
resented by  Joseph  M.  Chapman  and  David  Hammell.  physicians.  The  pastors  of  the 
Chi-istian  churches  of  the  village  are  Rev.  Messrs.  A.  J.  Lambert  and  H.  H.  Mautiels.  of 
the  Catholic  Church;  A.  Deroset,  of  the  Lutheran:  and  M.  S.  Augell,  of  the  Congrega- 
tional.     The  post  office  is  conducted  by  Milo  D.  Heath. 

New  Baltimore  Lodge,  No.  19(53.  R.  of  H.,  was  organized  January  1,  18S0,  with  D. 
M.  Heath,  G.  H  Benedict,  John  Carlson.  L.  S.  Pai-ker.  C.  A.  B.  Hultgren,  H.  Zimmer- 
man. Charles  Woodgrift.  S.  J.  Benedict,  H  T.  Leonard.  J.  M.  Chapman.  E.  F.  Haight. 
J.  W.  Tavlor.  George  B.  Parker  and  H.  L.  Brown,  charter  members.  The  present  officers 
are:  C.  A.  B.  Hultgren,  D. ;  Flovd  L.  Milton,  Y.  D.:  J.  M.  Chapman,  A.  D.;  Ford  L. 
M'"lton,  R.;  William  Collofi",  F.  R.:  D.  M.  Heath.  C:  H  L.  Brown.  T. ;  E.  F.  Haight, 
Guide;  George  H.  Parker.  Guard:  R.  L.  D.  German.  Senior:  and  J.  W.  Taylor,  John 
Carlson  aud  August  Colloff,  Trustees. 

Chestei-tield,  a  hamlet  of  fifty  inhabitants,  is  located  five  miles  north  of  Mt.  Clemens. 
A  few  settlers  located  there  in  1830,  but  not  until  the  completion  of  the  Grand  Trunk 
Railroad  through  the  township  did  the  place  become  a  little  business  center.  In  fact, 
until  very  recently,  there  was  not  a  business  house  there.  At  present,  Daniel  McLean  is 
the  village  blacksmith:  James  C.  Patton.  grocer:  O.  H.  Patterson,  cider-manufaetmer;  J. 
E.  Tremain,  railroad  and  express  agent:  and  Samuel  AVeller,  dealer  in  cattle. 

Milton  Village  is  located  on  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad,  eight  miles  northeast  of  Mt. 
Clemens  and  thirty-three  above  Detroit.  It  has  three  chiu'ches — Baptist,  Congi-egational 
and  Methodist — and  a  district  school.  The  postoffice  is  conducted  by  A.  D.  Rice.  The 
pastors  of  the  chiu'ches  are  Rev.  Messrs.  P.  A.  C.  Bradford.  Congregational;  D.  W.  Ful- 
ler, Adventist;  F.  A.  Hazen.  Methodist;  and  Rev.  W.  King,  Baptist.  The  business  circle 
comprises  E.  C.  Denison  and  A.  D.  Rice.  A.  Goodsell  is  the  physician:  John  McKinch 
and  Ford  J.  Milton.  Justices;  William  Hortenna,  blacksmith. 

MANUF.\CTURING  INDIISTRIKS. 

Hatheway's  planing-mill,  sash,  door  and  blind  factory  was  built  by  the  Kern  Brothers 
in  I8(j3.  Those  settlers  disposed  of  their  interest  in  the  concern  to  the  present  owners.  The 
himber  for  this  concern  is  shipped  in  the  Hatheway  boats  from  Alpena.  The  machinery 
is  driven  by  a  forty-five  horse-power  engine,  and  is  of  the  newest  j)attern.  The  building 
is  -1^0x60  feet,  and  the  whole  concern  under  the  management  of  M.  M.  ~anders. 

J.  C.  Adams,  proprietor  of  the  Adams  Planing-Mill,  built  by  John  A.  Smith  in  187  (, 
must  be  numbered  among  the  lai-ge  lumber-manufacturers  of  Michigan.  He  pm-chased 
this  concern  in  1881.  and  introduced  whatever  machinery  was  necessaiw  to  render  it  a  first- 
class  factory.  He  is  also  owner  of  the  EastTawas  steam  saw-mill,  the  capacity  of  which  is 
estimated  at  35.000  feet  per  day.  These  industries  give  emplojTuent  to  fifty-two  men.  His 
liunber  harvest  averages  4,000.000  feet  every  winter.  This  average  will  be  increased  din- 
ing the  coming  season,  as  it  is  his  piu-pose  to  extend  the  business  here,  introduce  more 
machinerv,  and  invest  $10,000  more  in  the  concern. 

The  "stave  and  heading  factory  erected  in  IS'rl  by  William  Jenny  is  still  in  operation. 

BIOGRAPHY. 

In  the  pages,  devoted  to  personal  history,  are  given  sketches  of  many   of  those  men 


who  made  the  township  their  home,  and  raised  it  from  its  primitive  condition  to  the  rank 
of  one  of  the  first  divisions  of  this  county. 

J.  C.  ADAMS  was  born  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  February  '2,  1830;  here  he  re- 
ceived a  liberal  education;  in  lSt)2,  he  removed  to  Buchanan  County,  Iowa,  where  he 
was  engaged  for  two  years  in  the  cattle  trade;  subsequently,  he  removed  to  East  Tawas, 
Iosco  Co.,  Mich.,  his  present  home,  where  he  siiperintends  the  work  of  getting  out  lumber 
for  his  mills,  one  of  which  is  located  in  that  village:  the  other,  to  which  is  attached  an 
extensive  lumber-yard,  is  situated  in  New  Baltimore.  Mich.,  and  is  managed  by  his  son. 
He  married  Miss  Mary  W.  Adams,  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  to  whom  was  born,  May 
'2.  1S()0.  one  child,  alluded  to  above. 

ALFRED  ASHLEY,  deceased,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  June  13,  1794;  he  was 
the  son  of  Mr.  Ashley,  a  well-known  citizen  of  that  State;  came  to  Western  Ohio  when  a 
boy;  studied  law.  but  was  forced  to  resign  his  chosen  profession  on  account  of  ill  health; 
he  returned  to  Batavia.  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  elected  Constable;  served  several  years  in 
succession;  c;une  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  18-i()  and  built  a  saw-mill  on  the  North  Branch,  to 
which  he  added  Hoiu--mill  machinery  in  1827.  He  was  maiTied  to  Miss  Euphonia  Atwood 
in  1824;  moved  into  Mt.  Clemens  Village,  where  he  operated  a  store  for  several  years; 
erected  a  hotel  where  Fleumer's  flouring-mill  now  stands,  which  was  the  best  hotel  north  of 
Detroit:  he  constructed  the  steamboat  Lady  of  the  Lake  in  1828.  which  was  run  by  Ca2:)t. 
S.  F.  Atwood.  He  moved  to  Chesterfield  Township  in  1845;  founded  the  village  of  Ash- 
ley, now  New  Baltimore;  built  the  first  saw-mill  in  Ashley,  and  the  plank  road  to  Romeo: 
constructed  the  first  steamboat  at  that  place,  and  built  the  first  dock  there;  reference  to 
the  political  chapter  of  the  general  history  will  give  the  record  of  his  election  to  the  Leg- 
islature in  1838.  His  children  were  Alfred,  born  October  7.  1825,  and  Maria,  born  Feb- 
ruary 11,  1828;  the  son  married  Mrs.  Ellen  Stone,  and  the  daughter  married  George  B. 
Van  Eps;  the  former  died  in  New  Baltimore  in  1873;  the  latter  died  at  Mt.  Clemens  June 
28,  1847.  Alfred  Ashley.  Sr..  died  a  faithful  member  of  the  Congi-egational  Church.  Se])- 
tember  7.  1857.      The  saw-mill  which  he  built  in  New  Baltimore  is  still  in  operation. 

WILLIAM  BAKER,  merchant,  of  New  Baltimore,  was  born  in  Ohio  February  22. 
1845.  During  the  last  six  years,  he  has  built  n\>  for  himself  a  lai-ge  trade  in  dry  goods 
and  general  merchandise. 

CORNELIUS  E.  BALDWIN,  P.  O.  New  Haven,  was  born  in  Yates  County.  N.  Y.. 
April  9,  1824;  came  with  his  father  to  Mt.  Clemens  in  1833,  and  thence  pushed  into  the 
wilderness  now  known  as  Chesterfield;  he  received  his  education  in  his  native  county,  and, 
up  to  the  present  time,  takes  that  interest  in  the  education  of  the  peo^ile  so  characteristic 
of  the  pioneers  of  Michigan;  he  has  continued  to  reside  on  the  old  homestead  uj;  to  the 
present  time.  Mr.  Baldwin  manned  Miss  Margaret  A.  Leonard,  of  Lenox,  to  whom  were 
born  two  children— Fred  C.  and  Arthur  J.  He  married  Miss  Lam-a  Cruttouden.  of  Ma- 
comb, born  November  Ki.  1833.  to  whom  was  born  Mary  A.  Baldwin,  April  25,  1872. 

ELI  H.  BATESisthesonof  Ezra  Bates,  of  Vermont,  a  native  of  West  Haven,  Portland, 
Conn.,  born  in  17U(),  a  settler  in  New  York  of  1808,  and  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812. 
Ezra  was  married  to  Margaret  Green  January  2<),  1822,  to  whom  twelve  children  were  . 
born,  five  of  whom  are  living:  he  died  in  18711,  while  the  mother  is  living  with  Eli  H, , 
aged  seventy-eight  years.  Eli  H.  Bates  was  born  in  Clarkson  Township,  Monroe  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  May  28,  1832;  came  with  parents  to  Macomb  County  in  1835,  and  settled  on  the  home- 
stead. Section  5.  Chesterfield,  where  he  owns  a  well-improved  farm  of  eighty  acres.  Ho 
was  married,  in  1858.  to  Miss  Cerinda  Hazelton.  who  was  the  mother  of  Arthur  J.  and 
Berton  T.  Mrs.  Bates  died  in  1872.  In  the  fall  of  1874,  he  married  Miss  Anna,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Wood,  of  Mt.  Clemens.      James  E.  Bates  was  a  soldier  in  the   late  war. 


±z:A^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


serving  in  Company  A,  Ninth  Infantry:  he  died  May  3,  18f54.  of  disease  contracted  in  the 
service. 

JOHN  BATES,  deceased,  son  of  Russel  Bates,  of  Vermont,  vras  born  in  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  October  7,  1819;  came  with  parents  to  Michigan  in  183(),  and  settled  on 
Section  5,  Chesteriield,  in  the  midst  of  tlie  wiklerness.  He  was  married,  October  1,  1845, 
to  Miss  Roxauna  Green,  daughter  of  Mnj.  Roswell  W,  Green,  who  settled  in  Macomb  in 
1830;  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  of  whom  Ellen  M.  and  Warren  L.  are  liv- 
ing: Ellen  married  the  late  Charles  R.  Lusk.  Mr.  Bates  died  November  IJ,  1881:  he 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years,  and  was  a  much- esteemed  citizen. 

H.  L.  BROWN,  a  native  of  Sandusky,  Ohio,  settled  at  New  Baltimore  with  his  par- 
ents in  1858;  he  was  born  in  185(5;  in  July,  18N1,  he  inaugurated  a  printing  office  at  New 
Baltimore. 

ALFRED  BUECHLER,  born  at  Detroit  December  14.  185(3;  he  is  the  son  of  Paul 
Buechler,  of  Switzerland,  who  settled  in  Detroit  in  1848;  in  1873,  he  returned  to  Switzer- 
land, and  is  now  living  there;  his  sou  makes  New  Baltimore  his  home.  He  is  an  active  pol- 
itician, and  takes  an  especial  pride  in  being  a  tirm  supporter  of  the  Republican  platform. 

JOHN  CHAPMAN  was  born  in  Exeter,  N.  H..  January  30,  1783;  moved  with  his 
father  to  Maine  in  17U0;  there  he  was  educated  at  the  Green  Hill  Academy;  in  1804,  he 
settled  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  and  there  married  Miss  Jane  Drake  May  2(^,  1815;"his 
three  children.  Mary  Jane,  John  C.  and  Amy  Ann,  were  born  in  Ontario  County,  and 
came  to  Michigan  with  their  parents  in  1824.  Mr.  Chapman  located  lands  on  the  Shelby 
and  Washington  town  line.  Joseph  M.  Chapman.  M.  D.,  and  Henry  Clay,  were  born 
here  on  the  old  homestead.  The  pioneer  died  at  his  home  January  18,  1865.  aged  eighty- 
two  years;  he  was  one  of  the  clearest  mathematicians  of  the  United  States,  the  original 
writer  and  compiler  of  the  book  known  as  Ostrander's  Ai-ithmetic.  After  locating  his 
family,  he  retiu-ned  to  Detroit  and  engaged  in  building  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  on 
the  corner  of  Rivard  and  Jefferson  avenues,  for  which  work  he  never  received  any  pay ;  he 
was  accustomed  to  work  at  his  trade  during  the  summer  months,  and  teach  school  during 
the  winter.  In  1845,  he  retired  from  his  trade  and  became  one  of  the  most  esteemed  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace  and  Notaries  known  in  the  county;  the  duties  of  this  office  he  fulfilled 
up  to  a  short  period  before  his  deafli.  It  is  stated  positively  that  to  him  much  of  the 
credit  due  to  the  invention  known  as  the  solar  compass  belongs;  he  assisted  William  A. 
Bm-t  by  the  solution  of  all  the  difficult  problems  connected  with  such  an  instrument.  Mrs, 
Chapman,  who  learned  the  weaver's  trade  in  New  York,  was  the  only  weaver,  in  1S24  and 
1825,  between  Tremble  Mountain  and  Mt.  Clemens;  she  was  consequently  well  qualified 
to  aid  her  husband  in  the  care  of  a  large  family,  for  the  reason  that  her  own  earnings 
summed  ui)  a  very  respectable  amount  annually.  It  is  related  of  this  pioneer  lady  that, 
while  rotm-ning  from  a  visit  to  a  neighbor's.  Mrs.  Hiram  Miller,  who  was  ill,  she  was  con- 
fronted by  a  large,  himgry-looking  wolf;  the  mother  had  the  jiresent  Dr.  Chapman,  then 
a  child,  in  her  arms,  but  yet  she  lost  none  of  her  presence  of  mind;  halting,  she  allowed 
the  wolf  to  pass,  and  then  ran  homeward  with  all  her  speed.  She  lives  with  Dr.  Chap- 
man, past  ninety  years,  in  good  health 

JOSEPH  M.'  CHAPMAN,  M.  D„  son  of  John  Chapman,  a  pioneer  of  Macomb 
County,  began  his  studies  under  Prof.  Nutting,  at  Romeo,  in  1844;  continued  imder  Mey- 
ers, of  Rochester,  Oakland  County,  where  he  studied  and  taught  mathematics  for  three 
years;  in  1847,  he  was  assistant  teacher  at  Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  where  he  remained 
until  1851,  when  he  entered  the  medical  college  at  Cleveland,  Ohio;  after  one  yeai-'s  term 
there,  he  returned  to  Shelby,  and  resumed  his  favorite  subject  of  mathematics  as  tencher 
in  the  schools  of  Disco;  subsequently,  he  entered  the  medical  college  at  Ann  Ai-bor;  stud- 
ied under  Drs.  Pitcher  and  Brodie,  of  Detroit,  who  had  charge  of  St.  Mary's  House  of  In- 
56  _ 


^^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


valids;  he  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1854;  he  began  practice  with  the  late  Dr.  Cooley, 
at  Washington  Corners;  he  established  his  office,  September  'I'l,  1854,  at  New  Baltimore, 
where  he  still  resides,  and  he  has  won  the  confidence  of  a  wide  circle.  He  entered  the 
army  in  1804  as  Assistant  Surgeon;  served  ten  mouths  in  the  hospitals  in  Jeffersonville, 
Ind. ,  and  subseqneatly  on  the  field  before  Nashville,  where  he  had  to  labor  day  and  uight 
among  the  thcusands  of  sufi'ering  soldiers;  again,  at  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  he  did  good  serv- 
ice, and  remained  nntil  the  close  of  the  war  in  that  service  which  saved  to  the  country 
many  of  the  men  who  fell  upon  the  field.  Dr.  Chapman  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline 
Fellows,  of  Disco,  by  whom  he  had  four  children — John  H. ,  born  in  1850;  Ella  was  born 
in  1858;  Harvey  S.,  born  in  1801;  Leo  M.  Chapman  was  born  March  22.  1877.  Henry 
Clay  Chapman,  brother  of  J.  M.  Chapman,  was  born  in  1832;  he  is  favorably  known  as  a 
pulilic  s])eaker.  politician  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

WILLIAM  COLLOFF.  born  at  Berlin,  Prussia.  December  30.  1N4S,  came  to  Buftalo, 
N.  Y. .  with  his  parents  in  1851;  next  to  Casco,  St.  Clair  Co.,  Mich.:  thence  to  Joliet  in 
180)5,  and  to  New  Baltimore  in  1807,  where  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business.  He 
married  Miss  Rossalee  Lalond,  of  this  village,  May  12.  lS72;  they  are  the  parents  of  two 
children — Urra.  born  September  'J,  1875;  and  Dora,  born  September  13,  18S(t.  Mr.  Col 
lofi'  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor,  in  which  society  he  has  held  the  position  of  F. 
R.  since  January,  1881. 

JOHN  CRITTENDEN,  born  January  3.  1790,  in  the  town  of  Conway.  Franklin  Co., 
Mass.,  came  to  Michigan  in  the  fall  of  1831,  where  he  commenced  to  carve  out  his  fortune 
in  the  woods,  as  there  was  no  clearing  or  even  neighbors.  This  State  was  then  a  Terri- 
tory. Mi\  Crittenden  was  a  militiaman  in  the  State  of  New  York  in  1814,  and  stood  his 
draft  for  the  war.  He  was  married,  in  Albion,  Orleans  County,  in  1818.  to  Miss  Phcebe 
Goodi'ich,  of  Manlius  Square,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y. :  has  three  sons  living.  Mr.  Critten- 
den is  still  a  hale  old  man,  and  has  the  use  of  all  his  mental  faculties.  He  rode  on  the 
first  steamboat  ever  built. 

ALFORD  M.  DENISON.  son  of  Eber  C.  Denison,  was  born  at  Guilford,  Chenango 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  20,  1835,  and  in  1839  moved  with  parents  to  Broome  County;  in  1S4(), 
came  to  this  State  with  parents;  in  1800,  went  to  California  and  Nevada.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Anna  B.  Milton,  of  Chesterfield,  September  24,  1874:  thev  have  three  childi-en. 

EBER  C.  DENISON,  born  in  Greene  County,  N.  Y.,  October  30,  INOit;  in  1810, 
moved  to  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  after  his  father's  death,  which 
occurred  in  1S30,  after  living  to  the  age  of  sixty-nine;  in  183N,  his  mother  died,  and  left 
him  comparatively  free;  he  moved  to  Broome  County,  same  State,  in  183'.),  and  lived  there 
iintil  1840,  when  he  moved  to  this  State  and  bought  a  farm  in  Macomb  County,  where  he 
still  lives,  and  intends  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days;  he  has  always  taken  an  active 
part  in  the  affairs  of  the  township  where  he  lives,  having  served  the  township  as  Super- 
visor and  in  other  offices;  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  but  did  not  qualify:  was 
man-ied  to  Miss  Charlotte  Mills  October  23.  18:^4,  of  Chenango  County,  N.  Y. :  they  are 
the  parents  of  three  children. 

GEORGE  W.  DOUGLASS,  born  in  Middlesex  County,  Ontario,  Canada,  settled  in 
Ohio  with  his  parents,  and.  after  one  year's  stay  there,  came  to  Michigan  and  located  in 
Chesterfield  Township;  he  was  one  among  the  number  drafted  for  the  war  in  this  county, 
but,  on  reaching  the  rendezvous  at  Pontiac,  received  an  honorable  discharge.  He  came 
to  Macomb  County  while  it  was  still  a  wilderness,  and  shared  in  many  of  the  dangers  and 
troubles  of  pioneer  life;  to-day  his  industry  is  rewarded,  and  his  battle  with  the  world 
conceded  to  be  successful.  Mr.  Douglass  married  Lucinda  Denison,  of  Chesterfield,  in 
1860;  this  lady  was  a  native  of  Chenango  County,  N.  Y. ;  for  a  long  time  a  settler  of 
Chesterfield;    she  died  in   1876.     He  married  Amelia  Jacobs,  of  Lenox,  in   1877.     Mr. 


-Ji 5> 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Douglass  has  two  children — Josephine,  born  March  l(i,  ISHO;  and  Stephen,  born  Febru- 
ary lU,  1N62.  He  is  a  relative  of  the  Stephen  A.  Douglas  family,  being  the  fourth  re- 
move, on  the  father" s  side,  son  of  Robert  and  Hannah  Douglass,  natives  of  Vermont,  who 
moved  into  Canada  at  an  earlv  day. 

STEPHEN  FAIRCHILD,  farmer,  born  in  the  town  of  Phelps.  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in 
181(1,  came  here  with  his  mother  and  sisters  in  1832  and  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  occu- 
pies. The  first  Protestant  meeting  ever  held  \a  Chesterfield  was  held  in  his  house,  by  a 
missionary  from  Pennsylvania,  in  May.  1S82:  the  first  town  meeting  was  held  in  the  same 
house,  in  the  same  year:  this  was  when  the  township  was  called  Macomb.  Mr.  Fairchild 
was  elected  Highway  Commissioner  and  Justice  of  the  Peace:  beheld  both  ofiiees  for  three 
years;  was  married  to  Miss  Sophia  Spoor,  of  Lyons,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  October  25.  1S3S: 
has  had  one  son,  who  volunteered  in  Company  L,  Twenty-second  Michigan  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  died  of  typhoid  fever.  Mr.  Fairchild  takes  an  active  part  in  politics  and  edu- 
cation. 

ALLEN  FARR,  farmer,  was  born  at  Paris,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.,  August  22,  181S,  where 
he  received  a  common -school  education;  came  to  Michigan  in  April,  1S33,  arriving  by  the  first 
boat  in  the  spring;  settled  on  a  Government  grant,  and  commenced  clearing  his  land.  He 
married  Miss  Mary  Carl,  of  AVayne  County,  N.  Y.,  July  4,  1836;  Mrs.  Farr  was  born  April 
4.  1S19,  and  was  married  at  her  father's  house  in  Lenox.  Mr.  Fan-  was  a  ([uiet.  unassum- 
ing man:  took  an  active  interest  in  education,  and  lived  a  temperate  and  industrious  life: 
was  a  strict  churchman,  having  connected  himself  with  the  Free- Will  Baptists  a  number  of 
years  ago.     He  passed  away  in  peace  at  his  residence.  September  11,  1877. 

HENRY  F.  FARR.  born  at  Parish,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.,  December  30,  IS  11),  came 
with  his  parents  from  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  to  Chesterfield  in  1S33.  Mr.  Farr  re- 
ceived the  education  which  the  early  schools  of  the  East,  as  well  as  of  Macomb  County, 
offered.  When  leaving  New  York,  his  father  had  $600.  together  with  his  personal  prop  ■ 
erty;  the  Western  trip  cost  at  least  $100;  the  160  acres  which  his  father  located  cost  |350: 
a  cow  and  yoke  of  oxen,  with  provisions,  etc. ,  almost  swallowed  up  the  balance  of  the  cash 
capital:  the  childi-en,  as  well  as  the  parents,  exerted  themselves  to  be  equal  to  the  occa- 
sion, and  succeeded  in  their  battle  with  the  wilderness.  Mr.  Farr  remembers  attending 
as  manv  as  sis  logging  bees  and  one  raising  in  one  week.  He  married  Miss  Julia  Ann 
demons,  of  Livingston  County,  N.  Y..  September  2S,  1843:  has  had  foiu-  childi-eu— Will 
iam  Farr,  born  in  August,  1844;  and  Merrit  S.,  bom  in  September,  1850.  He  takes  a 
deep  interest  in  educational  affairs,  holding  the  offices  of  Director  and  Moderator  for  a 
number  of  years;  at  the  period  of  his  settlement,  red  deer  were  so  plenty  that  he  could  kill 
them  at  pleasiu'e. 

GEORGE  M.  FULLER,  son  of  Solomon  Fuller,  of  Vermont,  and  Eunice  Gay,  the 
first  woman  who  rode  in  a  wagon  in  the  Oak  Hill  neighborhood.  New  York,  was  born  in 
Castile  Township,  Wyoming  Co..  N.  Y.,  January  23,  1S24.  George  M.  came  with  his 
parents  to  Columbus,"  St.  Clair  County,  in  the  fall  of  1845:  in  1846,  he  piu'chased  thirty- 
six  acres  of  land  in  Richmond  Township,  Macomb:  this  farm  he  cultivated,  making  his 
home  at  his  father" s  house,  in  St.  Clair  County.  In  184S,  he  returned  to  New  York. 
where  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Brainard  and  resided  until  1852.  when  he  retm-ned  to 
Macomb.  In  1861,  he  had  176  acres,  which  he  sold,  pm-chasing  160  acres— the  Zara 
Granger  fann,  on  Section  lit;  he  owns  280  acres  at  present,  on  Sections  11>.  211  and  30;  is 
a  successful  agriculturist  and  stock-raiser.  His  children  are  Frank  A.,  Albert  P.,  Eva  A., 
Ella  E.,  Elmer  G..  Estella  M.,  Mary  E.  and  Etta.  The  two  oldest  are  man-ied.  Mr. 
Fuller  was  County  Drain  Commissioner  for  one  term;  he  is  a  member  of  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry, and  of  the  M.  E.  Chiu-ch. 

SAMUEL    GOODSELL,  M.  D.,  born  in  Mobile,  Ala..  July  S,  1828,  came  here  with 


P^ 


^1 


HISTORY  OF   MACOMB  COUNTY. 


liis  parents;  be  received  a  common-school  education,  and  afterward  went  to  Cle\oland 
College  for  two  years.  In  1N7'2  he  went  to  Detroit  and  gi'aduated  from  the  Homceopathic 
Institute;  returning,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine.  The  Doctor  was  married 
to  Miss  Alma  Bacon,  who  was  born  October  6,  1S82,  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  town 
of  Pottsdam;  the  ceremony  took  place  at  RocHfester,  Mich.,  in  1S54;  they  have  three  chil- 
dren— Lois  Ada,  born  February  I,  ISIJ'i;  Alletta  (}.,  December  S,  lSfi4:  Lowell  G. .  April 
17,  1869. 

JOEL  HART,  P.  O.  Milton,  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  October  2,  1S27;  set- 
tled in  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1882;  he  is  the  son  of  James  Hart,  a  well-known 
old  resident  of  Chesterheld,  who  died  in  1S57  (referred  to  in  the  chapters  of  the  general 
history).  Joel  Hart  was  married  to  Rosetta  M.  Rice  in  1858;  six  years  later,  this  lady 
died.  Iq  ISOO,  he  married  Miss  Louisa  Camtield;  two  children,  now  settled  comfortably 
in  life,  resulted  from  the  first  marriage,  and  one  born  from  the  second,  a  lady  of  fifteen 
summers,  is  now  living  with  her  parents.  A  reference  to  the  organic  hist(jry  of  this  town- 
ship, and  to  the  political  history  of  the  county,  will  show  the  piiblie  offices  to  which  Mr. 
Hart  was  elected. 

PETER  C.  HART,  farmer,  born  at  Paris,  Oneida  Co.,N.  Y.,  June  15,  1811;  went  to 
Annsvilleand  lived  thereuntil  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen,  when  he  settled  in  Livings- 
ton County,  N.  Y.,  and  remained  there  for  about  two  years;  he  labored  on  the  Erie  Canal 
for  seven  years,  and,  in  1N84,  came  to  this  county,  took  up  land  and  became  an  actual 
settler.  He  was  married,  May  7,  1885,  to  Miss  Eliza  Ann  Leonard,  of  Phelps  Township, 
Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. .  born  March  28,  1814,  by  whom  he  has  three  childi-en. 

PUTMAN  HART,  born  in  Anusville,  Oneida  Co.,N.  Y.,  in  1820.  received  a  common- 
school  education  and  came  here  with  parents  in  June,  1832;  this  part  of  Michigan  was 
then  wild — no  schools  nearer  than  Cady's  settlement.  Mr.  Hart  takes  an  active  interest  in 
politics  and  education;  married  Miss  Louisa  Crawford,  of  Ray  Township,  in  December, 
1N42;  has  had  one  son  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  four  are  married. 

HON.  GILBERT  HATHEWAY  was  born  in  Plymouth  County.  Mass.,  in  1812.  He 
married  Miss  Abigail  D.  Hammatt,  of  Nantucket;  foiu-  children  were  born  to  them — three 
sous  and  one  daughter.  He  came  to  Michigan  in  184(3,  but  did  not  reside  here  until  some 
time  after,  and  may  be  said  to  have  inaugurated  those  important  commercial  concerns 
referred  to  in  the  sketch  of  his  son,  J.  S.  P.  Hatheway.  During  his  early  life  in  Massa- 
chusetts, he  was  well  known  in  the  military  circles  of  the  State,  and  bore  the  commission 
and  rank  of  militia  Colonel.  His  life  in  Macomb  County  was  characterii^ed  by  deeds  of 
charity  and  benevolence.  His  death,  which  took  place  October  26,  1871,  drew  forth  from 
the  people  unmistakable  evidences  of  sorrow.  What  interest  this  citizen  took  in  educa- 
tional matters  is  best  told  by  the  fact  that  he  bequeathed  a  sum  of  $15,(^00  to  the  village 
of  New  Baltimore  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  school  building  to  be  known  as  the  Hathe- 
way Institute. 

JAMES  S.  P.  HATHEWAY,  son  of  the  late  Hon.  Gilbert  Hatheway,  was  born  Au- 
gust 15,  1S84,  near  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  about  twenty  miles  from  Plymouth  Rock.  In- 
dian nomenclature  gave  the  title  Sippican  (subsequently  changed  to  Marion)  to  the  village 
in  which  stands  the  old  Hatheway  homestead.  Mi'.  Hatheway  settled  in  New  Baltimore, 
Mich.,  in  1S58,  and  engaged  at  once  in  those  important  business  enterprises  which  have 
aided  so  much  in  the  building  up  of  the  village.  He  married  Miss  E.  L.  Sampson,  of 
Lakevillo,  Plymouth  Co.,  Mass.,  August  15,  185U.  a  lineal  descendant  of  Miles  Standish, 
of  Puritanical  fame;  they  were  the  parents  of  one  child,  named  Mabel  Gilbert,  who  died 
March  24,  ]S81,  having  been  married  three  months  to  Mr.  Orin  Dunham,  of  Paw  Paw, 
Mich.  Up  to  1874,  Mr.  Hatheway  enjoyed  good  health;  during  that  year,  a  rheumatic 
attack  confined  him  to  his  house,  since  which  time  he  has  been  an  invalid;  he  is  the  eldest 


son  of  the  late  Hon.  Gilbert  Hathewaj,  and,  ou  the  death  of  that  pioneer  of  New  Balti- 
more, in  ISTI.  found  it  necessary  to  take  charge  of  the  business  interests  established  by 
his  father  there.  The  greater  portion  of  New  Baltimore  belongs  to  the  Hatheway  estate. 
This  was  well  illustrated  some  few  years  ago.  when  a  circus  agent  visited  the  village  to 
Ijrejjare  the  way  for  his  company,  he  wished  to  select  an  eligible  site.  and.  coming  to  a 
corner- lot.  asked  his  guide,  "  To  whom  does  this  property  belong?  "'  "Mi-.  Hatheway," 
was  the  rasponse.  The  same  question  was  asked  about  several  other  places,  and  drew  forth 
a  similar  response.  At  length  the  agent  exclaimed.  "  Where  does  this  man  live,  and  does 
he  own  the  whole  town  ?  " 

D.  ]VnLO  HEATH,  son  of  Anth'ew  J.  Heath,  of  Livingston  County.  N.  Y. .  was  born 
in  Livingston  County  April  '2.'2..  1.S44:  he  came  with  family  to  Almont.  Lape«r  Co..  in  ISoD, 
and  settled  at  New  Baltimore.  Macomb  Co.,  in  1 S53.  He  learned  the  harness  maker's  trade 
when  a  boy.  and  has  been  engaged  in  that  business  since  1863.  He  was  married,  in  1866,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  L.  Donehue,  to  whom  foiu-  children  were  born,  thi-ee  of  whom  are  living 
— Robert  A.,  Percy  C.  and  Oakes  L.  Mrs.  Heath  died  in  1S76.  In  April,  ISSO,  he  married 
Miss  Alice  E.  Smith,  who  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Eva.  Mr.  Heath  was  first  Recorder 
of  New  Baltimore;  is  serving  fourth  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace;  has  been  Notary  Public 
for  the  past  sixteen  years;  Deputy  Collector  of  Customs  since  186'.);  Postmaster  since  ISTI  I; 
a  member  of  School  Board:  of  the  Knights  of  Honor,  and  a  favoralily  known  insurance 
agent. 

DAYID  HEDGES,  born  at  Northtield.  Washington  Co.,  Vt..  April  'IK  lS-2(),  settled 
at  Mt.  Clemens  in  September.  IS-t'i:  he  moved  to  New  Baltimore  subsequently,  and  built 
the  third  house  in  the  village  early  in  1S4(J;  he  was  the  first  village  blacksmith;  has  been 
•Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  is  now  Worshipful  Master  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  at  New  Balti- 
more. Mr.  Hedges  was  married,  in  1 845.  to  Kate  Chandler,  by  whom  he  had  six  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  living  and  foiu-  dead. 

JOHN  HERRIMAN.  farmer  in  Chesterfield,  Macomb  Co..  Mich.,  son  of  Joseph  Her- 
riman.  Sr.,  born  in  Phelps,  Ontario  Co..  N.  Y. .  January  lo.  ISO."),  where  he  i-eceived  a 
common-school  education;  left  Phelps.  February  10.  1831.  with  his  father,  brother  Joseph 
and  brother-in-law  John,  Mr.  Lusk,  for  Michigan  Territory,  with  a  sleigh  and  span  of 
horses;  they  were  three  days  getting  to  Buffalo:  came  through  Canada  to  the  head  of  Detroit 
River;  when  one  day's  drive  from  Buffalo,  one  horse  became  lame  (stifled);  left  the  horse 
and  brother  Joseph  and  the  rest  of  the  party  came  on  to  Detroit;  while  passing  down  De- 
troit River  on  the  ice,  on  the  Canada  shore,  at  Windsor,  the  ice  broke  under  them  and  the 
horse  and  sleigh  went  down:  the  men  jumped  on  to  solid  ice,  caught  the  horse  and  held  him 
up  till  help  came  and  pulled  him  out.  After  caring  for  the  horse  they  hired  a  man  to  pilot  them 
across  the  river,  the  ice  being  very  thin;  stayed  in  Detroit  two  days,  making  inquiries  about 
the  country,  etc.  Detroit  was  then  a  very  small  village;  then  went  to  Royal  Oak,  then  north 
to  Rochester  and  then  to  Romeo  and  then  a  few  miles  east  of  Romeo,  and.  after  satisfj-ing 
themselves  here,  returned  to  Detroit,  and  was  recommended  to  land  on  the  L'nited  States 
Gratiot  road,  north  of  Mt.  Clemens,  where  they  soon  purchased  land,  six  miles  north  of  Mt. 
Clemens;  then,  after  getting  the  County  Siu-veyor  from  two  miles  north  of  Romeo  and 
surveying  out  the  lands,  commenced  building  their  shanty  (snow  ten  inches  deep);  got  the 
body  up  the  first  day.  piled  brush  on  the  inside,  spread  their  bedding  on  it  and  a  sheet 
overhead  for  a  roof  and  took  their  first  night's  lodging  there,  14th  of  March:  next  day. 
got  on  a  shake  roof  and  split  timber  and  laid  a  floor;  then  John  and  his  brother  in-law 
built  a  log  hj.ise  cjve.-jd  wi -h  shakes  (long  oak  shingles),  having  only  ten  men  to 
help  raise Ihe  houses:  all  the  men  there  were  then  living  within  three  or  fom-  miles  of 
each  other;  then  John  and  his  father  took  a  sail  ves.sel  for  Buffalo,  and  went  back  to  Phelps 
after  their  families,  and  retiu-ned  to  Michigan  in  June  following,  and  thus  began  their 


'Fie 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


pioneering  life  in  Michigan  Territo'  y.  Joseph  Herriman  and  his  nine  children  all  settled 
in  Michigan;  his  wife  died  in  IS-'iO  and  he  in  18()3;  Joseph.  Jr.,  stayed  in  Canada  eight 
or  ten  days  with  the  lame  horse:  then  traded  it  oflf  and  came  on  to  Michigan.  Mr.  John 
Herriman  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Kirkham.  December  20.  iSliU;  they  have  raised 
six  children,  one  son  and  five  daughters;  foiu'  of  the  daughters  have  died.  Mr.  J.  Her 
rimau  superintended  the  building  of  the  First  M.  E.  Church,  in  Chesterfield,  in  1869, 
and  the  church  now  stands  as  a  memorial  of  his  last  work.  He  has  been  very  poorly  in 
health  for  several  years,  and  several  times  not  expected  to  live  within  five  years  past. 

REV.  THOMAS  HOOKER,  pastor  of  Christian  Church  in  Hertfordshire,  England, 
wa«  born  in  ir)S(i,  came  to  the  American  colonies  in  163".Z  and  died  July  (.  Ifi47;  his  only 
son.  Rev.  Samuel  Hooker,  died  at  Farmington,  Conn. .  leaving  ten  children.  John 
Hooker,  son  of  Samuel,  father  of  Hezekiah  Hooker,  who  was  the  first  son  of  John  Hooker 
and  father  of  James  Hooker,  was  the  grandfather  of  Cortez  P.  Hooker,  who  settled  in 
Clinton  Township,  Macomb  County,  in  1837.  Cortez  P.  Hooker  was  born  at  Hampton. 
Washington  Co.,  N.  Y. .  in  1814;  on  coming  to  this  district  of  Michigan,  in  1837,  he  lo- 
cated lands  in  Clinton  Township,  where  he  remained  three  years;  he  next  piu'chased  a 
wild  farm  in  Washington  Township,  where  he  has  lived  for  ten  years.  He  was  married. 
in  184"2,  and  moved  to  Ashley,  now  New  Baltimore,  in  18-")!.  Mr.  Hooker  carried  the 
first  mails  from  the  tavern  at  the  Gratiot  Road  Crossing  for  a  terra  of  one  year,  until  T. 
M.  Crocker  was  appointed  Postmaster,  who  retained  the  position  for  three  years,  when  he 
was  elected  District  Attorney  and  moved  to  Mt.  Clemens.  A  reference  to  the  political 
chapter  will  show  the  popular  vote  which  sent  Mr.  Hooker  to  the  Legislature  in  1849,  and 
to  the  Senate  in  18.")").  He  was  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  town,  for  about  four 
years,  but  for  the  last  eighteen  years  has  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  agi-icultm-e,  being 
one  of  the  most  extensive,  if  not  the  most  extensive,  farmer  in  the  county. 

WILLIAM  C.  JONES,  farmer  and  present  Supervisor  of  the  township  of  Chesterfield, 
was  born  at  Manchester.  Ontario  Co..  N.  Y. ,  July  30.  IH'I'l.  and  came  to  Michigan  with 
his  parents  in  the  year  1831.  and  settled  in  Novi,  Oakland  Coimty,  then  a  wilderness;  he 
there  saw  the  hardships  of  a  pioneer  life.  W.  C.  moved  to  Detroit  in  1848,  and  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business.  On  the  18th  of  January.  1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Olive 
S.  Brown,  of  Coldwater.  Branch  Co.,  Mich.;  he  moved  from  Detroit,  in  April,  1859,  to 
Chesterfield,  his  present  home;  he  now  holds  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  his 
second  term;  his  father.  Samiiel  Jones,  was  born  in  Dutchess  Co.,  N.  Y.,  January  20,  1789; 
he  moved  to  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. ,  when  a  boy.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Barbary  Hill,  of 
Ontario  Co..  N.  Y..  her  birthplace;  she  was  born  August  24.  1795,  and  is  now  living.  She 
was  the  mother  of  eleven  children,  seven  boys  and  four  girls:  seven  boys  and  two  girls  are 
now  living,  all  over  fifty  years  of  age. 

SIDNEY  A.  KNIGHT  was  born  in  Chesterfield  Township  in  1S47;  he  received  the 
liberal  education  which  the  school  of  the  township  ofi"ors,  aud  now  follows  the  profession 
of  book-keeper  and  mercantile  clerk.  He  was  married  to  Miss  E.  J.  Evans.  April  5,  1870. 
Mr.  Knight  has  been  Town  Treasm-er  for  some  time;  is  S.  W.  of  Lake  St.  Clair  Lodge, 
No.  82.  F.  A.  M. .  and  an  earnest  worker  in  all  matters  affecting  the  township's  well  being. 

FREDERICK  KRIMEL  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  August  19,  1841;  set- 
tled in  Detroit  in  1871,  and  came  to  New  Baltimore  in  1874;  he  was  married,  in  Ger- 
many, to  Miss  Rossa  Kallar,  in  18(i9;  they  are  the  parents  of  five  boys  and  one  girl.  Im- 
mediatelv  after  settlement  at  New  Baltimore,  he  opened  a  hotel,  which  he  now  conducts. 

ABRAM  LEONARDSON  (deceased),  born  in  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.,  March  12, 
lN2r).  was  the  son  of  Abram.  of  the  same  State.  Mr.  L.  came  with  his  mother  to  this 
county  in  October,  1843,  and  located  lands  in  Chesterfield,  where  he  lived  until  his  de- 
cease, January  23,  1878.     He  was  married.  May  28,  1852,   to  Miss  Julia,  daughter  of 


i. 


i>t^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Richai-d  Hedges;  she  was  bom  in  Vermont  and  was  visiting  her  brother  in  this  county  at 
date  of  marriage;  they  were  the  parents  of  four  children — Clara.  Jay,  John  and  An- 
nie; Clara  is  the  wife  of  M.  S.  Farr,  residing  at  Lincoln,  Neb.  Mr.  L.  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church  for  several  years  and  resides  on  the  homestead.  Section  o, 
Chesterfield. 

JAMES  LEONARDSON.  son  of  Abram,  of  New  York,  was  Isorn  in  Montgomery 
County,  N.  Y.,  January  "29.  1818;  he  settled  near  Maumee,  Ohio,  in  the  fall  of  1848.  and 
located  lands  on  Section  8,  Chesterfield,  in  1845,  where  he  still  resides;  he  took  charge 
of  a  farm  when  seventeen  years  ot  age,  and  has  piu-sued  agi-iculture  since  that  time.  He 
was  married,  in  February,  1843.  to  Miss  Eleanor  Meagley,  of  Montgomery  County,  N. 
Y.,  to  whom  eight  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Abram  and  Francis 
(twins),  Elizabeth,  Jane,  Ella,  Etta  and  Alice,  all  of  whom  are  married  except  the  last 
named.  Mr.  L.  was  Commissioner  of  Highways  for  four  years.  Notary  Public  for  two 
years  and  School  Director  for  three  years;  is  a  member  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  and 
of  the  Clinton  Church  at  Romeo. 

F.  C.  LOSH,  proprietor  of  the  Grand  Pacific  House  at  New  Baltimore,  was  born  in 
Chesterfield  September  3.  185fi;  he  married  Miss  Emma  Springborn,  who  was  born  at 
Fair  Haven,  October  "25,  IS.jT.  The  hotel  which  he  proposes  opening  next  summer  will 
be  a  great  addition  to  the  village,  and  doubtless  will  reward  the  enterprise  of  the  owner, 
since  it  will  offer  to  many  an  inducement  to  visit  the  beautifully  located  village. 

CHARLES  MEIYERS  was  born  in  Germany  October  14,/l8.")4;  he  came  direct  from 
his  German  home  to  Macomb  C/Ounty,  and.  taking  a  position  as  mill  hand  in  the  Perkins 
&  Son  Mill,  entered  upon  that  course  of  earn  st  labor  and  industry,  which  resulted  in  en- 
abling him  to  carr}'  on  that  manufactui'ing  concern  successfully.  He  married  Miss  Losh 
in  1871;  they  have  two  children,  a  boy,  aged  four  years,  and  a  girl,  aged  two  years.  Mr. 
Meiyers  is  the  owner  of  the  New  Baltimore  livery,  which  is  a  first-class  concern  in  every 
resjject. 

FREDERICK  MILLER,  butcher  and  packer,  was  born  at  Wiu-temberg,  Germany,  in 
1830;  came  to  Philadelphia  in  18")3,  where  he  remained  until  18l)4,  when  he  located  at 
New  Baltimore.  He  married  Miss  Louisa  Sulcir,  of  Philadelphia,  in  1855;  since  coming 
to  this  village,  his  trade  has  made  steady  progress.  In  aLlditiou  to  the  regular' village 
trade,  he  packs  about  eighty  barrels  annually  for  the  lake  trade. 

JOHN  MILTON,  P.  O.  Milton,  born  in  Somersetshire,  England,  March  29,  1817;  lo- 
cated in  Chesterfield  in  June,  1841;  he  entered  the  wilderness  with  a  cash  capital  of  $H(), 
determined  to  carve  out  for  himself  the  respectable  f(n-tiine  which  rewarded  his  labars. 
Mr.  M.  married  Miss  Loretta  Bm-gess,  of  this  township,  in  1849,  to  whom  were  born  fom- 
children,  one  son  and  three  daughters.  William  Milton,  born  December  1,  1785,  in  Som- 
ersetshire, England,  came  to  this  country  in  June,  1855,  and  lived  with  his  son  until  his 
death,  August  15,  1870,  in  tlie  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  Mi-s.  Milton,  Sr.,  born  January 
10,  1786,  died  in  her  ninety-second  year,  March  25,  1877.  John  Milton,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  filled  the  office  of  Supervisor  from  1802  to  1876,  with  two  exceptions,  when 
he  retired  from  the  circle  of  local  politics. 

JOSEPH  MILTON  (deceased)  was  born  in  Somersetshire,  England,  October  2,  1810; 
emigrated  with  his  brother  and  landed  August  2,  1832,  and  settled  on  a  Government  grant 
of  eighty  acres;  he  only  had  one  English  farthing  in  money,  when  he  lauded,  but,  with  a 
brave  heart  and  strong  arm,  he  began  to  carve  out  his  fortune  in  the  wilds  of  Michigan. 
In  order  to  get"  a  living  while  clearing  his  land,  he  worked  ac  his  trade  in  Mt.  Clemens, 
as  ship  carpenter  in  summer,  and  in  winter  cleared  his  land;  being  a  large  man  and  having 
a  strong  constitution,  he  succeeded;  he  labored  on  the  Gratiot  Turnpike  and  the  Grand 
Trunk  Railroad  when  they  were  in  course  of  construction.     He  married  Miss  Spiddy  J. 


l\±. 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Hei-riman,  of  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  June  7.  183');  she  was  born  May  8.  1817.  oVIr.  M.  re- 
ceived a  common-school  education  in  England  and  was  adapted  to  most  any  position  in 
rural  districts;  was  Commissioner  of  Highways  for  several  terms,  and  School  Director;  the 
latter  has  always  been  his  pi-ide;  he  took  an  active  interest  in  politics,  being  a  stanch 
Democrat,  and  when  he  passed  away  every  one  who  knew  him  lamented  his  loss;  the  min 
ister  who  fficiated  at  his  funeral  said:  "Never  has  it  been  my  privilege  to  see  such  a  tri- 
um))liant  death  as  was  his;  he  was  one  of  the  happiest  of  men;  the  last  word  to  his  family 
was  "It  is  all  satisfactory.'  "  His  funeral  was  the  largest  one  ever  known  in  this  district; 
the  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  John  Armstrong.  The  names  and  ages  of 
his  family  are  as  follows:  Ford  Lee  Milton,  born  April  11. 1830;  Obed  Arnold.  September 
L'4,  1837;  Charlotte  Ann.  February  13,  1839:  Gaylord  Donaldson,  December  2,  1849; 
Mirthy  Treasure,  April  29.  18<!2. 

WARREN  PARKER,  son  of  Joshua  O.  Parker,  born  in  Putney,  Vt.,  January  '.). 
18()().  was  born  in  Greig.  Lewis  Co.,  N.  Y.,  November  15,  18"29.  Jcshua  C.  and  family 
came  to  Michigan  in  1833,  and  settled  in  the  township  of  Chesterfield;  bought  his  land 
from  the  Government,  the  same  being  the  east  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  18. 
At  that  period,  the  Indians  dwelt  on  the  lake  shore,  three  or  four  miles  distant,  while 
wolves,  bears  and  deer  were  plenty  round  the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Parker.  Sr.,  died  July 
2i,  18')().  Wan-en  was  married  to  Miss  Adeline  Snover,  December  3,  1851.  to  whom  one 
child  was  born.  This  lady  died  November  0,  18()1.  He  married  Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter 
of  William  Carpenter,  November  9,  bSfi."),  to  whom  two  sons — George  and  William — were 
born.  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Parker  died  October  3,  1871.  October  22,  1872,  he  married  Helen 
Carjienter,  sister  of  his  second  wife,  of  whom  two  children  were  born — Warren  and  Joshua 
C,  the  first  deceased.  Mr.  Parker  has  tilled  the  offices  of  Highway  Commissioner,  School 
Inspector.  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Supervisor  and  was  elected  Representative  of  the  Logis- 
latm-e  in  1878  and  again  in  1880.  The  family  in  America  dates  back  to  the  first  settle- 
ment of  Connecticut,  when  five  brothers  came  from  England;  three  settled  in  New  En- 
gland and  two  in  Virginia.  The  great  grand  father  of  Warren  Parker  was  the  son  of  Ebe 
nezer  Parker,  and  named  Joshua,  born  in  Boston  June  5,  1720.  The  son  of  Joshua  was 
Samuel  D. ,  born  April  24.  17()3,  and  his  son  was  Joshua  C,  father  of  Warren,  and  a  pio- 
neer of  Chesterfield. 

WILLIAM  RANDALL,  born  at  Benton,  Yates  Co.,  N.  Y..  May  24,  1821;  was  edu- 
cated in  Ontario  County.  N.  Y.,  and  traveled  West  in  1840,  locating  in  Illinois;  in  1851, 
he  an-ived  at  Mt.  Clemens  and  the  year  aftei-  settled  in  New  Baltimore;  he  was  engaged 
there  as  a  photogi-aphic  artist  for  a  short  time.  During  four  years,  he  has  been  manager  of 
the  McElroy  Mill  and  manager  for  Perkins  &  Son  for  three  years.  He  married  Miss  M. 
M.  Dean,  of  Winnebago  County,  March  27,  1851 ;  they  are  the  parents  of  five  children  — 
Cornelia  M.,  born  September  8,  1857;  Wintield  E.,  March  4,  ISfil;  Caroline  C.  June  2(). 
1865;  James  W.,  April  4,  1868,  and  Arthur  E.,  April  10,  1870. 

JACOB  REHFUSS  was  born  in  Germany  November  30,  1828;  came  to  Philadelphia 
in  1852,  where  he  engaged  in  shoemaking  for  one  year;  he  settled  in  New  Baltimore  in 
1853.  He  man-ied  Christiana  Scott,  of  PhiladeliJiia,  in  1859,  by  whom  he  has  five  chil- 
dren— two  boys  and  three  girls.  He  has  carried  on  business  in  New  Baltimore  for  twenty 
years. 

A.  D.  RICE,  P.  O.  Milton,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  groceries,  hardware,  etc.,  was  born 
in  Madison  County,  N.  Y..  in  1836;  came  to  Michigan  with  his  parents  the  same  year; 
entered  the  army  at  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion,  participating  in  its  conflicts  till  its 
close,  accompanying  Gen.  Sherman  on  his  grand  march  to  the  sea;  then  returned  and 
settled  on  the  old  homestead  in  Macomb  Townshii).  Mr.  Rice  resided  on  the  farm  until 
he  established  the  business  above  referred  to  in  October,  1880.     His  marriage  with  Miss 


Ll^ 


HISTORY   OF   MACOMB   COUNTY. 


Cleantlie  Storm  took  place.  April  "2,  18()7:  they  are  the  parents  of  four  childi-en — Rollie 
E.,  born  January  U,  18(58;  Hila  Mable.  June  29,  1870;  Winfield  S.,  June  18,  1873.  and 
Alford.  November  20,  1881. 

CAPT.  PAUL  RIVAED,  born  in  Chesteriield  September  24,  1847;  received  a  com- 
mon-school education  there;  in  18(51,  he  took  to  the  lakes,  shijsping  before  the  mast,  and, 
in  18(57.  he  was  jiromoted  to  the  office  of  first  mate,  which  position  he  held  until  1870, 
when  he  was  appointed  Captain,  which  office  he  holds  at  the  present  time.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1878,  and  has  three  children. 

M.  M.  SANDERS,  manager  of  the  Hatheway  planing  mill  and  sash,  door  and  blind 
factory,  was  born  at  Waterloo,  Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1822;  he  is  an  engineer  by  profession, 
having  served  under  Johnson,  of  Geneva,  and  followed  that  trade  for  a  number  of  years, 
until  he  accepted  the  management  of  the  New  Baltimore  Planing  Mill,  etc.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Hess,  of  Waterloo;  to  them  was  born  one  child,  now  aged  thirty- 
two  years. 

C.  SCHLOSSER.  dealer  in  hardware,  stoves  and  tinware,  who  purchased  the  store 
and  the  business  established  by  Benedict  in  1875;  has  carried  on  an  extensive  trade  here 
ever  since  May  1.  1878;  he  carries  a  stock  valued  at  over  $3,0110,  and  his  business  is  based 
on  cash  principles.  Mr.  S.  was  born  ih  Alsace.  LoiTaine,  France.  September  1."),  1842; 
emigi'ated  to  Iowa  in  18(5U,  and  settled  in  Detroit  in  1872,  where  he  learned  his  trade. 
He  married  Miss  Eliza  Wagnar.  in  January,  1874;  they  are  the  jjarents  of  one  boy,  aged 
four  months,  and  one  girl,  aged  six  years. 

CYRUS  B.  SIMMONS.  P.  O.  Milton,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Paris.  Oneida  Co.,  N. 
Y..  June  4.  181();  there  he  received  a  common-school  education;  his  father  died  in  1818; 
his  mother  moved  to  Florence,  north  part  of  Oneida  County,  in  1820;  he  came  to  Macomb 
Coimty  in  May,  1834,  when  the  most  of  the  State  was  a  wilderness;  he  has  held  the  office 
of  Supervisor  for  three  years,  and  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  but  did  not  qualify; 
he  has  ever  taken  an  active  part  in  education  and  politics;  was  Notaiy  Public  for  one  term. 
Mr.  S.  was  married  to  Miss  M.  Stanford,  of  Rockdale,  Erie  Co.,  Penn.,  in  183(5;  has  two 
sons  and  one  daughtev  living,  who  are  married  and  settled  in  Michigan.  His  wife  died  in 
1863  and  one  daughter  in  1870. 

GEORGE  C.  WALKER,  successor  to  J.  S.  P.  Hatheway's  store,  established  in  1852, 
by  the  Kern  Bros.,  and  sold  to  Mr.  Hatheway  in  1855.  Mr.  Walker  bought  the  mercantile 
interest  March  20,  1882,  from  Mr.  Hatheway,  and  now  carries  on  the  business  of  general 
merchant  under  the  name  of  George  C.  Walker;  he  was  born  in  Tioga  County,  N.  Y. ,  in 
October.  1832;  he  came  to  Michigan  in  1855,  and  located  at  Fair  Haven. 

ELISHA  WELLER,  born  July  23,  1800,  in  Mansfield,  now  Washington,  IN.  J. ;  came 
to  Michigan  in  May,  1831 ;  he  was  married  in  his  native  county  to  Maria  Van  Atta,  No- 
vember 13,  1822,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living,  thi'ee  girls 
and  five  boys,  all  of  whom  are  married.  Mr.  Weller  began  life  in  Michigan  as  a  black- 
smith; for  years  he  labored  earnestly  at  his  trade,  but  was  not  exposed  to  the  privations 
of  pioneer  life  in  any  serious  form,  as  he  brought  with  him  some  money  and  necessaries 
of  life,  which  proved  an  efficacious  remedy  against  the  evils  entailed  by  the  Michigan 
Narrows  and  the  panic  of  1837, 

F.  M.  WOOLLEY.  P.  O.  New  Baltimore,  clerk  and  part  owner  on  a  boat,  was  born  in 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  January  (5,  1843;  came  to  Michigan  October  23,  1852.  and  received 
his  education  at  Mt.  Clemens;  then  went  to  New  Baltimore,  where  he  learnetl  the  harness 
maker's  trade  with  A.  J.  Heath;  he  enlisted  in  the  Ai-my  of  the  Cumberland  and  served 
for  two  years;  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  July  13,  18(52,  at  the  battle  of  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenn;  he  was  paroled  by  the  rebels  and  rejoined  his  regiment  and  was  afterward 
discharged   for  disability;  came  home  and  engaged  as   a  commercial  traveler.      March, 


^ 

^ 


l\^ 


HISTORY   OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


187'),  he  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  on  the  steamer  City  of  Baltimore.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Fanny  A.  Wilson,  of  New  Baltimore,  in  October,  18B8;  they  are  the  parents  of 
three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Mr.  WooUey  takes  an  active  interest  in  education  and 
politics. 


^- 


;t^ 


^1 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


RECENT    HAPPENINGS. 

TB.\NSACTIONS     OF    THE    PIONEEB    SOCIETY,     1882. 

m,MuX.pSo™  to  .It/nJ.  the  meeting  did  not  attr«t  the  number,  oipeoted      About 

^"i«:E:itsr.^;trrr:=''C'zS:t,'reXC^^^^^^ 

,.„  ™n.d  S,„r„d.  »idac«„n.itt.e  a,>„oint..d  to  -P"',  »»»3  "  S  H  T" " 

Sh,i;;intdT.\Scl,7-.X-^S;S5:'.™^^^^^^^ 

iedge    o'f  Mt    Clemls  "nd  George  W.  Phillips,  of  Romeo.  Execuhve  Committee;  John 
C.  Ctdy  was  designated  as  singing  master.  Andriis"    paper 

G    H.  Cannon,    in  the  necessary   absence  of  the  autlio.     }''^'l  Jf',       The  C  inton 
on  me  Clinton  Canal  and  Shelby  Railroad.     This  paper  we  b-efly  sketch     The  Clmton 
Canal  and  Shelby  Raih-oad  were  two  of  the  many  re^^^^^^^^^^ 
fever  of  speculation  that  infatuated  the  pe^Ue  of  Mich  ganm^^^^  ^.^.^^.^^^ 

1833  to  1840.     The  State  ^v.s  ^P-^  ^^t   ^tcon  t       i^  stimulated 

connections  was  strongly  felt.      1  tie  succeshiui  con  j-     qj^j^^.^^.  to  the 

Michigan  to  alike  endeavor    and  a  cana    from  the  Chnt^^^ 

!-r;erypre:^s.=^Er^^^^^^^^^^ 
rh::.r.?nsrBrrors:i.^iSfofS^^^^^^^ 

in  charglthe  canal  work  and  a  survey  was  ^f  f/7,f .,    ^^^^^{"^V^^fe  ^i'l^est  hopes  were  arous- 
greatexxitementamongthoselocanymterestednthec^n^^ 

Id  among  the  sturdy  P-^^rs  of  Macomb  Co^^^^^  ,^  the 

year  there  were  changes  ^'^  ^^^^Xfrlwe'iron"  those  interested  in  the  work  at  one 

^n^mS;^I^:r:^^^HS.rtSt:trlt^^^^^^  across  the  Clin- 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


'iL, 


ton  to  supply  the  locks,  and.  in  lH-i5.  boats  were  running  from  Utica  to  Frederick.  In 
that  year,  the  revenue  to  the  State  from  canal  tolls  was  $46.  UO;  year  following,  it  was 
$43.44;  in  11S47.  the  income  was  less  yet,  and,  in  1S4S,  the  canal  was  in  disuse.  At  that 
time  the  bottom  fell  out  of  the  vast  scheme  of  improvements  inaugurated  by  the  State,  and 
work  stopped  on  the  canal  as  it  did  on  the  other  works.  The  effect  of  the  bankruptcy  of 
the  State,  for  such  it  was,  virtually,  on  the  Clinton  &  Kalamazoo  Canal  was  demoralizing 
in  the  extreme.  The  locks  were  pillaged  and  bm-ned.  the  iron  stolen,  and,  in  1850, 
hardly  one  stone  remained  upon  another.  Such  was  the  igaominious  end  of  an  enterprise 
that  was  to  span  a  great  State  and  join  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  and  St.  Clair. 
Traces  of  the  canal  are  still  plainly  discernible  along  its  route  and  at  Utica  it  has  been 
kept  in  good  repair  and  is  now  utilized  as  a  water-power. 

The  companion  project  of  the  canal,  the  Shelby  Railroad,  was  begun  about  the  same 
time,  and  likewise  came  to  naught.  Just  before  the  expiration  of  its  charter,  wooden 
rails  were  laid  down,  and  a  hastily  contrived  car.  drawn  by  horse-power  to  Detroit.  Only 
one  trip  was  made,  but  this  was  sufficient  to  preserve  the  charter,  and,  some  years  after- 
ward, when  the  Detroit  &  Bay  City  was  constructed,  the  old  road-bed  came  into  service 
here  and  there. 

Excellent  singing  by  the  choir  reminded  President  Cady  of  some  happy  reminis- 
cences, which  he  related  with  zest.  LewM.  Millei".  of  Lansing,  read  a  paper  on  the  Early 
Banks  and  Bankers  of  Macomb  County.  This  paper  reminded  President  Cady  that  he  was  a 
stockholder  in  the  Bank  of  Macomb  County,  and  didn't  lose  a  cent  by  it,  either,  as  he  hastily 
sold  out.  S.  H.  Ewell,  of  Komeo.  said  that  he  had  been  held  accountable  for  the  failure  of  the 
Utica  Bank,  to  which  IVIr.  Miller  made  reference,  as  one  day  he  presented  $1.0  in  bills  for 
redemption,  and  it  cleaned  out  the  institution.      They  never  redeemed  a  bill  after  that. 

The  choir  sang  again,  and  this  called  to  the  mind  of  President  Cady  the  fact  that 
some  fifty  years  ago.  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Macomb  County,  then  embracing  a  large 
part  of  Eastern  Michigan,  held  its  first  meeting  in  Mt.  Clemens.  The  boai'd  was  com- 
posed of  six  members  and  met  in  a  store  belonging  to  Mr.  Cady,  just  north  of  the 
court  house,  where  Dahm's  new  block  now  stands.  The  board  voted  to  have  some  whisky, 
got  drunk,  stayed  up  all  night  and  adjourned  the  next  morning  without  paying  for  the 
drink!  A  temperance  sentiment  existed  among  a  certain  class  of  people,  who  would 
drink  nothing  but  cider,  so  he  mixed  five  gallons  of  cider  with  five  gallons  of  whisky,  and 
it  was  high  fun  to  see  the  temperance  folks  boozy  on  Cady's  cider. 

George  H.  Cannon  read  a  paper  on  the  life  of  Judge  Burt,  who  died  in  1858,  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  men  of  the  early  Northwest.  President  Cady  was  reminded  of  a"n 
election  argument  that  was  used  against  Burt  when  he  ran  for  the  Legislature.  The  Judge 
had  a  new  suit  of  clothes  and  was  so  careful  of  it  that  he  never  sat  down  without  putting 
a  piece  of  clean  paper  on  the  chair.  Mr.  Cady  said  the  argument!!)  was  used  with  no  in- 
considerable efl'ect.  Orrin  Freeman,  of  Romeo,  told  tales  of  pioneer  life,  and  put  in  a  good 
word  for  Freeman's  great  excursions  to  the  West. 

Representative  Pai'ker  was  called  upon  and  addressed  the  meeting  briefly.  Mr. 
Parker  dwelt  especially  upon  the  history  of  Chesterfield,  and  among  many  facts  stated 
that  the  first  land  located  in  Chesterfield  was  on  the  site  of  the  village  of  New  Balti- 
more, in  1808,  being  private  claim  848.  taken  up  by  Pierre  Yacques.  Mr.  Parker  was 
proud  of  the  fine  progress  of  Chesterfield  Township  and  of  it ,  people. 

After  the  singing  of  "' Northfield."'  in  j'e  old-fashioned  way,  the  pioneers  proceeded 
to  elect  Vice  Presidents,  who  were  selected  as  follows: 

Romeo — S.  H.  Ewell.  Armada — Hiram  Barrows. 

Mt.  Clemens — N.  L.  Miller.  Utica — James  Alexander. 

Richmond — David  Flagler.  Washington — Loren  Andrus. 


^ 


The  new  Executive  Committee  was  authorized  to  settle  with  the  Treasurer,  and,  after 
electing  several  honorary  members,  among  them  John  Martin,  of  Oakland  County,  and 
L.  M.  Miller,  of  Lansing,  adjournment  was  taken  until  evening. 

The  evening  session  began  at  8  o'clock,  and  was  devoted  wholly  to  singing  and  rem- 
iniscences of  Macomb  County's  early  singers.  S.  H.  Ewell,  of  Romeo,  figured  promi- 
nently in  the  entertainment,  and  read  a  paper,  in  which  he  mentioned  many  of  the  pio- 
neer singers.  Horace  H.  Cady  followed  with  an  interesting  recital  of  musical  experiences 
forty  and  fifty  years  ago.  Mr.  Cady  was  then  chief  fugleman  among  the  singers  and  came 
to  the  fr-'Ut  on  all  public  occasions.  He  sang  a  Fench  song  with  amusing  eflect.  S.  H. 
Davis,  of  Romeo,  sang  several  old  songs  to  the  great  delight  of  the  audience,  and  Secre^ 
tary  Day  made  a  few  remarks.  This  last  meeting  of  the  pioneers  of  Macomb  adjourned  to 
meet  again  at  Utica.  ~ 

E.\BLY    BANKS    AND    BANKERS    OF    MACOMB    COUNTY. 

The  following  paper  on  the  above-named  subject  was  prepared  by  Lew  M.  Miller,  of 
Lansing,  and  read  before  the  pioneers  of  Macomb,  June  13,  1882. 

So  far  as  can  be  at  present  ascertained,  the  first  attempt  to  organize  a  bank  in  Ma- 
comb County  was  made  in  the  yeai-  1834.  At  that  time  this  county  was  one  of  the  mosc 
thickly  settled  in  the  Territory,  having  within  tue  same  boundaries  as  at  present  a  popula- 
tion of  more  than  6, 000.  The  center  of  that  population  was  here  at  Mt.  Clemens,  then 
an  ambitious  little  settlement,  and  one  of  the  most  important  points  in  the  Territory.  In 
common  with  the  rest  of  Michigan,  this  village  suffered  great  inconvenience  from  the 
scarcity  of  currency.  Business  was  hindered.  "'The  butcher,  the  baker  and  the  candle- 
stick-maker "  had  to  barter  and  trust  in  many  of  their  commercial  transactions.  Great 
enterprises  were  checked,  and  all  the  possibilities  of  the  country  were  lying  undeveloped. 
Such  a  state  of  affairs  could  not  be  otherwise  than  irritating  to  those  who  had  cast  their 
lots  in  this  community.  A  conference  of  public-spirited  citizens  was  held  and  a  commit- 
tee appointed  to  di'aw  up  a  memorial  to  the  Legislative  Council.  Who  were  most  promi- 
nent in  this  movement  and  who  composed  the  committee,  we  now  have  no  means  of 
knowing;  but  their  memorial  was  duly  presented  to  the  Council  by  John  Stockton,  then  a 
member  from  Macomb  and  St.  Clair  Counties,  on  January  20,  1834.  It  is  mentioned  in 
the  journal  as  "a  memorial  from  a  committee  of  citizens  of  Macomb  County,  praying  for 
the  passage  of  a  law  to  establish  a  bank  at  the  village  of  Mt.  Clemens.'" 

Similar,  though  less  formal,  action  was  taken  at  about  the  same  time  by  citizens  of 
Shelby  and  the  eastern  part  of  Oakland  County.  They  forwarded  to  the  Council  two  pe- 
titions, numerously  signed,  "'  praying  that  a  charter  might  be  granted  to  a,  bank  to  be 
called  the  Clinton  River  Bank,  and  to  be  located  in  the  town  of  Shelby,  county  of  Ma- 
comb.'' One  of  the  petitions  was  presented  by  Elon  Farusworth,  of  Wayne  County,  on 
January  21.  and  the  other,  on  February  4,  by  Charles  C.  Hascall.  of  Oakland  County. 
The  memorial  from  Mt.  Clemens  and  the  two  petitions  from  Shelby  were  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Incorporations. 

■  It  did  not  seem  expedient,  however,  to  a  majority  of  that  committee,  from  the  facts 
set  forth  in  the  memorial  aal  petitions,  to  graut  any  charters,  at  that  time,  to  any  banking 
institutions  in  Macomb  County.  The  committee,  therefcii'e,  recommended  that  the  prayer 
of  the  petitioners  be  not  granted,  and  the  recommendation  was  concurred  in. 

The  reasons  which  led  the  majority  to  this  conclusion  are  not  set  forth  in  the  report  of 
the  committee.  The  whole  matter  is  dispatched  with  the  usual  brevity  of  early  Legisla- 
tive journals.  To  us  there  may  seem  something  curt  in  this  refusal  to  gi-ant  a  request  to 
which  Gen.  Stockton  and  his  constituents  were  so  much  concerned.  Yet  who  can  now 
question  the  soundness  of  the  committee's  conclusions  t  One  of  the  majority  was  Elon 
Farnsworth,  to  whose  opinions  as  Chancellor  and  Attorney  General  the  State  of  Michigan 


ihL, 


was  afterward  wont  to  listen  with  attention  and  respect.  Before  be  concluded  that  the 
proposed  action  was  inexpedient,  he  had  doubtless  considered  well  the  subject:  and  it  is 
interesting  to  note  that  his  conclusions  at  that  time  were  trulj'  prophetic.  Befori;  many 
years,  it  became  his  duty,  as  Chancellor,  to  allow  writs  of  injunction  against  the  only  two 
Macomb  County  banks  under  the  old  regime  that  ever  rose  to  the  dignity  of  an  injunction. 

Nothing  daunted  by  his  first  repulse,  Mr.  Stockton  at  once  gave  notice  that  "'  on  a 
future  day,  he  would  ask  leave  to  introduce  a  bill  to  establish  the  Macomb  County  Bank, 
with  a  capital  of  .1200,000."  Upon  his  motion,  the  conem-rence  in  the  committee's  report 
was  reconsidered,  and  the  report  tabled.  Having  thus  cleared  his  way.  he  introduced 
■'A  bill  to  incorporate  the  Bank  of  Macomb  County,"  which  passed  safely  through  the 
various  stages,  until  it  reached  the  order  of  third  reading.  There  it  stop])ed,  having  re- 
ceived but  five  ayes  to  eight  nays  on  the  question  of  its  passage.  The  next  day.  on  motion 
of  Mr.  Hascall.  this  vote  was  reconsidered,  and  the  fm'ther  consideration  of  the  bill  post- 
poned until  the  next  session  of  the  Council. 

Of  the  provisions  of  Mr.  Stockton's  bill,  we  have  no  knowledge.  Merely  the  title  ap- 
pears in  the  journal,  together  with  an  incidental  mention  of  $200,000  capital  stock.  It  is 
probable,  however,  that  its  essential  features  were  not  very  different  from  those  of  other 
charters  granted  to  banking  institutions  in  those  days.  Nothing  more  was  heard  of  the 
"  Clinton  River  Bank,  to  be  located  in  the  town  of  Shelby,  county  of  Macomb."  Its  light 
had  gone  out  in  utter  darkness. 

Mr.  Stockton  made  no  fiu-ther  attempt  to  organize  a  bank  during  either  of  the  special 
sessions  of  1834.  nor  did  he  broach  the  subject  at  the  regular  session  of  1835.  Mean 
while,  measiu'es  were  well  under  way  for  the  organization  of  a  State  government.  Dur- 
ing May  and  June,  a  convention  had  met  and  framed  a  constitution,  and  that  document 
was  ready  for  submission  to  the  people.  In  the  interim.  Gov.  Mason  convened  the  Legis- 
lative Council  in  special  session.  It  assembled  on  August  17  and  adjourned  August  25. 
Diu'ing  this  nine  days'  session,  just  when  the  Territory  was  merging  into  a  State,  was 
passed  an  act.  destined  to  till  an  important  chapter  in  the  histoiy  of  Macomb  County.  It 
was  entitled  "  An  act  to  incorporate  the  Macomb  &  Saginaw  Raih'oad  Company,  and  for 
other  purposes."  It  was  not  the  '"  railroad  company,"  but  the  "other  purposes"  that 
made  the  act  conspicuous.  The  2)rincipal  one  of  the  •"other  purposes"  was  the  granting 
of  authority  to  the  stockholders  of  the  railroad  company  to  establish  a  bank  at  Mt.  Clem- 
ens, under  the  corporate  name  of  ''  The  President,  Directors  and  Comj^any  of  the  Bank  of 
Macomb  County."  Gen.  Stockton  secured  the  enactment  of  that  law.  Whether  he  re- 
vived and  remodeled  his  old  bill  or  began  anew,  it  is  now  impossible  to  determine.  The 
journal  of  that  session,  might,  perhaps,  inform  us;  but  that  journal  has  long  been  a  miss- 
ing book,  and  it  is  even  doubtful  whether  there  is  a  copy  still  in  existence.  So  we  have 
but  tradition  and  conjecture  to  guide  tis. 

Strange  as  it  may  now  seem  to  us,  the  combination  of  a  railroad  and  a  bank  was  no 
new  proposition,  when  made  by  Mr.  Stockton.  The  same  Legislative  Council,  to  which 
he  now  proposed  it,  had  already,  twice  before,  been  guilty  of  encouraging  that  kind  of 
miscegenation.  During  the  regular  session  of  1835,  the  Erie  &  Kalamazoo  Railroad  Com- 
pany and  the  Detroit  &  Pontiac  Railroad  Company  had  been  authorized  by  amendments 
to  their  charters,  to  establish  each  a  bank;  and  it  is  significant  to  note  that  the  first  part 
of  Mr.  Stockton's  bill  was  modeled  after  the  original  charters  of  those  two  railroad  com- 
panies, and  the  second  part  after  the  amendments.  Hence,  Mr.  Stockton  coiild  point  to 
two  irresistible  precedents  for  the  passage  of  his  bill.  Furthermore,  as  railroad  projects 
were  then  quite  popular,  he  may  have  shrewdly  incorporated  one  in  his  bill  to  help  his 
bank  scheme  through.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  means  adopted,  the  fact  remains  that 
he  succeeded  in  removing  enough  of  the  opposition  to  his  project  to  secure  the  passage  of 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


his  bill:  and  it  would  be  iuterestnig  to  know  whether  Elon  Farnsworth  was  finally  won 
over  to  a  support  of  the  bill,  or  whether  he  persisted  in  his  doubt  of  the  expediency  of 
granting  charters  to  any  banking  institutions  in  Macomb  County. 

The  bill  became  a  law  August  24,  1835.  By  its  provisions.  Christian  Clemens, 
John  S.  Axford,  Neil  Gray.  Azariah  Prentiss,  James  Brown,  Rodney  O.  Cooley  and  Lan- 
sing B.  Mizner  were  appointed  Commissioners  to  open  books  and  receive  subscriptions  to 
the  capital  stock  of  the  railroad  company,  which  was  to  be  $1,000,000,  divided  into  shares 
of  $50  each.  When  1,000  shares  were  taken,  the  subscribers  were  to  become  a  body  cor- 
porate, by  the  name  of  the  "Macomb  &  Saginaw  Railroad  Company."  A  single  or  double 
railroad,  to  be  located  by  Israel  Curtis.  Jacob  Tucker  and  Charles  C.  Hascall,  was  to  be 
constructed  from  Mt.  Clemens  to  Lapeer,  and  thence  to  the  seat  of  justice  of  Saginaw 
County.  Nine  Directors  were  to  be  chosen  annually,  on  the  first  Monday  of  October,  and 
a  President  from  among  the  Directors  or  stockholders. 

Section  21  confers  upon  the  stockholders  of  the  railroad  comjiany  the  authority  to  es- 
tablish a  bank  at  Mt.  Clemens,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000,  divided  into  shares  of 
$50  each.  The  banking  eoriwration  was  to  be  known  as  "The  President,  Directors  and 
Company  of  the  Bank  of  Macomb  County."  and  its  affairs  were  to  be  managed  by  the 
President  and  Directors  of  the  railroad  company.  Bills  might  be  issued  in  denominations 
not  less  than  $1,  payable  on  demand  at  the  company's  banking  house,  within  usual  busi- 
ness hoMS,  in  the  legal  money  of  the  United  States.  Upon  failure  so  to  redeem  its  bills, 
the  corporation  was  liable  to  be  dissolved,  subject,  however,  to  the  provisions  of  the  act 
relative  to  banks,  approved  April  23,  1S33,  which  allowed  a  limit  of  sixty  days,  within 
which  to  make  payment.  Before  bills  were  istued,  the  entire  stock  of  the  railroad  com- 
pany was  to  be  conveyed  to  the  bank  as  security  for  their  redemption,  and  the  Directors 
were  to  give  collateral  security  to  the  Territory  for  such  redemption  until  ten  miles  of 
railroad  had  been  completed.  Unless  forfeited  sooner,  the  charter  was  to  remain  in  force 
forty  years.  Many  other  jirovisions,  limitations  and  restrictions,  which  it  is  imnecessary 
to  enumerate  here,  are  incorj)orated  in  the  charter. 

The  bank  was  not  put  into  operation  for  more  than  a  year  after  the  charter  was  obtained. 
The  majority  of  the  stock  appears  to  have  been  originally  subscribed  for  by  (ien.  Stockton. 
Among  the  original  subscribers  appear  also  the  names  of  Christian  Clemens,  Buel  Ambrose, 
H.  H.  Farley  &  Co. ,  James  Brown,  S.  F.  Atwood,  Aaron  Whitney,  Jr.,  R.  Steward,  C.  S. 
Mather,  Rodney  O.  Cooley,  De  Garmo  Jones,  of  Detroit.  Enoch  Jones,  Edward  Brooks, 
Ebenezer  Hall.  Isaac  J.  Grovier,  A.  B.  Rawles,  Jacob  Beekman,  E.  G.  Pratt,  George  l^ee, 
Jr..  William  Cantield,  Mrs.  E.  R.  Hawkins,  Miss  Louisa  Clemens  (youngest  daughter  of 
Judge  Clemens  and  afterward  wife  of  Col.  Henry  D.  Terry).  Daniel  Chandler,  James 
Wilfiams,  William  Roy.  William  Vandervoort,  of  Tonawanda,  N.  Y.,  James  Brown  and 
Israel  F.  Hatch  and  Lucius  H  Pratt,  of  Bufi'alo.  N.  Y.  If  there  were  other  original  sub- 
scribers, their  names  are  lost,  for  the  original  subscription  book  disappeared  very  early  in 
the  history  of  the  bank.  It  was  destroyed  for  reasons  best  known  to  those  who  destroyed 
it.  The  following  persons  became  stockholders  at  an  eai-ly  date  by  subsequent  j)urchase: 
Aaron  Weeks,  James  Sweeney,  Cornelius  O'Flynn.  Charles  A.  Emerson,  Dodge  &  Kibbee, 
Lewis  Godai-d,  Creorge  B.  Martin,  Richai-d  Butler,  R.  Anderson,  James  C.  Allen,  Stephen 
White,  of  Boston,  Daniel  F.  Webster,  of  Peru.  III.,  Cai-oline  Webster,  Lam-a  Weeks,  Mary 
Stockton.  John  Norton,  Jr.,  J.  H.  Lathrop  and  S.  F.  Pratt,  of  Buffalo. 

In  October,  1836,  the  following  Board  of  Directors  was  cho.sen:  Christian  Clemens. 
Rodney  O.  Cooley,  William  Canfield,  C.  S.  Mather.  Enoch  Jones,  Edward  Brooks,  Daniel 
F.  Webster,  Aaron  Weeks  and  Isaac  J.  Grovier.  John  Stockton  was  elected  President. 
By  the  1st  of  February,  two  installments  of  stock,  of  10  per  cent, each,  had  been  paid  m, 
and  the  bank  was  about  to  begin  operations.      Charles  A.  Emerson  was  then  made  Cashier, 


^-^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY, 


and  bills  were  executed  for  the  first  time,  bearing  the  signatures  of  John  Stockton,  Presi- 
dent, and  Charles  A.  Emerson.  Cashier. 

The  first  business  transaction  of  the  bank  was  of  a  decidedly  jieculiai'  nature.  It 
dates  by  com'tesy  on  Saturday,  February  11,  1N37,  but  was  in  reality  executed  on  Sunday, 
the  r2th.  William  Vandervoort  and  Lucius  H.  Pratt,  who  then  owned  a  controlling  in 
terest  in  the  stock,  also  stockholders,  took  each  $10,000  of  the  newly  signed  bills,  leavi  ng 
notes  of  $10,000  each  in  place  of  them.  They  also  took  an  additional  $20,000,  without 
leaving  any  evidence  of  indebtedness,  to  create  a  credit  for  the  Macomb  County  Bank  with 
the  Commercial  Bank  oi  Buffalo,  as  they  said.  With  this  sum  of  $40,000,  they  left  the 
country  on  the  Sabbath,  and  a  knowledge  of  the  transaction  was  for  a  long  time  kept  from 
a  majority  of  the  Directors.  When  it  became  known,  it  created  much  dissatisfaction,  and 
from  that  date  the  hard  feelings  and  mutual  recriminations  which  characterize  the  history  of 
the  bank,  date.  Christian  Clemens,  Ebenezer  Hall,  Isaac  J.  Crrovier  and  William  Caufield 
speak  of  this  transaction  and  others  with  much  indignation. 

Besides  the  regular  issue  of  bills,  another  was  contemplated  somewhat  later,  but  not 
effected.  William  Vandervoort  caused  to  be  engraved  for  the  bank  a  plate  of  bills  pay- 
able at  Tonowanda,  N.  Y.  Impressions  were  taken  and  a  few  brought  to  Mt.  Clemens, 
but  none  were  ever  signed. 

We  have  now  reached  the  period  of 

WILD-CAT    BANKS, 

a  few  of  which  made  their  appearance  in  this  bounty.  This  term  is  applicable  to  those 
banks  only  which  were  organized  under  the  general  banking  law  of  1837.  Hence,  al- 
though closelj'  allied  thereto,  the  Macomb  County  Bank  was  not  of  that  species. 

When  the  Legislature  of  1837  convened,  the  whole  State  was  wild  on  the  subject  of 
banking.  Petitions  for  the  organization  of  banks  came  from  nearly  every  hamlet  and  foui-- 
corner  settlement  of  the  State.  Among  them  were  two  from  citizens  of  Macomb  County 
for  a  bank  to  be  located  at  Romeo,  presented  in  the  house  by  Linus  S.  Gilbert.  The 
Legislature  finally  passed  a  general  law  for  the  organization  of  banking  associations,  which 
was  approved  March  1-3.  This  act  passed  almost  without  opposition.  Only  foiu'  Repre- 
sentatives voted  against  it,  one  of  whom  was  Isaac  Monfort,  of  Macomb  County.  Under 
this  act  were  organized  the  tamous  "  wild-cat"  banks. 

THE    BANK    OF    UTICA 

was  the  tu-st  one  organized  in  this  county  under  the  general  law.  The  petition  to  the 
Clerk  and  Treasurer  of  the  county  bears  date  at  Shelby,  May  13,  183  <,  and  prays  for  the 
organization  of  a  bank,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000.  It  is  signed  by  Jacob  Summers,  Payne 
K.  Leech,  Jr..  Asquire  W.  Aldrich,  Benjamin  L.  Watkins.  L.  T.  Jenney,  Samuel  Ladd, 
A.  G.  Deshon,  Giu-don  C.  Leech,  Orson  Sheldon,  L.  D.  Owen,  John  James,  James  Covel, 
Jr.,  and  Joseph  Lester.  On  the  22d,  notice  was  given  by  Rodney  O.  Cooley,  Treasm-er, 
and  Amos  Dalby,  Clerk,  that  books  would  be  opened  at  Utica,  on  Monday,  June  2(),  and 
kept  open  for  four  days,  for  subscription  to  the  capital  stock.  Coi)ies  of  the  notice  were 
posted  in  twelve  of  the  most  public  places  in  the  county  by  Abraham  Freeland,  then 
Sheriff.  On  June  7,  John  James  was  ai)pointed  temporary  Treasurer  to  receive  the  th'st 
installments  on  subscriptions,  giving  a  bond  to  the  Clerk  and  Treasurer,  conditioned  to 
pay  over  to  the  Cashier,  when  appointed,  on  the  order  of  the  Directors,  when  elected,  the 
amount  paid  to  him,  or  to  retm-n  the  same  to  the  subscribers,  if  the  organization  of  the 
bank  should  not  be  completed.  The  sureties  on  this  bond  were  Gurdon  C.  Leech,  Lyman 
T.  Jenney,  Orson  Sheldon  and  Payne  K.  Leech,  Jr.  On  August  31,  the  newly  elected 
Directors,  Jacob  Summers,    Orson  Sheldon,    Gurdon   C.   Leech,    Payne  K.    Leech,    Jr., 


s^ 


HISTORY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Ephraim  Calkins.  Daniel  W.  Philips.  William  A,  Davis.  George  Hanscom  and  -John 
James,  with  A.  Freeland  and  Joseph  Lester  as  sureties,  in  presence  of  Walter  Porter  and 
William  Abernathy  as  witnesses,  entered  into  bonds  to  the  Auditor  General,  in  the  penal 
sum  of  $12ri.000.  conditioned  for  the  punctual  payment  of  all  debts,  notes,  liabilities  and 
obligations,  as  required  by  law.  The  next  day.  a  du[)licate  was  filed  with  the  County 
Clerk,  and  then  a  certificate,  issued  by  the  Clerk  and  Treasurer,  was  tiled  in  the  office  of 
the  Secretary  of  State,  showing  the  due  organization  of  the  Bank  of  Utica.  with  a  capital 
stock  of  .¥5(1. ()(»(». 

Jacob  Summers  was  elected  the  first  President,  and  John  James  appointed  Cashier. 
At  some  subsequent  election.  Giu'don  C.  Leech  seems  to  have  been  made  President.  Thus 
organized,  the  bank  commenced  business  about  September  9.  and  continued  ojierations  a 
little  more  than  a  year,  when  its  legal  tribulations  began.  In  addition  to  the  Directors 
named  above,  the  following  persons  appear  as  stockholders  in  the  institution:  A.  G.  Fin- 
den.  E.  Endres.  J.  S.  Fletcher.  Joseph  Lester.  Sheldon  Owen.  C.  S.  Madison,  A  Keeney. 
S.  Ladd.  A.  B.  Adams.  O.  Steevens.  L.  D.  Owen  and  A.  Bond. 

On  March  22.  the  bank  paid  a  semi-annual  State  tax  of  $37.50,  and  contributed  to 
the  "safety  fund"  in  the  State  treasury,  for  the  redemption  of  its  notes,  just  $'23. 21.  The 
holders  of  its  $14,225  worth  of  bills  7nust  have  fetched  a  long-drawn  sigh  of  genuine 
relief  when  they  read  the  State  Treasurer's  report  for  183S.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  its 
affairs  were  in  a  sorry  condition.  Its  liabilities  were  $33,753.04,  while  its  only  resources 
were  $2,055.51,  in  real  and  personal  property,  and  $31,114  of  discounted  jiaper,  more 
than  $22.0(10  of  which  was  dne  from  stockholders  and  Directors.  The  bank  was  ut- 
terly destitiite  of  specie,  or  any  other  ready  means  for  the  redemption  of  its  notes.  The 
bank  commissioners  took  immediate  steps  to  wind  up  the  concern.  A  bill  was  filed  in  the 
Court  of  Chancery  bj-  the  Attorney  General.  Chancellor  Elon  Farnsworth  allowed  a  writ 
of  injunction  January  5,  183'.),  and  the  days  of  usefulness  of  the  Bank  of  Utica  were 
ended.  Its  only  reason  for  existence  afterward  was  to  play  the  part  of  shuttlecock  to  the 
legal  battledoor.  As  Chancellor  Farnsworth  had  allowed  a  similar  injunction  against  the 
Bank  of  Macomb  County,  just  3(')4  days  before,  he  must  have  indulged  in  a  gi-im  smile, 
as  he  thought  of  the  inexpediency  of  granting  charters  to  any  banking  institutions  in 
Macomb  County.  Meanwhile,  the  bank's  magnificent  "  safety  fund  '"  in  the  State  Treasury 
had  shrunk  to  $3.34,  and  what  finally  became  of  that  is  uncertain.  Like  all  the  rest  of 
the  bank's  valuables,  it  probably  kept  on  shrinking  to  infinity. 

Peter  S.  Palmer,  of  Utica,  was  appointed  Receiver  February  4,  184(1;  his  report,  riled 
in  April,  shows  $8,306.05  liabilities,  of  which  $4,770  was  for  notes  still  unredeemed.  The 
resources  wei'e  only  $7,835.5('),  of  which  but  $(>,775.32  were  considered  available.  Notes 
and  accounts  against  citizens  of  Utica  were  generally  considered  good,  while  notes  of  other 
"  wild-cat  banks  "  were  accounted  worthless. 

The  Legislature  of  1 842,  passed  an  act  to  annul  the  corporate  rights  of  certain  banks, 
among  which  was  the  Bank  of  Utica.  Under  that  act,  the  Receiver  caused  an  appraisal 
of  assets  to  be  made.  April  20,  1842.  by  James  B.  Cartter,  James  Covel,  Jr.,  and  C.  B.  H. 
Fessenden.  This  appraisal  was  signed  by  P.  S.  Palmer,  Receiver,  by  J.  James  and  Payne 
K.  Leech,  Jr.,  his  agents.  The  total  valuation  was  $2,4(>2.77.  Individual  notes  were  ap- 
praised at  from  par  down  to  50  per  cent;  Shelby  &  Detroit  Railroad  checks  at  par;  the 
banking  house  and  lot,  which  cost  $2,015, 98,  at  $80(139,  or  40  per  cent;  bank  fiu-nitui-e, 
from  75  to  34  per  cent,  a  claim  against  the  Deti'oit  City  Bank  at  37i  per  cent.  Then 
follows  a  batch  of  notes,  "wild-cat"  bills  and  claims,  all  thrown  together  without  ap- 
praisement, too  worthless  to  be  considered!  The  shuttlecock  had  now  lieen  banged  about 
by  the  battledoor,  until  it  was  too  dilapidated  for  further  use,  and  the  game  stopped 
here. 

57  


"V 


^ 


1 


HLSTOKY  OF   MACOMR  COUNTY. 


THE  FARMERS   BANK  OF  ROMEO 

was  the  next  venture.  Ou  October  30,  1837,  a  jietitiou  was  drawn  ixp  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  bank  with  a  capital  stock  of  $•")(),(  )0l ),  to  be  located  at  Romeo  and  known  as  the 
"Farmers'  Bank  of  Romeo."  It  was  signed  by  Daniel  Trombley.  Jacob  Coddington. 
George  Finch.  Martin  F.  Southwell,  Asahel  Bailey,  Marvil  Shaw,  Isaac  Brabb,  James 
Thorington,  Charles  F.  Suover,  Benjamin  Crissmau,  Abner  Smith,  Jr.,  Adam  Armstrong, 
A.  B.  Cooley,  James  Harvey,  David  Phelps,  John  A.  Shaffer,  A.  B.  Ayres.  Ebenezer  Kit- 
ridge.  A.  Prentiss.  Orratns  Hulett.  Rnfus  Carjjenter,  John  S.  Axforth  and  Ephraim 
Graves.  The  books  were  open  for  subscription  on  December  I'i.  in  the  "  old  red  tavern." 
The  capital  stock  was  all  subscribed,  the  requisite  10  per  cent  installment  being  paid  on 
the  spot  in  gold  coin,  a  scarce  commodity  in  those  days.  John  James,  of  Utiea,  was  ap- 
pointed temporary  Treasurer,  and  he  gave  the  usual  bond,  with  G.  C.  Leech.  O.  Sheldon, 
A.  B.  Cooley.  R.'L,  Clark.  A.  B.  Rawls,  G.  Gates,  A.  B.  Ayres,  G.  Rix  and  J.  AV.  Dyar, 
as  sureties,  and  H.  A.  Tutner  and  I.  Cummings  as  witnesses.  Directors  and  a  Cashier 
were  chosen,  and  John  W.  Dyar  was  elected  President.  An  order  for  plates  was  made  on 
a  New  York  engraver,  and  in  due  time  the  bills  were  received.  They  were  deposited  for 
safekeeping  in  the  Bank  of  Utica,  but  the  great  collapse  came  before  any  of  them  were 
signed  by  the  officers  of  the  bank,  and  all  ideas  of  further  business  was  indefinitely  post- 
jioned.  Yet  some  of  the  bills  got  out  and  went  ou  their  way  rejoicing  in  forged  signatm'es. 
Martin  Bnzzell,  still  living  at  Romeo,  had  a  $".i  bill  of  that  bank  presented  to  him  in  1838, 
while  doing  business  at  Natchez.  Miss.  Not  having  much  confidence  in  that  kind  of  cur- 
rency, he  refused  to  take  it. 

Mr.  John  W.  Dyar.  still  a  resident  of  Ruineo,  informs  me  that  the  citizens  of  Romeo 
really  wanted  no  bank  at  all;  but  a  number  of  Penn,sylvania  '"  wild-cat  "  schemers  had  fixed 
upon  that  village  as  the  scene  of  one  of  their  nefarious  swindles.  In  order  to  anticipate 
them  the  more  substantial  business  men  of  the  village  organized  a  bank.  and.  with  the 
fi'iendly  aid  of  Messrs.  James.  Leech  and  Clark,  of  Utica,  subscribed  for  all  the  stock. 

THE    CLINTON     RIVER    BANK 

came  next,  and  was  the  second  of  that  name.  The  lirst,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  to  be 
organized  by  special  charter  and  located  at  Shelby.  The  second  was  to  be  of  the  "  wild-cat " 
species,  and  located  at  Mt.  Clemens.  Its  capital  stock  was  to  be  .$.")(), 000  and  book.s  were  to 
be  opened  for  subscriptions  on  January  9,  1838.  The  petition  was  dated  and  filed  Novem- 
ber 1^9.  having  been  signed  by  C.  S.  Mather,  Frederick  Hatch.  George  Whitney,  Porter 
Kibbee,  G.  C.  Fletcher,  E.  L.  Atkins,  P.  8.  Fletcher.  James  B.  Van  Rensselaer,  William 
Lewis,  R.  P.  Eldredge,  H.  M.  Dodge,  James  Williams,  H  J.  Higgins  and  R.  F.  Eastman. 
But  the  crash  came  like 

"  An  envious,  sneaking  frost. 
Tliat  bites  the  first-lioi-n  infants  of  the  spring." 

and  the  Clinton  River  Bank,  No.  2.  went  to  meet  its  illustrious  namesake. 

There  was  still  another  member  of  this  "  wildcat"  family,  which,  as  Ai-temus  Ward 
would  say,  was  the  most  "amoosin'  little  cuss"  of  the  whole  litter.  The  general  law  having 
been  changed  somewhat,  as  to  the  mode  of  organization,  a  document  was  drawn  up,  on  the 
'2C)th  of  March,  1838,  and  filed  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  four  days  later,  cer- 
tifying that  a  banking  association  had  been  formed  with  a  capital  stock  of  iif")O,O0O,  to  be 
located  at  the  village  of  Belvidere — "  or  Belvidere  City  " — and  to  be  known  as 

THE    BANK    OF    LAKE     ST.    CLAIR. 

James  L.  Conger  was  its  President,  A.  C.  Hatch,  D.  B.  Conger,  S.  A.  Hathaway,  C. 
W.  Hussey,  S.  G.  Langdon  were  its  Directors,  and  A.  Wilcox,  D.  G.  Gtu'nsey  and  Edwai-d 


r 


HISTOKY  OF  MACOMB  COUNTY. 


R.  Blackwell  were  the  other  stockholders.  Bills  were  elaborately  engraved  and  printed 
in  abnndance.  but  before  they  were  regularly  issued  the  bank  was  swamped  by  hard  times 
and  the  city  by  high  water.  The  bills  were  extensively  circulated  by  the  boys  of  the 
adjacent  country,  and  in  some  instances,  no  doubt,  were  passed  as  money  upon  the  igno- 
rant or  unwary. 

CONCLUSION. 

Judging  the  future  of  the  county  by  the  past,  and  that  is  the  proper  criterion  to 
judge  by,  what  can  be  the  limits  to  the  progress  that  will  be  made  by  the  genius  of  the 
American  people  of  Macomb  in  the  next  fifty  years?  We  can  only  entertain  a  hope  for  the 
foreign  element  of  the  jiopulation — a  hoj)e  that  when  the  next  history  is  proposed,  the  im- 
migrants will  have  reached  that  state  of  intelligence  which  will  enable  them  to  conceive 
the  utility  of  such  a  work,  and  incite  them  to  support  it,  so  that  they  may  learn  more,  and 
become  Americanized. 

That  portion  of  the  population  properly  termed  the  American  people  of  Macomb, 
seem  to  have  made  everything  in  which  they  engage  so  satisfactory  in  results,  that 
the  humau  mind  pauses  in  the  midst  of  its  bwundlessness,  and  almost  seems  to  say — the 
whole  work  is  accomplished,  and  there  is  nothing  left  for  the  inventive  genius  of  the  rising 
generation  to  do.  But  much  as  has  been  accomplished,  the  most  scientific  and  constructive 
minds,  those  that  have  accomplished  the  grandest  results  in  fields  of  mechanics  and  inven- 
tions, realize  the  fact  that  they  have  just  made  a  beginning  in  the  arts  and  sciences,  and 
that  a  gi-eat  undiscovered  world  lies  beyond 


>?  S r-  -s sfv 


ERRATA. 

ALEXANDER  GRANT.      The  biography  of  this  gentleuiau  should  read:    His  wife 
was  the  daughter  of  Albert  and  Mary  Deshon,  instead  of  "Albert  and  Julia." 

The  folhjwing  biography  was  received  too  late  for  insertion  in  its  proper  place: 
WILLIAM  FREDERICK  DRAKE,  P.  O.  Utica,  son  of  Hiram  and  Autha  (Wolf)  Drake, 
natives  of  New  York,  born  in  Sterling  Town.  Macomb  Co..  Mich..  October  31.  1(S46;  edu- 
cated in  the  public  school  and  lived  in  this  county  all  his  life,  except  three  years,  from 
1867  to  1870.  during  which  time  he  filled  the  position  of  superintending  a  gang  of  men 
at  the  House  of  Correction,  at  Detroit;  has  followed  farming  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and 
is  now  farming  on  Section  '21.  Shelby  Township,  Macomb  County;  entered  the  army  dur- 
ing the  late  rebellion  at  the  age  of  nineteen  as  private;  served  six  months,  when  he  re- 
turned home  on  account  of  sickne.ss;  was  married.  December  '2t>.  1S70.  to  Adelaide  C. 
Robinson,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Ann  Brown  (Smith),  natives  of  Virginia.  J.  Brown 
was  one  of  Gen.  Harrison's  stafl'  officers  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  Judge  of  the  Court  at 
Shockton,  Ohio  for  two  years,  previous  to  June.  1829,  at  which  time  he  was  accidentally 
killed.  Mr.  Drake's  father  removed  to  Michigan  about  the  year  1840,  where  he  has  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  a  farmer  to  this  time,  and  now  resides  in  Sterling  Town,  Ma- 
comb Co.,  Mich, 


^  (i 


LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS 


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